Pr

ologue

Hitheremynamei sMelokuhl ezoeyWi l

liamsam
20year sold, am doingmyf inalyear, am studying
teaching,Ilivewi t
hbot hmypar ents,Dami an
Wi l
iams(f ather),LindiweVi ctori
aWillamsandmy
olderbrotherAnt honyMnqobiWi l
li
ams24year s,
yesmybr otherandIar emi xed, dadiswhi te,mom
i
sZul uhencet heZul unames, Ialsohavet wo
fri
endsLaur enwhi teandLet haboTswana, am
whatyoucal ladaddy' spri
ncess, hespoi l
smeand
makessur eIhaveever ythi
ngIneed.Am awi l
d
kindagirl,Ienj oygoingtocl ubsandhavi ngf un
withmyf r
iends, am notverydomest i
cat edt hati
s
whywehavemai dsathomeduh.

Thenamei sBandi l
eDlamini(25),Iam a
managingdirectori
noneofmydad' scompani
es,I
ownahot elandclubpluswear er
oyalt
ynotmany
peopleknowaboutt hatpar
tofmylif
eonlymythr
ee
fr
iendsLunga, kwaneleandsanel
eknowthatpar
t,
Ili
veatt heRoyal houseyar dwi thmyf at
herki ng
Mphendul oDlami ni, motherqueenNomcebo
Dlamini, daddoesn' thaveanot herwif e,thankGod,
thentherei smyel destbrothersi phamandl a
Dlamini35year s,hehast wowi ves,hei sani dioti
f
youaskmef ormar r
yingnotonebutt wowi ves,
sihleDlami ni(thisonei sagol ddi ggerandt rouble
i
shermi ddlenameagghsuchadr amaqueen),
thentherei stheper fectmakot ikhanyi sil
eDlami ni
suchahumbl esoul, ar ar
egem ,Iwi shmybr other
onlymar riedher. mybr otheralsor unsoneofmy
dad'scompani es,hei snoti nt
rest edinowi ninga
business,si ncehei snexti nlinet obeki ng, sohe
i
sl ear
ningasmuchashecanf r om dad.
Thenthereist
hesecondbor nunathiDlamini30
years,dadgavehim oneofhiscompani essohe
ownst hecompany100%, heismarriedtominehle
Dlamini,shei
ssometimesadi vabutsheisalri
ght.
Thentheisthebabyofthef amil
y,myl ovel
ysi
ster,
nomphumeleloDlamini20yearsthi
sonei satotal
dramaqueen, shet
akesaf t
ermom , sheisdoi
ng
herfi
nalyearincommuni cati
onscience.
Am t heblacksheepoft hefami l
y, Idon'
twantt o
haveawi fe,
don'tevermentionmar r
iagetome, I
preferoneni ghtst
andsandhavi ngfuckbuddi es
hencewhyIdumpedmyexgi rlf
riendThando.We
al
lst aytogetherbecauseallthesonsofki ng
Mphendul oar etostayinthesameyar d, i
twas
dad'swi sh,weeachownourownhouses,we
meetonSundaysf orl
unchandi fyoumi ssthatyou
willhavethequeent odealwi th.

Hopeyoual
soenjoythest
ory,
fast
enyourseat
bel
tasweareaboutt
ogoforari
de
I
nser
t1

Zoey

Iwasbusyenjoyi
ngmysl eep,si
nceIwasupmost
oft
henight,Iwasstudyi
ngformylastpaperwhi
ch
Iwi
llbewri
tt
ingtoday,whenmom cameandwoke
meup
Mom:zoeygetyourassoutofbed,youdontwant
t
obelat
eforyourlastpaper.
Me:f
ivemor
emi
nut
esmom .
Mom :f
ivemi
nut
esmyass.(shef
orcef
ull
ytake
myduvet)
Me:okayam up(shet
hrowsmyduvetont
hebed
andshel
eaves)
Il
ookforwhattowearfr
om mycl oset,Iset
tl
ef ora
whit
etshi r
tandbl
ackSkinnyjeans,Igotakea
shower,Icomebacktomyr oom Ifi
ndsisf l
orah
makingmybed
Sisfl
orah:youknowyouhavet ol
earntodothi
s
thi
ngsforyour
self,onedayyouwi
llgetmar
ri
ed
andIwon'tbethere.
Me:(il augh)andyout hi
nkam goingt
oleaveyou
behind?, gir
lwhenIleavethi
shouse,weleave
togetherandwhentheinlawsgivesmechores,i
willj
ustplaymessenger.
Sheshakesherhead,
shef
ini
shedmaki
ngmybed,
Iloation, wearmyj eanandtshi rtandmyol d
schoolvans, Iputonsomemakeupandmy
Brazilianweave, Icheckmynai lsandt heywer eon
point, Iwoul dn'
tbecaughtdeadwi thchi ppednails,
whichr emindsme, Ihavet ogetmynai lsdone
becauseam goi ngt ohi ttheclubl ater, Igodown
stair
s, ItakeanAppl e, mybr other scarkeyspol oT
SI, Iqi cklyrushoutt hedoorbef oreMom coul d
sayanyt himgMom wast hest ri
ctone, Igoand
pickLaur enandLet haboup, Laur enwast he
i
nnocentoneI nourgr oup, meandLet habower e
wild.Igowr i
temyl astpaper, Ihadaf eel i
ngIaced
thatpaper, Iwai tformygi r
ls, wegohome, Iget
homeandf indmom havi ngsomewi ne, Iguessshe
didn'tgot owor ktoday, mom wasanur se,she
want edmet obeanur setoo, eew , am f i
newi t
h
teachingt hankyou.Igosi tnextt omom t osoften
herup, Ihadt oli
ecauseIknowt her eisnowayshe
woul dl etmegot oacl ub
Me:mom canIgot
oLaur
enpl
aceonl
yfort
oni
ght?
,pl
ease.
Mom:f
inebutdon'
tletanyt
hinghappent
omy
baby'
scarorIwi
llki
llyou.
(mom andAnthonywer
e
cl
oseinawierdwayj ustl
ikemeanddad)
Me:nothingwil
lhappent
otoAnthony'
scar,I
pr
omise,thankyoumom youarethebest(ki
ssher
onthecheekandIrunupst
air)
Ical
lLet
habo
Me:wecl ear,
wear egoi
ngtothecl
ub(idot
he
happydanceasifshecouldseeme)
Let
habo:i
sLaur
encommi
ngwi
thus?
Me:no,
Icall
edherandshedecl
ined,
Iwi
llbe
t
her
einafew.
Let
habo:sur
e(ihangup)
Ipacktheclot
hesIwil
lbeweari
ngatthecl
ub
toni
ght,Ipackever
ythi
ngineed(butinasmal
l
bagdon'twantmom suspi
cious)
Igodownst
air
s,mom wasbusywi
thher
magazi
nesanddr
inki
ngwine
Me:
mom am al
lpackedandr
eadyt
ogo
Mom :Iwantyouher
ebyt
enam ,
ifnotam
commi
ngt
ogetyoumysel
f
Me:Iwi
llbeher
eni
net
hir
tyshar
p.
Mom :youbet
ter
Idri
vet
oLethabo'
sapart
ment,Igett
her
ewe
i
mmediatel
ystartt
ogetr
eady,
wewer el
ooki
ng
good,i
fisaysomysel
f.
Idr
iveust oclub0199, wegetthereIsaf et
lyPar
k
mybrotherscar,wegetoutthepl acewaspacked,
westar
tbuyingsomeal coholandst arttodance,I
wasnowr eal
lydrunk, Igotothebat hroom andmy
wayout,bumpi ntothi
sgoodl ookingguy
Hi
m:st
opdr
ool
ing,
am Bandi
lebyt
heway
Me:(
ibl
ush)am notdr
ool
ingandam zoey
Bandil
e:nicetomeetyouzoey(hestart
skissi
ng
meandpl ayi
ngwit
hmyboobs, Iwasnowr eal
ly
horny,don'
tknowifi
twasthealcoholornot
Bandil
e:Ihavear
oom upst
air
s,wannat
akei
t
ther
e?
Me:sur
ewhynot(igowi
thhi
m upst
air
s)
Bandi
le

Iwokeupear l
yandgot othegym ,thi
schi cki
pickedupl
astnightwasstil
lsleepi
ng, soIdidn't
wanttowakeherup, Icomebackt omyr oom and
takeashower,
gobuyhersomef ood,t heti
me
wasnowt wel
fpm , shefi
nall
ywakesup
Her:dudewhydi
dn'
tyouwakemeup?
Me:youseem t
ir
edandidi
dn'
twantt
odi
stur
byou.
Her:whatt
imei
sit?
Me:i
t'
stwel
fpm .
Her(shescream andl ooksatherphone)11
missedcal
lsfrom Lethabo, 10missedcal l
sfr
om
Lauren,39mi ssedcallsfr
om mom , am sodead,
sheknowsbynow,IwasnotatLaur enspl ace,I
knowshehasgonet herealr
eady,Ihavet ogo.
Me:t
akeashowerandhavesomef
oodf
ir
st,
you
areal
readyintr
oubl
eanywayandyouwi
llgeti
nto
tr
oubl
ef orsmel
ingl
ikesex.
Her:goodadvi
ce
Shegoestakeashower, shewear
sthesame
clot
hesshewaswear i
ngandshecomesandeat
thefoodIboughtf
orher
Her:t
hankyou.
..
?
Me:Bandi
le,doyouwantmet
odr
iveyouhome?
Her:youcandr
opmeatmyfr
iendspl
acecauseI
havetopi
ckmybrot
her
scar,
beforeIgof
acethe
music.
Me:f
inel
et'
sgo
Wegetintomycar,shegivesmedi
rect
ionst
oher
fr
iendspl
ace,ihandhermybusi
nesscardandshe
getsout,idr
ivehome,Godwhatadramaqueen.
I
nser
t2

Zoey
IgettoLet
habo'
spl
ace,
Igeti
nandsheseemed
shockedtoseeme.
Me:youlookl
ikeyouhaveseenaghost,
what
'st
he
mat
ter?
Lethabo:yousti
llhavenotgonehome?, gi
rlyou
havegotsomeser iousguts,yourmom washere
andshewasbr eathingfi
re.
Me:Iknow, Iknowam Ideepshit,
Ijustcamet
o
changecl
othesandmybr ot
her'
scarandam goi
ng
home.
Lethabo:andwher
edi
dyoudi
sappearof
ftol
ast
night?.
Me:Ihookedupwi t
hsomehotguy,anywaystor
y
foranotherday, l
etmegoandchange,andgoand
getmysel foutoftr
oubl
e,Laur
enmustalsobe
pissedatme.
IgochangeclothesandIalsodomymakeup, t
ake
mybagsandgett hecarkeysfr
om Lethabo,get
i
ntothecar,
It hrowmybagont hebackseat,I
dri
vehome, byt heti
meIgethomei twast hr
eepm ,
Iwasnevour
s, Igeti
ntothehousemom and
Anot
honywerebusyt
alki
ngandlaughi
ng,
they
i
mmediatel
ystopwhentheyseeme
Mom :goodmor ni
ngmyl ovel
ydaught er,
mel
okuhlezoeywi l
lams(ohshi t,mom nevercal
ls
mebymyf ullnamesunlessshitisabouttohi
tthe
f
an)
Me:evenni
ngmom .
Mom :no,Idi
dn'tmakeamistakewhenIsai
dgood
mor
ningit
'sninethi
rt
yam r
ight?
Anot
honyget
sup
Ant
hony:deadmanwal
king,
Icemangoi
ng
Mom:goi
ngi
nforal
ongt
ime.
Me:am sor
rymom ,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
ogetcar
ri
ed
away.
Anthony:Iwil
lgocheckonmycar, makesuremy
babyissafe(lookathi
m astosaypleasedon't
l
eavemewi thmom )don'tyoudarelookatmewi t
h
thosepuppyeyesam notget
ti
nginvolved.(he
l
eaves)
Me:mom am r
eal
lysor
ry.
Mom :wherethehel lhaveyoubeen,Iknowyou
werenotatLaurenspl aceandyousurehel
lwer
e
notatLet
habo'splace.
Me:Iwaswi
thmyf
ri
end.
Mom :t
akemet
oher.
Me:mom shest
aysf
ar.
Mom :i
t'
sokaybaby,
Ihaveacar,
Ihaveaful
ltank
i
nmycarandallthet
imeint
heworl
d,sol
et'
sgo.
Me:(ist
artact
ing,asifam cr
ying)soyoudon'
t
t
rustme?,mom Ithoughtyoutrust
edme.
Mom :st
opplayingme,Ipl
ayedthatgamealong
t
imeago, bef
oreyouwereevenbornmygir
l.
Me:okayf
ine,
Iwasatacl
ub,am sor
ryf
ort
ell
ing
youl
ies.
Mom :it
'sokayzoey,youar eaful
lgrownwoman,
sodowhatyouwantt odo, butIswearifyouever
andimeanevergetpregnant,youwillr
egerti
t,iti
s
notathr
eatbutapromise.
Me:am sor
ryMom andIpr
omi
seIwon'
tdoi
tagai
n
.
Mom :andoh, youaregroundedFortwoweeks,
whichmeansnogoi ngout,noscreenti
mef oryou,
sogivemeallyourelect
roni
csstar
tingwit
hyour
phoneandoham al socutti
ngyourall
owancein
hal
ffort
hismont h.
Me:mom youcan'
tbeser
ious,
whogroundsa20
yearol
d?Andasformymonthl
yal
lowancewhat
am asupposet
odowit
hR2500?.
Mom :l etmeaskyout hisquest
ions, ar
eyoustil
l
l
ivingundermyr oof?, doIprovideforyourneeds,
i
ftheanswert othi
sqiesti
ons, i
syes,t henyou
aregr oundednoquestionsabouti t,i
fyouhavea
problem witht
hatgotakeitupwi thyourmother.
Me:mom (Iwasshout
ing)
Mom :andasf
ort
heR2500,
youf
igur
eoutwhatt
o
dowi
thit.
Ist
orm outoftheli
vingroom ,Igotomyroom and
sl
am thedoor(iwasbusyt al
kingtoLaur
enwhen
si
sflorahwalksinwi t
hmyf ood)
Si
sfl
orah:yourmom sentmetogetyour
el
ect
roni
cs(igivehermyphone,mylaptop,
myI
podandever
yguggetIown)
Sisf
lor
ah:am sor
rynanabutyouar
eal
sonaught
y
nawemahn.
Sheleaves,Iwaspi
ssedsoIdi
dn'
ttouchmyf
oodI
j
ustslept.

Bandi
le

Afterdroppingthatchickof
f,igost
raighthome,I
got omyhouseandt akeashower,bar el
yli
vet
here,
am foreveratthemai nhouse,si
ncethehouseis
toobigf orme.
Myphoner
ingsi
twasunat
hi
Me:nat
hi,
wat
supbr
a?
Unat
hi:wher
ear
eyou?
Me:am hereatmyhouse,
Iwasaboutt
ocomet
o
yourhouse.
unathi:don'
tcometomyhousegotothemai
n
house, mom want
stohavedi
nnerwi
thus.
Me:Iwi
llbet
her
einaf
ew.
Iwal kt
ot hemainhouse, ourhomewasnotl ike
otherroyalhouses, wedi
dn'thavemanymai ds
andguar ds,weonl yhadonemai dandshecame
twiceaweekorwhenshewasr equiredorifwe
wer ehavingdinnerandshewaswat chingthekids
i
nt heplayroom andonl yfourguards, dadwant ed
pri
vacyf orus.
Igett
her
eeveryonewasalreadythere,
mom , dad,
si
phamandla,unat
hi,
Sihl
e, khanyi,
minenhl
eand
nompumelel
o.
Itakeasit,
ever
yonewaswait
ingf
orme,
sowe
saygraceandwestar
ttoeat
Dad:sosonwhenar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Me:dadpl
easedon'
t,Iwi
llevent
ual
lygetmar
ri
ed.
Dad:when?,youar enotgrowinganyyounger,
l
ookatyourbr others,si
phamandlahast wowives
andthreechi
ldren, unat
hihasawi feandason,
l
et'
scomet oyouwi fedol
olo,chil
ddolol
oareyou
i
nfer
til
eorsomet hi
ng?
Me(Ichokeont hedr
ink,Iwasdri
nking)ofcour se
notdad,Ijustusepr
otect
ion,t
herearelotsofgold
di
ggersoutt
hereandIwouldn'
twanttofalli
ntothe
wronghands.
Mom :Ithi
nkyoushouldmarr
yThando,thatgir
lis
beaut
if
ul,shei
sfrom agoodhome,properl
yraised
andshemakesherownmoney.
Si
hle:Bandi
leandmarri
ageint
hesamesent
ence,
Iwoul
dlovet
oseethathappen.
Me:si
hle,
please
Si
hle:what?,
am j
ustt
ell
ingi
tli
kei
tis.
Igetup
Me:famil
yi twasgoodspendi
ngti
mewi thyou,
si
ncethi
sisganguponBandi l
eday,am goi
ngto
enj
oymyf oodwitht
hekids,l
essdramathere
Itakemyf oodandgot otheplayr oom andeat, I
waspl ayi
ngwi t
hmyni ecesandnephews, aft
erI
getti
red,Icalloneofmyf uckbuddi es,Miranda,I
tel
lhertocomemeetmeatt heclub, Idon'tbri
ng
anywoment otheroyalhouse, Idrivetotheclub,I
f
indMir
andawait
ingforme,wegotomyr
oom and
west
arthavi
ngseximmediat
ely.
[
09/
30,
10:
48] :I
nser
t3

Zoey

Itwast heendoft hefirstweekofmypuni shment

whi chmeantt hati twasFr idayandIknowi tmust
begoi ngdownatcl ub0199, Iwasser iousl
ybor ed,
Imeanwhatam asupposedt obedoingwi thno
scr eenti
meandmyel ectr
onics, Iwokeupl ate,
sinceIwasdoi ngnot hing,Iwasgi vi
ngmom t he
silenttr
eament, dadandAnt honyhadgoneaway
onaboysweekend, Ihadt oseriousl
ymakeapl an
togetoutoft hishouse, otherwiseIwoul dsodi eof
bor edom ,Iwentt otakeashowerandwor emy
tracksuit,si
sf loracameandmademybed, she
wasbusymaki ngmybed, whenIgotani dea
Me:sesif
lor
acanyoupl
easedomeahugef
avour
pl
ease,pr
ett
ypl
ease.
Si
sflor
a:ifyouwanttogetoutoft
hehouse,
for
get
i
t,yourmom wouldki
llthebot
hofusandbur
yus
i
nherbackyard,soforgeti
t.
Me:Idon'twantt
ogoout,Iknowbett
ert
hanthat,
Ij
ustneedyoutoborrowmeyourphone,
please,I
pr
omisemom won'tf
indout.
Sisfl
ora:f
inenana,j
ustmakesur
eyourmom
doesn'
tfi
ndout.
Me:Ipromiseshewon'
t(shehandsmeherphone
andshel
eaves)
Idi
alLet
habo'
snumber
me:heybi
tch
Let
habo:zoeyWi l
liamsist hatyou?,thankGod
youaresti
llal
ive,
Iwassur eyourmotherki
ll
edyou,
Isworetomyself,ifIdon'thearfr
om youby
Sunday,Iwasgoi ngtor eporthert
opoli
ce
Me:(
ilaugh)yaahr
ight.
Let
habo:Iswear.
Me:anywayam fi
ne,mom tookmyelect
roni
cs,
cutmyal
lowancefort
hismonthbyhal
fandam
gr
oundedf
ort
woweeks
Lethabo:ar
eyouser
ious?,
whogr
oundsa20year
old?.
Me:comeandaskmymot
hert
hat.
Lethabo:hel
lno,soIcangettheIcar
ri
edherf
or
ninemonthsandIwasinLabourfor13hour
s
speech?,il
oveyou,butf
orgeti
t.
Me:(ilaugh)bot
hyouandmymom arecrazy,
anyway,Iwascal
li
ngt
ofindouti
fyouar
egoingto
thecl
ub?
Lethabo:yesam goi
ng,
youar
egr
ounded
remember.
Me:whosecarar
eyouusi
ng?
Let
habo:si
pho'
scarofcour
se.
Me:pleasecomeandpickmeup,
Iwi
llmakea
pl
an,eightt
hir
tyshar
p.
Lethabo:youareonebadass,
ifyourmom doesn'
t
ki
llyoutonight,
Idon'
tknow.
Me:t
rustmei
twoul
dbel
ikeIneverl
eft.
Wehangup,Igogi
vesi
sfl
oraherphone,
eatt
he
f
oodshehadmadeforme.
Mom camehomear oundsi x,sisf
lor ahadcooked,
mom andIhadsupper.Iknowshei ssuppert ir
ed,
Igoupst airs, t
akeashowergetdr essedandwor e
mygownont opofmycl othes, woremysl eeper s,
ti
eadoekonmyhead, Icar efull
yt hrowoutmy
weaveandmakeupbagandmysneaker soutt he
window.Il ookatt het i
me,i twassevent hirt
y, Igo
downst airst ocheckonmom , shewassl eepingon
thecouch,shemusthavedosedof fwhi l
e
wat chingt v,Igogethert hrow, Icoverherwi t
hi t,I
swi t
chof fthet elevision, Imakesur eal lt hedoor s
arel ocked, Istealther emot etothemai ngat e
causet hegat eislockedal ready,Igot ot hisdown
stairsr oom t hathadanemer gencywi ndow, itcan
openf rom t heinsideal thoughi thadbugl arpr oof ,
Icar efullycl oset hedoor ,somom doesntseet he
openwi ndowandij umpoutt hewindow, Icloset he
windowal i
ttl
e, Icar efull
yopent hegat e, getout
andl ocki tagain, afteraf ewmi nut
es, Lethabo
arraives, igetintot hecarandof ft
ot hecl ubwe
went, itwaspacked,buti twasst illniceandIwas
enjoyingmysel f,whenIseet hatBandi l
edude, he
mustal sor eallylovet hispl ace, sinceheevenget
VIPt reatment,becausehehasar oom andt hat
stuff, hewaswi tht hi
sdudesandt her ewast his
chicksi t
ti
ngonhi slap, itmustbehi sgi rl
fri
end, so
Idon' tgoandsayhi ,Ijustcont inuehavi ngsome
funwi thsiphoandLet habo, ohboywassi pho
maki ngsur ether ei senoughal coholf orus,by
threeam Iwasr eadyt ol eave, ;mom wakesupatsi x
am , soam cover ed, Let haboandsi phodr opmeof f
athome, Icar efullyopent hegat eandl ocki tagain,
Igot ot her oom t hatihadl eftthewi ndow open,I
mustber eal lydr unkorseei ngt hingsbecauseI
couldhaveswor nthewi ndowwascl osed, Ithen
seeahugepaperpost edont hewi ndowi tsaid
"pleasegobackwher eyouar ecommi ngFr om and
comebacki nt hemor ning", IswearIbecamesober
i
nt hati nst ant,t roubledoesn' tevenbegi nto
descr ibet heshi tam in, Ihadnoopt ionbutt osl eep
ont hest oep, atleastthegat eisl ocked, Idon' teven
knowhowIf ellasl eep.
Bandi
le

Soiknockof fatwor k,decidet ocal lmyf ri

ends,
sowecanmeetatt hecl ub, ial socal lmyex
thando, Iwasr eallytryingtof i
xt hingsbet weenus,
causeIwasget t
ingt i
redoft hewhenar eyou
getti
ngmar ri
edspeechnott hatIwant edt oget
mar r
iedr i
ghtaway, shewoul djustgetagl ori
fi
ed
ti
tl
eoff iance, nothingmor enot hingless, Igo
handlebusi nesst hings, myf r
iendsar raived, Ihad
bookedi sat able, t
heydi dn'twantt heVI Psect i
on
apparent l
yi twasbor i
ng, t
heyar r
iveandsodoes
Thando, webuydr i
nksandbegi nt ohavef un,
Thandowassi tt
ingonmyl ap, thewhol et i
me,
whichwaski ndaofgavi ngmeaboner, Ithen
noti
cet hatdr amaticchi ck,Ibangedl astweek, I
wassocr ossingmyf i
ngerst hatshedoesn' tcause
anydr ama, causeIdon' tdodr amashi t,she
doesn'tcomeover, Thandomusthavescar edher
off,whichwasr eallygoodf orme, Icont inuet o
havef un, t
henThandoopt st ogohome, Iremai n
behindwit
hmyf r
iends, atar
ound0:00wedeci
de
togot omyroom andsleep,Iwassotir
ed,
good
thi
ngam theboss, causeIknowam goi
ngt
obe
l
atet ommorr
ow.
I
nser
t4

Iwaspeaceful
lysleepingout
side,Ihadeven
forgott
ent
hatiwassl eepi
ngoutsi
de,whenIhear
someonegentleyshakemeup, il
ookupanditwas
sisflor
a
Si
sfl
ora:andt
henwena?
Me:Isor
tofsneakedoutyest
erday(shedi
dn'
tlet
mef
ini
sh)
Si
sfl
orayoudi
dwhat?
Me:shhhh,
notsol
oud,doyouwantmom t
ohear
us.
Si
sflor
a:maybeIdi
dn'
thearyoucor
rect
ly,
youdi
d
what?
Me:Isneakedoutandl
eftthewi
ndowopenand
whenIcamebackthi
smor ni
ng,mogulhadcl
osed
t
hewi
ndow,
ihadnoopt
ionbutt
osl
eepout
side
Sisfl
ora:(shecl
apsherhands)justmakesur
e
yourmom doesn'
tfi
ndoutthatiborr
owedyoumy
phone.
Me:done,anywaywhatt
imei
sit?
Si
sfl
ora:si
xthi
rt
y
Sheunlocksthedoor,Ir
untomyr oom andt
akea
quickshower,Igodownstai
rs,Ifi
ndmom busyon
thephone,damn, shewastal
kingtodad,morel
ike
screaming
Mom :Dami
an, bythet
imeyougetbackIwoul
d
haveki
ll
edt
hischil
dalr
eady
Dad.
..
..
..
Mom:noDami anyouspoilthi
schi
ldtoomuch,
cooki
ngshecan' t,am sur
eshecan'tevenboi
lan
egg,simpletaskli
kemakingherbedshecan't,
you
arespoil
ingmychildforme
Dad.
..
..
..
..
.
Mom :youbetterdoanddealwi
tht
hisbratof
your
s, causeam gett
ingr
eadyt
okil
lher.(she
hangsup)
Shelookst owardsmydi r
ecti
on,sinceyoudefi
ed
myr ul
es,yourt woweeksstarttommor r
owand
am nolongercutti
ngyourall
owancei nhalf(iwas
get
tingreadytodot hehappydance)am taki
ngit
away, sonoallowanceforyouthi
smont h.
Me:whatyoucan'
tbeseri
ous, how am Isuppose
t
obuynecessi
ti
esli
kesanatar
yt owel
s,foam bath,
i
nfectmyt
oil
etr
y.
Mom :don'
tuset
hatt
onewi
thme.
Me:am sor
ry.
Mom :Iwi
llwr
it
edownwhatyouneedsi
sfl
orawi
ll
buyf
oryouwhenshegoesgr
ocer
yshoppi
ng
Me:mom pl
easeat
leastgi
vemet
wot
housand
Mom :no,Iwi
llnotrewardyourbadbehavi our,
not
nownotever,
nowi fyouwillexcusemeIhavet o
go,myfri
endsarewai t
ingforme, Iwil
lbeback
Mondaymorni
ng(shel eaves, Iwasthr
il
led)
Iwasintheki
tchen,
Iknowsisf
lorawon'
tborr
ow
meherphoneanymor
e,shehadplacedi
tonthe
kit
chencounter,Ihadmyeyesf i
xedonherphone
thi
swhol et
ime.Ist eal
thephoneandgoupst ai
rs,
IdialLet
habo'snumber
Me:gi
rl
fr
iend
Let
habo:yesgi
rl
fr
iend
Me:mom j
ustl
eftandshewon'tbebackunti
l
Monday,areyouthi
nkingwhatam t
hinki
ng.
Let
habo:par
tyt
ime
Me:organiseaf
ewdri
nks,somesnackandpi
zza,
cal
lwhoeveryouwanttocal
landl
et'
sgett
his
par
tystar
ted.
Let
habo:yesmama,
yes(ihangup)
Ical
lsi
sfl
ora,
shecomes
Me:sesif
lor
ayouknowinthewhol
eofsout
h
Af
ri
cather
eisnooneIlovemoret
hanyou.
Si
sfl
ora:whatdoyouwant?
Me:act
ual
lynot
hing,Ij
ustwant
edtosaysor
ryf
or
al
mostget
ti
ngyouint
otroubl
ewit
hmom .
Si
sfl
ora:i
t'
sokayshedi
dn'
tfi
ndout
.
Me:If
eelt
err
ibl
ethati
swhyam gi
vingyout
heday
of
f
Si
sfl
ora:butyourmom
Me:doyouseemom around?,don'
tseemom
anywher
ewhatshedoesn'
tknowwon'thur
ther,
it
wiĺ
lbeourl
it
tl
esecr
et.
Sisfl
ora:f
ine,
justdon'
tgeti
ntoanytroubl
ecause
Iknowyou(shetakesherbagandleaves)
Lethabocomesinaf ewminutesl
ater,shehad
enoughfoodtofeedanentir
earmyandshehad
enoughachohol,It
hinkIknownothingabout
hosti
ng,Lethaboorgani
sedthewholething
Lethabo:bef
oreIfor
get,
Imetthisguyatt
heshops
hisnameissanele,t
heguyisfl
ameschommi e,
si
phohasnot hi
ngonhim, soIi
nvit
edhi
m over
hopeyoudon'tmind
Me;notatal
linf
actt
hemor
ethemer
ri
err
ight.
Let
habo:am gladyouf
eel
thatwaycausehi
s
bri
ngi
nghisf
riends.
I
twasnowsevenpm ,
thepar
tyhadj
ustst
art
ed,
wewerebusydri
nki
ng,whenthesanel
eguycomes
,hewaswitht
woofhisfr
iendsheintr
oducedt
hem
t
ousasLunga
andkwanel e,hesayshisotherfri
endisst
il
lget
ti
ng
thei
rdri
nksf r
om thecar,Iwasl ooki
ngdownwhen
sanelecall
edformyattenti
on, hewassaying"t
his
i
smyf r
iend"
Me:
Bandi
le
Sanel
e:'
yout
woknoweachot
her
Us:yes,
longst
ory,
wil
ltel
lyouanot
herday
Wewer ebusydoingsomeseriouspar t
yingand
dr
inki
ng,iwasdr unkatt
hispoint
.,BandileandI
werebusykissi
ngwhent hemusicst ops
Me:whot
hef
uckst
oppedt
hemusi
c?
Idi
d,holl
yshit,
iwoul
dknowthatvoi
ceanywher
e,
tur
naroundandseeandAnt
honyandDad.
Dad:okpeople,par
tyi
sover,
am gi
vingyout
wo
minut
estoleavemyhouse,whil
eIgogetmygun.
Youshoul
dhaveseent
hecaous,
ever
yonewas
runni
ngout
Dadgr
absmebymyhand
Dad:andyou, Ithoughtyourmom wasbei ng
dramat i
cwhenshesai dyouwereoutofcontrol
(dadr eall
yseemedpi ssed)youarefucki
ngdr unk
andbusyki ssi
ngsomeboy, got
oyourdamnr oom
iwil
ltalktoyouint hemorningwhenyouar enot
drunk, causeri
ghtnowi tseemsasifam wasting
mybr eath.
Igot
omyr
oom andi
twasl
ight
soutf
orme.
I
nser
t5.

Bandi
le

Iwasdr unkl
astnight,r
eal
lydrunk,Iwaskinda
gladwehadadr ivertot
akeushome, because
ther
ei snoway,iwoul dhavebeenabletodri
ve,I
don'tevenrememberhowIgothome,Idon' t
remembermuch, Iwassti
llsl
eepi
ngwhenmom
camescr eaming
Mom :Bandi
legetof
fmydamncouchesandgo
getreadyf
orwor k,idon'tknowwhyyouj ustdon'
t
mar r
yThando, youwouldn'
tbecommi ngtohouse
drunkandsleeponmyexpensi vecouches.
Me:mai
stooear
lyf
ort
hemar
ri
aget
alk.
Igetupandgot omyr oom (
weallst
il
lhadroomsi
n
themai nhouse)igodomyhygineprocesses,
l
ot i
onandj ustworemyblackandwhitekappa
tracksuit,Iwassoti
redIdi
dn'
tevenhavethe
energytogot owork.
Igodownstai
rs,
Ifi
ndmom andmphumi
ehavi
ng
breakf
ast
Mom :Bandi
lear
en'
tyougoi
ngt
owor
k.
Me:nomom ,
Iwon'
tbegoi
ngt
owor
kam not
f
eel
ingwel
l
Mom:servesyour
ightfordr
inki
ngt
oomuchand
commingbackandsleeponmyexpensi
vecouches.
Nomphumel
elo:hedi
dwhat?,
Ithoughtyouwer
e
att
hecl
ub.
Me:yoohmysista,sanel
egotinvi
tedt
othi
spar
ty
andl
unga,kwaneleandIt
aggedalong,wehada
bal
l.
Mom :allt
hiswouldn'
tbehappeni ngifyouhad
Marri
edThandolikeam t ell
ingyoutoplusam
t
ir
edoftakingcar
eofyou, yourbrot
hershavet
hei
r
wivestotakecar
eoft hem .
Me:mom ThandoandIar
etr
yingt
ofi
xthi
ngs,
we
ar
ejustt
aki
ngthi
ngssl
ow.
Nomphumelelo:ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
obr
ing
t
hatdevi
lint
oourli
ves?
Mom :mphumiekeepqui
eti
fyouhavenot
hing
goodtosay.
Nomphumel
elo:am j
ustaski
ngmama.
Mom :keepyourquest
ionst
oyour
sel
f
Me:pl
easecanwehaveapeacef
ulbr
eakf
ast
.
Theybothkeepqui etandwehavebr eakfast,dad
wasnowher et
obeseen, Iwassurpri
sedsoIask
andshet ell
smet hatheandsiphamandlawenton
abusinesst ri
plastnight.Wefini
shourbr eakfast,
Ical
lunathiandhesayshei satwor kalr
eady, soI
gotomyr oom andIplaywithmyPl ayStation,
t
hisr
eal
lyhel
psmer
elax.

Zoey

Iwokeupwi t
habangi ngheadache, Ifeltsickal
lof
asudden, Igotomyr oom andthrowup, Imean
reall
yt hrowup, musthaver eal
lyover
didi tl
ast
night,causeIcouldhaveswor ndadcamehome
l
astni ght,Ifi
nishthrowingup,getint
ot heshower
andshower, Igetdressedandgodownst ai
r sand
sisflor aseemedpissed
Me:mor
ningsi
sfl
o(shekeepsqui
et)andnow?
Si
sfl
ora:di
dn'
tIt
ellyounott
ogeti
ntot
roubl
e?
Me:am sorr
ysi
sflo,Ireal
lyam andtoshowyou
howsorr
yIam ,Iwil
lpayyouext r
afort
hemess
youhadtocl
ean,fri
ends?
Si
sflor
a:okayf
inef
ri
ends,
butyourdadi
sreal
l
y
pi
ssed.
Me:oohboyso,
dadi
sback?
Si
s:yes,hef
oundyouki
ssi
ngsomeboy.
Me:oops,butam notscared,
ifi
twasmom, yesI
woul
dbepi ssi
ngmypant snow,dadi
sjustabig
ol
dsofti
e.
Sisf
lor
aclapsherhandsandshegoesupstai
rst
o
cl
ean,Iwasbusyhavingmybreakf
astwhendad
andAnthonycameandjoinme.
Anthony:sodad,youarej
ustgoi
ngtolett
hisone
getawaywithwhatshehasdone?(Igi
vehimthe
whatthefuckl
ook)
Dad:whosai danythi
ngaboutlett
inghergett
ing
awaywi t
hit,am anacti
ontakernotanoisemaker
l
ikeyourmom(hel ooksatme)andyour emember
thecarIpromisedyouwhenyouIseeyourr esult
s?
Me:yesdad(
myhear
twasbeat
ingr
eal
lyf
ast)
Dad:wellt
heof
feri
sof
fthet
abl
e,until
lyoubegin
toactl
ikeamat
ureper
sonandnotl
ikeafif
teen
yearol
d.
Me:(iwasintears)nopleasedad,scr
eam atme,
shoutatme,beatme,Idon'tcar
ebutpl
easedon'
t
br
eakyourpr
omi
set
obuymemyowncar.
Dad:idon'thavet
het i
met ogobackandfor
thwi
th
you,Iwil
lbelatef
orwor k,sonlet'
sgoorwewil
l
belat
e.(heandAnt honyleaves)
Iwasr
eall
yhear
tbroken, howcoul
ddaddothi
sto
me?,Igoupstair
s, Ihar
dlycr
ybutIcr
iedmy
l
ungsout.
[
09/
30,
10:
50] :I
nser
tsi
x

Zoey

YepIdecidedtobehave, justunt i
llIconvincedad
tobuymemycar,soIhavebeenser i
ouslytaking
mypunishmentandIhadt hr eedaysl ef
t,mom
andIwerenowont al
kingt erms, Iwakeupanddo
myhygineprocesses, loati
onandgetdr essed, I
havebeenvommi t
ti
ngl i
keCr azylatel
ybutmaybei t
wasjustthealcohol,goodt hingIhavenotdr inking
l
ately,It
hengodownst airs, Ifi
nd, mom , dadand
Anthonyhavingsomebr eakf ast
Me:mor
ningf
ami
ly
Them:mor
ning
Dad:someonei
sinagoodmood
Me:welli
sabeaut
if
ulday,
thesuni
sshi
ning,
the
bi
rdsar
esingi
ngsowhynobehappy.
Mom :whatar
eyouupt
o?
Me:not
hingt
rustme
Mom:t
hat
'st
het
hingIdon'
ttr
ustyou.
Me:ouch,anywayImeani
tam notupt
o
somet
hing.
Mom :fi
ne,youhavebeenbehavi
ngl
atel
y,ohzoey
Iseet
herearenosani
tar
ytowelsi
nyourl
istordon
tyouneedthem ?
.
Me:(i tregi
ster
dtomymindIhavenothadmy
peri
od, Iwantedtoscr
eam butImanagedto
contr
olmysel f)ohmusthaveforgot
ten,
please
i
ncludet hem .
Mom :Idi
d.
Theyal
lleave,
Ical
lforsi
sfl
o,shei
stheone
personwhocanhel
pmebefor
emom cat
cheson,
causesheevent
ual
lycat
chonmom i
snotani
diot
plusshei
sanurse
Sisf
lor
a:whati
snana?,ohboyar
eyoui
ntr
oubl
e
agai
n?
Me:It
hinkam i
ndeepdeept
roubl
eSi
sfl
o.
Si
sflor
a:whatthehaveyoudonet
hist
ime?Me:(i
j
ustcry)it
hinkam pr
egnant.
Si
sfl
ora:what?
Me:pl
easecalm down,am gonnahaveenoughof
t
hatf
rom mom ,
IsaidIt
hinkam pregnant
Si
sfl
ora:soyouar
enotsur
eyet?
.
Me:am notsur
eyetbutt
hesignsar
ether
e,t
he
vomi
tt
ingplusmyperi
odisl
ate
Si
sfl
ora:letmegot othecompl
exandbuyyoua
pr
egnancytest,
sinceyoucan'
tgo.
Me:t
hankyou
Shegoestot
hecomplexnear
by, shecomesback
af
tert
hir
tymi
nutes,
Itaket
hetestandIwasnow
wait
ingf
ort
her
esul
ts,
thi
swasr
eal
lymaki
ngme
anxi
ous
Me:si
sfl
ocanyoupl
easel
ookatt
her
esul
ts
am t
ooner
vous.
Shelooksattheresul
ts,
Icouldt
ellbyt
helookon
herfacethati
twasposit
ive.
(mymom' swords
i
mmi diat
elyechoed"i
fyoufal
lpr
egnantyouwill
regr
etit")
Me:am sodeadsi sfl
o(iwasnowsobbi ng
uncontroll
ably, sisfl
ohuggsme)Si sf
lolet'
sst ar
t
prepari
ngf ormyf uner al,Idon'twantanyone
dressedinblack, hel
lno, ot
herwiseIwi l
lcome
backasaghostandhauntpeopl e, Iwantbeaut i
ful
whi t
erosesonmycof fin, you,Ant hony,Laur en
andLet habomusthavevi pseat s, frontrow, cause
am suremom anddadwi l
lbear r
est edformy
mur der,Iwantanaf t
ert ears,peopl emustdr ink
andbemer ry,afterallitiszoeythepar tygir
lwho
willbegone, t
heremustal sobel oudmusi c,are
youwr it
ti
ngt hi
sdown?
Si
sfl
o:(shej
ustl
aughs)no
me:pleasegetapenandpaper,Ial
sowantt
o
sharemybelongi
ngs,youmustgetmylapt
op
,LaurenmustgetmyIpodandLethabomustget
myphone
Si
sflor
a:am suret
heywon'
tki
ll,yestheywi
llbe
di
ssapoint
ed,yesbutt
heywon'tki
llyou
Me:youdon'tknowthi
speoplesisf
loandohI
haveahundredrandi
nmyaccount, si
ncemy
al
lowancehasbeencutofff
orthi
smonth,so
pl
easemybr ot
hermyinheri
tthat
.
Si
sflor
a:(shej
ustlaughs)whatel
se,am sur
e
Ant
honywil
lbegladheinher
it
edsomet
hing.
Me:am ser
ioussi
sfl
oam sodead.
Sisfl
ora:clam downam sur
etheywon'tki
llyou,
comet her
ei cecr
eam i
nthef
ri
dge,Iwi
llmaket hat
foryou
Wegotothekit
chenshegi
vesmet hei
cecr
eam an
sist
arteat
ingifel
tsomuchbet
ter
.
Me:si
sfl
ocanIbor
row yourphone?
Si
sfl
ora:doyouwantt
ogetmei
ntot
roubl
e?
Me:ofcoursenot?I
t'
snotl
ikeam i
npr
isonand
am pl
anni
nganescapeorsomethi
ng.
Si
sfl
ora:wi
thyouanyt
hingi
spossi
abl
e.
Me:pl
easesi
sfl
o,Ij
ustwantt
ocal
lLet
habo.
Sisfl
ora:di
dyoujustsayLet
habo?,hel
lnoam
notgivi
ngyoumyphone, youandLet
haboequal
s
toonebigdi
sast
er.
Me:pl
easesi
sfl
o
Sisfl
ora:nogotoyourr
oom ,youcancal
lheri
n
thr
eedaystimewhenyourpunishmenti
sover.
Igotomyroom ,
Iwasj
uststarr
ingatt
hewal
ls,
somehowImanagetof
allasl
eep.

Bandi
le

Iwasl i
vingtheli
fe,Iwasatmyclubmostofthe
ti
me, Idi
df uck,oneortwomyfuckbuddi
esbutI
wasjustmost l
ypartyi
ngwit
hsanele,
Lunga.and
kwanele,Iwouldsti
llt
oworkevenwit
hahangover
causeItakebusinessver yseriously, mylif
ewas
notcompl i
cated, Imanagedt oconvincemom and
dadnott opressuremei nt
omar r
iage, causeI
promisedIwi l
lmar r
yThandosomeday, hopethat
daydoesn'tarrai
ve, am afuckboy, apar tyanimal,
Idon'twantawi feorchildtoomuchdr amaformy
l
iking,myl i
feislesscomplicat
edasabachel or
andIwantt okeept hatwaymaybet i
llam fort
y,
causerightnowmar ri
ageandIdon' tmi x.
[
09/
30,
10:
50] :I
nser
t7

Iwasi nmyr oom , goi ngupanddown, Iwas

thi
nkingabouthowt obr eakthenewst omypar ent
s
andt hatBandi leguy, ImeanIcan'tgot ohim and
sayremembert hathookupwehad, itsortof
resul
tedi napr egnacy, hewon'tt
akemeser i
ously,
weonl yhookuponceandIdi dn'
tevenr emember
hisnameunt illhet oldmei nthemor ning.Asfor
mom anddad, Iwi l
lasksi sfl
otobreakt henewst o
them ,Ilookfort hebusi nesscardtheBandi l
eguy
gavetome, thankGodIst il
lhadit,Iwi l
lgomeet
himint hemor ningt hen, Iwil
lasksisflotobreak
thenewst
omom anddadi
ntheeveni
ng,
Igot
o
bed.
Iwakeupi nthemor ni
ngdomyhygi nepr ocesses,
l
oati
on, getdressedandIdomymakeupandwear
my32i nchweave, Iwaslooki ngl
ikefl
amesIt el
l
you,iasevenwear ingmybl ackredbottom heels,I
godownst air
s,If i
ndmom , dadandandAnt hony
havi
ngbr eakfast,thedif
frentsmel lofperfumes
wasreall
ymaki ngmesi ck, butIcouldn'
tsay
anyt
hing.
Mom :andwher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
hisear
lyal
l
dr
essedup?
Me:IknowIhavet wodaysunti
llmypuni shmenti
s
over
,butpleasecanIgoout? ,
Ihaveaver y
i
mpor t
antappoi
ntmentIcantmiss,bel
ievemeam
payi
ngf ormybehavi
our.
Mom :fi
ne,shehandsmebackmyphoneand
el
ect
roni
cs
Wehaveourbr eakfast,
theyal
lleave,t
hetimewas
nowseventhir
ty, t
akeAnothony'scarkeys,he
har
dlyusesthi
scar(pol oTsi)dadhadboughthim
ajeep, Igot othecar.Geti n,Iwasusinga
navigator,tofindt
headr essonthecard, wit
hin
thi
rt
ymi nutesIarraive,Icalm myner vesforaf ew
minutes, Ilookatthetimeandi twasei ghtfif
teen,
Igetoutoft hecar, igointothebuil
ding,
everythi
ngabouti tscr eamedexpensive, Igetto
thereception, Igr
eett herecept
ioni
sts, shegr eet
s
meback
Me:hi,am her
etoseeaMrBandi
leDlamini(as
soonasIsayhisname,t
hebi
tchst
art
sgivingme
att
it
ude)
Recept
ioni
st:hei
sabusyman,
whatdoyouwant
?, l
eaveamessage.
Me:Ididn'tsayIwant
edt
oleaveamessage,
Isai
d
Iwant
edt oseehim
Receptionist:t
heni
fyouwon'tl
eaveamessage
thenjoi
nt heque,youcanseehi
m aroundone
ocklock.
Me:li
stenbit
ch,Iknowam beauti
fulandI
i
nti
midateyou,am notgoi
ngtofuckyourcr
ushin
t
heoffi
ce,Ihavefuckedhi
m al
readyathome,soif
youwanttofuckhim goahead, justl
etmeseehi
m
causeit
'si
mpor t
antIseehim andam notgoing
anywhereunti
lisee,IhavealldayandIcanmake
yourdaymiserabl
eanddi f
fi
cult
Recept
ioni
st:am sor
rymam ,
youcangoandsee
hi
m.
shegivesmehi soffi
cenumber,itwasonthethi
rd
fl
oor,soIusetheelevat
or,If
indhisoff
iceandI
knock,heshoutscomein,Ienterandhewas
shockedtoseeme
Bandi
le:whatasur
pri
se,
Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
osee
youhere.
..
Me:zoey,
thenamei
szoeyBandi
le.
Bandi
le:am sor
ry,haveasi
t(hepoint
stoachai
r,
Isi
t),towhatpl
easuredoIowethi
svisi
t?.
Me:t
heni
ghtwehookedupdi
dyouuseacondom ?
Bandi
le:Idon'
tremember,
youar enotsi
ckorhave
Hivorst
idoyou?(heseem real
lyscared)
Me:ofcour
senotyoudumbhead,
Ihavenot
hing
t
hatwon'
tgoawayinninemont
hs.
Bandile:(het akesadeepsi
ghs)thankGodyou
arenotsi ck,waitwai
t,whatdi
dyoujustsayabout
somet hingthatwil
lgoawayinninemonths?,are
youtryingtosayyouar epr
egnant
Me:ofcourseyoudumbhead(iwasnowf eel
ing
l
ikeIwant
edtovomit,butImanagenott
o)
Me:howdoIevenknowt hat
'smychi
ld,am sur
ea
wi
ldpar
tygi
rll
ikeyou.
..
.(igi
vehi
m ahugeslap)
Me:dontyoudareinsul
tme, youaret
heonewho
sl
eptwit
houtacondom ,whatdidyouexpecta
medal?.
Bandile:(heholdshischeek,Icoul
dtel
lhewas
pissed)dontyoueverandImeaneversl apme
withyourfil
thyhandsorIwillrearr
angethatpr
ett
y
face,justhowstuipdareyou?,haventyouheard
ofmor ningaft
erpil
ls?
Me:l ookwecanblameeachot heruntil
lthemoon
comesout, butt
hefactisthatwewer eboth
i
rresponsi
bleandwebot hneedtof acethe
consequencesifouri
rresponsi
bil
it
y.
Bandi
le:whati
sthi
sal
labout,
money,
youhear
d
myfami
lywasl
oadedandyounowwantapi
eceof
t
hepie?
Me:mydadi sfi
lt
hyrichdumbhead, heownstwo
verysuccessf
ulcompani es,sohecantakecar
eof
meandmybaby, am j
ustlet
ti
ngyouknowyou
haveababyont heway.
Bandil
e:whatever(heopensadrawerandt
akes
outabundleofmoneyandhet hr
owsitatme)take
careofit.
Me( Iwasnowpissed)gofuckyoursel
fBandi
le,
am notgoi
nganywhereunt
ilwetal
kaboutournext
st
ep
Bandil
e:Igaveyoumorethanenoughmoneyf oran
abort
ion,am notr
eadyt
obeaf atheryet,tr
y
tr
appingsomeonewhowi l
lfal
lforyourstuipdtr
icks
(Ithrowthemoneybackathim, thefeel
ingof
vomit
tingwascomingbackagai n).
Me:lookam notgoi
nganywhere,wemi ghtaswel l
tal
k(hegetsup,comesandgrabmyhand, hewas
busytr
yingt
othrowmeout,wewer ebusyur guing,
andhewaspulli
ngmetowardsthedoor,Ivomi tall
overhi
minst
ant
ly,
Iwasshocked )am sor
ry
Bandil
e.
Bandi
le:l
ookatwhatyouhavedone(
hewas
pi
ssed)
Me:am sor
ryi
twasn'
tint
ent
ional.
Bandi
le:gett
hef
uckoutofmyof
fi
cebef
oreIcal
l
secur
it
ytocomethr
owyouout.
Me:(ismile)iwassorr
yf orvommit
ti
ngallover
you,butnowam not,welcometofat
herhoodyou
jer
k.
Ileavehisoff
ice, Iwaspissed, Imeanwhatam I
supposedt osayt omypar ents, igotknockedup
byapi eceofshit, whowon'tgrowupandwant sme
tohaveanabor ti
on,iwasr eall
ypissed.Idri
ve
homeandgost raighttomyr oom , Ir
emovemy
makeup, t
akeof fmyweave, ichangeintomy
pjimasandgost raightt
obed.
[
09/
30,
10:
50] :I
nser
t8

Bandi
le
Damnt heoneti
meIdon' tuseacondom , Igeta
dramaqueenknockedup,am def inat
elyi nshit,
causeshedoesn'tl
ooklikesomeonewi ll
ingt ohave
anaborti
on,damneveryt hingaboutthatzoey
chicki
sdr amat
icevenannounci ngherpr egnancy
i
sdr amati
c,sheevenpukedonme,af t
ershel ef
t,
IwipemyselfI
nt hebathroom andIputonmy
j
ackettocovert
hepukeandIgot omycarand
dri
vehome, Igotothemai nhouse,Ifi
ndunat hi
andsiphamandla,watchi ngtv
Me:andwhatar
eyout
wof
ool
sdoi
ngher
e?
Them :wear erunni
ngawayf
rom our
responsi
bil
it
ies.
Me:whatr
esponsi
bil
it
y?
Siphamandla:wivesandkids, dontgetuswrong,
wel ovet
hem butsometi
mesi sj
usttoomuch,man
todayam soadmiri
ngyourbachel orli
fe,nowi
fe,
noki dsandnoresponsi
bil
it
ies.
Unathi:soam Ibr
obutjustf
ort
oday,
Ilovemy
wif
eandki dwaytoomuch.
Isi
tbesi
det
hem
Me:wel
lgentl
emanthi
sbachel
orhasaser
ious
pr
obl
em r
ightnow.
Unat
hi:i
sbusi
nessbadorar
eyoui
ll
Me:nobusi
nessi
sgr
eatandnoam notsi
ck.
Si
phamandla:thenwhatt
hehellisyourpr
obl
em ?
Causeyourl
if
eseemsperfectr
ightnow.
Me:wel
lisnot
hingt
hatwon'
tgoawayi
nni
ne
mont
hssoshesaid.
Si
phamandl
a:whatt
hehellar
eyouonabout?,
wai
t,
wai
tdi
dyouknockThandoup?
Me:hel
lno.
Unathi:t
henwhot hehel
ldi
dyouknockup?(t
hey
werenowl aughi
ngatme)
Me:mxm ,
don'
tlaughatme
Unathi
:okaywearenolongerl
aughi
ngwhodi
dyou
knockup?, outwi
thi
t.
Me:man, theonet
imeIdon'
tuseacondom ,
I
knockupsomedramaqueennamedzoey.
Theyst
artsi
ngi
ng:Iam afathert
obe,iam af
ather
tobe(iwant
edtowri
ngtheirnecks)
Siphamandla:onbehal
fofallf
ather
's,
andallof
theDlaminiki
dsasthefi
rstbor
n, Iwel
comeyouto
father
hood.
Unathi:t
hepr egnancyandhormonesshit,thelat
e
ni
ghtcravings,allthel
ateni
ght'
softhebaby
cr
yingnonest op,thenappychangi
ng,thelate
ni
ghtofbot t
lemaking..ummm can'twait(they
werenowl aughingatme)
Me:damnam soscewr
ed,
shewon'
tevenhavean
abor
ti
on.
Siphamandl
a:(hewasnowser
ious)howcould
youman?, howcoul
dyouwanttoki
llani
nnocent
chil
d,di
dmom anddadabor
tyou?
Me:am her
eri
ght
Unat
hi:sogi
vet
hei
nnocentchi
ldachancet
oli
ve.
Me:youdoknowdadwi
llwantmet
omar
ryher
r
ight?
.
Them :ooh,
youar
escr
ewedman,
wel
comet
oour
worl
d,her
ecomesthebri
de,
her
ecomest
hebr
ide,
her
ecomesthebr
ide.
..
IwaspissedsoIgot omyroom andtakeashower,
It
hengodownst ai
rsagai
n,wehavedi nnerwit
h
mom anddad, siphamandl
aandunathileave,they
di
dn'tbr
eathawor dtodadaboutthepregnacy
whichwasar el
ief.

Zoey

Iwokeupar ound3: 00pm , Igoandwashmyf ace,

changeintoat racksui tandIgodownst air
sandI
eatmyl unch, si
sf l
ohadpl acedmyf oodi nthe
microwave, Ieatandpl acet hedishi nthesink, Igo
upstai
rs,Iwasbusypl ayingagameonmyl aptop,
whenIheardadandAnt honytalking, Iwast oo
scaredtogot ot hem ,iwi llgoaf t
ersi sfl
ohas
brokenthenews, af ewmi nutesl at
erIhearmom' s
car,myhear twasbeat ingf ast,af ewmi nuteslater
Ihearsomecomoat ion,iguesssi sflobroket he
news, t
henIhearmymom scr eami ngmyname
Mom :mel
okuhl
ezoeyWi
ll
iams,getyourfl
atass
her
enow(damnshiti
saboutt
ohitthefan)
Isl
owl
ygodownst
air
s,mom seesme
Mom :hur
rythef
uckup,
someofusdonthaveal
l
dayyouknow.
atl
eastdadwasclam ,
whichmeanshewon'
tbe
hardonme, Igett
owheretheywer
esit
ti
ng,Isi
t
down
Mom :di
dn'
tIwar
nyou,whenyouwerebusy
j
umpingoutt
heWindows,
whatdidIsay?
Me.
..
..
..
Mom :am t
alki
ngt
oyou.
Me:yousai
ditIf
allpr
egnantIwi
llr
egr
eti
t.
Mom :good,yourememberedwhatIsai
dandyou
wentontofal
lpregnant,
youar
eonyourown,
Damiandealwit
hyourbrat.
Ant
hony:whoi
sthef
ather?
Me.
..
..
.
Dad:heaskedyouaquest
ionandansweri
tcauseI
al
sowantt
oknow.
Me:hewantsnothi
ngt
odowi
thmeandt
hebaby,
sohedoesn'
texi
st
Dad:hebet
terexi
stbecauseasoftodayyouar
eno
l
ongermeandyourmom' sresponsi
bil
it
ybuthi
s.
Me:butdad
Dad:nobut,t
ellmehi
sbl
oodyname(Hewasnow
real
lyangr
y)
Me:hi
snamei
sBandi
leDl
ami
ni
Dad:anddoyouper
hapshavehi
shomeaddr
ess?
Me:noIdon'
t,Ionl
yhavehi
swor
kaddr
ess
Dad:good,
gopackyourcl
othes,
Ant
honyandI
wil
ldr
opyouther
etommorr
ow
Me:dadpl
easeno,
am ber
gingyoupl
ease
Dad: youbet
terpackthosecl
othes,Ihavel
etyou
getawaywi t
hal ot,nott
hist
imedeardaught
er,
thatboymustMar ryyou.
Mom :(shewasallofasuddensof
t)Dami
anar
en'
t
youbei
ngalit
tl
etoohurshonher?
Dad:no,youandIr ai
sedourkidstogether,i
t'
s
onl
yfai
rthattheyrai
sethei
rchi
ldtogetheram not
aboutt
oraisehischi
ldforhi
m ,hellno.
(hel
ooksatme)andyouwhatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or
gopackyourcl
othes
Igetupandgotomyroom ,
Ijustl
ayonmybed
maybedadwil
lchangehi
smindinthemor
ning.
[
09/
30,
10:
51] :I
nser
t

Zoey

Iwakeupear lyar oundf ouram ,Icouldn'tsleepI

hadnotpackedyet, cr
ossedmyf ingersandhope
dadchangeshi smi nd, Igoanddomyhygi ne
processes,loationandgetdr ess,madesur emy
makeup, nail
sandhai rareonpoi nt,Ihadj ust
fi
nishedgetti
ngr eady,whensi sflowal ksin
Si
sfl
ora:mor
ningbaby
Me:si
sfl
oyouar
ewayt
ooear
ly,
it'
sonl
y5:
00am
andIsowishi
twasagoodmor ni
ng,t
hedrama
goi
ngoninmylif
eandIcan'
tevendr
ink.
Sisfl
o:iknowitsearly,
ijustcametocheckonyou
aft
erlastni
ght,r
elax,am sureever
ythi
ngwillbe
fi
ne,everyt
hingwillbefi
neyouwi l
lsee.
Shewasst
il
lmaki
ngmybed,
whenmom wal
ksi
n
Mom :it
houghtyouknewhowt
odot
hatbynow.
Si
sflor
a:t
hisone,anywayletmegoandget
st
art
edIbr
eakfast(shel
eavesmeandmom )
Me:mom am real
lysor
ry,
pleaset
alkt
odad(t
ear
s
wer
ethr
eateni
ngmyeyes)
Mom :babyam sor
ryt
oo,
haveyoupackedyour
cl
othesyet?
Me:mom ,dadwasnotser
iouswashe?.
Mom :thatmanwasdeadseri
ous,butIhave
managedtoclam hi
m downabi
tandbuyyou
someti
me.
Me:soam notl
eavi
ng?
Mom :nott
oday,
butyouar
egoi
ngt
omar
ryt
hat
boy.
Me:t
hankyoumom .
Mom :dontt
hankmej ustyet,yourdadisgoi
ngt
o
seet
hatboytodayandyouar egoingwit
hhim.
Me:but(Mom gi
vesmet
hel
ook)f
ine.
Mom andIgodownst ai
rs,wefi
nddadandAnt hony
wai
tingforbr
eakfast,wesitdown, si
sfl
orabr
ings
br
eakfasttot
het abl
e, wehavebreakf
ast,i
twas
awkardandsil
ient
Dad:youbet
tert
hankyourl
uckyst
arsyourmom
managedtocal
m medown, Iwoul
dleaveyouwi
th
t
hatboyinhi
soffi
ce.
Idon'tsayawor dcauseidon' twantt
opi sshim off
anyf urther, dad, AnthonyandImakeourwayt o
Bandi l
esof fice, wegett here, wegettothe
reception, ther ecepti
oni st,call
shim andtellhi
m
anher et oseehi m, hetel l
sit'
sfineicouldcomet o
hisof f
ice, dad, AnthonyandIgot ohisoffi
ce,he
wasshockedt oseeAnt honyanddadcausehewas
onlyexpect ingme.
Bandi
legreetsus,Dadt ell
smet ogowaitout
side,
Igowaitoutsi
de, Iwaspacingupanddown, after
whatseemsl i
keforever,dadandAnthonycome
out
Dad:getready,youar egoingtot heDlamini
househol
dtonight,Bandil
ei sgoingtobreakthe
newstohisparents.,weleave, IaskAnthonyfor
somemoney(t hroughat extofcour se,dadwould
stophimifIsai
dittooloud, Anthonysendsme
R2000)
Iaskdadtodropmeof fatthemall,
IcallLauren
andLethabosowecanmeetatt hemall, Iwas
busylooki
ngforl
ooki
ngf orsomethi
ngtowear, I
wasattruwort
h,whenLaur enandLethabocallt
o
saytheywereher
e,itellt
hem tocomet otruwor
th,
theycome
Lethabo:heybit
ch,youhavebeenki
ndaofqui
et
l
ately,watsapp?
Me:am meeti
ngthei
nlawst
oni
ght,
hel
pfi
nda
somet
hingtowear.
Let
habo:(sheandLaur
enbot
hseemedconf
used)
whati
nlaws?
Me:Iwi
llt
ellyouallabouti
twhil
ewehavelaunch,
byt
hewayam br okesolaunch.I
sonyouguys.
Wefindaperfectabovet hekneelengt
hblackdress
andthenwemakeourwayt osteers,wewerebusy
havi
nglunchwhenBandi lewal
ksinwitht
hel adyhe
waswi t
hattheclub, heaseesmeandhecomest o
whereLauren,LethaboandIar esit
ted
Bandi
le:zoeyar
eyouf
ine?
Me:yesam f
ine
Bandi
le:
doyouneedanyt
hing?
Me:no,am good
Bandi
le:okayt
hen,
Iwi
llpi
ckyouupatseven.
Me:am f
inewi
tht
hat(hel
eavesandhegoesback
t
othel
adyhecamewith)
Let
haboandLaur
en:andwhoi
sthatf
ineass?
Me:oohhi
m,t
hati
smybabydaddy
Let
haboandLaur
en:babydaddy?
Me:yesheknockedMeup.
Let
habo:wai
t,wai
twhendi
dthi
shappen?
Me:r
emembert
hatdayIsor
tofdi
ssaper
ed?
Let
haboandLaur
en:yes
Me:wel
lweki
ndaofhookedupandwewer
etoo
dr
unkt
ouseprot
ect
ion
Laur
en:butyouwer
enott
oodr
unkt
odot
hedeed?
(welaugh)
Me:andt
oni
ghti
stheni
ghtImeett
hei
nlaws.
Laur
en:andwhoi
sthatchi
ckhewaswi
th?
Me:Iseri
ousl
ydon'
tknow,
maybeshei
shi
s
gi
rl
fr
iend.
Let
habo:youar
ewayt
oocl
am f
ormyl
iki
ng,
Iwoul
dhavebeenal
loverhi
sfi
neass
Me:Bandil
ecandowhat
everhewant
stodo,Ijust
wantt
ogivebi
rt
handgetbackt
omynormall
ife.
Laur
en:bynor
mal
,youmeancl
ubbi
ng?.
Me:yesofcour
se.
Lauren:youdoknow,yourli
fei
sgoingt
ochange
andyouwi l
lnol
ongerbeabletopart
yasmuch.
becauseyouwil
lbebusytaki
ngcareofababy.
Me:that
'swhatbabysi
tt
ersandnanni
esar
ether
e
f
orduuh!
Lauren:t
hatbabyi
sgoi
ngt
obet
hecent
erof
att
enti
on.
Let
habo:byebyezoet
hepar
tyani
mal.
Me:youladi
esaresomean,
Iwon'
tmakeyoumy
mat
ronsofhonour.
(
Laur
enandLet
habol
augh)
Let
habo:gi
rlar
eyouser
iousl
yget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Me:t
hat
'swhatdadsays.(t
heyl
ookedshocked)
Laur
en:t
henki
sscl
ubbi
nggoodbye.
Me:l
ikehel
l,Iwi
ll
.
Wefini
sheat i
nglunch,wegoandhaveournai ls
done.Irequestf
oranuber,theuberar
rai
vesandi
gohome, Irel
axwhi l
ewatchingsometv,thetime
wasnowhal fpastfi
ve,Igotakeashower,Iloati
on
,wearthebl
ackdr
essIboughttodaywi
thbl
ack
peeptoehi
ll
s,domymakeup, Iwearmy32inch
pevul
ianweaveandIgodownstai
rs
Sisfl
ora:youcan' tgotoyourinlawswi t
hyour
armsoutatleastputona j acket,Igotomyr oom
takemywhi tejacket(t
hoseoneswi thoutar
ms)i
l
ookedhotshame, evenifIhavetoblowmyown
horn,theti
mewasnowsi xthir
ty.,Iwaswaiti
ngfor
Bandil
e.
[
09/
30,
10:
51] :I
nser
t10

Bandi
le

Iwasatt heclub,withoneofmyf uckbuddiesand

Ihadjustfi
nishedfuckingher, andyes,Idi
dusea
condom andmadesur eshedr ankthemorningafter
pil
l,Igaveher, Il
ookatt heti
meandi twas18: 45,
ohshit,am supposedtogoandpi ckzoeyup, It
ext
hersayi
ngam r unninglat
e, Igetri
dofthebitchI
wasfucking,igot akeashower, Igetdressed,
goodthingIhadachangeofcl otheshereatthe
cl
ub,Itakemycarkeys,Iaskzoeytogiveme
di
rect
ionstoherfat
her'
shouse, shegi
vesMet he
di
rect
ions,Ipi
ckherup andwegot otheroyal
house,thetwoguardst
hatwereondutyopenthe
gatef
orme
Zoey:wow,
thi
spl
acei
shuge.
Me:pleaser
emai
ninsi
det
hecarunt
il
lIcomeand
getyou.
Zoey:okay
Me:good
Ihadparkednextt othemainhouse, soIgotothe
mainhouse.If i
ndeveryonethere,t
hekidswerein
theplayi
ngr oom wit
hAunt yBell
a(ourhelper)as
usual,Igreetever
yone, t
heyallgr
eetmeback
Me:nowt hatever
yoneisherether
eissomeoneI
wouldl
ikeyout omeetbutbefor
eyoucanmeetthat
someone, mom ,dadcanIpleasespeakt
oyouin
pri
vat
e
Mom :ofcour
seson(Me,
mom anddadgot
othe
st
udy)
Me:mom anddadther
eissomet
hingIwoul
dli
ke
yout
oknowbefor
eyoumeetthi
sperson.
Mom :thi
spersonmustr
eal
lybespecial
,you
har
dlybri
nganyonet
otheroyalhouse.
Dad:mysent
iment
sexact
ly.
Me:hernameiszoeyandsheispregnantf
orme
(youshoul
dhaveseentheshockonmypar ent
s
face)
Mom:what?,howthehelldi
dyoumeett
hiszoey?
andwhyam Ihear
ingofhernow?
Me:tocutthel
ongstoryshor
t,wemetatmycl
ub
andwesortofhookedup.
Mom :It
houghtyouweregoi
ngtomarryThando
andnowyougopi cki
ngupsl
utsf
rom t
heclub?
Dad:nomcebocl
am downl
et'
smeett
hegi
rlf
ir
st
bef
oreyouj
udgeher.
Mom :fine,goandgether.Igoandtakezoeyf
rom
thecar,
shejustseemsnottogetoverhowhugethe
placewas,butshesti
lldi
dn'
tknowwewer eatt
he
Royalhouse,wegower eeveryonewas
Me:ever yonemeetzoey(t heywer eallshocked
theywer en'
texpect i
ngsomeonemi xed)nowzoey
l
etmei nt r
oduceyout oever yone, zoeythisar emy
parents(iwaspoi ntingatmom anddad)Mrand
Mr sDlami ni,sheext endherhandf orahandshake,
dadshakesherhand, mom j ustlooksatherand
thenthereist hefirstbornoft hef ami l
y,
sphamandl a, siphamandl ajustwaveshi shand,
sihlej
ustlooksatzoey, thenwehavet hesecond
brotherunat hi,unat hialsoj ustwaves, thenwe
haveme, wehavemetal ready, thenwehavet he
babyoft hefami lymyoneandonl ysi st
er
nomphumel elo, thenwehavesi phamandl a'
swi ves
, si
hle,sihl
egi vest hebor edl ook, t
henwehavehi s
secondwi fe, khanyisile(Khanyiget supand
huggszoey), t
henwehavemysecondbr other's
wi f
eminnehl e, Mi nniejustsmi les.
Mom :nowthattheint
roduct
ionsareoutoft
he
way,l
ethersitiwanttofi
ndoutmoreabout,the
l
adyexpect
ingmygr andson(al
lthel
adi
esatthe
t
abl
ewer eshockedexceptmom)
Zoeysi
tsdown.
Zoey

SoIhadbeenintr
oducedtoeveryoneint
hedlamini
fami
ly,
thisf
amilyseemedloaded, t
hemothert
ells
metosit
down, whichIdo
MrsDlami
ni:sozoeywhati
ssosur
nameandwhat
doyoudoforali
ving?
Me:wellam mel
okuhl
ezoeywi l
lamsandIjust
f
ini
shedwri
tti
ngmylastexam ,studyi
ngt
eaching.
Sihl
e:Ifeelf
ort
heki
ds,areyouevenr
eal?,
cause
ever
ythi
ngaboutyoushoutspl
ast
ic.
Siphamandla:si
hlepl
easebehave,
don'
tinsul
t
zoeyplease.
Sihl
e:sorry,
Ijustwant
edt
oknowifshei
sreal
(shelaughsandiwasnowpissed)
Bandi
le:zoeydon'
tmi
ndhershei
sjustadr
ama
queen(Inod)
Mr
sDl
ami
ni:soar
eyouZul
u?,Ihear
dthename
mel
okuhl
e
Me:nomymom i
sZul
uhencet
heZul
uname
MrDlami
ni:soyouknownot
hingaboutourZul
u
cul
tur
e?
MrsDl
ami
ni:t
hequest
ioni
scansheevenspeak
Zul
u
Me:theanswert obothofyourquesti
onsi
syes
andyes,yesIknownot hi
ngabouttheZulucult
ure
andyesIcan'tspeakzul
u(ihadst oppedeat
ingat
thi
spoi
nt,sinceIwasbeginningtofeel
uncomfor
table)
Mr sDl
ami
ni:i
ntr
est
ing,doyouknowwhati
s
expect
edofyounowthatyouar
ecarr
yingr
oyal
blood?
Me:(iimmidiat
elychokeont
hewat
eriwas
dr
inki
ng)Royalbl
ood?
Mr sDlamini:youdidn'tknow?, wear
ear oyal
familyandt hi
sisthepalace,doyoujustgo
sleepingaroundwi t
hpeopl eyouknownothing
about?(ir eal
lyfel
tthat)
Me:hedi
dn'
ttel
lmehi
sisaPr
ince.
Bandi
le:
notmanypeopleknowaboutthatpar
tof
mylif
ezoey,sodon'
ttakei
tper
sonal
ly.
MrsDlamini:well,
isaiditandam sti
llgoi
ngt
osay
i
tThandowast hebestformyson, notsomelow
l
if
eclubbing,gol
ddi ggi
nghoe(shegotupandl ef
t
,Bandil
eandsphamandl awentaft
erher )
Iexcusedmyselfandaskedt ouset hebathroom ,
khanyishowedme, t
hebathroom , Igotincri
eda
l
itt
leandthenipull
edmysel ftogether,Iwas
makingmywayt othetabl
e, Mr sDlaminiwasback
atthetabl
e,theywerebusyt alki
ngt heydidn'
tsee
me
Sihl
e:outofal
lthegi
rl
stoknockup, youknockup
aslayqueenBandil
e,didyouseeher,weave,her
nail
s,hermakeup
Nomphumel
elo:cansheevendoanyt
hingwi
th
t
hosenai
ls?
Khanyisil
e:youguysar ebeinghardonthepoor
gir
l(ididn'twantt
hem tot
alkanyfurt
her,soI
coughal i
ttlet
ogetthei
ratt
etion)
Bandil
e:zoeyhowl
onghaveyoubeenst
andi
ng
ther
e?
Me:l
ongenough.(isi
tdown)
Bandi
le:am sor
ryyouhadt
oheart
hat
Me:it'
sokayat
leastnowIknowwhereIst
andwith
ever
yone,youcanmar r
yyourThandomybabyand
iwil
lbefi
ne.
Bandi
le:zoeydon'
tbel
iket
hat.
Me:likewhat?, yourmom wantsyout omar ry
Thando, goahead, youhavemyblessing,what
am Ievensaying,youdon'tneedmybl essingit'
s
notli
keam yourmot her,yourwi
feorrelatedtoyou
anyway, theonl
yconnectionyouhavewi ththis
golddiggerisababy.
Khanyi:zoeypleasecl
am downdear,
youwi
llget
usedtotheirbul
lshi
tIknowIhave
Me:thankyoukhanyi,i
twasnicemeet i
ngallof
youbutihavetogohome, oohincaseyouwere
wonderi
ng,Idohaveahome, abeaut i
fulhomenot
exact
lyt
heroyalst
andardbuti
sf i
ne,soBandile
di
dn'
tpi
ckmeupf
rom t
hest
reet
s
Bandil
epleaset
akemehomebef
oreisayt
hingsI
mightregr
et.
Wegot ohiscar,wedr i
veoff, wedon'
tsayaword
toeachot her,hedropsmeof fathome,Igo
strai
ghttomyr oom ,changeintomypyjamas,I
takeoffmywi g,Iwashmyf ace, i
.Wassoti
redi
don'tevenknowhow f ellasl
eep
[
09/
30,
10:
51] :I
nser
t11

Iwokeupdi dmyhygi nepr ocesses, I

otionandget
dressedincasualwear, Isleptatthemai nhouse,
I
godownst air
s,Ifi
ndmom andmpumi ehaving
breakfast,
dadhadameet i
ngwi t
htheel ders
regardingmylobol
anegoat ions,apparentl
yMe
mar r
yingzoeywast heonlywayout, Isitdownand
j
oinmom andmpumi eforbr eakf
ast
Nompumel
elo:l
astni
ghtwasonfir
e(shewas
l
aughi
ng)t
hankyoufortheshowbro,
yousur
ehel
l
knowhowt
opickthem .
Mom :Iwil
lneveracceptt
hatl
it
tl
ebratasyourwi
fe,
cansheevenwashherownundi es?
Me:Iser i
ousl
ydon'tknowherthatwell
mom , she
wasjustsupposedt
obej ustaoneni
ghtstandand
shi
thappened(Mom andmpumi eclapthei
rhands
)
Mom :Amen,Igi
veup,Thandowouldhavebeena
per
fectwi
fef
oryou,soistheweddi
ngdateset?.
Me:am meet i
ngzoeyf orherdoct
orsappoi
ntment
today,
soafterIwil
ltakeheroutforl
unchandwe
cansetthedate.
Mom :theel
derswil
ldecidethedat
eanyway,so
don'
ttal
kaboutthedat
e, ihavet
obuymydress,
mpumi ecanwegetmat chingoutf
it
s.
Nompumel
elo:absol
utel
ymom .
Me:for
getitt
herewon'
tbeahugeweddi
ng,
zoey
andIwi
llgotothehomeaff
air
sof
fi
ces.
,wit
hmom , dadandherparents,
thenwecome
homeandhaveasmallgatheri
ng,justust
hef
amil
y
,herpar
ent
sandherbrother.
Mom :butever
yoneI
nthevi
l
lageknowsther oyal
fami
lyal
wayshashugewedding,yourbr
othershad
hugeweddings
Me:wellnotme,idontwantabi
gweddi
ng, I
don'
tevenIwantt
ogetmarri
edmom ,
iti
sjustt
he
si
tuat
ionathand.
Nompumelel
o:doyouhavetomakei
tthatobvi
ous
youdon'
twantt
omarryher?
.
Mom :i
fyousayso.
Me:t
hatI
swhatIwantandi
tisf
inal
Mom :okson, won'
tyouat
leastconsi
dert
aki
ng
Thandoasasecondwi f
e,Imeanyouar ef
rom t
he
royalf
ami
ly,youcantaketwowives
Me:hellnomom , Idon' tevenwantt omar r
ythe
oneIhavet omar ryandyouar egivi
ngmeasecond
wifeal
ready?, Ican'thandl etwowivesnever, I
haveseenwhati tislike.Sphamandl a'swivesare
for
everateachot herst hroats,Ij
ustcan't,hel
lto
theno,Ijustcan'tdeal.
Mom :don'
tki
llmei
twashi
sasuggest
ion
Me:wel ldropthatsuggest
ioncauseIdon' tl
ikeit,
anywayl etmegoandpi ckthedr amaqueenand
takeherf orherappointment.(Igetupandcal lzoey
,it ellhertogetanuberandgot ot hedoctorsIwill
needhert hereandtheniwi l
ltakeherhome, bef
ore
Ileaveoneoft heguardsgavemeal et
terandsaid
dadsai dIshouldgivethelet
tertozoeyt ogiveto
herf ather,Iknewwhatt hi
smeant.)
Imakemywayt othedoct
orsandzoeywasnot
ther
eyet,
ItakemyphoneandIcal
lher
Me:zoey,
wher
ear
eyou?,
Idon'
tli
kebei
ngkept
wai
ti
ng?
Zoey:am atl
astr
obor
t,am al
mostt
her
e.
Me:good,
nowhur
ryup.
Shegetsthereandwegoi n, wehavet hescan, she
was4andhal fweekspregnant, everythingwas
goi
ngwellwi thherpregnancy, bluh,bluh,he
gi
vesher, hervit
aminsandwel eave, Itakehert
o
wimpyformi dmor ni
ngbr eakfast,causeshewas
cl
earl
ystarving.
Zoey

BandileandIwer ehavi ngmi dmor ningbr eakfast,

hewasbusyt ell
ingme, t
hatweshoul dj ustgoand
si
gnatt hehomeaf fair
sandt henhaveasmal l
i
nti
mat edi nnerwi t
hj ustoutf amili
es, Iwaski ndaof
sad,causeIal wayswant edahugef airytale
wedding, Iwant edt obeapr incessjustf ort hatone
day,anywayiagr eedhei sthehusbandaf t
erall
andam f astlearningwecantal waysgetwhatwe
want,hehadj ustgi venmet hisenvel op,
appar
ent lyitwasal et
terishoul dgivet omyf ather
andIshoul dnotopent heletter,Iwaski ndacur ious
butIwon' topent hel et
ter, whent hechi ckt hatwas
wit
hBandi l
eatt hecl ubandt hatdayatst eers
comest oourt able
Bandi
le:Thando
Thando:hiBandi
le(thenshel
ooksatmydi
rect
ion)
andyoumustbet hebabymama
Me:t
henamei szoeyWi
ll
iams, Bandi
le'
ssoonto
bewi
fe(iext
endmyhandt oherforahandshake,
sheshakesmyhand)
Thando:Iguesscongr
atulat
ionsareinorder,a
weddingandababyont heway, youareonelucky
gi
rl
.
Me:noBandi
lei
sthel
uckyonet
ohaveme.
Thando:Iguess,
wel
litwasni
cemeet
ingyou
Me:sameher
e.
ShehuggsBandi
leandshel
eaves,
mxm bi
tch.
Ifi
nisheati
ngandBandi l
edropsmeof fathome,
mom wasnotf eel
ingwellanddadwast akingcar
e
ofher, whi
chmeansbot hmyparentswereathome
,igeti
nandf i
ndthem cuddli
ngonacouch,
watchingmom'sfavouri
tesoapie,t
het hingspoor
dadhast odotokeephiswifehappy
Me:dadIdi
dn'
tknowyouwat
chsoapi
est
oo?
Dad:anddon'
tyoudaret
ellanyone,Ihavea
reput
ati
ontoprot
ect(Mom andIlaugh)
Me:(Isitdown)DadBandilegavemethisl
ett
er
t
ogivetoyou(Igivet
hel
ett
ertohim,hereadsthe
l
ett
erandhegivestomom t
oread)
Dad:yourinlawsarecommi
ngforyourl
obol
a
negoat
ionsnextweek(mom r
eal
lyseemedworr
ied)
Mom :ar
eyousur
eyouwi
llbeabl
etocopeasa
r
oyalwif
e?
Dad:am sur
eshewil
ldoj
ustf
ine(igetupandgo
t
omyr oom )si
sfl
oracomesi
n
Si
sfl
ora:ar
eyouoknana?
Me:al i
tt
leam j
ustnotsosur eaboutt
hiswhol
e
mar r
yingBandilething,ImeanwhatdoIknow
aboutmar ri
age,nothing,Iknowabsol
utel
y
nothingaboutmarriage
Si
sfl
ora:am sur
eyouwi
llbef
ineandyour
marr
iagewi
llbef
ine.
Me:am j
ustaki
d,whatdoIknowaboutmar
ri
age?
Sisfl
o:am sur
eyouwi
llt
akeitadayonedayata
ti
meandyouwi l
lgr
owwitht
imeandyouwillbef
ine
(shehuggsme)
Me:t
hankyousi
sfl
ora,
Ireal
lyneededt
ohear
t
hat.
Si
sfl
ora:youar
ewel
comepr
incess,
nowcome
andhavel
unchwit
hyourparent
s.Igodownstai
rs
andhavel
unchwit
hmypar ent
s,Igotomyroom
andhangt
heref
orther
estoftheday.

Thando

Hiasyouknow am Thando, Bandile'sexgi r

lfri
end
, Ican'tbeli
evehedumpedmeonl ytogoandknock
upsl ayqueen, sheshei sbeaut i
ful, butBandi l
e's
mom t hinksshei snotaper fectmatchf orhim, I
wasr eallyhear tbrokenandr eadytogi veup, but
thequeent oldmenott ogiveupcauseshewi l
ldo
what everittakesf ormet omar ryherson, Ireall
y
dol oveBandi lebutf ormei tisaboutt hemoneyand
powert hatcomeswi thbeingMr sDlami ni, Iwil
ldo
what everittakest obepar tofthatfami ly,anythi
ng,
everythingwasgoi ngperfectlyfineandBandi l
ewas
readyt ofixever yt
hing unt i
lthatbit
chdeci dedt o
traphim wi thababy.
Isweart
hatgi
rlwon'
thavepeaceinhermarr
iageas
l
ongasam around,shewouldhavetoki
llmeto
knowwhati
speace.
[
09/
30,
10:
51] :I
nser
t12

Zoey

Myl obol anegoat ionswer edoneandever yt

hing
wentwel l,Bandi l
eandIwer et ogoandsi gnandat
thehomeaf fairsnextweek, appar entlyallthe
Dlami niwomenexceptf ornompumel elo,wer e
goingt oDur ban, sotheki ngi nsistedthatt heyt ake
meal ongwi ththem , sinceam mar ri
edt oBandi le
tradit
ionall
y, Iwasal lpackedandr eadyt ogo, t
he
kingwaski ndenought osendoveradr iver, the
driverarraivesandwemakeourwayt ot heroyal
house, Igett here, If
indal lthel adiesgat hered, I
wassur pri
sedt oseeThando, khanyicomesand
huggsme, sihl
ewasbusyt alkingtot hequeenand
Thando, Mi nniewaswi thherhusbandi nhi scar, I
gooverandIgr eetthem , thequeenandThando
greetmeback, sihlejustlooksatme
MrsDlamini:nowt
hatthesl ayqueenisher
ewe
cango,Thandodar
li
ngpl easecallMinni
esowe
cangetinsi
deourminibus
Thando:youmeanzoeyi
scommi
ngwi
thus?,
thi
s
i
sgoingtobefun.
MrsDlamini:yesshei
sdear,
shei
sBandi
le'
swi
fe
af
teral
l.
Wegetinsidetheminibusandwewer eonourway
,Iwassitt
ingnexttokhanyi,thequeenwaswit
h
si
hleandThando, minnewasal onebusyonher
phonemindingherownbusi ness,
WegettoDurbanandwegettothehot
el,
thequeen
wasnowbusymakingsl
eepingarr
angements
MrsDlamini:sihl
ewillshar
earoom wi
thme,
Thandowillsharearoom wit
hzoey,Mi
nnieand
khanyiwi
llsharearoom .
Thando:Idon'
twantt
oshar
ewi
thher,
nolj
ust
can'
t.
Me:Ial
socan'tshar
earoom wi
thMyhusbandex,
doyouwanthertoki
llmei
nmysl eep?
MrsDl
ami
ni:doyout
wohavet
oactl
ikebabi
esal
l
t
heti
me?
Thando:am sor
ryqueenmot
her,
Ijustcan'
t
I
'
drat
hergobackgobackhome.
Me:Thandostopbeingdramati
c,i
t'
sfi
neit
's,
am
surewecanexchangeandIcansharearoom wi
th
khanyi
,youandminniecanshar
earoom .
Minnehl
e:Idon'
twantt
oshar
ear
oom wi
th
Thandoorsi
hle.
MrsDl ami
ni:fi
neIwil
lsharearoom wit
hThando,
khanyiandzoeycansharearoom ,sihl
eand
Minniecansharearoom .
Mi
nni
epl
easeshar
ear
oom wi
thsi
hle.
Mi
nnehl
e:f
ine
Weal lgot
oourrooms, IwashappyIwaswi
th
khanyi,shewaswarm andinvi
ti
ng.
Wesl eepfortherestoftheday, khanyiget
sacall
from queenmot hert
elli
ngust ocomedownst ai
rs
fordinner,khanyiandigetr eadyandwegodown
stai
rs, wefindMr sDlaminiandThandohavi ng
dri
nks,
wesitdownandj
oint
hem ,
sihl
eandMi
nni
e
comeaf ewminut
es
MrsDl
ami
ni:nowt
hatwear
eal
lher
eweor
derour
f
ood
Weor derourfood,
wewer
ebusyeat
ti
ng,
when
Thandostarts
Thando:sozoey,
wheni
sthebi
gday?
Me:nextweekonl
yandt
heweddi
ngi
sby
i
nvi
tat
iononl
y.
MrsDlamini:Thandodeardon'
tfeelbad,I
wouldn'
tcal
lgoingatthehomeaffair
sandhavi
ng
di
nnerwithfamil
yexactl
yaweddi ng,soyoudi
dn'
t
missanythi
ng.(Thandolaughs)
Thando:wow Iknowt
heroyalf
ami
lyf
orthei
rbi
g
weddings,
IknowIwoul
dwantabigwedding
Me:wellyouar
enotzoeyWil
li
ams,soont
obe
Dl
amini,sowecan'
tli
kethesamet
hings.
Thando:youhavenot
hing,t
hatIwoul
dwantsoI
don'
twishtobeyoubi
tch.
Me:wel
lIdohavesomet
hing,i
nfactt
wot
hings,
notonebutt
wothings,thatyouwi
shyoucanhave
butyoucan'
t,Bandil
eandthechi
ldam car
ri
ying.
Thando:chil
d, chi
ld,IhavehadBandil
e, Ican
havehi
mi fIwantto, Iknowhowhel i
kesiti
nbed
andIcangiveittohim Wellandver
ywell.
Me:goandgi
vei
thi
mthen,
Iwi
shyoul
uck.
Sihl
e:canyoutwopleaser
espectqueenmot
her
enoughtokeepyourt
rapsshut.
Me:Iwil
lkeepmymouthshuti ft
hishasbeen,
washedoutfakeassbi
tchkeepshertr
apshut
Thando:at
least,Iknowhowtokeepmylegs
cl
osedanddon'tgoandgetupknockedupatcl
ubs
Me:(istandupandpouronj uiceher)atl
eastam
goingtobeMrsDlaminit
hat'
swhyam her e,why
areyouevenhere?,Imeanisnotlikeyouar
ea
Dlaminiorr
elat
edtothem oranyt
hing.
Thando:(shealsogetsupandf aceme)youar e
l
uckyyouar epregnant,Iwi
llmopt hefl
oorwith
youandam herecausequeenmot her,
invi
tedme
causeshethi
nksyouar enotwomanenoughf orher
sondar
li
ng.
Me:l uckyforme, yoursocal
ledqueenmot
heri
s
notBandile,youcl
earl
yweren'
twomanenoughfor
hi
m orel sehewouldhavemarriedyou.
Mr sDlamini:zoeypleasedon'tcallme,theso
call
edqueenmot her,am Iqueenandol denought
o
beyourmot hersopl ease,sopl easehavesome
respectforme.
Me:am sor
ryMrsDlami
ni,nowifyouwillexcuse
me..(Il
eavet
hem andkhanyicomesaf
terme)
Wegett oourroom andWetakeof
fourcl
othesand
getint
opyjamas,removeourmakeup,wegosi t
i
nt heli
vingr
oom
Khanyisi
le :youreal
lyhavetol
earntocl
am down
andkeepyourcoolaroundthi
speoplecauset
hey
wil
lkeeppushingandpushingunti
lyougoall
psychoonthem
Me:Iknow hey,Ihavet
okeepitt
oget
her
especi
all
ysi
nceIhaveababyontheway,mybaby
can'
taff
ordt
ohavehermommyi ntheLooneybi
n.
Khanyi
sil
e:she?,
howdoyouknowi
t'
sashe?
Me:agirlcanonlydr
eam ,Idon'
twantanot
her
Bandi
lexem ,Ican'
thandl
ethetwoofthem .
Thent
her
ewasaknockonthedoor,
khanyiwentt
o
opent
hedoor,
itwasmi
nne
Minnehl
e:hi,
zoeyIj
ustcamet
ocheckuponyou
af
terthi
swhol
edrama.
Me:t
hankyouMi
nni
e,am f
ine(shesi
tsdown)
minneandkhanyiwer ebusyhavi
ngwine,Isowish
Icouldj
ointhem ,
butitwasjustj
uicef
orme,
khanyi,minneandiendeduphavingasmallpar
ty,
Minnieendedupsleepinginourr
oom .
[
09/
30,
10:
51] :I
nser
t13

Bandi
le

Thel
adi
eswerebackfr
om dur
banandt ommorrow
i
smyweddingday,Iwasreal
lynothappyabout
that,Iwas.Atthecl
ub, with?Kwanel e,saneleand
Lunga, wewerepar
tyingupast or
m, myf ri
ends
hadt hei
rgir
lf
ri
end'
swi ththem ,soicall
Miranda(oneofmyf uckbuddi es),wepar t
iedunti
ll
oneam , Igotomyroom i ntheclubwithMi r
anda,
wef uckandweendupsl eepingaroundthreeam ,I
wasst il
lsl
eepi
ngwhenIhearmyphoner ings,it
wasmom shi t.
Mom :Bandi
leDl
ami
niwher
ear
eyou?
Me:am atthecl
ub,
Lunga,kwanel
e,sanel
eandI
wer
epartyi
ngherel
astni
ght.
Mom :getyourar seher
e, soyouevenknowwhat
ti
meitis?(Ilookattheti
mei twashalfpastei
ght)
Iwil
lbethereinthir
tyminutes.
Mom :pl
easemakeitf
if
teenminut
es,soyoucan
haveenought
imetogetready.
Me:f
inemom (shehangsup)
Iqui
ckl
ygetupandIal
sowakemi randaupandI
gi
veherthemorni
ngal
thoughweusedacondom , I
j
ustwantedt
obesafe,Imakesureshedr i
nks,we
goout,Il
ockupmyroom andhandt hekeyst
othe
cl
eani
ngladyandIrushtomycar,
Imakemyway
home,Igethomegot ot
hemai
nhouse,If
indmom
anddadinthel
ivi
ngroom
Dad:yousmelll
ikeal
cohol,your
eal
lyneedt
oget
youractt
oget
herson,t
hisi
stoomuch.
Me:am sor
rydad,pl
easeletmegoandgetr
eady
f
ort
hissham ofamarr
iage
Dad:don'tyoudar egetangryatmeyouar et
heone
t
hatsleptwithherandgotherpr egnantnowtake
responsi
bil
it
yf oryouracti
ons.
Me:f
inedad,
canigoandgetr
eady.
Dad:youbet
terdot
hat
Irunupst airsandgot otheshower, shower,
l
oat i
onandgetdr essed,Iputonmyt uxcedoandi
godownst ai
rs,thet i
mewasnow09: 45, our
appoi ntmentwasatt enthir
tywemakeourwayt o
thehomeaf f
air
s, wegett herewefindzoeyandher
parent swaiti
ngf orus, shelookedbeautiful,she
waswear ingthiswhi tefi
gurehuggi
ngdr esswith
steli
tos, herhair,nailsandmakeupwe' reonpoint,
thischickisdef i
nat el
yasi dechi
ckmat erial,
itwas
nowt
enthi
rt
y,weallgoi
nandaboutanhourl
ater
i
twasdonewewer
eMrandMr sDl
amini.
Wealldrivetoherhome, togogetherbagsand
havelunch, Iaskthedri
vertotakeherbagstothe
car,wehavel unch, Imustsaythefoodwasr eal
ly
good.Wet henallmakeourwayt otheroyalhouse.

Zoey

Yep, itwasdone, mysur namewasnowDl amini,I

wasnowgoi ngt ostaywi thmyhusband, wegett o
theroyalhouse, Bandi
lefirsttakesmet oourhouse
, hegivemeandmypar entsat ourofourhouse, i
t
hadt hisbeaut i
fulkitchen, 4st unningbedr ooms,
themai nbedr oom hasitownbat hroom , ast udy,
l
ivingr oom , dinningroom , agym , st
oreroom and
doublegar age, t
henkingDl aminitakesoverand
givesmeandmypar entsat ouroftberoyalpal ace,
theplacewashugeandi thast hi
samazi ng
beautifulgardenwi threallybeaut i
fulflower s,by
thetimewewer edonewi thourt ourIwast ired, we
rel
axoutsi
dewhil
ewewaitf
orunathi,
siphamandl
a
andAnthonyt
oarrai
ve,
theyfi
nall
yar r
aiveat
aroundf
iveo'
cl
ock.
Wehavedinnerandweallgot
oourhouses,
mom ,
dadandAnthonyalsol
eave.
Bandil
e:li
stenam goi
ngtotheclub,Iwil
lbeback
tommorrowmor ni
ng,herei
ssomemoneyt ogo
buysomef oodtoeat(hetr
ansfers5000int
omy
account)
Me:Bandi
leyoucan'
tser
iousl
yleavemeal
oneon
myfi
rstni
ghther
e
Bandi
le:l
ikeIsai
dIwil
lbebackt
ommor
row so
makesureyoubuyfood
Andj ustli
kethathewasoutt hedoor,Iwas
restl
ess, Icouldn'tsleepi twasanewenvi r
onment
forme, Iwakeupi nthemor ninganddomyhygi ne
processes, Igetdr essed, makesur emyweave,
nail
sandmakeupwe' r
eonpoi nt,
Iwonderwhat
ti
met hemai dar r
Ives, sisfloisusuall
ydonewith
breakfastbythistime, Iwaitandwaitforthemaid
toarraive,shedoesn' tcome, Ihavetotal
kto
Bandi l
eaboutt hi
swecan' taf fordtohaveal azy
Mai d, ItakemybagandIr equestf oranuber, Igo
andwai tf ortheuberatt hegat e, Igot owi mpy
havesomebr eakfast,sinceIdi dn'thaveone, Igo
andbuyl unchandsupperf ormeandBandi l
e,this
guygavemet oomuchmoneyj ustforlunchand
supper, Igot ot r
uworthandbuymysel f2st unning
pairsofshoesandadr ess, Ibuymysel fsome
snackssi nceIwasal socr avingf orsomesnacks, I
stil
lhadagr andleft,Irequestanuberandgohome
, Iplacet hef oodinthef ri
dge, Igoandwat chsome
tv, Bandi l
emustr eal
lyhaveal azymai dlookatt he
dust,si sf l
oramustt eachherat hingort wo,
Bandi l
ewasnothomeyet, soIsl eptont hecouch.
[
09/
30,
10:
52] :I
nser
t14

Bandi
le

Itwasnowar oundt
welfint
heaft
ernoon,
Iparti
ed
upast or
m withmyfri
endsl
astni
ghttoo,soihad
sleptmostofthemorni
ng,Iwakeupgoanddomy
hygineprocesses, l
oti
onandgetdr essed, Ithen
l
ockmyr oom andmakemywayhome, Ihopemy
wifehascookedcauseam st arvi
ng,Imakemyway
home, Idon' tevengot othemai nhouse, Igo
str
aighttomyhouse, Igetinandzoeyi ssl eeping,I
l
etherbe, Igot othekit
chen, manherdi sheswer e
sti
lli
nthesi nkandi twasamessandt her ewasno
si
gnofcooki ng, Iclam myselfdown, iopent he
cabinet
st ocheckwhatshehasboughtt hatIcan
eatnothi
ng, Iopent hefr
idgethereweret akeaways
,IdishupandeatcauseIwasst arvi
ng, Igot omy
bedroom mybedwasn' tevenmade, whathast hi
s
gir
lbeendoi ngal lday?,Idecidetogoandwake
herup
Me:zoeygetup(shei
mmedi
atel
yget
supandsi
t
down)
Zoey:Bandi
leyouar
eback?
Bandi
le:no,
am not,
iti
smyghostt
hatyouar
e
seei
ng.
Zoey:what
'
swr
ong,
youl
ookedpi
ssed?
.
Me:Idon'
tknow,maybei
t'
sbecauseI
camebackt
oamessyhouseper
haps?
Zoey:oooht
hat,
Iwant
edt
otal
kaboutt
hat
Me:goaheadam l
ist
eni
ng.
Zoey:youhavetogivemethemai
dsnumber,
causeshedi
dn'tcomeint
odayandthehousei
sa
mess.
Me:whatmaid?,causei
fmymemor
yser
vesme
r
ight,
Idi
dn'
thir
eanymaid.
Zoey:(herbei
ngadr
amaqueenshescr
eams)
Youmean,
youdon'
thaveamai
d?,
howar
ewe
goi
ngt
osurvi
ve?
Me:girlyoucan'
tbeseri
ous,iti
syourdut
yt otake
careofthehouseandme,t herearenomaidsin
theroyalhouse,t
heonlymaidthatcomesisthe
maidthatcomest ohel
poutinthemainhousebut
mom doesmostoft hework.
Zoey:cl
earl
ywearegoingtohavetogetamai
d,
causeIcan'
tcopeplusIwantt
ostartwor
kassoon
asthebabyisborn
Me:(ij
ustl
augh)keepondr
eami
ng,
youpoor
chi
ld,
nowomeni
nther
oyalhousewor
ks
Me:butIhavet
oputmydegr
eei
ntouse(
icoul
d
t
ellshenowwantedt
ocr
y)
Me:letmet ellyousomethi
ngi fyouthinkyouarea
speci
alcase, youseekhanyiisaqualifi
edlawyer,
shestudiedLLB ,minnehl
eisaqual i
fied
accountant,mom wasawor kingwoman, shewas
asocialworkerbefor
eshemetdad, soyousee
them goingt
owor k?
Zoey:soweal
lexpect
edt
obehousewi
ves?
Me:bingo,soyoumightaswel
lst
artwi
thyour
dut
iesri
ghtnowandcl
ean
Zoey:(shewasnowcr yi
ng)butIcan'
tcl
eanpl
us
mynai l
swil
lgetr
uined
Me:areyouserious?,whi
chremindsmeigave
youfi
vethousandsrandsf
orgroceri
esandIdon'
t
seeanyt
hinginthi
shouse.
zoey:Iboughtt
hetakeawaysandIalsobought
myselfastunni
ngdressandt
wopair
sofheels
Me:ar
eyouser
iousr
ightnow(iwant
edt
owr
ing
herneck,
butIcl
am down)
Ical
lsphamandla,unathiandkhanyit
ocometomy
house,Ihadnoenergyt otal
k,Iwasfi
nished,
aft
er
afewmi nut
estheyallarr
aive
Siphamandl
a:watsupbr
o,i
sther
etr
oubl
ein
paradi
sealr
eady?
Me:am f
ini
shedbr
o,am f
ini
shedbr
o
Unat
hi:(henowseemedconcer
ned)what
'swr
ong
br
o?, t
alksowecanhel
pyou.
Me:tel
lkhanyit
ogotot
hekit
chenandthengot
o
mybedroom andtel
lmewhatyousee.
Theyal
lgotot
hepl
acesisentt
hem andt
heyal
l
cameback
Khanyi:whyi
syourhousesuchamess?
Me:khanyit
hemadam i
swai
ti
ngf
ort
hemai
dto
comeandclean.
Unat
hi:(hel
aughs)ar
egoi
ngt
otel
lherorshoul
dI
?
Me:Ihavet
oldheral
ready,
cleani
ngt
hehousei
s
nothi
ngmybrot
her,getthi
sIgaveherR5000,not
one,nott
wobutfi
vethousandforgr
oceri
es she
wentandboughtt
wot akeawaysorisi
tfour,
she
buysheel
sandadresswi t
hafewsnack.
Theyal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
er
Si
phamandl
a:youcan'
tbeser
iousman,
noway.
Me:am deadser
ious(zoeywasj
ustsi
tt
ingt
her
e
shel
ookedembrassed)
Unat
hi:br
ocansheevenboi
lwat
er?
Zoey:ofcourseIcanboilwat
er,
Ijustdon'
tknow
howtoswitchonast ove
Wealll
augh,Ishoul
dbeupsetr
ightnowbutI
f
oundmyselfl
aughingmyassoff.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkthi
ssl
ayqueencandoanyt
hing
(shest
art
scryi
ng)
Khanyi:(shehuggsher)guyspl
easel
eaveme
andzoeyalone.
Me:sur e, khanyii
sthereanyf
oodinyourhouse
khanyi?,causeIcan'teatt
hatf
oodagai
n.
Khanyi:ofcour
setherei
sfoodandsendmemoney
forgr
oceri
esforyourhouse,yourmadam andIwi
ll
goshopping.
Me:butIcoughedoutR5000yest
erday
Khanyi:doyouwantmet
ohel
pyourwi
feornot?
Me:f
ine (
isendherR5000)happynow?.
Khanyi:mor
ethanhappy.
Me:wear
egoi
ngt
oyourhousekhanyi,
bye.
Sphamandl
a,unat
hiandIl
eave.

Zoey

I
twasj
ustnowmeandkhanyi
Me:(iwascr yi
ng)khanyiIcan' tdothi
s,Idon'
t
evenknowwher etobegin,sisf
lorausual
lydid
everyt
hingforme, Idon'
tevenknowhowt omake
myownbed,Iwantt ogohome, Iwanttogohome
khanyi(khanyihuggsme)
Khanyi:cl
am down,Iwil
lhel
pyouwher
eIcan,
causegoinghomeisnotanopti
on,
theki
ngwon'
t
l
etyou
Me:am sur
eBandi
lewant
smet
ogohomet
oo,
I
woul
dn'
tcopewi
thmetoo
Khanyi:cal
m down,al
lthi
sstr
essisnotgoodfor
thebaby(ical
m down)am sureAuntyBel
laisst
il
l
aroundandsheisdoneatthemainhouse(she
call
sauntyBel
lawit
hherphone)
Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
esaunt
yBel
lacame
Khanyi:pl
easeAuntyBel
lahel
pherfort
odayonl
y
andcleanplease,
Ipromi
setopayyou.
AuntyBel
la:youknowIonl
ywor
katt
hemai
n
houseonl
y
Khanyi:pl
easehel
pher,
please
Aunt
yBel
la:f
ine(shest
art
scl
eani
ng)
KhanyiandIgototheshopswewer eshoppingfor
grocer
ies,fr
om creals, toi
letpaper
s, t
oothpast
e
younamei t
,halfoft hethingsshewasbuyi ngI
didn'
tknow ,soIdidn'tknowwhatt heywereused
for, wehadboughtanentirest oream sur ecause
byt heti
mewewer edone, wehadt hreetroll
eysf
ull,
wepackt hegroceryinkhanyi '
scar, wegethome
placethegrocer
yinthekitchen, whichwasnow
cleanthankstoAuntyBell
a, Iwast i
red, weplace
whatneedst obeplacedint hef r
idge, t
her est
khanyisaidwewi l
ldotommor row.
Khanyigoest
oherhouse,
afewmi
nut
esl
ater
Bandi
lecomesback
Bandile:at
leastmyhousei
snowclean andt
here
i
sgr ocer
y,hegoestobedandIjustwat
chtvunt
il
l
Igetti
redandigotobed,whataday.
[
09/
30,
10:
52] :I
nser
t15

Bandi
le

ZoeyandIwer esti
llpeaceful
lysleepi
ng,whenI
heart
hedoorbellri
ng, Ilookattheti
meanditwas
fourt
hir
tyam ,whot hehellknocksonsomeone'
s
dooratfourt
hir
tyam , t
hisbett
erbeimpor
tant,
causeam r
eadytokil
lsomeone, Igodownst
airs
andopenthedoor,If
indkhanyiholdi
ngabasinful
l
ofdir
tydi
shes
Me:khanyiwhatt
hehel
lareyoudoingher
e, by
t
hist
ime?andwhyar eyouhol
dingdir
tydi
shes?
Khanyi:r
elax,
annothereforyou,am her
eformy
st
udent,doyouwantaslayqueenforawifeora
wif
ewhocancl eananddoallt
hatshi
t?
Me:ooh,Ievenf
orgotaboutt
hatone,
am sogoi
ng
t
oenjoyt
hisone,Iwil
lgoandwakeherup.
Igoandpul
lthebl
anketshewascover
ingher
sel
f
wit
h
Me:getup,
youar
ebur
ningdayl
ight
Zoey:(shel
ooksattheti
me)what?, it
'snoteven
fi
veam ,whogetsupbeforesix? andam not
goinganywhere,sofor
getit
Me:khanyitookt
heti
met ocomeandhel pyouout,
sheisupbythist
ime,theleastyoucandoistoget
upandgodownst ai
rsandlearnyourwif
elydut
ies
causeIsur
ehellwon'
ttakeaslayqueenforawife.
Zoey:okay,
okayam upnoneedt
oinsul
tme.
Shegetsupandgodoherhygi nepr ocesses,
l
oati
onsandgetdr essed, onl
yzoeycansl ayjust
forgoi
ngt ocl
ean, anywayIdeci det omi ndmy
ownbusinessandIgobackt osl eep, t
heplanwas
towakeupatsevensi ncemyf i
rstappoi ntmentof
thedayisatei
ghtthirt
y,khanyiandzoeywer e
downstair
sdoingwhat evertheywer edoing, Iwas
wokenupbyt hi
sloudscr eaming, Iquickl
yrush
downstair
s,Ifi
ndzoeyi nthelivingr oom standi
ng
ontopofachair,khanyiwasl aughi ngherassof f
Me:whati
sthi
sscr
eami
ngal
labout?
Zoey:cockr
oach,
ther
eisabi
gcockr
oachi
nthe
ki
tchen.
Me:mxm , myfri
endwil
lyougetof
fmydamnchair
andgobacktowhatyouweredoing,khanyiam
real
lysor
ryaboutt
his
Zoey:nowayam scar
edofcockr
oaches,
soki
l
l
thedamncockr
oachfir
st.
Me:mxm Idon'
thavet
imef
ort
his
Ipickherupandhol dherbri
dalst
yle,shewas
screamingherlungsoffcausesheknewIwas
takinghert
othekitchen,wegettothekit
chenand
Iplaceheronthefloor
Me:ifyouscr eam onemor eti
me, youbett
erhope
andpraythatthecockroachki l
lyoubefor
eIdo,
am goingtotakeashowersi nceyouwokemeup
fort
hisnonsense, khanyipl
easegobackt owhat
youwher edoing.
Igoandt akeashower, l
oationandgetdr essed,I
wasstil
learl
ysoIdecidet ogotothemai nhouseto
goandhavebr eakfast,it'
sagoodt hingIusually
parkmycarnextt othemai nhouse, Ileavekhanyi
andzoeyt odowhatevertheyaredoing, Iwal kt
o
themainhouseandIf indmom busywi thbreakf
ast,
auntyBell
awasher eyesterdaywhichmeansshei s
offunti
llFri
day,causeshewor kstwodaysi na
week
Mom :sonwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:can'taguyjustmisshismom andcomet
osee
herwi
thoutget
ti
ngat housandquest
ions?
Mom :youmi ssme?, getoutofhere,
Iknowyou
areherecauseyoumar r
iedacluel
essslayqueen,
whodoesn'tevenknowhowt oboilwat
er, It
oldyou
tomarryThandodidn'ti,butnoyouhadt ogo
marryaspoiledpr
incess, yessihl
etol
dme
ever
ything
Me:sihl
eshoul
dr eal
lyl
ear
ntomi
ndherown
busi
ness(ij
ustgetup)
Mom :sonwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:am l
eavi
ngmom ,
am noti
nthemoodf
orit
old
youso.
Mom :at
leasthavebr
eakf
astf
ir
stson
Me:f
ineasl
ongaswedon'
ttal
kaboutThandoor
mywi
fe
Mom :f
ine
Me:thankyou( Isi
tdown,nompumelel
ohadgone
outwit
hherf r
iends,dadhadanearl
ymeetingwit
h
theel
ders,soi twasjustmeandmom )thankyou
fort
hedeli
ciousbreakfastMom .
Iki
ssheront
hecheekandIl
eave.
Zoey

Ihadaver ybusymor ning, khanyitaughtmehowt o

makemyownbedandhowt ochanget hesheet s,
whent ochanget hem , howt oswi t
cht hest oveon
andof f,howt odustt hings, wehadevenpacked
yesterday'sgr ocer y,shet aughtmewher et oplace
everything, sheevenhel pedmemakea
sandwi ch, Ialsol earnedhowt odot hedi shes, I
wasabi tscar edtopl acemynai lsinthewat er,
khanyijustdr agsmyhandandpl aceitint hewat er,
Ireall
yhadnocl uehowt odot hedishes, Ieven
brokeacoupl eofkhanyi '
sdi shes,Ireal l
yf eltbad,
byt hetimekhanyil eavei twas13: 00pm , assoon
asshel eaves, Itakemyphoneandcal lmom , am
sti
llangryatdad, butIdoubtheevencar es
Me:mom (Ij
ustbr
eaki
ntot
ear
s)
Mom :zoeywhati
swr
ongbaby?
Me:mom thi
sishar
d,Ij
ustcan'
tmom ,
Iwantt
o
comebackhome,pl
easemom
Mom :zoey,pl
easest
opcr
yingandt
ellmewhati
s
t
hemat t
er?
Me:mom ,
theydon'tevenhaveamai
dmom ,
I
havet
odoever
ythi
ng.
Mom :zoeyyouhavet
obeawoman,
wel
comet
o
t
hewor l
dofmarri
edwoman.
Me:Idon'
twantt
obemar
ri
edanymor
e,Ieven
br
okemynail.
Mom :zoeybaby, comminghomei snotanopt i
on,
solearntodothi
ngsforyoursel
f,ther
eisnosi s
fl
oratodoeverythi
ngforyouovert
heresogrowup
andlearn,justt
ellmewhenyoucomet ovi
sitandi
wil
lletsi
sfl
orateachyouacoupleoftri
cks
Me:t
hankyoumom ,
bye(Ihangup)
Ihavet
ofindawayt oletdadall
owmet ocome
backhome, Iseri
ousl
yhaveto,Iwasstilli
nmy
ownthoughtswhenIhearthedoorbel
lri
ng, Igot
o
openthedoor,itwaskhanyi,
shehadbr oughtme
andBandil
efoodshehadcooked
Me:t
hankyoukhanyi,
Idon'
tknowwhatIwoul
ddo
wi
thoutyou
Khanyi:yourwel
comedear
t
hedoorbellri
ngsagain, t
hist
imeitwas
minnehle,Ipl
acethefoodkhanyihadbr
oughtin
t
hef r
idge,minnehlewassentbyqueenmotherto
i
nvit
emeandt herestofladi
esandourhusband'
s
f
orlunchtommor r
ow atthemainhouse.
Weendupwat chi
ngtvfort
herestoft
heday,
khanyiandMi
nniel
eave,Bandi
lecomeshome
Me:youar
ehomeear
lyt
oday
hejusti gnor edmeandhegoesupst airstotakea
shower, hecomesback, Idi
shupf ort hetwoofus,
Ididn'tknowhowt ousethemi crowave,soIask
himt owar mt hef oodup, hedoes, weeati n
compl et esi
lence, hegoesupst airsandhesl eeps
immedi atel
y, Idecidetowasht hedishesandt hen
igotakeashowerandIt henjoinBandi l
einbed,
yout hinkaf teradayofhar dlabour, hewoul dlet
mer estbutnot hesonofabi tchwant edtohave
sex, wehavesex,whenwewer ebusyhavi ngsex,
hisphoner ings, hei gnor
esi ttil
Iwear edone, he
l
ooksatt
hecall
eridandheignor
est
heper
son,
it
mustbeoneofhisbi
tches.
[
09/
30,
10:
53] :I
nser
t16

Thando

Todayqueenmot herakaMr sDl ami nihadi nvi

ted
mef orlunchwi thhersonsandt hei rwi ves, Ican'
t
wait,Iwakeup, makemybed, goanddomy
hyginepr ocesses, lot i
on , getdressed, Iputmy
makeuponandt henst yl
emybr aids, Iputonmy
gl
asses(t heywer eauni quedesi gn, theywer e
al
mostl ikenerdies), ImustsayIr eallyl ookedcute,
Igot omyki tchen, Ilivedi nmyownapar t
ment,
mom anddadar eloadedpl usam aCEOatoneof
myf ather'
scompani essoIcanaf fordt ohavemy
ownapar t
ment, myapar tmenthadt hr ee
bedrooms, bathr
oom , kitchenandal ivingar ea,I
makemysel fsomebr eakf ast, afterhavi ng
breakfast,Iwashmydi shesandIwasoutt hedoor,
Igetintomycarandimakemywayt ot her oyal
house, Igetthere,Iparkmycarnexttomai nhouse
, Bandi
lehadal soparkedthere,Igoandknockat
themai nhouse, nompumel el
oopenst hedoorfor
me, sheleadsmet otheli
vingroom ,t
hekingwas
alsothere, soIbowandIt henIt ur
ntogreethim
Me:myki
ng
Ki
ngDlamini:hel
loThando,
howar
eyoudoi
ng
mychi
ld?
Me:am goodmyki
ng
KingDlamini:andwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
ethi
s
earl
yinthemor ni
ng?
Me:wel lqueenmotheri
nvit
edmef orlunchthi
s
af
ternoon, wi
thhersonsanddaughterinlaws,soI
wantedtoseeifsheneedsmyhelp(queenmot her
walksin)
MrsDlamini:wellt
hatisgoodandt houghtf
ulof
you,Iwishoneofmyson' shadMar r
iedyou,none
ofmydaught eri
nlawsi sathoughtfulasyouare
andthatonetheycallzoey,i
sactuallyworse,we
aregoingt
ohavesomebr eakf
ast, areyougoing
tojoi
nus?
Me:nothankyouqueenmot
her,
Iwi
llj
oinyou
whenyoustar
tcooki
ng
Queenmotherandtheki
ngwentt
otheki
tchent
o
havesomebreakf
ast,mpumi
ecomesdownstai
rs
Me:mpumi
ear
eyougoi
ngt
obej
oini
ngusf
or
l
unch?
Nomphumel
elo:nott
hati
tisanyofyourbusi
ness
butno,
Iwon'
t
Me:mphumieIwasjustt
ryi
ngtomakeconvesat
ion
t
her
eisnoneedtobeabsolut
elyr
ude.
Nomphumelel
o:am sor
ry,am j
usti
nabadmood
don'
tmindme(andshewasoutthedoor,t
heki
ng
al
solef
taf ewminut
esl
ater)
Soi
twasj
ustmeandqueenmotheri
ntheki
tchen,
wewer
ehavi
ngsomuchfuncooking
MrsDlamini:am r
eall
yenjoyi
ngt hi
s,youarea
car
eerdri
venwoman, abeauti
fuloneatthat
matt
er,youcandohousehol dchoresandyouare
anamazingcook, It
rul
ywishmysonmar ri
esyou
Me:butmaBandi
lei
smar
ri
edt
ozoey
Mr sDlami
ni:pl
easedon'tt
ellmeaboutthatone.al
l
thatoneknowsistoshopforclot
hes,doingnail
s,
makeupandweaves, cooki
ngshecannot,
cleani
ngshecannotam suremysonwi llst
arveto
death
Me:ma,am sur
eshei
snott
hatbadhau(igi
ggl
e
al
it
tl
e)
MrsDlami
ni:shei
s,si
hlet
oldme,shecannotdoa
si
mplethi
ngasswit
chi
ngonastove(il
augh)
Me:ma,am sur
esi
hlei
sexagger
ati
ng,
shecan'
t
bet
hatbad.
Mr sDl
ami ni:nosheisnot, apparent
lyunat
hi
askedifshecanevenboi lwaterandshesays"i
canboilwat erIj
ustdon'tknowhowt oswi
tchona
stove"(ifindmyselflaughing)
Me:yooh,
Ireal
lydon'
twi
sht
obeBandi
ler
ight
now.
Wewer ebusypl aci
ngt hefoodont het
abl
eand
tal
kingwhensihlewal ksi
n, shehuggsmeand
queenmot her,
si hl
eandIdot hedisheswewere
busylaughing,beforeIknowi t,weweredone,we
goandjoi
nqueenmot heroutsi
de,wewerejust
si
tt
ingandenjoyi
ngwi ne,whil
ewewaitforther
est
oft
hepeopletoarrai
veexceptt
hekinghealso
won'tbej
oini
ngus.

Zoey

Iwokeupsuperear l
yar ound4:30am , Bandil
ewas
sti
llsl
eeping, Igodomyhygi nepr ocesses, loti
on
andgetdr essed, Iheart hedoorbel lr
ingatar ound
fi
veam , Igot othedoorandt heforevercheer ful
khanyiwasj uststandingatt hedoorwi ththi
shuge
smi l
eonherf ace, todayshewast rainingmei nthe
kit
chen, wewon' tdoal ottodaycausewehavet o
got othemai nhousef orlunch, Iwasbusyl earning
howt ouseami crowave, whenBandi l
ecomes
downst air
s, Imustsayhel ookedf ine, hegreets
usandhewasoutt hedoor, apparentlyhehadan
earlymeetingbuthewi l
lbebackf orlunch, iwas
l
ear ni
nghowt omopf loorstoday, eewhowanyone
touchesthatdi r
tywat erIdon' tknow, wescr ubthe
ki
tchencount ers, wewer edoneint hekitchen,Igo
andmaket hebedunderkhanyi 'swat chfuleyes,
khanyileavestogoandgetr eadyf orlunch, Ial
so
getready, mynai l
swereamess, Iwaski ndaof
upset,aftergettingready,Iputonmymakeupand
my32i nchpevul i
anweaveandIwasoutt hedoor,
Iwalktot hemai nhouse, ourhousewast heone
mostclosert ot hemai nhouse,Igett hereandI
fi
ndever yonet hereandIwassuperannoyedwhen
IseeThando, anywayIsi tdownandr elax
MrsDl
amini:nowthatever
yonei
sher
e,zoeycan
youpl
easeblesst
hefoodforus
Iwantedtochokebutl
uckil
yformemom taughtme
aprayert
osaywheneat i
ngfoodever
yti
me
Me:letuscloseoureyes(weal lcloseoureyes)
withthanksgivi
ngandf r
eespi
ri
t, LordIbl
essand
recei
vethisfoodinJesusname, Amen(t heyall
sayAmen)
MrsDlamini:at
leastyoucanpray,nowlet
'seat
t
hefoodThandoandImade, Thandoisso
t
houghtf
ulshet ooktheti
meoutofherbusy
schedul
etocomeandhel
pmecook, zoeydearyou
canlear
nathingort
wofr
om Thando
Sphamandl
e:mom t
hati
sbel
owt
hebel
t
Thando:soBandi
lear
eyouenj
oyi
ngt
hef
ood?
Bandi
le:yesIam ,
Ial
waysenj
oymymom'
s
cooki
ng
Thando:
pit
yyoudon'
thaveawi
fewhocancook
l
ikeher.
Me:excuseme?
Thando:comeonzoeweallknowyoucan'
tcook,
i
t'
snothi
ngyoushoul
dbeashamedof.
Me:whatist
hisdi
pst
icksayi
ng?(ast
uipi
d
annoyi
ngper
son)
Si
hle:shot
sfi
red,
shot
sfi
red
Thando:ngi ncel
aukhulumenamingesizul
u
(pleasespeakt oi
nZulu)andbythewayial
so
wentt oschoolsoIlear
nedafewwordsspastic
(someonewhoi snotgoodatdoi
ngphysi
calthi
ngs
orwhoi sconsideredstupi
d)
Me:(iwasnowpi
ssed)what
everDom kop(i
diot
/dumbhead)
Bandil
e:wi
llyout
wost
opi
t,t
hisi
sget
ti
ng
annoyi
ng.
Thando:t
ellt
hatt
othi
sisi
khul
uesi
ncane(l
it
tl
efool
)
Me:whati
sshesayi
ng?
Sihl
e:(shelaughs)oh, youdon'
tunderst
and
zulu,don'
tworryIcantr
anslat
e,shejustcal
led
youalit
tl
efool.(shel
aughsagain,whil
esipping
herwine)
Unat
hi:wai
tfori
t,wai
tfori
t
Mr
sDl
ami
ni:canwej
ustst
opandenj
oyt
hef
ood.
Bandi
le:Isecondt
hat
Sphamandl
a:met oo,
Ithi
nkwehavehadenough
dramafoeoneday.
Sihl
e:atl
easti
t'
snolongerbori
ngar
oundt het
able,
am act
uall
yenjoyi
ngthis,asIwai
tforzoeywit
hher
comeback.
Khanyi:st
opi
tsi
hle.
Si
hle:don'
tyoust
artwi
thmekhanyi,
nott
oday
Sat
an.
Me:Idon' thaveti
mef ordwanki
eover t
here(iwas
point
ingatThando)sihlesi
nceyouwon' tbeabl
eto
tr
anslat
efanakalolanguageletmedot hehonours,
dwankierefer
stosomeoneorsomet hingthati
s
l
ameorst uipi
d,uncoolorundesir
able.
Si
hle:ouch,
asiwai
tforacomeback
Thando:thi
sismycupofcar
e.ohl
ook,
it'
sempt
y
(sherol
lshereyes)
Me:keeproll
ingyourbr
ainsmaybe, you'
l
lfi
nda
brai
nbackthere.
(unat
hi,si
hle,Minnie,
sphamandl
aandkhanyial llaugh)
Thando:at
leastIcancookandcl
ean,
canyou?
Me:wel
lIdidn'
tgot
oschoolt
olear
nhowt
ocl
ean
andmopfl
oors
Thando:wellyoushouldgotoschoolt
olear
nhow
todothatandfastbel
ievemeiti
sveryi
mportant
youdo.
Me:whateverdom kop
Bandi
le:enoughyout
wo,
stopi
tnow
Hal ookedpissedandhebangedt hetable,wekeep
quietandwehavel unchincomplet
esilence,aft
er
l
unchMi nnie,khanyiandIwasht hedishes,
Bandilegoesout ,
onlyGodknowst owher e,so
khanyi,Mi nneandigot oourhouseandwechi ll
therefortherestoftheday.
[
09/
30,
10:
54] :I
nser
t17

Bandi
le

Aft
erthatdisast
erofal unchIdeci dedtogoand
hangoutwi t
hsanele,kwanel eandLanga, wehave
dri
nksforthemostpar tofthenight, t
henwego
andsleepinmyr oom attheclub, iwakeupsuper
earl
y,Ihadt ogoandt akezoeyforherscan, Iwas
ki
ndaofget ti
ngusedtot heideaofhavi ngmyown
baby,Igotot hegym nearmycl ubf i
rst,thenaft
er
aboutanhour, Igoback, takeashower, Itel
lmy
fri
endst olockupandhandt hekeyst othecleaning
l
ady, IgethomeandIf i
ndzoeyr eadyt ogoforher
appointment, shewasbusyeat ingcer eal,
soIj ust
waitforher, shewasnowal mostt hreemont hs
pregnant, shegoesandt akeherbagandwewer e
outthedoor, wegett oherdoct or, shedoesascan
andshesaysever ythingisabsol utelyf i
ne, she
evenhandsuseachacopyoft hescan, Iwasnow
reall
yexci t
edaboutt hebabywewer eaboutt ohave
, Ij
ustwi shIwasn'tmar ri
edt hough, wegot o
steerstogetsomef oodsi ncewedi dn'
thave
breakfast
Zoey:Iknowhavi
ngababyandwif
ewasn'tpartof
thepl
anandthankyouf
ortaki
ngr
esponsi
bil
it
y
Me:but?
Zoey:canyouat
leasthaveenoughr
espectf
orme
nott
ocomebacki nthemorning.
Me:f
ine,
Iwon'
tcomebacki
nthemor
ning,
what
el
se?
Zoey:not
hing,
thati
sal
lIaskofyou
Bandi
le:Iwasnotf
ucki
nghoes,i
fthati
swhatyou
arethi
nki
ng,
iwasj
usthavi
ngdr
inkswi
thmy
fr
iends
Zoey:yourf
ri
endsarenotmar r
ied,
theydidn'
t
l
eavethei
rpr
egnantwivesathome, sotheycanget
topar
tyal
lni
ght.
Me:youseewhyIdidn'
twanttogetmar
ri
ed?,you
womenaretoocont
rol
li
ng,l
ikeIsai
dIwaswi
th,
sanel
e,kwanel
eandLanga
Zoey:letmejustkeepquietcauseclearl
ythi
s
conver
sati
onisnotgoinganywher eandifyouare
goingt
osleepoutsi
deatl
eastmakesur eam wit
h
someone,am pregnantf
orGod'ssakewhati f
somethi
nggoeswr ong?
Me:li
keIsai
dyourcomplai
nthasbeennot
ed,
Iwi
ll
nol
ongersl
eepatt
heclub.
Wef i
nisheat
ingbreakfastandwegohome, Idr
op
heroffandIgotowor k,thismar
riedl
if
eisj
ustt
oo
muchf orme, Imi
ssmysi ngl
edays.

Thando
Iknowthatbabyistheonlythi
ngholdi
ngBandile
andzoey'
smar ri
aget oget
her,sot
hatchil
dhasgot
togo,Icallaf
ri
endofmi neatthehospi
tal,she
wasanur seandIknowshecanhel pmeout
Me:fri
endcanyoupl easehel
pmeout, Ihavea
ser
iousprobl
em ,IneedahugefavourandIwi l
lpay
youwellandver
ywel l
Myf
ri
end:shoot
Me:canyoupl
easehel
pmeoutwi
thabor
ti
onpi
ll
s?
Myfri
end:whatt
hehel
ldoyouwantt
odowi
th
abor
ti
onpil
ls?
Me:youasktoomanyquest
ions,
thel
essyou
knowthebet
ter
Myf
ri
end:f
ine
Me:Iwi
lltr
ansf
erR20000i
ntoyouraccounti
na
f
ewminutes
Myf
ri
end:(shescr
eams)ar
eyouser
ious?
Me:yes, youwil
lbedoingmeahugefavour,
soI
mightaswellgi
veyouthemoney,Iwi
llcomeand
pi
ckt hem upinafewmi nut
es
Myfr
iend:nopr
obl
em t
heywi
llber
eady.
(Ihang
up)
Itransfermoneyi nt
oheraccountandImakewayt o
thehospi t
al,Icallhernumber, shecomesand
givesmet hepil
ls,Icaref
ullyplacet hem i
nmybag,
comeSundayt hatbabywi llbehi story,myheart
wasj ustjumpingupanddownwi thjoy,Ical
l
queenmot herandaskheri fIcancomeandvi si
t
heronSunday(iknowsheal wayshasl unchon
Sundayswi t
hherent i
refami l
y), thekingmightbe
theresoam goi ngtohavet obehavef ortheenti
re
l
unch.

Zoey

Theweekwasgoi ngbyf ast,Iwasnowbegi

nni
ng
togetusedtomynewr eali
ty,Icoul
dnowmop
fl
oors,dustfur
nit
ure,
swi tchthest
oveonandof
f,
Icouldmakemyownbed, washt hedi shes, makea
simpl esandwi tchandIcoul dnowuseami crowave,
i
twasn' tal otandIknowIst il
lhaveal ongwayt o
gobutat leastIwast rying, khanyisayswewi lldo
l
aundr ynextweek(ir eall
ywasn' tlookingf owar dto
that).bef or eIknowi titwasSunday, Iwokeup
early, Ididmyhygi nepr ocess, l
oti
onandgot
dressed, Iwearmyweave, whi chr emi ndedmei
havet ogoandgetmyhai rdone, mynai lswer ea
mess, Ialsoneedt ogett hem done, Iwi l
laskf or
moneyf rom Ant hony, whi chr emindedme, I
haven' tspokent ohimi nawhi l
e,Ir eallymi sshi m
xem ,Iwasnowst arvingsoIgodownst air
sIt ake
musi leandt heplai
nyoghutIhad, Iwasser iousl y
cravingf ort hat,Ieat,Bandi lewasst il
lsleepi ng, I
washmydi shanddeci detowat cht v, Iwas
watchi ngt her ealhouwivesofAt lana,Iwasr eall
y
enjoyingt heshow, whenBandi l
ecamedown
stair
s, hehadnott akenashower,hepour s
himsel fsomej ui
ceandcomeandsi tbesi desme
Bandi
le:whatar
eyouwatchi
ng,al
liseei
sjusta
bunchofwomenshout
ingateachot
her
Me:am wat
chi
ngt
her
ealhousewi
vesofAt
lant
a
Bandil
e:butIdon'
tseeanyofthem cl
eani
ng,
whichahousewifeissupposetodo.
Me:nott
hisones,t
heyarebusi
nesswomenand
t
hei
rhusband'
sarel
oadedandtheycanaf
for
da
mai
d.
Bandi
le:thatwon'twor
kwit
hme, getl
oadedwi
th
moneyfir
standt henwecantal
k.
Me:mxm Bandil
eDlami
ni,t
hewayyouareStingy
wi
thmoneyam begi
nni
ngtothi
nkyouar
ebroke.
Bandil
e:bel
ieveme,
brokeist
helastwor
donmy
vocabl
ury,l
etmegoandtakeashower
Me:pleasedoandpl
easebr
ushyourt
eet
hwhi
leat
i
t(il
augh)
Bandi
le:mxm (il
aughathi
m agai
n)
Bandil
egoesupst
air
s,Ideci
det
ocal
lAnt
hony,
I
mightaswelldoi
t
Me:bigbr
o, myf
avour
it
ebr
otherofal
lthe
br
other
sIhave
Anthony:whatdoyouwant?andthelastt
imei
checkedIwasyouronl
ybr
otherandsi
bli
ng.
Me:oopsam ibad,it
houghtmom anddadhad
ot
herchi
ldr
en,Ij
ustmi
ssyoubro,weshoul
dhave
l
unchtommorr
ow atwi
mpy.
Ant
hony:ar
eyousur
eit
'sonl
yaboutyoumi
ssi
ng
Me?
Me:okay,
okayyougotme,
Ineedmoney.
Anthony:soyoudon'twantt
ohavel
unchwi
thme?
,Ikindmissyou,youdumbhead
Me:ouch,Imi
ssyoutoo,
don'
tgetmewr
ongwe
ar
esti
llonf
orl
unch.
Ant
hony:okayf
inewi
thme.
Meseeyout
ommor
rowdummi
e
Ant
hony:sur
ethi
ng,
it'
sadat
e
Me:it
'sadate(Bandi
lewascommi
ngdownst
air
s
andhelookedpi
ssedIhangup)
Bandi
le:don'
thanguponmyaccount,
cont
inue
wit
hyourdates
Me:whatareyout
alki
ngaboutt
hatwasj
ustmy
br
otherAnt
hony.
Bandi
le:i
fyousayso
Me:what
'st
hatsupposet
omean?,doyouwant
metocal
lhi
m soyoucanbesur
e?
Bandi
le:no,
let
'sj
ustgot
othemai
nhouse
Wewal ktot hemai nhouse,wegett hereand
Thandowast here, shewaswi thqueenmot herin
thekitchen, thekingwasbusyr eadinghi s
newspaper, wegoandgr eethim, wesi tdowna
fewmi nuteslater,themai dbri
ngsdr inks,i twas
winef orBandi l
eandt heki ngandj uiceforme, I
wasr eallyenjoyingt heki ngscompany, her eall
y
wasapl easantper sont obear ound, Bandi lemust
gethisdr amaf rom t hequeen, soonever yonewas
arrai
ves, wesi tdown, forsomer easont oday
Thandowasr elaxedandshewasn' tcausi ngany
drama, evensihlewasbehavi ng, maybei t
's
becauset hekingI sar ound, wefinishhavi ngl unch,
Minnieandkhanyivol unteertodot hedi shes, this
tworeal l
yenj oydoingchor es,Bandi l
esai dhewas
goingt ocheckonhisbusinesses,soIl ethi
m be, i
t
wasar oundsi xpm ,forsomer easoniwast i
red
andi want edt
osleep,Istar
tfeeli
ngpai ns,they
wer ereall
ygett
ingworseandwor se, Inoti
ceIwas
bleedi
ng, Iwasnowr eall
yscared, It
akemyphone
andi callBandi
le,hi
sphonej ustri
ngsandr ings,I
wasnowi npainandscar ed,Iwascr ying,khanyi,
yeskhanyishewoul dknowwhatt odo.Idial
khanyi'snumber
Me:khanyihel
p,hel
p
Khanyi:zoey,
what
'swr
ong?
Me:not
imet
oexpl
ain,j
usthur
ry
khanyi,
sphamandlaandnat hicomerushing,
sphamandlapicksmeupandr ushedwithmeto
thecar,onl
yunathiandsphamandlawentwit
hme
tothehospi
tal.
[
09/
30,
10:
54] :I
nser
t18

Bandi
le
Iwasbusypar tyingupast orm, Iwaswi t
hsanele,
Lungaandkwanel e, zoeyjustkeptcal l
ingme, I
wonderwhatt hi sdr amaqueenwant s, she
probablysawacockr oachandshei stooscaredto
gotot heki
tchen, afteraboutthir
tymi nutesofher
call
ingunathical l
s, IdecidedIwillgot ohim when
Igohome, afteraf ewmi nutesofunat hical
li
ng,
si
phamandl acal ls,whatt hehelli
sgoi ng?, Iwas
nowuneasy, Ideci dedt ogot oaqui etspotandcall
si
phamandl aback, Itakemyphoneandcal l
si
phamandl aback
Me:si
phamandl
aar
emom anddadokay?
Si
phamandl
a:i
t'
szoey(Idi
dn'
tletmef
ini
sh)
Me:tellherIwon'
tcomebacki
nthemor
ning,
i
nfactam onmywayhome.
Siphamandl
a:wi l
lyoushutt
hef uckupandl
ist
en
j
ustthisoneti
meinyourli
fe,zoeyisint
hehospi
tal
andit'
sreal
lybad
Me:(iswearibecamesoberinst
ant
ly)what
happened?,
whichhospi
tali
ssheat?,whati
s
goi
ngon?
Siphamandl
a:onequestionatati
me,sheisat
netcar
e,idontcar
ewhatyouar edoi
ng,justget
yourasshereman, l
ikeIsai
ditsr
eal
lybad.(he
hangsup)
Iwasinnostat
etodri
ve,soIr
equest
edf
oranuber
,Ikeptt
ell
ingt
hedr
ivert
odri
vefast.
Igett
heresiphamandl
aandunat
hiwer
ewai
ti
ngi
n
thewait
ingarea
Me:whati
sgoi
ngonsi
phamandl
a?
Unat
hi:wedon'
tknowman,
iti
sst
il
lawai
ti
ng
game.
Isatnexttot
hem ,
inmymi ndIkeptthinki
ngpl
ease
l
etthem beokay,l
ett
hem beokay, aft
eranhour
thedoctorcametous
Me:howshei
s?,
ist
hebabyf
ine?
Doct
or:pl
easegivemeachancetototal
k,sheis
fi
ne,buti
twastoolat
ewecouldn'
tsavethebaby
myl egsfail
edme, Iwasonthefloorsit
ti
ngonmy
but
t,cr yi
ng,Idon'tcr
ybutIcouldn'
thandlethi
s
pai
n, thedoctorwasst
il
lexpl
aini
ng, butIcoul
dn'
t
hearwhathewassayi ng(si phamandl agr absmy
handandhel psmeup)iknowIdi dntwantt his
babyatf irst,butIwasbegi nningt ousedt othe
i
deaofbei ngadad,si phamandl aandunat higo
home, Igot ozoeysr oom , shewassl eeping, she
l
ookedsopeacef ul,Iwi shIwast hereorat l
east
havenoti gnor edyourcal ls, Istaybyherbedsi de
allnight,itwasnowmor ning,mom , dad, Minne,
khanyi,sihle,mpumi e,si phamandl a, unathi,
zoey'spar ents, herbrot herAnt honyal lcame, we
wer ealli
nt hewai t
ingar ea, thenursecamet o
notifyuszoeyi sawake, Iaskedt ogoi nf i
rst,soI
canbr eakt henewst oher, i
twast heleastIcoul d
do.

Zoey

Iwokeupinthi
sunfamili
arr
oom ,Iwasabit
conf
usedatfi
rst,
butthenmymemor ycameback
fl
oodi
ng,mybaby, mybaby, Iwasst
il
lwonder
ing
whenBandil
ecomesin
Me:Bandi
lei
smybabyf
ine?
Bandi
le:.
..
..
Me:Bandil
eam t
alki
ngt
oyou,
ismybabyf
ine?
(hest
art
scryi
ng)
Ijustknewinthatmomentmybabydi dn'
tsur
vive,
ibegant ocr
yhysteri
cal
ly,Bandi
lecomesandt r
y
togivemeahugg, Igi
vehi
m aslap,am surehe
wasseei ngst
ars
Me:wherethefuck,
wher
eyoulastni
ght?,
my
chi
ldwasdyingandyouwer
ebusyfucki
nghoes.
Ihi
thim overandoveronhi
schest,Iunti
llI
couldn'
t,hehuggsmeandijustcr
y, i
nfactwewer
e
bothcryi
ng.
Me:Iwantmychi l
dBandi l
e,Iwantmychil
d(Every
onewalksin,theyallkeptgi
vingmethatpi
tyl
ooks,
agghIhatethoselooks, mom comesandhuggs
me
Mom :mypoorbaby,
itwi
llbef
ine.
Me:noitwon'
tbemom ,mybabyisgonemom ,
t
hebabywastheonl
ythi
nghol
dingmymarr
iaget
o
Bandi
let
ogether,
hewantst
obeaf
uckboy?,
hei
s
fr
eetodothatIwantadi
vor
ce
MrDlamini:youandBandi learemarr
iedandthati
s
that,
noonei sdivorcinganyone,youbothtook
vowelsf
orbetterorforworse,thi
sisyourworse,
soyouhavet osticktoget
her.
Dad:am sur
eyouandBandil
ewil
lbef
ine,
allt
his
pai
nist
empor ar
y,i
tshal
lpass.
MrsDlami
ni:youcan'
tfor
cethem tost
ayina
marri
age,
ift
heyarebothmiserabl
e,i
tmakesno
sense.
MrDl
amini:maDlaminit
hist
woar
egoi
ngt
ost
ay
mar
ri
edandthati
sthat.
Dad:Isecondt
hat.
MrsDlami
ni:t
heonl
yreasont
heygotmar
riedi
sa
babyandt
hatbabyi
snomore,sowhyl
ett
hem
suff
er?
Dad:canwejustchanget
het
opic,
am ser
iousl
y
get
ti
ngti
redofthi
sbackandf
ort
h.
MrDl
ami
ni:f
inewi
thme
Me:dadcanIatl
eastcomehomemaybefora
mont
h?, Iwantt
odecideonwhatt
odo,ijustwant
t
ohealf
ir
st.
MrDal
mini:f
inewewi
llgi
veyout
hat,
butonl
ya
mont
handnotadaymor e.
Me:t
hankyou(t
heyal
lleave)
It
akemyphoneandIdi
alLet
habo'
snumber
Let
habo:hel
lot
oyout
oost
ranger
.
Me:mxm ,
fineIdeser
vet
hat
Lethabo:sohowismar
ri
edli
feandt
hel
it
tl
eone?
(Icry)babe,whati
swrong?
Me:(iwassti
llcr
ying)mybabydidn'
tmakei
t,I
hadamiscar
ri
agel astni
ghtLet
habo
Let
habo:what?,am r
eal
lysor
ryf
ri
end,
canI
comeandseeyou?.
Me:notnowam i
nnost
ateormoodt
oseeanyone.
Let
habo:Iunderst
andbabe,
am aphonecal
l
awayifyouneedanyt
hing
Me:t
hankyouLet
habo,
Ihavet
ogo(Ihangup)
Bandi
lewal
ksi
n,It
urnar
oundandf
acet
hewal
l.
Bandi
le:zoeyam r
eall
ysorr
y,Idi
dn'
tonl
yletyou
downbutIfail
edourchi
ldaswell
.
Me:youwantedtobeafuckboy,apar
tyani
mal,
wel
lyouaref
reetodot
hatnow, l
eavemetomour
n
mybabyinpeace.
Bandil
e:zoeyyouar
enotbei
ngf
air,
am al
so
hurt
ingIl
ostachi
ldt
oo
Me:whatchi
ld?,
youmeant heoneyouwanted
metoabor
t,mybabyprobablyf
eltr
eject
edand
t
hati
swhyshedecidedt
oleaveme.
Icr i
ed,Bandil
ehuggedme,hestaysforabout
thir
tyminutesandhegoesbackhome, iwas
l
iteral
lyshatt
ered,iwasdr
ainedbot
hemot ional
ly
andphysicall
y.

Thando

Lastni
ghtIwenthomeandIsl
eptl
ikeababy,I
knowther
eisnowaythebabywil
lsurvi
ve,
Ial
ready
hadabot t
leofbubbl
yoni
cetocel
ebr
ate,Iwas
busymakinglunchwhenIgett
hecal
liwaswai
ting
forf
inal
lycomes
Me:queenmother,doyouneedmyhel
pwi
th
anyt
hing?
(Ihadtoplaydumb)
MrsDlamini:nodear,Ijustwantedtot
ellyouzoey
l
ostherbaby,nowthisisyourti
met omakeamove
Me:
Iwi
llqueenmot
her,
aren'
ttheydi
vor
cing?
MrsDlami
ni:nonotyet,sobecar
efulwhenyou
makeyourmove,sot heki
ngdoesn'
thearabouti
t,
causehewi
llbef
uri
ouswi t
hyou
Me:t hankyouf
ort
het
ipqueenmot
her
.(She
hangsup)
Timetoletoutt
hebubbl
youtontheiceand
celebr
ate,r
oundoneThando:1zoey:0
ClevermoveThandoandonesuspect sat
hingnot
event hatidi
otzoey,
Ipourmysel
fsomebubbl
yand
icelebrate.
[
09/
30,
10:
54] :I
nser
t19
Bandi
le

Zoeywasbei ngdi schar gedt oday, shet oldmenot

tobot hert oevencomeandpi ckherupcauseher
mot herwi l
lcomeandpi ckherup, Iwokeup, did
myhygi nepr ocesses, l
otion, gotdr essed, Iwent
totheoneappoi ntmentwi thaver yimpor tantclient
, Icouldn' tgetoutof,af t
ert hemeet i
ngIgo
strai
ghtt ot hecl ub, Igot omyr oom andsl eep, I
wakeupatar ound13:00pm , washmyf ace, or
der
somepi zza, thepi zzaget sdel i
vered, Ieat, It
hen
godownst ai r
s, Ilookatt hef inancialbooks,
everythi ngseemedi ngoodor der,Iopenmywal let
andmybaby' sscanf allsout. ,Ipicki tup, l
ookati t
andpl acei tbacki nmywal l
et, Icallzoeybutshe
doesn' tanswerherphone, youknowwhatam done
runningaf terher, shej ustdoesn' tcar e, Iorder
someboozeandIst artdrinking, Iwasj ustor deri
ng
tequilashot saf tershot s,Iwasnowobvi ousl y
drunk, butIst i
llwant edsomemor ebooze, maybe
i
twi llhel pmef or getaboutt hebabyIl ost,iwasi n
pai
nbutthealcoholseemst obedoi
ngagoodjob
ofnumbi
ngt hepain,Ideci
detocal
lzoeyagai
n,
shefi
nal
lypi
cksup
Zoey:Bandi
leDl
ami
niwhatdoyouwant?
Me:Iwanttodivor
ceyourass, fi
ndawomanwho
cancook,cl
eananddoallthatshi
tandt heniwi
ll
wif
eherandhavebeauti
fulkidswithher.
Sort:Bandil
ear
eyoul i
steni
ngtoyour
selfnow?,
di
dyoucal lmejustt
oinsultme?,waitaminut
e
Bandil
eareyoudrunk?.
Me:(il
augh)al
it
tl
e,am cel
ebr
ati
ng di
vor
cing
you.
Zoey:Bandi
lewher
ear
eyou?
Me:am atcl
ub0199
Zoey:Iwi
llaskkhanyitocomeandpi
ckyouup,
befor
eyoudosomet hingstui
pd.
Me:am abi gboyzoeyDl amini, Icant
akecareof
myself,Idon'tneedyouorkhanyioranybody,you
canallgot ohell,l
ikeeuphoniksaid#nonke,inow
fi
nal
lyunder standhowhef elt,bye(Ihangupthe
phone)
Irequest
edformoreal
cohol,
thebar
tenderr
efused
togivemethealcohol
Me:youdoknowthatam yourbossandIcanf
ir
e
your
ight?,
inf
actyouar
ef i
red,f
ired.
Bar
tender:Iwi
llgetyousomecof
feesi
r.
Me:f orgetcoff
eeam cel
ebrat
ingbeingsingle
again, i
nfactl
etmecallmylawyertosendwi f
eythe
divorcepaper, gr
oundsfordi
vorceshecan'tcook
.(Ilaugh)
Iwasst
il
ltal
kingt
othebar
tenderwhen,
Thando
showsup
Thando :bart
endert
hankyouforcal
li
ngme,Iwil
l
takei
tfr
om her
e,come, comeonlet'
sgotoyour
room
Me:thankyouThando,
atl
eastyoucancookam
goi
ngtowifeyou.
Thando:st
opsayi
ngt
hingsyouwi
llr
egr
etwhen
sober.
Shet
akesmet
omyr
oom ,
Iwasnowhor
nyand
weendedupf
ucki
ng,
Idon'
tevenr
ememberhowI
sl
ept.

Thando

Iwokeup, orderedsomefood,thankGodBandi le
alwayskeepextrabatht
owelsandt eet
hbr ushes,I
gotohisbathroom andt
akeashower, brushmy
teet
h,loat
ionandr apmysel
finat owel,Igoand
wakehim up, heseemedshockedt oseeme
Bandi
le:Thandowhendi
dyougether
e?anddi
d
wefuck?
Me:yooh,yeswedeed,af
teryoutol
dmeyouwi
ll
sendzoeydi
vor
cepaper
sandwi f
eme.
Bandi
le:Icl
ear
lydon'
tremember,
Iwast
oodr
unk
Me:don'
tworr
yIshoul
dhaveknownbet
ter,
you
wer
edrunk.
Bandi
le:t
hankyouf
orunder
standi
ng
Me:i
t'
sokay(Iwon'
tli
eitst
inged)
Hegoesintohisbat
hroom ,hewasbusytakinga
shower,Ihearaknockonthedoor,It
houghtitwas
thefoodIhadordered,mindyouIwassti
ll
wrappedupinatowel,IopenthedoorandIwas
shockedtoseezoey
Me:zoey?
Zoey:IseeBandi l
ehasmovedonal
ready,canyou
pleaserespectmeenought
oletmesignthe
divorcepapersandal
sowaitf
ort
heinktodryon
thosepapers.
Me:am sor r
y,thi
swasallami st
ake,thebart
ender
cal
ledtoletmeknowBandilewasoutofcontrol,he
wasdr unkweendeduphere, am t
rul
ysorry(my
heartwasdoingthehappydance)
Bandi
lecomesoutoft
heshower,
hewasshocked
toseezoey
Bandi
le:zoey,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Bef
oreIcouldhearheranswer,Igotothe
bat
hroom andwearmyclothesandthencomeout
Zoey:Iwaswor
ri
edaboutyouaf
teryoucal
ledl
ast
ni
ght,
butcl
ear
lyyouar
efi
ne.
Ileave,asiwasleavingthefoodget
sdeliver
edI
takethefood,IpayandIl eave,
Ical
lsanele, I
wasr eal
lyupset,If
eltusedandcheap, sanel
ewas
hotbuthewasnotBandi l
e
Igethomeandhewaswai ti
ngforme, Ireall
y
neededsomeonet otalkto,wewer ebusyt al
king
anddrinkingwine,thenextt hi
ngIknowwewer e
havingsex, hewasn'tthatbadinbet weent he
sheets, aft
erheleavesandigot akeashower,i
wearadr essteeandpourmysel faglassofwi ne,I
fel
tsocheapanddi r
ty, Imeanwhosl eepswi t
ht wo
fri
endsinsuchashor tspaceoftime.

Zoey

Iwasdischar
gedf rom t
hehospi
tal,it
oldBandi
le
nottopi
ckmeup, causemom wil
lpi
ckmeupand
tr
uetoherword, mom cameandpickedmeup,we
gethome,Ijustl
ockmyselfi
nmyr oom ,Ij
ust
wantedtobealoneandIwantedsomepeaceand
queit,
imustadmi t
,itreall
yf eltgoodt obehome,
eventhoughitwasunderpai nf ulcircumst ances,
Bandil
ejustkeptcalli
ngmeandif inallyanswerout
ofannoyanceandhesoundedr eal
lydr unk, I
wantedtocallkhanyi,buthesai dhecant akecare
ofhimself,
soil ethim be, butIwasr eallywor r
ied
abouthim,Iprayedhedoesn' tdoanyt hingdumb, I
wakeupsuperear l
y,domyhygi nepr ocesses,
l
otionandgetdressed, applyVasel ineonmyl i
ps,
zeromakeup, sisflowasear lyt oo, shehadcome
tomakemybed, butIstoppedher.
Me:sisf
lot
herei
sabsolut
elynoneedt
omakemy
bedf
orme,Icandothatmysel
f
(icoul
dseeshewasshocked)
What?,iti
sjustmaki
ngabedi
snotexact
lyr
ocket
sci
ence,
isitsi
sfl
o?
Si
sfl
ora:noi
t'
snot(shel
eaves)
Imakemybedandigodownst ai
rs,mom ,
dadand
Anthonyhadlef
tal
ready,
soitwasjustmeandsi
s
fl
o,iwar m myfoodandIst
arttoeat
.
Si
sfl
o:youar
eeat
ti
ngal
ready?,
Iwascommi
ngt
o
war
mthef
oodf
oryou.
Me:don'
tworr
yihavewar
medthefoodal
ready,
I
knowhowtouseamicr
owavenow
Si
sfl
ocl
apsherhandsandshel
eaves.
If
ini
sheatt
ingandIwashmyplateandgl
assand
pl
acethem wher
etheyar
esupposedtobe
Sisfl
ora:gi
vemeyourpl
ateandgl
assiwantwash
them .
Me:therei
snoneedsi
sfl
o,Ihavedonet
hat
al
ready
Sisf
lor
a:(shehol
dsmyforehead)whoar
eyou
andwhathaveyoudonet
omynana?
Me:wel
lsi
sflonanagr
ewup,
mar
ri
agewi
llf
orce
yout
odothat.
Si
sfl
ora:t
rul
ymi
racl
esdohappen.
Me:Amensi
sfl
o,Amen(il
augh)
Ideci
dedtogot oclub0199tocheckonBandil
e,I
knowthereisnowayhewenthome, int
hestat
ehe
wasinlastnight,
Igetther
eIgostrai
ghtt
ohis
room ,Iknock, Thandoopenst hedoorwr appedin
atowel, Iwasshocked, Idon'
tevenknowwhy,
causeIknow, Thandobei ngThando, shecouldn'
t
waittogethercl awsonhi m, shetel
lsmehow
sorr
yshei sbluh, bluhIjustchoosetoignorewhat
shewassayi ng, causeiknowshewasn' ttrul
y
remorseful,Bandilecomesoutoft heshower, ha
wasshockedt osee, Thandogetsdressedand
l
eavemeandBandi letotalk
Bandi
le:zoeyam sor
ryaboutt
his
Me:Ijustcamet oseeifyouarefi
ne, af
terl
ast
ni
ght,cl
earlyyouarefi
ne, sosendthosedivor
ce
paper
stomyf at
hershouse,youknowt headdress.
Bandi
le:zoeypl
easedon'
tbel
iket
hat.
Me:am mour ni
ngthelossofmychil
d,soam mor
e
heart
brokenaboutthatt
hanaboutwhoyouar
e
fucki
ng.
Bandi
le:zoeypl
easedon'
tdon'
tli
ket
hat
Me:Iwi
llbewai
ti
ngf
ort
hosedi
vor
cepaper
s
Il
eaveandIgost
rai
ghthome,
Igot
omyr
oom and
mysel
fin,
mom comesandknock,Ij
usti
gnor
eher
andcr
ymyeyebal
lsout.
[
09/
30,
10:
54] :I
nser
t20

Zoey

Today wasf riday, Ihavebeenathomef ortwo

weeksnow, Iwassl owl ybutsur elycominginto
termswit
hthel ossofmybaby, Ispentmostofmy
ti
mewi t
hsisf lo, shewast eachingmesimpl e
thi
ngsli
ke,howt oboi leggs, howt omakemash
andspaghetti, howt omakeaf r
uitsal
adanda
greensal
ad, Iwasnotr eallyenjoyi
ngit,butImay
havetobackt ot heDl ami nihousehol dandweal l
knowhowi tisover ther e,itwasn' tmuch,but
atl
eastIwasl earning, todaymom hadgi vensisfl
o
thedayoff,Ideci det ocal lAnthony, hedoesn't
answer,Iwat cht v, mom comeshomear oundsix
,shegoesstrai ghttobed, IcallLethabo
Me:heymama
Let
habo:sur
emama,
what
'sup?
Me:am ser
iousl
ybor
ed,
wantt
ohangoutatt
he
cl
ub?
Let
habo:youknowam al
waysupf
orapar
tygi
rl
Me:Iwi
llpi
ckyouup
Let
habo:sur
emama
Igoandt akeashower,l ot
ionandgetdr essed,
nothi
ngmuchj ustablackski nnyj eanandawhi t
e
T-shi
rtwr i
tt
en"ungenaphi"andsomevans, put
onmymakeupandl eavemycur lyhair,Ihad
plent
yofhai r,Iwassuddenl ysadcauset heyare
goingtocutmyhai roff,appar entlytheremustbe
somecl eansingceremony, Ireallydi
dn'tknowwhy
theywer edoingthi
s, it'
snotl i
kei twi
llbri
ngmy
babyback, IgotoAnt hony'sr oom, t
odayhewas
usinghispol oTSI,damn, Ideci detosteal,t
he
keystohi sjeep,mom wassl eepi ng,dadand
Anthonywer enotyetback, soi twasper fect,Igo
andpickLet haboup
Let
habo:i
sAnt
honydyi
ngorsomet
hing?
Me:noLet
habo,unl
essyouknowsomet
hingI
don'
t.
Let
habo:Iknowhewouldonl
ygiveyouhispol
obut
nott
hejeepgir
l,Iknowhewil
lkil
lyou.
Me:oohthat,
hei
susingt
hepol
otoday,
sohe
bor
rowedMehisj
eep
Let
habo:r
eal
ly?Haah,
Ifi
ndt
hathar
dtobel
ieve.
Me:hebor
rowedMehi
scargi
rl,
hej
ustdoesn'
t
knowi
tyet
Lethaboclapsherhands,wegett oclub0199, I
wasdr inki
ngcockt ai
ls,Lethabowasbusywi th
tequil
ashot s,wewer ehavingfun,Ihadfor
gotten
how f unclubbingcanbe, Iwasbusyonthedance
floor,Iwastipsybutnott hatti
psy,whenthisguy
comesandappr oachMe
Guy:hey,
am Paul
Me:heyPaul,
am mel
oakazoey
Paul:wel
lni
cetomeetyouzoey,doyoumindifI
buyyouadri
nk?(hewasshouti
nghislungsout
duetol
oudmusic)
Me:sur
ewhynot.
Wegoandgetat abl
e(hegoesandorder
smea
cockt
ailandhecomesback)t
hankyou
Paul:canigetyourt
ens
Me:sur
ewhynot(iaskf
orhi
snumberhegi
vesi
t
t
omeanditexthi
m mynumber)
Paul:ar
eyousi
ngl
e?
Me:am act
ual
lymar
ri
ed,
butsoont
obedi
vor
ced.
Befor
ePaulcoul
danswerme,
thi
shugebouncer
guycomestomeandPaul
Bouncerguy:sor
rymi
ssbutt
heowneroft
hecl
ub
wouldli
ketoseeyou.
Me:hecanwai
tam st
il
ltal
kingt
oPaul.
Bouncerguy:(hel
ooksathi
sphone)mam he
sayshewon'tt
akenoforananswer.
Me:t
ellhi
mtogof
uckhi
msel
f,whoeverhei
s.
Bouncerguy,helooksathi
sphoneandhepl acesi
t
i
nhispocket.Hepicksmeup, andpl
acesmeon
hi
sshoulder,Iwasbusyhit
ti
nghim andt
ell
inghim
toletgoofme, butitwasli
keIwashi t
ti
ngadamn
wall,Iwasst i
llshouti
ngwheninot iceweareat
the"bossesof fice",
thebouncerpl
acesmedown
andhel eaves, hewasf aci
ngtheotherway,soI
couldn'
tseewhoi twas,whent hechairf
inal
ly
tur
ns, Igettheshockofmyl if
e
Me:Bandi
lewhatt
hef
uck?,
ist
hisyourcl
ub?
Me:t oansweryourquest
ions,f
ir
stquesti
on,Iwi
ll
answerthatonewithaquesti
on,whatareyou
doinghere?,youareamar r
iedwomanf orGod'
s
sakeandyest hi
sismyclub.
Me:soont obedivorced(Ihadact
uall
yfor
gott
enI
tookmyringoff,Iwaswavingmyhandathim
givi
nghim at
ti
tude,henoti
ced,shi
t,hewas
pissed)
Bandi
le:andwher
ethei
syourr
ing?
Me:It
ooki
tof
f,wear
easgoodasdi
vor
cedany
way.
Bandi
le:unt
illt
hedi
vorceisf
inal,
youandIar
e
st
il
lmarr
ied,soputyourri
ngonnowandImean
now.
Me:theri
ngi
sathomeBandil
e,Il
eftt
hebloody
r
ingathome,sogoandgeti
tsoIcanputi
tonnow.
Bandi
le:youbet
terputont
hatr
ingwhenyouget
home
Me:tel
lyouwhatIwil
lgi
vether
ingt
oThando
si
nceyouaref
uckingher.
Bandil
e:am notmarr
iedt
oThandobutam mar
ri
ed
toyou,sowhenyoucomef ort
heclear
ing
ceremonyyoubett
erbeweari
ngyourri
ng.
Me:f
ine,
canIgonow?
Bandil
e:youbetterbegoi
nghomeandIbet
ternot
seethatPaulguyaroundyou.
Howt hehelldi
dheknowaboutPaul?
,stupidme
camera'
sofcouser,t
her
earebloodycameras
ever
ywher eint
hiscl
ub.
Hehuggsmef rom behi
nd, hestart
splayi
ngwith
myboobsandhel etshi
shandsl i
dei nt
omyvj ay
j
ayandhewaspl ayingwit
hmyci lt,Iwasnow
real
lyhorny,damnyouBandi l
e, weenduphavi ng
sexinhisoff
ice,thedoorwasl ockedofcourse, I
getupandgetdr
essed
Bandi
le:andnow?
Me:l ookt hi swasf unandamazi ng, butdon' tgetit
twistedmeandyoui ssti
llgetti
ngadi vorce.(iget
dressedandIl eave)igoandgetanowcl ear l
y
drunkLet habo, wegot oAnt hony'scar, Idrop
Lethoboatherapar tmentandmadesur eshei s
safef i
rst,ithendr ivehome, IfindAnt hony
wat chi
ngt .v.,shi tandmyhuhai sonf i
reandI
smel ll
ikesex,idontsayawor d, irunupst air
s
andi takeashower ,changei nt
opyj amas, Igo
downst air
sandwat chtvwi thAnt hony, hewasn' t
madatmef ort akinghi scar, Ithi
nkhest i
llfeels
sorryforme, anywaywewat chamovi eunt i
l1:30
a.m.andt henwegot oourr ooms,Ihavet his
cleansingthi ngandam sonotl ooki ngf orwar dto
that.

Thando

Iwassi
tt
ingal
one,
inmyl
ivi
ngr
oom ,
thi
s
days, IhavebecomesomoodyIdon' teven
understandmyself,evenli
ttl
ethingsmakemecr y,
thi
ngst hatwoul
dnor mall
ymakemenott ocryandi
suddenlyhadthiswiredfet
ishforpickl
es,Iwas
busywat chi
ngtelevi
sion,whenqueenmot hercall
s
Me:queenmot
her,
howar
eyou?
Mr
sDl
ami
ni:am goodandyoudear?
Me:am goodqueenmot
herj
ustal
it
tl
eti
red
NewDlamini:woul
dyoul
iket
ocomeandvi
sitme
t
hisweekend?
Me:am afr
aidthatwon'
tdo,Ipromi
sedmom.I
wouldcomeandhelpher,wehaveafami
ly
gat
heri
ng.
MrsDl
amini:i
t'
sokaydear,Iwil
lalsobebusy
pr
epar
ingforZoey'
scleansi
ngceremony,Ijust
wi
shBandil
ewoul ddi
vorceheral
ready
Me:alli
ngoodti
mequeenmot her,al
lingoodt
ime
(wesayourgoodbyesandshehangsup)
Igoandstar
tpacki
ngmycl ot
hes,Ican'twai
tto
seemom anddadIr eal
ly,
real
lymissthem ,
they
mustal somi
ssMe, mebeingthei
ronlychi
ldand
all.Ipackmybagsandigoandrelax,
Iwashaving
agl assofwi
neandsomepickl
esitsur
ehelldi
d
tastegood.
Iwatchamovie,
itwasbor
ingsoIendedup
sl
eepingont
hecouch.
[
09/
30,
10:
55] :I
nser
t21

Thando

TodaywasTuesday,Iwasal lpackedandr eadyto

gohome, iwakeupear lyint hemor ning,makemy
bed, got othebat hroom anddomyhygi ne
processes, Iwearasummerf loradressandsome
whitesandal s, Istrai
gtenmyhai r,putonsome
makeup, getmyt r
avelbag, Il
ockupmy
apar t
ment, pushmybagst omycar, Icarefull
y
placet hem insi
deandIhi tther oad, aft
eraboutan
hourt hir
tymi nutes, iarr
aivehome, icallmom t o
l
ett heguar dstol etmei n, GodIf or
gotj usthow
ti
ghtsecur i
tyisint hispartoft own, IgetinandI
asktheguardstobri
ngmybagsinsi
de,Igeti
n
mom wasbusygoi ngthr
oughhermagazi
nes,she
stopsandlooksatme
Mom :mybaby,
Imi
ssyousomuch(shegi
vesme
ahugg)
Me:Imi
ssyousomucht oomom (shel
etsgoof
meandisi
tbesi
deher)
Me:mom sowhatar
eweeat
ingi
nthi
shouse?,
am st
arvi
ng.
Mom :t
hechefpr
epar
edl
asagneandgr
eensal
ad.
Igotot
heki
tchen,
Idi
shupf
ormysel
fandsi
t
besi
demom.
Mom :areyousureyouaregoi
ngt ofi
nishthat
f
ood?, i
fyouwerepregnantat
leastyourexcuse
wil
lbeaneat
ti
ngfortwo.
Me:mom ,mepr
egnantnever.
(icont
inuet
oeat
myfood)
If
ini
sheati
ngmyf ood,Iwaspacki
ngmyclothesin
mycloset,
whenInoticeIhavenothadmyperiod,
am acoupl
eofdayslateandmyperiodi
sneverlat
e
, no,no, not hiscantbehappeni ng, icantbe
pregnant, thel asttimeihadsexwaswi thBandi l
e
andsanel e, soi fam pr egnantiwon' tknowwhot he
babybel ongst ount i
llheorshei sbor n,Iwasupset
, Irundownst airs, geti ntomycarandr usht othe
phar macyandbuymysel fapr egnancyt est, Idr
ive
straighthomeandIgost r
aighti ntomyr oom , I
taket hepr egnancyt estandIwai tforaf ew
mi nutes,andt hereitwas, t
hepr egnancyt est
wasasposi tiveasi tcanbe, iwashear t
br oken, i
fI
wassur ethiswasBandi le'schildiwoul dhavebeen
j
umpi ngupanddownwi thj oy, butmypr egnacy
coul dalsobel ongt osanel e,nevereveri nmyl if
e
haveIf eltsopower less, thisisadi sastershame, I
gost rai
ghtt obed, Idi dn'thaveanyst rengt hinme,
Icr i
edmysel ft osleep.

Zoey

Thisweekwentbyver
yfast,
beforeIknowitwas
fr
iday,Iwasgoi
ngtother
oyalhousetodayfort
he
cl
easingceremony,mom ,dadandAnt honywillj
oin
ustommor row ,mycl
otheswerestil
latthepalace,
sotherewasnoneedf ormetopack, Iwasdone
prepar
ingfortheday,Igodownst ai
rs, f
indmom ,
dadandAnt honyhavi
ngsomebr eakfast,Isi
tdown
andjointhem
Mom :howar
eyouf
eel
ingbaby?.
Me:Ijustwantt
hiswhol
ecleansingceremonyto
beoversoIcanputt
hiswhol
emi scar
riagethi
ng
behi
ndme.
Mom :af
tert
ommor
row,
am sur
ethi
swi
llbebehi
nd
us.
dad:
andyouandBandi
le?
Me:Idon'
tknowdad,oneminut
eIwantadi
vor
ce
andt
henoneminuteIdon'
t.
Dad:youdoknowt
heki
ngsai
ddi
vor
cei
snoopt
ion
ri
ght?
Me:yesIknow ,butt
heki
ngcan'
tdi
ctat
emyl i
fe
forme,Iwi
llmakemyowndecisi
onwhenam good
andready.
Anthony:Iagr
eewi
thzoey,
nooneshoul
ddi
ctat
e
herli
fef
orher.
Me:t
hankyou Ant
hony
Dad:f
ine,
yourl
if
e,yourr
ules
Anthony:sodumbheadhowdoyouf eelaboutyour
hai
rbeingcutof
fcompet
ely,
theyshouldhavej ust
shavedyourhai
r.
Me:hel
lno.
Ant
hony:buti
t'
sal
mostt
hesame
Me:shutupAnt
hony.
Dad:Anthonylet'
sleavebeforeyouupsetmy
pri
ncess,seeyoutommor rowpr i
ncess(dadkisses
meont hecheek,Anthonyhandsmet hekeysofhis
car,dad,mom andAnt honyleave)
Ihel
psisf loratowasht hedishes,ithendecideto
gotothemal lbeforeIgot othepalace,Ical l
LaurenandLet habotoj oi
nme, wegoandwat cha
movie,It hendr ivetotheroyalhouse, Igotoour
house,itwasal itt
ledusty,itwaslikeBandil
ehad
notsethisf oothere, Ichangeintosomet hi
ng
comf ortabl
eandIcl ean, Itakeashowerandt hen,I
ordersomepi zza, IcallkhanyiandMi nnefort
hem
tojoinme, appar entlyt heywer eatmai nhouseand
wewer ealltosl eept heret onight,Ichangei nt
oa
l
ongmaxidr essandacar digan, wearmyf lipf
lops
andi lockthehouseandImakemywayt othemain
house, Igett her ekhanyiwast hri
ll
edt oseeme, so
wasmi nnie, sihl
ewassi hlejustbei ngsihl
e, t
he
queenwasnotar oundwhi chwasabonousf orme,
therewer esomel adiescooki ngandmaki ngsome
tradi
ti
onalbeer,mypi zzawasdel ivered,Ishare
thepizzawi tht hel adiesevensi hl
e, thequeenand
kingcomeback,
Weallgatheraroundthedi
nnert
abl
e,wehave
di
nnerandf oroncether
ewasnodramaar
oundthe
di
nnertable,weal lgotobed.

Thenextday

Weallwakeupear
lyandgetr
eadyfort
he
cer
emony,mom ,dadandAnthonyarr
aive,
a
coupleofwomenIdon' tknowcomeandcutmyhai r
, Iwaslit
eral
lycrying,mom comesandhuggsme,
thenwepr oceedt owheret heceremonywasbei ng
held,everythi
ngwasdone,ever yoneleaves,
Bandil
eandIwer esleepi
ngi nthesamer oom ,
I
wasnotusedt onothavinghai r,
Ilookatmyselfin
themirrorandIfreakout, Icry,Bandi
lecomesand
huggsme
Bandi
le:pleasedon'
tfr
eakout,
yourhai
rwi
llgr
ow
backbefor
eyouknowi t
Me:easyforyout
osay,
theydi
dntcutyour
f
reaki
nghair.
Bandi
le:am sor
rybuti
thadt
obedone.
Iwasreall
ycryingandIwasupset, t
henextthingI
knowwear eallovereachotherandourclot
hes
wereonthefl
oor, aft
erthatIj
ustgostr
aighttobed,
i
twasal ongdayandIwast ir
ed.
[
09/
30,
10:
55] :I
nser
t22

Bandi
le
It'
sbeent woweekssi ncethecer emony, zoeyandI
aredoi ngf i
ne, shewasbackathome, wear e
doingever ythingwecant omovepastt hel ossof
ourchi l
d, mywi f
ewasl earninghowt odomost
thingst hankst okhanyi,li
keisai dkhanyii sarare
gem , shehasagol denhear t,iwakeupandget
readyt ogowor k,zoeywasst i
llsleeping,soIl et
herbe, shehasbeendoi ngt hatal otlately, Igo
downst airs, pourmysel fSomeor angej uiceandi
wasoutt he
door, Igotowi mpyandgetmysel fsomebr eakfast
,Idrivetowor k.Iwasn'tdoingthatmucht oday, I
washavi ngbreakfastandpl ayingsol t
ir
egameon
mycomput er,whent hereceptioni
stCal lsandt ell
s
met hatThandoi sheretoseeme, Itel
lhert olet
Thandoi n(af ewmi nuteslaterThandowas
knockingonmydoor, ohboyt hiscouldonl ybe
tr
ouble, It
ellhertoenter,shedoesandshet akesa
si
t)
Me:
Thando,
howexact
lycanIhel
pyout
oday?
Thando:Ij
ustcamet
otel
lyouam pr
egnant
.
Me:andwher
eexct
lydoIf
iti
nyourpr
egnancy?
Thando:am fourandhal
fweekspr
egnant,
sodo
themathspapa, t
hatni
ghtatt
hecl
ub.
Me:youmeanyouf el
lpregnantt hatnight?, oh
boy, Thandopleasedon'ttel
lmywi f
eunt i
llam
readytotel
lhermysel
f,thiswillbreakherpl uswe
j
ustlostababy.
Thando:sowher edomychildandifi
tinther
ewit
h
thelossofyourbaby?,
pleasetel
lherandfast
beforeIdo.
Me:IsaidIwil
ltel
lmywif
ewhenam goodand
r
eady,now j
usttakeachi
llpi
llandr
elax.
Thando:soyoudoknowyourdadwi
llwantust
o
getmarr
iedr
ight?
Me:Thandodon'tgetthi
sallt
wisted,yesIfucked
upandIimpregnat
edyou, butIwon'tmarryyou,
notnow,notever,yesam afuckboyandlovet o
chaseaf
terwomensomet i
mes, butyouseethat
womanathome, yesshecan'tdomostt hingsfor
me, butsheistr
ying,respecthercauseshei smy
queen,theloveofmylife,t
hef l
eshofmybone,
mymi ssingri
bandmywi f
ewi l
lnevershareme
wit
hyouoranyot herwoman, Ihaveneverwant ed
apolygamousmar ri
ageandIsur ehelldoubtzoey
wil
lagreetothat.
Thando:(shewasnowcr yi
ng, i
tmustbethis
hormoneshit)soam j
ustsupposedt
or ai
seour
babyinourown?, exact
lyhowheart
lessareyou?
Me:am aman, soIwil
ltakeresponsibi
li
tyandbe
thereforyouandmychi l
dever ystepoft
heway
butasf ormarryi
ngyouthatisoutoft hequest
ion,
therei
saMr sBandileDl
ami nialr
eadyandshei s
mor ethanenoughf orme, am sorr
ybutIcan't
handletwowi ves,theoneIhave,hasenough
troubl
esofherown.
Thando:wowBandile,j
ustwow (shestar
tsagai
n
wit
hthewaterworks)i
fyouwon'tmarr
ymet heni
guessyouwon'tbepar
tofourl
ives.
Me:unl
esst
hechi
ldyouar
ecar
ryi
ngi
snota
Dlamini, Iwil
lbepartofthatchil
d'sli
feandIwon' t
beblackmai l
edintomar ryi
ngyounever.Shewas
nowcl earl
yupset,sheget supandr unsout, tal
k
aboutamor ni
ngfi
lledwithdrama, Ireall
ydidn't
care,shecoul ddi
ef oral
licare,zoeyi smyone
andonl yqueen,shewon' tsharemewi t
hanyone, I
havetot el
lzoeybeforethisbl
oodyf ooldoes.I
conti
nuewi thmygame, thenmyP. Abr ingssome
document sformet olookat,Ihadl ostfocuss,
Thandor eall
ydidruinmyday.

Thando

IgotoutofBandil
e'
swel lmoreli
keranout,Iwas
cl
ear l
yupset,howcouldhe, howdarehe,Iknow
am notsureiti
shischil
dam carr
yingbutdamn,
whatBandilesai
dreall
yupsetme, howdarehe
call
szoeyhisqueeninmyf ace,Igotomycarandi
dialqueenmother
'snumberandIjustcry
MrsDlami
ni:Thandodearwhati
swr
ong?,
whyar
e
youcr
ying?
Me:queenmother,Bandi
legotmepr egnantand
nowhewon'tt
akeresponsi
bil
it
y, hesaysZoeyis
hi
squeenandshewon'tsharehim wi
thanyone.
Mr sDlamini:whendi dBandil
egett
heti
meto
sleepwithyou?, Ithoughthewasst
il
lmour
ning
thelossofhischild.
Me:ithappenedatt
hecl
ubacoupl
eofweeksago
andnowhesayshewon'tmar
ryme.
MrsDl
amini:r
elax,i
fhewasmanenought osl
eep
wit
hyouandgetyoupr
egnant,
thenhesur
elywil
l
bemanenoughtomarr
yyou.
Me:hesayshewon'
tmar
rymeandheneverwi
l
l.
MrsDl
ami ni:ohhewill,bel
ievemehewil
l,t
ell
youwhatwhydon'tyoupackyourbagandcome
andvi
sitmeforat
leasttwoweeks.
Me:okayqueenmot
her.
Mr
sDl
ami
ni:pl
easedodear(shehangsup)
Idri
vetomyapar tment,geti
nandpackmycl ot
hes
andmyt oi
let
ri
es,l
ockupmyapar t
mentandgot o
theroyalhouse,asforsandi
leIwi
llneverevert
ell
himt hattherecoul dbeachancet hi
sbabyi shis,
never, Iwilll
ockt hatsecretinsi
demeandmake
sureitisasecr etIt akewithmet othegr ave,Iget
tother oyalhouseandIgot othemai nhouse, Ifi
nd
nompumel elloandqueenmot herwat chingtv,
queenmot hert ell
smpumit otakemybagsi ntothe
guestr oom , shedoesbutIcoul dtellshewasnot
happyaboutt hatatal l,wonderwhat '
sherstory
anyway, shei sfor evergrumpyandnotathome,
mpumicomesbackandwewat cht v, it
henhelp
queenmot hert opr eparedinner,ihadsomuchf un
,theki ngcomesbackandwehavesupper, aft
er,
mpumiandIdot hedi shes, queenmot herandthe
kinghadgonet ot heirbedroom already, mpumi
l
eaves, don'tknowwher eshewentt o,soIdecide
got odot heguestr oom am using, Ieventuall
yfell
asleep.

Zoey
IwokeupandBandi l
ewasgone,imakemybed
andgot othebathroom ,domyhygi nepr ocesses,
l
ot i
on, wearafl
oralsummerdr essandsomewhi t
e
sandals, Iwearmy8i nchBr azil
ianwi g,apply
somel ipglossandIgodownst air
s, Imakemysel f
af r
uitsaladandayoghut, IeatandIcal lkhanyi
whot ellsmetobr i
ngallthelaundry, Ihavei nmy
houset oherhouse, apparentlytodayisl aundryday
,yey, youcouldheartheexci t
ementi nmyvoi ce,
Ireall
ywasnotl ookingfowar dtothat, Ipackal lt
he
l
aundr yandgot okhanyi'shouse,Iknockont he
door, sihl
eopensthedoor, Iactuall
yf orgotshe
staystheretoo.
Si
hle:what'
swit
hthel
aundr
y,youexpectust
odo
l
aundr
yforyounow?
Me:sihle,
Icoul
dhavesworn,Ihaveneverasked
anyt
hingofyouandam her
etoseekhanyinotyou .
Si
hle:f
ine,what
ever(shemovesoutoft
hedoor
wayandIent
er)
Ical
loutf
orkhanyi,shecomesdownstai
rsandwe
gotothel
aundryroom ,wedolaundr
y,shewas
teachi ngmehow t ouseawashi ngmachine,damn
l
aundr yissomuchwor k,apar entl
y,youhaveto
separ atethewhite, f
rom col our sandalsowash
dar kcoloursseparately,wef inishwashingandit
wasnowt imetoironthecl othes,khanyimade
i
r oningsoeasy, khanyiwasal socooki ng,soshe
wentt ocheckherpot s, IpickoneofBandi le'
s
shirtsandIst ar
ttoi r
on,Ibur nt heshir
t,Iscr
eam
myl ungsout.khanyiandsi hlecomer ushi
nginto
thel aundryroom
Khanyi:what
'swr
ong?
Me:(iwasnowcr
ying)
Ibur
nedBandi
le'
sshi
rt.
Si
hle:
mxm allt
hisdr
amaf orjustast
uipdshi
rt?,
whatdoyouexpectyoucan'tir
onduh.
Khanyi:sihl
eshutup, zoeybaby,thei
ronwas
obvi
ouslytoohot(sheswi tchesof
ftheir
on)cal
m
down, i
thappens,Ihavealsoburnedacoupl
eof
cl
othesmyself.
Me:buti
tishi
sfavour
it
eshi
rt,
Bandi
lei
sgoi
ngt
o
ki
llme.
Si
hle:youar
esodr
amat
ic,
am out(shel
eaves)
Khanyi:cal
m down,
letmegoandcheckt
hepot
s,I
wil
lbeback.
Wef inishdoi ngl aundry,Ipackf oodforbot h
Bandi l
eandii ntoacont ainer,itwas chi cken
stri
ps, pumpki nandgr eensal ad(yourst rulymade
thegr eensaladofcour se),Ithengohome, Iwasso
damnt ir
ed, alliwantt odoi stogethomet akea
shower, eatandsl eep,thi
sdaysam i nl ovewi th
sleeping, sl
eepi ngandiar ebestoffri
ends, Igetto
myhouseandipackal lthelaundryIdidi nt he
closet, takeashower, Igodownst air
s, Bandi l
e
comeshome, hehasbeent r
yingtocomehome
earlythisdays, hegoesupst air
st ochangeandhe
comesback,Idi shupforusandwest arteat i
ng
Me:sohubby,
howmuchdoyoul
oveme?
Bandi
le:Il
oveyout
hat
'sal
lyouneedt
oknow,
why
ar
eyouasking?.
Me:j
ustaski
ng,doyouperhapsl
oveme,
mor
e
t
hanyourf
avour
it
eshirt?
Bandi
le:yesofcour
sedear,
waitaminut
e,zoey
Dlami
niwhatdidyoudotomyshir
t?
Me:pl
easepr
omi
semeyouwon'
tbemad
Bandi
le:Ican'
tpr
omi
seyout
hatunt
il
lyout
ellme
whatyoudid.
Me:t
heniguessmyl
ipsar
eseal
ed.
Bandi
le:okayf
ineIpr
omi
se.
Me:r
eal
ly
Bandil
e:cr
ossmyhear
tandhopet
odi
eifam
tel
li
ngali
e.
Me:rememberyousai
dyoul
ovememor
ethan
yourf
avour
it
eshir
t?.
Bandi
le:ihaveaf
eel
ingam goi
ngt
oregr
ett
hisbut
yes.
Me:goodcauseIsortofbur
nedyourfavouri
te
shi
rt(itakeagl
assofwine,thatwasi
nfrontofme
andidri
nk)
Bandi
le:am sor
ry,youdi
dwhat?
Me:youpr
omi
sednott
ogetmad.
Bandi
le:t
hatJerseywasal
imi
tedJer
sey,
nowi
can'
tfi
nditanywhere.
Me:am sor
ryhoney,
am t
rul
ysor
ry.
Bandi
le:i
t'
sfi
nei
tisj
ustastui
pidJer
sey,ont
he
pl
usside,mywif
eisl
earni
ngtodolaundr
y.
Hedr
awsmecl
osert
ohi
m andwebegi
ntoki
ss
Me:whydon'
twet
aket
hist
oourr
oom.
Bandi
le:Iwon'
tsaynot
othat
Wegoupstair
stoourr
oom andt
her
estast
hey
sayi
shi
story.
[
09/
30,
10:
55] :I
nser
t23

Bandi
le.

Iwokeuptothesoundofzoeyvommitt
ingi nthe
bathr
oom ,
Ilookatt
heti
meandi twasfiveam ,I
getupandgotohercauseIwasreal
lywor r
ied
abouther
Me:wi
feyar
eyouf
ine?
Zoey:yesam f
ine,
itmustbeabugorsomet
hingI
at
e.
Me:okayf
ine,l
etmetakeashower,then wecan
got
othemainhouset
ohavebreakf
ast.
Zoey:Iwi
llj
oinyoui
naf
ewmi
nut
es.
Me:f
ine.
Igoandt akeashowerandzoeycomesandj oinme
, shewasnowf eeli
ngbetter,
wet akeani nnocent
showerandwegetdr essed,bythet i
mewel eave
thehousei twassevenam , wit
hzoeyj ustpuki ng
andst uff,wegettothemai nhouseandThando
wast here, asusualmpumianddadwer enott here,
soi twasThando, mom ,zoeyandme, Imadea
silentpr ayertoGodf ort
hisdamnwi tchnott ot ell
mywi feshei spregnant,causeIintendont elling
hert onight, wegettothetabl
eandwest arteat ti
ng
Zoey:t hesmellofyourper
fumesisreal
lymaki
ng
mesi ck?,al
sowhi l
eatit,arethi
seggsrot
ten?,
causetheysuresmel l
funnytome.(shegetsup
andrunt ot
hebat hr
oom am pret
tysur
eshewas
goingtovomit)
Mom :shei
spr
egnant,
clear
lyyouhavebeena
busymanson.
Me:what
?,ar
eyousur
e?
Mom :Icanbetmyl
if
eoni
t,t
hatgi
rli
spr
egnant.
Zoeyr
etur
nst
othet
abl
eandshesi
tsdown
Zoey:Ican'
tst
omachanyt
hingsoIwi
llski
p
breakf
ast.
Mom :zoeydear,
whenl
astdi
dyougetyour
per
iod?.
Zoey:Ohno,ihavenothadmyper
iodt
hismont
h,
butam sur
eiwil
l,maybemyhormonesare
messedupbythemiscar
ri
age.
Mom :sonl
ikeIsai
dshei
spr
egnant,
bel
ivemeI
know.
Zoey:ar
eyousur
e?(shel
ookedshocked)
Mom :110%sur
ebutgotot
hedoct
oram sur
ehe
wi
llt
ellyout
hesamet
hing.
Ical
lmyP.Aandcancelever
yappointmentIhave,
iwasnowreal
lyworr
ied,howthehelldoIt
ellher
Thandoi
spregnant?,whatifshehasa
miscar
ri
ageagain?,wegetupandgost
rai
ghtt o
t
hedoctorsof
fi
ce,wewai
tfort
hedoct
ortoarr
aive.
Afteraboutanhourt hedoctorf
inal
lydoesseeus,
het akesapr egnancyt
estandsureenoughitwas
positive,shewast woandahal fweekspregnant,
thedoct ordoesascan
Doct
or:wai
tami
nut
e(idi
dn'
tlethi
mfi
nish
t
alki
ng)
Me:doci
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Doctor:cl
am down, Iknowyouar escared
especi
all
yafteramiscarri
age, butever
ythingi
s
perf
ectl
yfine,isj
ustthatInot
icedasecond
heart
beat.
Me:whatdoest
hismeandoct
or?
Doct
or:congr
atul
ati
onski
dsyouar
ehavi
ngt
wins.
Zoey:what?,Bandi
leam goi
ngt
okillyouf
orthi
s,
wecanbarel
ytakecareofour
sel
ves,whatare
goi
ngtodowithtwobabies.
Me:wi
feycl
am downam sur
ewewi
llbef
ine.
Doct
or:youshoul
dli
stent
oyourhusband,
Iwi
ll
gi
veyousomet
hingf
ort
henausea.
Me:Thankyoudoct
or
Hegi vesherabunchofpi ll
s, shewasnow
compl ainingofhunger, soIdrivehertoRomans
pizza, si
nceshesai dshewascr avingforsome
pizza, shewaseat t
ingthepi zzali
keshehasn' t
beeneat tingforyears.Wet hengohome, we
spendt her estofthedayi ndoor s,watchi
ngmovi es,
Ikeptdebat ingwithmysel fwhet herornottotellher
Thandoi spregnant, Ieventuall
ydeci detotel
lher
Me:babyyouknowIl
oveyour
ight?
Sor
t:nopl
easet
ell
mehowmuch.
Me:allt
hewaytothemoonandback,
myl
ovef
or
youknowsnoi
nfi
nitygi
rl.
Zoey:wow,
loveyout
oobae.
Wewer est
il
ltal
kingwhensomeoneknocksont
he
door,
itwasThando
Zoey:Thandowhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Thando:chi
llgi
rl,
Ijustcametotel
lbabydaddy
aboutmynextdoctorsappoi
ntment.
Zoey:Bandi
lewhatthehelli
sshet
alki
ngabout,
youbett
erexapl
ainandfast.
Thando:oops,
youhaven'
ttoldheryet?,baby
Bandil
eandIar
eal
soexpectingabundleofjoy.
Zoey:Bandi
lei
sthi
str
ue?
Me:yes(il
ookdown)
Zoey:andwhenexactl
ywher eyouplanni
ngon
tel
li
ngme?, af
tershegivesbir
th,hizoey,hel
lo
zoey,thi
sismylovechil
dwithThando.
Me:nomylove,thati
swhatIwant
edt
otel
lyou
bef
oret
hiswi
tchcame.
Thando:sonowam awit
ch?,thatisnotwhatyou
weresayi
ngwhenyouwer
einbetweenmyt hi
ghs
Zoey:howdoweknowthatt
hisisBandi
le'
schil
d?
,IwantaDNAtestassoonasthatbabyi
sbor
n.
Thando:Bandil
ear
eyoujustgoi
ngtostandt
here
andletheri
nsul
tme?,bi
tchIwil
lhaveDNAtesti
f
yourkidal
sohasaDNA t
est.
Zoey:t
her
eisnoneedf
ormet
odot
het
estBandi
le
knowsmybabiesar
ehi
s.
Thando:babi
es?
Zoey:yesbaby,myhusbandandIareexpect
ing
twi
ns, am sur
ebynextmont
hwewi l
lknowthe
gender.
Bandi
le:Thandopleasej
ustl
eavegi
vemywi
fe
andIspacet
otalk
Thando:Bandi
lear
eyouser
iousl
ythr
owi
ngmeout
?
Zoey:yesgirlpl
easeleave,all
owmet ohavepeace
ofmi ndinmymar r
iagejustthi
sonce,Bandileand
ihavebeenthroughal otwit
hthelossofourbaby,
nowl etusbesowecancel ebrat
eourrai
nbow
babies.
Thandowasnowcl
ear
lyupset,
shel
eaves.
Zoeywaspi
ssed,
itr
iedhuggi
ngher,
shegi
vesme
ahugesl
ap
Zoey:don'
tyout
ouchmeBandi
leDl
ami
ni
Sherunsupstair
sandlockshersel
finourbedr
oom
,Iguesstoni
ghtistheguestr
oom forme,It
l
it
eral
lysucksbeingint
hedoghouse.
Thando

Iwasr eall
yupset, myplanbackfir
edbadlyand
twice,fi
rstigivehertheabort
ionpill,
shefall
s
pregnantagai nandwi t
htwinsthi
stime,Iwent
theretorubt hefactt
hatam pregnanttoherface
andBandi lethrowsmeoutlikeapieceoftrash, Igo
backt othemai nhouse,Ideci
detocallmyf ather,
yeshewi l
lsortBandi
leout,It
akemyphoneand
dialdaddy'snumber
Me:
daddy(icr
y)
Dad:babygi
rlwhati
swr
ong?
Me:daddyam pr
egnantandt
heguywon'
ttake
r
esponsi
bil
it
y.
Dad:am sorr
yyouarewhat?,Iwi
llcomet
oyour
apar
tmenttommorr
owandt henyoucanexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ng.
Me:t
hankyoudaddy.
Thi
sMeansimustwakeupear
lyt
ommmor
row
morni
ngandgot omyapar
tment,becausei
fdad
f
indoutam her
eam sur
ehewil
lki
llme.
Icr
ymysel
ftosl
eep.
[
09/
30,
10:
55] :I
nser
t24

Queenmot
her/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Itjustseemst omel ikether ei

snoget t
ingri
dofthis
pestcal l
edzoey, Iwashappywhenshel osther
pregnancy, nowshei spregnantagai nandt otopit
allmysoni sfal
li
ngf orhercheapass, Iwasup
ear l
y,soIcanpr epar ebreakf astformyf amil
y,we
wer eallhavingbreakfastt ogethermpumi eandt he
kingincluded, Iwasst il
llostinmyownt houghts,
whenThandocomesi ntotheki tchen
Me:youar
eupki
ndaofear
lyt
oday?
Thando:queenmot her,Idon'
twantdadtoknow
am her
e, Ibr
okethenewsaboutmypr egnancyto
him,aft
eribrokethenewstozoeyandBandile
thr
ewmeoutofhi shouselikeapi
eceoftrash,so
dadsai
dhewi
llcomeoversowecant
alk.
Me:am sor
rydear,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine.
Thando:howwhenyoursontr
eat
smel i
ketrash,
yeszoeyisexpecti
nghi
sbabi
es,butam al
so
expect
inghi
schild.
Me:whatdoyoumeanbabi
es?
Thando:appar
ent
lyt
heyar
eexpect
ingt
wins.
Me:what?
Thando:t
heli
ttl
ewitchi
nsul
tedmebydemandingI
takeaDNAtestaft
ermybabyisbor
n,canyou
i
magine.
Me:zoeycangot ohel
l,youarenott
akingt
heDNA
test,Iwil
lsett
hosetwostrai
ght.(Thandoleaves,
IcallBandil
eandhiswife,Iwant
edtotalkt
ot hem
fir
st)
Afewmi nutesl
ater,Iwasdonewi thbreakfast,I
hadplacedthebreakfastonthetable,Bandileand
zoeycomei n,wegot otheli
vingroom withthem ,
weallsitdown.
Me:Bandi
lewhati
sitIhearaboutyouandyour
wif
einsul
ti
ngThandobydemandi
ngf
orabl
ood
t
est.
Zoey:howaresupposedtobesur
ethatt
hechi
ld
sheiscar
ryi
ngisBandil
e'
schi
ld?.
Me:weal sower en'tsurethechil
dyouwere
carryi
ngwasBandi l
e'
schild,butwedidn'
tdemand
foraDNAt estont hecontrarythefat
hermadehim
takeresponsibil
it
ybymaki nghi
m marryyou,so
pleasedon'tinsultanotherwoman.
Zoey:soar
eyousayi
ngBandi
leshoul
dmar
ryher?
.
Me:no, Ican'tt
akethatdeci
siononBandi
le'
s
behal
f,butifi
twereuptome, yeshewouldmarr
y
thepoorgi
rl.
Zoey:Bandi
lei
smarri
edt
omeandt
omeonlyand
aslongasheismar
ri
edtome,t
her
ewon'
tbea
secondwif
e,hewoul
dhavet
odi
vor
cemefort
hat
tohappen.
Bandi
le:zoeycal
m down,
mom andThandoknow
whereist
and.
Me:Letmejustl
eavet
het
woofyou,Iwil
laskthe
ki
ngtot
alkt
oelder
sandheart
hei
ropi
niononthe
matt
er.
Igetupandl
eavet
het
wooft
hem i
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom
.

Thando

Igettomyapar tmentataround6am , Iopenthe

doorandtheplacewasstuffy,youcoul dtelliwas
notaroundforadayortwo, IopenWi ndowsand
curtai
ns,Icl
eanandcook, bynineam Iwasdone,
Itakeashowerandwaitfordad, atelevenam , I
hearaknockonmydoor, Iknewi twasdad, Iget
upt ogoandopenthedoor , Iwasshockedt osee
hecamewi thmom andsheseemedpi ssed
Mom :Thando,
sowhenwe'reyoupl
anni
ngon
t
ell
ingmeyouarepr
egnant?
Me:am sor
rymom ,
Ijustdi
dn'
tknowhowt
o.
Thatsi
tdown,
Igoandgett
hem somet
hingt
odr
ink
,Iplace afi
zzydr
inkandapi
neappl
etr
opi
kaj
uice
onthetabl
e.
Dad:sowhogotyoupr
egnant?
Me:i
tisPr
inceBandi
leDl
ami
ni.
Dad:Iwil
lgetyouruncl
eandmytwobr ot
hersand
wewil
lgototheroyalhouseandi
nfor
mt hem about
t
hepregnancy.
Me:onl
yonesl
ightpr
obl
em dad,
hismar
ri
ed.
Mom :what?, IwishIcoul dslaptheshi
toutof
your i
ghtnow, whoopensl egsforamar r
ied
man? ,what'
swr ongwi thtoday'ski
ds, youjust
cantseem t
okeepyourl egsclosed,youshould
havefoundyourselfyourownman.
Me:am sorr
ymom ,butt
hequeensai
dshewi
ll
makesurehemar
ri
esme.
Mom :andyouar
ehappywit
hbeingsecondbest,
thenur
sesmusthavegi
venmethewrongchil
dam
notsur
eyouaremychil
d.
Dad:dearenough,
youar
ebei
ngt
oohar
shont
he
chi
ld.
Mom :i
tist
heonl
ywayt
ogetheroutoft
hisdr
eam
l
andsheisi
n.
Mom anddadbot hleave,Iwasnowhungr y,Ieat
thefoodIhadpr eparedearl
ier,iwashthedi
shes
andIdeci detogotot hemallanddosome
shopping, Iwil
lgotot her
oyalhouselater,
right
nowIj ustneedmyspace.

Zoey

Iwokeupandt ookashower, wear eallgoi

ngt o
havebr eakfastatthemai nhouse, Il
otionandget
dressed, Igodownst airs,Iwat cht v,Bandile
comesdownst airs,appar entlyqueenmot her
wantedt oseeusbef oreever yonear r
aives,Bandile
goestot akeashower, Imaket hebedandIgowai t
forhim whileIeatanavocado, iwasr eal
lycraving
forone, bandil
ecomesdownst ai r
s, Iplacethe
remaingavoi nt hefr
idgesi ncei twasi na
container, wegot othemai nhouse, t
hequeen
beingthequeenwasj ustpleadi ngThando' scase,
actuallymor el i
kecomandi ngusnott odot heDNA
test,shel eavesmeandBandi leint hel ivi
ngr oom ,
af ewmi nut esl aterkhanyiar raives, shel ooked
pissed, appar entlysheandsi hlegoti ntoi tthis
mor ning, Mi nnieandunat hifol l
ow, si phamandl a
andsi hlef inallyarraive,mpumi e, queenmot her
andt heki ngcomedownst air
s, wehaveaqui et
peacef ulbr eakf ast, ther
ewasnodr amaatt he
table, maybei sbecauset heki ngi st her e, every
oneseem t obehavewhenhei sar ound, t
hequeen
andki ngal ongwi t
hmpumi eleave, appar ent lythey
wer egoi ngt oZanzi barforavacat ion,si hlewast o
l
ookaf tert hemai nhouseandThandoasshewas
thequeen' sguest.
Wewer ebusywashingthedishies,whenkhanyi
andsihl
estartf
ight
ingandImeanaphysi calf i
ght,
Iwantedtoseparat
ethem ,whenBandi lecomesi n,
whatdoyout hi
nkyouaredoing?, youar epr egnant
,getoutofhere,Ido,heseparatest hem ,
sphamandlacomesandt akeskhanyit otheirhouse,
hecomesbackandhest ar
tsshouti
ngatsi hle,am
surehegavekhanyiapieceofhismi ndtoo, he
seemedpi
ssed.
Igotocheckonkhanyi, shewasnowmuchcal mer
, wedeci detogoanddogr oceryshopping,Icall
Bandile, hegivesmeR2000si ncewewer esti
llhad
somet hing'
sfrom myf i
rstshoppingtri
pwi t
hkhanyi,
wewer ebusyshoppi ngwhenweseeThandoand
saneleur gi
ng, what
everitwasaboutseemed
tense, wegoover
Me:t
hisseemst
ense.
Thando:Iwantedhi
mt oaskBandi
let
omarryme,
whatam Idoi
ng?,Idon'toweyouanexpl
anat
ion,
mindyourownbusiness
Me:am sor
ryIevenasked,
Khanyiandil eave,wecont i
nuewi thourshopping,
Iseriousl
yneedsomecooki nglessons, anywaywe
gobackhome, Bandil
e,unathiandsiphamandl a
wer eatmyhouse, Ipackt
hegr oceri
esandIgo
upstairs,Ist
artlooki
ngforaplacet oregist
erfor
cookinglessonsi nli
ne,If
indapl aceallIneednow
i
st enthousandr andsforf
ees.
Thoset
hreewer
est
il
lpl
ayi
ngaf
if
agameonaxbox
,
Ilett
hem beandIgohel
pkhanyiwi
thdi
nner.
[
09/
30,
10:
56] :I
nser
t25

Thando

Iwasbusydoi ngal i
ttlebitofshoppi ng, whenI
bumpi ntosanel e,hewast hereshoppi ngf oran
engagementr i
ngf orhi sgirl
fri
endLet habo,
appar ent
lyBandi l
ehadt oldhim am expect i
ng, he
want edtoknowi fther eisachancet hebabycoul d
behi s,Iflatoutdeni edandIt oldhimi fhet el
ls
Bandi l
ehesl eptwi thme, IswearIwi l
ltelleveryone
her apedme, hewasbusyt elli
ngmehowevi lIam ,
whenMr sbusybodyandhersi dekickkhanyi
cameandsai d"thisl ookstense", Ipr ati
callytel
l
hert omindherownbusi ness, theyleave, I
i
mmedi atelygetupandgot omycar, idrivetothe
royalhouse,si hlewast heretokeepmecompany,
sincequeenmot herwasnotar ound,wewer e
busywat chi ngt v, whenBandi lecomesi n
Bandi
le:ThandocanIt
alkt
oyouf
orasecond?
Me:sur
e.
Igetupandfoll
owhimt ohi
sf at
her'
sstudy,Ihad
neverbeent
here, i
twasreall
ycool,everyt
hing
l
ookedspectacul
ar, amazi
ng, thi
sfamil
yisr eal
ly
l
oaded.
Bandi
le:sor
rytobotheryou,ij
ustwant
edtofi
nd
outwhenyournextscanis,soicancomewi
thyou.
Me:r
eal
ly?(ismi
le)
Bandil
e:t
hebabyismi ne,soIhavet
odor i
ghtby
mybabyjustl
ikeam doingf
ormyotherbabi
es
not
hingmorenothi
ngless.
Me:thankyou,mynextscani
stommor
row,
my
appoi
ntmentisatt
wel
f.
Bandi
le:Iwi
llmeetyout
her
e.
Me:nopr
obl
em
Bandi
lel
eaves,
Igobackt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom ,
wher
e
si
hlewas
Si
hle:whatwasthatal
labout?,
pleasedon'
ttel
l
meyoutwoarefucking.
Me:no, actual
lyhewant
edtogowithmetomy
scanappointmentt
ommorrow,
sincewear
e
expect
ingababy.
Sihle:what?,youmeanBandi l
echeatedonthe
dramaqueen?, getreadyfordramagirl,
thatchi
ck
i
sf ullofdrama,theotherdayshewasbusy
screami ngherlungsoutjustbecausesheburned
Bandi l
e'
sfavouri
teshirt,i
magine.
Me:sheknows, Idoubtsheevencar
es,
gett
his
shei
salsoexpecti
ngtwins.
Sihl
e:youdon'
tsay,whatrockhaveIbeenl
ivi
ng
under?,tomissal
lthi
sdrama.
Me:youwer epr
obablytoobusyget
ti
ngphysi
cal
wi
thkhanyi(welaugh)
Si
hle:enoughaboutmisst
oogoodi
eshoes,
that
gi
rli
rr
it
atestheshi
toutofme.
Wedecidetogotobed,
Iwasreal
lyt
ir
ed,Ican'
t
waitf
ortommorr
owhopesanel
ekeepshi
smout h
shut.
Thenextday.

Iwakeup, thewhol ehyginerout i

ne, l
otion,wear,
aabovet hekneef loralsummerdr ess, wi thsandal s
, Iwearmy16i nchweave, putsomemakeupon,
phel awehavet ol ookhot, wear emeet ingupwi th
babydaddy, Ihope, Igodownst air
smake
breakfastf orsi hleandI, si
hlecomesdownst airsall
dolledup,appar ent lyshei saccompanyi ng
siphamandl at osomeevent, theki nghadt oattend,
sincetheki ngi si nZanzi barsi phamandl aast he
nextkingwi llber epr esenti
nghi m, wehave
breakfast, siphamandl acomesandpi ckshi swi fe,
hewasr eallydr ool i
ng, sihl
er eal
lyl ookedst unning,
Itwasel event hirtybef oreIknowi t,Idr ivet omy
doct or
sof fice, Igett here, af ewmi nutesl ater
Bandi l
ewal ksin,t hedoct ortell
smehei sr eadyt o
seeme,wegoi nsi de,hedoest hescan, hearing
mybabi eshear tbeatwassohear twar mi ngand
over whelmi ng, evenBandi l
ebecamesof ttowar ds
me, heevenasksf oracopyoft hescan,Iwas
compl aingofhunger, sohet akesmet onandos,
wehavesomel unch, itr
emindedmeoft hegood
olddays, whycoul dn'twehavest ayedli
ket his
forever,het henleaves, hewasgoi ngbackt owork
,Idr ivebackt otheroyalhouse,Ibumpi ntozoey,
shewasgoi ngt osphamandla'shouse,i twas
awkar d, wejustlookateachot heranddon' tsaya
wor dtoeachot her,shegoest oherdirectionandI
getinsidethemai nhouseandIdeci detot akeanap
sinceIwasbor ed.

Bandi
le

Idon'tknowhowam goi ngt odothisfr

om af uck
boy, wi t
hzer oresponsibil
ity,toamar ri
edman
expectingthreebabies, hopeIcandot his, af
ter
meet i
ngupwi thThandof orherscan,Igobackt o
wor k,Idoallmywor kfort heday,mywi feandI
wereinvitedtot hi
sdinner, myf r
iendSaneleis
planningonpr oposingtohi sgirl
fri
end Lethabo,
apparentlytheyhavebeenseei ngeachot hersince
thatwhol epartysagaatt heWi l
li
amshouse, Iwas
shocked, myfri
endisreal
lymoti
vati
ngMet oman
upandt rytobethebesthusbandIcanbe, Idr
ive
strai
ghthome, mywifeandIgetreadyfort
his
dinner,mywi f
ereal
lyl
ookedhot,wet henl
eave.

Zoey

Myf rienddi dn'tknowi tyetbutshewasget ti

ng
engagedt onight, iwasbat t
li
ngt okeept hesecret
from herbuti thadt obedone, Laurenwasi nvi
ted
toosinceshewasourf ri
end, Bandil
eandigett o
thevenueandi tlookedamazi ng, i
twasr eall
y
amazi ng, sanel ehadr eal
lygoneal lout,heeven
hiredahel icopterf orher,sanel ecomesandgr eets
us, af ewmi nuteslater,Let habowal ksinandI
wannagr owol dwi thyoubyWest li
fest art
splaying
andbeaut i
fulcut epi cturesofsanel eandLethabo
startshowi ngont hescr een, sanel
eget sonone
knee, mygi rlwasi nt earsandherhandswer e
shaking
Sanal
e:myhear
tbeat,myLeej
oy,
mypr
incess,
myoneandonlylove,mysmil
ekeeper,wi
llyou
domethehonourofbecomi
ngmywi fe?
Let
habo:ofcour
seyesmylove,
sthandwaSam
(wealll
aughandtheyki
ss)
Iwasreall
yhappyformygi
rl,
sheget
stohaveher
happi
lyeveraf
ter
Wehavedinner,af
terLet
habocomestomeand
Laur
en,Bandil
ewasbusycongrat
ulat
inghi
sfr
iend
.
Lethabo:am madatt hetwoofyou,howcouldyou
keepthishugesecrectf
rom me,Ithoughtwewere
comingt oachar
ityevent.
MeandLaur
en:wear
esor
ry
Me:youcanblamesanel
e,hewoul
dhaveki
ll
edus
i
fwehavetol
dyou.
Let
habo:t
hankyouf
orever
ythi
ngmygi
rl
s
Laur
en:ncoo,
grouphug
Wehug,wepar tyunti
l23:00Bandi
lewasdrunk
butnottoodrunk,soIdri
vehome, weweresoti
red
,Ijustchangeintopyj
amasandiwasout, sowas
Bandi
le.
[
09/
30,
10:
56] :Bandi
le

Itwasnowt woweeksl at
er,mom , dadand
mpumi ewer enowbackf rom Zanzibar, Thando
hadgonebackt oherapartment,appar entlythe
khuzwayof amilywascommi ngtodayt odi scuss
Thando' spregnancy,Iwassonotl ooki ngf oward
tothat,Iwakezoeyup, wegoandt akeashower,
wegetdr essedincasualwear, wedeci det ogo
andhavebr eakfastatwimpy, Iknowt hisisgoing
tobeal ongday,wegoandhavebr eakf astand
thenwegoandshopf orsomef ewsnacks, we
wereonourwayhome, whenmom , calls
Mom :Bandil
ewher
ear eyou?,youknowt
he
khuzwayofamil
ywi
llbehereatanymoment
.
Me:r elaxmom ,
zoeandIjustwentoutf
or
breakf
astandgotafewsnacks,sowewi l
lbe
homei nafewminut
es.
Mom :j
usthur
ryupandcomehomepl
ease.
Me:f
ine.
Wegethome, zoeygoest oourhouseandigot o
themainhouse, si
hle,khanyiandMinni
ewere
cooki
nglunchf orourguests, Igr
eett
hem ,
mom
comesdownst airs
Mom :t
hankGodyouar
eher
e,wher
eiszoey?
Me:shei
satourhouse.
Mom :sheshoul
dbehelpingout,therei
salotof
wor
ktobedone, ourguestwi
llbehereatany
moment
Me:mom ,zoeispr
egnant,
Itol
dhertotakei
t
easy,
Idon'
tevenseet
heneedforhert
obehere.
Mom :sheshoul
dbeasuppor
ti
vewi
fe
Wewer
est
il
ltal
king,
whendadcamedownst
air
s
Dad:mor
ningdearwi
feandson
Me:mor
ningdad
Mom :mor
ningdear.
Dad:sonlet
'sgoandmeetupwitht
heelder
s,
whenthekhuzwayof
ami
lyarrai
vesIwantuson
t
hesamepage.
Me:yesdad
DadandIwer eonourwayt oseetheel ders,when
theguar dscal lt
oi nform dadt hatthekhuzwayo
fami l
ywasher e, dadi nstr
uctsthem tol ett
hem in
andt obr i
ngt hem t othemeet i
ngchamber, wego
thereandt heelder sweretherealready, afew
mi nutesf ourgent l
emanwal kin, IknewThandos
father, t
her estoft hem Ididn'tknowt hem ,we
greett hem ,Dadi ntr
oudecehi msel f,meandt he
elders.Thando' sf atherintr
oduceshi mself,
Hethenint
roducethefi
rstguyasThando'
suncl
e
(hermother
'sbrot
her),thetwoguysashis
brot
her
s.
Mrkhuzwayo:ki
ngDlaminiwear
eherebecause
yoursonhasi
mpregnat
edmydaughterThando.
Dad:Ihearyoumrkhuzwayo,
sowhatwoul
dyou
l
iket
ohappen?
Mrkhuzwayo:Iwouldli
keyoursont
omarrymy
daught
er,itcantbef
airf
orThandot
orai
sethe
chi
ldonherown.
Dad:yourdaught
erknowsmysoni smarried,
he
i
smar r
iedandIcan'
ttakedeci
sionsforhi
m sol
et
hi
m answerforhi
mself
Me:Mrkhuzwayoast heki
ngStatedam marr
ied
andIcan' tt
akethedecisi
onalone,soi
fmyel eder
s
willall
owmywi fetocomeandhavehersay, so
thatitdoesn'
tseem l
ikeam taki
ngdeci
sionsalone.
Theyal lagr ee, Iaskkhanyit ohel
pzoeydr essup
properlyandbr inghertot hemeet i
ngchamber,
afterthirt
ymi nuteszoeyandkhanyicome, khanyi
bowsbef oret heki ngandt henshegreetsever yone
thenshel eaves, zoewasl ooki
ngbeautiful, ina
l
ongdr ess, wi t
hl ongsleeves,withtr
aditional
prints,shewasevenput ti
ngonadoek, shebows
beforet heki ng, shegreetseveryone,thenshesi t
s
down
Dad:makotithereasonwhywecal l
edheretodayi
s
becauseyourhusbandimpregnat
edThandoand
thekhuzwayofamilyar
edemandinghemar ri
es
Thando,yourhusbandaskedwecal lyout
ospeak
foryour
sel
f.
Zoey:Thandoi snott hefir
stwomant obe
i
mpr egnatedbyamar r
iedmanandnotgetmar r
ied
totheman, sowi t
ht hatam t r
yingtosayi twillbea
colddayi nhel l,beforeBandi lemar ri
esherwhi le
hei smar ri
edtome, sheshoul dwai tformet o
divorceBandi l
ef ir
st, i
fBandi l
eandidon' tget
divorcetoughl uckf orher, Iguessshewoul dhave
tofindherownhusbandandi fyout r
yanyt hingto
forcet hi
smar riageIwi l
lstopt heweddi ng, thatI
canpr omi seyou, withthatsai dam sur eyoual l
knowwher eIstand, Ihavesai dmypi eceandi fmy
kingandel der
sal l
owme,mayit akel eave?.
Theywer eal
lshocked, sowasI, noonehashad
theball
stospeaklikethati
nfr
ontoftheki
ng,the
elder
snod, zoeget supandleaves.
Dad:Mrkhuzwayoyouhear
dwhatmakotisai
d,no
secondwi
fe,sowhatt
odoyousuggestwedo?.
Mrkhuzwayo:Ihear dher,wecanwai tonthe
mar r
iagei
ssuefornow, buthemustmar r
yher,
ri
ghtnowyoursoncandomeaf avourbypayingf
or
damages, Iwantni
necows, eachcowt en
thousandrands.
Dad:nottodi
srespectyouoranythingbutBandi
le
i
snotpayingthatmuchf ordamages, hei
snot
marr
yingThandohei sj
ustpayingfordamages.
Mrkhuzwayo:f
ine,f
ivecows,
tent
housandeach
Dad:i
tisst
il
ltoomuchbuti
tisokay,i
t'
sfi
ne.
Dadtransfer
sthemoneyi ntomrkhuzwayo'
s
account,nowthatever
ythingi
sdone, t
hewomen
bri
nglunch, wehavelunchandourguestsl
eave.
Idecidet ogot ot hecl ub, withsi
phamandl a,
unathi,
sanele,Lungaandkwanel e, wehaveaj olat
aroundsevenpm , wer equestanubert otakeus
home, Idi dn'twantt oleavezoeyal oneespeci all
y
nowt hatshei spregnantagai n,Idon' twanta
reapeatofl asttime, Ifi
ndzoeywat chi ngherreal
housewi vesshow, Isitbesideherandwewat ch
theshowt ogether, zoeyt ri
edexpl ainingwhat
happensont heshow, Ijustdidn'tgett hi
swhol e
show, butIwat chwi thheranyway, aftertheshow,
sheget supanddi shupf orme, shehadbr ought
foodfrom t hemai nhouse, Ieatandigot obed,I
waswast edandt ir
ed.
[
09/
30,
10:
56] :I
nser
t27

Queenmot
her/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Ican'tbelievewhatjusthappenedyest erday,so
thisfullgrownassmanar egoingt oletthatspoil
ed
bratt ellt
hem whattodo, mysonmustmar ry
Thando, sheistheonlydaughterinlawt hatI
recogni senotthisqueenofspoiledbr ats,Ideci
de
toinviteThando, si
hleandmpumi eforsomegi rl
ti
me,Iknowkhanyii sclosetothatbr atsoIwon't
i
nvi t
eherwewer egoingonaspar etreat, am
l
eavi ngwi th,si
hleandmpumi e, Thandowi l
lmeet
ust here,wasbusymaki ngabooki ngwhent he
kinghear dIwasmaki ngabooki ngf orfour
Husband:dearwhoar
eyout
aki
ngal
ongwi
thyou?
Me:i
t'
sjustme,
sihl
e,mpumi
eandThando.
Husband:ifyouar
enottaki
ngallmydaughteri
n
l
awsyoumi ghtaswel
l,cancel
thetr
ip,
invi
te,
khanyi,
zoeyandMinni
ealso
Me:f
ine.
Imakeabooki ngf orsevenandIext endthei nvit
e
tothem ,t
heyal lacceptandt heywer esoexci t
ed
togetoutofthehouse, wethenmeetupatt he
mainhouse, everyonewast here,Iwasr idding
wit
h, si
hleandmpumi ei nmycar, khanyi,Mi nnie
andslayqueenwer er i
dingtoget herinkhanyi '
scar,
wemakeourwayt othespa, wegett her
eand
Thandowaswai tingf orusalready, Icouldsee
Thandowasdi sappoi ntedtoseezoey.
Zoey:Hi
erkom gr
ootkak(her
ecomesbi
gshi
t)
Me:zoey,
sor
rywhatwast
hat,
youj
ustsai
d?
Zoey:not
hingmam .
Me:It
houghtso
IgoandhuggThando
Me:andhowismygrandbabydoi
ng?(herbel
l
y
wasbegi
nni
ngtoshow)
Thando:wearedoingfi
nema, sher
ubsherbel
l
y(i
coul
dtel
lshewantedtoannoyzoeyandmyGod
waszoeyannoyed)
Khanyiandzoeychooset odot hesamet hi
ng,
Thandoandzoeywon' tbeabl et odomuchsi nce
theyarepr egnant,theydeci detomassaget hei r
feetandhaveapedi cureandmani cure, Minnie
beingMi nniedecidedt odoabubbl erap, alone, I
willneverunderstandt hatgi r
l, shel i
kesherown
companywayt oomuch, ThandoandIdoamud
bath, mpumi eandsi hlegof oraf ullbodymassage,
wespl itupanddoourt hing, afterwear edone,
wewer enowsi tt
ingatourt able, havinglunch
Sihl
ebei
ngt
hequeenofmess,deci
dest
ost
irt
he
pot
Sihl
e:sozoey,
Ihearyouarepregnant,
congrat
s
toyouandThandocauseIhearyouhavethesame
babydaddy.
Khanyi:si
hlewi
llyouj
ustst
opbei
ngmessyf
or
once.
Me:Isecondt
hat
.
Si
hle:ThandoIhearbossl
adysai
d,hel
ltot
henot
o
i
sethembu.
Thando:don'
twor
ryaboutt
hisi
siwul
a
esi
phambani
sayo,
am sur
eiwi
llhavemyway.
Zoey:whatdi
dyouj
ustcal
lme?
Sihl
e:ooh, If
orgotmyjobasatr
ansl
ator,how
coul
dI?, shesimplycall
edyouabl
oodyfool.
(shelaughs)
Zoey:list
enher emompi e, si
hleyoucant akea
breakasat ranslator,Iwilltr
ansl ate,mompi e
meansr etard,justbecauseyouandIgotf uckedby
thesamedi ckandwebot hgotknockedup, it
doesn'tmeanwear ef
riends, i
nf actwearef arf
rom
i
t, sorespectmyspaceandst ayt hef
uckaway
from mymar r
iage,causeIwi llfuckyouupand
bad.
Thando:asforyoufucki
ngmeup, sor
ryzoeyI
don'
tdowomen, Bandil
ecanatesttothatandwho
sai
danythingaboutusbeingf
ri
ends?, Igaveyou
yourdamnspaceandam notcompet i
ngwi thyou
causeyouandIwi l
lneverbei
nsamecl ass.
Me:goodam gl
adyouunder
standqueensdon'
t
compet
ewit
hhoe's.
Thando:whot
hef
uckar
eyoucal
li
ngahoe?,
Iwi
ll
r
ear
ranget
hatf
acebi
tch.
Me:enoughyout
woWi
llyoupl
easebehave.
Thando:zoey,
youbett
ergetusedtot
hefactt
hat
am her
eandheret
ostayam notgoi
nganywher
e,
meandmybabyar eher
etostay.
Zoey:am sor r
yqueenmot herbutijusthaveone
l
astmessagef orthi
sloskop(ai rhead)here,the
messagei sfr
om karmagi rl,kar
masaysIshoul d
tellyousheisjustsharpeninghernai l
sand
finishi
ngherdr i
nk,shewi llbewithyoushortl
y
.(sheget supandgoest okhanyi'
scar,khanyi
goesaf terher
Me:nowt hatyoutwoaredonewi
thyourl
it
tl
ecat
f
ightcanwegetinsideagai
n?
weallgot
othest
eam r
oom andr
elax,
ther
ewasno
f
ight
ingthi
sti
me
Wegetoutofthest eam r
oom ,
wegetdr essed,f
ix
ourhair,putonmakeupandwel eave, iwas
ri
ddingwithsi
hle,Thando(shehadcomewi t
ha
urber),mpumi, si
hlewastheonedr i
vingus,
khanyiwaswithmadam slayqueenandMi nnie,
khanyiwast heonedr i
ving,wegethome, wewer e
allsoti
red,mpumigoesst r
aighttoherr
oom ,
Thandousedt heguestroom ,Igotomyroom and
sl
eep, sihl
e, khanyi,
Minnieandzoeyallgot
ot hei
r
houses.

Bandi
le

Theti
mewasnow7:00pm , Iwaswi t
hunat hiand
si
phamandlasincetheladieswerenotar ound,we
deci
dedtojustchil
landplayaf if
agame' sona
pl
aystati
on,Iwasbusygi vingunathianass
whoopingonagame, whenmywi fewalksin,she
l
ookedpissed, Igi
vesphamandl amyj oyst i
ckfor
hi
mt oconti
nuewi t
hthegame, Igoandcheckon
mywi f
e
Me:zoear
eyouf
ine?
Zoey:doIl
ookl
ikeam f
ine?.
Bandil
e:babypl
easedon'
tshootmeforasking,
youlookangr
yandit
'snotgoodformybabies.
Zoey:fi
ne,
yourbabymamai
sget
ti
ngonmyl
ast
nerve.
me:whathasshedonenow?
.
Sor
t:justbecauseyouf
uckedherandknockedher
up,shethinksshecani
nsul
tme,mezoeyWi ll
iams.
Me:andhowdi
dshedot
hat?.
Zoey:shecal
ledmeabi
tchamongstot
hernames.
Bandil
e:andam sur
eyouhadpl
ent
ytot
ellheraf
ter
that.
Zoey:noIj
ustst
oodther
eandletheri
nsultme,of
cour
seItol
dhertogotothenear
estri
verandjump
.
Me:see?,youar
enotsoi
nnocentaf
teral
l,Iwi
ll
t
alkt
oThando.
Zoey:andl
ethert
hinkam weakandyouf
ightmy
batt
lesf
orme,nooi
t(never)
Me:t
henwhatdoyouwantmet
odo?
Zoey:thef
actt
hatyouar
elet
ti
ngmeventi
s
hel
ping.
Bandi
le:j
ustcal
m downyouarestr
essi
ngmy
babi
esandifanyt
hinghappenst
othem iwi
llki
ll
you.
Zoey:f
ine
shechangesint
oherpyjamsandgoest
obed,
Igo
backdownst
airs andpl
aymygamewi t
hmy
brot
her
s
Unat
hi:whatwast
hatabout?
Me:womenst
uff,
trustmeyoudon'
twantt
oknow.
Siphamandl
a:whatt
hehel
lhappenedatt
hisspa
day?
Me:zoeyandThandower
eati
tagai
n.
Si
phamandla:am j
ustgl
adi
twasn'
tkhanyiand
si
hle.
(welaugh)
Unat
hi:am j
ustgl
adwewer
enott
her
eatal
l.
Meandsi
phamandl
a:cheer
stot
hat.
Wejustcont
inueeatti
ngsnacksandplayingour
fi
fagameuntil23:h00,unathiandsphal eave,
I
goandchangeintopyj
amasandIsl eep,zoeywas
t
ir
edsoIl
etherbeevent
houghIwashor
ny.
[
09/
30,
10:
57] :I
nser
t28

Bandi
le

Ithasbeenar oughcoupl eofmont hs,Thandohad

practicall
ymovedi nt
ot heroyalhouse,causeshe
i
sf orevert her
e, shewasnowal mostsevenmonths
pregnant, zoeywasnowal mostsixmonths
pregnantandi thasbeenr ought aki
ngcareofthi
s
women,especi al
lymydr amaqueen,Thandowas
theeasyoneandwasnotdemandi ngaszoey,i
wasst i
llpeacefull
ysl eeping,whenzoeywakesme
up, Ilookatt het i
mei twast hr
eeam ,whatthefuck
Me:zoeyi
t'
sthr
eeam ,gobackt
osl
eep.
Zoey:butIwantI
cecr
eam ,
wit
hpeanutbut
terand
syr
up.
Me:Iwil
lgett
hatf
oryoui
nthemor
ning,
please
baby.
Shest
art
scr
ying,
ohshi
t,Idi
dn'
tsi
gnupf
ort
his
Zoey:soi
tisal
laboutwhatBandi
lewant
sscr
ew
meandmybabies.
Me:Ididn'
tsaythat,sodon'
tputwordsi
nmy
mouthandfineIwil
lgoandgetyouyourpeanut
but
teri
cecream .
Zoey:don'
tfor
gett
hesyr
up.
Iignor
eherandgot othekit
chen,Itakethei
ce
cream ,scoopicecream int
oabowl, addsome
peanutbutterandsyrup, whatawierdcombinat
ion
, whoeatsthisthi
ngs, It
akeitt
oherandgi veher
thebowl
Zoey:Idon'
twantthatanymor
e,Iwantcheese
curl
swithsourcr
eam .
Me:zoeyyoucan'
tbeser
ious,
pleasej
usteatyour
i
cecream andgot
obed.
Zoey:am noteat
ingt
hat,causeIdon'
twantt
hat,
soyoudon'tcar
eaboutwhatIwant?
Me:ofcour
senotzoebutyouandyourbloody
hor
monesandcravingsar
enottaki
ngiteasyon
me.
Zoey:f
ine,meandmyhor moneswi
llgoandsl
eep
i
ntheguestroom unt
il
lIgi
vebi
rt
h.
Me:no,no, nopleasedon't(zoeywasaserious
sexaddi
ctt
hisdays)Iwi l
lgoandgetthecheese
curl
sandsourcream foryou.
Igoandpl acetheIcecream inthefridge, It
aket he
cheesecurlsandsourcream toher, shest arts
eatt
ing,Il
ookatthetimei twasfouram , igoback
tosleep,whil
eshecont i
nueseat ti
ng,Idon' teven
knowwhatshedi dassoonasIwentt osl eep, am
awokenbyt hesoundofzoeycr ying, Iopenupmy
eyesandshewasl ookingatherselfint hemi rr
or
Me:heybabywhat'
swr
ong?
Zoey:(shewassti
llcr
ying)am what'
swr ong,
l
ookatme, am f
at,am nolongert
hesexyzoey,
l
ookatme, myclot
hesdon'tfi
tanymore.
Me:butyouarepr
egnantandwi
tht
winssowei
ght
gai
nisexpect
ed.
Zoey:soyoual
sot
hinkam f
at?
shedidn'
tevengivemeachancet or espond,she
stor
msout, Igoafterher,shegoesintothe
ki
tchenandshest art
stoeattheicecream and
peanutbut
termix, Ihadmadeforhereali
er
Me:babyam sor
ry(ihadt
oapol
ogi
seeveni
fI
di
dn'
tdoanyt
hingwrong)
Zoey:goaway,
getawayf
rom t
hisf
atpi
g.
Me:but
.Idi
dn'
tcal
lyout
hat,
youar
enotf
atbaby.
Zoey:sonowyouar
elyi
ngt
ome,Bandi
leDl
ami
ni,
whoareyou?
Me:babypleaseforgi
veme,Ihaveafeel
ingam
goi
ngtoregrett
hisbuther
eismyblackcard.
Zoey:(shesmilesandshegi
vesmeahugg)you
aret
hebesthusbandever.
Sher unsupstai
rs,get
sreadyfortheday,shecal
ls
khanyi,minni
eandhertwof r
iends,Let
haboand
Laurenandofftothemallt
heywent.
Unat
hical
lsmeandhesayshei swit
hsphamandl
a
athi
shouse,Ideci
detogoandjoi
nthem ,
whenI
gett
her
e,theywerebusypl
ayi
nggames
Unat
hi:soIhearyouar
espoi
li
ngt
hel
adi
est
oday.
Me:t rustmeIhadt o, zoeypl
ushormonesequals
toonebi gdisast
er, getthi
sshewakesmeupat
threeam andshesaysshewant ssomeicecream ,
withpeanutbut t
erandsyr up,Iaskhert
osleep,
shecries,Igoandmaket hei
cecream ,sheno
l
ongerwant sone, shewant scheesecur
lsandsour
cream ,Imeanwhoeat sthat?
Unat
hi:pr
egnantwomanofcour
se.
Me:t hati
snotevenhal fofi
t,If
inal
lygobackto
sl
eep,Iwakeupt othesoundofhercryingand
cal
linghersel
ffat,It
ellhershei
spregnantso
weightgai
ni sexpect
ed.
Siphamandla:youshoul dn'
thavesaidthatdumb
head,neverevertel
lawomanshei sfatevenifshe
call
shersel
ffat,i
t'
satrap, shewillki
llyou,j
ust
sayyouhavegainedwei ghtinal
ltheri
ghtplaces
andIli
ke.
Me:Ilearnedthatthehardway,tr
ustme,Ihadt
o
apol
ogiseathousandt i
mes,Ican'
taff
ordt
obein
thedoghouse, zoeyisasexfr
eakthi
sdays.
Spha:welcometoourworld,youhavenotseen
anyt
hingman, t
hebabiesaresti
llcommingthe
di
aperchangi
ng, l
ateni
ghtbott
lemaki ngandyou
havethreeki
dsont heway,goodl uckmyman,
goodluck.
Me:t
hanksf
ornot
hing.
nat
hiandspha:yourwel
come
Wecont
inuepl
ayi
ngourgame.

Thando

Queenmot herwasreallyspoil
ingme, Bandil
ealso
madesur eIhaveever yt
hingIneed,mypr egnancy
wasthebestpr egnancyever, Ijustwi shIknewf or
surethatthi
swasBandi le'schil
d, queenmot her
andthekingwer eoutoft own,zoey, khanyiand
Minni
ehadgoneout, soIdecidet ocal lsi
hle, we
werelit
erall
ybored,theguyswer ebusywi thgames
,sowedeci det
ogot oaspa,si hlewast heone
havingf un, Ij
usthadapedi cur eandamani cure,
wet henwegot othisr esturant, webumpi nto
sanele, hewaswi thlunga, itwasr eallyawkwar d
causehej ustkeptstar ri
ngatme, Iwasr eall
y
uncomf or t
able, t
heydeci det ocomeandj oinus, I
t
wasr eallyweird, Iwasnow r eall
ysuper
uncomf or t
able,butam sur esi hledidn' tevennot ice
athingasshewasi nherownwor l
d, wef i
nish
havingl unch, wepar twayswi thsanel eandl unga,
wedeci det ogoandwat chamovi e, aftert hemovi e
west opf orsomecoupl eofsnacksandwego
home, Iwaswi t
hmpumi eint hemai nhouse, she
reall
yisnotaneasyper sont ot al
kto, shei sforever
moodyandgr umpy, butIwasnowusedt oherand
iknewhowt ohandl eher, Icooksuperf orus, we
eatandwegowat cht elevision,Iwast i
redsoIgo
strai
ghtt obed, mpumi edi ssapear stowher ever
Shedi sappear sto.

Nompumel
elo
Asyouknowbynowam t hel astbor noft heDl ami ni
fami l
y, t
her easonam f or
evergr umpyandmoody,
i
sbecauseam keepi ngasecr etfrom myent ir
e
fami l
yandi ti sabouttoblowupi nmyf acenow
thatam donewi thmyst udies, youseeam a
l
esbi anandiknow mom anddadwi l
lhavenoneof
that, t
heyWi l
lneverunderstand, theyhave
arrangedf ormet obemar r
iedi ntoanotherr oyal
fami l
yalreadybutmyexcusewasam st illstudying,
Ihaveagi r
lfri
end, Ispendmostofmyt imewi th
her, hernamei sTr i
nashei sabut chlesbi an, that
i
swhatIl oveabouther,mom i sgoi ngtof reakout
fordayswhenIf inal
lycomeoutoft hecl oset,
causeIcan' tmar rythatdude, whoeverhei snever.
Af t
ermysupperwi thThando, IgoandseeTr ina, I
enjoyspendi ngt i
mewi thherpl usIgett ogetaway
from theroyaldr ama.

Let
habo

Asyouknowam zoey'
sbest
ie,
shehadcal
ledme
ealiert omeetupwi thher,khanyi, Laurenand
Mi nnie, wespendourdaybydoi ngsomeser i
ous
shoppi ng, Iwasget ti
ngmar ri
edt omyPr i
nce
char mi ng, everythingwasper f
ectinourwor ld,am
get t
ingmar riednextweek, sincezoei spregnant,
shewi l
lnotbepar toft hebridalpart y,butshewi l
l
sayt hebestf r
iendspeechandwi l
lal soconducta
toast, myot hergi rlLaurenwasmymat roneof
honour, Icouldn'twai ttogethi t
ched, Iseriously
coul dn'twai ttobeMr ssanel ezungu, Iwast rul
yin
l
ove. Af t
ershoppi ngwegohavel unch, wet hengo
toaf unpar kandt henwehadt ogocause
appar entlyaunt yBel l
awant edt ogohomeandshe
coul dn'tbabysi tami nutelonger.Ideci det ogo
andvi sitbae, heseemeddi stant, l
ikehewasnot
hisusualsel f, Ijusthopehei snothi ddi
nganyt hi
ng
from me.
[
09/
30,
10:
57] :I
nser
t29

Zoey
Iwokeupatf ouram ,Iwasst arvinghungr yand
ti
redpl usmyf eetwereswollen, IwishIwoul dgive
birt
hal readyam ser i
ousl
yt i
red, Imeanwhowakes
upatf ouram t ogoandeat, mypoorhubbywas
sti
llsleeping, Igotothebathroom , domyhygi ne
processessi nceIwasnol ongersl eepy,Iloti
on,I
didn'tknowwhatt owear, Iweart hismat erni
ty
dress, itmademel ookfat,Ilookatt heti
mei twas
04:45, i
twasmor ni
ngalr
eady, Imi ghtaswel l
wakehubbyup
Me:babywakeup.
Bandi
le:oohGod,
whati
sitagai
n?.
Me:don'
tyouwantaqui
cky?
Bandi
le:am up,babyam up.(youshoul
dhave
seenhowquickl
yhesatup)
Me:doesmybut
tlookhugeI
nthi
sdr
essori
sitme?
Bandi
le:babyyoul
ookamazing,butanywaythat
i
snotwhyyouwokemeup, thequickyremember?
Me:lookatme,Ihaveaser
iouspr
obl
em ,
Ilook
l
ikeawhalei
nthi
sdressandyouwantt
ohavesex?
,
Idon'
tthi
nkso.
Bandil
e:youaresodamnevi l,youwokemeupj ust
toaskifyourbut
tlookhuge,letmebehonest, I
l
ied,youlookhorri
blei
nfactawhal el
ookseven
bett
er,youlookl
ikeahippo(hel aughs)
Itakeapill
owandthr
owitathi
m,got
othe
bathroom ,cr
ymyassof
f
Bandil
e:youdidn'
ttakemeseri
ousl
ydidyou?,
babyyoulookamazingandyouhavegai
nedweight
i
nal lt
her
ightpl
aces,am l
ovi
ngthem pr
egnancy
curvesgi
rl.
Me:r
eal
ly?
Bandi
le:yesofcour
sebaby,
nowgi
vemesome
sugar
Me:am noti
nthemood,
nowl
etmegoandchange
Andli
kethatIwasout,Iwentint
omycl osetandI
getanavybluebabydolldr
essandwhi teleggi
ng
si
ncemostthingsthatmakemelookcut edidnt
l
ookgoodonmenow, myhairwasgr owingback
andfast,
Iwasl ovi
ngmyshorthairl
ook, Ijust
combandst yl
emyhai r, nomakeup, Igodown
stair
s, Il
ookattheti
me, itwasnowsi xam ,Iget
mysel fmyfavouri
teavoandagl assofsourcream
mi l
k, i
twasamazing, It
henset t
lef
orsandwi chit
hadt unaandpeanutbutter,Iwassti
llenjoyi
ng
whenBandi l
ecomesdownst ai
rs
Bandi
le:eew,
whatar
eyoueat
ti
ng?.
Me:tunaandpeanutbut
tersandwi
tchandi
tis
amazi
ng.
Bandi
le:i
fyousayso,don'
tyoudar
eki
ssme
bef
oreyoubrushyourt
eet
hagain.
Me:r
eal
ly?
Bandi
le:yes
Hesitsandheset t
lef orsomecer eal,whi
lehe
watchesthenews, Idot hedishesandwewer eout
thedoor,wewer egoi ngt omydoct or
s
appointment,wewer egoi ngtofindoutthegender
ofourbabiesandt henwewer egoingtonamet hem
, wegettothedoct orsoffice,thedoctortel
lsme
andBandilewearehavi ngaboyandagi r
l,wewere
soextremelyexci
tedshame, wewer eonourway
home, whenIdeci deIwant, nandoschi cken, pap
andr eli
sh,It ellBandi l
e, hegoesandbuyt hef ood
forme, wegethome, Bandi ledeci deshewi llwor k
from home, wedi scussourbabi esnames, Bandi l
e
namesourbabyboyLwaziwhi chappar ent l
y
meansknowl edge, Inamehi m ,Li am whi chmeans
strongwi l
ledwor rior, i
twasset tl
edourboywas
LwaziLi am Dl ami ni,Bandi l
edeci destonameour
babygi rlkhweziwhi chappar entlymeansmor ning
brightst ar,Inameherzahl eewhi chmeans
princess, soi twasset tl
edshewaskhwezi zahlee
Dlami ni, Icoul dn'twai tf orkhwezi andLwazi tobe
bor n,iwasr eallyhappy, thedoct orsaidishoul d
takeiteasyso, bandi ledeci desthataunt ybel lawill
behel pingmeoutt i
lligivebi rt
h, thenwewi llgeta
nannyf orthef irstf ewmont hs, Iwast hril
ledshame
, bandi l
egoest ohi sstudyandhewasonbusi ness
calls, soIdon' tdi sturbhi m, Igoandt akeanap.

Thando
Queenmot herwasbackbutt hekingwas
appar entlyst illconduct i
ngsomebusi ness, Ihada
doctor '
sappoi ntmentt oday, bandilewast aki ng
zoeyt oherscan, soIdeci det otakequeenmot her
withme, shewast hri
ll
edt hatam i nvol vingheri n
mypr egnancy, Igotot heki t
chenf indaj arof
pickles, Ieatt hem li
ket herei snot ommor row ,
queenmot hercomesandmakeaf ullEngl i
sh
breakf ast, itwasj ustmeandher, Ididn'twantt o
knowt hegenderofmybaby, butqueenmot her
convi ncedmeot herwise, shewasexci tedabout
thebaby, Ijustwi shediwast heoneexpect ing
twinsandnotzoey, wef ini
shourbr eakf ast,aunt y
Bellawast heresot herewasnoneedf orust odo
thedi shes, wegeti ntoqueenmot her '
scarandwe
got omydoct orsappoint ment, Igett her ethe
doctordoesascan, hear i
ngmybaby' shear tbeat
war msmeupever yti
me, thedoct ortellsmeam
havingababygi rl
Me:thati
ssocute,am goi
ngtonameher
Nomcebo(motherofwealt
h)aft
erhergr
and
mother.
Queenmother:t
hati
ssosweetofyouandam
goi
ngtonameherJaylar(t
heonewhoi
sspecial
)
Me:t
hankyou,IhopeBandi
ledoesn'
tki
llusf
or
nami
nghi
sdaughterinhi
sabsence.
Queenmother:nonsense,hewi
lll
ovet
henames
nomceboJaylarDl
amini.
Weleavemydoct orsoffi
ceandwegost r
aight
home, If
eltreallytired,Ikepthopingandwi shing
mybabybel ongst oBandileandthatsanel
ewi l
l
keephisdistance, besidesheisgetti
ngmar ried
soon,sohi sattentionshouldbeonhi sbridet obe
andnotme, Idecidet ogoandt akeanap.

Thenextday

Bandi
le

Iwassti
llpeacef
ull
ysleepi
ng,
whenIhear,
clot
hes
bei
ngthrownont opofme.
Me:zoeywhati
sgoi
ngon?
Zoey:(shewassoexi
cit
ed,shewasj
umpingup
anddown li
keal
it
tl
ekid)getupandgetdr
essed
Me:whyareyout
hisexci
ted?,
didyouwi
nlot
toor
somet
hing
Zoey:nohubby,wearegoi
ngtodoyoga,
appr
entl
yiti
sgoodformypregnancy.
Me:whotoldyout
hat?,causeIwantt
okil
lthem
andbur
ythem wheret
hei
rbodieswon'
tbef
ound.
Zoey:Googl
edi
d.
Me:andyoul
ist
enedt
odoct
orGoogl
e?
Zoey:Icheckedwi
thmydoct
or,
iti
scompl
etel
y
fi
ne.
Me:okayf
inegot
oyouryoga,
wit
hyouri
nst
ruct
or.
Zoey:butIwantust
obondasf
ami
ly
Me:(Imovecl
osetoher)Iknowanexer
cisewe
cando,t
hatIl
ikeandwecanbondatthesame
ti
me
Zoey:getupandgetdr
essed,t
henwecancome
backandbondyourway,
butonl
yaf
teryoga.
Me:damnyouGoogle,
imagi
neme,
thewhol
eme
Bandi
ledoi
ngyoga.
Zoey:pl
ease,
pleasedot
hisf
orme,
justt
hisone
ti
me.
Igetupandgetdr essed,theyogai nstr
uctor
arri
ves, i
twasSat urdaysoever yonewashome,
wegot othelawn, setupandst artdoingyoga,t
his
shitissoannoyi ng,It houghtitwassupposedt o
helponer elax,allthatstr
etchingr eall
ywas
annoying pl usIcoul dn'
tdomostoft hethi
ngs,
zoeyont heot herhandl ookedl i
keapr o,wewer
e
Sti
llbusy, doingyoga whenmyt woi diot
ic
brotherscomel aughi ngtheirassof f
Me:baby,
lookt
heyar
elaughi
ngatme.
Zoey:babyi
gnor
ethem ,
theyar
ejustj
eal
ous
Spha:(helaughs)am l
ovi
ngsi
ssophi
e'
smoves,
howaboutyounathi?
Me:(Ist
op)whothehel
lissi
ssophi
e?,causei
t
i
sMelani
eandzoeyonl
y.
Unat
hi:youofcourse,youbi
gdummy,yesspha
am l
ovi
ngthem ,howaboutyouamuseussome
more,sissophie
Ibegi
ntochaseaft
ert
hem ,mylegswher
einpai
n,
soIdon'
tgetthatf
ar,damnzoeyandheryoga.
Idecidetositandwat
chzoedohert hi
ng, afterwe
goandt akeashowerandwehavebr eakf ast,I
decidetogoandcheckonThandoatt hemai n
house, sheshowsmet hel
atestscan,apprently,
sheandmom namedt hebabybutshedi dn'twant
totellmethenamesyet.
[
09/
30,
10:
57] :I
nser
t30

Zoey

TodaywasWednesday andi twaslet

habo's
weddingday,onlymyfri
endcangetmar r
iedint
he
middleoftheweekandgetsawaywi t
hit,Iwas
real
lythr
il
ledf
orher,myfri
endgetstohaveher
happil
yeveraft
er,IwakeBandi
leup,wegoanddo
ourhygi nepr ocessesandt hengetdr essed,we
wer esor tofi nahur r
ysi ncewewer ealmostlate
andBandi l
ewaspar toft hegr oomsmen, weget
dressed, Imakesur e,mynai lsandmakeupwe' r
e
onpoi nt, Ideci det owearmy32i nchpeavulian
weavesi nceIhadshor thai r, Iwasl ooki
nggood,
Bandi l
ewasshout ingformet ohur ry,wef i
nallygo
downst airs, auntybel lacomes, talkaboutperfect
ti
mi ng, Ihandhert hekeys, thet imewasnow09:
05andt heweddi ngwasatt en, Bandilegoesto
wimpyandbuysussomebr eakf ast,wegett othe
l
odgewer et heweddi ngwasbei nghel d,youcoul d
feeltheexci t
ementi ntheai r, t
hepl acewasbuzzi ng
withact i
vi t
ies, afterallitwasLet habogetti
ng
mar ri
ed, Igot ot her oom sheandLaur enwer e
using, ihuggbot hmygi rls
Me:fr
iendIj
ustwantt
owishyouallt
hebestIyour
weddi
ngdayandonyourmarr
iage
Lethabo;thankyou,
nomorespeeches,
savet
hat
forlat
ercauseyouar
egoi
ngtomakemecr y.
Me:fi
neandbyt
hewayyoul
ookabsol
utel
y
st
unni
ng.
Lethabo:thankyou,nowl
et'
sgett
hisshowi
nthe
road,Idon'twantt
obelat
e.
Me:rel
axfri
endit
'syourday, youar
ethebri
det
hey
canwaitf
oryou,i
t'snotl
iketheycanstar
ta
weddi
ngwi t
houtyou.(wel augh)
Igotomyassi gnedseat, t
hebr i
dalpartywalks
downt heaisle, welookt orightandtherewas
l
ethabointhisbeaut if
ulhorseandcar r
iage, she
tr
ulylookedlikeapr i
ncess, asshebegant owal k
downt heaisle,allofmebyJohnl egendstarts
star
tsplayi
ng, Iwasl it
eral
lyintearsdamnt his
hormones, thecer emonystarts
Pastor:ladiesandgent lemanwear egathered
heretodayt ojoi
nt oget herinholl
ymat r
imony,
Lethaboandsanel e, ifthereisanyonewhohasa
reasonwhyt histwoshoul dn'tbejoi
nedt oget
her,
speaknoworf oreverhol dyourpeace(Let habo
wasl ookingatever yone, withdaretr
yanythingand
Iwillki
llyou,look, nooneobj ects)
Pastor:si
ncet
her
earenoobject
ions,wemayvery
wellconti
nue,
doyousanel
ezungutakeLet
habot
o
beyourl
awf
ull
yweddedwi
fe.
Sanel
e:ohyesido,
agai
nandagai
n.
Pastor:doyouLethabotakesanel
ezungut
obe
yourlawful
lyweddedhusband?
Let
habo:wi
thnodoubtIabsol
utel
ydo.
Pastor:nowam undert
heimpressi
ont hatyout
wo
havewr i
tt
enyourownvows, pl
easeexchange
thosevowsasyoualsoexchangeri
ngssanele
Sanale:let
hobo, myl eej oy, f
rom themomentIf irst
l
aidmyeyesonyou, ti
llthisverymoment, Iknew
youwer etheonef orme, myhear tbeat,mysmi le
keeper,asIputt hisr i
ngonyout odayi nfrontof
Godandal lt hi
swi tnesses, am notsaying
chall
engesandt roublewon' tcomei nourmar r
iage
butIpromiset owal kwithyout hr
ought hose
chall
enges(heput sar inginherf i
nger), Iloveyou
andyouonl y, Ivowbef or eGodandal lthispeopl e
tobethehusbandyoudeser veandmor eandI
promisetol ove,respectandcher ishyout il
ldeath
douspar t,againIsayIl oveyouandyouonl y
(almostever yladyi ncl
udi ngmewasi nt ears)
Past
or:Let
habot
hef
loori
snowyour
s
Lethabo:sanele:youwer ealwaysminet ohave
andIwasal waysyour stohave,Ipromisei nf
rontof
Godandal lt
hiswitnesses,tobeyoursandyour s
too,whereeveryougo, Igoasyouandit odayar e
onef l
esh,myl oveforyouknowsnoboundar i
es,
yourjoyismyjoy, yourpainismypain, Iloveyou
toinfi
nit
yandbeyond( sheplacesar i
ngonhi s
fi
nger,iwasi ntearsagaindamnt hi
shor mones)
Pastor:nowt hatyouhaveexchangedyourvows
andrings, Icansafet
lysay,
bythepowervestedin
me, inowpr onounceyouMrandMr ssanel
e
zungu, saneleyoumaynowki ssyourbri
de.
Theyki ss, t
heydot histr
aditi
onAmer i
canslaves
usedtodoasani ndicati
onofmar ri
agesincethey
weren'tallowedtogetmar ri
edofj umpingthe
broom , Lethabosaysshehasal wayswant edtodo
that,i
twascockt ai
lhour, Ihadj oi
nedthebrideand
groom andt hei
rbri
dalparty, Icouldn'
tsaynot o
myf r
iend, wegoandt akepictureseventhoughI
l
ooklikeawhal e,Bandi l
eandImanaget osneaki n
acoupl eofpr egnancyphot os.
Wegot ot herecept
ionarea,ever
yonewassaying
thei
rspeechesandwi shi
ngthenewlymar
ri
ed
coupleallthebest,i
twasnowt imeformyspeech,
Igetcal
ledandIgot othefr
ont,
Me:Iwoul dl ovet osayt hankyout oMrandMr s
zunguf orf i
ndingmewor thyofst andingi nfrontof
them andyouont hei rspecialdayt osayacoupl e
ofwor ds, myf r
iendLet habo, wehavebeen
throughal ott oget her, weexchangemanysecr ets,
butam aaf raid, Ican' tshar ewi thyouasecr ettoa
happymar riage, causei tr emai nsjustthatasecr et,
sonoonecansayf orsur etheyknow whata
secrecttoahappymar ri
agei s,somyadvi cet o
youasanewl ymar ri
edcoupl ewoul dbe, loveone
anotheruncondi tional ly, don'tlettherespectyou
havef oreachot herf adeal ongt heway, bel oyal
andbehonestwi theachot her, tr
anspar encyi s
veryimpor tantanddon' tkeepsecr etsfrom each
other,assecr etshaveawayofcommi ngout,l ast
butnotl easti namar ri
ageyouhavet olear nhowt o
compr omi se,i t
'sal laboutgi veandt ake, whenyou
getmar riedyougi veupt heIf orus, soIhast obe
behi
ndusal
lthet
ime,
thankyou.
Iwast helastonet
omakeaspeech, sowest art
partyi
ngandboydi dwepart
y,Ievenf orgot,Iwas
pregnantandwassupposedtobet akingiteasy,
Bandilewashavingthet
imeofhislif
e, hewas
drunk, Igoandtal
ktoLet
haboandLaur en
Lethabot hanksusf oreveryt hing, Ideci det ocal li
t
anight, Bandil
ewasdr unk, soIdr i
veushome,
goodt hingIcouldstil
ldrive, Bandi l
ekeptt el
lingme
howmuchhel ovedme, Ithinkt heweddi ngbutgot
tohim, wegethome, parkthecari nt hegar age,
wewer eusingthegar ageent rancesi ncet hekeys
wereatt hemai nhouse, Bandileget soutoft hecar
andher ushedtothebat hroom i nthel aundr yr oom ,
hevomi t
s, ser
veshimr i
ghtfordr i
nkingwayt oo
much, Iwast i
red,Ichangei nt omypyj amas,
Bandilecomesupst airshej usttakesof fhis
clot
hesandr emainwi thhisbvd, het hrowshi msel f
ont hebedandhewasout, Iwast iredt oosoij ust
decidet osleep.
Thenextdaysanel
e

Sanel
e

Mybeaut if
ulwi fewasst i
llsleeping,shewast ired
shame, wewer eonl yleavingf orourhoneymoon
l
aterint heday, Iwakeupanddomyhygi ne
processes, getdr essed, thiswhol eThandot hing
wasr eallybot heri
ngme, Imeanher eIam starti
ng
mymar riagewi thadar kcloudl i
ngeringoverme, I
don'twantt okeept hissecr ectfrom mywi f
e, I
couldbar elylook.Bandi l
eint heeye, it
akemy
phone, idialThando' snumberoverandoveragai n,
shecompl etelyignoredmycal l
s, Igobackint he
room andIt akemypr ivatephone, Ical
lhershe
i
medi atelganswer s
Me:Thandowhyt
hehel
lar
eyoui
gnor
ingmycal
ls
?.
Thando:sanel
emaan,youj
ustgotmar
ri
ed,f
orget
meandmyunbor nbaby.
Me:Thando, Bandi
lei
smarri
ed,Idon'
tseeyou
i
gnor
inghim andinf
actyouar
eattheRoyalhouse
now.
Thando:for
getaboutmeandmyunbor
nchi
ld,
my
babyal
readyhasafather.
Me:soyouwantt
odest
roybandi
le'
smar
ri
ageat
myexpense?
Thando:wouldyour at
herIdest
royedyour
marri
age?,forgetaboutmeandmybabyam sur
e
shewillbef
ine.
Me:soyouar
ehavi
ngagi
rl?(shehangsup)
Ihearmywi
fecal
li
ngoutmyname,
igot
oher
Me:am sor
rybabyiwasi
nani
mpor
tantphonecal
l
Let
habo:f
ine,
whydi
dntyouwakemeup?
Me:youlooked.Sobeat
ufulandpeacef
ulpl
usI
knowyouaretir
ed.
Shegoesandgetr eady,weleaveandgot othe
ai
rport,
wewer egoingtoHawai i,Iwasreal
ly
l
ookingfowar
dt othat,Iwi
lldealwit
hthi
sThando
messonceandf orallwheniretur
n.
[
09/
30,
10:
58] :I
nser
t31

Zoey

Thandowasr eadyt opopatanymi nutenow andI

wasei ghtmonthspr egnant, t
hedoct orsaidicould
givebi rt
hatanygi venmoment, i
twashi ghly
unlikelythatIwillcarrytot erm si
nce, Iwas
car r
yingtwins,t hedoct ort ol
dmet obeonbedr est
,Let haboandLaur enwer ecommi ngt ocheckon
mel at
erintheday, khanyiwasonabusi nesst r
ip
withhubby, Minnieandsi hlewer ebusywor kingat
ar elat
ive'
sfuner al,Iwassol uckyIwaspr egnant,
IknowIcoul dn'thandl ethat,Bandilewaswor ki
ng
athomehewaskeepi nganeyeonmeandThando
si
ncewecangi vebi rthatanymoment.
LaurenandLet habowerefinall
yhere,Lethabowas
glowingshame, youcouldtellsanel
ewast reati
ng
herright,Iwashappyt obewi thmygi r
ls,pit
ywe
can'tgotoacluboramal l,wesitoutsi
decat chi
ng
up, LaurenandLethabower edr i
nki
ngwi neandi t
wasjustpurewat erforme, Iwasenjoyingmysel f
shame, mygi rl
swereont heotherl
evel tr
ustme,
weareacr azybunch, mysweetinnocentLaur en
wasnol ongersoinnocentshehasaboyf r
iendhis
namei sBradly,from thesoundofthings, they
seem pret
tymuchser i
ous,Ithi
nkam hear ing
weddingbells,butwithLaurenyouneverknow,
shealwayssai dshedoesn'teverwanttoget
marri
ed.

Sanel
e

Ithasbeent hreeweeksnow, LethaboandIwer e

backf r
om ourhoneymoonandwehadnowset tl
ed
i
ni ntoournewhouse, itwasnowt imetogett othe
bottom ofthando'spregnancyonceandf oral
l,i
callherandshei gnor
esmycal l
s, Iknowshewas
attheroyalhouse, soIdr i
vethere, Iknowt hereis
achancet hatbabycouldbemi ne, Igetthere,Igo
strai
ghttothemai nhouse, thequeenwasnot
around, sowasmpumi e ,Iknowt hekingi soutof
town,soitwasjustThandoi
nthehouse,
Iknock
andsheopensthedoorforme
Thando:sanel
ewhatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:isthebabyyouar
ecarryi
ngmineornot,
be
honestf
oroncei
nyourmiserabl
eli
fe.
Thando:It
oldyou, f
orgetaboutmeandmyubor
n
babyanddaughterhasaf atheral
ready.
Me:youmustbecr azyandfor
getaboutababy
t
hatcoul
dpossi
blybemi ne,
youclear
lygotme
t
wist
ed.
Thando:sanel
ecanwepl easenotdothi
shere,
meetmeatmyapar tment,Bandil
ecan'
tfi
ndout
ther
eisachancethebabycan'tbehi
splease.
Al
lIhear
dwasabandile'
svoicesayi
ng"what?",
wedidn'
thearhi
m,comein,heclear
lyl
ooked
pi
ssed.
Thando:(shestar
tscr
ying)Bandi
lei
snotwant
youthink,pl
easel
etmeexplai
n.
Bandil
e:st
opwit
hyourfr
eaki
ngcrocodi
letear
s
andtel
lwhothef
uckcoul
dalsobeyourdaddybaby
causecl
ear
lyam nott
heonl
yonet
hatf
uckedyou.
Thando:Bandi
let
hisi
syourbabyIcanf
eeli
t.
Me:wouldyoufor
getaboutyourfuckingfeel
ings
andwhatyouwantforonceandtellt
hef r
eaki
ng
tr
uth.
Thando:wil
lyoupl
easeshutt
hef
uckup,
Bandi
l
e
pl
easeli
stentome.
Bandil
e:Thandoam donewit
hyourlyi
ngass,
sanelewhosechi
ldcoul
dthi
shoeingbit
chbe
carr
ying?(hewasclear
lypi
ssed)
Me:am soashamedt
osayt
hisbutt
hiscoul
dbe
mychi
ld
Bandi
le:what?
IhaveneverseenBandi
lesopi
ssed,
het
urnst
ome
andhestart
shitt
ingmewithfi
est
s
Bandile:(hewasbusyhi tti
ngme)andyoul etme
takecareoftheresponsi
bil
ityt
hatcouldbeyours
thiswholeti
me, Itookhertomostofherdoctor
s
appointments,mymom wasal sotaki
ngherand
youjuststoodthereandletme,Iwascheckingup
onherever
ydayman.
Me:Iwant
edt
otel
lyouman,butshesai
difit
old
you,
shewoul
dtel
lever
yoneIr
apedher.
Bandil
e:thati
snoexcuse,Ican'
tki
llhernow
becausesheispr
egnantbutIcanki
llyou
hejustconti
nueskickingme, Thandowasnow
l
it
erall
yscared,shescr eams,t
henshepeeson
her
self,bandil
eignoresher.
Thando:
(shescr
eams),
Ithi
nkt
hebabyi
s
comming.

Let
habo

Wewer ebusyhavingfunwithmyf r
iendswhenwe
hearThandoscream ,
weal lr
ushthere,tofi
ndout
whatthescreamingwasabout, wegettothemain
houseonlytofi
ndBandilehit
ti
ngsaneleand
Thandoscreaming"ithi
nkthebabyi scomming"
ThankGodsphacamehome, hesepar
atedthetwo
bul
lswhi
leLaur
en,at
tendst
oThando, zoeyjust
st
oodt
her
eshocked.
sphamandl
a:yout
woar
efr
iendswhati
sgoi
ngon?
.
Bandi
le:sphal
etmekil
lthesonofabi
tch,
doyou
knowthebabyThandoi
scarryi
ngcoul
dbehis.
Me:what?, sanel
eyoucheatedonmeandli
edto
yourfr
iend,t
hiswhol
etime,bandi
lewhatar
eyou
wait
ingfor?,ki
llt
hebast
ard.
Iwasget
ti
ngreadytostor
m out,
whenzoeysays"i
thi
nkmywaterj
ustbroke"
Ii
mmediatel
yat
tendtomyf r
iendwhowas
scr
eamingherl
ungsout, youknowmyf r
iend
bei
ngadramaqueen, sphacallsf
oranot
her
ambul
ance
Bandil
e:assoonast
hatbabyi
sbor
n,IwantaDNA
test
Sanels:Iwillt
alktoafri
endofmine,shewilldot
he
DNAt estassoonast hebabyisoutofthewomb
andgiveust heresul
timmediat
ely,soThando
doesn'tgetachancetodoherdirt
ytri
cks.
Inol ongerpai datt
entiontothem , myat tenti
onwas
onzoey, bandilewasbyhersi de, shesowant edto
kickhisass, wit
hherl eg,butshewasi nsomuch
pain, shecoul dn'titwasact uall
yf unny, t
he
paramedi cscomeandt akebot hladiestothe
hospi t
al, bandil
ewaswi thzoeyi ntheambul ance
withzoey, whil
esanel ewentwi t
hThando, while
Lauren, sphamandl aandIf ollowedwi t
hhi scar, I
justwantt hisThandobi tcht ogivebi r
thalready, so
weknowherbabydaddy, Ihopei t'
sBandi lecause
zoeyhadaccept edal r
eady, Iont heotherhand
don'tknowwhatt hismeansf ormymar riage.
[
09/
30,
10:
58] :It
oldyouguysyouwer
en'
tready

I
nser
t32

Thando

Ihadjustf
ini
shedgivingbi
rt
htoababygir
l,when
suddenlyt
hedoctortell
smether
eisanot
herbaby
commi
ng.
Me:what?,IwastoldIwasexpect
ingonl
yone
chi
ld(asiscr
eam ,Igett
heedgetopushmyother
babyout)
Theywer ecleaningthemyot herbaby, theot her
babyf inall
yarrai
ves, itwasal soababygi rl,they
takeherf oramedi calcheckup, thenursebr i
ngs
thefirsttwin,thankGodshewasanexactr eplicaof
Bandi l
e, somybabi esbel ongt oBandi l
e, Igiveher
thenamenomceboj aylar, asf orthesurname
Bandi l
ewi l
lhavet odeci de, theyhadal ready
conduct edDNAt estont hef irsttwin,Iwasn' t
wor r
iedatal l,Icouldt ell, shewasaDl ami nino
doubti nmymi ndwhat ever, Iwassor elieved, they
bringthesecondt win, iwassoshocked, she
l
ookednot hingli
ket hef irsttwi n,infactshewas
muchl i
ghter,li
kesanel e, Iaskedmysel fwhati s
goingon, fi
rstiwassupr i
sedIwashavi ngt wi ns,
nowmybabi esdon'tlookt hesame, whent hey
bringhert ome
DNAtestshadbeendoneal
ready,
Iwasst
il
l
wonder
ingwhatisgoi
ngon,whenbot
hBandil
eand
sanelewalkin, t
heyl ookatthebabiest heywereall
al
sosupr isedast owhati sgoingon, whenyou
l
ookedatmybabi es, onelookedli
keBandi l
e,the
otheronelookednot hingli
kehim, i
nf actshe
l
ookedl i
kesanele, apparentl
yzoeyhadsaf etl
y
deli
veredhertwinsl waziandkhwezi andherf ri
ends
werewi t
hher, thedoct orandthelabt echnici
an
(whoi ssanele'
sfriend)finall
ywalked, Iwasgl ad
causeIhadl otsandl otsofquesti
ons
Sanele:Luci
a(t
hel
abt
echni
cian)ar
ether
esul
ts
ready?
Luci
a:yesmanandt
heyar
eshocki
ng.
Bandi
le:t
ellus,
thesuspensei
ski
ll
ingmeal
ready.
Luci
a:her
egoesnothi
ng, bandil
ethetestconf
ir
ms
99.999%t
hefi
rstt
win,whot hemot hernamed
nomceboj
ayl
arisyourdaughter..
.
Bandi
le:sot
het
winsar
emi
ne?
Luci
a:notexcat
ly
Me:(tear
swer
enowt hreat
eni
ngmyeyes)what
doyoumeannotexact
ly,Imeant
het
estconf
ir
med
99.
999%
Lucia:wil
lyoupeopl
eletmef i
nishgi
vingyout
he
resul
ts,
soIcantakemyl eave.
Me:f
ine(Iwaspi
ssedatt
hispoi
nt.
)
Lucia:sanel
e, Idon'
tknowhowyouaregoingt
o
takethi
sbut,thesecondtestr
esul
tsconf
ir
ms99.
999%(iscr eam )
Bandi
le:wi
llyoust
opwi
thyourdr
amaandl
ether
tel
lus
Luci
a:t hankyousir,sanel
emyman,
congratul
ati
on, t
hesecondchi
ldi
syour
s,her
ear
e
thetesttoprovei
t,99.999%baba
Wewer
eal
lshocked
Me:(Iwasnowcr
yingatt
hispoi
nt)howi
sthi
s
possi
ble?.
Bandi
le:Iwantt
oknowal
socauset
hosebabi
es
ar
etwins
Sanel
esaysnot
hing,
Ithi
nkhewasst
il
linshock
Doct
or:It
hinkt
hisi
swher
eIcomei
n,Thando'
s
t
winsar
ehet
eropar
ter
nalsuper
fenducat
iont
wins.
Sanel
e:what
'st
hatsupposet
omean?
Doctor:t
hisi
sacasewher
etypi
calt
winsar
ehal
f
si
bli
ngs
Bandi
le:howist
hisevenpossi
ble?,
causet
he
babi
esaretwi
ns?
Doctor:heteroparternal(meani ngdiff
r entfat
her)
superfenducati
ont wins,thisoccurswhena
womanhasi ntercour sewithtwodiffentmeni na
shortperiodoftimewhi l
eovulati
ng, i
t'
spossi ble
forbothment oi mpr egnateherseparetly,inthis
casetwodi ff
erentsper msi mpregnatet wodi f
ferent
eggs, i
tisaver yrareandImeanver yr arecasebut
possiableasyoucansee.
Luci
aandt
hedoct
orsl
eavest
her
oom
Bandi
le:soyousl
eptwi
thsanel
eandIont
hesame
day?,wowjustwow.
Sanel
e:wesleptt
oget
herthefol
lowi
ngmor ni
ngand
i
twasami st
ake,don'
tgetmewr ongIam not
cal
li
ngmydaughteramistakecauseshei
san
i
nnocentsoul, shewasupsetcausezoeycameto
yourroom attheclub,am sorr
yforever
ythi
ng
man, Ishouldhavetoldyousoonerandyou
shouldn'thavefoundoutthewayyoudid,weare
fr
iendsguessweal sosharet
hesamebabymama.
Bandi
le:guesswear
ebot
hst
uckwi
tht
hishoe
Sphamandl
aandqueenmotherwal
kin,
Idon'
teven
knowwhotoldherIwasher
e
Sphamandl
a:sowhodoest
hebabybel
ongt
o?
Sanel
e:shehadt
winsandBandi
leandIbot
hshar
e
achil
dwit
hher.
Sphaandqueenmot
her:what?
Queenmother:bandi
lepl
easeexpl
aint
omewhat
i
sgoingon,Ithoughtt
hebabywasyours
Bandile:thi
sthingyouwant edmet omar ry,was
carryi
ngtwins, t
hemachinecoul dn'tdect
ectthe
otheronecauseshewashi dding, becausesheisa
hoe(icr y)shesleptwit
hmeandt hent hefol
lowing
mor ni
ngshesl eptwit
hmyf r
iend,shewas
ovulat
ingsowebot hi
mpr egnatedher, youknow
whatl etmegoandcheckonmywi feandmy
babies, iwil
lcomebackandcheckonmydaught er
, idonthavet i
mef ort
hisci
rcus,sanelecanpayf
or
thehospitalbil
lsinceIpai
dforeverythi
nguptoso
far(Bandileleaves,sphagoesafterhim)
Queenmother:(shesl
apsme)howcoul dyoudo
thistomyson?,youlit
tl
etr
amp(sheslapsme
againandshel
eaves,shewascl
ear
lyupsetand
pissed)
Itwasnowj ustmeandsanele, saneledecidedto
nameourdaught ersmangeleLi l
yzungu, hepays
forever
ythi
ng, hewassti
llfi
ll
ingf ormsfort hebaby
bir
thcert
ifi
cate,whenhi
swi feLet habowal ksin,
shelookedtir
edanddefeated, sanelehuggsher
Sanel
e:am sosorrybaby,Ishoul
dhavet
oldyou,
whathappenedthatmorni
ng.
Lethabo:i t
'sfine,am justhurtcauseIwant edt
o
haveyourf irstchil
d(shel ooksatme)andyou, am
notzoey, soyoubet terbeababymama, your
rel
ationshipwi thsanelebett
erbebabymama, baby
daddyonl y,i fyoutryanythingiwillshowyou
f
lames,
gott
hat?
Me:r elaxam notaft
eryourst
upidman, Ihave
enoughonmypl ateri
ghtnow, canyoupleasetake
yourhusbandwi thyouandleavemet hehellal
one.
(theyleave)
Il
ookatmybabi esandj ustcry,Godwhatamess,
mybabi esshar
et wodi ff
erentfat
her'
s,whi
ch
meansIwi l
lhavet oexplaincausetheyaretwi
ns
andtheyhavedifferentlooksandsurname, I
wonderhowIwi llprotect,mybabiesfrom t
his
mess, iwasreal
lyt i
redanddef eat
ed.

Zoey

Iwassot i
redandmybodywassor efr
om thec
secti
on, t
ot opi
tal
lIcanonl
yhaveli
quids,Iwas
l
ostinmyownt hought
swhenhubbywal ksi
nand
helookedpissed
Me:andi
sthebabyyour
s?
Bandi
le:sheal
sohadt
winsbutonl
yonebel
ongst
o
me
Me:what,
howi
sthatpossi
ble?
Bandil
e:i
tisrar
ebutpossi
ble,shehad
het
eroparter
nalsuper
fenducati
ontwins,
sheslept
wit
hmeandsanel ewhileovulat
ingsoweboth
i
mpr egnat
edher.
Me:jooh,atl
eastIknewshewasexpect
ingachi
ld
wit
hyou,mypoorf ri
endonl
yfoundoutnow,it
wasn'
tenoughshewant edt
orui
nmymar ri
age,
nowshehadr ui
nmyf ri
end'
smarri
age.
Myhear twasbr eakingf ormyf r
iend,let
habo,
saneleandsphacomeandseemybabi es,
apparentl
yQueenmot herwassoupsetshel ef
t,
vi
siti
nghour swer enowover, soeveryonej ust
l
eaves, Itakeanap,Bandi l
esayshewi llcomeand
checkonmeandt heki dsl at
er,mybabi eswer e
cuteshame, Iwatchedt hem ast heywer e
peacefull
ysleeping, Liam hadt akenmor eof
bandil
e'sgenesbuthest i
llhadcur l
yhair, whil
e
zahleewasmuchl ighterincompl ect
ionlikeme,
shealsohadcur lyhai r,hadbl ackeyeslikeBandil
e,
butmybabi eseyeswerebigbutnottoobigand
theywerekindaofcute, t
heybothhadhi snose
andearswhi chwascute.Ialsofallasl
eep,Iwas
ti
redandinpainshame, buttheyhadgivenmea
l
itt
lesomethingtoeasethepain.
[
09/
30,
10:
58] :I
nser
t33

Thando

Iwasget ti
ngdi schargedt oday,zoeywasgoi ngto
bedischargedt ommor row, Iwasreallyfeel
ing
down, dadwascommi ngt otakemehome, Iwasn't
goingtomyapar tmentcauseam goi ngtoneed
mom' shelp, Iknowhehadl otsofquestions, I
wakeupt ogot hebathr oom ,domyhygi ne
processes,lotion,wearmyni ketracksuitand
sl
eeper s,thenur sescomeandhel pmegetmy
babiesready, Ipackmybagsandwai tf
ordad, dad
fi
nallydoesar r
aive,het akesmybagst ohiscar,he
comesbackandhol dsnomcebo, whileIhold
smangel e,hedoesn' tsayawor dtomebutIcoul d
tellhewasbeyondpi ssed, wegett othecarhe
opensupt hecarwestrapt hebabiesintheircar
seat scareful
lyandmadesur ethattheyaresafe,
hedr ivesushome, wegethomemom , comesand
takesmangel e, whi
ledadtakesmybagst omy
room,it akejaylar,
thetwinswer esleeping,sowe
goandpl acethem i
ntheirforbeds, Icomebackt o
thel i
vingroom wheremom anddadwer esitt
ing,I
sitdown
Mom :canyoupl
easet
elluswher
e,weasyour
par
ent
sgotitwr
ong?
Me:mom ,youanddaddi
dnot
hingwr
ong
Mom:soyoujustwokeupanddeci dedtobecomea
hoe?,It
houghtIwasrai
singast r
ongindependent
woman,awomanwi thselfrespectanddi
gnit
y.
Dad:wealwaysgaveyouwhatyouwant,weeven
madeyouCEO ofmyot hercompany,
youhavea
l
uxuri
ousapartmentmostpeopl
ecanonl
ydream
of,sowhybesodesparateforamantoapointof
bei
ngimpregnatedbymar r
iedmen?
Me:dadIl
oveBandi
lewhol
ehear
tedl
y,sanel
e
wasj
ustami
stake(icr
y)
Mom :youar
eonl ycr
yingbecauseofthisl
it
tl
e
t
hingswesai
d, yourl
if
eisgoingtobef ul
lofso
muchdrama,youhavenotseenanyt hi
ngyet.
Smadecidestocr
y,Ihearhert
hrought
hebaby
moni
tor,
thankGod.
Mom :goandat
tendyourchi
ld
Igetupandgoandpi
cksmangel
eupandbr
east
feedher,
nomcebowasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.

Zoey

Iwasst il
latthehospi t
alandIwasget t
ing
dischargedt ommor row, t
hankGod, mybabi es
wer ewithmei nmyr oom , l
waziwasanabsol ute
angel,heonl ycriedifheneedsanappychangeor
hishungr y,otherwisehissuchasweetchi ld,
madam ont heotherhandi satotaldivaandshe
l
ikestoomuchat tenti
on, am sur
eshet akesafter
Bandile,Iwasst il
lholdi
ngkwezi, tr
yingt ogether
tosleep,
whenBandil
e, khanyi,mom ,Minni
eand
Anthonywal
kin,khanyitakeskhweziandli
kethat
shewasquietandout
Me:howdi
dyoudot
hat?
Khanyi:youst
il
lhaveal
ott
olear
nchi
ld.
Mom :congr
atul
ationsbaby,Ican'
tbeli
evemy
babyhastwobabiesam sogoingtospoilt
hem
Ant
hony:congr
atsdumbhead(hehuggsme)
Mybabi eswer eget ti
ngtoomuchat tenti
on,yoohi t
wasliket heyf orgotaboutme, t
heystayforabout
thi
rt
ymi nutesandt heyalll
eave.Mybabi eswere
nowsl eeping, Iwasnowbor ed,Ij
ustgot hr
ough
magazi ne's,justwhenIwasaboutt of al
lasleep
l
wazicr ies, damn, Icheckhisnappy, i
twasf ul
l,I
changet henappy, Ist r
uggledatfi
rstbutI
event
ual lygoti tri
ght

Thenextday

Bandi
le
Mywi f
ewascommi nghomet oday, Iwasr eal
ly
exci t
edcausemybabi eswer ecommi nghome, I
wakeupandgetr eady, Igot othemai nhouse, I
havebr eakfastwithmpumi emom deci dedt osleep
i
nt oday, dadwasonl ycommi ngbackl aterint he
day, mysi sterandIcat chup, Ileavegot omy
house, thenannywasal r
eadywai t
ingf orme, I
opent hedoorandl etherin, wear egoi ngt oneed
herf orthreemont hst ops, Ishowher, herr oom
andIdr iveofftothehospi tal,zoeywasal lpacked
andr eadyt oleave, Itakeherbagst ot hecar, she
holdskhwezi, whileIhol dlwazi, wegett ot hecar,
strapt hem intotheircarseat, wedr ivehome, when
wegethome, l
waziwassl eeping, kweziwasj ust
crying, wegot othehouse, Itakelwazi t
ot he
nur sery, whilezoeybr eastf eedskhwezi , khwezi
fi
nal l
ysl eeps, zoeywast ir
ed, soshegoest oour
room andsl eep.
Ideci
detocallsanel
e,sowecansor toutt
his
wholeThandomess, Igoandpicksaneleupfrom
hi
shouse, wedrivet
othekhuzwayohouse, damn
securi
tyissoti
ghtinthissideoftown,weuset he
i
ntercom ,t
henopenupf orus,wegetint
ot heyard
andwepar kthecarandweknockont hefrontdoor,
Thando'smom openst hedoorforus,sheushersus
i
ntothelivi
ngroom ,wesi tandwaitf
orThando's
fat
her,hefinal
lycomesdownst ai
rs
Mrkhuzwayo:gent
lemanhowcanIhel
pyou?
Sanel
e:wecamet
osor
toutt
hiswhol
ebabi
esi
ssue
Mrkhuzwayo:what'
stheretosortout, weboth
knowThandohadtwinsandeachbabybel ongsto
thebot
hofyou,whichremindsme, sanel
eIwantR
50000fordamages,it
'sonl
yfairthatyoupayt hat
amountsi
nceBandil
epaidthatamount.
Sanel
e:whopaysR50000fordamages?,why
can'
tIgi
veBandi
leR25000causeR100000i
stoo
muchfordamages.
Mrkhuzwayo:IwantR50000si
ncenoneofyoui
s
wi
ll
ingtomarr
ymydaughter.
Me:sanele,pl
easej
ustpaythedamnmoney,we
havealottodi
scuss,r
athert
hanbeurgui
ngabout
amissl
eyR50000(sanel et
ransf
erst
hemoney
i
ntohi
sbankacoount)
Me:nowt hatsanelehaspaidf orhi
shalf,
wewant
schedulessoast owhenandhowwecanseet he
babiesandhowt hebabiesceremonieswillbedone
,Idon'tknowaboutsanel e,butnomcebo's
ceremonywi llbedonenextweekt uesdaywith
khweziandl wazi'scer
emony.
Sanel
e:Iwillt
alkt
omyparentsaboutt
hatbutam
hopi
ngfornextweeksat
urday
Me:Iguessthati
sfinewi
thme, nowlet
'stal
k
abouthowtoseethebabi
es,Iwashopingforever
y
sat
urdayandbri
ngherbackSundayevening.
Thandowal
ksi
n
Thando:pi gswil
lhavetofl
yfir
stbef
oret
hat
happens, youcancomeandseeyourdaught eron
Saturday'
sonly,shei snotgoi
ngtoyourhouse,I
won'tlett
hatslayqueenyoucallawi
fenearmy
chi
ld, never.
Me:pleasedon'
tinsul
tmywi f
einmypr esence,
youwantmet odri
vehereeverysat
urdayf i
ne,I
wil
lbutoncej
aylari
sayearoldwehavet orevisi
t
t
hiswhol
eagr
eement
Thando:am f
inewi
tht
hat(shetur
nstosanel
e)
andyou,youcancomeyouandyourwi
fecan
comeandseeSmaonFr i
days.
Sanel
e:f
ine.
SaneleandIgetupandl eave,Igethome, Ifindthe
nannybusygi vi
nglwaziabath,zoeywasbr east
feedi
ngkhwezi, Igoandtakeashower, come
downstair
s, khanyibr
ingsussomef ood, Idish
upandeat, Ithengotomyst udyanddosome
work.
[
09/
30,
10:
58] :I
nser
t34

Queen/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

TodaywasFr i
day,
whichmeantthati
twast heday
befor
et hewelcomingcer
emonyofBandi l
e's
chi
ldren,Ihavenotmetkhweziandlwaziyet,Iwil
l
meett hem att
hewelcomi
ngceremony, my
husbandwasbackandhewashavi ngabondi ng
secessi onwi thhi sson' s, Iwasst i
llangr yand
pissedaboutt hiswhol eThandoi ssue, howcoul d
thatungr eat full i
ttl
ewi tchdot histomyson?,
afterever ythingIhavedonef orher,Godwhatsor t
ofanembr assmenti st his?, IthoughtThandowas
aper fectgi rlformysonbutcl earlyIwaswr ong,
sincet hegi rlcan' tkeepherl egscl osed, thatone
woul devenopenherl egsf oramonkey, theonl y
thingt hatiskeepi ngThandoi nourl i
vesr i
ghtnowi s
nomcebo, mygr andbaby, angoi ngt omakesur ei
spoi lthatone, eveni fthemot herandIar enot
gettingal ong, betweenzoeyandThandomyson
sur eknowshowt opickt hem , Istilldontl i
ket hat
spoi ledbr att heycal lzoeyandIdon' tthinkIever
will, Iwasst i
lllostinmyownt hought swhen
mpumi ecomei ntomyr oom , Iwasf inishingput ting
onmymakeup, Iaskherwhati sshewant s, she
saysherf atherhascal l
edf ormeandal lhis
childr enandhi sdaught erinl awsf oraf amily
meet ingdownst airs, Ihurryupandwebot hgo
downst ai
rs, wef i
ndever yonei nthel ivingr oom
Me:am sor
ryt
okeepyoual
lwai
ti
ng.
Husband:it'
sfi
ne,Ij
ustwantedt
otellyouallt
hat
therewil
lbeanewroyalbr
idecommingt ot
he
palacenextweek.
Sihl
e:sphai
snotgetti
ngmar r
iedagai
nishe?,
causethi
sti
meIwillki
llhi
m andmakesureif
eed
hisbodytot
hevul
tures.
King/husband:r
elaxsi
hlesi
phamandl
aisnot
gett
ingmarri
ed,i
nfactnoneofmyson'
sareget
ti
ng
married
Me:ifourson'
sar
ebot hnotgett
ingmar
ri
ed,then
whoistheNewbri
def or?,no,nomphendul
oyou
can'
tdothi
stome, youcan't.
King/husband:youal waysknewam f
rom aroyal
familyandthepossi
bili
tyofmetaki
nganother
wifewast her
e,hernamei snomat
hembaandshe
i
spr egnantformealready
Unathiandsi
phamandl aj
ustkeptqui
etIt
hinkt
hey
werebothsti
llshocked
Bandi
le:dadt hi
sisabsol
utebullshi
t,youcan'tdo
thi
stomom , keepyournomathembawher eever
shecamef r
om , ot
her
wisethi
shousewi l
lnot
cont
ainthebot
hofus,
youcan'
tdot
hist
omom
andexpectust
obequi
et.
King/husband:keepyourdamnmout hshutand
watchyourwordswhenyout al
ktomeson,I
broughtyoui
ntothi
sworldandIcaneasi
lyt
akeyou
out.
Nompumelel
o:sincet
odayi
stheday,weare
ai
ryi
ngourdi
rtyl
aundr
ytodr
y, Imi
ghtaswel
l
comeout.
Me:andwhatsecr
ectdoyouhave?
Mpumie:wel
lfami
ly,
fri
endsandcol
leaguesam a
l
esbi
anandIhaveagir
lf
ri
endhernamei sTri
na,I
l
oveherandnoonewil
lstopmefr
om beingwit
h
her.
EveryoneandImeanever yoneinther oom was
shocked,thisexpl
ainsalotherdissaperi
ngacts,
herbeinggrumpyallthet
ime, cl
earlywhenitrai
ns
i
tpoursinthisfamil
y
Me:i sther
eanyoneel
sethati
salsokeepinga
secrect?,Imeanwehaveagirl
fr
iend,soont obe
wifeandababyonway, wehaveal esbi
an, we
haveoneofthetwinsasourgr andbaby, whatel
se,
Iwasnowbeyondpi ssed,Igetupandgot omy
room ,
lockmyselfinmyr oom andjustcr
y, my
son'
skeptknocki
ngonmydoorIj usti
gnorethem
andtheyevent
uallygoaway.

Bandi
le

Whatt hehellisgoingon,i nthisfamily,Idon't

understand,dadofal lpeoplewant st
obr i
ngi na
secondwi fe,mybabysi si ssetupi nanar ranged
mar ri
agebutshei snowi ntowomen, Iwas
seri
ouslypissed.Igot omycl ub, gotomyof fi
ce
andgetabot t
leofwhiskey, ijustkeptondr i
nking
anddr i
nking,IcouldfeelnowIwasget ti
ngdr unk,I
got othebaror dersomet equil
ashot saf t
ershot s,
Itwasnowt enpm , Iwascl earl
youtofi t,Igoand
unlockmyr oom , manIhavenotbeenher efora
while,Ilockthedoorandl ikethatiwasout.

Thenextmor
ning
Iwokeupwi thabangi ngheadache, Itakemy
phonel ookatt het imei twasf i
veam, Ihadf i
fteen
missedcal lsfrom zoey, Idecidedt odealwi thher
whenIgethome, Iwasnoti nt hemoodf orbei ng
shout edat, Iwearmygym cl ot hesandgof oraj og
,comebackt omyr oom andt akeashower, wear
cl
othest hatIhavei nt hecl oset, Itakemyphone, I
l
ockmyr oom andgi vet hekeyst ot hecleaningl ady
,Idr ivehome, Ipar kmycarnextt othemai nhouse
,Ifindsphamandl aanddadt alking, Igreetspha
andIkeeponwal king, dadt ri
est ot alktomeIj ust
i
gnor ehi m ,IgoandcheckonMom , shewasst il
l
l
ockedupi nherr oom , Ihavebr eakf astwith
mpumi e, Iassur edherIwasf i
newi thherbei nga
l
esbi an, asl ongasshei shappyam happy, zoey
call
sagai n, Ifi
nishupmybr eakf astandigot omy
house, thenannywasbusygi vingl waziabat h, I
greether, khweziandzoeywer esl eepinginourbed
Igent
lyshakezoeyup
Me:zoeandwhyi
sthi
sli
tt
leonesl
eepi
ngonour
bed?
Zoey:youback?, Iwaswor
ri
edaboutyou,
khwezi
keptmeupal lni
ghtIdi
dn'
tsl
eepatal
l.
Me:youhavet
ogetupandgetr
eadywehavea
cer
emonyatar
oundel
evenr
emember?
Zoey:whatt
imei
sit?
Me:i
t'
shal
fpastei
ght.
Zoey:butIj
ustwentt
obedanhourago.
Me:youhavet ogetupandgetreadytheel
der
s
andThandowi
llbehereanyminutefr
om now.
Sheget supandgetr eady,wet akethebabi esto
wher ethecer emonywi l
lbeheld, everyonewas
thereincludingmom , shekeptonpr etendingasi f
everythi
ngwasf i
ne,theroyalinyangadoest he
ceremonyf oral lt
hreebabies, everyt
hinggoes
perfectl
yf ine, wehavel unch,Thandoandher
parentsleave, sodoeszoey'spar entsandher
brother,wegot oourhouse, zoeywascl ear l
ytir
ed,
shegoesst raighttobed, khweziandl wazi were
alsoasleep, soIgot omyst udyanddosomewor k
whileIdrinksomewhi skey,IknowIwi llhaveal ot
ofexplainingt odot omorrow oncezoeyr egainsher
st
rengt
h.
[
09/
30,
10:
59] :I
nser
t35

Zoey

TodaywasTuesday, Iwassogl adwedi dt he

wel comingcer emonyf orthet winsonaSat urday
i
nst eadoftodayl i
keBandi l
ehadsuggest ed, Iwoke
upear lybecausel wazidecidedt owakeupear ly
today, mydr amaqueenwasst i
llpeacefull
y
sleeping,Igoandt akelwazif r
om t henurser yand
bringhimt oourr oom ,Ibreastf eedhim, theni
wakeBandi leup, sohecanchangel wazi'
snappy,
mant henurse'satthehospi talmadet hi
sseem so
easy, Bandilechangest henappy, hehandsl wazi
backt omeandhesl eptagain, l
wazi eventual l
y
sleepsagain,Il ookatt hetimeandi twassi xam ,I
wakeBandi leup, wegoandt akeashower(an
i
nnocentshower), weloti
onandgetdr essed, we
godownst airs,wef i
ndkhweziwi t
hthenannywho
wasbusygi vingherabat h, Bandi l
egoest owor k,
hewi l
lbebackear lytoday, aswear egoi ngt omeet
thenewr oyalbr idetonight, Iwasbusyhavi ng
breakfast, whenkhanyiandMi nniedeci detopopi n
, t
hetwi nswer esleepingint heircampcoti nthe
l
ivingroom , Iorganiseacoupl eofsnacksf or
myselfandt hel adies,wesi tint hel i
vingr oom ,we
decidetowat chamovi eTylerPer ry'sIcandobad
allbymysel f, wewer ehavingsnacks, Iwas
drinki
ngj uicet hankstot hejoyofbei ngamot her,
butIlovemyt wi
nsandIwoul dn'ttradet hem f or
anything, Mi nnieandkhanyiwer ehavi ngwi ne
Khanyi:somadam ,
pleasedot
ellwhoi
sThando'
s
secondbabydaddy?
Me:youandgossip,anyway, l
etmespillt
hetea,
bandi
le'
sfr
iendsanel
eishersecondbabydaddy.
Minnie:soThandosleptwi
thtwobestf
ri
endswhile
ovulat
ingandtheybothimpregnat
edher,getout
oftown.
Me:no,am notgoinganywher
e,am her
eandher
e
t
ostayandspil
ltheteadar
li
ng.
Khanyi:sovel
e,vel
eyouandLet
haboar
est
uck
wi
thbabymamaf
rom hel
l? .
Me:am af
rai
dso.
Khanyi:si
nceyoucan'
tdri
nkt
othat,
Minni
eandI
wil
ldri
nktothatt
othat.
MeandMi
nni
e:Ament
othat.
Wehangoutunt ilfi
vepm , noneofthem was
cookingt onightsowehadmor ethanenought ime
torelax, witht henannyhel pingmewi thkweziand
l
waziwehadabal l,theyGoandgetr eady,myki ds
willbeatourhouse, wit
hournanny, auntybella
willbebabysi tti
ngt herestofthekids,Igoup
stair
sandgetr eady, bandilecomeshomeandhe
takesashower, heloti
onsandgetdr essedhe
reall
ydi dn'twantt ogo, Ihadt ofor
cehi m,wewer e
doneget t
ingr eady, Ipumpsomebr eastmil
kf ormy
babies, thissh* *tispainful,Ipl
acethemi l
kint he
fri
dgeandwewer eoutthedoor, bandil
ekept
threateningt ogobackaswewer emaki ngourway
tothemai nhouse, aft
ermuchpl eadingand
bergingwef inall
ymadei tt omainhouse.
Thando

Queenmot herissti
llpissedatmeandIhavet o
fi
ndawayt ogetbacki ntohergoodbooks, am glad
thecer emonywentwel landtheancest ors
acceptednomcebo,t ommor r
owIhavet ogot o
sanele'shouse, smangel e'sceremonywi l
lbedone
there,ir eallywishididnthavet odealwi ththe
zunguf ami l
y, t
heyaresobor i
ngandannoyi ngand
thatLet habochi ck,shei ssomet hingelse, areal
defini
tionofahoodr at, whydi dIhavet of al
l
pregnantbyt woseparat eman?, mylif
ei sreall
y
compl i
cat edatt hi
spoi ntandIj ustcan'tdealwi t
h
allofthisshi t,Iwasst i
lllosti
nmyownt hought s
when, mom br i
ngacr yingnomcebo, mypoorbaby
neededanappychange, Igoandchangehernappy
, t
henIf eedhersomemi lk,Idon'thaveenough
mi l
ktobr eastfeed,soIguessi t'
sstoreboughtmi l
k
formybabi es,nomcebof i
nal
lysleeps, Idecideto
callsi
hl eandf i
ndoutwhati sgoingon
Si
hle:gi
rl,
whatr
ockhaveyoubeenhi
dingunder?
Me:gi
rl,mygi
rl
sar
ekeepi
ngmebusy,
soam
st
uckathomeonmommyduty.
Sihl
e:ouch, Ial
sohear
daboutt
hewhol
eDNA
saga,am sor
ry.
Me:it'
sokaygir
liwi
llevent
ual
lybounceback,
I
wi
llbef
inetr
ustme.
Si
hle:It
rustyougi
rl.
Me:sowhatar
eyouguysupt
oatt
her
oyalhouse?
Sihle:gi
rlt
hedramainthi
shouse,j
ooh,weare
goingtobeint
roducedtothenewqueen,
theki
ng
i
st aki
ngasecondwi f
e.
Me:what?,
it'
sal
ie.
Sihle:Iwishitwasandi
t'
snotevent
hehalfofi
t,
apparentl
ympumi ei
salesbi
anandshehasa
gi
rlf
riendhernameisTri
na.
Me:what,wishIwasthereforthi
swhol
edrama,
butQueenmotheri
sstil
lpissedatme,Idomiss
youandqueenmotherandhowi soursl
ayqueen
doi
ng?
Si
hle:shei
sfi
ne,
Ionl
ysawhert
wins,att
he
cer
emony,
theyseem cut
ethough.
Me:ofcour
set
heyar
ecut
e,haveyoumetBandi
le?
.
Si
hle:Thandomaan,Ican'
tlookatBandi
lei
nthat
manneram marr
iedt
ohishunkofabr ot
her.
Me:Iact
ual
lyf
orgotyouar
emar
ri
edt
othebr
other
.
Sihl
e:li
stenbabe,Ihavet
ogo,It
hinkhubbyand
khanyiaredone,sowehavetogotothemain
house, bye.
Me:byegi
rl(ihangup)
Iwasl i
ter
all
yboredatt
hist
ime,mom wasbusy
taki
ngcareofsma, nomcebowassl
eepi
ngsoI
decidetotakeanap,si
ncether
ewasnothi
ngtodo
.

Queen/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Sothekingwasgoi
ngaheadwit
hhi
splantomarry
hi
smi st
ress,
overmydeadbodywi
llIl
etanot
her
woman, comeandr eapt herewar dsofmyhar d
wor k, Iwi l
lshowt hisbi tchjusthowhear tlessIcan
beandIknowt heper fectper sontohel p, Iknowmy
girlThandowi lldoabsol utel
yanyt hingt ogeti nto
mygoodbooksagai n, IknowwhatIhavei n-stor
e
forthismansnat chinghoe, Igotomyr oom and
takeashower, lotionandgetdr essed, Iputonmy
Bobbl ondweave, wearmybl ackandwhi tejump
suitandpeept oebl ackheel s, makesur emymake
upwasonpoi nt, Iwi llnotgivet hatbi t
cht he
satisficationofshowi ngherj usthowmucham
hear tbr oken, Ithengodownst ai
rsandever yoneof
myki dswast her e, sower emydaught ersi nlaw, I
greett hem andhugmybabi es, wesi tdownand
wai tfort hekingandhi shoet oarraive, fi
nal l
yaf t
er
aboutt hirt
ymi nut eslat ertheyf i
nallydeci det o
graceuswi t
ht heirpr esence.
Ilookatt
hewomanhehadbr oughtwit
hhim,she
washeavil
ypregnant,shewast hi
ckandshort,
butshewasbeautif
ul,i
nfectmorethanbeaut
if
ul,
thekingi
ntr
oducesnomathembat ous, wesi
tand
haveasil
entdi
nner,itwasreal
lyawkward,ihad
somanyt hought sinmyhead, Ifir
stwant edto
choket heli
vingdayl i
ghtsoutofher, thenIwanted
togutherl i
keaf i
sh, Idecidedt ogetholdofmy
emot i
onsandbehave, shekeptr ubbingherbell
y,
thebitchwasr ubbingittomyf acethatshei s
pregnantformyhusband, Icalm downandmakea
ment alnotetomysel ft
ocal lThando, t
hisbit
chhas
gottogo, shecl earlyhasnocl uewhoshei s
deali
ngwi th,iwi l
lfightwiththel astdropofmy
blood, t
opr otectwhatbel ongst omeandmy
babies,Iwouldevenki l
lt oprotectwhat '
smi ne,we
werebusyhavi ngdesser t,whenIexcusemysel f
Husband/ki
ng:honeyar
eyousur
e,youar
efi
ne?
Nomat
hemba:am sur
eshei
sfi
ne,
shej
usthada
l
ongdaybaby.
Me:tri
ckain'
tnobobytalki
ngtoyou,soshutyour
mouthandt akeyouropnionandshovei
twherethe
sundoesn'
tshine.
Nomat
hemba:t
ri
ck?
Husband/ki
ng:nomcebopl
easebeni
ce.
Ideci
det
oignor
emyhusbandandgoandl
ock
mysel
finmyr oom ,myboyscomeandknockon
mydoor,Iignorethem ,
Iwasangr ybef
orebutnow
am pi
ssed,am goingtoshowt hoset
wot hetrue
meaningofhellhathnofuryl
ikeascorned, t
he
bi
tchbett
erbereadycauseam commi ngf orher.
[
09/
30,
11:
00] :I
nser
t36

Zoey

Itwasaweekl atersincewemett henew r oyal

bride,shewasnowof fici
all
yaDl ami ni,shewas
aboutsi xorsomont hspregnant,t het wi
nswer ea
mont hol dtoday, thankGodf ort
henannyIhave,
shei sreallyhelpful,alt
houghshehast womont hs
l
ef t,Bandile,sphamandl a,unathiandt heki nghad
goneonameet i
ngwi t
heldersandot herki ngs,
mpumiam sur eshewentt oseehergi r
lfr
iend, si
hle
, Minnieandkhanyihadgoneshoppi ngandwer e
alsogoi ngt oaspa, Iwasbusywat chingt vsince
mybabi eswer esleeping, soitwasj ustme,queen
mot her, queennomaandt henanny, mynannywas
takingashower,whenIhearnoi
seout
side,Igot
o
findoutwhatisgoi
ngon,Ifi
ndqueennomaand
queenmot hergoi
ngati
t
Queenmother:am queennomceboDlami
ni,t
he
onl
ytruequeenoft
hiski
ngdom ,
whothehel
ldo
youthi
nkyouare?
Queennoma:(shewasgi vi
ngthequeenar unfor
hermoney)wel lyouclearl
yhavenotmet
nomat hembaDlamini,gir
liwil
ldragyourass
pregnantandall(thequeenwast ryi
ngtohither
backbutnomawasnothavi ngnoneofit,Iwas
scaredforhersi
nceshei spregnant)
Me:st
opi
tyout
wo,
please
Li
ketheywer eli
steni
ngt ome, t
hequeenwasnow
hi
tt
ingnomawi t
hf i
ests,Iwasscar ed, Ili
terall
y
di
dn'tknowwhatt odo,t heywer eout sideinal awn,
j
ustgreattheonet i
met hekingtakeshi sson' sand
al
lfourgaurdswithhim, thisshithappens, I
not
icedahosepi pe,Isuddenl yhadt hishugegr in
onmyf ace,theywer esti
llbusygoingati t,noma
wasnowl i
teral
lyhitti
ngqueenmot her, Igot othe
t
apandquickl
yopenthetapandsprayt
hem with
t
hewaterusi
ngahosepipe,t
heshockontheir
f
aces,
theyclear
lywer
en'
texpect
ing,whatIdi
d
Me:maybethewaterwil
lcool,bot
hofyoudown,
si
nceyouareact
ingl
iketwoteenagegi
rl
sfi
ghti
ng
overasi
ll
yboy.
Ileavet
hem t
hereshockedastheywere,Igoback
tomyhouse, kweziwasawake,Iaskthenannyto
feedhersomemi l
kIhadpumpedealierandal
so
changehernappy,Ithensi
tandwatchtv.

Queenmot
her/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Iwasbusymi ndi
ngmyownbusi ness,whent hi
s
nomathembawi tch,comesintomyki t
chen,not
herki
tchenbutmykitchen,shetell
smet ostop
cooki
ngf ormyhusband,causeshewant edtocook
,Itel
lhertogetoutofmyki t
chensincethi
sisn't
herhouse
Noma:butam al
somar
ri
edt
otheki
ngandt
hisi
s
al
sohi
shouse,
whi
chmakesi
tmyhouseal
so.
Me:t helastt
imeIchecked,thenamesont he
deedofthishousewerenomceboandmphendul o
Dlamini,
soIsuggest, youaskyoursocalledking
tobuyyouahousewi thyournameoni t,
rightnowI
don'
tseeyournameanywher eonthedeed, now
getoutofmykitchen
Noma:pushmeout
Igrabherhandandpul
lheroutt
othel
awnt
hrough
thebackdoor
(assoonaswear
eoutsi
de,
shegi
vesmeahuge
sl
ap)
Noma:girlIwi
llki
llyou,
whatareyoudoi
ngput
ti
ng
onyourf
il
thyhandsonmel i
kethat.
Me:bi
tchdi
dyouj
usthi
tme?
Noma:Icer
tai
nlydi
d.
Webegintogetphysi
cal,zoeycomesandseparat
e
ususingahosepipe,wewer ebot
hshocked,Iget
i
ntothehousechangeint
opyjamsandsl eep,I
real
lydi
dn'
tcar
ewhathappenswhent heking
comesback.
Iwasstil
lsl
eepi
ngwhenIhearmyhusbandcalli
ng
outmyname, Iopenmydoorandgotothel
ivi
ng
room t
hebit
chwasbusycryi
ngtakecr
ocodi
letear
s
Husband:nomcebo,whatdoyouthi
nkyouar
e
doi
ngputt
ingyourhandsonmypregnantwi
fe?
Me:wellshecl
ear
lyknewwhatshewasdoing,
causeshepl
acedherfi
lt
hyhandsonmefir
st.
Noma:seebabyshehat
esmeandourunbor
nchi
ld
.
Husband:ifyoudaredoanythi
ngt onomaagain,I
wil
lshowyout hatt
hishousewil
lnotbeenought
o
cont
ainthetwoofus.
Me:whatever(ir
aisemymi
ddl
efi
ngerandgot
o
myroom )
Clearlythisbit
cht hi
nkssheisshowingmef lames,
iwilldealwi t
hherinacruelmanner,letherdel
iver
thatbast ardsheiscarr
yingfi
rst,
Iswearonmy
mot her'sgrave,shewil
lnotgettorai
sethatbaby,
shet hinksthedevili
sevilandsheisscaredofthe
devi
l,Iwil
ldealwit
hheri
namannert
hedevi
lhi
m
sel
fwillbeshocked.
Iwasbusythi
nki
ngonhowIwi llcar
ryoutmyplan,
whenmysonBandi l
ecomesandknockonmydoor,
Iopent
hedoorforhim causeIknowzoeyhastold
hi
m whattr
anspi
redint heaft
ernoonbetweenme
andnoma
Bandi
le:(hehuggsme)maareyoufi
ne?,zoey
tol
dmewhathappenedintheaf
ter
noon.
Me:yesam f
ineson,i
t'
snot
hingIcan'
thandl
e,am
at
ougholdbi
rd,sodontworr
yaboutme.
Bandi
le:maar
eyousur
e,youar
efi
ne?
Me:sonam f
ine,
nowgoandcheckonzoeyand
t
hetwins,
Ihavet
hingst
odo.
Bandi
le:asl
ongasyouar
efi
ne,
am okay.
Bandi
leleavesmyroom ,
Ilockmydooragai
nandI
di
alThando'snumber,
am bri
ngi
ngoutthebig
gunsfort
hisone
Thando:queenmot
her,
whatasur
pri
set
ohear
fr
om you.
Me:apl
easantoneIhope.
Thando:yesofcour
se.
Me:good,
causeIneedyourhel
p.
Thando:whatki
ndofhel
pqueenmot
her?
.
Me:am sur
eyouhavehear
dbynow,
theki
nghas
anewwi
fe.
Thando:yesandam sor
ryaboutt
hat.
Me:don'tworr
yyourpret
tyl
it
tl
eheadaboutthat,
thesocall
edNewqueenisnother
etost
ay, noti
fI
playmycardsri
ght.
Thando:sowhatdoyouhavei
nmi
nd?
Me:meetmetommorrowforcof
feeatSt
arbucks
andt
henwecanbrai
nstor
mt her
e
Me:okayam game,am sur
emymom won'
tmi
nd
babysi
tt
ingt
hetwi
ns
Me:ifyouhel
pme,
youwi
llsur
elygetbacki
ntomy
goodbooks.
Thando:am sur
eicanhel
pyou.
Me:goodandt
hisstaysbet
weenus,ifyoudar
e
betr
ayme,Iwi
llmakesureyoudontl
ivet
otel
lthe
tal
e.
Thando:Iwoul
dn'
tdar
edr
eam ofbet
rayi
ngyou
queenmother.
Me:good,
seeyout
ommor
row.
Thando:i
t'
sadat
e (ihangup)
Igodownst
air
sandf
indthetwol
ovebi
rds
cuddl
i
ngonacouch,theyj
umpupassoonast
hey
seeme
Me:don'tmindt
hissi
ll
yol
dwi
tch,
cont
inuewi
th
yourcuddl
ing
Husband:honeypl
ease,
am sor
ryabouteal
ier
Me:itsokayl
ove,youar
eamani
nloveandI
per
fectl
yunder
stand
Igoi ntothekit
chenandmakemysel fsomef ood,I
don'ttouchwhatnomat hembacooked, Imakea
greensal adformysel
fandIwarm piecesofl ef
t
overchi ckenIhadinthefr
idge,
Igot omyr oom ,
thewaymyhusbandl ookedatme, Icouldtel
lhe
f
eltgui
lt
y.
[
09/
30,
11:
00] :I
nser
t37

Thando

Iwakeupear l
y, Iwasmeet i
ngthequeenatni neat
Starbucks, soihadt omakesur emybabi esar e
readyf orthedayandt hattheyarewel lfed, Iwake
nomceboupf i
rstandIgi veher, herbath, theni
givehert hebottl
e, sheevent ual
lyf all
sasleep
again, Iwakesmaup, Ireal
lywishidi dnt,she
wasscr eamingherl ungsout, Igiveher, herbath
andt henigiveherabot tl
easwel l,sheevent ual
ly
calmsdownandsl eep,Igoandt akeashower ,I
getdr essed, Igoandaskmom t ol ookafterthe
twins.
Mom :andwher
ear
eyouof
fto?
Me:am goi
ngt omeetupwi
thaf
ri
endofmi
nef
or
cof
feeatSt
arbucks
Mom :doest
hisf
ri
endofyour
shaveaname?
Me:it'
snooneyoushouldwor
ryaboutmaand
r
elaxam notupt
oanythi
ng.
Mom :f
ine.
Iwasoutthedoor,Igetintomycaranddr iveto
Star
bucks,i
twasnow08: 59, Igett
here,Isee
queenmother
'scarandIgot oher,shehuggsme
andwegetintotheresturant,weordercoffeeand
wesitdown
Me:somyqueenwhatdoyouhavei
nmi
ndf
or
queennoma.
Queenmother:don'
tcallt
hatshor
tthi
ngaqueen,
sheisnotwor
thyofbeingcall
edaqueen,therei
s
onl
yonequeenandonl yonequeenandthatis
nomceboDlamini.
Me:am sorr
y, queenmot
her,
soyouwanthert
o
haveamiscarr
iage?
Queenmother:don'
twor
ryaboutthat,
Iwantyou
t
ogetyourhandsonthedrugcal
ledL. S.
Dforme.
Me:whati
sthat?
Queenmot
her:l
yser
gicaci
ddi
ethyl
oni
de,
iti
sa
drugthathasef f
ectssuchashal l
usi
nati
ons,in
abil
it
ytothinkclearl
y,synesthesi
aandotherissues
,Iwantt odrivethatbi
tchinsane,bytheti
meam
donewi t
hher, shewon'tevenknowwhathi ther.
Me:andqueenmot
herhowdoyouknowt
hisdr
ug?
.
Queenmother:t
hisol
dbirdhasbeenar
oundt
he
bl
ock,Iwasasocialwor
kerremember?
Idon'tcar
ehowyoudoi
t,j
ustgetyourhandson
thatdrugforme.
Me:andwhatdoIgeti
nret
urn?.
Queenmother:keepyourendofthedealf
ir
stand
am sur
eicanfindawayt orepay
you.
Me:f
ine,
Iwi
llseewhatIcando.
Queenmot
her:t
hankyou,
IknewIcoul
dcounton
you
Heari
ngqueenmothersayt
hat,real
lymademe
smil
e, sheki
ssesMeonthecheekandshewasout
thedoor.
ItakemyphoneandIcal lt
hatf
ri
endofmi newho
i
sanur se, It
ellhert
omeetmeatSt
arbucks, she
wasappar entl
ynearby,
sheget
sin,weor der
coffeeagain
Myfr
iend:Iknowyoujustdon'
tcal
lmeoutoft
he
bl
ue,spi
lli
tout,
whatdoyouwant?
Me:okay,okayf
ineIneedyout
ohel
pmegetmy
handsonL.
S.D
Myf
ri
end:(shespi
tsouthercof
fee)what?
Me:l
yser
gicaci
ddi
ethyl
oni
de
Myfri
end:IknowwhatL.S.D i
s, Thandothati
s
aver
ydangerousdr
ugandver
yhardtogetholdof,
i
tcanmakeyougocr azy.
Me:IknowwhatIwant,wi
llyougeti
tformeor
not
.
Myf
ri
end:i
t'
sgoi
ngt
ocostyou,
R100000.
Me:moneyi
snoobj ect,
inf
actIwi
llmakei
tR200
000andiwi
llpayyoucash.
Myf
ri
end:ar
eyouser
ious?
Me:am deadser
ious.
Myf
ri
end:t
henwehaveadeal,
Iwi
llgeti
tforyou
t
ommorr
ow mor
ning.
Me:goodgi
rl
Wegetupandl
eave, Idr
ivest
rai
ghthome, Imiss
mybabi
esshame, Ical
lmyaccountantandtel
lher
t
ogetR200000readyforme.

Queenmot
her.

Iwasdr ivingandonmywayhome, whenIgetan

i
dea, Thandowasont osomet hing,am goi ngto
maket hatbi tchhaveami scarrageandmakei tl
ook
l
ikeshei sl oosinghermindduet ohermi scarr
iage
andIknowexact l
yhowam goi ngt odoit,Iget
home, myson' swer eallintheirhouses, mpumi e
am sur eshewaswi thhergirl
friend, Iwil
ldealwith
heraf terthis, thekingwasinameet i
ngwi t
ht he
elders, itwasj ustmeandnoma, soitwast he
perfectt imef ormet oexcutemypl an,igoi nt
ot he
kitchen, getcooki ngoi landir ubitont hefl
oori n
theentr ancet otheki tchen, Icalloutt hebitche's
name, Imadei tsoundl ikeIwasr eadyf orwar, I
pourmysel fawi negl assandgetr eadyt owat chthe
show, sureenought hebi t
chcomesr ushing, Ithi
nk
shewasr eadyt ofightme, Istandf arawayf rom
her,Isi pmywi ne, asshesl ipsandf all
s,per f
ect,
shewasi npain, shame, Isipmywi neagai n,pull
herasideandmakesur eiwi peof f,thecooki ngoi l
ont hef l
oor, Ithengetr eadyt oputont he
per f
ormanceofal i
fet i
me, Iscream f orhelp, t
he
guar dsr ushandIj ustkeptonscr eami ngwi t
hina
fewmi nut esever yonewasher e, i
ncludi ngthe
elders, thekingwasbeyondangr y
Ki
ng:(hegr
absmebymyt hr
ought)whatt
hehel
l
di
dyoudotoher?,
answerme,answerme!
Everyonewasshockedattheki ngsreacti
on,
Bandilewasnowpissed,hegr abshef at
herbyhis
handandhepul l
shim awayfrom me, theywere
readyforwar,
sphaandnat hiseparatethem ,
itwas
caos
Theki
ngl
ooksatmeandsays"youwon'
tgetaway
wi
tht
his"
Me:Ihopeshei
sdead.
Theki
ngwasr
eadyt
ocomef
ormeagai
n,Myboys
hol
dhim
Spha:maam sureyoudon'
tmeant
hat,
wasmom
doesn'
tmeanit.
Me:Icer
tai
nlydo
Igotomyroom ,packsomeofmycl
othesandgo
toBandi
le'
shouse
Thepar amedi
csarecall
ed, t
heyat tendtoherand
theytakehert
ot hehospi
tal,onl
yt hekinggoes
withher.Bandil
e,sphaandnat hicomeandt ryto
fi
ndoutwhatexact l
yhappened, ijustdoneinto
spaceanddontsayawor d.I
Igototheguestr
oom am usi
ngandIevent
ual
ly
fal
lasl
eep

Mybatt
eryi
saboutt
ogof
latsoIdi
dn'
tgeta
chancet
oedi
t
admi
n
[
09/
30,
11:
00] :I
nser
t38

Zoey

Iwaspeaceful
lysl
eepi
ngwhenBandi
lebr
ingsme,
mycryingdiva,khwezii
sbar
elyt
womont hsand
shei
sadi vaal
ready
Me:Bandi l
ecan'twet akethisoneback?,please,
am real
lyt
iredofherdi vatendenci
esplusisti
ll
havethereceipttheygaveuswhenweboughther,
shereal
lydoest akeafteryou.
Bandil
e:am af
rai
dnot,heronemonthgurant
eeis
upandwhatdoyoumeanshet akesaft
erme?,you
aret
hequeenofdiva'
sdearwif
e(ipickupapill
ow
andthrowi
tathim)
Bandi
le:am out.
Hel eaves, IgetupandIgoandgi vehertothe
nannyt ogiveherabat h,whileIgoandcheckon
mysweetangelLwazi, sureenoughhewasawake
buthewasnotscr eamingli
kekhwezi,Igivelwazi
hisbath, f
eedhi m andthenigodownst air
swith
him, If
indqueenmot heri
nthekit
chen,shewas
busywi thbreakfastanditwastoolat
eformet o
turnback
Queenmother:f
inal
lymommydeci
dedt
ogr
aceus
wit
hherpr
esence.
Me:mor
ningt
oyout
ooqueenmot
her.
Shepl acest hefoodont het ableandshet akes
l
wazif r
om me, Isi
tdown, Bandil
ecomesdown
stair
sandhesayshedoesn' thaveti
mef orbr eak
fast,justgr eat,Il
ovemyhusbandbutt odayIwi ll
callhim anassf orleavingmewi thhisbeloved
mot her, t
henannydeci dedt omakear unf ori
tal so,
shet akest hedoublestrawl erIhave,shetakes
bothl waziandkhweziandshesaysshei sgoi ngf or
awal k, greatnowitwasj ustmeandqueenmot her.
West
arteat
ti
ngandi
twasr
eal
lyawkwar
d,
Queenmot
her
:youknow,
whoIr
eal
ly,
real
lymi
ss?
Me:no,
Ihavenoi
dea,
butam sur
eyouwi
llt
ell
me.
Queenmot
her:Thando
Di
dshejustsaythat?,Iknowwhatshereal
ly
meansI
s"ilikemychil
d'sexbet
tert
hanyou
Me:(Ismil
e)iunder
standyout wower ereall
y
cl
ose(whatIr
eal
lywantedtosaywas, youshould
def
ini
tel
ygobewit
hher, her
eI'
llgetyourcoatand
somegasmoney),pit
ysheshehadt obetrayyour
sonandhaveababywithhisfr
iend.
Queenmot her:sodear,whenar
eyougoi ngto
cookussomedecentf ood?,ooham sorrysi
lyme,
Iforgotyoucan'tcook,youmustgetyourcooki
ng
skil
lsfrom yourmother.
Me:act
ual
lyno,mom isapret
tygoodcook,am
j
ustherPr
incessandshelovesi
tthatway.
Igetupandcl
earthetabl
e,Queenmotherwasout
thedoor,
shedidn'
tevensaywher
eshewasgoing
andIreal
lydi
dn'tcare,Iwasht hedishes,Igoand
cl
eanmybabi esroom ,myr oom andIdol aundry,I
wasstil
lbusywi t
hlaundry, whent henanny
comesbackwi t
hmybabi es,theywer easl
eep,she
goesandplacethem intheirnurser
yandshe
comesback
Nanny:isawherl
eave,
isshegonef
orgood?
Me:don'
tthi
nkso,It
hinkshehasgonet
ocause
t
roubl
eel
sewhere.
Nanny:t
hewomani
sapai
ninass.
Ifinishdoinglaundry,whowoul dhavethoughtme
mel okuhlezoeyWi l
li
amsdoi nglaundry,Idecideto
restf oranhour, It
hencleanthel i
vingr
oom ,
dinningroom andt hekit
chen, It
hengoandt akea
shower ,l
otionandgetdr essed, It
hentakemy
l
aundr yandgot okhanyi'
shouse, Iwasn'tperfect
atironingyet,butIwasget t
ingthere.

Queenmot
her
Ihadqui etashaddybr eakfastwi thzoeyt hi
s
mor ni
ng, butshewast hel eastofmywor ri
es,Igo
tothemai nhouse, If
indt hekingbusypaci ngup
anddown, hel ookedpi ssedanddef eated,igetin,
assoonasheseemehel ooksatmeandsay"you
disgustme", hegoest ohi sstudyhol dingoneof
hisexpensivewhi skeybot t
les, Ical
lsphamandl a
tocomet othemai nhouset ofindouti fhisfat
her
toldhim anything,aft
eraboutf ivemi nutes,
sphamandl af i
nall
ywal ksi n
Me:sonyouar
eher
e,good.
Sphamandl
a:mahowcoul dyouharm ani
nnocent
chi
ld?,doyouevenhaveaconci
ence?
Me:sonpleasejuststopwit
hyourthi
rddegree
l
ect
ureandtellmeifthebabysur
vivedornot?
Sphamandl
a:yest
hebabysur
vivedbut
..
..
.
Me:thankGod(iwasli
ter
all
ypissed)Iwasreal
ly
worr
ied,cont
rar
ytowhatyoubeli
eve,Ihavea
hear
tyouknow.
Myhusbandwal
ksi
n
Me:honey,whyareyouupset?,
Ihear
dthegood
newst
hatthebabyisf
ine.
Husband/ki
ng:mychil
dwi l
lneverbenor
mal,
you
evi
lwit
ch,mysonwi
llneverbenormal.
Myheartwasdoi
ngahappydance,shamet
his
wasevenbet
ter,t
hiswi
llt
eachhernott
omess
wi
thme
Sphamandla:dad,mom di
dn'
tgi
vemeachancet
o
expl
ainever
ythi
ngtoher
Husband/ki ng:Idon'tknowhowyoudi ditbutI
willf
indoutandwhenIdoyouwi llpayandsince
meandnoma' schildwil
lneverbenor mal,hewil
l
beyourr esponsibi
li
ty,youaregoingtotakecareof
thatchil
d, ot
herwiseyouwillseeanothersi
deof
meyouwon' tli
ke.
Me:butIdidn'
tdoanythi
ng,
shesli
pedandf el
l,I
didn'
tevent
ouchher,howdoIpr
ovemyi nnocence
toyou?
Husband/ki
ng:ar
eyouwill
ingtogotother
oyal
i
nyangaandswearyoudi
dn'tdoanyt
hingtonoma.
Me:(Iwasshocked).
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Ki
ng/husband:It
houghtso
Me:actual
lyIwould,am justshockedbyhowfar
youarewil
li
ngtogo, anywaybelievewhatyouwant
,idon'
tcareanymore,iwillcomebackwhenyou
arer
eadytoapologi
sef oreveryt
hing.
Ileave, him andsphamandla,Idecidetogoand
haveal unchwi thsi
hleand khanyi,Ididn'
tfeel
l
ikef acing slayqueenplusshecantcook,we
havel unchandIj ustspendt
her estofthedaywi th
mygr andbabi es.

Thando

Mydayst artedprett
ywellactuall
y, sanelecamet o
seehisdaught er,hi
m andLethaboact ual
lybrought
alotofstuffforher,itmustbecausei tishisfir
st
chil
d,Bandi l
ewasal sotryi
ng,infectwewer eall
tr
yingtomaket hebestofthi
suglysi tuati
on, Iwas
busyplayingwi t
hmyki ds,whenIgetacal lfrom
myf
ri
end.
Myf
ri
end:Igott
hest
ufff
oryou.
Me:Iwi
llbet
her
einanhour
'st
ime
myf
ri
end:xap
Iaskmom tobabysitmybabies,shef
ir
stgoeson
andonabouthowt i
redsheisofbabysit
ti
ng,but
sheevent
uall
yagrees.
Ithengetint
omycaranddr i
vetothebank,my
moneywasr eady, It
akethebagwithR200000, i
dr
ivetotheprivat
espotweagr eedtomeetat,I
gi
veherthe200000, shewasthri
ll
edshame,she
gi
vesmet hecarefull
yconcil
ledL.
S.D
Myf ri
end:Thando, t
hisi
ssomehect i
cstuff,
pleasebecaref
ulandmakesureyoudon'tget
caught,causeifyoudogetcaught,
youandIdon'
t
knoweachot herandwehavenevermet, ar
ewe
cl
ear?
Me:youandIdon'
tknoweachot
herandiwi
llbe
car
eful.
Shegoesbacki
nsi
de,
Idr
ivehome,t
hedr
ugwas
i
nacont ai
nerwit
hcofee,soItaket
hecontai
ner
andcar
efull
yhideiti
nmysaf e,nooneandimean
noonetouchesmysafe,ItakemyphoneandIcall
queenmother
Queenmot
her:babygi
rl.
Me:
yesmamabear,t
heshi
pmenthasl
anded.
Queenmot
her:t
hatwhyIl
oveyousomuch,
that
wasqui
ck.
Me:am f
astl
iket
hat.
Queenmother:hol
dont
otheshi
pment,
thet
arget
i
sstil
lout
Me:Iwi
llkeept
heshi
pmentsaf
eforyou.
Queenmot
her:yousuchasweethear
t.(wehang
up)
Igotothel
ivi
ngroom andpl
aywi t
hmybabies
mom washoldingsmawhi l
eiholdnomcebo,we
j
usthangoutwithmymom f ort
herestoft
heday.
[
09/
30,
11:
02] :I
nser
t39
Zoey

Iwasst art
ingcooki nglessonstommor row, Iwas
thri
ll
ed,Ihavej ustamont htogetthisri
ght
becausemynannyi sgoingtoleavesoon, Isowish
shewasn'tleavingbutBandi l
eisnothavi nganyof
i
t,Iwakeupandwearmyyogapant swi thasport
s
bra,Iwasgoi ngbackt odoingyoga,Igodown
stai
rs,monst erinlaw wasbusymaki ngbr eakf
ast,
damnwhatt i
medoest hiswomanwakeup?
Me:mor
ningma.
Queenmot
her:mor
ningdeardaught
eri
nlaw.
Me:looksl
ikeyouar
ecooki
ngforanent
ir
ear
my
andIdon'
tseewhycausei
tisj
ustme,you,t
he
nannyandBandil
e
Queenmother:andyouweresupposedtobedoi
ng
thi
s,Ihavei
nvi
tedsi
hle,
khanyi,Minni
eand
Thando.
Me:what?,maIdon'thaveaprobl
em wit
hyou
i
nvi
ti
ngyourot
herdaughteri
nlaws,butasfor
Thandoyouwer
esupposedt
oaskmeandBandi
le
fi
rst.
Queenmother:Ij
ustwantt
oseemygr
andbaby
andThandohastobri
ngherover
Bandi
lewal
ksi
n
Bandil
e:andsi
ncewhenar
eyouandThandobest
fr
iendsagai
n?
Queenmother:wemetf
orcoff
eet
heotherday,
we
hadaverylongt
alk,
sheseemedreal
lysor
ry
aboutwhatshedi
dpl
usyouhavet
oseenomcebo.
Bandi
le:what
ever,
am out.
Queenmot
her:butnomceboi
scomi
ngover.
Bandi
leki
ssesont
hecheekandhewasout
Iwasst i
lltr
yingtotel
lqueenmot hert
hatam not
comf t
ablewi t
hThandobei nginmyhouse, whenI
hearthedoor bellr
ing, t
henannygoesandopens
thedoor, shecomesandt ell
susThandowasi nt
he
l
ivingroom ,Igot omyr oom ,wearahoodieon
topofmyspor tsbra,thet winswerebathedand
readyforthedayt hankst omynanny, Ipack
everythi
ngt heyneedint heirbags,Iaskthenanny
totaketheircarseatstobandi le'
sothercar,Ilook
forthekeysIevent ual
lyfi
ndt hem andhandt hem to
her, sheleaveswi ththecarseatsandt hetwins
bags, Iwasst i
lli
nthenur serywhenkhanyiwal ksin
Khanyi:andwher
ear
eyouof
fto?
Me:sincequeenmot
herhasguest
sam gi
ving
t
hem space.
Khanyi:ar eyousur eyouwantleavethoset woin
yourhouseal one?, don'
tbedumbgi rl,don'
tyou
dareleaveSat anandherl i
tt
lesi
steri
nyourhouse,
i
tgivest hem freedom todowhattheywant, j
ust
takethekidsandt henannysomewher efarfar
awayf rom Thando.
Irequestforanuberforthenannyandt hetwins,
khanyiandIf i
nall
ygodownst air
s, theuber
arrai
ves,Ihelpthenanny, wit
hmybabi esandt he
strawl
er,theyleave,
theywer egoingt omypar ent
s
houseat l
eastwithsi
sfloandt hei
rnanny,Iknow
mybabi eswillbesafe,Igobackt ot hebreakfast
tablei
twasr eall
yawkwar d,Ifi
nall
ymetnomcebo
shewascut e,Ijustwi shthisdevi lcalledThando
wasn' thermom , thi
swhol ediffr
entbabydaddi es
sagawasr eal
lymaki ngherbehave, wehavebr eak
fast, queenmot her,sihl
eandThando, decidet o
gof orawal karoundt heroyalyar d,itwasqui eta
bigyar d, soitwi l
ltakethem awhi l
e, Mi nnie,sihle
andIdot hedi shes,wewer ebusyl aughi ngand
havingachat, whenmonst erinlawr eturnsandshe
seemedpi ssed, shej ustgoesi ntotheki tchenand
pour sherselfagl assofwi ne, shecomesandsi t
besidesusandshedoesn' tsayawor d.

Queenmot
her

Iwasbusyt aki
ngawal k, withsihle, Thandoand
babyjayl
ar,whenIseet hatidi
otofmi newi thhis
preci
ousnomcebo, sothatli
ttl
et wartisbackf rom
thehospit
al,Il
eavesi hleandThandot ocontinue
witht
heirwalk, Igobackt obandi l
e'
s, Ipour
myselfaglassofwine, Isitdownbesi demy
daughterinlawsIdon' tsayawor d,Ideci detogo
tothemai nhouse, Ifi
ndar elaxednomat hemba
onmyexpesi vecouches, Idon' tsayawor d,Igo
tomyr oom ,itwasnowt i
met ogot ophaset woof
mypl an, nomat hembawasbusy.Cooki ngl unchfor
herselfandt heki ng, Idecidet osneaki ntoher
room andshi ftsomet hing'sar ound, Il
it
erallywant
toslowl ybutsur elyturnthistwar tintoacr azybit
ch
, sotheycansendhert ot hel ooneybi n,it hen
decidet ocallthandooverandt ellherIwillgowi t
h
hertoherpar entshome, sur eenoughwel eave
togetherinThando' scar, Iwilltaket heuberback
home, Ifoll
owhert oherr oom , shehandsmet he
L.S.D,Igot obackhome, Ihidet hedrugwher eI
knownoonewi l
levergo, inthisbookcasei nthe
l
ittl
eof fi
ceIuset osetupi mpor tanteventsi nthe
royalhouse, Igodownst airsonl yt omeeta
frust
ratednoma
Me:whati
swr
ongwi
thyou,
youseem f
rust
rat
ed?
Noma, Ijustcan'
tseem t
orememberwher
eI
pl
acedmyt hi
ngs,Icoul
dswearsomeonei
s
movingthingsaround.
Me:butyouwer
etheonl
yonei
nthehouse,
are
yousur
eyouar
efi
ne?.
Noma:yesam sure,whywouldn'
tIbe? ,am j
ust
gl
adIdi
dn'tl
oosemybaby,likesomepeopl e
want
edmet o,yesIsawyouwipethefloort
hatday
andam goi
ngtomakeyoupayf orwhatyoudidto
mybaby.
Me:butyousli
ppedandf
ell
onyourown,
howi
s
t
hatmyfault?.
None:theki
ngandyourson'smayf al
lforyour
st
uipi
dsil
lyi
nnocentactbutIdon'
t, Iam goi
ngto
makeyoupayevenifit
'sthelastt
hingIdo.
Me:bri
ngitonbi
tch,am mor
ethanr
eadyforyou,
bythet
imeam donewit
hyou,youar
egoingto
cur
sethedayyoulai
deyesonmyhusband.
Theki
ngwal
ksi
n
Ki
ng:
nomai
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Me:ooohdearhusbandam f
inet
oo,
thankyouf
or
aski
ng.
Noma:yeshoneyqueennomceboandIwer
ejust
havi
ngagir
ltal
k,nothi
ngmajor
King:(helooksatme)andyouIt
houghtyouwer
e
atbandi
leshouse,thi
supanddownofyoursi
s
real
lyt
ir
ing
Me:thi
sismyhouseasmuchasityour
s,soIcan
comeandgoasmuchasiplease,
Clear
lywhat
ever
l
ovepoti
onshef
edyouisdoi
ngagoodjob.
Hedoesn' tsayawor d,hej usttakesnomat hemba
toherr oom andhei nst r
uctshert ot akeiteasy, I
decidet ojustsitandr el
ax, idon'tdoat hing,the
kingcomesandasksmei fwecant alkliketwo
mat uredadul t
s, wehavet hislongt alkandmy
husbandassur esmehest il
llovesme, evenwhen
nomat hembai sinthepi cture,wepr omi seeach
othertowor khardonourmar r
iage, hedoesn' tgo
tonoma' sroom , i
nst eadhespendst her estofthe
evenni ngreconnectingwi thme, butIwasst i
ll
goingt oputmypl ani naction, nomat hembahast o
go, t
hati stheonlyr easonam backi nthemai n
house, aft
erthatIcanf ocussonpayi ngThando' s
debt.
[
09/
30,
11:
03] :I
nser
t40
Nomat
hembaDl
ami
ni

Hiasyoual lknowme, am queennomat hemba

Dlami ni,ki
ngMphendul oDlami nisecondwi f
e, me
andhubbyar eexpecti
ngourchi l
d, al
thoughmy
childwi l
lneverbenor malallthankst othatSatan
disguisedasnomcebo, am notsur ewhatshe
pour edont hef l
oorthatday,butIsawherwi pe
somet hingont hef l
oor,am goi ngtogeteven, even
i
fi ti
st helastthingIdo.
Ifi
nallydogett hecour aget
ogetoutofbed, t
oday
wasSunday, whi chmeantthatnomcebohas
i
nvitedherki dsf orlunch,whichIdon'thavea
problem wit
h, butasf ornomceboam goi ngtodeal
withher, Igoanddomyhygi neprocesses,Il
oti
on
andgetdr essed, Imakemybedandt henmakemy
waydownst air
s.

Meanwhi
le
Queenmot
her/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Iwokeupsuperear ly,mademybed, myhusband

hadanear lymeeti
ngsohewasgoneal ready, Igo
anddomyhygi neprocesses, getdressed, Igo
downst ai
rs,Imakemysel fbreakfast, Ieat,wash
thedishes,Icl
eanthekitchen, thenistartwi t
h
preparati
onsforthelunch, Iwasst i
llcookingwhen
Thandocal l
s
Thando:mamabear
Me:yesbaby
Thando:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:am makinglunch,
youknowt
odayi
sSunday
andIgoal
loutonaSunday
Thando:wi
shIwast
her
e,Idomi
ssyourf
ood.
Me:youshoulddefi
natel
ycomeandjoi
nus,you
arepr
acti
cal
lyfamil
yanywaybecauseofj
ayl
ar,
youshoul
dbringherover.
Thando:okay,
Iwi
llasksanel
etopi
cksmaup
Me:f
inewi
thme.
(wehangup)
Nomat
hembacomesdownst
air
s
Noma:i
sther
eanyf
oodl
eftover?
Me:t
her
earel
astni
ghtl
eftover
s,icanwar
m up
t
hatf
oryoui
fyouwant.
Noma:yespl
ease
Igot
otheki
tchen

Backt
onoma

Thewi t
chwasbei ngni ce, whi
chwasodd,she
saysshewi l
lwarmf oodf orme, Isitdownand
waitforhertodissapearintothekitchen, Idon'
t
tr
ustthewitch,soIt akeof fmysleepers, sneakmy
waytot hekit
chen,Iwaswat chi
ngnomcebo, sur
e
enough, shewaswar mingmyf ood, asIwas
abouttoleave,Iseenomcebo, t
akeoutasmal l
bott
lefrom herapronandpoural it
tleofthe
cont
ent sintot
hef ood,Iqui
cklygobackt
othe
l
ivi
ngr oom andsit,nomcebocomesandgiveme
thefood,iholdtheplat
e
Me:It
hinkam goi
ngt
oandeatmyf
oodout
side.
Nomcebo:f
ine,
Ihavet
ogobackt
ocooki
ng
anyway.
Igooutsi
degivethedamnfoodtot
hedog,
Iwatch
thedogeatt
hef ood,Igobacki
nsi
de,
washthe
plat
ewhil
enomcebocooks
Me:am goi
ngtogooutam meet
inganol
dfr
iend
soIwi
llbebackal
it
tl
elat
e
Nomcebodoesn'
trespond,Iwasstarving,soI
t
akemybaggetintomycar, Igotosteers,Ieat
whi
leIt
hinkofwhatam goi
ngt odo,Ihavet o
t
eachnomcebonottomesswi thpeople, am goi
ng
t
opaynomceboinherowncoi n.

Lat
ert
hatday

Zoey
Iwasact uallyl ooki ngf owar dt ot hef ami lyl
unch, I
prepar ethet wi nsbef oreIl eavewi tht henanny,
Bandi l
ehadgoneoutwi thnompumel eloandt hey
willbebackdur i
ngl uncht i
me, Ilookatt het i
me
andi twas13h00l unchwasat14h00soIcal l
LethaboandLaur enandt ellthem t ocomeandvi si
t
met ommmor row, Imi sst hem andIcan' tgoout
withthem unt illthet winsar eatleastt hreemont hs,
Ithengoandgetr eady, Imakemywayt omai n
house, asIwasappr oachi ngt hemai nhouseisee
Thando, agghcan' tthisbi tchdi ssapearandnever
comeback, Igeti n, shef ol l
owshol dingher
daught er, shor tlyever yonef ol l
owsexceptf or
queennoma, appar entlyshehadsomewher et obe,
wesi tdownandhavel unch, i
twasn' tt hatbadt her
e
wasnott hatmuchshadet hr ownar ound,si nce
thekingwasar ound, khanyi, Mi nnieandIdeci deto
dot hedi shes, afterwegobackt omyhouse, we
decidet ochi ll,Bandi lewasnowher etobeseen
afterlunch, sphaandnat hiwer ebusywi thafi
fa
gameonaXbox, khanyideci dest ocooksupperat
myhouse,Mi nnieandihel pherout,wecook
enoughfoodt ofeedanent i
r earmy,ihel pkhanyi
andminnieplace t heirf
oodi ncontainer
s,they
l
eave,Idi shupf ormysel f, t
henannycomesand
dishupalso, weeat, wewasht hedi shes,since
mybabieswer esl eepi
ng, soideci det ogotobed,i
wasstil
lsleepingwhenadr unkbandi l
ecomesand
wakesmeup, Iwasl i
ter
allypissed
Bandi
le:baby,canIpl
easehavesomef
ood?,
am
st
arvi
ng
Me:Bandil
eyoucan'
tbeser
ious,
justsl
eepyou
wi
lleati
nthemorni
ng
Iwasaboutt ogotosleep, whenlhearkhwezicr y,
j
ustgreat,Igetupandgoandat tendtokhwezi,I
thengowashmyf aceandhands,Igoanddi shup
forBandi
leandwar m hisfoodup,it aket
hefoodt o
ourroom Ifi
ndhim snoring, Iwakehim up,he
wakesup, goesndwashhi sf aceandhands, he
eatsandhet akest
hedi shest othekit
chen,he
comesbackandhesl eeps, Ialsogobackto
sleepi
ng.
[
09/
30,
11:
03] :I
nser
t41

Queenmot
her/Mr
sDl
ami
ni

Iwant
edtokilltheli
ttl
ebastardsheiscarr
yingfir
st,
soIpour
ed, somet hingthatwouldmakesur eshe
hadamiscarr
age,It hinktheli
tt
letr
ampdi dn'
teat
myfood,Idecidetocal m down,Ithi
nkthisround
wentnoma, Idon'tknowhoworwhatshedi d,butI
knowshedidn'teatthatfood,Iwentt osl
eepbutI
wasuneasy

Thenextday

Queennomcebo

Am ,awokenupbythesoundofzoeyscr
eaming,I
wakeupandr ushdownstai
rst
oseewhatthefuss
i
sallabout,shewasstandi
ngnextt
omyhouse,
wit
hadeadbl ackiebesideher, t
hekingand
Bandil
ewer etr
yingt ocl
am herdown, shewasi n
heryogaatti
realready,nomawasj usttherewitha
smileonherface, Iwasr eall
ysad, Ireal
lyloved
ourdog, t
hekingcal l
stheguar dstocomeandget
ri
dofthedog,t henBandi leandthekingtakezoey
i
nside,itwasnowj ustmeandnomat hemba
Me:whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudot
omydog?
Noma:whome?(shedr
amat
ical
lyhel
dherchest)
Me:wi
llyoust
opact
ingdumbwi
thme,
Iknowyou
poi
soi
nedmydog.
Noma:me?,poi
sonbl
acki
enever.
Iknowshefedhim,t
hefoodIgaveher,at
least
somethi
nggoodcameoutofblacki
edyi
ng, Iknow
thi
sli
tt
letwar
tisont
ome, soIhavetobecareful
whenIuseL.S.Donher
Ileaveherout
sideandgoi ntomyhouse,Igoand
domyhygi nepr ocesses,makemybedandI
decidetogoanddogr ocer
yshoppi
ng,thatwil
l
givemeenought imet othi
nkofanewplancause
thet war
tisont ome
Nomat
hemba

Sot hi
swi tchwant edt oki l
lmeandmyunbor nbaby,
IguessIcan' tsayat hing, causeshewi llknowam
ontoher ,Iguesst henameoft hegameihavet o
playnowi skeepyourmout hclosedandpl ayyour
cardscl oset oyourchest, Ican'ttellanybody, Ifind
i
thar dt otrustthispeopl e, Iguesst hisi
sgoi ngt o
bemysecr ectf ornow , Idecidet ogoandmake
mysel fsomef ood, si
nceIwasal ldr essedand
readyf ortheday, Ilookf ornomceboever ywher e
andshewasnowher et obef ound, Igothrough
someofhert hingsi nherof fi
ce, Iwasaboutt o
opent hisbook, i
tlookedl i
keasecr ectcaseor
somet hingandyouneedsomesor tofkeyt oopen
thecase, whenIhearunat hisay"whatt hehel lare
youdoi ngher e? "
Me:(Iholdmychest)nathiyouscaredme, Icame
her
et oseeifyourmom i
shere,causeIwas
l
ookingforherever
ywher
eandIcouldn'tf
indher,I
j
ustfoundmysel
fadmi
ri
ngyourmot
her
'swor
k
space.
Nat
hi:ooh,
mom hasgonegr
ocer
yshoppi
ng
Me:Idi
dn'
tseeherl
eave
Unathi:pl
easeplaceherbookcasedown,cause
shewillki
llyou,i
fshefi
ndsoutyouweregoing
thr
oughhert hi
ngs
Me:am sor
ry(ipl
acet
hecasewher
eif
oundi
t)
wecango.
Unat
hiandIleave,Imustcomebackandf
indout
whati
sinthatcase,ir
eall
ywantt
oknow
Unat
hiandIhadjustgotdownst
air
swhen,
wear
e
metbynomcebo
Nomcebo:andwhatwhereyoutwodoingupst
air
s?
,yout
woar enothavi
nganaff
airar
eyou?
Unathi:eewmom ,nomahadgonet
oyourof
fi
ceto
l
ookf oryouandIwasl
ooki
ngf
orapen,wejust
happenedtohavemett
here
Nomcebo:okay
Shedropseverythi
ngshewasdoi ngandr ushedt
o
heroffi
ce,Icouldt
ellshethoughtIfound
something,damnunat hishoul
dn'thavetoldherwe
wereinherestudynowshei sgoingt obeextra
caref
ul

Meanwhi
lei
nnomcebo'
sof
fi
ce

Nomcebo

Damnwhati tt
heyf oundtheL.
S.D,Igot omy
studyandIf i
ndmybookcasest i
lli
ntact,It
akethe
drugoutandIpl aceitinmysecrectsafenoone
knowsaboutnotevenmydearl ovelyhusband,I
thengot omyr oom andchange,byt hetimeIget
downst air
sallthegrocer
ieshadbeenpacked, I
decidednottocook, Ipourmyselfaglassofwine
anddecidet orelax.
[
09/
30,
11:
04] :I
nser
t42
Thando

Mygi rl
swer enowt womont hsol d,Ideci dedi t'
s
ti
met omovebacki ntomyapar tment, sot odayI
willbeconduct i
ngi ntervi
ews f oranannyf ormy
kids, Iinterview manypeopl ebutt hispar t
icular
girlstandsout, shewassowar m, fri
endl yand
i
nvi t
ing, andIcoul dtellmybabi eswi ll
lbei nsaf e
handswi t
hher, hernamei sNandi pha, shehel ps
mepackal mostever ythingt hatbelongst omeand
mybabi es, onlyaf ewcl otheswer eleft,bandi le
andsanel ewer econt ri
but i
ngR3000.00each
towar dst hemai ntenanceoft hegi r
ls, notthatI
reall
yneedt hemoney, soIwi l
lpayt henannyf our
thousandf rom t hatmoneyandt heniwi llsavet he
twot housandf orthem ,af terwewer edonewi t
h
packing, Itakeever ythingt omyapar tment, Iget
thereIaskt hecl eaningl adyi nouryar dtocl eanf or
me, from topt obot tom , Ithenpayf orherser vi
ces,
sheevenpackedever ythingIhadbr oughtwi thme,
Ithendeci det ogoanddogr ocer yshoppi ngsi nce
nandi phawi l
lbemovi ngi nwi t
hme, Iwasr eall
y
happyaboutthat, idri
vebacktomyapar t
ment,
packeverythingup, Idri
vebackhome, Ithank
nandipha,Igivehergivehundredrandsfor
tr
ansport,wewer etomeether eatmypar ents
houseinthemor ni
ng, Iwasfinal
lygoingbackt o
myhouse, Ilovedbeingathomebutmom canbea
bitt
oomuchsomet i
mes.

Zoey

Mybabi eswerenowt womont hs, bandil

ewas
barel
yathome, hewaseitherbusyatwor korbusy
dri
nkingwithlungaandkwanel e,thankGodt he
nannywasher ewithme,ot her wi
seIwoul dreal
ly
bestruggli
ng,Iwokeupear lytoday,Bandile
camebackear lyi
nthemor ning, soIlethim be,I
goandt akeashower, l
oti
onandgetdr essed,Iask
thenannyt opr
eparethekids, whil
eIpreparea
bottl
esforthem ,
Ifi
nishup, Igotomyr oom ,
Bandi
lewasoutofit,soItakehiscarkeys,
take
mybabiescarseat
s,Itakethei
rbagandbott
les,I
askthenannyt obri
ng khweziandl
wazi,I
careful
lystr
apthem i
n,Igeti
nanddrivet
omy
parentshouse,Ifi
ndmom ,sisfl
oandAnthony,
dadwasoutoft hecountr
ywithbusi
ness,ever
yone
washappyt oseemeandt hetwins,
butmor el
ike
happyt oseethetwi
ns
Ant
hony:dumbhead.
..
Me:what
'
supdweeb
Ant
hony:medweeb?,
ouchdumbhead.
Mom :zoeycanyoupl
easel
eavemybabyal
one.
Me:oops,If
orgotwehaveamama'
sboy
Ant
hony:Mom ,
Icanf
ightmyownbat
tl
es
Mom :notwhenam ar
ound.
(webot
hlaugh)
Mom makesl unch,weeatandwehangoutf orthe
restday,mom wasreallyenj
oyingpl
ayi
ngwi
thher
Grandbabies,Iwassti
llrel
axedwhenmyhusband
decidedt
ocall
Bandi
le:babycanyoupl
easebri
ngmycar,
Iwant
togoandhangoutwithmyfr
iends.
Me:bandi
let
aketheot
hercar,Iwon'
tcomeback
nowsi
nceyouaregoi
ngoutanyway.
Bandi
le:butbabyt
hati
smybaby,
noonet
ouches
her.
Me:t
ough,j
ustdri
vetomyparent
shouseand
t
henl
eavet
hatothercarf
orme.
Bandi
le:babet
hati
sal
otofwor
k,Iwi
llr
equestan
uber.
Me:fi
newhat
ever,
Iwi
llcomebackt
ommor
row
mor
ning.
Bandi
le:no,youbet
tercomebackhomewi t
hmy
ki
ds,youcansleepatyourpar
ent
shousebutI
wantmybabiesinmyhousebytoni
ght(ihangup)
Hemustbecr azy,Ideci dedt hatIwon' tbegoi
ng
backtomyhouse, Iwasgoi ngtosl eepover,Il
ook
attheti
meandi twas15h00, Idecidetoask
Anthonyformoney, hesendsmeR1000. 00,
damnAnt honywasr eall
ybecomi ngst i
nggy,I
dri
vetothemal l,Iquicklybuyaj eanandaTshi rtI
wil
lweartommor r
ow, Ibuyanew br aandpantyas
well,Igotopicknpaybutabat ht owel,teet
h
brush,deodr
antandsomef
ewsnacks,Idri
ve
backhome,sisfl
ohadgonetohercot
tage.
Ihelpthenannywi t
ht hekids, theywil
lbesleepi
ng
withthenannyintheguestbedr oom ,
Iwasliter
all
y
ti
red, soIgotobed, Iwasst i
llsleepi
ngwheni
hearmyphoner ings,Ilookatt hecall
eridandit
wasBandi l
e
Me:whyar
eyoucal
li
ngmet
hisl
ate?
Bandi
le:It
oldyout
obr
ingmyki
ds,
didn'
tI?
Me:bandi
leIwantt
osl
eepanddon'
thavet
imef
or
t
his
Bandi
le:comeout
sideandbr
ingmyki
ds
Iwakeupandgoout
side,
onl
ytobemetbyadr
unk
Bandi
le
Me:whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
ebyt
hist
imeof
t
heni
ght?
Bandi
le:Icamef
ormyki
ds,
youcanst
ayher
e.
Hewaswit
hkwaneleandl
unga,l
ungawasnot
dr
unksohewastheonedr
ivi
ng
Me:whyt
hehel
ldi
dyoubr
inghi
m her
e?.
Lunga:hei
nsi
sted
Me:youthreeser
iousl
yneedtogr
owup,
fuckal
lof
you(Ir
aisemymi ddl
efinger)
Theywereal
lshocked,
Igobacki
nsi
deandIsl
eep,
Iwasfumming.
[
09/
30,
11:
04] :I
nser
t43

Bandi
le

Iwokeupwi t
honehel lofaheadache, Igot othe
bathroom ,domyhygi nepr ocesses, lotionandget
dressed, Igodownst air
s, manzoeyi sgoi ngtokil
l
me, thel i
vingroom wasf ullofpeopl e,Idon' teven
recallbri
nginghome, Igotot heguestr oom , Ifi
nd
kwanel eandsomechi ckIdon' tevenknow, l
unga
hadsl eptont hesof abedi nthenur sery, Iwake
everyoneup, thankGodt heyal ldecidet oleave
i
ncludi ngmyf riends, astheywer eleaving, mom
comest omyhouse
Mom :Bandi
lewhati
sgoi
ngon?,
whoar
ethi
s
peopl
e?
Me:l
ongst
oryMom ,
anywaywhyar
eyouher
e?
Mom :am hereforzoey, Iforgott
otel
lthati
twill
behert
urntohosttheladieslatelunch thi
smont h
,si
ncekhanyiisnotfeel
ingwel landthatistoday.
Bandil
e:mayoucan'
tbeseri
ous,
youcan'
ttel
lher
tohostthel
adi
est
oday,shei
snotevenar
ound.
Mom :guessIwi
llhavet
ocal
lhermysel
f.
Bandi
le:pl
easedothat,
mom canaunt
ybel
lacome
andcl
eanthismessupplease?.
Mom :hel lno,IgaveBell
aanent i
remont hoff,
eit
heryoucl eanyourmessorletyourwifeclean,
theladieswil
lbehereat17h00,thatshouldbe
mor ethanenoughtimeforyouguystopr eparef
or
thelatelunch.
Mom leaves,damnam i
ndeepshit,Ihavesome
majorsucki
ngupt odo,Igot
otheWool wort
h,buy
mywi f
esomef lower
s,aboxofexpensi
ve
chocol
atesandIgoandbuyherthemostexpensi
ve
di
amondnecklaceIcanf ind,Ical
lkhanyibutshe
doesn'
tanswer,Idr
ivebackhomeandt henigoand
cl
eansomeoft hemessup.

Zoey

Iwasreal
lypissed,Iwokeup, makemybed , goto
thebat
hroom anddomyhygi nepr ocesses,
If i
nd
missedcal
lsfrom monsteri
nlaw, Iwonderwhat
shewants,Icallherback
Me:maam sor
ry,
Imi
ssedyourcal
ls
Queenmother:Ijustwantedtoaskyoutof
orgi
ve
me,Iforgottotel
lyouthatiti
syourtur
ntohost
t
heladi
eslatelunch thi
smont h
Me:i
t'
sokayma,
wheni
sthel
unch?
Queenmot
her:t
hati
sthet
hingzoey,
thel
unchi
s
t
oday.
Me:what?,
Mai
stoomuchofashor
tnot
ice
Queenmot
her:whatIcan'
thearyou.
..
..
..
.ohyes
yourdi
nni
ngr
oom andl
ivi
ngar
eamess(she
hangsup)
Iwasl i
terallypissed,t hankGodsi sf l
odidn'thave
mucht odot oday, Iaskherf orherhel pwi th
cooki ng, shegi vesmeal i
stoft hingst obuy, Ihave
neverhost edbef ore, IaskLethaboandLaur ent o
alsocomeandhel pme, Laurendr ovewi t
hmet o
themal l,whi leLet habohel pedsi sf l
owi t
hcooki ng,
thankGodmybabi eshadananny, Laurenandi do
someshoppi ng, l
aur enhasgotr ealexpensivetaste
, shewasbuyi ngevenwi neandchampagne
whosenamesIcannotevenpr onouce,t hankGod
Iwasgi ftedmor ethant went ythousandaf t
ergiving
birt
ht ot het winsandIhadneverusedt hatmoney,
Bandi lehadal readysetupat r
ustf undf orhiskids
sot herewasnoneedf orthemoneyt obeused,
Laur endr ivesbackt omypar entshousewi th
Ant hony' scar, Ir equestf oranuber,Igot othe
royalhouset ocheckoutt hemess, Iwasbeyond
pissed, i
tlooksl ikether ewasadamnpar tyinthis
house, howdar ehebr ingsstranger sinourhome,
apl acewher emybabi escallhome, Igoand
changeint
ooneofhistshir
tsandt
racksui
t, Ist
art
cl
eaning,asIwasbusycleani
ngBandil
ewalksin
Bandi
le:babyam sorry(igi
vehi
m ahugesl
ap),
fi
nebabyIdeser
vet hat.
Me:howdar
eyoubr
ingst
ranger
sint
omybabi
es
home?
Bandi
le:am sor
rybaby.
Me:am nyori,am nyor
i,nj or
imyleftf
oot,the
nextt
imeyouf eel
li
kethrowingapart
yforyour
hoespleasegotoyourhotelorcl
ub,causethe
nextt
imeyouinvademeandmyki dspri
vacy,Iwil
l
notbesokind.
Bandi
le:babyyoulooksodamncut
ewhenyouar
e
angr
y, am ki
ndaoftur
nedon.
Ipushhi
m asi
de
Me:keepondr
eaming,bythewayyouar
e
sl
eepi
ngint
heguestr
oom t
oni
ght.
Hedoesn'tsayaword,hetakest
hetrashoutand
hewasgonel i
kethat,
Igotomyr oom ,If
ind
fl
ower
s, aboxofchocolat
esandadi amond
neckl
aceandanot
ethatsai
d
Babypl
easef
orgi
vet
hisi
diot,
causet
hisi
diotr
eal
ly
l
ovesyou.
Igetavaseandpl acemyf lowersinsi de,Itakea
showerandgetdr essedIl ookatthet imeitwas
now15h00,Ihearaknockont hedoororwas
khanyiandmi nnie, t
heyhadcomet ocheckonme,
theyhel pmesett het ableandstuffcauset heywere
usedt ot hi
ski ndaofst uff,let
hoboandLaur en
deliverthefood, wesetup,wedeci dedtodoi t
buffetstyle, sinceitwassi mple.IgiveLaur enthe
nanni esclothesandt oil
etr
iesandt hingsmybabi es
willneed, theywi llonlycomebackt ommor row.
Thesetupwasreal
lybeaut
if
ul,
Laur
enand
Let
haboleave.

Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Ir
eal
lyhadnotf
orgot
ten,Ij
ustwantedt
heli
tt
le
Gol
ddiggert
osweatali
tt
le,Igetr
eadyandmake
mywayt ozoey'shouse, itwasgoi ngtobeMe,
sihle,Minnie,nomat hemba, khanyi,Thando, my
goodf ri
endsizakhel eandaboutsevenot herladies,
Iwasr unninglate, sowhenIevent uall
ygett here,
everyonewasal readyt here,champagne was
flowing,everyt
hingl ookedr eall
ygood, Thando
comesandhuggme, weal lsitatanicleysetup
table,wewer ebusyhavi nglunch, whensi hl
e
startsst
arri
ngt hepot
Si
hle:soThandohowi
sbabynomcebo?
Thando:shei
sdoi
nggood,
ihopehersi
bli
ngsar
e
fi
netoo.
Zoey:nott
hatyoureal
lycare,butLiam and
zahl
eearef i
ne,i
nfacttheyar
edoingbettert
han
good.
Thando:i
t'
sgoodtohear,
causeIr
eal
lyf
eltsor
ry
fort
hosepoorbabi
es.
Sihl
e:whywoul
dyouf
eel
sor
ryf
orki
dswi
thar
ich
daddy?
Khanyi:canwepl
easechanget
het
opi
cpl
ease,
si
hlepleasest
opbei
ngmessy.
Sihl
e:missgoodyt
woshoes,ain'
tnobodyt
alki
ng
toyou,l
etThandoanswermyquesti
on
Thando:Imeantheyhaveamot hert
hatcanbar
ely
takecar
eofher
self,shecan'
tevencook.
Zoey:Thando,ThandoIwi
llkeepmymouthshuti
f
Iwereyou,youshouldbet
helastper
sont
ojudge
me.
Thando:butam j
ustsayi
ngi
tli
kei
s.
Zoey:okayfi
nesincewearetel
li
ngitl
ikei
tis,
atl
eastmybabieshavethesamedaddyanddon't
sharetwobestfr
iendsasdaddi
es.
Me:zoeyt hati
ssodamnbel owthebel
t,st
opit
andstopitnow(Thandogetsupandgoestothe
guestbat
hroom ,si
hlegoesaft
erher)
Zoey:it
'sfi
neforhert
ocal
lmeabadmot
herand
youarefinewi
ththat?
Me:shutupwebot hknowt oyouarenotabad
mother,
infactiwi
llevengetyoumotheroft
he
yearaward.(iwasnowbeingsarcast
ic)
IgetupandgoandcheckonThandowhowas
hyst eri
callycryi
nginthebat
hroom , Imanageto
clam herdown, wegobackt othetable,weeatour
food, withnoonesayingaword, weeventual
ly
l
eave, Iwassot ir
ed,Igotomyhouse, t
akea
relaxingbat handtheniwearpyjamas, Icheckon
Thandoandmakesur eshewasf ine,Iwasso
damnt i
redsoIgot obed,t
ommor r
owIstartwi
th
mi ssiongetridofnomathemba, Ican'twait.
[
09/
30,
11:
04] :I
nser
t44

Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Iwokeupi nquietagoodmood, Imakemybed,

goodt hingthekingwaswi thhisotherwi f
e,Igo
andtakeashower, loti
onandgetdr essed,Il
ook
atthetimei twassixam ,Igot omyst udyandt ake
theL.S.D, Ipl
aceitinmypocket, igot otheki
tchen
, makebr eakfastf
orthethr eeofus, Iwasdone, I
pourL.S. DinmyOr angejuice,Iknow my
husbandwi l
lwantcoffeeandIknownomawi l
lalso
wantor angejuice,Ipl
acef oodandjui cei
nfr
ontof
ourchair
s, IknowsheknowsIpoi sonedherf ood
butIbetyou, shewasn' tcountingonmepoi soning
myownj uice, soIknowshei sgoi ngtoswapt hose
twojui
ces, nomacomesdownst air
sf i
rst,shesi t
s
onherchai r, Iexcusemysel fandIgot othepart
ofthekit
chenicanseeher, Iseeherswapmyf ood
andjui
ce, Iknewi t,Iwasmaki ngmywaybackt o
thedinningroom , whenthekingf i
nal
lydecidedto
j
oinus, wehavebr eakfast,
nomawasj ustlaughing
Noma:i
sitmeori
sithoti
nher
e?
Ki
ng/husband:queennomaar
eyouf
ine?
Ni
na:am f
ineam j
ustf
eel
inghot
Shewasl
it
eral
lysweat
ing
King/husband:nomcebopleasehel
pmetakeher
toherr
oom please,
Iwi
llcal
lmydoctort
ocome
andcheckonher.
Noma:t heywantt
otakemychildawayFr
om me, I
won'
tletthem ,
mpendul
otel
lthewit
chest
oleave
mybabyal one.
Me:whati
swr
ongwi
thher?
Ki
ng/husband:Idon'
tknowj
ustbr
inghersome
wat
erpl
ease
Igoandpourwat erfr
om t hetapforher,Iadda
l
ittl
esomethingagain,Iwast rulyenj
oyingt hi
s,I
takethewatertotheking, hegiveshersomewhat
todrink,
afterwetakehert oherroom ,shehas
nowgonef rom badtowor se, shenowwant edto
removeherclothesclaimingshei snot,Ihelpher
removeherclothesandwr apherwithat owel,she
wasanythingbutclam ,thekingasksmet opour
coldbathwat erf
orhermaybeshewi l
lbefine.
IdoasIwasasked,hehel pshertakeabat h,she
wasabi tclam nowbutshewasst i
llscreamingand
shouti
ng"t heywanttokillmybaby, mphendul o
pleasedon'tl
etthem ,ki
ngmphendul okepton
tr
yingtoclam herdown, Il
eavether oom ,shi
ne
Thandoshi ne, sheseri
ouslydeser
vesabonous.

Thando

Nowt
hatam backi
nqueenmot
her'
sgoodbooks,
am readyt omakemymoveonBandi l
e, li
keIsai d
aslongasam al ivezoeyandBandi lewi l
lneverever
andImeaneverhaveahappi l
yeveraf ter,Ihad
j
ustf inishedf eedingsmangel e,smawasbeaut i
ful
andmuchl i
ghterthannomcebodon' tgetme
wrong, nomcebowasr eall
ysupercut e,shewas
l
ightbutsmangel ewasmuchl i
ghter, Igivebi r
thto
nougl ybabi es, Nandi phahadj ustf i
nishedgi vi
ng
nomceboabat h, shehandsnomcebot omeand
shet akessmangel e,shegi vesherabat h,i
twas
Fri
daysoLet habocomesandpi ckssmangel eup, I
decidedIf el
tlikepar t
yingtoday, soImi ghtaswel l
dump, nomceboonzoey' sdoor st
ep, itisafterall
herfat her'shouse, Ii
nstructNandi phat opack
everythingmybabi esneed, Iwr i
teal i
stofdo' sand
don'tsf orbot hzoeyandLet habo, Lethabof inall
y
arr
aives, Igiveherever ythingsmangel eneeds
andt hel ist.
Afterl
ethoboleaves, Istr
apnomcebot ohercar
seat,Idri
vetother oyalhouse,Igostrai
ghtto
Bandil
e'shouse, Iri
ngt hedoor
bell,
zoeyopensthe
door,shewascar r
yingherwhinningbrat(khwezi
),
l
ikemot
herl
ikedaught
erIguess
Zoey:Thando,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:oooh, Ibroughtthisonetovisitherdad,She
hasever
ything, sheneeds, Ievenmadeal istof
do'
sanddont, tellBandi
letobringhertommor row
morni
ng
Zoey:Thandoyoucan'
tbeser
ious.
Me:am deadseri
ous,
iti
sherf
ather'
shouseaf
ter
al
l,goodluck.
Sheaskst
henannyt
o.Comeandt
akenomcebo.
Thenannycomesandt
akenomcebo,
Igot
osayhi
toqueenmother
Shewasreal
lyt
hri
ll
edtoseeme, shet
ell
smet
hat
herL.
S what,whatwasworki
ng
IwashappycauseIknewsooni
twi
llbepayback
ti
me
Idri
vehomeandIchillf
ortherestoftheday,I
l
ookattheti
me,itwasaroundei ght,Igetready,I
deci
detogotoBandil
e'scl
ub, Iwaswi t
hmyf ri
end
Jenny,Iwasdr
essedinbum shor t
s,acroptop
wit
hlongsleevesandsomegl
adi
atorsandal
s,I
madesuremymakeupwasonpoi nt,myweave
l
ookedstunning.
Iwasbusypar tyi
ngupast orm, whenIseeBandi l
e,
hewaski ssi
ngsomegi rl,IwasshockedcauseI
wasn'texpectingt oseehim here,soeveryt
hing
wasnotper fectinparadiseafteral
l,hewasal so
shockedtoseemet oo, whenhef i
nall
ylooksinmy
dir
ecti
on,hecomest ome
Bandi
le:whatt
hehellar
eyoudoi
ngher
eand
whereismydaught
er?.
Me:yourdaught
eri
sf i
ne,am sur
ezoeyistaki
ng
goodcar
eofher,sotheki
ngfinal
lygott
ir
edofhis
queen?.
Bandil
e:youbett
erkeepyourmouthshut,
causei
f
youdestroymymarri
age,Iwil
lmakesureyou
regr
etit
,soyoutookmydaughtert
omyhouse,so
youcanpar t
y?
Me:whynot?, Ideser
vet
orestandletmyhai
r
downonceinawhi l
e,Iwil
lneverbecomebor
ing
anddul
lli
keyourwife.
Bandi
le:don'
tyoudar
einsul
tmywi
fe
Weweredi
stur
bedbyhi
sphoner
ingi
ng,
itwas
zoey.
Bandi
le:shi
t..
..(heanswer
s)baby
Zoey:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Bandi
le:Iwi
llbehomei
naf
ewmi
nut
es
Hel
eaves,
Icont
inuepar
tyi
ngunt
il
loneam

Zoey

Iwasbusyt r
yingt
oclam khwezidown, causeshe
wasscr eamingherlungsout, whenThandocomes
anddumpsnomceboonmydoorst ep, shedidn'
t
evengivemeachancet osayno, Itr
ytocal l
Bandil
e, buthekeptignor i
ngmycal l
ed, thenanny
helpsme, itwasn'
teasyt aki
ngcar eofthreebabies,
theyeventuall
yfal
lasleep,Ical
lBandileagainand
hefi
nal
lypi
cksmycall
s,hetel
lsmehisonhi
sway
home,hefi
nal
lyget
shome,hesmell
edli
keadamn
br
ewer
y,heevensmel
ledofcheapper
fume
Bandi
le:babyam sor
ry(isl
aphi
m)
Pl
easebaby,
am r
eal
lysor
ry.
Itel
lthenannyt ot
akecareofmyki ds,Igoand
l
ockmysel fupinourroom andIjustcr
y, Bandil
e
wasr eal
lyhurti
ngme, butihavetobestrongfor
mybabi es,theyar
etheonlythi
ngthatmat t
ertome
now.
[
09/
30,
11:
05] :I
nser
t45

Bandi
le

Iwokeupqueitearly,Igoandcheckonthekids
andallthr
eeofthem werest
il
lsl
eepi
ng,dadand
sphamandlahadgonet ocl
oseaveryimport
ant
busi
nessdeal,Igot hemainbedr
oom andIf i
nd
sui
tcasespacked
Me:(Igodownonmyknees)babypl
easedon'
t
l
eave pl
ease.
Zoey:whosaidanyt
hingaboutmel eavi
ng?, ooh
dearhusbandyouar
et heonel
eavi
ng, t
hisi
smy
andmyki dshomeandooohdon'tl
etthedoorhi
t
youonyourwayout.
Me:babypl
easeyoucan'
tdot
his?,
wher
eam I
supposedt
ogo?
Zoey:atthispoi
ntandt
ime,Ir
eal
lydon'
tcar
e,go
tooneofyourhoesmaybet
heywil
lbewil
li
ngto
accomodateyou.
Me:pleasezoey,am beggi
ngyoupl
ease(it
ryt
o
ki
ssher,shegivest
womeanslaps)
Zoey:don'tyoudaret
ouchme, It
hinkyouar
enot
gett
ingthemessage(shetakesmybagsandthrow
them overt
hestair
s)nowletmegoandcheckon
myki ds,Iwantyououtofher
e,youbett
erbegone
whenIcomeback.
Shegoestocheckonthekids,l
ooksli
keshewas
pret
tymuchseri
ous,Igodownstair
sandt akemy
bagsguessi
tisthemainhouseforme, Ical
lunat
hi
,hecomesasIwasl eavi
ng
Unat
hi:ar
eyougoi
ngonavacat
ionorbusi
nesst
ri
p
.
Me:zoeyt
hrewmeout
UNathi:whatthehel
lisgoi
ngonwit
hyoubr
a?, I
thoughteveryt
hingwasgonebet
weenyouand
zoeywer efi
ne.
Me:t
hati
sunt
il
lIwentbackt
oli
vingl
ikeabachel
or
Unat
hi:youmeanyouar ethrowi
ngyourmar ri
age
awayforpeopl
ethatdontevencareaboutyouand
oneni
ghtstands,youareonetwist
edidiot.
Me:f
ine,
Ideser
vet
hat.
Unat
hi:andmor
e.
Unathihel
psmewit
hmybags,Igot
othemai
n
houseandplacemybagsi
nmyoldr
oom .
Apprent
lyqueennomawasnotf
eel
ingwel
l,soI
mustgoandcheckonher,shei
snotmyfavour
it
e
per
son, butIwi
shhernohar
m.

Meanwhi
le
Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Myhusbandhadl eftnomat hembai nmycar e,

whichwasper fect, Igoandt aketheL.S.Dand
pouranotherdosagei nherf ood, Itakeherst eak
andgreensal adpl ussomepur ewat er,Ieven
i
ncludedf or
kandst eakkni ef, hopefullyshe
commi tssuici
de, itwoul dbet hehappi estdayof
myl i
fe,Itakethef oodt oher, sheeat slike,she
hasnoteat t
eni nyear s, Il
eaveandgot othel iving,
Iwast her
ef oraboutf i
ft
eenmi nut
es, whenIheara
scr
eami ngBandi l
e, Ili
stent owher et hescr eami ng
wascommi ngf rom andi twascommi ngf rom
nomat hemba' sroom , nomat hembawasst abbi ng
Bandil
eont hear m
Iquicklyj umponher, shest
art
sst abbi
ngme,
Bandil
et akeshisphoneandcall
sunat hiforhelp,
hetell
shi mt obr
ingthetwoguards, Iwasinso
muchpai n, nomakeptstabbi
ngmeandsayi ng,
"youali
enswantt otakemybaby", iwas
screamingi npai
n,bandi l
ecoul
dn'thelpmecause
hewasi njured,Icouldn'
tscr
eam anymor e, iwas
numb, event
ual
ly,
unat
hiandt
heguar
dsar rai
ve,
theypullnomaawayfr
om meandcal
lforan
ambulanceandIwasout.

Zoey

Iwasbusyt akingcar eofnomcebo, whenMi nni

e
callsandt el
ls,nomat hembahasl osti tandshe
hasst abbedbot hBandi leandqueenmot herandal l
threeoft hem havebeent akentoahospi t
al,Iask
Mi nniet oasksi hlet ocallThandot ocomeand
picknomcebo, sihle,khanyi, Minni eandIr usht o
thehospi t
al, l
uckilyBandi lewasonl ystabbedon
thehandandqueenmot heronthehandwasa
differentstory,shewasst abbedal loverandshe
washeavi lysuidated, causeshewasi nsomuch
painandshecoul dbar elymove, nomat hembahas
beent akentoapsychi atri
cwar d, Bandi l
ewas
dischar ged,sower equestanuberf orhi m and
nat hi,sihle,Mi nni
e, khanyiandIdr ivebackhome
toget herinsihle'scar, Igot omyhouseandcheck
onmykids,Thandohadcomeandpi ckednomcebo
up,Igotothemai nhouseandcheckonBandile,I
makehim asimplesandwit
chandt henpour
or
angejui
cef orhi
m, Ihel
phim eatandthengi
ve
hi
m hi
smedi cati
on.
Bandil
e:thankyoubaby,
forwhati
swor
tham
real
lyt
rul
yanddeeplysor
ry.
Me:ifyousayso,anyway,am goingbacktocheck
onthekids,
Iwil
lcomeandcheckonyoul at
erand
br
ingyousomefoodsincempumi eisfor
everather
gi
rl
fri
endspl
ace.
Bandi
le:fi
ne,Iwi
llcomeandseetheki
ds
tommorrow ,
hopef
ullyIwi
llbef
eel
ingbet
ter.
Me:i
t'
sokay
Ileavehimt orest,don'tgetmewr ong,Ireal
lylove
Bandileandcar eforhim butf
ornowunt i
llhegets
hisshittogether,hewillr
emaininthemai nhouse,
i
fhedoesn' tgethisshittoget
her,IguessIwillhave
tolethim staytherecausemykidsandiar egoing
nowher e.
[
09/
30,
11:
05] :I
nser
t46
Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Iwokeupinsomuchpain, Il
ookar
oundandnot ice
am i
nanunfamil
iarroom ,
thenmymemor ycomes
back,t
hebit
chstabbedme, t
hedoctorstepsint
o
myroom ,whi
chwasgoodcauseever yi
nchofmy
bodyhurt
Me:waterpl
ease(hehel
psmedri
nkthewat
er)
,
doct
oram i
nsomuchpainpl
easehel
p.
Doctor:Iact
uall
ycamet ogiveyou,your
medicat
ion,youareasaviour,mostpeopledon'
t
sur
viveaft
erbei
ngstabbedt hi
rt
ysixti
mes.
Me:youmeanthatbi
tchst
abbedme,thi
rt
ysi
x
ti
mes?,nowonderwhyeveryi
nchofmybody
hurt
s
Doctor:youar
egoingtobefi
ne, youar
egoingt
o
beinawheelchai
rforacoupl
eofmont hscause
youaregoingtohavet
otakeiteasy
Me:what?,
no,
no,
not
hiscan'
tbehappeni
ngt
o
me.
Doct
or:am sur
eyouwi
llr
ecoverqui
ckl
y,sodon'
t
worr
y.
Hegivesmet hemedicat
ionandheleaves, iwas
i
nsomuchpai nonewoul dswearIdidn'tdr
inkany
medicat
ionforpai
n, Iwasabouttosleepwhen
t
hispersonIdon'
tknowsuddenlywalksin
Me:andwhoar
eyou?
Unkown:am Mphot
hepar
amedi
cthatat
tendedt
o
you
Me:somphohowcanIhel
pyou?
Mpho:not
hequest
ioni
showcanIhel
pyou?
Me:whatt
hehel
list
hatsupposedt
omean?
Mpho:(heshowsmeabagwi t
htheL.S.D
cont
aineri
nsi
de)It
hinkt
hisbel
ongstoyou.
Me:whati
sthat?
Mpho:youknowver ywellt
hisbel
ongst oyou,I
foundthi
sinyourpockectandhidi
tfrom my
coll
egue,soihadafriendofminetestt
hisandhe
t
ell
smei ti
saverydanger
ousdr
ug,L.S.
D,I
wonderwhatyouweredoi
ngwit
hit
Me:pr
ovet
hati
tismi
ne.
Mpho:Ididnottouchitwi
thmyhands,
sot
hey
wi
llgetyourf
ingerpr
ints.
Me:t hatcanbedisput
ed,youhadmetoucht
he
containerwhi
leIwasoutofi
tinor
derf
oryout
o
blackmai lme.
Mpho:(hecl apshishands)youaresmar t,butnot
smartenoughf orme, youseeyouforgotj
ustone
smallminordetail,
youseenomathemba' sblood
resul
tsisalltheproofIneed,
am suretheydidthe
bloodwork.
Me:f
inewhatdoyouwant?
Mpho:good,nowthatwear eonthesamepage,i
wantt
womi l
li
onandam givingyoutwoweekst
o
getmethatmoneyori
t'
sjailti
meforyou
Me:i fIdaregotojai
l,Iwi
llmakesureyouare
besidemef ori
nstr
ucti
onofjusti
ceandIwill
personall
ymakesur eyoudon'
tseeanotherday
af
teryouf
ini
shser
vingyoursent
ence
Mpho:t
woweeksandnotadaymor
e.
Me:Iwillonl
ygiveyouonehundredt
housandand
notacentmore, Iwil
ltr
ansf
erthemoney
tommorrow i
ntoyouraccount.
Mpho:t
hati
sabusur
d
Me:t
akei
tisl
eavei
t,webot
hgot
ojai
l
Mpho:f
ine
Heleaves,
Igobackt
osl
eepi
ng,
Iwasi
nsomuch
pai
n.

Zoey

Iwokeupqui etearly,Igoandcheckonmy
babies,lwaziwasupandgi gli
ngonhisown, my
divawasst i
llasleep,It
akemybaby, Igoandgi ve
him hisbath, whil
ethenannymakessof tpor
riage
forthem ,Ifeedl wazi,t
henannyt
akeslwazi and
rockshim backt osleep,asIwasabouttogoand
checkonBandi l
e, mydivascreams,Igoand
attendher,Iaskthenannytopr epar
esomewater
forher,igi
veherabat h,Idressherandgoand
feedher,asiwasst i
llf
eedingherBandil
ewal
ksin
Bandi
le:mor
ningbabyqueen.
Me:mor
ningt
oyout
ooBandi
le
Bandi
le:nobabynonot
hing.
Me:t
heonl
ybabi
esar
eknowar
ekhwezi
andl
wazi
.
Bandi
le:ouch.
..
..
.,Imi
ssyou,havepi
tyonme
andpl
easehavepityonmeandletmecome
home.
Me:notnow,
maybeaf
tert
woyear
s.
Bandi
le:Ican'
twai
tthatl
ongpl
ease .
Menotnow,youcameheret
oseeyourki
dsnot
me,
hereisanot
herone.
Ihandkhwezitohi m andhehol
dsher, t
henanny
comeswi t
hlwazi, hewasbusyspendingtimewit
h
hiski
ds,Igoandt akeashower,comebackand
Bandi
lewasgonej ustli
ket
hat,Iknew itwast
oo
goodtobe,apparentlyheisgoi
ngt ot
hehospit
al
tovi
sitqueenmotherwit
hunathi,
sihl
eandMi
nni
e,
khanyiwasn'
tfeel
ingwel
lsot
heyletber.
Itaket hekidsandplacethem i
nast r
oll
er,Igoto
visi
tkhanyi, shewasnowf eeli
ngmuchbet ter
apparent l
ysheandsphamandl awereexpecting
andt heywer en'tr
eadytotel
lpeoplegetsoiwas
thefirstonetoknow, wespendaf ewhours
together,shecooksandIpl acethegoodin
containersandIheadbackhome.

Thando

Iwokeuppr epar edeverythi

ng, Igoandmakemy
bed,Icheckonmygi rls,Igivethem abat h,feed
them andii nstructnandiphat ocomeandl ookaft
er
mygi r
ls, Idri
vet othehospi t
alt ovisitqueen
mother, Ifi
ndBandi l
e, mpumi e, si
hle,Minnieand
unathi,appar entlyt
heki ngandsphamandl awere
ontheirwayhome,If el
tsorryforhershame, the
bit
chmustbecr azyshame, Imeanwhost abs
someone36t imes, af
tervisi
tinghour s,Bandil
e
dri
veswi
thmetomyapart
menttogoandcheckon
nomcebo,whi
chremi
ndsme,Ihavet
osellmy
apart
mentandbuyanewhomeformybabi
es
Wegettomyapar tmentandIf i
ndnandi pha
holdi
ngnomcebo, whichwasper fect,Igive
nomcebot oBandi
le,wesitinthelivi
ngr oom
playi
ngwithourdaughterthi
swasr eal
lyperfect
wishthi
smomentcoul dlast,Bandi l
eseem tohave
evenfor
gottenaboutt
hewhol esanel esaf ewhich
wasperfect
[
09/
30,
11:
05] :I
nser
t47

Ki
ng/mphendul
o

Iwasinaveryimpor t
antbusi
nesstrip,
wi t
hmyson
sphamandla, whenwegetacal lt
hatnomat hemba
hadcompletl
ylosti
tandstabbedqueeennomcebo
andBandil
e, Bandi
lewasfine,wegetthenext
avai
labl
efl
ight,wegetbacktosout hAfr
ica, we
don'
tevengot othepalace,wedrivest
raighttothe
hospit
al,wegoandcheckonnomcebof i
rst,she
waspi
ssed
Nomcebo:doyouseewhatt hatcr
azybi
tchyou
marr
ieddi
dt ome?, shestabbedmenotthreeor
si
xti
mes, butt
hir
tysixti
mes, thi
rt
ysixf
ucking
ti
mes
Me:am sor
ryhoney
Sphamandla:am sor
rymom ,
Iwasn'
tther
eto
prot
ectyou
Westayfort
hir
tymi
nut
esminut
esandt
henwego
andcheckonnomat
hemba
Thedoct ortell
smesomeonewaspoi soingher
withL.S. D, Iknew therecoul
donl ybeoneper son
whowoul ddosuchat hi
ngandi ti
snoneot herthan
mywi f
e, Iwil
lmakesur esheconfessesand
regretsdoi ngwhatshedi dtomyot herwives,
nomcebohasbeenpl ayi
ngontopofmyheadf or
wayt ol ong, i
t'
stimet oputastopt oallofthi
s
nonsense.Thedoct ortell
smet heyar edoing
everthingpossi abletohelpnomat hembaandshe
willbef i
ne.It hentellsphamandlat odropmeof f
athome, Iwasreall
ytir
edandjetlegged, wedr ive
home, Igethome,Icalloneofmytr
ust
edel
derst
o
goandgetmet heroyalinyanga,
meandhi
m have
tohaveaveryseri
oustalk.

Bandi
le

Iwokeupandwentt
ohavebreakfastdownstair
s,I
fi
nddadhavi
nghi
sbreakf
ast,dadwasol dschool
so,hewasbusyr
eadinganewspaper, Igr
eetdad
Dad:andwhoi
staki
ngcar
eofyourki
dsandwi
fe,
whi
leyouar
ehere?
Me:dadzoeywast
heonewhot
hrewmeout
.
Dad:so?,youfeelyoucancomeandhi
debehi
nd
yourmot
her'
sskir
t.
Me:dadam tr
yingt
ofi
xthi
ngswi
thzoeyIj
ust
don'
tknowhow.
Dad:canyoubeamanf oronceandstopact
ing
l
ikeadamnteenager,
forsomeonewiththr
eekids
yousur
ehellarestui
pid.
Wehavebr eakfastandIgocheckonzoeyandki ds
,If
indzoeybusyt ryi
ngtoclam downkhwezi, I
takeherf rom zoeyandshei mmedi at
elystops
cryi
ng,Ipl aywithherandt henzoeygoest ocheck
onLi am ,shecomesbackwi t
hhi m andthenshe
start
sgi vi
nghi m hisbath,shel oti
onshi m,dress
him andt hengiveshimt othenannyt ofeedhim,
shet akeskhwezif rom meandshegi vesherabat h,
idecidet otakezoeyandmybabi esout,Idecideto
taket hem toafunpar k, wewer ehavingsomuch
fun, evenzoeyseemedal i
tt
lerelaxed

Thando

Ihaddsci
det ogooutandr el
axjustf orawhile,
nandi
phahadgonehomet obabysi t, soidecidet
o
takemybabiestoat hemepark, Ibumpi nto
Bandi
leandzoey, Icoul
dseet heywer ehavingfun,
Ideci
detogooverandgr eetthem ,justtomake
mypresencefelt
Me:t
hissocut
eandcosy,
whywasn'
tjayl
ar
i
nvi
ted?
Bandi
le:Iwaswit
hheryester
dayaf
tervi
sit
ing
mom ,
todayi
saboutkhweziandl
wazi
Me:butyouar ewi
thkhweziandlwazieveryday,
oopsIfor
gotyouar
ebusykissinghoesatyour
cl
ub, sosor
ryBandi
lei
twasasl ipoft
het ongue
Zoey:i
tokay,
Bandi
leconf
essedever
ythi
ng,
I
know
Me:damnBandil
ehadtorui
nthef
un,
Iwashopi
ng
t
obreakt
hej
uicystor
ytoyou
Zoey:am sor
rybutsomeonebeatyout
oit.
Nowifyouwi
llexcuseus,
iti
sfami
lyt
ime,
wewant
t
ohavesomef un.
Il
eavet
hem andIl
ett
hem be,
Iwasr
eal
lypi
ssed.

Lat
ert
hatday

Zoey
Iwasact uallypi ssedatBandi lebutIdi dn'twantt o
giveBandi l
et hesat isfactionofshowi nghert hat
myhousei snoti nor der,Iwassot ired,I
prepar ewat erf ormybabi es, Bandilehol dskhwezi
whileIgi veLi am hi sbat h, Ifeedhi m andmypoor
babywasoutj ustliket hat, Itakekhwezi givehera
bath, Ifeedherandshef allsasl eep,mypoor
babieswer etired, Bandi l
egoesbackt ot hemai n
house, Icallkhanyit ocheckuponher, shewasso
happyt ohearf r om ,Ial socal lLeejoyt oandspi ll
thetea, shewasl aughi ngherassof fand
promi sedt ocomeandhol dmybabi eswhi l
eI
whoopThando' sass, Ical lasleepwhi lewewer e
stil
ltalki
ng.

Bandi
le

Iwasimpressedwithhi
smywi f
ehandlesThando
today,
Ithoughtshewasgoingtoki
llmebutshe
waswayt ooclam f
ormyli
king,am nowtoscar
ed
togonearher, am sur esheisgoingtoskinme
ali
ve, Ihavetostayawayf r
om myf uckbuddies,I
wasrelaxingi
nmyr oom , whenMi randacall
sme,
thedevilwasreall
yt estingme, Ij
ustignorehercall,
Itr
ycallingzoey, butshedoesn' tanswer,Ilether
beandIevent uall
yf ellasleep.
[
09/
30,
11:
05] :I
nser
t48

Ki
ng/mphendul
o

Iwokeupear l
y, godomyhygi neprocesses, both
mywi veswer est i
llatt hehospit
al,soIwasgoi ng
tovisitthem ,Ihadnoonet omakebr eakfastf or
me, soIdeci dediwi llgrabsomethingt oeaton
mywayt ot hehospi t
al,Ilookatthetimeandi twas
nineam , Idrivetowi mpygetmysel fbr eakfast,I
hadt woofmyGuar dswi t
hme, soialsobuy
breakfastf orthem , Ieat, It
hendr i
vet othe
hospital, Ifi
rstgoandcheckonnomat hembawho
wasdoi ngmuchbet ter,butshewasnotoutoft he
woodsyet, shest illneedst ogotorehab, asmy
GuardsandIwer emaki ngourwayt onomcebo' s
room ,Iseet
hisyoungmancommi ngoutofher
room ,Iwasstil
lali
tt
lebitatadist
ance, could
nomcebobecheat i
ngonme?, iaskoneofmy
guardstogoandgett heyoungman, Ienter
nomcebo'sroom
Me:queenmot
her,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Nomcebo:am st
il
linsomuchpai
n.
Afewminut
esl
ater,
theguar
dret
urnswi
tht
he
youngman
Me:youngman,whoar
eyouandwhati
syour
r
elat
ionshi
pwi
thmywif
e?
Nomcebo:hei
s..
..
..
..
Me:nomceboIwasn'tt
alki
ngtoyou,am t
alki
ngt
o
theyoungman,l
ethi
m answeram sur
ehecan
speakforhi
msel
f.
Youngman:am mpho, am oneofthepar
amedi
cs
thatat
tendedtoyourwi
vessi randher
eismycard
toproveit(hehandshi
scardt ome)
Me:isee,
buti
tst
il
ldoesn'
texpl
ainwhatyouar
e
doi
ngher
e?
Mpho:t
hequeen'swri
stwatchwasleftbehi
ndin
t
heambulance,Isawitwasexpensi
ve, soikepti
t
f
orherandidecidedt
obringitt
oher.
Me:f
ineyoumayt
akeyourl
eave.
Mphol
eavesandIt
ellt
heguar
dst
owai
tout
side
Nomcebo:soi
thasgot
tent
oapoi
ntofyounot
t
rust
ingmeint
hatmanner?
.
Me:wi t
hyou,oneneverknowsandi fyouare
doi
ngsillystui
ptthi
ngsl
ikedruggingnoma,you
bet
terstartconf
essingbefor
eitistool
ate.
Nomcebo:howdar
eyousaysucht
hings?
Me:am notst
uipi
d,apersonjustdoesn'
tgofr
om
bei
ngheal
thyandsanetoabsolutel
ycrazyand
bi
zzar
ethenextday.
Nomcebo:howdar
eyou,
getoutofmyr
oom .
Me:Iwil
lgobutkeepwhatIsai
dinmind,conf
ess
causewhenyoucomebackhomet her
oyali
nyanga
wil
lbewait
ingforyout
oswear.
Ileaveaver yupsetandangr ynomcebo, Idecide
togohome,Idr i
vepastNandosgetmysel fsome
food, am surenompumel elohasgonetoher
girlf
ri
end'
spl ace,sheshouldjustmovet
her e
alreadycause, sheisf
oreverthere,Idr
ivehome, I
fi
ndBandi lewatchingsoccer
Me:can'
tyougot
oyourhouseal
ready?
Bandi
le:appar
ent
lyIcanonl
ygot
her
eaf
tert
wo
year
s.
Me:am gi
vingyout
wodaystosor
tyour
sel
fout
andmoveoutofmyhouse.
Bandi
le:butdad.
..
..
..
..
Me:what?,twodays,youareamanandi t
'st
ime
t
oactl
ikeone,rememberwhatthegoodbooksays,
amanshalll
eavehi
sparent
shouse...
..
.
Bandil
e:yes,
yesIknowcanInowwat chmy
soccergamei
npeaceandnoti
npieces.
Isitdownandjoi
nBandi
le,weendupshari
ngt he
foodIbought,
Iwasgrat
efulhi
sarm washeal
ing
perfect
ly.
Zoey

Ihadwokenupear ly, idomyhygi nepr ocesses, I

getmybabi esreadyf ortheday, feedt hem , Iplace
them inast roll
er, Iwasr eall
yst arti
ngt ogett he
hangoft hismommyt hing, Ideci det ogof orawal k
aroundt heroyalyar d,i twasr eal l
yr elaxingshame
, It
akeat hirtymi nuteswal k, mybabi eswer enow
sleeping, Ituckt hem i n, Icallkhanyiandmi nnieto
comeover, theydo,wej usthangout,khanyi
beingkhanyideci dest ocookandshecooked
enoughf oodt of eedanar my, theydi shupi n
container sandt heyl eave, Iwasnowser iously
bored, Idecidetogoout, Ihaven' tbeenouti na
whi l
e, Ineedt ol etmyhai rloosej ustf ort onight,I
askt henannyt obabysi t,shewasshockedmy
babieswer ebar elytwomont hsandIwasl eaving
them , Itwistherar m andsheevent ual l
yagr ees, I
takeashower, l
otionandgetdr essed, Icheckmy
hair,mycur lyhai rhadgr ownback, Ideci det ogo
formy32i nchweave,Iwearabl ackski nnyj ean,
mywhi teungenaphislogant-shi
rt,whi t
evans,
madesur emymakeupwasonpoi ntandIwasout
thedoor,Idecidet
ogot obandil
e's0911, Igett
here
anditwaspacked, Igetmysel fanonal choli
c
cocktai
l,Iwasnotdrinking,Iwasj ustinnocently
dancing,whenBandilecomesandgr absmeand
pull
smet ohisoffi
ce
Bandi
le:whatt
hehel
ldoyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ng?
Me:relaxwi
llyou?,
am notdr
inki
ng,
Iwasj
ust
danci
ngforf
un.
Bandil
e:andwhileyouar
ebusyjustdanci
ngf
or
fun,whoistaki
ngcareofmybabi
es?.
Me:sinceyoucar
esomuchaboutt hem ,
whydon'
t
yougoandtakecareoft
hem your
self
(hej
ustl
ooksatme)It
houghtso.
Bandi
le:ar
eyousur
e,youar
enotdr
unk?
Me:am mor
ethan100%sur
e,i
nfactam 200%
sur
e.
het
akesmyhand,hol
dsi
tandheleadst
heway,
hewastaki
ngmehome,wewereonourwayout,
whenwebumpi
ntot
hischi
ck
Unknownchick:Bandi
le whot hehelli
sthis?,is
shethereasonwhyyouhavebeeni gnori
ngmy
cal
ls?,aft
erfucki
ngmel astweek,youthinkyou
candumpmef ort
hist
hing?
Me:babygirliguessyouaregoi
ngt ohavet
ojoin
theque,butIwishyouluckcauseThandowi l
l
defi
nat
lyhaveyourassf orbr
eakfast.
Unknownchi
ck:whot
hehel
lisThando?
Me:hiswif
edear,meandyousamewhat'
sapp
gr
oup, wearebot
hhissi
dechi
cks,
Thandoishis
main
Bandi
le:zoeyam sor
ry.
..
..,
Mir
andawi
llyoushut
thef
uckup, t
hisi
smywi f
e.
Me:ifihadapennyf orever
yti
meyouar
esor
ry,
I
wi
llbesorichr
ightnow
Iwassopi
ssed
Mi
randa:am sor
ry,
Idi
dntknowyouwer
ehi
swi
fe.
Me:it
'sokaydearBandi
leonl
ytel
lsyou,whathe
want
syout oknow.
Irequestforanuber,theuberarr
aives,Igeti
nand
l
eaveBandi leandhismiranda,Igethome, Liam
wassl eepi
ng, missdi
vaont heotherhandwas
screamingherlungsout, assoonasItakehershe
cl
amsdown, It
akeherwi thmetomyr oom ,we
endupf all
ingasl
eep.

Bandi
le

Damnt hisMi r
andachi ck,dadi sthrowi ngmeout
ofhishousei ntwodayst imeandshehadt ogoand
rui
never yt
hing, Iwasr eall
ypissed, Igot omycar
andleaveMi r
andast andi
ngt hereallshocked, Iget
homeandigost raighttomyr oom , Itakemyphone
andcallzoey, shedoesn' tanswer, Igot omy
house, unlockt hef r
ontdoor, Igoandopenmy
bedroom door, Ifindzoeyf astasleepwi thkhwezi
nexttoher, It
akekhweziandt akehert ot he
nurseryandipl aceheri nhercotbed,It hencover
zoeywi t
hhert hrow andt heniswi tchont heaircon
forhersinceitwashot, Igot otheot herroom and
sl
eep,Iwasreal
lyt
ir
edandpi
ssed,soidi
dn'
t
havet
heener
gytobacktot
hemainhouse.
[
09/
30,
11:
06] :I
nser
t49

Twoweeksl
ater

Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Iwasf eeli
ngmuchbet terandt hedoct orsai
diwas
readytogohome, Iwasr eal
lynotl ookingfowar d
tothat,thekingwasf oreveronmycase, yes, I
hadsucessf ull
ypai dmphoof f, butmyhusband
wantedt oknowwhatt heHundr endt housandwas
for,thingswer enotgoi ngsowel lbet weenmeand
myhusband, plushewant smet oswear, Ididn'
tdo
anythi
ngt onomat hemba, Iwasr eallytir
edofmy
husbandshame, Ihadaskedsphamandl atocome
andpickmeup, whatreallyannoyedmei sthatthi
s
ti
meIdon' thavecont r
olofanyt hing, causeone,
alt
houghIpai dmphoof f,hest i
llhadt heevidence
andIdon' tknowwhathewi lldowi t
hi t,hecoul d
comeandbl ackmai lmesomemor e, twomy
husbandwasont ome, sphamandl af inall
y
arr
aivesandhewaswi thunat hi,theygoandpay
thehospi talbill,thentheyt akemet o
sphamandl a'
scar,Af terwhatf eelslikef orever,
wef i
nal l
ygethome,Iwasshockedandsupr ised
atthesamet i
me, everyonewast her etowel come
me, exceptf orNoma, shewasst i
llinrehab, but
shewasf ineandshewi llbehomeanydaynow,
everyonewashappyt oseemeandIwashappyt o
see, everyone, exceptf orzoeyt hatgi rljustr ubs
meupt hewr ongway, butt hist i
meIr eallydi dn' t
carethatmuchabouther, Ihaveal otonmypl ate,
wehavel unch, myson' sandmydaught erwer e
thr
ill
edt ohavemehome, afterluncht heyal lleave,
exceptf orBandi leandNompumel elo,zoeyhad
appar entl
yt hrownBandi leoutofhi shouse,
everyonehadl eft, i
twasnowj ustt heki ngandIi n
ourbedr oom
Ki
ng/mphendul
o:soareyour
eadyt
otel
lmet
he
t
rut
horshoul
dIhumil
iat
eyou?
Me:whatt
rut
h?
King/mphendul
o:theroyali
nyangawi
llbeher
e
andyouhavetoswear.
Iwasnowscar
ed,
Ibegi
ntocr
y
King/mphendul o:youbet terstopwithyour
crocodil
etear
s, causebyt hetimeam donewi th
you, youwon'tevenrecogniseyour sel
finthe
mirror,youbett
erber eadytosweart ommor r
ow.
Me:Iwi
lldonosucht
hing
Ihadaprivatenurse,Iaskhert
ohel
pmegett
obed
,Ievent
uallyfallasl
eep.

Thenextday

Queenmot
her/nomcebo.

Iwokeuptothenewsthatnomat
hembawashome
andtheki
nghascall
edforameeti
ng,ever
yone
i
ncludi
ngthevi
ll
ager
swer et
obether
e,sothemy
husbandwasser i
ousaboutmeswearing,Iaskmy
nursetohel
pmegeti nt
omybathtub, shedoes,I
doallmyhygineprocesses,Il
oti
on,getdressed,
myhusbandwal ksin
Me:Ihearyouhavecal
ledf
orameet
ing.
King/mphendul
o:yes,ihave,
Igaveyousomany
opport
uni
ti
esforyout
ocomeclean.
Me:butnomastabbedmet
hir
tysixt
imesam i
n
pai
nandIthi
nknomaandIareeven.
King/mphendul o:soyoudoadmi tt opoisoning
noma?, oohdearwi f
e, youhavenotpaidyet, what
nomadi dtoyouisjustat i
poftheiceberg,since
therewon'
tbeanyneedf oryoutoswear, youar e
goingtoconfesswhatyoudi dtoyoursisterwifeat
ameet i
ngandt heniwiltakethematterfoward.
Hewasangry,Iont
heot
herhandwasnotgoi
ngt
o
sayanyt
hing

Fewhour
slat
er
Ever yonemadet heirwaytot
hecounci lchambers,
allthewhose, whoseofthevil
lagewer ether
e,even
theel derswer
ethere,Iwasstillnotgoi ngtosay
anyt hing,mynursepushedmeal lthewayt othe
counci lchamber
s, assoonasIar raive,theki
ng
getsupandever yonekeepsquei tand pay
attentiontowhathehast osay
King/mphendul
o:Icall
edallofyouheretoday
causemywifehassomethi
ngt otel
lever
yone,my
fi
rstwi
fewhoisqueenmother
hei
ndi
cat
est
omynur
set
obr
ingmef
orwar
d
ShedoesandIj
uststartcr
ying,
ever
yonewas
shockedt
oseemecrying
King/mphendul
o:queenmotherwi
llyoupl
easet
ell
uswhatyouwanttotel
lus,
sowecanmove
forwar
d.
Me:myki ng, myel der
s,queennomathemba,my
kidsandal lourloyalsubj
ect
s, pl
easefor
giveme
forIhavewr ongedyouandhumbl yaskforyour
forgi
veness, Ididn'
tnotwantmyhusbandt omar ry
queennoma, soitri
edtokil
lherbabybypouring
oi
lonthefl
oorandshesl i
ppedandf el
l(ever
yone
i
ntheroom justgaspoutofshock,Iwascryi
ng)i
al
sousedanabor ti
onpil
landdr uggedherwi
thL.
S
.D(peopl
ewer eshockedandbegancalli
ngmeevil
wit
ch)am sorrypleasef
orgi
veme, i
twasoutof
angerandpurejel
ousy
Theelderswer
ebusyshaki
ngt
hei
rheads,myki
ds
coul
dn'tevenl
ookatme.
King/mphendul o:mypeopl easyouhavehear d,
someoft het hi
ngsam hear i
ngf orthef i
rstti
me
todayandam shockedasmuchasyouar e,sot hi
s
i
smydeci sion,queenmot herIwi l
lnotlivewi than
evilpersonorawi tchandyoumustpayf oryour
crime, youar egoingtohandyour selfinfor
poisoingQueennomat hemba, Iwillpardonyouf or
tryi
ngt okillmychi l
dcausehei sst i
llali
ve,you
wi l
lpayaf ineoffivecowst omeandf i
vecowst o
nomat hemba, aft
eryouar erel
easedyouwi llnot
comebackt otheroyalhouseforatleasttwo
mont hs, myel dersIhavesaidmypi ece, i
tisnow
yourturnt osayyourpi ece.
Theel
der
shadbeeni
nami
normeet
ing,
whi
let
he
ki
ngwashandi
nghi
sjudgement
El
dermduduziget
supt ospeakonbehal
fofel
der
s
si
ncehewastheeldestmemberofthecounci
l
Eldermduduzi:weast heelder
sar ebothshocked
anddi sgustedbyqueennomcebo' sbehaviour, so
thisisourdecisi
on, shemustpayaf ineoffive
cows, f
ivesheep'
s, fi
vegoatstotheelders,ont op
ofthef i
vecowsshehast opayourki ngandhi s
otherqueenshehast ogivethem sixcowseach,
queennomceboyouhavehumi l
iat
ed andput ted
ust oshame, wetheelder
shavespoken
Everyonel
eavesi
ncl
udi
ngt
heel
derandt
hemy
daughteri
nlaws
Queennoma:everydogshal
lhaveit
sdayi
ndeed,
l
ookathowyouhumi l
iat
edyour
self,
shameon
you,wickedwi
tch,bythet
imeyoucomeoutof
pri
sonIwil
lbel
onggone
Sphamandl
a:motherhowcouldyoubesowi cked,
youhavebi
rtht
oyourkidsnotonenottwobutf
our,
howcouldyoudothatt
oaninnocentchil
dmom ?
Iwasj
ustcr
yingIcoul
dn'
tbel
ievemyhusbanddi
d
t
hist
ome,t heki
ngi
nstruct
smynursetotakeme
t
ohiscar,
hewasdri
vingmet ot
hestati
onhimself
t
omakesureihandmyselfi
n,Iwil
lfi
ndmyl awyer
t
here.
[
09/
30,
11:
06] :I
nser
t50

Twoweeksl
ater

Zoey

Withqueenmot hernotar ound, Icoul

dbr eatha
l
itt
le, shewasgi venaR1000, 00fi
ne,si xmont hs
i
npr isonanda10yearsuspendedsent ence,
Everyonewasst i
llangryather, queennomahada
babyboy, althoughhei snotnormal,shedeci ded
tomovet ot heU. Swi t
hherson, mom andnanny,
shewi l
lonl
ycomet hi
ssi deifiti
snecessar yorif
shewant stovisit,shewant edtobeasf arfrom
queenmot heraspossi able,thekinghadt hrown
Bandi l
eoutofhi shouse, soBandilewasbacki n
ourhousebuti nt heguest room , Minnieandunat hi
hadgoneonabaecat i
oni nZanzi bar,Aunt yBell
a
wast aki
ngcar eoft heirsonwandi le,whoi sthree
yearsold,si hlehadgonet ovisithermot herwith
herson' sMusawhoi sf i
veandsandi lewhoi s
two,Mpumi ewasatt rina'splace, soitwas
basicall
y,me, Bandil
e, myt wins, t
heking,
sphamandl a, khanyi, khanyi '
sdaught erNol wazi
whoi sal sothr ee, Aunt yBellaandwandi le,not
thatthekids, kingandsphamandl acount,
sphamandl aandt hekingar ef oreveri
nmeet i
ngsor
businesst ri
ps, thingsbet weenmeandBandi l
e
werenott hatgr eat, i
twasl ikewewer elivi
ngtwo
separatelivesandIf i
nal l
yunder standt hereis
nothingIcandot i
llhef i
nallydecidestogr owup.
Iwakeupear l
y,Ifindthenannygetti
ngmybabi es
readyfortheday,Idecidet
omakemysel fa
sandwitch,Iwasstil
lbusyintheki
tchen, whenI
hearthedoorbel
l,Iopenthedoorandi twas
Thando, shewasholding,nomcebo
Me:andt
henwena?
Thando:oohi
tisBandi
le'
stur
ntobabysi
t,
Nandi
phahasgonehomef
ort
heweekend,
sanel
e
pi
ckedsmangel
eup.
Me:youcan'
tbeseri
ous,
whatam Isupposedt
o
dowi
ththr
eekids?
Thando:notyoubutBandi
le,
it'
scal
ledco-
parent
ing,butt
henagai
nyouar ehi
swifeso
youf
igur
eitout.
Me:Thandoyouhaveyourent
ir
eli
fet
obeaj
erkso
whynott
akeadayofft
oday?.
Thando:Awwit'
ssocutewhenyoutryandt
otal
k
aboutt
hingsyoudon'
tunder
stand.
Me:youknow,yourl
ipskeepmovi
ngbutal
lIhear
i
sBlah,Bl
ah,Bl
ah.
Thando:isBandi
leinori
shewi
thawomanwho
cansati
sfyhi
mi nbed?.
Me:(Iwant edtoslaptheshi
toutofThando,
butI
quickl
ycomposemysel f)i
m sorr
ywasImeantto
beof f
ended?,causetheonlythi
ngof
fendi
ngme
ri
ghtnowi syourf
ace.
Thandosl
apsme,
IswearIsawgazi
ll
ionst
ars, I
scr
eam myl
ungsout,Bandi
lecomesr
unni
ng
Bandi
le:whati
sgoi
ngon?
Thando;youbett
ergett
histhi
ngyoucal
lawife
causeIwil
lshowherfl
amesandmakesur e,
she
goesandmeetherancestor
s.
Shegi vesnomcebot oBandil
eandshel eaves,if
shethinksshecanassaul tmeandgetawaywi thit,
i
nmyownhouseandgetawaywi thit,shehas
anothert hi
ngcommi ngbyt heti
meam donewi th
hershewi l
lnotlayherf i
lt
hyhandsonmeever
again,Ichangei ntodecentcl ot
hing,It
akeacoupl e
ofpict
ur es, Ileavet he.KidswithBandi l
eandthe
nanny, myf acewasr edandherf inger
swer e
vi
siableonmyf ace , Imakemywayt othestati
on
andIpr essasaul tchar gesagainsther, i
twasfri
day
andam t hril
ledcauseshewi l
lbeher et
heent i
re
weekend, shewi llonlybeoutonMonday.

Thando
Aft
ermyl i
tt
lecatfi
ghtwit
hthatzoeybitch,Idri
ve
st
raighttomyapar t
ment,Imakemysel fsomethi
ng
qui
ckandeasy, Isi
tdownandbegi ntoeat,Iwas
st
il
leatingwhenIhearadoor bel
l,Igoandgetthe
door,tomysur pri
seitwaszoeyandtwopol i
ce
off
icers
Me:of
fi
cer
s,t
owhatpl
easur
edoiowet
hisvi
sit?
.
Of
fi
cer1:mam youar
eunderar
rest.
Me:f
orwhat?(isl
apzoeyagai
n)f
ort
hat?
Offi
cer2:mam youdor
eal
iseyouar
enothel
ping
yourcaser
ight?.
Isl
apzoeyt
wiceagai
n,t
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
srest
rai
n
me
Me:nowyoucanar
restme.
Theycuf fmeandt akemet othevan,wear r
aiveat
thest at
ionandtheyplacemei nsideacel
l,Ican' t
believeam goingtobehereunt i
llMonday,Ihavet o
calldad'slawyerasap,butIknowMondayIwi llbe
outofher e.
Iwasseriousl
yjustbored,Iaskformyphonecal l,I
callmom andaskhertogetmedad' slawyer, I
alsoaskhertoandgetmyki dsandpi cknandipha
uponSunday, mom wasl it
erall
ypi ssed,knowing
mom am nevergoingtoheart heendoft his,Idon'
t
knowhowbutievent uall
yfellasleep.

Bandi
le

Idon'tknowwher ezoeywent, causeshedi

dn'tsay
asinglewordtomeast owher eshewasgoing,
thankGodthenannywasar oundcauseIwasnot
goingtosur
vivewi t
hthreekidsi nmyown, af
ter
abouttwotothreehours,zoeyf i
nal
lycomesback
Me:andwher
ethehel
lhaveyoubeen?
Zoey:well,i
fyoucar
eandmustknow,
Ihadgone
tothest
ation.
Me:t
odowhatexcat
ly?.
Zoey:t
opr
esschar
gesagai
nstyourpr
eci
ous
Thando
Me:youdi
dwhat?, areyoucr
azy,
Thandohas
smal
lki
dsforGod'
ssake.
Zoey:wel
ltough,sheshouldhavet
houghtof
them ,
beforeput
ti
ngherhandsonme, whodoes
shethi
nksheisputt
ingherhandsonmeliket
hat,
i
nmyownhouseNogal?
Me:youshouldhavespokent
omef i
rst,
Iwoul
d
havedealtwi
thThandoandmakesur
eshedoesn'
t
di
srespectyouagain.
Zoey:what
ever
Me:don'tyoudarespeakt
omel i
kethat,Iwi
llnot
tol
erat
ethatshitnotnownotever(iwaspissed,i
grabbherbyherarm andl
ookherstr
aighti
nthe
eye)ar
ewecl ear?
Zoeyj
ustl
ooksatmeanddoesn'
tsayawor
d
Wewerestil
lbusyurgui
ngwhent henannyknocks
onthedoorandtel
lsus,Thando'
smom i sher
eto
seeus(wewer ebothshocked)
wemakeourwaytot
hel i
vingr
oom ,wefi
ndherin
ourl
ivi
ngr
oom ,
shegreetsusandtell
sussheis
her etopi
cknomceboup , Igoandt akenomcebo
from thenurseryandal lherthings,shepl eads
Thando'scaset ozoeyandt heyevent uallyhavean
agr eementthatzoeywi l
ldropt hechargesi f
Thandor espectst heboundr i
eszoeywi llset,
thando'smom l eaves, Idecidetogot omycl ub,I
mi ghtaswel lsleeptheretonight,Isneakoutwhen
zoeyi si
nthenur ser
ychecki ngont heki ds.
[
09/
30,
11:
06] :I
nser
t51

Bandi
le

TodaywasMonday, Ihadbeengonehomesi nce

Fri
day, Ihadmyr oom andmycl othesatt heclub
soIwassor t
ed, Iwakeupear ly,godomyhygi ne
processes, lot
ionandgetdr essed, Idri
vepastby
McDonal donmywayhomecauseIwasl iter
ally
st
arving, af
tereat t
ing, Idr
ivestr
aighthome, Iget
homeopenthedoor,Iwasshockedt
oseedad
si
tti
nginmyli
vingr
oom readi
nganewspaper,
i
greethi
m
Me:dadpl
easegi
vemeaFewmi
nut
est
otal
kto
zoey
Idon'tevengivehim achancetotal
k,Irush
upstair
s, Il
ookforzoeyandthekidstheywereno
wheret obeseen, Igodownstai
rs,dadlooksatme
andshakeshi shead
Dad:di
dyouf
indt
hem ?
Me:nodad,
whati
sgoi
ngon?
Dad:It
oldhert
oleaveandgobackhome.
Me:whydad?
Dad:causeyoumysonar eclear
lynotmanenough
forher pl
usIdidn'
twantzoeyandtheki
dsto
witnessmekickyourbal
ls
Iwassti
llshockedhetol
dzoeytogohome,Iwas
st
il
lthi
nkingaboutzoey,whenDadgr abbsmy
manpartandkeptont wist
ingi
t,Iwasscreami
ng
i
npain
Dad:maybenow youwi l
lstopthinki
ngwithyour
dickandstar
tthi
nkingwit
hyourbr ain,whatman
l
eaveshiswif
eandki dsonFridayandcomesback
onMonday,f orpart
ying,Iwantthatclubgoneand
sold,
doyouunder st
and?
Me:butdad.
..
..
.(hestar
tshi
tt
ingmewi
thf
ist
s,
bl
oodwasnowcommi ngoutofmymouth)
Dad:ar
ewecl
ear?
Me:yeswear
ecl
ear
Dad:good
Hekicksmei nthenut
s, whati
sthi
smancr azy?,
doesheknowhowdel icatet
hispar
tsare?,Iwas
i
npainf ordays,heki
cksmeagaininthenuts,I
waslit
erall
ynownumb.
Dad:am let
ti
ngyour estfornow, assoonaszoey
comesbackf r
om hervacationinDurban,youwil
l
gotoherparent'
shouseandf ixthi
ngswithher,I
wantherbackinthi
shouseandIdon' twantt
ohear
hercomplai
naboutyouandyourhoe' scausethe
nextti
meshecomescr yi
ngdemandi ngtogohome
becauseofyour
behavi
our,
Iwil
lli
ter
all
ycutyourbal
lsoutandf
eed
them t
oyou.
Iwasst
il
linpai
n,dadt
hrowsI
ceatmeandhe
wasgone.
ManIcan'tbeli
evezoeyactual
lyreport
edmetodad
anddadactuall
ykickedmynut s, Ipl
acet
hei
ce
anditf
eltali
tt
lebet
ter,It
rycall
ingzoey,she
doesn'
tanswerherphone.
Idecidet
osl
eept
hepai
nof
f,Ican'
tbel
ievedaddi
d
t
histome.

Thando

Imanagedt ogetoutonawar ning,mydad' s

l
awyerwasgood, dadcomesandpi cksmeup, we
wer est
il
lonourwayhi m, whenIgetacal lf
rom
mom , t
hatbabynomceboi sreall
yil
landshehas
takenhert othehospi
tal,
Iscream andmyhear t
wasbeat ingfast,daddri
vest othehospi
talfast
er,
alliwantedtodowast ohol dmypoorbabyi nmy
armsandassur eherever ythi
ngwi l
lbef i
ne, Icall
Bandi l
e, hedoesn' tanswerhi sphone, Iwasr eall
y
pissed, wegett ot hehospi t
al, wef i
ndmom i nthe
wai t
ingar ea, shesayst hedoct orsar esti
ll
attendingt omybaby, Ikeptpr ayingthatmybaby
willbef i
ne, Iwoul ddieifanythingwast ohappent o
mypoorbabyIwoul ddi
e, thedoct orcomesandt el
l
ust okeepheri nourpr ayers, IcallBandil
eagai n
andheanswer s, Itel
lhi
m aboutnomcebobei ngin
thehospi tal,hehangsup, hemusthavedr ovel i
ke
amani acbecausehear rivedatt hehospitali nno
ti
me, hewaswal kingkindaf unny, butthatwast he
l
eastofmywor ri
es
Bandil
e:whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoupeopl
edot
omy
daughter?
Me:wedidnothi
ngtoher,
shej
ustf
elli
ll
,peopl
e
f
allsi
ckal
lthet
ime
Bandi
le:Godhel pyou,
ifanyt
hinghappenstomy
chi
ld,Iwi
llki
llyouandImeanthatl
it
eral
ly.
Me:wi l
lyoupleasestop ,
not
hingwi
llhappent
o
ourchi
ld,pl
easerelax.
Wewai t,thedoct
orcomesandt ellme,wecango
andsee, butwehavet owaitunt
ili
nthemorningto
seeifther
eisnoimpr ovementcausehecan'
tsee
anythi
ngwr ongwi t
hher, wegoandseeheritwas
real
lyhardformet oseemybabyhookedupi nall
thosemachi nes,
wesayourpr ayersf
ormybaby
andweal lgohome.

Nomcebo

Lif
ei nprisonwasr eal
lyhard, howcoul dmy
husbanddot histome, mykidshat eme, Iwillbea
brokensoulbyt hetime, Il
eavet hishellhole, am
tol
dnomahasmovedt otheU. Swi thherson, I
fi
nallygotr i
dofher, butatwhatcost?, myf ami l
y,
myf reedom , nomemberofmyf ami l
yhasbeen
heretoseeme, onlyThandowasher eforme, she
evenbr oughtmeacoupl eoft hings, Imayneed,
thi
slifewasr eallyhardforme, butmycooki ng
skil
lsreallyhelpedmeshame, althoughIwasnot
real
lycooki ngthefancyf oodiwasusedt o, wehad
al
lsor
tsofchar
act
ers,somewomenwer
ereal
ly
ki
nd,somewerescar
yandhear
tl
ess.

Zoey

KingDl aminihadsentme, mybabi esandmy

nannyt oDur ban, foronceIhadf orgottenaboutmy
hoeofahusband, Iwasr eallyhavi
ngf uni n
Dur ban, Iaskt henannyt ol ookaftertheki ds, Ipay
heranext r
at housandr and, Iwasgoingt ogof ora
wal katt hebeach, Ileaveandgof ormywal k, I
feltreallyrelaxed,Igobackt omyhot elroom , I
fi
ndmi ssedcal l
sfrom bandi l
e,idecidet oi gnor e
hiscal ls,Ical lLethaboandLaur enona
conf erencecal l,wet alkf oranent i
rehour, Ial so
decidet ocallAnthony,wecat chupandIt ellhi mI
willbehomeaf t
ermyvacat ioninDur ban, after
hangi ngup, Igoandcheckonmybabi es, they
wer epeacef ull
ysleepi ng, Itakeacoupl eof
picturesoft hem sleepi ng,t heywer ereallycut e,I
goandwat chamovi e, Ifi
nal l
yfal
lasl eepat
ar
oundoneam .
[
09/
30,
11:
06] :I
nser
t52

Thando

Ihadwokenupquei tear l
y, Ididn'tgetanysl eepat
all,Ikeptwonder ingi fmybabywoul dbef ine, Igo
anddomyhygi nepr ocesses, lotionandget
dressed, Iwasatmypar entshouse,Imakemy
bed, godownst airsandwat cht elevi
sion, af ew
hour slater, t
hechefcomesdownst ai
rs,Imustsay
heki ndal ookhot, howcomeIhavenevernot i
ced
?, buthehasnot hingonBandi le,wegr eeteach
other, hest artsmaki ngbreakf ast, Iwasstillbusy
havingaconver sat ionwi t
hourchef, hisnamei s
karabobyt heway,whenwehearmom scr eami ng
upst airs, karabot akewhateverhewashewas
cooki ngof fthest oveandher usheswi thme
upstai r
s, onlytof i
ndmom ,hol dingsmangel e,she
wasdoi ngt heexactt hi
ngnomcebowasdoi ngand
i
twasl ightsoutf orme.
Fewhour
slat
er

IwokeupandIlookar
ound,mom ,dad,kar
abo
andsi
hlewerebymybedside,theniremember
whyam her
e,mybabies
Me:mom ar
emybabi
esf
ine?
Mom :her
e,havesomewat
ert
odr
inkf
ir
st
Hehandsmeagl
assofwat
er
Me:mom Idon'
twantt
hedamnwater,
alliwantt
o
know whet
hermybabi
esar
efi
neornot?
Dad:babythatisnowaytotal
ktoyourmot
her,
shewasjusttr
yingtobehel
pful
Me:Iknowandam sor
rymom ,
am j
ustwor
ri
ed
aboutmybabi
es.
Mom :i
t'
sokayiknowyoudi
dntmeani
t
Me:t
hankyoumom ,
nowl
et'
shuggi
tout
Shegi
vesmeahugg,
kingDl
ami
ni,
sanel
eand
Bandil
ewalkin,
sanelehadbroughthi
shoodr
atof
awifeLet
habo, t
heygivemeanupdat eonmy
babi
esandt heyaresti
llt
hesame
KingDl
amini:t
hisi
snotordinary,thedoct
orscan't
seeathi
ng,Iwil
lspeakt
other oyali
nyangato
comeandhelp,maybethereisasoluti
ontoallof
thi
s.
Me:butbabayouknowIdon'
tbel
ievei
nthat
sangomastuf
f.
Dad:butbabygir
lthi
scoul
dhel
pyourbabi
es,
pl
easedon'tdi
smissthei
dea.
Sanel
e:Iwil
lspeaktomyf ami
ly,
wecanal
sot
ry
andfi
ndasol
utionforsmangel
e.
Me:butt
her
oyali
nyangashoul
dbeenough
Sanel
e:mychi
ldisnotoft
her
oyalbl
ood,
soidon'
t
seehowhecanhelpher.
Me:nomceboishersi
bli
ngam sur
eifi
t'
s
somet
hingspi
ri
tualhecanhel
phertoo
Sanel
e:whatever,
am goi
ngt
ocheckonmy
daught
er,babylet
'sgo
Ever
yoneleavesmyr oom t
ogoandcheckonmy
babi
es,Iwasr eall
yscepti
calaboutt
hiswhole
i
nyangaisssue, butam wil
li
ngt
otryanyt
hingas
l
ongasmybabi eswillbefi
ne.

Zoey

Dur banwasr eall

yamazi ng,Imademywayhome
safetly, IcallAnt honyt ocomeandpi ckmeup,
evermyni ghtandshi nningar mour, mybr other
comesandpi cksmeup, Icantbelievemynanny
willbel eavingsoon, howam Igoi ngtodot his
withouther?, weevent uallygethome, Imustsay
i
tr eall
yf eltgoodbei ngar oundpeopl ethatact ual
ly
careaboutmeandl ivi
ngadr amaf reeli
f eforonce,
thenannywasr esti
ngsower emybabi es, mom
anddadwer egoi ngt oMozambi que f orbot ha
holidayandabaecat ion, theysaygoodbyet ous,
theygi vemef i
vet housand, Iwast hri
ll
edshame.
Me:t
hankyoumom anddad, nowyoutwokids
r
unalonganddon'
tdoanyt
hingIwouldn'
tdo.
Mom :(shehuggsmefirst)don'
twor
rybaby,
I
behave,am notsur
eyourdadcanbehave.
Me:andwhatareyoutwoki
dspl
anni
ngondoi
ng
dur
ingt
hisvacat
ion?
Dad:not
hingmuchbaby,
justsex,
sexandmor
e
sex
Me:eew gr
ossdad,
T.M.i(toomuchinf
o)they
askAnt
honytodr
opthem of
fatt
heair
port
Iwasl iterall
ybor ed, IcallLethabojusttocatchup
withherandboywasmyf ri
endspi l
li
ngthet ea,
sheevent uall
ytellsmet hatThandoandherbabi es
areatt hehospi tal,butThandowasf ine,shejust
fai
nt edwhenshesawherot herbabysick, wetal
k
forwhatf eltl
ikehour s,ifitwasThandoal onein
thathospi tal,Iwoul dbedoi ngmyhappydance
thi
sver ymoment, butther earepoorinnocent
babiesl ivesatrisk, soipr ayf orthebabiesandI
willcont i
nuet oputt hem i nmypr ayers
Afewminut
esl
aterAnt
honycomesback.Iaskhi
m
f
ormoney
Ant
hony:
Ithoughtmom anddadhaveyoumoney.
Me:what?, t
heyhavemeonl
yfi
vegr
and,
whatam
Isupposet
odowiththat?
Ant
hony:okayokay.
..
..(hdsendsanot
herf
ive
t
housand)
Igivemynannyanext r
a1500, f
orhertobabysi t
againt onight,IaskAnt honytojoinme, causeI
can'tgot othecl ubalone,Ant honyandIgot othe
club, wepar tyupast orm.BoywasAnt hony
wast ed, goodt hingIwassoberandkeepi nganeye
onhi m sohedoesn' tdoanythi
ngst ui
pid,Iwas
surprisedwhent hebartenderbri
ngsmeadr inkand
sayssomeoneboughti tf
orme.Iwant edtogoand
throwt hedr i
nkont hefaceofwhoeverboughtt he
drinkforme, Imakemywayt othetablethe
bar t
endershowsme, i
deasshocked, i
twasPaul,
theguywhoBandi l
ehadhi sbouncerpickmeup
whi l
eIwast alkingtohi m
Me:oohmyGod.
.
Paul:hel
lot
oyout oostr
anger,
IhopeIst
il
l
rememberedyourpoisoi
n
Me:act
ual
lyyes,
butInol
ongerdr
ink,
my
pr
egnancypl
usbr
eastf
eedi
ng,
trai
nedmewel
l.
Paul:soyouhaveachi
ld?
Me:act
uall
yIhadt wins,
aboynamedl
wazi
Liam
andagi
rlkhwezizahl
ee.
Paul:
andwhoi
sthel
uckyguyt
hatknockedyouup
Me:mydouchebagofahusband.
Paul:ouchdoesheknowyoucal
lhi
mthat?
Me:Idoubtt
hatonewoul
dcar
eeveni
fIt
oldhi
m
st
rai
ghtt
ohisface
Iactual
lyhaveaball,wi
thAnthonyandPaul.
AnthonywaswastedsoIdriveushomeIwasso
damnt i
red,Il
ookatthet
imeandi twas2:30am ,
I
gotobedandl i
ket
hatIwasout.
[
09/
30,
11:
06] :I
nser
t54

Bandi
le

Ihadsl
eptatt
hemai
nhouse,
dadt
oldmet
o,
causewewi llhavet owakeupear l
yt ogoandf etch
ther oyalinyanga, Iwasst illi
nmydr eam worl
d
wher eever ythingwasper fect, whenIheardad
tel
lingmet ogetup, Ilookatt hetimeandi twas
threeam ,Iwakeupt odomyhygi nepr ocesses,
l
ot i
onandgetdr essed, Ievent ual
lygodownst airs,
thet i
mewasnowf ouram , wedr ivetot hi
sdark
dingypl ace.Idon' tunder standhowonecanl i
vein
apl acelikethatt his, i
tscar edscar edme, we
appr oacht hislit
tl
eol dhut,Ihearavoi cetel
li
ngme
anddadt ot akeof fourshoes, whichwedo, Iwas
aboutt ointroducemysel ftot heinyanga, whenhe
stopsmeusi nghi shand
I
nyanga:Iknowwhoyouar e,youpassedt
hrough
t
hisveryhandsandIalsoknowwhyyouarehere,
t
hesinsofpar ent
sshal
lbepaidf
orbythei
r
i
nnocentchil
dren.
hethenlet
'soutthi
swier
dlaught
er,
itwasal
most
asi
fitwasar oar
ingli
on.
Dad:
'thankyoumakhosi
Wewai
tfort
hei
nyangaf
oraboutt
hir
tymi
nut
es,
whileheget sready,weevent uall
yleaveandgot o
theroyalhouse,byt het imewegethome, i
twas
sixthir
typm , Igobackt osl eepwhi l
edadandt he
royalsangoma, dowhat evert heywer edoi ng, dad
comesandwakesmeupatei ghtam , t
hewhol e
housesmel ledreall
ywi erd, dadt el
lsmet ocal l
zoeyt ogetherwithherpar ents,t handot ogether
withherpar ent
sandIshoul dal socallformy
brothers.IgetwhyThandohast obeher ewi t
hher
parents,butwhathast hi sgott odowi thzoey?,
arekhweziandl wazial soi nsomeki ndaoft roubl
e,
Icallzoey,whohasnowcl ear l
yblockedmycal ls,I
goandaskf orkhanyi'sphone, Iknowshewi ll
answert hatwithafir
str ing andsur eenoughshe
does
Zoey:mommyt
obe.
..,
mamakaSalkom..
..
..
Me:i
t'
snotkhanyi,
it'
smeBandi
le.
Zoey:okayam goi
ngtoki
ll
khanyif
orthi
s,
Bandi
lecan'
tyougett
hemessageal
ready,Idon'
t
wantt
ot al
ktoyou.
Me:pl
easedon'
thangup,
dadaskedyout
ocome
overt
other
oyalhouset
oget
herwi
thyourpar
ent
s.
Zoey:i
nconnect
ionwi
th?,nevermind,
mom and
dadareonavacati
on,soiwil
lbri
ngAnthonywi
th
me.
Me:fi
newit
hme, howarelwazi
andkhwezi
?,am
r
eal
lywor
ri
edaboutthem .
zoey:theyaredoi
ngfi
ne,l
etmegoandgetr
eady
,Iwil
lalsot
ellAnt
honyt
ogetr
eady.
Me:Imi
ssyou.
..
..(shehangsup)

Zoey

Iwasbusyget t
ingmyki dsr eadyfort
heday, when
Igetacal lfr
om , whoIthoughtitwaskhanyibutit
turnedoutt obeBandi l
e, Iwonderwhymypar ent
s
presencei srequir
edatt heroyalhouse, Iaskt
he
nannyt ohel pmeout, whi l
eIgoandt alkto
Ant hony
Ant
hony:dumbhead.
..
..
..
Me:hey.
Anthony:dumbheadareyouokay?,
youdon'
tlook
cheerf
ull
ikeyest
erday.
Me:Iwasf ineuntil
lBandilehappened, hesaysmy
presencei
sr equi
redatt heroyalhousetogether
withmom anddad, butItoldhi
m iwillcomewi t
h
youcausemom anddadar enotaround.
Ant
hony:f
orgetitdumbhead,
Ihaveaver
y
i
mport
antmeeting.
Me:pl
easedot
hisf
ormeAnt
hony,
pret
typl
ease
Il
ookathi
m wi
thpl
eadi
ngeyes.
Anthony:ser
iousl
ydumbhead,doyouhavetolook
atmewi t
hthose puppyeyes?,okayf
inewecan
go.
Me:thankyou,youar
ethebestbr
otheri
nthe
whol
ewi dewor
ld.(iki
sshi
m onthecheek)
Anthony:anddon'
tyouf
orgett
hat,
youoweme
one.
Me:andIwi
llr
etur
nthef
avouroneday
Ididn'tevenl
ethim answerme, Irushoutthedoor,
Igot akeashower,l ot
ion,sisflohelpsmedr ess
properly,si
nceam goingbef or
et heking,Iwear
my32i nchweave,makesur emynai lsandmake
upar eonpoint,igodownst air
s, Ifi
ndAnthony
waiti
ngf orme
Anthony:fi
nal
ly,It
houghtyouwer
edeador
somethingdumbhead.
Wegeti ntoAnt hony' sJeep's andwemakeour
wayt other oyalhouse, Igotothemai nhouse,
whileAnt honywai tsformei nhi scar,Igeti
nand
fi
ndal lt
heDl ami nisibli
ngsincluding mpumi e,the
kingandasangomaIdon' tknow, asIwasabout
tositdown, Iactuall
ygett heshockofmyl i
fe
Thandoandherpar ent swalkin, t
hensanelewalks
i
nt oo, t
het hehel lisactuall
ygoi ngonhere?
Theyexchangegr eeti
ngsbutKingDl aminiactuall
y
l
ookedpi ssedtoseeThando, actuall
ymor eli
ke
disgust
ed, theyallsi
tdown, t
hekingdeci deswe
shouldallgooutsi
de, weallgetup, aswear e
abouttoleave,thesangomaasksf orsomepr ivacy
withThando, wegoout si
deandl eaveThandoand
sangoma,Ant
honycomesandj
oinus,It
hinkhe
sawThando'
sparent
sandhewasbei
ngprotect
ive
ofme.

Thando

Iwokeupnotr eall
yl ooki
ngfowar dt hi
sday, Ir
eall
y
thinkthi
swhol esangomai ssuewasj ustawast eof
ti
me, Igetready, Igoandhavebr eakf ast,mom
anddadf inall
ycomedownst airs, theydeci denot
tohavebr eakfast,geti nt
odad' scarandwemake
ourwayt ot heroyalhouse, wegett her eandwe
fi
ndsanel ealsoarriving,wegr eethim andgeti n
withhim, wef i
ndt heking,alltheDl ami niki
dsand
thespoil
ledslayqueen, wegr eeteachot her,
somehowt hekingwasact i
ngcol dt owar dsme,
butImanaget ohidet heembr assment, wewer eall
abouttogoout side, whenthesangomaasksmet o
staybehind
Sangoma:younggi
rl,
whathaveyoudone?,why
haveyouswornt
hepoorgi
rlwi
llknownopeacei
n
hermar
riage?,doyouknowhowmucht hatyoung
l
adyis heavi
lyprot
ect
edbyther
oyalancestor
s?.
Me:ihaveabsol
utel
ynoi
dea,
whatyouar
etal
king
about?
Sangoma:youcanr obever
ybody,butnotmethe
eyeofmyancestors,si
nceyousayyouhaveno
i
deawhatam tal
kingabout,
letmeref
reshyour
memory
Het akesabasinf ul
lofwater,poursomethingi
n
i
t,Iseemysel fpour
ingtheaborti
onpil
lint
ozoey'
s
j
uice, Ial
soseemysel fspr
inkl
ingt
hepowderIgot
fr
om myf riendinmyselfsoBandil
ecanbemor e
att
ractedtomeandnotzoeyandmegi vingtheL.
S
.Dtoqueenmot her
Iwasshockedandr
eadyt
odoanyt
hingsoIdon'
t
getexposed
Me:pleasedon'
ttel
lanyone, Iwil
ldowhat everyou
wantmet odopl
ease, j
ustdon'tt
ellanyoneplease
Sangoma:tool
ate,
myloyal
tyl
ieswi
tht
her
oyal
house,sot
heki
ngknowsalr
eady.
Iplacemyhandsont
opofmyheadandbegi
nto
cr
y.
Me:am sodead
Sangoma:notyet, yourki
dspayi ngforyoursi
ns,
Bandi
le'
schildsouli shaunti
ngyourki ds,your
ki
dswon'tgetbett
erandwi l
leventual
lydieifyou
don'
tconfess,bereadytobur ythosekidsifyou
don'
tconfesst
oday
Iwasl iteral
lycaughtbet weenar ockandahar d
place, everyonei sgoingt ohatemef orwhatIdi dto
zoeyandi fidon'tconf essmyi nnocentki dsdi e, I
can'tl etthathappent omyki dsnever, t
her eisno
optionbutt oconf ess, Itel
lthesangomaam r eady
toconf essandf acet heconsequencesofmy
actions, hegoesoutt ocallever yone, mom i s
definat elygoingt odisownmeaf terthis,Bandi leis
suregoi ngt ohateme, t
hekingwi lldefi
nat elyhave
mef orbr eakfast, Ir
eallydon'tcareaboutsl ay
queen, shecangot ohel lforallIcar e,alliwanti s
formybabi estogetwel l,Iwaitforever yone, my
hear twasj umpi ngoutofmychestasever yone
enter ed.
[
09/
30,
11:
07] :I
nser
t54

Thando

Everyonewalksi
n,theytakeasi t,t
hesangoma
doessomechantti
ngorwhat everiti
sthathei
s
doing,Iwasnowcrying
Mom :Thandowhatiswrong?,
whyar
eyoucr
ying
,aremygr andbabi
esfi
ne?
Sangoma:YourGrandbabi
eswillbef
ineaslong
asthei
rmotherdoeswhati
srequir
edofher.
Dad:andwhati
sthat?
Ki
ngDl
ami
ni:shewi
llt
ellyouandnowi
sn'
tThando
?
Me:yesiwi
ll
Il
ookdown
Mom :Thandowhatst
uiptt
hinghaveyoudone
now?
Me:am sor
rymom ,
Ican'
t.,youwi
llal
lhat
eme
Isobuncont
rol
labl
y
Ki
ngDl ami
ni:si
nceshedoesn'
thavetheball
sto
t
ellyouwhatshehasdone,Imightaswel
ltel
lyou
Me:i
t'
sfi
neIwi
llconf
essmyki
ng.
KingDlami
ni:dot
hatt
hen,
causeyouar
ewast
ing
ourti
me.
Bandi
le:whati
sgoi
ngonher
ebaba?
Me:wellIhelpedqueenmot hergett
hedr ugshe
usedonqueennomat hemba, ial
sosprinkl
ed
powderonmyselfthatigotf
rom myfriendthatyou
feelmor
eatt
ractedtome
Bandi
le:youdi
dwhat?
Zoeyj
ustcl
apsherhandsandsays"Amen"
KingDlamini:youl
eftoutt
hati
nter
est
ingpar
t,t
he
partIwantthemost.
Me:Ipour
edabor
ti
onpi
ll
sinzoey'
sjui
ce
Ever
yoneexceptt
heki
ngandt
hesangomagoes:
youdidwhat?
Me:am sor
ryBandi
le.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Bandi
le:whenwast
his?,whenwast
his?
(Bandil
ewasfumming)
Me:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Hegrabbsmebymyhand, sphamandlapul
lshi
m
awayf r
om me,heandunat
hitakeBandi
let
ohis
room sohecancl
am down.
Me:am sorr
ypl
easedon'tl
etmybabi
esdie
becauseoft
hemiscar
ri
ageIcaused,pl
ease.
Iwaskneelingdownbeforezoey,whowasn'
t
tal
kingormovingshewasi nazombiest
ate,
I
shakeherl eg,assoonasshewasback,sheki
cks
mei nmyst omachsohardIli
eonthefl
oor
groaningandmoaningcauseofthepai
n
Nompumelelo:It
oldyout
hist
hingi
ssat
anher
sel
f,
am out(mpumiel
eaves)
AsIwassti
lli
npai
n,zoeygr
abbsmebymyhai
r,
shepul
lsmetowar
dsher
Sphacomesbacki
ntother
oom ,
heandtheking
wantedt
opul
lzoeyawayfr
om me,butherbr
other
st
oodupandst
oppedt
hem
Anthony:no,letthem be,ifanyofyout ouches
zoey,Idon'tcarewhoyouar e, ki
ngornoki ng,
Pri
nceofnoPr i
nce,parentornotIwil
lshowyou
whatam am madeof.Letmysi sterst
andupf or
hersel
fforonce.
Zoeyj ustkeptonkickingmeonmyst omachand
pul
lingmebymyhai randdraggingandpulli
ngme
acrosstheroom ,itwaslikeshehadlosthermind,
unathiandBandilecomei ntotheroom
Bandi
le:
zoey(shel
ooksathi
m )youbet
terki
llt
he
bi
tch
Iwasi
npai
n,shamebutshedi
dn'
tst
op.
Zoey:howdar eyou, Iam zoeyWi ll
iams, yesI
don'tknowhowt odomosthousehol dchoresbutI
knowhowt okickass, Ihaveletyoudisrespectme
andmymar riagefortoolongwel li
tstopsher eand
today,IfIeverandImeaneverseeyounearmeor
myhusbandIwi llki
llyou, youwor t
hlesspieceof
trash.
sheki
cksmei
nmyst
omachagai
n,ihadbl
ood
commingoutofmyvigi
naandmymout
h,shet
hen
spi
tssal
iveronmyface.
Shegoest
oBandi
leandst
art
shi
tt
inghi
m.
Zoey:youseewhatyourhoe'sdidtomybabyandI
wonderwhyGodevengaveherbabi est
hist
hing
doesn'
tdeser
vet
obeamot her,
shewasnow
cryi
ngonBandil
e'
sshoulder,hetakeshert
ohis
room .
Mom wasintear
s, dadcal
lsthedoct
ort
ocome
andat
tendmecauseIhadbl oodcommingoutof
mymout handvi
gina

Zoey

Aft
erBandil
eclamedmedown, sphamandlacomes
andchecksuponusandtell
usthat,themeeti
ng
wil
lcont
inueinanhour
sti
me, hethenleavesi
twas
nowjustmeandBandil
e
Me:(Iwascryi
ng)youseewhatpai
nyouand
yourhoe'
sar
ecausi
ngmeBandil
e?,am done,
am
donewi
thyourass.
Bandi
le:babypl
easefor
giveme,
for
givemebaby,
am t
rul
ysorry.(hehuggsme)
Me:willsor
rybri
ngbackmychil
d?,
youandyour
hoebot
hdeservetodi
eandroti
nhel
l
Bandi
le:am sorr
ybaby, am t
rul
ysor
rytel
lyou
what,whydon'tweleavejustt
hetwoofusfora
coupl
eofdays?.
Me:andleavemyki dswi t
hyourcrazyf amil
y?,
khanyi,
spha, nathi,thekingandmi nnieare
goodpeopl
eyes, especial
lykhanyibutidon'twant
mykidsanywhereneart hi
shousef ornow, please
borr
owmeyourphone, causeIdon' tevenknow
wheremineis,am nott hi
nkingstr
aightnow, I
needmymom .
icryagai
n,Bandi
lehandsmehisphone,Idi
al
mom 'snumber,itgoesst
rai
ghtt
ovoicemai
l,Idi
al
dad'snumber,heanswerswit
hafir
stri
ng,Ij
ust
fi
ndmyselfcr
ying
Dad:zoey?,i
sthatyou?
Me:yesdad(isobuncont
rol
labl
y)
Dad:pr
incess,whati
swr
ongbaby?
Me:dadsheki
ll
edmychi
ld,
sheki
ll
edmychi
ld
Dad:whooaclam down,
areLi
am andkhwezi
fine?
,whathappened?
Icoul
dsenset
hewor
ryi
ndad'
svoi
ce
Me:dadt
hetwinsar
efi
ne,
sheki
ll
edmyf
ir
stchi
ld
Dad,myfi
rstbaby.
Mom hadnowgr
abbedt
hephonef
rom dad
Mom :babywher
ear
eyouandwher
eisAnt
hony?
Me:am att
her
oyalhouseandhei
swi
thme.
Mom :goodnowgohandAnt
honyt
hephonesoi
cant
alktohi
m
Ileavetheroom ,bandil
ecomesaft
erme,myeyes
wer eswoll
enfrom al
lthecr
ying,
Ihandthephone
toAnt honyandhegoesout si
det
otalkt
omom
King:nowthatever
yoneisher
eandthedoct
or
hasat
tendedThando,wecancont
inue.
.
King:ThandoIdon' twantt oseeyouanywher e
neart heroyalhouseagai n, i
fBandi l
ewant sto
seenomcebo, youcangetsomeonet obr i
ngher,
youaregoi ngtogivet hisroyalhouset encows,
eachcowwor th20t housand, youar ealsogoingto
paybababheki muzi(t her oyalinyanga)twenty
thousandsr andsf ort hegoodj obhehasdone
(theroyalinyangawasshocked)youar egoingto
givezoeyandBandi l
ef ivecowseachl ikewiseeach
cow costing20t housandr andeach, youhave
disr
espectedt heroyalhouse, whichmeansyou
havedisrespectedt her oyalelderssoyouwi l
lbuy
aagoat, sheepandsi xcowf orthem eachcow
worthtenthousandr ands.It hekinghasspoken
Me:myki ngImeannodi srespect,whatsoever
butmychi ld'
sli
fewasnotwor thfourhundredand
eight
yt housand(mi nusthecost sofasheepand
goat),sot hatr
ightther
ei saninsultst
rai
ghttomy
face,fi
vecowswi l
lnotbringbackmychi ld.
Thando'
smom :mykingifImaysaysomethi
ng,I
am notonl
ydi
sgust
edbywhatmydaughterdidam
al
soappall
ed,sheisnotonl
yadisgr
acetomebut
adi sgracetotheentir
ewomanhood, am ashamed
thatIwast heonewhobr oughtthi
sshamei ntot hi
s
wor ld,Ihaveforgi
venThandosomanyt imes, even
whenshehumi l
iat
edmeandmyhusbandwi thher
twinspat er
nity,sountil
lmyhear tdecides to
forgiveher, myhusbandandIar ef i
newi thher,
shewi l
lnotsetafootintomyhouse, am
suspendi ngherasC. E.O until
lfuthernotice,iwi l
l
taket hetwinsandraisethem withhernanny' shelp
, soifsaneleandBandi l
ewantt oseet hem they
cancal lme, Thandowi l
lseethem onceaweek
underst ri
ctsupervisi
on.
Thando:mom ,youcan'
tdot
hat,
youcan'
tkeep
mybabiesawayfrom me
Mom :icanandiwi
ll,
wat
chme.
..
..
Thando:dadar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmom dot
hist
o
me?
Thando'
sdadrai
seshi
shandsupsoast
osayam
notget
ti
nginvol
ved
Ant
hony:Ithi
nkwearedonehere,
zoeymom tol
d
metotakeyoust
rai
ghthome,shesayssheand
dadwil
lcat
chthenextavai
lablefl
ight,sot
heywant
youhomewhent heygetback,myki ngIt
hinki
s
ti
memysi st
erandItakeourleave.
Ki
ng.Dl
ami
ni:i
t'
sokayyoumayl
eave
Anthonydrivesushome,Iwascr ying,Thandohad
real
lyopenedoldwoundsf orme, Igethomewi tha
poundingheadache,Ant honyhandsmesome
headachepi l
ls,Idr
inkandidecidet oli
edownona
couchwithmymom' sthrow ,If
eltclosert
oher
thatway,Iwaswat chingt.
v.anditwasl i
ghtsout
forme.

Meanwhi
le

Bandi
le

Todaywasr eal
lyaroughday, howcouldThando
besocruelandheartl
ess, aft
erzoeyandher
brot
herl
eave, wedr i
vetothehospital,
itwasme,
Thando,Thando'sparent
s, dad,royali
nyangaand
sanele,sphamandlaandunat hisaidthatweretired
ofThandoandherdr ama wegett here,
Baba
bhekimuzidoeswhateverhedoes, thegir
lswake
up,itwasasi ft
herewasnot hingwr ongwiththem ,
youshouldhaveseenhowhappypeopl ewer e,the
doctorcomesandsayst heycangohome,Thando
'
smom t akesthegirl
sandleaveswi ththem andher
husband, sanel
eleavesalone,Il eavewithdad
andBababheki e,Thandohadr equestedf oran
uber.
[
09/
30,
11:
07] :I
nser
t55

Thando

Aftereveryoneleftthehospit
al, Iwaswai ti
ngf or
anuber, whenIf eelhecti
ccrampsandIcoul dn't
handleitanymore, Iwasinseriouspai n, Icallmy
mom shedoesn' tpickmycal l
s, Icalldadhedoes
thesame,ical lkaraboandheanswer s,Iwas
sitt
ingonabenchi nthewaiti
ngar ea, Inoti
ceam
bleedingandIhadbl oodalloverasIwasst i
ll
tal
kingt
okarabo, hetell
smet oaskforhelp,Iask
oneofthenurse'
snear bytohelpme, shegivesme
aformtofil
lout,Iwasi nser
iouspai
nIcoul dn'
t
evenwrit
e,event
uallyitwaslight
soutf orme.

Anhourl
ater

Iwokeup, Il
ookaroundandnot i
ce, am i
na
hospitalr
oom ,Iwasal i
tt
lebitconfused, dad,
karaboandt hedoctorwalki
n, Iwassur pr
isedt
o
seedad, Iwasi nsomuchpai n, bel
ievemewhenI
saythepai nwasunbearable, Inoti
ceihadadr i
p
andt heyalso hadhadonef ullofbloodIwas
scared
Doct
or:mam howar
eyouf
eel
ing?.
Me:al
it
tl
ebet
ter,
thankyoudoct
or.
Doct
or:youlostal
otofblood ,soyouneedt
o
t
akeiteasyandam afr
aid,Ihavesomebadnews
Me:am Idyi
ng?
Doct
or:nomam ,
whoeverassul
tedyousur
edi
da
l
otofdamage,whoeveri
tisdamagedyourwomb.
Me:whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
Doct
or:am af
rai
dyourut
erusisscar
redandyou
won'
tbeabl
etohaveanykids
Me:youmean,Iwon'
tbeabl
etof
allpr
egnant?
Doctor:youcanfal
lpregnantbutyouwon'tbe
abletocarr
ytoter
m ,soyoucaneitherchooset
o
haveasur r
ogat
eorhaveyourwombper manent
ly
removed.
Me:(Iwasangr
y)whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
orr
emove
t
hedamnwomb.
Dad:Thandoar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
Me:dadwhatishesti
llwai
tì
ngfor,
itwi
llbeacol
d
dayinhel
lbef
oreIletanot
herwomancarrymy
chi
ld.
Doct
or:Iwil
lgi
veyouf
ormstofi
lloutanddoyou
wantt
opresschar
gesagai
nstwhoeverassul
ted
you?
Ipausedf
oramoment, dadl ooksatmeandgi
ves
meyoubetternotdoanyt
hingcrazylook.
Me:Idon'
tevenknow,whoassul
tedme,
itwas
someoner
andom int
hestr
eet
s.
Doct
or:ar
eyousur
e?
Me:yessi
r.
Hegoesoutt ot
akef or
msformysurgeryto
removemywomb, Iwasactuall
yhear
tbrokenthat
Iwon'tbeabletohavemorekids,mom wasnot
evenheretosupportme,dadandkaraboleave,
theysaytheywil
lcomebacktommor r
ow mor ni
ng
andcheckuponme.
Whatisact ual
lyhappeni ngt ome,Ihavelost
everyt
hing, myj ob,myki ds,t
hemanIl ove,nowI
can'
tevenhave ki dsanymor e..
.whatis
happeningt ome, mypar entswon'
tevenlookmein
theeye, Icouldn'tsl
eepbecauseoft hepainam
feel
ing,Ifoundmysel fcrying.

Thenextday

Zoey
Ididn'tevenr ememberhowif ellasleep,am sur
e
whatAnt honyhavemewasnotheadachepi l
ls
becauset heyknockedmeout,Il ookatt heti
me
anditwassi xam ,igetof fthecouch, Itakemom's
thr
owbackt omypar ent
sr oom ,Igoandcheckon
myki dstheywer esleepi
ngpeacef ul
ly,asIwas
goingtomyr oom ,Anthonycallsforme
Ant
hony:dumbhead,
howar
eyouf
eel
ingt
oday?
Me:dweeb,am muchbetter,
butIst
il
lwantt
o
choke l
if
eoutoft
hatwi
tch.
Anthony:hey,am yourol
derbr
othersoyoudon'
t
gettocal
lmedweeb,okay?
Ij
ustlaughathi
m andshakemyhead, wewer
est i
ll
l
aughingateachother,whenIheart
hedoorbell,
I
godownst ai
rst
ogoandgett hedoor,Iopent
he
dooranditwasBandil
e
Me:Bandi
lewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Bandi
le:canwet
alkl
iket
womat
uredadul
tspl
ease.
Me:yourki
dsar
eupst
air
s,Icangowaket
hem
upi
fyouwantt
oseet
hem .
Bandi
le:Iwi
llseet
hem l
aterr
ightnow,
Iwantt
o
tal
ktoyou.
Me:butwehavenot
hingt
otal
kabout.
Bandi
le:Iwantt
osaveourmar ri
ageandIhaveno
i
deahowt odothat,
pleasehel
pmesaveour
marri
age.
Me:j
ustgi
vememyspacefort
woort
hreedays
t
henwecanmeetupandt
alk.
Bandi
le:pr
omi
semeyouwon'
tgobackonyour
word.
Me:f
ine,Ipr
omi
se
Weweresti
llt
alki
ngwhenthenannycomeshol
ding
ascr
eamingkhwezi,Bandi
let
akesherandshe
i
mmidet
lystopsandstar
tssmil
ing.
Thenannygoesupst air
stogi veLiam hi
sbath,
aft
erafewminutes, shecomesdownst air
sand
gi
vesLwazitome, shetakesmydi vaandgoesto
gi
veher,herbat
h, Iwant edt ofeedLi
am but
Bandi
lest
opsmeandhef eedshim, t
henanny
comesandgivesmekhweziagain,Anthony
comesdownst ai
rswhi
leBandi
leandIareplayi
ng
wit
hthetwi
ns.
Anthonygreet
sus,het akeslwaziandpl
ayswit
h
himforawhi l
e,helooksatlwaziandsay"youare
thecool
estdudeevernotyourmom overt
here"(he
sayspoint
ingatkhwezi)
it
akeapi
ll
owandt
hrowi
tathi
m
Me:leavemybabyal
one,guysam Isuchadr
ama
queen?,nokhwezimustt
akeaft
erBandil
e.
Ant
honyandBandi
lel
aughatme.
Anthony:heydumbhead,l
ookoutt
her
eisa
cockroachnextt
oyou.
Ii
mmediat
elyj
umpandst
andont
hesof
aand
scr
eam
Anthony:andwhodi
dkhwezit
akeaf
teragai
n?,
yeahright
Icomposemysel
fandsi
tdown
Me:dweebt
hatai
n'tcool.
Anthony:Liam wanttogototheki
tchenandcook
mommysomecockr oaches?,yes,Ibetyoudo
(hesayswhi l
egoingt
othekit
chenwithLi
am )one
pl
ateofcockroachescomingupdumbhead.
Bandi
lespendssometi
mewithme,whi
leLi
am was
wi
thAnthonyandkhweziwaswi
tht
henanny.
Bandil
eeventual
lyleaves,Ideci
detowat chtv,
sincemyki dsweresleepi
ng, Iwassti
llwatchi
ng
tvwhenIhearthedooropen, Ical
lforAnthony,
mor el
ikescr
eam actual
ly,
Mom :babywhyar
eyouscr
eami
ng?
Anthonycomesdownstai
rsr
ushi
ng,
hef
indsmom
st
andingi
nthel
ivi
ngroom
Anthony:andwhywer
eyouscr
eami
ngdumb
head?
Me:oopssor
ry,It
houghti
twasabugl
ar
Ant
honyandmom l
aughatme,
weevent
ual
lyhugg
mom
Me:mom wher
eisdad?
Mom :hewi
llbeher
etommor
row ,
hegotaf
ri
end
ofhi
swhowascommingbackwi
thhi
sfami
lywi
th
apri
vat
ejett
ocomebackwi
thme.
Ihaveneverbeensohappyt
oseemymom .
Mom :letmegot
akeashowerandr
estt
henyou
cant
ellmewhathappened
Me:okaymom .
Anthonygoesbackt
ohi
sroom ,Icont
inuetowat
ch
t
v, mynannyhadgonetotheshopswithher
fr
iends.

Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Lifebehi
ndbar si
sact ual
lynoteasy,Ihavebeen
hereforafewweeks, nomemberofmyf amil
yhas
evensetfood, i
t'
sagoodt hi
ngIwasusedt o
cleani
ng,imaginethatslayqueenmysoncal lsa
wifeinhere,shewoul dntevensurvi
veadayinthis
place,theonlypersonwhocomest ovisitmein
thishel
lholeisThandobutshehasn' tbeenhere
foracoupleofdays, Iwonderwhatiswr ongwit
h
herthi
sdays, maybeshei sbusycooki ngupsome
schemes, wi t
hThandoyouneverknow, shei
sfull
ofsurpri
ses, i
twast i
mef orust omakephone
cal
ls,IcallThandot heonl yper sonIknowicanrely
onfornow, herphonet akesmest rai
ghttovoi
ce
mail,Idon'tcallanybody, ijustgoanddomy
choresforthedayandt hengobackt omycell,I
wonderwhati sgoi ngonwi thThando.
[
09/
30,
11:
08] :I
nser
t56

Aweekl
ater

Zoey

Mom anddadcalledforameet i
ngwithking
Dlami
niandBandile,i
twasfinall
ydeci
dedthatI
shoul
dgobacktomyhouse, Inolongerhada
nannysi
ncemyt hreemonthswasup,iwast ryi
ng
mybesttocope,mybabi esweregrowing,khanyi
wasbeginni
ngtoshow,Bandi lehadgott
enr i
dof
theclub, Idon' tknowwhyandIdon' tevencar e, I
wasj ustgl adhewasnol ongert heowneroft hat
club,Iwokeupsuperear lytodaycause
appar entl
y, wewer eexepect ingimpor tantguest s
todayatt her oyalhouseandsi ncequeenmot her
wasnotar oundwet her oyalbr i
des, willhavet o
cook, wewer eexpeci t
ingr eal l
yimpor tantpeopl e,
Bandi l
ehadaskednompumel elot otakecar eoft he
twins,Igoanddomyhygi nepr ocesses, l
otionand
getdr essed, wewer eexpeci ting twohundr edand
fif
tyguest s, sot hiswashuge,khanyiwasof ft he
hookasshewaspr egnant, thisisthet imeI
seriouslywi shIwasst illpregnant,il ookatt he
ti
meandi twasf ouram , IaskBandi leto
accompanymet ot hemai nhouse, Ifindagr oup
ofladies, Idon' tevenknowappar entlyt heyar e
member soft her oyalcl ubr anbysi hle, assi hle
wast hef i
r stbride, shewast heonedel egat ing
tasks, khanyiwasj ustt here, j
usttohangoutwi th
meandMi nnie, sihl
ebei ngt hebi tcht hatshei s,
shegi vesmeat askofcooki ngt ri
peandsamp,
whilemi nni ecooksbeefst ew ,but t
ernutandr ice.
Ihadnoi deawhatt ripei s, sowhent hef ourbasi ns
fulloft
ri
pewer ebroughtbefor
eme, Iwasshocked
andi wantedtoscream butIcouldn'
tgivesi
hlethe
satisf
acti
on,sihl
ej ustsmil
es, wishIcouldwipe
thatdamnsmugof fherface
Khanyi:comeonsi
hle,
youknow zoeydoesn'
t
knowhowt ocookt
hist
hings.
Si
hle:am sur
ewit
hyouherf
ri
endbyhersi
deshe
wi
lldoj
ustfi
ne.
Me:dopeopl
eeveneatt
hist
hings?
Sihlej ustignor esmeandgoesonabout
delegat ingt asks, mynai ls,myper fectl
ymani cured
nails, Ijusthadt hem doneyest erday, Icoul
dn't
evenbr ingmysel ftot oucht hetri
pe, Ieventuall
ydo,
wecutt hem andwasht hem overandoveragai n,
theywer esof ul
lofdi rt, whoeat sthisthings?,we
nowhadt ogoandgetsomef ir
ewoodf r
om the
woodl oad, Imanaget oonlygetaf ew, Igoback
andgetsomemor e, Ididn'tevenknowhowt ost ar
t
thef i
re, khanyigi vemeacandl eandIevent ual
ly
l
ightt hef i
re,Iwassopr oudofmysel fitwasl i
keI
wont hedamnl ottary, Iplacethepotoft r
ipeont he
fir
e,khanyiwasgi vi
ngmei nstructi
onswhi le
sitt
ingont hechai r,Idowhatshesays, Icouldn't
handlet hesmel loftr
ipe,t herewer eevenf li
esal l
over, howdi sgusti
ng,Iwasdonewi tht het ri
pe,
theni takebowl sAndpourt hetripe,Ithencookt he
samp,Iwasdone,mynai lswer echippedandI
evenbr okeacoupl e,Bandileowesmenewnai l
s, I
wasnowt i
redandst inki
ngwi thsmoke,wewer e
nowdonewi thcooking weal lgotoourhouses,
takequi ckshower sandcomebackandser vethe
guests, Imadesur eIlookedpr esentableat least,
nothingf ancythought histi
mewasnowel evenam ,
Iquicklygobackt othemai nhouse, sihleput sme
ont eadut y, si
hlesurehasakni efoutf orme, why
doesn' tshej ustuset hedamnkni efandst abMe
withital ready
,peoplekeptoncalli
ngme, l
eft,r ightandcenter,
makotither
eisnotenought eathisside, makoti
therei
snoenoughmi l
kthisside.Makot ipl
ease
bringussomescones, makotipleasebr i
ngsome
milk,i
fnotsugarorbutt
er,Isweari fIhearthat
makotiwordagainam goingtokillsi
hleandbury
herwher enoonecanf i
ndher, finallyiwasdone
witht eadut y, thetimewasnowt welfthirt
y,we
wer enowwai ti
ngf orthreeockl ocksowecanser ve
theguest s, t
het i
meevent uall
yar raives, weser ve
theguest sandweal sohadourl unch, peopl ewer e
reall
yl i
kingmyt ripe, maybeIshoul dcooki tfor
Bandi le,butIwi lluseadamnst ove, nowayam I
l
ight i
ngf i
reagai n,Ij usteatsal adsandbeef
stewandt heeatsomepi ecesoff riedchi cken, after
everyoneeat s,wedot hedi shes, khanyihad
alreadygonet oherhouse,Iwassol it
erallytired, I
couldbar elymovemyl egs,af terwecl eanup,igo
tomyhouse, Ihadsomef oodf orBandi l
e, Iplace
thef oodont hekitchencount er,Idi dn'
twantt o
touchadamnt hing, Igoandt akeashowerand
changei ntopyjams,Iwaspeacef ullysleepi ng,
whenBandi lecomesi ntoourbedr oom ,hewakes
meup, hewant edtohavesex
Me:yourfami
lywor
ksmehar
dl i
keaslavethe
ent
ir
edayandyouwantt
oseri
ouslyhavesex?,I
don'
tthi
nksomove.
Hedi
ssapear
stot
hebat
hroom ,
usual
lyIwoul
dbe
i
nsul
tedbutIcan'
tmovemybody,
lethi
mjer
kitof
f,
Ir
eal
lydon'
tcareatt
hispoi
nt

Thenextmor
ning

Bandi
le

Iwokeupear ly,causeIhadanei ghtockl ock

appoi nt
ment, mywi f
ewasst i
llsleepingsoIather
be, sheseemedr eall
yt i
red, Igoanddomyhygi ne
processes, Icallnompumel eloandaskhert olook
afterthetwinsagai n,Itransfergi vethousandinto
heraccount, j
usttosayt hankyou, Icallahotel
spaandbookanappoi ntmentf ormywi f
eattwel f
forhertogetwhatevershewant swi thwhoever
shewant st
ogowi th,ileaveal lt
hedet ail
sforona
notebyherbedsi de,Ileaveandgot oyappointment
, Ididn'
tevenbot herwi t
hbr eakf astcauseIwas
goingtomeetmyclient
satar
est
urant,
soIwi
lleat
there,
Igoandhavemymeet i
ng,t
henigot
omy
offi
ce,Igetacal
lfr
om mywif
e
Me:wi
fey
Zoey:hubby,t
hankyousomuch, Ilovethe
gest
ure,yousureknowhowtospoilalady,khanyi
andIareenj
oyingoursel
ves.
Me:am gladyouar
ebaby,
doest
hatmeant
oni
ght
Igetsome?.
Zoey:oohyesbaby,
toni
ghtam al
lyour
s
Me:am sol
ooki
ngf
owar
dtot
hat,
Iloveyou.
Sor
t:l
oveyout
oohubby(wehangup)
Icont
inuet
odomywor
k.

Thando

Mysurger
ywasasuccess,Ioff
ici
all
ydidn'
thave
awombandiwasnotf i
newit
hthat.Iwasbit
ter
bef
orebutnowam madashel
l,thedoct
or
dischar gedmeyest er
day,t
hankGodf orkarabo,
hewast heonedoi ngeveryt
hing,hecameand
pickedmeup,t ookmet omyapar t
ment, mom
didn'tevensetherf ootatt
hehospit
al, at
leastdad
came, evenont hedayofmysur gery,atl
easthe
didsomet hi
ng, karabowasr eal
lybei
ngmyher o,I
wasr eall
yblessedt ohavehim , maybeourpat hs
wer emeantt ocr oss, hewasnoBandi lebuthe
reall
yhadagoodhear tandwasagentleman
Me:karabothankyouforever
ythi
ng,
Ireal
lydon'
t
deser
veyourkindness
Karabo:ever
yonedeservessomeki
ndnessThando
,Iaskedyourmom ,ifyoucoul
dseethegi
rl
s
t
ommor row.
Ii
nst
ant
lysmi
le
Me:kar
aboyour
eal
lydi
dthi
sforme?
Kar
abo:yes,
Iwil
lcomeandpickyouup
t
ommor r
ow si
nceyoucan'
tdr
iveyet
Me:t
hankyousomuchkar
abo.
Hecooksl
unchandsupperf
ormeandt
henhe
l
eaves,Ieatmylunchand thendri
nkmy
medicat
ionandsleep,Ij
ustneededmyspaceand
ti
met ot
hinkofmynextmove, soihadswitchedoff
myphone'sanddecidedt
oforgetabouteveryt
hing
andeveryone.

Queenmot
her

Ihavebeent ryi
ngt ocallthandof oracoupl eof
daysbutIj ustcan' tseem t or eachher, Ineed
somef ewnecessi ti
esi ncludi ngcigarettesand
ciggars, ireal l
yneedt hi
ssoIcansur vive,I
eventual lygi veupandcal lsi
hl e,shewaseven
scaredt ot alkt ome, Icoul dtellsphamandl awas
byhersi de, soijustaskhert obringmet hose
things, shet ell
smeshewi l
lsendsomeone, cause
shecan' tr i
sksphamandl afindingoutt hatshe
helpedme, Ithankhert henihangup, Igoanddo
mychor esf ortheday, theni gobackt omycel l,I
reall
yfel tlonel y,itseemedasi fIhadnoonebymy
side,butam goi ngt omaket hem pay, everyl ast
oneoft
heexceptforThandoandsi
hlet
heywer
e
wit
hmeduringthi
sdarkdays.
[
09/
30,
11:
08] :I
nser
t57

Thando

Iwokeupear l
y, Iwasnowf eelingmuchbet terand
Iwasr eadyt of acethewor l
d.Iwasl ookingforwar d
toseei ngmygi r l
s, i
t'
sonl ybeenacoupl eofdays
butImi ssthem l i
ke, Igetreadyf ortheday, kar abo
comesandpi cksmeup, wedr ivet omypar ent s
house, Nandi phawast heonehel pingmom t ot ake
careoft hegirls, wegetmypar entspl ace,mom
holdssmangel e, whilenandi phahol dsnomcebo,
mom woul dn'tevenl etmet oucht hem andshe
barelysayst wowor dst ome, butIwasj ustglad,I
gott oseemybabi es, aft
erwel eavemom and
dad'shouse, kar abodeci dest hatweshoul ddrivet o
goldr eefcity,itwasabi tofal ongdr ive,butwe
event uallygett here,wegot ooneoft he
resturant sandhavel uncht her e, aft
erwest art
getti
ngonr idesafterri
des,Ican'
tremembert he
l
astt imeIhadsomuchf un,itwasasi ftherestof
thewor l
ddidn'texi
standitwasj ustmeandkar abo
, weonl yleavegoldr eefci
tyatsevenpm , bythe
ti
mewegett omyapar t
ment, i
twastenpm , we
ordersomepi zza,thepizzagetsdeli
vers, weeat,I
prepar etheroom nandiphawasusi ngforkarabo,I
got omyr oom ,Ist
artlooki
ngathouses, Iwantto
sellthisapartmentandbuyaper manenthomef or
mygi r
ls,Ieventual
lyfallal
seep.

Thenextday

Thando

Iwokeupt othiswonderfularoma, Igotothe

ki
tchenandkar abowasmaki ngbreakfastf
orus,I
deci
det oswitchonmyphonewhi l
e,karaboandI
eatbreakfast,Iseeigotl ostsofmissedcall
s
fr
om thisnumberIdon'tknow , Icheckthenumber
anditisapr i
sonnumber, Ihadf orgot
tenabout
queenmot her,Iaskkar abot otakemet othe
shops, Ibuyaf ewi t
emsf orqueenmot her,Iask
karabotodropmet her e,theniwi llrequestforan
uberonmywayback, t
odaywasal sohisdayof f,
sohet el
lsmehewi llcomeandpi ckmeupl ater,a
wecangot othemovi es, igetinandseequeen
mot her,
shewashappyt oseemeshame, Iwast he
onlyonewhocamet ovisither,apar tfr
om t heguy
sentbysihle,Igi
vehert hingsIboughtf orher, she
askedwher eIwas, iexplainedever ythi
ng, she
wasshockedandangr yatf i
rstbutshef or
gi vesme
,
It
elli
wil
lbebacknextweekt
ovi
sit.
Irequestf oranuberandt heubercomesandpi cks
meup, Igettomyapar tment, cooksupperf or
myselfandkar abo,not hingfancyitwasj ust
spaghettiandmi nce,Igoandt akeashower, wear
awhi t
egol ft-shirtandaj eansomewhi teni ke
sneakers,iwai tforkarabowhi leIwatcht v,
karaboevent uall
ydoesar rai
ve,wehaveoursupper
fi
rst,t
henwegoandwat chamovi e,afterthe
moviehedr opsmeof fatmyapar t
ment, hel eaves
sincehehast obeatwor kearl
ytommor row , Iget
i
nside, myapar t
ment, changeint
omypyj amas,
makeanappoi nt
mentwi thanestateagent, Ithen
washt hedisheskaraboandIused, idecidetogo
tobed, iwassot i
red.

Zoey

Iwakeupear lyandgetr eady , getmybabi es

readyf ortheday, Bandi legivesmet hekeyst ohis
othercar, Idecidetot aket hetwi nswi t
hme, Iwas
goinggr ocer yshopping, Bandil
ehadt r
ansf ered
moneyf ivet housandi nt omyaccountandanot her
twot housandt ousei ncaseofemer gency, Igoand
shopwi tht hetwins,t onightIhaddeci ded, Iwas
goingt osur pri
semyhusbandandcook, Iplanned
oncooki ngoxt ailandandsamp, itcan'tbet hat
diff
iculttocook, Ihaveseenkhanyidoi tnumer ous
ti
meandi ttasteddelicious, Ifinish,doing
shopping, Ipackever yt hing, awayneat l
y, Ithen
startchoppi ngsomeoni ons,Icannevergetused
tochoppingt histhi
ngs, IchopandIevent ually
fi
nishcooking, mysampwasal i
ttl
ebitburnt,but
am sureit
'snott hatbad, ipourmyf oodi nt
o
dishes,ofcour seam notdumb, Iorderpi
zzaasa
backuppl an,igoandt akeashower,getdr essed
,Bandilegetshome, Iwasaexi ci
ted,Icoul dn'
t
waitforhi
mt otastemyf ood, hegoesandt akesa
shower, t
henhecomesdownst ai
rsIdishupf or
bothmysel fandBandi l
e, Iplacethefoodinf r
ontof
him
Bandi
le:whocookedt
his?
Me:Idi
d
Bandi
le:r
eal
ly?,
youzoeyDl
ami
nicook?
Me:yessi
r
Webl esst
hefoodandBandi l
estart
seat t
ing,Iwas
wait
ingforhi
srevi
ew, Bandil
ejustsmilesandget s
up, hequickl
yrushedtothebathroom ,If ol
low
hi
mt ogoandseewhati sgoingon, Igot othe
doorandspeaktohimt hroughthedoor
Me:babywhati
swr
ong,
areyouf
ine?
.
Bandi
lecomesout
side
Bandi
le:howmuchchi
lldi
dyoupouri
nyourst
ew?
Me:t
hatwhol
esmal
lpacket
.
Bandile:JesusChri
stdoyouwantt okil
lsomebody
?, zoeyIloveyou,butyourfoodt
astester
ribl
e,
yoursampi sburnt,yourst
ew ist
oooily,hastoo
muchsal tandchil
l.
IwasupsetIrushdownst air
s,Bandi l
erunni
ng
aft
ermeofcour se,Igoandt ast
emyf oodandhe
wasr i
ghtmyf oodwasterr
ibl
e, It
hrowthefoodin
thebin,goodthingIhadapizzabackupandam
goingtostar
twi t
hcooki
nglessons, t
heschoolhas
postponedclassescausetheywererenovati
ng,we
eatthepizzaandgot obed.
[
09/
30,
11:
08] :I
nser
t58

Bandi
le

Iwasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
whenzoeycomesandwakes
meup,Il
ookatt
het
imeandi
twas04:
45am
Me:zoeit
'sear
lyandIdon'
thavet
obeatwor
k
unt
ilt
enam ,
comebacktobed.
Zoey:act
ual
lyno,
ihavebeent
hinki
ng.
..
..
.
Me:cl
ear
lyyouhavet
oomucht
imeonyourhands
Me:hubbyl i
stentomeforasecond,si
ncemy
babyweightwon'tgoaway,maybeIshouldst
art
runni
nginthemor ni
nganddoyogaclasseson
weekends
Me:good,
nowcanIgetbackt
osl
eepi
ng?
Zoey:notsofastmr,iti
syourki
dst
hatmademe
fat,
soifIhavetojogsodoyou.
Me:what? butam st
il
lrecoveri
ngfr
om lastnight,
pl
usIexeci
seatt
hegym , sothati
senoughf orme.
Zoey:r
eal
ly?,
sot
hat
'showyouwantt
opl
ayi
t?
Me:okayIwi
llgowi
thyou.
Zoey:goodcauseacoupl
ethatexer
cisest
oget
her
st
ays,toget
her.
Me:i
sn'
titsupposedt
osay"acoupl
ethatpr
ay
t
oget
her"?
Zoey:noti
nourcasehubby
Iexerciseal otatthegym ,soam sur eican
manage, am sogoi ngtomakeherr egretjogging,I
getupchangecl ot
hes, Icallmpumiet ocomeand
babysit,Shedoescome, weevent uall
ygetout
thedoor, zoeywant edtowal k,butthatisnot
goingtohappennotundermywat ch,It ellherwe
aregoingt ohavetost ar
trunningfr
om ourhouseal l
thewayt ot hegateandthenwedoal ltherunning
atthest r
eet,Iwassur eshewasgoi ngt osaylet'
s
j
ustdr opmysi ll
yidea, butsheseemedevenmor e
exici
ted
Me:ar
eyousur
eyoucant
akewhatIdi
shout?
Zoey:am zoey, Igavebirtht
ot winsaf t
ercarryi
ng
them forei
ghtmont hs, soanythingyoudi shout
willbeapieceofcake, easyast akingcandyfrom a
baby.
Me:am goi
ngt
oaskyouagai
n,ar
eyousur
eabout
t
his?
Zoey:yesnowenoughwi
tht
hechi
tchatal
ready,
l
etsgo.
Webeginrunni
ng,werunandrun,am suref
or
aboutanhour,
Icoul
dtel
lzoeywasgetti
ngti
red
Me:youwantt
ost
op?
Zoey:ofcour
senot
Me:goodcausewehaveanot
herhourt
ogo
Iwastir
edbutIknewzoeywil
lthr
owinthetowel,
I
don'
tknowhowshesneakedherphoneduringour
exer
ciseti
me, t
henextt
hingIseeisanuberri
ght
besi
desus
Me:zoeydi
dyour
equestf
oranuber?
Zoey:Ihavehadenoughexer
cisef
ort
oday,
soar
e
youcommi ngorstayi
ng?
Me:nooneisusinganuber(il
ookatthedri
ver)
sorr
yaboutt
hisman,thi
soneisj
ustbeingadrama
queen.
Shehadpai
dfort
heuberal
ready,
sot
hedr
iverj
ust
nodsandl
eaves.
Wewal
kal
lthewaybackt
oourpl
ace
Zoeykeptonsi
nging"icanbar
elymovemylegs,
sodomeaf avourandkil
lmenow, myli
fei
sover
anyhow"
Me:whatiswrongwithyou?,youar
ezoey
Dl
amini,yougavebir
thtotwi
nssoanyt
hing,
I
di
shout,youcantakeremember.
Wegethome, wegoandt akeashower, Igetready
forwork,
zoeyasksmpumi et
ogett hetwinsr eady
fort
hedayandalsofeedthem ,shejustgoest o
backtosl
eep,Icoul
dbarelymovemyl egs, Iover
didi
tbutIhadtobeatworksoIl eaveforwor k

Thando

Iwokeupear l
y, Igoandmeetwi thanest at
eagent
,shewasgoi ngt obeshowi ngmehouses, Iwanta
homef ormybabi es,Idon'tknowwhenorhowbut
am goingt ogetmybabi esback,Igreettheestate
agent, hernamewasr oselyn,shewasquei t
fr
iendlyandIr eall
yli
kedher, sheshowsmet his
perfecthouse, i
thadf ourbedrooms,t hemai nhad
anonsui et, 2andhal fbat hrooms, adi nningroom ,
akitchen, astudy, doubl egaragepl usaswi mmi ng
poolandat enniescour t,itwasonsal ef ortwo
mi l
li
on, Imakeanof ferfort woandahal fmill
ion,
myof ferget saccept ed, soiputdownadeposi tof
oneandahal fmi l
li
on, ther estIwi l
lpayby
instalment sunt ilIsucessf ul
lysellmyapar tment, I
gett omyapar tmentcal lsihle,shedoesn' tanswer
mycal ls, Ieventual lygi veupandical lRoselyn
andaskhert ogot ot hecl ubwi t
hme, shesaysyes
,wegot oBandi le'sclub, Iwassur prised, whent he
bartendert ell
smebabydaddynol ongerownst he
club, wehaveabal lwithRosel yn, wepar tyuntil1
am , wedr ivebackt omyapar tment, iwassot ir
ed,
ihaveal otofpacki ngt odoi nthemor ning, moving
isnoj oke, IwillaskRosel ynt orecommenda
movi ngcompany, Ievent uall
yf allasleep.

Thenextday

Zoey
.

Iwasstil
lpeacef
ull
ysleepi
ng andIwashavinga
gooddream ,whenIheart hesoundofawhi
stl
e,I
qui
ckl
ygetupwhi lescreamingandisi
tup
Me:youar
esoevi
l,i
sthi
spaybackf
oryest
erday?
Bandil
e:ofcour
senot,Ithoughtaboutwhatyou
said"acoupl
ethatexerci
sestogether,st
ays
toget
her"andyouareri
ghtandtodayam so
l
ookingfowardt
oexerci
sing
Me:buttheki
ds,t
her
eisnoonet
olookaf
tert
hem ,
am sur
empumi ei
sti
redoft
heabuse
Bandil
e:actual
lyshewassothr
il
led,
sheiseven
taki
ngthem tothet
hemeparkwit
hTri
na,soyour
kidsar
efine,comeongetup.
Me:act
ual
ly,
Ihavebeent
hinki
ng.
..
..
Bandi
le:andwhydon'
tIl
iket
hesoundoft
hat?
Me:noi
t'
sgood,
Iact
ual
lywantt
odoyogaonl
y
Bandi
le:wher
eisyest
erday'
sener
gy?,
ithought
youwant
edt
oloosewei
ght.
Me:yes,yesandihavel
ostei
ghtpoundsal
ready,
soam good.
Bandi
le:ar
eyousur
e,youwon'
twakemeupor
compl
aintomemykidsmadeyoufat?
Me:ifyoul
eavemeal
one,
IswearIwon'
tcompai
n
anymore
Bandiledeci dest ogot othegym i nstead, sinceI
gaveupmysi l
lyexer cising idea, mybodywas
hurti
ng, eveni npl acesIdi dn'tknowIhadmuscl es
before,sincel waziandkhweziwer ewi th
nompumel el
ot hewhol eday, IcallLaur enand
Lethabo, weagr eet omeetatt hemal l,Iwakeup
andgetr eady, Ievent uallyleave, Iwasusi ng
bandile'
ssecondcarAudiA6, Igetthemal l,Ifi
nd
LaurenandLet habowai ti
ngforme, Iwal kt othem ,
theywer elaughingatmecauseIwaswal king
funny
Let
habo:andt
henwena?
Me:ihaveanevi
lhusband.
Laur
en:whatdi
dBandi
ledot
hist
ime?
Me:soyest
erday, Ihadt
hisgr
eati
deatol
osemy
babywei
ght,al
lihadtodowast oj
oganddoyoga
ri
ght?
Laur
enandLet
habo:r
ight
Me:somyhusbandasksmei ficant akewhathe
willdishout,soiconfi
dentl
ytellhim "yesam
zoey, Igavebir
thtothetwinsaftercarryingthem
foreightmonths,sowhat everhehadpl annedwas
api eceofcake"
Let
habo:yesgi
rl,
weevenbl
eedever
ymont
h
Me:butwasIwr ong,t
heguyhadmer
unni
ngf
or
aboutei
ghthour
sifnotten
Let
hoboandLaur
enl
aughatme
Lauren:youandyourdr
ama,am sur
eyour
anf
or
thi
rt
ymi nut
es,nowaygirl
Theyl
aughagai
n
Me:gir
lsst
opl
aughi
ng,thisi
satruest
ory,
am not
l
ying,
heevenhadthegutstowakemeupthis
morni
ng.
Let
habo:anddi
dyougowi
thhi
m ?.
Me:hel
lno,Il
ovemysel
fwayt
oomuch,
it'
sst
il
l
wayt
ooearl
yformetodi
e.
Theylaughatmeagai n,wedecidetogetsomef ew
thi
ngsatedgar s,Ineedednewhot ell
inensformy
bed,wewer estil
lbusyshoppingwhenIbumpi nt
o
someone, Isay"am sor ry",Il
ookupandf i
nd
Thandolookingatme, wejustl
ookateachot her
andwedon' tsayawor dt oeachot
her, Thando
event
uall
ybr eaksthesi l
ence
Thando:am sor
ry.
..
..
..
.
Me:pl
easedon'
t,j
ustbecausewebreat
hthesame
ai
r,i
tdoesn'
tmeanwehavet obef
ri
ends.
Ipushmyt rol
lyandgot of
indLaur enandLet
habo,
wepayf orourshopping andweeachgoout
separat
eways, Idri
vehome, seeingThandor
eall
y
broughtmeal otofmixedemotions.
[
09/
30,
11:
08] :I
nser
t59

Bandi
le
Ihadj ustgottenhomefrom work,Iwassotir
ed,I
deci
det otakeashowerandchangei ntosomethi
ng
comftable,Idecidetogoandwat chasoccergame,
Iwasst i
llwatchingmysoccergame, whenmy
wif
ewal ksincr yi
ng
,
Ii
mmedi
atel
yst
opever
ythi
ngIwasdoi
ng
Igoandgi
veherahugg,
Ithent
akehert
oacouch
andmakehersit
Me:babywhati
sthemat
ter?
Zoey:Ibumpedi
ntot
hatwi
tchofyour
s
Me:whatwi
tch?
Zoey:Thando, shekill
edmybabyandshei ssti
l
l
breat
hing,Iwantt okil
lherBandil
e,Thando
deservestodi
eandgot ohell(shesayswhi
le
cryi
ng, Iwasst
illhuggingher)
Me:zoeyal
lthi
sangeri
snotgoodf
oryou,
for
give
Thandof
oryoursakeandmoveon.
Zoey:youwantmetof
orgivet
hatwit
ch,soshe
cancomebackint
oourl
ivesandrui
nourli
ves?
Me:nobabyam notsayi ngbri
ngThandobacki nt
o
ourli
ves, f
orgivi
ngsomeonedoesn' tmeanthat
theyhavetobepar tofyourl
if
e, butyouhaveto
forgi
veforyoursake.
Zoey:butsheki
ll
edmybaby,
myi
nnocentbaby
Bandi
le
Me:iknowbaby,butl
ookatt
hisway,Godall
owed
hert
odothat,
sohecangiveusdoubl
ethe
bl
essi
ng,Imeanwewouldn'
thavehadkhwezior
l
waziwit
hus.
Zoey:now thatyouputi
tthatway,
IguessIcan
tr
yandfor
give
Bandile:tellyouwhat,si
ncet
ommor r
ow isyour
fi
rstdayatschool, whydon'
tyoucooksupperfor
us, Iwil
leveninvi
tesphamandlaandunathi.
Ther
ewasnoway,Iwaseatti
ngzoey'
sfood
al
one,am j
ustt
ryi
ngtocheermywifeup
Zoey:(shesmi
les)youser
iousl
ywoulddothat
forme?(inodmyhead),wait,whati
ftheydon'
t
l
ikethef
ood?
Me:thenam goi ngt
ohavetokickthei
rassunti
l
theyl
ikethefood,butpl
easejustdontcooksamp
andoxt ai
l,cooksomet
hingeasy
Zoey:t
hankyoubaby,
thankyou(shesayst
hat
whil
esmli
ngandhuggi
ngmeoverandoveragai
n)
Nowal lihavet odoi st
oconvi ncesphamandlaand
unathi,Idon'tknowhowbutIhavet o,Icall
sphamandl aandf indwherehei s,i
tturnsoutIhad
ki
ll
edt wobir dswithonest one,theywererunni
ng
awayf rom theirwives,theywerewat chi
ngsoccer
atthemai nhouse, Imakemywayt here,Igetther
e
wegr eeteachot herwithabr ohugg, wewatch
socceraftersoccerwepl ayaf i
fagame
Me:gent
lemanyouhavebeeni
nvi
tedt
omyhouse
f
ordi
nnertomor
row .
Unat
hi:j
ustusorwi
thourwi
ves.
Me:j
ustyout
woandnooneel
se.
Sphamandla:waitaminut
e, whoiscooki
ng?,
manwel oveyourwif
e,weabsolutel
ydo,butwe
al
lknowshecan'tcooktosaveherli
fe.
Me:mywifei
scookingandyoubet
tercomeand
eatt
hef
oodandwithasmil
eonyourfaces.
Sphamandla:heyman,wewouldlovet
obutwe
ar
ewatchingourfi
gur
e,ri
ghtunat
hi?.
Unathi:ri
ght,wehavebeengai
ningt
oomuch
weightlat
ely.
Me:nchooi sn'
tthi
scute,howlovel
y,youbett
er
cometomyhouseseveno' cl
ockonthedot,other
wiseIwi
llcomeanddr agyourassmyself
Theyjustlaughatme, asIleave,Igobacktomy
house, Ieattakeawayszoeyhadbr oughtbackwit
h
herfr
om t hemal l,It
henplacethedir
tydishint
he
si
nk, Iswitchofftheli
ghtandIgot oourroom and
sl
eep.

Thando

Howdaret hatl
itt
lebitchspeakstomei nthat
manner,Iwasbegi nningtoregretwhatIdidt
oher,
r
ightnow,Idon'tfeelsorr
yatallplusmeandher
areevennow, Ikil
ledherchi ld,shehadmywomb
removedat l
eastshecanst i
llpopoutmor ebabi es
andIcan' t, Igettomyapar tment, getmysel fa
bottleofwi ne, Istar tpackingt hings, awaysi nceI
willbemovi ngt omynewhouset ommor row , mom
hasbeent reatingmel i
keshit, soihaven' ttoldherI
boughtanewhouse, onlydad, karaboand
Roseylnknewaboutmynewhouse, thepr ecious
sihlefi
nallydeci dedt ocallmeback, shecanwai t,
I
don'tpickhercal l
s, Ipacksenset ivest af
f,idon' t
wantanyonet ouchi ng, l
ikemycl othesandmy
babiest hi
ngs, ther estthemovi ngcompanycan
packupt ommor r
ow , Iwassoexci t
edaboutmy
move, Icoul dn'twai t,Icouldn'tevensl eep.

Thenextday

Thando

Iwokeuptothesoundofmyphoner
inging,Icheck
thecal
leri
danditwaskar
abo,Ii
mmediatel
y
answer,het el
lsmeheisbyt hegate,Ical
lthe
securi
tytolethimin,hedoescomei nandwi t
hin
j
ustaf ewmi nuteshewasknockingonmydoor, I
quickl
yputonmymor ninggownandIgoopent he
doorforhim, youshoul
dhaveseent hesmi l
eon
myf ace,hewasevenhol dingabottl
eofwineand
takeaways
Kar
abo:icamet
ohel
pyoumove.
Me:t hati
ssosweett
hankyou,l
etmequickl
ygo
andtakeashowerandthenwecangetonwit
hthe
restofourday.
Iquicklyt
akeashower,l ot
ion,wearaski ntop
andbum shot s,Imakemywayt ot
hekitchen,
karaboandIf i
nall
yhaveourbreakfast,wewer e
fi
nishingupwhenRosel ynandthemoving
companyf inal
lyarr
aive
Itwascaos, Igetacl
eani
ngcompanyt
ocleanaf
ter
everyt
hingwasgone, soRosel
yncanl
istmy
apartmentasap.

Zoey
Iwokeupr eall
yexci t
ed, Iwasl ooki ngf owar dt o
mycooki ngcl assesandpl usIhavesuppert ocook
formyhusbandandhi sbrothers, nothingmuch
though, j
ustsomegr eenbeans, mashedpot atoes
andsomest eakwi t hsauce, ofcour seam goi ngt o
cookundersi sflowat chfuleye, sinceIcan' tgot o
khanyibecauseshei sleavingtodayandwi llcome
backt ot her oyalhouseaf t
ergivingbi r
th, Igetout
ofbed, noact uallyj umpoutofbed, Iwasso
exci t
ed, Igoandt akeashowerBandi l
ecomesand
joi
nme, wegetoutandwegetr eady,Igot othe
kit
chenandmakeasandwi chf ormeandBandi l
e,
weeatandwewer eoutt hedoor, aunt yBel lawas
goingt obel ookingaf terthetwi nst il
lIwasdone
withcooki ngcl asses, Iwasusi ngt heAudi, Iget
there, theywer et eachi ngi ssomebasi csandal l
aboutki tchenhygi neandhacks, thatgi veusal i
st
oft hi
ngst obuy, Ididn'tevenknowhal fofthe
thingsont hel i
st, Idri
vet omypar entshouse, I
picksi sfloup, wegot othemal l, Ibuyever ything
ont hel i
st, Ialsobuygr oceri
esf orsi sflo,her
daught ercomesandt akesever ythi
ng,wehad
request edanuberf orhercausei twaswayt oo
much.WegethomeandIcookwi thsi sf lot ell
ing
mewhatt oadd, whent oaddandhowmucht oadd
, Ievent uall
yf inishcooki ngmyst eaks, green
beans, sauceandmashedpot atoes,ipack
ever ythingupandheadhome, Igethome,il eave
whatwi llnotgetspoi l
ledinthecarandt akewhat
needst obei nt hef ridge, Igoandt akeashower
andt henwai tforBandi leandhi sbr other s,Ihear
myhusbandt hreateni nghi sbrothers"youbet t
er
l
iket hef oodandappr eciatethef ood, mywi fewent
al otoft roublet ocookyout hi
sdi nner, soyou
bet t
ersmi l
eandsayi ttastedgoodeveni fitis
hor r
ible", i
twassosweetofhi m, hedi dn' tknowI
hear dhi m, soikeptmymout hshut, Iserve
ever yonei ncludi ngmysel f,theywer eallhesi tant
toeatt hef ood, Ieatt hef ood, t
heycoul dseeIwas
eat t
ing, soit hinkt heymusthavet hought, shei s
eat t
ingherf ood, soitmustnott hatbebad, so
whatt heheck,t heyst arteatt
ingandt heywer eall
shocked
Spha,
nat
hi,
Bandi
le:zoeyyoucookedt
his?
Me:yesidi
d.
Bandi
le:ar
eyousur
e?
Me:yes,si sf
lot
aughtmehowt
ocookt
hef
ood
butIcooked
Spha:goodjobmakot
i,Ihadasandwi
chi
nmy
pocketj
usti
ncase.
Bandi
le:andhowwher eyougoingt
oeatthat?
andIthoughtyouandnathiwer
ewatchi
ngyour
fi
gure.
Weal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng
Nathi:actual
lysphamandl
awast
heonewat
chi
ng
hi
sf i
gure
Spha:doyouevenknowt hemeaningofloyalt
y
youtr
aitor,iwasgoingtoeatt
hatoutsi
de, soi
don'
tinsultzoeyi
nherhouse.
Wealllaughagain,aft
erdinner,Iclearupthetabl
e
andIwasht hedishes,Bandilewaswi thsphaand
nat
hiinhisstudyIcouldtel
lthatt
heywer e
di
scussingseri
ousbusiness, soiletthem be,
Igo
t
oourr
oom andwat
cht
v,Ievent
ual
lyf
allasl
eep.
[
09/
30,
11:
09] :I
nser
t60

Bandi
le

TodaywasSat urday,Ihadnoplansofwakingup
early,butIknowwi thmywi f
ewakingupear l
y,to
got ohercookingclasses,Iwil
lwakeupearlyany
way, soiwakeupandsi tuponthebedwi thmy
l
apt op,zoeywasi ntheshower,soithoughti
mightaswel lgetsomewor kdone,Iwasst i
llbusy
doingmywor k, whenmywi fecomesoutoft he
showerwi that owelwrappedaroundherbody
Zoey:oohgood,
youar
eup,
Iwasaboutt
owake
youup
SeeItol
dyou,i
tseemsasi
fhergr
eat
esti
deas
comeswhenam i
nmysleep
Me:whathaveyoubeent
hinki
ngabout?
Zoey:whosai
dihavebeent
hinki
ng?,
Iwant
eda
qui
ckybef
oreIl
eave.
Me:foolMeonceshameonyou,foolmetwi
ce
shameonme,fel
lfort
hatt
ri
ckonce,nowoutwi
th
i
t.
Zoey:okay,
okayf
ine,
myl
ovel
y,sweethusband
Me:whateveryouwantmustbepr
ett
yhuge,
you
j
ustcal
ledmesweet.
Zoey:youseeIhavebeenthi
nki
ngofawayf
orus
tocel
ebratemybi
rthdaysi
nceit
'scommi
ngupi
na
month'
st i
me.
Me:ooh,ithoughti
twassomet
hingbad,
Iwi
ll
bookusat
woweekcr ui
sebaby.
Zoey:butyouhavenothear dhowIwantt o
cel
ebr
ate,yesIl oveyourgif
tbutthereis
somethi
ngIwantust odotogether,idontwantus
tobeoneofthoseboringcouples.
Me: wear
enotj
oinni
ngamar
athonar
ewe?
Zoey:ofcour
senot,
wear
ejustgoi
ngskydi
ving.
Me:am sor
ry,
wear
egoi
ngt
odowhat?
Zoey:skydi
vingbaby,Isawt hi
slovel
ycoupleon
marr
iedatf
ir
stsightdoi
ngitandIwanttogiveita
tr
y.
Me:hellno,haveyoueverseenablackmansky
di
ving?,thosear
ewhit
eman' sthi
ngs,wearenot
cr
azyenought oj
umpoutofaplanebaby,hel
lno.
Zoey:babypl
ease,
pleasedot
hisf
orme
shewaslooki
ngatmewi
thpleadi
ngeyes,
damn
shel
ookedsocut
e,howdoIsaynotoherwhen
shei
slooki
ngatme
Me:don'
tlookatmeli
kethat,
Idon'
thavel
if
ecover
somybabieswil
lsuf
fer
Zoey:pl
ease,
please,
pret
typl
ease.
Me:t el
lyouwhat,ther
earetwothingsIhave
alwayswantedtodoalso,ifyousurvi
vetheset
wo
thi
ngs,Iwi llt
akeoutatwentymil
lionl
if
ecoverfor
mybabi es anddoskydivi
ng
Zoey:okayIwil
lal
sodotwot
hingsbutIwil
lkeep
thesecondt
hingasecr
etunt
il
lthel
astminute,we
haveadeal.
Me:asl
ongasi
t'
snotanyt
hingcr
azyl
ike
swi
mmingwi
thshar
ks,am in.
Zoey:dopeopl
edot
hat?,dot
heydor
eal
lyswi
m
wit
hsharks?
Me:yesanddon'tyougetanysi
ll
yideas,byt
he
waywear
egoingrockcl
imbingnextweekandthen
campi
ngt
hefoll
owingweek
Thelookonzoey'
sfacewaspr
icel
ess,
Iwasr
eal
ly
enj
oyingthi
s
Zoey:r
ockcl
imbi
ngyes,
Icant
ryi
toutasf
or
campingno,no,no
Me:t
heniguesst
hedeali
sof
f
Zoey:fi
newecangocamping,yeepycan'
twai
t
(thesar
casm i
nhervoi
cet
hough)
Shefinall
y,get
sready,t
heti
menowwasseven
thi
rt
y, hercl
asswasatei
ghtt
hirt
y,sheki
ssesme
onmycheekandshewasoutt hedoor

Thr
eehour
slat
er
Iwasr eallybored,Igoandcheckonmybabi es,
theywer ewi thauntyBel l
a,Itaket
hest rawler
placet hem insi
de,gof orawalkwit
hthem , when
wef inall
ycomeback, theywereasl
eep,Iwasnow
l
iterall
ybor ed,Icallsphamandlaandfindout
wher ehewas, hewasathi shouse,Itellhimt o
comet omyhousewi thnathi,afewmi nutesl at
er,
theycome, weplayfifagameswhileeattingsome
snacks
Me:gent
leman,
youwi
llnotbel
ievet
hemor
ningI
had.
Sphamandl
a:di
dmakot
icookf
oryou?
(heand
unat
hil
augh)
Me:no,butIswearmywi
fewi
llgi
vemegr
eyhai
r
soon.
Unat
hi:whatdi
dsweetzoeydot
hist
ime?
Me:wel
l,shewant
stoki
llme
Thel
ookonsphamandl
a'sandNat
hi'
sfaces
Me:r
elaxyoucowar
ds,
Idon'
tmeant
hatl
it
eral
ly,
shewantsi
stodoact
ivi
ti
es,
skydi
vingandanot
her
secr
etone
Unat
hiandsphamandl
a:shewant
swant
stowhat?
Me:skydivi
ng,butwehaveadealshegoesrock
cl
imbingandcampingforaweekendfi
rst,
ifshe
sur
vivesweareskydivi
ng
Theywer
enowl
aughatme
Sphamandla:zoeycamping?,thi
sIwantt
osee,I
betyoushewon'tsur
vivesoyouar
e.
saf
e.
Unat
hi:wannaputyourmoneywhereyourmouthis
?,am team zoey,
soam bet
ti
ngathousandbucks
onherbehal
f
Sphamandla:soit
'st
woagai
nstone,
wearesayi
ng
zoeywillwantt
ocomehomeorgotoahot
elonthe
fi
rstni
ght.
Me:soit'
sset
tl
ed, i
t'
scouple'
scamping,
Sphamadlawi
thSihl
e, Unat
hiandMinnie,
Sanel
e
ansLet
habo,meandmymadam , sothebeti
stwo
agai
nstone,athousandeach.
Weshakehandsandagr ee,wearegoingtor
ent
t
wocaravans ,theyeventual
lyleave,Igot
o
wat
chtv,whil
e.Iwaitf
ormywi f
et ocomehome.

Zoey

Af t
ermycooki nglessons, todaywecooked
spaghet tiandsavour yricewi t
hmi nce, i
twasmor e
thanenoughf ormeandBandi lesodinnerwas
sor t
ed, Iwast err
if
iedofcampi ngandr ockcli
mbing
, soihadt hisgreatidea, am goingtocheatandgo
wi t
hAnt honyf i
rst,practi
semakesper fectri
ght?,I
drivetoAnt hony'sof f
ice, Igetther
e, Igreett
he
receptionist, whogi vesmet hegoaheadt ogoto
mybr other'
sof fi
ce
Iknockhesays"
knocki
tsopen",hewasbusyon
hisl
aptop,sohewasn'
tlooki
ngatmydi
rect
ion
Me:heeydweeb
Hei
mmedi
atel
ylooksupandsmi
le.
Ant
hony:dumbhead,
what
everbr
oughtyouher
e
mustbepr
ett
yimport
ant,
causeyouneverever
cometomyoffi
ce.
Me:can'
tthi
sli
tt
lesi
ster,
missherbi
gbr
otherand
comevi
sithi
m.
Ant
hony:youmissme?, t
hat
'saf
ir
stwhat
everi
t
t
heanswerisno,noandno.
Me:butyouhavenothear
dmyr
equestyet.
Anthony:gotyou,
soIwasr
ightyoudowant
somethi
ng
Me:okay,okayImadeadealwi
thmyhusband
thati
fwegocampi
ngandrockcl
imbi
ngwegosky
divi
ng.
Anthony:youguysarecrazy,youdoknowyou
havetwinst
hatathr
eemont hsrightandwhose
bri
ghtideai
sitt
odothiscrazyact i
vit
ies?.
Me:don'
tblameme, minewasskydi
vingf
ormy
bi
rt
hday,therestyoucanbl
ameBandil
e.
Ant
hony:sowher
edoIf
iti
n?
Me:wel
l,Isor
tofwantyout
ohel
pmecheat
.
Ant
honyl
aughs
Ant
hony:how?
Me:iwanttogorockcl
imbi
ngwi
thyoubef
ore
Bandi
leandigonextweek.
Ant
hony:iwi
lldot
hisf
oryou,
ifyouhel
pme.
Me:whatcoul
dmyher
opossi
blyneedmyhel
p
wi
th?
Anthony:iwanttoi
ntr
oducemygi
rl
fr
iendt
omom
anddad, soiwantyouther
e
Me:(Iwasshocked)youAnt
honyWi
ll
iamshave
agi
rl
fr
iend?
Ant
hony:isur
edohernamei
sBr
it
tney
Me:wehaveadeal
,butwear
egoi
ngr
ockcl
imbi
ng
f
ort
wodays
Ant
hony:youar
enowpushi
ngi
t
Me:pl
ease,
pleasepr
ett
ypl
ease
Ant
hony:f
ine
Iwast
hri
ll
edandIki
sshi
m ont
hecheekandi
l
eave, idri
vehome, Iplacemyfoodi nt hefri
dge,I
gotomybedr oom IfindBandil
ebusywi thhiswork,
hestopsassoonasheseesme, Isitbesidehim,
wetalkf orafewmi nutes,Ideci det ogoandt ake
ashower, lwast i
red, Bandil
ecomesandj oi
nme,
weenduphavi ngsexi ntheshower, afterwego
andhaveoursupperandwegot obed, Iwastir
ed,
real
lyt
ired, soicallasleepi
mmedi atel
y
[
09/
30,
11:
09] :I
nser
t61

Zoey

Ant
honyhadcall
edmelastni
ghtandwewer e
goi
ngindoorr
ockcl
imbi
ngtodayaftermycooki
ng
l
essons,thi
swashowourconversationwas
Ant
hony:dumbhead
Me:what
'
supdweeb
Anthony:ij
ustwantedt
otel
lyout
wot hi
ngst
o
keepinmindbefor
eyoudorockcl
imbi
ng
Me:shootbi
gbr
o,Ir
eal
lywoul
dappr
eci
atet
his
t
ips
Anthony:one:wearcomf t
ablecl
othes,Imean
cl
othesyoucanreall
ymovei nbabysiscauseyou
wil
lbedoingalotofstr
etchi
ng.
Me:easydone,whatel
se?
Anthony:youaregoingtokil
lmef orthisonebut
hey,youaretheonethatwantedtodoal lthi
s
crazyact
ivi
ti
es,makesur eyournai
lsaretrimmed,
keepthem t
rimmedasthiswillmakeiteasi
erfor
youtohelpwithf
inger
pri
nts
Me:hel
lno,
myper
fect
lymani
cur
ednai
ls
Anthony:i
fyouwanttobeatBandi
leathi
sown
gameyouwi l
lgetr
idoft
hosenail
s.
Me:f
inebye(wehangup)
Ipackleggingsandal ongtshirti
nagym bag, I
wasr eal
lyexci
tedabouttoday, Bandi
lehadan
earl
ymeet i
ngsohehadl ef
talready,Itakemybag
tothecarandIdr i
vetomycl asses,Iwasso
excit
edaboutr ockcl
imbing,Iwasnotevenexcited
abouttheShepardspi ewewer emaki ngtoday,
canwegett hi
soveranddonewi t
hal r
eady,i twas
nowt i
me, Ipl
acemyf oodintomycarandr usht o
thegym Anthonywaswai t
ingformeal ready, wego
i
n,i twasmyf ir
stti
meset tingmyf ootatthegym
so,imaginewhatifeltli
ke, if
eltl
ikeavisit
orf r
om
anotherpl
anet,Iser
iouslydi d
Rockclimbingisnojoke,ther
eareropes,
harnesses,cli
mbingshoes,chal
kbagandavr i
ety
ofotherequipmentyouneedtogetfamil
iarwi
th
bef
or etaki
ngtoaclimb
Thatbei
ngsaid,Iwasreal
lyl
ooki
ngfowar
dto
putt
ingmybiggi
rlpantonanddi
veint
o,cl
imbi
ng
forr
eal(t
heexci
tementinmyeyes)
Mytr
aini
nggroupwasconsi
der
ablyl
arge,soit
t
ookusaboutanhourt
ogetever
yonethrough
AsIwat chedtheinstructorwhowast eachi
ngme
andotherfit
nesseditorsproperrope-t
echnique,
ti
eacompl icat
edknotandl oopitar
oundtheir
harnessesinoneeffortl
essmot i
on,Iwasact ut
ely
awarethatIhadabsol ut
elynoi deawhatIwas
doi
ng, theonet hi
ngIassumedIcoul dfi
gureout
washowt oputonmyhar ness,afterall,youstep
i
ntoalikeapai rofpants-butittur
nedout,Iwas
weari
ngi tbackwards, whichIdidn'treali
zeunti
la
di
ffr
entinstruct
orpoli
telypoint
edoutmyer r
ors,
goshIhavenevereverbeensoembr assed
Itt
ookmeaf ewtr
iestogett
hehangofthi
ngs,butI
eventual
lygott
hereandpassedt
hetestofspot
ti
ng
theinstr
uct
or.Woohoo!
AssoonasIfel
treadyt
ot akemyfir
stcl
imb,
Anthonyl
edme,towhatIcall"
thebabywal
l"but
hey,evenwi
tht
hename" babywall"
t
hedamnt
hingst
il
lpr
ovet
obeachal
lenge.
Afterjustahandfulofcl
imbs, Icouldalr
eadyf eel
thebur ninmyarmsandback, Itr
iedtousemy
l
egsf orthemostpar tofclimbingbutevenso, my
upperbodywasonf ir
e, Ifi
nall
yreachedthet op
andgetdown, Iwantedtosayt hi
swasmyf i
rstand
l
astt i
me, butIhavetodot histwomor eti
me, I
l
iteral
lywantedtocry,alliwantedtodowassky
divi
ngwhathasBandi l
egot t
enmei nto?, Anthony
andIgooutsepar ateways, Igethome, Iplace
theShepar dspieinthemi crowave, goodthing
Bandi l
ewasnothome, afterthedayIhavehadI
seriousl yneedashower, mydamnbodywason
fi
rebutImustseet hist
hr ough,Ichangei ntomy
pyjamas, Bandil
efi
nall
ycomeshome, hegoes
andt akeashower, comesdownst air
sIser vehim
hisf ood, Iwassot i
redalliwant edtodowassl eep
, soigot obedleavi
ngBandi l
ewat chingt
v, good
causeIwoul dn'tl
etmetouchmenott oni
ght.

Thr
eedaysl
ater

Thando

Iwasr eal
lybeginni
ngtosettleintomynewhome,
karabohadhomehomet ovisittohisfamily,soit
wasj ustmeandr osel
yn, wewer er eal
lybecoming
cl
osef ri
ends,Roselynwaswhi tesoyouknowhow
whitepeopleloveextr
emespor t
s, Iwasupf or
anything,sowhenRoselyninvitedmef ori
ndoor
rockcl i
mbing, Ithoughtwhatt heheckam bor edso
Imi ghtaswel lgetit,idrivetot hegym andIf i
nd
myf ri
endwai t
ingforme,t hei nstr
uct orhel
psme
andwegeti ntotheswi ngoft hings, itwasnoteasy
butIwasr eall
yenjoyingmysel f,karaboand
Rosel ynreall
ybr oughtoutt hebesti nme, wewer d
sti
llhavingfun, Ihadj ustgottenof fthewall,when
Rosel ynsays"l ookatt hatcut ecoupl eover
ther,I
l
ookandi twast he" i
twast hei tcouple"they
seemedr eall
yhappy, theywer ewithsphamandl a,
unat hi,zoey'sbrotherandMi nnie
Bandilewasbusyhuggi ngzoeyfrom behi
ndand
whisperi
ngsweetnot hi
ngintoherearscauseshe
wasl aughingandgigli
ngli
keal it
tl
egirl,
Igot
upsetandrunintothebathroom andistartcr
ying,
Roselynrunsafterme, shecomesi nandhuggs
me
Rosel
yn:gir
lwhati
swrong?,wewerel
aughi
ng
andcl
imbingwal
lsafewminut
esago
Me:youdon'tunder
stand, t
hatismybabydaddy,
themanofmydr eams, t
hemanIhadhopedand
dreamsofbui
ldi
ngaf uturewit
h
Rosel
yn:justmoveonsweetheartheisclearly
happyandyouhavet ofi
ndsomeonet hatwillmake
youhappyalso,t
ellyouwhatyourgi
rlisgoingt o
hookyouup, wearegoingt
ofindyouaman
Il
augh
Me:butIwantBandi
leandnooneel
se,
theguyi
s
ever
ythi
ngIwanti
naman.
Rosel
yn:forgettheidi
otheisnotwor
thyourt
imei
f
t
imeifdoesn'tseethediamondyouare,
moveon
t
hereispl
entyoff i
shinthesea
Wegoout, wewer ewatchingthem from adi stance
onlyBandileandzoeywer eRockcl imbing, iwas
reall
ysurpri
sedzoeyknew how t orockcl i
mb, not
badf oraslayqueen, t
hebr other
sandMi nniewer e
j
ustcheer i
ngon,Imakesur ethatnoneoft hem
seeme, wegot omycarandwepassbyMcDonal d
andbuyour sel
vesmebur gerandchi pswegot o
myhouse , weeatandhangoutatt hepoolf orthe
restoftheday, itgotmet hinki
ngmaybeIshoul d
throwapoolpar ty.
Bandi
le

Iwokeupr eallyexcitedt oday,waswer efinall

y
goingrockcl imbi ng(i ndoorrockcli
mbi ng)my
twodumbbr other'smanaget oturnthi
sact ivi
ty
i
ntoabetal so,unat hiwast eam zoey, sphamandla
wast eam Bandi le, t
hebetwast wothousand per
person, clear l
yt hisidi
ot'shadt oomuchmoneyt o
thr
owar ound,iwasf eeli
ngsor ryformywi fe,I
wasgoi ngt okickherass, soicangetoutoft hi
s
skydivingt hings,Ant hony, myt wobr othersand
Minniedeci det otagal ong
Wegett othegym ,wechange,wegoi nt
oour
group, herewelearnedhowtot hean8knot
(surprisi
ngly,Idi dgr
eat)butzoeywasrocking
that,Iwasr eal
lyshocked,t
hei nst
ruct
oralso
teachesusnumer oussaf
etyprecauti
ons,
andhow
howspotandcont rolt
hebelayofsomeone
cli
mbi ngaboveyou,
Wewer
efi
nall
yready,
thei
nstruct
ortakesusto
t
hewal
l,t
hishugewaswellhadprogr
essivel
y
hardert
rackstofoll
ow,butthebiggestadvant
age
wasgetti
ngtofeelcomft
ablewithi
nanaut omati
c
bel
aysystem f
irst,
befor
eneedingtotieyourown
knotsandgett
ingsomeonetospotyou.
Wegetonwi t
ht heclimbingitwaschangel i
ngat
fi
rstbutiwasget t
ingthehangofi t,zoeyont he
otherhandwasr eadytotakeoverfrom spiderman
causet hewayshewascl imbingthosewal l
s, one
wouldsweari twasnotherf irstt
ime, shereached
thetopbef oreIcoul dandshegoesdown,acoupl e
ofmi nuteslaterialsogodown,Icoul dn'tbel
ieveit
zoeyhadj ustkickedmyass,IguessI
under est
imatedzoey, sheandMi nniegoestot he
l
adies
Sphamandla:icl
earl
ypl
ayedfort
hewrongt
eam ,
mxm youjustcost
edme2gr andman
Unat
hiandAnt
honyl
augh
Wewereonourwayout,
whent
hisguycomeshe
gr
eet
sus
Unknown:zoeyam gl
adyouar
eimpr
ovi
ngyou
real
lymustl
iker
ockcl
imbi
ng
Me:i
mpr
ovi
ng?
Zoey:youseewhathadhappenedwas,
Iki
nda
tookafewlessonsbef
oretoday
Me:soyoucheat
ed?
Sphamandl
a:br
othermanf
acei
tyouwer
epl
ayed.
Zoey:idon'trememberanyr
ulet
hatsaidno
pract
isi
ngbef or
ethebi
gday,sotechni
cal
lyi
di
dn'tcheathubby.
ever
yonel
aughs
Me:fai
renougham sogoingtogetyouf
ort
his
andthi
sisnotoveryoust
il
lhavet
ogocampingfor
thr
eedays.
Zoey:br
ingi
tonsol
dier
man.
ManhowcomeIdi
dn'
tthi
nkoft
his?,
wegoand
havel
unch
Sphamandla:youhavet
omakesureshedoesn'
t
survi
vecampingbr
oorwearegoingt
oburyyou
aft
eryourat
temptatskydi
ving.
zoey:sphamandl
ast
opput
ti
ngi
deasi
ntohi
shead
pl
ease.
Me:bel
ievemeshewon'
tsur
vive
Wealll
augh,af
terwefi
nishhavi
nglunchweal
l
dr
ivehome,Imustadmitam ki
ndahavingf
un.
[
09/
30,
11:
09] :I
nser
t62

Zoey

TodaywasSat ur
day, afteryesterday'sr ock
cli
mbi ng,Bandil
eandIdeci detot aket hingseasy
today,Igetr eadyandIgof ormycooki ngl essons,
Bandilewil
lcomeandpi ckup, hewi l
lcomewi t
h
thetwins,sowecanspendsomet imewi thspend
somet i
measaf amily,Igett oclassst ar twi t
hthe
cooking ,todaywemadebeefst ew , bet root,
butter
nutandspi nach,af t
ermycooki ngl essons,I
fi
ndBandi l
ewai t
ingforme, Icarefull
ypl acet he
foodihadcookedi nthebootoft hecar,wedr i
ve
tothemal l,wef i
rstdoal it
tl
ebi tofshoppi ng, we
thengoandhavel unchatspur, ourdaywasgoi ng
surpri
ngl ywel l,wet hengot othet hemepar k, by
thetimewel eavei twasr eall
ylate, wegethome, i
packever ythingawayandpl acef oodIhadcooked
i
nt hefridge, wewer ereall
ytir
edandr eadyf orbed,
BandileandIgoandt uckthetwi nsi n,wewat ch
them sleepingf oracoupl eofmi nut es,theywer e
reall
ysupercut e, especiall
ymydi va,youwoul d
sweari twasnott hesamechi l
d, sher eall
ylooked
cute,wet hengot oourr oom , Iwassot ir
ed, i
nless
thanasecondIwasout.

Thando

Iwokeupr eal
lyexci
tedtoday,karabowas
commi ngback,Iwasr eal
lyl
ookingforwardto
seeinghim pl
usIgettoseemygi r
lstoday,mom
anddadwer ebri
ngingthem overtoday,mom is
sti
llpi
ssedatme anddoesn' twantmet osetafoot
i
nherhouse,igetup, brushmyt eeth, washmy
faceandgot ot heki tchen, Ieatsomecer eal for
breakfast,thenist ar tcooking,Ithenfi
nishup
cooking,af terthatIgoandt akeashower, lot i
on
andgetdr essed, Iwai tfor,mypar ent
s,dadcal ls
tosayt heyar eatt hegat e,Iopent hegat ef ort hem
, t
heygeti n, Iopent hedoorandgoout side, Iwas
sohappyt oseemygi r
ls,Iholdsmangel esi nceshe
wasawake,t heyseem t ohavegr ownsomuch, I
can'tbeli
eveam mi ssingoutonsomuchoft hei r
l
ives, wegeti n, smangel ealsofall
sasleep, Itake
them totheirroom
Mom :whenyoudobadwewi l
lspeakupand
repr
imandyou, sowewi
llal
sospeakupand
congrat
ulat
eyouwhenyoudogood, youhave
doneagoodj obbuyi
ngt
hishouse.
Me:t
hankyoumom
Dad:am sopr
oudoft
heyoungwomanyouar
e
becomi
ng
Me:t
hankyoudad.
Wewer
est
il
lbusyeat
ti
ngourl
unch,
whent
he
i
ntercom r
ings,Igoandatt
endtowhoeveri
satct
he
hate,tomysurprisei
twaskar
abo,Ilethi
mi n
assoonasheseesmypar entshebecomesshy, i
t
wasr eal
lycut
e,hehadbr
oughtmeaboxof
chocolat
eandabottl
eofwine,It
akethoset
hings
tothekit
chen
Hesi tsdownandj oi
nme, dadandmom , i
twas
real
lyawkar dshame, dadandmom sur edidgr i
ll
him, thetwinswakeup, Ipl
aywi t
ht hem forawhi l
e
, mom anddadf i
nall
yleavewiththegi r
ls,karabo
decidesweshoul dshouldtothemovi es, If
irstask
himt odropmeof fatthemall,Ibuyaf ewt hings
forqueenmot herandthenigot ovisithertomy
surpriseiwasnott heonlyonevisitt
inghert oday,
therewast hisunknownman, heseemedol derbut
hottjoo,Bandi l
ehadnot hi
ngonhi m.

Queenmot
her

Iwassi
tti
ngi
nmycel l,
whenIwast ol
dIhada
vi
sit
or,
Iwasexpect
ingtoseeThandobutwhenI
l
ook, Iwasimmediat
elyintear
s, i
twasmyone
andonlybrot
herNthando,hehadbeengonef orso
manyyears, hewasintheUS ,Icouldn'
tbel
ieve
hewasback,hel ookedreal
lygoodandyoucoul d
tel
lhehasnotbeenhomef orawhilebyhisaccent.
Me:nthandoIwi
shIcoul
dhuggyounow,
Imi
ss
yousomuch.
Nthando:imissyout oobi
gsis,icamebackt
o
vi
sityou,t
omysur pri
se,t
heyt
ellmeyouarei
njai
l,
whatthehellhappened?
Me:myhusbandsaidishoul
dhandmysel
finaf
ter
somef
ewmi st
akesIhadmade.
Mybr
otherget
spi
ssed
Nthando:howdar ethesonofabi t
chdoest
hatt
o
you?, af
terever
ythi
ngyousacri
ficedf
orhim,I
don'tcar
ewhoIhavet okil
lorbr
ibebutyouwil
lbe
outofheresoon.
Me:thankyouat
leastt
her
eissomeonei
nmyconer
now
Nt
hando:t
hati
sri
ghtIgotyourbackbi
gsi
s
Andbythewaywhati
sthi
sihearaboutyour
husbandgoi
ngt
otheUStovi
sithi
swifeandchi
ld?
Itel
lnthandoeverythi
ngandhewaspi ssed, hewas
readytokil
lsomeone, Iwasstil
ltal
kingtomy
brotherwhenThandowal ksi
n, shehadbr ought
mesomegoodi es,Icouldt
ellshewasshockedand
surpri
sed,I.I
ntroducehert
omybr ot
her, het hanks
herfortaki
ngcar eofmeandt heyexchange
number s.
Theyl
eaveandIgobackt
omycel
l

Mi
randa

Therei
twasthetestwascl
ear
lyposi
ti
ve, evena
bl
indpersoncoul
dseethet
estwasposit
ive.
Iwasreall
yworried,sibusisoandIdon'
thave
enoughmoneyt otakecar eofanewborn, l
etal
one
oursel
ves,theonlyreasonIwaswi thhi
m was
becauseheisreall
ygoodi nbed,sohewouldletme
sl
eepwi t
hBandilef ormoneyt hati
showwe
survived, Iwasl ookingf orajob, sincebandi l
ewas
nolongerl ookingtowar dsmydi recti
on, butitwas
dif
ficult,Ihavehadt hreeabortionsal r
eady, one
wasBandi le'schild,thisisonechi l
dam notwi l
li
ng
togetr idof, sbuandical cul
atethel astti
me
Bandi l
eandIhadsex, weal waysusepr otecti
on,
butthisi stheonet imeam wi l
li
ngt or i
skitall,yesI
couldsayi tshischildandgetawaywi t
hit,sosbu
andIdeci det hattheisgoi ngtobeBandi l
e'schi l
d,
soam goi ngt oseeBandi letommor row .Ir eall
y
hopehebel i
evesme.
[
09/
30,
11:
09] :I
nser
t63

Zoey

Todaywasmonday, Bandil
eandIwakeupear ly,
wehaveourmor ningglory,wegoandt akea
shower,wewer egoingcampi ngthisweekend,i
wasnotsolookingfowardtot hat,aft
erbandi
leand
Ifi
nal
lygetr
eadyf ortheday, wegoandcheckup
onourtwins,theywer esti
ll
sleeping,aswewer e
havingourbr eakf ast,Aunt yBel l
aar rai
ves, we
fini
shupourbr eakf ast, Bandi leandIuset hesame
car, causehewasgoi ngt opi ckmeupaf termy
cooki ngl essons,yeey, Iwassol ooki ngf owardto
that, wheni tcomest oshoppi ngIdon' tmi ndunless
i
t'sgr ocer i
es, t
henisodon' tlookf owar dt othat,
todaywecookedl asagne,af terIwasdone,
Bandi lecomesandpi ckmeupandwegot ot he
campi ngst ore, wewer egoi ngal loutf ort hi
sone,
weboughtever ythi ngwet houghtwemi ghtneed:
wat erpr oofmat chesandal ighterjusti ncase, a
tent,asl eepi ngbag, f
lashl ight, acompass,a
pocketkni ef,asl eepingmat, fi
rstaidki t,acamp
stove, acool erforgoodanddr i
nks,sever al
pill
ows, threedi ffrentkindsofsunscr een,packs
ofpaperpl at es, dinnernapki ns, aboxofpl asti
c
cutleryTar psandenoughf oodt of eedever yone,
wewer esor tedift hereisanyt hingwef or got
anot hercoupl ewoul dhavet ot akecar eofi tdur
ing
theirshoppi ngt r
ip, wefinal l
yl oadever ythingi nto
Bandi le'
scarandwedr ivet oBandi l
e'sof fi
cesince
hisP. Acal ledandsai dther ewassomeonewai ti
ng
forhi m att heof fice, i
magi net hehor roroff i
nding
oneofhi
sbi
tcheswai
ti
ngf
orus,
oohGodt
hiscan'
t
begood.

Mi
randa

Afterwai ti
ngf orBandil
eathisofficeforhoursand
hours, hef i
nall
yarrI
ved,hewaswi thhispl
astic
dollandher eall
yseemedsurprisedt oseeme,I
reall
ydi dn'
tcareaboutthat,
alliwant edtodowas
totellhim am pregnantandhopef ull
yhewi ll
beli
vei thisbaby
Bandi
le:Mi
randa?,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:Bandi
lecanwepl
easet
alki
npr
ivat
e,i
t'
sreal
ly
i
mport
antt
hatwetal
k.
Zoey:l
etmeguess,
youar
epr
egnantf
orhi
m?
Ij
ustl
ookdownanddon'
tanswerherquest
ion
Bandi
le:i
sitt
ruear
eyoupr
egnant?
Me:yesBandi
le,
am pr
egnantf
oryou
Bandi
le:buthow?,youandial
waysused
pr
otect
ionandamor
ningaf
terpi
ll
Zoey:guessam goi
ngt
oleaveyout
wot
oit.
Bandi
le:babypl
easedon'
tgo.
Zoey:noBandileam goingtoletyoucleanyour
mess,am notgett
inginvol
ved,Iwillbeint
hecar,
butj
ustl
ikewedidwi t
hThandoaf t
erherbabies
werebor
n, Ial
sowantaDNAt estforthi
sone(she
l
eaves)
Bandi
le:Mi
randaar
eyousur
e,youar
epr
egnant
forme?
Mi
randa:t
hati
sanobr
ainer
Bandi
le:t
henam sureyouwon'tmindaDNAt est,
Sanel
ewillgett
hedoct
orandyoumustbesur ethe
babyi
smi necauseIwi
lli
nvol
vetheroyali
nyanga
al
so,soifthati
snotmychil
d,t hatchi
ldwilldie
Me:howdar eyouwantt
oķil
lmyinnocentchil
d?,
allbecauseyoudon'
twantt
otakeresponsi
bil
it
yfor
yourunbornchil
d.
Iwasreal
lyshaki
ng,thismightbemyl astchance
tobeamot her,Iwasreal
lyscaredIdon'
twant
anyt
hingt
ohappent
omychi
ld.
Bandile:isaidi
ft hatisnotmychi l
d, ber
est
assuredthatifthatismychi l
d, Iwi
llapol
ogiesand
takeresposibi
li
ty, butift
hatisnotmychildbe
readytofacemywr at
h, Iwil
lbeintouch,nowif
youdon'tmi ndIhaveawi fetoandcheckupon.
Li
kethatheleavesMest andi
nglikeastat
ue, It
ake
ataxihome,Ir eall
ycoul
dn'
tgetoverBandil
e'
s
words, t
heyreall
yseemedgenuine,Godhelpme,
i
fthetruthcomesout
Igethome, si
phowasbusydri
nkinghi
sbeerand
hedidn'
tseem tohaveacar
eintheworl
d
Me:si
phoi
t'
sover,hewant
saDNA t
est
Si
pho:t
henDNAt
est
shewi
llget,
rel
axandt
rust
me
Me:hesayshewil
linvol
vet
heroyali
nyanga,
pl
easesi
phoIdon'
twantanyt
hingtohappent
oour
baby
Sl
igo:r
elaxwi
llyou,
Iwi
llt
akecar
eofever
ythi
ng.
Iwasr
eal
lywor
ri
ed,
butIdeci
dedt
otr
ustsi
pho,
I
wasti
redsoImakemysel
fasandwi
tch,
Ieatandi
gotobed.

Bandi
le

Igot omycar,manIcouldn'
tbel
ievethi
swas
happening,j
ustwhenzoeyandIarefindi
ngour
feet,Ihadt
oscrewupagain,Igot oaobviousl
y
pissedzoey
Me:babyam sor
ry,
areyouf
ine?
Zoey:real
lyBandi
le?,
howcanIbef i
newhenyou
keepimpregnat
ingwomenl
eft,
rightandcent
er,
am farf
rom bei
ngokay
Me:am sor
rybaby
Zoey:ar
eyoust
il
lfucki
ngher?
Me:nozoeyam donewiththatli
fe,Iswearwi
th
mykidsl
if
e,t
hisal
lhappenedt heti
meIwasa
mess.
Zoey:am goi
ngt
ogi
veyout
hebenef
itofdoubt,
butifIf
indoutyouarelyi
ngt ome,IswearIwi
ll
divor
ceyourass, t
akemyki dsandmovethem
somewher e,youwil
lneverever,
andImeanever
seethem againandthi
stimeam deadseri
ous.
Me:iswearIhavenot
hingt
odowi
thMi
randaor
anyot
herwoman.
Zoey:aslongasyourbabymama' sstayintheir
l
aneanddon' tdi
sturbmypeace, t
hereshallbe
peacebutiftheycrosst heboundari
es, t
henbe
readyforworldwart hr
ee, causeitwillbeacold
dayinhellbeforeIletthosewomendi srespectme
again
Me:babyrel
axnoonewi
lleverdi
srespectyou
agai
n,Ipr
omise.
Zoey:t
hankyou
Wedr ivehome, wegoandpl aywit
hthetwi
ns,we
feedthem , zoeygivesthem abath,wegoandt uck
them i
n, wefinal
lyhaveoursupper,Imustsay
zoeyisr eal
lyimproving,wewasht hedi
shesand
wegot obed.
Queenmot
her/Nomcebo

Itseemsasi fmybr ot herwasr eal l

ynotki dding
abouthavingcont acts, Ireal
lydi dn'tknowt hisman
beforeme, Iwasnowbei ngtreat edlikeaqueen
thatIam ,hesaysiwi llbeoutofher esoonandhe
willt
akemebackwi thhi mtot heU. Sf oracouple
ofWeeks, soicanr elaxandj ustf orgetabout
everythi
ngf orawhi le, ir
eall
ycantwai ttogetout
ofhere, f
reedom her eicome, iwasf inall
y
beginningtobr eatheandiwasl ovingt hefeeli
ng,I
can'twaittor epayever yoneint heirowncoi n, thi
s
i
sgoi ngtobef un.
[
09/
30,
11:
10] :I
nser
t64

Mi
randa

No,no,
pleasedon'
t,pl
easedon'tt
akemybaby, I
wasscr
eaming,wit
haver yl
oudvoiceastheold
womanwasholdi
ngmybeaut i
fulbabyboy,pl
ease
don'
t,afewmi nut
eslaterIhearsomeoneshake
me,thankGoditwasadr eam ,Isi
tuponthebed,
si
phoswitchesontheli
ghts
Sipho:babywhati
sthemat
ter,
youwer
e
screaming.
Me:iwasj
usthavi
ngani
ght
mar
e
Si
pho:whatki
ndofani
ght
mar
e.
Me:ireal
lydon'
tremember
,whatIwasdr
eami
ng
about.
Idi
dn'
twanttoshar
emydream wi
thhi
m,i
tdi
dfeel
l
ikeIwasbet
rayi
ng,buti
tiswhati
tis
Si
pho:ar
esur
eyouar
efi
ne?
Me:yessi
phonowl
et'
sgobackt
osl
eep,
Ihavet
o
r
est
Si
pho:shoul
dil
eavet
hel
ight
son?.
Me:noi
t'
sfi
neyoucanswi
tcht
hel
ight
sof
f.
Heswi
tchedof
fthel
ight
s
Theoldwomanappear
sagai
ninmydreams,she
wasjustl
aughi
ngatmeandshaki
ngherhead
Ol
dwoman:youst
upi
dchi
ld,youar
esel
li
ngyour
bl
ood
Youst
upi
dchi
ldyouar
esel
li
ngyourbl
ood
Youar
esel
li
ngyourbl
ood,
youst
upi
d
Shekeptr
epeating,thesamewor dsoverandover
agai
n,Icouldfeelmybodydrowinginmyown
sweatasIshakewithfear,
siphowakesmeup
agai
n
Si
pho:babywakeupyouar
ehavi
ngani
ght
mar
e
Iwakeupandsi
tupagai
n
Sipho:l
ookatyoubabyyouar
esweat
ing,
doyou
remembertheni
ght
marethi
sti
me?
Me:ihonest
lydon'
t,Iwoul
dtel
lyoui
fI
r
ememberedsipho.
Si
pho:fi
ne,Iwi
llgetyousome cooki
esandsome
warm mi
lk
Me:yespl
ease,
thankyoubaby
Hegoest
otheki
tchenandret
urnswi
thwarm mi
lk
andt
wocooki
es,Ieatthecooki
esanddr
inkthe
milk,Igobackt
osl
eep,
thi
sti
mewel
eavet
he
l
ightson.

Thando

KaraboandRosel ynhadbeenr eallygoodfri

ends
tome, Iwasr eall
ypi ckingupt hepiecesandt r
ying
tomoveon, Iwast hrowingapoolpar t
ythis
Saturday, soiwasr eallylooki
ngf orwardtothat,i
decidet oalsoinviteNt handotot hepoolparty,he
sayslar gecrowdsar enothi sthi
ng, sowhathecan
doist ospendsomeoneononet imewi t
hme
tommor rowandhesai dhewi l
lpickmeupatei ght,
iwasf inewi ththat,Nt handowasr eal
lyhot
alt
houghhewasol der, Isensethereissomet hing
betweenRosel ynandkar abobutt henagainMaybe
it
smyi magi nati
on, Iwat chtv, Iwasbor edsoIgo
tobed.

Thenextday
Nt
hando

Iwasr eall
yj usttwodaysawayf rom gett
ingmy
sisteroutofj ai
landIwasr eal
lylooki
ngf orwar dto
spendingsomet imewithher,Ihadforacal lfr
om
theThandogi rl,sheisfi
ne,butIcant el
lthatonei s
stil
lwetbehi ndherear s,Ii
nvi
teheroutonadat e,
asIwasst i
llpreparingformydat e,itseemsasi f
Chr i
stmascameear lyf
ormeandmyf amilyt hi
s
year,Igotacal lt
ocomeandpi ckmysi sterup,
shewasnowaf reewomant hanksmycont act s,I
drivetothepr i
son, shewasthri
lledshame,Ihugg
her
Nomcebo:babybr
ocanwegetoutofher?,
am
t
ir
edofthi
splace.
Me:gl
adl
y
Wegot
omycar
Me:soyouwantt
odr
iveyouhome,
soyoucan
seeyourf
ami
ly
Nomcebo:somefamil
ytheyare,Idontwantt
osee
t
hem andIdon'
tevenwantthem t
oknowam out
j
ustyet,
besi
destheki
ngruledIgobackhomef or
t
womont hsaft
erser
vingmysentence
Inodmyhead
Me:whatcanyout
ellmeaboutThando?
Nomcebo:t
hegi
rlwi
lldoanyt
hingt
ogetwhatshe
want
s.
Me:shesoundsl
ikef
unandmyki
ndofagi
rl
Nomcebo:f
orgetaboutt
hatoneshei
sobssedwi
th
Bandi
le
Me:wel
l,Iscor
edadat
ewi
thhert
oni
ght
.
Nomcebo;andwher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hepoorgi
rl?
Me:bowl
ingbi
gsi
s.
Nomcebo:wel
lyout
woki
dshavef
un
Wegotomugandbean, wehaveourbrunchand
wegohome, Ispendthedaychill
ingwi
thmysi st
er,
shet
ell
smet otellThandosheisoutofjai
lonl
ybut
nott
oni
ght.
I
twasnowsevent
hir
ty,
Iwasal
ldr
essedandr
eady
f
ormydate
Wegobowl ing,
wehavesomuchf un, Thandoi s
real
lyacoolchi
ck,whenshei snotplanningevil,
yesshetol
dmeal laboutherpastdeeds , Ihave
doneworsesoIwon'tjudgeher.

Ki
ngDl
ami
ni

Ireallyhadagr eattimewhi levi sit

tingmywi fein
theU. S., shetoldtot r
yandf orgiveNomceboand
andt hinkshewasr i
ght, Iwascompl etel
yl ostin
myownt houghtsasIwasi napl ane, Ieventually
l
andi nSout hAfri
ca,Igetoneofmyguar dst o
comeandpi ckmeup, Iaskhi mt odr ivemet o
Pr i
sion,soicanseemywi f
e, Igett here, i
magi ne
theshockandhor ror,Ihavewhenam t oldshei sa
freewoman, ikeptaski ngmysel f, whenandhow
didshepul lt
hisoff?, maybeshegotpar olef or
goodbehavi our,shemusthavegonet otheroyal
houseal ready, Igethome, Icallal lmyson' sand
mydaughter,theyknewnothi
ngaboutt heir
mother
'sr
elease,theywereal
lshockedasIwas
andIaskeveryoneifshehassetherfoothere,t
hey
al
lsayshedidn't,wherei
nthewor l
dcoul dshebe?
.
[
09/
30,
11:
10] :I
nser
t65

Zoey

Iwokeupi ngoodmood, wewer egoingcampi ng

tommor r
ow, Bandi l
ehadanear l
ymeetingtoday,
sohehadl eftalr
eady, myt eacherhadgivenusa
dayofftodayduet oot hercommi tment
sshehad, i
getupandgetr eadyf ortheday, Iwasreall
ybor ed,
soicallmygi r
ls, LethaboandLaur en,wedeci de
togoandhavel unchatpanar ott
is,whil
ewecat ch
up,Igetintobandi l
e'scaranddr ivet
othemal l, I
wasthef i
rstonethere.Iwasbusyconcer at
ingon
myphone, whenIacci dental
lybumpi ntosomeone
Me:
am sosor
rymam
Voi
ce:nextt
imel
ookwher
eyouar
egoi
ng
OohmyGod, Iwouldknowt hatvoiceanywher
e,
eveninmysleep,Iimmedi at
elyf r
eeze,Iwant
edt
o
speakbutwordsjustkeptonfail
lngme,mywhol e
damnmout hwasdr y
Me:queenmot
her?.
Queenmot her:t
heoneandonlyandyesdearitis
theret
urnofthewickedwit
chepisode,youmight
alsowanttopickyourchi
nupfrom thefl
oor,
you
l
ookr i
dicul
ous
Witht
hatbeingsai
d,shetakesheror
derandl
eave,
Ican'
tbel
ievei
tmonsterI
nlawisback
Iwassti
lllosti
nmythoughts,whenmygi
rl
s
fi
nal
lyar
r aive,
wehavelunch
Me:youwi
llneverguesswhoIj
ustsaw
Let
habo:yourhi
ghschoolcr
ush.
Me:nof
arf
rom i
t
Laur
en:t
ellusal
ready,
thesuspensei
ski
ll
ingus
Me:mysweetador
abl
emot
heri
nlaw
Theywer
eshocked
Lethabo:youmeanthewit
chfinal
lygothol
dofher
broom andmanagedtof
lyoutofpr
ison? .
Me:exact
ly,
ther
egoesmypeace.
Theycl
apt
hei
rhands
Laur
en:t
rul
yprisoni
sfort
hepoor,
aft
erwhatshe
di
dshedeservestor
otinj
ail
Let
habo:isecondt
hat,
infactt
heyshoul
dlockher
upandthr
owawayt hedamnkeys
Me:enoughaboutmonst
eri
nlaw
Wehaveourlunchandwegoshopping,It
hen
dr
ivehome,
Istil
lcan'
tbel
ievet
hatmonst
erisf
ree.

Thando

Ir
eall
yenjoyedNt
hando'scompany, wehad
managedtosetaseconddate,ihadj ustfi
nished
cl
eaningandcooki
ng, whenIgetacal lf
rom queen
mother'
snumber,
Iwasshocked, butthenagain
maybeiti
ssihleandshedoesn'
twantsphamandl
a
tof
indoutsheisincont
actwit
hme, Ianswert
he
cal
landdon'tsayaword
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:Thandocanyouhear
me,Thando?
I
ttur
nsouti
tisqueenmot
her
Me:queenmot
her?
Nomcebo/queenmother:t
heoneandonl
ybaby,
queenmot
herisaf
reewomannowbaby
Me:(Iscr
eam ),
tel
lmeyouar
eki
ddi
ng
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:t
hankyouf
oral
most
t
urni
ngmedeaf
Me:am sor
ry,
am j
usthappyf
oryou
Nomcebo/Queenmot her:t
hankyoubaby,Iwi
ll
sendyouanaddresssoyoucancomeseemeand
bri
ngabott
leofwine,Ial
sokindamisst
hebubbl
y
youknow
Me:i
t'
sdone(wel
aughandhangup)
Ical
laf
ri
endofmi
net
oor
gani
zemeabusketf
ull
ofgoodies,Itakeabot tl
eofmymostexpensi ve
wineandabot tleofchampagne, igoandt akea
showerandgetdr essed, iwaspi ckingt hebusket
fr
om myf ri
end,whenqueenmot hert extmethe
hotel
shestaysinandherr oom number, I
i
mmedi atel
ydr i
vet her
e, Igot
her eandknockon
herdoor,sheopensupt hedoorandshe was
happytoseeme, justl
ikeIwashappyt oseeher
Me:sohowt
hehel
ldi
dyougetout?
Nomcebo/queenmot her:t
hatmydeari
sastor
y
f
oranotherday,youwerebusygoi
ngondat
es
wit
hmybr other
Me:am sosor
rydearf
ri
endbutdut
ycal
led(isay
bl
ushi
ng)
Nomcebo/queenmother:ooohmyshei
seven
bl
ushi
ng(welaugh)
Me:sowhatexact l
yisyourrevengeplan?
Nomcebo/Queenmot her:Mer evenge?,
nah, am
t
oolazyam justgoi
ngtolett
hingsgo(wel augh
whi
lefi
nishi
ngupourbottleofwine)
Me:youar
esuchabadl
iar,
youar
efor
get
ti
ngI
knowyou
Nomcebo/queenmot her:Iknowt heyknowby
nowam out,causesl ayQueensawmet oday,
so
am goingtotheU.S.withNthandof oracoupleof
weekst ot
hinkthi
ngsthrough(ilookdown)don' t
besadwewi l
lbebackbeforeyouknowi tandI
promisetobringhi
m backinonepi ece
Wehaveourwineandsnacks,Ideci
detodri
ve
home,gethomeandjustthr
owmysel font
hebed.

Bandi
le

TodayIwasaccompanyi ngMi randat oherfirst

scan, Idon'
tknowwhati swr ongwi thme, for
somer easonIjustcan'tseem t oconnectwi ththi
s
babylikewit
ht hetwinsandNomcebo, maywewi l
l
eventuall
yconnect, butrightnow Wear enot
connecting,maybeitisthef earthatIhave, that
thi
sbabycoul dnotbemi ne,thedoct orgi
ves
Mirandaacopyofherscan, Ididn'twanttoget
att
achedt othebabyunt ilam certainthatitismy
baby, Isendthreethousandi ntoheraccountandI
tel
lhertogetwhat eversheneedscauseshei sn't
working, wegoandhavel unch, It
hengobackt o
work, zoeycall
smeandt ell
smeshesawmom , i
wonderwhyshehasn' tcontactedusyetbutI
guesswi thmom nonewsi sgoodnews.

Mi
randa

Ican'tbelieveBandi leistreat
ingmef ine, unlikemy
babydaddy( SIPHO), Ireall
ywi shthiswas
bandile'schi l
dinstead, si
phoi sj
ustausl esspi ece
oftrash, Ireall
yfeltguilt
yforwhatam doi ngt o
Bandi l
e, buthey, wegott heballroll
ingal ready
andt herei snot ur
ningbacknow, Ibuyenough
groceries, It
akeanubert oourapar t
ment, t
he
bum wasbusywat chingtvwi t
houtacar eint he
world, It
akeadeepsi ghandpackever yt
hi ng
away., Ithencook, weeatandgot obed.
[
09/
30,
11:
10] :I
nser
t66
Zoey

TodaywasFr idaywewer efinal

lygoi ngcampi ng,
yeeey, youcoul df eeltheexci ti
menti nmyvoi ce,
Bandi l
eandIwer epackedandr eadyt ogo, afew
mi nutesl atersihleandsphamandl acome
knocki ngonourdoor, theywer ef oll
owedby
Mi nnieandunat hi,Let haboandsanel ecomewi th
thet wocar avans,Bandi l
eandIwer er iddi ngwi t
h
Sphamandl aandsi hle, MinnieandUnat hiwer e
ri
ddi ngwi t
hsanel eandLet habo, wePack
everythi ngupandwewer eonourway, afterbeing
stuckf orhour sandhour sonendwi tht hequeenof
mean, whowascompl aingandmoani ngever y
secondshegot, t
herewer esomef ewt imeswher eI
feltl
ikest rangl i
ngher, isnotl i
keam enj oyingt his
campi ngst uffeither,butIwasopent ot hei deaand
didn'tbitchaboutever ysinglething, wef inall
y
arraiveatourdest i
nat i
on, Iwasnowexi cit
ed,I
thoughtt omysel fnotbad, itwassor tofacampi ng
area, wepar kourcar avans, wer egisterour
names, theygetsomeonet oshowusourcampi ng
spot,boywasIinfortheshockofmyl i
fe,aswe
beginourhi
cki
ngt r
ailal
lthewaytothemountai
n
top,theheavybagswewer ecar
ryingwerenot
helpi
ngeit
her
Sihle:Bandi l
ethenextt
imeyouandyourwifehave
sil
lyideasandt heyi
nvol
veme, Isweart
oGodam
goingtokillyoubothandthenhandmyselfovert
o
thepolice
Iwantedt
otell
sihl
etostopbi
tchi
ngandmoaning
butheymylegswerekil
li
ngmeandfai
ll
ingmeat
thesameti
me, soideci
detokeepmymouthshut.
Bandi
le:comeonguysi
t'
snott
hatbad.
Let
habo:speakf
oryour
sel
f,t
henextt
imeyougo
campi
ngam out
Wewer esti
llhi
kingwhen,Iseemonkeys, Idrop
everyt
hingandjumponBandi l
escreamingmy
l
ungsout, sphamandlaandunathiwerelaughi
ng
thei
rassesoff
Thetourgui de:mam r elax,
theywon'tdoanyt
hing
toyou,t heywor sttheycoul
dsiseatyourf
oodof
youforgetitoutside
Bandi
le:babypl
easest
opover
react
ing,
Ican'
t
car
ryyouandthebagsbabypl
ease
Me:nowaymr,notwit
hthosemonkeysover
ther
e,
youdi
dn'
ttel
lmet
her
ewouldbemonkeys
Si
hle:comeonzoeycanyoupl
easest
opbei
nga
dr
amaqueenforonce
Bandileplacesmedown, wef i
nall
ygett oourspot,
thetourgui detel
lsust oerrecrourt entsfir
st
beforeitgetsdark,west arterract
ingourt ents,
BandileandIwer eofcour sest r
ugglingtoer r
ectout
tent,sphamandl aerr
ectshi stentalonewi thease,
Minnie, Let
habo, unat
hiandsanel efinall
yfigureit
out, mymanandiont heot herhandwasadi f
ferent
story,west ruggl
e,sphamandl awasj ustl
aughing
atus, hubbyf i
nall
ydecidest oeatt hehumbl epi e
Bandi
le:spha,
unat
hi,
sanel
eal
it
tl
ehel
ppl
ease
Siphamandl
a:whatt
ookyoudol
ong?,
wasaski
ng
forhel
psohard?
Bandil
e:noman,
canwenowgetonwi
tht
het
ask
athand
Theyhel phi m, theygoandgetsomef i
rewood,
theyhadbr aaistands, sowewer egoi ngtouse
them f orcooki ng , Iwasj ustgladLet haboand
Mi nniewer et here, wefinall
ymaket hef i
re,
LethaboandMi nniedot hecooki ng, itwasnow
reall
yget t
ingcol d, sothemanst artthef i
re,wesit
aroundt hef i
re, whilewecat chup, overandabove
all,itwasnott hatbad, weal lgetintot oourtent
s,I
reall
yf oundi thar dtosleep, becauseiwasnot
usedt osuchsmal lconfi
nedspace, thesleepi
ng
mat tresseswer ereallynotcomf t
ableasmybed
andt hesoundsani malsmade, we'rer eall
yscari
ng
me, butIdomanaget osleep.

Thenextday

Wewokeupear l
y, i
twasnoteasysl eepi
ngon
thosesleepingmattr
esses, Ineededt ouset
he
bathroom ,soIaskBandileandunat hit
o
accompanyme, wegetthere, Icouldn'
tbel
ievei
t,
wewer eusingdir
tynastypittoi
lets
Me:Bandi l
eDl amini,t
her
eisnowayam Iusing
thosedir
tyfi
lt
hytoil
ets,am outofher
eam going
home, youwinIgiveup.
Bandi
lewasreadyt
othr
owabash,youcoul
dsee
hewasreal
lyhappy
Unat
hi:zoey,
canIt
alkt
oyouf
orasecond?
Bandi
lewasr
eadytokil
lhi
m, Iwasnowr
eal
ly
i
ntr
est
edinwhathehastosay
Me:absol
utel
y
UnathiandIwalkstepsawayfrom Bandi
lesohe
doesn'thearwhatwearesayi
ng
Unat
hi:zoepl
easedon'
tgi
veup,
youhavenoi
dea
whatIgai
ntol
oose.
Iwasl
ost
Me:you?,pleaseexpl
ain,thi
sshoul
dbe
i
nter
est
ing,pleasedoexpl
ainqui
ckl
ycauset
his
mosqui
tosaren'tpl
ayi
ng
Unat
hi:zoey,Bandi
le,
sphamandl
aandIhavea
bet,R2000,
00each
Me:youdid,
didyou?andwhatwast
hebetal
l
about?.
Unathi
:basi
cal
lyi
t'
stwoagai
nstoneBandil
eand
sphamandl
abetyouwouldn'
tsur
viveaday
Me:theydi
d,di
dthey? andibel
ieveyouar
eteam
zoey
Unat
hi:yesofcour
se,soar
eyouwi
thme?
Me:yougi
vemehal
fofyourwi
nni
ngsandwehave
adeal
Unat
hi:howabout25%?
Me:f i
rf
ty,f
ir
ftyorther
eisnodeal,t
hati
smy
f
inaloff
ert
akeitorl
eavesi
t.
Unat
hi:f
ine,
wehaveadeal
Me:good, nowl
et'
sgoki
cksomeasspl
usIgett
o
goskydi
vingaft
ert
his
Wehi
ghf
iveandgobackt
oBandi
le
Me:changeofpl
anshubby,am notgoing
anywher
e,weareleavi
ngt
ommor r
owlikewehad
pl
anned.
Bandi
le:nobutyousai
dandt henhehear
d(he
l
ooksatunat
hi)whatdidyousaytoheryout
rai
tor
?.
Unat
hi:ij
usthaveheral
it
tl
emot
ivat
iont
hatal
l.
Igetinsi
dethetoil
ets,
Iscr
eam assoonasisawa
cocroach,butImanagedtocl
am mysel
fdown,
ther
ei st
wogr andatst
akehere.
Wegobackt oourspot, MinnieandLet habower d
donewi thbeakfast,eggs, beansandbr ead, we
washouthandsandeat, wegot otheshowerspot,
Imanaget oshower,wehadf orgott
ent he
breakfastleftover
sout side, sowef indacoupl e
ofuninvit
edguest s,Iwast erri
fi
edbutIdi dn'
t
wantt ogivesphaandBandi l
ethesatisfacti
on, soi
clam down,iwant edtoshowt hem theymadea
wr ongbet, assoonast heyputuni nvitedguests
seeust heymakear unf orit,i
twasact ual
lykinda
funny

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
Theguysdeci dedtheyaregoingtogobacki
nto
civi
li
zati
on, sotheywentdownt hemountai
n,we
theladi
esdeci detohaveapar t
yofourown,we
sataroundthef i
rewhil
ewehavesomebooze, i
decidedtodrinkjustf
ortoday.
Lethabo:wel
lladi
eslet
'spl
ayagame,thenameof
thegameis,mar r
y,bangandchoke.
si
hle:pl
easeexpl
aint
hegamet
ous
Let
habo:basi
cal
lyyounamethreeguystheone
youwouldmarr
y,bangorchokethel
ivi
ngdayout
ofthem ,
Minni
eyougofir
st.
Minnie:wel
lladies,iwouldmarr
yVi nDiesel
,
hell
owt heguyishot, bangSkkhosa,theniwoul d
choketheli
vingdaylightsoutofbabaMshol ozi
forwhathedi dtothi
scountr
y(wealllaugh)
Lethaboyouar enext
Let
habo:wel
lIwoul
dbangwi
llSmi
th
MeandMi
nni
e:Ament
othatgi
rl,
theguyi
s
f
lames
Lethabo:youcansayt hatagai
n,Mar r
yBar
rack
Obomaandchoket heli
vingdayli
ight
sout Kenny
kunene,Ijustdontgettheguy,zoeyyouarenext
Me:iwoul
dbangwi
llSmi
tht
oogi
rl(Let
haboandi
hi
ghfi
ve)
si
hle:bi
rdsoft
hesamef
lock.
Me:anyway, Iwouldchoketheli
vingdayl i
ghts
outOscarpret
oriousforwhathedidt oReeva,and
thenmarryshonaf er
gusonhell
ow , queensi
hleyou
arenext.
Sihl
e:unl
ikeyouladi
esIdon'
thavet
imeforsi
ck
fant
asi
es, am ver
yhappywit
hmymant hankyou
Me:mxm youhadt ospoi
lthef
un, wewereoutof
al
coholso,wealldeci
detogointoourt
ent
sand
sl
eepsinceourmenwedenotbackyet.

#Sor
ryfornotposti
ngyest
erday,
itwasbeyond
mycont
rol,
sorryguy
Admi
n
[
09/
30,
11:
10] :I
nser
t67

Bandi
le

Me, sanel
e,sphamandl aandunathihaddeci ded
togodownt hemountainandhavesomeguyt ime,
sphmamdl aandhiscrazyassdecidedgoingto
dinnerdownthemount ai
nwasnotenough, no,we
hadt obenaught
yjustforthat,hetakesust othe
nearestst
ri
pclub, manassoonasisawwher ewe
wereIwasshakinginmyboot s
Me:sphamandl a,doyouwi shmedead?, zoey
wouldhavemyassf orbreakfast,l
unchand
supper,t
helastt
hingIwantist obeinzoe'
sbad
books,Ihavebeenther
ebel i
eveme
Sphamandla:weareal
lgoi
nginthereisnotl
ike
youaregoingt
her
ealoneandbesideswearegoing
todinnerandt
heonlypl
acethathappenedtobe
openi
sast
ri
pcl
ub
Weallgoin,sphmandl
awasl i
keachi
ckmagnet,
theywereal
loverhi
m,thel
it
tl
esnit
chcal
ledunat
hi
senthi
swifeaphoto
Westayattheclubunt i
loneam ,
theguidetakesus
backupt ot
hemount ainwit
hhiscar,si
nceitwas
l
ate,Igettoourtent,asIwasopening thetent
zoeyscreamsherlungsout
Me:shhhh,
zoer
elaxi
tsme
Zoey:mxm ,
wher
ewer
eyouguys?
Me:babycanwepl easesl
eepwewi
llt
alki
naf
ew
hour
sbabyplease
Zoey:f
ine,
butyouowemeanexpl
anant
ion

Fewhour
slat
er
.

Al
ltheladieswer
egat
her
edout
sidemaki
ngsome
br
eakfast
Mi
nni
e:l
adi
esIhavesomeser
ioust
eat
ospi
ll
Zoey:no,youmi nni
hleDlaminiofallpeopl
ehave
somet eat
ospil
l?,t
histeamustbereall
yhotand
burni
ngyourhands
Minni
e:noact uall
ytheteaisburningmytoungue
andmyhear tatthesamet i
me, didyouknow, you
manleftyouhereallal
oneandwentt oastr
ipclub?
,that
'
sr i
ghtladi
es ourmanwer ewi t
hthem hoe'
s
l
astnight.
Si
hle:wassphamandl
aal
sot
her
e?
Minni
e:act
ual
lyi
twashi
sbr
il
li
anti
deat
ogot
othe
st
ripcl
ub.
Zoey:thi
smanareallcr
azy,
wonderwhat
happenedfort
hem t
oendupatacl
ub.
Si
hle:t
hat
'sal
lyouar
egoi
ngt
osay?
Zoey:whatdoyouwantmet osay?, hewaswith
theot
herguys, i
fhewasal one,
thatwouldhave
beenadif
frentstor
y, Iwouldhavebeensit
ti
ngon
mourni
ngmat ressri
ghtnow
Lethabo:andIwoul dhavemadesur esanele,
goessur f
ingintheoceanandyoudobl ackf
olks
andwat erdon'
tmixr i
ght?, thatwaymyhands
wouldhavebeencl ean.(zoeyandLethabohigh
fi
ve)
Minni
e:unat
hiwoul
dn'
tdar
egot
oast
ri
pcl
ub
al
one

Zoey

Aft
erwefi
nishmaki
ngbr
eakf
ast,
theguysf
inal
ly
comeandjoinus
Sihl
ewaspissed,shewasl i
keavolcanowaiti
ng
toexpl
ode,theguyssi
t,si
hleandIserveever
yone,
wesitandwestarteat
ti
ng
Sihl
e:gent
leman,Ibeli
eveyouhavesomet
hingt
o
tel
lmeandt
herestoftheladi
es
Sphamandl
a:ooh,shi
tisabouttohi
tthef
an,
my
beaut
if
uldarl
ingwi
fe,
mymi ssingri
b
Si
hle:don'
tyoudar
esweett
alkyour
sel
foutof
t
rouble,wher
eint
heworl
d, di
dyougetthei
dea
t
hatyoucangoclubbi
ng?andIwil
lbefi
newith
t
hatidea.
Sphamandla:youarebeaut
ifulmama,yousee
whathadhappenedwas, af
terourl
ongwalk,a
ver
ylongwalkatthat,downt hemount
ain,we
werestar
ving
Unat
hi:yeahr
eal
lyst
arvi
ng
Sphamandla:shutupyoul
it
tl
esnit
ch,wear ei
n
thi
smessbecauseofyouandyourstui
pidphot
o
(wealll
augh)
Unathi:ial
waystellmywif
eever
ythi
ng,
Ican'
t
hel
pi t,am anhonestman
Minni
e:yesyouarebaby(shewi
nksathim)
Bandi
le:eew,canyoutwogetaroom al
ready?
.
si
hle:enoughchi
tchat
ti
ng,
am l
ooki
ngf
or
answers
Sphamandl
a:babyIswear,honest
ly babywe
werest
arvi
ng,t
heonlypl
acethatwasopenwasa
st
ri
pclub.
Me:Bandi
lei
sitt
rue?(icoul
dtel
lBandi
lewas
sweat
ti
ngandiwasenj
oyi
ngthis)
Bandi
le:honeybun,
sugarmunch,
myoneand
onl
y, sugar
Me:idi
dn'
taskf
orpr
aises,
Iwantanswer
sli
ke
si
hle
Bandi
le:baby ,
sugar,Bandi
lef
orcedmet
ogeti
n,
Iswearhewaspull
ingmebymyar ms.
Siphamandla:yeah,yeahthismanofyour sneah,
sorrytobreakthi
stoyousi
ster'
sbutyoumar r
ieda
playboyandwhi ppedhimi
ntoshape, hei
snowa
totalcoward,buthedi
dgetalapdance.
Me:hedi
d,di
dhe?
Bandi
le:sayst
heguywhowasachi
ckmagnetal
l
ni
ght
Si
hle:hewas,
washe?
Sphamandl
a:babynoneoft
hosewomencame
cl
osetoyouandkhanyi
Si
hle:youweredoi
ngsowel
lunt
ilyoubr
oughtup
missyougoodyshoes
Sphamandl
a:canwepl
easej
usteat,
thenwecan
gotothetr
iall
ater
Weeat, af
tereat
ing,wegoandt akeshowers,we
thenstartt
akingdownouttent
sandwepackup
everyt
hing,Ican'
tbel
ieve,
Ispentthreedaysi
nthe
bundusandsur vi
ved

Fewhour
slat
er

Wewer efi
nall
ydownt hemount ainandbacki n
civil
isati
on, wegetintoourcaravans, si
hleandI
decidet ogoandsl eep,wedeci dedtothehoe' s
driveallthewaybackhomewi t
houtusdi stur
bing
them , afteraverylongdrive,wef i
nall
ygethome,
sanel eandLet habosleepoveratourhouse, I
showt hem theguestbedroom , thefir
stthingIdo
i
st ogoandcheckonmybabi es, t
heywer e
sleepingandt heylookedsupercut e,Ireall
ymi ss
them ,
Ican'
twaitt
ofi
nishupthiscooki
nglessons,
soicanspendmoreti
mewi t
ht hem ,Ir
eal
lycan'
t
beli
eveam goi
ngskydi
ving.
[
09/
30,
11:
11] :I
nser
t68

Mi
randa

Ihar dlysleptt
hisdays,Ikepthavi
ngnightmares,I
thinkitisbecausetheguil
tofwhatam doingto
Bandi l
e,Iwasst il
llostmyownt houghts, when
siphocomesandshakesme
Si
pho:babyar
eyouokay?,
whati
sthemat
ter?
Me:babydon'ttakethist
hewrongway,butifeel
gui
lt
yf orwhatam doingtoBandi
leandzoey'
s
marr
iage..
Sipho:doyout hinktheyreall
ycareaboutyouand
thatdamnbaby, look(heshowsmepi ctur
eszoey
hadpostedoninst agr
am andFacebook, itwas
pict
uresofherandBandi l
ecampi ng,rockcli
mbing
andthenthem playingwit
ht hetwinsatatheme
par
kwit
hacaupt i
onthisi
swhathappi
nessi
s)
youseetheydon'
tfucki
ngcar
e.
Me:soyouar
enowst
alki
ngt
hem onsoci
almedi
a
?.
Sipho:weal
wayshavet
oknowwhatweareup
against,
weal
wayshavetobeont
opofourgame
Me:f
ine
Il
eaveourbedroom andgoint
otheki
tchen,
Imake
br
eakfastf
orthelastwasandmysel
f
Iwasfummingwi t
hanger, coul
dwhatsi
phohas
sai
dbetrue?,thatBandil
eandzoeydon'
tcare
aboutt
hechil
dam carr
ying?,t heydi
dseem r
eal
ly
happy
SiphoandIhavebreakf
astandIdeci
det
oanddoa
l
it
tlebi
tofgrocer
yshoppingwit
hlit
tl
emoneyI
hadonme, Ionl
ybuywhatweneedandt henigo
backtomyapar t
ment

Thando
Ican' tbelieveNt handol eftwi thqueenmot her, i
wasst il
lenj oyi ngmyt i
mewi thhim, butam j ust
gladwef acet imet wiceadaysi ncet heylef t,today
karabowascommi ngt opi ckmeupsoicangoand
seet hegi rls, Ireal l
ymi ssmybabi es, i
twasnowup
tomet opr ovemysel ft omom anddad, sot hey
canal l
owmygi rl
st ospendt heni ghtover, afew
mi nutesl at erkar abocal lst osayhei satt hegat e,
Igot ohi scarwef inallygetmypar entshouse, I
playwi t
hmybabi esal ldayl ong, Iwasst ill
wat chingandpl ayi ngwi thmygi rl
s, whenRosel yn
fi
nal l
ycal lst ot ellmeshesol dmyapar tmentf or
threepoi ntf ivemi ll
ion, thisneededsomemaj or
celebr ati
on, Itellkar abot hatwe(me, karaboand
Rosel yn)ar egoi ngoutt ocel ebrate, Itel
lmy
par ents, theywer eal sohappyf orme, Igobackt o
myhouse, Idr i
vemysel ftot hisnewupmar ket
resturant,Iwai tupf orkar aboandRosel yn,
karaboar rai vesf irst, Rosel yndoescal lkar abot o
sayshei sr unni ngl at e, karaboandIwer ebusy
goingt othebart ogetussomedr inkswhi lewewai t
forat ablet obeavai l
abl e, youknowhowt hisup
scal e, r
est ur antsar e, whenwebumpi ntozoeyand
Bandi
le
Bandi
le:hel
lowThando
Me:hellobabakanomcebo, speaki
ngofwhi
ch,
whenwast helastt
imeyouspentsometimewit
h
yourdaughter?
Bandi
le:.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Me:exact
lywhatIthought,
youarebusygoi
ngup
anddownwithzoeyandherkids,
yetyoudon'
tgi
ve
adamnaboutnomcebo
Zoey:ThandopleasedontyoueverandImeanever
di
srespectmyhusbandlikethatagai
nandremove
mykidsfrom yourbat
tl
ewi t
hBandile
Myki dsarenotatoolyoucanusetof i
ghtyour
batt
leswi t
handsecondlythi
sisnottheti
menor
thepl acetobr
ingupsenti
vematters,ifyouhavea
problem cometotheroyal
pal
acesowecant
alkandgetasol
uti
onl
ike
matur
edadul
ts
Bandi
le:t
hankyoubaby
Zoey:
igotyourbackbaby
Karaboandif
inal
lyf
indatable,
rosel
yncomes
andjoi
nus,wehavedinner,t
henwegopaintt
he
townred.

Queenmot
her/nomcebo

Iwashavingagr eatt i
mewi t
hmybr other, Idecide
togetnaughtyandshakenoma' sworl
d, Iask
Nthandotof i
ndherf ormeandhedoes,Iaskmy
brot
hertodropmeof fthere,wegettoheraddr ess,
Nthandoremai nsinthecar,Imustsaymyhusband
didbuyheral ovelyhome, Iknockonthedoor, she
shouts"am commi ng", whensheopenst hedoor, I
swearIwassmi l
ingintheinsi
de,Iwassocl am
Me:yesbi t
ch,i
tist
her
etur
nofthewi
ckedwit
ch,
youmightal
sowantt
opi
ckyourchi
nonthef
loor
Noma:getoutofmyhouse,
how t
hehel
ldi
dyou
f
indme?
Me:ihavemyways, t
rustme,thel
astt
ime, we
spoke,
Ibel
ieveyouandIhavesomeIunfi
nished
busi
ness.
Noma:getoutofmyyar
dbef
oreIcal
lthepol
ice
Me:callt
hedamnpol
ice,
Ijustwantyout
oknow
t
hebit
chisback.
Ileavewi thasmi leonmyf ace, nowt hatIhave
raffuledherfeathersali
ttl
ebit, Itel
lmybr ot
herwe
shoul dgoandpai ntt
hetownr ed,Iwasr eall
y
happy, Iwaslovingthetasteoffreedom ,Ican'
t
believeam outofj ai
l

Ki
ngDl
ami
ni/mpendul
o

Ihadjustfi
nishedmymeeti
ngwit
ht heel
der
swhen
Igetacallf
rom aver
yupsetnomathemba
Me:myqueencal
m downandt
ellme,
whati
sthe
mat
ter
Noma:mpendulot hatwizzar
dcauseIdoubtshei
s
awit
chthatone,sheistoocoldhear
ted,washere
i
nmyf ucki
nghouse
Me:what,soshei
sint
heUSwhatt
hehel
lisshe
doi
ngt
here?
Noma:soyouknewshewasoutofpr
isi
onandyou
di
dn'
tthi
nkofwar
ning
Me:am sorryIneverthoughtshewoul
dcomet o
theU.S.,t
hiscan'
tbegood, Iwil
lbookthenext
avai
labl
efl
ightandgetther
eassoonasican
Noma:t
hankyoumyki
ng(wehangup)
Iwasreal
lypi
ssed,
Ibookmysel
faf
li
ghtandt
hen
packmybags.
[
09/
30,
11:
11] :I
nser
t69

Ki
ngDl
ami
ni/mphendul
o

AfteracoupleofdaysintheU.S, Ifi
nal
lymanaged
totracknomcebo, itt
urnsoutshewaswi thher
brother,
Ireall
yhatethi
slit
tl
ebast ar
d,Ihavetoget
Nomceboawayf r
om him, Ifi
nall
ygetthecourage
togoandknockonhi sdoor, nomcebowast he
onewhoopenedt hedoorforme,fr
om thel
ookon
herfaceIcoul
dtell,Iwasthel
astper
sonshewas
expecti
ngtosee
Nomcebo:myki
ng,
whatbr
ingsyout
hissi
de?
Me:youofcour
seNomcebo,
lookcanIcomei
nso
wecantal
k?
Nomcebo:sui
etyour
sel
f
Shemovedoutofthedoorway,soicangeti
n,
sheusher
smeintotheli
vingr
oom
Nomcebo/queenmother:canIgetyousomething
todri
nk?,water,
wine,j
uice,whi
skeyorfizzy
dri
nk?
Me:not
hankyou
Shesi
tsdown,aswewer
eaboutt
otal
kherbr
other
comesdownthest
air
s
Nt
hando:Nomcebowhati
sthi
sonedoi
ngher
e?
Me:r
elaxwi
llyou?,
am j
usther
etot
alkt
omywi
fe
.
Nt
hando:af
tert
hehumi
li
ati
onyououtmysi
ster
t
hrough,
youst
il
lhavet
hegut
stocal
lheryourwi
fe
?
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:r
elaxNt
hando,
Iwi
ll
handl
ethi
s.
Nt
hando:youbet
terdo
Hel
eavesmeandNomcebot
otal
k
Me:Nomcebocanyoupl
easel
etgooft
hisanger
andbi
tt
erness.
Nomcebo:ooohrelaxdearhusband, Il
ear
ntmy
l
essonwhil
einpri
son,Iwil
lneverdoanythi
ng
i
ll
egalagai
n,hadyoucomet ovisi
tmewhi l
eIwas
i
nprison,youwouldhaveknownt hat.
Me:am sor
ryfort
urni
ngmybackonyou,butwhat
youdidtoqueenNomathembawaspur
eeviland
icoul
dn'
tst
andthatsi
deofyou.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:andwhatyouand
nomat
hembadidtomewasnotevi
l?,ri
ght?.
Me:am sor
ryf
orever
ythi
ngpl
easefor
giveme,
so
wecangohomeandmoveonplease
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t
Me:t
hankyou
Igetupandl eave,
Ihadnottotal
lyf
orgi
venherand
sti
lldon'
ttr
ustherbutIwantt
ogetherfaraway
fr
om nomat hembaaspossibl
e.

Fourdaysl
ater

Bandi
le

Mywi fe'sbirt
hdaywascommi ngupi nthreedays
ti
me, Ibebookedusasevendaycr uise,ihad
gomet ot hemainhouset oasknompumel el
oto
l
ookaf terthetwi
nsf orus,whil
ewear eaway,
mpumi ehadsai dyes, Ideci
detocallunanthiand
sphamandl a,sowecanhangoutassbl i
ngs, they
arr
aive.Mpumi eorganisesacoupleofsnacks,
whil
ewepl ayafif
agame, mpumiewasusedt ot his
fi
fagamescauseshehangedar oundusal otwhi l
e
wepl ay, soitwasmeandunat hiagainstmpumi e
andsphamandl a, mpumi eandsphamandl awer e
seri
ouslywhoopi
ngourasses, wewer ebusy
l
aughingandaccusingeachotherofcheat
ing,
whendadwal ksin,t
hatwasf i
ne ,butwewerenot
prepar
edf orwhathappensnext,mom walksi
n
ri
ghtaft
erdad
mom :cl
oseyourdamnmouths,f
li
eswi
llgeti
nand
yesdi
ngdongthewitchi
sback.
Sphamandla:dadyouser
iousl
ybr
oughtmom back,
af
terever
ythi
ngshehasdone?
Mom :thi
sisalsomyhousei
ncaseyouFor
got,
nowallofyougett
hef
uckoutofmyhouse.
Wewereallshocked,wehaveneverhear
dmom
cur
seli
kethis,damnpri
sonhasreal
lymadeher
ext
racol
d.
Mom :andyoubet tert
ellt
hosethings,youcall
wives,especi
all
yyouBandi le,nottosetafootin
myhouseunt ilyouallapologi
seproperl
y, getout,
getout.
Dad:nomceboyouarebei
ngabi
thur
shont
heki
ds
,pleasecl
am down
Mom :doyouwantmet
oleaveandgobackt
omy
br
other?
Dad:noofcour
senot.
Mom :thenl
etmedealwi
tht
hist
hingsIcal
lmy
chi
ldr
en.
Mpumie, sphamandla,unat
hiandileave, we
wereal
lpisseddadhadbroughtmom home,
mpumiegoest oTrina'
sapartment,therestofus
eachgoestoourhouses, t
hisiscr
azy.

Mi
randa

TodayIwashavingadoct or'
sapppointment,I
decidednott
otel
lBandile,Iwantedsiphotocome
withme,maybehewi llstopbei
ngal azybum and
growupandtaketheresponsibi
li
tyoftakingcar
e
ofmeandourunbornchi l
d
Wegettomydoct or'sof
fi
ce,Iwasreall
yexici
ted
causetodayam goingt
olear
nthegenderofour
unbor
nchild,wegetin
Thedoct ordoesascan, thel azyasscoul dn'teven
bebot hered, especiall
ywhent hedoct orment ions
wear ehavingagi rl,Iwasr eallyhappy, buthe
didn'tevenshowanyemot i
ons, goodt hingIhad
toldthedoct orhewasmybr other, Ididn'twantto
tellhi
mt het r
uth, causei fidoBandi lewi ll
def i
natel
yfindoutt het r
uth, aftermyappoi nt
ment,
wegoandhavel unch, heal lhewasi nter est
edin
waseat ti
ng, hewasnoteveni ntrestedin
discussingbabynames,l ooksl ikeBandi lei
sthe
onl yonewho
whocancounton, Ireal
lyf
eltgui
lt
ybutIreal
ly
needthesupport,maybesomedayIwi l
lfi
ndthe
couragetotel
lBandil
ethetr
uthandleavethe
countrywit
hmybaby.

Thando

KaraboandRoselynwer
eoffi
cial
lyacoupl
e,
Nthandoandiwereal
soheadi
ngthatway,hewas
backinSout
hAf r
ica,weweregoingonadoubl
e
datetoni ght,Igetr eadyf ormydat e, Imadesur e
Iwasf lammi nghot, evensl ayqueendi dn'thave
anythingonmet oday, IcallNt hando, sowecango
grabsomet hingt oeat,bef orewegocl ubbing, i
alsocal lKar aboandRosel yn, Nthandocomesand
pickmeup, wemeetupwi ththecut ecoupl eatt he
restaurant, wehavesomet hingt oeatandwegot o
Bandi l
e' sf ormercl ub, itwasnotpackedasI
usuallyknowi tbutther ewer epeopl e,wegeta
table,Iwasgoi ngt ogetusdr inks(Nt handoandi)
whenIbumpi nt
ot hispr egnantchi ck, hernamei s
Mi r
anda , shewasl ookingf ormybabydaddyat
theclub , Iwasr eal l
yint er
est edi nherst ory, she
wasappar ent lyalsopr egnantf orbabydaddy, I
giveherqueenmot her '
snumberandt ellhert ocall
her, t
henigoonmi ndingmybusi nesswi t
hmy
man.
[
09/
30,
11:
11] :I
nser
t70

Zoey
Itwasthedaybef oremy21stbi r
thday,Iwas
real
lyexici
ted, notevenqueenmot her'
sretur
nto
theroyalpalacewoul druinmyday, si
nceshewas
onawarpat h,weal lj
ustsortofi
gnoredherand
wentonaboutwi t
hourl i
ves,Ihadjustgot
tenup
andsitt
ingont hebed, whenmyhusband, wall
sin
withbreakfastonat r
ay
Me:br
eakf
asti
nbed?,
howr
omant
ic.
Bandi
le:anyt
hingf
oryoumyl
ove
Hehandsmet hetray,
kissesmeoncheek,the
breakf
astwaspancakes, f
rui
tsal
ad,
plai
nyoghur
t
andanorangejui
ce
Me:babyyoumadet
hisal
lbyyour
sel
f?
Bandi
le:yesmylove,nowj
ustl
etmegoandt
ake
ashower,Ihaveasur
pri
sef
oryoulat
er.
Me:r
eal
ly?,
whati
sit?,pl
easet
ellal
ready.
Bandil
e:myl i
psar
eseal
ed,
justknow youwi
lll
ove
thesurpr
ise
Hegoestothebat
hroom ,
Ieatmybreakf
ast
wonderwhatt
hesurpri
seis,
ihopewearenot
goingcampi ngagain, Imadet wogr and,buti t
's
toomuch, aftereatt
ingmybr eakfast,Idecideto
gocheckonmybabi es, t
heywer ewi t
hAunt yBell
a
sotheywer ef i
ne,Idecidetotakemydi shestothe
kit
chen, Bandilewasget t
ingdressed, Igettothe
kit
chen, Iscream myl ungsout,myhusband
comest hestairsrushing
Bandi
le:babydi
dyougethur
t?,
babyar
eyouf
ine?
Me:Bandi
leDl
amini,
whydoesmyki
tchenl
ookl
ike
i
thasbeenhi
tbyaTsunami?
Bandi
le:baby,sugarbunch,
honeybunch
Me:mxm ,
somuchf
orbr
eakf
asti
nbed
Bandi
le:pl
easef
orgi
vemebaby,
Ifor
gott
owar
n
you.
Me:f
orgotori
ntent
ional
lydi
dn'
ttel
lme?
Bandil
e:wellIsor
tofl
eftoutthepar
tint
ent
ional
ly,
butenoughaboutmymess, rememberIsai
dihad
asurpri
seforyou?
Me:didyoubuymediamond'
s?, Iknowwear
e
goi
ngoncrui
setommorr
owthencomebackanddo
skydi
ving,
sowhatot
hersur
pri
sedoyouhavef
or
me?
Bandil
e:wellyousai
dyoudidn'
twantt
obeoneof
thi
sboringcouples,wel
lmebeingt
hegood
husbandthatIam ,Il
ist
ened,wear
egoingmot
or
raci
ngbaby
Me:noway
Bandi
le:yes,
waybaby.
Ij
umponhi
m,weki
sseachandt
henheput
sme
down
Me:nowl
etmequi
ckl
ycl
eanyourmessup,
Ican'
t
wai
t.
Iwasht hedi rtydishes,cleanmyki tchen, aunt y
Bellahaddeci dedt otakethet wi
nsf orawal k, Itell
hernottogoanywher eneart hemai nhousewi th
mybabi es, Iwasr eal
lyexicit
ed, Igoandgetr eady
, Bandi
lecalls, Nompumel eloandTr ina,Mi nnie
andUnat hiSphamandl aandsi hl
ewer egoingt o
CapeTown, wi thqueenmot herandt heKing, so
theycouldn'
tjoi nus, Iwasj ustgladwewer en'tthe
onesgoing.Iwasf i
nall
ydoneandwewer eonour
way

Bandi
le

Itwasme,mywife,
myt
wosi
bli
ngsandt
hei
r
part
ner
's,si
nceB
Unat
hiandiwer
eoutnumbered,wedici
detolet
thel
adi
esdri
ve,t
heywer
etrainedf
oraboutt
wo
hour
s.
Thenwewer et
oldt
ochoosecar
swewoul dl
iketo
use,zoeyandigoforpol
oRx,UnathiandMinni
e
gofortheVent
o,whil
empumieandTrinagofor
Ameo
Itwasourf i
rstti
mei nar acecarandourf i
rstti
me
riddi
ngar oundaci rcuit,aft
erseei
ngmot orracing,
Iwasn'taf r
aid,butIwasdef i
nat
elynervous
especial
lywi thzoeybehi ndthewheel,coupledwith
thefactthatIhadneversati nacartravell
ingwith
highspeed, soididn'tknowwhattoexpect, Ihope
wesur vi
ve.
Aswecl i
mbedi ntothecar,Ifel
tchill
sdownmy
body, wehadcl imbedt hecarsinthepitlane,and
wecr uisedatpitlanespeedunt ilwegott othe
whitelane, butassoonaswegoti ntothetrack,
zoeypunchedt hegasandt hecarshotl i
kea
bull
et, Iwassur prisedbyhowf astitgotinamat ter
ofseconds, andoverj ustafewmet ers,Iwas
pull
edbacki ntomyseatevenwhenshe
acceleratedconer s, meandmycr azyideas, Iwas
obviousl yspendingt oomucht i
mewi t
hzoey.
Zoeyistrull
yadar edevil,whenweappr oacheda
tur
n,Iwoul dstarttoant ici
pat
et hecarwouldslow
down(asyoudoi nther oads)butherezoey
wouldleaveitti
llt
hel astfewmet er
st odropthe
speedfrom 140kilomet reperhour(kmph)t o20
kmph, Ikeptthi
nkingt hat.Wewouldhitthewall,
butthankful
lyitneverhappened
Ifel
treal
lynauseat
edjustf
rom sit
ti
ngint
he
passengerseat,i
twasapparent
lynormalf
orf
ir
st
ti
mers, t
hespeediswit
hnodoubtt hemost
noti
ceable.
Tr
inaandmpumi
efi
nishedf
ir
st,
wit
hTr
inabehi
nd
thewheeliwasntsurpri
sed,zoeyandicame
second,Ireall
ydidn'
tcar
eIwasj ustgl
adtobe
ali
ve,wit
hMi nni
eandnathicamet hi
rdwit
hjusta
fewsecondsbehindus.

Weleavet
her acet
rackandwegoandhavelunch,
unat
hical
lssphamandlaandpl
acedhi
m onspeaker
Unat
hi:br
o,i
t'
sbad,
it'
sreal
l
ybad.
Spha:whatdidyouandBandil
edothi
stime?Me:
wegotoutasswhoopedbyTr
inaataracetr
ack
Spha:what?,Yal
ljustabunchgi
rl
s,iwi
llt
each
youhowtobemenwhenIcomeback(wealll
augh)
Unathi:wel
ltechni
cal
lyTri
nawhoopedzoeyand
minnie'
sassescausetheywer
etheonesbehi
ndthe
wheel
Sphamandla:howdareyouletTr
inacompet
ewit
h
pri
ncessandslayqueen?,nooff
encebutTr
inai
s
basi
call
yadude.
Tri
na:tr
eadcar
eful
lyspha ,
imi ghtjustwai
tfor
youtocomebackandwhoopt hatass
Spha:wel
lyouaregoingt
oneedalotofpr
acti
ce
towhoopt
hisass,
star
twit
hthosesi
ssy'
sIcall
brot
her
s,t
henyoucancomewhoopt hemaster
Unat
hi:mxm what
ever.
Sipha:wel
lgentl
emanandladi
esIhavet
ogoti
me
togetal
lser
iousnowandgetbackt
obusi
ness
Us:byespha
Wefini
shuplunchandwegohome,
zoeyandi
st
artpacki
ngforourcr
uise
Zoey:Ir
eal
lyhadagr
eatt
imet
hankyoumyl
ove
Me:yourwelcome,Iknowam notperf
ect,butIam
t
ryi
ngtobethebesthusbandhusbandicanbe.
Zoey:Iknowbabyandll
oveyouf
ort
hat
Me:il
oveyout
oobaby.
[
09/
30,
11:
11] :I
nser
t71

Zoey
Todaywasmybi r
thday, Ifinall
yt urned21yeey, I
getoutofbed, welljumpedoutofbed, that'sme
whenam exci ted, Icoul dn'twai tforhubbyandit o
goonoursevendaycr uise, wewer eleaving
tonight, soiwast hri
lled, Igodownst ai
rs, I
want edtomakehubbybr eakfastj ustsoicoul d
thankhimf oryesterday,Imakesomewaf fles,
strawberri
eswi t
hcr eam andor angej uice, Igot o
ourbedr oom ,wakehubbyupandhandhi mt he
breakfast, weendupshar i
ng, wegoandt akea
notsoi nnocentshower, wel otionandgetdr essed,
wewer einourwaydownst air
s, Iwant edtospend
somet i
mewi ththet wins,whenLet habocal l
s
Let
habo:heeymama
Me:yesmogur
l
Let
habo:mxm ,
sincewhenam Inol
ongerbest
ie?.
Me:si
nceyoudi
dn'
twi
shmeahappybi
rt
hday.
Let
habo:youdi
dlookatt
het
imer
ight?
Me:yesofcour
sei
tisei
ghtam .
Let
habo:soi
t'
sst
il
lear
ly,
anywayst
her
easonwhy
ical
ledistoinvi
teyouforagettogether,gi
rl
slunch
,i
twillj
ustbeme, youandLaur encelebr
ati
ngyour
21st, wehavet ohaveali
tt
lecelebrat
ionbefore
youleave
Me:wow,thankyoubutIwant
edt
ocel
ebr
atemy
daywi
thkhweziandlwazi
Bandi
le:i
t'
sokayyoucango,am sureitwil
lbej
ust
anhourortwo,meandthet
winswillsurvi
ve
Me:youknowIswearyouwantt
ogetr
idofme.
Bandi
le:whome?never
Me:Bandi
leDl
ami
ni,
whatar
eyouupt
o?
Bandi
le:am upt
onot
hingIswear.
Me:f
ineLet
haboIwi
llcomef
orl
unch
Lethabo:bytheway,
wehaven'
tbeentothecl
ubi
n
alongtime,sowewil
lbeatt
hebluehi
ll
s
Me:pl
easedon'tr
emi
ndme,am nowkinda
mi
ssi
ngmycl ubbi
ngdays(wehangup)
Igoandwashthedi
shesandhangoutwi
thBandi
le
andthet
wins.
Il
ookatthetimeandi
twasnowninet
hir
ty,
Bandi
lesaysheisgoi
ngt
otheshopst
oquickl
yget
somethings
Me:youbett
erbuymemybi
rt
hdaycake,
since
youf
orgott
obuymeone
Bandil
e:noway,Ididn'
tfor
get,
am payi
ngf
ora
sevendaycr
uisebaby
Me:mxm andihadt
omar
ryacheapass(wel
augh
)
igetready, IwearaJeanandtshi rt,madesur e
thatmymakeupandnai l
swer eonf leek,Iwearmy
weaveandiwasoutt hedoor, Igetintobandi l
e'
s
AudiA6 andidr i
vetobl uehill
s, Iwasr eall
yupset,
Anthony, dadandmom di dn'
tevencal lt
owi shme
ahappy21stbi r
thday, ical
landnoneoft hem
answer s,atleastmyf r
iendsandmyhusband
remember ed,iwillj
usthavet ouset hef actthat
theydidn'tremembermy21stbi rt
hdayt oblackmai
l
them intodoingwhatIwant
Iwasaboutt
ogetint
othecl
ubwhenLethaboand
Laur
enstopandimustsayt
heyseemedalit
tl
eover
dr
essed
Lethabo:mama,youar
enotgoi
ngi
nther
edr
essed
l
ikethatar
eyou?
Me:haai
boandsi
ncewhenar
eyouf
ashi
onpol
i
ce?
Let
habo:youwi
llunder
standgi
rl
Shehandsmeast
unni
ngdr
ess
Me:t
hisi
swayt
oomuch
Laur
en:youar
ethebi
rt
hdaygi
rlr
emember?
Idi
dn'tunder
standbutIchangedintothedress
anyway, wethenmakeourwayi ntotheclub,t
her
e
werenotthatmanypeopl e,
understandabl
yso,
causeitwasstil
l10:39am ,Iwasaboutt ogoand
si
tdown, whenLaur encomestome
Laur
en:par
tyi
satt
heVI
P sect
ionmama
Me:what?
Let
habo:youonl
ytur
n21oncer
ight?
Me:yes,
thankyoumama'
s
Wegot
otheVI
Psect
ion,
Iwasshockedcausei
t
wasdar k,Ilookar oundandmybabyphotosst ar
t
showing, Iwasli
teral
lyint
ears,assoonasthe
music(Ant honyhemi lt
on,passmeover)andmy
photosstop, t
hel i
ghtsgoonandihearsurpri
se,
surpri
se
Il
ookandmypar ents, AnthonyandBr i
tney,unat hi
andMi nnie,khanyi(shewasr eal
lyhuge, Iswear
sheiscarryi
ngtwins), Nompumel eloandTr i
na,
sanelewereallt
here, Iwasshockedt hatBandi l
e
wasnott her
eIwant edt obiteeveryone'
sheadof f
butmaybehewasr unni nglate,asIwasaboutt o
pullmom totheside, Bandileentersholdingat wo
ti
ercakewi t
hmypi cture, singi
nghappybi rthday
(bythewayhubbyandiar ebotht err
ibl
esi ngers)
Bandil
e:happybi
rt
hdaybaby,yousai
dyou
wantedabirt
hdaycake,yourwi
shi
smy
commandsoher ewego.
Me:t
hankyoubaby(iki
sshi
m)
Nowt hathubbywasher e,wegotonwi t
hthe
celebr
ati
on, aswewer est
il
lcel
ebrat
ing,sphaand
theKingcalltosayhappybir
thday.
Wegoonandcel ebr
ate,by15:00Bandil
ecall
s
ever
yoneout si
de, Iwonderwhatisgoingon?, I
wasn'texpecti
ngwhatwasout sidewhenhef i
nall
y
removedt hebli
ndfol
d, Iwasr
eall
yintears,
my
husbandhadj ustboughtmeanAudiQ7
Bandi
le:happybi
rt
hdaybaby
Me:babyi
sthi
sreal
lymycar?
Bandil
e:yesbaby,maybenowmyA6canr
est
.(i
pl
ayful
lyhi
thim ont
hechest)
Me:t
hankyou.

Mi
randa

Iwasatthebluehil
lsclub,Iwantedt ogotot hethe
VIPsecti
on,whent hebouncerstoppedmeandt old
me, averyi
mpor t
antri
chcl i
enthadbookedt he
enti
reVIPsecti
onforhiswife'
sbirt
hday, Ireall
y
wantedtomeetthiscli
ent,whoknowshemi ght
wantasecondwi f
e,ever yonewasr ushi
ngout si
de
themanhasBoughthi swi feadamncar, Ireally
havetoseethi
s,Ialsor
ushout
sidedamnhehad
boughtheranAudiQ7
Ipushmywayt hr
ought helargecrowed, Ireal
ly
mustseethiscouple,asiappr oach,Iwasr eal
ly
shocked,itwasBandileandhi splast
icdoll,I
caref
ull
ysneakout, Idi
dn'twantthem toseeme,
damnImustgetBandi l
e,Itakemyphoneanddi al
hismom 'sphone
Me:hel
lo,
mayipl
easespeakt
oMr
sDl
ami
ni.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:t
hisi
ssheandwhoar
e
you?
Me:mynamei sMirandaAbr
ahamsandam
pr
egnantf
oryourson.
Nomcebo:wel
lIhavet
hreesons,
sot
akeyourpi
ck.
Me:i
tisBandi
lema.
Queenmot her/nomcebo:howint
erest
ing,am
afr
aidBandil
eandiaren'
tongoodtermssoican'
t
hel
pyou
Me:(Icr
y)pl
easema.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:okayIwi
llseewhatI
candoassoonasicomebackfr
om CapeTown
andBandi
lecomesbackf
rom hi
ssevendaycr
uise
wit
hhiswif
e.
Me:t
hankyouma(wehangup)
Lifeisnotfair,imetBandi l
e bef orezoey, hewas
sti
lldati
ngThandobutIdi dn'
tcare, becausehe
didn'thaveanyintenti
onsofget t
ingmar ri
ed, I
shoul dhavebeent heonemar r
iedtohim, Ishould
bet heonelivi
ngthislargelif
e, butthisbitchhad
toscr ewthi
ngsup,Iwasr eall
ypissed, noitwasn'
t
enought hathethrewapar t
yforherandbought
heracar, nohehadt otakeheronadamncr ui
se.
Thethoughtofmegoi ngbackt omyl azybum r
eall
y
mademesi ck, am nolongerhappywi t
hourli
fe,I
wantmor e,Igohomeandf indthelazyasspl
aying
fi
fagames, Idon'
tevenbot her,Ij
ustgotomybed
andsleep.

Bandi
le
Aftermycarsur pri
sef ri
endsandf amily
congratul
at ezoey, wedecidet oleavethepar ty
early,mywi fewast rul
yhappy, wegethomeget
outbagsdownst ai
rs, spendanhourwi ththewi t
h
thetwins, wethenrequestf oranuber, theuber
fi
nallyarr
aives,wegett othehabour , wegeton
board, wegot oourcabi n,Itellmywifet oget
dressed, ihadqueitaromant icevenningpl anned
forus,wegozoeywasnotexpect i
nganyoft hi
sso
shewasshockedwhenwegett oourromant ic
dinnerfortwo, wit
hvi onli
nbei ngplayedf orher.
Zoey;babyt
hisi
stoomuch.(shewascr
ying)
Me:babynot hi
ngist
oomuchf oryou,af
ter
everyt
hingyouhavebeent
hrough, youdeser
ve
thi
sandmor e
zoey:t
hankyoubaby,
Iloveyoubaby
Me:il
oveyout
oomaDl
ami
ni
Aft
erdinnerwegotoourcabi
n,wewerebothti
red
i
twasal ongdaysowebothsleepassoonasour
headshitthepi
ll
ow.
[
09/
30,
11:
12] :I
nser
t72
Nomcebo

Myhusband, Bandile,sihleandihadj usthome, i

t
wasreal
lyawierdtrip,withmeandSphamandl a
notget
ti
ngalong, myson r eal
lyhatedguts,Iget
i
nsidemyhouse,gost raighttomyr oom takea
l
onghotshower, Ireal
lyneededone, sphamandla
andmyhusbandwer estil
lbriefi
ngt heel
der son
howthetri
pwent, Iwasr eallybored,Idecideto
cal
lThando
Thando:myqueen
Me:yesbabyorshoul
dIsaysi
steri
nlaw?
Thando:bot
hsui
tmef
ine
Me:okayfine,anywayIdeci
dedtohostaMini
braai,sowecanmeett hi
sMirandachi
ckandf
ind
outwhatexact
lyherst
oryi
s.
,socallyourmanandbr i
ngoverafewbot
tl
esof
yourexpensivechampopoandwi ne
Thando:nowyouar
etal
king,
thi
sismyki
ndaof
gel
Me:guessIwi
llal
soi
nvi
tesi
hleandMi
nni
e,
I
etmegoandbuysomemeat
Thando:okaycool.
ItextMi nnieandsihlei
nviti
ngt hem overforabraai,
Mi nniesayssheandunat hihavebeeni nvi
tedtoa
gett ogetherandtheyhadconf ir
medt heywere
commi ngalready,si
hlesaysshewi l
lcome,as
soonIcomebackf r
om theshops.
Soitwasgoingt
ome,si
hle,
Thando,
Nthandoand
thi
sMirandachi
ck.
Igeti
ntomycarandidr
ivet
othebut
cher
y,Ical
l
theMir
andachi
ck
Mi
randa:Mr
sDl
ami
ni
Me:t
hati
squeenmot
hert
oyou
Mi
randa:am sor
ryqueenmot
her
Me:relaxam j
ustpul
li
ngyourleg,anywayIwant
toi
nvi
teyouforabraaithi
saf
ternoonatt
her
oyal
pal
ace
Mir
anda:t
hankIwi
llbehonour
edt
ocomeandj
oin
you
Me:guessIwi
llseeyousoon.
Mi
randa:yesmam (wehangup)
Idrivebackt oourhouse, ItaketheMeatand
mar inatetheMeat, Igoandchangei ntosomethi
ng
comf t
able,sihl
ear r
aiveswi
thabot tl
eofwine,I
placet hewineint hechampagnebucket,wegoand
si
toutsi de, NthandoandThandoar rai
ve,Imust
sayt heyreall
ylookedcut ewithmatchi
ngoutf
it
s
Me:i
fiti
sn'
tthecoupl
eoft
heyear(wel
augh)
Nt
hando:pl
easedon'
tmi
ndhermyl
ove
Thando:babel
ett
hem havet
hei
rfun,
Idon'
tmi
nd
Thandogoesandgetthreebottl
esofvery
expensi
vewineandfourbottl
esofchampagne,
sheplacest
hem inthechampagnebucket,
Nthandogoesandgetstart
edwi t
hthebraai,
Thandoandsihl
egoandmakesomesal ads

Mi
randa
Queenmot herhadinvi
tedmet other oyalhouse,I
wasreall
yexcit
ed,siphowasj ustbeinghisusual
l
azysel f,imustsayIreal
lylookcuteforsomeone
whowasf ivemonthspregnant,Igotothe
l
ivi
ngrooom
Si
pho:babewher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:queenmotherhasinvi
tedyour
str
ulyt
othe
r
oyalpalacef
orabraai
Si
pho:ok,
pleasebr
ingmesomemeat.
Me:babeIcan'
tdot
hat,
Ihavet
olookcl
assy
Sipho:fi
ne,justbuymeat
akeawayonyourway
backplease
Me:f
ine(iki
sshi
m ont
hecheek)am out
Irequestf oranuber, theuberarrai
vesandimake
mywayt ot heroyalhouse, Igett
here,theguards
noti
fyQueenmot herthatam atthegate,shetell
s
them t
obr ingmet othemainhouseasshecal l
sit,
theguardst akemet ot hemai nhouse,Ifi
ndher
sit
ti
ngout sidewi ththeladythatgavemeher
numberandt
hisot
herl
adyt
hatidon'
tknow
Queenmot
her/Nomcebo:oohyoumustbe
Mir
anda
Me:yesmam (thisl
adysuredoesknowhowto
i
ntimidat
epeopl
ejustbyl
ooki
ngatthem ,wi
thout
sayingawor
d)
Queenmot her/Nomcebo:wel l
thisismy
daughterinl
aw(point
ingatthel
adyIdon'tknow)
siphosi
hleandyouhavemetThandoal r
eadyand
thatguyovert
herei
smybr ot
herNthando andas
youknowam queenmot herakaNomceboDl amini
Me:i
tisr
eal
lyni
cet
omeetofal
lyou.
Si
hle:andwhoi
sshe?
Me:wel
lthisist
hemotherofBandi
le'
sunbor
n
chi
ld,MirandaAbbr
ahms.
Si
hle:doesmadam sl
ayqueenknowaboutyou?
Me:yes,pl
ast
icdol
lknowsaboutmeandmy
unbor
nchi
ld.
Si
hle:oohnoyoudi
dn'
t,Il
ikeyoual
ready.
Thando:shemusthavecausedascene, thatone
canbesuchadr amaqueen.(si
hlehandsme:
act
uall
yshewasqui etcal
m,sheevenleftmeand
Bandil
etotal
kthingsout
Si
hle:thatdoesn'
tsoundl
iket
hedr
amaqueenwe
j
ustlovetohate.
Nt
handobr
ingssomemeatf
orus,hedi
shesupf
or
hi
msel
fandhegoesint
heli
vingr
oom
Wewerebusydr
inkingandeatt
ing,Imustsay
t
hei
rfoodwasquietdel
ici
ous
Wehangoutf ort
heenti
reday,t herewasst i
ll
plent
yoffoodlef
t,soqueenmot herdishesupf or
herhusbandandsayweal lcant aketakeaways,
whatareli
efcauseIdon'thavet oaskt handot o
stopsoicanbytakeaways, sincesheof fer
edmea
l
ift,wealldi
shupandplacet hef oodint akeaways
,sihl
esays,shehastogobef oreherhusband
comesbacksinceshelef
therki dswi t
ht heNanny
Queenmother:
babygirlwhatdoyouhavetooffer,
youseeThandohereci
sCEO, shehasahouse
wort
hmill
ions,sheevengavemysonabeaut i
ful
babygir
landshest
il
lcoul
dn'
tgetmyson,buti
t'
s
okaycauseshei
snowhappyandmovingf
orward
Thando:yesmam Nt
handoi
saman,
arealman.
Me:wel
lIdon'
thavemuch,butal
liaski
sthatyou
gi
vemeachancetoprovemysel
f.
Queenmother:iwil
lgi
veyouthebenef
itofdoubt,
Thandohasprovedherl
oyal
tytomeoverandover
agai
nthat'
swhyIl oveher.
Me:t
hankyouma
Nthandocomesout sideandhesayshei sr
eadyto
go,wesayourgoodbyesandwegeti ntoNthando'
s
car,hedropsmeof fatourcomplex,Igotomy
apart
ment, Igi
vesiphothefood,Ijustgotomy
room andgetinmybed,Ihavet oprovemyloyalt
y
toqueenmot her,
ijusthaveto.

Zoey

Bandil
eandiwerereal
lyhavi
ngagr
eatt
ime,i t
real
lyf
eltl
ikewewerei
nourownworld,itwas
reall
ygr eatt ojustgetawayf r
om ever yoneand
everything, wewoul dj ustcal lmpumi eandcheck
onkhwezi,l waziandt henNomceboal though
Bandi lewast heonet alkingt oThando' spar ent s,
tonightt herewer e.per formancesbyAmandabl ack
,vusiNova, Djzi ntleamongstot hers, Ionl ygot
thosef ewcauset heyar emyf avourit
e, Icoul dn't
waitfort oni ght,Bandi leandispentt heent i
r eday
ont hedeck, Ididmanaget osneaki nal i
tt
lebi tof
shoppi ng, withhubby' sbl ackcar dofcour se, the
nightar raivesandt heAr tist sdon'tdissapoint, it
wasr eal l
yanepi cshow, Bandi leandievenf orgot
webot hhavet wol eftfeet, now thatoutcr uisei s
comi ngi ntoandandsoon, Iwasr eal
lylooking
fowar dt oskydi ving, Ican' twai t,
thatisgoi ngt obe
puref un, likethewayam enj oyingmymar riaget hi
s
days, Bandi lewasr eallytr yinghisbestt obet he
bestf atherandhusbandhecoul dbeandam
seri
ousl ygi vinghim anAf ort heeffort,Iwasa
happywomani nlovet hisdays.
[
09/
30,
11:
12] :I
nser
t73
Bandi
le

Todaywassunday, aftersevendaysintheocean,
i
twasar elaxi
ngcoupleofdays,butzoeyandi
werereadytogobackt oournormall
ives,Ial
so
missmyki ds, Ical
lunat hit
ocomeandpi ckus
up ,unathicomesandpi cksusup
Unat
hi:youowemebr
otherman
Me:f
orwhat?
Unat
hi:di
dyoul
ookatt
het
ime?
Me:yesnat
hii
t'
sfi
veam
Unathi:bi
ngo,
whowakesupbef
oresevenam
dude?.
Me:youobvi
ousl
y,duuh!.
Wegethome, unathigoest
ohishouse, zoeyand
igotoourhouse,itwasnowsixam ,zoeyandi
deci
detosleepbecausewewerereal
lyti
red.

Twohour
slat
er
Am wokenupt hesoundofar unnningshower, i
knewwi f
eywasawake, Igoandj oinherinthe
shower,wehaveourmor ni
ngglory, wethengo
andgetdr essed,wi f
eygoesdownst ai
rstomake
breakf
astforusdownst air
s, whileIcheckonmy
emails,toseei ft
hereisanyt hi
ngt hatneededmy
urgentat
tenti
on, therewasnot hingi mportant,
I
repl
ytoaf ewemai ls,thenIputmyl aptopaway, i
gotothekitchen, zoeyser vesmebr eakf
ast
Me:sobabydoyouhaveanypl
ansf
ort
heday?
Zoey:igobackt oschooltommorrowsoiwas
hopingwespendsomet i
mewi ththekids and
alsotakemyot herbabyf
oraspin,soIwas
thinki
ng wegost rawber
rypicki
ngatthe
strawberr
yfarm andyoucancallThando'
smom
andf i
ndoutifNomcebocanj oinus.
Me:Iwi
llcal
landf
indout,
thankyoubaby.
IcallThando'sparent
stofindoutofJaylarcanj oin
us, theysayIcancomeandpi ckherup, Icall
mpumi etobri
ngthetwins, shedoesandsheand
Trinaleave,wePackt hetwinsbag,wet aket heir
doublest r
awlerintozoey'
scarandwel eave, we
got oThando'sparentshouse, wegetther eand
takeNomceboandwemakeourwayt ot he
strawberryfarm.

Zoey

Iwasr eal
lyscaredf orthef i
rstt i
mei nmyl if
e,Iwas
trul
yandgenui nelyhappy, whi chmakesMef eel
l
ikethisistogoodt obet r
ue, Ikeptwonder i
ng
whenorhow Bandi leandiwi llscr
ewup, buti
managedt osupr essmyf eelingsandconcet r
ateon
thehereandnow,Bandi l
epushest hetwinswi t
h
thei
rstrawler,
whi leIpushnomcebo, wegopi cka
couplesomest rwabber ies, itwasr eallyaniceway
tospendt i
mewi thmymi nifami ly,aft
erBandile
andi deci
dewehavehadenoughofpi cki
ngup
str
awber
ri
es,wegoandsi
tatt
hei
rrest
urantand
havel
unch,werel
axf
orabi
twhil
eweplaywitht
he
ki
ds
Wewerebusysti
llr
elaxi
ngwhenThandodeci
des
t
ocal
l,Bandi
lepl
acesheronspeaker
Thando:heeywenaBandi
leDl
aminiwhosai
dyou
andyourpl
ast
icdol
lcantakemychil
d?
Me:youaregoingoutofyourlanebabymama,
stayi
nyourlaneanddon'tdi
srespectusl
iket
hat
.(Thandohangsup)
Ther
ewasnowayIwasgoingtol
etherdi
srespect
meandmyhusbandl
iket
hat.
Wedeci detoleaveandgot ogamingwor ld,wel et
theki
dsr i
deonasmanyr i
desaswecan, itwas
nowget ti
nglate,i
twassixpm , wedecidet ogo
home, wedr opnomceboathergr andparent s
house.Wegohome, mypoorbabi eswer er eall
y
ti
red,evencryingdivawasnotcompl ai
ning, we
taket
hem t othei
rroom andtuckthem in,Idecide
topostacoupl eofcutepict
ureswet ooktodayon
i
nstagram .
Thando

Ihadj ustfini
shedtakingashower,whenMi r
anda
calls,sheinvitestocomeandj oinheratthecl
ub,
Igetdr essed,IcallRosel
yntocomeandj oinus,
sincethisMi r
andagi r
lwon'
tbedr i
nki
ng,Iwasstil
l
talki
ngt oRosel yn,whenIhearthephoneIusefor
what sappbeep
Il
ookatthemessage,shesaysl ookatherplay
happyfami
li
eswithyourbaby, Iwasr eall
ypissed,
howdareBandi
lelet
'shernearmybaby, Igetmy
bagandiwasoutthedoor, Igettotheclub,
Rosel
ynsaysshewilljoi
nusal it
tlelat
er
Miranda:ihatethatplast
icdollj
ustasmuchas
youdo, that
'sonethingwehavei ncommon, how
aboutwej oi
nforcesandgetr i
doftheli
tt
lebi
tch
andi wi
lloweyouaf avour
Me:iwi l
lhel
pyounotbecauseIwantBandi
leback
,hisd*ckgameisgoodbutIfoundanevenbetter
d*ckandnoyoucan'
thavemymanandbecauseI
hat
ethatdamnbi
tch.
Mir
anda:iwon'
tofyouhel
pmegetmi
ne,
sowhat
doyouhavei
nmi nd?
Me:am t
hinki
ngdrugBandi
leandmakesur
ezoey
f
indsyoutwogett
ingi
ton.
Mir
anda:youareevi
landil
ovei
t,pl
ast
icdol
l
wontseeuscomming.
Me:iwi
lldr
inkt
othat,
sinceyoucan'
t
Roselyncomesandj oi
nsusam gl
adwewer edone
withourpl
an,causeshewastoomuchofagoodi e
twoshoesandwouldhavestoppedus,wehave
theti
meofourli
ves, wemusthavegonehomeby
oneam ,iwasreall
ytir
edwhenIgothome.
[
09/
30,
11:
12] :I
nser
t74

Thando

Af
termycrazyni
ghtwi
thMirandaandRoselyn,I
wasshockedwhenIwakeupwithNthandonext
me, Ihadabangi ngheadache, Nthandosayshei s
goingtot hekit
chent omakemebr eakfast,Isl
eep
again,af ewmi nuteslater, Nthandowal ksinwit
h
at r
ay, withfr
uitsalad, Pancakes, syr
upand
Yoghut, Iwasaccept ingt hetraywhenInot icea
shinnyobj ectonmyf ingers,ohmyGodi twas
diamondr i
ng, 18car r
ent ,Ii
mmedi atel
ycr y
Me:babyisthiswhatIthinkiti
s?,pleasewake
meupifam dreaming,butthenagainpleasedon'
t
wakemeupcauseIdon' teverwantt
owakeup
f
rom t
hisbeauti
fuldr
eam .
Nthando:babyyouar
enotdr
eami
ng,
Iwantt
owi
fe
yougirl.
Ir
ememberIcan'
tgivehim ki
ds,iwas
i
mmediat
elysad, Ithi
nkNthandonot
iced
Nthando:babywhati
swr ong?, youshouldbethe
happiestwomanoneart
hr ightnow,unlessyou
don'twanttomar
ryme.
Me:nobaby,
Ido,Ir
eall
ydowantt
omar
ryyou
baby,
butt
her
eisj
ustonepr
obl
em
Nt
hando:babywhati
sit?
Me:ican'
tgi veyoukidsNt
hando, Idon'
thavea
womb(ibur stint
otears,Nthandohuggsme)am
sor
rybutican'tmarryyou.
Nthando:Ihavekidsbaby, aboy12year
swandi
le
andamypr i
ncesssisphosethu6year
s,soam
sort
edthankyou.
Me:r
eal
ly?,
youar
efi
newi
thmenotgi
vingyou
ki
ds?
Nthando:idon'
twantt
omarryyoubecauseIwant
ki
dsbutbecauseIloveyousthandwaSami
hesayssthandwasamiwit
hafunnyAmer
ican
accent,
Ifi
ndmyselfl
aughi
ng
Me:Oohno, Ihavet osharethi
sbignewswi thmy
parents,queenmot her,RoselynandKar aboandI
thi
nkmom wi l
lnowl etyoumeetmygi rlssincewe
aregetti
ngmar ri
ed, wehavet osetadate, Ihave
tofindtheperfectweddi ngplanner,Ihavet ofi
nd
theperfectvenue, Ihavetof i
ndtheperfectdress,
am goingtoMi lanformyper f
ectdress,wehavet o
tal
kbudget, butthenagai nagi r
lcanonlyget
mar ri
edoncesoam t hi
nki
ngnobudget(iwas
t
alki
ngsof
ast)
Nthando:wooohtakei
teasybri
dezi
la,breat
h,
rel
axandtakethi
swonderf
ulmomental lin,t
hen
youcandowhatyouwantt odolat
er.
Me:youarer
ightIj
ustgotsoexci
ted,It
houghtof
ever
ythi
ngal
latonce.
Nthando:l
et'
shavebr
eakfast(hef
eedsmet
he
f
ruitsal
ad)thenwegotakeashower
Me:okaybaby
Wehaveourbr eakf
ast,wegetoutofbed, Imake
thebed, wegoandt akeanotsoi nnocentshower,
wel ot
ionandgetdr essed,Nthandosayshei s
goingtohisapartmentt ogetdressedf
orwor k,he
kissesmeandhel eaves,Ideci
det owatchtvand
takeallofthi
sin,Iwasf i
nall
ygetti
ngmar r
ied,I
wasr eall
yhappy.

Hazel

Mynamei
sHazelBr
own(ineverchangedmy
surnamewhenNt handoandigotmar ri
ed)
original
lyf r
om CapeTown, am marriedtoNt hondo
, wehavet wobeaut i
fulki ds,wandi le12year s,
thisonei sl i
terall
ymyhear tbeat,Iwoul ddiea
thousandt i
mesi fanyt hinghappenst ohi m and
thent hereistheAppl eofmyeye,myoneand
onlyador ablel i
tt
lepri
ncesssi phosethu,am
Nthandobestkeptsecr ect, hehadnotevenonce
i
nt roducedmet oanymemberofhi sf amily,
ever yt
imeiaskhi mt ot akemebackwi thhimt o
Sout hAfrica, soicanmeethi sfamily, hecomes
upwi t
honeexcuseoranot her,Iwasr eall
yget t
ing
ti
redoft his,Iwasst i
lllostinmyt hought s ,when
siphosethucomesandshakesme
Si
phosethu:mommyar
eyouf
ine?,
don'
tbesadI
missdaddytoo.
Me:iknowsweetheart,tel
l youwhat,
sincei
t'
s
al
mostschoolhol
idaysanyway, whydon'twe
sur
pri
sedaddyinSouthAf r
ica
Sisphoset
hu:yeey,wearegoi
ngtoseedaddy,we
goingtoseedaddy.
..
.(t
heexci
tementinhervoi
ce)
Iwasreadytogotokwazul
u-Nat ali
fmyhusband
wonti
ntr
oducemet ohi
sfamil
y, idefi
nat
elywi
ll
i
ntr
oducemyself,am t
ir
edofhisdamnexcuses, I
gotowandi
le'sr
oom
Me:wandi
legetr
eadyandpackyourbags,
wear
e
goi
ngt
oSouthAfri
catosur
pri
sedad.
Wandi
le:mom ar
eyouser
ious?,wear
efi
nal
ly
goi
ngtoSout
hAfri
ca?.
Me:yesbaby,Iwil
lbookusafl
ight,goodt
hing
ourpasspor
tsandvisa'
sarer
eady
Wandi
le:ican'
twai
ttoseedadandSouthAfri
ca,
t
hisi
ssocoolmom ,Ican'
twai
ttot
ellmyfr
iends.
Sisphosethu:metoo,
myf r
iendsaresogoi
ngt
obe
j
elous(wandi l
eandil
augh, si
phoset
hucanbe
suchadr amaqueensometi
mes)
Me:good,
nowgobackt
odoi
ngyourhomewor
k
SiphosethuandIleavehisroom ,Igoonlineand
bookmyselfandthekidst i
ckets,Iwil
ltel
l
Nthandowhenam atki ngshakainter
nati
onal
ai
rportthatwayi
twi l
lbet oolat
e, hewil
lbepissed
butIreal
lydon'
tcar
e,Ihavet
ofi
ndoutwhathei
s
hi
dding.

Zoey

Iwokeupear ly, Iwasr eallyexcit

ed, Iwas
counti
ngthedaysunt ilwegoskydi vi
ng, fourdays
l
eft,hubbyont heotherhandi twasadi ff
entstory,
heeventri
edtosweett alkmei ntotakingabr i
behe
wantedtopay(gi vethousandr ands)butIwas
real
lynothavi
ngnoneoft hat, t
hiswast heone
thi
ngIwasr eallylooki
ngf owardto, Igetup,
hubbywasst i
llsnorri
ng, Idecidet owakehi m up
Me:baby,Sugarhoneybunch.
Bandi
le:whati
sitmyl
ove?
Me:youknowIhavebeent
hinki
ng
Bandi
le:youdon'twantt
odoskydi
vinganymor
e,
thati
sgreatnewsbaby
Me:ni
cet
ry,
butyouar
enotget
ti
ngoutoft
hisone
.
Bandil
e:iwil
lnoti
ncludeyouinmywil
l,thatway
i
fidie,youarebroke,sothi
nktwi
ceaboutthi
s
skydivi
ngt
hing,Iseeyouwantagetri
chquick
scheme(welaugh)
Me:ifIwant
edyoudead,Let
haborecommends
sur
fi
ng,youknowblackf
olksandwaterdon'
tmi
x.
Bandi
le:yougir
lsaresodamnevi
l,Yal
lar
egoi
ng
t
oroti
nhell(welaugh)
Me:anywaybackt owhatIwast
hinking,am
thi
nki
ngoft
hrowingKhanyiasur
prisebaby
shower,
shereal
lyhel
pedmeoutwhenIneeded
hel
p.
Bandi
le:t
hati
sgoodofyou,
IguessIhavet
ofoot
thebi
l
l,howmuchdoyouneed?
Me:t
wozer
obaby,
twozer
o.
Bandi
le:t
wot
housandi
snott
hatbad.
..
..
Me:oohdearhusband,yousti
llhavealottol
earn,
whothr
owsababyshowerf ort
wot housand?, I
meantwent
ythousand(isaycoughingoutthe
amount)
Bandi
le:am sor
ryt
went
ywhat?
Me:twent
ythousand,
pleasesugarbun(isay
f
li
rt
ingwit
hhim usi
ngmyeyes)
Bandi
le:don'
tyougi
vemet hosepuppyeyes,
you
knowIcan'
tsaynotothoseeyes
Me:pr
ett
ypl
ease(isaybl
inki
ngmyeyes)
Bandi
le:f
ine butonl
ybecausei
tissweetKhanyi,
i
wishi
twassihlewhowaspregnant,t
hatwaymy
answerwoul
dhavebeenhelltot
heno
Me:l
ikeIwoul
dthr
owsi
hleababyshower
Hehandsmehi
sbl
ackcar
d
Me:t
hankyousugar
Bandi
le:babyt
went
ythousandandnot
hingmor
e
Me:yesbaby,
twent
ythousandIpr
omi
se.
Bandi
le:imeani
t
Me:(
wit
hahugesmi
le)t
hankbaby
Wegoandtakeashower,wel
oti
ongetdressed,
I
maket
hebed,Bandi
leandigodownst
air
s, I
makesandwi chesandorangejui
ceforus,weeat
andweleave, Bandi
legoestoworkwhil
eIgotomy
cooki
ngclasses.
[
09/
30,
11:
12] :I
nser
t75

Zoey

Itwasexactl
yt wodaysbef oreourskydi ving
appoint,
Iwaskeepi ngmysel fbusywiththebaby
showerplanning,MinnieandIwer eplanninga
motherofallbabyshowers, khanyireall
ydeser ves
thi
s, Iwasstilsl
eepingcauseIsl eptlat
e, tel
li
ng
thebabyshowerpl annerexact l
ywhatMi nnieandI
wanted, whenbandi l
ewakesmeup
Bandi
le :babygetup.
Me:f
ivemor
emi
nut
espl
ease
Bandi
le:babyyouar
egonnabel
atef
oryour
cl
asses
Me:whatt
imei
sit?
Bandi
le:i
tissevenam
Me:what?,
mycl
assi
satei
ght
Iqui
cklyj
umpoutofbedandr
untothebathroom ,
bandi
lecomesandjoi
nme,wehaveaninnocent,
weloti
onandgetdr
essed
Idon'
tevenl
ookatt heti
me, causei
twillonl
ymake
memor enervous,Imakethebedonr ecordsett
ing
ti
me,youshoul dhaveseenmei nact
ion(please
don'
tlaugh), Iwasabouttorundownst air
s,
whenbandil
egr absmyarm
Me:babyther
eisnot
imef
orhankypanky,
am
goi
ngtobelat
e
Bandi
le:r
elaxi
tisonl
ynowonl
ysi
xthi
rt
yam
Me:(cl
ear
lypi
ssed)what?,
youar
esuchj
erk.
Bandi
le:babyam sor
rybutyoudidn'
twantt
owake
upandIsortofdi
dn'
twanttotakeashoweral
one
Me:whateveryoubigjer
k,am goingtomake
myselfasoomthi
e,youaregoi
ngt ohavet
osort
your
selfout,
youseeIcanbeaj er
kt oo.
Igodownst
air
s,bandi
lewasbusyf
oll
owi
ngme
Bandi
le:babyam sor
ry,sugarbun,
honeybunch,
pl
easeforgi
veme,am sor
ry.
Aunt
yBel
la:f
orgi
vehi
m al
readywi
llyou?
Me:notnowhehast
osweatal
it
tl
e
Imakemysel
fasoomt
hie,
Iki
ssmybabi
es
goodbyeandIwasoutt
hedoor
Iwasbusycookinginclass,todaywewerecooking
dumpli
ngswithbeefstew, whenadeliver
yman
comesandaskforme, Igoandat t
endhim ,tur
ns
outhubbyhadsentmer edroses, Isi
gnforthem
Af
ewmi
nut
esl
ater,
myphoner
ings,
itwashubby
Bandi
le:am If
orgi
ven.
Me:yesandam cooki
ngdumpl
ingsandneedbeef
st
ewtoprovei
t
Bandi
le:t
hankyoubabyam sur
eitt
ast
esdel
ici
ous
Me:yourwel
come
Bandi
le:Il
oveyoubaby
Me:l
oveyout
oomyl
ove(wehangup)
Iaskf oravaset opl
acemyf l
ower
sIfel
tpr
ett
y
specialormaybeIwasj ustcr
azyi
nlovewi
ththe
persont hatboughtt
hem .

Nt
hando

IwantThandot obemysecondwi febeforeshe

fi
ndsoutaboutmyf ir
stwi f
eHazelandIwant
Hazelt of i
ndoutaboutThandoaf t
erourmar r
iage,
thatwayt hedamagewoul dhavebeendonear eady,
falli
nginl ovewithThandowasnotpar toftheplan,
i
tj usthappened, TodayIwasgoi ngt ospendmy
daywi t
hThando, herpar entsandhert win
daught ers, Iwasreallylookingfor wardt othat,
aftermaki ngsureIl ookpr esentabl e,Imakemy
wayt oThando' shouse, Iwasr eallyhappyshewas
trustingmeenought oletmebear oundherki ds
andpar ents,Igetthere, Thandoopenst hegatefor
me, sher eall
yhasabeaut if
ulhouse, she
i
nt roducesmet oherpar ents, wesi t,whi l
etheyask
endl essquest i
ons, Thandodi stractsthem bybei ng
thenowawaket
wins,
theywerereal
lycute,wesi
t
andhavel
unch,wewereabouttobefinewit
h
l
unch,whenmyphoneri
ngs,itwasmywi fe
Me:Thando,
canIpleasegoandanswert
hiscal
lit
i
sreal
lyi
mport
antandurgent
Thando:ofcour
seyoucan.
Me:t
hankyou
Igoout
sideandanswermyphone
Me:baby,
howar
eyou?,
Imi
ssyouandt
heki
ds.
Hazel:wel
lyouwon'
thavet
omi
ssusf
ormuch
l
onger
Me:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabouthazel?
Hazel:wel
ltheki
dsandIdeci
dedt
osur
pri
seyou.
.
..
.
Me:youar
enotcommi
ngt
osout
hAf
ri
caar
eyou?
Hazel:am insouthAfri
caal
readyboo,pl
ease
comeandpi ckmeandt hekidsup(Iwasbeyond
pissed,Ihaveneverbeensopissed)
Me:youshoul
dhavet
oldmef
ir
stbef
oreupr
oot
ing
myki
dsandbr
ingi
ngt
hem t
hissi
de.
Hazel:Iknowyouwouldn'tl
etmecome,please
comepi ckmeandthekidsup,am nowscared, am
i
nanunf ami
li
arsur
roundi
ngwi t
hourki
dspl ease
Me:f
ine,
givemeahhourorso.
Hazel:t
hankyoubaby,
IknewIcoul
dcountonyou
Me:Ibet(Ihangup)
Igobacki
nsi
det
hehouse
Me:Thando, am sor
rybutsomethi
ngur
gentcame
up,
Iwillcal
lyoul
ater,am t
rul
ysorr
y
Thando:i
t'
sfi
nebaby,
justgoandsaybyet
omy
parent
s
Igoandrespectf
ull
ysaymygoodbyestoThando
'
sparent
s, Thandowalksmet
omycar,Iki
ssher
goodbye,Igetint
omycarand
Idri
vel
ikeamanic,
Iwasfur
iouspl
usiast
hinki
ng
aboutmyfami
li
essafet
y.

Hazel
Aftersever
alandseveralofhoursinapl ane, my
kidsandIfinal
lylandedinSouthAfri
ca,iwasat
kingshakai nt
ernati
onalairpor
t,Icallmyhusband
tocomepi ckusup, Iwasi naunfamiliarpl
ace,
onlyifiwasinCapeTown, Iwoul
dhavef eltsafe,
afterwhatseemedl i
keforever,myhusbandf i
nall
y
comest opickusup, hewashappyt oseehi skids,
hiskidswerealsohappyt oseehim, hedidn'tseem
thathappytoseeme, i
nfacthewaspi ssed
Nthando:howcouldyouputmyki
dsli
vesi
ndanger
l
ikethi
s,whati
ttodayIhadfl
ownbacktot
heU.S?
Me:am sor
ryhoney,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
hingst
hrough
Wegoandgeti ntohiscar,
wedrivet
ohis
apart
ment,wegetinheshowsmeourr oom ,he
showsthekidsthei
rroom ,
theki
dswereti
redso
theygotobedearly,myhusbandwaswatchingtv,
Igositbesi
deshim
Me:sowhenar
etheki
dsandIgoi
ngt
omeetyour
f
amil
y?
Thando:youwi
llmeett
hem soon,
justgi
veme
t
ime.
Me:haven'
tIgi
venyouenought
ime?
,
Thandoar
eyouashamedofmeandourki
ds?
Nthando:ofcour
senot,
howcoul
dyouevent
hink
t
hat?
Me:whatam Isupposedtothi
nkwhenyouwon'
t
i
ntr
oducemeorthekidstoyourfami
ly
Nthando:Ipr
omi
seyouandt
heki
dswi
llmeetmy
f
ami l
ysoon
Hegivesmeahugg,Ican'
tshakethef
eeli
ngthat
ther
eissomethi
ngheisnottel
li
ngme, whatare
youhiddi
ngf
rom meNthando?.
[
09/
30,
11:
13] :I
nser
t76

Thando

Itwasabeauti
fulbrandnew dayast
heysayt he
sunwasshi
ningbr i
ght,thel
ovel
ymelodyoft
he
bir
dssi
ngi
ngwasi gnorable,
Iwasonehappyone
woman, mom anddadevenl ett
het winssleepover
sinceIlear nedmyl esson, Nandiphawasst i
llt
he
onehel pingmom anddadt akecareofmygi rl
s, I
getoutofbed, makemybed, gotakeashower,
l
ot i
onandgetdr essed, Iwasi nagr eatmood, I
makebr eakf astforNandiphaandI, whileIsing
cheerfulhappysongs, IplaceNadi pha'sfoodi n
themi crowave, IgoandcheckonNandi phaand
thekids, itwasabi tofar oughnightf orthem since
theywer enotusedt omyhousebutImanaged
Me:mor
ningNandi
pha,
howar
eyou?
Nandi
pha:am f
ine,
thankyouf
oraski
ngmadam
andhowar
eyoumadam ?
Me:i
t'
sabeauti
fuldayisn'
tit?(Isaywi
thasmi
le
onmyface)not
hingcouldpossi
blygowrong
Nandi
pha:am gl
adyouf
inemadam
Me:pleasegett
heLi l
yreadyherf
atheri
s
commingtopickherupsoon,Iwil
ldri
veyouand
Nomcebotomom anddad'shouse
Nandi
pha:f
inemadam ,t
heki
dswi
llber
eady
soon
Ipackabagf orsma,Igomakebot tlesofmi l
kand
softpor r
iagef ormykids, af
teraboutthi
rtyfi
ve
minut esNandi phacomest othekit
chen, Iser
ve
herbr eakfast, If
eedsma,j ustasIwasdone
feeding, sanelecallsmet osayhei satthegate,I
opent hegat ef orhi
m, Igoandmeethi m outsi
de,
whilehol di
ngsmaandherbag.
Me:mor
ningsanel
e,howar
eyou?
Sanel
e:am f
ineandyoumakaLi
ll
y?
Me:am f
ant
ast
ic(Isayf
lasi
ngmyr
ingbef
orehi
m)
Sanel
e:iguesscongr
atul
ati
onsar
einorder,
whoi
s
thel
uckyguyorinyourcasetheunl
uckyguy.
Me:am engagedtobemar
ri
edt
oNt
handoandhe
i
saluckyforyouri
nfo
Sanel
e:Iguessso
Ihandsmat obe,hestr
apsherintohercarseat,I
can'
tbel
ievemom anddadapprovedthi
s, iopen
thegat
eforhi
m andheleaves
Aft
ercebowasfed,Idri
vet
omom anddad'
s
house,Iwasbusywit
hmom int
hekit
chen,who
keptaskingmequesti
onsaboutNthando,speaki
ng
ofwhi chIhavenotheardfr
om him si
ncethe
emer gencyhehadyester
day,Iexcusemyselfand
igotomakeacal l,Nt
hando'sphonetakesme
str
aightvoicemai
l,Il
eaveamessage

"baby,am worr
iedaboutyou,hopeyouaref
ine
si
nceIhavenotheardawor dfr
om you,si
ncethe
emergencyyouhadtosortout,l
oveI"
Icoul
dn'
tshakeofft
hefeeli
ngthatsomethi
ngi s
wrongsomewhere,theNthandoIknowwoul dhave
cal
ledmealready,butt
henmaybram j ustover
thi
nki
ngthingsandheisbusy.

Hazel

KZNisabeauti
fulplacetobeshame, Ihadnoi dea
,IhadmissedSouthAf ri
cat hi
smuch, Iwakeup,
myhusbandwasst il
lsleeping,Igoandt akea
shower,afewmi nutesafterthatIwasreadyt
o
facetheday, Igot othekitchen,tocoul
dtel
lonlya
manl ivedint hi
shouse, t
herewasnogr ocer
ies,I
cleanupt heki t
chen, Igoandwakemyhusband
andt hekids, t
heygetr eady, wegotoanearby
mal l,t
hefirstthingmyki dsdoi sdemandfor
breakfast,Itaket hem t
oWi mpy,wehavebreakfast
, i
twasr eallynicehavingbr eakf
astasafamily
Me:babywhenwast
hel
astt
imewedi
dthi
s?
Nthando:Ican'
tremembermyl
ove,
am sor
ryf
or
neglect
ingyouandtheki
ds
Me:i
tsokay,
Iknowhowhar
dyouwor
kforme
andt
heki
ds.
Nthando:butthati
snoexcusefornegl
ecti
ngyou
andthekids,Ipromi
seIwil
lmakeituptoyou
Me:t
hankyoumyl
ove
Afterwehaveourbreakfast,weproceedtopickn
pay, weshopf orgr
oceri
esandwegohome, I
packeveryt
hingaway, Istar
tcooki
ngf orl
unchand
supper,Nthandosayshehasanur gentmeeti
ngto
goandhewi llbebackintimefor,hekissesmeon
thecheekandhewasout.
Iwantt otrustmyhusbandIr eal
lydo, butmygut
tel
lsmemyhusbandi shiddi
ngsomet hingfr
om
me, somet hi
ngbigandmygutf eeli
sneverever
wrong, Ir
ememberaf r
iendofmi newhoIwentt o
schoolwi t
h, whosaidhewasnowaP. IwhenIwas
tal
kingtohi m onFacebook,Isearchforhisnumber
andi eventuall
yfindit
Me:hel
loam It
alki
ngt
oqabanga?
Simphi
we:t heoneandonl
y,bestP.I
.inthe
count
ryifnotinthewhol
eworl
d.(ilaugh)
Me:somethi
ng'sneverchange,youar
estil
lthe
samesoomthtalkeryouwerei
nhighschool
Qabanga:andwhoam It
alki
ngt
oifImayask,
causeyouhaveanAmeri
canascent.
Me:i
tismeHazelBr
own
Qabanga:t
hatt
all,
thi
nbeaut
y?
Me:t
heoneandonl
y
Qabanga:t
houghtyour
elocat
edt
otheU.
S
Me:yes,
Ionl
ycamebackf
oracoupl
eofdays,
am
i
nKZN.
Qabanga:whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngi
nKZN?
Me:myhusband'
ssi
deoft
hef
ami
lyi
sher
e,soI
camet
omeetthem
Qabanga:soI
fyouar
einKZNIguesst
hisi
snota
soci
alcal
l
Me:am afr
aidnot,si
nceyouarei
nCapeTown
andineedsomeonefoll
owed,ist
her
eanyoneyou
canr
ecommendf ormet hi
ssi
de?.
Qabanga:yesgof
ormymanfezi
lekhumaloyou
cannevergowr
ongwi
thhi
m,Iwil
ltextyouhi
s
number
Me:thankyou,i
twasni
cehear
ingyourvoi
ceaf
ter
suchalongti
me
Qabanga:l
ikewi
se
Me:t hankyouagain,Ipromiset
hedayIcome
visi
tCapeTownyouwi llbeoneofthef
ewpeopl
ei
Invi
teourforcof
fee.
Qabanga:Iwoul
dlovet
hatHazel
Ihangup,
Iguessf
ezi
lei
tis.
Nt
hando

Afterleavi
ngmyapar tment, Igotomycar, I
swi t
chonmyot herphonemywi feknowsnothing
about, Ifi
ndavoicemailfr
om Thando, shi
t, I
didn'tevengetachancetotalktoher,Ical
lher,
shet ell
smeshei satherparentshouse,Itel
lhert
o
meetmef orcof
feeatMuggandBean, aft
er
wai t
ingforherf
oraboutanhour, shefinal
ly
arravies
Thando:babyam sor
rytohavekeptyouwai
ti
ng,i
hadtofi
nishof
fhelpi
ngmom wit
hthecooki
ng.
Me:it
'
sokaybaby,
Ijustwant
edseeyou,
Imi
ss
youmylove.
Thando:sodoI(wel augh)onewouldswearwe
l
astsaweachothermont hsago,
butwejustsaw
eachotheryest
erday.
Me:Iguesswear
ebot
hwhi
pped,
lovei
sint
heai
r.
Thando:Icansmel
lthatt
oo
Wehaveourcof
feewi
thalargemaff
in,wet
hen
huggandki
ss,wegooutsepar
ateways
Idr
ivestr
aighttomyapar t
ment,
Ifi
ndmywi
fe
watchi
ngtv, Isitbesi
desher
Hazel:sobabe,
whenar
egoi
ngbackt
otheU.
S?
Me:butyouj
ustgother
e,It
houghtyouwant
edt
o
meetmyfami
ly?
Hazel:buti
tseemsast
houghi
twon'
thappen
Me:babypl
easehavepati
encepl
ease,Ij
usthave
oneort
wothi
ngstosortoutandt
henyoucanmeet
myfamil
y
Hazel:r
eal
ly?
Me:yesbabyyouandt
heki
dswi
llgett
omeetmy
f
amil
y.
Hazel:t
hankyoubaby.
Me:don'
tworry,
wewillwi
llbackt
othest
ate'
sas
soonasandonethi
ssi
de
MywifeandIdecidetowatchamovie,Ifal
lasl
eep
bef
oreevenwatchinghal
fofthemovi
e, chi
ck
f
leeksarenotmyt
hing,
Iwasj
ustdoi
ngi
ttopl
ease
mywi f
e.

Mi
randa

Myni ghtmareswerenotgoi ngaway, Iguessmay

beitisjustmyguilt
yconscience, Ihopesi pho
knowswhathei sdoingandwewon' tgetcaught,
todayIwashavi ngadoct or
'sappointment, t
hel azy
asswon' tevenaccompanymet othedoct ors
appointment, maybeitwasagoodt hingcause
bandilewascommi ngwithmet oday, iwasnow
almostsixmont hspregnant,igetupandgetr eady
fortheday, il
eaveformyappoi ntment, Ifind
bandilewaiti
ngforme
Bandi
le:heey,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?.
Me:am good,
Ijustwantt
ogi
vebi
rt
hal
ready
Bandi
le:havepat
ient
ience,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llwor
k
out.
Me:Iknow.
Wegeti n,wedoascan, Il
ear
nam havingaboy,I
wasr eal
lythr
il
ledaboutthat,
bandi
ledecidestogo
backt owork,Ibuyapizzaandtakeawayssi nceI
wasl azytocook,Igettomyapartmentandser ve
thelazyass,Iwassot i
redIdeci
detotakean
aft
ernoonnap.
[
09/
30,
11:
13] :I
nser
t77

Zoey

Final
lyDdaycame, Iwasbeyondthri
ll
ed,wegetto
theTandem (skydi
vingpl
ace)aroundeightthi
rt
y,
i
twasme,Bandi l
e,spamandlaandUnathi,check
i
natt her
ecepti
on,
Bandi
le:sphamandl
a,youandUnat
hiar
egoi
ngt
o
bejoi
ningusri
ght?
Sphamandl
a:noway,
am t
ooyoungandt
oo
handsomet
odie.
Bandi
le:If
orgothowmuchofachi
ckenyouar
e.
Spamandla:f
orgeti
t, r
ever
sepsychol
ogywon't
workonmebr o,am toosmartandwaytoocl
ever
fort
hat,
youwantt odie,doital
oneman.
Unat hi:yeahanddon'tyouthinkofaski
ngmet o
j
oi ninthefun,am j
ustgoingtobestandingby
takingpict
uresincaseyoufal
lflatonyourface(we
alllaugh)
Bandi
le:Ihaveneverseent
wochickensli
keyou
two,cl
ear
lyam t
heonlyonewhoisn'tchi
cken.
Unat
hi:andwear
etheonl
ytwowi
thbr
ains.
Bandi
le:whataboutMpumi
e?
Sphamandl
a:herbrai
nishungupsomewher
ein
thel
ovecl
oudthatone.
Aswehadal r
eadycompl et
edt hemul t
ipl
epaper
workonl i
ne, whereyoubasical l
ysignyourl i
fe
awayandwai vetheTandem ofanyl iabil
it
yincase
ofanymi shaps(i nj
uryordeath),wej usthadto
signthewai verthatwehadal readyreadallthe
safetyrule,wat chedthei
rvideoandwewer e
responsibleforourli
ves.
Ithoughtthatwasthehar
destpartasbothmy
husbandandIwer egambli
ngourl i
vesawaybuti
n
real
it
y, Idi
dn'
twanttohomewi t
houtskydivi
ng
Aswecameoutoft herecepti
on,Ilookupandit
wasaperf
ectdayf orskydivi
ng,ithankGodfor
suchaper
fectdayandiaskt hebigmanupst ai
rs
thatt
heweat
herstaysthesameanddoesn' tr
ain
befor
eourskydivi
ngexperience.
Befor
eourt urncamet ojump, Ihadalltheti
mei n
theworldtothinkaboutanythi
ngandever ything,
bandil
eandidi vert
edourmindsbyhavi ngspha
andunathitakeendlesspict
ures, pi
ctur
esclicked
asifi
twasourl astdayonearth, wekeptlaugh
andgoofingaround, whilewet houghtofwhatwe
wantedtodonext.
Wewer etoldthatwehavet owai
tforatl
east3t o4
hoursminimum af t
ermyTandem slotduet o
miscel
laneousr easonsandhealsotell
smet hati
wil
lseeanumberofpeopl ecl
imbi
ngthepl aneand
l
anding,videographersandphot
ographerswoul d
betaki
ngendl esspict
ures.
Isoonihearanannouncementofourgr oup, we
waitf orouri nst r
uct or, whocomesandi ntroduced
himsel f,hegaveusj umpsui tst owearoverour
clothes, Bandi l
e'sjumpsui twasper fect, mi newas
alit
tlebi tloose, myi nstructorf i
xest hehar ness, I
wasnowl ookingst unni ng, am zoeyDl ami ni,Ican
makeat rashbagl ookst unning, heal sof ixedmy
googl esont hesi deofmyar msandhet ell
sme
thathewi llgivet hem tomeoncewear einsidet he
plane, Iwasn' tthatner vous, Ireall
ywasexci ted,I
wasl i
keasol ider, goingonawar frontt osavemy
count ry, t
hef eel i
ngwassuper b, hubbyi ntheot her
handwasat ot aldiffr
entst ory,hel ooksatt he
i
nst ructor
Bandil
e:man,whatar
ethechancesofmedyi
ng?,
Ihavethr
eeki
dsman,threeki
ds.
Ourinst
ruct
or:ooht
hechancesar
ever
yhi
gh,
my
wif
ejustlef
tme.
Bandi
le:f
orgeti
t,am notskydi
ving
Me:babyrel
axhei
sjustpul
li
ngyourl
eg,
wear
ein
saf
ehands.
Bandi
le:i
fidi
e,Iwi
llmakesureIcomebackas
ghostandmakeyourl
if
emisrabl
e.(welaughat
hi
m)
Ouri nst
ruct
orthengi
vesusaskydi vi
ngl esson,
crossarms, headback,kneesbent,jumponet ap
ontheshoul dert
oopenyourarms, secondtobring
armst ochestasthepar
achuteopenskneesbent
forlandi
ng.
wit
hinafewminutes,
theinst
ructortookustot
he
pl
aneboardi
ngarea,itwasduringthatti
mehubby
andiknewther
ewasnot urni
ngbacki twasnowor
never
Iwasr
eal
lyexi
cit
edBandi
leandil
ookateachot
her
Me:ar
ewecr
azyorwhatt
odot
hist
hing?
Bandi
le:am def
inat
elygoi
ngwi
thcr
azy.
Thefir
stfewsecondsseemedpr et
tymuchnor mal
becauseofsensor yover
loadbutoncet heter
mi nal
vel
ocit
yisachived, thdexper
iencefel
tincr
edable,
i
twasasi fwewer ef l
oati
ngonacushionofair,
Paul(outinstr
uctor)hangsi nthedoorwaylikean
animatedspiderman, andiknewthatthisi
sthe
momentwehadbeenwai t
ingfor-thesixt
ysecond
fr
eefall-wit
hinafewsecondofourl eap,Bandile
andontherinstr
uctorj
ump, IgettoholdBandi
le'
s
handbuttheairwasver ypowerfulandiwasn't
ablet
ohol dhishand.
60secondsl ater,myinstr
uctorl
aunchest he
par
achut eandif oundmyselffl
oati
ng, peacef
ull
yif
Imightadd, towardsthedropzone, Ihearmy
i
nstructorinearashel oosensmygoogl es,
unf
ast entheharnensandasksi fam okay
Myinst
ruct
or, asksifIwant
edsomespinsont he
par
achute,Isay"hellyeah!
",het
henspinsthe
par
achuteThree-fourti
mestowar
dsl
eftandright,
i
twasfunashel l
Theparachut
eridedownt ookaboutsixt
oseven
minut
es, t
helandingwasincredi
ble,
itwasso
soomth,almosttooperf
ect

Afewminuteslat
er,wehadjoinedunathiand
Sphamandl
a, sur
pri
singl
y,bothBandi
leandi
agr
eedthatthiswastheemostexhi
lar
ati
ng
expr
ience
Bandi
le:woowt
heexper
iencewasnot
hingl
ikei
hadimagi
ned
Me:Iknowri
ght,wor
dscan'
tevendi
scr
ibet
he
expr
ience
Sphamandl
a:yeah,
yeahweknow,
itwas
i
ncreadi
abl
e
Bandi
leandil
augh
Me:babywhat
'st
hatsmel
l?,
isi
tjel
ousyam
smel
l
ing?
Bandi
le:sur
eis.
Spha:okayf ineyougotme, am ali
tt
lejeal
ous,
I
wishIcoulddot hi
scrazyshityoujustdid,butI
havetwowi ves,thr
eekidsandanot herchil
donthe
waytothinkaboutandsi hl
ewoulddef i
natel
yski
n
mealive.
Bandi
le:yesshedef
inat
elywoul
d,coul
dn'
tyouj
ust
havemarri
edkhanyionl
y.
Sphamandla:am amanwhohaswayt oomuch
l
ovetogive,soi
twouldhavebeensel
fi
shf
ormeto
mar
rykhanyial
one
Me:thenIguessam luckyt
ohaveaself
ish
husband,causether
eisnowayIwouldletBandi
le
marryanotherwi
feandhewon'
tri
ghtbaby?
Bandi
le:ofcour
sebaby,iwoul
dn'
tdr
eam ofi
t
Unathi:youtwoaredefi
nat
elytheemostcrazy
coupleourfamil
yhas,it
'sli
keyouevenf orgetyou
havekids,am cr
azybutdef
inat
elynott
hiscrazy
Wehavel unch,whil
et heykeeponshowi ngusour
numerouspictures,someoft hepictur
eswere
crazy,whil
esomewer ebeaut
iful,sphasendsMe
andBandileourpict
ures, wefini
shupourlunch,
wedr i
vehome, theri
dewi t
hsphawassomet hi
ng
el
seIwasi nstit
chesthewholet i
me.

Hazel

TodayIwasmeet i
ngupwi t
hfezi
le,wewer e
meetingupinarestur
antoutsi
deoft own,Igett
o
therest
aur
antfi
ft
eenmi nut
esearly,Iodersome
cof
feeanddri
nkwhileIsurfthroughthenetwith
myiPad,hefinal
lyarr
aives,hewasf iveminut
es
l
ate,hesi
tsdown, weor derbreakf
ast,heformal
ly
i
ntr
oducedhimsel
fandidol ikewise
Me:afr
iendofmineQabangar
ecommendedyou,
soyoumustbegood.
Fezi
le:t
rustme,am oneoft
hebesti
nthei
ndust
ry
,sowhatcanIdoforyoumam ?
Me:Iwantyout
of ol
lowmyhusbandanddosome
di
ggi
ng,Ihaveafeel
inghei
shiddi
ngsomet
hing
fr
om me.
Fezi
le:areyousureaboutt
his?,oncewegetthe
bal
lrol
li
ngthei snogoi
ngbackandyoumi ghtfi
nd
somethi
ngst hatar
ebett
eri
fyoudon'
tknow.
Me:yesam posit
ive,
sothi
sforme, Iwil
lgi
veyou
R250000upfrontandR250000thousandoncethe
j
obisdone.
Fezi
le:i
fyouar
esur
e
Me:fezi
lel
ikeIsai
dam sur
e,i
nfactam 210
per
centsureposit
ive.
fezi
le:okay,wri
tedownhisful
lnamesforme,your
address,hi
swor kadr
ess,Iwilll
ooki
ntoit,
butdo
meaf avour,i
nfactt
wofavours.
Me:shoot,
Iwi
lldoanyt
hing.
Fezil
e:onepl easebediscr
eetaboutt
his,t
wo
pleasetryandstudyyourhusband'sr
outi
neand
seeifthereisnooddbehavi our.
Me:Isur
ewi
llt
hankyou.
Fezi
le:j
ustgi
vemeacoupleofdays,
am sur
eiwi
ll
havsthei
nfor
mati
onyouneed.
Me:pl
easedoanddon'
tyoudar
edi
ssapoi
ntme.
Fezi
le:ipr
omise,iwontdi
ssapoi
ntyou,
justdo
yourbi
tandiwil
ldomybi t
.
Me:t
hankyou.
Itr
ansfermoneyi ntohisaccountwethenfi
nish
upourbr eakfast,Igeti
ntomycaranddri
veback
totheappar t
mentwewer eusing
,
thedr
ivebackhomewasonehourt
hir
tymi
nut
es.
If
indNt
handohomepl
ayi
ngwi
thourki
ds
Me:woowyouhomeear
ly,
whatapl
easant
sur
pri
se.
Nthando:Iknow, Ihadameet
ingwhi
chended
earl
ysoidrivebackhometospendt
imewit
hyou
andthekids
Me:t
hati
sreal
lyt
hought
fulofyou
Ist
artcooki
ngdi
nner,
whi
lehepl
ayswi
tht
heki
ds.

Thando

Dadcal l
sandt ell
smet hatNt hando'sfami l
yhas
fi
nall
ysentt helett
er,Iwasr eall
yhappy, myl obola
negotiat
ionswer egoi ngtobehel dnextweek, I
wasmovi ngbackhomet onight, Iwasr eallylooking
for
war dtot his,mymanwassosweet, hehad
spentalmostt heenti
redaywi thme, am onel ucky
woman, Ipackupal lthecl othesineed, Ical l
Roselyn, sowehangout, shedoes, sheand
karobower egetti
ngpret t
ymuchser ious, wehang
outtil
lit
'ssixpm , wegeti ntoourcar s, Idriveto
myparent
shouse,t heguardsl
etmei n,Igetbags
andgeti
nsidet
hehousemom wasr eallyhappyto
seemeshame, wespendmostofourt i
me
cat
chi
ngup, Iwasreal
lyhappy,am goingtobe
someone'
swife,Ican'
twait.
[
09/
30,
11:
13] :I
nser
t78

Thando

Todaywast hreedaysbef oremyl obola

negotiat
ions, youshoul dhaveseenhowpr oudmy
parentswer e, theironeandonl ydaughterwas
getti
ngmar ried, mom anddadsayt heyareproud
ofhowf arIhavecomeandt heysayIcangoback
torunningt hecompany,myhomewasbuzzi ng
withactivit
ies, Iwasn' tal
lowedt ogoanywher e,I
hadt obei ndoor salltheti
me, NthandoandI
communi catedt hroughourphone' s,dadwasr eall
y
makingabi gdeal outofthis,relati
vesfrom near
andf arwer est art
ingtoar r
ive, t
heywer ewomen
brewingUmqombot i(Afr
icanbeer),mom had
evenhiredaneventplanner,sowecanhaveal i
tt
le
celebr
ation,
butbythel ooksofthi
ngst
hiswas
goingtobeanythi
ngbutasmal lcer
emony, t
hings
j
ustkeptonescalati
ng, Iwasbusy, wi
tht he
plannerwhenIgetacal lf
rom queenmotherhersel
f
Me:queenmot
her,
woowwhatapl
easantsur
pri
se
.
Queenmother/nomcebo:hel
lodear,Ij
ustwanted
tomakesureyouarefi
neandifther
eanything
youneedmyhelpwith?
Me:thati
sverythought
fulofyouqueenmot
her
butmom haseveryt
hingundercontr
ol.
Queenmot her,
am trulyhappyforyou, Ican'
t
beli
eveyouar emarryingmybr other,Ialways
thoughtyouwoul dendupwi thBandile,am al i
tt
le
adi sappoi
ntedbutam happyyouar estil
lmarryi
ng
withinmyf amil
y.
Me:yesIam ,
am goi
ngtobeMrsNthandoNkosi,
OohGodImustsayIreal
lyl
ovet
hesoundoft
hat.
Queenmother:am j
ustgl
ad,
youf
inal
lyf
ound
happi
ness
Me:soam I,queenmot
her,
andhowi
sever
ythi
ng
goi
ngyoursi
de?.
Queenmother:myson'
sst
il
lhat
eme,
soIkeepmy
di
stancef
rom t
hem .
Me:youshouldi
nvi
tethenforl
unchafterandcal
l
at
ruce,Iknowyoucanbethebiggerperson.
Queenmot
her:f
ine,
butyouhavet
obet
her
e.
Me:Naah,Iwi
llbet
oobusypl
ayi
ngwi
thmyman.
(igi
ggl
e)
Queenmother:mypoorsenseti
veears,
anyway
weshouldhavelunchsoon,am goi
ngtokil
l
Nthandocauseheiskeepi
ngyouawayfrom me
t
hisdays.
Me:whenagi
rli
sinl
ovewhati
sshet
odo?
Queenmot her:Imissyou,youshoul
dcomet othe
royalhousesoon,apparent
lysl
ayqueencancook
t
hisdays
Me:thereyouhavei
t,l
ethercookthel
unch(mom
cal
lsoutmyname)Ihavet ogo.(wehangup)
Igot
othel
ivi
ngr
oom wher
emom was,
shewas
j
ustintr
oduci
ngmet omyr elat
ives,someoft hem I
didn'
tknowandreal
lydi
dn'tcaretoknow(Ijust
fakedsmil
edtheenti
ret
ime), butmom being
proudofherdaught
erget
ti
ngmar r
ied,shejustkept
showingmeof f.
Thef
est
ivi
ti
esathomewer
ereal
lyt
oomuchbutf
un
.

Hazel

Iwasr eallygetti
ngi mpat i
entandr eallyf r
ust rat
ed,
whenFezi lefinall
ycal lsandsayshehasgotsome
newsf or, It
ellhim Iwi l
lmeethi minanhour st i
me,
Ihadt omakesur emyki dswi llhavesomeonet o
l
ookaf terthem , Iaskar oundf orarealiablebaby
sit
ter, Igetreadyf ormymeet i
ngwi t
hf ezil
e, the
babysi tt
erf i
nallyarraives, t
hi sti
mewewer e
meet i
ngatar estaur antnear by,Iwasr eall
y
anxiousandnever ous, Igettot heresturant, Ifi
nd
fezi
lewai ti
ngf orme, whi l
edr i
nkingcof fee,Igr eet
him wi thahugg, i sitandor dersomecof fee
Me:sowhatnewsdoyouhavef
ormef
ezi
le?
Fezi
le:youknowit
'snott
oolat
eyoucansti
llwal
k
awayandIcandestroywhat
everi
nfor
mat
ionI
haveonyourhusband.
Me:i
sitt
hatbad?
Fezi
le:wel
l..
..
..
.(Ist
ophi
m)
Me:stopbeat
ingar
oundt
hebushandt
ellme,
whati
sgoingon?
Fezi
le:t
her
eisnoeasywayt
osayt
hisandiknow
youaregoi
ngtoki
llhi
m.
Me:andwhywoul
d,Iwantt
oki
llmyhusband?,
i
l
ovehi
m.
Fezi
le:(heshowsmeapict
ureoft
hischeesegi
rl/
sl
ayqueentype)soyouknowher?
Me:ofcoursenot,
whatt
heFhasshehasgotto
dowithNthando?,
no,nodon'
ttel
lmehisi
s
cheat
ingonme?(tear
swerenowt hr
eat
eni
ngmy
eyes)
f
ezi
le:am af
rai
dhei
sdoi
ngf
armuchwor
se.
Me:whatcoul
dbef
arworsethanhi
m cheat
ingon
mewit
hher?,don'
ttel
lmesheispregnant
fezi
le:act
ual
lyno,
shecan'
thaveanymorekids,
shehasherwombremovedaft
eraninci
dentshe
had.
Me:t
hankGod
Fezi
le:welldon'
tthankGodyetcausehei
s
marryi
ngherbehindyourback.
Me:whattheF?,okaay,nowIwanttoki
llt
he
bast
ard,sowhenishemarryi
ngher?
Fezi
le:dayaf
tert
ommor
row
Me:sowhoi
sthi
sbi
tch?
Fezil
e:hernamei sThando, par
entsareloaded,
shewasdat ingyourhusband'snephew, shehasa
daughterwit
hyourhusband' snephewBandi le
Dlamini,shealsohasanotherdaughterwit
hhis
fr
iendsanele, herdaught
er'
saretwinsbornbyt he
way
Me:i
sitpossi
blef
ort
winst
ohavedi
ff
rentf
ather
's?
Fezi
le:appar
ent
lyi
tis,
yourhusbandi
sint
oal
otof
shaddydeal
ingsaswel
l,t
hemani
sdanger
ous
Me:l eavemyhusbandt ome, Iwilldealwit
hhim,
nowi fyouwillexcuseme, Ihaveal awyerto
contact,howcoul dthi
sbastarddot histome?,
aft
erseventeenbl oodyyear
s, seventeenfucki
ng
years.
Ipayt
her
emai
ngbal
anceofwhatIowedhi
m
Me:t hankyou, nowIhavet ogooutal lourwit
h
gunsbl azing, Icallmylawyertostartmesome
divorcepaper sandgetmeanur gentint
erdi
ctto
stopwhat everthispeoplethi
nktheyar edoing ,I
drivebackhome, gotohismancave,si tonhi
s
favourit
echair, takeaglassandpouroneofhi s
expensivewhi skies,tocalm downandt ostop
mysel ffr
om kill
inghim whenheget sbackhome,
hewant st opl
aygames,f i
ne,Iguesst wocanplay
thatgame.
Igoandcheckonmyki ds, theywerefine, Iget
star
tedonsupper,mybel ovedhusbandf inall
y
comesin,hewasbusypl ayingfatheroftheyear,
thebast
ardwasconti
nuingasi fhewasdoi ng
nothingwrong, Iwastempt edtostabhim wit
ha
kniefandwat chhim dieasl ow painf
uldeat
h, butI
remindmysel frevengeisbestservedcold, hi
sday
i
sdef inat
elycomi ng.

Zoey

Iwasr eall
yhappywi thhubby,t odayi twillbea
yearandsi xmont hssi ncewel ostourf i
rstchil
d,
wedeci dedtof indt hisperfectspoti ntheDl amini
gur der
n, itwasgoi ngt ome, Bandile,khweziand
l
wazi, thetwinswi llbet ur
ningayeari nt henext
twomont hs, Igot ot heshopsandbuy100bal l
ons,
fourChi nesel antens,Icommuni cat
ewi tht he
decorandcat er i
ngl adyandMi nniejusttomake
surewewer est i
llont r
ackforKhanyi 'sbaby' s
shower, whichi sf ourdaysf r
om now , t
hi sis
becauseweal lhavet ogot oThando' sweddi ngday
aftertommor ow , yesweal lhavet ogosi nce
Nthandoi sBandi l
e' sUncl e, am sonotl ooking
that.
Igoandhavet hebal l
onst hatIboughtf il
ledwi th
helium gas, soyoucani magi net hechaos, butI
managet odr ivehome,IhadaskedBandi leto
wr i
teacoupl eofmessagef ort hebabywel ost
deci dednamet hechi ldwel ost Angel, Ihadal so
wr i
ttenever thingiwant edt osay, Iwr it
emessages
ast hought heyar ef r
om l waziandkhwezi, Icook
somef i
ngerf oodsf ormeandBandi l
e,i twas
stickywi ngs, rolls,samosa' s, sausager oll
s,
strawber ri
es, gr apes,bot tl
eofwi ne, cheeseand
cream , Igoandwesetup, thebal lonswer et oo
much, butt henagai nnot hingi stoomuchf ormy
baby, Bandi lecomesandj oinmeandt het wins,
weeatwhi lewel augh, cryandexpr essour
feelingsf oreachot her, wer eleaseourmessages
andbal loonst ot hesky, i
twasr eallysuchani ce
viewwat chi ng,wef inall
yl i
ghtupt heChi nese
l
at ensandr el easet hem tot hesky, itwas
amazi ng, Iwasl it
erall
yi ntear s,wesi tdown, we
wer est i
llpl ayi ngwi ththet wins, whenbandi l
e
get sacal lthatMi r
andai sinLabour, myheartwas
tornt oshr eds, whyt odayofal ldays?, heasksme
i
fam f ine, Ijustnodandhesai difhecango, Isay
yesandaskhi mt otakethetwinsi nsidewhil
eI
packup, whyt odayt hatineedmyhusbandt o
emot i
onal l
yandphysi cal
lypresentf orme.Ipack
upandgot oourhouse,Bandi leleaves, Ij
ust
wat chthetwi nsast heydotheirthing, i
twasn'
t
l
ongbef orecr yi
ngdi vastart
s, If
eedherandshe
sleeps, Iplaywi t
hmyangelLwazi bef or
ehefall
s
alseepi nmyar ms, Ideci
det oshar eabedwi t
h
him, Ieventuallyfallasl
eep.
[
09/
30,
11:
14] :I
nser
t79

Bandi
le

assoonasmywi fegavemet hegoaheadt ogo,I

l
eft,Ifelthorr
ibl
eforleavi ngherwhi l
eonsucha
specialoccasion,butMi randa'schildcouldbe
mine, iasksaneletotellhi sfr
iendthatdidtheDNA
onThando' st
winst omeetmeatt hehospital
urgently,Iwon'tgiveMi randat i
meassoonast he
l
itt
leonei sbornwear eget t
ingherDNA, Igett
othe
hospital,shewaswi t
ht hisguywhoi nt
roduced
hi
mselfasherbr
otherapparent
lyhi
snameis
si
phoandsanel
e'
sf ri
end,Ishakehi
shand,
we
wait
Andwaitthedoctoecomesandt el
luswecan
comeandseethebaby, wegoi
n, t
hefir
stthi
ngI
do, i
stogoandhaveal ookatthebaby,helooked
nothi
ngli
keme, helookedmoreli
keMirandaand
herbrot
her
Me:Mir
anda,thi
sguycametodotheDNAtest,
mywif
edidtel
lyou,shewi
llwantaDNAt
est
Mir
anda:doyouhavetodoever
ythi
ngt
hatpl
ast
ic
dol
lofyour
ssays?,Imeanreal
ly?
Me:pleasedon'tyoueverandImeanever
di
srespectmywife,t
hatiswhereIdr
awthel
ine.
(shecouldtel
lIwasangry)
Mi
randa:di
dyoudoDNAt
estonherdamnki
ds?
Me:whyisi
tli
keyoudon'
twantt
ohavetheDNA
t
estdone?,
isther
eanyt
hingyouar
etryi
ngtohi
de?
Sipho:Mi
randalett
hem dothedamnDNAt
est,
youhavenothi
ngtohidebabysi
s.
Sanele'
sfri
endtakesDNAsampl
efrom Miranda's
chil
dandhel eaves,het
ell
smetheresul
tswillbe
readyintwoweekstime.
Me:haveyout
houghtofanameyet?
Ididn'
twantt
onamehim orgetat
tachedt
ohi
min
casehewasn'
tmine.
Mi
randa:noIwil
lthi
nkofaname,
byt
ommor
row
morni
ng,Iwi
lll
etyouknow.
Me:andcanwepl easewaitunti
lwehavet heDNA
testresult
s,togoandapplyf ort
hebir
th
certi
ficat
e, i
fheistrul
ymind, iwoul
dl oveforhim
tousemysur name, Ihavetogoandt elldadthat
youhavebi rt
h.
Il
eaveherinherbrother
'scapablehands, Idr
ive
home,igot omyhouse, i
twaslateal
ready,soi
guessIwi
llhavetotalkt
odad
I
naf
ewhour
sti
mesi
ncei
t'
smor
ningal
ready
Idi
dn'twantt
owakemywi f
eup,soIsett
lef
ort
he
couchinthel
ivi
ngr
oom ,
itwasalongni
ght.
Fewhour
slat
er

Iwassti
llsl
eepi
ngwhenIhearacryi
ngkhwezi,my
daught
ersur
ecanscream herl
ungsout,Iwakeup
andzoeywasholdi
nghercommingdownt hest
air
s
Zoey:mor
ningbaby,
whydi
dntyoucomet
oour
room?
Me:babyIcamebacki
nthemor
ningandidi
dn'
t
wantt
owakeyouup.
Zoey:youdoknowt hatisanexcusemarr
iedman
whoarebor
edwi t
htheirwivesanddon'
twantt
o
sl
eepwit
hthem useright?
Me:baby, mysugar, megetbor edofyounever,
youandmyki dsarethebeautif
ulthingt
hathas
everhappenedtome(Isayt aki
ngkhwezi f
rom her)
iloveyouMadl amini,youhavewonapl aceinmy
heart,aver
yspecialplaceanddon'tyoueverf
orget
that.
Zoey:nchoo,t
hatissocut
emyl
ove,
Iloveyou
toobabakakhwezi.
Me:nobabyIt hi
nkyoumeanbabakal wazi,
khweziismean,shejustwokemeup,justwhenI
wasdreamingoflot
tonumbers,sosheisyour
daughteral
one.
Zoey:howmanynumber
sdi
dyoumanaget
oget
befor
edi
vawokeyouup?
Me:j ustt
wo,seewhenIsaysheismean?,just
whenIwasget t
ingreadyt
osaygoodbyet
oalif
eof
hardworkandreadytobuyyouanisl
andsoIcan
ret
ir
eandwegot her
e.
Zoey:damn,di
va(shesaysl
ooki
ngatkhwezi
)
seewhatyoumademommymi ssouton?
Igi
vekhwezit
oher,
justasAunt
yBel
lawas
wal
kingi
n
Me:babyihavetogoandt
akeashower,t
hengo
andi
nfor
m mom anddad,Mir
andagavebi
rt
hwhil
e
wewaitf
ort
heDNAt est
AuntyBel
lawasupstai
rswi
tht
het
wins,
sowe
werenowfreet
otal
k
Me:ar
eyousur
eyouar
eokay?
Zoey:asl
ongasyouar enotlooki
ngatanother
womanam fine,Ihaveaccept
edyouandyour
fl
awsandall,j
ustli
keyouacceptedmewithmine
mylove.
Me:t
hankyousugarbun.
Igoandt
akeashowerandloti
onandgetdr
essed,
makemywaytot
hemai nhouse
Igetther
e,If
indmom anddadhavi
ngbr
eakf
ast,
I
j
ointhem
Mom :sosont
owhatpleasur
edoweowethi
svi
sit?
,Imeanyoual
lar
ebarelyher
ethi
sdays.
Me:Ijustcamet oi
nfor
m youanddadthatMiranda
gavebir
thlastni
ghtt
oababyboy, am notsure
abouthi
sper t
eni
tyyet,sohestil
lcouldnotbe
mine.
Dad:justl
etmeknowassoonassheis
di
scharged,Iwi
llaskt
her
oyali
nyagat
omakehi
s
wayhere.
Me:t
hankyoudad.
Dad:nopr
obl
em j
ustmakesur
ezoeyi
sfi
ne,
it
can'
tbeeasyforheraccept
ingyouhaveanother
babymamaandiwi l
ltakecareoft
herest.(mom
j
ustgotbusywithherphonethemomentzoey's
namewasment i
oned)
Me:mom ar
eyouokay?
Mom :yes,Iwasjustget
tingaglimpsofThando'
s
att
ir
ef orherl
obol
anegot
iati
ons,thatismor
e
i
nterest
ingtomethenyourendlessdramawith
yourwife
Me:dadihavet
ogoandyesIdomakesur
emy
wi
fei
sfine.
Il
eavet
het
wooft
hem att
hebr
eakf
astt
abl
e.

Mi
randa

LastnightIbarel
ysl
ept,
theni
ght
mareIhadf
eltso
real,
Iwas l oosi
ngmychild,
ihaddeci
dedt
o
namehi m TheoAbbrahams, Iwasnowscar edof
l
oosi ngmyboy,Idi dn'thavemuchonme,butI
wasr eadyt omakear unfori
t, Icalloneofmy
fr
iendsandaski fmysonandicancomeandst ay
withherf oracoupleofdayswhi leImake
arrangement stomovet otheUK, sheagrees,Ihad
j
ustf ini
shedbr eastfeedingTheo, whensipho
wal ksin
HejustholdsTheoonhisarms,Theolookedso
muchlikehim,Iwonderhow Bandi
leCouldhave
missedthat
Sipho:babyeverythi
ngisinor
der,Ihavemanaged
tohackthelaborator
y'scomputersyst
em ,soas
soonast heresult
sarein,Iwi
llknow,Iwi
llswi
tch
theresul
tsup
Me:si
phoar
eyousur
eyouknowwhatyouar
e
doi
ng?
Sipho:onehundr
edper
centsur
e,j
usthangi
nther
e
baby.
Me:okay wi
ll
ThankGodhehadbr
oughtme,
somebabi
esi
tems
andmyfriendsbroughtmeacoupl
ethi
smorni
ng,
hehadalsohroughmeacoupleofmyclot
hes,
whichwasar el
ieff
orme.
Bandi lewalksi n, hespendsaf ewmi nut eswi thme
andt hebaby, hesai dmei fIhavedeci dedona
nameyetIsayno, Idon'twanthi m knowi ngmy
baby'sname, het ell
smel ongdl ami nisayshei s
readyt ohostt hewel comi ngcer emonyf ormychi l
d
.(Ij ustnod), assoonashel eaves, Iwr it
eal ett
er
tohi m explainingever ythingandapol ogi si
ngt o
him, Iaskf oranenvel opandpl acet hel etteri
nside
,Iwr it
eal et
tert osipho, Isleep, Iwakeupear l
y,
Theowasst i
llsleeping, soi goandt akeashower
l
ot i
onandgetdr essed,ipackever ythingaway,
exceptf orthef lowersandbal l
oonsIhadr eceived
from peopl econgr atul
atingme,ihadt oldbot h
Bandi leandsi phot ocomeandseemeatnoon
sincet hedoct ormi ghtbedi schargingme, l
uckil
y
formeBandi lehadpai df ormyhospi t
albi ll
(Iwill
payhi m backsomeday, everylastcentigetTheo
readyandwai tforthedoct or,hecomesandsi gns
mydi shargepaper s,Ileavet helettersatr ecepti
on,
Irequestforanuber,theuberdoesar raive,I
makemywayt omyf ri
endspl ace,Iaskthedr i
ver
tostopbyt hemall,
Igivehi m mybankcar dand
askhimt obuyacoupl eofthingsforme,l ikebaby
formular,nappi
es,changeofcl othesforme, atl
eat
yourdresses,babyclothes, anewsim card, Ipay
him athousand,Iwasgonnabel eftdrybutitwas
worthit,mybabycomesf irst,hecomesbackwi th
everyt
hingIaskedfor,wel eave,wegett omy
fri
endsplace,iexplai
never ythi
ngtoherandshe
promisestohelpmeout.
[
09/
30,
11:
14] :I
nser
t80

Hazel

Itwast hedaybeforethemyhusband' sbi

gday,I
wasr eall
ygett
inggoodatthisplayingdumbt hi
ng,I
callthebabysi t
terIhadusedbef or
eandt el
lherto
beher easearlyaspossibl
e,myl awyercal
lsand
het ell
smedi vorcepapersandinterdi
ctareready
aredr ivetohi
sof f
ice,Iwaswithmyki dsinthecar,
Iwasact i
ngasnor malasIcan, Iwasbr eaki
ngi n
theinsi
de, butImanaget opullmyselftogetherfor
myki dssake, Itel
lthem tolockt hecarandwai tfor
meout si
de, Igoandcol l
ectt hepaper sasfastasI
canandr ushtomyki ds,Iwasi nnomoodt ocook,
soigot othisnicelocalr
estaur antandbuysome
takeaways, assoonast hekidsandIar ei nthe
apartmentIf i
ndmyhusbandhome
Nt
hando:baby,
Iwaswor
ri
edsi
ckaboutyouguys,
wher
ehaveyoubeen?
Me:asyoucanseewear
efi
ne
Nt
hando:babyi
sever
thi
ngokay?
Me:yeswhywoul
dn'
titbe?,
ori
sther
eanyt
hingI
shoul
dknow?
Nt
hando:ofcour
senot,
youj
ustseem al
it
tl
eangr
y
.
Me:am sor ry,i
tmustbePms,tel
lyouwhat
forgetaboutmeandmylousymoodletmegoand
dishupf orever
yone.
Nt
handoki
dsgoandsi
tint
hel
ivi
ngr
oom ,
the
witchinmewantedt oaddst ametaandcast
oroi li
n
hisfood,butt
hesmar tgir
linmesaidthati
twillbe
tooeasy,Igotothelivingroom ,wehavesupper,
Nthandowasbusyt ell
ingmehowhi m andhis
fri
endsaregoi
ngonaf i
shingtr
iptommrrow,Ijust
noddedwithahugef akesmi leonmyf ace,l
uckil
y
enoughformemyduckswer eal
linarow
Me:babyam goingtobed,pleasemakesur
ethe
ki
dsaretuckedi
nbed, t
hedoorsarel
ocked,al
l
l
ight
sareoffandal
ltapsar
eclosed
Nt
hando:babywhyar
eyougoi
ngt
obedsoear
ly?
Me:Ihavet
hishugemi
gri
neandihaveanear
ly
dayt
ommorrow.
Nt
hando:whatar
edoi
ngt
ommor
row myl
ove?
Me:Ihaveaspadaywi
thmyf
ri
endf
rom capet
own
.
Nt
hando:Iseegoodni
ght.
Me:ni
ghtbaby.
Igot
obedandIcr
ymysel
ftosl
eep
Lobol
anegot
iat
ionday

Zoey

Everyonei nt heroyalhousewasdr essedt okil

l, I
wasi nagoodmoodbecauset hechi ldMi randawas
carryingwasnotbandi le'schild,shehadl eft
Bandi leal ett
eratthehospi talexpl aini
nghewas
notf atherbuthersupposedbr otherwasSi phowas
thefat her, mypoorhusbandwasshut tredheeven
havesi phot hebeatingofhi sl i
fe,Ihadaccept ed
thechi ld,butt hisisgoodnews, Idon' thavet o
dealwi t hanot herbabymama, t
rustmeThando
hasenoughdr amaf orfivebabymamascombi ned
together, Bandilewasal it
tl
edepr essedespeci all
y
sincehewast hereforherthr oughouther
pregnancyandhewast hereatherchi ld'sbirt
hbut
am sur ehewi l
lbefine, webot hwer en'treall
y
l
ooki ngf orwardt ogoingt othisweddi ngbutwe
hadt o, Ihadt of or
ceBandi let ogetoutofbed, the
onlyper sonwhowasl uckyenoughnott ogot ot hi
s
stui
pidt
hingwasKhanyi,speaki
ngofwhichher
babyshowerwascommi ngtoget
herbeauti
ful
ly
Weallgotint
oourcars, queenmotherwaswith
theki
ngandNompumel elo,Unat
hiandMinniehave
meBandilearide,sphamandlawaswi t
hsihl
e,
rat
herhi
mt hanmeandweal lmadeoutwayto
Thando'
sparentshouse.

Thando

Icouldn'
tbel
ievei
ttheday,Ihavebeenwait
ingf
or
wasfinal
lyhere,Iwasfinal
lygoi
ngt obeMrs
NthandoNkosi,iwokei pinsuchagoodmood,
mom comesi ntomyroom ,shegivesmeahugg
andsitsbesi
desmeonmybed
Mom :babyyourbi
gdayi
sfi
nal
lyher
e,howar
e
youf
eeli
ng?
Me:am feel
inggr
eatmom ,
itf
eel
sli
keonebi
g
dr
eam .
Mom :am pr
oudofyoumygi
rl,
youhavegr
ownso
much
Me:t
hankyoumom
Mom :wel
lletmegoandmakesur
eever
ythi
ngi
s
goi
ngsoomt hl
y
Me:(
igi
veherahugg)t
hankyouf
orever
ythi
ng
Mom
Mom :youar
ewel
comebaby.
Ourhousewasbuzzi ngwi thactivities,Ourhouse
wasf ul
lofpeopl e,mom hadevenhi redamakeup
artistforme,mybr andnew32i nchweavewas
deliversbymyhai rst yli
st, Iwasl ooki ngst unning
alldressedi nmyt radi ti
onalZuluat tire, Iwasa
moder nmakot i, Icoul dheart hel adi es, busy
singingandul ulati
ngwhi l
ecooki ngt hef ood, the
manwer ebusysi t
ti
ngunderat r eeatourbackyar d
busydr i
nkingt r
adi t
ionalbeerandmaki ngal lsort
s
ofnoi se, Iaskeddadi sitwasn' ttooear l
yf orthem
todr i
nkandhesai di t'sfi
nesi ncet heywer en't
drinkingtoomuch, t
hedecorl adywasal mostdone
witht hedecor,Ihearpr aisesout si de, Icoul dn't
believeit, t
her oyalfami l
ywasher e, theking
himselfwashere,mydaywasbl essedindeed,I
hearsingi
ngandt henafewmi nuteslat
erIhear
ourclannamesbeingcall
edIknewt heNkosi
repr
esentat
iveswereher
e,Iwasr eal
lyexcit
ed

Meanwhi
leHazel

Myhusbandhadwokenupquei tearl
yforhis
supposedfishingtr
ip,ipr
etendedtobesleeping
thesonofabi tchevenkissesme, iwaitforhimto
l
eave,igoandt akearecordbreaki
ngshower,
trustmeitwast hequiest
estshowerIevert ook,I
getdressed,thankGodmybabysi tt
erar r
aivesjust
i
nt ime,
Iopenthedoorforherandiwasout,Idr
ivemysel
f
tothenear
estpoli
cestati
on,If
indt
woof fi
cer
s
Pol
iceof
fi
cer1:mor
ningmam howcanIhel
pyou?
Me:offi
cer,
Ihaveani
nter
dicttoser
vetodayata
weddi
ngandiwoil
dli
keoff
icerstoaccompanyme.
Of
fi
cer2:canipl
easel
ookatt
hedocument?
Ihandtheof f
icert
hecourtorder,
hecallstwo
poli
ceoff
icer, het
ell
sthem togowi t
hmei na
poli
cevan, heshowsmeasaf eplacetoparkmy
car,Ipar
kmycarsaf etl
y, Il
ockmycarandiget
i
ntothevanandwemakeourwayt oThando's
parent
shouse.
[
09/
30,
11:
14] :I
nser
t81

Zoey

Wewer eal lsitti

ngi nthebeaut i
fullydecor ated
stretchtent, cocktail
s, wines, j
uice, water,
alcoholwer eflowing,t heNkosif ami l
yi ncludi
ng
queenmot herandt heki ngwer einsidewher ethe
l
obol anegot i
ationswer et akingpl ace, t
hegr oom
wasamongstt heguest sint het ent,theylethimi n
becauseoft hecel ebr at
iont hatwi llt
akepl acelater,
themusi cwaspl ayingl oud, hubbyandiwer e
havingt heti
meofourl i
ves, everyonewashappy,
wewer estil
ldanci ngourassesof f,whenwe
noticeapol i
cevanst opatt hegat e,maybet he
nei
ghbour'
shadcompl ai
nedaboutt henoi
se,
yooohIwasn'tr
eadyshame, t
hismixedbeaut
iful
mixedladycomesoutoft hevanwi tht
hepoli
ce
off
icer
s,shewas. .
..
..
.hey, am cr
azybutdefi
natel
y
notthatcrazy,
thewomanhadser i
ousball
s,Ihold
ontomyhusband
Woman:Nt handoi
sthi
sthefucki
ngfishi
ngtr
ip?,
yout
oldmeyouwer egoi
ngtothismor ni
ng?(she
waspissed,maybei
t'
shisot
hergirl
fr
iend)
Nt
hando:(hel
it
eral
lyf
roze)ba.
..
..
..
.
Thewoman:don'tyoubabyme,aftert
enf ucki
ng
year
sofmarri
ageNthando(wewereallshocked)
Tenfucki
ngyear
sofmar r
iage,
ist
histhanksIget?
Nthando:Hazelcal
m downIwi
llexpl
ainever
ythi
ng
t
oyou, pl
ease(sheslapshi
m)
Hazelwoman:f uckyou,wel
lher
eisthei
nter
dictI
got,sost
opt hefucki
ngweddi
ngcausenooneis
get
ti
ngmar r
ied.
Whereisabowlofpopcornwhenyouneedone?,I
hadthefr
ontr
owseat st
othi
sdrama,damneven
thedramaini
sibyawasnot
hingcompar
edtot
his
Mogurlhadt akencrazytoanot herl
evel
,shewas
now breakingandpul l
ingthedecorapar t,
the
pol
icehadt ostopher, everyonewhowasi nsi
de
comesr ushingoutsi
deincludingThando
Thando:Nt
handowhatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon?
Hazel:am hi
swi
fet
hati
swhati
sgoi
ngon
Thando:what?(Sheseemedgenui
nel
yshocked)i
thoughtyoudi
dn'
thaveawif
e?.
Hazel:Newsf
lashsweehear
t,hel
iedandnowyou
knowhehasawi f
e(hazelst
art
shi
tti
ngNthando
andsodoestl
Thandowhowasi nt
ears)
Thando'
sdad:Nthandohowcoul
dyoudothi
sto
mydaughter,
howdareyouhumil
iat
eisl
iket
his?
Queenmot her:missmar r
ied,whendi
dyouandmy
brothergetmar r
ied?andhowcomet heNkosi
familyknowsnot hingaboutyou? andwhopaid
foryourlobola?
Hazel:onequestionatati
megogo(noshedidn't
j
ustdot hat)
,Nthondoandihavebeenmar
ri
edf or
t
enyear s,hesaidhewilli
ntr
oducemet
othefamily
,
wehavet
woki
ds,
twoki
ds.
Queenmot her:l
itt
legi
rlpl
easestopdi
srespecting
me, Idon'tknowyou, Idon'tcar
eaboutyou, you
havenohomet r
aini
ngwhatsoevernowondermy
brot
herdidn'tint
roduceyout ouse,wedon'tbehave
l
ikestraatmat es
Hazell
ady:l
ikeIgi
veashi
twhatyout
hink,
you
ar
eanobody
Queenmother:act
ual
lyam queenNomcebo
Dl
amini,
soyouar eanobody.
Hazel:
am hazelBr
own,whothehelldoyouthi
nk
youare?,youareaqueentoyoursubj
ectsand
fami
lyonl
ynott omehazelBr
owndear.
Ithi
nktheki
ngwast i
redofthi
sdrama,hepull
s
queenmotherinside,sphamandl
a,unathiand
hubbygoafterthem
Thando:Idon'
tcar
ewhoyouar et
oNthando,this
i
sprivat
eproper
ty,sol
eave(shamet
hepoorthing
wasintear
s)
Hazelwoman:f
ineiwi
lll
eave,
butNt
handohast
o
makeadecisi
on, whetherornotheismarr
yingyou
,icanser
vehim di
vorcepapershereandnow(she
t
hrowsabrownenvelopeathim)
Hetakesoutt
hepaper
sandi
twasi
ndeeddi
vor
ce
paper
s
Hazel:sowhati
sgoi
ngtobe,i
sitgoi
ngt
obeor
t
hecheaphoeyouaresl
eepi
ngwith?
Nthando:Hazelcanwegohomeandt
alkaboutt
his
calmlypl
ease
Hazel:am wai
ti
ngforadecisi
onandwear enot
goi
nganywhereuntilyouhavemadeyourdeci
sion,
anreadytoendital
lhereandnow.
Thando:wel
lNt
hando,
whati
sitgoi
ngt
obe?
I
t'
sei
thermeort
hiscr
azyassbi
tchofyour
s
Hazel:bi
tch?,somebodybett
ergetthatl
it
tl
egi
rl
befor
eIdo.(shewasreadytogoallcrazyon
ThandobutNthandostoppedher)
Nthando:ThandoIl
oveyouandwoul dl
oveto
marryyou(shewasr eadytodot
hehappydance)
butIlovemykidsandwi f
emore,Ican'
tdi
vor
cemy
wi
fe,
pleaseunder
standmyl
ove.
Thandoscreamsherl ungsout,andsheget sont he
fl
oor,hermom get sherupandt akesherinside,
herdadwasf ur
ious, hethr
owsever yoneout,
i
ncludi
ngthekingandqueenmot her,weallleave
andwedr i
vehome, whatalongday, Iwasst ar
ving
andtir
ed,sowebuyf oodatNandos, weal lgoto
themainhouse, queenmot herj
ustgoestoher
room ,whi
leweal lhaveourlat
elunch.

Thando

Ihaveneverbeensojustandhumi li
atedi nmyl if
e,
Ij
ustlockinsi
demyr oom ,Iwasr eal
lyhur t,
how
couldNthandodothisthi
sme, howcoul dbe
humili
atemeliket
hat?, heevenchoosesher, mom
comesandknockonmydoor, Iopent hedoorf or
her,shehadthatPit
tlookonherfacewhi chIreall
y
hate
Mom :babyam sor
ry
Me :Iwi
llbef
inemom ,
Ihavesur
vivedf
armuch
wor
se.
Mom :yesyouhaveThando
Me:sowhatisgoi
ngtohappent
oal
lthatf
ood?
,
causet
heguest
sdidn'
teat?
Mom :wearegoi
ngtodonat
ethegoodt
oa
homel
essshel
ter.
Me:thati
ssosweetatl
eastonegoodt
hingcame
outf
rom t
hiswhol
edi
saster
.
Mom :yesbabyandipaidthedecorl
adyf
ort
he
f
ordamagedonet oherproper
ty.
Me:t
hankyoumom ,
youar
ethebest.
Mom :thi
sti
meitwasnotyourf
aul
t,soam her
efor
youandwhoknowsmaybeonedayyouwillmeet
yourPr
incechar
ming.
Me:(ichuckl
e)ij
usthavet
omakesur
ehei
snot
mar
ri
edr i
ght?.
Mom :thi
stooshal
lpassbaby,comelet
'sgoand
packupthefoodsoIcantaket
hefoodtoa
homelessshelt
er,
mom andIgot ot
hekitchenand
packupt hefood, i
twasal otiwasj ustgladthe
foodwasnotgoi ngtowaste,Iwasst il
lpacki
ngup
thefood, whenmyphoner i
ngs, itwasqueen
mot her,
Ijustignorehercall
safterwepackup, Igo
andcheckonmygi r
lswhower esl eepi
ng, Ij
ustcry
andgot omyr oom .Ihearmom' scarl eave,Ij
ust
sleep,Iwast i
red.

Nt
hando

Ican'
tbeli
eveHazelhumi li
atedmei nthi
smanner,
Iwaspissed,infactpisseddoesnotevendi scr
ib
whatam feel
ing, wegethomewi thouttal
kingto
eachother,,
shegoesst rai
ghttoputbedroom ,she
comesbackwi thabl anketandapi l
low,shethrows
them ontopofcouch
Me:Hazelcanwepl
easet
alkaboutt
his?
Hazel:am notevenint
rest
edi
nwhatyouhavet
o
say,j
ustleavemealone.
Shegoest
oourr
oom ,
Iknockandknock,
she
doesn'
tunlockIgobacktot
helivi
ngr
oom ,
Igo
andsleeponthecouch,Iwasaboutt
osl
eepwhen
mysistercall
s
Nomcebo:whatisthemeani ngofthedr
ama,that
happenedtoday?,howcouldyouhumi l
iat
eme,my
husbandandthatpoorgi
rll
ikethat?
Me:am sorr
y, Idi
dn'
tmeanfort
hattohappen,I
real
lyl
oveThandoandiwil
lmakeituptoher.
(I
hangup)
Icouldn'
tsl
eep, t
hiswasallj
ustt
oomuchforme,
Idon'
tevenknowhowhazelandiar egoi
ngt
o
movepastthi
s, t
hismightbet
heendofmy
marri
age,whichidon'
twant.
[
09/
30,
11:
14] :I
nser
t82

Thando

TodaywasThur sday,
Ihadbeenlockedupinmy
room f
orthepasttwodays,bot
hqueenmot her
andNthandotri
edcall
ingme,Ii
gnoredqueen
mother'scal l
sandiendedupbl ockingNt hando'
s
cal
ls,Iwasatmypar ent
shouse, t
heonl yt i
meI
wouldgooutofmyr oom iswhenIgot ospendt i
me
wit
hmygi rl
s,myembr assmentwasal loversoci
al
media, Ican'tbelievepeopletookvideosofmei n
mymostvul ner abletime,Mom beingmom ,
comesandf or cemet ogooutwi t
hme, wedecide
tot
aket hegi rl
st othepark,peopl
ekeptgi vi
ngme
l
ooks, somel ookswer epit
ylooks,somel ooks
werenast ylooks
mom :j
usti
gnoret
hem andf
ocusonqual
it
yti
me
wi
thmeandt hegi
rl
s
Itwasnowpr et
tyobvi
oust
hatthetwi
nswere
dif
frent,
smawasmuchl i
ght
erthannomcebo,she
l
ookedmi ixed,
whil
enomcebowasnottooli
ghtor
toodarkshewasjusti
nbetweenbutIl
ovedmy
babiesanyway
Mom :sonowthatiti
soffi
ciall
yoverbet
weenyou
andNthandowhatareyourplans?
Me:wel
lfornowIjustwanttof
ocussonwor kand
mybabi
esandstayawayf r
om t
heroyalhouseand
thosepeopl
easPossi
bleam ti
redofthedrama,an
ti
redmaIhavehadatoxicr
elat
ionshi
pwiththose
peopleforf
art
ool
ong
Mom :am pr
oudofyouandt
hel
adyyouar
e
becomi
ng.
Me:t
hankyouma,mykidsdeser
vet
obeapr i
orit
y
i
nmylif
e,Il
ovet
hem andi
t'
sti
meIfocussonthem
.
Mom :don'
tgol
ooki
ngoutforl
ovebabygi
rl,
love
wi
llf
indyouwhenyoul
eastexpecti
t.
Me:wel
llovecanwaitf
ornow,
Iwi
llgof
ormyman
whenam r
eadyforhi
m.
Mom :whi
chman?
Me:fornowidon'
thaveacl
ue,
butwhent
het
ime
comesIwil
lfi
gur
eital
lout.

Zoey

Todaywaskhanyi
'
sbabyshower,
Ijusthope
becausei t'
sasur prise, shedoesn' tgoi ntoLabour
oranyt hi ng,wewer ehost ingt hebabyshowerat
Mi nnie'shouse, Ical lt
hecat er ingl adyandshe
saysever ythi
ngi sont rack, Ideci det oleave
Bandi lewi t
ht hetwi nsandigot omi nnie'shouse, I
mustsayt hedecorl adyhadr eal lyt ransfor medt he
spacewi tht hebl ackandgol dt heme, Mi nnieandI
haddeci dedon,weal sohadsphamandl asecr etl
y
fi
lloutt hebal oonsf ort hegenderr eveal, Ican't
wai ttof i
ndoutt hegenderoft hebaby,r eally
excitedaboutt hatpar t
y, everyt hingwasgoi ng
smoot hly, allther oyall adi eswer ether eexceptf or
queenmot her, nompumel elohadeveni nvited
Trina, itwasr eallyani ceset ting, sphamandl ahad
gonet opi ckkhanyiup, Igoandgetr eady, asi
comedownt hest airs, thecat eringl adyandt he
cakel adywer emaki ngt hei rdel iveries, Ishow
them wher etopl aceever yt hi
ng, af t
eraf ew
mi nutessphamandl af inal l
ycamebackwi thkhanyi,
shewashugeshame, shewasdr essedi nt hishuge
whi t
edr essandsl eeper s, It akeheri nside
Khanyi:andwhyam Ibr
ingbr
oughtt
omi
nni
e'
s
housei
nst
eadofmyhouse?
Me:yourdr
essi
sher
eandihavet
ohel
pyouget
dr
essed
Khanyi:youl
ooksocut
eont
hatbl
ackdr
ess
andt hosegol
dheels,am sot aki
ngthem assoon
asigi vebi
rt
h, t
hankyourluckyst
arsIhavehuge
feetandican'tf
iti
ntothem now.
Ihandhert hedresswehadboughtf
orher,Iwas
crossi
ngmyf i
ngersoffi
ts,
causemygi
rlhad
gainedseveralpounds
Yest
hedressdoesfit,
Idogetmakeupandhai
r,
shel
ookedreal
lybeaut
if
ul
Khanyi:sowhatiswi
thuswear
ingbl
ack?,
arewe
nowwi dowsorsomet
hing?
Me:j
ustf
oll
owme,
youwi
llunder
stand
Allt
hemaninthef ami
lyi
ncludi
ngthekingwere
havi
ngaminibraaioft
heirown,auntyBell
awas
watchi
ngal
lthekids,i
tmustbehellforhernow.
Khanyif
oll
owsmeaswear eabouttoent
erthe
gar
age(Minni
eandunat
hihadat hr
eedoorgarage
soitwasbi g)sheseest heboar dwrittenwel come
tokhanyi'sbabyshower, shest art
scryi ng, aswe
entereveryonescr eamssur pri
se, shewasshocked
toseeever yonei ncl udinghermom andsi ster'
s,
shewasi nt earsandcoul dn'twalk,Mi nnieandI
helphertoherseat, sihleisonebi tt
erper son, she
l
ookedl i
kesheat esourgr apesthewhol eti
me, we
hadsomuchf unpl ayinggamesandst uf f,before
weknewi tallthemani nthehousewer ecommi ng
tojoi
nusf orther eveal, Iwasshockedwhen
sphamandl a,Bandi leandUnat hieachcomei nto
theroom hol di
ngt hreehugebal oons, wasn' ti
t
supposedt obeonl yone, t
heypl acethebal oons
downandsphandl agoesandgetkhanyi, hehol ds
herandt heygoneart hebal oons
Sphamandl a:ladiesandgent l
eman, mywifeandI
haveasur pri
seofourown, wegott heshockof
ourlives,whenwewentt othedoct orsforascan,
wear eexcepect ingnotonenott wobutt hr
ee
babies( everyonei nt
heroom i ncludi
ngmewas
shocked)yesyouhear di
tright, ourpri
ncessis
aboutt ohavet hreemoresiblings.
ThankGodmostpeopl
ehadboughtgendernet
rual
cl
othes
Khanyi:ar
eyoual
lreadyf
ort
her
eveal?
Ever
yonescr
eamsyes
khanyi:doyout
hinkbaby,
babyAi
saboyorgi
rl
Mostpeopl
escr
eam boyi
ncl
udi
ngmeandBandi
le
Khanyi:hubbylet
'spopthebal
loon,anditsa
..
..
.(t
heypopt heballonandbl
ueconfet
ifall
sout)
i
t'
saboy, babyAisaboy.
Si
phamandla:(hekisseskhanyi)t
hankyoubaby,
ar
eyoureadyforbabyB ?
Ever
yonescr
eamsyes
Theypopt
hebal
lonandpi
nkconf
etif
all
sout
Sphamandl
a:babyBi
sagi
rl
Khanyi:sosi
ncewehaveaboyandagi
rlal
ready,
doyouthinki
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeaboyoragir
l
Somescream gi
rl,
somescr
eam boyi
ncl
udi
ngme
andBandi
le
Theypopt heball
onandbl ueconfetif
allsout,we
wereallhappyforthem ,
theywer ehavingt woboys
andagi r
l, Ij
usthavetoretur
nt hestr
awl eribought
forherandchangei twi
thonet hatcar
riestripl
ets.
Themangobacktothei
rmi
nipar
tyandwehavea
par
tyofourown,
sihl
ehaddi
ssapear
ed
Khanyihuggsme,
Minni
eandNompumel
elo
Khanyi:t
hankyoul
adiesespeci
all
yyouzoeyand
Minni
eforput
ti
ngever
ythi
ngtoget
her
Mostpeopl
ehadtoppedupthei
rgif
tswit
hmoney
si
nceshewasexpecti
ngtr
ipl
etsandtheybought
gi
ft
sforonebaby.
Wehadsomuchf unandweweresti
llhavi
ngso
muchfun,whenkhanyigoesint
oLabour,thank
Godherhospi
talbagwasinthecar,
spha,Unathi
andBandi
lewentwithhert
othehospit
al
Minni
e,mpumi
e,Tr
inaandiwer
eal
lpr
ayi
ngf
or
her.
[
09/
30,
11:
14] :I
nser
t83
Zoey

Bandil
efinal
lycal
ledandtoldusbothkhanyiand
thetr
ipl
etswerefi
neandheal t
hy, wewer eal
l
happyforkhanyi,igobacktomyhouseIwasso
ti
red,Bandil
ewalksinafewmi nutesaft
erme, it
wasnowmi dni
ght,wewer eal
lti
red, sowejustget
i
ntobed.

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning

Bandi l
eandiar ebot hwokenupt hesoundofhi s
phoner ingi
ng, hewasn' timpr essedatal l,itwas
queenmot herherselfinvit
ingallofusf orlunch
l
atert oday, sowecancel ebratet hebirthofkhanyi
'
st r
iplets, Iwasnowwi deawake, Idecidet ogo
andt akeashower, whi l
ehubbydeci deshewi l
lgo
backt osl eep, Itakeashower, l
ot i
onandget
dressed, Igototheki tchen, Imakebr eakf astfor
hubbyt oast,scrambl edeggsandVi enna, Imakea
smoot hieformysel f,IplaceBandi l
e'sbr eakfasti
n
themi cr
owave,Igoandcheckont hetwi
nsonly
diva(kwezi)wasawake,sheseeksformy
attent
ionbyscr
eamingherl
ungsout, It
akeherand
giveherabathscr
eamingandall,hernoi
sewakes
upmyAngel(Lwazi)
Iloti
onkhwezi '
stinybodyandt henpl aceheronher
bed, Itakemyboyandgi vehi m abat hdi va
screamsasIwasent eri
ngtheirnur seryholding
l
wazi,Bandi l
ecomesi nandpi cksdi vawhoj ust
gigl
esl ikeshewasn' ttheonecr ying, IgetLiam
readyf ortheday,Igoandj oinBandi l
ewhowas
downst air
seat t
inghisbreakfast, hewasshar i
ng
hiseggswi thdiva,Ifeedtheki ds, whi l
eBandi l
e
goesandt akehi sshower, hepl acest hetwinsand
everythingt heyneedi nthestrawl erandhegoest o
themai nhouse
Ichangeintosomet
hingpr
esentabl
eandimake
mywayt othemainhouse,al
ltheki
dswerewit
h
auntyBell
aagain,whil
ewetheadult
ssitar
ound
thetabl
e
I
twasqueenmot
her,
theking,si
hle,
sphamandl
a,
Unat
hi,
Minni
e,mpumie,Tri
na,Bandil
eand
mysel
f,Iwasthel
astonether
ebutIwasreadyf
or
t
heshadethatwasaboutt
obet hr
ownatme
Queenmot
her:nowt
hatsomeofyouhave
managedt
omakeit,wecanst
art.
Unat
hi:bef
orewestart,sphabr
owedon'
twantt
o
st
ealyourt
hunderbut.
..
...
.
Queenmot
her:yourwi
fei
snotexpect
ingi
s?
Unathi:wellMi
nnieandiar
eexpect
ingoursecond
chi
ld,wef oundoutt
hismor
ning
Sihl
e:itseemslikeeveryoneisjustpoppi
ngbabies
l
eft, r
ightandcenter,minaam finewiththet
wo
thatIhave,imaginehavingfourbabiestj
oo.
Me:ther
eisnot hi
ngwr ongwit
hhavi
ngf
ourbabi
es,
ki
dsareagiftfrom Godther
eourwomenout
here
pr
ayi
ngj ustforonechild.
Sihl
e:motherTher
esaIdi
dn'
tsayther
eisanyt
hing
wrongwit
hhavingmanyki
ds,am j
ustsayi
ngam
fi
newit
hmyt wokids
Minni
e:asl
ongasIdon'
thavet
winsort
ri
plet
sam
good
Sphamandl
a:soyouandBabybr
oar
egoi
ngf
or
quads?
Unat
hi:mandoyouwantt
ogi
vemeahear
tat
tack?
Sphamandl a:i magi
nehowIf el
twhenIl earned
wewer ehavi ngtr
ipl
ets,Ial
mostf ai
nted,butIhad
tokeepittogetherakhanyidoesn'
tfreakout,but
nowt hattheyarehereIcan'
tgetenoughoft hem ,
i
nfactafterthisl
uncham goingshoppingthenIwi l
l
goseet hem
Queenmother:Ican'
tbeli
eveyouhavesi
xki
ds
sphamandl
a, Ithi
nktheyareenough
KingDlamini:l
ethi
m makeenoughheir
s, heis
goingtobethenextki
ngofthi
skingdom aft
ermy
depart
ure
Queenmother:am j
ustsayingheshoul
dslow
down,sixkidsar
emor ethanenough,aft
eral
lhe
i
snotcompet i
ngwit
hanyonet oseewhopopsout
manybabies.
Nompumelelo:mother,sphamandlacanaff
ordto
havehundr
edkidsofhewant st
o, whoareweto
j
udge(sihl
elookedpissed)
Sihl
e:sompumi ewhenar
eyouhavingyour
hundrendki
ds?,
Imeanthebi
ologi
calcl
ockis
ti
cki
ng
Nompumelel
o:sihl
est
ayi
nyourgol
ddi
gglanedol
l
pl
easeorsohel
pmeGodIwil
lshowyoufl
ames.
Tr
ina:sinceyouar
esl
owwhatshei
str
yingt
osay
i
smindyourdamnbusi
ness
Sihl
e:Tri
naorwhatevertheycallyou,
youmayact
al
ltoughandpr
etendtobeamanandst uf
fbutam
sureperi
odpai
nshumbl eandr emindyouthatyou
areawomaneverymont h.
Tri
na:sphabr
o,youbet
tergett
hisgi
rl,she
tr
avel
li
ngonawrongroadbro,wrongroadbra.
Si
hle:Mxm what
ever(Tr
inawasal
readyupwhen
mpumiehol
dherhandsoshecanclam down,she
si
tsdown)
Kingdlamini:youknowwhatam ti
redofal
lyouj
ust
takethegoodandgobacktoyourhousessinceyou
can'tgetal
ongandhavezerorespectf
orme(he
getsupandl eaves)
Andthati
showlunchwasr
uinedweal
lgetout
t
akeawaysandl
eave.

Nt
hando

EversinceHazelst oppedt heweddi ngt hingshave

beent ensebet weenherandi, Ist
il
lwantt omar r
y
Thandoassecondwi fe., butnomat terhowmuch
myhear tyearnsf ort hatIcan' tmarryherunt ilmy
wifeisfinewit hhavi ngasi sterwife, mywi febarely
saystwowor dst ome,event hekidscansense
thetensionbet weent hetwoofus, t
hingsar ejust
notsame, mysi sterisal soangr yatmef orthe
humi l
iati
onIbr oughtuponherandThando, iwil
l
fi
xever ythi
ngbutr ightnowmywi feandki dsare
theonesihabet of ixthingswi thfir
st, ihaveoneor
twocont racts del iveronandam t akingmyf amily
backtot hestat e'ssowecanmoveonf r
om this
wholeThandosaga.

Queenmot
her
Icouldn'twaittomeetmyt hreebeautifulgrand
babies, t
hekingsai dwewi llgoandvi sitt
hem lat
er
i
nt heevenning, Iwasstillangryandhumi li
atedby
whatmybr otherdidtoThando, Ihavebeent ryi
ng
toreachoutt oherbutshehasbeeni gnoringmy
call
s, IguessIwi l
lgoandl ookf orheratherhouse
tommor row mor ning,Ireall
yhopewemovepast
thi
scauseIr eall
yloveThando, whycoul dn't
Bandilejusthavemar ri
edher, allthi
sNt hando
nonsensewoul dhavebeenavoi ded, Ireall
yhope
sheisf i
ne.
[
09/
30,
11:
15] :I
nser
t84

Thando

Ihavebeenbackatmyhousef ortwodaysnow,
mykidsandNandi phawer
ewit
hmef ortheweek,I
wasreal
lyfeeli
ngdown,Iwasgoingthroughsome
ofmywor kfl
ieswhenIhearaknockont hedoor,
wonderwhoi tcoul
dbethi
sear
lymorning, igoand
openthedoorandi
wasshockedt
oseequeen
mother
Me:queenmot
her?,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Nomcebo/queenmother:youweren'
tanswer
ing
anyofmycall
ssoastheysayifMohamedwon'tgo
tot
hemountaint
hendefi
natel
ythemountai
nwill
cometoMohamed,aren'
tyougoingtoaskmein
Imoveawayfr
om t
hedoorstepandindi
cat
ef orher
tocomei
n,shedoes,Iusherhert
otheli
vingroom
Me:caniof
feryouwat
er,
cof
feeort
ea?
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:coff
eewil
lbeni
cethank
youbutIwashopi
ngwecouldhavet
hatcof
feeat
thepal
ace.
Me:howaboutwegotost
arbuckswiththegi
rl
s,I
wantt
okeepmydist
ancef
rom t
heroyalhouse
t
hankyou.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:Iunder
stand,
youhave
beenalot.
Me:t
hankyou,
Iwi
l
lgoandgetr
eady.
Igoandgetr
eady,whi
leNandi
phaget
sthegi
rl
s
r
eady, Ican'
tbeli
evet heyaregoingtobeturni
ng
ayearsoon,wef i
nishupandwegot ostarbucks
t
hetwinswerei nthei
rstrawl
er,whilequeen
motherandisitandhaveourcof f
ee.
Queenmother
/Nomcebo:am sor
ryaboutwhatmy
br
otherdi
dtoyou,
am st
il
lver
yangryathim.
Me:don' tswearaboutit,i
twil
lpass,rightnow
theyareeverythi
ngtomenow (poi nt
ingatmy
girl
s)andbesi desyouarenotresponsibl
eforyour
brother
sactions
Queenmot
her/Nomcebo:t
hankyoudear
wewerestil
linthemi
ddleofaconversat
ionwhen
zoeyandBandil
ewalkinlooki
ngal
llovel
ydovey,
zoeydoesn'
tevenbot
hercomingtoourt abl
e,onl
y
Bandi
ledoes
Bandi
le:mot
her,
Thando
Queenmot
her/nomcebo:sonandwhyi
sn'
tyour
wif
ecommingovert
ogreetme.
Bandi
le:l
ikeyoucar
e.
Queenmot
her/Nomcebo:Idoson.
Bandi
le:yeahr
ight.
..
..
..
Queenmot
her/Nomcebo:what
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?
Bandil
e:youknowyouhatemywifemother,
Thandoam sorr
yaboutwhatmyuncl
edidtoyoui
t
wasreall
ycol
d, noonedeser
vest
hat.
Thando:t
hankyou
HetakesNomcebowithhi
mt ohisandzoey'
stabl
e,
t
heyseemedgenuinel
y happy,Ijusthat
edt
hat
t
heywer epl
ayi
nghappyfamilywithmydaught
er
Nomcebo/queenmother:Ij
usthat
ethatfakeass
bi
tch,
sheistooweaktobemydaughterinlaw.
Me:youshoul
dlear
ntoaccepther,
shehaswon
Bandi
le'
shear
tandIhavemadepeacewithi
t.
Queenmother/Nomcebo:Iwillneveracceptt
hat
weakthi
ng, Ij
ustwantherawayfrom myf ami
ly
andone-
dayiwillsucced.

Zoey
Hubbyandihadj ustcamebackf r
om vi siti
ng
khanyiand t het
ripl
ets, shet ell
smeshewi l
lbe
dischar
gedbyt heendoft heweek, hert ri
pletswere
reall
ycute, t
heyevenmadehubbyr equestf ora
newbaby, youshoul dhaveseenmyf ace, Ionly
managet oshakemyheadandhewasl ike"canwe
pleaseadoptoneoft hem ?, theylooksocut e",
damnkhanyiandhercut edevi ls, Ican'thavemy
husbandbr oodyoverkids, Iguessi t'sgoingt obe
wor sewhenMi nniegivesbirt
h, wedeci det ogo
amdgetcof feeatstarbucks, wegeti nandisee
queenmot herandThandohavi ngcof feetoget her
Me:Iseet
hewit
chesarehavi
ngameet
ing,
the
onl
ythi
ngt
hati
slef
tisabroom .
Bandi
le:babywhoar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
Me:Thandoandyourdearmot
herar
eher
e
Hel
ooksandheseest
hem
Bandi
le:weshoul
dgooverandgr
eett
hem .
Me:babyyouknowIl
oveyour
ight?
Bandi
le:Iknowmyl
ove
Me:Il
oveyoubutIcan'tgoovert
her
ethoset
wo
hat
eme,yougoandgr eetthem
Bandi
le:f
ine,
Iwi
llgoandgr
eett
hem
Hegoesovert
othem ,hecomesbackwit
h
nomcebo,weordercof
feesandpl
aywit
h
nomcebo.
Bandi
le;IshouldgoandaskThandoifNomcebo
canspendthenightandthent
ommr r
ow morning
wecangowi t
hthem t
othezoo
Me:Il
iket
hesoundoft
hat,
yougoandaskher
Hegoesoverwit
hNomceboonhi sar
ms, he
comesbackwi
thoutherandl
ooki
ngpissed
Me:andwhatdi
dshesay?
Bandi
le:shesai
dnot
oherspendi
ngt
heni
ght.
Me:Iwi
llgoandt
ryspeakt
oher.
Bandi
le:babydoyout
hinkshewi
lll
ist
ent
oyou?
Me:
ther
eisnohar
mint
ryi
ng
Igetupandgot
othei
rtabl
e
Me:Queenmot
her,
Thando.
Queenmot
her:shef
inal
lynot
icedourexi
stence.
Thando:zoeywhatdoyouwant
?
Me:ThandoIwashopi
ngt
ospeakt
oyoui
npr
ivat
e
.
Thando:youcansaywhat
everyouwantt
osayin
herpresence,
Ineedawitnessi
ncasemywords
aretwist
ed.
Queenmother:youmightaswel
lsaywhatyou
wanttosayorfor
everhol
dyourpiececauseam
goi
ngnowher e.
Me:fine, Iwasjusther
etopleadmyhusband'
s
casepleaseletNomcebosleepoversowecango
tothezoowi thhertommorrow
Thando:Ihavepl
answi
thheral
ready
Me:pleasedot
heri
ghtthi
ngThando,don'
tletyour
hat
redformecomebetweenBandi
leandNomcebo.
Thando:andwhot
hehel
ldoyout
hinkyouar
eto
gi
vemeparent aladvi
ce?,ifyouwantt
oplay
doct
orphyi
lpleasedoi twi
thyourki
dsandleave
meandmyki dsal one.
Bandi
lerushesoverbecausehecoul
dseeThando
wasloosinghert
emper
Bandi
le:babyar
eyouokay?
Me:yesam f
ine,
Ijustwant
edwhatwasbestf
or
Nomcebo.
Thando:wantwhatisbestforkhwezi
andLiam
anddoyourselff
avourdarl
ingwalkawayfrom me
andBandi
le'
sbusi
nessandl eavet
heparent
ingt
o
meandBandilewhil
eatit.
Bandil
e:Thandohowdar
eyout
alkt
omywi
fel
ike
that?
Thando:what
ever,
Bar
bieoverher
eneedst
oknow
herpl
ace.
Bandi
le:babyf
orgetherl
et'
sgo.
Me:Thandoam sorr
yformeddli
nginyour
busi
ness,Ipromi
sefir
stthi
ngtommorrowmorning
am goi
ngtobuymyselfsomenewshoesthatwil
l
hel
pmewal
kawayf
rom yourbusi
ness.
Il
eaveBandi
lecomesaf
terme
Bandi
le:babyar
eyouf
ine?
Me:yesbaby,
don'
twor
ry,
nowhowaboutwego
home?
Bandi
le:doyouwantust
ost
artwor
kingonbaby
numberfour?
Me:ther
ewil
lbenobabynumberf
ourunt
ilt
he
t
winsareatl
eastf
if
teen.
Bandi
le:Iwi
llbeanol
dmanbythenandiwi
llbe
shoot
ingbl
anks(webothl
augh)
Wegeti nt
othecarandwegethome, wej ustspend
somet i
mewi ththet
wins,
theywerereal
lygrowing
fast,
Ican'tbeli
evet
heywil
lbeayearsoon.

Queenmot
her

Aft
erwehaveourcof
fee,
wedecidet
odoal it
tl
ebi
t
ofshoppi
ng,t
hedevi
lmustr
eal
lybetest
ingus
today,fr
om slayqueentocrazybi
tch,webump
i
nt oHazelandhertworats,i
fthi
sonegivesus
troubl
e,iwilldealwi
thhersi
nceThandodeal
twit
h
slayqueen
Thandojustst
oodt herel
ikeastatue,Ipul
lherarm
andshecomesbackt oearth,hazelj
ustgi
vesus
nastyst
ares,Idot hesame, wegetwhatwewer e
gett
ingandwel eave,Idri
veThandoandt hekids
home
It
akemyphoneandcal
lmybr
other,
whoanswer
s
mycal
lthi
sti
me
Nt
hando:Nomcebo
Me:Nt
handoIwantt
oseeyout
ommor
row pl
ease.
Nthando:am af
rai
dt ommorr
ow won'
tdo,
am
goingbacktothestate'
swi
thmyfami
ly
,Iwi
llbebackf
orgoodthoughaf
teramont
hwi
th
myfamil
ysowecantal
kaf t
ert
hat.
Me:youbet
tercomebackandcl
eanyourmess(I
hangup)
Ideci
det
odr
ivet
othehospi
talandvi
sitkhanyiand
mygrandbabies,If
indsphamandl
aandsihl
et her
e
,khanyiwasshockedtoseeme,whilesi
hlewas
happytoseeme,t
heywer esoti
nyandcut
e, Ican'
t
waitf
orthem t
ocomehomeandbenamed.
[
09/
30,
11:
15] :I
nser
t85

Ki
ngDl
ami
ni/Mphendul
o

Iwasbusywat chingtel
evisi
onwhenmyson
Bandilecamet omecompl ai
ningabouthowhi s
mot hertr
eatshi swifeandwheni ssheevergoi
ng
toaccepthi swi f
e,l i
keanyf atherwoulddo,Itol
d
himt oconcet r
ateonl ovi
nghi swifeandkids,t
he
restwillf
allint
opl ace,Idecidetogot oour
bedroom wher emywi feis
Me:myqueen
Nomcebo:baba
Me:canwet
alk?
Nomcebo:ofcour
semyki
ng
Webot
hsi
tdown
Me:don'tt
aket
hist
hewrongway,butwhydoyou
di
sli
kezoeysomuch?,whathast
hatpoorgi
rlever
donetoyou?
Nomcebo:thegi
rli
sfake,
shei sagol
ddiggerbaba
,doyouthi
nkshewouldbewithBandi
leifhedidn'
t
havet
heRoyalstat
usandallt
hebenef
it
st hatcame
wit
hbeingr
oyalt
y?
Me:soyout
hinkshei
saf
termoney?
Nomcebo:ar
en'
ttheyal
l?
Me:Igi
veup.
Iexitourbedr oom anddeci detogot omyof fi
ce,I
bookmysel fafli
ghttoUSA, mywi f
ehadj ust
givenmeani deaitwast i
met oseewhatwoul d
happeni fIwasnotar oundt oprot ectmyki ds, Icall
myl awyert omakedocument sgi vingnomat hemba
fullpowerofAt t
orney, Il
eaveever ythingtomyson
Mqobi(nomat hemba'sson), Ir emoveal lmyson' s
namesont hefami l
ytrust,arrangedf orthem not
tohaveaccesst oanyofmyf unds, giveever ythi
ng
toNomat hembaandourson, exceptf orthe
companythatisnowbei ngownedbyUnat hi,It
hen
makesuretheyjusthavewhattheyhaveintheir
account
swhi chwasntmuchbecauseal lt
hef amil
y
fundsar
einthetrustfundwhichIl
eftf
orMqobi.

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning

Iwakeupear l
yIwasr eall
yl uckytohavegot tena
fl
ightthatwasgoi ngoutt onight,Idecidetot el
lmy
wifetoinvit
eallmychi l
dren,t hei
rwi vesandt hei
r
kidssinceIwon'tbeseei ngt hem forawhi l
e, we
havebr eakf
astandit ellthem allthatam leavingfor
theUSA,t hetimefinal l
yar rai
vesf ormet oleave,
sphamandl adr i
vesmet ot heairport, af
terseveral
hoursonai rIf i
nall
yland, thedrivercomesand
picksmeup
,
Nomat
hembawasshockedt
oseeme
Nomat
hemba:babaiwasn'
texpect
ingyou.
Me:Iknow,
howi
sMqobi?
Nomat
hemba:hei
sgr
eat,
despi
teacoupl
eoff
ew
chal
lenges
Me:hewi
llbef
ine(isayasIgi
veherahugg)
Thehelpercomesandt akemybagsi nsi
de,Itakea
siti
nthelivingr
oom ,
Itakealonglookatthe
document sIhadmyl awyerdr
aft,Ican'
tbel
ieve
am actuall
ydoingthi
s, Isi
gnthedocumentsand
thenIcallforNoma.
Noma:babayouseem di
stur
bedi
sever
ythi
ng
al
ri
ght
?
Me:no,
Ineedahugef
avourf
rom you?
Nomat
hemba:andwhati
sthatf
avourbaba?
Me:IwantyoutogobacktoSouthAfri
caandput
onyourbestact
ingski
ll
sandt
ellever
yonethatI
hadanacci
dentanddied
Nomat
hemba:what?,
nobabawhywoul
dIdot
hat?
Me:Nomcebosaidsomethi
ngt
hatgotmethinki
ng
,Iwantt
oseehowmyf amil
ywoul
dsurvi
veifI
werenotar
ound
Noma:myki ngtofakeyourowndeat
hthati
sabit
ext
rem andwhatdoIdowhent heywantt
oview
andbur
yyourbody?
Me:Ihadt
hattakencar
eof,youmydeardar
li
ng
wi
fehadmecremated,her
eisareashes
Noma:myki
ngNomcebowi
llhavemyassf
or
br
eakf
ast
Me:Nomcebodoesn'thaveadi
me, shedepends
onthetr
ustthatt
heent
ir
efamil
ydependson, Il
eft
ever
ythi
ngtoyouandMqobiandialsomade
Mqobimysuccessor
Noma:what?,no,
thatwomanwoul
ddef
inat
ely
ki
llmeandmysont
histi
me
Me:noshewon'
tam havi
ngsomeonekeepaneye
onher,
nowyougetupandgetreadyt
oleavei
na
weekst
ime,l
ookatitt
hisway
yougett
omakenomcebo'
sli
feal
ivi
nghel
l
Noma:t
hat
'si
fshedoesn'
tsendmet
ohel
lfi
rst
Me:shewon't,
Ipr
omise,
wecancal
lthi
sthe
r
etur
nofqueenNoma
A weekl
ater

Nomcebo

Ihadi nvi
tedmyson' sandthei
rwivesforbr
eakfast,
whent heguar dstel
lmequeenNomai satthegate
,Itel
lthem toopent hegat
eforher,wonderwhat
broughtherback, whenshegetsoutofthecarshe
wasdr essedinallbl
ackandevenhadondesi gner
sunglasses
Me:Nomawhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Noma:thati
sQueenNomat oyou,
Nomcebo,Sphamandl
a,Unat
hiandBandi
le
canwegeti
nsi
deandt
alkam af
rai
dIhavet
err
ibl
e
news(shewasnowcr
ying)
Me:whatisgoi
ngonNoma, t
ellusnow,
didyou
l
ooseyoursonorsomet
hing.
Noma:mysoni sfi
ne, st
rongandhealt
hythank
you(shelookedpissedwhenansweringabouther
son)butam afr
aidkingMphenduloisnomor e,he
di
edi
namot
orbi
keacci
dentaf
ewdaysago
Sphamandl
awaspi
ssed,
Ihaveneverseenhi
mli
ke
that
Sphamandla:(hewasgrabbi
ngNomabyher
cl
othes)andyouareonl
ytell
ingusnow?,whatt
he
hel
ldidyoudotomyfather?,answerme,
answer
medamni t.
Nothiscan'
tbe,Isuddenlyf
eltthishotai
r,I
coul
dn'tbr
eath,
Iwasdi zzy,Ifaint
IwakeupandIwassur
roundedbyever
yone
Me:pl
easetel
lmeMphendul
oisst
il
lal
iveandt
his
wasj
ustonebaddr
eam
Bandi
le(
'cr
ying)hei
sgonemom ,
dadi
sgone.
Me:whenar
etheybr
ingi
ngbackhi
sbody?,
Iwant
t
oseehim.
Noma:Ihadhi
m cr
emat
edIcoul
dn'
thandl
ethe
pai
n.
Me:youdidwhat?,howcoul
dyoubesosel
fi
sh,
youungr
atef
ull
it
tl
ewitch
Noma:t her eistheNomanceboiknow, Iknewshe
wassomewher eintherehidding,youthi
nkam
bei
ngselfishnow?, getr
eady, '
youhavenotseen
anythi
ng,t hisisjustthebeginni
ng, t
hisi
sthe
ret
urnofqueenNoma
Me:whatar
eyougoi
ngonabout?
Noma:youseemydar li
nghusbanddidn'twantme
andoursontosuff
er,helef
teverysingl
et hi
ngto
meandourson, healsomadesurehei sthenext
ki
ng,sincehei
sstil
lyoung,Iwil
ltakeoverunti
lhe
i
stwentyone.
Me:youar
ecrazyMphendul
owoul
dn'
tdothatt
o
meandourson'
s,hegr
oomedsphamandl
a
t
obet
henextki
ngf
rom t
hedayhewasbor
n
Noma:wel lnewsf
lash,
sphamandl
aisnott
henext
ki
ng,hereitisi
nbl
ackandwhit
e(shethr
ows
documentsatme)
Myson'
swer
eal
lshocked
Bandi
le:ma,t
hiscan'
tbe,thi
sdocumenthast
obe
fake,
dadwoul
dn'tdothi
stous.
Noma :goandhaveyourl
awyer
sandyourdad'
s
l
awyerl
ookatt
hedocuments
Sphamandl
a:t
hisi
sfarf
rom over,
youhearme
bi
tch?
Noma:herewego, wehavenowr esor
tedt
oname
cal
li
ng,sinceam i
nchargeam gi
vingyoual
ltwo
daystol
eavether
oyalpalace
Unat
hi:andwher
eint
hewor
ldar
ewesupposedt
o
go?
Noma:youar eal
lgrownupman, sofigureitout,
don'
tcareifyouareonthest
reetsoryougot ohell
,bythewayBandil
eyouar ef
iredeff
ective
i
mmi di
atel
y.
Bandi
le:
what?
Noma:youheardme, Iwoul
dlovetostayand
urguewit
hyouallday,butIhavealottodoasyou
cansee.
(sheleaves)
Sphamandla:maIhavet
wowi
vesandf
iveki
dst
o
takecareof,
howcandaddot
hist
omeandmy
brother
s?
Me:'
rel
axIwil
lgetal
awyert
ohaveal
ookatt
his,
t
hisi
snotoveryet
Unat
hi:i
nthemeant
imeIwil
lgetanest
ateagentt
o
fi
ndusahousewecanal
lli
vein
Bandi
le:goodt
hinki
ngIwi
llhel
pyouwi
tht
hat.
Myson'
sleave,howdareMohendul
odoest
hist
o
Me?, meofallpeopl
e.
[
09/
30,
11:
15] :I
nser
t86

Thando

Ihadacceptedt hef
actthatBandi
leloveszoeybutI
sti
lldidn'
twantheranywherenearmychi l
d, mom
anddadnowt r
ustedmewi ththegir
ls,Ihadthem
foraweek,Iwasbusywat chi
ngtv,Nandiphawas
takingcareoft
hegirl
s, whenmyphoner i
ngs, i
t
wasqueenmot her
Me:queenmot
her
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:Thandohowar
eyou?
Me:am goodandyouqueenmot
her?
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:notsogood,
canwe
meet?
Me:asi
nnow?
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:yesofcour
se
Me:wher
edoyouwantt
omeet?
Nomcebo/
queenmot
her:st
arbucks
Me:f
inegi
vemet
hir
tymi
nut
es(ihangup)
It
ellNandi
phaam goi
ngout,Ievent
uall
yarrai
veat
st
arbucks,If
indqueenmotherwait
ingforme, we
gr
eetandhugg
Nomcebo/queenmot her:t
hingsar
ebadatthe
r
oyalhouse,Mphendulohadanaccidentona
motorbi
keandhepassedon
Me:what?noma,
am sosor
ryf
oryourl
oss
Nomcebo/queenmot her:thecher
ryontopisthat
hedidn'
tleaveadimef ormeandourkids,heleft
everysi
nglethingandimeaneverysingl
ethi
ngt o
thatwit
chwi t
habr oom Nomathemba
Me:thekingwoul
dn'
tdot
hist
oyouandyourki
ds,
Idoubti
t.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:hedi
d,heevenmade
herst
upi
dsonhishei
r
Me:noma,IthoughtSi
phamandl
awasnexti
nli
ne
t
obeking?.
Nomcebo/queenmot
her:notanymor
e,Ineed
yourhel
p
Me:am al
lear
s
Nomcebo/ queenmot
her:Ineedt
womi
ll
ionr
ands
andaplacetostay
Me:( ichokeonthecoffeeIwasdr
inki
ng)am sor
ry
mabutIdon' thavethatki
ndofmoney,Itookmost
ofmymoneyandboughtmyhouseandasf or
stayi
ngwi t
hmeIdon' tthi
nkBabaandmamawi l
l
agree,notafterwhathappenedwi
thNthando.
Queenmother/Nomcebo:soyouareleavi
ngme
outi
nthecold,
aft
erever
ythi
ngIhavedoneforyou.
Me:andwhatexact
lyhaveyoudonef
orme?,al
l
youeverdi
dwastogetmyhopesuponlyf
ormeto
endupwi t
habr okenhear
t,am donewit
hthatl
if
e,
youhearme, am done,youandyourfamil
ycango
tohel
lforal
lIcare.
Iwasupset, Igetupandleave,Iwasbusyonmy
phonewhenIbumpi ntosomeoneandmyphone
fall
s, Il
ookupandi twasthemosthandsome
creatureever,IwaslovestruckItel
lyou,fuck
brokeBandi l
e, f
uckstupi
dNt handothiswasmy
man
Handsomeman:sosor
ryIwasn'
tlooki
ngwher
eI
wasgoing
Me:iwasntl
ooki
ngwher
eiwasgoi
ngei
ther
Hepi
cksupmyphone
Handsomeguy:guessIoweyouanewphone,
howaboutwegogetyouone?,am Gr
eggbythe
way.
Me:andam Thando,
youwantt
ogetmeanew
phoneasi
nnow?
Gr
egg:whynot
Wegot
otheshopsandhebuysmeaphonej
ust
l
iket
hat,
hegi
vesmehi
sbusi
nesscar
d
Iwasagirli
nlove,Ij
usthopeheisnotmarri
edl
ike
Nthandocauseam donechasi
ngaft
ermarr
iedman
.

Zoey

Lifeasweknowi twasaboutt ochange, my

husbandwasnowunempl oyed,Idon'tknowwher e
thissuddenbadluckwascommi ngfrom butitwas
bad, Unathiwasl
oosi
ngmaj orcli
ents,sphamandla
didn'
tevenknowwhattodoandt otopitallqueen
Nomawast hr
owi
ngusallout
Iwasbusypackingourbagswhenqueenmother,
Minni
e,khanyiandsi
hlecometomydoorstep
Si
hle:soyouhavest
art
edpacki
ngal
readyt
hat
wasfast.
Queenmother:Iknewitthi
sthingisl
eavi
ngmy
son,t
ypi
calgolddiggerbehavi
our
Me:whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout?
Sihl
e:shei
sjustst
ati
ngt
heobvious,
youar
e
packi
ngupandleavi
ngBandi
le
Me:andwhyintheworl
dwouldIl
eavemyhusband
?,ImadeavowbeforeGodandmanf orbet
terf
or
wor
seremember?
Queenmot
her:sowhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Khanyi:doyoual
lhatezoeyt
hatmuch?,i
t'
s
obviousshei
spacki
ngupbecauseweareal
lbei
ng
thr
ownoutofthepalace
Zoey:at
leastsomeoneot
hert
hanMi
nni
ehas
commonsense
Aswewer
esti
llbi
cker
ing,
Unat
hi,
Sphamandl
a,
Mpumi
eandBandil
ecome
Queenmother:di
dyoumanaget
ogetusadecent
houseat
least.
Unat
hi:i
tisnotexact
lyr
oyalst
andar
dsbuti
tisf
ine
,Idon'
tknowhowwear egoi
ngtodothi
s
Ei
ghtadul
tsanni
neki
dspl
usoneont
heway.
Mpumi
e:am j
ustgl
adam wi
thTr
ina
Sihl
e:whatever,
thereisnowayam l
ivi
ngina
crowededhouselikethatSpha,
makeaplanforme
andthekids
Spha:andhowi ntheworldam Isupposedtodo
that?,whenal
lthemoneyIhadwentt owar ds
buyingahousewit
hNat hiandAndil
e, st
opbeing
suchaspoil
edbratandpleaseacceptthatwe
noongeehavetheluvi
shlif
estyl
eyouar eused
Aswewer est
il
ltal
kingQueenNoma, don'
teven
knowwhyam calli
ngherthatcauseshei
sjust
hear
tl
ess,col
dandmean
QueenNoma:goodyouar
eal
lher
e
Queenmot
her:whati
sitt
hist
ime?
QueenNoma:Ijustwant
edt
omakesur
eyouar
eal
l
packedandr
eadytogo
Sphamandl
a:t
hisi
snotovernotbyal
ongshotam
goi
ngtogetal
awyer
QueenNoma:goahead, wast
ewhateverl
it
tle
moneyyouhaveonlawyer
s,myl awyer
swillbe
wait
ingt
ohearfr
om yourl
awyer
s.
Queenmot her:i
fyout
hinkam j
ustgoi
ngt oroll
overandplaydeadwhi
leyoutakeever
ythingthat
belongtomeandmyki dsyouhaveanotherthi
ng
commi ng.
QueenNoma:j ustfaceityouhavelostNomcebo,
thewor styoucandoi skil
lme,event hatwon'
tbea
solut
iont oyourprobl
em causeifIdi
eMqobi
i
nher i
tseveryt
hing,soifyouwer epl
anningon
kil
li
ngmebet t
ergobackt othedrawingboard.
Queenmot
her:whosai
danyt
hingaboutki
ll
ingyou
bi
tch?
QueenNoma:iknowyou,
youal
lbet
terbegoneby
t
ommor r
ow.
Unat
hi:don'
twor
rywewi
llbegone.
QueenNoma:good.(shel
eaves)
Me:Iguessyoual
lbet
tergetst
art
edwi
tht
he
packi
ng
Theyal
lleave,
itwasj ustme,Bandi
leandthe
twi
nswhower esleepi
ng, hehel
psmepackup
whatweneededandl eave,whatwedidn'
tneed
behi
nd.

Queenmot
her

Icouldn'tbel i
eveitwasThandowhohast urneher
backonme, whenineededhermost, Ihadnoi dea
whatIwasgoi ngtodoaboutNoma' ssudden
powert rip,Ihatet oadmiti
tbutthedamnbi tchi
s
ri
ght, eveni fiki
llherIwon'
tgetacent, Ihavet o
comeupwi thaqui cksol
uti
on, Iwillbedammedi fI
rolloverandpl aydeadwhi l
ethebj t
cht akes
everythingthatbel ongst
ome, Itakemyphoneand
callNthandowhogi vesmehalfami ll
ion,how
exactlywasIsupposedt osur
vivewi ththat? ,when
thereisoverf ivebill
ioni
nourfami l
yt rust,there
hast obeawayf ormet ogetmyhandsi nthat
money, Ijusthavet o.
Istar
tpacki
ngmycl othesandeveryt
hingIneed,I
fi
nishpacki
ngandgot obed,Ican'
tbeli
evethi
sis
goingtobemylastnightinmyownhouse, f
uck
youMphendulo,fuckyou.
Idon'
tevenknowhowImanagedt
ofal
lasl
eep.
[
09/
30,
11:
16] :I
nser
t86

Zoey

Todaywasmovi ngday, me, Bandil

eandt hetwins
wereinmycar, khanyiandthet r
iplet
swerewi t
h
queenmother,Mi nnieandUnat hiwer ewi
ththei
r
sonandKhanyi '
sf i
rstdaughter,sihlewaswith
Sphamandlaandt heirt
woki ds, wehadl oadedour
bel
ongingsi
nt woahuget r
ucks, wegett othenew
house,weallgetoutofourcar s, wegetintothe
house
Si
hle:yooht
alkaboutadowngr
ade.
Queenmot
her:howam Isupposedt
osur
vivei
na
dumpli
ket
his?.
Sphamandla:canwepl easejustbegr
eat
fult
o
havearoofoverourheadpl ease.
Mi
nni
e:Isecondt
hat
.
Si
hle:i
t'
sobvi
ousqueenmot herget
sthebestr
oom
,sowhogetsthesecondbestbedroom?
Sphamandla:Thereisacot t
age,khanyiandthe
kidswil
lbeusingthecott
age,mot herwil
lhave
themasterbedroom ,
therestofyoucanSor t
yoursel
vesout.
Sihl
e:It
hinkIshoul
dbet
hef
ir
stonet
opi
ckupt
he
room
queenmotherandkhanyiwer
esort
edsothey
remai
nedinthel
ivi
ngr
oom wit
hthekids,
whil
ewe
goandcheckoutther
ooms
Sphamandl
a:andher
eisbedr
oom numbert
wo
Si
hle:thi
sroom i
ssosmal
lisnotevenhal
fofmy
cl
osetSphamandla
Minnie:wil
lyoupleasestopcompl
ainingabout
everyfr
eaki
ngthing,i t
'ssoannoyi
ngandi t'
s
gett
ingonmydamnner versandiwilltaket
he
damnr oom
Sphamandl
a:okaythen,Iguessi
tisset
tl
ed,
bedr
oom twobelongst
oMi nni
e
Wegot
othenextbedr
oom
Sphamandl
a:andher
eisbedr
oom numbert
hree
Sihl
e:r
eal
lySphamandl
a?,
myol
dcl
osetwas
bett
ert
hanthi
s
Me:f
ineBandi
leandiwi
llt
aket
her
oom
Wet henproceedtot
hefour
thbedr
oom ,
whi
chI
guesssihl
eisgoingtobeusi
ng
Sphamandl
a:andher
eist
hef
our
thbedr
oom
Isobadl
ywant
edtolaughbutIhadt
ocompose
mysel
fwhil
eMinni
elaughsherassof
f
Sihl
e:i sthi
ssomeki ndofaj oke?,whyshouldI
getthesmallestroom spha?, al
it
tl
eheadsup
Woul dhavebeenhelpfulSphanowam st uckwit
h
thi
sroom andyouknow am cl ust
erphobi
cSpha,
zoeyandiwi l
lhavetoswitchroomssinceshegot
agoodr oom
Bandi
le:t
hat'
sit,am soti
redofyouratt
it
ude,zoey
andiwil
ldonosuchthing,youcangot ohel
lforal
l
Icar
e,sphabropl
easedot el
lthissl
ayqueenof
your
sthatl
if
edoesn'
trevol
vear oundher
Andli
ket
hathewasgone,
Iguesshehadgonet
o
ourr
oom
Themovingcompanybri
ngsourluggagesinsi
de
thehouse,Ist
artt
aki
ng,outbagstoourroom ,I
fi
ndbandil
esit
ti
ngonthever
geofthebed
Bandil
e:Iwouldn'
tblameyoui fyouwantedt o
l
eave, t
hisi
snotani dealsi
tuat
ionZoey, Ihave
l
ostalmosteveryt
hing,Ihavefail
edyouandihave
fai
ledourki
ds.
Me:Bandi l
eIdon' tcareaboutmat erialthi
ngs, I
havebeenspoi l
edbydad, mom , Anthonyandyou
tolastmeal i
feti
me(Isaysi t
ti
ngbesi dehim)
besidesnoconditionispermanent, am sureitis
j
ustamat terofti
mebef orewegetbackonourf eet
andt hef
actthatwear esti
lltogetherafteral
lthe
stormsthatcameourway, meansourl oveforeach
otherwil
lseeust hrough
Bandi
le:howar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
hisZoey?
Me:wel
lwedon'tneedt
hreecar
s,am sur
ewecan
sel
lmycarandt
heAudiA6
Bandi
le:nozoey,
wecan'
tsel
lyourgi
ft,
thatwasa
gi
ftf
rom me.
Me:Ii
nsi
sts,
thatwayyouwi
llowemeacar
Bandi
le:f
ineIWi
llsel
lthoset
wocar
s.
Me:goodnowcheerup, causeam notgoing
anywher
eandidon'
tcareifweendupont he
str
eet
sBandi
le,
whereveryougo,Igot i
lldeathdo
i
spart.
Bandi
le:t
hankyoumylovef
orbei
ngt
hest
rong
womant hatyouar
e.
Wegodownst
airwher
eever
yonewas
Queenmother:nowt
hatever
yonei
sher
ewecan
t
alkchor
es
Si
hle:am notdoinglaundr
y,cooki
ngordoi
ngt
he
di
shes,Iwil
lcleanthough
Mi
nni
e:f
ine,
Iwi
lldot
hedi
shes
Khanyi:Zoeyandiwi
llbei
nchar
geofcooki
ng
Queenmother:IguessIwi
lldol
aundr
y,sphacan
youpl
easegetBell
atocomeandhelpoutwhenshe
anotatt
heroyalhouse.
Spha:f
ineIwi
llseewhatt
odo
Queenmother:IguesskhanyiandZoeybet
terget
st
artedont
hedinner
Khanyiandigetstar
tedondi
nner,
whi
leot
her
s
wherebusypacking.

Bandi
le

ThankGodIhavemywi f
ebymyside,
Sphamandl
a
,Unathiandiwer
esi
tt
ingout
side
Sphamandl
a:sogentleman,howisever
ything
going?,
apartf
rom sihl
ebei
nganabsolutepainin
theass,
am fi
ne,khanyii
sbeingacompleteangel.
Unathi:Minni
eishandli
ngever
ythi
ngli
keaprobro,
soallIhavetodoistofi
ndawayt ogetmycl
ient
s
backandwewi llbegood.
Me:meanwhil
eZoeyisbeingmysuperwoman
now,am i
mpressed,shedefi
natel
yhasgrown,
sheevenof
fer
edtosel
lthecarIboughtf
orher
wedi
dn'
tseemom appr
oachi
ng
Mom :oohmyGodshedi
dwhat?
Me:yesmom wear esell
ingzoey'
scarandthe
AudiA6,Wewanttost ar
talegacyforLwazi,
KhweziandNomcebo
Mom :it
'scl
eart
hetwoofyouhavegonenut
s,
anywayletmemindmyownbusiness
Mom l
eaves
Sphamandl
a:youar
eoneluckydude,si
hlewil
l
def
inat
elyki
llmei
fIweretobringupsell
ingher
car
Me:don'
twor
rybr
oever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine
Unat
hi:Ineedsomedamnalcohol,
wannagoto
t
hepalaceandgetsomeofdad'
sexpensi
vewhi
sky?
Sphamandl a:Idon'
tthinkthatwit
chNomat hemba
orwhatevertheycal
lher ,wil
levenletusanywher
e
neartheroyalpal
ace, soiguessweonl yhaveour
whiskytodrink
Unat
hi:f
ineIwi
llgoandgett
hewhi
skey
Hegoesandgettheal
cohol,hecomesbackwe
dri
nkwhi
lewetryandfi
gureoutawaytogetoutof
thi
smess.

Thando

Ikindafel
tguil
tyaboutwhatIdidt
oqueenmot her
butitwasnecessarytocutal
lti
eswitht
hatwoman,
thatwomani snothi
ngbutpoison,Iwasst
il
llosti
n
myownt hought
swhenGr eggcall
s
Gr
egg:hel
lowbeaut
if
ul,
howar
eyou
Me:( wi
thahugesmi
leonmyf
ace)f
lut
ter
ywi
llnot
getyouanywher
ewit
hmeMr
Gr
egg:andiwant
edt
oaskyouout.
Me:fi
ne,Imightjustsayyesi
fyouaskni
cel
y,I
saybi
tt
ingmylowerli
p.
Gr
egg:f
ine,
wil
lbet
her
eatei
ghtt
opi
ckyouup
Me:heeyyouarecheat
ingIdon'
trememberyou
aski
ngmeoutormesayingyes
Gr
egg:
eighto'
cl
ocki
tis.
Me:amanwhoknowswhathewant sandisnot
afr
aidtogooutandgeti
t,i
samanaf
termyown
heart
Gr
egg:seeyouatei
ghtt
hen.
Me:can'
twai
t.
Hehangsup,Ii
mmediat
elytothesal
ont
ogoand
getmyhai
r,Nai
lsandmakeupdone
Iwasoncloudnine,i
twasfi
nall
ymyt ur
nt obe
happyandiint
endedonenj
oyingever
ymi nut
eofi
t.
[
09/
30,
11:
16] :I
nser
t87

Zoey

Ihadtowakeupear lysi
nce,khanyiandiwereon
breakfastdut
y,Igot othebathr
oom andt otakea
shower,t hewat erwassodamncol d, Ican'
t
beli
evesihlefi
nishedhotwater,whot akesa
showerforanent ir
erhour?Andwher ewasshe
goingtothi
sear
lyanyway,Ifi
nishmycoldshower,
l
otionandgetdr
essed,Igodownst ai
rswhere
khanyiwaswait
ingforme,westartwit
hbreak
fast,aft
erwearedone,IgoandwakeBandi l
eup
Bandi
le:babycomet
obedpl
ease
Me:noBandi le,getupsoyoucantakeashower
befor
et heyfi
nishhotwat
erandsomeoneoccupi
es
thebathroom
Bandi
le:fi
ne,damnImi ssmyhouse,amancan'
t
evengethi
smor ninggl
oryinthi
sdamnpl
ace(he
ki
ckstheblanket
sandheget sup)
Me:am sur
eacol
dshowerwi
llmakesur
eyouar
e
f
ine
Igodownst ai
rs,queenmot herhadherown
bathroom ,
soshewasr eadyandalldol
ledup,
khanyiandSphamandl atookashoweratt he
cottage,Bandilewastakingashowersoi twas
nowj ustMinnieandUnathi
Ever
yoneeventual
lymakesi
tdownst
air
s,wehave
ourbreakf
ast
Queenmother:soever
yonewhatar
eyourpl
ans
fort
heday?
Sphamandl
a:Bandi
le,
Unathiandiar
egoi
ngt
o
meetupwit
hdad'sl
awyer
Khanyi:Iwi
llbeher
elooki
ngaf
tert
het
ri
plet
s
Sihle:si
nceIcan'
tgoshoppi
ng,
Iwi
llbej
usther
e
doingnothi
ngasusual
Minni
e:Ialsodon'thavepl
ans,Isubmit
ted
sever
alappli
cat
ionsf oraj
ob,hopeful
lyIwil
lget
onesoon
Me:Minni
ecanyoupl
easel
ookaft
erLwaziand
Khweziam goi
ngt
omeetupwit
hmybr ot
her.
Queenmot
her:soyoucanaskhi
mtohel
pyougo
home?
Bandi
le:mot
hert
hati
scol
d,canyoupl
easel
etmy
wif
ebe?
Queenmot
her:f
ine,
Iwi
lll
etyourpr
eci
ouswi
febe.
Mi
nni
e:i
t'
sfi
neZoeyIwi
lll
ookaf
tert
het
wins.
Me:t
hankyou,
nowi
fyouwi
llexcuseMeIhavet
o
go
Iki
ssBandileonthechickandil
eave,
mycarwas
notsoldyetsoIgeti
ntomycaranddri
vet
o
Anthony'
s offi
ce
Igett
her
ehi
sP.
Alet
'smei
n
Me:heeydweeb
Ant
hony:dumbhead
Heget
supandgi
vesmeahugg
Me:mi
ssmet
hatmuch?
Anthony:youhavenoidea,Br
it
ti
nyandial
most
gotmarri
edwit
houtyou,youknow.
Me:thankGodorIwoul
dhaveski
nnedyoual
ive
dweeb
Ant
hony:sohowar
eyou?
Me:am goodbutnotsogood,t
hingsarebad
Ant
hony,myhusband'sf
amilyl
ostever
ythi
ngto
t
hesecondwif
e(isaycryi
ng)
Ant
hony:cal
m downandexpai
never
ythi
ngt
ome.
Me:ki ngMphendul ogotinvol
vedinamotorbike
accident, hi
swifenomathembahadhi m
cremat ed, appar
entl
yhel ef
tever
ythi
ng toher
andt heirson,sowehavenot hi
ng,am notaski
ng
forahandoutoranyt hingbutIneedajobAnthony
Anthony:dadi
sgoi
ngt
ofr
eakoutanddemand
youcomehome
Me:pleasedon'
tsayawor
dtohi
m ,sor
egar
ding
t
hejob?
Anthony:well,youarei
nluckourr
ecepti
onistj
ust
resi
gnedtoday,Idon'
tknowift
hatj
obwi l
lbegood
enoughforyou,butthati
swhatisavai
labl
eatthe
moment
Me:begger scan'tbechooser
s,t hankyouso
muchAnt honyandbyt hewaywear esel
li
ngmy
carandtheAudiA6andnohedi dn'tfor
cemeor
suggestt
hat,i twasmyi dea,Ineedt omymake
suremybabi esfutur
eisgood.
Anthony:l ookatyoudumbhead, allgr
ownup(he
fakescryi
ng)am onepr ouddad(hesayswi ping
hisfaketears)nowbackt oser
iousbusinessyou
cancomeandsignthecont
ractt
ommor r
ow wi
th
HR andonceyourcari
ssol
dIcanborrowyoumy
pol
oTSIsincei
twasyourbabyanyway
Me:r
eal
ly?,t
hankyoudweeb.
Ant
hony:yourwel
come,
sodoyouhaveany
money?.
Me:IhaveR30t
omynameAnt
hony.
Anthonytransf
ersfivethousandi
ntomyaccount
,i
thankhim andileave,IknowIwon'tbepai
dmuch
butiti
sagoodst ar
t.
IgohomeandIcheckonmybabieswhowere
busypl
ayingwit
houtacar
eint
heworl
d, Iwi
shI
wasakidagai
n
Khanyicomes,weperepar
elunchf
orqueenmother
andisl adi
es,
sinceBandi
le,
sphaandNathiwher
e
notaround
Wewer
ebusyhavi
ngl
unch
Si
hlec:soIhear
dyouar
esel
li
ngyourcar?
Me:yesIam ,
Ial
sogotaj
obasar
ecept
ioni
stat
mybrot
her'
scompany
Sihl
e:goodf
oryou,Iwil
lwai
tforsi
phamndl
atof
ix
thi
smessandam notsel
li
ngmycar
Queenmot
her:soyouwer
egoi
ngt
olookf
oraj
ob?
Me:yesqueenmot
her.
Queenmother:andwhodoyout
hinkwi
lll
ookaf
ter
t
hetwins.
Me:don'tworryaboutt
hem,Iwilldr
opt
hem ata
daycarecenterordr
opthem athomeandsi
sflo
wil
llookaf
terthem
Queenmother:Iseeyouhavet
houghtof
ever
ythi
ng,howar eyougoi
ngt
odot hatsi
nceyou
aresel
li
ngyourcar?
Me:act
uall
ymybr ot
heroff
eredmehisot
hercar
pol
oTSIunti
llIgetbackonmyfeet.
Queenmot
her:Isee
Si
hle:t
alkaboutadowngr
ade.
Khanyi:j
usti
gnor
esihle,Iwi
shmytr
ippl
etswere
al
lgrown,soIcanlookforaj
oborworkonopeni
ng
myveryownlawfir
m
Me:don'
tworr
ytheywi
llgr
owupbefor
eyouknow
i
t,t
henyoucanworkonopeni
ngalawfir
m gi
rl
Khanyi:t
hankyou
Mi
nni
e:Ihavet
woi nt
ervi
ewsl
inedupso,
IguessI
mi
ghtf
indsomet
hing
Queenmother:Ihaveani
mpor
tantmeet
ingwi
th
anoldf
ri
end
Me:goodl
uck.
Queenmot
her:t
hankyou
Wefini
shupourlunchqueenmot herl
eaves,si
hle
goestoherroom ,Minnie,khanyiandideci
deto
somegirlgett
ogetheratthecott
agewithoutki
ds

Bandi
le

Unathi,
Sphamandlaandimadeourwayt odad's
l
awyer '
soffi
ce,hi
sP.Atel
lustowaitf
orhi mfor
aboutanhoursincehehadameet i
ng,afterabout
twohour sofwai
ti
ng,hefi
nall
ylet
'susin
Dad'slawyer:Gent
leman,
towhatdoiowet
his
vi
sit?
Sphamandla:am sur
emyst
epmot
hert
oldyouwas
hadpassedon.
Dad'
slawyer:yesshedi
dandmycondol
encest
o
t
hefamily
Sphamadl
a:t
hankyou
Dad'
slawyer:nowhowcanIbeofhel
ptoyou?
Me:wej ustwantt
over
if
yift
hisi
sal
egi
t
document
Dad'
slawyer:thatdocumenti
slegit,Idr
aftedi
t
mysel
f,iti
sasi fheknewhetimewasl i
mited,
bl
esshissoulandmayher estinpeace.
Sphamandla:dadwoul dn'tdothi
stous,yeshe
hadthedocumentdr aft
edbuthowar ewesureheis
theonewhosi gnedthisdamndocument,Ineeda
handwrit
ingexpectandam st il
lgoingt
ochall
enge
thi
s,therear
ef undsinthattr
ustfundmybrot
hers
andiworkedhar dtosecure
Dad'
slawyer:don'
twast
eyourt
imeandf
unds,
I
canassur
eyouyourdadsi
gnedt
hatdocument.
Unathi:andhowt
hef
uckar
ewesupposedt
o
sur
vive?
Dad'
slawyer:Isuggestthethreeofyouget
what
everfi
ndsyoucanandst artaf
reshandyou
Unat
hihir
eyourbrotherstohelpturnyourcompany
ar
ound
Wewer
est
il
lbusyt
alki
ngwhenNomat
hembawal
ks
i
n
Sphamandla:(hewaspi
ssed)andwhati
sthi
s
wit
chdoingher
e
Dad'sl
awyer:sheisnowmycli
ent,
nowifyouwil
l
excuseus,wewillbewai
ti
ngt
ohearfr
om your
l
awyer.
Mybrot
her
sandigetupandwel
eave,
wedr
ive
home
Wegethome,Igostr
aightt
omyr oom ,If
indmy
wi
feput
ti
ngtoget
heracoupleofoutf
it
s
Me:babyandwhatdoyouneedt
hosef
or?
Zoey:oohIt
houghtIwi
llshar
ethenewswi
thyou
l
ater,
Igotajobasarecept
ioni
statAnthony'
s
company,Iknowi
t'
snotmuchbuti t
'sagoodstar
t
Me:am happyforyou,sphaandiaregoi
ngto
wor
kforUnathiandgettotur
nhiscompanyar
ound
Zoey:t
hati
sgoodandhowdi
ditgowi
tht
he
l
awyer?
Me:appr
entl
ythedocumenti
sreal,
washashi
s
l
awyerdr
afti
t.
Zoey:am sor
rytohearthat,
pleasef
indbuyer
sfor
thosecar
sandsoonplease.
Me:dontwor
rybabyiwi
ll.
sheleavesandigoonl
inet
ocheckf
orpossi
ble
cl
ienonmyl aptop

Queenmot
her/Nomcebo

Aft
erlunchwit
htheladies,i
goandmeetupwit
h
anoldfri
endofmine,thewomanwasloaded
Me:Jane,
mar
yjaneSi
xwal
e
Jane:Nomcebo,queenNomceboDl
ami
ni(she
saysgi
vingmeahugg).
Wesitdownandor
derf
ood,
Iwasn'
thungr
ybuti
eatanyway.
Jane:Ihaven'
thear
dfr
om yousi
ncewel
eft
col
lege
Me:Iknow,
Ihavebeenabadf
ri
end,aver
ybad
f
ri
endandam sor
ry.
Jane:i
t'
sfi
ne
Me:Janeineedyourhel
pam indeept
roubl
e,am
br
oke,l
ongstorydon'
tevenask.
Jane:Icangiveyoutwomil
li
on,
allyouhavet
odo
i
ssmuggl esomethi
ngforme.
Me:Ihaveneverdonet
hatbef
oreandwhati
sIget
caught?.
Jane:fi
ne, iwi
llmakeitgi
vemi ll
ionsi
nceiti
s
i
llegal,t
wopointfivemil
li
onupondepar tureand
twopointfi
vemi l
li
onondeliver
y
Me:wehaveadealandt hi
sisaonceof
fthi
ng,
ifi
succeedam notdoi
ngi
tagain.
Jane:deal.
Me:byt
hewaywhatdoyouwantmet
osmuggl
e
i
n?
Jane:thebi
ggestdi
amondyouhaveeverseenand
am tr
usti
ngyoutodeli
verorwear
egoi
ngt ohavea
seri
ousprobl
em .
Me:andwher
eam igoi
ng?
Jane:Aust
ral
ia
Me:what?,haveyouseehowr
ightsecur
it
yisi
n
Aust
ral
ia?
j
ane:rel
axandst
opwat
chi
ngt
oomuchboar
der
pet
rol
.
Wef i
nishupandshetell
sme, shewil
lbeintouch,
asIwasabouttoleave,IbumpintoThandoandi
guesshernewman, sinceshewasalloverhi
m
Thando:queenmot
her?
Me:IguessI
tisjustqueensi
ncemysonwon'
tbe
t
heheirt
othethr
one
Thando:babyt
hisi
sNomcebo'
sgr
andmot
her,
queenNomceboDl
ami
niandmat
hisi
smy
boyfr
iendGr
egg
Greggext
endshi
shandf
orahandshakeWeshake
hands
Me:ni
cet
omeetyouGr
egg
Gr
egg:ni
cet
omeetyout
ooqueenNomcebo
Thando:sowhatbr
ingsyouher
ema?
Me:iwasmeet
ingoneofmyf
ewt
ruel
oyalf
ri
ends
Thando:(l
ooki
ngdown)isee.
Me:andIguessthetwoofyouar
enoadat
esoI
wi
lll
eaveyouyoungst
ert
oit.
Ileavethem andigotomycar,Icoul
dn'tstop
thinki
ngaboutthehugeri
skam abouttotake,but
am doingthi
sf ormykidsfuckMphenduloandhis
royalmoney.
[
09/
30,
11:
16] :I
nser
t88

Zoey
Todaywasmyf irstdayatwor k,Iwasner vousand
excitedatthesamet i
me, wokeuppr ettyearly,si
nce
Iwasonbr eakfastduty,Imakebr eakf
astf or
everyone,Igot ot hecottageandgett hetwins
ready, i
twashar dwor kbutitwasal lworthit,Ithen
goandgetr eady,bandil
ewasgoi ngt obel ooking
afterthetwinswhi lewemakeapl an,Igeti ntomy
cargett owor kont i
me
Anthonyget shisP.A toshowmet her opes,Iwas
sl
owlybutsur el
ygetti
ngt hehangoft hings,Iwas
st
il
lbusyl earninghowt ooperatetheswi t
chboar
d,
whent hiswellputtogetherrudelady, whoselooks
j
ustscr eam moneycomest ot hereception
Woman:Iwantt
oseeyourboss.
Me:
letmecheckf
oryoui
fhei
savai
labl
e.
Woman:doyouknowwhoIam? ,Iam JaneSexwal
e,
t
hebi
ggestcl
ientt
hiscompanyhas
Me:mam pl
easel
etmecal
lhi
m andf
indouti
fhei
s
f
reeatt
hemoment.
Jane:youbet
terdothatgi
rlcauseIdon'
thave
ti
menorthepati
encefort
hisshit
.
Iwasbusycal
li
ngAnt
hony'
sP.Awhenherphone
ri
ngs
Jane:am heretoseet
hisAnthonyguy,wonder
wherehegothi scl
uel
essbarbi
edoll,
thel
it
tl
ebit
ch
i
ssodamnl uckyam i
nagoodmoodcausemy
fr
iendhasagr eedt
osmugglethediamondforme
fr
om Austral
ia
Cal
ler:
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
Jane:sheissomedownandouthasbeen
desperat
eQueen,youmi
ghtknowher
,hernamei
s
NomceboDl amini
Iimmediat
elyhangupt
hephoneandremovemy
nametagwhichwaswri
ttenZoeyDl
amini
Jane:t
hebit
chknowshowdanger
ousAust
ral
ian
boderl
inei
s,butshei
swi
ll
ingt
otaket
heri
sk,
dumbassifyouaskme.
Cal
ler:
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
Jane:t
hecher
ryont
opi
sam gi
vingherf
ivemi
ll
ion
foradiamondworthhundredandt
wentymill
ion,
am gonnahavetocomeupwi t
haplanb,causeif
thebi
tchgetscaughtshei
sonherown.
Cal
ler:
..
..
..
..
..
Jane:yout
akeofi
t
Shehangsupandshecomest
owar
dsme
Jane:wel
lishef
ree?
Me:ma'
am
Jane:f
orgeti
thewi
llseeme,
am JaneSexwal
e
ShegoestowardsAnthony'
soff
ice, Igoaft
erher
tr
yingt
ostopher,youwouldthi
nkshewoul dli
sten
tome,butnosheburgesint
oAnt hony'sof
fi
ce
Me:Ant
honyam sor
ryIt
ri
edt
ost
opher
Ant
hony:i
t'
sokay,
youcangoback
IleaveAnthony'
soffice,
Iwasstil
ltr
yingtodi gest
thiswholethi
ng,howcanqueenmot herbeso
stupid?
,thi
sisanalltimelowevenforher, Ididn'
t
knowwhatIwasgoi ngt odobecauseifItellspha
andBandi l
etheyar
edef ini
tel
ygoingtoki
llher ,
guessam goi
ngtohavetowearmybiggi
rlpant
ies
andwarnherifshedoesn'
tli
stent
omesobeit.

Lat
ert
hatday

Itwasf i
nallyknockof ft i
me,di spit
esomef ew
rudepeopl ehereandt hereandt heoldhaggcal l
ed
JaneIwasf ineandl ookingf orwardtocomi ng
backt owor ktomor row, myfeetwer elit
eral
lynumb,
Igethome, Bandi
lehadhotwat erwi t
hfoam bath
andmassageoi lsr eadyf orme, Itakeaverylong
bath,godownst airst ostartonsupperwi thkhanyi,
everyoneexceptf orkhanyiwhowaswi ththekids
i
nt hecottagegat herar oundt hetable
Queenmother:nowt
hatmysonsar
eher
e,Ihave
somethi
ngtoshar
e
Gosh,
myheartwasbeat
ingf
astcauseIknewwhat
shewasaboutt
osay
Bandi
le:asl
ongasyouar
enotdyi
ngorsi
ckpl
ease
shar
e
Queenmother:wel
lam notsi
ckordyi
ng,butIwi
ll
beleavi
ngf
orAustr
ali
ainacoupleofdays
Spha:noma,
youcan'
tser
iousl
yleaveusatat
ime
l
iket
his
Queenmother:am doi
ngt
hisforourfami
ly,
besi
desIwil
lonl
ybegoneforacoupleofdays
Me:areyousureyoudon'
twantt
ocancel
yourt
ri
p,
j
ustunti
lthi
ngsgetbet
ter
Unat
hi:Iagreewi
thZoey,
canyouevenaf
for
dtogo
t
oAustral
ia?Unat
hi
Queenmother:am sur
eyouwil
lal
lbef
ine,
sphamandl
ahaskhanyiandsi
hle,
Unat
hihas
Minni
eandBandil
ehasyouZoey
Me:buti
twon'
tbet
hesameashavi
ngyouher
e
Sihl
e:ZoeywhydoIgett hef eel
ingyoudon' twant
queenmot hert
oleave?,i
fitisforthegoodoft he
famil
ylethergobesidesisnotl i
keNompumel l
o,
Bandil
e,SphaandUnat hiarekids,theyar
ef ull
grownadultswhocant akecar eofthemselves
Queenmot
her:t
hankyouSi
hle,
thenIguessi
tis
set
tl
edam l
eavi
ngi
nacoupl
eofdays
Me:Ij
usthaveabadf
eel
ingaboutt
hiswhol
etr
ip.
Queenmot
her:andsi
ncewhenar
eyouapr
ophet
?
Me:youknowwhat ?,
for
geti
t,j
usthopeyoudon'
t
r
egretyourdeci
sion
Queenmother:i
fyouhavesomet
hingt
osaysayi
t
Zoeyorshutup
Bandi
le:mot
herdon'
tyouspeakt
omywi
fel
iket
hat
pl
ease.
Queenmot
her:anddon'tyouuset
hatt
onewi
thme
andfi
neam sor
ryZoey.
Weal lkeepqui etandhaveoursupper ,Iwasso
ti
red,Ijustgot othecot t
ageandt uckthetwinsin,I
goandj oinBandileinbed,Ikeptturningand
tossi
ngt hewholeni ght,
Icouldntevenstopthinki
ng
aboutt hiswholequeenmot hermess, IguessIhave
totel
l her,justt
ocl earmyconscience, sheisevilI
knowbutIhavet ost opherf
orBandi l
e'ssake.

Thando
ThingsbetweenmeandGr eggweremovi ngquei t
soomthly,alt
houghIwasscar edbecausewewer e
movingtoof ast
,Iwasonehappywoman, althoughI
didn'
ttr
usthimf ul
ly,aft
erwhatNt handodidt ome,
Iwaslearningtoletgoandt rusthim,Iwasasl eep
whenmyphoner i
ngs,Il
ookatt hecall
erIDandi t
wasqueenmot her,whatthehelldoesshewant s?, I
j
ustignoreherCallsandIt hendecidetocallGregg
Gr
egg:heeybeaut
if
ul
Me:el
wMrbeaut
if
ul(
webot
hlaugh)
Gr
egg:Imi
ssyou,
howaboutweoutt
omor
row?
Me:howaboutyouf
ormal
lymeetmygi
rl
s?
Gregg:Iwouldlovet
hat
,howaboutwegot
othe
parkforapi
cnic?
Me:excel
lenti
dea,
Iwi
llgetever
ythi
ngr
eady.
Gr
egg:t
heni
tisadat
e.
Me:seeyout
omor
rowmyl
ove,
loveyou.
Me:Il
oveyout
oobaby.
Wehangup,
Iwasonehappywoman.
[
09/
30,
11:
16] :I
nser
t89

Zoey

Igetupandgoaboutmynor malrouti
ne,afteram
done,IcomeandwakeBandi leup,whosai dhehad
animpor t
antmeet ing,soIaskedmom i fsisFlocan
l
ookaf t
erthet wins,sot hetwinswer egoingt obe
i
nsisf l
o'scar etoday, wegodownst ai
rs,unathi
andsphamandl ahadlef tal
ready,khanyiwasi nthe
cott
agewi t
ht hekids,sihleapparentl
ylefttogovi si
t
herparentsfora" fewdays",Mi nniehadan
i
ntervi
ewsoshewasi nherr oom, prepari
ngf ort
hat,
Bandil
ejustgr absanappl eandt wobananasand
hewasout
Queenmot
her:Iguessi
tisj
ustyouandme
Me:
Iguessso
Ipul
lupachai
randsi
topposi
tequeenmot
her
Whoj
ustst
aresatme
Me:Idon'tgeti
t,whydoyouhat
emesomuch?
,whyhaboursomuchangerandresent
ment
towar
dssomeonewhodoesn' tevenhaveaFi
bre
ofhat
redinthem
Queenmother:l
et'
sjustagreeourr
elati
onshi
pis
j
ustoneofthoset
hingsthatcan'
tbefixed
Me:butcanyouat
leastagr
eet
obeci
vil
towar
ds
me?
Queenmother:am notpr
omi
singyouanyt
hingbut
Iwil
ltr
y.
Me:canwepl
easest
artoveronanewsl
ate
HI
,am Mel
okuhl
ezoeyWi
ll
iams,
wel
lDl
ami
ni
Iext
endmyhandt
oherf
orahandshake,
shedoes
shakemyhand
Queenmother:Andam queenNomceboDl
amini
Bandi
le'
smother,
LwaziandKhwezi
'
sgrandmother
Me:nowt hatwehavestar
tedonacleanslat
e, I
knowit
'sabsol
utel
ynoneofmybusinessbutcanI
tal
ktoyouaboutyourt
ri
ptoAustr
ali
a?.
Icoul
dtel
lshewasnowner vouscauseherhear
t
wasbeati
ngoutofherchestbutshemanagesto
keepcal
m.
Queenmot
her:whataboutmytri
ptoAustr
ali
a?,
am
goi
ngandnot
hingwillchangemymind.
Me:wel
lIwi
llt
ellyouanyway,
Iknowyouar
e
goi
ngt
osmuggleadi amond
Shewasshocked,
thel
ookonherf
acewas
pri
cel
ess
Queenmother:wher
ethehel
ldi
dyougett
hat
?,ar
e
youspyi
ngonme?.
Me:what
?Ofcoursenot,
yourf
ri
endJanewasat
mywor
kplaceyest
erday.
Queenmother:what
?Andshejustbl
urtoutt
hatam
goi
ngtosmuggleadiamond?
Me:wellnotexact
ly,shewastell
ingsomeoneshe
wasinagoodmoodbecause" herhasbeen
desper
atequeenfr
iend"hasagreedtosmugglea
di
amondf orher
.
Queenmot
her:noZoey,ar
eyousur
eyouar
e
sur
e?,Janewi
llneverdot
hatt
ome.
Me:don'tbesosureandf r
om whatshesai
dyour
servi
cesseem qui
etcheapfi
vemil
lionf
ora
Diamondworthhundredandtwentymil
li
on
Queenmot
her:what
?
Me:andshedi
dsayi
fyougetcaughtyouar
eon
yourown.
Queenmother
:soifIgotcaughtt
hebi
tchwas
goi
ngtol
etmer oti
njail
?
Me:yesofcourse,nowifyouwi
llexcusemeI
havetogogett
het wi
nsbefor
eIbecomel at
efor
work
Queenmot
her:Zoey whoel
seknowsaboutt
his?
.
Me:j
ustme,you,
Janeandwhoevershet
old
Queenmot
her:soyoudi
dn'
ttel
lBandi
le?
Me:doyout hi
nkwewoul dbehavi
ngt
his
conver
sat
ion,i
fBandi
leknew?
Queenmot
her:ofcour
senot,
thankyou.
Me:j
ustsor
tyourmessoutandpl
easej
ustmake
sur
eyourf
ri
enddoesn'tknowyougotal
lthi
s
i
nfor
mati
onfrom me.
Igetupandgotaket
hetwi
ns,Itaket
hem t
omycar
dropthem of
fatmypar
ent
'shouseandIdri
vet
o
work.

Queenmot
her

AfterthebombZoeydr oppedonmet hismorning,I

wasst il
ltryingt odi
gestthewholet
hing, cl
ear
ly
Zoeywast el
lingthetr
uthbecauseIforonedi dn'
t
tellasingl
el ivingsoul,
Iwillbesmuggl i
nga
diamond, butIwonderwhyshechoset osavemy
skin,Ihavenotexact l
ybeenbeenmot herinl
awof
theyear .
It
akemynumberandIdi
alJane'
snumber
,
sheagr
eest
omeetwi
thmeatar
est
aur
ant
Igetr
eadyt
ogoandmeetwi
tht
hebi
tch
,
Ifi
nal
lygett
other
est
aur
ant
Jane:mygoodf r
iend,howhaveyoubeen?
,ready
foryourl
it
tl
eadventur
einAustral
ia?
Me:yesiam r
eadyt
osmugglet
hedi
amond,
how
muchist
hediamondwor
thagai
n
Jane:(
shechokesonthecof
feeshewasdr
inki
ng)
i
t'
swortht
enmi l
li
on.
Me:andwhydoIhavetosmuggl
ethediamond
backi
ntot
hecount
ry,
whynotbri
ngiti
nlegal
ly?
Jane:iti
salotofwor
kandIdon'
thavet
imet
odo
al
lthatshi
t.
Me:soyouwoul
drat
herr
iskbei
ngar
rest
ed?
Jane:rel
axfri
endnoonei
sgoi
ngt
ogetar
rest
ed,I
haveyourback.
Me:youar
esof
ullofshi
t,youknowt
hat
?
Jane:excuseme?
,Iknowwearef
ri
endsbutdon'
t
youdareandImeandaret
alkt
omeinthatmanner
.
Me:am notandwi l
lnevereverbef
riendswi
tha
sarpentl
ikeyou,
youar eonedanger
oussnake,thi
s
hasbeendesparatequeen,haseverythi
ngyou
couldeverwantandwisht ohaveandam notas
dumbasyout hinkIam,Iknowt hedi
amondyou
wantmet osmuggleiniswort
hHundr edand
twentymi
lli
on,t
henexttimeyour unyourmouthof
f
makesuretherearen'
tanycamer as,t
hat'
sri
ghtI
havebeenkeepmyeyeonyou, youcheapgold
diggi
ngtr
ash.
Jane:heey,
whot hehel
ldoyouthinkyouare
tal
kingtomeinthatmanner
?,am JaneSexwale,
peopletr
embleatthemearmenti
onofmyname
bit
ch,youar
enothingbutdespar
atepathet
icol
d
hagg
Me:andam f i
newiththat,nowi fyoudarecome
aft
erme, Ihaverecordedourentir
econversati
on
andIhavesenti tt
osomeoneyouwi l
lneverknow
tohandtomyl awyer,i
fanyt
hinghappenst omeor
anymemberofmyf amilybereadyfor
consequences,
her
eispr
oof
Isendhert
her
ecor
dingandshewasshocked
Me:nowifyouwi
llexcuseme,
thi
squeenwi
ll
gr
acef
ull
ybowout
Ileavether
est
aurantwi t
hmyheadhel duphi gh
anddr i
vest
rai
ghthome, thankGod,Zoeyst opped
mei nti
me,guessitsbackt othedrawingboard,I
guessIcouldstartoffbysel l
ingsomeofmy
expensivej
ewel
ryIdon'tneedandgi vethemoney
tomysonst okeeptheirbusinessafl
oat.

Thando

GreggandIhadt akenmygir
lst
othepark,
itwas
amazing,hewasamazi ngwi
thmykidsandhehas
actual
lyaccept
edmef orme
Thetwinswer
ebusypl
ayi
ng,
itwasj
ustmeand
Gregg
Gregg:youknowam f
all
ingi
nlovewi
thyoudayby
day
Me:(wi
thahugesmi
leonmyf
ace)t
hef
eel
ingi
s
mut
ualMrModise
Gr
egg:howwoul
dyouf
eel
ifIwer
etosaymar
ry
me.
Me:youar
enotact
ual
lyser
iousar
eyou?
Gregg:Ihaveneverbeenmor
eseri
ousinmyli
fe,I
wanttomarryyouandmovewi t
hyouandthegi
rl
s
t
oCanada.
Me:woow,butIhavetotal
ktomyparent
sfir
st
movingtoCanadaisahugedealandal
sothegi
rl
s
f
athers.
Gr
egg:j
ustt
hinkabouti
t.
Me:Idef
init
elywi
llandyoudoknowIcan'
tgi
ve
youki
dsr
ight?
Gr
egg:
:IknowMaddi sonandt
hegi
rl
sar
eal
lthe
Ki
dswewi l
leverneed.
Me:youdef
ini
tel
yhavegi
venmeal
ott
othi
nkabout
Gr
egg:t
akeyourpr
eci
oust
ime.
Me:nopr
essur
eri
ght
?
Gr
egg:nopr
essur
e
Wepackupeveryt
hing,
thegir
lsweregoi
ngbackt
o
myparent
shousetomorr
ow ,soiwil
ldef
ini
tel
y
havet
heti
meandspacet ot
hinkaboutGr
egg's
pr
oposal
.
[
09/
30,
11:
17] :I
nser
t90

Bandi
le

Ihadal atemeeti
ngtodaywi t
haver yimpor tant
cl
ientandt ommorrowIwasmeet ingupwi th
potenti
albuyersformycar swhileSphamandl a
andUnat hihadearl
ymeetingswithot herpotential
cl
ients,soIknewt heyhadleftal
ready,Ist i
llgot
upandhel pedZoeywithgetti
ngthet winsr eady, I
decidetoplaywiththetwi
nsf orafewmi nutes
whileZoeygetsready,shecallsmet of i
nall
ysay,
sheisdone
Iwasgoi ngbacktothemai nhouse,wit
hdiva
(khwezi)onmyar m, whenIseemom andZoeyin
theki
tchentogether,Iwasreadyforwar,whenI
noti
ce, somethi
ngst range,t
heywerelaughi
ngand
havi
ngacupoft eatogether
mom :youshoul
dhaveseent
hel
ookont
hebi
tch'
s
f
ace
Zoey(l
aughi
ng)MaIhopeyoudi
dn'
tment
ionmy
name.
Mom :ofcour
seIdi
dn'
t.
Icoughsot
heycannot
icet
hatam i
nther
oom
Me:someonepl
easet
ellmet hi
sisadream andi
havet
owakeuporhascallf
inal
lyf
rozeover?
Mom :ofcour
sehel
lhasnotf
rozeover,
whydoyou
sayt
hatson?.
Me:causeyouofal
lpeopl
emaaresi
tt
ingwi
th
Zoeyhavi
ngalaughandshar
ingt
ea.
Mom:t hi
ngschangeson,peoplechange,seasons
changeallt
heti
me, nowmovingon, Ireal
isedZoey
wasright,youguysneedme, soIhavecancelled
myt ri
ptoAustr
ali
a.
It
ouchherf
orehead
Mom :whati
swr
ongwi
thyou?
Me:Ijustwanttomakesur eyouar
efi
ne,you
don'
thavefeveroranyt
hinganditi
syout
alki
ng
Mom :st
opitBandi
leam f
ineandyesiti
sme
t
alki
ng,IknowIhavebeenat er
ri
blemotheri
nlaw
t
oZoeyandam tryi
ngtofi
xthat
Me:Iseeandyoumadam bett
ergetyourbagand
Lwazicauseyoudon'
twantt
obelateforwork
Zoeyget
supandgoestothecot
tageandcomes
backwit
hLwazi,
shetakesherbag
Mom :Bandil
e,tel
lyourbr
other
sIwantt
otal
ktoal
l
ofyoutonight
Me:mai
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Mom :yest
her
eisnot
hingt
owor
ryabout
Me:mom ar
eyousur
e?
Mom :yesBandi
leam sur
e,nowgo
Ihel
pZoeygett het
winsinmycar, sheget
sin,we
dropt
hetwinsatherparent
'shouse,Idr
opheroff
atwork,IproceedtowhereIwouldbehavi
ngmy
meeti
ngwithmycl i
ent

Zoey
Iwashavi
ngagooddayatwork,unt
il
lmydad
DamienWil
li
amsshowsup,looki
ngallangr
y
Dad:youAnt
hony'
sof
fi
cer
ightnow.
Me:dadi
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Dad:youknowIdon'
tli
ket
alki
ngt
oomuch,
just
fol
lowme
Idoasdadsays,
Ifol
lowhi
mtoAnt
hony'
sof
fi
ce
Dad:sowhendi dyouplanontel
li
ngmethatyour
husbandisbrokeandyouareafr
eaki
ng
recept
ioni
st?
Me:ooht hat,
don'
tworr
yBandi
leandihave
ever
ythi
ngundercont
rol
Dad:noyoudon'
tZoey,gopackyourbags,
you
andt
hetwinsarecomi
nghome.
Me:andwhathappenst
omyhusband?
Dad:Irememberbr i
ngi
ngonesonandoneson
onl
yintothi
searthsomyprior
it
ynowisyou,your
Mom ,yourbrot
herandyourki
ds.
Me:dadam sor
rybutt
hisisj
ustt
heonet
imeIwill
havet
odi
sobeyyou,am notl
eavi
ngmyhusband
andcomi
nghome
Dad:(pi
ssed)f
inesui
tyour
sel
f
Dadl
eaves,
itwasnowj
ustmeandAnt
hony
Ant
hony:dumbhead,
areyouf
ine?
Me:Iwi
llbef
inedweeb,
nowl
etmegetbackt
o
wor
k
Igetupandgetbacktomypost,Iworkunti
lli
t
wasknockofft
ime, ir
equestf
oranubertotake
mehome
Igethome,khanyiwasr
esti
ng,minnewasal
so
sl
eeping,
Ifi
ndqueenmotherint
hekit
chen
Queenmot
her:hel
loZoeycanwehaveat
alk?
Me:aslongasi
snotafi
ght,am noti
nthemood
f
orafi
ghtnotaf
tert
hedayIhavehad
Queenmot
her:ar
eyouf
ine?
Me:yes i
t'
sjustdadwantedmeandthetwi
nsto
movebackhome, Ir
efusedsowear
ekindaofnot
i
nagoodpl
acer
ightnow.
Queenmot
her:your
eal
lymustl
oveBandi
le
Me:yesIdoma, Bandi
leandihavebeenthr
ougha
l
otbutourl
ovef
oreachotherwasusthrough
Queenmother:Iwant
edustotal
k,Ihavebeena
horr
ibl
ehumanbeingtoyouandam sosorryf
or
ever
ythi
ngZoey
Zoey:i
t'
sfi
nema,
it'
swat
erundert
hebr
idge.
Queenmot
her:noit'
snotf
ineZoey,noone
deser
vest
obetreat
edthewayItr
eat
edyou.
Me:mar
eal
lyi
t'
sfi
ne,
Ihavel
etgoofever
ythi
ng.
Queenmot her:youtrul
yareonespecialhuman
bei
ngZoeyDl amini
,yousavedmeaf tereveryt
hing
Idi
dtoyou, youtrul
yhaveonespeci alheartand
don'
tletanyonechangethat
Me:t
hankyouma
Queenmother:nowt oshowthatIhaveaccept
ed
youasadlaminibri
de,letmegiveyouahugg, so
wecantr
ulystartonacleansl
ate
Igetupandwehugg,
whichr
eal
lyf
eltst
rangeand
awkwardatt
hesamet
ime
Me:nowthatwear
edone,
letmegetst
art
edon
supper
Queenmot
her:si
ncekhanyii
ssl
eepi
ng,
Iwi
llhel
p
you
wecookwhileexchangi
ngsomefewrecei
pesher
e
andther
e,ImustsayIl ovet
hissi
deofqueen
motherbet
ter.

Thando

TodayIwasatmypar entshousetotel
lthem about
Gregg'sproposal,Iwasreal
lyreadyandkeenon
star
tinganewl if
ewi t
hGregg, aft
erIhadexplained
everythi
ngt othem t
heywer eshockedtothecore
Mom :whatdoyoumean,youwantt
otaket
hegi
rl
s
andmovewitht
hem t
oCanada?
Me:mapl
easel
etmemoveandstartanewl
if
e
wi
thGr
egg,t
hemanthatl
ovesandador
esme
Dad:Thandoyouwantt ogof ine,youcangobut
thegi
rl
sstay,Iwi
llpersonal
lymakesur eboth
Bandi
leandSanel
ef i
ghtyout oothandnail
Me:it'
sli
keyoual
lfor
gett
ingSmangeleand
Nomceboaremybabiestoo,Ihaveasayinwhat
happensi
nthei
rli
vestoo.
Mom :notwheni
tinvol
vesyoutaki
ngmygr
and
ki
dshalfwayacr
osstheworld,
never
Me:pl
ease,
letmeandmygi
rl
sgoandst
artanew
l
if
e
Dad:youcan,
butt
hegi
rl
sar
egoi
ngnowher
e
Mom :wheydoesn'
tGr eggtakehi
sdaughterand
moveherthi
sside,yourfat
hercanlethimrunone
ofhiscompani
eswhilehelearnahowt orunhis
companyFrom her
eandhecanopenupanot her
brunch
Me:f
ineIwi
llaski
fiti
spossi
ble
Dad:nowt hati
stheonl
ythi
ngyouhavesai
dthat
makessensesofar.
Iwasr
eal
lyupsetandangr
y,Igot
omyr
oom ,
I
cal
lGr
egg
Gr
egg:myoneandonl
ytr
uel
ove
Me:baby
Gr
egg:yousoundupset,
whati
swr
ong?
Me:mom anddadwon'
tletmet
aket
hegi
rl
swi
th
metoCanada
Gregg:i
t'
sfine, don'
tstr
essIunderstandwhere
theyar
ecomi ngf rom ,
wear emovingquickl
yand
theydon'
tevenknowme, soIwi
llcomeandmeet
yourpar
ents, t
henwecant al
kaboutLobolaand
thenwecant akeitfr
om there
Me:real
ly?,
thankyoumyl
ove,
youar
eonei
na
mi
ll
ion.
Gr
egg:Iknowright,
now cl
am down,
ever
ythi
ng
wi
llwor
kout,
trustme.
Me:Iknowmyl
ove
Gr
egg:Il
oveyoumommy.
Me:l
oveyout
ooGr
egg
Wehangup,
Igeti
ntobed,
Iwasr
eal
lyupsetmy
parentsdon'
twanttoletgoift
hetwi
ns,haven'
tI
paidenoughforwhatididtoZoey?andihavel
et
herandherbr okehusbandbe,It
akemyphone,I
textbothSaneleandBandil
etomeetwit
hme, t
hey
allagr
ee

Anhourl
ater

Ifi
nall
ygettotherestur
antwher
eiwasmeeting
bothanel
eandBandi l
e,Bandi
lewasalr
eadywaiti
ng
forme, whi
leSaneleandigetinatt
hesamet i
me
Bandi
le:Sanel
eyoualsogotsummoned?,
thi
s
mustbeprett
yimpor
tant
Me:(Isaysi
tt
ingdown)yes,
iti
saboutt
hegi
rl
s.
Sanel
e:whataboutt
hegi
rl
s?
Me:Imayhavet
orel
ocat
ewi
tht
hem t
oCanada
Bandi
le:ar
eyoucr
azy?,
Nomceboi
snotgoi
ng
anywher
e
Sanel
e:soi
ssmangel
e.
Me:thi
nkabouti
t,yousanal
ehaveababyonthe
waywit
hyourwif
eandyouBandil
eZoeygaveyou
t
wins,socanipl
easekeepthegi
rl
s?
Sanal
e:notnow,
notever.
Bandi
le:f
orgetit,
wakeupandgetoutt
hedream
l
andyouarelivi
ngin,
mydaught
erisnotmoving
hal
fwayacrosstheworl
d.
Sanele:manihavehear
denoughoft
his,
soam
readytol
eave
Bandi
le:soam I
Theygetupandleave, it
akemybaganddr i
ve
home,Ifi
ndMom pl ayingwit
ht hegi
rl
s,Ijoi
nin,
howam Isupposedtoleavewithoutmygir
ls.
[
09/
30,
11:
17] :I
nser
t91

Nomcebo/queenmot
her

Af
termyli
tt
lebondi
ngsessionwi
thZoey,
Ideci
ded
am goi
ngt
ot her
oyalhousetomeetupwi
th
Nomat hembabefor emysonscomehome,Iget
i
ntomycaranddr ivetot
heroyalhouse,Ican'
t
beli
evethisi
sapl acemychil
drenandIusedt ocall
home, theguardstellmetowaitwhil
etheyinf
orm
"queenNomat hemba"ofmypr esence

Meanwhi
le

Nomat
hemba

Iwasbusyt
alki
ngt
oki
ngMphendul
oont
hephone
Me:myl oveIdon'tknowhowmuchl ongerIcan
dot
hisfor,haven'
tyourki
dssuf
fer
edenough?King
Mphendul
o:j usthangint
her
emyl oveplease
Iwasaboutt
oanswer
,whent
her
oyalguar
dwal
ks
i
n
Me:canIhel
pyousi
r?
Guar
d:yourmaj
esty,
queennomceboi
sout
side
andshewant
stoseeyou
Me:gi
vemeaboutt
hir
tymi
nut
esandl
etheri
n
Guar
d:asyouwi
sh(hel
eaves)
Me:Mphendul
owhati
fshei
sher
etoki
llme?,
am
scar
ed.
KingMphendul o:IdoubtitNomceboisnotthat
stupi
d,butf oryoursafet
yandpeaceofmi ndleave
thephoneon, hi
deitunderthecushi
onsoIcan
l
istenandrecordeveryt
hingandmakesur ethe
guardsarecloseby.
Me:goodthi
nki
ng.(Ihi
demyphoneandwai
tfor
Nomcebo

Nomcebo

Iwaitforaboutt
hir
tyminut
es,whent
heguards
fi
nall
yopent hegat
eforme,IparkmycarandIgo
i
nside
Nomat hemba:t owhatpleasuredoweowethi
s
vi
sityourroyalhighness?
,ifyouar
eheref
orafi
ght
youbettergetinthequecauseeveryonei
soutf
or
mybl
ood.
Me:noam nother
etof
ightbuther
etot
alkt
oyou
Nomat
hemba:goaheadam l
ist
eni
ng
Me:lookIknowIhavebeenevi
ltowar
dsyouand
yourson.
..
..
..
.
Nomathemba:evi
ldoesnotevenbegi
ntodi
scr
ibe
whatyoudi
dtome.
Me:IknowbutIwentt oprisonandpai df
ormy
mist
akes,sopleasedon'tletmychi l
drensufferf
or
mymi st
akes,please,am notsayinggivethem what
bel
ongst oyoursonbutpl easeallowthem tocome
backtothei
rfathershousepl ease.
Nomathemba:youofal
lpeopleber
gingme?
,I
t
houghtyourpr
idewon'
tletyou
Me:whenyouareamot herandyouseeyourkids
str
uggl
e,nomatt
erhowgrowntheyar
e,youset
yourpr
ideasi
deanddowhatyoucantohelpthem.
Nomat
hemba:fi
neIwil
lthinkaboutit,buti
fI
al
lowt
hem t
ocomebackt otheirhousest
heymust
st
opfi
ght
ingmeandyoucan' tcomebackwith
t
hem
Me:Iwi l
ltal
ktothem andam f
inewi
thst
ayi
ngat
ourcur
renthouse.
Nomathemba:andhowdoIknowthi
sisn'
tsome
sor
tofatri
ckandyouar
enotget
ti
ngreadytoki
l
l
me?
Me:am t
ir
edNomathemba,
youcanevenaskZoey
wehavesmokedt
hepeacepi
pe.
Nomathemba:thenIguessi
tist
ruewhatt
heysay
pover
tywil
lhumbleyou
Me:youcanmockmeal lyouwantbutpl
easedon'
t
l
etmychil
drensuff
erformymi st
akesaft
eral
lyou
wer
en'
tsoinnocentyour
self
Nomat
hemba:nowthat
'sthenomceboweal
lknow,
Iwasj
ustwai
ti
ngf
orhertocomeout
Me:am j usttell
ingitfr
om mypointofvi
ewyou
weresleepi ngwi thamar r
iedman,IknowwhatIdid
wasextr eme, butdi dyouseri
ousl
yexpectmetorol
l
outaredcar petf oryouandwelcomeyouwithopen
arms?, Iwasi nshockandbr okennott
hati
tisan
excusef
orwhatIdi
d.
Nomathemba:f
airenough,
Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
tyou
cant
akeyourl
eave
Me:absol
utel
ythankyouf
orl
ist
eni
ngt
ome
Nomathemba:Ihopeyouknowt
hatt
hiswhat
ever
i
tisdoesn'
tmakeusfr
iends
Me:Iknowwewi l
lnevereverbef
ri
ends,
nowi
f
youwi
llexcusemeIhavetogo
Il
eave,
geti
ntomycarandIdr
ivebackhome

Nomat
hemba

Ir
emovemyphonewher
eIwashi
ddi
ngi
t

Me:myki
ngar
eyoust
il
lther
e?
Mphendul
o:yesIwasl i
steni
ngtoever
ything,I
mustsayam shocked,It
houghtshewast hereto
snat
chyourwig,strat
chyoureyesorsomet hi
ng
Me:youseewhatIwastel
li
ngyou?,t
heyhave
suf
fer
edenough,
sheevenmadepeacewit
hZoey.
Mphendul
o:f
ine,
IWi
llt
hinkabouthowam goi
ng
t
omakemycomeback.
Me:thankyou,
Ijusthopeyourki
dswi
llunder
stand
andt
heywon'thateyou.
Mphendul
o:Ihopesot
oomyl
ove.
Ihangupandt
akeafewmagazi
nesandr
eadwhi
le
Ihaveagl
assofwi
ne.

Zoey

Bandil
e,UnathiandSphamandlacamehomeall
superexci
tedapparent
lytheygotamaj
orcl
ient
,we
wereallsi
tt
ingaroundthetabl
ewhenQueenmother
,
fol
lowedbymypar ent
swal ki
n
Me:mom ,
dadwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e
Dad:wecamet
otakeyouhome.
Bandi
le:what
?
Me:Bandi
leIwi
llhandl
ethi
s,mom,
dadcanIt
alk
t
oyouinpri
vat
eplease?
Bandi
le:Zoeywhati
sgoi
ngon?
Dad:am t
aki
ngmychi
ldandmygr
andki
dswi
th
methati
swhati
sgoi
ngon.
Me:Bandi
lepl
easel
etmet
alkt
omypar
ent
spl
ease
Weleaveever
yonei
nsi
det
hehouseandwego
out
side
Me:mom,
dadwhatsor
tofembar
rassmenti
sthi
s?
Mom :
:wehavetodosomethi
ng,
wecan'
tjustsi
t
andwatchwhi
leyousuf
fer
Dad:pr
incesspl
easecomehomewi
thus
Me:yout woar enotbei
ngfairt
obothmeandmy
husband,Ididn'
tmarryBandi
lefort
hemoney,
the
moneywasj ustabonusandyoumom am
di
sappointedinyou,whati
fitwasdadwhowas
broke,wouldyouleavehim?
Mom :ofcour
senotar
eyoucr
azy?
me:t
henwhyshoul
dmyki
dsandIl
eave?,
Idi
dn'
t
knowmoneybymar ryi
ngBandil
e,yougaveme
ever
ythi
ngIhaveeverwantedandmor e,
you
shoul
dbeproudofthestr
ongwomanyour ai
sed.
mom :am sor
rybaby,areyousur
ethi
si swhatyou
want
?,theydi
dn'
tthr
eatenyouoranyt
hingdidthey?
dad:
causei
ftheydi
d,Iwi
llki
llt
hem al
l.
me:ofcour
senot,
am j
ustawomanwhoknows
whatshewant
s.
mom :
fi
nesweet
hear
t,wewi
lll
etyoube
dad:andshoul
dyouwantt ocomehome,
ourdoor
i
salwaysopenforyouandourgr
andki
ds
me:Iwi
llkeept
hati
nmi
ndt
hankyou.
mypar
ent
sleave,
Igobacki
ntot
hehouse
Bandi
le:
:Zoeyar
eyoul
eavi
ng?
me:Bandi
lecanwet
alk?
Bandi
leget
supandgoesi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom wi
th
me
Bandi
le:pl
easedon'
tleavemeZoey,
am not
hing
wit
houtandtheki
ds
me:ofcourse(
hewasonthever
geoft
ear
s)am (
he
st
art
scryi
ng)notl
eavi
ngyou,
youbi
gdummy
t
hel
ookonhi
sface
Bandi
le:r
eal
ly?
me:yesnowwi
pet
hosesi
ll
ytear
s,youbi
gcr
y
baby.
bandi
le:zoeyl
ookoutt
her
eisacocr
oach.
youshoul
dhaveseenhowIf
lewandj
umpedont
o
bandi
le
me:oohmyGod,
God
bandi
le:nowwhoi
sacr
ybaby?
me:sot
her
eisnococr
oach?
Isayhi
tt
inghi
m ont
hechest
me:putmedownandIswearoneofthi
sdaysI
won'
tbescar
edofcocr
oachesanymore.
heputsmedownandwegobacki
ntot
hel
ivi
ng
room
khanyi:youar
enotl
ivi
ngar
eyou?
Mi
nni
e:pl
easedon'
tleaveZoey,
justdon'
tokay.
me:am notgoi
nganywher
e.
nomcebo/queenmot
her:good
weal lsitandhavesupperaf t
erthatqueenmot her
call
shersonsandgoest othelivi
ngr oom wit
h
them , IwishIwasaf lyont hatwallsocanhear
wantshewant stotel
lthem , Minniewashest he
disheswhi lekhanyihelpsher,whileam inthe
cottagewi t
hthekids.
[
09/
30,
11:
17] :I
nser
t92

Bandi
le

Mybr ot
hersandIwer eseri
ouslydoingthi
s,Ihad
sol
dtheA6andt heQ7,madeat rustf
undformy
thr
eekidswithhundr edthousand,therestwe
i
nvestedinreinvent
ingunathi'
scompany, which
wasgoingtobeagr eati
nvestmentsincewegota
majorcli
enttoday,mom hadcal ledusforameeting
Unat
hi:mom i
sther
eanyt
hingwr
ong?
Mom :noinf
actam pr
oudofyoumysons,thi
ngs
ar
ebadbutyouaremovingahead,
thati
swhyI
wantt
ogiveyouthi
s
Shehandsusever ypieceofexpensivej
ewel
ryshe
haseverowned,am notsureexactl
yhowmuchi ti
s
wort
hbutthestuf
fiswor t
hmill
ions
Sphamandl
a:mom ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
Mom:yesam sureson,yoursuccessmeansalot
tomethananypieceofj
ewelryandyoucanmakeit
uptomebymakingsur eyouaresuccessful
and
buyme,jewel
ryexpensi
vemor ethant
his
Unat
hi:t
hankyouma,
thi
smeansal
ott
ous
Mom :am gl
aditmeansalott
oyouguysandIal
so
wentt
oseequeenNomat hemba,
soyoucanmove
backt
otheroyalpal
ace
Me:what?,howcouldyoudothatmom?,
wewer
e
chasedoutl
ikedogs,
am notgoi
ngbackt
her
e
Sphamandl
a:soam I
Unat
hi:queenNomat
hembaorwhat
evert
heycal
l
hercant
akeherr
oyalst
atusandst
icki
tupherass.
Mom :Unat
histopi
tandIpr
omi
sedheryouwon'
t
bef
ight
ingheranymore.
Sphamandl
a:manowyouar
easki
ngf
ort
he
i
mpossibl
eandt
oomuch.
Mom :SphamandlaIwantyouandyourbrot
herst
o
promi
semet hatyouwon'tbef
ight
ingNomathemba
anymore,
pleasedothi
sforme
Me:Ipr
omi
sema.
Unat
hi:Ipr
omi
set
oo
Mom :Sphamandl
a?
Hedoesn'
tanswerher
Mom :Sphamandl
a?,
spha?
Sphamandl
a:okayf
ineIpr
omi
set
oo
Mom :t
hankyouandpl
easedon'
tbr
eakyour
pr
omisepl
ease
Us:wepr
omi
se
Whatwaswr
ongwi
thma,
Idon'
tunder
standher
gi
vingupthisearly,t
hiswasn'tt
hemotheram used
to, t
henomceboIknowIknowwoul dhavecome
outwithgunsblazing,butt
hisonel
ookeddef eat
ed
ordoesshehavesomeki ndofaplanweknew
nothi
ngabout?,thiswasallj
usttooconfusing,we
al
ldecidetogotoourr ooms,wegoandsl eep.

Aweekl
ater

Zoey

Iwasatwork,
whenThandowal
ksi
n,Iwasr
eal
ly
shockedt
oseeher
Thando:ZoeyWi
ll
iams?
Me:
act
ual
lyDl
ami
ni
Thando:yeah,
yeahwhat
ever
,thatsur
namei
s
usel
essnowIwouldn'
tbesoproudofit
Me:mxm,
howcanIhel
pyou?
Thando:doyouwor
kher
eorsomet
hing?
Me:yesThandoam t
her
ecept
ioni
st
Thando:youhavegottobekiddi
ngme, youZoey
thespoil
edpamperedpr
incessbyBandil
ea
recept
ioni
st,
howthemightyhavefal
len.
Me:yes,
yest
hemight
yhavefal
len,
what
'snew?
,
nowmovi
ngonhowcanIhel
pyou?
Thando:anywayam heretoseemyfiancéeGr
egg,
hesaidhehadaveryimportantmeet
inghere,yes
dol
lyouheardme,myf i
ancée
Me:okaysohei
syourf
iancée ,
wher
edoIget
i
nvol
ved
Thando:mxm
Me:yourfi
ancéedidcal
ltosayhi
srunni
nglat
eby
acoupl
eofminutes,soi
fyoudon'
tmindyoucan
t
akeasit
Shegoesandt
akeasi
t,Igot
oher
Me:canIofferyouanyt
hingt
odr
ink,
wat
er,
tea,
cof
fee,
jui
ce.
..
..
Thando:sosoyoucanspi
tinmycof
fee,
not
hanks
butIwi
llt
akespar
kli
ngwat
er
Me:notal
lofusar
epett
ylikeyouThando,
spar
kli
ngwat
ercomingr
ightup.
Igoandgethersomesparkl
ingwat
erher"
fi
ancée"
arr
ivesasam handi
nghert
hewater
Thando:(wi
thahugesmi
le)t
hankyouZoey,
baby
theyhugandhegoesinforhismeetingwhi
leshe
waits,
aft
eraboutanhourhef i
nal
lycomesout,I
mustsayt hedudei
snotthatbadl
ookingandhe
doesscream money
nott
hati
tisanyofmybusi nessandithasanyt
hing
todowit
hme, butcur
iosi
tygotthebett
erofme
me:heeydweeb,
myf
avor
it
ebr
other
.
Ant
hony:you.f
orgott
oment i
ononeandonl
y
dumbhead,
youdon'twantanymoneydoyou?
me:nott
oday,
todaywear
efi
shi
ngf
ori
nfo
Ant
hony:wel
lshootIdon'
thaveal
lday
me:f
ine,
whati
sthedealwi
tht
hisGr
eggguy?
Ant
hony:whydoyouask?,oohGodyoudon'
twant
t
ocheatonbandi
ledoyou?
me:willyouqui
tbeingsuchadr amaqueenandno
ofcour
senotIwillnevercheatonmyhusband
Ant
hony:good,hedi
dn'
thar
assyouorhi
tonyou
di
dhe?.
me:hedi
dn'
tdoanythi
ng,heisbandi
le'
sexf
iancée,
your
ememberThandori
ght?
Ant
hony:how couldI
?,anywaylooksl
iket
hegol
d
di
ggi
ngtr
ashfi
nallyhi
tthejackpot
Causeheisagenui nebusinessman,
youknowI
don'
tdobusi nesswit
hthugsexceptf
orthe
sexwal
e's,
thoseonesar ewaytoodangerous,
anywayheisbasedi nCanadatheguyisswimming
i
nmi l
li
onsi fnotbi
ll
ionsar
ealdy.
Me:i
shenotmar
ri
ed?
Ant
hony:divorcedwit
honedaughter
,hernameis
Madison,
areyouwor r
iedshewi
llcomeforyour
marr
iageift
hingsdon'
tworkout
?
Me:mewor
ri
edaboutThandonever
,Bandi
lel
oves
meandmeonl
y
Ant
hony:goodt
ohear
,causeIwi
llki
llhi
mifhe
breaksyourheartandImeanit
,nowenoughwi
th
thechitchatnowgetbacktowork
Me:mxm youar
esuchapar
typooper
Ant
hony:sur
edumbhead
Igobackt
owor
k

Fewhour
slat
er

Itwasfinal
lyknockoffti
me, Igotomycar,well
Anthony'scarandIdrivehome,bandi
lewasgoing
topickthetwinsfr
om mypar ent
splacelat
er,
Iget
home,queenmot herhadalr
eadystart
edonsupper
Queenmot her:Ihadnothi
ngt odo,soIthoughtI
mightaswellhelpout,
sinceyouwillbet
ir
edand
khanyii
stakingcareofthetr
ipl
etsonherown
Me:thankyouma,youaresuchali
fesaver,
nowl
et
megoandt akeani
cehotbath,
thenIwil
lcome
backsowecancatchup
Queenmot
her:youar
ewel
comedearandIcan'
t
wai
tfort
hel
atest
Me:gi
vemeanhourt
ops
Queenmother:fi
ne,
Iwi
llf
ini
shupsupper
,thenyou
cansett
hetable
Me:okayma
Igoupstair
s,t
akealongrelaxi
ngbat
h,Ifinall
y
makemywaydownst ai
rs,Minni
ewasn'
tfeeli
ng
wellsoshewassleepi
ng,Isuredon'
tmi
ssmy
pregnancydays
Wesetupt
het
abl
ewi
thqueenmot
herandwesi
t
down
Queenmot
her:sowhati
sthel
atest
?
Me:ar
eyour
eady?
Queenmot
her:yesofcour
se
Me:trustmeyouar
enotr
eadyf
ort
heboom am
abouttodr
op.
Queenmot
her:goaheadspi
llt
hebeans
Me:okayf
ine,
Thandoi
sengaged
Queenmot
her:t
heeThando?
Me:yest
heeThando
Queenmot
her:oohmy,
thatwasf
ast
,sowhoi
s
t
heguy?
Me:someguynamedGr egg,apparent
lyheis
basedinCanadaandheisl
oaded,soshefi
nall
yhi
t
thejackpor
t
Queenmother:knowingThandohepr
obabl
yis
marri
edorsomet hug
Me:nohei
salegi
tbusi
nessmanandhei
s
di
vor
cedwi
thadaught
er
Bandil
ewalksinwit
hUnat hiandthet wi
ns,they
j
oinus,wewereallsor
tedwai ti
ngforMi nni
eand
Sphamandl
at ojoi
nus,theyfinal
lydo, wewere
si
tt
edatthetablewhenourphonesr angatt
he
sametime,whichwasodd, wealltookoutour
phones
Me:Ij
ustgotamessaget
obeatt
hepal
ace
t
omorr
owatf i
vepm
Mi
nni
e:met
oo
Queenmot
her:sodi
dI
Queenmother:okaysoweallgott
hemassage,
wonderwhati
sgoi ngon,
maybeNomathembahas
fi
nal
lydeci
dedtoletyougohomeandsmokepeace
pi
pe
Me:
maybe,
Iguesswewi
llf
indoutt
omor
row
Si
nceMinni
ewasn'
twel
l,
queenmotherinst
ructs
Unat
hi,
Sphamandl
aandBandi
let
odot hedished
Theywerecomplai
ningt
heent
ir
eti
me,
Iswearwe
wil
lneverheart
heendofit
.
Ij
ustdeci
det
ogot
obedear
ly,
sinceIwast
ir
ed.
[
09/
30,
11:
18] :I
nser
t93

Nomcebo/queenmot
her

Zoeywasatwor k,soitwasme, khanyiandMi nni

e,
Ij
ustkeptlookingattheclockl
ikeiwascr azy,t
he
suspenseofwhatwast r
ulygoi
ngonwaski ll
ingme,
couldtheelder
shavet al
kedsomesensei nt
o
Nomcebo?ordi dIsomehowtouchherheartwit
h
mypl ea?ordidshewantt
ojustmakeamocker yof
meandmychi ldr
en?,wehaddoneallourhouse
chores,wewer ebor
edandhaddeci
dedt ogotothe
balconyandplaysomecards,wewerebusyplayi
ng
thecards,whenIgetacal
lfr
om nompumel el
o
Me:hel
lobabygi
rl
Mpumi
e:mom, whatisgoi
ngon?,Igotamessage
t
obeatther
oyalhouseatf
iveo'
cl
ock
Me:weal
ldi
dbaby
Mpumi
e:r
eal
ly?
,guesswi
llmeett
her
e
Me:okaymydar
li
ng
Shehangsup, meandt hegi
rl
splayunt i
lweget
ti
redandwedeci detoreadsomemagazi nes,we
weresti
lldoingthatwhenweseeSi hl
e'scar,I
guessshet oogotthemessage,Idoubtshewould
behere,shemakesherwayt ot hebalcony
Khanyi:wel
l,
wel
llookatwhatt
hecatdr
aggedi
n
Si
hle:shutupkhanyi
Me:hel
loSi
hle,
howhaveyoubeen?
Sihl
e:queenmotheram good,
mom wast
aki
ng
real
lygoodcar
eofme
Me:Isee,
sowhatbr
ingsyout
othi
ssi
deoft
own?
Sihl
e:Igotamessaget
obeatt
her
oyalhouseat
fi
ve
Khanyi:weal
ldi
d
Si
hle:Isee
Me:haveasi
tandhaveawai
twi
thus.
Si
hlet
akeshersi
t
Me:sohowaremygr
andbabi
es?
,Ihaven'
tseen
t
hem i
nawhil
eandImisst
hem
Si
hle:t
heyar
edoi
ngwel
lqueenmot
her
Khanyiser
vesussomef
oodandshegoesbackt
o
t
hecottage
Iwasnowwi
thMi
nni
eandSi
hle.

Bandi
le
Ikeptmysel fbusyt heenti
redaysoasnott othink
aboutwhatcoul dbegoingon, beforeIknewi twas
fourthirt
y, Itakemybagandgost r
aighttomycar ,
unathiwasbehi ndme, sphamandl asai dhewi l
l
meetusatt heroyalhouse, Idon'tevenpi ckupt he
twins,Idrivest rai
ghttotheroyalhouse, Iseemy
mot her'
scar ,evensihl
e'scar, unfort
unat el
ykhanyi
couldn'tmakei tbecauseoft hetri
plets,Zoeyar rives
andsodoessphamandl a,wewal kinsidet hehouse,
i
treallyfeltst r
angebeingher eaftersuchal ong
ti
me, queennomaf inal
lycomesdownt hestair
s
Mom :nomat
hembawhati
sgoi
ngon?
Queennoma:wellfi
rstofal
lIwouldli
ket
o
apol
ogi
zeforever
ythi
ngthathappened
Mom :t
hankyou
Sphamandl
a:notsof
astmom ,
Idon'
ttr
ustt
his
wit
ch
Mom :spha!
!!
!Rememberwhatyoupr
omi
sedme.
Sphamandl
a:f
inemom Iwon'
tfi
ghtwi
thheras
l
ongaswhatsheist
ryi
ngtosaymakessense
Queennomat
hemba:t
hankyouqueenmot
her
(Didshejustr
efertomymot herasqueenmot her
?,
Ithoughthersonwast heheirt
othethrone)
anywayasIwast ryi
ngtosayam sorr
yandam not
evilasyouthink,
Iwasjusttaki
ngorders
Sphamandl
a:t
akingordersmyfoot
,whower
eyou
taki
ngt
hesocal
ledordersfr
om?
Weallhearavoi ce"fr
om me",noi tcan'
tbe,noit
can'
tbe,Icouldhaveswor nitwasmyf ather
'svoi
ce,
wethenhearf ootsteps,comingtowardsus, we
l
ookatthedirectionthevoiceandthefootst
eps
wherecomingf rom
Zoeyl
ossesi
tandscr
eam,
whi
leshewascomi
ngt
o
hi
debehindme
Zoey:oohmyGodt
her
eisaghost
,ther
eisaghost
Dad:t
her
eisnoGhosti
tisj
ustme.
Thenextthi
ngIknowbot
hmom andZoeyhad
fai
ntedandwhereont
hefl
oor
Si
hleandMi
nni
eat
tendedt
othem
Unat
hi:(neverhaveIeverseenunat
hit
hispi
ssed)
whatt
hefuckisgoi
ngonhereori
sthi
sjustpar
t
t
woofthehlakobaf
il
weyodr
ama?
Sphamandl
agoesf
ordadandhegr
abshi
m byhi
s
cl
othes
Sphamandl
a:whati
sgoi
ngon?
,answerme,
answermedamni
t.
Dad:(pi
ssed)l
etgoofmesphamandl
a,l
etgoof
me.
Me:soyouweren'
tdead,
wasi
tacaseofmi
staken
i
dent
it
yorsomethi
ng?
Dad:noIf
akedmyowndeat
h
Sphamandl
a:youbett
erprayt
hatbot
hmom and
Zoeymakeitorsohel
pmeGodt hi
sti
meyouwon' t
befaki
ngyourdeat
hcauseam goi
ngtoki
llyou.
Mom andZoeywer
enowup
Mom :sphamandl
ayouwil
ldonosucht
hing,am
goi
ngtokil
lhi
m mysel
f.
Unat
hi:sothi
swassoj
ustsomesickt
wist
edgame,
doyouhaveanyi
deawhatwewentthr
ough?
Sphamandl
a:f
uckyouandyourr
oyalst
atus,
Dad:sphamandlaam st
il
lyourf
atherandyouwon'
t
t
otal
kmei nthatmanner
Sphamandl a:noyouareani
mposter,
myf at
her
died,
hewascr ematedandImournedforhi
m,soif
youwillexcuseme,Ihaveawi
feandkidstocheck
upon
Si
hle:sphaam al
soher
eandam yourwi
fet
oo.
Sphamandl
a:noyouhaveyourpar
ent
s
Andl
iket
hatsphamandl
alef
t
Mpumi e:don'
thavet
imef
orthi
scir
cus,
ifyouwill
excusemeIwi l
lgoandmakesur
emybr otheri
s
fi
ne
Si
hlel
eavest
oo
Mom :howcoul
dyoudothi
smphendul
o,howcoul
d
youdothi
stomeandki
ds?
Dad:Iunder
standyouar
ealli
nshock,
soIwi
llgi
ve
yout
hespaceyouneed,t
henwecantalk
Me:no,
nodadyouar
ebei
ngadamncowar
dand
t
aki
ngtheeasywayout,j
ustt
ellusnowwhati
nthe
wor
ldwhereyout
hinki
ng
Mom :doyouknowwhatmychi l
drenandIhave
beenthrough?,doyouknowhowmanysl eepless
night
sIhadcr yi
ngandpr ayingforsomemi racleso
mychi l
drenandIar ef
ine,thankGodwemanaged,
thankGod
Me:it'
scl
earwewon'
tgetanexpl
anat
iont
oni
ghtso
am out
Unat
hi:Mi
nni
elet
'sgett
hef
uckoutofher
e
Mi
nni
e,Unat
hiandIl
eave.

Zoey

Aft
erMinni
e,unat
hiandbandi
lelef
t,Ist
ayed
behi
ndt
omakesur equeenmotherwasfine
Ki
ngmphendul
o:makot
iam sor
ryaboutt
his
Ireal
lydi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay,
Ijustl
ookathi
m
andnod
Queennomat
hembaj
ustst
andst
her
elooki
ngl
ikea
damnstat
ue
Me:queenmot
herar
eyouf
ine
Queenmot
her:Iwi
llbedear
,justt
akemehome
Ki
ngmphendul
o:Nomcebobutyouar
ehome
Queenmot
her:not
hisi
sn'
tmyhome,Zoeyt
ake
mehomedear
IpickherbagandIgot ohercarandhelphergetin
thepassengersit
,Ifel
tsorryf
orher,
Icouldn'
teven
celebr
atedri
vingherbeastofababyproperl
y
Wegethome, shejustgoesstrai
ghttoherr
oom
andlockherselfin,Igoandcheckonkhanyi,who
waswi t
hMi nnie,whowasel aborat
ingt
hedrama
thatwentonatt heroyalpal
ace,Igotomyroom,I
fi
ndbandileinbedal r
eady
Me:l
ove,
doyouwantt
otal
kabouti
t?
Bandi
le:nosugar,j
ustgeti
ntobedsowecan
cuddl
e,allIneedi
sforyoutoholdmeti
ght
.
Igeti
ntobedandwej
ustcuddl
enotsayi
ngawor
d
toeachother
.
[
09/
30,
11:
18] :I
nser
t94

Bandi
le

ZoeyandIwerest
il
lsl
eepi
ng,whenweheara
knockont
hedoor,
Igetupandgoopenthedoor
anditwasthemot
herofal
lgolddi
gger
shersel
f
Me:whatt
hehel
lsi
hle?,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Si
hle:di
dyoul
ookatt
het
ime?
Me:ofcour
senot
Sihl
e:it
'sel
evenam,
theki
ngisdownstai
rsandi
s
request
ingf
orameeti
ngwit
heveryone
Me:f
ineZoeyandIwi
llbedownst
air
sinacoupl
e
ofmi
nutes
IwakeZoeyup
Zoey:oohmy,
didwer
eal
lysl
eptt
hatl
ong?
Me:weonl
ysleptatf
ouram soam notsur
pri
sed,
dadi
sdownst
air
srequest
ingforameeti
ng,sowe
havet
ogetandgetr
eady
Zoey:fi
ne,
butIhavet
onot
if
yAnt
hony,
Iwon'
tbe
comingint
oday.
Il
eavehert
omakehercall,Igototheshower,she
comesandjoi
nme,wefi
nishupandwegetr eady,
wemakeourwaydownstair
s,everyonewasthere
i
ncludi
ngmom
Dad:nowt
hatyouar
eal
lher
e,wecanst
art
Am tr
ulysorr
yf orever
ythi
ngbutpl
easegi
vemea
chancetoexplainandcomehome
Sphamandla:sowhat?,wealljustsupposedto
for
getever
ythingandwebecomet hisbighappy
famil
y?,
babanodisrespectbutIwantwhat ever
weedyouaresmokingcausei tsureisseri
ousstuf
f.
Mom :sphamandlashutuppl
ease,i
nfactallyougo
out
sideandleavemeandyourfathert
otalk.
Weal
lgetupandl
eavemom anddadt
oget
her
.

Queenmot
her/Nomcebo
Af
tertheent
ir
efami
lyl
eavesmeandMphendul
o,I
si
tdown
Me:f oroverthi
rt
yfi
veyears,Ihavebeennothing
butalovi
ng, cari
ngandloyalwife,
Iwasthereby
yoursi
dewhenyouwer ebui
ldingthewealt
hyou
haveMphendul oandthisi
showyour epayme?
Mphendul o:Nomcebopl easel i
stentome, Icame
upwi tht hisplant
omakesur ethatshouldanyt hi
ng
happent omeandGodf orbideyoul ooseever ything,
youwi llfinecauseIwon' tbeal waysbet heret o
protectyouandmyki ds,mydeepestf earisthat
Godf orbi deshoul
dIj oi
nmyancest orst omor row,
everythingyouandIhavebui ltwil
lfal
lapar tandI
alsowant edtomakesur emysonsmar riednogol d
diggers,wel lweallknowsi hleisaspeci alcase.
If
oundmysel
flaughi
ng
Me:yessheis,butyoucouldhaveshar
edal
lthat
wi
thmemyl ove,youreal
lydon'
ttr
ustmedoyou?
Mphendul
o:doyoureal
lyt
hinkt
hathadItol
dyou
myplans,
youwoul
dhaveheldthi
sfamil
ytoget
her
t
hewayyoudi
d?
Me:youreal
lyt
hinkIheldthefamil
ytoget
her
?,
causeIwasf
all
ingapartandreadytodosomethi
ng
stupi
d
Mphendul
o:doyoureal
lyt
hinkIwoul
dhavel
etyou
got
oAustral
iaandsmuggl
ethatdi
amond?
Me:(Ibowmyheadi
nshame)soyouknowabout
t
hat
?
Mphendulo:yes,
Iwaskeepi
ngmyeyeonyouthe
ent
ir
etimeandIknowaboutyourvi
sitt
oNoma,I
wasli
steni
nginontheent
ir
econver
sati
on
Me:am sor
ry
Mphendulo:i
t'
sokayyouwer eaconfused
despar
atewoman,whatchangedyourmindanyway?
Me:Zoeydid,t
hatgi
rlhasapur
ehear
t,af
ter
ever
ythi
ngThandoandIdidt
oher,
shesti
llhadt
he
hear
ttosaveme.
Mphendulo:wellam gl
adsheknockedsomesense
i
ntoyou,am pr
oudoft hewayyouhandled
ever
ythi
ng
Me:thankyoumyki
ng,
butyouar
est
il
lint
hedog
house.
Mphendulo:fai
renoughbutwhati
fIt
oldyout
hatI
boughtal
lyourjewel
ryback?
Me:r
eal
ly?
Mphendul
o:Ihadsomeonef
oll
owi
ngourchi
ldr
en
aswell
Me:Iknowam nott heeasiestofwi
vestoli
vewi
th
butthenexttimeyoudosomet hi
ngthi
sextr
eme,I
wil
lkil
lyoumyselfandmakesur eaburyyouwher
e
nosoulwilleverf
indyou.
Mphendulo:not
ed,
letmetel
lyouthi
sagainam
superproudoft
hef
amilyyouhavebuil
tinmy
absence.
Me:t
hankyoumyl
ove
Mphendulo:nowwi llyoucomehome? ,Nomahas
giveneveryt
hingbacktome, whi
chmeans
everyt
hinghasbeenr est
ored,pl
easecomehome,
Nomai salsogoingbackt oherl
if
esoon.
Me:Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
tandt
alkt
otheki
dsandhear
whatt
heyhavet
osay.
Mphendulo:fi
nebymemyqueen,
howaboutwego
outf
ordinnert
omorr
oweveni
ngsowereki
ndl
eour
l
oveplease
Me:promisefi
rstt
hatt
her
earenomor
egoi
ngt
obe
l
iesandgoingbehi
ndmyback.
Mphendul
o:Ipr
omi
se
Me:good,
seeyout
omor
rowt
hen
Mphendul
o:butIt
houghtIwoul
dtal
ktot
heki
ds
f
ir
st
Me:letmedot
hatf
ir
st,
ifIf
ailt
henyoucant
ake
over
.
Mphendul
o:t
hankyoumyqueen
Heget
supwehugandhel
eaves

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater

Igot
owher
eever
yonewas,
theywer
ebusyt
alki
ng
amongstt
hemsel
ves
Bandi
le:mom ar
eyouf
ine?
Me:ofcour
seam f
ine
Me:khanyi
,zoey,
Minni
e,Tr
inaandyousi
hlepl
ease
comesowecanhaveat al
k
Ireal
lydi
dn'twantt
ocal
lsi
hlebutshewasst
il
lpar
t
ofthefamil
yandIhadtobefai
r
Theyal
lfol
lowedmet
othel
ivi
ngr
oom
Si
hle:soar
ewegoi
ngbackt
other
oyalhouse?
,Iso
missmyhouse
Queenmother:si
hle,i
sthatal
lyouar
ereal
ly
worr
iedabout
?
Sihl
e:whatel
seisther
etoworr
yabout
?,t
heki
ngi
s
backandever
ythi
ngisbackt
onormal
Me:Zoey, khanyi,MinnieandTr ina asyoucansee
theretur
noft hekingisdestroyingtheunit
yt hatwe
allhaveworkedsohar dt obuildintheabsenceof
thekingandIcan' tl
etthathappen, soIneedyour
help,Zoeypleasetal
kt oBandi l
e,khanyipl
easetal
k
tosphamandl asinceIcan'ttrustsihl
etodothat,
Minni
epleaset
alkt
ounat
hiIknowsphamandl
a
canbehotheadedsoIwi
llt
alkt
ohi
mf i
rst
Zoey:Idon'
tknowhowi
twi
llit
urnoutbutIwi
llt
alk
toBandi
le
Me:t
hankyouZoey
Khanyi:am notpr
omisi
ngyougoodr
esul
tsbutI
wil
ltr
yandtalktosphamandl
a
Me:that
'sal
lIask,
youcanal
lleaveandcal
l
sphamandl
aforme.
Theyal
lleave

Af
ewmi
nut
esl
ater

Iwasi
ntheli
vingr
oom wai
ti
ngf
orsphamandl
a,
whenhefi
nal
lyarr
ived
Sphamandla:mom youknowIwi l
ldoal
most
anythi
ngf
oryou, butifyouar
easki
ngmetofor
give
thatmanforgeti
t,causeIwon't
Igi
vehi
m ahugesl
ap,
evenImysel
fwasshocked
Me:thatmani syourfat
her
,soIwil
lnotl
etyou
di
srespecthi
ml i
kethatnomatt
erwhathedid,
are
weclear?
Sphamandl
a:yes
Me:nowgotakeyourcarkeyssowecangof
ora
r
idear
oundt
hevil
lage
Sphamandla:whatfor?
,Iknoweachandever
y
cor
nerofthi
svil
lage?
Me:j
ustdoasisay
Hegoesandtakeshiscarkeys,
wegeti
ntohi
scar
andItel
lhi
mt odri
vetoahi l
lwher
eyoucansee
thewhol
evi
ll
age
Sphamandl
a:mawhatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?
Me:t
akeal
ookar
oundyouson,
whatdoyousee?
Sphamandl
a:not
hingspeci
almom,
justt
hevi
ll
age
Me:noson, openyoureyeswi de,
thi
sisyourand
yourbrother
ski ngdom i
ncludi
ngNomathemba' s
son,t
hisisaki ngdom yourfat
herandIworkedhard
tobui
ld,youknowyourf at
herandIusedtocome
herealotwhenwewer eyounganddi scussallthe
dreamswehadf orthi
ski ngdom andwewor ked
hardtomaket hosedreamsar eal
it
y,youmyson
arethenextki nginl
inewhenmysel fandyour
fatherar
enomor e,sowhydoyouwantt othrow
awayever ythi
ngwewor kedhar dt
obui l
dforyou
andyoursi bli
ngs?
Sphamandl
a:howam Idoi
ngt
hatma?
,whendad
i
stheonewhowrongedus?
Me:Iknowhewr ongedusson, butdon'tl
etpride
getint hewayofyourdestiny,notnownotever ,
pleasedomeaf avourandgoapol ogizetoyour
fatherfordi
srespect
inghim andpleasehelpme,
helpyoubui l
dyourfuturekingdom,Ihavewor ked
wayt oohard,t
owat cheverythi
ngIhavebuiltgoup
i
nsmokepl ease.
Sphamandl
a:am notpr
omi
singyouanyt
hingbutI
wil
ltr
yandmakepeacewit
hdad
Me:that'
sallIask,
nowlet'
sgohomeandpr omise
met hatyouwi l
lgoandseeyourf
atherandlethi
m
expl
ainhimself
Sphamandl
a:Ipr
omi
se
Me:goodnowwecanl
eave.
Wegobackt othecarandwedrivehome,wef
ind
ever
yonehavingl
unch,wejoi
nthem.
[
09/
30,
11:
18] :I
nser
t95

Zoey

Thetwinsweresti
llatmypar ent
shouse,Bandi l
e
wasgoingtodroptheircl
othesandever yt
hing
theyneedonhiswayt otheroyalhouse,he, spha
andUnathihadgonet omeetupwi t
htheking,I
wakeup, getr
eadyf orwor
kandigodownst airs,i
t
wasonlyqueenmot herhavingbreakfast
Me:(wi
thal
owvoi
ce)
mor
ningma
Queenmot
her:mor
ningZoey,
whyar
eyouso
down?
Me:not
hingma
Queenmother:Iwasn'
tbor
nyester
dayyouknow,
I
cantel
lsomethi
ngi
sbother
ingyou,tal
ktome.
Me:(t akeadeepsi gh)okayfi
ne,i
t'
sjustt
hatyou
andi werejustget
ti
ngalongandstarti
nga
fr
iendshipandnowt hattheki
ngisbackam j
ust
scaredthingsaregoingt
ogobackt othewaythey
were.
Queenmot her:Zoeyyouwer ethereformei nmy
l
owestmoment s,youhelpedmeputt hingsi nt
o
persecti
ve,webot hhavehel
pedeachot hergrow ,
Iwillneverevergobacktotheevilspoil
edent it
led
spoiledbratIwasnever,Iwil
lforeverbegr eatf
ulto
youZoey.
Me:(wi
thasmi
leonmyf
ace)r
eal
ly?
Queenmot her:yesreal
lyandtoprovetoyouhow
great
fulIam ,howaboutIspoi
lyoualitt
le,Iwi
ll
comeandt akeyoushoppingonyourlunchtime,
yessheisback,Iwantt hewholeworldtoknow
queenmot herisbackandbackwit
habang.
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
Queenmother:asaheartat
tackanddon' tt
ell
anyonethi
scauseifyoudo,Iwilldenyever
ythi
ng,
youarenowmyf avour
it
edaughterinlawbyfarbut
khanyiandMi
nni
eal
sohaveaspeci
alpl
acei
nmy
heart
Me:damnqueenmot her,wherearecameras
whenyouneedone,am suresomeonewouldhave
pai
dagoodfort
uneforthat,
butanywayitwil
lbe
ourl
it
tl
esecr
ect
Queenmot
her:t
hankyou
Me:nowl
etmehur
rybef
oream l
atef
orwor
k
Igetupandgetmybagr
usht
owor
k

Fewhour
slat
er

Wor kwasj ustWork,itwasfunformebecauseI

gettoear nasal ar
yandigettospendt imewi thmy
brother,todayIspentmostofmyt i
meexpl aining
tomybr othermoreli
kegossipactually aboutt he
whol eroyaldrama,ihadt oexplaint ohim again
andagai nbecauseheact uall
ydi dn'tbel
ieveme,
beforeiknewi twasl
unchtimeandt hepecksof
workingf oryourbrot
her,Imanipulatedhi minto
givi
ngmet herestofthedayof f,Igomeetwi t
h
queenmotheratoneofherf avour i
teexpensi ve
bouti
ques, Igettherewehuggandgr eetwest ar
t
tr
yingondresseswhi lewear eser vedwi th
expensi
veChampai gn, Imustsayt heyr eal
lyknow
howt ot
akeoft heircl
ients,wewer etryingon
cl
othesaft
erclothes, Iwasint hef i
tti
ngwhenIhear
Queenmothert al
kingt osomeone
Voi
ce:queenmot
herwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Queenmother:am her
etoshop,
what
elsewoul
dI
bedoingher
e?
Igetoutofthefit
ti
ngroom t
oshowqueenmother
theli
tt
leblacknumbershehadpickedf
ormecause
apprentl
yeverywomanshoul dhaveaLBD (l
it
tl
e
blackdress)inhercl
oset
Me:ma, It
hinkt
hedressi
s..
..
..
..
..
..
..(Ist
opas
soonasIseeThando)
Thando:Zoey?
Me:yesZoeyDl
ami
ni
Thando:Queenmot
herwhatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
th
pl
ast
icdol
l?
Iwant
edt
oanswerbutqueenmot
hert
akesover
Queenmot her:sheisnotplast
icdoll,
sheisZoey
Dlamini,
mydaught erinlaw,IknowIhave
condonedyourbehavi ourofdisr
especti
ngherin
thepastbutpleasestopitZoeyistenti
mesthe
womanyouwi l
leverbe
Youshoul
dhaveseent
hesmugonmyf
acewhen
shesai
dthat
Thando:Iseebei
ngbr
okehasgot
tent
oyourhead.
Queenmot her:lookaroundyousweet heart,does
i
tseem li
kebrokepeopleshophere?andpl easedo
yourhomewor kproper
lybeforei
nsulti
ngMe,
becausemyf amilyandiarefarf
rom broke
Thando:saysawomanwhowasaski ngmef ora
twomill
ionl
oannotsolongago,IguessIwi
llsend
youmyweddi ngi
nvi
tat
ionsinceyoucanaff
or dto
buymeanexpensivegif
tnow,yesyouhear di t
ri
ghtam get
ti
ngmarri
edt ot
hemanofmydr eams.
Me:j
ustmakesur
ehei
sn'
tmar
ri
edt
hist
ime,
we
al
lknowyourr
ecor
dasahomewr
ecker
.
Thando:don' twor r
yyourpret
tyli
tt
leheadZoey,
daddiddoabackgr oundcheckonhi m andhegave
ushisblessingsaf ewdaysagoandhei snot
rel
atedtother oyalhousesothatalonej ustmakes
him aperfectdecenthumanbei ng, nowi fyoutwo
"bestfri
ends"wi llexcusemeIhavebr idesmaids
dressestoshop, chao.
Sheleavesmeandqueenmot
hert
ocont
inuewi
th
outshopping
Queenmother:whatevermademebeli
eveshe
wouldmakeawonder f
ulwif
eformysonmust
havebeenreal
lyst
rong.
Me:for
getaboutt
hegol
ddi
ggerandl
etscont
inue
wi
thourshoppi
ng.
Queenmother:youar
esor
ightl
et'
snotThando
spoi
lourday.
Weshopt il
lwegetti
red,wedeci
dedtogoand
havelunch aft
erl
unchwedr i
vebackhome,
queenmothersurehel
ldoknowhowt oshop,I
haveneverseensomanybagsjustfr
om one
shoppi
ngt
ri
p.

Bandi
le

Iwokeupear ly,didn'tevenwakemywi feup, she

l
ookedpeacef ulwhenshewassl eepi ng,Igetr eady
forthemeet i
ng, thissur eisgoingt obeonehel lof
ameet i
ng, Iwoul drat herpullmyt eethsoutoneby
oner atherthanl i
stent odadandSphamandl ahave
agoati t,butmom sai dshewast rust i
ngmeand
Unathit okeept hepeacebet weent hetwo, I
fi
nallymeetupwi thSphamandl aandUnat hi,
Unathiwast heonewhodr oveust other oyal
house, butwedr oppedacoupl eoft hingst hetwins
neededatzoey' spar ent '
shouse, theywer egoi ngt
o
stayt hereti
llwesor toutt hiswholemess, dadwas
waitingf orus, weal lgot othel i
vingroom
Dad:fir
stofal
lletmestartbysayi
ngthatbel
ieve
am t
alki
ngtofullgr
ownmanandnotboysandam
sor
ryforever
ythingbutitwasnecessar
y
Sphamandl
a:necessar
yforwhobaba?,
am j
ust
her
ecausemasaidsai
dIshoul
dli
stent
oYou,
not
hingmorenot
hingl
ess.
Unathi:sphacanyoul
ethi
mtal
kthenwecan
respondplease
me:Isecondt
hat
Dad:thankyouUnathi,
li
keisaidam sor
rybut
whatIdidwasnecessar
y, lookatgoodwor
kthe
t
hreeofyoudidwit
hunat hi
'
scompany
Me:butmom hadt osel
lherent
ir
ejewel
ler
y
col
lect
ionf
orthatandZoeyandihadtosel
lhercar
andmyAudi A6
Dad:thosetwocarswil
lberepl
acedwit
himmidi
ate
ef
fectandiboughtal
lyourmother
sjewel
ler
yback
Unathi:sowhat?,
ist
hatsupposedt
omakeusf
eel
bet
ter?
Spamandl
a:myquest
ionexact
ly
Dad:pleasefor
giveme, iwasj
ustsepar
ati
ngboys
fr
om man, Iwasbuil
dingyouuptobeindependent
shoul
danythinghappent ome
Me:nowt
hatyouhavet
aughti
syour"
val
uabl
e
l
esson"whatnext?
Unathi
:letmeguessweareal
lsupposedtoj
ust
movebackhomeandpr et
endasifnothi
ng
happened?
Me:wel
lam notmovi
ngbackher
e,howdoIknow
myfami
lyandiwon'
tbet
hrownoutl
ikedogsagai
n?
Sphamandla:yesdad,it
'sgoingt
otakemorethan
yousayi
ngyouar esor
ryf oryout
owinbackour
tr
ust,whatyoudidwasext r
emeandcruelt
othe
core
Me:mysent
iment
sexact
ly
Dad:Iknowihavebr okenyourtrustbutam your
fat
herandil oveyou, sohereiswhatisgoingt o
happen, toshowt hatnooneandimeannoonei s
goingtot hr
owyououtofyourhomeever, si nce
youeachhaveahouseher e,Ihaveturnedintoa
famil
yhousewi t
hallyourthr
eenames, mpumi e
wil
lgetf undst obuyahouseofherchoi ce, bandil
e
am handi ngobert woofmycompani est oyoubutI
wil
lsti
llhave25%shar ei
noneat l
east,Unathiyou
aresorted, Sphamandl aam givingyouf i
fty
percentofmyr emaingcompany,fundsfr
om the
tr
ustwillbereleasedtoeverymemberofthefamily
butalargeper centwil
lremaininthetr
ustandyou
Sphamandl alet'sgotomyst udyt
otalksi
nceyou
aremyhei r
Sphamandl
aanddadgot
ohi
sst
udy,
comeback
af
tert
wohours
Me:sphaar
eyouokay?
Sphamandl
a:yesam f
inef
ornow
Unat
hi:soar
ewemovi
ngbackher
eornot
?.
Sphamandla:am doi
ngthi
sformom plusweal
l
needourspacesoIguesswearemovingbacki
n
home
Unathi:sowhathappenst
othehousewebought
wit
hourcoldhardcash
Me:yeshowar
egoi
ngt
omai
ntai
nthepr
oper
ty?
Sphamandl
a:theproper
tywi
llbemai
ntai
ned,we
al
lmovingbackher
eexceptf
oroneofmywives
Dad:whi
chwi
fe?
Sphamandl
a:Si
hle
Me:pl
ease,
please,
pleasel
etmebr
eakt
henews
t
oher.
Sphamandl
a:noam notgoi
ngt
oletyoust
ealmy
momentofjoynever
Unat
hi:wel
lat
leastl
etusbei
nther
oom whenyou
br
eakthenewstoher
Me:yespl
easeletusbr
o,t
hel
ookonherf
acei
s
goi
ngtopr
icel
ess
thi
ngsbetweenusanddadwerenotahundr
end
percentf
inebutwewer
eallwi
ll
ingt
omeeteach
otherhal
fway

Twohour
slat
er

Wewer efinall
yhomet hewomenwer ebusy
prepari
ngsupperwhenwegothome, Sphamandla,
Unathiandidecidetoplaysomefi
fagame'sto
unwindalit
tl
e, wedidn'
tevenseehowlatei
twas
getti
ngunti
llMinni
ecomesandt el
lsussupperis
r
eady
Wegoandj
oinever
yatt
hedi
nni
ngr
oom t
abl
e
Mom :soSphamandl
ahowdi
ditgobet
weenyou
andyourf
ather
?.
Sphamandl a:Weir
onedoutsomei ssuesbutwe
st
il
lhaveal ongwaytogo, butonthebr i
ghtsi
de
wehaver eachedamutualunderst
andingandwe
ar
emovi ngbackhome
Si
hle:Ican'
twai
t,Isomi
ssmycl
oset
wai
tfori
t,wai
tfori
t
Sphamandl a:sorr
ytobreaki tt
oyoumydearl ovel
y
wif
ebutt hisi
syournewhome, thekidscancome
totheroyalhouseatanygiventime, Iwil
lcomeand
spendsomet imewi t
hyousi nceyouar esti
llmy
wif
e(t helookonherfacewasi ndeedpr i
celess,
Unathiandicouldn'
thel
pi tbutlaugh
Sihl
e:noSphamandl
ayoucan'
tdot
hist
omeno
youcan'
tpl
ease
Sphamandl
a:thehousewi
llber
enovatedtosui
t
youbuti
twil
lst
il
lbei
nmyandmybr other
snames
Sihl
e:whycan'
tyouj
ustbuymemyownhouse
then?
Sphamandl
a:enoughsi
hle,
am donet
alki
ng
Weal
lhavesupperi
nawkwar
dsi
lence.
[
09/
30,
11:
18] :I
nser
t96

Zoey

Amont
hlat
er

Ourl i
veswer ebacktonor malwewer ebackatthe
royalhousebutwewer edoingt hingsonourown
termsnow, Iwashappyt obeabl etowakeupand
got owor k,
Mi nni
ewashappybei ngahousewi fe
butshewasl ooki
ngi ntostart
ingherownbusi ness
andnowt hatthetri
pletsweret hreemont hs,queen
mot herhadalreadyst ar
tedgroomi ngasshewas
goingt obethenextqueen, t
odaywasThando' s
weddi ngday,Laurenmyf r
iend" theonethatnever
wantedt
obemar ri
ed"wasgetti
ngmar r
ied,soI
wasmeetingwit
hherandaver ypregnantLet habo,
Iborr
owhubby'scar,si
ncewehaven'tdecided
whatcar
swewantt obuy, Igototherestaurant
wheream meeti
ngupwi t
hmyf ri
ends,Lethabowas
alr
eadyt
here,
shewashavi ngmilkshake,ofal l
thi
ngs
Let
habo:don'
tjudgeokay
Me:f
ine
WewaitforLaur
enforaboutt
hir
tymi
nut
es,
she
f
inal
lydoesarri
ve
Lethabo:Laur
enweknowyouar ethebri
debutyou
can'taf
for
dtobel
ateyet
,it
'snotyourweddi
ngday
yet
Laur
en:am sorr
yIdidn'
tknowther
ewoul
dbe
tr
aff
iccausedbythi
sbigweddi
ng
Me:guessi
tisThando'
sweddi
ng
Let
habo:am j
ustgl
adt
hebi
tchi
sfi
nal
lyget
ti
ng
marri
ed
Laur
en:enoughaboutt
hesel
fcent
eredwi
tch,
now
l
et'
stal
kmyweddi
ng
Let
habo:Iwi
llgi
veyoumyweddi
ngpl
anner
i
nvit
ati
on
Lauren:t
hankyouleej
oy,
shedidanexcell
entj
ob
wit
hyourwedding,
Iwouldn'
tmindusi
ngher
servi
cesandyouZoeywil
lbethemaidofhonour
Me:t
hankyouMel
Let
habo:sonowthatyouar
ebackatt
her
oyal
househowaret
hings
Me:meandqueenmot hergeteachot
herthisdays,
sphaandtheki
ngdohaveagoateachot heronce
i
nawhi l
ebutever
ythi
ngi sf
ine
Laur
en:am gl
adt
oheart
hat
WehaveourlunchandIdri
vehome,apparent
ly
Thando'
sweddingwasthetal
koft
own, appar
entl
y
i
twasabeaut i
fulweddi
ng.

Thando
Icoul dn'
tbeli
eveitIwasfi
nall
ygetti
ngmymoment ,
IwasonehappywomanGr egghadindeedfulf
il
led
allhispromises,Ididi
nvi
tequeenmot herbutshe
rejectedmyi nvi
tat
ion,
sheapparentl
ywasst i
ll
mour ningthedeathofhercat,howrude,butIreal
ly
didn'tcare,
mom comesi ntomyr oom
Mom :babyam sohappyf oryou, youhavemade
meapr oudmot her
,lookatyou,youhavetwo
beaut
ifulki
ds,
youhaveyourownbeaut if
ulhouse
andtodayyouar egett
ingmarri
ed
Me:Iam sohappyma,
youhavenoi
deawhatyour
wor
dsmeant ome
Mom :wehavetogo,youwil
lbewithyourf
ather
onl
yandIwil
lbewithyourmaidofhonourandthe
gi
rl
s
Mybridemaidscomei
ntother
oom,theyhelpme,
mydresswashuge,aft
erahugest
ruggle,If
inal
ly
geti
ntothecarandwemakeourwayt othehall
Dad:t hi
sisthemomentIhavebeenwaiti
ngf ormy
enti
relif
e,youdiddi
sappoi
ntmebygetti
ng
pregnantfortwomenbuttodayyouhaveredeemed
your
sel
fmygir
l,youaref
inall
ybecomi
ngthe
womanyourmotherandIalwayswant
edyoutobe,
awomanwithdi
gnity.
Me:thankyoudadandyoudadar
eanamazi
ng
f
ather
,myhero
Wef
inal
lygett
otheweddi
ngvenue
Ever
yonewasnowi
nsi
deexceptf
orme,
dadand
mybridesmai
d
Mybridesmai
denter
,themusi
cher
ecomest
he
br
idestar
tspl
ayi
ng
Dad:shal
lwe?
Me:yesdad
Hetakesmyarmi nt
ohisarm, wesl
owlymakeour
wayinsi
det
hehal l
,Iwasi
nt earst
heenti
ret
ime,I
st
il
lcoul
dn'
tbel
ieveIwasgetti
ngmarri
ed
Thepast orhelpsuswit
hourvows, weexchange
ri
ngs,thepastorsays"
nowpr onounceyouhusband
andwife,Greggyoumayki ssthebri
de"wekiss,we
gotakephotos, wegototherecepti
onvenue,my
breat
hwast akenaway,itwaseverythi
ngIwanted
andmore,myweddi ngplannerreal
lydidcome
thr
oughforme,wepar t
ytil
lGreggandIdecideto
l
eaveforourhoneymoonwewer egoingtoPari
s,
yespari
eebaby,par
iee.

Nomcebo/queenmot
her

Iwasr eal
lyhappyt hings,weresl owl ybutsur el
y
retur
ningbackt onor mal,ZoeyandIwer eclose
andkhanyiwast henextqueenoft hiskingdom, soI
wasbusygr oomi nghertobeawomanwhocan
carrytheworld'sproblemsonhershoul der ,
being
brokeandhavi ngnoonet oturnt or eall
yopenedmy
eyes,Iwasgoi ngt ostartaFoundat iontohelp
othersinneed, especial
lywomenandchi l
dren,
Zoey,khanyiandMi nniewer egoi ngt obeofhuge
help,Iwasinmyof fi
cewat chingThando' sweddi ng,
thi
sonewascr azyshewashavi ngherweddi ngli
ve
broadcastedonsoci almediaplat forms, she
seemedt rul
yandgenui nelyhappy, Iwashappyt hat
shegotherpr incechar mingafteral l
Itwasinthatmomentt hatIdecided,
khanyi
mpumi e,
Trina,
sihl
e, Minni
e,ZoeyandIshouldhave
agirl
stri
p,Idon'
tknowt owhereexactl
ybutwe
neededahugebr eak,weneededt obreathaf
ter
whatwehavebeent hrough.
[
09/
30,
11:
19] :I
nser
t97

Thando

GreggandIhavebeenbackf rom ourhoneymoon

fortwoweeksnow, i
twasr eallyanamazi ng
experience,itwasreall
ynicebei ngMr sGregg
Peterson,wedeci dedtomovei ntoGregg'shouse,
Ididn'tsel
lmyhousebecausei twasani nvestment
formygi rl
s,Ihadjustfini
shedget t
ingreadyfort he
day,whent hedoorbel lri
ngs, whoeverwasr inging
thedoorbel lwassur eimpetient,Greggwasi nthe
shower ,soIdecidedt ogoandopent hedoor ,
It
wasofcour semydear estmot herinlaw
Me:mor
ningma.
MrsPet
erson:andwhati
sgoodaboutt
hismor
ning
,moveoutofthewayandletmeseemyson
Me:maGreggisst
il
lint
heshower
,canImakeyou
t
eaorcof
fee?
MrsPet
erson:soyoucanpoi
sonme?
,not
hank
you.
Me:canIal
eastt
akeyourbagst
oyourr
oom
Mr
sPet
erson:atl
eastyouar
ebei
ngusef
ul
It
akeherandMadisonbagstother
oomstheywi
ll
beusi
ng,Igobackt
otheli
vingr
oom wher
e
SheandMadi
sonwher
e
Me:Maddydoyouwantmet
omakeyousome
cupcakesandj
uice
Madi
son:yespl
ease
MrsPeterson:
iwi
llmakethatf
orher,wewouldn'
t
wantanyt
hingt
ohappentomygr andbabywoul
d
we?
Me:(Iwasupset
)nowewoul
dn'
tthat
.
Gr
eggwascomi
ngdownst
air
s,whi
chwasar
eli
ef
Gregg:mom (t
heyhugg,
theyreal
lyseemedhappy
t
oseeeachother)whendidyougethere?
Mom:acoupl eofminutesago,thandowasan
absoluteangel,
sheevenof f
eredust ea,didn'
tyou
Thando(di dshereall
yjustdothat?,Icouldsee
throughherfakeasssmi l
e)butIsuggest edthatwe
allgooutforbreakf
ast
Gregg:thi
swasahugesur pri
se, l
etmegetinto
somethi
ngmor ecomfor
tableandt henwecanal lgo,
Gregggoestochangefr
om hisf ormalwear,t
he
witchwasjustf
akesmil
inguntilhedisappeared
MrsPeter
son:theshar
adewasformyson,
don'
t
getusedt
oityougolddi
ggi
nghoe
Iwasaboutt oanswerherwhenIhearGreggcalli
ng
mef orme,Igoupstai
rs,hej
ustwantedmet oget
myhandbagandphone, weallgotoarestaur
antfor
breakfast
.Itwasreal
lyuncomfor
tabl
ebeingaround
theoldhag

Zoey
GugglingMot herhood, beingawi fe, work,helping
queenmot herwi thhernon- pr of i
tor ganizati
on
whichwascal l
edTheDl ami nibr idesandhel ping
Laurenwi thherweddi ngpl anni ngwasr eall
yt oo
muchbutf unatt hesamet i
me, whi chiswhyi twas
real
lyawel comedsuggest i
onwhenqueenmot her
suggestedt hatweal lgot oDur banf oracoupl eof
days,shehadf oundpeopl ewhoshet rustthatcan
helpAunt yI sabellawitht het ripletsandal ltheki ds,
wewer eal lpackedandr eadyt ogo, Iwaswi th
queenmot her,Mi nnieandsi hle,whi l
eKhanyiwas
withTrinaandNompumel elo, i
twasr eall
yfun
causewehaddeci dedt odriveal lthewayt oDur ban,
wewant edt odot hingsdi ff
er ently, afterseveral
hoursofbei ngont her oad,wef i
nal lymakei ttothe
hotel
,itwasnowt imef orust odeci dehowt oshar e
room andwhowasshar ingwi t
hwho
Nompumel
elo:t
heprosofbei
ngalesbi
an,am wit
h
myTri
nasoam sor
ted,
justgi
vememyr oom keys
Qeenmot
herhandshert
hekeys
Mi
nni
e:andam shar
ingwi
thkhanyi
Me:youar enotbei
ngf
airMi
nni
eweknowsi
hle
doesn'
tli
keme.
Si
hle:butIwantt
oshar
ear
oom wi
thqueen
mother
.
Queenmother:nottheti
mesihl
e,myhusbandjust
rosefr
om t
hedeadsowehaveal otofmaki
ngupto
do,don'
tbesur
prisedifhedoespayusasurpr
ise
visi
t
Mpumi
e:eewmom,
that
'sdi
sgust
ing
Queenmot
her:whatam j
ustbei
nghonest
Mphumi
e:st
il
lmom t
oomuchi
nfo
Tr
ina:babespeaki
ngofmaki
ngup
Queenmother:wi
llyout
oojustgotoyourroom
al
readyandfi
neIdogetyourpoi
nt,
it'
sdisgust
ing.
Mpumi
e:t
hankyou
Me:si
hle,
IguessyouandIar
est
uckwi
theach
ot
her
Queenmot
hergi
vesusourr
oom key,
wegeti
n
sihl
echoosesherbedf i
rst
,wepackourbagsi na
nicemanner ,wegetr eadysincet
hehostsai dwe
wouldbehavi ngaf ormaldinner,ihel
psihlewith
herdr ess,Imustsayshel ookedstunni
ng,wegot o
meetupwi ththerestofthegroup, weal
llooked
real
lyst unni
ngevenTr inainherf
or malf
emal esuit
,
wesi taroundthetable
Queenmot her:beforeweal lhavesomet hi
ngt oeat,
Ijustwantt othankyoual l
,youal laret rul
y
remar kabl
ewomen, Zoeyyoul eadbyExampl e,I
tookacoupl eofpagesf rom yourbook, Khanyiand
youMi nni
eyoushowedt rueremar kabl estrengths,
youal lhel
pedmekeept hef amil
yt oget her,youall
trul
ydeser vethi
sandMpumi emypr incesst hank
youf orbeinganamazi ngdaught ert hatyouar e, I
l
oveyoumygi rl
,Tri
nathankyouf ort akingcar eof
her.
Nowt hatt
heregi
str
ationfort
heDlaminibridesis
al
mostcompl et
eIwillli
keustoworktogetherand
buil
deachotherup,rememberwedon' tteareach
otherdown,wehel
peachot herf
ixourcrowns
Weal
lthankqueenmot
herandweor
derourf
ood,
I
mustsayi
treal
lywasamazi ngthatther
ewasno
dramaatt
hetable,
evensihlewhousuallysti
rst
he
potwasonherbestbehavior,
Icouldtel
lthi
swas
goingt
obeanamazi ngvacati
on.

Queenmot
her/Nomcebo

Ihadj
ustfi
nishedeat
ingdinnerwi
thmyf
ami
ly
whenIgetacallfr
om Thando
Me:i
fiti
sn'
tMr
sPet
erson,
howcanIbeofhel
pto
you?
Thando:queenmotherpl
easehel
pme,t
hisol
dhag
Ical
lamotherinl
awisbeingapai
nint
heass
Me:r
eal
ly,youThandoPeter
sonneedmyhelp?
,
pi
gsmustbeflyi
ngorhel
lmusthavefr
ozeover
.
Thando:queenmot
herpl
ease.
Me:okayletmehel
pyou, youseethewomanyou
cal
lanoldhaggi
sjustamot herpr
otecti
ngherson,
bot
hf r
om gol
ddi
ggersandfrom him get
tinghurt
,
soit
'suptoyout
oshowhert hatyoutrul
ydol ove
herson
Thando:pl
easequeenmot
herhel
pme,
comeup
wit
haplan
Me:am nol ongerthathumanbeingThando, Idon'
t
scheme,manipulateandgobehindpeoplesback
anymore,t
heener gyIhavefori
sdoinggoodf ormy
community,youcancomeandhel pam star
ti
nga
non-pr
ofi
torganizat
ion
Thando:mxm,Ishoul
dhavenevercal
ledyouyou
areofnouset
ome
Shehangsup, IwasupsetandIneededtocl
earmy
brai
n,Itakemymot her
'sr
ing,
itwasgivent
oherby
mygr andmother
Igoknockonzoey'
sdoor
Zoey:queenmot
herar
eyouf
ine?
Me:yesdearl
et'
stakeawal
ktot
hebeach.
wegoandt
akeawal
k
Me:Zoeyyouareanamazingremarkabl
ewoman,
youhaveshownmysontruelove,
whichiswhyI
wanttogi
veyouthi
s(Isaygivi
nghertheri
ng)
si
ncekhanyii
sthenextqueeninwait
ingandam
goi
ngtogiveMinni
eallofjewelr
ysomeday, I
wantedt
ogiveyoumymostpr izedpossessi
ons
Zoey:wowt
hankyouqueenmot
her
Me:itbelongedt
ograndmother
,shegavei
tmy
motherandnowam trust
ingyouwit
hitandpl
ease
gi
veitKhwezisomeday
Zoey:woowqueenmot
herar
eyousur
eaboutt
his.
Me:yesjustpassi
tdownt
oKhwezi
,nowl
et'
sgo
backi
t'
sgetti
nglat
e.
Wegobackt othehotel
,Igot
omyr oom,
whil
eZoey
goestohers,Ij
ustcal
lmyhusbandandt
alkt
ohi
m
unti
lIf
ellasl
eep.
[
09/
30,
11:
19] :I
nser
t98

Zoey

Itwasanamazingcoupl
eofdaysinDurban,
other
t
hanSihl
esul
kinghereandt
hereanditwasnow
fi
nallytimet ogohome,Weal lcouldn'
twai t,apart
from Tr i
naandnompumel eloweal lhadmi ssedour
husband' sandki ds, Ireall
yhadmi ssedmysweet
angelLwazi, okayf i
neImi ssedmydi vat oo, I
couldn'twaittoseehercut eadr oableface, weget
i
nt ooutcar sandgohome, afterhour sandhour s
i
nt heroadwewer efi
nal l
yhome, Bandilewasat
wor kalready, sothef i
rstthingIdoi stogoand
checkonmybabi es,di vabei ngdivacr i
est oget
myat tention, Ipickherup, Lwazijustcomesand
grabsmyl eg, Ihadnoi deahowmuchIhadmi ssed
thistwo, Iplacethem ont hei rplaymatandipl ay
wi t
hthem , t
heyevent uallyf allasl
eep, Igoand
startcookingsupper, Iwasst il
lbusycooki ng
whenbandi l
ecomesandgr absmebymywai st
Bandi
le:Ir
eal
lyhadmi
ssedyoumaDl
ami
ni
Me:nchoo,
Ihadmi
ssedyoumyki
ng
Bandi
le:wannagoandpl
aycat
chupi
nthe
bedr
oom ?
Me:butam cooki
ngsupper
Bandi
le:f
orgetsupper,
Imi
ssyou,
wecanor
deri
n
i
tgoeatatt
hemai
nhouse
Me:il
iket
hesoundoft
hat
Wegot othebedr
oom ,
weli
ter
all
ycouldn'
tkeepout
handsoffeachot
herandt
herestasthewayis
hi
stor
y

Thando

Theol dhagwasl it
erall
ymaki ngmyl ifeal i
ving
nightmar e,Ihadgonet omypar entsplaceand
pickedt hegir
lsup, theywer etheonlyonest hat
couldkeepmesameatt hi
st i
me, Ihadgonet othe
kit
chent of
ixmyselfasnackandhadl eftthegirl
s
playinginthelivi
ngroom , thewi t
chf ol
lowsmet o
theki t
chen
MrsPet
erson:gol
ddi
ggerwhodoyout
hinkwi
ll
cl
eanaf
teryourki
ds?
Me:don'
twor
rymeIwi
llcl
eanupaf
tert
heyar
e
done.
Mr
sPet
erson:mamyf
oot,
doIl
ookl
ikelhavea
daught
eryourageoram Iyourugl
ymot
her
Me:list
enandli
stent
omegoodyouol dhag, you
caninsul
tmeallyouwantbutwhenitcomestomy
par
entsandmyki dst
hati
swher eIdr
awt hel
ine
andcanyoupleasegotohellf
orawhile.
Mr sPeterson:Ivacati
onthere, sopleasesendme
somewher enew,am ti
redofhellandtheplace
seem fullatthi
sti
meoft heyear, soplease
recommendanot herpl
ace
Me:whycan'tyouj
ustacceptt
hatGr
eggandil
ove
eachot
her?
MrsPeter
son:andwhycan'tyoujustacceptt
hat
wi
llneveracceptagol
ddi
ggerli
keyoucauseyou
ar
ejustnotwomanenoughformyson
Me:andwhoi swomanenoughf oryourson?,
Kimberl
y?(Madison'
smot her)oohpleasewe
bothknowsheisnot
hingbuttrash
Mr sPet
erson:atl
eastsheisnonotbar r
enandcan
givemysonki ds,sheisawomannotaman
tr
appedinawoman' abody(ifel
tthat,Iwantedto
crybutididn'
twanttogivehert
hesatisfact
ion)
Me:canyouj
ustpl
easel
eavemeal
one?
Mr
sPet
erson:canyoupl
easel
eavemysonal
one
Idecidetoignor
eherandgobackt owheremy
gi
rlswhere, t
heyseemedreal
lyhappyandthat
broughtbackalit
tl
esmil
eonmyf ace.

Fewdaysl
ater

Todaywasf inall
yLaur en'sday, Iwassohappyf or
her,theexcitementinmewasj usttoomuch,
Bandi
leIwokeuppr ettyear lybecauseasthemai d
ofhonour,am t obehel pingLauren,queenmot her
wastheonebabysi t
ti
ngdi va(khwezi )andLiam ,
wegett her
eandLaur en'snerveswer eona
hundrend, IcallLet
habo, whocomesandhel pme
cl
am herdown, Iwast akingmanypi ctur
esandi
hadacapt i
ont hatsaid"whenyourbest i
eisgetti
ng
marri
ed, #weddi ngvibes"Bandi l
ecomesandt el
ls
mehei sgoingt otheweddi ngvenuesinceiwi l
lhe
withthebridalparty,wef i
nall
ygetdonecandwe
makeourwayt othevenue,i twasanoutdoor
wedding,wi thavi ewofabeaut if
uldam , Icouldn'
t
helpitbutcryasmyf ri
endmadeherwayt oget
groom , weddingsar ebeautif
ul,t
heyexchange
thei
rvows , t
heyar eproncedhusbandandwi fe,
wegoandt akepi ct
ures,thisti
meatleastIdidn'
t
l
ooklikeawhal e,Lethabodid,she, Saneleand
Bandilehadjoinedus
Aftertakingpictureswemakeourwayt othe
receptionhall,itwasst unni
ng,Icri
edagainand
thi
st i
meIcoul dn'tevenblameitonhormones,we
partyawayi ntot henight,Bandi
leandiwere
dancingourassesof f
Wehadsomuchf un,somehowLauren'
sweddi
ng
hadbr
oughtmeandBandi
leevencl
oserbyt
he
ti
mewegohome

Twodaysl
ater
Bandi
le

Lauren'sweddi nghadsomehowmademer eal

ised
thatIgavemyqueenever ything, exceptabi g
beaut i
fulweddi ng,zoeyhadr eall
yst uckwi thme
throughitallandshedeser vest hi
s, Idecidean
goingt oproposet ohertonightanditwasper f
ect
becauseshewasatwor k, IcallmyP. Aandt el
lher
tocancelever ysingl
ealpointmentIhad, Iaskmom
totaket hetwins, Iwasamanonami ssi
onandi
didn'twanttobedi str
acted, Idr i
vet oaf lower
shop
ShopAssi
stant:si
rhowcanwehel
pyou
Me: r
edrosesaremywi vesf
avouri
te,
soIwant
everysi
ngleredroseandredrosePetalyouhave
i
nt heshop.
ShopAssi
stant:si
rar
eyousur eaboutt
hat?,
do
youhaveanideawhatit
'sgoi
ngtocostyou?
Me:am hundredandtenpercentsur
e(isaygi
ving
hermycard)pleaseal
soaddsomecandles
ShopAssi stant:cer
tainl
ysi
r,pl
easesi
gnhereand
fi
llouttheformssoourdel i
veryt
ruckcandel
iver,
si
ncet hisisahugeor der
Idothat,t
hetr
uckwasbehi
ndme, Ior
derf
ood
f
rom herf
avour
it
erest
aur
antandhaveahugesi
gn
t
hatsays"marr
ymeagainmade"
Ifi
nallygohomes, callever
ysinglememberofour
familyincl
udi
ngSihl e,guardsandAunt ybell
a,dad
wasi ntheUS visi
tingqueenNoma, Igivethem a
redroseeachtogivet ozoey, Iinst
ructtheguard
toletthem wal
kallthewayt ot
hehouse.

Zoey

I
twasf
inal
lyknockof
fti
me,
Igeti
ntomycar
wellAnt
hony'scaranddrivehome, Iwasr eall
y
ti
redandallIwantedwasal ongrel
axingbat hand
somesleep, If
inal
lygethome, Iwasatt hegate
when, t
heguardhandsmear edrose, t
hent he
secondguard,okaythisisstr
ange
Me:whati
sthi
sal
labout?
Guar
d:madam j
ustgetoutoft
hecarandf
oll
owme
Me:ar
eyoucr
azy?,
whati
sgoi
ngon
guar
d:manj
ustdoasIsay
OkayIdo, Bandilemustbebehi ndt hisam goi ngto
kil
lhim, assoonast hegateopen,Iseeever yone
holdingar edrosef l
owerbutBandi lewasnott here,
ar edcarpetlai
doutf ormewi thr osepertalevery
wher e,Ifoll
owt hesignscoll
ectingf lowers,the
signsleadmet oourhouse, whatIseewhenIopen
thedoor ,
myGod, ourenti
reli
vingr oom and
dinningroom fil
ledwi t
hfl
ower sandcandl es,Iwas
i
nt ears,mykneesal lweak,Bandi lecomesand
holdsmehet ell
smet olookatt hewal l
,IdoandI
seet hi
shugeasssi gnthatsays"mar rymeagai n"
Me:ar
eyouser
ious?
Bandi
le:asahear
tat
tack
Me:Ofcour
seiwi
ll,
overandoveragai
n
Ever
yonewashappyforus, t
heycomeandj
oinus,
wehavedi
nnerandtheyleave
Icouldn'
tbel
ieveit,i
tfel
tli
keadream ,Iwasreal
ly
exci
ted, Iwef i
nall
ygoingtohavemydr eam
wedding,Icouldn'
twaittostar
tpl
anningmy
wedding,thi
swasgoi ngtobemot herofall
weddings.
[
09/
30,
11:
19] :I
nser
t99

Zoey

Youshouldhaveseenhowhappyever
yonewasat
ther
oyalhouse
Queenmother:t
hisi
sgoi
ngtobethelastroyal
weddi
ngsinceMpumieandTr
inasai
dt heydon't
wantawedding,
soweneedtogooutwi t
habang.
Khanyi:Isecondt
hat
,thi
sneedst
obet
hemot
her
ofal
lweddings
Mpumie:TrinaandIwi
llsponsoryouguyswi
tha
sevent
iercakeandthr
ee,thr
eetiercakes
Me:r
eal
ly?,
thankyou.
Minnie:hol
ditri
ghtt
here,
UnathiandIar
egoi
ngto
payforyourhoneymoonanywhereyouwantt
ogo.
Khanyi:meandsphamandlawi
llpayf
oryour
venueandtr
anspor
tat
ionfort
hedaypluspayfor
themakeuparti
st
Bandi
le:t
hankyou,
keept
hosegi
ft
scomi
ng
Queenmot her:wel lmylastbor nsoni sgetti
ng
mar r
iedandIcan'tletyoumi nionsoutdomenow
canI ?,am goi
ngtopayf orzoey's,wellthekingand
Iaregoingtopayf orzoey'
sdr ess,anydr essofher
choice,wearealsogoingtopayf ortheweddi ng
planner
Ihuggqueenmot
her
Me:t
hankyouqueenmot
her
Queenmot
her:youdeser
vet
hisandmor
edear
.
Me:t
hankyout
oal
lofyou,
thi
smeanst
hewor
ldt
o
me
Theyfi
nal
lyl
eaveandnowi twasjustBandi
leandI
,
Icoul
dn'
tbel
ievei
t,Iwasf
inall
ygoingtohavea
weddi
ngofmydr eams.
Bandi
le:soMr
sBandi
leDl
ami
niwhatdoyouwant
todonow?
Me:firstofallIwanttobr eakt
henewst omy
famil
y,myf r
iendsandt hent ot
herestofthewor l
d
andthenIcanshowyoumyappr eci
ati
onf orgivi
ng
memydr eam wedding,nobudgetweddi ngright?
Pluswear egetti
ngfreebies
Bandi
le:f
inenobudgetj
ustdon'
tgocr
azy.
Me:meZoeyDl aminigocrazy?,
noway, evena
thousandrandformyweddi ngwillbef
ine,Imean
am thatgi
rlwhocanwearat r
ashbagandi twoul
d
l
ookgl amorous,It
ellyou.
Bandil
e:fi
ne,letmegiveyouspacewhi
leyou
breakthenewstoyourfamil
y
Itakemyphonedialmydad'snumber,am a
daddy'
sgi
rlaf
terall
,nott
hatIdon'
tlovemom ,
Ido
Dad:
,pr
incess
Me:Dad,
areyouwi
thmom andAnt
hony?
Dad:yourmom i
sintheki
tchen,
Ant
honyi
sinhi
s
room doi
ngGodknowswhat.
Me:canyoupl
easecal
lthem,
Iwantt
otal
ktoal
lof
you
Dad:pr
incessi
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Me:yesdad,
ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne
Dadcall
sforAnt
honyandmom,
whoal
lcame
rushi
ng
Mom :zoeyar
eyouokay?
Ant
hony:dumbheadi
sever
ythi
ngf
ine?
Me:yes,
guesswhoi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Ant
hony:noway,
nof
reaki
ngway
Mom :seri
ously?,
congr
atul
ati
onsbabygir
l,Ihave
wait
edforthi
smomentmyent irel
if
e(shestar
ts
cr
ying,
whichmakesmecr yalso)
Dad:congr
atul
ati
onssweet
hear
t,Ican'
twai
ttogi
ve
youaway.
Mom :am sohappyf
oryoubaby
Anthony:dumbheadshouti
fyouneedanyhel
p
andcongratul
ati
ons.
Me:t hankyoumom anddadanddweebIwillbe
knockingonyourdoorsoonert
hanyout
hink,I
havetogo.
Ihangup, t
her
ewasj ustonepersonIhadt
ocal
l
befor
eIcallmyfri
ends,sisFlo,t
hewomanwas
pract
ical
lymyothermother,sherai
sedme
It
akemyphoneanddi
alhernumber
Si
sfl
o:Zoeybabyar
eyouokay?
Me:yessi
sFlo, I
nfactam mor
ethanokay,am on
t
opoftheworl
d,Ijustwantedt
odeli
verapersonal
i
nvi
tetoawedding
Si
sFl
o:whoi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Me:youdi sappoi
ntmesisFlo,whoelsewoul
d
wanttogiveyouavipseatatthei
rweddi
ng?,gi
rl
yourbabygirli
sfi
nal
lyget
ti
ngmar ri
ed.
Shescr
eams,mypoorears,am sur
eam goi
ngt
o
needahear
ingai
daft
erthi
s
Si
sFl
o:nowaymygi
rl
,youar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?.
Me:yessi
sFl
oam f
inal
lyhavi
ngmydr
eam
weddi
ng
Si
sFlo:am sohappyf
oryoumygi
rl
,youhave
mademeproud.
me:t
hankyousi
sFl
o
Ihangup, If
inall
ycallmyf
riends,Imakea
conferencecallsoIcanbr
eakt henewstot
hem
together
Let
habo:madl
ami
ni
Me:youmakemesoundsool
dandanci
entl
eeJoy
Laur
en:butyouar
emadl
ami
ni
Me:caref
ulgirl
sorIwon'
tinvi
teyout
othemot
her
ofal
lweddings
Let
habo:no,
noway
Me:yesway
Laur
enandLet
haboscr
eam
Let
habo:somygi
rli
sfi
nal
lyhavi
ngherdr
eam
weddi
ng?
Me:yespri
ncecharmingfi
nal
lyproposed, Iwi
ll
sendyoupi
cturesi
naf ewmi
nutes,Iswearjeal
ousy
i
sgoingtoeatyouup,
myhousei sfullofr
osesas
wespeak
Let
habo:setadatewher
einsomeofuswon'
tbe
l
ookingl
ikewhal
espl
ease
Me:Lethaboyouaregoi
ngt
ogi
vebi
rt
hanyday
f
rom nowsorelax
Laur
en:Icantwai
t
Me:met
oogi
rl
s
Lethabo:l
etmegetof
fthephonebef
ore,Igoi
nto
l
aborbecauseoft
heexcit
ement,
congrat
shunyou
deservet
his.
Laur
en:am sohappyf
oryou,
thi
smeansweal
lgot
ourdr
eam weddi
ngsgi
rl
s.
Nowt hatIhavetol
deveryonet
hati
simportantto
me,itwasfinall
yti
metosharethenewswiththe
worl
d, t
hiswasmymomentandIwasenj oying
ever
ymomentofi t
,Igoandpostpi
ctur
esandsay"
whenhewant stomarr
yyouoverandoveragain"
#MrandMr
sBandi
leDl
ami
ni
#t
hel
astr
oyalweddi
ng
mysoci
almedi
aaccount
swer
e
f
loodi
ngwi
thcongr
atul
ati
onsmessages

Thando

Iwasr eal l
yhavi ngadi ffi
cul tti
mewi ththewi tchof
amot heri nlawIhad, whatmadei tworsewast hat
sheact edl i
keanabsol uteangeli nhersons
presence, Madi sonont heot herhandwasasweet
angel,wi shthewi tchcoul dgett hebroom andf ly
awayal ready, Iwasi noneofmysoci almedi a
account s,whenIsawZoeyt rending,Idecideto
checkitout ,whatIsawhadmegr eenwi thenvy, I
don'tgett ogivemyhusbandki dsandsheget st o
haveherhappi lyeveraf ter
, afterpeoplesawi twas
thelastr oyalweddi ng, t
heywer er eal
lymakinga
hugedealoutoft his,Icouldn' thandleit,
Iclosemy
phone,Igopr epar esupper ,thewi tchoftheinl aw
couldn'
tst opr ubbingi tinfacehowmybabydaddy
i
sget ti
ngmar ried,Gregghadt ostepinatsome
point,
togethert oshutup, IswearonedayIwi ll
sendt
hewi
tcht
ohel
lwher
eshebel
ongs

f
ewweeksl
ater

Bandi
le

AfterZoeypost edourphot osonhersoci almedia

account ,
magazi ne's,severalvl
ogs,several TV
programswant edt odoourweddi ngcover agesi
nce
i
twast he"l
astr oyalweddingi nourgener ati
on",
so
i
twasphot oshootaf terphot oshoot,
ever yone
want edtobepar toft
her oyalwedding,nott hatI
enjoyedtheattent i
onbutt hiswasmywi fe's
momentt oshineandIwant edhertoenjoyever y
momentofi t
,asl ongasshewasahappywoman, I
wasahappyman
mom andZoey' smother,nottomenti
onkhanyi,
si
hle,
Mi nnie,Laur
enandLet habo(whojustgave
bi
rt
ht oababyboy)wer eal
lbusy,t
hiswasahuge
wedding,eventhevil
lager
swer ebr
ingi
ngusfree
stuff
,whetheritbeveget abl
es,br
idesmai ddr
esses,
cateri
ngcompani esanddecocompani esthat
decoratedforcelebr
iti
eswer eoff
eringt
heir
servi
cesatt herateeverythi
ngisgoing,ZoeyandI
werenotgoi ngtospendadi meonourweddi ngday.
[
09/
30,
11:
19] :Fi
nal
e

I
nser
t100

Zoey

Todaywasf i
nal
lyMyweddingdayLethabo,
Lauren,
khanyi,
Minnieandevensi
hlewer
ebymysi de, t
hey
werehelpi
ngmeputonmybi gballgowndesigner
dress
ImustsayIr
eal
lyl
ookedbr
eat
htaki
ng,
eveni
fIdo
saysomysel
f.
Me:Let
habo,
Laur
en,Minnieandkhanyi
,Iwoul
d
l
ovet
othankyouf
orever
ythingandyousihl
eI
knowwehaven'
tseeneyet
oeyest
il
lthankyouf
or
bei
ngbymysideatthi
smoment
Youal
lsi
ster
sIneverhad
Iwasst
il
ltal
kingt
othel
adi
eswhenmom f
inal
ly
wal
ksin
Mom :l
adi
escanyoupl
easegi
vemeandt
hebr
ide
amomentalone
Thel
adi
esl
eave
Mom :lookatyoumybeaut i
fulbabygirl
,allgr
own,
i
tseemslikeyesterdaywhenIbr oughtyouback
fr
om t
hehospi t
al,t
hisistheonemomentIhave
beenwait
ingformyent ir
elif
eam sopr oudofyou
(shewascrying)
Me:mom pleasedont
,yougonnamakemecr
yand
Iwi
llr
uinmymakeup.
Mom :am sor
rybutal
lowmet
aket
hisbeaut
if
ul
momenti
n
Si
sFlowal
ksi
n,Imustsayshel
ookedr
eal
ly
st
unni
ng
Si
sFl
o:Nana,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
Me:honest
yIfeell
ikeam dr
eami
ng,
am bot
hhappy
andner
vousatthesametime.
I
twasst
il
ljustme,
mom andsi
sFl
owhenqueen
mot
herwal
ksi n
Queenmother:l
adiesifyouwil
lexcusemeIwoul
d
l
iketot
akeacloserlookatthebr
ide
(shecomesnearmeandgivesmeahug)l ookat
thebeaut
ybef
oreme,Iwasbusycollecti
ngstones
formysonbutmysonwentoutthereandgot
himsel
fa bi
gbeaut
if
uldiamond,Icouldn'
tbemore
proud
Me:t
hankyouqueenmot
her
Weallst
artprayi
ng,
wehadjustf
ini
shedpr
ayi
ng
whenkhanyicameandt
oldusitwastimet
oleave
Theyhadcl osedsixstreetsj ustformyweddi ng,
threelarge(ver ylar
ge)t entswer eerract
edforthe
vil
lagers,withbigscreens, :
sot hattheycanseen
whati sgoingon, Ifi
nall
ymakemywayt othecar,
it
wasmeanddadi nthecar ,therewer ecameras
everywher eandmyweddi ngwasbei ng
broadcastedl i
veonmostsoci alplat
forms
Wemakeourwaytot
hevenue,
myhear
twas
beat
ingr
eal
lyf
ast
Itwasnowf i
nal
lyt
imeformeanddad, asImade
mywayt omyhusband,bandi l
eandIhaddecided
togetaverytal
ent
edsingerwithi
nthefami
lyto
sign,
thesonginTyl
erperry'
s,madea'
sfamil
y
reuni
on
"i
tseemsl i
kefor
evert
hatIhavewaitedforyou,i
n
worl
df ul
lofdi
sappoi
ntment
,onet hi
ngistr
ue,God
hasblessedmeandhehasbl essedyoutoo..
..
"
AsIwasi nmyf at
her'
sarms,Iwassoner vous,I
wasl ooki
ngdownt heenti
reti
me, If
inal
lylookupas
wewer eapproachingbandi
le,Iseehim cr
ying,
that
real
lytouchedmecauset hatishowIwoul dhave
l
ovedhi mtoreact,i
twasperfect
Myf
athert
akeshandandj
oinsi
twi
thbandi
le'
sar
m
Past
or:whogi
vest
hisyoungwomanaway?
Dad:Ido
Dadt
akesmyar
m andki
ssesi
t,hegoesandj
oins
mom
Pastor:ladiesandGent l
emenwear egatheredhere
toher et
odayt ojoi
ni nholl
ymat r
imonyagai n,
bandileandmel okuhleZoeyDl amini
,ifofany
reasonwhat soeverthereisanyonewhobel ieves
thi
st woshoul dnotbejoinedtogetherspeakor
foreverholdyourpeace
Andi
twascompl
etesi
lence
Past
or:andnowt hatwehavegott
enthatoutoft
he
way,Zoeyandbandil
ehavechosentosaythei
rown
vows,bandil
eyougof i
rst
Bandile:thereisasayingbehindeverysuccessful
mant hereisawoman, youmyqueenhavepr oved
thatti
meandt i
meagai n,t
hereweretimeswhen
givi
ngupseemedl iketheonl
yopt i
onbutyoumy
l
ovenevergaveuponus, myloveforyouknowsno
bounds,Iloveyouwi thyouri
mper f
ections,
flaws
andallMel okuhleZoeyDlaminiandthatiswhyam
sayingIdooverandoveragai nmy.
Past
or:(hel
ooksatme)andnowi
tisyourt
urn
Zoey
Me:Goshmyki
ngwher
edoIbegi
n,t
hedayI
decidedtogivemyhear ttoyouwast hedayIt ook
thebestdecisi
onIhaveevert akenandIhavenot
regert
edsince,wewhet heredstormstogetherand
wecameoutst rongerthanever,myloveforyou
growsstrongerandstrongerbyt heday,
acceptyou,
withyourfl
awsandi mper f
ecti
ons
Pastor:nowthatyouhaveexchangedyourvows,
mayt hebestmanbringther
ingssoIcanbless
them
Sanel
ewasthebestman,hegivest
heri
ngstothe
past
or,t
hepast
orbl
essesthem,weexchanget
he
ri
ngs
Pastor:bythepowervest
edi
nme, Inow
pronounceyouhusbandandwif
e,bandi
leyoumay
ki
ssyourbride
Lor
dthatpart
,Iswearassoonasbandi
lel
if
tst
he
vai
lwesharethelongestki
ssever

Meanwhi
leThando
Ihadnochoi cebutt owatcht hemucht alkedabout
wedding,si
ncei twasallever yonewast alkingabout
i
ncludingthewi tchofmymot heri nl
aw, itwas
real
lyahugeweddi ng,i
tseemsl ikeeveryone
exceptmewant edt obepar toft hedamnweddi ng,
sixstr
eetsclosedj ustf
orpl ast i
cdollsweddi ngand
i
tseemsasmostpeopl ehadt imecauset heyhad
gatheredinthreelargetents, whatawast e

Backt
oZoey

Afterweleavethemat r
imonialvenue,wegoand
takeourweddingpictures,wegot otherecept
ion
venue,mypl annerhadr eal
lydonehermagi cwith
thethemeIgaveher ,Icrybandilewasthereto
distr
actmebywhi speringsweetnothingtomyear s,
sinceLaurenwasmymai dofhonor Igave
Lethabothehonorofsayi ngacoupleofwor ds
Lethabo:Zoeymyf ri
end,wehavebeenthr
ough
thi
ckandt hint
oget
her,Icoul
dn'
thavewi
shedfora
betterpar
tnerf
oryouandyouMrbandil
eDlamini
youcouldn'thavechosen,
abet
terwi
fean
i
ntel
li
gent,strongwil
ledwoman
Ihaveseenwhatyoubothhavet
oendur
etobeher
e
toget
her,
Iwishnot
hingbutt
hebestf
ort
hetwoof
you.
Andi
twasnowdad'
stur
n
Dad:ZoeyIwouldlovetosaythi
sloudandclear
forever
yonetohear
,am proudofyoumygirland
bandil
epleaset
akecareofmymostpr i
ced
possessi
on
Ant
hony:(
:hecoughs)uhhdadam st
il
lint
her
oom
Ever
yonel
augh
Dad:bandi
leIknowyoutwol
oveeachot
herpl
ease
l
etnot
hingchangethat
.
Nowi
twast
heki
ngst
urn
KingDlamini:youtwoprovedthatt
ruel
ovedoes
exist
,ZoeyIwoul dl
iket
othankyouformoldi
ngmy
sontobet hemanhei stoday,Iknowitwasn'
tan
easyroadroadf ort
hetwoofyoubutthankGodyou
endured
Nowthatspeecheswhereoutoft
heway,dadandI
haveourfi
rstdance,
itwasamazi
ng,thenbandi
le
andIdance,ever
yonejoi
nsin.
Wepar t
yawaytil
llatehour
s,bandil
eandIgot oour
hotel
room ,t
hetwi nswereinsafehandswith
queenmother,
wewer egoi
ngtotheMal di
vesfor
ourhoneymoon

Thefol
lowi
ngmorni
ngwewakeupear ly,
getready
andwegocatchourfl
ightt
otheMal
dives,Iwasa
happywoman

Am ZoeyDlamini,
thi
swasmyj our
neyfr
om the
i
mper f
ectmakotitot
heper
fectmakot
i,t
hankyou
forwalki
ngwit
hme