THEELI

TE
PARTONE(
1)

I
nser
t1

Wr
it
tenbyMEGEANMULI
NDWA

PdfbyVaDeny
...

I
NTRODUCTI
ON
Looki ngforwor kcanbeso
frustrati
ngandi rri
tativeespeci all
y
wheny ou'reinser i
ousneedof
moneyandnot hi ngiscomi ngforth
,fir
stofal ltogett heCVSdoney ou
wi l
lneedmoney ,todr opt hem off
youwi l
lneedt ranspor tmoneyas
wel l
,dothehi r
ingper sonnelev en
consi derthiswhent heyt ellus
"Ther eisnov acancy "l i
keser i
ously
dot heyhav et otellitstrai ghti
nt o
yourf acewheny ou'r
et iredand
hopef ulany wayt heywi llbedoi ng
theirjob,
Wel li
twasy etanot herfatefulday
formeandbei ngdeni edhad
becomeat rendt hatsomet i
mesI
don'tev enwai ttobet ol
dt hel ook
cansayi tall
,youcanev enpr edict,
..
..
..
youknow, youcanbecomeso
pessimi sti
ct haty ouwi l
lbe
expectingdi sasteral way sandt ry
ing
willbelikey ou'rebei ngpushed
,wheni t'syourl i
fe, your
choice,career,yourt imebutnotat26
andst i
llaty ourpar entspl acey ou
willdefinit
elyhav esomeonemaki ng
choicesanddeci sionsfory ou.

Adel
:Shewassomady
ouknowand
shesaidIwi
llleav
eherhome
thr
oughmarriageonl
y,shewant
sme
tostay"
Hear
t:
Goodforyou,
myMom wants
meout"heavedadeepsi
ghbutAdel
l
aughed
Adel:
SorryHeart"sheconsol
ed
fi
xinghercol
lar"howdiditgotoday
youdroppedy ourCVSatOKMar t?"
Heart
:YesIdi
dandt
heysai
dthey
wil
lgetbackt
omeaaah"shesi
ts
down
Adel
:Nev
erst
ophopi
ng"
Heart
:GoodIwon't,
whatel
sedoI
havei
fIloosehopehopingismy
onlyopti
on"theybothlaughedand
didahighfiv
e,theatmospherewas
changingcheer
ily"
Atleastyou'
re
workingAdel"
Adel
:Aschoolbur
sar"sher
oll
edher
eyes
Hear
t:
Atleastthat
'sbei
ng
somewherethantobenowher
e"
Adel
:Wi
thallt
hestr
ikessomet
imes
wedon'
tgetourmoney"shestands
upandwalkstot
hekitchen
Heart
:Ithinkit
'sbett
ertoknowitwill
comet hannotev enhavinganyjob
wherey oudon'tevencomplainof
notgettingpaid"shespoke
shouti
ngt
oAdelwhowasi
nthe
ki
tchen
Adel:
Aaaht hatdoesn'tev
enmake
senseHear t"shelaughedtakinga
bowlinthecupboar dandputsome
spaghett
iandcomesback" youwil
l
endupbei ngdesperate"shepasses
thespaghettibowltoherandshe
takesi
t
Heart:
Iam alreadydesperatetal
king
aboutendingupbei ngdesperatetsk
!"Sheclickedhertonguet hen
ci
rcl
edspaghet tionherforkand
shovesitdownhermout h
Adel
:Li
keIal
way
ssayaj
obwi
ll
comewheny
ou'
rel
eastexpect
ingi
t"
Heart:Yeahri
ght..
..
..
thepr
oblem i
sI
don'tknowhownott obeexpectant
becauseIam alwaysexpect
ing"
theybothlaughed
DeepdownHear twasn'tlaughi ng
shewant edt obecount edt ooon
thosegoi ngt owor k,soshecoul d
givebackt oherpar ents,shef elt
obligatedt odoso, li
kemostoft he
peopl e,y
ouknowt hesay i
ng' chirere
chigokurer awo'(shonapr ov er b)
that'showmostofusf eelindebt ed
toourpar entsandt heytoohav et hi
s
mindsett hatmychi ldhasgr own
nowheorsheshoul dbeabl et o
contr i
butet owhat ev erneedst hey
want, t
osomepar ent sitdoesn't
reall
ymat t
erbutt omostoft hem
taket hatmat tertohear tespeciall
y
consi deringageandt ogi r
lstwice
willbeexpect edoft hem ,toget
mar riedal soconsi der ingherage
,boy scanmar r
yev eni ntheir
thi
rtiesbutf oragi rlt obet hi
rtyand
notmar ri
edt heywi llseey ouasa
Grandma, Wel lasf ormel oveand
mar riagewer et hel astthingsto
wor r
yabouti nmycont extallI
want edwast obeabl etobuymy
ownt hings,from cl othesand
every thi
ngt hathasgott odowi th
wearingfrom shoes,
jewell
ery,inner
wearetcandt obeablet oprovide
formyf amil
yaswel l
,t
obeacl assy
workinggirl
,Msindependencet obe
preci
se,Idon'twanttobeabeggar
neit
herdoIwantt hatformyf ami l
y

All
owmet oi ntr
oducemy selfmy
namei sPaidamoy oMar owaIam 26
ashonagi rl
,theonlychil
di nmy
famil
ypeopl ecallmePai daheart
why?..
..
.,
welli nourst
reettherewer e
thr
eegirl
sbyt henamePai daand
j
usttodifferenti
ateItr
anslatedthe
shonawor dmoy owhichisheartin
engli
shandsopeopl estartedcall
ing
mePai daheartandev ent
uall
yit
endedupj ustbeingheart,
that'
sal
l
ther
eistomeIam j ustaplai
n
simplegir
llookingforwork.

Hear t
:Goodev eningMom "Igr eeted
myMom ent eri
ngt hekitchen
comi ngfr
om Adel '
shousewho
happenst obemybestf r
iendbythe
wayandmyMom i soneoft hose
wor ki
ngclassMomswel lshe
doesn'thaveaf ancyjobbutt hefact
thatsheiswor kingmakesawhol e
l
otofadi ffer
ence,sheisagener al
cleaneratahospi talt
obespeci f
ic
andshegothert alkat
iveness
thr
oughthatjobIguessbecause
damnshecant alkandgetsangr
y
easi
lyIunderst
andwhereheranger
i
sder i
vedfr
om
Mom: Eveni
ngPaida"sheanswer
ed
standi
ngbyt hesi
nkseemedtobe
doingsomethingther
e
Hear
t:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Mom:Cutti
ngmeatandr epacki
ngit
i
ntosmallport
ionpacksandI
r
emembercor rectl
ythat
'swhaty ou
weresupposedtodot odaybutI
f
ounditwaiti
ngf orme"
Hear
t:
Ooohsorr
yIhadtorunto
t
ownintheaf
ternoonwhenIhear
d
t
hatt
her
ewasacompanyhi
ri
ng"
Mom:Anddidyougett
hejobweren'
t
youcomingi
nwithAdelj
ustnow?"
Sheaskedst
il
ldoi
ngherthangher
backonHeart
Hear
t:Yesaf
tercomingfr
om t
ownI
dr
oppedbyAdel'
splace"
Mom:Doyoumeany esy ougotthe
j
oboryeswhat?"Shetur nedand
l
ookedatmefrom t
opt obot t
om l
ike
shewasbei
ngobservant
Hear
t:
Noididn'
tgetthejobt
heysai
d
t
heywil
lcal
lusIjustl
eftmyCV
t
here"
Mom:
Andt
hatAdeli
sal
way
s
promisi
ngy
ouatt
hatschoolbutst
il
l
nothi
ng"
Heart:Youdon' tli
keAdelt hat'
si t
,i
t'
s
notaboutherpr omisesand
ful
fil
lment s"andt hatwast hetruth
shesai dAdelwaski ndabitchyby
thewayshedr essesandshewoul d
sayshedi dn'tknowwhysheandI
cli
ckedsomehowshesuspect edme
tobemi schievousal soli
kebei nga
prosti
tute, Heartstoodupf rom her
chair"Doy ouhav etoday's
newspaper? "Sheaskedaf tera
whileofanawkwar dsil
ence
Mom:Don'
tknowifyourDadbought
onegoandcheckinthebedr
oom "
Heart:
Okay"shewal
kedoutt
he
si
lencewasunbear
able
Shetooktheday '
spaperandsaton
herMom'sbedf li
ppingittoher
favor
it
esection, t
hesect i
onwhich
showedvacanci esandshequi ckl
y
browsedthr
oughi tbutstopped
whensomet hingofi nt
erestcaught
hereyeandat tenti
on
Heart:Personswant edtobet r
ained
andequi ppedf orworkinSouth
Afri
canof eesrequir
ed,mustbe18
to35, mustbef l
uentinEngli
shother
subjectsar eanaddedadv antage
andonl yyout obepr esent
able
,contactthenumberf ordet
ails"she
r
eadoutal
readyi
nter
est
edasi
twas
f
avor
ablet
oher

That '
showl i
fewasgoi ngt ochange
formeandwhatwi llhappenwi ll
thri
llyoubuti t'
sreal, thisismy
story,
Iain'tgotnothi ng,seemst obe
stuckint hetwent ysomet hi
ng' sbut
Godbl esst hetwent ysomet hing,I
am hopi ngthistwent ysomet hing's
don'tkil
lme, Misst went ysomet hi
ng
,Hear t
'sstory.
*
*
*
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[
1/25,
11:
58]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

I
nser
t2

Sheput sonadescentNav yblue

pencilski
rtaccompani edbyawhi t
e
shirtni
celytuckedinpairedoffwit
h
blackblockheel ssui
tabl
ef or
walkingallthewayf r
om charge
offi
cetoKi ngston'
shousewher ethe
i
ntervi
ewswasgoingtobeheld.She
madesuretocarr
yeverythi
ng
sui
tablef
ort
heinter
view

Aft
erpacki ngev erythingnecessary
i
nherl i
ttl
ehandbag, shewal kedout
andlockedt henwentt oAdel's
housewher eshel eftthekeywi th
Adel'
sli
t t
lesister,herMom orDad
whoevercamef i
rstwasgoi ngto
col
lectitthere,thatwast heir
arr
angementsi nceev ery
onehad
goneout .

HerDadwasamechani
catal
ocal
garageandhispaywasaccor di
ngto
howmanycust omerswouldturnup
forthedayt
ogettheircar
sfixed
mor eli
keworki
ngoncommi ssion
kindaofadeal,
yeah.
...

Shecheckedt heti
meonherhonor
l
it
ephoneandshewassur eshewas
goi
ngt omakei tontimesincethe
i
ntervi
ewwast ostar
tat11andr i
ght
atthatmomenti twas9:30am, she
wasal wayspunctualespeci
all
y
wheni tcametoany t
hingthathasto
dowi t
hgetti
ngaj ob
Shear ri
vedaftersomedel aywi t
h
thecombi sandaf ightbreakingof f
betweenapassengerandt hehwi ndi
[conductor]andtheyendedupbei ng
switchedfrom thatcombit oanot her
onewhi chwasmov inglikeat or
toise
andshewasnowst andi
ngonone
l
egasshekeptchecki nghertime,
shedi dn'
twantt obel at
enott othis
oneshehadhi ghhopes

Hear
t:OoohmyGod" shestood
amazedatthenumberofpeople
whohadturnedupfort
heinter
view
Shewal kedinandsatnextt oagirl
whowaswear ingat i
ghtstr
etchy
yel
lowdr esschewi nggum andwas
busyplayinggamesonherphone,
shepeepedohy esschoolfashion
bouti
queHear thadt hatgameas
well"
Hie"shegr eet
edt hegir
lnextto
whopausedt hegameandl ookedat
herfr
om t optobot tom

"Hel
lo"shegreet
edbackchewi
nga
bubblegum andl
ookedbackonher
phoneagain
Hear
t:
Arey
ouherefort
heint
ervi
ew
t
oo?"Whatast
upidquest
iontoask
r
eal
ly
"Yeah"sherepli
ednotl
ooki
ngup
st
il
lconcent
rati
ngonhergame
Heart
:Howmanypeopl ewer ecal
led
i
nsof ar?"Sheaskedagainshewas
soanxiousandnervousatthesame
ti
mecoul dn'
twai
tforherturnt
obe
cal
ledin
"Many"sheansweredagainand
Heartwasgetti
ngcomf ort
abl
ewith
herthoughshewasn'tgiv
ingany
att
entiont
oher
Heart
:Okayandaretheygetti
ngi
t?"
Sheaskedandthegirll
ookedupand
st
aredatherasift
hinki
ngofwhatto
saypr
obabl
yannoy
edt
oo
"Idon'
tknow"sheendedupsayi
ng
andlookeddownonherphone
Heart:I
tseemsthatt
herear
e..
."The
gi
rlnexttoherqui
ckl
yint
err
upted
"I
fyousayonemor ewordIswearI
mightgocrazy"shesaidf
uming
goshshemusthav ebeenhol
dingit
i
nallthiswhi
le,
nowshehadzer o
tol
erance

Hear
tnoticedi
nashortspaceof
t
imehowsomeexi tedthemaindoor
t
heyenteredwit
hcomingfrom t
he
i
nter
viewersof
fi
ceandsomewoul d
si
tacrosstheroom onalongbench
setther
e,shewonderedwhatwas
goingonbutcouldn'
taskanymore

"Next"ashapelessstoutprobablya
glut
tonouswomanst oodbyt hedoor
asitwasHeart'
st urntogoi nand
thegir
lwhohadbeensi t
tingnextto
hercameoutandsatatt helong
benchacrossther oom

Heart
:Howarey ou"shegr
eeted
pol
it
elyasi
fthatwouldearnher
marks,may
beitcouldwhoknows.
Shesatonachairclut
chi
ngherbag
ti
ghtl
yandherey
esi
mmedi
atel
y
surv
eyedther
oom
"Iam fine"repliedthewomanwho
hadcal ledoutasshewentt osit
acrossher ,herdeskhadanol d
modelcomput erafewpaper s
stackedi nfrontofher,shetookher
penandpaper" Namepl ease?"She
askedaboutt owr i
te,
shel ooked
i
mpat ientandt ense
Heart
:Hea.
..
..
..
...
sorryPai
damoyo
Marowa"sherepliedandthewoman
st
aredatherf
irstthenwrote
"Ar
eyousurethi
sisy
ourname?
"
Sheaskedagai
n
Hear
t:
Yes"
"Whatabouttheoney ouwant
edto
sayatfi
rst?"Shemov edthemouse
l
ookingatthescreen
Hear
t:(
giggl
ed)I
t'
sani
ckname"
"Howol
dar
eyouanddoy
ouhav
ea
phone?
"
Heart
:Twentysi
xandyesIhavea
phone"l
ikedaaahwhodoesn'
towna
phonethesedays
"
Arey
oumar
ri
ed?
"
Heart
:Singl
e"ver
ysi
ngl
e,sosi
ngl
e
butnotsear
chi
ng
"
Okayhouseaddr
essandwhodo
youli
vewith?"Jesuswhatki
ndof
quest
ionsaretheseany
way..
.
Hear
t:(
sighed)3799ManyamePar
k
andIl
iv
ewi thmyparent
s"
"
GoodcanIhav
eyourphonepl
ease"

Hearthesi
tatedatfir
stbutt
hen
remindedherselfofhowdesperatel
y
sheneededt hejobsoshebrought
outherphoneandpassedt helady
"hmm whatki ndofaphoneisthis?"
Sheaskedt r
y i
ngtoswitchi
ton
Hear
t:Anhonorli
teMa'am "she
conf
ident
lyspokeup,wellaphoneis
aphoneright
?Tellt
hattotheiPhone
user
s
"Mustbef ongKongwhatbr andis
honorlite,anywayit'
sagoodt hi
ng
forthi
st ypeofaphonecan' tbe
traced"shesai dandHear t
wonder edwhatt hatmeantbutdidn'
t
putittomi nd,shebrusheditoff
remindingher sel
fthatal
lshewanted
wasaj ob
Hear
t:SodoIqual
if
y?"Sheaskedas
t
hewomanwasbusywi thherphone
"Ofcour
seever
yonequali
fyherewell
exceptf
orafewuglyones"she
giggl
edandHeartj
oinedi
nthinki
ng
ohboywhatacrazywoman
"SoPaidayoucangoandj oi
nthe
other
sont hebenchIbel
ieveyou
werethelastoneweren'
tyou?"
Heart:YesIwas"shest oodupand
wentoutwi t
hasmi leetchedonher
l
ipsandy etagainsatnexttoher
fr
iendwhor oll
edhereyeswhenshe
sawher

"Alrightguysy oual
lhavequal
ifi
ed
claphandsf oryour
self"t
he
i
nt erviewersaidcomingoutofher
officeandt herewasnoiseinthe
room asev ery
oneapplauded
cheer
ful
lywit
hbeaut
if
ulsmi
lesup
onthei
rfaces

Heart:Justli
kethatwequal i
fy?
"She
askedsomewhatpuzzl edimean
thatwast heeasiesti
ntervi
ewev er
,
shouldprobablyenter
edi nt
othe
guinessbookofr ecor
ds

"Yesyoudonowy ouwil
lgooutto
l
unchdr i
venbythecompany '
s
repr
esentati
veyourphoneswil
lbe
safewithmeandwheny oucome
backyoucancol l
ectt
hem andgo
homet oprepar
eandbi dyour
far
ewell
stofri
ends,
rel
ativesandin
thr
eeday'st
imewewi llbetrav
ell
ing
"ever
yonemarveledonceagain
Hear
t:Whatexact
lyar
egoingt
obe
t
rai
nedandequippedfor?
"
"Er
..
..
.youwil
lseeandy ouwil
l
defi
nit
elyl
ikeit
,youcanallgo
someoneiswai t
ingforyououtsi
de"
shesaidhurri
edly
Heart:
Onemor equest
ion"she
promptedbutthewoman'sface
expressi
onchangedbutshequickl
y
coveredwit
hasmi l
e
"
Pai
dadon'
tdel
ayother
sgoonnow
t
heear
li
ert
hebett
er"sher
epl
ied
andyestheot
hergi
rlsstart
ed
murmuri
ngincomplainsthatshe
sur
elywasnaggi
ng

Hear tjustfoll
owedgoi ngoutside
seeingsur elythatshewasaski ng
wayt oomanyunnecessar y
quest ionswhenmay betheywer e
goingt obebriefedov erlunch.She
hadwant edt oaskwhyt herewer e
onlyf emalesselect edandwher e
weret heygoingf orlunch

Thei
nter
viewerl
ookedatherasshe
wast
helastonetogoout"Wehav e
atroublesomeonehernamei s
Paidathelastonetoexi
tthebuil
ding
keepawat chf
uley
eonher"she
report
edonherphone
*
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.
.
[
1/25,
12:
34]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

I
nser
t3
Theyexit
edthet heKingst on'
shouse
bui
ldi
ngandHear twast helastone
togooutandassoonasshewas
outhereyeslockedwi t
ht hewoman
whowasshowi ngthegirlsthecars
toenter
.Therewer eactual l
ytwo
car
sandt hewomansmi ledatHeart
andshesmi l
edbackt hinkingOooh
whatawonder fulwomant hisis

Shegoti nt
hecarandt hewoman
drovethem andanothercarfol
lowed
behi
ndt hem.Thewomanher eand
ther
egl i
mpsedatHear tonthe
rear
viewmi r
rorbutHeartwas
l
ookingdownt ight
lycl
utchi
ngtoher
handbagt i
ghtlyt
hatthewoman
drivi
ngwonder edtohowshewas
clutchingtoherbagwi t
hast rong
grip.Shewoul dlookbackont he
roadagai nwhenHear trai
sesher
facebecausesomehowshef eltl
ike
shewasbei ngwat chedandt he
sil
encewasj usttoomuchf orher
l
ikingshenev erl
ikedtobebor edbut
ri
ghtt hereshewassobor edAF

Heart
:Wher
earewegoingforlunch
?"Shehadtoaskshecoul
dn'tkeep
qui
etanymore
"JamesonHot
el"t
hel
adydr
iver
answer
ed
Heart
:Okaydoy ouusuall
ydothi
s?"
Shewentont oaskagainandthe
womanseemedst art
ledbut
somehowmanagedt ocollect
her
selfandsaid
"Dowhat?"Shebri
efl
ysmil
ed
l
ooki
nginthemirr
ormeeti
ngHear
t'
s
bi
geyesthatt
err
if
iedher
Hear
t:
Buyempl
oyeesl
unch?
"She
gi
ggl
ed
"
Noweonlybuyonceofff
ornew
r
ecr
uit
s"sheexpl
ained
Heart
:Okaymindthetraf
fi
cli
ght
s,
youdon'twantat
icket"she
remindedt
hel adytost
opf orshe
seemedunf ocusedanddistr
acted
somehowt hatshewasn'tlooki
ng
ahead
"Oooht hankyou"andshest opped
thi
nkingt hi
soneistooclever,
was
sheaspy ,aCI
Oincivvies,
reall
y,her
heartthuddedastheireyesmet
onceagai n
Heart:Youcannowgoi thas
changed"onceagai
nshewas
remindedbyHeartl
ikeshewasa
l
earnerwhenshewaswayt oo
experiencedi
ndr
ivi
ng,hadaPhDif
thatexist
"Soyournameis?"Sheasked
dri
vi
ngseeingJamesonHotelup
ahead
Heart
:Pai
damoyobuty
oucanj
ust
cal
lmeHeart"

Nowt heothergirl
sgi ggledbutal l
thi
swhileitseemedasi ft heywere
deafbecauset heywer en'tev en
sayi
ngat hingneitherwer et hey
acti
ngli
ket heywer ehear i
ngaswel l

"Beaut
ifulorIshouldsay
extr
aordinaryIsuppose"shedr
ove
l
ookingf orparki
ngspace
Heart:Uhm arewegoingtobe
bri
efedaboutt hecompany,t
he
art
iculatesandwhatwewi l
lbegoing
todo? "sheaskedasthecarstopped
andtheot herswereal
readysteppi
ng
out
"OfcourseHear
teveryt
hingyouhave
questi
onstowil
lbeanswer edover
l
unchandy ouwillr
emember
every
thingj
ustl
ikearecentdream "

Shedefinit
elydidn'tunderst
andthat
dream partbutshruggedmaki ng
wayfollowingthegi r
lsheading
towardsthehot el
'sentrance
Theystoppedatt hehotel'sentrance
andamal ewor kerrushedt othem
andapologi
zedt hattheirprogram
cl
ashedwi t
ht hecountry'sVIP'swho
wereusingtheshowr oom f ortheir
manymeet ingsaswel l.

Theirrepresentat
ivesapologi
zed
andsai dtheycant akethegir
ls
somewher eelseandtheyaskedi f
everyoneagr eedtothenewi deaand
ofcour seeveryonesaidyes.Heart
tooagr eedfoll
owingafterevery
one
tel
li
ngher selfwhatcouldpossibly
happen,theywereallwomenand
theylookedfr
iendl
yandseemingl
y
couldbet r
ust
ed

Asperagr eementt heywer edriven

todownt ownt oar est
aurantandgot
aroom whi chseemedpr esentable
enoughandHear twasl i
kealright
thepeoplear ekindaorganizedas
theyallsatdownt obot t
lesof
mineralwat eri
nf r
ontoft hem

Thewomanwhowasdr ivi
ngthe
secondcarcameinfr
ontofthem t
o
presentaspeechmaybe
"Welcomebeauti
fulsoul
s"she
addressedt
hem andtheyal
l
answeredatchor
usl i
kea
percussi
onband
"
Thanky
ou"t
heyal
lsai
d
"
Fir
stofal
lyoumightbewonder
ing
whatt
hisal
laboutar
en'
tyou?"
"Yes"agai
ntheyal
lanswer
ed
"
Wellngati
mboiteit
ichinwi
ra
mvura_
(let
'shav
eadr inkofwat
er
f
ir
st)

Ev
ery
onel
aughedt
ohowshewas
dupl i
cati
ngalocalTVpr esent erand
l
ikeabunchofy oungstersthey
openedt heZLGmi ner
alwat erand
sipped,somegul peditalldownt hei
r
throatsmusthav ebeenr eall
yr eall
y
thir
sty,butbef
or eHeartcouldsi p
herwat ershefeltl
ikeusingt he
l
adi essoshest oodup

"Wherearey
ougoing?"Shewas
askedthemomentshestoodup
Heart:CanIusetheladiesroom
please?"Sher
epli
edl i
keherlif
e
dependedont hetoi
let,
from al
lofa
suddenherbladderwashot
"Forourser vi
cesher ewedidn'tpay
forthetoilet
ssoy ouhavetowai t
wheny ougobackt ocoll
ectyour
phonesy ouwi llusethetoil
etsthere"
Whodoesn' tpayf ort
oil
etswhenev er
womenmeet ,nxlaHeartwas
disappointed,shewant edtogo
i
mmedi ately.

Thewomanwhocamedr i
vi
ngt hei
r
carsteppedupf orherandwalkedto
theonepr esent
inginfr
ontand
whisperedsomet hi
nginherear

"
OkayHear
tletMr
sChar
it
ytakey
ou
t
othest
afft
oil
et"
Hear
t:Okayt
hanky
ou"
"Fol
lowmey oucanl
eav
eyour
handbagbehind"
Hear
t:Mysmallphonei
sinher
emy
Mom mightj
ustcal
lme"
Shepoint
edoutandt
hewomanwas
l
ikewhatthef
***wel
lherexpr
essi
on
sai
dthat
Heart:Andatissueofcoursesome
toi
let
sdon'thavetissues"she
addedont osay
"Uhmmm soy ouhavetwophones?
"
shepatt
edHeart'
sshoulderf
ake
smil
ingtoherandthatwasher
concer
nli
ker
eal
ly
Heart:
YestheoneIlefti
sfor
whatsappthesmalloneisforcal
ls"
sheexplai
nedasifitwasrelev
ant
i
nfo
"Greatl
et'
sgo"shetookast ep
fol
lowingHear
tbutturnedbackand
eyedtheonepresent
ingandt hen
walkedoutoft
heshowr oom
"
LetmeholdthebagforyouIwil
lbe
wai
ti
ngoutsi
dehere"shesai
das
t
heyhadreachedt
hefemaletoi
let
s
Hear
t:Okay"

Shef
ir
stl
ycol
lect
edapi
eceoft
he
ti
ssueandt henpassedherbagt hen
walkedinthet oil
etanddi dhert hing.
Shest oodbeforethebi gmi rr
or,
l
ookedather selfandshescr eamed
i
nhappi nesssay i
ngt hi
sisi t
,it
'snow
happeningIam f i
nallygoingtogeta
j
ob, shecouldn'twaittotellherMom
orAdelgosht heywer egoi ngtobe
sohappywi thandf orher.

Thepeopl eseemedst andardi

zed
andwel lorganized,shedefini
tel
y
believ
edt hatthiswasgoi ngtobe
thestartofanewl i
feasawor ki
ng
classlady,shelookedathersmi li
ng
faceonemor et i
meanda
celebrat
ory" Yes"cameoutasshe
smoot hedherpenci lskirtgoshi t
wasaFr i
dayandshehadt owash
thatskir
twhenshear r
iveshome
becauset hatwast heski rtshewas
planningonwear inggoi ngt ochurch
thenextdayonaSat urdayf orshe
wentt oSev enthDayAdv entist
,
thingspoorpeopl emxxxm

"Wereyoudoingnumber2? "The
l
adyaskedasHear tcameoutofthe
l
adiesrestr
oom 20mi nut
eslater
,
geezthat'
sfar
fetched
Hear
t:Nope"sheshy
lyr
epl
iedas
t
heywal
kedbackt
otheboar
droom

Thereweredr i
nksandhambur gers
oneachseat ,t
hehambur gerslooked
pathet
icthough,wasitreall
yhot el
foodHeartwondered,afterallthe
complimenti
ngaboutt heirst
andar d
whatwast hisshewasseei ng?

TheBurgerlookedcheapand
di
sfi
gured,sheglancedtothegi
rl
whom shehadbeenannoy i
ngear
li
er
andshelookedt i
redli
keshewasn'
t
evenpayi
ngat t
entionatal
l
Heart
:Hey"sheli
ghtl
yshookherto
getherat
tent
ionbuttheLadyin
fr
ontspokeuptoherdist
ract
ion
"
Uhm Hear
tany
thi
ngt
hemat
ter?
"
Heart
:Nobuti
tseemsmyf r
iendher
e
i
ssleepi
ngsoIjustwant
edtowake
herup"
"Okayleaveherandhaveyourdr
ink"
shepolitel
ysai
dandHeartwaslike
Okf eel
ingli
keakinder
gar
tenwho
hast obetoldwhentoeat
.Shetook
asipandshef el
ttoasksomethi
ng..
.

Heart
:Sor
rymaybeImusthavebeen
ski
ppedwithal
otthaty
oudiscussed,
whataboutthepassportpartsi
nce
wewillbegoingoutofthecountry?"
Shetookanotherhugedraini
ngsip
oft
hef ant
afizzydr
ink
"Doyouhav
eapasspor
t?"She
asked
Hear
t:Nobutt
het
ri
pisi
nthr
ee-
Shewasqui
ckl
yint
erj
ect
ed
"Don'tworr
yaboutthatfi
nishyour
j
uice"sher epl
iedandHeartnow
sawt hegir
lbesideheri
ncircl
es
spinningar
oundandshebangedher
headont hetablesl
eepi
ng

Hear
twasl
ikewhat
'sgoi
ngonher
e
asshelookedatt
heot
hergi
rl
stoo
fol
lowi
ngcordi
all
y

Heart:Pleaseletmehav emybag
pleaaaaaase"shewassur pri
sedas
towhyshedr aggedthewor dpl ease
l
ikethatandbef oresheknewi tthe
room wentt ototaldar
knessandshe
wasl i
ke" OoohmyGodwehav e
beendr ugged"andshecompl etely
phasedout ..
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
12]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

I
nser
t4

Shewokeupt oadropofwater
fall
ingonherf or
ehead,wherewas
she?I tseemedtobesomewher ebut
wher eexactly
?Shecouldn'
tbelieve
i
t.Whatwashappeni ng?Shefel t
tearsbur ni
nghereyesbutreal
ised
thatshecoul dn'tseeany thing.She
wasbl i
ndf oldedt her oom waspi tch
blacki fsuchacol orexi st,hermout h,
handsandl egswer ealltied.She
couldn' tscream, shoutorev enr un.It
allhappenedwayt oof astandt he
wor dsoft hewomanwhodr ove
them wer enowmaki ngsenset hat
shewoul dr ememberev ery t
hingl ike
ar ecentdr eam, whydi dn'tshegi ve
attentiont ohersmal lstil
lv oicet hat
spokei nherconsci ence, whydi dshe
i
gnor ethesuspi cioust hingst hatt he
threewomendi spl ayedwi t
hwhom
shehadbeenexposedt ot hatday .
Thei rcharact ers,act i
onswer e
quest i
onable,Itallhadtobe
quest i
onablerightf r
om thev er
y
star
tt heytookt heirphoneswho
doest hatandast atementspoken
earl
ierechoedi nherear sagainthat
herphonewasgoodasaf ongkong
becausei tcouldn'tbet r
aced.Sot hat
wast hepr eparati
onf orthis
horr
endousev ent,sheaskedher self
andal sowhenshehadaskedi fshe
hadgot tenthej ob,thewoman
repl
iedt hateveryoneget sthejob
exceptf orafewugl yonesnowi tal l
madesenset oHear t.Butwhywas
shet akenwhydi dithavetobeher
butthenagai nwhowoul dvolunteer
t
obet
aken

Whydi dshegof ortheinterv

iew, why
andwhywer et hequestionswithout
answer sandshesobbedaspi ctures
ofwhathappenedt hatledthem
therekeptattackinghermi ndand
thev oi
cesoft hethreewomen
resoundedinherear sandt heywer e
soirrit
ati
ngthatshewant edto
scream butcoul dn'
tbecauseoft he
clothtiedov
erhermout h.

"
Weshoul
dbeabl
etonowheadway
t
omor
rowweshoul
dbesomewher
e
l
et'
ssayquar
teroft
hedi
stance"

Heartheardamal ev oi
ceandi t
seemedt obeappr oachingnearer,
heari
ngfootstepsaswel lthatcould
onlymeanonet hing,theywer e
i
nsideofsomewher ebutt oherit
wasnowher e.Themal ev oiceand
whoeverhewast alkingtowas
outsi
de

"Yesexactl
yit'
salongjourneyandI
hatelongdist
ancejour
neys"aLady
voiceansweredandwaitami nuteit
wasaf amil
iarvoi
ceandy esitfi
tt
ed
thestoutugl
yint
ervi
ewerperf
ect
ly,
ohf or
giv
emeLor dforcal
li
ngyour
creati
onuglybut
,itwasher
.

Heartj oi
nedt hepuzzl
eandshe
heardt hedoorknobbei ngturned
thenitopenedbutst il
lcouldn'
tsee
anythingonlysawt heshadowofan
oversizedbeingandt hist
erri
fiedher
unti
laf l
ashl
ightwasswi t
chedon
andsher eal
izedthattheshadowgot
smal l
er .

Li
kesuspect
editwasherandshe
wasputt
ingonarai
ncoat,
itwas
rai
ningofcourseNov
emberrai
ns
wereherethat'
swhyshefel
tadrop
ofwaterfal
li
ngonherfor
ehead
whenshewokeup

Shel ookedupandt heywer ei

n
someki ndofagr imlyl
ookingshack
andsheal solookedaroundguided
bythef l
ashli
ghtandshesawher
fel
lowgi r
lsacrosstheroom.Allof
thi
sshesawt hroughameshy
bli
ndf oldclot
hov erhereyesandshe
couldhearsni f
fsastheyallhad
tearsst r
eami ngdownt hei
rcheeks,
thi
shadt obeadr eam ofher
watchi ngahor rormovie,t
hat'
sthe
r
easonabl
econcl
usi
on

Count i
ngi nnumberl ooking
everywher etheywer eat ot
alofei ght
girl
sandHear tcouldfigureoutt hat
shewast heeldestthere.Whenshe
hadl ookedatt hei
rfacesear l
ierand
event heirchestsal
soshowedt hat
theywer ey oungasmostseemedt o
beeight eenornineteenev entwent y,
shehadj ustassumed

"Al
ri
ghty
ouhaverestedenoughl et
's
go"shet
ookal
loftheirbli
ndfol
dsoff
andwhatdi
dshemeanr est
ed
enough,thiswasn' trest i
ngthiswas
forcef
ulsleepcausedbydr ugs
resti
ngiswheny oucomeback
homeaf teral ongtir
ingdayatwor k
thenyouwoul drestandr el
ax,no
thiswasn'trestsodon' tshedare
speakaboutr est.Ifhermout hwas
freeshewant edt ospi tsali
vaonthe
faceofthiswomanwhowas
squatti
ngonhert oliftherup.

Heartwasheldsot ightonherhands
bythi
sladyast heot herper
son,a
guyunti
edherf eetandt henmade
hertost
andt henwal kedoutstil
l
bei
ngheld.
..noshewasbei ng
dr
agged

Herf eetwer edirty,t

heslitonher
skir
twasi nfrontinsteadofbei ngat
thebackhershi rtwasnol onger
tuckedinbutwasscr uffi
lyuntucked,
herbr ai
dswer enol ongertiedi nthat
neatbunshehadt akenti
met omake
duringthedaybackathome, whydi d
shebot herher selfbutthi
sal most
broughtt earsagai nasshewas
harshlypushedi naf ourbyf our
Holdenr odeot wincabwi thacanopy .
Yessheknewi tatf i
rstgl
ance
seeingthr oughwi ththeflashlight.
HerDadwasamechani candmost
oftheti
messhespenthert ime
aroundcarsandsheev enknew
somet r
ickswiththecarssi
ncefr
om
av er
yyoungageasherDadwoul d
takehertothegarageandshegot
usedtoitti
llshewasev enol
der
.

Thet hi
ngisherDadwi shedforaboy
butagi r
lcamei nsteadbutstil
lhe
l
ovedherandhehadt oherofhow
shecameaf terlongy earsof
barrennessthusbei ngnamed
Paidamoy oandl at
eront hey
discover edthatherMom had
fi
broidst hat'
swhyshecoul dn'
t
conceiv e.Evenwhent hefi
broi
ds
wer etakenoutt hroughanoperat
ion
butstilltheycouldn'
thaveother
chil
drensoherDaddi dthi
ngswith
Paidat hathewant edtodowi t
ha
mal echi l
d.
Hewoul dtakehertohiswor kpl
ace
andsomet imesteachhertodr i
ve
butstoppedwhenherMom war ned
himthathewast eachingher
wronglyshewasagi r
landwas
supposedt obesoftplayi
ngwi t
h
doll
s,notbemuscl yandplayingwith
carsnotjusttoycarsbuyrealcars.
Thi sdidn'
tstopherDadt houghf rom
takingHear ttot hegar ageand
ev erydayshewoul dgot hereev en
whenshewasenr olledi nschoolshe
woul dmakesur eaf terschoolhour s
shewoul dgot here.Itbecamea
trendofher st hatevenwhenshe
wasofageandwasn' taschool gir
l
any mor eshewoul dcookf oodf or
herf atherandgowi thi tdur i
nglunch
hour stohimj ustsoshecoul djust
hav eachanceofv i
sitingt herewi t
ha
reason.Herpar entsdi dn'tknowt hat
shewasdat ingt hegar age' sowner '
s
sonandt hat'
swhyshehi dint he
nameofdel iveringluncht oher
fat
herbuti
nact ualsensewoul
dbe
goingt
heretobewi thherboyf
ri
end
l
over goshshedi dn'
twantt
o
thi
nkaboutthatatthatti
me

Backt ot
hest or
ytheywer enowon
themov einthecaranditwas
rainingcatsanddogs.The
kidnapperswer ereal
l
ycl ever
,for
i
nst ancetheychosetodr iveatni
ght
andal sowheni twasrainingone
woul dbarelyseecarstalkabout
peopl e.

Thedoor
swer
eaut
olocked,
shewas
putont hebackseat salongwith
thr
eeot hergir
lsincl
udingtheone
whowasannoy edwi thherquestions
earl
ierandshel ookedhor r
ibl
e.Her
mout hwasdr yandki ndaparched,
shealreadylookedsickly.

Whatsor tofdr ugswer etheygiven

becauseHear tcouldst il
lfeelfunny
i
nhersy stem, akindofi tchinher
shoel essf eetwasawf ulandwhat
seemedt obesor tofaf renzystil
l
outdidher .Shecoul dn'tfull
ygrasp
betweennor malcyandmadness
becauseofherey esighttoot hatwas
sti
llalit
tleblurrydespi t
ehav ingbig
ey
eswhichzoomedperf
ect
lyli
ke
bi
nocul
arsbutt
her
eitwasusel
ess

Thedrugwasst rongand
outwei
ghedt hatboyi
shcharact
erin
andonher, somegi r
lswereatthe
backshelt
eredbyt hecanopyfr
om
thepour
ingrainsbutdiditmatt
er
thatt
ime

Shest i
llcouldn'
tseeclear
lytheguy
dri
vi
ngt hecarbutfr
om asi deview
hi
sf acel ookedfamil
iaraswelland
bangt hememor yhi
therback.He
wast heguywhoposedasa
Jamesonempl oyeeweari
ngf ormal
blacktrouser
sandawhi teshi r
t
accompani edbyredbow- t
ie.Good
Lawd!suchani mpostor,hewast he
guyshel astsawbeforeshef aded
i
nt othedrugsleephol
low

Wher eweretheygoi
ngt osheasked
herselfl
ooki
ngoutthroughthemist
y
windowandt heroadseemedbumpy
andacarher eandtherewouldpass
them by

"Pl
easei
fthi
sisadr
eam can
someonewakemeupalr
eady
becauserightnowal lIwantistobe
homei nthecomf or
tnessofmybed
l
ookingforwardtotomor row"she
prayedandshef oundher sel
fjoi
ning
theothergir
lssobbingbecauset his
wasr eal
,shewasn'twakingupand
shitwashappening

Athoughthithermindt hatmay be
herpar
entswer eri
ghtaway
sear
chingforherafterseeingher
notcomingback.Itwasal r
eadydark
andlat
ethoughshecoul dn'ttel
l
whatti
mei twasbecauseshedi dn'
t
knowhowl ongshehadst ay edi
nher
tr
ancezonebutr i
ghtther eshe
neededt
obef
oundsodi
dtheot
her
gi
rls

At26andshef ellint
oaneasy
tr
ickeryofpeopl eposi ngasagent s
ofsomecompanywowher
desperati
onl edhert othewi deroad
butnoshedi dn' tseei tthatwayshe
didn'
tblameher selfbuti nsteadshe
blamedt hefucki nggov er nmentf or
notcreatingempl oymentf orjob
seekersorhunt er s.Becauseev er y
ri
singoft hesunt i
lli
t'
sset t
ingthey
wouldbedeni edf rom onecompany
tothenext .
Somewoul dn'tbehi ringbecause
therewasn' tenoughcashf lowi nthe
countryandt hismadeHear tandher
fel
lowgi rl
fr
iendsy estheywer enow
fri
endsbydef aultpfbei ngint he
samepr edi
camentandst r
uggl e
togetherthatmadet hem desper ate
andnowt heywer etrappedi nt he
handsofwi ckedcul prit
s,
l
awbr eakers,felonieswhat ever
spitef
ulwor dy oucancal lthem it
suit
st hem

Shecoulddoany t
hingf
orfr
eedom
thatti
me,shecoulddoanyt
hingt
o
turnbackthehandsofti
meandgo
backtothebeginni
ngfr
om whereit
star
tedandwoul dwar
nothersnott
o
bedesperat
eoranxiousforany
thi
ng
butthatwastoolat
e

May beshewi l
ltesti
fyofherstor
yif
shemanagest oescapeandi s
grantedli
bertythati sifshemakesi
t
outalivebecauseshewast hi
nki
ng
ofthewor st.Whati fthepeoplewer
e
moneyr it
ualistswhower egoi
ngto
chopt hei
rheadsof fandsellt
hei
r
bodypar t
s,justt hi
smadehert ocry
thelongestwi t
houtr eli
ef.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
18]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

STORYBYMAGDI
EL

I
nser
t5
Pai dahadt ol
dherpar entst henight
bef oreaboutt hei nterviewwhi ch
shewasgoi ngt oat tendt henextday
,shement ionedt henameoft he
placewher eitwasgoi ngt obehel d
butdi dn'tgeti ntospeci ficsoft he
j
obdet ai l
sbutt heyagr eedandt he
thingi swheny ourchi ldhasbecome
ofagey oust opobsessi ngt oomuch
oft heirwher eabout sknowi ngt hey'r
e
nowol denought otakecar eof
themsel vesandt hatf reedom y ou
woul dgr antthem wi thoutf urther
i
nt errogat i
onev ent houghdeep
downy ou'dwor ryofwhot heywi llbe
hangi ngar oundwi th,whatt heywi l
l
bedoing,
i
ftheyar
eOkayandnoti
n
dangeral
lthat
Onthedayoft heinterviewHeart'
s
Dadwai tedforheratt hegaraget o
comewi t
hhisf oodassheusual l
ydo
evenifshegoesf orani nt
ervi
ewshe
wouldmakesur et obringhimfood
becausesomet imesifnotmostof
theti
meshewoul dgobackhome
l
atetryingtomakeaf ewmor ebucks
butthatdayshedi dn'
tshowupdi dit
meant heinter
v iewtookt i
meorhe
wonder edtohimsel funderneatha
carfi
xingit
Hear
t'
sDad:Iknowyou'
reher
etosee
someone"hesaidt
oTindowhowas
Hear
t'
sexboyf
ri
endwhoistheson
t
otheownerofthegar
age
Tindo:OoohyesIneedtoseemy
Dadi shein?"Heaskedlooki
ng
aroundthegaragecompoundand
Heart'
sDadcameoutf rom undert
he
carhewasf i
xing
Heart'
sDad:That'sfunnybecause
yourDadt odaydi
dn'tcomet oworkI
passedbyy ourhomeandhesai dhe
wasn'tfeel
ingwellandthathewas
goingtobehomeal lday"
Tindo:
Ooohmi
ghthav
emi
ssedhi
m
then"
Hear
t'
sDad:Real
ly?"heaskedt
he
guylooki
nghimintheey e"
Anyway
areyouhereforHeart?"Heasked
onceagainknowingthatwasthe
realr
easonhewast here
Tindo:
Heartnowhywoul dyouthinkI
am heref
orher?"HeaskedHear t'
s
Dadseeminglysuspi
ciousthough
andhiseyeswasallovertheplace
Heart'
sDad:Iknowt haty
ouusedto
beherboy fr
iendinasmuchy outwo
tr
iedtokeepasecr etandt hat
i
ncidentdoy ouremember ?"Hegave
hi
m at al
kingeye
Ti
ndo:
Didshet
elly
out
hat?
"
Hear
t'
sDad:Noneedt
obet
oldIsaw
i
tanywayhowisy ourwifeandkid?"
Heaskedasifremindinghi
mt hathe
i
smar r
iedandshouldzonehimself
awayfr
om hisdaughter
Tindo:
Sheisf i
ne,Ishouldbeonmy
waymay beDadwoul dbebackat
home"hesai dandturnedgoi ngout
ofthegarageandhewaspi ssed
thoughtheoldguywasmaki ng
sense,hereall
ywonder edifHeart
gotherDadi nvol
vedinheri ssueshe
hadwithher

WhenHeartwasdati
ngTi
ndoshe
di
dn'
tknowthathehadi
mpregnat
ed
agi rlandt hegi rlwasbr oughtt o
Tindo' spl aceashi swi feandTi ndo
nev ert ol
dHear taboutt hisbut
cont inuedt oseeherandt hegirl
broughti nast hewi fefoundoutand
i
twaschaos. shesentherbr others
tobeatHear tandpeopl est art
ed
callingher_ hur e_andt hisbr ought
shamet oHear tandshewas
disappoi nt edandheri magewas
tarnishedi nherst r
eetandev enher
par entst houghtt hatmay beshe
pur poselyanddel iberatelywant edto
wr ecksomeone' smar riage
pret endingt hatshedi dn'tknow, t
he
threat ssher ecei v
edev ery dayfrom
Tindo' swi
feandherr el
ati
v eswere
unbear abl
eandhi sbehavioralsoof
keepi ngonpursuingherthrough
textingorcal
li
ngmadet hewi feto
haveaccesst ohernumberandshe
didn'thavepeaceany moreand
that'showshet houghttochange
herphonenumberbutsawi tusel
ess
i
nst eadsheblacklist
edTindoandhi s
wife
Thatwast heonet i
meHear t'
s
parent
swer edisappoint
edi nher
becauseshehadmadet hem intoa
l
aughingstockandf r
om t here
hencefor
thHear tneverdatedneither
wasshei nter
estedinthet opicof
mar riagewel lt
oherpar entsit
seemedsoandt heynev erbot hered
toaskbecausei nt imet heygr ew
ti
redofaski ngandherMom ev en
thoughtt hatmay beHear treall
ywas
i
nt opr osti
tuti
onordat i
ngmar ri
ed
mant hereforeconcl udedittobet he
reasonwhyherdaught erwasnot
i
nt erestedinmar riageespeci all
y
wi t
hherf riendAdelwhom shenev er
trustedandsuspect edherofsel l
ing
herbodyt omenagai nHeart'sMom
believedt hatmay beHear twasupt o
thesamegamesasherf ri
endf or
theysaybi rdsofaf eatherflock
toget her.
Mom:Paida,Paidaaaa"shewent
i
nsidecal
li
ngcomi nginfr
om work
shedidn'
tgetananswerfrom Pai
da
andshewonderedwhowasi nthe
house
Dad:
Sheisn'
ther
eyet?"Hesaid
comingoutofhi
sbedr
oom tomeet
hi
swi f
ewhom hehear
dcall
ingfor
Pai
da
Mom:Noty
etherewhatt
imeisi
tand
wher
edidyougett
hekeys?"
Dad:From t
hatherf r
iend,shehad
tol
dmei nt hemor ningthatshewas
goi
ngt oleavet
hekey sthereand
nowi t
'ssomemi nutest oeight
o'
cl
ock"
Mom:Mi nutestoei
ghto'cl
ockand
yousaidAdelgaveyout hekeys
meaningshei shomerightbutwher
e
canHear tbe?"
Dad:Idon'tknow,Iputamessagefor
heronwhat sappanditdi
dn'
tdel
iv
er
tr
iedt ocallheronherBuddi
eli
ne
sti
llthenumberqui ckl
ywenton
voicemail"
Mom: Ei
shthi
sgir
lwhatkindofan
i
ntervi
ewdidshegotothat'
sdelay
ed
hertothi
shourhuh?'
'Shet hr
ew
hersel
fonthesof
a
Dad:Doesshehav
eanyot
her
fr
iendsbesi
desAdelordoesshe
haveaboy f
ri
end?"Heaskedandhi
s
wifeshr
uggedhershoul
ders
Mom: Shesayssheisn'
tcomfort
abl
e
tal
kingaboutherboyfr
iendswi
thme
"theparent
slaughedforawhil
e
forget
ti
ngtheseri
ousissueathand
Dad:Whatki
ndaofamot herareyou
,youknowyourdaughterhastobe
fr
eewithyouthananyoneelse"
Mom:YesbutIcan'
tforcehert
odo
t
hatwit
hmei fshei
sn'tcomfort
abl
e
"
Dad:Okaycookf
ormepleasewewi
ll
hearfr
om hermaybesomethi
ng
del
ayedher,
shewi
llcome"
Mom: MygoodnesssonowIhaveto
star
tfrom zer
owit
hthecooki
ngand
Iam sotir
ed"
Dad:
Notherei
sapotofmeatont
he
st
oveal
readycooked"
Mom: Youknowshewouldmakea
goodwi f
esomedayshelef
tafter
cookingthemeat"shesmi
led
gett
ingup
Dad:
Yesshewoul
dshei
sabi
g
womannow"
Mom: Awomanwhocomesinl
ateat
homehopesheisn'
tupt
osome
mischi
evousact
s'"
Dad:Idon'tthi
nksot houghTi
ndo
camel ookingforheratthegar
age
thi
nkingshewi llshowup'"hesai
d
Mom: Idon'tknowTindoisaproblem
asiwhyisn'thesati
sfi
edwithhis
wifeandkeepsonpur sui
ngHear t
butIdon'tblamehim Ibl
amemy
daughterwhoent er
tai
nhim"
Dad:Heispossessed' "Theyl aughed
againandHear t
'sMom st artedon
withthecookingthinkingt oherselfi
f
sheisabadmot herandf ailedHear t
becausesurelyasHear twas
growingupshedi dn'thavemuch
ti
mewi thherdaught ershewas
al
way sinpursui
tofmoneyandmost
oftheti
messhewast heonet oput
mor emoneyont hetabl
ethanher
husbandandshenev ercompl ai
ned
butshestart
edblamingher sel
ffor
notrai
singherdaughterri
ghtwhen
scandal
sbrokeoutthatshewasa
homewr ecker,
shesighedasshe
cookedwonderingwher eHeartwas
andshehopedshewasnoti nbed
withsomesugarDaddy
Aftercooki ng,
sheatewithher
husbandandshehaddi shedfor
Hear talsoandl ef
therfoodonthe
tableandwentt osleepandherear
s
wer eont heoutsidedoorwait
ingto
heari tbeingopenedandHear t
enteringbutshefellasleepwithout
hearingsuch,inthemi ddleofthe
nightshewokeupt hir
st yand
thoughttohav eadr i
nkofwat er,so
shewal kedtotheki t
chenandf ound
thefoodshel eftforHear tst
il
lonthe
tableanduntouchedt hewayshel ef
t
i
tiswhati twas
Mom: BabaPaida,
BabaPai
da"she
call
edherhusbandshaki
nghim out
ofhissleepandhewokeupandsaw
hiswifesit
ti
nglooki
ngworr
ied,
the
l
ightwasswi t
chedon
Dad:
Kunekwafi
wahere( Di
d
somebodydie)
?"Heaskednot
comfor
tabl
ewithhi
swife's
ser
iousness
Mom:Hearti
ssti
llnothome"she
sai
dsi
ghingdeeply
Dad:Eeeert hi
sgirlwhat'
swr ongwi t
h
hernow? "Heaskedsi tt
ingupand
tookhisphone"Thi r
teentot wo
wherecanshebe? "Het ri
edcalli
ng
herandav oicecamet hrough_ t
he
numbery ouhavediall
edi snot
avai
lableatt hemomentpl easetr
y
againlater_heputawayhi sphone
Mom: Handizi
veshuwakutianoda
ndi
dii(Idon'
tknowwhatshewant s
medo) "shesai
dwithasadv oi
ceas
i
faboutt ocry
Dad:Sl eepbecausenowt hereis
nothingwecando, wewi llaskher
fr
iendi nt hemor ning"hesai d
getti
ngi nt heblanketsagai nandin
notimewassnor i
ngHear t'
sMom
j
ustlookedathi m andj ustsaidman
shakingherheadhedi dn't
under standhowdi rethesi tuati
on
was, shej oinedhim butcoul dn'
tfi
nd
anysl eepandanOl i
verMt ukudzi
songcamet omind_ Nhaimwana
wanguur ipi,unanizuvar av i
rakunze
kwadoka_shesatupagai nso
worried

Mom:
Didn'
tshet
elly
ouofanyone
el
seshewant edtoseeaft
erthe
i
nterv
iew?"Itwasnowinthe
morningandHeart'
sMom visi
ted
AdeltoaskheraboutHeart
Adel:Noshej ustsaidshewasgoi ng
forani nt
erviewt hat'
sallnot
hing
mor e,don'tknowi fherplans
changedaf t
ert heint
ervi
ew"
Mom: OkayAdelIwanty outotel
lme
trut
hful
lyyouknowy ourfri
endisnot
thatopentome"shesai dandAdel
wondered"Doy oubyanychance
knowwhoherboy f
ri
endi s?"
Adel
:Theybr
okeup"shesai
d
Mom:
Sodoy
oumeanaf
terTi
ndo
t
her
ewasanot
herguy?
"
Adel:
Yestwoofthem butnowshe
wasn'tdat
ingshebr
okeupwi t
h
them "
Mom:Arey
ousur
eaboutwhaty
ou'
re
say
ing?
"
Adel
:Posi
ti
ve"
Mom:
Doy
ouknowwher
etheseguy
s
l
iv
e?"
Adel:
Onei sact
uall
ymyolderbrot
her
"Heart'
sMom ey edAdelnow
understandi
ngthegenesi
softhei
r
fr
iendship
Mom:
Okayandt
heot
herone?
"
Adel:Aguyf
rom Kar
ibaheusedt
o
comeandgobackbecauseheis
basedinKar
iba"
Mom:Ar eyousureshebrokeup
wit
hhim andperhapsshemi ght
havegonewithhimtoKariba?"
Adel:
Idon'tt
hinkshewilldothat
aft
erfi
ndingoutthathewasasi ngl
e
Dad,hehadachi l
d"Hear t'
sMom
cl
osedherey esshookherhead,to
herHeartwassosecr et
iveandshe
wonderedwhy
Mom:Aaaahsowherecanshebe
andherphonei
sn'
tgoi
ngthrough?
"
Shenowsaidwit
hadeephusky
v
oiceaboutt
ocr
y
Adel:
Seemsyou'redr
essedupf or
workwhydon'tyougoandIwi l
lask
someofourfri
endsonwhat sapp
evenJuli
anIwil
laskhim"
Mom:
Whoi
sthi
sJul
i
annow?
"
Adel
:Theguyi
nKar
iba"
Mom: Okayl
etmegokeepme
post
edIwi l
lbebackintheaft
ernoon
Iam worki
nghalfday,
youarenot
goi
ngt oworkyoursel
fisi
t?"
Adel
:NoIdon'
twor
kweekends"
Heart
'sMom leftf
orthehospit
aland
gotdi
str
actedforawhileduri
ngher
workwhereshenor mal
lyi
sshouting
andt alkingalway sbutsti
llatt
he
backofhermi ndsomet hi
ngwas
regi
st eredthereandher eandt here
shewoul dbechecki ngherphone
hopingt ohearf rom Heartorev en
Adelbutnoneoft hem contact
edher
addi
ngmor ewor rytoher

Adel:Idi
dn'
thearanythi
ngbutmy
brot
heradvisedthatwemakei ta
poli
cecase"shet ol
dHeart'
sMom
whocamebacksomet i
melater
fr
om wor ktoaskifshehear
d
anything
Mom:
Apol
icecasehmmmm wi
ll
t
heyhel
p?"
Adel
:Ithi
nkso,
i
fyou'
renotbusyI
canescor
tyou"
Mom:Okaylet
'sgobutheythe
of
fi
cersIdon'
tknow"shesaid
wal
kingoutofAdel'
syar
dandt hey
metwithHeart
'sDadonthegate
Dad:Anythi
ngyet
??"heasked
concernedfor
get
tingaboutgr
eet
ing
eachother
Mom:
Nonot
hing"
Dad:Icall
edherAunt
iesandeven
Gogot heyal
lsai
dtheyhavenot
seenher"
Mom:
Aiwakugar
iswamudi
shchai
ko
nemwanauy ugoreri
no"shesai
d
l
ookingr
emorseful"Nowweareon
ourwaytot
hepol i
ce"
Dad:
Thepol
ice,whydon'
twewai
t
maybeshewil
lcome"
Adel;
Ifsomethinghappenedtoher
thepoli
cecanhelpwiththelooki
ng
theearl
ierwerepor
tthebetter
"
Dad:
Butt
heywi
llr
equi
remoney"
Adel:
Notmuchlet'sgo"theygotina
combi(t
axi)whichdroppedthem at
thenear
estpoli
cestati
on

Att
hest
ati
on.
..
..
..
.
Off
icer:
Howmaywehel pyou?"An
off
iceraskedassoonast
hey
ent
eredtheirof
fi
ces
Dad:Howareyouoffi
cer,
weareher
e
i
nneedofhelptolocateour
daughter"
Offi
cer
:Okayhowoldissheand
whendidyoulastseeher?
"He
askedtaki
ngapenandpaper
Mom: Shei
s26andwel
astsaw
yest
erdaymor
ning"
Of
fi
cer
:26aaaahshei
snotmi
ssi
ng"
Mom:
Whatdoy
oumean?
"
Offi
cer:
Howcanapersonof26get
s
missingunl
essi
fshewasmental
ly
i
ll"
Dad:
Noshei
snotment
all
yil
l"
Offi
cer:Thenakati
zir
a( el
oped)go
andwai tforherhusband'speopl e
theywillnoti
fyyou,
kutimwanat ave
nayekuno, aaahhowcanagi rlof26
gomi ssing?"Helaughedr i
diculi
ng
Heart'
spar ent
s
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
18]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

STORYBYMAGDI
EL

I
nser
t6

Shefel
tweakanddi
rt
yandhungr
y
buti
twasn'
tti
metothi
nkoff
ood
andbei ngdi rt
yt heredi dn'tmat t
er
whatmat teredwast oknowwher e
theywer ebutshedi dn'thav eany
i
dea, theyt r
avelledal lnightand
somegi r
lsshewasseat ingwi th
endedupsl eepingwhi l
eseat edbut
shedi dn'
tev enf indanysl eepnot
evenawi nkshewasawaket he
whol enightchecki ngt he
surroundingsbutshedi dn'tseem to
knowsi ncei twast otallydarkplusit
wasr ainingandcol dl uckilythere
waswar m aircondi tioningi nthecar
butwhatoft hoset hatwer eatthe
backoft hecar ,shef eltpity,she
l
istenedt otheconv er sati
onsofMs
stoutinter
viewerandtheirdr i
verand
somet imeswhent heywant edtotal
k
aboutasensi ti
vesubjecttheywoul d
checkt oseeifshewassl eepingbut
alastheywoul dbesurprisedt osee
herwideawakeandt hiswoul dforce
them tochanget hetopic
Atthebr inkofdayi twassosunny
l
ikeithadnotr ainedbuti twast he
sunt hatwouldbepr ovokingmor e
rai
nsl ateron,t
hat'swhenHear twas
beginningtofeelsleepi nherey es
butshewasawokenbyt hebump
thecarmadeact uallyeveryonewas
awokenbyt hi
ssoundi t'
sasifthey
weregoi ngtogeti nvolvedinan
acci
dent
"What'
shappening?"Thegirlwi
th
theyell
owdressaskedlookingat
Heartandhervoicewassickly,
her
eyesredhermout hdr
y
Heart
:I
t'
salr
ightnowitmusthave
beenarock"sheansweredpit
ying
hershewasmor ethanamess
"Iam hungry"shesay sandHear t
j
ustlookedatherl i
kegirlhowcoul d
yout hi
nkingofeati
ngnowbutshe
quicklyconti
nuedtalki
ngseei nghow
Heartstaredather"Ihav eulcers
andIcan' tgohungryforlong"she
saidandev engottheattenti
onof
t
hedr
iverwhol
ookedback
Hear t:Sorrydon'tknowi fyouwi ll
get
somef ood"sheanswer edbutnot
l
ooki ngatherl ookingatt hedr i
ver
i
ni t
ial
lygi v
inghim ahi ntthatfood
wasneededandbef oretheyknewi t
theycamet oanabr upthaltand
Hear tlookedoutt hewi ndowand
from af arsawat hatchedr ound
houset heonesy ouf i
ndi nrural
areasi twasi naf ence,thatroad
theyusedshesawt hosehouses
hereandt here,evensawsomecows
oncei nawhi l
ebutshedi dn'
tseeany
peopl emay beit'sbecausei twas
stil
lear l
y
"
Comeout"thedri
versai
dopening
t
hedooronHeart
'ssi
deandwentto
t
hebackandrai
sedthecanopy
Hear tst eppedoutst eppingont he
smal lpebbl elikesandyr oadand
thenqui cklysurv eyedt hear eawi th
herbi nocul ar
lyey es,ther oadt hey
usedwasagr av elandnot hingwas
comi ngnot hi
ngwasgoi ng, theonly
trekst hatwer et herewer et hatofthe
cart heycamei nwi thandabi tfarto
herr ightwasar ai lr
oadshe
noticed, soitmeansat r
ainwoul d
passbyor?andwhatday ,whatt i
me
woul di tpass,goshshewasdoi ng
someser iousthinki ng
Theot hergirlsst ar t
edcompl aini
ng
ast heyst oodi ngr oupsoft wo's
,somey awni ngshaki ngt hesleepoff
,somest ret
chi ng, somest i
ll
conf usedanddumbst ruckwi ththe
turnout, somest i
lltryi
ngt ograsp
reali
tyt hinkingmay bet heywer e
dreami ng, Hear thadal readydone
thatwhenshel ookedt ot hesideshe
sawt hisdr i
verey ei ngherashe
spokeont hephonesot her
ewas
networ kr ecept ionont hisbushy
forestryar ea, shewonder ed?
"
Gir
lsyoucancomet hi
ssidecome"
Msint
ervi
ewersai
dgoingtothe
f
encedir
ecti
ontothefarl
eftandt
he
othergi
rl
sstar
tedwalkingfol
lowi
ng
,Heartl
ookedatthem gostil
l
standi
ngwhydidtheyhav eto
removethei
rshoesallofthem di
dn'
t
havethei
rshoeson
"Youshouldjoint
heothers"t
he
dri
versaidstandi
ngbesideHeart
whowasst artl
edbecauseshewas
spyi
ngt heareaandshedidn'
thear
him coming
Shelookedathi m andnoti
cedin
broadday l
i
ghtt hathewaskinda
young,hadacl eanshaveandstil
l
weari
ngt heuniform hewasposing
asaJamesonempl oyeeandwas
muscly,agy m bodyiswhathehad
Heart:Couldn'
ty oufi
ndbet terwork
?"Sheaskedhi m gri
ndinghert eet
h
crossingherfi
nger sbecauseshe
wasusi nggutsnotconf idenceto
askhim whati fheisaki l
lerbuthe
doesn'tlookli
keonet henagai nhe
actedasaWai teratJamesonwhen
hewasn' tsoyeahhemi ghtaswel l
beaki ll
er
"Excuseme?
"Het
urnedandl
ooked
ather

Heart
:Iaskedi
fyoucouldn'
tfi
nd
bet
terworktodothanthis"he
cl
enchedhisteet
hoverl
yannoy edby
t
hequest
ion
"Goandjoinot
hersyoushoul
dbath
becauseyou'
resmell
ywehav etobe
onthemov e"thi
sguyseri
ously
Hear
t:Ont
hemov
etowher
eexact
ly
?"
"
Youwil
lseenowst oppest
eri
ngme
wit
hst
upidquest
ions"
Hear
t:
Butwhydothi
swhydi
dyou
t
akeuseer.
..
..
..
Mr"
"I
t'
sShane"hesaidandheact
ual
l
y
hadani cenamebutapoor
personali
ty
Heart
:Shane.
..
..
..
.Okaywhydi
dyou
dothi
spleaseretur
nusandwil
lact
asifi
tdi
dn'
thappenOkay"Shane
sneer
ed
"Got otheot hersIwon' trepeat
my self"hesai dandwal kedaway
Hear tsighedandl ookedar oundand
l
ookedatt hecar, Shanest oppedand
l
ookedatherf rom adistance" Don'
t
youev ert hinkofescapi ngy ou're
surroundedbywi ldl
if
ey ouseet hi
s
fencei t
st odi videusany t
hing
outsidet hef encewi l
lattacky ouso
eveni fyour unwewon' tbother
comi ngaf tery ou"hesai dandHear t
fel
tashi vergrowi ngfrom her
stomachandal soangryatt hesame
ti
me
Shethenwal kedt othethatchedhut
andsawot hergi r
lscarryi
ngbuckets
eachgoingtowhatseemedt obe
l
iketemporarybat hroomsmadewi th
thi
ckplasti
cst i
edonwhatseemed
tobeli
kebamboos, Heartwalked
andsawt hisherf r
iendbyt hesideof
onebathroom v omiting
Hear
t:What'
swrong?"Sheasked
dr
awingnearert
ohersquat
ti
ng
"
Ithi
nkIam sick"shesai
dand
v
omitedagain
Heart
:I
sitt
heul
cer
sthati
saf
fect
ing
you?"
"
Ithi
nksoIcannotst
andpr
oper
lyI
feell
ikeawoundinmyst omach"
shesaidtr
y i
ngtostr
aight
enher
sel
f
tostandproper
lybutcoul
dn'
t
Heart
:Letmehelphavey
oubathed
?"Sheheldherwalki
ngtot
he
bat
hroom'sent
rance
"No"sherepli
edHear
tlookedtot
he
sideandsawabucketfaracr
oss
andat apneart
her
ealso
Heart:
Sowai there"shelethergo
andwalkedt othetapandt ookthe
bucketandf i
ll
editwit
hwat erand
sheglancedt othesi
deandsaw
Shanelookingatherfunnyt hei
reyes
l
ockedf oramomentbutt heover
spi
lli
ngsoundoft hewat erint he
bucketmadehert ol ookawayasi t
wasmor ethanf ull,
thewat erwas
spl
ashingont hegr oundt oher
nakedf eetandsoshet houghtand
walkedt oShane" Ineedt wot owels
andsoapand. ..
...
."Shest opped
whenhesmi rkedasmi l
e,she
smirkedt ooaf i
ftyfiftychallengebut
i
tdidn'tsuithimt hegangst arnigga
thi
nghewast ry
ingt opor tr
ay
Shane:
GoandaskMati"hesai
d
aft
erconf
ront
ati
onsoft
heeyes
Hear
t:
Whoi
sMat
i?"
Shane:
Her"shepoi
ntedandshesaw
awomanst andi
ngbythehut,
li
ghti
n
complexionandshor
tandshewas
l
ookingatthem "soy
ou'r
eaf r
eaki
ng
team "shespokeasawhisper
Shane:Ihear dthat"hesai d
advanci ngnearherbutshequi ckl
y
remov edher selff
rom t hereand
wentt ot hehutandbyt heti
meshe
gotther eMat iwasi nsidewi t
hMs
Int
erviewerwhoseemedt obebusy
withfirewoodandt herewasa
deli
ciousar omaf il
ledwi t
hascent
shehat edt hescentofgar li
cyuck
shefeltl i
kevomi t
ingt oo
Heart
:CanIgetsometowel
s?"She
askedwit
haser i
ousf
aceputon
"Youhaven'
tbathedyetri
ghtnow
somehav efi
nishedandwear e
abouttocal
lyout oeatsothatwe
maygoy ou'
rewast i
ngourpreci
ous
ti
me"Shedidn'tsaythat,
Heart
l
ookedatheraboutt ofumebutshe
rel
eased
Heart
:Towelspl
ease"shesai
d
i
gnori
ngherbutthegarl
icwas
weakeningher
Mati
:Sheisonetoughcookiehuh
Teur
ai"shesaidenter
ingandHeart
waslikeOoohsothat'
sMsst out
i
nter
viewer'
snameanugl ynameto
bepreciseshet
hought
Teur ai
:Her et wopert owelwhoar e
youshar ingwi th? "shesai dpassing
Hear tasemi -
newt owelwhi chshe
l
ookedatcar efull
yt r
y i
ngt othinkif
shewasn' tbei nghandedadi sease
butt hent houghtofhersi ckfriend
shewaski lli
ngt imesoshequi ckl
y
walkedt ot hebat hroom andshewas
sti
llstandi ngt hereal i
tt
lebentand
shegl ancedt ot hesi deagainhopi ng
tofindShanest andingwher ehewas
standingbef orebutshedi dn'
tsee
him butl ookedaf arof fandsawhi s
backv i
ewgoi ngsomewher ebuthe
wast i
ptoei nglikeat hiefhellyeah
ri
ghtf rom t hest arthewasat hief
andbadnews
Heart:Letmehelpyoubat hIdon'
t
evenknowwhywehav etobeclean
i
nt hi
senv i
ronmentthat'
snothome"
shesaidget t
ingi
nthebathroom but
herfr
ienddidn'tmoveshewas
l
ookingdownHear tturnedandsaw
herstil
lonthesameposi t
ion"What'
s
wrong? "Sheaskeddrawingnearer
toher
"IwanttogohomeImi
ghtdi
eher
e"
shesaidcry
ing
Heart
:Weallwanttogohomebut
..
..
..
..
."Heartl
ookedt
otheroofl
ess
bat
hroom theskywasgather
ing
cloudsain'tt
hatabeautif
ulsight
"butwecanonl yhope"shesai d
sighingreall
oudl
yandt ookher
fri
endbyt hehandandgoti nthe
bathroom andhelpedherremov e
clothesandtiedherbeauti
fulweave
totheback
"Iam sorryforthewayIt alkedtoyou
yesterday"shesai dasHear ttooka
pieceofsoapst ucktot hecornerit
wasr unnylikemucusi tmusthav e
beenleftinwat erfortool ongandit
becamel ikethat
Hear
t:
disgust
ing"shesai
dfr
owni
ng
"
Excuseme"shesai
dthi
nki
ngHear
t
wast
alki
ngt
oher
Heart:Sor
ryImeantthesoapl ookat
i
t"shesaidandt hegirll
aughedfor
oncebutnottooloudlyitseemed
thatshewasinrealpain
"
You'r
ef unnybutdi
dyouhearwhatI
j
ustsaid"
Heart
:YesIdid,doyousuddenl yli
ke
menowt hatyou'
reapologi
zing?"
Sheaskedandt hegirlwasli
kei s
thi
sgirlf
orrealor
"
Youcoul
dsayt
haty
es"shesai
d
Heart:
Okayyoucanst
artbyt el
li
ng
mey ourname"shesai
dscr ubbing
herbackandshewasstart
ledbyt he
col
dnessoft
het
owelonherbody
"Si
lent"shesai
d
Hear
t:Iam def
ini
tel
ysi
lentwai
ti
ng
f
oryourname"
"Si
lentLet
ter
s"shesai
d
Hear
t:
SilentLet
ter
swhat'
sthat?
"
Sheaskednotunderst
andi
ng
Sil
ent:MynameisSi
lentmy
surnameisLet
ter
s"
Heart
:Wowunique"shesai
dand
spl
ashedwat
eronherandshe
scr
eamedatthetouchofcol
dwater
onherbody'
"I
t'
shotc'mon"
Si
lent
:Yesbutst
il
lit
'scol
dwat
erI
am usedt
ohotwat
er"t
hisgi
rlwas
sul
king
Heart:
Dryyour
sel
f"shepassedher
thetowelasshest
ri
ppedclot
hes
hersel
fandhadhertur
nofbathi
ng
Sil
ent:Don'
tyouneedthetowel?"
Sheaskedasshef i
nisheddr
ying
hersel
fandwantedtogiveHeartthe
towel
Heart:
Iam good"shesaidand
appl
iedsoaponherwhol ebodyand
ri
nseditawaywithwaterandput
herclot
hesonwhi l
est
illwet
Sil
ent
:Idon'
tknowy ournametoo"
sheaskedasHeartheldheraboutt
o
gooutandtheysawShanewi
tht
wo
pair
sofsli
pper
sstandi
ngi
nfr
ontof
thebat
hroom
Shane:Shesaidyouforgotthese"he
saidclear
inghisthr
oatlookingto
thesideandt hr
ewthem nearher
andHear tcl
ickedhert
ongue
Hear
t:
Howlonghav
eyoubeen
st
andi
ngt
here?"
Shane:
LongenoughHear
t"
Sil
ent
:That'sy
ourname? "Shehad
toheari
tfrom Shanewaitaminut
e
howdidheknowhername, Ooohi
t
wasMsst outofcourse
Hear
t:Yesnowputt
heseon"she
tookonepairandgaveSi
lentt
owear
andshet ookanot
herpai
randputi
n
herfeet
Shane:Youhavetocomeandeat"he
saidturni
ngabouttowal
kawaybut
stoppedtoHeart'
sshout
ing
Heart:
Don'tmakeusf eelathome
l
ikethisisOkaywheny oustoleus
wewi l
lnev erbecomf ort
ableaslong
aswear eher eandnothome, you
areverywickedmayGodopenup
thegroundandswal lowy oualive"
Shanewal kedupt oherandsl apped
herrealhardshecl enchedhert eeth
andtearspr ovokedherbi geyesand
shesobbedandheseemednotat
easy,
het
henr
anof
f
Si
lent
:Ar
eyouOkay?
"
Heart:Wehav etosurvi
vedon'tknow
whatt heywil
ldotousbutwecan
onlypray"theywalkedtothehut
andot hergi
rl
swereseatedhav i
ng
food,shemadeSi l
enttoenterand
sheescapedt hesmellher
self
Mati:
Thereyouar eyouhav eto
change"shesai dspeakingon
Heart'
sbackandHear tt
urnedand
sawherholdingclothes"You
shouldn'
tgetcomf ort
ableHeart
becausewhat '
scomi ngmmm . ..
..
..
"
Shelaughed"Buty oucan'tcert
ainl
y
falli
nlov
et hat
'smyadvi
cefory
ou"
shesaidlaughi
nggiv
ingheradead
stare
Hear
t:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
"
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[
1/25,
13:
18]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE
STORYBYMAGDI
EL

I
nser
t7

Shewasgi venabunchofcl othes

andgoshwhatsor tofclotheswer e
those,theywer eoutofherl eague
,sheopt edforapai rofshor ts
i
nsteadandi twasgoi ngtobet he
fi
rstti
met orevealherhairylegsas
shealway swor eskirt
sanddr esses
herparentsnev erwant edhert o
weart r
ouser ssoshegr ewup
wearingdecentski rt
sanddr esses
theonlyt r
ousersshehadwer et hat
ofpyjamasnot hingel sebesidesthat
,goshshef el
tshyt ogooutoft he
bathroom wearingt hatbutthen
againwhowoul daskornot i
cewhen
shewassur roundedbyst rangers
,shechoseshor tsincaseshef i
nds
aloopofescapi ngt heywer every
accommodat ingi ftherewasgoi ng
tobeneedofr unni ng
Shef oundar ockoutsideandsat
enjoyingt hewar m br
eezeoft he
vi
tami nscomi ngfr
om t hesunand
prett
ysooni twouldbet oohoton
herski nshewoul dwantt oshade
herselffrom it
Shane:
Aren'
tyoueat
ing?
"Agai
nhe
camet oherunannouncedand
unawaresthatshewasst ar
tl
edshe
broughtherl
egstogethercl
osely
thatshehadbeenfreelyopening
sit
ti
nglikeaboybecauseoft he
shorts
Heart
:No"sheansweredonewor
d
shehatedhi
mforslappi
ngher
Shane:
Arey ounothungry?
"He
askedandshest ar
edathim what
shewasf eeli
ngwasprobablywhat
Sil
entf
elttheprevi
ousdaywhenshe
askedhermanyquest i
ons
Heart
:Iam hungr
ybutIdon'
teat
gar
li
c"sheanswer edr
oll
ingherey
es
Shane:Wowmet ooandIj
ustcan'
t
standit
ssmel
l"hesaidl
ooki
ng
cheerf
ul
Heart
:Exact
ly"shegav
ehimt hego
awaylookandhereadbet
weent he
eyesandsohestart
edwalki
ngaway
butst
opped
Shane:Ihav
e_ chi
bage_(maize)if
youwant"hesai dandshewant edto
ref
usebutthenherst omachgrowled
sheneededt heener
gyt omakeitout
ali
veifshewast oescape
Heart
:Okay"shestoodupand
fol
l
owedhimt othecarandther
e
wasaplateonthedri
ver'
sseat
whichhadthr
eemai zecobs,
he
openedthedoortookonecoband
gavehertwo"wecanshar et
heone
i
nhalf"shesaid
Shane: Youcanhav et woit'
sf i
nebe
carefulit'
shot"hesai dandHear t
start
edheadi ngback" HeyIam sorry
forslappi ngy ouearli
er"she
stoppedandl ookedathi m she
i
magi nedt hatifshehadst rength
shewasgoi ngt okickhim andgr ab
thekey sanddr i
vethecarthough
shedi dn'tknowhowt odrivebut
knewaf ewt hingshmmmm she
wouldki llherselfwithanacci dent
thatwoul dn'tdoshet houghtplus
eveni fthatdoesn'thappenshe
wouldnev eroverpowerhi m plusshe
couldn'tleavebehi ndt heothergi r
ls
thatwoul dbesosel f
ishofheral l
theseshet houghtl ookingatShane
andhewonder edwhatshewas
thi
nkingbutshedi dn'tsayany t
hing
thanshaki ngherheadf rowning
fi
ghtingt hethecr azyt houghtsand
i
magi nat i
oni nherheadandwal ked
away, het houghtwowIhav er eall
y
wrongedher
Teurai
:Ther
ey ouare"shesai
d
comingfrom thehutandsawHear
t
seat
edonar ockeati
ngmaize
"Wheredidyougetthose?"
Heart
:Fr
om hi
m "shepoi
ntedat
Shanewhowasheadingt
heirway
Teurai
:Butyouhavetoeatfood
whatothershav
eateiswhaty ou
shouldeatal
so"shesaidnot
l
ookingatherbutatShane
Heart:Whyshoul dIeatf
ooddidyou
drugitagain?"Sheaskedandit'
sas
i
fshepr edict
edwhatexactl
y
happenedTeur ail
ookedather
shocked" Whatdidyoudothat?"
Shest oodup
Teur
ai:Getheri
ncont
rolShaneshe
i
scrazy"shesaidt
oShaneaf r
aidof
Hear
tandShanecamenearher
Shane:Youwantanot
herbeati
nghuh
?"HeaskedherandHear tt
hought
todi
videthem
Hear
t:
Didn'
tyousaysorr
yforbeat
ing
meearl
ier?
"Shesmirkedasmile
Teurai
:Whydi
dy oudot hatShane
youwon'tbef
ri
endt hesegir
lsdoyou
hearmeorIwi l
lreportyou"Heart
smil
edgoingtothehutl eav
ingthe
twotoargue
Sil
ent:
Hear
tIam feel
ingsi
ckit
's
gett
ingworse"shesaidassoonas
shesawHear t
Mati
:Kuzv
iyemedzakasimuri
mukomananemuni n'
ina(Ar
eyou
si
bli
ngsthatshehast
osul
ktoy
ou
)?"Sheasked
Hear
t:
It
'sthef
ooddidyoueatmuch
?"Sheaskedsquat
ti
ng
Si
lent
:YesIwasv
eryhungr
y"
Heart:
Comeout"shehel pedher
standandwal kedwithheroutsi
de
"Putafingeri
ny ourmouthdown
yourthr
oatandf orcethefoodout"
shesaidandSi l
entdidasinstr
ucted
andshest art
edv omit
ing
"
Whatdoy oumeanit
'sthefood?
'"
Othergi
rl
scameoutasking
Hear
t:
Idon'
treal
lyknowwhatdrug
t
heyputi
nthereIdon'tknowwhati
t
i
sf or"shesai dandt hegirlsgot
scaredandt heyallstart
edput t
ing
theirfingersinthei
rmout hst ofor
ce
thef oodoutsomev omitedsomei t
didn'twor k"I
tdoesn' tworkt hat
muchsi ncedigestionwoul dhav e
alreadyst art
ed"shesai d, Shaneand
Teur aiwer el
ookingather
Teurai
:Sheisther
ootofevi
lint
he
groupweshouldgetr
idofher"she
saidtoShane
Shane:No,wecan'tspi
llbl
oodthat
's
notit"Teurai
cli
ckedhertongueand
walkedtothegir
ls
Teur
ai:Okayst
opt
hev
omi
ti
ngt
he
drugistomakey ousl
eepnotki l
lyou
noweachgr ababottl
eofwat erand
l
et'sgo"shesaidandast hey
walkedShanecountedthem and
sawt hatt
heywereseven
Shane:Wherei
stheothergi
rl?
"He
askedsortofpani
cki
ngand
every
onestoppedandcountedtoo
Teur
ai:Yesonei
snott
her
ewher
eis
she?"
Shane:
Thereisati
meIhear
d
walki
ngthatsi
de"Hear
t
rememberedseei
nghimti
ptoei
ng
goingtot
hesidehewastal
king
about
Heart:
Youledhertheredidn'
tyou?"
Sheaskedthinki
ngoft hi
sgir
lwho
waswearingbluejeansandawhi t
e
T-shi
rt
Shane:
HowcanI,
Iwaschecki
ng
whenIhear
dfoot
stepst
her
e?"
Teurai
:Sheisdeadl
et'
sgo"shesai
d
wit
houtanysignofcompassi
onor
pert
inence
Heart
:Justli
kethatyouleaveherand
wemov eonwithouther?"She
askedfeeli
ngheavyandal so
surpr
isedwithhowi nhumaneTeurai
was
Teur
ai:Wear
esur
roundedt
hisi
sa
gameshepr
obabl
yiseat
ennow"
Heart:
Shanearen'tyougoingtocar
e
andlookforher?"Teurai
:Youwon't
commandhi ml i
kehei syour
boyf
riendHeartdoy ouunderst
and
?"
Heart:
Whywoul dIwantaboy fri
end
l
ikehim amanwhost ealandkil
l
peopleand...
..
.,
,
,"agai
nhewal kedup
toherthisti
mehewasr eal
lymad
thanbeforehepushedhert ot
he
groundandbeganpunchi ngher
Shane:Di
e,di
e..
..
..
..
.j
ustdie"hesai
d
ki
ckingherwithhisshoesinher
st
omachandev erywhereandshe
tr
iedhol di
ngiti nbutitgot
painful
,shebur stedi
ncr yi
ng,helet
gowhenhewassat i
sf i
edandshe
start
edbl eedingnoonet r
iedtostop
hi
mt heywer eallter
ri
fied
Theyt r
avell
edt hewhol ejour
neyand
shewascr y
ingatt hebackoft hecar
thisti
meshedi dn'
tsitwi thSilenton
theseatsbutwast hrownatt heback
canopy,shef el
tpai nev erywher eand
foroncepai nforcedhert osleept he
otherssleptoffassoonast heygot
i
nt hecarbecauseoft hedrugs, why
theywer esti
lldruggingt hem Hear t
didn'
tknowbutshef i
gur edoutt he
reasonthattheydi dn'twantt hem t o
seet heplacest heypassedwhen
sher eadasi gnpostwr itt
enBol ishe
didn'tknowsuchapl aceori fitwas
stil
linZimbabwe, t
heothergi r
lswer e
asleept heydidn'tseethis,wellpai n
madehert osleepaswel lalso
becauset henightbeforeshenev er
l
etsl eepcomet oherey esbutt hat
momenti nt i
mesl eepwasbet ter
thanpai n
Shewokeupt othecanopybei ng
rai
sedandi twasni ghtti
meand
rai
ninggoodf orthem theywere
wearingrai
ncoats,theirbodi
eswere
i
mpor tantt
hant hem
Shane:
Wewi
llr
esther
eandst
artof
f
atthr
ee"hesai dnotlooki
ngat
Heartbuthiseyeswanderingallov
er
andshehadt roubl
et ocl
imbdown
fr
om thebackev eryonewasoutand
Sil
entwasheldbyanot hergi
rlnow
shewascr umbling
Teurai:What '
sthedelayoverthere?
"
Sheshout edasshewasst anding
outsideaf arandHear twastr
y i
ngall
sortsoft hingstocomedownbut
wasn' tabletoandhewasst i
ll
standingt herehol
dingthecanopy
"GetheroutShanedr agherifyou
must"shesai dstil
lshouti
ng
Shane:
Okay"hel
etgoofthecanopy
aft
erposi
ti
oni
ngi
twellf
oritnott
o
comecl osi ngoni tsownheent ered
crawl i
ngandt ookheri nhisar ms
shecoul dn'tr esistshewashur t
ing
,hesatt henonel egoutandanot her
oneoutst i
llwi thheri nhisar ms
,Teur aijustl ookedandshookher
headt el
lingt hegi rl
st ofoll
owher
andShaneputHear tdownandshe
fel
lherf eetwer eweak, hehadt o
comeandpi ckherupaf terlocking
thecarandhecar riedhery etagai n
andf ol l
owedt heot herstoabi gt ent
pitchedup" Iam sosor ryIdon't
knowwhatgoti ntome"he
whi speredwi thadeephoar sev oice
notshout ingnotwant ingtobehear d
,shedi
dn'
tli
stent
ohi
m shehat
ed
him
Theygoti nt hetent,i
twasl i
kea
soldi
er'stentpitchedupdur i
ngt he
ti
meofwarandy ouwoul dwonder
whot hesepeopl er eall
yare,Teur ai
wasspr eadingabi gthickplasticon
thegroundandpar ti
ti
onedgi rl
si n
two'sandShaneputHear tdownand
wentt ohisf arf
arendcor nerwher e
hesatj ustlooki
ngather, Sil
entwas
paleanddi dn'tl
ookOkayandshe
wassepar at edfrom them allshe
sleptonherown, Heartcouldn'tgo
tohershewassoweaki nherj oint
s
Shanehadbeat enherwi thallhis
str
engthandhewasn' tasmallman
hehadabi gbodybuilt,
she
i
mmedi atel
yfel
lasleepassoonas
shecur l
edintoadol l
arsi
gnposit
ion
ofsleepingbutshewasawokenup
tocriesherheartsank
Heart:
What'
shappeni
ng?"She
askedastheothergi
rl
scont
inued
cryi
ng
Shane:
Sheisdead"heanswered
wit
hapiti
fulsadl
ooki
ngface
Heart
:Who?"Deepdownsheknew
andshemournedsorrowf
ull
y,t
wo
gonesixr
emaininghowmanywould
makeitoutal
iv
e
*
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[
1/25,
13:
18]Magdi
el:THEELI
TE

STORYBYMAGDI
EL
I
nser
t8

Heart'sFatherannoy edbywhatwas
happeni ng,
hewor ehisshoesand
ti
edhi sshoelacesandsetcour sefor
thepol i
cestationagai n,
hiswifewas
onsickl eave,shejuststartedhavi
ng
endlesscoughs, theygav eher
medi ci
nebuti twasn'tgoingor
neit
herwasi timproving,i
thadt obe
str
essherhusbandconcl udedbut
howwasst ressanddr ycoughs
rel
ated¿, heleftherinbedsl eepi
ng
duri
ngt hemi ddleoft hedayand
wenthi sway
Hewant edtoseeanof f
icerin
chargeandher eall
yhopedt oseea
diff
erentonethant heonet heyhad
seenbef orewhoadv isedt hem t hat
theyshouldwai tthatmay beHear t
elopedandshewi llsoonnot if
y
them,theydidthewai t i
ngbutdi dn't
hearbackandt hismadeHear t'
s
mot hertofel
linthest at
eshewasi n
currentl
y

Att
hest
ati
on.
..
..
..
.

Offi
cer:
Hell
ohowmayIbeof
assi
stancetoyou?
"Hear
t'
sFat
her
wasgl
adthathesawadi
ffer
ent
of
fi
cerj
ustashehopedf
or
Heart
'sDad:
Iam her
etoreporta
missi
ngpersoncaseandIneedyour
hel
p"
Offi
cer:
Okayhady
ouopeneda
docketbef
oreont
hiscase?
"
Heart
'sDad:Nowet
ri
edt
obutdidn'
t
getanychancet
odosobecausewe
weretur
neddown"
Of
fi
cer
:Okaysowhoi
smi
ssi
ng?
"
Heart
'sDad:
Mydaughterforsome
daysnowshelefthomegoingforan
i
nterv
iewbutnevercamebacktil
l
nowwecontactedeveryper
sonwe
knowwhereshemighthavegonet
o
butnoonehasseenherandnowwe
don'
tknowwheresheis"
Off
icer:Hmmmm Okaywhat 'sher
name,surname,age,
anddoy ouhav
e
apictureofher?"Atl
eastt
heywere
get
tingsomewher e
Heart'
sDad:
Hernamei sPaidamoy
o
Marowaandsheis26"hesai d
wait
ingtohearwhattheoff
icer
wouldsayconcer
ningtheage
Of
ficer:
Alr
ightanddoy
ouhav
ea
pi
ctureofher?"
Heart
'sDad:Idi
dn'
tknowt
hati
twi
l
l
berequi
red"
Offi
cer:Yesi
t'
srequi
redsot hatwe
searchknowi
ngwhatt heperson
l
ooksl i
kesowedef i
nit
elyneedit"
Heart
'sDad:
_OkayIwi
llgoandgeti
t
backhome"
Off
icer
:Shelef
tsay
ingshewas
goi
ngwher e?"
Heart
'sDad:Foraninter
v i
ewshe
sai
dinKensingtonorisitKingst
onI
don'
trecal
lbetweenthetwo"
Off
icer:Okayandwher
ey ouli
vei
s
t
her oadsafeisi
tcl
earorbushy?"
Hear
t'
sDad:Doy
out
hink.
..
..
..
..
..
??.
"
Off
icer
:NoIam j
ustaski
ngi
tmi
ght
l
eadust osomewhere"
Hear t'
sDad: Yest her
ei sanarea
whi chi sbushybef or
ewegett othe
mai nr oadpeopl egetrobbedorev en
kil
ledi ftheypasst hroughtherel
ate
atni ghtbuti thappenshereand
thereand. .
..
….."hefeltheavy
thi
nki ngi fhisdaughterbyany
chancemetherf atetherebywalking
l
ateatni ght
Off
icer:
YesSi
rgoon"hesaidas
Heart'
sDadstoppedt
alki
ngand
l
ookeddown
Heart'
sDad:Butmydaughterhas
nevercomebackhomel at
ethisi
s
thefi
rstt
imeofhergoingoutand
notcomebackwithoutany
communi
cat
ion"
Officer :
OkaySi rrightnowgoandget
herpi ct urewhoknowswhatmi ght
havehappenedandIdon' tknowi f
shehadgr udgeswi thanyoneor
anyonehav i
ngagr udgewi thher, I
am j ustaski ngthoughher ei nour
cont inenti fsomeonewant stoget
ri
dofy out heycanj ustuse
witchcr af tratherthani ndev eloped
count r
ieswher etheyuseguns
,kniv est oer adicatesomeonebut
i
t'sfastgr owi ngal soinour
count r
y ,
thoughher ei nourcount ry
wedon' tarrestpeopl eaccusedof
witchcr aftbuti texi stdaitaidaro
chember edzesedzakaperanekuti
chember eyesemuroyikune
vechi
diki"hejokedandtheylaughed
Heart
'sDad:Chil
drenneversaybutI
don'
tknowifshehasanygr udge
wit
hsomeoneori fsomeonehasa
..
..
..
..
.wai
tami nute"hepausedas
herememberedsomet hi
ng
Of
fi
cer
:Yesspeak"
Heart
'sDad:Therei
sthisguywho
al
waysnagsmydaught erwhil
sthe
i
smar ri
edandhiswifeoncesent
peopl
etobeatupmydaught er"he
sai
dshakinghisheadremembering
howhisdaughterwasstri
pped
nakedpeopl
esaying_hanty
haunyar
ekutor
av arumev evanhu
chi
fambakaausinakupfeka_
Off
icer
:Thenwewil
lbeginfrom ther
e
goi
ngup"hesaidcrossi
nghi slegs
androckedhi
schai
rlookingsternl
y
atHeart
'sDad
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Adeeppi twasdugbyShaneand
Sil
entwasbur i
edthereaf ter
wrappingherbodyi napl ast i
cno
coffi
nunf ortunatel
yHear tdi dn't
witnessal lt
hisasshest ay edbacki n
thetentnur singherwounds, she
couldn'twalkpl usthemour ning
madehermor eweak, shebl amed
herselfforSilent'
spassi ngandj ust
l
ikehernameshesi l
entlypassed
awaybuthowcomei nashor tperi
od
oftime,didthismeanherwoundwas
bigormay beshehashadt his
problem sinceshewasy oungand
nowexposedt osuchan
envi
ronmentt riggeredt owhat '
s
ther
et owor seormay beshehad
cert
ainmedi cationsshewast aking
backhomet hatshenev er
ment i
onedabout ,
gosht hi
smade
Heartcryt hemor er emember i
ng
thei
rmeet i
ng, shewasasi l
entgir
l
whonev erwant ednoi seasshe
reminiscedannoy ingherandal so
howshehel pedherbat handthe
nextdayshei sgone, l
ifewascruel
andifshewasmov edl i
kethatwhat
aboutherpar entsshet houghtand
thi
smadehert othinkofherpar ents
ofhowt heywer efeelingnow
real
izi
ngt heirdaught erisnowhere
tobefoundwhatmor eiftheyfind
outthatshediedhowwoul dthey
feel
,
theystayedtherefortwoday s
andShanehadt otakecar eofHear t
,youmightbesay i
nghel pi
ngherbut
hewasdoi nghimselfafav orheis
theonewhohur thersoi twashi s
duty
Shane:
Eat"hebroughtf
oodonher
mouthshejustl
ookedatit
Hear
t:Ihav
ehandsIcaneatby
mysel
f"sherudel
ysai
d
Shane:Butyou'
renoteat
ingt
he
other
shav eeatenandwentoutt
o
bath"
Heart:
HowcanIwhenSi l
ent'
sbody
i
scol donthegr
ound"shebegan
cry
ingandShaneputthefoodback
i
nt heplat
eandlookeddownthenup
again
Shane:
Iam sor
rywasshey
oursi
ster
?"
Heart:Sowhatar ey ousay i
ngIcan
onlycryifshewasmysi st
erhuhi f
sheisn'tIshouldn'tcryisit,j
usttake
thi
sscenar i
ot obei ny ourshoes
Shanehowwoul dy oufeelifitwas
yoursistertakenanddi esinthe
for
esthuh? "
Shane:
Itwoul
dhur
trealbadbutI
thi
nkSi l
entwasalr
eadysi
ck,her
e
thesicknessbur
stedandgotworse
so..
..
..
.."
Heart:Sowhatallt
hiswhatisitfor
,nowIam scaredhowmanyt imes
areyougoingtobeatme, myfaceis
swoll
en,mybodychangedcol or
becauseofyourbeatings"shesaid
andShanest ar
tedslowlybr
inging
hishandtoherface"Don'tyoudare"
shesaidandhepausedashewas
abouttotouchher
Shane:Sayingsor
rywon' twor
kbut
that'
sallIcansay,
ifther
ewasa
betterwordthansor r
yIwouldhave
saiditbutther
eisn'tandthi
sgroup
i
st oughwehav enev erhadgi rl
s
dyingont hewayIdon' tknowwhy
thi
st i
mei t'
sasi gnalmay bethatwe
nono. ..
..Ishoul dst op,Idon' thavea
heartofst onel ikey oupi cturemet o
bemunhuhaasiny orekungonziaf a
youdon' tseemecr yi
ngbutIam
touched, Idon' tcrybecausei twon't
changeany t
hingitwon' tbringa
personf rom deat hbutt hatdoesn' t
meanIdon' tcare"Hear tclosedher
eyesandshel ethimt ouchherf ace
andhesl owl yrubbedwher ethere
waspai n, hequi cklyletgowhenhe
heardv oicescomi ngt owar dst he
tentanddi stancedhi msel ff r
om her
Teuraient
eredfir
standj ustlooked
atthetwoShanewasst andingon
thefarcornerpr
etendingtomi ndhis
businessandHear twaslookingat
theplatei
nf r
ontofher
Teurai
:Youshoul
deatbecause
toni
ghtweareont hemoveagai
n"
shesaidtoHeart
Hear
t:WhydoyoucareevenifIdi
e
j
ustl
etmedieinst
ead"shesai dand
wasignor
edasTeuraipr
oceededto
t
alkt
oShane
Teurai
:Youknowt
omor r
owabout
buseswehavetobeatspeed"
Shane:
Iknow"hecool
yanswer
edi
n
achi
ll
edzone
Teurai
:Okayhowwil
lshewal
kthat
si
denowy ouknow"shewastr
ying
hardtospeaki
nri
ddles
Shane:
Wil
lsee"
Teurai
:Seefastmyf r
iendtimei s
money"shehandedhi m cl
othes
"Thegi
rlsar
edonegoanddoy our
thi
ngalso"hewalkedoutsi de
eyei
ngHeartwhost artedscri
bbling
onthegroundwithherf i
nger
Shane:
Here"Ast i
ckwaspresent
ed
tohertosuppor
thersel
ftowalkshe
l
ookedatitandlookedathi
m and
rol
ledhereyes,
heheldthest
ick
ti
ghtasshetri
edtostandupof
whichshesuccessf
ull
ydidbyhi
s
helppul
li
ngherbyheronehand
Teur ai
:Let'smov eoutst aycloset o
oneanot herwear egoi ngt ouset he
rai
lroadwear enoti ntheani mal
terr
itorybutj ustbecausei t'
snight
wehav et ober eallycareful"she
i
nstruct edandal ltheot hergirl
s
noddedst il
lterrif
iedbutt heirfaces
seemedt ohav eawakenedabi t
getti
ngcomf ortableHear tthought
asshel ookedatgi rlsgoi nfr
ontand
shewasbehi ndf ollowingwi thher
sti
ck, shecoul dn'tkeepuppacewi t
h
them
Shanel ookedbackandsawher
fol
lowingslowlyal
oneandhewai t
ed
forherholdinghi
sfl
ashl
ightandhe
sawt hathewouldwaitfor
eversohe
walkedt oherandsquat
tedinfr
ont
ofher
Heart
:Whatareyoudoing?"She
askedasifnotdecodi
ngthe
meaningofwhathewasdoi ng
Shane:Letmecar ryyouonmyback"
hesaidturningtolookatherandshe
wasaboutt oi
gnoreandwalkaway
buthepul l
edherhandand
automaticall
ylandedonhisback
andhest oodupgr oanedabit
si
gnify
ingt hatshewasheavy
Heart:
Backt hereyousaidother
groupsofgi rl
sneverdiedsodoy ou
meany ouhav ebeendoingthisfora
l
ongt ime? "Sheaskedast hey
walkedbehi ndfarfr
om othersand
shewasonhi sback,hewasj ust
quietandhet ooksomet i
met o
answerHear t
Shane:Canagir
leverlov
eaguylike
me? "Heaskedatotal
lydif
fer
ent
questi
onli
kehewasi nhisown
real
m
Heart
:Don'
ttel
lmey ouhav enev
er
l
ovedagi r
lbef
ore?
"whywasshe
answeri
ngbackshet hought
Shane:Theyal
lgett
aken"
Hear
t:
Bywho?
"
Shane:
Nev
ermi
nd.
..
..
..
."
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
19]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t9
I
nZi
mbabwe.
..
..
….

Offi
cer:
Hell
oIam her
et oaskify
ou
knowaboutagirlbyt
hename
PaidamoyoMarowa? "heaskedas
hehadv i
sit
edTi
ndo'shomeandwas
l
etinsi
de
Ti
ndo:
Pai
dayesIknowher"the
of
fi
cerbr
oughtoutapenandpaper
Of
fi
cer
:Okayhowdoy
ouknowher?
"
Ti
ndo:I
sev
ery
thi
ngOkayOf
fi
cer?
"
Offi
cer:
Iam aski
nghowy ouknow
her?"Tindowassurpri
sedwit
hthe
aggressi
ontheOffi
cerwasshowing
al
lofasudden
Tindo:Okayshewasachi
ldhood
fr
iend"
Of
fi
cer
:Onl
ythat?
"
Tindo:I..
..
..
.Iusedtodateher"he
stammer edt henl
ockedhishands
togetherfeeli
ngnervousandthe
Offi
cerlookedatt hosehands
Of
fi
cer
:Okayupt
owhatext
ent?
"
Tindo:Whatdoy
oumeant
owhat
extent?"
Offi
cer:Wer eyousti
llseei
ngher
evenaf terhavi
ngawi fe,
wereyou
sexuallyinvol
ved,Iwanty out
o
tr
uthfullyspeakup? "Heaskedandi
t
wasal lweirdtoTindo
Ti
ndo:Itwasamisunderst
andingi
t'
s
j
ustthatmywif
edidn'
tknowt hat
Pai
dawasmyf ir
stgir
lf
ri
end"
Offi
cer:
Youdidn'tanswermy
questi
onful
ly,anywaycallyourwi
fe
i
nher e"Ti
ndowentt otheki
tchen
andcamebackwi thhiswif
e
Officer
:Ma'
am wehav eev er
yreason
toaccusey ouofPaida's
disappear
ance,Ibel
ieveyou'
re
enemynumberonet oMi ssPaida?"
Tindo'
swif
e:Offi
cerwhatdoy ou
meanPaida'sdisappearance?"She
askedandlookedatTi ndowhowas
shockedt
oheart hataswel l
Off
icer:
Idon'tknowy outel
lme,f
rom
myf i
ndingsjustaskingafewpeopl
e
t
heyallsaidy ou'
retheonewhobear
agrudgewi t
hMi ssPaida"
Tindo'
sWi f
e:St
illOffi
cerIdidn'
t
knowt hatHeartdisappearedIswear
thisi
nformati
oni snewt ome"
Offi
cer:
Really?,
butIam sor r
yt osay
wedon' tworkli
ket hatwhetheri t
's
newornoty ou'
rethetopsuspect
,youandy ourbrothersyouwi llshow
mewher et
heyliveandwewi llgot o
thestati
onandasky oufurt
her
questi
ons,ifyoufeltthatPaidawas
athreattoyouandy ouoncesent
peopletobeathert henwehav e
everyr
ightandr
easontobeli
eveand
toseeyouasachiefsuspect,
so
l
et'sgo"
Tindo'
sWife:
AaahOffi
cerj
ustl
ike
thatyout
akeme? "Sheasked
baffl
ed
Ti
ndo:Yeswit
houtanywarni
ng
Of
ficer?"het
ri
edtoint
erv
eneforhi
s
wi
fe
Off i
cer
:I
t'
sjustf
orquestioninglet
's
goandshowmey ourbrothers
placesalso"sheobedientlywalked
seeingthathemeantbusi nessand
shegotscar edofbei
ngaccused
wr ongl
yandendupi njailwithout
evi
dencetopr
oveheri
nnocentnow
sheregr
ett
eddoi
ngwhatshedidto
Heart

☆☆☆

Threeday sinaf oreignlandand

Hear thadr ecov eredt houghshehad
mar ksoft hebeat i
ngsbutshef eltno
painsatl east,
shedi dn'tknowwhat
theirnextmov ewoul dbebutshe
definit
elysawt hesi gnpostsay ing
welcomet oChi cual acualaborder
andt heycr ossedt ot hi
scountryby
footatni ghtil
legal lyenteri
ng
thr
oughaf ence, thatwascut
somehowandshef i
guredthat
borderjumper susedt hattoent er
i
ntot hiscountryshebar el
yhadno
i
nfoofbutsher eal l
ywonder ed
wheret hebuseswer eorpeopl e
wheresi nceitwasabor derithadt o
havet hatbuttheynev ercame
acrosswhatsheexpect edata
borderpostlitt
ledi dsheknowt hat
thebor derwasn'ta24/ 7bor derit
hadday sofoper ati
onandt hey
migratedwheni twasn' toperating

Assoonast
heyent
eredandwalked
i
nthi
snewcount
rytheyst
art
ed
seeingpeopl eandhousesbutt hey
wer espeaki ngal anguaget hatHeart
couldn'tev entellwhatl anguagewas
thatnei t
hercoul dsheescapenow
notknowi ngwhi chcount rytheywere
i
nnorcoul dshespeakt henat i
ve
gibber i
shl anguagehowwoul dshe
askf orhel pnotbei ngabl etospeak
theirlanguageandnotknowi ngwho
thepeopl ear e,whati ftherewer e
peopl ewat chingt hem oriftheywere
allagent swhost ealpeople,she
reall
ydi dn'thaveanyhopenow

Wel
lfreedom wasst
il
lfar
awayfr
om
t
hem astheywereli
vi
ngonthi
sbig
yardwithabi gdur
awallandont op
ofthatdurawallwasashar pr azor
wireandwhatt heywerepr otecti
nga
smalltwor oomedhouse, t
hegi rls
wereinoneandShaneandt heguar d
musthav ebeenusingt heotherone
andoutsidet ot
herightwasa
temporaryuglybri
ckbat hr
oom and
alsoatoil
et
"Mamani, Mamani"Agirlwhocooks
forthem wasshouti
ngoutsideas
shear r
ivedshegoesandcomes
musthav ebeenempl
oyedbyt heso
call
edt hi
eves
Teur
ai:Mama"sheanswered
waki
ngupfrom herl
uxur
ymattr
ess
welltheonl ymat t
ressinther oom
,Hear tandt heot hergi
rlsslepton
thefloorwhi cht heyhadmabonde
andabl anketshar i
ngint wo's,they
weresi xsot hreeset softwo' s,the
onlytimet heywoul dgoouti sint he
mor ningtoeatandi ntheaf ternoon
tobat handev eningtheywoul dbei n
houseagai nthatwast heonl y
acti
v i
tiestheydi d
"Namuhl
ahitasv
ekaini?
"( Whatare
wegoingtocooktoday)Sheasked
andHeartwasli
steni
ngfrom i
nside
asshesatup
"
Wandi
fugura(
youhaveuncov
ered
me)
"saidthegi
rlbyHear
t'
ssi
de
wi
thwhom shewasshar inga
bl
anketwithandsowhenshesatt he
bl
anketmov edwit
hherexposingthe
ot
hergir
ltothechil
lsofmor ni
ng
weat
herofwhi chshesti
llwantedt
o
sl
eepfeel
ingtheblanket
'swarmth
Heart:
Sor ry"shesai dandgotoutof
theblanketst il
lsi
tti
ngandstill
l
isteni
ngt ot heconv er
sati
onout si
de
,everydayf orthethreedaysthere
shewoul dl i
stensot hatmaybeshe
couldpickaf ewwor dsofthe
l
anguagebutheyt heonlywordshe
managedt oknowbyguesswor knot
knowingi fthatwast heri
ght
i
nterpretati
onshegav etoitwas
*
Mamani*sheassumedt
hati
t
meantMom
Teurai
:Amapauhaakohokee
epadari
a(Isbreadnotavail
ableat
thebakery)?"Sheaskedthi
sgi rl
whosenamewasMai ny
awel lthat'
s
whatHear thear
dasshewoul dbe
call
ed,shedidn'
tknowifitwasa
name
Mainya:
Papai "nowthatwasanew
worddiditmeani t
'sfi
nishedor?
sheshookherheadt ryi
ngt ofi
gurei
t
outbutshegav eherful
lattent
ionto
l
ist
enshar pl
ywhenshehear dShane
speaki
ng
Shane:Mama"hecameoutoft
he
room hewasusi
ng
Mainya:Ni
kombelakukur
huma
epadari
a( Mayyoupl
easegot ot
he
bakeryforme?)"shesaidandHeart
openedherearstohearShane'
s
responseshesomehowf i
guredthat
i
t'sShanewhowasbei ngtal
kedto
Shane:
Mainyani
kar
haril
ey ova
ashi
mishweninj
ee(Iam ti
redit
'sst
il
l
soearl
y)"Hecompl
ained
Heart
:Whattheheck...
..
..
sohecan
speakthatl
anguagetoo? "Shewas
surpr
isedassheli
stened
"
Yousai
d?"t
hegi
rlbesi
deaskedher
Heart
:NoIam talki
ngt
omysel
f
uhmmmm . .
..
..
..
."Sheal
way
sforgot
hername
"Fedel
ia"shesai
d,sucha
complicat
ednamenowonderHear
t
wouldforgett
henameeasil
y
Nowshehadmi ssedonal otoft he
conv ersat
ionsthatwasbei ng
discussedout si
deasshet alkedto
...
...
..
shitsheforgothernameagai n
,it
'sbecauseshehadal otof
calculati
onsgoingoni nhermi nd
thatshenev ergav eatt
ent i
ont oher
newf r
iendwhowasr eplacingSil
ent
mayhersoulr estinpeace, Heart
sigheddeepl ywhenshet houghtof
her,shejustdi
dn'
twanttopickthe
meani ngofthewordssheheardbut
thelanguagewasfunnyanditwas
entert
ainmenttoher
Shedi dherownt hi
ngandst oodup
andal lthegi r
lsl ookedatherev en
thosewhohadt hei
rheadscov ered
l
ookedathert oseewhatshe
want edt odo, shewast hecenterof
attr
act i
onl i
keasi ghtseeingplace
fortourists,theyknewt heywoul dgo
outonl ywhent heywer ecall
edbut
thatwasanot herstoryt oHeartas
shehadgut st owal ktothedoorand
theot hergirlsai d_aporakaa
ndosaka_butt hatdidn'tstopHeart
fr
om openi
ngt
hedoorandwal
ked
out
Thethreelookedt
othedoorwheni t
opened,thati
sMainya,
Teuraiand
themanShanewhom shewas
hardl
yseeingfort
hethreedaysthey
werethere,
Shewouldseehim here
andthereandwouldbef arf
rom her
andshewasnotev enabletospeak
tohim
Teurai
:Whereareyougoinggoback
i
nsideandsleep"Teurai
commandedHear tbutshedi
dn't
l
ist
enandsatont hehighpl
atf
orm
outsi
dethehouse
Heart
:Pleaseal
lowmet osi
ther
e
wherewouldIgoto?"Shesai
dwitha
pi
ti
fulsadlooki
ngface
Mainya:
Wakhulumachingizamina
hani
twi(Wheny ouspeakEngl
ishI
can'
thearathi
ng)"Mai nyasaid
Teurai
:Funda(l
ear
n)"shesaidand
theybothl
aughedexceptShane
Mainya:
Ivi
tolal
weyiumani(What '
s
thenameoft hi
sone) ?"Sheasked
Teurail
ookingatHeartwhodidn't
decodewhatwasbei ngsaid
Teur
ai:Heart"shesai
dandHeart
knewthatshewasnowt hei
rtopi
c
Mai
nya:
Art"shet
ri
edt
ocopyTeur
ai
andHear trol
ledhereyesasshehad
hernamebei ngmi spr
onouncedand
whatflabbergast
edheriswhen
Teuraisaid
Teurai
:ExactlyAr
t"shecouldn'
t
bel
ieveittheyweret
wisti
ngher
nameandt omakemattersworse
Shanelaughedbutwhensheey ed
hi
m hest opped
Mai nya:Asaseki
lehintamuBoss
vatamul ava(Sheissobeaut if
ulthe
bosswi l
lli
keher)"shesai dand
Hear tlookedatTeur aiandatShane
andt heireyeswander edalloverthe
place,whatdi dthegirlsai
dsheonl y
hear dthewor dBoss,whata
l
anguage
Shane:Uhmmm Mai nyaf ambapodi
chikamunaTeur aimut ashav a
amapaumi nanal av
acar ipau
yasveki
wanausv a(Mai ny agowit
h
Teuraii
nsteadtobuybr eadandas
formeIwantmacker elwi t
hpap)"
hesaidandal lHeartwashear i
ng
wast heof
t enuseof_ sv a_
Mainya:
Walavakee(Doy ouwantt
o
go?)"sheaskedTeuraiwhoseemed
tobehesit
ant
Teurai
:Svovabhoonalavakushav
a
ati
mbatyatacalami
dadi(OkayIwant
tobuysecondhandclothesfr
om
t
hosebel
lsofcl
othes)
"
Mainya:Ninyi
keamal e(Givemet he
money) ''
sheext endedherhandt o
ShaneandHear tdecodedcor r
ectl
y
thewor damalewasal mostt he
sameast heshonanamef ormoney
andalsobyt hegest urereturnedby
Shanewhenhet ookhi swal l
etfrom
thepocketandgav eMai ny aaf ew
noteswhi chwerebl ue,bluemoney
Heartlookedsternlyaskingher sel
f
whichcount r
ythatusedbl uemoney
,shegav eupt r
yingt ofi
gur eoutas
othernotesthatwer einpi nkand
greenwer ebroughtoutconf using
herthemor e
AssoonasMai nyaandTeuraigot
outofthegateShanepulledHeartby
thehandafterrunni
nghiseyesall
overtheyar
dt ocrosscheckifno
onewasseei nghim
Shane:
Whywer eyoubathi
ng? "He
askedastheywereatthebackyard
andHeartwassurpr
isedwithhis
typeofquest
ion
Hear
t:
Daahtobehy gi
enic,
cl
ean,
to
l
ookgoodbecauseitsgoodforme
andmyhealt
hwhatdoy oumeanby
whywereyoubathi
ng? "
Shane:
Youwillchoosebet
weenthe
twowhetherIbeatyouupagai
norI
gi
veyouar azorandcutyour
selfand
st
ainyourunderwearwit
hblood"
*
*
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*
[
1/25,
13:
20]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t10

Shesawher
sel
fbei
ngchasedand
sher anasf astasshecoul df rom
themanwhowaschasi ngaft erher
i
nat hickfor estt hatlookedf ami l
iar
toherandwhensher eacheda
certainpoi ntther ewasacl if
fshe
fel
thopel ess, herpur suerwas
catchinguponherandshehadno
choicet hant ot ur nandf acehi m
becauseshecoul dn'tjumpof fthe
cli
ff,clearl
yt hatwassui ci
daland
shewasn' treadyt odi ewellnoty et
whenshel ookedshewasi naweas
shecoul dn' tbeliev ethepersonwho
waspur suingher, itwasShaneand
i
nhi shandwasakni feandhewas
readyt oat tackher
Hear
t:
Shanedon'
tdot
his,
Il
ovey
ou
"
Shane: Youbet r
ay edmeandpl ayed
withmyf eeli
ngsgetr eadytodi e"he
adv ancednear erandpul l
edher
closerbutwhenhewasaboutt o
stabhershewaspul ledalmost
snat chedbyt hehandwi t
hsomeone
elseshedi dn'tseeandShanewas
kickedi nthestomacht hathelost
balanceandhef elltothegr oundand
sheandhersav i
orcont i
nuedr unni
ng
escapi ngfrom Shane, t
heyst opped
afterrunningadi st anceawayand
shet houghtt olookathersav i
or
facet ofaceandunbel i
evablyitwas
Shaneagai
n,how?
Shane:Il
oveyouHeartnothi
ngwi
ll
happentoyouaslongasIam here"
shegotscaredandconfusedwhy
weretheretwoShanes

Heart:Shaaaane"shewokeup
screami ngandsatonherbut tsher
bodywascompl etelydrenchedin
sweatandsheponder eddeeplyon
thedr eam, whatsortofadr eam was
that,
sheaskedher selfnotev en
awareofhersur roundingsbutwhen
shef ull
yr ecover
edf rom dreamland
backt or eali
tyshelookedar ound
ever yonewasey eingherincluding
Teur aiwhowasf ullofquestions
j
udgi ngbyherf aceexpr ession
"Goodmor ning"shegr eetedback
bri
ef l
ysmi li
ngt ryingtocov erupt he
aftermat hofherni ght
mar e,she
pulledt heblanketagai nandcov ered
herf acestil
lthinkingabouther
dream notmi ndingt hemanyey es
thatwer el
ookingather
Didthedr eam meanShanewasbot h
hersaviorandherdest ruct
ionatthe
samet ime, shedidseri
oust hi
nki
ng
andf el
tasi ckeni
ngstirupinher
stomach,bei ngnauseati
ngl
y
disgustedandhernotbei ngableto
eatthef oodcookedbyMai ny amade
i
twor seshet hought, sheat eonly
breadandt eaf ortheday stheywer e
thereandshedi dn'tunder standwhy
Teuraihadt obewi ckedt ogi veher
twoslicesonl ywhensheneeded
mor esli
ces, goshshewasgoi ngto
growt hi
nwi thoutanef f
ortofadi et
,shecoul dn'teatt hengaka( agreen
podv egetabl eeateni nMozambi que)
presentedt ot hem wi thpapi twasso
bit
terthatwasaccor dingtoFedel ia
soshenev erat tempt edt oeati tand
whenMai ny acookedchi ckenTeur ai
wouldexcl udeHear tandgi veher
breadandt ea, i
twasn' tasur pri
se
becausecl earl
yTeur aihat edher
,shet ouchedherbum shor tthat
wasi nsidet heskirtshewaswear i
ng
tomakesur eiftherazorbl adeshe
wasgi v
enwasst i
lli
ntactandy esit
wasi n,t hatwast heopt ionshe
optedf ort hepreviousdayast wo
optionswer elaidoutf orherby
Shaneandshecompl ainedt hathe
shouldn' tsaveheronl ybutal lt
he
girl
sbutt herewasnoot hermeans
tosav et hem becausehesai deach
manf orhi mselfbesideshecoul dn't
beatupev er
ygirlorgiv ethem al l
razorbl adest ocutthemsel vesit
woul dbet ooobv i
oust hat
somet hingwasupandi twouldlook
wayt oosuspi cioust hattheywoul d
bef oundoutoft heirplan,soshe
hadt obesel fi
shbutshedi dn'
twant
thatandshehat edittothecor e,she
smiledlikeani diotwhenshe
remember edthepar tofShane
givi
ngherchocol ateabouty est
er day
,whywasshet hathappyi twasj ust
chocolateandhewasgi vingherf or
energyormay bet otastesomet hing
elsediffer
entbesi desthet eaand
breadshewashav ingdayi nandday
outwel lshedidn' tworrymuchabout
themeatt hattheot herswer ehav ing
becausemay bei twouldhav ebeen
druggedanywaysheconcl
udedso
asnottofeell
ikeshewasmissi
ng
out
Nowt ogett otheot herpartofthe
dream , whatdidthef ir
stShanewho
waschasi nghermeanwhenhesai d
thatshebet r
ayedhi sfeeli
ngsand
whatdi dt hesecondShanewho
savedhermeanagai nwhenhesai d
helov edherandsher emember ed
tell
ingt hefi
rstShanewhowas
holdingakni fethatshel ovedhi m
,herheadwasspi nninginthe
blanketwi thtoomucht hinkingand
sheendedupsl eepingagai nthat
whent heotherswer ecalledi nfor
theirbreakfastshedidn'
thear
anythingandnoonet ri
edtowake
hersi ncetheyallknewthatshe
didn'tli
kethef oodanyway

Shane:Mainyaavasat
iposhota
umwe( Mainyathegir
lsarenotal
l
here)?"HeaskedMai nyaashe
noti
cedthatHeartwasn'
tthere
Mainya:
UmwaniAr thanisemuona
namuhla(Thatgi
rlHeartIhaven'
t
seenhertoday)"
Teur
ai:Whyar
ey oul
ooki
ngf
orher
?"SheaskedShane
Shane:
Not
hingIj
ustsawt
hatshei
s
noteat
ingwit
htheot
her
sand
wonderedwhy?"
Teurai
:Wellshewokeupf rom a
night
mar escreamingyourname"
sheeyedShanel ongenoughthathe
l
ookedawayandher emoved
himselffr
om thereandhewondered
i
fHear twasreall
yokay

Somet i
melaterHeartwokeupwhen
theothergi
rl
scamei nhighspiri
ts
makingnoiseandsheuncov eredher
headsoast oseewhatwas
happeningwitht
hejoyoussounds
andmel odi
esoflaughteri
ntheir
predi
camentwhatcoul
donebe
happyfor
Fedeli
a:Thi
soneisbeauti
ful"she
saidasshemadeaselectionof
dressesfr
om abunchlai
doutin
fr
ontofher
"Wowl ookatt
hisguysIcert
ainl
y
l
ov ethi
sone"anothergi
rlbythe
nameSandr asai
dasshel i
ft
edar ed
gli
tter
ydressi
ntotheair
"Youguy swehav etochangeand
putonmakeupr ememberwhat
Teuraisaid"ThatwasKat hr
yn
speaking,Hear
tlookedatallthegi
rl
s
andtheywer esoov er
joy
eddoest hi
s
meantheywer
egett
ingusedshe
di
dn'
tknowanybet
ter

Sher osefrom thefloor

,foldedthe
blanketsandt ookhertoweland
walkedout, sheglancedacr ossthe
yardandshesawShaneundera
mangot r
ee,theyl
ockedey esbutshe
wasst art
ledbyTeur aiwhenshewas
aboutt orai
seherhandt oShane
Teurai:Youshouldbebathingand
aft
ert hatyoucomeandgety our
specialclot
hes"shesaidandHeart
j
ustfrownedwal kingaway
compl etel
yignor
ingherbutshegot
thi
nki
ngwhatdidshemeanher
speci
alcl
othes¿

Shestoodi nt hebat hroom spl ashing

watertot hesidet omakei tseem as
i
fshewasbat hi
ngbutshe
wasn't
,shet hent ookoutherr azor
blade,
clenchedhert eetht ogether
andmadeacutonherpi nkyfinger
anddrizzledthebl oodonher
underwearr eall
ygi vi
ngi tagood
squeezingtogetal lthebl oodout
andshewast otellTeur aiaboutt his
andshewasgoi ngt odot hesame
onwhatshewasgoi ngt obegi vento
useonherf akemenst ruation,she
putonherclot
hesandwhenshe
walkedoutofthebathr
oom shewas
pul
ledbyherhandandwentt othe
backofthebathroom
Heart
:Youreall
yhavet oal
arm me
befor
ejustdraggi
ngmebymyhand
youknowwhati fIscream ?"She
sai
dspeakingwi t
hal owvoiceli
kea
thi
efwanti
ngt oshareherlootwit
h
herpart
nerincri
me
Shane:
You'
reusedtot
hedraggi
ng
that
'swhyy
oudon'tev
enscream "
Hear
t:Okaysowhat
'sup?
"
Shane:Thatbl
oodtr
ick,
stai
niton
yourskir
talsol
ikei
thappenedto
youunawaresdon'tt
ellherletitl
ook
l
ikeyoudidn'
tknowaswel l"she
l
ookedathim, hewasdef i
nitel
ya
prof
essi
onalthief
,
Hear
t:
Goshthepl
ancomeswi
thso
manytodo'
swhy?"
Shane:
DoasIsayorshewi
llr
ead
youli
keabook"
Heart:
Whydidy ouev
ertryi
tony our
pastgir
lf
ri
end?"Shesai
dandShane
twit
chedhiseyesandit
'sli
keshe
prophesi
ed"OoohMyGodi sittr
ue?
"
Shane:
Itwasawast
eany
wayhow
areyouanyway
?"
Hear
t:Iam f
inewhy?
"
Shane:Youdon'
tlookOkayandy
ou
di
dn'tcomeoutforteat
oday"
Heart
:Iam Okay"whywashe
car
ing,shef
rowned
Shane:
Andshesaidy
ouhada
ni
ghtmarecal
li
ngmyname"hegav
e
heranaught
ylook
Heart:
Nxaasoit
'snewsnow"she
cl
ickedhert
ongue
Shane:Wonderwhatyoudreamtof
thatyouhadtocal
lmyname"he
l
ookedatherdeeplyinhereyesand
shefeltsoover
whelmedandhe
drewclosert
oherentici
ngherand
hisli
pscaughther sandshedi dn'
t
knowwhycl osedherey esf eel
ing
thekissdeepdowni nhersoulas
theybot hwil
li
nglyexchangedt heir
mout hsengagedi naki ss,hewas
l
ikeshei sagoodki sser ,
shemustbe
experiencedanddef ini
telynota
vir
ginandshewasl ikeGodwhati s
thi
sIam supposet ober unningand
escapenott his,
theystoppedwhen
someonecl earedav oiceandt hey
bothlookedand...
*
*
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*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
21]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t11

ShanelookedatHeartdeepl
yi nher
eyesandshef el
tover
whelmedand
hedrewclosertoherandtheirli
ps
caughteachotherandsheclosed
hereyesfeel
ingtheki
ssdeepdown
i
nhersoulast heybot
hwi l
li
ngly
exchangedt heirmout hsengagedin
aki ss,hewasl i
kewowwhatagood
kissershei sandshewasl i
keOooh
Godwhati sthisIam doing,Iam
supposet ober unningescapingnot
this,theystoppedwhensomeone
clearedt heirthroatandtheyboth
l
ookedt heirhear t
sthuddingl
y
pumpi ng

Shane:
Mainya"hesai
dandMai
nya
j
ustsmiledl
ooki
ngatthet
wo
Mainy
a:Nasvi
ti
vawar hant
sal
weyi
Boss(Iknewyoulovedthi
soneboss
)"shesaidsmil
ing
Heart:Boss?"ShelookedatShane
wantingtounderst
andt houghshe
neverheardwhatMai ny
asai donl
y
theBosswor d
Shane:
Youknowwhenshewor ks
shegetsherpayfrom met husbeing
cal
ledboss"hesai dlooki
ngatHeart
tr
yingtoexpl
ainthenheshiftedand
l
ookedatMai nya"Haungagwel e
munhuMai nyawasv i
twa(Don'tt
ell
anyoneMainya,
Okay) "hesaid
Mainy
a:Ahi
hinadahani
gwel
anga(
No
Iwon'
ttel
lanyone)
"
Shane:Kani
mambo(Thankyou)
"he
sai
dandMai ny
awentherway
Hear
t:
Soaboutwhathappenedi
t
meantnothi
ngri
ght
?"Sheasked
t
ouchingherl
ips
Shane:Uhmmm. ..
..
..
..
..
..yahsur
eof
course"hescrat
chedhi sheadasi
f
contemplat
ingaboutit
Heart:Gr
eatthenfr
iends"she
off
eredherhandandt hey
exchangedahandshakethinki
ngI
am goingtousethi
sone
Shane:Fr
iends"andher el
easedher
handandshewal kedbacki nthe
bathr
oom anddidherthingint her
e
shehadt oputherfi
ngerinher
mouthsot hati
tquickl
ydries
av
oidi
ngtyi
ngi
tbecauseitwoul
d
gi
veherawayt
hatsomethingwas
up

Shanesawhergoi ngbacki nsideas

hest oodonhi susualspotundert he
mangot r
eeandher egrettednot
confessinghisfeeli
ngst oherbut
howcoul dshesayf r
iendsaf terthat
passionatekisswasn' tsheget ti
ng
thesignsthather eall
yl oveheror
surelymay beshewoul dnev erfal
la
manl ikehim,hethought, amanwho
kidnapspeopl eandt r
adest hem he
didn'
tknowanybet ter
Teurai:Wher ehav eyoubeen? "She
askedHear tenteri
ngandshe
glancedatt hegi r
lstheywere
l
ookingf lashyandbeaut i
fulandshe
wonder edift her
ewasamakeup
arti
sthiredt odot hei
rmakeup
becauset heywer eonpoi nt
Heart:
Bathedthensatout
sidea
whil
ewher eel
secanIgoher eother
thanthi
sbigo'lyar
d"herfocuswere
onthegirl
s,whattheywere
port
rayi
ngwast hewrongpictur
e
Teurai
:Gety
ourclot
hesov
erthere"
shesaidpoi
nti
ngatabagthatwas
atthecor
nerofther
oom
Heart
:Okay"shewalkedt
othe
cor
nerandbentali
tt
le
Fedeli
a:Heartyouspoi
ledy
ourski
rt"
shesaidandev er
yonel
ooked
i
ncludingTeurai
Hear
t:
hmmmm musthav est
art
ed
myperi
od"shesai drol
li
ngherskir
t
t
ocomet othefrontact
ingasifshe
wassurpr
isedhersel
f
Teurai
:Atyouragey
ouspoi
lyour
cl
othes?"
Heart
:Ithappenedunexpect
edl
ycan
Igetpadsplease?"Shefr
eel
yasked
seei
ngt hatTeur
aihadboughtt
heli
e
Teur
ai:Mai
nya,
Mai
nya"shecal
led
outtoMainyawhowasbusycooking
onthecharcoalst
ov eMai
nya:
Mama
wanivi
ta(
Youcal l
edme) !
"She
askedcominginsidether
oom
Teur
ai:Amapezoashav
iswamal
e
muni(Howmuchdopadscost)?"
Mai
nya:
Podhiv
int
esi
ngu,podhi
t
hri
nta(
Maybe25or30)"shesai
d
Teur
ai:Eeehi
mhakamuniur
ipodhi
(Whyareyousay
ingmaybe)
?"
Mainya:
Imhakahani
tir
hiselesv
o(I
ts
becauseIdon'
tusethat)"
Teur
ai:Wati
rhi
sayhi
nikasi(
Whatdo
youusethen)?"
Mai
nya:
Pepet
izhel
a(Ti
ssues)
"
Teurail
aughedandtheothergi
rl
s
werejustenj
oyi
ngthelanguage
Teurai
:Wavadzv
apodhiwahemba
(You'
recr
azyormaybeyou'
rel
yi
ng)"
Mai
nya:Nadayakumakatsongoo
(
No,
itcomesonlyali
tt
lebit)
"
Teur
ai:Okayf
ambauyashav
apakiti
i
mwe( Okaygoandbuyonepacket)"
Mai ny
al ookedatHear tasshewas
gi
v enthemoneyandHear tl
ooked
downshet houghtwhyi sshelooking
atmel ikethatwellthatwasanot her
storyshehadt ofocusonherf ake
menst r
uat i
onandsowhent hepads
wer eboughtshepi ckedupacl ean
under
wearandwalkedoutand
Mainy
awasstil
lst
aringather

Whenshewasi nthebathroom she

heardthesoundoft hegateopening
andheardcarsoundsaswel ldr
ivi
ng
i
nandsheassumedev er
y onetobe
outasshey etagainheardTeurai
i
nstructi
ngthegirl
s,Heartstoodsti
ll
tr
yingtoeavesdropbutshecoul dn'
t
hearanythi
ng

"Shane"MrMabundagreet
edShane
givi
nghim amanl
yhugandthegi
rls
wereinst
ruct
edbyTeur
aitogoand
gr
eethi
m
Teurai:Thefir
stoneisSandra"and
Sandragr eet
edMrMabundawho
huggedandki ssedheronbot h
cheekst hesamewasdonebya
Portugueseguywhowasst anding
byMrMabunda' ssi
de
MrMabunda:
Nicet
omeety
ou"he
sai
dtoSandr
awhowal
kedaway
shy
ly
Teurai
:Andthi
sisKat
hryn,
Fedel
ia,
Leah,andTambudzai"t
heyallwere
beinggreet
edwithahugandaki ss
asMrMabundahadasmi leonhis
faceandhispart
nerwasjust
noddi
nghi
shead
MrMabunda: Fi
vewhereist
heot
her
one..
..
,It
houghtyousai
dther
ewere
supposedtobesix"
Teurai
:Oneisbusysomewher e"she
saidbutlookedatShanewhoside
eyedherwear i
ngaseriousf
ace
MrMabunda: Arewer eadyto
go,beauti
fulladi
es?"heopenedup
bothofhi sarmsandTeur aiwast he
onei nst
ructi
ngandshet oldthem to
got ohim andheembr acedthem
andt heotheroneey eingthem from
topt obottom huggedsomer ubbing
theirbut
tockssomegot
uncomfor
tabl
e,somel
ookedl
ike
theydi
dn'
tmind
Teur
ai:
Theyhav
etoeatf
ir
stbefor
e
set
ti
ngcoursef
ort
heroad"shesaid
MrMabunda:ButIhadtoldyouto
gett
hem readywhatti
meisitnow?"
Helookedathisr
olexwri
stwat
ch
MrAgosht
inov
ela:
Yesy
estimeis
moneywehavetogo"ThatwasMr
Mabunda'
spart
ner
Teurai
:Fi
veminutesandtheywill
be
donewecan'tlett
hefoodgot o
waste"shesaidandMainyacame
wit
ht wochai
rsandgavethetwo
gent
leman,Shanewasstandingand
thegir
lswal kedtothehi
ghplatf
orm
andsatonmat sthereastheywere
handedpl atesbyMainyaandthey
beganeat ingandnooneknewy et
thei
rmissi onwhattheyweretodo
butthosewi thasixt
hsensewould
havealreadyknown
MrMabunda:Whi
choneisthe
tr
oubl
esomeone?"Hewhisperedto
Shanewhowasst
andingbyhisside
Shane:Excuseme? "Heaskedasi
f
hedidn'thearany
thing
MrMabunda:From Harar
eIwas
not
if
iedofatr
oublesomeoneso
whi
choneisitonthosefi
vegi
rl
s?"
Shane:Nooner epor
tedthattome
mindy oubusi
nessMrMabunda"he
saidandTeuraiwaslookingtothem
thi
nkingwhattheyweretalki
ng
aboutandMrMabundasi gnal
led
withhisfi
ngerandTeuraicamet o
him
MrMabunda:Amomentpl ease
Shane"hesai dandShanenodded,
MrMabundawal kedadistancewit
h
Teuraiandstart
edconversingin
priv
acy,that
'swhenHeartcameout
shehadst ayedther
esot hather
fi
ngercoulddryasshesqueezed
bloodoutsmear i
ngitonthepad
Teur
ai:That
'sher"shesai
dtel
li
ng
MrMabundawhol
ookedatHear
t
andhesmil
edt
ohi
mself
MrMabunda:Thi si
sdef i
nitel
your
highestcontender,
strongfigurefor
awomannott oosoft,
shei s
dangerousIwanther"hel aughed
andTeur aiwhisper
edi nhi
searand
hehadasur pri
sedlookonhi sface
"Ooohr eal
ly?"
Teur
ai:Yes"
MrMabunda:Okaywemustgot
hen
Ithi
nkev
ery
oneisdoneher
e"he
said
Teurai
:Okayever
yoneint
othe
secondcar"shecal
ledoutandt
he
gi
rl
sroseontheirf
eet"
Hearty
ou'
re
i
nthefi
rstcar"shesai
dandHear
t
l
ookedather
Heart:Whydon'tIj
ustgoinwi tht
he
other
s? "Sheaskedseeingother
gir
lsenteri
ngaNoaht ypeofacar
butnoitwasn'taNoahmust '
vebeen
somenewmodelshedi dn'tknowthe
nameoft hecar
Teur
ai:YouwilldoasIsayandwhy
di
dn'
ty ouchangeyourclot
hesand
usethemakeupIgav eyou? "
Hear
t:
Ihavenoi
deahowt
ouse
t
hose"shesai
d
Teur
ai:St
il
lyouwi
llhav
eitnowgo"
shewal
kedl
ooki
ngatShanewho
j
ustl
ookedt
othesi
de
MrAgosht
inov
ela:Awordgent
lemen
"hest
eppedasidewi
thShaneand
MrMabunda
Shane:
Yesspeak"
MrAgoshti
novel
a:Iwoul
dli
ket
he
l
astgi
rlt
hatone"hepoint
edat
Hear
t
MrMabunda:Shei
smine"hesai
d
nowcompetingwi
thMr
Agosht
inov
ela
MrAgosht
inov
ela:Ibi
dat
housand
f
orher"
MrMabunda:Wel
lwhati
fIbi
d
highert
hant
hat,
Shanewhatdoy
ou
think?"
Shane:Shei
sminetheot
herfi
ve
shoul
dbegoodenoughforyouam I
underst
ood?"Hesai
dauthor
it
ati
vel
y
"Ofcourse"theybot
hanswer
edi
n
submission
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
22]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t12

TheOf f
iceronHear t
'scasenev er
wentf arwhenhequest ionedTi ndo's
wifeandbr othersofHear t'
s
disappear ancet r
yingtof indher
wher eabout sbutcoul dn'tget
anythingheev engav ethebr others
somebeat i
ngsbutst il
lther ewasn' t
anyleadandheendedupr eleasing
them andconcl udeditt obeacol d
casebutt henher emember ed
Heart '
sFat heroncesay i
ngt hat
Heartdi sappearedont hedayshe
wentf orheri nterviewandsohe
wantedt ocheckt hatoutt orevive
thecaseagai nbuthedi dn'tknow
whyhewasput tingsomuchef fort
onthatcasewhenhecoul dhav e
beenr elaxedbuthef el
tcompel l
ed
todosodeepdowni nhim andf or
thebrot hersofTi ndo'swi fethey
thoughtHear twasr evengingon
them forbeat ingherupusi ngt he
Offi
cerwhogav et hem at horough
beati
ngt hatwaspai nfulthatthey
foundi tdiffi
culttowal kandt hey
l
earntal essont herewhaty oudot o
otherswi llbedonet oy ou
Offi
cer:Theplaceshewentt oforan
i
ntervi
ewhav ey ourememberedthe
exactnameoft hepl ace?
"hecall
ed
Heart'
sFatheront hephone
Heart'
sDad:Yesiwasaboutt ocome
t
ot hestat
ioniwasr emindedbyher
fr
iendshesaidKingston'
shouse"
Offi
cer
:It
'sokayyoudon'thav
eto
comeIam intownrightnowletme
checkoutthepl
ace"
Heart'
sDad:Thanky
ousomuchf
or
youreff
ort
"
Off
icer:Nowor ri
esfel
tthatIhaveto
sol
vet hi
smy st
erybef
oreIreti
reI
am justtr
ying_"
Heart
'sDad:AndGodwi llblessyou
fort
hatevenifyoudon'tfind
anyt
hingbutyouref
f or
t,yourtimeis
whatyougav eandi
twi l
lbecount ed
asgenerosi
tyandkindness"
Of
fi
cer
:Ament
hanky
ou"
Hear
t'
sDad:
Gooddayt
oyou"

Theyendedt hecallandt heoffi

cer
advancedwithhi sjourneyintown
andgott oKingston'shouse
,surv
ey edt
hear eaandsawt hat
manyf unct
ionswer ebeingheld
ther
ebutnoneabov etheli
stwasof
i
ntervi
ewsandt omakemat ters
worsenoonet oasksoheasked
someone,anyoneandhesawa
numberofpeopleseemedl i
kethey
weredoingschoolorsomethi
ngas
theycameoutholdingbooks
walki
ngintwo's
Offi
cer :
HelloyoungLady"hegr eet
ed
they oungwomanwant edtoignore
seeingt hatshedidn'
trecognizethi
s
mangr eeti
ngherandshet hought
i
t'sasugardaddywant ingto
proposel ovetoher"It
'sOkayIknow
youhav enevermetmebef orejust
wantt oasksomet hi
ng? "
"
Okayhowar ey
ou?"Shegreet
edat
l
astbutput
ti
ngonafrown
Off
icer
:Iam f
inethanky
ou,soI
wanttoknowifyouknowtheowner
oft
hisplace?
"
"
Uhmmm Idon'tknowt
heownerof
t
hispl
ace"sheanswer
ed
Off
icer
:Okaysoi fImayaskagain
doyoudoy ourschool
ingher
e? "
"Nonother
ewejustdorevi
sions
her
ewithourt
eachermoreli
keextr
a
l
essons"
Off
icer
:OoohokaycanIseey
our
t
eacher?"
"Todayisaweekendheusuall
y
doesn'
tcome,wewer ejustmeet
ing
asstudent
sonlybecausewewer e
behi
ndonwhatwewer
edoi
ng"
Offi
cer:OooohOkaythenonemor e
questionsothi
splaceisusedfor
thatonly?"Theyounggir
leyedhi
m
thi
nkingisheaspyorsomet hi
ng
"Somanyev entschur
ch,
musical
pract
ises,
i
nterv
iews,weddi
ngsthey
bookandcomeanddot hei
rthi
ng
andgo"
Of f
icer
:Okayt hankyousoi sthere
l
ikeacar etakerherewho
cleans,
looksaf tert
heplaceorl ockit
afterevery
onehasf i
nishedtheir
thingshere? "Thequest i
onswer e
nowbecomi ngbor i
ngandannoy ing,
sheanswer
edt
ogeti
tov
erwi
th
"Ihaveneverseenonesince
becausewhenwef ini
shcl asswe
cleantheroom weuseandal sowe
dodut i
estocleant
hetoiletswit
h
otherchur
chf ol
kswhocomeher e
andothersevendoallni
ght shereas
well"shecheckedtheti
meonher
smallphone
Of
fi
cer
:Okayy
oucangot
hanky
ou"
"You'
rewelcome"shewentherway
rel
ievedi
twasov erandtheoff
icer
walkedupanddownchecki ngthe
roomsbutt her
ewasn'taroom wit
h
anyongoinginter
viewsomerooms
wereempt y,somer oomst her
ewere
peoplehavingt hei
rchoirpracti
se
may bepreparingforchur chonthe
nextdayandheknewi fhei stoask
anotherpersonhewoul dgetthe
sameanswer shewasgi venbefor
e
bythatyoungl ady,sohest epped
outbutwhenhewasouthe
overhear
dawomant alkingto
someoneaf r
iendorhusbandmay be

"Yesshesai
dshewascomingher
e
andshenevercamebackhome
sincet
hatday"thewomansai
dwit
h
analmostcry
ingvoi
ce
"
May beshedidn'
tcomehereand
wentelsewher
einst
ead"theman
wit
hhersaidtryi
ngtocomfor
tthi
s
woman
"NobutIdroppedherIpar kedthere
atchi
ckensli
cet hat
'swher eIfound
aparki
ngspacebutst il
lIcouldsee
herandshewal kedallt
hewayi nt
o
thi
sbuil
ding"
Offi
cer:Excuseme"hesai
dashe
approachedt het
wowhowere
conversing
"
Yeshowmaywehelpyou?"Asked
t
hemanandthewomandroppedher
f
acesoasnott
obeseenthatshe
wascr
ying
Offi
cer:
Icouldn'
thelpbutoverhear
yourconversati
onandInoticedthat
wemi ghtbeint hesame
predi
camentofl oosingachil
d"the
womannowr ai
sedherfacedespit
e
thetear
sonherf ace
"Yeswel ostorIdon'tknowi fshei
s
l
ostori ssomepl aceelsebutwe
tr
iedlookingforhersomet imebut
couldn'
twer eportedbutthepoli
ce
arebiased"thewomansai dnot
knowingtheywer etalki
ngtoan
offi
cer
Of
fi
cer
:Okayy
ou'
ref
rom whi
ch
area?
...
..
Imeanwher edoy
ouli
ve,
yousaidyourchil
dcameforan
i
ntervi
ewaswel l?"
"Wearefrom Marl
bor
oughandyes
ourchi
ldcameforani
nter
view"
Off
icer
:Sameasmychi
ld"hesai
d
soastorelat
ewi
tht
hem
"AndIwaswonder ingi ft
hepeopl e
tookmySi lenttoSout hAfrica
withoutconsentbuti ftheywent
theretheyshouldhav ear r
ivedand
sheshouldcal l
edmebynowandI
am reall
yscaredaf terthedr eam that
Ihadwhati ftheygoti nvol
vedi nan
accident"shedr oppedmor et ear
s
"Nodon'tl
etfearcont
roly
ou,
they'
re
defi
nit
elyfi
ne"themansaidtryt
o
comforther
Off
icer
:Mydaughternev
ersaidmuch
t
heseinter
viewswhatweretheyf
or
?"
"Agentsthatfi
ndj obsf orpeoplein
SouthAfricaandhel pt hem att
ain
permanentpermi torr esidencether
e
wellthat
'swhatSi lentsaiddon't
knowhowf artr
uei tis"
Offi
cer:Nowi
tmakessense"he
saidshaki
nghi
sheadther
ewasn't
muchhewasgoi ngt
odonowhe
thought*
*
*
Meanwhi leatHear t'
spl aceher
mot herwasbusycl eaningher
daught er
'sr
oom i twasn' tdir
ty
actuall
ybutshewenti ntherejustto
reminisceont hefewgoodt i
messhe
hadandspentwi thHear t,
shewas
nowonherf eetbutwoul dbesi ckon
andof fandatwor ktheywer e
surpri
sedwi t
hhowshegr ewsilent
,shewasal way sat alkativeperson
butnotany mor e
Heart
'sMom:Hopey
ou'r
eali
ve"she
t
alkedtoher
sel
fsmi
li
ngfai
ntl
y
seati
ngonHear t'
sbedl ooki
ngata
pict
ureinherphoneshewast aken
withherweari
ngt hei
rchurch
unif
ormsandt heywer ebothsmili
ng
uptotheearsHear tholdi
ngher
Mom andshewast all
erthanher
Shet henpickedupHear t'
sclothes
shehadbeenwear i
ngbef oreshe
wentmi ssi
ngf rom thewashi ng
basketandwhenshewasaboutt o
stepoutshenot i
cedanewspaperi n
thatwashingbasket, thecircli
ngon
somear ti
clewithaf lashylightgreen
colormarkermadehert opauseshe
placedtheclothesshewashol di
ng
backont hebedandr eachedforthe
newspaperandshereadaboutthe
vacancyt
hatHearthadlef
tfort
he
daydayshewentmi ssi
ng,
Heart'
sMom:Soy ouhadr eaditina
newspaper? "Sheaskedher sel
fyet
againtaki
ngherphonedi al
lingthe
numberwr it
tenbel owt hev acancy
butthecalldidn'tgothroughi t
report
edthatt henumberwasno
l
ongeri nuse,shebr eathedhar d
shedaf ewtear sandt ookt he
clot
hesagainandwal kedout

Heart
'sDad:You'
rewashi
ng?
"He
askedarr
ivi
ngandsawhiswif
ebusy
hangi
ngupclothesonthedry
ingli
ne
andhiseyegotcaughtupl
ookingat
adressheboughtforHear
t
Heart
'sMom:YesIam "shet ur
ned
backandlookedatherhusbandwho
waslooki
ngatHeart'
sdressthat
wasbeingblowntoandfrobythe
wind
Heart
'sDad:Thisi
sprobablythelast
gi
ftofcl
othesIeverboughtforher"
hesaidst
il
llooki
ngatthedress
Hear
t'
sMom:Yesandi t
'snowyears
si
nceweboughtherclothessay
ing
shei
soldenoughbutnowIwi shshe
washeresothatIcanbuyheranew
dress"shestar
tedcr
yingher
husbandwalkeduptoher
Heart'
sDad:Musachememupeeny u
sekungeakafa(Don'
tmour nf
orthe
l
ivi
ngasi fshei
sdead) "Hetr
iedto
comforthiswif
ebuttears
thr
eatenedhiseyest
oo
Heart'
sMom:Myonl yf
ru..
..
..
..
.my
onlychi
ldbutwhyGod?"She
conti
nuedinherweepi
ng
Heart'
sDad:Ooohmywi f
eand
daughter"t
ear
scascadeddownhi
s
cheekswithhi
swif
einhisarms
Heart
'sMom:Doyouevert
hinkshe
wil
lcomebackhereal
ive?
"
Heart'
sDad:Idon'
tthi
nkbutIknow
shewillcomebackherenotonly
al
ivebutheal
thyIam j
usthoping"
helookeduptotheskyprayi
nginhis
heart
Heart
'sMom:Yeswecanonl yhope
,butwhyarey
ouhomet hi
stime? "
Sheremovedhersel
ffr
om his
embraceandwipedhertearsaway
Hear
t'
sDad:Ooohbef
oreIgetint
o
t
hestor
yIgotacal
lfr
om thatoff
icer
"
Hear
t'
sMom:Okaywhatdi
dhesay
?"
Hear
t'
sDad:Hewant
edt
oknowt
he
nameoft hepl aceshewentt ofor
thatintervi
ewandIt ol
dhim may be
hewi llgetsomei nf
ormati
onf r
om
therewecanonl yhope"hesaid
tryi
ngt oover shadowthedowncast
moodandpi ckupacheer fulmood
i
nst ead
Heart
'sMom:It'
susel
ess"that
cheerf
ulmoodthatwasabout
appearwentdownthedr
ainwhen
shesaidt
hat
Hear
t'
sDad:Whydoy
ousayt
hat?
"
Heart'
sMom:Isawthearti
cleofthe
vacancyi
nthenewspaperandthere
wasanumberoni tt
ri
edtocallthe
numberandi
tdi
dn'tgot
hrough"
nowther
ewassil
ence
Heart
'sDad:
Iwil
lsuet
henewspaper
company"Heart
'sMom l
aughedas
i
fitwasfunny
Heart
'sMom:Withwhichmoneyfor
t
hatyouwil
lneedlawyersandwhat
wil
lyoubei
ngsui
ngt hem f
or?"
Heart
'sDad:Idon'
tknowforl
ett
ing
fakepeopl
eadvert
iseint
he
newspaper"
Heart
'sMom:Howwoul dtheyknow
i
fthepeoplethatar
eadver
ti
sing
woul
dbef akeornot?"
Hear
t'
sDad:You'
rer
ightt
hey
woul
dn'
tknow"t
heyl
aughed
Heart'
sMom:Notunl essi
ftheyhir
e
prophets"t
heytri
edtobecheerful
anditwaskindaworking"nowwhat
happenedforyoutobeherethi
s
ti
meonaweekend? "
Heart
'sDad:Igotsacked"hel
eaned
onthewall
Hear
t'
sMom:What?
"
Heart'
sDad:Enmi tygrowingTindo
musthav esaidsomet hi
ngtohi s
Dadandt heyaccusedmef or
steali
ngmoneyj usttofi
remet hey
couldn'tf
indsomethingtoaccuse
meofsot heymadeupast or
y"
Heart
'sMom:Godwhatar ewegoing
todonow,j
ustyest
erdayIresi
gned
atmyworkpl
ace"
Hear
t'
sDad:Whatbuty
ounev
ert
old
me?"
Hear
t'
sMom:Ifeltt
hatmybodyi
s
weakIneedt
orest"
Hear
t'
sDad:Butyounevert
oldme
youmadethatdeci
siononyourown
"
Heart
'sMom:Ifor
gott oomany
t
hingsaregoi
ngthroughmymind"
Hear
t'sDad:Nowt herei
snoot her
choi
cethantoclearHeart'
sroom
andputitupforrent
ing"
Hear t
'sMom:Nonoy oumeny ou
don'tunder standatall_ kuzvara
kunor wadza_wewon' tdot hatitwil
l
l
ookasi fwear ebeli
ev i
ngt hatsheis
goneandwi l
lnev ercomebacknoi s
thatther easonwhyy oul eftyourjob
eyeingt hatroom, t
hatisi mpossi bl
e
youwon' tdot hati
not herwor ds
you'resay i
ngshei sdeadand
forgotten"
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
22]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t13

Fedeli
a:Youknowwhatt hi
sdoesn' t
seem badaf terall"shesaidast hey
wereinamot elroom andnowa
makeupar ti
stwashi r
edormay be
shewasal readypar tofthe
ki
dnapper sandev er
yonewashav i
ng
somemakeupputon, st
yli
ngtheir
hair
,appeali
ngandshowycl othes
andallthat
Sandra:Yeahwearebei
nggivenfr
ee
cl
othes, f
ood,makeupwhatmore
coul
dbebet t
ert
hanthi
s?"She
comment edt
ooasshewashav i
ng
herturnofmakeup
Tambudzai
:YesIt
houghtwewere
goi
ngtobeusedforsacri
fi
cesbut
nothi
siswaycooler"

Heartwasjustlist
eningtothegirl
s
sit
ti
ngont hebedandshewas
shakingherheadhear i
ngwhatthe
gir
lsweresay i
ng,theyweregratef
ul
forfr
eeclothes,
foodbutnof r
eedom
,whattheywer esayingwasinsane
forthesituat
iont
heywer
einwas
slav
er yandoneshoul
dn'
tget
comf ort
able
"Whyhav
en'tyouchangedyet?"The
makeupart
istaskedasshefi
nished
onSandr
aandonl yHeartwasl
eft
Hear
t:
Iam noti
nthemood"other
s
l
ookedatherandfr
ownedsay
ingit
's
j
ustmakeupwhydoesshewantto
beasai
nt
"You'r
eallexpectedoutofthisroom
by22:00pm andIshoul dbedoneby
thensot hatwecanal lgetgoi
ngI
am leftwit
h..
..
..
.."Shecheckedtime
onherphone" Iam leftwit
h10
minutessol
etmedomyj obplease"
shecomplai
nedbutHear
tnever
cared
Heart:
Wher earewegoingat10in
t
heni ghthuh?,asformey oucan
t
ellthem Iam notcoming"she
fol
dedherhandsov erherchest
"Verywellt hendisobeyingmet othe
endwewi llseewhoi sgoi ngtowin
,youcan'tst ayhere,everyone
shouldleav eandy oushoul dknow
thatthi
sr oom ispaidf orandthe
staffherewi llt
hrowy ouout"
Heart:
Iwi
llbegl
adi ft
heydothat
becauset
heywillgettoknowthatI
waski
dnapped"
Teurai
:Whati
st henoi
seallabout?
"
Sheaskedenter
ingtheroom and
l
ockedthedoorbehindherwhenshe
wasoutshelockeditf
rom outsi
de
sothatnoonecouldescape
"Shehasn'tchangedshei sso
stubborn,
shei sev enr ef
using
makeup"Teur aiwal kedupt oHear t
andslappedherr ealhard, Heart
couldn'
tper mitthatf r
om anot her
womanhel lnososhest oodupand
sheslappedback, Teuraitooka
tweezerfrom themakeupki tand
pushedHear tonthebed
Teurai:
YouwillbehaveyourselforI
wil
lpluckyoureyesoffyoursocket s
doy ouhearme?"shesai dpointi
ng
thetweezeral
mostupt ot heey e'
s
ret
inaandHear tsawthatshewasn' t
j
okingshewaswi ckedandt herei
s
nodeny i
ngthatshecoulddoi t
Fedel
ia:Youwon'tdi
eHear tjust
changeyourclot
hesandputont he
makeup"shesai dasTeurai
rel
easedherandshesatbr eat hi
ng
ontopofherlungslooki
ngatTeur ai
wit
haonedayIwi l
lgetyouki ndaof
aneye
Teurai
:Thankyout
ellher,
whatwil
l
happenifshewear
snewcl ot
hes
,highheel
sandmakeuphuhwi
llshe
die?"
"No"al mostal lthegirl
srepli
edand
Heartgr abbedt heolivegreendr ess
andt hegol dhi ghheel ssetasidef or
herandshewal kedtot hebathroom
compl etelypissedof fandshe
bangedt hedoorbehi ndher,shehad
alr
eadychangedherpadand
smear edbl oodoni twhenshe
bathedear lierwhent heyarri
ved
there,sti
llcont inui
ngwi thherfake
menst ruation,butitwasget ti
ngway
tooobnoxi oust hatshewant edt o
askShanei fitwaspossi bleforhim
togethert omat osauceinstead, she
wor
ethedressandtheheel
s,goshi
t
wasgoodasbeingnaked
Shest oodbef oreaf ul
llengthmi rr
or
shel ookedgoodbutshehat edi tt
o
thecor ewhatki ndofdr essi ngwas
that,thedr esswast ooshor tandt he
shoeswer et ooflashyforherl iki
ng
andt hedr essshowedt oomuch
cleavage,herbackwasbar eand
exposed, ev eryt
hingwasj usttoo
extreme,
Theireyessaidwhatthemout h
couldn'
tsayasshewal kedin,she
l
ookedf abul
ous,evenTeuraihad
j
ealouswr i
tt
enalloverherface
"Lookwhaty ouwer er
efusingyou'r
e
onpoi ntgirl"themakeupar t
istsai
d
raisi
ngherhandf orahighfiv
ebut
Heartignor edi tthi
nki
ngshe
suddenlywantt obemyf ri
endnow"
sitherepleasel etmeworkony ou"
sheinstruct edandHear tsatont he
chairandt hemakeupj ourneybegan
andt heresul tswereamazi ngthough
shet houghtt hatshelookedlikea
doll
Teurai:Othersthathavefini
shed
l
et'sgo,Hear twewi l
lwaitforyou
outsi
deandOoohbef or
eIf orget
everyonegr abapacketofbr eath
mintsov erther
eandputi ny our
cl
utchbags"shesai dandthegir
ls
di
dast ol
dandwal kedout,some
al
readydoingcat
wal kusedtothe
hi
ghheels

"Wear eony ourbackj ustnow

fi
nishi
ngonherl ips"t hemakeup
arti
stcall
edtoTeur aiandshe
crouchedonHear tputtingcher ry
l
ipsti
ckonher, f
ixedherbr ai
dst i
ed
them i
nahi ghneatbun" Wear e
doneher e"shesai dandHear trose
from t
hechairnotev enl ookingat
themirrortovi
ewt hef i
nalt ouches
butsheknewshel ookedgood" Hey
takeyourclut
cht her eandy our
breathmi nt salso"Shef ollowed
i
nstructionsqui etlythist
imeshe
tookthegl i
tterycl utchandsl i
dthe
breathmi nt sint hereandshewal ked
outherf eetki ndashakywi ththe
highheel edshoessheonl yprayed
nottof alltheshoeswer etoohi gh
forherliking, t
heot hergroupofgi r
ls
gotinonecarandShanecameout
from anot hercarandHear t'sj
aw
droppedwashet heShanesheknew

Shane:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul"hesai
d
eyei
ngherf
rom t
optobot
tom
Heart:
Ididn'
twantthisi
twasf or
ced
onme"shecompl ainedri
ghtaway
"andhmmmm t hat'
sani cesui
t
Shaneitmusthavebeenr eal
ly
expensiv
e?"

Shane:
Thanky
ou,nowgeti
nthecar
you'
regoi
ngwit
hme"

Hear t:Wher
etoexactl
y? "Shegotin
frontandMrMabundaandhi s
partnerwereinthebackallofthem
i
nbl ackexpensivesui
t,Shane
startedonthecarandHear tsaw
thatshewasi gnoredwhywasi tli
ke
thatespeciall
ywheni tcomestothe
questionofwant ingtoknowher
whereabout s,shesighedandr est
ed
herheadont hewi ndow, Shane
bri
eflylookedatherandl ookedback
onther oad,hesawt hatshewasi n
deept hinki
ng

Hestoppedt hecarandopenedt he
doortohersideandshewal ked
out,
whywashet reat
ingherl i
kea
Queenshet hought,thecarwhi ch
camewiththeot hergirl
swas
alr
eadyparkedinf r
ontoft hem ,Mr
Mabundaandhi spar tnerwalkedout
tooandHear twasscanni ngthearea
al
ready

Heart
:Cl
ubOhio"sher eadthesi
gn
postupaheadofthem andl oud
musicwelcomedherear s"
Shane"
shehadn'
tnoti
cedhi m gonewhere
washe,shewasst andingwi t
hMr
Mabundaandhispar tner

MrMabunda:Let'
sgowhatareyou
st
andi
ngthereforhuh?"Hesai
dto
Hear
twhowassay ingwhatt
heheck
i
sthi
s

Hear
t:
Nonot
hisi
sn'
titIam not
goi
ngi
nacl
ub,
thi
sisn'
tmyl
if
est
yle"

MrMabunda:Sowhosel i
festy l
eisit
comeon"het riedtopul lherbyt he
handbutshemount edal lwei ghtto
herf eetsoasnott omov ebutMr
Mabundakeptpul li
ngandt hatmade
hert oloosebal anceandf ellshewas
holdingMrMabunda' ssui tandt he
buttonscameof fheal mostf ell
himsel fbutdidn'tgotangr y
i
nst ead,Heartfellf
acedown"Look
atthisb* **
*embar rassingme"he
saidpi ssedoffast hebouncer sand
fewot herbour geoispeopl est opped
tolookbutkeptonmi ndingt heir
businessnoonei nter
venedwhywas
i
tlikethatweredidgoodpeoplego
to,
Hear tf
eltabreezeonthebutt
areaasshet ri
edtogetupmeani ng
thedresshadl i
ft
edandbef or
eshe
couldspringupshef el
takickinher
stomachandi twasMrMabunda
"Youwantt ohighl
yexalty
oursel
f
l
ikeGodhuh? "Hekickedagai
nand
Heartfel
titandwhenhewasabout
tokickathir
dtimehispart
ner
stoppedhim

MrAgosht
inovel
a:RememberShane
"hewhi
speredandMrMabunda
stoppedandt r
iedtocollecthimself
andMrAgosht inovel
ahel pedHear t
upsmi l
ingtoherandmadehert o
wearhershoespr operlybutitwas
nowhar dtowal kshefeltweak
wher ewasShanewhydi dhel eave
herwasn' thesupposet obeher
fri
end, sheaskedher sel
fasshehel d
ont oMrAgosht i
novelaforsupport
sot hatshedoesn' tf
allasthey
walkedi nandt herewerecouchesi n
ther oom andev er
ygi r
lwassi tt
ing
withamanandwi neandwi ne
glasseswer eont hetable
every whereshelookedasshe
walkedal itt
lebendheronehandon
herstomach,sodoesi tmeani fyou
refusetodowhattheywanty ouwi ll
getbeatenandsof arHeartwast he
onegettingbeat
enup, t
heothergi r
ls
nowseemedcomf ortablenotjust
thatbuttoocomfortablesowasshe
theonlyonewhowant edtobef ree

Theyl eftthegroundfloorand
headedupast ai
rcaseandHear twas
alreadyget t
ingsickwiththe
i
nt oxicati
ng,suff
ocatingsmellof
cigarettebeingpuffedintotheair
andmusi cthatwasonandt heman
thereseemedst i
nkingrichatone
l
ook, havingbigstomach' sandmost
wereol der,shef el
tashiverthough
asshewal kedupshel ookedt othe
entranceandShaneent ered
foll
owedwi thsomegi r
lwowshef elt
ti
nglesandt urni
nggreenwi th
j
ealousness, helef
thertogetbeat en
upwhi leher antosomeot hergir
l
shef eltbetr
ay edbutwhydi dshef el
t
thatwaywhenhedi dn'
tmean
anythingt oher

MrMabunda:Sitdownandbehav e
yoursel
f"hepushedherintoanL
couchastheywereupstair
sitwasa
secl
udedareawerethebigf i
shes
satsheguessed
"Whatwilly
ouhav e?"
Awaitr
ess
askedandshewasgoodasnaked
hersel
fwearingabum shor
tanda
seethroughblouse

MrMabunda:Moj i
toforherandIwill
havewhiskeyoni ceplease"she
wrotedownandt urnedt oMr
Mabunda'spar tnerwhogav eherhis
orderandshel eftandr et
urnedina
fl
ashandbr oughtasor tofstand
whichhadapi pet oitMrMabunda
broughtt
hepi pei nhi
smout hand
i
nhaledfrom i
tandpuf fedsmoke
out,
Hear
twasj
ustqui
etwat
chi
ng

MrAgosht i
novela:Tryit"hepushed
thesmokingthingyt oHeartwho
shookherhead" It'
sniceoncey ou
star
tyouwoul dn'twanttostop"stil
l
sherefused,t
hewai tresscameback
andsetglassesandwi neandiceon
thetabl
eandagl asswaspushedt o
Heartalso

MrMabunda:Whybei ngst
ubborn
thisist
hegoodli
febytheendofthi
s
weeky ouwi
llhaveal
lli
fel
uxur
yand
pleasur
e"hesaidandHeartwasso
uncomf
ort
abl
e

Shanecamei nawhil
eandj oi
ned
them andHeartwassur
prisedtosee
himinhali
ngthesmokefrom the
pipeaswell

Shane:What'
swr ong?"Heasked
drai
ningwinefrom thegl
assHeart
wasj ustl
ooki
ngi namazementthen
againhewasat hi
efhecoul
dalso
dri
nk

Hear
t:
Idon'
tdr
ink"
Shane:Ooohy ouwi l
lonlyingood
ti
me"hebur pedpour i
nganot her
glass"Gentl
eman"hesai draising
hisglassandhi sfel
lowt hievest oo
raisedthei
rglassesandmadea
cli
nksound

MrMabunda:Togoodl
if
e"hesai
d
andt
heytoast
edagai
n

Shane:Pleasecany ouleaveus"he
saidtothet womenandt heywent
thei
rwaywi t
hglassesi nt
heirhands
andShanemov edcl osert
oHear t,
he
wasdrunkshecouldtel
l"Heywhat'
s
wrong?"Hewhisper
edinherearhi
s
handonherthi
ghanotherhandon
hershoul
der

Heart
:PleaseShanet
akemeoutof
here"shesaidremovi
nghi
shand
fr
om hert hi
gh

Shane:LookaroundHeart"hesai
d
andshegl anceddownandsawt he
othergir
lsont hedancef
loor
,dancinginab* **
*waymusthave
gottendrunk
Heart:
Thesegi
rl
smaybewere
exposedtosuchal
if
est
ylebef
ore
notme"

Shane:
Whenwi
lly
ougetused?
"

Heart
:Shanepleaseasafri
endI
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Hel aughedbef
oreshe
coul
df i
nishspeaking

Shane:Okaylet
'sgoout"her oseon
hisfeetandHeartstoodtooand
theywalkeddownt hestai
rcaseti
ll
theywentoutandt heywalkedonan
i
solatedroadwithnopeopleinview
,
sheremovedtheheel
sandhel
d
t
hem i
nherhands

Heart
:Shanewil
lyouhel
pme? "She
sai
dbr eaki
ngt
hesil
entatmospher
e

Shane:
Helpyou,
whatdoy
ouwant
met ohel
pyouwit
h?"

Hear
t:
Escape"shet
houghtt
osayi
t
whenhewasdrunk

Shane:
Whydoyouwanttoescape
Heart?
"Heaskedwhatshethought
wast
hemostabsur
dquest
ionev
er

Hear
t:
Tobef
reeofcour
se"

Shane:
Willyoureall
yleav
eHear t?
"
Hestoppedwal ki
ngandl ookedat
herandshet houghtwhatisthi
s
atmosphere

Hear
t:NowIdon'
tunder
standShane
"

Shane:
Don'ttel
lmeyoudon'
tfeel
whatIfeelf
oryou?"
Hear
t:Andt
hati
s?"

Shane:Il
ovey ouHear t"Alcoholgave
him conf
idenceandshet hought
may beshewashear i
ngt hi
ngs"You
seetheothergirl
st onightaregoing
tobebargainedf or"hesai dbefore
shecouldev enreplyshewasj ust
l
ookingdown

Hear
t:
Meani
ng"

Shane:
Forsexofcour
se"
Hear
t:What?
"

Shane:
Andyoutooy
ouwer
e
bargai
nedf
or"

Hear
t:Okay"

Shane:Buti
fyoutakemyhandt
hey
won'tuseyouforthat"

Heart
:Meani
ng,l
istenShaneIwil
l
notbebar
gai
nedf orl
ikeyou'
remy
Creat
or,
Ibel
ongtoGodnott oa
per
son"

Shane:Okayit
'sfi
neit'
sgoingtohurt
met oseeyoubeingexchangedbutI
cantakeitIhavebeenthroughitand
i
twon'tbesomet hingnew"

Hear
t:
Sowhatareyousay
ingnow"
shewasconf
used

Shane:I
'
dy oudon'
ttakemyhand
thenyou'
regoingt
ospendtheni
ght
witht
hemanwhowant syou"
Heart:Whycan'
tyouhel
pmeescape
i
nstead"

Shane:
Don'tyouunder
standHear
tif
yougothenwhatareyougoingto
saytoyourpeopl
etothepoli
ce
huh?"

Heart
:Iwil
lsayt
hataaah
..
..
..
..
.uhmmmm "shedidn'
tknow
whattosay

Shane:Hel
pingyoumeansIgodown
"Heartnowf el
thopel
esssodoes
thi
smeanshewasst uckwi
th
t
hem,
shef
eltsi
ckl
ikenev
erbef
ore

Heart
:Ididn'
tcomeher ef ort
hisnot
t
ofallinlove,
no, notwithyou,aman
whost ol
emyf reedom away"hej ust
l
ookedatherandsheknewshewas
l
ett
inghermout hr unloose

Shane:
Fineyouwil
lgowit
hy our
bargai
ner"hetookhi
sphonef rom
hi
spocketandmadeacal l"
She
accept
edy oucancomeandt akeher
"
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
22]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t14

Hear t
:OkayShanepl easecanwetalk
"shepl eadedwithhim butwastoo
l
at easaney ecatchingshinybl
ack
VolkswagenAr teonofexudequali
ty
andel eganceinthestyleofa
classi
calfastbackrevvedinbet
ween
thetwoandcamet oasuddenhalt
andHear twascapt i
vatedwit
hsuch
ski
llofdrivi
ngsheal wayshada
thi
ngf orcars,apurefasci
nat
ionof
somesor tandt hebeautyoffast
speedingwasonewi shshewanted
ful
fi
ll
edwhet herit'
sherorsomeone
orratheritvi
vi
sectedherheart

Ablackshinyshoet ouchedthe
groundasthedriveropenedt hedoor
tostepoutandnowal lHeartcould
dowasant i
cipat
et oseewhoi twas
butbefor
eshecoul dseet heface
Shanequickl
ywalkedt oherandstall
somesecondst urni
nghert of ace
him
Shane:Sayy ouwi llgowithme
pleasedon'thur tmebutIam not
forci
...
..
..
..
..
"Hespokei nawhi sper
thattheycoul donlyhearbutShane
wasi nter
jectedbyt heotherguy
comi ngoutoft hecar

"Iam hearcanIseethefaceofmy
l
ady"hesai dashesawonl yHeart'
s
backandheadmi tt
edhel i
kedwhat
hewasseei ngfr
om thebackview

Shane:Ofcour
se"herepl
iedbut
Heartnowdidn'
twanttol
ookback
shekepthergazeonShaneandt he
otherguyhadtoclearhi
sthroatto
getHeart'
satt
enti
onandshesl owly
turnedl
ikeRoboCopandshewas
l
ike* wt
f*asshelookedatthisguy

"Hel
lomylady"wit
hanAmer
ican
accenthegr
eetedher

Heart:Iam fi
ne"justli
kethatshe
answer edbutreal
lyshewasn'tfi
ne
,howcoul dshebef i
ne,howcan
anyonebef i
nei nsuchat i
me

Shane:
Hear
tthi
sisBaf
olandBaf
ol
thi
sisHear
t"Baf
olt
ookHear
t'
s
handandki
ssedi
tbowi
ngtoher

Bafol
:You'
remyheart
'sdesi
re"he
j
okedbutthetwodidn'
tfi
ndit
amusingandshewast hi
nki
ngwhat
ki
ndofanamei sBafolanyway

Heart:
Iam sor
ryIcan'
tgowi t
hyouI
l
oveShane"shesai dcut
tingtot
he
chasesgivi
ngBafolachangeofface
expressi
on

Baf
ol:
Youlov
eShanesoy
ousay?
"
Hesneer
ed
Heart
:Yes"wi
thconf
idenceshe
answered

Bafol
:Areyousureorhetol
dyouto
saythat?"Hear
tsideeyedShane

Hear
t:
NoIam say
ingi
tonmyown"

Bafol:Buthasheevertol
dyouabout
..
...
..
...
"Shanejumpedonhim and
pressedhim onhiscar

Shane:
Comeondon'
tyoudar
eBaf
ol
,youhear
dtheladypl
easeleav
e"he
saidwant
ingt
ochokehim butBaf
ol
heldhi
shand

Bafol:
Wecanmakesomuchmoney
withhermybi ddinggoest oy ouIget
anightandtomor rowshei sfor
otherman'sbiddingandshewi ll
makeusmor er i
chy ouwillendup
withthatduplexy ouwanted"He
saidbutwasn' tdoinggoodwi ththe
whisperi
ngbecauseHear tcould
heareveryt
hingormay behewant ed
hertohear
Shane:
F**
*offBafolthi
stimey ou
wil
lnotwi
n,Iwil
lstandmygr ound"
hecameoffhim butBafolst
il
lhada
scor
etosett
lewithhim

Bafol
:Yourprobl
em isyoufalli
nl ove
tooeasil
yandqui ckl
yatthatmat ter
for
getti
ngwhoy ouare,
athief
,who
woulddarelovesuchaman, wear e
meanttobel onesomef ort
her estof
ourli
ves"HepunchedShanewho
hadhisbackonhi m

Shane:
Sayswho? "Heturnedwit
h
rageandpunchedBafolbackathi
s
faceandt heystaggeredt
ogetheron
thei
rf eetfi
ghti
ngakickforakick
andapunchf orapunch,Heart
want edtointer
venebecauseitwas
getti
ngoutofhandwhenshewal ked
tothem t oseparat
ethem apunch
l
andedonherst omachandt hepain
gotwor sebecauseMrMabundahad
earl
ierkickedheronherstomach

Heart
:Aaaah..
..
..
..
"shescr
eamed
bendi
ngov ert
othegroundhol
ding
herst
omach

"
Arey
ouOkay?
"Theybot
hcame
cl
osert
oherandhel
dher

Heart
:NoIam not,Iam noteven
Okay,you'
rebothcrazy
"shetriedto
cont
rolhersel
fnottocrybutcouldn'
t
cont
roltheanger

Shane:Lookwhatyoudi
d"he
punchedBafolagai
n

Bafol
:I
t'
syourfaul
t"hepunched
back,t
heseguyslovedbl
oodthey
werealr
eadybleedi
ngbutsti
ll
thr
owingpunchesateachother
Hear t
:Pleasest opit"shesai
dt eary
asshesatont hesideli
neofther oad
,theyev entuall
ystoppedandt here
wassi lenceliketheywer ei
ndeep
thinki
ng

Shane:Let'
sgoIwi llcarryyou"and
everyti
mei t
'sli
keitwaspur ely
coinci
dent alwhenev erheoffer
edhi
s
backshewoul dn'tbehav i
ngmuchof
achoice,shecl i
mbedonhi sbackhe
hadofferedsquat ti
ngi nfr
ontofher
andshef ixedthedr esstobe
somewhatl ongerpul li
ngit
downwar dst hengotonhisbackand
theywalkedawayl eavi
ngBafolwho
j
ustlookedatt hem goi
ngwhowas
abouttoent erhiscarbuthesaw
Heart'
sclutchbagandshoes, he
cli
ckedhistonguei gnori
ngitand
droveoffbutt henretur
nedwhenhe
hadachangeofmi ndandhet ook
theshoesandcl ut
chbagandt hr
ew
them atthebackseatandspedof f

Heart
:Heisyourbrotheror.
..
..
..
.?"
Sheaskedonhi sback,hi
sbackwas
nowfamil
iarthatsherestedher
headonit
Shane:Diff
erentmot hersandhei s
olderandgirlsl
ovehi m
automat i
call
y"thatwast oomuch
i
nf or
mat i
onshet houghtbutshe
understoodwhathemeantonel ook
athimy ouwi l
lbeent i
cedlikehow
thedev i
lenti
cedEv e,hewas
handsomeev enShanewasqui t
e
theretoo

Heart
:Okayyouhavethesamenose
"hekeptqui
etgoingthr
oughthe
backofsomebuildi
ng,t
herewere
l
otsofthesamebuildi
ngonthat
y
ardtwostor
ymustbeapar
tment
s
,
aclust
erofthem

Heunl ockedthedoorandt hey

enteredandf i
rstt hi
ngshesawwhen
heputherdownwasapi ct
ur eofhim
andt wowomen, onelookedol der
andi twasont heki t
chen'scount er
,hewal kedtoitandt urnedi tupside
downaf t
erseeingherst ari
ngati t
,het henwalkedpastherandl ocked
upf r
om t hescreenbarandt hedoor
andshewaszoom zoom st il
l
standingwher eshewasl efthe
passedheragai nandwal kedon
switchingthelightonandt hatwas
theli
vi
ngr oom ,i
thadasi ngl
e
couch,abigfl
atscreenTVoni t
's
stand,aglasstableandagaina
pict
ureframeont hewal lwit
hhim
andBaf olandapai nt
ingontheside
offusi
onofcol ors

Heart:
Ist
hisyourhouse?
"Shenow
walkedandhewasbusywi t
hhist
ie
andthenunti
edhisshoel
aces

Shane:Temporary"herepli
edand
walkedgoi
ngdownal i
tt
lehall
way
car
r y
inghi
sshoesandj acketand
enteredat
hir
dr oom ,
musthav e
beent hebedr oom andhet ooksome
ti
mei nt here"Hear tcomeandsl eep"
hecal l
edoutt oherandshest artled
andr oset oherf eetandst oodatt he
dooroft hebedr oom andsi ghed
beforeturningt hedoorknoband
walkedi nandhewasseat edonly
wear i
nghi str
ouser shisshirtof
fon
hi
ssi deandshenot icedithadblood
stainsandhewashol di
ngahunt er s
goldbeerbot tlea750mlal mostt o
halfinthef ewmi nutesheent er
ed
hi
sbedr oom

Hear
t:Wewon'
tshar
ethi
sroom
won'
twe?"
Shane:WithBaf
olyouweregoingt
o
sharebodypart
sp****andboobs"
hesaidlooki
ngathisbott
le

Hear
t:
Whatkindoflanguageist
hat
?"Sheaskedbutnoti
cedthathe
wasgett
ingmoredrunker

Hear
t:
AtleastIwasmenst
ruat
ing"
shebr
ief
lysmiled

Shane:
Nxaa"hecli
ckedhi
stongue
andgulpeddownhi
sbeer,
Heart
shookherhead

Hear
t:
Iwi
llsl
eepi
nthel
iv
ingr
oom "

Shane:Wi
thwhat?
"

Hear
t:Meani
ng?
"

Shane:
Withwhatblanket
s,t
hisi
sthe
onl
yblanketIhav
e"

Heart:
Iwi
llsl
eepasIam noworr
ies"
shesaidaboutt
otur
nbackbut
stoppedt
oShane'sl
aughter"
Why
ar
eyoulaughi
ng? "Sheaskedasi
t
di
dn'
tsett
lewellwit
hher

Shane:
Womenar econni
vingand
manipul
ati
veyouknowthat,whatdo
youhavetosayfory
ourselfHear
t?"

Heart
:Concer
ningwhat?
"Shedi
dn'
t
under
stand

Shane:Soyouwantt obevulner
able
ri
ghtsothatIcanpityy
ouandI
wouldstepoutandleavey
ousl eep
onthisbedandIsleeponthecouch
feel
ingcol
dinthenameofl ovehuh
?"Sadlyt
hatwast
rueandsheso
hadthati
nmind

Heart:Di
dn'
tthinkofitt
hatway
thoughbutyoudon'thavetopityme
ImeanIsurvivedhunger,di
rt
,your
beati
ngs,
MrMabunda' sandTeur ai'
s
beati
ngsaswel lsofeel
ingcoldisn'
t
abigdeal"t
husnai l
ingitand
gaini
ngmorepi ty

Shane:
Nicebutwhydi
dyouf
oll
ow
me? "

Hear
t:
Didn'
tyoubegmet
ofol
low
y
ou?
"

Shane:
SoyoucamebecauseI
beggedyou?"

Hear
t:Icamebecausey
oucar
e"

Shane:YoucamebecauseIof
fer
ed
safet
yorsecuri
ty?
"Thatwashar
d
coretr
uth

Heart
:Ver
ywellsui
tyour
sel
f"she
t
urnedandyetagai
nstopped
Shane:
Doyouwantt
osl
eepory
ou
wanttopl
ay?
"

Hear
t:Whatkindofpl
ayi
ngi
nthi
s
ni
ghtisn'
titt
welv
ealr
eady?
"

Shane:Iwassupposedt
obewi
tha
gi
rltoni
ghtpl
ayi
ng"

Heart:
Howi
sthati
nformat
ion
hel
pingme?
"Seri
ouslywashe
i
nsane

Shane:Becauseofy
ouIam sl
eepi
ng
hol
dingont
oapi
ll
ow t
oni
ght
"Hear
t
l
aughed

Hear
t:Soi
sthatmyf
aul
t?"

Shane:Ofcourseit '
syourf**
***faul
t
"her udel
ysaidandherhear t
skippedthinki
ngt hisguycanrape
mewhydi dItrusthimi nt
hef i
rst
place

Hear
t:
OkayIam sor
ry,
goodni
ght"

Shane:
Didy
oumeani
tthaty
oul
ove
me,youknowIam doi
ngt
his
becauseIl
oveyou?"

Heart:
Youdon'tknowhowt o
proposetoagi r
lfi
rstworkonthat
may bethat'
swhyal ly
ourgir
lswer
e
taken"goshthatcasht al
kwher
edid
shelearnthatknowingsomepeople
don'tl
ikethat

Shane:
What?
"Hi
shandswer
eon
herneck

Hear
t:Shanepl
easedon'
tdo
somethi
ngyou'
regoi
ngtoregr
et"
shesai dalmostchoki
ngandwhen
helookedi nhereyesherel
easedher
andt hrewthebottl
eonthewall
breakingittopi
eces

Shane:ShitIhavenev erhadagi r
l
whor espectmeal lofy ouar ef*****
crazyandy oudrivemenut sandnow
Iadmi tBafolwasrightandher eyou
areyousayIam j ustaf ri
end" he
tookhisshirtandaggr essi
v ely
pushedHear ttothesi deandwal ked
out

Shef
eltbot
hsaf
eandatdangerwi
th
him,hehadt woper sonali
tiesand
thewi ckedonecomesaf t
erdr inking
orafterbeingpr ovokedandt hat's
whatshehadbeendoi ng,shekept
onpr ovokinghim notintentionally
though, shethoughtasshet hrew
herselfont hebedandt henshe
thoughtoft hepadt oo,i
twasbur ning
her,sher oseonherf eetandwal ked
outwant i
ngtoaskaboutt he
bathroom buti twasobv i
oust hatt he
doorinf rontofherwast he
bathroom bef oreshecouldgoi nt he
wayhewassl eepingcaughther
focusandmadehert owal kov erto
him soast ohelpturnhim sot hathe
doesn'tatleastsnor eandwhenshe
wasaboutt otouchhi m shesawhi s
phoneont het able, shehadmany
thoughtsrightther ebutt henagai n
sheneededt of ol
lowheri nt
uition
,themomentshet ooki t,itmadea
soundandi twroteont hescr een
couldn'tr
eadf ingerpr intitagai n,she
remov edhert humbgoshi thada
fi
ngerpr i
ntlock, whensher emov ed
herthumbt hephonet alked.what
kindofaphonewast hatandt his
madeShanet owakeup

Shane:
Whatar
eyoudoi
nghuh?
"
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
23]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t15

Shane:Whatareyoudoingwit
hmy
phone? "Heaskedsi
tti
ngandher
heartf
lumpedit'
sasifitpr
ovoked
herchestwanti
ngtoleaveandshe
wassoscar edofhowhewasgoi ng
toreactandt
histy
peofaguycould
doany t
hingt
oher,shehadev
ery
reasontobefri
ght
ened

Heart:I...
...
..
.I...
..
.."Shedi dn'tknow
whatt osaybutshesawt hathewas
toodrunkt oconcent r
ateashewas
dozingandaboutt ofall,
Hear t
hurri
edlycaughthi m andl aidhi m
nicel
yont hecouchandshel ooked
athislipsandsher emember edtheir
fi
rstkiss,shef eltbut terf
li
esi nher
stomach, shet hencar efull
yputback
hisphoneont het ableandwal kedto
thebedr oom andt ookt hebl anket
andcamebackwi thitandcov ered
hi
m, whenshetuckedhi
m andhe
pul
ledheri
ntohisarmsandwrapped
hi
slegonherwaist

Heart:
Shanewhat. ..
...
..
..
"Shet ri
ed
str
uggli
ngbuthowcoul dsomeone
besost ronginhissleep,shethought
andgav eupandl aidlowf orawhi l
e
waiti
ngforhimt ofullysleepthen
shewoul deasil
yreleaseher sel
f
fr
om hisgr i
p,i
nwai ti
ngsheended
upsleepingaswel lthereinhisarms

Shewokeupf
eeli
ngthebody
warmt
handherhandsar
oundhi
m
andthebl anketcoveri
ngbot hof
them,shesmi l
edt hi
nki
ngshewas
dreamingbutwhenhey awnedand
shefelthischestexpandingand
droppingthat'
swhensher eali
zed
thatshesleptwithhim andt hatshe
wasn'tdreaming

Heart:
Aaaaaaaaaaah"shescr
eamed
herlungsoutandhejumpedfrom
thecouchwonderingwhatwas
goingon

Shane:
Whathappened?"Heasked
andshesatupandthrewthe
cushi
onathim andhethr
ewitback
"What'
swrongwithyou,y
ouwakeup
wit
htantr
ums? "

Heart
:Howcouldyou?"sherose
fr
om thecouchandstar
tedbeati
ng
hi
m withthecushi
onbuthegrabbed
i
tfrom herhand

Shane:
Whathav
eIdone?
"

Heart:
Yousleptwi
thme"shet hrew
hersel
fonthecouchandhelooked
atherandthecouchandtheblanket
Shane:Isl
eptwi t
hy ouhow? ,
I
remembercor rectl
yleavi
ngy ouin
thebedroom wi t
ht hebl
anketsohow
didyouandt heblanketendedupon
thecouch? "Andhewast hinki
ng
thatshewasmaki ngafussf or
shari
ngacouchandabl anket

Heart
:Icamet o.
..
.….
..
..
..
...
."she
l
ookedathi sphoneont hetabl
eand
wonderedifheremember sseeing
herwithit

Shane:
Youcamet
owhat?
"He
askednoti
cingt
hesi
lenceandhow
shelookedathi
sphone

Heart:
Icamet ofixyoursleeping
positi
onbecausey ouwer esnoring
thenIsawy oushiveri
ngthenIwent
totaket heblankettocovery ouand
youpulledmei nt
oy ourarmsI
couldn'
tr el
easemy selfand....
..
..
..
"
Shanel aughed

Shane:
Soyou'
retheonewhosl ept
wit
hmeIshouldbet heone
scr
eamingandwej ustsl
eptnot
sl
eptsl
eptyouknow"
Hear
t:
Youdi
dn'
ttouchmedi
dyou?
"
Shehadar
easontoask

Shane:Touchy ouwhatdoy oumean

?,ofcour sewewer etouchi
ngy our
handswer eonmybackandy ourli
ps
wereonmychestandmyhands
wereremov ingy ourbrai
dsthatkept
comingt omyf aceandIendedup
scrat
chingy ourscal pbecausey ou
werecompl ainingthatit
'sit
chyand
yousaidt hebl anketwasn'twarm
enought henIhel dyoutight
erfor
bodyheatt il
ly ouwer esoundly
sl
eepi
ng"

Hear
t:
Goshthat
'sal
lal
ie"shest
ood
upaboutt
ogotothebathr
oom

Shane:
Ify
oudon' tr
ememberallthat
whenyou'resoberwhataboutwhen
yougetdrunk?"

Hear
t:
Uhmmm doy ouyour
self
r
ememberever
ythi
ngthathappened
l
astni
ght?
"Sheaskedtest
inghim

Shane:
Ist
her
esomet
hingt
hat
happenedl
astni
ghtspeci
fi
cal
lyt
hat
needsmyattent
ion?
"

Heart:No"shesmi l
edandconti
nued
walkingseeinghedoesn'
tremember
anythingaboutthephone

Shane:Whatwer eyouuptowithmy
phone? "Heaskedpeepingonthe
bathroom doorandshewasaboutto
takeherdressofftoshowerbut
stoppedstart
ledbyhim and
surpri
sedthatheremember sabout
thephonepar twhenshethought
thati
twasaf or
gotteni
ssue
Heart:
Iwantedt
oc...
..
..
..
..
..
."She
di
dn'tfi
nishasaknockcameont he
doorandshegotsavedbecauseshe
di
dn'tknowwhattosayt ohim

Shane:Iwillbeback"hecl osedthe
doorandwentawayandshewas
l
ikebackwher ehellnowear en't
shari
ngt heshoweraswel lsoshe
l
ockedt hedoorandst r
ippednaked
andtooksoapt hencontempl at
ed
aboutusinghi stowelthenagain
whatcoul dhappenAI DSisn'tspread
thr
ought owelsshet houghtasshe
scrubbedherbackwi t
hhistowel
,jumpedatfirstwhencoldwater
camei ncontactwit
hherskinbut
thengotusedi nawhile,
showeri
ng
ti
lti
ngherheadt othesidesothat
thebraidswouldn'
tgetwetasshe
didn'
tseeashower capinther
e

Whenshef i
ni shedshecl eaned,didn'
t
wantt oatfirstjustwant edtomop
thewat eri
nt heshower panbuthey
thiswasabachel or'
sbat hroom and
believeheritwasdi rty,shewr apped
herbodywi tht hedry i
ngt owelthat
wasi nthereatl eastitwasgr eenshe
didn'twantt oimagi neitinwhi t
e
andshenoticedthewallcol
orwas
greensotheguywast r
y i
ng,she
smirkedasshepouredtheAr i
el
washingpowderinthetubtocleani
t
whatelsecouldsheusethant o
i
mpr ovi
se

Heart
:Whoi
sit?
"Sheaskedasshe
hear
daknockonthedoor

Shane:
Whoel secanitbewhenit
's
j
ustthetwoofusher e?"whata
weir
dpointshethought

Hear
t:
Imeantwhatdoy
ouwantIam
st
il
lusi
ngt
hebat
hroom ?"

Shane: Mybladderi smor eimpor tant

openuppl ease"sheshookherhead
andopenedf orhi m andhecame
runninginandt hesoundofur ine
goshhedi dn'tev enwai tforhert ogo
out,shemanner edher selfandst ood
outsideleaningbyt hewal landwhen
hecameouthel ookedatherchest
areat henwal kedaway, shelooked
atherchestt ooandwonder edwhat
hewasseei ngt her eOoohwel lshe
walkedbackt of inishcleaningand
goodnesshedi dn'tf l
ushleav ingthe
potwat erwithay ellowishcol orof
uri
ne,sher
oll
edherey
esand
fl
ushed

Shewalkedi nthebedr oom once

doneandopenedt hedoor softhe
fi
tt
edwar drobeandshewasamazed
withhowcl otheswer epackedi n
eachshelf,foramani twast oo
muchcl othes,thehangersect i
on
waspackedaswel l,
theshoesect ion
,howcoul donehav esomuchshoes
l
ikethat,shest oodinawe, she
openedadr awerwhi chhad
envel
opesandshet ookonel ooking
atthedoorandqui cklyreadthrough
thedocument sinthereandqui ckl
y
puti
tback

Heart:
Ni v
eal oti
onf orhim,niveamen
antiperspirant,niveamenaf ter
shave,theessenceofmenper fume
,wipes,i
sther eanythingagi r
lcan
useinher e? "Shet alkedtoher self
shuffl
ingthi ngsinhi sdrawerand
stumbledonsomet hingthatcaught
hereyesanddr ewherat tenti
on
"Str
awber ryf l
avoredcondo. ..
...
...
."
Thepacketwassnat chedf r
om her
hand

Shane:
Stopgoi
ngt
hroughmyst
uff
whatdoyouwant?"Heputbackt
he
sat
chetandcl
osedthedrawer

Hear
t:
Iwantmoi
stur
izerbutt
her
e
ar
emanproduct
sonly"

Shane:
Uset
hatf
ornowIwi
llbuyf
or
youlat
er"

Heart
:Andam Igoi ngtowear
..
..
..
..
..?
? "Shedidn'
tfi
nishagai
nand
hewasoutt ocheckthedoorwhena
knockcameandshet houghtwashe
asecretaryorsomethingandwhy
wasn'theput t
ingonashirtshe
wonderedasshemoist
uri
zedand
shewalkedoutt
oaskifshecould
wearhist-
shi
rtf
orshecert
ainl
y
wasn'
tgoingtoputont
hesame
rev
eal
ingdressagai
n

Bafol
:Icamei ntocheckony outwo
anditseemsIam di st
urbi
ngy our
adventures"hesaident er
ingand
l
ookedatShane' sbar echestandat
Heartwhowasst i
llwrappingher
bodywi t
hadr yi
ngt owelandi twasa
perf
ectscenariotot hi
nkthat
somethingwast akingplace
Shane: Yesy ouar ecertai
nly
disturbingussoy oushouldn'tstay
forlongwehav etogetbackt oour
business"hesai dandHear twanted
tolaught hroughi tallbutBafolnever
l
istenedt oanyoft hat,hesatont he
couchmov ingt heblankettoone
side"wesl eptont hecouch
wat chingmov i
es,babecany ou
pleaset aket heblankettothe
bedr oom"hesai dsmi l
ingthatshe
coul dn'
trefuse

Heart
:Sure.
...
..
..
..
..
.aaaaah
haa.
..
..
..
.honey"sheaddedt ogo
al
ongwi ththeactingi
twashilar
ious
Shegotbackt othebedr
oom and
worethedressagainshedi
dn'thave
muchofachoi cebutsheti
edthe
towelfr
om herwaistgoi
ngdown
coveri
ngthedress'
sshortl
engthand
thenshewentoutagainandshe
heardBafolspeaki
ng

Baf ol
:Wearemeet ingatone,the
girl
sar eonagaintonight,
mostof
them wer evi
rgins,t
hreeofthem
actuall
yandt heywer ecry
ingand
throwingfit
sandi nsult
s,thr
eats
blahblah"hesai dalmost
whisper
ingbutHear
tcouldhearas
shepret
endedtobedoing
somethi
nginthekit
chenjustt
ohear
theconver
sati
onofthetwo

Shane:Teur
air
eport
edt
oyou?
"He
whisperedaswel
l

Baf
o:Yes"

Shane:
Lett
hem r
estf
ortoni
ghti
f
theyar
en'
tusedt
oityet"

Baf
ol:
Theyhav
eto.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
."He
stoppedashenot i
cedHear tlooking
athimf rom thekit
chen,hewasj ust
l
ookingatf ir
stbutwhenhekept
stari
nghef eltawant i
ngsti
rupi nhis
l
oins, Shaneturnedtoseewhathe
wasl ookingatandHear tquickly
remov edherey esfr
om them and
openedt hecupboar dhummi nga
song

Shane:Whyareyoulookingather
l
ikethat?"Hejeal
ousl
yaskedand
shehearditcl
earl
ywithoutmuch
tr
ying
Bafol:
Sheist heonewhol ookedat
me"hesai dandHear tcli
ckedher
tongueandbot hoft hem hear d,now
Bafolwasawar ethatshewast ryi
ng
toeavesdropont heirconv ersati
on
sohet al
kedi nasmal lsti
llv oi
cet hat
shewonder edifShanewashear ing
himself"AsIwassay ingtheyhav e
togoagaint onighttheearlierthey
getusedtheear li
erwecanbr i
ng
anothersetofgi r
ls"

Shane:
Thisti
meIam notupf ort
hat
shi
tIam ti
red,Iwantali
fe"he
complai
nedlikeateenage
Baf
ol:Whybecauseofher?
"He
l
ookedatheragainasshewasbusy
l
ookingforf
ood

Shane:
Yespar
tofi
t"

Bafol:
Youcan'tgetoutofthisshit
howel sewil
lyousurviv
ehuhdoy ou
eatlove?"Hestoodup" Onecl ock
wespl i
t"hesaidandwal kedgoing
tothedoor" Yourshoesandbagar e
i
nmycar"hesai dtoHear tstoppi
ng
bythedoor
Hear
t:
Am Iall
owedt
ogoout?
"She
l
ookedatShane

Shane:Iwil
lgetitforyouandthe
foodisinthatplasticbag,
stackt
he
remainderinthefridge"

Heart
:Okay"shewalkedtohi m and
ki
ssedhimlight
lyonhi
sl i
ps" Il
ove
you"Bafolwaswatchi
ng" Andthis
ti
meImeani t"shewhisperedinhis
ear,
helookedathereyeswi de
openedli
keanemoji
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[1/
25,
13:
23]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t16

Ithadbeenl ongsinceHear t
'sMom
wentt ochurch,shefeltherfai
th
shakingbecauseofHear t,
she
somehowr edir
ectedtheblamet o
Godf ornotpreventi
ngwhat ever
happenedt oHear tf
rom happening
thi
sbacksli
dingfr
om herbel
iefand
fai
thther
eforeshedi
dn'tgot
o
churchanymore

It'
sasi fev ery
thingwaswor king
agai nsther,Hear twasgonewi thno
trace,shewassi ckandhadr esigned,
herhusbandf i
redlifewasn'tfav ori
ng
them , l
adiesfrom chur chalway s
visit
edhert oseehowshewas
copy ingandev enencour agedheri n
theLor dtohol donandnotf orsake
herf ait
handt het r
uthiswhent he
l
adi escameshewoul dfeel
mot ivatedandupl i
ftedbutoncet hey
l
eav et henextdayshewoul dbe
cryi
ngt oGodf orforsaki
ngherinthe
fi
rstplace,thecoughswer en'
t
getti
ngbet t
erei t
her,shewentfor
tuberculosi
st estsbutwasf ound
negativeshedi dn'thaveitbutsti
ll
themedi cationgivenherwasn' t
workingandt hecoughsnot
i
mpr oving

Thenewsofherdaught er
'smissi
ng
wasst i
llhar
dt ograspandher
thoughtswander edt hi
nki
ngshe
mighthav ebeenki l
ledandshekept
thi
nkingofwhati f'
sandcouldn't
focusonany thi
ngherener gy
seemedt obedr ainedandwhenshe
tr
iestoboostf ai
thandgoesbef ore
Godi nprayershebecomes
speechlessandev enangry,shehad
somuchangerwel li
ngupf r
om
withi
nherandi twouldpointingat
someonef orcausingallher
misfort
unes

Theyresolvedintakingt hi
ngsfr om
Heart'
sroom andanot herroom as
wellandtheyputt enantssot hat
theycanhav esomemoneyt ocope
upwi t
hdailyli
vingexpensesev en
thoughHear t
'sMom haddi sagreed
tomov eHear t
'sthingsfrom her
room butwhent hingsst ar
ted
becomingbadshedi
dn'
thav
eany
choi
cethantocompl
ytoher
husband'
sidea

Adelwoul dcheckonherher eand

ther eandsometimeshel pherwit
h
housechor eswhenshewoul dbein
bedunabl etodoany t
hingbutseeing
Adelsomet imeswoul dmakeher
bit
t erthemorethoughshedi dn'
ttel
l
hert hatbutsheatleastgott oknow
thatAdelwasagoodgi rlnotthebad
girlshesuspectedhert obebutone
daywhenshev isi
tedshenot i
ced
somet hi
ngonAdelt hatshehadt o
askbutAdeldeni edbei ngpregnant
andi nt hefollowingday stocome
shedi dn'tv i
sitHear t
'sMom
any mor ewhowonder edi fshewas
offendedbyherquest i
oningi fshe
waspr egnantbutshet henhear d
thatAdel_ akati
zira_(eloped)and
shet henknewt hatshewasr ight
,shewi shedf orittobeHear t
_kut i
zir
akwai venanit hankusazi va
kutimwanaai vepi_(shesawi tbetter
forherchi ldtohav eelopedt han
nev erknowi ngwher eshewas)she
thoughtbutbei ngst rongwast he
onlyopt i
onshehad

Whi
lesomewer
eloosi
ngt
hei
rfai
th
somewer efindingitinstead,never
foroncedidtheOf fi
ceronHear t'
s
caseeverthoughthewoul dat t
end
churchonedayi nhisl i
febutHear t'
s
casemadehi mt oat t
endchur chso
thathecouldgettot hebot t
om of
thegir
lsdi
sappear ancesofwhi ch
nowheknewt wogi rl
swer emi ssing
buthesuspectedt hattherewer e
mor egi
rl
sindi f
ferentregionstaken
aswellonthedayHear twast aken

"Al
lthenewcongr egant
sthatwould
wanttohaveawor dwit
hthepastor
ortobeprayedforbyhimr emai
n
behi
ndafterser
vice"anMCspoke
ont hemi candOf ficerwasanew
congr egantofachur chthatwas
rentingatKi ngston'shouseandso
hewai tedforchur chser vi
cet ofini
sh
sot hathecoul dt alkt othepast or,
in
hiswai tinghehadoneai mt oonl y
focusonquest ioningt hepast orbut
thewor dpreachedt heregothi s
attentionandheendedupgi vi
nghi s
l
ifet oJesusgoshwhatat urnaround
hecamewi thadi fferentmot ivebut
God' spur poseuponone' sl i
fewho
canf athom ¿

Offi
cer
:Hell
oPastor"hegr
eeted
oncechurchser
vicewasconcluded
Pastor:
Iam ver
ywellt
hankMr
..
..
..
...
..
."Heext
endedhishandt
othe
Off
icer

Offi
cer:
MrGumi"het ookthe
pastor
'shandandexchangeda
handshake

Past
or:Nicetomeetournewlyborn
MrGumi, theangelsi
nheav
enar e
cel
ebrati
ngr i
ghtnowforal
if
e
conver
tedt oChri
st"
Officer:
Yesy es"hesmiledbr i
efl
y
ri
ghtt herehedidn'
twantany more
preaching" SoPastori
fImayask
howdi dyoucomeaboutt or entthi
s
placeImeanIwoul dli
ketohel ppay
yourr ental
sforthechurch"he
askedcl everl
ysoasnott olooklike
aspy

Past
or:
OooohPr
aisebet
oGod"

Of
fi
cer
:Amen"

Pastor
:Okaywetalkedt
otheowner
ofthi
splacebuti
fyouwanttohel
p
payr
ent
syoucanhandovert
he
moneyt
othechur
ch'
str
easurer"

Offi
cer:NoIwantt odoagood
serv
iceunt otheLordnotunto
peopleIdon'twantpeopletoknowI
pai
dr entsoIwi l
lpaydi
rectl
ytothe
owneroft hisbui
ldi
ng"stil
lbei
ng
cl
ever

Pastor:
OookayGl oryt
oGod, Ithi
nk
heisjustsomeoneassi gnedtolook
outforthebuildi
ngIthi
nkt he
buil
dingisgovernment'
spr opert
yI
real
lydon'tknowy ouwillf
indout
f
rom hi
m"

Offi
cer
:Okayit'
sfi
neIwi
llt
alktot
he
repr
esentat
iveify
ouhav
ehi s
number"

Past or:
Ooohy esIhavehiscard"he
l
ookedi nt heinnerpocketofhi s
suit'sblazerandbr oughtouta
busi nesscar d" her
ey ougoy oucan
talkt ohim andhearwhi chdayshei s
freeandav ai
labletomeet"t he
officertookt hecar dwithpleasure
,smi li
ngt hathewasatl eastgett
ing
somewher eandonest epahead
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Heartwonder edwhereShanewent
to,
hel eftwit
hBafolgoingt ocoll
ect
hershoesandbagi nhiscarandt hat
wast hathedidn'
tcomebackand
Heartwasl ockedin,wellt
hatwas
goingtobet heli
feasapr isonerbut
shewonder edhowt helovet hi
ng
wasgoi ngtoworksinceshewas
takenforci
bly,
theanswerswouldbe
attai
nedintimebutdidshereal
ly
l
ov ehim

Shebr oughtoutt hefoodst aff

st hat
werei nagr ocerybagandsheput
whatneededt ober efri
geratedinthe
fri
dgeandandt herestinthe
cupboar d,shethoughtofcooki ng
andf oroncehav eanormal
breakfastthatisifitwasst i
ll
mor ning,shedidn'tevenknowt he
ti
me, shewasj ustexist
ingunawar e
ofthet i
meandnotev enthedat ebut
thesun'sr ayswer etoobrightinthe
housethatitseemedl
ikei
twasi
n
theaf
ternoon

Shelostappet iteandbyt hewayshe

keptloosingitof tensincet heday
shewascapt i
v atedbutnowshe
real
lywonder edwhybecausesheat
l
eastwasoutofdangersot hel east
shecoulddowaseatbutshe
couldn'
t,wasi tlov e,
didsher eally
meani tthatshewant edt obe
Shane'sgirly
est hemagnet icf orce
oflovewast her ewhenev ershewas
withhim event hebut terf
lies, t
he
goosebumpsal lt
hatshef eltitfor
him andshet riedt oignoret he
feel
ingbecauseoft heci rcumst ance
shef oundher selfinbutt henl ove
setspeoplef ree,butf reef rom what
,shef oronehadnev erexper ienced
arosyl ovelif
eandmay bet hiswasi t
butshekeptcondemni ngher self
whycoul dn'tshehav emetShanei n
townorsomepl aceel senott hr ough
thekidnappinggosht hatwast hing
thatwasget t
ingherbr ainst oboi l
withtoomucht hinki
ng, whatwer e
peoplegoingt osaynotofpeopl e
whatwer eherpar entsgoi ngt osay
tosuchar el
ationship

Sheswi
tchedont
heTVi
nst
eadof
bei
ngtoocalculati
veshethoughtto
occupyhermi ndwithsomething
el
seandmyGodwhatshesawon
TVmadehert oswitchi
toff
i
mmedi at
ely,didShanewatcht hat
shewondered, whataboyf
riendshe
hasfoundforherself

Hear t
:Nowwhatt odo? "Sheasked
herselfpacingupanddowni nthe
l
ivingroom andhermi nd
i
mmedi atel
ybr oughtthepictur
eof
theenv el
opest hatwer einShane'
s
war dr
obeandshet houghttogoin
thereandr eadt hem butherheart
wentagai nstthatideaandsheknew
thatforonceshehastol
istentoher
mi ndother
wiseShanemightjust
comebackandseehergoi ng
throughhisstaf
fagai
nandi twil
lbe
troubl
einParadise

Shei nst
eadwalkedov ert othe
kit
chenandt ookt hepicturefr
ame
hehadputupsi dedownt heprevi
ous
dayandshewal kedtot hecouchand
thoroughlyl
ookedatt het woladi
es
thatwerewithhim

Hear
t:Thi
sobviousl
yishi
smot her
,i
ssheali
ve?"Sheaskedtal
kingto
hersel
fholdi
ngt hef rameandal so
l
ookedatt hegirlbesi dehim
somehowshef elttinglesof
j
ealousness,i
fthegi rlwas
somethingmor et hanhi ssist
erit
wassogoi ngtobepr oblemati
c
becauseshewassobeaut if
ul
anywayshet ossedt heframetothe
si
deandsi ghedheav i
ly

Meanwhi
lei
nBaf
ol'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..
..
.

Bafo:Thisisal
lthemoneymadelast
ni
ghtf orthegi
rls'bi
ddi
ng"he
presentedasuitcaseofmoneyi
n
fr
ontofthem t
hati
sMrMabunda,
Mr
Agosht
inovel
aandShane

MrMabunda:Yesseemsf
airenough
"hegr
eedi
lynodded

MrAgoshti
novel
a:Noi
tdoesn'
t,why
doesi
tseem l
ikewear
edecreasing
eacht
ime?"Heaskedinsuspi
cion

Baf
ol:
Meani
ng?
?"

MrAgosht
inovela:Weusedt
oget
moret
hanthis,owningpr
ost
it
utes
i
sn'tasimpl
ejobyou'
real
way s
scaredandt
ippi
ngoffisanecessi
ty
"

Bafo:Soyourpointis?.
..
..
..
..
youhav
e
anotherbusinessov er
seassoshut
up"heaut horit
ati
velysai
dandhe
keptquiet

MrMabunda:AndShaneyou'
rejust
quiet,
whatdoy
outhi
nk?"Helooked
atShanewhoseemedlosti
n
thought
s

Baf
ol:
Hehashi
sowni
ssueshet
ook
agir
lwhoissupposedlyt
obe
br
ingi
nginmoneysoonhi ssharewe
wil
lsubt
ractt
hemoneywhi chHeart
wassupposetobringi
nandthegirl
i
sdamnbeaut i
fulshewasgoingto
br
ingindoubl
e"

MrMabunda:
That
'sabr
eech"

Shane:
HowcomewhenBaf
ol
wantedheraswel
l?"

Baf
ol:Iwasgoi
ngtobi
dforher
wasn'
tI,t
hemoneywasgoingt
obe
her
elikeMrMabundaher
ehetook
thatSandr
aandhebidhismoneyi
t'
s
here"Shanekeptqui
et

MrMabunda:I
t'
snolongeramusing
,weshoul
dstr
ict
lyst
ickt
obusiness"

Bafol
:Wesor tedi tanyway,thegi r
ls
wil
lneedgoodcl othes, f
ood, ali
tt
le
spoil
ingsot hattheygetusedqui ckl
y
butnomat t
erwhatunderno
ci
rcumst ancesmustt heyall
owedt o
haveaphoneort hatwi l
lbethe
deathofus, thein-housemai d
knowst his,
tillTeuraiandthet eam
i
nHar areandShaneal sowillgo
backandconductonanot her
i
nterviewandt heseoneswoul dhave
gottenusedandatapoi ntofno
returnenj
oyingtheluxuriesofli
feas
professi
onalprosti
tutes"he
dev i
li
shl
ygiggled

MrMabunda:Andt hemoneyrol
li
ng
i
nfrom t
heonesy outookt
o
Ameri
ca? "HeaskedandBafolj
ust
l
ookedathim

Bafol:
notyeti
n"hespokelowl
yand
stackedmoneyonthetabl
e"gr
ab
twoapi eceandenj
oyl
ives
gent l
eman"hesaidandMr
MabundaandMrAgosht i
nov
elatook
theirshareputi
tawayint
hei
r
briefcases"l
eaveus"he
commandedandt hetwowalkedout

Shane:Howi
sLat
oyadoi
ng?
"

Bafol:
Youstil
laskingabouther
focusony ourfakecurr
entlovej
ust
soy ouknowIam goi ngtobea
Daddy"Shanel ookedathim

Shane:
That
'sni
cebuty
oudon'
tlook
l
ikeyoucar
e"
Bafo:
BecauseIr
eall
ydon'
tcaredo
youthi
nkshecarestooi
t'
sslowi
ng
herdown"

Shane:Yougotherpregnantandyou
sti
llexpecthertobeaprosti
tut
eand
youclaimedt haty
oulovedher?"

Bafo:
That'
showi ti
sdoyout
hink
shewillev
erenjoymymoneythat
's
begot
tenliket
his?"

Shane:
Yout
ookheri
ntot
hisi
ndust
ry
"Baf
oll
aughed

Baf
o:You'
ret
heonewhot
ookher"

Shane:
Iwast
ri
ckedbyy
ou"

Bafo:
Sowhatnow..
...doyouwant
outanddoyoureal
lylovethatoneor
you'
rerev
engi
ngongi rl
safteryou
gotdumpedmanytimes"

Shane:
F**
**y
out
ohel
l"

Baf
o:F*
**y
our
sel
fandt
aket
his
money "hehandedhi m somemoney
"Goandbuyacoupl eofcl othesfor
heraswel l"Shanei gnoredand
walkedoutbutt hencamebackand
tookt hemoneyHear tneeded
clothessur elyandbodyl ot ion,
Bafo
l
aughed" Thatgi rlwillbet hedeath
ofy ou"heshout edt ohim" Let'
ssee
i
fshewi llbeatpeacewi tht hat
moneyshewi l
lturnagai nsty ouor
may beIshoul dqui ckent hegame
,goshIl ov emybr o"Het al kedto
himsel fthrowingmoneyi nt he
air,
thatwashi scupoft ea
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
23]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t17

Shane:Hiedidyoueat? "Heasked
heruponar r
ivalandshehaddozed
offatthecouchbutwhenhecame
sheheardthesoundofkey s
unlocki
ngthescr eenbarandthe
door
Hear
t:NoIdi
dn'
t"

Shane:
Why?...
..
..
.Ihaveboughtyoua
coupl
eofthingstouseIdidn'
treal
ly
knowtheproductsyouusesoIwas
j
ustaski
ngint heshop"hepassed
herashoppi
ngbag

Heart:
Thankyoui
sthatwhattook
youlongtocome?"sheopenedthe
shoppingbag

Shane:Yeswereyoumi
ssingme?
"
Helookedatherwit
hanaught
y
smil
e
Hear
t:
Ofcourse"shesmil
ednot
l
ooki
ngathim butatt
hecl
othesi
n
t
heshoppi
ng

Shane:Iam gl
adandy ousaidyou
l
ov emeandy oureal
lymeanitthi
s
ti
me? "Hewasst i
llpursui
ngwit
hthe
topictaki
ngitfur
ther

Heart
:Yes"shestoodupst r
etchi
ng
thedressheboughtforhertosee
i
t'sl
engthnotevenconcentr
atingon
him
Shane:
Real
lywhatmadey
ouchange
yourmindt
hough?"

Heart:
Idi
dn'
tIjustal
lowedthe
feel
ingsoastoseewher ei
twillt
ake
us"

Shane:Ushmm Ili
kethat"hesmiled
l
ikear et
ardandcrazythi
ngisshe
didthesame,feel
ingtheant
s
crawli
ngonherskin

Heart
:Al
mosteveryt
hingi
sshor
tin
her
e"shesaidviewi
ngallt
he
cl
otheshebought
Shane:
Theysui
tyou"

Hear t
:Idon'tli
kethem soshortand
mysi zehowdi dyouknowi t
?"She
tri
edonsomepumpsandwer ethe
perfectsizeandt her
ewer eheels
andal soshoesshecoul dusei nthe
house, perf
ume, bodyloti
on,towel
"Andt hese? "Sherai
sedacoupl eof
undies

Shane:
Yeahyoucan'twearcl
othes
wit
houtanysupporti
nsi
de"he
j
okingl
ysai
dlookingatheri
naway
shecoul
dn'
ttel
lwhati
twasal
labout

Heart:
Andmatchingbr
asaswell"he
hadgoodtasteshenoti
cedasshe
caref
ull
ycuppedoneofthebraover
herdresst
oseeifitwasari
ghtsi
ze

Shane:Whydon' tyoujustt
akeof
yourdressandf iti
nthebra"hesai
d
hiseyeskindatwi t
chi
ngandshe
nowknewt hathornylook

Hear
t:I
t'
sfi
neal
ltheclot
heswewere
wear
ingeachandeveryoneofus
wasgivent
heri
ghtsizemeani
ngyou
must
'veknownoursi
zesf
rom t
hen"

Shane:YeahTeur
aihel
pedwi
thsome
ofthat"

Hear
t:mxm Ihat
eher"shecl
icked
hert
ongueandhelaughed

Shane:Don'tknowwhybutIhat
eher
too"shelaughedthemorebut
wonderi
nghowhecoul dhatehi
s
fel
lowaccompl i
ce

Hear
t:
Maki
ngust
woofaki
ndt
hen"
Shane:
Nowlet
'seat"het
ooka
pl
asti
cbaghehadputonthet
abl
e

Heart:Youboughtf ood?"Sheasked
putt
ingtheclothesshehad
scatt
eredont hecouchawayandsat
faci
nghim andhewasf aci
ngher
andthef oodrightonthecent
eron
thecouch

Shane:Yesyoul ostweightonthe
tri
pyouweren'teat i
ng"hesmear ed
tomatosauceont hechipsandit
wassoappet i
zingherst omach
growled"
Digin"hepassedhera
bott
leofcocacolaaf
teropeni
ngit

Heart:
Thankyou"theybeganeating
exchangi
nghands,Shanetakesfirst
andshetakesaft
erhi minsequence
l
ikethat"
SoIwaswonder i
ngwhat
posit
ionyouhol
dint hi
s?"Sheasked
aft
erawhi l
eofsi
lence

Shane:
Why?
"Heconcent
rat
edon
hi
smeat

Hear
t:
CarefulInot
icedit
'ssti
llhoton
i
t'
scenter"shenotif
iedShaneas
shet
ookbi
tesofhermeatal
so

Shane:
Okayt
hanks"

Heart
:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oanswermy
quest
ion?"

Shane:
Whatquesti
on?"Shel
ooked
atherwit
hthefat
tyoi
lfr
om t
he
meatonthesideofhi
smouth

Hear t
:Don'tt
ellmeyouhav e
forgottenormay beyou'
re
pretending?"Shestr
etchedherhand
wit
haser
viet
teandwi
pedt
hesi
de
ofhi
smouth

Shane:Thanks"Hear
tlookedathi
m
l
aughing"What?"

Hear
t:I
t'
sasifyou'
reshunni
ngaway
fr
om myquesti
onShay"

Shane:
ShayIli
kethatl
et'
snameour
sonthatoneday"hedi
vert
edthe
topi
c

Hear
t:
Son?
??"Andshewasgoi
ng
al
ongwi
thi
t

Shane:
Yesdon'tyouwantchi
ldr
en
oneday,mybrotheri
sgoingt
obea
Daddy"hesaidandputthemeat
downandsighed

Heart
:What'
swr
ongshoul
dn'
tyoube
happyforhi
m?"

Shane:Iam andseemsli
keIam t
he
onlyonehappyov ert
henewswhenI
shouldbetheonet obeanger
edbyi
t
"
Heart:
Why? "Sheaskedwit
ha
concernedlookandhestar
edather
deeply"Comeony oucanopenupto
me"shesai dandhebrokeeye
contactandsmirked

Shane:Doy our
eal l
ylovemewhyi sit
Ican'tshakeoffthi
sf eeli
ngthatthi
s
i
sallpr et
ense,
l
ikey ouwantt ouse
me? "Shekeptquietandl ookedat
thehalfeatenfoodinf rontofher

Hear
t:Whydoyoufeelt
hatShanei
s
i
tbecauseoft
hesetupwemetupin
?
"

Shane:
Idon'tknowmaybe"he
heavedasigh,shehadt
hesame
i
nsecuri
ti
es

Heart:
Ifeelthattoo,Iam scared
actual
lyIdon'tknowi fit'
srighttobe
i
nar elat
ionshipwi thyou,orifitwi
ll
workor. .
..
...
???"Het ookherhand
dir
ecti
nghert ost andandshedi d
andhepul ledhert ohim andshe
l
andedonhi slapwhi lehepushed
thefoodtot heside, i
twasso
awkwar dforhert obeonhi sl ap
Shane:IknowIam giv
ingmyal lthi
s
ti
mesol et'
str
yitoutwillyougi
ve
youral
ltoo?"Hewasl ookingupto
hernoteventwit
chi
ngt histi
me

Hear t:
SureIwi llgi
v emyal lbecause
you'reagoodmanIdon' tknowhow
yougoti nt hismessbutl et'
strythi
s
thingcalledl ov
e"whywasn' tshe
believi
ngherownwor dsthough
,Shanebr oughtdownherheadand
kissedher, sher el
easedf rom the
kissast het emper aturewasr i
sing
andi twoul ddef i
nitel
yleadto
somethingthatshehadbeen
avoi
dingfrom herpastboy
fri
ends
andtheyforsakenherfort
hat

Shane:
Easybabywhat
'sup?
"He
sai
dseeingt
hewayshecameoff
fr
om hi
slap

Hear
t:
Uhmmm Shanecanwehav
e
somegroundr
ulespl
ease?
"

Shane:Whatgr
oundrul
esIdon'
tli
ve
bythose"hetookachipandbi
teit
hal
fwayandlookedatherst
andi
ng
wit
honehandonherwai st
Heart
:Wellasf
ormeIhavethose"
shesatbackonhissi
deand
cont
inuedeati
ng

Shane:Whichisorar
eanddon't
expectmet ofol
lowanyrul
es
becauseIbreakrul
es"shedidn'
t
wanttolaughbutshelaughed
anyway

Heart:Okayfi
rstofallt
herewon'tbe
toomuchbodycont act,wewon't
sleeptogetherorsharethesame
blanket,wewon'tshowertogether,
theonlytouchi ngwear eallowedto
doishuggi ng,may becuddl i
ngas
wellandkissesonmycheeksonl y
nodeepki ssest hatenticeonent r
ap
someonet osomet hing,Idon'twant
toli
veal i
feofr egretandt hemost
i
mpor tantruleiswecer tainlywon't
havesex"hewasbusyeat i
ng
concentrati
ngonhi sfoodanddi dn't
sayany t
hing" Shane"sheshookhi m

Shane:
What?
"Hel
ookedather

Heart
:Di
dyouhearwhatIhav
ejust
sai
d?"
Shane:
Ofcour
seIhear
dyou"

Heart
:Andy
oudon'
tsayany
thi
ng
Shane?"

Shane:
WhatcanIsayt
othat?
"

Heart
:ComeonIam bei
ngser
ious
her
eShane"

Shane:
Soam I,Iam sorr
ytosayIam
notaFata(Pr
iest)andIbel
iev
eyou
arenotanunorsi st
erwher
ebywe
areboundbythoserul
esofnobodi
ly
contact"shej
ustl
ookedathi
m

Heart
:Wellt
hat'
showit'
sgoingt
obe
Shaneifyoucan'
tli
vebythoser
ules
thenIdon'
tknow"

Shane:
Okay"

Hear
t:Okaywhat?
"

Shane:
Okayokayweknoweach
othery
ou'rear
ulekeeperandIam a
rul
ebreakerwewil
lseewhoi st
he
wi
nner
"

Heart:Aaahser
iousl
y"shethr
ew
herselfont
hecouchandagain
si
lencesweptin"Isy
ourbrot
her
mar r
ied?"

Shane:
Areyoui
nter
est
edi
nmy
brot
hernow?"

Hear
t:
Justanswermepl
ease"

Shane:
Nohei
snot"
Hear
t:Sohej
usti
mpr
egnat
edagi
rl
?"

Shane:
Yes"

Hear
t:Andt hi
sgirldi
dyouhavea
r
elat
ionshipwithherwhatdi
dyou
meanwheny ousaidyoushoul
dbe
t
heangr yonewi t
hthenewsthatshe
i
spregnant?"

Shane:Let
'sjusttr
ytohavea
rel
ati
onshi
ppl easewit
houtsomany
questi
ons"Hear tl
ookedathi
m and
theyhavebeendoi ngt
oomuchof
t
hatl
atel
y

Heart:
Yourphoneisri
nging"shesaid
l
ookingathisphoneont hetable,he
tookitandsawincomingcallfrom
Bafol,hegotupandwalkedt othe
bedroom andHeartwast hi
nkingI
shouldhaveaddedthattother ul
e

Shane:
Baf
ol"heanswer
edt
hecal
l

Bafol:HeyIwant
edtol
ety
ouknow
thatLatoyai
scomingt
ogi
vebi
rth
here_"
Shane:
Okay
"

Baf
ol:
Greatcanshecr
ibaty
our
pl
ace?"

Shane:Nor
entheroneorputheri
na
hotel
"

Baf ol
:Ican'tbroyouknownowIam
stay i
ngwithAgosht i
novel
aIhave
somedebt sIam cleari
ngti
llt
hatmy
handsar efullIdon'
thavemoneyshe
willendupget ti
ngkickedout"Shane
si
ghed

Shane:Howwi llIaccommodat
eher
when..
...
..
..
._"Bafoquickl
y
i
nterr
uptedhi m

Bafol:I
t'
sonlyuptothet
imeshe
givesbir
thcomeonIbeli
evesheis
sevenmont hsorei
ghtmont
hs
preggienow_"

Shane:You'
reevenguessi
ngonhow
manymont hssheishuh?"
Baf
ol:
ComeonIhavealotofst
uffi
n
myheadsowhatdoyousaycanshe
comeandst
aywithyou?
"

Shane:
WhatcanIsaywheny ouput
meinacornerbutIdon'
tthi
nkit
sa
goodideat
ohavemyexher e"

Bafol
:Iwil
ltakethatasay
est
hanks
broyou'r
eal i
fesaver"

Shane:
But.
..
..
..
..
..
"Bafoendedthethe
cal
landShaneclickedhi
stonguehe
wastri
ckedagain
Bafo:
Let
'sseehowmuchy oulove
thi
sHeartgi
rlli
vingtoget
herwi t
h
yourex"hetalkedtohimselfand
l
aughedmani acall
y
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
23]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t18
Hear t
:Dearbl essedFat herIt hank
youf ort oday, forkeepingmesaf e
andal ivet houghImaynot
under standi tbuti ti
sy ourgoodand
perfectwi lluponmyl i
feandmy
purposewi l
lbef ulfi
ll
edont his
j
our neyofl i
feori tmay beSat an's
tri
cker yIjustdon' tknow. .
..
..
.Icov er
myMom wi ththebl oodofJesusI
alsopr ayf ormyDadkeephi m
protect edwi thy ourhedgeof
protect i
on,Ialsopr ayf ormyf uture
husbandeeer ..
...
..
...
..
..
.."Therewas
sil
encef orawhi le"I.....
..
.Ibring
Sha....
....
.Ibringhi m bef oreyou
forgivehi m andcl eansehi m Father
heisasi nner,
he..
...
..
..
..
"She
suddenlygotconf usedandshe
real
izedthatshewaspr ay i
ngusi ng
heremot ionssoshedeci dedtost op
"Amen"sheconcl udedherpr ayer
andShanet i
ptoedgoingbackt ot he
couchwhenhehear dhersay ing
Amenf orhehadbeent here,outside
thebedroom doorsecr etlyli
stening
toherasshepr ayed

Shechangedf rom herdressand

wor eanight
dress,theonly
nightdr
essShaneboughtf orherand
i
twasbeaut if
ulbutshortand
seducti
vewher ewashel ooki
ng
buyingal ltheset hingswasn' the
embar r
assedshewonder edl uckil
y
ther obewasl ong, sheputi tontop
andt iedt hestripbeltoni tandputon
mor ningshoesonherf eet ,
she
quicklygl i
mpsedacr osst heroom
andsawabr okenbeerbot t
le,she
neededt ocleant hatbutf ir
stthings
fi
rstshewal kedoutgoi ngt opeeand
shegl ancedt othel i
vingr oom he
wasst i
llawakeseemedt obe
watchi ngTVwi thnov olumeshe
couldt ellashewasl ookingt here
,strangel yshef eltcompel l
edt ogo
therebutwhenshest ar
tedwal ki
ng
towar dshi sdirectionhequi ckl
y
grabbedt
her emoteandswitchedof
f
theTVlookingal
lsuspi
ciousand
kindagui
lt
y

Hear
t:Whatwereyouwatchi
ng?
"
Sheaskedst
andingi
nfr
ontofhi
m

Shane:Why? "Hel ai
dont hecouch
andlookedatherf r
om t
opt obottom
shewasagi antinnatur
e, t
allal
most
uptohi m andthekindaofwoman
thatisstr
ongi nsi
deoutbutcanbe
brokenandf ragil
ehelearntthatin
ti
me
Heart
:Youlov eanswer ingaquest i
on
wit
haquest ionandwhydoy ou
watchthoseadul tstaffany way?"
Shesatont hetabl el
ooki ngtothe
si
de,thewayhewasl ooki ngather
madehert obeov erl
yuncomf or
tabl
e

Shane:
BecauseIam anadul
t"she
l
aughedforhealway
smanagedt o
tur
naserioust
opici
ntoajoke

Heart:
Veryfunnycanyouconnectt
o
dstvplease"hestoodupand
changedcablesfrom t
heDVDt o
decoderandhandedhertheremote
"
isi
tonf
ullbouquetor
?"

Shane:Compactorsomethi
ngnot
pai
df ull
,
mostl
ysports"hethr
ew
hi
msel font
hesofa

Heart:
Spor t
sr eal
lyShane?..
..,
sowhy
gothrought roubl
eofchangi ng
cablesiftherearesportsonlybut
thenagainIlikefootbal
l"Hel ooked
atherwi t
haqueerexpr essionand
wasl i
kear eyoual ady

Shane:
Becauset
hat
'swhaty
ou
wantedanywayt
her
eareacoupl
eof
f
il
m channel
sift
hat
'swhaty
our
eal
ly
want"

Heart:
Nolet'
sgowi ththef
oot ball
somethingwecanbot henjoy"She
putonechannelaftert
heothert r
ying
tofi
ndasui t
ableone"LaLiga
tour
nament s"shesaidswitchingto
supersportchannel

Shane:
Doyoupr
ayeveryday?"He
coul
dn'
thel
pbutask,
theirf
ocuswas
onTV

Hear
t:
Yes,
wasIt
hatl
oudt
haty
ou
coul
dhearmef
rom her
ehuh?
"

Shane:Yesy
ouwer ev
eryv
eryl
oud"
heli
edofcourse"
Whydoyoupray
?"

Hear t
:Whatasi ll
yquest
ioni t
'sl
ike
askingwhydoy ouliv
e? "She
sneeredlookingathim andsawt hat
hewasn' tlaughinghehadaser ious
facebutherr udenesswascomi ng
backagai nwassheget tingtoo
comf ort
ablebutshehadt ohewas
nowherboy fri
endforcr
y ingoutloud
sowhywoul dn'tshebecomf ortabl
e
Shane:AsformeIknowwhyIam
l
ivi
ngbuty oudon'
tknowwhyy ou
areprayi
ng?"Hegothergoodeish
wasshedef eat
ed

Hear
t:
Ify
outel
lmewhyyouare
l
iv
ingandIwi
ll
telly
ouwhyIam
pr
ayi
ng"shecorner
edhi
m aswel
l

Shane:Iam li
vingbecausei
t'
snotmy
ti
met odiey et
"shelookedathi
m
wasther esuchananswershe
burst
edi nlaughter

Hear
t:Shaney
ou'
ret
wist
ed"she
spokei
ngapsofl
aughi
ng

Shane: Iam liv

ingbecausei tisthe
wi l
lofGodandpur poseuponmyl ife
thatalsowemetandcan' trunaway
from whatGodpr edestinedf orinus
heseesf utureleader s,chi l
drenwe
wi l
lhav etomor rowandwewi l
lli
ve
happilyev erafter"MyGodshewas
touchedf oramomenthewassay ing
somet hingf amiliarwasshet hat
l
oudwhenshewaspr aying,shegot
i
nt err
upt edassomet hingt ookher
attenti
onandhi sal so
"Goal"t
heybothscreamedasthey
stoodupjumpingandhuggi
ngeach
otherwasther
esuchacouple

Shane:
Ist
hisy
ourt
eam Bar
ca?
"

Hear
t:
Iti
sandi
sity
our
stoo?
"

Shane:Mineaswell,
wowIl ovey ou"
andtherewassil
enceaf
tersay ing
that"y
ouknowweunder standeach
othermostofmypastgirl
friends
didn'
tli
kefoot
bal
landherey ouar e
...
..
..
..
..
"Hewashappyandt hat
madeherhappytoseehi m happy
,
gosh

Heart:
Ify
oucan'tbeatt
hem join
them t
heyalwayssay"theygiggled
sit
ti
ngdown" That
'sonethi
ngmy
pastboyfr
iendsl
ovedaboutme"i t
wasawkwar dbutshehadtosayi t

Shane:Tel
lmeaboutthem"Topi
cs
qui
cklychangedwi
ththem andt
he
endofthedayuntr
aceabl
e

Hear
t:Uhmmm thereisn'tmuchto
t
alkabout"l
ookingseriousnow
t
ryi
ngt of
ocuswithTVbutcan' t
keepupany
mor
e

Shane:Justali
tt
le"shewal
kedand
satbyhisside

Heart:
TherewasTindof i
rstthen
ther
ewasJul i
anandl ast
lytherewas
Simbathat'
sallaboutmyboy f
ri
ends
"helookedather

Shane:
Ther
ei sn'
tmuchi
nfot
haty
ou
sai
dhereonlynames"

Hear
t:
Yesbecauset
hati
sal
lther
eis
tothem andyounowhavetotel
lme
aboutyourgi
rlf
ri
endsaswel
l"

Shane:
Hahahacl
everbutIam not
sayi
nganyt
hing"

Hear
t:
Why?
"

Shane:Youdi
dn'tsayany
thi
ngand
youwantmetosaysomet hi
ngnoit
doesn'
tworkl
ikethat"

Hear
t:OkayokayIwillt
elly
ouabout
t
hem butnottodayandforthe
r
ecordIneverenj
oyedanyofmy
r
elat
ionshi
ps"

Shane:
OkayIhopey ouwil
lenjoyme
"sheeyedhim" Imeanus..
..
..
.,come
l
etmeshowy ououtsi
de"hewal ked
andsli
dt hecur
tai
ntoonesideand
openedthebigFrenchdoorwhi ch
tooksomespaceont hewalland
theywalkedouttoabeauti
fulpor ch

Heart:Wowit'
sli
kedayli
ght"she
sawmanyst reet
li
ght
sfrom a
dist
anceandsheadmi r
edthev i
ew
forwhereshewascomi ngfr
om she
hadnev
erseensuchabeaut
if
ulv
iew

Shane:I
t'
sbeautifulain'ti
t?"He
embracedherfrom behi nd,she
wantedtosaysomet hingaboutthat
thenagai
ndecidedt oenj oythe
momentt hi
nki
ngwhatcanpossi bl
y
happenheisani ceguy

Heart:
Verybeaut i
ful"shenowl ooked
attheyardtheywer einabig
durawallt
hatwasgoi ngrightround
thoughshecoul dn'tseewher eit
start
edorwher eitwasendi ngandit
hadspikesont opofi t,onthe
groundnowwasgr eengrassnotin
uniformli
kealawnitwasscatt
ered
allovert
heplacef
rom onebuil
ding
tothenextandshenoti
cedforti
fied
pill
arsgoi
ngup"Howmanyst ori
es? "

Shane:
Just3wear
eongr
ound"

Heart:
SoIsee, sowewillhavean
i
ndoorr el
ati
onship?
"Sheasked
recal
li
ngthatshespentthewhole
dayinandhel ockedherinsi
de

Shane:
Iwi
llt
akey
ouout"
Hear
t:
WhereareweifImayask?"
Shet
houghttoasksayi
ngsi
nceIam
nowhisgi
rl
fr
iend

Shane:Why? "Shewasaskingthe
uncomf ort
ablequest
ionshi
sface
expressionchanged

Hear
t:
Nev
ermi
nd"

Shane:
Someonei
sgoi
ngt
ojoi
nus"
hesaid
Hear
t:
Joi
nusasi
n??
"

Shane:
Asi
nli
vi
ngwi
thus"

Hear
t:
OoohOkayandwhoi
sthat?
"

Shane:
Mybrother
'spr
egnant
gi
rl
fri
end"shewasquiet

Heart
:Di
dy ouguys.
..
..
...
..
..
..
?"he
qui
cklycuthershor
t

Shane:
No"hedidn'
tevenhearthe
wholequest
ion,
hethenrel
easedher
fr
om hi
sembr acewhenshewas
nowgett
ingcomf ort
abletohi
s
bodi
lywarmthhewal kedbackin
l
eavi
ngherstil
lstanding

Heart:
OkayShanewewi l
lhavea
greatti
met hethreeofus"she
thoughttosuppor thi
m andnot
provokehimt oangerbesidest hi
s
washi splaceandhecoul dbringin
whoev erhewant edplusanother
femalewasdef init
elyagoodi deahe
wouldn'tdoanythingsil
lytoher

Shane:
Yeah"
Heart:
Sowhatwil
lbethesl
eepi
ng
arr
angements?"Thatwashermai
n
concernr
eal
ly

Shane:
Wil
lfi
gur
eoutsomet
hing
whenshecomes"

Hear
t:
Wheni
sshecomi
ng?
"

Shane:Tomorr
owmor
ning"Hear
t
j
ustlookedathim

Hear
t:
Okay"andshewast
hinki
ng
t
hatwast
oosuddent
obr
ingi
na
v
isi
tor

Shane:
Mybrot
hernot
if
iedmelat
e
andshewasalr
eadyi
naplane"

Heart:
Okaynoproblem soIam
goingtosl
eepgoodnight"she
walkedoutqui
cklybeforeshecoul
d
hearhisr
eply,
shedidn'tevenknow
whyshewasget t
ingcrankyallofa
sudden

Hefoll
owedherbutthedoorwas
al
readylocked,
shepret
endedt
o
snoreandhecoul dhearherbuthe
knewshewasput t
ingonashow
howcoul dsomeonef al
lasleepthat
quickandsnor e,hewentbackaf ter
awhi l
eofknocki ngandnotbei ng
answer ed,shecoveredherselffr
om
headt otoes,shewasn'tgoi
ngt o
sharethebl ankett
hateveningshe
wasgoi ngt obeselfi
shonhi s
belongings

Hear t:
Ouch"shest eppedont he
brokengl assasshecl i
mbedof ft
he
bedi twasi nthemorningandshe
hadov er
sleptshej
ustassumedt hat
i
t'
sl atebyt hesunshiningbr
ightl
yin
herr oom "shouldhaveremov edthi
s
yesterday"shesai dl
ookingather
bleedingfoot,shesearchedinhis
drawerandt ookabandageand
wr appedaroundheronef ootand
tookwi pesandwi pedthebloodon
thef l
oor

Shewal kedoutforgett
ingtoputon
therobeont opofhershor t
nightdress,assoonasshegotout
shesmel tanaromaoff r
iedeggs
andbaconi ntheairandshe
breathedi ti
nlovi
ngi tmakingher
feelhungr y,
shethoughtt ogreethi
m
beforeshegoest otakeashower
whenshegott
otheki
tchenhewas
wi
thsomeone

Shane:
Goodmor ningbabe"he
smil
edatherasshewal kedi
nand
thegi
rlt
urnedtolookathert
hatshe
for
gottoanswerShane

Latoya:Hel
l
o"shest r
etchedouther
handf orahandshakelooki
ngat
Heartfrom t
optobottom

Heart:
Hie"Shequi
ckl
yidenti
fi
edher
,shewasthegir
lwhowasi nthe
pict
urewit
hShane
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
25]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t19

~Thr
owback~

Latoy
a:Ar
eyougoingtocomeand
takemeattheai
rport?
"Shet
exted
him asshesati ntheplaneandwas
happythathewasgoi ngtobepar t
ofherkid'sli
fehehadopenl y
rej
ectedwhenshef i
rstfoundout
andt ol
dhi mthatshewaspr egnant
buthet oldhertogetanabor tionbut
i
twashi ghti
meshekeptt hebaby ,
forshehadbeent ermi nat
ingmany
ofhispregnancies

Baf
ol:I
t'
stoof
arIcan'
tcome"

Latoya:
WhatnowBafolyousai
dI
shouldcomeandnowIam comi ng
you'r
esayi
ngtheai
rporti
stoofar
mxm !
"

Bafo:Tr
uebecauseIam abusyman
soIcan'
tcomey ougoi
ngtotakea
taxi"

Lat
oya:
Iam pr
egnantBaf
ol"

Baf
o:Sodoesi
tmeany ouwillget
l
ostbecausey
ou'r
epregnant?"That
wasnotagoodjoke

Lat
oya:
Nobut.
..
..
..
..
."
Bafol
:Nobuts,ory
oucantextShane
andhewillcomeandpickyouupat
theai
rpor
t"

Lat
oya:
Idon'
thavehi
snumberplus
hewon'
tagreeaf
terwhatwedi
dt o
hi
m"

Bafol:
It
'si
nt hepasthowcomeheis
sti
l
l st
icki
ngar oundmeifhei
sst
il
l
angryasy ouclaim?"

Latoya:Thedi
ff
erencei
syou'
rehi
s
brother"
Bafol
:YesandIam tel
li
ngy ouask
hi
mt ocomeandpi ckyouup
becauseyouwil
lbestayingwithhi
m
"

Latoya:
What?
??"Shewasmor
ethan
shocked

Baf
ol:Yesandheagr
eed"

Lat
oya:
Heagr
eedwhy?
"

Baf
ol:
Shoul
dhehav
ear
easonof
whyheagr
eed?
"

Latoya:Yesandwhyar
ey outell
ing
met hisnowwhydidn'
tyoutellme
earl
ierandIcoul
dhavesaidnot o
thi
st r
ip"

Baf
ol:Andt
henwhatwheny
ou
wantedmoney?"

Lat
oya:
Couldn'
tyouhavesentme
moneyBafolhowdoIfaceShane
now?"
Bafol:Whyi st
hatLat
oyadoyousti
l
l
havef eel
ingsfort
heguysdoyou
sti
l
l l
ov ehim???"

Lat
oya:
NoIdon'
t"

Bafol
:Gr
eatthensotexthi
m andt
ell
hi
m whattimeyou'
relandi
ngandhe
wil
lgl
adlycomeanddr i
veyouhome
"

Lat
oya:
Idon'
thav
ehi
snumber
any
more"
Bafol
:OkayIhav
esentit"she
checkedandsawhisnumber"Now
tal
ktotheguy"andhewentof f
li
ne

Shesav edShane' snumberand

contemplat edaboutcal l
inghi mj ust
l
ookingati t,shewentonl i
net here
wasnopr ofil
epicturejustast atus
writ
ten* MyHear t
*andshe
wonder edifhehadf oundanew
gir
lfr
iendori twasj ustast at
ust o
vextheenemi es,shestoodupgoi ng
toeaseher selfintheloo, gosht he
pregnancyandt heconst antsv i
sits
tothetoiletforurinati
onwasgoi ng
tomakeherf eetswol l
enwor se
becauset
heywereal
readyswoll
en
wit
hsomethi
ngtheDoctorscal
led
Oedema

Shegotbackt oherseatandbr ought

outherphoneagai nandt hi
stime
madeuphermi ndtotextShane
,meanwhi leShanehadbr oughtforth
thenewst oHear twhoseemedt o
havenott akeninthenewsl i
ghtly,he
hadfollowedherbutshequi ckly
dismissedher sel
ftogotosleep, he
knockedont hedooranditwas
l
ockedandhehear dsnori
ngfrom
outsi
deandheknewshewasput ti
ng
onashowf orsomeonecouldn'tfall
asl
eepthatf
ast,hewentbackaf
tera
whil
eofknocki
ngandnotbeing
answer
ed

Hecl osedtheFrenchdoorhehad
openedf orherandswit
chedof fthe
l
ightsandTVandt hr
ewhi mselfon
thecoucht aki
ngadeepsi gh
thi
nkingofhowhi m andHeartwer e
goingtolivewithLat
oyajustthena
messagepoppeduponhi sphone
screen,heleanedovertothetable
andt ookitanditwasLatoya

Lat
oya:
HieShane"i
treadandshe
wasonl
ineandi
t'
sasi
fshewas
wai
ti
ngforhi
m

Shane:
Greatandyour
sel
f"message
ty
ped,sent,
deli
ver
edandal
soread

Latoya:
Iam goodIhear dfrom Bafol
thatIam supposet oli
v eatyour
place?"shet y
pedbackandShane
wentoffli
neser i
ouslythinki
ngabout
i
tandt oLatoyaitwasn' tgoodf or
hertojustreadhermessageand
nextthi
nghei sof f
li
newi thoutan
answeritmeantsomet hing,justas
shewasaboutt oexithisinboxhe
cameonl
ineagain,
shesmil
eddidn'
t
knowwer
et hatsmi
lecamefrom

Shane:
Yeshet
oldme"

Lat
oy a:
Okaythanky
ouf oragreei
ng
toi
t,Ihavegotonefav
ort oaskfrom
youthough"

Shane:
Okayshoot"

Lat
oya:Canyoucomeandpi
ckme
upattheair
portpl
ease?
"
Shane:
Whycan'
tBaf
olcome?
"

Latoya:Hesaidhehasameet ingto
got oandwi l
lbebusyandIdon't
wantt ojeopar
dizemybabywi tht
he
ai
rportrushsopl easeIbegofyou"

Shane:
Whatt
ime?
"

Lat
oya:
Arr
ivali
s7am "

Shane:Iwil
lbet
here"hecompli
edto
ever
ythingshewouldaskofhi
m,she
smil
ed
Latoya:Thankslove"shesentthen
reali
zedthatshewasn'tsupposeto
saylovet ohim soshequickl
y
deletedforeveryonebuthehad
alr
eadyr eadthemessageandhe
wentof fl
ine

Shetri
edt osleepbutnosl eepcame
tohereyes, shedidn'
tunderstand
whyshef eltthi
ssuddenexci t
ement
ofanti
cipatingtoseeShanewasi tt
o
dowithhor monalchangeshmmm
shewonder edr ubbi
ngherbaby
bumpasshedosedof ftosleep
Shanepr eparedat6t ogoout, he
didn'tdomuchsi nceallhist hings
wer einhi sbedroom andi twas
l
ockedandhedi dn'twantt owake
Hear tthatearlysohej ustbr ushed
hi
st eethandwashedhi sfaceand
wentoutaf terl
ockingthedoor
behindhi m, hehadaVol kswagen
Arteont oosameasBaf ol'
sonl ythat
hi
swaswhi teincolor,hedr ovei n
speedsi ncet heair
portwasqui t
ea
distancebuthegott hereat6: 45and
waitedf orher
Latoyaawokent ot hevoi
ceoft he
captainspeakinginstr
ucti
ngthem to
buckleupast heywer eabouttoland
,shedidsoandopenedherbagand
tookouthermi rrorandfi
xedher
face,putonli
pstick,shewas
supposedt ohavedonet hatthi
rty
minutesearli
erbutsheov ersl
ept

Asabeaut if
ulwomanser vi
cewould
beeasyf oryoushet houghtasshe
washel pedwithher3huge
suit
casesbyaf ell
owpassenger
pushingthetrol
leytocleari
ngpoint
,shewasgl adthatev enwhen
pregnantshemanagedt oattr
acta
f
ewman

Latoya:
Hie"shehuggedhi mt he
momentshesawhi m andhejust
l
ightl
ypat tedherbacksoasnott o
embar r
assherbynotr eturni
ngthe
hugandherst omachwaspoki nghis
"Thanky ouf orcomi ng"she
rel
easedt hentur nedtotheguywho
hadbeenpushi nghert r
oll
eyand
thankedhim hewentawayt hi
nki
ng
Shanemustbet hehusbandt oher

Shane:
Howwasyourf
li
ght?"He
askedt
aki
ngov
erthetr
oll
eypushi
ng
i
tgoi
ngt
ohi
scar

Lat
oy a:
Longandbori
ngseemyl
egs
"helookedatherf
eet

Shane:MyGody ouneedt oseea

Doctor"hesaidpanicki
ngseeing
howherf eetwereswoll
enbutshe
l
aughed

Latoya:
Noi t
'ssomethingnormalf
or
pregnantwomenwhatIneednowi s
hotfoodandahotbat hIam sodi
rt
y
"hewasj ustli
steni
ngasheopened
thecarbootandl oadedthebagsi
n
andheopenedt
hedoorf
orherand
shegoti
n

"ExcusemecanIgettransport
please"ast
rangerwalkedtothem
ashewasaboutt ogetinhiscar

Shane:
Wher
eto?
"

"
Xaixai"shesai
d

Shane:
It
stoofarsor
rycan'
thel
p"he
gotint
hecarandanideastr
uckhi
m
l
ikebam
Lat
oya:
Whowast
hat?
"

Shane:
Someoneaski
ngf ort
ranspor
t
"hestar
tedont
hejourneyhome

Latoya:Okaysohowhav ey oubeen
youlookmor e..
..
..
..
."Helookedat
herthenbackont heroad"More
manlier"hejustchuckl
ed

Shane:I
sther
esuchawor
d?"

Lat
oya:
Yeaht
her
eisnow"
Shane:
Youhavelostwei
ght"hesai
d
l
ookingaheadbutsi
deeyingher

Lat
oya:YeahyouknowBaf
oli
sjust
..
..
..
..
..
."Heint
erj
ect
ed

Shane:
List
enIdon'twantt ohear
yourpr
oblemswi t
hBaf ol"she
l
ookedathimt hatsoundedr udebut
hekepthisfocusonther oad

Lat
oya:Okaybutt
hegoodthingi
sI
am si
xmont hscl
eanf
rom the
addi
cti
on"

Shane:
Noki
ddi
ng?
?"

Latoya:
YesShaneitwashardfir
st
butthenIdeci
dedt odothi
sformy
babyandit'
sworking"sherubbed
herstomachsmili
ng

Shane:
Thatisjustgr
eat"helooked
atherst
omach" Soyou'
resix
monthspregnant?"

Lat
oya:
Yes"
Shane:Whycouldn'
tyougoto
Bulawayo?"Therewassil
encehe
l
ookedather

Lat
oya:
Ihav
en'
ttol
dmypar
ent
syet"

Shane:
Why?
"

Latoya:Youknowt her
ewoul dwant
explanationsaboutthebabyDaddy
andIst i
llhaven'tt
oldthem whatI
am into"hej ustkepthisf
ocuson
theroadmaki ngaslowdriveand
thent ur
nedintohishoodthe
apar t
mentwaswaywaydownt he
street"Whatabouty ouShaneare
youmar r
iedyetbutIdon'
tseeari
ng
oni t?"Shelookedattheri
ngfi
nger
ashest eeredthecar

Shane:Iam wit
hsomeonehopef ul
l
y
toreachthereoneday"hesaid
thoughnotsureofwhathewas
sayingashepulledintheyard,
she
fel
tsomehowhear i
ngthatbut
remindedherselft
hathewashuman
tooandcouldmov eon
Latoya:Sti
llhere?"Shesaidgetti
ng
offthecarl ookingattheapartment
buil
dingsinf rontofherandhewas
getti
ngt hebagsof ftheboot,he
wheel edtwoandshet ookthesmall
oneandaut olockedthedoorsand
shef oll
owedhi m asheledtheway

Shane:Youcanlieonthecouchand
st
retchyourfeetify
ouwant"hesaid
astheyenter
ed

LaToya:Thanks"shestoodl ooki
ng
aroundtheplaceanditbroughtso
manymemor iesonl
ythattherewere
fewchanges,shewalkedovertothe
pict
ureonthewallofShaneand
Bafolbackint
hedaybeforeallt
his
messbef or
esheknewhi mtheir
smilesweregenui
ne,shesmiled
l
ookingatthepict
ure

Shane:Yousai
dyouwerehungryyou
canmakey our
selff
reeandcook"he
saidasshewasabouttoadvanceto
thetablet
oseethepict
urefr
ame
whichwasunderitbutt
urnedupsi
de
down

Lat
oya:
EishandIam sohungr
yand
ti
redbutdon'
thavet
heener
gyto
cookdon'ty
ouhaveamaid?"He
j
ustlookedather

Shane:Goinandbaththen"hesaid
si
tti
ngont hecouch"
Iwillmakey
ou
somethingaft
er"

Latoya:Thanks"sheopenedher
smallsuitcaseandt ookhertoiletr
y
bagandt heclothestochangei nto
andwal kedt othebathroom andshe
wonder edwhyhewasn' ttaki
ngt he
bagst ohisbedr oom sheshrugged
assheent er
edt hebathroom and
shesawapi nkyundiepeepi
ngona
smallgr
eent owelcover
ingi
toverby
thet
owelrack

Sheshower edhermi ndandey eson

thattowelwhywassheobsessi ng
overit,
shef i
nishedandcar efull
y
appli
edmakeupassheputona
nudecol orst
retchydressf i
xedher
Kim kardashi
anst yl
edBr azi
li
anhair
andwal kedouthewast hereont he
couchbusyt ypingonhisphone

Latoy
a:Hey"shesai
dtogethi
s
att
enti
onandhelookedandqui
ckl
y
l
ookedbackonhi
sphone

Shane:
You'
redone,
whatdoyou
wanttoeat
?"hestooduppocket
ed
hi
sphoneawayandwalkedtothe
ki
tchen

Latoya:Whatdoyouhave?"she
openedt hefr
idge"
Justmake
somet hi
ngeasydon'twantt
otur
n
youintoachef"

Shane:Thoughy
ouusedtomakeme
one"hesaidhol
dingt
hepanfl
ippi
ng
i
tintheairt
hewayheusedtodoit
andt
heybot
hlaughed

Latoy
a:OkayMrChefIwillhavethe
eggs,bacon,t
ea,br
ead,
butteranda
str
awberryheret
hankyou"she
thr
ewast rawber
ryaimi
ngi ti
nher
mouth

Shane:OkaythensitandIwillcook"
shedrewaki tchenchairandsatas
hebegancooki ngandhehadHear t
i
nmi ndalsotosur pr
iseherwitha
yummybr eakfasthewasev en
wonderinghowshecoul dsl
eeplike
thatofnotevenhearingpeople
tal
kingbutt
hat'
swhenshewokeup
ashewast hi
nki
ngofher

Hear twal kedourforgett

ingtoputon
ther obeofhershor tnightdr
essand
assoonasshewasoutshesmel ta
deliciousar omaoffriedeggsand
baconi ntheairandshebr eathedit
i
nl ov i
ngi tanditmadeherf eel
hungr y,soshet houghttosaygood
mor ningt oMrBoy fr
iendbefor eshe
goesi ntoshowerbutwhenshegot
totheki tchentherewasl aughterhe
waswi thsomeone
Shane:
Goodmorni
ngbabe"he
smil
edatherandt
hegir
ltur
nedto
l
ookatHeartwhoqui
ckl
yident
if
ied
her,
thegi
rlwhowaswit
hShanein
thepi
ctur
e

Latoya:Hel
lo"Shanehadnott oldher
thatherthathi
slatestgirl
fr
iendwas
i
nt hehouse.Shegr eetedherlooking
atherfrom tootobottom seeingthe
shortnight
dressshewaswear i
ng
andwonder edifShanewasf ***her
goodl i
keheusedt odowi thher .
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t20

Heart:
Hel
lo"shegr
eetedback
Latoyawhowasseatedint
he
ki
tchenasShanewasbusycooki
ng

Shane:Hear
tthisi
sLatoyamy
brot
her'sgi
rl
fr
iendandLatoyameet
Heartaaaa.
..
..
.mygir
lf
riend"he
i
ntroducedandthatgirl
fr
iendpar
t
t
ickledHearti
tfel
tsogoodandat
t
hesamet i
mer i
dicul
ous

Hear
t:
Nicet
omeety
ou"

Lat
oya:
Likewi
se"

Shane:
Sowhydon'tyoutakeaseat
andIwil
lfi
nishof
fhereandlwil
l
ser
veyoutoo"

Hear
t:
OoohIhav
etoshowerf
ir
st"
Shane:
Okayi
t'
sfi
net
hen"

Hear t:Uhmmm i fyoucanserve

Latoy afirsthunandmay beyouandI
caneatt ogetherafterIf
ini
sh
shower ingi sitOkay?"Shanesmiled
whenshet houghtmay beshewas
askingsomet hingimpossibl
ethathe
woul dn'tagreet o

Shane:
Okaysur
enopr
obl
em "

Heart:I
nourbedroom pl
ease"
anotherrequestandshewassure
thatthi
stimehewasgoi ngtoscol
d
herbuthegav
eanot
hersmi
le

Shane:Ourbedroom sure"theway
hesaidOURl ef
tanimpressiont
o
Latoyathatthetwomay bewantto
getitdown,consider
ingthewaythat
Heartwasdr essedupinaseductive
ni
ght y

HeartwalkedoutandShanel ooked
atherbackv iewespeci
all
yher
butt
ockst hatwerebounci
ngand
gyr
atingthathewonderedifshewas
weari
nganunder wear,hefel
this
manhoodgoi ngstrongandhardhe
gotlostinthoughtimagini
ngmaki ng
l
ovet oHear t,
Latoy
aj ustl
ookedat
him,shehadnev erseenhim acti
ng
l
ikethatandhewassogent l
eand
softwithHeartshehadspecul at
ed
i
nashor tspaceoftime

Latoy
a:Shane.
..
..
..
,Shaaaane"she
hadtostandupandshookhi m as
shecall
edhim butwasn'thearingor
answeri
ngwhenhewasj ustright
nexttoher

Shane:Yesy
eswhat'
sup?"He
snappedoutofi
tandcamebackt
o
r
eal
it
y

Latoya:
Isy
oursmel l
ingsense
dist
urbedyou'
reburningthebacon
comeon"het urnedandlookedin
thepan

Shane:OoohdoubleShit"hepushed
thepant ot
heside"Ithinki
t'
ssti
ll
edible"hesai
dgivi
ngt hebacona
thoroughexaminat
ionthough
frowning

Lat
oya:Ifi
tisbur
ntcountmeout"
shechuckl
ed
Shane:Noit
'ssti
llOkay"hegrabbed
aplateanddishedforLatoy
aand
passedherthefood

Latoya:Sothati
syourgirl
fr
iendhuh
? "Sheaskedlooki
nginherplate
tasti
ngthebaconandi twasnearthe
burningst
ateandshel i
keditli
ke
thatandthatwasstrange

Shane:
Yes"

Lat
oya:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul"
Shane:
Thanks"hepassedt
oast
ed
breadt
oher

Lat
oya:
Soy
oumetheri
nthei
ndust
ry
or?"

Shane:
Why?
"

Latoya:Justaski
ng"shetookabite
ofthebr eadandShanepassedhera
cupoft ea"Doessheknowy ourj
ob
aboutTheEl i
te?"
Shane:Cany ouj
ustst opaski
ngme
toomanyquest ionspleasemy
personall
if
e,mybusi nesstomind
pleasetr
ytomi ndy ours"hewalked
outkindapissed

Latoy
a:Geezst il
lgotaburni
ng
temper"sheshr uggedandenjoy
ed
herbreakfastbutshehadacravi
ng
ofsomet hingel
se

Shanegottothebedroom andt
he
bedwasnicelydonehethen
rememberedthatheneededtoadd
blanket
stotheli
stofbasi
csneeded
ASAP, heglancedatt hecor
nerand
sawt hebrokenglassandher ecal
l
ed
makingt hatmesswhenhechecked
henot i
cedthatoneoft hehuge
brokenpiecehadbl oodonitandhe
knewr i
ghtawayt hatsomeonewas
hurt

Shane:
Areyouokay?"Heaskedas
soonassheopenedthedoorand
shewasstart
ledshedi
dn'
texpect
hi
mt obeinthere

Hear
t:Iam f
ine"shepassedhi
m
andsatonthebedandheknelt
downt
aki
ngherl
egt
olookatt
hecut

Shane:Don'
twantyoutogethur
tin
mymess"hesai dreachi
ngforan
anti
septi
ctosani
ti
zethewound

Heart
:ButShanehowist
hisgoi
ngt
o
work?"Helookedup

Shane:
Whatdoyoumeanhowi
sthi
s
goi
ngtowork?"

Hear
t:ShaneI.
..
..
..
.,
"
Shane:
What?
"

Hear
t:
Whoi
sthatgi
rlShane?
"Shane
st
oodup

Shane:
IthoughtIi
ntr
oducedy
ou
guys"scrat
chedhisbear
d

Heart
:Okaysothat
'sitShaneinthi
s
rel
ati
onshi
pwedon' ttal
kwhenIask
questi
onsyougetuncomf or
tabl
e
why? "

Shane:
BecauseIdon'
twantdamn
confr
ontati
onsHeart,
youdon'task
questi
onsbutyouconfrontme"his
voi
cewaschangi ngHeartkeptqui
et
andShanekneltagai
nandwr apped
upthecleanbandageonherf oot

Heart
:Yousai
dyoudon'
twantmet
o
gethurti
nyourmess"

Shane:
Ref err
ingtothecut"hestood
upandagai nlookedonherchest
"Butwhyar eyouuncomf ort
able
Heart?"Shesear chedinherheart
andsurelyshedidn'thavethe
answertot hatone
Hear
t:
Idon'
tknow"

Shane:Soy
ouj
ustl
ovenaggi
ngme
?"

Heart:NoImightnothavesomet hi
ng
toofferyou"shelookeddown
crossingherhandsoverherchest

Shane:
Andt
hati
s?"

Heart
:Idon'
tknowShaneIf
eelt
hat
..
..
..
."
Shane:
Doyouwanttocal
litqui
ts?
"
Hisvoi
ceseemeddeep

Heart
:Idon'
tknowwhatIwant
anymore"loveorfreedom t
he
opt
ionswerediff
icult

Shane:Butifyouf eelIam mor e

harmfultoandf ory oubabysayt he
wordIam notf orcingy ou,t
hisis
howmypastgi rlf
riends...
..
..
..
"She
qui
cklyinterj
ectedhi m
Heart:
Thi
si smeShaneandst op
i
nvolvi
ngthem can'twehav ean
i
nnocentfightthetwoofusandnot
thr
eateneachot hercauseIloveyou
butthemomentIsayIwantoutwe
wil
lnotstandeachot her'
spresence
andthenextthingisIam kickedout
ofthi
shouseandIwon' thave
anywheretogoandt heywil
ltakeme
tothatpr
ostit
utehouse"

Shane:That'
swhaty ou'reworri
ed
aboutHear tofwhatwi l
lhappento
youandIdon' tunderstandyounow
,yourdecisiont
olovemewasi t
solel
ybasedonmepr otect
ingyou
or
..
..
..
..
youj
ustwantpr
otect
ion?
"

Heart:
May beIam fail
ingto
understandt hemeaningofl ov e
Shane" trul
yspeakingi twaslikea
fi
cti
ti
ousf i
lm,shelookeddown
sheddingaf ewtearsthatdropped
fr
om herey estothenightdressand
hesawt hat

Shane:
St opcryi
ng"hekneltand
wipedthetearsaway"Arey ou
comfortableasfri
endst
hen? "She
shookherheadnohesi ghedand
stoodupgoi ngoutandcameback
wi
that
rayoff
ood"
Her
eeat"

Heart:
Whataboutyou?"Shelooked
atthenicel
ydecor
atedfoodandshe
thoughthetookhi
stimeprepar
ingit

Shane:
Iam nothungr
y"

Heart
:DidImakey
oul
oosey
our
appet
ite?"

Shane:
Iam goi
ngi
ntoshower"

Hear
t:Andal
lthi
swher
eist
he
moneycomingfrom ?"Shet
ookt
he
tr
ayshereal
lywashungryand
coul
dn'
thelpbuteat

Shane: Youknowt heanswerandI

choosenott al
kabouti tbecausei
l
ear ntthatsomet ruthsarw
dest r
uctionbutf ory ouIwant edt o
trysomet hingelsesot hat..
..
..
..
..I
don'tknowmay bet histi
meIcan
hav eagi rlthatIcallmineandbe
proudofi tIam 30f orcryi
ngout
l
oudandIam wal kingonl andmi nes
andIam notgoi ngt ocryi
nf rontof
youandy ouknowwhatmay beIam
forcingthi ngshereandIam t hi
nki ng
thatmaybethatiswhatIhavebeen
doingal
lthi
stime"hewal kedout
andshefeltf
ullwhatwrong
seri
ousl
y

Shewant edt ocry,f

ightforfreedom
buther eshewascr yingforloveand
i
tst angmor ethantheonesi nt he
pastandshehat edhim andlov ed
him buti twast ooquick,shehadher
headdr oppeddownt hi
nkingwhat
reall
yi sthepr obl
em here,Shest ood
upandf acedt hemirror,
the
nightdressshowedherr ound
pointingnipples,sheclosedherey es
couldn'tbelievethatsheparadedi n
frontofhi mli
ket hat,hecameback
afteraf ewmi nutesandf oundher
standingbyt hemi r
ror,
hewas
wonder edwhatshewasseei ng
there,hejustpassedqui etl
yand
startedmoi st
urizing

Sheknewhewasnaked, shecoul d
feelitbutdidn'
twanttot urnand
l
ookathi m shehadherown
demons, theessencethatfoll
owed
afterwardswasmanl yandshel oved
i
t, andthatcologneevent hefir
st
ti
mehecamenearherhehadt hat
andshegotdr unkbyitandwant ed
toembr acehi m,hefi
nishedand
passedherst
il
lont
hemir
rorandhe
di
dn'tsayany
thi
nggoi
ngout

Latoya:
Tri
edtosl
eepbutcoul
dn'
t"
shesaidlooki
ngatShaneashe
reachedforhi
scarkeys

Shane:
Okay"

Lat
oya:AreyouOkay?"Sheasked
andhejustl
ookedather

Shane:
Iam "shesighedwi
threl
ief
shethoughtshehadcommitt
eda
cr
imeforaski
ngbyt
hewayhe
l
ookedather

Latoy
a:Canyoudri
vemetothe
beachpleasei
fyouar
egoi
ngout?
"

Shane:
Ihav
eer
randst
orun"

Lat
oya:
Youj
ustdr
opmeIwon'
tget
i
nyourway"

Shane:Fi
ne"sheputonherfl
at
pumpsandwal kedoutandhe
fol
lowed
Heartcameoutandwasdesper ate
forhim buthewasnott her
e, she
pull
edtheki t
chenwi ndowt ot heside
andsawhi scarr ev
er si
ngandLat oya
wasbyhi sside,shewal kedov ert o
thedoorandi twaslocked, she
str
uggledwi t
hthedoorbuti t
wouldn'tbudge,
shepur poselyt hrew
hersel
font hefl
oor

Heart:
Shaaaane"shecalledout
desperat
elyasifhecouldhearher
,shewantedhim mor et
hant he
fr
eedom shebar gai
nedafteral
lwhat
wasf r
eedom nowwi
thouthi
m how
didhedoittomakeherwanthim so
badanditwassowrong,t
he
rel
ati
onshipwassowrongtobegin
with
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t21
Shanedr ov eanddroppedLat oyaat
thebeachandhemanagedt okeep
herquietal lt
hewayf r
om hispl ace
tother
e, shushingherofevery
conversationshewant edtost art
withhi
m buthewasn' tupfort hat,he
evenfeltlazytoopenhi smout ht o
speak,hismi ndwasoccupi edand
Heart'
sv oicekeptechoingther eand
hewaswonder i
ngifhewasgoi ngt o
bement allydist
urbedanyti
mesoon

Hedr ovetotheairportandpar
ked
neartheentranceandhewas
thinki
ngifhewasn' tgoi
ngtogeti
n
troubl
ewi ththetaxiguysmaybe
whower eli
censedt otranspor t
peoplefrom theretotheirv arious
desti
nations,wellhiscarsur passed
thetaxicars,
intermsofout war d
appearance,model ,itwasaf l
owi ng
suavenotf i
tti
ngt obeat axibut
that'
stheonlyideahet houghtof
makingal ivi
ngbesidest hehuman
traf
fi
ckingindustrybutheknew
Bafolwasn'tgoingt olethim wal k
awayt hateasil
ynotwhent herewer e
covenantsinvolved,hehadt omake
thatti
mewor t
hwhi l
esoi nst eadof
beingasi mpletaxidriver,het hought
toaddcl asstoitandwasnowa
chauffeuri
ngserv i
ceandwasgoi ng
toaimf ortherichguy sthosethat
wouldn'thav eanyonet opickthem
upatt heairportorthetourist
sthat
comei ntownhewant edtoensnare
them andmakeaqui ckbuck

Hewal kedclosert otheairport

entranceandl eanedbyt hewal l
whistli
ngpretendingt obescr olli
ng
onhi sphonelikehewasmi ndinghis
ownbusi ness, t
henahugef atman
walkedoutpushi nghi str
olleyand
l
ookedar oundsur vey
ingandShane
thoughtyesthi sistheri
ght
candidatesohest eppedupqui ckl
y
Shane:Howar eyouSir?"Hegr eet
ed
andt hi
smanl ookedathimf r
om top
tobot t
om andsawt hattheguywas
neatl
ydr essed,pr
esentableand
smar tandthatwasanot herscore
forhimt olurecustomersbybeing
presentable

"Hell
omyson"hegr eet
edwit
ha
happyfaceandShanewasli
ke
alr
ightIam i
n

Shane:
Comet hi
sway,
wher
eareyou
goi
ng?,Iwi
lldri
vey
ouandi
nnoti
me
youwi l
lbei nthecomfortofyour
homer esting"Anotherlur
ewas
eloquenceofspeechandpr esent
ing
optionst hatwi l
lsat
isf
ythe
customer smostl i
kecompar i
sonto
thet axiguy s

"Bi
lenewhereisyourcar?
"Heasked
l
ookingaroundguessingf
ora
shabbylooki
ngcar

Shane:
OkayIwilltakeyouandthatis
thecar"Hepointedathiscarand
themandidn'
tthinktwiceashe
comparedthi
scarwi ththehandover
taxi
sandShane'scarwassuperb
andhewonexact lyhowhewant edi
t
tobe"Bil
eneherewego"hesai d
andopenedthedoorf orhi
m andhe
enter
edandalreadylovedand
admiredthei
nteri
orofthecar

Hedr ovethemant otheplaceofhi s

destinati
onwhi lethemanhi mself
braggedofowni ngsomanycar sbut
hadnoonet odr ivehim andhet oo
couldn'ti
ncl ai
msofhi m havingpoor
eyesightthereforeli
mi t
inghimt o
dri
ve, Shanehadf unl i
steningtothe
manandhesei zedt hemomentand
tookadv antageoft hesituati
ont o
struckadealwi t
ht hi
smanandr ight
therephonenumber swer e
exchangedandhewasseei nga
goodst arti
nthisonlyi fBafol
doesn' tfi
ndoutandal soi fai
rport
mar shallsdon'tsuspectany t
hing
andgi vehi m ahardtimet henhewi l
l
behomeanddr y,
allthiswasf or
Hear t
,hewant edtobeachanged
manf orherthoughi twasgoi ngto
beal ongwayt ocompl etelychange
i
twasnotgoi ngtobeeasy ,
ahabit
thatbecomeschar acteri snoteasy
toletgoof

Hemademoneyashet
ranspor
ted
peoplefrom theai r
por tandt het axi
guyswer ejustthinkingmay behei s
achauf f
eurforsomehot elbyt he
wayhel ookedmi ndy ouhewasa
mastermi ndofpr et
ense, theday
Heartwast aken, hepr etendedt obe
aJamesonHot elempl oy eeandnow
hewasr unningt hesamecour se
onl
yt hattherewasn' tanyst ealingof
peopleinvolved

"Boatardeami
go( Goodaft
ernoon
fri
end)"twowhit
eladies
approachedgr
eeti
ngShane
Shane: BoatardeAmiga(Good
afternoon)"hescratchedhisbeard
(Nàof alarEngli
sh),youdon'
tspeak
English? "Heaskedthetwol adi
es
forhewasn' tthatgoodin
Por t
uguese

"Fal
odon'tworry,areyouher
eto
takeustoahot el?"She
communi cat
edandShanecoul d
hearthatEngl
ishwashar donthem

Shane:
YesIam of
ftoPr
aiacém ?
"

"
Cém çém (
Yes,
yes)
"hehel
ped
t
hem wit
hthei
rluggageandt
heygot
i
nthecar

Shane:Tur
ist
as(Tour
ist
s)?"He
askedwhilehewasdriv
ingrecal
li
ng
theli
tt
lePort
ugueseheknew

"
Cém mano(
Yesf
ri
end)
"

Shane:
Okaywel
come"

"Obrigada( Thankyou)
,youspeak
verywel lEngli
shandli
tt
le
Portuguese"
Shane:
YesIt
ry"

"Okaycanyouhelpus,saywewillbe
goingoutuhmmm t omorr
owwer est
,thedayaft
erthatandfol
lowi
ng
dayswewi l
lbeoutandabout,would
youdriv
eusplease? "

Shane:
Iwil
lbedel
ight
edt
ogi
vey
ou
ser
vice"

"
Greaty
ougi
veusy
ournumber"
Shane:Okay
,soy
ou'
rej
ustt
our
ing?
"

"Iam abehavi
ori
stmysisteri
sa
l
awy ermovingtoexpl
oreandwork
onpanAf r
icansoi
ls"

Shane:
Ooohwowt hat
'sgood"he
sai
dbutnotknowingwhata
behavi
ori
str
eal
lydo

"Thankyouwehopet
ohav
efunon
ourstay"

Shane:
Andy
ouwi
ll"
"
Youcanj
oint
oshowuspl
aces"

Shane:OoohIhaveagir
lf
ri
end"t
he
twowhiteladi
esl
aughed

"Ofcourseyoucanbr
ingyour
gir
lf
riendal
ongandwecanallhav
e
funthatisi
fyoudon'
tmind"

Shane:
That
'dbegr
eatIwoul
dbe
checki
ngwit
hmyschedul
e"

"
Alr
ightt
hen,
yourmoneyandkeep
change"shehandedShanewayt
oo
muchmoneyast heywerei
nPrai
a
l
ands

Shane:Thankyou"hetooki
twi tha
smileandwast hi
nki
ngifHeartpray
s
forhim maybethi
sisthebl
essings
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Heart:OkayIwi l
lcleanupy ourmess
Shanenotonl yt hi
sbutal lyourmess
"shewasspeaki ngt oherselfasshe
sweptawayt hebrokenpi ecesofa
beerbot t
lethatwer ealmostt hree
daysol djustly
ingst i
llonthef l
oor
wait
ingf orher,whenshewas
passinggoi ngoutt oempt ythe
dustpanshesawt het rayoffoodhe
hadbroughtt oherear li
ert hatshe
hadhar dlyat et hef oodandshe
thoughtsincewhenwasshe
wastefuloff oodl iket hat,shet hen
remember edhowherMom usedt o
l
ectureherespeci allyont hat, she
usedtosayt hatwheny out hrow
awayf oody ouwoul dbei nv it
ing
povert
y, shesuddenl yt houghtofher
Mom wonder ingi fshewasOkayand
shethoughtofAdelt ooandwhat
shewasupt oal lthatshet houghtas
sheheat edherf oodt oeatagai nat
l
eastther ewasami crowav esot he
guyhaddi rection, supposedl y¿
Shesatt oeatandshegl ancedt othe
sinkandt houghtsot hispregnant
girlj
ustateanddi dn'twasht he
platessheused, aft
ershef inished
eat i
ngshesaidOkayl etmewash
thepl at
esbutIdef i
nitel
ywon' tbea
mai dhere,Shanecooksf orherand
Hear twashesthedi shesfornono
thatwassowr ong

Shefini
shedcl eani
ngthehouse
from t
hebedr oom tothel
iv
ing
room,sweeping,moping
,dusti
ng,
pushi ngthehugesui
tcases
Latoyabroughtandshewonder ed
whatwasi nthereastheywereso
heavy, aft
eral lwasdoneshef el
t
boredandst artedpaci ngupand
downi mpat ientlywai t
ingandshe
heardherMom' sv oiceringinginher
earssay i
ng_ Nightdressbhooher e
asi
kana_shel aughedl ookingat
herselffr
om headt otoeandt hat'
s
howsher ealizedhowmuchshe
missedherMom whousedt o
l
ecturehery etonceagai nwhenshe
wouldbehomeandst ayal ldaylong
i
nherni ght dressorherPaj amasand
howsheusedt osayt hatitwasa
suresignt hatshewasn' treadyf or
mar r
iage
Hear t
:Mom "shegi ggledsi tting
downmi ssingherMom t hemor e
andt hatstatementt hatshewasn' t
readyformar r
iager i
ghtt her e
seemedr i
diculousbecauseamont h
andsomeday slatershei sliving
withamanandshewast hi nking
_kutindikokut i
zir
akwachoher e?_
butthemanst ol
eher_ saka
musengaber ehere? _sheshookher
headseei ngshewasgoi ngcr azybut
atthebackofhermi ndshewas
thi
nkingwher eShanewas, whathe
wasdoi ngwi thLatoy a,
pr obabl y
havingfun, shegav eupt hinkingand
l
aidont hecouch
Shecookedsupperbutnoone
showedup, nosignofShane, nosi gn
ofLat oyaandshej ustl ookedatt he
foodi nherpl ateandshef el
tf ullt oo
,shest oodupputi tint hef r
idgeand
switchedof fallt
hel i
ght sand
walkedt ot hebedr oom t hrewher self
ont hebedbutsl eepwoul dnotcome
toherey es, sher emov edher
nightdressandt ookShane' st -
shi rts
andmadeasel ecti
onf rom t her eand
wor eone, shedi dn'tknowhowhe
wasgoi ngt of eelabouthert ur ning
hisT-shi rtintoani ghty,shet ookt he
l
aundr ybasketont heot herfarend
cor
nerandwal
kedt
othebat
hroom

Hear t
:Iam al r
eadyawi fendizv ohere?
"shesai dbusyasshesoaked
Shane' sshi rtwhichhadbl oodst ains
from thef ighthehadwi thBafolt he
otherni ghtshet henbeganwashi ng
othercl othesandwasgoi ngtohang
them thenextday" AndIwonder
howmypar entsaregoingt or eact
whenIi ntroduceMom, Dadt hisismy
husband, myki dnapper"shel aughed
stil
lont hel aundryandonceshewas
done, shewentbackandt ri
edt o
sleept hinkingy esIam sot ir
edsl eep
woul dcomeeasi l
ybutst i
llnothing
thatshewri
ggled,
tossesandturned
i
nbedandshewasexpect ingto
hearthesoundofkey sunl
ocki
ngt he
doorbutnothi
ngofsuchhappened

Shedidn'tknowwhenorhowshe
knockedof ftosleepbutsheawoken
toearl
ymor ningbir
dstwitteringand
shejumpedof fthebed,st
retched
andopenedt hecurtai
nandt he
window, madet hebed, walkedout
andpausedt olookatthelivingroom
every
thingwashowshel eftitnoone
came, shefeltheavyandshewal ked
tothebathroom andbr ushedher
teet
hwonder ingwhyShanedi dn'
t
comeback, shethenwal kedt othe
kitchensinging*lonel
ybyAkon*she
pushedt heki t
chencur taintoone
sideandsawhi scaronpar kingand
therewer ehisfeetcrossedov erthe
windscreenandshef iguredt hathe
wassl eepinghisseatpul ledtot he
backbutwhysl eepint hecarshe
askedher self

Shet r
ansferr
edy ester
day'ssupper
from pot
st oTupperwar eand
stackeditinthefri
dgeandwashed
thepotslookingtothecarshewas
angryandr el
ievedallatonce,she
didn'
tknowwhatt i
meshedozedof f
butrightt
heresleepwasweighi
ng
hersobad, shewalkedbacktothe
bedroom tosleepsomemor eand
wasgoi ngtodealwithShanel
ater

Heart:
Whendidy ou..
...
..
..
.?"She
askedasshefelthim onherbackin
bedshari
ngthesamebl anketand
hishandsqueezedheroneboob
,sheshiv
ered

Shane:
Forsomet i
menow"he
swall
owedandshesensedthathe
wasdrunkasheconti
nued
car
essingherbr
east
Heart
:Shaaanepleaseno...
..
..
don'
t"
shesaidasshef el
thim undoinghi
s
zi
pandhe. ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t22

Shane:Babecomeout"

Hear
t:
NoShaneIam embar
rassed"

Shane:Comeonalmostthir
ty
minutesint
her
ef orhowlongar
e
yougoingtobeintheret
hen?"

Hear
t:
Uhmmmm t
hisi
stot
all
ya
di
sgr
acei
nZi
mbabwe,
toGodandt
o
womanhoodShane"

Shane:Butwear enotinZimbabwe
comeon"Hear tthoughtandthought
overandov eragainandsighed
deeplyandatlastmadeuphermi nd
,sheslowlyopenedt hedoorand
walkedoutlookingdown

Heart:Tada"shesai
dinanotso
confidentvoi
ceanditwasawkwar d
i
nf actgoofy"Nowy ou'
rejust
l
ookingatmehowdoIl ook?"She
l
ockedherhandst ogethernerv
ously
pl
ay i
ngwi t
hthem
Shane:
Uhmmm y ou'r
erighty
ouneed
toputsomethi
ngont op"hesai
d
bit
inghi
slowerli
plooki
ngatherand
headmitt
edshewashot

Hear
t:
It
'st
hatbadIknewi
t"

Shane:
Youl ookwaytoosexynono
theywi
llsnatchyouawayfrom me"

Heart:I
t'
smyfi
rstti
meputti
ngona
biki
ni,
andwhoaretheyt
hatwil
l
snatchmeawayfrom me?"
Shane:Okaylet
'sgowecan' tkeep
thegir
lswait
ingIwi l
lfi
ndsomet hing
foryouatthemar ket"heheldher
handignori
ngherot herquesti
onand
walkedoutofthebat hr
oom andt hey
str
oll
eddownt her oadgoingtothe
beach

Heart:
Ifeelli
kemel t
ing"shesai das
peoplekeptlookingathersomeman
whistl
ing,somey ou'
dt hinktheywil
l
getinaccidentturni
ngt hei
rheadsto
l
ookatHear twhil
edr i
ving
Shane: Putony oursungl assesand
sunhati fyou'rethatshy"shequi ckly
didasadv i
sedsheopenedupher
beachbagt ookherv er andasunhat
andsungl assesandbydoi ngthat
shewasn' tgoi ngt ohav eanyey e
contactwi thany one, ev eryonewas
dressedupi nbikini
s, itwashot, i
t
wasacoast lineandt her oadwasf ul
l
ofpeopl egoingt ot hebeachsome
holdi
ngsur f
boar ds,somepi cni
c
basket sbutoutofal lonl yHear t
managedt ogetat t
ent ionbecauseof
herfullhips,bigbust, t
annedski n
andr oundbut t
ocksandwear i
ngan
under wearplusbr aonl ymadeher
feell
ikeshehadcommi
tt
edan
abomi nabl
esi
n

"OooohmyGodshei sbeaut
if
ul"the
twowhitesi
ster
sexcl
aimedasthey
embracedHeart

Hear
t:
Hell
o"shegr
eet
edembr
aci
ng
t
hem back

"
Howareyou"t
heyr
eleasedf
rom
t
hei
rembr
ace

Shane:
Sobabyt
hisi
sMar
inhat
he
behav i
ori
standt
hisisArgenti
nethe
l
awy erandguysthisi
sHear tmy
gi
rlf
riend"heint
roducedthem to
oneanot her

Hear
t:Ni
cet
omeety
ouguy
s"

Mar i
nha:Ni
cetomeety outoohuuuu
NickiminajbodyIli
ke"shejoked
andHear tj
ustlaughed

Shane:
Doesn'
tshemeanaZodwa
ty
peofbody"
Hear
t:Getout"shepl
ayf
ull
ypi
nched
hi
m

Shane:
Sogett
oknoweachother
guysIhav
etogoandbuyachif
fon"

Argent
ina:Chi
ff
onporquê(
Why)
?"
Sheasked

Shane:
tocoverupshedoesn'
tfeel
comfor
tabl
e"

Mari
nha:
Whyit'
snice,
wegif
tedy
ou
t
hatknowingi
twil
lsui
tyouandI
didn'
tgowr ongont hecoloraswell"
Heartlookedandt hetwowhi te
l
adiesandt heyhadbi ki
nistooand
theyfreel
yflaunt
edt hei
rbodiesand
soHear tthoughttobef r
eeaswell
butitiseasyforwhi t
epeoplethan
blackpeopleshet hought,
amoment
agosheonl ywor elongskir
tsand
dressesnowshei swalki
nghalf
naked,howt hi
ngschanged

Hear
t:Hunit'
sokayletmejuststay
l
iket
his"shesaidbutwasn'tsur
eof
t
hewor dsshewordsshewas
mutt
eri
ng
Shane:
Nol
etmegett
hechi
ff
on
babe"

Argenti
ne:El
eachaissoporquê
chif
fon(Whydoeshet hi
nkofget
ti
ng
achiff
onthough)?"Sheaskedher
si
sterwhoshruggedhershoul
ders

Shane:Ihear
dt hatArgentinebut
l
ooknowev erymani sdr ooli
ngon
mylady"hesai dpointingt oa
di
recti
onandt herewasamanunder
ashadewhowasl oweringhisUV's
st
aringatHear tsi
ppinghi scockt
ail
butwhenev eryonel
ookedt
her
ehe
pret
endedt olookel
sewher
eand
theyal
llaughed

Mari
nha:
Soyou'
rej
eal
ousShane?
"
Shel
aughed

Shane:
NoIam not"

Argent
ine:Yesy
ouar
e"shegoti
n
too

Shane:
NoIam not
,anywayl
etmeal
l
getyouicecr
eam,
flav
orspl
ease
l
adi
es"hecov
eredupbuthewasso
soj
eal
ous

Mar
inha:
Vani
ll
aforme"

Ar
gent
ina:St
rawber
ryher
e"

Heart
:Chocol
atepl
ease"t
heyal
l
sai
dandShanewenthisway

Mari
nha:Solet
'ssi
tHeartbeautif
ul
namebyt heway"shesaidtaking
Heartbythehandandsatont he
whit
ebeachsand
Hear
t:Thanky
ouandIwas
wonderi
ngwhatabehav
ior
istdoes
?"

Mari
nha:
Istudyt
hebehav
iorof
ani
malsandhumans"

Heart
:Ooohokay
,Idi
dn'
tknowthat
suchanoccupat
ionexi
sted,
i
sn'ti
t
hardt
hough?"

Marinha:
Withpeopl
eIt'
snot
especial
lywhenyougettoknowt
he
per
sonr
eal
lywel
l"

Heart
:Okay
,"sheglancedtowhere
Shanewasbuy ingicecream,
l
ooking
athi
sbodyt ooashewaswear ing
summershor t
sonlyandwast opl
ess
,t
hiswastheper f
ectguyshe
i
maginedtohav e

Marinha:Whati
syourboyfr
iendli
ke
?"Shesawwher eherfocuswasand
sothoughttoaskherabouthim

Hear
t:Sti
lll
earni
ngabouthi
m but
someti
mesi tseemsasifhehast
wo
personali
ti
es,theki
ndoneandt
he
rudeonewhi chseemstobemore
domi nat
ingthantheki
ndone"

Mar
inha:hei
squi
ett
hough?
"

Heart
:Yesmostofthet
imesto
ot
herpeoplenotwi
thme,het
endst
o
betal
kati
ve"

Marinha:It
hinkhehadar ough
chi
ldhoodmay behewasexposedt o
somet hi
ngthathewasn' tsupposed
toseeandi ttr
aumat i
zedhi m andifI
am readingcorrect
lyfr
om hisaur a
helivedwi t
hsomeonehar sh,may be
hewasnotbei ngappr eciatedandhe
adopt edt hat,
itonlyt akest hree
weeksf orsomet hingt obeahabi t
andnowi tbecomest henor mf or
him butt henf acedr ejection
becauseoft hischar act erfrom
peer sandf ri
endssohet ri
edt obe
niceandki ndbutr emembert he
harsh,rudechar acterwoul dhav e
stuckt ohi mlikeglueandhedi dn'
t
haveaccept ancef rom peopl e
thereforehav i
ngt woper sonali
ties
,it
'sami ndcont rolgamecany oube
patientwi thhim andbi tbybithewi l
l
openupt oy ou"
Heart:
OkayIthi
nky
ou'
reri
ght
especi
all
ywhenIaskhi
m quest
ions
heloseshist
emper"

Marinha:Hefeelsli
kehei sbeing
tr
apped, cor
neredori nt
errogatedit
's
noteasyonhi m, heiscomi ngback"
shewhi sper
edlookingatShaneand
Heartturnedherheadandsawhi m
coming

Shane:Wer
eyoutalkingaboutme?"
Heaskedpassi
ngicecr eam to
ever
yoneseei
ngtheirfunnyface
r
eact
ions

Heart
:Yesweweret
alki
ngabouty
ou
Shane"shesai
dsmi
li
ngtaki
ngher
i
cecream

Shane:
Whataboutme? "Hethr
ew
hi
mselfinthesandandputhi
shead
onherlap

Heart:
Ofhowyou'
rehandsomeand
youmakemyheadspi n"shel
ooked
athisbar
echestwhi
chshowedoff
hisabs
Argent
ine:Ooohthat'ssosweetyou
guys"shecomment edasHeartfed
Shaneicecream butShanetookit
andrubbeditonherchestplayf
ully
upabov eherbr
eastar ea

Hear
t:
Shaneser
iousl
y"

Shane:
Thenwecangoandswi
m"

Heart
:ButIdon'tknowhowt oswi m"
shesaidandMar inhaandAr gent
ine
l
aughedandst oodup, pul
ledHeart
onehol
dingeachhand

"Let'
sgoandswi m "theybothsaid
andHear twasput t
ingbrakeswith
herfeetsoasnott obepul l
edbuti t
didn'tworkasShanepushedher
from behindandsheendedupbei ng
draggedt ot hewaterandtheydidn't
goindeepj ustneartheshoreand
Mar i
nhaspl ashedwat eronHear t
whowasf r
eakedoutandShanewas
havingagoodt imewi t
hthewat er
whilstArgent i
newasoutt aki
ng
them pictureswithhercamer a
Shane:
Ilov
eyou"hehel
dheri
nthe
waterandhewant
edtoki
ssher

Hear
t:
Wearenotwhi
tewedon'
tki
ss
i
npubli
c"

Shane:Voet
sek"hedrewv er
ycloser
,bodytobodyandashewasabout
tokissherMari
nhasplashedwater
onthem

Mari
nha:
Makingmemissmy
boy
fri
endyouguys"
Shane:That'
snotmyfaul
tyou
shoul
d'vecomewithhi
m"

Argenti
ne:Heyguy slookhere"she
saidandtheyalllookedanda
captur
ingsoundwashear dasshe
tookapicture"Nowmyt urnShane
comeandt akethecamer a"Shane
gotoutofthewat erandAr genti
ne
passedhimt hecanondigitalcamera

Helookedatt hecameraandsighed
whil
ethegirl
swer ealr
eadywaiti
ng
fort
heirpi
cture,hel
ookedconfused
j
ostl
ingandt urni
ngthecamera
Heart
:Shanewhat'
swr
ong?
"She
cal
ledoutworr
ied

Argent
ine:Pr
esst
heupperbut
ton
Shane"

Sti
llhewasasconfusedandit
'sasif
hewascont endi
ngwithhi
mselfwith
thecameraandheendedup
thr
owingitonthegroundandwalked
away

Mar
inha:
Ithi
nkhehasi
ssueswi
tha
camera"Heartdidn'
twaitt
oli
stent
o
herandwentafterShane

Hear t:
Shanewai t"shecalled
runningtohim buthewaswal ki
ng
fasterandshewasr unningbut
couldn'tkeepuppace" Shane"she
almostt ri
ppedast hesandwasn' t
maki ngiteasyforherandshegotup
tohim andhel dhishand" Speakt o
mewhat '
swr ong? "Shehel dhis
handandpeopl estart
edst ari
ng,he
l
ookedatherandwal kedawayand
shef oll
owedt othecarwi thherwet
biki
niandwat erdr i
ppingfrom her
brai
ds" Arewegoi ng? "Sheaskedas
heopenedthedoorofhi
ssi
det
o
ent
er"Pl
easeanswerme"

Shane:
Whydoy oucar
e?"Hegotin
thecarandshewal
kedtohersi
deto
openbutitwasl
ocked

Heart:
Openf ormeplease"hehad
star
tedthecarengineandi gnor
ed
her,
shewal kedtohissideopened
hi
sdoor" Shaneli
sten.
..
...
..
."

Shane:Noyouli
stendon'
tdon'tact
asifyoucarewheny ouwantone
thi
ngfrom meandt hati
stoescape
nothingel sey oudon'
tev enletme
touchy ou, Ihavetosatisfymy sel
f
ony ourthi ghs,t
hisi
st hefir
stIam
seeingy ourbodyl i
kethisbackhome
Idon't..
...
..."Heangri
lyshout edas
hehadst eppedoutoft hecar

Heart:
ItwasthecameraIthoughti
t'
s
aboutthatnowit'
saboutsexShane
butIthoughtweagreedthatyouwil
l
sati
sfyyoursel
fon..
..
..
..
..
"

Shane:
Yeahri
ght"hegoti
nthecar
anddroveof
f
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t23

I
nZi
mbabwe.
..
..
..

Offi
cer:
MrGonan'ombeitsme"he
spokeont hephoneashecall
ed
Kingst
on'shouserepr
esent
ati
ve

MrGonan'ombe:
YesyesIr
emember
Mr.
..
..
..
..
.sorr
yIf
orgoty
ourname?"
Offi
cer
:MrGumi"heroll
edhi
sey es
ti
ckedofft
hatever
ytimehecall
ed
hehadtointr
oducehimsel
fyethe
cl
aimstoremember

MrGonan'
ombe:
Okayy
ou'
recal
li
ng
f
or?"

Offi
cer:OkayIwantedtoseesothat
Icanmakechur chpaymentsand
youhadputmeonhol dasyousaid
youwer ecurr
entl
ybusysoIwas
hopingtogetadateorsomething"

MrGonan'
ombe:
Okaywher
ear
eyou
nowwecanmeet
?"

Off
icer
:Icancomejusttel
lmethe
t
imeandIwi l
lbethereonthedot
"

MrGonan'ombe:
Uhmmm let'
ssay
duri
ngl
unchhourhowisthatfory
ou
?_"hecheckedhi
swri
stwatch

Of
ficer
:I
t'
sper
fectIwi
llmeety
ouat
Ki
ngston'
shouseisi
t?"

MrGonan'
ombe:Yessecondf
loor
r
oom 14"
Of
fi
cer
:Thanky
ou"

Lateronhedr ovetoKi ngston's

houseandwal kedt otheagr eed
room andMrGonan' ombewas
alr
eadyther ewaitingf orhi
m, hewas
atwof eettallmanwi thabul gy
stomach, chubbycheeksandbr oad-
shouldered,MrGumi noti
cedashe
stoodupt ogr eethim anda
handshakewasenough, no
formali
ti
esneeded, theywer eonce
donelongbackont hephone
Off
icer:
SoIhav eafewquest
ionsfor
youMrGonan' ombe"hesaidtaki
ng
abrownenv el
opefrom hi
sbri
efcase
putt
ingitonthedesk

MrGonan'
ombe:
Okaygoahead"

Offi
cer:
Iwanttoknowifthereever
wasabooki ngofi
nter
viewslatel
yor
amont hagoorgoing
downwar ds,
sayt
hreemont hsdown
theli
ne?"

MrGonan'ombe:Yesal
ltheti
me
..
..
..
.t
hisplacemanypeoplebookf
or
i
nter
viewsessi
ons"

Offi
cer:
Okayanddoyouhave
recor
dsofthem ,
Imeanthoset
hat
bookforint
erv
iews?"

MrGonan' ombe:Yeswehav e
recor
dsf oreachandeveryoneof
them buttheywil
lbestoredawayas
pastrecordbooksforeveryweekwe
haveanewr ecor
dbookt ojotdown
tokeepuppacewi t
hnewcomer s
andallthat"hechuckl
ed"It
'salway
s
packedher e"
Off
icer:
Okayandwhowrit
esdown
t
hei nf
ormati
onint
herecordbooks
?"

MrGonan'ombe:Uhmmm why,i
fI
am askwhyyouareaski
ngal
l
these?
"

Offi
cer:OkayIam anof ficerwit
ha
searchwar r
ant y"hebroughtouthi s
cert
ifi
edwar rantbadge"andIam
i
nvestigati
ngacoupl eofinter
views
doneher easi tledtodisappearance
ofacoupl eofgi rl
s"
MrGonan'ombe:OoohokayIwi l
l
bri
nginrecordbookswehavetoset
upanotherdateandyoucanlookat
them "heseemednervousal
lofa
sudden

Offi
cer:
Okaywer etherecert
ain
i
ndivi
dualswhobookedher eas
agentsholdi
ngintervi
ewsforgirl
sin
thenameofget ti
ngthem jobsin
SouthAfri
ca? "

MrGonan'
ombe:Idon'tgoi
nto
det
ail
sofeverknowi
ngsuch
i
nfor
mati
onbutwewi l
lchecki
tin
ourr
ecor
dbooks"

Offi
cer:
Soyoudon'tv
eri
fyhowlegi
t
thepeoplewhom y
oupermitt
ouse
here?"

MrGonan'
ombe:
Not
heydot
hei
r
t
hingandgo"

Of
fi
cer
:Ev
encont
acti
nfo?
"

MrGonan'
ombe:I
twi
llbewri
tt
en
downi
ntherecor
dbooks?"
Of
fi
cer
:Okayt
hent
hanky
ou"

MrGonan' ombe:Whoismi ssi

ngby
thewayanddoy outhi
nkthatsome
guyspr et
endedtobeagentsand
kidnappedgir
lsasyouclai
m? "

Off
icer:
YesmydaughterandI
bel
ieveshewastakenbytheso
cal
ledagent
s"

MrGonan'ombe:OoohmyGodIf eel
sorr
yfory
ouSi rIhaveadaught
er
tooandIwouldn'tr
esti
fsomethi
ng
happenst
oher, whati
sthenameof
yourdaught
eryouknowmay beI
wouldhaveseenherorevenmy
daughtermi
ghtknowherasshe
sometimestakesl
essonshere?
"He
askedcli
nki
nghispenonthedesk

Off
icer
:OkayhernameisPai
damoyo
"hesaidlooki
ngathi
shandthat
washoldingapen

MrGonan'
ombe:PaidamoyonoI
don'
tknowherbutsheisl
uckyt
o
haveaFat
herwhoisanoffi
cer"

Of
fi
cer
:I
ndeedsot
hanky
ouMr
Gonan'ombef oryourti
mehopet o
meetsoonf ortherecordbooks"
theyexchangedahandshakeand
Offi
cerGumil eftandMr
Gonan'ombespr awledonhischair
sti
llcl
inkinghispenont hedesk,l
ost
i
ndeept houghts,hethenpickedup
hisphonet omakeacal l

Att
hebeach.
.….
.

Mar i
nha:Whathappened?"She
askedHeartwhowasst i
llst
andi
ng
attheparki
nglotaft
erShanehad
l
eftherandnowshewast wi
ceshy
tobehalfnakedshewonderedwhy
sheagreedintoweari
ngabikinithi
s
wassodi sgr
acefulwhatwasshe
thi
nkingthi
sisn'
tthegir
lshewas
broughtuptobe,whyadoptot her
people'
scult
uresshewondered

Hear
t:
He.
..
..
..
..aaaaah"hervoi
ce
wasemot
ional"Hejustl
eft"

Marinha:Sor
ry"shehuggedher
,Heartdidnoti
magineawhitelady
asaf r
iendneverinabi
ll
ionyears

Hear
t:
Ijustdon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ong
wit
hhi m he.
..
..
..
..
he"shesobbed
butthenagai
nwast hi
sagood
chancetoescape

Mari
nha:Nonoit
'sfi
necal
m down"
shewipedhert
earsaway

Heart
:Canyouhelpmewithsome
advi
ceIdon'tknowwhatt
odo? "

Mar i
nha:
Sure?"Theyheldhands
goingbacktothebeachHear tputon
herdressfi
rstwhentheyreached
thebeachwheresheleftherbag
"Nowspeakwhat '
swr ong?"Asked
Mar
inha

Heart:Uhmmm l ongst oryshorthe

want ssex,
Idon' twantsex, what
shouldIdo? "Mar i
nhal aughedbut
Heartdidn'
tseeany thingfunnyi n
thatsomehowatt hebackofher
mindshewast hinkingwhati sthisI
am asking,
Ishoul daskwhi chwayi s
homebutshedi dn'taskwasshe
getti
ngcomf ort
ablet oo,wasshe
beginningt
ot r
ulylov eShane?

Argent
ine:Heresomethi
ngt
ocal
m
yournerves"shesai
dhandi
ngHear
t
abott
leofvodkaandshel
ookedati
t
cont
emplat
ing

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*

Baf
ol'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
..
..

Bafolwasbusyinhi
sof
fi
cewhenhe
recei
vedacall

Baf
ol:
Yeshowhav
eyoubeen?
"

Cal
ler
:Iam f
inehowar
eyout
oo?
"
Baf
ol:Iam goodhopeyousawt
he
moneyIdeposit
edfory
ou? "

Cal
ler
:Recei
vedi
twi
tht
hanks"

Baf
ol:Good,
Ihavetoask,youdon'
t
cal
ltosayyouhaverecei
vedyour
money? "

Call
er:Al
waysbusyv er
ysorr
yabout
that,
anywayIhavecall
edtotel
lyou
thatacertai
noff
icerwhoisontous
"
Baf
ol:
Real
lyhowdidt
hathappen,
we
nev
ermakeami st
ake?"

Call
er:
Idon'
tknowi
thasnever
happenedal
lthi
swhi
lei
tisstar
ti
ng
now"

Baf
ol:
Whot
ippedhi
m of
f?"

Cal
ler
:Idon'
tknowbutitseemsi
t's
st
arti
ngfrom t
hereoneofthegi
rl
sis
hi
sdaughter,
Ithi
nksheisaspy"
Baf
ol:
Hmmmm buthow?
"

Caller
:Idon'
tknowbuthewant
s
recordbooks? "

Baf
ol:Getr
idofhi
m endofst
ory"

Cal
ler:
It
'snoteasytokilla
pol
icemanbutnowIadv i
seev er
yone
tol
aylowf orawhil
e, don'tsend
guy
sher eunti
ltheairisclear"

Bafol
:Di
dyoumanagetogetnames
,Imeanwhat'
sthenameofthi
s
daught
erwhoi
sher
e?"

Call
er:
HesaidPasi
nanonoitmust
bePaidabetweent
hosetwonames
don'
treal
lyknowwhichone"

Bafo:Nxaay ou'
renotev ensur e
anywaywedon' thaveanygi rlbyany
ofthosenames"heendedt hecall
andt ookthenamel i
stoft hegi r
ls
whocame" Wehav eHear t,
Fedel i
a,
Sandr a,t
hereisnoPai daher eor
Pasina"hecl i
ckedhist ongueand
thr
ewt hepaperawayandr ockedhis
chairlookingup,thi
nkingr ealhard
andhethoughttocooloff,sohe
wentouttothegir
ls'host
elbutwhen
hewasabouttoknockheov er
hear
d
thet
hegirl
sgossiping

Fedel
ia:Wher
edoy
out
hinkHear
tis
?"

Tambu:GoodquestionIl
astsawher
theni
ghtthat
..
..
..
..
"shedidn'
tfi
nish
notwanti
ngtothinkaboutwhat
happened

Fedel
ia:Thatni
ghtt
hatwebecame
prost
it
utes"shefi
nishedf
orher
Tambu:
Yest
hatni
ght"

Sandra:Shewasalwaysst
icki
ng
aroundwitht
hatShaneguysowho
knows"

Fedel
ia:
Butst
il
lshouldn'
tshebe
herewit
hus,whereisshe?"

Tambu:
Nocl
ue"

Sandr
a:Andt
othi
nkIhadhopei
nthe
gi
rl"
Fedel
ia:Whathope?
"

Tambu: Comeonwer en'

tyouther
e
whenshepr omi
sedusthatshewas
goingtogetusoutofhereshe
seemedki ndasmartandcould
confrontevenTeur
ai"

Fedeli
a:OoohyeahIr
emember
,wherecouldshebeei
shIam not
gett
ingusedtothi
s"allt
hegi
rl
s
l
aughed
"
Zvamaizvi
timabhur
upamubhedha
wani"ot
hergir
lsl
aughed

Tambu:Nowwishi
ngforHear
twhen
youusedtodespi
seher"

Fedel
ia:NowIwanther"t
heyal
l
l
aughed

Baf oltur
nedgoingbacki nsteadof
gettinginthegir
ls'r
oom, hewas
feelingkindahornyandLat oya
turnedhim offwithherbig
stomach, sohewant edtotakeagirl
outbuthegotpi ssedt hemor e,
he
bumpedwithTeur
aiwhowasonher
waytothehost
el

Teur
ai:
Shi
ne"

Bafol
:Howmanytimesdi
dIt
elly
ou
nottocal
lmethathuh?"

Teurai:SorrybutIthinkthatoneis
muchni certhanBafol"shesaidand
heclickedhist ongueandpushed
hertot hesideandpassedherbut
thenst oppedwhenani deastruck
him
Bafol:
Whyaren'
tthegir
lsget
ti
ng
usedlikeev
eryothergi
rl
swe
broughttot
hispl
ace? "

Teurai
:Idon'
tknowIthi
nkit
's
becauseofHeartwhofi
ll
edthei
r
headswithnonsense"

Baf
ol:Hear
t,
Heartevery
wherewhat
's
sospeci
alaboutheranyway
?"

Teur
ai:Idon'
tknowbutshei
s
st
ubborn"
Bafol:
Okayit
'st
imet oturnthetabl
es
getthem ni
ceoutfi
ts,prepar
ethem
tomeetTheEl i
teQueenandi t'
s
goi
ngt oasurpri
seoft hei
rli
fet
ime"
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t24
Tangl
ed.
..
..
..
.

Latoy agothomeusi ngaspar ekey

thatshewasgi venbyHear tthe
prev i
ousnightshegothomeand
Hear twasal sosurpr isedbyt heway
afterbeingtoldbyShanet hathe
wasn' timpri
soningherbutal ways
whenhel ockedupt her ewasaspar e
keyandshehadonceseeni tbut
nev erthoughtthatitwast hekeyt o
thedoor, shewasusedt ot he
sit
uat i
onandhav i
ngami ndsetofa
pri
sonerandt hat'
sty picalofher ,
anywaybackt othest or
yLat
oy agot
homef rom Bafol
'splacewho
disappointmentherandaft
eran
hourorsoofl ashi
ngoutwor dson
eachot hershedecidedtol
eave
withoutgetti
ngwhatshewant ed
,shewant edtogetlaid

Latoya:
Anybodyhomehel lo"she
call
edoutbutdidn'tgetar eply
"Hmmmm sohungr yhopet hi
sgi r
l
cooked"shesaidopeni ngthef r
idge
shedidn'tmindtheey ethatHear t
alwaysgaveherwhensheat eher
foodwithoutoff
eringanyhel pto
cook,shebroughtoutTupper war e
andseti ti
nt hemi cr owavet owar m
upt hefoodandoncei twasdone
sheser vedher sel
fandt hrewt he
plat
esi nthesi nkandshewentt osit
down" AaahGodIam sof ul
l"she
rubbedherbabybumpandst art
ed
pokinghert eethwi that oothpick
andwasaboutt osl eepwhenshe
heardasoundofacarpul li
ngin,she
checkedont hekitchenwi ndowand
i
twasShanewhol ookeddownhi s
headwasont hest eeringwheel
"Wher eisthegi r
lf
riend? "Sheasked
herselfandt houghtt hisismy
chance
Shewentinthebathr
oom qui ckl
y
str
ippednakedandsplashedwat er
onherbodyandwhenshecl osedt he
tapsheheardthedooropeningand
shewalkedoutoftheshower

Latoya:Jesus"shefakedgett
ing
start
ledasshemetwi t
hShaneinthe
passagecomi ngoutoft he
bathroom completel
ynaked

Shane:Whatareyoudoi ng?
"Hetried
tol
ookt othesidebuthecouldn'
tthe
i
magesofherandhi m cameback
,ever
yonebi tofthem ,
whenever
t
heywer
eint
hezone

Lat
oya:Sorr
yIthoughtIwasallal
one
her
ethat'swhyIcameoutlikethi
s"
sheli
edtotheend

Shane:
Uhmmm putonyourcl
othes
pl
ease"hewasaboutt
opassher
butshehel
dhi
shand

Latoy
a:Shanear
ey ouOkay?"She
askedwithaconcernedl
ook

Shane:
Iam f
ine"andhedi
dn'
tknow
whyhewasstil
ltalki
ngtoanaked
woman,heremov edherhandf
rom
herandwal
kedint hebedr
oom

Latoya:GuessIdi dn'tt
urnhim on"
shespoket oher selfasshet i
eda
dryi
ngt owelov erherbodybutShane
wascont empl ati
ngonhi sowni fhe
shoulddowhathi smi ndwast el
ling
him hewast hinkingthatHeart
wouldgetr eall
yhur tbutthenagai n
whenwasshegoi ngtoopenupt o
him,heunder stoodt hatshewas
comi ngfrom aChr i
sti
anbackground
andheal sounder stoodthathewas
mov i
ngt oofastonherandwant ed
totaket
hingssl
owbutchange
doesn'
tcomeinabli
nkofaney e,
he
tr
iedsohardtoj
ust
if
yhimself

Shane:Whattheheck"hecl i
mbed
offthebedchar gi
ngtotheli
ving
room thi
nki
ngt hisi
stherevengeI
willgi
vemybr otherf
orevertaki
ng
Latoyafr
om him

Lat
oya:
Shane"

Shane:Shhhhhh"hetookoffher
towelandmadehert ouchthecouch
,doggystyle,
hequickl
yloweredhi
s
shortsandbr i
efsandent eredher
,shewasj ustquietunt ilitgott othe
excit
ingpart,hewashol dingherby
thewaist,aformerpr ostituteknew
howt omov et opleasehi m, they
bothforgotaboutt hest omachas
theyhadt ur
nsmoani ngandgr unti
ng,
sweatdr i
pping,shewasspeci fi
cal
ly
sweethewonder edi fitwast he
pregnancybuthej ustdi dn' tgoone
roundonherbutr eleasedal lhis
hungeronher

Latoy
a:Thankyou"shesaidput
ting
herheadonhischestastheyl
aidon
thecoldfl
oorbutr
ightt
hatmoment
theydidn'
tfeelthecol
dnessthei
r
chestswerer i
singandfal
li
ng
recoveri
ngfrom anorgasm

Shane:
Thi
sdoesn'
tmeant hatIl
ove
you"hegotherof
fhischestashe
satnowbacktonormal
cy

Lat
oya:
Ofcour
se"shesmi
led

Shane:
NotawordtoHeart"hest
ood
upandpickedhi
sshor
ts

Lat
oya:
Goti
t,
it
'sourl
it
tl
esecr
et"
shesmi
ledt
aki
ngherphone

Hewal kedt ohi sbedroom nowgui lt

y
wassl ammi ngandcl osinginonal l
fourcor ners,amomentagohewas
blamingi tallonHear tthathewasn't
wr ongashewasi nthesexr ealm
andnot hingel sedidn'
tmat terbut
nowhowcoul dhe, withapregnant
womanoutofal lpeopleandhel ef
t
heratt hebeachaboutt ocryandhe
...
...
..
.

Shane:
Noooooo"hepunchedt
he
wallgr
oani
ngimmensel
ycover
edin
shameasheendl essl
ybl
amed
himsel
f,
Latoyathi
stimewasst
artl
ed
asshetri
edtomakeacal lt
oBafol
andhewasi gnori
ngher

Meanwhi l
eBaf olwaspl anningon
howt ogetthegi rl
susedsohewas
strategisi
ngonhowt ogetHear tand
Shanet ot hi
sv enueupi nhismi nd
sot hathet wistal i
ttl
ethingshis
moneywasupf orbar gainifhe
wasn' tgoingtogetmor egirl
sbuthe
keptbei nginterruptedfrom his
thought sbyLat oyacal l
ingandhe
i
gnor edher, hetookhi sphone
pissedof fwithther ingi
ngt oneand
wasabouttoshut
downhisphone
andavoi
cenotepoppedonthe
scr
eenfr
om Latoya,
hegotonl
ine
andthevoi
cenotewas765MBbig

Bafo:
Fu**of
f"heswitchedhis
phoneoffwi
thoutdownloadi
ngand
drovehi
scartothebeachtocoolof
f

Hewal kedontheshorehol
dinghi
s
shoesf eel
ingt
hebreezeasthe
sunsety el
lowt
ouchedtheeart
h,

Marinha:
Youcamebackandyou
changedsofastdi
dyoucometo
takeher?
"Bafolwassurpri
sedto
seeawhitewomani nf
rontofher
speaki
nggibber
ishhewasn'tev
en
sureofwhatshewassay i
ng

Baf
o:Who?
"

Mar i
nha:Shanecomeondon' tdo
thatnexttimeHear ti
st her
eand
drunkIt ol
dArgenti
net hatitwasn'ta
goodi deatogetherdrunkbuti tj
ust
happenedsor rybuddy"Baf ollooked
andsawMamami asomeonewas
dancingwher ether
ewasnomusi c
andshewasappet isi
ngt oo,i
twas
toogoodt obet rueandhereali
zed
thatthewhiteladywhowast al
king
tohim alsowasal sodrunk
otherwiseshecoul dhaveseenand
tel
lthediff
erencebet weenhim and
Shane

Bafol
:Ooohy eshowcouldIf
orget
mysweet heart"hesmi
ledwalki
ng
toHeart
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t25

OkayIfastf
orwar
dedt hestorya
l
it
tl
ebitandsomenowwer e
wonderi
ngaboutwhathappened
wit
hShaneandHear ttheprevi
ous
dayint
hesamebl anket.
..
..
.l
ol

backwar
d⏮
Heart:Whendidyou....
..
..
.?"She
askedShaneasshef el
thim onher
backinbedshar i
ngthesame
blanketandhishandsqueezedher
oneboob, sheshiver
edexper i
enci
ng
af or
eignfeel
ingi
nherbody

Shane:
Forsomet i
menow"he
swall
owedandshesensedthathe
wasdrunkasheconti
nued
car
essingherbr
east

Heart
:Shanepl
easenoooo.
..
..
.."she
sai
dasshef el
thi
m undoi
nghiszip
andhetookhisthi
ckpenisoutand
shefel
tit,
biganderect
ed

Shane:
Babyj
ustt
hisoncepl
ease"

Hear
t:NoIhavenev
erdonei
tpl
usI
don'
tbel
ievei
nsexbefor
emarr
iage"

Shane:
Hel
pmet
orel
easepl
ease"

Heart
:How? "Heshookhi
shead
howcouldshebesocluel
essatt
hat
age
Shane:Thisishow"hegoti n
betweenhert highsandmov edl i
ke
hewasact uallyinherandi nnot ime
hespankedandr eleasedseamenal l
overherthighsandshegotwet
hersel
fandwashi ghlytur
nedonbut
herconsciencedi dn'tall
owhert o
askforit,
shewant edt odoitforthe
fi
rstti
me" Nowl et'
st al
kaboutthis
shit"hesaidsittingonhi sbutts

Heart:
Letmewi pemy sel
ffir
st"she
wentoutandcleanedher sel
fupand
shenoticedshehadt hi
ckwhitefl
uid
comingoutfrom herVt r
uthisshe
wantedt ot
astetheforbi
ddenfrui
t
butallthosesermonsoft hatbeinga
sinrushedbackt ohermind
paraly
zingherdirt
ythought s,
she
wentbackaf terawhile"Wewi llneed
tochanget hesheetaswel l"she
saidseeingthespil
lagesont he
sheet

Shane:Ofcourse"hesaidandshe
thoughthewast oodrunktor eason
butnoshedi dn'
tknowt hathecould
handlehisbottl
eforhestarted
dri
nkingfrom averyyoungageand
nowbeerwasl i
kewater
Heart:
Shanet hi
ssexthi
ngdoesn't
sett
lesowel lwit
hme"shesai d
si
tti
ngbyhi ssideandhelookedat
hisT-shi
rtshewaswearing

Shane:
Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Heart:Iwasbr oughti
nast r
ong
Chri
st i
anbackgr oundwherebywe
bel
ievet hatsexisbeauti
fuli
n
marriagebef oremarri
ageitis
for
nication"

Shane:
ButIwasn'
tbroughtupi
n
suchasetupandIbeli
evesexi
s
whatbr
ingsamanandwoman
cl
osert
ogether,youknowtheywi
ll
beoneandthat'
slovebabytr
ue
l
ove"

Hear
t:
Willy
ourlov
ef ormechange
whenyousleepwit
hme? "

Shane:Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Heart
:Imeanwi
lli
tincr
easewhen
yousl
eepwithme? "

Shane:
Speci
fi
cal
lyf
ory
oui
twi
ll
becauseyouhav eneverdonei tand
i
twi l
lbemyf ir
stti
met osleepwi t
ha
vir
ginandIheardvirgi
nsar eso
sweet"shewant edtolaughand
that'
swhathedi dtoher,shenoticed
thatever
ynowandt henhemanaged
toturnveryseri
ousissuesinto
pranks

Hear
t:OkaybutifIaskyout
owaitf
or
mewillyoudoitShaneforme?"She
i
nnocentl
ylookedathim

Shane:
Howol
dareyouthaty
ou
shoul
dbesay
ingt
his,
youarenota
l
it
tl
egir
ljudgi
ngbyy
ourbr
east
s"
nowshelaughed

Hear
t:
Doboobsshowmyage?
"

Shane:Ofcoursethey'
reful
lerand
theyshoul
dbesucked, comeon
baby"hedrewcl osert
oherwant i
ng
totouchheragain

Heart
:Chi
mbomi r
akundinhaf
a,wi
l
l
youdiewit
houtsex?"

Shane:
Star
vat
ionki
ll
s"
Heart
:Beseri
ousf
oroncecomeonI
am notl
aughi
ngher
e"

Shane:Neit
heram I. .
..
...
.OkayHeart
whatshouldIdot ellme, nowIcan't
gotoy ourparent
sandmar ryyouto
haveaccesst oyourp* ****,l
etmef i
x
mylif
ef i
rstandwewi llgetthereI
promisebutdon'ttellmet hatIwon't
getsexfrom youwhi lelivi
ngunder
thesamer oofhuh?"

Heart
:You'
remaki
ngsenseandI
bel
iev
eIam makingsenset
oobut
wehavetoreacht
oaf i
naldeci
sion
andconcl
udeonthi
sissue"

Shane:Iwantedtof *
* *
*y outhev er
y
fi
rstdayIsawy ounotdr ivenwit
h
l
ustbutloveandIt hi
nki tdoesn'
t
matterwhenpeoplel oveeachot her
andaredesti
nedt omar ry"

Hear
t:
Arewedest
inedt
omar
ry?
"

Shane:
Don'
tyout
hinkso?
"

Hear
t:
Ilov
eyouandIhav
enev
erf
elt
thi
swaywithanyguybutthesex
i
ssueisconf
usingmetrut
hful
ly
speaki
ng"

Shane:
ShouldIbegoi
ngouttogeti
t
fr
om othergir
lst
henwhenyou'
re
herear
en'tyoumygir
lf
ri
end?"

Hear
t:YesIam..
..
..
.butar
eyou
addi
ctedtosex?
"

Shane:
Iam addi
ctedt
oyou"

Hear
t:
EishShane"shehi
thi
m wi
tha
pi
l
low

Shane:
What?
"Theybot
hlaughed

Hear
t:
Howdoy
oudoi
t?"

Shane:
Ijustpulldownmypantsand
..
..
..
..
..
"Sheinterrupt
edqui
ckl
y

Heart
:Imeantt
het hr
owingofjokes
whil
eputt
ingonaser i
ouslooksnot
t
hatyouwer ej
ustabouttosay"she
l
aughedthemor e
Shane:
Oooh"hescratchedhi
shead
astheybot
hlaughed

Hear
t:GodIloveyoubutwhymusti t
gett
ot hepartofusgetti
ngnaked
and.
..
..
...
..
..
"Heinter
ject
ed

Shane:
Whatareyouaf
rai
dof
real
l
y,t
hati
thurt
sor?"

Heart:
Thati
t'
sasinandmay bewhen
IdieIwil
lgotohel
landzaaaapyi
t
Satancomesinwit
hapi t
chfor
kand
tossesmeinthefi
eryf
urnaceoff
ire
"
Shane:
Hmmmm t
hati
sjustsome
car
toon"

Hear
t:
YeahIknowr ight,
anywayif
your
eleaseonmyt highsl
ikeyoudid
woul
dn'titf
eelpr
ett
ymuchl iket
he
samethinghuh?"

Shane:
Closet
oitbutthat
'sj
ust
desper
atemeasuresnottobedone
whenthecooki
eisrightt
here"

Hear
t:
NoShaney
oudot
hatf
ornow
whil
eIsortmy sel
fouti
sthatokay?
"
Hekeptquiet"Shane"sheshook
hi
m

Shane:
What?
"

Hear
t:
Didn'
tyouhearwhatIsai
d?"

Shane:
Ihear
dyou"

Hear
t:
And?
"

Shane:
Okay"
Heart:
God.
..
..
.okaywhat??"she
stoodupsi
nkingherfingersi
nher
scalp

Shane:
Willgowit
hwhatyouwant
butwil
lyouevergowi
thwhatIwant
?"

Hear
t :
SomedayIwi llbel eftwithno
choi
cebutser i
ouslythis...
...
."she
l
owlyspokesohecoul dn'thearas
shewasst andi
ngf acingt hewal lbut
shethoughthowt heot hergi r
lsshe
camewi t
hwer ecopy i
ngher eshe
wasi
nlov
esomesuf
fer
ing

Shane:Anywayonot herissuesIam
walki
ngt owardschangei t
'snotful
l
y
i
nshape, it
sasecr etandIwoul d
wanttosur pr
iseyou,wheni syour
bi
rthday? "

Heart
:Real
lyandIwonderwhat
you'
reupto?"

Shane:
You'
dnev
ermakeaguess"

Hear
t:
Okayiwi
llbewai
ti
ngandmy
bi
rt
hdayisthr
eemont hsfr
om now
andIwi
llbeoffi
cial
ly26"

Shane:Soy ounganywayIam gi vi
ng
youanot herdate,wewi
llcelebrat
e
yourbirt
hdayt hi
sweekandwhen
youractualdatecomest henwewi ll
cel
ebrateitagainhowdoest hat
sound? "

Heart
:Soundscooli
fyourpocketcan
handl
ewhatagi r
lwantsormay be.
..
.
"

Shane:May
bewhat
?"
Hear
t:
Nothi
ng"sheknewwhatshe
want
edtoaskforwasimpossi
ble

Shane:Whatmorecanagir
lwant
othert
hanteddybear
sand
chocol
ate"

Hear
t:
Mxm Iam abi
ggi
rl"

Shane:
Abiggi
rlwhodoesn'
tknow
howtof**
**"hecli
ckedhi
stongue

Hear
t:
Ihear
dthatandIam not
taki
ngthattoheartbecauseIwi
ll
endupangryandIdon' twantt
odo
thatShanebecauseyouknowwhat
? "

Shane:What?
"

Heart:
BecauseIt
olerat
ey our
crazi
nessandbecauseIrealized
thatwehavethesamecr azinessor
may beyour
sisextr
emebutIneed
youjustasmuchasy ouneedme"

Shane:Tr
uthofthedaybutyouneed
me??"Hestil
lcoul
dn'
tbel
iev
et hat
t
hisgi
rlt
rut
hful
lyl
oveshi
m

Heart:
Butwheny ouwi
llbesayi
ng
thoseFwordswhatwoul dyoube
thi
nkingi
sitbecausey
ou'dbedrunk
or?"

Shane:
Yesexact
ly"t
heylaughedbut
shesomehowencodedthathewas
taki
ngherf
orafool

Heart
:Icookedyester
daybutnoone
showedupsol et'
sgoandheatitup
andeat"
Shane:
Iwasbusy,Lat
oyadi
dn'
t
comebackalso?
"

Heart:
Shedi
dn'
t"shepul
ledhi
m out
ofbedandtheywal
kedtothe
ki
tchen

Shane:Spi
nachandpapandwhat
el
se? "Heaskedopeni
ngt
he
Tupperwar
e

Heart
:Gr
il
ledmeatnicel
ydoneint
he
ovenbyyoursf
ait
hfull
yHeart,
my
Fat
herusedt
obeadr unkardandhe
l
ovedthi
ssoIcookeditforyou"

Shane:That
'sthegoodt
hingof
havi
ngawomanshewi l
ltakecar
eof
mystomacht oo"

Heart
:MyMamaal wayssai
dtheway
toaman'shearti
sthr
oughhis
stomach"ther
ewasaknockonthe
doorastheysatt
oeat

Shane:
Taket
hatspar
ekeyt
her
e"
Hear
t:
Whatsot
hiskeyi
sthespar
e
key?
"

Shane:
Andy
out
houghti
twas.
..
..?
"

Heart
:It
houghty
ouwer
elocki
ngme
i
nallthi
swhil
e"

Shane:Yesknowingt her
ewasa
sparekeyIam notst upi
dwhatifthe
housecaughtonf ireandburnswhile
Il
ockedy ouinwi t
houtasparekey"
sheshookherheadseei ngthatshe
wast hestupidone,sheunl
ockedt he
doorandLat oyacamei n
Lat
oya:Heyguy s"shegreet
ed
cominginandHear tl
ookedather
andsawt hatshehadanewhai r
sty
le

Shane: Hell
o"hegreetedbackbusy
eat ingnotlookingatherli
kehewas
bei ngchasedbecausehewaseat i
ng
fast" Heartjoi
nmewheny ou'
redone
? "Hesai dgoi
ngoutoft heki
tchen
av oidingLatoya

Hear
t:
Okay"
Lat
oya:
Didy
ouCookpl
ent
yoff
ood
?"

Heart:
Ofcour se"shesaidherey es
dir
ecti
nghert otheTupper warethat
werejustoutf r
om themi crowave
andthefoodwasst il
lhot,Heart
thoughttotakeherplatet ogoand
j
oinShane

Lat
oya:
Doy outhi
nkyoucanhandl
e
hi
m? "Shesaidbefor
eHear
tcould
wal
kaway

Hear
t:
Meani
ng?
?"
Lat
oya:Ot
hergi
rl
scameandl
eftand
Iwonderi
fyouwoul
dbeany
di
ff
erent"

Heart:TrustmeIam notl i
keyouat
l
eastIwon' twrit
etohi m atwo
pagedl ett
erofbr eakingupwi t
hhim
howl owi sthatinthiseraofev er
changingt echnology"shesai d
l
eav i
nghert onguetiedand
wonder ingifShanest il
lhadthe
l
etter

Lat
oya:
Youwi
lll
eav
egi
rl
fr
iend"
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
27]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t26

Agl
impsei
ntot
hef
utur
e..
..
..
..
.
Prosecut
or:MsPaidamoyoIwant
youtohonestl
ytel
lthecourtofy
our
rel
ati
onshipwi
ththedefendant?"

Hear
t:
Hei
smy.
..
..
..
..
my"

Argent
ine:Yourhonorherper
sonal
l
ifehasgotnothingtodowiththe
case"

Judge:
Denouncedpr
oceed"

Pr
osecut
or:
Wer
eyouav
ict
im?
"
Hear
t:
NoIwasn'
t"

Prosecut
or:Howandwhendi dy ou
meetanddi dn'
tyouknowwhathe
doesandIunder standther
etwins
borntohim andy ouMishakaand
Shikar
iwhataret hei
rages?"

Argentine:Obj
ecti
onyourHonorthat
i
sir r
elevanti
nfor
mationandshould
solelysti
cktothecase"

Judge:Subr
uledladi
esand
gentl
emenoft hejur
yyourvi
ew?
"
Jur
y:Pr
oceedpl
ease"

Prosecut
or :
Sheisgui
lt
yasan
accompliceandmayIcallawit
ness
i
nt otest
ifytothi
syourHonor"

Judge:
Proceed"

Argentine:YourHonorwecannot
bri
ngi nanotherwitnessast heyhad
notturnedupont hepr oceedingsof
thi
scaseandst at
eddownasa
witness"
Judge:
Proceed"

Argent
ine:YourHonorIam af
rai
dto
sayyou'r
ebiased"andther
ewas
noisei
nt hecrowd

Judge:Or
der,or
derincour
tIsay
,pr
oceedprosecut
or"

Prosecutor
:Iwouldli
ketocal lt
ot he
witnessboxMiss...
..
..
..
..
."Everyone
l
ookedt othestandsasshewal ked
goingtothefr
ont,Heartfel
ther
stomacht
urni
ngl
ikeadi
arr
hoeawas
coming

Thecur
rentday
...
..
.

Heartwasi neuphor icstatewhen

shegotdr unkandshet houghtshe
couldseeGodf acet ofaceaki nda
ofepiphanyil
lusiont ookov erher
wholebeing,asal it
tlegirlshe
alwayswonder edabout
angels,
demonsandt hemy st er
y
beyondofext r
at er
restri
alsbutnev er
foronedayachi evedt ogoy onder
thanwhatheri magi nati
oncoul d
carryher,herper f
ectpictureupher
mindwasagi rlAngelwi t
hawhi te
robet hatreachedherf eetasshe
woul dbeseat edhol di
ngagol den
l
y r
eorhar porv i
oli
nsinging" Dat
parmi squelicussweetangel icus
terminu,horesmi rabil
i,pauper,
pauperser vusethumi li"what ever
thatlanguagewasshehear di tthat
ti
meandshef el
tpeaceandst arted
dancingandt ohershewasl ov ed
uncondi t
ionallyandcelebratedbut
thatwasat ouchéi naper sonal
feeli
ngofof elati
on

Baf
ol:
MyHear
t"hesai
dandshe
gavehim awar m smil
ethatitj
ust
tookfewmi nut
esf orhi
mt oget
comfor t
ablewi t
hher,shegiggledin
akindofwayt hatawakened
somethingi nhim notsexualdesi
re
somethingbey ondwor dsand
unexplainabletohimitwast hefi
rst

Heart
:Iam hungr
y"shel
ockedher
handsaroundBafol
'
sneck

Bafol
:Sowheredoyouwantmeto
takeyou?"Hewhisper
edi
nherears
andshegaveapeckonhischeek
andsaid
Hear
t:
Any
wher
ewoul
dbej
ustf
ine"

Baf
ol:
Okaycany
ouwal
k?"

Heart:
Youalway scar r
yme"she
giggl
edandhel i
ftedherintohis
armsandsher estedherheadonhis
chestashewal ked,Miranhaand
Argenti
necalledoutsay ingthei
r
goodby esst
il
lov erdosi
ngont he
color
lessli
quor

Baf
ol:
Str
apony
ourbel
t"hesai
dbut
shewasj ustlooki
ngathi m andhe
l
eanedov erandst rappedi toverher
yummyl ookingcleav ageshowi ng
anditwasasy oungast hedawnof
thedayandhequi cklynoticedthat
theyhav
enotbeenwi t
hheld

Hedrovet oanuptownrestauranton
i
twerebi gbol
dletter
sLicker
yt hat
wasblurrytoHeartasshegotoutof
thecarandthestreet
li
ghtswer ejust
comingoutbyassumpt ionsitwas7
orminutespastthehour

Baf
ol:
Whatdoy
out
hinkaboutmy
choi
ceoffood?"Heaskedheras
foodwassetbefor
ethem andshe
wasalr
eadyfi
ll
inghert
astebuds

Heart
:Iam f
eel
i
ngitchy?
"Shesai
d
i
gnori
nghisquest
ionandhel
ooked
ather

Baf
ol:Wer
eyoui
nthewat
er?
"

Heart
:Yahhowdumb"shewas
weir
dhet houghtormay
beshewas
al
way sl
ikethat
Bafol:I
t'
ssaltyy oushoul
dhav etaken
ashoweraf terwar dsnowondery ou
kinda...
..
..
..
"Hewant edtotouchher
buthisphonet hatwaspeepingf r
om
hispocketf ellandhebentov erto
pickitbuthesawsomet hingunder
thetablebuti twasagoodv i
ew
,reall
yhesmi led" Souhmmm Hear tI
am Shane"shewant edtotestthe
l
ev elofdrunkenness

Heart
:I
tdepends"nowwhatwasshe
t
alki
ngabouthelaughed,sti
llhi
s
foodi
nf r
ontofhi
m nevertouchedi
t
Baf
ol:
Dependsonwhat?
"

Hear
t:
Iwantt
ogetcommitt
edIt
hink
nowIam r
eady,
l
et'
sgett
ied"

Baf
ol:
What?
"Hewasconf
used

Heart:
Eatandt alkory ou'
renotgoi ng
toeatthat"shedi dn'twaitfora
repl
yasshepushedhi splate
towardsherwel litwasmushr oom
soupheal l
owedhert ohav eitall,
he
wascer t
ainl
ygladt hathepi ckedthe
corneroftherestaurantwher ethey
werereservedwi thoutmuchey esto
at
tenti
ontothem "Doyoubeli
evein
l
ovethough?"Nowt hatquest
ion
st
artl
edhimtothinksheknewt hati
t
wasBafolnotShane

Baf
ol:
Itexi
st"

Hear
t:
Butdoy
oubel
iev
eini
t?"

Bafol:
Idon'
tbeli
evei ni
tIj
ustenjoy
switchi
nggir
lf
riendsandalloft
hem
arethesamet heyjustwantmy
moneyandt hat'
sitthewordloveis
misused"Tohi mt hatwasthewhole
tr
uthbuthedidn'twanttotalki
nt he
fi
rstandhehasneverbeent
hat
openortrut
hfult
oanyone

Heart:Thelongestloverel
ationshi
pI
wasi nwaswi thuhmmm If orgothis
namebuty ouknowwhathedumped
met hencamebackagai n,hecal l
ed
meandt oldmei t
'soverthef i
rst
ti
meandIbeggedt omeethi mt o
askhim whatwentwr ongifIwasn' t
capableandhesai ditsnouseHear t
becausehecoul dn'tgetwhathe
wantedandmyl if
ebecame
miserableIwasatLov e'
speakandi t
wasexci ti
ngbuthedumpedme, me
ofpeopl eandthesecondt i
mewas
tousemeandgetov
erwi
thy
ou
knowwhy?"

Bafol:
Why?"Somehowhegot
i
nterestedi
nli
steni
ngtoher
bl
abber i
ngnonsense

Heart:
Hewasmar r
iedbutIdidn't
knowt hat"shehadan
expressi
onlessf
acedepicti
ngt he
voi
dt hatshowedthatshehadn'tit
easy"Doy ouwanttoknowwhat
happenednext?"

Baf
ol:
ShamebutheyIam al
lear
s"
Hesaidl ooki
ngathis
wrist
wat ch,
shescoopedsome
mushr oom soupanddrai
neditdown
herthroatmakingasippi
ngsound
thatwassounl adyl
ike

Heart:
Ialmostgav
ehim "shesai
d
putt
ingtheholl
owshapedspoon
backintheplat
e

Bafol
:Gav
ehim what?"befor
ehe
knewithewasbangedont hehead
"Ouchwhatwasthatf
or? "

Hear
t:
Youhav
enotbeenl
ist
eni
ngt
o
me"

Baf
ol:
ComeonIhav
e"

Hear
t:Theny
oushoul
dknowwhatI
al
mostgavehim"

Baf
ol:
You'
respeaki
ngi
nri
ddl
es"

Heart:
AtschoolIwasaper manent
back-
bencherandIal wayssatwi
th
Adelwhobyt hewayi smybest
fr
iendanday earyoungerandshe
wasnat ur
all
yint
ell
igentandIwas
averagebutal way sgoty elledonby
myMom t hatIshoul dimpr ov e
anywayt hatisast oryofanot herday
butmyDadwentt oanyl engt hst o
getmeschool edhet r
eatedmel ikea
boy,Ifailedov erandov erand
repeatedandsuppl ement edont he
subjectsf ail
edt i
llIgotitr i
ghtwi th
exceptionalC' sany wayi ncl assIhad
ahar dtimeconcent r
atingt hefirst
ti
meIf ellI
nl oveandmyf ri
enddi dn't
knowany t
hingaboutl ov ethatt i
me, I
rememberourconv ersationandt he
teachersai d" Canei t
herofy ou
pleaset erminatey ourconv ersationI
am tryi
ngt oteach"shemi mi ckeda
malevoicethi
ckeni
ngherv
oice
,Baf
ollaughed

Bafol:
Wel lt hati ssomeadv entureI
cannev err el atetobecauseIf orone
havenev erf eltthatbutf unnythingis
Ithi
nkIam exper i
encingt hatthingat
32andy oumi ghtthinkitsstrange
butitstrueandIhav enev ersat
downt ot alkwi thagi r
lyouknow
shari
ngl ife'sexper iencesi t
'salways
Iwantt his,Iwantt hatfrom girl
sand
that'
sitnot hi ngoft hesor tof
bondingandwheny ousl eep
togethert heyst ar
taskingf orbigger
thi
ngsl i
kewear einat radebusi ness
"

Heart
:Whenyoufi
ndyourspeci
al
someonedonotl
etthatper
songo"
shesaidgi
vi
ngBaf
olascare

Baf
ol:
Heartdoyouknowwhoyou
ar
etal
kingto?"Heaskedy
etagai
n

Heart:
Ididn'tknowt haty ouwerethis
emotional,youseem ef fusiv
ely
senti
ment alandcol dli
kenowt hat
warmt hi
sbui ldingupbutIam not
sureIthi
nki tsy oubutthereissome
dif
fer
encemay betheaspectofl i
fe
i
sdi f
ferentbutyou'
redi
ff
erentand
youarenotor di
naryandattheend
ofthedayy ouareyou"shepoked
him wit
haspoon

Baf
ol:
You'
reasweethear
t,howdoes
apart
ysound?"Nowhewasput ti
ng
hi
splani
ntoacti
on

Hear
t:
WhynotIhaveneverdone
t
hosethi
ngscan'
tIatl
eastenj
oy
mysel
f"

Bafo:
Sureyoucan"hestoodupand
off
eredhishandandshetooki
t
st
andi
ngupandt
heywal
kedout

Heart:Let
'stakepict
ures,youknow
they'
reimportantt
othememor y
whenwebr eakupwhoknowsbut
thi
stimeIwantal asti
ngt hi
ngy ou
knowIcan' tgoinandoutandIwant
funisther
eany thi
ngwr ongwiththat
? "

Bafol
:Nothi
ngiswrongwi ththat
,comeher el
et'
stakethepi ct
ures"
hepulledhert
ohischestashe
l
eanedbyt hecarandswi t
chedon
hisphonethatwasoffallthiswhil
e
butbef orehecouldgettot he
camer ather ewer
emany
noti
ficati
onsshowi ngofmi ssed
cal
ls,what sappmessagesandal soa
comingt hr oughf
rom Shaneandhe
contempl atedwhethertotakeitor
notbutt henagainwhynot

Shane:BafolImighthavemessedup
butpleasedon'tletherwalkthat
samepat hplease"Bafoll
istenedas
hepickedupShane' scall

Baf
ol:
It
'sherchoi
ceandshei
s
agr
eei
ngt obewit
hmesodon't
di
stur
buspl
ease"hehunguphi
s
phone
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
30]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t27
Shanedr ownedhi mselfinapoolof
guil
tyaf terwhathedi dwi thLatoya
,hebeathi msel fupandhe
under stoodabi tofwher eHear twas
comi ngf rom whenshedeni edhim
ofthef orbiddenf r
uiti
nclaimsof
feeli
ngashamedandgui l
tybefore
Godandt hatwaswhathewas
feeli
ngr ightther eonlythatthe
feeli
ngwast owar dsHear tandhe
j
ustt houghti fGodcoul dhelphi m
nottol ooseHear tinhismessi twas
thefirsttimet ofeelguil
tyafter
doingwhathedi dsadlybutt r
ueshe
wasgoi ngt ogethur tinhismessbut
fi
rstthingsf irsthehadt ogethernot
j
ustabandonherwithst
ranger
sshe
gottomeetthatdayandwhoknows
thatgi
rlwassomehowtooquickshe
mightatt
empttoescapehethought

Shane:
Mari
nhaHie"hepi
ckeduphi
s
phoneandcal
led

Mari
nha:
Shanedi
dyougeti
nal
ri
ght
?"

Shane:
YesIdi
duhmmm i
sHear
t
ther
ewithy
ou?"
Marinha:Nowhatdoyoumeanher e
wit
hmewheny oucameandpicked
herup? ?"Shanewasdisar
ray
ed

Shane:
Whatdoy
oumeanIdi
dn'
t
comether
eMari
nha?
"

Mar i
nha:
Don' tt
ellmeIam t hatdrunk
,thi
rtyminutesagoy oucameand
tookHeartfunnyy ouhadchanged
yourclot
hesandIev enaskedyouon
thatandy oulef
tcar ryi
ngHeartin
yourarms"Nowi tmadesenset o
Shanewhowaspani cking
Shane:
Uhmmm Ithinkyoumetmy
brot
herandconf
usedhimf ormebut
wheredidhegotowithHeart?
"

Mar
inha:
Idon'
tknowwher
ethey
wer
eoffto"

Shane:
Okayanddi
dHear
tagr
eet
o
gowithhi
m? "

Mar
inha:
Ofcour
seshewasdr
unk"

Shane:
Drunkbutshedoesn'
tdr
ink
??"
Mar i
nha:I
t'
sAr genti
newhogother
drunk,shedidn'twantt
oatfi
rstbut
endeduphav i
ngt hr
eebot
tl
esof
vodkabecauseshewassosol ow"

Shane:God,anywayt hanks"he
endedt hecal
landt r
iedtocall
Bafol'
snumberbuti tdidn'
tgo
through,hekepttr
y i
ng,evenputup
messagesf orhim onwhat sappbut
theyonlyti
ckedonce

Hechangedqui
ckly,
lockedhis
bedr
oom door,
grabbedt hecarkey
s
ont hetableandleftr
unningthat
Latoy awasleftwit
hjustquestionsi
f
everythi
ngwasokaywi t
hhim but
sher eal
lydidn'
tcareshewant ed
nowwasShanenowonhersi de
nothingelsemat t
eredthatmoment

Shane:BafolImighthav emessedup
butpleasedon'tletherwal kthat
samepat hpleaseIbegy ou"hesai d
whenBaf olfi
nall
ypi ckeduphi scall
andShanehaddr ivenar oundt ry
ing
tosearchpossiblepl acest hatBafol
coul
dbe, hischil
lspot st hathe
usual
lyhangsar oundbutst i
ll
coul
dn'tlocat
ehi m
Bafol:Takeachi l
lpil
lIhaveascor e
toset t
lefi
rsttheny oucancomeand
takeherbutIwoul dli
ket ohear
aboutt hemessi ngupt hatyouare
tal
kingabout"hedr oppedt hecall
andhi m andHear tstruckaposeas
hetookapi ct
ureoft hetwooft hem
andt hengotint hecarandhehada
fewphonecal l
st omakeal so

Teur
ai:YesShi
..
..
..
..
ImeanBafol"
shebl
atantl
yansweredhercal
l

Baf
ol:
Aret
hegi
rl
spr
epar
ed
,r
emembermyinstr
uct
ionear
li
er
aboutt
hepar
ty?"

Teurai
:Ofcour
sehowcoul
dIf
orget
that"

Baf
ol:
Greatthenyouknowthevenue
by9everyoneshoul
dbethere"

Teur
ai:
Oni
t"t
heydr
oppedt
hecal
l

Baf
olgottohishotel
room af
ter
cal
li
ngsomeonet ofi
xHeart,
whil
e
wai
tinghetookashowerandcame
backt oHear twhowasbusydanci ng
tothesof tmusi cplayi
ngonBaf ol'
s
l
apt opbuthest oppedherpull
ingher
tothebedandgotont opofherand
shehadherey esopenedwideand
hepl antedasof tkissonherli
psand
whenhewant edt ostr
okeherthigh
goingi nbetweenherl egsbutthe
door bellr
angint er
rupt
inghim

Bafo:F**
*"ofal lt
heti
mest oget
dist
urbedi thadtobethatdaybuthe
couldn'
tignorebecausehisplanwas
tobeputi ntoacti
onthatday
especial
lywhenHear twasstil
ldr
unk
orelsehewasn' tgoi
ngtogeta
chancewit
hHeartagain,
hegotof
f
herhisf
eel
ingsshoot
ing

Keisha:
Baf
ol"shegr
eet
edashe
openedthedoorf
orher

Bafol
:Workyourmagiconherhope
youbroughtever
ythi
ngIt
oldyou"

Kei
sha:Ofcour
se"sheraisedthe
bagshehadwithherasshewal ked
i
n"Sheisamess"shesai dlooking
atHear
twhowasl yi
ngont hebed
Bafol:
Ofcourset
hat'
swhyIcal
led
you,shehashadtoomuchtodr
ink"

Kei
sha:
Anewbi
e?"

Baf
ol:
Yes,nowlesstal
kingandwork
onher"hehelpedHeartsi
tupand
Kei
shaheldherbrai
ds

Keisha:
Gosht hey'
reamessbutto
getthem offnowwouldwasteti
me
l
etmef ixthem inst
ead"

Baf
ol:
Dowhaty
ouhav
etodo,
Iam
pay
ingy
ou"

Keisha:
Yessurewehavetogether
dressedandshaveherl
egsyou
mightwannagivemesomeal one
ti
mewi thher"

Bafol
:LetmechangeIwi
llbeint
he
foy
erdon'ttaket
oomucht i
meIam
i
nahur ry"

Kei
sha:Cool"

Baf
oll
eftaf
terwear
inghi
ssl
im-
fi
t
suitandKei shawor kedhermagi con
Hear tgivi
ngheracompl etebody
makeov ert r
ansformat i
on, she
plai
tedonesi deofherbr aidswi th
styl
ishconr owsl eavingtheot her
sidedr oppingaf tergivi
ngi tthem a
curlfli
ckst yleandt henshedr essed
herinal oubout i
nbei geboobt ube
gownt i
ghtf rom topt othekneesand
hadaf i
sht ailfl
arefrom theknees
andcompl i
ment edherl ookwi th
animalpr intheel sandaneckpi ece
thatmat chedwi ththegol denst uds
evenKei shawasamazedwi thher
fi
nalt ouchesshedi d
Keisha:Ipr
esentt
oy ouyourQueen"
shesaidpull
ingHeartwhowas
behindherandshejustgi
ggledand
Bafolwastongueti
edasheputhi s
ci
garaway

Bafol:MyGody ou'
reanAngel"he
saidinador ati
onandt ookherhand
andt healcoholwasf adingalit
tl
ebit
andshewasn' tsureofwhatwas
goingonbuthermi ndwaski nda
distort
edfrom disti
nguishing
normal cyorinsani
ty"Let'sgo"they
walkedoutt ogetherandheadedf or
thev enueoft hepart
y
Theent rancedoorwaswi deopened
forthem asHear tandBaf olentered
holdinghandsandev ery
onegav e
attenti
onl ookingtot hedoorand
wer ewowedwi t
hhowonpoi ntt hey
wer ebutf orHeart'sbuddiesthatshe
camewi thfrom Zimbabwewer e
takenandwonder edhowcomeshe
camewi ththeper sonwhom t hey
assumedas* TheBoss*ast old
them byTeur ait
hattheywer egoi ng
tomeethi mt hatnight

Baf
ol:Hel
logi
rl
s,andgent
leman"he
greet
edev eryonebeforehecouldsit
toahi ghtablepr
eparedf orhi
m and
Heart,Teuraiwasasamazedast he
gir
lsshedi dn'
tknowt hatHeartwas
theimpor t
antpersonwhom Baf ol
wast alki
ngabout

Teurai:
Bafol,
Heartcanjoi
nthe
othersonthatside"shewhispered
toBafolthi
nkingmay beHeartwas
l
ost

Bafol:
Nosheisi
nherri
ghtfulpl
ace
,i
nf actl
etmegett
hisoverwith
beforeshecomest
o"hesai d
cl
i
nkinghiswi
neglassandgot
ev
eryone'
satt
ent
iontolookt
ohis
di
rect
ion

MrMabunda:Yesheaddr essuswe
don'tknowthepurposeofwhywe
weresummoned"hespokei na
whispertohisf
ri
endwhowasbyhi s
si
de

Bafol:ThisisyourQueen,the
mast ermindbehindTheEl i
tet
hose
whower elooki
ngdownonher
thi
nkingshewasofy ourlevel
respectherfrom today
,Iknowshe
act
edli
keoneofy oubutshedi dthat
soyoucouldblendinbutshei snot
oneofyou,shedisgui
sedher selfso
youwouldn'
tfeeloutofplace"

Gi
rl
s:What?
???
"
[
1/25,
13:
30]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t28

MrMabunda:Bafolcanwehav ea
wordpl
ease"het al
kedtohim af
ter
hehadi
ntroducedHeartas*The
El
it
e*Queenofwhi chever
yonewas
puzzl
edwi
tht
hati
nfor
mat
ion

Bafol:Ofcourse"hestoodup
l
eav i
ngHear twhowashav i
ng
champagne, ontopofbeingdr
unk
shewasget tingmoredrunk,

BafolandMrMabundawentand
stoodonthebalconywhi l
ethey
tal
kedandt hegir
lsinsi
dewere
gossipi
ngtoolookingatHeartwho
wasoozingont hewi ne

Fedel
ia:Howisitpossi
bleHear
tisi
n
thegangalso?"
Sandra:
Cometothinkofitdidyou
seethewayshewasf avoredal
way s
goi
ngwi t
hadif
ferentcaralway
s"

Tambu: Soshedi
sgui
sedhersel
fasa
vi
ctim hmmmm somepeopleare
wicked,sothi
smeanssheisthe
boss'swife"

Fedel
ia:Whataboutallt
hebeati
ngs
sherecei
vedfrom Shanethatt
ime
onourwayt othi
splace?"
Sandr a:
Theywerecover i
ngupdidn'
t
youseet hatshewast akencareof
afternxaanowt othi
nkt hatshe
pretendedtosobforsilentwhenshe
i
st heonewhoki ll
edherbyput t
ing
drugsi nourf
ood"

Fedeli
a:MyGodshewasal way s
aheadwithinf
ormat
iondidyouev er
noti
cethatsheknewthatthefood
haddrugsbutshehersel
fneverate
thefood"

Tambu:
Justt
omakeitl
ookl
ikewe
aret
oget
her,
Ihat
ehernowand
thereisnowaywear egoinghome
now, wewerehopinginher
confidencet
omakeusoneday
escapeandImi ssmyboy fri
end"
shewasaboutt ocry,
Hear tsawthat
thegirl
sweretalki
ngl
ookingather
oftensosheleftMrAgosht i
novel
a
whowaswi t
hherandwal kedtothe
girl
s

Heart:Hel
lohell
o"shesaidsmili
ng
andnotabl et
owal kproper
ly
,Fedelial
ostitt
hatinst
antand
slappedHeart
Fedeli
a:Youbi t
ch"Shesl appedher
hardthatBaf olheardfr
om the
Balconyandwal kedinandFedeli
a
wasonf ul
lforceandslappedher
again

Heart:
Areyoucrazy?"sheasked
abouttochargetohertoobutTeur
ai
caughtherandFedeli
atoowas
caughtbyherbuddies

Bafol:
Whydidyoudothathuh?"He
grabbedFedel
iaonherneckandshe
beganchokingnoonedaredtost
op
hi
m
Fedel
ia:Iam sor
ry"shespoke
coughing

Heart:
Howcouldshebeatmejust
l
ikethat?
"Sheaskedtryi
ngto
rel
easehersel
ffr
om Teur
ai'
sstr
ong
hold

Bafol:
Youwi
llapol
ogizet
ohernow
orelsewewi
llburyyoudoyouhear
me? "

Fedel
ia:
Yesy
esnowpl
easel
etme
goy
ou'
rehur
ti
ngme"

Bafol
:Youwi
llkeepyoursel
fatyour
l
evelandyouwillgetusedtot
his
youhearme? "

Fedeli
a:Yes"Bafoll
etgoofherand
sherubbedherneckcoughing"Iam
sorr
yHear t"shesai
d

Baf
ol:
Grovelatherf
eetrightnow"
hecommandedFedel i
awhoknel t
bef
oreHeart"Goodapologizenow"
Fedel
ia:Iam sor
rymyQueen"

Bafol
:Goodnowki ssherfeet"she
di
dasshewasi nstr
uctedandkissed
Heart'
sfeetasshehadr emovedher
heels

Every
onewasqui etlooki
ngatthe
absurdobsceni
tytakingpl
aceand
noonecomment edknowingBafol
hadar agi
ngtemper

Bafol
:BabyIam sor
ryar
eyouOkay
?
"heputhishandsonHeart
's
shoul
ders
Heart:Iam f
ine"Baf olthengav eher
asof tpeckonhercheekandhel d
herhandgoi ngtosi tdown, heloved
herandhehasnev erfeltthatwayf or
agirl,hewasn'tapol ogeti
ct hough
forusingherasagoal -
getter,hehad
tosett hi
ngsstraightput t
ingt hegirl
s
i
nl i
nebyt ur
ningt hem agai nstHear t
whom t heyhadt heirhopei nf orever
comi ngupwi t
hanescapepl an

MrAgosht
inov
elast
eppedoutashi
s
phoner
anganditwasShane
MrAgosht
inovel
a:ShaneBuddy"he
pi
ckeduphiscal
lgoingout
side

Shane:Hell
o,Iwasatyourpl
ace
l
ookingforBafoandIheardfrom
Tatathatyouwentouttoapar t
yis
Bafotherebyanychance?"

MrAgosht
inovel
a:Yesheist
heone
whosetupthi
spartyandIwas
act
ual
lyamazedthatyouweren'
t
her
e"

Shane:
Nohedidn'
tsayany
thi
ng
,wherei
sitbei
nghel
d?"
MrAgoshtinovela:I
nCazadIwas
wonderi
ngwhathappenedt hough
whyisthatgir
lwi t
hy ourbr
otherand
bei
ngintr
oducedas* TheEli
te*
Queen?"Heaskedi nalowv oi
ce
l
ookingaroundiftherewasn't
anyoneeavesdroppingonhim

Shane:What? ,
howcouldBafoldo
thatanywayIwi l
lbether
einnotime
Iwasact ual
lyinCazadsear
chingfor
Bafol"

MrAgosht
inov
ela:Okayt
hen"he
endedthecallandturnedbackand
bumpedinwit hTeurai"Ooohmy
Godhowl onghav eyoubeenhere?"
Heaskedstartledbreat
hingontop
ofhisl
ungs

Teur
ai:Longenought
ohearyour
conv
ersati
on"shesai
dwithasmile

MrAgoshti
nov
ela:Okay"he
pr
etendedt
obecoolheaded

Teurai
:Arey
ouwonderi
ngwhat
Bafoldi
dasmuchasIam too?
"She
askedMrAgosht
inov
elaashewas
aboutt
opassTeur
ai

MrAgoshtinovela:Yesbutdidyou
knowaboutt hatandsincewhen
uhmmm any waywewi llt
alkt
he
wall
shaveear s"hesai dashesaw
Bafolupaheadont hebal
cony
l
ookingathim ashewassmoki ng
ther
eholdi
ngHear t

Teurai
:Sur
e"shegott hesignaland
walkedaheadwithouttur
ning
knowingthatBafolwaswat ching
andhewashav ingbadener gies
drawnbyt het
wocoul dn'
tquitetell
whattheywereuptoandi nhi smind
hewast hi
nki
ngmay beoneoft hem
i
saspy, hewasgoingt ot
r acethem
hethoughtasheinhaledthegr eyi
sh
smokeandpuf f
editintheai r

Bafol:Weshoul dgo"hesai dto

Hear tandtheywal kedinandhet ook
hershoesandknel tdownput t
ing
them onherf eetonebyoneandt hey
walkedoutandt hetense
atmospher er eleasedthemomenthe
walkedout ,ev eryonefearedhim and
helikeditli
ket hatknowingthat
familiar
it
ybr eedscont empt
Hegoti nthecarbuthi swaywas
blockedbyShane' scarbeforehe
coulddr iv
eoutf rom thepremi ses
andt herewasnowayhewasgoi ng
outunl essdr i
v i
ngst r
aightinto
Shane' scar,theybot hremai nedon
theirseatslooki ngateachot her
,Baf olwasjustt hinkingOoohIam
tool atehowdi dthisguyfindmeand
Shanewast hinkinglet'
sseewhat
youwi l
ldoandhi sey esdartedto
Hear twhol ookedl ikeshewasa
walki ngdeadper son,Shanegotout
ofhi scarfir
st
Shane:
OpenthedoorBaf
oll
etme
haveher"hesai
dtry
ingt
oopent
he
dooronHeart
'ssi
debuti
twas
l
ocked

Bafol
:Mov
eyourcarIam goi
ngwi
th
her"

Shane:NoBafol,shewon'tendup
l
ikethoseothergirl
s,somenowi n
mentalhospit
als,somerecov eri
ng
fr
om strongdrugabusepl easelet
herwalkout,everyt
hingyout ouch
Bafolt
urnsspoiled"Bafollaughed
Baf
ol:
Comeont
hat
'st
rueIwi
llt
ake
car
eofher"

Shane:
Youhavefail
edalr
eadyhow
coul
dletafi
rstt
imerconsumet oo
muchalcoholi
tcankil
lhereat
ing
awayherint
esti
nes"

Baf
ol:
Ooohandyouaredoi
ngagood
j
obbyleav
ingheratt
hebeachhuh?
"

Shane:Shewasingoodhandswith
thoseladi
esthat
'swhyIl
efther
there"
Baf
ol:
Real
ly?
?"Heaskedl
aughi
ng

Shane: Yesnowopent hedoororI

am goi ngtoshooty ou"hebr ought
outhi spist
olfr
om hi sbackt uckedin
hisjeanandcov eredwi thitwi t
hhis
T-shirt,Baf
olsawt hattheguywas
seri
ousandhehadnev erseenhi m
l
iket hat,hehadnev erchall
enged
himt hatmuch, hewast ooobedi ent

Bafol:
Okayokaywestil
lneedeach
othernoneedtokil
leachother"he
openedthedoortoHeart'
ssideand
Shanetookherandit'
sasi fHear
t
wasbonelessorwithoutjoi
ntsas
shesli
dtothegroundlikearubber
snake

Shane:Let'sgo"heputhi sgunaway
caref
ullylookingatBaf olandhe
l
ift
edHear tandt ookhertohi scar
hewasst illlooki
ngatBaf olashe
gotinthecarhi msel fanddr oveof
f"
Didhedoany t
hingt oyou?"He
askedbuthesawt hatshewast oo
drunktoanswerhi m backand
wouldn'tgivehim ast rai
ghtanswer
"I
tsmyf aul t"hesobbed, r
eally
¿and
hedidn'tknowwhatt hosetears
wereforr eal
ly
,weret heyforhissi
n
thathehadcommi t
tedear l
ieronand
wasscar edhowHear twasgoingto
reacttoitorweret het ear
soutof
pit
yingHear t,
hesawonherneck
thatshehadal ov ebitemar kand
wonder edifBafolsleptwithher

Latoya:
Whathappened?"Sheasked
Shaneseei
nghim enter
ingcar
ryi
ng
Heartonhi
sback

Shane:Mi
ndy ourbusi
nessTsitsi"he
rudel
ysaidandLatoyacli
ckedher
tongueandwhydi dhecallherwith
thatnameanywayandshewas
thi
nkinghegotwhathewant
ednow
heisrude

Lat
oy a:
Wil
lseewer eitwi l
lendup"
shelockedthedoorbehi ndhim and
gotbacktot hecoucht osleepand
shewonder edifBafolhadl i
stened
totheaudioshesenthi m

Shane:Takeoffyourdressandput
ony ourni
ghty"hetal
kedtoHear tbut
hesawt hatitwasuseless,hehad
nochoicethantoundressherast he
dresswast ooti
ghttosleepin,she
woul dn'tbr
eathpr operly,he
unzippedt hedressf rom theback
andt urnedherandshef acedupand
hesl owlybegant or emov eitandher
breastswer eexposedt ohim asshe
didn'thaveanybr aon, thedr esshad
sil
iconsuppor toni t
'sown" Fuck"he
stoppedl ooki
ngatt hef ullround
breastsandheswal l
owedbuthe
turneddownev erythoughthehad
remindinghimsel fofwhathedi d
andt hathedidn'tdeser veher
any moreandt hatheshoul dn'tt
ake
herinnocencef oritbelongst othe
manwhowast ofaithfull
ylov eher
thatisifBafolhadnotal ready
enter edher, sohedr oppedt hedr ess
offf rom herwai standshewas
wear i
ngar edthongandhecar ef ul
ly
pushedhert osleepont heot herend
andcov eredherwi thabl anketand
het ookof fhisclothestooj ustl eft
withshor tsandhewenti ntoshower
andhet ooksomet imet hought s
attacki ngandwonder edifhecoul d
l
etHear tgo,wellthatwasanot her
story, hewal kedoutoft heshower
andcheckedt hedoor sandt he
windowsandswi tchedof fthel ights
,Lat oyahaddr i
ftedt osleept oo, he
wal kedbacki nhisbedr oom l ocked
upandsl eptont hebedatf i
rstnear
Heartbutt
henpushedf
arawayf
rom
heranddidsomemorethi
nki
ngunt
il
hedosedoff

Hewokeupi nthemi ddl

eofthe
ni
ghtt of i
ndHeartontopofhim
complet el
ynakednow andhewas
star
tl
edandhi sshor t
swasont he
fl
oor,howdi dthathappenhe
wonder ed

Heart:
ShaneI
'ver
eal
izedIam not
growinganyy
oungerIam readyso
f*
* *me"
*
*
*
*
.
.
.nextchaptercont
ainsexpl
ici
t
content,r
eadersdiscr
eti
onis
advised
[
1/25,
13:
30]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t29

Eat
ingoft
hef
rui
t
Hear t
:ShaneIam r
eadyf**
*me"she
saidandhewasast oundedofher
choiceofwor dssi
ncewhendidshe
startusingtheFwords

Shane:Uhmmmm "hesatuplift
ing
herandmadehersitbyhi
sside" You
aredrunk"hesaid,
hewasturnedon
notevenabitbutalot

Heart
:NoIam not"shel ookedhim
i
ntheeyes,Shanereachedforhis
phonetochecktheti
meandt he
cl
ockstruck4inthemorningandhe
knewthatt
heal
coholwasf
adi
ngi
n
hersy
stem

Shane:Howareyoufeel
ing,doyou
feelaburni
ngsensat
ioninyour
stomachoraheadache? "

Heart
:St
omachno,
headachey
es
sl
ight
ly"

Shane:
Bhabharasi(
hangover)"he
sai
d"Doy ourememberthedetail
s
aboutyest
erday?"
Heart
:Someofitandsomearei
n
fastf
orwardpi
ctur
esIdon'
t
underst
andit"

Shane:
Okayy
ou'
resl
owl
ycomi
ngt
o
"

Heart:
Nowlaywi
thme"shedrew
cl
osertohi
m sosur
eofwhatshe
wantedasl
ectur
edbyMari
nha

Shane:
Iwi
llnotf
***
*you"

Hear
t:I
ttakesmuchconf
idencet
o
askfori
tyouknowandi
tseemsI
am t
heonlynotdoi
ngi
t"

Shane: Iwillmakel ovetoy ounotf **

*
you"hesai dandgott oherandf ixed
thepi l
lowandl aidhertheresoftl
y,he
wassl owl ybecomi ngbli
ndt owhat
hedi dint heaf t
ernooninf actbli
nd
toev eryt
hi ngcr av i
ngthegameof
twoandnot hingel sewasgoi ngt o
seizetomat teronlyhim andHear t
woul dbeexi st i
ng,sheplayedwi t
h
herfeeti nert, spreadthatheputhi s
headbet weenhert hi
ghs,hercl
it
erectedenoughashebeganhi s
wor kfrom t her e,i
twasdr ivenby
l
ov eheassur edhi msel f,shewas
tensebutherhandswer esl owl y
findingt heirwayt ohishead" Don't
holdi tin"hesai dseeinghowt ense
shewasbutf aceexpr ession
changi ngandwhenhesai dt hatit'
s
asi fshewasgi venper missi onto
l
oosenupandbef r
eeandt hi sti
me
theshar pecst asyofherown
passi onov ercameherasshel etout
herv oice, handsnowi nShane' s
headmassagi nghishai randher
bodybegant oj erkandShanef ound
himsel fmov edwi ththev oiceofher
moani ngt hatsentsomeexci t
ed
signalsi nhi sbodyt ooashe
cont
inuedt oli
ckherv ulv
awi t
hhi s
ski
ll
fultongue,shefeltherbut
t
ti
ghteni
ngandat i
cklishexper
ience
sweepingforthstar
tingatthetoes
coming,comingtothest omach

Hear t:
AaaaaaaaaaShaaaane"a
rhythmiccr yi
ngcameasapower ful
orgasm maneuv eredl i
keagi ant
pulseandt ookov erherbodyasshe
shook, herli
mbsst if
fenedandshe
wasl ikethisisthesexandt hought
thatsheshoul ddoi tmoreof ten,he
l
ookedt obeenjoy ingstimulatingher
manual lynowashemov edand
startedkissingsucki ngthesal toff
eachot her'
stongueandhest opped
tosuckhert wot wi
ntower st hathe
forev eradored,shedidn'tknowt hat
ever ybodypar twasexcept ionall
y
deliciousoni town,shecameal so
byt hef ondli
ngofthebr easts,she
didn'twanti ttoendandhewas
takinghi sti
meonhert hatwast he
goodt hing

Shane:
Thisisgoingt ohurt"hesaid
ashewant edtopr epareyetheway
whenheinsertedtwof i
nger
si nher
,sheshudderedast heyenteredbit
bybit,
shecaughtont hepil
low,"
Easy"hewaswat chingherreacti
on
ashenowf ullysunki nhisf ingersin
andaherf l
ui dsmadesomesounds
ashebegant omov ethosef ingersin
her,howdi dhedoi tshewonder ed
ashisot herhandwasbackont he
cli
tmov ingitsi detosi deandshe
wasgaspi ngf orair,i
twascomi ng
againmor edel i
ciousthatt hef ir
st
,herchestr isingandf alli
ngr api
dly
now, helookedt obecasualbut
urgedherown" That '
sitbabycr yfor
me"hesai dandshedi dn'twhyshe
wasobedi entasshecr iedf orhim
rai
singherheadt olookathi m and
whenhest oppedshedr oppedi ton
thepill
owandspacet imedt he
cry
ing"You'
rewetbutnowt
hisi
s
goingt
ost i
ng"

Heart:
Okay"andshewasl i
keIam
ready,nowonderit'
sf orbidden
becauseit'ssweet,heknel tandshe
l
ookedashehadhi sdi ckinhi shand
andshel ookedatitreallynicelyas
heraisedherlegspushi ngt hem
backwardsl i
kehewant edt opusha
wheelbarrow

Shane:Flexi
bleenough"heasked
gett
ingt osomepoi ntwi
tht
he
str
etchingofherlegsandasked
whent heywereabovet
he
bel
lybuttonandhehadful
lvi
ewof
herpussy

Hear t
:Yes"andhest oppedt hem
hangingint heairli
ket hathest arted
rubbinghimsel fontheent rancehe
wasl ookingathermer cif
ully
becauset hepai nnowwasgoi ngto
come, butaf t
erthatwi l
lbepl easur e
nowhebegant oenterher, shewas
sealedhenot icedandshewashi s
forthetakingandwant edt omakea
memor yofherf i
rstnight,his
mushr oom headwassl owlygoi ng
throughandshewasant i
cipating
andshefelti
tthet eari
ngpainast he
hymenbrokeitwassopai nfulshe
wantedhimtost op" Shane"she
wantedtoprotestsbuthedi dn'
t
l
ist
entoher

Shane:Iwil
ltakecareofy ou"he
sai
dashewashal f
wayt hroughand
shewasbi t
ingherlipsandt ensed
hermusclesagainandt houghtOooh
myGodt hisisitIam nowanex
vi
rgi
nandl ostmyv irgini
tytohim,my
l
ove,shedidn'twantt oseehim as
anyt
hingmor ethanherman, t
heman
shelovesotherwiseshewasgoi ng
tohatehimifshet hinksofthe
kidnappi
ngandthefreedom she
everlongdesi
redbutri
ghttherehe
washermanandhopedi tt
ost ay
l
ikethat

Whenhewasf ull
yinsideher, shefel
t
nothingbuthisdi ckinherst omach
,hisbodyonher, nowhol dingt he
l
egsashemov edwithinherback
andf orthandshewasmaki ngsome
soundsofpai nhi swasl ooki ngin
herey esmov i
ngsl owly,heseemed
tobegoodatt hisshet hought, she
fel
tsomet autcombi ningitselfwith
thepai nandrightthereof f
er edno
resist
anceandasmal lfr
enzywas
vi
sit
inghi
mtooashebegant
o
swall
ow

Shane: Sweet"hest art

edincreasing
pace, andhet oowaschangi ngf ace
almostaf rown, fornoonesmi l
esat
suchat ime, hear chedhimsel fthe
mor et owardsherandhecoul d
senset hepleasur ealmostcomi ng
,hisscr otum ,feet,hands,
feetwent
i
cycol dasheshr iveledandr oared
andt hismadehernut sasshe
l
ookeddownonhi m, nowt hatwas
fucking, hefelthotai rdownhi sback
start
ingt of orm sweatandhebur i
ed
hisheadonherchestashewas
blowi ngupi nsi de,theyf olded
towar deachot herandt herewasa
splashsoundofupperbodi esand
thebangi ngbed, shef eltabl oodr ush
ashespunhi shipsandhef elt
electricandt heycamet oget hershe
wasmoani ngandhegr oani ng,yes
thiswasl ove,thebounci ngoft he
buttocksandt hemeet ingofv agina
andpeni s,thiswasdi v
inel ove,that
drov et hem bot hcr azyandwhen
theyf inall
ycaughtt hei
rbr eat hand
pulledt hebl anketupandki ssedher
,smi l
ingandher ol
ledov ersleptby
hersi deandt urnedhert ohi m
,strokedherear sandpl ayedwi th
herf
reebraids,
"Mywoman"hesaid
al
mostproudandbroughtherhead
onhischestandshemutt
eredmy
manandt hencametheguil
ty.
..
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t30
Af
ter
mat
h&Possessi
veness.
..
..

Afterherbodygotusedt ohi stouch

thefirsttime, itwasnowmor esex
,shesoonl earntthatf i
rstr oundwas
towel comeheri ntowomanhood
andwhatf ollowedaf terthatwas
him showi nghert hathenowowns
her,herbody, hereverythingbody
andsoul, hegav ehermor et hana
memor yandshewasgoi ngt o
cherishi t,thatexperiencewas
i
mpr intedort attooedonherl ong
ter
m memor ywaywaydeepi nher
consci enceandshepr omi sed
herselfthatshewasgoi ngt o
r
ememberherf
ir
stencount
er

Latoyat hatdaymust '

vegot t
en
bored,irri
tated,agitat
edorper haps
annoyedbecauset hetwower en't
stoppingandi twashi m cont r
oll
ing
forshedi dn'tknowany thingyetbut
shewasl ear ni
ngf astbecausesome
touchesshedi dmadehi m go
bananasandshewoul dknowt o
repeatitagai nandev en
experi
ment edgoi ngont opofhi m
andthr ustslookingathi m notsur eif
shewasdoi ngitrightbuthehel ped
hermov eashehel dhertightont he
waistandmov edherupanddown
,upanddownl iket hattillshecr ied
l
ooki ngt ot hecei l
ingandherl egs
becameweakandt hef ortht imehe
l
azilyent er edherf rom herback
holdingandr aisingheronel egand
mov edsl owl yonherandt heor gasm
camesl owl yt ooandt hecr ying,
the
nudgi ng,sucki ng,poki ng,slapping,
fondling, andki ssingcameonl ow
modet oount iltheyf ellasl eep,the
sunwashi ghl i
ght i
ngt her oom wi th
i
tsbeaut ifulray swer eal lf i
ll
edin
theirbedr oom

Theroom wasf
il
ledwi
tht
he
aft
ermat
hsmellofpur
esexwhen
shefel tabreezepassi ngt hr ough
herbar ebackandshenowf el
ta
sorenessonherV, shet urnedandhe
wasnoti nbedwi thherandshe
wonder edwherehehadgonet obut
sherestassur edwhenshesawhi s
carkey sandphone, shet ur nedand
l
ookedbackt othewal lagai nt o
sl
eepsomemor ebutshehear dhi
m
walkingi nandshewasst illfora
momentt ohearwhathewasupt o
buthecl i
mbedont hebedand
ki
ssedherbackneckgoi ngdown
tr
aili
ngherbackwi thki ssesandso
shesl owlyturnedandherey esmet
andshy nessovercameherandshe
wast
heonet
obr
eakey
econt
act
f
ir
st

Shane:Al
mostgoodaf ternoont
oyou
"hesmi l
edandshesmi l
edback
bi
tingherlowerl
ipcoveringher
breast
swi t
htheblanket

Heart
:I
sitgoi
ngtoafter
noonal
ready
?"Sheaskedbutsheknewthey
havebeeninbedforsometi
me

Shane:
Yesandwehav
etoshower"
Heart
:We??
"Sheaskedgi
vi
nghi
ma
naught
ysmil
e

Shane:
YesWe,orus,
i
t'
snol
onger
youorInowbutwe"

Heart:
Ili
ket
hat"hedrewnight oher
andhisli
pscaughther
sandt hey
exchangedsal
iv
ainakiss,stopped
whensomef eel
ingwasfl
ickeri
ng
again

Shane:Ihav
etochanget hesheet"
sheglancedonthemi ddl
eandher
i
nnocencewasleftthereandother
j
uicesweret
her
ethatwer
epr
oduced
bythebody

Heart:
Okay"shepushedher selft
o
theedgeofthebedandhecamet o
helpherupi
t'sasifheguessedt hat
shehadnost rengt
hinherthighs

Shane:
Wehav etofir
stbuythem "he
thr
ewtheblanketonthefl
oorand
shewastyi
ngherr obeon

Hear
t:
What?
"
Shane:
Thesheet
s"het
ookt
hedi
rt
y
oneoff

Heart
:Don'
ttel
lmet hi
swasy our
onl
ysheet?"Hepassedasat chetof
morni
ngafterpil
ls,shedi
dn'tknow
whattheywereforasnothingwas
wri
tt
enont hesatchet

Shane:Takeonenow,anotherone
l
ater"hesaidbutshethought
maybehewast hinki
ngshehasa
headache

Hear
t:
Okay"sheputt
hem i
nher
shelfwheresheputherclot
hesand
thepacketsli
dofffr
om thefrontas
shehadputont opofsil
kmat eri
alof
hernight
dressmakingiteasytofall
andwentt othebackoftheshelfshe
didn'
tnoti
ce

Shane:Ther ewasat i
met hatmy
staffi
nher ewerestolenwhenIwas
awayt hat'swhyIdon'thavemany
things"hesaidfol
dingt heblanket
andputi tbackonthebedand
pickedthesheetupandwal ked
towardst hedoorandsheputonher
mor ni
ngshoesandf oll
owedhi m and
theywenti nthebathroom ,Latoya
l
ookedatthem andt hesheetShane
washoldi
ng,t
henl ookedbackt oher
f
eetthatwasont het ableasshe
wasbusyputt
ingonnai lpol
ish

Heart
:Soy
ou'r
e..
..
..
..
?"Sheaskedas
shesawShaneputalit
tl
ewateri
n
thet
ubandwashingpowder

Shane:
Soaki
t,wi
llwashi
tlat
erwhen
wecomeback"her emovedhisT-
shi
rt

Hear
t:
Arewegoingsomewhere?"
Sheaskedundoi
ngthest
rapbel
tof
herrobeandshef
eltsor
edown
ther
e

Shane:Yesf orsheets,blanketsor
whatevery oumi ghtneed"hesai d
nowl oweringhi sbri
efsandt hey
wereont hef loorandshel ookedat
him nakedpassi nghergoi ngt othe
showerpanandshedr oppedher
robeandj oinedhim andhewas
soapinghist owelafterwet ti
ngitand
thenputitonherchestashemov ed
i
tbat hi
ngher

Hear
t:
Icandoi
t"shet
ri
edt
otake
hi
stowelbuthemov
edhi
shand

Shane:Nol etme"hesai dand

mov edt hetowelonherbr eastsand
underneatht hem goingt othe
stomachandhesquat t
edanddi d
thesamewi thherlegsl eavingthe
centreofhoney -nessandst oodup
andmadehert urnandmov edt he
towelonherbackal soandshe
turnedonherownwhenshef elthe
wasdoneandhewasonhi sbody
now, sheleanedandr eachedf or
Latoya'sshowercapandputi tov er
herbraids,thatwasonet hingtoadd
tothelistalso,shethought, he
embr acedheraswat erhitt
heir
bodiesandshef el
thismanhood
pokinghi m asthei
rey eswereclosed
enjoyingthehotwat ercuddli
ngand
touchingandhewoul dbe
whisperinginherearandshewoul d
whisperback, coul
dt hereeverbea
romant i
cmomentl i
keshewas
havingthatt i
me

Shewast hefirstt
ocomeoutoft he
bathroom l
eavinghimtomopand
sheandLat oy
aexchangedey es
,Latoya'
seyeswer echal
lengi
ngher
andshewasl ikegetoutandshe
i
gnor edgoi
ngt othebedr
oom ,she
changedi ntohi ghwai stski
nnyjeans
andawhi tecropt opgoshtheguy
hadt astebutonet hi
ngofthetwo
hadt obeshor tl uckythejeanswer e
highwai standwhenshest oodon
themi rror,picturesbegant ohaunt
herseei ngher sel fwithBafol,
seeing
Fedeliasl appingher, shethoughtis
i
tav i
sionofwhatt ocomeor" mxm"
shecl i
ckedhert ongueandi gnored
thinki
ngi t'sadr eam shemusthav e
hadbuti tfel
tsor eal

Heart:Whattha..
..
..
..
."Shewas
surpri
sedlooki
ngatherbrai
ds
plai
tedonesideandwonder edwhat
happenedandshesawagai nthi
s
pictureofagi rlgoingherhairand
shewasnowconf usedi fwhatshe
wasseei nghappenedandt err
ifi
edif
Baf oldidsomet hingtoherbuther
vi
r gini
tywast akenbyShanebut
whati fhedi dsomeot hermeans, we
aret al
kingaboutpr of
essional
sexi st
sher e,shet houghtasshesaw
her sel
flyingont hebedandBaf ol
ki
ssi ngher

Shane:
Whatar ethi
nkingabout?"He
askedseeingherwithaconfused
l
ookstari
ngont hemi rr
orst
anding
l
ikeastatue
Heart:
Not hing"shesai daf r
aidto
askthinkingmay behewoul dt hi
nk
sheistwot i
mi nghim andhi sbrother
ther
eforeendi ngupt hesameashi s
pastgirl
friends,hejustlookedather
asshechangedt oo"Whi chonei s
comingoutni cel
ythepumps? "She
putonpumpsonherf eetandhe
l
ookedatherf r
om toptobot tom and
nodded" Ort hesandals"she
removedpumpsandputonsandal s
andhenoddedt hemor eonsandal s

Shane:
Sandal
sar
egoi
ngwel
lwi
th
thatbuti
twasgoingtobemor e
niceri
fyouhadsneakers"hesai
d
andshesawt hepict
urehewasright
,sheagreed

Shane:Todayi
syourarr
anged
bi
rthdayandwewillhavef
unwhat
doy ouwanttodo?"

Heart
:Eatcakeandi
cecr
eam and
..
..
..
..
..
"Shewasdreamer
yal
ready

Shane:
You'
renol
ongery
oung"t
hey
l
aughed
Heart:
Wellwhatdogr ownupsdo? "
Theybothlookedont hebedand
theyl
aughedast hepictureofwhat
theydi
dcamebackt omi nd,she
tookherbackpackstuffeditwithher
makeupkitandat i
ssue, shedidn'
t
knowwhatel setoputint her
ethan
thatf
orherbagt ohaveshape

Latoya:
You'
regoingout?"Sheasked
seeingthet
wolookingfr
esh,al
iv
e
andhappywalkingoutholdi
nghands

Shane:
Yes"
Lat
oya:Wi
thoutcooki
ng?
"

Shane: Youhav ehandscookf or

yourselfandwhi l
eati tcl
eanthe
dishesandt hehouse"Hear tl
ooked
atherast heypassedandshewas
l
ef twithhermout hopenandshe
saidOkaywewi l
lsee,shetookher
wal l
etandonl yuselesscoinsrol
led
fr
om i t,sheangri
lythrewitawayand
screamedhol di
ngthecouchcushi on

Latoy
a:Aaaaaaaah"thatwas
fr
ustr
ationati
tsbest,shecoul
dn'
t
buyany
thi
ngorgoany
wher
e

"Unj
aniShane"awomangr eet
ed
Shanewalki
ngf r
om anot
her
apart
mentasheandHear twere
abouttoentert
hecar

Shane:
Ngi
yaphi
lamaawenaandt
he
ki
ds? "

"
Wear
efi
net
hanks,
yourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"

Shane:
Yessayhell
oHear
tthi
sis
MamaKasi bongi
le"
Hear
t:
Hel
loandni
cet
omeety
ou"

"Nicet
omeety out oo"shesmil
ed
"Letmenotdelayy ouandOooh
Shaneifyouhearofany onewho
wouldli
ketodobaby sit
tingf
ora
wholeofkidstel
lthem wewantone
here"shesaidandHear thadan
i
dea

Shane:
Okaywi
lll
etyouknow"hegot
i
nthecarandsodidHeart
Hear
t:
Isi
tOkayi
fIbaby
sit?
"

Shane:
Hmmmm Idon' tknowwil
lyou
beabletodoitthough?"Heasked
ashewasdr i
ving

Heart
:Icaniftheypaymeify
ou'
re
okaywithit"helaughed

Shane:Ofcour
seitwil
lbeokaybutI
don'twantyoutodevel
op
fr
iendshi
psandall"

Hear
t:
Okay"shel
ookedoutt
othe
wi
ndow

Shane:Youcando, youcanbr i
ngthe
ki
dstoourpl ace"shewashappyshe
ki
ssedhi m onthecheek" Butki
ds
hmmmm t heywillgi
vey oua
headacheandt heywillbemany"

Heart:That'
snotaproblem "she
smiledandheparkedsomewher eas
i
tseemst heywer
eintownandt hey
walkedt oafoodi
nnboughtasmuch
andwal kedtoatr
ainstati
on"And
thi
spl ace?"
Shane:
Wearegoi
ngtohaveat
rai
n
date,
havey
oueverbeenonat
rai
n?"

Hear
t:
No"

Shane:Wellt
odayyou'
regoi
ngtobe
i
naf asttr
ainforst
art
ersmaybe
l
aterinli
feaplane"

Heart
:Soundsfun"theyr odeont
he
tr
ainassoonasi tcame" Whoait
's
asgoodasapl ane"shecomment ed
assheadmi r
edthei nsi
deofit
Shane:Sowearegoi ngt
oeatand
cel
ebrateyourbi
rthdayandwecan
gobackhomel ate,whodareask?
"

Hear
t:
Noone"hel ai
dthefoodon
t
hetablebet
weenthem "
Whereare
wegoingexact
ly?
"

Shane:
Apl acecal
ledLebomboi
t'
s
nice,
wil
lbuyy ousneaker
sandwe
cangotrekking"

Hear
t:
Ehhwhit
epeopl
e'
sli
fest
yle"
t
heybothl
aughed
Shane:
Usedt
odoi
twi
thmyDad"

Hear
t:
Ooohthat'
sni
ce,
whereishe
now?"Hechangedf
aceexpr
ession

Shane:
Hepassedon"

Hear
t:
OoohShaneIam sor
ry"

Shane:
Don'
tbe"hesmi
led

Hear
t:
Howdi
dhe?
"Hel
ookedather
withthekindeyesayingitsover
don'tpushitfur
therdon'twantto
talkaboutitanymore"Uhmmm l ook
"shesaidpoi nt
ingoutthewindow
andshest olehismeatandst ar
ted
giggli
ng

Shane:
Ther
eisnothi
ngthere"he
l
ookedbackanddidn'
tnoti
ceany
di
ffer
enceandHeartwasjust
gi
ggli
ng"What?"

Hear
t:
Nothing"shehadabiteoft
he
meatwhenhewasaboutt olooki
n
hi
sfoodhisphonevibr
ated
Heopenedapi ct
uresenttohim by
Bafolofhim andHear tt
akent he
previ
ousdayandwasaski ngShane
howhel ookedwit
hher,shewas
smili
ngandhewasal loverher,he
fel
tjealousbutwhyshouldhe, he
washer sandshewashi s,he
concludedabouttogoof fl
ine

Heart
:Whatarey
ouseeingther
e
f
rowning?"Sheaskedbutdi
dn'
tget
arepl
yasShanewast ypi
ng

Shane:
Youl
ookedgr
eat
_"hesent
themessageandBafolsentan
audiotohim,hebr
oughtouthi
s
earphonesandmyGod,Shaneknew
hewasi nfori
t

Bafol
:Ihaveat askf
ory ouin
Zimbabwe, i
fyouref
uset hataudio
wil
lfi
ndi t
'swayt oy
ourHear t_"he
knewt hathewasgoi ngtobea
puppetnowandhedi dn'tknowwhen
i
twasgoi ngt obeoversinceyoung
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[1/
25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t31

Hear t:
Shaney ouhav enotbeen
yourselfforsomet i
mewhy? "She
askedast heywer esight
seei
ngand
trekkingi
nt hehillsi
deofLebombo
town, Heartdidn'tknowwher ethat
was, whatev ercountrybuti
tdidn't
mat terwhatmat teredwasshewas
wi
thShane

Shane:
Iam f
inedon'
tworr
y"Hear
t
st
oppedandputherhandsar
ound
Shane'
sneck

Heart:BabyIlovey ouandIwanty ou
toknowt hatIwi l
lalwaysbet here
foryounomat t
erwhat"shecoul dn'
t
beli
eveherselfbutthenagai nshe
hadtoaccepti tasshel ookedhimi n
theeyesbuthecoul dn'
tkeepdi r
ect
contactwithherknowi ngshei s
goingtogethur twhenshef indsout
Shane:
Okay"shesmil
ed,hecouldn'
t
hel
pbutsmil
etoo"You'
retr
yingto
getmetoopenuparen'
tyou? "

Heart:
Yesy oucaughtme"t heyboth
l
aughedbutal lShanecoul ddowas
toembr acehert ightlythi
nking
may beitwillbemyl astti
met odo
so,andt husdecidingt ohav eso
muchf unwi thherr atherthanl et
ti
ng
somethinghedi dstealhisjoyaway

Shane:
Aren'tyout
ired?"Heasked
ashereleasedherfrom hi
sar
ms
andgaveherasof tpeckonher
cheek

Hear
t:
NotyetIam l
ov i
ngthev iew"
t
heycont
inuedwalkingunti
lthey
r
eachedacli
ffandthatcli
ffdidn'
tdo
Hear
tsowell,
sheshiver
ed

Shane:What
'swrong?
"Heasked
seei
ngherpalel
ook

Hear
t:
Ioncehadabaddream andi
wasataplacel
iket
his"

Shane:
Sor
ryl
et'
sgot
othatsi
de"he
pointedanot
herdir
ect
ionwhere
therewerehi
kersaswellanda
bunjeejumpi
ngboundaryandthey
couldseewhitepeopl
emost l
ythat
side

Afterwal kingawhi letheythoughtto

restforsomet i
meandShanechose
arockwher ehet ookHeartonhi s
l
apandat ecrispsandquenched
theirparchedt hroatsandinf rontof
them wasawat erpuddlewhi ch
Hear tthoughtt ohav ewit
hwhi l
e
catchingt heirbreath
Shane:Wowyoucanski pastoneon
water?Heaskedper pl
exedashe
watchedHeartpi
ckingstonesand
fl
atl
ythrewonebyoneski ppi
ngthe
waterandsi
nkafterthr
eeorf our
ski
ps

Hear
t:
YahIcan,
cany
ou?
"

Shane:
Yes"heputHear
t'sbagdown
andjoi
nedherpi
cki
ngstonesandhe
thr
ewoneanditski
ppedthri
ce

Heart
:Ver
ygoodnowwatchthis"
shesquatt
edandsuppor
tedhersel
f
tobalanceandt il
tedherhand
holdi
ngast oneandst artedfrom the
edgeoft hewat erandshet hrewher
stonecomi ngf rom 90°anglel i
ke
someonet hrowingadi scussandt he
stoneinonegot r
avell
edont opof
watertil
litreachedt hefarendsi de
ofthewat ert i
l
littouchedgr ound

Shane:OoohmyGodIcannev erdo
that"hesai
dsquat t
ingtry
ingt ogive
i
tat r
ybutafterafewt i
mesoff ai
li
ng
hestopped"You'
reaboy"t hey
l
aughedasHear thelpedhim up
Heart:
Aboywi t
hboobsand. .
..
..
..
."
ShestoppedasShanewasal ready
drooli
ngov erherlookingather
chestandshecr ossedherhands
overthereandwal kedbackand
grabbedhersat chelandputitonher
back"Uhmmm wenev ert
ooka
pict
ureofthet woofusandher eisa
greatspotforpictures"shesaid
adori
ngt heevergreenscenery

Shane:Okayamoment"hesai d
walki
ngsomedi stanceawayfr
om
Heartholdinghisphoneanddeleted
somest afffrom hi
sphoneandthen
tookasmal lbot
tl
ef r
om hi
spocket
andempt
iedt
heli
qui
dcontentsi
n
hi
smouthandthr
ewthebott
leaway

Heart
:Whatwast
hat?
"Sheasked
walki
ngtohi
m

Shane:
Whatwaswhat? "Heasked
l
ookingonhisphonebutrai
sedhi
s
facewhenhefeltt
hatshewas
l
ookingathi
m

Heart:
Shane"shesai
deyeingthe
bot
tlethatwasthr
ownalit
tle
di
stanceawayfrom t
hem
Shane:
It
'snot
hing"

Hear
t:
unonwabronco(Ar
eyouon
dr
ugs)?"Sheaskedandhel
aughed

Shane:
No"

Heart:
Idon'
tbeli
eveyou"she
star
tedwalki
ngtowardsthebott
le
butShanegrabbedherhand"Leave
myhandl etmeprovemy sel
fwrong"
shesaidwanti
ngt ogoandcheckout
thebottl
e
Shane:Yesi
tiswhaty
ou'
re
suspecti
ng"headmit
ted

Hear
t:
ButwhyShane?
"

Shane:
That
'st
heonl
ywayIcancope
"

Hear
t:
Copef
rom whatexact
ly?
"

Shane:
Thi
sfuckedupworldokay
,t
hiscr
uelt
hiscrazypl
acethat
makesyoufeell
ike……………………like"
hecouldn'
ttal
kashebeganf uming
speaki
ngont opofhisl
ungs,Heart
walkeduptohim andhuggedhim

Heart:
Calm downit
'sOkay"she
rubbedhisheadassheputitonher
shoulderandhewantedtoremove
himselfbuthert
ouchmadehimt o
calm

Theywalkedqui et
lyforawhileashe
wasonhi sthir
dcigaretteandhetol
d
hertowalkinfrontafterhavi
nghis
fi
rstci
garet
teshewasbehi ndhim
andshecoul dindi
rectl
yinhal
ethe
smoket ooandwoul dcought hus
beingi nst
ructedt owal kinfrontof
him andt herewasagapbet ween
them ashewasf ollowingslowl y
cont i
nuingsmoki ngandshehadt o
bet heunder standinggirlf
ri
endand
notpr essurehim andt aket hings
slow, oneoft heday shewasgoi ng
toopenupt oher, shet houghtand
hoped

Shane:
Heretakey
oupictur
es"he
passedherhi
sphonealr
eadyon
camera
Heart
:It
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
o
capt
ureus?"

Shane:
Notakesel
fi
esofy our
sel
f"
hestoodali
tt
ledi
stanceaway

Hear
t:
Iwantapi
ctur
eal
sowi
tht
he
t
woofus"

Shane: Ihatecamerastheygotmei n
thisshitinthefi
rstpl
ace"nowshe
underst oodwherehewascomi ng
from remember i
ngaboutAr genti
ne'
s
camer a
Heart:I
t'sOkay"shet ookaf ew
selfi
esandwhenhewasl ooking
downshechangedt hecamer as
dir
ectionhol dingitupshowingher
bodyandzoomedi tandshowedhi m
fr
om behi ndandshecapt uredandin
somei nstanceshewoul dbel ooki
ng
atherbut tocksandt hat'
swhenshe
wouldhav eacl earviewofhisface
,shest oppedwhenheal most
caughtherbyl ookingupbutshe
quicklycov eredup

Theygotbacki
ntot
ownand
shoppedar oundandshewasj ust
scaredt of i
nishhi smoneybuthe
wasj ustt el
li
nghert otakewhat ever
shewant ed,someoft hethingsshe
woul ddenyt hinkinghismi ndwas
cloudedbecausehi sey eswer er ed
andhewasj ustt ooqui etandnow
thathehadaccesst oherbody, she
endedupbei ngbangedi nhiscar, i
t
helpedhi mr eleaseal ltheanger
l
ockedupi nsideofhi m ashe
roared,goshwhataboy fri
endshe
foundf orher selfbackhomeshe
washopi ngf orhernextboy fr
iendt o
bemay beaPast ororanyman
servingint hehouseoft heLordbut
hereshewaswi thShaneitwasan
adventur
e,onethingshewasr eal
l
y
scaredofwasgoi ngbefor
eGodwi th
prayer,
shefel
tgui l
tyanddi
rt
y

Shane:Onet hi
ngyoucannev erdo
onmyphonei snevereverputa
messageoracal ltoyourpar ent
sor
fri
ends"hesaidwhi l
ehewasdr ivi
ng
them homeandshewasl yi
ngont he
backseataft
erbeingf****shewas
ti
redandwasnowbusyswi pingon
hisphoneviewingthepicturesshe
tookearl
ier
Hear
t:
Why?
?"

Shane:Becauset hemomenty oudo

thattheywoul dwantt oknowwher e
youar e,
whathappened, call
ingmy
numberandi fiignoretheycancall
thepol i
ceandgett racedandt hat'
sit
Iam gone, sowhenIgi veyout hat
phoneIt rustyouar enotupt oany
mischiefandIhopey out r
ustme
whenIsayIwantt ochangemyl i
fe
foryouandhopef ull
yonedayhav ea
happilyeverafter,youandme"he
saidlookingatheri ntherearvi
ew
mirror
Heart:
Idot rustyou"shewas
alr
eadyonmi schiefasshewas
onli
nebutt herewasnot hingal
l
chatsclearedandt herewasagr oup
*TheEli
t e*shewentof flinebef
ore
shecouldv iewthemember swhen
hesomehowguessedt hatshewas
uptosomet hing

Shane:Youtaket heot
herpi
llnow"
hesaidlookingathiswri
stwatchas
hehadopenedt heboott
ogett hi
ngs
theyboughtf r
om ther
ewhent hey
arri
ved
Hear
t:Why??
"Shet
ookwhatshe
coul
dcarr
y

Shane:Becausey ousai dyoudon't

wantal if
eofr egrets"sher oll
edher
eyeswal ki
ngt owar dst hei
rbui
lding
andshedi dn'tunder standwhathe
wast al
kingabout, shewasper fect
ly
fi
nenoneedt ot akepi l
lsshethought
asshewai t
edf orhim att hedoorto
unlockthedoorandhecame
str
ugglingtowal kholdingmany
thi
ngsandshesawt hatshewas
wickedcompar ingwi t
ht hethi
ngs
shewasholding,shehadt
ohel
pout
"It
'sOkayIgotit"

Hear
t:Okay"her
efusedahel
ping
hand

Assoonast heyenteredthekitchen
wasamess, somanyusedpl ates
andpot s,bananapeel s,eggshell
s,
spi
llagesont hestoveandBossLady
wasbusyl aughingtoacomedy
showi ngonTV, seat
edont hecouch
wit
habowlofpopcor nonher
l
ap,Shanedr oppedwhathewas
holdingandmar chedt o
her
,snat
chedtheTVremot
efr
om her
andswitchedof
ftheTV

Latoya:Whatareyoudoi
ngandyou
don'tevengr
eetme"sheprotest
ed
standingupherst
omachleadi
ngof
course

Shane:
ShouldIbetheonet ogreet
youinmyhouse,getyoursel
ftothe
kit
chenandcleanupy ourmess"
ShelookedatHeart

Lat
oya:Iwon'
tcl
eanup"shesai
d
andreachedf
orherphone
Shane:Excuseme"het
houghthe
di
dn'thearri
ght

Latoya:
Iam ti
redandIwon'tcl
ean
upShanetellHearttogoandclean
uporelse.
..
..
..
...
..
."Shanel
ookedat
her,t
henatherphoneshewas
hol
dingandatHear twhowas
waiti
ngtohearwhathewasgoi ngto
say
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
Thi
sstoryi
sbasedoni
maginat
ioni
n
afi
cti
onalset
up,
somet
hingsmay
notbereal
[
1/25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t32

Sheet
swerenowbei
ngchanged
twi
ceort
hri
ceperweekasShane
andHear twer esexuallyacti
veand
thegoodt hingistheyhadbought
manysheet sandaddedatl eastt wo
blanketstot heonet hatwasal r
eady
theremaki ngthem threeandi twas
quiteanachi evementasi twas
getti
ngchi l
lyespeciall
yintheni ght
thoughwi nterseasonwasst i
llsome
mont hsaway

Theonlyproblem wasLatoyaand
Heartdidn'
tunderstandwhyShane
wastolerat
ingeverythi
ngshewas
commandi nghimt odobecause
ever
ynowandt henshewouldbe
makingdemandsandShanewoul d
j
ustobeyandt hiscausedf r
icti
on
betweenhi m andHear tasshewoul d
wantexpl anati
onsofwhyhewas
succumbi ngandsubmi t
t i
ngt o
Latoyabutshenev ergotast r
aight
answer,sheconcl udedt hatmay be
hewasdoi ngthatbecauseoft he
babyshewascar r
yingthatmay be
Shanecar esaboutt hechi l
dwho
wasgoi ngt obebor ntot hei
rfami l
y
si
nceBaf olnev erseemedt ocare
butsti
llthisdidn'
tmakeanysenset o
Heart

Shanewassti
llgoi
ngt
ot heai
rpor
t
usi
nghiscarf
orchauf
feuri
ng
serviceanditearnedhi m some
moneybuthenev ertol
dHear tabout
thisasitwasn'taper manentt hi
ng
yetashewasst i
llr
iski
ngbutt he
l
ittl
echancehegothenev erwasted
anyt imeandmadesur et oear nas
muchmoneyashecoul dandev ery
ti
mehewoul dbegoi ngther ehe
woul datleastrestfrom Lat oy
a's
threatsbutwhenev erhewoul dbe
homehewoul dbeensl avedbyher
allbecauseofhi ssecrett hathe
want edtobesaf ekeptf rom Hear t
butf orhowlong¿

Hear
t:Weaswomenshoul
dbeon
duti
esofcooki ngandcleani
ng
Latoyaandnott oexpectShaneto
dot hi
ngsforyou"itwasy etanot
her
dayandLat oyawoulddot hi
ngsto
annoyHear t

Latoya:Iwi
llbetel
li
nghi
mt ot
elly
ou
todoi tandheendsupdoingi
t
himselfsoisthatmyfaul
t"

Heart:Andwhywoul dyoui
nstr
uct
himliket hat,
I
etst
alkaswomen
maybey oucantel
lmewhyy oudo
that
?"
Lat
oya:
Doy
our
eal
lywantt
oknow
why?"

Heart
:YestellmewhyIam l istening
andIam sickandt i
redofwat ching
youusehiml ikeheisahouseboy
,don'
ttakehimt obeaf oolbecause
heisaniceguygoanddot hatto
yourBafolnottoShaneplease"

Lat
oya:
OoohOoohsoShanei
syour
s
neh?"

Hear
t:
Idon'
tneedtoansweryouon
t
hati
t'sobv
iousyou'
rej
eal
ous"
Lat
oyasneer
ed

Latoya:Withthisjobhedoesdoy ou
thi
nkt hesemanbel ongtoone
womanhuh, openy oureyesmydearI
am tell
ingyoubecauseIhav eknown
them foryears,r
ightnowdoy ou
knowwher eheis, whatheis
doing,
themoneyy ouar espending
l
ookingl i
kethisfrom headtot oedo
youknowwher eitiscomi ngfrom?"
Sheclappedandl aughed,Heartwas
nowqui et

Hear
t:
Myi
ssueher
eisf
ory
ounott
o
j
usteat,r
elaxanddr opinthet oi
let
,youhavetocleanupf rom t
hepl ate
youused,
thest ov
e, t
hebathroom
youusetobat hyourbody,you'rea
womannotamanandnowwedon' t
evenhaveany wheretoputour
clot
heswer emov eyoupractical
ly
ownourlaundrybasketandi tisfull
ofyourcl
othesonl y
,i
tdoesn'thav e
tobeli
kethatespeciall
yknowi ng
you'
reusi
ngt heli
vingroom "

Latoy
a:Fi
rstofal
lpointofcorr
ect
ion
mydearit'
sShane'slaundr
ybasket
youwon'tsayourbecauseIdon't
thi
nkyoucontri
butedadollari
n
buy
ingany
thi
ngher
e"

Heart
:AndOoohy ouar et
heonewho
contr
ibutedadol
larthensinceyou
areusingShane'
slaundrybaskety
ou
gavehim somemoneyal sotobuy? "

Latoy
a:Secondlymydearthi
sli
vi
ng
room IcandowhatIwantbecause
Shanebarelyhasvi
sit
ors"shesai
d
i
gnoringHeartofwhatshehad
askedher

Heart
:Smart
nessi
snotabouthavi
ng
vi
sit
orsornot,
youasapersonhas
t
oli
vei
nacl
eanenv
ironment"

Lat
oya:
What
every
ou'
reazer
o"

Hear t:
Youwi l
l cl
eant hesepl at
es
thaty ouatein, t
hiszerowashed
yesterday '
splatesandt heday
beforet hatoneandt hiszer owi l
lbe
doingt hatbecauseIdon' tl
ikeany
dir
tnearmeandIcan' tswitchduties
withShanewhenwehav eanot her
femal eherey ouwi l
lhav etodoi t
i
nst ead"

Lat
oya:
Itol
dyoual
readyt
hatIdon'
t
wantandwhatwi lly
oudot omehuh
aft
erallt
hisi
snoty ourpl
acenxaa?"
Shecli
ckedhertongueandt ookt
he
remoteandswitchedontheTVand
putonlotsofvolume

Heartjustlookedatherandl eftt
he
room thatdayshewasn' teven
feel
ingwel landLat oyawasj ust
anotherstresst hatshecouldn't
copewi t
handal lshewant edwas
hergonet hangoi ngthrougha
sessionofexchangi ngwor ds
everydaywi t
hher, shegotbackt o
herroom tosl eepthat'
swhatshe
coulddot hanpl ayamai dtoher
sadlyShanewast heonegoi
ng
thr
ought hatphaseandwhatbot
her
s
heristhatshehadnothi
ngtodo
aboutit

Laterint heaf ter

noonShanecame
backear lyf r
om wor ktocheckon
Hear twhom hehadl efti
nt he
mor ningcompl aini
ngofst omach
upset s,
hepassedLat oyawhowas
sl
eepi ngt hat'
sallshedi deating,
bathing,sleepingandr epeat

Shane:
Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
"
Heart:
Sti
llf
eeli
ngthecr ampsnowa
l
itt
lenauseatedtr
iedtoeatbut
couldn'
tthefoodisjustbori
ng"

Shane:Sti
llst
il
lthesameont hefood
anywayIboughtf oryouy oghurt
,i
ce
cream,jui
ceandsomef ruit
ssince
i
t'
st heonlyfoody oul
iketheseday s
"

Hear t
:Yest hankyouandthankyou
forbringingthem inherel
astt
ime
Latoyaf i
nishedeveryt
hingbef
oreI
couldev enhav eatasteofi
tandshe
i
sj ustgivingmeaheadacheShane"
Shane:Ital
kedtoMamaKaSi bongi
le
andshesai dshewi l
lbri
ngtheki
ds
overtomor r
ow"hequi ckl
ychanged
thetopicandignoredwhatHeart
wassay ingaboutLatoya

Hear
t:Okayit'
sfi
neandhowmany
aret
hey? "Shehadtogoalongwi
th
i
torelsetheywouldendupinafi
ght
quar
reli
ng

Shane:About12fr
om fourorf
ive
workingclassmother
sifIam not
mistaken"
Heart
:Okaysothemother'swoul
dbe
goi
ngt oworkandwon'thaveanyone
tol
eavethei
rchil
drenwith?"

Shane:
Yesandsomeoft
hem wor
k
forBaf
ol"

Heart
:Whatdoy
oumeanwor
kfor
Bafo?"

Shane:
Baf
ol'
spr
ost
it
utes"

Hear
t:
Uhmmm Okayhowdoest
hat
workandyouarei
nitar
en'ty
ou?"
Shehadtoaskbutsheknewthe
answert
othatone

Shane:Yeah"t
hat'
showhe
answeredwhenhedidn'twantt
obe
confr
ontedanyfur
ther

Heart
:Sot
hey'
resi
ngl
emother
sand
howexactl
ydoyouownpr
osti
tut
es
Shane?"

Shane:Baf
olhasmanyfriends
busi
nessman,CEO'
s,
entrepreneur
s
,et
cy ounamethem andt hese
peopl elovewomenev ent hough
somewoul dbemar r
iedbutt hey
woul dwantbeaut ifulgirl
st obang
andt ravelwithoncei nawhi l
eso
Baf olproducegi rl
sf orthem and
theypayhi m andt hosewhoar ein
thi
scount r
yhegi vest hem aper cent
andhet akesaper cent ,
hel ocat es
dest i
tutegirl
st hathav enoonet o
takecar eoft hem andt hatar eint he
streets,desperatef ormoneyand
somet i
mesheget sthem i ntown
ever ynightatcor nersast heywoul d
wantt olur
emansoheappr oaches
them andmakedeal swi tht hem
offeringapl acet oliveandi twillbea
gooddealt hangoi ngtoacor ner
everyni ghtwher ebythebeaut i
ful
onesort heluckl yonesonl yget
pickedsot heywoul dagreeto
Bafol'sof f
erandsomeoft hegirl
sif
l
ikedbyacer taincustomershe
woul dbet hatman' ssidechickand
thatmancanr entaplacef orherand
evenhav ekidsbutt r
oublebegi nsif
thewi fefindsoutandt he
businessmannol ongerprovidesfor
herandagai nshewoul druntoBaf ol
andt hest oryst artagainbutshe
woul dbeasi nglemot her"

Hear
t:
Theywoul
drunt
oBaf
oland
you?"Sheaskedasshehadsecret
ly
browsedShane'
scont
actsi
nhis
phoneandmostnumbersinther
e
wereoffemales

Shane:
Yeah"

Heart
:Wowthiswor l
dIneverknew
suchthi
ngsexistedsowhatabout
thehumantr
afficki
ng?"

Shane:
Ihavetol
dy ouenough
i
nformati
onfortoday"
Heart:
hmmmm y ouknowIwi l
lnever
t
ellanyoneit'
snotasifIhavefri
ends
whom Iwillsharet
heinfor
mation
youtellmewi t
h"

Shane:Iknow"

Hear
t:
Sowhyconceali
t?"

Shane:Iwil
lmakey ouafruitsal
ad
"sheroll
edhereyesandfol l
owed
rightbehi
ndhim goingt
ot hekit
chen

Hear
t:
Iwi
llwasht
hef
rui
tswhat
combi
nat
ionoff
rui
tsdoweneed?
"

Shane:
Appl
es,
bananas,
redmango
don'
tknowaboutt
hegrapesthough
?"

Heart:
Let'
sexcl
udethem "she
washedt hef
rui
tsandpassedto
Shanewhowoul dsli
ceanddice
them andcombinedthem wi
th
yoghurt

Shane:Passmeabowlandl etme
dishupforyoutherei
snoneedto
setthem asi
desincet
heyoghurt
wascol
d"

Hear
t:OkayIwillputthel
eft
oversin
ourr
oom Iwilleatthatatni
ghtalso"

Shane:Youshouldhavesomereal
foodatnightandlookthesebr
aids
nowwantt oberemov ed"he
touchedthebrai
dsandhepassed
herthebowlashehaddi shedupfor
her

Heart:
Willy
ouhelpmeremovethem
pl
ease? "Shehadascoupoft
he
fr
uitsal
ad
Shane:
Wil
lseewhenIam f
ree"

Heart:
Thi
si ssodelici
ous"shesaid
enj
oy i
nghersal adandaknockcame
onthedoor, Shanewalkedanda
mancar r
yingshoppingbagsentered
fol
l
owedbyBaf ol,
Latoyat
hesatup
wakingupf r
om hernappingthatshe
for
everdoes

Shane:
Whatisthis?"HeaskedBafol
,t
hemanj ustputtheshoppi
ngbags
i
nandleft
Baf ol:
Hellot
oy outooBro"he
stretchedhishandbutShanej ust
l
ookedati t"Heartsweet
yhowar e
you? "HepassedShaneandwal ked
tot hecounterwher eHeartwas
standingwi t
hherbowlandwas
aboutt ocollherbutShanest opped
him andLat oyawaswat chingt oo
,freakingoutseeingbothbr ot
her sin
l
ov ewi thHeartandshewasn' t
receivinganyaffecti
onfrom nei t
her
oneoft hem

Shane:
Don'tyouwantasiti
nst
ead"
andBafoltur
neddroppi
nghisar
ms
hehadraisedwant
ingtoembrace
Hear
t

Bafol:Sure"hewalkedoutandsat
besideLat oy
aintheliv
ingroom
,Shanesatonachai r,
thetwonever
greetedoneanother,Heartremai
ned
i
nt heki t
cheneat
ing

Shane:
Sowhatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?"

Bafol
:Ibr
oughty ougr ocer
ieshow
areyousurvivi
ngher ehuh, y
ouknow
al
lthegirl
saresay i
ngy ourphoneis
goingstr
aighttovoicemailandy ou
havenotbeencomi ngt ocol l
ect
moneyfrom me,
sowhatar
eyou
eat
inghere?"

Shane:Si
ncewhendoy oucar
eabout
thatandifyoucar
eli
keyouclai
m
don'tyouhavemybankaccount
numbert odeposi
tmoneywhycome
here?"

Bafol:
Ihadtocheckony oupl usI
hadmi ssedher"Latoyasmiled
thi
nkingit'
sherbutBafolpointedat
Heartwhopassedt hem running
goingtothetoil
etholdi
nghermout h
Shane:
Babywhat
'swr
ong?
"
*
*
*
*
.
.
,
[
1/25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t33

Shane:
Babyar
eyouOkay?
"He
squatt
edonherbackasshe
conti
nuousl
yvomit
edint
heloo

Heart:
YeahIam f
ine"shesaid
standi
ngupandShanef l
ashedher
vomit

Shane:
Rinseyourmouth"shedidas
tol
dandst oodbyt
hewallfaci
ng
Shaneforamoment"What '
s
happeni
nghmmmm ? "

Hear
t:
Don'tworr
yit
'snothing
pr
obablythef
rui
tsaladdidn'
tdome
sowell"
Shane:
Okayshoul
dIt
akey
out
othe
hospi
tal?
"

Heart:
Nof orwhat
?..
..
..
..,
j
ustafood
reacti
onandIruntothehospit
al
don'tbot
herOkay"

Shane:OkaybutIam worr
iedabout
you"heputhishandonhercheek
rubbi
ngitandshetensedtohis
touchandsheputhertinyhandon
topofhis
Heart:
Don'tworryokayt hat'show
thebodydoeswedon' talwaysst ay
fi
tandIthinkthej ourneyfrom home
tohere,t
hebodyget ti
ngr ai
nedon
,nothavi
ngpropermeal sandt ry
ing
tobestrongandadj usti
ngmy selft
o
thechangesofl eavingmypar ents
behindandfit
tingi ntoanew
envi
ronmentisnowget t
ingt ome
thr
oughmybody"

Shane:Ei
shIam sorryIknowtheway
wemeti snotthewayIwant edbut
thethetr
uthisIlov
ey oubabyand
wil
lalways"hehuggedherandshe
huggedtight
ertoo
Heart
:IknowandIl
ov ey outooand
pl
easedon'tbeaty
our selfup"he
l
ookedherintheeyesandki ssedher
passi
onatel
y

Shane:Comey oushouldsleepOkay
,r
esty ourbody ,
may bewheny ou
wakeupy ouwi l
lbeOkay"hel if
ted
herandcar ri
edheroutoft he
bathroom totheirbedroom,Bafol
andLat oyajustlookedatthem as
Heartseemedasi fshewassul ki
ng
herselftoShaneput ti
ngherhands
aroundhi sneck,theywereboth
annoyedandi twasobv iousl y
showingont heirf
aces,wel lShane
andHear tdidn'tconcernt hemsel v
es
withthem ast heyent er
edt heir
bedroom wher eShaneni celyt ucked
Heartinthebedcov er
saf terput ti
ng
socksi nherfeet"RestOkay"hesai d
andnol yingthatfeltsogoodt o
Hearttohav esomeonecar ef orher
l
ikewhatShanewasdoi ngandshe
fel
tspecialandl ovedbutshekept
wrestl
ingwi t
hhermi ndsay inghei s
thewr ongguybutsheknewshe
l
ov edhimt houghshehadl ot sof
questions
Heart
:Okaythankyou"herv oi
cewas
solowandsof tanditsur
elywoul
d
l
ookasi fsheissul
king

Shane:
Letmegoandtal
ktothese
guysIam comi
ngbutt
rytosl
eep
Okay?"

Heart:
Okaydon'
ttakelongorelseI
wil
lmissyoubymysi de"hekissed
herfor
eheadandwalkedout

Heartdi
dn'tknowwhyshewas
havi
ngthi
sobsessi
onov ert
heguy
,shewoul
dmi sshi
m everyminut
e
,whenhegoesoutshewoul dbe
i
mpat ientl
ywai tingsoast oseehi s
faceandt imewoul dseem l i
kei t
's
mov ingsl owl yandt het houghtt hat
i
ft heydon' tendupt oget herand
hav eahappi lyeverafterr eall
y
haunt edherbadl yshewasi nso
deeplyandshewonder edi fhewas
feeli
ngt hesamewayt oobecause
usuallyt heonewhogoesi nthe
relati
onshi pdeepl ywoul dbet heone
togetmor ehur tandscar r
ed, she
remember edherf i
rstrel at
ionship
shewasi nalmostdeepenoughbut
notcompar edtoShaneandwi t
h
Tindobr eakingupwi t
hherl efther
heartbr oken, thef eel
ingoflovewas
sonewandi tfel
tsogoodandt hat'
s
whenTi ndodeci dedt obreakupwith
her,nowwi t
hShanei twasasifshe
wasf al l
ingi nlovef orthefi
rst
ti
me, despi t
ehav inginsecuri
ti
esof
thi
nkingt hatShanemusthav elots
ofgirlfriendsoutt hereshecared
nonet hel essandt hatseedofdoubt
waspl ant edbyLat oyabutshehad
totr
ustShaneov erher

Maki ngl
ov ewit
hShanewasasgood
asthef i
rstdayandever
yti
methey
di
di thewoul dt
akeheronan
adventuretry
ingandt
eachi
ngher
newposi ti
ons, sheadmi tt
edi twas
sogoodt hatshewoul dgethor ny
onlybythinkingoft helastsessi on
theywoul dhav ehad,getti
ng
pregnantnev ercrossedher
mind,Shaneal waysusedacondom
onev er
ysexualencount erthinking
Hearttookthemor ningafterpilland
toHeart'
smemor ysheal way ssaw
him putt
ingonacondom t hef i
rst
ti
meshehadsexwi thhim andwhen
sheskippedhermont hl
yper i
odshe
thoughtitsoneoft hoset hingst hat
happensoncei nawhi lebecause
backathomesheusedt oski pa
mont handt henextmont hitwoul d
comet heflowtwi
ceasmuchso
pregnancywastheonet
hingshe
neverthoughtof

WhenShanewal kedi nthelivi

ng
room BafolandLat oy
aseemedt obe
i
naheat edar gumentandmay be
theyweretryingtocontrol
themselvesnottoshoutbuti twas
tooint
enset hattheycouldn'
thidei
t
anymoreast heyangr i
lyl
ashedout
wordsoneachot her

Lat
oya:Yougotmeher
eandnowyou
wanttodisownt
hechi
ldshi
tnoi
t
won'thappennott hi
st i
meBaf olI
havebeenwai t
ingpat i
entlyforyou
togivememoneysot hatIcango
andr egi
steratt hehospi talbutyou
don'tseem tocar ewhenIcome
aft
erbeggi ngt ransportfrom Shane
todropmet hinkingy ouwi llgi
veme
moneyy oupr omi sedbutnoy oujust
giv
emet ranspor tmoneyandt hat'
s
i
twher edoy out hinkIwillgetthe
moneyBaf ol? "

Bafol
:Idon'
tknowIdon'thav
e
moneyt oo,
whydon'tyouwork
you'
reanadult"
Latoya:
Wher edi
dy ougetmoneyt o
buyallt
hesehuh? "Shepointedat
theshoppingbagshebr oughtand
i
mmedi atelyhel
dontohiscol l
ar
almostwant i
ngtochokehim

Baf
ol:
Letgoofmycollarr
ightnow
Lat
oya"hegrabbedherhandthat
washoldi
nghiscol
lar

Latoy
a:Noyouwillgi
vememoney
thi
sbabyisyourbabyandy
ouknow
i
t"
Shane:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"Heasked

"Shutup"theybot
hshoutedathim
andhejuststoodwat
chingthem

Shane:WellkeepitdownHear ti
snot
feel
ingwellsheist ry
ingtosl eep"
theydidn'
tevenlistennotev en
respecti
ngthatitwashi splacet hey
weremaki ngtheirnoisein

Bafol
:Forthelastti
meIam t
ell
ing
youLatoyator emovey
ourhandoff
mycol l
ar"aloudslapr
anacrossher
faceandLatoy asawst
arsl
ikeshe
wasbarbar
icevenHear
twas
st
art
ledoutofhersl
eep

Latoya:Whatar ey oudoi ngt ome

,yousayy ouhav enomoneywhi l
e
you'r
el i
vinginahot elsleepingwith
thatbitchKeishay ou'
ret hedev i
l'
s
son"shepr otestedst il
lholdinghis
coll
arcr y
ing,Baf olforcefull
y
remov edherhandandpushedher
andbegant hrowi ngfistsonher
beati
ngt hehel loutofher

Shane:
Stopitri
ghtnow"hetri
edto
removehisbrot
heroffLat
oyabuthe
wastoostr
ongf
orhi
m andhekept
beat
ingher

Lat
oya:Al
lbecauseIaskedf
or
money"shecried

Bafol
:Di
dy ougivememoneytosaf
e
keepitf
ory ouhuh?"heangr
il
y
spokesti
llbeat
ingher

Latoy
a:Shanepleasehel
pme"
ShanepulledBafolwi
thal
lhi
s
mightyoffher
Shane:Ify
out wowanttodot histake
i
toutofmyhousedoy ouhearme
Bafol"hepushedhi mtothewal l
"Havesomedecencyandr espect
can'
tyouseeshei spr
egnanty ou
wanttokillherorthebabyisthat
whaty ouwant? "

Bafol:
Respectf orwhat,
didyou
respectthatshei spr
egnantwhen
you...
..
..
...
."ShaneheldBafol
's
mout h

Shane:Don'
tshiftthest
oryhere
Bafol"hewhisperedtohim pr
essi
ng
hi
m ont
hewal
lhol
dinghi
smout
h

Latoya:Ngibulal
eBafolwhat'
sthe
poi
ntofl i
vingngibul
ale"shestood
upstil
lsnif
f l
inggoi
ngtot hewall
wheret heguy swerepinni
ngone
another

Baf
ol:
F**
*of
fwi
thy
ourZul
ushi
t"

Lat
oya:
Ngibul
aleBaf
ol"shewent
cl
osert
othem

Shane:
Lal
elaLat
oyangi
zokubul
ala
ngokuqini
seki
l
eifyoudon'
tremov
e
your
selffr
om her
e"

Latoya:
It
'sf
ineBul al
aShane"Baf ol
pushedShaneandwentaf terLat
oya
andshehadanot hershareof
beati
ngsuntilShaneheldthem agai
n
,Heartcoul
dn'tsleepshewas
tossi
ngandt urni
ng

Shane:
Don'
tconti
nuetospeak
pl
ease"hewarnedher

Lat
oya:YouseeShanet
hat
'showhe
hasbeentr
eati
ngme,heal
ways
beatsme, hedoesn'
tseemel
ikeI
am human"shesai dwit
hsomuch
passion,
cryi
ngandinpain

Shane:Baf
olweneedt otalkoutsi
de
"helethim gofr
om thepinni
ng
posit
ionandnowLat oyaknewt o
standawayf r
om hi
m ashest oodup

Baf
ol:
Whydon'
tyoucallyour
gi
rl
fr
iendal
sobecausesheisint
his
al
so"

Shane:
Don'tyoudarei
nvolv
eusin
youri
ssues,y
out ookLat
oyawhen
youknewshewasmyal lsoyou
couldtr
eatherli
kegarbageandIlet
youbeandpr et
endedthatitwas
nothi
ng,ipr
etendednottobehurt
andnowy oubringyourshi
ttomy
house"

Bafol:
Idon'
tcareyouwerebli
ndnot
toseeherbitchyways,
Ibetshewas
sleepi
ngaroundwaybeforeItook
her"

Shane:
Itst
opsnowonLatoy
ayou
won'ti
nvol
veHear
tint
his"
Baf ol:
You' r
et heonewhoi nvolved
hernotmeandy ouhav eapr oblem
oflov i
ngbi tchygi rl
sv erysoonshe
willruninmyar msal soandt hati
t
won' tbemypr oblem Iwi l
lreceive
herwi thopenar msandt hisyour
Hear tasy oucl aim seemsshe
doesn' tknowy etabout. ...
..
..
..
."He
wasi nterruptedbyLat oy awho
beganscr eami nghol dingher
stomach

Shane:
What
'swr
ong?
?"

Lat
oya:Hel
pmeShanepl
ease
aaaaah"shegr
oanedi
npai
n

Shane:
Youhav
etogethert
othe
hospi
tal"

Baf
ol:
Won'
tdosuchat
hing"

Shane:Iam nottaki
ngcareofyour
womanory ourchil
dy ouwi
llf
u***
***
takehertothehospital"

Bafol
:That
'snotwhatIcameherefor
,shesaidshewantstodiel
etherdie
foral
lIcarei
twouldhavesavedme
t
hebur
den?
"

Shane:Don'
tbeheart
lesst
ake
responsi
bil
it
yBafolf
oroncebe
human"

Bafol
:AndOoohyou'r
ehumanr i
ght
,di
dyout aker
esponsi
bil
it
yforwhat
youdid?"

Hear
t:What
'sgoi
ngon?"Shehadt
o
comeoutandaskbecauset
henoi
se
wastoomuch
Shane:
Gobackandsl
eep"

Hear
t:
ButhowcanIwhenyouguy
s
ar
emakingalotofnoi
se?
"

Bafol
:I
t'
sgoodthatyou'
reoutIthi
nk
Shaneshouldt
elly
ouwhathedi dlet
i
tcomeoutofhisownmout h"
Shaneshiv
eredasHeartlookedat
hi
m

Heart:
WhathappenedShane? "She
askedwithanexpressi
onthatShane
couldn'
treadandhekeptquietf
ora
whil
e
Baf
ol:
Ormay
behepr
efer
sIt
elly
ou"

Heart
:Babetel
lmewhat??
"Shest
il
l
askedlooki
ngatShane

Shane:
Uhmmmm ..
..
...
..
..
"He
coul
dn'
tbri
nghi
mselftotel
lher

Hear
t:
SpeakShanet
ellmewhat?
"

Bafol
:He..
..
..
..
..
..
."Shanequi
ckl
y
i
nterr
upted
Shane:Iwi
llspeakbabyIdi dn'
ttel
l
youthatI,
.
...
..
..
..
thatIki
llpeopleal
so
"

"
What"t
heyal
lsai
datchor
us
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t34

Heartnev ert houghtnotf oronce

thatbaby si t
ti
ngcoul dbef unandat
thesamet imestressfulandal so
thri
ll
ingal latonceandshe
wonder edwhyt hisideanev erstruck
herwhi leathome, shealway ssaw
herselfasanof fi
cel adynothing
mor enot hinglessandt hat'
show
manypeopl earetheydon' twant
midyokerj obs,
thatleadst oa
midyokerl i
feandt hatleadsto
desper ati
onanddesper ati
onleads
oneindoinganythingwhetherlegal
ori
ll
egalorofimmor alactbutasf or
Heartshewashappyandt houghtif
onedaywast ogobackhomeshe
wantedtopursuesomet hi
ngi nli
ne
wit
hchi l
dren,
shewast ositdown
andthinkofherplancaref
ully

Shane:
Hell
oMommy"hegr eeted
Heartwhowasdosi
ngont hecouch
andtheki
dswereasl
eeptooaf tera
l
ongdayofplayi
ngandsoont heir
parent
sweregoi
ngtocol
lectthem

Hear
t:
HieDaddy"shel
ockedher
armsaroundhisneckashebenton
herandreachedforaki
ss

Shane:Howwasy
ourday?
"

Heart
:Hecticasy oucansee"she
showedhi m aroundandthekids
weresleepingont hefl
eeceblankets
l
aidoutfort hem andthehousewas
amesspaper severywher
e,toys
scat
tered,i
tsur el
ywassomet hing
el
se

Shane:
Letmehel
pyouout,
whatdo
youwanttodo?"
Heart
:IwanttoshowerIam sweat
y
,ar
ewest i
llonfort
onight?
"

Shane:Yeswest
il
lon,
wher
eis
Latoy
a? "

Hear t:
Idon'tknowhowshewi l
lrai
se
herchi l
dsheget sir
ri
tat
edwiththe
kids,shesomet i
mes
yells,
screams,shout
satthem even
beatt hem anddenyitaft
ersoshe
l
ef tsayingsheisgoingtoafr
iend'
s
house"
Shane:Okaybutasf oryouiknow
youwillbeagreatMom f oriseet
hat
you'
renotdoi
ngt hisformoneyonly
butyouarepassionatewiththeki
ds
"

Heart:SpeakingofmoneyMamaKa
NandiandMamaKaLi t
adi dn'
tgiv
e
memymoneyt heotherMom' sare
fai
thfulwhent heybringt heir
chil
drent heygi vemet hemoneyand
thei
rchildren'slunchboxesf ort
he
daybutt heset wol adiesar egiv
ing
met roubleShane"
Shane:Iwi
llt
alkt
othem ,
howmany
day'
smoneydot heyoweyou?
"

Hear t
:3daysandt heywi l
lbesayi
ng
wewi llgi
vey ouattheendoft heday
thenwhent heycomet heygive
excusesont opofitIhavetomake
foodf orNandiandLi t
ait'
sonlyfrui
ts
thatweagr eedtobemaki ngfor
them butnowi twon'tbef ai
rfor
them towat chotherkidseati
ng,I
willhavetocookf orthem "

Shane:
Andthat'
snotri
ght,
sodon'
t
worryy
oursel
fwewillt
alkt
othem "
Hear
t:
Okay"

Shane:Sogoonandshowerany
way
howareyoufeel
ingnow?"

Heart:
ItseemsIonlyfeelt
he
nauseatedfeel
ingi
nthemor ni
ngbut
duri
ngt hedayIwil
lbealri
ght"

Shane:
Okayoneofthedaysyou
needtoseeaDoctorbecauseitcan
beasicknesst
hatyou'
rerear
ing"
Hear t
:Sur ewil
ldoso"shest oodup
andwal kedtot hebathroom andshe
shower ed, Shanehadhel pedher
remov et hebraidsoneni ghtand
fi
nishedt henextnightandshehad
herhai randshewant edtogetanew
hairst
y l
ebutShanesai dherhair
l
ookedni ceasi twaslongand
preferredhert ostayli
ket hatsofor
af ewday sshewasgoi ngt oobey
hiswishesbutsoonwasgoi ngto
disappoi nthim becauseshel oved
braidi
ngmor ethanherhai r

Shane:
Hereyourmoney"hehanded
hermoneyfr
om thetwoladi
eswho
wer
eowingherashej
oinedherin
t
hebedr
oom asshewaschanging

Heart
:Howdi
dyou.
..
..
..
.?"Shewas
sur
pri
sed

Shane:
Iscol
dedt
hem "hel
aughed

Heart:hmmmm hopey oudidn'tpoint

agunatt hem "shelaughedr ecall
ing
hisstatementsayi
ngheal soki l
ls
people,shedidn'
tbuythat,shef el
t
thatt
her ewasmor etothest orythat
onlyheandBaf olknewthatshe
didn'
tknowofbutshedi dn'tdar e
askeventhoughthatsixt
hsense
al
way spokedherthatsomethi
ng
wasupbutt hi
swasShanet heguy
doesn'
ttal
kthateasil
y

Shane:TrustmeifIdi
dthatt
hey
weregoingtopayy oueveni
n
advance"Heartl
aughedoutloud

Heart:
Anywayar
eal
ltheki
ds
col
lected?"

Shane:
YesandAngel
owast
hel
ast
onetogo"
Hear t
:Everytimeheisthelastoneto
gosomet i
mesIt hinkhi
sMom
forgetshim "sheputhermoney
underhercl othes,i
twasgetti
ng
mor eandmor eandwonder edwhat
tousei tfor,ever
ythi
ngwascat er
ed
forbyShanebutshewant edt odo
somet hingforhim

Shane:Therearemot hersl
ikethat
whodon' tpri
orit
izethei
rchil
dren"
Heartdidn'
tunder st
andthe
expr
essiont hatShaneshowedon
hisf
aceashesatont hebed,she
knewt
her
ewasani
ssueont
hat

Heart
:Canwepassbyaj
ewel
ler
y
shoponourway"

Shane:
Youwantt
o?"

Hear
t:
Yesorno"

Shane:Okay"shel aughedasshe
fi
nishedapplyi
nghermakeupand
ti
edherhairintoahi ghpony
tai
land
putonal i
ghtjerseyandpassed
Shanehis,shewasnowso
comf or
t ablewithtrouserst hatit'
sas
i
fshehadbeenwear ingt hem from a
youngage, nowev enl ovi
ngt hem
,theskimpyones, thef adedones, t
he
ri
ggedonest hewhol eni ney ardsshe
l
ov edthem andal way sshe
wonder edheraboutherpar ent's
thoughtsont hechangest hathad
takenat ollontheirdaught er

Shanedrovet hem t
ot ownitwasj ust
aft
ersunsetandt heyhadapl anned
dateasitseemsl atel
ytheywer en'
t
havi
ngmucht imetogetherand
Heartwasfeel i
ngthiswit
hdrawal
fr
om Shanet hatshecouldn'tquit
e
t
ellwhatwasr
eal
lygoi
ngon

Shegotoutandl efthimi nthecar

andst roll
edaf ewmet erstot his
shopt hatheshowedherandshe
wentinandchoseani cewr istwatch
forhim asapr esent,Shanehadbeen
i
nt hatshopal soaf ewday sago
,wellHear tdi dn'tendint here,she
walkedi nthenextshopaswel l,
she
waspr oudf oroncet obuyher
boyfri
endsomet hi
ngwi ththemoney
thatshecal ledher sthatsheear ned
,themoneyt hathedi dn'tgiveher
butitwasher sandshewor kedf ori
t
,couldt herebemor egrowi ngup
t
hant
his,
shet
hought

Shane:Yougotwhaty
ouwant?"He
askedasshecamebackinthecar
holdi
ngalit
tl
egif
tbag

Heart:
Yeslet
'sgo"hedroveon
neveraskedwhatshebought
thi
nkingmaybeshewasbuy i
ngher
gir
lythi
ngs

Theylockedthedoorsoft
hecar
whent heyr
eachedthei
rdesti
nat
ion
whichonlyShaneknewwher ehe
wastakingherandtheywalkedf
ora
whil
ei nakindaforestareathough
thetreesweresparselyscattered
,notdenseandwi delyapart,i
t
wasn'tathi
nkf or
estwher eone
couldgetscaredandt heyfolloweda
narr
owr oadandi taledtoar iver

Shane:
Herewear e"hesai
dpoi
nti
ng
toasmallcanoethatwast
iedt
oa
l
ogont heri
ver'
sledge

Hear
t :
Uhmmm wher earewegoing
?"SheaskedasShanesati nt
he
smallboataf
terunt
yingit
Shane:
Justdownthestr
eam andwe
comeback"heof f
eredhi
shandand
shegotinandsatontheopposi
te
si
defacinghi
m

Hear
t:
Isi
tsaf
e?"Shel
ookedar
ound

Shane:Itis,al
lar
oundt her ear e
abodesl ook"shegl ancedt ot he
sideandsawpeopl edoi ngt heir
thinggoingupstream wi thfishing
roadsandsomeboy schasi ngeach
otherandal soagirlandaboyandi t
seemedt heboywaspr oposi nglove
ast hegirlwasalll
ov eydov ey
Hear t
:Hmmmm t hisi
sanewwayof
dati
ngIhav eneverdonethi
s"she
heldtheboat '
soar,Shanewas
alr
eadypaddl inganditl
ookedtobe
dif
ficultandrequir
edalotofener
gy
topaddl ethei
rbodiesweightf
orthe
boatt omov e

Shane:
Iusedt
othi
swi
thmyDad?
"
Hesaidpaddl
i
ng

Hear
t:
Wasy
ourDadwhi
te?
"
Shane:
Noshoul
dn'
tIbecol
oredifhe
waswhite?
"Heshookhishead

Heart:
correct"shelaughedashe
paddledforawhi leandtheywere
si
lentli
steningtothebirdsand
nearbyechoesandv oi
cesof
motherscal l
ingthei
rchil
drenhi
m,it
wassopeacef ul,
Heartl
ov edi
t

Shane:MyDadwasAmer ican
actual
lySout hAfr
icanbutmy
grandparentshadmi gr
atedt ot
heUS
andpracticall
ybecameci ti
zens
there,
Inev erknewhimt i
llIwas
t
hir
teen,
myMom i
samoder
nist"

Hear
t:
Isshest
il
lal
iv
e?"

Shane:
Yesshei
s"

Hear
t:
Wher
eisshe?
"

Shane:
LetmespeakIwi
llt
elly
oual
l
aboutt
hem "

Heart
:Ooohokaysor
ry"nowShane
waspaddli
ngslowl
ythecanoewas
swif
tl
ymov i
nganditseemedli
ght
er
t
hanwhenhest
art
ed

Shane: MyMom want edtoawoman

ofsubst anceandshepur sued
school i
ngwant i
ngittoachiev eher
dream ofbei ngoneoft hei
nf l
uential
womenev erbor
n,soshewas
study i
nginSouthAf ri
caafterdoing
sowel linZimbabweandshecame
from awel ltodofami l
yandt hey
sentheri nSouthAf r
icatofinish
what evercourseshewasdoi ngand
thattimemyDadwasi nSout hAf r
ica
aswel lwithhispregnantwifeor
girl
fr
iendt hati
sShine'sMom don' t
knowi ftheywer emar r
iedt
hatt ime"
Hear
t:
Whoi
sShi
ne?
"

Shane:
Baf
ol"

Hear
t:
Ooohokaygoon"

Shane:
SoIheardmyDadwasal ov
er
ofmanywomenandhemetwi thmy
Mom onedayintownasshewasof f
campusandmyMom wasqui ckly
brai
nwashedri
ghtawayandt hey
hadashortromant
icloveaffair,my
Mom wasanoppor t
unistshesaw
him asal addert oclimbupt ogett o
wher eshewant edbutherdr eam
wast erminat edyoungasshef ound
outt hatshewaspr egnantandmy
Daddeni edt hepr egnancyandl eft
fortheUS, myMom r eali
zedshewas
playedwi thandshecoul dn'tfinish
herschool i
ngasshebecamea
singlemot herandmaki ngmat ters
wor seherpar entsdiedandy ou
knowhowi tinZimbabwef emal e
chil
dr endon' tgett oownan
i
nher itancel eftbehindespeci all
y
whent herear egreedyr elat
ives

Hear
t:
YesIknow"
Shane: That '
swhathappenedandmy
Mom st artedl i
v i
ngwi t
hhermom' s
sisterandt heynev erwel comedher
nicelywi t
hachi ldwi t
hhersoshe
wasn' tloved, theyt reatedherl i
kea
mai d, starvedherandmeandl if
e
gothar df orherandmyMom al ways
hadt histal konhermout hthatIwas
ami stakeandsher egrettedhaving
meandsher edirectedherangeron
meandst ar t
edt r
eat i
ngmel ikeIwas
trash, shest arteddat ingagai nand
startedhav i
ngf unandshesoon
forgotaboutme, somet i
messhe
woul dgooutandwoul dnev ercome
backandherAunt ymadesur eto
givemeahel lkindofl i
feandmy
Mom nev ercaredunt i
lthemanshe
wasseei ngwant edtomar r
yherand
theygotmar r
iedbutshenev ertold
himt hatshehadachi ldwhenev er
theycamehomeIwoul dcallher
AuntyandIst oppedgoi ngt oschool
noonepai dschoolf eesf ormeand
myMom' sAunt yhadt urnedmei nto
aslav einherhome, onedayI
couldn'tholditinandIbl abber ed
andaddr essedmyMom asMom not
asAunt yandIt oldherIwast ir
ed
andwant edtolivewi t
hherandgot o
schoolwi ththeot herkids,shef ir
st
beatmeandt r
iedt ocov erupt hatI
wasl oosingmymi ndthatIwasher
nephewbutIkeptdeny ingi tandshe
andherhusbandar guedandst arted
havingpr obl
emsbutev ent uall
yt he
husbandaccept edt hest oryasi t
wasdon' tknowwhatt heysai dto
eachot herandt heyt ookmei nand
therethesameabusecont inued, I
wast reateddifferentl
yf rom my
stepbrothersandsi st
ers, Iwor etorn
clothes,Ineverwentbackt oschool
ti
llmyMom r eceivedacal loneday
from myDadaf terwhatseemedt o
belikeeightyear s,Idon' tknowhow
hef oundherbutshedi dn'tdo
anythingelset hant omakemepack
andwewentt oget herandshel eft
mewi thhim andhesawt he
resembl anceIhadwi thShinewe
bothlookedl ikehi m andt here
wasn'tdeny i
ngt hatIwashi sandso
paperswer emadef ormeandf rom
ragsst rai
ghtint oapl anet oAmer i
ca
wher enowShi ne'sMom washi s
wifeandofshepr otest edtoo
becausei tseemedt hatmyFat her
hadchi ldr
enev erywher eandhi swife
wast iredofhi sbehav i
orbutshe
stayedany wher e,fort hefirstf
ew
mont hsIwaswel comedni celyandI
gotalongwi tht heot herkidsandI
start
edgoi ngt oschoolandIwas
veryintell
igentt aki
ngaf termyMom
andShi newasbadnews, hehadbad
i
nf l
uenceandwasal readyintodr ugs
from ay oungagei ngr ade8andIf or
oneDadwaspr oudofmebuthat e
accumul atedbet weenmeandShi ne
fi
ghtingf orDad' sloveandev eryone
start
edhat ingmeexceptmyDadby
thattimemyDadwassi ckwef ound
outhehadAI DSf orsomet ime
thoughhewasconceal i
ngit,Shine
setupat rapf ormehi solderfri
end
rapedhi ssi st
erandt hebl amewas
shift
edonmeandt heysai dat13I
wasol denought oknowt he
differencebet weenr ightandwr ong
andsoIwasl ockedupf orand
serv eday earwasgoi ngt oserve
mor ey earswhenir eached16and
aftert hatmyDadwasnol ongerthe
samehi sloveformehadchanged, I
didn'tgobackt oschoolany more
andt heabuseagai ncontinuedand
Shine' ssistertesti
fi
edagai nstme
event houghsheknewwhor aped
herandIser ved6y earsi npri
son
cameoutwhenIwas22y earsandI
wassentbackt oZimbabweandmy
Daddi edt hatyearhear t
brokenand
withoutknowi ngt hetruth,nowin
ZimbabweIwasj ustanoonewi t
h
anAmer icancriminalrecordnoone
wantedmeandIl i
vedal i
feof
hustl
ing,
adecentt hingthatIdidwas
tobuyadi gi
talcamer aandst ar
ted
taki
ngpicturesuntilShinedeceived
meagai nIwon' tgointodetail
sbutit
hasmademewhoIam t oday"he
hadhisfacedr oppeddownt heboat
notbeingrowedj ustinoneposi t
ion

Heart
:MyGody oul
iv
edat oughl
if
e
ShaneIam r
eall
ysorr
y"sheheldhis
hands"AndyourMom ?"

Shane:
Icutal
lconnect
ionswi
thher
andsev
eredt
ieswi
thher"

Hear
t:
Meani
ng?
?"

Shane:
Meani
ngshedi
sownedme
andIdi
dthesame"

Hear
t:
But.
..
..
..
..
..
"

Shane:Pl
easedon'tconvincemeinto
anyt
hing,Ifel
ttobeopent oyouand
that
'showf arIcangothoughthere
i
smor ebuty ou'
rethefi
rstper
sonto
knowInev ertol
danyone"shejust
l
ookedathim "Ihavesomethingfor
you"hereachedinhispocketand
tookoutabeauti
fulgol
denpendant
neckl
acethatshonewiththe
moonli
ghtandithadtwohear t
sonit
andheputonherneck

Hear t
:I
t'
sbeauti
fulthankyou,Ihave
somet hi
ngforyoutoo"shet ookout
theRolexwrist
watchsheboughtf or
him andputitonhiswristandalso
broughtoutanexpensiveman's
perfumeandgi f
tedhim

Shane:
WowIhav
enev
err
ecei
veda
gi
ftmyent
ir
eli
fet
hisi
smyf
ir
st"

Hear
t:
Real
ly?
"

Shane:
Yes"

Heart
:Hmmmm andwhywegav e
eachotherpresent
sont hesameday
l
ikepeoplewhoar eabouttobreakup
andthi
swi l
lserveasaresemblance
ofoutlove"
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
31]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t35

Sonowsheknewt hatshewas
somewherebetweenSout hAfr
ica
andMozambi quejudgingbythe
moneyshewasbei nggiven
someti
mesRandandsomet imes
Meti
cal
sandshecoul dbuyusing
bot
hcurrencywhichmeantonet hi
ng
thatsheconcl
udedt
obet rueupin
hermindwelli
twastrueunti
lpr
oven
wrongwithShanemay be

Hear t
:Mukana"shel aughedasshe
andShanewer edri
v ingbackhome
aftercomi ngfr
om meet i
ngwit
h
ArgentineandMar i
nha, Shanejust
hadcol l
ect edf
rom homeand
droppedherof fandt hegirl
sspent
thedayal oneandwhent heywere
donehewentandpi ckedherup

Shane:
It
'sugl
yIknow"
Hear
t:Noit
'snotbutIam j
ust
wonderi
ngwhyy ourMom gavey
ou
t
hatname? "

Shane:
IwondertoobutInev
ergott
o
askanywayIlovedt
henamemyDad
gavemeinstead"

Heart:
AndIwast hi
nkingthatwasit
bycoinci
dencethatyouwer enamed
Shanewhilei
nZimbabweandy our
brot
herwasnamedShi newhil
ein
Amer i
cayetyoudidn'
tknowone
another"
Shane:
NoIwasr enamedwhenmy
Dadtookme, hedidn'
tunder st
and
mynameMom hadgi v enme, he
evenaskedwhatMukanameansand
Icoul
dn'tanswerhim Ijustt
oldhim
toaskMom "

Hear
t:Mukanat
ranslat
edi
sChance
ormaybeOppor
tunit
y"shelaughed
outl
oud

Shane:
It
'ssoni
cet
oseeyoumaking
funofmynamePaida"hel
aughed
too
Heart
:Wowy ouhavenevercal
ledme
wit
hmyr ealnameandIdon'tknow
howthatsoundedandfelt"

Shane:Howdi ditsoundli
ke,what
di
dy ouf eeldon'
ttel
lmey ou
developedgoosebumpshuh? "She
pl
ay f
ullyhithi
m withhercl
utch
purse

Hear
t:
Wel
lki
nda"

Shane:OoohmyGody ourvoi
ce
suddenlychangestosexyIshoul
d
cal
lyouPai damoreoften"
Heart
:mxm youj
ustwannascor
e"
shecl
ickedhert
ongue

Shane:
Wellhowabouti
ttoni
ght
,you
wanttori
demehmmmm? "

Heart
:Di
dn'
tyouridemeint he
morni
nginthebathroom Idon'
twant
"sheshyl
yrepl
ied

Shane:Icant
ellyou'
retur
nedonr
ight
nowy ou'r
esuperhorny"she
chuckled
Hear
t:
Justdr
ivepleaseman"she
l
ookedathi
strousersandshesaw
t
hathewasbecomi ngaroused

Shane:
Shoul
dIpar
kthecar?
"

Heart
:ForwhatMukana,
you'
recr
azy
"shelaughed

Shane:
Youj
usttur
nedmeof
fdon'
t
cal
lmebythatname"

Hear
t:
Ooohgr
eatInowknowhowt
o
tur
ndowny ourst
rangelibi
do
wheneveryouwanttonagme, Iwi
ll
cally
ouMukana"hej ustgiggl
ed
"Anywayhowdidorwhydi dShine
changehisnametoBaf ol?
"She
asked

Shane:Mxm l
et'
snottalkabouthi
m"
helookedangrysuddenlyandshe
j
ustwantedtoannoyhi m

Hear
t:
Whyhei
syourbr
other?
"

Shane:
Hear
tdropit"heprot
ested
andsherol
ledhereyesandkept
quietlookingoutt hewindowand
therewasanawkwar dsilencefora
while"Inot hernewswhatwer eyou
andt hewhi tesdoingortalki
ng
about ?"Heaskedast hesi l
ence
awkwar dnessatmospher ewas
getti
ngwei rd

Hear
t:
Gir
ltal
k"sherepl
iedst
il
l
l
ooki
ngoutthewindow

Shane:
Whatsor
tofgirlt
alkanddon'
t
tel
lmeyou'
reof
fici
all
ydri
nking?"

Hear
t:Uhmmm Idi
dn'
t"shedi
d
somest
rangebodi
lyact
ion

Shane:
BabeyoudrankIcant
ell
you'
reali
tt
let
ipsy
"

Hear
t:
Justamoji
to,
Idi
dn'
twantt
o
t
hough,t
heseguy
smakeme"

Shane:
Don'
tdot
hatagai
n"

Hear
t:
What?
"

Shane:
Drinking"hecommandedi
na
author
it
ativevoi
ceandsheknewshe
wasnowwal
kingt
hewr
ongr
oad

Heart:
Okay"sheobey edandabout
tolookouttothewindowandhe
knewt hatawkwar
dnesswi l
lsoonf
il
l
upsohedi dn'
tper
mi tit

Shane:Arey
ougoingtotel
lmet he
gi
rl
ytalksyouwerehavi
ng? "hesti
ll
persi
stedonthet
opic

Heart:Wet al
kedaboutAfri
can
charms, l
oveport
ionsspeci
fical
lyt
o
useonourmansot hatt
heymaybe
sati
sfiedwithusandnotlook
el
sewher
e"hel
aughed

Shane:
Thatist
hemostst upidest
thi
ngIhaveheard"shejustlooked
athimlaughhelookedcute

Hear
t:
You'
rel
aughi
ng"

Shane:
Wel
ldowomenr
eal
lydot
hat
?"

Heart
:Womencangot
oext
remest
o
keepaman"
Shane:
Real
ly?
"

Heart:
Yesandt
hatremindsoft
he
debatewehadIwanttotel
lmey our
thoughts"

Shane:
Okaywhatwasi
tabout?
"

Hear t:SoArgentinereadfrom her

what sappgroupaski ngwhatki l
lsa
rel
ationshipfasterisitpoorsex,
no
sex,nomoney ,
cheating,
bad
fri
ends, l
essfun,lackof
communi cat
ionornot r
ust"
Shane:
Okay"heseemedt
obe
di
sint
erest
ed

Hear
t:
Wel
lwhat
'sy
ourt
ake?
"

Shane:
Idon'
tknow"sheey
edhi
m

Hear
t:
Makear
andom guesscome
on"

Shane:Uhmmm t el
lmeyourvi
ew
whatdidy ousaywhatwasyour
contr
ibuti
on?"
Hear
t:
Not
rustt
hat
'swhatIsai
d"

Shane:
Okaygoon"

Hear t
:Tr ustist hef oundat i
onofa
relati
onshipev erythingel secomes
aftertrustandIcansaf elysayt hatI
thinkIhav ereachedt hatl evelof
trustinourr elationshi py ouknow, I
trustyou'rewor kingf orusandaway
outwi l
lsoonbemadev iableandI
knowt hatIam t heonl ywomani n
yourlifeandIdon' thav et ocompet e
wi t
hsomechi ckf ory ourl oveisall
mine, t
hati sonet hingIt rustIgetall
yourlov eandIbel i
evet haty outrust
met ooy ouknowy oucansendme
offsomewher eandIcangoand
comebackwi thouthav i
ngt hose
thought sofr unni ngawayor
contact i
ngt hepol i
ceormypar ents,
soonIwi llbef reebecausey ou'
rea
goodguywhowi l
lbri
ngmeoutof
thi
s"Hej ustkeptqui etfocusingon
thedr i
ving, i
t'
sasi fthet opicwas
tyi
nghi m ont heneckandf indingit
dif
ficulttobr eat he"Sowhatdoy ou
thi
nk? "Hewasst artl
edf rom hi s
wander ingt hought s
Shane:
Yes"

Heart
:YeswhatIjustaskedwhatyou
t
hink,Shanehav
ey oubeenlist
eni
ng
t
ome? "

Shane:Ofcour se"hemadeaU- t
urn
str
aightintotheapar t
ment'
syard
andhisphonev ibrated,hepar
ked
andstoppedt or eadamessageand
Heartgotout ,
bangi ngthecardoor
andwor eherst i
lettoesshewas
pi
ssedof fwithhowheact s
somet i
mesheseemedt obethere
andnott hereatt hesamet imeand
shefeltli
keshewasli
vingwit
ha
ghost,shepeepedonthewindowhe
wastakingt i
meonthephonewhich
madehert owonderwhom hewas
chatt
ingwi t
h

Heart:Shane"shecalledoutnowon
hi
ssi deknockingont hewindowand
wast hinki
ngwhyam Iev en
botheringhim whenIknowmyway
i
n,helower edhiswindow

Shane:
Eishbabyyougonnahaveto
goinsi
debyy our
sel
fIhavetogo
andmeetwithBafolwi
llbeback
befor
ey ouknowit,shereall
yey
ed
hi
mt hinki
ngifhewasn'tgoingt
obe
wit
hanot hergi
rlt
henthet r
usti
ssue
poppedupandshesai d

Heart
:Okaydon'
ttakel
ong,
Iwi
ll
warm upourbed"

Shane:OkayIwon'
tbel
ong"he
st
artedthecar

Heart:
Cozyoumi ghtendupget
ti
ng
somet oni
ght"shesaidandcat
walkedandhelookedatherpomp
bi
gassandwhi stledwhil
ehe
r
ever
sedt
hecarandshel
aughed

Shewal kedinandpr egnantboss

Ladywasi nafterdi
sappeari
ngf or
threedaysandHear twasreli
eved
becausewi thouthershecouldhav e
herbreathingspaceandbaby si
tti
ng
thekidswassomucheasywhenshe
wasn'troundt obossyherandshow
offherselfwiththeful
lofIknow
everyt
hingat t
itudeshehad,shesat
upwhenshehear dthedoorbeing
closed

Shel
ookedatHear
tfr
om t
opt
o
bottom andshegotpi ssedof f,well
Hear thadal way sbeent hatsimpl e
chickt oherbutt hatt i
meshewas
amazedwi t
ht hebeaut i
fultollthat
wast akingshapeandshewas
slaying,shehadBr azilianhairshe
didn'twantt hatshewant edsi mple
braidsbutMrShaneHol mansai d
thebr aidswer eugl yonherandhe
gotherwhatt heycalledChi tesau
(Brazili
anhai r)andshesawt hisasa
totalwast eofmoneyt houghshe
l
ov edt hef i
nishedlookwheni twas
sewni nandr ightthereshewas
wear ingawhi teri
ppedont heknee
skinnyj eansandt uckedi nawhi te
stretchyt optogowi ththejeansand
nudest i
lett
osmat chingitwit
hher
clutchpur se,Latoyagotannoy ed
100%andt othinkthatHeartwast he
reasonshecoul dn'
thav easecond
chancewi thShaneandal sowas
beingi gnoredbyBaf owhowas
fall
ingf orhergotherboi l
ingmad

Latoya:Youmustbef eel
ingont op
ofthewor l
d?"sheaskedasHear t
wasaboutt opassherasshehad
stoppedintheki
tchentot akesome
aspir
inswhenshef el
taheadache
comingon
Hear
t:
Excuseme"shest
opped

Lat
oya:Youmustfeell
ikeaQueen
youknowbothbrother
sinlov
ewith
you"

Heart
:Iam notupfory
ournonsense
"shesaidabouttowalkaway

Latoya:Ioncefel
tthewayy ou'
re
feeli
ngbutl ookwhereIendedupso
ofIwer eyouIwoul dn'
thi
ghlyexal
t
my self"
Hear
t:
Oopsy
ourbad"

Lat
oya:
Yout
hinkhel
ovesy
our
ight
?"

Hear
t:
Who?
"

Lat
oya:
Shane"

Hear
t:Idon'
tthi
nk,
Iknow"Lat
oya
smir
kedasmi le
Latoya:
Heisamaninneedand
you'r
ejustar
emedythatwil
lfade
withti
me"ouchthatr
eall
yhurts

Heart
:Wear
ediff
erent"shedidn'
t
haveany
morewordst osayandnow
wasaboutt
oleave

Latoya:Noyouar en'
twaitunti
lyou
getusedupandhegoesbackt o
Zimbabweandt akeothergir
ls,he
wil
lfallinl
ov eagai nwit
hahotf resh
youngsexygi rlnotonlythathashe
evertakeny outot hecasinohe
hangsoutt heremanygi r
lsbeautif
ul
morethany ouwi l
lbeallar
oundhim
andhewi l
ltaketurnstof***each
andeveryoneoft hem whil
ey oube
her
ewai t
ingthinkingy
ou'reloved"

Heart
:Whatmat
ter
sist
hel
oveIhav
e
forhi
m"

Latoya:Hemakesy ouscream ri
ght
,hemakesy oul i
keinyou'
r ei
nyour
ownwor l
dwherebyy ouandhim onl
y
existandofcoursethat'
swhathe
want syoutofeelwaitunt
ilyouget
pregnantyouwillbeoldallofa
sudden"
Heart
:Idon'
tcar
e" shetur
nedthe
knobofthebedroom doorbut
Latoy
awasn'tstopping

Lat oya:Tellmewhathepr omi ses

youf r
eedom per hapsmar r
iageor
what, di
dhei ntr
oducey out ohi s
mot heroranyofhi sFat her'
s
relativesintheSt at
es? "Hear t
recal l
edseeingapi ctureofLat oya
,Shaneandhi sMom t hatpictur e
disappear edshedi dn'tseei tagain

Hear
t:
Iwon'
tli
stent
oyou,
youhad
yourti
mewi thhim andy oumessed
i
tuppl easel etmeenj oymyt i
me
withhim, yourjealousyisshowing
anditwillkil
lyoubecausewear enot
stoppi
ngIam goi ngt ol
ovehim
mor e"nowshef eltdefeated

Latoya:
You'
redoingabadj ob
becauseherunstomef orsex,heis
bangingmer i
ghtundert hisroofand
youdon'tev
enknowi t,Isti
llt
urnhim
onevenwhenIam pr egnantandi t
onlymeanshest i
llhasf eel
ingsfor
me"Herheartsank
Heart:
Thatisali
e"shest oodup
withherphoneandwentcl osert
o
herandplayedanaudioforherand
Shanewasgr oani
ngandanot her
femalevoi
cemoani ng,
itwasLatoya
andshewasaski nghim aboutHear
t
i
nhermoani ng

Lat oya:Youheart hat,howImade

him cr ywit
hmybi gstomachand
youar eher efeeli
ngimpor t
ant,y
ou
hear dwhathesai dt hathedoesn't
mi ndt hestomachandt hatyouwere
anobody, l
istencarefull
y"she
play edandr epeatedthatpartover
andov eragainwhenhewassay i
ng
shedidn'
tmattertohi
m andit
pier
cedherheartandshefound
hersel
fcr
ying
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
33]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t36
Shane:Youshoul
dn'
tsummonmeat
ni
ghty ouknow"hesaidget
ti
ngi
n
Bafol
'shotelr
oom

Bafol
:Whycan'
tIdot
hatf
orol
d
ti
me'ssake?"

Shane:andthi
siswhereyouarebut
cl
aimingtobebroke? "hesatonthe
hotel
'
scouchandt heroom wasjust
exqui
siteandsuperl
uxuri
ous

Baf
ol:
Idon'
thav
emoneyIam owi
ng
"

Shane:mxm youshoul
dcomeand
col
lectyourgi
rl
fr
iendwhogoesin
andoutwhenshewi shes,
she
di
sappearsandreappearsl
ikea
ghost"

Bafol:
Wi l
lyoubewor ri
edabouther
?"hepassedacaneofsav annadr y
andShanegr abbeditanddrainedit
i
mmedi atel
yandsmokedal soont he
okapithatwasont hetabl
e,a
str
awber ryfl
av or
edsmokehedi dn't
l
ikeitsohest oppedandstuckt othe
beeri
nst
ead

Shane:Whyshoul
dIbeworr
iedabout
a30y earoldwomanwhocantake
car
eofher sel
f?"

Bafol:
Exactl
ymypoint,
whyi
s
everyoneexpect
ingmetowor
ryf
or
herinstead?"

Shane:
Whydidyoubr
ingheri
nthe
fi
rstpl
aceBaf
olj
ustt
ocausetroubl
e
formehuh?"
Baf ol:
Nowshei st r
oublebecause
youhav eHear tbyy oursidei
si t,
if
shewasn' therey ouwer egoingtobe
gladl i
vingwi thyourexandy ouhav e
prov edthatpoi ntanywaybysl eeping
withherwhi leyouhav eHeartandI
am wonder ingifyout woarestill
sleepingt ogether?"Her ockedhis
chai randlookedatShane
mi schievously

Shane:Noandthatwasamistake
notthatIl
oveherasyou'
ret
hinki
ng"
hestammer ed
Bafol
:Anywaydoesyourbel oved
know,Ithi
nkIhavegi
veny out i
met o
tel
lheronyourownandal soIhav e
notheardabouty
ourdecisiont ogo
toZimbabwewheredoy oust and
now? "

Shane:Youcannev
ertel
lHear
tabout
whatconspir
edbetweenmeand
Latoy
a"

Bafol
:Mandon' tt
ellmey ouhav en'
t
donesoalreadyIunderstoody ou
wheny ousaidthatifIt
ellherabout
youandLatoy ashewoul dprotests
andrebeltogobackandmight
cont
actthepoliceandi
tmadesense
i
fitwasn'tfort
hatIwasgoi
ngtotel
l
her"

Shane:Youcan'
tIsaidIwi
llgoont
he
tr
ipifonlyyoudon'
tbecomea
bl
abber mouth"

Bafol
:GoodandIwillt
akecareofher
whil
styou'
regone"hespinnedhi
s
chair

Shane:
Don'
tyoudar
eBaf
ol"
Bafol
:Why?,
..
..
..
shewouldhave
gott
enusedtosomeonewar mingup
herbodywhoknowsy oumightnot
comeback"hesneeredanditmade
Shanetosuspect

Shane:Whatexactl
yam Igoi ngtodo
i
nZi mbabwebecauseasf arasI
knowwegi vethegirl
ssomet i
met o
adjustbef
oregoingtointervi
ew
somemor egirl
sbutt hi
stripistoo
suddenwhat'stherush?"

Baf
ol:
Goodquest
iony
ourmi
ssi
oni
s
t
oki
llsomeone"Shanebangedon
t
het
ableandstoodup

Shane:
Whatthef
***?
"Hewas
fl
abber
gast
ed

Bafol:
Anoff
icerseemstobeonour
tr
ailsoIwantyoutodealwi
thhi
m"

Shane:
andyou'r
etel
li
ngt
hist
ome
now,noIwon'tgo"

Baf
ol:
Youwil
lgo"hecommanded
asi
ftal
kingt
oaslav
e
Shane:Toki
llsomeoneno,Ihave
neverdonethat"Baf
olaughed

Baf
ol:
HowaboutPaul
ine?
"

Shane:
Itwasami st
akenot
i
ntenti
onalandy
oucausedit"

Bafol
:Howwhenshehadpl
ayedyour
mindandwasaboutt
orepor
tyou"

Shane:
pleasel
etsl
eepi
ngdogsli
e
,butt
histri
pIwon'
tgodoityour
sel
f
"

Bafol:
ThenIshouldtellyourHeart
aboutyourdeadlysecret"Shane
l
ookedatBaf olhecouldn'tbeli
eve
thatwashappeninghet hought
may behewasdr eaming" Wellwhat
doy ousay?"Shanesighedgosh
whenwashegoi ngtobef reeand
i
ndependent,theissuewashekept
messinguphi mself

Shane:
Giv
emesomet
imeOkay"

Baf
ol:
Ithi
nkIhav
egi
veny
ouenough
t
imeal
ready"

Shane:Ineedmor et
imetoment al
l
y
prepar
emy sel
fIhaveneverki
ll
eda
persontalkaboutanoffi
cer"

Baf
ol:
Nev
ersaynev
er"hegi
ggl
ed

Shane:Damni
t,Iwi
llt
elly
ouwhenI
am ready"

Bafol
:Putyourtailbet
weenyourl
egs
orImightjuststeponitandthepai
n
uuuu...
..
"
Shane:Iwil
ldoitOkayjust.
...
..
..
"He
cl
osedhi seyesevery
thingwas
goingsowr ongbuthewant edto
stealsomet i
me

Bafol
:Cooll
et'
sgo"her
osef
rom hi
s
chair

Shane:
Wher
e?"

Baf
ol:
Wanttogiv
ethatLat
oyasome
moneymxm"Shanewonderedwhy
hehadtocl
ickhi
stongue
Shane:Youwil
ldoi
toutsi
dedon't
wantyoutocauseasceneli
keyou
di
dlastti
me"

Bafol:
lookwhosetal
kingy ou'
re
capableofcausi
ngasceneand
dramaony ourownwi thoutme
beinginvol
ved"

Shaneignor
edandgrabbedanother
caneofbeerandwal
kedoutand
Bafolf
oll
owedbehi
ndandt heydrov
e
out
*
*
*
*
*
*

Heartwasnowsi tt
ingont het oi
let
seatasshewashav i
ngdi ar
rhoea
,shewasgoi ngi nandoutoft he
toi
letbutthendecidedt ositinther e
andcr i
edherey esout,shedi dn'
t
knowwher ethedi arr
heawas
comingf r
om orwhatt riggeredit,she
hadlasagnawi thArgentineand
Mar i
nhaandt hatwast hat,that'
st he
onlyfoodsher emember edeati
ng
andal sochewedont hebilt
ongthat
wasinShane' scarsoshewonder ed
betweent hetwowhatwascausi ng
thediarrhoeaorwasi ttheissuethat
Latoyahadbr oughtupandt heaudio
shelistenedtocouldi tbethe
cause,whilei
nhert houghtsand
cryi
ng, sheheardmal ev oi
cestal
king
i
nt hel i
vi
ngroom andknewShane
wasback, sheflashedandwal ked
out

Shane:Hey"hewant
edtohugher
butstoppedseei
ngt
earsstr
eaming
downherf ace"
What
'shappeni
ng?"
HeaskedworriedandLatoyal
ooked
t
ot heTV,Baf
olattent
ionedhi
mself
wit
ht het
wo

Heart
:I
sitt
rue?
"Sheaskedst
il
l
cr
ying

Shane:
Whati
str
ue?
"

Heart:
Howmanyt imesdi
dy ousl
eep
wit
hherr i
ghtundermynose?"Hi
s
heartspl
itupi
ntwoandhelookedat
Latoyawhoshrugged
Shane:
Whatdidy
out
ellher?
"He
askedLat
oya

Hear t
:AnswermeShanesot hisisit
whenIt r
ustedy ouandy oumademe
dot hi
ngsIdi dn'twantt odoal l
becauseI. .
...
..
..because...
..
..
..
"She
couldn'tspeakcr yi
ng" Isacri
fi
ced
my self,mybeliefsfory oubuty ou
stabbedmei nthebackandy ou
wer esleepi
ngwi t
hher"

Shane:Whydidyoutel
lherhuh,why
di
dy ou..
..
??"HechargedtoLatoy
a
whor anandstoodbehindBaf
ol
Latoya:SheprovokedmeandIhad
nochoi ce"shesaidhi
dingher
sel
f
behindBafol

Shane:
Didn'
tIt
elly
out
hat.
..
..
..
"

Heart:Whatdidyoutel
lherShane
,thatIshouldn'
tfi
ndoutwhil
ey ou
continuetoplaymehuhandt othink
thatyoulovedmewasal lali
e"

Shane:Noit
'snotal
iebaby"het
ri
ed
totouchher
Heart
:Don'
ttouchmeandIam not
yourbaby"

Shane:
Iam sorr
yitwasamist
ake
l
et'
stal
kpri
v at
elypl
ease"

Heart:Talkaboutwhat, yousaidIam
nobodyandt hatIdidn'
tmat t
erandI
thoughtwewer eone, t
hatwewer e
goingsomewher ebuty ouarenot
diff
erenty ou'
rejustli
keallofthem
dogs"shewal kedoutandShanef el
t
tearsthreateni
nghi seyes
Shane:
Whydi
dyout
ellherLat
oya?
"

Bafol:
Heythi
sain'
therfaultwhydi
d
youdoi nt
hefir
stplace"hewas
addingsal
ttothewound, Shane
fol
lowedHeart

Shane:Babyl
ist
en"shehithi
m with
apill
owscreamingandheletherso
thatshecoul
dgetherangerout
eventhoughthepi
ll
owwassof t

Heart
:Don'
ttouchmeIhat
ey ou,t
his
i
swhaty outookmefor,
tohurtme
whil
etwotimingmewithyourex"
Shane:
NoIam nott
wo.
..
..
..
"

Hear
t:
Justshutup,
j
ustshutupand
l
eavemealone"

Shane:
Giv
emeachancet
ospeak"

Hear
t:Idon'
twanttohearit,
soyou
canaddmor eli
es,
wheny ougoout
howmanygi rl
swil
lyoubescrewing
huh?"

Shane:
Ist
hatwhatLat
oyawasf
il
li
ng
y
ourheadwi
th?
"

Hear t
:Howcoul dyouShanewhenI
thoughtIhadf oundt heoneandI
understoody ou...
..
.understoody ou
forthethiefthatyouar e"shet hr
ew
herselfont hefl
oorburst i
nginmor e
cryi
ngandnowhehadt ear
sr unning
downhi sf ace

Shane:
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o"hesquat
ted
onher

Heart
:It
houghty
ouweregoingt
o
denyi
tandsayit'
sal
iethati
tdi
dn'
t
happenbuti tdi dthatwasy ourvoi
ce
"shecr i
edt hemor eandhewant ed
towi pethoset earsawaybutshe
pickedupherst il
ettoandstruckhi
m
withit,t
hatonehur tsbutnot
compar edtot hepai nshewas
feeli
ng,thewoundoft hesoul,
sohe
endur ed

Shane:
Iact
edwi
thoutmucht
hinki
ng
pl
ease"

Hear
t:
It
'sov
er"

Shane:
What?
?"
Hear t
:I
t'
soverbetweenusIhat ey ou
"shest oodupchar gingoutbangi
ng
thedoorbehindherandhef oll
owed
andhowembar rassingitwastocr y
forawomanandot herpeople
seeinghistear
s" Bafoltakemeaway
from thi
splaceplease"shesai dand
thoughttohurthimt oo

Shane:
Noy
ouwon'
tdot
hat,
wil
lyou
?"

Hear
t:
Ican'
tstandhi
spresencet
ake
meawayrightnow"shescreamed
ont
opofherl
ungs

Bafol
:Okayy
ougotever
ythi
ngy
ou
need?"Hestoodup
Shane:
Baf
olno"

Heart
:Bafollet
'sgo"shehel dhis
handandt heywal kedout,Bafolheld
herhandwi t
hpl easureti
ghtl
yatt hat
tooandgott othepar ki
ngand
openedthedoorbutShanecl osedi t
befor
eshegoti n

Shane:
Thi
nkagai
ndon'
tdo
thi
s,
you'
re.
..
..
.Heisabadguyt
his
onedon'
tdot hi
s?"

Heart:
Didyouthinktwicebefor
e
decidi
ngthatIwasanobody ?"she
pushedhim,hewasathi sweakest
otherwi
seshecoul dn'
thavepushed
hi
m, shegotinthecarandBaf ol
cl
osedt hedoorforher

Shane:
Bafoldon'
tli
stent
ohersheis
j
ustangrydon'tt
akeherbri
ngher
out"

Baf
ol:
Theycomeont
hei
rownt
ome
andIfr eel
yopenmyar mstot hem "
hegoti nthecarandhewat ched
them leavenev erloosingey e
contactwi thHeart,shedi dn'treason
mucht hatti
mebutj oiningherself
withhisbr other
,hisenemy, itwas
sweett hatmomentt oseehi m
crumbl easwel lbutwasi twor t
hit
,shelookedathi m onel asttimeand
thecardr oveof f
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
33]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t37

Hear t
:Bafolpl
easeIbegyouletme
beher ejustafewday ssot
hatIcan
forgethim "shesaidasshewas
takeninhi shot
elroom

Bafol:
Andgowher eaft
ert
hat? "he
tossedhisjacketonthechai
r,she
satont hecouch
Heart:
Takemet owher ethegi
rlsare
i
nstead"shesai dbutBafoldi
dn't
seethisasagoodi dea,
shewoul d
pol
lutethem againhethought

Baf
ol:
Youwi
lll
iv
eher
ewi
thme"

Heart:
Wecan'tshar
eoneroom
toget
her"shesaidl
ooki
ngaround
sit
ti
ngonthecouchandtherewasa
knockonthedoor

Bafol:
Whoisit?
"Heaskedbefor
ehe
couldopenbutther
ewasnorepl
y
"Whoi si
t?"Heaskedagai
n
Hear
t:
It
'shi
m Icanf
eeli
t"

Baf
ol:
Shane"hewasnowbangi
ng
onthedoorwi
thhi
sfi
st

Shane:
Heartl
et'
stal
kpl
ease"he
keptonbangi
ng

Heart
:Ihavenothi
ngt
otal
ktoy
ou
aboutpleasegoaway"

Shane:
Soy ou'
regoi
ngt
obei
nther
e
wit
hhim huh?"
Heart:
Yesmay beIbelongwi thhi
m
andyoubel ongwithLatoyasogo
backtoyourr i
ghtf
ulplaceasIam in
myrightf
ulplace"shesni f
fl
edhe
di
dn'tanswerthatitgothim more
madandhest art
edkickingthedoor
wit
hhisf oot

Bafol:
Youshouldgowear etryi
ngto
sleep"hesaidsmili
ng,imagesof
Hearttaki
ngherclothesofft
oBafol
terr
if
iedShane

Shane:
Imadeami
stakepl
easeIl
ove
youdon'tdothist omepleasaaaase
"shecouldtel
l thathewascr yi
ng
withhowhisv oicewasdeep, she
stoodupwalkedt othedoorbut
Bafolgr
abbedherhandasshewas
abouttoopent hedoor,hepulledher
tohim

Baf
ol:
Whatdoy
out
hinky
ou'
redoi
ng
?"

Heart
:Ican'
tst
andittohearhim
cr
ying"shesaidasifunconsci
ous

Baf
ol:
Noheneedst
hatdon'
tlethi
m
usey ou"heembr acedherinhis
armsandsheneededt hatbutshe
quicklyreleasedher sel
ffrom hi
m
shehadj ustbrokenupwi thShane
andshewasn' tgoi ngtoimmediatel
y
actbitchycer t
ainl
ynotwi thhis
brother

Shane:
Heartbabypleasel
et'
stal
k"
hekeptki
ckingthedoorandBafol
pi
ckeduphislandli
nephone

Hear
t:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

Baf
ol:
Cal
li
nghot
el'
ssecur
it
yteam "
Hepr
essedoneont
hemai
n

Hear
t:
NoBaf
oldon'
tpl
ease"

Bafol:YesHear tt
hiswi l
ldo"hesai
d
andspokeont hephoneandputt he
receiverdownandi nnomi nutes
therewasnoi seont hedoorwhen
thesecur i
tyguysarriv
ed

Securi
ty:You'r
edisturbingthehotel
'
s
vvipcl
ientanddestroyinghot el
'
s
propert
yy oushouldleav eri
ghtaway
orelsewillbeaty
ouup"hesai dand
Heartcouldhearfrom insideas
tear
scont
inuedcascadi
ngdownher
cheeks

Shane:Idon'
tcareIwil
lpayevenifI
am l
eftwithnothi
ngbutpleasethe
guyintherei
shol di
ngmygirlf
ri
end
hostage"hesaidandthesecurit
y
guyslaughed

Secur
it
y:Al
ri
ghtSi
rarey
oudrunkor
maybeyouneedtoseeaDoct
or?"

Shane:Leav
emeal one,Iam not
goinganywherewithouther"he
str
uggledwiththeguysholdinghi
m
butitwast woagainstonehewas
defeat
edandsot heydr aggedhim
out,Heartwashear i
ngitallt
hinki
ng
howdi dtheygetthereonemoment
i
nt i
met heywerehappyandt henext
thi
ngtheyhav ebrokenup

Heart:
Ifit
'sOkayIwi
llsl
eepinyour
carplease"shesuggestedasthe
noisehaddieddownmi nutesl
ater

Baf
ol:
Whywoul
dthatbe?
"

Hear
t:
Iwon'
tsleepwit
hy ouinone
r
oom Baf
olyou'r
ehisbrotherIwon'
t
belikeLatoyapl
easepromi
seme
thatyouforceanyt
hingonme?"

Bafol
:Iam notShane,Heartandyou
shoul
dhav ethoughtofthatbefor
e
comingherewi t
hme"

Hear
t:
Soy ouwil
lrapemei sthat
whatyou'
resayi
ngBaf ol,
whatdo
youmeanpleaseelaborat
e?"

Bafol:NoIwon'
trapeyou"hekept
quietforawhil
elooki
ngdown
scratchi
nghishead"Iwi
llt
reaty
ou
ri
ghtandIwanty outocomet ome
l
ittl
ebyl i
tt
lewithoutfor
ceandy ou
andIcanst artoffonsomet hing
special,
Iwillt
reatyouli
kenoman
hasev ertr
eatedy oubefor
e,li
kea
realQueen"

Heart:Shanepl ease"shesaidbut
real
izedshecal l
edhim wrongly"I
meanBaf olpleaseIneedmy
breathingspace, myalonetimeI
won'tdat ebrothersmor al
lythat
's
wrong"hel aughedasi fshehad
saidsomet hingf unny

Baf
ol:
Iwi
llsl
eepi
nthecarnott
hatI
wantt obutbecauseIr espectyou
andIwanty outoseemedi f
ferentl
y
thanwhaty ourheadwaspol lut
ed
with"shedidn'
tanswert hat,she
didn'
tknowhowt oanswert hat,she
neededtobeal one,herbr ai
nwas
boil
ing"Areyouhungr y?"Heasked

Heart:
Noifyoudon'tmi ndIwant
somespace,someal onet i
me"l i
ke
real
l
ywassheaski ngf orspacein
hisr
oom howdumbwast hatbuthe
obeyedanywaybecausehesai dhe
wantedhertoseehim di f
ferent
ly
Bafol
:Okaygoodni
ght"hewalkedt
o
herandshewalkedafewstepsback

Hear
t:
Whatdoyouwantt
odot
ome
?"Sheaskedaf
rai
d

Bafol:
Don'tbescar edj ustwantto
giveyouagoodni ghtkiss"shekept
advancingbackwar dsandhet r
aced
fearonher" Aaahf orgetitIam out"
hegav eupandt ookhi sjacketand
l
eftafterdisconnect i
ngt hehotel'
s
phonef r
om t hewal landcar r
iedit
outwithhimt hatwasonesmar t
mov eshet houghtasshet hrew
hersel
font hebednowr epl
ayi
ngthe
eventsofthatni
ght,shecurl
ed
hersel
fint
oabal landbegancryi
ng
again,
shewashear tbr
oken

Shet ossedandt urnedinbedbutno

sl
eepwoul dcomet ohereyes,the
bedwascomf ortabl
eandmor e
fl
uffythanShane' sbedbutst il
lsl
eep
couldn'tcomeandnowshewas
suddenl yseeingi tasShane'sbeda
momentagoi twast hei
rbed,their
pil
lows, theirblanketsbutnot
anymor e, i
twasShaneal oneand
Heartal onenomor eWeorUs, t
his
madehercr ythemor eandsleep
dri
ftedf urtherandf urtherawayf rom
herey esandshewasmi ssing
Shane' sembr aceandt ouch, she
al
way sslepti nhisar msorherhead
onhi schestbutnowshewas
cl
ut chingonapi ll
ow, howt hings
changef ast,theyfellinlovet oo
quicklyandbr okeupt ooqui cklybut
whydi di tfeltli
keshehadknown
himf ory ears

Heart
:ProtectmyMom ,myDad, Sha
..
..
..
..
..
..
."Shewasabouttosayhi s
namebutr eali
zedhewasn'
tgoingto
beinherli
f eanymor
e"Iam gui
lt
y ,
ashamedofwhatIdone, whatIhave
become, Itur
nedt osomeonet hat
sworeIwoul dnev erbe, thi
shands
aredirt
yandidar enotl i
ftthem to
theHolyone, Ihav ebeenhi dingand
i
nsideIdoubtt haty oucanl ov eme
again"shet riedtopr aykneelingon
thefl
oori nBaf ol'
sr oom andi twas
minutespastt hehourof2i nt he
morningandnosl eephadf inall
y
comet oherey essoshepr ayedbut
fel
tasifshewasbl ackmailing
God,toseekhi m becauset roublehas
brewedandt hat'swhensheneeds
hisdir
ect i
onal lalongshewast he
oneleadingandact edasi fsheknew
whatshewasdoi ng, shewas
speechl
ess

8:20waswhatt hewal lclock

recordedwhensheopenedherey es
,shedi dn'tknowhowshehadsl ept
butherhadwasbur stingl ikethere
wer edrummer sint here, herwhol e
bodynumb, herchestbur ning,her
j
awsachi ng,herthroatsor eand
sali
v agather i
nginamount sinher
mout h,sher ant othet oilet,ther
ei t
wasagai nthev omi ti
ng, shewasso
sick,sheneededShane, she
cleansedhermout h,lookedont he
mi r
ror,shel ookedl i
kea
madwoman, herlipsti
ckal lover,
her
eyeshadowamess, thet ear
smi xed
themselveswi t
ht heblackey eli
ner
andt r
ickl
edf r
om herey esgoing
downl eavingblacklinesonherf ace
butshedi dn'
tcare,herst omachwas
turni
ng,shewassi ck,shewal ked
backinabentpost urehol di
ngher
stomachbutst oppedt ohearhis
voicearguingwi t
hBaf ol

Bafol
:Youdidt hi
stoyourselfdon't
youdar ebl
amemeorherf orrunni
ng
tomef orprotect
ionandy ouknow
whatIam goingt ousethis
opportuni
tytomakehermi ne"
Shane:Pleaseletmehearher
thoughtsont hat,Iknowshewi
ll
neveragreetot hat"

Bafol
:Whatmakesy
ousosur
eof
that?
"

Shane:
Iknowher"

Bafol
:That'sthemor ereasonshe
shouldstayf arawayf r
om y ou
becausey ouwi llconti
nuet ohurther
,shewon'tf orgiveyousoeasi l
y,how
couldy ousl
eepmypr
egnant
gi
rlf
riend?"

Shane:
Shewasmi netobeginwi
th
butImadeami stakebutthat
doesn'
tmeanIdon' tl
oveHeartI
needtotel
lherthi
snoty ou"

Baf
ol:
Okayyoucanhav
eLat
oyaIam
gi
ft
inghert
oyou"
Shane:
Opent
hedoorIwantt
otal
kto
her"

Baf
ol:
Shesai
dit
'sov
erwhatpar
tof
thatmessagedon'tyouget,
ify
ou
keepondoingthisIwil
ltel
lthe
securi
tyguystobeatyouupand
chaseyouawayt hemomenty ou
showsupatt heentr
ance"

Heartwaslisteni
ngherhead
poundingandhav i
ngdi f
fi
cult
yto
openherey esandshewi shedthat
shecouldgooutandhugShaneand
tel
lhi
mi t'
sokayandmov eonbut
shecouldn'
t,shesti
llfel
tthehurtbut
l
ovewasf arfrom beingover,i
twas
sti
l
lthere
Bafol:
What'
swrong? "Heasked
l
ookingdownonherasshewason
thebedlooki
ngil
landshefigur
ed
thatShanemust'
veleft

Hear
t:Iam si
ck"heputhi
shandon
herf
orehead

Bafol
:Letmet akeyout othe
hospi
tal"shenoddedt histimethere
wasnodeny ingasitpainful"don'
t
youneedtobat hfi
rst,
eat? "She
shookherheadnoi t'
sasi fsheallof
asuddencoul dn'
tspeaklikeherli
ps
weregluedtogether
Sheputont hemorni
ngshoest hat
's
theshoesshecamewi thf
rom
Shane'
splace,heputhi
sjacketon
herandheldherastheywalkedout
ti
llt
heygotinthecar

Want
edanhonestman
ThoughtIf
oundoneoft
hem
St
oodbyhi
m ev
eryt
ime
Iwasscar
ed,
Iwasbl
ind
Wasn'
tI?
Thoughthewasamodestman
Whocoul
dputmet
oget
heragai
n
Tr
iedsohar
dtor
eadhi
smi
nd
Thr
oughhi
sey
es
ButIf
oundi
tinsi
lence,
final
lysee
Ther
e'snot
urni
ngback
Iknowi
t'
sgoodf
orme
Someoneel
sewasony
ourmi
ndal
l
thi
sti
me

Heart:
Switchitoffplease"shesaid
asthesongpl ayedinBaf ol
'scaron
theradioastheydrov etothe
hospit
al,t
hesongmadeher
emot i
onalshestartedwiththetear
thi
ngagainbutshedi dn'
tneedthat
Bafol:Okaywear ehereany way"she
l
ookedatt hewor dswr it
tenupahead
i
twasPor tuguesebutsheguessed
thatitmeantHospi tal
,hewi pedher
faceunawar esthatshest artl
ed,she
l
ethim si ncei twasamesst henhe
openedt hedoorf orherandwal ked
outwai tedatt her ecepti
onwhi lehe
didev er
y thingforhergoi ngupand
downandhadal i
ttl
ecar dwithhim
i
nhi shandwhenhef i
nall
ytoldher
tofollowhi m

Doct
or:
Whatar
eyour
symptoms,whatareyoufeel
ingnow
sothatIcandiagnose?"Heasked
l
ookingathersitt
ingi
nthe
consul
tati
onroom

Heart
:weak,
nauseated,
ami grai
ne
,i
rr
it
atedandIdon'tknow"she
cl
osedhereyestheDoct orl
ookedat
her

Doct
or:
Ir
ri
tat
edwi
thwhat?
"

Heart:
Ever
ythi
ng,theenvi
ronment
,food,
ever
yone,Iwantmyparents"
shesaidwhini
ngwhi cht
heDoctor
f
oundwei
rd

Doct
or:OkayMiss...
areyou
vomi
tingtodayorpastdays?
"

Hear
t:
YesIhavebeenv omi
ti
ngfor
someti
me,pleasegi
vemet hepi
ll
sI
wantt
ogobackandsl eep"

Doctor:Nosof astMiss,
didyoumiss
yourmont hl
ycy cl
e?"Heasked
ri
singupandt ookani nj
ecti
on,she
hatedthose
Hear
t:
YesIdi
d?"

Doct or:
Okayy ou'r
esexual l
yactiv
e? "
Shej ustlookedathi m ashetookher
fi
ngerandt i
edi twit
hagl ove,she
didn'tknowwhathewant edtodo, "
hmmmm y ourCGbl oodwor ksislow
"hesai dprickingherfingerwitha
needl eandt ookbloodf r
om there
"probablyanemi c"

Hear
t:
Sowhati
shappeni
ngwi
thme
?"

Doct
or:Letmet
aket
hist
othel
ab
youhavetowai
taboutthir
tyminut
es
sothatwemayknowf orsure"he
sai
dandwalkedoutandBaf ol
ent
eredandsatbyherside

Baf
ol:
And?
"

Hear t
:Wewai t"sherestedherhead
ont hetableinwaiti
ngandher ubbed
herbackt hatshehadt or aiseher
headandl ookedathi m andhe
shruggedhi sshoulder
s" Doy ou
mind? "Shesai dandhest opped
rol
li
nghi seyesandsheputbackher
headont het abl
eandt her ewas
si
l
ence

Doctor:
OkayIam backwi t
hy our
resul
ts"hesai dcomi nginmi nutes
l
aterholdi
nganenv elopeandhe
openedittookapaperf rom there
andreadwhi lehenodded" JustasI
suspected,thatnausea,sensiti
vi
tyto
smellandv omiti
ngy ou'r
e
experi
encingmor ningsicknesses"

Heart
:Whatsi
cknessist
hat?"She
askedconf
usedbuttheDoct
or
l
aughed
Doctor
:Congrat
ulat
ionsy
ou'
resi
x
weekspregnant"

What???
"Theybot
hexcl
aimedi
n
shock
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
33]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t38

Shanewaswor kingt wiceasmuch

dayin, dayoutnotst oppingor
resti
ngandget ti
ngdr unkandhi gh
twiceasmucht hanwhatheusedt o
dobef ore,hishousewasnowl onely
withoutHear tandherr unni ngt ohis
brotherwast hewor stpai nev eras
hehadl ovedHear tandst i
lldoes
mor ethanhi spastgi rlf
riendst hati
s
Pauline,mor ethanTany aandmor e
thanLat oy aherself,hehadchased
heroutt hedayHear tleftwi t
hBaf ol
andhedi dn'tevencar ewher eshe
disappear edt obecausehewashur t
Shane: AaaahHear t"hegr oanedas
hesel fstimulatedhi mselfwi t
hhi s
handwhi l
eint heshowerandi nhis
eyesandmi ndwasHear tthat '
sall
hecoul dseeandi magine,hishouse
wasamess, hewasamessandonl y
Hear tcouldfixbot hhishouseand
him, hedidn'tknowwhenhel ast
ate,hemi ssedheri nhi skitchenand
therewasast alest i
nkingsmel l
thereofr ott
enf oodl eftbyLat oya,
hemi ssedheri nhisbedr oom
also,noonecoul dsat i
sfyhi mlike
shedi dhehadt oadmi tthatand
wor stofallhemi ssedheri nhis
hear
tandnow beerwaseat
inghi
m
sl
owlyashet
urnedtoitf
orcomfor
t

Shehadl efteveryt
hinginher
shelf,everyt
hinghehadev erbought
forherwasl eftbehindandhe
wonder edifBafolwast akingcareof
herl i
keheusedt o,hewonder ed
alsoifhewassl eepingwi t
hherand
thisbr oughtmor eangert ohim, i
fit
wassomeoneel semay bet hepain
wasgoi ngtobel esserbutBaf olof
allthepeopl e,hewoul daskhi mself
whybuthehadnoanswert othat
exceptt hathewoundedherbadl y
Hegotbusyscr olli
ngt hrought he
picturesi nhisphonet hatshehad
takenandhenot icedt hatt herewer e
somet hathef eaturedi nand
assumedt hatmay beshet ookt hem
whi l
ehewasunconsci ousf orhe
didn'trecalleverposi ngf oraphot o
withher, hesmi ledlooki ngatt hose
pictures,shewashappyt hattime,
whydi dn' thelookatt hosepi ctures
sooner ,i
twast hef i
rsttimegoi ng
throught hem andsuchmemor i
es
wer esweet
Shane:Hell
o"hepickeduphisphone
astherewasanincomi ngcal
l
i
nterr
uptinghi
m ofwhathewas
doi
ng

Marinha:
ShaneHie,
l
ongti
meand
whydoy ousoundsolow?"She
askedandhelookedatt
hesmall
bott
leonthetabl
ehehademptied

Shane:Soundi
ngl
owhmmm may be
i
t'
sbecauseIwassleepi
ng"hel
ied

Marinha:Ooohokaysorryf
or
di
sturbi
ngy ourr
estbuddy"
Shane:
Noi
t'
sfi
ne"

Mari
nha:
OkaycanIpl
easespeakt
o
Hear
t"

Shane:
Uhmm shei
sn'
ther
e"

Mar
inha:Wher
eisshe?
"

Shane:
She.
..
..
..
.uhm webr
okeup"

Mar
inha:
Why,
whathappened?
"She
askedconcer
ned

Shane:ImessedupbutIdon'
twant
total
kaboutitpl
ease"

Marinha:Iam v
erysorr
y,sonowhow
canIgetintouchwithhercanIhav
e
hernumberplease?"

Shane:Wi
llsendy
out
henumberof
someonewhoshewil
lbewi
th"

Mar
inha:
Okayt
hanky
ou"
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Heartwasl yi
ngont hebedpl aying
withthenecklacethatShanehad
boughtforher,shenev ert
ooki toff
onlytakesitoffwhenshewi l
lbe
bathi
ng, l
iv
ingwithBafolturnedout
tobet heworstdecisi
onshehas
evermadeandr egr
ettedit,
for
somet i
messhecoul dgot obed
hungrywhenshewi llbeinneedof
food,t
hemor ningsi cknesses
seemedt obef adi ngbutnowt her
e
wasext remehungerandcr avi
ngs
,Bafolwoul dgooutandnev er
comesback, l
ocki ngheri n,
shewas
backtobeapr isonerand
somet i
mesBaf olwoul dcomeback
homedeaddr unkandhewoul dt r
yto
touchher ,
want inganalsexwi thher
andshewoul dbet errif
iedifhehad
nottri
edt hatonhert heni ghtshe
wasdr unkandshewonder edifheis
nottheonewhogotherpr egnant
fi
rstsincesheandShaneused
protect i
on, shewassoconf usedand
stressed, andBaf olwoul dev ery
nightnotkeept ohispr omi seand
shewoul dst rugglewi thhi m,tr
y i
ngto
fi
ghthi m offandwoul dendup
escapi ngandsl eepingi nthe
bathr oom, thismadehert oli
v ein
fearev erydayandshet houghtof
runningawaybutt owher eexact l
y,i
f
shet riestogobackt oZi mbabwe
fi
rstofal lwher ewasshegoi ngt o
gett hemoneyandsecondofal lwho
woul dbel ieveherst orytohel pher
out,thirdlyshemi ghtendget ting
arrestedher sel
fifshet riestoexi t
anot hercount r
ywi thoutapasspor t
wi l
ltheybel i
evea26y earol dwoman
whenshesay sthatshewas
traff
ickedandhowwoul dshel eave
hishot elroom alsowhenshei s
beingl ockedupi nthereev eryday
therewer esomanydi sadv ant ages
ont hisescapepl anshewoul df i
rst
ofallrequi r
ebackupoft heot her
girl
sf orpeopl etobel i
ev eherand
theywoul dwantmoneyt osust ain
them becauset heywoul dn'tbeabl e
togof arwithouti t,
otherwi seBaf ol
woul dt r
acet hem andhewoul dbe
mer cil
essandmi ghtkillthem but
stil
lthisescapepl anwasusel ess
becauseshest i
lllovedShane
Itwasnowt imet ogrowupshe
thoughtassher ubbedher
stomach, t
het houghtofanaborti
on
oncev i
sitedherandev enconsult
ed
theDoct oroft heabort
ionf
eesin
Bafol'
sabsenceandshecoul dn'
t
affor
ditbesi desthatshedidn'
twant
tocommi tmor eabominablesi
ns
andkill
ingani nnocentsoulwasso
outofthequest i
onbecauseifshe
doesitatt heendoft hedayshe
wouldhat eher sel
f

Baf
ol:
Hie"hewasbackandshe
star
tledfrom hersl
eep,shedidn't
hearhim comei nother
wiseshe
couldhaver untothebathroom and
l
ockher selfi
nonceagain,nowit
madesenseofwhyShanewar ned
herabouthi m

Heart
:Hel
lo"shel
ookedinhiseyes
tochecki
fhewasdr unkandhe
seemedsoormay beshewas
readi
ngwrongl
y

Bafol
:Iboughty
ouf
lower
s"he
passedabunchofr
edrosesandshe
fakedasmi l
e
Heart:
Thankyou"andshewaslike
howcouldhebuyflowerswhenshe
washungry,whydi
dn'thebuyf
ood
i
nstead

Bafol
:Yeaht hatshowshowmuchI
l
oveyou, It
oldy ouIwillchangefor
youandi t'
shightimet hatyou
shoul
dr eturnthelovedon'ty outhi
nk
?"hest agger edtostandpr oper
lyas
hetal
kedt oher ,
asuresi gnthathe
wasdeaddr unk

Hear
t:
Icannev
erl
ovey
ounotev
en
onceBaf ol,
Ineverknewy ouwer e
thisst i
ngy,youcan' tbuymeev en
simpl efoodbuty oubr ingf l
ower s,
do
Ieatf lowers,youcan' tf eedme
everydayandl ooknowIhav et o
weart hebat hroom r obewhi le
wai t
ingf ormyonepai rofcl othesto
dryandchangei ntot hem "Whatdi d
sheexpectwhenhecoul dn'teven
takecar eofLat oy awhowas
carryinghischi l
d

Baf
ol:
Mest
ingy?
?"

Hear
t:
Yesy
ou'
reandIwonderwhat
gir
lsseei ny oubecausecer tainlyall
Iseei sacol d,devi
li
sh,heartless
personwhoIcannev erlovenoti n
thi
sl if
etimeort henext"shel etout
hert hought sshehadbeenbot t
li
ng
upandhegotangr yandl ookedat
herandsheknewi twast imet o
l
eav ef ort hebathroom forshehad
crossedt heline,hegrabbedand
pulledbyt hehandbef oreshecoul d
exitther oom

Bafol
:Whatdi
dyousay?
"Het
hrew
heronthebed
Heart:
Iam sorrypleaseletmego"
shewasmor ethanscared, shehad
neverseenhiml i
ket hat
,hepi nned
herlegstogetherwithhisthighsand
sheknewwhatwascomi ngherway

Bafol:
Isthatwhaty ousai dhuh? "
Thewayhewi denedhi sey eswas
horri
bleandhehadal coholbr eat
h
,hegav eheronel ightsl apandshe
tookitingoodf ait
ht hinkinghewi ll
stop" Repeatwhaty ousai d"hesai d
andgav eheranot hersl apst r
onger
thanthef i
rstanditst ang, then
anotheronecame, shecl enchedher
teet
ht ogethertryi
ngt oendur e,
anotheronecameandshel ost
countast heslapskeptcomi ngand
shecr iedthroughital
lashe
continuouslybeatherandshet ri
ed
toswi gglebuthewaspr essingher
ti
ght" You'relooki
ngdownonme
huhbabe, youseemeasst upid
huh,medev il
ish?"Herfacewasnow
apunchi ngbagandhehaddi v
ert
ed
theissuemustbesomet hinghewas
bottl
ingupt ooanditwasnowal l
beingt akenonher

Heart
:Shane"shecr
iedout
, her
voi
cewasev engoi
ngfrom allt
he
cry
ingofpainshewasfeel
ingand
shegl ancedt ot hesi
deandt here
wasanar ti
fici
alf l
owerv aset hatwas
ont opoft hesidedr awer sshet r
ied
toreachf oritasshest r
et chedher
handt oi tandshewassuccessf ulin
grabbingi t,pulleditoffandst ruck
him withi tonhi sfor
eheadwi tht he
l
ittl
est r
engt hshehadandhecame
offherf eel i
ngdi zzymay beandshe
usedt hechanceandr ant othe
bathroom andl ockedher selfinthere
"Hei samonst er"shecr umbl edon
thef l
oorcr ying, hewasawoman
abuserandsheneededt oescape
fastbefor eshedi esorloosest he
babybuthowwhenhel ocksheri n
ev eryday,shehadwi tnessedShane
get t
ingdr unkbutnev erf oroneday
hadheev errai
sedhishandt oher
sincet heyst ar
tedcour ti
ngnow
wheni tcomest oBafolhei sacool
dudewhenhei snotdr unkandhe
treatsherni cebutdr i
nkingi shiscup
oft ea,anev erydaythingsodoes
thatmeanshewi l
lbebeat enup
ev erydayorhemi ghttryt orapeher
andt hat '
swhathehadbeent ryi
ng
allthiswhi l
ewhenheget sdr unkbut
thatni ghtheopt edforbeat i
ngher
i
nst ead

Shepeepedont
hedoort
ochecki
f
hewassleepi
ngsothatshecould
stealt
hekeyandescapebutshe
heldhermouthi
nhorrorofwhatshe
saw

Hear
t:
OoohmyGod.
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
."
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
33]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t39

Hear t
:OoohmyGod. .
...
...
."sheheld
hermout hinhor ror,
shehadnev er
seenorwi tnessedsuchaf il
thyact
beforewhensheopenedt he
bathroom doort r
y i
ngt ochanceout
anescape, shehashear dofwhat
shewasseei ngbutnev erknewt hat
onedayshewasgoi ngt oencounter
suchanabhor r
encef acet oface
,Bafolwashav ingat hreesome
,Hear twonderedwhatt i
met hegirl
s
enteredforshenev erhear dthem
comi nginbutnowal lshewas
seeingwasBaf olnakedj oinedby
twogi rl
snakedaswellpar
adi
ngin
frontofhim doi
ngsomeeroti
c
entici
ngdanceandhewashav ing
thet i
me
ofhi sl ifeexchangi ngt het wo
girls,touchingev er
y wher eandt he
girlst ooseemedt obeenj oying
whatt heyweredoi ngal soshecoul d
tellbyt hewayt heywer egi ggling
andgy rati
ngal loverBaf ol, whatan
orgydi splay,
asexualper version,
Hear tjustwat chedt onguet iedand
closedt hedoorshaki ngherhead
andwal kedov ert othebat hroom
mi rrort oseeherswol l
enf aceasi t
wast oopai nfulshedi dn'thav et he
couraget of aceher self,shefeltt
hat
shehadabust edli
pandi twasmor e
painful,herey esbet r
ay edherthe
momentshel ookedont hemi r
ror
andt earsf el
lof ff
rom herey esand
shewasl ikeGodhowdi dIgethere
,takethiscupawayf rom me, shesat
i
nt het ubandcov eredher sel
fwi t
h
thedr yi
ngt oweli nthereandt hought
tododger eali
tyandgot oalandof
nopai n

Bafol
:Heart"hecall
edoutknocki
ng
onthedoorandshewokeupandher
feetwerecoldasiceshelongedand
hopedforthecomf or
tofabedand
somewar m blanket sandaman' s
bodyheat" Hear twhathappened
whyar ey oulocki ngy ourselfinthere
? "Typicalofhim doeshenon-
l
iteral
lyforgetsev erythi
ngt hat
happenedorhepr et
endst oforget
andal way shedoest hatandi twas
becomi ngat rendt hatwascr awli
ng
toherski nreallybadl y" Heart
answerme? "thecooldudewas
backandt hehor riblef i
ercedemon
thattakesov erhi m haddepar t
ed,i
t
comesatni ghtandgoesi nthe
mor ni
ng

Shecont
empl
atedast
owhet
hershe
shouldgooutornotbutt henagai n
shehadt of orwhichwasn' tdeat h
eit
herwayshewasgoi ngtodi e,i
f
shestaysi nthebathr oom star v
ation
wasgoingt oki l
lherany wayonl y
thati
twillbeasl owbutpai nful
death,i
fshegoesoutmay behewi ll
kil
lherandi twil
lbeaqui ckbut
painf
uldeat hsoshechoseherf ate
wisel
y,bet t
erdiequicklyshet hought
assheslowl yopenedt hedoor, he
wasnowbey ondwor dstoherf or
shehadnev ernotev enforonce
beenscar edofanot herhumanbei ng
l
ikeshewasscar edofhi mt hat
ti
me,notev enghostsbuthemade
hert
osubmi
ttof
ear

Bafol:
Godwhathappened? "He
askedsur pri
sedl ookingatherf ace
onceshecameoutoft hebathroom
andshecoul dn'tgivehi
m anycl ueof
howani malistichewasandshe
hopedt oopenhermout handt ell
himt otakeherbackt oShanebut
shewasaf r
ai dtoev enmumbl e
thosewor dsonl yherstomachwas
braveenought ospeakasi tgrowl ed
"Youmustber eall
yhungry"hesai d
andhewast heonl yonedoingal lthe
tal
kingwi t
houtanyr epl
ies,
shewas
onmut emode, beatingawoman
t
akesawayhersel
f-
est
eem

"
It
'sdanger
oust
ofal
li
nlov
e
ButIwanttobur
nwi
thy
ou
today
,hur
tme
Ther
e'st
woofus
We'
recer
tai
nwi
thdesi
re
Thepl
easur
eispai
nandf
ir
e,bur
nme
Socomeon
I
'
llt
akey
ouon,
takey
ouon
Iachef
orl
oveachef
orus
Whydon'
tyoucome
Don'
tyoucomeal
it
tl
ecl
oser
Socomeonnow
Str
iket
hemat
ch,
str
iket
hemat
ch
now
We'r
enotaperfectmat
ch,
not
per
fectsomehow
Wewerenev
ermeantf
orone
anot
her
Comeal
it
tl
ecl
oser
Fl
amet
hatcamef
rom me
Fi
remeetgasol
ine
Fi
remeetgasol
ine
I
'
m bur
ningal
iv
e
Icanbar
elybr
eat
he
Wheny
ou'
reher
elov
ingme"
Ani ncomi ngcal lwascomi ng
throughBaf ol'
sphoneandhekept
i
gnor i
ng,Heartwasl i
kewowhi sty
pe
ofmusi cwasser iousshi t,
andandi t
mat chedwhat ev ersituati
ont hatwas
athandandi twasl i
kepr edicti
ng
precedi ngdisast rousev entsandi t
syncopat edhert othesoult hatshe
woul dbet wiceassadandshe
woul dwantt oheari tagai nast he
chor uswoul dgetst uckinhermi nd
andi twoul dstickwi thheral lday
l
ongt i
llthefeelingwoul dgoaway
Bafol
:Howi sthef ood?"Heaskedas
theysateati
nginar est
aurantin
townandsheat el ikeli
fehadno
tomorrowandshewasl ooki
ngdown
i
nherpl at
enotev enli
fti
ngherface
upbecauseherf acewasf at
terthan
herbodyfrom thebeat i
ngandhe
wasnowconsci ousofwhathedi d
andtri
edtobuyandgai nheragain
byacti
ngal it
tl
eni certoher

Heart
:I
t'
sok"shel owlyr
eplied,
she
hadherenergybackandshef eltt
hat
shecouldevenrunami l
e,funny
whathungerdoest oaperson,i
tcan
makesimplewat ersmel
lnicerand
t
ast
y

Bafol
:Let
'sgotothemar ket"he
commandedaf terfi
nishingt hei
r
mealthoughshef el
tthatshest ill
wantedsomemor ebutshecoul dn'
t
askformorebecauseshewasnow
hissl
avewhathet ell
shert odois
whatshedoes,ifhetellshert ojump
thenshewouldaskhowhi ghand
whatheforbi
dsshecasti taway
suchisli
feofnolibert
y

Hear
t:Pl
easepleasehel
..
..
..
..
."She
t
ri
edtowhispertothewomanont he
scarfstal
ltheyhadwal kedtoand
shet ookabunchofscar veshol di
ng
i
tov erherface,andthoughttoask
forhelpwhenhewasbusygoi ng
throughthescarv esontheother
sideofthestallbutshecouldn'tget
hermessageacr ossashepopped
hisfacesmi l
ingholdingascarf

Bafol
:Lookatthi
sonedarli
ng"he
sai
dput t
ingthescar
foverherhead
andti
edi tar
oundherneck

Hear
t:
It
'sbeaut
if
ul"shehal
fsmi
led
"Youweresayi
ng..
..
..
."Thesel
ler
askedl
ookingatHeart

Heart:
OoohIwassay i
ngthese
scarv
esareallbeaut
if
ul"sheli
ed
becauseBaf
owasnownearher

"
Uhmmm t hat
'snotwhatyousai
d
,
youwant edtosaysomet hi
ngabout
..
..
..
."Heartquickl
yint
err
upt
ed

Heart:
Talkingtomy sel
fthenIdo
thatalotoftimes"shecl ev
erl
ytri
ed
tocoveruporel seshewasgoi ng
getintroublewithBafol
Bafo:Yourmoney"hepassedt he
l
adyhermoneyandt henBafol
l
ookedatHear t'
sfeetshewas
wearingmor ningshoesandt hatwas
j
ustr i
diculous" l
et'
sgogety ousome
shoes"hehel dherhandandshe
walkedf ol
lowi ngbutlooki
ngbackas
thewomanwhom t heyboughtfrom
andshecont inuouslyl
ookedather
tooandsensedsomewei r
d
vibr
ationsbet weent hetwobut
couldn'tquitetellwhatwasupwi th
them
Heart:Iwi l
lhavethi skit..
...
..
Imean
pleasecanIhav et hiskit"she
fearf
ullysuggest edl ookingathim as
theywer enowst rolli
ngupanddown
i
namal landshehadcov eredher
facewi thani cescar fandhad
sunglassesaswel l,t
heguywasnot
yourav erageguy ,hedi dt hat
purposef ullycov
er inguphi s
reacti
onst hatwerev isibl
eonHear t'
s
face

Bafol:
Okay"hebr oughtouthi
s
walletandpaidforevery
thi
nghehad
chosef orherandthentheywalked
tothecarandagai nhisphonerang,
helookedatitasHeartenteredand
hesighedforhehadbeeni gnoring
thecall
sfrom anunknownf orl
ong
"Uhmm Igottatakethi
sIwi l
lbeback
"hetalkedtoHeartpassi
nghert he
shoppingbagsandlockedheri nthe
carashewal kedsomedistance
away

Hear t
:Godthisismychance"she
panickedthoughtscrashi
ngand
coll
idingwantingt
oescapeandshe
didn'
tknowwhatt odowher eto
touch" Thi
nkHeartyourDadt aught
youcart ri
cks"shespoket ohersel
f
andcal meddownandt hi
nkofapl an
"
Ofcourset
hemakeupkit"she
r
emindedher
sel
fandopenedupthe
l
it
tl
ecase

Bafolwalkedal it
tl
edistancet
o
answerhi scall
,asitwasbecoming
annoyingnoticingthatt
heperson
wit
hunknownnumberhadbeen
cal
linghim sinceyester
dayandhe
wonder edwhowaspest eri
nghim

Baf
ol:
Hel
lowhoi
sthi
s?"St
rai
ghton
tot
hepoi
nt

Mar
inha:
HieIam af
ri
endofHear
t
andShaneandIwasgiv
enyour
numberbyShaneandhesai
dyou'
re
thebr
other"

Baf
ol:
Okaysowhatdoy
ouwant?
"
hespokever
yrudel
y

Mar i
nha:
Iwaswonder ingifIcantal
k
toHeartormeetupwi thherIam in
town"Bafolfoundt hisfunnywhydid
ShaneletHeartbefriendsomeone
whatifsheistoexposet hem tot
hat
fri
endandreachoutt othecops
"Hell
oareyoust i
llt
her e?"Shehad
toaskasBaf olwasqui et
Bafol
:Yeswher
eexact
lyi
ntownar
e
younow? "

Mar
inha:Neart
hehugeshoppi
ng
mar
t"

Bafol
:Iam somewher
ether
ethe
fr
ontentr
ance"

Marinha:
Waitaminuteareyout
he
onewearingbl
ackt r
ouser
sand
l
oafersonyourfeet"
Bafol
:Yes"hecheckedal
lar
ound
try
ingtofi
ndthiswomanandawhit
e
womanappr oachedhim,
shewas
famil
iarhecoul
dt el
l

Marinha:
Hie"t
heyexchangeda
handshake

Bafol:
Hell
o"hekepthi sholdonher
handandt herewaslikeastrange
aurathatbuzzedthroughtheir
bodiesandMar i
nhahadt obet he
onet orel
easeherhandf i
rstasthey
star
edi neachother'
seyest oo
deeplyitwasgetti
ngembar rassi
ng
Marinha:
Sowher eisshe? "She
askedlooki
ngtot heside,shewas
soshortBafolwasstudy i
ngherand
hersmallst
aturecouldn'
tpossibl
y
bri
nganyhar mtoanyoft hem

Baf
ol:
Nother
easyoucansee"
Mari
nhal
aughed

Marinha:YesIcansee,butcanIsee
herisshesomewher enear"she
l
ookedi nthemallthi
nkingshei
sin
ther
e
Baf
ol:
Whydoy
ouwantt
oseeher?
"

Marinha:
Andwhycan'
tIseeher?"
Bafolchuckl
edatt
heuni
quesense
ofhumour

Bafol:
Itdependsonwhyy ouwantto
seeher"hesai dnowwalking
towardsthedirect
ionwherehe
parkedhiscarandshewal kedbyhi
s
sidefoll
owing

Mari
nha:
Shouldwehavear easonof
meeti
ng,
can'tIj
ustseeherface
t
hengoback"shitwhenshesai d
t
hatBaf
oremember
edaboutHear
t'
s
f
ace

Bafol:
Youcan'
tseeher"hestopped
andlookedatMari
nhawhowas
buffl
edwitht
hesuddenchangeof
mind

"Excuseme"al adyfrom bef

orewho
soldthem scar
vesstoppedwhere
Bafolwasasshef amili
ari
zedwit
h
him

Baf
ol:Yeswhatdoyouwant.
..
.shi
t"
hi
stemperat
urewasri
singand
Mar
inhaj
ustl
ookedathi
m

"Sor
ryfordistur
bingy oubutIwas
wonderingaboutt hatwomany ou
werewith"shesai dholdingherov er
theshoulderbagner vousl
y
wonderingwhyshewascar i
ngand
poki
nghernosei not herpeople's
busi
nesses

Baf
ol:
Whatabouther?
"

"Uhmmm whoi sshetoyou?"She

shouldn'
thav
easkedaboutthat
becausethewayBafoll
ookedather
"Sorr
yImeani ssheOkay, shedi dn'
t
l
ookOkayshel ooked. ....
..
."She
stoppedseei ngshewasgoi ngt oo
farandt hi
smanbef or eherl ook
dangerousandi ntimi dat i
ng" sorry
forwast i
ngy ourt i
me"shewal ked
awayt erri
fi
edhersl ipper smaki ng
somesoundasshewal kedf aster
clut
chingt oherbagnotl ookingback
,Bafoljustsneer ed,clickedher
tongueandheadwayt ohiscar

Marinha:
Shi
newait"shecal
ledand
Bafolcametoanabrupthal
tand
tur
ned100%pissedoff
Bafol
:What
,what,stopbot
heri
ngme
Okayanddon'tcallmeShine"

Marinha:Breathe,
doy oufeelli
keno
oneunder standyou,doyouf eel
l
onely,doyouhav eahar dtime
gett
ingy ourmessageacr osst o
people,what '
seati
ngy ou?"She
askedconcer nedandf oramoment
Bafolalmostgav eintoherlucid
l
ooksbuthedi dn'
tper mi
thimsel ft
o
besoft

Baf
ol:
F**
*of
f"hesai
dandwal
ked
away

Mar i
nha: Ei
shthatwashar sh"she
sai
dt ur ni
ngar oundtoo"Nextt i
me
youwi llbedifferent"shesmiledt o
herselfgoingawaynowwonder ing
aboutwhatt hatwomanwasaski ng
Bafolandshewonder edifHeartwas
Okay ,
shet ookoutherphonet ocal l
Shane

Bafolwalkedl
ooki
ngdownathi
s
phonesav i
ngMari
nha'
snumber,
he
di
dn'tknowwhyhewassavingi
tand
hehadnotaskedhername,hej
ust
sav editasHear t
'sfr
iendashe
appr oachedhiscarandt houghtof
takingHear tt
oabr othelandhavea
drink,perhapsitcoul
dl eadto
somet hingsweethet houghtashe
l
ookedi nhiscarandbehol d.
..
..
..
…..
..
.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t40

Shane:
TodayIam soberl
et'sheari
t
Womba"hesai dtohisfr
iendasthey
sati
nhisli
vi
ngroom

Womba:Whathasbeenhappening
toyoual
lthesepastfewweeksyou
hav
enotbeeny oursel
f?"

Shane:
HeyIam notaboutt
odi
scuss
mypersonall
if
ecomeonwearet o
makethist
hingworkWomba"
Womba: Iknow,Ijusthopeyoudon'
t
overst
ressy our
selfit
'snotgoodf
or
you"

Shane:St
opworr
yingf
ormel
et'
sget
downtobusi
ness"

Womba:Okaywewi
llneedtodr
aft
ouri
deasdownaswewi l
lbe
di
scussi
ng"

Shane:
Letmegetmydi
aryandpen"
Womba:
Okay"

Shanewalkedt
ohisbedr
oom and
sear
chedforhi
sdiar
ybutcoul
dn'
t
fi
nditf
rom wher
eheusedtokeepit

Shane: Wheredidt hisgi rlputmy

things? "Hesaidgoi ngt hrough
Hear t
'sshelfofclot hes, remov ing
them put t
ingthem ont hebedand
whenhepi ckedupt hel astst ashof
clothesasat chetofpi l
lsdr oppedon
thef l
oor,hesquat tedandpi ckedit
up" Whati sthi
s? "Hel ookedatt he
twopi l
lscarefull
y" Ar en'tthesepi l
l
s
thatIgaveheronourfir
st
...
..
..
..
.hmmmm "Hewonder edand
putthem backintheshelfand
stackedthecl
othesont op,t
ooka
roughpaperandpenandwal kedout

Womba:SoShaneIwasthinki
ngwe
canaddtr
adi
ti
onalbeeral
sotothe
barandwecandrawthoseold
peopl
e"

Shane:
Soundsgr eatbutlookatthis"
hesaidlayi
ngt hepaperhehadwi th
hi
m ont hetable"SotheplacethatI
gotisreal
lybigsoIwast hinki
ngthat
thiscornerwecanputar est
aurant
wher ethedrunkar
dscaneat,you
knowbef oreoraft
erdri
nkingthey
canhav efoodalsoitwi
llbeabar
slashrestaur
ant"hesaiddrawingon
thepaper

Womba:OoohMyGodbr i
ll
ianti
dea
whydi
dn'tIt
hinkoft
hat"

Shane:
YesIjustt
houghtofi
t,you
knowforexamplesomeonelikeme
Idon'
thaveawomant obecooking
formeandIcangot oabarwhereI
cangetbothfoodandbeersowe
cancer
tai
nlymakeitbecausenot
manymanhav esomeonet ocook
fort
hem "

Womba:Gr eatanal
ysi
ssowewi ll
needmanychai r
sandt abl
essay
aboutfourontherest
aurantside
anditwil
lbefourseaterpereach
tabl
e"

Shane:Meaningsixt
eenroughl
ythat
i
sifwewillhavefourtabl
esor
maybethespacewi l
lhavemuch
morethanfour"
Womba:Yesgr
eatsoy
ouwi
llneed
cooksandwai
ter
s"

Shane:Def
ini
telywai
ter
sno
wait
resses,t
hecooksiftherewoul
d
befemale...
..
..
"Wombal aughed

Womba:
Cooksgot
tabefemal
es
,f
emal
esar
egoodcooksShane"

Shane:
Yout
ellmeabouti
t"

Womba:
Soi
t'
sset
tl
edthecookswi
ll
bef
emal
esand.
..
..
."
Shane:Andtheywi l
lonlybeinthe
ki
tchenareaIdon'twantanyt roubl
e
youknowhowmangetwhent hey
aredrunksot hat
'swhyIam
prefer
ri
ngmal ewaitersevenforthe
baraswellandweshoul dhir
e
strongguysthatcanst opfi
ghts"
Wombal aughedagai n

Womba:Yousurel
yknowy
our
dr
inki
ngbuddi
es"

Shane:Yeswhenwedrinkwetendt
o
l
ovefighti
ng"theybot
hshar
ed
l
aught
er

Womba: Sonowi farestaurantis

beingaddedi t
'sgoingtocosty ou
Shanebecausewewi l
lneedheav y
dutystoves,
fri
dges,potsplates,
a
sinkareali
key ouseey ouhav e
j
ot t
edthisareaast herestaurantso
thekit
chenwi l
l behere"shedr ewon
thepaper

Shane:Yeswi
ll
makethet
ouchups
onitandIdon'
thav
etoworr
yabout
thebudget"
Womba:Youdon'
t??
"Sheasked
sur
pri
sed

Shane:YesIam sel
li
ngmycarandi
t
willgi
vemewayt oomuchmoney
thatIwil
lgetasmallcart
ousei
n
thetimebeing"

Womba:
Okayni
cegr
eatpl
anni
ngany
of
fer
s?"

Shane:
Twosofardon'tknowi ft
hey
wil
lownuptothei
rpromi sesbutI
am sel
li
ngi
tataquit
er easonable
pri
ce"
Womba: Okaytheniti
swellifi
t'
s
okayIcanalsotellmycontact
sand
usemyi nf
luence"

Shane:Yesbutasf ort
hebari
t'
s
ki
ckingofffi
rstthenwhenthecari
s
boughtcomesr estaur
ant"

Womba:OkayIgeti
tandt
hear
ea
yougot?"

Shane:
It
'sagr
eatspotwit
honl
yone
barandminewil
lbr
ingcompet
it
ion
tot
heal
readyavai
labl
ebarasitwi
ll
hav
earestaur
antt
ost ar
twit
h"

Womba:Competi
ti
ont
hat
'sri
ght
ever
yonewoul
dwanttot
ryoutt
he
newspotyouknow"

Shane:
Exactl
ywhatIam ai
mi ngfor"
hi
sphoner angandhecheckedit
wasMar i
nha"Heycomeupwi t
h
moreideasIgott
ataket
his"

Womba:
Okaycool"Shanewalkedt
o
hi
sbedr
oom pi
cki
ngupt hecal
l
Shane:Howar
eyouMar
inha?"

Mari
nha:
Iam gr
eatImetwi
thy
our
br
othert
oday"

Shane:
Okay"

Mar
inha:ButIdi
dn'
tseeHear
t"

Shane:
Okay"

Mar
inha:
Idon'
tknowi
fshei
sOkay
becausether
ewast hi
swomanwho
..
..
..
…."Shaneint
erj
ectedher

Shane:Uhmmm heyIam ki
ndabusy
sowhydon'twetalksomet
ime
whenIam freeOkay"

Marinha:Butshoul
dn'
tyoube
concernedaboutherShaneImean
..
..
..
.."Heinter
rupt
edheragai
n

Shane:
Sheiswit
hmybr othersoshe
i
singoodhandsbesi
desshechose
togowithhi
m nooneforcedher"
Mar
inha:Iknowbut.
..
..
..
..
"

Shane:Whatreall
yistheprobl
em
hereMarinhapleaseifi
t'
sabout
Heartiwouldappreciat
eifyoudon'
t
bri
ngitupIam t r
yingtofor
gether"

Mar
inha:NoShaneOqueacont
eceu?
(
What'shappeni
ng)
?"

Shane:
Nãosepreocupe,
nãoimpor
ta
(Don'
twor
ry,
itdoesn'
tmatt
er)"
Mari
nha:
Real
lyShaneQualéo
pr
oblema(What'
sthematter)
?"

Shane:Estoucansado
Marinha,Tenhoqueitagor
a(Iam
ti
redMar inha,
Imustgonow)"

Mari
nha:Okaytàbom Shaneboa
noi
te(Okayi
t'
sfineShanegoodni
ght
)"

Shane:
Tchau(Bye)"hehungthe
phonesighedhar
d,lookedathi
s
wri
stwatchandwalkedbackinthe
l
ivi
ngroom
Womba:Youweret
akinglongyour
gi
rl
fr
iendmustbeatalkat
iveone"

Shane:
Idon'
thav
eagi
rl
fr
iend"

Womba:
mxm l
iar"

Shane:Ser
iousnowIjustwantt
obe
alonefort
herestofmylif
eIam
donetryi
ng"hesaidwithadeep
voice

Womba:
Whyi
sthatShanewhat
happenedt
oy ourlastgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
Sheaskedconcerned

Shane:
Canwest
ickt
obusi
ness
pl
ease"

Womba:
Ooohy
eswher
ewer
ewe?
"

Shane:
Idon'
tknowwher
ewel
eftof
f
"

Womba:Okaynowor ri
es,soIwas
thi
nki
ngsi
ncey ou'
restar
tingi
nthe
baryouwi
llneedonlyneedone
bart
enderandtwowait
ersov
ert
he
rest
aurantsect
ion"

Shane:Wewi l
lneedtwobar t
enders
onewhowor ksduringthedayand
theotheronewhowi l
lswitchhim
whowi l
lbeworkingatnightti
ll
morningandsameset upinthe
rest
aurant"

Womba:DudeIdon'tev
enknowwhy
youneedmeyou'vegotthi
ssor
ted
out"

Shane:
Greatmi
ndsshar
peneach
ot
her"

Womba:Yesandsodoyouneeda
managerforbot
hpl
acesor?
"

Shane:Yesthat
'swher
eyoucomein
butIdon'tknowify
oucanhandl
eit
though"

Womba:Iam i
nneedofajobaft
er
yousavi
ngmef r
om hi
m,Idef
ini
tel
y
shoul
dberepayi
ngyouback"

Shane:
Baf
olmustnotf
oronce
suspectorknowaboutt
hisorabout
youwor ki
ngforme"

Womba:Il
oat
hetheguydon'
tworr
y
hewon'
tknownotaft
erwhathedi
d
tome"

Shane:
Soit'
sadonedeall
etme
knowifyouhav
enewideas"

Womba:Okayletmewasht hedishes
foryou,
yougetyourl
aundrybasket
outandIwil
ldothi
squiet
lythenwill
l
eave"
Shane:
ThankshowmuchdoIowe
you?"

Womba:Il
astsweptwhent hr
ee
day
sago,soIwil
lneedtoday'
s
moneyandonedayowing"

Shane:OkayIwil
lbesleepi
ng"he
broughtouthi
swalletandput
moneyont hetabl
ef orher

Womba: I
fyouhavequest
ions
concer
ningthebarandal
lthatwe
discusseddon'
thesi
tat
ebef
oreI
takemyl eav
e"

Shane:Whataret
hesy
mpt
omsof
pregnancy?"

Womba:
What?
?"
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Hearttookt hechancet oescape
whenBaf olwal kedawayt oanswer
hisphoneandsheusedt hehai rcli
p
tounlockthedoorandshesl i
thered
outofthecarhopi ngnotgetcaught
becauseBaf olhadnotgonef arand
sheusedanot herexi toutofthebi g
shoppingmal l
'
scompl exandshe
beganherj ourneyonf oottoShane' s
placethat'
st heonl yplacesheknew
togonowher eel seandl uckyhe
usedtot akehert otownal otthat
nowsheknewherwayt ogot ohi s
housebutt hedi stancewasn' tajoke
,shehadt ost rengthenher sel
fand
walkitwasbet t
erthant heslav er
y
shewasnowbei ngsubj ectedt oby
Bafo,sheav oidedt hemai nroadand
usedr oadsinsidebutt heser oads
weregoi ngtomakehergetl ostand
that'
sexactlywhathappened, she
walkedi ncir
clesandr ealizedshe
wasn'tgoingany wher eandwher e
sheendedupshedi dn'tknowwhi ch
roadtot akeast herewer emany
roadswhi chconf usedherandso
shemadeaguessandt ookoneof
theroadsandbeganagai n

WhenBafolgottohi
scarhefound
not
hingbutshoppi
ngbagsandeven
themakeupki twasl eftasHear thad
l
eftandhewonder edhowshegot
outandheknewt hathecancat ch
upwi thherusi ngt hemai nr oadthat
i
si fshewaswal kingbuti fshehad
fi
ndat axitheni t
'sgameov erand
thatisifshehadgonebackt o
Shane'spl aceifshedi dn'thav e
thought sofgoi ngt oZimbabweand
thatideamadeBaf olt
oshi ver,
Heart
wasnowbecomi nganui sance
whom heshoul djusteliminatehe
thought, shewasbecomi ngexact l
y
l
ikePaul ineandheandShaneended
updi sposingherbecauseofher
behav i
or
Nowondert hegir
lshadt heirtrustin
herBafolgothi
scer t
aintynowt hat
Heartwasoneconni vi
ngcr ook, what
ki
ndaofawomanget soutofa
l
ockedcar,heaskedhi msel fshaking
hisheadandhismi ndagr eedwi th
himthatshewasnotal ady
defi
nit
elyatomboyora
superwomanofsomepl anet

Luckwasnotonhissidethatday
,karmawasf av
ori
ngHeartbecause
hegotstoppedbythemallpatr
ol
offi
cer
satthemall'
smainexitgat
e
Offi
cer:
Numberplat
e4371
C..
..
..
..
..
Sirwer
eceiv
edacomplai
nt
aboutawomany ouwerewit
htoday
,whereisshe?
"

Bafol
:Whatwomanasy oucanseeI
am allal
oneinthecar"Theoff
icer
checkedhiscarroundi
ngoniteven
openedhisboot

Officer
:Okaywhataboutt
hese
thingstheydef
ini
tel
yarewoman's
staff?"Heaskedseeingamakeup
kitcaseandshoppingbagshe
scat
ter
edt
hecont
entsontheseat
andsawwomen'
sclot
hing

Bafol
:Can'
tIbuymywi f
esome
cl
othesnow? "Heasked

Off
icer
:Real
lyar
ethesey
ourwi
fe'
s
cl
othes?"

Bafol:
Yesthey'
reandwhoi sthis
stupi
dpersonwhor eportedsuchto
youwhenIwasher ealoneIdi
dn't
comewi t
hmywi f
e? "Heasked
getti
ngmor epi
ssed
Off
icer
:Won'
trev
ealt
heident
it
yof
t
hepersonbutyoushoul
dcomewith
me"

Bafol:
ForwhatIthoughtIj
ust
explai
nedmy sel
fhere"

Offi
cer:
Justtoclearof
fsomethi
ngs
that
'sall,
parky
ourcartothesi
de
overthereandweusemycar"

Bafol
:Sur
e"hesai
dfrowni
ng
knowingwhodi
dthattohi
m now
t
hatwasti
mebei
ngwastedandhe
wasn'
tgoi
ngt
ocatchupwi
thHear
t

Heartsmi l
edwhent het hi
rdr oadshe
tookgotherr i
ghtinf r
ontofShane' s
placebutshewast iredwal kingf r
om
twosher emember edseei ngt he
ti
meont hecarwat chandnowi t
wasdar kandshedi dn'tknowwhat
ti
mei twasorhowl ongshehad
beenwal ki
ngbutshewasgl adt hat
shemadei t,
shefixedherscar fand
putonhergl assesagai nsot hat
Shanecoul dn'
tseet hatsomet hing
hadhappened
Womba:Seey
out
omor
rowatt
he
venue"

Shane:Yessure"Theyhuggedand
Heartstoodhurtt
oseeShane
al
readyhuggingsomeone
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t41

Womba: HeyShaneIam done"she

shoutedknockingoutsi dehis
bedroom doorandt herewasno
repl
y"Shane"shecal ledagainand
hewokeupf rom hi
ssl eep,cl
utchi
ng
onHear t'
steddy,goshhedi dn't
underst
andwhygi r
lshav ean
obsessionwithteddybear s

Shane:
Iam comi
ng"heanswer
ed
backcl
imbi
ngdownthebedand
wentoutt
oWombawhowas
standinginthekitchen, Shanetooka
momentt olookatherf rom topto
bottom andt houghtifhewast o
mov eonshewast herightcandidat
e
buttrulyspeakinghef eltnothi
ngfor
her

Womba: Hey"shelazi
lylookedathis
nicebuil
tupmuscles,hedidn'
tknow
thatshesecret
lyf
anci
edhi mf ora
verylongti
me

Shane:Hi
ethanksforev
ery
thi
ngt
he
houseissqueakycl
ean"
Womba:You'
rewelcome,soyouwil
l
hangyourcl
othesonthedr
yingl
ine
tomor
rowdon'tfor
get"

Shane:
Iwon'
tify
our
emi
ndme"t
hey
l
aughed

Womba: Icookedf oryoual soeat

andstayhealthy,twodi ff
erentmeals
soyouchooset heoney ouwantt o
eatt
odayandkeept heoney ouwill
eatt
omor rowi nthef r
idgeandwar m
i
tupinthemi crowav eokay"

Shane:
Okayt
hanky
ouf
orbei
ng
consider
ateletmegivey
out
ops"he
broughtouthiswal
let

Womba: Nonodon'tShanei
t'
sfine
you'realr
eadypayingmefor
cleaningandlaundryt
hefood
consideritasafavorfr
om afr
iend
okay"

Shane:Okayt
hanksy ou'
reani
ce
person"shesmiledandther
ewas
anawkwar dsi
lence

Womba:EscortmeoutIgot
tago"
shepul
ledhim byhi
shandasshe
openedthedoorgoi
ngoutandhe
walkedheral
mostuptothegat
e

Shane:
Hopeyouwi
llf
indt
axi
sther
e"
theyst
opped

Womba:
Okayhav
eagoodni
ghtsee
yout
omorr
owatthev
enue"

Shane:Yessur e"theyhuggedand
Wombat ookadv antageandhugged
himtighter,Shanefacedthegate
wherehesawHear tcomingineven
thoughshewascov eri
ngherface
andwear ingspectaclesheknewher
from onegl ance,hewhi spered
somet hinginWomba' searswho
wassur pri
sedandshewhi spered
backast heywer est i
llhuggingand
Hear twashur tt
oseeShaneal ready
huggi ngsomeoneel seandt hey
wer eal lloveydov eywhi speringin
eachot her'searsandt heyhugged
ti
ght erandl ongeratitwhent hey
releasedasWombaf acedt hegat e
Hear tthoughtshehadseenher
bef orebutshedi dn'tknowwher e

Hear
t:Hel
lo"shegreet
ednotso
conf
ident
lyandshewasgl adt
hat
shewaswear i
ngspectacl
esanda
chi
ff
onshel
ookedl
ikeaMusl
im
woman

"Hie"theybothgreet
edherbackand
theystoodinsil
encenothi
ngsaid
andShanewaswhat '
supwi t
hthe
glassesandthechiff
on

Shane:Sowhatarey oudoinghere? "

Animpor t
antquestionandshedi dn'
t
knowhowt oanswershenev er
thoughthewouldask, shethought
hewasgoi ngtojumpandhugher
themomentheseesherbuthewas
withanothergi
rl,
ifshehad
somewhereel
set
ogoshewas
gonnat
urnbackr
ightt
hati
nst
ant
andwal
kaway

Heart:
Uhmmm baby si
tti
ng"she
answeredthat'
stheonl
yt hingshe
thoughtofthatcametomi nd

Shane:Thi
st i
me? "hecheckedt ime
onhiswr i
stwatchandshesawi tand
wasgl adhestil
lhadthewat ch,she
touchedhernecklacetoo,shest i
ll
hadit,Wombawasf eel
ingstrong
tensi
onatmospher ebuil
dingupand
thoughttogobecauset hetwo
l
ookedl i
ketheyhadser i
ousi
ssues
todiscussthoughShanehadsaid
somet hi
ngridi
culousandshe
thoughttoconsideri
t

Womba:Igottago"Shaneheldher
handandwal kedpastHear
twit
hher
andwalkedaf ewmet er
swit
hher
outsi
dethegat eandcamebackand
Heartwaslookingdownshefel
ta
fool

Shane:Youhavet
ot al
kt ot
he
motherswhooncescol dedmethat
youjustleav
eunannouncedwit
hout
givi
ngt hem anot i
cet ofindanot her
babysitter"hesai dwal kingpast
Heartnowgoi ngbackandshedi dn't
knowi fshewaswel comeornotbut
hegotbacki nsideandshest ood
outsi
deandsi ghedhar derthinking
ofwhatt odoandhesawher
shadowashewasst andingbyt he
sinkintheki tchenpacki nghi sfood
,yeshehur therbutshehur thimt oo
bygoi ngwi thBaf olandwhoknows
whatt heywer eupt otheweekst hey
weret ogether, i
twaspl ainl
yobv i
ous
thattheysl epttogether"Aren'ty ou
comingi n? "Heaskedopeni ngthe
doorhol dingapl ateinhisonehand
andthefoodlookedy ummy, must
havebeenpreparedbynewgi r
lfr
iend
whom wasnev erintroducedany way
whywoul dheint
roduceherl i
keshe
sti
l
lmatteredi
nhi slife,
shewasa
nobodysheremindedher sel
f,she
j
ustswallowedwal ki
ngi n,shedidn't
knowifitwasthepr egnancyt hat
wasmaki nghersohungr yli
kethat

Hewassitti
ngeati
ngl ooking
at
tenti
vel
ytotheTV, afootball
matchwason,shesati nmanner sa
l
it
tleawayfr
om him andt her
ewas
si
lence,
hewasjusteat i
ngbutt hen
st
oppedandputthepl ateont he
tabl
e,itwascleared,
hestoodupand
tookittothekit
chenanddishedup
forherandhecamebackandput
theplateonhersideonthetabl
eand
hewashol dingaglassofredwine

Shane:Eat"hesaidandifallwas
wellshewasgoi ngtorefusethe
foodcookedbyhi sgir
lf
riendbutall
wasnotwel l
,sheneededt hefood
,shewalkedf orhour
s,shef el
tsel
f
pit
y

Heart
:Thanky
ou"shepickedupthe
pl
ateandbeganeat
ingshylyl
ikei
t
washerf i
rstti
met her ewi t
hhi m
whenhewast hemanwhom she
tookhercl othesofft owithoutany
traceofshameandf *****allni ght
,hewasnowdr i
nki
nghi sonel eg
foldedont hecouchst ari
ngather
andshecoul dsensehewasl ooking
atherev enwi thoutlookingdi rectl
y
athi m asshesl owlychewedandi t
's
asi fheknewshewashungr y
becausehepi l
edont hefoodand
shewasgl adbecausei fitwasl i
tt
le
shewasgoi ngt ogetembar rassed
toaskf orseconds

Shane:
Whyar
eyouher
e?"That
quest
ionagai
n

Heart
:Itol
dyouforbabysit
ti
ng"she
t
urnedtolookathim sungl
assesst
il
l
i
ntactli
keitwassunnyinsi
de

Shane:
Soyouwilldoitwher
e?"God
washereal
lyaskinghert
hat

Heart:
Idon'
tknowwi
llaskt
he
mothers"nowshewasbeginni
ngt
o
feel
full

Shane:
Okaywhydoy
ouneedt
o
baby
siti
sn'
tBaf
olt
aki
ngcar
eofy
ou
?"

Hear
t:
Ineedmoneyofmyown"

Shane:
Sohedr oppedy ouoffandhe
droveofforhowcomey oucame
al
one? "Shedi dn'tknowhowt o
answert hatone,shechewedev en
moreslowerandl ookedattheTV"I
am tal
kingt oyou? "Heaskedseei
ng
shewasn' trepl
ying

Hear
t:Icameonmyown"she
r
epli
edandputthepl
ateont
het
abl
e
Shane:
Andheknewy ouwere
cominghereandheagreedont
hat
andthebabysi
tt
ingal
so"

Heart:Letmeuset hebathr
oom "she
hurri
edlywal kedtothetoil
etand
cri
edi ntherewhywasshecr yi
ng
shedidn'tknowasshel ockedthe
door,goshshewasnowusedt o
l
ockingher selfinthebathr
oom ,she
wasaski ngifShanenol ongerloved
her,shewentawaywi thBafolnot
thatshedi dn'tl
ovehim anymoreand
sheendedupi nfi
reandnowshe
wasbegi nningtobeaf r
aidofbot h
man, sher emov edhersungl asses
andwi pedhert earsawaywi tha
ti
ssueandshedi dn'tputthem back
on,thear eaaroundt heeyeswhi ch
wasswol lenhadcal meddowna
l
ittl
ebit,butthel i
pwasst il
lbusted
andherf acewasbet terbutnot
reall
yhernor malor iginalface,when
shewal kedbackshewasr ubbi
ng
herhandsonhert rousersbecause
theywer esweat y,hewasont he
phone, hi
sgl assempt yont hetable
andherf oodcov er
ed

Shane:
Youcal
ledmeandy
ouask
whoi st hi
sarey ourbrainsf ucken
fr
iedhuh?"hespokeandst oppedt o
l
istenandHear twaswonder ingi fhe
wasdr unkalr
eady" Noy oul isten
Ladywhoev eryouar eyoudon' tcall
meSi rasifIam aschoolt eacher ,I
don'tknowi fyouwer egi venf ree
air
timeorsomet hingjustt ocal lme
andaskwhoIam andl aterony ou
callmeSi rhangupy ourfucken
phoneandgot osleepy ou'recr azy
,what, ofcourseIam hi gh, Iam hi gh
onl i
femxm f uckof f"hehungupt he
callandt hr
ewhi sphoneont het able
andl ookedatHear twhowasso
scaredandshewasl ikedidIj ust
j
umpf rom af ryi
ngpanint
ot hefir
e
,hest oodupandwal kedt
ohi s
bedr oom andcamebackwi tha
blanketapi l
lowandhernight yand
het ookhisgl asstotheki
tchenand
cameandt ookhi sphoneont he
table

Shane:Goodni
ght"hesaidandwhen
sheansweredhewasalreadynear
hi
sbedroom door

Heart
:Goodni
ght"shewant
edher
Mom orDadnowbutshehadto
t
hinkofherbabytoo,
i
fshewastogo
backhomenowshef eltshewoul d
bur denherpar ents,tobr inga
pregnancywi t
hherandnomoney
andexpectev erythingt obecat ered
forbot hherandherbaby, noshe
want edt owiseupasshewast he
onewhoopenedherl egst oaman
freely,sheshoul dfreelyacceptt obe
ar esponsibleMom andsoshe
neededt odot hatbaby sitt
ingand
keepmoneyandbuyherbabyt hings
topr epareforhisorherar rival
,she
didn'treall
yknowwhot heDadi sbut
shest ronglybelievedi twasShane' s
babyormay beshewant edittobe
Shane' sbaby,Ooohwel latleastshe
hasar oofov erherheadnowt hat'
s
allthatmat ters,sheshoul dbeat
l
eastt hankf ulsher emi ndedher self
andi nt hatshef oundst r
engt ht o
fi
ni shof fherfoodandwal kedt othe
kitchenandcl eanedt hepot sand
plat esandt henwal kedt ot he
bat hroom andi twasbackt ot he
begi nningwhenshef i
rstar ri
v ed
ther eandusedhi stowelnowshe
wasusi ngitagai n,
shecoul dn't
knockwi ththet emper aturehewas
showi ngshemi ghtinviteanot her
beat i
ng, shemassagedherf acewi t
h
awar mt owelandwhenshewas
doneshesl i
ppedi nherni ght dress
andwenti
nthel
iv
ingr
oom ,
swit
ched
offt
heTVandhadagoodni
ght
's
rest
s,

Shewokeupt oachill
edandcol d
daysheassumedast hesunwasnot
shiningi nbuti twaswaypast
waki ngupt ime,shebr ushedher
teeth, cleanedherf acesl i
ppedin
yester day '
sclothesandcov er
ed
hersel fwi t
ht hechiff
onagai n,she
tookt het wobucket sthathad
clothesshecoul dtel
ltheyneededt o
behangedmustbet henew
girl
friendwhowashed, shewalked
outwi ththepegst ot hebackwi th
theweathertheclothesneededt obe
hangedsoonert hanlatercozi
t
seemedlikeitwasgoi ngtorai
n
,whenshewaswal kingback,she
sawMamaKaLi taandshewal ked
toherbuil
dingjustacross

Hear
t:Hel
loMamakaLi
ta"

Lit
a'sMom:OoohHiewher ehave
youbeen?"Shecheer
full
ygreet
ed
withasmil
ebutitwasfakeHeart
knewher

Hear
t:
Gonet
oaf
ri
end"
Li
ta'
sMom: That'
snotwhatIheard,
I
hear
dyouleftShaneforhi
sbrother"
shesai
dandHear tknewthatt
he
smil
ehadal ott
oit

Hear
t:Ooohwhotol
dyouthat?
"She
r
eall
ywonderedi
ncuri
osi
ty

Li
ta'
sMom: Haanev
ermindthat
darl
ingsoy
ou'r
eheret
ogreetmeor
?"

Hear
t:
Justwant
edt
oknowhowy
ou
andotherMomsar
ecopy
ingwi
th
theki
ds"

Li
ta'
sMom:Wehav
eanew
baby
sit
ter"

Lat
oya:Hi
e,Iam t
henewbabysi
tt
er"
shepoppedherheadoutofMama
KaLit
a'spl
ace
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t42

Shanewokeupandhewasl atefor
hisappoi nt
eddayofcl eaninghisbar
alongsidewi t
hWomba, openingday
wasgoi ngt obear r
angedand
schedul edforanotherdaywhent hey
getaf ewguy stowor kforhim after
draft
ingandpr i
nti
ngcont r
actforms
andcomet oagr eementswi t
ht he
guyst heywi l
lhi
reandt heywillbe
readyt ohaveaki ckstart,
hewal ked
outofhi sbedr oom t ogoi nthe
bathr oom butst oppedwhenhe
hear dHear tsnoring,shewasn' t
sleepi ngwel landher emember ed
theirfirstnighttoget herwer ethey
endedupshar i
ngt hecouchwhen
shecamei nwant ingtof i
xhis
sleepi ngposi t
ionsot hathewoul dn'
t
snor egoshhef oundhi msel f
smi l
ing, memor iesar esuchsweet
andv italthi
ngst hat'swhyt heysay
makememor i
esnotwarbecause
memor ieswillgowi thy ouev enin
oldage, hewalkedt ot heli
vingr oom
tofixherbuthest oppedt olookat
herf aceherchi ff
onwasl ooselyt ied
andhecoul dtel
lthatsomet hi
ngwas
wrongt houghhecouldn'tseeher
wholefacebutt her
ewassomet hing
aboutit,helookedatherbust edli
p
hewonder edwhathappenedbut
thenagainwhyshoul dhecar ethat
much,shewasnowBaf o'swoman

Ooohwel lti
mewasn' tbyhissidehe
neededt ogetgoing,sohefixedher
sleepingposi t
ionniceandslow,so
thathedoesn' twakeherupand
cov er
edherni celywiththeblanketi
t
wascol d,
helookedt otheki
tchen
andt hepl at
eswer edoneandt he
l
ivingr oom cur t
ainwhichwaswi de
openedshowedhi sclothesthat
werealreadyont heline,heturned
andlookedather, soshewasonce
uphewonder edtohimsel fandhe
walkedtothebat hroom and
showered,hisbathroom onceagai n
hadcolors,shehangedherpi nk
underwearint her
e

Hepreparedhi msel ft
ogooutand
shewasawaket hatti
mewhenhe
wasupanddowndoi nghi
st hings
andshewonder edifheknewt hat
Latoy
awast heonenowbaby sit
ti
ng
butshefiguredt hathedoesn'tknow
aboutitotherwisehewoul dn'thave
adv i
sedhert ogoandspeakt oeach
Mom aboutt hekids,
nowt he
i
mpor tanti
ssuewashowshewas
goingt otellhi
mt hatshecouldn't
baby sitanymorebutsheneededt o
stayi nhishouse,li
fewasnow
offeringherlemons,tangeri
nes,hot
chill
iesandgi nger

Heart:
Goodmor ning"shegreet
ed
whenhewasaboutt opassherand
hiscolognescentfi
ll
edthewhole
room andshelovedit

Shane:
Aft
ernoon,
Iam goi
ngout"he
sai
dandpassed

Heart:
Withouteating? "Shetalkedto
hersel
fshenot i
cedt hathewas
al
readyoutandshewonder edi fi
t
wasalreadyafternoonshesi ghed
deeply
,hedidn'
tcar eabouther
anymoreitwasev i
dent ,
shethr ew
hersel
font hecouchandr ubbedher
stomacht ofi
ndsol ace

#Lat
oya.
..
..
..
.

Lat
oyawassopleasedt
osayt
o
Heart
'sf
acet
hatshewasnowthe
onebaby sit
tingandt helookshegot
from Hear tmadeherdayi nfactit
madeherwhol eli
fei
nteresting,she
feltasifshehadwonsomet hi
ngl i
ke
i
twasav ict
or yandshecoul dn'
t
ov er
comesmi li
ngrecalli
ngt heway
Hear twalkedbackt oShane' s
place,it
'sasi fshewant edtocr yand
herst epswer eunsureandl ooked
l
ikeshehadpoopedi nherpant
that'
sanov erstatementsheknew
thatbutal lthismadeLat oy ato
wonderwhyHear twasnowt hatsoft
andwhyshewasbackf rom Baf o'
s
place
Lit
a:MamaIwanttogotot
hetoi
let"
hesaidtal
kingt
oLat
oyawhowason
thephone

Lat
oya:
So?
"

Li
ta:
Canyoupleaset
akemet
her
e"
heaskedpol
it
ely

Latoya:SincewhendoIt akeyouto
thetoiletgoyoursel
fyou'r
eabigboy
"sher udelyspokebusywi t
hher
phone,typingonwhatsappchewing
ongum andr ubbedherstomachany
ti
mesoonshewasgoi ngt oputt
o
bed

Li
ta:Iam scaredthatifImissy ou
wil
lbeatmeupagai n"Lat oya
l
ookedathi m cli
ckedhert ongue
,i
gnor edandcont i
nuedwi thher
phoneandhewal kedt othetoil
et
andhehaddi ar
rhoeat hathe
messedupt heloo,
thepoowasal l
overinthelooev enwhenhef l
ushed
i
twasn' tcl
ean"Mama, Mama"he
cal
ledoutt oLatoya

Lat
oya:
Whatandstopcal
li
ngme
MamaItol
dyouthatIdon'
tli
ket
hat
"

Li
ta:
ButImessedup"

Lat
oya:
What?
"

Li
ta:
Isai
dImessedupagai
n"

Latoya:
Soy ou'
reproudneh, cl
ean
yourmess, Iwanttofi
ndev eryt
hing
cleaninthere"shecli
ckedher
tonguethinki
ngkidsarejust
disgusti
ng
Lit
ascar edofbei ngbeat ent ookt he
brushandt r
iedcl eaningbutt he
brushendedupwi thpooandhe
thoughtmay beJi k/bleachwi llmake
i
tcleanersoheempt i
edt hewhol e
containeri
nt hel oo, somespl ashes
ofJikgotinhi sey esbuther ubbed
them maki ngt hem t earyand
conti
nuedwi thwhathet houghtwas
therightwayofcl eani ng, Latoya
stoodupandwal kedt otheki tchen
andtookapanf riedanomel etteand
wipedt hepanwi thwi pesandputi t
backi nthecupboar d

Nandi
:MamaIam hungr
ytoo"he
sai
dseei
ngLat
oyaent
eri
nghol
ding
aplat
e

Latoya:Youal latey ourlunchboxes

sodon' tbothermeokay"t he
chil
drenst aredatherassheenj oy
ed
herselfwashi ngthef ooddownwi th
j
uice,shewassogl adt hatLit
a's
Mom gav eapl acet ost ayandshe
couldbaby sitallthekidst herewhen
shefinishedshet houghtofLi tawho
hadt akenlongi nt hetoi l
etsoshe
fol
loweduponhi m

Li
ta:
Itr
iedt
ocl
ean"hesai
dand
Latoyast oodinshockast hewhole
toil
etwast urnedupsidedown,she
didn'
tt hi
nktwiceandt ookthemop
andhi thim wit
hitrepeatedl
ywhil
e
hecr i
edhi sli
tt
lel
ungsout

Latoya:Youwantt osendmet oearly

l
abor,lookatthismessy oudidnow
whoi sgoingtocleani tupwhenIam
notfeelingwellhuh? "Li
tajuststood
l
ookingathert earful
ly"Answerme
Lit
a"hecoul dn'tspeakandhekept
rubbi
nghi seyest hatwereitchy

Lat
oyahear
dtheot
herki
ds
whisperi
ngout sidethetoi
letdoor
sayi
ngshei swi ckedandt houghtt
o
showt hem hertruecolors

Latoya:
Youallcomeinandcl ean
thi
smessIcannotwor kmy sel
fto
deathwhileyoueat
,si
t,rel
axand
poopiecomenowwheny ou'
redone
youwi l
lcal
lme"shest ompedout
andthekidswalkedin

Angelo:
Idon'
tknowhowt
ocl
eana
toi
let"

Nandi
:Menei
ther"
Tebogo:
Met
oo"

Angel
o:Ijustwi
shMommyHear t
washereshewoul dletussleepi
n
theaf
ternoonandplaygamesand
readf
orus, f
eedusandl etuscal
lher
Mommy"

"
Yeahwemi ssher,
shei
ssoni
ce"
t
heotherki
dsallagr
eed

Shane.
..
..
..
.
Womba:Heyyouarelat
e"she
huggedShaneli
ght
lyandshehad
al
readyset
upthecl
eaning
equi
pmenttheyweregoingt
ouse

Shane:Couldn'
tsleepthenslept
aboutmor ningandendedup
over
sleeping"shel aughed

Womba:Welll
et'
sgetdownto
busi
ness"shehandedhi
m amop

Shane:
let
'sgetdowntoit"hedi
pped
themopinfoamywat erandst
art
ed
onmoppinginhighspir
it
s,hel
ooked
t
oocheer
fulshenot
iced

Womba:Youhangedyourcl
othes?
"
Sheaskedmoppinghersi
de

Shane:
Someonedi
ditf
orme"

Womba:
Thatwoman?
"

Shane:
Yest
hatwoman"hechuckl
ed

Womba:That
'sni
ce,
uhmmm Idon'
t
meantoprybuti
sshetheoneyou
want
edmet odoherhairt
heot
her
t
ime?
"

Shane:
Yesshei
s"

Womba:Yousti
lll
oveherdon'
tyou
?"Sheaskedst
oppingandhe
st
oppedtoo

Shane:I
nst
rongl
ike"

Womba:Andthisdr
essingwast o
i
mpressherIguessimeanwhat
ki
ndofdressi
ngisthi
sf orsomeone
comi
ngintoclean?"Theyboth
chuckl
ed

Shane:
Idon'
tdr
esst
oimpr
ess"

Womba:Deny
ingi
ttotheendsoshe
i
sgoingtost
aywit
hyou? "Nowshe
l
ookeddownworr
iedbusysti
ll

Shane:
Yesshedoesn'
thav
e
anywher
etogo"

Womba: HowsweetbutisitOkayt
o
l
iv
ewi thyourexthough,
Imeanshe
i
sy ourexisn'
tshe?"
Shane:
Yesshei
s"

Womba: Andwheny ouaskedabout

thesymptomsofpr egnancywer
e
youaskingconcer
ningheror?"She
stoppedagai
nandl ookedathi
m

Shane:
Yes"

Womba:Anddoy
out
hink.
..
..
..
"

Shane:
Uhmmm toomanyquest
ions
pl
easecanwegettowor
k,wehav e
togoandbringinthechairs,gl
asses,
printdownt
hecont r
acts,
alsothe
fl
iersanddi
str
ibut
et hem alsoall
that"

Womba: YeahIknowj ustcuriousfor

someonewhoi sgoi
ngt obey our
fakegirl
fri
end"shesai d
remember i
ngthenightbef or
ewhen
hewhi speredinhereartopr etendto
behisgi rl
fr
iendandshet ol
dhi m
thatshewasgoi ngtothinkaboutit

Shane:
Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
snecessar
y
anymore"Wombachangedface
Womba: Ooohwhy?"Shewas
disappoi
ntedwhenshefi
nal
lymade
thatdeci
siont
ogowi t
hit

Shane:Iguessit'
snotwor t hi
twill
j
ustmakemeseem chi ldi
sh,you
knowunabl etoletgoofagi r
landI
don'tknowhowshewi lltakeit,
she
mightgethur ti
fIweret odatey ouI
wouldwantt odoi tgenuinely
,Imean
Idon'tthi
nkherandIwi llwork
anymor e"whywasn' thebel i
evi
ng
hisownwor dst hathewassay i
ng
butthisbroughtsomer elieft
o
Wombaandbri
ngi
nghopethatshe
canbet
hehi
ghestcont
ender

Womba:Igetwhaty oumeanandI
under
stand"Didshereal
ly
under
standli
keshewaspor t
ray
ing
wit
hasmi l
ingface

Whenpeopl esawt hebannerboar d

beingputupoft henewbarsome
wherealreadycomi ngi naski
ngand
i
nt hatShanegotonecandi datesuit
tobeabar tender,hiswasseei ng
thatsoonhewi llbeabl etofi
nishhis
houseinZimbabwet hatwasst i
lli
n
progressandi ffort
unatethathewi ll
beaDaddyhi skidwoul dhavea
placet oli
veatleastbutitseemed
thatBaf olwasaheadoft hegame
withhiswomen, ababyf r
om Latoya
forhim andababyf rom Heartfor
him alsobuthehopedt hatchil
dto
behi shehadsomehopeaf ter
seeingt hatshedidn'
ttakethepi l
ls

Heent er
edwi t
hWombaandi twas
l
atebutwassur pri
sedtoseeHeart
sti
l
l awakestandi
ngbythekit
chen
wallandseemedt obeindeep
thi
nkingbutwasstart
ledseei
ngthe
twowal kin
Hear
t:
Hie"shegr
eet
edandt
hepi
tch
i
nhervoi
cewassad

Shane:
AreyouOkay?"Heaskedand
Wombaj ustl
ookedatShane

Hear
t:
Iam why?
"

Shane:
Not
hing"hepassedand
Wombaey edHear
tandHeartwas
amazedofwhyshelookedatherl
ike
that
Womba: Heycheckthisout"she
pushednear ertoShaneast heywer
e
seatedont hecouchandshe
showedhi m somej okeinherphone
andt heybothlaughedoutloud

Shane:Nowaypeoplear
emaniacs"
hesaidsti
lll
aughi
ngandHear
twas
j
ustlooki
ngatthem

Womba:
Theynev
err
unoutofj
okes"

Shane:Sol
et'
sdothisquickl
yIam
ti
red,Uhmmm Hearttodayyoucan
usethebed"hecall
edoutt oher
Hear
t:
Okay"shedi
dn'
tknowwhat
t
hatwasabout

Shane:Wombay oucanusethe
couchitwil
lbetoolat
efory
out ogo
back,Iwi
llbunkout
side"

Womba:Outsi
dewher
e,wecanj
ust
shar
eherecomeon"

Shane:NonoIam notgoi
ngt
odo
that"
Womba:Youwi l
landi
twil
lworkout
perf
ectl
y"Heartwantedtosuggest
butshejustwarmedthefoodand
walkedinhol
dingShane'
splat
eand
Shanelookedasshepassedhima
pl
ateoffood

Shane:Uhmm therewasf
oodcooked
yesterdaybyWomba"hesaidbut
sti
ll
t ookthepl
ate

Heart:
OoohIdi
dn'tknowletmet ake
t
hisbackandwillheaty
out hatone
i
nstead"
Shane:Si
nceyouhav
eal
ready
broughtt
hisl
etmeeati
tinst
ead"

Womba:Yesl
et'
sthi
sonei
nst
ead"

Heart:Ididn'tknowt hatyouwoul d
comewi thy ourgirl
fri
endsoIdon' t
knowi fitwi l
lbeenoughsol etme
heattheot herdish"Wombal ooked
atHear tit'
sasi fshehaddonei t
purposeful l
yshet hought,andShane
wasj ustlikeOoohsoshewas
thi
nkingt hatWombawasher
gir
lfr
iend, shehadgoodr easonsto
beli
ev esoaf t
erhegav eherwr ong
si
gnal
stheni
ghtshecame

Shane:
Yesgoodi
deasowecanjust
havebothoft
hef
ood,di
ginWomba
"

Womba:
Heyt
hatlookst
oosmal ll
et
meeatt
heot
herdishi
nstead"

Shane:
Andmakemefeelbad
i
nsteadcomeonl
etseat
"

Womba:Okay"Hear
tcamewi th
anot
herspoonandpassedherand
shehadspoonfuloft
hemashed
potat
oesbutshechokedoni
t

Shane:
AreyouOkay?"Heasked
concer
nedseei
nghercoughi
ng

Womba:Al i
ttl
estone,
i
tchokedme"
shesaidcoughi
ngHeartl
ookedat
herandwonderedhowastonegotin
herfood

Shane:Maybet
hepotatoesweren'
t
washedproper
ly,
ami stakeany
one
canmake"hesaidnott oberudeto
Heartgoi
ngtotheki
tchenwhereshe
wasandt
ookagl
assofwat
ert
o
Womba

Womba:Thanks"shetookthegl
ass
ofwaterandShanet
ookhisphone
thatwasri
ngi
nganditwasBafol

Shane:
Ar eyougoingtost
il
leatt
his
?"HeaskedWombawhoshookno
andhet ooktheplat
ebacktothe
ki
tchen"Putitawayformenicel
yI
wil
lfi
nishitaft
erthi
s"hepasse
Heartt
hepl at
espeakingt
oher
al
mosti nawhi sper
Hear
t:
Okay"

Shane:Iwil
lbebackWomba"he
shoutedashewal kedoutsi
de
wonder i
ngwhatBaf olwant
edtosay

Heart:
Hereyourfood"shepassed
herthefoodthatWombahad
cookedtheprevi
ousnighther
self

Womba:Thanks, heyIwas
wonderinghowlongyou'
restayi
ng
her
e? "SheaskedandHeartstopped
l
ookingather
Hear
t:Uhmmm Iam notsosur
e"

Womba:OkayShanewentt hrougha
hardtimewheny ouguysbr
okeup
andhej ustwantedsomespacet o
forgetyouandIthoughttobethe
onet otel
lyoutosavehimt he
burden,youknowhei saniceperson
andhewi llnev
ersayitandwear e
try
ingtomakeuswor k"

Hear
t:
OkayIwi
llmov
eout"
*
*
*
.
.
.
[1/
25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t43

Mar i
nha:
I'
mt ry
ingbutIkeepf al
li
ng
down,Icryoutbutnothingcomes
now,I'
m givi
ngmyal landIknow
peacewillcome,Ineverwantedto
needsomeone, yeahIwant edtoplay
toughthoughtIcoulddoalljuston
myownbutev ensuper woman
somet i
mesneedSuper man,y
our
l
ov eli
ft
smeupl i
keIam heli
um
,yoooouuurl
aaà.
...
..
..
..
..
"Shewas
si
nginganddancingalongtomusi
c
playi
nginherl
aptop

Argentine:Yourloveli
ftsmeup
whenI '
m down, down, down"she
camei nanddi dalitt
lesingalong
j
oiningabi twithherandwal kedto
thelaptopandst oppedt hemusic
"What'supwi ththemusi c?"

Mar
inha:
Whydi
dyouswi
tchi
tof
f
,can'tyouseet
hatIam enj
oyi
ng
my self
?"

Argent
ine:Becauseyou'
renota
musicpersonandnowy ou'r
edoing
musicitfr
eaksmeout"t heyboth
l
aughed" Sowhat '
sther
ealissue
here?"

Marinha:Whati
ssuecan'
tIj
usthave
musicandfun?"Shethr
ewhersel
f
onthebed

Argent
ine:Youhavebeenfor
evermy
fr
iendthatpeopl
estar
tedsayi
ngwe
l
ookal
ikewhichIfi
ndweirdbyt
he
waybutthat
'snotthepoi
ntImeanI
knowyouinsideout"

Mari
nha:
Thisti
mey ouhavef ai
ledI
am t
heonewhor eadbehaviors
remember
"theybothlaughedagain

Argenti
ne:Iam al
awyerandItendto
havethattoosi
nceIworkwit
hal ot
ofpeople"

Marinha:
Yeahy ouknowlikewhen
peoplesaymi ndyourbusinessbut
yourbusinessist
omi ndother
peopl
e'
sbusi
nesses"

Argent
ine:Andthati
ssolame"she
st
aredatMar i
nhaaslit
tl
esi
lence
sweptintheroom

Mar
inha:
What?
?"

Ar
gent
ine:
Iam wai
ti
ng"

Mari
nha:
Goshy
oudon'
tgi
veupdon'
t
you?"

Ar
gent
ine:
Idon'
t"shechuckl
ed
Mari
nha:OkaysothereisthisguyI
am f
aili
ngtotel
lwhatheisonabout
ofwhichInev
erhavet r
oublebutthi
s
onehasgotmet hi
nking"

Argenti
ne:Iknewi
t,y
ouhav
efal
len
i
nl ov
e"

Mari
nha:
NononoIdidn'
tsay
t
hat,
howtheheckdi
dyoucomet
o
t
hatconcl
usi
on?"

Ar
gent
ine:I
t'
sobv
iousy
oudon'
t
wantt
oadmi
tit"

Mari
nha:
YouknowIdon'
tbel
iev
ein
t
hat"

Ar
genti
ne:Buty
ouwer
ewi
thHear
t
al
ways"

Marinha:Youknowshebr ought
someent husiasm inmewhenshe
expl
ainedl ov
et omeandt heway
shefeltf orShanebutt heybrokeup
anditpr ovedmypoi ntwheny ou
havesext hat'
sityouhav esatisf
ied
eachot herwhat '
snext? "
Argenti
ne:Whatwast hei
ssuefor
them t
obr eakup,aft
ersexther
eare
commi t
ment s,
weddings,
famil
iesi
n
themaking, seethegoodsideof
l
ov ecomeon"

Mari
nha:
Listentothi
slovedoesn'
t
br
ingchi
ldrenbutsexdoes"
Ar
genti
neshookherhead

Argent
ine:Andyoupol
lut
edherwi
th
thesexthing"
Mar i
nha:Yesthat'swhatIstrongly
beli
evein,menandwomenj ustwant
tohav esexwi t
heachot herthat'
sall
thelovethingisjustwhatmakest he
wor l
dgocr azy,Imeanhowdoy ou
staycommi t
tedtooneper sonif
peoplearedi f
ferentt
henthesexi s
diff
erentsomepeopl etastebetter"

Argent
ine:Yuckdisgusti
ngsosays
youbuttellmeaboutt heboywhoi
s
sti
llamystery?"

Marinha:Ican'
treal
lytel
labouthi
m
,Idon'tknowmay bethelovethi
ngis
get
ti
ngtomeforoncebutIhav
eto
bedhi
mt or
eal
lyt
ell"

Ar
gent
ine:MyGod"shel
aughed

Marinha:AtleastIwasdecenther e
orIcouldn'tfi
ndabr aveknighttori
p
mycent erapart"Theylaughed"and
youthatPierrewheni shecomi ng?"

Argent
ine:Don'tsaythatPi
err
eli
ke
heisaoneni ghtstandorsomethi
ng
heismyf i
ancé"
Marinha:
Savemet helectur
eheis
comingtogetfuckandt henextday
heisbackintheplane"

Argenti
ne:Pleaseheiscomingt
o
seemebecausehemi ssesmeand
can'tst
andmeexpl ori
ngnew
groundsthatismil
li
onmi l
esaway"

Mar
inha:Yesi
nmissingyoumeans
hemissesri
dingyouwhatelsecan
hemissaboutyoureal
ly?"

Ar
gent
ine:
Iam notlaughi
ng,sex
mi
ghtbepartofity
esbutt her
ecan
bel
ovewi
thoutal
lthat"

Marinha:
How?,don'
ttel
lmeyou'
re
pol
lutedbyHeart
'st
heori
es?"

Argenti
ne:Test softi
me,dist
ance
,hardti
mes,lack,si
ckness,one
shouldbeabl etoproveifheorshe
tr
ulylovessomeonedur i
ngthose
ti
mesandt est s"

Mar
inha:
Andi
fther
eisn'
tsuch?
"

Ar
gent
ine:Oooht
her
eismyf
ri
end
onewayortheot
hereachhuman
wil
lfacet
his"

Marinha:OkayletmechangeIam
ti
redofy ourl
ecturesIwantt
obe
bull
i
edi nbedtonight"

Ar
genti
ne:Shutup"shehi
therwi
th
api
ll
ow

Marinha:Redi
sforIam so
dangerousandseducti
veorblack
forf
ierceandIam Missindependent
andIbelongtonobodywhi chone
shouldIwear?"Sheaskedholding
t
wodr
esses

Argenti
ne:Ever
ycol
orhasa
defi
nit
ionnow,soIt
hinkyoushoul
d
goforpinkyouknowpinkpant
her"
shegiggled

Marinha:You'
renothelpi
ng"she
chosear eddr
essinstead

Argent
ine:You'
redr
essi
ngupf
ort
his
guy?"

Mar
inha:
Yep"
Ar
gent
ine:Whoi
she?
"

Mari
nha:Allicansayf
ornowi
she
i
s..
..
..eeerblack"

#Shane.
..
..
..
.

Shanewalkedoutsidetoanswerhis
phonewhenBaf olwascalli
ngbut
thecal
lendedbeforehecould
answeritandhedidn'thavepat
ience
towaitf
orhimtocal lagai
nwhenhe
hadsomucht odosohesai dto
himsel fifBafolwantstotalkhewi l
l
callagainsohewal kedbackbut
befor ehecoul dopenthedoort ogo
i
nsi dehehear dHeartandWomba
tal
ki ngwhi chmadehi mt ostop
thereandl i
stenwhenHear tspoke
andhewant edtohearwhatWomba
wasgoi ngt osaysothathecoul d
maket hesenseofwher etheissue
wascomi ngfrom orwhereitwas
going

Womba:OkayShanewentt hrougha
hardt
imewheny ouguysbrokeup
andhejustwant
edsomespacet o
for
getyouandIthoughtt
obet he
onet otellyouandsav ehimt he
burden,youknowhei sani ceperson
andpeopl et akehi mforgrantedand
hewi l
lnev ersayi tandwear et r
ying
tomakeuswor kbutwewon' tbe
abletodosowi thyouhere,wer eall
y
l
ov eeachot herandi t
'sso
disappointingformet obelivingat
mypl acewhi l
ey outheexisher e
withhim"

Hear
t:OkayIwi
llseewhattodoand
moveout"sheansweredandShane
di
dn'
tli
keanybitoftheconver
sati
on
sohewalkedi
nandl ookedatHeart
whowasnowbusywi t
htheplat
es
st
andi
ngbythesi
nkandWomba
wassorel
axedst
il
leat
ing

Womba:Heyt houghty
ouweren'
t
comingback"hesatbyhersi
deand
shedidn'
tunderst
andhis
expr
essionl
essface

Shane:Iam her
enow"

Womba:Herelet'
seatthi
s"she
passedt
heplatetohim buthe
pushedi
tthatthepl
atealmostfel
l
Shane:NoIpr
eferHeart
'scooking
overyour
s"hesaidandshej ust
l
ookedathim speechl
ess

Womba:
Oooh"

Shane:
Letmet
akey
ouhome"

Womba:
Butwear
enotdoney
etwi
th
t
haa.
..
..
..
..
"

Shane:
Leavei
tIwilldoitmyself"he
stoodupandsnatchedtheplateof
foodshewasholdingandwal ked
wit
hitt
otheki
tchenandt
hrewbot
h
t
heplat
eandthefoodint
hebin

Womba: Shanewhat
's
happeni
ng,whatwasthatf
orhuh?
"
Sheyell
edathim

Shane:Takeyourbagnow, outofmy
house"Shehur ri
edlytookherbag
scaredwi t
hthesuddenchangeof
hisvoiceandshef i
rstlookedat
Hear twhowaswonder i
ngwhatwas
happeningbetweent hetwoandt hen
shewal kedoutsi
de,Shanef oll
owed
aftersayi
ngtoHear t"Cany ouwait
upf
ormeIam comi
ngj
ustnow"

Heart:
Okay"andshet houghthewas
comingtochaseherout, she
shruggedhershoulder
sand
conti
nuedwiththedishesl ooki
ng
outthesee-
throughcurtained
windowinthekitchen

Womba: Iwoul dappreci

ateitifyou
tel
lmewhati shappeningfory outo
embr assmei nfrontofyourexl i
ke
thatShaneIam r eal
lymadaty ou"
Shaneal mostslappedherbut
stopped" Shanewhat ???
...
..
.you
wantedtodoslapmehuh?"She
askedherhear
tbeat
ingf
ast

Shane: Iwillactual
lydoitthi
st i
me
aroundi fy oudon'tstopsaying
rubbish,soy ouwantherout , where
doy out hinkshewi llgo,
didn'tItel
l
yout hatshehasnowher et ogoand
whoi st hi
sUst hatyouwer etalki
ng
aboutandt oactual
lythi
nkt hatIwas
consider i
ngy ouWomba"

Womba:
Iwassav
ingy
ouShane"

Shane:Sav
ingmef
rom what?
"
Womba:Fr
om heryoudon'
tneedher
shei
shurti
ngyou,youhav
ebeena
messthepastweeks"

Shane:
Iknowwhat 'sgoodf orme
andIam oldenought omakemy
owndecisi
onsbutonet hi
ngIhateis
pret
enseorli
arssopl easeIwanted
todri
veyoubutfindyourownway
homeandaboutt hatpostIwi l
lfi
nd
someoneelseinstead"

Womba:Mxm j
ustl
ikeBafolbot
hof
youar
edevi
ls"shespatonthe
gr
oundbuthedi
dn'
twai
ttoseethat
hehadwal
kedawaygoi
ngback
i
nside

Shane:Heyar
eyouOkay? "Heasked
Heartwhohadjustfi
nishedputt
ing
theplat
esawayinthecupboard

Hear
t:
Iam f
inebutcanwet
alk
pl
ease"

Shane:Yesweneedtotal
k"he
walkedtothecouchandshe
fol
lowedbehind
Heart
:Thatgir
ldidshecomeher
e
t
hroughtraf
fi
ckingalsoor?
"

Shane:
Isthatwhaty
ouwantt ot
alk
about?"Heaskedsurpr
ised

Hear
t:NoIam j
ustaski
ng"

Shane:
NosheisMal awianli
veshere
ownedasalonthatBafol'
sgir
lsused
togotowhentheyneednewhai rdos
buti
twascloseddownal lBafol
'
s
doi
ng"
Heart
:Okaybutdoessheknowwhat
youdo? "

Shane:
Nonobodyknowsnoteven
myMom welli
t'
snotli
keshecares
anyway"

Heart:OkaywhataboutLat
oyashe
fr
eelymov eownsaphonedoes
t
hingsf r
eel
y"

Shane:Sheknowsnothingel
set
hat
theprosti
tut
ioni
ndustr
yevenwhen
t
heothergi
rl
sgetusedt
heywon'
t
r
epor
t"

Hear
t:
What?
?"

Shane:Fori
nstancewil
lyoureport
Bafol
,Imeanifyouaretoreport
BafolyouknowIwi l
lgodownwi th
hi
m? "Shekeptquiet

Heart
:OkayShaneIknowIhave
wrongedyoubygoingtoBaf
olso
pl
easecany oul
etmegobackt o
Zi
mbabweIhav edonesomethi
ng
maybey oucan'
tfor
giv
eandIwon't
r
epor
tyouorev
enBaf
ol"

Shane:
Whydoy ouwantt
ogoback
ther
edon'
ttel
lmeyoulef
tsomeone
ther
e?"

Hear
t:
Meani
ng?
"

Shane:
Aboy
fri
endor?
?"

Hear
t:
Youknowt
her
eisn'
tsuch"

Shane:
Sowhy?
"
Heart
:Wecan'tstandeachother
anymoresowhat '
stheusewhenIgo
Iwon'
treportyou"Shanestoodup
andsighed

Shane:Sot
hat'
sityoudon'twantt
o
tr
yagain"hehatedtobetheoneto
sayitandhi
m sayi
ngitfi
rstmade
himtoseem weak

Hear
t:
Meani
ng?
"

Shane:
Ibel
iev
ethemeani
ngi
squi
te
cl
earandobv
ious"

Hear
t:
Nott
omei
tisn'
t"

Shane:Isti
llloveyouOkayandIwas
wonder i
ngi fyousti
lldo?"Helooked
atherandshel ookedback"Iam
sorr
yf orcheatingony ou"andhe
fel
tlessman

Heart:
Despi
teallt
hathappened,
you
sti
l
lloveme? "Sheaskedfor
confi
rmati
on
Shane:
Isn'
twhathappenedallmy
faul
t?"Hewasright
,shethought

Heart
:Okayandwhatabouty
our
l
atestgi
rl
fri
end?"

Shane:
Sheisn'tmygirl
fr
iend,
she
waslyi
ngtoy outr
yingtotake
advant
age"

Hear
t:
Okay"

Shane:
Buty
oul
ookl
iket
her
eis
somethi
ngmor
eyouwantt
osay?
"
Heart
:Uhmmm Ir
anawayfrom Bafol
,hewasnowbeati
ngmeand. .
..
..
."
Shanecameandsquat
tednearher

Shane:Iknewitbutyouwouldn'
t
l
istentome"Het ouchedher
protr
udingli
p

Heart
:YesIdi
dn'tandIregretit,
did
al
lthegir
lswentthroughthisthe
oneshesnatchedfrom you? "

Shane:Theywi
ll
ingl
ygot
ohi
mthen
l
atershi
ftt
hebl
ameonme"

Hear
t:
Okay"j
ustl
ikeshedi
d,she
t
hought

Shane:Andyouhavel
ostwei
ghtand
yourfaceissomehowdi
dheforce
youtotakedrugs?"

Hear
t:Iwasn'
tgi
venf
oodIwould
st
aylockedinhi
shot
elr
oom but
dr
ugsno"

Shane:
Didy
ouguy
ssl
eept
oget
her?
"
Whathewaswor r
iedaboutthemost
anditwast
hemosti mport
ant
questi
onwel
ltohi
m

Heart
:Nowedidn't"helookedather
wit
hadisbel
ievi
ngey e"Iam notj
ust
sayi
ngthi
s,i
t'
strue,butther
eisan
i
ssue"shetouchedherst omach

Shane:
Goon"hel ookedatherhand
thatmovedonherstomach

Hear
t:
I..
..
..
Iam pr
egnant"
Shane:
Okay"that
'sal
lhesai
dand
Heartf
eltsadbyt
hewayher epl
ied
"Howoldisthepr
egnancy?"

Hear
t:
Almosti
ntot
heni
nthweek
now"

Shane:
Thenwhydi
dhesayi
tst
wo
weeksold?
"

Hear
t:
Soy
ouknewabouti
t?"

Shane:
Yesbuthesai
dit'
stwoweeks
ol
dandcalcul
ati
ngbytheweekshe
tol
dmehewast ryi
ngtoimpl yt
hat
hegoty oupregnantwheny ouwer e
atthehotelwithhim andthat'
swhen
Istoppedinsi
stingforyoutocome
backtomeev enthoughBaf olmade
sureIrecei
vedsomebeat i
ngsas
well"

Hear
t:
Hebeaty
ouup?
"

Shane:
Nothi
m,hesentsomepeopl
e
"

Hear
t:
Buty
ou.
..
..
..
."
Shane:
Howwereyout
oknowwhen
youwerewi
thhi
m"

Hear
t:
Icouldn'
t"het
ookherand
madehertositonhi
slapandhe
movedhishandonherstomach

Shane:SoIam goingtobea
Father,
myblood,evenwhenIdiemy
l
egacywi l
lsti
llgoon"shel
ookedat
hi
mt hatt
ouchedhershedi
dn'tknow
why
Hear
t:
Whyspeakl
iket
hat?
"

Shane:
Ifeell
ikeIam r
unni
ngoutof
ti
me"

Hear
t:
Meani
ngy
ou'
rescar
ingme?
"

Shane:Ihav
ebeendi
agnosedwi
th
Bipol
arofrecent
"

Heart
:Bi
pol
arwhat
'st
hati
sitnot
cur
able?"

Shane:
Ament
ali
ll
ness,
thepi
ll
sar
e
alr
eadygiv
ingmesideef
fectsIcan'
t
sl
eepandsomet i
mes..
..
..
..
..
..
"He
keptqui
etgotherof
fhi
slap

Heart
:Someti
meswhatandwhat
t
ri
ggeredit,
didItri
ggeri
t,
si
ncewhen
wereyousuffer
ing,
areyouthi
nki
ng
t
oomuch? ?
"
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t44

Li
ta'
sMom:Litawakeupandbath"
sheshookhi
mt r
yingt
owakehim up

Li
ta:
NoMom Idon'
twantt
obat
h"

Li
ta'
sMom:Iwi
llbeaty
ougetup
ri
ghtnow"

Li
ta:
Pleasedon'tbeatme"he
beggedopeninghiseyesf
ull
yandhe
r
ubbedt
hem st
il
lit
chi
ng

Li
ta'
sMom: I
fyoudon'
twantmeto
beatyouwakeupthenandbat
h"

Li
ta:
ButMommyIam si
ck"hi
sMom
l
aughed

Li
ta'sMom:
Tri
cksofnotwant
ingt
o
bath"

Li
ta:NoMom pl
easeIheardyou
speaki
ngtoMommyHear tpl
easel
et
hercomeandbabysi
tusinst
eadI
don'
twanttheot
heroney
oubrought
anymor
e,shebeatsmeever
yday"

Lit
a'sMom: Shhhy ou'r
ej ustsay ing
thatbecausey oudon' tlikeherand
youwantHear tthat'sall"shepul led
him outofbed, testedhi s
temperatureitwasabi thi ghbut
i
gnor editandtookhi mt ot he
bathroom "Brushy ourteet hand
remov eyourclothesIwi llbeback"
sheinstructedwal kingoutandLi ta
didast ol
dwhi l
ehi sMom cameback
withwar m waterinabucketand
madeLi tatositint hebat htub,that'
s
whatshedi dev erydaybef or eshe
goesoutshebat
heshi
m

Lit
a:Ouch"hesaidi
npainwhenhis
Mom passedat owelonhi
sback
scrubbi
nghim

Li
ta'
sMom:
What?
"

Lita:
Ithurt
sthereev enmybumshur t
whenIam si t
tedlikethisMom "hi s
Mom checkedcar ef
ullyonhisback
andt herewereredspot stherethat
didn'
tdoherwel landshemadehi m
tostandsomespot swer egreen
sincehewasl ightincompl exi
onshe
coul
dseeclear
lythatsomet
hing
happenedandhisbodywasnot
normal

Li
ta'
sMom:
Whathappenedher
e?"

Lita:
ItoldyouIdon'twanty
our
baby si
ttershebeatmesohard
yesterdayandshemademecl ean
thetoiletwhenIhadmessedupand
didn'
tgi vememyf oodas
punishmental so"

Lit
a'sMom:What?"Shedroppedt
he
towelandchar
gedoutcar
ryi
ngLit
a
i
nherar msandwalkedtotheli
vi
ng
room wher
eLatoyawassleepi
ng
"Wakeupy ou"shepushedherwit
h
herfeet

Latoya:
What'
sgoi ngon?"She
yawnedandstretchedasshesatup
onherbuttsonthef l
oorwher
eshe
spreadherbl
ankett osl
eep

Li
ta'
sMom:
Whatdi
dyoudot
omy
son?"

Lat
oya:Dowhat,Whatdi
dhesayI
di
d!?"Sheaskedst
il
lyawni
ng
Li
ta'sMom: Don'
tpretendtoact
surpri
sedlookatthis"sheputLi
ta
downwhowascr yingandshowed
Latoyathebrui
sedspot s

Latoy
a:Sowhatareyousaying?"
Thoughshewassur pr
isedshedi
dn'
t
knowthatthebeat
ingwouldbrui
se
himli
kethat

Li
ta'
sMom:Youdi dthishesaidyou
beathim upyest
erdaynotonlythat
hesaidyoufrequentl
ybeathim why
?,am Inotpayi
ngy outotakecareof
him,youcan'
ttakehi
mt otoil
etand
youdenyhimfoodinmyhousewhen
Iam worki
ngforhim,
that
'sthe
reasonIworkdoyouunderstand
Latoya?"

Lat
oya:Soy
ou'
regoingt
obeliev
e
hi
m overmehuh,
Lit
adidIbeatyou
?"

Li
ta:
Yesy
oudi
d"

Lat
oya:
Lit
a"sheshout
ed
Li
ta'sMom:Don'
ttr
ytoscar
ehim
i
ntonotspeaki
ngwhenyoubeathi
m
Latoya"

Latoya:Idi
dn'tbeathi
m,theywere
beatingeachot herwi
thAngel
oandI
separ at
edthem andtodayheis
sayingIdidthis"

Lita'
sMom: Not hi
sisbeyond
childr
enjustbeati
ngeachother
you'rely
ingpleasepackandleave
myhousey ouwanttokil
lhim heis
allIhave"
Latoya:NoIdi
dn'tdothi
st heywere
beatingeachotheryest
erdayand
can'tyouseethatheisshifti
ngt
he
blameonme"

BeforeLi
ta'
sMom couldanswershe
heardNandi'
sMom scoldingNandi
standi
ngbythei
rdooroutsideand
otherMom'sseemsliketheywere
comingoutaswellasshet heyhear
d
manyv oi
cesoutsi
de

Li
ta'
sMom:What
'shappeni
ng,good
morni
ng?
"Shegr
eetedopeningher
door
"Goodmor ni
ng"theyallanswered
andtheyalll
ookedatNandi '
sMom
waiti
ngforanexplanat
ionofwhy
Nandiwascr yi
ngandtheot her
Mom' sdi
dn'thavethei
rchil
drenwith
them

Li
ta'
sMom:Whyi
sNandicr
ying?
"

Nandi'
sMom:Hei scr
yingsayinghe
doesn'twantmetoleavehim with
thenewbaby si
tt
erimagineIhadt o
draghimt ocome"LaToyahear d
from i
nsideasshewasf ol
dingher
bl
anket
s

Li
ta'
sMom:Hy
abowhy?"Itwas
begi
nni
ngt
omakesense

Angel
o'sMom:Youseemeher et
oo
Angel
osaidthesamethi
nghe
ref
usedtocomeItri
edbeati
nghi
m
buthesaidt
henewbabysit
ter
makesthem cl
eanthet
oil
et"t
hey
wereal
linawe

Sibongi
le'sMom:HeyIthoughtmy
babyjustwantedHeartthi
nkingshe
hatesthisonebutnowhearingall
y
ourcompl
aint
sIbel
iev
eher"

Li
ta'
sMom:MyGodbet teryour
chi
ldr
enwer enotbeatenupl ook
nowLita.
."Sheturnedcalli
ngLita
whocameoutnakedandhi sMom
showedtheladi
eshisbruises

"Yhoowhathappened?"Theyal
l
exclai
medindi
sbeli
ef

Lit
a'sMom:Shepuni shedhi
m and
wasl yi
ngt hatt
hekidswerebeati
ng
eachot herandthatLit
aisputt
ing
theblameonher"
Nandi'
sMom:Shei sali
ar,
those
scar
saretoobigforki
dstobe
beat
ingeachotherIdi
dn'
tcheckmy
sonmay behewasbeatenalso"

Tebogo'
sMom:Webettercheckbut
nowwhatar
ewegoi ngtodoIhave
togotowor
k,youseeMamaKaLi t
a
peopl
eyour
ecommendt ous"

Nandi'
sMom:Yesy ou'
retheone
whotookherinnowlookifIdon'
tgo
toworkIwil
lbefi
red"allt
heladi
es
begangrumbli
ngandcompl ai
ned
t
hemor
e

Li
ta'
sMom:Wewer eal
laff
ected
worsemychil
dwasbeat
enupso
whyareyoubl
amingmepleasedon'
t
dothi
sladi
es"

Sibongile'sMom:Whati fourbabies
werebeat entoowhenwehav en't
checkedy et,youwi l
ldealwi t
ht hi
s
you'r
et heonewhomessedup, asf or
meIhadf oundyouani cebaby sit
ter
fortheki dsandt heyalllovedher
sti
lltodayshei sf or
everont heirli
ps
"shesai dr ef
erri
ngt oHear tasshe
f
rownedatLi
ta'
sMom

Lita'
sMom:Heyl adiesyouare
get t
ingangryatthewr ongperson
knowt hatIhav
et ogot othemarket
also"

Angel
o'sMom:Fixitweal
lhav
etogo
toourdif
fer
entposts"

Lit
a'sMom:Youprost
it
utewhyar
e
youtalki
ngwhenyouworki
nthe
eveningmost
ly?"
Angelo'
sMom:Don' ti
nsultmeyou
hearme? "Sheapproachedher
nearerwanti
ngtobeatherupand
theotherl
adieshel
dher

Tebogo'sMom: Someofusar enot

for
tunatelikey out hat'
swhatkeeps
ussodon' tinsul tusMamaKaLi ta
j
ustfindasol ut
ionIt houghty ou'd
understandf orwear eworkingf or
onecommongoalher eandt hatis
ourchil
drenmostofusar esingle
exceptforMamaKaSi bongileand
MamaKaNandibutt hei
rhusbands
haveleftalsosoweneeda
babysit
terpleaseandweneedher
t
oday
,ti
mei
srunni
ngoutIbeg"

Li
ta'
sMom:Iknowwher ethi
sissue
i
sgoingyouwantmet otal
ktoHeart
don'
tyou?"Sheaskedandallt
he
l
adiesnodded

"
Exact
lyourpoi
nt"t
heyal
lagr
eed

Sibongile'sMom: I
fyoudon'tgether
theny ouwi llmakesurethatyou
don'tgot oy ourworkpl
aceand
baby si
tal lt
hechil
dren"Whata
diffi
culttaskshewasgi venandto
thinkthatshescol dedHeart
#Hear
t.
..
..
..

Theai rwascl earandpur e, t

hesky
cl
oudl ess,t
henowokay ,
thefut ur
e
uncertain,herloveli
feunst oppabl e
andt obel i
evethatthemanwhohad
ahandi nthekidnappingy esnow
shewasseei ngitinanot herlight,
he
hadahandnott hathedi rectl
yst eal
herthat '
showshewasnowv iewing
him butmostofal lhewasnowt he
Fathert oherbaby ,
theirbaby ,
herl i
fe
partnercoul dsheev erlovesomeone
el
seot herthanShaneshewonder ed
,t
hepossibil
it
yofBaf
olfat
heri
ngher
babywasnowonzer ochanceinher
mind,shewentwit
hwhatherheart
wastell
ingher

Shesur el
ysawt hattherewasa
changeonShanebecauset hey
spentt hewhol enighttalkingand
evenwhenshef el
tsleepyshe
not i
cedt hathecouldn'tsleepsoshe
stayedupal lni
ghtforhimj ust
tal
king, nosexbutj usttalking,
pricelessmoment s

Shane:
IfIt
elly
ouhowi
thappened
youwouldn'tbel
iev
eitHeart"he
saidastheyfacedeachotheri
nbed
feel
ingcozy

Heart
:Comeont
ryme"t
hei
rhands
l
ockedherl
egsi
nbet
weenhi
s

Shane:Okayfi
rstofal
lyou'
renott
he
reasonbehindthi
ssodon'tbl
ame
yoursel
fit
'smyDad"

Heart
:YourDadwhatIdon'
t
under
standShane?"
Shane:
Cany
oubel
iev
eitbabe"she
satup

Heart:
Bel
ievewhatShane?
"She
widenedhereyesandwascur
ious

Shane:
ThatmyDadi
sal
iv
e"

Heart
:What??"Sheputfi
nger
sinher
ear
stocleanthem t
hinki
ngmaybe
shedidn'
thearri
ght

Shane:Yesandheistheone
sponsoringal
lthi
s"
Heart
:Whatdoy oumeanShanehei s
al
iveandhei ssponsori
ngthi
s,what
i
sthisthatyou'
retal
kingabout
?"She
wasperplexed

Shane:Liedownagai n"hepul ledher

andcov eredherwi ththeblanket" I
heardfrom Bafot hathei sali
v eand
heistheonebehi nd* TheElit
e*and
heistheonewhost rategi
zet hisi
n
facteverythi
ngandev enmebei ng
tri
ckedbyBaf olitwasal lhi
si deas
theonebehi nditall"Heartlookedat
Shanet hi
nkingOoohGodShanei s
r
eal
lyl
oosinghismindwhatt
heheck
i
shetal
kingaboutnow,shef
elt
t
ear
sthreateni
ngherbi
geyes

Heart
:Howisi
tpossi
blet
hathei
s
al
iveShane?"

Shane:
Idon'
tknowbuthei
sal
iv
e"

Hear
t:
Didn'
tyoubur
yhi
m Shane?
"

Shane:
Iwasn'
tther
eIj
usthear
dthat
hedied"
Heart
:Youwereal
readybackin
Zimbabwe?"Shanenodded"Soyou
hear
df r
om who?"

Shane:
From Baf
olandhi
sMom "

Heart:Ar
ey ousur
enowthatBaf
olis
notlyi
ngtoy out
hathei
sali
ve?"She
real
lywantedtomakesuret
hatheis
notmad

Shane:
Iam sur
ebecauseIt
alkedt
o
hi
m"
Hear
t:
Tal
kedt
owho?
"

Shane:
ToDad"

Hear
t:
Real
ly?
"

Shane:
YesIdi
dhecal
led"

Hear t
:EishShaneIam fi
ndingthi
s
diff
iculttobel
ieve,
okaywhent hey
toldyouhedi edwhydidy oubeli
eve
them whati sitt
hatyousaw? "

Shane:
Hewassi
cksoIbel
iev
ed
t
hem "

Hear
t:
Shane"herbr
ainswer
eboi
l
ing

Shane:
HeyBaf
olev
ensentapi
ctur
e
ofacoffi
n"

Hear
t:
Wit
hhi
minsi
deor?
"

Shane:
Justacof
fi
n"

Heart
:Sothistr
igger
edbipol
arand
howdidy outhi
nkofgoingtothe
hospi
talweretherecer
tai
n
sy
mpt
omsor?
"

Shane:YesIgettooangryand
sometimesItalktomy sel
f"Heart
cl
osedherey esaclipofanAfrican
mov i
eplayedinhermindwher ebya
madmanwasr unninginthestreet
s
naked

Hear
t:
Shane"

Shane:
Don'
twor
ryaboutany
thi
ng
okay"
Hear
t:
Okaycanweatleastsl
eep
nowwetal
kedallni
ght"

Shane:
Canwetr
ysexinst
ead"he
sai
dandshel
aughed

Hear t:
Uhmm OkayIacceptsi nceI
am sohor nytoo"hegotherone
breastoutofherni ghtyandst art
ed
playingwithitwhileshel eanedfora
ki
ssandt heykissedsl owlyboth
carefulnottohur therlipwhichhad
abr uise,
whenshewant edtosli
dher
handi nhispy j
amapant stherewasa
knockont hedoorout side
Shane:Ignoreit"hesai
dr ubbi
ngher
thighsabouttopushherundi etothe
sidebutt heknockgotlouderthey
stopped" God"shelaughed

Hear
t:
Letmegoandchecki
t"

Shane:Okay"shefi
xedher
underwearshewasbeginningtoget
wetinashortspaceofti
me, gosh
thi
sguymakeshermad, shesmil
ed
l
ookingathimt y
ingherr
obeandshe
walkedout
Heart:
Iam coming"shesai
dhearing
thepersonpersi
sti
ngontheloud
knocki
ng

Li
ta'sMom: Hell
omydear"she
greetedsmili
ngandthi
ssmil
eHear
t
couldtel
lifi
twasfakeorr
eal

Hear
t:
Hel
lo"

Li
ta'
sMom: Uhmm Icamet
oaskf
or
afavorHear
tplease"

Hear
t:
OkayIam l
ist
eni
ng"
Lit
a'sMom:Fi
rstofal
lIam sosor
ry
forhowItal
kedtoyoulastti
me"

Hear
t:
Okay"

Lit
a'sMom:SoIam heretoaski
f
youcanbabysi
tforusimagi
nethat
Latoyawasmist
reati
ngtheki
ds"
shesaidandHeartj
ustsmir
ked

Heart:
Okaydoublet
heamount
especi
all
yf r
om y
ou"shesai
dand
l
ookedt othesi
de
Lita'
sMom: OkayIwillpaypl easewe
arelatet
hanky ouletmegoandget
them "Heartl
ookedacr ossasshe
ranbackandsawLat oy aoutwi t
h
herbigbags,Heartwal kedoutt o
seeherclearl
ywhatshewasup
to,meanwhil
eShaner ecei v
edacal l
from Baf
olandhepi ckeduphi s
phone

Shane:
Whatdoyouwant?"Her
udel
y
askedwit
houtev
engr
eeti
ng

Baf
ol:
Amongt
hegi
rl
sther
eisagi
rl
bythenamePaidadoyouknowher
,wehavetoki
l
lhersheisaspy"
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
34]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t45

Shane:
Ihav
eseenat
housandt
hings
,athousandmi ndsandwhatt hey
bri
ngtot hi
swor l
dandt othishome
butwher eIst
and,well
,
Idon'tknow"
Heartwokeupt oseenoonebyher
si
debuthear dShanet al
kingto
hi
msel fontopofhisvoicewal ki
ng
upanddowni nthei
rbedroom

Heart
:Babewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"She
askedsit
ti
ngup

Shane:I'
m anopenbook, Iwillt
elly
ou
everyt
hingIknowt othedar kest
cornersofmymi nd,myki ngdom is
wide,sowi deIcan'
ttrackthet i
me
betweenthespacesofmymind"He
shoutedl
ikehewasargui
ngwit
h
someone

Hear
t:What?
"Shedidn'
tunder
stand
whathewastal
kingabout

Shane:Ihavetroublewal ki
ngbutI
walkstil
landI'
m wal kingbl i
nd,wher
e
IstandIdon'tknow,peopl ecome
andpeopl ego,peopleIwi llnever
knowbuti fIdidandi fIcould,I
wouldwonderwhenandwher ethey
stoodbecauseal lofthem ar efake"
Heartfeltt
earsfall
ingf r
om herey es
Heart:
Okaycomenowandt ryto
sleep"shewalkeduptohimtr
ying
totouchhim buthedeni
edst
anding
farawayfr
om her

Shane:Howdi dIgether eIam a

l
eaderme, theyseemest upi
dbutI
am leader,
Iusedt osayIwoul dwant
tomakemyMom pr oud,geta
girl
,
buyahouseandl i
vehappily
,happyinourcircleasaf ami
ly,but
theysayIam not hing,butwher edoI
stand,Idon'
tknowbutIam al eader
"
Heart
:YesShaneyou'realeader
Okaytomeandt oourbabywear e
bothl
ookinguptoy ouasourleader
"shesaidtear
ssti
llfal
li
ng

Shane:
YesIam al
eader"

Heart:
Yesnowl etmet ouchyou
,you'
redef i
nitel
yaleaderOkay"she
walkedt ohim andembr acedhim,he
l
ether" You'
v egotagirlOkay,t
ell
thi
sgirlallyourworri
es"shesaid
cryi
ngandr ubbinghisback
Shane:
Real
ly?"Heaskedr
emov
ing
herandst
aredher

Hear t:
YesShaneifyougetlostthenI
willgetlostal
sopleasecalm down
forthesakeofmeandourbabywe
aref ol
lowingyouourleader"

Shane:
YesIam y ourleaderbut
wheream Il
eadingy outobecause
whereIst
and,Idon'tknow"hewas
cal
mlyspeaki
ng

Hear
t:
Itdoesn'
tmat t
erwher
eyou
l
eadus,wewi l
lfol
lowyouourl
eader
,ev
ent
otheendsoft
heear
thwewi
ll
go"

Shane:
Soy
ou'r
enotfakeanddoy
ou
seemeasaleader?
"

Heart:Yesyou'r
eal eader,nowt his
l
eaderneedst or estsot hathe
doesn'tgetti
reddur i
ngt heday"she
l
edhi mt othebedandshecl i
mbed
onfirstthenpull
edhi m byhishand
andhecl imbedont ooandshet ook
hi
m onherchestandr ubbedhi s
headandear sandi twor keda
miraclehesleptjustli
keababy, she
puthi sheadont hepil
lowandsatup
l
ooki ngathimt ear
s
fall
ing,wonder
ingifithappensduri
ng
thedayhowwi lli
tendandi twasher
fi
rsttimeseeinghim actingli
kethat
sincehenot i
fi
edher,

Shane:
Hey"hegr eet
edcomi
ngto
theki
tchenwhereshewasbusy
cooki
nghim br
eakfast

Heart:
Goodmor ni
ng"shewal kedto
him andhuggedhim" Howar ey ou
feel
ing?"Sheaskedhim goingt o
checkhereggsont hestove
Shane:
Iam fi
ne,
wasIsi
ck?"He
chuckl
edtaki
ngapi
eceofbread

Heart
:Noyouweren'
t"shesmi
led
andhefoundi
tweird"Di
dyouget
enoughsl
eepthough?"

Shane:Yest
hankyoubutwhat
'sup
wit
htheextrani
cethi
ng?"Hepull
ed
achairandsat

Heart
:Iam al
way
sext
rani
ce"t
hey
bot
hlaughed
Shane:
Yeahnowfeedme"she
ser
vedteatohi
m

Heart
:Don'
tyourememberanyt
hing
aboutyest
erday
?"Sheaskedj
oini
ng
hi
m

Shane:Yest
erdaywhy?"Shesaw
thathehadnomemor yofwhathe
did

Heart
:Youhadanatt
acky
ouwer
e
t
alki
ngtoyoursel
f"
Shane:Oooh"hel
ookedi
nhi
spl
ate
"Ar
ey ouOkay?"

Heart
:Iam f
inewhywoul
dyouaski
f
Iam Okay?"

Shane:
Iwaswonderingifyoust
il
l
Okaywithmedoingthat,y
oudon't
havetobur
denyoursel
f"

Heart
:Whatdoy
oumeanShaneI
l
oveyouOkayandIdon'
tfeel
bur
dened"
Shane:
Okayifitgetsuncomf ortable
youcanwalkawaynoonewi llblame
you"shelookedathim speechl ess
butheconcentrat
edonhi sfood

Heart
:Don'
tyougeti
t,Il
oveyou
Mukana"theybothl
aughedand
scof
fedthei
rfood

Shane:
Ireal
lymissyou,y
ouknowI
misstherealHear
t"hesaidl
ooki
ng
athernaughti
ly
Heart:
Iknowwenevergott
imef or
sexyouknowyou'
reoverwor
king
youcomebacklat
eandIhav ethe
kidsal
so"

Shane:YeahIknowbusyt r
yingt
o
makeendsmeetImeansoonwear e
goingtobethree"andt herewas
sil
ence,i
t'
sliketheyallofsudden
weregoingtobepar entsandt he
expectat
ionswer efr
ighteningeven
thoughshewi l
lbewi t
hki dsmostof
theti
mesbutshewasscar ed

Hear
t:
YesIknowandi
t'
sahuge
r
esponsi
bil
it
yisn'
tit
?"
Shane:Nowewon' tseeitl
ikethat
,themomenty ouv i
ewitthatway
youwon'tloveyourkidwewon' tsee
him orherasaburden,wear ehere
sowewi llt
ry"

Hear
t:
OoohmyGody ouj
ustmake
memelt"shechuckl
ed

Shane:
OfcourseIknowther
ight
wordsthatwi
l
lmakey ousmil
e"

Hear
t:
Ihopei
t'
snotf
lat
ter
ing"
Shane:No, arethekidscomi ngi n
today? "Hest oodwithbotht heir
platesandshej oi
nedhim ast hey
helpedeachot hercl
eanandhewi l
l
bepl ay
f ul
lypushinghertothesi de
notwant i
nghert owasthepl ates
butshewoul dpushbackl aughi ngit
allout

Hear
t:
Arey
out
aki
ngy
ourpi
ll
s?"

Shane:Iwantedt
ogobacksot hat
theycanchangethem i
fther
eare
somet heycanchangetobecause
theseonesIam t
aki
ngIam not
sleepi
ng"

Hear
t:
Yesy
ouneedt
odot
hat"

Shane:
Shouldwegotogetherandwe
canspendthedayt
ogether"

Hear
t:
Okaybuttheki
dswi
llbe
comi
nginjustnow"

Shane:Wecangowit
ht hem and
pract
isepar
ent
ingonthem "
Hear
t:
Okaywehav
etot
ellt
hei
r
Momsfir
st"

Shane:
Okay"

Hear
t:
Wher
eisLat
oyadoy
ouknow
?"

Shane:
Thegi
rl
shost
el"

Hear
t:
Wher
eist
hat?
"

Shane:
Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hatl
et'
sgo
andshowermay
bewecanhav e
somemomentinther
e,Idon'tknow
whenIl
asthadsex"shelaughed

Heart:
ThatdaywhenLat oyamade
meheart heaudiothat'swhenwe
l
asthadit"andt herewasawkwar d
sil
ence"Butwecandef ini
tel
ytry
toni
ghtbecauseIdon' twantyouto
begetti
ngitfr
om someoneel se,you
saidyoucan'
tli
vewi thoutgetti
ng
someandnowt hetimei slong
whichmakesmewor ryof..
..
..
..
..
"He
i
nterr
uptedher

Shane:
Yourki
dsar
eher
e"hesai
d
l
ooki ngatthemot herswal
kinghand
i
nhandwi t
ht heirki
dscomingto
theirdoor
stepandshewal kedout
l
eav inghi
m dr y
ingtheplat
eshehad
doingdishesbutnowhewasf indi
ng
himselfdoingthem

Hear
t:Mor
ningmor
ningbeaut
if
ul
soul
s"

"Morni
ng"al lthekidsranupt oher
andwr appedt heirl
it
tl
ehandsonher
andthemot herswerej ustgl
adto
seetheirchildrenhappysot hey
i
ncreasedt hemoneyt heygaveher
wel
ltheonest
hatwer
en'
tst
ingy

Heart
:Wantedtoaskifi
t'
sOkayi
fI
cangooutwiththem Iwantt
ovi
sit
thehospi
tal"

"Noit'
sfi
nedear"TheMomsal lsai
d
seeingherl
it
tl
estomachthatwas
showingandtheygossi
pedabout
hersomesay i
ngsheispregnant
,somesay i
ngisnotbutt
heyreally
didn'
tknow

Li
ta'
sMom: Mydearpleasecanyou
watchLi
taupti
llmorningIneedt
o
got oafuner
aloneofourfr
iendat
themarketgotki
ll
edifi
t'
sokayIwill
giveyoumoremoney"

Heart
:Okayi
t'
sfi
ne"shecol
lect
ed
t
hedaily'
smoneyandwentbackin
wit
hthekids

Shane:
Didt
heyagr
ee?
"

Heart:Yesandwehav eonefora
sl
eepov erandi
tlookslikeour
arr
angedt hi
ngywillnottakepl
ace
again"
Shane:Nonot onightithasto
happenIthinkthat'
swhati smaki
ng
memor emad"Shel aughedsoloud
l
ikehervoicewasgoi ngtogo

Att
heHospi
tal
..
..
..
..

Doctor:
You'r
ehi swife?"Heasked
Heartastheywenti nlaterfor
Shane'smedicationandt hekids
werelefti
nthecar, Shanegota
fri
endjustt
ol ookafterthem scared
thatki
dscandoany thi
ngt otarni
sh
yourimageifdangerbef all
sthem
Heart
:Uhmmm yes"shelookedat
Shaneandtheyhel
dthei
rhands

Doctor:
Okayitdependsonyou
whetherthi
sisgoingtogr
owor
vani
shitisuptoy ou"

Heart
:Okayt
houghIdi
dn'
t
under
standt
hat"

Doctor
:Hejustneedstobecalm
avoi
dbringi
ngstressfuli
ssuest
o
hi
m buthecan'tgettoohappyortoo
sadandhedoesn'thavetokeep
thi
ngstohi
mselfalsobutnowitwas
detect
edi
nearlystagesoyoudon'
t
havetoworr
ythatmuch"

Hear
t:
OkayDoct
orIgety
ou"

Doct or
:Hismedi cation,Ihave
changedi t,makesur ehetakesin
themor ningandev ening,i
fbe
will
ingl
yitcangoawayori tcanbea
l
ifet
imet hingsopl easej ustmake
surehei salwayscal m,bea
supportivewife,ifi
tget soutofhand
thenwewi l
ldetainhi m"
Heart
:Meaning,andarether
e
possi
bil
it
iesthatitcangetwor
se
eveni
fnotpr ovoked"

Doctor
:Yesitcangett oast agethat
hecanbev i
olentorevendanger ous
tohimselfbutsincehest art
ed
medicati
onear lyIam hopingit
doesn'
tgett othat"

Hear
t:
Okayt
hanky
ou"

Shane:
Thanky
ouDoct
or"t
heyst
ood
up

Doctor
:I
t'
sfi
necomef
orcheckup
nextweek"

Shane:Wi
llsur
elydoso"andt
hey
walkedout

Heart
:Iwantt
obuyaf ewbabythi
ngs
"shesaidastheywer
esti
lli
nthe
hospi
tal
'scor
ridor

Shane:
Howwhenyoudon'tknowt
he
baby'
ssexpl
usIwi
llbuyt
hebaby'
s
staf
ftoavoi
dt hosetal
kst
hatyou
neverdi
danythingfort
hebaby"

Hear
t:
Okaywewi l
lbuyt
oget
herwe
madehimtoget
her"

Shane:
YesbutIwil
lbuymostofthe
thi
ngs,
nowlet
'sgoandgetthat
sonarmaybewecanknowthekid's
sex"

Heart
:Okay"hel
edthewayashe
knewhiswayroundi
nthehospi
tal
Gy naecologist:Takeofbl ouseand
comel i
eher e"hesai dshowi ng
Hear tandShanest oodbyhersi de
asshedi dasi nst ructed, l
aidont he
exami nationbedaf tertakingher
shirtoffleftwit habr athought hat
feltweird,theGy napour edgeli nher
stomachashet ookul tr
asoundand
i
tshowedont hesonogr am wher e
theywer ei nstructedt ol ook, bothof
them "They 'r
eper fectlyfineandt hei
r
hear t
beatsar ef ineaswel landI
thinkihav eseenaboyt houghi ts
kindahar dt otelly oushoul dcome
backi nyour5t hmont hi twi l
lbe
clearertot el
lthei rsexandt heot her
one.
..
...
..
..
..
"Shanequi
ckl
y
i
nter
ject
ed

Shane:
Whatdoy
oumeant
heot
her
one?"

Heart
:Yes"shegoti
ntoorai
singher
headwanti
ngtounderst
and

Gy naecologist:That'swhyItol dyou
tolookatt hescr eencan'
tyousee
twobabi esher e"Shanewal ked
closertwitchinghi seyesandhesaw
mov ement sast heGy nacontinued
mov ingthemachi neonHear t
's
st
omach

Heart
:OoohmyGodt wi
ns"Andshe
waswor ri
edri
ghtawayofhowthey
weregoingtokeepthem
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
35]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e
I
nser
t46

Heart
:OoohmyGodt winsShane"
shesaidastheywer
enowi nthe
mall
,ababy'
sshoptobespecifi
c

Shane:
Youlookworr
iedt
hough
,shoul
dn'
tyoubehappy?"

Hear
t:
Arey
ouOkaywi
thi
t?"

Shane:
Whatdoyoumeanwhenmy
sper
msdidthetwi
nsthi
ng"she
l
aughedknocki
nghi
m pl
ayf
ull
yon
t
hef
orehead

Heart:
Jizasiy
ou'
recrazy"he
managedt oalwaysputasmi l
eon
herface,ashopattendance
approachedthem astheywerebusy
playi
ngandgoof i
ngof fl
ike
teenagers

"Aret
heseally
ourkids?"Sheasked
comingwit
hthekidsthatwere
runni
ngal
laroundintheshop

Shane&Hear
t:
Yes"theyansweredat
chorusandt
heatt
endantlookedat
t
hem wei
rdl
y

"Youhaveawholel
otofdi
ff
erent
kidsandtheyl
ookt
obeofthesame
agebuthowcome?"Shewas
confused

Heart
:Ooohthey '
rearenotourkids
asinwegav ebirthtothem they'
re
oursasinwel ookafterthem you
knowlikeacreche"

"Makessense"shesaidsmil
ingand
Heartsawthatshewasfri
endly
unl
iketheother
stheywereseeing
i
t'sliket heywi l
lbef or
cedtowor kas
theywi lldispl
ay ingmoodswi ngsto
customer s" Whatar eyoulookingfor
exact l
yIcanr ecommendsome
things? "SheaskedasHear twas
busychecki ngt heagesizesand
alsopr i
cesofcl othessheneededt o
buycheapestt hingsshethoughtas
every t
hingwasnowcomi ngintwo
,pinkandbl uel i
kethat

Heart:Newbor nclothesandother
basicthingsprepar i
ngforbaby's
arr
ivalandIwi llneedli
keabag, abig
bagt obepr eciseforputt
ingthese
thi
ngst hatIam goi ngtobuy"Gosh
i
njustsayi
ngi
t,i
twasbot
hscar
y
andexci
ti
ng

"
Okaycomet hisside"shesaidand
Hear
tgather
edt hekidsandtheyal
l
f
oll
owedher,theywer ehav
ingfun
t
hatday

Heart:
Wowt hi
sissobeaut iful"she
admiredabeaut ifulcomboofababy
tub,
bucket,ahugepackofPamper s,
ahospitalbag,t
it
tybot t
les,shefellin
l
ov ewit
hev eryt
hingast hecombo
wouldcomei nonemat chingcolor
forever
y t
hingwr appedupt here
Shane:
Youl
ikei
t?"

Heart:
Imor et
hanl i
keitIl
oveit
Shane"shecheckedt hepriceof
everyt
hingandsheopenedherey es
wideamazed, i
twaski l
li
ngbut
Shanenev ermindedhercalcul
ative
mindandhei nstruct
edtheattendant
totakeeveryt
hingtothetil
l

"Checkthi
sout,thi
sisababysli
ng
carr
ieri
t'
sv er
sati
leadj
ustabl
eyou
cancarryyourbabyinfr
ont"
Heart:
Wewi llneedt woofthose,i
n
facttwoofev eryt
hing"theypi
cked
thebasicnecessiti
estheyneeded
beinghelpedbyt heshop'satt
endant
,Shanepaidf oreveryt
hingnot
all
owingHear ttousehermoney

Lit
a:MamaIam hungr y"hesai dbut
HeartandShanewer enowbusy
packingthebaby'
sst affattheboot
ofthecar ,
shewassopr oudshe
admi t
tedwi t
hasmi l
ebutshe
thoughtofherparentsthattime, she
wasaboutt obecomeapar ent
herselfandherparentsdidn'tknow
anythingorherwhereabout sneither
didShane' sparentsknew, it
'slike
theywer elivi
ngont heirl
it
tleisland
wher eonlysheandShaneexi sted
withoutout si
dersitwasl i
ket he
setupoft hegardenofEdenwher e
Adam andEv eonlyexistedwi thout
i
ntrusion,shewasbusyi nher
thi
nkingthatshedi dn'tevenhear
Lit
awhowascal li
ngwant ingt onag
herforfood" Mama"hecal ledagain

Heart
:Yesbaby"Lit
awas
speci
fi
call
yfondofHeartandHeart
l
ovedhim aswellandshewondered
i
fherbabywasn'tgoingtol
ookli
ke
Li
tabecausethefondnesswastoo
much

Lit
a:Iam hungr y"hecompl ained
whenHear tgavehi m att
ention
thoughLi taknewt hatwhenMommy
Hearti swithDaddyShaneshe
wouldn' tf
ocusont hem muchf or
shet oldthem thathewast hel oveof
herli
f etheynev erunderstoodt hat
butjustknewt heyr eall
yli
keeach
other

Heart
:Yesyoumustbereall
y
fami
shed,li
keIam t
oo,l
et'
sgoand
eatmyt r
eat"shesai
dbutherey
es
glancedacrossthemallandsawt
he
mar ket
place"Shanecanwegoover
therefi
rstIwanttogr
eetsomeone
there"

Shane:
Youhavefri
endsnow?
"He
askedoneeyebr
owr ai
sed

Heart:
Noshei ssomeoneIj ustli
ked
whenBaf otookmeher e"Shanej ust
l
ookedather, shehel dtheki dsat
bothhandsandShanef ol
lowedal so
holdi
ngtheotherki dstooast hey
walkedtothemar ketsi
de, Shane
thoughtt
hatni ghthewasgoi ngto
easi l
ysl eepbecausey ohHear twas
straininghi m bymaki nghi m wal k
ever ywher e,inthemal lt
heyent ered
ever ybaby '
sshopcompar i
ngpr ices
andgoi ngbackt otheshopshe
woul dhav eseenmay bet hesame
exacti tem cheaper, itwasupand
down, toandf roandhet oleratedit
allandheadmi t
tedt hatwomenhad
terrabitesofmemor yof
remember ingthecheapestt hings
andt hewher etheywoul dhav eseen
i
t,womenapecul iarpeopl ehe
thoughtashewasexper iencingso
mucht hingsasaf i
rstt i
mewi th
Hear t,henev erhadsuchwi thhis
pastgi
rl
fr
iends

Shane:
Wher eexactlyar
ewegoingit
seemslikethereisnoonehere?"He
askedast heystoodbefor
eanempty
marketstall

Hear
t:
ButIam sosur
eshewasher
e
"

Shane:
Andt
her
eisnooneher
e
Heart"

Hear
t:Yeahsoicansee
..
...
..
..
..
excuseme"shecal
ledoutt
o
aladybesidewhoseemedtoknow
Li
ta

"Yeshell
oMiss,howareyouLi
ta?"
shegreetedcomingcl
osert
othem

Li
ta:
Iam f
inet
hanky
ou"

Hear
t:
Ooohy
ouguy
sknoweach
ot
her?"

"YeshisMom sell
sthatsi
de"she
point
edtoanothersi
deinthef
arend
cor
ner

Heart:
OkaysoIwant edtoaskabout
aladywhosel lshere,shesells
chif
fons,mi
ttensandhat s,didn'
tshe
opentodayandIcanseet hatmany
stal
lsarecl
osedt odaywhat 's
happening,
i
si tli
keahol i
dayor
something?"Sheaskedl ooki ng
around

"
Ooohshediedthi
sone"herhear
t
wascompl
etel
yshatt
eredtoa
t
housandi
rr
edeemablepieces
Hear
t:
What,
butshedidn'
tlook
si
ck,
shewassoheal
thywhenIsaw
her?"

"Shewasn' tsickyes,shewas
mur der edbyt heroadt heresoy ou
seeal lthepeopl ethathav eclosed
todayhav eallgonetot hef uner
al
i
ncludi ngLita'sMom , Ididn't
managet ogo"

Hear
t:
YesInowrememberLi
ta'
s
Mom ment
ioni
nggoingt
oafuneral
t
oday"
"Yesit
'sthisone'
sfuner
al,i
t'
s
my st
eriousthewayshedied,ki
ll
ed
andleftbytheroadther
e"

Heart:
MyGodmayhersoulr esti
n
peace"shedidn'tknowwhyshe
suddenlyt
houghtofSilent,
she
droppedbri
eftears

Shane:Babyweshouldgo"hehel
d
herseeingshewascatchi
ngon
feel
ingsandbecomingemoti
onal

Heart
:ThatLadyIconnect
edt
oher
r
ightawaythemomentisawherli
ke
thewayIconnectedtoSil
ent"she
sobbed,Shanerememberedthetime
alsoofSil
ent'
sdeathandhowHear t
criedandhewasn'tgoi
ngtoallowa
par tt
woofthatcr
yingagai
n

Shane: Yeahpeoplecome, peoplego

babyonedayi twillbeourt urn"he
saidt r
yingtober emor sefulbuti
t
didn'tsoundalri
ghtt oHear tshejust
l
ookedathi m andr emember edwhat
theDoct orsaid,
asshewasaboutt o
scoldhi m butshewi thdrewher
wor ds,theycouldn'targueany more
Heart:
Let '
sgoeat"shesai dinstead
andwi pedhert ears,sheordered
burgersf orthekidsbutasf orher
shepref err
edpapi nstead,
Shane
wonder edaboutt hatwasi tthe
pregnancy ,papathome, papwhen
out,
pap,papev erywhereandshewas
eati
ngal ot"Iam eat i
ngforthree"
shesaidasshenot icedShane
l
ookingathereat i
ngherf oodand
shewasf astati t

Shane:
Iknowdi
dIsayany
thi
ng"

Hear
t:
No"
Shane:
Soeat"

Heart
:Iam eat
ingIdon'
tknowwhy
you'
renoteati
ng?"

Shane:
Youcant akemyburgerwhen
you'
redone"shesmi l
edandheknew
shewouldbelikethat

Hear
t:
Thanksbuty
oushoul
deat"

Shane:
Don'
twor
ry"
Heart:
Okay"shelookeddown
concentr
atedbonherpap

Shane:
Thereissomethi
ngIwanted
toaskforsometimenow"she
rai
sedherface,
helookedser
ious

Hear
t:
Okaygoahead"

Shane:
Isy
ourFat
herapol
iceof
fi
cer
?"

Heart
:Noheisn'
twhatmakesy
ou
t
hinkheisanoffi
cer
?"
Shane:Justaski
ng"shewant edto
taketheissuefurt
herbutthe
Doctor'
swor dsresoundedinher
earsandshest opped

Lit
a:Mamamyburgertastel
ike
funny"hecompl
ainedandHear t
l
ookedandshesawt hathebarely
ate

Hear
t:
Tast
ingf
unnyhowLi
ta?
"

Li
ta:
Likei
thassoap"
Hear
t:
Soap?
"

Li
ta:
Yes"

Heart:
Letmehav eabite"shet ook
hi
sbur gerandhadabi t
e"Ittaste
al
right
,areyoutasti
ngsoapy ouguys
i
ny ourburgers?"Theotherkids
shookt hei
rheadsno"SowhyLi ta
eatyourburgernothi
ngiswrong"

Li
ta:
NoIdon'twanti
tMamat he
bunsar
eblackthey'
rebur
ntal
so"
Hear
t:
Blackno,
thesebunsarenot
bl
ackstopcomplaini
ngandeat"

Li
ta:
Not
helet
tucei
snotnicei
thas
i
t'
sowncol
ornotusualcol
or"

Hear
t:
Whatcol
ori
sthel
ett
uce?
"

Li
ta:
Green"

Heart
:Andit
'sgr
een,
whatcol
orar
e
youseeingnow?"
Li
ta:
Pink"t
heyal
llaughed

Shane:
Lit
awhatcol
ori
smyshi
rt?
"
Heasked

Li
ta:
Black"

Shane:
Buti
t'
swhite,
okaywhatcol
or
areyouwear
ing?
"
Li
ta:
Whi
te"

Shane:I
tsbl
ack,It
hinkheneedst
o
betakentoanoptici
antoget
checkedonhiseyes"
Hear
t:
Hauwhy?
"

Shane:
Mightbecol
orbl
ind"

Hear
t:
Real
lyandt
het
ast
e"

Shane:Maybehi
ssenseoft
ast
eis
aff
ectedtoo"

Heart
:Shamepoort
hing,
whatcoul
d
bethecauset
hough?"
Lita:Bl
eachgotinmyey eswhen
MamaLat oy
atoldmetocleanthe
toiletandmyey eshav
ebeeni t
chy
sincet hen"

Shane:Di
dyout
ellMommyabout
that?
"

Li
ta:
No"

Heart:MyGodsomepeopl eare
wicked,Lit
acleani
ngthetoi
letchai
i
nowl ookwhathashappened,sense
oftastelostandcol
orbli
nd"
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

#Lat
oya.
..
..
..
.

Afterbei
ngchasedoutbyLit
a's
Mom f r
om herhomeLatoyaopted
forthegir
l'
shostelf
orshedi
dn't
haveanychoice,goi
ngbackhome
wasoutoft hequesti
on, shewoul d
fini
shherMom of fwhohadser i
ous
heartpr obl
ems,soshedi dn'tgo,she
woul dcallherMom her eandt here
tell
i
ngheral lwaswel landt hatshe
recentlymov edtoSouthAf r
icaf r
om
Amer icabeingdispat
chedonwor k
whatal i
e,shemadeupandt he
moneysheusedt osentherMom
shedoesn' tevenknowt hati twasi l
l
gotten

Fedel
ia:Howcomey ouhav ea
phonewer eyouapr osti
tut
e? "She
askedasallthegir
lshadgat hered
upaftergoingoutont hei
rdail
y
schedul
es,theywer enevergoi
ngto
getusedbutpretendedt ogetused
soasnott obepuni shedbyBafo
whowoul dstarv
et hem sometimes

Lat
oya:
Iam notapr
ostit
ute"she
l
aidonthel
owerpartofthebunk
bed

Sandr
a:Sohowcomey
ouar
eher
e?"

Lat
oya:
Justwanttoseehowyou'
re
l
ivi
ngyouguys,
youknowIcar
efor
you"
Tambu:
Soy
ou'
repar
toft
heEl
it
e"

Latoya:
Ineverknewaboutal
lthi
s
whenIgotmar ri
edtomyhusbandI
di
dn'twanttosaythi
sbutmy
husbandkickedmeout"

Fedel
ia:Whoi
syourhusband?
"

Lat
oya:Hi
snamei
sBaf
ol"

Sandr
a:I
sn'
thetheonewhocame
wit
hHeartt
othepart
y?"
Tambu:
Hei
s"

Lat
oya:Whatpar
ty?
"

Tambu:
Apart
yheldafewmonths
agoandhei
ntr
oducedHear
tasthe
El
it
eQueen"

Lat
oya:
What?
"

Sandra:
Yesandwewer
etol
dthat
they
'remarr
ied"
Lat
oya:
Bywho?
"

Sandr
a:Ev
ery
onewassay
ingt
hat"

Latoya:
Youseeshesnat chedmy
husbandawayandshei ssur el
ypar
t
ofthatEli
tethatIneverknewabout
andshei swickedthatgirl,
sheis
al
socheat i
ngonBaf olwi t
hShane"

Fedel
ia:What?
"

Latoy
a:It
ri
edtot
ellmyhusbandthi
s
buthechasedmeoutbutknowing
Hear
tisexchangi
ngbr
other
s"

Fedelia:MyGodshei ssurel
ywicked
pretendedtoli
keuspr omisi
ngus
thatonedaywewi l
lescapeandput
thesepeoplebehindbars,noof
fence
Mr sbutIhateHeartandtheseman
andi fIcoul
dgetachanceIcould
j
ustpoi sonher"Latoyasmil
ed
thoughtful
ly

Latoya:Letmeshoweryouguys,
who
i
sjoining? "Shecl
imbeddownfr
om
thebed
"Weal lare"answer
edtheothergi
rl
s
astheyf oll
owedLatoy
awiththei
r
toi
let
riesonlyFedel
iawasl
eftinher
thi
nkingwhenshest oodupshesaw
Latoya'sphoneonthebed

Shelookedt oandf roandnot

iced
shewasal laloneandshewal kedt
o
Lat
oy a'
sbed, pickedupthephone
and..
...
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
35]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t47

Hear
t.
..
..
..
.

Heart
:Ar
eyousl
eepyy
et?"She
askedLi
tawhowassl
eepi
ngover

Li
ta:
Iam notsl
eepyy
et"
Hear
t:
Real
lybutnowy
oushoul
d
sl
eepLi
ta"

Li
ta:
ButIam notsl
eepywhenIclose
myeyestheygetit
chyandtear
y"

Hear
t:
Butaty
ourMom'splacethi
s
t
imeyouwouldhav
efal
lenasleep?"

Li
ta:
Yesbutthisi
sdiff
erentbecause
Ihav
eneverslepther
e"

Heart
:Okaysowhatshoul
dwedoI
haverunoutoft
hingsori
deasof
whattodobecausewedid
ever
ythi
ngIhadupinmymi ndand
nowMommywant stogoandsleep"

Li
ta:
Younowwantt
ogoandsl
eep
where?
"

Hear
t:
Inmybedr
oom "

Lit
a:WhereDaddyShaneis?
"He
askedincuri
osi
tyl
ight
inghi
swhol
e
faceup

Hear
t:Uhmmm y
es"shedi
dn'
tknow
whatt
osay

Li
ta:
Ishoul
dsleepwit
hDaddyShane
,y
ou'r
eagi r
lyoucan'
tsl
eepwit
h
DaddyShane"hesaidandHear
t
wonderedhowtoanswerhi
m

Hear
t:Whydoy
ousayso?
"

Li
ta:Mom isagir
landIam aboyand
wesleepindif
ferentr
oomswith
Mommybecauseshesay sweare
di
fferent
"
Heart
:Howdoy
ouknowy
ou'
re
di
ffer
ent?
"

Li
ta:Iknowbecauseaaaah. .….
..
..
."
Hescr atchedhishead"Becausewe
aredifferentwel
lthat
'swhatMom
says"

Heart
:MeandDaddyShanewear e
notdi
ffer
ent,
wear eonesowecan
shar
ear oom "shepl
ayedwi
thhi
s
mind

Li
ta:
Huh?"Hewascr
acki
nghi
sli
tt
le
br
ainout
Heart
:Nowsl
eep,it
'swaypast
sl
eepingt
imeforki
dsyoushouldn'
t
beawakeokay"

Lit
a:OkayMommy"Hear tcover
ed
him withabl
anket
,ki
ssedhi
s
for
eheadandswi t
chedofft
heTV
andlight

Hear
t:
Goodni
ght"

Li
ta:
It
'sscar
yint
hedar
k"
Heart
:Doyousl
eepwi
thy
ourl
ight
swit
chedon?"

Li
ta:
Yes"

Heart
:Okay"sheswi
tchedont
he
l
ight"
Goodnight
"

Lit
a:Goodnight"Heartwalkedtot
he
bedroom andShanewasbusywi t
h
hisphonety pi
ngbutwhenHear t
walkedinhel oggedoutandputhis
phonet ot
hesi deandshef oundt
hat
funnythewayhedi dit
Shane:
Hey"hesatup

Heart:
Hie"sher emov edherrobe
andshehadunder wearonly,shehad
l
ongshower edearl
ierprepar
ingfor
thei
rarrangednightbutLitakept
gett
ingintheway

Shane:I
shesleepi
ngnow? "hegot
ti
redwaiti
ngforLi
tat
osleepandhe
l
efthim wit
hHeart

Hear
t:Hewasaboutt
o,hopehewi
ll
sl
eep,hehadmanyexcusesnot
wanti
ngtosleep"shesatonthebed
byhi
ssideandhedr ewnearert
oher
andslowl
ykissedher

Shane:
Iam goi
ngt
omakel
ovet
o
you "

Heart
:Let
'sdoi
t"sheansweredi
n
gaspsofapassi
onatesal
iv
aryki
ss

Shane:YouloveitwhenItouchyou
here?"Hecuppedherbr eastsand
fondl
edt hem ,
steami
ngupt he
atmospher e
Heart:Yesverymuch"t hey
continuedkissi
ngwhilehesoftly
squeezedherbr east
sandshel ov
ed
i
tasherbodybeganshi veri
nglike
shewasexposedt osnow, hetook
hermadehersi tonhim ashepar ted
herlegsandhemov edhishandson
herbut t
ocksmassagingt hem sti
lli
n
herundi e

Shane:
Arewest
il
lfl
exi
bleenough?
"

Hear
t:YesIt
hinkso,
dependi
ngon
whatyouwantmetodo"
Shane:Canyouti
lty
oubodytothe
backsupporti
ngyourf
ullwei
ghtwi
th
yourhandsandlegs?"

Hear
t:
Icant
ry"

Shane:
Don'tgoallt
hewayupinthe
ai
rsupportyourbodyonyour
shoul
ders"heremovedherundi
e
andshewassoakywet

Hear
t:Okay"shemovedherhands
t
othebackandrest
edherupper
body '
swei ghtonhershouldersand
hemov edherl owerbodysupport
ing
herbyt hewai stashekneltand
archedhimsel fonherkneeli
ngand
partedherl egsandslowly
perpetrat
edi nherandbegan
thrusti
ngdeeperandpenet rati
ngthe
mor einher, herhandswereonhis
thi
ghsast heypassionat
ely
surrenderedt ooneanother

Shane:
Howareyoufeeli
ng? "He
communicat
edalwayssoast o
makesureheisnotstar
vingher
,but
shewouldhaveahardti
me
answer
ingbackshewoulduseher
actionsandr i
ghtt hereshecl enched
onhi sthighst i
ght erandshegav e
frowns,breathingr apidlyasshewas
aboutt ocomebuthermi ndgot
attackedseei ngShaneont hesame
positi
onmaki ngl ovet oLat oyawhile
hegr oanedt hatshewasanobody
,hermuscl estightenedi nvoluntari
ly
andcol lapsedherbodyont hebed
andt heor gasm wav edgoodby e
goingawaybef oreitcoul darri
ve
"Shitwhatj usthappened? "Heasked
ashewasnol ongeri nherandhe
gotpi ssedwhi chwasav erybad
thing
Heart:Idon'tknowwhathappened"
shequi cklyclimbeddownt hebed
taki
ngherr obeandcov er
edher
nakedbodyandr anoutgoi ngtothe
bathroom wher eshest ay
edf or
somet i
me, shedi dn'
tknowwhyshe
didthat" HeyIam sor rywecant ry
again"shesai dcomi ngbackf rom
thebat hroom, shewaswor r
iedabout
hiscondi ti
onbuthewaschi l
led
holdi
nghi sdickandal soonhi s
phone

Shane:I
t'
sOkayyoucansleep"he
calmlyandpol
it
elysai
dandshej ust
stoodlooki
ngathimthecalmness
wasget
ti
ngherfuri
ousinsteadbut
hedi
dn'
tlookbacksti
llf
ocusedon
hi
sphone

Heart
:No,
Iwantustotryagai
nIdon'
t
knowwhatjusthappenedOkay"her
voi
ceabithigh

Shane:
AndIam say
inggot
osl
eep"
st
il
lcal
m

Heart
:Ican'
tShane"shecli
mbedon
t
hebedandt ri
edtotouchhim buthe
r
efusedremovingherhandsoffhim
Shane:
WhenIsaysleepyoushoul
d
sl
eep,stopt
ouchi
ngme"heshout ed
nowandshesubmi t
tedr
ightaway
di
dn'twantt
ogethim moreangr
y

Heart:
Iam sorry"shegoti nthe
bedcoversandgav ehim herback
andtri
edt osleepbutsleepcoul dn't
come,hegotupandswi tchedof fthe
l
ightbuthest i
llconti
nuedwi thhis
phonethel i
ghtrefl
ecti
ngi ntheroom
"Ihopeyou'renottalki
ngt oagirl
Shane"hedi dn'tanswer,shelooked
backhewasdozi ngholdinghis
phone, somehowhel ookedpi t
iful
,shet ookhisphonet houghtt o
checkwhohewaschat t
ingwi thbut
decidednott ol ookforst r
ess,she
putthephoneawayandwhenshe
wasaboutt ocov erhim shel ooked
athisboweddowndi ckandshe
want edhi m,shet ookthephone
switchedt hef l
ashl i
ghtonand
broughthermout honhi sdickand
angledher selfperfectl
yonhi m and
tookhi mi nhermout h,
heonce
taughtherbutshehor r
ibleatitbut
nowt houghttot r
yitagai n,
she
slowlybegant oeatinghis
mushr oom headherhandmov i
ng
hisskinupanddown, exchanging
andsqueezi nghisbal lsandshe
couldt ellhewasawakewhenher an
hishandi nherheadandshe
continuedupunt ilhesubmi t
tedt o
herashegr oaned, sheshowedhi m
thathewasher stoo, sheowned
him,hisbodywasher sandshecoul d
makehi m kneeldownt oherin
worshipbutshewaspr ovoki
nghi m
togetwhatshewant edandher
requestwasgr ant edashe
mer cil
essl ypoundedonhert i
llshe
rai
sedt hef l
agthathewonasshe
cri
edi tal lout,
theyadmi t
tedthatit
wassweet enedmay bebecauseof
t
hepr
egnancy

Lit
a:Mamaar
ey ouOkay?"Heasked
knocki
ngasthesoundshadr
eached
totheli
vi
ngr
oom

Shane: SheisfineLitagobackt o
sleep"hehadt oanswerf orheras
shel aidrestl
esslyrecover
ingfrom a
power fulorgasm dirt
il
yrubbingboth
theirjuicesont hei
rbodies

Li
ta:
Thenwhywasshecr
ying?
"
*
*
*
*
*
I
nBaf
ol'
shot
elr
oom.
..
..
..
.

Bafol
:Ihavetogo"hespokeput
ti
ng
oncuffli
nksashedressedup
for
mal l
y

Mari
nha:Ofcourse"sheunwrapped
her
selffr
om thedryi
ngtowel
,r
eachingforhercl
othes
Baf
ol:
Youdon'
tlookOkaywhy?
"

Mari
nha:Iam f
ine"shepul
ledupher
ski
nnyj
eans

Baf
ol:
Ihopeyouwi
llnotgetat
tached
i
t'
sjustsex"

Mar i
nha:PleasedoIlookli
ke
someonet ogetatt
achedIalready
toldyouonourf ir
stnightt
hatIwon't
getcommi tt
edorgettiedt
oa
boy f
ri
end"sher epli
edjovi
all
ylyi
ng
sincethef i
rstni
ghttheysl
ept
together,shefel
twhatshehadnev er
fel
tbefore,
shecouldn'tsl
eep
thi
nkingabouthim evenArgenti
ne
waswor ri
edaboutherasshewas
growingsil
entandwoul dspenther
dayindoorsli
steni
ngtomusi c

Bafol:
GoodbecauseIdon' twantt
o
getti
edtooIam ov erthatshi
tof
l
oveIdon'tli
keit"hesai dbut
somehowt hosewor dshaunted
Marinhadayandnight

Marinha:Excuseme"shewalkedto
thebathroom andl
ockedher
selfin
andfelttear
sbutcontr
oll
edhersel
f
shewasabi ggirlandshewasn' t
goingtof al
lforabl ackni ggawho
obviouslyseemedl ikeagangst er
,sheassumedbyt hemanycal lshe
wouldgetanddeal swi llbegetting
downont hatphonebutshenev er
mindedt hat,
shewant edhi m,she
fi
guredoutt hatther easonshe
couldn'
treadhi schar acterwas
becausesheandhi m hadt hesame
characterthat'
swhyshecl i
ckedso
muchwi t
hhi m

Baf
ol:
Mar
ee"hecal
ledknocki
ng
Mari
nha:
YesIam comi
ng"she
wi
pedhertear
sandwalkedout

Bafol:
Itol
dyout
hatIwant
edt
ogo
outletmedropyouof
fonmyway"

Marinha:
Okay,
didy
ougetachance
ofgetti
nghol
dofHear
t?"

Baf
ol:
Shei
sbackwi
thShane"

Mar
inha:Okaywi
llcal
lhi
m"

Baf
ol:Whatsor
tofr
elat
ionshi
pdo
youhavewithHear
tImeanwhere
didyoumeet,howdidy
ouknow
eachother?
"

Marinha:
Wemett hroughShaneyour
br
otherwhochauffeuredusfrom t
he
ai
rportandmostofourt i
me
si
ghtseeinghewast heonetodri
ve
us"

Baf
ol:
Chauf
feur
inghuh?
"

Mari
nha:Yesandpleasewheny ou
meetthem don'
ttel
lthem aboutus"
Bafol:
Whywoul dI,
it
'snotli
keweare
i
nar elat
ionshi
porsomet hi
ng"he
grabbedhisphoneont hetabl
eand
Mar i
nhatookherhandbagand
walkedout

Marinha:
Shinethereissomet hi
ngI
wanttotellyou"Bafolstoppedhis
carattheusualplacehewoul ddrop
her

Baf
ol:
Itol
dyoumanyt
imesnott
o
cal
lmeShine"
Mari
nha:
Inbedy
ouletmecal
lyouby
t
hatnamewhydoyouhatei
tso
much?"

Bafol:
It
'sf
reaki
ngl
ygirl
ishandy
ou
wil
lnotcallmebythatnameorelse
..
..
...
..
..
"

Mar i
nha:
Iam notscar
edofy ou
Shineyouknowwhyi t
'sbecauseI
l
ovey ou"Bafoll
ookedather
couldn'
tbel
ievewhatshehadjust
sai
d

Baf
ol:
What?
"
Marinha:IsaidIl ovey ouandt hi
s
probablymi ghtbey ouf ir
sttimet o
hearagi rlconfesst oy oubutIcar e
foryou,Iwantt oknowy oursorrows
,shareyourpai nandbey our
companywheny ouhav enoonet o
tal
kto,it'
snotaboutsexany more
andthisismyf irstalso, Iexchanged
manyboy sbutnev erforl oveIdidn'
t
beli
eveini tuntilImety ou"

Bafo:
YeahandwhenImetyouIl
ost
Heart"hesai
dli
ght
ingaci
gar
ett
e
Mari
nha:Whatdoyoumean,don'tt
ell
meyou'r
einlovewit
hyourbrother
's
gi
rl
fr
iend"

Bafol:
Sheismi nenothisnowget
out,ifpossi
blelet'
snotmeetagai n"
Marinhaweakl ygotoutofhi scar
andshewat chedhi m gowi t
houtany
si
gnofpi ty,
shedr oppedherbag
,l
ookeddownandshedt ear
slike
neverbeforethat'
swhyshehat ed
l
ovei tmakesonev ul
nerable

I
nBaf
o'sOf
fi
ce.
..
..
..
..
.
Shanewal kedi ntooasBafolhad
summonedt hem allt
omeetandhe
ref
usedatf irstbutwhenhe
ment i
onedt hatitwasaboutthespy
gir
l,hechangedhi smindri
ghtaway
andat t
endedt hemeetingt
ohear
whathewant edtosay,hewal
kedin
onhi m ashewasi nthemiddl
eof
tal
king

Bafol
:You'r
ejustjoi
ninguswel come
"hesaidtoShaneandcont i
nued"As
Iwassay i
ngt hi
sHear tmust '
ve
communi catedwiththisladyand
shemeddl edinmyaf fair
sand
repor
tedmet othepatroloffi
cers"
MrMabunda:
What?
"Shanegav
e
Baf
olaki
ll
ereye

Bafol:Yesandy ouwon'tbeliev
eit
thatIwasaskedsi ll
yquestionsand
theytookmet othei
rcal
lhouseand
wasquest i
onedwhati sanAmer i
can
doinghere,whatsortofbusinessare
youinto,wewantt oseet hepapers
andgr ant
edv ali
dv i
saandhowmany
mont hsyouwer egiven,
theyasked
allt
hatshit"

MrAgosht
inov
ela:OoohmyGodso
howdi
dyoudodge?
"

Bafol
:Aphonecal
lfr
om t heUSanda
l
it
tl
ebr i
ber
yandImar chedout

MrMabunda: Br
avotothi
nkofthat
becauseify
ougodownt henwewi l
l
godownt oo"Shanewasjustqui
et
l
ist
ening

MrAgosht
inov
ela:
Yesv
eryt
rue"

Bafol
:Nowtogett
othest
oryi
t
seemsthatt
hepoli
ceof
fi
ceri
n
Zimbabwei
sbeingfedinfofr
om an
i
nhousespy,asmysour cesaid
ther
eisagi
rlbythenamePai da"

MrMabunda: Pai
da, hmmm didn't
yoursourcemistakenbecauseI
haveneverheardagi r
lbythename
Paida,
Shanedoy ouknowsi nceyou
aretheonethatcamewi ththegirl
s
fr
om Harare?"Heaskedl ookingat
Shanewhowasj ustseri
ous

Shane:NoIdon'
tknowher"hel
ied
worry
ingforHeart
MrAgoshti
novel
a:Whynotask
Teurai?
"Goodpointwhi
chmade
Shanetopani
c

Shane:
Askt
hepersonagai
nfort
her
e
i
snoonebythatname"

Bafol
:Okaymay bether
eisami st
ake
butwillcr
osscheckit"
helookedat
Shane

MrAgoshtinov
ela:Whataboutt
he
Zimbabweanoffi
cerheshouldbe
takencar
eof"
Baf
ol:Ihadsentsomeone"he
gi
ggledpleasur
ablyenj
oyi
nghi
msel
f

#Zi
mbabwe.
..
..
..
.

Offi
cerGumiwal kedi nKingston'
s
houseashewascal ledbyt he
repr
esentativ
eandi thadl ef
thim
nervewreckedashewascal l
edafter
whatseemedt obemont hs, j
ust
becausehewant edt oseet he
buil
dingssavedupr ecordbooksbut
theprocesstookl ongt hatmadehi m
towonderhowl egitthesepeopl e
wereandheeventhoughtt
ocalli
t
qui
tsandwri
teoffthei
nvesti
gat
ion
ascol
dcase

Heopenedt hedoort obewel comed

bybeaut ifulfantalegsofawoman
squatting, herbackv i
ewwasf acing
ont hedoorandherbut tswer e
almostv isibleasshesquat ted
wear i
ngami nidressandseemedt o
bebusysor tingoutsomet hingl i
ke
paper sherbi gbut t
ockswer e
shakingandi tmadeOf f
icerGumit o
scratchhi sbear dandjustlooked
havingaf r eev i
ewl i
kethat,butt hen
againher emi ndedhimselfofwhat
hecamet odo,soheclearedhis
voiceandhegottheattent
ionofthe
l
adywhol ookedbackandherf ace
shoneonhimt hathealmostgot
bli
ndedandhersmi l
e,hethought
Godmust '
vesentanangel

Of
ficer:Hel
loIam Robertson"he
di
dn'tknowwhyhei ntroduced
hi
msel fwit
hhisfi
rstname

Keisha:
Iam Sunshi
ne"she
i
mmedi atel
ychangedhernameand
theyexchangedahandshakebot
h
smili
ng
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
35]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t48

Fedel
iawasv er
ydisappoi
ntedt
o
fi
ndLatoya'
sphonewi t
hapassword
l
ockandshef ai
ledonwhatshe
wantedtodobutinthedaystocome
shev owedt oher sel
fthatshewas
goingt ofindoutherpasswor done
wayort heotherbutitwasn'tan
easyt askonet hatwasgoi ngto
requi
remani pul
ation

Fedeli
a:Sodoy ouevercal
lyour
parent
s? "SheaskedLatoyawho
wasf i
ningherart
if
ici
alnai
lsthatshe
hadclippedon

Latoya:
YesIdohereandthere
thoughtheydon'
tknowthatIam no
l
ongerwi t
hmyhusband"
Fedeli
a:OkayeishhowImi ssmy
parentswishIcoul dtalkt
ot hem
evenjustoncet oletthem knowt hat
Iam Okay"sheheav edadeepsi gh
andshewant edt ogett oLatoya
sinceshesaidshecar esaboutall
thegir
lsthereandi sn'
tpartofElit
e

Latoy
a:OoohIknowthefeel
ingbut
myphonenowhasnoai rti
mey ou
knowBafoisn'
tgiv
ingmeanymoney
other
wiseyoucouldhav
esaidhell
o"

Fedel
ia:Okaybuti
sitpossi
blei
fI
cangi
v eyoumoneyandy oubuy
ai
rt
ime?
"

Lat
oya:Moneywher
edi
dyouget
money?"

Fedel
ia:Istol
eitfr
om thi
sdrunk
manatt hecasino"Latoy
ajust
l
ookedatFedel i
athatshegot
uncomfortabl
e

Latoy
a:Any
wayar
etheot
her
sst
il
l
fi
tt
ing?"

Fedel
ia:Yesandget
ti
ngnew
hai
rst
yles"

Lat
oya:
Okaysohowmuchdoy
ou
have?"

Fedel
ia:
It
'sa100r
and"

Latoy a:Okayl
etmebor rowit
i
nst eadandwhenIgetai rti
meIwill
givey oubecauseit'
sdangerousto
callhere,youmightgetcaughtso
wehav etobecarefulorbothyou
andmecanbeki l
led"Fedeli
afear
ed
forherl i
fe
Fedel
ia:Okaysowewi l
lpl
ayitsafe"
sheraisedthemattressandtookthe
hundredrandnoteandLat oyawas
thi
nki
ngi ftheot
hergirl
shadmoney
undertheirmatt
ressestoo"Ther
e
yougo"shepassedt hemoneyto
her

Lat
oya:
Thanky
ou,sol
etmest
epout
amomentIam comi
ng"

Fedel
ia:
Okay"
Latoyawalkedoutcall
ingherfr
iend
whosai dhewillcomeinthi
rty
minutessoshest ol
lsometime
walkingaroundandTeuraiwondered
whatshewasupt oasshewasl ike
surveyi
ngt heyar
d

"Psssst"herf
ri
endcall
edpeeping
onthegateandLatoyaqui
ckly
walkedtother
e

Lat
oya:
Youbr
oughti
t?"

"
Yesy
ouwantskagorwhat?
"
Latoy
a:TheBi
gHsomet hi
ngst
rong"
herfr
iendl
ookedather

"Wi
llyoubeabletohandl
ethat
shi
t,
you'
repregnant?
"

Latoya:Hurr
yitupgi
vemet
hedope
,aninject
ion?"

"
Alr
ightcool,
130"

Latoy
a:AaaahcomeonIhav
ea
hundred"
"Makei
t120i
t'
sani
nject
iony
ou'
re
ki
ll
ingme"

Lat
oya:100t
hat
'si
tIam dr
y"

"
Okay30nextt
imeowi
ngal
ri
ght"

Latoya:Al
righthur ryi
tupwespl i
t"
shepassedt hemoneyandshewas
giv
ent hedr ug, shehadv owednotto
doi tbutshef oundher selft
here
againcravingi tandtheaddi ct
ion
twiceasmuch, sheneededi twit
hall
thest ressshehasbeensubj ectedt o
oflatef rom Bafol,Hear t
,Shineand
everyoneel seandherpr egnancy
wasdel ayi
ngi twaswayov erdue
pastt heest i
mat edt i
met hather
Doct orhadt oldher ,shewal kedt o
thetoi l
etandi njectedher selfand
herwhol ebodyshookl i
keshehad
seizuresget ti
nghi ght heecst asy
wasmor ethansexi t
self,she
woul dn'tneedamanwhenshehad
herBi gHbutnowsomet hingwas
wrong, shestartedcr ampi ngup, her
abdomencont ractedandt hickf luid
gushedoutandst r
ickleddownher
l
egs" Aaaaargh"shef oundi tdifficul
t
towalkasshefel
tpai
nscomi ng
str
ongly,
hermuscl
escontract
ing
themoreandshethoughtOoohmy
GodwhatdidIj
ustdo,shetookher
phoneout

Teurai
:Hel
lo"sheansweredher
phoneasLatoyacal
ledher

Latoya:
Ithinkt
hebabyiscoming
pleasehelpmeIam inthetoil
et
can'twalk"shespokeingapslike
someonewhowasr unningoutofair
tobreath,Teur
aiwarnedtheother
l
adiesthereandtheyrantothet oi
l
et
andhelpedheroutTeuraical
leda
taxit
hencall
edBafolasshewas
getti
ngLatoy
a'sbagsout

Bafol
:Gethert
othehospi
talwhyar
e
youcall
ingmehuh?"

Teur
ai:Wehavecal
ledataxi,
it
's
comingbutnowwedon'tunderst
and
what'
shappeni
ngtohersheseems
tobebleedi
ng"

Bafol
:mxm thendoIknow,am Ia
Doctor?"hehungupt hephone
thi
nkingwhattodowithher
Thetaxicameandt ookhertothe
hospit
alshehadr egist
eredwithbut
sheneverforoncewentf or
checkupsgivi
ngexcusest hatshe
hadnomoneyev enwhenshedi d
babysi
tti
ngthemoneywasusedt o
buydrugs,ol
dhabi t
snev erdi
ehar d.

Bafol
:Wherei
sshe?"Hegottothe
hospit
alf
orci
nghi
mselfhenever
wantedto

Teur
ai:I
nther
e"hel
ookedahead
andhewalkedaf
ewstepsand
stoodoutsi
dethedooroft
helabor
room wherehehear
dhercryi
ng

Mi
dwi
fe:
Push"shei
nst
ruct
edher

Nurse:I
fyou'r
ethehusbandcomei n
"shesaidcomi ngoutofthelabor
room andheent eredandsawLatoya
withherlegsspreadapartcr
yingand
sweating,hecouldn'
ttakewhathe
saw,sohewal kedoutagain

Midwife:Gi
veinal
lyourst
rengthand
pushonemor eti
me"shebi t
et he
sheetandheldonti
ghtl
yont helabor
bedandshepushedwi thallher
mightyandshef el
tamassi veflow
andat eari
ngonherprivatepart"He
i
sout"t hemi dwi
fesaidsmi l
ingbut
thesmi l
equickl
yfadedwhenshe
tappedthebabyandnot hi
ngwas
happening,shepassedthebabyt o
anothernursewhoshookherhead
uponhol di
ngthebaby,Latoyaraised
herheadasshehadcaughther
breath

Lat
oya:
CanIseehim?"Sheasked
wit
hafaintsmi
let
hatshehaddone
i
t
Midwif
e:Letmesti
tchy ouupfi
rst"
shesai
dcomi ngnearertoher

Lat
oya:
Letmeseemybabyf
ir
st"

Nur
se:
Iam sor
ryi
twasast
il
lbor
n"

Latoy
a:Meani
ng?
"Shedi
dn'
t
underst
and

Nurse:
Meani
ngy
ougav
ebi
rt
htoa
deadchil
d"
Latoya:No,nogivememybaby
,whatdidyoudowi thmybaby"she
screamedandBaf ocameinashe
heardfrom out
side

Baf
ol:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
"

Nur
se:
SirIam sor
ryi
twasast
il
lbi
rt
h
"

Latoya:
Notheykil
ledmybabyjust
gi
v ememybabyr ightnowIdid
every
thingr
ight,
Ineverdr
ankor
smokedandy ousaywhat...
..
..
.nono
gi
v ememybabynow"sheshout ed
scr
eamingandcryingbutattheback
ofhermindshewast hi
nkingifshe
ki
ll
edherchil
dwiththedrugsandso
shecri
edlouder

Midwife:Wedidn'
tdoanyt
hingt
o
yourchil
dnowst opt
hisl
etmeclose
t
histearing"

Latoy
a:NoIwantmybaby,
yout
old
them t
okil
lhi
m"

Bafol
:What?
"Hewassur pr
isedas
hewasstandingbei
ngshownthe
babywhowascov er
edinblood
Latoya:Yesyoudidthi
sy oupai
dthe
nursestokil
lmybabybecausey ou
di
dn'twanttoacceptresponsi
bil
it
y
overhim "sheconti
nuedshouti
ng

Baf
ol:
Takehert
othepsy chi
atr
ic
war
dwheny ou'
redone"hesaidand
wal
kedoutandshescreamedout
l
ouder

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
#Zi
mbabwe.
..
..
..
..

Adel:Mhamha( Mom)"shecal led

outarri
vingatHeart'
splaceasher
Mom wassi tti
ngoutsidebusy
unshell
inggroundnuts

Heart
'sMom:Mydaughterl
ongti
me
"shestoodupput
ti
ngthedishaway
andhuggedAdelwhowascar
ryi
nga
babyonherback

Adel
:Sur
eit
'sbeenl
ong"

Heart
'sMom:Letmegety ouachair
"shewentinsideandtookachair
andpassedAdelwhor emovedthe
babyshewasst rappi
ngonherback
andheldherinherarmsasshesat
down

Adel
:Sowhatar
eyouupt
oMom ?
"
Heart'
sMom:Shoul dn'
tIbeaski
ng
youAdelyouhaveachi l
dalr
eady?"
Shesaidstr
etchi
ngherhandsand
Adelpassedherthebabywhowasi n
hertowel

Adel
:YesMom "

Heart'
sMom:Abeaut i
fulbabygir
l
,Adelwher
ewast hi
spr egnancy?"
Sheaskedlaughi
ng

Adel
:It
iedt
hest
omach"t
heybot
h
l
aughed
Heart
'sMom:Hahahasot
hat
'show
youdoity
ougir
ls"
Adel
:Ehendaizopondwakumba
ezvi
nomuf ar
obedzibedzi(I
would'
vebeenintroublebutnow
ever
yoneishappy) "shechuckl
ed

Heart
'sMom:WowAdely ounow
haveababy,IwishitonmyHeart"
Shesaidadori
ngthelit
tl
egirl
weari
ngpinksuckingherthumb

Adel:
That'
swhyIam her
eMom andI
thoughtIwasgoi
ngtoheargood
newst
hatHear
tcameback"

Heart'
sMom:Shenev ercameback"
sheplayedwiththebaby'scheeks
,Adelsmi l
edt
hatshewoul dmakea
greatgrandmother

Adel
:Sohowar
eyoucopy
ing?
"

Hear
t'
sMom:Ihav
eaccept
edi
tand
movedonwi
thmylif
e"

Adel
:Accept
edwhatexact
lyMom ?
"
Heart'
sMom:ThatHear tisdead
that'
swhatpeopleal
lsaideven
thoughIdidn'
twantt
obel i
eveitbut
heytheissuewasmakingmemor e
sick"

Adel
:Sonowhowi sy
ourheal
thyy
ou
l
ookskinnyst
il
l?
"
Heart
'sMom:I
thasbecomemy
per
manentwei
ghtIdon'
tgai
n
anymore"

Adel:
EishIam sosor
ry,
butwhat
aboutthatof
fi
cerwasheablet
ofind
outanythi
ng?"
Heart
'sMom:I thasbeenlongsinceI
hear
df r
om him Ithinkt
he
i
nvesti
gati
onnev ergotanywher
e
andmay becal
ledi tqui
ts"

Adel:
Heart,
Heartwheredi
dy ougo
kasi?"Sheaskedhersel
fthi
nkingof
herfr
iend

Heart'
sMom:OnlyGodknows
thoughIhadadream t
hisoneday,
I
sawherbackandshewasf att
er"
theybothl
aughed
Adel
:Thatmeanst
her
eisst
il
lhope"

Hear
t'
sMom:Hear t'
sFathersai
dit'
s
mymindpl
ati
ngt r
ickonmesi nce
shei
sthel
astandf i
rstper
son
al
waysonmymi nd"

Adel:HeyMom somet imesdreams

tel
lthef utureandsomet i
mesitwil
l
accuratelycomet opassasy ousee
i
tiny ourdr eam ,
yourdream i
s
actuall
yagooddr eam "

Hear
t'
sMom:Howso?
"
Adel
:seei
ngHeartfat
termaybe
meansyoushouldn'
tworr
ythatshe
i
sokaywhereversheis"

Hear
t'
sMom:Coul
ditbe?
"

Adel
:It
hinkso,Godwast el
li
ngy
ou
nott
owor ryIsuppose"

Heart
'sMom:Pr obablysobutt
hose
abductersnevertreatthei
r
abducteesnicel
y"
Adel
:That
'sanot
heri
ssueMom l
eav
e
i
tGod"

Heart'
sMom:Okaymydaught er"
shesmi l
edlooki
ngatthebaby"If
Heartwasher emaybeIcoul
d've
beenholdingmygrandchi
ldtoo"

Adel:
Howwhenallherboyf
ri
ends
dumpedherforr
efusi
ngtosleep
wit
hanyoneofthem "sheheldher
mouthseei
ngshewast hi
nki
ng
al
oud

Hear
t'
sMom:SoHear
twasst
il
la
vi
rgin?"Adelkeptqui
et"
Ial
way
s
suspectedhernottobe"

Adel:Nemugubvururuwaipfekauy
e
kungechember e(Withhowshe
dressedli
keagr anny)"They
l
aughedoutl oud

#Hear
t#

Hearthadtakenadayoffthe
babysi
tti
ngasshehadagr eedt
o
takeLi
tatothehospi
talwhenher
Mom askedhertowellcashtal
ked
andsheagreedbutshehadnott ol
d
Shanebecauset hetimethatLita'
s
Mom camet oaskherShanehad
al
readylef tandshenev erthoughtto
askLit
a'sMom t ouseherphonet o
cal
lhim besi dest hati
twoul dbe
embarrassi ngtoaskt ouseher
phoneatt hatageandnotaphonei n
hernameandshewasbei ngpaid
moneyt hatshecoul dbuyaphone, i
t
wassooutofquest i
onbutt hi
nking
abouti
tnowshet houghtwhynot
j
usttocal lShanedur i
ngthedayso
shewasgoi ngtoaskf orpermission
whenhecamebackhomebecause
mostoft het imesshewoul dbe
missi
nghi mi ntheaf t
ernoonand
ti
medoeswhati
tknowtodobest
andt
hati
sitmovedsl
owly

Shepr eparedherself,shewas
gainingweightthet winswer en't
maki ngiteasyonhermostofher
skinnyjeanswer en'tfit
ti
ngany mor e
,shehadt oweardr essesandt he
dresseswer eshor t,shewoul ddraw
attenti
onofmanymanandt hat
Shanehat editluckilyhewon' tbe
theretoseet hatplusi t
'shi
sf aultfor
buy i
ngthosedr essesany wayshe
gotusedt othatdr essingthatshe
didn'tevengiveadamnofany one'
s
opinion
Optici
an:Yesheey esareaffectedhe
i
snowcol orbli
ndmost l
ythecol or
s
hewi l
lbeabletoseeinev eryt
hingis
blackorwhi t
esoIhav eprescri
bed
somemedi ci
neforhim "The
optici
anpassedanot eofwr i
tten
prescri
pti
ont oHeart

Heart
:Doyouhav eanyi deahow
muchthiswil
lcostus, youknowI
wassentwithhim soIdon'tknowif
themoneyleftwouldbeenough? "
SheaskedasheldLi t
a'shandas
theywer
eaboutt oleave
Opti
cian:Uhmm Idon'
twanttol
ieto
you,y
ouwi llf
indoutt
hepr
iceatthe
chemist"

Hear t:Okaythanky ou"shel eftgoing

throught hecor r
idorandshesaw
Teur aistandingatt hefarendand
Hear tquicklychangeddi r
ecti
on
takinganot hercor r
idorthoughnot
surei fitwouldtakeherout" Whoa
whati sshedoingher eist hi
sthe
every one'shospital?"Shespoket o
hersel fwalki
ngint heot hercorr
idor
Li
ta:
Whoi si
t?"Heaskedandit
'sas
i
fHearthadfor
gott
enthatshehad
Li
tawit
hher

Heart:
It
'snobodyOkaydon'twor
ry
aboutit"shewalkedt
il
ltheendof
theparki
ngwhichgotherouttothe
parki
nglot"Heyweareherenowso
whereisthepharmacy?"Sheasked
Lit
a

Li
ta:
MeIdon'
tev
enknow"

Hear
t:
YeahIknow"shecheckedt
he
moneyshewaslef
twit
hinher
handbag"HeyLi
tawejusthavetogo
homet hi
smoneyIthi
nkitwon'tbe
enoughyourMom wil
lbuythe
medici
nehersel
f"

Li
ta:
Okayl
et'
sgohomebutdoy
ou
havemoneyf
ori
cecream ?
"

Heart:
Wi l
lyoubeabletotast
eit
though? "Theywal
kedgoingoutto
thegate,Bafohadseenherashe
wasstillinhi
scaratthehospi
tal
's
parki
ngl otandhewasbusyont he
phone
WhenHear thadwal kedadi stance
shefeltlikeshewasbei ngf ol
lowed
soshest oppedandshef eltthe
personbehi ndherst oppi ngal so,she
wasscar edt olookbehi ndsoshe
walkedonst i
llclutchingLi ta'shand
andthist imeshewal kedf aster
stoppingagai natcr ossi ngandt he
carwhi chpassedr ef l
ectedt histall
fi
gureofamanwear i
ngbl ackbehi nd
herandherhear twasbeat ingf ast
andcoul dn'twai tt
ocr osst her oad
,half
waycr ossi ngt her oadal oud
honkofani ncomi ngt ruckwentof f
andshecl osedherey est hinkingI
am tool ate
[
1/25,
13:
35]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t49

Thet ruckdriverputonemer gency

brakesmaki ngthet rucktoski dit
s
backl oadthatmadet hecarbehi nd
i
tt oswer vewant ingt oavoiditbut
thecarhi tonanoncomi ng
commut eromni busandt heot her
carsst oppedatsomedi stancet o
seet hiscatastrophe, Heartopened
herey esinast onishmentofhow
disastercanoccuri nsuchashor t
ti
me
Truckdri
ver:Whatthefuckareyou
doinghuh? "Hegotoutofhistr
uck
andchargedt oHeartwhowas
al
readyfreakedoutwiththe
happeni
ngs

"Shei
satwrongherel
ookwhatshe
hascaused"anot
herdr
ivercal
led
out

Truckdr i
ver:Wasity
ourrightwayof
crossingdidn'
tyouseether obotand
youhav eachi l
dyouwantedmet o
ki
llthatchil
dhuhsot hatIcouldgo
tojailandcompensat ey ourfamil
y
forkilli
ngy ourchi ld,allbecauseof
yourst upidity"heshout edather
andpeopl est artedcomi ngoutin
number sgat heringar oundHear tand
startedsay ingal lkindsoft hi
ngs
urgingt hedr i
v ertobeatherandhe
did,onepower fulslapandhi shar d
handmadeHear ttoswal l
ow
want ingtocr ybutcomposedher self
nott o

Li
ta:
Pleasedon'
tdothatt
oher"he
beggedaspeoplewerenowholdi
ng
Heart
"Don'
tdothatpleasey
ouwillhar
m
sheispregnant
"oneofthepeople
pit
iedher

"Sheisev enpregnant,shewasgoi ng
tolooset hebabyshei scarryi
ngand
thi
sol deroneandt heblamewas
goingt obeont hetruckdr i
verthey
wouldsayhei sacar el
essdr i
verand
shewoul dbel eftal
ive,
cleanwi t
hout
anyhandspoi ntingatherwhi leshe
i
satf ault"Anotheronepr otested
againsttheonewhohadl astspoke
upandhehel dHear t
'sdress
"Sheshouldbet heonetodienot
abortchil
dren'
sdesti
niesthey
haven'tseentheworldyet"sai
d
anotherandpeoplewoul dsuppor
t

Tr
uckdri
ver:Saysomet
hingyou'
re
j
ustqui
etsayonewordyou'r
e
pi
ssi
ngusof f"

Heart
:Iam sorr
y"shet ear
ful
lysaid
andthecrowdgr umbled"I
fthere
wasabi ggerwordthansorryIcould
havesaiditpl
easeletmegoy our
sl
apsandi nsul
tsareenough"t ear
s
nowroll
eddownhercheekst
he
momentsheopenedhermouthbut
thecr
owdstil
lmadenoise

"SheevenhasBrazi
li
anhai
randher
headisful
lofshi
t"nowthatwas
goingtoof
ar

"Yeahbeaut i
fulanddumb"sai
d
anotheroneandshewonder edifit
wasst i
llabouthermakingamistake
orwhat

Bafol
:Shesai
dshei
ssorr
ynowl et
hergo,noonedi
edplusf
rankl
y
speakingt hedr iveri
satf aul
talso
thisr
oadi sn'tforbi gtrucksandhe
knowst hisseet hatsign,howcome
youareal lignor antandt akingiton
her"ev eryonelookedont hesign
postandt het ruckdr i
v erfelt
ashamedandhemumbl ed
somethi nggoingbackt ot hetr
uck
andthepeopl est art
eddi spersing
butsti
llgivingt heiropinionsand
views

Heartcar
ri
edLi t
ainherhandsand
walkedonfaster,t
hefi
rstchance
shegotthi
nkingsoBafoi stheone
whowaspur suingme
Baf ol:Wait.
....
..
..
."hecal ledoutand
Hear tdidn'
tst opascl oudedasshe
wasshest ar t
edr unni ngwi thLitain
herhandsandshedi dn'tevenknow
whi chr oadsshet ookshewasj ust
goingnotst oppingconf usionhad
struckherandshef eltasifshewas
sti
ll beingf oll
owedandshewas
scar edf orherl i
fet hatBaf olthis
ti
mewoul dnotl ethergososhe
pursuedonr unning, shest opped
whenshecoul dn'ttakei tany mor e
shewasheav il
ybr eat hi
ngont opand
ti
red, sheputLi t
adownandl ooked
backandt herewasnoonef oll
owi ng
andl
ookedatwher
eshewas

Hear
t:
What,ar
ail
roadwher
ear
ewe
?"Sheaskedi
nturmoi
l

Lita:Idon'tevenknow"heanswer ed
takingHear t
'shandhol di
ngithewas
mor eaf raidthanher,Heartwas
totallydismay edlookingbackthe
houseswer enowadi stancefar
,lookingaheadt herewasnot hi
ng
butbar renpat chedlandanda
rail
roadsepar at
ingtheplaces

Hear
t:
Mybag,
wher
eismybag?
"
shelookedonhershoulderwhere
herbagwashangi ngbuttherewas
nothing,
"OoohmyGodt heyst ol
emy
bag,howcouldthi
shappen? "thi
s
wast heworstdayofherli
fe

Li
ta:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonow
Mama?"

Heart:Let'
srestali
ttl
ewewi llwalk
backandIdon' tevenknowwhi ch
wayi shomenow"shesatont her ai
l
rest
lesslyblamingitallonBafol,
yes
i
twashi sfaul
totherwiseshe
wouldn'thaverunof fontheroadlike
that,
andhowt heywer etakent here
thatfat efuldayst il
lplay edapar tin
hermi nd,herst omachgr owledshe
hadl efthomenoteat ingt r
yingto
makei ttot heDoct or '
sof fi
ceby12
andshehadski ppedbr eakfastas
shewasbusydoi nglaundr yand
thoroughcl eaningt hehouse
changi ngt heor dercr eatinganot her
setupandnowwi thallthechaosshe
regrettedev ergoingt ot hehospi tal
andt het wobabi eswer enowhungr y
andt heywoul dn'tstopmaki nga
rumbl ei nherst omach, i
twasway
pastl uncht i
me, itcamewhenshe
wasi naqueuewai tingf orthe
Doctorwhot ookal unchbr eakand
bythet i
met heywer eat t
endedt o
may bei twaspastt hehouroft woor
minut estothr ee,
Litatoowas
l
ookingupt oheri fshewast hat
hungr yhowaboutaki d,goshshe
stoodup, dustedher selfandlooked
onwher etobegi nthejourney
home, asecondt i
met hishappening
sher eall
yout didherselfand
accept edthatshei sindeedbeaut i
ful
anddumbsomehow

#AtShane'
spl
ace.
..
..
..
..
Li
t a'
sMom: ThankGody ou'
rehere"
shesai dtoShanewhowasj ust
comi nginlockinghiscarhol
dinga
plasticbagoff rui
tsandnowwas
beingwel comedbyLi ta'
sMom
typical

Shane:Evening"hegreetedsti
ll
tr
yingtofigureoutherface
expressi
onasshewaspeepi ngin
hiscarandhedi dn'
tknowwhatshe
wasonabout

Li
ta'
sMom:Ev eni
ngwhereisHeart
andLit
aIcanseethey
'renotwi
th
y
ou,
Ithoughtt
heywi
llbewi
thy
ou"

Shane:WithmehowcomeIl eft
Heartheredoinglaundryandshe
saidshewasn'ttakingkidstodayso
howdi dsheendupwi t
hLita?"He
wasbaf fl
edandwonder edwhatshe
wast al
kingaboutandhet ri
edt oj
oin
thepiecestothepuzzle

Li
ta'sMom: YesIknowbutIhad
askedhert otakeLit
atothehospit
al
andsheagr eedbutstil
lnowsheisn'
t
backandt heDoctor'
soffi
cewould
haveclosedalready"
Shane:
Whywoul dy
ousendhert
o
theDoctor'
sof
fi
cehuh?"He
i
mmedi atel
ywasworr
ied

Li
ta'sMom:Isi
taproblem Ihad
askedherandshesaidyes"

Shane:
Butdi
dyouaskme,she
doesn'
tknowherwayar
oundthi
s
pl
ace"

Li
ta'
sMom:Ididn'
tknowthatshe
sai
dyesandshenevert
oldmet hat
shedoesn'
tknowherwayher
e"

Shane: Ofcour seshewon' ttellyou

that,youal way swantt ouseher
especiallyyouandser iouslyIdon't
l
iket hat,
you'reamot herdon' t
abandony ourki dshei sexpect i
ng
toonowput t
ingherandmyki dsin
troubleplusy ourkid,ber esponsible
actlikeamot her,what'swr ongwi t
h
youmot herswhycan' tyoushow
mor elovet oy ourkids"heunl ocked
thecart hrewt heplast i
cbagt othe
sideandgoti nhi scaranddr oveout
l
eav i
ngLi ta'sMom t onguet i
edt he
blamewasnowonher, shepur sed
herl
ipsandfol
dedherarmsacross
herchestandwentbackt
ositat
Shane'
sdoorst
epshewasgoingt o
wait

Shanedrov
eoutnotknowingwher
e
tobegi
natbutathoughthi
thismi
nd
andheimmediat
elytookouthi
s
phone

Baf
ol:
Hel
lo"heanswer
edShane'
s
cal
l

Shane:
Wher
eisshe?
"
Baf
ol:
Wher
eisshe,
who?
"

Shane:
YouknowwhoIam t alking
aboutandIhaveaf i
endideat hat
you'
retheonebehindthisbecause
youwon'tst
opatnot hi
nguntily ou
doharmt oherwanti
ngt ohurtme"

Bafol:
OfcourseIwoul ddothatbut
nottodaypleaseleavemeal oneto
gri
evemyson, Ij
ustlostasontoday,
anewbor nsoni magineandshewas
al
lplump, l
ookingnicewiththat
pregnancyImustsay
congr
atul
ati
onsbr
o"

Shane:Wherewasthis,
Iknewy ou'
re
behindthi
sBafolt
ellmewhereshe
i
spleaseisshewithyoupleasejust
rel
easeher"

Bafol
:Idon'
tknowwher esheisnow
stopbotheri
ngmeIhav eother
i
ssuest odealwit
handst opacting
soweakasamanj ustforawoman
i
tdoesn'tsuity
oumanar en'
t
supposetobesof ttsk"hehungup
onhim cli
cki
nghist ongue
#I
nZi
mbabwe.
..
..
..
..

Offi
cerGumi:
Ihavetogo"hesaid
comingoutofthetoi
letst
il
linhi
s
bri
efs

Keisha:WhyIt houghtt odayy ousaid

youwi llspendt henight? "She
cli
mbedof fthebedandst oodup
l
ocki ngherhandsar oundhi sneck
andst artedkissinghim andhef ora
momentgotcar riedawayandr an
hishandsonhernakedr ound
buttocks
OfficerGumi:
NoIcan'tdothat"he
remov edherhandsoffhi
m and
pickeduphistrouser
s

Keisha:
Sowhenar ewegoi ngto
spendthewhol eni ghttogether"she
tookhisshirtandputt heempt y
condom packeti nhisshirtand
broughttheshirttohernoseasi f
smelli
ngi tbutplantedkissesonit
l
eav i
ngat rai
lofpinklipsti
ckoni t
andwal kedtohim andhel pedhim
putontheshi rt

Of
fi
cerGumi
:Iwi
llsee"hef
ini
shed
offwit
hhisjacketandheli
ghtl
y
ki
ssedheront heli
psandwalkedout
andshewav edathim andthr
ew
hersel
fonthebed

Shewonder edi fshewasgoi ngt obe

abletof ulfi
llBafol'
smi ssi
on, she
openedt hedr awerandt ookoutt he
poisonsat chetandshewonder edif
shecoul ddoi t,
shewassl owly
getti
ngdr awnt othismant wi
ceher
age,oldenought obeherFat herbut
howcoul dhebesogoodi nbedl i
ke
that,suchv igorhehad, hewasabul l
,shewonder edlookingatthe
satchetst ernly,mostwomenwoul d
wantamant hatcanl asti
nbed
goingr oundswi t
houtt aki
ngt hose
arti
ficialsuppl ement sandt his
offi
cerpr ovedt hathei swildi nbed
andhef ulf
il
ledherwi ldestdr eams
andhi mt oomusthav ewant edt hat
advent ur ebutt hewi f
eathomemust
bef eelingol df orhim andt he
perfor mancei nbedwoul dbeoni t'
s
l
owest, manar easol dast heyfeel
forwoment hey '
reasol dast hey
l
ookandwhenwomenar ein
mar riagef orlongt heygett oo
comf or tableandcastoutev eryt
hing
theyusedt odo, youcan'tteachan
olddognewt ri
ckst heysay, so
Keishawasf all
ingf
orthi
s
man,financiall
yhewasnowher enear
herexpect ati
onsbuttheywereboth
gi
vingeachot heranadvent
ure,an
unforgettableonebutitwas
danger oussheknewBaf ol

Offi
cerGumiarr
ivedhomeand
knockedonthedoorforsomet
ime
wit
houtananswer

MrsGumi :
Thesedaysyou'
recomi
ng
homelatewhat'sgoi
ngon?"She
askedherhusbandassheopened
thedoorforhi
m
Offi
cer:
It
'ssomemi nutesto9it'
snot
thatl
atebesidesIwasbusysol vi
ng
acaseItoldy outhattherearesome
peopleIam onto"hesai dcomi ngin
notdir
ectlyl
ookinginhi swif
e'seyes

Mr sGumi :Okaybutwhydon'
tyou
callandtellmet haty
ouwil
lbe
comi nginlate?"Theywal
kedto
theirbedroom

Offi
cer
:Iwon'
tbeusi
ngmyphone
duri
ngtheinv
esti
gat
ions"hesaton
thebed
MrsGumi:Thaty
oucan'
tev
enputa
messageforme?"
Offi
cer
:Whatnowitski
ppedmymind
okay"herai
sedhisvoi
ceali
tt
lebi
t
somethi
nghedidn'
tdo

MrsGumi:
YohokayIam sor
ryf
or
aski
ng"

Off
icer
:I
smygr
anddaughteral
ready
asl
eep?"Hi
swi
felaughed

Mr
sGumi
:Youaskabouthert
his
t
imeshesl
eptwayear
li
erar
ound7"

Offi
cer:
Okayletmesleeptomor
row
againIwil
lbeinthef
ield"

MrsGumi:Soyouwil
lbecomingl
ate
t
il
lthei
nvesti
gat
ioni
sover?"

Of
ficer
:Yes"hest
oodupt
oremov
e
hi
sjacket

Mr
sGumi
:Andt
hatwi
llbewhen?
"

Of
fi
cer
:Idon'
tknowi
t'
sat
oughcase
"

MrsGumi:
Okaysoy ou'r
egoingt
o
sl
eepwi
thouteat
ingy ourf
ood?"

Off
icer
:Ial
readyatedon'
twor
ry"he
r
emov edhisshir
t

MrsGumi :
Youat ewhenyouwere
busyinv
estigat
ingandwheredi
dyou
eatandsincewhendidyoustar
t
eati
ngout? "

Of
fi
cer
:Uhhmm acol
leagueofmi
ne
whoismypartneri
nthe
i
nvest
igat
ionboughtussomef
ood"

Mr
sGumi
:Real
ly?
"Sheey
edhi
m

Offi
cer:
Yes"hefr
ownedandgotin
bedlookingt
heotherway
,hewas
changi
ngshecouldtel
l

Shetookhi sjacketandshirtandshe
fel
tacr i
spylikesoundinthepocket
ofhisshirtandthoughtmay behe
boughtsweet sforhisgranddaughter
anddidn'tbothertocheckbutwhen
shethrewt heshirti
nthebasketshe
sawapi nkcolorontheshirtandshe
tookitagai
ntocheckcar eful
lyandit
surel
ywasl i
psti
ckandi twast he
shapeofawoman' sli
psandnow
shehadagoodmi ndofchecki ngthe
pocketandbeholdshebr oughtout
anempt ycondom packetandshe
putherhandov erheropenedmout h
l
ookingathisback
*
*
*
*
*
*
Heart:
Seemswear egoingnowher e
andIam tiredthisplaceisfreaki
ng
bigandthedi r
ectionsIgotar enot
evencleartheykeepv exingme"she
spoketoLitawhowasnowonher
backandt hatnightitwascol d,t
hey
werebothf eel
ingt hecoldnesson
thei
rskin

Li
ta:
Whydon'
twet
akeat
axi?
"He
wasshi
ver
ing

Hear
t:
Wedon'
thav
emoneynowt
o
payf
orat
axi"
Li
ta:
Sowewi
l
lsl
eepout
sidet
oni
ght
anddie?
"

Heart:Let
'skeeponl ookingwewi l
l
gethome,wor seIcan'tdoanythi
ng
becauseIhav enomoneybutwe
won'tdieLit
ay ou'
re
exaggerat
ing,ei
shdidIuset hi
sroad
before?"shest oppedlooking
aroundtryi
ngt ofamil
iari
zewiththe
road

Li
ta:
Andthatwomanyoubeggedfor
herphonej
ustl
ookedaty
oufrom
topt obot t
om andwal kedaway "
Hear tjustsighedherhear tt
humped
seei ngacoupl eofgrownupboy sup
aheadwal ki
ngt owardstheir
direct ionholdingbaseballbatsbut
bef oret heycouldgettoherapol ice
car'ssi r
enwentof f
,theboy sranin
alldir ecti
onsescapingandt he
policecarpul l
edinfrontofHear t

Policeman:Awomanandachil
d
roami ngt
hest
reett
hist
imeI
D
please"

Hear
t:
What?
"
Pol
iceman:
Arey
oudeafIsai
dID
pl
ease"

*
*
*
.
.
[
1/25,
13:
38]Magdi
el:TheEl
it
e

I
nser
t50
Thet ruckdriverputonemer gency
brakesmaki ngthet rucktoski dit
s
backl oadthatmadet hecarbehi nd
i
tt oswer vewant ingt oavoiditbut
thecarhi tonanoncomi ng
commut eromni busandt heot her
carsst oppedatsomedi stancet o
seet hiscatastrophe, Heartopened
herey esinast onishmentofhow
disastercanoccuri nsuchashor t
ti
me

Truckdri
ver:Whatthefuckareyou
doinghuh? "Hegotoutofhistr
uck
andchargedt oHeartwhowas
al
readyfreakedoutwiththe
happeni
ngs

"Shei
satwrongherel
ookwhatshe
hascaused"anot
herdr
ivercal
led
out

Truckdr iv
er:Wasi ty
ourr i
ghtwayof
crossingdidn'tyouseet herobotand
youhav eachi l
dy ouwant edmet o
kil
lthatchildhuhsot hatIcouldgo
tojailandcompensat ey ourfamil
y
forkill
ingyourchi ld,
allbecauseof
yourst upi
dity"heshout edather
andpeopl est art
edcomi ngoutin
number sgatheringaroundHear tand
star
tedsayingallki
ndsofthi
ngs
urgi
ngt hedri
vertobeatherandhe
di
d,onepower fulsl
apandhishard
handmadeHear ttoswal
low
wantingtocrybutcomposedherself
notto

Li
ta:
Pleasedon'
tdothatt
oher"he
beggedaspeoplewerenowholdi
ng
Heart

"Don'
tdothatpleasey
ouwillhar
m
sheispregnant
"oneofthepeople
pit
iedher
"Sheisev enpregnant,shewasgoi ng
tolooset hebabyshei scarryi
ngand
thi
sol deroneandt heblamewas
goingt obeont hetruckdr i
verthey
wouldsayhei sacar el
essdr i
verand
shewoul dbel eftal
ive,
cleanwi t
hout
anyhandspoi ntingatherwhi leshe
i
satf ault"Anotheronepr otested
againsttheonewhohadl astspoke
upandhehel dHear t
'sdress

"Sheshouldbetheonetodienot
abortchi
ldr
en'
sdesti
niesthey
haven'
tseentheworldyet"sai
d
anot
herandpeopl
ewoul
dsuppor
t

Tr
uckdri
ver:Saysomet
hingyou'
re
j
ustqui
etsayonewordyou'r
e
pi
ssi
ngusof f"

Heart:
Iam sorr
y"shet ear
fullysaid
andthecrowdgr umbled"Ifthere
wasabi ggerwordthansor r
yIcoul d
havesaiditpl
easeletmegoy our
slapsandinsul
tsareenough"t ear
s
nowr ol
leddownhercheekst he
momentsheopenedhermout hbut
thecrowdstil
lmadenoi se
"SheevenhasBrazi
li
anhai
randher
headisful
lofshi
t"nowthatwas
goingtoof
ar

"Yeahbeaut i
fulanddumb"sai
d
anotheroneandshewonder edifit
wasst i
llabouthermakingamistake
orwhat

Bafo:
Shesai dshei ssorrynowl et
hergo,noonedi edplusfrankl
y
speaki
ngt hedriverisatfaultal
so
thi
sroadisn'tforbigtrucksandhe
knowsthisseet hatsign,howcome
youareallignorantandt aki
ngiton
her"everyonel ookedont hesign
postandthet ruckdr i
verfel
t
ashamedandhemumbl ed
somethinggoingbackt othet r
uck
andthepeopl est art
eddispersing
butsti
llgi
vingt heiropi
nionsand
vi
ews

Heartcar
ri
edLi t
ainherhandsand
walkedonfaster,t
hefi
rstchance
shegotthi
nkingsoBafoi stheone
whowaspur suingme

Bafo:
Wait.
..
..
..
..
."hecal
ledoutand
Heartdi
dn'
tstopascloudedasshe
wasshest artedrunningwi t
hLitain
herhandsandshedi dn'tevenknow
whichr oadsshet ookshewasj ust
goingnotst oppingconf usi
onhad
str
uckherandshef eltasifshewas
sti
llbeingfollowedandshewas
scaredf orherlif
ethatBaf othi
st i
me
woul dnotlethergososhepur sued
onr unning,shestoppedwhenshe
couldn'ttakeitanymor eshewas
heav i
lybreathingont opandt i
red
,sheputLi tadownandl ookedback
andt herewasnoonef oll
owingand
l
ookedatwher eshewas

Hear
t:
What,
arai
lr
oadwher
ear
ewe
?
"Sheaskedi
ntur
moi
l

Lita:Idon'tevenknow"heanswer ed
takingHear t
'shandhol di
ngithewas
mor eaf raidthanher,Heartwas
totallydismay edlookingbackthe
houseswer enowadi stancefar
,lookingaheadt herewasnot hi
ng
butbar renpat chedlandanda
rail
roadsepar at
ingtheplaces

Heart:
Mybag, wherei
smybag? "
shelookedonhershoulderwher
e
herbagwashangi ngbutther
ewas
nothi
ng,"OoohmyGodt heystol
emy
bag,
howcouldthi
shappen?"t
his
wastheworstdayofherl
if
e

Li
ta:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonow
Mama?"

Heart:Let'
srestali
ttl
ewewi llwalk
backandIdon' tevenknowwhi ch
wayi shomenow"shesatont her ai
l
restl
esslyblamingitallonBafo,y
es
i
twashi sfaul
totherwiseshe
wouldn'thaverunof fontheroadl i
ke
that,
herst omachgr owledshehad
l
efthomenoteat i
ngt ryi
ngtomakei t
totheDoct or'
soffi
ceby12andshe
hadskippedbr eakfastasshewas
busydoi nglaundr yandt horough
cleani
ngt hehousechangi ngt he
ordercreatinganot hersetupand
nowwi thallt hechaossher egrett
ed
evergoingt ot hehospitalandt he
twobabi eswer enowhungr yand
theywoul dn'tstopmaki ngar umbl e
i
nherst omach, i
twaswaypast
l
unchtime, itcamewhenshewasi n
aqueuewai tingfortheDoct orwho
tookalunchbr eakandbyt het i
me
theywer eat t
endedt omay beitwas
pastthehouroft woormi nutesto
three,
Litatoowasl ookingupt oher
i
fshewast hathungr yhowabouta
kid,goshshest oodup,dusted
herselfandlookedonwher et obegin
thejourneyhome, asecondt i
met hi
s
happeni ngshereall
youtdidherself
andaccept edthatsheisindeed
beautifulanddumbsomehow

AtShane'
spl
ace

Li
t a'
sMom: ThankGody ou'
rehere"
shesai dtoShanewhowasj ust
comi nginlockinghiscarhol
dinga
plasticbagoff rui
tsandnowwas
beingwel comedbyLi ta'
sMom
typical
Shane:Evening"hegreetedsti
ll
tr
yingtofigureoutherface
expressi
onasshewaspeepi ngin
hiscarandhedi dn'
tknowwhatshe
wasonabout

Lit
a'sMom:Eveni
ngwhereisHeart
andLit
aIcanseethey'
renotwi
th
you,It
houghtt
heywil
lbewithy
ou"

Shane:Wi
thmehowcomeIl eft
Hearther
edoi
nglaundryandshe
sai
dshewasn'tt
akingkidstodayso
howdidsheendupwi t
hLita?"He
wasbaffl
edandwonderedwhatshe
wastal
kingaboutandhetr
iedt
ojoi
n
t
hepiecestothepuzzl
e

Li
ta'sMom: YesIknowbutIhad
askedhert otakeLit
atothehospit
al
andsheagr eedbutstil
lnowsheisn'
t
backandt heDoctor'
soffi
cewould
haveclosedalready"

Shane:
Whywoul dy
ousendhert
o
theDoctor'
sof
fi
cehuh?"He
i
mmedi atel
ywasworr
ied

Li
ta'
sMom:
Isi
tapr
obl
em Ihad
askedherandshesai
dyes"

Shane:
Butdi
dyouaskme,she
doesn'
tknowherwayar
oundthi
s
pl
ace"

Li
ta'
sMom:Idi dn'
tknowthatshe
sai
dyesandshenev ert
oldmet hat
shedoesn'
tknowherwayher e"

Shane:Ofcourseshewon' ttel
lyou
that,
youalway swanttouseher
especi
all
yy ouandseriouslyIdon't
l
ikethat,
you'r
eamot herdon' t
abandony ourkidshei
sexpect ing
toonowput ti
ngherandmyki dsi n
troublepl
usyourki d,ber esponsi ble
actlikeamother ,
what 'swr ongwi t
h
youmot herswhycan' tyoushow
mor elovetoyourki ds"heunl ocked
thecarthrewthepl ast i
cbagt othe
sideandgotinhi scaranddr oveout
l
eav ingLi
ta'
sMom t onguet i
edt he
blamewasnowonher, shepur sed
herlipsandfoldedherar msacr oss
herchestandwentbackt ositat
Shane'sdoorstepshewasgoi ngt o
wai t

Shanedrov
eoutnotknowingwher
e
tobegi
natbutathoughthi
thi
smind
andheimmedi
atel
ytookouthi
s
phone

Baf
o:Hel
lo"heanswer
edShane'
s
cal
l

Shane:
Wher
eisshe?
"

Baf
o:Wher
eisshe,
who?
"

Shane:
YouknowwhoIam t alking
aboutandIhaveafi
endideat hat
you'
retheonebehi
ndthisbecause
youwon'tst
opatnothi
nguntily ou
dohar
mtoherwant
ingt
ohur
tme"

Bafo:OfcourseIwoul ddothatbut
nottodaypleaseleavemeal oneto
gri
evemyson, Ij
ustlostasontoday,
anewbor nsoni magineandshewas
al
lplump, l
ookingnicewiththat
pregnancyImustsay
congratul
ati
onsbr o"

Shane:Wherewast hi
s,Iknewy ou'
re
behindthisBaf
ot el
lmewher esheis
pleaseisshewithyoupleasejust
releaseher"
Bafo:
Idon'tknowwher esheisnow
stopbotheri
ngmeIhav eother
i
ssuestodeal withandstopacting
soweakasamanj ustforawoman
i
tdoesn'tsuityoumanar en'
t
supposetobesof ttsk"hehungup
onhim cli
ckinghistongue

AtZi
mbabwe

Offi
cerGumi:
Ihavetogo"hesaid
comingoutofthetoi
letst
il
linhi
s
bri
efs

Kei
sha:
WhyIt
houghtt
odayy
ousai
d
youwi llspendt henight?"She
cli
mbedof fthebedandst oodup
l
ocki ngherhandsar oundhisneck
andst artedkissinghim andhefora
momentgotcar riedawayandran
hishandsonhernakedr ound
buttocks

OfficerGumi:
NoIcan'tdothat"he
remov edherhandsoffhi
m and
pickeduphistrouser
s

Keisha:
Sowhenarewegoi ngto
spendthewholenighttogether"she
tookhisshi
rtandputtheempt y
condom packeti nhisshi
rtand
broughttheshirttohernoseasif
smelli
ngi tbutplant
edkissesonit
l
eav i
ngat rai
lofpinkli
psti
ckonit
andwal kedtohim andhelpedhim
putontheshi rt

Offi
cerGumi:Iwil
lsee"hefini
shed
offwit
hhisjacketandheli
ght l
y
ki
ssedheront heli
psandwal kedout
andshewav edathim andthrew
hersel
fonthebed

Shewonderedifshewasgoi
ngtobe
abl
etoful
fi
llBafo'
smissi
on,
she
openedt hedr awerandt ookoutt he
poisonsat chetandshewonder edif
shecoul ddoi t,
shewassl owl y
getti
ngdr awnt othismant wiceher
age,oldenought obeherFat herbut
howcoul dhebesogoodi nbedl ike
that,suchv i
gorhehad, hewasabul l
,shewonder edl ookingatthe
satchetst ernl y,mostwomenwoul d
wantamant hatcanl asti
nbed
goingr oundswi t
houtt aki
ngt hose
arti
fi
cialsuppl ement sandt his
offi
cerpr ov edt hathei swildinbed
andhef ulfil
ledherwi l
destdreams
andhi mt oomusthav ewant edt hat
adventur ebutt hewi feathomemust
bef eel
ingol df orhim andt he
performancei nbedwoul dbeoni t's
l
owest, manar easoldast heyf eel
forwoment hey '
reasoldast hey
l
ookandwhenwomenar ein
mar ri
agef orl ongtheygett oo
comf ortableandcastoutev er ything
theyusedt odo, youcan'tteachan
olddognewt ri
ckstheysay, so
Keishawasf all
ingforthis
man, fi
nancial l
yhewasnowher enear
herexpect ationsbutt heywer ebot h
givi
ngeachot heranadv ent ur e,an
unforgettableonebuti twas
danger oussheknewBaf o
Offi
cerGumiarr
ivedhomeand
knockedonthedoorforsomet
ime
wit
houtananswer

MrsGumi :
Thesedaysyou'
recomi
ng
homelatewhat'sgoi
ngon?"She
askedherhusbandassheopened
thedoorforhi
m

Offi
cer:
It
'ssomemi nutesto9it
'snot
thatl
atebesidesIwasbusysolving
acaseItoldy out
hattherear
esome
peopleIam onto"hesaidcomingin
notdi
rect
lyl
ooki
ngi
nhi
swi
fe'
sey
es

Mr sGumi :Okaybutwhydon'
tyou
callandtellmet haty
ouwil
lbe
comi nginlate?"Theywal
kedto
theirbedroom

Offi
cer
:Iwon'
tbeusi
ngmyphone
duri
ngtheinv
esti
gat
ions"hesaton
thebed

MrsGumi:Thaty
oucan'
tev
enputa
messageforme?"
Of
fi
cer
:Whatnowi
tski
ppedmymi
nd
okay"herai
sedhisvoi
ceal
it
tl
ebi
t
somethi
nghedidn'
tdo

MrsGumi:
YohokayIam sor
ryf
or
aski
ng"

Off
icer
:I
smygr
anddaughteral
ready
asl
eep?"Hi
swi
felaughed

MrsGumi
:Youaskaboutherthi
s
t
imeshesl
eptwayearl
ierar
ound7"

Offi
cer:
Okayletmesleeptomor
row
againIwil
lbeinthef
ield"
MrsGumi:Soyouwil
lbecomingl
ate
t
il
lthei
nvesti
gat
ioni
sover?"

Of
ficer
:Yes"hest
oodupt
oremov
e
hi
sjacket

Mr
sGumi
:Andt
hatwi
llbewhen?
"

Off
icer
:Idon'
tknowi
t'
sat
oughcase
"

MrsGumi:
Okaysoy ou'r
egoingt
o
sl
eepwi
thouteat
ingy ourf
ood?"
Off
icer
:Ial
readyatedon'
twor
ry"he
r
emov edhisshir
t

MrsGumi :
Youat ewhenyouwere
busyinv
estigat
ingandwheredi
dyou
eatandsincewhendidyoustar
t
eati
ngout? "

Off
icer
:Uhhmm acoll
eagueofmine
whoismypartneri
nthe
i
nvesti
gati
onboughtussomefood"

Mr
sGumi
:Real
ly?
"Sheey
edhi
m
Offi
cer:
Yes"hefr
ownedandgotin
bedlookingt
heotherway
,hewas
changi
ngshecouldtel
l

Shetookhi sjacketandshi r
tandshe
fel
tacr i
spylikesoundi nt hepocket
ofhisshirtandt houghtmay behe
boughtsweet sf orhi
sgr anddaughter
anddidn'tbothert ocheckbutwhen
shethrewt heshi r
tinthebasketshe
sawapi nkcol oront heshirtandshe
tookitagaintocheckcar efull
yandit
surel
ywasl i
psti
ckandi twast he
shapeofawoman' slipsandnow
shehadagoodmi ndofcheckingthe
pocketandbeholdshebr oughtout
anempt ycondom packetandshe
putherhandov erheropenedmout h
l
ookingathisback

☆☆☆

Heart:
Seemswear egoingnowher e
andIam tiredthisplaceisfreaki
ng
bigandthedi r
ectionsIgotar enot
evencleartheykeepv exingme"she
spoketoLitawhowasnowonher
backandt hatnightitwascol d,t
hey
werebothf eel
ingt hecoldnesson
t
hei
rski
n

Li
ta:
Whydon'
twet
akeat
axi?
"He
wasshi
ver
ing

Hear
t:
Wedon'
thav
emoneynowt
o
payf
orat
axi"

Li
ta:
Sowewi
l
lsl
eepout
sidet
oni
ght
anddie?
"

Heart:Let
'skeeponlooki
ngwewi l
l
gethome,worseIcan'tdoany
thi
ng
becauseIhav enomoneybutwe
won'tdi
eLi t
ay ou'
re
exaggerat
ing,ei
shdidIusethisroad
before?"shest oppedlooki
ng
aroundtry
ingt ofamil
iar
izewit
ht he
road

Lita:Andt hatwomany oubeggedf or

herphonej ustlookedaty ouf r
om
topt obot tom andwal kedaway "
Hear tjustsighedherhear tt
humped
seei ngacoupl eofgr ownupboy sup
aheadwal kingtowar dstheir
direct ionholdingbasebal lbatsbut
bef oret heycoul dgettoherapol ice
car '
ssi r
enwentof f,theboy sranin
alldir ecti
onsescapi ngandt he
pol
icecarpul
ledi
nfr
ontofHear
t

Policeman:Awomanandachil
d
roami ngt
hest
reett
hist
imeI
D
please"

Hear
t:
What?
"

Pol
iceman:Isai
dIDpl
ease"
*
*
*
.
.
.