Mbal

i
-TheGi
ft
ed

•
°

•
°

•
°

Me:
"Wher
eam I
?Hell
o?anybodyher
e?"
Iseeashadowofamancar
ryi
ngaspear
,Nohor
ns,
fora
momentt
her
eIthoughtI
'
mi nhell
.

i
t'
sdar
kinher
e,butI
'
m spot
li
ght
edi
seeagi
rl13y
rsol
dI'
m guessi
ng.

Short
,beauti
ful,
Afr
ohair
,Chinaey
es,andthickeyebr
ows,she'
scomi ngt
owar dsmeIgr eetherbut
shegoest hroughmeandpassme, LikeI'm aghost
!waitIam aGhost!
!?areflect
ionmy be,Igot
o
whereshewentandIseebl oodgushingthroughmyalmostinvi
siblef
eets.she'scryi
ng
miser
abl ytr
yingtowakeupt wopeople"Mom, Dadwakeup,pl
easedon'tl
eav eme" shesawa
mendi sappearinthewall
senscreamed,asshescr eamedIwokeupsweat ingandr eal
isedI
wasdr eaming.

Okayt hatwasascar i
estdr eam I '
veev erdr eamt .
whoi sshe? andwhyam Idr eami ngofher ?
what
i
st hemeani ngoft hisdr eam? .
.Ihav esomanyquest ions,withnoanswer s.I
t's6am andI '
m
headedt oDUTt of inalizemyr egistrat i
on, it
'sthebegi nningofJanuar yIst oppedwor king
becauseIwasgr ant edanoppor tunityt ost udy,NSFASandDUTappl icationswer ebot h
successf ulsoI'mf undedandI '
llstudyTeachi ngnotmyf avour i
tecar eer,buti t'
l
ldo..
Regi strati
ont i
ck, St udentcar dtick,accommodat i
ont ick,alli
ssor ted,I'm mov inginnextweek, I
'v
e
hear dal otaboutst ayingatRes. Rape, mur der,
drugs, suicidal student set c.i
'
m hopi ngall those
thingswi l
lnotcomeuponmyway .
Mom wasnotexci tedaboutmegoi ngt ost udyherwor ds
wer e"Justwor k,andf or getaboutschool ,whowant saneducat edwi fe? "
Hai boak' sima
1870, wher eonl ymanar esupposedt owor kandwomanl ookaf tert heki ds,nowwear eal l
civil
ized,andwhyi sev ery thingboutmar r
iagetot hiswomen? !you'dswearshe' smar r
iedKant i
dololowenev erknewourf atherall shesai dwas" Aningy ekengokubuzauy i
hl o,
thatusel ess
thinglef tmef oramodel "hai wemustnotsuf f
erphel a..
.Ngigci nengi hambi leok' salayo.If etched
thekeyf rom thesecur ity,andheescor tedmei nmyr oom Iopened, goti ncheckedt her oom out
andi t'
snotbadatal l,
athomewehav eanRDPhouse, Ihadt oshar ear oom wi thmybr otherj ust
i
magi nea19y earol dint hesamer oom wi thabr ot her!?Idon' tknowpr ivacy ,
at l
eastI'
llgeti t
now. ..
Ihangmycl ot hesi nt hewar dr obe,andheadoutt ot heki t
chenar ea,wher eImeett his
gor geous, l
i
ghtski nwi tht hickey ebrowsandhol donshei st hesamegi rlIsawf r
om mydr eam
butnowshe' sol derper hapsmyagegr oup. OkeysoIdr eam ofhert henImeether ?whati nt he
freakinwor l
disgoi ngon! ?Shest aresatme, wai t
ingf ormet osaysomet hingIst areback, should
ItellherIknowher ?

Her
:"
Uhm Hey
"shegr
eet
ssmi
l
ing

Me:"Hy.
Howareyou?I
'
m Mbali
Charl
ott
eNgcobo,butever
yonecal
l
sme
Li
l
y,Lil
i
za,Mbal
i
Mbali
,
Mbali
stoyoucanchoosef
ory our
sel
f"Whydi
dIt
alkt
oomuch?
Goshbl
oody
Bl
abbermout
h

shechuckl
es

Her:
"Ndoni
yamanzi
Cel
e,
butev
ery
onecal
l
smeNdoni
,
andunl
i
key
oumynamedoesn'
thav
ecl
an
names"

Webot
hlaugh

Me:
"Ial
sodon'
tknowwhyIment
ionedt
hosenamesy
azi
"

Her
:"
I'
ll
cal
lyouLi
l
ist
o,soy
oumyr
oommat
e?"

Me:
"Yha"

Her
:"
Okaywe'
l
ltal
ktomor
rowabouthowwegonnashar
efood,
that
'si
fyouwannashar
e"

Me:
"Yha"
That
'sal
lImanaget
osayasIst
areather
.

She'
sful
lofanger,
resent
ment,shewant
storevengeherparent
sdeathandtheonewhoraped
herwai
twhatjusthappened?NobutIdon'
thav
esuperpower showcanIhearhercr
iesand
str
uggl
es?Godint
ervenI'
m abouttogotomentalinst
it
uti
on,
Isnapoutofi
twhenshecall
smy
name

Her
:"
Ear
tht
oMbal
iHel
l
o!"

Me:
"Huhwhat
?"

Her
:"
Youokey
?"

Me:
"Yhea,
whyar
eyouf
ull
ofhat
red?
"

Her
:"
Par
don?
"

Me:
"WhatImeani
sar
hwel
l
.okayl
ookt
hismi
ghtsoundcr
azybutIdr
eamtabouty
oubef
ore"

Shel
aughedatmet
hinki
ngI
'
mjoki
ng,
thatwasn'
tev
enf
unny
,shest
opsl
aughi
ng

Her:
"Gi
rlmamel
alaondazi
,
sodon'
tcomewi
tht
hedr
eam shi
tonme,
stayi
nyourl
aneI
'
llst
ayi
n
mine"

I
twaslikeshewasn'tt
hatsweetgirl
Ijustmetfewsecondsago.
Ithi
nkshe'
sment
all
yil
l
,noone
t
urnspersonal
i
tiesi
naf l
eshl
ikethat,
nextt
hingshe'
l
lbeapologi
sing

Her
:"
OhmyGoshI
'
m sor
ry"
Sher
ushedi
nherr
oom

yepconfi
rmedshei sloony,
buti
don'tblameherwhatshewentthroughwastr
aumatizi
ng,
no
onedeservestowitnessherpar
entsbeingmurder
edandbei ngr
apedbysomeoney ou
tr
ust
ed.I
'dneverwishittomywor stenemy.
.ohwaitIdon'
thaveanyorIdoNdonipartt
wo,t
he
meanGhet tochi
ck.
.
I'
m starv
ingsoIbath,
wearsomethingwarmit'
scl
oudyoutside,I
'
m headedatKFC,I
'
llbr
ingNdoni
Somet hi
ngtoeataspeaceoffer
ingforSayi
ngIdreamtofher.Ther
e'ssomethi
ngabouther
she'sdangerousi
fImightsayshebottl
ethi
ngstohersel
f,
she'sanIntr
over
twithabubbly
personali
ty.
.

I'
m wait
ingformyor der
,Inoti
cesomeoneatacor nerwear
ingablackhat,
Blackshoes,Bl
ack
j
eans,
Blackpol oneck,hi
sey esBl
acknotev enatintofwhit
eandabl ackri
ngwi t
haredspar kl
ein
themiddleofit.Bl
ackcolourismyf avouri
tebuthe'sabusi
ngit
.helooksscary,
thenhewal ksup
tome,Whyishewal kingupt ome?breathMbalibreath,
i
fhetouchesmeI '
m goingtoscream
eventhechickenwi ngsintheovensofKFCwi l
lhearme.Hewhi spersi
nmyear "Iwi
llcomeget
you,
MyChosenone"

hev
ani
shed,
I
'm st
il
lst
uckon"
MyChosenone"
..
..

MustIcont
inue?

Geor
geSakhi
l
eCel
e'
sPov

Mynamei sSakhi
leCele,
50yearsofage,Ihaveawi
feandkids,
andaNi eceherpar
entsdi
edso
wetookherin.
Iam atmydeathbed,cl
osedmyey esbecausemywi feandherdaught
er'
shave
cameinbutdidn'
tnoti
ceIam notsl
eeping.ohandt
heythi
nkI'm deaf
.I
diot
s

Daught
er:
Mom y
ourhusbandi
sli
fel
essnowdon'
tyout
hinkweshoul
d..
..

Wi
fe:
Shutup(
Thewi
fei
nter
rupt
ed)
Wecan'
ttal
ksuchmat
ter
sathi
spr
esenceawuhl
any
iper
haps

Daught
er:
(Star
edatherf
ather
Thenl
ookedbackathermot
her
)He'
ssl
eepi
ngandt
hedoct
or
sai
dhe'sdeaf

Wi
fe:
OhIf
orgotaboutt
hatdet
ail
,
youwer
esay
ing?

Daught
er:
Iwassay
ingshoul
dn'
twejustpul
lthosepl
ugs,
gett
heinsur
ancemoneyIneedt
odol
l
upIcan'
tweart
hesameclot
heseverydaywhenIgoout(
Shesay
ssway i
ngherl
ongweave)

Wi
fe:
Iknowmybabybutl
et'
sbepat
ient
,t
hepoi
sonwor
ksper
fect
lyi
t'
l
lmakeourj
obeasi
er.

Daughter:
Fine.
butwhati
fhefoundoutaboutMeandSi
zwenotbei
nghisseeds?
thenleav
eus
wit
hnot hi
ngOhMyGodwewi l
lbest
reetki
dsnoMom weshoul
dchangethewil
lifwe'
renot
i
ncluded(She'spant
ingupanddown)

Wif
e:Lumkast
opi
tyoumaki
ngmeseei
ntwo'
s,
youcanbedr
amat
icwheny
ouwant
.Di
dyout
ell
hi
m?

Lumka:
Nophel
aMama'
Hazel
that
'
sat
ickett
opov
ert
ywhywoul
dIdot
hat
?
Lumka'
sMom:
Goodt
hingy
ouknowt
hat
,l
etmeputt
hatpoi
sont
ohi
sdr
ip

*
Ipr
etendt
obewaki
ngupf
rom adr
eam*

Me:
Whatwerey
oudoi
ng?
wher
eismyni
eceIneedt
ohav
eawor
dwi
thherdeat
hisknocki
ngon
mydoor
step

Lumka'sMom:I.
.I
.Uhm Icamet ofixyourpil
low(Fakingasmi l
e)Shei
sonherway,
she'
ssogrown
upnow,Ndonineedstobei ndependentnowwecan' tbefundi
ngher,
weshouldbeput
ti
ngherin
amentalinst
it
uti
onshe' snut
ts(Lumkapokesherf rom thebackandshenoti
ceshetr
ail
edoff
,
rev
eal
ingherthoughts)Imeanshe. she.
.sheiscoming

(
Ipr
etendedt
obeonDeafmode?

Me:
Whatwer
eyousay
ing,
wher
eisshe?

Lumkaandhermom l
ookedateachot
herandsi
ghed

Lumka:
She'
scomi
ngdad

Me:
OkeycanIbeal
onef
oramoment
,Iwantt
orest

Lumka'
sMom:Sure(
Kissedhi
sforeheadandl
eft
)shewi
pedhermout
h"Thepoi
soni
smaki
nghi
m
tast
eli
keVi
negarwit
hami xofsalt

Lumka:
(Laughi
ng)
Mom t
hat
'ssweatcomeon

Lumka'
sMom:
Comet
ast
eit

Lumka:
Euwnoway
sthat
'ssogr
ouse,
I'
ll
bei
naki
tchen

Iam l
eftal
one,
call
i
ngmylawyerI
'm gonnachangemywi l
l,
myNi eceandmy3daught erst
hatI
l
eftwil
lbeincl
udedinmyWil
l,
mybiologi
calki
ds,
Ican'
tbeli
eveIleftmyfamil
yforamodel who
cheat
edonmet woti
mes,
shethi
nksIam inf
ert
il
ewellshethoughtwrong,
howwi l
lIt
racethem
downthough?!

I
'
llf
indaway

Iownat wof actori

es,
3housesf rom differ
entcountri
es,
4car s,andIhave250mi ll
ioni nmy
account,
Myf ri
endJaden1y earsyoungert henme, i
ntr
oducedmet odrugsbutIlef tassoonasI
heardtherewasahi tonme, putbymybel ovedwifeHazel,
from t henIwascareful aroundher,
I
don'
tknowhowshemanagedt opoi sonmet hough,
mywi f
ei si nacultshesacri
ficessoulsto
thedevilf
orriches,
butthemoneyi sf i
nishedinnot i
me,noinvest mentsmade,she'sst upi
difshe
thi
nksshe'sgoi ngtot
akemyhar dear nedMoney .I
'l
ll
eaveav ideosot hati
twon'tbeeasyf or
them t
ochanget heWil
l.Ndonicamei nandsmi l
ed

Ndoni
:
Bab'
mncaneunj
ani
?

Me:
It
'sv
erybadMt
anami
,
li
stenIcal
l
edy
ouher
ebecauseIwanty
out
ofi
ndmychi
l
dren
Ndoni
:
Theyar
eint
heki
tchen

Me:
Noman,
thosear
en'
tmychi
l
dren,
Imeanmyr
eal
chi
l
dren

Ndoni
:
OkaynowI
'
mlost
(Shel
ooksathi
m per
plexed)

Me:Ihav
e3daught er
s,f
rom l
adynamedFezekaNgcobo, l
astt
imeIsawt hem t
heyli
vedat
Mkomaas,Idon'
thavethei
rpict
uresbutt
heirnamesareMbali,
AyandaandBay anda
Ngcobo,
pleasef
indthem assoonaspossibl
e,ohandTrustnoonefrom thi
shouseokaymy
chi
ld?

Ndoni
:
(St
il
lshocked)
uhm Okey
.

Me:
IfIl
eav
enowt
ell
them Il
ovet
hem,
andI
'
m sor
ryIl
eft

Ndoni
:
Younotgoi
ngany
wher
eBab'
mncanedon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat

Me:
Tel
lthem t
omov
eint
othi
shousei
twoul
dmakemysoul
resti
npeace

Ndoni
:
(Shout
ing)
No!
!!
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oloseanot
herpar
entpl
easedon'
tgopl
easeBab'
mncane

Me:
Hazel
ispoi
soni
ngmebi
tbybi
tMnt
anami
,
Iwon'
tbeher
eforl
ong,
for
giv
emeIl
ovey
ou

Ndoni
:
Ilov
eyout
ooBab'
mncane

Me:
Leav
enowIneedt
orest

Ndoni
:
Okay
,don'
tdi
e

Me:
(Chuckl
ing)Iam notpr
omisi
nganything(Shestandsupenl
eave,
heopenshislapt
opand
makeavideo..
thenfall
sasl
eepwhi
lstpraying"Godbewithmychi
l
drenasIdisappearfr
om t
he
f
aceofearth"

#Li
keAndShar
e

Char
act
ers

-
Mbal
i

-
AyandaandBay
anda(
Twi
ns)
Vusumuzi
(Thel
astbor
n

-
Fez
ekaNgcobo(
Mot
hert
oMbal
i
)

-
Geor
ge(
Mbal
i
sfat
her
)

-
Hazel
(Theev
ilst
epmot
her
)
-
LumkaandSi
zwe(
Jeal
ousj
eal
ousj
eal
ous)

-
Ndoni

-
Nat
hi(
Thel
awy
er)

Idon'
tknowwherethi
sstor
yisgoi
ngbutsur
eisgoi
ngsomewher
e..
.Thankst
othosear
e
readi
ng,
andl
i
kingthepage.
.

#Bl
essYou

Mbal
i
'sPov

I'
ml eftalone,
asNdoni wenttoherBab' mncane, thewayshet alksabouthi mi t'
slikehe'sher
fat
her ,
sheador esthemen. .I'
m stil
l waiti
ngf orthatmaninbl ackt ocomeandt ake"Thechosen
one"Ididn'tsl
eept hatnightt
hinkingi t
'shim....It
'sori
ent
ationday ,
classesproceedt omor r
ow, I
'
m
headedt oKFCGodknowshowIl ov ethosehotwi ngs,
Ioncet riedmaki ngKFCathomeal l
Igot
was" Whoi sgoingtoMar ryyouify ouf ai
l t
omakekf c,
saltLil
ysal t,
didInotbuyi tyesterday?why
arey oudeny i
ngussal t?Haimany ouwi llembar assmeaty ourin-laws"Marri
age? ??ComeonI '
m
19,shetalkslikeshealreadyhav eagr oom f orme, shemust n'tdaremeot herwiseI'l
lmake
witchcraftmycar eerandst r
ikeherwi thlightning..
anywaymyor dercomesIt akei tandsita
corner,t
hensomeguycomesandsi tinmyt able,Il
ookaroundt her eareempt ytablesabout4I
thi
nk,whyher e?

Guy
:Hy
(Deepv
oice,
Ist
areathi
m)I
'
m Si
zwe(
Heext
endshi
shandf
orashake)

Me:
Yowwhat
'supni
gger
?(Ri
ghtnowI
'
m pr
etendi
ngt
obeal
esbi
an)

Si
zwe:
(Hechuckl
es)
Iknowy
oust
rai
ghtgi
rlsocutt
heact

Me:(
Laughing)
wasIt
hatobvi
ous?!
waitsi
keghor
eIhadpl
annedt
obeal
esbi
anwhenI
'
mient
er
var
sit
yjustsoboy
scanstayawayfrom me

Sizwe:Wel
lyounotgoodatit
,ebil
ewhowouldbel
i
evey
ou'
real
esbi
an!
wheny
ouhav
ethose
curves,
acrazybehi
nd,
thecut
ef ace,
the.
..

(
Iint
err
uptbl
ushi
ng)

Me:
Okayokayj
eezIhear
dyou

hesmil
esandst
andupdanci
ng,
twer
king,andsway
inghi
sinvi
nci
blebutt
..He'
sgaynost
rai
ght
guywoul
ddothatIl
aughmyl
ungsout,hesit
sdownandlookatmyey es

Me:
What
(Il
ookar
oundav
oidi
ngey
econt
act
)
Si
zwe:
Yourey
es!
it
'sl
i
keI
'
veseent
hem bef
ore

Me:
(Awkwaaaar
d)Your
eckon?

Si
zwe:
Yes,
butl
et'
snotdwel
lont
hatt
ell
meabouty
ou,
youseem l
i
keani
nter
est
inggi
rl

Me:
Ithoughty
ou'
regay

Si
zwe:
OhmyGoshI
'
m of
fended(
Het
akesouthi
spur
seandt
hrowi
tatme)

Me:(
I'
mlaughi
nglikecr
azypeopl
ear
elooki
ngatus)
You.
..
(Ical
m down)
Youhav
eapur
se?
and
yousayyounotgay?

Si
zwe:
Finef
ineI
'
m bi
sexual
,
andIl
i
key
ou

Me:
Mhm ar
eyouembar
assedaboutbei
nggay
?

Si
zwe:
wel
lsomet
imesy
es,
especi
all
ymyf
atherdi
dn'
tl
ikegay
satal
l

Me:
Bei
nggayorl
esbi
ani
snott
hepr
obl
em t
hesoci
etyi
s,
andy
our
sel
ves

Si
zwe:
Hauwhatdi
dwedonow?

Me: Y'
allt
hinkit'
sacur sebeingattr
actedtothesamegender ,whycan'tyoujussbey our
self,
nevermindwhatpeopl esayabouty oursexuali
ties,
butthi
nkofy our
sel
v esyoudon'toweany one
anythi
ngand. .
(IposeasIl ookint
ohi seyes,
Iseehim beingbeatenupbyamanwi thachai non
hi
sback, tr
yingtoapol ogiz
ebutthemandoesn' tbudgehecont i
nues,
andleaveshim hel
plessly
l
yingont hefloor,
adarkf orcepi
ckshim,nowai tThemani nblacktheonethatsaid"I'
mthe
chosenone" t
ookhi m andv ani
shed)Isnapoutofi t

Si
zwe:
Whyar
eyoucr
yingdi
dIsaysomet
hingwr
ong?
(Wor
ryi
swr
it
tenonhi
sface)

Me:
I.
.I.
.Ineedt
ogo(Iqui
ckl
ygrabmythi
ngsandstandbehi
ndhi
m)Her
e'smynumberweneed
t
omeetandt al
ksometime(Il
eavemynumberandgo)

Goshhowisherel
atedtotheMani
nblack?
issi
zwehisser
vant
?washesentbyhim?Ineed
answer
s..
Igeti
nourroom andI
'
m metbyNdoni
,she'
sseat
edinthecouchst
ari
ngint
ospace

Me:
Ndoni
(Ical
louthername)
MaNdoni
za(
Ical
loutagai
n)

Ndoni
:
Itol
dyoumynamedoesn'
thav
ecl
annames(
Chuckl
i
ng)

Me:
Arey
ououk?

Ndoni
:Bab'
mncanepassedawayy
est
erdayaf
terIl
eft
(Shecr
iesmi
ser
abl
y,i
mmedi
atel
yIf
orm
t
earst
oo)

Me:
I'
m sosor
ry,
you'
renotal
onei
fyouneedt
otal
kI'
m al
way
sher
efory
ou

Ndoni
:
Thanky
ou(
Shecal
msdownandwi
pehert
ear
s)canIasksomet
hing!
?(Inodmyhead)
Do
y
ouhav
esi
bli
ngs?
andwhati
syourmot
her
'sname?

*
Whywoul
dsheaskt
hat
?*i
t'
sli
kesher
eadmyt
hought
s

Her
:Thi
ngi
smyfatheraskedmet odosomet
askf
orhi
mjustsoher
est
sinpeace,
andt
hisi
s
par
tofi
tpl
easet
ellmeandI '
l
lexpl
ain

Me:
Ihav
ethr
eesibl
i
ngs,AyandaandBay
andat
heyar
etwi
nsandal
i
ttl
ebr
otherVusumuzi
,
my
mot
heri
sFezekaNgcobo

Her
:(
Herey
espoppedout
)Wher
e..
wher
edoy
oul
i
ve?

Me:
Mkomaas,
whydoy
ouask?

Ndoni
:
(Shehugsmeandmumbl
est
hankGoodness)

Me:
Okayoutwi
thwi
thy
ouscar
ingmenow

Ndoni
:
Myf
ather
,Bab'
mncanesai
dImustl
ookf
orhi
schi
l
dren

Me:
Il
ookar
ound"
And?
"

Ndoni:
Youarehi
ski
ds,
Ifi
rstsawyoureyes,
theyar
ej ustl
i
kehis,
andyourpoint
yyetsmal
l
ears,
youar
eacopyofhi
m, hesai
dheissorr
yandt hathelov
edy '
al
landalsosorr
yhewas
absenti
nyourl
iv
es

(
I'
m sti
llst
uckon"Youar
ehiskids"Ineverwantedtoknowmyf
atherbecauseoft
hewaymy
motherdescr
ibedhi
m,I'
m st
il
ldigesti
ngthisi
nformati
on)

Me:Soheleftus,
str
andedwithnoshelt
er,
foramodel women,andsay
sgoodby
ebeforeheeven
sayHytohischil
dren?YourBab'
mncaneNdoni heneverl
ovedus,i
fhedi
dhewoul
d'
v eprov
ided
forusbutnooooyouknowwhat ,
I'
m goingtorest
,by
e(Cry
ing)

sheal
sowentt
oherr
oom.

I
nser
t5

Iwakeup, myey esar eswal l

en"Youreyesar eswal l
enlikeahor nyv agina"that'swhatmymom
woul dsay ,
she'shil
ar i
ousImi sshershem. .
i'
m pr epari
ngt ogotocl ass,Ient erthebat hroom and
fi
ndNdoni inspectingherscar s,
thatareonherbackt hroughthemi rror
,andherr ightbreast
l
ooksl ikeitwasbur nt,
Whowoul dhurtherli
ket hat?shequickl
ycov ersher selfandshutt hedoor
tomyf ace,Ipr
epareusbr eakfast,
noodles,
2mi nuteslaterI'
m eat i
ng,shecomesout ,
Igetinsi
de
thebat hroom,got omyr oom wearmyDemi nJeanski r
t,Ni
keT-shi r
t,sandlesheadoutwi thout
sayinggoodby et oNdoni ,
Idon't
.knowwhyI 'm angryatherbecauseshei snott heonewhol ef
t
us,butherBab' mncanedi d,
Argclassproceedswi t
houtmehear ingwhatt helect uretal
ked
about .
.asIcomeoutf r
om classIpasssomeoneandIsenseadar kAur auni nv i
tingImustsay ,
I
tur
nandl ookatt hi
sguy ,
heturnsandourey esl ock,hequickl
ybr eakey econt act,
myhear ti
s
r
aci
ngsof
ast
..
Igeti
nourr
oom andIhearhersay

Ndoni:Bab'
mncane'
sVideoWi l
l,
will
bewatchedonsunday ,
Idon'
tknowwhatkindofalawy er
worksonasunday ,
AuntHazelwasn'tpl
easedthatitwasaVi deoandnotapaperwhichshe
coul
d'v
er epl
acedaft
eryourfat
her'
sdeath,
andIdon' tgetwhyI'
mt heenemyhere(
shesaysas
she'
stypingonherphone,
thenlooksatmewi t
har aisedeyebrowtoseewhetherIwasli
stening
ornot)

Me:(
Sigh)
Ihear
dyou,
I'
ll
tal
ktomymomandI
'
m sor
ryf
orbei
ngangr
yaty
ouatwhat
?Idon'
t
knowtoo

Ndoni
:
It'
sokey
,sowhenar
ewebuy
inggr
ocer
ieswecan'
tbeeat
ingnoodl
esev
ery
day

Me:
(Chuckl
e)Iwantt
orestbutI
'
llgi
vey
oumoney

Ndoni
:I'
l
lgobuyi
t

Me:
(Icomebackwi
thR1000)
it
'snotmuchbuti
twi
l
llastusamont
h

Ndoni
:
It'
l
llastus2mont
hs,
Idon'
teatt
hatmuch,
i
twi
l
lev
enr
ot

Me:
(Laughi
ng)Ohcomeonwithmehere,
foodi
snotsafeatal
l
,youshoul
dputawayy
our
f
avouri
tesnacksot
her
wiseI
'
m gonnabefeast
ingont
hem

Ndoni
:
(Laughi
ng)
Gosl
eepst
opdr
eami
ngonme

Me:
Sur
egi
rlhey

_
___
___
___
__

THORN'
spov

Mynamei sSy abongaNdl ovu,

ButIwasgivenanameTHORNwhenIwasi ntroducedt othecul t
,I
rememberitli
key esterday,Iwaspickpocket
ingbutthenIgotcaughttheguy, r
eversedoutof
thepol
icestati
on,Ifi
guredhechangedhi smi ndaboutgetti
ngmear rest
ed,
Iwasshi tscar ed,t
hen
Iwas20y earsnowI 'm 23,Hetookmet ohishouse,BackthenIneverunderst
oodengl ish,Inever
wenttoschool,becauseIwasast reetki
d,myfosterfat
herrapedmel i
keIwasoneofhi shoes
andherwifedidn'tcaresoIr anawayandhust l
edf ormysel
f..
theguygotinhishouset her ewas
agroupofpeopl eIcount ed3men, And1women, theguyspokewor dsfi
ll
edwi thauthorit
y

Guy
:Het
ri
edt
opi
ckpocketme,
Ibr
oughthi
m her
esoy
oucoul
ddeci
dehi
sfat
e

(
Hev
ani
shedupst
air
s)

Iwasl
eftwi
thwi
thf
ourey
esl
ooki
ngatme,
thewomenspoke

Women:
Weshoul
dsacr
if
icehi
m
Men1:
NoIt
hinkweshoul
dusehi
mtoki
dnapv
irgi
nsandt
heGi
ft
edgi
rl
s,
I'
mti
redt
odot
hej
ob
now

Men2:
Goodi
dea,
Iagr
eewi
thLi
nda

Women:
Ist
il
lthi
nkweshoul
dsacr
if
icehi
m

Linda: Itr
ulydon'
tknowhowi nthewor l
ddi dweagr eeforthiswomentojoi
nourcul t
,she'
sli
kea
fl
yt haty oumi st
akenlykissyoubel ike"ptptpptpt
ptpt"
tr
yingtospi
toutandwi peyour
mout h,she'
sannoying,
inkinga(Problem i
s)youdon'tthi
nkwenaHazel,Notthatyoudon't
think,youdon'tknowhowt othi
nki t
'sal
lbeaut ywit
hnobr ainswit
hyou(Hesay ssi
ppingonhis
whi skey )

Hazel
:(
Keepsquietf
oramomentthi
nkingoftheresponse)YouknowLinday ourwif
eissucha
sai
ntIwonderwhatwoul
dshesaywhenIt el
lherYOUki l
lforri
ches,
andthatyousacri
fi
cedyour
babygi
rlwhi
lstshewasi
nherwomb,andallt
heser eachesarebecauseofher(Shesmir
ks)

Men2:
Idon'
tgetwhyy
'al
lfi
ght
ing

Hazel
:
Thul
a(ShutupSkhumbuzo)

Li
nda:
I'
m-or
ry(
Mumbl
es)

Hazel
:
Whatwast
hat
?

Li
nda:
I'
m sor
ryj
eez

Hazel
:
Thanky
ou

Men3:
Nowt
hatwedonet
easi
ng,
canwegetbackt
othepoi
nt

Hazel
:
Ithi
nkLI
NDAhasabestopt
ionDuduzani

Duduzani
:per
fect

Theguycamedownst
air
s

Li
nda:
Atl
astt
hemi
ght
yKi
l
lerf
ini
shesmast
urbat
ing(
theyal
ll
augh)

Kil
l
er:
Looksatt
hem wi
thadi
sgust
edl
ook,
andsay
s"Hav
ey'
al
ldeci
ded,
andwenaLi
nda
ngi
zok'
nyi
sa"

Li
nda:
Laughi
ng"
Haubaf
oI'
m ki
ddi
ng"

Hazel
:
Wedeci
dedweusehi
mforki
dnappi
nggi
rl
sforus

Ki
l
ler
:Good,
whowi
l
ltr
ainhi
m?

(
I'
m qui
etal
lthi
sti
menotknowi
ngwhatt
heyt
alki
ngaboutonl
yhear
ing"
Ngzokuny
isa"
)
Theyal
ll
ookatKi
l
lerwi
tha"
Dur
h"f
ace

Ki
l
ler:
Rolli
nghi
seyes"
Hy potheti
call
yI'
l
lagr
ee,
j
ustsoIt
eachhi
m al
esson"
(hesay
slooki
ngat
me,
itfel
tli
ket
heyaret
alkingfrench)

Ki
l
ler
:Soboywhatdoy
out
hinkabouty
ourposi
ti
on?
(Looksatmewi
thdar
key
es)

Me:Ang'
kuzwaBhutangy
azi
emhl
ophengazi
emny
amaengadabul
akuy
o(Idon'
tknowengl
i
shI
knowZulu)

Ki
l
ler
:Ngi
thiUzi
zwaunjani
nges'
khundl
aesikuphaSona(
Isai
dhowdoy
ouf
eel
aboutt
heposi
ti
on
wegaveyou)Actual
l
yyazi
niJI
MMY( Shout
st hename)

Ji
mmyt
heser
vantcomesr
unni
ng

Ji
mmy
:Yessi
r(Looki
ngdown)

Ki
l
ler
:Br
ingmet
heannouncementoi
l
(Ji
mmygoesandcomebackwi
tht
heoi
l
)

Ki
ll
er:
(I
t'sbl
ood,t
hebloodofthosewhoweresacr
ifi
ced,
andtheMember softheculthefir
st
pr
ayedf ori
tinalanguageIdon'
tknow)
Dri
nk,
ImeanPhuza!!!
(Li
tt
ledi
dtheyknowt hattheboy
wi
llat
tractaverypowerful
,
Darkfor
ceacopyofLuci
fer,
hehasmor epowerthenhi
sl eader
s)

Iopenedmymouthanddrank,
ifel
tli
kemysouli
sbei
nggr
abbedf
rom mybody
,myey
est
urned
pal
e,t
henwentst
rai
ghtt
oblack.
.Ibowedmyhead

Ki
ll
er:Wel
cometoourcul
tyouar
enowanewmemberIwil
lnameyouTHORNbecausey
ouwi
l
l
i
nfi
lt
ratet
hesoul
nottheski
n,
wel
comet
oourwor
ld(
Theyal
lchantt
hesamewor
ds)

Theysentmet oschoolDUTtokidnapgirl
sIhaven'tstart
edy et
,withoutanyquali
ficat
ionsIdon't
knowhowt heypull
edthatout.
.t
hisotherdayImetmychosenone, she'sspeci
al,
Shehasagi f
t
powerfulonebutdoesn'tknow,whatsheknowsist hev i
sionsshekeepshav i
ngofme. .Ikeep
i
nvadingherdr eamsbutnotinmyhumanf orm,
Iwant edtoappr oachherbutscar edofhergi f
t
Sheisablet oreadthr
oughpeople,Icanbl
ockmyr eallif
ef r
om beingr eveal
edtoherbyav oi
ding
heratall
cost s.
.

I
NSERT:
6

Aweekgoesbysofast
,I
t'
sSatur
daymorningI'
m goi
nghome.i
packedabagbutNdoni
wil
l
comewi
thitwhenwe'r
eheadedtoJohannesbur
gsheoffer
edtogi
veusari
de.

nowI '
minataxitoMkomaasit'
sgonnabeal ong45mi nutesandsomel adi
esatthebackare
cracki
ngmyheadapparentl
yshehadsexi ntheshowerwi t
hherboy fr
iendandtheyfel
lwhi
leat
i
tnowt heboyf
ri
endbrokehismachine,t
hedoctorsaystheymustwai t6weeksandshehas
beengett
ingi
telsewheresi
ncethen,nowshethinksshe'spregnant
.yhoIcan'twaitt
ogetoff
.

Fi
nal
l
yI'
m atmyst
oep,
Igethomet
hedoori
sopenwi
dehav
ethesepeopl
eev
erhear
dofdai
l
y
robber
y?Iguesst
hey
'l
lbel
i
evei
twheni
thappenst
othem.
Mom i
sint
heki
tchencooki
ngchi
cken
shesee'smeandtal
ks

Mom:OhnowI'
ll
gettot
akeabr
eak,
you'
l
lcont
inuecooki
ng"
Shesay
sheadedt
oherr
oom and
comesbackHai
bo"

Me:
Hawumamaal
i
ttl
ehowar
eyoumydaught
erwoul
d'
vebeenbet
ter
"IsayShaki
ngmyhead"

Mom:
Youar
efi
ne,
Icanseet
hatmos

Me:
YhoIgi
veup

Mom:Cookt
hatchi
ckendon'
tdenyussomesal
t,
Iboughti
tatt
hatf
arkhona(
Cor
ner
)ngeR65
i
Chi
ckeneyi
1butit
'swr
it
tenCHICKENS

Me:
Kant
imamahowmanydi
dyout
hinky
ou'
l
lget
?

Mom:My be3,
Imeant
heycan'
twr
it
eSt
oCheckenandt
henwemustexpect1chi
ckenhay
ithey
notf
air

Me:
"Chuckl
i
ng"
OukMa

Mom:Ithoughtofsel
l
ingmyor
gans,
myhear
t,
ki
dney
,Andmyl
i
ver
,butIhear
daki
dneyi
smor
e
val
uabl
e"Shesaysseri
ous"

"
Ilookather
,andl
augh"

Mom:
What
'sf
unny
?

Me:
Mah-
wer
hhowwi
l
lyouchowt
hatmoneyi
fyou'
redead?

Mom:
Whosai
dI'
l
ldi
e,
MaBhengudownt
her
oadsol
dherki
dneyandshe'
sal
i
ve

Me:
Didsheal
sosel
lherhear
t"
Laughi
ng"

Mom:
Wel
lnoIj
ustt
houghtwhynotsel
lmostofmyor
gans

Me:
Ouksel
lthem wewi
l
luset
hemoneyt
obur
yyou"
Ilaugh"

Mom:
IfIdon'
tfi
ndsal
tint
hatchi
cken,
ther
e'l
lbehel
ltopay
"Shegoest
oherr
oom andsl
eep"

"Idi
dn'
tevengett
otel
lherwhyI
'
m her
e,by12:
00weshoul
dbeont
her
oad,
Shewakesupaf
ter
anhour"

Me:
Icameher
eforar
eason"
Seat
ingdownont
hechai
r"

Mom:
Youar
epr
egnantar
en'
tyou?

Me:
Youwi
sh.
"It
ell
herev
ery
thi
ngf
rom t
hedr
eamst
othewi
l
landmyf
atherbei
ngpoi
soned"
Mom:
Ther
e'sawi
l
l,
whyar
ewest
il
lher
emy
beI
'
minawi
l
ltoo"
Exci
ted"

Me:"
Somehav i
ngsuchdreamsdon'
tmattert
oher,
al
lshehear
dmesayi
ngwasWI LLwow"
Hawuyou'
renotgonnabeangr
yevenonebitt
hathedi
edbefor
eapol
ogi
zi
ng?"
Frowning"

Mom:
No.
wheni
syourf
ri
endf
etchi
ngusl
etmegopack"
Shest
andsupandl
eav
e

Me"
Ishakemyheadchuckl
i
ng"
Ineedt
odoaDNAt
est
,shecan'
tbemymot
her
,shemustr
esi
gn
f
rom Mother
hood.

Ndonif
etchesusf
rom Townheadedt
oJohannesbur
gwehadt
oleav
emybr
otherwi
thhi
s
f
ather
.

mysist
er'
sareexci
ted,
meont
heot
herhandI
'
m ner
vousIdon'
tthi
nkwe'
l
lbewel
comedt
her
e.I
f
eelali
tt
leshakenabit
.

Me:
Ndoni
ist
her
eanot
herRoadwecant
ake?
*Iaskwor
ri
ed*

Ndoni
:
Yesbuti
t'
sal
ongerdi
stance.
Why
?*Rai
sedey
ebr
ow*

Me:
Pleaseuset
hel
ongeroneIf
eel
li
keweshoul
dn'
tuset
heusual
road,
i
t'
sforoursaf
etypl
ease!

Ndoni:
Okayf
inebutyou'
l
ldr
ivewheni
tget
sdar
k,Idon'
tgetwhywehadt
odr
ive.
Icoul
d'
ve
bookedusbusti
cket
s.

Bay
anda:
Igwal
ales'
l
imal
esi
!

Me:
Uthi
niwenaSj
umbane?

Bay
anda:
*Keptqui
te,
rol
l
edherey
es*

_
___
___
___
__

Hazel
'
sPov

I
'v
ebeenwait
ingformyguystorepor
tthem dead,
butno!not
hing.
ihopet
heydot
hej
ob
ot
her
wiseI
'
llpoi
sonthosebrat
sjustl
ikethei
rfat
her.

Ior
der
edmyguy
stohi
j
ackt
hem andki
l
lthem al
l
.acal
lcomest
hroughIanswer

Me:
Isi
tdone?

Cal
l
er:
Seemsl
i
ket
heyusedadi
ff
erentr
out
e,andwe'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
hei
rcarwi
thnol
uck
Mem.

Me:*
Screamssoloudbangingt
hetabl
e"Ar
hhhhhhhhhhFUCKYOUYou' reFir
edFi
lhol
á
put
a(Sonofabi
tch)*
Switchedt
hephoneoff,
cal
mingher
sel
fdown*
IguessIhavet
odoitmy
sel
f.
*
Shewai
tedt
il
lshef
ell
asl
eep,
andwokeupi
nthemor
ning*

I
'm suretheyar
eherenow,
Whoeverget
sthebi
ggestst
akedi
es,
andwhoev
erget
sthet
inyst
ake
di
est oo*
Laughing*
GoshI'
m soev
il
.

Geor
ge'
sMot
heri
scomi
ngt
oo,
she'
sanui
sanceshemustf
oll
owhersonandbeanancest
or.

Theyar
eal
li
nmydinni
ngroom,
eati
ngmyf ood,
andseatedonmyexpensi
vechai
rs.
Ifeel
li
ke
st
rangl
i
ngt
hem f
ordodgi
ngabul
letyest
erday
.*Fakesasmil
eandwal
ksforwar
d*

Me:
Wel
lhel
l
owFAMI
LY*
theyt
urnandl
ookatherandgr
eetback*

Me:
Wel
comehome,
beaut
if
ulpeopl
e.Ndoni
whenwi
l
lthel
awy
erar
ri
ve?

Ndoni
:
30mi
nut
esf
rom now

Me:
Ohokeypl
easecal
lmewhenhear
ri
ves

Ndoni
:
Aren'
tyougonnaeat
?

Me:
NoI
'
m nothungr
y

*
Inherbedr
oom,
dial
i
nganumber
*

Me:
Thor
nli
stent
her
e'ssomeoneIneedy
out
oki
l
l,y
ou'
rei
nJohannesbur
gri
ght
?

Thor
n:Yes,
whoi
sit
?

Me:I
'
llt
ell
youaft
ert
hel
awy
eri
sdoner
eadi
ngt
hewi
l
l*Cal
lended*
Iwonderwhowi
l
lgett
he
bi
ggestst
ake.

I
NSERT7

Mbal
i
'sPov

Thelawyerhasar r
ived,hel
ookssodourli
kev er
yveryser
iousandunfri
endlyIguessi
tgoeswith
thejobdescri
pti
on,sothatpeopl
ewon'tl
ookdownony ou,hegreet
sandweheadt ot
heoff
ice
thatwasmyf ather'
s,heset
tlest
heproj
ectorandsit
sdowndoi ngsomethingonhis
computer,
thenlookatus.

Lawyer:
Tothosewhodon'tknowmeI 'm Nat
hiZamdela,IwasMrCel
e'sl
awyerandwell
it'
ssad
hehadtoleavesosoon,
I'
l
l st
artbyexpl
aini
ngthatal
lthatwil
lbesai
dbythedeceasedi
s
Ori
ginal
andmayev er
yoneacceptandnotquestiont
hedeceased,Hehas..
..

*
Hazel
int
err
upt
ed*

Hazel
:
Eyeyeygost
rai
ghtt
othepoi
ntwhatdi
dmyhusbandl
eav
eforus?
(Annoy
ed)
Nathi
:
NowMr sCel
edon'
texasperateme,
butI
'
llgetst
rai
ghttot
hepoi
ntbecauseIdon'
thave
ti
metoo,
hehaslef
tavi
deosoI'l
lturni
tonwewi l
lal
lwatch*
Hetur
nsonthevideoandaface
showsuphe'
sinbedasheismaki ngt
hevi
deo*

"
Hel
ooksj
ustl
i
kemeandt
het
wins,
Iseet
hepoi
ntyear
sNdoni
ment
ionedandt
heey
es"

Geor ge:Test ingt esti

nghel l
o*Hechuckl es*YheaIdon' tknowhowt hiswor ksbutify ou're
watchi ngt henI 'm dead,IhopeIdon' tmeett hoseugl yr el
ati
vesinheav enMom " Geor ge'sMom
shedsat earandsmi l
e"Wel lIdon'thav emucht imeast her
ear epeopl ewhoar eoutt herefor
mybl ood,Ijustwantt osayI '
m sorr yIlefty '
allmychildrenIhopey '
allf
or gi
veme, Ileft3f actori
es
tomydaught erst heNutf actorytoBay anda, SportswearFact orytoAy anda,andHai r(Wigs)
factoryt oMbal i,
theywi llhaveassessoft hef actori
eswhent heyare23, thatwayt hey '
l
lgett ime
tolear nabouthowt hi
ngswor k.
ialsolef t250mi l
li
oninmyaccountwhi chwillbespl i
tamongst
4peopl e,Ay anda, Bayanda, Mbaliandt hei rmot herFezekaNgcobo. The3st at
es,Mom Igi vey ou
thehousei nCol umbi abecausey oual way ssaidy ouwant edt otravel
.FezekaIbel i
ev ey ouwi ll
takecar eofmyki dsther eforethehousei sinMbal i
'sName, theonei nJohannesbur gwher eI
tookmyl astbr eath.ToNdoni Il
eav emypent houseinDubai toy ournameaDy esDubai isnota
count ry*Chuckl ing*deat hispl ayi
nggameswi thme,Nowt hecar stomymom, Mbal iandNdoni ,I
haveshar esi nt heLogi sticcompanyIgi vet hoseshar estoSizweCel e,Sizwey ouar enotmyson
buty ouar est i
l
l mychi l
dandIdon' twanty out osufferbecausey oudon' tcar
ryhat redwi thy ou.
I
l
ov ey ouev eryon. .
..
.

*
Bamm!
!!
Thescr
eengoesbl
ack,
becauseHazel
shott
hepr
oject
or*

Gogo:
Arey
ounut
ts,
whatwast
heneedt
oacter
rat
ic?

Hazel
:
*Flabbergasted"
Thisisbanal
he'
dneverdothist
ome* Holdsherhead*SoHe..
.He.
.He
bamboozledme, hetol
dmewe' remarr
iedi
ncommuni tyofpr
opertybuthetr
ickedme,heli
ed,
I
l
ovedhim,Iforgavehim*Sheenumarat
esever
ythi
ngshedidforherhusband*Youknowwhat
Fucky'
al
l I
'm outofhere*Shel
eavesswayi
ngherroundbutt
,Lumkaf ol
lowscryi
ng*

I
'm seat
edhereAwe,
weal
lknowthatI
'M OUTOFHEREmeansI'M COMI
NGBACK,
shewon'
tlet
goofthis,
nev
er.
Wemustbecar
eful
*Thelawyert
ell
sushowev
erythi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
oworkand
thenhelef
t*

Mom:
Yourf
atherwasagr
eatmen

*Ohsonowheleav
eshi
sasset
stoy
ouandushet
ransf
ormsf
rom Badt
oGood,
mom i
s
unbel
i
evabl
e*

Me:
Ahha*
Ileav
eherandgot
omyRoom andsl
eep*

Me:
Nopl
easedon'
ttouchme"
Scr
eami
ngandcr
ying*

Shadow:
I'
mtr
yingt
opr
otecty
ou,
becal
m pl
easet
her
ear
epeopl
ewhowantt
ohur
tyou
Me:
Who,
whowoul
dwantt
ohur
tme?
whathav
eIdonet
othem?
whoar
eyou?

Shadow:
Theyar
epower
ful
butI
'
m mor
epower
ful
andt
heydon'
tknowt
hatshewant
sal
lofy
ou
dead,
H..
..
..

*
Ifeel
someoneshaki
ngme*

Me:
Noooo,
wai
twhowant
stohur
tus

Ndoni
:
Heyheyheynoonei
shur
ti
ngy
oui
t'
sokey
*Rocki
ngme,
andwi
pingmysweat
*

Ndoni
:
Youwer
edr
eami
ngbabe

Me:
i
tfel
tsor
eal
,
weshoul
dwat
choutNdoni

Ndoni
:Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappenr
elax

_
___
___
___
_

Meanwhi
l
eHazel
wentandmetwi
tht
hecul
tmember
s

Li
nda:
Soy
ousay
inghel
efty
ounot
hing?
*Hel
aughs*
youaconni
vi
ngbi
tcht
hat
'swhy
.

Hazel:
Ohshutup*Poundi
nghead*Iwantt
oki
ll
them al
l
,there'
sthi
sonecal
ledMbaliasy '
al
l
knowasacultandannointedmemberswecanseeaper sonwhohasagift.
thatgi
rlhasagif
t
themostpowerfuloneIf
elti
tatt
heoffi
ceweneedherblood,i
twil
lmakeusrichpl
usshe'sa
vir
gin.

Skhumbuzo:
Andy
ouknowt
hathow?
*Rai
sedey
ebr
ow*

Hazel
:
Youcant
ell
bet
weenav
irgi
nandahoe,
j
ustbyt
hewayt
hei
rbodi
esar
e.

Li
nda:
Iguessyouadmityouahoe,
Imeanl ookatyourbody
*Looki
ngatherupanddown,
wit
ha
di
sgust
edface*shem r
ott
enappl
e*Laughsstandi
ngup*

Hazel
:
*Shotadeat
hst
areatLi
nda,
a'Don'
tyoudar
emel
ook'
*

Li
nda:
Finey
ou'
rebeaut
if
ul*
Sar
casm*

Hazel
:
That
'
smor
eli
kei
t.
..
Ical
l
edThor
nforaj
obwher
eishe?

*
Kil
l
ershowsupendi
ngacal
l
*

Ki
l
ler
:Whatwer
ey'
al
ltal
ki
ngabouti
nmyhouse?

Li
nda:Ohwellsomeonedidn'
tgetacentfr
om hermarri
age,
sheshoul
d'v
emarri
edmy
grandf
atherhewasthemostgivi
ngpersonever,
youwouldbeadruglordwi
thyourowncar
tel
s
butNooooy ouref
usedandmar r
iedahustl
erwholef
tyounothi
ng*Rol
li
nghi
sey es*
Hazel
:
I'
m war
ningy
ouLi
nda

Li
nda:
What
ever
,Ki
l
lerwher
eisThor
n?

Ki
l
ler
:*Shaki
nghi
shead*
He'
sonhi
sway
,comeguy
slet
'sgowat
cht
hemat
ch.

Li
nda:I
fmyteam winsyouandSkhumbuzowil
lbuymeacardeal
?ohIdi
dn'
tcounty
ouHAZEL
becausewel
ltheyl
efty
ounothi
ng*Laughi
ng*

Skhumbuzo:
For
geti
tyou'
renotget
ti
ngany
thi
ngwi
tht
hatat
ti
tude

Ki
l
ler
:Yhaf
orgeti
t

Li
nda:
Iwaski
ddi
ng,
nowwi
l
lyoubuyme?

Skhumbuzo:
Stopdr
eami
ng

Li
nda:
*Tur
nedt
ohazel
andwhi
sper
ed*
I'
m gonnagety
ouf
ort
his.

*
Hazel
remai
nsbehi
ndl
aughi
ngatt
hisi
diotbei
ngani
diot
*

Hazel
:
Theki
ngofSt
upi
diot
smxm

*
**I
'
llposti
nser
t8t
omor
row,
Ihopet
hisi
sgood*
**

I
NSERT:
8

Mbal
i
'spov

Gogoforcedustogotochur chwithherlateraft
erthelawyerl
eft
,Isayf
orcedbecauseInever
att
endedchurchandIdon'twantto.Ibel
ievethereisaGodbuthel etmesufferwhil
stmyfather
andhisfakeki
dswereli
vingal av
ishlif
e,t
hent hesamef at
hercomesbackclaimingusathis
deathbedandIdon'
tknowhowi sitGod'sfaultbutiti
sanyway.

Wegetinsi
det
hechur
ch,
ther
e'sal
otofpeopl
eher
e,t
heser
vicest
artandguesswhat
?If
all
asl
eepwhenhesay
sGodLov esus.
.

notthatIf
ell
asleepbutpr
etendedtobesleeping,
Ayandawakesmeat hiImustaccompanyher
totheloo,
shetakest
oolongIdon'tmindthoughIhopeIgetthereandtheservi
cewil
lbe
over,
she'
sdonelucki
lyIwasrightt
hesermonser vi
ceorwhateverwasover*
Sigh*

Igeti
nsi
det
olookf
orGogo,
thenal
adyt
apsmyshoul
der
,Il
ookbacksheshi
ver
sandsay

Lady
:Whyar
eyour
efusi
ngGod?

Me:
*Fr
own*
Excuseme?
?
Lady:
KerewhyoRef userFatherGod?Helovesyouandallthathedidwast oprot
ecty
ouand
yoursi
bli
ngsfrom anevilf
orce,butnotanymorebecausethetrut
hisout.
thereasonyouno
l
ongerdream whathappenedandwhati sabouttohappenisbecauseyouf or
sakent
heabove

Youmychi l
d,y
ouhaveaGi ftandyoursispr eci
oust
hat'
swhyyou'
l
lgothr
oughwhatwi l
lcome
yourway,
bestrongalongthewaydar kforcesaregoi
ngtocomefory
ourbloodbutbestrong
havefai
thi
nGod, Godaboveallmychi l
d.Prayandyou'
l
lfeel
li
keGodi
sYourtherapi
st,
your
shoul
dertocryon.Helovesyoudon'tforsakehim.

*
Shel
eav
esmest
andi
ng,
looki
ngatherasshewal
ksoutoft
hechur
ch*

Shespokeinri
ddl
es,Howdidsheknowaboutthedr
eams? ,
soIhaveaGi
ft?canIbri
ngbackmy
dadfrom t
hedead?canImakemymot herl
oveme?.
..Idon'
twantt
heGif
tifall
thosethi
ngs
aren'
tgoi
ngtohappen.

Gogo:
We'
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
ory
ouMi
ssPoi
ntyear
s*Chuckl
i
ng*

i
stayqui
et

Bay
anda:
Yinwenawaqhunsul
aamehl
o(What
swr
ongwi
thy
ou,
poppi
ngy
ourey
esout
)

Mom:
Ngi
zok'
nyi
sawenaBay
anda(
I'
ll
hity
ou)

Me:I
t'
sokeymom,I
'mf
inej
ustt
houghtIsawaGhostl
ooki
ngatBay
andasay
ingi
t'
l
lcomef
orher
atni
ght*
Chuckl
e*

Bay
anda:
*Scar
ed*
Whatwhyme,
whynotAy
andaorYou?

Me:
Becausey
out
alkt
oomuch,
andt
alkbadt
oyourel
der
s

Bay
anda:
Cany
out
ell
itI
'
llst
op,
please?
*Puppyey
es*

Me:
Fine*
laughi
ng*

Gogo:
Amen

Wegothome,
nowMe,TheTwi
ns,
Mom,
andNdal
oar
eonourwayt
odur
ban.
ihopet
her
ewon'
tbe
any
thi
ngpl
annedf
orus.

_
___
___
__

THORN'
spov

Ij
ustgotoutf r
om themeeti
ngwit
htheculttheyaret
ell
ingmet okil
lMbali
mychosenoneand
hersibl
ings.
ButI'
m notgoi
ngtodothatI
'm notabeasttothoseIholddear
,I
'
llj
usthav
etodel
ay
i
t.i
'
lldealwit
hwhoev ert
heysendt
okidnaporkill
myl ov
edones.

Ki
l
ler
scal
lcomest
hrough
Me:
Heybr
omi
ssmeal
ready
?

Kil
ler:
*Laughi
ng*Youwish..
Iwantedtot
el l
y ouwe'l
lbecomi ngt
oDurbant
omorrow,
wewantthat
j
obdonebyt omorrow,
kil
lthetwi
nsandt hemot her,
butki
dnapMbali.
WeneedherGi
ftsowe
can'tj
ustkil
lherj
ustli
kethat.
ohandIsawt hatAngeriny
oureyeswhenHazelment
ionedher
name. Don'
tblowthisf
oruswewi llber
ich,andpower f
ull
ikebef
ore

Me:
Youar
epower
ful
brot
her
*Li
es*

Ki
l
ler
:Weal
lknowt
hat
'snott
rue,
you'
ret
heonl
yonewhoi
s.

Me:
FineI
'
lldoi
tjustdon'
tpr
essur
eme

Ki
l
ler
:Tomor
rowat17:
00wewantMbal
ii
nourwar
ehouse.
*Endscal
l
*

Ir
espectKi
l
lerIt
reathi
mli
keanuncl
e,
butdoi
ngt
hej
obIdon'
tknow,
I
'l
lhav
etodeci
de.

I
'
vel
andedi
nDur
ban.

I
nt hemorni
ngIbathandprepar
eforthel
ecture,
I
'm st
udyingPsy
chologybecausewel
lIcan
readpeopl
e,
Iwould'
vebecameonewithoutthequal
ifi
cat
ionsbutpr
ofessi
onali
sm i
smy
name,pl
usIwasforcedt
ocomest udyhere,
Ihadtochooseacourse.

OnmywayIseeMbal
ital
ki
ngt
osomeguy
.Angerbui
l
dsuponme,
Igoov
ert
othem.

Me:
Heybabe*
Smi
l
ingandki
ssedheronherchi
ck*

Mbal
i
:*Fl
abber
gast
ed*
Urhm Excusey
ou?

Me:
Babewhoar
ewet
alki
ngt
oher
e?whoar
eyoudude*
Thedudej
ustl
eftandshookhi
shead*

Mbal
i
:Whoar
eyouandwhyar
eyoubei
ngf
orwar
d?*
Angr
y*

Me:
Whatwer
eyout
alki
ngabout
?*St
ernl
y*

Mbali
:
Mindthebusinessthatpay
sy ou,ohhwai
tyoustudy
ing,
mindt
heNSFASt
hatpay
syouand
l
eavemealonenikka*Leavi
ngThorn,t
henhegrabsherbyherarm*

Me:
IfIeverseeyouwi
thanyguyIpromi
seI
'
llki
l
lev
eryguyi
nthi
scampusandev
eryguyal
lov
er
t
hewor l
d,y
ouareminegett
hatMine!

*
Ileav
eherdumdst
ruck*

Okeywhatt
hef uckj
usthappened,
whydi dIactli
keabitch!
?Yhongimoshil
e(Ruinedt
hing)
what
i
fnowshethinksI'
m apsycho,
thestr
ategywast obefr
iendher.Dar
nitThorndudearhIhavet
o
apol
ogi
zeI'
l
lgoov erherr
oom ka18:00.Isentsomeonet owatchoverherf
amily.

_
___
___
_

I
nthemeant
imeThecul
tiswai
ti
ngf
ort
hepackaget
oar
ri
vebutnot
hingi
t'
sal
ready5pm,
they
sendoneoftheguyst
ogokidnapher
,hecameaf
ter30mi
nut
eswi
thher
,hedr
uggedher
becauseshewantedt
oscr
eam.

Hazel
:
Wellwellwel
ll
ookwhatwegother
e*Smi
rki
ng*
It'
sni
cet
obeaty
ourpr
esencebutnotf
or
l
ongbabygiel
..
..
.

SERT:
9

MBALI
'
SPOV

I'
m wokenupbycol dwat er,
Ionl ydrinkcoldwat er
,whohast heaudacit
yt othrowcol dwatertoa
l
ady ,
andIdon'tgetwhyIkeeponr epeati
ngt hewor dcoldwater.
ifi
t'
sNdoni t
henI '
llbookhera
ti
ckett oj
oinherBab'mncane, Iopenmyey esit'
sdarkinhere,I
'
m naked.nowIr emember
someoneki dnappedmey esterday .i
'm socalm Idon'tknowwhy ,
Ishouldbescr eamingand
pleadingbutno,
Ididn'tevendr eam t hatI
'dhav esuchanencount erIguessi t
'sbecauseIhav e
forsakenGod.I
'm sorr
yGodIpr omi seyouI'll
got ochurchonceay earjustletmel eaveoutmy
GiftAmen.Whatashor tprayer.
there'sav oiceofmenandawomencomi nginsideit'
ssti
ll
dark,I
'minthespotli
ght.Shespeaks

"
Iseey
ou'
vegr
ownMonkeyhai
rnunu"

Il
aughmi
ser
abl
y

"
Whyi
sshel
aughi
ng,
didy
oumakehersmokeweedLi
nda?
"sheasks

"
IswearIdi
dn'
t"
Iguesst
hat
'sLi
nda,
Irepl
y

Me:NoIwasjustl
aughingatsomet
hing,
IonceaskedmymotherwhydoIhavehairi
nmyprivat
e
par
t,
andshesaid"Thatmychil
disMonkeyhair
,i
tshowsy
ourmonkeyisgrowi
ng"soIwentout
tovi
si
tmyneighbouran..
..
*Womeninter
rupt
ed*

"
Ohshutupsav
ethatbul
lshi
tst
oryf
ory
ourl
ousyancest
ors"

"
Letherf
ini
sh,
Cont
inueGoj
as(
Gor
geous)
"anot
hermanr
epl
i
es

Me:
SoasIwassayi
ng,IwenttomyneighbourZuki
Itol
dherIhaveMonkeyhai
randshesai
d
"
That
'sni
ce.
Mineal
readyeatsbanana"
*Il
augh,
andthemanfoll
ow*

"
Thatwasn'
tfunny
"*Iknowt
hev
oicebutcan'
trecal
li
t*

"
Tel
lyourf
ri
endIhav
ebananat
oshar
etoo"

"
Shutup,
didy
ouev
enbat
h?y
ouev
ensmel
lofweedy
ousmokej
oint
sal
onenow"
Man

"Dudebathi
ngevery
dayisf
orathei
sts,
weChr i
sti
anshavebeenwashedbyt hebl
oodofJesus
there'
snoneedtobathomnimbusl
y,
andy esIsmokeaj oi
ntalonesowhat?p-
sh.
.Manyouknow
aftersmoki
ngitIdr
ank1Lofvi
negarthi
nkingit
'swine,
aft
erthatIdr
ankRussi
anbeer,
boyt
hat
thi
ngwill
makeyoui
ntr
oduceyoutoyour
sel
fdon'
ttr
yit"*
Laughing*
hecontinues"
Sowenamiss
Gojasyoust
udy
ingl
awnhe,y
oulawyerswal
kli
keY'
allcansett
letheissuebetweenGodand
satan"

Il
aughcanIseet
hesepeopl
eal
ready

Me:
Cany
'al
ltur
nont
hel
i
ght
s

"
Tur
nont
hel
i
ght
s"women

*
Light
stur
non*
IseeHazel
,
ther
estIsawt
hem atmyf
ather
'sbur
ial
,
hewasbur
iedf
astshem.

Hazel
:
Seemenowput
á(Bi
tch)
?*smi
l
ing*

Me:
WhywasIki
dnapped*
Cal
m*

Guy
:HyI
'
m ki
l
lert
hisi
sLi
nda,
SkhumbuzoandDuduzani
itwasni
cemeet
ingy
ou*
Smi
l
ing*

Me:
Likewi
se*
Str
aightf
ace*
Nowt
ell
met
her
easonI
'
m her
e

Duduzani
:
She'
stoof
orwar
dlet
'ski
l
lheral
ready
*Annoy
ed*

Hazel
:
No, l
et'
stel
lhershegonn'
dueanyway.
.Sosweetheart
,Iwantmyhousethat
'si
ny our
name,
thecompani esandthemoney
,Pl
usifwesacri
fi
cey ouwewi l
lber
ichert
henbefore,
your
gi
ftat
tract
edus

Me:
Ohr
eal
l
y*Act
ingt
ough,
Butt
rut
hful
l
yI'
m scar
ednow*
Goaheadl
et'
sseewhaty
ougot

Ki
l
ler
:*Poi
nti
ngagun*

Hazel
:
Haimannoty
et,Thinkbef
orey
ouact,y
ou'r
est
upidf
oraleadery
aznxa.
wehav
etocal
lthe
Newmakhosi
wehired,cal
lhi
minhe'
sfi
nishingmybi
scui
ts*
Orderi
ng*

Themakhosicomes,honest
lyIfeel
likelaughi
ngt
hismakhosil
ookssoIdon'tknowbutsooo
nj
er.
..
He'swear
ingsneaker
s,atornt
-shir
tandacapwiththebeadsandahorsetail
hol
ding
amathamboandImpepho

Ki
l
ler
:Dot
her
it
ual
fastMakhosi

Makhosi :
*Heburnsi
mpephoandbl owsomeairinsi
dethebagf ul
lofbones,t
ell
sev er
yoneto
blow,evenmehehe*Yodarkf orcesiy
eyi
hiyodeadhomi esI'
m outcheawithyocultmembers
herean' t
hegift
edchi
ckan'shit.
Nowi maburnt
hispovertyweedagai nandy'
allgon'gui
deme
skrrdarnit.
Makhowsii
yowsayVUMAYNIBOW * Theyhesitat
ebutsayi t*
Thedar kfor
cesdead
homi eshearyousayskr
rnaw* Theysayskr
r*

I
'
mlaughi
ngl
i
keani
diot
.sot
heygotaskr
rMakhosi
wuha.
ahi
yhomhm mhm

t
heMakhosi
packsupandl
eav
e

Hazel
:
Whatt
hef
uck!
Wher
eint
hecount
rydi
dyouf
indt
hatshi
t?*
Angr
ybutl
aughi
ng*
Li
nda:
att
hest
reet
*Laughi
ng*

Duduzani
:Ar
ewegonnakil
lherorwhat
?andwasn'
tthatMakhosi
supposedt
odomor
eher
e?l
i
ke
i
ntr
oducingthi
sgi
rl
sbodypiecest
otheDEADHOMI ES?

Skhumbuzo:
Ithi
nkhet
ri
ckedus,
butwe'
l
ldoi
tour
sel
ves,
wedon'
thav
eti
meIhav
eaf
ami
l
yto
l
ove*Smil
i
ng*

Ki
l
ler
:Udl
i
siwewena(
You'
ref
edl
ovepor
ti
on)

Skhumbuzo:
Jeal
ousy

*
Ist
artpr
ayi
ngmanyt
imes*

Ki
l
ler
:*Hasanaxei
nhi
shand,
Ical
luponmyancest
orsandsayGod'
snamer
epeat
edl
y*

Thenheshootst
hedooropen,
comesi
npoi
nti
ngagunt
oev
ery
one,
looki
ngl
i
keheat
echi
l
li
es
thewayhe'
sredi
nhisface

Thor
n:*
Shout
s*WHODOY'
ALLMOTHERFUCKERSTHI
NKYOUAREKI
DNAPPI
NGHERBEFOREI
DO?

"Saywhatnow?sohe'
sangr
yatthat?notthathe'
sheretosav eme?wellGoodbye
Twins,
Mom,Ndoni,
GogoandeveryoneIlovey'al
ldear
ly.
..
..
.Ihearakni
fecutt
ingther
opeatt
he
back,
he'
suntyi
ngme?"

Thor
n:Li
stenherenoone,Ir
epeatnomotherfuckerwil
ltouchher
.*Hewalkswithmethrought
he
door
,AshotgoesOf f
.BAMM!!!Il
ookathim pani
ckingthathe'
sshot.
butnothi
ngIfeel
somepain
i
nmyshoul derIscr
eam i
nagonyt heni
t'
sli
ghtsout *

Thorn:
*Shootsever
ywhereandrunsof
fwithmei
nhisshoul
der
shol
dingmel
i
keabagof
potat
oes,Hazel
tri
psandsay"I
t'
snotovery
oupi
eceofshi
t"

_
___
___
__

Goodni
ght

I
NSERT:
10

_
___
___
___

MBALI
'
SPov

***Iopenmyey es,I
'
mi ntr
oducedtoanunknownr oom ver
ybigandmanl y
.youcanseet hat
there'
snof emininetouchhere.I
t'
stoodullbutwheream i?asI'
mt hinki
ngofthatheshowsup
comi ngfr
om thebat hroom,atowelrappedaroundhiswaist,
hishairdri
ppingwettry
ingt owipei
t
from hisf
acethenst opandlookatme. westareateachotherforalong2mi nutes,
itf
eltli
kean
hour.il
ookawayt henrememberi wasshoty ester
daybyHazel andherlapdogs.t
hank
goodness"WE"cameoutal i
ve,
Hesav edmylifebutthenagainhewasgoi ngtokidnapme
any
way ,
whydi dhesaveme? Isi
ghandtrytogetupIreali
seI'
m naked!
OhmyGoshDi dwe?But
noIdon'trememberandwai ti
tdoesn'
thurtdowntheresoIguessweDi dn'
t.
..
OhIwasnaked
whenIwashel dhostage!
Hecomesbackwear i
ngshortsandshowingoffhi
sabs,
hethr
owsa
shi
rt
,IguessI'
m supposedtowearit!
helooksatmeandsmi le*
**

Hi
m:weart
hat
*Hetur
ntogotowhatIthi
nkisaki
tchenthent
urnt
ofacemeSmi
l
ing*
I'
m
Sy
abongaNdl
ovubytheway
*Vani
shedint
otheki
tchen*

***
Igetupf asttolockthedoor ,thenweart heshir
t.I
tlooksli
keadr esstome,I'
mt hatshor t
.Thi
s
guydoesn'tev enhav eapant yAtleastt hatwasl eftbyoneofhi sexes,Iwouldn'tweari tt
hough.i
getoutoft her oom andf i
ndhi mi nt hekitchenwhi skingeggs,I'
m notgonnaat tendanycl ass
aft
erlastnight,okeyletmedescr ibet heguy ,
He'st
all,
darkcompl exion,
Browney es,Bracket
l
egs,Tinyear s,
andt heperfectroundl i
ps.whyam Idescr i
binghi m Idon'tknow!Ireall
ydon't
know!?whyam Ist i
llhere?doIfeel saf ear oundhim?per hapst hat'swhyI '
m sti
llhere.iwonder
whatisHazel andthest upidcultar eset ti
ngupnext ,Imeant hecul tisweak,I'
m supposedt obe
deadbutI'm noti tclear
lylostitspower s,Andt hewoundi scov eredwi thsomeher bst hat'
swhy
i
t'
snotpai nful,
IhopeIcant rustSiya,Ihesi tat
et ot
alkt ohi
m. Istutter***

Me:
Uhm I
..
Iwas.
.Hy
*Ner
voussmi
l
e*

Hi
m:Mor
ningl
i
ttl
ebi
rd

Me:
Mor
ning,
howdi
dyousl
eep?

Hi
m:Good.
Thanky
ou,
andy
ouhowi
syourwound?

Me:
Bet
terIguess,
I
'm notf
eel
i
ngmuchpai
n,
thanky
ou!

Hi
m: Pl
easur
e.Lookaboutyester
daybef
oreyouwer ecapt
ured,
Ij
ustwantt
oapol
ogi
zef
orbei
ng
abi
tch,
whenIsawt heguyIjustl
osti
t.
im sor
ry.
*Facedown*

Me:
Whydi
dyoul
osei
t?

Hi
m:Nor
eason.
.Any
wayI
'
m gonnapr
otecty
ouf
rom t
hecul
t!

Me:
You'
real
sopar
toft
hecul
t?

Hi
m:Yes.
ButWASbecausewel
lIbet
ray
edt
hem bysav
ingy
ou!
mxm

Me:
Whydi
dyousav
eme?
*Bei
ngi
nhi
spr
esencef
rust
rat
esme,
he'
shear
tisshat
ter
ed*

Hi
m:That
'
snoneofy
ourbusi
ness*
Annoy
ed*

*
**SoNdoni
par
t2nhe,
ment
ali
ssues*
**

Me:
Finet
akehomet
hen!
*Idemand*

Hi
m:No*
Frown*
Me:
WhatdoyoumeanNo, y
ounotmyfat
herjustbecauseyousavedmedoesn'
tmeany ouget
t
osaywhatgoes,y
oufreakycr
azymot
herfucker
***Bi
gmi st
akecall
i
nghi
m bythosenames,
he'
s
t
oocloset
omyf ace*
**

Hi
m:REPEATWHATYOUSAI
D!

Me:
I.
.Isai
dIneedt
ogopl
ease*
Steppi
ngback*

Hi
m:I
t'
snotsaf
etheyar
eaf
tery
ourbl
ood!

Me:
Idon'
tcar
eIj
ustwantt
oensur
ethatmyf
ami
l
yisouk,
please

Hi
m:Theyar
esaf
e,Isentmyt
rust
edguy
stowat
chov
ert
hem!
*Sof
ttone*

*
**He'
schangedf
rom angr
ytoSof
ty,
Somepeopl
ehav
eangeri
ssuesoutt
her
e**
*

Hi
m:Ineedt
oseet
haty
ou'
resaf
e,andt
hati
sify
oust
aywi
thme!

Me:Cool
***
Isi
tatt
helounge,
hecomeswithaplat
e,gav
eitt
omeandsatdownat
ehi
sfood,
he
l
ooksatthewi
ndowthat'
sinourl
eftandshout
s**
*

Hi
m:GETDOWN!
!!

**
* Igetdownalmostimmedi at
ely,
abull
ethi
tsthewal
l,
Icovermyhead,asmanybull
etscomes
t
hrough,Siyar
oll
esov erli
keasoldi
erandtakesagununderthet
able,
Andpeakoutsi
det he
windowt henshoot
s,allal
ongI'
m screami
ngandcryi
ngIguesstheyreall
ywantmyblood***

Me:SI YATHERE' SANOTHERONESHOOTI NGATTHEFRONTDOOR* **Il

ookatmypl ateItake
thekni f
ethatIwasgoi ngtouse,andrannearthebackdoorIhidebehindthemet altablethat
hasaGr anadelaunchIgrabitandaim atthedoorSomeonebur ststhedooropen, andget sin
pointingasniperhelooksaround,Idon'
tknowhowt ofir
ethist
hi ngbutIhav etolearn,Iquickl
y
pullthetri
ggeryepIpul l
edatri
ggerbaby,BOOFitgoesoff,
i
t'
smor eli
keaGr anadebuti tspit
s
fi
re,hetearsupintopieces,
Igettheedget opukebutdon'
t,
IseeSi yacoming.He'sshoti nhis
stomach* **

Me:
Ohnoar
eyouokey
?*Shaken*

Him:DOILOOKOKEYTOYOU?LETSJUSTFREAKIN'GETOUTOFHERE,THESE
MOTHERFUCKERSareont
hei
rway..
Arhhhhhf
ucktheygonn'
payf
ort
his!
!!
*Shout
sand
scr
eams*

*
**Mxm ni
kkabescreami
ngli
keabitchthatheis,
wegetoutt
hrought
hebackdoor
,andget
i
nsi
dethecar
,Idr
ivei
ntot
alspeedsheddingtear
s**
*

Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryf
orshout
ingj
ustdon'
taskst
upi
dquest
ionsnawegal
!

Me:
Stupi
d?St
upi
dSi
ya?
Iaskst
upi
dquest
ionsr
eal
l
y?r
eal
l
y?

Hi
m:Youdon'
tknowwhatt
osaydoy
ou?
*Chuckl
i
ng*
Me:
What
everwher
eweheaded?

Hi
m:Mybasementsaf
ehouse,
I
'l
ldi
recty
ou

Me:
Doest
hathur
t?*
car
eful
l
yaski
ng*

Hi
m:i
tdoesf
ornow,
buti
twi
l
lfadet
oni
ght
!

Me:Huh?
***
Whati
shet alki
ngabout
,heignor
esmeIdr
ivesi
l
ent
ly,
i
sthi
showmyl
i
fewi
l
lbe
al
waysonther
oadrunningformyli
fe?WhyGod?*
**

_
___
___
_

*
**Meanwhil
eHazelGotNdoni
host
age,
taki
ngav
ideoandsenti
ttoThor
n,Thor
nvi
ewst
he
v
ideoandkeepsqui
te**
*

I
NSERT:
11

_
___
_

***Hewat chest hev i

deoov erandov eragai ni nt hedar kl ounge, heboi lsupwi thangert henget s
upandpeaki ntohi sroom wher eMbal iissleepi ng,looki ngsobeaut ifulev eni nhersl eephe
smi l
esandshakehi sheadnotbel ievingt hathel ovessomeone, caresf orsomeone, f eelsf or
someoneandt hatthere'ssomeonehecan' tread,atf i
rsthewasabl et oi nv adehert hought sand
feeli
ngsbutnowhecan' ti tshowscl ear l
yt hatshei stheonef orher .
.i
t'sal mostmi dni ghtt he
woundi sst arti
ngt ov anishbi tbybi tli
kei twasnev ert here,helooksatt hev ideoonceagai nand
startsgroani ng, bl
ackaci ddr opsf r
om hi smout h,hornsf ormi nhi sfor ehead, hisskint urns
pale,hi
snai lsf rom hishandsandf eet sar elongasofasl ayqueen, hispal msgr owt hor nst hose
ofar edrose, hi sbackhasf or medhor nst oo,hel ooksathe' sreflectionont hemi r
rort hen
smashesi t,henev erthoughtt hisbeastwoul dwakeupagai naftersl i
cinghi sf osterfat herinto
pieces2y earsago, andmi staki nglyKi ll
ingt hef osterpar entskidsandt hei rmot her,
that 'swhen
heswor et hathe' dnev erhur tany oneespeci all
ychi ldrenandhi sl ovedones. .
butnowt hatHazel
hascapt ur edNdoni whoi sr el
at edt oMbal ithebeasti sawaken, hequi cklygetoutbef oreMbal i
wakesupf rom t hebr eakingoft hemi rr
or ,
He' sspeedi foft heleopar d,her unst hrought hef orest
afterthelong30mi nuteshehasr an,hespot st hewar ehousewher ethey 'vekeptNdoni .Peaks
throught hewi ndowheseesHazel slappi ngNdoni accr osshercheek, mor ebl ackaci ddr ipout
from hismout h,Hebur stst hedoorwi thhi sclawsgeti nTheguy swhower ewi thHazel looked
l
iket heyhav eseenaghost ,theyal l f
aintandNdoni doesn' thav emuchener gyl ef
tfrom bei ng
beatenshesl owl yfaints,
leav i
ngHazel tot ri
pf rom st eppi ngback. Herey eswi deopen, shewant s
tospeakbutdoesn' thermout hr emai nsopen. ***

Thorn:
*Ver
ydeepvoi
ce,
l
ikei
t'
stwopeopl
etal
king*ITHOUGHTIMADEMYSELFCLEARTHAT
NOONETOUCHESTHOSEWHOARECLOSETOMYHEART* st
ernv
oice*BUTNOYOUCHOSE
TOGOAGAI NSTTHEMI GHTYTHORN,NOW I
'
LLTEACHYOUTHATBEI NGAWOMENDOESN' T
GIVEYOUARI GHTTOBEATANOTHERWOMEN. WHENYOUGETTOHELLTELLLUCI FERISAID
HY

***Hewal kst owar dsher ,Hazel crawlsleavingpoopandpeest ainsont hef l

oorCr yingand
pleading.Thor nhol dsherl owerbodyandupperbodyandbr eaksherspi nal cor ds,squashher
head,thenl ooksatherr emai nsdi sgusted,takesNdoni andr unswi thhert owar dsthef orest,
gets
i
nsi dehissaf ehouse, placesNdoni i
nthecouch, t
henget sinsidet het oil
etandVomi t
blood,sl
owl yr eformi ngt ohishumanf orm Bl ackmi stcomesoutofhi smout hl i
kehei staking
hislastbreat ht henf aintswhi lstnaked.intheMor ningMbal itakesashowerandgoest othe
l
oungef i
ndsNdoni sleepingont hecouch, allswal l
enf r
om t hebeat i
ng,shet rieswaki ngherup
butshe'sst i
l
l asleep,shecal lsanambul ance,thent riescal l
i
ngSi yahisphoner ingsont hef l
oor
wher etherear ebrokengl asses. sherushest ot hebat hroom t ol ookforaf i
rstAi dkitbutf inds
Siyaont hef loornaked, shet ri
eswaki nghi m upbutt onoav ail,
theambul ancear r
ivet akest he
twoweakpeopl e,Mbal iiscryingcont i
nuousl ywi t
houtst oppingwonder i
ngwhati swr ongwi th
bot hofthem. Theygett ot hehospi tal
,t
wost retcher sarebr oughtandt heyar et aken, t
hedoct or
checksbot hthei rpalmsandShout s"Taket hem t ot heICU" Mbal i
isleftalonef labber gastedon
whati sgoi ngon, shewai tont hebenchespaci ngupanddown, t
hensomet hingcaughtherey e
from thet v"Wehav ef oundadeadbody ,nohumancandosucht oanot herhumanweaskeda
fewpeopl ewhowef oundher e,andalltheydi dwasl ookatusl ikewe' reghost ,
theot heronekept
onr epeatingLUCI FER, wedon' tknowwhodi dt hisbutt hepol icear est i
lli
nv est i
gating, t
he
deceaseddet ailsar est i
llunclearbecausewecoul dn'trecogni seher ,
butt heguy swef oundher e
sayI t
'sMr sHazel Cel e.thi
sisSt hembileNkabi nder epor ti
ngnewsonE- News, SABC4" .
.sheal so
faintsaft
erhear ingt henews* * *

_
___
_

I
'
llcont
inuel
ater

I
NSERT:
11

(I
'
m sti
l
lsl
eepyandt
ir
edsoi
fIwr
it
esomet
hingl
i
ke"
Hazel
wokeup"
thendon'
tmi
ndi
t,
I'
l
lbe
dreami
ngony'
all
)

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

***
Mbal i
slowl yopenedherey eslooki
ngaroundthennoti
cedshe'sinthehospital
bed.she
remember st hereasonshefainted,
sheneverli
kedHazelbuttoknowthatshe'sdead,and
squashedlikeacockr oachdidn'
tlethersoulbeatease.
Shestartedpr
ayingforthefi
rstti
me
putt
ingherf ait
hi nGod,pr
ayi
ngt hathemakesSi yaandNdoni comeoutaliveandthatshe
acceptshergi f
t.shegetsof
fthebedi nthehospit
algownstret
chingherlegs,t
hedoctorcomes
i
n***

Dr:
Idon'
trememberwr
it
ingy
ou'
repar
aly
zedi
nyourr
epor
t,
whyar
eyout
est
ingy
our
l
egs*Chuckl
ing*

Me:
*Smi
l
ing*
Iwantt
ocheckonmyf
ri
endsar
etheyokey
?*Wor
ri
ed*
aret
heyoutofdanger
?

Dr
:Fi
rstt
hingf
ir
st,
getbackont
hatbedt
henwe'
l
ltal
k!
*
**Sheget
sbackt
obed*
**

Dr
:Now.
I'
m Doct
orM.
Manaka,
ineedt
oasksomequest
ionsbef
oreIanswery
our
s.

-
Whatcoul
d'
vecausedy
out
ofai
nt?

Me:
Ithoughty
ouwer
egonnat
ell
me,
arey
our
eal
l
yadoct
or?

Dr
:Yesbypr
ofessi
on.
..
youdi
dn'
teatany
thi
ngdi
dyou?

Me:
No

Dr:I
'
llpr
escribevi
taminpi
l
ls,
andt
henur
sewi
l
lbr
ingy
ousomet
hingt
hat
'sgoi
ngt
ohel
pyou
regai
ny ourstr
ength

Me:
Myf
ri
ends?
?*Rai
sedbot
hey
ebr
ows*

Dr:MissNdonicelecorr
ect
?*Inod*shegoti
nter
nal
inj
uri
es,shebledfrom t
heinsi
de,
wehadt o
drainthebl
oodout ,
andfor
tunatel
yshehas0negati
vebloodthatcanbeusedbyany onewith
anybl oodt
ype,
that'
sbecauseitdoesn'
thav
eanyoftheantigens-A,
B,orRHThatcanleady
our
i
mmunesy stem t
oat t
ack

Me:
Ohsoshe'
soutofdanger
?

Dr
:Yes

Me:
Uhm Si
ya?
Siy
abongaNdl
ovi
?

Dr
:Thaty
oumustseef
ory
our
sel
f*St
andsup*
fol
l
owme*

*
**Mbali
foll
owshim pul
l
ingadri
pwithher
.Theyent
ert
her
oom,
he'
sconnect
edt
othe
machi
nes,l
i
fel
ess,
pal
eandlooksli
kehe'
scold**
*

Me:
Whyi
shesopal
e?*
Sheddi
ngat
ear
*

Dr:
WellhowdoIexpl aint
his*
HescratcheshisheadthenlooksatMbal i
*Hi
sheartisbeati
ngina
ver
yhealthyrat
e,buthi
sbodyit'
sli
kehe'sdead,
ther
e'snothi
ngt hatshowsbloodtr
ail
s,butwe
managedt ocapturesomethi
ng,
wej ustwai
ti
ngforapsy chi
atr
istdoctort
oconfir
m.

Me:
whatdi
dyouf
ind?
*Nar
rowi
ngmyey
es*

Dr
:Wef
oundt
hathehasB.
P.D

Me:
Andt
hati
s?*
Conf
used*

Dr
:Bor
der
li
neper
sonal
i
tydi
sor
der

Me:
Ohwhathappenswheny
ouhav
eit
?

Dr
:Aker
ekeghochaet
sighor
ereemmel
e(It
oldy
ouwe'
rewai
ti
ngf
ort
he)psy
chi
atr
ist
..
Be
pati
ent
.t
hisisal
soconf
usingme,Themindandhear
tworkper
fect
lybutt
hebodyi
sofcol
dli
kea
deadperson!
I'
venev
ercameacrosssomethi
ngli
kethi
sinmyli
fe!

Me:CanIgocheckatmysister,
pleasesendsomeonet
ofet
chmewhent
hepsy
chi
atr
istcomes
andpleasecal
lmymotherletherknowweher e!

Dr
:I
'm noty
ourP.
AI'
myourdoct
or,
andy
ougot
other
ecept
iont
omakeacal
l
*Fr
owni
ng*

Me:
*Laughi
ng*
you'
reonemeanDoct
or!

Dr
:What
ever
!!
!

***
ShegoestoNdoni'
sroom,
l
ooksathershe'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng,shepi
nchesheronher
shoul
der
,Ndoni
fli
nchesAndt
heybot
hsmi l
ewhenthei
reyesmeet**
*

Me:
Hey
*Smi
l
ing*

Ndoni
:
*Mut
ter
s*Wa.
.wat
er!

*
**Mbal
igi
vesherwat
er,
shedr
inksl
i
keacamel
***

Ndoni
:
Myt
hroatwassodr
yyho!
Isweary
oupi
nchedme*
Laughi
ng*

Me:
Idi
dn'
tdosuch,
I
'dnev
erhur
tyou*
Smi
l
ing*

Ndoni:
Youabi
tchy
ouknowthat!
whyareyouint
hehospi
tal
gown?**
*Shelooksathersel
ftoo,
she'
sweari
ngt
hesamegown,shepani
cks**
*WhyareweherewhathappenedMbali
?

Me:
Idon'
tknow,
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
ou,
whobeaty
ouupt
oapul
pandl
efty
oui
nSi
ya'
sSof
a!?

Ndoni
:
Siy
a?

Me:
Thor
n!

Ndoni:Ohh***Shetr
iesandremember ,
andt henital
lcomesback**
*Iremembernowshe
sedatedme, andIwokeupshesai d"You'r
egoi ngtopayf
oryourcousi
n'
ssins"
shebeatmeup
unti
lIcouldn'tt
akeitanymorebutbeforeIlostconsci
ousIsawsomething*
Eyeswideopen*
I'
m
sureIwasn'tsupposedtoseeit

Me:
Whatdi
dyousee?

Ndoni
:
You'
l
lthi
nkI
'
m cr
azyandt
hatI
'
m maki
ngt
hisup,
for
geti
t.

Me:
YousawLuci
fer
?**
*Ndoni
looksather
***t
heysayoneoft
heguy
ssai
dthatatt
hescene!

Ndoni
:
Scene?

Me:
Hazel
wasf
ounddead,
crushedandsquashedi
nthemor
ning

Ndoni
:
Itwast
hatt
hing,
i
tki
l
ledher
.iwonderwhyi
tsav
edme.
Icoul
dbedeadbynow!
whatdi
d
y
oudot
ohazel
?

Me:
Never
mindhershedeadnow,
doesn'
tmat
terwhatshewasaf
ter
..
.Whatdi
dyousee?
*Eager
t
ofi
ndout
*

Ndoni
:
For
getIsai
dIsawany
thi
ng*
Dismi
ssi
ngt
het
opi
c*wher
e'sy
ourmot
hershoul
dn'
tshebe
her
e?

Me:
Letmegocal
lher
!**
*Shest
andsupandgot
other
ecept
ion,
dial
sthenumber
***

Mom:
Mrscel
ehel
l
ow

*
Ilaughi
ndi
sbel
i
efshe'
saMr
sCel
enowsi
ncewhen?
*

Me:
Mom i
t'
sme,
Mbal
i
!

Mom:
Ohhai
bowhyar
eyoucal
l
ingmewi
thl
andl
i
nenumber
s?

Me:
I'
mint
heHospi
tal

Mom:Areyouabor
ti
ng?Itol
dyoutonotgot
otownl ooknowyou'
re.
..
..
*Icutt
hecal
l
,
unbel
i
evabl
e,
thenurseappr
oachesMeasI'
m headedtoNdoni
'sr
oom*

Nurse:
MissMbal
iNgcobo?
*Inod*DoctorManakaiscall
i
ngyouinhisof
fi
cefol
l
owme*
Ifol
l
ow
herandfi
nddoct
orseat
edwithanotherdoct
or(Female)
Igr
eetherandsi
tdown*

Dr
:Thi
sisDoct
orR.
Langa,
she'
sapsy
chi
atr
istshej
ustf
ini
shedexami
ningMrNdl
ovu

Me:
*Inod*
whatdi
dyouf
inddoct
or?

DrL:
Wef oundthatMrNdl ov
uhashadtheB.
P.Dsi
ncehewas12, wetr
aceditandfoundthathe
haslonghadthedisorderbutbackt
heni
twasn'
tthatser
ious,
duet
olackoftr
eatmentiti
s
worsenowbutnott hatextr
eme.

Me:
Cany
ouexpl
ainwhati
tdoest
osomeone?

DrL:Yout endtohaveunst
ableemotions,wantt
obealone,andnothaveagoodr el
ationshipwit
h
others.Youwanttobelovedandassur edthatyou'
rel
oved..
You'
rescaredtolovebecausey ou
thi
nkt hatpersonwil
ll
eaveyou.i
toccursmost l
ytopeoplewhower eraped,
abusedemot ional
l
y
andphy si
cal
ly.
doyouperhapsknowwhathappenedt ohim?

Me:*NowIseewhyhealwaysl
oosei
tandapol
ogi
ze2mi
nut
esl
ater
*NoIdon'
tknowany
thi
ng
abouthi
m,i
sitdanger
ous?

DrL:
Tohimsel
fyes,
becausey
oueventendt
ocommitsui
cidet
hinki
ngnoonecar
esabout
you.
..
Butassoonashewakesupwe'
ll
givehi
mtreat
ment
.

_
___
___
I
'
llpostl
ater

I
NSERT:
12

_
___
___
___

*
**Mbal
igoest
oNdoni
'
sRoom t
ocheckuponher
,andf
indsherr
eadi
ngamagazi
ne*
**

Me:
Ithoughty
ou'
dbeasl
eep

Ndoni:
NhaIcan'
tfal
lasl
eepher
e,i
t'
sli
ket
her
ear
eghost
swat
chi
ngy
ou,
hospi
tal
sar
ecr
eepyI
t
elly
ou.

Me:
*Chuckl
i
ngt
henaf
adesmi
l
e*Yha

Ndoni
:
What
'swr
ong?

Me:
Huh?
not
hing!

Ndoni:
Ifyoudon'
ttell
me, I
'
m goingtogetoutofthi
sbedandforgetyoumysi
sterI
'
llsmack
you,
you'l
lcr
ysohar dthatyourcrypi
ercest
hroughthedeadsear
s!*Angr
y*

Me:
Jeeznoneedt
obedr
amat
ic*
**Shet
ell
sherev
ery
thi
ng*
**

Ndoni:
*Thi
nki
ngoutloud*
MybeIhaveitt
oo?i
toccurst
othosewhowerer
aped?*Qui
ckl
ysnaps
outofi
t*ImeanIwonderwhatcoul
d'
vehappenedtohi
mtocausesuchdi
sease!

Me: *Looksather*Youknowl etti

ngouty oursorrowsi shel pful
,talki
ngt
osomeoneaboutt hi
ngs
helpal ot.
.y
ou'l
lfi
ndthatall
youneededt odowast alksot hatabaggagewoul dbel
if
tedout
from yourshoulders.
Depressionisrealsisi
,y
oucanl osey ourmi ndbecauseyoudon'
twantto
talk,
ori ft
alki
ngdoesn'tf
eelri
ghtt henWr i
tealldownt henegat i
veandthepositi
vej
usttol
etout
youranger .andknowthatwhat everhappenedwasn' tyourf aul
t.
*Checki
ngt i
meonher
wat ch*Letmegogetust r
acksui t
s,foodandt oi
let
ries.you'l
l bestayi
nghereforawhi
le

**
*Ndonii
smilesaway,Mbal
ileav
esherandgoestot
heshopswear
ingtheclot
hesshewor e
whenshearr
ivedhere.
.Shet
akesataxi
andenter
sshoptoshopbuy
ingclot
hes.shenot
iceda
l
adylooki
ngaround,
shegoestoher*
**

Me:
Sisi
arey
ououk?

Her
:Yes,
youwor
kher
e?

Me:
No,
butIcancal
lsomeonet
ohel
p!

Her
:Pl
ease

Me:Ouk*Igogetsomeonetohel
pthel
ady,
andIpayf
ormyt
hings,
Iseet
heshopassi
stantI
cal
l
edf orthel
ady,
theyar
ebusyl
aughi
ng*

Me:
Hey
,di
dyouhel
pthel
adyIcal
l
edy
ouf
or?
Her:
*Shel
aughsevenmor
e,t
heot
herwomeni
swi
pingt
ear
s*What
..
.whatdi
dshesayt
o
you?
*Cont
inuesl
aughi
ng*

Me:
Shesai
dshewant
edsomeonewhowor
ksher
e!What
'sup?

He:
Sheaskedmedot heSoulsi
ster
scomehere?Iwasli
kewhat?shewaslike"
Gir
lamaSoul
si
ster
sIneedthem t
oassur
emeIhav ebeaut
if
ulthi
ghs,
ebil
eIdon'thav
emoneywi t
hme,car
d
l
akaletl
areDecl
i
nesoIneedthem t
opayforme,dotheycometot hi
sshop?

Me:*Chuckli
ng*Bathongsowhenshewasl ookingaroundshethoughtt
hey'dcomet oher
rescue*Theynodlaughing*
Peoplebel
i
eveineveryt
hingtheysee.
Goodbye*Iwalkout,
some
peoplearecrazyoutthere.
.WhenIwasworkingatcheckersIwouldhavesuchencounter
s
everyt
imepeoplethinksoulsi
ster
sbatl
arevhatotherescuehebanatheydon'texi
st,
it
'
sjustan
advertmxm. .

Igett
othehospi
tal
andgav
eNdoni
hert
hings,
Shel
ooksabi
tdown*

Me:
Youokey
?

Ndoni
:
I'
m good,
thanksf
ort
hese*
Fakesmi
l
e*

Me:
Tal
ktome*
Ipl
eadwi
thher
*

Ndoni
:Well
uhm earl
ieryousai
dtal
ki
ngi
sgoodsoIwast
hinki
ngIshoul
dshar
esomet
hing?
*She
say
sitli
keit
'saquesti
on*

Me:
We'
ref
ami
l
yaf
ter
all
andI
'
m her
efory
ou*
Smi
l
e*

Ndoni :
Uhm t
hisishardbutheregoesnot hingWheni was13,mypar ent
swer ekil
ledInf
rontof
mebyaman, let
'ssayabeastsimilartotheoneIsawy est
erday.
buthewasmor eclear
erinhi
s
face.whenIsawhi m,
hewaswear i
ngall black.her
ippedmyf atherl
ikehewasapi eceof
paper,mymotherfoll
owedt henmysi sterwentmi ssingupunt i
lnowwedon' tknowwher eshe
i
s.thatdayIwascomi ngf r
om Bab'mncane' shome,foraweekend. i
reall
ydidn'tknowwhatwas
tobecomeofmebuty ourfat
hertookmei nandmademehi sdaught er
.whenIwas15,
Bab'mncanewasoutt ot akecar
eofaf ewt hings,
businessrelat
ed.*Shestopsandt akeadeep
breath*

Me:
It
'sokey
,i
fyoudon'
tfeel
li
kecont
inui
ng*
Sadf
ace,
almostt
ear
y*

Ndoni:Thentheycame, Duduzani andKil

ler,f
riendswi t
hHazel cameintothehouseandt ookmy
i
nnocence,theyrapedme* cr
ying*Andandbyt hel ookoft hi
ngsitl
ookedli
keHazel sent
them,shedidbecauset henextdayshesai dIFYOUDARETELLGEORGEYOUDEAD, Iwas
terr
if
ied,
notknowingwhatt odo.Igoogledrapecasesbutdi dn'
tgotoreport,
soIwenttot he
hospitaldi
dsomet ests,andfoundoutIwaspr egnant *
Sheopenshermout hbreat
hingloudl
y
l
ookingup* IswearIwant edtoki l
lmyself,
butIdidn'tIt
houghtofthepeoplewhol oveandcar e
aboutme* Snif
fed*soIabor t
edt hechil
d.I'
m amur derer*coveri
ngherf
acewi thherhandscrying*

Me:
*i
ntear
s*y
ou'
renotamur
der
er,
youdi
dn'
twantany
thi
ngt
oremi
ndy
ouoft
her
ape,
please
don'
tbl
amey
our
sel
f*Wi
pinghert
ear
sandhuggedher
*it
'
sokey

Ndoni
:
Iguess*
Fadesmi
l
e*any
wayenoughaboutme,
howi
sSi
yav
ele?

Me:
Idon'
tknowIhav
etocheckuponhi
m,wi
l
lyoubeokey
?

Ndoni
:
YesI
'
llbef
ineI
'
m abi
ggi
rlaf
teral
l

Me:
Okey
..

*
Iwipemytears,
andheadtotheI
CUsecti
ons.whatNdoni
toldmeisveryshocki
ng,
andt
hef
act
t
hatsheov
ercameallthatcameacr
osshershowshowstrongsheis.

Igeti
nsi
det
her
oom andIf
indt
hedoct
orandt
wonur
sessur
roundi
ngSi
ya,
iwonderwhat
now?!
*

Me:
i
sev
ery
thi
ngokey
?

Dr
M:Hehadasei
zur
e,buthe'
sokeynow!

Me:
Ohokey
,whendoy
out
hinkhe'
l
lwakeup?

Him:
wit
hhim we'
renotsur
eyet,
Itol
dyouear
li
ert
hathi
ssi
tuat
ioni
sreal
l
yscar
ce,
act
ual
l
ynot
scar
cei
tdoesn'
thappenatal
l
.

Me:
Okey
..
canIspendsomet
imewi
thhi
m bef
oreIl
eav
e?

Him:Sur
e,l
et'
sgoguy s*Theyal
lgetout
,Il
ookathi
m andgi
veasidesmil
e,
Iopenthebl
anketand
squeezemy selfi
nhissingl
ebed,
andhughim..
Idon'
tknowbuti
t'
sli
kesomethi
nginmetell
sme
todowhatIdi d..
Ist
artt
alki
ng*

Me:Heyt here*Chuckl
es* Idon'
tknowy oubutIfeel drawnt oyou,
themomentIsawy oui tf
eltl
ike
I'
veseeny oubef or
emy beinmydr eamsIdon'tknow, canyoupleasedomeaf av ouranddon't
die*
pokinghi m*Iknowy ouheardme* Laughi
ng*youknowI 'l
lneverfor
getthatstunty oupull
ed
wheny ouf oundmet alkingtoxoli
sani,
itwasli
key ou'rejeal
ousory oumyboy fri
end* Fade
smile,
hugshi mt i
ghtl
y*Wakeupsot hatwewi l
lgett oknoweachot herpl
ease* Sil
ence*

***Themachinesstartbeeping,
Mbalipanicksandpressestheemergencybutton,
andshoutsfor
thedoctor
.t
hedoct orandthenursescomequi ckl
yandtell
Mbalit
owai tout
side,Mbal
ipaces
aroundtherecept
ionpleadingwithGodt onotletSiy
adie,
thedoct
orcomesoutaf t
er15
minutestotel
lMbal i
thatSiyaisawake*

Dr
:Howdi
dyoudoi
t?

Me:
*Exci
ted*
Dowhat
?ohmygoshhe'
sawaket
hanky
ouGod,
Thanky
ou

Dr
:Hewokeupaf
tery
ougoti
nandnowhe'sbackt
ohi
sNor
mal
ski
nnol
ongerpal
e,
Iknewy
ou
wereawi
tcht
hemomenttof
aint
ed*
Laughi
ng*
Me:
*Ij
oinhi
m*That
'smycar
eer
,canIseehi
m?

Dr
:Yheasur
e,he'
sawake

*
Igeti
nhel
ooksmyway
,webot
hsmi
l
e,Igoandhughi
m cr
ying*

Me:
don'
tfr
eakmeoutl
i
ket
hat
,ev
eragai
n*Smi
l
ing*

Hi
m:*
Chuckl
es*
Ipr
omi
set
onev
eragai
n..
.YouknowIdr
eamtofy
ou

Me:
Wowr
eal
l
y?whatwasIdoi
ng?

Hi
m:y
ouwer
eki
ssi
ngme!
*Smi
rk*

Me:Youwerereal
l
ydreami
ng.
..
Ifoundyouinthebat
hroom nakedanditseemedl
i
key
ou
vomit
edblood,
andyouwer
epale..
whathappenedbef
oreyoulostconsci
ous?

Hi
m:*
Lyi
ng*
Idon'
tknow

Me:
Finedon'
ttel
lme.
.Butt
ell
met
hishowdi
dNdoni
geti
nyourhouse?

hi
m:Idon'
tknowdammi
t

Me:
..
.

Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryj
ustdon'
tasksomanyquest
ionsi
t'
sannoy
ing

Me:
Ionl
yaskedt
woquest
ions

Hi
m:i
tfel
tli
ket
heyar
ehundr
ed

Me:
*chuckl
i
ng*
Ouk.
.ar
hSi
ya?

Hi
m:mhm?

Me:Wheny
ougetwel
lcanyoudomeaf
avour*Notsur
ewhet
hert
oaskornot
,Si
yanods.
iask
shy
ly*
canyouhav
esexwit
hmewhenwhenyou'r
ewell
?

hi
m:*
Eyeswi
deopen*
WhatnoIwon'
tdot
hat

Me:
please.
thatwayI
'
llbesaf
erf
rom t
hecul
t

Hi
m:Theyar
eaf
tery
ourgi
ftnoty
ourv
irgi
nit
y*annoy
ed*

Me:
FineI
'
llgetsomeonewho'
l
ldoi
tforme*
Fol
dingmyar
ms*

hi
m:IdareyouI'
ll
kil
lbot
hofy ouwhi
lsthi
sdi
cki
sst
il
li
nsi
dey
ou!
fuckt
het
houghtofi
tboi
l
smy
bl
ood,
fineI
'
llthi
nkabouti
t*r
olli
ngey
es*

Me:
thanky
ou*
Huggi
nghi
m*IknewI
'
llcountony
ou.
.wai
twher
eist
hewoundf
rom y
ourshoul
der
?
hi
m:Oht
hatIusedt
hest
rongesther
bsev
er.
.wher
eisNdoni
?

me:
Sti
l
linherwar
dshe'
sbeat
enbadl
y,
ohandHazel
isnomor
e

hi
m:Goodr
iddencet
obadr
ubbi
sh

me:
howcany
ousayt
hat
?

Hi
m:ay
'sukasheser
vedhery
ear
s,Sat
anwascal
l
ingheral
ready
..
itwashert
imet
odi
e

Me:
Youhav
etogetbet
ternowschool
iswai
ti
ngf
orus.

_
___
__

I
NSERT:
13

***3Weeksl ater,
SiyaandNdoni weredischarged,Siyarefusedt reatmentbutsai dhe' l
lthink
abouti t
.SiyaandMbal iaremeet ingupi nhishouset odayf orthef avourMbal iaskedf or ,
Siya
didn'twantt obutheal sodi dn'
twanthi scaket obedev ouredbyboy s,sohehadt oputthe
mat teri
nhi shands. hewant shert ober eadyandnotengagei nsexj ustbecausepeopl ear e
afterher..YesKi ll
erandhi scultar en'
tatresttheyar eupanddownwant i
ngway st oget
her.t
herear esomanyGi ftedgirl
soutt herebutt heyareaf terMbal i?Theyhav eadeat hwi sh
Thor nthinkst ohi mselfashemadedi nner.someoneknocksatt hedoorandhe' smetbyt he
mostGor geous, beautif
ul,
sexyf emalehe'sev erseeni nhi sli
fe,i
nhi sey essoIt hink.hehashad
oneni ghtst andsbef or
ebutt hisonehe' ssurewi llf
eel dif
ferentashel ovesherbutdoesn' twant
tomakeamov e,becausewel l
he' sscaredshe' sgoingt oleavehi m,Sheget sin,thesoundofher
stil
ettostoSi y asoundl ikeaknockt ohishear tmakingi tbeatt oast rangepacey eti
nsl ow
mot i
on,hersmi lemel tshiscoldst onedhear t
,heisreallyhookedher e..Heoffersr edwi ne,but
Mbal iwant sj ui
cehesmi l
esatheri nnocence.hesbeensmi li
ngsi nceshegother e,t
heyat ein
sil
enceonl ythef olkandkni vesmaki ngsounds. *
**

Si
ya:
Didy
ouenj
oyy
ourf
ood?

Mbal
i
:*Nodsshy
ly*
Thanky
ou

Si
ya:
It
'sapleasur
e..
*Si
l
ence*
..
"Howam Igoi
ngt
odot
his"*
Het
hinks*
Ther
oom i
sthi
sway
,
pl
easefol
l
owme

**
*TheygetinandSiyalockst
hedoor ,
whybecauseit'
sonl
ythem i
nthehouse?hedoesn'
tknow
ei
ther
!.
.Shestandsandlookaround,
Siyast
andsbehindher
,hi
sbreat
hhit
ti
ngherneck.heslowl
y
ki
ssherearl
obeandr emovethelacyreddress,
i
tfal
l
sandhecomesar oundstandsInf
rontof
her,enj
oyi
ngthebeauti
fulv
iew.
hehol
dsherwaistandki
sshersof
tli
ps,
Mbal
irapsherl
egs
aroundhiswaist
,Si
yaheadstot
hebedandlay
sheronherback.

Het akesoffhisshir
t,
foll
owedbyt hev estandt heJeans,he'snowl eftwi thhisboxers.Mbal
i
Swal lowshardassheseesi tpokingt heboxer s.Hekissesherlips,
downt oherneckandgoest o
herbr east
ssuckingslowlyMbal imoanswi thpleasure,
hegoesdownr emov esherpant yand
staresatthepumpki nInf
rontofher ,
thesmel l
hitshisnostri
lshedev our shermuf fi
ngher
pumpki nallt
histi
meMbal iisMoani ng, call
i
ngSi yabynicknames" Ohy aya,arhhthatfeelsso
goodMaYay ari
na,y
es"Siyaf i
nishesMuf f
ingherandt akeouthi scock,Mbal ifr
eaksoutandf li
ps
turningandfall
sdownl eavingSi y
aont hebed,sheMur murs" Shitt
hatt hingisgonnat earme
up,hepeakst owhereshef ellandl aughs* **

Si
ya:
*Laughi
ng*
Andt
henwhyy
our
unni
ngawayf
rom Bab'
Ndl
ovu?

Mbali
:
Iuhm.
..
Ithi
nkI
'
m notr
eady
..
Thi
s..
.t
hisi
sreal
l
ynewf
orme*
Standsupandcov
ersher
body
*

Si
ya:
OhMiss*Hemimickshervoi
cet
inyv
oice*"
I'
M GONNAFI
NDSOMEONETODOI
TWI
TH
ME"i
sscarednowhuh!
*Chuckl
es*

Mbali
:
NoI 'm noti
t'
sjustt
hat
..
uhm.
..
Youknowwhatt
hiswasami
stake*
Shet
akeshercl
othes
anddressesup*

Si
ya:
Wai
t.
.

Mbal
i
:*St
opsdr
essi
ngupl
ooki
ngathi
m*

Si
ya:
*MakeshisDickt
alkl
ikeapuppet
,heshakesi
t,t
alki
ngi
naf
unnyt
inyv
oice*"
Meandpapa
si
yawe'
resorr
y,weweren'
tgoi
ngtohurtyou,f
orgi
veus*

*
**Mbal
icr
acksupl
aughi
ngatt
hewayhe'
smov
inghi
sdi
ck*
**

Mbal
i
:Si
yast
op*
Laughi
ng,
tear
sst
reami
ng*

Si
ya:
*Hecont
inueshi
sdi
ckpuppet
*"Comebackt
obedIpr
omi
seIwon'
ttouchy
ou"

Mbal
i
:*Cal
msdown*
Noway
s,pr
omi
sesar
emadeandar
emeantt
obebr
oken

Si
ya:
*Di
ckpuppet
*"Pl
eaaaaase"

Mbal
i
:Si
yaMay
onnai
sei
scomi
ngf
rom y
ourdi
ck*
Pani
cks*

Si
ya:
*Laughs*
It'
scum,
Sper
ms.
..
*Laughi
ng*I
'
m sonev
ereat
ingMay
onnai
seagai
n

Mbal
i
:Ohh*
Embar
rassed*
uhm ar
eyougoi
ngt
otakemehomenow?

Siy
a:No.
.y
ou'
llsl
eepher
e,Ican'
tdr
iveatni
ght
,Myancest
orsar
eagai
nsti
t.
.Somanyacci
dent
s
happenatni
ght!
Mbal
i
:Wher
ewi
l
lIsl
eep?
*Mov
ingherey
esev
ery
wher
e*

Siy
a:Herewi
thme..
.RememberIdidn'
twantt
ohavesexwi t
hyouri
ght?
*Shenods*thatwas
becauseIwantedy
outobeready.
.Nowcomelet'
ssl
eep,I
'
m notgonnahavesexwit
hy ou
wit
houtyourpermi
ssi
on,
okey?
*Shenodsli
keatoddl
er*

***
Mbal iwearshisshirt,
thatsmel lssogood. .shelovesmenwhosmel l
good, notmenwi t
hbad
odouranddoesn' tbrusht heirteethno. t
hat'sanotf orher.
..
Sheisn'tr
eadyt ohav esex,
shefel
t
sodumbf ornotknowi ngt hedifferencebet weensper msandmay onnaise,"honest l
y
May onnaiseMbalireall
y?that'sfoodf orgoodnesssake"shet hinksasshe'st ryingto
sl
eep....
Siyai
shappyt hat ,
hewon' tgetupt henextmor ningwithalett
erwr i
tten" Thatwasa
mistake,i
tshoul
dn'thav ehappened" blablabl a,
hethanksGodf orsavinghim. She's
i
mmat ure,
youngandsoi nnocent .Hefallsi
nl oveyetagainashehugshert osl eep***

_
___
___
___
___

TheEnd

_
___
__

I
'
m ki
ddi
nghahaha,
nexti
nser
tcomi
ngt
omor
row.

I
NSERT14

THENEXTDAYIwokeupbef oreSiy
awokeup, headedtoourres.
honest
lyIwasembar r
assedt
o
saytheleast
,I
'venev
eri
nmyl if
eengagedmy selfwithanyguy.
Noguyhasseenmei nmy
bir
thdaysuit
,t
hat'
swhyI'
m cl
uelessaboutLove,sexandallt
hoseromanti
cthings.
ient
erour
room,i
t'
s7:00am whydowehav eav i
sit
orinsuchacol dday?t
heyarel
aughingatGodknows
what.

Me:"Heyguys,
byeguy
s"Ient
ermyr oom andl
ocki
t.
ther
e'saknockont
hedoor"
What
?"I
shout.
"Openupmissy"
Ndonirepl
i
es.

Me:
cockedey
ebr
ows"
Whatdoy
ouwant
?"

Ndoni
:
"Okeysomeonei
sint
hebadmood,
whodeni
edy
ousex?
"pur
sedl
i
ps

Me:
"Nobody
,t
ell
mewhaty
ouwantsot
hatIcangobackt
osl
eep"
Ibl
urtannoy
ed

Ndoni
:
Fol
dedar
ms"Finej
ustdon'
ttakeouty
ourst
inkyat
ti
tudeonus,
andy
ougoi
ngt
ocl
assI
'
ll
dr
agyoui
fIhav
eto"sl
ammedt hedoorbehi
ndher
.
Isi
ghinfrust
rati
on"Whyam Ili
kethi
s,
GoshIhopeIdon'tbumpintohimtoday"
Itakeashower,
wearthewarmestclothesIf
indinmywardrobe,
Iappl
ymyr edl
i
pst i
ckwalktothelounge.
and
she'
ssti
ll
here,Idon'
tknowbutIdon'
tli
kethi
snewf ri
endNdonihas.

Me:"
I'
m done.andI
'
m sor
ryf
oract
ingabr
upt
ly,
Idon'
tknowwhatcameov
erme"
Isayt
ryi
ngt
o
pr
ovemypoi nt.

Ndoni:
"I
t'
sfi
ne,
you'l
ltel
lmelater
..
ri
ghtnowl
et'
sgotocl
assohandthi
sisLet
hu,Let
hut
hisi
smy
si
sterMbali
Charl
ott
e,youcanchoosefr
om t
hosenames"
shesay
sroll
i
nghereyes

Me:'
real
l
yyouhadt
omenti
onmyot
hername.
.any
wayNi
ceknowi
ngy
ouLETHU"
Iemphasi
zed
hernamewit
hawidesmi
l
e.

Lethu:
"Sameher e,
l
et'sgo"Shetakesherbagleavi
ngmeandNdoni l
ooki
ngateachother
.she
mur mers"
DON'T"heyIwasn' tgoi
ngtosayanythi
ng.iwasjustl
ooki
ngatthewayshesway i
ngher
fl
atbutt.
ifol
lowthem, she'
sbusyt al
ki
ngaboutBlessersandthepl
acestheyhavet
aken
her,
bori
ng.ipaynoat t
enti
ont owhatshesays,Il
ookaroundandIseeSiy
acomi ngourway.I
f
onlyIcouldshri
nkrightnowGosh. hesmil
es

Si
ya:
"Heybeaut
if
ulpeopl
e"showi
nghi
swhi
tet
eet
h.

Me:
"He.
..
."
Idi
dn'
tgett
ofi
nish,
Iwasi
nter
rupt
edbyMi
ssExpensi
veweav
eDubai
Par
isFl
atbut
t

Lethu:"
Heeeeyther
e.I
'
m Let
hubutyoucancal
lmeThut
huIsawy
ouey
ingmef
rom adi
stance,
I
l
ikey outoo"
shesaysasshebi
tesherl
owerli
p

Ndoni
:
Clapsherhandsandl
ookather
.

Si
ya:
Hel
ooksatherWei
rdl
y"Ri
i
ii
ight
,uhmm canIt
alkt
oyouf
orasecond"

Bef
oreIsayany
thi
ngLet
hur
esponds

Let
hu:
"Sur
e,gi
rl
sdon'
twai
tup"
Smi
rksandf
li
cksherl
ongey
elashes

Si
ya:
Hegaveheragri
macedlook"
Noty
ou,
youNi
twi
t,
Mbal
iComewi
thme"
heTookmyhandI
si
l
entl
yChuckl
e,
ser
vesherr
ight

We'
rei
nthehal
l
wayst
udent
sar
epassi
ngl
ooki
ngatussmi
l
ingot
her
sdi
sgust
ed.
Hay
boand
t
hen?

Si
ya:
"Souhm y
oul
eftwi
thoutsay
inggoodby
ethi
smor
ning!
?".
.I
sthataquest
ionor
.?

Me:
"Ibel
i
evesoy
es"

Siya:
"Okey
.iseey
ouhav enoexpl
anati
on,l
ookwe'
l
ltal
kwhent
hecl
assesend"
hej
ustcal
l
edme
forthat
?wasIsupposedtotel
lhi
mI'm goi
ng?

_
___
__
AtKi
l
ler
scr
ib

Ont
hephone

Ki
l
ler
:"
Soy
ougoi
ngt
odoi
t?"
wor
ri
edf
ace

Call
er:
"Yasur
eI'
ll
doi t
,i
twi
l
lwor
kbecauseI
'
m handsome,
womenl
ovemeandIgotmoneyso
don'
tsweataboutit
"Hesay
sarr
ogant
ly

Kil
l
er:Shaki
nghi
shead"
Justdon'
trui
nthi
sforme,
thel
astper
sonweaskedt
odot
hisended
up..
..
"

Cal
l
er:"
Yay ahebet
ray
edyou,
Iknow,y
ou'
vesaiditahundr
edt
imesnowi
t'
sbor
ing.
lookmanI
'
ll
dothejobstar
ti
ngt
odayj
ustrel
ax"
Assur
ingvoice

Ki
l
ler
:"
Fine.
Shar
p"

Cal
l
er:
"Cool
"Endedt
hecal
l

Hemadeanot
hercal
ltoSi
ya,
thephoner
ingst
wiceSi
yaanswer
s

Si
ya:
"Whatdoy
ouwant
"Angr
yvoi
ce

Kil
l
er :
"Thor
nMymai
nmen,
youhav
eabandonedusnow,
Imi
ssy
ousomuch"
hesay
s
sarcasti
cal
ly

Si
ya:
Hekeepsqui
et

Ki
ll
er:
"Iwasjustcalli
ngyoutoremindy outhatyou'
renothuman"hesipsonhi
swhiskeyanda
womenwear ingat hongcamef r
om thebathroom,hepoint
edhisdickthewomencameand
ki
sseditsuckingl
ikeshe'ssucki
ngal oll
i
pop.Ki
ll
ergroansinpl
easure

Si
ya:
"Ar
eyouf
ucki
nwi
thmer
ightnow"
disgust
ed

Kil
l
er:"
Nevermindt
hat
..
Somhhhhhm asIwassayi
ngyou'
renothuman,
whenMbali
Findsoutdo
youthinkshe'
sgoi
ngtost
andbyyoursi
de?"
hol
dsthewomen'sheadpushi
ngi
ttosuckhi
sdick
deeper

Si
ya:
"Lookdude,
what
everIdowi
thmyl
i
fedoesn'
tneedy
ourat
tent
ion,
somi
ndy
ourf
ucken
busi
ness"

Kil
l
er:
"OhThornmyboy ,
youknowI'
mli
teral
l
yy ourf
ather
.imadey
ou,nowyou'
ret
urningyour
backonmeboy ,y
ousureyouwannadothatforabit
chli
keMbali
?YouknowI'
m sureshe'
sgoing
tocheatsoonsoonsoon"mur
mersFUCK

Siy
a:"
Whatki
ndofmsooner
yist
his,
soy
oucal
l
edmef
ort
hisshi
t?l
osemynumber
"heendst
he
cal
l.

Ki
l
lerpushest
hewomenabr
upt
ly"
Mov
eyoubi
tch,
youl
amegetout
tamyhouse"
hechasesher
out
,t
hewomenr
unsouthol
dinghercl
othes

_
___
___
__

AFTERCLASSIwai t
edforNdoni
andhernewfriend,
whilstwaiti
ngIloggedonmyFacebook,
watchingfunnyvi
deosandmemes.ir
anuponsomet hingit
'sapictureofmeandSiyaint
he
hal
lway ,
underi
tit
'swri
tt
en"
Watchoutshebef
ri
endsy ouandst ealyourman,
crazybi
tchi
s
sl
eepingwi t
hmymenbehi ndmybackpret
endingtobemyf r
iend"

O-
keywhati
nthef
reaki
nwor
ldi
sthi
s?andwhot
ookt
hispi
ctur
e?wi
thwhati
ntent
ions?

Il
ookatthecommentsandI'
m bei
ngcallednames.Igocli
ckatthi
spersonwhopostedt
hisand
i
t'
sapr i
vat
eaccount
.SoSi
yahasagirl
fr
iend??wai
tIbefr
iendedher?Hayi
whenbecauseI
'm
fr
iendswit
hNdoniwhoismysist
er.
Nobodyelse.

Mxm. il
ogout,
nowonderIhav ebeenget
ti
ngdisgustedst
aresher e.bef
oreIgetupfr
om t he
benchahandsomecol ouredguycomesandsitswithme.He'shotbuthel ooksl
ikethear r
ogant
type,
sometimesImissreadingpeopl
e,
mygi f
tispreci
ousindeed.yougettoknowaper son
befor
etheytel
lyouwhot heyareandwhatthei
ragendasare.Ineedguidancebecausehonest l
y
I'
veprayedt
hatmygiftcomesbackbutnothing,
heclapshishandst wi
ce.
ohnowhe'llthinkIwas
admiri
nghim.

Guy
:"Gi
rlIknowI
'
m hotbutst
ari
ngi
srude"
smi
rks

Me:
Iknewi
t"
Iwast
hinki
ngofsomet
hing,
nott
hatIwaschar
med"
secr
etl
yrol
lmyey
es

Guy
:"Yhear
ight
..Any
wayI
'
m Al
exO'
Bri
en"
smi
l
es

Me:
"Okey
.i
'm Mbal
i
,andIhav
etogo"
Ist
andupf
ixi
ngmyj
eansup,
heal
soget
sup

Al
ex:
"CanIgety
ournumber
,I
'
dli
keust
ocat
chup"

Mynumber
?whyar
eyouev
ent
alki
ngt
ome

Me:
"Idon'
thav
eaphone"

Al
ex:
"FunnybecausewhenIcameher
eyouhadi
tiny
ourhand"
rai
sedey
ebr
ow

Me:
"Can'
tyougetamessage,
i
tmeansIdon'
twantt
ogi
vey
oumynumber
"he'
sst
art
ingt
oannoy
me

Alex
:"OkeyI
'
lll
eavemi
ne"
hewri
tesonasmal
lnotepad"
Hereyougo,
cal
lmewheny ouf
ree"
he
comesandkissesmychi
ckhol
dingmywai
st,
Inoti
ceSiyal
ooki
ngatus,
Iqui
ckl
ypushAlex

Al
ex:
"Cal
lme"
hel
eav
es,
Siy
acomest
owher
eI'
m st
andi
ng.
i'
mfr
eaki
ngout
,why
?Idon'
tknow

-
--

Si
ya:
"Sot
hisi
swhaty
ougetupt
owhenI
'
m notar
ound,
youknowwhatt
heyar
eri
ghtabout
you,
you'r
egoi
ngtoleav
eme.iwassuchafoolt
othi
nkI
'
dlov
esomeoneandt hey'
l
llov
eme
back,
fuckwhat
everwehadgoi
ngon"hel
eavesmeagai
nint
otal
aghast
.whatdidIdo?

GoshMenar ei
mpossi
ble,
Itakeoutmyphonetr
yingt
ocal
lhi
m,buthedoesn'
tanswer
.il
eav
ethe
benchesgoi
ngtoourr
oom,Ifindt
hem eat
ingpi
zza

Me:
"Ohal
i
ttl
edecencyt
otextandsaydon'
twai
tforus,
woul
d'
vebeengr
eat
"nar
rowedey
es

Ndoni
:
"Sor
rybabe,
Ifor
gott
otexty
ou.
For
giv
eme!
"puppyey
es

Me:
"What
ever
,i
sther
eanyl
eft
?"

Let
hu:
"No,
gobuyonef
ory
our
sel
f"
shespeakscl
ear
lyi
rr
it
ated

Me:
"Hawumxm i
t'
snotmyf
avour
it
eany
way
"Isayget
ti
ngup

Let
hu:
"What
everbi
tch"

MeandNdoni
:
wechor
us"
Excusey
ou?
whatwast
hat
?"wel
ookateachot
herandchuckl
e

Me:
"Whyar
eyoucopy
ingme?
"

Ndoni
:
"Itj
usthappened.
Whatdi
dyousaywena?
"webot
hlooki
ngather

Lethu:
"YouknewIl
i
kedSi
yabuty
ougof
orhi
m,whatki
ndofaf
ri
endy
ouar
e?homewacker
"she
shouts

Ndoni
:
cracksupl
aughi
ng

Me:"
Hehehebitchyoudareme,I
'
m gonnasmashy ourfaceyou'
l
lgounrecogni
sed"Isayf
oldi
ng
mysleeves"Soyoutheonewhopostedthepict
ure?bi
tchyounevert
oldmeany t
hingabout
Si
ya,
forcryi
ngoutloudyouandIonl
ymetthismor ni
ng"

Let
hu:
"Youst
eal
mymen"

Me:
"Ndoni
,
yourf
ri
endi
snut
s,shei
sn'
twel
comeher
e,getoutandgof
ixy
ourEngl
i
sh"
Ipoi
ntat
t
hedoor

Shegr
absherhandbagandt
urned

Let
hu:
"I
'm gonnaf
indy
ouf
ormessedupt
hingsf
orme,
yougonnapay
ed"
she'
satt
heedget
ocr
y

Me:"
Voet
sekyouf
latbuttbit
chhabewhataf
ucker
y"Icl
oset
hedooronherf
latbut
t,
Itur
n
ar
oundNdoni
isst
ill
laughing

Me:
"What
'ssof
unny
?"

Ndoni
:
"She.
.she.
.cal
l
edy
ouahomewacker
"l
aughi
ng

Me:
"You'
dswearshe'
seducat
ed.
thef
ri
endsy
oukeepnxa,
shet
arni
shedmyname"
amessage
f
li
cksi
nmyphonewr
it
ten"
It
'sov
er"
from Si
ya

Iscr
atchmyhead.he'
sbei
ngunreasonabl
erightnow,
Idi
dn'tt
ouchtheguyhet
ouchedme,Ical
l
himitgoesunanswer
ed,
igett
henotepadthathasAlex'
snumberfr
om mypocket
s,anddi
alhis
number

Al
ex:
"MrGor
geousO'
BRI
ENher
ehel
l
o"

Gor
geous?r
eal
l
ynow

Me:
"Heyi
t'
smeMbal
i
!"

Al
ex:
"I
'm sor
ryMbal
iwho?
"

Me:
"Mbal
i
,theoney
ougav
eyournumber
"Rol
l
in'
myey
es

Al
ex:
"Ohy
esnowIr
emembert
heBeaut
if
ulMi
Rose"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"SoIwasthi
nki
ngmy
bewecoul
dhangout
"JusthangoutbecauseSi
yadumpedmebutwe
wer
en'
tdat
ing

Al
ex:"
Sur
e,y
ou'
l
ltextmet
hedet
ail
s"heendst
hecal
l
.Hay
boIcal
lyouandy
ouendt
hecal
l
?mxm
i
diot
..

•
•••
•••

Idon'
tknowbutyouguysmustknowt hati
t'
smyf
ir
stt
imewr
it
ingi
nser
ts,
soi
fwhatIwr
it
eseem
outofpl
aceknowthatI
'
m st
il
llear
ning.

Thanky
ou.
Nexti
nser
tcomi
ngupt
omor
row

I
NSERT15

•
°

•
°

•
°

"
AAHAAAAAAAAAAI BOIMPILINZIM"DladlaMshunqisi
'
ssongburstsmyearsasNdonipl
aysi
t
l
oudlyinherr
oom,Icovermyheadwi thapi ll
owandscream.Ithi
nktheai
m wastowakemeup
vel
e.i
t'
sFri
dayandIhav e2classestoat t
endthengobackt omyroom andr
est.
Iwakeup
walki
ngli
keazombi edraggi
ngmy self,
Ibangt hedoort
wice,
sheopens.

Me:
"Coul
dyout
onedownt
hemusi
c,
it
'st
ool
oudIcan'
t.
..
."
shei
nter
rupt
sme

Ndoni
:
"WHATWASTHAT"
sheshout
s,Ibar
elyhearher
Me:"ISAI
DCOULDYOU.
.mcm y
ouknowwhat
"Ist
ormi
nsi
deherr
oom andswi
tchof
fthe
speaker

Ndoni
:"
ISTI
LLCAN'THEARYOU, ANYWAYMEANDLETHUWEGOI NGTOTHECLUBTONIGHT
WANNAJOI N"
sheshouts.
.I
'
m neary
oubi
tchandt
her
e'snowayI
'
m goi
ngoutwi
tht
hatgi
rlNO
WAY,she'
samentalcase

Me:"
NothanksI'
mfi
ne,
whyar
eyoust
il
lfr
iendswi
thherandwhyy
oushout
ing,
youl
osty
our
hear
ingbuds?
"

Ndoni
:shewi
ggleherearwi
thherhand"That
'
sbetternow,t
heniggacanshoutmen.
..
sowe
l
eavi
ngat6pm,bereadyandbeBeauti
ful"
shesay
sshut t
ingthedoor

I
'm notgoinganywherewiththatcrazychick,
Igetmytoil
etr
ies,
takeabathandwearl
eggi
ngs,
pol
oneck,boots,
andalongcoat .
Iti
emybr aidsup.andheadoutt omyfi
rstcl
ass,
andi
t'
ssai
d
we'
rewr i
ti
ngat estintwodayssoI '
llst
ayathomeandpr eparemy sel
f.
Secondcl
assthel
ect
urer
i
ssosl owIevenf eell
i
kesleeping,
classends.

IwalkuptoNando'
s,
Itakemyor der,
payandsi
tdownIni
bbl
emyf
ood.
Ndoni
'
scal
lcomes
thr
ough,
Ii
gnoreit
.at
extfrom herfl
i
cks

"
Iwanty
ouher
eri
ghtnowmi
ssy
,i
t'
sFr
iyayy
ougot
tabeabi
tchabi
t"
wit
hChampai
gnemoj
i
es.

Asl
ongast
her
e'sMi
ssFl
atbut
tandi
zi
,Ial
soi
gnor
ethet
ext
.

_
___
___

ATFEZEKANGCOBO'
SHOMEGogo(
Geor
ge'
smot
her
)get
sinhol
dinghersmal
lsui
tcase,
l
ooki
ng
sot
ir
ed

Gogo:
"KOKOHay
bowhyi
sthedoorwi
deopen"
shout
s

Mamacomest
othel
oungesur
pri
sedt
oseeGogo.

Mama:
"HawMaht
owhatdoweowet
hepl
easur
e?"

Gogo:
"Ther
e'samat
terwemustdi
scuss"

Mama:
"i
Mat
tery
ani
kel
eyo"
pur
sedl
i
ps

Gogo:
shesit
sdowncomf ort
ablyi
nthecouch"
Apri
ncewant
'sabr
ide"
mom looksatherand
cr
acksuplaughi
ng,
thenshestoppedl
aughi
ngtoseei
ngt
hatGogoisser
ious

Mama: Qui
ckl
ysitsdown"So.
..
Sot
hepri
ncewant
'sme?wowI'
llbehonour
edtel
lhi
m Isaid
yes!f
oronceI'
llberi
ch,dr
ivi
ngmycar
's,
I'
ll
havemypri
vat
ejet
..
ohwaitdidyout
ell
him Ihave
kids?"
sheasksexcit
edly

Gogo:l
aughsi
ndisbel
i
ef"
Stopwit
hy ourni
twi
ti
ckfant
asi
es,
thepr
incewant
'sayoungwoman,
not
umfazionomzi
mbawomnt uosekadewaphangal
ala(
notawomenwi t
habodyofapersonwho
hasl
ongdi
ed)
lapr
incei
ngak'
bi
zaMaKhul
uwena"
laughi
ng"
Yhuani
zi
thandi
zi
ntot
uh"

Mama:Looksatherwi
thdisgust"
Nxay ouhaven'
tchangedabitoldhag.
..
Athi
uPr
inceufunabani
ke?
andak'f
anengabeuthathaiPr
incess,
akhopri
ncessapha!
,
ey aphikey
onalapr
ince?
"

Gogo:
"He'
sfr
om t
heSwazi
l
and,
hewant
smyel
destgr
anddaught
er"

Mama:
Cockedey
es"
Sowai
t,
whymydaught
er?
"sheasksf
labber
gast
ed

Gogo:whi
spered"
Heoff
eredusdi
amondsandaluxur
iouslif
esty
le"
tal
kingonanormal
st
ate"
Honestl
yIcan'
tdi
epoor,
whatmysonlef
tmeisn'tenoughatall
"shesay
spicki
nghernose

Mama:
"Gogowher
edoesheknowmydaught
erf
rom?
"

Gogo:
"Thatwouldbehi
sfat
her
,heknowsev
ery
body
.unf
ort
unat
elyt
hePr
incecan'
tmar
ryany
one
el
sebutyourdaught
er"

Mama:
"Whyar
etheyhel
lbentonmaki
ngmydaught
ert
hei
rbr
ide?
"

Gogo:"
Eyiangazimf
azi.
.Idi
dn'
tcomeher
etomakesmal
ltal
ks,
Icameher
eforbusi
ness.
Cal
l
Char
lott
iandtell
hertocomeassoonaspossi
ble"

Mama: "
Sowesel
li
ngmychil
d?"herheartbreak,
sheneverknewshelov
edMbal
ithi
smuchand
thenGogowant
stosel
lher
?..
butont heotherside,
she'
llberi
chandgett
omoveoutoft
his
place

Mama:
"OkayI'
l
lcall
her"
sherespondsexuber
ant
ly.
.thi
nki
ngoft
hegoodl
i
feshe'
l
lbel
i
ving,
she
i
magi
nedhersel
finthesandsofDubai
.

Gogo:
"Bequi
ck,
whenar
emygr
andchi
l
drencomi
ngbackf
rom school
?"

Mama:
"at15:
30"

Gogo:
"Theyar
esogrown,
Bay
andar
emi
ndsmeofmewhenIwasy
oungIwasat
roubl
e
maker
"shechuckl
es

Mama:
Mumbl
es"
Evennowy
ouar
e"

Gogo:
"What
?"

Mama:
"Isai
dgoodt
hingy
ouseey
our
sel
finher
"Fakesmi
l
e..
shemakest
het
ext
sMbal
i

"
Beher
ebyt
omor
row,
emer
gency
"

_
___
_

Ireadt
hemessagemymom sent,Emergencyisabrokent
oet
omymot
her
,my
bei
t'
sami
nor
thi
ngthatdoesn'
tev
enneedme.
itextback"Fi
ne"
sent.

i
t'
s15:
00,
I
'mi
nmyr
oom Ndoni
isn'
ther
eyetandIdozeof
ftol
alal
and
_
___
_

I
NHERAPARTMENTshel
oti
onsherbodyandt
aket
hephonet
omakeacal
l

Guy
:"HeyGoj
asThut
hu"
cheer
ful

Let
hu:
chuckl
es"
Ohsi
l
lyy
ou.
.I'
veseeny
oui
nal
ongages"

Guy
:"I
'
m ar
ound,
whatcanIdof
ory
ou"

Let
hu:
"Ineedaf
lav
our
"shesay
sassheshav
esherv
agi
nawi
thanot
herhand

Guy
:"Af
lav
our
?ohy
oumeanf
avour
?sur
ewhati
sit
"

Let
hu:
"Youmustspi
cesomeone'
sdr
inki
ng,
youwi
l
lseenhert
odayatt
hecl
ub"
smi
rk

Guy
:Heput
sthephoneonl
oudspeakerandsi
gnal
hiscol
l
eaguet
oli
sten"
Repeatt
hatpl
ease"

Lethurepeat
sandthegent
slaughsi
l
ent
lyt
hrought
hephone,
theot
herguyt
ell
stheguyLet
hui
s
tal
kingto,
whatLet
humeans

Guy:
"Oht
hat'
seasy
,aslongasyoucomewi
thmymoneywegood.
Shoul
ditbesomet
hingt
hat
ki
ll
sormakesyouunconsci
ous?"

Let
hu:
"Somet
hingsuncouchi
ous"

Guy
:"Okay
"

Let
huendst
hecal
landt
alkal
one"
Itel
lyouI
'
llf
indy
ouMbal
i
,whowasabi
tchnowhahaha"
wit
ch
l
aught
er.

_
___
__

I
'
m shakenv
iol
ent
ly"
Wakeupbi
tchIboughty
ouadr
ess"

Ir
ubmyey
es

Me:
"It
oldIai
n'
tgoi
ng"
sti
l
lsl
eep"
Ineedt
ost
udyt
oday
"

Ndoni
:
"PleaseIcan'
tbel
aughi
ngal
oneatLethu"
chuckl
es"Thedi
cti
onar
ysheusessur
eisupsi
de
down.
.HEYI'M TALKI
NGTOYOU"sheshakesmeandIst ar
tl
e

Me:
"YhooooNdoni
IswearIwoul
d'
vel
ongki
l
ledy
oui
fyoul
i
vedwi
thme"
Annoy
ed

Ndoni
:
"Somanypeopl
etr
iedki
l
li
ngmewhodoy
out
hinky
ouar
e?j
ustbat
handcomet
omy
r
oom"

Me:
"Mx
m..
Ial
readybat
hed"
Ifol
l
owhert
oherr
oom,
thesedr
essesar
esot
ight

Me:
"Noway
,I
'm notwear
ingt
hat
"It
urnandheadf
ort
hedoor
,shegr
absmyar
m andgi
vemea
dr
esst
owearandbl
ackst
il
ett
os

Me:"Ndonii
t'
ssoti
ght,
itmakesmeuncomf
ort
abl
e"Il
ookatmy
sel
fandt
wir
lfort
hemi
rr
or"
No
I
'm notweari
ngthi
sit
'stoorev
eal
i
ng"

Ndoni:
"Youalreadyworeit
,i
tsuit
syouperfect
lyandyourl
ightcomplexiongoeswellwit
hthe
goldcolour
,l
etmedot his.
..
"shesay
sgrabbinghermakeupkit,
anddoeswonder sonmyface.
i
neverli
kedmakeup.i'
mt heli
psti
ckandmascar aki
ndapersonall
thef oundat
ionsaresonot
necessary,
arewebuil
dingahouse?foundati
oningourf
acesMcm. .butImustsayIlook
Gorgeous

Ndoni
:
"Ther
eyougo"
Shesmi
l
es"
Done,
nowl
etmef
ixmy
sel
f"

af
ter5mi
nut
esshe'
sdone

Me:
"You'
resoqui
ck"

Ndoni
:
"I'
m notasnobl
i
key
ou.
..
Let
'
sgoanddon'
twal
kli
keat
oddl
er!
"

Me:
"Youcoul
d'
vegav
emeSt
il
ett
osl
essons,
nowI
'
llembar
assy
ou"

Ndoni
:"
Idon'
tcar
earetsamaye,
Let
huiswait
ingforusattheclubshej
ustt
ext
edmesay
ing'
The
cl
ubisfool
'
'GoshIwonderhowshepassedallhergr
ades"Laughi
ng

Me:
"Ihopeshedoesn'
tpr
essmybut
tonst
oday
"I'
l
lst
abherwi
tht
heset
ir
ingshoesI
'
m wear
ing

Wegetoutofthecab,
wepayandj oint
heli
ne,
abouncercomesourway" Let
hucall
edfory
outo
comein"hesay
s..
MeandNdoni l
ookateachotherandshrugourshoul
dersfol
l
owingt
hebuff
ed
bouncer
.mybeherbl
esserownsthispl
ace.
AcallcomesthroughGoshAlexwhatnow?
Ianswer

Me:
"Hel
l
o"cov
eri
ngmyot
herearbl
ocki
ngt
henoi
se

Al
ex:
"Wher
ear
eyou,
Ithoughtweme.
..
."

Me:"Hell
oIcan'thearyou,
l
ist
enwe'
llt
alklat
er"
Iendt hecall.
.wegeti
nsidei
t'
ssopacked,
Itakea
pi
ctureandcapt i
on"MonateMpol
aye"
withgroovingemojiesandposteditonWhatsApp.
Siya
wast hefir
sttovi
ewandcomment" Sothisisthepersony ouhavebecome,wher
ey ouat
,I'
l
l
comef etchyou!"

Hay
boAbhut
itl
eleavemealonoooIgodon'
tknowy
ouar
h..
.Ii
gnor
ehi
stextandheadt
othe
t
abl
ewhereNdonii
ssett
led.
..
.

_
___

Lat
erpeeps

I
NSERT:
16

•
°
•
°

•
°

THORNwait
sforhisITguytocontacthi
m aboutt
hewhereabout
sofMbali.
"Idon'
tknowwhyI
bot
herwi
thher
,butIdon'
twanthertogethurt
"het
hinkst
ohimself
.acal
lcomest hr
ough

Thor
n:"
Didy
ouf
indany
thi
ng?
"

I
Tguy
:"I
'
m st
il
ltr
yingt
otr
..
.

Thorn:"
Dudeyouki
ddi
ngme,
i
sitsohar
dtot
rackaper
sonf
ory
ou,
shoul
dIf
indsomeoneel
set
o
doitforme?"
Snapped

I
Tguy
:"Lookmen,IheardyouandKill
erar
enolongerworki
ngtoget
her.
iwor
kforhi
m notyou,
I
wasj
ustdoingyouaf avourandi
fitmakesy
ouf eelbet
ter
,t
hendofi
ndsomeoneelse"
Annoyed

Thor
n:"
Fine.
I'
m sor
ryI
'
mjustwor
ri
edabouther
,j
ustcont
actmei
fyouf
indherl
ocat
ion"

I
Tguy
:"Sur
e,ohanddon'
tev
eruset
hatt
onewi
thme,
I
'm notoneofy
ourbi
tches"
cutt
hecal
l

Thor
nlookedatt
hephoneandsi
ghedshaki
nghi
shead.

_
___
_

MBALI
'
sPov

Isi
tdownatt heVIPsect i
onwithMenol denought obemyf ather.Ndonii
sblushingatt hesweet
nothi
ngst hatol
dmeni swhi sper i
ngtoher ,Judgingfrom t
hewayshegr ewupandt he
outcomesofherl if
e,beingabusedphy sicall
yifIwer eherI
'dhatemen. She'
ssocomf ort
able
beingtouchedonhert highs,
IthinkIwaswr ongaboutherIt houghtshe'sabrokensoul .
she's
oneoft hosefri
endsy ourmot herwoul dwar nyout onothangoutwi t
h.it
urntotheot her
dir
ecti
onLet huiscli
ngi ngtothewhi teoldmen, about53y earsifImayassume. She'sallgi
ggly
andsmi les,
shelooksmywayIt ur
nandr eachformyphone. Idon'tknowhowcomei '
m all
owed
heresi
nceI '
m 19,Idi
dn' tevenwantt ocomeher e.
Lethuspeakswi thherannoyingv oicethat
soundsl i
keababybi rdcr yi
ngf orfood,
ifbi r
dscr y
.

Let
hu:
Frown"
We'
rey
ouar
en'
tgonet
oor
deranydr
ink?
"

Hol
ditt
oget
her
,don'
tl
aughMbal
i

Me:
"I
'l
lor
derwat
er,
oraCi
der
"Isaynoti
nter
est
edt
oherr
esponset
hat

Let
hu:
"Youwer
eki
ddi
ngusr
ight
?Sowhowasgonet
odr
inkt
hisSea-
rock?
"

Me:
chuckl
i
ng"
Idon'
tdr
inkCi
roc,
act
ual
l
yIdon'
tdr
inkatal
l
"

Ndoni
fixesherdr
essst
andi
ngup,
wit
htheol
dguyshei
swi
th

Ndoni
:
"Ladi
eswe'
l
lbebackl
ater
"
Me:
Ial
sost
andup"
Ohhel
lno.
youcan'
tbr
ingmeher
ethenl
eav
emeal
one"
pissedof
f

Let
hu:"
IandJameswillt
akencareofyou,
Ndonihavefun,
Remi
ndthi
sMoveyourwaistl
i
key ou
pl
ayawholerhoop"
Sti
cki
nghertongueout,
Ndonil
aughsandgoeswit
hgr
andpa.
Lethustandsup
andcomemyway .
andpushesmet osi
tdown

Me:
"Andt
henwhyt
hef
uckdi
dyoupushme"

Let
hu:"
Kebatl
aghoreot
lwemonate,
Someonei
scameher
etokeepy
ouwel
come"
Shesay
sas
shegoesbacktot
hewhitegr
andpa.

Let
hut
ypesonherphone"
Broughti
tnow"

Thebar
manreadst
hemessegeandl
aughshaki
nghi
sheadandsendsaat
extt
oher"
I'
ll
placei
t
i
nthemiddl
e"

Thewai
tercomeswi
tht
hedr
inks

Let
hu:
"Ohourdr
inkscome"

Di
dshesayourdr
ink,
I
'm sonotgoi
ngt
odr
inkany
thi
ngher
e

James:
"Hel
pyour
sel
fouty
oungl
ady
"Smi
l
es,
showi
nghi
srust
ygol
dteet
h,Ismi
l
eback

Me:
"Isai
dI'
m..
.

Anot
hergrandpashowsup,thi
sone.y
oucanseehewashotinhisdays,
andi
ssti
llt
aki
ngcareof
hi
mself
,he'stheyoungestt
otheseotherol
dmenIsuppose.
hesmell
sgoodtoo.
hesit
snextto
meandsmi les.
Thesepeopl
eli
kesmiling

Let
hu:
"Hav
eadr
inkMbal
i
"Smi
l
ingasshegi
vesmet
hedr
ink.

Theguynextt
ome,
takesi
tfr
om Let
huandgul
psi
tdownhi
sthr
oat
.Let
hu'
sjawsdr
op.

whyi
ssheact
ingl
i
ket
his?
Theguynextt
omest
andsupandDancet
oMi
Casa'
ssong"
Toca"

_
Dance,
yeahIj
ustwannadance

f
orgetaboutt
hewor
ldandl
i
vemyhand.
.yeah

Ij
ustwannadance.
sing,
ohIj
ustwannasi
ng

si
ngasi
fnobodyel
secanhearmey
eah

Ij
ustwannasi
ngTát
ãgost
osoaqui
tàt
ãGost
oso

Tát
ãgost
osoaqui
tàt
ãGost
osoEunão

Quer
oir
embor
anãoquer
o,nãonão,
Eunãoquer
oir
embor
anãoquer
onãonão
i
t'
swayt
ooni
ceupi
nher
e

i
t'
swayt
ooni
ce,
i
t'
swayt
ooni
ce

Idon'
twannahav
etol
eav
eIj
ustwannapar
ty

Idon'
twannahav
etol
eav
eij
ustwannapar
ty

Tocamusi
ca,
micasat
oca_

Allt
hist
imehewasst ri
ppi
ngnakedonl yinhi
sboxersdancingli
keNobodyi
swatchi
ng,
mumbl i
ngtheQueroi
remborapart
s.Ev
er y
onecheeredhi
m upwhent hesongendedhecame
backandsleptl
ikehewasn'
tupandaboutmi nut
esago.Jamestookhimtohi
scaranddrov
e
hi
m home.MeandLet huwerelef
tbehindIlookatthet
imeit'sonl
y20:
00wearriv
edhereat
18:
15.iwanttogohome.

Let
hust
andsupgoi
ngt
othebar
man

_
_

Let
hu:
"Thati
diotdr
inkt
hedr
ink"
angr
y

Bar
man:
"Who?
"

Let
hu:
"Don'
tgav
emet
hatal
ti
tude,
youknewwho!
"Conf
usedl
ook

Bar
man:
"It
houghti
twasmeantf
orhi
m.t
heguywhowasdanci
ng?
"

Let
hu:"
No.Thatfool
takedi
tfr
om t
hehand.
.Her
etake!
"shegav
ehi
m hi
smoney"
Cal
lyourf
ri
ends
sotheyhaveajobdone"

Bar
man:
"Whatj
ob?
"conf
used"
LookThut
huI
'
m wor
kingher
e,makei
tsnappy
"

Let
hu:
"Tol
dthem t
oRapeandki
l
lhi
m"poi
nti
ngatMbal
i

Barman:"
Okeyjustgetoutofmyf
ace,
you'
rest
art
ingt
osoundl
i
keaf
lywi
thy
ourbr
oken
engl
ish"
pursedli
ps

Let
hu:Shegasp"Foryourformati
on,
Ipassedawayallmyobj
ect
satschool
.andI
'
m donemy
Degreethi
syearinvarsi
ty"t
urnedandl
efthi
ml aughi
ng.
Thebar
mandidn'
tdowhatLethuAsked.

_
__

Let
hucamebackangr
yandt
ookherbag,
Ist
oodupt
ofol
l
owher
,andshesnappedatme

Lethu:
"NO.YoustayhereI'
m goingtothebat
hroom"
Ilookedatherfrom headtotoeandset
down,shedisappearedtot
het oi
let
s.i
stoodupandl
eftDante'
sNightlounge.It
ookacabandlef
t
herthere,
i
fshethinksshecanhav eherwaywithmethenshe'
swr ong.i
'
m nopuppetofhersand
I'
m donewi t
hNdoni andher.
Ienter
edourr oom andt hedoorwasn' tl
ocked,soshecamehomeandl eftme?p-shbi t
ch.
iwalk
i
nandl ockt hedoor ,It
henhearherscr eam inherroom " YesFuckme. .
.Arrr
hhh.
.Yeees
papa..
.Yeeesf uckmeI '
my ourbi
tch..
.yesarh"Iquickl
ygeti nmyroom andl ock.
.Ichangeint
omy
PJsandgeti nsidemybedt henoiseisstil
lconti
nuing,kantii
sn'
tthatgrandpari
ch? whyarethey
doingithere?NxaNdoni hasnor espectforme. i
final
lygetsomesl eepwhenIheart hedoor
openfrom theki tchen.I
'
lldealwi
thhert omor r
ow

_
_

I
NTHEMORNI
NGThor
ntr
iescal
l
ingheragai
nitst
il
lgoesonv
oicemai
l
.Hegi
vesupandgoest
o
t
akeabat
h

_
___

I
NTHEKI
NGDOM OFSWAZI
LAND.

Pr
inceLangal
ethuDl
ami
nisati
nhi
sRoyalsl
umberreadi
ngabook" BEAUTYBEYONDTHE
ORANGEUNI FORM"whi
chwasinhi
siPhoneTabl
et.
TheKingknockedinhi
ssl
umber

Pri
nce:
"Comei
nFat
her
"hef
acesdownr
espect
ingt
heki
ng,
Theki
ngcamei
nandsatont
hebi
g
chai
r

Ki
ng:
"Myson"
Deepv
oice

Pr
ince:
"Fat
her
"r
espect
ful
tone

Ki
ng:
"Iseey
ou'
rer
eadi
ngt
hatbookagai
n"

Pr
ince:
"Yes.
That
'sal
lIcandot
heseday
sasI
'
m al
way
shomemostoft
het
ime.
"

Ki
ng:
"I
t'
saNi
cebook"
Smi
l
esbuthi
ssmi
l
eisbar
elyv
isi
ble

Thepr
incel
ookupsur
pri
sedt
hatt
heKi
ngal
sor
eadsi
t.

King:
"What
?It
'saNi
cebook,
Yougett
olearnthatyourfr
iendsareyourenemi
es.
Andthatwhen
you'r
edownandlowpeopl
edegr
adeyou.Ihopeitdoesn'thappent
omeasI '
m get
ti
ngolderby
day"

Pr
ince:
"Yes.
it
sav
eryeducat
ingbook.
butI
'
m sur
efat
herdi
dn'
tcomeher
etot
alkaboutbooks"

Ki
ng:
Smir
ks"Well
thati
str
ue.Ngev
iki
eli
takosi
yakhaboMbalimayelananalendzabayama
l
obol
a(Nextweekwe'r
egoingtoMbali
'
shome,fordowr
ynegoti
ati
ons)"St
rai
ghtface

Pri
nce:"
Fatherwit
hal
lduerespect.Ang'
tomthat
samumfuloongumtazana,
fut
siMine
ng'
tashadzanalemumfuengimt sandzako(
Iwon'tt
akeaper
sonwhoisababy ,
andiwil
lmar
rya
per
sonIl ove)

King:
"Howdar
eyoudisagr
eewit
hmeboy?"
hestandsupreadyt
obeatthehel
loutofhi
sson
"Youaremyel
destson,
Mongezi
isy
oungbutunal
omfat
i(
Hehasawi f
e)Whatkindof
Nonsensar
yist
hat
?"

Pr
ince:
"I
'm sor
ryf
atherbuty
ouknowt
her
easonIdon'
thav
eawi
fey
et"

Ki
ng:
"YouwereatMi
l
itar
yyouar
ebacknow,
Youar
ethenextki
ngImustt
eachy
ouhowt
obe
ki
ng"
Shout
ing

Pri
nce:
"Yi
ndzabai
nanil
emfombat
ane?
(Whatdoesthi
sgi
rlhav
e?)
WhymustImar
ryher
,whi
l
stI
haveapersonIl
ove?
"def
endi
nghi
msel
ftohi
sfather

Ki
ng:
"Mbal
iwi
l
lbey
ourf
ir
stwi
fe,
thel
oveofy
ourl
i
fewi
l
lbet
hesecondf
ini
sh"

Pr
ince:
"Butf
ather
..
.

Ki
ng:
Glar
edathi
m wi
tht
urbul
entey
es

Pr
ince:
"Yourwi
shi
smycommandf
ather
.Iwi
l
lmar
ryherasy
ousay
"bowhi
shead

Theki
ngwal
kedout
,"
Thi
smar
ri
aget
hingi
ssobanal
"t
hepr
incet
hinkst
ohi
msel
f

ThekingisaYob,buthewouldalwayswanttoberespectednomatterhowr udeheistohis
peopl
e.thepr
incecarr
iedonreadi
ngt hebook.
Hismoodchangedaf terreadingit,
hewas
l
aughingandallsmil
es.Notcar
ingthathe'
sget
ti
ngmar ri
ednextweek,toat otalst
rangerf
orthe
benef
itsofhi
sf at
her.

_
___
__

•
•••

Yourcomment
smat
tert
hemostt
ome.
theykeepmemot
ivat
edt
owr
it
emor
e.Li
ke,
comment
andshare

#Lov
eMni
niPost

I
NSERT:
17

•
°

*
THI
SINSERTWI
LLBESHORT,
BECAUSELOADSHEDDI
NGI
SABI
TCH*

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

AMONTHLATERi t'
sMar chI'
m donewr it
ing,
I'
m goinghomef orthehol
idaysandIdi dn'
tpack
anyt
hingbecauseIleftsomeclothesathome. Idon'tknowwhybutIdon' tfeel
likegoing
home.i'
vebeenignori
ngmymom' scal
lssincetheendofJanuar ythedayshet extedme
sayi
ng"Wehav eanemer gency"
,shemustknowt hatIam ast udentukuthishedeniedmet ogo
toschooldoesn'
tmeanshecanhav eherwaywi thme, Aft
erallshedoesn'tpaymyt uiti
onfees.
I
evenignor
edGogo'scal l
smy beitwasr eall
yanemer gency.
wel lwe'l
lj
ustfindouttoday,IMiss
AyandaandVusi
,Idon'
tmissBayanda.
my beabi
tshe'
ssor
ude,
she'
sthebl
acksheepoft
he
famil
y.
butIwoul
dn'tt
radeherf
oranythi
ng.

MeandNdoni ar
enott al
kingfrom thatdaysheleftmeattheclub.l
et'
sj ustsayI'm nottal
kingto
herIdon'tknowabouthert al
kingtome, becauseI'
m alwaysnotli
stening.am Ibeing
unreasonable?ThornandIweki ssedandmadeup, we'
renowdat i
ng.Iunderstandhi ssudden
changeofmoods, i
thappensoccasi onal
ly.
Ialwaystexthi
mt otakehispi l
lseverymor ni
ng.Ilov
e
hi
m somuch, GoshI'm ev
enbl ushing.

Thet
axi
dropsmeof
fatmyst
oep,
Ibuysomey
amsatt
het
uckshop,
I'
m cr
avi
ngt
hem.

Igeti
ntot
heYar
d,Gogo'
sCari
sher
e?mynei
ghbourgr
eet
smewi
thasmi
l
e

Nei
ghbour
:"
HeyMakot
i"

Me:"HeyThando,
byeThando"Isayqui
cklygett
ingi nside,
shetal
kstoomuchpl usshetalksabout
Howhott hesonis,
nowI'l
lhavetobeli
ke"Eyit'
sr eall
yhotnhe"Ihatetheweathertopi
c.ButI
st
ickmyheadoutl ooki
ngatherhouse"Didshejustcal lmeMakot i
?"Gogocomesmywayand
ul
ulategoingar
oundmewi ththeshor
tgrassbr oom. Thisisst
range,
Ilookatherthenshesmiles.

Gogo:
"I
'm notgoi
ngt
oshoutaty
ouf
ornotcomi
ng,
becausei
thappenedany
way
"

Me:
"I
thappened?
whathappened?
"Il
ookatherqui
zzi
cal
l
y

Gogo:"
HawuIthoughtyouknew,
yourmothersai
dYOUUUsai
dtheyshoul
dcont
inuewi
thout
you,
andthatwhenit
'st
heholi
daysyou'
l
lcomehomeandthey'
ll
fet
chyou!"

Shei
sexpl
aini
ng,
butIdon'
tgetwhatshe'
sonabout
,Il
ookathert
ospi
titoutbutshedoesn'
t

Gogo:
"We'
llexpl
ainwhenweatthedinnert
abl
e,DI
NNERISREADYMAVILA"
sheshout
sthef
am
comesoutandsitsonthechai
rBay
andastart
ssingi
ngwhensheseesme

Bay
anda:"
ArhNangumakot'uphuMakot'nangumakot
'
"she'
ssi
ngi
ngwhi
l
edanci
ngi
naf
unny
way,wi
ggli
nghershoul
der
s.ever
yonechuckl
es

Gogo:
"Si
tdownwena"
sher
epr
imand

Bay
andasi
tsdownpout
ingherl
i
ps

Isi
tther
ewi
thwonder
ingey
es"
Whyi
sev
ery
onecal
l
ingmeMakot
i"

Mom:
"Vusi
prayf
orus"

Ohwepr
aynow,
Ament
hisi
snew

Vusi:
"DearGodwethankyouf ort
hefood,
andIpr
aythaty
ougi
vethosemanonmama'sphone
cl
othestowear,
andlethershareherpeni
stoy
swithusAmen"
ashe'spr
ayi
ngI
'
mintearswit
h
l
aughterGoshImissedthesekids
Al
lofus:
"Amen"

Mom doesn'
tev
enl
ookup,
Gogoi
sst
ari
ngatherwi
thMur
der
ingey
esandsay
s"Nxa"

Ibr
eakt
hei
ce

Me:"
SoHow'sschool
babi
es"
Igi
veoutagenui
nesmi
l
e,wi
pingaf
all
i
ngt
ear
,andBay
anda
answer
sfi
rst

Bayanda:
"I
twassobori
ngminaI'
m nev
ergoi
ngt
oschool agai
n,
it
'
ssobori
ng.
Theteacher
sask
st
upidquesti
onsandwantust
oanswerwit
hcor
rectanswers"
Shechewsonherf
ood

Me:
"Ow.
.Whatdot
heyask"

Bayanda:"
Thisothert
eacherfoundusr unningaroundcl
ass,
andshesai
d'Whoeveri
sstil
l
standi
ngisStupidandamonkey '
weallranandsatdown.'SoNooneisst
upid?
'weallkeptqui
et
andIstoodup,'SoyouarestupidBayanda'andIsaid'
Yesmem,Ican'
tl
etyoubestupi
daloneit
's
di
srespectf
ul'
thewholeclasslaughedandIwassuspendedf ort
wodaysmxm"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Di
dmom got
oyourschool
"l
ooki
ngatmom,
She'
sfaci
ngdowneat
ing

Bay
anda:
"Noshesai
dshehasLobol
anegot
iat
ionst
otakecar
eof
"

Me:
"Lobol
a?"
Ist
areatMom andGogo"
Who'
sLobol
aBay
anda"

Bay
anda:
"Your
sdur
h"sher
oll
sherey
es

Isuddenl
ychokeonmyf
ood,
Idr
inksomewat
er,
Bay
andabl
owsai
ronmyf
ace

Bay
anda:
"Cal
lanambul
ance"
Sheshout
s,shecanbedr
amat
ic

Me:
"I
'm.
.(
Cough)
I'
mfi
ne"
Iregai
nsomest
rengt
h"Whatdi
dBay
andasay
?"st
ari
ngatmom

Bay
anda:
"I
tmea.
..
..

Gogo:
"Shushwena,
goandsleepki
ds"t
heyal
lgoandsleepAy
andacomesbackandhugsme
"
I'
m goingtomi
ssyouSisi
"Shesmil
esIsmil
eback,
notknowi
ngwhatt
osay.Ateardr
ops

Me:
..
..
.

Mom:
"You.
..
(Si
ghs)
youar
enowamar
ri
edwoman"

Idon'
tunder
stand.
iunder
standbutt
hey
'r
eexpl
aini
ngi
sweak

Gogoput
smeoutofmymi
ser
y

Gogo:
"Mnt
anandi
niDowr
ywaspai
dfory
ou,
byapr
inceofSwazi
l
and,
andIcal
l
edt
hem t
ocome
pi
ckyouup"
Angerbui
l
dsupi
nsi
deme,
I
'mr
ebuked

Me:inawobbl yvoice"Soyoutwosoldmewi thoutmyconsent?"Idon'

tgetwhyI '
m ev enasking
becauseit'
scleartheydid.Ist
artcr
yinggetti
ngupIswi vel
thechairanditfal
ls.
"I
t'
sal lprov
en
youarenotmymot her"
Iholdmyhear t
,pointi
ngatit
"Nomot herwoulddosuchat hingtotheir
Daughter"
Icrymi serabl
y"WHAThuh? "Ist
artshouti
ng,t
heygetstartl
ed"Whaaaatint heworlddid
theyoff
eryou,thatmadey ounotcareadi mehowy ourdaughterwouldfeelaft
erfindingout
she'smarri
ed?Doy ouevencareaboutme? "Icrumbl
edownonmyknees

"PleaseGi
vemebacktomyreal mother
,becauseyou(Poi
nti
ngather
)youar
enotmymot
her
"I
standupslowl
y,
andwalkout
side.
IlookaroundAndstartr
unning

Gogo:
"YeyComebackher
eyoungl
ady
"Shout
s

Irunanddon'
tl
ookback,
Ist
opandbal
ancemysel
fonmyknees,
Ist
andst
rai
ghtandr
unagai
n
toGodknowswhere.

I
NSERT:
18

•
°

•
°

•
°

IARRIVEATTHERIVERat13: 00,
I
'm pant
ingwi
pingmysweatwi ththet
opI '
m weari
ng,Iobserve
mysur r
oundi
ngst
here'
sawomandoi ngl
aundr
ynotf arf
rom whereIam.Isi
tatthebigrock,why
wouldmyownmot hersacr
if
icemyhappinessf
orriches?Idr
if
tofftosl
eepthinki
ngthewhy '
s
andwhat '
swi
thnoanswer.

Voi
ce:
"Thi
sisy
ourf
ate"
Asof
tvoi
cespeaksasi
fit
'sdi
sappear
ing

Me:
"Hel
l
ow,
any
bodyt
her
e?"
Iaskwi
thashakyv
oice

Voi
ce:
"Takethi
smychild"
ther
e'sal
ightcomingmyway ,
goesstr
aighttomyar m,drawinga
mark.
it
'sal
ight
ning/
Thundermarkbesidesi
tther
e'sacr
osssignmar k.
itdoesn'
thurtatal
l
.

Me:"What
..
Whatareyoudoingt
ome" Ican'
tmov
east
hel
i
ghtt
att
oosmyar
minasmal
lbut
vi
sibl
eappear
ancenearermyshoul
der.

Voi
ce:
"Tr
ustnoone,
buty
ourchosen"

Me:
"Ihav
eachosen?
wai
twhatdoy
oumeanbychosen?
Hel
l
o?ar
eyoust
il
lther
e?"

I
'
m shakensof
tl
y,
andI
'
m metbyt
hewomenwhowasdoi
ngl
aundr
y,l
ooki
ngatmewi
th
concer
nedey
es.
iwasdr
eami
ng

Her
:"
Don'
tyouhav
eahome?
"Looki
ngatmewi
thwor
ry

Me:
"I.
.Idon'
tknowany
mor
e"Looki
ngdownpl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
inger
s

Her
:"
Gohome,i
t'
slat
enow"Inodmyheadandgetuplooki
ngback,
she'
sfarwi
thherbucket
.i
l
ookatt
heti
mei nmywatchit
's17:
00.
isl
eptt
hatl
ong?

Iseeoneofmynei ghbourscomi
ngfrom workIassume,
Hegivesmeal i
ft
.He'
sgotmoneyand
thecar
shedr i
vesarejustWOW,hedoesn'thav
ethegoodlooksbuthav
ingmoneymakesyou
att
ract
iveany
way .
IfyougetwhatI
'm say
ing

Me:
"Thanky
ou"
fadesmi
l
e

Hel
ooksatmef
orawhi
l
e

Hi
m: "
Youl
ookli
key
ouwer
ecr
ying,
yourey
esar
ebi
ggert
hent
heywer
e,andy
ourassi
sbi
gger
t
oo"hesmi
rks

Wher
einSat
afl
i
kacount
rydoesasshav
etodowi
thcr
yingbet
huna

Me:
Il
augh"
Ass?
"

Him:
"YouknowwhatImean"Lookingstr
aightatt
her oad"
Sovel
ewhywereyousof
arfrom
home,di
dyougetcaughtwhi
lstmakingoutwithyourboyf
ri
endandy
ouranher
ebecausethe
Mkomaascommuni tywaschasi
ngy ou?
"

Iwi
shi
twasl
i
ket
hat

Me:
Isi
ghshaki
ngmyhead"
Ifonl
yyouknewZamani
"

Zamani
:
"Tel
lme"

Me:
"I
t'
sast
oryf
oranot
herday
,youcanl
eav
emeatt
het
uckshopIneedt
ogetsomet
hing"

Zamani
:
"Sur
e,y
oust
il
lhav
emynumberr
ight
?"hest
opst
hecar

Me:
Igetof
f,
Andpeaki
nthewi
ndow"
YesIdo"

Heshowsmehi
sthumbanddr
ivesof
f

Idi
dn'
tneedanyt
hingi
nthet
uckshop,
Ij
ustneededt
omakei
tlat
eathome.
..
Home?
??Idon'
t
knowanymore

5mi
nut
escar
mel
i
onwal
kandI
'
m atmygat
e.i
hesi
tat
eget
ti
ngi
nbutev
ent
ual
l
ygeti
n.

Theyaresi
tt
ingtherelaughi
nganddri
nki
ngtea.
butassoonast heysawmet heystopped,
Iget
i
nt her
oom IsharewithVusiandgoovert
othebigmirr
or,
Ilookatmy self
.i
m all
puffyand
red,
mynoseisfullwit
hsnort.
Itakeof
fmyclot
hesgett
ingreadytobath,It
akeoffthetopfi
rst
myt it
sar epointy.
inot i
cemyshoul derisalit
tl
ebi tswal
l
en,
Ichangedir
ecti
onandlookatitfrom
themi r
ror."ATATTOO? "Islapmy selfinmymi nd" Thedr
eam"soitwashappeni
ngf orr
eal
? Il
ook
atitagain,Thunderandacr osssign? whatdot hesemarksmean.Andwhodidthi
s?whydidn'tit
hurt?myphonev i
br at
edont hesidet abl
e,It
ooki tandSi
yawascall
ing,
Ist
art
edcry
ingagainand
quickl
ywi pedmyt ears.ianswer edshaki ng

Si
ya:"
HeyMymeSmudgysnowber
ry-
dooPancakebl
ueber
rycar
amel
ntonnt
onal
li
none
Beaut
iful
women"
hechuckl
es

Thi
siswhatI
'
llmi
ssabouthi
m,t
heDon'
tmakesenseni
cknamesheal
way
scomeswi
th

Ismi
l
east
ear
scomegushi
ng

Me:
"Hey
"myv
oicecomesoutsquashy

Si
ya:
"Enhl
eI'
vel
eftat
housandmi
ssedcal
l
s,whywer
en'
tyouanswer
ingy
ourphone?
"

ohf
rom Smudgymudgyt
oEnhl
e,
he'
sangr
ynow

Me:
"Iwasoutget
ti
ngsomef
reshai
r"

Si
ya:
"Ohandsoy
ouf
orgoty
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end?
"

Hel
eft5mi
ssedcal
l
shecal
l
sthatt
housandcal
l
s,andnowhe'
saski
ngThousandquest
ionshay
i

Me:Isnapathi
m"ForgoodnesssakeIj
ustfoundoutI
'
m mar
ri
ed,
Icr
iedmybal
l
soutbecausei
don'
twannaloseyousosavethequest
ionsnow"

Hekeepsqui
et

Me:
"Yout
her
e?.
..
lookI
'
m sor
ryI
'
mjustnotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
""Tut
utu"
cal
ldr
opped

It
rycal
l
inghi
m backbuti
t'
sonv
oicemai
lnow

WellImightaswell
getmarriedsinceSi
yacan'
tstopthewedding,Idon'
tknowbutt
hedr
eam i
dreamtearl
iymakesmebel i
evethiswasdoneforareason.
thatthiswasdesti
nedf
ormelong
ago.Iam t
obequeen.pshscrewthatIdon'
twantanythi
ngtodowi t
hThrones,

_
___

ATTHEPALACEt
heki
ngpacesar
oundbi
ti
ngof
fhi
snai
l
s,hi
sfi
rstwi
feNobubel
eget
sin

Nobubel
e:"
Arey
ouokeyMyhusband?

King:"I
'
m wai ti
ngfor.
.."he'
sphoner i
ngshepicksupqui ckl
y"Didyoufi
ndhim? "
..
"Okeykeephim
there,we'recomingt omor r
ow" .
."
youknowIdon'tdisappoint
".
..
"HeyI
'm st
il
lyourking"l
aughes
"Verywel lt
henby e"
.hesmi les"Missi
onaccomplished..
.wherewerewedearwi fe"
Goingtowards
hiswi f
e,holdsherwai standkissherneck,
whil
eput ti
nghishandinherpanti
es,shemoansand
heflipshert othebed
_
___

•
Postt
omor
row

I
NSERT:
19

•
°

•
°

•
°

MARCH13thef
ami
lyt
hatpai
dlobolaf
orme,
cameandtookme.i
didn'
tevenf
ightt
hem.
whatI
knowi
sKar
maknowsever
yaddressmysocal
ledmot
her'
stobepreci
se.

t
hisi
sthebegi
nni
ngofmyar
rangedl
ovel
essmar
ri
age.

I'
vebeentr
yingtocallSi
yaforthehundredthti
met onoav ai
l
,my behedoesn'twantmeany mor
e
si
nceI'
m mar r
ied.
Thekinghadt ostaybehindbecausehehassomebusi nesstotakecar
e.I
mustsaythekinglookster
rif
ying,
i
t'
slikeyou'r
ewatchingahor r
ormov i
ewheny oulookat
him,
darkauramorelikeSiy
a'swhenIf ir
stsawhim butthekingsisfai
nt.

Wear ri
veinMYNEW HOME( Sigh)whatawast eofmy19y ears,onthe31ofMar chI'
mt ur
ning
20,notexci
tedatall.
i'
venevercelebratedmybi r
thday'sbecausenooner ememberedathome
butmysi bl
ings,
butwheni twasmysi bli
ngsbirt
hday syou'dseecakes, bal
l
oons,i
cecream.itall
start
edwhendadl eftusIwast r
eatedl i
keaslave,she'
dwakemeupt osweept heleavesoffthe
yardthatsheint
ent i
onall
yshakedf r
om t hetr
ee,andsay" FezekaCy cl
onehappened,notonl
y
DineoCy cl
oneexistsdeardaughter"..
Ineverhadt hebestchildhood.

Thepal
acei
sbr
eat
htaki
ngbutI
'
m notgoi
ngt
odwel
lont
hat
,Ij
ustneedSi
yat
ocomer
escueme.

Thelar
geentr
ancedoori
sopeni
ngasI
'
m st
andi
ngt
her
enotknowi
ngwhatawai
tsme,
mybean
evi
lmotheri
n-l
aw.

Ist
andst
il
last
her
ear
epeopl
est
ari
ngatmel
ooksl
i
kest
affmember
s,Igeti
nsl
owl
ywi
tht
he
twowomenIcamewi
th.

Ayoungbeauti
fulwomanshowsupwear
ingsi
lv
ersti
let
tos,
andaGucci
dresspeachi
n
col
our,
l
ightski
nincompl
exi
onandhasbr
aidspl
aint
ed.

anot
heroneshowsupwearingadoek,pumps,
andasi
mpl
esummerdr
ess,
TheGucci
ladyl
ooks
atmefrom headt
otoeshakingherhead

Her
:"
Ist
hisanot
herser
vant
?"di
sgust
edf
ace

St
affmember
:"
NoMam"
faci
ngt
hef
loor

Her
:"
Whoi
sshe?
andwhyi
sshei
nmyhouse?
"shout
ing
Thepumpsl
adyspeaks

Pumpsl
ady
:"OhYi
niNobubel
e,
wher
eisy
ourr
espectf
orourguest
s?"

Nobubele:
"Ij
ustdon'
twantanyr
atsi
nmyhouse,
wehav
epl
ent
yoft
hem now(
Looki
ngatt
he
ser
vants)"

Pumpsl
ady
:"Shutup"
Nobubel
ekeepsqui
et

"
Nowlet
'sst
artoveragai
n,
I'
m QueenNkosataneDlamini
,
andthisi
sQueenNobubelethej
uni
or
wi
fe,
I
'mtheseni
orwife"
shestr
etchesherhandforashake,
Ishowrespectanddoasshewant
s
me

QNobubele:
"Juni
orkif
iki
fiar
gh(Rol
l
seyes)whocares.whatIwantt
oknowiswhoareyoucheap
gir
l?"
ever
yonelooksmyway ,
sotheydon'
tknowme? butwhydoesitl
ookl
iket
hest
affmember s
knewIwascomi ng?andtheYourhi
ghnessesdon'
tknow?

Me:
"I
'm Mbal
enhl
e"Isayal
mosti
nawhi
sper

Thet
wowomenIcamewi
thspoke

Her
:"
She'
stheol
derpr
inceswi
femyqueens"

Bot
hoft
hem:
"WHAT?
"theyl
ookateachot
her

QNobubel
e:"
HowcanBukhosi
nott
ell
met
his,
I
'm hi
swi
fe"

QNkosatane:
"I
'm hi
swi
fet
ooremember .
.RoseyshowMbal
ent
lehernewslumber
,I'
l
lpr
epar
e
di
nner"
shesaysgoingt
otheotherdi
rect
ion,l
eavi
ngmewit
hMissGucci.

QNobubele:
Looksatme" Ist
il
ldon'tl
ikeyou,
beingaPr i
ncessdoesn'tchangeat hi
ng"shequickl
y
smil
esasaHot ,buff
ed,
caramel ski
nguycomesourway" I
twasniceknowi ngyou
Pri
ncess"
str
etchesherarm,Istr
etchmi neourhandsmeet ,shequi
cklyremovesherhandfrom
mineli
keshe'sbeenshocked,sheswallowshard,
andr unsof ft
othedir
ecti
onQueenNkosat ane
wentto.
TheGuyl ooksatmel i
kehe'slooki
ngatt heservant

Hi
m:"
Pri
nceLangal
ethu,
theprincet
hatbr
oughtyouher
e"Looksatmewi
thoutasmi
l
eonhi
s
f
ace.
myheart
sbeatssof astathi
svoi
ce,
Ilookdown

"
Roseyt
akehert
oherRoy
alSl
umber
"passesmeashel
aughswi
thhi
sphone

I'
m wal
ki
ngwithRoseytot
heSLUMBER.
.wai
twhat
'
sasl
umber
?whati
fit
'
swher
eyou'
re
sl
aught
eredandtor
tur
ed?

Rosey
:"Ar
eyouokeyMyPr
incess?
"Wi
l
lIgetusedt
obei
ngcal
l
edpr
incess,
No

Me:
"Cal
lmeMbal
ipl
ease.
.Ur
hm canIask,
What
'sasl
umber
?"r
aisedey
ebr
ow

Rosey
:"I
t'
sar
oom mypr
incess"
Me:
"Ar
oom f
or?
"

Rosey
:"Ar
oom y
ouwi
l
lbesl
eepi
ngi
nmyPr
incess"

Me:
"Ohokey
..
"whatar
eli
ef

Shecl
osesthedoorasIgetinobserv
ingthi
sBiggi
gant
icr
oom I'
l
lbesl
eepi
ngin,
i
t'
sbeaut
if
ul,
i
t
hasanensui
tebat
hroom,sli
dingdoorleadi
ngt
othebal
conysuchabeaut
if
ulv
iew.

Thedooropens,
MYHOTHUSBANDget
sin.
Sit
sinmybed

PLanga:
"Comesi
tnextt
ome"
het
apst
hebed

Igetcl
oserandsi
t,
I'
m shynow,
sincewhen?

PLanga:
"Tel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f"
nosmi
l
eagai
n

Me:"
What? I
..
(Si
gh)
WellI
'm Mbali
,
have3sibli
ngs,
andanunl
ovi
ngmother,
I
'm doi
ngmyf i
rsty
ear
atDUT,ateachi
ngcour
se"soaboutschool
,Ist
il
lhav
etoaskwhatmustbedonebecauseIhave
tofi
nishmydegree,
nomat t
ertheRoyalnt
onntonsays.

PLanga:
"Doy
oul
i
ker
eadi
ng?
"

Me:
"Yesal
ot.
Idon'
tknowhowmanybooksI
'
ver
eadI
'
m sur
ecl
oset
ohundr
ed"

PLanga:
Smi
l
es"
Ohat
leastwehav
esomet
hingi
ncommon,
whi
chbookshav
eyour
ead?
"

Me:
"Ther
ear
esomany
"

PLanga:
"Name5"
wiggl
eshi
sey
ebr
ows

Me:
Chuckle"
Psychopat
h,Pur
gat
ory
,Beaut
yBeyondTheOrangeUnif
orm,
TheBel
oved
MaShenge,
MindTheBusinesst
hatpaysy
ou,Roommates,
The..
..
"

hei
nter
rupt
ed

PLanga:
Laughi
ng"
Isai
d5"

Me:
"I
'm sor
ry.
..
andy
ouwhatki
ndofaper
sonar
eyou?
"exci
tedt
oknow

PLanga:
"Wel
lIl
i
ker
eadi
ngt
oo,
andI
'
ver
eadal
lthosebooks,
cur
rent
lyI
'
mreadi
ngBBTOU"

Me:
"Mhm ngaboTl
oft
lof
"Il
ookathi
m,hel
aughs

PLanga:
"Di
emany
howampol
aya"

Il
ookathi
m shockedt
hathej
ustspoket
hatl
anguage

PLanga:
"What
?Itget
stoy
oui
fyouenj
oyr
eadi
ngi
t"
smi
l
es

Me:
"I
tdoes"
Thedooropens,
Roseyget
sin

Rosey
:"Sor
ryt
odi
stur
b.Di
nneri
sready
"shegoesout
,Thepr
incest
andsup

PLanga:
"Let
'sgobef
oreMot
hercomesst
ormi
ng"
Igetupandwal
kInf
rontofhi
m

_
__

ATADESERTEDWAREHOUSESi y
af l
i
nchesashe'sbei
ngbeatenwhi l
eti
edt ot
hechair
,andhi
s
eyesarecov
eredwit
haclot
h.Hishearti
spai
nfulandnotj
oyfulbecausetheloveofhi
slif
eis
gett
ingmarr
ied.
andwhoeversedatedhi
m hasathingt
odowi ththemarriage.
Heshouts

Si
ya:
"Ki
l
lme,
ther
e'snot
hingt
oli
vef
orany
way
"cr
ying

Per
son:
"Shutupandenj
oyt
hepai
n"Keepsonbeat
inghi
m wi
tht
hebat

ThedooropensandTheKi
ngget
sinwal
ki
ngl
i
kehe'
sinhi
scast
le,
hesi
gnal
stheguyt
oleav
e

Hetakesof
ftheclot
hthatcoveredSi
ya'
sey
es,
Siy
a'sv
isi
oni
sbl
urybutheopenshi
sey
es
wi
delyandseestheshockofhisli
fe

Si
ya:
Wideey
es,
j
awsdr
opped"
You.
..
..
You.
..
.Ikl
l
edy
oui
sthi
ssomeki
ndofaj
oke"

TheKi
ngLaughssol
oud

Ki
ng:
"Asy
oucansee,
I
'm al
i
veandnowI
'
m aKi
ng"

_
___
__

I
NSERT:
20

•
°

•
°

•
°

Si
yaPov

Bukhosi
:
"Asy
oucansee,
I
'm al
i
veandnowI
'
m aKi
ng"

Me:
"But
..
.THISISFUCKENIMPOSSI
BLE,
UNTIEMESOTHATWE'
LLSPEAKLI
KEMEN"
Isayt
ryi
ng
t
ounti
emy selfandhel
ooksatmeandl
augh

Bukhosi:
"Youknowyoul
ooksocuterightnow,
youmakemewantt
ofucky
oual
lov
er
agai
n"Laughs"
I'
m sur
eyou'
rewonder
inghowIsurvi
ved"

Ist
areathi
m"Youdi
dn'
tki
l
lme.
.It
ooksomepoorguyt
odi
sgui
seasmeandt
hoseki
dsy
ou
ki
l
ledwer
en'
tmi
ne"

Ifeel
angerbuil
dingupi
nme, i
fthebeastget
sunleashedIswearI
'
llr
iphi
sheadagai
n,
butI'
ll
havetocal
m downsot hatIcangethi
m andkil
lhiminaslowandmostpainf
ulway.
Ilookat
hi
m withangerinmyfaceandsaynothing

Bukhosi
:
"What
?don'
tyouhav
eany
thi
ngt
osay
?"Ist
areathi
m

Bukhosi
:"
Don'tyouper
hapswanttoknowwhyIbr
oughty
ouher
e?"
hesay
sgoi
ngar
oundci
rcl
i
ng
thechai
rI'
m seatedi
n.Icockmyey
ebrows

Bukhosi
:"
WellwhatcanIsay.
.Mhm i
didn'
tknowy
oust
il
lexi
stedbutt
urnsout
,youandt
he
Pri
ncesshav
esomebusi nessgoi
ngon"

Me:
Icl
enchmyj
aws"
Busi
ness?
"

Bukhosi
:"
Yes.
.youlovedherandshel
ovedy
ou.
soIwant
edt
ogetherbutIcoul
dn'
tgetherwi
th
youalwaysbyherside"
Smile

Me:
"Whoar
eyout
alki
ngaboutexact
ly?
"

Bukhosi
:
"OhMbali
yourpreciousMbal
i
"Laughs"
YouknowImustsayshe'
sbeaut
if
ul.
.herand
mysonwi l
lbeagr
eatcouple"

Me:
"DON'
TYOUDAREFUCKWI
THME,
STAYAWAYFROM HERYOUHEREME?
"

Hel
aughsev
enhar
der

Bukhosi:
"Iheardyoutransf
ormint
osomethi
ng,
somethi
ngoutoft
hiswor
ld.
.soIhav
ebr
oughta
presentf
ory ou"Smi
les"Zack"
aguyshowsupandbowhishead

Zack:
"MyKi
ng"
..
.Ki
ng?
whatki
ndoff
ucker
yist
his

Bukhosi
:"
Lowerdowntheelect
riccage"Zackgoestopr
essaredbuttonont
hewallandacage
comesdownsur r
oundi
ngme." Thi
swi l
lhel
pyounotgetout
,becausewedon'
twantyou
i
nvadingtheweddi
ngthat
'sint
womont hs"
Laughs

Me:
Hel
plessl
y"Whati
sitt
haty
ouwantf
rom Mbal
i
"myey
esar
eseei
ngt
wo'
s"Whatdi
dyoudot
o
me"

Bukhosi
:
"Wel
llet'
sjustsayshe'swort
hami l
l
ionsandhavi
ngherbloodwi
l
lImpr
ovemyweal
th
si
nceitwasf
alli
ngapart..
..
Verywell
thenunt
ilwemeetagain"
get
sout

I
'
m sl
owl
yfal
l
ingasl
eep

Me:
"Unt
ilwemeetagai
nindeed"
Idr
if
tedof
ftosl
eep

_
___
_

MBALI
'
spov
Wesi
tdownatt
het
abl
e,
Nobubel
elooksatmel
i
keshe'
sseenaghost
.iDon'
tknowwhather
pr
obl
em i
s.

Aslayqueenweari
ngAllpink,
andaCut
eguyshowsuplaughi
ngandal
lgi
ggly
.Andayounggir
l
youngerthenmewearingadoekshowsuptoo.
.t
heysi
tdownandnoti
cether
e'saguest
,t
her
e's
sevenofusatthetabl
e,andLangai
sseat
edbymysidereadi
ngonhi
siPad.

QNkosat
ane:
"Langawhatdi
dIsayaboutcel
l
phonesdur
ingdi
nner
?"

PLanga:
"Sor
ryMom Iwasjustfi
nishi
ngwher
eIl
eftof
f"put
sawayhi
siPadandl
ookathermom
wit
hpuppyeyes,
thequeenlaughs

QNkosat
ane:
"If
orgi
vey
ou.
..
(Looksatt
het
wot
hatgoti
n)Andt
henni
nadi
dn'
tyouseewehav
ea
guest
?"

Thegi
rli
nthedoekspeaks

Her
:"
HeyI
'
m Nomaswazi
,
buty
oucancal
lmeNoma"
Shesay
ssmi
l
ing

Ismi
l
eback,
andl
ookatt
heot
hert
wo

Guy
:"Pr
inceMongezi
"

Slay
queen:"
AndIamBarbi
eMcut
eThat
DopeChi
cSoFr
eshAndsexy
Ster
eoGal
Cal
l
MeBaby
Gir
l"
Sti
cks
hertongueoutchuckl
i
ng

You'
dswearhernamei
sachemi
cal
For
mul
aformaki
ngal
cohol
.t
jo

QNkosat
anel
ooksatherwi
thpur
sedl
i
psandLooksatNobubel
e

QNkosat
ane:
"Won'
tyousaysomet
hingaboutwhaty
ourdaught
erj
ustdi
d?"

Nobubel
esi
ghsandt
akeapi
eceofchi
cken

QNkosat
ane:
"She'
sSi
bonangay
e,Thebl
acksheep"

QNobubel
e:"
Don'
tcal
lmydaught
ert
hat
"angr
y

QNkosat
ane:
"Ohy
oucant
alknow"t
heybot
hkeepqui
et

Me:
"Wel
lI'
m Mbal
i
,i
tisni
cemeet
ingy
oupeopl
e"Fakesmi
l
e

Wef i
nisheati
ngwi t
hBarbi
eGirl
hummingNicki
Minaj
songs..
Igetinmyroom andtakeabat
h.I
getoutwithoutatowelonmybodywhil
edryi
ngmyhairwit
hitandf i
ndPr
inceLangaseat
edon
mybed, HelooksupandIcovermybodyandgobacktothebathr
oom.

Hecomesbyt
hebat
hroom,
andst
andsout
sidet
hedoor

PLanga:
"I
'm sor
ry.
ishoul
d'
veknocked.
..
Ibr
oughty
ouaUSBi
thasbooks,
thoughty
ou'
dwantt
o
read"
Me:
"I
t'
sokey
"Goshi
t'
snotokey
,onl
yoneper
soncanseemybody
,notany
oneel
se

PLanga:"
Alri
ght
.I
'l
ll
eavenow"
Ihearfootst
epsgett
ingf
aint
,Igetoutandsi
ghgoi
ngt
olockt
he
door.
Ilot
ion,
wearpyj
amasandfall
asleep.
i'
l
lreadt
hosebookst omorr
ow.

I
'
minadar
kroom andav
oiceanchor
sVoi
ce:
"Becar
eful
"

Me:
"Ofwhat
?"

Voi
ce:
"Don'
teatany
thi
nggi
vent
oyou,
Trustnoone"

Iseebloodcomingfr
om akit
chen,
Iruni
nsi
dewanti
ngtoseewhoishur
t,
butt
here'
snoone,
and
all
ofthesuddenther
e'sbl
oodonmyhands,Iscr
eam v
eryl
oud.
Andsomeoneshakesme

Iopenmyey
escr
ying,
pri
nceLangai
srocki
ngmewhi
sper
ing"
It
'sokey
"iwasdr
eami
ng.

If
all
asl
eepagai
n..

_
___

ATMGABABAaguygi
veshi
sMothert
ea,
themot
hersmi
l
esbuthersmi
l
eisf
aint
,t
heguyl
ooks
athi
smot
herwi
thwor
ri
edeyes

Guy
:"Ar
eyouokeymot
her
?"

Mother
:"
I'
mfi
nemybaby ,
butIj
ust
..
.(
Cry
ing)
Idon'
tknowhowI
'
vel
i
vedwi
thouty
ourbr
otheri
t'
s
al
lamess"Wi
pinghert
ears

Guy
:"I
t'
snoty
ourf
aul
t"

Mother:
"I
tis.
(Sni
ff
ing)
Ichosemoneyi
nexchangeofyourbr
other
,f
orustoli
veaniceli
febutI
'm
nothappyaboutmydecisionmyson,
Ishoul
d'
vebeenagoodmot her
,andt
henIsoldhi
m"cryi
ng

Guy:
Looksathermotherinherey
esnotl
i
kingwhathesees"
Mot
her
,Iwi
l
lfi
ndmyTwi
nbr
otherI
pr
omise"ki
ssesherhand

Mot
her
:"
Pleasemychi
l
d,pl
ease"

Theguyst andsup,r
ubbinghishandsgoi
ngtotheki t
chent opr
eparefood,
hismot heristheonl
y
thi
nghehasi nthi
swor l
d.andhewouldki
llf
orher,butthefactt
hatshesoldababyboyt oarich
famil
yjustsoheeats,di
dn'tsitwel
lwi
thhi
m. Hethinksoncehef i
ndshisbrother
,hewi l
lnot
wantanythingtodowithhim andhismot
her.whi
chwi llbr
eakhismothersheart.
Hesi ghsand
makeacal l

i
tri
ngsonceandi
t'
sanswer
ed

Guy
:"Di
dyouf
indhi
m?"

I
TGuy
:"Wedi
dbutwel
ostt
rackofhi
m,wecan'
tfi
ndhi
m now"
Guy
:"Shi
t.
.wher
edi
dyoul
ocat
ehi
m?"

I
TGuy
:"I
nDur
ban"

Guy
:"Okeyt
haanhesho"
Cal
lended

Durbannotfaratall
."
LetshopeIfi
ndhim"
hesayschoppi
ngonions"
MahIcan'
tdothi
sanymor
e
i
yang'khawathal
ento(Thi
sthingi
skil
l
ingme)
ingenzaumatef
a(Maki
ngmeacrybaby)
"hi
s
motherlaughsshaki
ngherhead

_
___

I
'
m sor
ryi
fthi
sisshor
t,
I'
mver
ysl
eepy
.

I
NSERT:
21

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

IWAKEUPi nPri
nceLanga'
sarms,he'
sal
readyupreadi
nghisbooks.
Isof
tl
yy awn,
hecl
oseshi
s
i
Padandlooksatme.westar
eint
oeachother'
seyes,
unti
lIbecomeshyandlookaway.
he
chuckl
es

PLanga:
"Mor
ningpr
ett
ybi
rd"

Me:
"Mor
ning"
i'
m bl
ushi
ng

PLanga:
"Howdi
dyousl
eepaf
tert
heni
ght
mar
esy
ouhad?
"

Me:"
Night
mares?
Isl
eptver
ywell
"Idon'
trememberdr
eamingany
thi
ngandI
'
m st
il
lwonder
ing
whathe'
sdoi
nginmyroom."Whyareyouinmyroom? "

PLanga:pursi
nghi
sli
ps"Ar
hletmeguessmybebecauseyouwer
escr
eami
ngon-
topofy
our
l
ungs"r
olli
nghisey
esthenstandsup"
Andbr
eakfasti
sready
"

Me:
"I
'm nothungr
yfornow"

PLanga:
"Youwil
leatwhetheryoulikei
tornot
.andi
t'
snotupf
ordi
scussi
on"
closest
hedoor
.I
cont
inuetosl
eep,
5mi nut
est her
e'saknock.
ohcomeon.

Me:
"Whoi
sit
"annoy
ed

QNobubel
e:"
It
'sme.
ibr
oughty
oubr
eakf
ast
"

Shebr
oughtmebr
eakf
ast
?whatashocker
Me:"
ArhI
'm nothungrythankyou"
I'
m waiti
ngt
ohearf
ootst
epsgoi
ngfai
ntbutinst
eadsheget
s
i
nandputsthetraywithfrui
tsal
ad,Chi
ckenandMayosandwi
ch,
andcof
fee.
ilookather
,i
fshe
br
oughtmef oodthenwhyi sshesti
l
lhere?

Me:
"Thanky
ou,
I'
ll
eatwhenI
'
m donebat
hing"
Fakesmi
l
e.

QNobubel
e:"
Youcanhav
eat
ast
eandt
ell
mehowi
ttast
es"
Ner
voussmi
l
e..
Ver
ywei
rd

Me:
"Okey
"It
aket
hebr
eadasI
'
m aboutt
oeatamai
dcomesi
nlooki
ngf
orNobubel
e.

QNobubel
e:"
You'
l
lgi
vemef
eedbackwheny
ou'
redone.
ri
ght
"t
her
e'st
hatsmi
l
eagai
n

Me:
"Okey
"shegoesout
,Il
ookatt
hesandwi
chi
don'
tl
ikewhi
teAl
bany
,Il
i
kebr
own.
i'
l
ljusthav
eto
goandgi
veitt
osomeoneelse.

Itakeabathandwearmysl eeper
sandal ongWhi t
edress.
itaket
hesocal
l
edbreakf
astand
headtothekit
chen.
ithi
nkit
'sakitchenbecauseofthesmellcomi
ngfr
om t
heroom.Ist
il
lhav
e
todoatourofthi
shouse,I
t'
st oobigformyli
king.

I
ntheki
tchent
herear
e3maids,sweati
ngbecauseoft
heheat
.igr
eett
hem andt
heyi
ntr
oduce
t
hemsel
vesasHlengi
we,
Zama,andSyamthanda.

Syamthanda:"
Youknow,
you'
renotl
i
ket
heser
oyal
highnessesy
ou'
resopol
i
teandki
nd"
she
sayschoppingcar
rot
s

Hl
engi
we:
"Yheashe'
sreal
l
ycut
etoo"
Ismi
l
e

Me:
"Thanky
ouguy
s"

Zama:
Mimi
cksmyv
oice"
Nyenki
yuGaz"
Rol
l
sherey
es.
.

Il
ookatheri
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
l
ikedi
dIdosomet
hingt
oyoubi
tch?

Hl
engi
we:
"Zamawhat
'sy
ourpr
obl
em?
doy
ouwantt
obef
ir
ed?
"

Zama: Laughs"
Fir
edbywho?she'snotaqueen,
andIwon'
tsayyetbecauseshewon'tbecome
one,she'snotwort
hitATALL"
stormsoutoftheki
tchenl
eav
ingmef l
abbergast
ed.
Okeywhat
wrongdidIdot oher.

Syamthanda:
Changi
ngthet
opi
c"Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oeatt
his"
poi
nti
ngatt
hepl
ateIcamewi
th.
.I
shakemyheadgoingout

Peopl ecanhat eyoufornothing,

i
fshewantstobequeenwecanexchangepl aces,
Inever
want edt ocomeher eanyway .
AsIopenmybedr oom door
,Ascream anchorsfr
om thekit
chen.I
quicklyruntot hekit
chen.AndSy amt
handaisly
ingtherel
if
eless,bl
oodcomi ngoutfr
om her
mout h,ears.
It
'snotagoodsi ghttowat
ch,
I'mtr
yingtowakeherupandt her
e'sbl
oodinmy
hands, Iwipethem onmydr essandInoticeIj
ustrui
nedmydr ess.t
hedooropensandev eryone
staresatmei nshock
QNobubele:
"Youmurderer
,youki
l
ledher
.iknewy ouwer
enottobetr
ust
edt
hemomenty ou
steppedonmypalace.GUARDS,GUARDS!"sheshout
sandtheguar
dscomerunni
ng"
Takehert
o
theundergr
oundPurgator
y"

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng"

Hlengi
we:"You'
rel
yi
ng,
aft
ersheat
ethef
oodt
haty
oubr
ought
,shest
art
edhav
inga
seizur
e"cr
ying

Me:"Butthatfoodwasbr oughtby.
..
"Aslapinter
rupt
sme, Nobubel
eslappedme.Notevenmyso
call
edmot herhasslappedmebef ore,never.
Isl
apherback,
shelooksatmeintotalaghast
.The
Kinggetsin,
inajoll
ymoodbutqui cklyFrownsasheseesbl oodever
ywhereandthequeen
cryi
ng!Crocodil
etears,
sheslappedmef irst
.

KBukhosi
:
"WHATI
SHAPPENI
NGI
NMYPALACE"
her
oar
sthewhol
esent
ence.

QNobubel
e:"
Shesl
appedme"
cry
ing.
.TheKi
ngLooksatmei
nanger
,andl
ooksatmydr
ess

KBukhosi
:
"Di
dyouki
l
lher
?"

QNobubel
e:"
Yesshedi
dwef
ou.
..
."

KBukhosi
:
"You'
reMbal
inow?
"st
aresather

Nobubel
eshakesherhead,
wipi
nghert
ear
s

TheKi
ngt
urnst
ome,
andIal
soshakemyhead

Me:"No,Idi
dn'
tdoi
tIswear,shebroughtmethefood"
Ipoi
ntatNobubel
e"ButIt
oldherI'
m not
hungry,
soItooki
ttothekit
chen,t
henSy amt
handaAskedifIwasst
il
lgoi
ngtoeatit
,andIsai
d
no..
..
.YoucanaskHlengi
we"

Hl
engi
weNodsherhead"
It
'st
rue"

QNobubel
e:"
Youwi
tchIdi
dn'
tbr
ingy
ouanyf
ood!
whywoul
dIbr
ingy
ouf
ood?
"Angr
y

Me:
"Isawt
her
ear
eCamer
asi
nher
e"

PLanga:
"Yes.
Thatwoul
dpr
ovewhet
hery
ou'
rei
nnocentornot
!"
Hel
ooksatmewi
thoutasmi
l
e

KBukhosi
:
"Let
'sgowat
chi
t"

QNobubel
e:"
NO"
shesnapped.
weal
ltur
ntoher"
I.
.Imeanwecango"
weal
lheadoutbutshe
st
aysbehi
nd

_
__

QNobubel
emakesacal l
"Wipeoutthecctvfootageofthismorning.
..
.Idon'
tcar
ejustdoit
Tr
evor,
I'
ll
giv
ey ouali
tt
lesomet hi
nglat
er.
.Ican'twai
ttoo..
Wipeitoutnowbecauset hei
ronthei
r
way.
Okeybye.Il
ovey
out oo"shesi
ghsinreli
efandClickshertongue"Nxathebit
chwi l
lhav
et o
di
e"

Thefir
stti
meshetouchedMbali,
sheal
mostfainted,
shefel
tli
keshewasbei
ngel
ict
ri
fi
ed.And
thensheremember
edt hewordsofherTr
adit
ionalheal
er"TheQueeni
syett
ocomeandwhen
youtouchhery
ouwillf
eelst
range,
shewil
lrul
elikenoother.
.Andt
hatwi
ll
beyourdownfall
"

Thatdi
dn'
tsi
twel
lwi
thQueenNobubel
e,
sincethenshehasbeenl
ivi
ngi nf
ear
.That
'swhenshe
madeaplantoki
l
lMbal
ibecauseshemightbewhattheHeal
erdi
sguised.

_
___
_

NDONI
'
sPov

Ihav
en'
tbeenagoodsi
stert
oMbal
i
,andnowwedon'
ttal
ktoeachot
her
,t
hatbr
eaksmyhear
t.

Sleepingaroundmakesmef eel
wanted.Aft
erIwasrapedInevert
houghtany
onecannot
ice
me. soIstart
edengagingmyselfwit
holdermen,t
heyarenotgoodinbedbuttheygi
vemesome
moneyt ospoi l
my sel
fandLethuhasintr
oducedmet oafew.Meandherhavealoti
ncommon.
exceptherEngl i
shthathasaZuluaccent.

Gogocal
ledmetoletmeknowt hatMbal
i
'sWeddi
ngi
sinJune.
iwasr
eal
l
yhur
tthatshedi
dn'
t
evenl
etmeknow.ButIunder
stand.
.

I
'
m headedtothecli
nicIhaven'
tbeenf
eel
i
ngwel
ltheseday
s,Ihopei
t'
snot
hingser
ious.
Igeti
n
t
hecli
nicandsignatthefr
ontdesk

Recepti
onladycall
smyname: "Ndoni
yamanziCele"shel
ooksaroundIgetcloser"
Youmadean
appoint
ment,it
'si
n3mi nut
est hedoctorwi
llcal
lforyou"Inodmyheadandsi tatt
he
benches.t
here'
sapregnantladyseatednexttome,Ilookather.
shel
ookslikeshe'
saboutt
o
expl
ode

Her
:"
I'
m 7mont
hs"
shesmi
l
es"
AndHI
Vposi
ti
ve"

Ist
areather
,whyi
sshet
ell
i
ngme

Me:
"Ohouk"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osayr
eal
l
y

Recept
ionl
ady
:"Mi
ssCel
e,
youcangeti
n"Igetupandsi
tdown.
Hesmi
l
es

Dr
:"
Howar
eyou?
"

Me:
"Fi
nej
ustal
i
ttl
eshaken"

Dr:
"Don'
tbe,
I
'm DrSokhel
e..
(Hesear
chesf
orsomet
hing,
pul
l
soutapaper
)Isupposey
ou'
reher
e
t
otest?"

Me:
"Yes"

Dr
:"
HIVt
estorpr
egnancyt
est
?"
HI
V!?
whatI
'
m notHi
v

Dr
:"
Youcandobot
hify
ouwantt
obesur
e"

Inodunsur
ely

Heget
supt
ogett
het
est
ingt
hingi
es

Dr
:"
Yourmi
ddl
efi
ngerpl
ease"
theni
ddl
etouchesmyf
ingerIf
li
nchi
npai
n

heput
sitsomewher
ear
oundhi
stabl
e..
andt
akest
hepr
egnancyt
estandgi
vesi
ttome

Dr
:"
Geti
nmybat
hroom andpeei
nthat
"IdoasI
'
mtol
d

webot
hsi
tdown

Dr
:"
Nowwe'
l
lhav
etowai
tforaf
ewmi
nut
es.
.whi
l
stwewai
ti
ngshoul
dIbr
iefy
ouabout
..
."

Ii
nter
rupt

Me:
"No.
Let
sjustwai
t"

hel
ooksatt
hem

Dr:
"Ar
eyouready"
Ishakemyhead"Noonei
severreadyany
way
..
Looksl
i
keIhav
egoodnews
andbadnews,whi
chonewouldyouli
ket
ohearf
ir
st?"

Me:
"Good"

Dr:
"Twoli
nesmeansy ou'
repr
egnant
,andonel
i
nemeansy
ou'
renot
.nowy
our
shast
wo
l
ines.
Congrat
ulat
ions"
Hesmil
es

I'
minshockhere,wonder
ingwhoi
sthef
atherbet
weent
hosemenIsl
eptwi
th,
andy
ousay
congr
atul
ati
ons?!

Dr
:"
Her
e"It
aket
heot
hert
est
s"Samer
epl
i
est
otheHI
Vtest.
..
You'
reHI
Vposi
ti
ve"

If
eel
mywor
ldspi
nni
ngandi
t'
sli
ght
sout
.

_
___
__

ATKI
LLERSHOME

Theyar
edi
scussi
ngt
hehousepl
an

Kil
l
er;
"Ther
e'sanel
ect
ri
cfence,
andt
heyar
eguar
dedbyhundr
edsofguar
dsbutwehav
etodo
thi
s"

TheGuy
s:"
Sur
e"

Ki
l
ler
:"
Ther
e'sanexi
tint
hebasementbuti
t'
snotnot
iceabl
eandnotguar
ded.
sowe'
l
ltakeher
andgetoutt hroughtheemer gencyexi
t.Ther
e'saguar dintheLounge, ki
tchenandevery
where
aroundthehouse, we'l
lhavetofir
stkil
leachoft hem beforeproceedi
ngthepl an,
herr
oom i
son
thelef
tinthesecondf loor
,accrossherroom it
'stheprince'
s.sowe'll
havet obecaref
ultonot
wakeany one.Gotthat?
"

Theguy
s:"
Yesmen"

Li
nda:"
Isn'
tther
eanot
hergi
ft
edchi
ckoutt
her
e,cozt
hisoneay
iIcan'
tdi
eforher
"hesay
swi
than
at
ti
tude

Ki
l
ler
:"
Arey
oui
norout
"

Li
nda:
"Fi
neI
'
min"

I
NSERT22

•
°

•
°

•
°

NDONI
'
sPov

Isl
owl
yopenmyeyes,
I
'm atthehospi
tal
,
whyam Iatt
hehospi
tal
?.
.Goi
ngbackmemor
ylaney
es
nowIr
ememberIwastol
dI '
m pr
egnantandHI
Vposit
ive.

Istar
tsobbingsil
ent
ly,
NoIcan'tbepr
egnantandHIVatthesametime,
Itr
ytoremovet
hesedr
ip
niddl
esandt heyhur
t.
Thedoctorcomesinandlooksatme,Il
ookdownbecauseI'
m
embarassed.

Dr
:"
Arey
ouokey
?"wor
ryey
es

Me:
"I
'mf
inedocI
'
mjust
..
.I
..
Idon'
tknowwhathasbecomeofme"
Icov
ermyey
escr
ying

Dr:
"There'
snothi
ngtowor r
yabout,y
ouwil
lmakeit.
bei
ngHIVpositi
vedoesn'
tmeanit
'
stheend
ofyourli
fe.
Youcanstil
lachieveal
otwi
ththebabyandyourst
atusify
oujustt
akecar
eof
yoursel
fandtakeyourmeds" br
ushi
ngmyshoulder

Me:
"Iwantt
odoanabor
ti
on"
itgoesqui
etf
oramomentbecauseoft
heshocki
nhi
sface

Dr
:"
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngt
hatcanbesai
dthatcanchangey
ourmi
nd?
"Ishakemyhead,
henods

Dr:
"Youknowther
eareopt
ionsy
oucant
aket
hebabyt
otheor
phanage,
giv
eawayf
or
adopti
on,
youcan.
..
.

Icuthi
m of
f
Me:"
JUSTDOTHEFUCKENABORTI
ONI
TSMYBODYAFTERALL"
Iyel
landhel
ooksawayand
nods

Dr
:"Thenur
sewi
l
lat
tendy
ou.
..
.j
ustsoy
ouknowy
ouwi
l
lregr
eti
t"
hewal
kedout
,at
eardr
ops,
am I
ev
il
?

_
___
___
___
_

MBALI
'
sPov

Wef oundnot hi
ngtotheCCTVf ootage,I
'm defi
nit
elysurethat,
Nobubelehadat hingtodowi th
thi
s,I
'm angrytosaytheleast.
Soam Igoi ngt ohavetosuf f
erfort
hesi nsIdidn'
tcommi t?They
arealll
ookingatme!thesehighnessf ools.
Iwalkov ertothekit
chenwher eSy amthanda'sbody
i
sat ,
theyallfol
lowandwef indNobubel edr i
nki
ngacupoft ea.
Ididn'
ttakeherasat ea
person.anywayIwalkovertoSy amt handa'
sbodyandkneel .
somet hi
ngtell
smet oli
stentoher
heart.
Iplacemyhandi nherleftbreast.I
tsbeati
ngbuti naslowpace. il
ookatal l
ofthem

Me:
"CanIhav
eamomentwi
thher
?"r
ightnowIf
eel
li
keIownt
hispl
ace

QNobubel
e:"
What?sothaty
oucanr ef
ri
ger
ateher,
andmakeuseathermeat?
Noyouhav
eto
suff
erf
orwhatyoudid!(
Shelooksatt
heking)
Didyouf
indany
thi
nginthecct
vcamer
a?"
Theki
ng
star
esatherwi
thanangryfaceQNobubel
ekeepshermouthshut

Me:
"ISAI
DINEEDAMOMENTPLEASE"Iy
ell
li
keaqueen.
.Theyar
esurpr
isedbutt
hekingt
ell
s
t
hem tol
eav
eandheal
sol
eav
es.
ri
ghtnowmymindisdoingavosho,
andahighfi
ve.

Iobser
veherbody
."Pr
ay"
thev
oicesay
sli
kei
t'
sinadeephol
e.

I
'
m hesi
tant
.Pr
ay?

Me:
Iclosemyey es,
andunitemyhands"
GodIkneelbef
orey
ouf
ather
,t
obr
ingbackhersoul
to
t
heli
vi
ngl and.
Amen!"Iopenmyeyesnothi
nghappened

"
Praaay
"Thev
oiceanchor
sagai
n

Me:
"Idon'
tknowhowt
o"Iputmyr
ighthandt
oherbr
east
"GodI
..
..
"

Iwasi nterrupt
edbyAl i
ghtni
ngt hunder,
andi tstart
edr ainingsohar dyoucouldn'
tev enhear
yourselftalk,
Iturnedmyf ocusonheragai n.somet hingi nsidemewokeup, Ist
art
edpr ayi
ngso
massiv el
y ,
Ifel
tli
keIwaspossessedbyanangel icspi r
it,
say i
ngt hi
ngsaboutGodt hatnever
crossedmymi nd,aft
eragoodl ongfiv
emi nut esIst oppedpr ayingandalmostimmedi atel
ythe
storm outsidestopped.Okeywhatj usthappened? .
.Ihearacough, Il
ookdownt oSy amthanda,
she'scoughi ng,f
lipsasi
deandt hrowsupgr eenishpuke. shet akesabreathandlooksatme. then
hugsmecr yi
ng.thedoorburstsopenev eryonel ooksl iketheyar ewatchi
ngahor rormov i
e.

QNkosat
ane:"
What..
How..Ha.
.Howdi
dyouwakeup?
..
(Looksatme)
Whoar
eyou?
"Herey
esar
e
al
lout
..
Alloft
hem actual
l
y
Syamthanda:"
Thankyousomuch"stil
lhuggi
ngmeandwhi sper
ed"Isawwhatyoudi
d,youreall
y
gi
fted"
Ibreakthehugandlookather,
shesmiles.
Shest
andsup,Ial
sostandup,
shedustshersel
f
andlookateveryone.
thenl
ooksattheKingwithnocar
e.

Syamt handa:"
Yougoar oundmar r
yingwi t
ches,thepoisonwasn'tmeantformethat'swhyGod
broughtmebackandt elly
ouSHE( pointi
ngatNobubel e)
Shetr
iedtopoisonMbali.
.Ican'twor
k
hereifdyingisinmyj obdescr ipt
ion.MyKi ngIki ndl
yquit.
AndIpromisenooneshal lknowabout
whatanchor ediny ourpremises.YourMaj est
y"Bowsherheadandl eaves.shewasaqui et
gi
rl,
nowshespeakshermi nd?didshet akeconf i
dentlessonsi
nheaven? Theyal
ll
ookateach
other.
isighandl eavethem standingt here.

QNobubel
e:"
She'
sawi
tchIt
ell
you"

PMongezi
:
"Di
dyounot
icei
twasr
aini
ngcat
sanddogs?
"

Pr
incessSi
bonangay
e:Laughi
ng"
Cat
s,Wher
e?"

Nomaswaz
i:
"Ican'
tbel
i
evewealmostmadeittoheadl
i
nesi
magi
ne'
THENEXTQUEEN
MURDERSAMAI D't
hankgoodnessshewokeup"

QNobubel
e:"
NextWhat
?Mongezi
wher
edi
dyougether
,t
hisf
arm gi
rli
sgoi
ngt
oannoyme"

PMongezi
:
"Mom t
hat
'smywi
fe"

PLanga:"
YouknowIdi
dn'
ttakeyouastheevi
lper
son..
ImeanIknewyouhadt
hatki
ndofasi
de
butneverknewi
tcoul
descal
atetopoi
soni
ngpeople"
disgust
edl
ook

QNobubel
e:"
I'
m st
il
lyourmot
her
"

PLanga:
"St
ep-
mot
her
..
Myr
eal
mot
herwoul
dnev
erdosuch"

PMongezi
:
"Don'
ttal
ktomymot
herl
i
ket
hat
"r
eadyt
omanhandl
ehi
m

PLanga:
Mov
ingcl
oset
oMongezi
'
sface"
Orwhat
?"

Mongezi
cli
ckshi
stongueandl
eav
es

t
heyal
lpar
tway
s.

_
___
___
___

QUEENNOBUBELE'
sPov

Iwalktotheoff
icebecausemyhusbandhadsummonedme. igeti
nandclosethedoor
.He's
l
ookingoutsi
dethewindow,Heswiv
elshischai
randlooksatmewi t
hblackeyes,
Ist
art
swall
owinghardregr
etti
ngcominghere.
Whenhiseyesaredarkitmeanshe'
sangry,
hegivesme
theTal
klook

Me:
"I
..
i.
She.
."
GoodnessI
'
m sweat
ingsuddenl
yit
'ssohot
,I
'
m sweat
ing
Bukhosi
:
"TALK"
her
oar
s,I
'
m st
art
ledal
i
ttl
e

Me:"
I'
m sorr
y.butIhadtodoi
t.
she'
sathreati
nourl
iv
es.
iwastol
dshe'
l
lbethenextqueenwell
notdi
rect
lybuttheytol
dmeI'
llf
eelsomehowstr
angewhenIt
ouchher
,and.
.andi
thappened
wit
hherI.
.."

hecut
smeshor
t

Bukhosi
:
"Doyouknowwhataremymot i
veswithher?
"Ishakemyhead"Don'
tyout
hinkIknow
she'
sathreat
?shehasagi
ftNobubel
e,
agif
tthatcanmakeal l
ofusri
ch,
didy
ouknowt hat
?"A
gif
t?

Me:
"No.
.whatgi
ft
?

Hel
aughsi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Bukhosi
:
"Sot
heper
sonwhot
ell
syout
hingsdi
dn'
tgot
omuchdet
ail
shuh!
"

hecomest
owher
eI'
m st
andi
ng

Bukhosi:
whisper
s"I
fIeverf
indoutthaty
out
ri
edt
oki
l
lher
,Isweary
ou'
l
lbel
ayi
ngnextt
oher
coff
in!
(Iswall
owabi gl
ump) Goti
t?"

Me:
"Y.
.y
es"

Bukhosi
:
"Go"

Igetoutassoonaspossi
ble,
I'
m notgoi
ngt
ost
opunt
ilIki
l
lher
.

_
___
___
_

Ki
ngBUKHOSI
'
spov

Shethi
nksshe'
sclev
er,
I
'l
lki
l
lMbal
imyownway
,becausei
fany
onedoes,
they
'l
lgai
nfr
om i
tand
i
t'
ll
beboo-hooforme.

Letmecal
lmyHeal
erhehasal
ott
oexpl
ain

Het
akest
ool
ongt
oanswerbutf
inal
l
ydoes

Jonga:
"MyKi
ng"

Me:"
Khotshomf
okutheniungandi
xel
elangauk'
bauMbal
iul
i
gqwi
hakazi
(Tel
lmebr
awhydi
dn'
t
youtel
lmeMbal
iisawitch?)

Jongal
aughssohar
dtomyannoy
ance

Me:
"Kut
heni
kengoku(
Whatnow?
)

Jonga:
"I
yhoi
ntoi
thi
andi
nokuk'
xel
elay
onkei
nto,
kakadenam andi
boni
swakonke(
Thi
ngi
sIcan'
t
t
ell
youev
ery
thi
ngast
heydon'
tshowmeal
lofi
t)
"

Bukhosi
:
"Hay
iAt
hiuNobubel
e,
Mbal
ii
sat
hreatnj
ani
?

Jonga:
"Idon'
tknow.
comet
omyhouset
omor
rowwe'
l
ltal
k"

Me:
"Okey
"

Jonga:"
Youspeaksomanyl
anguagesman,
somet
imesy
ou'
reSwat
isomet
imesy
ou'
reXhosa
hayindi
vumewenamna"

Me:Laughing"Ihadtolear
nSwati
,
y ouknowI
'm Xhosa,
buthadt
ochangemyi
dent
it
yforf
ame
andcl
aim chieft
aincyaft
erki
l
li
ngthatgoodf
ornothingKi
ng"

Jonga:
"YoumeanWE.
Youl
i
ket
aki
ngcr
edi
tfort
hingsy
ou'
venev
erdone.
lookIneedt
ofeedmy
boyssharp"

Me:
"Shar
p,Tel
lski
vov
othathemustgr
owupandbev
isi
blenow"

Tut
utu!
!!
howdar
ehecutmeof
fnxat
hisguyandhi
sli
tt
leel
f'
s

_
___
___
__

THORN'
sPov

I
'm watchi
nghim eat
,hef
ini
shesandBur
psli
keapi
g.mypl
anistomakehim openthi
scage,
becausehonest
lyIcan'
tref
ormtomybeastImi
ghtendupri
ppi
nghi
m offKantihe'
sdoi
nghis
Job.

Me:
"Ek'
sewhataboutme?
"hel
ooksatmeanddr
inkshi
ssecondbeer"
Ineedt
opee"

Guar
d:"
Eyi
Stopmaki
ngnonsensewenanxa"
say
sinadr
unkt
one.
thi
sshoul
dbeeasy

Me:
"Cany
oucomeher
eforabi
t,
yourancest
orsj
ustshowedmey
ourf
ate"

hel
ooksatmel
ikeIjustspokePort
uguese"
Comei t
'saboutt
helott
otickety
oupl
ayed"he
qui
ckl
yst
oodupbalancinghi
mselfonthewal
ls.
hisneart
hecage,wefaceeachot
her.

Me:
"Fi
rstopent
hecage"
het
urnsandl
ooksatt
her
edbut
ton

Guar
d:"
It
'sf
ar"
Sleepyey
es"
Tel
lme"

Me:
"Openf
ir
st"
demandi
ngv
oice

Hewalksl
i
kehe'
sbr
eat
hless.
onl
ytwobeer
sandy
ouwast
ed?
whatal
oser
.hepr
essedt
he
but
ton.
.

Me:
"Nowunt
ieme"
heshakeshi
shead

Hi
m:"
Nononoy
ouar
etr
yingt
ofool
me"
y
ou'
reaf
ool
aft
eral
l

Me:"
Yourancest
orsar
erunningoutofpati
ence,Yourl
ott
ohad..
..
Unti
emeIcan'
ttalkwit
h
chai
nsandropes"
Hesearchesforakeyinhispocketandst
art
sunlocki
ngt
hechainsandst
ops
Midway.
Whatnow?

Hi
m:"WaithowdoIknowy
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
het
rut
h,t
ell
mewhi
chancest
ory
out
alkedt
o?"
shi
twhat
doIsay
..

Me:
"Ur
hTheonet
hatusedt
odr
inkl
i
key
ou"
Ihopet
hatwor
ks

Him:Hel
aughs:
"Ar
hUncleZambane,
Iknewhewouldneverf
orsakeme,
thatguytaughtmehow
todri
nkatt
heageoffivehe'
sal
egend"hequi
ckl
yunt
iesme,andcut
stherope.
istandupand
str
etchmybody.
helooksatmewit
hdrunkeyes

Me:
Il
ookar
ound"
Ohur
m hesai
d..
.Punch"

Hi
m:"
Punch?
?"Fr
owni
ng.
..
Ipunchhi
m sohar
dhewentsi
l
entandf
ell
down.

Me:"
Punchmystupi
dnephew"It
akethecl
otheshewaswear
ingandworet
hem.
amdlef
thi
min
hi
sboxers.
Theki
nggotanot
herthi
ngcoming.i
sti
l
lhav
e3mont hst
oplanmymove.

_
___
___
__

I
NSERT23

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

Whoam I
?thatquest
ion,
Ist
il
lcan'
tansweri
t.
Ial
sodon'
tknowwhoIam.

Thevoices,thetat
too,
theheali
ngpower.
Thatdoesn'
thappentohumanbei ngs,
doesit
?Ineedto
st
artattendingchurchsinceIwastoldt
oacceptmyfate,
my beever
ythingwil
lbecl
ear.
idon'
t
evengetdr eamsofwhati saboutt
ohappenbecauseihaven'
tacceptedmygift
.If
all
asleep
whil
stthinkingofmyl i
fe.

Someonei
sknocki
ng,
Ij
ustf
ell
asl
eep.
.

Me:
"Whoi
sit
"

Mai
d:"
Icamet
otel
lyoubr
eakf
asti
sready
"

br
eakf
ast
,i
sitmor
ningal
ready
,Icheckt
het
imeandi
tisi
ndeed8am.

Me:
"Okey
"shout
ing
I
'
m notgoi
ngt
oeatt
hei
rfood,
whoknowsmay
bet
heyhav
epl
annedpoi
soni
ngmeasaf
ami
l
y!.

Sot
obesaf
ei'
m goi
ngt
otheshopst
odosomegr
ocer
iesf
ormysel
f,
andbuycl
othes.

Theyar
enoteat
ing,
butdi
scussi
ngwhathappenedy
est
erday
.Iwal
kpastt
het
abl
e

Ki
ng:
"Wher
ear
eyouoft
omi
ssy
"spokel
i
keaki
ngi
ndeed

Me:
Itur
n"Todoshoppi
ngandgr
ocer
ies,
si
ncemyl
i
fei
sindangeri
nthi
shouse"

Ki
ng:
"Eatf
ir
st"

whydoeshecar
e?

Me:
"Not
hanky
ou,
I
'l
lgr
absomet
hingal
ongt
heway
"

PLanga:
"Woul
dyoul
i
kemet
oaccompanyy
ou?
"rai
sedey
ebr
ows

Me:
"NoI
'
llbef
ine"

QNobubel
erol
l
sherey
es

Iwalkout
,t
her
e'sabl
ackBMW ser
iespar
kedwi
tht
int
edwi
ndows,
andt
hedr
iveropenedt
hedoor
forme.

Dr
iver
:"
Wher
etoMem?
"heasksl
ooki
ngt
hrought
hemi
rr
or

Me:
"I
sther
eamal
lar
oundher
e?"
henods"
Takemet
her
epl
ease"
hedr
ives

Il
ogintowhat
'sup,
lastseenyaSi
yaiscausi
ngaMi nyhear
tat
tacki
nmybr ai
ncel
l
s.i
hopehei
s
okey
.Ti
-r
ingaNoti
fi
cati
on:"
R3000hasbeentransf
erredi
nyouraccount.
..
"Wowsomuch
money,
whocould'
vemistakenl
ytr
ansfer
redthi
ski
ndofamount .
.Atextcomesthr
ough

From Langa"
Ihopey ouenjoy.
ThisistheleastIcoulddo"Hmhsohetransf
err
edthemoney.i
readanddon'trespond.
Ientercheckers,
Pickn'Payandever
ystor
eIcomeacross.
aft
er3hours
ofshopping.
IgettoMcDonal dandmakemyor der,
whil
stwai
ti
ngacutenyanaguysi
tsnextt
o
me

Hi
m:"
Hey
"smi
l
es

Il
ookar
oundandsmi
l
e

Me:
"Hy
"

Hi
m:"
I'
m Mangal
i
so,
youcancal
lmeLi
so"

Me:
"Char
lot
te"
Ihav
en'
tusedt
hisnamebef
ore

Him:"
Beaut
if
ulj
ustl
i
key
ourname.
.Ihav
en'
tseeny
ouar
oundher
ebef
orear
eyounew?
"He
obser
vesme
Me:"
Arhy
heaki
nda.
."
myor
deri
sbei
ngcal
l
ed"
Ihav
etogo"
Looksl
i
keI
'
lleatmyf
oodatt
he
pal
ace

Hi
m:"Wait
".
..
hewr
it
esint
hesmallnotepad,
andgi
vesmet hepaper
",
andl
eav
es.
didn'
thecome
f
orfood,
heseemsni
cebutwei
rdwithhisnerdgl
asses.

Igeti
nthecarwhil
stt
hedr
iverl
oadsmybagsi
nthecar
.he'
sfi
nishedwegettothepal
ace,
I
comeacrosstheki
ng,
hel
ooksdapperasal
way
swithhi
sscarr
yl ooks.
hef
lashesasmi
le.

Me:"
Sir
"hecomesbackt
owher
eIam,
andmai
ntai
ney
econt
act
,hi
sey
esar
ever
ydar
k,l
i
keev
il
ki
ndofdark.
Iswal
l
owabi t

Ki
ng:
"Yespr
incess"

Me:
"Ii
waswonder
ing,
aboutschool
.
ist
il
lneedt
ofi
nishof
fmydegr
ee"
Isayf
aci
ngdown

King:
Heobser
vesmet
henseesmyt
att
oo"
Transf
er"
hewal
ksami
l
ethent
alks"
Ohandr
emov
e
thatt
att
oo"

Hay
boIt
houghtmyf
atherdi
ed,
whoonear
thmadehi
m myf
ather
.nxa

Igeti
nmyr
oom,
andeat
.t
akeoutmyphonebecausei
t'
sri
ngi
ng,
unknowncal
l
er

Me:"Hel
l
o..
..
.HayboHello!
(Il
ookatt
hescreen,
andputi
tbackonmyear
)Wi
l
lyout
alk
al
ready"
tut
utuitgotcutoff.
isav
edthenumberunder"
Unknown"
..

It
ookMangal
iso'
sNumbertocal
lhi
m sohecanhav
emynumber
,andmyphoner
ingsagai
n,
Unknowni
sgoingtoannoyme

Me:
Ikeepqui
et,
j
ustt
obeci
vi
l

Cal
l
er:
"Hy
"Ir
ecogni
set
hev
oice

Me:
"Whoi
sthi
s"

Cal
ler
:"
It
'sMangal
i
so,
Ij
ustwant
edt
oheary
ourv
oiceandaski
fyouwoul
dn'
tmi
ndgoi
ngout
wit
hme! "

Mhm out
?

Me:
smi
l
ing"
Idon'
tknowI
'
lll
ety
ouknow"

Hi
m:"
Okayby
e"cal
lended

Goi
ngoutwit
hastr
anger
?thenIr
ememberInev
ergav
ehi
m mynumber
,howdi
dhegeti
t.
that
sa
Bi
gquest
ionmar
k

Aknockdi
stur
bsme

Me:
"I
t'
sopen"
pri
nceLangaget
sin
PLanga:
"Hey
,you'
reback"

Me:
"Yhea,
urm canIgooutt
oni
ght
,wi
thaf
ri
end?
"Iaskunsur
e

Hi
m:"
Youhav
eaf
ri
endi
nSwat
ini
???
Noy
oucan'
tgo"

Me:Il
ookathimindisbel
i
ef,he'
snotthebossofme"WellI
'
m goinganyway"Isaychoosi
ngan
outf
it
..
Hetakesal
lthebagsIbroughttohisr
oom,Idi
dn'
thaveanyt
hingatt
racti
veinmycloset
,I
can'
tgooutwitht
hoseclothes.

Me:
"Heyheybringmyclot
hesback"Ir
unafterhi
m,heget
sinhisr
oom andt
hrowsmybagsi
n
t
hebalconyandlockst
hesli
dingdoor
,Il
ookathimreadytocr
y

Me:Scr
eami
ngi
nmyhands"
Arhhhhhwhati
swr
ongwi
thy
ouman,
Ij
ustwant
edt
otourt
his
pl
ace"

hef
oldshisarmst
ohi
sbuffedchest,
andwalkscl
osert
ome,Ikeeponmov i
ngbackbutthe
wal
l
sbetrayedme.
he'
stooclosenow,heput
shishandsont
hewal l
closi
ngmeinsi
dethem,and
whi
spers

Hi
m:"
You'
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e"

Me:"
But .
..
"hekissesmebef or
eIf i
nishtal
kingsendingchi
ll
sdownt her
e,Ibr
eakthekiss
br
eathingheav i
lyImov eaway,"
Iurmt hat
..I'
llgot
omyr oom,Iexithisr
oom andentermine
cl
osingitroughly,
Istandst
il
lforamoment .andli
ftupmyskirtandpeakt hr
oughmypant y.
I'
m
wet,
Ihearahear tbeatinmynunu.thatwasami st
akeabigone. i
textMangalisot
ell
i
nghi mI
won'
tmakei t
.done

nowhowwi
l
lIf
acet
hathusbandpr
inceofmi
neaf
tert
heki
ss.

_
___
___
___
___
___
_

MEANWHILEatMangal
iso'
spl
ace,
her
eadt
het
ext
,al
lov
eragai
nscr
atchi
nghi
shead,
hest
ood
upandbr
okethemi
rror

Sti
ll
screami
ngandt
urni
ngev
ery
thi
ngupsi
dedown,
hegr
oanedi
npai
nandl
ookedathi
sbl
oody
hands

Him:"OhnowhathaveyoudoneZakes"hequickl
ytookthefirstaidkitandnursedhimsel
fhe
groanedagai
nandlookedathishand"Whathappenedt ome" t
alkingli
keababyandcr yi
ng,
he
groansagai
nandquickl
ygotangryagain"IWil
lgether,
sheismi ne,MINEArhhhhh"gr
oaning
"She'
snotyours,
she'
saprincessKevi
n"hetal
kedinhisnormal state.
.

hekeptonchanginghi
spersonal
i
tiesbyasecondbutwhenhewasi
nacr
owdedpl
ace,
hewas
al
waysinhi
snor malst
ate.

_
___
___
___
__

BUKHOSI
'
SPov
IgettoJonga'shouseholdint
heforest,Ipar
kedmycarf arawayfr
om her
e.hi
shouseisnot
vi
sibl
etoanyonesoy ouhavetopuffsomewhi t
epowdert oseei
t.
idi
dthatasalwaysanditwas
vi
sibl
ewithasecond. Therear
emov ingwheelbarrows,
andshovel
saremov i
ngontheirown,
I
fi
guredhisboysarebusyi nhi
syard.Iknockatthedooritopensf
orit
'
sselfIgeti
nlookaroundI
fi
ndhim seatedintheloungebusytalki
ngwi t
honeofhisboy s

Me:
"Whi
choney
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
o"het
urnshi
sat
tent
iont
omeandl
aughs

Jonga:
"hahaIwasjustt
ell
i
ngThambotopr
epareussomef
ood.
.HambaThambouxel
ele
uSki
vovouk'baut
heuBukhosi
makakhul
eabonakal
e"

Thambo:
"Ki
fki
fki
fki
f"
Laughi
ngl
i
kear
at.
Noar
atsquaknott
hatt
her
atl
aughs.

Isi
tdown

Jonga:
"Sowhatwereyouonabouty
est
erday
"twogl
assesofwhi
skeyar
eputont
het
abl
eby
oneoftheTokol
oshe'
s

Me:
"Iwassay
ingwhydi
dn'
tyoui
nfor
m meaboutMbal
ibei
ngat
hreat
"

Jonga:
"andIt
oldyoutheancest
orsdi
dn'
tshowmemuch,butbefor
eIsl
eptyest
erday,
Theyt
old
meshei si
ndeedt
henextqueen,t
henextqueenwi
l
lhav
eat at
tooonhershoul
der,
theydi
dn'
t
gi
vemet hesymbol"

At
att
oo,
sheal
sohadat
att
ooonhershoul
der

Me:
"Shi
t"Icur
se

Jonga:
"What
?"

Me:
"Shehasat
att
oo"

Jonga:
"Fuck.
.y
ant
oni
(ofwhat
)?"
hesi
psonhi
swhi
skey

Me:"I
twasaLightni
ngThunderandacr
oss"
hechokesont
hewhi
skeyandl
ooksatmei
ntot
al
shock"Whati
sit?

Jonga:
"Comewithme"
Iwalkbehi
ndhi
m,t
aki
ngmet
othebasement
,opensadoor
,i
tlooksl
i
ke
I
'mintheminesher
e"Geti
n"

Il
ookathi
mfr
owni
ng

Me:
"Andwena?k'
theni
ndi
zongenandodwa?
(whyam It
heonl
yonesupposedt
ogeti
n)

Heget
sinf
ir
st

Jonga:
"Woy
ikant
oni
(whatar
eyouscar
edof
)"

wewalkabi
tittakesusoutt
othefor
estandIalmostranoutoft
hatplaceasIsawt
ombstones
andhumanheadson-topoft
hetombstones,
buthehel
dme" UyiMof
fieyini
nhalomf
o(I
sthis
guygay
?)

Me:"
Areyouher
etoki
l
lme"
frust
rat
ioni
swr
it
tenal
lov
ermyf
ace,
I
'm sur
ehecanhearmy
hear
tbeat

Jonga:"
Njani
kengokuandi
thi
ndi
zok'
boni
sal
ant
obut
het
hangay
o(How?
I'
m her
etoshowy
ou
thatt
hingyoutol
dmeabout)

Me:
"Whi
chone?
"

hetur
nsmyheadar
oundther
e'sabi
gst
one,
wit
hthosedr
awi
ngsIsawonMbal
i
'sar
m anda
cr
ownandaspear"
Whyisther
easpear
?whati
sthi
s?"

Jonga:
"Aspeari
soft
hemanshewi
l
lrul
ewi
th!
"

Me:
"Myson"
hel
aughs

Jonga:
"Nonoty
ourson,
Ther
ight
ful
hei
rtot
het
hrone.
Theol
destt
win"

Me:
"What
"I
'mf
razedwhati
sheonabout

Jonga:"
Iyhoawudi
ki
(You'
resoannoyi
ng)TheKi
ngyouki
l
led,
hadt
wosonswhower
etwi
ns,
the
personyousaidmustki
ll
hiswif
edidn'
tdothej
ob.

Me:
"Butt
heki
nghadoneson"

Jonga:
"Hehadtwo,t
hekingdom wassuffer
ingsothemothersol
donechil
dtot
hehighest
bi
dder.
actual
l
yitwastheking'
sidea,
butunfor
tunat
elyy
oukill
edhi
m bef
oreheevenrul
ed"

Me:
"Doy
ouknowt
hisr
ight
ful
hei
r?"
angr
y

Jonga:
"No"

Me:
"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
hisbef
ore"

Jonga:
"BecauseIwasj
ustt
oldt
ooj
ustnow"

Me:
"Byt
heancest
ors"

Jonga:Laughi
ngsarcast
ical
l
y"NobyZi
mnenebehi
ndy
ou"
Itur
nar
oundt
her
e'sanappl
ebei
ng
bi
tten,
theseTokol
oshe'
s

Me:
..
..

Jonga:
"Letusgo"

_
___
___
__

I
'
llpostl
ater
,IknowMangal
i
so'
spovi
sfr
ust
rat
ingy
'al
lbuti
t'
l
lbecl
earasy
our
ead.
#Lov
eMandy

I
NSERT24

•
°

•
(If
ell
asl
eepwhi
l
stt
ypi
ng.
.I'
m shor
ry)

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

2MONTHSLATER, May24i t
'smyweddi ngnextmonth.everyt
hinghasbeensettheweddi
ng
venueinSummerf
iel
dBotanicalGardenssuchabeauti
fulplace,Ichosei
t.
QNobubel
echosemy
weddinggownhonest
lyIdon'tcar
e.Icanwearasi
lkynightdressatmyweddinganditwon'
t
bothermeatal
l
.aft
eral
lIneverwant edtogetmar
ried

PLangaandIhav ebeensoclosewealmostdi
dthedeedtheot
herdaybutIcamebacktomy
senses,
Idon'tlovehi
mi twasjustamomentofweaknessandnowyenauBrother
sthi
nkswe'
re
acouple,confusedishisname.

Aweekago,t
herewasabreakin,
inthepal
acebuttheydidn'
ttakeanythi
ngt
heyranoffaft
er
seei
nghowtightt
hesecur
it
yisinsi
dethenout
side.AndIhaven'thear
danyt
hingf
rom Siy
athat
real
l
yhurt
smedeeplybutIwil
lbefine.

Ineedt of
indoutwhyIwasmar r
iedof
ftot
hisf
amil
y,
my beIshoul
daskLangabeforeit
'
stoo
l
ate.Igeti
nwithoutknocki
nghedoest
hatwhenheget
sinmyr oom t
hesedays.
Istandatt
he
doorashe'stalki
ngonhisphone

Him:"Iknow..
..
Whyar eyoushouting?.
..I
t'
sf i
ne..
LookI'
m sorr
ythingshadgonethiswaybabeI
don'tloveherI
'mjustfoll
owingdad'sorders.
.Don'tcal
lmehislapdog(Angr
y)i
fhef i
ndsoutI'
m
dati
ngy oudoy ouknowwhatwi llhappenwi thyouandmybaby ?
..
Ohcomeony ou'
recryi
ngnow
IthoughtIwast al
ki
ngt oanadultnotababy ..
.ZamaIloveyouIdon'tcar
ewhethery ou'
rea
maideorwhatj ustknowIl ovey
ouandy ou'l
lbemysecondwi fe..
Okaybye.
.!
"

Heendst
hecal
l
.SoHi
m andZamawowIdi
dn'
tseet
hatonecomi
ngATALL!

Me:
"Hey
"het
urnssl
owl
yaner
voussmi
l
efl
i
cker
sinhi
sli
ps

Hi
m:"
Hey
.Howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
andi
ngt
her
e.?
"

Me:"
Longenoughtohearyousay,
you'
refol
lowingyourfat
her'
sorders,
andyoui mpr
egnated
Zama"Iwatchhi
m ashetr
iestosaysomething"Saveitmen,l
ookIdon'tLoveyouei
ther.
whatI
wanttoknowisWhyisyourfat
hergiv
ingyouor der
sregar
dingme? "
I'
m keepingastr
aightf
ace

Hi
m:"
Iwasj
ustmaki
ngt
hatupsot
hatshecanshutup,
shewasbecomi
nganonsensebabe"

Me:
"Don'
tyouf
reaki
ncal
lmey
ourBabe,
j
ustt
ell
met
het
rut
h"
"Becauseyou'r
eGif
ted"
avoicesay
sbehindme,
Ifacet
hedir
ect
ioni
tcameatandi
t'
sTheKi
ng.
i
knowI '
m Gi
ftedbutwhydoesever
yoneaft
ermesomuch,what
'swi
thmygif
t

Me:
"So?
whati
sini
tfory
ou"
Iaskconf
used

King:Laughs"
HahahaYouknowyou'
rest
upidforabeaut
if
ulfacel
i
key
our
s..
Wel
lI'
l
lhav
etoki
l
l
youifItel
lyou"
heputshi
shandsi
nhispocket
ssighi
ngsoftl
y

Me:"
Sobei
tthen"
Idon'
tknowwhereIgetsuchcour
aget
osel
lmysoul
forknowi
ngr
easons
behi
ndmyarr
angedmarri
age.
iam st
upi
dindeed

PLanga:
"Mbal
i
.."

Me:
Icuthi
m of
f"Shutup,
youf
ail
edt
otel
lme"
..
Igazeatt
heki
ng"
Tel
lme"

King:"
Wellt
urnsoutIwon'thavetoki
l
lyouf
ory
ourgi
ftbuthol
dyoucapt
ivef
orv
ari
ous
reasons"
heshrugshisshoulder
s

Pl
anga:
"Daddon'
t"

Ki
ng:
"GetoutLanga"

Langal
ooksathi
sfat
herf
rust
rat
ed

PLanga:
"What
?it
'smysl
umbery
ougetout
"

Hi
sfat
hergi
veshi
m adeat
hst
are,
hei
mmedi
atel
ygetout

King:
Looksatme"Youwanttoknowev er
ythi
ngri
ght?wel
lletmetell
youIwantt
omakey oumy
zombieandtakey
ourgiftt
obemi neandbeweal thyal
loveragai
n"hecr
acksadevi
l
ishl
augh.
is
heokeycausehelookssostupi
drightnow!isheevenaki
ng?

Ashe'sl
aughi
ngItr
yr unni
ngoutoft
her
oom,
buthecat
chesmeandput
sacl
othcov
eri
ngmy
nose.
idr
if
tawaytosleep.

Iwakeup,Iobser
v emysurroundi
ngsitl
ooksli
keI'minsomeRabbitholenoteIhav
enev
erbeen
i
nar abbi
thole,
Ithinki
t'
sthebasementasI'mlooki
ngaroundt
hedooropensandmyhear t
st
opsbeat i
ngforamoment ,
thet
rayi
sfly
ing?f
oll
owedbyabathingdish?huh.
..

Okaybreat
hinandout,
thi
sisani
ght
mar eyouwi
l
lwakeupMbal
iIsaytomyselfasIbreat
h
heavi
l
y.Thetr
aycomesmywayanditlandsdownaswel
last
hebathi
ngDish.
Ihearsquaky
voi
cesli
ketal
kingr
ats

Voi
ce1:
"t
swi
tswi
kifgr
rrh(
Shet
hinksshe'
scr
azy
)"

Voi
ce2:
"Ki
fki
fki
fki
f(
Hahahaha)
"

Voi
ce1:
"Ar
rret
sit
waf
fhr
a(Let
'
stouchherv
agi
na)

"
YeyGetouty
oul
i
ttl
erascal
s"Ihearl
i
ttl
efoot
stepsr
unni
ng
Andaguywhol ooksl
i
keaNyanga,
hekneel
sInf
rontofmeandgr
oansasheshakeshi
sHor
se
tai
lthi
ng(
iShoba)i
nmyshoul
ders

Ny anga:"Yeeeeyiyhoyhoyho"andsighsaft
ersay i
ngyho."Youar etrul
ygif
ted,TheThunder
stormsar egett
ingoutofcontrol
wonder i
ngwher eyouare"Laughingsarcast
icall
yhisphone
vi
br atesamessage, andhemakesacal l
"Comeher e,y
oucan' tl
eaveherhereot her
wisemyboy s
willhavet hei
rwaywi t
hher..
.(
Laughs)HahahaIf oundPit
shanaal mosttouchingher
vagina..Comesowecanputt hepl antomot i
on.
Sharp"hehangsup, unti
esmef r
om thechai
r,
I
didn'tevennot i
ceIwast i
ed"Bathandeat,you'
ll
needenergy "heclosesthedoorandl ocks.

Itouchmywr istasithurts.Isobsi
lent l
y,
whydoIhavetobaresomuchpai ni noney ear
?why
didn'
ttheyallcomewhenIwasst i
llathomewhynow? Iaskl
oudlyasifI'
mt alkingto
someone, Godperhaps.ItakethefoodandeatcauseI '
m hungry,
i
fIdieIdon' tcare.
whenI '
m
doneIt akeabath,t
here'sabedIgeti n,
andfacethef
arendcorner.
myey espopoutasIseea
chil
d,my be8yearsold,
rappedi nmet alwir
es,she'
sbl
eedingfr
om thetightnessoft hewires,
wil
l
thatbemei naf ewhour s?

_
___
___
__

THORN'
sPov

Youwon' tbelievewhathappenedi nj usttwomont hs,TurnsoutIhaveabr otherNkosi yezwe

Dlami ni
,Ical
l him Nkosi ,
appar entl
ywe' r
etwinsandwewer eseparat
edatbi rt
h.Hesay smyr eal
namei sNtsikay ezwe, hei stheoldestashel ikessay i
ngt hat.
Ihavemetmyr eal mother,Idon'
t
knowhowIf eel abouthersel li
ngmebutIf orgiveher ,
li
feistooshorttoholdgr udges.Igetalong
verywel lwit
ht hem,Ionceaskedaboutourf atherandIwast ol
dhewaski ll
edbyar uthless
man, whowant edtot akehi schieftaincyinSwazi land.Soallmyl if
eI'
vebeenl i
vingasadl if
enot
knowi ngIhav et her oy alblood?Wow. .MeAndNkosi promisedmot herthatwewi l
lgetour
chieft
aincyback. andatt hatIwillalsogett hechancet osav eMbalifr
om thet r
apt hatBukhosi
plannedf orher ..
.Ihopei t'snottoof arf r
om OursupposedKi ngdom.

I
NSERT25

•
°

•
°

•
°

THORN'
sPov

Wearri
veatSwat ini
aft
eralong5hours,
wel ef
tMot herathome.Nkosiyezwesuggestedwef i
rst
makear esearchaboutourenemy .
wedidn'
tknowhi m atall
,buti
twassai dhe'sarut
hlessson
ofabit
ch,Ididn'twantt
oseet heout
comeoft heresearchhemadebecauseIwantt omeethim
l
ivet
henr eadabouthi minapieceofpaper
.Hewi l
lregrett
hedayheki l
ledmyf ather
..
Hemust
paydearl
y.tal
kingaboutpeoplewhohavesinstobepai dfor,
Bukhosiahhhhhim andthat
usel
esskingwi llbeint
hesamer oom t
hedayi puni
sht hem,anditwon'tbelong.
Soon.
Mybrot
her,
feel
sgoodtosaythat(
Chuckli
ng)
Ihav
eaf amil
y.
Somybr othernhehei
sagangst
er
i
nasuit
e,Heisadruglor
dinColumbia.
Butmostl
ythedrugbusi
nessismanagedbyhi
sfri
end
si
nceheneededtotakecar
eofmot her
.

Welooksoal
i
keyouwouldn'
tdi
ff
erent
iat
eusonl
ywi
tht
hef
actt
hathehasasi
l
vert
oot
h,we
al
soli
kesi
mil
art
hings.

Wecheckedi
nahot
el,
2rooms.
Iwonderi
fMbal
ii
sokey
!

Wesl
eep.
..

I
NTHEMORNI
NG

Wemeetatt
hepar
king-
lot
t,We'
rewear
ingt
hesamesui
tesj
ustt
oconf
uset
heenemy

Me:
"Heybr
uh"

Hi
m:"
Yowsl
eptwel
lmen?
"

Me:
"YheaIdi
d,y
ou"

Hi
m: "
Sameher
e..
Yousti
l
ldon'
twanttoseet
hepi
ctur
eoft
hesocal
l
edki
ng"
hegazeatmef
ora
whi
le.Whi
l
stwegeti
nthecarhedr
ives

Me:
"NoIwantt
omeethi
m"henodsconcent
rat
ingont
her
oad

Hi
m:"
Sooooo"
hel
ooksatmeandsmi
rks

Me:
"Whatman?
"

Hi
m:"
Whenam Imeet
ingTheRose,
causeI
'
vemeti
t'
sThor
ns"
Chuckl
es

Me:
Laughi
ng"
OhI
'
mtheThor
nsbecause?
"

Hi
m:"
Becausey
ournamei
sThor
ndur
h"her
oll
shi
sey
es

Me:
"Onedayy
ou'
l
lrol
lthoseey
esandt
hey
'l
lst
ayl
i
ket
hat
"

Hi
m:ShortLaugh"Ser
iousl
ythough,
whenam Imeet
ingher
?"Ihav
en'
ttol
dhim sheisher
ein
Swat
ini
justhaven'tf
oundoutwhere,butmyguy
swill
cont
actmeoncet hey
'vetr
acedher

Me:
Sigh"
Soonmybr
othersoon"
hekeepsqui
etandt
urnsont
heRadi
oasRi
hanna-
"Wor
k"bl
ast
s
t
hecar

hesingsalongwhil
stshakinghi
sbutti
nthecarseat
,Il
ookathi
m wei
rdl
y,
ist
her
esomet
hinghe
needstotellme?
Hel aughsasIstar
e

Wear
ri
veatt
hepal
ace,
wegetoutt
her
e'ssecur
it
yguar
dsev
ery
wher
e

Nkosi
:
"YowBr
uh"
hesay
stot
heguar
dout
sidet
hegat
e,andt
heguyj
ustl
ooksatus
Me:
"Lookur
hh.
.(
Ilookathi
snamet
ag)
Jakobeweneedt
otal
ktot
heki
ng"

Hi
m:"
It
'sJacob.
Didy
oumakeanappoi
ntment
?"Appoi
ntwhat
,Idon'
tdot
hatshi
t

Nkosi
:
"Appoi
ntmentmyf
oot
,t
ell
himt
heki
ng'
sar
eher
e"

Me:
"Dude,
real
l
y?"
heshr
ugs"
Tel
lhi
mtheMi
ght
yThor
nhasv
isi
tedhi
m"Ismi
rk

Hesuddenlyl
ookst er
ri
fi
ed,
andlookatbothofusandlaughhisassout.
MeandNkosi
lookat
eachother
.If
aceJakobesdirect
ionandsqueezehi
sball
s,andwhisperi
nhi
sear"
NOW"he
quickl
ynodshishead,
andmakeacal l.
wit
hinaminut
ethegateopens,Wesmil
e

Me:
"Wasn'
thar
dwasit"
wedriveinandpar
k.aswegetoutoft
hecar
,Youwon'
tbel
i
evewhoi
s
t
heKing.
Myjawscl
enchedathissi
ght

Me:
"YOU"
ster
nvoi
ce

Bukhosi
:
"Howi
nthef
reaki
nwor
lddi
dyougetout
"ner
vous

Nkosi
:
Laughs"Soyoutooknoweachother
?..
.(
Stopsl
aughi
ng)
Goodthennoneedf
or
i
ntr
oduct
ion,
let
'sj
ustcutt
othechase.
.Youareseat
edonwhatisour
s"

Hel
ooksar
ound

Bukhosi
:Whi
sper
"ButI
'
m st
andi
ng"

Me:
"Thet
hrone.
..
Youhav
eourt
hrone"

Hecr
acksupl
aughi
ng,
andhol
dshi
svi
sibl
ebel
l
y

Nkosi:
"Youki
l
ledourFat
her
.RememberKumkani
?"hest
opsl
aughi
ngbi
tbybi
tlooki
ngatus
per
plexed

Bukhosi
:
"Whatdi
dyousay
?Kumkani
?"heshakeshi
sheadr
epeat
edl
y"Noy
ou'
rel
yi
ng"

Me:
"Wedi
dn'
tcomeher
etopaintpi
ctur
esforyou,
i
fyoudon'
tbel
i
evet
henf
okof
.whatweher
e
f
ori
sOurThr
onewhi
chyoustolefr
om ourFat
her"

Bukhosi:
"Youcan'
tbethet
winswhoescapeddeath!
"Hel
ooksatussti
l
lshocked.
Idon'
thav
e
ti
mef orthi
s,per
hapsmybrotherf
indshumouri
nthi
sashe'
slaughi
ngatBukhosi
.

Ipasshi
m,geti
nsi
deOURpal
aceandshoutMbal
i
'sname,
ever
yonecomesoutOft
hei
rrooms
weari
nggowns.

Women1:
"Whati
shappeni
ngher
e?"

Women2:"
Whatinthef
reaki
nmor
ningi
shappeni
ngwhoar
eyoubudgi
ngi
nmyhousel
i
key
ou
owni
t?"
Sheshout
s

Icov
ermyear
s,andr
oll
myey
es.
hel
l
oIowni
tvel
e.
Nkosicomesin,
andBarbi
eint
heflashcomesouttoo.
Bar
biel
ooksatNkosi
forawhi
l
eandget
s
smit
tenwit
hinasecondshe'
sInf
rontofhi
m put
ti
ngascene

Bar
bie:"
OhmyGotI 'v
ebeenwai t
ingtofal
linl
oveandIneverexpect
edittobesosoon.
Whati
wanttoaskis(Shebreat
hesalit
tl
e)Wil
lyoumarryme?"
meandNkosi bur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
all
the
member softhefamil
ylookshockedfr
om whattheBar
biehasjustdone.
ical
m downaft
er
l
aughing

Me:
"Nowjokesasi
dewherei
sMygi r
lf
ri
end"Iaskwi
thast
ernv
oice,
mai
ntai
ningast
rai
ght
f
ace,
andaguywho'sbeenanal
ysi
ngmer espondes

Guy:
"Doesi
tlookli
keweareITspeci
ali
stshere?comingtoourhousel
ooki
ngf
orpeopl
ewe
don'
tknownxa"Ij
ustst
areathi
m anddon'tenter
tai
nhim

Me:
"Wher
ehady
ouhi
ddenMbal
i
"Ichangedi
rect
iont
oBukhosi
whol
ooksdef
eat
ed

Bukhosi:
"Idon'tknow"Igoov ert
ohim andmaintaineyecontact
,Icanseewhensomeonei s
l
y i
ng,t
heey esshowy out heanswer
,t
heydon'tl
ie.andbythelookofthi
ngsf r
om whatI
've
observedfrom hiseyes.Heislyi
ng.
iholdhi
sneckandt ight
enmyhandar oundhi
m bri
nginghi
s
foreheadagainstmine

Me:
"W HEREI
SSHHHEE?
"Iwhi
sper
ed

heshakesabi
t,
butshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.i
stepback,
andt
akeoutmyphone.i
tri
ngsonceandi
t'
s
answered"
Geti
tdone,
andbr
ingt
heequi
pments,
Iwannahav
esomefun"Icuti
toff
.

Il
ookatt
hem al
l
,looki
ngl
i
ket
hey
'vebeenpl
ayi
ngi
nther
ain

Nkosi
:
"Isi
tRed?
(war
)

Me:"
It
'sRedmybr
other
"..
Igoandtel
lBukhosit
otel
lev
ery
onetosi
tatt
hei
rdi
ningt
abl
eandt
hey
di
dast ol
daswewaitf
orourguystoputthepl
antomoti
on.

_
___
___
___

MBALI
'
sPov

Isetattheothercorner,
shiv
eringasitisv erycoldi nhere.
Plusthegirlhasbeent al
ki
ngt ome
sincethedayshesawmeseei ngher .
Theyhadl otionedmewi thwhi t
epowderIdon' tknowwhat
i
st obecomeofme, butt
hisi
st heri
ghtt i
met opr ay .
Istar
tprayi
ngv eryloud,
theninasecondI
feltl
i
ket heotherdayIwaspray i
ngforSy amt handa,li
keIwaspossessed. iprayedsohardt he
doorburstopenandIdi dn'
tstoppraying.Jongat hesupposedNy anga,Ihear
dBukhosi call
him
theotherday,hetri
edcomingnearmebuthecoul dn'ti
tlookedli
kehewashel dbysomet hing,
I
heardlit
tlef
ootstepsandIfi
guredit'
shisl i
tt
leelf's

Jonga:
"STOOOOOP" Ist
artedseeingbl
oodatthedoorandtheodourwasn'tpleasanti
tsmel
led
l
ikeadeaddog,Isawbloodagai nindi
ff
erentpl
acesandIsawTokoloshe'sfucktheyl
ooked
real
l
ytraumat
izi
ng,aft
erthisIneedtoseeashri
nk.,
isi
tbecauseofmypr ayer?
.Jongal
ookedli
ke
hewasbur ningt oo,
li
kesomeonehadpour edaci donhi m,
Istartedmov i
ngtot hedoorst il
l
prayi
ngIr anf ormyl ifeIcameacr ossanot herdoor ,i
twasn' tlocked,Iconti
nuedpr ayi
ngasIgot
i
ni twasst inkinginher eli
kewher eIlef
tJongaandhi sdeadTokol oshe's,I
nher etherealsowas
blood,
Ist oppedpr ayi
ngsi ncet heyalldead. Thent heshockofmyl if
eIwasbi tt
eninmyl egI
screamedi nagonyast hepai nwasunbear able.Iprayedasf astasIcoul dandIhear daTswi
tswivoicenearmeandt hent herewasbl oodi tfeltli
keIwasi nadumpsi t
e,Theli
ghtningst r
ike
heavil
yout sideasi trained,
Ir anbalanci
ngwi ththebi tt
enlegwi thin5mi nutesofr unningIsaw
theroadt her ewasn' tanycarcomi ngby ,
Ist artedwal kingtowhi chev erdir
ectionisawf itthena
carhoot edbehi ndme, thewi ndowswer et inted,t
hewi ndowwentdownandi twasMangal isoI
thankedheav en'sIsawsomeoneIknow, Igoti nandhedi dn'tsayany thi
ngasIal sokeptqui et.
I
prayedthanki ngGodf orbeingmyshi el
d.indeedIbel ongwi thGod, Hei smyweaponaf terall
.

I
NSERT26

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

Idon'
trememberwhenIf ellasleepbutwhenIwokeup, Iwasinbed.Mangaliso'sbedIconcl ude,
I
l
ookatmywoundwher ethatt hinghadbitt
enme, I
'
m bandaged.Iwashaemor rhagingthelast
ti
meIsawi t
,Iguesshecl eanedi t.
Igetupasadi vi
nesmel lhi
tmynostril
s,
Ihopei ttastesas
goodasitsmells.
Iopent hedoori t'
snotabi ghousejusthas2r oomsandal ounge,justli
keour
RDPhousesbutt hisoneisonanot herlev
el.
He'ssingingwhil
etasti
nggodknowswhat .Helooks
atmydirect
ionandsmi les.helookssohappyt oseeme, l
i
kehe'salovestruckt eenage.Theway
he'
scheekshav eturnedredit'
scut e,
Ichuckleshakingmyheadgoi ngtowardshi m

Me:
"Hey
"

Hebi
teshi
sli
pandsmi
l
e

Me:
"You'
reBl
ushi
ng"

Hi
m:"
NoI
'
m notI
'
mjusthappyt
oseey
ouokey
"he'
snotbl
ushi
ngnow

Me:
"Thanky
ouf
orsav
ingme,
i
fitwasn'
tfory
ouI
'
dbedead"

Hi
m:"
Whatbi
tt
eny
ourl
eg?
"

Me:
"Ev
eni
fIt
ell
you,
youwon'
tbel
i
eve,
I
'm ev
enscar
edt
opr
onouncei
t"

Hi
m:"
Whathappenedwhywer
eyoui
nthemi
ddl
eofnowher
e?"

Nowhywer
eYOUUUi
nthemi
ddl
eofnowher
e

Me:
"Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
out
hesamet
hing"
Him:"
Youdon'tgett
oaskmequest
ions,
nowanswerme.
wer
eyouv
isi
ti
ngy
ourboy
fri
end?
"He
asksbreat
hingheav
il
ybutnott
oov
isibl
e

Me:
"No.
.Iwaski
dnapped"

Hi
m:Si
gh"
OhIt
houghty
ouwer
e..
.nev
ermi
nd"
hegi
vesmemypl
ate

Me:
"Thanks"It
akemyf
oodandsi
tatt
hecouch"
Youst
ayal
one"

Him:
"Yhea,
i
tget
sbori
ngaroundher
e"Inodmyheadwoul
dyoul
i
ket
ost
aywi
thme,
ImeanIcan
usesomecompany"
smil
i
ng

Wel
lIdon'
thav
eany
wher
etogo,
soaf
ewday
sjustsoIf
igur
ethi
ngsout

Me:
"I
'dl
ovet
hat
,butonl
yforaf
ewday
s"

Hi
m:"
Okey
,Weshoul
dgogety
oucl
othest
owearsi
ncey
oudon'
thav
eany
"

Me:
"Thanky
ou.
..
Howf
ari
sthePal
acef
rom y
ourhouse?
"

Hi
m:"
Notv
eryf
ar,
whydoy
ouask?
"

Me:
"Okey
..
..
NoI
'
mjustaski
ng,
canweshopf
arawayf
rom i
t"

Hi
m:"
Sur
etheng"

Weconti
nuedeat
ingi
nsil
ence,
andweheadedtotheshops,
Iwaspi
cki
ngthelastout
fi
twhena
guyappr
oachedmeaski
ngformynumber,Mangali
sowasatthet
il
lwai
ti
ngforme.

Guy:"
Sowi l
lyougi
vemey ournumberorshoul
dIforget"
Igavehi
m whil
stsmil
ing.
Mangal i
so
camet ousandlookedattheguy,
theguyl
eft
.Mangali
sogavemea" Let
'sgolook"hepaidand
welefthewasquietint
hecarbutwhenwegott ohisplacehewasfi
neafterdri
nkingsomepill
s
whichIdidn'
tpayatt
ent
ionto.

Weki ssedforafewti
mes,Istayedwithhi
mf or5days.
hewassweetandl ovi
ng,
thi
sotherday
theguyf r
om theshopcal
ledsowecoul dmeetup,Iwentt
ohim andhadagoodt ime,
dranktil
l
wedr oppedandpromisedwe' ddoitagai
nthenIgottoMangal
i
so's,
Iopenedthedoorwiththe
sparekeyandt i
p-t
oedwhilsthol
dingmystil
ett
os,
theli
ght
swentonandIst opped

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Hey
"

Hest aredatmeforalongestt
imeandgotupchargedtowar
dsmeandslappedmeaccrossmy
face,If
elldownandt
astedblood.
i
naspli
tsecondIbecamesober
.It
ri
edgett
ingupbuthe
kickedmeatmychestandwomb. Hehasalotofstami
na.

Hi
m:"YOUSLUTAROUNDANDLEAVEMEHEREALONEI NBED?hecont i
nueski
cki
ngmet hen
st
opsashehearsmyscreams"I
'
m..
..
I'
m..
.I'
m sor
ry"hestammersgetti
ngmeup, l
eadi
ngmet o
wher
eIusual
lysl
eep.
Hegoesandcomebackwiththefi
rstai
dki
t,Isnat
chitfr
om hi
m,andsignal
hi
mtogoheleavesfaci
ngdown.
Whatj
usthappened?
Inur
semy
sel
fandt
ryt
osl
eephonest
lyheal
mostki
l
ledme.

Iwakeupint
hemor ni
ngandt
hepai
nisstil
lther
e,Ihaveabangingheadacheandt
henI
rememberMangal
i
soheati
ngmerapi
dly
,Ishedat ear.
Hegetsinandgivemeasadgaze

Him:"
I'
m sor
ry,
pleasedon'
tl
eavemeIswearIdi
dn'
tmeant
odothat
"Hewast
alkingl
ikea
chi
ld,
evenhi
svoicehadchanged"
Ibegyou,
woul
dyouli
ket
opl
aywithmeout
side?I'
l
l shar
emy
fav
ourit
etoywit
hy ou"
hesmil
esandgi
vemepuppyeyes

Me:
"Ar
eyouf
uckenser
ious?
"Iaskannoy
edst
ruggl
i
ngt
otal
k

Hel
ooksatmeandgetangr
y

Hi
m:"
Didy
ouj
ustsayf
uckent
ome?
"ther
ehewast
heguywhobeatmeupt
oaPul
pyest
erday

Me:
"Whydi
dyoubeatmeup?
"

Hi
m:"
Youwer
ebusywhor
inganddr
inki
ngy
ourl
i
feawaywhi
l
eIwascol
d!"

Me:
"Sowhat?
youhaveblanketsl
otsoft
hem,
youevenhaveanelect
ri
cbl
anket
!nowtel
lmedoI
l
ookli
keoneofyourbl
ankets?
"Aslaphi
tsmycheekIt
urntheot
herwayandholdi
t

Hi
m:"
Don'
tyoudar
etal
ktomel
i
ket
haty
ouhearme?
"

Inodmyheadcr
ying

Him:Ner
vous"
I'
m sorr
yIdi
dn'
t.
..
i.
..
."
hegoesoutandcl
oset
hedoor
.Whati
shappeni
ngher
e?can
someonecomerescuemeplease,
Ialsoheadout

Hi
m:"
Whenar
eyoul
eav
ingmyhouse?
"heasksi
nagi
rl
yvoi
ce.
itur
nar
oundt
oseehi
m pout
ing
hi
smout
h

Me:
"Youwantmet
oleav
e?"
Iaskexci
ted

Him:
"Yespl
easeleaveyoustart
ingt
omakemeuncomf ort
abl
einmyownhome" hesaysashe
bl
owswindinhishands,
ohwowmani cur
e,IwonderwhydoIal
waysat
tractment
alcases.
Iwas
hopi
ngmygiftwouldworkfull
ybuti
tdoesn'tseem l
i
keIt
.

Igopackmycl
othes,
asI
'
m zi
ppi
ngt
hesui
tcasehest
andsatt
hedoorwi
thhi
shandsi
nhi
s
pocket
s

Me:
"Soasy
ousai
dImustl
eav
e,canIhav
etaxi
far
eMoney
?"

Hel
aughs

Hi
m: "
Youhadtaxifar
eyest
erdaybutt
odayy
oudon'
thav
e?andwhendi
dIsayy
oumust
l
eave?younotgoi
ngtoleav
eme"

Il
ookathi
m conf
used
Me:
"Buty
ousai
dImustl
eav
eyourhouse"

Hi
m:"
Ohdon'
tmi
ndBr
it
neyshe'
sal
way
sjeal
ous"

Bhi
ri
tni
?wher
e?

Me:
"Huh?
"

Him:"
Never
mindy
ounotl
eavi
ng"hegoest
otheki
tchen.
NowI
'
mfr
ust
rat
ed,
Iheadt
othe
bathr
oom,goi
ngt
olookf
orpi
ll
sformypain

Iopent
hedr
awerandt
aket
hem anddr
ink.

ThenIpeeandwi pemy self

,f
lushthetoil
et.
washmyhands, andtakeapapert owelwipi
ngmy
handsandt hr
owi tinthebin.Thensplatt
eredpil
lscaughtmyat tenti
on,therearesomanyof
them,Icheckthecontaineri
nsidethebin"Dissociati
veIdenti
tyDisordertreat
mentpill
s"al
lofthe
suddenmyv i
sionisblurr
y,Multi
plepersonal
itydisorder
?Goshno, nowonderhe' sbeenacting
weird.
Whatam Igoi ngtodonow?

NDONI
'
sPov

Myli
fehasr esor
tedtocryi
ngall day,
tryi
ngtofigur
eoutwhoi mpregnatedmeandpassedt he
di
seaset ome.Iwrot
edownnamesoft hepeopleIhavesleptwiththeyaremor ethen20,I
'
ma
whorethetruedefi
nit
ionofprostit
uti
on.Ideci
dedIwil
lkeept hebaby,andtaketreat
ment,t
hey
di
dsayt hechil
dwon'tbeaffectediftakemyt r
eatmentperfectl
y.
Aknockdi st
urbsmyt houghts,
I
wi
pemyt ears

Me:
"Comei
n"Let
hupeepsherheadandl
augh

Her
:"
Ithi
nkedIwast
ofoundy
ouuponaguyhav
ingsex"

Thatusedt
obef
unnybutnow,
mxm.
.Ij
ustst
aredather

Me:
"HowcanIhel
pyouLet
hu?
"

Her
:"
Yhonotneededt
obemudatme,
Icomet
ochecki
ngoutony
ou"

Me:"
Whatmakesyouwantt
ocheckonme?
"Iaskr
eal
l
yannoy
ed,
i
fitwasn'
tforherIwoul
dn'
tbe
pr
egnantandHI
Vposi
ti
venxa

Her
:"
Hav
enotsawy
oui
nmost
ly"

Me:
"I
'mf
ine,
nowpl
easel
eav
e"
Her
:Looksatmeshocked"
WhatIdone?
"

Igotupandpushedherout
sidesheswearatme

Her
:"
Youwer
eaf
ucker
,Mot
herbi
tch.
Icomef
orcheckupony
ou,
buty
ouwantmel
eftf
ine"

Icl
osedt
hedooratherf
aceasshet
alks

honest
lyIdon'
twantheri
nmyli
fe,
I
'm bet
terof
fal
one,
mybel
l
yisv
isi
blenow,
Ibr
ushi
tandsmi
l
e
goi
ngtoprepareussomethi
ngt
oeat

THORN'
sPov

Wehavetiedall
ofthem i
nthei
rbasement
,andmyguysbroughtust
heequi
pment
stopuni
sh
t
hem.Bukhosisti
l
ldoesn'
twanttotel
lmewhereMbal
iis.

Nkosi
:
"It
'
sbeen5day
sandhesay
snot
hing,
wemustj
ustki
l
lhi
m"hesay
spoi
nti
ngagunathi
m

Me:"Nodon't"
helooksatme" BukhosiIwashopingwe'ddothi stheeasywaybutseemsl i
keit
's
goingtogethard"Ikneel
Inf
rontofhim,hespatsal
iv
aonmyf ace.imai ntai
nmycalmnessand
smilewipi
ngitwithmyscarf.igetup"Wannaknowasecr et
?..wellsincey '
al
lar
ehereIt
houghtI
shouldtel
lyouguy s.
SoNobubeletell
uswhoi sthefat
herofy ourkids? "

Bukhosi
looksather

Bukhosi
:
"What
?"

Igoandr
emov
ethecl
othar
oundNobubel
e

Me:
"Tel
lus"

Nobubel
e:"
Yousonna'
mabi
tchy
oupi
eceofsh.
..
"Iputbackt
hecl
oth

Me:"Oopsseemslike,
Ipl
ayedthewrongradi
ostati
on.
.si
nceyouwon'
ttel
lusletmedot
he
honours.
Bukhosi
thosearen'
tyourki
ds,
theyaretheSecur
it
yguyski
ds"
Ilaugh

Nkosi
:
"Dudet
hepoi
ntt
othi
sis?
"hesayannoy
ed

Me:"
ButLangay enaisyourSon,
Eldestwif
eisLoyalnhe"Iwal
karoundLangahol
dingahotmetal
andlookatBukhosi "
Shoul
dIhurtyourson?"
hejustlookatme,Ist
arebackathi
sson"Youwent
tomili
tar
yri
ght?(Laughi
ng)butl
et'
sleav
ethat"
Iwalkedov ert
oBukhosi

Me:
"VAKA,NKOSENYE"
Ishoutmyboysnamesandt heyshowup"Unti
ehim,
andst
raphim on
t
hesingl
ebedandbri
ngmyf i
shtank"
theydoast
old"NowBukhosiyouseet
hesef
ishes
her
e..
..
.(
Isaypointi
ngatthetank)
IcallthenPir
anhasIor der
edt hem especial
lyfory
ou.because
well
Idon'twanttotur
nintoThorn".
..
."
Sot hi
sishowi t
'
sgoi ngtowor k,I
'l
lonlyputyourlegsas
motiv
ati
ontotellmewhatIneedt oknow" Ismil
eandNkosi Shakeshisheadl aughi
ng"Sli
dethe
bedandmakehi slegsgeti
nt hetank"
theboysdot hat
."Nowl owerit
"theylowerit

Bukhosi
:"
Arhhhhhhhpl
ease,
don'tdot
hislookwecant
alkt
hisout
"hecont
inuesscr
eami
ngl
i
kea
l
it
tl
egirl
ast hefi
shest
urnhi
mi ntomincemeat.
..

Bukhosi
:
Cry
ing"
OkayokayI
'
llt
ell
you"
Isi
gnal
theyguy
stobr
ingi
tup

Me:
"Youwer
esay
ing?
"

Bukhosi
:
"Il
eftherwi
thJonga,
My.
..
.my
..
.mymyheal
er,
he'
satt
hebushesnear
ert
heunknown
road"

Me:
"Nkosi
cany
oupl
easegol
ookt
her
ewhi
l
stIt
ryandnotki
l
lthi
smot
herf
ucker
"hegl
adl
y
l
eav
es

Bukhosi
:
"Cany
oupl
easel
etmegonow"
hidi
ngt
hepai
nhe'
sin

Me:
"Fi
rstsi
gnher
e"Ishowhi
m andhesi
gns

Bukhosi
:
"Unt
iemet
hen"

Il
ookathi
m,andcl
i
ckmyt
ongue

Me:"
Thisisformyfather"Iunstr
aphimfrom t
hebedandhef al
lsi
nsidethet
ank,
screamsli
kea
l
it
tl
ebitchtryi
ngtogetoutbutf ail
sasit
'ssl
i
ppery.
Myf i
shesmakemyj obeasi
erthat
'swhyI
l
ovethem "Ihopey'
allful
lbabies"t
heyhavel
eftnot
hinginthetank"Who'sNext
?"Ismil
eandthey
cr
ymumbl inginthecloth

I
NSERT27

•
°

•
°

•
°

NKOSI
YEZWE'
sPov

Mybrotherissat
an,
butnotmorethanme.
HehasabeastbutI'm Lucif
erhimselft
hat'
swhyI
havethesewealt
hs,
Thedrugbusi
ness,
Logi
sti
cscompany,Restaurant
s,andtheClubs.
isol
dmy
soult
ot hehedevi
lIhadtosi
ncemeandmom wer esuf
fer
ingbutshedoesn'tknowt hat,
and
shedoesn'
thaveto.
Idon'
tknowhowt hatgi
rlMbal
ilooksli
ke,
ididn'
tmakear esear
chabout
her
.I
'l
lj
usthavetoaskaroundwhenIgetther
eperhapstherearemanykidnappedgirl
sint
here.

Igettotheunknownl ocat
ionandparkmycar
,getoutsideandlookaroundIseeblooddr
opsbut
theyendatwher eIseeCartir
es.
Ifol
l
owtheblooddr opstowheretheycomef r
om andtheyl
ead
totheforest,
Ihi
tawal l
.Whoputsupawall
intheforest?pl
usit
'
si nv
isi
blewit
chcraf
tison
anotherl
ev el
,
upgrade.

FortunatelyI'
m smar t
,Itookt hepowderf r
om Bukhosi '
spocket s,Ithoughtitweredr ugsbutI
tasteditandi ttast edr eall
ybad. Iputi tinmyhandsandbl ewi t.andt hereIsawt helinei nt he
groundt hensawahousewi thBl oodal loverthey ar
d.Icov ermynosecauset hesmel lisr eall
y
fuckedupl ikedeadbodi esinher eshi t.
Igetoutoft hey ardcauset her e'
snowayI 'm get t
ing
i
nsidet hatsti
nki nghouse. i'
lljusthav etot el
lNtsikathatsheescapedordeadorsomet hing
alongt hoseli
nes. Igeti nsidemycaranddr i
veback.Andt henI '
m outofgas, thankhel lt
her e'sa
petrolstati
onher e,Igetinandt ellthem t oputonPet rolyaR200. Igeti nsi
detheshopandbuy
my selfaAbot t
leofwat erandLay schi pswhenIpayatt het i
l
l.Ther e'sagirl
lookingl i
keshewas
i
naf i
stfight,
per hapsshe' saboxerchampi on.Butno...
.Thatlooksl ikeabuset ome, Ipayandgo
overtoherasshet akesani cebbag, andbandagesandsomepads. Igetclosetohershei sso
beautifulyoucoul dseet hatsomeonehaddamagedherphy sical l
y.

Can'
tpeopl
eappr
eci
atet
hebeaut
yinawomenandnotdest
royt
hem.

Me:"
Shoausi"shetakesagl anceatmescaredandQui ckl
ymoveshereyeslooki
ngawayhidi
ng
herf
ace,
shemov esawayf r
om me" MarabonaI'm notgoi
ngt
ohurtyou,Ij
ustwantedt
oassure
youokey
?"seeingyou'r
ehur tbadl
y.
igotasoftspotforwomen,
Ineverhurtt
hem nomatter
what,
mybeonl ywhenI'm notmebutThedev i
lIdontknow.

Her:
"Mi
ndy
ourbusi
nesspl
ease"
shegoesandpayandaguycomesi
nst
ormi
nggr
abbi
ngher
ar
m

Him:"DI DN'TISAYTAKEWHATYOUNEEDANDCOMEBACK? "hel ooksli

kesome
psychopat h,andIt hi
nkIknowhi mf r
om somewher e.butwhere? .
Theygetoutoft hestoreand
getint hecarhedr opshi sIDIpi ckitup" Mangal i
soMoeket si
"notf rom aroundher eIsee,
Ido
thattooandf oll
owt heircar.Iseet heboar d"NdumbuTownshi p"Ithoughtmy beweheadedt o
thefor estsbutIdidn'texpectt his,
hei sn'tanexper tatkidnapping.Iparkmycaratt hefardri
ve
andseet hem par kthecar .
Hegr absherf rom thecarandgeti nsidehi shouse.idrovemycar
backt ot hepalace,onmywayIcoul dn'tstopthinkingofher .
Butshei snone-ofyourbusiness
dude,Isayt omy sel f
.ineedtol ookhi m upIcal lmyguy stodoi tforme. andthef eedbackthey
camebackwi thisThi sMangal i
soguyr anawayf rom home, andt her ehavebeenpost ersofhim
"Want edper son"butnor ewar dorwhat soever,he'sgotMul ti
pleper sonali
tydisorderandcanget
danger ousifit'
snott reated.Thereforehi sparentshav ebeenpl eadi ngtofindhim.HmmhLetme
helpcr ushedsoul sforonce, andnotcr ushthem.

Igottothepal
ace,andmybrotherwashurtthatIcoul
dn'tf
indhi
sRose,
Ipromi
sedhi
mt hatIwil
l
fi
ndhercomehi ghwatersIwi
lldefi
nit
elyf
indher.
Thekingisdead,
Thewiv
esandtheki
dsstil
l
al
ive,
Idon'
tknowt hei
rfat
ebutit'
snotgoodatall.
Thenextday,
Icall
t heparent
softhisMangali
soguy
,andt
heycan'tbeli
evethathehasbeen
found.
Itol
dthem thelocati
onbutturnsoutt
heguyl
eftwi
ththegirl
,perhapshewastipped
off.
Fuck.
Iwil
lfi
ndhi m,
noonehurtsawomenandgetawaywi t
hitnotatmyaccount .

MBALI
'
sPov

Wehav emov edoutt oanotherpl ace,becausehi sparent sfoundoutwher eheis.He'

sbeen
cryi
ngl ikeababyatt hecornerrocki nghi mselftosleep. andIhavebeent iedinbedfrom hands
tomyf eet .he'
sbeenbeat i
ngmeal ltheseday s,mor ewhenhesawmet al
ktothatotherguyat
thepetr olstat
ion.Ihopesomeonef i
ndsmebef oreit'
st ool at
e.Hestandsupandunbuckl ehis
pants.Hecan' tNonono, Istar
tscr eami ngthenheput sat apeinmymout h,
hespreadsmy
l
egs,andt or emypant yashet ookouthi sThing,andstrokedi tsmi l
i
ng,thi
smustbeKev in,
Ihave
mast eredhi spersonali
tiesThere'sMangal i
sot hesweetguy ,
Kevi
nt heruthl
essandr ude
scumbagwho' saboutt orapeme, Britneythewomeni nsidehimj ealousasfuck,
andt henthere'
s
aBoyhe' s8y earsoldlikesplayinghi stoysandcr i
esal ot.

Putsi
tinandIhearanunbearabl
epainexcruci
ati
nginmybody ,andthensomethi
ngbreaks
downthere.
Herapi
dlyr
apemeshov i
nghisdicki
nside,
Iscream butt
onoav ai
l,
hepoundsover
mehurti
ngmyal r
eadyhurtwombt henf
allsonme,Icrysil
entl
y.
WhymeGod! Hewakesupand
l
ookatme

Him:"
OhnoKev iny oucheatedonmewi thher
"that'
sBrit
ney"Youfucki
nbit
chy ouopeny ourlegs
tomymennow, l
eav emyhouse" She/hesaysuntyingme,Igetupinthemostpain,
I'
m walking
l
ikeIhavegavebirthmyl egsfarfrom eachot
her,Igetoutastol
dwithadressfull
ofbloodt hen
Ifai
ntasIfeel
li
kesomeonei sholdingmei nhi
sar ms,Ifl
i
ckmyey esmyv i
sionisblur
ry,
thenI
hearI'
mi namov ingcar

I
NSERT28

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov
Istareattheceil
ingasifIcanseethroughit
,t
earsshedont hesidesofmyeyesasI
bli
nk.Peoplecandestroyyouwithj
ustonet i
nythi
ng.ThatwasnothowIpi ct
uredI'
dlosemy
vi
rginitybuti
thappenstomostr i
ght?.
Hetookmypr ide,onethi
ngIvaluedmostandatsome
pointIblamemy self,
becauseIl
etmygui dedown.Itrusttoomucht hat
'smyprobl
em,fr
om now
onwar dsTrustnooneMbal i
,NOONE! t
hisshall
toopass, I
'
vebeenthroughsomuchinone
year.youcouldwrit
eabookabouti t
.Thedoctorcomesi nmyhospi t
alroom,
andexamineme,he
writessomethingintheboardi
nhishands.

Hi
m:"
Woul
dyoul
i
ket
orepor
ttheper
sonwhohasdonet
hist
oyou?
"

WouldI
?Imeanheissi
ck,
i
t'
snothi
sfaul
tthathehast
hiski
ndofsickness,
hehadnoonet
otake
car
eofhim al
lhewant
edwasl
ove!
butnowhathedidisunf
orgi
vable

hewav
eshi
shandsi
nmyf
ace,
Izonedof
f

Me:
"Huh?
"

Hi
m:"
Woul
dyoul
i
ket
o..
"

Icuthi
m shor
t

Me:
"Yespl
ease"

Him:"
Okey,
2poli
ceof
ficer
sar
eonthei
rway
.thehospi
tal
hadi
nfor
medt
hem al
ready
"Inodmy
head,
andstar
ebackatmyspot.

Thet
woof
fi
cer
sent
er.

Of
fi
cer
1:"
Hyl
ady
,I
'm of
fi
cerSi
beko,
andI
'
m wi
thof
fi
cerDl
abaher
e,y
ou'
reMbal
iri
ght
?"

Me:
"Yes"

Off
icer1:
"Okwe'dl
ikeyout
oanswerafewquest
ions,
youupfort
hat
?"Inod"
Now,
cany
out
ell
us
whor apedyou,
whereandwhatwast
herel
ati
ontobothofyou"

Me:
Ithi
nkf
orawhi
l
e"Mangal
i
soMoeket
si,
her
apedmeehh.
..
."

t
hesecondof
fi
ceri
nter
rupt
edme

Of
fi
cer
2:"
Mangal
i
soMoeket
si?
"heasksshocked

Me:
"Yes"
Ilookdown

Hemakesacal
l goingout
side,
Off
icerSi
bekocont
inuedaski
ngmequest
ions,
Off
icerDl
adl
a
whi
sper
sinOff
-Sibeko'
sear

Offi
cer
1:"
Ify
ousayany
thi
ngaboutt
his,
youar
edeadwecl
ear
?"heasksshowi
ngt
empor
ary
anger

If
rown
Me:
"What
?"

Of
fi
cer2:"
Youheardr
ight,
thi
scasei
sdismissed.
Mangali
so'
sFathersai
dwemustpasst
he
message,
thati
fyoudareutt
erawordabouthisson.
you'
redeadmeat"t
heygetout
.

I
'm sureIl
ookl
i
keI'
veseenaboSki vovobakaJongari
ghtnow!
Ican'
tbeli
evet
his,
j
ustli
ke
that
.casedi
smi
ssedbecausethefathersai
dso,cor
ruptof
fi
cer
s.I
'
m goingtor
eportt
hem.The
dooropensasI
'mtry
ingtotakeofthedrip.

Guy :
"Heyheyhey,slowdownwhatar eyoudoing?"
Islowl
ylookatthisperson,
andasmil
e
fl
ickers.
ihughi
mt ight
lywhi
l
stcryi
ng,hewarmsupt omyhug.ican'tbel
ieveit
,heav
en'
shav
e
broughtustogetheronceagain.
imov eandstareathim.
hesmilesthat'
swhenIgot
confused.Si
yanev erhadasil
vert
ooth!si
ncewhendoeshel i
kethingsyena.

Henev
erhadat
att
ooi
nhi
sneck,
henev
erwor
eear
ri
ngs.

Hi
m:"
Youokey
?"hi
svoi
cei
smuchdeepernow,
Goshwhati
swr
ongwi
thme.

Isi
tupr
ighti
nthebed

Me:
"Si
..
Siy
a?"

Hi
m:"
NoI
'
m Nkosi
yezwe,
cal
lmeYezwe"
hesmi
l
es

Me:
"Butt
henwhydoy
oul
ookl
i
kemyboy
fri
end"

Hepur
seshi
sli
ps

Hi
m:"
Huh?
"

Me:
"Si
ya!
"

Hi
m:"
Yourboy
fri
end?
"heasks

Inod

Hi
m:"
What
'sy
ourname?
"

Me:
"Mbal
i
"

Hel
ooksatmewi
thsadey
esbutt
henQui
ckl
ysmi
l
est
aki
ngouthi
sphone

Hi
m:"
I'
m wi
thher
"l
aughs"
I'
ll
bri
ngher
,shapo"

Het
urnsof
fhisphone,
helooksli
kesomet
hingj
ustputhi
m of
fhi
sgoodmood,
doesSi
yahav
ea
Twi
n?i
fsothenwhydidn'
tIknow?.

Hi
m:"
I'
m Nt
sikay
ezwe'
stwi
nbr
other
,Si
yat
oyou"

Ohwowt
heyl
ooksoi
dent
ical
.
..Heyhei
stheguyIsawatt
hepet
rol
stat
ion,
Iknewhi
svoi
ce
soundedf
ami
l
iar
.Justt
hatatt
hepet
rol
stat
ionIdi
dn'
ttakequi
teav
iew,
Iwast
oot
err
if
iedt
otal
k
toanyguy

Me:
"Ohni
ceknowi
ngy
ou,
Idi
dn'
tknowhehadat
win"

Hi
m:"
Nei
therdi
dhe"

Igi
veoutaf
adesmi
l
e

Hi
m:"
Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dbet
heeMbal
i
"

Me:
Igazeathi
ssadf
ace"
Whyar
eyousad?
"

Him:Smil
ed"
Me..
.sad?
..
comeonI
'
m notsad.
.(
Hekeepsqui
et)
Isawpol
i
ceof
fi
cer
scomi
ng
out,
didy
ourepor
tthatguy
"

Ist
areatt
hecei
l
ing

Me:"
IFYOUREPORTMYSON,ISWEARI'
LLKILLYOU.
..
Thoseweret
hewordsofhi
sfat
her
,I
f
igur
edheis,
per
hapshasahi
ghstat
usandpeopl
ear
escaredofhi
m"Ishr
ug

Icanseehi
sfacechangi
ng

Me:
"Pl
easedon'
ttel
lSi
yat
hatIwasr
aped,
I'
ll
tel
lhi
m bymy
sel
f"

Hi
m:"
Whyy
oushi
eldi
ngt
hisguy
?"

Me:
"Idon'
twantanyt
roubl
e,
Ij
ust
..
.(
Sigh)
Ijustwantt
oli
veahappynor
mal
li
fe"

Henodscl
enchi
nghi
sjaws

NKOSI
YEZWE'
sPov

Ican'
tbeli
evethis,Thegir
lIadoredi
smybrother
'sRose!
Thisisfuckedup,whenIwasatthe
petr
olstat
ionIfeltconnectedtoher
,wasi
tbecauseshe'
srelat
edt oBrother
?Ar
ghIhatethi
s.I
l
eftheratthehospi t
al.
Ianswermyphoneasitwasringi
ngit'
smygi rl
fri
endThando,
I
'vebeen
thi
nki
ngofway sofdumpi ngher,
shemil
ksmedr ypl
usshe'sdisr
espectful

Me:
"Babe"
Irol
lmyey
es

Her:
"Heymyl
ovehowar
eyou,
mysweetcupcakes"
Iknowwhenshe'
sli
ket
hisshewant
s
somethi
ng

Me:
"Spi
titout
"
Her:
"Ohbabey outhebest
,Babemyf
ri
endhasaboy
fri
endandguesswhat
,heboughtheracar
.A
mini
-cooperbutIdon'
tknowI..
..
"

Me:
"Whatdoy
ouwantwomen"

Her
:"
G-Wagon.
.Mer
cedesBenzG-
Wagon"

Ial
mosthitt
hebr
eaks,
Ifr
ownabitandlaughmyassout
,shet
hinksshe'
sworththatmuch?
that
carcost
s$1.6Mi
l
li
oninAmeri
ca,
imagineinS.AAowaPl
usshe'sjustagi
rl
fr
iend

Me:
Sti
l
llaughi
ng"
Guuuuuur
lyouki
ddi
ngwi
thmer
ight
?"

Her:
"NobabeI'
m ser
iousIwanttoshowhert
hatmyboy
fri
endi
sri
chert
hanher
s,wi
l
lyoudot
his
onemorethi
ngforme? "
Ayisesi
uhambewrongo

Me:
"Lookwe'
l
ltal
kwhenIcomeback,
ther
ear
ethi
ngsweneedt
odi
scuss"

Her
:"
Andt
hecar
?"

Me:
"I
'l
lthi
nkabouti
t"

Her
:"
Okayby
e"

Dumbbi
tch,
TrustmeIr
espectwomenbutt
hisonei
sther
ott
enappl
eamongstal
l
.

MEANWHI
LEThando(
NKOSI
YEZWE'
sgi
rl
fr
iend)ki
ssesandhugsherot
herboy
fri
end

Guy
:Bet
weent
heki
sses"
What
..
Didhesay
"

Thandost
oppedki
ssi
nghi
m

Her
:"
Hesai
dhe'
l
lthi
nkabouti
tbabe"

Him:
Hethinksforamoment
"Oky
oumustal
sot
ell
himt
ogi
vey
oushar
esatt
hecl
ub,
sot
hatwe
canmanageit"

Shel
ooksathi
mindi
sbel
i
ef

Her:
"Youmustbeoutofy
ourmi
nd,
youknowYezwehWoul
dnev
erdot
hat
,ev
ent
hecarIdon'
t
t
hinkI'
ll
geti
t"

Hi
m:"
Fine,
fornowt
hecarwi
l
ldo"

Her
:Exci
ted"
Ican'
twai
ttodr
ivei
t"
wiggl
i
ngherhandspr
etendi
ngshe'
shol
dingast
arr
ing
Hi
m:"
It
'sourcar
"

Her
:"
ButI
'
lldr
ivei
ttoomos,
inf
actI
'
lldr
ivei
tal
one,
i
twi
l
lbemi
neaf
teral
l
"

Hi
m:"Babemarn(
Kissi
ngherneck,
andblowsonthewetkisses)Yousurei
t'
l
lbey our
s(Sl
owly
r
emov eshert
op,
Nibbl
ingherni
ppl
e,whi
l
esuckingtheotheronegentl
y,
Thandoletsoutasof
t
moan,Shaki
ngherhead)t
hatsmybabe(
Let'
shergo,Thandolooksathi
m conf
used)WhatIwant
t
opee"

Her
:"
Bequi
ckI
'
m wetdownt
her
eIneedadi
ckt
reat
ment
"

•
Nar
rat
ion•

FEW WEEKSLATER

Mbaliisatt hepalace,Thetwinshadexpl ainedt oherthattheyaretheright

fulheirtothe
thr
one.Shewasshockedbutgr ewupt oi
t.
Nt sikadidn'
twantMbal itogobackt oherhome
becauseKi ll
ermi ghtcatchher .
Andshedi dn'thav eaproblem st
aying.
NkosiyezweHadcal l
ed
thecounci landit'
sbeendeci dedt hatHewi l
l betheonet otakethethrone,
Ntsikawashappybut
healsowant edthethrone.Theirmot hermov edt othepalace.
Bukhosi'
schil
drenwer el
ivi
nga
poorlif
enow, t
heyhaddowngr adedt oa5r oom houset hattheyhadl i
vedinbef or
e,dependedon
LangasI ncomeashewentbackt othemili
tary.Butpromisedthathewi l
lbebackf orwar,one
mistakeNt sikamadewast oletthem go.

Mbali
hasbeenf
eel
i
ngwei
rd,
shehasbeenf
eel
i
ngdi
zzy
,woul
dfai
ntmor
eof
ten,
andshei
snowa
l
it
tl
efat.

MBALI
'
sPov

Ilookatmy selfi
nt hemi rr
orIdon' tl
iket heview,it'
sli
keI '
m getti
ngbiggerbyaday ,
mefeetare
swol l
ent oo.Evenmyt i
nyfigurehasl oosened. Irushtot hebathroom andl etoutal l
my
breakfast,I
'v
ebeenf eeli
nglikethisforday snowandi t'
sstart
ingt oscareme. Ntsikas'
smom, The
Queen. hadtoldmet hatIlookpr egnantIl aughedatherbutshel ookedser i
ousbutIsideli
ned
thatthought .i
hopeI '
m notcauseI '
m notgoi ngt oHav eMangal iso'schil
d.Iref
use.SoIwentand
boughtt hepr egnancyt est
s,asmanyasI 'dget.i
f ol
lowedt heinstruct
ionsandwai tedaf ew
mi nut
es.Iclosedmyey est aki
ngt hef i
rstone,myhear tbeatwoul dbreakthemi rrorIswear.i
peakwi thoneey eandIcan' tbelieveit
.Itcan'tbe

•
•

I
NSERT29

.
•°
•.

•
°

•
°

CONTI
NUATI
ON

SuddenlyIf
eelnumb,Mylipsar
et r
embli
ng.
butmyeyesaredrynoval
idtears.
icomposemyself
andstandup,It
hrowallfi
veoftheevi
dencet
hatshowsthesameresul
ts.It
ellt
hedri
vertot
ake
met othehospi
tal,
tot
hedoctorwhoexaminedtotel
lmehowcomet hepi l
l
sheprescri
beddidn'
t
work,
becauseIdrankthem dai
l
y .

Igettothehospi
tal
,andrequesttoseethedoctor
.Theysayt
her
ear
emanydoctor
sinthe
buil
dingwhichoneyou'r
elookingfor
,Andfort
unatel
yhecomesoutoft
hewar
dIgettohim and
greet
.Heleadsustohisoffi
ce,Isi
tdown.

Dr
:"
HowcanIhel
pyoumi
ss"

Me:
"Your
emembermer
ight
?"I
'
m notsmi
l
ingatal
l

Dr
:"
ArhNo,
Imeett
oomanypat
ient
sher
e,whomusty
oube?
"

Me:
"Tel
lmet
hiswhatar
ethesepi
l
lsf
or?
"Isayhandi
nghi
mthepi
l
ls

Dr
:"
Cont
racept
ivepi
l
ls,
theypr
eventpr
egnancy
"hel
ooksatt
hem f
orawhi
l
e

Me:
"Thent
ell
mehowam Ipr
egnant
"

Hekeepsqui
et.
thenopenst
hem,spl
att
eredt
hem i
nhi
stabl
e,
thent
akesanot
hercont
ainerf
rom
hi
sdrawer
sanddot hesamethi
ng.

Dr
:"
Thesear
etwodi
ff
erentpi
l
ls,
whogav
eyout
hesepi
l
ls?
"

Me:
"I
fIr
emembercor
rect
ly,
nur
seSashawasondut
y..
Whatar
ethosepi
l
lsf
or?
"Iaskconcer
ned

Dr
:"
Depr
essi
onpi
l
ls.
.don'
tyouknowhowcont
racept
ivepi
l
lsl
ookl
i
ke?
"Fr
own

Me:"
Youwer
esupposedtot
ell
me"heshakeshi
shead,
speaki
ngt
hrought
hel
andl
i
nephone
aski
ngf
orNurseSashat
ocometohisoff
ice

buthei
stol
dther
e'snonur
seatt
hehospi
tal
thatgoesbyt
henameofSasha.

Whocoul
dithav
ebeen?
why
?
Dr
:"
Wesor
ryt
odel
ayy
ourpr
event
ionMem,
We.
..

Me:"
I'
m goi
ngtosuethi
shospi
talActof1999Patientr
ight
stoworki
ngpi
ll
s"hel
ooksatme
conf
usedprobabl
ywonder
ingi
fthere'
ssuchact
,Ialsodon'
tknowwheret
hatcamefrom.

Ist
orm outoft
hehospi
tal
andgett
othepal
acet
heQueenst
opsmemi
dway

Queen:
"Ar
eyouokey
?"

Ismi
l
ewr
yly

Me:"
I'
mf i
ne,
I'
mjustti
redIneedt
orest
"Iqui
ckl
ymov
efr
om herbef
oreshespeaksanot
her
sent
ence,
shedoesn'
tgett
ired

Igettothekitchen,
gr abwaterfrom thefridge.
Andsuddenl yIcraveyams.Idon'
tthi
nktheyhav
e
i
tatthepalace.Soi eattheyoghur tt
hatwasi nthefr
idge,
mi xeditwi
thNkomazi Maasand
Peanutbutter.Deli
cious,
I'
venev ereatenthisbefore.
Itspl
italit
tl
eovermydr ess.
Iconti
nue
eati
ng,Nkosiy
ez weTheKi ng,Looksatmewi t
hasmi l
e,itv
anishestothereali
sati
onthatI'
m
l
ookingathim. Heclearshisthroatandl eaves.

He'
sbeenl
i
ket
hissi
ncet
hedayhesawme,
Idon'
tgetwhat
'swr
ongwi
thhi
m honest
ly

Ifi
nisheatingmydishandheadtothebed,
whereIsi
twonder
ingwhetherIshoul
dkeepthebaby
ornot.ButI'
m notevi
lIwon'
tki
ll
it.
Whatifi
t'
smyfir
standl
astchancetobearachil
dinmy
womb? Ismil
easItouchmystomach.i
mut t
er"
It
'sgoi
ngtobeokeybaby"

Mangal
i
somustnev
erknowaboutt
hischi
l
dli
keev
er.
Aknockdi
stur
bsme,
Ntsi
kacomesi
n

Helooksatmewi
thafrownandheadst
othebat
hroom,
Itouchmymout
handIst
il
lhav
ethat
comboaroundmychi
nandsidel
ips.

Hecomesback,
Wipesmychi
nandmout
h.He'
sdi
ff
erentf
rom whenhegoti
n.

Ibr
eakt
hesi
l
ence

Me:
"Youokey
?"

Hi
m:"
Idon'
tknow.
(Put
sthepr
egnancyt
esti
nthebed)
Wannat
ell
mesomet
hing?
"

Igetupf
rom t
hebed,
fiddl
i
ngwi
thmyf
inger
sner
vousl
y

Me:
"Icanexpl
ain.
..
I.
..

bef
oreIf
ini
sh,
asl
apst
ingsmycheeks.
ihol
dont
oiti
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Hewr
enchesmyshoul
der
,andl
et'
sitgo

Hi
m:"
WHATI
STHI
SWOMEN"
he'
sshout
ing

andI
'
m weepi
ngl
i
keasmal
lbaby
Hi
m:"
Youcheat
edonmeChar
lot
te?
"hesay
sseat
eddownhi
shandsov
erhi
shead,
cov
eri
nghi
s
f
ace

Hi
m:"
Whoi
sthef
ather
?"I
'
mtonguet
iedal
loft
hesudden

Him:
"Ohmygoodnessyoudon'
tknow,
Youawhor
enow?
"Hechar
gest
owar
dsmeandNkosi
hol
dshim of
f,
whendi
dhearri
ve

Nkosi
:
"AREYOUNUTS,
SINCEWHENWEBEATWOMEN?
"

Ntsi
ka:
"Si
nceshe'
spregnantanddoesn'
tknowthef
ather
,She'
sabi
tch,
Iwantheroutofour
homeNOW" heroar
s.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkhethoughtofmethi
sway

Nt
sika:
"Forhel
l
ssakeshe.
."
looksatmeasIpokedhi
sshoul
der

Me:"
Iwill
leaveyourhouse"
Isaygoi
ngtothewal
kincl
oset,
hegr
absmyar
m Il
ookathi
m,hel
ets
go.
Iloadallmyclot
heshonestl
yIdon'
tknowwhereI
'm goi
ng

Nkosi
:
"Ther
e'snoneedt
oleav
e"

Nt
sika:
"Shemustgonow"

Nkosi
:
"I'
mtheki
ngher
e,Igett
olayt
her
ulesnott
heot
herwayar
ound"

Nt
sikal
ooksathi
m:"
May
bey
ou'
ret
hef
ather
,si
nceshewhor
esar
ound"

Nkosi
punchedNt
sikasohar
d,hel
efthol
dhi
sbl
eedi
ngmout
h.

Nkosi
:
"Nxat
hener
ve"
hel
ooksbackatmeandsi
ghs"
Atl
eastl
etmebooky
ouahot
el"

Ishakemyhead

Me:
"I
'l
lbef
ine"

Het
akesmysui
tcase,
put
ti
ngi
tint
hecar
.Igeti
nsi
det
hecar

Dr
iver
:"
Wher
etoMem"

Me:
"Chur
ch"

hel
ooksatmei
nther
earmi
rr
or

Dr
iver
:"
Yesmem"

Wedr
ivet
othechur
ch,
Idon'
tknowwhatI
'
m goi
ngt
her
eforbutt
her
esur
emustbear
eason.

•
•

NTSI
KAYEZWE'
sPov

I
'v
enev erbeenhurtbyabit
chli
kethat
,Truthf
ull
yspeakingIneverev
enimaginedMbaliwoul
d
dosuchat hi
ngtome. Somefuckedupchicksoutthere.
ThenTheeeMight
yKingpunches
me,Pshhealsodisgustmetheydeser
veeachot her.
Speakofthedevi
lhecomesinmyr oom
wit
houtknocking

Nkosi
:
"Your
ightI
'
mthedev
il
"what
?Il
ookathi
m conf
used

Nkosi:
"Nevermindthat
..
LookI'
m notsorryIpunchedy ourface,youdeservedi t
.ButIwantyouto
gofindMbaliandaskherwhathappened, whatl
edt oherpr egnancy.shedidn'tcheatonyour
ass.
Ifyoudidreall
ylov
eherthenyou'dgol ookforher,
andsi tdownt alkl
ikeadults"Hegoes
out.
Didsomet hi
nghappenthatIdi
dn'tknowof ?di
dIactr ati
onal?I'
m apat heti
chumanbei ng.I
putsomei ceonmybr okenj
aws,Ishouldaskthedr i
ver.
Igetupandgot ot hedri
versroom,att
he
backyard.
Andhet el
lsmeshesaidhemust n'
tmentionwher ehedr oppedher .
Mxm idi
ot

MBALI
'
sPov

It
's17:45,I
t'
scoldandI '
m hungr y.Igetinsidet hechur chtheli
ghtsarestil
lon,Igetinsi
deandsi
t
atthebenchatt heback. IpulloutaThr owbl anketfrom mysui t
case,andcov ermy sel
f.
Chur
ch
member sgetinnumber sIsi tbackpani ckingi sn'
tthechurchclosed? Whatan
embar rassment.Theysitatthef r
ontt heydi dn'tnoti
ceme, thepastorIassume, Goesatthe
stage,
andgr eetseveryone,Islowlybenddownt ogounnot i
ced.Hestartspreachingabouthow
Godi sgoodandhowhei sourSar ver
.Itotallyagreewi thhi
m. I
tsthefir
stti
meIagr eeon
somet hingchurchrelat
edhecont inuest hensomet hinghesaidcaughtmyf ullat
tenti
on:

Hesai
d"Eachdaywehav
eachoi
ce.Wecant
ryt
onumbour

pai
n/Sor
rows,
orwecani
nvi
teGodi
ntoi
t.

Thepr
obl
em wi
thnumbi
ngourpai
nist
hati
tnev
er

goest
othesour
ceoft
hei
ssuet
omakeus

heal
thi
er.I
tonl
ysi
l
encesourscr
eami
ngneedf
or

hel
p.

Wet
hinkwe’
ref
reei
ngour
sel
vesf
rom t
hepai
n

when,
inr
eal
i
ty,
whatnumbsusi
mpr
isonsus.I
fwe
av
oidt
hehur
t,t
hehur
tcr
eat
esav
oidi
nus.I
t

sl
owl
yki
l
lst
hepot
ent
ial
forourhear
tst
oful
l
yfeel
,

connect
,andl
oveagai
n.I
tev
enst
eal
sthebesti
n

ourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thGod.

Idon’
tknowwhat
’shur
ti
ngi
nyourl
i
fer
ightnow,

dearchi
l
d.ButIdoknowt
hatpai
nisn’
ttheenemy
.Pai
n

i
ssi
mpl
ythei
ndi
cat
ort
hatbr
okennessexi
sts.

I
nst
eadoft
ryi
ngt
onumbt
hosepl
acesi
nourhear
ts

t
hatst
il
lhur
t,l
et’
sinv
iteGodi
ntoourpai
n.Let
'
s

askHi
mtor
epl
aceourf
alt
eri
ngst
rengt
hwi
thHi
s.

Andt
henl
et'
schooset
obel
i
evet
hat
,wi
thHi
m,

heali
ngi spossi
ble.Keeponhav i
ngfai
thinhi
sf orheshallal
waysbethereforyou..
.(Amenthe
churchsay s,
andhekeepsqui etforamoment,Ipeakandshowmyey esonly)Thatisal
lfor
today,i
tisdangerousoutt hereatthi
sti
meoft henight.
Hav eagoodnightsl
eep
everyone.(
Everyoneev acuatesthechur
chpremi sesbutthepast
orstaysbehind)Comeout
now,youhav ebeencaught "

Hesay shol
dinghisBibl
ereadyt
ol eav
e.Idon'
tknowmaybeI'
m nottheonl
yonehidingsoI
'
ll
waitfort
hatpersontocomeout.Ihearfootst
epscomi
ngmyway ,
Ilookatt
heentranceoft
he
benches,
andgiveaner v
oussmil
eget t
ingup,he'
ssmil
i
nglooki
ngatmysui t
case.

Past
or:
"Anyhel
pneededmychi
l
d?"

Me:
..
..
..
.

Past
or:
"Youdon'
thav
eahome?
"

Me:
Ishakemyhead

Pastor
:"
Comewithme"
I'
m hesi
tant
,Idon'
ttr
ustany
onebutt
heoneIcamet
owhi
chi
sGod.
I'
m
readyt
oacceptmygi
ft

Past
or:
"Mywi
fecooksameanst
ew,
andI
'
m sur
eyouhungr
y"

If
oll
owhi
m ashehasmysui
tcase

Me:
"Doessheal
soknowhowt
ocookYams?
"

Hschuckl
es
Past
or:
"ShedoesbutIdon'
tthi
nkwehav
ethem athome"

Me:
I'
m sof
orwar
d"Okey
"

Past
or:
"I
'm Past
orNongal
o,Zachar
yNongalo,
andt
hisi
smychur
ch.
AndIbel
i
evey
oudi
dn'
tget
l
ost.
Youknewexactl
ywhereyouwer egoi
ng"

Me:
"It
hinkso"

Henodshi
shead

Hi
m:"
Youwantt
oknowt
hemostpai
nful
thi
ngaboutbei
ngacandl
e?"

Candl
e?

Me:
"Ar
hyheawhat
?"

Hi
m:"
Itbr
ight
enst
hewhol
epl
acebutt
oli
ght
ent
hewhol
epl
acei
thast
obur
n"

Me:
"Meani
ng?
"

Him:"
Meaningpeopl
eusey
outothei
radv
antage,
andy
ougethur
tatt
hesamet
ime.
..
.(
Qui
et)
I'
m
sureyouaski
ngyour
sel
fwhyI
'
m shari
ngthat
"

Inod

Hi
m:"
Youal
readyknow,
fr
om deepwi
thi
nyou"

I
NSERT30

•
°

•
°

•
°

"
Youal
readyknowf
rom deepwi
thi
nyou"

Doesheforeseet
hings?
li
ket
hepastorpr
esentper
haps?
causeI
'
vebeent
hroughhel
lmy
behe
seest
hings.

Hetookmet ohishousebeauti
fulhouseImustsay,
Heint
roducedmetohiswif
eThekindestof
them al
landthemostbeauti
ful
Mr sNongalo.
Andthei
rtwoDaughters(
Fai
thandHope)
theydo
haveSwatinamesbutsaytheypreferbei
ngcall
edbythei
rEngl
ishnames.
Hopeist
heoldest
shehasachil
d3y earsoldLubanzi
(Boy
),whi
lstFai
thisvi
rgi
nMaryandact slikeI
'
vedone
somethi
ngtoher.
ThisiswhatshesaidwhenIar ri
ved"Whenist
hisoneleaving?"
Iwasreal
l
y
amazedbyheratt
itudetowardsme,whi
chgotmet hi
nki
ngI'
m notthef
ir
stt ocomeliv
e
her
e..
Mhm I
'l
lleav
esoonshemust n'
tworry.

Youcant
ell
she'
sadaddy
'sgi
rl
,spoi
l
tbr
at.

Shemustknowherf
atherbr
oughtmeher
e,nott
heot
herwayar
ound.
We'
renowatt
hedi
nner
tabl
e,eat
ingov
eral
i
ghtconver
sati
on

Fai
th:
"SooooChar
lot
te,
don'
tyouhav
eaHome?
"asksi
ndul
gingonherpl
ate

Me:
"Idon'
tknowany
mor
e,Ioncehadone"

Fai
th:
"Si
bli
ngs?
"

Me:
"2si
ster
sand1boy
"

Fai
th:
"Anychi
l
d?"

YhoGi
rlhowmanymar
ksar
eyourquest
ions

Me:
Gri
n"Yett
ohav
eone"

Theyal
lfacemydi
rect
ion,
wit
hthei
rey
ebr
ows

Mr
sN:
"You'
repr
egnant
?"

Me:"Yes"
Iignor
ethei
rgazeandcont
inueeat
ingbecauseImi
ghtbeki
ckedoutandendupnot
eat
inganymi nut
e

Past
or:
"Achi
l
disabl
essi
ng"

Mr
sN:
"I
ndeed"

Fai
th:
"Don'
tyouhav
eanyshame,
pregnantatt
hisage?
"

Whendi
dIt
ell
hermyage,
Shem hersi
sterwasj
udgedl
i
ket
hisIguess

Me:
"Shame?
"Iaskgi
vi
ngherani
ntensel
ook

Fai
th:
"Yes,
sexbef
oremar
ri
agei
sasi
nDon'
tyouknowt
hat
?"

Me:
"Yourf
atherj
ustsai
d,
Achi
l
disabl
essi
ngandy
ousaysexbef
oremar
ri
agei
sasi
n?Whi
ch
meansmychildi
sasin?"

Bibl
esconf
useme,justl
i
keMoneyi
sther
oot
sofev
il
s,
ifsot
henwhydot
hepast
orswantust
o
donatet
ochurchs.
mxm

Fai
th:
"Wel
ly.
..
.
hersi
steri
nter
rupt
ed

Hope:
"Shutupandeat
"

Theyal
lkeptqui
et

Lubanzi
:
"Mom canIal
sohav
eat
att
oo"
hesay
slooki
ngathermom

Hope:
"Hai
bowhy
?youknowgr
andpadoesn'
tal
l
owust
odot
att
oosandt
heyar
edemoni
c"

Lubanzi
:
"doest
hatmeanshehasademon?
"poi
nti
ngatme

Fai
thl
ooksatmeandcl
apsherhands

Fai
th:
"Abomi
nat
ion"

Mr
sN:
"Youhav
eat
att
oo?
"

Past
or:
"She'
syoung,
theLor
dal
way
sfor
giv
es"

Theyal
lst
areathi
m

Fai
th:
"Sodady
ounotgoi
ngt
othr
owherout
?"

Hi
sfat
herChuckl
es

Past
or:
"Reasongi
ven?
"

Fai
thl
ooksatherf
athert
anguet
ied.

Real
lytheymakingthi
sabigdeal,
i
fonlyt
heyknewt
her
easonsbehi
ndal
ltheset
hingst
hey
cur
sing,
thei
rfaceswouldbef
il
ledwit
hsadness.

Fai
th:
"Doy
ouev
enknowt
hef
atherofy
ourchi
l
d?"

Judgement!
wegetj
udgedondai
l
ybases,
notaski
ngwhy
,what
,whodi
dwhatt
oyout
oleadt
o
suchthi
ngsiny
ourl
if
e.

Me:"Iwasrapedandgotpregnant
"suddenl
yIfeelover
whelmed"Idon'
tmeantober udebutCanI
gosleep"
Hopel eadsmetothespareroom,shechangedthebeddingandigoti
ntobedgoing
thr
oughmyphone. i
not
iceshehasn'
tmov edfr
om thedoorcoveri
nghermouthfull
ofshock

Me:
"Ahhy
ouokey
?"

Hope:
"Huh.
..
yheaI
'
mfi
ne,
hav
eagoodni
ghtsl
eep"
closest
hedoor
.

I
t'
seitherever
yoneImeeti
spsychoort
heygotdr
ama,
Idon'
tknowwher
emyl
i
fei
sheaded
t
o.ButI'
llputmyfai
thi
nGodthi
stime.

3mont
hsdownt
hel
i
ne,
Ifoundaj
obasaCashi
eratPn'
P,i
t'
sagoodj
obf
ormeasI
'
m al
way
s
ti
redsosit
ti
ngar
oundwasoneoft
hegoodt
hingaboutmyj
ob.
Iwashav
ingdi
mpl
esbecauseof
greet
ingandsmi
li
ngev
ery
day.

Iwassti
ll
liv
ingwitht
hepast
or'
sfamil
y,
butIt
hinktheyoungerdaught
erisj
eal
ousasal
lthe
at
tent
ionisall
gluedt
omenow. I
'
m notheavi
l
ypregnantyetbuttheyt
reatmeasi
fIam.

Ihav
en'
thear
dfr
om Ntsi
kaeversi
ncehekickedmeout
.Iguessitwasn'
tmeantt
obe.
Butt
hen
whywashemychosenone?Hayisomet
hing'
scanconf
usey ou.

AnywayNkosenyeaskedtot
akemeout ,ashewasdoi nggroceryatthest
oreIworkat.
How
doesaking,
awholekingdogrocer
yshopping?hejustwant
edt oseemeIassume. Ever
y one
wantedt
obreaththesameairhebreat
hed,theyactedasi
fhe'sIdri
sElba,
well
physicwiseheis
l
ikehim.

Wewentoutt othenearestfancyrest
aurant,
Hehel
dachairforme,
wel
lsuchagentl
eman
Ntsikaneverdidthi
sforme..Enoughwi t
hthecompari
sonit'
snotli
kei
'm dat
ingmyexes
brothernow.isi
tdownheal sosits.
Thewai t
ercomeshol
dingchampompoandMango
Juice,
Whendi dweor der?

Me:It
aket
heChampai
gnandI
'm gi
venadeathst
are.andIgi
vehimtheIKnowl
ookasIgi
vei
t
backandt
aket
heMangoJui
ce"Happynow"
Ismil
et hroughmyteet
h

Hi
m:"
Ver
y"

It
houghthet
alkedt
oomuch,
guessIwaswr
ong

Me:
"Sot
owhatdoi
deser
vesucht
reat
mentf
rom t
heMi
ght
yKi
ng"

Hegr
ins

Hi
m:"
Ijustwant
edt
omakeupf
orl
ostt
imes"

oookey

Me:
"Mhm soni
ceofy
ou.
.ar
hcanIask?
"henods"
Siy
a..
ImeanNt
sikahowi
she?
"

Him:
"Thatonehasbeenbr
ingi
nggir
lsever
yminutehegets,
i
t'
sli
kehenevermeantt
olose
you.
Butatthesameti
meallwehearisGoodr
iddancetobadrubbi
shphr
ase"

Me:
"Oh"
I'
minpai
n,
Rubbi
shnhe?

Hi
m:"
I'
m sor
ryI
'
m nott
heonet
oli
e"

Me:
Smi
l
e"I
t'
scool
"

Hi
m:"
Mhm sowher
eyoul
i
vingnow?
"

Me:
"Secr
etl
ocat
ion"

Hi
m:"
Atl
eastt
oknowy
ousaf
e"
Me:
"Don'
tyouhav
econnect
ions,
Imeany
ouaki
ng"

Hi
m:"
Canwepl
easet
alkl
i
kenor
mal
peopl
ewi
thouti
ncl
udi
ngMebei
ngKi
ngandNt
sikapl
ease"

Hesay
sinacal
mvoi
ce,
butcar
ri
esanger

Me:
"Sur
e..
..
Ili
vewi
tht
hepast
or"

Hi
m:"
Thepast
orfr
om thechur
chnotsofarf
rom t
hepal
ace"
Inod"
Mhm ouk,
Sodoest
hepast
or
al
way
stal
kaboutver
sesandwhatever
?"

Me:
"Duder
espectt
heBi
bleandt
hechur
ch"

Hi
m:"
Inev
erbel
i
evedi
nGod,
soI
'
llt
alkwhat
everIwantt
otal
k"

Me:
"Okay
"

Hi
m:"Ialway
swatcht
heirv
ideospr
eachi
ngandpeopl
epassi
ngout
.butt
henIaskmy
sel
fift
his
i
str
uet henhowcomethecameramendoesn'
tpassout
?"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Beat
smet
oo"

Wecont
inuetal
ki
ngchangingt opi
cs,tal
ki
ngaboutthebabyandhowhe'
dli
ketoaccompanyme
t
omynextcheckup.Healsoment ionedthatMangal
isowastakent
oaMental
inst
itut
iont
obe
t
reat
ed.
Isti
l
lcan'
tbel
iev
eIl ethim getawaywit
hit.

Hetakesmet othepastor
'sandopenst hedoorforme,Igetoutashehol dsmyhand.Wewalk
t
owar dsthegat
ewi t
houtsayinganythingtoeachother.
Hest oppedatthegateandl
ookedmei n
myey es,
Ibecameshythatinstance.
ilookedaway ,
hehuggedmeandki ssedmycheeks.And
l
eft
,Igotinsi
dethehouselookinghappy ,
fort
hefi
rstti
mei nmyl i
feI'
m happy.
Theyall
lookedat
met wir
li
nganddancingball
et

Fai
th:
"Dadar
eyousur
eshe'
sNor
mal
upst
air
s?"

Herfat
heri
gnor
edher
,Iwentt
othef
ri
dgeandt
ookoutmyy
ams,
wedi
deatwi
thYezwebutI
'
m
st
il
lhungr
y.

Nextmor ningwewentt ochur chasitwasSunday ,

I'
vebeengoingtochur chthelast3mont hs
butMyGi ftofseeingthingsbef oretheyhappenseemsl i
kehadv ani
shedormy beitwill
fallt
o
mychi l
d.IacceptedGod,andmyGi f
tallIcoul
ddowaspr ayforsomeoneandt hey'
dbeal ri
ght
ri
ghtthatmomentbuti talway srai
nedandhadt hunderst
ormswhenIdoi t,
isitbecauseofthe
tat
too?Isti
llhavetoaskt hepast orwhatmyt attoomeans,my beheknowsI twasn'tdonewith
myconsent .wecomebackf rom church,
wehadl eftFai
thathomebecauseshehadast omach
bug,butIknowi twasn'
tast omachbugr at
heritwasaBoy fr
iendemer gencybug.Whi chmeant
shewasbr i
ngingaboyov erorshewasgoi ngtohim.

Wegeti
nsi
det
hehousel
aughi
ngbutwear
eal
lst
unnedbywhati
sbef
oreus.
Fai
thi
s..
..
.
•

NKOSI
YEZWE'
sPov

El
l
aMai
-Easy

¶I
'
llf
ixt
hest
ri
ngsandpl
aymypar
t,

Iknowt
hepai
nthat
'si
nyourhear
t

I
'
vet
readt
hedi
stancenearf
ar

Justwannabewher
eyouar
e

Iknowl
ovehasbeenast
rangert
oyou

My
beI
'
mtheonet
ochangei
tfory
ou

Won'
tbebecauset
hel
essons

f
ell
newbutt
hewr
it
ings

i
nthewal
l

Lov
eiseasyeasyy
heay
hea

Sodon'
tyoumakei
thar
d¶

Isangalongtot hesongasi fI'

veheardi tbef oreWher eelseIhav en'
t,
ItspeaksaboutHeral lthe
way ,
she'sbeent hr
oughalotinoney ear,andi twon'tbeeasyt ol ovebutshe' l
lhavetolov
eme
andI'l
lbepati
entwi thher.
Ithi
nkI'
mi nlov ewi thMbali,
fuckthink,IknowI '
mi nlovewi
thher.i
ts
j
ustthatIdon'tknowhowmybr ot
herwi llfeel whenIbr i
ngMbal iher
ebecauseIwanthert olive
withme.He'l
lhav etosuckitupher ui
nedt hingsforhimsel f
.Iwantt ofatherthechil
dandt ake
herasmyown, Ialr
eadyknewi ti
sagi r
l bef oresheev entoldme. ThatskunkMangal i
sowillnot
comecl osetoher ,
ever
.I
'dturnint
osat anbyami nute.Mybr otherburstsopent hedoorashe's
drunk.

He'
sal
sosi
ngi
ngal
ongt
othesongi
nadr
unkt
onehav
imghi
ccupsi
nev
erysent
ence.

Me:
"DudeIdon'
tl
ikeseei
ngy
oul
i
ket
his"

Hi
m:Cr
ying"
Brot
herImessedupbi
gti
me,
Mbal
i
,pl
easehel
pmegetherbackbr
other
"

Shi
thi
tthef
an,
Idon'
tknowaboutt
hat

Me:
"Andhowdoy
ousupposeIdot
hat
?"
Hi
m:Sni
ff
ing"
Idon'
tknowj
ustpl
easehel
pme"

Hepukesonmyshoes,
ashekneel
sdown.
Mot
hercomesqui
ckl
yandt
akeshi
mtohi
sroom t
o
cl
eanhim up

It
akeof
fmyshoes,
andgot
akeabat
h.NowwhatmustIdoIl
oveherandhel
oveshert
oo?

I
NSERT31

•
°

•
°

•
°

CONTI
NUATI
ON

Fai
thi
str
embl
i
ngmi
ser
abl
y,
hermot
hert
akest
hekni
fef
rom herhandandwi
pest
hef
inger
pri
nts.

Past
or:
"WhathappenedFai
th"

Faithwail
sl i
keawi dower ,
asifherfatherjustaskedthemostdanger ousquesti
on.
The
neighboursarealr
eadyoutf orgossip,
thosewi t
hbr averyarealreadyonourdoorstepsasking
ussomet hingwe'dal ll
ovetoknow. ThePol icegethere,andsuddenlyiti
sacr i
mescenewe
mustnotsl eepinthehouse. Wewer eal l
investi
gated,ThenturnsoutIhaveadi f
fer
entstoryfr
om
others.
iaskhow'st hatpossible.
TheanswerIcomeacr osswi thisthehandcuff
s"MissNgcobo
you'reunderarr
estf orthemur derofSakhi l
eVuma. ..
..
."

Itwentdeafforami nute,Memur derer?Ilookedatt hefamil

yasthemot herlookedatmewi t
h
disgust
.Whohav eIwr ongedi nthiswor ld?IprayIdoany thi
ngGodasksmebutt his?noGodt el
l
mey ourplan,
Isaytomy selfcryi
ngi nthecel lthey '
veputmewi tht
hereal cr
imi nal
s,f
irstthi
ng
theyaskedforwas" Doy ouhav er ent?"
Renti nj ail
,Ishakedmyheadandt heyt ookmydeni m
j
acketIwaswear i
ngasar entandt heyl etmesl eepont hebedbecauseI'm pregnantandIl ook
i
nnocent.Someoneal mostr uinedt hisinnocentf ace(Si
gh).
Pri
sonisnotabeaut i
fulplacetobe
atplusI'
m pregnant.

Theof
fi
cerwhodi
smi
ssedmyr
apecaseshowsup

Off
icer:Looksatmethenlaughs"
HahaAowa,Youguysgottabeki
ddi
ngmer
ight
.Whatdi
dshe
do?"asksshruggi
nghisshoulder
stheot
heroff
icer
srespond"Mur
der"

Of
fi
cer
:"
RemembermeMi
ssNgcobo?
"
Speaki
ngofwhi
chIneedt
ogobackt
oS.
Aandchangemysur
namemy
bet
hat
'swhyI
'
m
fol
l
owedbyadarkcl
oud

Me:"
HowcanIf orgetyou"
Ist
andupf
rom t
hesmallbed,
that
'snotevenabedonet
urnar
ound
you'
djustf
all
from it"
YouShoul
dpur
chasenewbeds,t
heseSim car
dsdon'
tdogood"

Hechuckl
es

Of
fi
cerDl
adl
a:"
Iseey
ou'
repr
egnant
,whywoul
dyouki
l
lyourboy
fri
endl
i
ket
hat
?"

Me:"Letmetell
youpar tofmyst ory
,I
'vebeenstayi
ngt herefor3mont hs,att
endedpr ayer
sessions,
andever
ythi
ngt hey'
ddoi nthathouse.Soyesterdaywehadl eftFait
hbecauseofher
bug.WhenwecamebackFai t
hhadakni feonherhand, thenhermot herwipeditoff
.SoIguessI
wasanescapegoatsi nceI'm here"
I'
m nowcryingatthef actthatIt
rustedthem,butthey
betr
ay edme.

Off
icer
D:Nodshi
shead"Iknowy oudidn'tdoit
,MrsPast
orbr
ibedoneofmyof
fi
cer
stokeepy
ou
her
e,Ij
usthadt
owitnessmy sel
f"hesaidlaughi
ng

Iwassupposedt
ocal
lal
awy
erorsomet
hingbutIt
alkedt
ohi
mfi
rst
.Ar
gh.

Me:
"CanImakeacal
l
?"

Hel
ooksatmeforawhi
le,
theonl
ynumberIknowisNsika'
sIhopehehadal
readyf
orgi
venme
f
orwhat
everwr
ongIdi
d,
whi chwasbei
ngavict
im ofr
ape.

Heagr
eed

Idi
aledt
henumber
,i
trang4t
imesandgotanswer
ed

"
Nsi
ka'
sphonehel
l
o"

soundsl
i
keNkosi

Me:
"Ar
hheyi
t'
sMbal
i
,whyi
sn'
tNsi
kaanswer
inghi
sphone?
"

Hi
m:"
Hei
sasl
eep,
whyar
eyoucal
l
inghi
m?"

Me:
"I
'mi
njai
l
,fora.
.

Hi
m:"
WHAT?
"

Me:
"I
'mj
ail
edf
oracr
imeIdi
dn'
tcommi
tcany
ouor
gani
seal
awy
erf
ormepl
ease"

Hi
m:"I
'
m comi
ngr
ightnow"
tut
utuohwel
lgoodt
hingNkosi
answer
edi
t,becauseIdoubtNsi
ka
woul
d'
ve.

Awar
dercomesandunl
ocksmycel
l

War
der
:Hel
ooksatme"
Fedeut
siut
akuphumaorut
sandzak'
hl
alanat
si(
Youcomi
ngoutory
ou
l
i
kest
ayi
ngwi
thus)

Iqui
ckl
ygetout
,hel
eadsmet
owhatIcansayi
sav
isi
ti
ngr
oom

Warder
:"
Nyamet
elamunt
ful
ok'
funakout
akut
aki
we(
Bepat
ientt
heper
sonwhowant
syouwi
l
l
come)

Hecl
osest
hedoor
,af
terawhi
l
eitopensandNkosi
get
sin,
Ist
andupandhughi
m cr
ying.

Webr
eakt
hehug,
hel
ooksatmeandwi
pesmyt
ear
s.wesi
tdown

Me:
"I
'm sor
ryt
obot
hery
ou"

Hi
m:"
Nonsense.
..
Aft
ert
hisy
ou'
l
lbeoutoft
hispl
aceandy
oucomi
ngwi
thme"

What
..
.wher
e..

Me:
"ButNsi
kawi
..

Hi
m:"
He'
dli
ket
oseey
out
rustme"
hesay
sthatasi
fhedoesn'
twantt
o

Inod

Me:
"Whatdi
dyoudo"

Hi
m: "
Isett
her
ecor
dst
rai
ght
,t
heyshoul
dal
lgot
ojai
lfort
hisbutt
heonewhodi
dthi
swi
l
lbe
j
ail
ed"

Inodmyhead.

Aft
erourmeeti
ngindeedIsi
gnedtherel
easewhatev
erandt
ookmyphonel
eftwi
thNkosi
tot
he
past
or'
shouse,
Igotintheyl
ookl
ikethey
'veseenaGhost

Mr
sN:
"YouMur
der
erSt
ayoutofmyhouse"
shesay
spoi
nti
ngatt
hedi
rect
ionIgoti
n

Past
or:
"Zenzi
l
e"t
hepast
orr
epr
imandshi
swi
fe

t
henNkosi
get
sinandl
ookar
ound

Nkosi
:
"Packy
ourt
hings"

Mr
sN:
"MyKi
ngsuchgr
eathonourt
ohav
eyou"

Nkosishowsherthetal
ktothehand,
andmadeacall"
Iseeshe'
ssti
l
lher
e..
Justcomeandtake
thi
sMur der
erandthemother"
heputst
hephonebackinhi
spocket
s,t
heguardsout
sidehav
e
gunsIdon'tknowtheneedtohavesomuchguar
ds

Thepol
icecameandt
ookFai
th,
andhermot
her
.per
hapsf
orwi
pingt
heev
idenceIdon'
tknow,
or
hi
dingt
heculpr
it
.
Thepastorlookedpal
e,
li
ket
her
ewasn'
tanysoul
insi
dehi
m.i
feel
forhi
m butwhatt
heydi
dasa
fami
lyshif
ti
ngt hebl
ametome,
Iwi
llpr
ayfort
hem.

Nkosi
tookmet
ohi
spal
ace,
i
t'
ssoqui
et.
Iaskt
ogot
otheki
tchen,
whi
l
sthegoest
oputmybags
i
nmyr oom.

Thenhecomesback,
andsi
tsont
hecount
er

Hi
m:"
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng"

Me:
Ishr
uggedasIchopOr
eosf
ormyshake"
Thanky
ouf
orbei
ngt
her
eforme"

Hi
m:heexhal
e"I
t'
sokey
,Idi
dsayI
'
llal
way
sbet
her
efory
ou"

Me:
Asmi
l
efl
i
cker
sinmyl
i
ps

Hi
m:"
What
'swi
tht
hesmi
l
e"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Not
hing"
I'
m cr
azyIcanj
ustsmi
l
efornot
hingmy
behe'
sal
sot
hinki
ngt
hat
.

TheQueenst
opsatt
hedoor
,andl
ooksatmedi
sgust
ed,
wewer
eongoodt
ermsl
astt
imeI
checked

Me:
"Saw'
bonaNdl
ovukazi
"

sheCl
i
ckshert
ongue,
Ookey

Nkosi
:
"Mahwhati
sitwi
thy
ou,
Mbal
ii
sgr
eet
ingy
ou"

Queen:"
Greet
ingsmyvagina,
wenadoyouknowmysonhasbeent
hroughal
otbecauseofwhat
youdidtohim?whyar
ey ouhere?
tocausemor
ehear
tachef
ormyson?"

Ishakemyhead

Me:
"Mahthi
ngisNsikadi
dn'
twantmet
oexpl
ain"
Iwi
peat
ear
,Hor
mones.Iwoul
dn'
thav
ecr
ied
i
fIwasn'
tpr
egnant
.

Queen:
"Ny
wikanyiny
iwantghaa(
Shespatonmyf
eet
s),
Iwanty
ououtofmyhousebef
oreIki
l
l
t
hatbabyofyour
s"

Nkosi
:
"Ki
l
lwhat
?"

Queen:
"YouheardmeI'l
lkil
lherbaby!
wenawhichsidear
ey ouonaren'
tyousupposedt
obe
t
hereforyourbr
otheri
nsteadyou'r
eprot
ect
ingthi
sFebeli
na"poi
nti
ngmeupanddown

Lookaty
ourqueenpeopl
e!

Nkosi
:
"Sot
hat
'swhaty
oudot
obabi
es?
youal
sogav
eawayTHATsony
out
alki
ngabout
!THat
Sonofyour sIwentlooki
ngf orbecausehe'
smybl ood,becauseIneedhimi nmylif
e.Because
youwerecr yi
ngandhav i
ngsl eepl
essnight
sforTHATsonIf et
ched.Nowy ouwanttorepeatthe
samemi stake?ki
l
li
ngani nnocentsoulforahear
tachethataper soncausedforhi
mself?you
knowthrowingababyt othewol vesisthesameaskill
i
ngi t
,henceIsayy oudoi
ngitagain!
"he
shakeshishead

Hismotheriscryi
ngl
i
kenoot her
,shefal
lsdownont hefloorandweeplikea5y earold,Igo
downwi t
hherandhugher,
shedoesn'tfight.
Iwaswaiti
ngfora" Leav
emeal oneyoubi tch"wel
l
Nkosi'
swordsseem t
ohavewor ked.
Ididn'tknowt
hatstory,
IthoughtNsikawasstolent hen
found.
Nkosileav
esusther
e,ThenNsikacomesi nholdi
nghisstomach.hehaslostwei ght,
not
thatmuchthough.

Ourey
esl
ockIst
andup,
andwest
areateachot
her
,heshi
fthi
sey
est
omybi
gbel
l
y.Andsi
ghs

Hi
m:Hecomesmywayandhugsmet
ight
ly"
I'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tgi
vey
ouachancet
oexpl
ain"
hel
ets
go

Inod

Hi
m:"
Cany
ounow?
"

Me:
"Nott
odayIwantt
orest
,I
'
vehadal
ongmor
ning"

Ipassedhi
m,Doesmyhear
tjumpwi
thjoywhenIseehim?NO.
i'
vet
otal
l
ylostr
espectf
orhi
m,he
sl
appedme,whichr
emi
ndedmeofthatskunkMangal
iso.

Ikneeldownbesi
desmybedandpr
ay.
butt
odaynot
hunder
stor
msIf
ini
shedandIgetundert
he
covers,
anddr
if
taway

"Pl
easedon' ttakemychildawayfrom me"Icrymiserabl
ymyhandsov ermyhead,asItr
y
fol
l
owi ngtheper sonwhohadtakenmychi l
d,t
hepersonhadbroadshoulder
s,smel
lsmoneybut
Idi
dn'tseehi sface"Wher
eareyout aki
ngmybaby "Irunaft
erhi
m huf
fi
ng,thebabyfal
l
sandhe
l
eaveshert here.igett
oherandit
'sadol l
"

Iwakeupsweat
ingandpant
ing,
whatdi
dthedr
eam mean?

I
'
llpostanot
heri
nser
tlat
er,
ast
hisonei
sshor
t.

#Lov
eAdmi
n

I
NSERT32

•
°
•
°

•
°

MBALI
'
sPov

Thatwasat erri
bledr eam,doesi tmeanmychi ldwillbet akenawayf rom me?Bywho? noIwi ll
prot
ecther
,nomat terwhat .
Iprepar edmy selff
orwor kbutt hekingtoldme,Iwon'tbewor king
anymoresinceI'm pr egnant.Hay iit
'snotlikepregnancycutmyhandsnowdi dit.Mxm. SoI'
llbe
gett
ingmonthlyallowance, butitwoul d'vebeengr eattoear nit.
Nsikahasbeenonmycaseal l
day,
andIfi
nal l
ytoldhi m whatl edt omypr egnancy,
Hewascr ushedtothefactthathecoul dn'
t
prot
ectmef rom suchev i
lness.Il ef
toutthePower f
ul prayerpartthough,
Idon'
twantitt oseem
l
ikeI'
m cr
azy .
We'regoodnowbutwe' renotbackt oget her,
Idon'tseethathappeningactually
.I
'm
j
ustaguesther e,
Idon' tgetwhyI 'm notgoi nghome,butt henagainHomewher e?myf amilydida
l
astnumberf orsellingmef orriches.I'
l
lnev erfor
givethem.

Andasf orNkosi ,
Mhm l et'sjustsayI '
m awhor e(Chuckle,
t alkingtoherbel ly,r
ubbingit)
Mommy
i
sawhor ebaby ,y
esshe' sgoi ngtodat eabr ot
herofhi sex.Ilikehi m people,Physical
appearancewi seperfect,thebehav iourperf
ect,t
hesmi lehegi vesmemakesmef eell
i
keI'
mthe
onlygi
rlinthewor ld,
Ili
ket hef actthathenev erjudgedmef orwhathadf all
enof fme.Thef
act
thathewant st obeinev erysi ngl
echeckupIat tend.AndthatwhenIgof orgroceryshoppi
nghe
accompaniesmesay i
ng" Iwantt obet here,
whati fyourwat erbr eakrightthatmoment "He
amusesme, hesay swhati sr ealnotwhatI '
dwantt ohear.Nowt hatistheManIneedi nmy
l
ife.
Notaper sonwho'sj ustseemeasabi t
chandwon' tl
ikemybaby

FAI
TH'
sPov

WhatIdid,
idi
dn'tpl
anatall.
ButatthesametimeIdon' tr
egreti
t,
Hewasmyboy f
ri
end,
the
cheati
ngboyf
riend.
YesIknewhehadot hergir
lf
riendsbuttosleepwi
thmysi
ster?t
hat
'sf
ucked
up.SowhenIfoundoutIkindaactedoutofcharacter

Sakhi
l
e:"
It
'snotwhaty
out
hinki
tis"

Me:
"Shutupj
ustshutt
hehel
lup"

Sakhil
e:"
Canyouj
ustl
i
stenforamoment
"hesaidtouchi
ngme,Igr
abbedthekni
fefr
om the
ki
tchencount
erandst
abbedhiminhi
sneck,
bloodspli
tt
edal
lovermeli
keav ol
canolav
a

I
'vebeenrecal
li
ngourl astmomentsi
ncelastnight.
Ireal
lydidn'
tmeanit
.i
tjusthappened
unint
enti
onal
ly
.MeandMom hav ebeensepar at
ed,mybailheari
ngi
snextweek.butIdoubtI'l
l
getit
.andIwouldn'
tblameanyoneIdeservewhat everi
scomi ngmyway.Thecruelestt
hingwas
towipeitof
ftoMbal i
,
Mom camewi ththatideaandIwental ongwit
hitbecauseIwasscar edof
j
ail
.I
'veheardhorr
if
y i
ngstori
esaboutit
.Yest
erdayoneinmatetr
iedtotakeof
fmySni ckers
becausewellIhadt opayforsl
eepi
nginthei
rbed.Thatt
hingi
snotev enabed,Ifoughtt
hem of
f
buttheyoverpoweredmeandnowI '
ml ef
twi
thswol l
enbl
ueeye,andabrokenlip.

IhopeSakhi
l
efor
giv
esme

NKOSI
YEZWE'
sPov

MyNyangahasrel
ocat
edt
hissi
de,
becausewell
I'
m aKi
ngnow,
andIaskedhi
mtodoal
i
ttl
e
r
it
ual
tostrengt
henmeandhavemuchpower.

Igot
hrought
hef
orest
,andf
ort
unat
elyt
her
ear
enoi
nvi
sibl
ewal
l
stopuf
fat
.

If
inday oungboyoutsi
de,
mybe16to17y
ear
ssweepi
ngt
hey
ardwear
ingal
eopar
dvestand
i
Bhayi
.Igreethi
m,andhekneel
sdown

Hi
m:Kneel
i
ngandhi
sfacei
sfaci
ngdown"
Nkosi
yami
(MyKi
ng)

Me:
"Mf
anawami
unj
ani
(Howar
eyoumyboy
)

Hi
m:"
Ngi
yaphi
l
asi
ngezwakuweNkosi
yami
(I
'mf
ine,
andhowar
eyoumyki
ng)
?

Me:
"Sameher
e"

Heget
sup,
anddust
shi
m sel
f

Hi
m:"
IgamanguLi
zwi
(Mynamei
sLi
zwi
)

Inodmyhead

Hi
m:"
Ingabeuf
unaubabauShenge?
(Ar
eYoul
ooki
ngf
orShenge?
)

Me:
"Yes"

Hi
m:"
Ngi
l
andel
e(Fol
l
owme)
"

If
oll
owhi
mtothefour
thhutandIt
akeof
fmyshoesandgeti
nsi
de.
Icl
apmyhandst
wice,
he
l
ooksmywayandsmil
e

Shenge:Laughi
ng"HahaAw'
thiy
ami (Myman)orshoul
dIsayMyking"hedoesthedr
amat
ic
bow.IChuckl
e,honest
lyI
'
m nottheonetol
augh.Mylaughi
sshortsay2seconds.
Onl
yone
personcanmakemegobey ond2seconds,andweallknowher
.Ionlyl
aughatmadnessl
i
kethe
ti
meThandoaskedf oracar
Me:
"Mykingsoundsgood.
..
.Thanky
ouf
orr
elocat
ingf
orme.
Iknowy
ouhadt
oleav
eyour
f
ri
endsandcustomers"

Shenge:
"I
t'
snobi
gdeal
,
I'
ll
getot
hercust
omer
sher
e"

Me:
"Thatboywor
ksf
ory
ou?
"

Henods

Me:
"Ver
yrespect
ful
,
unl
i
ket
heot
heronewhobur
nedweedi
nst
eadofI
ncense"

Hel
aughed,
Ichuckl
ed

Shenge:
"Idon'
tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ng,
henev
erhadanycl
uesabouther
bs.
theonl
yher
bhe
knewwasweed"

Me:"
Goodthi
ngheranawayhi
msel
f.
..
Ihav
en'
tfor
got
tenhi
sfacewhenhesawmecomi
ngout
ofacof
fi
n,
palel
ooki
ngli
keavampi
re"

Hebur
stsoutl
aughi
ng

Shenge:"
HahahaHecal
l
edal
lhi
sancest
orsr
unni
ngar
oundt
hey
ard,
cur
singandsay
inghe'
l
l
nevercomeback"

Ichuckl
e,shaki
ngmyhead

Hebecomesser
ious,
seei
ngt
hatI
'
vekeptqui
et

Shenge:
"Youbel
ongt
oget
her
"

What
?"

Me:
"Who.
..
whobel
ongswi
thme?
"

Shenge:
"Her
!"

Ihat
eitwhenhespeaksi
nri
ddl
es

Me:
"Justt
ell
meal
ready
"

Hechuckl
es,
andcont
inuesgr
indi
ngt
hemi
xedher
bsi
gnor
ingmygaze

Shenge:
"Takeof
fyourshi
rt
"

Itakeitof
fandrol
lmyj
ean,
andhecutsmewitharazeri
nmypalms,
feet,
kneesandchestwhi
l
st
applyi
ngtheher
bswher
ehecuts.
Itst
ingsabi
tbutI
'm amant
hisisnothi
ng.

Hecal
l
suponmyancest
orst
opr
otectme,
andbet
her
ewi
thmewher
eev
erIgo.

Whenhe'
sdoneIwearmyshi
rt
Shenge:
"I
t'
sgoi
ngt
ogett
ough"
hesay
snotev
enl
ooki
ngatme

Ther
ewegoagai
n,
thi
sti
meIshutup

Shenge:"
Whenitdoest
ryt
onot
..
..
(Hegr
oans,
andIcl
apt
wice)
Youshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
ahuge
st
ormi scomi
ng"

Inodmyhead,
andgot
hrought
hef
orestagai
n.Igett
omycarandst
artt
heengi
ne.

Itstart
srai
ningdrops,
Idri
v efastsot
hatthehugestorm doesn'
tcatchmeplusi
t'
salmost18:
00
i
t '
sgetti
ngdark.
Ispeedof fthenBamm Ihitsomethi
ngveryhard,Idon'
tst
opIdri
vet
hrough.
and
Iarriv
eatthepalace.
placethecarinoneoft hegar
agesandt ur
nont heli
ght
s.

Igot
owardst
hebonnet,Inot
icebl
oodandmynumberpl
atei
smi
ssi
ng.
Shi
tIhopei
t'
snota
humanbei
ngthatIhi
t.

THANDO'
sPov

Istar
tpackingformytripArgIcan'tbel
ieveNkosididn'
ttellmehe'sakingi nSwat ini
.Honest
ly
I'
m hurtbutmy behedidn'
thaveti
met ospar e.
Ihadtoseef ormy sel
finthenewspaper snowmy
fr
iendsthinkwenolongertoget
her.Well
i'm goi
ngtoshowt hem.I
mf l
yingtheret omorrowpeople
mustknowt heQueenofthecastl
e.PeoplebeholdtheslayqueenQueen(Laughi ng)heardthatI
saidqueent woti
mes.TheSlayqueenQueeni syettorul
e(Fixingheri
magi naryTiara).

Ican'
tbeliev
eI '
l
lbedrivi
ngmyG-Wagon, sleepi
ngintheluxur
iousbed,weari
ngthemost
expensi
v eri
ngwi t
habi gdi
amond,shoppingtil
lIdr
opandat t
endingcelebri
tyevent
s.Maki
ngi
t
tothefrontpage"TheBeauti
ful
QueenThando" (Shesmi l
esatthethoughts,
rat
herdreams)
Iwi
ll
betheremyki ng.i
closemysuit
case,
andsetanal arm,Ishoul
dbet her
eatdawn

I
NSERT33

•
°

•
°

•
°

NKOSI
YEZWE'
sPov
Iti
smor ning,yesterdayIaskedoneofmyguy stoexposeoft hecar .ButIdon'ttrusthi
m mybe
hekepti t
.wellhe'l
lgotojailminahay iI
'm notgoing,
eveni fIgot ojailI
'l
lcomebackt hatday
.I
askedthei nsurancepeoplet owipeitoffmyasset sandt heydi d.It
akeacol dshowersinceI
wasn'ttheonlyonewhohadwokenup, myBazookawashar dasar ock,
butt hanksto
mast ur
bationitwascur ed.LooknowI 'm wast i
ngbabies.Ifini
shshower ingandwearsome
shortsandav est,
todayI'
m notmaki nganyer r
andsothert henaccompany i
ngMbal it
odo
grocery.
Ifi
ndt hem seatedatt hebiglounge,looksli
keabal lroom tome. Ishouldchangethi
s
houseitlooksl i
keBukhosi alltheway.Idon'twantanyr emi nderofhi m.

Me:
"Mor
ningbeaut
if
ulpeopl
e"Igr
eetwi
thashor
tsmi
l
e

Theygr
eetback

Me:
"Wher
eismybr
other
"

Mom:
"St
il
lsl
eepi
ng"
shesay
snotl
ooki
ngatmebutf
ocusedont
het
vscr
een

Me:
"Whatar
eyouguy
swat
chi
ng?
"

Mbal
i
:"Someonedi
dahi
tandr
unont
hepoorwoman"
shewi
pesat
ear
,Women

Me:
"Wher
e?"

Mbal
i:
"At*
* *
**t
heyf
oundherl
yi
ngarounddead,
buttheyal
sofoundanumberpl
ate.
Ihopet
hey
f
indwhoeverdi
dthi
s,
suchcr
uel
ty.
Nowt heki
dshavenoparent
s"

Me:That'
sthesameplaceIhi
tsomethi
ng,
soi
twasahumanbeing.
Fuck.
"That'
ssosad.
..
Areyou
sti
ll
goingtodogrocer
y?"
shenods"Weshoul
dpayavi
sitt
othatf
amil
y"gui
lt
yguil
tygui
l
tyArg
I'
vetur
nedsoft

Mom:
"Yesy
ouar
eaki
ng,
i
t'
samust
"

Isecr
etl
yrol
lmyey
es

Me:
"Let
'
sgoMbal
i
,Mom doy
ouneedany
thi
ngf
rom t
hest
ore?
"

Mom:
"Buymesweetpot
atoes"

Inodandwegett
othecarandstar
ttheengi
ne.
Idri
vedall
thewayshe'
sbeensteal
i
nggl
ances
atme,whi
chmademeagit
atedthi
nkingmybeshenoti
cedthenumberpl
ate.
Icl
earmyf
earsby
aski
ngher

Me:
"Whati
sit
?"

sheshy
lyl
ookout
side

Me:
"I
'mt
alki
ngt
oyou,
pleasel
ookatme"

Shel
ookedmyway
,Ikeptf
ocusont
her
oadwewer
eatt
her
obotst
op,
Ishi
ftmyf
ocust
oher
Me:
"Tal
ktome"

Her
:"
Not
hing"

Not
hingi
ssur
elysomet
hing

Me:
"I
'l
lsqueezey
ourbi
gbel
l
yyou'
l
lgi
vebi
rt
hnow,
tel
lme"

Shelooksastonished,
whi
chmakesmeChuckle.
Therobott
urnsgr
eenImov
emycarandweget
tot
hemal lIparkthecarandl
ockt
hedoor
s.Shelooksatme

Me:
"Wegoi
ngt
otal
kaboutwhaty
out
hinki
ngr
ightnow"

Her
:"
Itol
dyoui
t'
snot
hing,
pleaseopent
hedoor
"

Me:
"Idon'
twantt
o"

Her:
"It
oldyouit
'snot
hingr
eal
l
y"shef
iddl
eswi
thherhands,
Ifi
gur
edshel
i
kesdoi
ngt
hatwhen
she'
snervous

Iturnherheadt ofacemi ne,andourlipsmet.At enderki

sswhi chwokethi
ngsup,Ourtongues
dancingt ooneRhy t
hm,Ifeltconnectedtoher,Iplacemyhandonhert hi
gh.
Shebreakst hekiss.
i
unlockt hedoorandsheget sout .
Istayinthecarf orawhilejustsomybazookasleeps
again.andhef i
nal
lydoes.istepoutshewaswai ti
ngformewi t
hatrol
l
eyatcheckers,
Itakethe
trol
leyandkeepqui et.
I'
m angr yIdon'
tknowt her easonforthat.
Thegazefr
om thepeopl e,
other
s
taki
ngpi ctur
es.Ot
hershalfbowi ngtheirheads.Annoying

Gr
ocer
ydone.
ButIhav
en'
teat
en

Me:
"Let
'
sgobyatSt
eer
s,I
'
m hungr
y"

Her
:"
Justgobuyi
tandcomeback"

shewaitswit
ht hetroll
eyoutsidesteersl
ooki
ngatmewal ki
ng,
Imakemyor derandabeaut
if
ul
woman,notbeautif
ul asMbali t
hough,comesmywayt oaskformynumber.Igi
veitt
oher
smil
ingandtouchinghershoul derj
ustsoIcantestMbali
'sr
eacti
on.It
aket
helunchbagsand
pushthetrol
l
eyt othecar.Ioffl
oadthegrocer
yandstartt
heengine.
Shehasfol
dedherarms
l
ookingli
kealionaboutt oattackme.

Me:
"Ar
eyouokey
?"

Sher
aisesherey
ebr
ows,
giv
ingmeanat
ti
tude

Her
:"
Shar
p"

Me:
"Youdon'
tl
ookf
ine"myi
nnerv
oicei
slaughi
ngather

Her
:"
Whydi
dyouki
ssme?
"

Jeal
ousar
en'
twehmh,
mymi
nddoesahi
ghf
ive
Me:
"Par
don?
"

Her:
"Youhear
dmer
ight
,youki
ssmeandt
henent
ert
ainot
herwomen,
whatr
ubbi
shi
sthat
?"Say
s
r
aisi
nghervoi
ce

Me:
"Whatdi
dyout
hinkt
heki
ssmeant
?"

shest
ammer
s

Her
:"
I.
..
I.
..
You.
.y
ouknowwhatj
ustdr
ive"

Me:
"Il
ovey
out
oo"

Her:
"Justdri
vebecauseyougoingt
oanno...
Wai
twhatdi
dyousay?"
shegiv
esmealookan
i
ndescribabl
elook,
asifshe'
shappy
,herey
esspar
kli
ngwi
thJoy
,youcoul
dseest
arsdanci
ngi
n
hereyes.

Me:
"Youhear
dme"

Her
:"
Nosayi
tagai
n"

Ishookmyhead

Her
:"
Howdi
dyouknowIf
eltl
i
ket
haty
ousai
d'Too'
"

Me:
Isi
ghshr
uggi
ng"
Ijustknew,
nowt
haty
ouknowwhatwi
l
lhappen?
"

Her
:keepsqui
et

Me:
"Idon'
tl
ikei
twheny
oukeepqui
etwhi
l
stIknowf
orsur
eyouhav
esomet
hingt
osay
"

Her
:"
Sor
ry.
..
Ijust
..
"

Imovethecaroutoftheparki
ng,
peopl
ewhodon' ttalkaret
heone' stost
aysingle,
i
fshedoesn'
t
wanttotal
kthenfinewi
thme.Thi
siswhyIdon'tdor el
ati
onshi
ps,
y oupouryourhearttot
hem
theny
ougetsilence.
Iwon'
tdateamutethatt
alks.
I'
dr at
herfal
li
nlov ewi
ththerealone.

Her
:"
I'
m scar
ed"
shef
inal
l
yspeaks"
Itr
iedl
ovi
ngbef
orebutl
ookwher
eitgotme"

Me:"Correcti
ony ouneverfel
l i
nlove,
Youdon'
tknowwhatl oveis.YouarejustscaredthatImight
dowhaty ourprevi
ousboy f
riendshaddonet oyou.
welli
fyoumustknowIdon' tbeatup
women. AllIwantfrom them isRespect.
BecauseIal
soshowr especttot hem regar
dlessofthei
r
behaviour,y
ou'dneverseemesl appi
nganyoneI'
dratherl
eavet ocalm down.LookIloveyou,and
Iknowt haty ouhavehistor
ywi thmybrother
.Butwedon'tchoosewhowef al
li
nlovewith.
."

weatourgate,andIseeawomanwi
thsui
tcases,
wear
ingl
i
keasl
ayqueenar
gui
ngwi
tht
he
secur
it
y.Ohgreatjustgr
eat
..
.

•
•

MBALI
'
sPov

Wewer
econf
essi
ngourundy
ingl
ovef
oreachot
herwhenwesawmi
ssSl
ayqueenbyt
hegat
e.

Wegotinsi
deassheal
sof
ollowedaf
terYezwel
etheri
n.Hepar
kedthecarandwegotout
.She
t
hrewherbagsmywayandjumpedonYezwehugginghi
m,Yezwefl
i
nchedandmovedheraway
f
rom hi
m.

Hi
m:"
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"

Her:
"BabeI'
m soangr
yatyoufornottel
l
ingmey
ou'
reaki
ngnow,
whati
saki
ngwi
thoutt
he
queen"shesay
sfl
icki
ngherey
elashes

Longnai
l
s,per
fectbody
,hassenseoff
ashi
on.
Beaut
if
uli
ndeed

Sohehasagi
rl
fr
iend?
hmh

Hi
m: "
Weneedt otalk,
l
ist
en.
.meandy
ouar
eov
er.
Iwantt
otot
akey
ourst
inki
ngbagsand
l
eave"hepoi
ntsatthegate

Her
:"
What
..
Babywecan.
..
Lookl
et'
sgeti
nsi
deandt
alk"

Hi
m:"
NOj
ustgo"

Her:
Shelooksatme,
andmybel
l
ythenshi
ft
sherf
ocust
oYezwe"
Youi
mpr
egnat
edabi
tch"
she
say
sdisgusted

Hi
m:"
Sayt
hatagai
n"

Her:
Shet akesherbags"I
'l
lcomeback,
yougonnapayforthi
s,andIwantmyG- WAGONy ouhear
me..
.GEEEE- WAGONNNNN" sheshout
sthelastpar
temphasizingG-Wagon,
herst
il
ett
os
br
eaks,andshet akesi
tandwalkwit
htheotherone,
IChuckl
eabi t
.YezweShookhishead

Shecomesback

Her
:"
Ineedmoney
"

Yezwet
akesoutaf
ewnot
esi
nhi
swal
l
et,
shel
ooksatt
hemoneywi
thhermout
hwi
deopen

Her
:"
Youser
ious?
Nxa"

Shewal
ksawayagai
nthi
sti
mef
orgood.

Il
ookatYezweandgeti
nsi
deandst
rai
ghtt
omyr
oom.
Whatdoest
hismeannow?
hisgi
rl
fr
iend
i
sbackthi
sissomet
hingel
se
Per
hapswewer
ejustwast
ingourt
imeconf
essi
ng.

I
NSERT34

•
°

•
°

•
°

THANDO

Cany
oubeli
evet
hedogchasedmefort
hatbi
tchnxa,
Iwal
ktot
hegat
eandmeetNkosi
agai
n
ar
hOkeywhati
shappeni
ng,
mybehehasatwi
n.

Me:
"Nkosi
?"

Hi
m: Helooksmywayandt
alkswi
thadr
unkv
oice"
Arey
ouMi
ssSwazi
l
and,
i
fther
e
i
s(Burps)
such"

OhSoHehasat
win,
mhm Isee.
Oper
ati
onLi
etot
winyher
ewecome

Me:"PleaseIdon'thaveanywher
et ogo,cany oulendmear oom tost
ay,f
oronenightAtl
east
"I
saywi thbeggingeyes,
helosesastepandhol dsont ot
hegat e,
andsi
gnalsmet ofol
lowhim.We
getinsidethehouseandWoooowBeaut i
fulImustsay ,
I'dbedamnedi fidon'
tl
ivehere.
He
breaksav arseandsay s"
Shhhh"asifIdidit
,weent eraroom andhecloses

Me:
"Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
olendmear
oom"

CauseIwon'
tsl
eepwi
thy
ou

Hi
m:"
You.
.Wantar
oom al
onehuhf
ii
ii
i
nef
oll
owme"

ThenSuddenl
y,
Li
ghtbul
bmomentIj
usthadani
dea

Me:
Isayget
ti
ngupseduct
ivel
ymassagi
nghi
sshoul
der
s"OooorIcanj
ust
..
.Sl
eepher
e..
wit
hyou"

Hi
m:Smi
l
esl
i
keabl
oodyr
etar
d"Letmegopeef
ir
st"
heget
supanddi
sappear
stot
hedoor

Iexhal
e,andopent
hecoversandsl
eep.
Hecomesbackreadyt
ogroov
eallni
ghtwi
thhi
s
bri
efs.
Thengetsdi
sappoi
ntedfi
ndi
ngmesleepi
ng,
heget
sundert
hecover
sandalsodr
if
tst
o
sl
eep.

Honest
lythi
sonewouldbuymemywagon,
Ithi
nkheist
hestupi
dtwin,
andasForthatbi
tchwho
st
olemyman, bi
tchI
'
m comingf
ory
ou.
Andsi
nceI'
ll
beli
vingher
eitwil
lbeeasyt
oputmypl an
i
ntomotion.

THENEXTMORNI
NG

Thi
sguyi
ssl
eepi
ngl
i
kedead,
Igot
ohi
scl
osetandt
akeoutashi
rtandweari
t.
Itshowsmy
r
oundbut
tabi
t,
Brushmyt
eet
h,washmyf
aceandsmi
l
e.

Iwal
kov
ert
othemai
dwor
kingt
her
e

Me:"
Heyurhm doyouper
hapsknowwher eisthegyminthi
shouse?
"shel
ooksatmefrom
upsi
dedown.Car
efulImi
ghtbeyournextQueen,unempl
oymenti
sknocki
ngonherdoorItel
lya

Maid:
"Whowoul
dli
ket
oknow"
herl
i
pshav
ebentdown,
whynotahappyf
acet
oseei
ngy
our
Queen

Me:
"Justt
ell
me"

Shepoi
ntsupst
air
s,The5t
hroom

Ir
oll
myey
es

Me:
"I
diot
"

Mai
d:"
IyhoooaboNsi
ka"
clapsherhandsgoi
ngt
otheki
tchen

IknowNkosi
isupal
readygy
minghi
sli
feaway
,ki
l
li
ngt
hatf
at

Igeti
n,hehasear
phoneson.Ipokehi
sshoul
der
swhi
lesmi
l
ing,
het
urnsandt
hel ookhegi
ves
meGosh, hemust
n'tr
uinmyf ace.
Hecanki
ckmywombandall
mybodypart
s,Idon'
twanta
chi
ldanyway,
butnotmyface.

Him:"
Howdidyouf
reaki
ngeti
nsi
de"
get
ti
ngoff
rom t
hemachi
nesweat
ingandmaki
ngmynunu
shedatear
.Hei
ssoyummy

Me:
"Babei
'
..
.

Hi
m:"
Shutup.
Justshutup.
.Bukel
alaThandoGr
aceMol
oiorwhoev
ert
hef
ucky
ouar
eI.
..
"

Ididn'
tevenl ethimf i
nish,
Ifr
enchkissedhi m whi
lemyhandi srunni
ngtohisbazookaashe
l
ikestocal li
t.Hest i
ff
enedthenheldme, Irappedmyl egsar
oundhiswaist
.Heledust othet
abl
e
thatwast here, ev
erythi
ngfel
ltothefloor.
I'
m notwear i
ngpanti
esandheslowlyputshistwo
fi
ngersinsideme, Imoaninpleasur
e,whi l
stsuckingonmyni ppl
es,
hegavemeaf inger
orgasm.Thent ookouthisbazookahar dasf uck

Me:
"Fuck"

Iopenmylegswider
,asheputst
hetipofi
tci
rcl
i
ngmynunuwhol
e,
hesl
owl
ypenet
rat
edme
groani
ngi
npleasur
eIfli
nchedabit
..
..

•
MBALI

Icouldn'tsl
eepi
twasal
ready5inthemorning,soIwentt
othekit
chent
omakemy
sel
f
breakfast.
Ifi
ndt
hemaidsintheki
tchent
alkingaboutasl
ayqueen

Me:
"Mor
ningguy
s"

Them:
"Mor
ning"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Howdi
dyousl
eep?
"

Ihadcal
l
edhert
owor
kher
eagai
nsi
ncet
hel
ateBukhosi
isn'
ttheki
ngany
mor
e

Me:
"Idon'
tknow,
Iguessnotwel
l
"

Zanel
e:"
Youshoul
dtakei
tsl
ow"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Takewhatsl
ow.
..
.Any
wayy
ouguy
swer
etal
ki
ngaboutasl
ayqueen?
"Iaskwant
ingt
oher
e
mor
e

Zanel
e:"
Ohyheashejustaskedmewher
ethegy
misi
nthi
shouse.
ArgNsi
kabr
ingsev
eryHol
e
AndGravey
ardi
nhere"

Me:
"Gr
avey
ard?
"

Zanel
e:"
Yhagr
avey
ardspeopl
ewhoabor
tchi
l
dren"

Il
augh

Me;
"Howdoy
out
ell
that
?"

Syamthanda:
"Ar
gwejustknow.
.Anywayshei
sn'
tanyoft
hat
..
Didy
ouseeherweav
e..
theper
fect
body"
shesayswishi
ngtobeli
keher

Zanel
e:"
Justt
hatherat
ti
tudest
inks"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Letmegoseeherf
ormy
sel
f"
Isayexi
ti
ngt
heki
tchenwal
ki
ngt
othegy
mroom

Thedooropensandt
heycomeoutgi
ggl
i
ngandcosy

Shef
lashesherey
elashesgi
vi
ngmeasmi
l
e,Nkosi
looksl
i
kehe'
sseenaghost

Ibreat
heal i
tt
le,
thensuddenl
yIfeelnausea,Irushtothebathr
oom t hatismost l
yusedbyguests
upstai
rs.
ivomitl
astnight'
sdi
nner,If
lushandr insemymout hwhilstlookingatthemirr
or.
Am I
notatt
racti
ve?Whywoul dhesl
eepwi thher?isitbecauseI
'
v eneveroff er
edmy sel
ftohim?Iask
myselfal
lthesequesti
onscryi
ng.Igrabatissueandwi pethem away .Igetout
sidetheyar
e
nowher
etobef
ound.

Igotomyr
oom andt
othebal
cony
,Isi
tther
easi
t'
sst
il
ldar
kbuty
oucoul
dseet
hesunwant
ing
tori
se.

Icr
yagai
n,
thensuddenlyi
trains.Il
ookatt
hegardent
her
e'ssomet
hingt
hatf
lashesbr
ight
ly,
per
hapsadiamond.
Islapmy selfinmymind.
Stupi
d.

Igetinsidemyroom andoutt
othegar
deni
thasnowst
oppedr
aini
ng.
Thi
sweat
heri
s
unpredictabl
e.

Igett
otheshi
nnything,
andi
t'
sanecklace.
Thesy
mbol
ini
tisaSun,
buti
t'
snoty
ell
owi
t'
ssi
l
ver
.I
takei
twit
hmef eel
i
nghappy,
Iputi
taroundmyneck

Voi
ce:
"I
tisagi
ftf
ory
ourunbor
nchi
l
d"

Wel
ltodayI
'
m notdr
eami
ng,
whoi
sthi
sfemal
ewhokeepsont
alki
ng?

Imur
mur
"Thanky
ou"
..
itgoesqui
et

Iwillgi
veittoher
,shewil
lbemyj oy,myboy f
riend,mymotherandmyfathersi
nceIneverhad
thosethings,
Iwil
lonlyl
oveherandnooneel se.Igrabmyphoneandbrowseonl i
ne
courses,
sinceIdroppedoutatDUT,letmedosomet hi
ngwit
hmylif
eotherthancryi
ngforaman
whodoesn' tl
oveme. WhowasIki ddingt
hinkingI'dgiv
eusachancewhilstI
'm pr
egnant
.Noone
wantsdamagedgoods.

Li
fef
rom nowonwi
l
lbeaboutmeandmydaught
er.
Nomor
eman.

NSI
KA

Li
fehasbeenar ol
ler
coasterforme.Idon'tseemy selffall
i
nginlov
eagai n.Never
.AndIneedto
haveat al
kwit
hthatbustardwhomol est
edmyr ose.Byt al
kweal lknowwhatImean. NonoI
won'tpull
aThornonhim, I
'l
lj
ustt or
turehim andinv i
teMbal it
owat ch.
buthowwi l
lIdothat
whil
stI'
m busyent
ertai
ninggirl
s.Aknockdisturbsme. Whatfuckeryisthisit
's6inthemorni
ng

Me:
"Goaway
"

Li
tt
lev
oice:
"I
t'
smeMbal
i
"

Me:
"St
il
l.
goaway
"

Ican'
tfaceheraf
termi
sunder
standi
ngher,sheget
sinany
way
.Onherhandshehasagr
eeni
sh
shake.
Iwonderwhoisgoi
ngtodrinkthat
Her
:"
Mor
ning.
Ibr
oughty
out
her
emedyt
oyourhangov
er"

Me:
Ifacet
heot
herdi
rect
ion"
Idon'
twanti
tnowpl
easel
eav
e"

Her
:"
Notunt
ily
oudr
inkt
his"

Me:
"JUSTGO"
IsnapandIr
egr
eti
timmedi
atel
y"I
'
m sor
ry"

Her :
"I
t'
sf i
ne.Butwhaty oumustknowi sweallcareforyou, dri
nkingyourlif
eawaywi l
lnotsolve
what everissueyouhav e.
Ori
sitsti
ll
aboutme? thatibrokey ourhear t
?ift
hat'
ssot henI'm sorr
y
forgiveme. Butyourmom isworri
edy ourbr
otheriswor r
iedandy ou'regetti
nguswor r
ied
too.LookIneedy outogetupfr
om thatbedandf etchyourl i
fe,
thisisnottheNsikaIknow, he
woul dstandhi sgroundandconquertheworld.
I'
llbeexercisinginthegy m.ButIdon'tknowi fI
candot hatalonesopleasecanyoujoinme? "

Shej
ustupl
i
ftedmysoul
,
andt
hosebugbugey
esIcannotr
efuse

Me:
"Fi
ne"

Shepunchesi
ntheai
r

Her
:"
Sowhatdoy
out
hink,
woul
dIbeagoodcounci
l
lorort
her
api
st?
"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Ser
iousl
ywheny
oucamei
nIhadal
ready

changedmymi
nd,
soy
oudi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngatal
lsweet
y"

Shecov
ershermouthandgrabsthecov
ersandhi
tmyheadasi
fshe'
sknocki
ng,
Igetupand
runt
omywal ki
nclosetIcomeoutweari
ngmygym cl
othes

Me:
"Let
'
sseewhohast
hemostener
gy"

shel
aughs

Her
:"
Weshal
lseemyki
ng"

Imissedthis,
bei
nghappy.
butf
ornowI'
dsayfriendshi
piswhatwebui
l
dingnotl
ove.
thosewal
l
s
hav
ecl oseduphighformeandI'
m sur
eforhertoo

Coul
dn'
tsl
eep.
her
esal
i
ttl
esomet
hing

#Lov
eMandy
I
NSERT35

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

TWODAYSLATER.
.MeandNsi
kahav
ebeensocl
ose,
l
ikebef
orebutonl
ythi
sti
mei
t'
spur
ely
fr
iendshi
p.

MissSl
ayerisnowlivi
ngwi t
hus,movedinYezwe'
sRoom.Maki
ngshotsandcur
rent
lychangi
ng
thepal
aceapparent
lyintopari
sdesi
gn.Sheact
sli
keaqueenofthi
scastl
e,
Maki
ngtheliv
esof
aboZaneleali
vi
nghell.Aski
ngthem t
omakesushi,
towasherpant
ies,
dohermani
cureand
pedi
cureasifwerunningaspahere.Arg

Yezwedi
dn'
tev
enexplai
nany
thi
ngt
ome,
andqui
tef
rankl
yIdon'
tcar
e,asIsai
dit
'
snowabout
meandmybaby.f
ini
sh

I
t'
s19:05asIgodownst
air
stoeatdi
nner
.Isi
tonmyusual
spotwhi
chi
snextt
othe"
Real
Queen"nott
hewannabe.

Andtheycomegigglyandgloomy,
MeandThequeenl
ookateachotherthenbackatt
hem.They
composethemselv
esandt akeaseat
.Nsi
kaf
oll
owsandsi
tsdowntoo.Thefoodisal
lsetonthe
tabl
e.

MeandThequeensaygr
aceast
heydugi
n.

Nkosi
:Cl
ear
shisthr
oat
"SoooIwantt
oshar
esomenews"
I'
venev
erseenhi
m smi
l
eli
ket
his,
l
ike
heissomeclown

Nsi
ka:
"Dudey
ouokey
?"asksf
rowni
ng

Nkosi
:
"Yheawhy
?..
.Any
wayasIsai
dIgotsomegoodnews"

west
areathi
m

Queen:
"Oooohoutwi
thi
tal
ready
!"demandi
ngv
oice

Nsi
ka:
"Wear
epr
egnant
"hol
dingSl
ayshand

Iwantt ol
aughbutIhol
dit
,TheQueenbeat
smet oit
.Ar
gHernameisNandiIcan'
tbealway
s
call
ingherQueenthi
sQueenthat.
AnywayQueenNandil
aughsl
i
keshe'
scrazy,
IChuckl
ea
bit
,Nsikaput
shishandsonhisfor
ehead

Nsi
ka:
"Whatf
ucker
yist
his!
GoodSat
an(
Shaki
nghi
shead)
.Mybr
otherar
eyouokey
?"

Honest
lyt
hisi
sfucker
yindeed,
act
ual
l
yscr
atcht
hat
,t
hisi
sMsooner
y.She'
sbeenher
efor3day
s
andnowshe'
spr
egnant
?my
behe'
sbewi
tchedt
obel
i
evet
hatbutI
'
m aguest
,l
etmezi
pit
.

QNandi
:
"Enoughwi
thj
okescanweeatnow?
"

Nkosi
:
"Mom I
'
m ser
ious"

QNandi
'
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onssuddenl
ychanged

QNandi:
"Uthet
hangantoni
?Undixelel
aukubalolooooNondi
ndwankoroyiumithi
umtanakho?(Whatareyout
alki
ngabout ?Youtel
li
ngmethissl
uti
spregnantwi t
hyourchi
l
d?)
She'
sbeenher eforwhat3days,andshe'
spregnant?
Howmanyweeks, Days?
"

She'
sXhosa?
whywasn'
tIt
old.
Ial
sogott
hatMode.
OhI
'
dli
ket
oher
etheweekpar
t

Nkosi
:
"She'
soneweekpr
egnant
!"

Ibur
stoutl
aughi
ng,
I
tisconf
ir
medHei
sbewi
tched

QNandi
:Laughi
ngcl
appi
ngherhands"
1week?
"

Nkosi
:
"Can'
tyouguy
sbehappyf
orme?
"

QNandi
:
"Iminci
l
iyant
oni
kakadeakusi
ngowakhol
amnt
ana(
Happyf
orwhatwhent
hatbabyi
s
noty
ours)
"

Nkosi
:
"Soy
ouj
ustgoi
ngt
olaughabouti
t"

Nsi
ka:
shookhishead"
I'
m disappoi
ntedinyoubr
other
.It
houghty
ouwer
ethewi
seonebutI
'
m
waysmart
erthenyoufrom nowon"sippi
ngonhisbeer

Sl
ay:
"Ar
gBaby
,don'
tl
ist
ent
othem.
Thi
sisy
ourbaby
"br
ushi
ngherf
igur
e

QNandi
clapsherhandsdef
eat
ed

Weal
lkeepqui
etast
heyl
eav
eusatt
het
abl
e,l
ooki
ngf
uri
ous

Me:
"Doy
oubel
i
evei
nwi
tchcr
aft
?"IaskQNandi

QNandi:
"Eweandl
oowam umnt
wanauy
iVi
cti
myaboubugqwi
ha(
Yes.
Andmysoni
sthev
ict
im
ofwi
tchcraf
t)"

Ipi
tyf
orhi
m shame.
Butt
hisi
shi
smomentt
obehear
tbr
okent
oo

Ishoul
dmov eout,
sinceIhaveahouseinmyname.Ineedt
ocallt
helawyert
ocl
ari
fyafew
thi
ngsforme,mybeI'
llal
sogetaccesst
othehousewhenI'
m 23asfat
hersai
daboutt
hose
fact
ori
esweown.

6MONTHSLATER
FEBRUARYIgav ebi
rt
htomybabygi rl
,Themostbeautifult
hingev er,
ast hedoctordi
schargesus
IputonthenecklaceI'
vekeptforher
.Goshshe'smyev ery
thing,Shelooksj ustli
kemebutt he
earsandlipsar
eMangal i
so'
s.Ihol
dhertinyhandsIsmileandv owI '
l
l beagoodmot her.
At ear
escapesasIthinkoftheti
mewher eshewi l
laskmewhoherf at heris.Becauseitwi
l
lsure
come.Nsikafet
chedusandQNandi washappyt oseeus.Wellthebabynotme.

QNandi
:
"Whati
shername?
"

Me:
"Lesedi
Joy
"

QNandi
:
"Whati
nspi
redt
hosenames?
andar
en'
tyouZul
u?"

Me:
"Iam ZuluMah..
..
Lesedi
meansLi
ght
(Igr
in)
shei
smyl
i
ght
,shewi
l
lbr
ight
enmyl
i
fe,
Shewi
l
l
bemyJoy ,
Myworld"

Nsi
ka:
"Ncoor
hsocut
e"

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Nsi
ka:
"Noty
ou.
.Her
"

Me:
"Iseeshe'
sst
eal
i
ngmyspot
li
ghtnow"

TheyChuckl
e.

Nkosi
andSl
ayshowup,
wal
ki
ngl
i
keapengui
n.Shesay
sshe'
sduei
n2mont
hs.
.

SowhenIwas4mont
hsshewas1weekpr
egnant
,nowshe'
sgi
vi
ngbi
rt
haf
terme?hi
l
ari
ous.

Nkosi
:
"Idi
dn'
tknowt
henewmemberhasar
ri
ved,
canIhol
dher
"

Inod,
Slayhol
dshi
m of
fashewasaboutt
ohol
dJoy

Sl
ay:
"Whatdoy
out
hinky
oudoi
ng?
"

Nkosi
:
"Hol
dingt
hebaby
,wel
comi
ngher
"shr
ugs

Sl
ay:
"Youwi
l
ldonosuch,
youwi
l
lfi
rsthol
dyour
sthenher
s"

Nkosi
:
"Butmi
nei
sst
il
li
nsi
dey
ou!
?"

Sl
ay:
"JustdoasIsay
"

Nkosi
:
"Fi
ne"

Sl
ay:
"Iwantchi
ckenwi
ngs"

Nkosi
:
"I'
l
ltel
lthedr
ivert
ogogeti
tfory
ou"

Sl
ay:
"NoIwanty
out
odot
hat
"
Nkosi
:
"But
..
."

Sl
ay:
"Not
hebabywant
syout
obuyt
hem"

Theydi
sappeart
otheki
tchenar
gui
ng

Weal
ll
ookateachot
herl
aughi
ng

Me:
"Shei
ssowr
ong"

QNandi
:
"Mypoorson"

Nsi
ka:
"Oncet
hebabyi
sbor
nhewi
l
lseei
t'
snothi
s..
AndOoohncncncIf
eel
sor
ryf
orMi
ssSl
ay"

IChuckl
e

Me:
"Onl
yIcal
lhert
hat
"

QNandi
:
"Enoughy
out
oo.
.Mbal
igogetsomer
est
,y
ouneedi
taf
tert
hegoodwor
k"

Ismil
e,
andki
ssmybabygoi
ngtomyr oom.
.Godhasbeenblessi
ngmeoneoftheseday
s,
not
hingbadhappenedt
omeatal
landI'
mtrul
ygreat
ful
.i
sleeponmythought
s

"
WHEREI
SSHE"
..
."
WHEREI
SMYBABY"
..
."
PLEASEHELPMEFI
NDMYBABY"

Iwakeupsweati
ngandcr y
ingandreali
seitwasadr
eam.
.Iqui
ckl
ygetof
fthebedt
olookf
or
her
.If
indQNandihol
dingherontherocki
ngchair
.

QNandi
:
"Youl
ookt
err
ibl
e,
whati
sit
?"

Me:
"Ihadabaddr
eam"

QNandi
:
"OhMnt
anam i
twasj
ustadr
eam"

Ishookmyhead

Me:
"Nousual
l
ywhatIdr
eam comest
rue"

QNandi
:
"Whatwast
hedr
eam about
?"

Me:
"Idr
eamtJoywasmi
ssi
ng"

QNandi
:
"Thatwoul
dnev
erhappen,
wehav
eti
ghtsecur
it
yher
esodon'
tst
ressy
our
sel
f"

My
beshe'
sri
ght
,butt
hatdoesn'
tmeanI
'
lll
etmygui
dedown.

Thenextday,IwakeuptoLesedicr
ying,
Iputheri
nmyarmsandtakeoutmybreast
,and
breast
feedher.
Shesucksonitli
keherli
fedependsoni
t.
..
Obv
iousl
yitdoesv
ele.
.

QNandigetsi
nhol
dingababybat
htub,
Put
sitonmybedandt
est
sthet
emper
atur
eoft
hewat
er
wi
thherelbow.
Wel
lIdidn'
tknowt
hat.
Shet
akesLesedi
from meandst
ri
pshernaked

QNandi
:
"Somebodydi
damess,
Hmhhmhhmhsmel
l
sli
ket
her
ewasaskunki
nher
e"

Me:
Chuckl
i
ng"
Idi
dn'
tev
ennot
iceshepooped"

QNandi
:
"That
'swhyy
ouneedme"

Ismi
l
e

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Her
:"
Ohst
opnow.
..
Inev
ergotachancet
ohav
eababygi
rl
"

Me:
"You'
dli
keone?
"

Her
:"
Yes.
I'
dlov
eone"

Inod

Shebat
hsher
,Iwast
oldt
oal
sodot
hesame.

WhenIcomeoutoftheshowert
heyar
egone.If
ini
shweari
ngcl
otheswhenIhearapi
erci
ngwai
l
cr
acki
ngthewal
ls.
Iqui
cklyr
untothel
oungewhereIf
indNandi
weeping

Me:
"Mahwhat
'swr
ong"

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ry"
cry
ing

Me:
"Wher
e'sLesedi
Mah"
Iaskl
ooki
ngar
ound

Shegi
vesmeapi
eceofpapert
hathadakni
fet
hroughi
t.
wri
tt
eni
nbol
dlet
ter
s.Ir
eadi
tand
scr
eam..
..
..
.

WAREHOUSEI
NSWATI
NI

Awomanwalksi
nwi
thherbi
gbel
l
y,andanot
herwomanwhol
ostherbabyatbi
rt
hmeetwi
th
t
hepr
egnantl
ady
.

Women1:
"It
oldy
ouI
'
llbr
ingy
ouachi
l
ddi
dn'
tI?
"

Women2:
Taki
ngt
hechi
l
dsmi
l
ing"
IknewIcoul
dcountony
ouGee
Gee:
"Nowwher
eiswhatIaskedf
or?
"

Women2:
"I
nthebr
ief
case"

Gee:
"Gr
eathowi
sitused?
"

Women2: "
Justadroponwhat
everhewi
l
lbedr
inki
ng,
you'
l
lseehewon'
tnot
icet
hedi
ff
erence
he'
l
ljustseeitashi
s"

Gee:
Smi
l
ed"
Thanky
ou"

Thewomenwhobr
oughtt
hebabyl
eftt
hewar
ehousef
eel
i
nghappyasev
er.

Women2:
Tal
kingt
oherguar
ds"
Secur
ethi
spl
ace,
makesur
enoonedi
stur
bsme.
Ineedt
ohav
e
amomentwi
thmydaught
er"

Guar
ds:
"YesBossLady
"

Women2:
"AndCal
lmyhusbandt
ocomebackt
oSwat
ini
becauseI
'
minl
abour
,Tel
lhi
m Ineed
hi
m"

Oneguar
dresponded:
"ButBossLadywhyshoul
dwel
i
etot
hebi
gboss"

Thewoment
akesouthersni
perandshoott
heguyonhi
sfor
ehead

Women2:
"Any
onewhowant
stodi
sagr
eewi
thme?
"

Theykeptqui
et

Thewomendi
sappear
edt
other
oom.

I
NSERT36

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

Crushed,
Ifeell
ikemysouli
sbei
ngdraggedoutofmybody.
I'
m hurtbeyondmer
ger
s.Iwi
pemy
tear
sit'
sbeen3day swit
houtmydaughterbei
ngfound.
Whowouldstealmychi
l
dandwhy ?
why
notmesi nceIhaveagi
ft.
Noanswers.
All
Idoisprayandcrythesedays.
ButtodayIdeci
dedIwi
l
llookformychil
d.Ient
er
t
heloungeweari
ngblacktr
acksui
tsandNikeSnicker
s.Theyt
urnmyway,Iobser
veal
lofthem as
t
heygazeatme.Pit
ythat'
swhatsmellsi
ntheroom.

Myfocusi
sfi
xedonslay
,ther
e'ssomet
hingaboutherwhenImakeey
econt
actwi
thher
,she'
d
l
ookawayandgetagi
tat
ed.

QNandi
:
"Wher
ear
eyouoft
ooMnt
anam?
"

Me:
"Tol
ookf
orLesedi
"

QNandi
:
"Doy
ouwantNs.
..
.

Me:
"NoIwi
l
lgoal
one,
don'
twor
ryy
our
sel
ves"
Igooutbef
oret
heysayany
thi
ngf
urt
her
.

Ideci
deItakeawalki
nst
eadoft
hecar.
Ient
erev
eryhousehol
dIcomeupon,
aski
ngi
ftheyhad
seenherasIshowedapi
ctur
eofher
.

Butnolucknothing,
i
t'
s13:
01andI'mfeel
i
nghungry,
asI'
m abouttocr
osst
herobot
,abl
ackvan
stopsbyandtwoguy spi
ckmeupt othecar
,t
heyputonbalacl
avaonmyhead,
IScr
eamedthe
topofmylungs,andbamm I'
m hi
tatt
hebackofmyheadandi t'
sli
ght
sout
.

I
'
m wokenupbycoldwaterwhichmakemeshi ver.
I'
mt i
edinthechai
r,
Idon'
tknowhowmany
t
imesI'
vebeenki
dnapped,
Formygiftr
eal
lyit
'sstar
tingtoannoymeTheyremovethebal
acl
ava.
I
l
ookatever
yonesoonowev enwhi
tepeoplewantmygi ft?
Heyake.

Theonewi
thal
ongbl
ackcoat
,looki
ngy
ummy
,spokel
ooki
ngatme

Man1:
"Ant
oni
o?"

Man2:
"Señor
(si
r)
"

Man1:
"GoodzWor
k,Magni
fi
cent
"t
ouchi
ngmycheeks

Man2:
"Gr
ací
as(
Thanky
ou)

Ohsot
heyspeaki
ngSpani
sh,
wel
lIknowat
hingort
wo

Man1:
"BuenosNoches(
Goodev
eni
ng)
"

Whoam Iki
ddi
ngIdon'
tknowSpani
shpshh

Man3:
"Shedoesn'
tunder
standsi
r"

Man1:
"OhIsee,
Isai
dgoodev
eni
ng"

Ist
areatt
hem,
theseone'
sI'
m sur
etheygoi
ngt
oki
l
lme

Man1:
"Mel
l
amo(
Mynamei
s)Jav
ierHer
nandez
"
Iunder
stoodt
hat

Me:
"Whyam Iher
e"

Al
lthr
eeoft
hem l
ookateachot
her

Man1:
"Wellwewontsomet
hingf
rom y
ou,
i
nexchangeofwhoty
ouhav
elost
"Hesay
sspeaki
ng
i
naSpanishAscent

Me:
"Youar
etheoneswhot
ookmybaby
?"

Man1:
"No,
Butweanhel
pyouf
indher
"

Me:
"Whati
sitt
haty
ouneed?
"I'
mtoodesper
atet
ohearmydaught
er'
scr
y,I
'
ddoany
thi
ng

Man1:Smil
es"Smart
"hewal
ksar
oundtothetabl
ebehi
ndmeandcomesbackhol
dinga
pi
ctur
e,heshowsitt
ome.Andit
'sYezwe.
Huh?

Me:
"What
?Whydoy
ouhav
eYezwe'
sPi
ctur
e?"

(
X)Jav
ier
:"
Becausei
tishewewont
"

Me:
"Whyi
sthatso?
"

Jav
ier
:Chuckl
es"
Hest
olewhotwasmi
ne!
"

Me:
"Whi
chwas?
"

Jav
ier
:"
Ican'
ttel
lyout
hatnow.
..
.Weneedt
otr
ainy
ouf
ort
hismi
ssi
on"

Me:
"Tr
aini
ng?
Lookt
imei
srunni
ng,
andIneedt
ofi
ndmydaught
er"

Jav
ier
:"
Shhh.
..
wor
rynotBeaut
if
ulSeñor
it
a(Mi
ss)
Wor
rynot
..
..
.Unt
ieher
"

Theydi
dast
old,
Il
ookatmywr
ist
stheyar
ered

Jav
ier
:"
Shal
lwe"
say
spoi
nti
ngt
othedoor

Iwal
ktothedoor
,andwasledt
othecar.
ThecarLedustotheBeaut
if
ulhousest
il
li
nSwat
ini
,
Big
andBeaut
if
ulmorethent
hepal
ace.
Thishousetakesacup.

Javi
eropensthest
ealal
umini
um bi
gdoor
,Igeti
nandt
her
ear
epeopl
eseat
edatt
hedi
nner
tabl
e,
6ofthem.4malesandTwowomen

Jav
ier
:"
Hol
a(Hel
l
o)"

Them:
"Hol
aJav
ier
,whoy
oumi
ghtbewi
th?
"

Jav
ier
:"
Sitdown"
Idoast
oldt
heboy
sinher
ear
ehooooot
.

Womenspeaks:
"Whoi
sshe?
"ShehasaSpani
shAscentbuty
oucant
ell
she'
sZul
u/Swat
ihence
t
heyi
nSwat
ini
.

Jav
ier
:"
Mom,
Thi
sisChar
lot
te"

Man:
"OhTheBeaut
if
ulseñor
it
aChel
e(Cel
e)"

Ismi
l
e,andWhi
spert
oJav
ier

Me:
whi
sper
ing"
Wheni
sthet
rai
ningst
art
ing"

Hel
ooksatmef
orawhi
l
e

Gi
rl
:"I
'
mI sabel
l
a,ThesearemybrothersMarcos,
Mat
eo,
Cher
eki
n,
Myf
atherMrHer
nandezandmy
MotherMrsHernandez"poi
nti
ngatthem onebyone

Me:
"Muchogust
o(Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou)
"

Theyl
ookatmeast
oni
shed,
per
hapsbecauseIj
ustspoket
hei
rlanguage,
that
'st
hel
astt
imeI
bi
temytongue.

Weconv ersedov
erexqui
si
tedi
shes,
Iwon'tevennamethem.
becauseI
'veal
readyfor
gott
en
them.Mateohasbeeneyei
ngmesinceIgotin,Per
hapsil
ookl
ikehisl
onglostgi
rl
fri
end.
argI
don'thav
et i
metofl
ir
t,
soidon'
tent
ert
ainhisgaze.

"
Nyweeeny
weeeeny
weee"
ababycr
yingMr
sHer
nandezqui
ckl
yget
supt
ocheckont
hebaby
.

Me:
"Ther
e'sababyher
e?"

MrHernandez:"
Sí(
Yes)
mybabypr
incess,
shecameher
eyest
erday
,Letmegocheck"
hest
ands
upgoi
ngupst ai
rs

I
sabel
l
a:"
SoanyBoy
fri
end?
oooooorgi
rl
fr
iend?
"ci
rcl
i
nghergl
asswi
thherf
ingert
ip

Jav
iergr
absmyhand,
andt
heguy
slaugh

Wegeti
nsi
det
hebedr
oom,
het
urnsont
hel
i
ght
s.M ARVELOUSHEAVEN

Me:"Dar
nit,
Beauti
fuldesi
gns"
Itouchthebedandthewal
l
,goi
ngt
oanensui
tebat
hroom.
Thi
s
houseisgoals.
Onedaymyhousewi ll
lookli
kethi
s.

Icomebackt
othebedr
oom,
Towi
tnesst
heBl
acksui
tcase

Me:
"What
'si
nher
e?"
Isayopeni
ngi
tandIgaspatseei
ngt
heset
hings

Javi
er:
"Thesear
eyourr
esour
cesyou'
l
lusetotr
ain,
Tomor
rowmor
ningat5ber
eady
"hewal
ks
outandcomesback"ohanddon'
tpul
lthegr
anade"

Me:
"I
fIdo?
"

Jav
ier
:Hel
aughs"
You'
l
lpayf
oral
lthesedesi
gnsy
ouwer
epr
aisi
ng"
goesout
.I
m ani
diotI
wat
chedsomanymov
iesbutnev
ernot
icedt
her
e'sakeyt
opul
l
.

Il
ookatal
lthesei
temsandsi
gh.
i'
m doi
ngt
hisf
ory
oubabyIki
ssherpi
ctur
eonmyphone.

Ir
eadt
henameswr
it
ten"

ASigSauerP365SAS,
Col
tcompeti
ti
onseri
es70Two-Tone45ACP5, WWI IM2HB"Okeywow
t
hesenamesar emaki
ngmedizzy
,whycan'
ttheyj
ustwr
it
e"Guns"orPist
ols.

Itakethegunandpoi
nti
ttot
hemi r
rorandmurmur"
Bhaaa"
.I
tsui
tsmeact
ual
l
y,Ishoul
dst
eal
thisgunforf
utur
eusesi
nceI
'm goi
ngtobet
rayYezwe.
Hehaddonesomuchformet r
uebut
thisi
smychi l
dwetal
ki
ngabout
,AndI'
ddoanythi
ngtosaveher
.

It
akeashowerandPr
ayf
ormyLesedi
.

"OhPunki
epi
ear
en'
tyouBeaut
if
ul,
Yesy
ouar
e(AsIhol
dthebaby
,Mr
sHer
nandezt
ookher
qui
ckl
y)"

Thesedr
eams,
WhywasIdr eamingofMrsHernandez
?Idi
dn'
tgettoseet
hef
aceoft
hebabyi
n
mydreamsbutI
.recogni
sedthecryoft
hebabyIdon'
tknowwhere.

JAVI
ER(
Dimi
tr
i)

Wel l
Char l
otte,
Shei sabraveone.Ili
kewomenwhogof orwhattheywant,
ittur
nsmeon. My
namei sJav i
erHer nandez,
Igobyt henameofDi mitr
i,
Mygr andmothernamedmeshewasa
Russian.Il
ikeitmor e.
I'
m 25ofage,mybr other
'sar
eolderthenme, mysist
erisyoungerandwe
recentl
yhadanewmember .ThatbabyIdon'tknowhowi tl
ookslikeMbalibutitdoes.
Ther
e's
somet hi
ngMot herisnottel
li
ngus,My be.
..
.No.

AnywaymeandLuci f
erakaBukhosi ,Wemeti nBogotaCol ombiawewer einchurch,t
hesatani
c
church,OhNoI '
m notsatanic,Ij
usthappenedtofindmy sel
finthatplace.
wet henstar
tedbeing
part
nersi nafewDr ugcartelsbutthenhebet r
ayedmeandmadet hem allhi
s.NowIwantt hem
back,al
l oft
hem andt heonlywayt othati
si fweuseChar l
ottetomakehi m signt
het r
ansfer
for
ms. Butbefor
et hatwehav et otr
ainherjusti
ncasethingsgosout hbecauseIknowt hatguy
i
sSat an'scousi
n,Ihavenotseenhi mr ef
orm butwastoldhei sworserthenhisbrother.

Wel
lwor
rynotDi
mit
ri
,y
ougoi
ngt
ogett
hatmot
her
fucker
.

I
tis5am now,
Iwal
kovertoChar
lott
e'sr
oom she'
sfastasl
eep.
Iputi
ceinsi
deherpant
y,i
nher
v
agina.
I'
veseenmanypussi
esbefor
esot hi
smustn'
tscareherhowthosei
cecubesgotther
e.

Shewakesupal
mosti
mmediat
elyhol
dingherv
agi
na,
shel
ooksatme.
Ishout"
WAKEOP"
.She
movesfr
om t
hebedandt
akeoutthei
cecubes
Her
:"
Whatt
hehel
lman,
wast
hatpar
toft
het
rai
ning?
"

Me:"
Unf
ortunat
elySí
,
comewi
thme"
shef
oll
owsmet
otheunder
groundwar
ehouse,
whi
chwe
t
urnedi
ntoagym.

It
akeoffmyshi
rt
,fol
l
owedbymyv est
,Shestar
tsgett
ingscar
ed.
Idi
dhearherhi
stor
yofbei
nga
vi
cti
m ofr
apei
t'
sunderst
andabl
ewhyshe'sact
ingl
ikethi
s.

Me:"
It
'sokey
,I
'm notgoi
ngtodoanyt
hingtoyou.Wel
lmaybeafewblueeyes(
Ilaughandst
opas
shefr
owned)Whaty out
hinkweher
etoplay?
y ougotanot
hert
hingcomi
ng,Nowpunchme"

IsayasIgoar
oundwi
thmyf
ist
smov
ingi
ntheai
r.

Shegi
vesmeali
ghtpunchonmychest
,andaner
voussmi
l
e.Ipunchherj
awst
odayshe'
samen
notawomen.

Me:
"Punchmel
i
key
oupunchi
ngaper
sonwhost
olesomet
hingdeart
oyou"

Sheslowlylooksmywayhol
dingherj
aws,Fuckshe'
sbl
eedi
ngasI
'
m aboutt
oat
tendherl
i
ttl
e
i
njur
y,Igetapunchonmyeyeandanotheroneonmynose

Her
:"
Looksl
i
keI
'
mtheonet
ogi
vey
ouabl
acknotbl
ueey
e"shewi
pesherbl
ood.

Me:
"I
t'
son"

NSI
KA

I'
vebeentryingMBALI 'sphonebuti tgoesstraightt
ov oicemai l
,shedidn'tsleepher
ey esterday
whichmadeusal lworried.
Myguy shavetri
edl ooki
ngforhert racksandt heysayablackv an
tookherbuti tdi
dn'thaveanumberpl at
e,soitmadei thardf orust olocateher,i
hopeshei sfi
ne
wher ev
ershei s.
SlaybringsajuiceforNkosi,she'sbeengi vinghim everydayandwar m mi l
k.The
otherdayIwasaboutt odrinkthemi l
klefti
nt hekit
chencount erbutshecameandat tackedme
sayingImustgetawi fetowarm mymi l
k.Nowsomet hingi snotrighthere,andIneedtogett o
thebottom ofit.
Mybr otherhast ur
nedintoaYesMen, Whi chisnotusual

TheNkosi
Iknowwouldneverl
etawomencont
rolhi
m butthi
sisr
eal
l
ynew,
shedi
dsomet
hing
onmybrother
.Iwal
kov
ertowheret
heyar
eandgrabthejui
ce

Sl
ay:
"Whatt
hef
uck?
"

Mom:
"Noti
nmyhouse"
Sl
ayr
oll
sherey
es

Sl
ay:
"That
'sNkosi
'
sJui
cewhati
sitwi
thy
ou"

Me:
"Wel
lI'
mthi
rst
ysowhynotdr
inki
t"

asIpl
aceitonmyli
ps,shepushedi
tandi
tbr
okei
ntopi
eces.Def
ini
tel
ysur
ether
ewas
somet
hingonthatj
uice

Nkosi
:
"Nsi
kamywi
femadet
hatj
uicef
ormewhyt
akei
t?"

Nsi
ka:
"Whydi
dshepusht
hegl
asst
ofal
l
?"

Nkosi
:
"Becausei
twasmeantf
ormest
upi
d,

babycomei
nnott
hir
styany
mor
e"

Theyv
ani
shupst
air
s

Imakeacal
ltoshenge

"
CanIpopupt
her
etomor
row,
wehav
easer
iouspr
obl
em wi
thmybr
other
"

Iendt
hecal
l
.Thi
sbi
tchi
sgoi
ngt
opay

I
NSERT37

•
°

•
°

•
°

NSI
KA

Thef
oll
owi
ngdayIv
isi
tedShenge,
i
twasn'
tsohar
dtof
indhi
m,It
houghti
t'
dbehar
d.

Igoti
nandcl
appedmyhandst
wice,
that
'
swhatt
heboyt
oldmet
odo.

Hel
ookedmywayandsmi
l
ed.

Hi
m:"
Arhhatl
astIseey
ouwi
thmyowney
esandnoti
nmydr
eams"

Whatt
hef
uck?
ishegay
.

Hel
aughs.
.Thatwasn'
tfunny

Hi
m:"
I'
m notgayr
elax,
Idr
eamty
oubef
oresi
ncey
ou'
rer
elat
edt
oyourbr
other
"

Iexhal
einr
eli
ef
Me:
"Okeybaba,
buphuphani
ngami
(Whathady
oudr
eamtaboutme)

Hi
m:"
Yousai
dont hephoneitwasanemer
gency"
hesay
sbl
owi
ngt
hei
ncense(
Impepho)
t
owar
dsme.Ichokeatthesmokecomingf
rom i
t

Hi
m"Goodgoodgood.
..
..
(Hemi
xeshi
sher
bs)
Hehasbeenf
edl
ovepor
ti
on!
"

Me:
"What
?"

Him:"
Becausehelethi
sguarddownandtr
ustedthegi
rl
,Luci
ferwasn'
ti
nthepi
cture.
Nkosi
coul
dn'treadhermi
ndbecausehewasoccupiedbyagoodpussy,
notknowi
ngthatinthatsame
pussytheyhadbewit
chedhi
m..

Hel ov
edthatot
hergir
lyouli
vedwith,
butwhenhesleptwi
thThatot
herwomenhecouldn'
tev
en
rememberbeinginl
ovewithher.
.Hencehedidn'
tev
encaretoexpl
ainbecauset
hatwomenhad
dranksomethi
ngtotamehim"

Whatashocker
.soIwasr
ight
.t
hatbust
ard

Me:
"I
sthatbabyshe'
scar
ryi
nghi
schi
l
d?"

Hel
aughs

Hi
m:"
No"

Me:
"Good.
..
Sowhatmustwedot
ount
ameandunbewi
tchmybr
other
?"

Hegav
eme,
someMut
hit
hatl
ooksl
i
ket
reepeel
s

Hi
m: "
You'
l
lboi
li
tandletitsi
mmerabi
tti
l
lthewat
ert
urnsbr
ownt
henmakehi
m dr
inkandv
omi
t
i
t,
thenhemustbat
hinit"

What
?

Hi
m:"Nohewon'
tbat
honhi
svomi
t"
hel
aughsshaki
nghi
shead,
sohecanhearmyt
hought
s?
He'
sjustl
i
kemethen

Me:"
Ial
soneedtogetbackonmygame,
Ihaven'
tbeenreadi
ngmindssinceIdon'
tknowwhen
andthi
sot
herdayIwassooofr
eaki
ngangr
ybutIdidn'
tref
ormtoThorn"

Hi
m:"
That
'sbecausey
ouneedbl
ood"

Me:
"Bl
ood?
"

Hi
m:"
Theoney
ourcul
tal
way
sdr
ankev
erymont
h"

Shi
t!
!!

Me:
"Oh.
..
Isee"
Hi
m:"
Yes,
i
fyouwanti
tthengobackt
othem"

Iwi
l
ldonosuch

Inod,
andt
aket
heMut
hiandst
andupt
henIr
emembersomet
hinghesai
d!It
urnandask

Me:
"Whatdi
dyoumeanwheny
ousai
dHel
ovedt
hatgi
rlIl
i
vedwi
th?
"

Hi
m:"
Imeantj
ustt
hat
"heChuckl
eandshookhi
shead

Me:
"I
'm notpay
ingbyt
heway
"

Hi
m:"
Yourancest
orswon'
tbeHappy
"

Me:
"Fi
rstt
ell
mewhaty
oumeant
"

Hi
m:"
Hamba(
Go)
vel
eyourbr
otherpay
sev
erymont
hev
enwi
thoutconsul
ti
ngf
orhi
m"l
aughi
ng

Icl
i
ckmyt
ongueandl
i
vel
aughi
ngi
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
Whataj
erk.

Ispedoff,
thenIrememberedt hi
slastyearIreaddail
ysunnewspapers,
andanaccidenthad
occur
redher e.
Ient
ertheotherroadthatleadstothehousehol
ds,
Igetoffmycarandknockon
thefi
rstoneIsee.Achil
dcomesout ,7yearsIthi
nk.

Hi
m:"
Hy,
howcani
hel
p"

Me:
"I
'ml
ookingf
orahouse.
..
Uhm y
earagoawomanwashi
tbyacar
,doy
ouKnowwher
ethat
womanusedtol
ive?
"

Him:Henodsandpointsattheot
herbl
uehousenott
oof
arf
rom wher
eIam"
Kukwa
Chil
i
za(Chi
li
zahousehold)
"

Me:"
Ngyabonga(Thankyou)"
Itur
ntoli
vehegrabsmytr
ouser
sIt
urn,
hesignal
sMoneywi
thhi
s
t
inyhand.
Whatthehell
?!
Itakeout10centandl
aughwhi
legoi
ngl
i
vinghi
m angry.

Theseki
dsar
ecor
rupt
.

Idr
ivemycart
othatbl
uehouseandknock.

Abeaut
if
ulwomanopenst
hedoor
,Iswal
l
owhar
d.

Me:
"Ur
hm Hey
"Igi
veoutaner
vousChuckl
e.whati
swr
ongwi
thme!

Her
:"
HowcanIhel
pyoubhut
i?"

Me:
"I
sthi
stheChi
l
izahousehol
d?"

Her
:"
Yesandy
ouar
e?"

Me:
"Nsi
kay
ezweDl
ami
ni"
Hereyespopout
,andbowsherheadopeni
ngt
hedoorf
orme.
Wel
ll
ookatt
hatsheknowsme
andrespect
sme.

Igeti
nsi
det
het
wor
oom houseandsi
tont
hebench.
Theyhav
ethoseol
dTV'
sandchai
rsonl
y.

Sheseemsembar
rassedofherhome

Me:
"Don'
tbeembar
rassed,
Ihav
eli
vedl
i
ket
hisbef
oreandy
'al
lar
ebet
tert
henwhatIhad"

Anofmencomesoutwi
thawal
ki
ngst
ick

Me:"Whatdoy oumeanembar rassed?dowel ookthatpoor?ifwedot henpleaseleaveusi n

peace!whoareyout ojudgeandobser veourhousey oubloodyjackass"hesay sangryandthe
womenhasbeent ryi
ngt opokehim het urnst
oher" What?youhav ebeenpokingmeal lt
his
ti
me! ohhhhyoulovehimt henleavewithhim"Hawuwher edoesal lthatcomef rom,IChuckl
ea
bi
tbutnotshowi ngit.
Thewomenwhi sper sontheoldmenandt henhekneel sInfr
ontofme
apologizi
ng,
Imakehi m standandsitont heotherchai
r

Me:
"I
t'
sokey
,Iwasal
sor
udeI
'
m sor
ry"

Men:
"I
'm sor
ryyoungpr
inceIdi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
efr
om r
oyal
ty,
mydeepestapol
ogi
es"
weshake
oni
t"MrChil
iza"

Me:
"Ni
ceknowi
ngy
ouBaba"

Hi
m:"
Zamagomakeussomet
ea"

Me:
"Noi
t'
sfi
ne,
I
'mf
ull
"

henods

Hi
m:"
Whatbr
ingst
heki
ngt
oourhouse?
"

Me:
"Iwanttoapol
ogi
sef
or.
.wel
lur
hm onbehal
foft
her
oyal
fami
l
ywedi
dn'
tcomeandl
ayy
our
wi
fetorest
"

Hi
m:"
Ohnoi
t'
snopr
obl
em"

Me:"
Thekingwassupposedt
ocomebuthe'
sbusyatt
hemomentsoIt
houghtIshoul
dcome
andapol
ogize"

Him:
"It
'sokeymyson,
it
'sbeenal
ongti
menow"
hesay
slosti
nhi
sthought
s"Butwe'
reov
erher
deat
h,i
tlef
tushear
tbr
okenbutwe'
ll
li
ve"

Inod

Me:
"Wel
lbabaIwast
hinki
ngast
hewayofapol
ogi
zi
ngwecanbui
l
dyouahouse"

Hi
sey
espopout
Hi
m:"Nowe'r
efi
newi
thourspace,
i
tisj
ustme,
Mydaught
er,
GrandsonandSonaf
teral
lwe'
renot
abi
gf ami
l
y"

Me:"
I'
ll
buil
ditanyway,
A6r
oom"
Ist
andup"
AndIkeepmywor
d"Igooutandt
heWomen,
ZamaI
hadmusteredhername

shecal
l
soutmyname

Zama:
"Thanky
ousomuch"

Me:
"I
t'
sthel
eastIcoul
ddo!
"

Zama:
"Iusedt
owor
katt
hepal
acebutInev
ersawy
ou!
"

Me:"
Ohwe'r
ethereal
heirf
orthechi
eft
aincy
,Thepr
evi
ouski
nghadki
l
ledmyf
atherf
ort
he
t
hrone,
Youdi
dn'
tseethenewspaper
s?"

Zama:
"Idi
d,j
ustIdi
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t"

Me:
"Mhm okey
,I
'l
lgetgoi
ngnow"
..

Igeti
nthecar"
I'
ll
comebackj
ustdon'
trel
ocat
e"shel
aughsandnod.

Ispeedoffhome,
toconv
incemybr ot
hert
odot hei
nst
ructi
onsgi
venbyShenge,
wit
hthatwi
tch
byhissi
deIdoubtI'
l
lbesuccessf
ulini
tbuti
t'
sworthatry
.

MBALI

I
t'
s5am againmybodyissorefr
om yest
erday
,buttodayIwokeupformysel
fandweatthegym
now.Hetel
l
smet ostepi
ntothecoal
Ilookathim andburstoutl
aughi
ng,
toasuddenr
eali
sat
ion
he'
sseri
ous.Myeyesar
eallout

Me:
"Nowayy
ouki
ddi
ngwi
thmer
ight
"

Hi
m:"
Doesi
tlookl
i
kei
t?"

Me:
"Wel
lyheasi
nceI
'
m notdoi
ngi
t"

Hi
m:"
Finet
hen,
yourbabyi
sgoi
ngt
ober
aisedbysomeoneel
seandwon'
tknowy
ou"

IgetAngr
yinst
ant
ly,
Andst
epi
nthecoal
wit
hmySni
cker
s
Hi
m:"
Takeof
fthoseSni
cker
sandst
epi
nsi
dewi
thy
ourbar
efoot
"

Me:
Ist
artcr
ying"
Pleaseno"

Hi
m:"
Now"

Me:
"NoI
'
m notgoi
ngt
odoi
t,
I'
m sor
ry"

Hi
m:hesmi
l
es"
You'
resmar
t.
.Thatwasat
estandy
oupassedi
t"

Me:
"What
?"

Him:"
Youareyourownperson,
you'
renotper
suadedbyany
one.
Evenwhent
heybeatt
het
rut
h
outofyou,
youwon'tgi
vei
n"

Me:
"Oh"

Hi
m:"
Si.
.NowIneedt
oteachy
ouhowt
ohandl
eagunandhowt
ospeakSpani
sh"
Igetexci
ted

Me:
"Síseñor
(Yessi
r)
"

Hi
m:"
BuenosBuenosseñor
it
a(GoodgoodMi
ssy
)

Bynosewhatnow?

Me:
"Huh?
"

Hechuckl
es

hi
m:"
Isai
dgood"

Me:
"OhIknewt
hat
"

heshookhi
shead,
Goi
ngt
otheshoot
ingr
anget
hat
'
sint
hei
ryar
d

Hegivesmev
isi
blegl
assesandt
heearbl
ocker
sthatl
ookl
i
keheadphones,
andgi
vesmea
handgun

Him:"
Weart
heseearbl
ocker
sandgl
assest
henpoi
ntatt
hatr
oundt
hing,
scor
eatt
hemi
ddl
e"Ido
astol
d

Ipoi
ntatt
hemiddl
eandpul
lthet
ri
ggerandIf
all
,
Itur
ntohi
mlaughi
ngatme.
ist
andupand
noti
ceImi
ssed.

Hecomesmywayandt
ell
smehowt
ost
and

Andt
henIpul
lthet
ri
gger
.t
hist
imeIdon'
tfal
landIhi
tneart
hemi
ddl
e

•
•

Sor
ryAmi
gosI
'
llpostanot
heri
nser
tlat
er

I
NSERT38

•
°

•
°

•
°

ZAMA

I'
vebeent hinkingaboutNsi ka,t
her e'snodayt hatpasseswithoutmet hinkingofhi m,It
hinkI
mightjustseducehi m,heseemsl i
keani ceguyandakeepert oo.Theyact uallyl
ooksoal ikewi
th
hisbrother,
Icoul djustbefri
endNsi kaanddat ethekinghimselfNkosi.WhatIdon' tli
keabout
Nkosi i
shisAur aandt heSilv
ertoot hhehas.Jisauraissodarky oucanseedi ff
erentshadows
walkingwithhi m.I'
m kiddingInev ermethi m.(Sigh)I
'mlef
twithLanga'schi l
dbutnowhe' sno
l
ongeraki ng, soAphi we(Myson) i
susel esstome. Hehasn'
tmethi sfathery etandhe'sbeen
askingme" Mot heristhatmyf ather ?"
poi
nti
ngatEv ery
manwemeett hinki
ngt heyhisfather
nxa.He's8y earsol dandt oosmar tf ormyliki
ng. Her
eheiscomi ngbackf r
om school ,
Iwonder
what '
snewt oday.

Aphi
we:
"ZAAAAAAAMAAAA"

Il
ookathi
m

Me:
"I
'mi
nfr
ontofy
ouwhyy
oushout
ing?
"

Aphi
we:
"We'
rePoor
"

Me:
"Youaski
ngort
ell
i
ngme?
"

Aphiwe:"
I'
mtel
li
ngy ou"
Hethr
owshi
sbegonthechair
sandtakesouthi
sshoes"
Lookatmy
shoesithasahole,
Youseewepoor
,doy
ouli
kebeingpoorZama?"

Me:
"It
oldy
oucal
lmeMom,
notZama"

Aphi
we:
"Whatdi
ff
erencedoesi
tmake,
huhwe'
repooraf
teral
l
"

Me:
"Wher
eisal
lthi
sPoort
opi
ccomi
ngf
rom"

Aphi
we:"
Atschoolt
heyt
oldmewepoor
"Hegoest
ochangehi
suni
for
m andcomesback
"
Bye"her
unsofftoGodknowswher
e

Ishookmyhead,
Ithi
nkImusttakehi
mt ohi
sfat
her,
Ican'
tdothis,
andbesi
desthi
schi
l
dis
goingt
orui
nmyplansofgett
ingtheKi
ng.Hecomesbackat18:08looki
ngli
keapig

Me:
"Whathappened?
"
Aphi
we:
"Igotusf
oodZama,
cook"
Hedr
agsagoati
nsi
de,
Ohnot
hischi
l
d

Me:
"WHEREDI
DYOUGETTHI
SGOATWENA"
I'
m sof
uri
ouswi
tht
hiski
d

Aphi
we:"
Noneedtoshout,
deepdownIknowy
ouwanttoeati
t!
..
..
ifi
tmakesy
ouf
eel
bet
terI
st
olei
tfr
om t
hathousethathast
hatki
dwhosai
dI'
m poor
"

Hegoesandt
urnsont
heKet
tl
e

Aphi
we:
"OhheyMkhul
u"

Dadcomesi
nsi
de,
I
'm st
il
lseat
edont
hechai
rshocked,
he'
sat
hiefnow.

Dad:
"Whati
shappeni
ngher
e?who'
sgoati
sthi
s?"

Aphi
we:
"I
t'
sour
s,i
t'
sinourhousei
sn'
ti
t?"

Me:
"Hest
olei
t,
andki
l
ledi
tdad!
"Isayhel
plessl
y

Aphi
we:
"Iwasdoi
ngj
ust
inemom,
thatchi
l
dhumi
l
iat
edme"

Me:
"Just
iceAphi
wenotj
ust
ine"

Dad:
"Ar
hyoudi
dgoodmyson,
Cedr
icwi
l
lcomej
ustnowhe'
l
lhel
pcook"

Aphi
we:
"ButI
'
m hungr
ynowMkhul
u,
Now"

Hesay
swi
thhi
sfi
stsr
eadyt
opunchsomeone,
MrToughguymustl
eav
e.

Me:
"Gobat
h,bef
oreIki
cky
ourass"

Her
unswi
thwat
eri
nthedi
sht
otheot
herr
oom.

Thenmybr
othercomesi
ndr
unk

Me:
"Wher
edi
dyougett
hemoneyt
odr
inkl
i
ket
his"

Cedr
ic:
"EyeyShutupNxaaa"

Hegoestotheroom,andTellsAphi
wet ogetout
,Igeti
nIf
indAphi
weontopofhim,beat
inghim
onthechest
,Cedr
ici
sf astasl
eep,
ItakeAphi
wefrom Cedr
icandmovet
otheotherr
oom with
chai
r.

Me:
"YabowenaI
'
mtaki
ngy
out
otheor
phanage"

Aphi
we:
"Ar
etheypoort
her
e?"

IhopeNsikawi
l
lst
andbyhi
spr
omi
seofbui
l
dingusahouse,
sot
hatt
hischi
l
d'sment
ali
ty
changes.

•
•

MBALI

TheytoldmeIhavet r
ainedenough!
3daysonl
ytheycallt
hattr
aini
ng?HayitheseSpani
sh
peopl
e,Itol
dthem t
here'snoneedformetol
earnSpanishbecauseI'
dforgetitt
henext
day.
WhatIwantnowi smydaught er,
Ihav
en'
thaddreamssincethelastoneIhadofababy
cry
inginthi
shouse.

Thisyesterdaytheymademeki l
lsomeone,Iwassoterr
ifi
edatthet houghtofhavi
ngbl oodin
myhands, butIdidi tany
way .
AndIdi
dn'tf
eelgui
lt
yafter
,Ihav
epackedmyt i
nybag,thathas
guns,Ireal
l
ydon' tunderstandwhywewoul dneedgunshonest ly
, becauseNkosiisharmless,
and
theykeepsay i
nghei sLuciferhi
mself
.Pshther
eain'
tnoLuciferthere..
..
ButthedarkAura
my be..
.No.
.Noway s.

weheaddownstai
rsformylastbr
eakfastint
hishouse.Ihaveneverseenthebabyofthi
s
house,
notev
eni
npict
ures.
ButtodayIlookedatherroom andsawl i
ghtshowingbeneatht
he
door,
Li
keasunofsomesortunfor
tunatel
yIdidn'
tgettolookcloser
.

Wesatdownasev
eryal
soset

I
sabel
l
a:"
Soy
our
eadynow?
"

Me:
"Ibel
i
evesoy
es"
Isaynotl
ooki
ngatherandeat
ingmyeggs

MrsHernandez:
"I
twasnicehavingyouher
e"Youcoul
dseet
hefakesmi
le,
Il
ookdeepinherey
es
andIseehercry
ingforherbabywhenthedoctor
ssai
dshe'
sdead,
Il
ookdownblocki
ngeye
cont
act.
Ismygiftback?

Me:
"I
twasi
ndeed"
Ifakeasmi
l
etoo.

Il
ookatMat eoashe'sstar
ri
ngatme,Imai
ntaineyecontactandseehi
m ki
l
li
ngawomen, asthe
woment ol
dher"I'
m sorr
ybabeitwasanaccident
"hedidn'
tbudgewit
hthegir
l,
hecont
inued
beat
ingherunti
lshedied.

"
Hel
l
o"snappi
ngherf
inger
s

Me:
"Huh"

I
sabel
l
a:"
Youokey
?"

Me:
"Yes.
.ButIt
hinkIneedt
ogonow"
Ist
andupandJav
ieral
sost
andsup"
Adi
os"

Theyal
lst
andupandki
ssbot
hmychi
cksev
ent
hef
ather
,Igotout
side
Jav
ier
:"
Thatshoul
dn'
tscar
eyou,
that
'
showwegr
eetandsaygoodby
e"hesmi
l
es

Me:
"Wi
thbesosyabr
ozos(
Hugsandki
sses)
"

Jav
ier
:"
Sí"

Me:
"Goodby
ethen"

Jav
ier
:"
Whosai
dthi
sisgoodby
e?"
I'
ll
meety
ousomet
ime"

Heclosesthevansdoor,
Ifeel
li
keI'mleavi
ngsomethi
ngbehi
nd.
..
itt
akesmetothepalace,
They
pushmeoutoft hevanatthepalacegate.
Theguar
dcomesmywayandcallsNsika,
Nsika
Comesr unni
ng.
Istandup

Nsi
ka:
"Whodi
dthi
stoy
ou?
"He'
sangr
y

Me:
"Idi
dn'
tseet
hem"
Ifaket
ear
s

Wegeti
nsi
de

Nsi
ka:
"What
'si
nthi
sbeg?
"

Me:
"Mypadst
heyboughtmeandsomepant
ies"
Isayhol
dingt
hebagt
ight

Thequeenr
unst
ousandhugsme

QNandi
:
"Ohmt
anami
,
whathav
etheydonet
oyou?
"

Me:
"I
t'
snot
hingmah,
j
ustmi
nori
njur
ies"

Nkosi
:
"Whatdi
dtheywant
"Nkosi
comesf
rom nowher
e

Me:
Ikeptqui
etf
oramoment*
Don'
tsayany
thi
ng*
thatwasJav
iert
alki
ngf
rom t
heearbug

Nkosi
:
"Iaskedaquest
ion"

Nsi
ka:
"She'
sti
red,
she'
l
lanswery
ourquest
ionsl
aterMrdet
ect
ive"

Hel
ooksatmewi
thpi
erci
ngey
es

Nsi
kawal
ksmet
omyr
oom

Me:
"Wher
eissl
ayandwhyi
sNkosi
act
ingl
i
ket
hat
"

Nsika:
"OhSlayi
sint
hishouse,
andwel
lhewasbewi
tchedsowef or
cedhi
mtodr
inkwhathi
s
Nyangasaidhemustdri
nk,
andnowheisbackt
ohisnormalsel
f"

Inod,
Ohwel
lweshal
lseewhati
stohappen

•
NKOSImakesaphonecal
ltoShenge

Shenge:
"Myki
ng"

Nkosi
:
"Whycan'
tIr
eadhermi
nd?
"

Shenge:
"Who?
"

Nkosi
:
"Youknowwho!
"

Shenge:
"Hergi
ftmy
be"

Nkosi
:
"That'
sut
terr
ubbi
sh,
Icanf
eel
she'
shi
dingsomet
hingbuti
t'
sli
keshebl
ockedher
t
houghts"

Shenge:
"Respect
"

Nkosi
:"
Sor
ry,
i
t'
sjustt
hatIcanaccessev
ery
one'
smov
eint
hishousebutnotherandt
hat
'sr
eal
l
y
f
uckinmeup"

Shenge:
"I
'm busyher
e"

Shengeendst
hecal
l

Nkosi goestotheroom whichThandoi susing,t

ookoffhisCoat,
andleftwithashirt.
Hef oldsit
andlooksatt hesl
eepingThando. Wonderi
ngwhathemustdot oher.
Butkill
ingherisbesi des
thepoint,
Hev owedhe' dneverabuseorkil
lawoman, notforminorthi
ngslikebewitchinghi m.
He
thoughttohimself
"Whydon' tItakethebabyaf t
ershegivesbi
rthandraiseitasmyown, then
sendhert oawor l
dshewon' tev enknow,perhapsabrothelwhereshe'
dbeapr ost
itut
e"That
soundedl i
keaplan,andhewasgoi ngaheadwi t
hit.
Thandoopenedherey est oseeNkosi
stari
ngather,Shefeltuncomfortable

Thando:
"Babe,
youbackt
oyoursenses?
"asmi
l
efl
i
cker
sinherl
i
ps

Nkosi
justl
ookedatherwi
thadi
sgust
edexpr
essi
on,
Andst
oodupandl
eft

MRS.
HERNANDEZ

Iputmybabyt osleep,asshewassucki ngonherthumblookingsocut

e,Mynamei sLol
a
Ntombi Hernandez,Imar r
iedaSpainmen,Isti
ll
rememberwher ewemet .
itwasachari
ty
event
,Ourey eslockedandi fel
ttheconnecti
onwithhim,f
rom ri
ghtt
henwemadeouti nthecar
andheaskedf orahandi nmar r
iaget
hatsameday ,Iwasshockedandthoughtt
hathewasone
ofmyf ather'
senemi es,Mayhissoulresti
npeacehewasahumbl emen.
Myhusbandent
ersourr
oom looki
ngatmewi
thpi
erci
ngey
es,
whenhel
ooksatmel
i
ket
his,
i
ts
goi
ngtobeascaryni
ghtforme.

Hubby
:"Tel
lmesomet
hing"

Me:
"what
?"Ipul
lthecov
ersandgeti
ntobed

Hubby
:"Doy
ouwantt
osaysomet
hingIdon'
tknow?
"

Idon'
tunder
standhi
squest
ions

Me:
"l
ike?
"

Hubby
:"noy
out
ell
me!
"

Me:
"t
her
e'snot
hingt
osayher
e"

Hubby
:comestomysi
deoft
hebedandhol
dsmyhands"
I'
ll
giv
eyout
hisonel
astchancet
o
comeclean"

Ohnoheknows

Me:
"r
eal
l
yther
e'snot
hing"
Ismi
l
e

Hubby
:"Fi
ne"
hestandsup,
hewalksabi
tthent
urnsandsl
apmeaccr
ossmycheek,
myheadhi
ts
t
heheadboard,
Ihol
ditasI
'minpain

Hubby
:"TELLMEWHYDOESMYDAUGHTERLOOKLI
KETHATGI
RLCHARLOTTE"

Me:
"Shei
sourdaught
er,
ther
esembl
ancei
sjustacoi
nci
dence.
itdoeshappen"

Ibr
ushmycheek

Hubby
:"Don'
t.
..Don'
tl
iet
ome.
.di
dyoucheatonmewi
thherf
ather
?"

Me:
"whatno,
I'
dnev
erdot
hat
,andl
astt
imeIcheckedt
hatgi
rl
'
sfat
herdi
ed"

Hubby
:"Thenexpl
aint
ome"

Me:"
OURREALDAUGHTERDI
EDDARNI
T"I
'
m nowcr
yingmi
ser
abl
y,
youcanseet
ear
sfor
mingi
n
hi
mt oo

I
NSERT39

•
°
•
°

•
°

MBALI

It
'sMorni ng,
inSpani sht
heysaydí as.i
t'sunbeli
evablei tsti
llf
eelsli
keIwasdreami ng,
andtheir
tr
aini
ngl astedthreeday s.
Imeanwhatki ndofat rainingisthat,
AndwhenIdi dn'twanttowalk
overtheCoal Javi
ersaid"Youar eyourownper son,
y ou...
"HayboSpanishguy.Iwantedtolaugh
atthatmoment ,butIknewbetter.Imeanj ustbynotwant ingtowalkoverthecoal nowI'
m my
ownper son.Hehe. .
.Anothert
hing,Idon'tt
rustthem atal l.
Imeant heycanj
ustl i
etomeanduse
met ogetwhatt heywant .
Whycan' tIjusttel
lNkosi whatt heirmotivei
sandaskhi mt ohelpme
l
ookf ormychi l
d?Itwon'tbewr ongofmewoul di t
?..

Ilogi
ntoFacebookandacceptaf
ewfr
iendrequests,
909fr
iendrequest
slef
ttheywi
l
laccept
themsel
ves.
Amessagef r
om aZamaniNkomoFl i
ckersi
nmyi nbox

Hi
m:"
Hey
,whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackt
oS.
A?"

Me:
"Andwhywoul
dyoucar
e?"

Hi
m:"
Ijustwant
edt
oknow,
becauseIhav
en'
tgotachancet
otal
ktoy
ouandIt
hinkIl
ovey
ou"

Ireadandblockhim.Mxm. Nyavi
ewmyfoot
.Meandlovear
eli
kei
ntwodiffer
entpl
anet
s,I
'
m on
Mar sandi
t'
sonear t
h,Idon'twantt
obei
nlovenextt
hingI
'
m avi
cti
m ofr
apeorabuseagainno
thankyou,
I
'm good.

Iseeacut
efaceand"
hal
l
a"hi
m.

Her
eadst
hemessageanddoesn'
trespond

Idel
eteitandClickmytongue.
andputmyphoneont hechar
ger
,Ij
usttol
dmy sel
fthatIdon'
t
needamenbuther eIwastext
ingaguyar
gh.
Ireal
lyneedather
apist
,Idon'
tl
ikebeing
di
sorganized.
..I
'
m headi
ngoutt ot
hedi
nnert
able.

Todaywe'r
equiet
,onl
ythef ol
ksandknivesar
emakingasound,
Iexcusemysel
fgoingt
othe
ki
tchenandfi
ndSy amthandacryi
ng.
irushovert
oherandhugherbrushi
ngherback

Me:
"Shhhshhh.
What
everi
twaswasn'
tyourf
aul
t.
.okey
?"

Shecal
msdown,
wesitatthehi
ghchair
s,Ipourwat
erf
orher
.Shegul
psi
tinonego,
Hol
dingher
headwi
thbot
hherhands,
thenl
ooksatme.

Me:
"Youokeynow?
"

Her
:"
Mysi
sterneedsahear
ttr
anspl
ant
,butIcan'
taf
for
dthebi
l
ls,
theyt
oomuch"

Sheshedsaf
ewt
ear
s
Me:
"OhGod,
I
'm sor
ry"
Ibr
ushherback.
agai
n

Her
:"
Yheait
'sreal
lyb.
..
(Shewi
peshert
ear
sandsmi
l
e)My
bey
oucanhel
pher
,Imeany
ouwoke
meupfrom thedead"

Me:
"Ar
hhno..
Idoubt.
.LookI
'
llt
alkt
otheki
ngper
hapshewoul
dli
ket
ohel
p"Igetof
fthechai
r
l
eav
ingheri
nthekit
chen.

HayIdon'
tknowabouthersuggesti
on.I
'
m humanandIbel
i
eveGodwokeherupnotme.
Iopen
t
hedoortoNkosi
'
sof f
iceandcloseit
.

Iopent
hel
apt
op,
Passwor
d.OhnoGod.

*Thando*wrongpassword..
Itr
yal
lthenamesIcouldthi
nkoffbutsti
ll
not
hing.
Ilooki
nsi
det
he
drawersthenIhearl
aughtercomi
ngmyway ,
Igetupqui
ckl
yandt akeabookandopenit
pret
endingI'
mr eadi
ng,
AsI'm smi
l
ingalone

Nkosi
:
"I'
l
lcal
lyouback"
endst
hecal
l"Whatbr
ingsy
out
omyof
fi
ce?
"

Me:
"Huh?
..
..
OhIf
oundt
hisi
nspi
rat
ional
bookandt
houghtIshoul
dreadi
t"

Hi
m:"
Ohy
oudon'
tsay
?"sar
casm l
i
vesi
nhi
m

Me:
"Yhea.
.Thesechar
act
ersr
eal
l
ybr
ingoutt
hatt
hingy
ouknow"

Him:"
Hmh...
Funnybecauset
hat
'
sabi
ologybook,
andI
t'
supsi
dedown"
Hesay
stur
ningi
ttot
he
r
ightdir
ect
ion.

Wer
hMbal
i
,wi
s'
di
didi
(You'
reani
diot
)

Igi
veoutaner
vousl
augh

Me:
"Haha.
..
urhm j
ustt
hatIl
i
ker
eadi
ngi
tli
ket
hat
"

Hi
m:"
Whatbr
ingsy
out
omyof
fi
ceMbal
i
"

Bi
ngo,
Li
ghtbul
bmoment(
Idea)

Me:"Fineyougotme..
Iwantedtouseyourl
aptoptoaccessmyemail,
ther
e'saf
il
eIcoul
dn'
t
open,soIneededtouseyourlapt
opsi
nceitneededaparti
cul
arapp"

Hest
aresatme,
Idon'
tgi
vei
nIal
sost
areback.

Hi
m:"
Hmh.
.Come(
Ifol
l
owhi
m)t
hepasswor
disM.
N.N.
N"

Ir
aiseaney
ebr
ow

Hi
m:"
Nkosi
,
Nsi
ka,
Nandi
"

Me:
"M?
"Il
ookathi
m wi
thmybugey
es
Nkosi
:
"Idon'
towey
ouanyexpl
anat
ion,
Justdowhaty
ouwantandl
eav
e"

Igetoni
t,
Icoul
dn'
tdi
gmor
ebecausehewast
her
ewai
ti
ngf
ormet
ofi
nish.
Ist
andup

Me:
"I
'm done,
Thanky
ou"

HenodsandIleav
e.Phewt
hatwassocl
ose,
Idon'
tthinkIcandot
his.
I'
l
ljusthav
etot
ell
Nkosi
whatt
hoseSpainpeopl
ear
eaft
erandI
'l
lbest
ressfree.
.

Igeti
nsi
demyr
oom,
Andanswermyr
ingi
ngphone.

Me:
"Whyy
oucal
l
ing?
"

Jav
ier
:"
Didy
ouf
indany
thi
ng"

Ir
oll
myey
es

Me:
"Noty
et"

Jav
ier
:"
WHAT?
What
'
skeepi
ngy
ouf
rom doi
ngi
t"

Me:
"Heyl
ookmen,
Ij
ustgotbackandIdon'
twannaseem suspi
cious"

Nkosi
comesi
nwi
thoutknocki
ng,
Iendt
hecal
l

Me:
"Wedon'
tknocknow?
"

Hi
m:"
Thi
sismyhomeaf
teral
l
"

Oh.
.Isee,
Ineedt
ogetbackt
omyl
andnow

Me:
"Ohh.
..
howcanIhel
p?"

Hi
m:"
Ont
hephoney
ousai
dyoudon'
twannaseem suspi
cious,
whatwast
hatabout
"

Ohgr
eateav
esdr
oppi
ngar
en'
twe,
sneakyki
ng

Me:
"Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing"

Hi
m:"
I'
m al
lear
s"

Me:
"Il
ook.
..
i.
..

JAVI
ER
Mypl anwast ouseCharl
ott
e,butI
'
llhel
phergetherbabyback.
Ican'tbel
i
evemymot hert
ook
thebabyImeanwhodoest hattoanotherwoman.Suchcr
uelt
y.If
indthem t
alki
ngi
nthe
off
ice,butIpeakandst
andbyt hedoor.

Mom:
"Sowhatnow,
you'
regoi
ngt
ogi
veourchi
l
dbackt
oher
?"

Dad:
"Wemust
..
.Wecannotdenyt
hebabyt
heoppor
tuni
tyt
obebr
oughtupbyherpar
ent
"

Mom shookherhead

Mom:
"No,
no,
not
hatwon'
thappen"

Dad:
"Okayl
ook.
..We'
l
ljustkeepherf
ornow,
butwhenshe'
s17wet
ell
herwhoherr
eal
par
enti
s"

Mom:
"That
'sbet
ter
"

Theyhug

Dad:
"I
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeokay
"

Mom:
"I
'm sor
ryf
orl
osi
ngourbaby
"

Dad:
"Shhhh.
.Shhh.
.Wor
rynot
..
Tequi
ero(
Ilov
eyou)
"

Whatt
heheck,
soIwasr
ight
..
.Wai
tsomom l
ostoursi
ster
?how?
mybeshedi
ed.

Il
ookatt hem wi
thpi
tyandgotomyroom,Idon'
tknowaboutt
ell
i
ngCharlot
tenow,
Mom is
happywhenshe'swit
hababy.Meandherhaven'
thadthesonandMotherbondinages.
Buti
care.
.I'
l
ljusthav
etooutsmar
tChar
lot
te.

SYAMTHANDAsi tsnearaf l
owingri
ver,
takesoutchocol
atemuffi
nsandeatone.
Whil
ehermi nd
i
sof ftowonderl
and,Anoldwomensi t
sdownwear i
ngadoekandacleandresshol
dingher
walkingst
ickt
hatisoffwood.Shesi
tsdownnextt oSyamthandaandobser
veher

Ol
dW:
"I
t'
sal
lgoi
ngt
obeokay
,Oncey
ou'
rehome"

Sy
amt
handat
urnsherat
tent
iont
othi
sol
dwomen

Sy
amt
handa:
"Sor
ry?
"

Ol
dW:
"Konkekuzov
elaek'
gci
neni
(Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbecl
eari
ntheend)

Sy
amt
handa:
"You'
ret
alki
ngt
ome?
"
OldW:"
Yes..
Youseemychi l
dever
y oneinli
fehascompli
cati
onsbutl
if
ewi l
lnotal
waysbeal
l
mountainsandhi
ll
s,somedayyouwi l
lhaveawonderfull
if
eandwonderwhathappenedtomy
oldl
if
e!Peopl
ewil
lthinkyoubewi
tchedwhot ogetwhat,
Youwill
gethurtal
ongthewayjust
don'
tquesti
onGod,forheshal
lpr
eparey oufort
hisr
ide.
AndrememberbePat i
ent
.Thet
imewil
l
come"

Shedi
gestwhatthi
soldwomenj
ustsaid,
thenturnedtoherbagt
otakeanot
herMuf
fi
nfort
he
ol
dwomen.Butthenshei
snowher
e,shevanishedint
othinai
r.

Shel
eftherwalki
ngst
ick,
Syamt
handat
akesi
tandwal
kshomewonder
ingwhatt
hatwomen
wast
alkingabout

I
NSERT40

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

Me:
"Il
ook.
..
I

Hi
m:"
Tal
kal
ready
"hesay
sir
ri
tat
ed

Me:
"Thi
ngi
s..
.

Myphoner
ings,
i
t'
sal
andl
i
nenumber

Me:
"Sor
ryIhav
etot
aket
his"

Iansweri
t

Me:
"Hel
l
o"

Cal
l
er:
"I
sthi
sMi
ssNgcobospeaki
ng?
"

Me:
"Ar
hhy
est
hisi
sshe,
whomi
ghtIbet
alki
ngt
o?"

Cal
l
er:
"I
'm Jessi
caf
rom KCLoansCompany
!"

Me:
"OhSísí(
Yesy
es.
..
Nkosi
gav
emeanev
iley
ewheni
sai
dyesi
nSpani
sh)
Imeany
es"
Jessica:
"I
'm cal
l
ingregardi
ngyourappli
cati
onforaLear
nershi
p,Seei
ngt
hatyouhaven'
t
respondedtoouremai l
!MissNgcobotherearemanyappli
cant
swhowantt otaket
hethe
space,pl
easeletusknowwhati syourdeci
sion!
"

Me:
"I
'l
ltakei
t,
sor
ryIdi
dn'
tseet
heemai
l
"

Jessi
ca:
"Pl
easet
akeal
ookati
t,
ast
her
ear
edet
ail
soft
henextst
ep"

Me:
"Iwi
l
l,
Thanky
ou"

Jessi
ca:
"Hav
eapl
easantday
"

Me:
"Yout
oo"

Endcal
l
.Ij
umpupanddowni
nexci
tement

Nkosi
:
"Andt
hen"

Me:"Myappli
cat
ionwasaccepted,
Iappl
i
edf
oraLear
ner
shi
prandomly.
Ididn'tt
hinkthey
'deven
acknowl
edgeit.
..
"Ikeepqui
etf
oramoment,mi
ssi
ngmydaughter
.Nkosigetsupf r
om wherehe
wasandwi pesmyt ear
s.

Me:
"Doy
ouhav
edr
ugbusi
nesses?
"

Hel
ooksatmeshocked,
Il
ookathi
m

Me:
"Iknowev
ery
thi
ng.
.Andi
mustwar
nyout
heywantt
hem al
l
"

Nkosi
:
"What
?Who?
"hesay
swi
ggl
i
ngmyshoul
der
s,hi
sey
esbl
oodshotr
ed.

Me:
"Thespai
npeopl
e"Isaynotl
ooki
ngathi
m

Nkosi
:"
The.
.(Hethi
nksforawhi l
e)Nowonderyouhadaf
unnyaccentt
hedayy
ouwal
kedi
n
her
e..
..
.i
nexchangeforyourdaughterr
ight
?"

Inod

Nkosi
:
"Soy
ouwer
egoi
ngt
osel
lmeout
?"

Me:
"Formydaught
erI
'
ddoany
thi
ng.
.I
'
m sor
ryi
fthatof
fendsy
ou"

Nkosi
:
"Iunder
stand"
hehascal
meddownnow,
hi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
s"Whatdi
dtheysayy
ou
mustdo?"

It
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappenedi
n3day
s

andheconcludedbysay ing"
Continuewi t
hthepl
an,we'll
findJoy"
Hewal kedout,
Iwentt otake
theshower,
andgotdr essed.
Tookmyphoneandwentt hroughmyemai lsandther
ei ti
s,
ItsaysI
mustpitchmyselfonMonday ,
at07:00.
.Sosoonargh.
.AtleastGodletmef i
ndmydaught er
,I
cannotstopt
hinkingofher,t
here'
sami ssingpi
eceinmyhear t,
Ipr
ayt hespir
it
sprotecther,
and
hel
pusbr
ingherhome.
Amen

If
oundmy
sel
fpr
ayi
ngf
orher
.IhopeGodhear
smycr
ies.

MEANWHI LEATHERNANDEZRESI DENTbabyMasha( Joy)

cri
esmy st
eri
ousl y,
Lolaundr esses
herandf ansherbutMashadoesn' tbudge.Shedr essesheragain,andshakest hebabyf ormula
shehadmi xedt
henput sitinMasha'sMout h.Mashapushesi twithhertongue. Lolaput sher
backoft hehandOnMasha' sfor
eheadandr eal
iseshe'sburni
ng.Sheput sheront hebedand
rushestot hedr
awersformedi cat
ion.Whenshet urns,
Mashaisqui etsuckinghert humbwhi l
e
giggl
ing,
thenecklaceshinesabit.
Lolacomesnear .Thenitwasli
keMashawasbei ngpi nched
shewai l
edoutloudcrying,al
sohavinghi
ccups. Lolarunsoutbumpi ngintoI sabell
a,Isabell
a
takesMashaandshef all
sasleepimmedi atelyasIsabell
asingsheral ull
aby .

KENDRI
CKCHI
YI

Mynamei sKendr i
ckChi yiakaKC. I
'
m 24y earsandI '
m singlebutIdooneni ghtstandsher eand
there..
Ihav efall
eninandoutofl ovewhenmygi r
lfri
endsl eptwithmybestf r
iendItoldmy self
neveragai n,sofrom thenIdoanost ri
ngsat t
ached...
IownKCLoansCompanyhowi gott hereis
ami racleindeed.Ili
v ealone,i
'm asonofabeaut i
ful womanNosi zweChi yi
,
mymot herlivesin
theruralareasI '
mt heonl ychildshehas. It
akecar eofhersendhermoneyev erymont h.She's
mysuper womanaf terall
.Myf atherwel l
,
Inevergrewwi thoneInev erknewhi m.WhenI 'daskI 'd
betold" Hedi ednowl eav emeal one"t
hat'
ssopai nfultohearthosewor dsknowi ngverywel l
thatpersonmi ghtbeal i
ve.I
'vetoldScar (
Handy man) t
osear chhimf orme, becauseIf ounda
l
etterthatnev ergotdel i
veredt ohimf rom mymot her.
Seemsl ikeher eall
yhurtmom, andt his
evenmakeshersayhe' sdead. I
tsreall
yserious.

I
'
m onmywayt
othev
il
laget
oMom'
shouse,
asshesai
dshemi
ssedme.

Fr
om t
het
ownt
othev
il
lagei
t'
snotal
ongdi
stance,
Ihav
ear
ri
vedi
nnot
ime

Iopenthegat ewit
hmyownr emote,Igeti
nandpar
kthecar ,
Iof
fl
oadtheplasti
cbagsIcame
wit
hgett i
nginsi
dethehouse.
OhshehascompanyIgr eetandpasstothekit
chen.
Ipourmysel
f
tr
opicajuiceandgotowheretheyseated,
Iki
ssmom'scheekandsitdown

Mom:
"Unj
ani
Mnt
anam (
Howar
eyoumychi
l
d)
Me:
"I
'm goodMahandy
ou?
"

Mom:
"Sameher
emychi
l
d,LonguNokul
unga,
rememberher
?"

Me:"YesIdo,
ournei
ghbour
"Ismi
l
eandshookhandswi
thher"
Unj
ani
Sisi
(Howar
eyoumy
si
ster)"

Shebl
ushes,showingredcheeks.
.She'
ssmitt
enbyme!?Whowouldn'
tpsh,Ihav
eadark
car
amelski
n,bushyeyebrows,
thi
npinki
shl
ips,
Abigmachinet
hatdri
vesthesehoescr
azyanda
bodyt
odiefor.asIsai
dwhowoul dn'
tbesmitt
en.
evengaysar
ecrushi
ngonme.

Me:
"Somom,
i
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?whydi
dyoui
nvi
teme?
"

Mom:
"Ohsi
l
lychi
l
d,t
hisi
syourhomey
oudon'
tneedani
nvi
te"

Ikeepqui
et,
soshecoul
dexpl
ain

Mom:
"Fi
ne,
youKnowmet
oowel
l
..If
oundy
ouawi
fe"

Ichokeonmyjui
ceandi
tspi
l
lsovermypant
s.Nokul
ungar
ushest
otheki
tchenandcomesback
withacl
oth,
Iwi
pemysel
fandlookatmom

Me:
"Youf
oundawhat
?"

Mom:
"Awi
fe"

Me:
"Whosai
dIwant
edt
ogetmar
ri
ed?
andwhatgi
vesy
out
her
ightt
ochoosef
orme?
"

Mom:
"Youruncl
e'
sal
soappr
ovedoft
his"

Me:"
Unfort
unat
elyt
heydon'
thav
easayi
nmyl
i
fe,
sodoy
oumom.
List
enIr
especty
ouMawami
butt
his.
..
No"

Ist
andupandt
akemykey
s

Mom:"ButNokul
ungawi
llbeagr
eatwi
fe,
Idon'
twanty
out
omaket
hemi
stakey
our
..
.Li
stenmy
chi
l
d,t
hiswomeni sf
ory
ou"

Il
ookatt
hisNokul
ungashe'
snotev
enmyt
ype.

Me:
"Not
hanky
ou,
nowi
fyou'
dexcuseme,
Ihav
eabusi
nesst
orun"

Igeti
nmycaranddr
ivebackt
omyhouse.

Mom t
hinksshecancont
rolmenow?Wel
lnev
er.
Iranbyt
hemal
ltobuyaf
ewt
hingsI
'
dcook.
I'
m
agr
eatcookactual
l
y.NoI
'm achef
.

IgottoPickN'Payandtookabigtrol
ley.
Tookheal
thyfoodonl
ybecauseI'
m ahealthfreak.
Igo
overtotakemyf avour
it
e,Hotchocol
ate.
Meandsomewomenhol ditatonce.
ithenreali
zeit
's
thelasthotchocol
ate.
Igrabitf
rom herhandsandshealsogr
absit
Me:
"It
ouchedi
tfi
rstsoi
t'
smi
ne"

Her
:"
Excusey
ou,
myhandi
sbeneat
hyour
ssoIt
ouchedi
tfi
rst
"shesay
sinabeaut
if
ulv
oice.

Me:
"Li
sten,
I
'm notl
eav
ingwi
thoutmyf
avour
it
etea"

Her
:"
It
'snott
ea,
andi
t'
smi
ne"

Aguywhoworksther
ecomesbetweenusandasksanot
herguyt
obri
ngthestock.
Theguy
br
ingst
hest
ock,
Isnatcht
hehotchocol
atef
rom t
heguyandshel
eav
esitther
e.

Guy
:"Sobot
hofy
ouwer
efi
ght
ingf
orhotchocol
ate?
Liker
eal
l
y?"
hel
aughs

Me:
"Igoti
tfi
rst
"Iwat
chherasshel
eav
es

Guy
:"Thatwassochi
l
dish"
hel
eav
esmet
oo

I
twaswasn'
ti
t?mxm.
.Ipai
dandl
eft

I
NSERT41

•
°

•
°

•
°

NKOSI

WellIwasn'tsurpr
isedwhenMbalitol
dmeabouttheSpainpeopl e.
WhichisJavier
,Meandhi m
comeal ongwaybutIhear dhi
sfatherhadpl
annedtohij
ackmydel iveryt
rucksful
lofthe
merchandise.HebetrayedmesoIoutsmart
edthem,
Ididn'tst
ealanythi
ngfrom anyoneast hey
putit
.WhatI'm goi
ngt odonowisgivehi
m whathewants,butFakeit
.I'
m noidi
otI'
dnev ersi
gn
overmyasset stothoseasshol
esthatwouldbemydeat hday.

Itol
doneofmyguy stodeli
veri
ttothei
rDoorstep,
andtol
dMbalitotextthem i
t'
sdone.Iknew
they
'dnevergiveher,herchi
ldsoImadeanotherplan.
Iwait
edt
il
ltheyasleepatmidni
ght ,
ther
e
aresecur
ityguardsbutImadesur etheydon'
tseeme,Icli
mbedthebuildi
ng,andgoti
ntoar oom
ther
ewasagi rlsleeping.
Iti
ptoedandopenedthedoor

Her
:"
Nost
op"
Islowlyturnedtoherdir
ectionandshewasdr eaming.igoti
nt hecorri
dorandlookatal
lthe
roomst ryi
ngt ofi
gureoutwhichoneisJoy'
s.Inoti
ceagl owingr oom,l
ikeasun-
shineki
nda
glowing.Curi
osit
ygotthebet t
erofme,
Ienteredthatroom andt hereshewaswi t
hashinning
necklace,t
henecklacestoppedgloomingwhenIgotnearher .IpickedherupIwasscaredshe'd
cry,
butshedi dn'
tiputheronmybackandr aphertight
ly.

Igott
othewindowandi
nser
tedarope,
Icl
imbonitanddownwego. i
leaveithangi
ngt
obe
evi
dencet
hatsomeonet
ookJoy.
Igetofft
hei
rpr
emi sesandheadhome.Thatwassoeasy

Igetinsi
deMbali
'
sroom anddon'
twakeherup,IputJoybesi
desherandcov
erhert
henl
eav
eto
myr oom.It
akeoutmyphoneandcal
lmyf r
iendfrom HomeAffai
rs,
Li
vi
we

Li
vi
we:
"Mhm"
inasl
eepyv
oice

Me:
"Ineedaf
avor
"

Li
vi
we:
"Who'
sthis?
..
(helooksathi
sscr
een)
Arhmenj
ustbecausey
ouaki
ngdoesn'
tmeancal
l
meatni
ghtf
orfavors"

Me:
"Ineedacer
ti
fi
cat
efast
"

Li
vi
we:
"Okeyl
etmef
etchapenandpaper
..
.Sur
e"

Me:
"Ineedacer
ti
fi
cat
eofababy
"

Li
vi
we:
"Ar
hal
readyy
ouhav
ebr
oughtapr
incet
othewor
ld"

Me:"
Shutupandl
i
sten.
.Hermot
heri
sMbal
iChar
lot
teNgcobo,
andt
heChi
l
disLesedi
Joy
Ngcobo"

Li
vi
we:
(Keepqui
etf
oramoment
).
..
arhhabi
rt
hdat
es?
"

Me:
"Themot
her31Mar
ch*
***andt
hechi
l
d20Febr
uar
y**
**"

Li
vi
we:
"Our
yt.
.consi
deri
tdone"

Me:
"Thanksmen"

Li
vi
we:
"Youoweme"

Me:
"Ther
ewego"

Iendthecall
,
Ihadt
odot
hisbef
oret
hosei
diot
scl
aim herandMbal
iwoul
dbear
rest
edf
or
ki
dnapping.

THENEXTMORNI
NG

MBALI
Iwakeuptomybabyonmysi de,
Ismil
eandcrytoseei
ngmychi
l
d.Ican'
tcont
inuehav
ingt
hese
dreamsIki
sshermult
ipl
eti
mes.Thenaknockdi
stur
bsme,Sy
amthandagetsi
n.Heywhata
dream,
thi
sist
hefi
rstt
imemydr eamsfeel
soreal

Sy
amt
handa:
"Ohwhendi
dshecomeback?
"

Me:
"Idon'tknow"Il
ookather"Okeyam Inotdr
eaming"
Igot
oopenthewi
ndowsandi
t'
s
Mor
ningIl ookbackatSyamthandahol
dingJoy.
Irusht
oherandt
akeher
,asIcr
ymi
ser
abl
y
t
ear
sofj oy

Me:"
SoI'
m notdr
eaming,
mybabyisr
eall
yback"
Ihughersot
ight"
I'
m nev
erl
eav
ingy
oursi
te
now.
.nev
er"
Syamthandacomesandhugsus

Sy
amt
handa:
"I
'm sohappyy
ougotherback"

Me:
"Whobr
oughther
,doy
out
hinkt
heSpani
shpeopl
ebr
oughther
?"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Thewhat
?"

Me:
"Oh.
..Nev
ermi
nd.
..
Let
'sgosot
hatev
ery
oneseesy
ou(
Ital
ktoj
oy)
"

Wegetdownst
air
s,ev
ery
onei
sseat
edev
enThando

Me:
"Morni
ng"
Isaywiggl
i
ngSedi
'
shand,t
heey
e'st
urnourway
.Theshocki
nthei
r
f
aces,
Mam'Nandicameandt
ookherf
rom me

QNandi
:
"Mybaby
,I
'm sor
ryIl
osty
ou"

Me:
"AwuMahy
oudi
dn'
t,
someonet
ookher
"

Thandochokesonherf
ood,
thendr
inkswat
er.

Nkosi
:
"AndI
'
llf
indoutwhodi
d"hegl
ancedatThando.
.NowWhatdowehav
eher
e

Me:
"Thando?
"

Her
:"
Huh?
"

Me:
"Di
dyouhav
eany
thi
ngt
odowi
thSedi
'
sdi
sappear
ing?
"

Thando:
"Whatnonsense,
NoI.
..
I..
Arg"
shest
andsupandl
eav
e.Nsi
kahi
ghf
ivesme

Nsi
ka:
"Gui
l
ty"

Me:
"Iknow"

Idon'
tknowi
fshe'
sreal
l
ygui
l
tyorwhat
,she'
dbesoev
ili
fsheDi
d.

Theygi
vemeSedi
andIbr
east
feedher
,Nkosi
excuseshi
msel
f.
Al
oudbangont
hedoordi
stur
bsus

Weopen,
andi
t'
sthepol
i
cewal
ki
ngwi
thMr
sHERNANDEZ

Me:
"Mr
sHer
nandez?
"If
rown

QNandi
:
"Nt
ombi
?"

Nsi
ka:
"Youknowher
?"

Mr
sHer
nandez:
"Ar
resther
,sheki
dnappedmybaby
"

What
,

Me:
"No"

Pol
i
ce:
"Li
stenMem we'
vebeenor
der
edt
oar
resty
ousoj
ustgi
vemet
hebabyandi
t'
sal
ldone"

Me:
"No.
.Thi
swomeni
sly
ingt
hisi
smybaby
"Ihol
dhert
ight
ly

Nkosi
Comesdowncar
ryi
ngpaper
s.t
hepol
i
ceBowt
hei
rhead

Nkosi
:
"Whati
shappeni
ngher
e?"

Pol
i
ce:"
Myking,
we'r
esor
ryt
oint
rudebutt
hiswomenher
ehasbeenaccusedofki
dnappi
ngand
weneedhertocomewit
hus"

Nkosi
:
"Her
e"

Thepol
i
cer
eadsi
tandgi
vesi
ttot
heot
herpol
i
cet
oread

Pol
i
ce:
"Wehumbl
yapol
ogi
zeMyki
ng.
..
let
'sgo"

MrsHernandez:
"WHAT? .
.Whataboutmybaby
..
youbackst
abber
s"shechar
gest
owar
ds
me,Nkosist
andsinf
rontofme

Mr
sHer
nandez:
"You'
l
lpayf
orpl
ayi
ngus"

Shel
eav
es.
Soshewast
heonewhost
olemybaby
,Il
ookatSedi
andv
owI
'
llnev
erl
oseheragai
n.

QNandi
:
"Whatar
ethosepaper
s?"
shesay
ssnat
chi
ngt
hem "
Ohabi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
e"

Il
ookatNkosi

Nkosi
:
"Ihav
emyway
s"

Ismi
l
e

Me:
"Thanky
ou"

Nsi
ka:
"Whatal
i
vedr
ama.
.Somom y
ouknowher
?"
QNandi
:
"Yes.
.weusedtobeclosefr
iendsi
nhighschoolandincoll
ege.
Unti
lshedat
edaSpai
n
manandmarriedone.
Shest
arteddi
stanci
nghersel
ffrom ev
eryone,
evenherpar
ent
s!"

Nsi
ka:
"Hmh.
..
Wel
ll
et'
seat
,Ineedf
oodf
oral
mostbei
ngar
rest
edf
orki
l
li
ngt
hatcop"

weal
ll
augh

Nkosi
:
"Youwer
efarf
rom t
hati
dea,
youwer
esucki
ngy
ourt
humbbehi
ndmom"

Nsi
ka:
"Shutupmxm"

Meanwhil
eThandolooksatt
hem t
alki
ngandlaughi
ng.Shewal
ksabit
,ashar
ppaintakesov
er
shebendsali
tt
leandnoti
ceherwat
erbroke.
Shescreamssoloud,
Nkosir
antoherandcame
downwithher

QNandi
:
"Youi
nlaboural
ready
"

Theydi
sappeart
othecar
sout
side.
Wedon'
tev
enbot
hert
ogowi
th

Me:
"Hest
il
lbel
i
evesi
t'
shi
schi
l
d?"

Nsi
ka:
"No.
.Hesai
dhe'
l
lrai
set
hebabyashi
sown"

Me:
"Ow"

Wel
lthat
'ssomet
hingel
se,
whi
chi
snoneofmybusi
nessasIdon'
townanybusi
nessv
ele.

I
'
m wor
ri
ed,
Jav
ierwon'
tj
ustl
etmebeaf
terbet
ray
inghi
m.I
smydaught
ersaf
e?Am Isaf
e?

I
'
llaskf
orext
rasecur
it
y

TODAYI
SMONDAYandI
'
m aner
vousr
eck,

Iworemybl ackwi t
hwhit
estri
pespencil
skir
tthathugsmyhipsasIl ookmysel
fint
hemirr
or,
a
whit
eshirtwithlongsl
eevesandblackhi
ghheels,
tookmyGucci handbagandalapt
opbag,
that
IboughtyesterdaywhenIwasatthemall.
Ipuffabitofmycologneandheadouttothe
ki
tchen,
grababot tl
eofwaterandanapple.

Mam'
Nandi
showsuphol
dingLesedi
,
Iki
sshercheek.

Me:
"Thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngcar
eofher
"

QNandi
:
"It
'
sokeybaby
.Ipr
omi
seIwon'
tl
osehert
hist
ime"

Me:
"We'
rewaypastt
hatmah"

QNandi
:
"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
.Hav
eal
ovel
ydayandgoodl
uck"
Me:
"Thanky
ouMah"

Iwalktothecar
s,Thedriv
erdoesn'
tev
enaskwhereI'm headed,
Ifi
gurehewasalr
eady
tol
d.Behi
ndmeI '
mf ol
l
owedbyonecart hathas2guards.
Wear r
iveattheKCLoans,st
epout
.my
handsaresweatygosh.Twoguardswalkbehi
ndmeasi fI'
mi mport
ant.

It
ell
them t
owai
tformeout
side,
I'
ll
cal
lthem i
fneeded.
Igett
other
ecept
ioni
st

Me:
"Goodmor
ning"

Shepaint
shernai
l
snotpayi
ngat
tent
iont
ome.
Icl
earmyt
hroat
,shegl
ancesatmel
ower
ingher
gl
asses,poppi
ngt
hebubbl
egum.

Her
:"
What
?"

Ohmygoodness

Me:
"I
'm her
efor
..
."

Shei
nter
rupt
ed

Her
:Shecomposehersel
fimmedi
atel
y"Whati
syournameMi
ss?
"

Abeaut
if
ulcol
our
edwomencomest
other
ecept
ionandst
andst
her
elooki
ngatherwat
ch

Recept
ioni
st:
"YourName"

Sweetnowar
en'
twe

Me:
"Mbal
iChar
lot
teNgcobo"
thewomenspeakswi
thanamet
agwr
it
tenJessi
ca

Jessi
ca:
"You'
ret
heoneIspokewi
thont
hephonet
heot
herdayr
egar
dingy
ourl
ear
ner
shi
p?"

Me:
"Ar
hIt
hinkso"

Shesi
gnal
smet
ofol
l
owher

Jessi
ca:
"I
'm Jessi
caFour
ie,
Ithoughty
ouwer
en'
tcomi
ngany
mor
e,y
ouwer
ethel
astoneont
he
l
ist
"

Me:
"Ohsor
ry"

Wewal ktoaboardroom fullofpeopl

e,
IsitbyJessica.
Theguywho'sstandi
ngbef oreus,
bri
efs
usaboutthecompany'svalue,t
hecli
ents,
theri
sks,
thenotdo'sanddo'
s.Aft
erthathegivesusa
tourt
othebuil
dingaft
er30mi nut
eswe'rebacktotheboardroom r
eadi
ngourcont ract
s.I
tsays
herewe'l
lgetamonthlysalar
yofR2500f or12mont hs.St
art
ingonMarch.GreatI
'
llgettobond
withmySedi.

Wesignthecontr
acts,andwe'
retol
dthebosswantstomeetwit
hus.Wewaitforhim,
aguyina
per
fect
lyfi
tsui
tenterstheboar
droom,Igot
ohisfaceandourey
eslockbuthequickl
ylook
f
orwar
dsmi
l
ing.

OhgreatMrHotChocol
ate,
Ifor
gottomenti
onMeandthi
sguyweref
ighti
ngoverhotchocol
ate
atPi
ckN'Payy
est
erday.
Thatwasreall
yst
upi
dsoIl
efti
tther
esohecouldtakeal
lofi
tfor
hi
mself.
nxa

Him:"Goodev eningladi
esandGent
lemen. I
'
m Kendri
ckChi yitheownerofthi
scompany,i
t'
sgreat
pleasuretomeetal lofyou.
Andwe'
llmakey ourworkingher ewort
hit
.Ouraimistopromote
empl oyment,ast her
earemanyunempl oyedpeople,especiall
ygr
aduates.
Jobsarescar
cethese
days.Butifyouwor khardherewemightgiveyouaper manentpositi
on,Rememberonly3
candidateswi llbechosenwhenthe12mont hsend.
Sopl easeworkhardtosucceed.
Thankyou
foryourtime"

Theycl
aphandsf
orhi
m,Ial
sodoabi
t.

Jessi
cagoestomakeuscopiesofourcont
ractsaswewai
tatt
hecant
een.
Igof
orcof
feeand
chocol
atedonut
s.If
indanempt
ytabl
eandeat .

"Hey"
oneoft
hegi
rl
swewer
ewi
thgr
eet
sme,
I
'm notgoodcompanywhenI
'
m hungr
y.I
'
ma
grumpybi
tch

Me:
"Hy
"If
akeasmi
l
e

Her
:Shesi
tsdown"
I'
m Li
ndi
weNkosi
"weshookhands

Me:
"Mbal
iNgcobo"

Her
:"
Nicemeet
ingy
ou.
.It
houghtIshoul
djoi
nyou,
Idon'
tknowany
oneher
e"

Me:
"Oht
hat
'sgr
eat
"

Ar
gmy
bewhenI
'
mful
lI'
l
lConv
ersewi
thy
ougi
rl

Her
:"
Any
wayIl
i
vei
nPr
etor
iabutr
elocat
edher
ebecauseoft
hisLear
ner
shi
p"

Me:
"Youl
ookr
ich,
whyar
en'
tyouatschool
?"

Her
:"
OhI'
m studyi
ngatUni
sa,i
t'
salongdist
ancel
earni
ng.
IhopeI
'l
lbeabl
etojuggleal
loft
his
t
heLear
nershipandst
udi
es.Ar
g..
SoIhaveaboyfr
iendnamedLwazihewel
l.
..
..
..
..

Shecont
inuest
alki
ngaboutwhatInev
erasked,
Iwaslike"
Mhm haha"
Gosht
hisgi
rlcant
alk,
Fi
nal
lyJessi
cacomeswithourcopi
esandgivethem t
ousonebyone.
Andwewereexcused.

Li
ndi
weaskedf
ormynumberandIgav
eitt
oher
.Fr
iends?
No.

West
epout
sidet
hebui
l
dingbot
hofus,
theguar
dsf
oll
ow.
Lindi
wef
reaksout

Li
ndi
:
"It
hinkt
heseguy
sar
efol
l
owi
ngus!
"shewhi
sper
s

Me:
"Not
hey
..
.
Idi
dn'
tev
engettofini
sh,
shegrabbedmyarm andmademerunt
ohercarwi
thbot
hourhi
gh
heel
sMakingaqhofqhofsound,
sheopenst
hedoorforme

Her
:"
Geti
nQui
ckl
y"

Ir
oll
myey
esandf
oldmyar
ms

Me:
"Theyar
emyBODYGUARDS"
Emphasi
zet
hel
astpar
t

Her
:"
Owwwwhydi dn'
tyousayso?
Wai
twhydoy
ouhav
ebody
guar
ds?
Youasecr
etMaf
iaboss
l
adyaren'
tyou?
"

Il
aughi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Me:
"By
eLi
ndi
"

Her
:"
OkeyBy
e.i
'
llseey
out
omor
row"

Me:
"Tomor
row?
"

Her
:"
I'
ll
texty
ou"
shedr
ivesof
f.

Igeti
nsi
det
hecarandt
hedr
ivert
akesushome.
What
shappeni
ngt
omor
row.
Hay
ithatgi
rl

MEANWHI LEThandogav ebir

thtoababyBoy ,
Nkosi namedhi m Nkosenhl
e.Asthedoctorscut
thetubesthatwereattachedtot hebabyThandocoul dn'
tbreat
he,shewassuf f
ocati
ng.She
star
tedhav i
ngaseizuret hedoctorswer
erunningupanddown. Herbodyslowlyfai
led,
the
machinesbeepedcont inuousl
yasshet ookherlastbreath.
Nkosi wasledt
ot hebenches,The
doctorgoesouttoinform himt hatHi
swifeisnomor e.

Herej
oicedi
nsi
dehi
m butshowedadi
ff
erentsadex
pressi
ont
othedoct
or,
Shedaf
ewt
ear
s
t
henbowedhisheadsmil
ing.

I
NSERT42

•
°

•
°
•
°

NSI
KA

Ist
epoutoft
hecar
,andknockont
hedoor

Aboyopens

Me:
"Hey
"

Hel
ookedatmeupanddownt
henshout
ed

"
ZAMA"

Zamacamer
unni
ngt
hencal
meddownshaki
ngherheadashesawme,
hegl
ancedatt
heboy

Her
:"
Aphi
wewhywer
eyoushout
ingi
nfr
ontoft
heguest
?"

Aphi
we:
"I
shemyf
ather
?"

Zamal
ooksar
oundt
hehouset
hengr
absast
ickt
hatwasont
het
v

Aphi
we:
"Yoooomamay
o"hesai
drunni
ngpushi
ngmet
othesi
de

Zama:"
Nxawhenyoucomeback,
you'l
lfi
nditwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou!
"shout
ingatAphi
wewhoi
smi
l
es
away.
IChuckl
eandgeti
nsi
det
hensitonthechai
r.

Zama:
"Dumel
aKgosi
"

Il
aughed

Me:
"Awowaboaghante?keengsepedi
orSesot
hoorSet
swana,
Ican'
tdi
ff
erent
iat
ebet
ween
t
hosethr
eeIj
ustspeakwhatcomestomind"

Zama:
"hahai
alsodon'
tknow"

webot
hlaugh

Me:
"We'
renotanat
ioni
fwedon'
tl
ear
neachot
her
'sl
anguagesr
ight
?"

Zama:
"Tr
ue.
(I
tget
squi
etf
oramoment
).
..
I'
m sor
ryaboutwhatmychi
l
ddi
d..He.
..

Ii
nter
rupther

Me:
"Hey
..
it
'sokey
..
kidswi
l
lal
way
sbeki
ds.
Hej
ustneedsaf
atherf
igur
e"

Zama:
"Dadi
sher
emosbuty
enaAphi
wei
sal
way
srude"

Me:
"Yourf
atheri
sol
d,hecan'
trepr
imandachi
l
d..
..I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
mify
ou'
recool
wit
hthat
"

Shebr
ight
ensupabi
tandnodsbl
ushi
ng
Her
:"
Thanky
ou"

Me:"
Ohurhm youmustbewonder
ingwhatI'
m doi
nghere.
.Well
Icametohonourmy
pr
omise,
andtakeyout
othelandt
hatyourhousewil
lbebui
ltat
,t
oshowIwasn'tki
ddi
ng"

Shebecomesemot i
onal
,andwipeshertearswithherapr
on.i
'
veseenthi
sinmovi
esisitt
het
ime
I
'm supposedt
obrushherbackandtell
heri t
'sgoi
ngtobeokey?Hel
laNsikawe'
renoton
mov i
esstopbei
ngstupi
d,Il
i
stentomyev il
consciousandremai
ninthechair
.

Her
:Huskyvoice"
Tha..
(Cl
ear
sherthroat
)Thankyousomuch,
youdon'
tknowhowmucht hi
s
meanstous"shelandsinmyfeetwhil
stthanki
ngme,
MrChil
i
zacomesintoseeherdaught
eron
t
hefloorcr
yingandassumethings

MrC:
"Haybowhatishappeni
nghere,y
azi
wenajustbecausey
ouar
ethenextki
ngdoesn'
tgi
ve
youari
ghttoabusemydaughter
.List
enwedon'tneed.
..
..

Zama:
"Dad"

Mr
C:"
What
?"

Zama:
"Hewant
sust
ogot
othel
andt
hathepr
omi
sedus,
Iwasj
ustt
hanki
nghi
m"

Hegi
vesoutt
heOHf
ace,
thi
smenl
i
kesj
umpi
ngt
oconcl
usi
onsnhe

Mr
C:"
I'
m sor
ryson"

Ishookmyhead

Me:
"Iunder
standy
ourwor
rysi
r.
..
canwego?
"

Mr
C:"
Sur
e"

Weal
lgeti
nsi
det
hecaranddr
iveof
f

MBALI

WhenLindisaidshe'
l
lseeme" t
omorrow"
whichistoday,
shemeantShoppi ng.
Ineveragr
eedto
anyshoppi
ngbutshef or
cedmet ogowit
hher,tr
uthful
lyIwantedtodosomeshoppi ngfor
cl
othessoIendedupagr eeing.
Mam'NandiSai
dshe'lll
ookafterLesedi
,
Iwantedtotakeherwit
h
butshementionedMrsHer nandezandIr
eali
zedshewasr ight.
Shecan'tbeseenpubli
cyet.

Thedr
iverlef
tmeatthemallwitht
wooftheguards,
Iwastherewear
ingabl
ackti
ghtsi
lkydress
andafl
uffybrowncoatwi
thblackboot
s,peopl
ewerelooki
ngatmesomewer ewishi
ngt obe
meandsomewer et
hrowi
ngdaggersatmemxm Idon'tcare.
Shetel
l
smeshe'satWoolworths
neart
hecorner
.Wegetther
eandfindhert
alki
ngnonest
opt
othesecur
it
ywomen,
Thesecur
it
y
exhai
l
switha"Phew"
wipingsweatdramat
ical
l
y.

ShehugsmeAndhugsmyguar
dsbuttheystandsti
ll
,
OhtheirnamesareTumel
oandBafana,
I
hadtodr
agoutt
hei
rnamesf
rom t
hei
rmout hs,
theyweret
oldtonotspeaktomeIguess.
well
fi
ne.

Li
ndi
:
"Yhoy
ourguar
dsar
est
if
fshem.
..Any
waysowhaty
ougoi
ngt
obuy
"

Me:
"HawuIt
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
otel
lmesi
ncey
oubr
oughtmeher
e"

Li
ndi
we:"
EhheManbabe,Imadeali
stoft
hecl
othesIneedsoy
oumeant
otel
lmey
ou
di
dn'
t?
"shethr
owsherheadbackabit

Whowr
it
esal
i
stofcl
othes.
Goshsomecr
azypeopl
eout
chea.
Ilef
therwonder
ingaboutt
hel
i
st

Her
:"
ArhHel
l
oDi
neoMoeket
si"
say
sfol
l
owi
ngme

Whydi
dshehav
etoment
ionMangal
i
so'
ssur
name,
Ibr
eat
hinandout

Me:
"I
'm notDi
neoMoeket
si"

Her
:"
Yourbodi
eswer
ebui
l
tbyt
hesamehands,
sot
echni
cal
l
yyou'
reher
"

Me:
"What
ever
"Ir
oll
myey
es

Webuytheclot
hes,
Thr
owthem t
omyguar dsastheypusht hetr
oll
iesbehindus.
Wepayand
l
eaveWoolwort
hs,
Sheent
ersali
nger
ieshoptheguardsstandbythedoorasweent er
.what
s
wrongwi
thpanti
es?
asift
heyhavenevert
ookoneofffrom thei
rgir
lfr
iendsmxm

Webuysexyl
i
nger
ies,honestl
yIdon'
tknowwhyIwasbuyi
ngonebecauseIdon'
thav
eamen
per
hapsf
orwhenLesedisucksmybreastIdon'
tknow.

Li
ndi
:"
Nobabeyourbr
east
sar
esaggedbuty
oucanbr
ingt
hem backt
oshapei
fyourchi
l
djust
st
opssucki
ngi
t"

Me:
"Youwantmet
odenymychi
l
dherr
ight
ful
food?
"

Her
:"
Wel
lnotr
eal
l
y..
(Shet
hinksf
oramoment
)"

Me:
"I
'm sur
ewhaty
ou'
ret
hinki
ngi
sst
upi
dcomel
et'
sgopay
"

Li
ndi
:
"ButIwasgoi
ngt
osayameani
ngf
ult
hing"

Il
augh.Wepayandl
eav
e.Wedeci
dedwe'r
ehungry
.Noscr
atcht
hat,
SHEwashungr
y,Ij
usthadt
o
eatev
enwhenIwasful
l.
Weorder
edburgersandf
ri
eswit
hcockt
ail
s,
shet
henagai
nor der
ed
beerf
orher
self

Me:
"Youdr
ink"
Her
:Shr
ugs"
Nowandt
hen"

Shel
ooksl
i
ket
het
ypet
hatopensherl
egsonaf
ir
stdat
e.

Her
:"
Mhmhmhuhl
ala"
shewi
ggl
esherey
ebr
ows

Me:
"What"
Ithr
owtwochi
psonmymout h.Thewaytheysli
ceitandshor
tageofthesechi
psi
n
t
hepaperbagit
'sl
i
kewerunni
ngoutofpotat
oesi
nWor ldwide,
thi
sneedstostop

Shepokesme

Me:
"Yhoowhat
?"Isayi
rr
it
ated

Shemov
esherheadpoi
nti
ngont
hel
eft

Il
ookather

Me:
"Youhav
eaneckpr
obl
em?
"

Shesi
ghscov
eri
ngherf
ace,
thenr
omov
esi
t

Her
:"
You'
reani
diot
..
.Iwassay
ingl
ookatt
hoseguy
slooki
ngatus"

Il
ookt
hei
rwayandt
heyar
eindeedl
ooki
ngatussmi
l
ing

Shet
urnsmyf
acet
oher

Her
:"
Your
eal
l
yar
eani
diot
,Youwer
enotsupposedt
olookatt
hem f
ort
hatl
ong"

Me:"
Arghcany
oufi
nishy
ouf
oodandl
et'
sleav
e,Imi
ssLesedi
now"
Ipoutmyl
i
ps,
shepokesmy
l
ipswit
hatoot
hpi
ck

Me:
"Ouch.
.Youi
nsane"

Her
:"
Shutupt
hey
'r
ecomi
ngt
oourt
abl
e"shewhi
sper
s

Ir
oll
myey
es,
andt
akeasi
pofmycockt
ail

Theymaket
hei
rwayt
othet
abl
e,
greetandsi
tdown.
Oht
hatwasLi
ndi
wet
ell
i
ngt
hem t
ojoi
nus.

Guy
1:"
I'
m Smangaandt
hisher
eisFanel
e"

Her
:"
Ohni
cemeet
ingy
ouguy
s..Wel
lI'
m Li
ndi
weandshe'
sMbal
i
"

IseeIcan'
ttal
kformy
sel
fnowhuh!

Fanel
e:"
Nicemeet
ingy
ouMbal
i
"Ij
ustl
ookathi
m wi
thabor
edexpr
essi
on"
Hawuy
ouf
ri
endcan'
t
tal
k?"

Her
:Popsherey
esoutsi
gnal
i
ngmet
otal
k"Wel
l
"
Idot
heunexpect
ed

Me:
Ital
kinsi
gnl
anguage,
Maki
ngaspi
derMansi
gn

Smanga:
Looksatme"
Doessheknowwhatshe'
sdoi
ng?
"

Ioncel
earnedthesi
gnl
anguagesbutIf
orgott
hem Ihadtomakethatup.
It
'squi
teamazi
nghow
wesouthafri
canscommuni
cate,
wehavesomanyway s.Godbl
essesusindif
fer
entways

Her
:"
ErhMbal
iar
eyouokey
?"l
ooksatmewi
thawor
ri
edf
ace

Me:
"I
'mf
ine"

Fanel
e:"
Wher
edi
dyoul
ear
nthat
?andwhatdoesi
tmean?
"

Me:
"Honest
lyIdon'
tknowei
ther
"t
heyl
augh.
Thatwasn'
taj
okemxm.

Il
ookatt
het
ime

Me:
"Sor
ryt
obeapar
typooperbutIhav
etogetbackhome"
Ist
andupf
ixi
ngmydr
ess.

Her
:"
Butwej
ustgother
e"

Me:
"IknowbutIhav
etogett
omybaby
"

Fanel
eandSmangasayi
nuni
son:
"Youhav
eababy
?"t
hei
rjawshav
edr
opped

Me:
"Youhear
dri
ght
"

Fanele:
"Wowitdoesn'
tshowatal
l
"hesay
sobser
vingmybody
,Igetuncomf
ort
abl
eimmedi
atel
y
athisgaze.

Ipusht
hechai
rinsi
det
het
abl
e

Fanel
e:"
CanIt
akey
ouhome?
"

Me:
"Ar
hnot
hanks"

Fanel
e:"
Iinsi
st"

Me:
"I
'm al
sodr
ivi
ng"

YouknowImeantI
'
m dr
iven,
butIj
usthadt
oputi
tinani
ndependentway

Fanel
e:"
Oh.
.CanIatl
easthav
eyournumber
s"

Me:
"Your
eadyt
obeast
epdad?
"

Hel
aughs

Fanel
e:"
Yes,
wil
lyougi
vemenow?
"
Igi
vehi
m,andbi
dfar
ewel
ltoLi
ndi

Igott
othehousewi
thsomanybags,
Ithr
ewmy
sel
finbedandsl
eep

NKOSI

Iwentt
ofet
chthebabyt
odaybutt
hedoct
orsai
dhewasapre-
mat
uresohehast
ost
ayt
her
ea
bi
t.
Ihopehi
sfat
herdi
eswherev
erhei
scausehi
snotgoi
ngt
ogett
hisl
it
tl
efel
l
a.

NkosenhleDlamini
,Myson.Mayhisbewitchingbitchmot herRestinhell
..
LetmeconfessIcut
theoxygenpipeitj
usthappenedtobecoi ncidencethattheyalsocutt
ingherint
est
inesfrom
downthere.
Mi ndyouIdidn'
tcarei
fIwast obecaught ,
al
l Iwantedwastoseeherdead, Because
wellmeandshengshav eapl anForherev eninherdeath,hersoulwil
lnotent
erhel
l yet
.She
mustwor kforus.

Thedoct ort
akesmet other oom wher emysoni sat,Ibookedar oom forhim,Therehewasi nan
visibl
eglassboxt hrowinghist i
nyfistsintheair
.Isurewilllov
et hischildasmyown. Ialway s
want edanHei r,someoneI '
llworkhar dfor,
anencour agement,ther easontobeingalive.
andI
foundone, Iwasn' tgoingtoletthepoorchi ldsuff
erforhi smot her'ssinsno.I'
m evi
lbutIhav ea
sof tspotforchil
dr en,
itusedt obewomenbutnowaf terwhatThandodi d,onlyMbaliisleftinmy
hear t.
YesIloveherbutl et
'snotdwel ltoomuchont hat.
Let'sgett othefactthatthi
schi ldlooks
l
ikemybestf ri
end( Il
aughi ndisbel
ief)WowInev erwoul d'
v ethought .
Thedocsay shemustr un
somet ests,
youknowIcanj usttakeNkosenhl etoShengeandhe' dbeal r
ightwe'dforgethewas
ev enpre-mature,butletmer espectt hem andletthem dot hei
rwor k

ZAMA

Wearr
ivedatthel
and,
i
twassobig.Ievendoubteditwast
obeours.
IaskedNsi
kamul
ti
ple
t
imeswhetherhewassur
eaboutthisornot.
Iexcusedmysel
fasLangawascal
li
ng

Me:
"Whati
sit
?"Isayannoy
ed

Hi
m:"
Ohi
sthathowy
ouanswermycal
l
snow?
"

Ikeepqui
et

Hi
m:"
Good.
..
NowI
'
llf
etchhi
mlat
er,
I'
ll
texty
ouwhen"
Me:
"You'
ref
unnyy
ouknow.
Yousai
dhewasn'
tyoursonnowhei
s?"

Hi
m:"
Yeshei
smi
ne,
Ihear
dmysi
stersai
dhel
ooksl
i
keme"

Me:"
Ohwow.
Ithoughtyousai
dyourbabydi
edwhenIhadami
scar
ri
ageay
earago,
andt
hat
Aphi
wei
snotyourchil
d"

Hi
m:.
..
..

Me:
"Catcuty
atonguenow?
"

Hi
m:"
List
enI'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tbel
i
evey
ou,
butIwantt
ofi
xal
lofi
t,
Me,
youandoursont
obea
f
amil
yagain"

Igi
vehi
m at
alkt
othehandandqui
ckl
yrememberhe'
snother
e,mxm

Me:"
There'
snoyouandmehere..
Youknowwhatf
iney
oucanhav
eaccesst
oyourson,
but
you'
renott
aki
nghimfrom me!
"

Iendt
hecal
l
.Whet
herhe'
sat
roubl
emakerorwhatIl
ovemyson,
Ninemont
hsi
snochi
l
d'spl
ay

Igetbackt
otheguy
s,Thet
rucksar
ebusyof
fl
oadi
ngt
hemat
eri
al.

Il
ookatthem l
aughi
ng,
evenmybrot
herhasbecomesoberf
rom t
henewsoft
henew
house.
Actual
l
yhehasn'
tbeendr
inki
ngforafewday
swhichisagoodsi
gn.

Nsi
ka:
"Youokey
?"

Me:
Inod"
Yest
hanky
ouf
oraski
ng"

hebrushesmyshoul
der
,Dadcl
ear
shi
sthr
oatgi
vi
ngNsi
kaanev
iley
e,Nsi
kar
emov
eshi
shand
andChuckle.

I
NSERT43

•
°

•
°

•
°

MBALI

Mar
ch01,
I
t'
sthel
ear
ner
shi
pday
,Let
'
sjustsayi
t'
swor
kingday
.TobehonestIdon'
twantt
ogoI
l
i
keseei
ngSedi
ever
yday
,butgot
tadot
hisf
orherandmy
sel
fri
ght
.

Irepupever
ythi
ngwear
ingmymar
oonpowerpant
sandawhi
tepol
oneckwi
thabl
ackl
ongcoat
andwhit
ehighheel
s.

ItakeSeditoQNandiasshepr omisedtotakecareofher,
Sheisalsotaki
ngcar eof
Nkosenhle.
Mayhismot her'
ssoul r
esti
npeace,shewasburiedri
ghtinthislandattheback
yardsofthepal
ace.
Reasonwas" IwantNkosenhlet
oknowwher ehermot heriswhenhegr ows
up"wel
l t
hatwasav al
i
dr easonbuthayisomethingwasup.ButIwon'tdigbecauseImi ghtend
upintroubl
eandIdon'tneedanydr amanotany more.
I'
vebeenthroughal ot.

MeandLi ndihavebeensoclose,
IknowIsai
dIdon'tli
keherbutshe'
sgreatcompany,
she
annoysmeatt imesbutIwouldn'
ttr
adeherf
ornothing.
Idon'tl
ookatanyoneint
heeyes
now,si
nceIjustseewhatpeoplegothr
oughandwhatpeopl eareaboutt
ogot hr
ough.
Ijustst
eal
gl
ances.

Ihav
ear
ri
vedatt
hebui
l
ding,
Irequest
ednoguar
dsf
ornow,
Icanpr
otectmy
sel
f.

Igotother
ecept
ionist
,Andtherearelotofpeopl
etal
ki
ngtoherbutshe'
slaughi
ngwit
hher
l
aptop.
She'
snotdoingherjob,Igoaroundherandtur
nofft
helapt
opshel ooksatmewit
hher
j
awsopen

Recept
ioni
st:
"Whatt
hef
uck?
"shel
i
ftsherhandupt
ryi
ngt
osl
apme,
Ihol
ditbef
orei
treachesmy
cheek

Il
ookaroundwher
eshe'
sseat
edandt
akeacupf
ull
ofcof
feeandspi
l
litont
hekey
boar
dofher
l
aptop.

Recept
ioni
st:
"Ar
rrr
rrrr
hWHATTHEFUCK"
shesay
swi
pingherl
apt
op.
Okeyt
hatwasabi
t
ext
remebutIcareless.

Ir
eadhernamet
ag.
Winni
e

Me:
"Wi
nnieSisi
wabantuy
ou'r
enotheret
olaughatt
heseusel
essjokes,
buty
ou'
l
lpayat
tent
ion
t
ousother
wiseI'
m goi
ngtocal
lJessi
caandyou'
l
lbefi
redwit
hinabli
nkofaney
e"

Shekeepshermout
hshut

Me:"Thankyou.
Nowhel pwhoev
ercamef i
rst
.Iknowwher
eI'
m headed"
Idomyconfidencewalk
theyallt
urnandlookatme,Amused,
IknowI'm goi
ngt
opayforthatl
aptopohwel
lI'
llwai
tfor
hertosaythemagi cwords.

It
aket
hel
i
ft,
andi
ttakesmet
ofl
oornumber4,
Imakemywayt
other
ecept
ioni
st

Shesmi
l
esasIappr
oach

Her
:"
Goodmor
ningI
'
m Dai
syandy
oumustbeChar
lot
te?
"

Me:
"Yes"
Her
:"
Ever
yonei
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ouatt
heboar
droom"

Me:
"Am Inotear
ly?
"Igl
anceatmywat
chi
t'
s08:
00

Her
:"
You'
re30mi
nut
esl
ate,
youshoul
dchecky
ouremai
l
ssomet
imes"

Oht
hat
,gr
eatnotagoodi
mpr
essi
onatal
l
.

Shepointsatwhichr
oom Imustent
er,
asI'
m aboutt
oent
erev
ery
onecomesoutwi
thf
il
esi
n
thei
rhands.Icomeaccr
ossLi
ndi,
Shehugsme

Li
ndi
:
"Babewhyareyoul
ate?.
.MrHotther
ewasaskingaboutt
heempt ychai
r,
youshouldget
i
n,
mybehewon'tbeangr
y!OhIshoul
dwarnyoutodayheisext
rasauce"shesaysf
anningher
sel
f

Me:
"Okay
,I
'l
lseey
ouwheni
t'
slunch"
Isayi
gnor
inghergoi
ngf
orwar
dtot
hedoor

Iknockt
wice

Jessi
caopenst
hedoorwithasmudgedl
ipsti
ck,f
ixi
nghershi
rt
.Shepassesme,
mybet
hisi
sthe
wrongti
metocome.Iher
esomeoneshoutinsi
de"
Comei n"

Iopent
hedoorandpeakf
ir
stj
usti
ncasehef
orgott
opul
luphi
str
ouser
s.i
geti
nhemot
ionsme
tosi
tdown

Me:
"Mor
ningsi
r"

I
tdoesn'
tsmel
ll
ikesexher
e,wel
li
t'
snotasi
fIknowhowi
tsmel
l
sar
gh.

Hi
m:"
You'
rel
ate"
hesay
sir
ri
tat
ed.

Ohi
sitbecauseIDi
stur
bedhi
mint
hemi
ddl
eofsomet
hing

Me:
"I
'm sor
rysi
r,
Idi
dn'
tcheckmyemai
l
s"

Hi
m:"OhYoudidn'tcheckyoure.
..
(Helaughsi
ndisbel
i
eft
henget
sser
ious)Rubbi
sh,
Her
e"he
t
hrowsafi
lebutitfall
sbehindme" Gothr
oughit
".

Ist
andupandpi
cki
tup,
Itur
nhewasl
ooki
ngatmybut
tashi
sgazehasn'
tl
eftmyl
owerbody
.

Me:
Icl
earmyt
hroat
,hesnapsoutofi
t"Thanky
ousi
r,
am Iexcusedort
her
e'smor
e?"

Hi
m:"
Arhhhuhm.
.You'
reexcused"

Inodandl
eave.
Didher
eall
yhav
etobesomeant
ome,
mybehe'
snotov
ert
hehotchocol
ate
thi
ng,
argt
hatwoul
dbestupi
dofhi
m.

I
fIwasthatSensi
ti
veMbal i
from l
astyear
,Iwoul
d'
vecr
iedr
ightt
hatmoment
.ButNownhat
hat
wasnot
hing,
hewasj ustbei
ngcockyfornoreason

Dai
syt
ell
smeev
ery
onewentt
othe3r
dfl
oor
,Igett
o3r
dfl
oor
.Andt
her
e'sanopenspacewi
th
t
abl
esandchai
rs.
Ever
yonehast
hei
rtabl
e.Li
ndi
wav
esatmeIgett
oher
.

Li
ndi
:
"Soooooo?
"

Myey
eswonderar
ound

Me:
"Sooo?
"

Her
;Rol
l
sherey
es"
Whatdi
dMrMi
chael
B.Jor
dansay
?"

Me:
"MrWho"

Her
:"
Yhonev
ermi
nd.
Whatdi
dthebosssay
?"

Me:"Hewasmeanl
etmej
ustsayt
hat
..
.i
sthi
stabl
ereser
vedf
orme?
"Iaskpoi
nti
ngatt
het
abl
e
nexttoher

Her
:"
Dur
h,Thatbi
tchMpet
huwant
edt
otakei
t.
Imagi
neherbesi
deme.
..
WuhI
'
dpukeshem"

Me:
"I
t'
sZet
hu"

Her
:"
Iknow,
j
ustmakesmef
eel
bet
terwhenIsayi
tmyst
yle"

IChuckl
e.

Me:
"Sowhatdi
dthebossment
ionwhenIwasn'
tther
e?"

Sheupdatedmeaboutwhatwassai d,
Wewentt hr
oughthef i
l
estoget herwithLi
ndi.
Andwe
l
earntqui
ckerwhenwor ki
ngtogether.
She'sactual
lysmart
.Lunchwasar ound12,sowewentt
o
thenear
estshopthatsell
schipsandfries.andcamebacktoeatatt hecant een.
Wesitatt
he
tabl
esattheback,
Zethucomesourway ,putshert
rayandsitkeptquietwhileeati
ng.

MeandLi
ndi
lookateachot
her
,ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.

Li
ndi
:
"Excusey
ouMpet
huar
en'
tyoul
ost
?"

Shegasp

Zet
hu:
"I
'm Zet
hunotMpet
hu"

Li
ndi
:
"WhatmustIsaywheny
oul
ookl
i
keone"

Zet
hu:
"Excuseme?
"

Li
ndi
:
"You'
reexcused"
shemot
ionsf
orhert
oleav
e

Zet
hu:
"Nxay
ouknowIl
i
kedy
out
wowheni
sawy
oubutnownxa"
shookherhead.

Me:
Icl
apmyhandsl
aughi
ng"
Heheandt
henMi
nawhatdi
dIsay
?"

Zet
hu:
"Youkeptqui
ety
oushoul
drepr
iment
(Repr
imand)y
ourf
ri
end"
Li
nd:"
Nyi
pri
mentNy
ipr
imentmyf
oott
swaandgof
ixy
ourv
ocabul
ary
"Shesay
spushi
ngher
shoul
der

Zet
hust
andsupandspi
l
lthej
uiceonLi
ndi
'
sshi
rt

Li
ndi
standsupt
ofi
ghther
,Iqui
ckl
yst
andbet
weent
hem

Me:
"Guy
snother
epl
ease"

Li
ndi:
"Ar
gr el
axMbali
Idon'
ttouchMaggot
s,Iwoul
dn'
thav
efoughtherev
eni
fIwant
edt
o"she
pul
lsadisgustedf
ace

Zet
hur
unsof
f

Li
ndi
sit
sdown,
andt
akest
het
issueandwi
pesher
sel
flaughi
ngi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

Me:
"Sor
rymen"

Li
ndi
:"
Don'tworry
,I'
l
lbef
ine.
.Shehasi
ssues,
shei
sdesper
atef
oraf
ri
endshi
p,Fr
iendshi
pfr
om
who?
me? nevernxa"

Ev
ery
onel
ooksatusaswel
eav
ethecant
eengoi
ngt
otheRestr
ooms.

Me:
"Thankgoodnessi
t'
snotwhi
te"
Isaywav
ingt
heNav
yshi
rti
ntheai
r,t
ryi
ngt
odr
yit
.

Shecomesoutoft
het
oil
et

Her
:"
Yheahey
,Iwoul
d'
ver
eal
l
ymessedheral
readyugl
yface"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Hahawai
iyouf
ail
edwheny
ouhadachancet
o"

Her
:"
Youst
oodbet
weenus"

Me:
"HawowhatwasIsupposedtodo,
lety
ougiv
ethepoorgi
rlablueey
eony
ourf
ir
stdayat
wor
k?.
..
(It
hinkf
oramoment)..
.Di
dyouevenher
ehowthatsounded"

Her
:"
Whatev
er.
.Youdidgoodanyway
,ot
her
wiseI
'
dbei
njai
lnowf
ormur
der
ingherandy
ou'
dbe
i
namortuar
yident
if
yingherbody
"

Webot
hlaughed

Me:
"I
'm notherf
ami
l
y..
.her
eweari
tnow.
Ourl
unchi
sal
mostov
er"

Her
:"
Whaty
ouscar
ed?
"

If
rown

Me:
"Huh?
"

Her
:"
Didn'
tIt
ell
you?
Arghmust
'
vesl
i
ppedmymi
nd.
..
I'
m Lesbi
an"
Il
aughather

Me:
"Wai
iyou?Lesbi
an?wer
en'
tyout
heonet
alki
ngbouthowhott
hebossi
s"

Her:
Shegetscl
osetomewhichmakesmeuncomf
ort
abl
e"Doy
ouwantmet
oshowy
ou?
"She
l
icksherl
i
psImov etot
hedoor

Shel
aughssol
oud

Her:
"Youshoul
dseeyourf
ace.
.GoshI'
m notl
esbi
an,mybeIam Idon'
tknow!
(Sheshr
ugs)
WhatI
knowisIlov
eVitami
nD"Shesaysdanci
ngonthelastpar
t

Me:
"Vi
tami
nD?
"

Her
:Shel
ooksatmef
orawhi
l
e"Ar
eyousur
eyouhav
eachi
l
d?"

Me:
"Whyy
ouaski
ng?
"

Her
:"
You'
recl
uel
ess"

Me:
"Wel
lI(
Shoul
dIt
ell
her
?).
..
HahaIj
ustpr
etendI
'
m cl
uel
ess,
Let
'sgonow"

Iwal
ktot
hedoor

Her
:"
Hmhm.
..Any
wayl
et'
sbetI
'
llgetMi
chael
B.Jor
dan"

Me:
"Wai
iDoy
out
hinkhe'
dli
key
ou,
wheny
oul
ookl
i
keMpet
hu"

Shepokesme

Her
:Laughi
ng:
"Il
ookl
i
kewho?
You'
ret
oof
orwar
dNxa.
..
Let
'sj
ustbety
ou'
l
lsee"

Me:
"Ar
har
hI'
m notbet
ti
ngonany
thi
ng"

We'
rebackt
owor
k,Imakeaf
ewnot
esher
eandt
her
e.

Jessi
camakeswayt
omydesk,
Andaskst
otot
alkt
ome.
Ist
andupandgowi
thher
.

Icl
oset
hedooraf
terme.

Me:
"Yheawhat
'sup?
"

Her
:"
Howar
eyou?
"Shesmi
l
esner
vousl
y.

Me:
"I
'm goodandy
ou?
"

shenods

Me:
"Am Ii
ntr
oubl
e?"

Her
:"
Arhnoy
ounot
..
Ijustwant
edt
omakesur
eyoudon'
tment
ionany
thi
ngt
oany
one!
"
Me:
"I
'm conf
used,
Whati
sJesst
alki
ngabout
?"

Her
:"
Aboutt
hisMor
ning!
"

Me:
"Oht
hat
..
Nhai
tsnoneofmybusi
ness"

Her
:"
OukThanky
ou"

Me:
"I
t'
snobi
ggy
"Ismi
l
egoi
ngbackt
owor
k

Li
ndi
we'
sey
esgazeatmeunt
ilIsi
tdown

Me:
"Jeezdoy
ouhav
etost
arel
i
ket
hat
?"

Shecont
inuesst
ari
ngatme

Me:
"What
?"

Her
:"
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhatMi
ssWor
ldsai
d?"

Me:
"Whuuahah"
Iignor
eherandcont
inuewi
thwor
k.

NSI
KA

Il
ookaroundformybrother
,Ineedtotal
ktohim aboutbusi
ness.
Ican'
tbesi
tt
inghomepl
ayi
ng
uncl
etothosetwobabies,
I'
mt i
redofbabytal
ks.

If
indMot
herf
eedi
ngJoy
,andNkosenhl
esl
eepi
ng

Me:
"Mom hav
eyouseenNkosi
?"

Her
:"
NoIl
astsawhi
myest
erday
,Idon'
tthi
nkhecamebackf
rom wher
ehewas"

Wel
lthat
'sst
range.

Me:"
Ohokey.
..
Hel
lopunki
epunki
eJo-
joMj
oyi
zana"
Isaysqueezi
nghercheeksshegi
ggl
es
showi
nghergums.

Her
:"
Yeydon'
tcal
lachi
l
dMj
oyi
zanaot
her
wisei
twi
l
lsi
nki
n,we'
l
lendupcal
l
inghert
hatt
oo"

Me:
"That
'swhyi
tShoul
donl
ybemewhocal
l
shert
hat
"

Her:
"Hayi
IrememberwhenNkosi
wasyoung,
Weusedt
ocal
lhi
m Msuzobecauseheusedt
o
f
artyhoomyson,henev
ergav
euspeace"
Webot
hlaugh

Her
:"
ButthenwhenNkosi
was13,Heknockedsomechild'
steet
hof
fwhenhecal
l
edhi
m
Msuzo,
That'
swhenwenevercal
l
edhim bythatname"

Me:
"WowIwould'
velovedseeinghi
sf acewhenhe'dbecall
edbythat"
I'
mlaughing.
Inev
ergot
t
hechancet
oexperi
encehavingrealparent
s,Igi
veoutasadfacebuttr
ytohideit

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ry"

Me:
"Huh?
"

Her
:"
Forgi
vi
ngy
ouawayI
'
m sor
ry"

Me:
"I
t'
sjustt
hatIsomet
imeswonderhowt
hingswoul
d'
vet
urnedoutf
orme"

Iwoul
dn'
thav
ebecameamur
der
ert
hat
'
sforsur
e

Ther
e'ssi
l
encef
oramoment

Me:
"Letmegol
ookf
ort
hatmanhaha"

Her
:"
Okaybaby
"

Iwentandki
ssedhercheekst
henheadout

MEANWHILENkosi
yezweisabouttogeti
nsideacoff
in,
Shengef
ir
stappl
i
eswhi
tepowderon
hi
sbody
,sot
hathewon'tsweatwhenheisinsi
dethecoff
in.

Shenge:
"Ar
eyour
eady
?"

Henods,
assur
inghi
m he'
sready
.

Heget
sinsi
det
hecof
fi
nwi
thhi
sbr
ief
sandaspear
.

Shengeclosest
hecoff
in,
andchantevi
lwor
dsthatonl
yhecanunderst
andt
hentakesbloodat
pouritontopoft
hecoffi
nwhil
ststi
l
lchant
ingt
hosewordsspeaki
ngonadif
fer
entlanguage.

I
nsidet
heboxNkosi
'
seyesfli
ptot
hewhi
tesi
de,
hi
svai
nst
urnbl
ack,
Andabl
ackl
i
qui
dfl
owsof
f
hi
smouth,
ashi
sbodyshakes.
Shengest
opst
alki
ngandl
eav
est
hehut
.

Nkosist
opsshaki
ngbuttheli
quidi
scomi
ngout
.Hi
sspi
ri
tget
sinacav
epai
ntedwi
thbl
ood,
walki
ngbar
efootcar
ryi
nghisspear
.

Hewal
ksami
l
eandseesapl
acewi
thf
ir
e

Thenkneel
s

Hespeaks"
Icomebef
orey
ou,
Ipl
eadt
obemor
eweal
thi
erandmor
eev
il
"

Adarkshadowsurr
oundshi
m,Blackgasf
ormfrom wher
eheiskneel
ing,
Dif
fer
entv
oices
anchorf
rom hi
sheadhehol
dsitscreami
ng,
hedri
ft
stosleepasi
tchokeshi
m.

I
NSERT44

•
°

°
•Ihav
efastf
orwar
dedt
hey
ear
sforr
easons•
°

•
°

MBALI

THREEYEARSLATERwe'r
eali
veandnobadluckyet
.MysweetPumpki
nis3y
ear
snowandI
'
m
24.
Lif
ehasbeengoodt
ous,r
eal
lyr
eal
lygoodIhopeitst
aysl
i
kethat
.

Twoyear
sagoIhadadream,areal
l
ybaddream.Idr
eamtMymot her
'shousewasbur
ntandher
bodywasi
dent
if
ied.
Mysist
er'
sandbrot
herweren'
ti
nthehouse.

I
twasreal
,
Itookthef
ir
stfl
ightt
oS.
AAndfoundthehousebur ntdowntoashes.
Webur
iedMy
mot
herinthegr
avesi
tes,
Itol
dmysibl
i
ngsthey
'dvi
sitheri
ftheywant.

Sowit
hthei
ssueofmysi
bli
ngsandmeBei ng23y ear
satthatti
me,WemovedtoJohannesbur
g
wher
eDadhadlef
tusahouse,
itwasgoingtobeeasyformet otakecar
eoft
hefact
ori
es.The
l
awyerdi
dbr
iefmewit
htheotherf
actor
iesandtheywereundercontr
ol.

IaskedifIwastosel lmyf act

orywoulditbeokey?
andNathisai
dyesi
twouldbe,
butthatmeant
unemploymentf orthewor ker
s.SoIr
ecruit
edthem t
otheotherf
act
ori
esandsol
dmi ne.
Tobuil
d
"MCLoansFi nancialser
vices"

YesIdi
dnotspend12mont
hsonaLear
ner
shi
pthennot
hing.
Wel
lofcauseIwasr
ecr
uit
edf
ora
y
earbutIl
eftwhenwehadcr
isi
s.

IaskedLi ndi
tojoi
nmet oembarkonthi
sjour
neywi
thme.Andsheagreed,
sheisnowamaj or
it
y
shareholderi
nmycompanyIsol dher20%ofmyshares.
Idon'
tknowaboutmixingbusi
ness
wit
hf ri
endship,
Ihopei
tworksout.

Wehadi nvest
or sandsponsors,soitwaseasytostartthebusi
ness.
Wehav er ecr
uit
edal otof
peopleandImustsayi twasreal l
ygoodtobeaboss. it
'
sbeenawonder fulyearofbeing
one.TodayIdecidedtonotgoandl etmyassist
antThami t
otakecareofeverythi
ng.Iwantedto
spendsomet imewi t
hmydaught er.Mysi
sterswereatschooldoi
ngMatric.
AndMybr other
deci
dedhewi llstaywi
thhisfatherandv i
situsonholi
days.

I
'm wokenupbyat
ingl
i
ngsensat
iononmynunu,
Il
ookunder
cov
ersi
tJoy
.shei
sgi
ggl
i
ngont
op
ofme

Me:
Yawni
ng"
Joywhatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nther
e"

Joy
:"IwasCount
ingy
ourhai
r"

Il
i
ftherupt
othesi
deofmybedandt
ickl
eher

Me:
"Whatwer
eyoudoi
ng"

Herl
aughf
il
lsupt
her
oom,
Il
etgoofher
,shespeaksbr
eat
hlessl
y

Joy
:"Mor
ning.
..
Ma.
.Mama"

Me:
"Mor
ningbaby
"Iki
sshercheeks

Joy
:"Euuwy
ourbr
eat
hsmel
l
shor
ri
ble"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Hawubabyy
our
stoo"

Joy
:"Noi
t'
snot
"

Me:
"I
tis"

Joy
:"Not
"

Me:
"I
s"

Joy
:"Not
"

Me:
"I
yhoooIknowyouwhenyoudothi
s,
younev
ergi
veup.
Finey
our
sdoesn'
tsmel
l
.Comel
et'
s
gobr
ushourteet
handtakeabat
h"

Shegoesi
nfi
rst
,andst
epsont
hebencht
hat
'
spl
acedf
orhert
oreacht
hesi
nk.

Igi
veher
,herbr
ush
Joy
:"Let
'sseewhof
ishesf
ir
st,
I
fIwi
nyou'
l
lmakememyf
avour
it
emeal
"

Ir
oll
myey
es,
andbr
ushsl
owl
ysot
hatshecanwi
n

Joy
:"I
'
m done"

Shest
epsdownanddances,
Ishookmyhead

Me:
"Li
ndi
shoul
dst
ophangi
ngoutwi
thusot
her
wisewe'
l
lgocr
azyl
i
keher
"

If
il
li
nthebat
htakeof
fhercl
othesandmi
ne.
West
epi
nsi
deandgetcomf
ort
abl
e

Joy
:"Mah"

Me:
"Mhm"

Joy
:"Whenwi
l
lIhav
ehai
rdownt
her
e"

Me:
"Wheny
ou'
reol
d"

Joy
:"YoumeanI
'
myoungnow?
"

Ohmygoodness

Me:
"Dur
h"

Joy
:"ButauntJoysai
dI'
m abi
ggi
rl
"

Me:
"Shedi
dn'
tmeani
tthatway
"

Joy
:"Whatshemeant
?"

Me:
"Thaty
ou'
recandoacer
tai
nthi
ngs"

Joy
:"Li
ke?
"

Me:
"Li
ke.
..
Howaboutwegetoutnow"

Joy:
"Yheamyskini
sgetti
ngpal
enow,
andIcan'
thav
ethat
"sheget
soutr
appi
ngat
owel
around
herandwalksl
i
keLindi
.

Il
aughi
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
SoLi
ndi
ist
eachi
ngmychi
l
dtobel
i
keher
.

Irapatowelal
so.
Andlookforsomethi
ngshe'
l
lwearont
hewal
kincl
oset
,It
akeoutapi
nkdor
a
topandapinkski
rtwi
thpinksandl
es

Shegi
vesmet
he"
Arey
ouki
ddi
ngmel
ook"

Me:
"What
?"

Joy
:"Todayt
akemeshoppi
ngMahbecauset
hosecl
othesar
ewast
edandnotwor
nbyawoman
ofmycal
i
bre"

OhmyGod,
I
'mr
aisi
ngasl
ayqueen

Me:
"Fi
neweart
hisf
ornow"

Igi
vehert
hemaxi
bluedr
ess

AndIal
sowearamaxi
whi
tedr
ess.

Me:
"Let
'
sgo"

Joy
:i
spai
nti
ngt
henai
l
sofherdol
l"Wher
e?"

Me:
"Mal
l
"

Joy
:"Let
'smet
akeabot
tl
eofwat
er"
shel
eav
esherdol
lther
eandgoest
ofet
cht
hebot
tl
e.

Wear
ri
veatt
hemal
l
,Sheent
ersEdgar
's.
Andpi
cksomanycl
othes,
Idi
dn'
tev
enhav
espacef
or
mi
nemxm.

Igobuyal
i
nger
iet
hatIsaw,
andputi
tont
opofhercl
othes.

Joy
:"Ial
sowantt
hat
!"
shepoi
ntsatt
heLi
nger
ie

Me:
Laughi
ngi
gnor
ingher

Ipayandwel
i
vet
oeatbr
eakf
ast
.

Sheorder
edPancakesandi
cecream Il
etherbesinceit
'sherbi
rthdaymont
h.Wegobuyafew
thi
ngsatPickN'
Payandl
eav
e.iof
fl
oadthebagst othecarandtuckinJoyonhersi
tatt
he
back.
Mycar swi
ndowsaret
int
edforvar
iousreasons.

AsIopenmydoor
,If
eel
ataponmyshoul
der
,Ihol
dthehandIt
urnandt
wisti
t,
theguyscr
eams.

Guy
:"I
t'
sme.
..
It
'sme"

Il
ook.athi
m,i
t'
sKendr
ick

Me:
"OhmyGod,
I
'm sor
ry"
Ilaugh

Hi
m:"
YheaIseey
ouar
e"

Me:
"Ir
eal
l
yam"

Hi
m:"
Cool
"

Me:
"Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngt
appi
ngmyshoul
deri
nst
eadofcal
l
ingmyname"

Hi
m:"
Iact
edf
ool
i
shIknow.
..
Damnwher
edi
dyoul
ear
ntodot
hat
"
Me:
Chuckl
i
ng"
Iwast
aughtbyaSpai
nman"

Hi
m:"
Youdat
edaSpai
nman"

Me:
"Whendi
dIsayt
hat
?"

Hi
m:Laughi
ng"
I'
m ki
ddi
nghau"

Me:
"Whatbr
ingsy
out
oSout
hAf
ri
ca"

Hi
m:Hel
eansont
hecar
"Busi
ness,
Ithi
nkIwi
l
lresi
det
hissi
denow"
hesay
sexhal
i
ng

Me:
"Oh"

Hi
m:"
Yhea.
.Any
wayI
'
llseey
ouar
ound,
Ihope"

Me:
"Sur
e"hegi
vesmehi
snumber

Hi
m:"
Cal
lme"
hegoesof
f

Wel
lthatwasnew.
Wenev
erl
i
kedeachot
her
'sgut
sbutnowhe'
sbei
ngf
ri
endl
ywi
thme?
hmh

Igeti
nsi
det
hecar
,If
indJoySl
eepi
ng.
thankgoodnessIcan'
ttaket
hequest
ionssheasksy
ho

Wear
ri
vehome,
andf
indLi
ndi
weatourgat
e.Ir
oll
downt
hewi
ndow

Me:
"Can'
tyouSt
ayi
nyourhouse?
"

Her
:"
HahaIwasbor
ed,
openupMama"

Ipr
esst
her
emot
eandsheget
sinf
ir
stt
henIf
oll
ow.

Igetoutt
hecar,
unst
rapJoyfr
om hersi
tput
ti
ngheronmyshoul
der
.iunl
ockt
hedoorandupI
gotoputhert
osleepinherr
oom.

Igetdownst
air
s.Li
ndi
isal
readyeat
ingJoy
sDanone

Me:
"Whatki
ndofanauntar
eyou"

Her
:"
Ohshutup,
thi
sisnot
hing"

Me:
"GuesswhoIcameacr
osst
oday
?"

Her
:"
YouknowI
'
m ol
dert
heny
our
ight
?someandguessi
ngMhm no"

Me:
"IsawMrMi
chael
B.Jor
dan"

Her
:"
Argggggggpl
easespar
emeaboutt
hatasshol
e"

Me:Laughing"Youdissi
nghi
m nowbecausehedidn'
twannahavesexwi
thy
ou"
Igr
abat
rayof
st
rawberr
ies,Mil
k,
icecubesandi
cecr
eam thr
owingittot
hegri
nder
Her
:"
It
'snotaboutt
hat
,i
t'
sjustt
hathe'
ssoar
rogant
"

Me:
"YheaI
'
venot
iced"

Her
:"
mhm"

Me:
"Cany
out
alkt
ojoyl
i
keshe'
sachi
l
dandnotawomen"

Her
:"
Hawuwhatdi
dIdo"

Me:"
Ijustdon'
twanthert
oactmature,
she'
stooy
oung.
ify
ouenj
oyspendi
ngt
imewi
thhert
hen
t
ell
heraboutShrekandFionaorSof
ia"

Her
:"
Butsheneedst
oKnowt
heset
hings"

Me:
"Notnowshe'
sachi
l
d..
.Pl
ease"

Her
:"
I'
m sor
ry"

Inod

Me:
"Justdon'
tbeext
rawi
thher
"

Her
:"
Okay
..
.Soy
est
erdayIsl
eptwi
thCl
i
nton"
Shecov
ershermout
hscr
eami
ng

Me:
"Youneedchur
ch"

Her
:"
Who?
I'
ll
endupmaki
ngoutwi
tht
hepast
orI
nfr
ontofev
ery
onesonot
hanky
ou"

Shesi
psont
heshakeIj
ustgav
eher

Me:
Laughi
ng"
YouneedGod"

Her
:"
I'
m goi
ngst
rai
ghtt
ohel
l
,wi
thal
lthesesi
nsmt
ase"

Joycomesr
unni
nghuggi
ngLi
ndi
,
shecomest
omeandhugsmet
oo.

Joy
:"MamaIwantt
otal
ktoMny
eni
waJoy
(Joy
sHusband)
"

Me:
"Youmi
sshi
m?"

Joy
:"Yescanwev
isi
tthem somet
ime?
"

Me:
"We'
l
lsee"
ItakemyphoneandmakeaVi
deocal
ltoQueenNandi
,
sheappear
sont
hescr
een

Me:
"HeyMah"

Her
:"
Heybaby
,cany
ouseeme.
Idon'
tgett
hist
echnol
ogy
"

Me:
"YesIcan.
..
Joywant
edt
otal
ktoMkhweny
ana"
Shel
aughs

Her
:"
Shenev
erf
orget
sdoesshe"

sheshi
ft
sthephoneandNkosenhl
eappear
s,Igi
veJoyt
hephone

Joy
:shegi
ggl
es"
HeyEnhl
e"

Enhl
e:"
HeyWheny
oucomi
ngher
e"

Joy
:"Yest
erday
"

Il
ookatherandshookmyhead.

Enhl
e:"
Greatdadi
sbackwe'
l
ltal
klat
er"

Joy
:"By
e"

shegi
vesmet
hephone

Me:
"You'
l
lseehi
myest
erday
?It
houghty
ouwer
esmar
t?"

Joy
:"Iam.
.buthei
snot
"Shel
aughs,
whi
chmakesusl
augh.
HerandLi
ndi
highf
ive

Me:
"That
'ssowr
ong"

Joy
:"I
'
llapol
ogi
zet
ohi
mlat
er"

Me:
"Youmustat
tendschool
now"

Joy
:"Yeaaaaa(
Shej
umpsar
ound)
CanIski
ptohi
ghschool
"

Me:
"No"

Joy
:"Oh"
shel
eav
esusgoi
ngt
ogetherj
uicef
rom t
hef
ri
dgeandgoest
othel
ounge.

Li
ndi
:
"Shet
hinksshecanski
pcl
asses,
she'
snopr
esi
dent
sdaught
er"

Me:
"Ev
eni
fshewas,
shewoul
dn'
thav
e.I
magi
nea3y
earol
dathi
ghschool
"

Shekeepsqui
ett
henl
aughs

Me:
"Youcr
azynow?
"

Li
ndi
:
"I'
mimagi
ningherathi
ghschool
wit
hhershor
thei
ght
,di
dn'
tyousayImust
!"

Me:
"What
ever
"

Wehearv
oicescomi
ngt
otheki
tchen,
Thesi
ster
sar
ebackf
rom school
alr
eady

Them:
"Heysi
s,
Li
ndi
"
Us:
"Hey
"

Me:
"Whathappenedt
odayy
'al
lar
eear
ly!
"Il
ookatt
het
ime"
It
's12whyar
eyouback"

Bay
anda:
"Thet
eacher
swer
ehav
ingal
ongmeet
ing,
theydeci
dedt
heyl
etusgo"

Me:
"Ohouk"

Ayandaisal
way
sgl
uedt
oherphone,
shebehav
esandi
snotwi
l
d.ThanBay
andaYhoIdon'
twant
toexpl
ain

Bay
anda:
"Sosi
scanIgot
othecl
ubl
aterwi
thmyf
ri
ends?
"

SeewhatImeant
?

Me:
"Cl
ub.
.you'
re17"
Irol
lmyey
es

Bay
anda:
"so?
"

Me:
"You'
renotgoi
ng.
.You'
rei
nmat
ri
csopl
easebehav
e"

Bayanda:"
Idon'tgett
her
easonwehav
etogot
oschool
ifwehav
eourownf
act
ori
est
o
run,
varsi
tyforwhat?"

Me:
"Nev
ert
hel
ess,
younotgoi
ng"

Bay
anda:
"Mxm"
Shest
ormst
oherr
oom

Ay
anda:
"CanIi
nvi
tef
ri
endsov
er,
sayabout2.
Weneedt
ost
udyf
ort
heupcomi
ngt
est
"

Me:
"Sur
ebabyy
oucan"
Ismi
l
e.Shehugsme

Ay
anda:
"Thanky
ou"
shel
eav
esus,
Li
ndi
isl
ooki
ngatmewi
thsadey
es

Me:
"Outwi
thi
t"

Her
:"
Ifeel
sor
ryf
ory
ou,
you'
repr
act
ical
l
yrai
singt
eensher
e.AndBay
andaHai
Ili
keher
"

Me:
"Whatdoessheknowaboutcl
ubs.
Nxa"

Her
:"
Letherl
i
veal
i
ttl
e,
soshecanexpl
oreher
sel
f"

Me:
"Shecandot
hataf
termat
ri
c,
Cany
oushutupnow"

Her
:"
Iyhoogi
rl
"

•
NTSI
KA

Inowownaclub,wel
li
t'
sNkosi
'sbutI'
mr unni
ngit
.Youwon'
tbel
ieveithewentmissingfor
al
mostayear
,andthencamebacklooki
ngpalebutslowl
ycamebackt ohisnor
mal stat
e.Af
ter
hecamebackheoptedhewantstobuil
damal landhereal
l
ydid.Iwonder
edwherehegott he
moneyt
odoal loft
hat,
ohwel
ldrugsIguess.

Her ul
edl i
keat r
ueking, I
'dsayhehaschangednowhei sMor escari
erthanbefore.Isayscary
becauseI '
m alsoscaredofhi m.
Hi sgotthatdarkshadowsur r
oundinghimt hat
'swhyIdon' t
hangar oundhim somuch. MeandZamadat edandbr okeup2y earsback,whenIf oundoutshe
wasdat ingsomeoneel sewithmei nacircl
e,whatifIwascaughtupwi thadiseaseAr g..
Ist
il
l
hateherev ennow,theirhousewasbui l
tandf ini
shed,I'
m nott
heonet obehear t
lesssoIl et
them keept hehouse,Nkosi i
nsi
stedIdemol i
shit,
butIcouldn'
t.
Sohedi dithimselfatnightwhen
theywer evisi
ti
ngaf ami l
ymember ,
whatkindofaki ngdoesthatHai.
.

I
'
m onmywayt
othecl
ubgoi
ngt
ocheckaf
ewt
hingst
henmeetupwi
thf
ri
ends.

Igetinbythebackdoorleadsmet omyof f
ice,t
her
e'sawomenwhodiedherel
astmonthby
thelookofthi
ngsthebartenderwefi
redwaspaidtodothat
,sot
hatourcl
ubcoul
dbeshutdown
Iguess.butwe'
rehighl
yknown,weknowpeopl ewhoknowpeopl
esoourclubwasreopened
withi
naweek. I
tsnotourfaul
tthatgi
rldi
ed,
workmustconti
nue.

Ifi
xedwhatIcameheref
or,
Iheaddownst
air
sandtakeavi
ewit
'
ssofull
.Most
lybusi
nessman
comehereintheVVI
Psecti
onwithgi
rl
sswayingt
hei
rbut
tsont
hei
rfaces.

Iwalkov ert
ot hetablethatmyf r
iendsareseat
ed,
weshoulderbumpandor derdri
nks,Ther
e's
Menzithepol i
ceguy ,
whenIsai dIknowpeoplewhoknowpeopl eImeanthim.Thenthere'
s
Zakes,
thedr ugsmuggl erwhoownsal awfir
m.Heisourl
awy eri
nti
mesofneeds. Thenther
e's
KGshor tforKat l
ego,
Lesbiandressesinsui
tesandwalksli
keaman. Sui
tshersinceshehasno
breast
st oprov eshe'
sawomen. SheistheheadofourI
Tguy s,
sheknowscomput ersmorethan
sheknowsher self
.Menzispeaks

Menzi
:
"EhGent
sy'
al
lknowt
hosegi
rl
swhoar
elooki
ngatus?
"poi
nti
ngwi
thhi
sgl
assofwhi
skey

Wet
urnandl
ookatt
hem,
Idon'
tknowt
hem.

KG:
"Ahnotev
enone,
Keengy
out
hinkt
heywantus?
Butwhowoul
dn'
tJustl
ookatuswesmel
l
money"

Wechuckl
e

Me:
"Youli
kethi
nkinghi
ghofyour
sel
fwenaKG"Keghor
elerat
abei ngundercov
er,
especi
all
yyou
r
oyalhi
ghnessnnhaI'
m showi
ngoff
,whyhi
dey
ourheal
thehMt chana?"
shruggi
ng

Wel
aughather
,Zakeshasbeenqui
ett
hiswhol
eti
me

Me:
"ZakesOshapoMt
chana?
"
Zakes:
Hepoi
ntswi
thhi
sfi
ngert
ipandshakeshi
shead"
Justwai
tandsee"

Thosegi
rl
scomet
oourt
abl
eandi
ntr
oducet
hemsel
ves

Theysnuggl
ewi
thus,
theonewhowaswi
thmeki
ssedmet
henl
etgoandsai
dImustdr
inkmy
whiskey

Me:
"NoIj
ustwantt
obei
nsi
dey
ou"
Isayal
mostbr
eat
hless

Her
:"
Yesbutdr
inkf
ir
st,
thenwecangot
other
estr
oom"

Il
ookather
,andIdon'
tl
ikehowshewasper
sist
edIshoul
ddr
inkt
hewhi
skey

Me:
"Hol
dont hatt
hought
,Ihav
et ot
akethis"
Iwal
knotsof
ar,
Ipr
etendI
'
mtal
ki
ngt
othephone
t
hen,
SentZakes,
KG,andMenzithemessage

Igoti
nthet
abl
e,
theyr
eadmymessageandl
ookedatme,
Icl
earmyt
hroat

Me:
"Howaboutwegosomewher
epr
ivat
e"

Theyal
lagr
ee,
wewal
kouthandi
nhand.
Theni
nsi
deourcar
s

MBALI

Ididn'
tgot oworkagainbecauseIhadt ofi
ndasui
tabl
ecrechef
orMissknowital
l.
Shewas
reall
yangryatmef ornotfi
ndingherahighschool
.
butaft
erimadeher,
herf
avouri
tePancakes
withblueberr
ysauce.I
twasall f
orgot
ten.

Igotacallf
rom anunknownnumber ,
Ianswert
heseki
ndofcal
l
sandkeepqui
ety
ou'
l
lnev
er
knowwitchcraf
tisonanotherl
evel

Cal
l
er:
"Hel
l
o,i
sthi
sMi
ssNgcobo?
"

Me:
"Dependsonwhoi
saski
ng?
"

Cal
l
er:
"I
'm asoci
alwor
ker
,GcumaNgi
dii
sthename"

Me:
"Ohokey
.howcanIhel
pyou?
"

SW(
Soci
alwor
ker
):
"Iwantt
oaskaf
ewquest
ions.
Arey
our
elat
edt
oNdoni
yamanzi
Cel
e?"

Me:
"Yes"
Ipani
cked"
Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?"

SW:
"Unf
ort
unat
elyno,
Shepassedony
est
erday
,duet
olackoft
reat
mentwecal
l
ingy
our
e..
..
..
"
Me:
"Wh.
..
what
?"Ist
utt
er

SW:"Wewouldliketomeetwit
hyout
odi
scusst
hel
i
vingar
rangement
soft
hechi
l
dasy
ou'
ret
he
nextofki
n".
..
."
hell
o..
.hel
l
oooo"

Youknowt hatsoundwhent hemachi nesgooff,

i
t'
slikeTswii
i
ii
ii
i
ithatwashappeningt
ome
ri
ghtthatmoment ,
Idroppedt hephonet othef
loorgoingdowncryi
ng.Wedidn'
tevengett
otal
k
toeachother,
andit'
sallmyf aultbecauseIwasangryather.
WhydoIhav etoloseever
yfamil
y
member s?i
sitacurse.am Icursed?

Ipi
ckupt
hephoneasi
m cal
m now,
Idi
alt
hesoci
alwor
ker

Me:
"Sor
ryy
ouwer
esay
ing?
"wi
pingmyt
ear
s

SW:
"Weneedt
omeetwi
thy
ouast
her
e'sachi
l
dinv
olv
ed"

Me:
"Shehadachi
l
d?"

SW:
"Yesa4y
earol
d"

Ohmygoodness

Shet
ell
smemore,
andsay
sshe'
llcometoJohannesbur
gwiththechi
l
d,soshecanl
iv
ewi
thme,
I
'dgl
adl
ypl
ayt
herol
eofamothertoher
,andJoywil
lgetsomeoneshe'
llpl
aywit
h.

I
NSERT45

•
°

•
°

•
°

NARRATI
ON

QueenNandi
andNkosenhl
ear
eeat
ingbr
eakf
ast
,ast
het
wobr
other
sar
enowher
einsi
te.

QNandi
:
"Whendi
dJoysayshe'
l
lcome?
"

Nkosenhl
espeakswi
thhi
smout
hful
l
,thenswal
l
ows

Enhl
e:"
Shesai
dshe'
l
lcomey
est
erday
..
.wheni
sthatGogo?
"

QueenNandi
laughsathowr
idi
cul
ousJoycanbe,
thi
nki
ngt
hatEnhl
eisy
oungandshe'
sol
d
whereasshe'
sjustaf ewdaysold.Nkosi
yezwecomesf
rom upst
air
ssweat
ingf
rom t
heexer
cise
hehadatthegym,takesasitaccrosshismother
.

Nkosi
:
"Youokeymypeopl
e?"

Enhle:
"Yesdad,
l
ookIcandomagi
c"heput
sthepeasi
nsi
dehi
snosehol
es,
Nkosi
laughs,
QNandi
stopsEnhle

QNandi:
"Don'
teverdot
hat,
oryouwon'
tbeabl
etobr eat
hMt anandini
.
Wenawaqhephukanj
e
umtanaenzaint
oengabhadl
anga(
Whyareyoulaughingathisri
dicul
ousness)

Nkosi
:
"Sor
ryMom"

Enhl
epout
edhi
smout
h,t
henr
emember
edsomet
hinghadbeenbot
her
inghi
m.

Enhl
e:"
Daddy
"

Nkosi
:
"Yesboy
"eat
ingandnotpay
ingat
tent
iont
oEnhl
e

Enhl
e:"
Whyi
sther
oom neart
hebasemental
way
slocked?
"

Nkosi
stoppedeat
ing,
notknowi
nghowandwhatt
osay
,Nandi
isal
sowai
ti
ngf
orananswer

hel
aughsi
tof
f

Nkosi
:
"HahaI
thasunwant
edt
hings,
oldst
uffy
ouknow.
"shr
ugs

Enhl
e:"
CanIgol
ookatt
hoset
hings,
mybeI
'
lll
i
kesomet
hing"

Nkosi:
"NO"hesnappedatEnhl
ewi
thoutr
eal
i
sing"
Imeanty
oucan'
ti
t.
.y
ouwon'
tl
iket
hose
t
hings,
Iassureyou"

Enhl
e:"
Butda.
..
"

QNandi
:
"Eat
,sot
hatwe'
l
lgobuyi
cecr
eam"

Enhl
e:"
ButGogoweal
readyhav
eicecr
eam"

Nkosi
excuseshi
msel
f.
Nandi
wai
tst
il
lhedi
sappear
s

Nandi
:
"Don'
taskt
oomanyquest
ionsbabyokey
?!"

Enhl
e:"
Why
?"

QNandi
:
"Becausei
tmi
ghtl
endy
oui
ntr
oubl
e"

Enhl
e:Thi
nki
ngf
orawhi
l
e"Why
?"

Nandi
laughs,
andt
ickl
eshi
m,Hi
slaughf
il
lst
her
oom

Enhl
e:"
Stop.
.St
opppp"
laughi
nghol
dinghi
sst
omach
QNandi
:
"Nowgot
ell
AuntSy
amt
handat
ogi
vey
ouabowl
ofi
cecr
eam,
Twoscoopsonl
y"

Her
unst
otheki
tchen

Enhl
e:"
AuntMt
handaGogosai
dIwant4scoopsofi
cecr
eam"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Shesai
dyouwant4?
"

Enhl
e:"
Yes4"

Shegi veshi m abowl ,

het akesitandat iptoest oneart hebasement ,
andsitsbythecorner
eatinghisf avour it
eVani l
laflavouredicecream. Ashe' seatingmaki ngthe"Mhmm"sounds, hi
s
fathercomesoutoft heforbiddenr oom andf orgetstol ock.Hewat cheshisfat
herdisappearto
thegaragedoor .Putst hebawl oficecream down, wal kingforwardt othedoor.
Heturnsthedoor
knob,heopensi tslowl ybecausehi sscared.Hef i
nall
yget sinandl ookaroundtheroom thatis
j
ustl i
ket heot herr ooms, Butwhenhegotneart hebed, hesawbl oodst ai
nsandwhenhel ooks
atthewal lmirrori t'
swr it
ten"LETMEGO" withaRedl ipstickmat t
e,Thewor dsarewrit
tena
thousandt i
meshet riestor eadbuthecan' tread.
Hecomesaccr ossadi aryiti
sful
lywrit
ten,wit
h
blooddr opsasi ft hi
sper sonhadbl oodtear s.Hehearsf ootstepsandl eavesimmediatel
ygoi ng
backt ohi sbawl ,takesi ttotheki t
chenandr unstohisGogo.

QNandi
:
"Whati
sitbaby
?"

hi
shear
tbeatwason129km/
hpumpi
ngsohar
dthathet
hinkshi
sgr
andmot
herhear
sit
.

Enhle:
"Not
hingGogo,Ijusthadt
hebesti
cecr
eam ev
er"
Hef
akesasmi
l
e"GogocanIgot
o
schoolnow..
Pleaaaaaase"

Hewant
edt
olear
nwr
it
ingandr
eadi
ngsohecanr
eadwhatwaswr
it
tenont
hemi
rr
oranddi
ary
.

QNandi
:
"You'
rey
oungf
orschool
baby
"

Enhl
e:"
Finet
heny
out
eachme.
.Pl
ease,
Iwantt
ost
artschool
asasmar
tchi
l
dincl
ass"

Nandi
chuckl
es

QNandi
:
"I'
l
ltal
ktoy
ourf
atherabouti
t"

Hehugshert
ight
ly

Enhl
e:"
Thanky
ouGogs"

QNandi
:
"Who'
sGogswenamt
ana"

Enhl
elaughsgoi
ngout
sidet
opl
ay

•
•

NKOSI

Mysonaskstoomanyquesti
ons.
DidImakeawr
ongchoi
ceofkeepi
nghi
m wi
thme,
whi
l
sthi
s
f
atheri
sal
iv
eoutther
e?.
.Nha.

Li
fehasbeenper f
ecteversi
nceIcamebackf r
om Shengef ortherit
ual.
Icamebackmor e
powerfulandMypocket swereloaded,
butIhadt oearnall
t hi
sweal t
h.Ihadtokil
l10peoplefor
ri
ches.
I'm evi
lIknow,butt
hemostev i
lpersonistheonewewor ki
ngfor,We'veneverseenhim
befor
ebutwehearhi m whenhespeaks.Istay
edinsidemycof finfor8mont hswithoutseei
ng
Nkosenhle,Iwasbuil
dinganempireforhim hewill
understandoncehe' solder
.

Aft
eryoucomeoutoft
hecof f
in,
youlookpal
e.Li
kethatpal
eofav ampi
rei
fyou'
veseenone,
You
becomeweakanddehydr
ated,
withveinsi
nyourfaceandbody.
It
'snotagoodsi
tereal
l
y.

Nowinthatroom whi
chNkosenhlewasaski
ngabout,Whati
sinsi
det her
ecannotbe
r
eveal
ed.ThatswhyIkeepi
tlockedev
eryday.
Irecei
veacall
from Shenge

Shenge:
"Iwasconsul
ti
ngy
ourancest
ors,
andt
heyr
eveal
edt
hatTheQueeni
sindanger
"

Me:
"What
?"conf
used

Shenge:
"Exact
lyt
hat
"

Me:
"ButMom i
sokey
,Ij
usthadbr
eakf
astwi
thher
"

Shenge:
"Nott
hatqueen"

Okeynowt
hisi
sreal
l
yfr
ust
rat
ing

Me:
"Whot
hen?
"

Shenge:
"Theydi
dn'
trev
eal
thewhol
etr
uth,
ButBhambai
saf
terher
"

If
eel
mybl
oodboi
l
ing

Me:
"Hewoul
dn'
tdar
e"

Shenge:
"Wel
lhej
ustdar
edy
ou,
pleasesav
ethequeenory
ouWi
l
lhav
ecompl
i
cat
ionswi
thy
our
thr
one"

Me:
"Howam Isupposedt
oknowt
heQueen?
ist
hatmyf
utur
ewi
fe?
"

Tut
utucal
lended.

Isi
ghi
nfr
ust
rat
ion,
Thi
sisbad.
Ifeel
theedget
ocal
lMbal
i
.
Idi
alhernumber
,t
henqui
ckl
ycutt
hecal
lbef
orei
trang.

Whoi
sthi
sQueen?
whydon'
ttheancest
orsr
eveal
her
?Whenwi
l
lBhambast
ri
ke?
Argh

NTSI
KA

Wesippingonourbeersaswewat chthem sl
eepi
ngti
edonthechai
rs.
We'renowinZakes
Warehouse.Mygutwasri
ghtthesegir
lsweresentbysomeoneandwe'
llf
indoutwhenthey
wakeup, we'
vesedat
edthem i
t'
llt
akeaf ewminutest
owakeup.

KG:
"Nx
agr
andgr
andwhyar
en'
twef
ucki
nthesehoes,
j
ustt
oteacht
hem al
esson"

Menzi
:
"Waai
FuckkaengKG?
kadi
efi
nger
snhe?
"laughi
ng

KG:
"Menzi
Mfanakay
oubet
tershuty
ourmout
h"poi
nti
ngherf
ingert
oMenzi

Menzi
:
"Ot
ladi
rang?
"st
andi
ngup

Me:
"Shutup"

KG:
"Ket
lany
obamosadi
wahao,
wit
hthesev
eryf
inger
s"smi
rk

Menzi
:
"Uzony
awenaKGy
ezwa"
char
gingt
owar
dsKg

Me:
"WOULDYOUSTOPALLTHI
SSHI
T"

Theyal
lkeepqui
et,
nowI
'
llbet
hebadguy
.Zakescomesi
nhol
dingast
eamypot
,weal
ll
ookat
hi
m wit
haf r
own

KG:
"Fede?
"

Me:
"What
'si
nthatpot
?"

Hel
ooksatust
hensmi
rk,
Ohoneofhi
stor
tur
ingt
echni
quesIsee.

Hewear sthegl
oves,t
henpour
stheburni
ngchemi
cal
sint
oasteal
dish.
goi
ngf
orwar
dtot
he
gi
rl
s.Poursabitonthe2ndgi
rl
sthi
ghs,
i
tsinksi
ndeept
oherski
n

Shest
art
sgr
oani
ng

Theot
hergi
rlspeaksonhersl
eep

Gi
rl
1:"
Tani
ayouf
ryi
ngPor
ksoear
ly,
I
tsmel
l
sDev
ine"
shey
awnst
henl
ookar
oundobser
ving
us,
Thegir
lwhosethi
ghgotbur
ntwakesupscreamingandcry
ing,bl
owi
ngonhert
hight
ryi
ngt
o
getof
fthechai
r.
herscr
eamswakesupherfr
iends,
theyal
lst
artpani
cki
ng

Gi
rl
2:"
GETI
TOFFMEPLEASE"
cry
ing,
shebl
ewai
r,
aswel
augh

Ist
andup,
goi
ngt
owar
dst
hem.

Me:
ster
nvoi
ce"
Whosenty
ou"
theykeepqui
etwhi
l
stt
heot
heronei
scr
yingf
rom t
hepai
n

Me:"
Youseewhatwedi
dtoy
ourf
ri
end?
..
.i
twi
l
lhappent
oal
lofy
oui
fyoudon'
ttal
k..
Whosent
youtopoi
sonus?
"

Theykeepqui
etwi
tht
hei
rbi
gey
eswonder
ingar
ound.

Igobackt
omychai
r,
handsi
nmypocket
s.

Me:
breat
hingi
nandout
"I
'm goi
ngt
oenj
oyt
hesmel
lofpor
k"t
heguy
slaugh.

Gir
l3:
"Pl
easedon'tdot
his,
fi
nef
ine.
.I'
l
ltel
l
...I
'
llt
ell
youguy
sany
thi
ng.
.j
ust
..
don'
tki
l
l
us.
.pl
ease"sobbi
ng

Gi
rl
1:"
SHUTUP"
shey
ell
s

Weal
lst
areather

Me:
"Mymysoy
ou'
ret
hel
eader
"

Il
ookather

Me:
"Sot
heny
out
ell
us.
.Pl
easedot
hehonour
s"

I
tbecomesdeadqui
et.

Me:
"CRAI
G"Ishoutt
otheguar
dout
side

Hecomesi
n"Br
ingmet
hatThi
ng"
Iemphasi
zet
hing.
It
'sgoi
ngt
obef
un

Hebr
ingsi
nthegr
indermachi
ne,
theonet
hatt
ransf
ormsmeati
ntomi
ncemeat
.yheat
hatone

KG:
"Shi
tisaboutt
ohi
taf
an"
shewi
pessweatonherf
ace.

Ist
andupagai
n,
anddot
hei
ntr
oduct
ion

Me:"WellI
'm Ntsi
kayezweDl amini
,
theyoungprincetothosewhodon'tknow"Idothedramati
c
bow,theguysChuckle"Andthisherei
smyki ndoftortur
e,oneofyouwil
lentert
hismachine
(Laughi
ng).
..You'
llentert
hismachineandnev ercomeback..Youwil
lal
ldiewithdi
ffer
ent
styl
es..
..
That'
sifyoudon'ttell
uswhosenty ou"

Gi
rl
1:"
Nev
er,
we'
renotsni
tches"
speakswi
thaSpani
shaccent
,hmh.
Gi
rl
4:"
We'
l
lrat
herdi
e"

Menzi
:
"Ift
hat
'ssot
henKGl
et'
sgopr
epar
eourownt
ort
ureexper
iment
s"t
heyexi
tthewar
ehouse

Me:
"She'
smi
ne"
poi
nti
ngatt
heSpani
shgi
rl
.

IwearaWhi
tel
eat
herov
eral
landgl
asses,
Iunt
ieherf
eet
,t
henputt
hem neart
hemachi
ne

Me:
"Your
eadysweet
hear
t?r
eadyornother
eIcome"

It
urnont
hemachi
ne,
andsl
owl
yputherf
eet
,herscr
eam Pi
ercest
hroughmyear
s,Il
aughabi
t

MBALI

Ij
usthadabaddream,Iwasi
nadeepblackhol
e,sur
roundedbyabigblacksnake.
Itdi
dn'teat
menobutit'
sownerwantedi
tto.
Idi
dn'
tseetheownerofitthough,
mybeit'
sbecauseit
'sinthe
middl
eofthedaythat
'swhyI
'
m havi
ngsuchdreams.Isayashortpr
ayer.

Joybur
stst
hedooropen,
jumpi
ngupanddown.

Joy
:"Mommy
"

Me:
"Yesbaby
"Iwi
pet
hesweatonmyf
ace

Joy
:"Ther
e'sabeaut
if
ulwomanl
ooki
ngf
ory
ou"

Me:
"Ohouk,
youopenedf
orher
?"

Joy
:"Yes"

Me:
"It
oldy
ounott
oopenf
orst
ranger
s,whent
her
e'saknockcal
lmeorAuntMamphookey
?"

Joy
:"OkeyMom"

Ismil
eatherandbrushherAfrohai
r.
Igett
othel
oungeandt
her
e'sawomanwi
thababygi
rl
aboutJoy
sageifnotmistaken.

Shest
andsup,
weexchangegr
eet
ings.

Her
:"
I'
m GcumaNgi
di,
thewomany
ouspokewi
thont
hephone"

Me:
"Ohy
heaIr
ecogni
set
hev
oice"
Her
:"
I'
m sor
ryf
ory
ourl
oss"

If
akeasmi
l
enoddi
ng,
Il
ookatt
hechi
l
d.sher
eal
l
yisNdoni
'
s

Me:
"Whati
syournamesweet
hear
t?"
shekeepsqui
et

Gcuma:
"She'
sabi
tshy
,hernamei
Yamkel
ani
Pri
de"

Me:
"Beaut
if
ulnames,Comet
oAunt
y"Iopenmyar
ms,
she'
shesi
tantbutcomesandhugsme,
I
makehersi
tonmyl ap.

Gcuma:"Sinceyoustayt
oofarfrom mylocat
ionibroughtthedocumentsy ouneedt
osi
gn,
that
showsy ou'l
lbetaki
ngcareofher,
butbef
orethatIhavesomequest i
ons"Sheaskedt
he
quest
ions,whereIwork?
howmuchdoIear nhaiboayike,
shetookatouronmyhouse.

Shethentookoutthefor
ms,Ireadt
hem thensignedonthedot
tedli
nes."
I'
llbei
ntouch,
and
comebackaf teramonthtoseewhetherthechil
disver
ywellt
akencareoffornot
,Herear
eal
l
herpersonal
documents"

Shestandsupandleave.
Yamkelani
I'
ll
cal
lherLani
.Shedi
dn'
tcr
yforGcumahmhgoodchi
l
dI
hopeshewon'tactupatnight
.

Me:
"SoLani
howol
dar
eyou?
"

Her
:"
I'
mfourt
urni
ngf
iveonNov
ember
"

Me:
"Ohni
ce.
.JOY"
Ishoutouthernameshecomesf
rom t
heki
tcheneat
ingf
rui
tsal
ads

Me:
"Whogav
eyout
hat
?"

Joy:
"Aunt
yMampho"AuntMamphoi
sourmai
dandnannybutshe'
sal
mostamemberoft
he
fami
lynow.

Me:"Okey .
.Comesi
ther
e"shecomesandsitsbesideme"Thi
sisYamkelaniPr
ideCel
e,
y our
(Thinkingforamoment
,Cousinorsi
ster
?)Cousin,y
heay
ourcousi
n.Lanit
hisi
sLesediJoyyour
alsoy ourCousi
n"

Joy
:"Hey
"smi
l
ing,
she'
snev
ershy

Lani
:
"Hy
"

Me:
"Iwanty
out
omakeherf
eel
athome,
she'
l
lbest
ayi
ngwi
thusf
oral
ongt
imeokey
?"

Joy
:"Nopr
obl
em Mommy
,at
leastnowIgotsomeonet
opl
aywi
th.
.Justonet
hing"

her
ewego,
drama

Me:
Rol
l
ingmyey
es"
What
"

Joy
:"Shemustnotst
eal
myspot
li
ght
"
IChuckl
e

Me:
"I
'l
lgi
vebot
hofy
ouundev
idedat
tent
ion,
l
oveandcar
e,mybabi
es"
Ihugbot
hoft
hem

Joy
:"Okeynoneedt
osquashus"

Il
augh,ohmybabyspeaksl
i
keanol
dper
son.
Ther
ear
ewor
dssheshoul
dn'
tknowt
hatshe
al
readyknows.

Joy
:"Comewi
thme"
Lani
looksatmef
orappr
oval
,
Inod.
Shegoeswi
thJoy
.

THENEXTMORNI NGIgot
othesamecr echeJoywi
l
lbest
udy
ingat
,t
oregi
sterLani
.i
bought
thei
rtr
acksui
tst
hey'
l
lbest
art
ingnextweek.

Onmywayi st
oppedbyEdgar
'sandboughthernewclot
hes.ThenIwentandor
der
edburger
sat
MacDonald,
asI'
m wai
ti
ngformyorderafamil
iarvoi
ceanchorstomyears,
mykneesget
weaker
.butist
andstr
ong

Hi
m:"
It
'sbeenal
ongt
ime"

Mangal
i
so,
Ij
ustst
areathi
m notknowi
ngwhatt
osay
.

Hi
m:"
Nohugnoki
ssesf
orol
dti
messakes?
lookaty
oul
ooki
ngbeaut
if
ulasal
way
s"

Heseemsnormalperhapshedoesn'
tchangehi
spersonaimmedi
atel
ynow.
Myor
dercomesup,
I
t
akethebagsandrunoutofthestor
eleavi
nghi
mfrowning.

Hecan'
tbebackishef
oll
owingme?.
.Whati
fheknowshehasachild.
..
Nononot hi
sisnot
r
ight
..
Breat
hinandout
..
Ireal
l
yneedt
oseeashri
nk.Imustactt
oughInf
rontoft
hekids

NowI'
mint
heloungecat
chi
ngupwi
thwor
ktr
yingt
ofor
getImett
hatmonst
er,
Imakeacal
lto
Thami
,
myassi
stant

Me:
"HeyThami
"

Hi
m:"
Heydar
li
ngohmygoodnessIt
houghty
oudead,
Iwasr
eadyt
oinher
itev
ery
thi
ngy
ouown"

He'
sGay

Me:
Laughi
ng"
You'
recr
azy
..
Isawy
ouremai
l
,what
'
sthi
saboutt
henewi
nvest
or?
"

Him:"
Hecameheredemandi
ngt
oknowtheboss,
Iwasl
i
kewoahsl
owdownhotmant
obemi
ne
sentf
rom t
heeabov
e,y
ouneedt
ocal
m downandhewasli
kel
ookI
..
."

Icuthi
m shor
t

Me:
"Thami
Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
his"
shookmyhead

Hi
m:"
Pshhwhat
ever
..
.Hesai
dhewant
stodobusi
ness"
Me:
"Hmhouk.
.Di
dhesaywhathi
snamei
s?"

Hi
m:"No.
.ButChomi he'
shooooot,
l
ikeyho(
Ihearabangsound,
l
iket
hephonehadf
all
en)Sor
ryI
j
ustf
aint
ed,you'
ll
alsofaintwhenyouseehim"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Pat
het
ic.
..
Bye,
I'
ll
bet
her
etomor
row.
Makesur
eev
ery
thi
ngi
sinor
der
"

Hi
m:"
Aff
ir
mat
iveBosschomz"

Me:
"By
e"Iendedt
hecal
l
.Hi
m andLi
ndi
sameWhat
sAppgr
oup

JoyandLani
cametoj
oinmewit
hcakesont
hei
rplat
es.
IlookatJoysher
esembl
esmemor
e
thenhi
m.Onl
yhi
sti
pnoseandt
heeyesar
eli
kehi
s,
Ihopehedidn'tf
oll
owme.

Me:
"Whataboutme?
"

Lani
:
"Joysai
dyoudon'
tl
ikecake"

Joy
:"Yesy
oudon'
tordoy
ou?
"shef
lashesherey
elashes

Me:
"Mx
m"

Ist
andupandl
eav
ethem gi
ggl
i
ng,
Iseet
heygangi
nguponme

I
NSERT46

•
°

•
°

•
°

NARRATI
ON

INSWATINIAgirlabout18y earswithanameofNondlal
i
f agri
ndsthel
astbat
chofmeal i
esthat
shestol
efr
om thef ar
m. Thetwosister
sLethu(
9)andPhi
lasande(
13)comebackfrom school
weari
ngatornuni
f orm,withshoesthathashol
esandabagt hatr
eveal
srat
shadthei
rwaywi th
i
t.

Let
hu:
"Li
faI
'
m hungr
y"shegi
vesoutaf
ati
gueexpr
essi
on

Li
fa:
"I
'm st
il
lpr
epar
ingf
ood,
asy
oucansee.
Howwasschool
?"

Let
hu:
"Bet
tert
heny
est
erday
"shegoest
othe1r
oom shack.
Phi
l
ast
aysbehi
ndl
osti
nher
t
hought
s

Li
fa:
"Whati
sit
?"

Phi
l
a:"
DoIsmel
lofur
ine?
"

Li
facov
eredherf
aceandshookherhead

Li
fa:
"Noyoudon't
,pl
easedon'
tl
ist
ent
oany
onewhosay
sbadt
hingsabouty
ou,
l
eav
eitt
oGods
handshewil
ldealwi
ththem"

poorPhi
l
anoddedwi
thabr
ightsmi
l
e,hear
inghersi
stersayt
hatupl
i
ftedhermood.

Theirparentsdied3y earsago,f
rom acaracci dentcomi
ngfrom t
heirAnniversary
celebrati
on,t
heywer ethemostr i
chestpeoplei nthewor
ldbutwhent heydiedt hei
rki
dsli
veda
sadl i
fe,becausetheirparent
sassetswer einheri
tedbythei
runcl
e.Hethent hrewthem outof
thehousewi t
hnof ood,noclot
hesnothing.Theyhadt ol
i
v ei
nthestreets,
stealfoodandmoney
tosurv i
ve.

Theybui
l
tashack,
andwiththeli
tt
lemoneytheystolet
heyboughtuni
for
ms.Li
fawas15when
shehadtobeamotherandaf at
hertohersi
ster
s.Shefi
nishedmat
ri
cbeingl
aughedatschool
andnoonewantedtobefri
endswithher.

Shegoesinsi
dethehousewi
tht
hef
ood,
shegi
veshersi
ster
sthei
rfoodandt
heyeati
nsi
l
ence
unt
ilLet
huspoke.

Let
hu:
"I
'mt
ir
edoft
hissi
si"

Lif
aandPhilast
areateachot
her
,t
heyunder
stoodt
hesi
tuat
ionbutasf
orLet
hushe'
stooy
oung
tounder
stand.

Let
hu:
"Whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome?
howl
ongar
ewegoi
ngt
oshoott
hisf
il
m?"

Li
fahadtoldhert
hatt
hei
rli
vi
ngar
rangement
sar
egoi
ngt
ogol
i
veont
v,t
hatt
her
ear
ehi
dden
cameras.

Li
fa:
"I
t'
ll
beov
ersoonbabyeatsoy
oucansl
eept
omor
rowy
ouhav
eschool
"

Let
hu:
"Ar
hahakey
ikoskol
ongbannabar
ekengghamor
oto,
si
sidoIsmel
lofur
ine?
"

Li
fa:
"Mar
ayout
wodon'
tur
iney
ourcl
otheswhyar
eyouwor
ryi
ngy
oursel
ves"

Let
hut
urnst
oPhi
l
a

Lethu:
"Youal
sohav
ethesamepr
obl
em,
ahhet
hat
'
sgoodt
oknownotonl
yI'
mlaughedat
school
"shegr
ins

Phi
l
a:"
RememberI
'
m ol
dert
hany
ou"

Let
hu:
"Sor
ry*
Let
hueat
sherf
ood.

Thefol
lowi
ngdaythetwosi st
ersgotoschool
,
theysurvi
veatschoolwit
hthefoodthatisbei
ng
serv
edwhenit'
sbreakti
me.Lifadeci
dedtogolookforajobatthesubur
bs.Shewalkedbaref
oot
knocki
nghousetohouse,
shehasent er
ed6housesbutalloft
hem didn'
tgi
v eherajob,
some
usedswear
ingwordsthi
nkingshe'sahobo.

Shewastir
edandhungrybutshedidn'
tgi
veup,
shewal
kedt
othel
asthouseont
hebl
ock,
ther
e
wereguar
dsweari
ngblack,
shegreeted

Li
fa:
"I
'ml
ooki
ngf
oraj
ob,
mayIpl
easegeti
nandt
alkt
otheowner
,pl
ease"

t
heguardslookedateachot
hert
henl
ookedatherwi
thpi
ty,
andpr
essedt
hei
nter
com,
adeep
v
oicet
alkedback.

Theyletherin,
sheknocked.
Thedooropenedandtherestood.
At al
lyel
l
owboneguyonhi
s
vest
,wit
haf adecut.
TakeLehasafr
om Skeem saam,t
hisguylookedsimil
art
ohi
m.

Li
fast
oodt
her
enotknowi
ngwhatt
odoorwhatt
osay
.

Man:
"CanIhel
pyou"

Li
fawant
edt
otur
nbutshehadt
otr
yat
leastbet
hrownoutt
ryi
ng.

Li
fa:
"I
..
Iwas.
..
"Wor
dsf
ail
edher
,shewasst
utt
eri
ng

Man:
heshowednoemot
ions"
Whatdoy
ouwant
"

Li
fa:
"I
'ml
ooki
ngf
oraj
obsi
r"
shef
inal
l
yspoke.

Themanl
ookedatherupanddown,
showi
ngadi
sgust
edl
ook.

Man:
"Ther
e'snoneher
e"

Li
fa:
"Pl
easesi
r,any
thi
ngeveni
fit
'si
t'
s.
..
"shedidn'
tknowwhatshewantedt
osay
,theman
st
aredatherf
oralongti
me,maki
ngLifashyl
yturntoleav
e.Hest
opsher

Man:
"Comei
n"

Li
fagetsi
ntot
heBeauti
ful
view,shewasinawe.I
twasn'
tmuchitwasabachelorhouse,
2
guest
srooms,
themai
nroom,ki
tchen,
lounge,
gamesroom,ensui
tebat
hrooms.

Themancomesf r
om t
hekit
chen,
hol
dingagl
assofor
angej
uicef
orLi
fa,
shegul
psi
tdowni
n
onegol
icki
nghermouth.

Theysatdown

Man:
"Whati
syourname?
"

Li
fa:
"Nondl
ali
faKhoza"
Man:
"Wher
edoy
oul
i
ve"

Li
fa:
"Her
einSwat
ini
neart
hedumpsi
te,
that
'
sint
hecor
ner
"

Man:
"Li
vi
ngwi
th?
"

Li
fa:
"Myt
woy
oungersi
ster
s"

Man:
"Doy
ouhav
eanyqual
i
ficat
ions?
"

Li
fa:
"Onl
ymat
ri
csi
r"

Henods

Man:
"I
'm ZakesZungu,
buti
t'
sMrZungut
oyou"

Li
fa:
"Yessi
r"

Zakes:
"Ar
ri
veat07:
00,becauseIl
eav
ein30mi
nut
esf
orwor
k.i
'
llbr
iefy
oui
nthemor
ningon
what'
sexpect
edofyou"

Li
fawashappyt
oanextentt
hatshej
umpedonZakeshuggi
nghim.Zakesst
oodt
her
eal
l
fr
ozen.
Lif
acomposedher
sel
fandapol
ogi
zed,
shet
hankedZakesandleft
.

SYAMTHANDAr unstot
hehospi
talashersi
sterwasadmit
ted,
shewait
edbytherecept
ionf
or
thedoct
or.
Thedoct
orcameandtookhertohersist
er.
Shestar
edatherwi
tht
earsflowi
ngher
eyes

Sy
amt
handa:
"Whati
swr
ongwi
thher
?"

Dr
:"
Not
hing!
"

Sheshif
tedhergazet
othedoct
or,
notf
oll
owi
ngwhathemeansbynot
hingwhi
l
sthersi
steri
sin
herdeat
hbed.

Sy
amt
handa:
"Whatdoy
oumeannot
hing?
"

Dr
:"
Wedi
dn'
tfi
ndany
thi
ng"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Butt
hel
astt
imey
ousai
d-"

Dr
:"
IknowwhatIsai
dandt
urnsoutt
her
epor
tswer
emi
xed,
yoursi
sternev
erneededany
t
ranspl
ant
ati
on"

Sy
amt
handa:
"Idon'
tfol
l
ow.
ift
hat
'
ssot
henwhyi
ssheher
e?"

Dr
:"
Ihav
enoi
dea,
ther
e'snosi
gnt
hatshowsshe'
ssi
ckorsuf
fer
ingf
rom anydi
sease"

Syamthandasatont hechairholdingherpoundi ngheadache,i

thasbeengivi
ngherno
sl
eep,
mor eespecial
l
ywheni twasherbi r
thday.Shehadaf ainti
ngprobl
em atschoolanda
l
earni
ngdisorder,
shewasasl owlearnerhenceshei snowamai d.I
t'
sstr
angeshedoesn'tf
eel
weakwhenshe' satthepalace,butoncesher eacheshomei t'sl
ikeshe'
scarr
yingall
thepai
nof
ot
herpeople

Dr
:"
Letmel
eav
eyouf
oramoment
"

hel
eft
.

Shet
ookoutherphone,
cal
l
ingherf
ri
end,
shet
alkedwi
tht
hef
ri
endf
orawhi
l
ethenst
oodup
andl
eftgoi
nghome.

Shear r
ivedhomewi thhopeofgett
ingbacktothehospitalt
ohersister
.shepackedher
l
unchboxi nherbag.Thensheheardakettl
etur
non,oni t
'
sown. Shelooksaroundtheki
tchen
there'
snoone. shegoesbacktoherbagwhichwasi ntheloungethenagainshehearda
teaspoonfallshewentther
e,shest
oppedonhert r
acksasshesawt heoldwomenwho
vanishedfrom ther
iver
.

Syamthanda:
"What
?howdidyougeti
nhere?"
she'
sscar
edofhernow.
asherfr
iendstol
dher
st
ori
esaboutnymphs,t
hespi
ritt
hati
sinafor
m ofawomanwhol i
veneart
heriver
s

Syamt
handa:
"Getout
,Fi
ref
ir
e"shet
hrewherhandsasshesay
sfi
ret
otheol
dwoman,
thewoman
l
aughs

Sy
amt
handa:
"Whyar
eyouf
oll
owi
ngme"
herhear
tbeatbangsherchest
.

Ol
dwoman:
"I
tist
ime"

Sy
amt
handa:
"What
?"

Oldwoman:
"Got
other
oyal
housewi
thy
oursi
ster
,youwi
l
lbot
hheal
.Askf
orar
it
ual
tobedone
fory
ou.
"

shedi
sappear
sint
othi
nai
rli
vi
ngSy
amt
handaf
ull
ofquest
ionsast
owhatshemeant

•
MBALI

I
'
minmyof
fi
cewai
ti
ngf
ormycof
fee,
Thami
budgesi
nwi
thi
tinhi
shand

Me:
"Ohchomzy
oual
i
fesav
er"
Isaysi
ppi
ngt
hecof
fee

Thami
:"
IknowIshoul
d'v
ebeenadoct
or,
it
'smycal
li
ngbutwuuuhmt ase7year
syonkear
har
hI
woul
d'
vedatedaprof
essoront
he2ndyearj
ustt
oskipal
ltheseot
heryear
s"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Idi
dn'
tmeanLi
fesav
erl
i
ket
haty
oui
diot
"

Herol
lshisey
es,
goi
ngoutcl
osi
ngt
hedoor
.Hecomesbacki
nst
andsbehi
ndt
hedoor
,wi
thhi
s
mouthwideopen

Me:
"Whati
sitnow?
"

Thami
:
"He'
sher
e"hej
umpsi
nexci
tement

Ohgoodness

Me:
Isaybor
ed"
Who?
"

Thami:
"MrInv
est
or"
hecomest
osi
tatt
hechai
r,
taki
ngoutami
rr
orl
ooki
ngathi
msel
fthenf
ixhi
s
eyebr
ows,
thenpout
s

Me:laughi
ng"
Dudey
oumustgetbackt
owor
k,Ihav
ebackt
obackmeet
ingst
oday
,I
'v
emi
ssed
outalot
"

(
Knockont
hedoor
)

Thami
looksatmesmi
l
ingal
lfasci
nat
ed

Me:
shookmyhead"
Comei
n"

Thedooropens,
then.
.OhKendr
ick.
Sohe'
sMrHot
ness

Imot
ionf
orhi
mtosi
tdown,
nextt
oThami
.

Kendr
ick:
Laughi
ngi
ndi
sbel
i
ef"
Soy
ou'
ret
hebossher
e?"

Me:
"Yesasy
oucansee"

Kendr
ick:
"OhwowI
'
mimpr
essed"

Thami
looksatmet
henKendr
ick

Me:
"Somet
hingwr
ongThami
?"

Thami
:
"Youknoweachot
her
?"

Me:
"YesI
'
llt
ell
youl
aterGo"
Heleaves,
wit
hawonder
ingey
e.Al
ltheexci
tementv
ani
shedj
ustbecauseweknoweach
ot
her.Drama.

MeandKendr
icktal
kedsomet i
meandreachedtoanagreementthatwe'dhaveaproper
meet
ing.
hewantstoinvesti
nmycompanyIwasr eal
l
yshockedthearrogantguyempoweri
nga
womanhehates.
Afterhelef
tIr
estonmychairwi
thmyey escl
osed

Li
ndi
andThami
bustt
hedooropen,
rushi
ngt
owar
dsme.
Gossi
phaha.

Me:
"Ishoul
dn'
thav
emi
xedbusi
nesswi
thFr
iendshi
p"l
aughi
ng

Thami
:
"Sowhoi
she"
hegr
ins

Ir
oll
myey
es

Li
ndi
:
"Nev
ermi
ndt
hisonehei
sbehi
nd.
..
tel
lmewhatdi
dhewant
?"

Thami
:"
ArgNyev
amindbey
andbeyand,
stepasi
de(
HepushesLindi
)di
dhesayany t
hingabout
me?i
sheint
oMan?ImeanLady
-Manorwhat ev
erIam"
hefl
ickshiseyel
ashesshaki
nghishead

Me:
"Youtooar
ecrazy
..
Hewantstoinv
esti
nourbusi
ness.
.AndwenaThami
,
meandLi
ndi
once
wor
kedforhi
m al
ongtimeago,
andnohedi
dn'
tsayanythi
ngabouty
ou"

Thami
:
"Youl
yi
ng,
whaty
ouwanthi
mtoo?
"

MeandLi
ndi
laughed,
hecl
i
ckedhi
stongue

Li
ndi
:
"Ar
en'
tyousupposedt
obehome,
mour
ning?
"shel
ooksatmewi
thasadf
ace,
Isi
gh

Me:"
Ijusthadtofor
getaboutt
hatabi
t,
I'
vel
ostal
lmyf
ami
l
ynow.
theonl
ypeopl
ethatar
elef
t
ar
emysi bli
ngsandkids"

Thami
:
"Ncaaai
t'
ssocut
ehowy
ousayKi
ds"
hesmi
l
es

Me:
Igr
in"
Theyar
emyev
ery
thi
ng"

Li
ndi
:
"Tel
lyouwhat
,Sat
urdayl
et'
sgoouthuh?
"

Thami
:
"Yheal
et'
srockt
hem hi
l
lshoes"

Li
ndi
:
"Ar
hhhhLadi
esonl
y"

Me:
Chuckl
i
ng"
Don'
tbesi
l
ly,
youcancomet
ochomz"

Li
ndi
looksatme,
Ishr
ugandeatmyl
unch

•
•

I
NSERT47

•
°

•
°

•
°

NARRATI
ON

Ntsi
kaandhi
sfri
endsar
eleftwi
ththe3r
dgi
rlwhowant
edt
otal
k,
andshespi
l
ledal
lthebeans
butt
heyki
ll
edheral
ongwithherf
ri
ends.

Menzi
:
"Whatdoy
out
hinkt
heywant
?"

Theyal
lkeepqui
et

Menzi
:
"NeMannkeboal
-"

KG:
"Shutupwet
ryi
ngt
othi
nk"
chewi
ngont
hepi
eceofbr
aai
dmeat
.

Menzi
:
"Wai
tsewenaOt
homaghonny
elanou"

Nt
sika"
Menzi
boy
..
.pl
ease"

Zakes:
"Myopi
nioni
nthi
sist
heyar
enotaf
terus"

Hesi
psonhi
scol
dbeer

Nt
sika:
"Yout
hink?
"

Zakes:
shr
ugs

KG:
"WenaMenzi
you'
reapol
i
ce,
weshoul
dbeaski
ngy
ouwhati
syourt
heor
yinal
lthi
sshi
t"

Menzi
:
"YouknowwhatIt
hink?
"

Nt
sika:
"Spi
titout
"

Menzi
:
"It
hinkweneedt
ofuckeachot
her
sass"
laughi
ng

Theyal
ll
aughed,
cli
cki
ngt
hei
rtongues

Zakes:
"Di
sgust
ing"

Nt
sika:
Thi
nki
ngf
orsomet
ime"
Ithi
nkt
heywer
eaf
termybr
other
"

Theyt
urnt
ohi
m
KG:
"Hal
l
eluj
ah,
final
l
ysomeonet
hinksl
i
keme"
thr
owi
ngherhandsi
ntheai
r

Menzi
:
"Oh"

KG:"
What?
Don'tsi
tther
ethinkingwedon'tknowyouwer
ethi
nki
ngt
hesamet
hing.
inf
actev
en
Zakesr
obocopwast hi
nki
ngt hat,
butscar
edtosayi
t"

Nt
sika:
"Youscar
edofmenow?
"st
ernv
oice

Menzi
:l
aughi
ngi
tof
f"HahaNomanNt
sika,
wet
houghtmy
bey
ou'
dtakei
tthewr
ongway
"

Ntsi
ka:
"I
nst
eadofaski
ngeachot
herquest
ions,
l
et'
suseourski
l
ls.
KGy
oudi
dn'
tthr
owt
hosegi
rl
s
phonesdi
dyou?
"

KG:
"NoIdi
dn'
t"

Ntsi
ka:
"Good,weneedtotracet
helastnumberthatcal
l
edthem,anddi
gdeeperbef
orej
umpi
ng
i
ntoconcl
usions.
..
ther
e'smoreint
othisthani
tmeetstheeye"

MBALI

Me,ThamiandLindi ar
eatThecakeshopcollect
ingtheCake.I
t'
sJoysbir
thdaytomorr
owshe'll
beturni
ng4y earsohmyl it
tl
epumpki
nisalreadygrownfast.
Theygiveusthecakeandwel i
ve
tobuydecorati
onitems,Thamipi
cksupthoseChr i
stmasbal
lsthathangaroundthet
ree,
then
l
ookedatthem

Thami:
"YhoowhenIlookatthesebal
l
s,Ijustgetf
lashbacksofmyexCharles.
Chaaaii
iNi
j
aman
aret
hebestItel
lyou-
woo,they'
ll
makey ousingkukukekarka(Pussyi
spoop)"
wiggl
inghi
sbody

MeandLi
ndi
laugh

Li
ndi
:
"Soy
oucal
l
ingourv
igi
naskar
k?"

Thami:
"Noof
fensebutIoncet
ri
edt
ofuckagi
rl
,noi
nfactscr
atcht
ri
edIdi
dn'
tev
engethar
dar
h
arh"

Me:
"Butournunusar
enotkar
k"

Thami
:
"Iy
hooy
ouhoesar
egangi
nguponme,
j
eeezIwaski
ddi
ng"

Weexi
ttheshop,
andent
ercheckersf
orsnacks.Thamii
sleadi
ngtheway ,
Inot
icedtheot
herday
att
heoff
icet
hatLi
ndii
sabitjeal
ousofThami.Idon'
tknowmy bethatI
'
mt ooclosewit
hThami
t
henher
.Ormy
beIwasi
magi
ningt
hings.

Li
ndi
:
"Whyar
eweont
het
oyssect
ion"
rol
l
ingherey
es

Thami
:
"I'
m get
ti
ngourJoyapr
esent
..
youal
sowantone?
"

Li
ndi
:
"Shedoesn'
tl
ikedol
l
s"

Thami
:
"Andwho'
sfaul
tist
hat
?"

Ii
nter
venebef
oret
hesedol
l
slandont
hef
loor

Me:
"Oooooo-
keyguyshaha.
..
Justbuyherwhatyouthinkshe'
dlike.
.(
Ilookatt
het
rol
l
ey)
Ithi
nk
wel
eftsomethi
ngletmegogetit
"Ir
ushedtothefr
idgestogeticecream.

"
Wemeetagai
n"

Icomet
ofacewi
thMangal
i
so,
hei
sfol
l
owi
ngmemIst
artbr
eat
hingheav
il
y

Hi
m:"
Youokey
?"t
ouchesmyShoul
der
,Ismacki
t

Me:"Don'
ttouchme"tearsfl
owingl
ikear i
verinmyey es,hedoesn' tknowhowmuchdamage
he'
sdonet ome,ment all
yandphysical
ly.
Ialwaysdon'tfeelcomf ortablearoundmen,
Inever
datebecauseofhim.Ifeell
i
kenomanwoul dwantav i
ctim ofrape.Myv i
rgi
nit
ywasbrokenin
themostpainful
way ,
thatwasthewor stexperi
enceev er
.thebestt hingthatcameoutofthi
s
wasJoy ,
theonehe'snotsupposedt oknowabout ,
whati fIwaswi thher ?

Hi
m:"I
..
Ijustwant
edt
oapologize..
I'
m sorr
yIputyouthr
oughwhatyouwentthrough,
Theytol
d
mewhatIdi dt
oyou.
Iwasn'tmyNor malselfbackt
henbecauseIst
oppedt
akingthepil
ls,
but
t
hat'
snotanexcuseforwhatIdid.
.I.
.i
-"

Me:
"Pl
easegetoutofmyf
ace"
tear
sgushi
ngdownmyf
ace

Hi
m:"
ButI
'
mtr
ying-
"

Isl
aphi
m accr
osshi
sface,
hehol
dsi
ttur
ningr
ed.
Thenhel
eft

Iwi
pemyt
ear
sandheadt
othegi
rl
stheywer
ewai
ti
ngbyt
het
il
l.

Thami:"Uhhhuthereshei
s,guuurlit
houghtt heykidnappedandbutcher
edyou.
Iwasaboutto
orderyoursteak"
.seei
ngmyey eswer epuf
f edher ushedtome" Whatiswr
ong?areyou
okey?whomadey oucry.
.ImightbegaybutIgotbal l
sthatmakesmeamanI '
l
lpunchthei
r
faces,
j
ustt el
lmewher et
heyar e"
he'sl
ookingar oundashespeaks,hisj
awsarecl
enched.

Me:
"Br
eat
h,Thami
.I
'
llt
ell
youguy
saf
terBi
rt
hdayy
aSedi
.Idon'
twantt
orui
nitwi
thmysor
rows"

Li
ndi
andThami
lookateachot
herandnodagr
eei
ngt
owhatIj
ustsai
d.

Wepayandgethome,
Wet ookj
oyandLani
tosleepoveratAuntMampho'spl
acesi
nceshehas
3gr
andki
ds,
theydi
dn'
tev
enaskquesti
onstheywentandpackedthei
rpi
jamasandlef
twit
hher.
Wepl
aceupt
hedecor
ati
on,
weopt
edYel
l
ow

Li
ndi
:
thr
owsher
sel
font
hesof
a"I
'
mti
redguy
s"

Me:
"Butwej
ustst
art
ed"

Thami:
"Ift
hisdecorwasaMan,youwouldn'
tbet
ir
ed,y
ou'dberidi
nghi
mli
key
our
idi
nga
bul
l.
.Getup"hewakesherup,
shestandswit
haboredexpressi
on

Li
ndi
:
"Ar
ggghhghTel
lmewhatat
tract
edy
out
oMbal
ibecausey
ou'
renoti
nherl
eague"

Thami:"
Honeytr
ustmeIpunchli
keaman,Iwon'
thesi
tat
etobreakyourfr
ontt
eeth.
Soif
youuuu(Poki
ngLi
ndi)hav
eaprobl
em wi
thmedealwithi
t,
causeIai
n'tgoi
nganywhere"
hedi
da
voshoinaseducti
veway

Me:
Chuckl
i
ng"
Pleasegetal
ongf
ort
hesakeofme!
"

Theyl
ookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng

Thami
:
"At
hif
ort
hesakeofher
"hol
dinghi
schestl
aughi
ng,
theyhi
ghf
ivei
nadr
amat
icway
.

Me:"
IyhoIwastry
ingtoli
ghtent
hemood,
yout
woar
eli
keaweat
her
,unpr
edi
ctabl
e.Onemoment
y'
al
lfr
iendsnextyou'
renot
"

Li
ndi
:
"Who,
who'
sfool
i
ngwho?
"si
ngi
nganddanci
ng

Thami
alsosi
ngal
ong"
Youf
ool
i
ngy
our
sel
f,
causey
ouwantmydi
ck"

Me:
"I
'm sur
ethosear
enott
hel
yri
cs"

Il
eav
ethem danci
ngl
i
ket
hatgoi
ngt
otheki
tchen

"
Becar
eful
"t
hev
oicesay
sinmyear
,Inev
ergotusedt
othesewhi
sper
ingv
oice

Me:
"Ofwhat
?"

Abr
own,
ful
lofdustbookf
all
sfr
om nowher
e.

"
Pagesi
xtys-
"

Li
ndi
:
"I'
m hungr
y"

Thevoi
cegotcutbyLi
ndi
ent
eri
ngt
her
oom,
page60what
?I'
l
lhav
etof
indi
tmysel
f.
Iputt
he
bookonthet
opshelf
s

Me:
"I
'm pr
epar
ingusf
ood"

Li
ndi
:
"Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
oo?
"

Me:
"Huh.
..
oht
hatIwast
ryi
ngt
opr
act
icemyspeechf
ort
omor
row"
Thami
comesi
n

Thami
:
"Speech,
Kant
iwho'
sbi
rt
hdayi
sit
?"

Li
ndi
:
"I'
m al
soaski
ngmysel
fthat
"

Me:
"Speechny
anaat
hanky
ouf
orcomi
ng"

Thami
:
"Hay
iify
ougoi
ngt
osayaspeecht
omor
rowt
hanI
nvi
temal
est
ri
per
s"

Me:
Laughi
ng"
Joyi
sachi
l
dyoust
upi
diot
"

Thami:
"Thenshe'
l
lonl
yspeaknoty
ou,
wenay
out
alkl
i
keapr
esi
denty
ounev
erendwheny
ou
st
artbl
abberi
ng"

Li
ndi:
"She'
l
lbeli
keLesedimtanami
Iwantyout
ost
udyanddon'
tgetpr
egnant
,don'
ttal
kto
boys.
..
Haaaidothatwhenshe'
s15not4"

Thami:
"I
yhooIr
ememberwhenmyfat
herbeatmeupbecausehefoundmekissi
ngmybest
fr
iendt
hat'
swhenIr
eal
i
sedIwasGay.
.(Shookhi
shead)
.Ar
hhhhhhhhhh"
hescr
eamsthel
astpar
t
shri
nki
ng

MeandLi
ndi
:
"WHAT?
"webot
hsayi
nuni
son

Thami
:
"Iwashav
ingf
lashbacks,
IthoughtIwasdy
ingt
hatdaychomz"
hesay
sbr
eat
hlessl
y

Wel
aughathi
m.Hei
sri
dicul
ous

Li
ndi
:
"I'
m st
art
ingt
oli
key
ou"
laughi
ng

LI
FA

Mynamei sNondlal
i
faKhoza,18yearsofage.
Ihav
etwosist
ersLet
huandPhil
a,
my
i
nspir
ati
ons,
Wellworki
ngasamai dwasn'tgoi
ngtobefor
evernoways.
i'
m nowcl
eani
ngt
he
si
tt
ingroom,
Igl
anceatt hewatchit
's18:
00.

I
t'
sgetti
nglat
eandmysister
sI'
m sur
etheyarewonder
ingwheream i
.Ihearacarpar
king
out
sideitmustbeMrZungu.
ThankgoodnessI
'l
lgetmoneyandgohomenow.

Heentershi
shouse,
hel
ooksar
ound.
He'
snotaguywhoshowsemot
ions,
hei
sneut
ral
aswe
speak.
Hi
m:"
Spot
lessIl
i
ke"

Me:
"Yessi
r"

Hi
m:"
Whyar
eyoust
il
lher
e?"

Me:"
Iwaswait
ingforyout
ocomeback,
Ineedmoneysi
r.
Iknowi
t'
smyf
ir
stdaybutwedon'
t
hav
eanythi
ngtoeat"

Hel
ooksatme,
goi
ngupt
ohi
sroom t
hencomesbackwear
ingbl
ackNi
ket
racksui
ts.

Hi
m:"
Let
'sgo"

Ist
areathi
m wi
thaf
rown

Me:
"Wher
etosi
r?Ij
ustneedmoneyt
hat
'
sal
l
"

Him:"Youcomingorwhat ?
"hewal kstowardst
hedoorIfol
low.
Wegetinthecaranddri
veof
fto
Godknowswher e,
westopbyPi ckN'Pay.
Hetel
lsmetogetoutofthecarIdoastol
d.Mi
ndyou
I
'm wear i
ngthemaidsunif
orm.Hesai dImustpickwhat
everIwant,
Iwasli
keOkey
Bread,chi
ckenpolony
,Rama,andJam andIwasgoodt ogo.

Thenhest
oppedmeasIwasonmywayt
othet
il
lwai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtof
oll
owme.

Het
akest
het
rol
l
eyandl
oadsi
nful
lgr
ocer
y.Thi
sist
oomuch.

Me:
"Si
rwher
ear
ewet
aki
ngt
hisf
ood?
"

Hi
m:"
It
'sy
our
s"

Ikeptqui
etthanki
ngheav
ens,Idon'
tknowwhet
heri
t'
sgener
osi
tyoraf
tert
hisIowehi
m,ButI
'
ll
dealwit
hthatifi
twastohappen.

Wepayandleav
e,nowhewantsmet oshowhi
m wher
eIst
ay,
Ihav
etol
i
eIpoi
ntt
othegr
een
housef
arf
rom t
hecorner
,hedoesn'
tst
op

Me:
"Ar
hhsi
ryouj
ustpassedmyhome"

Hi
m:"
I'
mtaki
ngy
out
owher
eyour
eal
l
yst
ay"

embar
rassmentki
cksi
n

Hest
opsbymyshack,
hel
ooksatmeangr
y,di
dIdosomet
hing.
Wegotout

Me:
"Si
rnoneedt
ocomei
n"

Hegoti
nany
way
,wedon'
thav
eal
ockersot
hedoorj
ustopens.

Hi
sheadhi
tst
her
oof
Hi
m:"
Hy"

Mysi
ster
's:
"Hy
"theyar
eshynowohwow.

Hegoesoutf
umi
ngget
sinhi
scarandl
eav
eswi
thoutsay
ingawor
d.

Me:
"Di
dyouguy
ssaysomet
hingt
ohi
m?"

Them:
"No"
checki
ngoutt
hepl
ast
ics

Let
hu:
"OhmyGodFi
nal
l
y"huggi
ngt
hey
oghur
tbot
tl
e,
wel
aughather
.

Phi
l
a:"
Wast
haty
ourboss?
"

Me:
"Yha"

Phi
l
a:"
He'
stooki
nd"

Thef
oll
owi
ngday

Iwenttowor k,If
ir
stcleanedthekit
chen,t
henhecamedownsmel l
inggoodwear inghi
smaroon
suit
emhm mhm mhm, I'
vedatedhotguysbef orewhenIwasr ichandBeaut i
ful
.Wehadital
lbut
i
tcamecr ashinglikeourli
fewasanaer oplane.Ibel
i
ev ethecaraccident,
wasplanned.
Andwho
everdi
ditI'
ll
f i
ndt hem andhavenomer cyont hem.Ifit
smysocal leduncle,
allhi
sdirt
ysecr
ets
wil
lbeoutint heopen,youcan'tj
usttouchtheKhoza' sandgetawaywi t
hitAneva

Hi
m:"
Didy
ouhearwhatIsai
d?"

Me:
"Huh?
"

Hi
m:"
Isai
dyouandy
oursi
ster
spacky
ourbagsI
'
llf
etchy
ouwhenIcomeback"

Me:"Ohyessir
"Icont
inuecl
eani
ngthenst
oponmyt r
acks,
didhesaypackourbags"
Waitwait
si
r,
wherewill
wego?we' real
ri
ghtwit
hourli
vi
ngar
rangements.
youdon'
thavetobot
heryour
self
aboutus"

Hi
m:"
Whatev
er.
.Iwantt
ofindyourbagspacked,
nooneshoul
dli
vei
nsuchanenv
ironment
,onl
y
pi
gsdo"
hecl
osesthedoorI'
m beyondshocked.
..