*

Themanual
ofl
ove*
[
11/
3,20:
40]Mar
cia:
"Whati
slov
e?"
Lungieymyf ri
endof6y earsasksmeasIf i
tthe5th
weddi nggown, wehavebeenher efor2hoursandI
sti
llhaven'
tfoundaperfectdressorshouldIsaymy
"i
deal"dress.Iknowshei sfr
ustr
ated,wehav ebeen
comi nghereforthepastsixweeksandIhav en't
reachedadeci si
onyet,youwill
swearI'm notgett
ing
mar ri
edin3weeks.
Me-(
sighs)i
sthatat
ri
ckquest
ion?
Lungiey-nofr
iendImeanhowdoyouknowitl
ove?
Isthereali
ghtbulbt
hatj
ustcl
i
cks?Oryouj
ustknow,
physical
ly?
Shelooksatme,t
hatwhenitr
egi
ster
sthatsheis
seri
ous,howdoIbreaki
tdowntoherdoIeven
knowmy sel
f?
Me-Iguessithowy oufeelwheny ouaroundthat
per
son.(Smil
es)Sizwemakesmehappy ,hemakes
mecontentwithmy sel
f,hebuysmef l
owers,
he
mademewantt ogetmar ri
ed,youknowIwasn' ti
nto
al
lthat
,heknowsmel i
teral
ly,
IlovethatmanandI
cannotwai
ttobeMr
sSi
zweKhumal
o.
Lungieylooksatherf riendfeel
ingsadf orher
thi
nki
ngt oher sel
fhowmuchofaf eministshewas,
theboldtype,howshedomi natesineverythi
ngshe
does.Sizwemanaget ot ametheli
onessher ,he
fi
tt
edherper fectl
y,sher emember showhappyshe
waswhenSi zwetur nedherbestf r
iendtoahopel ess
romanticasbol dasherbestf r
iendwassheknew
deepdownwasawomanwhoneededt obe
cheri
shedandappr eciatedbyamal ef
igure,Sizwe
Khumal owast hatmanorwashe? ?

"
LUNGI
EY!
!!
!"
Me-(
bored)Seri
ousl
ywheredidyougot o?
?(Tur
ned
andl
ookedatthemirr
or,
sizi
ngherdress)
Lungiey-hawu!Fri
endIthi
nkt
hatt
hedr
ess.Lookat
thatass,tshi
sa!
!Banyi
se
Me-( shocked)WHAT? ?!!
!YouknowIhat eBobtube
dresses,(si
ghs)(looki
ngatherfr
iend,
wondering
whateat i
ngherup, sheevenfor
gotthatshehates
anythingBobt ubed)It
hinkweshouldleavenow.
Lungi
ey-yeah(
sighs)wewi
l
lfi
ndy
ouadr
ess
bhabha(f
akesmi l
es)

MYAPARTMENT

Afteralongshower,
Irelaxinthel i
vi
ngroom
thi
nkingaboutLungi
eysbehav iourtoday
.Itakemy
phonetocallher
,itr
ingsanditmymom, holy
cracker
sIpromisedtocallhert oday.

Me-mawami
Mom-ny wenywemawami myfoot,
who'
schil
dar e
you?Idi
dn'
trai
seal
iarforachi
l
d, ar
eyouchangi
ng
yourcar
eert
oapoli
ti
ciannow?
Me-(
laughs)Il
ovey
out
oomom
Wecont i
nuetal
ki
ngf
orendl
esshour
s,Il
oveour
r
elat
ionshi
p.

Mynamei
sNel
i
siweSi
wel
a(26)bor
nandbr
eadi
n
Durban, workingatZul u&Sonsl ogisticsandsuppl y
chaincompanyasat heirlogisti
csandsuppl ychain
str
ategist.I'
my ouror dinarygirlnextdoor ,fairin
complexi on,size34t hatthebi ggestIhal fev erbeen,
Il
ovet hecol ourbl ueandI '
m obsessedwi t
ht heI D
channel( mom al way scal l
sittheSat anchannel )
shedoesn' tunder standt hef ascinationabout
heari
ngaboutmur dersandser ialkil
lers.Ihav ea
bestfri
endLungi leNxumal o(27),li
ghtcompl exion,
si
ze28, lungieyi sy ourt y
pical model ty pegi rl
,wemet
6yearsagoi nv arsityandher ewear et oday .Sizwe
Khumal o(29)ismyboy fr
iendof4y earswel lnow
fi
ance,hei sal awy erbypr ofessionIl ov ethisguy .

Letdot
his.
..
[
11/
3,20:
40]Mar
cia:
ATZULU&SONSCO.
..
..

8:
00am i
nthemor
ning
Nell
ywalksi
ntowardsther
ecepti
ondesk,ever
yday
shecheckst
henoti
ceboardhersel
f,r
egar
dlessthat
theyhav
earecept
ioni
stwhoitherdutyt
oinfor
m
managementaboutanynot icesbutsheprefersto
checki therselfi
thasbecomeahabi tofhers.As
sher eachest heboar
donepar t
icul
arnoti
cecat ches
herat t
ention,"Al
lst
affandmanagementt omeetat
thelowerdepar t
ment10minutesbeforeeveryone
goest obranch" .

Shewal
kst
owar
dst
her
ecept
iondesk.
..
.
Mbal
i
-Goodmor ni
ngMi
ssSi
wel
aori
sitMr
sKay
now(
shewinks)
(
Thi
xo!
!!Yaphaphal
omt
ana)
Me-MorningMbal
i,
doyouknowanythi
ngaboutthe
meet
ingthati
stobehel
dtodaybef
orebranch?

Noticesthatshedi missedthewholeMr sKay

stat
ement ,shewonder swhyshesopr i
vateabout
herloveli
fe,infacteveryt
hingaboutherpersonalli
fe
shedoesn'treallyengageitwit
hpeople.Itdoesn't
helpthatshei sbossanddomi neeri
ngabouther
work,alr
eadyt hatmakesherunappr oachable.I
tli
ke
shebuiltt
hiswal
lwi
thar
oundhert
hatnocansee
thr
oughherbeyondt
hehardcor
eAlphaf
emale
persona.

Mbali
-ohMrZuluinf
ormedmeear l
ytodayt
hat
Sbanii
sback,
Iguessthatwhatt
hisi
sabout.
Me-(
conf
used)Sbani
?
Mbali
-(takenback)howlonghavey oubeenworking
her
e????Wai tdoanswerthat
,I'
m notevensupr
ised,
youpracti
call
yli
veinyourownbubbl e.
Me-( puzzledbyherst
atement)thi
sisawor kplace
andweher etoworknottochitchatthatwhythere
areresturantsfort
hat
,thi
sai
n't"happyhour"i
t
workinghour s,
keyword"work".
Mbal
i-anywaysSbanisezweZului
sMrZulu2ndson,
hei
sv er
ycoldarg!
!!
!Idon'tknowhowhegot
marr
iedtothatsweetwoman.
Me-MrZul uhas3sonsIonlyknowofSi phoand
Shaka.IhavenevermetShakathough,
Ionlyknow
ofhim becauseMrZului
salwayscomplaini
ngabout
hi
m.Anywaysenoughwi
tht
hei
rr
elev
antchat
.Hav
e
agoodday
.

Shewal
kst
oherof
fi
ce.
..
..
..

SOMEWHEREI
NPRETORI
A

Him-babehurr
yup,myf l
ightl
iv
esatone,Iwantus
tohavebr
eakfastt
ogetherwit
hAy andat
hanwecan
drophi
m atschool
,af
teryouwilldri
vemetothe
air
port
.
Her-I'
l
lbeoutnownowbabe.( Shoutsfr
om the
shower)babeI '
m meeti
ngt
heweddingplanner
todayhavey ouconfi
rmedt
heDurbanvenue?We
needtofinali
zeevery
thi
ngbyt
heendoft hi
sweek.3
weeksisar oundthecor
ner
.
Hi
m-(si
ghs)Yeah(si
tsonthebedwithhi
shands
r
unni
ngupanddownhi sf
ace)fuck!
!!
!.
(br
eat
hs)
Shecanf eel al
lthewayf rom thebathroom thathe
i
st hinki
ngabouti tagain.Itpai
nshert oseehim
stressedliket hi
s.Atthesamet imeshet hi
nksabout
"her"whatt hiswi l
ldot oher..
..
shewalksoutwi t
ha
towel aroundhernakedbodyandsi tonher
husbandsl ap,hugginghim.Yesi therhusband,they
alr
eadymar r
iedtradit
ionall
yandev enwentt ocourt
toputt hest amponpaper .Shei sal
readyhisMr s.

Her-(
rubshi
sback)i
tokayhoney,
don'tt
hinkabout
i
ttoomuch.Ihopeshedoesn'
thurtt
oomuch.
(
Feeli
ngsad)
Him-(looksatherandi ntert
winetheirhandsand
ki
ssesit)i
twi shfult
hinkinglovebutIhopesot oo.I
caredeeplyforherbutI '
m notinl
ovewi thher
anymore,Iwi l
ltel
lherthesecondIl andt here.I
t
unfai
rony ouandmost lyitunfai
ronher .(Looksat
herandsmi les)IloveyouMageba, Iloveourson
andIwilll
iverourdaught ertoo(brushinghernot
showingbelly)
Her
-(bl
ushes)Il
ovey
out
ooMt
ungwa.
[
11/
3,20:
40]Mar
cia:
Inser
t3

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

MrandMr sZul
uwer ehavi
ngteainthei
rli
vi
ngroom
togetherwit
hSi
phot hei
rel
destson,whenthey
heardacarpullup.MrsZuluexci
tedl
ygotupand
rushedtothedoorscreami
ng.

MrZulu-womansi
tdown,
vel
eabant
wanabezal
a
endl
i
ni.
Ma'Zul
u-hhayiZul
uphumaKimi
,Ihav
en'
tseenmy
soninayear.(
Sheshout
sbackasshemakesher
waytothedoor)

Sbanigotoutoft
hecarhelpi
nghi
sdaughteroutof
thecarseat,
whil
ehiswif
egotouttaki
ngt
heirbags
outofthebootonebyone.Nomatheir4y
earold
daughterr
antowardst
hedoor.
Nt
ombi
-(shout
s)heyheyNomay
ouwi
l
lfal
lcar
eful
.
Sbani-(
smileshel
pinghi
swifewiththebags)shei
s
ver
yexcitedtobehome,Ithoughtshelovedi
tin
China.
Nt
ombi
-real
l
ybabe?
?(r
aiseherey
ebr
ow)
Sbani-(
laughs,
taki
ngt
hel
astbagout
)ohkmay
be
not.

Ma'Zuluwal kedtothedoor ,steppingint hefr

ont
l
awnmeet i
nganov erl
yexcitedNoma, Ma'Zul
uloved
beingagogo, sheli
vesforit,all
hergr andchildr
en
arespoil
trot t
enwhent heyv isi
ther .Withonly4
grandchi
ldrenandonemor eont hewaybecauseher
daughterSanel i
siweispregnant ,shestil
l wi
shesfor
mor e,
withShakabei ngallov ertheplace, she
wondersifwi llheeversett
ledown.

Ma'Zulu-IseeNomaissti
llCast
erSemeny
a(smi
l
es
huggingntombi)ohbabyhowareyou?Yougl
owi
ng.
Ntombi
-(huggi
ngherti
ghtl
y)Maunjankodwa?Uphi
baba?Weokayandhappyt obebackhome,Iwas
begi
nni
ngtothi
nkthatproj
ectwi
l
lneverend.

Sbanil
eftt
hem out
side,
knowi
ngt
hem bangazi
qeda
zonkebemil
e..
..

Ma'Zul
u-wegoodbaby ,
yourfat
herisinsi
deyou
knowhowhei s.(
Laughs)Iwasthinki
ngyoudidn'
t
wanttocomebackany more,
may beweshouldhave
sentShakathere,maybehewouldhav ecameback
wit
hawi feayekekulal
aneThekul onke.

Theybot hburstoutl
aughi
ng,t
ryi
ngtocat
chthei
r
breat
ht heydidn'
tevennot
icet
hatShakawasbehi
nd
them shakinghishead.

Shaka-ufi
kanjeNt
ombiandal
readyyouhavet
urned
Olediagai
nstme(hugsNt
ombi)unj
ansisi
?
Nt
ombi
-I'
m okaybhut
i,Ihearusul
i
qedi
l
eiTheku
(
laughs)
Shaka-Ay
isuka!
!,
letmegogr
eett
hest
eel
man.
Ntombi-(
hit
ti
nghi
sbackpl
ayf
ull
y)heyt
hatmy
husband

Theyallwalkedinsidethehouselaughi
ng,j
oful
l
y
j
oiningtheothersintheli
vingroom,theZul
ufamil
y
catchesupwhi l
eeat i
ngbreakf
ast.

MrZul
u-l
etmakeitsnappy,
weneedtor
ushtot
he
of
fi
ceandannounceyourr
etur
ntot
hest
aff
.
Sipho-t
hankGod, nowthatyoubackIgettogoback
tomywi feandkidsearl
y.Handli
ngyourworkl
oad
wast i
ri
ngbesideslogi
sti
csain'
tmyspecial
it
yIneed
tobebackwor kingonsit
e.Play
ingsui
tandtiewas
exhausti
ng.

Theyal
ll
aughedar
oundt
het
abl
e..
.
MrZulu-youjustl
azySipho,
MissSi
welapr
act
ical
l
y
didever
ythi
ngf ori
fnotshemadeyourwor
kload
easi
er(l
aughs).
Sbani
-Mi
ssSi
wel
a??
MrZulu-yeahafteryouleftwehir
edanewstrat
egi
st,
shecamehi ghl
yr ecommended,goodhumbleand
dri
venyounglady( smil
es)sheremindsmeofmysel
f.
Nt
ombi-(
smi
les)hawubabakanjani
?Shemustbea
manl
ywoman,musclesandal
l.
Sipho-notatallntombi,sheisabeaut i
fulwoman,
fr
om herwal ktoherwor kethicsheozzies
confidence,youhearherheelsrightfr
om the
el
ev atortoheroffi
ce,
shehascl ass,shewear sf
it
ted
dresses(smiles)comet othi
nkofi tIhavenever
seenherwear i
ngpants.Sheisabeastt hatone.
Ma'Zulu-(
laughs)hehehewenaSi
phocounty
our
bl
essingsthatyourwi f
eai
n'
ther
ethewayyoujust
descri
bedMi ssSiwela.
Nt
ombi
-wowshesoundsbossal
ri
ght
.
Shaka-Ineedt
omeett
hisbabe
MrZul
u-Uzobuy
aubambeamasendel
aphandodana.

Theyal
llaughexceptSbani,
hewast hinki
ngabout
thi
sMissSiwela,t
heideaofworkingwi t
hawoman
doesn'
tsitwel
lwithhi
m, hepref
erswor ki
ngal
one
womenar etodramati
cforhisli
king.

Sbani
-whenisSanecomingthi
sside??Howi
sshe
pl
anni
ngaweddingthatwil
lbeinDurbanwhi
l
eshe
i
sinPret
ori
a?
Ma'
Zul
u-beatsmesoon.Butshesai
donFri
dayshe
wi
ll
behere.Nomawil
lbehappytoseeAyanda
(
smil
es)
Nt
ombi
-ver
yhappy
.
MrZul
u-Iguessy
ouguysaresl
eepi
ngher
etoni
ght
whi
ley
ourhouseget
ssort
ed?
Sbani
-Yeahhopeful
lyt
heydonebyt
heendof
tomor
row.Ican'
tfuckmywifei
nthi
shouse.
Nt
ombi
-(gasps)SBANI
!!
!
Theyal
ll
augh.
..
.

Shaka-whyy
ouembarr
assedweallknowy
ouguy
s
fuck,
Nomadidn'
tmagi
cal
lyappear
.
Ma'
Zul
u-andy
ouknowbet
terMrIi
nvent
edsex.
Shaka-(
burstl
aughi
ng)Didy
oujustquot
eTr
ey
SongsOledi
?Wowt hisi
spri
cel
ess.

MrZul
uandhissonsgotupwalki
ngoutinhighspi
ri
t,
whi
leMa'
Zul
uandNt ombicl
ear
edthetable.

Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
t.
[
11/
3,20:
40]Mar
cia:
Inser
t4

I
NTHECAR

Nel
l
ysphoner
ingsasshei
sdr
ivi
ng,
itLungi
ey,
she
hasbeendi
stantl
atel
yandt
hatsounl
i
keherbest
fr
iend.

Me-st
handwa
Lungi
ey-heybhabhahowar
eyou?
Me-I'
m okay
,Lungieywhatswr
ongIknow
somethi
ngisup?Itbeentwodaysandwehav
en'
t
tal
ked.
Lungiey
-(si
ghs)I'
m okaybhabha,wewil
ltal
kthough
verysoonbabe.You'
restrongwoman,myt i
geress
alwaysrememberthat.SoonI'
l
lneedyouto.Areyou
dri
ving?
Me-(sighs)okay
..
..
.Yesl
overI
'
m dr
ivi
ngt
othe
ai
rporttopickupSi
zwe.
Lungi
ey-(
sof
tvoi
ce)oh.
..
..
(si
lent
)bhabhacal
lme
whenyouhomeokaylov
ey ou.
Me-(
puzzl
ed)l
ovey
out
oost
handwa.

Asshei
saboutt
otakeanof
frampt
otowar
dst
he
ai
rpor
therphoner
ingsagai
nandt
hist
imei
ther
mother
.

Me-Mawami
Mom-heynenowheni sSizwedelegati
oncoming???
Theweddingisi
n3weeksandhehasn' tevendone
themostimport
antaspectofitwhichispaylobol
a,
whatnonsensei
st his?Youknowy ourbrot
hersar
e
tal
ki
ngandIcan'tkeepmaki ngexcusesforyou
Neli
siwe,
youallbossedupatwor kbutniyat
hamba
kwamandodahhay i
hhayi.
..
.

Sheknewherbr ot
hersgottohermom nowandt hey
haveev er
yrightshehasbeenmaki ngexcusesfor
Sizwesincef or
ever.I
twasalsoget ti
ngtoherast o
whySi zwechoset opayLobola2weeksbef oret
he
wedding,buthesaid" i
tmakesnodi f
fer
encewhet her
Ipayitearl
yor2weekbef or
et heweddingy ouwill
stil
lbemar r
iedtome"sheagr eedbutatt hesame
ti
met hiswasn'tabouthowtheysawt hi
ngsbutit
washonour ingherparent
sandr ightnowSizwei s
notonthei
rgoodbooksshesi
ghedandgotoutof
thecar
.

ATKI
NGSHAKAI
NTERNATI
ONALAI
RPORT

NellypatientlywaitsforSi zwesplanetoland,His
fl
ightgotdel ay ed,
hewassupposet olandat12: 30
butitwasmov edto13:00.Shecannotwai tt
osee
him, hehasbeenoutoft hecountrybecauseof
business, besidesbeingal awyerbyprofessi
on
Sizwev ent uredint
orest urantsfr
anchisebusinesses,
thatwer ehi sloveofcooki ngcomesf rom.Sizwei sa
meanchef .

Nellyisbusywit
hherphone, shejustsentMbalia
texttel
li
ngherwher esheisandshewi l
lbeali
ttl
e
l
at etothemeeting.Herattenti
oni ssolel
yonher
phonet hatshehasn'tnot
icedt hatSizwehasbeen
sitt
ingnexttoherforthepast2mi nutes.Shef
inall
y
l
iftshereyesawayf rom t
heherphoneandnot ices
Sizwesi t
ti
ngnexttohersmi li
ng.Shel etsouta
scream att
racti
ngaf ewst ar
es,shelaughsand
covershermout h.Sizweengulfsherinabone
crashinghug,ki
ssesherpassi onat
ely,hebr
eaksi
t
off,shesi
ghsdi sappoint
leywishi
ngtheywereback
athomesoshecanshowhi m howmuchshe
missedhim.

Sizwe-(smi
les,holdi
ngbackhi
slaugh)Iknowbabe,
buttaki
ngadv antageofmeattheairporti
stempt
ing
andfreakybutwedon' twantt
ogetar r
estednowdo
we.
Me-(smil
i
ngmi schi
evousl
y)apr
isoncel
li
sev
en
moreexci
tingbabe.

Theybothlaughthei
rassesoff
,thi
siswhatshe
l
ikesaboutSizwe,heal
lowshertobesil
l
ytheycould
bebothquietbutunder
standexact
lywhattheybot
h
thi
nki
ng,sheloveshowcarefr
eesheisaroundhim.

Me-babey
ouhav
etodr
opmeof
fatt
heof
fi
ce,
we
haveameet i
ngappar entl
yMrZulusonisbackfr
om
China.Canyoubel i
eveMrZul uhasasonandi di
dn'
t
know( l
aughs)Mbal isaysitbecauseIl
i
veina
bubble,t
hatgir
ljustdr ai
nsme

Theywal
ktowar
dst
hecar
..
..

Si
zwe-Sbani
isback.
..(
speaki
ngt
ohi
msel
f)
Me-( t
akenbackconf used)yes,youknowhim?
Wow! !
!(Laughing)IguessMbal ii
sri
ght.Ohbabe
pleasefinal
izetheLoboladelegat
ionbyWednesday
mybr othersarebreat
hingdownmomsneckandshe
cannotkeepmaki ngexcusesf orusanymore.
Si
zwe-(
sti
ff
ensal
i
ttl
e)okaybabe

TheygetinNel
l
ysBMW X6,
ashedr
iveshert
othe
off
ice.
..
.

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..
Allt
hethest
affandmanagementgather
sar
oundas
theyi
ndul
geinbever
agesprov
ided.

Mrzul
u-Mbal
iwher
eisMi
ssSi
wel
a(l
ooki
ngar
ound)
Mbali
-ohsorr
ysi
r,shewentt
otheai
rpor
ttopi
ckup
herf
iance,
shepr
omi sedt
obebacki
ntime.
MrZul
u-okayi
guesswecanspar
eher5mi
nut
es

MrZuluwalkstowardsSi
phoandSbani
,Shakat
oo
hasnotar
ri
v edyet
..
.

Shakapar kshisMer cedes- BenzAMGA45, hewal ks

outlooki
ngpol i
shedandsui teduphi smot her
i
nsistedoni t
.Heget si nsidet heelev
at orasthe
doorsareaboutt oclosesomeoneshout s"
hold"
Shakaholdst heelevat ordoor s,i
nwal ksMi nni
e
Dlaminiherself
.Thebeaut ybef orehimi swearinga
redfit
ti
ngdr esswithl ongsl eevesiti
sj ustabovethe
knee,shehasherhai rnear l
yt i
edupi naponyt ail
(waitisthatherhair,wow! !
)Shehasmi ni
mal make
uponi fheisnotmi stakenshehasj ustconcealer
,
foundati
on, ey
elinerandmascar aonly(helaughsas
hethinksjusthowheknowsal lthat)Nell
ylooksat
thegentlemannextt oher,
shewasaboutt o
compl i
menthi sfeaturesandlooksbuthej ust
l
aughedal onet hatcreepyshet hought.Shaka
real
isesthatthewomannextt ohimi slookingat
him confused(shi t
!!!Helaughedoutl ouddidn'
the)

Shaka-(
handsoutf
orashake)ShakaZul
uyour
fut
urehusband
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)goodby
ecr
eep.

Theelev
atorst
opsatthelowerdepart
mentfl
oor,
Shakawalksoutandstopsonhistr
ackshol
dingthe
door.

Shaka-tel
lyourf
iance,
gameonZul
uisher
e.(
Winks
ather)
Hewalksoutwhist
li
ngandsmili
ngasthedoorsof
theel
evat
orcl
ose.Shakaappr
oacheshisf
atherand
brot
hersi
najol
lymood..
.

Sbani
-ohgodwhoi
stheunl
uckygi
rl

Theyl
augh.
..

Si
pho-Bafoyouj
ustt
ookt
hosewor
dsr
ightoutof
mymout h.
Shaka-Ij
ustfoundmywife,sheisboldandfi
est
y ,
damnandt hatponyt
ail
,Icanjustvi
sual
isehol
ding
i
t..
.(
Theylaugh)

MrZululooksathiswat
chashesil
encesthecr owd,
wheneveryonehassett
ledandMrZul
uisaboutt o
speakt
heel ev
atorpi
ngsandoutwal
ksNelly,her
hi
ghsti
lett
ossoundsechoesassheapproachest he
cr
owd,
ever
yoneSt
aresather
.
Shaka-t
hisi
smyl
uckyday
,whatar
etheodds.
Nel
l
y-myapol
ogi
essir(
panti
ng)Ihadt
ogetaf
il
e
f
rom myof
fi
cebef
orecominghere.
MrZulu-al
ri
ghtMi
ssSiwel
ayoudi
dn'
tmi
ssany
thi
ng
wejustaboutt
ost
art
.

Nell
ysmi lesasev eryoneshif
tsbackt heyf ocuson
MrZuluashest artwi t
hhisspeech.Nel l
yt akesa
bott
leofwat erandt akesasip, herbr
eat hi
ng
changeseacht i
measshegul psdownt hewat er
wit
hherchestpumpi ngupanddownobl iv
iousthat
oneparticul
arindivi
dual hashiseyesfocusedonher
wit
hintensest aretakenbackathowani nnocentact
ofdri
nkingwat erlookssexuallycapti
vating.
[
11/
3,20:
41]Mar
cia:
Inser
t5

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..
MrZul uwasnowatt heconcl usi
onofhi sspeech,
ever
yonewasl isteningt entiv
elyhewasamanofa
fewwor dsbutwhenhespokebusi ness,hewasa
many oulist
enedt oo, heisamanofknowl edge,a
manofpowery ethehumbl edhimsel f,i
fy ouwer ea
womanofhi sage, youwi shedhewasy ourhusband
andifyouay oungl adyory oungmany ouwi shedhe
wasy ourfather.MrZul uwasper fecti
on, butyethe
wasal wayswi l
lingtol earnev eryday,thest aff
admiredhim, hewasnott hei
rbossbuthewast heir
fat
herandt heywer ehi skids.Thiswasagr eatman
i
ndeed, i
twasanhonourwor kingforhi m.

MrZul u-wel lsi

nceweal li
nhi ghspir
its,itwouldn'
t
befairtogobackt owor kafterthi
sjoy uscelebrat
ion,
i
thalfdayf orev erybodyincludingourcl eaningand
maintenancest uf f
.I'
m goinghomet ohav eaglass
ofmysi nglemal twhiskeyandenj oymywi f
e.Go
have2gl assofbeerandwhat everi
tist hatyou
womendr ink,yourpinkandgr eendrinks, (
shakeshis
headlaughi ng)isthatev enar ealdri
nk? ,andenjoy
yourafternoon, Iwill
seeev eryonebackher e
t
omor
row8:
8.00am shar
p.

Ever yonelaughedathowcar efreeMrZul uwas

today ,i
tnotev erydayt heyseet hisplay f
ul sideof
him, butwhent heydidi twasabeaut i
fulsightt osee.
Nellywasl aughingalongwi ththestaffandchat t
ing
withaf ewcol l
egues, whenshesuddenl yfeltli
ke
therewassomeonel ooki ngather ,t
hewayshewas
feelingsheknewwhoev eritwas, t
heywer est ari
ng
withi ntense,sheshi f
tedal itt
le,smili
ngwhi le
l
ooki ngar oundhopi ngt ocat chthecul pri
tbutshe
coul dn'
tf i
ndtheper sonandt hef eel
ingofbei ng
wat chedwasst il
lthereandv erymuchst rongl ikea
forcepul li
ngheri n.Shewassodi stractedt hatshe
didn'tnot i
ceMrZul uinfrontofher .

MrZul
u-Mi
ssSi
wel
a,y
oul
ookoutofspace.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)(
hol
dingherchest
)ohmyGod!Sor
ry
si
rIhaveabadhabi
tofzoningout
.
MrZul
u-(smil
es)(
looki
ngather)goodyougotme
wor
ri
edthereforasecondchi
ld.Areyousur
eyou
okay
??
Nell
y-(smil
ed)nosi
ryoudon'
thav
etowor
ry,
i
assureyouI'
m 100%good.
MrZulu-okaydear,
letmegoi
ntr
oducey
out
omy
son'
s,Ibel
iev
ey ou'
veonl
ymetSi
pho.
(
Theywal
kedwhi
l
etal
ki
ng)
Nell
y-(l
aughs)Ican'
tbel
iev
e,Idi
dn'
tknowyouhad3
sons,butI
'v
ebeenwor ki
ngforyouforayearnowsi
r,
IhatehowI'm soobl
ivi
oussometimes.
MrZul u-(l
aughs)ohchil
dI'm notsupr
ised,
you
alwaysi nyourownworld.Iwasshockedwheni
foundouty ouevenhaveaf i
ance.Youshouldput
yourselfoutther
eMa'Thabekhuluandenjoyli
fe,
enjoyli
fe.

Theyl
aughedast
heyappr
oachedwher
eMrZul
u
sonswhere.

MrZulu-Mi
ssSiwel
a,thesear
emyson'
s,
Sbani
sezweandShaka,youknowSi
phohei
sthe
f
ir
stbor
n.
Shaka-(
shaki
ngherhand)nt
okazi
wemeetagain.I
thi
nkideser
veahugnow, wewaypasthandshakes
(l
eanedfowardt
ohugher)

TheylaughedasSi
phopushedShakaawayf
rom
Nell
y.

Si
pho-f
orgi
vemybr
other
,hehasal
oosescr
ew.
Nel
l
y-(smi
les)itnoprobl
em Ifi
gur
edt
hatoutwhen
hel
aughedaloneintheel
evator
.
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)hawuntokazi
alr
eadysel
l
ingmeout
,
i
sthishowi
twil
lbewhenwemar ri
ed?
,weneedt
o
tal
k.

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ngbesi
deSbani
,hekepta
st
rai
ght
,col
dandblankfacewi
thnoemoti
onsatal
l
.

Sbani
-Sbani
sezweZul
u,di
rect
orofZul
u&sons
(shakeshersmall
,sof
thands)I'
veheardalotabout
yousinceI'
vegotback(l
ookingstr
aighti
ntoher
eyes,wit
hthesameemot i
onlessst
are)
Nell
y-(shakeshi
sstronghands)Neli
siweSi
wela,t
he
brai
nsofZul u&sons, I
'
m afr
aidI'
veheardnothi
ng
aboutyousinceI'
vebeenworkinghere.(
Looki
ng
di
rectl
yathiseyestoo)
Sbani
-y ou'
reat
ti
tudeisonpoi ntbuty
oursmallsof
t
handsletyoudown.(Let'
sgoofherhand)pleasure
tomeety ouMissSiwela,baba,i
fyouwoul
dexcuse
me,Ihav et
omakeacal l
..

Sbani
wal
ksawayf r
om thegroup,
MrZul
ulooksat
hi
ssonandshakeshishead.

Si
pho-andt
han?
?(Looki
ngathi
sbr
other
)
Shaka-heisnotusedtoseeingdi
ffer
entshadesof
peopleany
mor e.(
Laughs)phelai
nChinaeveryonei
s
thesame.Mustbenicecheat i
ngt
here.
Theyal
ll
augh,
Shakasur
edoesknowhowt
oli
ght
en
upthemood.

ATSHAKAMARI
NEMOYORESTURANT

Lungi
eyishav
inglunchwi t
hhermot her,
hopi
ngshe
canhel
phercomet olightabouthowt ogoabout
thi
ssi
tuati
onthatbeeneatingherup.

Lungi
ey-mom Idon'
tknowwhatt
odoany
mor
e
(t
earsi
nhereyes)
Ma'
Nx umal
o-Lungi
leyouhavetobehonestwit
h
Nel
ly,
Iknowyouloveherandwaiti
ngonSizweto
t
ell
herbutyouherbestfr
iendandshewil
lneedyou.
Lungi
ey-(cr
ying)sheknowsIwentlooki
ngf
ormy
fat
herbutshedoesn'tknowthatIf
oundmyfathert
o
beaKhumal oandt hatmeandSizwearebr
other
andsist
er.Mom whatdoi do?
Ma'
Nxumalo-(
holdingherhand)i
sthatwheny
ou
f
oundoutaboutSizweandSane?
Lungi
ey-yesandItol
dSizwetotellNel
l
ybef or
ewe
wentdressshoppi
ngbutthatbastar
ddidn'
t(cry
ing
heavy
)mamaIhadt osi
tthereandwatchmyf ri
end
tr
yweddinggownsandbej ol
lyforanonexisti
ng
wedding,I
'
m amonster.
Ma'Nxumal
o-(
holdi
ngherdaught
erhuggi
ngher
)cal
l
hernowbabeandtel
lhery
ouwanttomeetup.

Lungi
eypi
ckedupherphoneanddai
l
edNel
l
y...
.

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Nell
yli
ghtupthelastcandle,shehadpr epareda
romanti
cdinnerforherandSizwe.Shesenthi mt o
theshopsj
ustsoshecanpr epare.Shewasal lki
nds
ofsexywit
hhernudel inger
iewhichleftnothingto
youri
maginati
ons.Itwasgoingt obeal ongni ght.
..
.
Shewasdisturbedbyherphoner i
ng.
..
.

Me-heyl
over
Lungi
ey-heybabyar
eyouathome?
Me-y
ebooe(looki
ngatherbut
tinthemi
rr
or,
it
r
oundnowthankstovi
rgi
nacti
ve)
Lungi
ey-bhabhaI
'
m comi
ngokay
Me-l
overnotto.
..
(hear
dt hedooropen)(whi
sper
ed)
nott
oni
ghtfri
endIplanneddinnerf
orSizweandhe
i
sbackbyeloveyou

ATSHAKAMARI
NE

Lungi
ey-hel
lo(
looksatherphone)shedr
oppedt
he
phone(si
ghs)
[
11/
3,20:
41]Mar
cia:
Inser
t6

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Sizwepar
kshiscar
,hesi
tsst
il
lforagood3minut
es
befor
emakinghiswayi
nsi
detheapart
ment.Onhi
s
wayup, hekeepsgoi ngov erhowhei sgoingt o
breakdownt hi st oNel l
y,scenar iosofhowshewi ll
beaf tert henewskeeppl ayingi nhi smi ndandnone
oft hem ar egood.HemetNel l
y4y earsback, she
wasani nter natt r
ansnetandhi slawcar eerwasj ust
starti
ngout .Shewasn' tthatopenwhenhemether ,
i
tt ookhi m 2weeksj ustf orhert or espondt ohis
greetingsandt ookhi m anot her4day saf t
er
respondi ngt ohi sgr eetingst hatshef inall
ygother
nameandev ent hatitwasal lthankst oLungi ey .He
remember st hedayhef ir
stsawher ,shewasonher
transnetwor kcl othes, herblueov eralls,shelooked
breatht akingi twasherey esandi nnocencet hat
tookhi sbr eat heaway .Ashegott oknowher ,deep
downhef oundt hatt hereisf ir
ei nher ,the
wi l
li
ngnesst osucceedi nev erythingshedoes.
Conv er sationswi t
hNel lywer eal way ssmar t,
uplift
ingandt heyal way sleav eyouf eeli
ngpower ful
andconf i
denceshehast hataboutherandnoone
elsecandoi tsoef fortl
esslyasshedoes.Shei s
def i
nitelythel ightatt heendoft het unnel but
throughi tall shewasst il
lnott hewomanf orhim.
HemetSane2y earago.Theyhi titof ffrom theget
go, het r
iedf i
ght i
ngofhi sf eeli
ngsf orherbuthe
fail
eddi smal l
y .Hecoul dn'tunder st andhowhecan
l
ov eanot herwomani nsuchashor tspaceoft i
me
whenhehasaper fectwomanwai tingf orhim at
home.Al thoughNel l
ywast heper fectwoman, who
l
ov edhi m whol ehear tly, Sanelisi
wewashi swor ld
andt heywhenhadt heirf ir
stchi l
dAy anda, itbecame
clearwher ehebel onged.Sanehasbeen
phenomenal throughoutt hiswhol esi tuation,she
hassuppor tedhi m andhel pedhim deal withthisthe
bestwayheknewhow.Saneknowst hathecar es
deepl yforNel lywhi chi swhyshehasbeenpat i
ent.
Honest l
yhei sgr eat f
ul forhi swife.Thewhol eZulu
fami lyknowabouthi ssi tuat i
on,theyj ustdon' tknow
thatt hewomani sNel ly.Thant herei sthisLungi ey
sagaoft hem bei ngbr ot herandsi st er,alloddsar e
agai nstNel l
yrightnow.Heopenst hedoorandput
thesmal lgrocer yont opoft hekitchencount er.He
hear ssof tmusi cpl ayingandt hesmel l ofsweetr ose
candl esbur ni
ng, heal readyhasani deaofwhat
goingon,hisstomachi si
nknot sasheappr oaches
theli
vi
ngroom, t
hereinfr
ontofhi misNel l
ysmi l
i
ng
athim wi
tht hati
nnocentcaptivat
ingsmile,hereyes
ful
lofadorationandlove,Justthi
nkingabouthow
heisabouttodest royt
hisperfecthappysoul bef
ore
him,makeshi m slowalumpi nhisthroat
.

Nel
l
y-li
kewhatyouseehubby(seduct
ivel
ywalki
ng
t
owardshi
m,wrappi
ngherhandsaroundhisneck)
Sizwe-(
holdsherwai
st)Nel
l
y..
..
.(
try
inghar
dto
contr
olhimsel
f)bab.
..
.

Sheshutshi
m upwi t
hapassi onat
eandneedyki ss,
shewantedhim sobad, hewast ry
ingtocont r
ol
hi
mselfbuthi
sdi ckhasami ndofitownsoi t
bet
rayedhi
m, i
tst oodfi
rm, Nell
ycouldfeeli
t,she
wasabouttounbuckl ehisbeltwhenhest oppedher
,
Nell
ywastakenbackathi ssuddenreacti
on.

Si
zwe-(
looksather
)thi
sisawonder
ful
sur
pri
se
(
brushesherfacewi
thhi
shands)(
kissesher
f
orehead)youbeaut
if
ul

Tearsthreat
enedSi zwesey es, hehuggedhert i
ghtly
,
becauseheknowst hisisthel astti
mehewi llgetthe
toholdherlikethis,thisisthel astti
meshewi lll
ook
athim withsomuchl oveandador ation,
after
toni
ghtshewi llwishshenev ermethi m.Thinking
aboutherhat i
nghi m scarest heshi toutofhim, he
breaksthehugandki ssesherf oreheadagainf orthe
l
asttimeashel eadshert othecouch.

Nel
ly-(worr
ied)Khumalopleasetal
ktomesthandwa
Sami,uyangthusa(t
oucheshisface,
wipi
ngatear)
pl
easelovekhul umanami
Sizwe-(t
akingadeepbr eat h)Iwantyoutoknow
thatil
ovey ouandt hesepasty ear
sbeingwithyou
hasbroughtmej oyasy ouhav emademeabet ter
personandabet terpartner.Youhavepushedmet o
reachforthetopinev er
y thi
ngIdo,I'
vepushed
boundari
esallbecausey outoldmeIcandoi t
.You
trulyaremagi
c,awomandeservi
ngtobet r
eatedli
ke
roy al
ty,
youdeser
venot
hingbutper
fect
ion,y
ou'r
e
ev eryman'
sdream.

Nell
ylooksatSi zwewi thtearsf al
li
ngdownl i
ke
Vict
oriafal
ls,Sizwehasnev erpouredouthisheart
l
ike.Nell
yist ouchedbyt his,herheartisbeat
ingfast
heari
ngsuchwor dsfrom herf iancemel t
sherheart
butforsomeoddr easonapar tofherissad,
shouldn'
tthisfeelli
kefall
ingheadov erheel
sallover
againbutpar tofherfeelslikesheislosingwhen
sheshouldbewi nni
ng.

I
NLUNGI
EYSCAR

Lungi
ey-may
beIshoul
dgot
her
emom
Ma'
Nxumalo-nobaby.Justl
ett
hem bet
oday
,
may
beSizwewi l
ltel
lhert
oni
ght
Lungi
ey -(
annoyed)Si
zwebetternothav
esexwi
th
myf r
iend,I
'l
lki
l
l hi
m mysel
f.
Ma'Nx umalo-(sad)whythepeoplethatdogoodare
theonesthatsuf f
erthemost.Ayiamadodaayaxaka,
Nell
yi sev
er y
thi
ng,shedoesn'tf
allshor
tinany
thi
ng,
sheticksallt
heboxes.WhatdoesSi zwewant?or
l
acking?
Lungi
ey-beat
smemom.Weneedamanual
int
his
l
ovethi
ng

ATSI
PHOSHOUSE

Siphoandhisbrother
swer
echil
l
ingandhavi
ng
whiskey,i
tbeenlongti
mesi
ncethebrot
her
schi
ll
ed
together
.

Si
pho-(
pour
sanot
herdri
nk)whataday
..
.daddi
d
goodgi
vi
ngushal
fday.
Shaka-y
eahBafo..
..
.actuall
ynoIwantedt
osee
moreofMissSiwela.SiphoIcan'
tbel
i
eveyou
workedwit
hthatandy ounevertol
dmeanythi
ng
(l
aughs)
Sipho-(l
aughi
ng)heyshei
sengagedpl
usi
respect
her,sheisnott
hatki
ndofgir
l.
Sbani-doyou.
..
doyouknowherf
iancename?
(Lookingathi
sbrot
her
)
Si
pho-(looksatSbani
)no.Shekeepsherpersonal
l
if
et ohersel
f.Shedoesn'
tevenchi
tchatatt
he
of
ficeli
kealltheot
herwoman.
Shaka-whoev erthatassholeisheisthelucki
est
bastar
di nthewhol eofDur ban.I
fihadwomanl i
ke
that
,onet hatcarri
esherselfli
keI'
m nexttoherwhil
e
I'
m not,Iwil
l wif
eheront hegetgo.Shelooksli
ke
shegivesgr eatsextoo( smil
es)
Si
pho-(
laughs)Igi
veupwi
thy
ou.
Shaka-di
dyouseethatl
ongponyt
ail
bafohahaha
i
magi nehi
tt
ingi
tfr
om behi
ndandhol
dingt
hatpony
tai
l
.
Sipho-Iadmitsheishot,
beaut
iful
allt
hat,
whenif
ir
st
sawherIwasl ike"i
fthi
sisSatantempti
ngmethan
Godpl easet
akey ourpl
aceonmydi ck"
Theylaughed,Sbanipouredwhi
skeyonhisglass
andgulpeditononego, hegotupandlef
tthem
l
ookingathiml i
ke"whatthehel
l?"

Shaka-(get
tingup)yourbr
otherissuchakil
ljoy
,
wayiqedanjabulodol
olopsssssshgone.
..
..I
'
m out
Shi
rleyiswaiti
ngforme.

Shakawentandki ssedZandi
le(si
phoswife)onthe
cheekgoodbye,Siphowentatthebackofhishouse
andfoundSbani onthephone.Sbanit
urnedand
l
ookedathisbrotherthanendedhiscal
l.Si
pho
debatedi
fheshoul daskhisbrot
herornot,hefear
ed
hewasn'tr
eadyf ortheanswerhewil
lget.

Si
pho-y
oul
i
keherdon'
tyou.(
Looki
ngathi
sbr
other
)
Sbani-
(looki
ngathi
sbrotherwit
hacold,bl
ank
face,
giv
ingnothi
ngaway)Ilov
emywi fe,excusemeI
needtogethome.Zandil
eisintheki
tchenr i
ght
?
Si
pho-(
sighs)y
eah.
Sbanipassedhisbrot
herwit
houtl
ooki
ngback
headi
ngt otheki
tchen..
..
..
.

REMEMBERTOLI
KEPLEASE
[
11/
3,20:
41]Mar
cia:
Inser
t7

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Nellywasst il
ltr
yingtodigestwhatSizwehadj ust
tol
dher ,withtearsinhereyes,shelooksather
fi
anceinf rontofher,shelovesthi
sman, heari
nghim
sayallthi
sj ustconfi
rmst oherthatshepickeda
greatchoiceandshei sr
eadyt oli
vealif
et i
mewi t
h
him.

Nell
y-(l
ooksathim)(sni
ff
swhil
esmili
ng)babeyou
caughtmeofguar dbutIl
ovei
t.Il
oveyou(put
sher
handsonhisface,
makinghimlookather
)Khumalo,
asmuchasIl ovehear i
ngallt
hesesweetswords
comingfr
om y ou,(l
aughswithtears,
whi
lesni
ff
ing)
makelovetomebabe, worshi
pt hi
sbodymy
husband,
I'
m dev outedtoyouMt ungwa.

Nellywalkst owardsSizwe, un't

yinghersi lky
robe,r
eveali
nghernudel acelingeri
e,whi chl eaves
Sizwewi thnot hi
ngt oi
magi neabout ,
ev ery t
hingis
ri
ghtinf r
ontofhi m.Sher eacheshi m andst art
s
kissi
nghi m slowly,sheisnotinar ush,t
heyhav et
he
nighttothemsel ves.Lit
tl
edi dsheknowt hiswas
goodby e.

Sizwecar essesherbody ,explori

ngeachandev er
y
part,l
eavingherv ulnerabletohi stouches,shehelps
himr emov ehist -
shirt
,whilerunningherhandsonhi s
torso,(
shesmi les,reali
singher eall
yhasbeengoi ng
tothegy m) hesqueezesherr oundbut tmakingher
breatheal i
ttl
eheav ierthanshehasbeen, onehand
from himt ouchesherbr east
, anothergoestoher
buttagain,thisti
meamoanescapeshermout h.She
pusheshi mt ol iedownont hecouch, shest ar t
s
from hisf orehead, tohi smout h,tohi schest ,
goi ng
downt ohi sabs, givi
nghi m ki ssesunt il sher eaches
hismostt reasur edpl ace, shel ooksathi m and
smi l
esal ittl
e, hesmi lesback, sheunbuckl ehi sbel t
,
hequi cklygr absher ,
gai nal i
tt
lesexyscr eam f rom,
wi t
hherl egsr appedar oundhi swai st, hewal kst o
herbedr oom whi l
ekissi ngherandsqueezi ngher
but t
.Theybot ht urnedonr i
ghtnow, thebr eat hing
haschanged, hungerv isibl eint hewayt heybot h
touchingeachot her.Theyr eachherbedr oom, he
l
ay sheront hebedandqui cklyr emov eshi spant s,
l
ef twithonl yhi sboxes, hegetont opofher ,sucks
herf r
om herneck, whi lehi sl efthandgoest oher
wetandsoakycast l
e, brushi ngitupanddown, hi s
ri
ghthandsqueezesherl eftbr east, t
hepl easur eshe
feeli
ngi sov erwhel mi ng, sheswear sifhedoesn' t
stop,awat erfallofherj uiceswi llwashov erhi shand.
Sizwesmi lesl ookingathert urnedonf ace, shei sso
fl
ushedandv ulnerable, indeedherf atei sinhi s
touch, hemov esawayal i
ttleandl ooksdi rect l
yat
herey es..
..
Sizwe:
(kissi
ngherneck)babe(
breat
hes)sthandwa
sami(breathes)(
onherneckagai
n)Ifucki
nglove
youMageba.

Nellyswhoent ir
ebodyf reezes, itli
kesomehasj ust
hitthepausebut tonatt hisv erymoment ,shel ay s
stil
lwi t
houtmov i
ngl ookingathi m, try
ingt ofigur e
outifexact l
ydi dshehearhi mr ight,No! !
!Shemust
bemi staken, asifal i
ghtbul bj ustswi tched, Sizwe
l
ooksatherwi thguiltandshameal lov erhi sface,
hiswhol ebodygoesst iff
,theat mospher eint he
room haschanged, Sizwer eal i
sest hatnowi st he
ti
meheneedst ohav eaconv ersationwi thNel ly ,a
conv ersationt hathehasbeenav oidi
ngf orthepast
2y ears, onewhi chhet houghthecoul dav oidev en
tonight.Her emov eshi msel font opofherandl ay s
nextt oher ,l
ooki ngupt hecei li
ng, wipi
ngt hesweat
ofhisf ace.Nel l
yisst i
llquiet,shei sunsur ewhet her
shei sindeni alorjustdoesn' tbel i
eve,thatt heman
nextt oherj ustconf essedt olov inganot herwoman,
whileaboutt omakesweetpassi onatel ovet oher .
Si
zwe-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)I
'
m sor
ry
Nel
l
y-whoi
sshe?
Si
zwe-(
sil
ent
).
..
..babel
i
ste.
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
louder
)WHOI
SSHESI
ZWE?
Si
zwe-(
sighs)Mywi
fe

Sizwegetsupfrom t
hebed,runni
nghishandsfrom
hisheadtohisface,
hewalksandstandslooki
ngat
thebalconydoorwit
hhi
sbackf aci
ngNell
y.

Nel
ly-(
conf
used)wi
..
.wi
..
wif
e?Whatdoy
oumean
wif
e?
Si
zwe-sheismywi f
e,wegotmar r
iedlasty
ear
Sept
ember ,
rememberwhenIt oldyouIhavet obe
awayfor2mont hsbecauseweopeni nganew
fr
anchi
sebusinessinNiger
ia.
..
.(br
eathes)Ili
ed,I
wasgetti
ngmar ri
ed.
Nel
l
y-(br
eaki
ngv
oice)ba.
..
.babet
el.
..t
ell
mey
ou
l
yi
ng,
tel
lmeIam dr
eami
ng.
Sizwe-(
tearsr
oll
ingdownhi
sface)Iwi
shIcouldbut
I
'm notly
ingbabe,I
'm amar
ri
edman.Iwasplanni
ng
totel
..
..
Nelly
:(cr
ying)(shaki
ngherhead)Nonononoooo,
(t
alki
ngtoher sel
f)Nell
yyoudreami ngitj
ustabad
dream.(Putherhandsonherear s,coveri
ngthem,
bri
ngingherkneesup, r
ocki
ngher selfl
i
keacr azy
person)Noooooo

Sizwequi cklywentt oher, andhuggedhert ightly

,it
hurtsseeingherl ikethis,hedidt hisandnowt here
wasnot urningback, hehadt ot ellhereverythi
ng,
shecried, screami ngNO. ..hit
tingSi zweonhi schest ,
shecriedl ouder ,stil
lscreami ngNO, rocki
ngher sel
f
backandf orth,tear srandownSi zwescheeks, he
knewt hatt hiswi l
l behardbuthedi dn'tknowi twill
al
sohur tthi smuch, todayhewi l
lloseapar tofhi m,
withheronhi sar ms, bothoft hem cr yi
ng,withher
crybeingt hel oudest ,hefoundhi msel fbegi
nni ngto
questi
oni fwast hi stheri
ghtdeci sion?Thi s
momenther ealisedjusthowmuchhecar edf orthis
womanonhi sar ms, washer eadyandpr epar edto
l
ivelifewit
houther ?Thesewer et hequestions
runninghisonhi smi nd,hewassodeepi nhi s
thoughtsthathedi dn'tnoti
cethatNellyhadst opped
cryi
ng.Hel ookedather ,
hereyeswer eredandpuf fy,
tearswerestill
runningdownhercheeksbuti twas
nowmor eofsilentcries.
..Heheldherhand, she
squeezedi tt
ighter,t
hewat erworksdidn'
tst op
runningdownhercheeks.

Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngathi
m)why
?
Sizwe-canIt
ell
youev
ery
thi
ng?CanIbehonestwith
youthanyoucanaskmeanyt
hingaf
tert
hat
,please?
Nel
l
y-(
mout
hed"
okay
"noddi
ng)
Sizwe-pl easeIj
ustwanty outoknow, thi
shas
not hingtodowithy oubutitwasmeandt hechoi
ces
Imade.Youper fect,sopl
easedon'tforonesecond
thinky oufail
edsomewher eoryounotgoodenough.
(Tookadeepbr eathe)Imether2y earsbackin
Pret ori
a,iwasgivi
ngmymont hl
ymot ivat
ional
tal
ks
andshewast her eatt heconf erence, Iwasasi gned
toment oragr oupshewasi nandt hathowwe
star tedcommuni cat i
ng.I tst art
edof fasjustpl atonic,
butIwast akenbackbyhert hef irstdayIsawher .I
choset oav oidmyf eelingsbecausei thoughti twas
j
ustbemi ssingy ou, butl i
key ou, shewasambi tious,
adr eamerandagoget ter,butast hewor kshop
proceeded, Icoul dnotdenymyf eel ingsany mor e.2
weeksbef oreIwasschedul edt ocomebackhome,
wesl eptt oget her.Af ter2mont hs, shecal lsmeand
tell
smeshei spr egnant ,IwasshockedbecauseI
hadpl annedonst oppi ngal lcommuni cationswi th
her .ThemomentIsawheragai n, Iknewal liwas
thinki ngwasj ustmadness, therei snowayIcan
wal kawayf rom herbecauseIwasdeepl yinlovewi th
thiswoman.Ipr oposedt ohert hedayshegav ebirth
toourson.( Tr i
edhi dinghi ssmi le)af t
erthatI
deci dedt otellherabouty ou, shewassadandangr y,
sheev enendedt hingswi thme.Ibeggedherunt il
shegav einandt oldmet ocomecl eanwi thyou.She
didn' tlikewhatIwasdoi ngt oy ou, whi chiswhyshe
waspat ientwi thmeal lthist ime, sheunder stood
thatIst illloveandcar eabouty ouv erymuchev en
thoughwewher ebuildi
ngalif
etogetherbutshe
understoodthatsheneededt okeepaspacef oryou
i
nme.Wemar riedtradi
ti
onall
yandweal ready
signedincourt.Sheisjustpl
anningawhi tewedding,
j
ustt ocelebr
ate,(si
l
ent).
..
..Weexpectingour
secondchi l
d.
Nell
y-(
tearsr
unningdown)(
runnynose)wheni
s
yourwhit
ewedding?
Si
zwe-i
n3weeks
Nel
ly-(swal
l
owed)t
he.
..
thesamedat
eas"
our
"my
wedding?
Si
zwe-(
looki
ngdown)y
es
Nell
y-(v
oicebreaki
ng)y
ou.
..
you.
..
you.
..
.(
takesa
deepbreathe)Iwasnev
ergoi
ngtomarr
yy ou?My
weddingwasj usti
nmymind?
Si
zwe-y
es(
sti
l
llooki
ngdown)
Nel
l
y-(
cry
ing)whathername?
Sizwe-Sanel
i
siweZul
u..
..
(si
l
ent
)..
..
.yourbosses
daughter
Nel
l
y-(
cry
ing)ohmyGod!
!!Howcany
oudot
hist
o
me?Doesheknow?
Sizwe-heknowsmysi t
uation,butwenev ertoldhi
m
thatIwasanengagedmanwheni proposedt oSane.
Het hi
nksyoujustagirl
fri
endandhedoesn' tknowit
you.Theydidn'
tapproveofwhati wasdoingbut
whent heysawIwasser iousaboutSaneIguess
theygav ei
n.TheythinkIendedt herelat
ionship
beforewehadourf i
rstchil
d( f
eeli
ngashamed)
Nel
ly
-(cr
ying)ohmygod!!
!(Cry
ing)whoarey
ou?
YounotmySi zwe.(
Scr
eaming)
(cryi
ng)WHOARE
YOU?
Si
zwe-(
tear
y)I
'
m sosor
ry.
..
..Idi
dn'
tmean.
..
Nell
y-(
lookedathi
m)DON'
T!!
!!
!(Voi
cebr
eaki
ng)j
ust
don'
t

Helookedather,
ev er
ysecondheglancesather
,
sheisbecominglessandlessoft
hewomanshei s,
i
tli
kebytheti
mehewal ksoutofher
e,onlya
shadowofthewomanheknowswi llbelef
t.
..
Nelly-(lookingathim)(holdi
nghishand)( cryi
ng)
babe, lookatme, i
tme( v
oicebreaking)you...
.
yo..
..
y ou( hi
cupped)notthinki
ngst r
aight,
we...
we. .
.(
hiccupped)wecanst i
ll
getmar r
ied,l
et
elopebabe, wecanmakeababyt oo,please,
please. .
..
(cryi
ngharder)

Nellywenti nf r
ontofSi zwe,shekneeleddown
cryi
ng, beggi nghi mt olookather,t
ot hi
nkaboutal l
theirti
met oget her
, shecri
edhestari
calybegging
him, Si
zwecoul dn'
tbel i
evewhatinfrontofhim, he
didthistoher ,shei sdegradingher
self,
begginga
mant oloveher ,hecr i
edalongwithher.Hewi l
l
neverf orgett hi
ssi ghtofher, i
twi
llf
oreverengraved
i
nhi smi nd.Ri ghtthi smomenthewi shedhecoul d
turnbackt imeandmakeherhappyagai n.

Nell
y-(
cryi
ngandscreaming)SIZEILOVEYOU,
PLEASEBABE, DON'
TDOTHI S.(chockedonher
tear
s)(
coughingwhi
letryi
ngtot al
k)
ba..
be.
..
.pl
ea.
..
..
don.
..
.SI
Z..
WE. ..
...
NOOOOOOOO
Sizwecouldn'twatchthi
sany morei
twast o
painful
..
.hewalkedtotheli
vingroom,t
ookhiscar
keysandcel lphoneandstoodnearthedoor,Nel
l
y
behindhim cryi
ng,scr
eaming,choki
ngonhertear
s,
coughing,losi
nghervoice,
begginghim nott
ogo

Nell
y-(st
il
lthesamesi ght
)don'tgo,don'
tgo..
..
(on
herknees,hol
dinghisleg,al
mostkissinghi
sbar e
feet
)don'tgopleeaaaseee..
..
.

Sizweremovedhisl
egfrom herembr
ace,maki
ng
surenottoher
,openthedoorandshuti
t,maki
nghi
s
wayout.

Nel
ly-(
screami ng,
cry
ing,voicebreaki
ng)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOÒ. ..
..
..
.nonono( herbodyfai
l
ing
her
,nostrengthlef
t)(speakingsoftl
y,sl
owlyshut
ti
ng
down)comeback. ..
.(
ey esslowlyclosi
ng)I
..
.l
ove..
.y
..
.(eyesshut)
Nel
l
ysphonest
art
ingr
ingi
ng.
..
.
Cal
l
er:
Mommy
Ri
ngi
ng.
..
..
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
41]Mar
cia:
Inser
t8

ATNELLYSHOME-(
HERMOM'
SHOUSE)

Nellysmom isinthelivi
ngroom wi thherbrothers
discussi
ngaboutt helackofinterestSizweandNel l
y
areshowi nginthi
slobolanegot i
ati
ons.Shet r
ies
call
ingheragainbutjustli
kethel ast20mi nutes,
it
j
ustr i
ngsandsendshert ovoicemail.Shegivesup
feeli
ngfrustr
ated.

Ma'Siwela-(
sighs)shei
ssti
l
lnotansweringmycal
ls.
Honest l
yI'
m donefussi
ngaboutthi
sissue,whi
l
e
yoursisteri
sshowingli
tt
lei
nter
estinmeetingme
halfway.
Nhlanhl
a-(
theoldestbrother)i
tunl
ikeherthought
o
notanswerherphone.(thinki
ng)l
ettrycal
l
ing
Lungiey
.
Mthoko-yeahuqi ni
sil
eBafo,Nel
lyal
wayshasher
phonewi t
hher ,unl
esssheisinameeti
ng,whi
chshe
di
vertsallhercall
stovoi
cemailmessage,
shenever
j
ustleavesherphoneunat t
ended.
Ma'Si
wela-ayi
callherni
zwekuthiuthi
ni.I
tlatenowI
wanttogosleep.Youtwoneedt oleav
emyhouse
aswell
.Especial
l
yy ouNhlanhl
a,gobacktoy our
wif
e.

Thebr
othersl
augh,Nhl
anhlatakesouthi
sphone
anddi
alsLungi
eysnumber.Itr
ings.
..
.

Lungi
ey-(
sleepyv
oice)hel
l
o..
.
Nhl
anhl
a-heyLuh,
howy
oudoi
ng?
Lungi
ey-(
sil
ent
).
..
.I'
m okay
,Nhl
anhl
awhatdoy
ou
want?
Nhl
anhl
a-(
sighs)i
tnotwhaty
out
hink,
Iwantt
o
know,whenl
astdi
dyouspeakt
obhabha,
shei
sn'
t
answeri
ngmomscall
s.
Lungiey-(
sit
suponherbed)i lastspoketoherthi
s
after
noon,shewaspreparingdinnerf
orherand
Sizwe,butI'
m sur
etheylongdonenow.( Looki
ngat
theclockonthesideofherbed)it23:58now.
Nhl
anhl
a-okayt
hanky
ou.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.sor
ryf
or
waki
ngyouup.
Lungi
ey-sur
e..
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.okaygoodni
ght

Nhlanhladropsthecal
l
,Mt hokol
ooksathim,
shakinghishead.Hegetsupgivi
nghimt hemiddl
e
fi
nger.Hewal kstot
hekitchenwerehi
smom went
towhi l
ehewasont hephonewi t
hLungiey.
..
.

Nhlanhl
a-mama,Luhsay
stheyspokethisaft
ernoon
andshewasprepari
ngaromant
icdinnerfort
hat
snob.
Ma'
Siwela-(
annoyed)Nxi
!!
!I'
m goi
ngt
obed.
(
Poi
ntingatNhlanhl
a)Ibet
terwakeuptoy
ougone.
Nhl
anhl
alaughski
ssi
nghi
smom ont
hecheek.
..
..
..

Thenextday

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Italr
eadyl uncht imeandst i
l
lNell
yhasn'
tshowedup
towor k.Sbani i
sfeelingfr
ustrat
edbecausethey
wer esupposet odiscusst hecompaniesfor
ecast
report,whatf rustr
atinghim evenmoreisthat,
the
fIl
ewi t
ht hefor ecastfigur
esisinheroff
icewhichof
coursei slocked.Heget supf r
om hi
schairand
walkst other eceptiondesk...
.

Sbani
-st
il
lcan'
tgethol
dofMi
ssSi
wel
a?
Mbali
-nosir.
..
.butI'
m sur
ether
eisagood
expl
anat
ionforthi
s,shehasneverdonet
hisbef
ore,
i
tunli
keher.(Worr
ied)
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)don'
tmakeexcusesf
orher.(
Bangs
thedesk,
makingMbal
ijump)t
hisi
sunprof
essi
onal.

Sbani wal
kstohi sfather'
sofficeburni
ngwi thanger.
Mbal i
tri
esNellysphoneonel astti
me, butjustl
ike
thelast3hoursitjustr i
ngs.Shesighsdissapointed.
Mbal i
trul
yli
kesNel ly,shehasbeent ryi
ngt o
befr
iendherev ersinceshest art
edwor kingher.She
dial
shernumberwi thherper sonalphonethistime
butstil
lnoluck.

Mbal
i
-(wor
ri
ed)Nel
l
ywher
ear
eyou.
..
.

Sbanienter
shisf
ather
'sof
fi
celookingredangr
y.Hi
s
fat
herlooksupathi
m andsighsshowinghimthe
chai
rtosit.

MrZul
u-whati
sitson?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)yourpr
eciousMi ssSi
wel
ahasn'
t
showedupattheoffi
cetoday,sheisMIAandi
snot
answer
ingherphone.
MrZul
u-(wor
ri
ed)thatunl
i
keher
.(Thi
nki
ng)
somet
hingi
swrong.
Sbani-(l
ooki
ngathi
sfather
)Ineedthefor
ecastfi
le
anditlockedi
nheroff
ice.(
Gett
ingupthechai
r)see
whyIhat eworki
ngwi
thwomannxi !

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Lungieyparkshercar ,getsoutandnot i
cesNel l
ys
carisparkedi nherspot .Shetakestheelevat
ort o
herapartment .Sheknocksont hedoor4t i
mesbut
noanswer s.Shedeci dest oj
usttryandopent he
doortoherl ucki topens.Wor ri
edshesl owlymakes
herwayinsi de,nothingseemsoutofpl aceuntilshe
seesherf r
iendl ayingflatonthef l
oorl
ooking
l
ifel
ess..
..

Lungi
ey-(covershermouthcr
ying)ohmygod!
!
Bhabha(shakingher)I
'
m sorr
y,ohgodpl
ease,
babe
wakeup.

Nellystrugglesopeni nghereyes,herwholebody
hurts,shefinallyopensherey eswhicharebloodred.
Herf aceispuf fyandr edtoo,
shel ooksli
keshe
hasn'thadsl eepf ordays.Shetry
ssi t
ti
ngupwi t
hthe
helpofLungi ey ,whohasherwr appedupi nherarms
thatshei sinfl
ictingmorepaintohert i
redbody.

Nel
l
y-(
tri
esr
emov
ingherf
ri
end)Lungi
ey,
Lungi
ey.
..

Lungi
eydoesnotbudge,
shei
scr
yingandsi
l
ent
ly
mumblingapray
er.

Nel
l
y-LUNGIEYI
'
m okay
.Ij
ustwantt
obat
handgo
t
otheoff
ice.
Lungi
ey-(
shocked)butbha.
..
Nel
ly-Lungi
eyplease,
canyoupl
easej
ustr
anmea
bat
h,whileIcheckmyphone.
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)uhmmm okay
.

Nellygetsupf rom thefloorl

ookingar ound,she
si
ghsl ooki
ngatt heuntouchedfood, shetakesher
phoneandt heretoomanymessagesandmi scal
ls
fr
om Lungi ey,herMom, brot
hersandt heof f
ice.
ThereisalsoSi zwemi ssedcall
s, andt her
eisone
otherunregisterednumber .Shecallsthenumber ..
..

Mbali-(
rel
i
eved)ohthankGod,Nel
lyareyouokay
,
whereareyou?Sbanihasbeenangryt
hewholeday
becauseofyou.Hewantsthefor
ecastfi
l
e.
Nell
y-(
supri
sed)Mbali?
??..
..
.li
stencany outakethe
sparekeytomyof fi
ce,i
tbehindt hef
ami l
ypict
ure
fr
amei nyourdesk.Thefi
leisinmydesk, pl
ease
dropitof
fhere,I
'
llsendyoumyl ocat
ion.
Mbali
-(supri
sed)
(smi
les)
youhi
dyourkeyi
nmy
pi
cture,doest
hatmeanyoutr
ustme(happy)sowe
ar
ef r
iends.
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)Mbal
ij
ustcome.(
Dropsphone)
Nell
ycomesoutoft hebedroom,wearingablack
sweaterandblacksweatpants,
shetiedherhairi
nto
amessybun.Shei snotherusualsel
fbutshelooks
bett
erthanshewas.Someoneknocksont hedoor,
LungieyopensandMbalicomesi nl
ookingaround
theapart
ment,wowshet hi
nkstoherself.
.

Mbal
i
-hey
,I'
m Mbal
i
,Icamet
oseeNel
l
y.
Lungiey-hey
,thi
sisabadt
ime,
cany
oucomeback
anotherti
me.
Mbal
i-(
conf
used)shei
sexpect
ingme.Shecal
l
ed
me.
Lungi
ey-(
sil
ent
)(l
ooksatMbal
i
)ooh!

Bothl adiesl ookedateachotherwit

houtspeaking
toeachot her."WhywouldNellycal
lherwhenI'm
here,unless, ohmygodsheknows"Lungi eythinks
toherself."Insecuref
ri
end"Mbalithi
nkstoherself
.
Nellymakesherwayt othem .
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksatMbal
i
)youbr
oughtt
hef
il
e?
Mbali
-yes..
.her
e(handedhert
hefi
le)
..
.(Looki
ngat
herr
edey esandface)ar
eyouokay
?(Wor ri
ed)
Nel
l
y-(
Tookt
hef
il
e)t
hanks

Nell
ywasaboutt
owalkoutoft
hedoor
.When
Lungi
eyhel
dherhand.

Lungi
ey-Nel
l
ycanwet
alk?
Nell
y-notnow,
Ihav
etodr
opt
hisf
il
eatMrZul
u
house.
Lungi
ey-bhabhapl
ease?
Nel
l
y-(
snappedannoy
ed)LUNGI
EYAWUME.
..
.ISAI
D
NOTNOW

Nell
ywalkedt
otheel
evat
orl
eav
ingbot
hwomen
shocked.
..
ATTHEKI
NGSHAKAI
NTERNATI
ONALAI
RPORT

SaneranuptoSi
zweandgavehi
m ahug,she
missedhi
mthatwhyshef
lewtoDur
banearlyt
han
whenshewassupposedt
o.

Sane-(ki
ssedhi
m)babel ethurr
yupsowecanr
each
myf at
her'
shousebeforedinner
.Theywi
l
lbe
supri
sedtoseeme...
..
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t9

I
NNELLYSCAR

Nel l
ywasdr i
vingt otheZuluhousehold,ont
heway
shet houghtaboutev erythi
ngthathappenedlast
night,t
earsstartedrunningdownhercheeks,
somewher ei
nt hatstupidheadofhers,shesti
ll
thinksSizwewi l
l comebackhomeandki ssher
passi onat el
yl ikeheal way sdi d,butthepai ninher
chestwasar emi nderofhowt hi
ngshav echanged,
Sizwewasgone, Sizwewasmar r
ied,Si
zwei sadad,
Sizwei snother sany mor e,henev erwasher st o
begi nwi th.Thatr eal i
sationmadet hewaterwor ks
evenwor set hatshegotbl indedbyt earsthatshe
couldnotseet her oadcl ear l
y ,carshooted, signal i
ng
hert hatshewasaboutt ocr ossar edrebot,
every thi
ngbecamet omuchf orhert hatshehi tthe
breaksonhercar ,causi nghert ostoprightint he
mi ddleofani ntersect ion.Dr iversbecamef rust rated
withherast hishascausedt r aff
icandshecoul d
hav eser iouslyi njuredot herdr i
versandher sel f.She
startedcr y i
ngi nsi det hecar ,shewasshaki ng, her
hear twasbeat ingf ast,herchestbegant opai n.A
driverf r
om anot herv ehiclepar kedhiscaront he
sideoft her oadandt oldhiswi fethathewasgoi ng
tocheckoutwhatgoi ng.Hest eppedoutofhi scar
andmadehi swayt oNel lyscar .
..
.

Him-(knocksont
hesi
dewi
ndow)heymam,
arey
ou
okay
.
(
Sil
ent
)
Him-mam, Iwon'
tharmyou,
Ijustwanttohelpyou
pl
ease.I'
mtravel
i
ngwithmywifeandkid.Shoul
dI
perhapscal
lmywi f
e?

Nell
yunl
ockedt
hedoorsofhercarshaki
ng,t
heman
openedt
hedoor,
hewasshockedatt hesi
ghtofher
.
Hewonderedwhathappened.

Him-mynamei
sBenMor
oka,
mam doy
ouneed
hel
p?
Nell
y-
(wipi
nghertear
s)I'
m sorr
y,I
'
llbef
ine,t
hank
youforcal
mingtheotherdr
iver
sforme.(Sni
ffs)I
shoul
dgo.
Ben-mam,Idon'
tthi
nkyouinanycondi
ti
ont
odr
ive.
MaybeIcancal
lsomeoneforyou?
Nell
y-(sni
ff
s)no,I
'
m 10minut
esawayf
rom my
dest
inati
on,I
'l
lbefi
neipr
omise.
Ben-Ican'
tl
ety
oudr
ivemam I
'm sor
ry.HowaboutI
dri
veyou,mywif
ewi
llf
oll
owus.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)okay
.

Bengoest otellhi
swi f
ethathewillbedri
vingNelly
,
hi
swi feasksifissheokayBenasur esherthatshe
wil
lbef i
neintime,Benkisseshiswifeandsont han
approachesNellyscar.Hedri
vesNel l
ytotheZulu
home.Theyr i
ngt heinter
com,theyarebuzzedin,Mr
Zuluwalksoutandst andsatthedoorasBendr i
ves
Nell
yscarin.Theybot hcomeoutoft hecar..
..

Nell
y-(
looki
ngatBen)thankyouandpl
ease
apol
ogiseformetoyourwife.
Ben-(smi
l
es)itwasnopr oblem,anddon'
twor
ry
aboutmywif
e, shewouldhav eski
nnedmeali
vei
fI
l
etyoudri
veinthatcondi
tion.
MrZulu-(
shakesBenshand)Thanky
ouson,
dri
ve
yourf
amil
yhomesafely
.
Ben-(l
ookingatNell
y)(hol
dsherhand)y
ouwill
be
okay,(
lookingatMrZulu)pl
easemakesure,
she
doesn'
tdriveli
kethi
s.
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
es)don'
twor
ryson.

Benbidsfar
ewellt
othem,MrZulul
ooksatNel
l
y
wit
haheav yhear
t,heknowssomet
hingbi
ghas
happened.
..

MrZul
u-(
put
ti
nghi
shandoutt
oher
)letgoi
nsi
de
chi
l
d.
Nel
ly-(
wipeshert
ear
s)l
etmegett
hef
il
eint
hecar
si
r.
MrZul
u-(shakeshi
shead)f
orgett
hef
il
ebaby
come.
..

NellytookMrZul uhandandt heywal kedinsidethe

house.Nel lyfel
tuncomfortableassher emember ed
thatthisisthesamef amilythatSizwemar r
iedagi r
l
from, suddenlyshefel
thert earsfi
ghtingtocome
back,shef orcedher
selfnott ocryespeciall
ynotin
frontofthesepeople.MrZul uf el
therhandshaki ng
andheknewshewasi nabat tl
ewi t
hher sel
ft ostay
strongandnotbr eakdown.Theywereaboutto
appr oachthef ami l
yinthel
ivi
ngroom butNell
y
stoppedmaki ngMrZul ust
opaswel l
.Sheshookher
headi ndicat
ingt hatshedoesn'twanttogointher
e.
MrZul uunderstood, t
heymadeu- t
urntogoupstai
rs
tooneoft heguestr ooms.MrZul uopenedthedoor
tot heroom, Nellywalkedinandwentt osi
tinthe
bed.

MrZulu-(
satnextt
oher)(
hol
dsherhand)Iwil
lsend
Mavistobri
ngyoufoodandsomepainkil
l
ersam
sur
ey ouhaveaheadache
Nelly
-(wi
pedhert
ears)I'
m nothungrysi
r,Ij
ustcame
togiveSbani
thefi
leandmynot es,Iwon'
tbe
presenti
nourmeeting,
canItakeaf ewdaysaway
fr
om work?
MrZulu-(worr
ied)youdon'thavet oask,plusweowe
youleav
e.Youhav enevertakenleaveev ersinceyou
star
tedworki
ngf orus.RightnowI 'm speakingto
youasaf at
her,pleaseeatev enifi
t3spoonsj ustso
youcantakeyourpai nki
ll
ersplease,oryouwantf r
uit
andy
oghur
t?Thatwhaty
ouy
oungst
erseat
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughsal
i
ttl
e)y
oghur
twi
l
lbef
ine.

Mav
ismadeherwayt othel
ounge,wheretherestof
t
heZulufami
lywas,shegav
eMr sZuluhercinomon
t
eathatsher
equest
ed.

MrsZul
u-Mav
iswher
edidbabago, It
houghthe
wentt
oopent
hedoorforourguest
.
Mavis-hedi
dMadam,
heandt
hel
ovel
yladywent
upst
airs.

Everyonestoppedwhatt heyweredoi
ngandlooked
atMav is,t
heyallt
ryi
ngtomakesenseofwhoi sthe
"l
ovelylady"Mavisist
alkingabout
.Mavisr
eal
ised
thatherstatementsoundedsowr ongshequi
ckly
correct
edi t
.

Mav
is-i
tthatbeaut
if
uly
oungl
adyt
hatwor
kswi
th
baba.
Sbani
&Si
pho-Nel
l
y??
Mav
is-y
es,
yest
hatone
Nt
ombi
-(
conf
used)whydi
dtheygoupst
air
s?
Zandi
l
e-may
bet
heywentt
obabasst
udy
.
Mr
sZul
u-l
etmegocheckt
hem
Mav
is-shedi
dn'
tl
ookt
ogood.
Sbani
-(get
ti
ngup)whaty
oumeanshedi
dn'
tl
ookt
o
good?
Si
pho-I
'
m cal
l
ingShaka(
takeshi
sphone)
Sbani
-(gr
abbedhisphone)whatyoucal
l
inghi
m
for
???
(annoyed)t
hisi
snottheti
met opl
aymatch
maker.
Mr
sZul
u-Mav
isl
etgo

AsMr sZuluwasaboutt
ogetup,MrZul
ushowedup
i
nt helounge,
ever
yonel
ookedathi
m wi
tht
he
explai
nlook.
MrZul
u-Mavispl
easetakeabowl
ofyoghur
tand
pai
nki
l
ler
stoget
herwit
hbottl
ewat
ert
oMi ssSi
wela.
Mav
is-y
esbaba.

Mavi
swal
kedtothekit
chen,
MrZul
uwentt
osi
tand
ev
ery
onel
ookedathim.

MrZul
u-(
looki
ngatt
hem)Yi
ni?Nahl
ahl
aamehl
onj
e
Sbani-(
looki
ngdi
rect
lyathi
sey
es)
whatwr
ongwi
th
Nell
y?
MrZulu-(l
ookingathisson)thatnoneofy our
busi
ness.Thef il
eyouwantedisinmyst udy.
(Aut
hori
ti
vev oice)NowI'
m notanswer i
ngany
quest
ionsregardingMissSiwela.Si
yezwana?
Nt
ombi
&Zandi
l
e-y
ebobaba
Si
pho-y
ebobaba
Mr
sZul
u-Mageba(
aknowl
edgi
nghi
m)
EveryonelookedatSbaniwaiti
ngforhi
mt orespond
tohisfather
.MrZulualreadyknewwhat '
stocome
nextandashepr edi
ctedSbani gotupandlef
t
everyoneshockedandconf used.MrZul
uknewr i
ght
ther
et hathi
ssonwasf ucked.

MrZulutookhi
swife'
shandandwalkedout,Si
pho
excusedhi
msel
ftoo.Leav
ingthewi
vesalone..

Zandil
e-It
houghthewasdeal
i
ngwi
thanger(
looki
ng
atNtombi)
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)hei
s,he.
..
.Itcompl
i
cat
edZah
Zandil
e-(
smi l
es)howi
swor
kingonbabynumber2
comingalong?
Ntombi-(f
rowned)i
tprovi
ngt obedif
ficul
t,wehav e
beentr
y i
ngforthewholeyearandnothing.I
twill
be
evenhardernowthatSbaniisbackatwor kful
lti
me.
Zandi
le-(holdi
ngherhand)i
twi
ll
happen,
don'
t
st
resssisi.SohaveyouseenNel
ly?
Nt
ombi
-no,
andy
ou?
Zandil
e-yes.Sheissobeaut i
ful,
flawl
essev
ery
thi
ng,
shelookscustomized.Idon'tthi
nkshehasanyt
hing
i
nhert hatshedoesn'tl
ike.
Nt
ombi
-(supr
ised)i
sshet
hatbeaut
if
ul?
Zandil
e-youhav enoidea.Iwassohappythatshei
s
engaged(laughs)Iwouldn'
tsleepatni
ghti
fmyman
waswor ki
ngcl osel
ywithher.Hear
ingshei
s
engagedcalmedmedown.
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)ehmfazi.
..
.Sbani
wil
lbewor
king
cl
osel
ywithherbutIt
rustmyhusband.
Zandil
e-waitt
il
lyouseeher
,youwil
lbemaki
ng
unnecessar
yvisi
tstotheof
fi
ce.
(l
aughs)
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughi
ng)ehhmf
azi
kuzof
aumunt
u

Siphot
ookoutacigarett
et osmoke,hepuffedit5
ti
mesthanashedit
,putti
ngi tof
f.Hetookouthis
phoneanddail
edShakanumber ,putthephoneon
hi
sear.Sbani
wasst andi
ngbehi ndhisbrot
her
watchi
nghim,Si
phocoul dn'
tseehim becauseitwas
dar
k.Thephonewasr
ingi
ng,
Shakaanswer
edbuti
t
wasnoisywher
ehewas..

Si
pho-Baf
ohel
l
o..
Shaka-baf
owai
tI'
l
lcal
laf
terami
nut
e
Si
pho-wai
titaboutNel
l..
..
..

Hecouldn'
tfi
nishhissentenceasSbani
grabbedhi
s
phoneandendedt hecall
..
.

Sbani
-(annoy
ed)r
eal
l
y?
Sipho-I'
m doi
ngy
ouafavourbef
orey
oudo
somet hi
ngyouwi
llr
egr
et.
Sbani-BULLSHI T..
..
.whatthehel
l ar
eyoucalli
ng
Shakaf or?Isheherboyfri
end??Letherdealwi t
hher
shi
t,don'timposeonher .Youbeingself
ishri
ghtnow.
Letherbe.( Gi
v i
nghisbrot
heradeat hstar
e)y ou
bett
ernotcal lShakaagainortel
l hi
m anythi
ngNxi.
Sbani thr ewSi phosphoneupandi tlandedont he
fl
oor.Hewal kedbacki nsidet hehouse.Nel lywal ked
downt hest airsheadedt otheki tchen, shewal ked
i
nsidet heki tchenandst oppedonhert r
acksasshe
sawSbani gulpingdownwat er .Sbani feltsomeone
waswat chinghi m, helookedandt heirey esmet .He
couldn'tbel i
ev ethiswasher ,herey eswer ebl ood
red,shehasey ebags, herfacewaspuf fyr ed.She
l
ookedl iket hewhol ewor l
dwasonhershoul der s.
Despiteal lthatshest il
llookedbeaut iful
, "howi st hi
s
possible"het houghtI twassi lentf orawhi l
e,unt i
l
Nell
ywal kedt ot hesi nkandwashedt hebowl ,he
l
ookedatherandnot icedthatshewasn' twear ing
herring.Thatwhenheknew, thatasshol edi d
somet hi ng, thisanger edhim, hewant edt ohugher ,
hekeptget tingcl oset oherbuthewoul dgobackt o
wher ehewaswhenhewascl osert oher .Nel lywas
faci
ngt hesi nksoherbackwasf acinghi m, she
couldn'tseewhathewasdoi ngbutoneper son
couldandt hatwashi sfatherwhowaswat ching
from afar .Hewasaboutt ogocl oset oherwhen
Nell
yt ur ned.
Nel
l
y-Ical
ledmybrother
,heisonhiswayher
e.
(
Wipedhertear
s)di
dy ougetthef
il
e?
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)yes.
.
Nel
l
y-Iwon'
tbepr
esentatt
hemeet
ing
Sbani
-Iunder
stand.
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
supr
ised)oh.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Iam humany
ouknow.
Nell
y-(f
akesmil
es).
..
.(si
lent)
..
..l
etmegoi
nfor
m
yourfat
hert
hatmybrotheriscoming.

Nell
ywasaboutt
owalkoutwhen,
Sbani
heldher
hand,i
tassof
tasthel
astt
imehehel
dit
..
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksatherey
es)hei
sani
doi
t.

Nel
l
ysmil
esli
ght
lyr
emov
ingherhandf
rom hi
sand
wal
ksof
f.
..
.
Atthegat
e3car sarewai
ti
ngt odri
vein,
Shakascar
,
SaneandSizwescarandthelastcari
sanubercar
wit
hNhlanhlai
nside,t
hecarsarebuzzedin,
they
fol
l
owoneanot hergoi
ngi
n...
..
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t10

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Thecar spul l upandpar koneaf tertheot hernear

thewat erf ount ainatt heentrance,Nhlanhl agetsout
fi
rstandt heuberdr i
v er,dr
ivesoff,henot icesSizwes
carr egistration.Ashemakeshi swayt owar dsthe
car,henot icest hatthereisawomani nsidet hecar
andi tdef init
el ynothi ssister,t
hewomani sbr own
ont hecompl exi onside.Theyseem r athertoo
comf ortablef orhi sl
iking,heisaboutt omov ecloser
whenhei sdi stur bedbysomeonecl earingthey
throat .
Shaka-Shomf
ethu,
canIhel
pyou?
Nhl
anhl
a-(
tur
nsandl
ooksathi
m)Sho,
I'
m her
eto
pi
ckupmysist
er.
Shaka-(
conf
used)si
ster
?
Nhl
anhla-Yes,
Nelly
,shecal
l
edmetocomepickher
up,
thathercar(Poi
nti
ngatwhi
teBMW X6)
Shaka-(
smi l
esali
tt
le)Nell
ysher
e??Ohwhynoone
tol
dme( takesouthishandforashake)ShakaZul
u,
yoursi
stersfut
urehusband
Nhl
anhl
a-(shakeshishand)ohcockyai
n'twe??
Sor
ryBaf
o, sheisengagedtosomefoolalr
eady.

Thet wogent lemanshar ealaugh,meanwhi leinthe

car,Sizwej ustgotof fthephonehenot i
cest he
whiteBMW X6i nfrontofthem, hisheartst art
s
beatingfast ."Thi
sisnothappeni ng"het hinksto
hi
msel f
.Hehasbeent ryi
ngtogethol dofNel l
ythe
wholeoft odaybutshehasn' tbeenpi cki
nguphi s
cal
ls, whichi sunderstandabl
e.Ifthi
si sindeed
Nell
y scar ,t
hingswi l
lnotlookgoodf orhi m, heknew
howf ondtheZulufamil
ywasofher .Hedidasilent
prayerandlookedattheplat
esofthecarandthey
read"SIWELAZN" ,hestar
tedtosweatali
ttl
e,"
thisi
s
notgood"het hought
..
..

Sane-(l
ookingattheBMW X6)uhmmm didmom
buyanewcar ?Ormay beitoneofmybrot
herswives,
IknowNt ombialwayswantedSbani
tobuyherthat
car.(
Chewsonherbi l
tong).
Sizwe-(
sweating)babemaybeweshouldsupri
se
yourfamil
ytomor r
ow,youhadl
ongfl
ightyouneed
therest
.(Looki
ngather)
Sane-(
bewil
dered)ar
eyououtofyourmi
nd?Sizwe
I
'm hungr
ypluswealreadyher
e,(
opensherdoor
)

Nhlanhl
akeptlooki
ngattheVW Tiguan,
thiswas
defi
nit
elySi
zwescar,hethoughtt
ohimself.Shaka
noti
cedthathewasdistr
actedbythecarinfrontof
them.
Shaka-(l
ooki
ngathecar
)youl
i
ket
hecar
?Youseem
di
stract
edbyit.
Nhlanhla-(l
ooksathim)noBaf o,Ij
usthappento
knowt hatcarfrom somewhere.Theregist
rat
ioni
s
famil
iar.(Looki
ngatthecaronceagain)
Shaka-Oht
hatmysi
ster
'shusbandscar
.Notmy
ty
peofcar.

Sanecomesoutofthecarwi t
hherpacketofbi l
tong,
shewalkst
owardsherbrotherandt hemanhei s
wit
h,"
helooksmeanhot "shethinkstoherselfbut
qui
ckl
ybrushesitof
f,"
thesepregnancyhor mones
wil
lbethedeat
hofher,shethinkstoherself"
...
.

Shaka-(smi
li
ngathi
ssist
er)waqamukasumoy
izel
a
nj
e..
..
.(hugsher
)heyhi
ppo..
..(
teasi
ngher
)
Sane-(hugsherbr
other)r
eal
lyShaka???(
Rolesher
eyes)I
'm onl
y3mont hsam notahippoyet.(Hi
ts
hi
m playful
ly
)andIwonderwhyImi ssedyou.
Shaka-(
looksatt
hest
ainshel
eftwhi
l
epl
ayf
ull
y
hi
tt
inghim)geez!
!!
!!Lookwhatyoudi
d,noyounot
hi
ppoany mor
e,I'
m call
ingyoupi
ggi
e.(
Brushesthe
st
ainmakingitworse)Jesuswomanwhoeat s
bi
lt
ongwi t
hmustard?Wher edi
dyouevengetthe
mustar
df r
om?
Sane-(Rolesherey
es)Ial
wayscar
rysmall
ssachet
s
ofmust ar
dwi t
hme.(Looki
ngatNhl
anhl
a)whois
yourdecentfri
end?
Nhlanhl
a-(l
aughs)(
takesouthi
shandf orashake)
I
'l
ltakethatasacompliment
,Nhlanhl
aisthename,
Miss?
Shaka-(
laughi
ng)whaty
oumeandecent
??
Uqondenivel
e?
Sane-(
looki
ngatNhlanhl
a)Mrsactual
l
y,Saneli
si
we
i
smyname.Letgoi nsideam dy
ingofhunger
.
Shaka-y
ourman?I
shenotcomi
ng?
Sane-(l
ooki
ngbackatSizwescar)hei
sst
il
lonacal
l
,
hewill
meetusinsi
de,asambe..
.

Thet
hreewal
kedi
nsi
dewi
thNhl
anhl
alooki
ngatt
he
plat
esofSizwescar,onceagai
n.Hewassosur e
thati
twashim hesawal it
tl
ebutShakasai
ditwas
Saneshusbandcar,i
tjustdi
dn'
tmakesense.They
approachedthel
i
vingroom wit
hSaneaheadof
them..
..

Sane-(
shout
ing)FAMI
LY!
!!
!!
!!

Ever
yoneattheli
vingroom l ookedatt
hepassage
andfi
nal
lyspott
edSane, behindwasShakaanda
mantheydidn'
trecognize..
..

Zandi
l
e-waf
ikanomsi
ndo.
..

Shegr
eet
sandhugshermom,
brot
her
sandt
he
wiv
es

MrZulu-(
shaki
nghi
shead)t
her
egoespeaceand
qui
etoutthewi
ndow.(
Hugsher
/ki
sseshercheek)
nkosazana?
Sane-(hugshi
m back)
(pouts)hawu!
!!Baba.
..
.I'
m not
thatl
oud.Babahowarey ou?
MrZul
u-weokaybaby
,uphi
mkhweny
ana?
Sane-out
sideonacal
l
.Hewi
l
ljoi
nusshor
tl
y.
Nhl
anhl
a-sani
bonaekhay
a,
MrZul
u-hel
l
oson,
arey
ouShakasf
ri
end?
Nhl
anhl
a-chababa,
I'
m her
etopi
ckupmysister
,
Nel
l
yshecall
edme.(Looki
ngar
ound)wher
eisshe?

Saneswhol
ebodyfreezesassoonasshehearsthe
wordNel
ly,
"coul
ditbeher?"Shet
hinkst
ohersel
f.
..
.

MrZul
u-ohson.(
Frownssad)shei
supst
air
sinone
of
fourguestr
ooms.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
wor
ri
ed)whathappened?
?
MrZul
u-I'
m notsur
esonbutshewasbroughther
e
byagoodsamarit
an,appar
ent
lyshewasi
nno
condi
ti
ontodr
ive,
letmef
eel
youi
nont
hedet
ail
sin
mystudy.
Shaka-(
shocked)WHAT?
?!!
!whydi
dn'
tany
bodycal
l
me?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)whywoul
dwecal
lyou?Younother
boyf
ri
end.
Shaka-(l
ooksatSbani
)ayiawumewena!!
!Am not
doi
ngt hi
swi t
hyou.
(l
ooksatSipho)wow!
!!Iwoul
d
haveexpectedyoutocal
lme.
Si
pho-Idi
dbu.
..
(l
ooksatsbani
)buti
twasnoi
sy
wher
ey ouwer
e.
MrZul
u-(
looki
ngathi
ssons)Mxm,
Nhl
anhl
asonl
et
got
omyst udy
.

Theywal
kedtot
hest
udy,l
eav
ingagi
tat
edbr
other
s,
conf
usedwiv
es,
gui
lt
ySaneandapuzzl
edMrsZulu.

Shaka-(worr
ied)
-sohowi
sshe,
doesshel
ook
di
straught
?
Nt
ombi
-wedon'
tknow,
onl
ybabasawher
.
Sane-(
scar
ed)di
..
di.
..di
dshesaywhatwr
ongwi
th
her?
Si
pho-(l
ooki
ngathissist
er)whyyoust
ammer
ing?
?
Hormonesaremessingwithyou.
Shaka-(
wor
ri
ed)sonooneknowswhatwr
ong?
MrsZulu-(
sighs)whatev
eriti
sthoughi
sbad,
the
poorchi
ldl
ooksl i
kedeath.
Sane-(
gui
l
ty)mom I
'
m sur
e,shedoesn'
tl
ookt
hat
bad.
Mr
sZulu-(
sad)sheisbaby
.Itl
i
keshei
sfadi
ng
mi
nut
ebymi nut
e..
.
Sbani
-(annoyed)i
tthatst
upi
dfi
anceofher
snxi
!
Fucki
ngidiot
.
Nt
ombi
-shet
oldy
ou?
Si
pho-
(supr
ised)howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?
Sbani
-(pi
ssed)sheisn'
twear
ingherr
ingany
mor
e,I
sawherinthekit
chen.
Zandi
l
e-y
ounot
icedt
hat
??(
shocked)y
ounev
erone
t
opayat
tent
iont
othi
ngs.
Mr
sZul
u-(
shockedaswel
l
)yeahI
'
m supr
isedt
oo.
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)howi
sthatr
elev
antr
ightnow?
Nt
ombi
-may
bey
oushoul
dcheckonherShaka?
Sbani
-(gett
ingup)(pi
ssed)FUCKNO!
!!Whatwrong
wit
hyoupeopl e?Letherbe,st
opi
mposingonher,
busypl
ayingcupid.
Nt
ombi
-(sof
tvoi
ce)Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o..
.
Sbani
-JUSTDON'
T,I
TNOTYOURBUSI
NESS
Zandi
l
e-y
oooooh
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatsi
pho)y
ourwi
feBaf
o...
.
Si
pho-Zandi
l
equi
et.
Shaka-(
sit
sdown)Sbani
isr
ight
,weshoul
dgi
veher
space.
Sane-(
sweat
ing)may
beSi
zweandIcancomeback
tomorr
ow?
Mr
sZul
u-nonsensesi
tweaboutt
oeatdi
nner
.
Sanesitsdownwithknot
sinherstomach,theysi
t
sil
entl
yinthel
i
vingroom,ev
eryonelosti
ntheirown
thoughts.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Sizwemakeshiswayinsi
dethehouse,
wit
hapl
ant
o
fakeanemergencysohecanleav
e..
.

Nell
ywakesupfrom hersl
eepandmakesherway
downthestai
rs,
shesmel l
shi
m bef
oreshecanev
en
seehim,"
SIZWE"

Theyey
esmeet
..
..

Nhlanhlawalksoutofthestudyl
eavi
ngMrZulu
behind,hecomest oastopwhenheseesSizwe
standingandlookingaheadofhi
m.Hewalks
forwardandnoticeswhatSizwei
slooki
ngat.Ther
e
atthestai
rcasestandshi
ssi
ster
,thesi
ghtofher
breakshishear
t.
..

Helooksather
,thanhi
m,thanbackather
,hi
smood
changesf
rom br
okentoangry.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t11

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Nhlanhl
alooksatthebothofthem, hi
sthoughtsgo
backtothecaroutsi
de,wasitreall
ySizwescar?,but
i
fitwasreall
yhiscar,
thanthatmeanshei sSanes
husband,whichmakesnosense.Si zweisengaged
tohissi
ster
.HelooksatSizwe...

Nhl
anhl
a-whendi
dyougether
e?
Sizwe-(t
onguet i
ed)uhm.
..
..(
sil
ent
)..
..
.Ij
ustgot
here(notlooki
ngathim)
Nhl
anhl
a-(
looki
ngathi
m)I
'
m goi
ngt
oasky
ouagai
n,
whendi
dyougether
e??
?..
.
Si
zwe-Ij
ust
..
..
.
Nhlanhl
a-(
mov
ingcl
osert
ohi
m)t
hinkabouty
our
answer.

Nell
ylookedatherbr ot
hersbodyl anguageandsaw
howwi t
heachmi nut
ethatpassed, hewast ensing
upandsheknewv er
ywel l
howt hatisasi gnof
tr
oubleisabouttohappen.Nhl anhlaisv eryover
prot
ecti
v eofhissist
er,healsohasadar ksideabout
him whichherathernotshowt opeopl ebutt ouch
hisfamilyyouwillmeettheani mal i
nhi m.Heused
tostealcarsbackintheday s,hewasnev erpartof
anygangbutheknewt hest reetli
feli
keheknew
himself
...
.

Nel
l
y-(
hol
dinghert
ear
s)bhut
iIt
hinkweshoul
dgo.
Nhl
anhl
a-(l
ookingathi
ssi
ster
)st
ayt
her
e..
..(
tur
ns
t
oSizwe)am l
isteni
ng?
Si
zwe-(
looki
ngatNel
l
ythanhi
m)Icanexpl
ain
okay
..
.

Nhlanhl
amov esclosertohim andholdhim byis
col
lar,l
ooki
ngdirect
lyint
ohi seyes,
hopingitnot
whathet hi
nksiti
s,healreadyknewbutpar tofhi
m
hopesmay betherei
sachancehemi ghtbewrong.

Nhl
anhla-
(st
il
lhol
dinghi
m byhi
scol
l
ar)Ar
eyou
marr
iedtoSane?
Nel
l
y-(
hear
tpoundi
ng)bhut
i.
..
.
Si
zwe-(
gui
l
ty)y
es.
..butIcanexpl
..
.
Nhl
anhla-(
holdi
nghim ev
entight
er)i
sthatwhymy
si
steri
slooki
nglikeshej
ustburi
edherwholef
ami
ly
i
noneday ?
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)bhut
ipl
easel
etgohome.
(Shedidn'
twanttore-l
ivethewholethingagain.It
wasjusttoopainf
ul,heari
ngSizweansweral lthese
questi
onsbreakseverypartofherthatlef
tinsideof
her)
Sizwe-(swal
lowed)y
es.I
'
mver
ysor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmean
tohurtherli
kethi
s.

Nhlanhlashov edSizweont hewall

andputhi sr i
ght
handar oundhi sneck,squeez
inghi
mt i
ghterand
ti
ghter,Sizwebeganchoki ngbutNhlanhlacouldn'
t
stop.Ever yti
mehet ri
edtostophimself,heseest he
i
mageofhi ssist
er.Howcouldhedot histoher
si
ster,hisnenoh.

Sanewasonherwayt ot hekitchenwhenshecame
toacompl etestopatt hepassage, watchingSizwe
struggletobr eathe,hisey eballsalloutandv iens
poppi ngonhi sforehead, shescr eamedsol oud
maki ngev er
yonei nt helivi
ngr oom jumpandmake
theirwayt oher ,Si
phoar r
ivedfirstandqui ckl
yran
towar dsNhlanhl apushi nghim of fSizwebuthi s
strengthalonewasn' tenought ogetNhl anhlaof
Sizwecompl etely,ShakaandSbani jumpedi nas
wel lmakingNhl anhlashandl ooseni tgri
pf r
om
Sizwesneck, thesecondNhl anhlashandl ef
tSizwes
neck,hesl i
dedofbyt hewal l
fal
li
ngdown, hi
swhol e
bodyi ncontactwiththewoodenf loor.Sanequickly
rantowar dshim,screami ngandcr yi
ng.Zandi l
ewent
towardst hem checkingSi zwespulse,hewasst i
l
l
breathing,hi
sbodyj ustwentt otempor aryshock.
Shequi cklyadvi
sedNt ombi t
orusht othekitchen
andgethi m aglassofi cecoldwater.MrZulu
arri
vedatt hepassaget othewholecommot ion,
confusedast owhathappened. ..

MrZulu-(
looki
ngaround)whathappened?Si
zwe?
Sanewhathappenedtomkhweny ana?
Sane-(cry
ing)(
sniff
ing)baba,
it.
..i
tthatscum
(Point
ingatNhlanhl
a)Ifoundhim(sniff
s)choki
ng
Sizwe.

Ever
yonelookedatNhl
anhl
awai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtot
alk
andexpl
ain.

Nhl
anhl
a-(
pissed)Iwi
l
lgl
adl
ydoi
tagai
nifi
hadt
oo.
Sipho-whatthefuckdude?Younearl
yki
ll
edhim.
(Looki
ngatSi zwe,whowasslowl
yregai
ning
consciousness)
Nhl
anhl
a-(annoy
ed)doesi
tlookl
i
keIf
ucki
ngcar
e.
I
texact
lywhatIwant
edtodo.
Shaka-(
lookingatNell
y)(Shelookedlikeshewasn'
t
evenhere,l
iketheywerealli
nvisi
ble)canweallcal
m
downandt alkaboutt
his.(LooksatNel l
yonceagai
n)

Sbanisawhisbrotherlooki
ngatNelly
,healso
l
ookedather,somet hingwasoffabouther.Her
wholeappearancehadchanged, shel
ookedunf azed
aboutwhathappening.Hereyeslookeddryand
empty.Thi
swor ri
edhi m,hedi
dn'tcar
eaboutwhat
washappeninghere, heonl
ycaredabouther..
.

MrsZul
u-(l
ookingatNhlanhl
a)pl
easesonexpl
aint
o
uswhathappeningher
e?
Zandi
le-whatev
eri
tisthathedid,
itdoesn'
tgi
vehi
m
theri
ghttotr
yandkil
lhim,thi
sisunaccept
abl
e
behav
iour
.
Nhlanhl
a-(l
ookingatZandi
l
e)(annoyedbyher)li
sten
woman, Iwasn'
ttryi
ngtoki
llhi
m.Iwaski l
li
nghim,
heshouldthankhiswif
eforgetti
nghereinti
me.Nxi!,
askyourpreci
oussoninlawandy ourspoil
tbrat
her
e, whatt
heydid.
MrZul
u-(
lookedatSane)whati
shet
alki
ngabout
?
Sane-(
cry
ing)baba,
(sni
ff
s)babapl
ease
Nhl
anhla-(
pissed)cutt
hecrapandst
opwitht
he
f
aketears,t
ellyourf
amil
yherehowyounotso
i
nnocent.
Sane-(
cryi
ng)baba,pl
easeitwasn'
ti
ntent
ional
,we
di
dn'tmeanto(sni
ff
s)to..
.to.
..
.

Si
zwecoul dn'
tbarehearinghiswifecry,hedidn'
t
wanthert ogothroughthisal
oneespeci al
lybecause
i
twashi smess.Hest oodupst rai
ghtwi t
hthehelp
ofhi
swi fe.Hetookadeepbr eathandl ookedat
Nell
y,t
ryi
ngt ohaveasilentconversat
ionwi t
hher
butwhenhel ookedatherwai t
ingforagoahead
si
gnalhegotnothing,shelookedempty,
soul
l
ess.
SbanisawhowSi zwel ookedatNell
ywit
hgui
ltand
pai
n,hedidn'
tl
ikehowSi zweseyessomehow
showedhelovedher .
..

Si
zwe-(shameful)Iknowyoual
lawar
eofmy
si
tuat
ionabouttheotherwoman.
Si
pho-y
eahbuty
ousor
tedi
toutr
ight
.
Nhl
anhl
a-l
ethi
mfi
nish.
Sizwe-t
hetr
uthi
sIwasn'tcompl
etel
yhonestwi
th
youguys.WhenImetSaneIwasanengagedman.
(
Theyal
lgasped)
MrZul
u-WHAT?
??
Mr
sZul
u-Sanel
i
siwe?
??
Nhlanhl
a-(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)was?
??t
rybei
ng
st
raight
Sizwe-uhmmm...Imar
ri
edyourdaught
erwhi
l
e
engagedtoanot
herwoman.
Commot ionst
art
ed,shockev i
denti
nalltheirfaces.
MrZul ul
ookedathi
sdaught erwit
hadissapoi nted
face.Thebrot
her
swer ebreathi
ngfir
e.Shaka
chargedforSi
zwebutwasst oppedbyhisf ather.

Shaka-(
angr
y)y
oupi
ssofshi
t.
Sipho-(
shaki
nghishead)i
twasbadenought
hinki
ng
i
twasagi rl
fr
iendbuti
godusononoSi
zweman.
Fuckno.
Zandi
l
e-sowher
eist
heot
herwoman?
Si
pho-(
annoy
ed)ZANDI
LE!
!!

SizwelookedatNell
ywithey esf
ull
ofpit
yand
shame, ev
eryonel
ookedatwher ehewaslookingat,
theyeyesfel
lonNelly
,theymouthsdropped.Shaka
froze,
whileSbani
lostallhi
ssensesandchargedfor
Sizwe..
.

Sbani
-(
angr
y)OHFUCKNO!
!!Youpi
eceofshi
t.
Sbani punchedSi zwe, maki nghim stumbl e
backwar dsandl andont hef l
oorwithhi s
butt,
coughi ngblood.Sbani wentinki ckinghis
stomach, wit
hMrZul uandSi phot r
y i
ngt oholdback
Sbani,thewomenscr eami ngforSbani tostop, there
wast oomuchgoi ngonatoncet hati tgott oomuch
forNellytot ake, herheartwasbeat ingwayf ast, her
chestwascl osingupmaki ngitpainful forherto
breathe,shet ri
edcal li
ngoutherbr ot herbutno
soundcameout .Shet ookonest epdown, she
couldn'ttakeany morest epsdown, sher ai
sedher
handst ryingtosi gnal f
orhel pbutherbodyf ai
ledher ,
shewentdownf alli
ngandr ol
leddownt hestairs.
Everyonest oppedandt urnedt oalifelessNel l
yon
thefloor, bl
eedingont hesi deofherhead. .
..
..
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t12

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Mr
sZul
u-(
cov
eri
nghermout
h)ohmyGod!
!!
Zandi l
er ushedt oNellyheldherheadup, checking
forherpul se, i
twast herebutitwasv eryweak.The
brothersandNhl anhlarushedt oherside,Shaka
beingt hef i
rstonet oreachher,Nell
ylookedsopal e,
shel ookedasi fbl
oodwasnol ongerf l
owinginher
veins,thisbr okehisheart,i
tbrokeeveryone'sheart.
Nhlanhl apushedt heguy soff,kneel
eddowncar ry
ing
hissistertot hecar.

Nhl
anhl
a-(
wal
ki
ngwi
thhert
othecar
)Ineedhercar
key
s.
Shaka-(walki
ngbesi
dehi
m)y
oucanusemycar
,I
candriv
ey outher
e.
Sbani-(
annoyed)sheneedstogowi t
hanSUVcarso
shecanlaycomf or
table,
thel
it
tl
ebloodl
efti
nsi
deof
hercanflowfreel
y,keepi
ngheral
iv
e.

MrZul
uunl
ockedNel
l
yscar,heopenedthedoorfor
Nhl
anhl
awhowascarr
yinghi
ssist
er,hel
aidher
downatthebackseatandshutt
hedoor
.MrZul
u
handedhi
mt hekeys.

Nhlanhl
a-(
pissed)I
'
llappr
eci
ateiti
fnoneyou
fol
lowedme, youZulu'
shavedoneenoughdamaged
alr
eady.
Shaka&Sbani
-(l
oud)WHATTHEFUCK?
??
Nhlanhl
a-(
looki
ngatthem)Yes,Ihopewe
underst
andeachother
.Stayawayfrom mysi
ster
.
Shaka-(
pissed)y
oucan'
tdot
hat
,
Sbani-(
pissed)y
oubeingsel
fi
shri
ghtnow,i
tthat
fucker(
Pointi
ngatSi
zwe)thatr
esponsi
blef
orthi
s.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
annoy
ed)Idon'
tgi
veaf
uck.(
Get
ti
ngi
n
t
hecar)
MrZulu-(si
ghs)atleastl
etZandil
eri
dewi t
hy ou,she
cansupportNell
yshead,plussheisanurse,shecan
keepherstableunt
ilyoureachthehospi
tal
.Idriv
e
behi
ndy ou,soshecanr i
dewithmeback.
Nhlanhl
at houghtaboutitforasecond,henodded,
Zandil
equi ckl
ygotatthebackoft hecarand
supportedherhead.Shel ookedather,"
howcanone
humanbei ngbesobeaut i
fulev
enwhenf ighti
ngto
stayali
ve"shethought.Nhlanhlastar
tedthecarand
droveoutthegate.MrsZul uhandedMrZul uhiscar
keys.
.

MrZulu-(l
ookingathi
spissedoffsons)I
tbestyou
stayher
e.I'
ll
updateyouwhenIcomeback.( Looki
ng
atSbani
)(aut
horit
ivev
oice)Si
yezwana??
Shaka-(
annoy
ed)Yes.
.
Sbani
-(chal
lengi
nghi
sfat
herwi
thast
are)
..
..
(si
l
ent).
..
.YES

MrZul
uki
ssedhiswif
e,goti
nhiscaranddr
oveof
f
f
oll
owi
ngNhlanhl
atothehospi
tal
..
..

Theyal
lwenti
nsi
detheli
vi
ngroom andfoundSane
wit
hSizwewhohadanicepackonhisjaw.Shaka
andSbani gotannoy edj ustlookingathisface.
Sizwelookedupatt hem wi thguiltandshame, he
respect
edt hesemanandt heyrespectedhim back,
theylovedhowhet r
eatedt heirsi
sterbutnowhi s
charact
erwasquest ionedandheknewhehada
l
ongwayt ogobef oretheyt r
usthim again.Sane
l
ookedathermot herwhol ookedathershakingher
headwi thdisappointment .Sanehel donhertears,
shenev erwant edtodissapoi ntherparentsbutnow
shehasandi tpainsher .

Sane-(
aboutt
ocr
y)i
sshegoi
ngt
obeokay
?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)whatdoy
out
hink!
!!
Nt
ombi-(
Brusheshi
stigh)babeplease,
shewasn't
bl
eedi
ngtomuch,hopeful
lythatagoodsignsi
si.
Shaka-(
annoyed)you'r
edoctornow??Justbecause
shewasn'tbl
eedingthatmuchdoesn'tmeanthe
woundisnotfatal,
shecoul
dbebl eedingi
nthe
i
nside.
Si
pho-(si
ghs)Shakaisri
ght
,att
hispoi
ntwehav
eto
hopeshemakesi tbuti
t50/
50.
Si
zwe-(
put
ti
ngt
hei
cepackdown)Ineedt
ocal
lher
mom
Sbani-andsayWHAT? ??(Loudandbei
ngsarcastic)
ohheyIcheat edonyourdaught
er,
nowI'm amar r
ied
manwi tha2y earol
dsonandoneont heway .Your
daughterfoundoutnowsheatthehospi
talfi
ghti
ng
forherli
fe.
Sane-(annoy
ed)thisi
snott
het
imet
obesar
cast
ic
Sbani.Thi
sain'
tfunny
.
Shaka-ohnodearsist
er,Sbanii
sri
ght,t
hebesthe
coul
ddof ortheSi
welafamilyi
stostayawayfr
om
thei
rdaughterf
ornow.
Ntombi
-(
looki
ngatherhusband)wantt
ogolay
downalit
tl
e,(
Brusheshi
stigh)yout
otenser
ight
nowlov
e.
Sbani
-(l
ooksatherandsi
ghs)I
'
m okay
,yougosl
eep
okay(
holdi
ngherhand)
Ntombi-(
sighs)okay
,comet
uckmei
npl
ease
(
smiles)
Sbani getupt aki
ngNt ombi handwalki
nghert otheir
bedroom, theyent ert
her oom,Ntombigoesst r
aight
tothebat hroom towashhermakeupandgetr eady
forbed.Sbani r
eachesforhisphoneandcal l
shi s
fatherbuthedoesn' tanswer ,
Sbaniendsthecal land
runshishandsov erhisfacefrust
rat
edly.Nt
ombi
comesoutf rom thebedroom inherunderware
garment sonly,exposingherbeautif
ulbody,sheis
naturall
yslender.Sheseeshowexhaust edher
husbandi s,shewal kstohim andputherarms
aroundhi sneckl ooki
ngathi m..

Ntombi-babepl
ease,
restabi
t.Yourf
atherwi
l
l
updateusassoonashehearsthegoodnewsofher
beingokay.
Sbani
-(hol
dsherwai
st).
..okay
..
.

Ntombismi l
esandleansfowar
dt ofrenchkisshim
buthequicklyhol
dsherfacewit
hbot hhandsand
ki
sseshercheek.Shedisappoi
ntedlylaysherhead
onhischest."Maybethi
swasnott her i
ghtt
imeto
i
nit
iat
esex,buthei
stensedandshewantedtocal
m
hi
m downandmay bemakeababyint hepr
ocess.
"
Shethought
.Hepull
sherawayandlooksather
.

Sbani
-gogetdr
essed,
I'
ll
wai
tint
hebedf
ory
ou.
Nt
ombi
-yousl
eepi
ngwi
thy
ourwor
kcl
otheson.
.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)l
ove,
I'
m her
etot
ucky
oui
nandr
esta
l
it
tl
e.

Nt
ombi
sighsandwal
kst
othecl
osett
ochange.
..

ATMA'
SIWELAHOME

Mthokowaslayi
ngaroundtheloungewatchi
ngt v
,
whenhisphonestar
tedri
ngingdist
urbi
nghim..
.

Mt
hoko-(
pausi
ngt
het
v)Yi
ni?
?
Nhl
anhl
a-Nel
l
yisatt
hehospi
tal
,Ican'
tgoi
nto
det
ail
sri
ghtnowbutpl
easedon'
ttel
lmom.
Mthoko-(
star
tl
ed)shi
t!
!!Whi
chhospi
tal
?Umhl
anga
Netcar
e??
Nhl
anhl
a-y
es.I
'
llcal
lyoul
ater
.
Mt
hoko-SHI
T!!
!

Hedai
l
edLungi
eysnumber
,ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

LungieyandMbal i wer
esitt
ingquiet
lyinthelounge,
forsomer easonMbal idi
dn'tl
eave,Lungiey
sphone
vibrat
edshelookedatt hecall
erIDandi twas
Mt hoko,
shei gnoredit
.Thephonev ibr
atedagain,
sheannoy i
nglypickeditup.
..

Lungi
ey-(
bor
edt
one)whatdoy
ouwant
??
Mt
hoko-(
annoy
ed)l
i
stenmi
sswor
ld,
thi
sai
n'
tabout
youfuckingmybr ot
her
.Yourbestf
ri
endi
sin
hospi
tal.(Hehangedup)

Lungieyfroze,
"didshegetint
oacaraccident
?"She
thought.Shequickl
ygrabbedhercarkey
sandphone
headedt othedoor..
.

Mbal
i
-wher
eyougoi
ng?
Lungi
ey-(
tear
y)Nel
l
yisi
nhospi
tal
Mbal
i
-WHAT!
!!

Shequi
ckl
yfol
l
owedherout
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t13

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

MrZul
uandNhl
anhlawer
esi
tti
ngi
nthewai
ti
ng
r
oom wai
ti
ngf
orthedoct
ort
ocomeoutandi
nfor
m
them aboutNel lyssituati
on.Zandilecomesupt o
them with2cupsofcof feeandhandsi ttothem.
Nhlanhlatakest hecof feeandt hankher,heisnow
calm, henolongerf ueledwi thangerli
kebefore
i
nst eadheisf eeli
nghel plessandhurtbroken,t
he
sightofhissisterlefthim defeated.

MrZul
u-(
sippi
ngonhi
scof
fee)anynews?
?
Zandi
l
e-(
sit
ti
ngdown)no.
..butshewast
akent
oICU.
Nhlanhl
a-(l
ooki
ngatt hem)babay oushouldtake
Zandil
ehome, i
tlatenow,I'
vecal
ledmybr otherheis
onhiswayhere.I'm sor
ryabouthowIdisrespected
youearli
eri
nyourownhome.
MrZulu-(t
ouchi
nghi
sshoulder
)itokayson.I'
m not
hol
dinganyofwhathappenedagainstyou,
Iwould
hav
epr obabl
ydonethesamethingifnotworse.
Nhl
anhla-(r
egr
etful
)st
il
lbaba,Iwasnotr
aisedto
di
srespectmyelder
s,y
ouhav eshownnothingbut
ki
ndnesstowardsmysister
.Ishoul
dhaveknown
bet
ter.
MrZul u-(
lookingathi m)i tokayndodana, butIwant
yout oknow, wet rul
ydidn'tknowaboutt hiswhole
thing.Weonl yknewt hathehadagi r
lf
ri
endwhenhe
metourdaught erbutwewer etoldtherelati
onshi
p
wasnotwor kingoutandt heywer eonsomeki ndof
break, wewer eagai nstthisatf i
rst,wequest i
oned
him butwhent heybothcamet ousandl aiddown
thest orytous, wegavein, weshoul dhav eseenthe
signst her
ebutIguesswewer eblindedbyhowhe
treatedourdaught er,
andwhenhewant edt odo
ri
ghtbyherIguesswedi dn'tseetheneedt o
quest i
onhi sst oryanymor e.
Nhlanhla-(si
ghs)i
tokaybaba,youdon'
tneedt
o
explai
n.Sizweisresponsi
blef
orthi
s.
MrZulu-(
shaki
nghi
shead)Idon'
tknowaboutt
hat
oneanymore.
Nhlanhl
a-(shakeshisheadlaughing)Ican'
tbeli
eve
I'
m sayi
ngthisbutIknowmysi sterwi l
lagr
eewith
met oo.I
tprobablysomethi
ngshewoul dsaybutI
guessbecauset her
eisachanceImi ghtl
oseher,
someofherper sonali
tyi
srubbingofonme.Si zwe
i
snotabadper son,hemadest upidandfooli
sh
deci
sions,heactedl
i
keacowar dandpus. ..punk.He
wasn'tmanenoughtodeal withhisproblemsandi t
fort
hatwhyhel ostt
hesmal lamountofr espectI
hadforhim.Ineverl
ikedhim butIrespectedhimf or
howhappyhemademysi st
erbuthe' sproventome,
howrightiwasabouthim.
MrZulu-heisapussy ,youcansayi tnoneedt obe
scaredofme.(Laughsal i
ttl
e)ify ou'
remanandy ou
can'
tdealwithyourshi tst
raightont hantomeGod
wastedhistimegi v
ingy oubal l
s.Yoursisteri
sa
wonderfulandstrongy ounglady .Shewi l
lwakeup
hereandheractiont owardst hi
swhol esituat
ionwill
shockus.YourightSi zweisnotabadguybuthei s
astupidone.His2y earoldsonpr obablyhasbigger
ball
sthanhim.

Thetwogent l
emanlaugheasingt hetensi
onal i
tt
le,
i
tbeenal ongnightf
oreveryone.Thedoct or
scomes
outofthe"st
affonly
"doorandwal ksuptothem,
makingthem standandlookatherwi thhope
wait
ingforhertorel
iev
et hem f
rom thismisery
..
.
Dr
-Mi
ssSi
wel
afami
l
y?
Nhl
anhl
a-y
es,
I'
m,herbr
other
.
Dr-okay,I
'm DrGasa(shakeshishand)y oursist
eris
i
nI CU,butnotforl
ong,sheisjustdehydratedand
herbodyhadt akenst
rainandthef al
lcausedhert o
temporaryblackout
.Wewi ll
mov inghert oTrauma
unitt
omor r
ow.
Zandi
l
e-whataboutherheadwound,
shewas
bl
eedi
ng
DrGasa-wecl eanedherup,shedidn' ti
nternal
ly
bleed,whichisav erygoodsign.Shewi llawake
tomor r
ow ( l
ookingatherwatch)act ual
lytodayit
alreadyearlyhours.Youshouldgor estandcome
backar ound10:00am ,especial
lyyouZahy ourshif
t
startsat8.00am anditalr
eady1:45am.Ar ethere
anyquest i
ons?
Nhl
anhl
a-(
rel
i
ved)no,
thanky
ouDr
..
.

DrGasanodsandwal
ksawayl
i
vingt
hem wi
th
rel
i
vedfaces.Lungi
ey,
MbaliandMthokori
ght
behindt
hem comeoutoftheelev
atormaki
ngthei
r
wayt ot
hem..

Mt
hoko-(
wor
ri
ed)Baf
owhathappened?
?
Lungi
ey-(
hol
dinghert
ear
s)whathappened?I
sshe
okay?
?OhmyGod! !!(
Cover
shermouth).
.
Nhlanhla-(
looki
ngather
)st
opbei
ngdr
amati
c,shei
s
okay.(LookingatMt
hoko)y
oucal
l
edher?
Mt
hoko-(
shr
ugs)i
therbestf
ri
endman,
comeon.
MrZul
u-(conf
used)Mbal
i
??whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Idi
dn'
tknowyouandMissSi
welaweref
ri
ends?
Lungi
ey-t
heynot
..
.

Mbalil
ooksather,shakingherhead."
Thisgi
rlneeds
sel
festeem i
nject
ion"shethi
nkstohersel
f.

Mbal
i-sheaskedmetodr
opof fthef
orecastf
il
e,
whenigotther
eshedi
dn'
tlooktoogoodsoi
deci
dedtowai
tforhert
ocomebackf
rom y
our
housesi
r.
MrZul u-okaychi
ld.(
LookingatNhl
anhl
a)ndodana,
I
'm goingtogonow, Zandi
lehastorest
.Mbaliy
ou
t
oo, l
etgot heoff
icewil
lneedyoufr
esh.I'
l
lcomeby
l
atertoday.

Nhlanhl
abi dthem far
ewell
,ast
heymadetheirway
t
ot heelevator
.Lungiey,
MthokoandNhl
anhlawere
t
heonl yonesl ef
t.I
tbecamesil
entf
orawhil
euntil
Mthokospoke. ..

Mt
hoko-sowhathappened?
?
Nhl
anhl
a-Si
zwehappened.
..
Mthoko-ent
lek.
..wher
eisheany
way
??Wai
tdi
dhe
hi
ther?
Nhl
anhl
a-wor
set
hant
hatBaf
o.

Nhl
anhl
ast
art
edt
ell
i
ngMt
hokoev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
happenedt odayandaboutSi zwe.Mthokogot
furi
ousandangr ybutNhl anhlamanagedt ocalm his
brotherdown.Mt hokoshear tpainedforhi
ssister.
Hewonder edi fwouldsheev erbet hesameagai n.
Heknewhowoneper soncanf uckupy ourl
if
eint he
nameofl ove.Hedi dn'twisht hatonhissist
erbuthe
wasl atei
talreadydone.Lungi eysatther
equietwi t
h
tearsrunni
ngdownhert ears.

Lungi
ey-(
cry
ing)
theheadwoundi
snotf
atal
right
?
Nhl
anhl
a-No.Justascr
atch.
Lungi
ey-(t
ear
y)oht
hankGod.
..Nhl
anhl
ayoucango
homeI'l
lst
ay.
Nhlanhla-no.I
'
m staying.Mt
hokoyoucangohome
andfetchmom ( checkinghi
spocket
s)andcal
lSi
mi
forme.
Mthoko-(l
aughssar
casti
cal
l
y)I
'm notl
eavi
ngy
ou
t
ooher e.Wena(l
ooksatNhl
anhl
a)call
yourwi
fe
your
self.
Nhl
anhl
asighsandwal
ksf
urt
herawayf
rom t
hem
cal
l
inghi
swife.

Lungi
ey-(
looki
ngathi
m)It
houghty
ousai
dyoudon'
t
hateme.
Mthoko-(l
ooki
ngather)Idon'
t.
..Thef
uckeduppar
t
i
si shoul
dbutIcan'
t,
Icanneverhateyou.
Lungi
ey-(
smi
l
es)t
hanky
o..
.
Mthoko-don' tgetittwi
stedjustbecauseI
..
.(hi
s
phonev i
bratedr i
ngingdist
urbinghim,i
twashis
mom) .
..Fir
stl ady?
Ma'
Siwela-f
ir
stladywokunuka!
!!(
Loud)di
dIr
aise
pol
i
tici
ansordidIrai
serespect
fulki
ds?
Mt
hoko-Ma?
??
Ma'Si wela-(shout
ing)Ma,MaWHAT? ??!
!!Why
didn'tyout ell
mey oursi
steri
sinhospi t
al??Yesi
know, Why ?becauseI'
m hernextofkin,i
thospital
protocol tocallme.Ibetyouandy ourbigheaded
brotherdi dn'
tthi
nkofthat.Nx!Tel
l t
hatkhanda
khulu, I
'm waiti
ngforhimtocomegetme.( Shehang
up)
Mt
hoko-SHI
T..
.

Hewal
kedt
owardsNhl
anhl
a,t
ell
i
nghi
m aboutt
hei
r
mot
her
sphonecal
l.

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Sbani andShakaheardt hei

rfather'
scar,Shaka
walkedoutofhi sroom.Sbani caref
ullyr
emov ed
Ntombi f
rom hi
schest,babykissingherandwal ked
outoft heirr
oom.Meet i
ngShakaatt hepassage,
theylookedateachot herandsighed.MrZul u
openedt hefrontdoortohissonsst andi
ngwai t
ing
forhi
m, hehaddroppedZandi l
eatherhouse.

MrZulu-(
aut
hor
it
ivev
oice)I
'
m notaboutt
obe3r
d
degr
eedinmyownhomeat2: 30am.
Hewalkedpassedhissons,
makinghiswayt
ohi
s
bedr
oom.Hegoti nandshutthedoor
..
..

Leav
ingt
hem st
andi
ng.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t14

7:
00am

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Everyonewasset tl
edatt het abl
eexceptMrZul u,he
sti
llhasn'
tcomedowny et.Siphowaspr esentatthe
table,hearriv
edt hismor ni
ng.Mav ishadset
everythi
ngupf orthem,theywer ejustwai ti
ngforMr
Zulutocomedownsot heycoul dstarteat i
ng.They
werenotal lowedt oeatwi thouthim presentunless
hegi v
est hem per missi
ont oo.Hewasamoder n
zulumanbuthest il
lver
ymuchr espect edand
foll
owedt radit
ion.
Shaka-mom,di
ddadt
ell
youany
thi
ngaboutNel
l
y
whenhegotback.
Mr
sZul
u-noson,
hej
ustwentt
oshowert
hansl
ept
.
Si
pho-SheokayBafo,shedidn'
tbl
eedi
nter
nall
y
whi
chisgood.Theysaidtheywil
lmoveherto
Tr
aumaunittoday.
Sbani
-howdoy
ouknowal
lthat
?
Sipho-Zandi
l
etol
dmeearl
yhoursoftodaywhen
shecamebackf r
om t
hehospi
tal
wit
hdad.
Shaka-ohthatgr
eatnews,
I'
ll
gopastherbef
ore
goi
ngt owork.
Sbani
-youcan'
twehav
etomeetupHoust
ont
oday
.
Shaka-(
conf
used)NoIdon'
t.
..
Sbani
-wellsi
nceNel
l
ywon'
tbepr
esentsomeone
hastoaccompanyme.
Shaka-IgetthatBaf
obutitnotme,I
'min
construct
ion,
logi
sti
csisnotmydepart
ment
,why
nottakeSiphowithyou,hepr
obabl
yknowsmore
abouti
tthanme.
Si
pho-(l
ooki
ngatSbani
)yeahIdon'
tmind.Pl
usI
don'
thavetobeonsi
teti
lll
ateront
heday.
Sbani
-wehavecargo,
comingi
ntodayfrom Chi
na,
Si
phohastobetheretoadmi
nist
rat
eit
.
Si
pho-(
remembered)ohSHI
T!!!It
otal
l
yfor
got
.
Thanky
ouBafo.
Shaka-wel
lcan'
tyout
akesomeel
sef
rom y
our
depart
ment.
Sbani
-NO

MrZul
uwalksint
heliv
ingroom,greet
sev
eryone
andki
sseshi
swif
e,t
akinghissi
t.
..

MrZulu-I
'
llbeaccompanyingyoutomeetwi
th
Houst
onSbani.(Hesaythatnotl
ooki
ngathi
m)

Sbani
looksathi
sfat
her,hehasthatdon'
tfuckwit
h
melook,soheknowsri
ghtther
enott oquesti
onhi
s
decisi
on.Her espectshisfathersomuchnomat ter
howbol dheis,thereisonlyonemant hatwi l
lmake
him shutupandt hatmani shisf at
her.Het akesthe
teapotandpour shimsel fcoff
ee, t
hatsignals
everyonethattheycanst artdi
ggingin.Theyal l
receivet
hemessagel oudandcl ear.

Shaka-t
hatset
tl
edt
han.
MrsZulu-Nt
ombidear
,wheny
ougoi
ngbackt
owor
k.
Theyknowyoubackri
ght
.
Nt
ombi-I'
vedeci
dedtor
esi
gnMa,
Iwi
l
lbeaf
ull
time
mom andhouswif
e.

Sbani andShakaalongwit
hSi phochokeonthei
r
food,evenMrZuluwassupr isedbythi
s.Ntombi
wor ksfort
hegovernment,sheisasocialwor
ker.
Sbani i
ssupri
sedbyt hi
sbecause,shehasn'
t
discussedthi
swithhim.

MrZul
u-don'
tyout
hinkmay
bey
oucanopeny
our
ownpr
act
ice,
putt
hatpsy
chol
ogydegr
eet
ouse.
Mr sZulu-thatgr
eathoney( l
ookingatherhusband)
plusyouv erypati
entperson,havingyourown
practi
cewon' tbeverydemandi ngony ourt
ime,you
canstil
l f
ulfi
ll
youmot herandwi feduti
esverywell
.
Ntombi-(si
ghs)Idon'
tknow,Ijustdon'tf
eel
li
ke
workinganymore,atl
eastnotnow, minanomnyeni
wami aretr
yingforasecondbabysof ornowIwant
t
of ocusonexpandingmyf amily
.

MrandMr sZulualongwi thSiphoandShakal ooked

atSbaniandsawhowt hisi rri
tatedhi
m.Thathas
al
way sbeenNt ombi sf
law, tal
kingopenlytotheir
parentsabouttheirmarit
al affai
rsaswellastaking
decisi
onswithoutinfor
mi nghi m.Itbecamesilentfor
awhi l
earoundt hetabl
eunt ilSiphospoke.
..

Si
pho-wher
eisSane.
Mr
sZul
u-shel
eftwi
thSi
zwey
est
erday
..
.
Itbecamequietagai
n,t
hingswer
ereal
l
ybecomi
ng
awkward.Sbanigotup.
..

Sbani
-(wi
peshi
smouthwi
thanapki
n)excuseme,
I
needtogotot
heof
fi
ceandpr
epare.
Ntombi-whatt
imewil
lyoubebackhome?.We
supposetomovebacktoourhouset
oday
.
Sbani-I
'
m notsurewhenI'
l
lbeback.Whydon'
tyou
moveourstuff
,taket
hisasyourf
ir
sthousewi
fe
duty
.(Hewalkedout)

I
tbecamesi
l
entagai
nar
oundt
het
abl
e.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Nell
ywasnowmov edtotheTr aumaunit,
shewas
awake,sheexper
iencedbadheadachesev er
ynow
andthan.Shesatthereandt houghtabout
ever
ythi
ngthathappened, i
tstil
lpai
nedherbutshe
hadt omov eon, thi scryi
ng, weak, drainedhuman
beingwasnother .ShewasaSi welawoman, she
wasst rong,herhear twasi mmor tal,
thatmeansher
dri
v eandwi l
li
ngnesst odogr eatandt obeev en
greaterneverdiedown.Sheknewi norderf orhert o
beabl etomov eonsheneededt odoonet hing,she
neededt oforgive.Shewasl osti nhert hought sthat
shedi dn'
tnoticeShakast andingatt hedoorl ooking
ather.Hewal kedi nsideandst oodnextt oherbed.
Shesensedapr esence, soshet urnedandl ooked
upmeet i
nghisey esonher .

Shaka-heybeaut
if
ul.
Nel
l
y-(
supr
ised)hey
,howar
eyou?
Shaka-(
smil
ed)Ishouldbeaski
ngyouthatbutsi
nce
youaskednt
okaziI'
m goodbecausemywifeisokay
now.Youscaredusall
.
Nel
ly
-(smi
l
ed)r
eal
l
ydude,
eveni
nmydeat
hbedy
ou
hi
tonme.
Shaka-(smil
ed)soy
avumat
haty
oumywi
fe.
..
ahhah!
!!..
.
Theybothlaughed,i
twasgr eattoseehersmile
agai
n,shehadv ampireteet
h,theylookedsocute
whenshesmi ledorl
aughed.Shei sabeautif
ul
woman.Thel aught
erdieddown, Shakalookedather
wit
hpiti
ful
ey es.
.

Nel
ly-pl
easedon'
t,
I'
m okay,Ihat
ethatpeopl
ewi l
lbe
l
ookingatmewiththat"
pit
if
ul"andI"sy
mpathize"
wit
hy oul
ook.
Shaka-I
'm sor
ry,
Idon'tknowyouthatmuchbutI
j
ustfeell
ikeyoudon'
tdeservethi
s.Iknow I
'mthe
l
astpersontospeak,ImeanIchangegirl
sever
y
weekendbutwhatSizwedi di
sHarvardschemi
ng
shi
t.

Theylaughedsohar
dthatherst
omachst
art
edt
o
hurt
..
.

Shaka-wel
lnt
okazi
,hubbyhast
ogot
owor
k,I
'
ll
checkony
out
omor
row.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ed)t
hanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.

Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedhercheekwal
ki
ngout
..
.

Fewhour
slat
er.
..
.

Ma'Si
welawalkedintherecept
ionarea,sheasked
wereherdaughter'
sroom was,thenurseshowed
her
.Shewalkedt her
e..

Ma'
Siwel
a-baby(
tear
y)
Nel
l
y-mom.
..
.(t
ear
y).
.mom he.
..He
Ma'Si
wela-(wal
kedt
oherandhuggedher
)Iknow
baby,
(tear
y)Iknow.

Shecr
iedonhermom' sembr
ace,sheneededher
mom,afteral
lthecr
yingshefel
tmoreatease.
..
Ma'Si
wela-hebet
ternotshowhi
sfaceorel
seIwi
l
l
ki
ckhisnonexist
ingbal
ls.
Nel
ly-(
laughs)I
'vethoughtabouthowtohandlethi
s
i
ssue.Ihavetoforgiv
ehim mom. .
..Ij
ustneedto
pr
ayaboutit,Godwi l
lgui
demet hroughthi
swhole
pr
ocess.
Ma'Si
wel
a-(
looki
ngatherdaught
er)I
'
m pr
oudofy
ou
baby.

MrZul
u-knock,
knock.
..
(peeki
ngi
n)canwecomei
n.
MrsZulu-wecamebaringgi
ft
s(showi
nghera
basketf
ulloff
reshf
rui
ts)
Ma'
Siwel
a-ngenani
ngobani
phet
heokudl
i
way
o
(
smil
ed)

Theyal
llaughed,
asNel
l
yint
roducedt
heZul
ust
oher
mother
..
.
MrZul
u-nowIseewher
eNel
l
yget
sherbeaut
y
f
rom.
..nay
ifact
ory(
poi
nti
ngatMa'
Si
wel
a)
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
laughs)y
abonanj
e..
.
Mr
sZul
u-hheheheshoul
dIbewor
ri
edbaba?
?
MrZul
u-y
esnkosikazi
,I
'mt
hinkingofpul
l
inga
Si
zweonyouwit
hMa' Si
wel
a.(Laughs)
Ma'Si
wela-y
estakingonef
ort
het
eam,
lev
eli
ngt
he
pl
ayground(l
aughs)
MrZul
u-hahahakephikhona??Youol
dschool
womanareverydangerous.
Mr
sZul
u-y
es.
..i
sihl
amasendodasi
si
bonasi
sakude.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
laughs)asi
dlal
i
..
..
Nel
ly-(
shocked)
(shaki
ngherhead)Mom!
!!
!Who'
s
par
entsareyou!
!!

Theyalll
aughed,Si
zwehadlaughtercomingfrom
Nell
ysroom,hedebatedtogoinornot ,
buthewas
al
readyheresohewentinsi
de,everyonestopped
l
aughingandlookedathi
m.
Si
zwe-sani
bonani
..
.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
smi
l
ed)comet
hissi
deson.

Nel
lyl
ookedhermom weirdl
y,Si
zwewalkedto
Ma'
Siwel
aside,
shekickedhi
m betweenhisl
egs,
Si
zwecri
edinpain.

Ma'
Siwel
a-suemeMrlawyer,
andbuyyour
selfnew
bal
l
swithyourset
tl
ementf
eewhenyouwinthecase.

Nel
l
ywasshockedwi
thhermom'
sbehav
iour
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t15

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Ntombiwaspacki
ngthel
astfewbagsi nt
heirroom,
todayt
heymovingbackt
otheirhouse.Shewas
doingl
astf
ewcheckupstoseei fsheisn'
tleav
ing
anythi
ngbehind.Shel ookedatherwatch, shesti
l
l
hadt i
met opreparear omant i
cdi
nnerforherand
herhusband.Nomawi llbeleftwi
ththe
grandparent
sjustfortoday .Shepl
ansonhav i
ngan
i
ntimatetimewi t
hherhusband.Oper ati
onl etmake
asecondbabyi sonf ullfor
ce.Whil
eshel ooks
around,herphoner i
ngs...
..

Nt
ombi
-sawubonama.
Ma'
Ngcobo-hel
l
omt
anami
Nt
ombi
-ni
yaphi
l
alaphoekhay
a?
Ma'Ngcobo-si
yaphi
l
a,y
ourfatherwasadmitt
edto
hospi
tall
astweekbuti
tnot
hingseri
esjusthi
susual
BP.
Ntombi
-(worr
ied)Hawu!
!Mawhydi dn'
tyout
ell
me?
Babashoul
dstopeati
ngalotofsal
t.
Ma'
Ngcobo-(l
aughs)t
ryt
ell
i
nghi
mthat
.Howi
s
mkhwenyanadoi
ng?
Ntombi-(
sighs)hei
sokayma.Youknowhowheis,
Sbani
li
kest oworkt
omuch.Evennowwetry
ingf
or
asecondbaby,buthowwill
Ifal
lpr
egnanti
fhei
s
f
oreverwor
king?Ievendeci
dedtoresi
gnatwor
kso
wecanhaveenought i
me.
Ma'Ngcobo-.
..
.(
sil
ent)
..
..mt
anami,
mkhweny anahas
beenoffworkformorethanayear
,isn'
tthatwhat
youtol
dme.Wheny ouwereinChi
na,hewas
worki
ngathome?
Ntombi -yesma, butwet r
iedandsti
ll
Ididn'
tfal
l
pregnant ,Sanei
spr egnantwitha2ndbabynowand
shehasonl ybeenmar riedforayear
.Ihavebeen
mar r
iedf or4yearsbutIhav eonechil
dtoshowf ori
t.
Howi st hatfai
rmama?If eelli
kenobody
understandsmysi tuation.
Ma'Ngcobo-mychi ldyourhusbandi sasel flessman,
helovesyouuncondi t
ional
ly
,remembery out hought
youcouldn'thaveababybecauseoft heone
aborti
ony oudid.Sbani marr
iedy ouany way .You
haveNomat hembamt anami,cherishher ,stop
compar i
ngot herstoyouself
.Nt ombi you'r
ebl essed,
l
earntoappr eciateandt obecont entwi thwhatGod
hasgiveny ou.Onet hi
ngy oushoul dknowabout
bedroom affair
s,theyshouldbef un, enjoyful,you
shoul dn'
tmaket hatmanf eelli
ke,beingint
imate
withy ou,shouldbewor k,t
heset hi
ngsar enot
planned,y ousetthemood, t
herestfoll
owsbutright
nowy oumaki nghimf eell
ikeaft
eral ongdayat
wor k,hehasanot hershif
ttoattendtoathome.That
i
swr ongmychi ld.
Ntombi-.
..si
l
ent..
.Hehasn'
tcomplai
nedmama, soI
don'
tthi
nkhef eel
sli
kethat
.Sbanii
sveryvocal
and
bl
unt,i
fhehadapr obl
em hewouldhavetol
dme.
Ma'Ngcobo-(
sighs)Ntombihedoesn'
tneedt
ot el
l
you,hi
sacti
onswi l
lspeakf
orhi
m.Di dyoudi
scuss
l
eavingyourj
obwi t
hhim?
Ntombi-no.Wewill
befi
nanci
all
yst
abl
e.I
'
llgetmy
packageatwork.Wewon'
tsuff
ermama.
Ma'Ngcobo-Ntombi!
!!
!Youcan' ttakedecisi
onsthis
bi
galone.Inamarri
aget hereisnoIbutt her
eisawe.
I
tnotaboutbeingfi
nanciall
ystablebaby,butitabout
howy ouasawomancanst andony ourown.Times
havechangedmybaby ,Sbani i
sav eryambiti
ous
man,hemar r
iedyoubecausey ouwereadr i
ven
woman, r
egardl
essofwhaty ouwentt hr
ough,you
pushedy oursel
f.Youpaidyourownuni ver
sityfees,
whenIf ail
edtopaythem foryou.Whathappenedt o
thatwoman?Don' tchangey oursel
f,tomorr
owy ou
willscr
eam youunhappyandi twill
allbeyourfault
.
Ther ei
smor etoawomant hanmaki ngbabies.

Ntombil
ist
enedtohermot herspeak,butshef
elther
motherwil
ltakeSbanisi
debecausetheyadorehim
anyway,
shewant edtoendthiscal
l.
..

Ntombi-(
takesadeepbreath)mama,
Ihav
etogo
now.Tell
dadIwil
lvisi
thim soon.
Ma'Ngcobo-(si
ghs,sheknewherdaught
erwas
di
smissingher).
..
.okaybaby,
sayhitomkhwenyana
andkissNomaf orme.

Theybothhangedup.Nt
ombi
wentbackt
ogat
her
thei
rfi
nali
tems..
..

Fewhour
slat
er.
..
.
17:
45pm

ATSBANI
&NTOMBIHOUSE

Ntombi l
ookedaroundt heli
vi
ngr oom, sat
isfi
edwith
theworkshesdone.Al lsheneededt odoi stakea
bathandwearhersexyl inger
ie,Sbaniwillbehome
by18:30pm, shehadenought imetof i
xhermakeup
andhair.Shespil
ledrosepedalsalloverthefloor
,
themoodwasset ..
.

Herphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.
..I
twasZandi
l
e..
.

Zah-heymf
azi
,
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)heysi
si,
unj
an?
Zah-ngy
iyaphi
l
a, I
'
m call
i
ngbecauseIwantedt
oask
i
fyouguyswant edtocomeandhavedinnerwi
thus?
.
Ntombi-nott
oni
ghtl
ove,
oper
ati
onbabynumber2i
s
ontoday.
Zah-(l
aughs)hahaha,youguysmov edbacktoy our
housetoday?Makesur etodomissionar
yal ot
,I
heardi
tbestifyoulooki
ngtofal
lpregnant.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)usi
l
ewena.By
eIhav
eli
mit
edt
ime.
Zah-(
laughs)by
e

Shequi
ckl
ymadehert
othebat
hroom.
..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Sbanihasbeensi t
tinginthepar kinglotwai tingf or
Nhlanhl
aandLungi eyt oleavet hehospi tal beforehe
madehi swayin.Af ter12mi nutesofwai ting, t
hey
cameout .Nhl
anhlahel dLungi eysar mi tlookedl ike
theywerearguingaboutsomet hing.Minut esl at
er
theybothgotintotheircarsanddr oveout.He
checkedhisti
me, i
twas18: 15pm.Henot i
cedhehad
2textmessagesf rom Ntombi aski ngwher ehewas?
Andanot heroneaskingwhenwi l
lhebearr
ivi
ngat
home.Hebl uet i
ckedheranddiver
tedal
lhi
scall
sto
voicemail
.Het ookthebouquetof50whit
eroseshe
broughtwithhim andexi
tedhiscarmaki
nghisway
i
nsi det
hehospi t
al.

Hewaswear ingabl acksl imf i

ttux, togetherwi tha
whitecr ispshi r
twi t
hnot ie.Hel eftthebot tom t wo
buttonsundone, givingasmal lpeekofhi shar d
chest .Hepai redi twi thblacksocksandshoes.
Sbani i
sdar kincompl exion( nottodar k,
sof t
dark),cleanbr ushcut ,hehasbr oadshoul der s,
l
ooki ngathi st orso, itevidentt hathenev ermi ssesa
dayatt hegy m andy oucanseehest ickstohi sdiet.
Hewasnott hatbuf f, buthewast her i
ghtki ndof f
buff.At31y ear sofage, het ookcar eofhi msel fwell
.
Hisf acewascl eanandsmoot h,wi t
hast rongj aw
andper fectteeth, smal lscarnextt ohi sl
ef teyebrow,
hegoti twhenhepl ay edr ugbybacki nhighschool .I
t
safet osayhewasAdoni shimsel f.
Hewalkedoutoftheel
evat
or,walki
ngstr
aighttot
he
r
ecepti
onarea,f
ewladi
esswallowedwhent hey
l
ookedathi
m.Hehadt hatabouthim,hi
saur a
f
orcedyoutolookathi
m evenwheny oudidn'
twant
t
o.

Sbani
-eveni
ngI
'
mlooki
ngf
orMi
ssSi
wel
aroom
number.
Lady-.
..uhmm ar
eyouf
ami
l
y?Weonl
yal
l
owf
ami
l
y
aft
er6sir.
Sbani
-I'
mthehusband(
str
aightf
ace)
Lady
-..
.uhmm butMi
ssSi
wel
ais.
..

Shedi dn'
tfi
nishhersent
ence,Sbanij
ustsmil
edat
her,sheswallowedandlookedbackatthesignin
sheetandhandedi ttohi
m.Hesi gnedinandhanded
herthebookletback.

Lady
-room B12si
r
Sbani
-(smi
l
edandwi
nkedather
)thanky
ou.

Sbaniwalkedt
oNellysr
oom car
ryi
ngt
hehuge
bouquetofwhit
eroseswit
hhim..
.

Lady
-(t
ookadeepbr
eat
h)(
hol
dingherchest
)Ohmy
God!
!!

Nellywasl ayi
ngonherbed, t
hi nkingaboutt he
eventsoft oday ,
hermom i sr eallycrazy,shethought
tohersel f.Shesmiledabi treal i
singhowmucha
partofherenj oyedseeingSi zwei npainal i
ttl
e.She
alsot hinkingaboutShakascar efreepersonalit
y,he
i
sdef i
ni t
elysomeone, shewant stokeepar ound.
Sbani stoodbyt hedoorl ooki ngather .Hesawher
smile, hel i
kedhersmal lteet handt hosev ampi re
teethonhermadeherl ookcut e.Hewonder edwhat
shei st hinkingaboutthatmaki nghersmi l
e,but
what ev eritishereall
ydidn' tcar er i
ghtnow, seeing
hersmi lewaswor t
hhiml ooki ngov erhisjealous
state.Shecaughther selfinhal ingast rongmuscul ar
smell,t
hesmel lwasfami l
lai
r ,
shef el
tthatst r
ong
i
ntensef eel
i
ngofsomeonel ookingather ,she
remember edfeeli
ngthi
swayt hedayoft hest aff
meetingbutshenev ercaughtt heculpritthatwas
l
ookingather .Shecl
osedherey esbutt hef eeli
ng
grewst r
ongerandmor eintense, itburnedher ,she
fel
tcompel l
edt ot
urnaround, andshedi d,meet i
ng
theculpri
tstari
ngdir
ectlyather .

I
twashi
m,t
hecul
pri
twasSbani
sezweZul
u..
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t16

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Theylookedateachot her,
noonewi l
l
ingtobreak
thestare.Sbaniwasimpressedwi t
hhowshewasn' t
yourtypicalwoman,helovedhowshechal l
enged
hersel
fdar i
nghim.Shelookedathim, wondering
whatwashedoi nghere,t
hef i
rstt
imet heymethe
wasv eryarrogant
,sheconcludedtheywer enot
goingtogetal ong.Seei
nghim here,wasver
y
confusingforher.Whatisheupt o?Shethoughtt
o
herself
.Hel ookedatherandsawhowshewas
battl
ingwithherthoughts,
hesmi ledali
tt
le,
walki
ng
cl
osert oher,shelookedatthebouquetoffl
owersin
hi
shand, theshockonherf ace,shetri
edtohidei
t
butitwast olate.

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngdi
rect
lyi
ntoherey
e)Sawubona.
.
Nel
l
y-(
star
edbackathi
m)Yebo.Unj
an?
Sbani
-(smi
l
ed)ngy
aphi
l
a,unj
ani
wena?
Nel
l
y-Icoul
dbebet
ter
.
Sbani-hawu!
!It
houghtwewer
edoi
ngt
hisi
nZul
u..
(r
aisedhisey
ebrows)
Nel
l
y-(l
aughedali
tt
le)Idi
dn'
tgetthememo.
(
Looki
ngatthefl
owers)youboughtmefl
ower
s?
Sbani
-Yes.Thoughtt
heywoul
dcheery
ouup.

Heputt
hef
lower
sbesi
deher
.Het
ookasi
tnextt
o
herandlookedather.Shewasl ooki
ngbett
er,
sheno
l
ongerlookedpale.Shelookedathim,shedi
dn't
pi
cturehim ast
het hought
fult
ype.

Nel
ly
-(smil
edlooki
ngatt
hehugebouquetoff
lower
s)
t
hankyou.Il
ovethem.
Sbani
-It
houghty
oumi
ght
.Theywi
l
lgi
vet
hisr
oom
l
if
e.
Nel
ly-(
looki
ngathi
m)y eah,i
twil
lbeabeauti
ful
si
ghttowakeupto.(Laughs)youboughtt
hewhole
st
ore.
Sbani-(
smi
l
es)y
ouwor
thi
t.
..(
sil
ent
).
..(
Looki
ngat
her)
..
.

Theylookedateachother,theroom suddenly
becamesosmal l.I
twasgr eatseei
nghi m smil
e,he
l
ookedr eal
l
ygoodandat tr
act i
vewhenhesmi l
ed,hi
s
l
eftbrowcurvedupmaki nghissmall scarvi
si
ble.

Nel
l
y-(
breaki
ngt
hest
are)sohowwasy
ourmeet
ing
wi
thHoust
on?
Sbani
-itwasn'
tthatbad.Hesi
gnedt
hecont
ract
,
wegoodtogo.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)I
'
m gl
ad,hecanbev
erydi
ff
icul
t.Sowe
gotcapetownonthebag?
Sbani-defi
nit
ely
..
.Idon'
twantt
otal
kaboutwor
k
though..
..
Nel
l
y-whatdoy
ouwantt
otal
kabout
?
Sbani
-..
.(si
l
ent
).
..Iwantt
oknowNel
i
siweSi
wel
a.
Nel
ly
-(smil
ed)r
eal
l
y?Thoughty
oual
readygat
her
ed
al
li
ntelonme.
Sbani
-(Laughs)Ihav
ebutIwantt
oheari
tfr
om y
ou.

Nellystartedtell
i
nghi m aboutherself,hewoul dask
quest i
onsher eandt here,shewouldanswerhi m
freely
,hewasamaz edhoweasyi twast al
ki
ngt oher
.
Hef oundt heysharedsomef ewli
kes,fori
nst ance
theybot hlikethecolorblue,SUVcar s,moviesand
extremespor t
s.Shef oundher sel
fenjoyi
ngt alki
ng
abouther self,
butwhatshel ovedmor ewashowhe
l
istenedandaskmor equestionsshowingcur i
osit
y
i
nknowi ngmoreabouther .Sheenjoyedhis
companysomuch, hewast hefir
stpersonwho
didn'
tgivehert
hel ookofpi t
yorev entalkabout
Sizwesordealt
oher .Sheappr eci
atedhowhe
divert
edheratt
ention, thisconversat
ionwashel pi
ng
herandhewasn' tev enawar eoft heimpactofthis
conversati
onwasdoi ngt oher.Theytalkedforhours.
Shebecamecomf or tablehavinghim around.

Sbani
-(smi
l
ed)y
ousur
edot
alkal
ot.
Nel
l
y-(
laughed)r
eal
l
y?Youusi
ngt
hatagai
nstme.
Sbani-(
laughed)youcanbeal
lbeastbutonething
will
alwaysr emai
n.Al
lwomenlovetotalkabout
themselves.Andtoni
ghtI
'
veproventhattheor
ywith
youtoo.
Nell
y-(
laughed)(t
ouchedherchest
)I'
m sohur
t..
..
hereIwasthinki
ngI'
m speci
alkant
ingi
gudane
fal
l
ingri
ghtintoyourt
rap.
Sbani
-(smil
ed)(
looki
ngather
)you'
respeci
al,
ver
y
speci
al.
..
.
Shelookedathi
m, helookedather.Itwassil
ent
awhil
e,hecan'
tbeli
evehei sher
etalkingt
oher .He
doesn'
twanttoleavebutheknowshehast o.He
l
ookedathiswatch,theti
mewas21: 45pm.

Nel
l
y-y
ouhav
etogo?
Sbani
-(l
ookingather)unf
ort
unat
elyyes.
..wheny
ou
getoutofhere,
I'
mt aki
ngyououtforl
unch.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)andy
ouwi
l
ltel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f?
Sbani
-(
smiled)Yes.Thatt
hepl
an.Ineedt
ovent
aboutmyselftoo.

Theybot
hlaughed,
hetouchedherhand,
brushi
ng
hi
sthumbonherpalms..
..

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)goodni
ghtt
habekhul
u.
Nel
l
y-(l
ookingathi
m)goodnight
..
..pl
easetakea
f
rui
tfr
om thebasket
,youpr
obabl
ymi ssedsupper
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
ed)t
hought
ful
woman.

Hetookabananaandwalkedoutoft
her
oom,
he
goti
nsi
detheelev
ator
..
.

Sbani
-(smi
led)missi
onone-gethert
obe
comfor
tabl
earoundme.Compl et
ed..
..

ATSBANI&NTOMBIHOUSE

Hepar kedhi scarinsidethegarage, hesatt herefor

afewmi nutes.Hehopedhi swifewasal ready
asleep.Hewasn' ti
nthemoodt of i
ghtwi thherr ight
now.Hei sstil
lverymuchannoy edwi thher .Hegot
outoft hecarandmadehi swayi nsi
det hehouse.
Hewasaboutt opasst helivi
ngroom, butther ose
pedalsont hef l
oorcaughthi sattent
ion, het urned
thatsideandf oundhi swifesleepingont hecouch.
Hepi ckedherupandcar riedherupst air
st ot heir
bedroom.Af t
erlayingherdownt hebed, hewent
backtotheli
vi
ngr oom andcl ear
edevery
thi
ngup.
Hethanwentt otakeaqui ckshower,hegotdr
essed
wit
hhisboxersandj oinedhiswifei
nbed.Hekissed
hercheckandsleept ookover.

Nextday

7:
00am

Sbanilooksattheoutstandingworkhehasdone
makingbr eakf
ast.I
tnothingfancyjustscrambl
e
eggs,porkbangers,beaconandt oast.Ntombi
comesdownsst air
sandl ooksatSbani ,she
i
nstantlygetsangry.

Ntombi-ifthi
sisy ourwayofapol
ogi
si
ngf
orcomi
ng
l
ateyesterday,apologynotex
cept
ed.
Sbani
-(st
ari
ngather
)I'
m notapol
ogi
si
ng.
..
Nt
ombi
-(f
oldedherar
ms)t
hanwhati
sthi
s?Feel
i
ng
gui
l
tyaboutwher
eyouwer
e?
Sbani
-(cur
vedhiseyebr
ow)i
fyouwantt
oknow
whereIwasjustask.

Ntombilookedhi
m, shehatedhowshecoul
dnev
er
t
ellwhathewasthinking.
..

Sbani
-si
t,wegoingtohavebreakfastandt
alk,
we
notgoi
ngtoscream orshoutbutallwewil
ldoist
alk.
Nowsit.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
42]Mar
cia:
Inser
t17

ATSBANI
&NTOMBIHOUSE

Ntombisatdownandf acedherhusband.Shewas
fuminginsi
de,whywashesocal m,whenhewast he
oneinthewr ong.Nowhei sherecommandi ngher
l
ikeachild,
hei snotevenapologet
icabouthis
acti
onsforlastnight
..
..
Sbani-(
lookedather
)Isawlastnighty
ouplanneda
supri
sedinnerforme.I
'
m sorr
yy ouref
for
tswentto
waste.
Ntombi
-(l
i
ftedherey
ebr
ow)It
houghtt
hiswasn'
tan
apol
ogyst
unt.
Sbani
-iti
sn'
tvel
e.Wetalki
ngl
ikeIsaid,I
'm
admit
ti
ngmywr ongdoingandapologisi
ngfori
t.
Ntombi
-(annoy
ed)It
houghty
ouwer
enotapol
oget
ic
abouti
t.
Sbani -(st
ar i
ngatherblankl
y)areyougoingtoletme
fi
nishory ougoingtosithereandgiveatt
it
ude?we
don'thav et odothi
s??I'mtryi
ngtohavea
conver sationwit
hyoubuti fyouwanttotryact
smar t,li
key ounotatfaultt
hanwecanendt hi
s
conver sationnowandIcangot owork,nowwhatis
i
tgoi ngt obe?
Nt
ombi
-youcancar
ryon.
(st
il
lwi
tht
heat
ti
tude)
Sbani
-(Gett
ingannoy
ed)youknowwhat,f
uckt
he
apol
ogy,Iseeyouwanttodothi
sthehar
dway.The
pr
egnancysi
tuat
ionI
'v
egi veni
tsomet hought
,since
wehavebothgonetotestandfoundnothingwrong,
It
hinki
tti
mewel ookatotheropti
ons.
Ntombi
-li
kewhat
?SbaniIdon'
twantanot
her
womancarry
ingmybaby
.
Sbani
-ourbabynotyourbaby.Wei nthistogether
.
Thedayyoureali
sedyounotmar r
iedt oyourselfi
s
thedaywewill
hav epeace.Iwasthinki
ngwel ook
i
ntoIVF.
Ntombi-(si
l
ent
).
..
.Whycan'twej
ustdoi
tthenat
ural
way.I
fy ouwoul
djustgi
veusti
me,meetmehalf
wayhere.
Sbani-I'
m compr omi si
ngher e,whattimey out aking
about ?
??Wehav ebeent r
yingthewhol eyearand
nothing.Whenwast hel
astt i
meImadel ov etoy ou
withoutyouf ussingabouthav i
ngababy ,I'
vehadt o
dealwi t
hyout urningoursexl i
feintosomet hingt hat
i
st i
med, youhav ebeensel fmedi cati
ngy ourself,
Ntombi youbecomi ngobsessedwi t
hthisandi tvery
scary.May bethatwhyy ounotconcei vi
ngbecause
ofallthepill
sy oushov i
ngdowny ourthroat.
Ntombi-(
annoyed)ar
ey ousayi
ngthi
sismyfaul
t?
Wheredidyougot ol
astnight
?Wecouldhav
ehad
di
nnerandenjoyedoursel
vesbuty
ouwereoutther
e
doingGodknowswhat .
Sbani
-ifyoul i
stenedmoreandt al
klessyouwoul
d
havegatheredthatI'
m act
uall
ywor ri
edabouty
ou.
AsforlastnightIwentandvisi
tedNellyatt
he
hospi
tal.Wet al
kedandIlosttr
ackoft i
me.

Ntombikeepqui
etandt
houghtaboutwhathehad
j
ustsai
d..
.

Ntombi
-(swal
l
owed)I
..
..Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
e
cl
ose.
Sbani-wenot ,Ij
ustgott
oknowhermoreyest
erday
.
Sosebenzisanaweneedt obecomfor
tabl
ewit
heach
other
, possi
blybuil
dafri
endshi
pal
ongtheway.
Ntombi -whyher?Awukazeubenendabawi
th
getti
ngt oknowpeopl
ey ouworkwit
hbefor
e.
(Lookingdir
ectl
yathi
m)
Sbani-(star
edbackatherblankl
y)myf atherisfond
ofher,mostpeoplespeakhighlyofher.Dadi sa
greatjudgeofchar
acter
,I'
m genuinel
yinterestedin
getti
ngt oknowher.
Ntombi-oh.
..(
sil
ent
).
..maybey
oushoul
dinvi
teher
f
ordinner,I
'
dlovetogett
oknowheraswell
.
Sbani-okay,
I'
ll
letherknow.Nowwi ll
youconsi
der
IVF?Youdon'thavetor esi
gnatwork,youwor
kedso
hardgetti
ngthatdegree,whywouldyouwanttobea
keptwoman?I tdoesn'tmakesensetomebabe?
Ntombi-Iwanttorai
seourdaughterasaful
lti
me
mom, Iwanttotakecareofourhouseandourfamil
y.
Youearnmor ethanenoughlove,
youcanprovi
defor
us.Ial
readysentmyresignat
ionl
etter
.
Sbani-(
frust
rat
ed)Itsupr
isesmehow, youdi
sregar
d
mei nanythi
ngthathastodowit
hy ou.Kanti
whyam
Iyourhusband??
Ntombi
-(shrugs)Ij
ustdon'
tseewhyyoufussi
ng
aboutt
his.Mostmenwi l
lbehappyhavi
ngastayat
homewife.
Sbani
-(Laughssar
cast
ical
l
y)wow!
!Justwow.
Sbanil
eftt
het abl
e,taki
nghiscarkey
sandphone
headedtothegarage.Nt ombi
tookherphoneand
cal
ledZandil
e,ri
nging..
..

Zah-mor
ningmf
azi
Nt
ombi
-mor
ning,
unj
ani
?
Zah-ngy
aphi
l
a,unj
ani
wena?Howdi
dthedi
nnergo?
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)epi
cfai
lakaf
ikanga.
Zah-hawu!
!Andwher
ewashe?
Ntombi-(annoy
ed)apparent
lyhevisi
tedNellyatthe
hospi
talandhelostt
rackoftime.Nxi!
!!Yanginy
ela
l
o.
Zah-.
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..Nel
l
yasi
nNel
l
ySi
wel
a?
Ntombi
-yeahher
,whichiswhyIneedt
oknowher
r
oom number?Iwanttogoseeher.
Zah-Idi
dn'
tknowt
heywer
ecl
ose.
..herr
oom
numberisB12.
Nt
ombi
-thanky
oumf
azi
.By
e

Theybothhangedup,shecl
ear
edt
het
abl
eand
wenttogetreadyt
oleave.
..
.

ATLUNGI
EYSAPARTMENT

Shewasgett
ingr
eadyt
ogotowork,whenherphone
vi
brat
edri
ngi
ng,i
twasNhl
anhl
a,shesi
ghedand
pi
ckedup.

Lungi
ey-hel
l
o
Nhl
anhl
a-hey
,howar
eyou?
Lungi
ey-I
'
m okay
..
.howar
eyou?
Nhl
anhl
a-I'
m okaytoo,li
stenI'
m sor
ryaboutt
hatday
att
hehospit
al.Youjustcaughtmeoffguard.
Lungi
ey-(
sighed)i
tfi
neNhl
ah,Ihaveal
otoft
hings
str
essi
ngmeoutr i
ghtnow.Usargui
ngi
sthel
eastof
mypr
obl
ems.
Nhlanhl
a-Luhyouknowyoushoul
dn'
tbest
ressi
ngi
t
notgoodforyouri
ghtnow.
Lungiey
-(tear
y)I'
m abouttolosemybestfr
iend
becauseofallthesesecret
s.Ihat
emyl i
fer
ightnow.
(Cr
ying)thantherei
sMt hoko,ohgod!
!!
Nhl
anhl
a-I
'
m comi
ngt
her
e..
..

Lungieydroppedthecal
l,shewipedhertear
sbutit
waspoi nt
lessbecauseshecriedevenmore.She
brushedherstomachandsai dalit
tl
eprayer
..
..
[
11/
3,20:
43]Mar
cia:
Inser
t18

ATLUNGI
EYSAPARTMENT

Nhl
anhlaknockedont hedoor,
hecameasf astas
hecoul
d.Herstressingwasthelastt
hingheneeded.
Sheopenedandl ethimin.
Lungi
ey-(
sni
ff
s)y
oudi
dn'
tneedt
ocome.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
looki
ngather
)wel
lIwant
edt
o.

Theybothwal kedt otheli

vingroom, theysat
opposit
eeachot her.Helookedather ,hewonder ed
howshewi ll
lookwhenshest art
sshowi ng,hehear d
thatwomanl ookmor ebeautif
ulwhent heypr egnant.
Thiswasgoingt obehi sfir
stchild.Thought hischi
ld
wasconceivedt hroughhisinfedil
it
yway s,hei ssti
l
l
verymuchexi st
edabouthi m/ her.Het akesherhand
i
ntohis.
...

Nhlanhl
a-pl
easedon'
tst
ress,
wehav
ejuni
ort
othi
nk
aboutnow.
Lungiey-(sni
ffs/
laughs) wedon'tknowy etitcoul
dbe
ami nimei nthere.(Lookingathim)If eelexci
tedby
thesenewsbutIcan' tevenshar eitwit
hmybest
fri
endbecauseofal lthesesecretsam keeping.
(Sighs)nowI'vewr eckedy ourmar ri
age.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
shaki
nghi
shead)y
oudi
dn'
twr
eckany
home.MeandSi miaresepar
atedwejusthaven'
t
tol
dourparents.Iknowthoughthi
spregnancynews
won'tsi
twellwithher,
especi
all
ybecauseityou.
Lungi
ey-exact
lywhatImeanNhlah.Howdoy
ou
thi
nkMthokowi l
ltaket
henews?
Nhlanhl a-(si
ghs)hewon'tdoanythi
ng,Iknowmy
brother.I '
m mor econcer
nedabouthowourpar ent
s
aregoi ngt otakethenews.(
Smiles)Idon'
tregr
et
anythingt houghLuh.I'
m goi
ngtobeadad.
Lungi
ey-(smil
es)thr
oughourtoxi
crel
ati
onshi
p,t
hat
i
fyoucanev encalli
tarel
ati
onshi
p,ourbabywi
ll
the
bestt
hingthatcameofit.
Nhlanhla-(f
rowned)wewoul dbeinar el
ationshipi
f
youwer enotst i
llhunguponmybr other.YouknowI
havealway sli
kedy ou.Angaziwhyuzi khohlisa
thi
nkingy oueverlov edmybr other
,y esmay beat
somest agey oudi d,butI'
vealwaysbeent heone
andy ouknowi t.Yout ri
editwithMt hoko, i
twascut e
andal l
butitfail
edbecausey ourhear twaswi t
hme.
Youwoul dn'thavecheat edonhi m withmei fyou
l
ovedhi ml i
key oucl ai
my oudo.Iyangi ci
kal ent
o
yakho,younev erownupt oyourshit
.Iri
skedmy
mar r
iageforyou, I
'
m notpr oudofitbutatleastI
washonestwi t
hmy sel
fandSi miaboutwhatIwant.
Ican'tevenjudgeSi zwethatmuchbecausenami I
havemyownshi t,
butthedi f
fer
encebetweenme
andhi misIdidn'tstri
nganywomenal ong.I'
m done
withthiscatmousegame, weabouttohav eababy,
makeupy ourmi ndLuh,I'
mt ooldforwaiti
ngont he
sideli
nes.

Hegotupandkissedherontheforeheadand
wal
kedoutshut
tingthedoorbehi
ndhi m.
..
.

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..
..
.

Mbaliwasbusysor
ti
ngoutdocumentsonher
r
ecepti
ondeskwhenatall
caramelf
igur
estoodi
n
f
rontofher
..
..

Mbal
i
-(wi
thoutl
ooki
ngupatt
heper
son)canIhel
p
y
ou?
Man-(
deepv
oice)Yes.I
'
mlooki
ngf
orSbani
.
Mbali
-(l
ookedupathi
m)uhmm doy
ouper
haps
hav
eanappoi nt
mentwi
thhi
m?
Man-No.
..Butj
ustt
ell
him Bl
essNdawor
aisher
eto
seehi
m.

Mbali
lookedathim, shewonderedifwashef or
egin
orwhat.Helookedreall
ygood,ifonlyhewasdark
andNigeri
anI'
ddefinit
elybanghim,shethoughtto
her
self
.ShedialsSbaniont heoff
iceli
ne.
..
.

Sbani
-Yes
Mbali
-uhmm sor
ryt
odist
urbyousir
,Ihav
eaMr
Ndaworaher
etoseeyou,
shouldIsendhi
mtoy
ou?
Sbani-(
excited)yesofcourse.Accompanyhimt
omy
off
iceplease,andholdallcall
sfrom nowti
l
lMr
NdaworaandIf i
nishourbusiness.
Mbal
i
-okaysi
r.(
Hangedup)pl
easef
oll
owmesi
r.
MbaliaccompaniedMrNdawor atoSbani
sof
fice.
Theywentinsidehisoff
ice,
Sbanist
oodupfr
om his
chai
rexcit
edlywalkingt
owardsthem.

Sbani
-(br
ohuggedhi
m)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouher
eman.
Whydidn'
tyout
ellmeyoucomi
ng?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
ed)andr
uint
hesupr
isenoway
.
Mbal
i
-shoul
dIbr
ingMrNdawor
aanyr
efr
eshment
?
Sbani-(
smil
i
ng)br
owhaty
ouwant
,cof
fee,
tea,
whiskey?
Bless-(l
aughi
ng)I
'
m okay
.Ij
usthadl
unchatt
he
hotel.Thanky
ouMiss.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatMbal
i
)youcanl
eav
eusnowMbal
i
.

Mbalil
eftt
het wogentl
emanandwal kedbackt
oher
desk,t
hisBlessmustbeaspecialf
ri
endofSbani,
theywayhewasexci t
edandcouldn'
tstopsmil
i
ng,it
wasthefir
sttimeseei
nghim smil
ethatmuch.The
t
wogent
lemansatdownont
heof
fi
cecouches.
..

Bl
ess-howi
sev
ery
thi
nggoi
ngt
hissi
de?
Sbani
-Ijustgotbackaweekago.I'
m st
il
lsett
li
ng
man.Itgoodtobehomet hough.HowisBotswana?
Yousocookedupt her
eyoudon'
tevenmissus.
Bl
ess-(
laughing)heyy
ouwer
einChi
na.Pl
us
Bot
swanai shomeman.
Sbani
-whatbri
ngsyouher
eIknowitnott
haty
ou
missmeonly.I
sity
ourshadydeal
i
ngs?
Bless-(l
aughed)whatshadydeal i
ngs???(Theyboth
l
aughed)I '
llbehereforawhileman.I'
m onasear ch
tofindmyf ather,
mycont act
ssayhei sherein
Sout hAfr
ica,mom toldmeIhav easistertoowho
wasal soabast ar
dchildli
keme.Idon'tknowherf ul
l
namesbutmyf at
her'
slastnameisGasa.
Sbani-(
sighs)y
oufi
nal
lydeci
dedt
osear
chf
ort
he
guy.Iwil
lhelpwher
eIcanbro.
Bl
ess-thanksman.Howi
sNt
ombi
andy
ourr
ascal
pr
incessNoma?
Sbani-(
laughs)hhayi!Wenaleavemychil
dalone.
..
eymanNt ombi i
sstressi
ngmet oomuch.Shehas
changedal ot,
thisbabythingi
smessingwit
hher
head.Andal l
theotherissuesI'
vetol
dyouabout
befor
e.
Bl
ess-(
looki
ngathi
m)shest
il
ltal
ksabouty
ou
af
fai
rstopeopl
e?
Sbani-(
sighs)y
eah.I
tworsenow.Shespeaksi
n
fr
ontofourparent
sandmybr ot
herswif
e.Ihat
ethat
shi
t.Nowsher esi
gnedatworkt
obecomea
housewifeandmakebabies.
Bless-(
laughs)WHAT?!!
!ar
ewet al
kingaboutthe
sameNt ombi f
uthi
Ngcobothatwewenttov ar
sit
y
with?Whathappenedtooverambit
iousNtombi ?
Sbani
-Iwi
shIcoul
danswery ou.Nowshewant sto
beakeptwoman.Thatt
urnsmet hef uckof
f.Il
ove
dri
venwoman.Il
oveherbutIdon'tknowanymore.

Bl
esslookedathi
sbestfr
iendhehasneverseen
hi
m sodefeat
ed.HeknowshowmuchSbani l
oves
hi
swifebutnowthatspar
kwhenhet al
ksabout
Ntombiisgone.Heknowshest
il
ll
ovesherbuthe
i
sn'tsosur
eforhowlongnow.

Bless-(
sighs)I
'
m di
ssapoi
nted,sheisoneoft
he
goodones.Talktoherman,don'tcheat
.
Sbani-Iknowhey
.Icannottakeawaythef
actthat
sheisagoodwoman.( Laughs)youknowI
'dnever
dothat.
Bl
ess-but
??If
eel
li
ket
her
eisabut
..
.
Sbani-(smiles)thereisthi
sladyIrecentlybecame
acust
om t oo.Shei sv er
ybeauti
ful,Ican'teven
expl
ainherbeaut y.SheworkshereasourSt rategi
st.
Sheisabeast ,dri
ven,ambiti
ous.Shei salsov ery
humbl e.Shei nt
erestsmeal ot,
Ilovet hefactthat
sheisf l
exiblewithinhersur
rounding,shei snota
yeswoman, sheisawhywoman.
Bless-(l
aughi
ng)wow..
..Ihaveneverseenint
rigued
byawomanl i
kethi
s,besidesNtombiofcourse.So
yout hi
nki
ngofmakinghery ourmist
ress?
Sbani
-(shaki
nghi
shead)No.
..Shei
snott
hatt
ype
ofwoman.Sheist
hewomany ouwif
e,sheist
he
womany ouwakeupev
erydaybei
nggreatf
ult
ohav
e
byyoursi
de.
Bless-(confused)yeahbutyoualr
eadymarr
iedso
youcan' thaveherunlessshebecomesyour
mistress.

Blessl
ookedatSbani,helookedatBlessback,
they
werehavi
ngasi l
entconversat
ion.Sbani
seyes
confi
rmedBlesssuspici
ons.

Bl
ess-(
shocked)Nowayman.
..
.
Sbani
-Yesway
..
..
Bl
ess-wi
l
lsheagr
eet
oit
..
..
Sbani
-ifIpl
aymycar
dsr
ightshewi
l
l.I
'
m hopef
ul.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)wow.
..

Thetwobestf
ri
endscont
inuet
odiscuss,
Sbanis
pl
an.Bl
esswassti
ll
shockedbyhi
sbestfr
iendpl
an
buthebeli
evedi
fany
onecoul
ddoi
t,i
thadt
obe
Sbani
..
..

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Nel l
ywasi nthebat hroom, whenNt ombi madeher
wayi nsideherr oom, t
hef i
rstthi
ngt hatcaughther
attenti
onwast het wohugebouquetofwhi teand
pinkroses.( Yest herewer enow2bouquetof
fl
ower s)herbedwasempt y,shefirstthoughtmay be
shewasi nthewr ongr oom, butabov ethebedwasa
wal lt
agwr i
tten"Siwela",shewentnextt othe
fl
ower st ochecki fwer ethereanycar dsbutt here
wer enone.Shewasdi st
urbedbyf ootstepscomi ng
fr
om behi ndher,shet urnedandt hereshewas, the
womant hatmadeherhusbandl oset rackoftime.
Sheswal lowedwhenshesawher ,shewaswear i
ng
pinkslinkpy jamas, theycompl iment edhersof tli
ght
skin,herhai rwasundone, itlooklikeshej ustwoke
up.Zandi lewasr ight,sheisbeaut i
ful,shedidn't
hav eagoodl ookatherwhenshewasatt heZul u
househol
d,butnowheresheisfacet
ofacewi
thher
,
suddenl
yshefeltknot
sinherst
omach..
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
e)canIhel
pyou?Ul
ahl
eki
l
e?
Ntombi-ohnohoneyam notl
ost,def
ini
tel
ythe
personIwantt
osee.MrsZulu,Sbani
swi f
e.

Shest
icksherhandoutf
orashake.
..
[
11/
3,20:
43]Mar
cia:
Inser
t19

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Nell
ylooksatthewomani nfr
ontofher,wonderi
ng
towhyshei shere,yesshewill
bewor ki
ngwithher
husbandcloselybutshehasnor el
ati
onstoher.
Nell
yhasnev erbeenonetoassociatehersel
fwit
h
women, shefoundatanear l
yagewhenshewasst i
ll
i
nhi ghschoolthatgir
lsdi
dn'tvi
bewithher.They
eit
herwantedsomet hingf
rom herortheywereon
someagenda.Boy sinhercl asswi llnormal l
yt ellher
i
tbecauset heywer ejealousofherbeaut yand
physique.Atf i
rstshet houghtt hatwasr idiculousbut
shel atersawt het r
ut hinit.Herf r
iendf r
om ki nder
gardenupt illhighschool ,
t urnedherbackonher
whenaguyherf riendwascr ushingonaskedNel ly
out.Thef riendbecamej ealousandbl amedherf or
seduci ngt heguy .Shewentont ell
ingthewhol e
school howNel lyonl ybef riendedher ,
justsoshe
canl ookbet t ermor e,shespr eadr umour sofhow
Nellybel itt
ledhert hroughoutt heirfr
iendshi p.Nel lys
highschool y earsf rom gr ade11upt omat ricy ear
wer ethewor stshewasf r
iendl ess,sheonl yhanged
outwi thguy s.Someoft hoseguy sonl yhangedout
withherj ustt ogeti nherpant s,whensher ef used
theywoul ddr opherr i
ghtt her eandt henextdayt hey
willber umour sofhermaki ngoutwi ththeguy .
Whenshest artedv ar si
tyshewasamazedhow
peopl eact ual lydidn' tcareabouthowonel ooks, they
j
ustmi ndedt heirbusi ness.Ev eryoneismat ur edin
varsity,shel i
kedt hatv erymuch, shedidn'tpl anon
havingaf r
iendbutt hanLungi eycameal ongandi t
wasast artofabeaut ifulfriendship.Whati sshe
supposet osayt othiswoman?Shehat essmall
tal
ks,shelookedather ,
shei scaramelin
complexion,slenderphy si
que,shehasnohipbone,
sheisjuststraight,hasaweav eon(20inch)she
l
ooksbeaut i
ful,sheiswear ingblackti
ghtski
nny
j
eans,theynotdoi ngjust i
cetohersmal l
assbut
theyfi
therper fectl
y,wit
hawhi t
eblousematched
withwhitepumpheel ..
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Oh,
uhmm y
oucant
akeasi
t.

Ntombiwalkstothecouchnearthewindowand
takesasitl
ooki
ngar ound,
hereyeskeepingget
ti
ng
distr
act
edbythe2hugebouquetoff l
ower s,
Nell
y
goesbackinsi
deherhospital
bedandl ooksat
Ntombi,i
tgetssi
lentforawhil
e..
..

Ntombi-sohowarey
ouaf
terev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
happenedtoyou.
Nel
l
y-supr
isi
ngl
yI'
m muchbet
ter
.
Ntombi-Ican'
timagi
newhatIwilldoifSbaniweret
o
dothattome, y
oudon'thavet
oactst r
ongy ou'
re
womani tokaytobevulner
abl
e,Isti
l
lcan'ti
magine
howSanecan. .
..
.
Nell
y -(
stoppingher)I'
m notact
ingstrong,I
'
m str
ong,
partofbeingast rongwomani sknowi ngwhenand
wher etoinvestyourti
meandemot i
onson.Ifyou
don'tmindIdon' twanttotal
kaboutwhathappened
andIdon' tli
ketalki
ngaboutpeople'
snameswhen
theynotar ound.
Ntombi
-(swallowed)ohno,bengashokanj
aloIwas
j
ustsay
ing..
.(sigh)okayI
'
m sorr
yformakingyou
uncomf
ortabl
e.
Nel
ly-I
'
mv er
ymuchcomf ortabl
e,I
'
mjustoverthi
s
wholethi
ng,ifmebeingbluntcameasi
fyou've
of
fendedme, thanIapol
ogize.
Nt
ombi
-itokay
..
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.
Nell
y-sowhyyouhere?..
.uhm don'
ttaket
hist
he
wrongwaybutI'
m curi
ous,wenotfr
iendssoyou'
re
notobli
gat
edt
ocheckuponme.
Nt
ombi
-uhm.
..Iwasar
ound,
Zandi
l
ewor
ksher
esoI
t
houghtIcouldcomeandcheckhowy
oudoi
ngaf
ter
whathappened,i
tnot
hingr
eal
ly
.
Nel
l
y-okayt
hatt
hought
ful
ofy
ou.
..
.thanky
ou.
Ntombi
-Yeah..
..(
sil
ent
).
..myhusbandt
ell
smehe
washer
ey est
erday.
.
Nel
l
y-y
eahhecame.
..
.

Ntombi l
ookedatNel ly
,sher espondedsocal mly
thatthetoneofherv oi
ceorey esgav enot hingaway
,
j
ustlikeSbani hadresponded.Shedi dn'tknowwhat
shewashopi ngtofindbuti twassomet hing,but
nowt hatNellyisgi
vingnot hingawayshei sher e
l
ookinglikethebiggestf oolonear t
h.Itbecame
quietagain,
shehasnot icedthatsheai n'treall
ya
tal
ker,i
twasaboutt ogetawkwar dnowbutt he
doctorenteredtheroom. .
..

DrGasa-(
looki
ngatNtombi)Sawubona,
(tur
nedt
o
Nel
ly
)howismypatientdoi
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)I
'
m muchbet
ter
,Ihar
dlygetany
headachesnow.
DrGasa-(smil
es)howcanyounotfeel
bet
ter
,wi
th
al
lthefr
eshnessinthi
sroom (
poi
nti
ngatt
he
fl
owers)
,I'
mjealous
Nel
ly
-(l
aughi
ng)I'
l
l sendy
ouy ourownbunchi
fyou
pr
omisetodi
schargemet oday.
DrGasa-(l
aughed)washokhonake,
Ihav
ey our
papersher
ewithme,kusasayouwill
besleepi
ngi
n
yourownbed.

Thet woladi
esl
aughed,Nt
ombiwasj
ustsit
ti
ng
si
lence,thi
swasreal
lyabadi
dea,
shethoughtt
o
herself
..
.

ATSI
ZWESAPARTMENT

Sanewaswi t
htheweddi
ngpl annerandhertwo
fr
iendsHannahandThabi l
e,t
heywer efinal
i
sing
everyt
hingthatwasnotyetcompleted.Despit
ethe
weeksdr ama,theweddi
ngwasst il
lgoingto
happen.
..

Hannah-soy
ou'
l
lbemov
ingbackt
oDur
banaf
tert
he
wedding?
Sane-y
es,Iwi
l
lmi
ssPr
etor
iaandmost
lyIwi
l
lmi
ss
youguys.
Thabi
le-(
sighs)whataboutwor
k?Hav
eyout
hought
aboutwhatyougoingtodo?
Sane-YesmeandSi zwetalkedaboutit
,I'
llgi
vebir
th
thanaft
er7mont hsIwil
lgowor k,
myf atherhad
spotformeathiscompanybutnowI '
m aKhumal oI
needtobui
ldtheKhumal oempire,soIwillbe
managingSi
zwesFr anchi
sebusinessesalongwith
him.
Hannah-(
laughed)It
houghty
ouwi
l
lst
ayathome.
Thabi
l
e-(
laughs)y
aaasss,
trophywi
feki
ndoft
hings.
Sane-(
laughs)y
ouguy
sar
ecr
azy
..
..Ineedt
omake
myownmoney .
Hannah-i
sSi
zwessi
stercomi
ngt
otheweddi
ng?
Sane-Idon'tknow,(si
ghs)Idon'
tthi
nksothough,
shewi l
lfeell
oyalt
oherbestfri
end.Whichi
s
understandabl
e,Iwoulddothesame.
Thabil
e-eybutthel
adyi
shothey
,Isawher
I
nstagram page.
Sane-(Laughs)Iknowhey.Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
eveSizwe
l
eftthatforme.Sheisl
ikeMercedesandI'
m VW..
Hannah-(
smiles)pr
ovesthatbeaut
yisnotal
lthat
.
Whatimport
antistheheart
.

Theladi
esconti
nuetochatwhil
eenj
oyi
ngt
hei
rwi
ne,
Sanewashavinggrapet
iser
..
..

ATBEVERLEYHOTEL

Aft
erlonghotst eamysessionShakafall
stotheside
ofthebedandl ooksupt heceil
i
ng,Zenandelooksat
hi
m, heseemsdi str
act
edtoday.Theynevert
alk
aboutpersonalissuesalt
houghheknowsofher
si
tuati
onbutt hatjustabouti
t.Zenandeisdoingher
l
asty earinvarsi
ty,
Shakaispayingforherfees,
alongwi thal
lhernecessi
ti
es,healsogivesher
moneyt osendbackhome.Shei snotapr osti
tut
e,
Shakai stheonlyguythatshesl
eepswi t
h, t
hatwas
theiragreement.
..
.

Zenande-ar
eyouokay
?
Shaka-y
eah.
..
.
Zenande-.
..(
sil
ent
)..
.youcant
alki
fyouwantt
oo
(l
ooki
ngathim)
Shaka-..
.wewouldbebreaki
ngt
her
ulesZee,
(si
ghs)
(hol
dingherhand)I
'
llbeokay
.
Zenande-(
smi
l
es)okay
.Ihav
etogo.
Shaka-Spendt
heni
ghtpl
ease.
..

Shelooksathi
m shocked,
thi
shasnev
erhappened
bef
ore

Zenande-(
looki
ngathi
m)Shaka.
..
Shaka-.
.pl
easeZee

Shesighedandl aiddownnex tt ohim, i

twassi l
ent
forawhile,
wi thonlytheirbreathinghear d.Shaka
l
ooksather ,Zeeislight,bi
gey esandpout edpeach
l
ips,sheisanat uralbeauty,heraf r
osuit sherper f
ect,
shelooksli
keNel lyori si
ttheot herwayar ound?
Theyhavethesamef eatur
es, shortteeth,pout yli
ps,
l
ightincompl exi
on,Zeei ssoi nnocentt hatwhat
drawshimt oher .
Shakaputhi sar msar oundher
mov i
nghercl osertohi m.Heki ssedherf or ehead,
andwhisperedgoodni ghttoher .
..

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Thefamil
ywashavi
ngdinner
,theywer
elaughi
ng
andbondi
ngasafamil
y.

Ma'Si
wela-Nhl
anhl
awhyy
oual
way
seat
ingher
e?
Uphekakabiyi
niSi
mi?
.
Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)umbuzol
owo.
..phendul
aBaf
o.
Nhlanhl
a-(gi
vi
nghi
m deat
hst
are)Ieather
eandIeat
athomet oo.
Mthoko-uhmm kumnandi
kubewena!
!!(
Mocki
ng
hi
m)
Ma'
Siwela-Ihear
dadream aboutf
rui
ts,
khona
omi
thisi
l
ephakathikwenu.

Nhl
anhl
achokedonhi
sfood.
..
..

Nhl
anhl
a-(
looki
ngathi
smom)may
bei
tNel
l
y
Ma'Si
wel
a-emit
hiswaubani
??Nx!Don'
tsaySi
zwe
ngobanj
eloy
ounegquza

MthokoandNhl anhl
achokeonthei
rfood,t
hei
rmom
bl
untnessshocksthem ev
eryti
me,theycannev
er
getusedtoherspeakingt
hisway.
2weeksl
ater
..
..
[
11/
3,20:
43]Mar
cia:
Inser
t20

ATUKZNWESTVI
LLECAMPUS

Zenandewascomi ngoutofhermanagement
l
ect ur
er,itwasthelastl
ectur
erfort heday.Sheand
acoupl eofherclassmateswerepl anni
ngongoi ng
tohav elunchatpavil
ionmall
.Theywer esti
ll
discussingwhenherphoner ang,shemov edaway
fr
om t hem, i
twasShaka...
.

Zee-Hel
l
o
Shaka-heywhat
'
sup?
Zee-nothi
ngr
eal
lyj
ustonmywayt
othemal
lwi
tha
fewclassmat
es.
Shaka-uhmmm y
ou'
vef
oundf
ri
endst
hatgood.
Zee-(rol
eshereyes)notheynot,
youknowIdon'
tdo
fr
iends.Theyj
ustclassmates.
Shaka-(l
aughs)what
everpeaches,anywayIfound
theperf
ectpersont
ohelpyouwi t
hy ourassi
gnment.
Zee-(f
rowned)Ihat
ethatpetname..
..whycan'ti
t
beyouhelpi
ngme, i
twil
lmaket hi
ngseasi
er,you
successf
ul.
Shaka-(rol
l
sey es)peachesy ouknowI'
m notthe
perf
ectcandidateforthis,myjudgementwi
llbebias,
pl
usy ouknowy oujustdist
ractme.Si
zovel
esilal
ane
str
aightandlesswor ki
ng.
Zee-(
sighs)okay
..
.sowhodi
dyouf
indf
orme?
Shaka-(
smil
es)sheisperf
ect,sher
emi
ndsmeof
you.It
hinky
ouwillbealotl
ikeheri
nafewy
ear
s.
Sheisboss.
Zee-i
tawoman?
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.
Shaka-(si
ghs)I
'm notfucki
ngherift
hatwhatyou
worri
edabout.Ij
ustfeelsheist
her i
ghtper
sonfor
thi
s,shewill
motivateyoubabe,y
out r
ustmeright
?..
.
Zee-wi
thal
lofme.
Shaka-(
smil
es)t
hatmygi
rl
.Doy
ouneedmoneyf
or
thel
unch?
Zee-no,
Ihav
emorethanenough.Andpl
easedon'
t
sendmeanymoneyShaka,youknowIhat
eyou
giv
ingmemoneyf
orpoint
lessthi
ngs.
Shaka-(
laughs)l
ovey
out
oopeaches.
..
Zee-(
frowni
ng)I
'
m ser
iousShaka.
..
Shaka-(pr
etendi
ng)
..
.what
??.
..y
oubr
eaki
ng.
..
(l
aughing)
Zee-mxm by
edi
ckhead.(
Hangsup)

Zeegoesbackt
ohercl
assmat
es,
theyheadt
othe
taxi
rank.
..
.

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Shakawalksoutoftheel
evatorsmil
ingaftert
hecall
withZee,
helovesgett
ingunderherskin,
hewal kst
o
thefr
ontdesk.
..
Shaka-sawubonaMbal
i
sto
Mbali
-(r
oll
seyes)Yi
ningawe,youhav
ethi
s
annoy
ingsmir
kony ourface.
Shaka-(smil
es)becauseI'
m abouttoannoyyou
wit
houtev endoi
ngany t
hing,
zibukenj
ey oual
ready
annoyed.
Mbal
i-mxm getov
ery
our
sel
f,y
ounotaf
act
ori
nmy
l
if
e.
Shaka-(
laughi
ngloud)YoyoyodamnI'
m good.Look
atyourf
ace,Ihaven'
tevensaidany
thi
ngbutyou
al
readyabouttoburst
..
.
Mbal
i
-(r
oll
sey
e)mxm f
ucky
ouman.
Shaka-(
smil
esnaughtl
y)y
ouknowIwoul
d,butI
don'
thaveaNiger
iandi
ck.

Mbali
looksathi
m shocked,
howdi
dheknowofher
pr
efer
ence..
..

Shaka-(
Laughsv
ict
ori
ous)hahahacl
osey
ourmout
h,
yesIknowaboutyourt
hingwit
hNigerians.Maybe
myf r
iendBr
ucecanfuckyou.
..
.(pr
etendst obe
t
hinki
nghard)ohwait
!!
!Healr
eadyhas.Cat chyou
l
aterMbali
sto.
..

Hewi nksatherashemakeshi swaytoNel ly

soffi
ce,
l
eavingpoorMbal idefeated.Shakahasalway sbeen
annoying,unf
ortunatel
yMbal ihasalwaysbeenhis
vi
cti
m, eversi
ncet heywer einhighschool.They
haveawei rdfri
endship.ShakareachesNel l
ysoff
ice
andopenswi thoutknocking,hef i
ndshisdad,Sbani
,
andNel l
y.

Shaka-wooooyouguy saredi
scussingmyLobola
negoti
ati
onswit
houtme, sor
rytobreakthi
stoyou
wif
e,youcannotrepr
esentyour
self
.

Theyal
ll
aughshaki
ngt
hei
rheads.
..

Sbani
-ngi
zwengomsi
ndonj
e,t
haty
oui
nthe
bui
l
ding.
MrZul
u-uf
unani
vel
ela?
?
Shaka-hawuol
dman!!I
sthathowy
ougr
eaty
our
fav
ourit
eson.I
'
m hur
t.
MrZulu-ehhe!
!!Iknewthedayyouwerebor
nwhen
youcameouty ell
owbonethaty
ouwill
bethe
dramati
cson.

Ther
oom er
upt
edi
nlaught
er.
..

Nel
ly-huh!!
!Si
rwhatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
??Phel
a
I
'm al
solight
.
Shaka-(
looki
ngatNel
ly)Iwasconf
usedwhenyou
l
aughedphelaminanawesamewhatupgroup.Fut
hi
youworse.
MrZul
u-(
laughs)ni
ngamawhi
ter
eject
s
Sbani-(l
aughed)leavet
hem dad,
youdon'twant
them throwingtant
rumsnow,youknowthey
i
nheri
t edthatfr
om thei
ror
igi
nalmaker
s.
Theyalllaughed,wi
thShakadef
endi
nghimsel
f,t
he
noisetheywer emaki
ngwasheardal
lovert
heoffi
ce
fl
oor..
..

Shaka-what
every
ouguyssaybutIi
nher
it
edthe
nameofthegreat
estandt
oughestmantowalkon
KZNsoil.
Nel
l
y-ohPl
ease!
!!ShakaZul
uwasnott
hatgr
eat
.
Shaka-what
??!
!!Hewasy
ourki
ng.Hedomi
nat
ed
ever
ytri
be.
Nell
y-wi
thwhosehelp?(Curvedherr
ight
eyebr
ow)sur
elyy
ouknow, hehadt ohaveasecret
weaponinhi
spossession,Shakawasn'tt
hatsmart
youknow.
Shaka-ev
erygr
eatl
eaderhasanadv
isor
.
Nelly
-Shakawasnothing,hegoti
ntopowerwit
hthe
helpoftheGreat
estandmostpower f
uli
nyangato
breathetheai
rofKZN,thatiny
angawas
Sandanezwewhosef atherwasHubhu,t
heythe
mast er
mi ndsbehi ndShakar eignandwhenShaka
sentpeopl etoki llSandanezwet hatwast he
beginningofhi sdownf all
.Henev ergott oki l
lhim
though, becauseSandanezwewaspower fulhehad
alr
eadyseent haty ourpr eci
ousShakawasgoi ngto
sendpeopl etoki l
l hi
m.SowhenShakaspeopl e
chasedhi m, hej umpedi naflowingr i
v er,hisbody
wasnev erfoundi nsteadatni ghtt heysawl i
ghtfrom
wher ehej umpedandar efl
ecti
onofal i
on.Sodon' t
tel
lmeabouty ourpreci ousShaka, hebet rayedhis
peopleandsol dlandt ot heBriti
shgov ernment .That
whyupunt i
ltoday ,blackpeopl ear efightingt he
i
ssueofl and.

Everyonewasqui etinther oom l

ookingatNel
ly
speak, MrZuluwasi mpr essedandamazedbyhow
muchsheknew, i
tnotev erydayyoufindayoung
i
ndividualletaloneawomanwi thknowledgeof
ancienthistory.Sbanil
ookedatt hewomanbef ore
hi
mi fhethoughthewast akenbyherbeforenowhe
wasv er
ycer t
ainofhisf eeli
ngsforher.Awoman
withsomuchknowl edge, awomanwhospeaksso
passionateaboutherbel
i
efs,
heimagi
nedthedept
h
oftheconv er
sati
onshecanhavewit
hher.Hewas
fal
li
nginlovewiththi
swoman.

Shaka-Yhooosi
si.
..y
ouj
ustbr
uisedmyconf
idence.

Hi
sfat
herl
aughedshaki
nghi
shead.
..

MrZulu-I'
mi mpressed,youspeaksopassi
onate
aboutthi
sbecauseSandanezwei sthestem ofy
our
peopl
e.Awomanwhoknowsherr oot
s.Thesetwo
fool
scouldlear
nal otfr
om you.
Sbani-hawubaba!Ithoughtwewer ekeepi
ngthi
s
fool
ishthi
ngwiththeli
ghtskinneddudesnotusdar
k
brot
hers.

Theyal
ll
aughed,
MrZul
ugotupf
rom hi
schai
r.
..

MrZul
u-(
smi
l
es)seey
ouki
dsl
ater
.Ican'
twai
tto
tel
lmywifehowthegreatShakaZul
uwasl
eft
defeat
edbyourpreci
ousMissSiwel
a.
Shaka-(
laughi
ng)hawubaba.
..
Sbani
-kodwababawhyareyousupr
isedbythi
s.
WekewambonaphiShakaZul
uoyiyell
owbone

Theyallbur
stoutl
aughing,
Nellyevenhadtear
son
hereyes.MrZulul
eftt
heofficeshaki
nghishead
whil
elaughi
ng.NowNel l
ywasl ef
twiththetwo
brot
hers.

Nell
y-(smi
l
es)youguy
sarecr
azy.It
houghtmy
famil
ywascrazybutl
ooki
ngaty
ouguy s.Ispoket
o
soon.

Sbanigetsupf r
om hi
schai randgoesandst ands
nexttoNell
ywhowassi t
ti
ngonherof fi
cechair
,
makingthem bothfaceShaka.Hi slef
thandtouches
herchai
rwhi l
ehisri
ghtisinsidehispocket
.Shaka
l
ooksathi m andshakeshishead.
Shaka-(
smil
ing)Sbani
ain'
tyousupposet
ogoback
toyourof
fi
cenow.
Sbani
-act
ual
l
yno,wehav
eameet
ingi
n(l
ooki
ngat
hi
swatch)2minut
es.
Nelly
-(supr
ised)WHAT!!
!Areyouser
ious(l
ookedat
herwatch)hawemah!!Youareri
ght
.(Looki
ngat
Shaka)cany ouwai
tformeorwewi l
ltal
ksome
otherti
me?
Shaka-(
smili
ng,
lookatSbani)uhmm wer eal
ly
neededtohavethi
stal
k,Iwanttoasky ou
somethi
ng.Youknowwhat ,
I'
m bringi
ngdinnerto
yourpl
ace.
Nel
ly-(
standi
ngup&gather
ingherf
il
es)okayi
t
set
tl
edthan.Bri
ngChi
nese

Shakagotupf r
om hischai
randl ookedathisf umi
ng
brotherwit
hasmi r
k.HebidfarewelltoNellyand
winkedathisbr ot
her.Hewalkedoutwhi stl
ing.Nell
y
gatheredallherfi
l
esandmot ionedf orSbanithat
theyshoul
dleavenow.Shewal kedinfrontwhil
ehe
placedhi
shandonherl owerback,hel
pingheroutof
thedoor,t
hetouchsentasmal lel
ectr
icalfeel
i
ng,
onewhichshechosetoi gnor
e.
[
11/
3,20:
45]Mar
cia:
Inser
t21

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Thecli
entsaresatisf
iedwithwhatNel
l
yandSbani
havepresent
edt othem,theyrapt
hemeeti
ngup
wit
hbot hpar
tiesinagreement.

Cli
ent1-(smil
es)It
hinkwewil
lhaveyetanot
her
goody ear.(
Looki
ngatSbani
)welcomebackchamp
Ihearyoudidbigthi
ngsinChi
na.
Sbani
-(smi
les)
(shaki
nghi
shand)t
hanky
ou,
itgood
tobeback.
Cli
ent2-mustbegr
eatworkingal
ongsidethi
s
woman( poi
nti
ngatNell
y)sheisoneofthe
best.
(l
ooki
ngatNell
y)Youcanlearnal
otfrom t
his
man.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Iknowhey
,shei
sakeeper
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iknow,
I'
m al
readyl
ear
ning.
Cl
ient
1-(l
ooki
ngatNel
ly
)y ouknowouroff
ersti
l
l
st
ands,j
usti
ncaseyoufeelmist
reat
edher
e..
.

Theyalll
augh,t
hisi
snotthefi
rstti
met
heyhav
e
i
ndicat
edNellytoworkf
orthem...

Sbani
-(
laughs)It
hinkyoushoul
dgonowbef
orey
ou
st
artgi
vingheranyideas.
Cl
i
ent
2-(
laughs)onedayZul
u,oneday
.

Theybidtheclient
sgoodby e,Sbaniescort
sthem
out,whi
leNellypacksupt heboardroom,sheis
abouttoleav
et heboardroom whenshemeet sSbani
atthedoor,t
heymaket hei
rwayt otheoffi
ce,they
reachheroff
ice,Sbaniopenst hedoorforhertoget
i
nf i
rst
,hi
shandgoest oherl owerbackagai nashe
l
eadsherinsi
detheoffi
ce,shet
akesadeepbr
eat
h
assheavoidstheef
fectofhist
ouch.

Sbani
-(smi
les)Ican'
tbel
i
eveI'
m goi
ngt
osayt
his
buti
tnotsobadwor ki
ngwit
hawoman.
Nel
ly
-(laughs)youwerej
ustbei
ngextr
aforno
r
eason.Notallwomenaredramati
c,y
oujustbeen
meeti
ngt hewrongsone.

Theyl augh, helooksather,todaysheiswearing

nav ybluetightdress,whichoutli
nesherperf
ect
body ,black6inchstil
toesheels,t
heheightofthe
heelsdi spl
ay sherroundfitbutt
.Sheisn'
tawar ehe
i
sl ookingather ,sheisbusypackingupget t
ing
readyt ogohome. ..

Sbani
-whi
chgy
m doy
ougot
o?
Nel
ly
-(packi
ng)uhmm Vi
rgi
nact
ive,
theonei
n
Dur
banNor t
h.
Sbani
-uhmmm mi
ndi
fwebecomegy
m par
tner
s?
Nell
y-(l
ooki
ngathim)Ial
readygym wit
hMt hoko,
butiguessyoucanjoi
nalsobutyouresideinLa
l
ucia,whytr
avelwhenyoucanjustgym atthat
brunch?
Sbani-(
smil
es)
(mov
ingcl
osertowher
eshei
s)
becauseIwantt
oki
ckyourassatt
hegym.
Nell
y-(f
oldi
ngherar ms)(
movingclosertohi
m)oh
yeah,br
ingiton.Letsealt
hedealbyfistbumpi
ng.

Theyfi
stbumpedwhi l
elaughi
ngbutSbanisst
rong
fi
stcomparedtohersmallsof
tfist
,wasnotagood
i
deaaswhent hei
rfi
stconnectedthei
mpactwas
str
onghurt
ingNell
y.

Nel
ly-(
holdi
ngherhand)Ouch!
!!(
Shaki
ngherhand)
Ndoda,tal
kaboutanir
onfi
st.
Sbani
-(l
aughi
ng)Ithoughty
oucouldt
akeit
.Told
youyoursmal
lsofthandswil
ll
etyoudown.Letme.
..

Sbani
stakesherhandi
ntohi
s,br
ushi
ngi
t,herhands
aresosof t,
itl i
kethesehandshav eneverdoneany
sortoflabour .Shehasonnudenai ls,
coffi
n
shape,theylookbeaut i
fulonher.Theybothquiet,
her
handi snolongerpai ni
ngbutforsomer eason,she
hasn'tremov edherhandf rom hi
s.Shecanf eelhi
s
stareonher ,sheaboutt oremoveherhand, when
herphonev ibr at
esindi
catingt
hereisamessage.
Shet akesherphoneandi tShaka..
.

"
Ntokazi
,yourper
fectassbet
terbeoni
twayhome.
I
'
m onmywayt ogett
ingdi
nner.
"

Shesmilesshaki
ngherhead.Sbani
looksathert
han
herphone.
..
.

Sbani
-Goodnews?
Nelly-(smil
es)(
remov i
ngherhand)i
tShaka
remi ndingmeofdinner.(
Taki
ngherhandbagand
l
apt opbag)Ineedtogo.Seey outomorr
ow atgy
m.
5:30am sharp.
Sbani
-(l
ookingather)y
oubet
ternotl
ett
hatf
uck
boydoanythingt
oy ou.
Nel
ly-(
Laughs)mxm Iwon'
t,
nowout
,Iwantt
olock
up.

Hewalksoutshaki
nghishead,
shel
ooksathi
m and
l
aughsshaki
ngherhead..
..
.

ATBEVERLEYHOTEL

Blesspour
shi
mselfadri
nkandsit
sonthecouch
catchi
nguponsoccer
.Hisphoner
ingsi
tSbani
..
.

Bl
ess-Sho
Sbani
-It
hinkI
'
mfal
l
ingi
nlov
ewi
thher
.
Bless-(
shaki
nghishead)wow!
!Youthi
nk.
..
.dude
sheisally
outalkabout
.Whyareyoust
il
lwit
h
Ntombi?Clear
lyyoulov
ethi
schickmor
e?
Sbani-.
..(si
lent)
..
.Idon'twanttoleav
eNtombinow,
sheisnother sel
fman, I'
m worri
edabouther
.I
cannotactonmyf eeli
ngsy et
,Sheneedstogetover
herexfirstbutdamn, Shakaisgivi
ngmeahar dti
me.
Bless-(
sit
ti
ngupst
rai
ght
)WHAT!
!!Shakai
sal
soi
nto
thi
sgirl
.
Sbani-It
hinkso,nowheismaki ngt
hiswholethi
ng
l
ikeitsomesor tofcompet
it
ionandshe'st
hepr i
ze.
(Annoyed)Ihat
et hat
.Heishavi
ngdinnerwit
hherat
herplaceaswespeak.Ifeell
ikegoi
ngthere.
Bl
ess-(
Laughs)y
oudon'
twantt
odot
hatbr
o.How
i
sshearoundShaka?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)sheiscar
efr
ee,t
heyl
aughal
ot,
she
evenl
etshim cal
lherhi
swi
fe.
Bless-(t
hinki
ng)..
..Shepr obablyhasf ri
endzoned
him.Womenl ikement hatinti
mi datethem, butalso
feelcomfortablewiththem.Shakaal readyhaskilled
hisgamebybei ngtofriendlytowardsher .Don't
wor r
ythisgirl
isyours.Yourmaj orproblem i
sy ou
mar r
ied.
Sbani
-ar
eyouaty
ourhot
elr
oom?
Bless-y
eah.Comelethaveafewdr
inkst
hany
ou
cangohomeaf terafewhour
s.
Sbani
-I'
m onmyway
.

Theybothhungup.Bl
esscont
inuesdrinki
ngand
watchi
ngsoccer
.Hisphonevi
bratesagain,
thi
sti
me
i
thisPI.
..

Bl
ess-Sho
PI
-we'
vef
oundy
ourf
ather
.
Bl
ess-hi
snames?
PI
-youwon'
tbel
i
evet
his.
..MosesGasa
Bl
ess-.
..(
sil
ent
).
..
.
PI
-Boss?
Bl
ess-Goodj
ob.I
'
llt
ransf
ery
ourpay
ment
.

Hehangedupandsighedf
rust
rat
edl
y.Heknew the
manverywel
l,
andthemanknewhi mtoo.Nowthat
thi
sisouti
ntheopen,
hecanseetheresembl
ance,
heisacopyofhi
m.Whythefuckdidhenotsee
thi
s..
..

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

shecomesoutherbedr oom weari

ngcomf or
tabl
e
cl
othes,shejustcameoutoftheshower.Shegoes
andwaitintheliv
ingr
oom forShaka.Shecal
lsher
mom. .
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Ma'
Siwel
a-shef
inal
l
yremember
sme.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)unj
ani
sthandwaSami
?
Ma'Siwel
a-ngyaphil
ababy,howar
eyou?Youeati
ng
r
ight?Sti
l
ltaki
ngy ourpr
escri
bedmedi
cat
ionangi
thi
?
Nell
y-(smil
es)Mom! !
!I'
m okay
.Ngi
rightandy
est
o
ever
ythingyouasked.
Ma'Si
wela-don'
tmom me.Youst i
l
lmybaby.Just
becauseyounowknowt hetast
eofdi
ck,doesn'
t
meanI '
l
lstopmother
ingyou.

Nel
lyrol
lshereyes,
hermom issodramati
c.How
di
dshemov efrom tal
ki
ngaboutherwel
lbeingt
o
di
ck..
..

Nel
l
y-I
'
m okaymom ser
ious.Imi
ssy
oual
ot.
Ma'
Siwel
a-.
..Imissyoutoobaby
.YouknowSi
zwei
s
get
ti
ngmarr
iedthisweekend?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Iknowi
twoul
dhav
ebeenmyweddi
ng.
Ma'
Siwel
a-comeFri
day,youspendi
ngtheweekend
wi
thyourmom.Angikucel
inj
alo,
I'
mt el
l
ingy
ou.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)okaymom.Lal
ekahl
eIl
ovey
ou.
Ma'
Siwel
a-by
ebaby
.Lov
eyoual
way
s.

Shehangedupandsmi l
ed,
thesmi
ledi
sappeared
whenshethoughtabout
,Si
zweget
ti
ngmarriedon
sat
urday.I
tsti
llhur
tsbutshei
sget
ti
ngt
her
e.She
dai
ledLungiey
snumber .

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Lungi
ey-(
smi
l
es)
(sl
eepyv
oice)bhabha
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
oudon'
tl
ovemeany
mor
e..
.
Lungi
ey-nonsensel
over
,letmeetf
orbr
unch
tomor
row.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ing)okay
..
.Lov
eyougoodni
ght
.
Lungi
ey-(
smi
l
ed)l
ovey
out
oo

Shehangedupandnot
icedt
her
eisat
extf
rom
Shaka.
..

"
Onmyway
,wearsomet
hingsexy
"

Shel
aughedshaki
ngherhead.Repl
yi
ng.
..
"
Per
ver
t"
[
11/
3,20:
45]Mar
cia:
Inser
t22

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shakaknockedonthedoor ,
hewascar ryi
ngthei
r
dinnerandatubofti
nr oofi
ce.Nell
ygotupfrom t
he
l
ivingtogoandopent hedoor.Sheopenedforhi
m,
shehelpedhi
m withthebags,heshutthedoorand
theyheadedtotheki
tchen.

Shaka-Hawu!
!!Idon'
tremembersweatpant
sbei
ng
asexywear.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)mxm!
!!You'
rei
doi
t.(
Looki
nginsi
de
thebags)hmmm Ican'
trememberthel
astt
imeI
hadChinese.
Shaka-(
taki
ngoutthewineglasses)angi
thi
you
womenf ussaboutyourwei
ghtal ot
.
Nell
y-(t
akingoutplat
es)wellminaIdon'
tfussabout
mywei ghtfory
ourinfor
mation.I
'v
ealwaysbeen
betweensize32and34, Ij
ustwatchwhatIeat
becauseofmyski n,f
att
yfoodsmakesmyf aceoi
ly.

Nell
yplacedt
heice-
cream i
nt hef
reezer
.Theytook
thei
rfoodandabott
leofwinet ot
helivi
ngroom.
Theybothsatdownandstartedeati
ng.

Nel
l
y-somuf
unasi
khul
umengani
?
Shaka-Ineedahugef
avourf
rom you.Iknowy ou'
re
busywomanbutIwouldn'
thaveaskedy oui
fthis
wasn'ti
mportantt
ome.
Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngathi
m)okay
.Khul
umangi
l
alel
e.
Shaka-Ineedy outoment orsomeonef orme,I
tpart
ofthei
rentrepreneurshi
ppracti
cal
,Iwouldhave
doneitbut, I
'
mt oclosethoher,myjudgementwil
l
bebias.PlusIfeelli
keyoucouldteachhermore.
Shecanr elatetoyoumor ewomant owomant han
me.
Nell
yl ookedathi m,itwasobv iousthiswas
i
mpor tanttohi m,shewonder edi ft
hegi rlwasal so
i
mpor tanttohi m aswell
.Hist onewhenhet alked,
shecoul dpickupt hathecareddeepl yf orthisgirl
.
Shewant edtosaynoasshehasal otonherpl ate
butthiswasShaka, coul
dshesaynot ohim? ,
defi
nitelynot,hewasoneoft hosepeopl eshel oved
keepinghappyandi twasobv iousdoi ngthiswi ll
makehi m happy .Shewouldjusthav etof i
ndaway
toqueezei ntimef orthi
s.

Nel
l
y-okayI
'
lldoi
t.Sowhoi
sshe?
Shaka-ZenandeDlamini
,shei
sdoi
ngherl
asty
eari
n
BCom generalatUKZN.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)andhowdoy
ouknowher
?
Shaka-(
laughi
ng)I
'
llt
ell
yousomeot
herday
.(Smi
l
es)
youremindmeofheralot.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)si
yaf
anay
in?
Shaka-y
eah,
youguy
shav
esi
mil
arf
eat
ures.
Nel
l
y-okaywel
l
,whendoIneedt
oseeher
?
Shaka-t
hepractical
wil
lber
unni
ngf
or2weeksso
st
arti
ngfrom nextweek.
Nel
l
y -(
thi
nki
ng)It
hinki
tbestshemovesi
nwithme,
f
orthose2weeks,i
twil
lbeeasieront
hebot
hus.
Shaka-(
smi
l
ing)goodi
dea.

Theycont inuedt ochatandl augh,theconv ersat i

on
wasf lowi ngandt heybot hwer ehav i
ngagoodt ime,
theydi dn'treali
zet heyhav efini
shedt hewhol ebot tl
e
ofwi ne.Nel lygotupt oclearwer et heywer eeat ing,
Shakahel pedhert othekitchen.Sheputt hepl ates
i
nsi det hesinkandcl earedthecount erthrowi ng
awayt hedi rt
,thiswhol etimeShakawasst andi ng
ri
ghtt herel ookingather .Hedebat edwhet heritwas
ther i
ghtt imet omakehi smov eornot .Hewant edt o
kissher ,i
fheki sseshernowi twill
cl earupal otof
thingsf orhim.Doeshehav efeeli
ngsf orher?Or
doeshel ov ethei deaofherl ookingl i
keZee?I she
resorti
ngt oherbecausehei safrai
dZeei sn'
twi lli
ng
tobecommi tt
edt obeingi nar el
ati
onshi p.Zee
doesn'
tbelievei
nr el
ati
onships/love,t
hatwhysheis
alonerwithnofriends.Sheavoidsbeingatt
achedto
anyone.I
tsomet hingtodowi thherpastbutthey
nevergetpersonalsohenev erreall
yaskedher
aboutit
."Shit
!!
!,
Whycan' tthi
slov ethi
nghavea
manual?"Het hi
nkst ohimself
.

Nel
l
y-(
Shout
ing)SHAKA!
!!
!!
Shaka-(
alar
med)sor
ryy
ouwer
esay
ing?
Nel
ly
-(r
oll
seyes)ser
iousl
y?It
houghtIwastheonly
onewhozonedout.(
Mov i
ngawayfrom t
hesink)
Shaka-at
hingi
kusi
zewi
thwashi
ngourpl
ates?
.
Nel
l
y-(
Raisi
ngherey
ebr
ow)Ididal
lthatwhi
l
e,y
ou
wer
ezonedout
.Doyoufeel
li
kei
ce-
cream?
Shaka-cha,wej
ustf
ini
shedabot
tl
eofwi
ne.I
'
m
tappedout.
Nel
l
y-(l
aughi
ng)metoo.GoshIhopeIwakeupear
ly
f
orgym.NowIregr
ettel
li
ngSbani5:
30am.
Shaka-(
takenback)Sbani
?Youguy
swor
kout
toget
her
?
Nell
y-Wewil
lst
artt
omor r
ow.Doyougym?You
coul
djoi
nus.Mybrotherwil
lbet
her
etoo.
Shaka-(Laughs)Idon'
tthi
nksomeonewoul
dli
ke
thatver
ymuch!
Nel
l
y-huh!
?
Shaka-not
hing.

Movi
ngcl
osertoher
,hehuggedherandki
ssedher
ont
hecheek.
..

Shaka-(
smil
i
ng)Ihadagr
eatt
ime.NowIneedt
o
headout.
Nell
y-(smil
ed)metoo.Weshoul
ddothi
smor
eof
ten.
Icaninvi
temyfri
endLungi
eynextt
ime.
Shaka-(
fakesul
k)Hawu!!It
houghtnextt i
memeant,
wemov etosecondbaseyouknow,buty ouwantt
o
j
umpst r
aightt
oa3some, uhmmm mf azi

Theybot
hlaughedasNel
l
ypl
ayf
ull
yhi
tshi
m,he
walkst
otheloungeandret
ri
eveshiscarkeysand
phone,
hewalksbacktothedoor,t
heybothwalkout
asNell
yescortshi
mtotheelevat
or.Theel
evator
pi
ngsopen,shebidshi
m goodbyeandgoodnight
.
Heplayf
ull
ysteal
sanot
herkissonthecheek.
..

Nextday

ATSBANI&NTOMBIHOUSE

7:
00am

Sbani wal
ksinsidethehousecomi ngbackfr
om gy m,
hedropshi sgym bagbyt hedoorandheadsupt o
hisbedroom tochangetohi sf
ormal workcl
othes,
healreadyshower edatthegym.Nomacomes
runni
ngf rom t
helivi
ngroom asshehearsherf at
her
footsteps..
Noma-Daaaaaaaad!
!!
!!

Sbanipicksherup,swingsheraf ewtimes.He
ti
cklesherafewtimes, shestart
sgiggl
ingsohar
d
thatsheisalmostbreathless.

Sbani
-howi
sthepr
incessdoi
ng?
Noma-I
'
m okay
,ar
eyout
aki
ngmet
oschool
today
?
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
).
..(
sil
ent
).
..
Noma-(whines)Dadyoupr
omised.
.(puppyface)
(
fol
dingherarms)younotmydadany more.

Sbanil
ooksatherandholdshi
slaught
er,shel
ooks
socuteri
ghtnow,sheissobossydefi
nit
elyaZul
u,
Busheyebrows,
browneyes,melani
nbrownskin.
Sheisherfat
her
'sdaughter
.

Sbani-(smi
les)l
etdaddygogetdressed,
youfini
sh
yourbreakf
astthandaddydr
ivebossladytoschool
.
Noma-( wrappedherarmsaroundhi
sneck)
(smi
l
es)
yay!
!!(
Kissedhischeek)y
ougoingtodr
ivet
hebig
carri
ght?(Str
etchi
ngherarmswide)
Sbani-(
laughs)
(put
ingherdown)y
esnowgo.Don'
t
run.

Shewal kedslowl
ybacktot
heli
vi
ngroom,she
turnedaroundandsawherdadwasnolonger
standingther
e,sher
an..
.

Sbani
-(shout
ingf
rom hi
sroom)
Icanheary
ou.
..

Shegi
ggl
ed.
..

Ntombiwal
ksinthei
rroom,Sbaniwasshi
rtl
ess,
she
walkst
ohim andhugshim.Runni
ngherhandson
hi
shardscor
pionchest.

Sbani
-(hol
dsherwai
st)(
Kissesher
)mor
ning.
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)mor
ning,
youchangedgy
mti
mes.
Sbani
-yep.(
Mov
ingf
rom her
)(put
sonhi
sshi
rt
)
Nt
ombi
-why
?Youal
way
sgy
medi
ntheaf
ter
noon.
Sbani
-(but
toni
nghi
sshi
rt
)If
oundnewgy
m buddi
es
Nt
ombi
-ohni
ce.Whatt
imewi
l
lyoubeback?
Sbani
-(f
ixi
nghi
sti
e)I
'm notsur
ebutI
'
llbepi
cki
ng
youupluncht
ime,
Ibookedusanappoint
mentwit
h
thedoct
or.
Ntombi-(
annoyed)Itol
dyouIdon'
twantt
odo
anyt
hingbesi
dehav emybabythenat
ural
way
.
Sbani
-wegoi
ngtothedoctor
.Endofdi
scussi
on.I
'
m
ti
redofy
ourt
ant
rums.(
author
iti
ve)
Nt
ombi-(
angry)gof
ucky
our
sel
f.(
Cov
eredher
mout
hshocked)
Sbani
-..
.(si
l
ent
).
..(
laughi
ngsar
cast
ical
l
y)wow!
!!

Sbaniwal
kedoutoft
hei
rroom,
hetookhi
swor
kbag
toget
herwi
thhi
scarkey
sandphone..
.
Sbani
-(shout
ing)Nomal
etgobaby
.

Shegotdownfr
om thechairandt
ookherschool
bagal
ongwithhergym bagandwalkedt
othe
gar
age.

Noma-(
shout
ing)by
emom!
!!
!

Sher eachedherdadwai ti
ngforherbythecar,he
tookt hebagsfrom herandputthem onthetrunk.
Shegotatt hebackoft hecar,Sbanicamearound
andbuckl esheruponhercarseat .Hegotinsi
dethe
car,putinghi
sseatbelton.
..

Thegar
agedoor
swentup.
..
.

Rev
ersi
ngt
hecar
..
.
Sbani
-whatt
heot
herbagf
orbaby
?
Noma-gy
m bag
Sbani
-whata4y
earol
ddoi
ngwi
thagy
m bag?
Noma-(
rol
l
sherey
es)PEdad.
..

Hedri
vesoutthegateont
other
oadashi
sdaughter
badl
ysingsbeyonce-
runt
hewor
ldatt
heback.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
45]Mar
cia:
Inser
t23

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Sbani wassi t
ti
nginhisoffi
cewithalotonhismi nd.
Hewaswor ri
edaboutNtombi,hedidn'
tunderhowa
personcanj ustmakea360changeofat ti
tudejust
l
iket hat
.MrZul uwalkedinsi
dehissonoffice,
he
l
ookedathi ssonandsawhehadl i
nesonhi s
foreheadindicat
ingthatheisstr
essed.Thisworried
him, Sbanihasneverbeenonet ostr
ess,compar ed
toallhissonsheist
heonepersonwhoalwayshad
hisshittoget
her
.Hewalkedt
ot hechai
randsat
oppositehim.

MrZul
u-y
ini
kwenzenj
ani
?Youl
ookr
eal
l
yawf
ul
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)uf
unanil
a?Don'
tyouhav
eto
takey
ourwif
eshoppi
ngt
oday?
MrZul
u-loyongi
mshi
yeezi
tol
o,t
oldhert
otel
lme
whensheisdone.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)andshel
ety
ougo?Phel
awet
alki
ng
aboutmom here.
MrZulu-(
Laughs)IhadMav
isaccompanyus.
Uzocef
ezel
ayena.PoorMavi
s.
Sbani
-(Laughs)y
ouhadt
hisal
lpl
annedout
.Usi
l
e
yazi
.

Theybothl
aughedthinki
nghowMavismustbe
feel
i
ngri
ghtnow,Mr sZuluist
hel
astper
sonyou
wanttogoshoppi
ngwi th.
..
.
MrZulu-(looki
ngathi
sson)sokwenzenj
ani?Iknow
youdon'tli
ketal
ki
ngaboutyourprobl
emswitha
t
hirdpartybutsonri
ghtnowI'
m hereasaconcerned
f
ather.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)uNtombi
,Idon'
tknowwhathappeni
ng
wit
hher,I
'm wor
ri
ed.
MrZul
u-sheisst
il
lonaboutt
hepregnancyi
ssue?
Ory
oustil
lannoy
edaboutherr
esi
gning.
Sbani-(
runshi
shandsonhi sface)t hatandmor e.
Personal
lyIt
hinksheisalr
eadypr egnant,canyou
beli
eveshesaid"gofuckyoursel
f"thismor ni
ngjust
becauseItol
dherwegoi ngtothedoct orlunchtime
today.Wewerenotev enargui
ng.
MrZul u-(shocked)SbanisezweIdon' tcar
ewhet her
sheispr egnantornotbutt hatwayofspeaki ngis
notall
owed.Youneedt oputy ourfootdownast he
headoft hehouse, i
tstartthissmal l
andbef oreyou
knowi t,
shewi llbedisr
espect ingyoutot
ally,asman
ofthehousey oudon'tgiveev enthesli
ghtestroom
foryourwi f
etodi sr
especty ou.Evenifyouar gui
ng,
shemustknowherpl ace,
ther
eareboundari
esshe
shoul
dnotcross.Lookatyourbr
other
,Ma'Ncwane
hasaloosemouth,butonelookfr
om Siphoshe
knowssheshouldshutup.
Sbani
-Iknowbaba,Ntombil
astr
elat
ionshi
pwas
abusi
ve,Idon'
twantt
ogivehert
hefeeli
ngoff
ear
ing
me.
MrZul u-Nev erlayy ourhandsonawomanson.A
mangr oomshi swi fe,Ntombi i
susi ngherpastt o
takeadv antageofy ou, sheeasi lydisrespectyou
becauseuy azi youwon' tdoany thing.Womenl i
ke
thatarev er
ydanger ous,theywi llprovokey oujustt
o
getar eacti
onf rom y ou.Ntombi isagoodwoman
andmakot i
,buty oubabyhert omuch, nowi
understandwhyy oudoso, physical abusev i
cti
ms
aretobehandl edwi thcare.Butr i
ghtnowshei s
abusingy ourkindness.Yout iptoeingi nyourown
houset hatBull shit
.
Sbani
-Iwil
ltal
ktoherbaba,
itgott
oapoi
ntwher
eI
getannoy
edwhenIhav etogohome.
MrZul
u-st
art
ingt
odayson,
youcal
lherandt
ell
her
youwil
lmeetheratt
hedoctorsatlunch,don'tgiv
e
r
oom forhert
oquesti
onyou...
.(
shakinghishead)
whatwil
lyoudoaboutthi
sissueofherresigning?
Sbani
-ifsheisal
readypr egnant,t
hanIthinkI'
lll
et
herst
ayathomeunt ilshegi vesbi
rth.Af
terthebaby
i
say earold,
sheisdefinitel
ygoingtoeit
herf i
nda
j
oborst ar
therownbusi ness.I'
m nothavingawi fe
wholacksambiti
on.
MrZul
u-Good.
..
.

Sbanil
ookedathi
sfat
herthi
nkinghowhewoul
d
takewhathei
sabouttoaskhim..
.

Sbani
-uhmmm ucabangani
ngesi
thembu?
MrZul u-(l
ookingathi sson)I'
m at r
aditi
onalman
son,sucht hingsdon'tshockme.Ihav enoprobl
em
wit
hpol ygamy ,solongasal lpart
iesinvol
vedarein
understanding.(Laughsalitt
le)Yaziyourmom
comesf rom apol ygamistfamily
.
Sbani
-(shocked)wow!
!,
Inev
erknew.
MrZulu-Yeah,sheisthe3rdwifesdaught er
...
(thi
nki
ng)
..
.IguessIshouldtel
ly outhi
saswel l
.
Yourmotherisactual
lymysecondwi f
e.Myf ir
st
wi f
edi
edgivi
ngbirthtoourson,herdy i
ngwi shwas
formetomar ryheryoungersi
ster,soIdid.
Sbani-(
shocked)WHAT? !!
!Whyy ouguy
snevert
old
us?Wait..
..Yousaidy
ourf i
rstwi
fedi
edgiv
ingbi
rt
h
toyourson, wher
eisthatson?
MrZulu-I
tSipho.Yourmotherdeci
dedwedon'
ttel
l
youguystoavoidyouguysil
ltr
eati
ngSi
pho,y
ou
knowhowkidscanbe.
Sbani
-Doesheknowal
lthi
s?
MrZulu-Yes.Wet
oldhi
m whenhestar
tedhigh
school
.Itwasupt
ohimifhechoset
otelly
ouguys
ornot.
Sbani-(
over
whelmed)wow!!
!Youcannev
ert
ell
though,mom t
reat
edusall
equal
ly.
MrZul u-(smiles)thatwhatmademef el
li
nlov ewith
her,herabili
tytoloveallmychil
drenequally
, f
irst2
yearsofourmar ri
agewasl ov
eless,j
ustplatonic
rel
ationship.Wer espect
edeachot her
,wegr oomed
oneanot hertobett
erver
sionsofoursel
ves.Shefell
i
nlovewi ththemanshegr oomednothersisters
husband.Thatwhyar espectf
ul womankeepst he
homet ogether.Wemengett urnedoffr
ealquickand
adisrespectfulwomanisamaj orki
ll
.

Sbanil
ookedathi sfather,
amanofintegrit
yand
honour.Hewishedt obecomeaev engreaterver
sion
ofhim.MrZulusawt hiscomi
ng,hesawi tthefi
rst
dayhissonlai
dhi seyesonher,hesawhowhe
star
edatherthinkingnobodywaswat chi
ng...

MrZul
u-uNel
l
yangi
thi
?
Sbani
-huh?
!.
..
MrZul
u-don'thuh!Me.Thewomany ouwantt
o
makeyoursecondwife.I
therr
ight
.
Sbani-Yeah.
..Itr
iedfighti
ngitbababutitjustget
s
evenmor estronger.Ididn'
tmeantofallforherbuti
t
beyondmycont r
ol,howi si
tevenpossible?
MrZul
u-t
hatwhaty
oudoi
ngwr
ong,
youcan'
tfi
ghti
t.
Youneedt
oaccepti
tson.Hav
eyout
oldher
?
Sbani
-No.
..
MrZul u-Good. .
.letherdealwit
hwhathappened
fi
rst,y
oual soneedt ofi
xyourmar ri
agewithNtombi,
youcan' tjumpt oanot hermarri
agewhi l
ey ourf
irsti
s
i
nshambl es.Fi xthingswithyourwife,t
ellhery
our
i
ntentions.Pl ease,besurey ouinitfort
her i
ght
reasons, Ibel i
evey ou'
rethough.Abafaziababi
li
abayonai nt sangu..
.
Sbani
-Ngi
yabongababa.

MrZululookedathi
sson,
itwasadi
ff
icultj
our
ney
heisembarkingon,
hewil
lneedt
obestrongto
sur
vivei
t..
..

10mi
nbef
orel
unch.
..

Sbani
dai
l
sNt
ombi
snumber
..
..
Ri
ngi
ng.
..
Nt
ombi
-(r
eli
eved)Oht
hankGod,
babeI
'
m sor
..
.
Sbani
-List
en,am headedt
othedoctor
sforour
appoi
ntment,
y ouwil
lmeetmethere.
Nt
ombi
-Sbani
IthoughtIt
old.
..
Sbani
-Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ouatt
hepar
kingl
ot.

Hehangedup.
..

ATCALI
FORNI
ADREAMI
NGRESTURANT

Nell
ywaswithhermom,wait
ingf
orMbali
and
Lungi
eytoshowup.Shedeci
dedtoi
nvi
tehermom
andMbalit
olunchwit
hLungi
ey.Mbal
iwal
ksupto
them..
.

Mbal
i
-(smi
l
ing)sani
bonani
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ing)hey
,mauMbal
il
o,gi
rlt
hisi
smy
mom.
Mbal
i
-(smi
l
ing)ni
cet
omeety
ouMr
sSi
wel
a
Ma'Si
wela-(
smil
ed)nonsensecal
lmemom baby,
anditMi
ssnotMr s,
I'
m notmarri
edzonkel
ezi
l
ima
zamadodazabal
eka.

Theylaughed,Nell
ydecidedtogi v
eMbal iachance,
sheisactuall
yagr eatgi
rl
.Lungieywalkedinand
sawNel l
yhadi nv
itedacrowdt othei
rlunch,great
nowhowwi l
lshetellheral
lthesesecrets.She
walkedupt othem...

Lungi
ey-(
smi
l
ing)sani
bonani

ShehuggedMa'Si
wela,
kissesNel
l
yont
hecheek
huggi
ngherandpatsMbali.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ing)f
orev
erl
ate.
Lungi
ey-(
Laughs)Iwi
l
lnev
erbeont
ime.
Ma'
Siwel
a-y
ougl
owi
ngmal
ulu
Lungiey
-(smi
les)hhayima!
!!Hav
eyouguy
sor
der
ed
(Changi
ngthesubject
)
Nel
l
y-Nowewer
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.

Theycall
edthewai t
erandor dered.Aft
er3mi nutes
theygotthei
rfood.Theystartedeati
ngandhav ing
smalltal
ksandf ewlaughsher eandthere.Mbali
noti
cedLungieywast heonlyonedr i
nkingjui
ce..
.

Mbal
i
-(l
ooki
ngatLungi
ey)awuphuzi
vel
e??
Lungi
ey-(
fakesmi
l
ed)Idoj
ustdon'
tfeel
li
kei
ttoday
.

Ma'Siwelal
ookedather,Lungi
eykeptherfacedown
l
ookingatherfood.Theycontinuedeati
ngand
chatti
nghereandthere.Ma'Si
welaexcuseshersel
f.
Shewal kst
otherestroom.After2mi nut
eshe
camesout ,
asshewasmaki ngherwayback,her
eyesmeetasetofey esshenev erwantedtosee
again.
..
Man-(
deepv
oice)sawubonaMat
ho
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
swal
l
owed)hel
l
oMoses

Seey
oumonday
[
11/
3,20:
45]Mar
cia:
Inser
t24

ATCALI
FORNI
ADREAMI
NGRESTURANT

Ma'Si
welalooksatthemaninfr
ontofher,
shel
ast
sawhim 26y ear
sago.Heissomeoneshewoul
d
rat
herfor
get,someonewhosheconsider
snott
o
exi
storneverevenexist
ed.

Ma'
Siwel
a-.
.(
clear
shert
hroat
)uhmmm goodby
e.

Shewalkspasthi
m,l
eavinghi
m st
andi
ngther
e,he
watchedherasshemakesmakesherwaytoatabl
e
with3y oungladi
es.Heswallowedwat chingthei
r
tabl
e.Hecat chedhisbr
eatheandsi ghed.Helooked
atthetableonemor eti
mebef orehewal kedoutof
therestaurant
,cal
li
nghiscontact,
lett
inghim know
thenewpl acetheywil
lmeetat .

Backatt
het
abl
e..
..

Ma'Si
welatakesherseatandpour shersel
fagl
ass
ofwater,
shegul psitatonego.Shet akesadeep
breat
handl ooksathisdirect
ion,not
ici
ngheisno
l
ongerthere,shesighsinreli
ef.
..
.

Nel
ly
-(l
ooki
ngathermom)andt
han?
??Whyyou
l
ooki
ngli
keyouj
ustrant
hecomr
adesmar
athon?
Ma'Siwel
a-hhayi
!!
!PhelaI'
m oldnow,mybody
dehydrat
esreal
quick.Ihavetodrinkwat
ert
okeep
fr
eshandkeepev ery
thingelseint
act.
Nel
l
y-(
maki
ngface)Ehwu!
!!
!MOM!
!!
!wedon'
tneed
t
oknowal
lthat
.
Mbal
i
-(Laughs)It
hinky
oul
ookf
abul
ous,
notaday
ov
er40.
Lungi
ey-(
smi
l
es)y
eah.
..whenI
'
m ol
dIwantt
olook
l
ikeyou.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
smi
l
es)I
'
m 56baby(
looki
ngatMbal
i
).
Nel
ly-(
smiles)al
ltheseol
diesl
ooki
ngfr
esh,Mr
s
Zul
uisalsogoals,anddon'
tgetmestar
tedonMr
Zul
uSnr.Hei sser
v i
ngMkhulubaevi
besal
lday
.

Laughtereruptsar
oundt het
able,
astheydiscussMr
Zululooks,theyal
ladmittohavehadperv
erted
thoughtsabouthim.Theylaughtothesi
ll
i
ness...
.

Ma'Siwela-(
lookingatthem)y ouknowweal l
look
thi
sfreshandy oungbecausewer espectedour
selv
es.ItashameIcan' tsaythesameabouty our
generati
on,gir
lsengagei nsexasear lyasatt heage
of13,nishukwai pi
pi,ni
shukweut shwal a,t
hetime
thegirl
reaches28shei sl ooki
ngwr enchedandol d.
Imaginethatsight,28yearoldwithwr inkl
esanda
phuzaf ace.Don'tgetmest ar
tedont heguy s.The
futur
eofhonestandhonor ablemanl ikeMrZul uis
tarni
shed, gonewiththewind.Youngmandr i
nk
excessively,abusi
ngofdrugs, recklesssex,
pregnatinggi r
lsl
eftri
ghtandcentre.Thet i
met hey
reach30, theylooksowor nout,wi
t hcoarsev oi
ces,
you'l
lbechar medt hi
nki
ngitthesexiestthi
ngev er
Kantilutho,kadeway eshi
swaSmi rnoff1818.

Thegirl
slaughbutatthebackofthei
rmindsithit
home, t
heyreal
lyar
eal ostgener
ati
on.Nel
lyr
ollsher
eyes,tr
usthermom togivealect
ureonthedown
l
ow. .
..

ATSBANI&NTOMBIHOUSE

Ntombi parkshercari
nsidethegarage,sheget sout
andslamst hedoorshut.Shefrust
ratedlywalks
i
nsidethehouse.Secondsl at
erSbani parksthecar
i
nt hedriv
e, hest
il
lhastogobackt otheof fi
ce.He
walksinsidethehouseandf i
ndshiswi f
ei nt
he
ki
tchen.
..

Sbani-(
cal
m)I
'
m sor
ry.
..(
sil
ent
).
..Iwassosur
ethat
you'
re..
.
Ntombi-(i
rr
it
ated)yousor r
y,yousorry,
wil
lthatsorr
y
changetheresult
s?ItoldyouIdidn'twantt
ot est
,
butyouinsi
stedandpr essuredmet odoso, Ihav
eto
dealwi
ththedisappointmentalloveragai
nnow.Ar e
youhappynow? ?
Sbani
-ofcour
senot
,(Mov
ingcl
osert
oher
).
..
Nt
ombi
-Don'
t!
!.
Staywher
eyouar
e.
Sbani
-NtombiIthinkyouneedt
oseesomeone,I
cangowithyou,you'r
eti
cki
ngbombwait
ingtobl
ow,
thi
sisnotheal
thy.
Ntombi-(si
ghed)I '
m notcrazy,Idon'tneedashr i
nk.
Ineed..
..(
sil
ent )
..
.Ineedspace, aftertheSanes
weddingI'm goingtovisitmypar ents.Iwil
lar
range
forNomat ost aywithyourparent s,Maviswil
l
prepar
eherev erymor ningforschool .
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)runni
ngi
snott
hesol
uti
on,
y
ouneedt
odeal
wit
hyourpr
obl
ems.
Ntombi-(
ir
ri
tat
ed)Geez!!
!I'
m notrunningIj
ustneed
tocl
earmyhead.Ifeelsuf
focated.Ineedtogopick
upNoma.

Shewal kedoutoft hekit

chenl eavinghimt here.She
wentinsidetheirbedroom andl ookedather selfi
n
themi r
ror,
shehear dhiscardr i
v eout.Shef ound
hersel
fcravingagl assofwine, shehasbeen
depriv
ingher sel
fofalcoholbecauseoft hewhol e
pregnancyissue.Nowshedi dn'tcare,shedef i
nit
ely
wantedagl assorev enmor e.Shepi ckedherphone
anddai l
edMr sZul
u...
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mr
sZul
u-hel
l
o
Ntombi-Sawubonama. .
.canyoupleasepickup
Nomaf rom school,Ihaveer
rands,
shewi l
lspend
t
henightiny ourhouse,Iwil
lbebacklat
e.
MrsZul
u-okaybaby
,wewi
l
llov
ehav
ingher
..
..
(
sil
ent
).
..ur
ight
?
Nt
ombi
-uhmm y
esma.Ngi
yabonga,
Ihav
etogo.

Shehangedup.Shewentandt ookabat h,usingher

expensiv
ebat hessent i
als,shecameoutf eeling
ref
reshed.Shedi dhermakeup, putonherr edabov e
thekneet i
ghtdress, matcheditwi t
hbl ackred
bottoms6inchst il
toesexposinghersexyl onglegs.
Sheputonher8i nchBobweav e.Last l
ysheappl i
ed
herredmat teLipstick,
sprayedherKi m kexpensi ve
perfumeonherneck.Shel ookedather selfsati
sfi
ed
withherlook,sheopenedt hesidedr awerandt ook
herhusband'sBMW M3carkey s.

1hourl
ater
..
.

Sheparkedthecarint
heundergr
oundparkingand
walkedinsi
deMichaelEdenl
ounge,i
tanexclusi
ve
cl
ubi nMhlanga,
shetookofherri
ngandsighed,
she
walksinsi
detheclub,shecatwalksherwaytot
he
barcounter
,shepullsachairtosi
ttherei
sabuf
f
guynexttoherwi t
habot tl
eofChivasnextt
ohi
m,
shecrossesherlegs,makingherdressmove
upwardsexposinghertighs.
..

Bar
man-whatcanIgety
ou?
Nt
ombi
-fornowI
'
llhav
east
rawber
rydai
qui
ri

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Mt hokoisseat edatthebarcounter,downinghis
whi skey,
hei sn'
trushingit
,theni
ghtisst i
l
lyoung
andhehast hewholebottl
et ohi
msel f
.Heov erhear
d
hisbr ot
hertalkingtoLungieyonthephone, t
hey
wer emaki ngplanstoseeeachot her,hecouldn't
believeaftereveryt
hingthathappened,theybothsti
ll
fucking..
.

Hedat
edLungi
eywhenshewasi
nvar
sit
y,
everythi
ngwasgoi ngwel lwiththem, everybody
enviedthem, event heirparentshadal r
eadyst arted
nami ngthei
rgr andchildren.Onedayt heyhost eda
housepar ty
,hef oundherandNhl anhlakissing,but
theyexcusedi tforbei ngdr unk.Hef orgavethem.
Butitwast hedayhewal kedi nont hem hav i
ngsex
thatdecidedthei rrel
ationshipfate.Her eall
ylov ed
thatgirl
,hehadbi gplansf orthem butherhear twas
neverhis.

Heshookhishead,henoti
cedhewasnol onger
al
oneatthebarcounter
,butasexylongl
egsinared
dr
esswasnexttohim.Shel ookedf
arint
houghts.
..

Well
looksli
keheain'
ttheonl
yonehav
ingafucked
upday.Shelookedathi
m andsmi
ledr
aisi
ngher
gl
assup,hedidthesame..
.

Theni
ghti
sst
il
lyoung.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t25
17:
12pm

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..
.

Sbani
wasst
il
latt
heof
fi
ce,
hisphoner
ang.
..

I
twasBl
ess.
..
.

Sbani
-Sho
Bl
ess-Shoman,
wher
ear
eyou?
Sbani
-I'
m att
heof
fi
ce,
what
sup?
?
Bless-(l
ookedathiswatch)
..
.atthi
sti
me,whyyou
sti
llt
here?Ain'
tyourbr
otherinl
awhavingabachel
or
party?
Sbani
-heisbuti
twi
llstar
tat18:
00pm.It
hinkt
hey
havi
ngpredri
nksmanje.
Bl
ess-wel
lthatagoodwayt
ost
art
.Wel
lI'
m done
fort
heday ,
what
'
sthepl
an?DoIsl
eepaty
ourpl
ace
oryourdads?
Sbani
-uhmm cometomypl ace.Wewi
l
luseonecar
,
whengoingt
othebachel
orparty
.
Bless-okayman..
..(
remembers)
..
.howdi
dthe
appointmentwi
ththedoct
orgo?
Sbani
-It
ell
youal
labouti
twhenwegethome,
let
mepackup.
Bl
ess-okay
,meety
out
her
e,I
'
m packi
ngher
e.

Theybothhangedup.Hest artedpackinghisstuff
butheheardlaughtercomingfrom theotherendof
theoff
icefl
oor.Thatdefi
nit
elyMbalisvoice,butwho
i
sshewi th?Het houghtt
ohimself.Hedidn'tknow
ther
estil
lpeoplearoundtheoffi
ce..
.

ATNELLYSOFFI
CE

Mbal
iwasal
lpackedwai
ti
ngf
orNel
l
ytof
ini
sh
gat
her
inghert
hings.
..
.

Mbali
-(smi
l
es)thankyoufori
nvi
ti
ngmet
olunch,
yourmom i
sgreatcompany.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)I
'
m gl
ady
oucame.Ihadal
otoff
un.
Mbal
i
-Idon'
tthi
nkLungi
eyl
i
kesmev
erymuch.
Nell
y-don'
tmindher,Iguesssheisusedtoher
bei
ngmyonl yfr
iend,nowthatIhaveanot
herfr
iendI
guesssheissti
l
l get
ti
ngusedtot hei
deaofshari
ng
me.
Mbal
i
-(smi
l
ing)sowef
ri
endshuh?
!!
Nel
ly
-(smi
l
ing)r
eal
ly
?Wehav ebeenf
ri
endsf
ora
weeknowandyoudi
dn'
tknow.
Mbal
i
-(Laughs)Ineededconf
ir
mat
ion.
..
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)Mbal
iyoumyf
ri
endokay
??
Mbal
i-(
smi l
es)hahahaIt
oldyouonedaywewil
lbe
f
ri
ends,huh!
!!(Pat
ti
nghershoul
der
)I'
vebr
okenthe
i
cequeen.
TheybothburstoutlaughingasNellyf
inal
l
yfini
shes
packi
ng,theyst
andout si
deherof f
icechat
ti
ngas
sheputsherbagsdownt olockup.Meanwhil
eSbani
makeshiswayt othem, t
heyabliv
ioustoever
y t
hing
astheybusychatti
ng..
..

Mbal
i
-sowhaty
ourpl
ansf
ort
oni
ght
?
Nel
ly-uhmmm nonehey
!!
!I'
mjustgoingto
amanzimtot
i,mymomshouse,I
'm spendi
ngt
he
weekendwithher
.
Mbali
-(l
ookingather
)(r
emembered)ohthi
sisthe
weekendthatwassuppose.
..ei
sh!
!!(
Sadel
ylooked
ather
)
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)y
eah.
..
.

Nell
ysfi
nishesl
ockingup,t
heystandther
equiet
,she
doesn'
twanttothi
nkaboutitbuthowcanshenot .
Sbanist
opsasheseest hatthet
wol adi
esar
e
havi
ngamoment .
..
.
Mbal
i
-(smi
l
es)y
ouknowwhatI
'
ddoi
fIwasy
ou?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)nobutenl
i
ght
enmepl
ease.
.
Mbali
-(smil
ed)I'
dwearaf
air
ydress,
buymysel
f
someliquoranddri
nkt
heni
ghtawayandbanga
str
anger.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)r
eal
l
yaf
air
ydr
ess?
Mbal
i
-(Laughs,
shrugshershoul
der
)what
?I'
ve
al
wayswantedtobeadirt
yfair
y.
Nell
y-(laughs)yousomethingel
se..
..butyouknow
whaty ouhav eapoint
.Minusthefai
rydress,(they
bothlaugh)howaboutweputont hebestlingeri
e
wehav e,weartheskimpiestdr
essesweownandhi t
thecl
ub.Letpai ntFl
ori
dared.
Mbali
-(scr
eami
ng)hel
lyeah!
!!Youf
orgotbangi
nga
st
ranger.
..
Nel
ly-(l
aughi
ng)I
'm notthatadv ent
urousbutI
'
m
def
init
elyget
ti
ngsomet onight.Igotaguyinmind.
Her
et olosi
ngourmor al
stonightdeal?..
.
Mbali
-(smil
es)l
et'
sshakeourbumst
oget
her
,
seal
i
ngt hedeal
.
Theybot hshakedt heirbum toget her ,
laughi ngat
howsi ll
yt heyl ookedr i
ghtnow.Af t
ert heircrazy
shake, theybot hr ushedtot heel evatorexci ted
aboutt heni ghtt ocome.Leav i
ngSbani di
straught,
hewashav i
ngahar dtimepr ocessi ngwhathej ust
heard."Whatcl ubdi dtheysayt heygoi ngt o"he
thoughtt ohi msel f,
buthecoul dn'tremember ,what
keptringingi nhi sheadwas" I'
m def initelygetti
ng
somet onight,Igotaguyi nmi nd"t hismadehi s
wholebodyst i
f f
,hecoul dfeelhi sfrustration
buil
dingup, hef eltl
ikedying,act uallyhef eltli
ke
vomitingoutt hel umponhi st hroat.

ATSBANI&NTOMBIHOUSE

Blesswaswai t
ingforSbanioutsidethegate,aft
era
fewmi nutesofwaiting.Hesawhi scarspeedi
ng
makingitwayt ohim.Sbani parkedbehindhim, he
pressedther emoteforthegate,itopened,bothcars
drovein.Blessgotoutcarry
inghi shugebaganda
bottl
eofHennessey
, Sbanigotoutofhiscarand
walkedupt oBl
ess,het ookthebott
leoutofhis
hand,openedi
tandgul pedthestr
ong,bit
tert
asteof
cognac..
..

Bless-(
lookingathim shocked)whooooooaaawww!!
!
Ibroughtthatjustf
orust opredri
nkwhil
ecatchi
ng
up.
Sbani
-(wi
peshi
smouth)Ir
eal
l
yneedthi
s,I
'
m
l
it
eral
l
y10secondst
omassdestr
uct
ion.

Hewal ksandopenst hedoortothehousebuti twas

l
ocked, t
hatstrangehet hought.Heunlocked,the
wentin,Nt ombiisprobablywit
hSane, hethinkst o
himself,Sbaniwalkedstrai
ghttotheloungest i
ll
taki
nglar gesi
psofbi tt
ercognac.Het akesasi tat
thecouch, Hewasaboutt odownt hebottl
eagai n
whenBl essstoppedhi m andtookthebot t
lefrom
him..
.
Bl
ess-(
shout
ing)doy
ouwantt
oki
l
lyour
sel
f?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)I
'
mlosi
ngmymi
ndman.
..
Bl
ess-i
sthi
saboutwhathappenedatt
hedoct
ors
wi
thNtombi?
Sbani
-huh?
!!
!
Bless-(
shaki
nghi
shead)Iguessi
tnoti
tthan.
..
.
okaychampspil
l
Sbani
-itNel
l
y(r
unshi
shandsonhi
sface)
Bless-(l
aughs)youhav en'
tevenwif
edheryet,but
sheisalreadygiv
ingy ouahardti
me, youl
it
eral
ly
j
ustt ur
nedintoadr unkinl
essthan2hourssincewe
l
astspoke.( Cl
appinghishands)sheisgood.
Sbani
-(sighs)Polygamyisoutofthetablenow.I
don'
tthinkshewi llagr
ee,shedoesn'
tlookli
kethe
ty
petoshar eherman.Shedeservessomeonewho
wil
lcommi ttoher100%.
Bl
ess-soy
oul
ett
inghergo?
Sbani
-(bol
d)t
hati
snotanopt
ion.
Bl
ess-t
hanhowexact
lyar
eyougoi
ngt
ogi
veher
100%
Sbani
-..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.
Bless-(shocked)yougoti tbadforthi
schick.
..so
thatwhyy oudr i
nking?Becausey outhi
nki
ngabout
divorci
ng,endinga4y earmarri
ageforagirly
ou
hav eknownf orroughly3weeks.Asaf ri
endIhav e
toaskar eyousur e?
Sbani
-I'
m wi
l
li
ngt
otaket
her
isk,
shei
swor
thy
.
Bl
ess-(shaki
nghi
shead)y
ounotev
ensur
eift
his
gi
rli
sfeeli
ngyouornot
?
Sbani
-(bol
d)Iwi
l
lmakeher
.
Bl
ess-(
Laughs)cockybast
ard.
..
Sbani
-(Laughs)I
'
m Zul
u,whatdoy
ouexpect
..
.

Bl
essl
ookedatSbani
,hi
sforeheadkeepsshowing
hi
svi
ens,hel
ooksli
keheisatwarwithhimsel
f.
..

Bl
ess-spi
l
l.
..
Sbani
-(ir
ri
tat
ed)Nel
l
yisgoi
ngt
oacl
ubt
oni
ghtwi
th
herfr
iend.
Bl
ess-(
conf
used)y
eahso.
..
Sbani
-(annoyed)theytal
kedaboutl
osi
ngmor al
s,
bangi
ngstrangers(fr
ustr
ated)i
fonl
yIr
emember ed
thecl
ubname.( Thinki
ng).
..
..
.(r
emembered)Fl
ori
da.
.
.
Bless-dude,
theirar
emanyclubsatFl
ori
daroad.
..
.
youknowIwi llasksomeonetot
rackher
,yougot
hernumberr i
ght?
Sbani
-ist
hatev
enl
egal
?
Bl
ess-doy
ouwantt
oknowherl
ocat
ionornot
?

Hesi
ghedtaki
ngouthi
sphone,
giv
ingBl
essNel
l
ys
number
..
.

Bless-y
oubet
terl
etmet
ap,
I'
m br
eaki
ngt
hel
awf
or
you.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)uy
any
a..
.dudey
ourwhol
ecar
eeri
s
br
eaki
ngt
hel
aw.
Bless-(
laughs)Whatareyouafr
aidof
?Scaredshe
willt
ast
emyBot sthi
ckvei
npoppingbeastand
scream "Bl
esstakemet oMaun"
Sbani
-fucky
ouman.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t26(
par
t1)

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shewentt oherwal ki nclosetandwentt hroughher

dresses, sear chingfortheper fectout f
itfortonight.
Shedeci dedt ochoosewhi chshoesshewant edt o
wear ,thatwi llmakei teasierwhenpi ckinganout fi
t.
Shenot i
cedt heot hersideofhercl osetst i
llhad
Sizwescl othes,sher anherf i
nger sthroughhi s
clothesandsmi ledremember inghowt heywoul d
alway sar guebecauseshewant edsomeofSi zwes
spacet ooccupyhercl othes.Thesmi l
equi ckl
y
turnedi ntoaf r
ownassher emember ed  that
thosedayar elonggonenow, hewasget t
ingmar ri
ed,
act
uall
yheismarri
ed,
shesighedandmadea
mentalnot
etopackhi
sclot
hesandmailt
hem t
ohi
s
newaddress.

Shest eppedoutoft heshowerandsatonher

dresserandl otionedher self.Shedeci dedonasweet
roseysmel lasshespr ay edonherDi orper fume.She
didn' tneedmuchmakeup, herwaswas
fl
awl esssosheset tl
edf orjustmascar aandbr onze
chocol atemat t
el i
psti
ck.Forherhai r,sheputon
her  12inchMongol i
ancur ls.Shel ookedat
hersel fi
nt hemi rrorsatisfi
edwi thherl ook, shegot
upt ogetdr essed.Sheputonherbl ackVi ctoria
secrett hong, heroutfitdidn' tneedabr a.She
hadonashor tblackjumpsui t,whichl eftherback
bare, i
thadal ongVi nthef ront,compl ement ingher
perfectpor nbr east.Shemat chedt heout fitwi t
h
8inchbl ackbl ockheel s.Shewassat i
sfiedwi thher
overall l
ook.Herbestassetwasherr oundf ir
m but t
andwel ltonedf ir
ml egs.Shewi shedshehadl onger
l
egst hough.
Tonightwasal labouthavi
ngagreatt
ime, t
odayshe
blocksoutallsociet
iesnormsandexpectati
ons,
tonightsheisselfi
shandreadytol
etloose.Toni
ght
shegoeswer eeverthewindbl
ows.Herphoner i
ngs
andi tMbali
.
...

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)st
handwa.
..
Mbal
i-(smi
les)ar
eyouready
?BruceandIareonour
waytheret
opickyouup.Havey
oucall
edthatguy
f
rom thegym?
Nel
ly-I
'm al
ldone.Il
asttal
kedtohi
m whenI
wascomingbackf rom workbutI
'
ll
callhi
m
nowtoconfir
m again.Babyletmeknowwheny ou
guysare2mi nut
eawaysoIcangoandwai t
downstai
rs.
Mbali
-(smil
ed)okayby
ebabe.Ihavewi
thme
absol
uteli
me,weneedpreshots.

Theybothl
aughedandhangedup.Shedai
l
edCraigs
number.Cr
aigi
saguyshemetwhenshest ar
ted
gym.Heisa34y earol
dwhi tebanker.Heforev
er
hi
tsonher.Shealwaysbrushedhim offbutt
onight
shei
sbreakingal
lboundari
essowhynot .
..

Cr
aig-(
smi
l
ed)heygor
geous
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ed)heyy
ou,
sowest
il
lonf
ort
oni
ght
?
Crai
g-(
exci
ted)def
ini
tel
y,doy
ouwantmet
opi
ck
you?
Nel
l
y-Nonoitokay
.Myfri
endandherf
ri
endar
eon
t
hei
rwaytopickmeup.
Cr
aig-(
fakesul
ks)ahh!
!!Thoughtwecouldhavea
pr
emakeoutsession,j
usttobuil
dthestamina.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)hol
donnowt
iger
,theni
ghti
sst
il
l
young.Bye.
Cr
aig-(
smi
l
es)by
esexy
.

Shehangedupandpackedapackofgums,l
ipst
ick,
wipesand2durexcondomsonherpur
se.Herphone
vi
bratedr
ingi
ng,i
twashermom..
.
Nel
l
y-Mom
Ma'Si
wel
a-heybabypl
easebesaf
e,nodr
ivi
ng,
use
uber.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)y
esmom.Don'
twor
ryI
'
m def
ini
tel
y
notdri
vi
ng.
Ma'
Siwel
a-okayhav
efun.Lov
eyougoodni
ght
Nel
l
y-l
ovey
out
oo.
..

Shehangedupandsmi l
edthinkingaboutjusthow
hermom wasl ecturi
ngt hem aboutbeingrecklessat
l
unch,hoursl
atertheyheadi ngtoacl ubtodrinkand
bereckl
ess,t
hei r
ony .Herphonev ibrat
edagain, she
l
aughed,sheisdef i
nitel
yonar ollt
oday ,t
hecaller
wasShaka,shesmi ledandanswer ed..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ing)Hel
l
o
Shaka-(
smi
l
ing)Mabhebeza.
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughi
ng)howar
eyou?
Shaka-Goodnow.Howi
smywi
fedoi
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
laughi
ng)I
'
m gr
eat
,wher
eyouat
?
Shaka-(
cal
m)Si
zwesbachel
or.
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..y
ouokay
?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)I
'
m okay
,act
ual
l
ygoi
ngoutwi
thMbal
i
.
Shaka-(
supri
zed)t
hatgr
eat,don'
tl
etherbr
ingBr
uce,
theywil
lyoual
onetogofuckthewholeni
ght.
Nel
ly-(
laughing)unehaba!
!!Hei
scomi
ngwi
thusbut
I
'm al
sobringingafri
end.
Shaka-(
smi
l
ing)Ihopey
ouwon'
tfuckt
hatf
ri
end.
..
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)by
eyoui
diot
..
.

Shehangedupandnot
icedt
her
eisat
extf
rom
Mbali
..

"
We5mi
nawaybabe"

Shequi
cklyt
ookherpurseandl
ockedup,
maki
ng
herwaydownstai
rs.
..
.
ATMI
CHAELEDENLOUNGE

Ntombiwasonher4t hdrink,shewashav i
ngagr eat
peacef
ulnighttohersel
f,sher eal
lyneededthi
sti
me
onherown.Shemakesament alnotetobooka
room f
orthenightatBever l
yhill
shotel,
shewon't
dri
vewhil
ei nt
oxicat
ed.Shewi l
lcomebackf ort
he
carint
hemor ning..
..

Mthokolooksatt
heNt ombinexttohim,herlongs
l
egsaredrivi
nghi
m crazy.Healwayshadat hingfor
t
allmodeltypewoman.Hencehedat edLungiey.He
l
ooksatheranddecidestotal
ktoher...

Mt
hoko-Badday
?
Nt
ombi
-somet
hingl
i
ket
hat
.
Mthoko-wel
lyourchoi
ceofdri
nksdisagr
eeswi
th
you.Youdri
nki
ngsweethappydri
nks.
Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)sweetst
uffcheermeup.
Mt
hoko-okay
.

Hegoesbacktodr inkinghiswhiskey,
hei salmost
hal
fwaywithhiswhi skeybottl
e.Ntombi l
ooksat
hi
m, hel
ooksyoungert hanher,
thoughhei sbuffbut
hi
sfacegiv
eshim away .Hei
sprobably27or28.He
i
snotwearingaring, whatcouldbestressinghi
m?
Maybehelosthisjob, shethi
nkstoherself.

Nt
ombi
-heyI
'
m Nt
ombi
Mt
hoko-Mt
hokozi
si
Nt
ombi -uhmmm. .
.youl
osty
ourj
ob?(
Sheasks
wi
thoutthinki
ng)
Mthoko-(
laughs)whywoul
dyout
hinkI
'
vel
ostmy
j
ob?
Nt
ombi
-uhmm.
..Ij
ust.
..okayIr
eal
l
ydon'
tknow.
Mt
hoko-(
laughs)doy
ouwantt
oknow?
Nt
ombi
-uhmm y
oudon'
thav
etoo.
..
Mt
hoko-Iwi
l
ltel
lyouunderonecondi
ti
on.
Nt
ombi
-Thatbei
ng?
Mthoko-Ibuyy
ouar
eal
dri
nknott
hisshi
tyou
dr
inki
ng.
Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)t
ryi
ngt
ogetmedr
unk?
Mthoko-(
laughs)
(bol
dvoi
ce)Idon'
tdomar
ri
ed
woman.
Nt
ombi
-(shocked)howdoy
ouknowI
'
m mar
ri
ed?
Mt hoko-(smil
es)y oucameal onetodri
nk, you
hav en'
toncecheckedoutt heguysinhere,although
youdr essedsexyandat t
racti
vebutyoustil
l wearing
thatstayawayf ace..
..(l
ookingather).
..you
probablytookofy ourringwheny ougother eto
avoidjudgement aleyes,awi f
eoutatnightdr i
nking
l
ooki ngsexyatabar ,notreall
yagoodl ook.Pl usyou
didn'tdenyit
.
Nt
ombi
-(shocked)wow!
!!

Ntombiwasov er
whel
medwithhowcorrectMt
hoko
was,hethoughthewasj
ustanot
herst
uckupguyat
t
hebar
,buthei
sexact
lyt
heopposi
te.
..

Mthoko-(
smi
les)nowbackt
otheof
ferathand,
shoul
dIgety
ouar eal
dri
nk?
Nt
ombi
-sur
ewhynot
..
.
Mthoko-(si
gnaledthebart
ender)8tequi
l
ashot
sand
abottl
eofy ourexpensewine,
(looki
ngatNt
ombi)
CabernetSauvignonisf
inewit
hy ou?
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)y
eah.

Thebar t
enderlinedt hei
r8t equil
ashot sforthem.
Mt hokot ookofhi sjacketandwasl eftwithhisblack
Pologol ft-shi
rt
.Nt ombi l
ookedathi m,hewasr eal
ly
buff ,
shet houghtherhusbandwasbuf fbutthisguy
i
nfr ontofherisonanot herlevelofbuf f
,i
fhewast o
rankt hem, defi
nitel
yhet ookf i
rstplaceonbei ngthe
mostbuf f.Theybot htook4shot seach,whilethe
tequilaset t
lei
nt heirbodies,t
heybot hget
comf or
table,i
tal ongnightaheadoft hem...
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t27
ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

3:
30am

Ntombi waspeacef ul
lysleeping,whenshehear da
knock,shethoughtmay beshewasdr eamingsoshe
wentbackt osleepbutshehear ditagain.Shesetup
onthebedandl ookedatt hetime,3:33am, why
wouldroom ser vi
ceknockonherdooratt hi
sti
me,
shethoughtt ohersel
f.Shegotupf r
om t hebedand
worethehot elgownandsl i
ppersmaki ngherwayto
theli
vi
ngr oom.Shest oodbyt hedoor..
.

Nt
ombi
-(l
eani
ngont
hedoor
)whoi
sit
?
Mt
hoko-Nt
ombi
itme,
pleaseopen.
Ntombi-(
supr
isedandconf
used)Mt
hoko?
?
(
Openingthedoor)
Hegotinsi
det
heroom,Ntombicl
osedt
hedoor.She
not
icedhewassti
ll
weari
ngthesamecl
othes,
he
l
ookedli
kehehasn'
tsl
eptonebit
..
.

Nt
ombi
-Di
dyouf
orgetsomet
hing?
Mthoko-woul
dyoubeli
evemei
fItol
dyou,
Inever
l
eft
,thatIwassi
tt
ingi
nmycart
hiswholet
ime.
Nt
ombi
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Mt
hoko-askmet
hatquest
ionagai
n
Nt
ombi
-(conf
used)what
..
.wh.
..
.
Mthoko-t
hequest
ionyouaskedwheny ouopened
t
hedoorandletmein.Askmet hatquest
ionagai
n?
Ntombi
-Di
dyouf
orgetsomet
hing?ThatwhatI
askedy
ou.
..
Mt
hoko-(
looki
ngather
)yes.
..
Nt
ombi
-wel
ldi
dyou?
Mthoko-(
star
ingdir
ect
lyather
)yes,
Iwantt
oki
ss
youNtombenhle.
.
Sheswal lowedatwhathej ustsai d,
shelookedat
him, di
rectl
yinhiseyes,shestartedcountinghow
manyt imesherhear tbeateachsecond.Hemov ed
closertoher,notbreaki
ngtheey econtact, shenever
mov edonherspot ,
"whyisshenotmov ing? "
She
thoughttoher sel
f.Hestoodani nchclosert oher,
breathi
ngt hesameai rashim...

Mt
hoko-st
opme.
..

Shedi dn'
tsayawor dt ohi m, herheartwasr eall
y
beatingfast,t
hetemper atureintheroom changed,
shef el
tweakonherknees, shelookedathi sdark
sexyl i
ps,heisdefi
nitelyasmoker ,sheimagi nedthe
tast
eofmi ntandnicotineonhi sli
psmaki ngherbi t
e
herlowerl i
p,gi
vi
nghi mt hegoahead.Het ookone
stepmaki ngthei
rnoset ouch, heldherwaist,her
kneesf ai
ledhermaki ngherhol dont ohisbuf far
ms,
shebegi ntotakeshor tbr eaths,hepull
edhercl oser
tohisbody ,hestar
tedbybi t
ingherlowerlip,hedid
this3t imes, eacht imehedi dit,shewoul dst r
uggle
tobr eathe,hedi ditf orthef ort
ht i
me, maki ngher
moanal it
tl
e, bythist i
meherhandswer eonhi s
shoul ders.Hewentf oritandf i
nallyki
ssedher ,
i
ndeedhi slipst astedofmi ntandabi ttertasteof
nicotine,judgingbyt hesmal l
amountofni cotineshe
tasted, shewoul dest i
mat ehesmoked5mi nbefore
hemadehi swayupt oher .Herkneesst art
edt o
shake, maki ngi thardf orhert obalance, hecaged
herinhi sst r
ongmuscl earms, l
i
fti
ngheroft he
groundal it
tle.Hef inall
ybr okethekiss, l
eav i
ngher
breathless.

Mthoko-(st
il
lholdingher
)(whi
spersinherear)Iwant
you,Iwantyoursex yl
onglegswrappedaroundmy
waist,
Iwant..
..
.(tookadeepbreath).
..y
ounotr eady
f
ort hi
s..
.

Hepickedherupandcar
ri
edhertot
hebedroom, he
l
aidheronthebedandki
ssedheronthef
orehead..
.
Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)gobackt
osl
eepNt
ombenhl
e.

Hewalkedoutofthebedr
oom t
otheli
vi
ngroom and
outt
hedoor.Leav
ingNtombiweakandhot,"
Ijust
ki
ssedanot
herman"shethoughtt
ohersel
f.
..
.

Nt
ombi
-ohgod.
..
.(shor
tofbr
eat
h)

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

4:
00am

Blessent erNell
ysapar tmentwi t
ht hei
rwedding
clothes,Sbanisgy m clothes,hedrovetoSbanis
housear ound3: 00am t otaketheirout
fit
s,heenters
thelivi
ngr oom andSbani isnotthere,
hegoest othe
guestr oom andf i
ndshi m notthereaswel l
.He
shakeshi sheadsmi r ki
ng...
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
ing)t
hatf
ucker
..
..

Hemakeshi swaytoNel l
ysroom andslowlyopens
thedoor,hefindsSbanisit
ti
ngnexttoNellysbed
stari
ngather.Hehissestohim,Sbaniturnstothe
door,hesignalshi
m out.Sbanil
ooksatNellyone
mor eti
mebef oreget
tingupfoll
owingBlesstothe
l
ivingroom...

Bless-dude,whyyousit
ti
ngi
nthedar
kandst
ari
ng
ather,thatshi
tiscr
eepy.
Sbani
-Ij
ustl
ovewat
chi
nghersl
eep.
Bless-(l
ookingathi
m)t
hisgi
rli
sli
ter
all
ytur
ningy
ou
toal unat
ic.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
ouwon'
tunder
stand.Di
dyoubr
ing
mygym clot
hes.
Bl
ess-y
eah(
handi
nghi
mthebag)
..
.Goeasyonher
man.
Sbani
-Shei
sagy
m bunny
,shewon'
thav
eapr
obl
em.
Bless-Yeahbutherbodyisst
ill
st r
ainedbecauseof
thehangover,
dontkil
lthegi
rlplease.
Sbani
-(r
aisi
nghi
sbrow)youhavegonesof
tforher
andyouhaven'
tevenhadaconv
ersat
ionwi
thheryet.
Bless-(sur
renders)heymanI'
mjustsayi
ng.Beback
atsix,weneedt obeatyourdadshousebefor
e8
Sbani
-(bumpedhi
sshoul
der
)thanky
ouf
or
ever
ythi
ngbro.
.

Sbani wenttot hebat hroom andchangedt ohisgy m

gear,het hanmadehi swayt oNell
ysroom, shewas
sti
ll
peacef ullysl
eeping, hewalkedupt oherand
star
tedpl antingsmal lkissesonherface,eacht i
me
heplacedaki ss,shewoul dshi
ftormov ealitt
lehe
keptdoingt hisov erandov eragainunti
lhef el
tshe
wasont hev ergeofwal kingup..
..

Nell
ywassl eepingsoundl
ywhenshef el
tkisseson
herfaceandmout h,
theywereti
ckl
eyandsof t
,she
foundherselfsmil
inginhersl
eep,t
hekisseskept
comingandwhenshewasaboutt oopenherey es
thekissesstop.Sheopenedherey es,theyfelt
strai
ned,shefir
stcouldnotseepr operlybutshesaw
afigurestandi
ngov erher,shebl i
nkedt hreetimes
andwhensheopenedherey estheyl andedonSbani
l
ookingov erherwithasmi rk.Shewasconf usedfor
asecond, whatishedoi ngher e?,
shecoul dnot
understandafewt hingsabouthersur roundingri
ght
now.Shel ookedathi m onemor et i
meandnot i
ced
thathewasi nhisgym gear ,theysupposet ogot o
gym?Whatdayi sitkanti?.
..

Sbani
-(pul
l
ingt
hecover
s)getupsl
eepi
ngbeaut
y,I
donothavemuchti
me.
Nel
l
y-(
sit
ti
ngup)howdi
dyougeti
n?
Sbani
-itdoesnotmat
ter
,changepl
ease.
.

Nel
lygotupfrom t
hebedmakingherwayt oher
wal
kinclosettochange.Al
otoft
hingsjustdidnot
makesensetoher.Shewasabouttoenterherwalk
i
nclosetwhensher emember
edthekisses,she
st
oppedandt
urnedt
ohi
m..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngathi
m)di
dyouki
ssme?
Sbani
-(act
ingconf
used)huh?
!
Nel
ly
-uhmm nevermind.
..
(wal
kedinsi
dethecloset
)
(
tal
ki
ngtohersel
f)I
twasprobabl
yjustadream
Sbani
-(hol
dinghi
slaugh)ut
hini
?

Nell
ychangedtohergym gear
,shehadabad
headache.Sher
emember edgoi
ngoutwithMbali
andCraig,t
hansheremembersseeingSbanit
here
andaguyshedi dnotknow.Every
thingj
ustdoes
notmakesense.Shewalksoutandf i
ndSbanisi
tt
ing
onherbed.

Nel
l
y-asambe.
..
Sbani
-weusi
ngonecar,I
'
llcomebackandchange
heret
ogototheweddi
ng.
Nel
l
y-whatwedd.
..(
Shet
hanr
emember
ed)
oh
Si
zwes.
..
Sbani
-(Get
ti
ngup)y
eah.
..getr
idofhi
scl
othes.
Nell
y-(
sighs)y
eahIwi
..
..(
looki
ngathi
m).
..howdo
youknow...
.
Sbani
-(cut
ti
ngherof
f)l
etgo,
timei
snotonoursi
de.

Hegotupandwal
kedout,l
eav
inghermor e
conf
usedt
hanshewas.Shegrabbedhergym bag
andfol
l
owedhi
m...

ATVI
RGI
NACTI
VEGYM

Theywal kedi nsidet hegy m, Sbaniwasholdingbot h

hisandNel lysgy m bag, Nellywasdr i
nkingwat er,on
theirwayher e,Sbani expl
ainedt oheraboutwhat
happenedatt hecl ubwi thCr ai
gandev eryt
hing,he
didn'ttellhertheysl eptatherapartment ,
het ol
dher
theyl ockedheri nside.Hedi dn'twanttotell
hert hey
sleptt her
ebecausehewasnotsur ehowshewoul d
feelaboutt hat ,andhi mt ell
ingherwoul dhavemade
heraskal
otofquest
ions.

SbanisawCr ai
gcomingoutoft
hechangerooms,he
noti
cedNellyhasnotseenhi
my etsoheusedt
histo
hi
sadv ant
age..
.

Sbani
-goaheadandwarm up,
Iwantt
ogoandget
youmorebott
lewat
er.
Nel
l
y-okay
.

Nell
ywal kedaway .Sbanilookedandherandsaw
sheisnoti npl ai
nsight,hewalkedupt oCraig.Sbani
gottotheshakest oreandor dered,
fourbottl
esof
water,Craiglookednextt ohim andremember ed
Sbanifrom lastnight,hewasnotsur etoeither
apologiseorj ustpret
endhedi dnotseehim." What
thehell
" ,
het hought..
.

Cr
aig-uhmm heyman
Sbani
-ohhey
,Idi
dnotseey
out
her
e.Howy
oudoi
ng?
Crai
g-I'
m okay
,aboutl
astni
ght
..
..Idi
dnotknow
Nelzhasaboyfri
end.
.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)itokay
,wej
usthadaf
ight
,
youknowhowdramati
cwomenare.
Crai
g-(
Laughs)t
ell
meabouti
t.
..i
ssheher
ewi
th
you?
Sbani-y
eahbutshei
sst
il
lashamedsodon'
tgot
o
her.
Cr
aig-oh.
.okay
,sayhi
forme.Igott
orun.
Sbani
-sur
e

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Theworkoutsessiontodaywasal otharder,i
tfel
t
l
ikehewaspunishingher.Hedoubl edthetimeon
ever
ymachi net
heyused.Nell
ywasl ayi
ngona
benchl
i
ftingmedui m dumbel
l
sov erherheadwhen
shenot
icedhowl owhewor ehispant s,Sbani
s
handswer eout stret
chedi ndi
catingtoher ,causing
hist-shir
tt oli
ftupabi tandexposi ngaf ewi nches
ofhisl owerabdomen( hisV),herjawsdr opped, as
shedi dadoubl etakeov erhisexposedbody ,she
startedtof eelveryhot ,herpott i
ckedabi tcausing
hertosqueezehert ighst ogether.Shewasst i
ll
holdingt hedumbel l
si naupwar dposi t
ion,herhead
turnedt othesi delooki ngatSbani sV, i
twasv er
y
deep, shei maginedi ttobehar d,sheimagi ned
runningherhandsoni t,shewassooutofi t,thatshe
didnotseeSbani lookingatherwi thasmi r
k.He
clearedhi sthroat,maki nghersnapoutofi t."Ohshit
,
hecaughther ",shef eltsoembar rassed.She
broughtherar msdown, whichwer epainingbecause
ofbei nghel dupt ool ong...

Sbani
-lethi
tthet
readmi
l
l

Hewalkedtowheret
hetr
eadmil
l
swere,
wit
hasmi
rk
onhi
sf ace,
shef
oll
owedbehi
ndher
..
.
Sbani
-(smil
ing)mi
ssi
onmakeherwantme-
Completed

Hest art
edherof fat4.0,whichwasnott hatbadbut
heincreasedt hespeedmaki ngi tmor edif
fi
cultfor
hertokeepup.Onanor mal dayt hi
swoul dhave
beenapi eceofcakebutnott oday,shehasabad
headache, sheishotandbot her ed,
shei swetand
hornyr i
ghtnow.Thesi ckpar tofiti
s, shei
shor ny
forthismani nfr
ontofher,shewant st oj
umphi s
bonesr i
ghtnow, righther
eatt hegym.Af t
er30
minutesheswi t
chesof ft
het readmi l
landhelpsher
down, sheispattingforai
r,herwhol ebodyhurtsli
ke
hell
.

Sbani
-thi
swasnot
hing,youdeser
veextr
eme
puni
shment(
emphasizesontheword"puni
shment
")

Thewordpuni
shmentsetchi
l
lsdownherspi ne,i
t
madeherfeel
evenmorehot,shecouldnothelpbut
feel
li
kethewayhesai
d"puni
shment "
ther
ewasa
doubl
emeaninginhi
ssent
ence,
ohmay
bei
tjusther
vi
rgi
nathi
nki
ngthatway
..
..

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

SbaniandBlesshav el
eft,
shecannotbeli
eveSbani
l
eftamanshedi dnotknowaloneinherapartment
anddidnottellher
.Shewasshockedwhent hey
camebackf rom gym andfoundhimlooki
ngal l
dapperinasuitinherli
vi
ngroom.Shepackedher
overni
ghtbagandheadedt othepar
kinglot
...

Shegoti
nthecaranddr
ovet
ohermomspl
ace.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t28

COLLI
SHEENESTATEBALI
TO

Sbani
andNt ombidri
veinthepar
kingl
otatt
he
sametime.Thei
rfr
iendsandfamil
yaregat
heredby
t
hegar denwait
ingfort
hevowceremonytostar
t.
Ntombi get
soutofthecarwit
hherhear
tbeati
ng
f
ast.SbaniandBlessmakeitoutoft
hei
rcaras
well
..
..

Bless-
(smi
les)heyst
ranger
,(hehugsher
)looki
ng
goodasalways..
.
Ntombi-(
supr
ised)(
hugginghi
m back)whendi
dyou
gether
e??(Smil
es)l
ookinggoodtoo
Bl
ess-(
smil
i
ng)I'
vebeenhereacoupl
eofdaysnow
ormaybeaweek,It
houghty
ourmantoldyou.
Nt
ombi
-(r
oll
sey
es)y
ouknowhowhei
s..
.
Sbani
-I'
m hereyouknow.(
Looki
ngatNt
ombi
)(
baby
ki
ssesher)unjan?
Ntombi
-(smi
li
ng)Iam okay
.(Looki
ngatsbani
)You
l
ookrav
ishi
ng.
..
Bl
ess-v
elewhyai
n'
tyout
womat
chi
ng?
Sbani
-wedon'tneedtomat
cht
hecol
our
s
compli
menteachother.
Ntombil
ooksasSbani
,hel
ooksbackather
.Bless
seest
hisashi
squetogo.Heexcuseshi
mselffr
om
them.
..

Sbani
-yousl
eptathome?
Nt
ombi
-(supr
ised)y
oudi
dn'
t?
?

Theylookateachot her,
bothwai ti
ngforananswer
from f
rom oneanother,Ntombi hearti
sbeati
ngfast
andSbaniisjustSbani.Heisshowi ngnoemot i
ons
ri
ghtnow.SiphoandZandi leparknexttothem,they
getoutofthecar,al
ongwi ththeirtwokidsand
Noma.Nomar unstoherpar entassoonasshesees
them..
.

Noma-(
shout
ing)mooom.
..daaad.
..

Sbani
tur
nst
oherandmetherhal
fwayl
i
fti
ngherup
f
rom t
hegr
ound.

Sbani-(
smi
l
es)whatdi
dIsayaboutr
unni
nghuh!
?.
..
(t
ickl
i
ngher
)
Noma-( l
aughi
ng,hidi
ngherf
acei
nherdadschest
)
daaad.
..dadstop,Ipr
omiset
onotrunagai
n.
Sbani-(smil
es,ki
ssinghercheek)Good,i
fyoubr eak
yourpromisethetoothfair
ywillcomeatnightand
remov eyour2frontteet
h.
Noma-(
cov
eri
nghermout
h)mom i
sthatt
rue?
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
ing)y
esbaby
.Nomor
erunni
ngokay
.
Noma-(sighs)okay
.Whydi dn'
tyoucomepi
ckme
upyest
erday?Youknowi twasicecream
day
(fol
dingherarm,looki
ngathermom)

Sbanilookedather,
sheswall
owed,shehasal
ways
beenabadl ai
r,shewear
sheremot i
onsi
nherface,
thathasalwaysbeenherweakness.
..
Ntombi-(t
ouchingNomaface)baby,mommyhad
err
ands,Iwil
ltakeyout
otheicecream shop
tomorr
ow.Okay ?
Noma-(r
oll
sherey
e)khul
utookmet
othei
cecr
eam
shop.

Ntombi si
ghedherdaught erisar ealdramaqueen,
shet ookaf terherf
atherwit
hbei ngbol dand
stubbor n,okaymay befrom hertoo.Itreal
lyhard
tryi
ngt opleaseher,whensheget sthisfei
sty.Si
pho
andZandi lemaket heirwayt othem aftersort
ingout
theirrascals..
..

Zandi
l
e-(
smi
l
ing)sani
bonani
Si
pho-(
Brohug)Baf
o...(
HugsNt
ombi
)si
si
Sbani
-ni
swenkeni
nje.
..(
smi
l
ing)
Si
pho-(
laughs)kot
ini
wodwabaf
o..

Theyal
ll
aughadmi
ri
ngeachot
her
slooks.Si
phoand
Zandil
eweremat ching(theyoldschool)Sbani was
weari
nganav ysli
mf i
ttuxandhisf amouscr i
sp
whit
eshirt
,ofcoursehedi dn'twearatie,l
eav i
ngthe
twotopbuttonsopen, matchingitwit
hhisbr onze
shoes.Heisav er
ysi mpleman.Nt ombi waswear i
ng
awhitecocktai
ldress,withli
ghtbluefl
ower s,
matchingi
twi t
hherl i
ghtbluepumpheel s.
...

Sbani
-(l
ookingatNoma)(
put
ti
ngherdown)babygo
pl
aywithotherki
ds.

Shewasaboutt orunbutremember
edwhather
fat
hersaidaboutthetoot
hfai
ryt
aki
nghert
eethso
shewalkedslowly
...
.

Zandi
le-(
smil
ing)soy
out
oodeci
dedt
odi
tchus
yest
erdayni
ght.
..
Sipho-(
laughs)t
heywer eexposedbabe,
thepart
ies
endedbeingcombined.Thatwhenitwasobvious
youtwower enotpresent.
Zandi
l
e-(
laughi
ng)si
nibambi
l
e

Theywat chedasSi phoandZandiletr

ytoguess
whatt heybot hgotupt o,t
heydidn'
trespondt othem
astheybot hknowt heywerenottogetherlastni
ght,
i
nf acttheydi dnotev encal
leachother,theyboth
stoodt hereintheirownthoughts,t
heybot h
concludedi ntheirmindsthattheywil
lplayalongto
avoidquest ions.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Thegat esopen,Nellydri
veshercarin,Ma'
Siwel a
stoodbyt hedoorwai t
ingforher
,Tobi wi
ngleshi s
tai
l,hebarks,veryeagertoseehisowner.Tobi i
s
Nellysdog,shehadhi m whenshewas12y earsol d.
Shecoul dnottakehim withherwhenshemov edout,
theapar t
mentshel i
vesindoesnotal l
owpet s.She
getsoutoft hecar,Tobirunstoher
,withhistail
dancingandt ongueout .
..
.
Nell
y-(
bendsdown) (
brusheshim)heyboy( hebar
ks)
heyboy,y
oumi ssedme.( Hebarks)Imissedyout
oo.
(Heli
cksherf
ace)(l
aughing)ehw!!!Notcool

Afterherhear
ttohear
twit
hTobi,shegetsupfr
om
thegroundandgoestothebootofhercar.
..

Nel
ly
-( smi
li
ng)st
handwacomehel
p,whaty
ou
st
andingther
efor
?
Ma'Si
wel
a-(smi
les)(wal
ki
ngtoher)youboughtme
goodi
es,
Iseeyoutryi
ngtomakemeabal loon.Yazi
kodwamtanamiallt
hisf
oodkuzodli
waNhlanhla.
..
Nell
y-(
laughs)hay
bo!
!!Whydoesheeather
e?
Akaphekiyi
niSimi
?
Ma'
Siwel
a-beat
sme.
..

Theycarri
edtheshoppi
ngbags,
wit
hgr
ocer
iesi
nsi
de
thehouse.
...
Ma'
Siwel
a-howwasy
est
erday
?
Nel
l
y-.
..(
sil
ent
).
..
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
looki
ngather
)yi
nwenzen?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Idon'
twanttotel
lyouyetma.But
yest
erdaywasadi sast
er.Somet
hingdoesn'
tendup.
ButIwill
tel
lyouwhenIhav eal
lthefact
s.
Ma'Si
wela-(worr
ied)whycan'
tyoutel
lmenow?Why
youkeepingsecr
et s?
?YouknowIlovewhenwe
openwitheachot her
.
Nel
l
y-mom!
!Pl
ease.
..
Ma'Si
wel
a-(
sighs)okay
.Pr
omi
sey
ouwi
l
ltel
lme
ev
entual
l
y.
Nell
y-Ipr
omise(smil
es)
..
.lethav
ebraaitodayasa
famil
y.Wecaninvi
te,
LungieyandMa'Nxumaloor
andMbali.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
smi
l
es)gr
eati
dea.I
'
llt
ell
yourbr
other
s
t
obri
ngextr
ameat
.
Nel
l
y-weshoul
dinv
iteSi
mit
oo,
Ifeel
badt
hatI
hardl
ytal
kwi
thher.I
'
vebeensocareerdri
venand
devotedt
oSi
zwe,Iputev
ery
oneelseattheback
seat.
Ma'Si
wela-(
smil
es)donotbetohar
dony
our
sel
f
baby,
I'
m suret
heyunder
stand.

Theyfini
shunpacki
ngthegr ocer
ies,
Nel
lysphone
vi
brates,
thenumberisnotregist
eredonherphone.
Shelooksatitandhesi
tatestoansweri
t.She
choosesnottoanswerit.

Ma'Si
wela-(
rai
singheey
ebr
ow)andwenot
answeri
ngbecause?
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sherey
es)t
henumberi
snotr
egi
ster
ed.
..
Ma'
Siwel
a-so?
??

Nell
yisabouttorespondtohermotherwhenher
phonevibr
atesagain.I
tst
il
lthesamenumber.She
answersit
..
.
Nel
l
y-hel
l
o
Gi
rl
-hel
l
o,i
sthi
sMi
ssSi
wel
a?
Nel
l
y-y
es,
ngi
khul
umanobani
?
Gir
l-uhmmm Igotyournumberf
rom Shaka,my
namei sZenandeDl
amini
,I
'mthegi
rlyou.
..
Nel
l
y-oh,t
heoneI
'
m supposet
oment
or.Shakat
old
meaboutyou.
Zee-umm Iwaswonder
ingifi
twouldbeokayi
fI
mov et
oday.Iknowt
heagreementwasMonday.I
j
ustthought
..
.
Nell
y-(smil
es)i
tokay,youdon'
thavetoexplai
n.I
t
woulddogoodt ogettoknoweachot herbef
orewe
star
tbeingseri
ous(Fr
owns)uhmm t heprobl
em i
s
I'
m notathome,I'
m atmymot her
shouse.
Zee-oh.
..uhm i
tfi
ne.
..
Nell
y-(
smili
ng)uhmm Okay,got
omypl ace,I
'l
ltext
youmycode, youwon'
tneedakey.Af r
iendofmi ne
wil
lcomeandpi cky
ouup,wehav i
ngabr aaihereat
home.Pleasecome,packyourt
oil
etr
iesandov er
ni
ghtbag.Doest
hatsoundokay
?
Zee-(
smil
es)yeah..t
hanky
ou.Shoul
dIbr
ing
anyt
hingf
orthebraai?
Nel
ly
-(smili
ng)uhmm y
oudon'
thav
etoo,
buti
fyou
want
,pleasebri
ngaj
arofar
char
.
Zee-okay.Pl
easesendmeyourapar
tmentl
ocat
ion.
Icangivetheuberdr
iver
.
Nel
l
y-okay
.By
e.

Shehangedup.
..
.

Ma'
Siwel
a-yaboyoual
mostdi
dn'
tanswerKant
iit
wasi
mportant.
..
Nell
y-hhey
itel
lmeabouti
t.MamaIneedt ocall
Lungi
eyandMbali
.Youwil
l cal
lyoursonsandSi
mi.

Nel
l
ywenttotheli
vi
ngroom t
omaket
hecall
s.
Ma'
Siwel
awenttothebedr
oom t
omakehercal
l
s.
ATCOLLI
SHEENESTATEBALI
TO

Weddi
ngr
ecept
ion.
..
Chor
usx2

Webhut
iwebhut
i
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe
Webhut
iwebhut
i
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe

Ver
se1
Ngi
thandanal
eway
Unguy
ongakhona
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe
Ngi
thandanal
eway
Ucul
angakhon
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe

Ehndi
hambanawe
Hei
ndi
hambanawe
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe
Webhut
indi
hambanawe,
Webhut
indi
hambanawe
Webhut
imi
nandi
hambanawe

Ver
se2x2
Ndaf
ikaendaweni
ngi
bonaabant
u
Ehhuf
ak'
umf
anawam
Ugcwel
'
umf
anawami
Ngat
hil
oyal
obhut
iloy
a
I
sokai
sokal
ami

Maf
iki
zol
owasbuzzi
ngt
hrought
hespeaker
sast
he
bri
deandgroom enter
edtherecept
ion,theyj
ust
camebackfrom taki
ngphotos.I
twasf unandjol
l
y
astheymadetheirwaytothei
rtabl
e..
.

Sane-(
smil
ing)ohmyGod,
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oumade
medoav osho.
Si
zwe-(
laughs)whi
chy
ouf
ail
edmi
ser
abl
ytr
yingt
o
doit
.

Theyl aughed,Sanewasr eal

lyhappy,al
thought hey
wer ealreadymar ri
edbut,nothi
ngcanbeatt hef eel
ofwear ingawhi tedress,danci
ngy ourwayinside
therecept i
on,justtheatmosphereaweddi ngbr i
ngs.
Shel ovedt hi
smanandshewi l
llov
ehi m unt
ilher
dyingday s.

Sizwe-(l
ooki
ngathersmi
l
ing)wedi
ditbabe.
(Kissi
ngherhand)
Sane-(
smi
l
ing)hel
lyeah,
wedonedi
dital
ri
ght
.
Si
zwe-(
laughs)whatEngl
i
shi
sthat
???Hhay
iIwant
myLobol
aback.
Sane-
(l
aughspl
ayf
ull
yhi
tt
inghi
m).
..Nel
l
ydi
dnot
come..
.
Si
zwe-(
sighs)Idi
dnotsendhert
hei
nvi
tebabe.
Sane-(
looki
ngathi
m)Sizwe,
yousai
dyoudi
d.Ij
ust
wantedustocl
eart
hings.
Si
zwe-(si
ghs)babeIjustfel
tli
keinv
iti
ngher
,it
woul
dlookli
kewer ubbingitonherface.
Sane-y
eahmay
bey
our
ight
..
..

MC-Djpausethemusic,counsel
lorKweyamawil
l
l
iket
oshareaf ewwordstothenewl ywedsandal
l
t
heotheryoungmarr
iedpupils.

Thei
rmar r
iagecounsel
l
orf
rom chur
cht
ookt
het
o
st
age..
..
.

Kwey
ama-sanibonani
, i
tal
waysnicet
oseeyoung
mentaker
esponsibi
li
tyandbecomefami
lymen.A
marriageisauni onoft woandi trequirest eam wor k
tostartandmai ntainahealthyrelationship.Howev er,
eachper sonhasar oletoplayont histeam ofl ove.
Youhav ehear dthephr ase“happywi f
e,happyl if
e”
andithappenst obet heoneoft hef ewt hingsthat
bothmenandwomencanagr eeonatal l ti
mesi na
rel
ati
onshi p.(
Laughs)Icanv oucht hatthiswor ksat
all
times.Al wayslistentoyourwi f
e.Li st
eni ngtoher
doesnotmeanshei sr i
ght,
buty oul i
stent okeept he
peace.Oncet hewomani shappy ,
thenev erybodyis
happy .

(Laught
erandaf
ewwhi
sper
ser
upt
sfr
om t
he
guests)

Kwey ama-Div or
ceiny oungpeopleisver
yhigh.I
t
wouldbeeasyt oblameourhi ghrat
eofmar i
tal
fai
lur
eont hingslikenotspendingenoughquali
ty
ti
met ogether,al
lowingbitt
ernessandresent
mentto
buil
dinourhear tsandf ai
li
ngtokeep
communi cationli
nesopen, whichyouyoungpeople
aregui l
tyoftheseal ot.Ther e’snoendt obooks,
arti
clesandsemi nar sthatt elly ouhowt oimpr ove
theseandmanyot heraspect sofy ourrelati
onship,
butthesear ejustbooks, ital lupt othecouple.But
whilequal i
tyti
me,f orgivenessandcommuni cati
on
arevital
lyimportantt ocr eat ingahappymar r
iage,i
f
sucht hingsaren’
thappeni ng, i
t’susuall
yasi gnofa
muchdeeperpr oblem.Andunt ilt
hisproblem is
addressed, noamountofext ernalbehavi
or
modi fi
cationwil
lwor k...

Nt ombi l
ooksatSbani ast hecounsel lorwor dsr i
ng
i
nherhead.Si pholooksathi sbrother ,i
nev erything
thatt hepastorhassaidev ery
onewast ouched, y
ou
coul dnothelpbutdoasel fi
ntrospect i
onbutnot
Sbani .Sbaniwasjusthisemot ionlesssel f.He
l
ookedbl ankandnotmov edev enonebi t.Bless
l
ookedathi sfri
endandt hanNt ombi ,hesi ghed
feelingsorryforher
.Hisf ri
endhasr eachedt hat
l
ev el of"
done"Hehadhopemay bewat chinghi sli
tt
le
sistergetmar ri
edandlistentoaf ewspeaker s,he
woul datleastconsiderrethi
nkingt hiswhol et hi
ng,
whatsupri
sedBlessalsowasNtombisreacti
on,she
l
ookedtouchedbutitonlywasf
orjustasecond.He
st
art
edt owonderift
hereismoret
ot hesetwothan
whattheyl
ett
ingon..
..

Sbaniexcusedhimselffr
om thetabl
eandwent
outsi
de.Het ookouthisphoneanddail
edNel
ly
s
number..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Nell
yandhermom wer ebusyprepari
ngsal adsand
sett
ingthetable.WhenNell
ysphonev i
br at
ed,she
l
ookedatt hescreenandsawhisname, shesighed,
shereall
ydidnotwanttospeakt ohimr i
ghtnow,
especial
lybecauseofhowheismaki ngherf eelat
themoment ,shedecli
nedthecall
,putt
ingherphone
onsilent
,hermom lookedather..
Ma'
Siwel
a-andt
han?
Nel
l
y-l
utho.
.

Shet
ookt
hepl
atest
othel
i
vingr
oom.
..

ATCOLLI
SHEENESTATEBALI
TO

Sbanikepttr
yingherphonebuti
tjustkeptr
ingi
ng
unanswered,Siphocameandstoodbehindhim..
..

Sbani
-comeon,
pickupt
hephone.
..
Si
pho-(
annoy
ed)y
ougott
obef
ucki
ngki
ddi
ngme.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t29

ATCOLLI
SHEENESTATEBALI
TO
Hedroppedthecallandtur
nedl
ooki
ngathi
sbrother
.
Hewasalreadyir
ri
tated,
hecoul
dfeelhi
sbr
other
wasgoingtoir
ri
tatehim ev
enmore.
..
.

Sbani
-(annoy
ed)canIhel
pyou.
..
.
Sipho-(i
rr
atat
ed)real
ly
??Youjustgoi
ngtost
and
thereandseenothingwrongwit
hwhatyoudoing.
.
Sbani-whatam Idoi
ngvel
e?AsfarasIam
concernedIwasmakingacal
l.
Sipho-(
sarcast
ical
l
ylaughs)donottr
ytobesmar t
.I
knowy ouwerecall
ingher.Di
dyouhavetoleave
yourwifeandcomemakeacal l
toyourmistr
ess?
Sbani
-(annoyed)shei
snotmymi str
ess.Fory
our
owngoodr ef
rainyour
sel
ffr
om call
i
ngherany
names.
Sipho-(
shaki
nghishead)y
ouevendefendi
ngt
his
gi
r l
now,wow!!!Youneedt
ost
opthisnow.Whatwil
l
peoplesay?
?
Sbani-(annoyed)youknowasfaraspeopl
ear
e
concernedIjustexcusedmysel
ffr
om thet
abl
e.But
becauseSbanisgodmotherdecidedtofol
l
owhim,
nowy ouhavemadeitathing.JustsoyouknowIdo
notgiveafuckwhatpeopl
et hi
nkorsay.
Sipho-assoonasthi
sinf
atuat
ionf
orthi
sgir
ldi
es
downandy oureal
i
sesheisnotall
that,
yougoi
ngto
rememberme.
Sbani
-Iwoul
dnotcountont
hathappeni
ng.
..
Sipho-It
hinkitwoul
dbebesti
fshest
opwor
kingf
or
us.Iheardtheywantheri
nCapeTown.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)getov
ery
our
sel
f,nxi
!

Hewasaboutt
owal
koutwhenSi
phospoke.
..
.

Si
pho-Iwonderwhatwi
l
ldadsayaboutherl
i
ttl
e
cl
ubinci
dent
..
.

Sbanistoppedandlookedathim,howdi dheknow
aboutlastni
ght.Helookedathim oncemoreand
real
i
sedgonewast heinnocentbi
gbrotherSi
pho,
t
hemannowi nfr
ontofhim wasascol
dashewas.
Whathappeni
ngher
e?..
.

Sipho-(
star
ingathim)ohy esl
itt
lebr
other,Iknow
aboutyourwhereaboutsyest
erdayni
ght.(Walking
cl
osertohim)sheneedst ogo,sheiscloudingyour
j
udgementandt hreat
eningyourmarri
age..
.
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)f
ucky
ou.
..
Si
pho-l
ethergoor.
..
.(si
ghs)Iwi
l
lshowdadher
vi
deo.
..
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)
youwoul
dn'
t..
.
Si
pho-Tr
yme.
..Iwonderwhatwi
l
lthecl
i
ent
sthi
nk.
..
.

Sbani
movesfrom hi
m shakinghi
shead,hetakes3
st
epsandtur
nsbacklookingathi
sbrother
..
.

Sbani
-Ihopey
ouknowwhaty
ouj
ustst
art
ed.
..
.
Sbani walksbackinsi
de,bumpingShakainthedoor
,
Shakal ookedatSbaniface,hel
ookedpissedand
readyt omurdersomeone.Hehasnev erseenhim
thisangry.Sbanihasal
way shadangeri
ssuesbuthe
i
sbet ternow,looki
ngathim nowShakawasnotso
sureany more.ShakawalkedoutandfoundSipho
standingoutside.
..
.

Shaka-(
looki
ngathi
m)dude,
utheni
kuSbani
?
Si
pho-Ij
ustsav
edhi
smar
ri
age.
Shaka-(
conf
used)huh?
!.
.
Si
pho-(
sighs,
pat
ti
nghi
shoul
der
)seey
oui
nsi
de
ki
d..
.

Hewal
kedawayleav
ingShakast
andi
ngt
her
eev
en
mor
econfused.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
de.
..
.
Sbani
spottedBlesschat
ti
ngtosomewoman,he
wasprobablyt
ryingt
oscore,
hewalkedupt
ohim..
.

Sbani
-(f
akesmil
e)heybeaut
if
ul,
canIst
eal
himf
or
j
ustaminute.
.
Gi
rl
-(bl
ushes)okay
..
.

Sbanif
akedsmil
eagai
nandwinkedatt
hegi
rl
makingherbl
ushev
enmore.Theymovedf
urt
her
fr
om her.
..

Bless-duder
eal
l
y??YourAdoni
ssel
fiski
l
li
ngmy
game.
Sbani
-(st
ari
ngathi
m)Ineedy
ourhel
p
Bl
ess-(
ser
iousf
ace)whati
sit
?
Sbani
-(gav
ehi
mthel
ook)
Bl
ess-(
shocked)Sbani
!!
!No.
..
.
Sbani
-(gav
ehi
mthel
ookagai
n)
Bl
ess-
(st
ari
ngathi
m)who?
Sbani
-(st
ari
ngdi
rect
lyathi
m)Si
pho.
..
Bl
ess-(
shocked)nowayman,
hei
syourbr
other
.
Sbani
-youwon'tki
llhi
m,justhav
ehi
m host
ageunt
il
IgetwhatIwantfr
om him.
Bl
ess-l
etnott
alkher
e,t
oomanyear
sli
steni
ng.
Sbani
-okay
.

Blesswentbackt othegir
lhewasf li
rti
ngwi th,whil
e
Sbani wentbackt othei
rtable,
findi
ngSiphosi t
ted,
hesatdownandpour edhimselfwhiskey.Sipho
l
ookedathi m wit
hthe"dot heri
ghtthingface"whi l
e
Sbani smirkedathim.Thissomehowdi dnotsi twell
withSipho, atsomepointtheythoughtSbani was
bipolar,
butt hedoct
ordiagnosedhim wi t
hjustanger
i
ssues, andf orhi
mt oatt
endangermanagement
classes.Heknewhi sbrothercanbet hedev il
himselfifhechoset obe,butnowwasnott het i
me
todoubthi mselfhehadt oshowhi sbrotherhe
meantbusi ness..
..
ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Mthokowasprepar
ingthemeat
,whi
ledr
inki
nghis
canofcast
lel
i
ght.Nell
ycametohi
m wit
hmor e
meat.
..

Nel
ly-Baf
owehav emoremeat,Nhl
anhl
abought
por
kchops,Ihav
ealreadymar
inat
edit
.
Mthoko-okay
,Iwi
llbraai
thepor
ksepar
atel
y
becausesomepeopledonoteati
t.
Nell
y-yeahIwasabouttosaythat
.Ishouldtel
l
Nhlanhl
atocomehel pyouher
e,akenzil
uthoinsi
de
thehouse.Justbusychat
ti
ngupast or
m with
Lungiey
.
Mt
hoko-(
shakeshi
shead)whyam Inotsupr
ised.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
det
heki
tchen.
..
.
Ma'Si
wel
ahandedMa'Nxumaloagl
assofcool
dri
nk
andtwochocol
atebr
ownies.
..

MaSiwel
a-(
smil
es)her
eyougodar
li
,snackont
hese
whi
lewewaitf
orthemeat
.
MaNxumalo-(smiles)
Ngi
yabongasthandwa,heh!!
Whenwast helastti
mewewer etogetherl
i
kethis?It
beent
oolong.
MaSi
wel
a-t
rue,It
hinkwelastgott
ogetherwhenwe
wer
ecel
ebr
ati
ngNel l
yandSizwesengagement.
MaNxumal
o-(
sighs)Eyngobal
oyo,Idonotev
en
wantt
omenti
onhisname.Uyangi
dinanj
e.
MaSi wela-(
sighs)Ijustwishmydaughtercanallow
herselftohealfrom thi
s.Idonottr
ustthi
sfrontshe
i
sput tingup,Ifeeli
ttosoon.Shehasnotdealtwi t
h
thi
s,insteadsheswepti tundert
hecarpet.
MaNxumal
o-thatnotgood.(
Sighs)Lungi
eyis
Si
zwessi
ster
.Wef oundouttwomont hsback.
MaSi
wela-
(shocked)ohthi
xo!
!!
!Kanj
ani
?Imeany
ou
di
dnotknowallthi
stime.
MaNxumalo-(ashamed)Ey..t
hemannevertol
dme
hewasmar r
ied.Heranjustaf
terhef
oundoutIwas
pr
egnant
,Ineverreal
lyknewmuchabouthim.
MaSi
wela-(si
ghs)Nxi!Amadoda.
..Sheneedst
osit
downwithherfr
iend,i
thastobesoonthoughbut
your
ightnott
oday .
MaNxumalo-y
eah,(
biti
ngherbr
owni
e)hmmm
ashay
akhonalamakhekhe.

Thebot
hwomencont
inuet
olaughandcat
chup.
..
.

Out
side.
.

MbaliparksherPOLOTSI ,whenherandZenandetr
y
togetoutthecar,Tobicomesbarki
ngatthem,they
bothclosethei
rdoorandlaughateachother
..
..

Mbal
i-(
laughi
ng)Yhooot
hisbi
tchdi
dnott
ell
me
t
heyhaveadog.
Zenande-i
tyourf
ir
stt
imeher
e?
Mbali
-yeah,wejustrecent
lyst
art
edbeingfr
iends.
Letmecallher
,thereisnowayI'm exi
ti
ngmycar
wit
hthatbeastther
e...
Zenande-(
laughs)i
tqui
tebi
ghey
.ItaGer
man
shepher
d.

Mbalidial
sNel
l
ysnumber
,itr
ings3t
imesandshe
answers..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)st
handwa
Mbal
i-hhay
idonotst
handwame,
wozazobambal
o
mgodoyiwakho
Nel
l
ys-(
laughs)okayIam comi
ng.
..

Shehangsup,.
..
..Nel
l
ymakesherwaytothef
rontof
thehouse,
Tobismell
sherbef
oreshecancometo
view,
heisalr
eadywingl
i
nghistai
l
...
Nell
y-(
laughs,
brushi
nghi
shead)t
heyscar
edof
suchacutefel
la.
..

Nell
yreachesMbal
i
scarandst
andsnextt
ohercar
window..
..

Mbal
i
-hhay
imani
Nel
l
ychaset
hatt
hingaway
.
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)Idonotknowwhyy
ouscar
edofTobi
,
hewon'
tbit
ey ou.
Mbali
-(shaki
ngherhead)youevengavethedoga
name,youpeopl
ear et
oowhi t
eformyliki
ng.Backat
east
erncapeeverydogtherei
sspooti
e...

Theybothburstoutl
aughing, Zenandeget
soutof
thecarwit
hhersmal l
ov ernightbagandaf ew
goodiest
heyboughtwi t
hMbal i
.Nell
ymakesher
waytowher esheisstanding..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
oumustZenande?
Zee-(
smi l
es)y
es.Ni
cet
omeety
ou.(
Giv
esherhand
forashake)
Nell
y-(
smil
eshuggingher
)handshakesaret
oocol
d
formyli
ki
ng,theyonl
ymeantforpeopl
eyoudo
busi
nesswit
h.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)under
stood.Youhomei
sver
ybeaut
if
ul.
Nel
ly
-(Laughs)whenyouseemymom t
ell
hert
hat
.
Youwil
lfor
everbeherfav
ouri
te.

Thegirl
slaughast heymaket hei
rwayi nsi
dethe
house.TheyfindLungieyandNhl anhl
aintheli
ving
room havi
ngadeepconv ersat
ionassoonast hey
seethegirl
s,Lungi
eyst andsupandcomest owards
them..
.

Lungi
ey-Idi
dnotknowy
oui
nvi
tedot
herpeopl
e
Nell
y-(r
aisi
nghereyebr
ow)whatot
herpeopl
e?It
old
Mbalii
scomi ngandZenandet
hegi
rlIt
oldyou
about.
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)okaymay
bet
hatcameoutwr
ong.
(
Smi
l
es)(
looki
ngatZee)heyIam Lungi
ey.
Zee-ZenandeDl
ami
ni
Lungi
ey-(
looki
ngatZee&Nel
l
y)y
out
wol
ookal
i
ke
yazi
.
Mbal
i
-Iagr
eewi
thy
out
her
e.

Nhl
anhl
awal
kst
othem.
..

Nhl
anhl
a-(
smi
l
es)l
adi
esni
yaphi
l
a?.
..
Mbal
i
-(smil
es)yes,
Nhlanhl
aright
?Iknowwemetat
t
hehospi
talbuti
twasnotthatfor
malgreet
ing.

Lungi
eyf
rownsathowMbali
issmi
l
ingatNhl
anhl
a,
shemovescl
osert
ohim.
..

Nhlanhl
a-(
smiles)y
esmyl ady.Youmustbethe
bubblyMbal
i.(
LookingatZee)hell
oyoungl
ady.
.
Zee-sawubonabhut
i.
..
Nhl
anhl
a-(
smi
l
ing)y
oudef
ini
tel
ylookl
i
kemysi
ster
.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)hhay
ishei
stoobeaut
if
ul.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)nonsense,
comel
etgogr
eetmy
mom.

Theyal
lmakethei
rwayt
ot heki
tchen.Nhl
anhl
a
goesout
sidet
ojoi
nMthoko..
.

Mthokowasbraai
ngthel
astbatch,t
hemeatshoul
d
bereadyint
henext30minut
es.Nhlanhl
awal
ksup
tohi
m, t
akeacanofcast
leli
ght
...

Nhl
anhl
a-(
smi
l
es)ei
taul
ti
mat
ebr
aai
mast
er.
Mt
hoko-(
notl
ooki
ngathi
m)sho
Nhlanhl
a-(
smiles)t
hereahotchicki
nside,
hername
i
sZenande,youshouldtr
yyourluck(
laughs)i
tti
me
yougetbackinthegameBafo.
Mt
hoko-(
tur
nst
hemeat
)okay
Nhl
anhl
a-(
looki
ngathi
sbr
other
)Baf
our
ight
?
Mt
hoko-(
sti
l
lnotl
ooki
ngathi
m)y
eah

Nhl
anhlasi
ghslooki
ngathi
sbr
other
,somet
hingi
s
def
ini
tel
ywrong.
..
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Theyal
lgat
heratt
hetabl
e,Simihasnotar
ri
vedyet
,
anemptychai
risl
eftf
orhernextt
oNhlanhl
a..
..

Lungi
ey-(
looki
ngatt
heempt
ychai
r)whoi
sthe
emptychairf
or?
MaSi
wel
a-Si
mi,
Ithi
nkshei
srunni
ngl
ate.

Nhlanhl
achokesonhissal
iva,
Lungi
eysti
ff
enson
herchai
r,Mthokonoti
cest
hechangeofbody
l
anguagefrom thebot
hofthem.Heshakeshi
shead.
Theyhearacarpul lup,
Tobi barksf orafewmi nutes,
Simi showsupl ookingbeaut i
fulasal ways.Dark
beaut y
, darktonedskin,perfectteeth,af
rohairand
hergor geoust hickbody.Shei swear i
ngal ongblack
fi
tt
eddr ess,blacksandals.Shegr eetseveryone,she
givesMa' Siwelaherbouquetoff l
ower s,t
akesher
seatnextt oherhusband, makingNhl anhlabe
betweenLungi eyandher. .
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)t
houghty
ouwi
l
ldi
tchus.
Simi-(
smiles)woul
dnotmi
ssitf
ortheworl
d.
(Looki
ngatZee)hawumahIthoughtNel
l
ywasyour
onlydaughter
.
Zee-(smi
l
ing)ohmyGod!
!!IguessIshoul
dgetused
tothi
s.Wehave2weeksofbeingtoget
her
.
Nel
ly-(
laughs)Si
mi,
Iam t
heonl
ydaught
er,
Zenande
i
sjustafri
end.
Si
mi-(
supr
ised)wow!
!!
MaSiwel
a-hhayienough,
Mthokogi
veusGr
ace,
ngy
afaindl
ala.
..
Theyal l hol dhandsasMt hokosay sprayer,afterthe
l
ittl
epr ay er ,
theyal lstartserv i
ngt hemsel v
esf rom
thev ari
ousmeatopt ionsandsal adsont het able.
Everynowandt hanaconv ersati
onwi llsparkup.
Most lyt heywer emor einterestedonknowi ng
Zenande, shewasgl adnobodyaskedherabouther
familyt hatonet opi
cshedi dnotwantt oengagei n.
Shef oundher selffreear oundt hem though, she
neverr eal lyfel
tl i
keanout sider.Shei snotapeopl e
personbutshef oundher selfenjoy i
ngMbal i
,Nel l
y
andnotf orgettingMaSi wela, shelovedt hemot herl
y
l
ov eshegotf r
om her ,somet hingshedef i
nit
elynot
usedt o.Ev erythingwasf ineunt i
l t
het wool dwomen
start
edt alkingaboutMt hokoandLungi eys
rel
ationshi p..
.

MaSiwela-Mysonhadaper
fectgi
rlhere,
(smi
l
es)I
st
il
lwishforhert
obemydaughteri
nl aw.
MaNxumalo-(
smil
es)Mthokosizi
wast hebestf
or
Lungi
ey,
theyl
ookedsocutetogether
.Comet othi
nk
ofi
t,Inev
ermetanyboyaf
terMt
hoko.
MaSi
wel
a-Yeah.
..Mt
hokonev
erbr
oughtanygi
rl
homeei
ther
.
Nel
l
y-Mom!
!!(
Shaki
ngherhead)
MaSi wela-(looki
ngatNel l
y)what?!
!!Iwant
grandchildren,Ihadhopewi t
hy ouandSizwebut
l
ookhowt hatturnedout.Nhl
anhlaandSimi t
ooar
e
taki
ngsol ong.LungieyandMt hokoweremy
favouri
te...
Si
mi-(smil
i
ng)actuall
yIhav
egreatnewstoshar
e
wi
thyouguy s.
..
.(l
ooki
ngatLungi
ey)Iam 6months
pr
egnant.
.

MaSi welascreamsget ti
ngupt hetable,singi
ng
j
oyussong.Sheki ssesSimi al
loverthef ace,maki
ng
herandev er
yoneexceptLungieyandNhl anhlal
augh.
Mthokol ooksatt hetwolovebirds,t
heyl ooksosour
ri
ghtnow.Nhl anhl
alooksshockedmor et han
anything.LungieylooksatNhlanhlawitht ear
s
thr
eat eni
ngt ocomeout ..
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)congr
atul
ati
onssi
si,
Si
mi-Ngi
yabongast
handwa(
smi
l
es)
Mbal
i
-youdonotl
ookpr
egnantt
hough.
..
Si
mi -(
smi l
es)yeahIcoul
dnotbel
ieveitt
oo.The
doctorssayitnormalt
hough,
theysaidIwil
lshow
probablyonmy7t hmonth.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)nowthaty
ouIl
ookaty
ou,
you
act
uall
yhavegai
ned
MaNxumal o-(
lookingatMaSi
wel
a)(
smi
l
es)
ngi
yakubongel
asi si.
..
Lungi
ey-(
standi
ngup)excuseme(
shewal
kst
othe
bathr
oom)

Theconver
sati
onconti
nuetofl
owaroundt
het
abl
e,
Nhl
anhlahasnotsai
danythi
ngyet
..
..

Nhl
anhl
a-(
standsup)excuseme
Hewal ksofftogol ookf orLungi ey,
Simi looksat
him andShakesherhead.Shedoesnotcar eabout
thatthei
rmar ri
agei smost l
ydone, sheaccept ed
l
ongagot hatNhlanhlal ovesLungi eybutt heleasthe
coulddoi slookexcitedf ortheirbaby .Nellysphone
vibrat
es,shelooksatt hecal l
erandi tSbani again,
shedecl i
nesit.Sheput sherphoneonsi lent.Her
mom l ooksather .Herphonesl ightsup,Sbani i
s
call
ingagain.Shedecl inest hecal l
again.Agai nher
mom l ooksather .Herphonesl ightsupagai n, t
his
ti
mei ndicat
ingthatshehasat extmessage.She
picksitupandr eadst het ext.
..

Sbani
"Idonotunder
standwhyy ourej
ect
ingmycall
s.Iam
outsi
deyourmothershouse.ComeoutorIcome
i
nside"

Sheget
supfrom t
hetabl
e,excusesher
sel
f,
for
get
ti
ngherphoneonthetabl
e,shemakesher
wayout si
det hehouseandspot shisJeepf ew
blocksawayf rom herhouse.Shesighsandwal ksto
hiscar.Meanwhi l
ehermom pi cksherphonef rom
thetablebeforei
tswi t
chesoffandr eadsSbanist ext
message, shegoest othecalll
ogandseest hathei s
theoneshehasbeenr eject
ingcall
sf r
om thewhol e
day..
.

I
nSbani
scar
..
.

Nell
y-(t
akingadeepbreat
h)l
ookwehaveasmall
gettoget
herinsi
de,
Icannotr
eal
l
ytal
kri
ghtnow.
Sbani-(l
ookingather)(st
ernvoice)youdi
dthis,
if
youjustanswer edmycallsIwouldnotbeher er
ight
now.Ngenzeni ?Wel ef
tthegym ongoodt er
ms,
hourslatermycal l
sarebeingrej
ected(r
aisi
nghis
eyebrows)

Nell
ylooksathi
m,hei
slooki
ngreal
lygood,shedi
d
notreal
lyt
akeagoodl
ookathim whentheylef
ther
house.Sui tsaremadef orhisbody.Shefound
herselffeeli
ngr eal
l
yhotr i
ghtnow,hisst
ernvoiceis
turningheron, makingherbeandance.Whydoeshe
hav ethi
saf fectonher.God!!Andwhenher ai
sedhis
browmaki nghissmal lscarvi
si
ble,hel
ookedsinful
ly
hot...

Nel
l
y-uhmm,
it.
..i
t.
..not
hing,
canwet
alkl
ater
..
.
Sbani-(
ster
nvoi
ce)NO.
..(
star
tedt
hecar
)(l
ocki
ngal
l
doors)
Nel
ly-(
hear
tbeat
ing)Sbani
wenzani
?Youcannot
dr
iveaway.
Sbani-(
rai
singhi
seyebr
ow)Icannot
?..
.weneedt
o
tal
k,Iam dr
ivi
ngtoy
ourplace.
Nel
l
y-(
heartbeat
ing)whatwr
ongwi
thy
ou?
(
Shout
ing)USANGENE!!

Sbanii
gnor
edherashecontinuedtodriv
e,Nell
y
hear
tpoundedasshethoughtoftheideawit
hbeing
wit
hhim al
one,
shefearedshewillnotbeabl
eto
resi
sthi
m.Shei
snotstupi
d,sheknowshewant
s
her,
thi
swasareci
pefordi
saster
..
.

Meanwhi
l
ebackatt
hehouse.
..

MaSi welaexcusedher selff

rom t
het able,shet ook
Nelly
sphonewi thher,asshemadeherwayt ot he
kit
chent ouset hebackdoort ogolookf orher
daughter,sheheardv oicesandawomansni f
fing
downt hepassage, shemadeherwayt hrought he
passaget oli
stenclearer,whenshegott here,she
recognizedthev oi
cest obehersonandLungi eybut
whatshehear dnext ,shewasnotr eady....
.

Seey
ouMonday
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t31

Thenextday
ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shel aidawakeinhi
sarms, t
hinki
ngabouty esterday,
shet racedhi
sarmswi t
hherfingers,hi
spalms, she
playedwi t
hhisfi
ngers,
thanshef el
tit,
hisri
ng,she
stoppedherf i
nger
s,herwholebodywentst if
f.He
wasawaket hi
swholetime,healreadyknowswhat
goingoni nherhead,hefear
edherr egret
ti
ngthis..
..

Sbani
-youar
eregr
ett
ingy
est
erday
?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)no.
..
.
Sbani
-but
??
Nell
y-Isl
eptwithanotherwomansman,
someones
husband,whatdoesthatmakeme?

Hetur nedheraroundmaki ngherfacehim, wrappi

ng
hi
sar msar oundherstil
l,
bringi
nghercloser.
Lookingathergor geousmor ni
ngface,hecoul d
nevergettiredofjustl
ookingather,i
fitwasnotany
cl
earernowi ti
s,hewasinlovewit
hher ,butthe
questi
onst
il
lremai
ns,
doesshef
eel
thesameabout
hi
m. .
.

Sbani-Iam notdenyingthatwhatwedi dwaswr ong

butthatisformet owor r
yaboutnoty ou,imina
oshadil
enoty ou.YounotNt ombi sfr
iends,t
herefor
e
youdonotoweheranyl oyal
ty.IwantedtowaitbutI
fai
led.Li
stenletnotdiscussthisnowandspoi lour
fi
rstmor ni
ngtogether.Letst
ayi nourbubblefornow.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)If
eel
dif
fer
entt
oday
..
Sbani
-di
ff
erentgoodIhope
Nel
l
y-y
eah.
..
Sbani
-(babyki
ssi
ngher
)youmywomannow.
..
Nel
l
y -(
laughs)noIam not
.Youl
ookgoodwheny
ou
smi
le.
Sbani
-youmakemesmil
e,y
outur
ningmesof
t
woman.Onl
ymydaught
ercandothat
.
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)yourfacej
ustl
i
tup,
shemustbe
somethi
ngspecial
Sbani
-(smil
es)sheis,
youwil
lmeetherwhent
he
ti
meisright
.Doy ouwantki
ds?
Nelly-I.
..(
sighs)Idon'
tknow,maybeIdo.Iwas
goingt ogetmar ri
edthanhaveababy,Ihadalready
startedgoingtof amil
yplanni
ngcl
asses,Iguess
aftertheSizwesaga, ababyisnotanoptionri
ght
now.
Sbani
-whydoy
oust
il
lhav
ehi
scl
othesi
nyour
cl
oset
?
Nell
y-Inot
icedtoo,
Iwasgoi
ngt
omai
lthem t
ohi
m,
orhavehim col
l
ectthem.
Sbani
-mai
lthem,Idonotwanthi
m her
e..
.(l
ooki
ng
ather
)doyousti
l
l l
ovehi
m?
Nelly-(
sighs)Iam notinlovewit
hhim anymore,hi
s
heartiswithyoursisterIhaveacceptedt
hat
.ButI
sti
llcareabouthim, atsomepointwewer efr
iends,
l
ov ers,
potenti
alsoulmat es,
Iguessitonl
ynormal
thatIcannothatehim.
Sbani-t
hewayy
out
alki
ngi
tli
ke,
hewasy
ourv
irgi
n
breaker
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sil
ent
).
..
.(l
ooki
ngathi
m)
Sbani-(l
ooksather )het
ooky ourvi
rgi
nit
y..
.wow! !
!
...
..
..(
Sternvoice)youneedtogetridofhisclot
hes
realqui
ck,thatwhyy ousti
l
lthinkabouthi
m, his
clot
hesar ehere..
.

Her emovedhisar msaroundher,helookedupthe

ceil
ingprocessingwhathejustheard.Hebrushed
hisfacewithhishands.Shecouldseehewas
i
rri
tated,
shesi ghedandgotup,sit
ti
ngont opofhim,
herhandsonhi schest
..
..

Nel
l
y-Iwi
l
lmai
lthem t
oday
.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)(
placedhishandsonherwai
st)i
fyou
don'
tIwil
lpuni
shy ou.
.
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)(f
eeli
nghishar
dboner)youcanbr
ing
whi
psandchains,(l
oweri
ngherbody,whi
sper
sin
hi
sear)f
uckhisfeel
ingofmybody..
.

Hequi
ckl
ytur
nedherov
er,
wit
hherscr
eami
ngand
gi
ggl
ing,gett
ingontopofher
.Theyt
rul
ywer
eli
vi
ng
i
nsi
detheirownbubble.
.

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Theywereall
gather
edatthebreakf
asttabl
e,Sbani
wastheonlyonenotpr
esentatthebreakf
asttabl
e.

Uncl
e1-Uphi
Sbani
sezwe?
Aunt1-(
looki
ngatNt
ombi
)makot
i
Nt
ombi
-uhmm he.
.
Bless-uhmmm aunt
yhehadanemer
gencyt
oat
tend
toearlythi
smor
ning
Aunt1-(
looki
ngatBless)ungubani
wena?Ubanil
o
mfanawesi l
ungu?Ngikhul
umanomakotimina?
Bl
ess-ngi
yaxol
i
saaunt
iei
fIdi
srespect
edy
ou.
MrZulu-i
tokayson.
..Iam sur
ehewi
l
lfi
l
lusi
n
abouthi
sabsencewhenhecomesback.
Sipho-(annoy
ed)whyar eweallacti
ngli
keasazi
ukuthiukephi
,Iam donedanci
ngt oSbani
stune.
Mr
sZul
u-(
repr
imandi
nghi
m)Si
pho!
!!
Ntombi
-(cryi
ng)mal
ume, Sbani
didnotsleephere
l
astni
ght,angi
maziukut
hukephi,hisphoneison
voi
cemai
l,(sni
ff
s)mymar ri
agei
sf al
li
ngapart.
..
Zandil
e-(l
ooki
ngatNtombi)Ntombi!
!!
!(Shaki
ngher
head)ayenzi
walent
ooyenzayosisi
.
Sipho-No..l
etherbe,
younott
heonemar
ri
edt
othat
self
ishbastar
d.
Shaka-Si
pho!!
!!IagreewithZandi
l
e,whatNtombi
is
doingi
snotright,shecannoti
ronhermarr
iage
probl
emslikethis.
..
.
Aunt1-hhhehh!
!!!Ni
thul
inj
eniy
azikut
hiukephi
Sbani,kodwakadengabonakuthi
wenaNoziwe(Mr
s
Zul
u)uy amutot
osauSbani
Uncl
e1-(l
ooki
ngatMrZul
u)whenSbani
get
shome,
wewill
haveafamil
ymeet
ing.
..
Shaka-(l
ooki
ngatNtombi,ir
ri
tat
ed)t
herewil
lbeno
meeting,
Ntombisparentneedtobeher
ealso,si
nce
shedeci
dedtogetpeoplei
nvol
ved,i
tonlyfai
rher
par
entsareal
socall
edin.Wecannotjustt
akeher
si
deonlyi
nthismatt
er.
Aunt2-Thulawena(point
ingatShaka)uyingane,
wazi
ni ?Lebel
eusi
khulumelaisi
ngi
sila,awuzazi
kut
hi ungumZuluNxi!
!
Shaka-wi
thal
lduer
espectaunt
ie,
ngi
yazi
..
.
Aunt1-ayi
!
!!THULA!
!!Abani
laboj
ujukhul
uma
ngoba..
.

Ther ewast omuchshout inggoingon, emotions

wer ehigh,MrZululookedathi sfami l
ysil
ent,
disasterwasont heway .Theywer est i
l
larguingand
shout i
ngwhenSbani ent
eredt heli
vingroom
wear i
ngf r
eshclothes.Everyonewentqui etashe
stoodbef oret
hem wi thablankbor edface..
.

Sbani
-Sani
bona.
..

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE
MaSi welaandZenandehav ejustfinishedeating
breakfast,
Zeecl ear edt hetable.I
tbeen10mi nut
es
sinceSbani droppedherof f,
butshehasbeen
standingoutsidet hegat eli
keagi r
l t
hatsneakedout
nowscar edofent eringherhome.Shet akesadeep
breathandent erst hecodef orthegat e,sheenter
theyard,Tobi barksexci t
edlyather ,
shesmi les
brushinghisheadandner vouslygoesi nsi
det he
house.Shewal kst ot hequest i
onandf i
ndsZeeand
hermom i nt hekitchen. ..

Nel
l
y-Sani
bonani
Zee-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
osi
si
MaSiwel
a-Zeebabypl
easeexcuseus,
Iwi
l
lfi
nishup
her
e.
Zee-okayma.

Zenandeleavestheki
tchen,
MaSi
wel
asl
apsNel
l
yon
herri
ghtcheek..
.
MaSi
wel
a-uphumaphi
?
Nel
l
y -(
hol
dshercheek)ma,
Ihadanemer
gencywi
th
acl
ient
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
slapsheragai
n)l
ett
ryagai
n,uphumaphi
?
Nel
l
y-(
hol
dshernowr
edcheek)ma,
I
MaSiwel
a-(sl
apsheragai
n)ist
hiswhaty
ouar
enow?
Usul
alanamadodaashadi
le,
Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngdown)not
hinghappened.
..
MaSi wela-(holdingherwr ist)l
ookatt hi
s, buka
i
mi khubay akho, ubuy akondidwasf ebe.Nxi!
Yanginyany i
sat akey ourshitungi phumel eendli
ni
yam.Zenandewi ll
best ayingher e,Iwilldropher
everydayaty ourwor kpl ace.Idonotwanty ou
teachinghery ourf i
lt
hyway s..
..

I
tshor
tthatbecauseI
'
m atwor
k..
.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t32
ATMASI
WELAHOUSE

Nel
lygoestohermomsbedroom, shef
indsher
r
esti
nginherbedwit
habiblei
nherhands.She
t
akesadeepbreathgoest
ositnexttoher.
..

MaSi
wela-y
oust
il
lher
e..
.di
dInotasky
out
oleav
e
myhouse.
Nell
y-(
sighs)y
oudi
d,butIhavesomethi
ngt
osay
,
youdonothavetot
alkj
ustli
stenpl
ease.
MaSiwela-(
shouti
ng)NO.
.!
!!Iam angryri
ghtnow,
canyoujustgi
vemespace, canyoudot hat
.Youand
yourbr
otherwil
lsendmetomyear l
ygrave.
..
Nell
y-(
looki
ngather
)okay
.ButMom,Zenandehas
tocomewi t
hme.Somethi
ngsIwoul
dhavetoteach
herathome..
..
MaSi wel
a-uf
unakungidi
na??Ufunamoy awami?I
toldyouZenandest
ays.Youwil
l t
eachherthose
thingsher
einmyhouset hanl
eaveaftert
hat.Now
pleasecel
auhambe.
Shesighedandwal kedoutherr
oom,shehates
disappoi
ntingher
,hermom isherbi
ggestsuppor
ter
,
shemakesherwayt otheguest
room f
indi
ngZee
l
ay i
ngont hebedbusyinherphone.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)knock!
!CanIcomei
n?
Zee-(
sit
ti
ngup)y
eah,
Nel
l
y-unj
ani
?
Zee-(
smi
l
es)Iam okay
,undert
heci
rcumst
ances.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Iam sor
ry,y
ouhadtowit
nesst
hat.I
f
t
hedr amaistoomuchf oryou,
Iwoul
dunder
standi
f
youfi
ndanewment or.
Zee-(smil
es)yourpersonal
affair
sdonothave
anyt
hingtodowi t
hy ourworksisi
,Shakasaysyou'
re
thebestandIbeli
evehim.Doy out hi
nkyourmom
wil
lforgi
veyourbrot
her?
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)Mybr
other
?
Zee-ohy
oudonotknow.
..
.Ipr
obabl
yshoul
dnotsay
any
thi
ng.
Nel
l
y-t
ell
meIwi
l
lfi
ndoutany
way
.
Zee-yourf
ri
endLungi
eyi
spr
egnant
,andy
our
brot
herist
hefat
her.
Nell
y-(shocked)Lungieyispregnant
!!
!Nowonder
theglowonher .
...
.(t
hinki
ng)whywoul dmom hav
ea
probl
em ifMthokoi sthefat
her,shepract
ical
l
y
worshipsthem together
.
Zee-becauseMt
hokoi
snott
hef
ather
..
.
Nel
ly-I
fheisnotthef
athert
hanwhoi
s..
..
..
..(
gasps,
hol
dinghermouth)Nhl
anhla
Zee-(
noddi
ng)y
eah.
Nell
y-ohmyGod! !!Si
mi ?Ohgod,whathasLungi
ey
done..
.MthokoJesus, thi
smustbekil
li
nghim,my
brot
herisverysensit
ive..
.(t
aki
ngherphone,
dail
i
ng
hi
m) Ohgod..
.

Thephonekeptonri
ngi
ngandr i
ngi
ngbutnoone
answer
ed,shedai
ledMthokonumberagai
nbutt
he
samethi
nghappenedagain.
..
.
ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Aunt
1-bukanj
e,nor
espect
,ihl
oni
phoay
ibonwal
a
Uncl
e1-(
looki
ngatSbani
)weneedt
otal
kndodana.
Aunt
2-hl
alaphansi
,ungasi
mel
isi
badal
akuwe
Uncle2-Chandodana,gotothel
oungewewil
ltal
k
there.Fornowwewi l
lnoti
nvol
vethewomeni
nour
discussion.Si
pho,
Shakafol
lowus.
MrsZul
u-(
gett
ingup)Iwi
l
laskMav
ist
opr
epar
e
i
ti
yeandbr
ingtoyou.
Aunt
2-hehehe!
!!Kant
iubaf
ouganeuMav
is
Aunt1-Mxm t
hisonei
stooEngl
ish,
hersi
sterwas
theperf
ectwi
feformybrot
her
,
Uncle2-Makot i
kul
ungil
ewedonotneedt hetea,
phumul aitbeenalongmor
ning.Ungabanaki
laba
sebadlulel
angokukhul
uma.
Themenmaket hei
rwaytotheli
vingroom,thetwo
aunt
sleftt
hetabl
ewhil
eshouti
nghowMr sZuluis
notgoodenough,
andherspoi
ltkids.MrsZulu,
Zandi
leandNtombicl
eart
hetable..
.

Zandile-(l
ookingatNt ombi )youhavedugagr ave
thati
st oodeepf oryousi si.Imaynotknowal l y
our
mar i
talproblemsbutIknowt hatt
hingsar enotdone
thi
sway ,youembar r
assedy ourhusbandaswel las
mamanobaba.I ftheprobl emsarebi ggerthany ou,
youcoul dhav esatmamanobabadownf irst,
pour
outev ery
thingwithyourhusbandpr esent.Thani f
theproblem isbiggerthant hem, i
twoul dforce
babashandt ocallbothfami li
estositdown.Iam
verydisappointedinyousi si,It
houghty ouhear dme
whenIt alkedtoy outheot herday.
Ntombi-Ifeell
i
kenoonei sonmysi de,y
oual lhav
e
noti
cedSbanisstr
angebehav i
ourbutnoneofy ou
guysrepri
mandedhim,butIgetit,
heisy oursonit
onlyfai
ryoutakehi
sside.Iam shockedaty ouZah,I
thoughtyouweremyfriend,It
houghtyou
underst
oodmysi t
uati
onbetter.
Mr sZulu-(l
ookingatNt ombi )youar emydaught er
andIl oveyou.ButIam hur tbyy ourwor ds.Nt ombi
hav eyoueversatdownandt alkedt omeabouty our
problems,theonl ytimeInot i
cedTensi onbet ween
yout wo,wast hedayweal lhaddi nnerandy ou
talkedaboutthepr egnancyi ssueandr esigningat
wor k.AsfarasIknowt hattheonl yproblem y ou
hav e.NowIam st ar t
ingtothi nky ouguy scameback
from Chinawithpr oblemsIdonotknowof f
.Your
problem hasalway sbeencommuni cati
onNt ombi ,
youexpectt obeunder stoodatal l t
imes,youdonot
wantt obetoldorl istentowhatt heotherper soni s
say i
ng.Ntombi themosti mpor tantpar tofmar r
iage
i
st oensurey oust aymar ri
ed.Youst aymar riedby
ensur i
ngthatyoucommuni cat e,y oupray,be
thankfulandbesat i
sfiedandcont entwithy ourself
.
Rightnowy ounotdoi nganyoft hese.Icannot
commentaboutSbani becauseIdonotknowwhat
i
shappeni ng,butIwi llsaythis, hei sfai
li
ngasy our
husbandy oubot har e..
.
Zandil
e-si
siwearenotfr
iends,wearesist
ers,
we
arefamil
y.Yourpai
nismypai n.Onet
hingIwil
l
neverdoi snottellyout het ruth,Iwillalwaysgiveit
toyour aw.Iam notper f
ect ,mymar ri
agei snot
perfectbutwhenIam i npubl i
cIdonotwearmy
problemsonmyf ace,thatwhatwewomando, we
keept hehomeandf amilyt ogether.Menar e
naturall
ystupid,y
oudonotputev eryt
hi ngontheir
shoulders,heistheheadandy ouar et heneck,you
bothneedeachot her ,
youcannotf uctionwithout
eachot her.Thati
smar riagesi si
, Ihopey ouchange
yourbehav iourf
ort hebet ter.Iwantt oseey ouguy s
happyagai n.
MrsZulu-(l
ooki
ngatZandi
lepr
oudl
y)Ntombibaby
l
ist
entoy oursi
ster
.Welov
eyou,weli
ketoseeyou
happy
.
Zandi
le-atl
eastheisnotcheat
ing,
Iam sur
eyou
cansortyouri
ssuesout.
..
.
Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)Ineedt
omakeaphonecal
l
.

Shewal
ksoffl
eavi
ngMrsZuluandZandi
l
e,t
hesi
gh
andf
ini
shcl
eari
ngthet
abl
e..
..
Att
hel
ounge.
..

Themenar eallseated,t
heyhavepoured
themsel
veswhi skey,t
heyhavebeenhav i
ngli
ght
conver
sati
onsnot hi
ngclosetowhattheywantto
tal
kabout.Sbanilooksathi
swat chandhisphone.
Hesighsandput sthephonebackinsidehis
pocket
..
..

Si
pho-yi
nsiyakubhor
a?Youkeepl
ooki
ngaty
our
watchandphone.
Shaka-(
looki
ngatSi
pho)dudenotnow,
arey
ounot
ti
redofargument
s.
Sbani
-act
ual
l
yyesIdoneedt
obesomewher
eNxi
Uncl
e1-okayletnotbeataroundthebush.Sbani
we
ar
eherebecausemakot ihasbroughttoour
at
tent
ionthatthi
ngsarenotokayi ny
ourhouse.
Uncle2-weal sonoti
cedthatyouwerenotpresentat
breakfast
,itwasalsobroughttoourat
tent
ionthat
youdidnotsl eepathome.Ngabekukhonainkinga
ndodana?
Sbani-(
calm)whatexactl
ydidmywifesaythe
probl
em is.Iwoul
dli
ketoalsoknow.Iam j
ustas
curi
ous.Pleasedoenl
ight
enmebomal ume.

Theuncl
elookateachot
her
..
..

Si
pho-ohstopwit
htheact
,(l
ooki
ngathi
sfat
her
)
Sbani
issl
eepingwit
hNell
y
Shaka-(
looksatSbani
)what
!!
??
MrZul
u-Si
phot
hati
sser
iousaccusat
ions.
Uncl
e1-isthatwhyyouhaveprobl
emswit
hmakot
i?
I
sitbecauseofthi
saffai
ryouhavi
ng.
..
Sbani-Ihavenodoubtt hati
tobv i
ousthatIam t
aken
byMi ssSiwela,
itnosecret,butNo,sheisnott
he
reasonfortheproblemsinmymar ri
age.NowIdo
notknowwhatmywi fehastoldyou,wedohav e
problems,Ihavetri
edt ocommuni cat
ewithmywi f
e
butmyef fort
shavebeenshutdown.Nowmy
brotherSi
phohast hisobsessionofmeddlingi
nmy
busi
nessandIdonotl
i
kei
t.
Uncl
e2-Siphowhatyourr
oleiny
ourbrother
saffai
rs?
WenaSbani whatar
eyourint
ent
ionsaboutthi
s
womany outal
kabout?
Sipho-myrol
eistoshowhimtheri
ghtway,whathe
i
sdoi ngi
snotri
ght.Heisamarr
iedman.Wecannot
all
owSbani t
opersuethi
swoman,Shakai
staken
toobythi
swoman.
MrZul
u-Shaka?
?Ut
hini
wena?
Shaka-(l
ookingatSbani)ittr
uebaba.Il ikeherbut..
.
(si
ghs)IthinkSbanili
keshermor e.Iam justafri
end
toher.Idonotagr eetoSbanihav ingherashis
mistr
esst hough,sheismoret hant hat
.(Lookingat
Sbani)Ihopey oudotherightthing.
Uncle1-spokenlikeatrueZul
u,ShakandodanaIam
proudofy ou.Usukhuli
l
e,butaZulumandoesnot
backdownf r
om af i
ght.Whyyounotfi
ghti
ngforher
?
Shaka-(Laughs)Iam notbacki
ngdownmalume,
but
(l
ookingatSbani,noddi
ng)Iwouldl
iket
oseeher
happy,sheisveryspeci
altome.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatShaka)baf
o,I
..
.
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)i
tfi
ne.
..i
donotwanty
oucr
ying
now..
.

Themenl augh, Sbanil

ooksatShaka, somepar tof
him hurt
sal i
ttle,Shakagiv
eshimt hel ookof
approval
,hehasseent hewaySbani l
ooksather ,he
knowshewi l
lmakeherhappy ,heknowsshecan
makehi sbr otherhappy .Hehasseent helookhe
haswhenhei sar oundher,heishappy ,heiscal
m.
Heneedst hat.Shakawoul ddoany thingforhis
brot
her,any thingl i
keevenhelphisfatherbribethe
doctortofakedi agnosehisbrother
,justsohedoes
notfeell
ikeanabnor malhumanbei ng.Hesi ghs
l
ookingathi m.Hewi l
ldiewit
ht hi
ssecr et
...

Si
pho-Icannotbel
i
evet
his.
.askhi
m wher
ehewas
l
astni
ght?
Shaka-Si
pho!
!!
MrZul
u-Sbani
,wher
ewer
eyou?Youknowt
heman
oft
hehouseshoul
dnotsl
eepout
sidehi
shome.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatSi
pho)Iwasoutf
ixi
nghi
smess.
MrZul
u-whatmess?
Sbani-(l
ookingdi
rectl
yatSipho)Si
phodruggedMi
ss
SiwelaFri
daynight,heusedthedat
erapedrugon
her,sheactedoutwi t
hthegentl
emanshewaswi t
h,
Siphohasthisallonvideo.
Si
pho-(
shocked)(
looki
ngathi
sdad)I
..
.
Shaka-WHAT?
??
uncl
e1-i
ni?
..
..USANGENESi
pho
Uncl
e2-whatt
hemeani
ngoft
hisSi
pho?
MrZul
u-(l
ooki
ngatSi
pho)masi
mbamani
lawa?
SI
PHO.??
??
Sbani -(
pokerface)Itbestthathehandst hevi
deot o
meandal li
tcopies,Iwill
hav eBlessgotalkt
ot he
clubmanagert oer asethef oot
age.MissSiwelais
alreadysuspici
ousbutImanagedt ostal
lher
yesterday,wecanav oi
dal awsuitandanychargesif
Hehandsmet hevideo,weneedt odestr
oyit
i
mmedi atel
ybaba.
Shaka-(l
ooki
ngatSi pho)Icannotbel
i
evey ouman..
(l
ookingatSbani)Iknowaguywhocaner aseany
exi
stenceofthev i
deoonhi scl
oudaccount,t
hati
f
hekeptacopyt here.
Uncl
e1-(
shaki
nghishead)Si
phoy
ouwi
l
lhandt
he
vi
deotoyoubr
other.
Uncle2-Youshoul
dthankyourbr
other,
Nxi
!!
!Iam
ashamedt ocal
lyouaZulu.Whydidyoudothi
s?
Sbani-Iwil
ltelly
oulat
ermalume,ri
ghtnowIneed
theVideo,Shakacally
ourguy.Dadineedyouto
accompanySi photohishouseandmakesurehe
givesyouthev i
deoanditcopi
es,Bl
essandIwil
l
foll
owy ouafterwecomebackf r
om tal
ki
ngtothe
clubmanager ..
.

Theuncl egotupshakingthei
rheadsin
disappoint
mentast heymadetheirwayout
side,
Sbani l
ookedatSiphoandsmi r
ked,Si
phowasabout
topasshi m,whenSbani st
oppedhim..
.
Sbani
-(smi
rked)Checkmat
ebr
other
..
.

Si
phobumpedSbani
sshoul
derwal
ki
ngpasthi
m..
.

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
ing)Igi
vei
tyoubr
o,y
ougood.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t33

I
nSbani
'
scar

Bl
ess-sodi
dSi
phor
eal
l
yher
.
Sbani
-(Shaki
nghi
shead)nah.
..Hei
snott
hatsmar
t.
Bless-(
Laughs)broy
our
eal
i
sedy
ouj
ustf
ramed
yourownbrother.
Sbani
-(shrugs)Ineededt
hevideo,
begladyoudon'
t
havet
oki dnaphim anymor
e,Iknowyoudidnot
wanttodoi t
.
Bl
ess-ofcour
seIdidn'
t,heisyourbr
other
.(Thi
nki
ng)
soi
fSiphodidnotdrugherethanwhodid?
Sbani
-Cr
aig,
Iguesshejustwantedtoscore,
Sipho'
s
peopl
esawanopportuni
tyandtheygrabbedit
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)di
dy ouseehi
sface.
..
.pr
icel
essbr
o,
sowhathappenedlastni
ght?
Sbani
-(r
aisi
nghi
sey
ebr
ow)
Bl
ess-(
laughs)ohcomeon,
Iknowy
ouwantt
otel
l
me.Youegoi son100%t
oday.
Sbani
-(Laughs)Ihadt
hebestf
uck,
shecandeep
thr
oatman.
Bless-(
eyesout)WHAT!!
!!
!(Laughi
ng)y
ooooo
yoooooluckybast
ard.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Iknow,
whenshecommandedmet o
l
ockeyeswit
hherasshehel
dmydick,
Idi
edther
e..
.
Bless-(env
ious)
(l
aughs)bro,canyouborr
owmeher
forjustadeepthroatsessi
on.Gagref
lexthi
ngs.
Sbani
-(bl
ankst
aresathi
m)
Bl
ess-Jesusi
tjustajoke.Howcany ouchange
emoti
onssofast.Thatshitai
n'
tnormalman.
Sbani
-(st
ern)shei
sof
fli
mit
sper
iod.
Bless-yeahyeah.
..di
dyougot
hewhol
eni
ney
ards.
(Lookingathim)
Sbani-(smiles)wehadapassi onatenighttogether.I
didhav ehertiedthough, It
hinkshel ikedit,my
fi
ngersbr ui
sedhert ighstoo,Igr abbedhert oti
ght.
(Lookingathi m)shel ooksadv enturousinbed, Igot
temptedgoi ngall9y ardsonherbutIr estri
cted
my sel
f.Ty i
ngherwasnotpar tofthepl an,buti
tjust
beent oolongsinceIhav eful
fil
ledmyur ges.You
knowwi t
hNt ombi Icouldnotdot hatbecauseofal l
theabusesheendur ed...
Bless-(
lookingathim)manj ustmakesureshe
understandsy ourpref
erences,youdonotwantwhat
happenedl astti
met orepeatitsel
f.
..(
worr
ied)Ihope
youwi l
lnottakeouty ourfrust
rati
onofbeing
restr
ict
edt hi
swhol eti
meonher ..
..
Sbani-(
sighs)itwon'
tgett
ot hat
..
..
..Icannev
erhur
t
her,
ilovehert oomuch.Herenergycalmsthe
fr
ustrat
edpar tofme.
Bl
ess-f
orhersakeIhopeso.
..
.Youintoodeepbro,
i
fshedropst
heballonyouIam af
rai
d,thedevi
l
i
nsi
dey
ouwi
l
lhav
eitwaywi
thher
.
Sbani
-Iwi
l
lnev
erhur
t.
..
.
Bl
ess-(
Laughs)Iwoul
dn'
twantmysi
sterdat
ingy
ou.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Iam notabadguy
,I'
mjustal
over
..
.

Theycr
ackuplaughi
ng,t
urni
ngupthevolumet
o
somegoodoldschoolNotor
iousBI
G..
..

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Nt
ombi
dai
l
shermom'
snumber
..
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

MaNgcobo-hel
l
o
Nt
ombi
-sawubonamama,
Isawy
ourmi
ssedcal
l
s..
MaNgcobo-Iwant
edt
oknowwhatt
imewi
l
lyou
ar
ri
vehome.Angit
handi
ushay
eleebusuku(
Idon'
t
wanty
oudri
vingatni
ght)
Ntombi-uhmmm mama,Ineedtosor
toutafew
thi
ngsregar
dingNoma,
Iwil
lleav
eherear
ound
16:30pm.
MaNgcobo-okay
,sayhi
tomkhweny
anaf
orme.
Nt
ombi
-(r
oll
sey
es)okay
..by
emama.

Shehangsup,
Nomacomesandst
andsnextt
oher
mom...

Nt
ombi
-(l
ooki
ngather
)whatwr
ongbaby
?
Noma-whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome?
Nt
ombi
-youhadaf
ightwi
thOwet
hudi
dn'
tyou?
Noma-(f
oldi
ngherar
ms)Idon'tl
i
keher,
sheisis
ugl
y,f
atandmean.Shedoesn'
twantt
osharethe
dol
ls.
Ntombi-(gasps)
(squat
stowardsher
)babyyoudon'
t
saythataboutotherki
ds.Sheisy
ourcousi
n.
Noma-(
armsf
olded,
tappi
nghersmal
lfeet
)
Ntombi
-(l
ooki
ngather
)youdi
dn'
tsayt
hosehur
tful
wordst
oherri
ght
?
Noma-Idid.Dadsai
dtoal
way
sbet
rut
hful
aboutmy
f
eel
ings.
Ntombi
-ohmyGod...Jeahwell
dadmeant .
..You
knowwhatdadi
snotalwaysri
ght.Gobackand
apol
ogi
sebaby?
Noma-(
Frowns)No.
..
Ntombi
-(shouti
ng)Iam goi
ngt
osmacky
ou,
go
apol
ogi
setoy ourcousi
n.
Noma-(st
ompinghersmal
lfeet
,angr
y)(
scr
eami
ng)
NOooooooo,
IWANTMYDAD. ..
Ntombi-(
Shout
ing)Tough!
!!Hei
snotHERENOW I
S
HE?..
..

Nomast ar
tedscreamingandcryi
ng,
Mr sZul
uand
Maviscomeinsidethebedroom t
ocheckwhat
wrong.
..
Mr
sZul
u-Ai
bo.
..
.whatal
lthi
snoi
sef
or?Noma?
Noma-(
cry
ingwi
thhi
ccups)Iwa.
.ntmyda.
..
MrsZulu-(
brushi
ngherback)okaybaby
,daddywent
toWashhiscar,hewi
llcomebacknownow.St op
cry
ing,
daddydoesn'
twanttoseehispri
ncesscry
now.
Noma-(sniff
s)Iwi
ll
ridei
ndad's(sni
ff
s)(
hiccups)
bi
g..
.car(Looki
ngatNtombi)
(fr
owns)mommywon' t
ri
dewithus.Shewil
lusehersmallugl
ycar.
MrsZul
u-(
Laughs)y
esbaby.
..Gowit
hAuntMav
is,
shewi
ll
giv
eyouabowloficecream.
..

Mavispi
cksNomaup, wi
pinghert
ear
sastheymade
thei
rwaydownstai
rs,
wit
hhertel
li
ngMav
ishowbig
herdad'
scari
s..
..

MrsZulu-(
looki
ngatNt
ombi)r
eal
ly?
??Wet
aki
ng
ourf
rustr
ati
onsoutona4yearol
dnow?
Ntombi-Shei
smi
sbehav
ing.
..whenNomai
sangr
y
she.
..

Befor
eshecoul
dfi
nishZandi
l
eent
ersherbedr
oom
i
rri
tat
ed.
..

Zandil
e-(
lookingatNtombi)y
oushoul
dst
op
spoi
li
ngthatchild.Shegotamout
hofa12yearol
d,
sheisabully
.
Mr
sZul
u-(
sighs)kwenzenj
an?(
Whathappened?
)
Zandil
e-NomacalledOwethu,
Fatandugly ,
just
becauseOwethurefusedt
ogiveheradoll.(Looki
ng
atNtombi)sor
tyourprobl
emsout,yourchil
ds
behavi
ourisget
ti
ngoutofhand.
Ntombi-Zahtheyj
ustkidsf
ight
ing,whyar
eyou
workedoutaboutt
his.Donotgetinvol
vei
nkids
matter
s.
Zandil
e-thi
sisnotaonet i
met hing.Nomai srude
Ntombi,shecal
ledanotherki
dy esterdaycrooked
teet
h,Iaskedhertoapologi
se,shef oldedherarms
sayingherdadt oldhertoneverapol
ogisefortell
ing
thetruth.Sbanineedstostopfeedi
ngherheadwi th
allt
hisunnecessar yl
if
elessons.Nomai ssti
l
ly oung,
shei snotusingtheselessonsthecor
rectway .
Ntombi
-Icannotdeal
wit
hhi
sri
ghtnow.
..Ihav
eto
goandpack.
..

Nt
ombi
lef
tthem st
andi
ng.
..

Zandi
le-(
annoyed)i
ftheydon'
tdi
sci
pli
net
hei
rchi
l
d,
Iwil
ldoitfort
hem.
Mr sZul
u-ohgod,.
..kwenzenj
ani kwaZul u?Ifi
tnot
theadult
squarr
eli
ng.Nowwehav ethekids
throwi
ngtant
rumsandact ingout .Il
i
terall
yhavejust
growngreyhai
r,t
hisweekendal one...
..

ATSI
PHO'
SHOUSE

TheI
Tguypacksupandget
sreadyt
oleav
e.He
cl
ear
edev
ery
thi
ngr
elat
edt
othev
ideo.
..

Shaka-(br
ohugstheguy
)thanksman,
Iwi
l
ltr
ansf
er
yourfeetoyou.
I
TGUY-pl
easur
edoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ouagai
n..
.

Theguybi
dsf
arewel
ltot
heel
der
s..
..
..

MrZulu-(St
ernv
oice)Idonotwantt
ohearoft
his
shi
tagain.
Si
pho-y
ebobaba.
..
.
Shaka-Idon'
tunder
standwhyy
oudi
dthi
s..
.
Si
pho-Idi
dn'
tdr
ugher
,Iwoul
dnev
erdot
hatt
oa
woman.
Uncl
e2-ohshutup.
..
.Youknowy
oudi
dit
,nowt
ell
us
why?
Uncl
e1-si
l
alel
e(wel
i
steni
ng)
Si
pho-(
looki
ngatMeZul
u)babay
ouhav
etobel
i
eve
thatIdi
dnotdrugher .
..
..Ihadherfoll
owed, Iwant
ed
tomakesureshest aysawayf rom Sbani ,
whenmy
guystoldmeshewasatacl ubandshewasmaki ng
outwithaguy,It
oldthem t ovideoher.Ididal
lthi
s
j
usttoshowhimt hatshei snotallthat,Ij
ustwanted
tosaveSbani
'smarriage.
Uncle1-ubhor
eki
leemshadweniwakho?(Isyour
marriagebori
ngyou?)Yousoboredthatyousti
ck
yournoseinyourbrot
hersaf
fai
rs.Ar
ey ouawoman,
doyouwearapad?
MrZul u-stayawayfrom Sbani
'
sbusiness,your
stupi
ddoi ngscouldhavecostusalotofmoney ,she
couldhav esuedus.NxIgrowthefuckup.If
Sbanisezwewant stofuckuphismarriage,
lethi
m.
Shaka-andIt
houghtIwast
hechi
l
dishone.
..

Theel
dersget
supf r
om t
hecouchandmaket
hei
r
waytothecar
.TheymeetBl
essandSbani
att
he
door
..
MrZulu-(
looki
ngatSbani
)itdone.
..
.howdi
ditgo
wi
ththeClubmanager?
Bl
ess-Sor
tedbaba.
Uncl
e2-(
smiles)Good.
...(
Looki
ngatBless)t
hank
youf
orbeingagoodf r
iendtoourson.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
ing)ar
eyougoi
ngt
oki
ssmenow?
Uncl
e2-(
Laughs)f
usek!
!!
!

Themenl augh,theel
dersgetinsidethecarand
dri
veoff,SbaniandBlessmaket hei
rwayinside
house.
..AssoonasSi phoseesSbani heangril
yget
s
upandchar gestowardshi
m, hewasaboutt opunch
hi
m butBl esshel
dhishand.
..

Bl
ess-Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hati
fIwer
eyou.
..
Si
pho-(
Shout
ing)GETTHEFUCKOUTOFMYWAY
Bl
ess-comet
hef
uckdown.
..
Si
pho-Yousetmeup.
..YouknowIdi
dn'
tdr
ugher
?
Shaka-y
ouhadt
hev
ideot
hough.
..
Si
pho-(
tur
ningt
oShaka)SHUTUP.
..
Shaka-NO,
YOUSHUTUP.
..
Bless-(shaki
nghishead)wi
ll
youguysjustsi
tdown,
youbr other
s,youshoul
dn'
tbefi
ght
ing.
..
Si
pho-Br
other
sdon'
tseteachot
herup.
..
Bless-(rol
lseyes)Yeahwellbrot
hersdothr
eaten
eachot hereit
her.Youchal
l
engedSbani andhe
reacted,beati
ngy oui
nyourowngame.Fi ni
sh!!
!!
Nowgetov erit
..
.Ineedadrink..
.(Goi
ngtothe
kit
chen)
Shaka-(
fol
l
owi
ngBl
ess)met
oo

Leavi
ngSbaniandSiphoi
nthelounge.Sbani
stood
ther
ewithhi
shandsinhispocket
swi t
hthati
rri
tat
ing
smirkonhi
sfacestari
ngatSi
pho..
.

Sbani-(smi
rki
ng)Ibeaty
ouatyourowngame,now
I
'm goingtocel
ebrat
ewithy
ourwhiskeyi
nyour
house.
..t
akenot
esbr
other
..
..

Hewinksathi
m headedt
otheki
tchen,
leav
ingSi
pho
f
umingwithanger
..
.

Notedi
ted.
..
[
11/
3,20:
46]Mar
cia:
Inser
t34

4day
slat
er.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Ma'Siwel
awaspr epar
ingtodri
veZenandet othe
off
ice,whenherphonevibr
ated,shepickedi
tupand
noti
ceitwasanunknownnumber ,sheanswered.
..
.

Ma'
Siwel
a-hel
l
o..
.
Man-(
deepv
oice)sawubonaMat
ho.
..
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
takesadeepbr
eath)ngi
ngakusi
zangani
Moses?(
HowcanIhelpyou)
Moses-whyar
eal
way
ssocol
dtowar
dsme.
Ma'Si
wel
a-ar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhaty
ouwantor
shoul
dIdr
opthi
scal
l?
Moses-(
sighs)Iwantt
otal
kaboutourdaught
er.
..
.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
ir
ri
tat
ed)whatdaught
er?
?
Moses-(smil
es)itwasherri
ght,att
herest
aur
ant
thatot
herday.Shetookyouli
ghtcomplexi
onbut
sheisverymuchherfather
'sdaught
er.
..
Ma'
Siwela-st
ayawayfr
om meandmydaught
er
Moses.Shedoesnotneedy
ouinherl
i
fe.
Moses-(
cal
m)itt
imesheknowswhoIam Mat ho,
it
ti
meshemeetshersi
bli
ngs.Youcannotkeepher
awayfr
om mefor
ever
.
Ma'Siwel
a-whyareyoudoi
ngthisMoses?,you
rui
ningmydaughter
'sl
if
e.Youhavebeendoing
greatwat
chingherf
rom af
ar.Whathaschanged?
Moses-whatgoodhasthatbr
oughtmehuh?She
hasbeenhurtbyt
hatgoodfornot
hingKhumal
oboy
,
nowshei
smakingbadj
udgementswi
tht
hatZul
u
boy
.Youcl
ear
lyneedmyhel
pwithher
.
Ma'Si
wela-(
Laughs)Ineedy ourhelp?Uyazi
zwa
kut
hiuthi
ni(areyouhearingyourself
)whatcany
ou
dowitha26y earold.Theonlythingyoucandoi
s
hel
pherbyst ayi
ngaway .Shehasal otgoi
ngon,you
wil
laddtothestress.
Moses-(
Shout
ing)well
Iwasn'taski
ngf
oryour
per
missi
onMatho.Itei
thery
ouhelpmewith
meeti
ngmydaughterorIdothingsmyway
.
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
fuming)FI
NE!
!!!Butwewi
l
ldot
hings
myway.Youwil
lwaitf
ormycall.
Moses-i
tbet
terbesoon.Iam notj
oki
ngher
e
Matho.
..
Ma'
Siwel
a-Nxi
!Nay
igul
ubebo.
..

Shehangedup,shesatdownonherbedandsai da
shor
tprayer
.Thiswasonemanshel ovedt hemost,
andhewast heonewhohurtherthemost .Eventhe
boysfat
herassweetashewas, sheneverlovedhim
l
i
keshel
ovedMoses.
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eint
heot
herr
oom.
..
.

Zenandewaschecki ngher selfont hemirror,she

wasgai ni
ngwei ghtal itt
le,howcanshenotwhen
Ma' Si
wel aisf eedi ngher eev erychancesheget s.I
t
alsocoul dbet hatf oroncei nherl i
fe,sheistruly
happyandcont ent .Itf
eel sli
kehomeher e,
Ma' Si
wel abei ngamot hertoherandNel lyplaying
theoldersi sterr oleev ent hought heiragegapi sonly
by3y ears.Mt hokoi sthebr othershenev erhad.She
hasn'tgot t
ent oknowNhl anhlabecausehei sst i
ll
bannedf r
om comi ngt oMa' Siwela'
shouse, Nel l
ytoo,
butatl eastsheseesNel l
yatwor k.Shedr eadst he
dayshehast ogobackt oherr es,herphonebeepi ng
disturbsherf rom hert hought s.Shecheckt he
messageandi thermom, shesi ghsandr eadst he
message, itacal lbackmessagewhi chreads
"Pleasecal langi nakudl a( nof ood)"shesighsand
dailshermom' snumber ...
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

MaDl
ami
ni-Yah.
..
Zee-SawubonaLi
ndi
we
MaDl
amini
-Idonothav
eti
mef
orsmal
ltal
ks,
when
ar
eyousendi
ngthemoney
?
Zee-IsentyouR3000l
astweek,
whatdi
dyoudo
wit
ht hatmoney?
MaDlami
ni-Ipai
dmydebt
swi t
hIt.Fut
hii
bincane
l
eyamali(
themoneywasli
tt
le)sowhenarey ou
goi
ngtosendmoney?
Zee-Iam ast
udent
,wher
eshouldIgetmoneyf
rom.
Icanonl
ysendyoumoneyattheendofthemonth.
MaDl ami ni
-(Shout
ing)hhheyiWena! !
!!
!Whatar eyou
i
nDur banfor?Openy ourlegsforthatBlesserof
yours.Iknowhegi vesy oumoney .Musaukubay i
nja
(don'tbeagr eedydog)sendmemoney .Whati s
yourv ir
ginafor?WhenIwasy ourage,ihadmen
eati
ngf rom thepalmsofmyhands.Yout oobusy
worryi
ngaboutthatst upi
deducat ionofy ours,
i
zokwenzelanil
emf undoy akho?( whatwi l
l
educati
ondofory ou)y ouwanty oursmal lbrother
tostar
ve,areyouthatselfish?Wheny oupicka
spoontoeatthere,thinkt
haty ourbrotherisst arvi
ng
here,y
oustupidgirl
,justl
ikey ouruselessfather ,
thankGodheisdead.Hedi edbeingagr eedydog.

Hermom hangedup.Shesatont hebedWi t

htear s
runni
ngdownhercheeks, hermom i ssuchaset
backinherl i
fe.Ifitwasn' tforherl i
ttl
ebrother,she
wouldhav elongl efther.Shehat eshowhermom
alwayscompar ehert oherf at her,whom shehasno
i
dea,whohewas.Al lsheknowsi sthemandi ed
whenshewas6.Hermom hasnev erlovedher, she
hasnev erbeenamot hert oher .Thatwhyshecal ls
herbyname, i
thowshepr efersit.Sheblames
Zenandef ordest r
oy i
ngherl i
fe.Theyusedt ostayat
theshacksofMal ikaziunt il
LindiwemetSt evenwho
tookthem withhi mt ost ayathi s4r oom houseat
Mpangeni ,St
ev enisherl ittl
ebr other'
sfather.
Unfort
unat el
ySt evendi ed2y earsback,luckil
yhe
hadt
hehouser egi
steredtoLindi
wet hathowthey
managedtokeepit.Stevenhadtakenouteducati
on
pl
anforbot
hherandherbr ot
her,butheli
sted
Li
ndi
weLindiweast hebenefi
ciar
y ,
youcanguess
howthatwent.
..

Ma'
Siwel
a-(
Shout
ing)Zeebabyl
etgo.
..

Shegotupandwipedhert
ear
s,packi
ngherbags
andheadedout
..
..

ATMUG&BEAN

Nell
yent eredther estaurantandsawthelinetothe
Beveragesect ion,guessshei snottheonlyonethat
l
ikestohav etheircappuccino.I
tdaysli
ket hi
sshe
wishesDur banhadSt arbucksshop.Shelooksather
watch,deci di
ngnott owai tfort
heli
ne,shewas
abouttot urnwhenshehadsomeonecal li
ngher
name, shet ur
nedandsawi twasDrGasaf rom t
he
hospi
tal
,shesmi
l
edandmadeherwayt
oher
..
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
hel
l
oDr
DrGasa-(
Laughs)ohpl
easewenotatt
hehospi
tal
,
youcancal
lmeNomv el
o.
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)okayDr
..
.howy
oudoi
ng?
Nomv el
o-Iam okay
.Ihopeyounotfal
l
ingof
fst
air
casesanyti
mesoon.Iam sor
rytosaywedonot
missyouthatmuchatuMhlangacare.
Nel
ly
-(Laughs)Iam hur
t,i
thoughtIwasy
our
f
avouri
tepati
ent.
Nomvel
o-(
Laughs)y
ouher
efort
hei
rcappucci
noas
wel
l?
Nell
y-(
sighs)yeah,
IguessIwokeupl
atet
oday
,the
l
ineist
ool ong.
Nomv el
o-(
smi
l
es)i
tyourl
uckyday
,iwi
l
lor
derf
or
you.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
rel
i
fesav
er.
..
Nomv
elo-(
smi
l
es)t
hei
ronyi
nthatsent
ence.
..
Theylaughast heychatsomemor e,
theywer ethe
2ndinlinewhenNel l
ynoticedBlessfrom t
hedoor
l
ookingdef eat
edbytheline,shesmiledshakingher
head,shelookedathim,theymadeey econtact
, she
smil
edsi gnali
nghimtoqui ckl
ycome.Het hanked
Godmaki nghi swaytoher...
.

Bl
ess-Hey
,youl
i
ter
all
yjustsav
edmyl
i
fe.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)hahaha.
..Don'
tthankme,thankher
(
poi
nti
ngatNomv elo)shewil
lbeyoursav
er
Bl
ess-(
conf
used)oh.
..hel
l
oMi
ss(
looki
ngatNel
l
y)
Nel
ly
-Nomv el
o,t
hisi
sBl
ess,weshar
eamutual
f
ri
end,Bl
essthi
sisNomvel
o,shei
smydoct
or.
Nomv el
o-(rol
l
sey
es)Iam notr
eal
l
yyourdoct
or,
you
haven'
thir
edmeyet.
.(l
ooki
ngatBl
ess)Ni
cetomeet
you
Bl
ess-(
taki
ngherhandi
nhis)ni
cet
omeety outoo
mylady
.Ibeli
eveyouwi
l
lsavemefrom t
hisl
ine.
.
Nomv
elo-(
Laughs)Ihel
pthi
soneandshei
nvi
tes
t
hewhol
ecommuni
ty.

Thethr
eel
aughast
heyr
eacht
hecount
ert
opl
ace
thei
ror
der
s..
.

Cashi
er-Goodmor
ning,
whatcanIgety
ou?
Them-Decaf
e..
.

Theyalllookateachotherandl
augh,i
ncludi
ngthe
cashierl
adyhowt heysaidi
tinuni
son,l
ikeki
nder
gardenlearner
s..
..

Cashier
-That3decafecappucci
nos,
(shepunchesi
n
thei
rorder
)thatwi
llbeR85.95

Bl
ess-(
taki
ngouthi
scar
d)i
tonmel
adi
es,
(smi
l
es)
Nomv el
o-(
smiles)wel
lIwon'
tref
use,
ift
hatwhat
youexpect
ing.
Nell
y-(
Laughs)Iwoul
dhav
e,butnowIguessI
shoul
dn'
t,Idon'
twantt
obetheoddoneout.
Bl
ess-(l
aughs)asifyouwer
enotexpect
ingmeto
of
fer
.IfIdi
dn'tIknowIwoul
dhavebeenthetopi
c..
Nomv
elo-(
Laughs)y
eahy
our
ight
.

Thecashi
erhandedt
hem t
hei
rcappucci
nos.
...

Cashi
er-(
looki
ngatt
hem)ar
eyouguy
sfami
l
y?
Them-(
Laughs)NO
Cashier
-(supri
sed)
(smi
l
es)ohwow!
!!
..
.y
oual
lhav
e
thesameey es.
..
Them-Hazel
Brown

Theylookateach,
andlaughedagainast
heydi
dit
agai
n,respondi
nginuni
sonlikeki
ds..
.

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)wel
li
fIam t
hebr
other
,youguy
stook
myey
es.I
'
m ol
dert
hany
out
wo
Nomv el
o-(
Laughs)youwish.
.IguessNell
ytook
ever
ythi
ngfrom me,
sinceI'
m ol
derthanher
Bless-(Laughs)mxm t
hisone,
isaf
ake,
tookal
lour
s
featur
es.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)itl
ikethatnow,
sav
ethebestf
orl
ast
,
everheardthatsayi
ng
Bless-(
Laughs)t
hatwhatal
ll
oser
ssayt
oconsol
e
themselves.
.

Theyall
bur
stoutl
aughi
ngast
heymadet
hei
rway
outsi
detot
hei
rcar
s..
..

ATCALTEXGARAGE

Simiparkshercarandtakesadeepbreathwipi
ng
hertear
s.Shelooksathersel
fint
hemi r
ror,
Godshe
l
ookshor r
ibl
e.Hereyesareredandhavebagsunder
them.Shesighsandgetsoutofthecar.
..
At
tendent
-Si
siwami
(mysi
ster
)howmuchpet
rol
?
Si
mi-(
sni
ff
s)uhmm cel
aungi
fakel
aowaR200

Aft
ertheguyfi
nishesfil
l
inghercarwithpetrol
, she
payshim.Shet
hanmakesherwayt ot heFreshst op.
Sheenter
sthestore,shewalkstowardsthef r
idges
wit
hherheadfaceddown.Shebumpsi nt
osomeone
makingherpur
sef al
lontheground..
.

Lady
-(snaps)wat
chwer
eyougoi
ngy
ouf
att
hing.
..
Si
mi-(
sni
ff
s)ohmygodIam sosor
ry.
..
Lady
-idonotneedy
oursor
ryNxi
,(pushi
ngherasi
de)
move..

Theladyleav esherst
andingt
hereshaki
ngalit
tl
e
wit
ht earswant i
ngtofal
ldown.Shewasaboutto
bendandpi ckherpurseupwithapairofhands
pi
ckedi tforher.
..
Si
mi-(
sni
ff
s)uhmmm t
hanky
ou.
..
Shaka-(l
ooki
ngatherdumbf olded)..
..(
silent)
...
.you
okay?Uhm fuckwhatam Isay i
ngofcour sey ounot.
..
(Looki
ngathergorgeousmar beleyes).
..i bel
ieve
thatbel
ongstoyou(handedhert hepurse)
Simi
-(sni
ff
s)(f
akesmi
l
es)t
hanky
ou.
..(
sil
ent
).
..
uhmm canI..
.
Shaka-oh.
.sor
ry(
mov
esawayf
rom t
hef
ri
dgedoor
)

Simitakestwobottleofst
il
lwaterandsmi l
esata
Shakabeforeheadingtothecountert
opay ,t
his
wholetimeShakawat chesherasshepay sforthe
waterandexit
st heshop.Hequicklyr
ushesoutt he
doortocatchherbutsheisnolongerthere,t
heonly
carsatthegaragearehisandanotherwhiteold
l
ady .
..

Shaka-f
uck!
!!
[
11/
3,20:
47]Mar
cia:
Inser
t35
ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Sbaniparkedhi
scarandhoot edf orMavi
stobring
Nomaout .Aft
er2minutesMav i
scomesouthol ding
Noma'sschoolbag,wit
hNomaf oll
owi
ngbehind
wit
haf rownonherface.Hesi ghsknowingthatthis
i
sgoingt obealongmor ni
ng.Mav i
sopenst
heback
door.
..
.

Mav
is-Mor
ningMrZul
u
Sbani
-(smil
es)Mor
ningMavi
s,(Looki
ngathi
s
daught
er)whatupwit
hourt
roublemaker?
Mavi
s-(
sighs)shewokeupMoody
,shehasn'
tsai
da
wor
dthewhol emorni
ng.
Sbani
-(sighs)okay
.Thanky
ouMav
is,
Iwi
l
ltakei
t
fr
om here.

Sbani
get
soutoft
hecar
,pi
cki
ngNomaupand
ki
ssinghercheek.Shejustl
ookedatherfather
bl
ankly,okaysomethi
ngisdefi
nit
elywrong.He
walkstothecarandseatsonthedriv
er'
sseatwi t
h
heronhislap.

Sbani
-whati
swr
ongpr
incess?
..
Noma-(
looksathi
m)
Sbani
-youwantmommy
?
Noma-(
sil
ent
)
Sbani
-(si
ghs)okayletdri
vetoschool
,(l
ooki
ngather
)
youwanttosither
ei nf
rontwi
thdaddy.
Noma-(
noddi
ng)
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)okay
.(ki
sseshercheek)

Hesitsheronthepassengerseatandbuckl
esher
up.Her ev
ersesallt
hewaytothegateandjoi
nsthe
road.Themoodi nsi
dethecari
snotjol
lyasit
usuall
yis.
..
.
Noma-(looki
ngatherdad)Idon'
twantt
ogot
o
school
..
.
Sbani
-(gl
ancesather
,qui
ckl
yfocusesont
her
oad)
why?
Noma-becauseIdon'
twantt
oo.
Sbani
-wel
lthati
snotreasonenough,
soy
oungl
ady
,
I
'mtaki
ngyoutoschool.

Hecont i
nuesdr i
vi
ng, aft
er5mi nutesofpuresil
ent,
hehear ssmal lsnif
fs.Hegl ancesathisdaughter
andshei ssilentl
ycrying.Itobviousshehasbeen
si
lentlycr y
ingf orawhi lenow.Herey esarepurered.
Hef eelshischestpai nswat chi
ngt hesi
ghtofhis
daught er.Hehat esitwhenshecr ies.Heparksthe
caront hesi deoft her oad.
..

Sbani
-(wi
pinghertear
s)daddyissor
ryokay
.Doy
ou
wantmetodr i
vebacktokhulu'
shouse?
Noma-(
shaki
ngherhead,
wipi
nghert
ear
s)
Sbani
-(si
ghs)babydaddyhast
ogot
owor
k.
Noma-(
shecr
iesev
enmor
e)
Sbani
-(si
ghs)okay
,okay.
..Youwil
lgowithmeto
theof
fi
ceandbemyl it
tl
eassist
antfort
heday.

Heki
ssesheront
hef
oreheadandsi
ghs.Hest
art
s
hi
scarandj
oinst
her
oad..
..
.

ATTHENGCOBOHOUSEHOLD

Ntombif
inishespr
epar
ingherpar
entsbr
eakf
ast
.
Shecal
l
st hem tot
heli
vingr
oom toeat
..
..

Bab'
Ngcobo-(
smi
l
es)y
ouspoi
lust
oomuch.
Ma'Ngcobo-whoi
spr
epari
ngbreakf
astf
ory
our
husband?Whenar
eyouleavi
ng?
Nt
ombi
-uy
angi
xosha?(
Youki
cki
ngmeout
?)
Ma'Ngcobo-nobaby
,youknowIlovehavi
ngyou
ar
oundbuty ouar
emar r
ied.Theweeki
salmost
endi
ngandy
oust
il
lher
e.
Ntombi-can'tij
ustvi
sitmypar entsandnotbe
remindedthatIam mar r
ied.Ihardl
yseeyouguys
andwhenIspendt i
mewi t
hy ou,
itli
keyoucan'
twai
t
formet ol
eav e.
Bab'
Ngcobo-(si
ghs)I'
m sureyourmom di
dnot
meaniti
nabadway .(
Smi l
es)youknowwhatl
et'
s
enj
oythi
sbreakfast
.
Ntombi -Ineedt
ocall
Sbani
andcheckhowNomai
s
doing.Excuseme..
.

Shewal
kstot
hebedr
oom anddi
alsSbani
'
s
number
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Sbani
-(deepv
oice)hel
l
o
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)heyunj
ani
?
Sbani
-(smi
l
ed)I
'
m okay
,howar
eyou?
Nt
ombi
-good.Ical
l
edt
ochecki
fev
ery
thi
ngi
sokay
..
.

(
Ont
hebackgr
ound)
"
Noma-DadcanIt
aket
hisy
ogur
t?"

Ntombi-i
sthatNoma?(
Looki
ngatt
hecl
ockont
he
wall
8:45)
Sbani
-(si
ghs)j
eahi
ther
.Youwantt
otal
ktoher
?
Ntombi-ar
eyouguy
srunni
ngl
ate?Yeahgi
vehert
he
phone.
.
Noma-(
smi
l
ing)Hel
l
omommy
Ntombi-(
smi
l
ed)heybaby
,howar
eyou?Ar
eyou
behav
ing?
Noma-I
'
m okay .
..(
smil
ingexci
tedl
y)I
'
m goingt
o
wor
kwithdaddytoday
.Iwil
lhel
phim work.
Nt
ombi-(l
oud)WHAT? ??
?!!
!WHATABOUTSCHOOL?
,
gi
vedaddythephone.
Noma-(
frowns)ar
eyougoi
ngt
oshoutathi
m?
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)no,
Ijustwantt
otal
ktohi
m.
Noma-(l
ooki
ngathisdad).
..
.(si
lent
).
..okayIwi
l
ltel
l
hi
m,byemom (sheendsthecall
)
Ntombi
-what?NOMA?Hel
l
o(Looki
ngatherphone)
Jesust
hischi
ld.
..
.

Shedi
alsSbani
'
snumberagai
n..
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)di
dyouf
orgetsomet
hing?
Nt
ombi
-(annoy
ed)y
ourdaught
erendedthecal
l.
WHYI
SSHENOTATSCHOOLSBANI SEZWE??
Sbani-(l
ooki
ngatNoma)Iwil
lcal
lyoul
aterand
expl
ain.Idonotwantt
oarguewit
hherwatchingme
l
ikethis.
Nt
ombi
-NO.
.ANSWERMENOW?
Sbani
-(cl
enchi
nghi
steet
h)NTO.
.MBI.
..Iwi
l
lcal
l
y
oul
ater
.(Endedt
hecal
l
)

Ntombifr
ust
ratedl
ygotupandmadeherwayt
othe
l
iv
ingroom..
..
.

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Sbanihasbeensendi ngNomaonsmal lerrands,l

ike
gett
ingthest apler,afil
e,maki nghersi gnf ake
document s.Thispr ovedt obeexci ti
ngforher ,she
fel
tuseful.Theywoul dhav eaf ewsi ll
y
conversationsher eandt here,withhi sdaught er
enqusiti
vemi nd, hefoundhi msel fanswer ingal otof
questi
ons.Sbani wasact uallyenjoy i
nghi sthis
fat
heranddaught ert
ime, event hought hesetup
wasnoti deal buthelov edbei ngt hehereot oher
daughter'
sey es.Nowhehadonepr obl
em, inj
ust30
minutesheneedst obei naconf erencecal lmeeting
wit
hChi na.Heneededt ofindasi tt
erforNoma.Hi s
fat
herent eredhisof f
ice,maki ngNomaj umpt ohim...
Noma-(
smi
l
ing)Khul
us.
.
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
ing,
picki
ngherup)heysuper
star
..
.
Noma-(
exci
tedl
y)I
'
m hel
pingdaddywor
ktoday
.
MrZul
u-(
eyei
ngSbani
)ist
hatso.(
Put
ti
ngherdown)
gof
ini
shupovert
her
e..

Sheexci
tedl
yrantosi
tonthecouchcont
inui
ngt
o
badl
ystapl
ethefakedocument
s..
.

MrZul
u-(
looki
ngatatSbani
)thi
sisnoton.
..
Sbani-(
sighs)Iknowdad.Uhmm cany oulookaf
ter
herforafewhour s,
Ihaveconf
erencecall
wi t
hChina.
MrZulu-Ican'
t,
I'
m meet
ingHoustoninthenext5
minut
es.Thatyourpr
obl
em.(LookingatNoma)bye
super
star.
.
Noma-(
wav
ing)By
eKhul
us.
..
Sbanisi
ghedbr
ushinghisheadwi
thhishands.He
l
ookedattheti
me,hehad10mi nl
eft
s.Hepacked
ever
ythi
ngupandturnedtoNoma..
.

Sbani-baby,
uhmm daddyhastogotoameet i
ng,
buthecan'ttakey
ouwithbecauset
herewil
lbebad
guys.Daddyneedstofi
ghtthebadguy
salone.
Noma-y
oul
eav
ingmeal
one.
Sbani
-No,af
riendofdaddy
'sWi
l
llookaf
tery
ouunt
il
Icomeback.
Noma-.
..(
sil
ent
).
..

Sbanilookedathisdaughtercrossi
nghi
sfinger
s,
God!!
!Hecan' tbel
ievea4y earoldi
smakinghim
sweat.Shewi l
ldefi
nit
elymakeagoodbusi ness
womani nf ut
ure.
..
.

Noma-(
looki
ngathi
m)(
smi
l
es)okay
..
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)okayt
akey
ourbagandl
et'
sgo.
..
HethankedGodt aki
ngherhandl eadingherto
Nel
lysoffi
ce.Nowhewaspr ayi
ngt heot hert
ough
womani nhisli
feagr
eest ohisrequest.Heknocks
onherdoor,sheshoutscomei n,heent erswit
h
Nomai nhishand.Nel
lylooksupathi m. .
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)heybeaut
if
ul.
..
Nell
y-(
eyei
nghim andt
hekidnextt
ohim)(looki
ng
atNoma)(smi
les)whoist
hisbeaut
iful
younglady?
Noma-(
smi
l
es)I
'
m Nomat
hembaZul
uandt
hisi
smy
dad.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)okay
,ni
cet
omeety
ouNoma.
Sbani
-(smi
l
ing)Ineedhugef
avour
..
.

Nell
ylooksathi
m andSbani
eyesherwi
thpl
eadi
ng
eyeslooki
ngatNomathanher.
..

Nel
l
y-Ohhel
lNo.
..
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatNoma)babygositont
hecouch.
Letmetalkt
oMommyNel l
yhere.
..
Noma-(
smi
l
es)okay
..
.
Nel
l
y-Sbani no,no.
.thi
sisaworkplace.Notacrech.
Whyisshenotatschool ,
whyyoutell
inghertocal
l
memommy , USANGENE? (
arey
oumad? )(
Standsup
f
rom herseat)
Sbani-(
movingclosertoher)li
stenIwi
l
lexpl
ain
ever
ythi
nglater
,justdothi
sf avourf
orme.Zenande
canlookaf
terher.
Nell
y-Zenandeiswor
kingwithSarahtoday
.Isent
hertofi
nancial
depar
tment.(Looki
ngatNoma)what
am Isupposetodowithher?Ihavenoexperi
ence
wit
hkids..
Sbani-(
checki
ngifhi
sdaughteri
slookingatt
hem or
not,
shewasnot )hol
dingherwai
st,babeIhavet
o
go,(
babykissi
ngher)youwill
begreat.

Hequickl
ybi
dfarewel
ltohi
sdaught
erleav
ingNel
ly
t
err
if
iedashel
l.Shesi
ghedandwenttoseatonher
chai
r.
..

Nel
l
y-JesusIwi
l
lki
l
lthi
sman.

After15mi nutesNomaput sherdad'

stabletdown
andgoest ost andinfr
ontofNel l
ysdeskfoldi
ngher
armsl ooki
ngather .Nell
ynoticedasmallfigur
e
i
nfrontofher .ShelooksupatNomawhohasa
bl
ankbor edlookonherf ace,wi t
hherarmsf ol
ded.
OhGod! !Shet hinkstohersel
f..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
Noma-I
'
m bor
ed.
..
Nelly
-uhmmm whydon'
tyouplaymor
egames,Ij
ust
needt of
ini
shupher
equi
ckl
ythanwecangobuyice
cream.
Noma-Ihav
epl
ayedal
lthegames.I
'
m bor
ed.
Nel
l
y-(si
ghs)j
ustpl
aysomemor e.Doy
ourhome
wor
k,col
ourabookorsomet
hing.
Nell
ygoesbacktodoingherworkbutNomadoes
notmovefrom herdesk,
shefr
ownsandtapsher
foot
,di
stur
bingNell
y.

Noma-whatki
ndofmom ar
eyou?
Nel
l
y-t
heonet
hatl
i
kespeaceandqui
et.
Noma-wel
lyounotaver
ygoodmommy .Mommies
pl
aywit
hki
ds.You'
rebor
ingmommy.Iwantmydad.
Nel
l
y-doyouwantmet
otel
lyouast
oryaboutst
ep
mom's?
Noma-whati
sast
epmom?
Nell
y-stepmom i
samom t hattakest
hedaddy
awayfrom t
heli
tt
lespoi
ltpr
incessandshi
psthe
pri
ncesstoboar
dingschool
,makinghernotseeher
daddyanymore.
..
Noma-(gasps)(
cover
shermout
hwi
thhersmal
l
hands)thatev
il
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
es.
.
Noma-(
looki
ngatNel
l
y)ar
eyouast
epmom?
Nel
l
y-No.
.

Nellygoesbackt oherworkbutshenoticesnoti
ced
thatNomai snowquiet.Shelooksatherandseesa
terr
ifi
edl ookonherface.Shesighsandfeelsbad
thatshescar edher
,shejustwantedhertoshutup.
Shecl osesherlapt
opandl ooksatNoma...

Nel
l
y -(
smi
les)l
etgogeti
cecr
eam andmush
mel
lows.
Noma-(
smi
l
ing)y
eeesssss.
..

I
nsi
det
heelev
atorNell
yishol
dingNoma'
shand.
Nomal
ooksather.
..

Noma-Doy
oul
ovemydad?
Nel
l
y-uhmm whyy
ouaskt
hat
?
Noma-Isawy oukissi
nghi
m.Mom say
sgi
rl
ski
ss
boy
sthattheylov
e...
.

Ohgod.
..
..
[
11/
3,20:
47]Mar
cia:
Inser
t36

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noon

ZenandeandNel
l
ywer
epacki
ngupget
ti
ngr
eadyt
o
l
eave..
.

Zee-(
Laughs)howwasi
tpl
ayi
ngnannyorshal
lIsay
mommyf ortheday
?
Nel
ly-(
Laughs)don'tevenr
emindme.Idon'
tknow
whatwasSbani t
hinkingbr
ingi
ngachi
l
dattheoff
ice.
Zee-(
Laughs)wasi
tthatbad?Kant
idon'
tyoul
i
ke
ki
ds?(
looki
ngather
)
Nel
l
y-Idon'
t,
imeanIdo.
..Youknowt
oddl
ersar
e
cute,
buttheminut
etheystar
twalki
ngandtal
ki
ng
theytur
ntoli
tt
ledevi
l
sthatshoul
dbenotseen.
Zee-(Laughsloudly,
looki
ngatherfreakedoutf
ace)
ohmyGod! !!Youhatekidsdon'
tyou?Lookatyour
face?Youliter
all
ylookscared.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Idon'thatekids,
butmot her
hoodj ust
f
reaksmeout .(
Shakingherhead)letdropthiskid
t
alk,Iam alongwayf rom poppinganydeviloutmy
vagi
na.
Zee-(smiles)youshouldn'
tdoubtyourself
.Youdi d
greatwiththeli
ttl
edevilt
oday.Isawt hetwoofy ou
getbackf rom youri
cecream date,t
hebratlooked
happy.(Lookingather)Doyou?..
..Doy ouloveMr
Zulu?
Nell
y-(looki
ngather )uhmm hei snotmi netolove
Zee.Buthemakesmehappy ,Idon'
thavemuch
experi
encei ndati
ngSi zwemyf ir
stineveryt
hing.
Sbaniitdiff
erentwit
hhi m,ormay bethe5y earage
dif
fer
encesay sal
ot.Ican'tr
eall
ysaymeandhi m
aredatingbutIenjoyhi scompanyrightnow.
Zee-hei
samar
ri
edmanNel
l
y,doesn'
tthatwor
ry
you?Hecouldgobackt ohi swif
e,hehasn'tevenl
eft
hiswif
e,whyareyoudoi ngthi
stoy oursel
f?Don'
t
getmewr ongI
'm notjudgingyou,ift
hereisone
personwhounderstandsyoursituati
onithastobe
me.
Nel ly
-y ouknowIusedt obeconf usedwhywomen
stayi nabusi ver el
ati
onshi ps, chooset obecomet he
otherwoman, geti npol ygamousmar r
iagesorst ay
withcheat i
nghusbands.Iswor etonev erbecome
anyoft hosewomen, t hosewomenwer eweakt ome,
thosewomenl ackedsel festeem orsel flove.Ij
ust
nev erunder stoodt hem.Ij udgedt hem.( Laughs
sar castical
ly)lookatmenow, Ihaveev er yt
hingZee,
buther eIam, falli
ngi nlov ewi thamant hatisnot
mi ne.Amant hati sfor biddeni nev erywaypossi ble.
Doest hatmakemeweak, doIl ackselfest eem or
selflov e?,i
ttruewhent heysaynev erj
udgeany
sit
uat ionorper sonbecausey oudonotknow
tomor row, Inev erunder stoodt hosewomenbutnow
thatI '
vewor nt heirshoesandwal kedwi ththem, I
seet hingsdi ff
er entl
y.
Zee-whatabouthi
swi
fe?Sur
elyy
oushoul
dthi
nk
abouthowt
hiswoul
dmakeherf
eel
.
Nell
y-thatthethi
ngaboutcommit
ti
ngasi
n
knowingly,youneedt
olearnt
oli
vewit
hgui
lt
,ita
bit
terpil
ltosoll
ow.
Zee-(l
ooksatherwi
thpai
n)youl
ivi
ngasadli
fe,
you'
regoodwoman,Ithi
nkyoudeserv
ebet
ter
.
Nell
y-(Laughssarcast
icall
y)whati
sbet t
er?.
..y
ou
sayI'
m agoodwoman, whathasbeingagood
womanbr oughtme?Nt ombiisaprobablyagood
womanbutl ookatwhatherhusbandisdoing.
Soci
etyexpectt omuchf r
om "goodwomen" .Idonot
l
ikethatti
tle"goodwoman" .
Zee-youshoul
dn'
tlovehim,l
ovi
nghi
m wi
l
lonl
ygi
ve
hi
mt hepowertohurtyou.
Nell
y-(smiles)ittolat
ef orme.Idon' tthi
nkt hereisa
humanbei ngt hatcouldhur tmel i
kehowSi zwehur t
me.Imaginepl anningyourwhol eli
feandf uture,
sl
eepingint hesamebedev erydaywithamant hat
pl
anningaf uturewi t
hanot herwoman.Amant hat
wil
ltakeyout opickadat e,weddingv enueand
desi
gnonlyt ot ur
noutt hatt hatvenueanddecor
werefort
heot
herwoman.(
Laughsshaki
ngherhead)
hhehehSi
zwei
bozza.
.
Zee-(
lookingather )Ithi
nkyoushouldseesomeone.
I
tobviousy ousti
l
l painedaboutwhathappened.You
l
it
eral
lylooklikeyouwantt okil
ltheguy?
Nell
y-(Laughs)hahaha,enoughaboutsobst or
ies.
Doy ouwantt ohavedinneratmyplacetonight
?We
cancallyournewmom f orpermissi
on,(
Rollsey es)
wellyouwillcal
lherbecauseshewon'tpickupmy
cal
ls.
Zee-(Laughs)If
eell
i
keat eenageragai
n.Idon't
thi
nkshewi l
lhaveaprobl
em, butshewon'tal
low
met osleepover
.
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)Iknow,
iwon'
tev
ensuggesti
t.
Sbaniknocksonthedoor
,hewal
ksi
nandst
ands
opposit
eNelly
..

Zenande-uhmm,
Iwi
l
lwai
tatt
her
ecept
ionf
ory
ou.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)cal
lyourmom aboutdi
nnerpl
ease.
Zeelaughsclosi
ngthedooronherwayout.He
walkstoseatonherdeskbri
ngherinbet
weenhis
l
egs.

Sbani
-(hol
dinghersmal
lwai
st)
(smi
l
es)di
dIt
ell
you
howbeauti
fulyoulookt
oday
..
.
Nell
y-(
smi
l
espr
etendi
ngt
othi
nkabouti
t)uhmmm.
..
nope.
Sbani-(
Frenchki
ssingher
)wel
lyoul
ookl
i
kea
sundaeonaThur sday.

Theyl
ookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)t
hatwassowhack.
..
Sbani
-(smil
es)
(shr
ugs)Igotyout
olaugh.You
shoul
dtick"
hemakesmel aughbox"box.
Nel
ly-(
smi
les)andI
'
m guessingyoushoul
dti
ck"
she
l
aughsatmywhackjokes"box.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatherwi
tht
hatf
ace)
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
blushes)what
??
Sbani-(smil
es)(
bringi
nghercl
oser
)thankyoufor
today.Iknowitwast oomuchforyou,Isawyour
freakedoutface,butyout
ryi
ngmeanssomucht o
me.IknowNomai sahandful
.
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)shei
sadev
ilchi
l
d..

Hepl
ayf
ull
yspankedherbut
t,maki
nghergi
ggl
i
ng.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smiles)shet al
kstomuchf orherage,
butshe
i
sasmartkid,justdon'
tspoi
lhertoomuch.
(
Remember ed)shesawy oukissi
ngme
Sbani
-(Laughs)good!
!!
Nell
y-(
shaki
ngherhead)whydoIev
enbot
herwi
th
you.
..

Theyl
aughed,hefrenchedki
ssedheragain,maki
ng
herweakonhistouchagain,hi
shandstravel
ed
downtoherbutt
,grabbingandsqueezi
ngit,maki
ng
hermoanali
tt
le.Shest
opst
heki
ssbef
oret
hings
gett
oheat
ed..
.

Sbani
-hawu!
!!(
Showingherhisboner
)Ithoughtwe
aredoi
ngthi
swholesexintheoffi
cethi
ng..
..

Shelaughsmov i
ngawayf r
om hi
m packi
ngher
thi
ngs,astheywaitouthi
sbonerbef
oretheyexi
ther
off
ice.
..
..

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Bl
essgoi
ngthr
oughhi
semail
s,whenhi
sphone
vi
brat
edi
twashismom,heanswer
ed.
.

Bl
ess-(
bless)mysuperwoman.
MissNdawor
a-(
smil
es)howar
eyoumyson?The
pl
aceisl
onel
ywit
houtyou?
Bless-I
'm okaymom,Imi
ssyoutoo.Ihopeyou
taki
ngy ourmedsandeat
ingwel
l
.Iwillcal
lKat
her
ine
andf i
ndout.
MissNdawora-(r
ollsey es)st
opwor r
yingyour
sel
f,
fi
ndmeadaught erinl aw.Iwantgrandchi
l
dren,I
'
m
dying,
Idonotwantt ol eavey
oualone.Youneedto
stopthi
sli
feyouleavingbaby .

Hekeptquietl
isteni
ngt ohismom v oi
ceconcern
abouthischoi
ceofl iv
ing,hehatei
twhenshekeeps
remindi
nghimt hatshei sdyi
ng.Thatwhyheishere
sear
chingforhisfatherandsist
er,hi
smom ordered
himto.Shesaidhewi llneedpeoplearoundwhen
sheisnolongerthere.

Bless-(
smil
es)Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ouadoct
orf
ora
daughteri
nlaw.
MissNdawora-(
smil
es)y
oumetsomeone?I
sshe
beaut
if
ul?Shehast
obe?
Bl
ess-mom comedown.(
Smi
l
es)Ihav
etogett
o
knowherf
ir
st.Buty
esshei
sver
ybeaut
if
ul.
MissNdawor
a-don'
tmesst
hisup.Tel
lhery
ou'
re
busi
nessman.
Bl
ess-(
Laughs)obv
iousl
y,Ican'
treal
l
ytel
lherwhatI
donow.

Aknockont
hedoordi
stur
bedhi
m..
.

Bl
ess-mom,
Ihav
etogo,
someonei
satt
hedoor
.
Mi
ssNdawor
a-okay
.Il
ovey
ou.
Bl
ess-Il
ovey
out
oomysuperwoman

Hehangedupwalki
ngt
othedoor,heopenedIt
,
rev
eali
ngoneper
sonhewasn'
treadyt
of acer
ight
now..
.

Moses-(
bar
it
onev
oice)Hel
l
oson.
ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

Shewasl ookingf ortheboxshekeptt hekey sto

Nellyspol ool dv i
v ocar .Shewant edtot akei tt
o
serviceandl etZenandeusei t.Shewasal so
planningonaski nghert omov ei npermant elywith
her.Sheknewt hatZenandewasgoi ngt hroughal ot
backathome.Shehashear daf ewcel lphone
conv ersationsshehadwi thhermom.Shewas
l
ooki ngt hrought heol dboxesi nt hegarage, when
sheacci dentallyroughl ytouchanol dbox, makingit
fallont hegr ound.Shebentdownt opicki tupwhen
shenot i
cedapi ct urefellf
rom it.Thepi cturewasher ,
herbr otherandherbestf ri
end.Shel ookedatt he
pictureandherbr ot herseyesdirectlylookedather ,
shest art i
ngshaki ngasl ookingathi mt ookherback
tothoseday s,theday sshewoul dratherf orget.She
l
ookedatherbestf riendandqui cklyremember ed
whatt heydi d, somet hingthatchangedherl i
fe,
somet hi ngthatwi llhaunther,somet hingt hatst i
ll
haunt shert ill
thisday ..
.
Shepl
acedt
hephot
odownandbegi
nni
ngcr
ying.
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
cry
ing)Godf
orgi
veme.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
47]Mar
cia:
Inser
t37

Sat
urdaymor
ning

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shej ustcamebackf rom joggingar oundthe

neighborhoodofherapar tment ,
shet houghtabout
calli
ngMbal iandLungieytocomeandhav el
unchat
herapar tmentbutsher emember edt hatMbaliwent
tocapet ownwi thBruceandLungi eyforsome
reasoni signor
ingher,whichshef indsrather
strangebecauseal l
shewant edf rom herwasj ustan
explanationofthi
ngs.Yest heoldherwoul dhave
j
udgedherandwentcr azybutnowwhoi sshet o
j
udge, allshewantisjusttositdownandhav ea
hearttohear twit
hherbestf r
iend.Shewasaboutt o
hi
ttheshowerwhenherst
art
edr
ingi
ng,
thenumber
wasunknown..
.

Nel
l
y-hel
l
o
Man-heyst
ranger
..
Nel
l
y-uhmm whoi
sthi
s?
Man-(
smi
l
es)y
ourl
ongt
imecr
ush
Nel
l
y-(
thi
nki
ng)uhmmm,
ist
hissomeki
ndofj
oke?
.
Man-(
Laughs)doest
het
erm"
superbae"r
ingabel
l
.
Nel
ly-(
smi
l
es)(
laughs)
(scr
eami
ngs)ohmygod!
!!
Der
ekGumede?
Derek-(Laughs)heyhey,
myeardr umssweet
cheeks.(Smiles)Imi
ssedthatl
augh.
Nell
y-(
smi
les)Ican'tbel
i
evei
treal
l
yyou.Wow!
!!I
t
beenwhat
??3y ears.
Der
ek-ncoohyoubeencount
ingbabe.(
Smi
l
es)y
eah
i
tbeenlonghey.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)angi
thy
ouchooset
ost
ayi
nNew
Yor
k.(Thinki
ng)comet
ot hinkofit
,whydi
dn'
tIget
not
if
iedthatthi
sisani
nternati
onalcal
l
?
Der
ek-(
smil
es)t
hatbecauseI'
minDurbanbabe.
Whi
chiswhyIcal
led.Iwantt
odolunchwit
hmygi r
l.
Nel
ly-(
smi l
es)y
ou'
reinDurbanWow! !Does
Nhl
anhlaknow?Greatlunchsoundsperf
ect
,you
pay
ingright
?
Derek-(
Laughs)ofcour
seI'm pay
ingsweetcheeks.I
cal
ledhimyester
day.Iwil
lmeetupwithhimlater
.
OysterBox,13:
00sharp.
Nel
ly-okayl
etmegetready
.Cal
lmom shewoul
dbe
del
i
ght edt
ohearf
rom you.
Derek-wewi l
lsupri
zehertomorr
ow,Sundayl
unch
babe.Pleasedon'twearj
eans.Wearsomethi
ngsexy
,
youroll
i
ngwi ththetopdogsnow.
Nell
y-(
rol
lseyes)
(l
aughs)st
il
lar
rogantIsee.By
eI
needtogetready
.
Der
ek-(
Laughs)moneybabe,
money
..
.

Shehangedupshaki
ngherhead.Der
eki
sNhl
anhl
a'
s
chil
dhoodbestf r
iend,shealway sthoughthelooked
hot.Whenev ershesawDer ek,shewouldt hi
nkof
Treysongs.Onedaywhent heywer erenovati
ngtheir
house,Nhl anhlafoundherj ournalwhichhadt r
ey
songspi cturesandDer ek'snameal lover,
itwasher
scrapbook, i
twher eshei maginedherli
fewithDer ek.
Sheusedt het er
m Superbaef orhim.WhenNhl anhla
foundthebook, heshowedi tt
oDer ekandallhis
otherf
riends.Si ncefrom theretheyalwaysteased
herabouti t.Sheappr eci
atedthathenev er
embarrassedheraboutt hebook, i
twasjustboy s
beingboy s...
.

ATUMHLANGANETCARE

SimiandNhlanhlast
epoutsi
dethehospi
talmaki ng
thei
rwaytotheircar
s.I
twasNhlanhl
a'sf
irstscan,
theywerehavi
ngababyboy .I
twasav er
yemot ional
momentf orthebothofthem.
..

Nhl
anhl
a-(
smi
l
es)t
hanky
ouf
orl
ett
ingmecome.I
can'
tbel
i
eveI
'
m hav
ingason.
Si
mi-(
smil
es)Iwoul
dnev
ert
akeawayt
heseki
ndof
momentsf
rom you.
Nhl
anhla-Ngi
yabonga,Iknowthi
sishar
dforyou.
Youhaveever
yr i
ghtnottoinv
olv
eme.Youtrul
yan
i
ncredi
blewoman.
Simi
-(takesadeepbreat
hlooki
ngathim)t
his
(poi
nti
ngatherbel
ly)i
tchangesthi
ngsNhl
anhla.
Nhlanhl
a-(
looki
ngather
)uqondeukut
hini
?(Whatdo
youmean?)
Simi-I'
m car r
yinganhei rtotheKhozaf ami l
y.Your
fi
rstson.( Lookingdirectl
yathim).Oursonwi llcarr
y
yourlastname, oursonwi ll
growupwi thbot h
parentsinhi sli
fe.Idonotcar eabouty ouandme
butforoursonwewi l
lworktogetherinr aisi
nghi m.I
am y ourwi f
eandy ouaremyhusband.Iam Mr s
Khoza.( Takesadeepbr eath)youcanmar ryy our
gir
lfr
iend,takeherasasecondwi fe.Butt herewi ll
be
nowhi teweddi ng,legall
yI'
my ourwi f
e,traditionall
y
webot hyourwi ves.Shewant syou,fi
nebutshe
can'thaveal lofyou,shewi l
lhavewhat 'sleftofy ou.
Deli
verthemessagetoher
.Seey
oui
nournext
appoint
mentHlase.

Shewal
kstohercar
,leav
ingNhl
anhl
awi
thahuge
l
umpinhist
hroat
..
.

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Bl
essphonev
ibr
ates,
itski
l
lsoneofhi
swor
ker
s..
..

Bl
ess-sho
Ski
ll
s-wehaveapr obl
em,ourshi
pmentto
Mozambiqueisonhold.Thehawksareatt
hedepor
t.
What'
shappening,
IthoughtwehadsomeofS.A.
dudesonourpayroll
?
Bl
ess-(si
ghs)Iknowwhoisbehi
ndt
his.Gi
veme2
minut
esIwillsor
tthi
sout
.
Hehangedupandf r
ustrat
edl
ysmashedhi sgl
asson
thewall
.HeknewMoseswasbehi ndthis.Mosesi
s
headi
ngtheSouthAfr
icannationali
ntel
l
igenceuni
t,
aswellasthehawkscoporat
ion.Hedailedhis
number..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Moses-Son.
Bl
ess-
(angr
y)I
'
m noty
ourson.
Moses-(
smirked)I
'
m guessi
ngy
ourguy
shav
e
not
if
iedyouaboutthedel
ay.
Bl
ess-Gety
ourt
eam of
fmyguy
sback.
Moses-I
'
m guessi
ngy
our
eadyt
osi
tdownandt
alk
t
oyouroldman.
Bless-(
annoyed)I'
m notdoi
ngshi
twi
thy
ou.Iwi
l
l
tal
kwhenI '
mr eady.
Moses-Iguesswewillbehav
ingthi
sconv
ersat
ion
behi
ndbarsthan.Imeanonecall
tomyBotswana
fr
iendsyourli
tt
lecorporat
ionswi l
l f
alltoi
tknees,
uhmm y ouwill
bebust edhereS. Atryi
ngtosmuggl e
drugsandill
egalweapons, notforgett
ingyour
poachingschemey ougotgoi ngon, itnotl
ooking
prett
yson.
Bl
ess-(
angr
y)FI
NE.
Moses-(
smi rked)you'r
emysonaft
erall
.Yourguy
s
shoul
dcallyouinthenext3minut
es.Expectme
soonatyourdoorst ep.

Blesshangedup.Hewasl i
teral
lysweating.When
Mosesshowedupathi sdoorsteponThur sday,he
refusedt
ot alktohim andshutt hedooronhi sface.
Heknewhehadanger edhim buthedidn'texpect
thathewoul dretali
atetothi
smagni tude.Hehear d
thedooropenandcl ose,Sbaniwalkedupt ohim, he
l
ookedatt hepieceofgl assesallovertheflooranda
fumingBlessont hecouch..
.

Sbani
-dude,
whathappenedher
e?
Bless-(br
usheshi
sfacewi
thhi
shands)If
oundmy
father
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ookedathi
m)t
hatagoodt
hingr
ight
?
Bl
ess-(
looki
ngathi
m)MosesGasa.
..
Sbani
-whatabouthi
m?.
..
.(ey
esout
)ohshi
t!
!!Hei
s
yourf
ather
?
Bl
ess-Yeah.
..
Sbani-(shocked)thisisnotgoodman.Thatmani s
wellknownf ortakingdownt opcr
imi
nals,heruns
themostsuccessf ul dr
ugandhumant raf
ficki
ngrai
d
i
nt hecountry.I
tnotl ooki
nggoodforyouman.He
veryrespectedinpubl i
c.
Bless-(Laughs)bel
i
evemeIknowallaboutthatman.
Het akendown5ofmybusi nesspar
tner
s.Todayhe
threatenedtotakemedownifIdonotagreetotal
k
tohi m.Hehadmyshi pmentt
oMozambi querai
ded
byt hehawks.
Sbani
-WHAT!!!!
!!
...Blessyoudonotwantt obeinhis
badbooks.
..
.(Thinking).
..yousayhet
hreatenedto
takey
oudown, whi chmeansheknowsev eryt
hing
abouty
ou,buthehasn'
tar
restedyou,hehasbeen
l
etti
ngyoudobusi
nesswithouti
nterf
erence.
Bless-(
shaki
nghishead)Nxi
!!
!Let
'sgodownt
he
roadtoOysterBox,
Ihaven'
teat
enallday
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y eahIact
ual
l
ycameher
esowe
coul
dhavelunch.

Theybothwal
koutchat
ti
ng,withSbani
tel
l
inghim
al
laboutMosesGasasuccessf
ulcri
mebusts.
..
.

ATTHENGCOBOHOUSEHOLD

Ntombi wasl ayingont hebed, hermindwas

occupiedbyspott hatishappeni ngaroundher.She
foundher selft
hinkingaboutdi v orce,butshequickl
y
gotridoft hatt
hought .Par tofherst i
llhadhopeof
fi
xinghermar r
iage,butpar tofherj ustdidn'
tcar
e
anymor e.Shet ri
edt hi
nkingofwher et hi
ngswent
wrong,shesi ghedandt ookherphonet ocal
lSbani
butasshewasscr olli
ngt hroughhercont act,
she
sawMt
hoko'
sname,
shesmi
l
edandpr
essedcal
l
...

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
ing)myCamer
onDi
az
Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)whyher
?
Mthoko-y
ougotlongsexyl
egsli
keherpl
usher
goofysmi
ler
emindsmeofy ou.
Ntombi-(
smi
l
es)y
ousomet
hingel
se.
..howhav
e
youbeen?
Mt
hoko-I
'
m okayIguess.Andy
ou?
Ntombi-uhmm I'
m okay.
..(
sil
ent
).
..
.wel
lIj
ust
wantedtocheckony ou
Mthoko-(
smil
es)I'
m gl
ady
oudi
d..
..(
sil
ent
).
..I
tgood
hear
ingyourv
oice.
Nt
ombi
-uhmmm okay
..
.takecar
e,Ihav
etogo.
..
Mt
hoko-by
e..
.
I
tbecamesi
l
ent
,theybot
hdi
dn'
thangup.
..

Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)hangupphel
a..
.
Mt
hoko-(
Laughs)y
oucal
l
edme.
..

Shelaughsandhangsup,
dai
l
ingt
heZul
uresi
dence
phone..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mav
is-Zul
uresi
dencehel
l
o
Nt
ombi
-SawubonaMav
is.
Mav
is-hel
l
oMr
sZul
u,howar
eyou?
Ntombi-(
smiles)I
'
mfi
neMav
is,
canIspeakt
omy
daught
erplease.
Mav
is-okay
,hol
don.
..
Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
..

Noma-(
smi
l
es)
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)hel
l
omom
Ntombi-(
smil
es)hell
obaby
,whyy
oubr
eat
hing
heavi
l
y,wereyourunni
ng
Noma-uhmmm don'
ttel
ldad,
Idon'
twantt
olosemy
f
rontt
eeth.
Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)okayi
twi
l
lbeourl
i
ttl
esecr
et.
..
Noma-(exci
tedl
y)j
ustl
i
kemyl
i
ttl
esecr
etwi
th
daddy
..
Nt
ombi
-(r
aisi
ngherey
ebr
ow)
Whatsecr
et?
Noma-(Laughs)Ican'
ttel
lyou.Wheny
oucomi
ng
back?
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)soonbaby
,Imi
ssy
ou.
Noma-okayby
emom.
.(r
ansbackout
side)
Nt
ombi
-babywai
t.
.
Mav
is-(
smi
l
es)shei
slonggone.
.
Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)okayt
hankMav
is.By
e.
Mav
is-t
akecar
eMr
sZul
u..
.

Shehangsupandhol
dsherpi
l
lowt
ight
lymi
ssi
ng
herdaught
er.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
47]Mar
cia:
Inser
t38

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shel ookedather sel

finthemi rr
or,satisf
iedwithher
l
ook.Shewaswear i
ngat i
ghtabov ethekneer ed
dress,t hedressmadeherr oundbut tsti
ckout .She
woret hedr esswithnobra,shehadherni pplepad
on,shedef i
nit
elyhadabodyofagoddess, she
mat chedt hedresswithblackredbot tomsst i
ltoes.
Shehadonher26i nchweav e,andbrightredlipsti
ck.
Shespr ay edherDiorperf
umeonherneckandchest .
Shel ookedandsmel l
edexpensi v
e,shet ookaf ul
l
bodypi cturewithherphoneandpost editon
I
nstagr am captioni
ngit,
"womenwhowearr ed"
Shelookedar
oundherapar
tment
,itwascl
eanand
neat
.Shetookherpur
seandheadedout.
..
.

I
TALY.
..
.

Si
zwewaslayi
ngont hebedbusyonhi
sphone,
whi
leSanewastaki
ngashower .
..
.

Sane-(
Shouti
ngfrom t
heshower
)babe,weneedt
o
cal
lyourpar
entsandchecki
fAyandai
sokay.
Si
zwe-lov
eIspoket othem yest
erday
.Ayandai
s
fi
ne.Wecan'tkeepcal
l
ingt hem,t
heywil
lthi
nkwe
don'
ttr
ustthem wit
hAy anda.
Sane-(
sighs)okay
.Itj
ustI
'
venev
erbeenawayf
rom
hi
mt hi
slong.
Si
zwe-hewi
l
lbef
inest
handwa.
..

Hewasscrol
l
ingdownonhisphonewhenhesaw
t
hepi
ctur
eNellypost
ed10minago.Hevi
ewedthe
comment
s..
.

@t
ess101-t
hatassbabe
@br
azoKm-mar
ryme
@Cr
aigSt
one-y
ell
owmommy

Hecont inuedreadi ngt hecomment s.Helikedt he

pict
ur e,
hewant edt ocommentbuthedeci dednott o.
Hev iewedherpr ofile,lookingthroughherpi ctures.
Het hansawapi ctur eoft hem whent heywent
bungeej umpingt oget her.Hesmi l
edremember ing
thatday ,howter ri
fiedhewas, buthedi dn'twantt o
l
ookpussyi nfr
ontofhersohej umped.Hewas
suprisedshehasn' tdel etedtheirpict
ures.Hedi aled
hernumber ,i
trangonce, hequi ckl
yendedt hecall.
..
..

ATTHEOYSTERBOX.
..

Nel
l
ypar
kesherwhi
teBMW X6,
shel
ockshercar
andmakesherwayi nside.Shel ooksar ound, her
eyesmetDer ek's,
hesmi lesandwav esather ,she
walkstohim, herfr
agrancecat chingt heattentionof
onegent l
eman, whowasseat edwi t
h2ot hermen
havingabusinessmeet ing,hewat chedasshe
el
egant l
ywalkedupt oat ablewithonegent leman
wear i
ngasuitandabouquetofr edr oses,hesi ghed
andcont i
nuedwi t
hhisconv ersation.

Shefinal
l
yreachedDerek'
stabl
e,hestoodupand
huggedher,enhal
i
ngherperfume,hekissedheron
thecheekandpull
edthechairf
orhertoseat,he
wentaroundtookhisseat
..
.

Derek-(
smi
l
ed)
(handi
nghert
her
edr
oses)t
hesear
e
foryou.
Nel
ly
-(smiled)t
hanky ou.
(t
aki
ngther
oses)t
hey
smel
lnice.Youjusthadtowearasui
tonaSatur
day
..
Derek-(
Laughs)I'm acl
assyman,Ineedtomai ntai
n
theimage.(Lookingather
)youl
ookbeautif
ul,damn
Igofor2y earsandIcomebacktoy oul
ookinglike
t
his.
Nel
ly
-(Laughs)whatarey
outry
ingt
osay
?Il
ookt
he
samewayIdid2y ear
sback.
Der
ek-Nonoyoudon'
t.Youwereski
nnybackthan.
Nowyoufi
tandsexy
.Ithi
nkIneedtowif
ey ounow.
Nel
l
y-Mxm,
yout
ir
edofAmer
icangi
rl
snow?
Der
ek-(Laughs)don'
twor
ry,
I'
m st
il
lyoursuperbae
sweetcheeks.

Theyl
aughastheycont
inuet
ocatchup,t
heysi
gnal
thewai
tert
ocomeandt aket
hei
rorder
..
..

Nel
ly
-(looki
ngatt
hemenu)uhmm Iwi
l
lhav
ewi
ne,
dr
yplease.
Der
ek-justbr
ingusthewholebott
le,(
looksather
)
l
et'
sorderthein-
housepl
att
er,whatdoy out
hink?
Nell
y-(
smiles)gr
eati
dea.YouknowI
'
m notmuchof
afoodi
e..
Der
ek-(
looki
ngatt
hewai
ter
)thatwi
l
lbeal
lfornow.
.
Thewait
erleav
est
hei
rtabl
etogoplacethei
rorder
,
hecomesbackwit
hthei
rbott
leofwineandpoursi
t
fort
hem..
.

Derek-(pi
cki
nghisgl
ass)
lett
oasttohav
inggr
eat
ti
me, conver
sat
ionandgr
eatlaugh.
..
.
Nel
ly
-(pi
ckinghergl
ass)
(smil
i
ng)hehehesi
nce
whenareyouthi
scheesy.
..

Theydr
inkupandcont
inuecat
chi
ngup.
..

Der
ek-soy
oust
il
lav
irgi
n?
Nel
ly-(
Laughs)If
orgoty
oucanbest
upi
dify
ouwant
t
o..
.
Derek-(smil
es)What
?PhelaIwassupposet
obe
yourfi
rstaccordi
ngt
oyourscr
apbook.
Nel
ly-(
Laughs)pl
easedon'
tbr
ingupt
heThe
scr
apbook.
Derek-(Laughs)whynot ?Thatli
kethebestpartof
ourlovestory.Comet othi
nkofit,weshouldhave
keptitandframeditforourkids.Itwouldhav
emade
agreatexampl eof,neverdoubtyourdreams,
dreamsdocomet rue.
Nelly
-ohGod!!!(Smil
ing)younotgoi
ngtol
ett
hisgo
areyou?Youwi l
lfor
everremindmeofthe
scrapbook.
Der
ek-(
smi
l
es)getusedt
oitbabe.
..

Thewait
erbri
ngst
heirfoodt
othem,
her
efi
l
lst
hei
r
gl
asseswit
hwineagain..
.

Nel
l
y-soanygi
rl
fr
iend,
chi
l
d?
Derek-gi
rl
fr
iendno,(smi
les)thatwhyI'
m back,
you
wil
lbemygi rl
fr
iend.Idohavet woki
dsthough,twi
ns
act
uallyagir
landaboy ,tur
ning1yearnextweek.
Nel
l
y-soy
ouwi
l
lmi
sst
hei
rbi
rt
hdaysi
ncey
ouher
e?
Der
ek-theyl
i
veher
einDur
ban.Youdi
dn'
tknowI
hav
ekids?
Nel
l
y-noIdi
dn'
t,
younev
ert
oldme.
Derek-(
Laughs)Ial
wayspostthem onmyI nst
agr
am
page.Ahhayouoneofthoseslayqueenswho
expectustofol
lowthem butt
heydon'tf
oll
owback..
.
Nell
y-(
burstoutlaughi
ng)Iactual
l
ydofoll
owy ou
butIj
ustdon'thaveti
met ospendonInst
agram.

Theyconti
nuetochatandlaughhereandt
her
e,she
washav i
ngagreatt
ime,Derekwasaeasyguyto
tal
kto,heremi
ndedherofShaka..
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
.

Blesspar kshiscar,t
heygetexitthecarl
ockingi t
.
Sbani excuseshimselfashehast oansweracal l
.
Hemov esf ur
theraway.Blesswasaboutt owal kto
theent r
anceoft herest
urantwhenhenot i
cedt he
Whi teBMW X6, hewant edtolookattheregi
str at
ion
plate,whenapassi ngcardistur
bedhim,hootingt hat
heisst andinginitdr
ivi
ngpath,hequickl
ymov edf or
t
hecarandheadedt
othedoor
,for
get
ti
ngt
olookat
t
hecarpl
ates.
..

Hewenti
nsidether
estaur
antandthewai
tershowed
hi
mtohistabl
e,hehandedhi
mt hemenu.
..

Bl
ess-Pl
easeleav
eonef
ormyf
ri
endt
oo,
hewi
l
ljoi
n
meshort
ly.
..

Thewait
erl
eftanothermenuforSbani,
aft
eraf
ew
minut
esSbanij
oinedBlessatt
hetable.
..

Sbani
-sor
ryt
hatwasmyl
awy
er.
.
Bl
ess-(
rai
singhi
sey
ebr
ow)l
awy
er?
Sbani
-ihadameet ingwit
hhimthismorningabout
myassets.Ialsoaskedhi
mt odr
awupaf ai
r
set
tl
ementf orNtombiandthedi
vorcepapers.
Bl
ess-(
sighs)y
our
eal
l
ywantt
odot
his?
Sbani-y eah,i
tnouseput ti
ngitof
fforal
ongti
me.I t
unfaironNt ombi anditunfai
ronNell
yaswell
,Ineed
tostar tshowingherthatI'
m committ
ed,
Ineedto
startletti
ngherknowmeandmeknowherwi thout
anythingholdingusback.
Bless-(
shaki
nghishead)Ihopef
ory
oursake,
that
thi
sistheri
ghtdeci
sion.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)i
tis.
..
Bl
ess-(
Laughs)Inev
er.
..

Hecoul
dnotfi
nishashecouldnotbeli
eve,
whathe
wasseei
ngatt
hef arendoft
herestaur
ant,Sbani
l
ooksathi
m,waiti
ngforhi
mt ofi
nishhi
ssent ence.
..

Sbani
-(Laughs)y
ounev
erWhat
???
Bl
ess-(l
ookingathi
m bl
i
nki
ng)ahh,
uhm (
looksat
Nel
lyagain)
...
Sbani
-(smil
es)aaahhhWhat
??(Looki
ngwher
e
Bl
essislooki
ng)whatar
ey..
..
Hecoul dnotf i
nishhissentence,hissmi l
evanished
from hisface, t
her eshewas, smili
ng,laughi
ng
l
ookingr athertocomf ort
able.Hiswhol edeminor
changed, hef el
tknot sonhisstomach, hi
schest
star
tedt opai nandhi swhol ebreat
hingchanged.He
watchedheronceagai n,shelookedr eall
ybeauti
ful
.
Whywoul dshel ookt hisbeauti
fulforhim?Why
wouldshel aughandsmi leli
kethatforhim?Whoi s
he??Whyi sshesocomf ort
ablearoundhi m??She
washi s,heshoul dmakeherl aughandsmi l
eli
ke
that
,sheshoul dl ookthatbeauti
fulonlyforhi
m?She
washi s,andhewasher s..
.

Blessl ookedatt hestresslinesonhisfri

ends
forehead, hewat chedhowhi shandswillf
orm afi
st
ever ynowandagai n,hewat chedhowhi sfri
end
battledwi t
hhismi nd, heatsomepoi ntthoughthe
sawt earsfor
mi nginhi seyesbuthelookedclearl
y
athi seyeandnot i
cedsomet hi
ngfarworse,he
wat chedhowhi sey esturnedtothoseeyesthathe
wishedt onev erseeagai n,thoseeyesthat
acci
dentall
ystrangl
edagi
rlt
odeaththatfat
eful
ni
ght.Theey esofamonst
er,theey
esofaman
possessed.Heknewhehadt odosomet hi
ngfast
.

Bl
ess-Hei
spr
obabl
yjustaf
ri
end
Sbani-(
clenchi
nghi
sjaws)hebr
oughtherRED
roses.
..
Bl
ess-uhmm,
uhmm i
tjustani
cegest
ure.
Sbani
-(
looki
ngdi
rect
lyathi
sey
es)t
heyRED.
..
Bless-(
pleadi
ngeyes)okayl
i
sten,wewi
llgot
her
e
andgety ourgi
rl
.But.
.wedot hi
scal
mly
.
Sbani-(
breathi
ngheavi
ly)l
ookathowshei
ssmi
l
ing,
sheison...She.
..shei
sonadate..
.
Bless-Nono.
..(
fakesmi
li
ng)i
tnotadat
e..Comeon,
youinti
midat
edbythatl
oser
.

Sbani
get
supandwalkst
othei
rtabl
e,Bl
essqui
ckl
y
fol
l
owshi
m beggi
nghimt
onotcauseascene..
.
Nellywasl isteningtoDer ekt ell heraboutt hef unny
storiest hathappenedwhenheandNhl anhl awer ein
varsity,shel aughedsohar dandwhenshel ooked
ahead, shenot icedspot t
edSbani andBlessmaki ng
theirwayt ohert able,shesmi ledatt hem butonl y
Blesssmi ledback, shenot i
cedi twasaf akesmi le,
somet hinginsideherchanged, somet hi
ngt ol dher
thatt hiswasn' taf r
iendlygr eeting.Shel ookedat
Sbani ,somet hi
ngwasdi fferentabouthi m, hiswhol e
aurachangedt osomet hingdar kanddanger ous.
Sheswal l
owedhar d,astheyr eachedhert abl e.
..

Bl
ess-(
fakesmi
l
e)hel
l
o..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
e)heyguy
s..(
Looki
ngatSbani
)

Sbani'
seyest
hiswholeti
meweredi
rect
edatDer
ek
anditwasn'
tafri
endl
ylook.
..
.

Nel
l
y-uhmmm Der
ekt
hisi
sBl
ess,
hei
saf
ri
end.
Der
ek-(
Shaki
ngBl
esseshand)ni
cet
omeet
..
Bl
ess-(
fakesmi
l
e)pl
easur
e..
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)t
hisi
sSbani
,hei
smycol
l
egue.
..
Der
ek-(
looksatSbani
)(
frowns)
Iknowhi
m..
Nel
l
y-(
supr
ised)oh.
.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatNel
l
y)l
etgo.
..
.
Nel
ly-(
frownsl
ooki
ngathi
m)I
'
m st
il
lhav
ingl
unch
wit
h..
.

Bl
esslooksatNel l
ywithpl
eadingeyes,shesi
ghs
i
rr
it
ated,SbanilooksatDer
ekonel astt
ime,hetakes
Nel
lyspurse,andwalksout
...

Nel
l
y-(
looksatDer
ek)I
'
m sor
ryf
ort
his,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou
t
omorr
ow.
Der
ek-whati
shet
oyou?Ar
eyoudat
inghi
m?
Nel
l
y-no,
he.
..

Bl
esscl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
,Nel
l
ylooksathi
m,shei
sver
y
annoy
edr
ightnow.
..
Nel
l
y-(
huggi
ngDer
ek)Iwi
l
lexpl
ainl
ater
..
Derek-(ki
sseshercheek)I'
m notsur
eitsaf
eleav
ing
wit
hhi m,didyouseehisface.
.
Bless-hewon'
thur
theri
fthatwhaty
ouwor
ri
ed
about.
Nell
y-Iwi
ll
befi
ne.(Smi
les)Ihadagr
eatt
ime,
thank
you.
..
(pi
cki
ngt
heflower
s)
Bless-(
takesther
osesoutherhand)It
hinki
tbestI
takethese.
..
Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)Nxi
..
.

Shewal ksouttherest
urant.Shewalkstohercar,
sheisverypissedri
ghtnow.Whodoeshet hi
nkheis,
thi
swasj ustaninnocentl
unch.Shewasaboutt o
reachhercar,whenSbani gotoutoft
hecarand
wenttoopent hepassengerdoorforher,sheangri
ly
gotin.Hewasaboutt ostraptheseatbel
tforher,
whensheangr il
ystopedhim...
Nel
l
y-(
angr
y)Icandoi
tmysel
f.
..
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)remov
eyourhands.
..

Shesi
ghedandl
ethi
m st
rapherseatbel
tforher
..
.

Sbani
-thanky
ou.
..

Hewentt othedr iv
er'sseatandst r
appedhi mself.
Hest artedt heengi neandr eversed,hej oi
nedt hecar
tother oad.I twaspur esi l
entinsidethecar .She
l
ookedathi m, shecoul dseehewast r
yinghisbest
tostaycal m.Forsomer easonthissideofhi m
i
ntri
guedher ,shewat chedhowhi sstronghands
gri
pedt hest arri
ngwheel ofhercar,shebegi nto
i
magi net hosesamest ronghandsgr appingtightly
onhert ighsandmar kingher .Shehadt obesmar t
aboutt his,sher eall
ydidnotwantt oar guewi t
hhi m.
Shelookedathi m, asill
ythoughtpoppedupher
mind, couldsher eall
ydoi t?Sheunf astenedher
seatbelt,shet urnedtohi m andl owerdherhead, she
unzi
ppedhi
sJean,
maki
nghi
mlookather
..
.

Nel
l
y-keepdr
ivi
ng.
..

Hepushedherheaddown,andcont
inueddr
ivi
ng
wi
thasmirkonhisface.
..
.

Seey
ouMonday
[
11/
3,20:
47]Mar
cia:
Inser
t40

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL

Nurse1-Ineedyoutopushf
orme,
Iwi
l
lcountt
o3
andyouwi l
lstar
tpushi
ng
Si
mi-(
taki
ngdeepbr
eat
hs)okay
…
Doct
or-okay
,Nur
sebegi
nthecountdown.
.
Nur
se1-1,
2,3nowpush…
Si
mi-(
pushi
ng)ahhhhh….
.ahhhhh
Doct
or-y
oudoi
nggood…

Afteraseveralmi
nutesofherpushi
ng,shefinal
ly
gavebirthtoababyboy.Thenursehastakenhimt o
gocleanhim up.Simii
slayi
ngonherhospitalbed
exhausted.Ma’Si
welaandZenandeknockandwal k
i
nsideherr oom.

Ma'
Siwel
a-(
smi
l
ing)hel
l
omybaby
..
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
omah
Zenande-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
omommy
..
Si
mi-(Laughs)whendi
dyougetback?
,It
houghty
ou
wentbackhome.
Zenande-Icamebacky
est
erday
,Icoul
dnotmi
ss
thi
smoment .
Ma'Si
wela-uphi
mzukul
uwami
?(Wher
eismy
gr
andson?)
Si
mi-(
yawns)t
heywentt
ocl
eanhi
m up.I
'
m sur
e
sebez
ombuy
isamanj
e
(
Theywi
l
lbr
inghi
m backnow)
Ma'Si
wela-howcuteishe?Doeshehaveyour
marbl
eey es?Orunekhandael
ikhul
unj
engoyi
se(
he
hasabigheadli
kethedad)
Simi-(Laughs)hedidn'
topenhiseyesthatmuch,he
sotinyandador ablema,Ican’
tbeli
eveI'
m amom.
Ngiyabongama, y
ouhavesupportedmet hr
oughout
thi
sjourney
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
hol
dingherhand)you’
remydaught
er,
it
mydutyt
osupporty
oubaby .
Zenande-hav
eyounamedhi
myet
?
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)no,
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
orNhl
anhl
a.

Nel
lywalksi ncarryingalotof“i
taboybal l
ons”and
amonkeyst af fanimal,
shecomesi nsidesi nging
j
oyusmusi c,ZeeandSi mijoi
ninsinging,even
MaSiwel
af ailedkeepingupast rai
ghtf ace,theysti
ll
werenottalking.Buttodaywasnotaboutt hem,
t
odaywasaspeci aldayfortheSiwelaf amil
y .The
j
oyussingingwentonf orafewmi nutes.Theenergy
wasallposit
ive.Shetiedtheballonsonher
headboardandhuggedSi mi
, shewentt ogiv
eZeea
hugaswel l
.Shewal kedupt ohermot hernervousl
y
smil
ing…

Nell
y-(
smi
l
es,
sti
cki
ngherhandsoutf
orahug)hel
l
o
gogo
MaSiwela-(
smiledtear
y)(
embr aci
ngher)Ist
il
lcan'
t
beli
eveI'
m agrandmothernow.I'm sohappy
,thi
sis
thebestdayeverbaby,(
snif
fs)ngiwugogo…
(Laughssni
ffi
ng)…
Nell
y-(smi l
edlookingather)
(sti
ll
inherarms)(wi
pes
hertears)Iknow, zi
bheke(
look)howhappyhappy
youare?( Laughs)yourhai
rlit
eral
lyt
urnedgrey
today.

Theyal
llaughed,Si
mi l
ookedatthewomeni nfr
ont
ofher
,shefeltbl
essedtohav et
hem inherl
i
fe.In
suchashortspaceoftime,shehasbuil
taspecial
bondwit
hZenande, sheisalsogreat
ful
howt hi
s
wholeexperi
encehasbr oughtherandNellycl
oser,
shehasalway sdi
stancedherselff
rom herbecause
ofherfri
endshipwithLungi
ey.Thenursecame
i
nsidetheroom withherbabyboywr appedupinhis
fl
uffybl
ueblanket.Hewassot iny…

Nurse2-(
hol
dingt
hebaby
)Ihav
eyourpr
eci
ous
car
goherewithme.
MaSi
wel
a-(
tear
y)canIhol
dhi
m…

Simitear
ynodded,t
henursehandedMaSi
welat
he
baby,shehel
dhergrandsoni
nherarmsand
i
nstantl
yfel
li
nlovewit
hhim,shecoul
dnotst
opthe
tear
sofjoy…

MaSiwela-(t
eary
)ohmygod! !
!MuhleSimi(hei
s
beauti
ful
)(babytal
k)hel
lobaby,
I'
my ourgogo,
we
goingtohavesomuchf untoget
her.

ZenandeandNel
l
ymov
edcl
osert
oMaSi
wel
aas
theyadmiredthebaby,
theyallspoketohim asifhe
couldhearthem,l
aughterf
il
ledtheroom.Af t
er45
minutesofeachofthem havingthei
rmomentwi th
thenewbor n,t
heyfi
nal
lyhandedSi miherson.She
rockedhiminherarms..

MaSi
wel
a-whenar
etheKhoza’
scomi
ng?
Simi-I
'm notsurema,Itol
dNhlanhl
at otel
lhi
sfat
her
though.Ithinkt
hewomenwi ll
come, Idon’
tthi
nk
anymal efrom t
heirsi
dewil
lcome,youknowhow
tradi
ti
onaltheyare.
.
Nell
y-(Laughs)t
heyst
il
lbel
i
eveint
hat“themales
arenotall
owedtoseethebabyunt
ilaf
ter3weeksit
born?
Si
mi-(
sighs)y
eah…i
magi
ne!
!!
Nel
l
y-Nhl
anhl
a'
sfat
heri
samoder
nmant
hough.
.
MaSiwel
a-(
Laughs)Donwil
lcomeseehi
sgr
andson,
t
hereisnowayhewill
waitf
or3weeks.

Asi
fspeaki
ngoft
hedev
il
,Twoaunt
’sf
rom t
he
Khozaf amilywalki
nsi
deSimi ’
sr oom,oneofthe
aunt’
swasThenj iwe,MaSiwela’sworstni
ghtmare,
theygreetthem andmaket heirwaytoSimi.Oneof
theaunt’sasksSimitohandhi mt hebaby.

Simi
-auntMari
ayoucanholdhi
m whenhei
sawake,
usal
elemanj
e(heissl
eepi
ngnow)
AuntMaria-makoti
,kumel
engihl
oleumtwanaukut
hi
uKhozangempelayini(
Ineedt
oidenti
fyt
hebaby
andseeifitaKhozababyforr
eal
)
Si
mi-Yesaunt
ieIhearyou.ButIaskyoudot
hat
whenheisawake,heneedstorest.
AuntMar
ia-Thenj
i
we,
ngenzenj
ani
?
MaSiwel
a-hawubantu!!
!Si
miisnotdenyi
ngyou
yourdut
y,shej
ustasksyoudoitwhenthebabyi
s
awake.
AuntMari
a-(
looki
ngatMa'
Siwel
aupanddown)
ungubani
wena?(Whoarey
ou?)
Thenji
we-(
Laughs)hhehhh!
!!Uy
enal
owahlul
wa
ukuganwaubhuti(Shei
stheonewhofai
l
edto
mar
rymybr
other
)
AuntMaria-(
lookingatMa'
Siwel
a)hehhehehuma
wabafanalo,(
clapsonce)I
'
m notsurpr
isedbhut
i
di
dn'tmarryher.
MaSi wela-(r
oll
sey es)wer eal
lygoingthere,
technical
lyI'
m am aKhozawi fe,
yourbr ot
her
mar r
iedmet radit
ionall
y,getoffyourhighhorses,
Thenjiwey oudon’twantt opickafightwithme.This
i
sahappydayf orme.
Thenjiwe-(
looki
ngatZeeandNel ly)soy ouhad
anotherbabyafterlel
ibhunulakho( pointsatNel
ly)
tothinkyouwant edmybr othert
or ai
seawhi tebaby,
havey oufi
nall
yshowedy ourdaughterherrealf
ather
?
Inganekabasi l
e
MaSiwela-Inev eraskedDont oraisemydaught er
hewant edtoonhi sown.Ir efused, getyourfact s
str
aightThenjiwe,you'r
esuchabi tterperson,that
uzofauwedwa( youwi l
ldieal one).Ev erwonder ed
whyy ourbrothersrelat
ionshipsnev erwor k,
itall
becauseofy ou.Nxi nayiigulubebo…
Nel
l
y-mamacal
m down,
letusnotspoi
lthemood.
Thenji
we-l
alel
alel
i bhunulakho(
li
stentothi
swhi
te
Chil
eofyours)It
hinkitti
mey oul
eave,onl
yfami
ly
shoul
dbeher enow.
MaSi
wel
a-t
hisi
smygr
andson,
Ideser
vet
obeher
e.
Thenj
i
we-t
hisi
saKhozababy
.Nhl
anhl
aisaKhoza.
MaSiwel
a-kwabhenjwamina,
kwaphumal oNhl
anhl
a
omushoyo(Iwasfuckedt
hanNhlanhl
awasborn),
sucki
tup,asi
yindawo(wenotgoingany
where)
AuntMar
ia-(
cov
ershermout
h)hawu!
,hawu!
..
..
Nel
l
y-Mama!
!!
MaSiwela-Nxiyini
,theypri
dingthemsel
ves
ngemisebenziyegquzay ami(aboutmyvagi
naswor
k)
Nhlanhl
aisalsomychi ld.
AuntMar
ia-hay
bo!
!!Kant
ilomf
azi
unj
ani
?(What
ty
peofwomani st
his)
Nel
l
y-MAMA!!
!.
..l
etgo,
wewi l
lcomeandseeSimi
t
omorr
ow,i
fwestayheret
hiswill
escal
atemor
e…
Theybi
dSimigoodbye,Si
mi andZenandecoul
dnot
hol
dbackthei
rlaught
er,MaSiwel
aisonewoman
youdon’
twanttomesswi t
h.Shedishesi
traw…..
ATSBANIANDNTOMBIHOUSE

Sbani
camedownst
air
sweari
nghi
sgol
fatt
ir
e,
NtombiandNomawerewat
chi
ngt
vtoget
her…
Sbani
-(t
aki
nghi
skey
s)I
’
m of
f…
Noma-(
looki
ngatherdad)daddywher
eyougoi
ng?
Sbani
-(smi
l
eskissinghercheek)I
'
m goi
ngt
opl
ay
gol
fwithmyfr
iends.
Noma-canIcome?
Sbani
-Nobaby
,nogi
rl
sal
l
owed…
Noma-okay
…(goesbackt
owat
chi
ngt
v)
Nt
ombi
-whatt
imewi
l
lyoubeback?
Sbani
-I'
m notsur
e,hav
eyouhadt
imet
ogot
hrough
thepaper
s?
Ntombi-(si
ghs)No,
I'
m meet
ingmyl
awy
ert
his
af
ternoon.
Sbani
-okay
…
Her emember edBl essaskedhi mt obr i
nghi m an
extrapairofgol fglov es, heputhi sphoneandcar
keysdownr ushi ngbackupst ai r
s.Hi sphonebeeped
i
ndicat i
ngat extcomi ngi n, shel ookedati t,
tempt ati
ontoopeni t, itwast her erightinherf ace.
Shet ookhisphoneandopenedi t
,ithadno
passwor d,sheopenedt het exti twasBl ess
remindinghi m nott of or gett heext ragol fgl
ov es.
Shewasaboutt oswi tchi toffwhenshesawher
name, “
Nell
y ”itwast hesecondname, onhischat .
Heopenedhi schatwi thher ,butshef oundnot hing,
thei
rconv ersationwasmai nlyaboutwor kbutasshe
scroll
edshenot icedat exthesentt oher“ you
missedgy mt he3r dt i
mei nar ownow”she
swallowedwheni tclickedt ohert hathechanged
gym becauseofher ,shewast he“ gy m buddy ”she
scroll
edagai nandcamet oat extt hatread“ I'
m
sorry”towhi chsher epl ied“ youcan' tkeepsel f
medi cati
ngy ourselfwi thsl eepi ngpi ll
si tnothealthy
”
shewasaboutt or eadt hei rent i
reconv ersati
on
whenshehear dhisst epscomi ngdownst ai
rs.She
quickl
ypl
acedhisphoneback.Hecamedownand
tookther
estofhisst
aff
.

Sbani-pl
easemakesureyoucomebackwith
feedbackfr
om y
ourlawyer
,youhav
edelay
edt hi
s
enoughnow.
Ntombi-(
annoy
ed)Mxm showal
i
ttl
ecompassi
on,
I
’m st
il
lyourwi
fe.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)I'
m notl
ett
ingy
our
uinmymood,
just
si
gnthepapers.

Hewalksoutt
hehouse,
leavi
ngapissedNtombi
,
shet
ookherphoneanddial
edhersi
ster
..
Ri
ngi
ng…

Nont
o-hel
l
osi
si
Ntombi
-(annoyed)hei
scheati
ngonmeNonto.That
whyheisdivor
cingme,i
tbecauseoft
hatwhi
te
bi
mboNxi !
!!
Nont
o-(si
ghs)yousti
llhav
en'tsignedthepapers?
Si
siwhyyoudoingthi
st oyourself
?Signthepapers,
hegaveyouafairset
tl
ement .
Ntombi-(
angry
)ifhethi
nkshewi l
ldi
vor
cemef or
her,
unyil
e(heisshit
ti
ng),Ineedt
opaythathome
wrecki
ngbit
chhitchavisi
t.
Nonto-NoNo,don'tsisi
,calm downplease.Just
t
hinkforaminut
e, youdon’twanttolooklikeacrazy
f
ool.Don’
tembarrassy oursel
f.

Shehungupf
umi
ng….

Nt
ombi
-(scr
eami
ng)ahhhhh….
Noma-(
laughi
ng)mommywhyy
ouscr
eami
ng?
Ntombi
-nevermi
ndbaby,
(thi
nki
ng)babyr
emember
t
hesecrety
ouhavewit
hdaddy?
Noma-(
conf
used)whatsecr
et?
Ntombi-(
sighs)babycomeont
hel
i
ttl
esecr
ety
ou
anddaddyshare,tel
lmommy.
Noma-Idon’
tremember
…
Nt
ombi
-(annoy
ed)NOMA!
!!Damnmi
t…r
emember
…
Noma-(
frowns)Don'
tshoutatme…
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)I
'
m sor
rybaby
…
Noma-(standi
ngup)Idon’
twanttowat
chtv
anymore,
Idon’tl
i
keyou,Iwantt
ogotoKhulus
house.

Shewalkedupst
air
stoherr
oom andbangedt
he
doorl
oud….

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL

Nomvel
ophonevi
brated,
shepickedi
tupandsaw
t
hecall
erI
Dandsmiledtoher
self.
.
Bl
ess-hel
l
obeaut
if
ul
Nomv
elo-heyy
ou…
Bl
ess-howi
syourdaysof
ar?
Nomvel
o-y
ouknowital
way
sbusyf
orme.Ar
ewe
st
il
lonf
ortoni
ght
?
Bless-(
smi
led)def
ini
tel
y,I
'
m onmywayt
opl
aygol
f
ri
ghtnow.
Nomv
elo-(
smi
l
ed)okay
,letmewor
k.
Bl
ess-I
'
m get
ti
ngmyki
sst
oni
ght
,itout3r
ddat
e…
Nomv
elo-uhmmm weshal
lseeMrNdawor
a
Bl
ess-by
eMr
sNdawor
a

Shehangedupandspi
nnedonherchai
rsmi
l
ing….
[
11/
3,20:
49]Mar
cia:
Inser
t41

ATCOASTALI
SLANDS

Nomvel
owalksi
nsi
dethehot
elandmakesherway
t
othedi
ningar
ea,t
hehost
essmeetsherhal
fway

Host
ess-(
smi
l
es)goodev
eni
ngmam,
arey
oudi
ning
al
one?
Nomvel
o-(smil
es)No,I
'm meet
ingsomeoneher
e.I
t
hinkt
heyalr
eadywait
ingformeinsi
de.
Host
ess-okaycomet
hroughmom.

Shewal ksinsideandlooksaroundt hediningarea,

shespot sBlessont hefarendtable,shesmi l
esand
walkst ohim.Sensingthatsomeonei slookingat
him, helooksupandseesherwal kingtowardshim
smiling,hesmi l
esbackandst andsup, fi
nall
yshe
reachedhi m,hegreetsherandkisseshercheek
pull
ingthechai rf
orhertosit…

Nomvel
o-(
smi
l
es)t
hisl
ookscozyandi
tver
ywar
m
i
nher
e.
Bl
ess-woul
dyour
atherIt
akey
out
oNandos?
Nomvelo-(
Laughs)f
ory
ouri
nfor
mat
ionIl
ove
Nandoschicken.
Bl
ess-ournextdatewegoi
ngtoNandos(
Laughs)
.
Youlookbeauti
ful
bytheway.
Nomvel
o-(
blushes)y
oudon’tl
ookt
obad.Sot
hisi
s
t
hedatewherewegettoknoweachot
hermor
e.
Bless-cometothi
nkofit
,thi
sisourf
ir
stof
fi
ci
aldat
e.
Thepr evi
ous2werenotreal
l
ydateswehadSbani
andNel l
yther
e.
Nomvel
o-(smi
l
es)yeah.(
Thi
nking)
…whatgoi
ngon
vel
ebetweent
hosetwo?Aretheyani
tem?
Bl
ess-(
sighs)i
tcompl
i
cated,
letnott
alkaboutt
hem
Iwantt
oknowaboutyou.Whoi sNomvelo?
Nomv elo-(smi
les)Nomv eloisa30y earol
dwoman,
verypassionat
eaboutmedi ci
ne,I
'mt heoldestat
homeandIhav e2sibli
ngsbot hboy s.I'
m avery
boringperson(Laughs).Idon’tdr
ink,mostoft he
ti
mesI ’
m athomewi t
hmyt wokids.
Bl
ess-y
ouhav
etwoki
ds?
Nomv
elo-(
sighs)Yeah…
Bless-(
looki
ngather)
(smil
es)theypr
obabl
ycute
l
ikethei
rmommy .Youshouldn’
tbeashamedofi
t,
beingamom i sabeauti
ful
thing.
Nomv
elo-I
'
m notashamed,
buti
tusual
l
yhar
dto
datewhenawomanhaskids.Mostoft
het
imeman
avoiddat
ingwomenwi
thkids.
Bless-Idon’
thaveaprobl
em withawomanwhohas
kids.(
Smi l
es)i
nfactI
tabonusforme, usual
l
y
womanwi t
hkidsaremoreresponsi
ble.Howoldar
e
they?
Nomv el
o-(smil
es)theytwins,
theyturnedone3
monthsback.Theyar eahandful(l
aughs)myboy
t
hinksheisamonkey ,hej
umpsal lovert
hehouse.
Mybabygi r
lisaprincess,
sheliv
esi nacastl
eand
weallareherserv
ant s.
Bless-(
smil
eslooki
ngather
)youl
i
ghtupwheny
ou
speakaboutthem.
Nomvel
o-(smi
l
es)theyar
emyl i
fe.Uhmm sowhoi
s
Bl
ess?AndwhythenameBless?
Bless-(l
aughs)Iknewy ouwouldaskt hat.Myname
i
sact uall
ySbusisoBlessi
ngNdawor a.Ididn’twant
togowi ththetypi
cal“Sbu”andmymom l i
kedto
callmeBl ess,
itdi
ff
erentIli
kedit
.Well Bl
essi sbor
n
andbr eadinBotswana,I'
mt heonl
ychi l
d,am a
strai
ghtfowardguy,Idon’tdowellwit
hdi ctator
shi
p
whi
chiswhyBlessisanentr
epreneurandnota9t
o
5guy.Unf
ort
unatel
yIhavezerokidsyet
.
Nomv
elo-howol
dar
eyou?
Bless-(Laughs)Il
eftt
hatpar
tonpurpose.Iknew
youwoul dquerymyage, y
ouwomenar eso
predict
able.I
'm 32andfr
esh,i
ttheBot
swanamagi c.
Nomvel
o-(r
oll
seyes)cockymuch!!!(
Looki
ngathim)
your
emindofmydad,y ouactual
lyhavehiseyes,
youl
ookli
kethey
oungerv er
sionofhim(Laughs)oh
mygodthi
sisweird.
Bless-(Laughs)wellt
heydosay,gi
rl
sshoul
dmarry
guysliketheirf
ather
.Hemustbeawonder f
ulman,
tel
lhimy oubr i
nghim asoni
n-l
awthatl
ooksli
kehi
m.
Nomvel
o-(
Laughs)t
wobul
l
sinonekr
aal
,notagood
i
dea.

Theycont i
nuetal
kingandlaughing,i
twassucha
ref
reshingtobeineachot her
’scompanies,
everyt
hingfel
tnatural
,conversat
ionswerenot
for
ced,theythi
nkedaliketoo.Alli
nalli
twassafet
o
say,
thi
swasthebegi
nningofawonder
ful
jour
ney
fort
hem,orsot
heythought
…

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shewasi nt hebat hr oom, shej ustf i

nishedt akinga
quickshower .Shewant edtobr ushhert eet hwhen
sher eali
sedshehasr anoutofCol gate.Shekeeps
extrastockofCol gat ei nsidet hebat hroom dr awer .
Sheopenedt hef irstdr awerandr eali
sedi twast he
drawerwher eshekeptherpant yliners,sani tary
padsandherwi pes.Shewasaboutt ocl oset he
drawerwhensomet hingcaughtherat tent ion.Ther e
wer efourunt ouchedal way spadspacks, this
couldn’tbecor rect, yesshekeepsext rapacksbut
usuallytherei sal way sonepackandhal fl ef tbef or
e
shebuy sandr eplacest hestock.Herhear tst arted
beatingfast .Itbeenl ongsi nceshewentandbought
pads, hel
l comet ot hinkofi t,shecannotr emember
thelasttimeshehadherper iod.Suddenl yt heroom
becamet oosmal l
, shef el
tsuf focat ed.Af teraf ew
mi nutesshecomposedher selfandopenedt hel ast
drawert ookoutt heCol gat eandwentt obr ushher
teeth.Shekeptt ell
ingher selfItnothing,butt her ate
ofherhear tbeatsheknewshewasj ustindeni al.
Shewal kedtohercl osettogetdr essedi nhersl eep
wear ,shedr oppedhert owel andl ookedathernaked
bodyi nt hemi rr
or,sheexami nedeachandev er ypart
ofherbody .Atf i
rstglancenot hi
ngl ookedoutoft he
ordinarybutwhenshel ookedcl oselyherst omach
wasn’ tthatflatany more, thelowerpar tofi twas
bloated, shetouchedherBel l
y, herhear tstarted
beat i
ngv eryfast,itwashar d….

Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)God!
!No…

Herphonevibrates,shel ooksatt
hecall
erandit
’s
Sbani
,shethinksofi gnoringhi
m butshegetsr
idof
thatt
houghtfast,knowi nghim,hewoulddri
veall
the
waytoherapar t
ment .Sheanswers…

Nel
l
y-(
wipeshert
ear
s)Hey
…
Sbani
-(qui
etf
orasecond)
…whatwr
ong?
Nel
ly-(
snif
fs)(f
akeslaugh)itnothi
ngyoushoul
d
worr
yabout.Itt
earsofjoy,Simigavebi
rt
htoday,I
'
m
anaunt.
Sbani
-….
.(qui
et)
…Imi
ssy
ou.
Nel
l
y-Iknow,
Imi
ssy
out
oo….
Sbani-Ntombi i
ssigningthepaperstoday.
Everythi
ngisgoingtobeokay ,youdon’teverhav
eto
feell
iketheotherwomanany more,eventhoughI
neversawy ouasone.Icanf inall
ytakeyououtona
properdate,wewillfi
nall
ygetthechancet oknow
eachot herpr
operl
y.Youcanf inal
lybefreeofthe
guil
t.
Nell
y-(sighs)Ican'tsayI '
m happy .Buildi
ngmyown
happinessofsomebodyel se’stears,itwon’tend
wellforme, f
orthebot hofus.I twon’ tbeeasy ,she
hashel doffsi
gningt hosepaper sf orthepast3
mont hs,whatmakesy out hinkshewi llsi
gnt hem
today.Themi nuteshef indsoutaboutus, thereisno
wayshewi l
lsignthosepaper s,
Idon’ tthi
nkshel ikes
met hatmuch, Idon’tblamehert hough, i
nf actshe
neverli
kedme, shej usttoleratedme.Herv i
sitt
othe
hospit
al washerclaimingy ouandwewer enoteven
athingatthatti
me.Idon’ tthinkshewillsignthose
papers,shehasev eryrightnott oo,shewi l
lfi
ghtyou.
Thisisthebeginni
ngofav eryexhaustedj our
ney,
shehast hepower, wear eathermer cy.(Touched
herbell
y)(voi
cebreaking)i twillonl
ygetwor sefrom
here.
Sbani -(sighs)don’ ttal
kliket hat.Not hingwi l
lstop
mef rom bei ngwi thyou.Ilov eyou, I’
dgi vemyl ife
fory ou,Iwi llbebet t
erfory ou.Youal readyclaiming
defeatbef orethebat tl
eev enst arted.If ell
inl
ov e
witht hest rongwomani ny ou,yourabi l
itytobe
dif
fer entfrom t herest,you'reonemanar myhuman
being, Ilovet hatabouty ou, youshi nebyy oursel
f.I
willstandwi thy ou,ourfami l
ieswi llbeagai nstus,
societ ywi l
lnotappr oveofourr elationship,peopleat
wor kwi lltal
kbutIwi ll
standwi t
hy ou, arey ouwi t
h
me?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
est
ear
y)(
sni
ff
s)y
es,
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Iwantt
oheary
ousayi
t.
Nel
ly
-(wipestear
s)y
esIwi
l
lbewi
thy
ou.Wewi
l
l
st
andtogether
.
Sbani
-(smi
les)nowthatmywoman.(
Placeshi
s
handonhisheart
)youareme
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iam y
ou.
Sbani
&Nel
l
y-Wear
eone.
Sbani
-Il
ovey
ou…
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Iknow…
Sbani
-(smil
es)youwi
l
lsayi
toneday
…..shoul
dI
comesleepther
e?
Nel
ly-(
hol
dsherbel
ly
)no,
Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row.I
wantapeacef
ulni
ght.
Sbani
-(Laughs)whatar
eyousay
ing?
Nell
y-(Laughs)wheny
ouher eIj
ustwantt
ojump
yourbones.Ineedabreak.
Sbani
-(Laughs)I
'm gl
adyouhaveacknowledged
thaty
ouliketaki
ngadvant
ageofmydi ck
Nel
l
y-(
Laughs)mxm!
!!Iwantt
osl
eep.
Sbani-t
omorrowwegoingtogym.Youhavebeen
ski
ppingoursessi
onsf
ortoolongnow.Ibet
terf
ind
youready.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)by
ebul
l
y

Shehangsupandsmi lesbutitsoonturnsintoa
fr
ownwhenherey eslandonherbel l
y.Shef eel
sher
anxi
etyki
cki nginsher ushestoherbathroom and
dri
nkswat erfrom thetapcalmingherselfdown.She
i
ssoscar edofmot herhood.Hebiggestfearinli
fei
s
becomingapar ent
, abadparent…

Nelly-(
rubsherbell
y)whatwillIdowit
hy ou.(
Sighs)
thisisawrongtimef ory
ou.Pleasedon’tbethere,
pleaselett
hisbejustmyi maginat
ion.

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD

Ntombi
parkshercar
,shewal
ksinsi
dethehouse
f
umingwit
hanger.Shefi
ndsMrZuluandMrsZulu
t
oget
herwi
thShakahav
ingsupper
…

Nt
ombi
-sani
bonani
Them-y
ebo…
Ntombi-BabanoMa,
canwet
alkaf
tery
ouf
ini
sh
eati
ngsupper?
Shaka-(
looki
ngather
)whatt
hisabout
?
Ntombi
-(annoyed)I
'
mt alki
ngtoMaandBaba.
Angi
khul
umi nawe(I
'm nottal
ki
ngt
oyou)
MrZul
u-(
sighs)i
tokayndodakazi
,hav
esupperwi
th
us,
wewil
ltalkaf
ter
.
MrsZul
u-hl
alasi
si,
Iwi
l
lcal
lMav
ist
obr
ingapl
ate
f
oryou.

Ntombitakeshersi
t,Mr
sZulushoutsf
orMavisto
bri
nganext r
aplat
eforNtombi
,Shakal
ooksather
andshakeshishead.
MrZulu-(
smil
es)oursuperst
arcompl
ainedt
ous
t
hatyoushout
edather.
MrsZulu-(Laughs)ayiwehaveour
selvesadr
ama
queen.If
earthey ear
sofherasateenager
.
MrZul
u-(Laughs)wecan’
tst
ressour
sel
vesl
ove,
t
hatSbani
sezweandNt ombi
’
sjob.
Ntombi -Sbaniist heonecor r
uptingourdaught er,he
teacher shertobackchatandspeakoutofor der .I
f
hewasar esponsi bl
ef at
herandadul tourdaught er
willgrowupt obear espectf
ul y
oungl ady.Howcan
shewhenherf at heri saconnivi
ngbast ar
d,onewho
cheatsandl i
es.( Pushesherpl ate)I'm sor r
yMrZul u
butIcannotwai tt i
llendofsupper .Yoursoni ssued
medi v orcepaper s,hewant soutoft hismar r
iage, he
thi
nkIwi ll
justwal koutofthismar r
iagewi t
hnot hing,
Igav eupmyj obf orhi m,Il
ovedhi m uncondi tionally,
thi
si showher epay sme.Suddenl yNt ombi i
snot
goodenoughj ustbecausesomewhi te,bigass
bimboshowsup.I '
llbedamnedi fIl etthatbitcht ake
awaymyhusbandf r
om me.Cal ly oursont oor der,or
Iwillbef orcedt ocal lafamilymeet ing.
Mr sZulu-Nt ombi thatnotawayy oushoul dtalkwi th
Baba.Lal elal asisi (listenher e)ify ouusedt o
disrespect ingy ourhusband, fine,buty oudonotget
tospeakl iket hatt omi ne.Ihav enev erever
disrespect edZul ul ikey ouj usthav e.Thisismy
house, thisi smyhusband, respectt hatandr espect
meandourspace.Nowwel ov ey ouasourdaught er
i
nl aw, wear eagai nstdi v orce, inourZul ucul t
ur e
thereisnodi vorce.Wedonotknowt herootofy our
mar it
alpr obl ems, iti sobv ioust hatoursoni sdone,
wecannotf orceSbani tol ov eNt ombi ,wecan’ tforce
himt ost aymar r
iedwi thy ou.Wecanonl ygui dehi m,
whichwehav edone.I tal lupt ohi mi fhechoosest o
l
istent ousornot .Sbani sezwei sol denought o
makehi schoi ces, wemaynotl i
ket hem, orappr ov e
ofthem butwewi llacceptt hem.Thatpar tofbei nga
parent,youdon’ tdi sput ey ourChi ldren’schoi ces,
yougui det hem andy oul etthem be.Theycanei ther
l
ear nfrom t heirchoi cesort heywi llgrowf rom thei r
choices.Donotdegr adey oursel ff ormysonsi si,
l
ethi m go, donotset tl
ef orhi m, you' regoodwoman,
i
fmyson’ sdoesnotappr eciat ey oushameonhi m,
thathisl oss.Someoneel sewi lll
ov eandappr eciate
y
out
hewayy
oudeser
vet
obe.
Ntombi-I'
m notsigni
ngt hepapers,whyshouldhe
getever
ythinghewant s?Whyshoul dhebehappy ?
Hecan'tevendoasi mplet hingl
ikegetmepr egnant
suddenl
yhei sGod.Hei st heshi
t,well
heshoul d
thankme, I
'
m actuall
ydoi nghim afav
ourbeingwi t
h
him,heisbloodyuseless.
Shaka-(angr
y)DON'
T,DON'
TGOTHERE…(
looki
ngat
her)youdon’
twantt
ogothere.
Ntombi-(
angr
y)ohshutup!!
!!Thi
sisnott
hetimeto
suckuptoyourbi
gbrother
,heain’
ther
e,youdonot
needtoputontheper
formance.
Shaka-(Laughs)youknowyousomethi
ngelse.
(Ser
iousface)perhapsweshoul
dtal
kaboutwhat
youdidlastyearJune?DoesDrLembedebr
ingback
anymemor i
es?
Nt
ombi
-(swal
l
owed)
…
Shaka-Ididn’
tthinkso….Youshoul
dcheckyoursel
f
befor
ey oupullthetri
gger,y
oumightj
ustfi
ndthe
bul
letwasmeantf oryou.
MrsZul
u-(
looki
ngatShakathanNtombi)whatgoi
ng
on?Ni
khul
umangani?(Whatareyoutal
kingabout
?)
Shaka-(standingup)( lookingatNt ombi)Iknow
mor ethany out hink.Itwoul ddoy ougoodt oshutup.
Themor eyout alk,themor ev enom y ouspitandthe
mor edamagey oudot oyour self.Signthepapers
andwal kawaywi ththelitt
ledi gnit
yy ousti
llhol
d.
(Looki
ngathi sdad)Ngi yabongaf orthesupper,t
ake
careMageba…

Heki
sseshi
smom’
scheekandmakeshi
swayt
o
hi
scar
….

MrZulu-(takesanapki nandwi peshi smout h)I’v

e
l
ostmyappet i
te.
.(l
ooki ngatNt ombi )Ihav eno
wordsfory oumydear .Icannev erdisrespectany
woman.Icannotdi scipliney ouaswel l,clearl
yy ou
don’
tacknowl edgemeasaf atherfigure, thereforeI
cannotcorrectyouony ourwr ongdoi ngs.Ial ways
knewy ourmout hwil
l bey ourdownf all,todayy ou
haveprovenmer i
ght.(St andingup)l ett hisbet he
l
astt imey oudist
urboursupperwi thyouradult
tantrumsanddi srespectmei nmyhome, i
nfr
ontof
mywi feandson.Donotev ershoutatmewheny ou
speakt ome, wear enotfriendsandIam notyour
agemat e.Youwi ll
contactmei fyouwishto
continueandcal lafamilymeat i
ng,haveagood
night.(Looki
ngatMr sZulu)Don’tkeepmewai t
ing
forlong…( ki
sseshercheek) .

Hewal
ksof
fleav
ingMr
sandNt
ombi
aloneatt
he
t
abl
e….

MrsZulu-(si
ghs)youhavelostoneper sonwho
wouldhavefoughtforyouinthatmeeting.Yeswe
cannotchangeSbanisezwe’
smi nd,butmyhusband
wouldhavefoughtforabettersol
uti
onf oryour
marri
age.
Nt
ombi
-whatdoy
oumean?
Mr
sZul
u-whatdoy
out
hinkaboutpol
ygamy
?
Nt
ombi
-(f
rowns)t
hati
sbul
lshi
t,Iwi
l
lnev
eragr
eet
o
thatinsani
ty.I
'm aChrist
ianforGodsake.Ialr
eady
compr omisedmyChr isti
anit
ymar r
yingtothi
sfamil
y
whileIknowv erywell
y oupracti
cetradi
ti
on,you
beli
ev einancest
ors.
Mr sZul u-beingaChr istiandoesnotputy ouabov e
others.Thatt hemi sunder standi ngpeopl ehav eout
there,IcanbeChr ist i
anandser vemygodandst il
l
practicemyt radition.Ancest orsar enotsomeev il
spirit
s,ancest orsar eourf oref at her’
s, theyare
peopl ewhoar enol ongerwi thus.Webel ievein
them becausewebel iev etheywat chov erus,we
believet heypr otectusf rom har m’ swayand
ourselves.Theycannev ermat chupt oGodbutt hey
playthei rroleinourl i
v es.Theypl ayt hesamer oleas
Angel sbutIguessi tsoundsbet tertouset heterm
“angels”t han“ ancest or s”.Youhav edi srespected
theZul uhousehol denought odaysi si,wedi dnot
forcey out omar ryourson, I
'm sor ryifwehav e
madeuncomf ortabl einpr acticingourt raditi
on.
ThoughIf indi ti
roni ct hatas“ Chr i
sti
an”y oudonot
eatmeatt hatisslaught eredi noury ardsbuty oueat
thev erysamemeatt hati sslaught eredatt he
but chery ,i
tdoesn' tmakesensei fyouaskme, the
onlydi f
f erencei swebur ni phephobef orewe
slaught ert heani mal .I'
m shockedt haty ousi therein
Zul u’
shouseandy oudi sr especthi m, hishousenow
youdi srespect inghist radi t
ion.Youhav enev erseen
usgot oanysangomaori ny angai nthisfami ly,we
hav enev erusedanyf orm ofumut hi,yety ousither e
andhav et hecour aget oswearatus, wehav e
alway sbeenapr ayingf ami lyi nthishouse, wegot o
chur ch,wedonotbel it
tl
eot her ’
s.Buty ou,Nt ombi ,
yousi ther eandy oushov eourki ndnesst oourf ace.
Idonotbel ievey ourpar ent sr aisedy out obel i
ke
this.Idonotknowwhathappenedt oy ou,y ouwer e
nev erli
ket his,butIguesst hi sisthet r
uey ou,you
hav ebeenhol dingt hisgr udgeofourt raditi
oni nsi
de
yout hatwhyy ouact ingoutnow.Idonotbl amey ou
thoughIwasoncel i
key ou, Ijudgedpeopl ewho
pract i
cet radi t
ion,unt il
Il earntt hatnotal lwho
pract i
cet radi t
ionusei mi thi.
Nt
ombi
-(swal
l
owed)ma,
Idi
dn'
t…
MrsZul
u-i
tokay
, youhav
esaidenough,I
’
m gladyou
voi
cedhowyoufeel,
wewouldhaveneverknown
thatwehav ebeenmaki ngyouuncomf ortable.As
forthepol y
gamy ,noonewasgoi ngt of orcey ou
dear,butseei ngasy ouf i
ghtingal osingbat tle,a
smar tintell
igentwoman, awomanwhol ovesher
husbandandi snotwi l
lingtoleav ehermar ri
age,
wouldhav epl ayedt hiscard.Youwoul dhav eheldal l
thecar ds.Yout hef i
rstwife,shewoul dhav ehadt o
respecty ou.Thi swoul dhavebuy edy out i
met o
workony ourmar r
iage, whoknowmay behewoul d
haver ealisedt hatshei sjustinfact uat i
on.Wewoul d
neverknownow, y
ouhav egivenherev erythi
ng, You
haveopenedt hewi ndowf orhimt ol oveher ,shei s
thecal m andcol l
ectedwomanandy out henaggi ng
andcr azywi f
ewhocan’ tkeephermout hshut .She
wins.(St andingup)I '
m dissapoint edi ny ou,Inev er
pict
uresy ouast hetypet olookdownonot her s.
Goodni ghtsisi,youwi llseey oursel fout….

Shestandsandmakesherwayt oherhusband'
s
st
udyleavi
ngadistr
aughtNtombiintheli
vi
ngroom.
Sheopensherhusband'
sstudyandclosesthedoor
whil
eshegoesthroughherhusband'
sphonebook,
t
hatwherehekeepsallhi
scont
acts.Shesear
ches
f
orhernumber,af
terafewminut
esofsearchi
ngshe
f
indsi
tandtakeherphoneanddial
shernumber…

Ri
ngi
ng….
.

Nel
l
y-(
sleepy
)hel
l
o
MrsZul
u-hel
l
o,sor
ryt
owakey
ouup,
youspeaki
ng
t
oMr sZul
u…
Nel
l
y-(
sil
ent
)….Ohuhmmmm,
MrsZul
uhowar
eyou?
Mr
sZul
u-coul
dbebet
ter
,canwemeet
?
Nel
l
y-…uhmmm y
eahsur
e.
Mr
sZul
u-Iwi
l
lbei
ntoucht
ogi
vey
out
hedet
ail
s….

Shehangsup…….

ATSHAKA’
SAPARTMENT
Ont
hephonewi
thZenande….
.

Shaka-whycan’
tyousl
eepov
er?
Zenande-Idon’
tthi
nkMawi
l
lal
l
owt
hat
.
Shaka-(ir
ri
tated)comeonZee,whenwast helast
ti
mey ouspentthenightwi
thme.Eversi
nceyou
start
edstayingthere,y
ouhavebeenacti
ngli
kea
teenager,y
ousuddenl yhav
ecurf
ewsandno
sleepover
s.
Zenande-Ihav
etor
espectMa,
thi
sisherhouse.
Shaka-youevencall
ingherMom now, areyouthat
desperat
eforamot her’
slove,
youevent ur
ningtoa
chi
ldagain,y
ouabidingbyherstupi
dr ul
es.Ithi
nk
youshouldgobackt oleavi
ngatRes,youneedt o
cutti
eswiththatwomany ouintodeep.
Zenande-f
uckyouShaka, younotmyman.Cal
lme
wheny oufi
ndyoursenses,
rightnowy
ouhav
elost
them pi
eceofshi
t.

Shehangsup.Shakaf
rust
rat
edl
yki
ckshi
sgl
ass
tabl
eandbr
eaksi
tint
opi
eces.Hedi
alsShar
on’
s
number…

Ri
ngi
ng…

Shar
on-hel
l
osexy
..
Shaka-mypl
acenow…

Hehangsup….

ATCOASTALI
SLANDS

BlessandNomv el
owal koutsi
det hehot
elholding
hands,theyhadagr eatnight
,theywerefewki sses
hereandt her
e.AblackSUVpul l
supinfr
ontoft hem,
amani nabl acksuitwalksoutandopenst heback
door…
Nomvel
o-(
tur
nst
ohi
m)wel
lthi
sisme(
poi
ntatt
he
SUV)
Bless-(
conf
used)y
ouhav
eachauf
feur
?..
.wai
tar
e
thosebodyguar
ds?
Nomvelo-(
sighs)yeah,theyar
emyfather
’smen.
Thechauff
euronlydriv
esmeatnight,
thesecur
it
y
det
ail
goesev erywhereIgo.
Bl
ess-(
shocked)howcomeInev
ersawt hem bef
ore?
)…andwhatexact l
ydoesy
ourfat
herdo?
Nomv el
o-theydisguiset
hemsel v
esduringtheday ,
youcannev erspotthem...myfatherworksforthe
government.Li
stenIdon’ttel
lpeoplewhomyf at
her
i
sbecauset heyalway st
reatmedi f
fer
ent.Idon’t
wanttorui
nourdat espeakingaboutmyf ather’
s
stat
us.Canwef ocusonus.
Bl
ess-(bringi
nghertohisar
ms)( smi
l
es)okay
,but
wewi l
lhav et
hist
alksoon.(
Frenchki
ssesher
)Ihad
agreatnight.
Nomv
elo-(
hugshi
mti
ght
)met
oo.…goodni
ght
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)goodni
ght
….
Shewalkstowar
dsthecarandgetsi
n.Thecar
dri
vesoffandBl
esstakesouthi
sphoneandtext
s
Sbani
…

“
Ithi
nkshei
stheone”
[
11/
3,20:
49]Mar
cia:
Inser
t42

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

5:
00am

Shewasf astasleepwhen,Sbanikeptringi
ngher,he
waswai t
ingforherattheparki
nglot,butshedidn’
t
answerherphone.Hesi ghedandmadehi swayto
herapart
ment ,heknocked3t i
mesandwhenshe
di
dn'tanswerhet ookthesparekeysshegav ehim
andopenedt hedoor….
Sbani
-(shout
ing)Nel
l
y?.
..
.

Heshout edhernameagai nandshenev eranswer ed,

heshookhi sheadandmadehi swayt oherbedr oom.
Hecoul dnotunderst andwhyt hesuddenl ackof
i
nterestingym,thiswassounl ikeher,
shel oved
workingout.Hewal ksi nsideherr oom andf i
ndsher
sl
eepingwi t
hherhandcov eri
ngherBel ly,
hewal ked
cl
oserandst ar
edather , herhai rwasmessy ,her
noi
sewasr ed,
herpi nkpoutl ipswer esli
ght l
yparted,
shelookedsocut e, hecoul dseeshewasf ast
asl
eep,hesmi ledt hinkingt hatt hi
swast hewoman
hewoul dbewaki ngupnextt of ortherestofhislife.
Helay sontopofherandpl antswetkissesal lover
herface.Shestartst omov eabi t,
hedoesnotst op,
sheslowlyopensherey esandl ooksattheman
l
ayingont opofher ….

Nel
l
y-(
frowns,
try
ingt
opul
lthecov
erov
erherf
ace)
Goaway…
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)mor
ningt
oyout
oobabe.Wakeup,
wedon’
thav
emucht
ime.
Nel
ly-canwegot omorr
owIpromiseIwi
l
lwakeup
ear
ly(giv
inghi
m hercut
epuppyface)
Sbani
-(shaki
nghishead)Nope,y
oual r
eadymi
ssed
5ofoursessions.Babewakeupplease.
Nell
y-(
wrapsherarm ar
oundhi
sneck)babeletget
undert
hecovers,
warm eachot
herup(babykisses
hi
m)
Sbani-(
smiles)Nothappening.(Pul
l
ingthecoveroff
her,
tossingitt
ot heside)shoul
dIcarr
yy ouoryou
wil
ldother i
ghtthingandgetup.
Nell
y-(
tear
y)Ij
ustwant
edapeacef
ulsl
eep,
whydi
d
youcomehere(sni
ff
s)…
Sbani-(Laughs)r
eal
l
y?Tear
s?Unesiskhathi
sokudlala(yougott
imetopl
ay)shouldIcarr
yyou?
Nel
l
y-(
nodswi
tht
ear
srunni
ngdownhercheeks)
Sbani
-(wal
ki
nguptoher
)(smi
les)y
oushoul
dhav
e
j
ustsai
dsobabe,sav
emeallt
hisdrama.
Hepicksherupandcar
ri
eshert
oherwal
kin
cl
oset…

Sbani
-(put
tingherdown)getdressed,I
’
m goingto
makeyouy ourprot
einshake.(
Kisseshercheek)
chop,
chopbabe, welate.

Hequi cklyr unstot heki tchentogetst ar

tedwi thher
shake.Shet akesof fhersl eepingat tir
e,shepasses
throughhermi r
rorandst opslookingathert ummy .
Shet ouchesherBel lyandmakesanot etoher sel
fto
passbyt hephar macyt odayandbuyt hepr egnancy
kit
.Shequi cklygetsdr essedandmakesherwayt o
thekitchen.Fi ndingSbani countingt henumberof
scoopshehast opour ,shewat chedhi m closel
yand
wonderi fwoul dhebet hisfocuswhenhehast o
maket heirbaby ’
sbot tle.Shequi cklydismissest hat
thought ,sheshoul dn’tev enbet hinkingaboutsuch
thi
ngs.Het urnsandf indsherwat chinghi m, he
smi l
esandwal ksupt oher …
Sbani
-(br
ingi
nghercl
oser
)(hol
dsherwai
st)t
hat
moreli
keit
Nell
y-(
taki
nghershakefrom hi
m)(t
aki
ngasi
pfr
om
i
t)uhmmm sweet,letgo…(t
urnsar
oundwal
ki
ng)
Sbani-(
quickl
ycat
chesupt
oherandspanksher
butt
)izi
ntozamimadoda

Theylaughastheymaket heirwaydowntothe
parki
nglot,
theyavoidtheli
ftandusethest
air
sfor
thei
rwarm upsession…..

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

7:
39am

Hedai
l
sski
l
lsnumber
….

Ri
ngi
ng….
Ski
l
ls-shoboss
Bless-Ineedyout
odoabackgr oundcheckon
someonef orme.Ineedt
hisi
nformati
onnolat
er
thantomor r
oweveni
ng.
Ski
l
ls-okay
,whoi
she?
Bless-itashe,Nomvel
oishername,sheworksat
Umhl angaNetcareasadoctor,
shehasafat
herwho
wor ksingover
nment.Ineedtoknowmoreabouther
fatherandnotsomuchabouther .
Ski
ll
s-(t
hinki
ng)i
sthef
athergoi
ngt
obeat
hreatt
o
ourbusi
ness?
Bl
ess-thatwhatIwantt
oknowbef
oreIassoci
ate
myselfwitht
helady.
Ski
ll
s-eit
herwayboss,youknowyouneedto
di
stanceyour
selffr
om her,
thr
eatornot
hreat
,facti
s
herfat
herworksforgover
nment.
Bl
ess-(
commandi
ngv
oice)Ar
eyougi
vi
ngmeor
der
s?
Ski
l
ls-(
sighs)No
Bless-Good.NowdosowhatIpayy
out
odoand
keepy ourconcer
nst
oyour
sel
f.

Hehangsupsandtypes“ri
seandshinebeaut
if
ul”
sendingi
ttoNomv
elo,shequi
ckl
yrespondstohis
text
…

“Ij
ustdr
oppedt
heki
dsatschool
,onmywayt
owor
k
now”
“
offt
osav
ingl
i
vesDoct
orNdawor
a”
“yesMrNdawora,notal
lofushavefancyjobsli
ke
your
sthatr
equi
resustositatt
hecomf ortofour
homesandcheckthestockmarketsharepri
ceever
y
nowandthan”
“
seey
oul
atermadam”
“
Idi
dn'
tknowwehadpl
annedt
oseeeachot
het
”
“wedidn’
t,
I'
m br
ingi
ngy
ou,
yourNandosf
ull
chi
cken”
“
uhmmm or
dert
hegr
eensal
adt
o”
“okay…bye(ki
sses)bef
orey
our
equestf
ormet
o
orderthewhol
emenu”

Heexi tswhat sappandgot ohi sgal l

erypi ct ures, he
l
ooksatt hepi ct urehet ookofheront hei r2nd
unofficialdat e, shel ooksatherbeaut i
ful faceand
smiles, hescr ol lsandcomesacr ossapi ctur et hey
tookt ogethert he4oft hem.Hel ooksatSbani ,he
roll
shi sey es, hewasnotl ooki ngatt hecamer abut
hisey eswer egl uedt oNel ly.Hei snotsur pr ised.He
zoomst hepi ct ur e,hest aresati tandl aughs, that
cashierwasr ight ,theyal lhavet hesamehazel
Browney es, theyact uallylookal iket oo,itwei rdhow
Nellyismor el ight ,Nomv eloiscar amel andt hen
thereishi m, hei sdar kbutonecoul dmi staket hem
forbei ngsibl i
ngs, theyhadt hesamesmi l
e, same
eyesandt heyal lhav etheirleftey ebrowr aisedwhi l
e
smiling.Hel ookedatt hegi rlsclosely ,
smal l teeth,
smal ldimpl esont heirrightcheek.Heexami nedt he
photoonceagai n,hishear tst art
edbeat ingf ast ,
couldi tbe?Het hought ,butt hani twoul dn'tmake
sense.Maybei sr eadingt omuchi ntoit.Heget sup
fr
om hi
scouchandt
akehi
scarskeysheadi
ngout
,
heiscr
azyt
obehavi
ngsuchthought
s….

ATLUNGI
EYSFLAT

Atsixmont hspr egnantgoingonhersev enthin2

weekst ime,aheav il
ypregnantLungieyslowly
makesherwayt othedoor ,
sheopensandf i
nds
Sane,wi t
htheironemont hyearoldbabyandSi zwe
standi
ngout sidecarryi
ngJohnDor i
stakeaway s.
Shegr absthet akeawaypackf rom them makesher
wayt otheliv
ingr oom,leavi
ngt hem st
andingatthe
door….

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
…

Theywalki
nwithSanecar
ryi
ngherplat
ewithgood,
whil
eSizwecar
ri
esthei
rdaught
er,t
heytakethei
rsi
t,
whil
elungi
eymunchi
esonherfood…
Si
zwe-At
hanky
ouwi
l
lbeappr
eci
ated.
Lungi
ey-(
rol
l
sey es)i
fyoudi
dn’
twantt
obr
ingme
food,
youcouldhavesai
dso.
Si
zwe-didyouhearmesayso?Ij
ustt
hinky
oucan
beali
tt
lelessmeanyouknow.
Sane-(toucheshisti
gh)babesheispr
egnant,
lether
be.Howar ey oufeel
i
ng, Iwasal
wayst
iredandmy
feetachedal otaswellasmyback.
Lungi
ey -(
sighs)(swal
lowsherfood)( l
i
ckingher
fi
ngers)Ican’twaitt
ogivebirt
h,getthisbabyout
al
ready.(Teary)l
ookatmybody ,
(sni
ffs)I’
mf at
,look
atmycheeks( pi
nchesthem)fatallf
at.I'
m not
havi
nganot herbabyaftert
his.
Si
zwe-howwi l
lyour“boyfri
end”f
eelaboutt
hat?Is
heevenyourboyfr
iend?Hei susi
ngyou,heis
marr
iedLungi
ey,mar r
ied.Ithi
nki
tbestyoustay
awayfr
om him.
Lungi
ey-(
tear
y)Nhlanhl
awillunder
stand,hei
sathis
fat
her
’shouse,Si
mi j
ustgav
ebi r
th,sheneedshel
p
wit
hthebaby.
Sizwe-(annoy
ed)whataboutyou?Helefty
ou
pregnantandalone,
togobabyanotherwomanand
herchil
d.
Sane-( annoy ed)y ou’ref i
neonet ot alk.Youdon’ tget
tojudgehi m, yourr ecor dwheni tcomest owoman
i
snott hatcl ean.Ri ghtnowhei smaki ngthebestof
thesituat ion, andhei snotwi t hjustsome“ woman”
heiswi thhi swi fe.( Sighs)If eelf oryousi si(holding
Lungiey shands)buty ouwentaf teramar ri
edman,
whohasanewbor nbabywi thhi swi fe.Youwi l
l have
tounder standt hingshav echanged, whatev ery ou
twoplannedbef orey ouknewt hewi f ewaspr egnant,
j
ustknowt hatt hisisagamechanged, y
ouhav et o
alt
eryourpl ans, maker oom f orherandherson.
Actuallyshehast omaker oom f ory ouandy our
daught er .Unf ortunat elyy oucannotf ightthisbaby ,
thesear econsequencesf ordat ingmar r
iedmant hey
comewi thbaggage( lookingatSi zwe)somear e
l
ightert hant heot her ,itupt oy oui fyoust rong
enought opi ckupt hewei ght.
Lungiey
-(t
ear
y)Iknow,
Iknow(sni
ff
s)itj
usthur
ts
becauseIl
ovehi
m somuch,i
tallmyfaul
tIpl
ayed
hardtogetf ortol
ong,hewasal waysther
e, even
twoday sbeforehewentt opayLobol aforher,he
camet omeandt ol
dmet hatifIwanthimtost op
thenegotiat
ionsIshouldaskhi mr i
ghtnowandhe
would.(Cryi
ng)butIdidn’
t,Itoldhimtherewi l
lbeno
him &I,Iwassuchani di
ot.IdatedhisBrother
thi
nkingIwoul dgetoverhim butIjustl
ovedhi m
evenmor e,nowIhav etoacceptt osharehim with
anotherwoman.
Si
zwe-hewant
stot
akey
ouashi
s2ndwi
fe?
Lungi
ey-Nothi
m buthiswi
fesuggest
edi
t.ButIcan
onl
ymar r
yhimtradi
ti
onal
ly
,legal
l
yshewi
llbehis
onl
ywife.
Sane-(
wipi
nghert ear
s)youknowy oucansti
l
lwalk
awayfrom t
his.I
twon’tbeeasybutyouwil
lbefi
ne.
Si
zwe-(
annoy
ed)andheagr
eedt
othi
smadness?
Sane-
(annoy
edl
ooki
ngathi
m)DON'
T…
Lungi
ey-(
snif
fs)hehasn’
tagreedtoanythi
ng.She
canhavethemarri
agecert
if
icatebutIhavehi
sheart
.
(St
andi
ngup)Ineedtopee
Shewal
ksof
fleav
ingt
het
wol
ovebi
rdsal
one…

Sane-(st
aresathi
m)y oubei
ngahy
pocr
it
eri
ghtnow
anditnotcuteNxi
!!
!!

Shetakest
hei
rdaught
erandheadst
othe
bat
hroom….

ATZULU&SONSCO

Nellywaswor kingthroughapi l
eoff i
l
es,itwasa
verybusydayt oday.Theyfinall
ylandedadeal with
theNi gerians,
amont hfrom nowshewi l
lbef ly
ingto
Lagos, shei sveryexcit
edaboutt hat,
itwillbeher
fi
rstper sonalcli
ent.Herphonev i
bratesindicati
ng
thatther eisanewt extmessage, sheopensi t…

Mr
sZul
u“Tomor
row,12:
30CARLI
FONI
A
DREAMI
NG”

Shesi ghsandr eplieswithasi mpleokay ,shecant el

l
thi
smeet ingisn'taf ri
endlyone.Shesi tssil
ent l
yat
herof fi
ce, l
ostinhert hought sshefindsher self
l
ooki ngatt hepi ctureofherandLungi eyonher
offi
ceshel f.Ithur t
showherbestf r
iendsuddenl y
j
ustv anishedf rom herl i
fe, t
heyhaven’tspokeni n3
mont hs,shehast ri
edcallingherandr eachingout
butLungi eynev eranswer edhercallsandshenev er
repli
edt ohert exts.Shedoesnotev enunder stand
whyshei sav oidingher.Shedi alshernumberbut
quicklycancel sit.Sheclear sherdeskandl ooksat
herwat ch, shest i
llhasanhourand30mi nutesl ef
t
ofherl uncht ime.Shegat hersherthingsand
decidest opayherbestf riendav isi
t.Shemi ssesher,
Lungi eyisnotav eryniceper sonbutshei sagr eat
fri
end.

Shewal
kst
orecapt
ion.
...
Nel
ly
-(smi
les)Mbal
ipleasehol
dal
lmycal
l
sifI
comebacklat
efr
om lunch.
Mbal
i
-okay
,(smi
l
es)enj
oyl
unchmama…
Nel
l
y-(
swal
l
ows)t
hanks…

Shequi
ckl
yremi
ndsher
sel
ftogopastt
he
phar
macy…..

ATLUNGI
EYSFLAT

Nellypar kshercaratt heparki

ngl ot.Shewal kst o
therecept ionareaandt akesalif
tt ot he3rdfloor.
Afteraf ewmi nutessheknocksonherdoor ,t
he
dooropensherey esmeetSi zwesl azybr owney es,
hisey eshasal way sbeenhisbestf eat ur
e,he
swallowedl ookingather ,whil
eshet akesadeep
breathl ookingdi r
ectlyathim.Hel ooksather , she
l
ooksbeaut i
ful,
wel lshealwayshasbeenbeaut i
ful
,
shei sgl owingandshel ooksbettert hanhe
expect ed.Shel ooksathi m,hestilllooksgoodand
cl
ean,
hehasalwayst
akengoodcar
eofhi
sski
nand
hi
sappear
ance….

Si
zwe-(
smi
l
es)hey
…
Nel
l
y-hi
….
Si
zwe-howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Nel
l
y-I
'
m goodandy
ou?
Sizwe-(smil
es)I
'
m goodt
oo….
.(si
l
ent
)….Youl
ook
beauti
ful…
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Si
zwe-uhmmm ….

Beforehecouldanswer,loudl
aughterer
uptsfr
om
theli
vingroom, Nel
l
ylooksatSizweconfused,
that
defi
nit
elyLungieysl
augh,butwhoisshewi t
hand
whyisSi zwehere…

Nel
l
y-(
rai
singherey
ebr
ow)so?
Si
zwe-whenyougoi
nsi
depl
easet
ryandkeepan
openmind…
Nel
l
y-what
?

Hemov esasidef
orher,shewalksi
nsi
decarr
ying
thef
lowersandchocolat
esheboughtforher
.She
wasabouttowalktotheliv
ingwhenSi
zweheldher
arm,makingherj
ump…

Si
zwe-pl
easer
ememberwhatIsai
d,openmi
nd…

Sheshakesofherar m, makinghiml osethegr iphe

hasonherar m.Shewal kstot heli
v i
ngr oom findi
ng
LungieyandSanei nalivel
yconv ersation,wit
h
packetsoftakeaway sawayi nthet able.Theybot h
havetheirshoesoff,i
ndicat
ingthatt heyhav ebeen
seatedli
kethisforquit
esomet i
menow.Theyway
Lungieywassmi li
ngitalmostasi fshewer etalki
ng
toalongt i
mef r
iend.Shelookedbot hoft hem witha
confusedlook,whatgoingonher e, whyi sSane
her
e?,
whyisSi
zweher
e?AndwhydoesLungi
ey
l
ooksocomfor
tabl
ear
oundt
hem…
[
11/
3,20:
49]Mar
cia:
Inser
t43

ATLUNGI
EYSHOUSE.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngar
ound)whatgoi
ngonher
e?
Sane-(get
ti
ngup)wewil
lgi
vey
ouspace.
..(
looki
ng
atSizwe)masambe(l
etgo)

Theywal
kedt
othebedr
oom l
eav
ingt
het
wol
adi
es
al
one.
..

Lungi
ey-pl
easet
akeasi
t.
.
Nell
y-(
handingher
,thef
lowersandchocol
ate)I
boughtyourfav
our
itest
houghtyoumightl
ikeit
..
.
Lungi
ey-(
fakesmi
l
es)Thanks.
..
Sheplacestheflowersandtheboxofchocol at
eon
thesi
de.Itgoessilentf
oracoupleofmi nut
es,it
awkwardsilence,i
tuncomfort
abl
esilence..
..

Lungi
ey-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..
Nel
l
y-t
hanks.Youl
ookr
eadyt
opop.
Lungiey
-(br
ushi
ngherbi
gbel
l
y)(
smi
l
es)y
ouhav
e
noidea.
Nell
y-(
lookingathersad)whathappenedt
ous?I
can'
tcall
mybestf ri
endanymore,thr
eemonthsLuh
thr
eemont hs..
.
Lungi ey-(l
ookingdown)i wasashamed, Iwas
embar rassedmymot her
,Ibetr
ayedy ou,Mthoko,i
betrayedmysel f
.Icoul
dn'
thavey oujudgemel i
ke
everyonedi d.Icoul
dnotlookatyoui ntheeye.I
thoughti twasbestIdist
ancemy selffr
om you,it
washar dforme.
Nell
y-(
shakingherhead)allIwantedwast ohear
you,al
lIwantedwasforyout oexplainthi
ngstome.
Iwasneverangry.Iwasdisappointed,y
es.ButI
neverj
udgedyou.(Looki
ngather)Doyouwantt
o
tel
lmeeveryt
hingnow?I'm her
e,Ipr
omiset
oli
sten.
..
Lungiey-(tear y)Ialway shadf eelingsf orNhl anhl a,I
l
ov edhimt hef i
rstdayIsawhi m.Iwasscar ed
becauseheol derthanmeandhewasy ourbi g
brother.Iwasal soscept icalbecausey ouhav e
alwaysbeenv ocal abouthowy oudon' twantanyof
yourfri
endsdat i
ngy ourbr other s.Ony our21st
birt
hdayheconf essedhi sf eelingsf ormeandt hat
howi tallstarted.Heusedt ov isitmeatRes, we
wentoutbutwehadnotl abelledour selv esy et.We
start
edhav ingpr oblemsbecauseIdi sl
ikedhi sst reet
fr
iends, t
houghIknewhewasnotdeal ingbutIhat ed
hiscrowd.SoIendedourr elationshi p.Fast fowar dt o
medat ingMt hoko, IthoughtIwoul dgetov er
Nhlanhla.Il ovedMt hokobutIwasnev eri nlovewi th
him.(Cr y
ing)dur i
ngourr el
ationshi pwi t hMt hokoI
cheatedonhi m withNhl anhla, hef ounduski ssi ng
onedaybutwebl amedi tonal cohol andhef orgav e
us.From t hereonwar dshebegant opayat tentiont o
howIi nteract edwi thNhlanhl a, hebecameawar eof
howcomf or tableIwaswi t
hNhl anhla, hedi dn'tl i
ke
butIassur edhi mt hathehadnot hi
ngt owor r
yabout .
(Sniff
s)thant hedaywehost edahousepar ty,
he
foundushav i
ngsex.Thatwast helastst rawf orhim.
Ibrokehi m Nelly,IwishIwashonestwi thhim about
myf eeli
ngs.Af terIsawhowmuchouract ions
affectedhim, Iendedouraf fai
rwithNhl anhla,Icould
notkeepbei ngwi t
hhi m, Mthoko'
sf acehaunt edme.
Thatwast heper i
odwer ehemetSi mi .Inev er
stoppedl ovi
nghi m.Iguesst hemor ewer estri
cted
ourselvesthest rongerourf eel
ingsgr ew.Iwas
scaredt otell
y oual lt
his.Yourbrotherwasmyf irst
l
ov e.Hei stheguyIgav emyv i
rgini
tyt oo.Ilovehim...
Nelly
-(t
eary)Iwishy oucoul dhavetoldmeal l t
his.
Whywoul dy outhinkIwoul dn'
tunderstand.You
couldhaveav oi
dedal lthisLuh,hady oubeenhonest
abouty ourfeel
ingsont hegetgo.Icannev erjudge
youaboutwhoy oul ov e,I'
m hurtanddi sappointed
becauseoneofmybr other sgothurt.Mthokoi sa
verysensit
iveguy .Yourbr eakupshat ter
edhim, y
ou
knowhenev erbroughtagi rl
homeaf t
eryou,he
nevergotintoanyser i
ousr el
ati
onship.Iknowhow
muchhel ovedy ouLuh, whycoul dn'tyoujustbe
honestwi
thhim,hei
saman, hewoul dhavehurtbut
hewouldmov eonfr
om it.Yourdishonest
yhurttwo
i
nnocentpeopl
e,Si
mi andMt hoko.
Lungi
ey-(
Cry
ing)Iknow,
Iknow.
Nell
y-(wi
pinghert
ear
s)Ifeell
i
keIfail
edyouasa
fr
iend.Whatgoodofafr
iendam Ii
fyoucan'
teven
behonestwithmeaboutyourl
oveli
fe.
Lungiey -Icouldn'ttellyou,Iwasashamed.You
knowhowhar ditwasf ormet ogot oluncheswi th
youandSi mi ,It
riedsohar dt ostayawaybuty ou
keptpushi ngandpushi ngt hatweal lBecome
fri
ends.Il ookedathowper fectyourl i
fewas, you
hadt heper fectjob,apar tment ,carandy ouhadt he
perfectboy fri
end/f iance,per fectbodyandski n.You
alway stalkedabouthowy oudi spisednothav ing
thi
ngsi ncont rolandi nor der .Icouldn'tbenextt o
youandbet hedy sfunct i
onal f
ri
end.Ial sowant edto
beper fectjustli
key ou.Itwashar dconf i
dingi
ny ou
myf eelingsabouty ourbr otherbecausey ounev er
suppor tedmedat i
nganyofy ourbr others.
Nel
l
y-(
shaki
ngherhead)don'
tmakeexcuses
Lungi ey ,Inev erwant edy oudat ingmybr others
becauseIwant edt oav oi dsituationswer eIwoul dbe
puti nt hemi ddleandy oubei nginaposi tionwer e
youhav et ol ietome.Not hingaboutmei sperfect.
Myper fect ,car, apartment ,job,body ,Idi dn'
tgetal l
thatj ustbysi tt
ingar oundandwai ti
ngf orGodt o
blessme.Iwor kedmyassof f,Iwi l
lnotbe
apol oget icaboutt hat.Butt hesocol d"per fect
boy friend"wher ei shenow?Di dmyper fectbodyand
skinkeephi m, Noi tdidn' t
.Soal ltheset hingsyou
hav ement ionedar ejustusel essandpoi nt l
ess.You
tryi
ngt oj ust i
fyy ouract ions, Luhy ouneedt oownup
toy ourmi stakesanddi shonest y .Myl i
feai n'
tper f
ect,
j
ustbecauseont heout sideandwel lputdoesn' t
meani nt hei nsi deIdon' thav ecr acks,Ido, Isuffer
ont hei nside, alone, I'
vemast eredt hear tofpushi ng
thingsasi dewhenI 'm notr eadyt odeal wi ththem.
Doest hatscr eam per f
ectper sont oyou?NO! !
!I'
m
disappoi ntedt haty out houghtsol owofmeasy our
bestf ri
end.
Lungi
ey-(
sni
ff
s)I
'
m sor
ry.
..Iwasj
ustembar
rassed.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)i
tokay
,wewi
l
lwor
konus..
..
(t
ouchi
ngherhand)Imissy
ou,iwantt
oshar
eso
muchwi t
hyou.Fr
om nowonletpromi
setobeopen
andtr
uthful
.
Lungi
ey-(
smileswhil
ecryi
ng)(squeezesherhand)I
wouldl
ovethat,Imi
ssyoutooalot.I'
m pregnant
andyounotbeingherehasbeenstressf
ulforme...
Nel
ly
-(smiles)l
etshugt
ohonest
yandbei
ngt
rut
hful
andfai
thf
ul f
ri
ends.
Lungi
ey-(r
emovesherhandf
rom her
s)(t
aki
nga
deepbreat
h)Ihav
eonelastt
hingtot
ell
you.
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)whati
sit
?
Lungi
ey-r
ememberwhenItol
dyou,ear
lyt
hisy
earI
wentsear
chi
ngf
ormyf at
herandIf
oundhim?
Nell
y-yeah,butyounev
ert
oldmewhohei
sand
ever
ythingelse.
Lungi
ey-If
oundoutt
hatmyf
atheri
saKhumal
o..
.
Nel
l
y-(
rai
singherey
ebr
ow)y
eahso?
Lungi
ey-meandSiz
wearesi
bli
ngs,
weshar
ethe
samefather
.Iwant
edt
otel
lyoubut
..
.
Nell
y-(
lookedather
)(taki
ngadeepbr eat
h)whatdo
youmeany ouandSizwear ebr
otherandsist
er?
Lungi
ey-Iwant
edtotell
youbutIwasscar
ed.Al
ot
wasgoingon.IswearIwant
edtotel
l
...
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)howl
onghav
eyouknownt
his?
Lungi
ey-If
oundoutatt
hebegi
nni
ngofFebr
uar
ythi
s
year
.
Nel
ly-(
swal
lowed)andyoudi
dn'
ttel
lmeaboutt
his?
Doesheknow?Isthatwhyhei
shere?
Lungi
ey-(
noddi
ng)heknows.Heknewf
orawhi
l
e
now.
Nell
y-(
looki
ngather )
..
...(
thi
nki
ngandcal
culat
ing
event
s)Did,.
..Di
dy ouknowabouther?Di
dy ou
knowhewasmar ri
edandhadason?Di dyouknow
hewas..(t
eary).
..di
dy ouknowhewasnev ergoi
ng
tomarryme?
Lungi
ey-(
Cry
ing)bhabha.
..
Nel
l
y-(
standi
ngup)(
Shout
ing)DI
DYOUKNOW?YES
ORNO?
SizweandSanecamet ol
oungeassoonast
hey
heardhershout
ing.
..
.

Lungi
ey-(st
andi
ngup)I
...
I.
..f
oundoutwhenIwent
tomeetthefamil
y.
..
Nel
l
y-andwhenwast
his?
Lungiey-(
Cry
ing)bef
orewest
art
eddr
essshoppi
ng
foryourwedding.
Nell
y-(swall
owed)soy
ouknewaboutherand
ever
ything?
Lungi
ey-(
tear
y)Yes.
..

Nellyslappedhersohardthatshel
ostbal
ancedand
fel
lont hecouchholdi
nghercheek.Sanecame
rushingtoher,shesatcl
osertoLungi
eychecki
ngif
shei sokay..
.

Sane-(
angr
y,shouti
ng)AREYOUCRAZY?
?
UYAHLANYA!!!!HOW CANYOUHITAPREGNANT
WOMAN.
..
Sizwe-(
standi
ngbetweent heladi
es)(l
ookingat
Sane)babecalm down..
..(
LookingatNel l
y)what
youdidisaseri
ousoffense,younotthinki
ngst r
aight
,
thisi
snotyouNenoh.Don'tloseyourselfbecauseof
ourfaul
ts.
..
Lungiey
-(hol
dinghercheekcr
ying)i
tokayIdeser
ve
i
t..
.bhabhaI'
m sosorry.
..
Nell
y-(shout
ing)(t
ear
y)HOW COULDYOU, YOU
WATCHEDMETRYOUTWEDDI NGDRESSES, YOU
SATANDWATCHEDME, NOTONCEDI DYOUTHI NK
OFTELLI NGMETHETRUTH.YOUHELPEDME
CREATEASCRAPBOOKFORMYFAI RYTALE
WEDDI NG,WHENYOUKNEW THEREWI LLBENO
WEDDI NG.HOW COULDYOUDOTHI STOME? ?
?..
.
(Looki
ngatSizweandLungiey)ILOVEDYOUBOTH,
ILOVEDYOUWI THEVERYFIBREINSIDEMYBODY,
YOUHURTME, YOUBOTHSTAMPEDONMYHEART.
Si
zwe-I'
m sor
ry,
I'
m sosor
ry(
mov
ingcl
osert
oher
)
Nenoh.
..
Nel
l
y-(
shaki
ngherhead)DON'
T!!
!(mov
ing
backwar
ds)y
oulostt
hatr
ightt
ocal
lmet
hat
.You
bothst
ayawayf
rom me.
Lungi
ey-(
try
ingt
ost
and)bhabhapl
ease.
..
Sane-(
hol
dingherback)si
t,y
out
ir
ingy
ourbody
,it
notgoodf
orthebaby..
Nel
l
y-Ihopei
twaswor
thy
,Iwi
shy
oubot
hwel
l
...
.

Shet
akesherhandbagandwalksoutt
hedoor
l
eavi
ngLungi
eycryhest
ari
cal
y.
...
..
[
11/
3,20:
49]Mar
cia:
Inser
t44

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

shetookherphoneandsentat exttoMbal it
hatshe
won'tbecomingbackt otheof f
ice.Shesatdown
andlookedatthetwopr egnancykits.Shewasst i
l
l
hurt
,shecouldnotbeli
ev ethatLungieycoulddothat
toher.Sheheldherchest,t
hepai nwasst i
ll
therebut
i
twasn'tthatstr
onganymor e.Shesi ghedandtook
thekittot hebat hroom.Af tershepeedont hetwo
sti
cks, shepl acedt hetwost icksont opoft he
bathroom si nk.Shepacedupanddownwai ti
ngf or
theresults,shepr ayedfornegat iv
er esul
ts,sheis
notreadyf orababy .Af
ter15mi nutesshechecks
thesticks, i
twasr ighti
nfrontofher ,twobrightred
l
ines.Sheal readyknewt heresults,i
twasj ust
wishful t
hinkingf ornegat i
ver esul
ts.Hertearsran
downhercheeks, shestoodupandwentt othe
l
oungeanddi al
edhermom' snumber .
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Ma'
Siwel
a-hel
l
o..
.
Nel
l
y-Mom.
..
..(
sil
ent
).
..canIcomehome?
Ma'
Siwel
a-(
sighs)Nel
l
yyou.
..
Nel
ly-(
breaki
ngv
oice)Mom pl
ease.
..(
sni
ff
s).
..
.
pl
ease.
..

Shecoul
dheart
hatherdaught
erwasnotal
ri
ght
,she
knewthatr
ightnowall
shewant
edwast
osl
eepand
cuddl
eherinbed..
..

Ma'Si
wela-okay.
..(
sil
ent
).
..dr
ivenowIdon'
twant
youdri
vi
ngl at
e,youdon'
tsoundalri
ght
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)Thanky
ou.
..
.

Theybothhangedup.Shepackedherovernightbag
andpackedclot
hesforthewholeweekend.She
di
dn'twanttobeal
one.Shecheckedherapartment
i
feveryt
hingwasinorder,
thanshewalkedout..
.

Thenextday
..
..
.

ATSI
ZWE'
SANDSANE'
SHOUSE.
..
..
.

Sanefini
shedsett
ingupbreakfastforSi
zweand
thei
rson.Shecall
edthem down, af
terafewminut
es,
theymadet hei
rwaydownst ai
rsandsetdownon
t
hel
i
vingr
oom.
..
.

Si
zwe-(smil
es)
(tast
ingt
hebacon)uhnmm,
itt
ast
es
good.Pourmecoffeepl
easebabe.
..
.
Ayanda-(
copyi
nghisdad)(eat
inghi
sCheer
ios)
uhmmm tastegoodbabe..
.

Theyal
ll
aughedlooki
ngatAyanda,
hehi
dhi
sface
wit
hhishandsandgiggl
ed.
..

Si
zwe-(
Laughs)t
hisi
smybabenoty
our
s.
Ay
anda-(
Laughs)okayNommyi
smybabe,
rightdad?
Sane-(
Laughs)nobaby
,Nomai
syoursi
ster
..
Sizwe-(
Laughs)Nommyi
stoobossymyboy
,you
needasoftbabe.
Sane-(
playful
l
yhi
tt
inghi
m)Si
zwe!
!!(
Laughs)t
hat
myniece..
.
Si
zwe-(
shr
ugs)what
???Thatki
dist
roubl
e.
Ay
anda-(
conf
used)y
ousai
dLi
sai
smysi
ster
.
Sane-(l
ooki
ngatherson)y
esbaby
,shei
s.Li
sai
s
yourbabysi
ster
.
Ayanda-(
evenmoreconf
used)butmommyyousai
d
Nommyi smysist
er.(
Looki
ngathermom)
Sane-(si
ghs)(
brushi
nghishead)babyeatyour
breakf
ast.(
LookingatSi
zwe)howi syourday
l
ooking?
Sizwe-verybusybabe.(
Wipi
nghismouthwitha
napkin)Iwon'tber
eachabl
eti
ll
afterl
unch.
Sane-Iwant
edtogocheckonLungi
ey,
wel
eftherat
abadstateyest
erday
.
Sizwe-shewil
lbeokay.Ical
ledNhlanhl
alastni
ght.
Nenohwi l
lcomearound,Lungi
eyjustneedstogiv
e
herti
me...
Sane-(
looki
ngathi
m).
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
..
Si
zwe-(
lookedather
).
..what
???Youj
ustst
ari
ngat
me
Sane-youj
ustcal
l
edherNenoh,
youdi
ditagai
nlast
ni
ght..
.
Sizwe-( sighs)justbadhabi
tsbabe.Iusuall
ycall
ed
hert hat.
..(standingup,
makingherstandtoo)
(bri
ngi nghercl osert
ohim)I'
m sorr
yifIthurty
ou,I
willstop.
Sane-
(wr
appingherhandsaroundhi
swaist
)Iknow,
I
guessI
'mjustal
it
tlej
ealous,
youdon'
thaveapet
nameforme.
Sizwe-(
laughs)(
babyki
ssi
ngher
)Iwi
l
lthi
nkofone
foryou.
Sane-(Laughs)
..
.(si
l
ent).
..Doy
ou,
..
.doy
oust
il
ll
ove
her?
(lookingathi
m) .
..
Sizwe-(sighs)Nobabe, Ist
il
l car
eabouthert hough.
Iguessmeact ingthatwayl astnightwasbecauseI
stil
lcarr
yt heguil
tofwhatIdi dtoher.(Looki
ngat
her)Ilovey ou,
don'tdoubtthat..
Sane-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
out
oo

Theyf
renchedki
ssedi
nfr
ontoft
hei
rson.
..

Ay
anda-(
closi
nghi
sey
es)eewwww!
!!
!
Theybroket
hekissandlaughedstari
ngatAy
anda,
theyal
mostgotcarr
iedawayforgett
ingt
hatt
heynot
alone.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELA'
SHOUSE

Nell
ylookedathersel
finthemi r
ror
,shewasn'tso
comfortablewear
ingthatnavyti
ghtfi
tt
ingdress,
she
waspar anoidt
hatpeoplewil
lnoti
cethechangesin
herwaist.Whil
eshewasl ooki
ngatherselfi
nthe
mirr
or,hermom enteredtheroom..
.

Ma'Si
wela-seewhyIdi
dn'twantyouget
ti
ngdr
essed
i
nmyr oom, l
ookatt
heclothesonmybed.Whowill
cl
eanthi
smess.
Nell
y-(rol
lshereyes)i
tnotthatbad,just3out
fi
ts
andyoucompl aini
ngasifIplacedmywhol e
wardrobeony ourbed.I
hhabaelingakamama( you
exegarati
ng).
MaSiwel
a-i
tst
il
lmybed.
..(
Looki
ngather
)ar
eyou
goi
ngtotel
lmewhateat
ingyouup
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Si
zweandLungi eyaresibl
i
ngs,t
hey
shar
et hesamef at
her.(Looki
ngathermom)y ou
don'
tlookshocked,Didy ouhearwhatIsai
dtoyou?
LuhandSi zwearebrotherandsist
er.
Ma'
Siwel
a-shef
inal
l
ytol
dyou.
Nel
ly
-(shocked)Youknew?
?(Shout
ing)ANDYOU
DI
DN'TTELLME, OHMYGOD! !!
MaSiwela-(putt
ingherhandsup)ay i
!!
!Awumenge
drama( st
opwi ththedrama)hermom confidedi
n
medur i
ngthebr aaiwehad.Lungieyhashad
pl
annedont el
l
ingyoubutIsuggestedshedoesn'
t
becausealotofpeoplewerethere.
Nel
l
y-sti
l
lmamayoukeptqui
etwitht
his,
thr
ee
monthsmama,
andyouneversai
danythi
ng.
MaSiwela-al
othappenedt hatnight,Ifoundout
aboutyourbrot
hersinfidel
i
ty,t
hisLungi eyandSizwe
drama,youwentwhor ingwithamar ri
edman.Gi ve
meabr eak,Iwasdealingwithal ot,yourdickl
essex
fi
ancewast helastt
hingonmymi nd.
Nel
l
y-(
shaki
ngherhead)Ican'
tbel
iev
ethis.Ineed
t
ogett
owork.(
Takingherhandbagandlaptopbag)
MaSi
wel
a-y
ougoi
ngbackt
oyourhouser
ight
?
Nell
y-(
looki
ngather
)youkicki
ngmeout?It
houghtI
coul
dstayheref
orthedur
ationoft
heweek.
MaSiwel
a-(
eyesout
)WHAT!
!!.
..
.Youcan'
tIneedmy
space.
Nel
ly-whatspace?I
'myourdaughter,I
'
m st
ayi
ng
her
ey oucan'
tkickmeout,kant
iunjanimama.
.
MaSi wel
a-(shakingherhead)thisisnoton, yesyou
mydaught erbuty ougotyourownpl ace.Youcan
onlystayheretonight
,tomorrowy ougobackt oyour
place.Thi
sismi neandZenandesspace.( Lookingat
her)what??!
!I'
m surethecheatinghusbandneeds
yourcompany .
Nel
l
y-wow!
!!Igi
veupwi
thy
ou.
..

Shewalksoutoftheroom andmeet
sZenande
comingoutofthebathr
oom, wi
that
owelwrapped
aroundhernakedbody.
..
Nel
l
y-mor
ningbaby
,by
ebaby
..
Zenande-(
smi
l
es)seey
oul
aterbaby
..
.

MaSiwelacomesoutofthebedr
oom carr
yingNell
ys
bags,shecomestoastopwhenshewaspassi ng
Zenandesroom,shefr
eezesonthespotwhenshe
seesthebir
thmarkonZee'
sback.Sheswallowsand
dropsthebagsonthefl
oor,
makingZeeturnaround
andfacethedoor.
..

Zee-
(cov
eri
nghernakedbody
)(goi
ngupt
oher
)let
mehelpyoumah..

Zeepickst
hebagsont
hef
loor
,MaSi
wel
aisst
il
l
fr
ozen..
.

Zee-MAMA!
!.
.
MaSi
wel
a-huh?
Zee-wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hebagst
o?
MaSi
wel
a-uhmmm t
aket
hem t
oNel
l
y'sr
oom.

Zeetakest
hebagsandwalkstoNelly
sroom.
MaSiwelaf
oll
owsher,
hermindinitownworl
d,she
i
sfighti
ngwit
hherownthought
s..
.

Zee-I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetdr
essednow.
MaSi
wel
a-okay
..
.
Zee-(
looki
ngather
)ar
eyouokayma?
MaSi
wela-(
fakesmi
les)y
eah..
..
.uhmm hav
eyou
al
wayshadthatMar
kony ourback?
Zee-y
eah,
Iwasbor
nwi
thi
t.
MaSi
wel
a-(
swal
l
owed)okay
.Thanky
oubaby
.

Shequickl
yrushedt
oherr
oom wi
thherhear
t
beat
ingfast
..
..
Luncht
ime.
..
.

CARLI
FONI
ADREAMI
NGRESTURANT

Nell
ywalksi
nsidet
herestaurantandfindsMr
sZul
u
al
readyseat
edonthei
rtable.Shetakesadeep
br
eathandwalksuptoher..
..

Nel
ly-(
sit
ti
ngdown)sor
ryI
'
mlat
e,Iwasi
nameet
ing,
i
tendedlate.
Mr
sZulu-(smil
es)itokay
.Thankyouforcomi
ng.
Wi
thoutwasti
ngtime,Iwantustotal
kaboutmyson.
Nel
l
y-Oh.
..okay
..
.
Mr
sZulu-(
ser
iousf
ace)whaty
ouri
ntent
ionswi
th
myson,Mi
ssSiwel
a?

ATTHEHAWKSOFFI
CES.
..
Mosesdi
aledMa'
Siwel
a'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
×5
Ri
ngi
ng.
..
×3

Shewasn'tansweri
ngherphone.Heknewshewas
doingi
tonpurpose, shehasbeendodgi
nghimf
or
thepastt
hreemont hs,hehashaditwit
hher
behavi
or,
hef r
ustr
atedlytypesamessage.
..

"IhavebeenpatientenoughMat ho,Iseey
outhi
nkI
am playi
nggames.Doi ngsthingsyourwaynowis
outthewindow, wedoingthingsmywaynow.
Expectav i
sitf
rom mesoon"

Hesendst
hemessageanddi
alsBl
ess'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
Bl
ess-can'
ttal
kri
ghtnow,
I'
m busy

Hehangsup.
..

Moses-(
annoy
ed)Nxi
!!

Hedi
alst
henumberagai
n,buti
tsendshi
m st
rai
ght
t
ovoi
cemail
..
..
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t45

ATCALI
FORNI
ADREAMI
NGRESTURANT

Nell
y-(l
ooki
ngather
)Idon'
tunder
standy
our
questi
on.
MrsZul
u-i
tasimpl
equest
ionmydear,
whatexact
ly
ar
eyouint
ent
ionswi
thmyson.Iknowyousl
eepi
ng
wi
thmyson.
Nelly
-( swall
owed)uhmm wi t
hal
lduer espectMrs
Zulu,Idon'tthi
nkyoushouldbeaskingmet hat
question,perhapsyoushoul
dasky ourson.
MrsZul
u-I
'
m aski
ngyoubecausey
oudeci
dedt
o
sl
eepwi
thamarri
edman.Someoneel
se'
sman.
Nel
ly-(
Laughsindisbel
i
ef )
(looki
ngdir
ect
lyather
)
di
dyouasky ourdaughterthatwhenshesleptwi
th
anengagedmanandhadasonwi t
hhim?
Mr
sZul
u-.
..(
sil
ent
).
..
Nel
ly
-Ididn'
tthi
nkso.Li
keyousai
dMrsZul
u,your
soni
sthemar ri
edone,maybey
oushoul
dbeasking
hi
m hi
sintent
ions.Hei
stheonewit
hthewi
fe.
Mr sZulu-Idi dn'tpict
ureyouast het y
pet obr eaka
familyapar t,consideri
ngwhatSi zwedi dtoy ou,I
woul dthinky ouwoul dn'tdot hattoanot herwoman.
Sbani andNt ombi haveal i
ttlegirlt
hatst i
ll
needs
bothherpar ents,theygoingt hroughaphaser i
ght
nowI 'm suret heycanst il
lfixtheirmarriage.I'
m
askingy out opleaseshowal it
tlecompassi on, t
hink
aboutt hel i
tt
legi r
lthatwillsuffer,y
ou'reraisedbya
singlepar entI'
m sur eyouknowhowhar ditis.LookI
don'
thateyou,It
hinkyou'
restrongwoman,Iadmire
yourstr
engt
h,butdoy oureal
l
ywanttobuil
dy our
rel
ati
onshi
ponanot herwoman'stear
s.
Nelly-y ourdaught erhaspav edt hewayMr sZulu,
shei sv erymuchhappyi nherr elat
ionshi p,though
thef oundat i
onwasbui ltonl i
esandmyt ears.I'
m
surei fshecandoi tandhav et woki dsi nthe
process, Icanal sodoi t( Looki ngather )Idon' twish
whatSi zwedi dt omeonanywomen.ButwhatI 've
l
ear ntfrom t hator deal is, somet imesy ouneedt obe
selfi
sh, beingni ceandr easonabl ewon' tgety oua
happyendi ng, 5y earsofbei ngagoodwomandi d
notgetmear ingandahappyendi ng.Yourdaught er
smi l
edatSi zweandwi thi nj ustay ear,heknewshe
wast hewomanhewant edt ospendTher estofhis
l
ifewi th.Thosef ivey ear smeantnot hingi nthat
momentwhenhesawher .Idon' that ey ourdaught er
Mr sZul u,thatwhyIhav enev ersaidanywor dst o
her,wear enotf r i
ends, shedi dnotowemeany t
hing.
Thesi t
uationwi thy ourson, hei smar ried,thathis
i
ssue, Ntombi i
snotmyf r i
end, Idon'toweherany
explanat i
on.( Touchesherbel l
y)Ihav enot hingt odo
withthewayi nwhi chy oursonandNt ombi choose
torai
set hei rdaught er,Ibel ievet heywillknowwhat
bestforher ,Nomaknowswhoherdadi s,sheknows
whomommyi s,t
henbei ngapar twon'tchangehow
theytreatt heirdaught er, I
'm notl ookingtor epl
ace
Ntombi inherdaught er'slife.Idon' tbeli
eveSbani
l
eav i
ngNt ombi willdamagehert hatmuch.Yesi twi l
l
taketimeget tingusedt ot hechangesbutNomai s
sti
llyoung, kidseasi lyadapt .Pleasedonotgui l
ttri
p
meMr sZul u, iteasyf ory out ojustaskmeoft hi
s
becauseI 'm noty ourchi l
d, myhappi nessdoesn' t
meant hatmucht oy ou,Idon' texpecty outosuppor t
meorev enl ikeme, butI '
m doneput ti
ngot her
peoplebef or emyhappi ness.Yoursonmakesme
happy ,Iliket heper sonIam whenI '
m wi t
hhi m.Heis
notper fect ,Iam notper fectbutt ogetherwebal ance
eachot her .Idon' tcar ethathei smar ri
ed,foronceI
choosehappi ness.Andy oursoni smyper f ectworld.
MrsZul u-(l
ookingather
)mysonlovesyouNelly,
I
knowt hereisnothi
ngnoonecansaytoconvince
him ot
her wi
se,I'
mjustnotsur
eIfyoul
ovehiml i
ke
helovesy ou.Idon'
twanthimtogetdi
sappoi
nted,
youlookli
keyouhaven'
tdeal
twi
thyourfeel
i
ngsfor
Sizwe.Mysonisri
skinghi
smarr
iageandhisli
fef
or
you,Iwanttoknowifhewoul
dbehaving100%of
you.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Idon'
tknowwhati
sitIfeelf
oryour
son,butIknowIwanthiminmyli
fe.Thatenoughfor
mer i
ghtnow.
MrsZulu-(hol
dingherhand)Iappr
eciat
eyour
honest
y.(Smil
es)makemysonv eryhappyNel
lyat
al
lti
mesandy ouwi l
lbeokay.Idon'
thateyoudear
,I
am worri
edaboutyouandmyson.
Nell
y-(
brushesherpalmswithhert
humb)youdon'
t
needtoworry.Iunder
standy
ourconcer
n.
Mr sZulu-(
concerned)itthef i
rstti
meseei ngmyson
l
ikethis,hei
sobsessed.Hi sl ovefory oucanbe
dangerous,pleasepr omisemet ostaywi t
hhim no
mat t
erwhat.Ithi
nky oucanbegoodf orhi
m,(t
eary)
pleasedealwithyoursuppr essedf eeli
ngssoy ou
cangetr i
dofthef earoflovingmysoncompl et el
y,
heneedst ofeelcompl et
ewi thy ou,don'tt
aketo
l
ongt oshowhowdev out
edy ouaret ohim,make
hi
m happybaby ,
lett
histhi
ngyoutwohav ebe
beauti
ful.(
Laughswipinghert
ear
s)(
holdsherhand
ti
ghtl
y)I'
m suchamess, Icryf
orl
it
tl
ethings.
Nel
ly
-(hol
dsherti
ght
ly)
(bl
i
nki
ngthet
ear
s
away)
(smi
les)y
ougetti
ngmetear
yal
so.
MrsZul
u-(smi
les)(
looki
ngatthemenu)l
et'
sorder,
youmustbehungry
,Iwanttoknowyoumoreifthat
okaywi
thyou?
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)I'
dlovethatMrsZul
u,(
lookingatthe
menu)ever
ythi
nglooksepit
izi
ngher
e.Ifeelli
ke
eat
ingever
ythi
nghere.
MrsZul u-(
looki
ngather
)(smil
es)Ididn'
ttakeyouas
afoodie,yourbodyl
ookslikey
ouliveonpr otei
n
shakesonly.
Nel
l
y -(
laughs)I'm notmuchofaf oodie,butwhenI
f
eelli
keeatingIgoal lout
.Todayispiggiedayfor
me,Iwantst akeandawhol elotofFrenchfri
es
(
smilesthi
nki ngabouthermeal).
.

Mr
sZul
ulooksather
,shei
sar
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul
woman, itnosupri
sehissonf el
lheadov erheelsfor
her,butitnotjustherbeautythatcaptivating,
somet hingaboutherisjustrefr
eshing.Shei s
shockedathowshehandl edallt
his,evenaf tershe
disrespectedherandat t
ackedher, shedef ended
herselfinapolit
eway ,heresheis,will
ingt ohave
l
unchwi thherevenafterthei
rsmal lquarrel.
Somet hingaboutherisdi f
fer
entthough, todayshe
l
ooksev enmor ebeautif
ulandradiant,shej usthas
thisglow. .
..

Nel
ly'
sphoner i
ngs,
shetakesitoutofherhandbag
anditSbanical
li
ng,
shelooksatMr sZul
ufirst
,not
sur
ei fsheshoul
danswerit
..
..

Mr
sZul
u-i
tmyson?
Nel
l
y-(
noddi
ng)y
eah.
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
smi
l
es)y
oucanansweri
t.
..

Shesmi
l
esbackathi
m,andanswer
sherphone.
..
Nel
l
y-hel
l
o..
.
Sbani
-si
ncewheni
sitj
ust"
hel
l
o"
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sherey
es)whatdoy
ouwantZul
u?
Sbani-(smil
es)Ijustcamefr
om y ourof
fi
ceandy ou
notthere,noMbal iakazi
kut
hiuyephi?(Mbali
doesn'tknowwher eyouatei
ther)Iwantustohav e
l
unch, imissyou.Whydoesitfeel l
i
keIhaven'
tseen
youinday s.
Nel
ly-Ican'
thav
elunch,
uhmm I
'
m al
readyhav
ing
l
unch.
Sbani
-whereareyou?Icancomether
e,wecanhav
e
l
unchtoget
her?Don'ty
oumi ssme?
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)Ido,
buty
oucan'
tcome,
Ihav
e
company.
..
Sbani
-(f
rowns)whot
hef
ucki
sthat
?
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
seyes)j
ustsomeone,
nowcal
myourt
it
s,
i
tawoman.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Idon'
tcar
e,Idon'
ttr
ustany
onewi
th
y
ou.
Nell
y-(
smiles)Ihav
etogo,
Iwi
l
lseey
ouwhenIget
backattheoffi
ce.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)(
placehi
shandonhi
shear
t)y
ouar
e
me.
Nel
l
y-(
placesherhandonherhear
t)Iam y
ou.
Them-
(smi
l
es)wear
eone.
Sbani
-Il
ovey
ou.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iknow.
..

Shehangsup,
MrsZul
ulooksatherandsmi
l
es.
..

MrsZul
u-y
oul
ovehi
m,Icanseei
tiny
ou,
don'
tbe
af
rai
d.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)
let
'
scal
lthewai
ter
..
.

MrsZulul
ooksatheroncel
astt
ime,maybeshe
shoul
dn'
tworr
ythatmuchaft
eral
l,
shethinkst
o
her
sel
f.
..

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Blesswalksinsi
deSbani
'
soff
icewit
houtknocki
ng,
Sbanilooksathim,
okaysomethi
ngiseat
inghim
up..
..

Bl
ess-(
paci
ngupanddown)It
hinkI
'
m goi
ngcr
azy
..
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)dude,
yougoi
ngtodr
iveme
cr
azywithallt
hepaci
ng,
whatwr
ong?
Bl
ess-(
stopsandlooksathi
m)IknowI '
m notcr
azy,
myguthasneverletmedown.Itj
ustr
ightt
herebro,
Imeanevenafif
thgraderwoul
dbeabletoseethe
si
mil
ari
ti
es.
Sbani
-DUDE!!
!Whatar
eyouonabout
,youj
ust
rambl
ing,
younotmaki
ngsense.
..
Bl
ess-(si
tsdown)
(brusheshi
shandsoverhi
sf ace)
I
'm goi
ngtoshowy ouapict
ure,
Ineedy
out olookat
i
tcaref
ull
y,Idon'
twantTothi
nkI
'mjustseeing
t
hingsthatarenott
her
e,Imean,
I'
m notcrazyri
ght
?
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)Br
o,snapoutofi
t,y
ouneed
tocal
m down.

Het
akehisphoneandopenst
othegal
l
eryst
opson
t
hepi
ctur
ewherether
eisthe4oft
hem..
.

Bl
ess-(
handshi
mthephone)l
ookatt
hispi
ctur
e..
Sbani-
(t
akesthephoneandl
ooksatt
hepict
ure)
(conf
used)i
tapictur
ewetook,
whatwrongwithi
t?
Bl
ess-l
ookcl
osel
y,Zoom t
hepi
ctur
e.
Sbani
-(zoomst
hepi
ctur
e)whatam Il
ooki
ngf
or
exact
ly?
Bl
ess-(
brusheshi
sfaceagai
n)l
ookcl
osel
ybr
o.
Sbani-(l
ookingclosel
y).
..whatam Il
ooki
ngf or
agai
..
..wait,
youguy sactual
lyl
ookali
ke,(
laughs)t
his
i
screepy ,onewouldthinkyou'
resi
bli
ngs,whydidn'
tI
seethisbefore.
.(
looksathim)
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m wi
tht
hel
ook)
..
.
Sbani
-(ey
esout)ohSHIT!!
!,(
looksatthepi
ctur
e
agai
nthanlooksatBl
ess)OhSHI T.
..
Bl
ess-t
ell
meI
'
m notcr
azyman.
..
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatt
hephot
oindi
sbel
i
ef)Noway
man..
.
Bless-Iknow,Idon'
twantt
obeli
eveitbutmygut
tel
lsmet herei
smor et
oitthanj
ustpeoplel
ooki
ng
ali
ke..
.
Sbani
-(t
hinki
ng)ohSHI
T,DrGasa.
..
Bl
ess-
(conf
used)what
??
Sbani-Nomvel
o,sheisDrGasa,Idon'tknowwhyI
didn'
tmakeconnecti
onthepuzzle.(
Lookingathi
m)
fuck!
!!
..
.

Bl
essst
andsupandkicksthechai
rhardfrust
rat
edl
y,
hest
art
stosweatandbrusheshi
sface..
.

Bl
ess-Ihadhopef
ori
tnott
obet
rue,
may
bet
hat
whyIwasrel
uctantonl
i
kinghert
hatmuch,
shei
s
myfucki
ngsi
ster.
..
Sbani
-sor
ryman,
Iknowy ouwantedhert
obet
he
one.
..
.Youhav
en'
tfuckedherr
ight
?
Bless-(
Laughssar
cast
ical
l
y)t
hankGodno.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
(l
ooksathim)Nell
y?
Sbani
-I'
m conf
usedt
oo,
howcanshebey
oursi
ster
?
Bl
ess-doy
ouknowany
thi
ngaboutherf
ather
?
Sbani
-no,comet
othi
nkofi
t,shehasnev
ert
alked
abouthi
m...
Bl
ess-(
annoyed)f
uck!
!!
..
.fory
oursakeIhopeshe
ai
n'
tmysister
..
.
Sbani
-(fr
owns)wellsheain'tsochi
l
l,I
'
m sur
ether
e
i
sanexplanat
ionforher.
..(Looki
ngathim)why
wouldyouhaveaproblem wi t
hmeifshewasyour
si
ster
?
Bl
ess-(
giv
inghi
mthel
ook)
youser
iousl
ynotaski
ng
methat
?
Sbani
-(gi
vi
nghimt hel
ookback)Fucky
ouman!
!You
knowIwouldneverhur
ther
.
Bl
ess-j
ustpr
aysheai
n'
tmysi
ster
..
.
Sbani-(
annoyed)sheisnot
..
.ev
eni
fshewas,
you
won'tdoshitabouti
t.
..

I
tbecamesi
lentf
orawhi
l
easbot
hmenwer
ehav
ing
ast
aredown..
.

ATCLI
CKSSTORE.
..

MaSiwelawaswalkingtotheparki
nglotcarr
yinga
packetofcosmeti
cswhenapai rofhandsgrabbed
herfor
ceful
lydr
agginghertowardshercar.
..

MaSiwel
a-(
fidget
ing)l
eav
emealone,
yeyiwena
Shl
amangiyeke(leavemeyoupi
eceofshi
t)
..
Man-Bosswantstohaveawordwi
thy
ou,
itwoul
d
doyougoodnottofi
ghtme.
..
MaSi
wel
a-Bossyamasi
mbanaleyo(t
hatbossi
s
al
soapi
eceofshi
t)
,ngi
yekedot
i(l
eav
emey ou
r
ubbi
sh)
..

Theyfi
nal
lyreachedhercar
,fi
ndi
ngMosesst
andi
ng
nextt
oit.
..

MaSiwela-(
annoy
ed)Ishoul
dhav
eknowni
twas
yourbi
gheadbehindt
his.
..
Moses-(
smirks)hel
l
oMat
ho,
youwer
eal
way
sthe
f
eist
yone..
.
MaSi
wel
a-y
oust
alki
ngmenow?
Moses-youknowIal wayshadeyesony
ouandour
daughter
,youcan'
trunawayfrom meMatho,
I'
m
theeyesofthi
scountry.
..
MaSi
wel
a-uf
unani
?(Whatdoy
ouwant
?)
Moses-youknowwhatIwant .
.(Looki
ngather)I
'm
gi
vingyou2daystositandt al
ktoourdaughter,
don'tmakemeregretthi
sdecision.Il
ikey
ou,don't
makemeshowy outhatsideofme. .
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)FI
NE.
..
.
Moses-(
smir
ks)Good.
..(
Kissesheront
hecheek)
seeyoui
ntwodaysbeauti
ful
..
.

Hewi nksandwalksaway,leavi
ngMa' Si
wel
a
disgust
ed,shewipeshercheek,whatdidsheev
er
seeinthatman,shethi
nkst ohersel
f.
..

Unedi
ted
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t46

ATTHEZULUHOUSEHOLD.
..
..

MrsZuluwashavi
ngteaatt
helounge,
shewasdeep
i
nthought
s,MrZuluwal
kedinandsatnextt
oher
..
.

MrZul
u-(ki
ssi
nghercheek)y
oul
ookl
i
key
ougot
al
otonyourmind.
Mr
sZul
u-(
sippi
nghert
ea)Baba,
angi
kuzwanga
ungena(
Idi
dn'
theary
oucomei
n)howwaswor
k?
MrZulu-ubuzongi
zwakanjaniukudenomqondo
(howcouldyouhaveheardme, wheny ouabsent
minded)workwaswor kmylove..
.(Looki
ngather)
okay,t
ell
mewhatbot her
ingyou?
MrsZulu-(si
ghs)pr
omi
semeangekeuze
ungi
thet
hise( t
haty
ouwon'
tshout
)
MrZulu-(
rai
singhi
seyebr
ow)well
thatwil
ldepend
onwhatyouhav et
otel
lme.I
fubhedi
leIwil
lhaveto
repr
imandyouNoziwe.
Mr
sZul
u-wel
lIcan'
ttel
lyout
han.
.
MrZul
u-(
shr
ugs)f
ine.
..
(st
andi
ngup)I
'
m goi
ngt
o
hav
eashower.
.
Mr
sZul
u-(
sighs)Iwentt
oseeNel
l
y..
.(
looki
ngathi
m)

Hestoppedonhi
strackandl
ookedather
,hopi
nghe
hear
dherwrong.
..

MrZul
u-y
ouwentanddi
dwhat
?
Mr
sZul
u-Ij
ustneededt
otal
ktoher
,pl
eadwi
thher
..
.
MrZul u-whywouldyougot al
ktoher,whatdoes
thatsayaboutyou,aboutustotheNgcobof amily?
(Looki
ngather)oursonisdivorci
ngtheirdaughter
Nozi,ther
eisnothi
ngwecandoatt hi
smomentbut
wehav et
oremainloyalt
otheNgcobo' satl
eastunti
l
thi
sdiv or
ceisf
inal
.Wecan'tbeent er
taini
nglama
nyalakaSbaniri
ghtnow..
.
MrsZul u-Iknow, butIwant edt oknowheri ntentions,
Ibeli
evedt hisgir
lwasj usttryi
ngt osettl
eascor e
withusbecauseofwhatourdaught erdidtoher .I
neededt ofindoutmor eabouther .Ididaskt hatshe
giv
esNt ombi andSbani somespace, Ipleadedwi th
hertothinkaboutt hefami lyshei saboutt obr eak.
(Si
ghs)shepl ai
nrefused, bel
iev eitornotZul u,my
pri
ori
tyr i
ghtnowi smyson.Thi ngsar emuchmor e
complicatednow, Sbani lovest hisgirl
,andwedon' t
knowhowt hi
swi l
laff
ecthi m, hei sinvesti
ngt o
muchemot i
ons,youknowt hatnotgood, t
hiscoul d
bedanger ousf orhi
m.
MrZulu-y
ouwerewr
ongt ogoaskheral
lthat
.You
shoul
dbetal
ki
ngtoyourson.I
'
m di
sappoi
ntedin
Sbani ,thewayi nwhi chhewentaboutt hisiswr ong,
Ntombi ishi swife,heshoul dn'thavesl eptwi th
anot herwomanwhi l
ehewasst il
lmar ri
ed, especi all
y
i
fheknewt hathewasn' twi l
lingtomaket hat
womanhi smi stress,hewant edmor e.He
disrespect edNt ombi ,hedisr espect edhi smar riage
andt hev owshemade.Ihat edi srespect fulwomen
butat leastNt ombi beingdi srespect f
ul wasal l
becauseshewant edt ofightf orhermar r
iage.
Unf ortunat elywi t
hher ,shehadal ooset ongue, she
disrespect edev enpeopl ewhower eonhersi de.I
suppor tedSbani withthepol ygamyr outebecause
atleasthet ooktoconsi derat ionallpar t
ies, i
tnot
i
deal buti tbet t
erthanwhathappeni ngnow.The
onlyr espectIhav eforhimi snotst ringingNt ombi
along.Nozi weallI'
m hear i
ngf rom y our i
ghtnowi s
"myson"t hi sand" myson"t hat .Whataboutt het wo
womeni nvolved?TheNgcobof amilygav eust heir
daught erandwepr omi sedt ol ookaf terher ,nowour
soni shur ti
ngt heirdaught er .Thisisshamef ul toour
fami l
y .Thant hereisNel ly,Iknowmysonl ovesher ,
I
sawi tthev eryfi
rstdayhel ai dhisey esonher .DoI
wantmysont obehappy ?YESIdo.Butwebot h
knowhowdanger ousthiscanquicklyget .Letnotbe
bli
ndedbyourl ov eforoursonandnotacknowl edge
hisfault
s.Shakahaspr omisedmet hatSbani can't
hurtNellybutwear enot100%sur e,hehaspl aced
herinapedest al,t
hatcomeswi thalotof
expectati
ons,whathappenswhenshef ails?Atleast
withNtombi henev eractedoutbecausehedi dn't
expectmuchf r
om her ,
hisemot i
onswer enotov er
ly
exhaustedbyherbutwi thNell
y,I
'm afraidhehasher
ashislif
eline.Ifshebreaks,hewillbreakt oo.
..
MrsZul
u-well
wegoingt ohav
etowor
kext
rahar
d
t
oensureshedoesn'
t.
..
.
MrZul
u-(
shaki
nghi
shead)Nomkami
,wehav
eto
t
ell
Nel
lyt
hetrut
haboutSbani
..
.
MrsZul u-NO!!
!Wenotsubj ectingoursont ohaving
peoplelookathim diff
erent
ly,wecan'thaveher
l
ookingathi m di
ffer
entl
y,especiall
yher.Sbanidoes
notcomewi t
hamanual ofhowheshoul dbetreated
orloved.Shewi l
ll
ovehim andt reathi
ml i
ke
every
oneel sedoes...
MrZul
u-excepthedoes,
weal
readyt
reat
ingand
l
ov i
nghi m diff
erentl
y.Weputhi sf eelingsabov e
everyt
hingel se.Can'tyouseenot hingt hatwedo
thati
nv ol
vesSbani i
snormal .Weshi eldhi
mt oo
much, Iknowmysoni snotsomecr azylunaticbut
wecan' tshieldhimf or
ever,Shakaneedst ol i
vehis
l
ifebuthedoesn' twantto,heput shi sbrothers
happinessbef orehis.Iknowhel ov est heSiwelagir
l.
ButbecauseSbani '
shappinessi spr i
or i
tytohim,he
l
ethergo.
MrsZulu-well
ifsheneedsamanual t
olovehim.
Shelear
nandshewi l
llovehim cor
rectl
y.I'
m not
l
osingmyson.Hechoseher ,shewillendure
every
thi
ng.Shecannev erl
eavehim,Iwillmakesur
e
ofit
.
MrZul
u-Idon'
tl
iket
his.
..
MrsZul
u-shewant
edt
hebeast
,itt
hebeastshe
woul
dget.
..

Thenextday
..
..
ATNTOMBI
'
SANDSBANI
'
SHOUSE.
.

Sbani
waspacki
nghisimpor
tantf
il
esf
rom t
hest
udy
,
whenNtombiwal
kedin.
..
.

Nt
ombi
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)canwet
alk?
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)arewegoi
ngt
oendup
fi
ghti
ng?CauseI
'
mt i
red?
Nt
ombi
-No,
Ijustwantt
otal
k..
Sbani
-(si
ghs)okay
..
Ntombi
-(t
akesadeepbr
eat
h)Iknowi
ther
,Iknow
t
hatwhyyoudiv
orci
ngme.
Sbani
-Nt
ombi
don'
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f.
Ntombi-itf
ine.Iacceptheri
nyourli
fe.Letdi
scuss
youtal
kingherasy oursecondwif
e(Lookingat
him)
...
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
).
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.Ican'
t.
..
Nt
ombi
-(swal
l
owed)whatdoy
oumeany
oucan'
t,
I
'
m gi
vi
ngy
out
heper
missi
ont
oo.
Sbani
-Ican'ttakeherasmysecondwi febecauseI
wantherasmyonl ywif
e..
.I'
m sor
rybutIcan'
tdo
thatt
oher,Iloveher.
..
Ntombi-(t
ear y)whataboutme?I 'my ourwi fe.Iwas
youronlywife,unt ilt
hatshor tdevilcameal ong.
Whataboutmehuh? ?!!(Cry
ing)Mi na?I tmel ookat
me,SbaniI'my ourwi f
e,(comi ngcloser )Il
ov eyou,
l
knowy oujustdi stractedbyherbeaut yandbody
ri
ghtnowbuti tjustaphasebaby .I
tokaywedon' t
havetohav eanot herbaby,wecanadopt .(Hugging
him)Iknowy oul oveme, y
ouj ustconf used..
Sbani-(
Huggingherbackt i
ghtl
y)I'
m sorr
y,I
'mr
eall
y
sorr
yMaphol oba,
butIlovehermor e,don'
tdot
histo
yoursel
f.(
Kissi
ngherforehead)letgo.
..

Hemov edf
rom thehugandwi
pedherf
all
i
ngtear
s,
ki
ssedherf
oreheadagai
nandmovedtopackhi
s
fi
l
es..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngf
ort
hel
astf
il
eont
heshel
f)
..
.
Ntombi
-(heavybreat
hing)(
Looki
ngathi
m)ar
eyou
cl
eani
ngy ourst
udy?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)No,
IdecideditbestImov
eout
.Just
packi
ngmyi mpor
tantf
iles.
..
Ntombi
-(t
ear
y)y
oudon'
thav
etomov
eout
.Whatt
he
r
ush?
Sbani-Ihavetoo,thi
sisyourhousenow, aft
erwe
signandf i
nali
zethepaper stomorrow,y
ouwillneed
yourspace.Itfort
hebest .(Packedhisl
astf
il
e)Iwil
l
sendf ormyotherstuff
.Tomor r
owweneedt osit
downandhav eatalkwithNoma.
Ntombi-(
frowned)youwil
lexpl
aint
oour4yearold
daught
erthatyouleavi
ngherandgoingt
ost
artyour
ownnewf amilyandli
fewi
thouther
.
Sbani
-(t
ryi
ngtostaycal
m)youknowi tnotl
i
ket
hat
.
Donottryandt
urnmydaughteragai
nstme..
.

Hecarr
iedtheboxfi
l
ledwi
thhi
sfi
lesandwal
ksout
t
hestudy.Leav
ingNtombi
wit
htearsr
unni
ngdown
hercheeks.
..

Nt
ombi
-(cr
ying)OhmyGod!
!!.
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Shegotupf r
om t
hestudyfloor,
walkedtot
heliv
ing
room.Shetookherhandbag,carkeysandphone
thanwalkedoutt
hehouse..
...

40mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

ATZULU&SONSCO

Ntombi par
kedhercarandmadeherwaytot he
el
ev at
orheadi
ngup.Afterf
ewminutesshewalks
outoftheelev
atorandheadst
owardstherecepti
on
area..
..
Mbal
i
-(smi
l
es)Goodday
..
Ntombi-(
rai
singherey
ebrow)Gooddaywhat???
Whereareyourmanners?Nxi
!!
!Bl
oodrecept
ioni
sts.
I
tMr sSbani
sezweZulu
Mbali
-(sar
casti
cal
ly
)ohsor
ry"
MrsSbani
sezwe
Zul
u"canIhelpyou?
Ntombi-I
'mlooki
ngf
orMi
ssSi
wel
a?Youknowher
?
Theshortbi
tch.
.
Mbal
i
-(ey
esout)Idon'
tthi
nkIli
key
ourt
one.Mi
ss
Si
wel
aisnotav
ail
ableri
ghtnow.
Nt
ombi
-tel
lmewher
eher
eof
fi
cei
s??
Mbali
-Ican'
ttel
lyout
hat.Icannotsendyouthr
ough
ei
ther
,younotbookedforanyappointment
..
.
Nt
ombi-Idon'
tneedanappoi
ntment
..wat
chme
makemywayt hr
ough.
..

Att
heboar
droom.
..
NellyandShakaal ongwi thSiphowher ehavea
str
ategicmeetingwi tht heirrespectivecoll
egues,
whent heysuddenlyhear dallotofshout i
ngand
cursingcomingfrom t heout side, Shakaregconi
sed
thev oi
cetobeNt ombi 's,theyl ookedateachot her
withSiphoandbot hoft hem qui cklygotupand
madet heirwayoutt heboar droom. ..

Atboar
droom 2.
.

Sbani andMrZul uwereinashar ehol

dersmeet i
ng
withthei rveryi
mportantbusinesspart
ners,when
thenoi secomi ngfr
om out si
detheboardroom
causedt hem tocomet oast op,MrZuluandSbani,
alongsi det hegent
leMent heywer emeetingwith,
stoodupandwentout sidetheboardr
oom 2. .
.
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t47

ATZULU&SONSCO
Ntombi wasshouti
ngandcursi
ngf orNel
lyt
ocome
out,
allt
heempl oy
eesstoppedwor ki
ngandlooked
ather,
Mbaliwastryingt
ocalm herdown.Al
l ey
es
wereonher..
.

Ntombi-(l
ookingar
ound)wher
eisthatshor
tdevi
l
,
ni
muf i
hlephi
?(Wheredi
dyouhideher?)Bl
oodyman
st
ealer
..
Mbal i
-(pani
cked)I'
m goingtohavetocal
lsecur
it
yto
escortyouout.Pleasethisisaprof
essi
onalwor
k
place,youcan'
tbeact i
ngl i
kethi
s.
Ntombi
-pr
ofessi
onal
yousay
,DOYOUR
EMPLOYEESALSOSPECIALI
ZEI
NSLEEPI
NGWI
TH
MARRIEDMAN. .
..

Worker1-whatgoi
ngon?Whyi
sthi
swoman
shout
ing?
Worker2-(
looki
ngatNtombi)Idon'
tknow,
Ihear
d
shout
ingandIcamet osee.
.
Wor
ker
3-t
hatMr
sZul
u,Sbani
'
swi
fe,
shei
s
scr
eami
ngf
orNel
l
ytocomeout
,shel
ooksl
i
vid.
..
Worker1-whywouldshewantherthough?Bossl
ady
doesn'
tlookl
iket
hetypetobeinvolv
edinbit
ch
fi
ghts.
.
Slay
queen1-(smi
l
es)hehhehehi
dramaelat
oday
.I
knewthatbi
tchwastoogoodtobetrue.

ShakaandSi
phof
inal
l
yreachedwher
eNt
ombi
was.
..

Shaka-(l
ooki
ngather)NTOMBI!
!!
,wenzani,
usangene?(Whatar
ey oudoi
ng?
,areyouinsane?
)
Nt
ombi-(mocki
nghi
m)ohwhatdowehav
eher
e?
Myhusband'
ssi
deki
ck.
..
Sipho-(
looki
ngaround)y
oudon'twanttodot
his
here?Iknowy ouhur
tbutnother
e(shaki
nghi
shead)
l
etgohome.
Ntombi-NO!!!IWANTTHEM TOKNOW THATTHEY
AREWORKI NGWI THAHUSBANDSNATCHER. .I
thoughtyouwereonmysi deSi
pho,whatchanged?
Ory ouj
ustli
keeverybodyel
se,
youhavefal
lentoher
t
rapt
oo?
Sipho-(
movi
ngcl
osertoher
)Iam onyoursi
de,
but
thisi
snott
heway.Pl
easeIbegyou,st
opthi
s.

SbaniandMrZuluwalksupt othecommotionand
standnextt
oShakaandSi pho.Sbani
'sf
acechanges
i
nstantl
ywhenhi
sey eslandonNt ombi,
Mbalist
art
s
tosweatassheseesSbani '
sface.
..

Mbal
i
-uhmm,
Itr
iedt
ost
ophersi
r.
MrZulu-(
sighs)i
tokaydear
.(Looki
ngaround)okay
ev
eryone,getbacktoworkwewi l
lhandl
ethis.
Ntombi
-NOOOO!!
!EVERYONESTAY,
I'
M SUREYOU
WANTTOKNOW ALLABOUTTHEOFFI CE
SHENANIGANS.
.
Sbani
-(commandi
ngv
oice)NTOMBI
!!
!

Sheswall
owedl
ooki
ngathi
m,shewouldbely
ingi
f
shesai
dhisl
ookdi
dn'
ti
nti
midat
eher
,itdi
d,hi
s
voi
cescaredher
,sheknewhewaswar ni
ngher,but
shedidn'
tcomeallt
hiswayt
obeinti
midatedbyhim.
Shehadanagenda,andshewasn'
tl
eav i
ngunti
lshe
ful
fi
ll
edit
..
.

Ntombi-OHl
ookever
yone,
myhusband.Thegr
eat
Sbani
sezweZul
u.Wherei
syourmi
str
esshoney?

Wor
ker2-(
shocked)Mi
str
ess?Bossmanhasa
mi
str
essYhooo..
Slayqueen1-(
rol
lseyes)duh!
!!Ofcour
sehedoes,
haven'tyouseenthatman,heisal
lki
ndsofsi
n,i
f
youknowwhatImean.
Worker
1-mxm!
!!Whyam Inotsupr
isedwi
thy
our
r
esponse.
Worker
3-butwhoi
stheMi
str
ess?I
sitsomeone
her
eatwork?

Shaka-(
annoy
ed)Don'
tdot
his.
..
Ntombi
-(angr
y)WHYNOT?WHYNOTHUH?
!!
..
.WHY
SHOULDISTOP.WHYSHOULDICARE?
Si
pho-Nt
ombi
yougoi
ngt
oembar
rassy
our
sel
f.
..
Ntombi-(l
aughssarcast
ical
l
y)me??Embar r
ass
my sel
f??He(poi
nti
ngatSbani)heisdoingagr eat
j
obatt hat
.Heshouldbeembar r
assed,sleepi
ngwith
hi
sco-wor ker
..
.

Therewer egasps,andhhuuu'sandahhh'
samong
thestaf
f.Everyonelookedaroundandwhisper
edto
eachother.Theywer eall
shockedbythi
srevel
ati
on.
Mostlytheywant edtoknowwhowast he"co-
worker"
...

Sl
ayqueen2-y
hoooI'
m gl
adIcamet
owor
ktoday
,
umgosiomungakachomiee.
..
Sl
ayqueen1-(l
aughs)t
ellmeabouti
t,Iknewt
he
bi
tchwaslikeusfrom dayone.
Wor
ker
1-please,sheisnothingl
ikey
outwo.Don'
t
t
ryj
ust
if
yingyourbit
chiness.Youtwoar
esofake.
Fakegi
rl
-(r
oll
seyes)kahl
egogo,itnotSundayt
oday
,
youdon'
thavetopreachr
ight
eousnesstous.
Worker
1-kombewenayousti
ll
try
ingtofiti
nwith
t
hesetwo.Nxi
!Nowonderyoucan'tt
alksense.
Slayqueen1-hehheheht
hisbi
tch.Chomi
eIt
oldy
ou
thatshesleptherwaytothet
opl o.
..
Sl
ayqueen2-uphi
vel
eyena,
thi
sdr
amai
sabouther
butakekhol
a.

Ntombi-OHyes,
yourpreci
ousseni
orsinthi
s
companyareget
tingi
ton.Yourpr
eciousStr
ategi
st
i
ssleepingwi
thmyhusband.Yourboss.
..
.

Thewhisperscont i
nued, ev
eryonewasshocked.
Thiswassomej uicynewst othem.Fewwomenwho
di
dnotlikeNell
yf ortheirownpet tyreasons,
whisper
edhowt heyhav ealwaysknowt hatshe
sl
eptherwaytot het op.Withallthisgoingonand
Ntombisti
ll
ranti
ngabouthowf akeandshadyNel l
y
i
s,thi
swholetimeSbani wasl ookingather,never
brokehi
sstareonher,shecouldf eeli
tasshe
conti
nuedtospitwords,butshewasn' tgoingto
backdown.Shewant edtoruinNel l
y'
sr eputat
ionat
work.I
fshethoughtshecanj ustsleepwi t
hher
husbandandgetahappyendi ngshehadanot her
thi
ngcoming...
.

Si
pho-(
looki
ngathi
sfat
her
)daddosomet
hing.
.
MrZulu-(l
ookingatNt
ombi)
(shaki
nghishead)l
et
herbe.Sheknowsexactl
ywhatsheisdoi
ng.Lether
havehershine.
Si
pho-(
shocked)t
hiswon'
tl
ookgoodonus.

Shakal ookedathisfather,MrZul ul
ookedbackat
him, t
heyhadasi l
entconv ersati
onwit ht
heireyes,
Shakanoddedl ookingathi sfathert
hanturnedhi s
attent
iontohisbrother,Sbani,hecouldseehowhi s
facehaschangedt of rom angrytodeadly,t
hev iens
wer evi
sibleonhisforehead.Howhi shandsf or
med
i
ntoaf istever
ynowandagai nshowedShakat hat
hewasf i
ghti
ngwi t
hhi mself,hewasr est
ri
cting
hi
mselffr
om lashi
ngout ,
buthi
seyes,t
heylook
empty
,theyhadnol i
fe.Theywer
ejustcol
dand
bl
ack.

Ntombi-Whereisshe?uphinondidwa?(
Whereist he
whit
e?)Shecanopenherl egsformyhusbandbut
shecan'tshowherfaceandfaceme.Phumasf ebe,
phumal auchashekhonanondidwa(comeoutbitch,
comeoutwhor e)

Att
heboar
droom.
.

Nellypacedupanddown, shecoul dhearallt

he
swearwor dsNt ombiwassay ing,shecouldeven
hearthewhi spersfr
om thestaffmember s,shewas
sweat i
ng, shefearedhowev eryonewi l
ll
ookather
goingf orward,shehaswor kedsohar dtoearn
herselfrespectfrom hercoll
eaguesandot herstaf
f
member s,sheknewt hatshecoul dnotletNtombi
destroythatf orher,
shecandoany thi
ngtoher ,
she
i
sent it
ledt o,butonethi
ngshewon' tal
lowhertodo
i
smesswi t
hherj ob.Sheknewt hatsheneededt o
faceher,ev
ent houghShakasi gnaledhertost ay
behindbutshecannol ongerstayhereandhi deli
ke
acoward.Iftheostri
chl egswant edtheshortdevil
,
thanitt
imet oputonherr edhorns..
..
.

ATMOSESGASA'
SHOUSE

MrsGasa-(
looki
ngatMoses)ar
eyousur
eabout
t
his?
Moses-itt
imeNkosi
kazi
,I'
m gett
ingol
d,Ineedal
l
mykidstoknoweachother.Ial
soneedtobepartof
t
hei
rliv
es.
Mr sGasa-(si
ghs)(
brusheshishand)don'tgetyour
hopeshighbaba, i
tnotgoingtobeeasy .Theyhave
grownnow, youcan'texpectt
hem tojustwelcome
youwi t
hopenar ms.Leaveadoorfor
disappoi
ntment.
Moses-Iknow.ButI
'
mt heirf
ather,aft
erIexpl
aint
o
t
hem,theywill
under
stand.Mypr oblem i
sMatho,
shei
spr
o-l
ongi
ngt
ell
i
ngourdaught
eraboutme.
Mr sGasa-sheisst
il
ldramati
caboutthi
swhole
thing.(Rol
lsey
es)whyam Inotsupri
sed,shel
i
kes
drama.( Thi
nki
ng)
..
.babacanIask,Idon'
tmeanany
disrespect.
Moses-(
rai
singhi
sey
ebr
ow)ask.
..
MrsGasa-uhmmm I '
veseenNelly'
spicturesfr
om
yourpeople.Sheisreal
lybeaut
iful
,butshev ery
whit
e,younotlightski
nned,Mathoislightski
nned
butnotli
keherdaughter,ar
esureshei syour
daughter
..
Moses-Mat ho'smotherwasawhi t
ewoman.Iguess
Nell
ytakesafterhergrandmother
.Sheismy
daughter,
youknowIdoDNAonal lmykids,
it
prot
ocol,shelooksexactl
yli
keNomv el
o,sheis
defi
nit
elyaMday i.
.
MrsGasa-ohohk,nowondershei
ssodr
amat
ic,
she
haswhi
tepeopl
e'stant
rums.
Moses-(
laughs)y
oudon'
tl
ikeherdoy
ou?
Mr
sGasa-(
laughs)Idon'
that
eherbaba,
shei
sjust
t
oomuchdr
ama.Il
i
kef
ir
m women.
Moses-(smi l
es)sheisav er
ystrongandfirm
woman, shejusthatesitwhenpeopl etrytocontr
ol
her(
laughs)hencet hedr amati
cperformance.That
whyourr el
ati
onshipnev erworked,shedidn'
tli
keto
becontroll
ed.
Mr
sGasa-i
tdi
dn'
twor
kbecausey
ouwer
ewi
thme.
Moses-(l
ookingather
)No..
.thatwasnott
hecase,I
wasn'
tmarriedtoyouatt
hattime.Youwer
ebothmy
gi
rl
fr
iend'
s.Youwer emoresubmissi
vet
hanher
,that
whyyouthewi f
enother.
MrsGasa-(
swal
l
owed)thattheonl
yreasony
ou
marr
iedme?Soyoust
il
lloveher
?
Moses-(l
aughs)Iloveyou,butbackthanmyfir
st
choi
cewasMat ho.(Lookingather)don'
tworr
yI
don'
tlov
eherany more.Icareaboutherasthe
motherofmydaught er
.
MrsGasa-whataboutBl
ess'
smot
her
?Younev
er
t
alkabouther
..
.
Moses-(
sil
ent
).
...
.ther
eisar
easonwhyIdon'
ttal
k
abouther
,pl
easer
espectt
hat
.
MrsGasa-Ijustwantt
oknow.Youal
way
sshutme
outwhenitcomestoher.
Moses-Dr
opi
t.
..
Mr
sGasa-ohmyGod!
!Youst
il
ll
oveherr
ight
?
Moses-(
loud)ISAI
DDROPI
T..
.

Shekeptqui
etandlookedatt
heotherway,
he
l
ookedatherandknewheshouldn'
thaveshout
edat
her
..
.

Moses-(touchesherhand)I'
m sor
ryforshout
ingat
you,i
tjustIdon'
tl
iketalki
ngabouther,
youknow
t
his.Idon'tknowwhyy oualwaypushit
..
MrsGasa-(
sighs)I
'
m sor
ryt
oo,
itj
ustIwant
edt
o
know.
Moses-(
babyki
ssesher
)justl
eav
eit
..
.
Nomvel
owalksandsit
sopposi
tet
hem,
shehasa
f
rownonherface.
..

Mr
sGasa-andt
han?Whatwi
tht
hef
ace?
Nomv el
o-(
looki
ngatherphoneonceagai
n)
not
hing.
..
Moses-hadaf
ightwi
tht
heGumedeboyagai
n?
Nomvel
o-No,(
rol
lseyes)
andi
twasn'
taf
ightl
ast
t
ime,
justmi
sunderst
andi
ng.
MrsGasa-thanwhatwr
ong?Youkeepl
ooki
ngat
yourphone.
Nomv el
o-(sad)itt
hisguyIhav
ebeenkinderseeing,
hehasn'tbeenrespondi
ngtomytext
s.Idon'tknow
why,everyt
hingwasgoingsowell
.
Moses-he'
sjustnott
hati
ntoy
ou.
Mr
sGasa-(
hit
ti
nghi
m)Moses!
!!
Nomv
elo-r
eal
l
ydad!
!
Moses-(
shrugs)what
?!!
!I'
mjustt
ell
i
ngyouwhat
youdon'
twanttoadmittoyour
sel
f.Mov
eon,you
beaut
if
ulbaby
.
Mr
sGasa-doy
our
eal
l
yli
ket
hisguybaby
?
Nomv
elo-(
noddi
ng)
MrsGasa-wel
lgi
vehi
mt i
me,
may
bet
her
eisan
expl
anat
ionf
oral
loft
his.
.
Moses-(
laughs)y
eahr
ight
..
.

Hiswifegav
ehim adeadst
are,
heshruggedand
conti
nuedwatchi
ngtvasNomvelol
ookedather
phoneonelastti
me.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t48

ATZULU&SONSCO.
..

Nel
lywal
kedoutoft
heboardr
oom andmadeher
waytowher
ethecommotionwas.
..

Nt
ombi
-(sawNel
l
y)f
inal
l
yherMaj
est
ydeci
dedt
o
graceuswithherpresence.Howismyhusband'
s
di
ck?Isitgood?Itsogoodt haty
ouhav
enoshame
aboutwhatyoudoing?
Shaka-(
looki
ngatNel
l
y)It
oldy
ounott
ocomeout
,
goback.
Ntombi
-No,
letherbeher
e, LETALLTHESEPEOPLE
KNOW WHATSHEREALLYI S,FUCKTHEMISS
GOODYTWOSHOES, UYI
SIFEBE,UNGUNONDIDWA.
WHYCAN'TYOUGETYOUROWNMANHUH? !
!OH
LETMEGUESS, HELEFTYOURYELLOWBONEASS,
NOW YOUJUMPI NGTOTHENEXTAVAI LABLEDI
CK.

Worker
2-whydoesshel
ooksocal
m aboutt
his,
I
wouldbeshaki
ngonmyboots
Slay
queen1-i
tsthebi
tchf
ace.Youcan'
tbeweaki
f
youridi
nganot
herwoman'sdi
ck.
Wor
ker
1-orshecoul
dbej
usti
nnocent
.
Worker3-I'
m notsosur
e,hav
ey ouseenthem
t
ogether.Ithi
nktheyr
eall
ysl
eepingtoget
her
.
Guy
1-ev
eni
ftheywer
esl
eepi
ngt
oget
her
,whatt
he
wif
eisdoi
ngi
sreal
l
ynotr
ight
.Shei
sembar
rassi
ng
her
sel
f.
Guy2-yeahman.Achickl
iket
his,
issuchatur
nof
f.
Whywoul dsheputonashowforusabouther
pr
ivat
elife.
Wor
ker
3-shei
shur
t.

Nellylookedherasshecont i
nuedt or antandt hrow
i
nsul t
s, shelookedar oundsawhowev eryonelooked
atNt ombi ,i
mmedi atelysheknewt hatr espondi ngto
herinsul tsi
snotagoodi dear i
ghtnow, especially
notinf rontofthesepeopl e.Itwast imeshemov ed
toplanBwhi chi st ostaycal m andunshaken, lether
rant,letherlookr atchetandf ooli
sh, asmuchasshe
i
sr esponsi bl
ef orherbehav ingthisway ,butnow, at
thi
smomenti tallaboutsav ingherr eput ationand
beingt hesaneper soni nfrontofall t
hesepeopl e.
Shecoul dseeshewasbegi nningtogett iredof
shout ingandr anting,thisiswhatsheneeded.
Ntombi movedclosert oNel l
y,maki ngSbani and
Shakamov equickl yi
nfrontofNel ly...
Nt
ombi -ngi
dedel
eni
ngi
shay
eisi
febe(
letmehi
tthe
bi
tch)MOVE!!!
!
Sbani
-(annoyed)Ithi
nkyouhav esai
denough.I
'
m
ti
redofthi
sbullshi
t.I
texhaust
ingwatchi
ngyou
humil
iat
ey our
selfl
ikethi
s.
Ntombi -wow! !!Yout akinghersideeveninfrontof
everyone, I
'
my ourwi feSbani,y
ourWI FE,(showing
himt hering)whycan' tyouseewhaty oudoingis
breakingourf ami ly
,whycan' tyouseehowmuch
youhur ti
ngus.( Teary)Iloveyou,thi
nkaboutour
fami l
y.Ourbabygi rl
.(Grabbi
ngont ohi m)babe, i
t
meNt ombi .Youhav eknownmef or11y ears.Don'
t
l
etitgot owast e.(Crying)Nell
y,you'r
ewoman, you
willunderstandoncey ouhav ekids.Justleaveus.
I'
m beggingy ou.
Sbani
-(hol
dingher
)(gr
it
ti
nghi
steet
h)l
etgo,
wewi
l
l
tal
kathome.
Si
pho-y
esIt
hinki
tfort
hebest
,Nt
ombi
.
Ntombi-(
cry
ing)Ij
ustwantmyf amil
ytoget
her
.This
i
sallt
hedevil
swork,don'
tleti
twin.Iknowyoulov
e
me,
Ilov
eyout
oo,
shei
sjustusi
ngy
ou.

Sbani si
ghed, heknewNt ombicouldt al
kforthe
whol edayifshewasgi venthechance.Hewas
alreadyir
ri
tatedandangr yfr
om allthisshit
.One
thinghehatest hemosti shav i
ngpeopl eknowhi s
business.Sti
llNtombi cannotunder standthat.He
pickedherupandcar ri
edherov erhi sshoulders,she
waski cki
ngandscr eaming,butitallfel
ltodeafear s,
hewal kedtot heelevat
orandwai t
edwi thherov er
hisshoulder.Shewasst i
llki
cki
ngandscr eami ng..
.

Nt
ombi-PUTMEDOWN. .
.(Ki
cki
ngandhi
tt
inghi
m
wi
thhefi
stonhi
sback)
..
Sbani-(
ti
ghteninghi
shold)st
opi t
.Youbehavi
ngl
ike
akid.Youactingsil
l
yandchil
dish,i
tdef
ini
tel
ynot
cut
eandi sn'
tagoodl ookonyou.

Theelev
atorf
inal
l
yopenedSbani
walkedi
nwit
hher
overhi
sshoul
der,Si
phoqui
ckl
ygoti
naswell
..
.
Sl
ayqueen-y
hooochomi
e,whydi
dn'
tIr
ecor
dthi
s.
Slayqueen2-yhooomnganididy ouseetheway
Bossmancar ri
edherov
erhisshoulder,
itl
ookedso
sex.Icanjustimagi
nemy sel
fthereoverhi
s
shoulders.
..
Guy1-Inev
erthoughtI
'deverseethisguywi
thsuch
dr
ama, healwayshashisshi
ttogether
.
Worker2-nothim al
one.Bothhim andt
hebossl
ady
.
Theytwowel lor
ganisedpeopleIknow.
Worker
3-todayIl
ear
ntthatnobodyisperf
ect
.Who
knewthesetwohadsuchdirt
ylaundry
..

Sharehol
der
1-(l
ooki
ngatMrZulu)Zuluwhat
happenedheret
odaywasunacceptabl
e..
Shareholder2-whatifwehadcl i
entsher
e,t
hiswas
embar r
assing.Ineverthoughtsuchcoul
dhappenat
yourwatch.Thisisunet hi
cal
.
Shar
ehol
der
1-you'
rethemajorshar
ehol
deri
nthis
company
,buty
oust i
l
lneedusandourconnect
ions.
I
ftheboar
dhear
saboutt
his.
..

Nell
yandShakacouldhearhowunhappythe
shar
eholder
swere,
Shakat ookNell
y'
shandand
madetheirwayt
owher ethegent
lemanandMrZul
u
where.
..

Nel
l
y-t
heynothappy
,Idon'
tthi
nkIshoul
dbeher
e..
Shaka-f
oll
owmyl
ead.
..
.

Theyf
inal
l
yreachedt
hem.
..

Shaka-Gentl
eman.I'
m sor
ryfort
he
misunder
standi
ng.Iknowital
ottot
akein,butt
hing
i
s,thewomany ousawhereismybrothersexwife.

Nel
l
yandMrZul ulookedathi
m,hebr
ief
lyl
ookedat
t
hem andcont
inued..
.
Shaka-shehasahar dt i
meundest andingt hatthey
nolongert oget her.Theyhav ebeendi vorcedf or7
monthsnow.( LookingatNel ly)mybr otherhasbeen
dati
ngMi ssSi wel aher eforthepast3mont hsbut
becauset heirar ecollegues,theydeci dednott o
publi
caboutt heirrelati
onship.Wel lthatunt i
ltoday.
Whent heexwi femadeanappear ance.( Sighs)she
i
sdepr essed.Wet ryi
ngev er
y thi
ngathomet ohelp
herbutasy ousee, shejustcan'tletitgo.I'm sure
youhav eencount eredsuchwomanoncei ny our
l
ifet
ime.
Shar
eholder
1-(
sighs)Iunder
stand,
Zul
uwhydi
dn'
t
yousayso..
.
MrZulu-(l
ookingatShaka)Ij
ustdi
dn'
twantt
oai
r
outourpersonalpr
oblems.
Sharehol
der2-under
standable.Iknewther
eisno
way ,
Sbanicoulddosuchat hing.Heiswell
respect
edbusinessman.(Laughs)woman, welove
them buteytheycandestroyusinjustasecond.
Shar
ehol
der
1-t
ell
meabouti
t.(
Looki
ngatShaka)
t
hanky
ouf
orcl
ari
fyi
ngt
hist
ous.
Shaka-(smi
les)itnoproblem.Howaboutmyf at
her
takeyououtjustfor2glassesofwhi
skey.I
tbeena
l
ongday .
Shareholder
2-howcanwesaynot
othatof
fer
(Laughs)ofcourse.
.
Shaka-(
looki
ngathi
sFather)Dad,
iwi
l
ltel
lwi
l
lfr
om
thebart
osetthecavef
ory ou.
..
Shar
eholder1-(l
ooki
ngatNel l
y)you'
rest
rong
woman,y oudidn'
tbreakonebit.I
tmustbehard
havi
ngtohidey ourr
elati
onshi
p.
Nel
l
y-(
fakesmi
l
es)uhmm y
eah.
..
Shareholder
2-don'
tworr
y,t
hiswhol
ethi
ngwi
l
lbl
ow
overbeforeyouknowit
..
.

Nell
yfakesmi l
esagain, shecan'tbel
iev
eShakajust
l
iedthroughisteet
hwi thoutev enbli
nki
ng.Now
t
hesegent l
ement hinkshei sthevict
iminall
ofthi
s.
Wow, shecouldfil
lthepi tofherstomachtur
n.She
f
eelsreall
yshit
tyrightnow. .
.
Att
heunder
groundpar
king.
..

Sbani
put
sNt
ombi
downr
oughl
y.
..

Sbani
-(angr
y)WHATTHEFUCKWASTHAT?
??
HAVEYOUGOTANYI DEAWHATYOUHAVEJUST
DONE..
.
Si
pho-Bro,
comeon,
cal
m down.Shewasn'
tthi
nki
ng
st
rai
ght.
.
Sbani
-SHEWASN'
TTHINKI
NGSTRAI
GHTMYFOOT,
DOYOUKNOW HOW MUCHYOUHAVE
EMBARRASSEDME,THATMYWORKPLACE,
MY
FUCKINGWORKPLACE.
Ntombi -Idon'tcare,shedeser vedever
y t
hingthat
comi ngtoher ,sheisawi t
ch, shebewitchedyouand
youcan' tsee,sheisusingy ou.You'r
epawnt oher
revengepl otagainsttheZulu'
s
Sbani
-USANGENE,
youryear
sofli
steni
ngto
peopl
e'
sprobl
emshastur
nedyoucrazy,uy
ahl
any
a
Nt
ombi
,whatr
evenge,
thi
sisnotagame.
Ntombi -(Laughssar casticall
y )ngiy
ahl anyami na,
(I
'm crazy?)Lookatwho' st al
ki ng?I
'm nott hecrazy
oney ouar e.Youusel esspi eceofshi t,youcan' t
evengi vemebabi es, thankGodIdon' thav eyour
secondbaby ,idon'
thav et ocar r
ysickcr azybabies,
yousav edmet hetroubl eofr unningamadhouse.
Si
pho-Nt
ombi
!!
!Yougoi
ngt
ofar
..
.
Ntombi -No, I
'
m not ,hemustknowt hetruthsohe
couldgetof fhishighhorse.Ididyouaf avourby
beingwi t
hy ou,whowant sabi pol
arman.You' r
e
l
unat i
c,thatwhyy ourdickcan'tgi
vemebabi es,it
actingout,thebipolargenesinitaredoingtheirpart
.
Yourdickhasbeenonabi polarepi
sodef or2y ears
now.Fucki nguseless.StaywithyourcrazyIhope
thatshortdev i
lknowswhatshei sgett
ingher sel
f
i
nto.
Si
pho-whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?..
Shaka-SHUTUP,
SHEDOESN'
TKNOW WHATSHEI
S
TALKINGABOUT.
..
SiphoandSbani
tur
nedandsawShakast
andi
ng
behindt
hem

Nt
ombi
-(Laughs)ohy
esIdo.
..
(l
ooki
ngatShaka)
Shaka-(
angr
y)y
ouwantt
ogot
her
e..
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatt
hem)WHATTHEFUCKI
SSHE
TALKI
NGABOUT. .
Ntombi-theangerpi
l
lsyout
akesometimes,wel
lmy
dearhusband,t
heyarenotj
ustor
dinar
ypil
l
s..
.
Shaka-NTOMBI
!!
!
Nt
ombi
-Tel
lhi
m Shaka
Shaka-MAYBEHESHOULDKNOW ABOUTDR
LEMBEDETOO..
.

Ntombiswall
owed,Shakawassweati
ng,t
heyboth
l
ookedateachother,Si
phoandSbaniwer
elooki
ng
atthem wai
ti
ngforanyonet
ospeak..
.
Sbani
-WHATTHFUCKI
SGOI
NGON?Whatpi
l
ls?
What.
.SHAKA?
Shaka-uhmm li
stenbro,
itnotconf
ir
medokay
,ther
e
wasnev eraf
ulldi
agnosi
s..
Nt
ombi-(
rol
l
sey
es)OHCUTTHECRAP,
YOUKNOW
HEISHASMANI
ABIPOLAR.
..
Si
pho-WHAT?
??
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatShaka)i
sitt
rue?
Shaka-(
looki
ngdown)y
eah.
..
Si
pho-ohmyGod!
!!
Nt
ombi
-whoi
sthecr
azyonenow.
..
Shaka-SHUTUP, JUSTSHUTUP.YOUCAN' THAVE
BABIESBECAUSEYOUAFTERYOURFI RSTILLEGAL
ABORTIONYOUALSOABORTEDSBANI '
SSECOND
CHILD,tel
lhi
m howy ou,
wentandkil
l
edhi schi
ld
becauseyouwerenotsureI
fitmineorhis.
..
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t49
Att
hepar
kingl
ot.
..

Itl
iket i
mest oppedr i
ghtthatsecond, whenShaka
reali
sedexact l
ywhathadj ustcomeoutofhi smout h,
i
twasal readyt olate.Ntombi stoodthere,shaking,
shedi dn'
tt hi
nkhewoul dact ual
lysayit,shedidn't
thi
nkhewasact uall
ythatstupidt oi
mplicatehimself
too.Sbani l
ookedathi sbrothert hanbackatNt ombi,
hecoul df eelhischesttighten,angerwasbr ewing
i
nsidehi m, Siphoj ustst
oodt here,hiseyesfixedon
Ntombi ..
.

Nt
ombi
-(t
ear
y)i
tnotwhaty
out
hink.Babepl
ease.
..
Sbani
-(shout
ing)SHUTUP!!
!!JUSTSHUTUP,
FOR
ONCEINYOURLI FEJUSTSHUTUP..

Shejumpedatthet
oneofhi
sv oi
ce,
itr
oar
edl
i
kean
ani
mal,i
twasloudandbol
d..
.

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatShaka)t
ell
meIdi
dn'
theary
ou
correctl
y ,
youwoul dn'
tdot hattomeBaf o, you
woul dn'
tlietomel i
ket hat.I'm notsi
ck,I'
m notsome
caset hatshouldbest udied.Ri ghtBafo?(Shaki ng
hishead)mybr otherwoul dn'tdecievemel i
kethis,I
knowmybr other,Iknowy ouv erywellBaf o.Younot
thatkindofaper son,Iknowy ou,wecamef rom the
samewomb, webot hgotourf oodf r
om t hesame
breast.Youwoul dnev er,ev erl
ietomel iket hat.Just
tel
lmet hat,al
lthatwassai d, i
tnottrue.
..

HelookedatShakawi thpleadi ngey es,hiseyes

wereglassy,hischestwassot ightenthatitwas
almostdif
ficultforhimt obr eath, i
twassot i
ghtthat
i
twasl i
kehewasr estri
cti
nghi msel ffr
om breathing,
rest
ri
cti
nghi msel ffr
om br eathingt heairout.Hej ust
wantedhisbr other,t
hebr otherhel ovedwi t
hhi s
wholebeing,thebr otherwhonev ergav euponhi m
evenwhenev eryoneisolatedt hemsel vesf r
om him
becauseofhi sangeri ssues.Hi sbr otherwast here,
hisbrot
hersuppor t
edhi mt hroughout ,hisbrother
gavehim mot ivati
ont ogot ot hoseanger
managementcl asses,hisbr othermadehi m got o
therapyonceinawhi l
ewhenev erythinggott omuch
forhim.Thebr otherhewoul dgiv euphi slifeforif
giventhechance.Hei snotav eryexpr essiveperson
wheni tcomest ohowhef eels,butdeepdown, he
knewhowmuchhi sbrothermeantt ohi m, deep
downheknewt hathewi llfor
ev erbedebt edwheni t
comest ohim.Thisisjustabi gmi sunderstanding,
hel ookedathisbrother,wai t
ingf orhimt or espond,
butShakaj ustkeptquietandl ookedbackathi m
teary.Heshookhi shead, tearsr unningdownhi s
cheeks...

Shaka-(
tear
s)I
'
m sor
r.
..

Hecoul
dnotfini
shthatsent
enceasSbaniquickl
y
hel
dhim byt
hecoll
arandshovedhim agai
nstthe
car
..
.

Sbani
-(f
umi
ngwi
thanger
)(t
ear
y)SAYI
T,SAYI
T,
NOTMYBROTHER,NOTYOU. .
.
Shaka-
(t
eary)I'
m sorr
y,I
'm sor
ry.Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o
prot
ectyou.Idi
ditforyou.
.
Sbani
-(hol
dinghi
scol
larev
entight
er)YOUMY
BROTHER,FUCK!!
!THATSHI T,
YOUSLEPTWITHMY
WIFE,
MYWI FESHAKA,YOUWATCHEDHERABORT
MYBABY, YOUSAIDNOTHI NG.
Shaka-(holdi
nghi
sarms)I
'm sorr
y,wethoughtwe
wereprotecti
ngyou.Dadt
houghtitwaswi sewenot
tel
lyou.(Taki
ngadeepbreath)(
cryi
ng)I
TCOULD
HAVEBEENMYBABYTOO. .
.I'
M HURTINGTOO
Sbani
-(t
aki
ngastepback)We?
??Whoi
sWe?
Dad.
..
(si
l
ent)
..
.Dadknows?
Shaka-(f
ixi
nghisst
ep)yes,
Dad,
mom,
meand
Ntombi.Weallknew.
..

Heshov eshi
m againstthecaragai
n, thisti
mehe
squeezedhisneck,chokinghi
m, hi
sey esbloodred
becauseofthetearsandanger,het i
ghtenhishold,
Shakastart
edtochokeonhi mself,gaspingforai
r.
SiphoandNtombi quickl
ywenttothem, pul
l
inghim
awayfrom Shaka.
..
..
Sipho-(pul
li
nghisar
m)Sbani
,lethi
m go,
uzombul al
a(youwil
lki
l
lhi
m)lookathim,hei
s
suffer
ing..
.
Ntombi
-(wrappi
ngherar
msaroundhi
sback)(
tear
y)
ohmygod!!Sbanimyeke(l
eav
ehim)pl
easebabe
I
'm sor
ry.
..

Sbaniqui
ckl
yletgoofhi
m andturnsofastgrabbi
ng
Ntombibytheneck,
makingherscream and
conti
nuousl
yhit
ti
nghisar
ms..
.

Ntombi-(
scr
eaming)Sbani
..
.(st
ampi
ngonherf
eet
s)
ngiy
eka(l
eaveme)I'
m sorr
y..
.
Sbani
-YOUUNGREATFULBI
TCH,
IGAVEYOU
EVERYTHI
NG,EVERYTHI
NGNTOMBI..
..MY
BROTHER,MYBROTHERNTOMBI.
..
Ntombi -(chokingandcoughi ng)(cr
ying)i
twasa
mistake,please!!
!!Don'
tkil
lme, t
hinkaboutour
daughter.
..Ilovey ou,
Ilov
ey ou..
.
Sbani
-SHUTUP!
!!
!

Thesecur itycamer unningt ot hesceneassoonas

hehear dNt ombi '
sl oudcr ys, heandSi phoqui ckly
wentt oSbani andpul l
edhi m back, theyhadahar d
ti
me, hewasst rongert hanbot hoft hem combi ned,
Ntombi '
sey esst artedt or oll backandf orth,
her
whol ef acehadt urnedpal e, youcoul dseeherv ein
l
inesonherf or ehead.Shakast oodupandqui ckly
wentt ohel pthesecur it
yguyandSi pho.Theyf inall
y
pulledSbani away , maki ngNt ombi falldownt hat
second, coughi ngandgaspi ngf orai r.Sbanitur ned
aggr essivelyandpunchedShakaont heface,
maki nghi m bleedr ightthatsecond, hest umbl ed
backandl osthi sst epmaki nghi mf alltothegr ound
too.Sbani lookedathi sbr ot hershaki nghi shead, his
facef il
ledwi thanger ,sadness, hurt,disappoint ment
anddef eat.Hewi pedhi stear sandwal kedt ohi scar.
Hegotanddr ov est r ai
ghtoutt hepr emi ses.Leav ing
alloft hem f i
ll
ingl ikeshi t.Nt ombi wasf ullofregr et
,
i
fonl yshehadj ustshuthermout h,nowi fshewas
i
ndeni al aboutherl osinghi m, nowshewassosur e,
shehadlosthi
m.Shakagotupandwalkedtohiscar
.
Minutesl
ater
,hi
scardri
veouti
nfull
speed.Si
pho
walkedtoNtombiandhel
pedherup.
..

Nt
ombi
-(t
ear
y)(
sni
ff
s)t
hanky
ou.
..
Sipho-(
looki
ngather)ar
eyouokay
?(Touchi
ngher
face,wi
pinghert
ears)
Ntombi-(t
eary
)Imessedup,Ihurthi
m sobad.I'
m
ev
il,
howcanIdot hatt
ohim( cr
ying)ihav
elosthi
m
Si
pho,Ilosthi
mforgood.
..

Hehuggedherbr
ushingherback,shewrappedher
ar
msaroundhim cr
yingonhischest.
..

Sipho-sshhhh,
itokay
,hei
sangr
y,gi
vehi
mti
me.
..
ssshhh..
..

Shecont
inuedcry
ing,
aft
eraf
ewminutes,
hercrys
werenowsettl
i
ngdown,Shemov
edfrom hischest
,
Sipholookedatherswol
leney es,
hewipedhert
ears,
andlookedatherli
ps,heleanedfowar
dandkissed
her..
.

Ntombi-(pushinghi
m)ewwww! !
!Wenzani
?(What
areyoudoing?)(Movingawayf
rom hi
m)Ican'
t
beli
eveyour i
ghtnow..
Sipho-(
embarr
assed)I
'
m sor
ry,
Ijustwant
edy
out
o
feelbet
ter
..
Ntombi
-byki
ssingme,USANGENE? ?(
arey
ou
i
nsane?
)Nxi!
!!YouZandi
l
e'shusbandf
orGodsake.
..
Sipho-I
'
m sosor
rypl
easedon'
ttel
lher
,Ij
ustdi
dn'
t
knowwhattodo..
Ntombi
-WHYWOULDYOUKISSME?DOILOOK
THATCHEAP,
EWW NO.
..(
Wipi
nghermout
hin
di
sgust
).
.
Si
pho-(
off
ended)Isai
dI'
m sorr
ynoneedtobe
dr
amati
caboutit
.Itj
ustastupi
mist
ake.
..
Nt
ombi
-NXI
!!
!SI
ES!
!!YOUSBANI
'
SBROTHER.
..
Si
pho-t
hatdi
dntst
opy
ouf
rom f
ucki
ngShaka,st
op
bei
ngdr
amati
caboutaki
sst
hatdi
dnthappen,
you
hav
edoneworseNxi
..
Nt
ombi
-(angr
y)FUCKYOU!
!!

Nt
ombi
wal
kedawayf
rom hi
m goi
ngt
ohercar
..
..

3hour
slat
er.
..

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shewassi t
tingintheloungethi
nki ngaboutt oday.
Shecoul dnoter asetheimageofNt ombi cryi
ngand
beggingSbani .Thatimagehaunt edher ,notsolong
agothatwasher .Sheremember edhowshebegged
Sizwet ostay,howshecr iedandknel tbeforehim,
begginghi mt orememberher ,t
ol oveher .Shedid
thatt
oanot herwoman, shewasatt hereceivi
ngend
watchinganot herwomanbegamannott oleaveher.
Wast histhewomanshehasbecome, theselfi
sh,
uncaring,coldheart
edwoman.I st hiswhoshei snow?
Whathappenedt oherbeingtheanchorofev ery
woman, whathappenedt oherbeingal l
forwoman,
hastheev entsofSizwechangedhert hatmuch.Is
sheevilasNt ombi wassaying.Thesewer eal
l
questi
onsandt houghtsgoi
ngt hroughhermind.She
wasdisturbedbyaknockont hedoor.Shegotup
andwentt ot hedoor,sheopenedt hedoorand
foundShakast andingoutsi
de, helookedbad,hi
s
shir
thadbl oodst ai
ns.
..

Nel
l
y-ohmyGod!
!!Whathappened?
Shaka-(st
umbl
edwi
thhi
sst
ep)Imessedup.
..I
fuckedup..
Nell
y-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)ar
eyoudr
unk?Shaka?What
happened?
Shaka-(l
aughs)me?dr
unk?
Noooooo(
shaki
nghi
s
head)(heburped)
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
disgust
ed)okayy
oudr
unk.
..

Shehel
pedhi
mtot
hecouch,
itwasal
ongwayt
her
e,
hewasn' tr
eall
yalightper son.Shestruggledwi th
untiltheyreachedthecouch.Theybot hf ellonthe
couch.Wi t
hNellybreathingheav i
ly
,shel ookedat
him, helookedpained, hurtandv er
ysad.Hewasn' t
theShakasheknew, hisglowandspar kwasgone.
Shewonder edwhatcoul dhav echangedi njust
thesel asthoursshesawhi m.Shet houghtofcal li
ng
Zeeandaski ngherwhathappenedt ohim, butshe
decidednott oasshet houghtmay bet heyhada
fi
ght.Shel ookedathi m again,shefelthurttoo,she
caredabouthi m alot,hewasoneoft hosepeopl e
shewant edtostayhappyatal lt
imes.Shehat ed
seeinghi mlikethi
s..
..

Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngathi
m)Doy
ouwantt
otal
kabouti
t.
..
Shaka-(
shaki
nghi
sheadt
ear
y).
..
Nell
y-(
openingherar
ms)okay
,Igi
vegr
eatcuddl
es
youknow..

Hesmiledandlai
dhisheadonherchest
,she
huggedhim,hesl
eptonherchest
,pul
li
nghisfeetup
t
hecouch.
..

Nell
y-(
brushi
nghi
shead)whatev
eri
tis,
itwi
l
lbe
okay.
..

ATCAPPELLOFLORI
DA

Sbani
washav i
nghiswhiskey,hehasbeendrinkng
si
nceheleftt
hepackinglot
.Alotwasgoingthrough
hi
shead.Hisphonevibr
ated,helookedati
t,i
twas
Bl
ess,heanswered.
.

Sbani
-(downi
nghi
swhi
skey
)yeah.
..
Bl
ess-(
sighed)Shakacal
l
edme,
wher
ear
eyou?
Sbani
-Iwantt
obeal
one.
..
Bless-ar
eyoudr
inki
ng?Pl
easet
ell
mey
ounotatt
he
bar?
Sbani
-..
..(
sil
ent
)
Bless-SHI
T!!
!SBANI
!!
!Youknowwhathappenedthe
l
astt i
meyouwereangryandwentdr
inki
ng,
getout
now!!!
Sbani
-IKNOW.
..I
'
M JUSTHEREFORTHEDRI
NK.
..
Bl
ess-i
don'
tl
ike.
..

Hehangedupandswi
tchedhi
sphoneof
f.
..

Af
terafewmi
nut
es,
aladycameandst
oodnextt
o
hi
m...

Lady
-(naught
ly)heysexy
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ookedather
)hey
..
.
Lady
-(smi
l
ed)mi
ndi
fIj
oiny
ou?
Sbani-(
Looksather
,st
art
ingf
rom herf
ace,al
lthe
waydownherbody ,
hewassizi
ngher)Ihav
ea
bett
eridea.
..
Lady
-ohy
eah.
..(
leani
ngf
owar
d,showi
nghi
m her
cl
eav
age)
Sbani
-yeah.
.letgetoutofher
e
Theladysmi l
ed, het ookt hatasay es,hedowned
hiswhiskeyandgotupt akinghiskey s,hest art
ed
walkingout .Thel adywasconf used,hewasn' t
smili
ngather ,hel ookedbl ankandemot i
onl ess,she
start
edhav ingsecondt hought s,heturnedand
l
ookedback, shewasst i
llstandingbyt hecount er,
heraisedhi sey ebrowr evealingthatscar, she
meltedatt hesi ght,thi
smanwasal lkindofsex, she
thought,shesmi l
edandmodel ledherwayt ohi m,he
sti
lll
ookedatheruni mpr essedbutshedi dn'tcare,
shewasn' tmi ssingachanceofbei ngwi t
hhi m, he
l
ookedl oaded. ..

Lady
-(t
aki
ngherchances)Ichar
ge2000ani
ght
..
.
Sbani
-Good.
.

Shesmiledandkeptwal
ki
ng,shehashitt
hejackpot
toni
ght
,sheisn'
tevenaprost
it
ute.Hel
ookedather
andthoughtt
ohimsel
f,shoul
dthingsspi
ral
outof
contr
ol,
itGoodshei
sapr ost
it
ute,noonewil
ll
ook
forher
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t50

ATCOASTLANDSHOTEL

Lady-(l
ooki
ngaround)wow! !!
!Thisplacelooks
expensi
ve,theonl
yhotelIcanaf f
ordisBay si
de,
(Touchi
ngthebedsheets)thisi
soutoft hiswor l
d,
(smil
es)Icansmellt
hef reshbedsheet s,
I'm sur
e
youcomet ohotel
sli
ket hesealot.
..

Hedoesn'trespondtoher ,shel
ooksathi m, okay!!
!
Shehasconcl udedheisn'tmuchofachat t
yper son.
Hehasn'tsaidanythi
ngt ohersincetheyl eftthebar,
hehasnotev enaskedhername.I tobvioushei s
goi
ngthroughsomet hi
ng,thestressli
nesonhi s
for
eheadarepr oof,partofherwant stoaskhi m
abouti
tbutshei sscared,sheisn'tsur
ei fshewoul d
besteppingtheboundar i
es.Hewal kstotheminibar
thattheyhaveinsidethei
rroom, hetakesabott
leof
whiskeyandglassandwal ksbacktowher et
hebed
i
s.Het akesachai randsitsfaci
ngthebedandher ,
hepour shi
msel fhiswhiskeyandlooksather.
..
..

Lady
-(smi
l
es)uhmm wher
edoIgetmydr
ink.
..
Sbani
-(r
aisi
nghi
sey
ebr
ow)St
ri
p..
.
Lady
-(ey
esout
)What
??!
!
Sbani
-(deepv
oice)STRI
P!!
!!.
..

Shet
akesoffherheelsandkicksthem ontheside,
shet
akesofherdressandthrowsi tonthefl
oor,t
his
whol
etimehewasdr i
nki
ngandl ooki
ngather,she
wasaboutt
otakeof fherbr
a...

Sbani
-STOP.
..

Shest
oppedandl
ookedathi
m..
.
Sbani
-(bar
it
onev
oice)Getdr
essed.
..
Lady
-(ey
esout
)WHAT!
??Di
dIdo.
..
Sbani
-(si
ppi
nghi
swhi
skey
)getdr
essed.
..

Shewant edtoprotestbutthewayhel ookedather,

shedecidednott oo.Shepickedherdressupand
gotdressed,hiseyespointedatherheels,shetook
them andwor ethem backon, shest
oodt hereand
l
ookedathi m nervousl
y..
.

Sbani
-STRIP!!
!..
.(Looki
ngdi
rect
lyatherey
es)make
i
tsexy,danceforme...
l
ady
-(hear
tpoundi
ng)uhmm Idon'
tknow.
..
Sbani
-(commandi
ng)STRI
PNOW!
!!

shestoodt
hereshaking,
nowthemoodwast ense.
Shegotnerv
ous,shehasneverdonet
hisbef
ore,
danci
ngforaman, shedi
dn'
tthi
nkthi
siswhathe
wanted,shethoughttheywi l
ljusthavesex,hewil
l
payherandt hati
sit.Shejustwant edquickmoney .
Sheisnott hatexperi
encedwheni tcomest osex
andpleasingaman.Shei sav arsi
tystudentwho
wasoutwi thherfri
ends,neededqui ckmoneyt obuy
hersel
faweav e.Herfri
endst oldherthiswasthe
wayt odoit.Nowher esheis,wi t
hamanshedoesn' t
know, wholookssexyasf uck,askinghertodance
forhim..
..

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)Idon'
thav
ethewhol
eni
ght
..
..

Lady-(
shaki
ng)uhmm,
uhmmm t
her
e
i
s..
.no.
..
.musi
c..
Sbani
-(si
ppi
nghi
swhi
skey
)themusi
cisi
nyour
head.
..

Shenervousl
yswayedherhi
pssidetoside,
shetook
ofherr
ightheelf
ir
stki
cki
ngitonside,
shelost
bal
ancetryi
ngtoswayherhi
psandf el
lonthefl
oor.
..
Lady-(
hear
tpoundi
ng)I
'
m sor
ry,
(tr
yingt
ost
andup)
sorr
y..

Sbani
-(i
rr
it
ated)STOP!
!!
Lady
-(t
ear
y)I
'
m sor
ryI
..
.
Sbani
-comesi
tonmyl
ap.
..

Shelookedathimt ear
yandst oodupwalki
ngtohi
m.
Shesatonhi sl
apandf el
tZulu,sheswal
lowedher
eyesgotevenmor eteary
,whathasshegot t
en
hersel
fint
o.Hislef
thandwentupherbackt oher
hairwhi
lehisri
ghtheldhisgl
assofwhiskey.
..

Sbani
-(si
ppi
nghi
swhi
skey
)younotast
ri
pperar
e
you?
Lady
-(Shaki
ng)No.
..I
'
m not
..
.
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)soy
oul
i
edt
ome.
..
Lady
-(t
ear
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Sbani
-(pul
l
edherhai
r)y
out
ri
ckedme.
..
Lady-(
screamed,tr
yingt
ohol
dhi
slef
thand)(
tear
y)
I'
m sor
ry,
I'm sor
ry.
..

Hecont i
nuet opul lherhair,shewasnowcr yi
ngand
screami ng, ki
cki ngherf eetintotheai r
.Hewat ched
hercr yandscr eam i npainashedr ankhi swhiskey.
Somet hi
ngabouthercr y i
ngandscr eaminginpain
cal
medhi sf r
ust rat
ionbuti tdidn'
tst ophisdesir
eto
continuei nfli
ctingpai nonher ,sohepl acedhis
whiskeygl assdownandpul ledherbyherhai rtothe
bed.Het hrewheront opoft hebedandwat chedher
asshet r
iedt ogether selftogether
...

Lady
-(hi
ccups)
(touchi
ngherhead)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Sbani
-waitr
ighther
e,Ithi
nktheydohav
esome
pai
nki
ll
ersatthebathr
oom...

Hewal
kedt
othebat
hroom,
whenhewasaboutt
o
openthecabi net,hest oppedwhenhesawt heclean
towelsplacedneat ly.Hepi ckedoneandopenedt he
tapandwett hetowel .Afteraf ewmi nutes,he
walkedtot hebedr oom wi ththewett owel onhis
hand.Hest oppedonhi stracksandl ookedather ,
shewasshaki ng,shel ookedt err
if
iedandi npain,
shefeltapr esenceandl ookedupathi m,theyeyes
met,herinnocentt earyey esjustli
keher s,he
remember edhowshel ookedathi mr i
ghtaftershe
tookherlastbr eat
h.Heswal l
owedhol dingbackhi s
tear
s.Shel ookeddownatt hewett owelhehadon
hishandsconf used...

Lady
-what
'st
het
owel
for
?
Sbani -uhmm. .(t
hinking)
...Idi
dn'tf
indany
medi cationsoIt houghtyoucanpl acethewettowel
ony ourf oreheadtocool downt heheadache.
..
(handedhert hecoldwett owel)
Lady
-(f
akesmi
l
ed)
(tookt
het
owel
)thanky
ou.
..

Shepl
acedt
het
owel
onherf
orehead,
itwasqui
et
f
orsometi
me.Hewatchedher
,shel
ookedyounger
t
hanSane,
hishear
tst
art
edbeat
ingf
ast.
..

Sbani
-(hear
tpoundi
ng)howol
dar
eyou?
Lady
-(ashamed)uhmmm,
20.
.

Heswall
owedandwalkedtot
hedresser
,hetookhi
s
wal
let
,phoneandcarkey
s.HehandedherR2000.
..

Sbani
-(chokedonhissal
i
va)uhmm y
oucanst
ayt
he
ni
ght,
theroom ispai
dfor.
Lady
-(ashamed)Ican'
ttaket
his,
Ifeel
gui
l
ty.
..
Sbani-(
looki
ngatheronceagai
n)(
tookadeep
breat
h)I'm sor
ry.
..

Hequi ckl
ywal
kedoutbefor eshecouldsayanythi
ng.
Allt
hewayt otheelev
atoranddownt ohiscar,his
heartbeatsofast
,hewast err
if
iedatwhatalmost
couldhavehappened.Healmostt ookadvant
ageof
akid,hethoughtofhi
sdaughter
,hefel
tsomet
hing
comingup, hemovedtothegarbagebi
nandpuked
i
nside..
..

1:
45am

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Bl
esspacedupanddownt
her
oom.
..

Ski
ll
s-BossZulu'
sphonei
sacti
vated,
cany
out
ell
us
hi
slocat
ion(
looki
ngatt
heITguy)
..
.
Guy-(t
ypingonhi
sscreen)i
tsay
shere,
hejustl
eft
Coastl
andshotel
,nowhelooksl
ikehei
sheadedto
Westbrook.
.

Bl
ess-(
rel
i
eved)t
hankGod.
..
Het
ookhi
sphoneanddai
l
edSbani
'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Sbani
-sho.
..
Bless-j
eeeez!
!!Whywasyourphoneoff?Ihopey
ou
didn'
tdoany t
hingt
haty
oumightregr
et.LookmanI
know...
Sbani
-(cut
ti
nghim off)I
'm okay
..
..Icouldn'
t,
Idi
dn'
t
doanythi
ng..(
sil
ent
).
..Isawherf ace.
..
Bless-(
lookingatSkill
s&t heITguy )(
hewal kedto
thebedroom)( takesadeepbr eath)I'
m sorr
yman. ..
Shakatoldmeev eryt
hing.
..at
leastnowt hatexpl
ains
alot,
especiall
yaboutthatnight.
..
Sbani
-Idon'
twanttot
alkaboutmyf
amil
yri
ght
now..
..I
'
m st
il
lver
yangrywit
hthem.
..
Bl
ess-Iunder
stand.
..wher
ear
eyou,
comet
omy
pl
ace.
.
Sbani
-I'
m dr
ivi
ng,
I'
m goi
ngt
oNel
l
y'spl
ace,
Ijust
wantt
oholdherandwat
chhersl
eep.Shei
swhatI
needr
ight
now..
.
Bl
ess-goodidea.Youshoul
dhav
ewentt
oher
i
nsteadoft
hebar .
.
Sbani
-(shaki
nghi
shead)Iwast
ooangr
y,Iwoul
d
havehurther
.
Bless-y
eahy ouri
ght
..
.(si
lent
).
..y
ouknowthi
s
changesnothing,
yousti
ll
Sbani,youst
il
lmybest
fr
iend,youst
illmybr
other.
..
Sbani
-(hol
dsbackhi
stear
s)y
eah.
..
..
Bl
ess-Il
ovey
ouman.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)I
'
m nothav
ingagaymomentwi
th
you.
.
Bless-(l
aughs)comeon,
justonce,
itwi
l
lbeour
secret.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)No.
..(
sil
ent
).
..Br
other
s?.
..
Bl
ess-Br
other
s..
.

Theybot
hhangup.
..
ATNELLYSAPARTMENT.
..

Nell
ywasasl eepi
nherr oom,whileShakawas
sl
eepi ngi
ntheguestr oom.Shedi dn'
tl
ethimleave
becauseoft hestatehewasi n.Hehandv omit
edin
herlounge,shehadt ocleanupaf t
erhim,shehad
hi
mt akeashowerandgav ehim someofSbani's
sweatpantsandt -shi
rttowear..
..

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Sbaniopenedthedoorandwal kedinside.Helocked
andwentpasst hekitchen,
hest oppedandnot iced
hal
fbottl
eofHei nekeninsi
det hesink.Heknows
Nell
ydoesnotdr inkbeer.Het houghtmay beoneof
herbrot
hersmighthav ebeenher e.Hecont i
nued
andmadehi swayt oherbedr oom.Hepassedher
andwenttothebat hroom.Het ookaqui ckshower
andwalkedtoherwal kincloset,helookedforhis
greysweatpant sbutitwasn'tther
e,hewascer t
ain
heleftithere.Sohejustsett
ledforhismaroonone
andapl ainwhi t
et-
shir
t.Heopenedt hecoversand
gotinside,shewaswear i
ngpy jamastoday,t
hatwas
weird,shesleepsnaked.Hebr usheditof
f.He
mov edhercl osert
oher,makingherbodyst i
ffas
sheopenedhersl eepyeyes.
..

Sbani
-(ki
ssesherf
orehead)i
tme.
.
Nel
l
y-(
bli
nki
ng)babe?
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
eah.
..gobackt
osl
eep.
..

Shesnuggl edcl osert ohim,heheldhert ighterand

kissedherf oreheadagai n.Sheclosedherey esand
wentt osleepagai n.Hel aidawake, hedidn'twantto
fallasl
eep,heknewi fhedi d,hewoul dhav ethe
nightmaresandseeherf ace.Italwayshappens
whenhei snotokay , heseesherf aceinhi ssleep.
Afraidtohallucinateandhur tNelly,hedecidest hat
hewoul dnotsl eept oday.Buthewi lll
ayawakeand
enjoyhearingherbr eat hi
ngpat t
erns,watchingher
sl
eeppeacefull
ywit
hnowor r
ies,gi
veshim hope, i
t
al
lheneeds.Ital
mostli
kewheni tdayslikethese
andhecan'tsl
eepbecauseoffear,watchingher
sl
eepishi
sconsolati
on.Sheissleepingf ort
heboth
ofthem.
..
.

Helookedatt heclocknextt oherbedsi de,

3:55am.
Het ri
edclosinghi seyesbutopenedt hem again
whenhi sthought swentt otoday'sevent .Hedidn'
t
wantt othinkaboutt hatri
ghtnow.Hi sbody
sti
ffened,hiswhol ebodyt emperaturechanged, asif
sensingthechange, Nell
ymov edal it
tle.Hequickl
y
calmedhi msel f
.Hecannotl etthedev ilwinri
ghtnow,
notwhenhi sperfectworldwasi nhisar ms, t
hiswas
hisnormal, shewashi snor mal.Right
nowhei sat
peace...
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t51

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT
Shakawokeup, hisheadhur tal ot,hemadea
ment alnotenott oev ermi xalcohol agai n.Hesatup
andf oundt hathewasi nanunf ami li
arr oom.He
l
ookedar oundconf usedf orami nut es,unt ilt
he
eventsofy esterdaycamef l
oodi ngin.Hewokeup
andwentt othei nsui tebat hroom.Af terhef i
nished
hi
sbusi ness, hewal kedt otheki tchen.Sbani was
awakewat chingNel lysl
eep, hehasn' tsleptonebi t
.
Hecoul dhearnoi sescomi ngf rom t heot herrooms.
Helistenedcar efully,hehear dt hef ridgeopened
fr
om t hekitchen.Hecar efull
ymov edNel l
yaway
fr
om hi schestandsl owlygotoutoft hebed.He
checkedi fhedi dn'twakeherup, shewasst il
l
soundlyasl eep.Shewassuchadeepsl eepert hese
days.Itwasn' tli
keher .Hewal kedoutoft he
bedroom maki nghi swayt otheki t
chen. ...

Whenhegott otheki t
chen,hecouldnotbeli
evehi
s
eyes.Therest
oodhi sbrotherbythesink,
dri
nki
ng
waterfr
om thebottl
e,wear i
nghiswhitet-
shi
rtand
greysweatpants.Sensingthepresencebehi
ndhim,
Shakaturnedaround, hi
sey esmeeti
ngSbani'
s
conf
usedandangryey
es.Heswal
l
owed,
hiswhol
e
bodygoi
ngsti
ff
..
..
.

Shaka-Baf
o..
.
Sbani
-(t
ryi
ngt
ost
aycal
m)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Shaka-uhmm,
I.
..l
i
stenmanIdi
dn'
tknow.
..
Sbani
-WHATTHEFUCKAREYOUDOI
NGHERE
SHAKA?
Shaka-Iwasdrunkl
astni
ghtandIcoul
dn'
tgohome
man,Nell
yinsi
stedIsl
eepoverokay
..
.
Sbani
-(movi
ngclosert
ohi
m)andy
oucoul
dn'
ttur
n
downthatof
fer
?WHYTHEFUCKDI DYOUCOME
HEREINTHEFIRSTPLACE?..
.
Shaka-Ij
ustwantedsomeonetotal
kto,
Baf
oIdi
dn'
t
knowy ouweregoingt
obehere.
Sbani
-Whywouldn'
tIbeher
e??SHEI
SMYFUCKI NG
WOMAN...OFCOURSEIWILLBEHERE..
..
(l
ooki
ngat
hi
m)YOUWANTHER?YOUWANTTOSLEEPWI TH
HERTOO?
Shaka-(
annoy
ed)WHYWOULDIDOTHAT?
?HUH?I
GAVEHERTOYOUDI DN'
TI?
?SHEISMYFUCKI
NG
FRIEND.
..

Theycont i
nuedt oshoutov ereachot her.Nellywoke
uphear i
ngl oudv oicescomi ngfrom thekitchen,she
satupt r
yingt ofigureoutIfshewasn' thear i
ng
thi
ngsbutact uall
yt her
epeoplear gui
ng.Shewoke
upandwal kedoutt hebedroom, whenshepassed
thelounge, thev oicesgotev enlouderand
somet hi
nghi tthegr ound,bythesoundofi t,she
concludedi twasabot tl
e.Shefinall
yr eachedt he
kit
chenf i
ndi ngt het wobrothersateachot her'
s
thr
oat...

Nel
l
y-(
sleepyv
oice)whatwi
thal
lthenoi
se?
Shaka-(
looki
ngather)I
'
m sor
ry,
whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
meSbani wascomingover
?
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngather
)WHYTHEFUCKDIDN'
TYOU
TELLMESHAKAWASHERE? ?SLEEPI
NGINTHE
NEXTROOM. .
.
Nell
y-(confused)what..
!!
??.
..
.wai
tthi
siswhatthi
sis
about?(Annoy ed)Iwokeupf r
om mysleepf
rom f
or
thi
sbullshi
t..t
ellmeyoujoking?(
Looki
ngatthem)
Sbani
-whydidn'
tyoutell
meyouhadanot
herman
sl
eepi
nginyourguestroom,
weari
ngmyclot
hes.
Nelly-
(annoyed)fir
stlyShakaisn'
tjustanotherman.
Hei syourbrother.Hecameher edrunk,helooked
hurtandsad, Icouldn'tl
ethi
m driveinthatstat
e.He
pukedal lov
ermyl oungeroom Ihadt ocleanhim up
thatwhyIgav ehimy ourcl
othes.(
roll
seyes)areyou
happynow? ?( LookingatSbani)
Shaka-WHYdi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
our"
boy
fri
end"was
coming?
Nell
y-becauseIdi
dn'
tknowhewascomi ng,
justl
ike
Idi
dn'tknowyouwerecoming.(
Ir
rit
ated)IDON'T
KNOW WHATTHEFUCKI SGOINGONBETWEEN
YOUTOO, BUTLEAVEMEANDMYSLEEPOUTOF
IT.
..
.ICAN'TDEALWITHTHI SSHIT..
..
.

Shecar
ri
edon,shout
ingatt
hem,shesworeatt
hem,
cal
li
ngt
hem al
lstupi
dnames.Theyj
ustst
oodther
e
shockedatherout bur
st.Whenshewasdone, she
walkedt owardst hefr
idge,shewasstil
l t
alki
ng,she
couldnotseet hatwhereshewaswal kingwaswet ,
sheacci dent
allysli
ppedfrom thewetfloormaki ng
herhitthegroundhar d,everyt
hinghappenedso
quickthatallthatwashear dwasherloudscr eam...
..
.

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Blesswassti
l
lsl
eepi
ngwhenhi
sphonev
ibr
ated,
he
answeredi
t.
..

Bl
ess-Sho.
.
Ski
l
ls-Bossopenup,
I'
m att
hedoor
.
Bl
ess-(
looki
ngatt
hecl
ockbesi
dethebed6:
45)
WHATTHEFUCKDUDE! !
!haveyouseent
heti
me.
Ski
l
ls-i
timpor
tant
..
.Igott
hei
nfoy
ouwant
ed.
..

Hehangedupandgotoutt
hecov
ers,
hewal
kedout
hisroom andpassbyt
hel
oungeandwentt
oopen
forSkil
l
s..

Bl
ess-nextt
imeyouwakemeupt
hist
ime,
Iwi
l
l
bl
owy ourbr
ainsout
..
Ski
l
ls-(
laughs)t
hisi
sur
gentbossman.
..

Theywentandt
ookasi
tont
hecouches.
..
.

Bl
ess-(
taki
ngadeepbr
eat
h)okaydi
shi
tout
..
.
Skil
l
s-(
looki
ngathi
m)y
ouwantt
hegoodort
hebad
fi
rst
?
Bl
ess-j
ustf
ucki
ngt
ell
meman.
Skil
ls-handinghimt heenvel
ope.Int herei
sful
l
detail
sont helady.ButIwil
lbri
efyouaboutt he
basics.Herf ul
lnamesNomv el
oPr i
ncessGasa, age
29,shehast wosibl
ingswell3nowi ncludi
ngyou.
(Lookingathi m)has2ki ds(t
wins)byaguynamed
DerekGumede, hewor ksatt
hestates.Goodnewsi s
youhavef oundy
ourfamil
ybossman.Badnewsi s
wehav eGasabehindourbacks.Iknowheisyour
fat
hermanbutwecan' thavehim snoopi
ngar
ound
ourbusiness.

Blesswasquiet,hewaslett
ingalloft
hissinkin.
Nomv el
owashi ssist
er.Hekissedhissist
er,hehad
sexualf
antasi
esabouthissister
,heswal l
owedhard.
Heactuall
ythoughtshewast heone.Skill
slooldat
him,wait
ingforhimtorespond..
.

Ski
l
ls-(
snappi
nghi
sfi
nger
s)BOSS!
!!
Bless-(
snappingoutofi
t)uhhh!
!!Goodj
ob.Iwi
l
l
takeitf
rom here.
..
Ski
ll
-nopr
obl
em Bossman.Nowwhatwi
l
lwedo
wit
hGasa?
Bless-l
eav
eGasat
ome.Ineedy
out
ofl
ytoBot
s
tonight
.
Ski
l
ls-(
looki
ngathi
m)ar
eyouokay
?
Bl
ess-(
sighs)y
eah.
..(
standi
ng)makesur
eyoudon'
t
missy
ourf
li
ghtt
oBotst
onight
.Ineedy
out
ocheck
onmymotherwheny
outhatsi
de..
Ski
l
ls-consi
deritdone.Youshoul
dconsidermovi
ng
mamzot hi
sside,youlookl
ikeyouwi
llbeinS.A.f
or
awhil
e.
Bl
ess-y
eah,
yeah.
..Ij
ustneedt
ogetahousef
ir
st.
.

Hewal
kedSki
l
lst
othedoor
,theybr
ohugged.
..

Bl
ess-don'
tfor
gett
ocheckonmymot
her
..
.
Skil
l
s-y
ouknowIwon'
t.Shei
sli
keamot
hert
ome
too.
.
Bl
ess-(
fi
stbumped)t
rav
elsaf
e..
.
Ski
l
ls-al
way
s..
.

ATNTOMBIANDSBANI
'
SHOUSE.
..

Nt
ombi
wasst
il
lsl
eepi
ngi
nthei
rbedr
oom when
Nomacamerunni
nginsi
de,
shej
umpedont
hebed
r
oughl
ywaki
ngherup..
.

Ntombi
-WHATTHEFUC.
...
.(not
icedNoma)ohbaby
i
tyou.
..
Noma-(
looki
ngather
)wer
eyougoi
ngt
oshoutat
me?
Ntombi
-(f
akel
aughs)No,
Nobaby ,
mommywasj ust
havi
ngabaddr
eam.Whyar eawakesoear
lybaby
?
Noma-I
'
m hungr
y,Iwantbr
eakf
ast
..
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)gomakey
our
sel
fcer
eal
baby
,
mommyisti
red.
.
Noma-butIcan'
treacht
hecupboar
ds.
.
Ntombi
-(Touchingherpai
nful
head)cl
i
mbonachai
r
orsomet
hing..
.
Noma-(whi
nes)butmommyIwi
l
lfal
l
.YouknowI
'
m
notal
l
owedtodot hat
..
.
Ntombi-(t
rystocalm herachi
ngheadache)j
ustt
ake
yogur
tfrom thef
ridge..
.
Noma-(whi
nes,
att
empt
ingt
ocr
y)Idon'
twant
yogur
t.
..
Ntombi
-(Shouti
ng)OHMYGOD!
!!NOMA,I
'M TI
RED,
TI
REDOKAY! !
!JUSTGOTAKEAFRUITOR
SOMETHING...
Noma-IWANTMYDAD.
..
Ntombi-WELLHEI SN'
THEREI SHE??NOW SUCKIT
UP...(
standi
ngupwalki
ngtothebat
hroom)JESUS,
I
FI TISN'TYOURFATHERGI VI
NGMEAHEADACHE,
I
TYOUWI THYOURSTUPIDTANTRUMS. ..
..
..

ATKHOZAHOUSEHOLD

Uncl
e1-whati
sthei
ssuewi
tht
hesecondgi
rl
?
Nhlanhl
a-Malume,sheisclosetogivi
ngbirth,Ineed
tobethereandhelpherwit
ht hi
ngs.IknowIhav e
beenherewithSimiandoursonbutLungi eyalso
needsme.Ifitnotaprobl
em, Iwoul
dappr eciatei
tif
Ileav
eandgobewi t
hhertil
lshegivesbir
th..
.
Don-hav
eyout
alkedt
oyourwi
feaboutt
his?
Nhl
anhl
a-Ihav
en'
t.Baba,Idon'twanttoupsether
.
Wehavebeenongoodt er
msl atel
y.Idon'
twantto
r
uint
hat.
Uncle1-t
hansonhowdoy ouexpectt
ojustl
eavehe
wit
houtanexplanat
ion.Thatnothowthi
ngsare
done.
Don-youruncleisri
ght
.Simii
sy ourwife.You
cannotdoany t
hingwit
houtherapproval.Idontcar
e
aboutthewesternwaysbuthere,Si
mi istheneck
andyout hehead.Shegoeswherey ougo.
Nhlanhl
a-Iaskedmom ifshedoesn'
tmi
ndhel
ping
Si
mi wit
hthebaby.Shesaidi
tokay.
Uncl
e-thebabycannotl
eavethesegroundunti
laft
er
3months.Therearemanyaunt'
shere,theycanhel
p
makoti
.
Don-(smi
les)yourmom i
swelcometohel
pson.But
shecanonlyhelpSi
miifshei
shere,
wouldshe
agr
eet omovebackherefort
heti
mebeing?
Uncle-(
laughs)of
cour
se,
shei
sst
il
lourmakot
i
accordi
ngt otr
adi
ti
on.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
sighs)Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
..
Don-dot
hatson.Andt
alkt
oSi
mi.

Nhl
anhl
awal
kedoutl
eav
inghi
sfat
heranduncl
e..
.

Uncl
e-(
laughs)Iseewhaty
oudoi
ng.
..
Don-(
laughs)what
???I
'
m maki
ngt
hingseasi
er.
..
Uncl
e1-(
smil
es)younev
ergotov
ert
hatnt
ombi
yoml
ungu(whi
tegir
l)
Don-Ma'
Siwel
aisnotwhi
te.Hermot
herwaswhi
te.
.
Uncl
e1-
(l
aughs)what
everbuty
ouknowI
'
mri
ght
..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Sbani
-(pacedupanddown)WHATTHEFUCKI
S
TAKINGTHEM SOLONG. .
.
Shaka-(
brushi
nghi
sface)I
'
m sur
eshewi
l
lbeokay
.
Sheisstr
ong.
Sbani
-(shaki
ng)bloodBafo,
blood.Whywast
her
e
bl
oodbet weenherlegs.
..
Shaka-(swal
l
owed)
..
.Iwi
shIknewBaf
o,Iwi
shI
knew..
..
[
11/
3,20:
50]Mar
cia:
Inser
t52

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL.
..

Sbaniwasst i
llpaci
ngupanddown, Shakawas
sit
tedwithhisheadf aceddown.Thet ensionwas
thi
ck,youcanal mostcutwi t
hasci ssor.Nomv elo
wasdr oppi
ngaf il
eatr eceptionwhenshesawSbani
pacingupanddownneart hewaitingchai rs.She
couldseethewor ryandst ressall
ov erhisface.She
quickl
ymadeherwayt othem.Sbani turnedandsaw
herapproaching.Ali
ttl
er el
iefpassedt hroughhim. .

Sbani-howisshe?Isshegoi
ngt
obeokay?
(Touchinghishead)t
her
ewasbl
ood.
..whywasshe
bleedi
ng?..
.
Hewasr ambli
ngawholel otofthings,hewasli
kea
madperson.Hewast al
kingsof astthatNomvelo
coul
dnothearsomeoft het hi
ngst hathewas
sayi
ng.ShakastoodupwhenhesawNomv el
oina
whit
ecoat..

Shaka-Doctor
,pl
easetel
lusshei
sokay
,wehav
e
beenwaiti
ngforhour
s..
.
Nomvel
o-(
confused)what
???
who?
?bl
ood?
?What
ar
eyouguysonabout?
Sbani
-Nel
l
y,webr
oughtherher
eabout20mi
nut
es
ago.
.
Nomvelo-(
shocked)Nell
yisher
e?Idi
dn'
tknow.I
j
ustcamefrom surger
y.
Shaka-(
brusheshi
sface)soy
ouknownot
hing.
..
Nomv el
o-unf
ortunat
elyno.(Looki
ngatSbani
)you
sayNell
yishere?Expl
aintomeexactlywhat
happenedandslowlyplease.
Sbani
-she.
..She.
..(
Brusheshi
sface)ohgod.
..She
sl
ippedonwetfl
oorandfell
,therewaslotofblood
comingout
..Shekeptscr
eami ngthatherback
hurt
s..
Nomvel
o-(ey
esout
)uhmm okayletmef
indout
,I
wi
ll
getbacktoy
ou.Bepat
ient
..
.
Sbani
-ICAN'
TFUCKI
NGWAITANOTHERHOUR,
I
JUSTWANTTOKNOW IFSHEI
SOKAY..
.
Shaka-Baf
o,l
etgi
vet
hedoct
orachance.
Nomvelo-(
looki
ngatShaka)pl
easegetyourbr
other
wat
er.Helooksli
keheisabouttof
aint
..
.

Nomv el
oquickl
yrunst ot
herecept
ion,af
terafew
minutesoftal
ki
ngtot hel
ady,andgett
ingthe
necessar
yinfor
mation.Shedi
sappearstothestaf
f
onlydoor
..
..
..

Shaka-It
hinkweshoul
dcal
lhermom.
Sbani
-NotnowShaka.Wewi
l
lcal
lherwhenwe
knowifshei
sal
ri
ght.
Shaka-andi
fshei
snot
?..
Sbani-(hol
dshi
m bythecoll
ar)
(cl
enchedhi
s
teet
h)DON'TTALKLIKETHAT. .
.DON'TYOU
FUCKI NGDARE..
.SHEWI LLBEOKAY. .
.

Whenher eali
sedever
yonewaslooki
ngatt
hem,
speci
fical
l
ylooki
ngathim.Hel
etgoofShaka.
Every
onewasst i
lll
ooki
ngathi
m. .
.

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngar
ound)WHATAREYOUFUCKI
NG
LOOKINGATHUH? !
!!
!!
Shaka-pl
easecal
m downBaf
o..
..

Awomanwhowassi t
ti
ngclosert
othem, wi
thher
son,
shequi
ckl
ytookhersonandmov ed.
..
.

40mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.
ROOM Q15.
..

Nellywaslay i
ngont hehospi t
al bed,withadr i
p
connectedtoher .Shesatt herefacingthecei l
ing.
Alotwasgoi ngthroughhermi nd.Shef oundher sel
f
touchingherBell
y .Tearsrandownhercheeks.
Couldshehav elosthi m/her.Shewasn' treally
excitedaboutthepr egnancybutnow, knowingt hat
thereischanceshehadl ostherbaby .Ithurts,it
hurtssobad.Andi tcutsdeep.Mor etear srundown
hercheeks..
..

SbaniandShakaenterherroom.Sheissolostinher
thought
sthatshedidnothearthem comein.They
walkuptoher.TheminuteSbaniseesthetears
runni
ngdownhercheeks.Heswal l
owsandqui ckl
y
walksuptoher.Hesit
snext st
oherandtakesher
ri
ghthandholdi
ngitti
ghtl
yashewi peshertear
s..
.

Sbani
-I'
m her
ebabe.
..
Shecriesevenmor eatthesoundofhi svoi
ce.How
canshet el
lhi
mt hatshehadl ostthei
rbaby
.Shehid
thi
sfrom him.Shefindsherselfst
ruggl
ingt
o
breat
he..
.

Shaka-(
movestoher,hol
dingherl
efthand)br
eat
he,
fol
l
owmyv oice,
breat
heslowly.
..

Sbanil
ooksatShakaandt hewayi nwhichhehol
ds
herhand.Hewant st
otellhi
mt ofuckoff,
butwhen
heseeshow, sheisr
espondingtohi m,
howsheis
sl
owlybutsurelyget
ti
ngherbreathingpat
ter
nin
order
.Heholdshimselfback.
..

Thedooropens,amaledoct
orfol
lowedbyNomv el
o
entert
heroom.Themaledoctori
scarr
yingwhathe
assumesasNell
y '
sfi
l
e..
.

DrWat
son-IhopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bing.
..
..
Sbani
-Whati
swr
ongwi
thher
?Isshegoi
ngt
obe
okay?
..
.
DrWatson-(
lookingar
ound)shoul
dItal
kinf
rontof
ever
yoneher
e?( Looki
ngatNell
y).
..

Shetakesadeepbr
eathandlooksatSbani
,hel
ooks
backatherwi
thhi
seyebrowsraised.
..

Sbani
-I'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e..
.

Shesi
ghsandnodsatDrWat
son.
..

DrWatson-(
openi
nghisf
il
e)wel
lIdon'
tknowi
fyou
awar
eornotbutyou'
repr
egnant
..
Sbani
-WHAT?
!!
!
Shaka-PREGNANT?
??
DrWat
son-(
looki
ngatt
het
women)uhmm y
eah.
..
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)j
ustt
ell
met
hebadnewsal
readyDr
..
.
j
ustt
ell
me.
..
Sbani
-..
.(
remembers)ther
ewasbl
ood.
..(
pani
cking)
i
sthebabyokay ?Imeanther
ewasbl
oodbetween
herl
egs,didn'
tthef
all
.
..
Nomvel
o-(
smil
es)Thebabyi
sokayNel
l
y..
..byGod'
s
gr
aceyoudi
dn'
tl
osethebaby
..
..
.
Nell
y-(
cryi
ng)hei
sokay
??Ohmygod.
..
(sni
fss)ar
e
yousure?
DrWat son-yes.
.butthebabyisnotoutofdanger
yet.Yourbloodpressureishi
gh, thefal
l causedt he
babyt ostr
ess.Youwi l
lbeappr oachingy our4t h
mont hin3andhal fweeks.Yourpr egnancyi sst i
l
lat
acr i
ti
calst
age.Iwillbekeepi
ngf or2ni ght sjustto
moni t
oryou.Pleasestartmakingappoi nt mentswi t
h
yourdoctor.Youneedt ostar
ty ourmont hlycheck
ups,youhav egonetool ongwithoutcaringf orthis
pregnancy.
Nell
y-(wipinghert
ears)Thanky
ouGod.(
Shesai
da
shortprayer)
Amen..
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)y
oupr egnant.
..
.wow(al
mostteary
,
butheheldt
hem back).
..Ineedaminut
e..
.(ki
ssed
herf
orehead)Iexcuseme.
..

Hewalkedoutther
oom andmadehi
swayt
othe
men'
stoil
et.
..

Sbani
-(t
ear
y)God!
!!
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
..
..
..

Tear
sr andownhischeeksashewasfil
l
edwi t
ha
whol
el otofemot
ions.I
tbecameover
whelmingfor
hi
mt hathecoul
dn'thol
diti
n.Hecr
iedsil
ent
ly.
..
..

Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
..

Hecomposedhi
mself,
hewalkedt
othemi
rr
orsand
spl
ashedwat
eroverhi
sface.
..

Sbani-(
sni
ff
s)(
lookingathi
mself
)don'
tfuckt
his
up.
..
..bebet
ter
...dobett
er.
..
..
ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..

MaSi
wel
a-Mt
hokohav
eyout
alkedt
oyoursi
ster
t
oday
?
Mt
hoko-Nowhy
?
MaSi
wel
a-shei
sn'
tpi
cki
ngherphoneup.
.
Mt
hoko-may
beshei
sbusy
..
..
MaSi
wel
a-wenaZenandehav
eyouhear
dfr
om her
t
oday
?
Zee-actual
lyno.It
ri
edtext
ingherbutherl
astseen
wasy ester
dayat21:57.
.
MaSi
wel
a-may
beIshoul
dgot
oherpl
ace.
..
Mthoko-Nomama, Nel
lyisgr
own,
letherbe.Shei
s
pr
obablywit
hthatguy.
..
MaSi
wela-(sighs)If
eell
iket
hereissomet
hing
wr
ong.Ican'tshakethi
sbadfeeli
ng.
..
Zee-i
tpr
obabl
ynot
hing.Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbeokay
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-y
eah.
..

20:
30pm

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Sbani waslayi
ngnextt oNel l
ywithhisarms
wr appedaroundherBel l
y.Hewasf astasleep.He
refusedtogohome.Hi sheadwasl aidonherchest .
Shebr ushedhisheadwhi lehewasdeepi nt
osl eep.
Itfeltgr
eatwatchinghim sleepforachange.He
l
ookedpeacef ul.Shesanghi m alul
laby,shelaughed
alittl
ewhenshet houghtabouthowbadofasi nger
shewas.Shewaspr obablygoingtomakeherbaby
cryev enmorethanputhi mt osleepwithher
singing.
..

Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
esshef
inal
l
ydosedof
f.
..
..
00:
58pm

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..

Shewasf astasleepwhenshewokeuf r
om abad
dream.Shewokeupsweat i
ng.Shelookedatthe
clockandt ookherphonechecki ngifNell
y
respondedt oanyofhert extsbutther
ewasnone.
Shesi ghedandputherphoneback.Shet ri
edgoi ng
backt osleep.Butsomet hi
nginsideherkepttell
ing
hertowakeupandpr ay.Sheignoredit
.Butthe
feeli
ngwasper si
stentt
hatshewokeup,swi tched
onhersi delampandwentonherkneesandst arted
praying..
..

Aft
er3minut
esofpr
ayi
ng,
shegotupandt
hanked
Godandwentbackt
osl
eep..
..

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL
"Hewasst andingrightt
her elookingatal lthedead
bodiesinfr
ontofhi m.Yeshef i
nallydidit.Hekil
led
them.Hi shandswasf il
l
edwi t
ht heirblood.He
l
ookedatt hemi rr
or,hewascov eredi nblood.The
bloodofhisfami l
yandhi stwochi l
dren.Hisheart
start
edbeat i
ngfast.Hel ookedar oundt r
y i
ngto
makesenseoft hescenei nfr
ontofhi m.Unt i
lhesaw
her.Shewasl ookingDirectl
yathi m.

Nell
y-(
cry
ing)youki
l
ledmyson,y
ouki
l
ledourson.
Lookatwhatyouhavedone.
..
.

Hetri
edrespondingbuthecouldn'
t,i
tli
kehi
supper
l
ipandbottom l
ipweregluedtogether.
..

Nel
l
y-(
fal
l
ingonhi
sknees)IHATEYOU.
..

Shetookaknif
ethatwasbesi
deherandst
abbed
her
selfonherst
omach..
."
Sbani
-(mumbl
i
ng)No.
..no.
..
.

Hekeptmumbl i
ngthosewor dsashi sbodytensed
up,hishol
daroundherBel l
ytighten,maki
ngi t
uncomf or
tabl
eforher,shetri
edlooseningfrom hi
m
butheheldont ohereventighter
, t
hatshefearedthe
pressur
ewashur ti
ngthebaby ..
.

Nel
l
y-(
shaki
nghi
m)Sbani
..
.Sbani
.

Hekeptmumbl i
ngonhi ssl
eep.Hisholdnev er
l
oosen.I
tstartedget
tingpainf
ulforNelly.Shetri
ed
mov i
ngbutshecouldn't.Wi
theveryt
hingi nher
,she
pul
ledhi
sar m.Heopenedhi seyesandl ookedather,
whenhefinall
yregi
steredwhatshewasdoi ng,he
l
ookeddownatwher ei sarm wasandl oosenit.
..

Sbani
-(sni
ff
s)I
'
m sor
ry.
.di
dIhur
tyou.
..
Shewat chedt
hetear
sinhiseyes.Herhear
tbroke
forhim.Sheknowswhateverheisgoesthr
ough
whenhei sasl
eepist
akingstr
ainonhim.Shewiped
histear
s..

Nel
l
y-(
fakesmi
l
es)I
'
m okaybaby
..
.
Sbani
-Il
ovey
ou.
..

Shesmi ledbackathim.Hecuddledherbackto
sleep.Butforhi
mi twasnot.Hecouldn'
tri
skfal
l
ing
asleepagain.Helaidawakewatchi
nghersleepand
talki
ngtoherBell
y .
..

I
nthemor
ning.
..

9:
39am

DrWat
son-y
our
eadyf
ory
ourf
ir
stscan.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
eah.
..
Sbani
-(
hol
dingherhand)
Ihav
egoosebumps.
..

Thedoctorappli
edgelonherBellyandstart
edthe
procedur
e,aft
eraf ewminutesoftheDoctorl
ooki
ng
atthescreen,
hisfacest
artedtochange.
...

Sbani
-(wor
ri
ed)whyi
sther
enosound?
Nel
l
y-(
hear
tbeat
ing)i
sther
esomet
hingwr
ong.
..
DrWatson-(
pit
if
ull
ook)Ther
ear
etwobabi
esi
nsi
de
you.
..
Nel
l
y-(
shocked)but.
..
Sbani
-whydoy
oul
ookl
i
ket
her
eismor
e?
DrWatson-theambi
l
icalcordoft
hesecondbabyi
s
wrappedaroundt
heneck..
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)ohmyGod!
!
Sbani
-(hear
tbeat
ingf
ast
)whatcanwedo?
DrWat
son-I
'
m af
rai
difwedon'
tgett
ounwr
apt
he
cord,
itwil
lsuf
focatethebaby.Theotherbabyis
okayfornow.Butisindist
ress.Wehav etoactfast
i
fwewantt osavebot hyourbabies,
theirhear
tbeat
i
sv er
ylow..
.
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t53

ATUMHLANGANETCARE

TearsrandownNel l
yscheeks,thi
swasjustt
o
overwhelmingforher.Sbanitr
iedcal
mingherdown,
buthewasn' tdoi
ngagoodj obashet oowasgoing
thr
oughawhol elotofemotions.Emoti
onshehad
nocontrolover.DrWatsonlookedatthetwowithso
muchpi t
y..
..

DrWatson-(fakesmiles)t
hismaynotbesuchabad
thi
ng.Babiesinthei
rfir
stt
rimest erbr
eathet
hrough
thei
rnoseandnotsomucht heirmouths.An
Obstet
ri
ciancanhelpunwr apt hecord.Wewill
just
needyout ostaycal
m andwor kwithusokay?
(
Looki
ngatNel
l
y).
.
Sbani-(
wipinghert
ear
s)Doy ouheart
hatbabe?You
candot hi
s,wecandothi
s..
(holdi
ngherhand
ti
ghter)
..
DrWatson-I
'
m goingtoneedhertomovetoRoom
T3B,t
hatwhereDrGreywil
lful
lyexami
neher
.Iwi
ll
askanursetoprepar
etheroom f
orher
.Awheel
chai
rwil
lbehereshort
lyf
orher.
Sbani
-Icancar
ryherdoct
or.
.
DrWat son-(
smiles)Ibel
ieveyoucanbutpl
easef
or
today
,letnotexhaustyou.Shewil
lneedyou.

Thedoct
orl
eftt
her
oom.
..
.

Sbani
-(ki
ssi
ngherfor
ehead)wewi
l
lbeokaybabe,
youbel
ievet
hatr
ight.
..
Nel
ly-(
looki
ngathim)(
tear
srandownherl
eftcheek)
pl
easedon'tl
eave.
..
Sbani
-(huggi
nghert
ight
ly)
(ki
ssi
ngherhai
r)I
'
m not
goi
ngany
wher
e.Il
ovey
ouokay
..
.

Shecri
edonhischest
,asheconti
nuedtohugher
ti
ght
lyandt
ell
i
ngherev er
ythi
ngwil
lbeokay.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..

Theywerehavingbreakfast
,whenZenande'
sphone
vi
brated,
shelookedatitanditwasShaka.She
si
lencedit
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-y
oucanansweri
tyouknow.
Zee-(
smiles)Iknowma,butwehav
ingbr
eakf
ast
,
pl
usitnotthatimpor
tant
..
Mthoko-(
laughs)arey
oui
gnor
ingy
ourboy
fie.
..
shamepoorguy .
..

Laught
erer
upt
sar
oundt
het
abl
e.Herphonev
ibr
ates
agai
n.Shakaiscal
li
ng.ShelookedatMaSi
wel
a,she
nodded,gi
vi
ngherthegoahead.Shegetsupf
rom
thetabl
eandwalksfur
therali
ttl
e..
.

Zee-hel
l
o..
Shaka-hey
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..howar
eyou?
Zee-I
'
m okay
..
.howar
eyou?
Shaka-goodIguess.
..
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Zee-(
sighs)Imi
ssy
ou.
..
Shaka-(
supr
ised)
..(
smi
l
esal
i
ttl
e)ar
eweokaynow?
Zee-
(smil
es)yeah.
.Iwantt
oseey
out
oday
,andI
'
m
sl
eepingover
..
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)Icoul
dusesomeZeemagi
c..
..
Zee-(
laughs)
youdon'
tsoundokay
?
Shaka-I
'
m not
..
.butIwi
l
lbe.
.
Zee-(
sil
ent
).
..ar
eyoudr
ivi
ng?
Shaka-y
eahI
'
m onmywayt
othehospi
tal
..
Zee-hospi
tal
???
Shi
t!
!!Heremember edheshoul
dn'thavesai
dthat
.
Nowhehast oexplain.Hecoul
djustl
ietoher,
but
par
tofhim doesn'
twantto..
.

Shaka-canIt
ell
yousomet
hing?
Zee-(
scept
ical
)Shaka.
..
Shaka-(r
oll
seyes)i
tnotaboutme.
..Iknowy
oudon'
t
wantthatdeepshit
..
.
Zee-(
feel
ingguil
ty)youknowwhythough,i
tbet
ter
thatway.Shar
ingf eel
i
ngswil
lcompl
icat
e...
Shaka-Iknow.
..y
oudon'tneedtoexplai
ntome.I
j
ustthoughtwefri
endsbutIguessitonesi
ded.We
wil
lsti
cktothecompanionrel
ati
onship.
Zee-ShakaI
..
Shaka-Iwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatNel
l
yisi
nhospi
tal
..
Zee-WHAT?
!!
Shaka-yeahIcan'
tgett
oitov
ert
hephonej
ustcome
toUMhlangaNETCARE..
Hehangsupl eavingZeewi t
hhermout hopen.She
walksbackt othet abl
eandl ooksatMa'Si
wela
wonderingifsheshoul dtel
lherornot.
Remember inghowwor ri
edshewasy esterday,
she
decidesont el
li
ngher ,
besidesshedoesn'tli
ke
keepingthi
ngsf rom her.
..

Zee-Nel
l
yisi
nhospi
tal
,Shakaj
ustcal
l
edme.
MaSi
wel
a-ohGod!
!!(
Hol
dingherchest
)
Mt
hoko-di
dhesaywhatwr
ongwi
thher
?
Zee-(
shaki
ngherhead)No.
.Hej
ustsai
dtocomet
o
UMhlangaNETCARE..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
standi
ngup)l
etgo.
.
Mthoko-wewil
lusemycar,Zeegetready.Mama
don'
tstr
essi
tprobabl
ynot
hingseri
ous..
MaSi
wel
a-mygut
sist
ell
i
ngmet
heopposi
te.
..

ATNTOMBIANDSBANI
'
SHOUSE
NtombiandherlawyertogetherwithSbani
'sl
awyer
wereseatedatthel
ivi
ngr oom tabl
e.Todaywasthe
daytheyneededtosi
gnt hedivorcepapersbut
Sbaniwasanoshow. .
.

MrTayl
or-wher
eisyourcl
i
ent
?Wehav
ebeen
wai
ti
ngforanhournow
Nt
ombi
-thi
sisj
ustgr
eat
!!
!(Annoy
ed)t
hisi
sbul
l
shi
t.
.
Jackson-(si
ghs)I'
m suret
herei
sal ogi
cal
expl
anationforthi
s.MrZuluisver
ypunctual
wit
h
ti
me.Letmet r
yhiscell
forthel
astti
me.
Ntombi-don'tbother
,Ihavet
ri
edcal
li
nghimfort
he
past4hours.Itwasr i
ngi
ngbefor
enowitsendsy
ou
str
aightt
ov oicemail
.
MrTayl
or-may
beweshoul
dreschedul
ethi
s
meet
ing.
..
Jackson-wecoul doryourcli
entcanjustsi
gnthe
papers.Iwillgetmycli
entssignat
ureandemailyou
thefi
nal documents.Yourcl
ientshasnoobject
ions
r
ight
?
MrTayl
or-uhmm jeahwehappywi
thev
ery
thi
ngr
ight
?
(
Looki
ngatNt ombi)
Ntombi-(
thi
nking).
..Iwi l
lnotsi
gnthesepaper
s
wi
thouthim pr
esent .Heneedst olookatmeinthe
ey
eswhenhesi gnst hesepapers.Heowesmet hat
much.
Jackson-(st
andi
ng)i
nthatcase,
mycl
i
entandIwi
l
l
contactyou.
MrTaylor-(
standi
ngup)MrsZuluIalsoneedtogo,I
havecourti
nt henext45mi
nutes.Iwil
lcont
actyou
when,Jacksonmakescontactwithme.Staywel
l.

Thetwomenmaket hei
rwayoutt hehouseleavi
ng
Ntombiwithawhol elotofquest
ionsrunning
thr
oughhermi nd.Whydi dn'
theshowup? ?Couldit
bethathewashav ingsecondthoughts.Somethi
ng
i
nhergav ehope..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL
Tensionwashi ghatt hewaiti
ngr oom.Nel l
y'sfamily
arr
ived30mi nut esagoandShakahasbr i
efedthem
aboutwhathappenedandal lt
hatheknowsr ight
now.Sbani walkst otherecept i
onist,
hewant sto
askifhecouldmakeaphonecal l,butstopswhenhe
noti
ceshi sbrotheralongwi thNellysfamilysitt
ing
onthewai ti
ngchai rs.Hegr i
tshisteethanoy yedwith
Shaka.Howcoul dhecal lthem whenhespeci fi
call
y
tol
dhi m notto.Het akesadeepbr eathandwal ksup
tothem.Shakanot i
ceshi sbrotherandst andsup. .
.

Mt
hoko-wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Shaka-t
hatmybr
otherwal
ki
ngt
owar
dsus.

MaSiwelalookswhereShakaandMt hokoare
l
ooking.Hewat chesasSbani walksupt othem.He
l
ooksl i
keshit
,helooksl i
keamanwhohast heworl
d
onhisshoulders.Sothisisthemant hather
daughterissl
eepingwith.Thisi
st hemant hat
pregnantedherdaughter.Andthi
si stheverysame
mant hatwasi
naargumentwit
hhisbr
otherandher
daughtersl
i
ppedr
ighti
nfr
ontoft
hem..
.

Sbani
-sani
bona.
.
MaSiwel
a-(
slappedhi
m)THATFORSLEEPING
WITHMYDAUGHTERWHI LEYOUMARRIED.
(Sl
appedhi
m)THATI SFORPREGNANTI
NGMY
DAUGHTER..

Itl
iket heroom becamesi lentforsomet i
me.
Everyonecoul dnotbel ievewhatj usthappened.Di d
shereal l
yjustslappedhi m.Sbani '
sfacechanged
thatinstant,hewasangr yandpi ssedof f,hecould
feeltheangeri nsidehim want i
ngt ocomeout .
MaSi welasawt hechangei nhi
sf aci
al expression
somet hi
ngabouthi m wasnowcol danddar k.His
eyesl ookedempt y.Shecoul dnotbelievesomeone
canjustswi tchf r
om lookingdepr essedt oev i
linjust
ssplitofasecond.Mt hokoquicklywentand
remov edhi smot herfrom standingnextt oSbani .
..
Mthoko-MAMA!
!!Thi
sisnott
het
imet
obehav
eli
ke
t
his.
MaSiwela-(
teary
)t hi
sismydaught
erMthoko.My
daught
er!!
!Eversinceshemethi
m,shehasbeen
makingreckl
essdecisions.
Mt hoko-Iknowbutsl appi
nghi m won'tchange
any thi
ng.Shelovestheguy ,
(looki
ngatSbani )It
hink
hel oveshertoo,canweal lj
ustcomedownandbe
theref ormysist
er..(
LookingatSbani)manI
apol ogisef
ormymot her
'sbehav i
or.
.

Sbani t
houghtaboutlashi
ngoutbutheremember ed
thatthisisNell
ysfamil
y.Hecannotgi
veoffabad
i
mpr ession.Heneededthesepeoplet
oappr ov
eand
l
ikehim.Hehast oswall
owhispri
deandf ocuson
whati mportantr
ightnowandthati
sNellyandhis
babies..
.

Sbani
-(Touchi
nghi
scheeks)i
tokay
..
.
Zee-howi
sshe?
..
Sbanisi
tsdownandbr usheshi
sfaceashenarr
ates
tothem whathappenedthi
smorningatt
hescan
room..
.

DrGr
eysof
fi
ce.
..

DrWat
son-whatar
ewedeal
i
ngwi
th?
..
DrGrey
-wemanagedt
ounwr
apt
hecor
dfr
om t
he
baby
..
DrWat
son-But
??
DrGr
ey-(
shaki
ngherhead)
DrWat
son-wewer
etool
ate.
.
DrGr ey-t
heambi l
i
calcordwasnotthecause,t
he
twinwasalreadygone.I
twasnotgrowingli
kethe
otherone.I
'm af
rai
dwhensheslippedandbleed,
thatwaswhenshel osthi
m.
DrWat
son-wedeal
i
ngwi
thaco-
twi
ndemi
se.
DrGr
ey-y
eah.
.

Nomveloknocksandwal
ksinsi
de,bythel
ookson
t
hei
rfacessheknewitwasn'
tanyt
hinggood.
.

Nomv
elo-(
sighs)what
'
sthev
erdi
ct.
.
DrGr
ey-co-
twi
ndemi
se.
.
Nomvelo-(
cov
erhermout
h)ohmyGod!
!.Doesshe
know?
DrGrey-No.Ihadherretur
nedt oherr
oom af t
erI
wasdonewi t
hher.Ther emaini
ngbabyi si
ndi st
ress.
Iwanttogetherbl
oodpr essureri
ghtf
irstbeforeI
breakt
henews.Shel ostheronebaby,theleastwe
candoissavetheremainingone.
Nomv el
o-(
sad)uhmm herf
ami
lyi
satthewai
ti
ng
room.DrGrey
.Pleasecomewi
thme.Soyoucan
expl
aintot
hem.

Theybot
hwal
kout
,wi
thNomv
elof
eel
i
ngcr
ashed.
Shecannoti
magi
newhatshewil
lgothr
oughonce
sheknowsshei
snowcarry
ingonebaby.
..

Att
hewai
ti
ngr
oom.
..

Nomv el
oandDrGr eyappr
oachNel l
ysfamil
y
toget
herwitht
heZulubrot
hersatthewaiti
ngroom.
Every
onestandsassoonast heyseethem.
MaSiwelaandMt hokoswall
owast hei
reyeslandon
Nomv el
o..
.

Nomv
elo-Sani
bona.
.
Sbani
-wher
eisshe?I
ssheokay
?Ar
ethebabi
es
okay?
MaSi
wel
a-pl
easet
ell
memybabyi
sokay
.
Mt
hoko-i
smysi
sterokay
?
Zee-whati
swr
ongwi
thher
?Canweseeher
?
Nomv el
o-(overwhelmed)uhmmm DrGreyher
ewi l
l
answerall
y ourquesti
ons.Pl
easegi
veherachance.
..
Ev
ery
oneshut
supandl
ooksatDrGr
ey.
..

Nomv
elo-y
oucangoaheadDr
..
DrGr
ey-(
looki
ngatSbani
)Yourwi
fe.
..
MaSi
wel
a-Gi
rl
fr
ienddoct
ornotwi
fe.
.
DrGrey-oh..
.uhmmm wemanagedt ounwr apthe
ambil
icalcordar
oundtheonetwinsneck.But
unf
ortunatel
ythebabywasalr
eadygone...

MaSiwel
ascreamsnotbeli
evi
ng whatshej ust
hear
d.Tear
srandownal mostev
ery
onepr esentat
thewai
ti
ngroom,Sbaniswall
owsahardlump. .
.

Sbani
-(Hol
dinghi
stear
s)t
heot
herbaby
?
DrGrey-(pi
tf
ul)t
heotherbabyi
sokay.Butri
ght
now
i
tindist
ress.Wehavetokeephercal
m andnot
st
ressed.Hercasei
swhatwecal l
aco-twindemise.
..
Zee-whatwi
l
lhappent
otheot
herbabyi
nsi
deher
..
DrGr ey-becauseshewasi nherfirsttri
mest er,
not
muchwi llhappen,thebabywi l
lgraduallyresorb
i
tselfinsideherwomb.Butbecauseshewas
approachi ngher2ndt rimest
er,l
it
tleremai nsoft he
deadt winmaycomeoutwhenshegi vesbi r
th.The
goodt hingisshewasnotcar ryi
ngi denti
cal t
winsso
thebabi esdidnotshar eaplacenta, t
hisisgood
becauset heremainingbabyhashi ghchanceof
growingheal thyoni town.Thether esorbmayt ake
upt o2mont hssoshemi ghtexperiencesome
bleeding,shemayf eeluncomfort
abl esomet imes,
painmay be.Butusual l
ynoneofthesehappen.
Nomv elo-wehav edeci dedt hatwedonott el
lher
aboutt heot herbabynow.I tagainsthospit
al
protocol butashumanbei ngs,wet hi
nksincethe
otherbabyi snotcl earedofanyr i
sksrightnow,itf
or
thebestwedon' ttellher,untilsheisverymuch
healthyandhasr egainedhernor malbloodpressure.
DrGrey
-isther
eanyquest
ions?I
fther
eisnone,
pl
easeexcuseme.
DrGreyexcusesher
sel
f,l
eav
ingev
ery
onewi
thheav
y
hear
ts..
.

MaSi
wela-(
cry
ing)shewon'
tbeabl
etohandl
ethi
s.
Shei
sasthmati
c,ohgod!
!!
Mt
hoko-(
tear
y)wehav
etobest
rongf
orher
..
.
Shaka-(
looki
ngatSbani
)Baf
o..
.

Heshakeshisheadtear
srunni
ngdownhi
scheeks,
heangri
l
ykicksthechai
randstor
msoutt
he
hospi
tal
..
.

Unedi
ted
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t54

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL
MaSi
wel
a-(
sni
ff
s)canweseeherpl
ease.
Nomvel
o-(sad)uhmmm okay.Butpl
ease,r
emember
wecan'
ttellheraboutt
heot
herbabyyet.
Zee-(
cry
ing)Idon'
tunder
stand,howcanababyj
ust
di
einsi
deher?Howunf ai
risthat
?
Shaka-Ineedtol
etmyf
ami l
yknow.(
Looki
ngat
Ma'Si
wela)canIl
ett
hem knowma?
MaSi
wel
a-(
sni
ff
s)y
eah,
itwast
hei
rgr
andchi
l
dtoo.
Zee-(snif
fs)may be.
..maybetheanotherbabyi
ssti
l
l
al
ive,
I'veheardcaseswher eamot herwastol
dshe
l
ostheronebaby ,onlyt
ofindoutwhenshegav e
bi
rthtotwobabi es.
Mthoko-(
comfor
ti
nghismother)y
eahmaybethat
t
hecasewi t
hmysist
er.Ther
eissti
ll
hopemama.
Nomv elo-(shakingherhead)Iwi shitwas.Butt hose
casesar eusuallywhent hedoctorsdon' tseethe
otherbaby .Andt heyhearonehear tbeat.Wecal l
thatvanishingtwin.Butwi t
hNell
y scaset hedoctors
didaf ul
lexami nationonherandf oundt hatthe
otherbabywasnotgr owingli
ketheot her,t
hey
foundt hatthebabyhadst oppeddev eloping.Thati n
thi
scasewebel ievewenotdeal i
ngwi t
hav anishing
twinbutr atheraco- twi
ndemi se.Wemustbe
thankfulthatherbabi eswer enotidenticalt
her efore
theyhaddi fferentplacent
a's,separatecordst hat
enabledt hem tohav ebloodf l
owsepar ately.That
whywest r
onglybelieveherot herbabywi l
lsurv i
ve.
Zee-whatwoul
dhavehappenedi
fshel
ostt
heone
babyatalat
erst
age?
Nomv el
o-thi
sisnotr eall
ymyar eaofexpert
isebut
whatIdoknowhowev eri
s,hadt hathappenedand
shewasinherl ast2ndt r
imesterday s.Shewould
havecarr
iedherdadbabyunt ilherduedate,she
wouldhavegivenbirthtoabr eathingbabyanda
deadbaby.
MaSiwela-(
cry
ing)whatki
ndofev
ili
sthat
,ohmy
poorbaby.
Mthoko-thi
sisbett
er.At
leastshewouldgi
vebir
thto
onebaby.Thet r
aumaofhav i
ngtowatchherdead
baby,shewon'tgothr
oughthat.
Zee-(
sni
ff
s)howsur
ear
eyou.
..
Shaka-
(cutt
ingherof
f)ZeeIt
hinkt
hatenoughwi
th
thequesti
ons.
Nomvelo-i
tokay,
shejustswant
stounder
stand.
Somti
mest herei
sreal
lynologi
cal
expl
anati
onsfor
sucht
hings.I
tGodthatknows.
Mthoko-Mama,youcangoandseeher.Ineedt
o
cal
lNhlanhl
aandlethi
m know.Hewoul
dwanttobe
her
eforher.

MaSi
wel
a,ZenandeandNomvel
olef
tthet
women
ast
heymadetheirwayt
oNel
l
y sr
oom.

Mthoko-doyouhav
eanyi deawher
eyourbr
other
coul
dhav ewent
.Helookedreal
l
youtofi
t.
Shaka-hewil
lbeokay,hej
ustneedst
imet
ohi
msel
f.
Hewi l
lbebackforher
.
Mthoko-..
.(si
lent
).
..li
stenIknowitnoneofmy
busi
nessbuty ourbrothermightbegoingthrough
somethingorhassomei ssues,
Idon'twanttosay
di
sorder,I'
m nodoctororspeciali
st.ButIknow
t
her
eisnowaysomeonecanchangeemot
ionsl
i
ke
t
hat
.
Shaka-(uncomfortabl
e)uhmm j
eah.Ineedt
ocal
l
mypar entsexcuseme.
Mt
hoko-y
eahsur
e.

Zandi
lewaspassingbytherecepti
onareawhenshe
henoti
cedShakatalki
ngont hephone.Shest
opped
andchangedherdir
ecti
on,shewalkeduptohim..
..
.

Shaka-(
ont
hephone)y
ebobaba.
..
.by
e.(
Looksat
Zah)ohmawami.
.
Zah-(smil
es)ayi
sukamusakudlal
angami,
I'
m not
thatol
d.Idon'
tknowwhyyoualwayscal
lmema.
Shaka-welly
oumarri
edt
omyolderbr
other
,pl
us
youthefi
rstmakot
ikwaZul
u.
Zah-(
smi
l
es)unj
ani
?(Howar
eyou?
)Andwenzani
la?
Shaka-I
'
m okay
.Uhmmm notsur
eifIshoul
dsay
..
Zah-(
rol
l
sey
es)r
eal
l
y?Obv
iousl
yitsomet
hingbi
g,I
hear
dyout
alki
ngt
obabaov
ert
hephone.
Shaka-okay
,okay
...
.uhmm Nel
l
yisher
e.
Zah-oohwhatwr
ongwi
thher
?Seemsl
i
ket
hisi
sher
secondhome.
Shaka-unfor
tunatel
yIcannottel
lyout
hereason.
Listeni
tni
cetalki
ngtoy ou,
butIneedtocal
lBless.
(Kissi
nghercheek)staywell
.

Shakal
eavesherst
anding.Shereachesf
orher
scr
ubpocketsandtakesherphoneanddial
sSipho.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Si
pho-Mama
Zah-Ij
ustsawShakaher
eandhesay
sNel
l
yis
admitt
edhereatt
hehospi
tal
.
Sipho-
..
.(si
l
ent
)..
..ZazaItol
dyoutostayawayf
rom
thesepeopl
eandtheirdr
ama.Especi
all
ywhenSbani
i
sconcerned.
Zah-babeNtombi call
edmet odaytel
li
ngmeSbani
di
dn'tshowupf ort hesigni
ngoft hedivorcepapers.
Youcouldheart hewayshewast alki
ngthatshehas
hopethatmay behechangedhi smi nd.It
houghttoo
maybehei shav i
ngsecondt houghtsbutnowt hatI
hearthi
sgirl
isher e.I'
m surethisiswherey our
brot
herwast hiswhol etime.
Si
pho-..
.(si
l
ent
)..
..
..don'
tgot
ell
i
ngNt
ombi
any
thi
ng
now.Youknowhowshei s.
Zah-butbabe.
Si
pho-(
war
ningher
)ZANDI
LE!
!!
!
Zah-(
sighs)okayf
ine.Ihav
etogo.

Shehangedup.Shescr olleduptoNt ombi'

sname,
shethoughtaboutwhatSi phosaidbutthiswas
Ntombi,eventhoughshemaynotagr eewi t
hher
wayssomet i
mes, shewasst il
lherf
riend.Shestil
l
consi
deredherasasi sterandherfami l
y.Zandil
e
wil
lalwaysbeloyaltofami l
y.Shepressescallon
Ntombi'
snumber ..
.
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
-yebomf
azi
.
.
Zah-hey
,hav
eyouhear
dany
thi
ngf
rom Sbani
.
Ntombi
-no.
..
.thatagoodthi
ngright?May
behej
ust
needst
imetothinkt
hingst
hrough..
Zah-(
sighs)t
hatnotwhathei
sdoi
ng.
.
Ntombi
-(conf
used)uqondeni
manj
emf
azi
(whatdo
youmean?)
Zah-Nel
l
yisher
e.
Nt
ombi
-wher
e?
Zah-hereatt
hehospit
al,t
hatwhySbanididn'
tshow
up.Heisherewithher
.Ij
ustsawShaka, hewason
thephonewithbaba.I
tsoundedser
ious.Hedidnt
evenwanttotel
lmewhat '
swrongwithher.
Nt
ombi
-.
..(
qui
et)
..
..may
beIshoul
dcomet
her
e..
.
Zah-Nono.
..Theywoul
dknowIt
oldy
ou.Af
tert
hat
sceneyoucausedatZul
u&SonsIdon'
tthi
nki
ta
goodideayoucomehere.
Ntombi-.
..(
thi
nki
ng).
..okayfi
ne.Butcany
ouf
ind
outwhatwrongwiththebit
ch..
.
Zah-I
'm notassi
gnedt
oher
.Idon'
thav
eaccesst
o
herfi
l
e.
Ntombi
-Zahy
ouwor
kther
e.Youcanmakeapl
an.I
needt
oknow.
Zah-Icoul
dlosemyj
ob.
Nt
ombi
-pl
ease!
!!Dot
hisf
orme.
Zah-okay
.I'
l
lcal
lyouonceIgett
hef
il
e..
.

ATMOSESCAR.
..
.

Hetr
iedMa'Si
wela'
snumberagai
nbuti
tst
il
lsent
hi
mtov oi
cemail
.

Hef
rust
rat
edl
yhangedup.
..
Moses-(
annoy
ed)Mat
hoi
sgoi
ngt
oannoymenow.
MrsGasa-whycan' tyoujustaskyourpeopl
eto
f
oll
owy ourdaughteraround.Inthatwayyouknow
whereshei satall
t i
mes.Itobv i
ousMathoisplay
ing
wi
thy ou.
Moses-Ican'
tj
usthavepeoplefol
lowher.Thatwi
ll
bri
ngatt
enti
ontoher.NooneknowsIhav et
wokids
outsi
demymar r
iage.Unt
ilIbui
ldr
elati
onshi
pwith
mykidsfornowIwon'thavethem fol
l
owed.
MrsGasa-Idon'
tunder
standwhyshedon'
twanty
ou
t
oknowy ourdaught
er.
Moses-(shakinghi
shead)Mathowil
lbethedeath
ofme.Wehav etopassbyNando'
syouknowy our
daught
erwillkil
lmewhenweshowupatherwor k
pl
acewithoutit.
MrsGasa-(laughs)sheneedst
ogetamant
hatone.
Ourregul
archeckupsnow, hav
etur
nedt
ous
br
ingingherlunchatwork.
Moses-(
laughs)don'
ttel
lmey
oust
il
lwi
shi
ngshe
woul
dgetbackwi
tht
hatGumedeboy
.
MrsGasa-(
shr
ugs)What!
!!Hei
sthefatherofhis
ki
ds.Der
ekisafi
neyoungman.Goodlookingtoo.
Moses-(
smil
es)wel
lyourdaughterdoesn'
tseeit
t
hatway.Shewant
smor ethanjustgoodlooks.
..
.

Theycontinuel
aughingast
heydrov
etoNandost
o
pi
ckupt heiror
derandheadtot
hehospi
tal
..
..

ATTHESHOOTI
NGRANGE.
..

Bl
esswatchedasSbanif
ocusedandhecont
inuedt
o
hi
taper
fecttar
getwit
hhis9mili
metr
egun.

Bl
ess-(
clappi
ngf
orhim)y
ougood.May
beIshoul
d
hi
reyouasmysniper
.
Sbani
-(l
oadi
nghi
sgun)howdi
dyouf
indme.
Bl
ess-doesn'
tmat
ter
.ButI
'
m happyIdi
dn'
tfi
ndy
ou
att
hebar
.
Sbani
-(ai
mingatt
het
arget
)itwasmynextst
op.
..

Bang!
!!
Bang!
!!
Bang!
!!

Bl
ess-l
i
stenman,
noneoft
hisi
syourf
aul
t.
.

Bang!
!
Bang!
!!
Bang!
!!
Bang!
!!

Sbani
-(l
oadinghi
sgunagai
n)excepti
tismyfaul
t.I
hadanotherni
ght
marel
astnight
.(ai
msatthe
tar
get
).
.
BANG!
!
BANG!
!!
BANG!
!!
BANG!
!!
BANG!
!!
BANG!
!!
BANG!
!!

Sbani-(
teary)Ikil
l
edthem, t
hebloodwasi nmy
hands.I'
m notgoodenoughf orany t
hing.Ipressed
tohardonherl astni
ght,Iwasafrai
dofl osingthem,
oflosi
ngher .Iki
ll
edmybaby .Shesaidshewasokay
l
astnightbutIsawi tinhereyesthatshewasn' t
okay.Ihel
dont ostr
ong.Iki
ll
edmybaby .(Cryi
ng)I
kil
l
edhim. .
..

Blesswat
chedhim sl
idedowntofl
oorashe
repeat
edthosewords."
Iki
ll
edhi
m"
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t55

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Room Q15.
..
.

Nell
ywakesupt ofindi
nghermom andZenande
si
tt
ingnexttoher.Shetri
estosi
tupst
rai
ghtbut
st
rugglesali
tt
le.Theybothst
andandhel
phersit
st
raight.
..

MaSiwela-(teary)ohmybaby .
.(ki ssingherallover
)
whydidn'tyout el
l me,Ifeelli
kesuchabadmot her
Neli
siwe.Whathappenedt oourr elationshi
p?You
usedtotellmeev ery
thing.Manj eal l
y oudoiskeep
thi
ngstoy ourself.I
'm alwaysthel astonet ohear
thi
ngsaboutmyowndaught er
.( Kissinghernose)
l
ookathowpal ey oulook.Di dy oueat ?Iknow
hospi
talfoodi snotideal butweneedt ogetyou
backtoyourski ncolour .(Wipingt hesweatof fher
face)y
ournoseisred,y
ourey
esl
ookt
ir
ed.Buty
ou
notbadlooki
ng.I
'mjust.
..
Nelly
-( over
whelmedbyher)MOM!!!
!..
.(st
oppi
ngher
fr
om t ouchingherf
ace)Mamastop.Cany ouj
ust
breathe.
MaSiwela-(
taki
ngadeepbr eath)I
'
m sor
ryhoney,
I'
m
j
ustgladthatyou'
reokay
.(Fixi
ngherbedcover
s)are
youcomf or
tabl
e?Youcanliedowny ouknow.

Shewatchedashermother ,f
ussesov erli
ttl
ethings.
Theywaysheisrambli
ng, shecan'tevenunder stand
someofthethi
ngssheissay ing.Nellyknowst hat
hermom isner
vousoriswor riedaboutsomet hing.
Sheknowsthatwheneverhermom st art
stalki
ng
nonstopandwhensher ambl esandf usses,i
t
al
way sacaseofsheishidingsomet hingorshei s
nerv
ousorworri
edaboutsomet hi
ng...
.

Nell
y-Mamacanyousi
tpl
ease.(
Looki
ngatZee)
heysis(smi
l
es)
Zeel ooksather,howcanonei ndi
vidual whoisso
kindhear t
edanddeservinghavesucht hingshappen
toher .Shetr
iesholdi
ngbackhertear sbutshefail
s
dismal l
y.Shetri
estospeakbutnowor dscomeout .
Nellyopensherar msforher,shequicklywalksto
herandembr acesherti
ghtl
y.
...

Nell
y-(smi
leshuggi
ngher
)(br
ushesherback)I
'
m
okay,I
'
m okay.
Zee-(
sni
ff
s)I
'
m sor
ry,
itj
ustIwassowor
ri
edabout
you.
..
Nell
y-(
pul
li
ngawayfrom t
hehug)I'
m okay.(
Smi
l
es)
don'
tyouknowyourbigsi
shasnineli
ves.
Zee-(
laughs)y
ouhav
eexhaust
edt
wooft
hosel
i
ves.
Nel
l
y-(laughs)Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
nomor
ehospi
tal
beds
f
rom nowon.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngbaby
?
Nell
y-Idon'
tknowmama.Par tofmeishappy
.But
deepdownIhav et
hisunset
tl
ingfeel
i
ng.If
eell
ike
I'
vel
ostapartofme.(
Laughssarcasti
cal
l
y)i
tsil
lyI
know.ImeanI'
m gl
admybabi esareokay
.ButIsti
l
l
havethi
sfeel
i
ngofI'
velostsomethi
ng.

ZeeandMaSi welaquicklyglancedateachot
her
.
Theyheartachedforher .Asmucht heywant
edto
tel
lherbutnowwasn'tt hetime..
.

Zee-soy
ougoi
ngt
obeamommy
.
Nel
ly-(t
ouchesherbel
ly
)Iknowright
..
..Ist
il
lcan'
t
bel
i
ev eitmsel
f.Notj
ustonebabybuttwobabies.
MaSi
wela-(sad)I
'
m happyf
oryoubaby
.Iwant
ed
gr
andchi
ldr
ensobadnowIwi l
lbeagogoof3.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)y
out
rul
ybl
essedmah.
Nell
y-youwi
llbeagogoof4,I
'
m hav
ingt
wins
remember.(
Laughs)y
oualr
eadyagogoyouf
orget
easi
ly.
MaSi
wel
a-(swall
ows)oohhh.
..(
almosttear
y)
uhmmm babyIneedthebat
hroom.Excuseme.
Shewasabouttowal
koutt
hedoorwhenNel
l
y
cal
ledf
orher
..
.

Nel
ly-Mamawhereareyougoing?Hav
eyou
f
orgott
enIhav
etoil
eti
nmyr oom.
MaSiwela-uhmmm Iwanttobuysomesweet st
oo,
ngathingi
ngadl
aint
oenoshukel
a,ngi
zwaisi
yezi(I
feel
likeeat
ingsomethi
ngsweet
.Ifeeldi
zzy
)

Wi
tht
hatshel
eav
est
her
oom.
..

Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngatZee)i
sitmeormymom doesn'
t
r
eal
lyl
ookhappyaboutmypr
egnancy
.
Zee-uhmmm, sheishappy .Shei
sjustsadthather
l
it
tl
egi r
lisgrowingupf ast
.Nowy ou'
reabouttobea
parentyour
self.Iguessitj
ustabandonmentissues.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)
Ilov
emymom alot
,sheknowsthat
.I
don'
tknowwhysheiswor
ri
edaboutt
his.Pl
usnow
shehasy
ouasherdaught
er.(
Laughs)Mar
a
Ma'Si
wel
audr
amati
cYhooo...
Zee-(
laughs)tel
lmeabouti
t,shegavey
ourman
twohardslapsatther
ecept
ionarea.
Nel
l
y-(
cov
ershermout
h)y
ouj
oki
ngr
ight
?
Zee-whenhaveIeverjokedaboutmama,youknow
hermos.Ihaveneverseensomeonechange
emoti
onsthatfast
.Hel ookedl
iv
id.Hewasreadyt
o
murdermama.
Nelly
-(shaki
ngherhead)heiscrazy
,aft
ert
hei nsul
ts
Igotfrom hi
swife.Hedeser
vedthosefewslaps.
(Laughs)Maramamai stoostr
eet.You'
dswearshe
grewupi nthet
ownship'
s.
Zee-(l
aughs)Il
oveher.Youknowsheisthatki
ndof
parentt
hatwil
lgotowarwi t
hyoucarry
ingsti
cks
whilei
tagunf i
ght
.Butbecausewhatmatter
sisthat
sheistherewit
hyou.Cheri
shher
,Iwishforaparent
l
ikeher,onewhowillhavemybackatallt
imes.
Nell
y-
(hol
dingherhand)youknowy oupartofour
famil
ynow.Youhav etwoolderbr
othersandasist
er.
Famil
yisn'
tdefi
nedbyblood,fami
lyarethosepeopl
e
wholovey ouandcar eforyouwithnoexpectati
ons.
(Smil
es)Ifoundasi st
er,mybabieshav eanaunt
now,infactmybabi eshaveasecondmot her
.
MaSiwelaisy ourmot herZee,j
ustlikeshewouldgo
onagunbat t
lewi t
hst i
cksforme, shewouldtake
bul
let
sfory out oo.
Zee-(t
ear
y)Ilov
ey ouguyssomuch.Youhavegiven
mesomet hi
ngthatInevert
houghtIwoul
dhave,
a
senseofbel
onging.Youguysarehome.
Nel
l
y-wel
ovey
out
oobubbl
es(
smi
l
es)
Zee-(
laughs)y
out
oo.IguessMt
hokot
oldy
ouabout
myincident
.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)jeah.Butt henamesui tsyouright.
Septemberhol i
days,wegoi ngtofetchyourbr ot
her.
Andnextyearweenr oll
i
nghi mthisside.Iknowy ou
don'
twantt otellusabouty oursi
tuati
onbackhome.
Butweknowi tnotpleasant.Youdon'tneedtot el
lus,
butyourbrotherdeservesasaf eandheal t
hy
envi
ronment.
Zee-(
cry
ing)ohmygod!
!!Thanky
ousomuch.
..
Shehuggedhercrying.Nowshef el
tguil
tyabout
keepingasecretf
rom her.Butshekeepstell
i
ng
herselfnott
ell
i
ngherabouttheothertwi
ni sforher
owngood. ..

Nomv
elo'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Herparent
sknockedandcomei
nwi
thouthert
ell
i
ng
t
hem too..
.

Nomv el
o-don'
tyouguy
sknock.Ngobangi
thi
ni
fundil
enje.
Moses-(
laughs)hhe!
!Mkami
lett
aket
hisNando'
s
andgohome.
Nomv
elo-(
smi
l
es)hhay
ingi
yadl
ala

Theyal
ll
aughast
heyset
tl
edown.
..
MrsGasa-okay
, outwit
hit
,what
'seat
ingy
ouup?
Theguyhasn'
tresponded.
Nomv elo-(
sighs)youknowmet owel l
mama.And
noitnottheguy .Afr
iendofmi nelostheronebaby
today.Andwecan' tt
ellherbecauseweneedher
stabl
esot hesecondbabycanhav eachancetoliv
e.
Mr
sGasa-ohbaby
.Itnoteasyl
osi
ngachi
l
d.
Moses-Inev
erl
i
kedy
ourj
ob,
itt
oodepr
essi
ng
pr
incess.
Nomv elo-(
rol
l
sey
es)andInev
erl
i
kedy
our
s,i
ttoo
dangerous.
Moses-Ipr
otectt
hecount
ry.
Nomv
elo-(
rai
singaney
ebr
ow)Isav
eli
ves.
Moses-di
dyousav
ethebaby
?
Mr
sGasa-r
eal
l
yMo!
!!Thatal
owbl
ow.
.
Nomvelo-(f
oldi
ngherarms)isSouthAfr
icathe
mostsafestcount
ry?NO,i
nf acti
toneofthe
count
ri
esthathashighrat
eofcr i
me.FYIMr"I
PROTECTTHECOUNTRY"y ounotdoi
ngagr eatj
ob.
Moses-(
laughs)y
out
rul
yar
emydaught
er.
MrsGasa-somet
imesIwonderwhereyouleaveyour
"
senses"at
.Youcanbesuchanignor
antperson.
Moses-(
shr
ugs)
Nomvelo-(
shakesherhead)Iwanty
ouguy
stomeet
t
hefr
iendIwast el
l
ingyouabout.
MrsGasa-wow, y
oumustreal
lybef
ondofher.You
themostunsoci
alper
sonIknow.Wher
edidyou
evenmeether?
Nomv elo-(rol
lseyes)Iknowmom, yout ellmeallthe
damnt ime.Imetherher eactuall
y.Itreatedherfor
headinjuryshehadear lythi
sy ear.Andt urnsoutwe
shar
et hesamel oveformugandbeancuppi ci
nno.
Besi
desev ery
onekeepssay i
ngwel ookal i
ke.Which
i
swierdbecauseshei slikesoy ell
ow.
MrsGasa-(smil
es)Iwoul
dlovet
oseeher.Just
becauseIwanttoseei
fshereal
l
ylooksl
i
key ou.
Moses-DoIhavetomeether.Imeanaf t
erwhaty
ou
tol
dmeaboutherlosingababy.Idon'
tfeel
li
ke
giv
ingherapi
typart
y.
Nomvelo-youdon'thav
etotal
kaboutt
hebabydad.
Iwi
llj
ustint
roduceyouthatal
l
.Youcangoaft
erthat
.
Pl
ease!!
!
Moses-f
ine!
!!
!

Shesmiles,
theconver
sati
onbet
weenherandher
motherconti
nue,Moseswoul
dcommenthereand
ther
ebutmost l
yhekeptgl
uedtohi
sphone.
Atr
oom Q15.
..

MrandMr sZul uknockedandenteredt

heroom
carr
yingbasketful
loffrui
tsandbouquetoffresh
l
il
ies.ZeestandsupgivingspaceforMrsZulutosit
.
Shetakesthebasketandf l
owers.MrZulutakesa
si
tont hecouch..
.

Zee-(car
ryi
ngt
hef
lower
s)Iwi
l
lgol
ookf
orav
ase
fort
hese.
Shewal
ksoutt
her
oom.
..

Mr
sZul
u-(
smi
l
es)Sani
bona.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)Ni
njani
?
MrZul
u-weokay,
undertheci
rcumst
ances.(
Looki
ng
atNel
l
y)unj
aniNt
okazi
?
Nel
l
y-I
'
m okaysi
r.(
Looki
ngdown)
MrZul
u-(
smil
es)y
ouknowy
oushoul
dst
artcal
l
ing
mebabanow.
MaSiwel
a-sheiswaypassedt
hethei
tjustbusi
ness
rel
ati
onnow.Itst
oppedt
heday,y
ougotinsi
detheir
son'
spants.

Nelly
sl ooksdownashamed.I twashar dnowbei ng
comf ortableinfrontofMrZul uespecial
lythather
rel
ationshipwi thSbani i
soutintheopen.She
respectst hi
smansomuch, shefearsifheracti
ons
havechangedt hewayhev iewsher .Tomake
mat t
erswor se.Hermot herishere.MaSi wel
ahas
neverbeent hepar ent
sthathidesherki dswrong
doings.Shehasal waysbeenthemot herthatwoul
d
exposey ouifneedstobe,shewoul dtal
kf r
eel
y
abouty ourdir
tyl
aundryanddoesn'tcarehow
shamef ulorembarrassi
ngiti
s.Ifyouwereherkid
sheexpect edyoutoknowbetter..
.

MrsZulu-(
LookingatMa'
Siwel
a)letnotgeti
ntothat
nowsisi
.Shefeelsbadal
ready
,letnotaddsal
tto
thewound.
MaSiwel
a-ohbefor
eIf
orget
,Igav
eyoursont
wo
har
dslapstoday
.

MrandMrsZululookedateachothert
han
Ma'
Siwel
a,notbel
ievi
ngwhattheyhear
ing.
..

Mr
sZul
u-wow!
!!Whatdi
dhedoaf
tert
hat
?
MaSiwela-Nothi
ng..
..Helookedscaryf
oraminut
e.I
mustadmi t,
Igotscaredofhim..
..(
thi
nki
ng)
..Hei
s
notabusingyoubabyisHe?
Nel
l
y-NO!
!!Hewoul
dnev
ermama.
MaSiwel
a-I
'mjustaski
ng.I'
vehav
enev
erseena
per
sonchangefacethatqui
ck.
MrZul
u-(
shocked)wow!
!!Ummm Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his.

Theycarri
edont alki
ng,wit
hthem aski
ngNel l
yabout
thebaby.Eachtimeshewoul dment i
onthetwins,
theyallf
eltgui
lt
y.Whatwasmor edif
fi
cultwasthem
pretendi
ngthattheyexcit
edandhappyaboutt he
twins,whi
lethei
rhear t
swereheavyandgr i
evi
ngfor
theonebabyt hatdidn'
tmakeit.

25mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Nomv el
oandherpar entswalktor oom O15.
Nomv el
oknocksont hedoor ,everyonelooksather
,
shesmilesassheent er
st heroom, hermom foll
ows
andshortl
yherfatherenterstheroom.Instantl
y
MaSiwelagoescold,whenherey esmeet sMoses
setofeyes.Theybothswal l
owahugel umpast hey
star
eateachother,MrsGasaey esr unfrom
MaSi
wel
a,t
oNel
l
yandt
oherdaught
er.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t56

Room Q15.
..

MaSi welaqui cklybr

oketheey econt act,hereyes
l
ookedbackatherdaught er.Mosesey esshifted
from MaSi welat oNell
yandt heyst ayedthere.Mr
andMr sZul ulookedatNomv elothanNel l
ythe
resembl ancewascl earasday .Therewasno
mi staki
ngt hatthiswasjustacoi ncidence,oracase
ofpeopl el ookingali
ke.MrZul usawhowMoses
hadhi sey esfixedonNelly,provinghissuspicions
cor r
ect.
...

Nomv
elo-(
siml
es)Sani
bona.
..

Theyall
greet
edherback,Ma'
Siwelacoul
dnotlook
atMosesintheey
e.Herheartkeptonbeati
ngfast
.
Ifshedi
dnotcont
rolherbr
eathi
ng,shewil
lfi
nd
her
sel
ffal
l
ingf
rom ahear
tat
tack.
..

Nell
y-(smi
les)
(l
ooki
ngatNomv
elo)Ihav
en'
tseen
youtoday.
Nomvel
o-(
smi
les)Iwasoperat
ingt
hewhol
eday
.I
wanty
outomeetmyparents.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)If
eel
impor
tantr
ight
now.
Nomv el
o-(l
ooki
ngatherpar
ents)t
hisi
smymom
andthatmydad.I'
m sur
eyoufamil
iarwi
thmydad'
s
face(r
oll
seyes)
.
Nell
y-(
eyesout)ishe?Wait!!
!Ithoughtitjustpeopl
e
l
ookingali
ke.I
shet heheadoftheSout hAf ri
can
i
ntel
li
genceunitaswellastheleaddirectorofthe
Hawks.
Zee-(
eyesout
)Isawt
her
esembl
ancebutIt
houghtI
waswrong.
Moses-(smi
l
es)wel
lyoungladi
es,
youdon'
thav
eto
wondernomore.I
tdefi
nit
elyme.
MrsZul
u-(l
aughs)Ithoughtmyfamil
ywasthebi
g
shot
.Butst
andingnexttothecount
ri
esmost
r
espect
edmani
sov
erwhel
ming.
MrZul
u-(
laughs)Shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed?(
Looki
ngat
hi
swif
e)
Moses-(
laughs)
(shaki
ngMrZul
u'
shand)Moses
Gasa.
MrZulu-(
shaki
nghi
shand)khul
ekani
IsaacZul
u.I
t
anhonourtobeaty
ourpr
esence.
Mr
sZul
u-(
laughs)whoi
sst
arst
ruckmanj
ebaba.
MrsGasa-HELLO!!
!yazinamingi
khona(I
'
m
her
e)(
laughs)seewhyIalway
sinsi
styoustayat
home.

Theyt heroom isfi

ll
edwit
hlaught
er,Ma'Siwela
hasn'tsaidanythi
ngtoMosesandhi swife,she
hasn'tevenlaughedatthej
okesthatwerepassed
around.Moseswal kscl
osertoNell
y'shospitalbed.
..

Moses-( taki
ngherhand)
(l
ooki
ngdir
ectl
yather
hazeleyes)I'
m gl
adIf
inal
l
yhadthechancetomeet
you.I
'
v eheardsomuchaboutyou.(
Holdinghera
l
itt
lel
onger)y
ousur
ear
eabeaut
yli
kemydaught
er
sai
dyou'r
e.
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)t
hepl
easur
eisminesir
.Shenev
er
t
oldme,shehadabi
gshotforafat
her.
Moses-(hel
dhersofthandsev
entight
er)cal
lme
baba.Si
risforpeopl
eli
keMrZulu,
whosi ti
n360
off
icechai
rs.

Theyalll
aughed, heletgoofherhand, itwasso
hardforhi
m, shewasr i
ghthere,l
aughingand
smili
ngathim, buthecouldn'ttel
lher.Hiswif
e
watchedhim, shesawt heinnerbattl
ehewashav i
ng
wit
hhi mself
,hedr eamedoft hedayhemeethi s
daughter
.Shemov edclosertohim andheldhis
hand,ti
ghteni
ngi t
...

MrsGasa-( smil
i
ng)youknowy ouhav eanew
famil
ynow.Mydaught eri
ssofondofy ou.Looking
atyou,Iknowshemadet her
ightchoicebefr
iending
you.Star
tingt
oday,
you'r
eourdaughter.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)t
hanky
ou,
MrsGasa.
Mr
sGasa-Nonsense,
cal
lmemom.

Zenandenot i
cedt hatMaSi wel ahasn' tsai dany t
hing.
Shesawt hewayshel ookedatMosesandMr sGasa
whent heywer etalkingt oNel ly.Shedi dn'tlookt o
happyaboutt hem, i
nsisti
ngonNel lycal lingt hem
mom anddad.Somet hingdi dn'taddupher e, they
wayMosesey esspar kedwhenhespoket oNel l
y
andt heyway ,hel ooksather .I
tt helookapar ents
givestheirchild.Itthelookt hatf i
ll
edwi thsomuch
l
ov eandador ati
on.Shemaynothav eexper ienced
thatwhenshegr ewup.Buti tthesamel ookt hat
Stevengav eherl ittl
ebr other.Coul di tbe?She
thought ?Herey esshi ftedtoNomv elo.Herey es
widen, andshechokedonhersal iv
a, maki ngher
cough.Mr sGasat urnedt oZenande, andnot icedt he
resembl anceshehad, shel ookedsomuchl i
ke
MaSi welaaswel lasNel l
y.Shedi dn'tknowt hat
Mat hohadanot herdaught eraf terNel ly.She
wonder edi fMosesknew.Coul di tbet hatshewas
histoo? .
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
looki
ngatZee)hav
esomewat
erbaby
.
MaSi
wel
a-uhmmm,
canIbeexcused.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngathermom)Mama.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
snapped)JESUS!
!NELI
SIWEIJUST
NEEDTOBREATHE..

Shewalkedout.Nellywassupri
sed, noscratchthat,
shewasshockedathermom' soutbur st
.Nowt hat
shethi
nksaboutit,shehasbeenqui eteversincethe
Gasa'
scamei nsi
det heroom.Hermom i sneverone
tobequiet
.Whatcoul dbetheproblem?Sheknows
somethi
ngisupwi t
hher.I
tfi
rstst
ar tedwit
hher
tal
ki
ngnonst op,nowittheoutofthebl ueoutbursts.
Sheisdefi
nit
elyhidi
ngsomething.
.

MrsZulu-letherbebabe.Shei
sjusthavi
ngahard
ti
me.Itnotani cef
eel
inghavi
ngyourdaught
erata
hospi
talbed.Letmegocheckonher .
MrZul
u-Iwi
l
lgowi
thy
oumkami
,Ineedsomewat
er.
Pl
usIneedt
ogetanupdat
efr
om Shaka.
..

Theybot
hwal
kedout
..
.

Att
her
ecept
ion.
..

Theelev
atoropened,outcameSbani andBless.
Theywalkedtowardstherecepti
ondesktosignin,
whentheysawShakaandMt hokositt
ingonthe
wait
ingchai
rs,t
heywal kedbythedeskwithout
si
gningi
nandwentt ot hem.Shakastoodupas
soonas,hesawt hem..
.

Shaka-(
rel
i
eved)wher
edi
dyouf
indhi
m?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)I
'
m notababyt
hatshoul
dbe
monit
ored.
Shaka-Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ke.
..
Sbani
-what
ever
,howi
sshe?
Mthoko-Ihaven'
tgonetoseeher.Mom andZeear
e
wi
thher.Idon'thav
ethecouragetof
aceherand
pr
etendeverythi
ngisokay
.
Bless-Ithi
nksheshoul
dbet
old.Ly
ingt
oherwi
l
l
onlyhurthermore.
Sbani
-ifi
tsavesmyotherson.Thanwewi
l
lli
e,unt
il
shegi
vesbirt
hifwehavetoo..
.
Mt
hoko-Yourpar
ent
sar
eher
etoo.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatShaka)y
oucal
l
edmom anddad?
Shaka-Ihadtoo,lookwel ostababyher
e,weblack,
ourparentsneededt oknow,youknowNell
yneeds
tobecleansed.Allthatbabaneedstodi
scussi
twi t
h
theSiwelafamil
y.
Sbani
-Iwantt
ogoseeher
.
Bl
ess-I
'
m comi
ngt
oo.
Mt
hoko-It
hinkIwi
l
lgot
oo,
IhopeIcanhol
d
my
self
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatMthoko)y
oubet
ter
.Not
hingi
s
goi
ngtoupsether
.
Mthoko-j
eezMan!
!!I
tmysi
ster
,Iwantt
hebestf
or
hert
oo.

Shakawant edtogotoo,butsomehowshef eltgui

lt
y
aboutwhathappened.Hadt heynotfought,she
wouldn'thavesli
ppedonthewetf loor.Tomake
mattersworse,hewasdr i
nkingfrom thatbottl
e
water,
hewast heonethataccidental
lypushedi t
fr
om thecounteranditspil
ledont hefloor
..
..

Shaka-Iwi
l
lwai
ther
e..
.

Thet
hreegent
lemanwal
kedt
owar
dsr
oom Q15.
..

Thr
eedoor
sawayr
oom Q15.
..

Mr
sZul
u-hei
sherf
atheri
sn'
tHe?
MaSi
wel
a-(
tear
y)(
noddi
ng)
MrZul
u-Isawtheway,
hel
ookedather
.Andthe
r
esembl
ancebetweent
het
wogirl
sitov
erwhel
ming.
MaSiwela-t
heywerenotsupposetomeetthi
sway .
(Sni
ff
s)Iwasgoingtocal
lherthi
sweekendandtell
herabouthi
m.NowhowdoIt el
lher?Shehastoo
muchonherplateri
ghtnow.
MrsZulu-(comfor
ti
ngher )i
tgoi
ngtobeokaysi
si.
Sheisav eryl
ovel
ygir
l,shewon'
thatey
ou.You
rai
sedherwell.
MrZul
u-Di
dheknowal
lthi
sti
me?
MaSiwel a-healwaysknew.(sniff
s)hest ayedaway
becausehi slineofworkwasv erydanger ousatt he
ti
me.If oundouthewasdat i
ngt wowomenandme
atthesamet i
me, soIbr
okei toffwi t
hhi m.Iwasst il
l
angryathi m.Itol
dhimtost ayaway .Butaf ter3
yearsIsawhi m, wedatedagai n,thatwhenIgot
pregnantwi t
hNel l
y,myparentsdi dn'tapprov eof
him,asIwasal r
eadyengagedt ot heboy sf ather
.
MrsZulu-i
tokaysisi
,youdon'
thavet
oexpl
aintous.
Weallhaveourmistakesf
rom whenwewereyoung.
Thosemistakesdon'
tdefi
neus.
MrZulu-mywifei
sri
ght
.Someti
meswedothi
ngs
wi
thoutthi
nki
ng,y
ou'
renotabadper
son.
MaSiwel a-(snif
fs)howdoIt ellher?HowdoItell
her
thatMosesGasa, t
hemant hatf asci
nat
edher,
every
thingsher eadabouthissuccessonthenews
papers,orwhenshesawhi m ont henewsaft
era
successf ul
raid,thathei
sherf ather.
.
Sbani
-WHAT?
?!!
!

Theyal
ltur
nedandl
ookedbehi
ndt
hem,
ther
est
ood
Sbani
,Bl
essandMthoko.
..
.

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngatMaSi
wela)whatdoy
oumeant
hat
,
MosesGasaisNel
ly
sfather
?
MrsZul
u-Sbani wenotdi
scussi
ngthi
swit
hyou.We
knowyousleepingwi
thherdaught
er,
buty
oucan'
t
knowever
ything..
Sbani-Shei
smygir
lf
ri
end,andri
ght
nowev
ery
thi
ng
thathastodowi
thherconcer
nsme.
MrZul
u-angekesi
zwengaweSbani
,si
yakut
shel
a,
sibadal
akunawe,
sil
alel
e(y
ouwon'tcontr
olus,
l
istentouswhenwespeak,wear
ey ourel
ders)

BlesscouldseethatSbani'
sfacewaschanging,he
hastointerv
in,
thoughhesuspecteditbutheari
ngit
now, hef
indshimselfwit
hmi xedemoti
ons..
..

Bl
ess-Mosesi
smyf
atherbaba.
Mr
sZul
u-WHAT?
?!!
MaSi
wel
a-(
looki
ngatBl
ess)
you.
.you.
..y
ouhi
sson.

MrZuluwasshocked,
todayhaspr
ovent
obeaday
ofr
evelat
ions.
..

MrZul
u-i
sthi
str
ueBl
ess.
Bless-y
ebobaba.Ij
ustrecent
lyfoundout
.Itthe
reasonwhyIactual
l
ycamet oS.A.Iwassearchi
ng
formyf at
herandmysister
.
Mr
sZul
u-(
clapsonce)hhay
i!
!!Thi
sisunbel
i
evabl
e..
.
Mt
hoko-soy
ou'
remysi
ster
'sbr
other
..
Sbani-(
brusheshi
sface)
(l
ooki
ngatBl
ess)wecan'
t
tel
lhernow..
Bl
ess-Iunder
stand.
.
Mr
sZul
u-y
ouknowy
ourf
atheri
sinsi
der
ightnow?
Bl
ess-i
nsi
dewher
e?
MaSi
wela-Nel
ly
sroom, heisher
ewi
thhi
swi
feand
t
hei
rdoctort
hatworkshere.
.

Blessswallowedwhenhet houghtaboutseei
ng
Nomv elo.Hehasbeenavoidinghereversi
ncehe
foundoutaboutthem bei
ngsi bl
i
ngs.Theyall
decidedtowalkbackinsi
det heroom..
.

Room Q15.
..

Whent
heyal
lwal
kedi
nsi
de,
ther
oom suddenl
y
becamesmal l.Onecouldsweari twasaf ami l
y
reuni
on.Bless'
sey esmetNomv elo'
s,shelookedat
him,hereyesaut omati
call
yformingtears.Moses
watchedhissonst andi
ngt her
e,hewasconf usedas
towhatwashedoi nghere?.Suddenlythe
atmosphereinsidetheroom changed.Youcoul dfeel
thetensi
on..
..

Moses-Gentl
eman,Idon'
tbel
i
evewehav
emet
?
(
Sti
ckingouthi
shand)..
.

Sbani l
ookedathim upanddown, thenpassedhi m
ashemadehi swayt ohiswoman.Moseswas
offendedbyhi sbehav i
or.Blesscoul dnotbel i
evethe
mani nfr
ontofhim.Washer eall
ygoingt oactlikehe
didn'tknowhi m.Tomakemat terswor se,Nomv elo
i
sl ookingathim wit
hhur tfuleyesandi tbreaki
ng
everythinginsi
dehim.Wel lther ul
ewasNel l
y
shoul dn'
tknowaboutMosesbei ngherf at
her,but
nothingwassai daboutnotr eveali
ngMosesashi s
father..
.
Bl
ess-(
annoy
ed)Ibel
i
evewehav
emetDAD!
!!
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)dad?
Nomv
elo-(
eyesout
)DAD?

Mosesswal
l
owed,
whatthefuckwashedoi
ng,
thi
s
wasnott
heti
meandpl
ace..
.

Nomvel
o-(
lookingatherfather
)dadwhatgoi
ngon?
(
Looki
ngatBless)di
dy oujustsaydad?
Mr
sGasa-Idon'
tthi
nkweshoul
d..
.
Bless-Nothisi
sthetimeactuall
y,whyshouldwe
pretend,l
eti
tal
lcomeoutwhi leweallhere.
(LookingatNomvelo)I'
m sor
ry.
..I
'my ourbrot
her
..
Nomvel
o-(
shaki
ngherhead)no,
no.
..baba,
mama
hei
slyi
ngr
ight
?Heislyi
ng..
.
Mr
sGasa-(
looki
ngdown)hei
syourbr
otherbaby
...
Nomv
elo-(
scr
eami
ng)NOOOO.
..
.HEI
SNOT.
..
..
HE
CAN'
TBE..
.(shaki
ngherhead)YOUMYBOYFRI
END
ORYOUWEREGOI NGTOBE. .
.YOUNOTMY
BROTHER.
..
Mr
sZul
u-hhhaay
ybooo!
!!
..
.jesusut
hini
lomnt
ana.
..
MrZul
u-(
giv
ingheradeat
hst
are)
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngar
ound)what
..I
..whatgoi
ng.
.
Sbani
-(hol
dingherhands)babeno,
younotget
ti
ng
i
nvolv
ed..
Nel
l
y-but
..
Sbani
-(war
ningher
)Nel
l
y!!
!!
Nel
l
y-(
frowned)okay
..
.
Sbani-(babyki
ssingher).
..It
hinki
tbestall
ofyou
l
eavet heroom anddiscussthisout
side.Mywoman
doesn'tneedthi
senergyrightnow.
Moses-(
annoy
ed)Whoar
eyout
oor
derusout
?
Sbani
-thatnoty
ourbusi
ness,
myconcer
nri
ghtnow
i
sthiswomanher e.
..
Moses-(
angr
y)l
i
sten.
..
MrsGasa-(
TouchingMosesshoul
der
)baba,
hei
s
r
ightl
etgoout
side..
.
Nomv
elo-(
cry
ing)Ican'
tdeal
wit
hthi
sri
ghtnow.
..

Sheranoutt
her
oom,
Blessf
oll
owedhershout
ing
hername.
..

Therestofthem wentouttheroom wi
thMoses
fuming.Hecouldn'
tbel
ievethewaySbanit
alkedt
o
him.Heshowednor espectatall
.Hewassousedt o
peoplerespect
inghi
m...
.

Moses-Idon'
tl
iket
hatboy
..
.
MaSiwel
a-t
ough!!
!Thatboyi
sy ourdaughter
's
boy
fri
endandthefat
herofyourunborngrandson.
..

Shesai
dthatandcl
ickedhert
ongueandwal
ked
passMoses,bumpi
nghisshoulder
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t57
3day
slat
er.
..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

Nomv
elo'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Someoneknockedont hedoor ,
sheshout ed" come
i
n"t othepersonout sidet hedoor .Thedooropened,
Blesswalksinsideherof fi
cecar ryingNando' spaper
bag.Thesmel lofhot ,freshgr i
ll
edchi ckenandt he
famousNando' sper iper isaucef il
ledt her oom.Her
ey eswerefi
xedonherl apt opscr een, shecoul d
smel l
thechicken,herst omachst art
edmaki ng
funnynoises,Blesssmi led, "
God! !
!Hehasnev ermet
someoneobsessedwi thNando' schi ckenl ikeher "
.
Shef i
nall
ylookedupandherey esmethi s, she
frowned,shewasn' treadyt of acehi mj usty et.
..

Nomv
elo-uf
unani
la?(
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?)
Bl
ess-don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
..
Nomvel
o-(
sighs)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.Ij
ustdi
dn'
texpectt
o
seey
ou.
Bl
ess-canIt
akeaseat
?

Shepoint
edwher ethecouchwas,hetookhi
sseat.
Shegotupfrom heroffi
cechai
randwenttositnext
tohim.Sheputadistancebet
weenthem onthe
couch.
..
.

Bless-(
placestheNando'spaperbagont hesmal
l
coffeetable)Iwantustotal
k.Wecan'tkeep
avoidi
ngt hissi
tuat
ion,
weneedt oaddressit
.
Nomv
elo-cany
ouj
ustgi
vemet
ime?
Bless-(
shaki
nghishead) No.I
'
vegiveny oumor e
thanenoughti
me...
..l
i
st ennei
therofuspl annedt hi
s.
Yeswebot hwantedar omanticrel
ati
onshi p, we
wantedtofuckeachother '
sbr
ainsout .Ar
ewenow
goingtowasteevenmor et
imedwellingont he
thi
ngsthatwewantedt ohappenort hingst hatcoul
d
havehappenedbutdi dn't.Weshoul dbef ocusi ngon
theotherr el
ationshi pt hatweshoul dbebui lding.
Theonewher eI'my ourbr otherandyou'remysi ster
.
(Mov i
ngcl osert oher ,heldherhands)l ook, Iknowit
noteasy , onemi nuteI 'mt heguyy ouwantt odat e,
nextmi nut eI'
my ourbr other.Butwear egreat
humanbei ngs,wear ecapabl eofhav i
nggr eat,
i
nterestingconv er sations, we'r
ecapableofbei ng
crazyandsi ll
yt oget her .Iwantt obey ourbr other,
scrat
cht hatIwantt obey ourannoying,awesome
andcool / funbr other .Now( Looki
ngather )wi lly
ou
bemybeaut iful,sex y,cr azyandr ebell
ioussi ster
?
Nomv el
o-(t
eary )Iwantallthat,Iwanti tsomuch,
butdowegoaboutt hisaf
terev eryt
hingt hathas
happened?HowdoIgetov erthesexual fantasiesI
hadaboutyou, Ikissedmyownbr otherandenj oyed
i
t..
.ohGod!!!(Touchesherf ace)howdi dwenot
know?Whydi dn'titfeelsowr ong?Whycoul dn'twe
senseit
?(Snif
fs)wher edoweev enst artBless?
Bless-(
sighs)Idon'
tknow...But(t
aki
ngtheNando'
s
paperbag)wecanst artbyenjoyi
ngahotmealof
ourfavouri
tegri
ll
edchicken.
Nomv el
o-(smi l
es)
(sni
ff
s)youknowIwon'tsaynot
o
chi
cken.(Grabbingthepaperbag)andI
'
m not
shar
ingwithy ou.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)Iknowyougreedy,t
hatwhyIbought
myownchi ckenquar
terl
egont hesi
de.

Shegotupandwenttosani
ti
zeherhandsand
handedhimthesani
ti
zer
,whi
leshesett
hefoodon
thetabl
efort
hem..
..

Bless-(wingl
inghiseyebr
ows)sowheny ou
i
magi nedmef ucki
ngyou,di
dyouenjoyit
?Okayno
scratchthatIknowy oudi
d.Uhmm ohy eah..what
colourli
ngeri
ewher eyouweari
ng?Ihopey ouwere
notwear i
ngpi nk.
Nomv el
o-(hi
tshim wit
hasmal l
cucumber
)youso
stupi
d.Keepaskingmer ubbi
shandyouwon'tget
thi
schicken.
..
.(t
hinki
ng)andwhatwrongwit
hpink
l
ingeri
e?
Bl
ess-i
ttooki
ddyf
orme.I
fIf
ucksomeonewear
ing
apinkl
i
ngeri
e,imi
ghtaswellfucksomeonewho
st
il
lget
sexci
tedaboutgoi
ngtotheBarneyshow.
..

Theybothl augh,
andcont i
nuetal
king.Ev
eryti
me
theyt
alkedaboutt hei
rsit
uati
on,hewouldsomehow
managet omakeaj okeoutofit
.Makingitl
ess
awkwardf orher.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..
.

Zee-Mamauphumanini
uNell
yesi
bhedl
ela?(
Wheni
s
Nell
ycomi
ngoutthehospi
tal
?)
MaSiwel
a-t
odaybaby
.Wi
l
lyougowi
thmet
ofet
ch
her
?
Zee-of
cour
semama,
youdonthav
etoask.
MaSiwel a-Ithinksheshouldliv
ewi thus,wel
luntil
sheisf i
ttost ayonherown.Shewi l
l hav
eahar d
ti
meadj ust i
ngt othechangesthatcomewi th
pregnancy .Iknowmydaught er
,ifshehasnocont rol
ofthings,sheget sirr
it
atedeasil
y.Ineedtoguideher
throughherpregnancy.Youcan'tt
ellheranything
wheni tcomest obusi
ness,butanythingthatis
feminine,motherl
yornurtur
ing,
shei sabsolutel
y
clueless.Youknowatsomepoi ntshehat edkids.
Zee-(
laughs)shehasalowt oler
ance,Ithi
nkshewi
l
l
needJesusthroughthi
sjourney.HehehehmamaI
don'
tthi
nkbhut i
Sbaniwil
lagreetoNellystay
ing
wit
hus.
MaSi
wela-(
laughs)y
abol
oyo,
ungi
vusel
aiBP(
you
seet
hatone,hewakesmyBPup).
Zee-hehehemamabutIst
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evehe
di
srespectedMrGasal
i
kethat
.It
houghtmaybehe
di
dn'tseeitwashi
m.
MaSi wela-(
laughs)( cl
apsonce)y ouseewhenhe
didthat.Hegai nedonepoi ntfrom me.Nxi !
!!Moses
thi
nkshei stheshi t.Heissousedt opeople
respecti
ngandwor shippinghisass, henowhasa
bigheadt hatfullofarr
ogance.I twasniceseeing
someonewhodi dn'tgi
veshi tabouthisstat
us.His
egoneededt obruiseal i
ttl
e..
Zee-y
ounothi
sfanneh?
MaSiwela-believeitornotIdon' thatehi
m.I this
egothatpissesmeof f.Hefeelshei ssuperi
orthan
mostpeopl e,
Ihat ethatsideofhi m.Butheisn'ta
badperson.Act ual
lyhei sav eryfunnymanwhen
yougettoknowhi m.Hei sv erylovi
ngtoo..
.

Shest
oppedtalki
ngwhenshereal
i
zesjusthow
muchshehassaidaboutt
hisman.Shestopsand
l
ooksatZenande.
..

Zee-.
..mamado,doyouknowhim?Li
keper
sonal
l
y,
Imeany out
alkasi
fyouknow.
..
MaSiwela-(si
ghs)he,
he.
.HeisNel
l
ys
f
ather.
..
.(
looksatZee)whyar
eyounotshocked?
Zee-Iki
nderfi
guredthatoutbackatthehospital.I
sawthewayhest aredather.Helookedathert he
samewhySt evenlookedatmyl it
tl
ebrother
.Besi de
youbli
ndifyoucan'tseetheresemblancebetween
hisdaught
erandNel l
y.
MaSi
wel
a-(
looki
ngather
)howdi
dSt
event
reaty
ou?
Zee-het reatedmel ikehisownchi l
d.What everhe
di
df ormybr other
,hedi dformetoo.Of coursehe
couldn'tsendmeandmybr ot
hertothebestschool s
buthedi dgiv eusmor ethanmymot hercouldhav e
gi
venus.I '
m greatf
ult ohim,hewasmor eofa
parenttomet hanmyownmot her.Helov edand
tr
eatedmel ikehisown, whenhecoul dhav echose
nottoo.Heev entookoutaneducat ionalplanforus.
Butthemi st
akehemadewasl ist
ingLindiweast he
beneficary.
MaSi
wel
a-whoi
sLi
ndi
we?
Zee-(sighs)mymot her .Youknowshet ookusout
ofschool whenSt evendi ed,clai
mi ngshedoesn' t
havemoneyt opayschool feesf orus.Ir egistered
meandmybr othertoal ocal school,wedi dn'tneed
topayf ees.Shedidn'tev enwantt ogi veusmoney
forunif
or m.Ourneighborboughtf orus.Shet ookall
themoneySt ev
enhadl eftforoureducat ionand
spentitonbooze.Shewoul dhav emoneyf orbooze
butwon' thavemoneyf orust obuyf oodandeat .
Whenshewasn' ttoxicatedshewoul dbuyf oodf or
mybr otherbutIwoul dn'tbeal l
owedt oeati t.She
wouldtell
met ousemyv aginaandgetmoneyt o
buyfoodifIwantedt oeat.Somet i
messhewoul d
tel
lmet ogodigmyf at
her'
sgr aveandaskhi mf or
moneysoIcanbuymy sel
ff ood.(Teary)worsethi
ng
i
smama, Idi
dn'
tev enknowwhomyf atherwas.Al
l
sheeverdidwasment i
onhim whenshewas
sweari
ngatme.Shedi dn'
tev enment i
onhi sname
whensheswor eatme.Myownmot herhatedme,all
becauseofwhatthemanwhoi ssupposedlymy
fat
herdidwhatev erhedidtoher .
MaSi
wel
a-(
sadden)ohmygodbaby
..
.
Zee-( sni
ffs)Ipray
edf orthedayLindiweDl amini
l
ov esmeasherchi ld.Iprayedforthatmot her
lyl
ove
buti tnevercame.Istoppedpr ayi
ng.Iv owedto
nev erall
owamant obr ingmedownl i
kehowmen
broughtLi ndi
wedown.Iwant edtoleaveandnev er
comebackbutmybr otheri
st her
e,thattheonly
reasonIst il
lsendhermoneyandgobackt othat
placeIcal lahome.
MaSi
wel
a-(
swal
l
owed)babywher
eisy
ourmom
f
rom?
Zee-I
'm notsure,
(sni
ff
s)butsheal
way
stal
ked
aboutbeingfr
om Swazil
and.

Sheswall
owedandhuggedZenandecr y
inghereyes
out
.Sheti
ghtenthehug.Squeezi
ngherfordearl
i
fe,
assheconti
nuedtocry.
.

MaSiwela-I'
m sosorr
ybaby,
I'
m sosorr
ybaby.
.I'
m
her
enow, youdon'thavet
oworryaboutany
thi
ng.
I
'm her
e...

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..
.

Att
hepar
kingl
ot.
..
.

Donwasont
hephonewi
thMt
hoko.
..
..

Don-y
ouknowy
ourni
ecewasbor
nyest
erday
,
act
ual
l
yshei
syourdaught
er.
..
Mt
hoko-Iknowdad.Nhl
anhl
atext
edmey
est
erday
.
Don-andwhenar
ecomi
ngt
oseeher
?
Mthoko-.
..
.I'
m st
il
lbusydad.Iwi
l
lcomewhenIhav
e
t
ime.
Don-sonwhateverhappenedwi
thy
ouandt he
par
entshasnothingtodowitht
hei
nnocentsoul
.
Youlovet
hatbabyMt hokodoyouunder
stand?
Mthoko-ofcour
sedad.Iwoul
dneverhat
emyown
daught
er.Idon'
tevenhat
eNhlanhl
aandLungi
ey.I
j
ustneedtime
Don-don'
ttaket
ool
ongy
ourbr
otherwi
l
lneedy
our
suppor
t.
Mt
hoko-okaydad.Ineedt
ogetbackt
owor
k.
Don-okay
.By
eson.
..

Theybothhangedup.Dongotoutt
hecar.Ntombi's
i
X35Hy undaipar
kednextt
oDon'sbl
ackjaguar.Don
l
ockedhiscarwhil
eNtombiopenedherdoor,her
l
ongsexyl egswher et hef ir
stthingDonnot i
ced
whenhewasaboutt opasshercar .Hest oppedas
Ntombi gotoutandpul l
edhergr eenmi nidress
down.Shehadher30i nchweav eon, hermakeup
wasonf leek.Shel ookedsexyasAF.Shet ookher
purseandl ockedhercarandcat walkedont he
pavementl i
kei twasherownr unway .Donl ookedat
herasshesway edherhi ps,"fl
atass"butt hatwas
theonlyplaceshewasl acki ng.Hequi ckl
ywal kedt o
reachher,theyent eredt hehospi taltogether ,
ast hey
walkedtowar dst heelev atortoget heraswel l.
Ntombi noticedt hegent lemanbesi deher .Act uall
yit
wast hewayhesmel ledt hatcaughtherat tention.
Thesmel lwasexpensi ve,shel ookedathi m, hewas
wearinganav yAr mani suit."Okayt hisman
screamedmoney "theel evatordoor sopened. .
.

Don-y
ouf
ir
stMadam,
(smi
l
ed)

Ntombismil
edandwentinsidetheel
evat
orashe
f
ollowedbehi
ndher
,toocloseforcomfor
t,t
hesmal
l
cont
actshehadwi t
hhim sentchi
l
lsdownherspi
ne.
Theelev
atordoorcl
osed.
..

Don-(
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
)wher
eyougoi
ngmadam?
Nt
ombi
-uhmmm,
uhmmm 5t
hfl
oor
.
Don-(
smi
l
ed)
(pr
essedno5)wegoi
ngt
othesame
pl
ace.

"OhGodhi ssmi l
e"shewasn' tunderstandingwhat
exactlywasgoi ngon.Suddenl yshef el
tsohotand
bother ed.Shekeptst eal
inggl ancesathim.Hewas
tal
l,broadshoul der
s,hewasn' tbuff,helookedgreat
though.Youcoul dseehegy ms, theywayhi ssuit
e
fi
ttedhi m, hehadani cecleant rim,hisbeardmade
himl ookev enmor esexy.Theyel evatordoors
openedshewentoutandhef ol
lowedheragai n,t
his
ti
mehepl acedhi shandinonherl owerback,she
almostl ostbal anceonherf ootingwhenshef el
this
hand.Hepl acedhishandi nsidehispocketandt ook
outhi sbusi nesscard.Theyst oppedbyt herecepti
on
andhel ookedr aher..
.
Don-youdroppedsomet
hingwheny
oucameout
yourcar
..
.
Nt
ombi
-uhmm what
?Whati
sthat
?
Don-(t
ookherlef
thandandplacedhisbusi
ness
car
d)(cov
eredherhandswithhis)y
oulookbeauti
ful
bytheway,Il
ovethedress.

Hewi nkedatherandl ef
therst
andingthereasshe
watchedhim disappearfr
om si
ght.Shefinal
l
y
catchedherbreathandlookedatherlef
thand,and
therewasit,
hisbusinesscard.
..

"
DONALDDABULAKHOZA
MECHINI
CALENGI
NEERI
NG&ROBOTI
CS.
..
NO.
083..
..
..
"

Shesmi
l
edshaki
ngherhead.
..
Nt
ombi
-smoot
h..
..

Shel
ookedar
oundandl aughedwhenshereal
i
zed
shewassooutofi
t,sheevenrequest
edthewrong
fl
oor
..
.

Remembert
o"LI
KE"al
way
s..
..
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t58

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

Room Q15.
..
.

Nel
ly
-(sit
ti
ngonthecouch)
..youknowmymom i
s
pr
obablyonherwayhereri
ghtnow.
Sbani-(cl
osingthezi
ptoherbag)Iknowbabe.
(Lookingather)Ij
ustwanttospendti
mewithyou.I
haven'tseenyouinsuchalongti
me.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sherey
es)i
twasj
ustoneday
.

Laughsmov i
ngclosert
oher,hetakesaseatonthe
couch,makeshersitonhi
slap.Wrappi
nghisarms
aroundher
..
.

Sbani
-wi
thy
ouonedayi
sal
i
fet
imef
orme.
Nell
y-(wr
appedherar
msar oundhi
s
neck)(
smil
es)(
babyki
sseshim)ohyeah!
!!
!
Sbani
-(Mov
ingcl
osert
oherl
i
ps)y
eah.
..

Hedev ouredhersof tl
ips.Hekissedherl i
kei twas
hisfir
sttime.Heappr eciat
edeverybr eat
handev ery
momenthi sli
pslockedwi t
hhers.Thesweet
strawberryli
pglosssheal wayshasonher ,hecould
tasteit
.Italwaysbroughtasenseofcomf or ttohim.
Itli
keitalwaysassuredhi mthatitwasherhewas
kissi
ng.BlessandNomv el
oenteredtheroom and
foundt hem deepineachot her
'sthroats.
..
Bl
ess-ay
i!
!!Real
l
yguy
s..
.thi
sisahospi
tal

Nell
ymov edfrom hi
ml aughi
ng,
hestol
eakissfr
om
heronelastti
meandl ookedatt
hetwopeople
i
nfrontofthem..
.

Nomv
elo-y
oucoul
dn'
twai
tti
l
lyoubot
hgothome.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
ed)ser
iousl
yyouguy
sneedt
ost
op.
Sbani-(
lookedatherandsmi
l
ed)weadvent
urous
l
ikethatwithmywoman.Rememberthatt
imeatthe
l
ift
..
.
Bless-wooooooooooaaaoo!!
!!(
Closi
nghi
seyes)
..
.
dudeNo, t
hisismysi..
..
.(Heremembered)No,j
ust
no..
.
Nomvel
o-Ial
way sknewy
out
oo,
wer
eabad
combi
nati
ontogether
.
Nel
l
y-Not
hingi
smor
efunt
hanar
iskyf
uck.
Sbani
-(ki
ssi
nghercheek)t
headr
enal
i
nbabe.
..
.
Bl
ess-(
scr
eami
ng)BLAH,
BLAH,
LALALALALALAL.
..
Theyal
ll
aughedandl
ookedatBl
essashecl
osed
hi
sears,scr
eami
ng.
..
.

Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)okaybabe,
Ithi
nkweshoul
dst
op
now.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)goodidea.(
Looki
nghowr
ed,
her
facei
sfrom t
heblushi
ng)babe,y
ouandr
edpepper
,
samewhatsappgroup.
Nel
ly-(pl
ayf
ull
yhi
tti
nghim)yougotj
okes,
younot
sl
eepingatmyplacetoni
ght
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
oumypepper(
Kisseshercheek)

Blesswalkstothem andtakesNelly
shand, making
herstand.Hewal kswi
thhert ot
hefurthestcor
nerof
theroom.Hel ooksatSbani,henods..
.

Bl
ess-(
sighs)howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
looksatSbani
,henodsather
)uhmmm I
'
m
okayIguess.
Bl
ess-ar
eyousur
e?
Nel
l
y-y
eah.
..
.(
smi
l
es)
Bl
ess-soyouhav
ingababy
,(smi
l
es)I
'
m goi
ngt
obe
anuncl
e..
Nell
y-(
touchesherbell
y)t
wobabies.(
Roll
sey
es)I
don'
tknowwhyev eryonekeepsf
orget
ti
ng.

Hel ooksather ,
wi t
hhi sheartbreaki
ng.Therewas
hissister,r
ighti
nhi sf ace,shehasbeenwi thhim
thi
swhol eti
me.Nowonderwhyhecar edsomuch
abouther .Hewi shedhecoul djusttel
lherri
ghtnow
thathewasherbr ot her,tel
lheraboutherotherbaby
j
ustsohecoul dhav ehercr yonhisshoulder.He
want edtobet hebr otherhenev erwasandbet her
e
forher...

Bl
ess-(
takesherhand)I
'
m gl
ady
ouokay
..
.
Hewasaboutt owalkawaywhenNell
yst
oppedhi
m
andhuggedhim.Supri
sedhefoundhi
shear
tbeat
ing
fastandhuggedherevent
ight
er.
..

Nell
y-Idon'
tknowwhat'
supwithy
ou.ButI
appreci
atet
heawkwardnessi
nthi
s.

Theybr
eakoffthehug,shesmi
l
esathi
m andt
hey
ret
urnt
otheothers.
..

Nomv
elo-bondi
ngsessi
onsov
ersoqui
ckl
y?(
Smi
l
es)
Nel
l
y-j
eal
ousmuchar
ewe?
Nomv el
o-(
laughs)naaaahhhh!
!!Hei
stheannoy
ing
br
othernow.

Laught
erf
il
lst
heroom.MaSiwel
aandZenandewal
k
i
nsidet
heroom,whil
etheyar
est
il
ll
aughi
ng..
.
MaSiwel
a-umsi
ndowenungiwuzwa(yournoi
sei
s
hear
d)al
lthewayf
rom t
herecept
ion.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
(huggi
nghermom)i
hhabamama.
..

Theygr
eetev
ery
onei
nther
oom.
..

MaSi
wel
a-ar
eyour
eadyt
ogohomebaby
?
Nel
l
y-(
looksatSbani
)uhmmm,
yeah.
..
MaSi
wela-(l
ooki
ngather
)hei
sheret
ot akey
ouisn'
t
he?(
Sighs)It
houghty
oucoul
dst
aywithusfornow.
..
Sbani
-WHAT?
??(
looki
ngatMa'
Si
wel
a)
MaSiwela-(
rol
lseyes)notper
manent
,justunt
ily
ou
f
itenoughtotakecareofyour
sel
f.
Nell
y-uhmmm,(
looki
ngathemom)canIt
alkt
o
Sbaniforaf
ewminut
es.
..
..

MaSi
wel
asi
ghs,
theyal
lnod.
..
.
Nomvel
o-(
huggi
ngher)don'
tbeast
ranger
.Iwi
l
lsee
dur
ingt
hecour
seoftheweek.
Nel
l
y-def
ini
tel
y,(
smi
l
es)
.
Bl
ess-(
kissi
nghercheek)Iwi
l
lbeseei
ngy
out
oo.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)
yesbr
other(
rol
l
sey
es)

I
fonlysheknewthathewasherreal
brot
her,how
hercall
i
nghim br
otheri
sbr
ingi
ngjoytoBless'
s
heart
..
.

MaSiwel
a-comeZee,
youwi
l
lfi
ndusbyt
he
r
ecepti
on.
..

Fi
nal
l
ytheywer
elef
tal
one.
..
.

Sbani
-ABSOLUTELYNOT.
..NOFUCKI
NGWAY
NELLY.
..
..
Nel
l
y-(
fol
dingherar
ms)whyar
eyoushout
ing?You
don'
tev
enknowwhatI
'
m goi
ngt
osay
.
Sbani-(
sighs)I
'
m sor
ry..
..ButIseethewayyou
l
ookingatme.Iknowyouaboutt oagreewi
thyour
mother.
Nel
l
y-i
twi
l
lonl
ybej
ustf
oraweekbabe.
Sbani
-(shakinghi
shead)No.
..comeon,wehaven'
t
beenspendingti
mebecauseyouwerehere.Now
youwanttospendaweekwi t
hy ourmom.
Nel
ly-(
rol
l
seyes)youhavebeenpract
ical
l
ystay
ing
her
ewithme.Itonl
yyest
erdaywhereyoucoul
dn't
come.
Sbani
-thati
snott
hepoi
ntNel
l
y.
Nell
y-(puppyface)babe,justoneweek.I'
m onl
eave
atwork.Ihardl
yspendt i
mewi t
hmymom.Yousaw
howsadshehasbeen.Pl easelove.(
Wrappingher
armsar oundhisneck)
(standingonhertoes)pl
ease.
..
Sbani
-(
holdi
ngherwai
st)noNel
l
y,Whatam It
odo
thewholeweek?
Nel
l
y-y
ouwi
l
lseemeev
erydaybabe.
Sbani
-itwon'
tbet
hesame.Iwi
l
lsl
eepal
one,
you
won'
tbet
her
e.
Nel
ly-Iknowbutitj
ustaweekbabe.Look,y
oucan
set
tl
et hi
sdiv
orcethi
ngonceandforall
,Iwi
llcat
ch
upwithmymom.Lookati tastheweekwerewet ie
al
ll
ooseends.
Sbani
-.
..(
thi
nki
ng)
..
.okay
..
.ButIdon'
tl
iket
his.
Nel
l
y-(
Kissedhi
m)Iknow,
butj
ustaweek.

Theyfrenchedki
ssed, af
terf
ewmi nutesoft
hem
ki
ssingandhim sul
king.Het ookherbagsandt
hey
walkedouttheroom, hol
dinghands..

Sbani
-yousawt
heDrr
ight
?
Nell
y-y
eahbabe.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sokay
.Ourbabi
esar
e
f
ine.
Sbani-(l
ookedatherandf akesmi
l
ed)thatgood
babe.I'
m dri
vi
ngyout oy ourmom'
s,andwe
spendingthedaytogether..
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)y
esdaddy
..
..
Sbani
-andy
ouowemeal
otofsex.
..

Shesmi l
edshakingherheadastheyst
rol
l
edtothe
recept
ionarea,ashegavehercondi
ti
onsofherst
ay
athermot her
'shouse.
..
.

Att
hecaf
eter
ia.
..

Zah-(
snappi
ngherf
inger
s)NTOMBI
!!
!

Shef
inal
l
ysnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedather
..
.

Nt
ombi
-yeah,
sor
rywhat
..
Zah-Whatwrongwithy outoday?Fi
rstyoucame
herel
ooki
nglikeyoujustranint
oEdrisAlba,
now
youdaydreaming.
Ntombi-sor
rymymindi
sjustnother
etoday
.What
wereyousaying.
Zah-(
sighs)Icoul
dn'tr
eadherf
il
e,butIf
oundout
whatwaswr ongwithher.
Nt
ombi
-and?
?
Zah-
..
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.sheispr
egnant
,butshel
ostone
baby
.Shewaspregnantwit
htwi
ns.
..
Nt
ombi
-WHAT?
??!
!!.
..
pregnant
,pr
egnantZah?
Zah-I
'
m sor
ry.
Ntombi
-itkar
ma,shel
ostheranot
herbabybecause
ofwhatshedidt
ome.Godpunishedher.
Zah-(shakingherhead)Godwouldnev
erdosuchas
thi
ngsisi.Losi
ngababyi st
hemostpainf
ult
hing
ever.I
t'
snotGodpuni shi
ngyou.
Nt
ombi
-itherkar
maZah.
..
.

2hour
slat
er.
..
.

ATNTOMBI
'
SCAR.
..
.
Shesear
chedNel
lyonfacebook,shef
oundherand
deci
dedtoi
nboxhermessage..
.

"I
'm sorryabouty ourl
oss, butyouhaditcomi ng.
Youcan' tjustsleepwithamar ri
edman, forcehimt o
l
eav ehiswi feanschil
dt hanexpectt obehappy .
Godi spuni shingyoufory oursins.I
tunfortunate
thatyourbabyhadt osuff erforyoursi
ns.I'm sur
ei t
wasbet t
ert hebabydied,thanhav eyouasamot her
.
Yourr emaini ngbabywillhav eahomewr eckerasa
mot her.Ifeel f
orhim/
her ."

Remembert
o"LI
KE"al
way
s..
.
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t59

3day
slat
er.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..
.
Zenandesphonev i
bratedwhi
leshewasget t
ing
readytogotoschool,shegl
ancedatthephone
screenandsawthatitwasGladys,hernei
ghbor
from backhome,sheanswered.
..
.

Zee-(
sit
ti
ngont
hebed,
fit
ti
nghershoeon)hel
l
o
mam'Glad.
.
Gladys-sawubonamtanami
,ngiy
axoli
sakukuf
onela
ekusenikanj
e(hel
lomychil
d,sor
rytocal
lyouthi
s
mor ni
ng)
Zee-(
fit
ti
ngherot
hershoe)kul
ungi
l
e,ngi
ngakusi
za
ma?(ItOkay
,canIhel
pyou?)
Gladys-itabouty ourbrot
herThabo, y
ourmot herhas
beengonef or3day snow.Nooneknowswher eshe
i
s, y
ourbr otherhasbeenwi t
hmef orthepastcouple
ofday s.Todayhewascr ying,Imanagedt ocalm
hi
m downandt ellhi
mt hathewi l
lfindyouhere
whenheget sbackf rom school .Iknowt hi
sisalot
ony oumychi l
dbutIwasj ustletti
ngy ouknow.You
don'thavetocome, Iknowy oubusywi t
hschool,you
cancal lmear oundthet i
meThabocomesback
fr
om school
andy oucantalktohi
m.I'm sur
ethat
wil
lmakeadiff
erence.Idon'
tmindtaki
ngcareof
hi
m.YouknowIt reathi
m asifheweremygr andson.
Zee-(sighs)t
hanky ousomuchmam' Glad.Uhmm I
wil
ldrivetheret
oday .Iwi
llhavetoskipschool ,
kodwauLi ndi
weungenzani ,(WhatisLindiwedoi ng
tome)sheknowshowbadoursi tuati
oni sbutshe
carr
iesondr i
nki
ngandbei ngi r
responsible.Nowshe
i
sev enabandoningThabo.Justl astweekIsenther
R5000, idon'
tevent hinksheboughtany t
hingi nside
thehouse.Mam' Gl adIwillewall
ety ouR500, thatallI
haver i
ghtnow,t
her estIwil
lusef orgas.I'
m sur eit
hasn'tbeeneasyt akingcareofy our5gr andchi l
dren
now6wi thmybr otherasanext ramout ht ofeed.
Gladys-mychildyoudon'thavetoo.YouknowIdo
al
l t
hatIdofory ouandThabobecauseIwantt o.
NotbecauseIwantsomet hi
nginr etur
n.Donot
str
essy our
sel
fmychi ld.Youreal
lydon'thav
eto
come.ButI'm sureheari
ngyourv oicewil
lmake
Thabohappy .
Zee-(wi
pinghertears)Ngi
yabonga,Ngiy
abonga
kakhul
umam' Glad.Iwil
lbeintouch.Iwi
llsendy
ou
t
hedetail
sfort
hemoneymar ket,
whenI '
veputt
he
money.Buyanythi
ngy oushor
tof,sendmey our
metr
enumber ,
IwillbuyR200electr
ici
tyf
or
mam'Glad.
Gladys-godbl essy oumychil
d.Thanky ousomuch.
Butdon'tuseal lyourmoneyonme.Youal soneedit.
Imaynothav emuchbutmygr andchil
drennevergo
tosleeponanempt ystomach.I
'veaskedThabot o
packev er
ythingf r
om yourhouse.Ihopethatokay
withyou.Allhisclothesarenowwi t
hme.Ican'tlet
him staywithy ourmotheranymore.
Zee-that'
sfinewithme.Mam' Glad,
insi
deourhouse,
behindmywar dr
obet hereisaredbag,pleasetake
thatbagandkeepi twi t
hy ou.I
thasallThabo's
i
mpor tantdocment s.
Gl
adys-Okay
, Ihav
etogonow,
takecar
emychi
l
d.
Don'
tfor
gettocall
.
Zee-Iwon'
tfor
getmam'
Glad.By
e..
.

Shehangsup,
shel
aysonherbedandl
ooksupt
he
cei
l
ing.
..
.
3mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Nel
l
yent
ersherr
oom.
..

Nel
ly-hawu! !Babygi
rl
,won'tyoubelat
ef oryour
l
ecturerIthoughtyousai
dy ouhavepractical
at
9:
00am ( l
ookingatherwatch)it8:
15am now.

ShelooksatZenandewhenshedoesn'
trespond.
Shewalksclosert
oherandreal
i
sesthatsheis
si
lent
lycry
ing.
..

Nel
l
y-(
sit
sont
hebed)babygi
rlwhat
'swr
ong?Zee?
Zee-(wi
peshertears)(
sit
ti
ngup)
(fakesmil
es)
nothi
ng,don'
tworryaboutme.Howar eyou?That
whatIshouldbeasking.
Nell
y-(shaki
ngherhead)don'
tdothat
,It
houghtwe
passthat"Idon'
ttal
kaboutmyfeeli
ngsstage"
,we
f
amil
ynow,wesi
ster
s.What'
swrong?I
sitShaka?I
f
i
thi
m,tel
lmewhathedid,
youknowMa'Siwel
a's
f
ooti
salway
sonstandby,
shewil
lki
ckhisbal
ls.
Zee-(l
aughs)Ibeli
evethat
..
..(si
l
ent).
...
.Li
ndi
wei
s
awol,myneighborjustcal
l
edme, l
ett
ingmeknow
thatmybrotherhasbeencrying.
Nell
y-dotheyhav
eacl
uemay
bewher
eshei
sor
mightbe?
Zee-(shakingherhead)( sniff
s)nooneknows.I tall
myf aultIkeepsendinghermoney ,youknowIj ust
sentherR5000, shetoldme, Thabohasat ri
pat
school soIdecidedtosendhermor emoney .Lit
tle
didIknowt hatshewoul dgetexci t
edaboutt he
amountandabandonmybr ot
her .I
'
mt hinki
ngof
dri
vingt her
etoday,event houghmam' Gladinsisted
thatIstayhere.Shewi l
ltakecar eofThabo, butshe
alr
eadyhas5ki dsthatsher aises,withonl yher
pensionmoneyandhergr andchildrengr antmoney .I
can'texpecthertotakecar eofmybr othertoo.Itwi l
l
betoomuchf orthepoorwoman.
Nel
l
y-(
hol
dingherhand)shei
sri
ght
,youcan'
treal
l
y
got here.(
Lookingather)tellyouwhat,whydon't
yougot oyourpract
ical,
wheny oudonefortheday
atschool ,
wecandr ivethere,ShakaandMbal ican
tagalongt oo.Iknowthosel oudmout hswil
lkeepus
entertai
ned.Whatdoy ousayaboutt hat?
Zee-ar
eyousure?Idon'
twantt
otr
oubl
eyou,
you
shoul
dberest
ing.
Nell
y-(smil
es)positiv
e.Pl
usItt
imeIknowt heli
ttl
e
guy.Hewillbestayingwit
husnextyear.Anddon't
worryaboutme.I'm wellr
est
ed.Besi
deIcoulddo
withsomef r
eshai r
.Nowchop,chop.Yourpract
ical
start
sin20mi nutes..
Zee-(
huggi
ngher
)Ngi
yabonga.
..

Theybr
eakof
fthehugandsmi
l
eatoneanot
her
..
..

ATSBANI&NTOMBIHOUSE.
..

MrTay
lor
-(t
aki
nghi
scopy
)Iguesst
hisi
sit
..
.
Jackson-(
looki
ngathi
scopy)ever
yonehappywith
every
thi
ng?(Looki
ngatbot
hNt ombi&Sbani).
..

Theybot hlookateachot hernotbr eakingey e

contact.Takingadeepbr eath,t
heyt urntoJackson
andbot hnodt hei
rheads.Ntombi wipesherf all
ing
tear
s,buti nsteadmor etearsfallout, Sbanil
ooksat
her,
dispiteev eryt
hing,hesti
llcaresabouther ,
thisis
thefir
stwomanwhomadehi m dad, whomadehi m
ahusband.Wi thallherwrongs, nothingcant ake
awayt hatshehasbeenagr eatmot hertotheir
daughterandagr eatwi f
etohim atsomest ageof
thei
rli
fet ogether.
..
.

Sbani
-(Looki
ngatthetwogent
lemen)cany
ouguy
s
pl
easegiveusspace.
..

Theynodandgat herthei
rbri
efcasesandbid
far
ewell.SbaniturnstoNtombi,shehasherhead
downandhershoul dersaremov i
ngupanddown,
i
ndicat
ingt hatsheiscryi
ng.Het akesadeepbreat
h
andmov escl
osertoher,hereluct ant
lypull
shis
armst or
eachforhershoulder
s, shel ooksupathi
m
andwherehishandsandar msar e,sheleans
towardshi
m andlaysherheadonhershoul der
sand
cri
esonhischest.Heholdshert ightl
yasshe
conti
nuestocryherheartout.
..
.

5mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Shecal
msher sel
fdown,sti
l
llai
donhischest
.They
st
ayinthatposi
ti
onforafewmi nut
es.
..

Ntombi-i
toverj
ustli
ket
hat,(
snif
fs)4year
sof
marri
ageand11y ear
sofknowingeachother
,gone
j
ustli
kethat
..
.
Sbani
-ourmarr
iageisoveryes,
butwesti
ll
very
muchineachother
'sli
ves.(
Mov i
ngherf
rom hi
s
chest
)
Nt
ombi
-(t
ear
y)Ist
il
ll
ovey
ou.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)
(wi
pingherf
all
i
ngt
ear
s)Iknow.
..
..
Ntombi-(
looki
ngathi
m)whatabouty
ou?Doy
ou
st
ill
lov
eme?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)don'
tdot
hat
..
..
Nt
ombi
-answerme,
..
.doy
ou?
Sbani
-..
..
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.Il
oveher
..
..
Ntombi-(swal
lowed)
(al
mostbr eat
hless)..
.w.
.why?
I
sn'tbecauseshecangiveyoubabies?..
.(l
ookingat
hi
m)Iknowshei spr
e..
..
pr.
..
pregnant.
..
Sbani -(shaki nghishead)wenotdi scussi ngher .
...
(holdingherhands)I '
vet al
kedtoacont actofmi ne,
heiswi lli
ngt ofundy ou.Youj ustneedt odr awupa
goodbusi nessplan, whichIcanhel py ouwi t
h.
(Smi les)y oucanhav eyourownpr acticebyt heend
ofthi sy earandi tcanbeasupandr unningear ly
nexty ear.Ifthereisany onethatcandoi t,that
personi sy ou.Pleasetaket hi
soppor t
unity,Ican
providef orourdaught erandy oubuty ourfami l
y
sti
ll
shasy ouast hei
rbreadwi nner.Youst i
llpaying
fory oursi sterseducation,yourfather'streatment .
Yourr eti
rementset t
lementcanonl yt akey out oa
certainext ent.
Ntombi-(
tear
y)okay.
..Ihav
eafewideasofwhatI
want.(
Snif
fs)ihav
ethem onpaper
..
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)t
hatmygirl
..
..
.Youcandoit
,thi
s
keptNt
ombi i
sforei
gntome.You'r
eyourown
woman, t
heNtombiIknowanswerstonobody.She
i
sherownboss.
Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)whenar
ewet
ell
i
ngourdaught
er?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)wecant
ell
hert
odaywhenshecome
backf
rom school
.
Ntombi-uhmm wecanpickherupatschool
t
ogetherandtel
lher
.whydon'ty
ousleepher
e
t
onight
, wecanhavedi
nnerasafamil
yonelastt
ime.
Sbani
-westi
l
lafamil
y.Wewil
lal
waysbeaf
ami
l
y.
(St
andi
ngup)Ineedt
ogett
owork..
.

Shestandsupandhol
dshi
sar
m,hest
opsandt
urns
toher
..

Ntombi
-(t
akesadeepbreat
h)wi
l
lyou.
..Wi
ll
you
ev
erfor
givemefor
..
..
.Youknow(l
ooki
ngdown)
Sbani
-(cl
enchedhi
steet
h).
..
..
.Idon'
twantt
othi
nk
aboutt
hatri
ghtnow.

Hemovedclosert
oher,ki
ssesherf
oreheadand
movesbackfr
om her
..
.

Sbani
-Iwil
lpi
ckyouupl
aterwhenwegot
ofet
ch
ourdaught
er.
..

Hewal ksoutt hehouse.Shehear shiscardr i

v eout
they ard.Shet akesaseatandwi peshert ears.She
cannotbel i
evehermar ri
agei sover.Shetakesher
phoneandgoesonFacebook,sher emember st he
i
nboxmessageshesent , herheartsstar
tsbeat ing
fast.Whydi dshedot hat?Howcanshebet hat
heartless,yesshei shurti
ngbutsheshoul dn'thav e
saidt hosehur tf
ulthi
ngs.Sher egretsiti
nstant l
y.She
hasn'tr espondedtot heinboxandSbani didn'tsay
anythingaboutt oher,pr
obabl yshehasnoty etr ead
themessage.Shet akesherphoneanddi alsher
sist
er ..
.
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Nont
o-dadewet
hu(
mysi
ster
)
Ntombi-(pani
cki
ng)Idi
dsomet hingstupi
d,ohmy
God,whydi dIl
etmyemot i
onscont r
olme.I'
m nota
badperson,whydidIactsoinsensi
tiv
e..
Nont
o-si
sibr
eathe.
..Youscar
ingmenow.Wenzeni
?
(
Whatdidyoudo?)
Ntombi-(
takesadeepbreat
h)Idi
dsomet
hingst
upi
d,
nowIregreti
tsobad.
..
Nont
o-i
sitt
hatbad?Cani
tbef
ixed?
Nt
ombi-Idon'
tknow,I'
m notsosure.OhmyGod!
!!I
wi
llt
ell
him,Iwi
llSbani
,j
eahIwil
ltellhi
m..
.
Nonto-(
conf
used)what
?Nt
ombi
younotmaki
ng
sense.
..
Nt
ombi
-Ihav
etogo.
..By
e..
Shehangsup.
..
.

ATTHEKENNEDYRESI
DENCE.
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-Robhasadaught
er.
..
Nancy-(
eyesout
)wher
e?Wi
thwho?Whatar
eyou
sayi
ng?
MaSiwel
a-(t
ear
y)It
hinkwhenher
apedLi
ndi
we,
she
gotpr
egnant
.
Nancy-(t
ear
y)ohmyGod!
!!
..
.yourbr
otherhasa
daughter
.
MaSiwel
a-(
tear
y)yes,
shelookssomuchli
keme,
shehasRob'
seyestooandhisbi
rt
hmark.
Nancy
:sheneverter
minat
edt
hepr
egnancy
.Butshe
sai
dsheter
minated.
MaSi
wel
a-Iguessnot
..
.
Nancy
-(looki
ngather
)howareyoufeeli
ng?Iknow
t
hismighthavebr
oughtbacksomepainful
memories?
MaSiwela-(
tear
y)I
'
m okayguess.
..
.Ihaven'
tbeen
t
hinki
ngabouttherapes.Thel
essIt
hinkaboutthem
t
hebetter.
..

Unedi
ted.
..
[
11/
3,20:
51]Mar
cia:
Inser
t60

ATZULU&SONSCO

MrZul
u-Howdi
dthemeet
ingwi
tht
heNi
ger
iansgo?
Sbani-al
lsetbaba,wegoodtogo.I
'mj
ust
concernedthatwhentheti
mescomesandweneed
toheadt oLagosNell
ywil
lbeheavi
l
ypr
egnant
.
MrZulu-It
houghtaboutthat.I
'm sur
eshecanwork
somethi
ngout.Thi
sisherf i
rstbi
gclient
.Wecan'
t
taket
hatawayfrom her
.Letherhandl ei
t.
Sbani-Ij
ustthinki
twouldbetomuchwor kforher
.
Knowinghershewi ll
putworkfi
rstandourchi
ld
second.Ican'thav
ethat.
MrZulu-wellyouli
kethem dr
ivenandambi t
ious,
so
dealwit
hit.(
Lookingathim)don'tbabyhertomuch,
youdidthatwithNtombi,
lookathowr ebel
li
ousshe
tur
nedout.
Sbani-(
sighs)Ntombi i
sn'tr
ebell
ious,shej
usttoo
opini
onated,shejustneedstolearnthatnot
every
thi
ngneedsar eacti
onandsomet i
mesitokay
toshutup.
MrZulu-Doyousti
ll
loveher?I'
m aski
ngyou
becauseIdon'
twantyouregret
ti
ngthedeci
si
ony
ou
made.
Sbani
-Iwi
l
lalwaysl
oveherDad.Butnotenought
o
bewit
hherli
kethat
.Toomuchhashappened.
MrZulu-areyousurej
umpingi
ntoarel
ati
onshi
pjust
af
terdiv
orcingyourwi
fei
sagoodstep.
Sbani-(l
aughs)itali
ttl
et olateforthatnowisit.We
alr
eadyexpectingourfirstchil
dt ogether
.Butto
answery ourquesti
on,Iam v erysureaboutour
rel
ationshi
p,Il
ov eher,
Iwantt oloveherri
ght.
May beIdidn'
tloveNtombi r i
ght,may bet
hatwhy
she..
.(Hestoppedhi mselffrom tell
inghi
sfather)
..
.
MrZul
u-shewhat
?
Sbani-Ij
ustwanttodot hi
ngsri
ghtthisti
me.Iregr
et
thewayIwentaboutt hi
ngs.Lookingati
tnow, I
shouldhavewaitedti
llmymar r
iageendedbeforeI
persuedNell
y.Butwhat'sdoneisdone.Iasked
Jacobstomeetwi thNtombi,heistheri
ghtperson
tofundherbusiness.
MrZul
u-Iheary
ouson.Don'
tmessi
tupt
hist
ime.
Hav
eyoutoldNtombi
yet?
Sbani-yeah.Iwi
llbehel
pingherwithherbusi
ness
pl
an.(Smi l
es)shewil
ldogreatthough.Shehasthe
potenti
al.
MrZulu-(
smiles)shewill
.I'
m happythatshegoi
ng
tobeupherfeetagain.Sheistooyoungtolet
her
sel
fgol i
kethat.
Sbani
-wet
ell
i
ngNomat
oday
.
MrZulu-(si
ghs)shei
ssti
ll
young.Shewon't
under
stand.Youtwowil
lhavetokeepexpl
aini
ngi
t
toher
.
Sbani
-Iknow.
..
.
Aknockcomesf
rom t
hedoor
..
.

Theybothlookatt
hedoor,
thedooropens,
Nel
l
y
walksi
nsidetheof
fi
ce.
..

Nel
l
y-sani
bonani
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
es)nt
okazi
kaThabekhul
u.

MrZul
ust
andsup.
..
..

MrZul
u-l
etmel
eav
eyouki
ds.Ihav
elunchdat
ewi
th
mywif
e.
Sbani
-gr
eetmamaf
orme.
MrZulu-youcomehav esupperwit
husdur i
ngthi
s
week.Shewi l
lbehappytoseeyou.(Looki
ngatNell
y)
Ma'Thabekhul
u,itgoodt
oseey ou.
Hewal ksouttheoff
ice,shut
ti
ngthedoor.Sbani
standsandgoest othedoor,l
ocksitandturnsto
Nelly,
hepicksherupandswi ngsheraround.She
screamsal i
tt
leandlaughs,ashekissesherall
over..
.

Nel
l
y-(
laughs,
put
ti
ngherar
msar
oundhi
sneck)put
medown.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)no.

Hewal kswit
hherandmakeshersi
tonhisoff
ice
desk.Hestandsbet
weenherl
egsandplaceshis
handsonherwaist.
..

Sbani
-(ki
ssi
ngher
)thi
sisani
cesur
pri
se.
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)i
justwant
edtoseemyman.(
Kissi
ng
hi
m)feel
sgoodtosaythat,
"myman"mi
ne'
salone.
Sbani
-(smi
les)y
oursbabe.(
Touchi
ngherexposed
ti
ghs)howaboutyoushowyourman,j
usthowmuch
youmisshi
m.
Hef renchki
ssesher ,ashi shandbr ushov erher
exposedt i
ghs.Shewaswear i
ngashor tyell
ow
bubbl esummerdr ess.Hecont inuest obrushher
ti
ghsupanddown, sendingchill
sdownherspi ne,
as
themoment um ofwant i
ngmor eofhist ouches,
mor eofhim buil
dsup.Theycont inuet okiss,her
handsr unupanddownhi shardt orso.Herhands
traveldown,itmakesi nstantcontactwi t
hhi srock
hardmember .Hishandssear chf orherdress
zipper..
.

Nel
ly-(
breat
hingheav
il
y)babeIhav
esomewher
eto
be.
..
Sbani
-(t
alkswhi
l
esucki
ngonherl
i
ps)Iwi
l
lbequi
ck
babe.
.

Inaninstantshefi
ndsherdressont hefl
oor.He
l
ooksathernakedbodyt raceshisfi
ngeronher
body,l
ikeawol fpl
anni
ngitattackandatiger
stal
ki
ngitpr ey
,shedoesn'
treachforhim,shesi
ts
ont hedesk, wantingandt hrobbing.Hislust
fuleyes
holdsherasst ill
asanyr opeev ercoul
d.Het akesoff
hisblaser,hi
st orsomat cheshi sarms,underhis
whiteshi r
t,y
oucanseehi shardmuscl esunder
vulnerablefl
esh,v ul
nerableforher.Hepushes
himsel fcl
osertoher ,makingherf eelexactl
ywhat
shehasdonet ohi m,hiser ect
ionpressesagainst
herstomach.

Shegaspsasshef eelshi sfi

nger
sinsideher.Fir
st
one,thentwo.Hepl ayswi thherst
rokingand
probingassheshi v
er sagainsthi
m.Shei sunder
stri
ctinstr
ucti
onnott omakesasi nglesound.She
tr
iestounbucklehisbel tsandpants,wit
hher
shakinghands,shef eelsherbodyont heedget o
come.Ri ghthereonhi sdesk,wit
hhisf i
nger
si nsi
de
her.
..

Heconti
nuestocaressher,shewrapsherarms
ar
oundhisneckanddigsherf i
ngernai
l
sinasshe
si
l
entl
ycriesout
.Sheexplodesandcont r
actar
ound
hisfingers.Shebr eat hesin,hewat chesherfaceof
pleasureanssmi lest ohimsel f
.Thesi l
entofthe
room addst othei ntensit
y.Onemor econtradicti
on,
shef eel
sv ulnerableandcour ageous,shefinally
managest ounbuckl ehisbel t
sandpant s.Hel owers
hisCKbr i
efsandhi shar ddickshotsdirect
lyather
nowi thert urntoadmi reandst ar
e.Hei sbeaut i
ful
,
big,perfectandi mpr essive.Withthetipofher
fi
nger s,sheexplor esev eryridgeofhiscock, until
shemakesi tuptot het i
p...

Sbani
-(gr
oans)
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
stops)nosoundr
ememberbabe.
..

Sheholdshi
shardcockst
il
landrunshert
ongue
aroundhi
searl
opeandwhisper
stohim..
.

Nel
l
y-(
breat
hingheav
il
y)Fuckme.
..

Hel
i
ftsherupt
heai
r,shewr
apsherl
egsar
oundhi
s
wai
st,
shecri
esoutali
ttl
easshef
eel
shi
m pushi
ng
i
nsi
deher,
againandagain.
.

Nel
l
y-aaahhh.
...

Shecanf eelherselfopeni ngupf orhi m, shef eels

hersel fget ti
ngwet t
erandwet terf orhim, apr imal
reactiont othiswel comedi ntrusi on.Shef eels
ever ything.Hei sf i
lli
ngherhar d, pulsingand
uny i
el dingener gy.Hecr ashest hr oughal l her
suppr esseddesi res,thosedesi resbur stingt hrough
herwi thasav agef orce,y ouwoul dexpectf rom any
j
ailbreak.Ashecont inuest ohol dherup, shebends
herheadandsof t
lysucksonhi sneck, hewal kswith
hert ot hecouch.Herhi psnev erl eav ehi s.Shei ssti
l
l
embr acinghi m wit hherl egs, pullinghi mt oher.
Ever yi nchofhi m hol dsitspl acei nsideherwal lsas
hel ower sheront oherback, thesof tnessoft he
couchaddsagent lenessasshescr atchesuphi s
skin.Hi shandsonherbr east, theymov et otheir
ownr hy thm, onet hatisasr ousi ngasany thingthey
everhear dfrom asummer sdaysy mphony .Each
thrustbringsthem t
oanewl evelofecstasy,asi
f
theirheroinehasreachedanewl evelofi
nnocence.
Butt hi
sinnocencedoesn'tfeelinnocent,i
tfeel
s
fuckingamazi ng,i
tfeel
sli
ket heybothcomi ngali
ve,
thebi r
thofanewbor nbaby.

Shef eel
shisshoul dertenseunderhergr asp.He
pinsherarmsov erherhead.Phy sical
lyconstr
aini
ng
her,whenherecst asycan'tbehel dbackatal l
.She
thrashesherheadf rom si
det osideandbucksher
hipsfoward,forcinghim ev endeeperi nsi
deher.He
groansandpushesf ast
erandhar der,asthei
r
crescendomov est hem cl
osert oadi zzyi
ngcli
max.
Shecr i
esoutonemor etime, astheybot hcome
togetherri
ghttheironhi sof f
icecouch. .
..

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Nel
ly
-(f
ixi
ngherdressandhair
)Ihav
etogopastmy
pl
aceandchange.I
'm sweat
yandIsmel
ll
ikesex.Or
andy
ourcol
ognei
sal
lov
ermybody
.
Sbani-(
standsbehi ndhuggi
ngher)(
kissesher
cheek)thatisn'tsuchabadsmell
.Everyonewi
ll
knowy ou'r
et aken.
Nell
y-(movesawayf
rom him)(
fi
xesherdressagai
n)
t
akesherphoneandlooksattheti
me.Ihave20
minutest
odrivet
omypl aceandtakequi
ckshower.
Sbani-(
looki
ngatherdress)Il
oveyourdr
essbuti
t
tooshortbabe.Youcan'
twalkaroundwit
hthat
dress.
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)mydr
essi
sjustf
ine.Cany
ou
gi
veMbal
ither
estoft
heaf
ter
noonof
f?Pl
easebabe.
Sbani
-(r
aisi
nghi
sey
ebr
ow)andwhywoul
dIdot
hat
?
Nell
y-wedri
vi
ngtoMpangeni
,soIwanthert
o
accompanyus.Makei
tli
keashor
troadtr
ip.
Sbani
-wheny
ousaywe,
whoexact
lyi
swe?
Nel
l
y-me,
ZenandeandShaka.
Sbani
-(f
rowns)whatwi
l
lyoubedoi
ngt
her
e?
Nel
l
y-(
gat
her
sherhandbag)Ican'
ttel
lyounow.But
Ipr
omiset
otel
lyouwhenwecomeback.Nowwi
l
l
yougi
veMbal
itherestoft
heaf
ter
noonof
f?
Sbani
-whosaidyougoing?Youshoul
dberest
ing.
AndIdon'
tl
ikethi
slongdist
ancedri
vi
ng.
Nel
l
y-Iwon'
tbedr
ivi
ng,
Shakai
s.
Sbani
-NO.
.
Nel
ly-excuseme?Iwasn'
treal
l
yaski
ngf
or
per
mi ssi
on.

Shet
akesherbagannoyedbyhi
m.Shewasaboutt
o
wal
koutthedoorwhenhespoke.
..

Sbani-wellsi
ncewedroppingbombs.I
'
m spendi
ng
thenightatmyhousewithNt ombi
andNoma
toni
ght.Wet el
li
ngNomat oday.
Nel
ly
-(tur
nstohi
m)(
frowns)whydoy
ouhav
eto
sl
eepther
e?
Sbani
-Ntombi t
hinksweshoul
dhav
edi
nnerasa
famil
yonelastti
me.
Nel
l
y-andy
ouagr
eed?Whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
me?
Sbani
-(annoyed)whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lme
aboutyoursuddentr
ip?
Nel
l
y-(
angr
y)FI
NE.GOHAVEDI
NNERWI
THHER.
..
Sbani
-wel
lIwasn'
taski
ngf
orper
missi
on.

Sheangr
il
ywal
ksoutandbangshi
sof
fi
cedoor
.

Att
her
ecept
ionar
ea.
..

Nel
l
y-packyourst
aff,
Ihav
etost
artatmypl
aceand
t
akeaquickshower.
Mbal
i
-(wi
ngli
ngherey
ebr
ows)
youandbossmangot
i
tonhuh?
!!
Nell
y-youwillf
indmeatmypl
ace.Youwi
l
lleav
e
yourcarther
e.
Withthatsai
d,shewalkstotheel
evator.Mbal
il
ooks
atherdumbfolded."
Okayshedoesn'tlookt
ohappy
forsomeonewhoj ustgotsomeD"..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Room T3.
..

Lungi
ey-doesNel
l
yknowI
'
vegi
venbi
rt
h..
Nhl
anhl
a-(
rocki
ngt
hei
rdaught
er)Idon'
tknowbabe.
Lungi
ey-(
sad)shei
sst
il
langr
yisn'
tshe?
Nhlanhla-don'tst
ressaboutherbabe.Youshoul dbe
happy .Wehav eabeaut i
fulbabyrighthere.You
shouldbest r
essingabouther ,notmysi ster.Nel
l
y
i
sn'tthatperf
ectIdon' tknowwhyshest i
llholda
grudgeov eryou.Nxi!
!!Justforgetabouther .
Lungiey-youdon'tgeti
tdoyou?Thi
sai
n'
taboutus,
andwhatwedi d.Thisi
saboutmeandwhatIdi
dto
her.Pleasetal
ktoherforme..
.
Nhl
anhl
a-(
sighs)okay
..
.

I
NSI
DESBANI
'
SCAR.
..
.

Ntombi-i
touri
ce-
cream pl
aydatetoday.SoIwas
t
hinki
ngmay beweshouldgothethreeofus.
Sbani
-yeah,
it'
sfi
ne.(
Looksathi
sphone.
)
Ntombi-(
looksathim)arey
ouokay
?Ify
oudon'
tfeel
l
ikei
t,wedon'thavetoo.
Sbani
-(swit
chesoffhi
sphone)(smil
es)I'
mfine.I
can'
tbeli
eveIwil
lbeeati
ngi
ce-cream t
oday.
Ntombi-(
laughs)Iknowy ouhateit
.Buty
our
daught
erdoesn'tcare,
braceyoursel
f.

Theyconver
sewitheachot
herastheydr
ivet
othei
r
daughter
sschool
.Fewminutesl
atert
heypar
katthe
pi
ckingupsport
..
.
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)shewon'
tcomer
unni
ngt
oday
whensheseesyourcar
.
Sbani
-Iseeshest
il
lremember
sthel
osi
nghert
eet
h
st
ory.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)al
way
s.Youscar
edher
.

Thebellr
ings,
thedoorsopensandki dscome
rushi
ngout.Nomacomesout ,hugsherfri
endsand
l
ooksaroundsearchingforhermom' scar.Inst
ead
sheseesherdad'scarandexcitedl
yrunst owardsi
t.
Sbaniget
soutthecarandmeet sherhalfway
picki
ngupandt hr
owherupt heair.
..

Noma-(
scr
eams/
giggl
i
ng)daaaaadddd
Sbani
-(ki
ssi
ngher
)hel
l
opr
incess.

Ntombiwatchesthetwooft hem wi
thasmi l
e.A
smallt
earescapeshereyes.Shequickl
ywipesit
away.Theywalktothecar,heopensthebackdoor
forher
.Hebucklesherupandwal kstohisseat
..
.
Noma-(
smi
l
ing)mommy
..
.
Nt
ombi
-(l
ooki
ngatt
heback)(
smi
l
es)hel
l
obaby
.
Noma-Dadwhendi
dyougetbackf
rom t
he
busi
nesst
ri
p?

Sbanil
ooksatNtombi
,shenods,
het
urnsbackt
o
herandsmil
e..
.

Sbani
-todaybaby
.Imi
ssedy
ou.
Noma-Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
Ntombi-(
smi
l
es)wegoi
ngt
oice-
cream dat
ewi
th
daddy
.
Noma-(exci
tedl
y)yyeeeeyyy!
!!DaddyIwant
chocol
ate,
bubblegum,blueberr
y,car
imil
one.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)i
tcar
amel
baby
..
Nt
ombi
-(pl
ayf
ull
yhi
tshi
m)l
eav
emybabyal
one.
..
[
11/
3,20:
54]Mar
cia:
Inser
t61
ATMI
TCHELLPARK.
..
.

Str
oll
ingdownt hepark,whil
etheirdaughteri
s
i
nbetweenthem.Hol di
ngbot htheirhands,ev
ery
nowandt hentheywoul dl
if
therupandswi ngher.
Shewast el
li
ngherpar ent
sallt
hest ori
esthat
happenatschool..
.

Noma-sowhatwi
l
lyouchooseDad?
Sbani
-huh?!Uhmmm (l
ooksatNt
ombi
)whatwas
thequest
ionagai
npr
incess?
Noma-(
frowns)younotl
i
steni
ngagai
n.Mommy
whatwi
l
ly ouchoose?
Nt
ombi-(smi
l
es)ummm Iwoul
dchooset
obe
Ci
nder
ell
ababy.
Noma-(
disgust
ed)eweeeee!
!!Thany
ouwi
l
lhav
eto
ki
ssaboymommy .
Sbani
-(l
aughs)whot
oldy
out
hat
?
Noma-Isawi
tont
vdad.Ci
nder
ell
aki
ssest
he
Pr
ince.
Ntombi-(
laughs)yesbabe.ThatbecauseCi
nder
ell
a
l
ovesthePr i
nce.
Noma-buty
oul
ovedad.
Sbani
-(pi
ckingherupandt
ickl
i
ngher
)howabout
thati
ce-
cream nowyoungl
ady.
Noma-(
giggl
i
ng)Yy
eeeeey
!!
!!
!

Hepl
acesheronhisshoulder
sandtheymaket
hei
r
wayt
otheice-
cream man.Ntombif
oll
owsbehi
nd
t
hem..
.

Sbani-(
placesherdown)
whi
chonedoy
ouwant
pri
ncess?
Noma-(st
andsonhertoes,
peeki
nginsi
de)
uhmmmmm, Iwantt
hechocol
ate,
cari
mil,
blueber
ry
andbubbl
egum.
Man-(
smi
l
es)y
ouhav
etopi
ckonef
lav
our
.
Noma-
(pout
slooki
ngatherdad)Iwantal
loft
hem.
.
Sbani-(
sighs)canyouputonescoopofal
lthe
fl
avoursshewant spl
ease.
Man-t
hatwi
l
lcosty
ou.
Sbani
-nopr
obl
em,
(looki
ngatNt
ombi
)whatar
eyou
havi
ng?
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)v
ani
l
laandbl
ueber
rypl
ease.
Man-t
hatwi
l
lbeR85.

Hehandst
hemanaR100not
e..
.

Sbani
-keept
hechange.(
Giv
ingNomaheri
cecr
eam)
don'
tmessyour
sel
f.
Noma-thesear
emyP. Ecl
othesdaddy(
li
cki
ngher
i
ce-
cream fr
om t
hespoon).
.
Nt
ombi
-so,
theyst
il
lyourschool
clot
hes.
Noma-(
rol
l
sey
es)Ihav
emanyP.
Ecl
othesmommy
.
Withthatsaidshewal kstot
hebirds.Sbani and
Ntombi wal
ktoabenchnotf arfr
om wher eNomai s.
Theyt akeaseat,l
eavingasmalldistancebetween
thetwooft hem astheywatchtheirdaughtereather
i
ce-cream andplaywiththebir
ds..
..

Ntombi-t
hankyouf
orcomi
ng,Iknowourdaught
er
i
sv er
yhappytohav
eyouher
e.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)I
'
m gl
adIcame.

Heswitcheshi
sphoneonandstil
lther
ear
eno
messagesorcall
from Nel
l
y,hesi
ghsandlockshi
s
phone.
..
.

Nt
ombi
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)(
swal
l
ows)y
oucancal
lher
..
Sbani
-(r
aisi
nghi
sey
ebr
ows)sor
rywhat
?
Ntombi-youcancal
lher
,youhavebeenchecki
ng
yourphoneever
ynowandt han.Cal
lher
.
Sbani
-noi
tfi
ne.
..
Ntombi
-Haveyou.
..
.(t
akesadeepbr
eat
he)hav
eyou
t
oldherabouty
ourcondi
ti
on?
Sbani
-Idon'
thav
eacondi
ti
on.
Ntombi-youhavetotel
lherSbani
,youknowy
ou
easi
lygetangr
yandsomet imesyouare
uncontr
oll
abl
e,atl
eastwhensheknows..
.
Sbani-cany ouj
uststop,Idon'
treal
lywantt
o
di
scusst hatri
ghtnow.Asf arasIknowwenev er
hadthatconv er
sati
on,you,mybr ot
herandpar
ents
neverli
edt omeaboutany thi
ng.
Ntombi -ohmyGod! !!...
.Ithoughmay beyoutr
ying
toforgiveandputitbehindy ou,butwhaty ou
actuall
ydoingisbottli
ngi ti
nsideandpr et
endi
ng
thatnothinghappened.Iwasconf usedast owhy
haven'tyouconfrontedy ourparentsbutnowIgeti t
,
youindenialaboutthis.Thatdanger ous,y
oucan't.
..
Sbani-(annoy
ed)cany oujustSTOP...Canyoujust
shutupandst opwithpsychoanal y
singme.I'
m not
oneofy ourpati
ent
s.May bethatwhywedr i
ft
ed
apart
, maybethatwhywecoul dn'twork.Mostofthe
ti
mesIwasy ourpat
ientthanIwasy ourhusband
andyouwer
emoreofadoct ort
omet hanmyWI FE.
THETIMESWEREINEEDEDMYWI FEALLIGOT
WASDRNTOMBIZULU.Doy ouknowwhatgoi ng
thr
oughmymindri
ghtnow,noyoudon't
,sojust
STOPIT,
FUCKINGSTOP!!
!
Nt
ombi
-(t
ear
y)I
'
m sor
ryIj
ustwant
ed.
..
Sbani -(angry)youwant edtowhat ??Youhadt ojust
rui
nev eryt
hingwi t
hy ourmout h.Doyouknowhow
hardi tistositherenextt oyouandnoti maginemy
brotherhav inghiswaywi thy ou,doyounohowhar d
i
tist hatIconst antl
yquest i
onifwereweev er
marr i
edorwasi tj
ustyouhel pi
ngmekeepsane.Yet
hereIam, tr
y i
ngnott olashoutoutony ou,thi
swas
supposet obeapeacef uldaywi t
hmyf amil
y,butas
alway s,Ntombi Zuluhadt oruinitwit
hhermout h.
Ntombi
-(wi
peshert
ear
s)ICAREABOUTYOUALOT
ANDILOVEYOUANDI '
M SORRY.
..
Sbani
-DON'
TNTOMBI
!!
!!ai
n'
tyouhear
ingme.
..
Ntombi -ify
oudon'twantt
odoi tformeoryoursel
f,
thanplease,doitf
orourdaughter
, y
ourunbor
n
chil
d..
..(swall
owedalump)..
.do..
doitf
orher.
..
Sbani gotupanswal kedt othei
rdaught er
,she
wat chedasheandt heirdaughterfedt hebi r ds.
Tear sr andownhercheeks.Sher eall
ycan' tsayhei s
wr ong.Shedi dt r
yandt r
ickhimt other apysessi on
withher .Hewoul dalway sinthemi ddleoft heir
conv ersationsreali
set hat,hewasn'tj usthav inga
conv ersationwithhiswi febutshehadt ri
ckedhi m
i
nt other apy.Theywoul dar guebuthewoul dal ways
bounceback.Shewant edt oknowwhatwas
happeni nginhisnightmar esbutshej ustcoul dnev er
makehi m openupt oher .Heonlythoughtshedi d
thatjustf orhimt oopenupaboutwhatgoesonhi s
sleep, butnowheknowssheal sodi dthatj ustsohi s
emot ionswi llnotspiraloutofcontrol.Af t
erf ew
mi nutest heywalkbackt oher..
.

Sbani
-let
'sgo,
thesuni
sset
ti
ngnow.
..
Nt
ombi
-okay
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELA'
SHOUSE.
..
Shehadabottl
eofJackDaniel
s,shewashalfway
thr
oughi
t.Shelookedatherbr
other
spi
ctur
eagain.
..
.

Ma'Siwela-(
cryi
ng)why??
??.
..
..why???.
..Il
ovedy
ou,
youwer emybr ot
her.Howcouldyoudot hatt
o
me....
(scr
eaming)HOW COULDYOU? ??YOURAPED
ME, YOUTOREMEAPART.WHY! !!
!!
..
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Donparkedhi
scar,hegotoutthecar
,Tobi
came
runni
ngtohi
m,wingli
nghistai
l
...
.

Don-(
brushi
nghishead)heyy
oubi
gguy
,youst
il
l
rememberme..
.

Afterafewminutesofpl
ayi
ngwit
hTobi,hewal
ks
towardsthedoorandfi
ndsi
topen.Thatwas
str
ange.Heent eredt hehouseandhear dshouting
comi ngf rom upst ai
rs,hequi ckl
yf ol
lowedt he
screami ngandst oppedont hedoort oMaSi wela'
s
room, hewasshockedt oseeheri nthatstate,she
waswear ingherwhi tesi
lkgown.Shehadherhai r
ti
edi ntoamessybun.Shel ookedl i
keshej ustcome
outoft heshower .Ifitwasanyot herday ,t
hesi ght
i
nfrontofhi m willhavehim want ingtodot hingst o
her.Butr ightnowhehast ost opher,thewayshe
wasscr eamingandpoki ngt hatpicturewi t
ht he
scissors,onewr ongmov e,shewi llhurtherself
.He
quicklywentt oherandhel dherwr i
sts.
..

Don-St
op.
..
MaSiwel
a-(cry
ing)why..
..
..
hewasmybr
other
..
..12
year
s,12fucki
ngy ear
s..
..
.
Don-Iknowbabe,Iknow.ButIneedyoutodr
opt
he
sci
ssorsont
hefloorokay.
..
lookatme..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksathi
m)
Henodsather ,shedropsthescissors,hetakesher
tohi
sarms, shecriesheavi
lyonhischest,her
pai
nful
criescutdeep.Thisisonewomanhehas
l
ovedallhisli
feandwoul dneverstoplovi
ngher .He
hol
dshert i
ghtl
y.

Aft
er5mi nutes,herloudcri
esst op,shesi
l
entl
ycri
es
onhischest.Heki ssesherf
or ehead.Shemoves
awayfrom herforeheadandt akethebottl
eofJack
Dani
el'
s..
.

Don-(
stopsherf
rom dr
inki
ng)y
oudon'
thav
etodo
thi
sbabe.
MaSi
wel
a-(sni
ff
s)areyougoingt
odr
inkwi
thmeor
ar
eyougoi
ngtositandwatch?
Don-Iwon'
tl
ety
ou.
..
MaSiwela-(
cry
ing)Ij
ustwantt
ofor
get
,Ij
ustwantt
o
f
orget.
Don-(
taki
ngadeepbr
eat
h)okay
.
Hetakesthebot
tl
efr
om heranddri
nksfr
om it
,he
gul
psitatonegoandthanst
opaft
erfewminutes.
..

Don-y
ouwantt
ofor
get
,letmehel
pyou.

Hepl acest hebot t

leont hesideandki ckshisshoes
outhisf eet.Heget sont hebedandwr apshisri
ght
handar oundherwai st,helaysherf latont hebed
andst aredirectl
yatherey es.Hel ower shisbody
towardsherandhi slipsfi
ndher .Hesucksonher
l
ipsandst ops,helooksather ,sheki sseshim back
slowly.Hest opski ssi
ngherandt akesasmal l i
ce
cubef rom theglassont heside,whi chhadsome
whiskeyoni t
.Heusesi ttotraceapat halongher
exposedneckl i
neofhergown.Ast hecool ,wet
surfacet oucheshebr east,shef eelsherni ppl
es
harden, begginghimt ogof urther,her espondsby
tasti
ngt hehintscont entofwhi skeyonherski n,
l
ightski ssesfil
l
edwi t
hheat .Hishandsnowonher
hips,shei sbreathing,str
ugglingasshet r
iestokeep
stil
l
...
Don-hei
snev
ergoi
ngt
ohur
tyouagai
n..
..

Hedi
pshi
sfinger
stot
hewhi
skeygl
assagain,t
his
t
imehepl
acesthemel
ti
nggl
assonhert
ighs..
.

MaSi
wel
a-Aaaaahhhh.
..

Herbodyandhermi ndar enol ongerconnect ed,she

feel
sherl egspar t,onlysli
ghtlyatfir
stbutashe
slowlypusheshergownup, sheencour ageshi m
withincreasedaccess.Agai nhel owershi smout ht o
thewhi skeytrai
lsonherski nandshewat chesashe
foll
owsi tupherl egs.Wi thsuddendeci si
v emoment ,
heunt ieshergownsknot ,hi
smout hmov eshi gher
andhi gher.Herpant iesaretheonl ythi
ngnow
standinginhisway .Her emov esonehandf rom her
waistandst rokest hesilkyfabric,t
hroughherl i
ds
sheseeshersmi le, heknowswhathei sthinking, t
he
sil
kfabr i
cofherpant yiswet .Anotherinvit
ationt hat
shehasnocontrol
over.Hisfi
nger
shooksaround
thewaist
bandofherpanti
es.Hestopsandl
ooksat
her.
..

MaSi
wel
a-t
aket
hem of
f.
..

Thepant yi sri
ppedf rom her,andbef oreshef ull
y
compr ehendswhatgoi ngon, shefeelsasl i
ghtsting
ofwhi skeyagainsthercl i
t,followedbyt heshocking
warmt hofaki sst here,
aki ssdel i
veredt ohervery
core.Hismout htickl
esandt eases,shemoansand
groans.Shef eelshisfi
nger sgent l
ytouchherashe
continuet oli
ckandt aste.Firstslowly,thanthereis
afirmerpr essure,afasterspeed.Hi st onguedances
overev erynerveending.Shewhi mperedand
l
ower edherheadbackast heor gasm comef astand
hard.

MaSi
wel
a-aaahhhhh.
..
.
ATSBANI
'
SANDNTOMBI
'
SHOUSE.
..
.

Theygoti nsidethehousewi t
hNomaasl eepon
Sbani'sshoulders.Theywalkupst air
s,Ntombi goes
towhatusedt obet heirr
oom nowherr oom.Sbani
takestheirdaughtert oherroom.Af t
eraf ew
mi nut
esoft uckinghisdaught er
.Hewal kstowhat
usedt obehi sroom wi t
hNtombi hefi
ndsNt ombi
nakedst andinglookingatthedoor .Hestopsonhi s
tracksandlooksather .
..

Ntombi-Iwantyoutopuni
shme, Iwantyoutoteach
meav ery,ver
yhardl
esson.(Takestheleat
herbelt
f
rom thebed)whipme,strangleme,ti
eme, doall
t
hatyouwi sh,mybodyisyours,t
akeoutallyour
f
rustr
ati
ononme.Mar kme. ..
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)Shutup.
..
Ntombi-(
smi l
es)comeonbabe, Iknowyouwantt o,
havemef acethewallasyourdi
ckr av
agesmy
butt
hol
e,biteme,havemet ast
emyownbl ood.Pull
myhairsobadt hatIst
artt
oscream ofpain,t
ake
mebabe,t
akemenow.Iknowmyscr
eamsandcr
ies
wi
l
lexci
teyou.Takeme.
..
Sbani
-(shaki
nghi
shead)no.
..j
ustshutup.
.SHUT
UP..
.
Ntombi-(
touchesherl
eftbr
east
)comeon,
Iknow
youwantto,Iknowthedevi
liny
ouwant
sto..
.come
babe,
Mar kme...
[
11/
3,20:
54]Mar
cia:
Inser
t62

Helookedather
,heknewexact
lywhatshewas
t
ryi
ngtodo..
.

Sbani
-(shaki
nghi
shead)I
'
mleav
ing.
..
.

Shequi cklymovedtowar dshim andcrashedherlips

ontohi s.Atfi
rsthedidntrespondt oherki
ssesbut
whenherhandst rav
eleddownbet weenhislegsand
grabbedhi sdi
ck,whichinthatinstantwenthard,he
fel
lri
ghti ntoi
tandrespondedbyki ssingherback.
Somet hingwasami ssthough,thekissfel
tforei
gn
somehow, t
herewassomet hi
nghewasl
ooki
ngf
or
butdidn'
tqui
tefi
ndit
.Whenshewasaboutto
unbucklehi
sbelt
,hestoppedher
.

Nt
ombi
-what
'swr
ong?Whydi
dyoust
op?
Sbani
-I'
m sor
ry,
Ican'
t.
..
Nt
ombi-(
tear
y)soIdi
sgusty
ou?I
sitbecauseIsl
ept
wi
thy
ourbrother
.
Sbani-ITOLDYOUTOSTOPSAYI NGTHAT.
..
.
(pushingheraway
)I'
mleav
ing.
..

Hewalkedoutt
heroom,shequickl
yputonhergown
andf
ollowedhi
m downst
air
s..
..

Ntombi-di
dn'ttodayr
emindyouofanythi
ng?Lookat
whatyouleavingbehi
ndSbanisezwe,
IknowI'
m not
perf
ectbutIcanchange,
please..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngf
orhiscarkeys)Dr
opit!
!!I
'
m not
doi
ngthiswi
thy
ou,ourdaughteri
supstai
rs.
Ntombi-youcan'ttel
lmeyoudidn'
tfeel
any t
hing
whenweki ssed,y ouwer
ehard.Yousti
llf
indme
at
tract
ive.Il
ovey ou.
Sbani-(
walki
ngar oundthel
ivi
ngroom)Cany ouj
ust
shutup,I'
mtryingtothi
nk.(
Getti
ngannoyed)wher
e
thehell
didIplaceTHEFUCKI NGKEYS...

Ntombi sawt hem byt

heki tchencounter
,he
probablytossedthem therewhent heygoti
nsi
det
he
house,shewentt oquicklygetthem.Hesawher
takethem andstoppedl ookingather.
..

Sbani
-(t
akesadeepbr
eat
he)
giv
ememykey
s.
Nt
ombi
-can'
twej
ustt
alk.
.
Sbani
-Idon'
twantt
otal
k,al
lwehav
ebeendoi
ngi
s
tal
ki
ng.NowGIVEMEMYFUCKI NGKEYS!
!!
Ntombi-NO!
!!
!.
..
.IGAVEYOU11YEARSOFMYLI FE,
11FUCKINGYEARS, TODAYYOULOOKATMELI KE
I
'M NOTHING.YOUDI DN'
TGIVEALI
FETI
MELIKE
YOUVOWEDTO, YOUOWEATLEAST10MI NUTES
OFYOURTI
ME.
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)

Hecouldfeel
theangerboi
l
ingup,t
helastt
hinghe
want
edwast olayahandonher.Hetookadeep
br
eathe.
.

Sbani-I
'm notdoingthiswithyou.Weov er,
wedone.
Thereisnothingtotalkabout.Ican'
treasonwit
hyou.
Onemi nuteIthi
nkweget tingsomewher ethenext
thi
ngIknowi swegoi ng2st epsback.Ijustwantt
o
l
eave.I'
m annoy edNtombenhl e.Idonotwanttohurt
you.
Nt
ombi
-tool
ateSbani
sezwe,
youal
readyhav
e.
Sbani
-okay
,canIhav
emykey
snow.
Ntombi-(
angr
y)YOUSONOFABI TCH,YOUNOT
EVENSORRY, UYI
NJAYEZWA,(YOU'
REDOG, YOU
HEARME)FUCKYOU, YOUPIECEOFSHIT,IHATE
YOU..
.
Sbani
-okay
,mykey
s..
..
Ntombi gotev enmor eannoy ed.Hel ooked
unbother edbyherr ants,thisf ueledherev enmor e,
shetookagl assv asebyt hecount erwhi chhad
fol
lower sandt hrewi tathim, luckil
yitmi ssedhim
andhitt hefloorbr eakingt opi ecesandwal king
Nomaup, Sbani quicklychar gedt owar dsNt ombito
wrestl
ef orhi skey s,hewasst rongerthanhersohe
managedt ogethol dofhi skey s,butthef l
oorwas
alr
eadysl ipper ybecauseoft hewat erfrom thevase,
whenSbani gothol doft hekey s,hepushedNt ombi
ofhim, shesl ippedandhi tthef l
oorfalli
ngont opof
thepiecesofgl ass, shescreamedsol oud..
..

Nt
ombi
-(scr
eami
ng)LOOKATWHATYOU'
VEDONE?

Het
urnedt
ohel
pherbutsher
efusedhi
m..
.

Ntombi
-GETTHEHELLAWAYFROM MEYOU
BASTARD.(
cry
ing)I
'
m goi
ngt
orepor
tyou.
..
Sbani
-itwasanacci
dentandy
ouknowi
t.Younot
event
hathurt
.
Nt
ombi
-GOODLUCKCONVI
NCI
NGTHECOPSTHAT.

Sheslowlystoodupf rom t
hef l
oor
,luckytheglasses
di
dn'thurtherthatbad.Sheonlygotcutal i
tt
lebit
.
Butshealreadyknewt hatherti
ghwi l
lbrui
se
becauseshehitt hefl
oorhard.Nomast oodbyt he
stai
rcase..
.

Noma-(
rubbi
ngherey
es)Mom,
daddy
..
.

Theybot
hlookedupt
hei
rdaught
er.
..

Sbani
-pri
ncessgobackt
oy ourr
oom.Don'
tcome
outokay
.Daddywil
lbewit
hy ouj
ustnow.
Noma-(
yawns)wi
l
lmommycomet
oo?
Ntombi
-(sni
ff
s)y
esbaby
.Nowgobackt
oyour
r
oom.
Theyquiet
lyl
i
stentohersmal
lfootst
eps.Af
tera
fewsecondstheyhear
dthedoorshut
..
.

Ntombi
-I'
mfi
l
ingforful
lcust
ody
,Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
you
won'
tseemydaughteragai
n.
Sbani
-Iwoul
dli
ket
oseey
out
ry.
Ntombi-nocourtwil
lgrantacheat
ing,
bipol
ar,
abusivehusbandcustodyofababygirl
.You'
reunfi
t
parenti
ntheeyesofthelaw.You'r
edangertothe
publi
candthosearoundy ou.
Sbani
-(angr
y)y
ounott
aki
ngmydaught
er.
Nt
ombi
-wat
chme.
..

Sheli
mpedhergoi ngtotakeherphone.Thatwhen
Sbanij
umpedandpul ledherbyhergowndr aggi
ng
hertotheguestroom.Allt
hewayshewaski cki
ng
andscreaming.Hetossedhertobed,shejumped
fr
om thebedandj umpedonhim, heroughl
yshook
herfr
om him anddraggedherbyherhairandtossed
hert
othebedagai
n.

Sbani
-youwant
edt
hedev
il
.Yougothi
m.

Heshutthedoorandlockeditf
rom t
heoutsi
de.
Ntombibangedonthedoor,swear
ingforhi
mt o
openup.Hequickl
ywalkedtohisdaught
ersroom.
..

Noma-daddywhati
sthatnoi
se?
Sbani
-(packi
ngheruni
for
m ansf
ewcl
othes)t
hat
's
thebadmanbaby .
..
Noma-(
scar
ed)i
shecomi
ngt
ogetus?
Sbani-(
gather
ingherschoolbagandgym bag)No
baby.Daddylookedhi
m out.Babywearyour
sl
eepers.

Shegotoffthebedandquicklyworehersl
eeper
s.
Sbanihandedhertheschoolbackpackand
gather
edalltheot
herbagsandl i
ft
edherup.
Noma-daddydon'
tfor
getBar
ney
.Thebadmanwi
l
l
hur
ther
.

HetookBar neyandwalkedouttheroom.Hegott
o
hiscarandst r
appedheronthecarseat
,put
ti
ngal
l
thebagsinsidetheboot
..
..

Noma-(
tear
y)daddyI
'
m scar
ed.
Sbani-(
kissi
ngherf
orehead)i
tokaybaby
.Daddyi
s
here.
Noma-wher
eismommy
?
Sbani
-uhmm mommywentt othepoli
cebaby
.I'
ll
be
ri
ghtbackokay.(
Kissesherf
orehead)
hol
dBarney,
shewil
lkeepyousafe.

Hecl
osedt
hecardoor
,anddi
aledBl
ess'
snumber
..
.
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Bl
ess-ShoBaf
o..
.
Sbani
-(St
ernv
oice)myhousenow.

Hehangedup.
..
..
.

Af
ter30mi
nut
es.
..
..

Bless'
scarpul
l
edupi
nthedr
iveway
,hegotoutt
he
car..
..

Bl
ess-whatgoi
ngon?Icameher
easf
astasIcoul
d?
Sbani-Ihaveaprobl
em.(
Indi
cat
ingt
hatt
heyshoul
d
goinsidethehouse)

Theybot
hwalkedi
nsi
dethehouse.Blesshear
dthe
baggi
ngoft
hedoorandsawthepiecesofglassi
n
t
hef
loorandt
hesmal
lhi
ntsofbl
ood.
..

Bless-whatgoi
ngon?I
sthatNt
ombi
behi
ndt
he
door?.
Sbani
-yeah.
..
Bl
ess-(
looki
ngar
ound)Jesusman,
whatdi
dyoudo?
Sbani
-itnotwhaty outhink.Li
stenIneedtogetmy
daughteroutofher .Ineedy outogetmean
undergrounddoct or.AndIneedy outomov eher
fr
om her e.Ican'
tlethergoy etunti
lherbr
uisesheal
.
Canyoudot hatformebr ot
her?Iwil
lexpl
ain
ever
ythingt oyouwhenIcomeback.
Bless-(l
ooki
ngathim)okay.Justgetmygod
daughteroutofher
e.JesusIcan'tbel
i
eveyouguy
s
di
dt hiswit
hNomaher e.
Sbani-(
brohugshi
m)t
hanksal
otman.IknowIcan
countonyou..
..

I
nsi
deNel
l
y'scar
..
..
.
Zee-(tear
y)t
hanky
ousomuchguy
sforwhaty
ou
di
dt oday.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)i
tnopr
obl
em babygi
rl
.Wewi
l
ldoi
t
agai
nifwehadto.
Mbali
-(l
aughs)f
reef
oodandboozewhil
eri
dingon
t
hisbeastofamachi
ne.Def
ini
tel
ywor
thybaby.
Shaka-shamekombeyoudri
veapol
o,y
ounotused
tothi
skindofcomf
ort
ness.
Mbal
i
-(r
oll
sey
es)I
'
m nott
alki
ngt
oyouMel
rose.
Zee-(
laughs)whyy
oucal
l
inghi
m Mel
rose?
Mbal
i
-hei
syel
l
ow,
real
manar
edar
k.
Shaka-(
laughs)okayMbal
i
sto.Iknowy
ouwant
someoft hi
sMel r
ose.
Mbal
i
-sor
ryIl
i
kei
thar
dnotmel
ted.
..
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)ohmygod!
!!Youguy
swi
l
lmakeme
gi
vebir
thri
ghtnowi
nthi
scar.
Zee-
(l
aughs)It
hinky
out
woneedt
ofuckeachot
her
.
Shaka-mayat
hreesomebabe.
Zee-ev
enbet
ter
..
.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)Jesus!
!Whydi dIbecomef r
iends
wit
hy ouguys.(Taki
ngherphone)letmegeton
Facebook,i
tbeenlongti
mesinceIl oggedi
n..
..
.
Mbali
-youbet
tersendmeaf
ri
endr
equest
.Yout
oo
Zee.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)okayl
etmel
ogi
ntoo.
Shaka-okaythi
sain'
tfai
r,whyam Inoti
ncl
udedi
n
thi
sfacebookfri
endrequestt
hing.
..
Mbali
-izi
ntozabaf
azi
lezi
wenaMel
rose.
(i
tawomen
t
hing)
Shaka-phomanjewenaBaf
obakuf
akel
ani
?(Why
areyouincl
uded?
)

ZeeandNel
l
ybur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Mbal
i
-mxm,
justdr
ive.
.
Shaka-(
laughs)hawu!
!!It
houghty
ou'
reaG

Nellywasgoi ngt hroughFacebookwhenshesaw

shehad30i nboxes.Shej ustdi smissedi tbecauseit
usuallyguy st ell
inghershei sbeaut i
fulandal lt
hat
cornyshi t.Shewasscr oll
ingt hroughFacebook
whenshecameacr ossapi ctureofSbani andNoma
feedingt hebi rds.Shesmi ledl ookingatt hepictur
e.
Shenot icedt hepi cturewaspost edbyNt ombenhl e
Zulu, t
heynotf r
iendsbutbecauseshet aggedhi m,
shewasabl et oseet hepi ct ure.Sheremember ed
thei
rsi l
l
yconf rontation,shef oundher selfmissing
him.Shedi aledhi snumber ...

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Toherdi
sappoi
ntmenti
tsentherstr
aightto
voi
cemai
l.Shesi
ghed."
Washest i
ll
angr y
?".
..
.

Oneandhal
fhour
s..
..
..
.
Sheparkedhercar ,Zeegotoutandshef oll
owed.
Theyhadj ustdroppedShakaandMbal ibytheof f
ice
wheretheylefttheircars.Theydecidedt osleepover
atherapartmentbecausei twascloserthandr i
vet o
Amanzimt otiwherehermom' shousei s.Whenshe
wasaboutt oopent hedoor ,
shenoticedat hegreen
butt
onflashing,indicati
ngthedoorisn'tlocked.She
openedthedoorandt heygotinsi
de..
.

Zee-y
oul
eftt
hedoorunl
ocked?
Nel
l
y-ummm no.
..
.

Astheywal
kedthr
oughthepassage,
theyst
opped
bythel
oungeandfoundSbanisi
tt
edwithhi
shead
down..
.

Zee-Iwil
lgi
veyouguyssomespace.I
'
mti
red
anyway.Thankyousomuchfort
oday.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)okay
.Goodni
ght
..
.
Shesmil
edatherandlef
tthem t
here.Shedropped
herbagont
hef l
oorandsl
owlywalkedupt ohim.
Shemadehim si
tupandsatonhislap..
..

Nel
l
y-I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Sbani-(
looki
ngather
)(pl
acehishandonherl
ower
back)Ineedtobesomewhere.Nomaishere,
shei
s
sl
eepinginyourr
oom.
Nel
l
y-whatgoi
ng.
..
Sbani
-pleaseNel
l
ynotnow.Justt
akecareofmy
daught
erforme.Sheneedst
obeatschool7:30am.
I
fam notbackbymorningpl
easedri
vehert
oschool.

Hepickedherupandsatheront
hecouch.Hest
ood
upandt ookhi
scarkey
s..
.

Sbani
-Ihav
etogo.Goodni
ght
..
.
Withthatsai
d,hewal
kedoutonher
,leav
ingher
confused.
..

Shegotupandwentt oherbedroom andf ound

Nomasl eepingsoundly.Shewal kedtowardsthebed
andsatnextt oher.Shebrushedherf or
ehead,
she
l
ookedsomuchl i
keherfather,buttookNtombi's
complexion.Butherbushyey ebrowsandmout hare
ofherfather'
s.Shekissedherfor eheadandwentt o
herbathroom tochange..
..

I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
.

Hei
sont
hephonewi
thBl
ess.
..

Sbani
-isev
ery
thi
ngsor
ted?
Bl
ess-y
eahman.
..(
sighs)wehadtosedat
eherso
wecoul
dmovehertothelocat
ion.
Sbani
-andt
hehouse?
Bless-spotcl
ean.Tomorr
owIwi l
lhavetor
eplace
thevaseandf l
owers,wealsoneedtorepl
acethe
guestroom door.
Sbani-good!
!!Ev
ery
thi
nghast
olookl
i
kei
tnev
erwas
touched.
Bl
ess-Iwi
l
lsendy
out
hel
ocat
ionnow.
Sbani
-thanksman.
..

Hehangsup.
..

Unedi
ted.
..
[
11/
3,20:
55]Mar
cia:
Inser
t63

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON.
..
.

Bl
ess-sohowl
ongar
eyoukeepi
ngherher
e?
Sbani-unti
lherbr
uisesheal
,di
dthedoct
orcl
ean
thatcut?
Bless-yeah,
itwasasmall
cut
,nothi
ngser
ious.
(Lookingathim)whatr
eal
l
yhappened?
Sbani
-(l
ooksbackathim)
(shaki
nghi
shead)real
ly
man?Ican'tbel
iev
eyougi
vingmethelookr
ightnow.
Idi
dn'
tdoshi tt
oher.
Bless-li
stenman,Ij
ustwantt oknowwhat
happened, shei
sbruised.Iknowyouwouldn'
t
i
ntentionall
yhur
ther.May besomethi
ngsnapped
and...
Sbani
-(l
aughssar
casti
cally
)y eah,yeahblame
ever
ythi
ngonthebipol
arguy .Jesus!!Ican'
tbel
i
eve
outofal
lpeopl
e,y
ouact ual
lybeliev
eIwoul ddothat
toawoman.

Hewalksawayf r
om hi
m andf
rust
rat
edl
yki
cksa
chai
randbrusheshi
sheadstr
essf
ull
y.
..
.

Bl
ess-(walki
ngtowardshim)l
ookman, I
'm sorry.
..
.it
j
ustI
'veseenthatothersi
deofyou,i
tnotapr ett
y
si
ght.Idon'
twanttobringupwhathappenedt hat
ni
ghtbutIj
ustwanttoknowifdi
danythi
ngthat
happenedt
odaytr
iggerany
thi
nginsi
deyou.
Sbani-(si
tsont hecouch,
faci
ngdown)I'
m nota
monst er,
I'm notakil
l
erei
ther
.Whathappenedthat
ni
ghtst i
ll
shaunt sme.AndIknowIwil
lneverrest
unti
lItellherfamil
ywhereherbodyi
s.
Bless-youdi
dn'
tbur
yheral
onebr
other
.Iwaswi
th
you,remember?
Sbani
-buti
twasmyhandst
hatki
l
ledher
..
..

Itwassilentforaf ewmi nutes,bothmen

remember ingthatf ai
thful ni
ghtthattheirwholeli
ves
changed, wel
l maybenotmuchf orBless,because
hewasj ustanaccessor yt omur der.Thoughhei sa
guywho'swor kisnoti nlinewiththel aw,hehas
neverki
lledany one...
..

Bl
ess-whathappenedt
oni
ght
?

Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h,heshookhi
sheadl
aughi
ng
sar
casti
call
y .Af
teraf ewminutes,hestar
ted
nar
rati
ngev eryt
hingthathappened,fr
om thesi
gning
ofpapers,t
owhent heywereattheparkandf i
nal
l
y
hetol
dhi m whathappenedwhent heygotback
home..
.

Bl
ess-(
def
eat
ed)wow!
!!
!
Sbani-(shakinghi shead)shepl ayedonmy
emot i
ons,sheknewexact l
ywhatt osayandwher e
topush.Shedi dn'tcar ehowIwoul dhav efeltafterI
haddoneal l
thoset hingstoher .Int hatsi ckheadof
her,doessher eal l
yt hinkIenj oydoingt hatt o
women.Sur eIhav epr ef
erencesdur ingsex, Il
ikeit
hardandr oughsomet i
mes, butIdon' tdoi ttohur t
someone.( Looki ngathi m)Icoul dhav eki l
ledher ,
I
couldhav ekill
edt hemot herofmychi l
d( bli
nkst he
tear
saway )shei ssosel fi
sh,Iwi l
lnev erforgiveher
forthi
s.Forsomeonewhost udiedt ohel ppeopl e
l
earnt oforgivethemsel vesandl i
veapeacef ul l
i
fe,
shedidt heopposi t
et ome, shewant edt ocr eatea
monst eroutofme. ..
Bless-doyout
hinkshewant
edyoutodoallt
hatto
her,soshecantur
nbackandsayyou.
..Youraped
her?
Sbani-Idon'
tthi
nkso.
..
..(
thi
nki
ng).
..may
be,
aft
er
thi
s,Ican'tr
eall
yputi
tpassher
..
.
Bless-Ijustcan'tbel
i
evethatshecoulddothat.I
meanweknowNt ombi,
wewentt ovar
sit
ywithher,
wewer ethereforherwhenherboy f
ri
endabusedher
andlefthertodi e.Wenearl
ykill
edthatguy,
nowshe
i
saski ngy outobehim,tobet hemonsterhewast o
her.Didsheev ergetcounsel
ingforherabuse.
Sbani
-shesai
dshedid.I'
m notreal
lysur
e,wewere
notdat
ingatt
hetime.Idi
dn'tr
eall
yconfi
rmifshe
di
dornot,Ij
ustt
ookherwor dforit
.
Bl
ess-sowhatwi
l
lyoudoi
fshef
il
esf
orcust
ody
?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)whensheleavesthisplace,t
hat
wouldbethelastt
hingonhermind.(Lookingathi
m)
wegoingtomakesur ewegetthatcustodyshitout
hermind.
Bl
ess-(
sighs)wher
edi
dyout
akeNomat
o?
Sbani
-shei
swi
thNel
l
y.
Bl
ess-(
rai
singhi
seyebr
ow)wasthatawi
sedeci
si
on?
Whynottakehert
oyourpar
ent
s?
Sbani
-theywi
l
laskalotofquest
ions.Besi
des,
the
l
essIseeofmyparentsthebett
erfornow.
Bl
ess-sowher
ewi
l
lNomabest
ayi
ng?
Sbani
-wi
thNel
l
y.
Bl
ess-di
dyoudi
scusst
hiswi
thher
?
Sbani
-NO..
..
(l
ooksathim)..
.don'
tgi
vemet
hatl
ook.
Iknowsheisyoursi
sterbutshei
smywoman.
Bless-j
ustdiscussitwithher.Shewill
bemore
welcomingtot heideaifshefeelsl
ikeshehasasay
tothediscussion.Webot hknowshehasnochoice
butshedoesn' thavetoknowt hat.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)ar
eyougi
vi
ngmer
elat
ionshi
pti
ps?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)NoI '
m savingyourassfr
om ar
gui
ng
wi
thapr egnantwoman, whoiscarryi
ngababy
who'
sfatherhasbipolargenes.
..
Sbani
-(gav
ehi
mthel
ook)
..
..
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)t
oosoonneh.
..
..
.
Sbani
-wayt
osoon.
..

ATMA'
SIWELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Donj ustcameoutt heshower ,hehadhi sl

owerpart
ofthebodywr appedi nat owel.Hisupperbodywas
st
il
l dri
ppingwat er.Hel ookedlikeadr eam.He
walkedt othekitchen, pouri
nghi mselfsomejuice,
Mthokowal kedinsidet hekit
chen,rubbinghiseyes.
Whenhesawhi sf atherhalfnakedinhi smom' s
ki
tchen, i
nstantl
yint hatmomenthebecamef ul
ly
awake. .
.

Mt
hoko-whatt
hef
uck?
..
.
Don-(
sippi
nghi
sjui
ce)
li
kewhaty
ouseeson?
Mthoko-whatt
hef
uckareyoudoingher
e?Wor
se
hal
fnakedinmymother
'ski
tchen.
..
Don-(
fi
nishi
nghi
sjui
ce)Mi
ndy
ourl
anguageson
bef
oreIcutt
hatdi
rt
ytongueouty
ourmout
h.
Mthoko-(si
ghs)I'
m sorr
y..
.Butbackt
othei
ssueat
hand,whatareyoudoinghere?
Don-l
astt
imeIcheckedt
hisi
smywi
fe'
shouse.
Mt
hoko-ex-
wif
edad.
.
Don-idon'
tremembersi
gni
nganydiv
orcepaper
s.
Ther
eisnodi v
orcei
nourcul
tur
eson.

Ma'Siwelawalksi nsi
det heki
tchenwearingher
nudeslikgown, showingofhermi l
kysmoot hlegs.
Donsmi lesatthesightinfr
ontofhim,healway s
l
ovedt hi
swoman.Shewal kstothefr
idge,pours
hersel
fsomej uice,ki
ssesDonont hecheek...

Mt
hoko-(
eyesout
).
..
MaSi
wela-(
looksatherson)
..
.(l
ooksatDon)and
t
henkwenzenjani
ngalo?(What'
supwithhi
m? )
Don-(shr
ugs)
(spanksherbut
t)Iwi
l
lor
derbr
eakf
ast
forus.
Heki
ssedhercheekandwal kedouttheki
tchen.
MaSi
welafi
nishedherj
uiceandlookedatherson..
.

MaSi
wel
a-y
ini
?(What
?)
Mt
hoko-whati
sal
lthi
s?
MaSi
wel
a-i
sthi
syourhouse?
Mt
hoko-No,
but
..
.
MaSiwela-y
ourf
ir
stanswerwascor
rect
,thi
sisn'
t
yourhouse.

Wit
hthatsai
d,shel
eav eshim st
andi
ngther
ewith
hi
seyesopen.Hequicklygoestohisr
oom anddi
als
Nel
ly'
snumber.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Nel
l
y-myBaf
o...
Mthoko-Ij
ustsawmom anddadhal
fnakedi
nthe
ki
tchenshowingof
f.
..
Nell
y-(
laughs)knowi
ngt
hem,
I'
m sur
etheybr
ushed
youoff
..
Mthoko-don'
tlaughthi
sisser
ious,
myey
esar
e
t
raumatisedr
ightnow.
Nel
ly-
(l
aughs)what'
sthefussabout
,youknowt
hey
bot
hadultsandtheypract
ical
l
ymarri
ed.
Mthoko-i
tjustsowrong.(
Closi
nghi
sey
es)whyar
e
younotshockedaboutthi
s?
Nell
y-(rol
lseyes)whodoy outhi
nkhasbeenf ucking
ourmot heral
l t
histime.(
Laughs)Ithi
nktheyhav ea
physicalr
elat
ionship.Whatdidyouthi
nkmademe
mov eoutinthef i
rstpl
ace?Dudey ousobehind..
Mthoko-WHAT?!
!!.
..
.Yout
ell
i
ngmet
hishasbeen
goi
ngonsincef
orever?
Nel
l
y-(l
aughs)y
eah,don'
tworr
yyouwi
l
lgetov
eri
t.
Nhl
anhl
agotoveri
taswell.
Mthoko-Jesuswhyam Ialway
sthel
astper
sont
o
knowthingsint
hisf
amily
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)by
ebr
o,Il
ovey
ou.
Mt
hoko-l
ovey
out
oosi
s..
.

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT.
..

Shel aughedshaki ngherhead, sheplacedherphone

ont heside.Shel ookedatt heclockonthesideof
herbedandi twas6: 20am.Shel ookedatNoma,
whowasst il
l peacefull
ysleepi
ng.Shesmi l
edand
gotoutt hebed.Shef oundZenandemaki ng
breakfastattheki t
chen...

Nel
ly-(
scr
atchi
ngherhead)r
eal
l
y?Yougoodand
r
eadytogoatthist
ime?Whatti
medidyouact
ual
ly
wakeup?
Zee-(
smi
l
es)4:
30am babygi
rl
.
Nell
y-(
looki
ngatherlikesheiscrazy)I'
m goi ngto
pret
endthatIdidn'
tj
usthearyousayt hat.Ineeda
hugefavourbabygir
l,canyoupleaseprepar elunch
boxforNoma, andir
onherschool cl
othesf orme,
whi
l
eIbat
heher
.

Zenandeloweredtheheatont hestovesi
gnaledher
tolookatthecounter
,sheturnedherheadandsaw
aalreadymadelunchbox,wi t
hceremangoj uice,
snackbarandanappl eont heside.
..

Zee-Ial
readyi
ronedherschool
uni
for
m,Ial
so
checkedherti
metabl
einsi
deherbag,luckil
yshehad
i
tonherf i
l
esoshehasnogy mtoday.Ijustwi
ped
herschoolshoes,
wedon'thavepol
ish.
Nel
l
y -(surpr
ised)wow!!
!.
..Youdidal
lthatt
his
morning,byy our
sel
f,whydidn'
tyouwakemeup?
Zee-(
smil
es)i
tnothi
ngreal
ly
.Iusedt odoitf
orme
andThabobackathome.Letjustsayiti
nmyblood
now.
Nel
l
y-(
smil
es)thanky
ousomuch.Your
eal
l
yli
ft
ed
t
hewei
ghtoffmyshoulder
s..
Zee-don'
tment
ioni
tsi
s,Iknowy
ouwoul
ddomor
e
forme..
Shesmil
edandtur
nedtogotoherroom but
st
oppedandtur
nedlooki
ngather
..
.

Nel
l
y-howdi
dyouknowNomawasher
e?
Zee-(
laughs)Ihear
dyouguy
stal
kyest
erday
.
Nel
l
y-ohokay
..
.
Zee-beforeyougo,(l
ookingather)youwil
lbea
greatmom, don'
tbedisappoi
ntedbynotbeingl
i
ke
everyotherwomenwhopar enti
ngjustcomes
natural
t othem.Youwi l
ll
earnalongtheway.

Shemov
edt
owar
dsherandhuggedhert
ight
ly.
..

Nel
l
y-t
hanky
ousomuch.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)nowgopl
aymommy
..
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)hahahaIhopeitf
ortodayonl
y.Iwi
l
l
l
ovetospendti
mewi t
hthekidbutIcan'
tdoit
wi
thoutNt
ombi'sper
missi
on.IknowIwoul
dn'
twant
mychil
dwithanot
herwoman.
Zee-y
eahy
ouhav
eapoi
nt.
..

Shewalkedbackt
oherr
oom andf
eltbadthatshe
hastowakeherupwhenshewassl
eepingso
peacef
ull
y.
..
.

Nell
y-(
soft
lyshaki
ngher
)babywakeup.
..wakeup
honey.
..

Nomat
urned,
andwhi
nedal
i
ttl
e..
.

Noma-2secondsmommy
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)2secondsi
sov
er,
wakeupbaby
..
.

Recogni
zingt
hevoi
cewasnotofhermot
her
's,
she
rubbedherey
esopeni
ngt
hem..
.
Noma-(f
rowns)whoar
eyou?Wher
eismommyand
daddy
?

Sherubbedherey
esagain,
andl
ookedatNel
l
y,
rememberi
ngherface.
..

Noma-daddy
'sf
ri
end?
Nel
l
y-(si
ghsi
nrel
i
ef)yesbaby(
smi
l
ed)you
r
ememberme.Mommyanddaddywantedmet
o
t
akecareofy
ouokay.
Noma-di
dtheycat
cht
hebadguy
?
Nell
y-badguy?.
..uhmm yeah,
nowwakeupandl
et'
s
getyoureadyf
orschool
..
..

Shegotoutt
hebed,Nel
lyheldherhandast
hey
madethei
rwaytothebathr
oom...
45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

SheparkedhercaratNoma'sschoolandunbuckled
herseat
belt
.Zenandegotoutthecartoo.She
openedthebackdoorandunbuckletheseatbel
tfor
Noma.Shehelpedhim outt
hecar..
.

Nel
l
y-(squat
ti
ng)
(smi
l
ed)okaybabybeagoodgi
rl
t
oday.
Noma-(
rol
l
sey
es)I
'
m al
way
sagoodgi
rl
.
Zee-(
laughs)r
ememberwhatIt
oldy
ouokay
?
Noma-(
laughs)y
es.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looki
ngatNoma)whatdi
dshet
ell
you?
Noma-(
laughs)not
hing.
..
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)okay
.List
enbabyl
ookf
ormycar
whenitpi
ckuptimeokay?
Noma-(
sad)daddyi
snotcomi
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)daddywi
l
lseey
ouathomebaby
.Wi
l
l
y
oubeabl
etor
emembermycar
?
Noma-(
rol
l
sey
es)I
'
m notababy
.Of
cour
seIwi
l
l.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)okayy
oungl
ady
.CanIhav
eahug?
Noma-(
smi
l
ed)(
huggi
ngher
)by
e.

Shet
urnedt
oZee,
theydi
dthei
rper
sonal
shake.

Zee-seey
oul
aterbug.
Noma-Yeeey
y!!
!

Sher
ant
owar
dst
heschool
ent
rancedoor
s..
.

Nel
l
y-y
ougoodwi
thher
..
Zee-(
smi
l
es)shei
sal
readywar
mingupt
oyou.
Nell
y-shejustnatur
all
ycli
ckedwit
hyou.
(
Sighs)(
touchingherbell
y)i
sthi
showitwil
lbewit
h
mychildtoo,wil
lmybabyt aket
imetoconnectwi
th
me?
Zee-(si
ghs)justl
etgoofall
thevoi
cesinsi
dey
our
head.Relaxandstopover
thi
nki
ngthings.
..
.

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

I
nsi
deNel
l
y'scar
..
..
..

Shej
ustcamef
rom dr
oppi
ngZenandeof
fcampus.
..

Herphonevibr
ated,
connect
edv
iaBl
uet
oot
h,she
answered.
..

Nel
l
y-hel
l
o..
Sbani
-hey
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)hey
..
.

(
Sil
ent
).
..
..
.
Sbani
-wher
ear
eyou?
Nel
ly
-justdr
oppedZeeofcampus,
I'
m dr
ivi
nghome
now.
Sbani
-dr
ivet
oMusgr
ave.Iwi
l
lmeety
out
her
e.

Hehangedup.
..

Nel
l
y-t
hismanwi
l
lbet
heendofme.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t64

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON

Blessopenedthedoort
otheroom whereNtombi
wasl ockedup,
hehadwi t
hhim cl
othesfort
o
change.Shesatupthebedandlookedathim..
.
Ntombi
-(l
ooki
ngathi
m)I
'
m guessi
ngy
ounother
e
t
ohelpme.
Bless-(
placedthebagwi t
hclot
hesont hesi
de)Igot
youclothestochangein.Idi
dn'
tknowwhaty ou
l
ikedsoIgr abbedwhatIcouldinsi
dey ourcloset
.
Insi
dethebat hr
oom I'
m sureyounot i
cedall t
he
essenti
als,Sbanimadesuretobuyy ouallyour
favouri
tes.
Ntombi
-isthatsupposet
omakemef
eel
bet
ter
?
(
Fakesmiles).
Bl
ess-No,
buti
tshoul
dmakey
oucomf
ort
abl
e.
Ntombi-howthehellwoul
dIbecomfor
tabl
ewhen
I'
m bei
ngheldcapt
ive,whenmydaught
erisl
eft
alonesomewhere.
Bless-(
sighs)l
ookIdon'
tl
ikethi
seitherbutyoudi
d
thi
s,youjustpushedt
oohard.Justbegreatf
ulyou
notheldinsomedumpandst arved.
Ntombi
-whenam Il
eav
ingt
hispl
ace?(
Looki
ng
ar
ound)andwher
eam I?
Bless-Sbaniwil
ldeci
dehowlongyourstayher
ewi
l
l
be.Myadv iset
oy ouis,
ify
ouwanttoleavethi
s
pl
acesooner ,f
orgett
hiswhocust
odyshi t
.
Ntombi-Sbanii
ssi
ckBl
essi
ng,
don'
tactl
i
key
ou
don'
tseethat.
Bless-(annoy ed)whenexactl
ydidy oust
artknowing
thathei s"
sick",you'
veknownt hi
smanf or11y ears
anddat edhimf or7yearsandstayedmarri
edwi th
himf or4y ears.Andonlynowhehasdi vorcedyou,
fi
nall
yy ouseehei ssickandisunfi
ttobeaf at
herto
hisdaughter .Whenexact l
ydi
dy ouknowhei ssick?
Nt
ombi
-..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.
Bless-Ithoughtasmuch..
..Idon'
tcar
ewhatshityou
guy sfi
ghtaboutandIdon'
tcar e,
butwhenitst
art
s
affecti
ngmygoddaught er
, andyouguysst
artusi
ng
hert ofi
ghtyourbat
tl
esthanwehav eaproblem.
Ntombi
-(t
ear
y)i
smydaught
erokay
?Cany
ouat
l
eastt
ell
methat
?
Bless-(
sighs)sheisokay..
..t
ell
youwhat,af
teryou
fi
nishshoweringandeatingbreakf
ast
,wewi l
lcall
theschoolandy oucantalktoNoma.(Looki
ngather)
Don'tdoany t
hingstupi
d.
Ntombi
-(smil
es,
teary
)Thankyou..
.(
sil
ent
)..
.canI
cal
lmyparent
stoo,Iwassupposetocall
them
y
est
erday
..
Bl
ess-Don'
tpushi
t.
..

ATMUSGRAVECENTER

Sheparked,gotoutl
ocki
nghercarandwalkedto
Sbani
'
scar .Sheopenedt
hepassengerdoorandgot
i
n..
.

Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)(f
rowns)i
sn'
tthathi
ghwai
st
Jeanhurt
ingt
hebaby.
Nel
l
y-whyam Iher
e?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)I
'
m sor
ryabouty
est
erday
..
.
Nell
y-whichpar
tofy
est
erdayar
eyousor
ryabout
exact
ly?
Sbani-(
looksather)I'
m notsorryaboutwhat
happenedattheoffice,howeverIam sorr
yabout
l
astnight.Ij
ustdumpedy ouwit
hmychi ldanddi
dn'
t
bothert
oexplainexactl
ywhatwasgoi ngon.
Nel
l
y-so,
arey
ougoi
ngt
oexpl
aint
omenow?
Sbani
-nother
e..
..
.
Nel
l
y-t
hanwhatam Idoi
ngher
eSbani
sezwe?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)t
oni
ght
,bereadyby7pm,wegoi
ngt
o
havedi
nnerandIwi
ll
tel
lyouever
ythi
ng.
Nel
l
y-wi
l
lyou.
..
.Wi
l
lyout
ell
meabouty
ourdr
eams
t
oo?
Sbani
-(swal
l
owed)
(hol
dsherhand)pl
easedon'
task
meaboutmydreams.Iwon'
tbeablet
otell
you.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)wi
l
lyoubeabl
etot
ell
mesomeday
?
Sbani
-(Fakesmi
l
es)y
eah.
..Imi
ssedy
ou.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
.(f
rowns)
..
.
Sbani
-(not
icedt
hef
rownonherf
ace)whatwr
ong?
Nell
y-(r
emov esherhandfrom hi
s)Idon'tli
kethe
wayy outal
kedtomeatt heoffi
ce,Ihateitwhenyou
di
smissmeanddi ct
atewhatIshoul dandshould
notdo.IknowI '
m pr
egnantwit
ht winsbutI'
m not
di
sable,Iwouldunderst
andifyouactedthiswayand
iwas7/ 8months.Butri
ghtnowI'
m stil
lcapabl
eof
doi
ngthingsbymy self
.I'
m ahandsonwomanand
youknowt hi
s,(l
ooksathim)Ilov
ethestr
ong,
muscularandaggressi
vesideofyoubutIhat
eit
whenyouusei ttooverpowerme.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)
I'
m sor
ry.

Shesighedandgotupf r
om herseat,
shestr
uggl
eda
l
itt
lebutevent
ual
lysucceededwithSbani
'
shelp,
she
satonhislapandfacedhim..
.

Nel
l
y -(
placesherhandsonhi
schest
)yester
dayI
r
eal
isedthatwer eal
l
ydon'
tknoweachother
.
Sbani
-whatdoy
oumean?
Nell
y-Imean, idon'
tknowwhaty ouli
keanddon't
l
ike,Idon'tknowwhati sSbanisezweoutsi
dethe
offi
ce.Ther earesomanymi ssi
ngpuzzl
esto
compl et
et hispict
ureofus.Iwanttogettoknow
you.
Sbani
-sowhatar
eyousay
ing?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)I
'
m say
ing,
sincey
ounowdi
vor
ced,
I
thi
nkyoushouldst
artl
ooki
ngforapl
acetostay,
sett
lei
n,(
looksathi
m)don'tgi
vemethatl
ook..
.
Sbani-(
holdsherwaist
)ifyouwantustoknoweach
other
, whydoy ouwantsustoli
veseparat
e?
Shouldn'twestayt
ogethersowecanachievet
he
"Gett
ingt oknoweachother"
Nel
ly
-no,werushedt
hingsSbani,
inlessthan6
monthsofknowi
ngeachotherandalreadytherei
sa
pr
egnancy,
weneedtostartbei
ngresponsible.
Sbani
-(r
oll
sey
es)sowhatdoy
ousuggestwedo?
Nell
y-wewi l
lst
arttonightwi
tht hi
sdinner.(
Sighs)
weneedt obehonestabouthowwef eel,
whatwe
wantandwher ewegoi ng.Nothingshouldbeleftout
,
wellexpect"
Whathappensi ny ourdr
eams"t hat
shouldbetheonlythi
ngy ouwillbekeepingfrom me,
anyt
hingelseyouhav etotel
lme.Ipr omisetobe
honestwithyoutoo.
Sbani
-(swal
l
owed)okay
..
.(Fr
enchki
ssesher
).
..

Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
..
Nel
l
y-(
breakt
heki
ss)I
'
m ser
ious.Deal
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)deal.
..
..(si
l
entl
ylooksather
).
..You
know wil
lneverhurtyouint
enti
onall
yri
ght
?
Nell
y-(
star
esintohi
sey es)Iknow..
..(
placeshi
s
ri
ghthandtoherchestandhisleftonhersmall
bump)wear eyou.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)weaddi
ngt
hel
i
ttl
eguyt
othemi
x
now.
Nel
ly-(
laughs)t
her
eist
wooft
hem,
youkeep
f
orgett
ing.
Sbani
-(st
aresr
ightbackather
).
..
.

Swal
lowi
ngl
ooki
ngather
,hecr
ashesheri
ntoat
ight
hug.
..

Sbani
-Iam y
oubabe.Iam al
lofy
ou.
..
..
ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

MaSiwel
aandDonent erLungieysroom,theywalk
towar
dsthebabyandlungiey,assoonasMa' Siwel
a
seesl
it
tl
ebabyZisandalayi
ngont heside,wrapped
upinapinkbl
anket,
sheinstantl
ybecomest eary.
..

MaSi
wel
a-ohmyGod!!
!.
..
.Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.Lookat
howsmal
landcut
esheis.
Ma'
Nxumal
o-(
laughs)sawubonasi
si.
.

Shelooksup, shehasbeensoconsumedbyher
grandchil
d,shefai
ledt
oevennoti
ce,Lungi
eysmom
wasi ntheroom...

MaSi
wela-(smil
es)ngiyaxoli
sadadewethu(
I'
m sor
ry,
mysi
ster)Idi
dn'
tnoticey ouwerehere.
MaNxumal
o-Idon'
tbl
ameyou,(
smil
es)Iwaswor
se
t
hanyouwhenIsawher.Myf
ir
stgr
andchi
ld.
Don-(smi
l
es)okay,Iguessthegr
andf
atherandt
he
baby'
smot herar
einvi
sibl
e.

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatLungi
ey)howar
eyou?
Lungi
ey-(
looksdown)I
'
m okaymama.
MaSiwela-(
sighs)youdon'thavetohi
dethaty ou
happybaby.Idon'thateyou.Ihav
earighttoscold
youbecauseIt akeyouasmyowndaught er
.We
scol
dy ouaboutsucht hi
ngsbecausewedon' twant
youmakingt hesamemi stakeswemade.Luckyf or
youmyson' slovesyou.Nowbehappy ,t
hisismost
j
oyfulphaseofy ourl
if
ebaby .
Lungi
ey-(
sni
ff
s)Thanky
oumama.
..
MaSi wela-(looki
ngatt hebaby )Eymar ay oushould
begr eatf
ul ofmywhi tegenes, nganizalelai
zingane
ezinhlekwaKhoza( Ibirthedbeaut i
fulchil
drenfor
theKhozaf amily
),bukani manjey ougivingbirt
hto
beaut i
fulbabiestoo,al
l becauseofmygenes.
Theylaughedandconti
nuedt
oadmi
rebabyZi
sanda
andlaughwheneverDonorMaSi
wel
asaid
somethingsi
ll
y.
..

1hourl
ater
..
..

Simient er
edtheroom, Lungi
eywasasleepand
babyZisandawasawakeonhersmal lbedbesi
de
hermot her
.Si
mi quiet
lywalkedt
owardsbaby
Zisandaandlookedather .
..
..

Shedi sconnect
edthealer
tpressbutt
onandqui et
ly
wentbackt ost
andnexttoBabyZisanda'sbed
star
ingdownather .Hersmalleyesstaredbackat
thewomanwhowasl ooki
ngather,hersmall mouth
curvi
ngi ntoasmallsmil
e,whil
eshelightl
ykicked
herlegs...
..

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON
Thedooropened,
Blesswal
kedi
n..
.

Bl
ess-ar
eyoudoneeat
ing?
Nt
ombi
-uhmm y
es.
..
Bl
ess-(
signal
i
ngsomeoneout
side)
..
.

Ami ddl
eagedwomancamei nandcol l
ectedt
he
di
shes.Ntombil
ookedatherbutthewomankept
herheaddown,shegat
heredal
lthedishesand
walkedout.
..

Nt
ombi
-whoi
sthat
?
Bl
ess-t
hatnoty
ourconcer
n.Changeofpl
ans,
we
won'
tbecall
i
ngtheschool
anymore.
.
Nt
ombi
-(t
ear
y)butI
..
.
Bl
ess-Nomawillbecominghere.Sbaniwil
lpi
ckher
upaft
erschool
andbringherhere.Youall
owedto
mov efr
eelyaroundt
hehouse,(st
opsandl
ooksat
her)DON'Ttryandescapebecausey
ouwon't
succeed.

Withthatsai
d,hewal
kedoutl
eav
ingt
hedoor
opened..
.

ATMUSGRAVECENTER

NellyandSbanihavebeenst roll
i
ngaroundt
hemall
forthepastfewhour s.Shehadboughtfewthi
ngs
alongtheway ,
theywer eheadingtot
heparki
ng
whent heybumpedi ntoMosesandhist wobody
guardsattheexitdoor..
.

Sbani
-(annoy
ed)y
ougott
obeshi
tt
ingme.
Nel
l
y-(
play
ful
l
yhi
tshi
m)(
smi
l
es)behav
e.
Moses-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
ondodakazi
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)MrGasa.
.
Moses-(
laughs)whathappenedt
ocal
l
ingmedad?
Nel
l
y-(l
aughs)okaydad.(
Sbani
nudgesher
)I'
dlov
e
t
ochatbutweinahur r
y.
Moses-(
frownl
ooki
ngatSbani
)ohy
ouagai
n
Sbani
-(st
aresathi
m)y
esmeagai
n.
Nel
l
y-uhmm goodt
oseey
ouMrGasa.

SheholdsSbani
'
shandanddragshi
m outt
othe
par
king,wi
thSbani
smir
king.
..

Moses-(
looki
ngathi
smen)getmeev
ery
thi
ngt
her
e
i
stoknowaboutthatguy
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t65

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

BabyZi
sandamadesmallbabysoundsasSi
mikept
st
ari
ngather.Shespr
eadoutherhandst
opi
ckthe
babyup.BabyZi sandacont inuedt omakesmal l
babysounds.Si mi wal kedt ot hecouchandsatwi th
her.Shekeptst ar i
ngatt hebaby ,shewasbeaut if
ul,
shesmi l
edfort hef irstt i
mel ookingatthebaby .
Lungi eyt ur
nedt oherbaby '
sbed, openinghersl eepy
eyesshenot icedt heempt ybed.Wi t
hapoundi ng
hear t
, i
nt hatinst antshebecamef ul
lyawakeand
quicklysatupl ooki ngar oundt heroom, hereyes
l
andi ngonSi mi ,ont hecouchwi thherbabyonher
arms, stari
ngr ightatherbabywi t
hintenseey es.
Reliefwashov erher ,butshewasnotal l
comf or tabl
ewi ththesi ghtinf r
ontofher ,sheknew
Simi wasaki ndhear t edsoul , butanythi
ngwas
possi blewi t
hascor nedwoman.Si mi watchedher
fr
om t hecor nerofherey easshesear chedf orthe
al
er tpr essbut ton...
.

Simi-(sti
llst
ari
ngatthebaby)don'
tbot
herpr
essi
ng
thatthing.Idi
sconnect
edit
.
Lungi
ey-(
hear
tbeat
ingf
ast
)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Si
mi-(
smi
l
esatt
hebaby
)she'
sbeaut
if
ul.
..
..
.
(
touchi
nghernose)v
erybeaut
if
ul.

Lungieylookedather
,notknowinghowt
orespond
tothat."
Wasi tevenaquest
ion"or"
Wasshejust
tal
kingtoherself
"

Si
mi-shel
ooksl
i
keNkosana.
Lungi
ey-uhmmm y
eahNhl
anhl
asai
dthesame
thi
ng.
Si
mi-(
looksupatLungi
ey)HasNhlanhlat
oldy
ou
whenheplansonpayi
ngLobolaf
ory ou?
Lungi
ey-uhmm no.
..
Simi-wel l
itneedstobesoon.Weneedt ostart
discussinghowt hi
swhol et
hingi sgoingtowor k.
(Standingup,walkstowar dsherandhandshert he
baby )youneedt ostartl
ookingathouses, youcan' t
raiseababyataf l
at.Ifyoucan'taffor
dahouse
ri
ghtnow, meandNhl anhlacant akemoneyf rom the
j
ointaccountandmeety ouhalfway .Youalsoneed
togiv emey ourdetail
ssowecanaddy ouont he
j
ointaccount.Iwil
lexpl
ainfurt
herwhatexactl
ythe
j
ointaccountisforwheny ououthere.Ther
eis
somethingIneedt otel
lyouboth.Sopleasegeti
n
touchwithmeassoonasy ougetoutofhere.

Sheturnedandtookherhandbagfrom t
hecouch
walkedtothedoor,
Lungieycal
ledhername,she
st
oppedandt ur
nedtoher .
..

Lungi
ey-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)t
hanky
ou.
..
Simi-f
orwhat?Areyouthankingmef orsleeping
withmyhusbandandget ti
ngpregnant?Orar ey ou
thanki
ngmef ornotbei
nggoodenoughf orNhl anhl
a
sohecouldloveyoumor e,whati
sitthatyou
thanki
ngmef or?
..
..
.

Lungieylookeddowni nshame,thi
swouldbemuch
mor eeasyisshedidn'tknowSimi,
ori
fSimi hada
col
dhear t.ButSi
mi hadaheartofgol
d,hurt
inga
personli
keSi miknewhadconsequences,shehar
d
t
oli
vewi
thhergui
l
tandwai
tforherkar
ma.

Simi-youdon'
thav
etothankme.Aft
erallyou
gett
ingevery
thi
ngyoueverwant
ed.(
Sighs)atl
east
oneofusget st
obehappywitht
hemanwel ove.
Lungi
ey-It
hinkhel
ovesy
out
oo.
.
Simi-( shakingherhead)DON' T..
..Idon'tneedy outo
pityme.I 'm notdoi ngthisfory ou,I'm doingal lthi
s
forNkosana.Mysonneedst ogrowupwi thbot hhis
parent sinhi slife,heneedst obuildast rongbond
withhi ssister ,heneedst olovehi ssisterwi thout
restricti
ons.Nkosanai snotZi sanda' shalfbr other,
hei sherbr ot her.Thefami l
ywebui ldingther ewi l
lbe
no" halfbrot her,halfsi
st erormom, stepmom.My
sonwi ll
cally oumom, y ourdaught erwillcallme
mom.Ihopey oucanl ear ntolovemysonj ustlikeI
willlovey ourdaught er
.( Takesadeepbr eat h)for
thi
st owor k,weneedt obui ldsomeki ndof
fri
endshi p,itwon' thappenov ernightbutf ort he
sakeofourchi ldren,wewi l
lgetther e.
Lungi
ey-(
tear
y)I
'
m sosor
rySi
mi,
IknowwhatIdi
dis
unf
orgi
vabl
ebutbel
i
evemewhenIsay
,I'
m sor
ryf
or
hur
ti
ngyou.
Si
mi-Idon'
tneedyoursor
ry.Ineedt
oknowi
fyou
wi
thme, soar
ey ouwit
hme?
Lungi
ey-(
sni
ff
s)y
eah.
..
Simi-Good.
..
..(
sil
ent
).
..
.onemoret
hingLungi
le,you
knowIwi l
lhavesexwit
hmyhusband,thr
oughitall
,
I'
m sti
ll
awoman, myneedssti
l
lneedtobecathered
for
.(Looki
ngather)
Lungi
ey-(
swal
l
owed)y
eah.
..
Si
mi-Good.
..
..Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngt
ohearf
rom y
ou.
..

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON

Thedooropened,
Sbani
andNomaent
eredi
nsi
de
thehouse.
..
.

Noma-(
looki
ngar
ound)daddywho'
shousei
sthi
s?
Sbani
-Uncl
e'
sBl
esspr
incess.
Noma-(
eyesout
)wooooo!
!!
uncl
eBl
essl
i
vesunder
t
heground?
Sbani-shhhhh!
!!Yeshedoes,
butyoucan'
ttel
l
anyoneev enmommy ,Okay?I
toursecr
etagai
n.
Noma-(
smi
l
es)okaydaddy
.

Theyhel
dhandsast heymadethei
rwaytowhatwas
thel
oungeroom.Themi nut
eNoma'seyesl
andedon
Ntombi,
shedroppedherfat
her
'shandandr
antoher
mother
..
.

Noma-(
scr
eami
ng)MOMMY!
!!
!!
!

Ntombi t
urnedtoher,excit
edtoseeherdaught er
,
tear
sautomat i
cal
lyrandownhercheeks, shest
ood
upandmetherhal fway ,squat
ti
nginfrontofherand
huggingherdaughterti
ghtlycr
ying.
..
Nt
ombi
-ohmybaby
..
..
Noma-whyar
eyoucr
yingmommy
?(Wi
peshert
ear
s)
Ntombi-(
sni
ffs)
(smi
les,
cryi
ng)I'
m cr
yingbecauseI
missedyouandmommyi shappytoseeyou.
(
Brusheshershoul
ders)
Noma-oh,
Imi
ssedy
out
oomommybutI
'
m not
cr
ying.
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)
(sni
ff
s)wellIguessmommyi
s
suchabi
gcrybabyhuh?!(
Tickli
ngher)
Noma-(
giggl
i
ng)y
eahshei
s.

Thewomanf r
om ear
li
eroncametothel
oungeand
st
oodfur
therfr
om whereNt
ombiandNomawher e.
..

Sbani-babygowit
hMam'Joyher
e,y
ouneedt
oget
outthoseschool
clot
hesandeat
.
Ntombi
-(hol
dingNoma)( sni
ffs)canIdoal
lthat
,I
j
ustwanttobewi t
hher ,
Imissedhersomuch.
(
LooksatSbani)please?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)okay
..
..Mam'j
oypleasetakeNoma
whereMrsZulu'
sroom i
s,shewil
lbetherei
na
minut
e,Ij
ustneedtotal
ktoher.
Ntombi-babygowi
thMam'
Joy
,Iwi
l
lbewi
thy
ou
now,now.
Noma-Okay
...

Sher
anandhel
dMam'Joy
'shandastheymadet
hei
r
wayt
owhereNtombi
waslockedup.
..

Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)t
hanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngher
.
Sbani
-youst
il
lhermot
her
.Shewi
l
lspendt
heni
ght
.
Nt
ombi
-whenam Il
eav
ingt
hispl
ace?
Sbani-whenyouhav
eheal
edandy
ouhav
echanged
youratt
it
ude.
Ntombi
-Iwon'
tbef
il
ingf
orcust
ody
,Sbani
Iwas
angr
yokay.
Sbani-of
courseyouwon'
t.(
Wal
kingt
owardsher,
l
eavinganinchbetweent
hem)youwoul
dn'twantt
he
worl
dtoknowyou'
reanaddi
ctnow,
noj
udgecan
gr
antcust
odyt
oajunkie.
Ntombi-(
conf
used)butIdon'
tusedr
ugs,
I'
m nota
j
unkie.
Sbani-Your i
ght,
y ounotone.Buti nher
eyoucanbe
whatev erIwanty out obe,sothreadcaref
ull
y.Dr
op
thecust odythreatsandst opthebull
shi
tifyoust
il
l
wantt obeamot hertoourdaughterandifyoust
il
l
wantt opr acti
cewi t
hy ourli
cense.
Ntombi-youwoul
dn'
t,
ever
yonewi
l
lknowsomet
hing
i
swr ong.
Sbani-(l
aughs)ohhoney ,Iwoul
d,youknowIwould.
Andwhoi severyone?Youher enow, wher
eisthat
"ever
yone"yout alkingabout?Justtr
ymebabe.
Timef orsomei ntrospect
iondarl
ing,besmart
,use
thatbrai
nofy ours.
Nt
ombi
-you'
reLuci
ferhi
msel
f.
Sbani-(
holdsherbyhersmallwaist)Iknow
sweethear
t,Iknow.(Ki
ssesherforehead)iasked
Blesstobri
ngallyourf
il
es,soyoucangetst art
edon
thatbusi
nessproposal
.
Hewi
nksatherandl
eav
esherst
andi
ng.
..

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Shej
ustcameoutthebathroom ,
MbaliandZenande
wesi
ttedonherbed,
withtonsofdressesonherbed
andt
onsofshoesscatt
eredonthefloor.
..
.

Mbal
i
-(sippi
ngwi
ne)somama,
hav
eyoudeci
dedon
t
hedressyet?
Nel
l
y-(
shaki
ngherhead)no.
..
Zee-Kant
iwhenyoutookthatr
elaxi
ngbat
hont
he
tub,
whatexact
lywer
ey outhi
nki
ngabout?
Nel
l
y-(pl
acesherhandsonherwai
st)If
eel
ner
vous
f
orsomereason.
Mbali
-(burstoutl
aughi
ng)bit
chhowlonghaveyou
beensexingthi
sman, y
ouevenhavemi st
ake
(poi
nti
ngatherbell
y)toprov
eit,
suddenlyyou
ner
vousabouthav
ingdi
nnerwi
thhi
m.
Zee-(
laughs)Jesus!Ican'
t,
"Mist
ake"wher
edoyou
getal
ltheseter
ms, howdoy oueventhi
nkoft
hem.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)mybabi
esar
enotmi
stakes.
.
Mbali-(
sipsonherwine)whateverbitch.Thedick
wassogood, hi
ssemenshootal l
thewayt oyour
brai
n,youevenf or
gottaki
ngthepill
.Sot hatr
ight
ther
e( point
ingatherbell
y)wasn'
tplanned.
Nel
ly-(
rol
lsey
es)I
'
m notevengoi
ngt
owast emy
t
imewi t
hyouMbali
.Sowhatdoyout
hinkIshoul
d
wearguys?
Zee-uhmmm,howaboutthi
s..(
picki
ngupa
bl
ack,ev
eni
ng,
longsl
eev
esbubbledr ess)
Mbali-(
snat
chi
ngitfr
om Zee)shei
sgoi
ngona
romanti
cdate,
sheisn'
tgoi
ngtoanaft
ernoonchur
ch
serv
ice.
Zee-(si
pswine)mxm!!Ij
ustthinkt
hedresswi
l
l
exposeherbeaut
if
ult
onedy el
lowlegs.
Mbali
-shecanexposeherl
egsandsti
l
l l
ook,el
egant
andsexy.Howaboutthi
s,(
picki
ngupt
ightfi
tt
ingred
dr
ess,
itwasanof
fshoul
derdr
ess)
Nell
y-(looksatt
hedress)uhmmm, Icouldrock
thi
s..
..Butbuthehasseenmei nredbefore.Iwant
somet hingsi
mpleandnice.Ij
ustwantt
obesi mple
toni
ght .

Shelookedt hr
oughthedressesonthebedand
spot
tedabl ackjustbel
owt hekneeti
ghtfitdr
ess,i
t
hadthinstrapsandthedresswasbackless.Itwasa
si
mpledr essjustl
ikeshewanted.Shepickeditup.
..

Nel
l
y-I
'
m wear
ingt
his.(
Smi
l
es)y
est
hisi
sthedr
ess.
Mbali-(bor
edface)r
eall
y?Youcouldn'
tpickthatout
yourcloset
,whatwastheneedt oscatt
erthese
dressesherei
fyougoingtopickthatdress.
Zee-y
esi l
i
kei
t,pl
usbl
ackwi
l
lmakey
oul
ook
small
er.
Nell
y-(fr
owns)am Ibi
g?(
Dropsthet owel
andLooks
athersel
fint
hemirror
)am Igai
ning?Ihaveabump
now.
Mbal
i
-youl
uckyyougotabeauti
ful
body,y
ou
al
l
owedtogetnakedi
nfr
ontofusanyt
ime.
Zee-(
smiles)younotbig,buty ourbumpisvisi
ble.
(Di
smi
ssest hewei
ghtissue, beforeshef
reaksout)
sowhatshoesareyouwear ing?
Nell
y-uhmm umm Iwil
lwearthebl
ack6inchblock
peeptoeheel
.I'
m pr
egnantnow,myfeeteasi
l
yget
ti
red.

Hal
fandhourl
ater
..
..
.

Shelookedathersel
fint
hemi rr
orsati
sfi
edwithher
l
ook.Shel ef
therhai
ronitnatur
alcurl
s.Soithad
vol
ume.Kepthermakeupnat ur
alaspossibl
e,no
l
ipsti
ckjustherst
rawber
ryli
pgloss.Thi
swasas
natur
alasshe
shecanget
..
.

Zee-y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul.
.
Mbali
-(si
psonher5thglassofwi
ne)youl
ookl
i
ke
you'
reonyourwaytoNtombi'
sfuner
al.

Zenandeburstoutlaughi
ng,
shel
aughedsohard
thatshef
ellf
rom thebedhit
ti
ngt
hefloorst
il
l
l
aughing.
..

Zee-(
holdi
ngherbel
l
y )Jesus!
!!Mbal
i
,whoi
syour
mother?Ican'
twi
thyou.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)y
ousost
upi
d.
Mbal
i-(
smiles)y
oulookbeaut
if
ulf
ri
end.Butyou
l
ookyoungerwit
houttoomuchmakeup.Ithi
nkIli
ke
t
hisl
ook.

Nel
l
ysphonev
ibr
ates,
itSbani
..
.

"
I'
m downst
air
s"
Nel
ly-(gat
her
ingherpur
se)
(takeadeepbr
eat
h)hei
s
her
e...
Zee-y
oubet
tergetl
aid(
winksather
)
Nell
y-whatisadat
ewi
thoutsome,
somet
oenda
beauti
ful
night
.
Mbali
-isn'
tthi
ssupposet
obey ourfi
rstdate,
you
don'
tdropyourpanti
esonyourfi
rstdate.
Zee-(laughs)hhayisuka!
!!Leav
eher
.Mist
akei
s
alr
eadyi nsidethebell
y.Theynowgoi
ngtomake
"del
iberate"

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
..

ATZI
MBALI
..
..
.

Sbanipar
kst hecar,
hegoestohersideandopens
thedoorforher.Hehel
psheroutthecar.Helooks
thecarwhil
esheadmi r
esthebeauti
fulest
ate
houses.
..
.
Nell
y-(l
ooki
ngar ound)t
hisisabeauti
ful
nei
ghborhood.(Looksathim)won'twebelat
efor
ourreser
vati
ons.
Sbani
-(smi
rks)j
ustf
oll
owmemyl
ady
.

Hehol dsherhandast heymaket hei

rwayt ooneof
thebeaut ifulestatehouse.I tlookedl ikeoneof
thosecabi nhouses, exceptt hiswast opbi l
li
ng
mat er
ial,thehousewasmadeoutofst oneand
glass.Theyr eachedt hedoor ,heopenedf orher,she
gotinside, itwasev enmor ebr eathet akingont he
i
nside,thei nter i
orwasoutoft hiswor ld,butthe
colourswer enotwar m, homel ycol our s.Thedi m
coloursscr eamedpr ofessional ,
businessand
muscul ar.Shel i
keditthough, theshi nywoodenf loor
capturedherat tenti
on.Asshewasl ooki ngaround
shesawawal l
withblackandwhi tepict ur
es,she
walkedt owar dsthewal landwhatshesawl efther
speechless. ..
.
Nel
l
y-Sbani
..
..
.what
..
.whati
sthi
s?Whatgoi
ngon?

Hehasbeenl ookingathersmi lingt hiswhol etime.

Hewi llforev
ercher i
sht hefaceshemadewhenshe
sawt hepi ct
uresofher ,theirbabi esul tr
asound
pict
uresandpi ctur
esthatt heyt ookt ogetheralong
withBlessandNomv elo.Thewal l alsohadNoma' s
pict
ures, Noma' sult
rasoundpi ctur easwel l
.There
wasapi ctur
eofNt ombi ,Nomaandhi mt oo.Itwas
thedayNomagotbapt i
zed.Ther ewasal soapi ct
ure
ofthet hreeoft hem whenNomawasst il
l att
he
hospitalandwhenshet urnedone. ..

Sbani
-(hol
dsherhand)y
ousaidthefi
rstthi
ngI
shoul
ddoisgetmyownpl ace.Wel
lIdid.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouwoul
dgeti
tthi
sfast
.
Sbani
-well,
Ikinderalr
eadyownedt hisplace.Me
andBlesshav eapropertybusi
nessont heside,
Major
ityofthehousesher eheownst hem.Wel lhe
ownsmaj or
ityofthebusiness.Ionl
yhav e30%oni t
.
Thi
sishowhecl eanshis..
..(
hestopped).WellIwil
l
t
ell
youal
laboutt
hisbusi
nessoneday
.
Nell
y-(tear
y)andthepictur
es?Ohmygod!!They
beauti
ful,(
play
ful
l
yhi t
tinghimi
nthechest
)youtook
pi
cturesofmeasl eep.
Sbani
-(hol
dsherwaist)youlookyourbestwhenyou
sl
eepi
ngpeaceful
l
y.(Sighs)Ihopeyou'r
enot
off
endedbythepi
ctureswithNtombi onthem.I
t
j
ust.
.
Nelly-(pl
acesherfingeronhi
sl i
ps)youdon'
thav eto
explain.Iunder
stand.Shewaspar tofyourl
i
fe,she
sti
lli
sbecauseofNoma.Ican' tfaul
tyouonthat.I
respectherplaceiny ourl
i
fe,
aslongassheisn'tin
yourbed.
Sbani
-(smirks)wel
lyougotmei
nyourbedwhi
l
eI
wassti
llr
ightful
l
yhers.
Nel
l
y-(
star
esathi
m bl
ankl
y).
..
Sbani
-toosoon.
..
Nel
l
y-wayt
oosoonbabe.
..
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Okay
,wel
lcanIgetmyki
ssnow
woman.
Shesmi
l
edandt
heyFr
enchki
ssed.
..
.

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT.
..
.

ZenandeandMbal iweregoingt ospendtheni ght

together.Theyplannedoncat chi
ngupwi ththeir
favouriteser
ies"BeingMar yJane".Theyhad
everythingsetupatt helounge.Popcor n,thei
rtwo
bottleofwhiteandr edwi ne.Sourjel
lybabies.Anda
tubofTi nrooficecream.Mbal iwasalr
eadyseat ed
ont hecouch, Zenandecamecar ryi
ngagr eyfluff
y
throw, shehandedittoMbal i
..
..

Zee-If
orgett
otakemygl
assf
rom t
heki
tchen.
Mbal
i
-youneedt
ohur
ryup.Iwantt
opr
esspl
aynow.

Shegotupf
rom t
hecouch,
hershor
tnightdr
ess,
fl
i
ppedupwhenshestoodup,
exposi
ngherwhite
buttcheeks,
Mbalistar
edatherbut
tcheeksandran
hereyesdownt ohersexysmoothLi
ll
ywhitel
egs.
"Shewasper f
ect"
..
..

Zenandecamebackandshegotunderthet
hrow,
shemov edclosert
oMbali,t
hei
rbar
eti
ghst
ouchi
ng.
Theypressedplayandbegantowat
ch.
.

Mbal
i
-sowher
eisMel
rose?
Zee-Idon'
tknow,Il
astsawhi
m onl
uncht
ime,
he
camet ocampus.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zee-wher
eisBr
uce?
Mbali
-Idon'
tknow,Il
astsawhi
m,t
hedaywecame
backfr
om Mpangeni.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mbal
i
-ist
hist
hingbet
weeny
ouandShakaser
ious?
Zee-(
sipsherwi
ne)No!!!Idon'
tdorel
ati
onshi
ps,t
oo
muchwastedemotions.I'
m notbui
l
ttofall
inl
ove.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
.

Zee-ar
eyouser
iouswi
thBr
uce?
Mbali
-No,Ij
ustlovet
hathei
sbig.Il
ovetofuckal
ot.
Ineedaguythatwil
lfi
l
lmeup.Bruceist
hatguy.We
j
ustcompanions.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zee-Il
ovet
ocum al
ot.
..
Mbal
i
-metoo,Il
oveitwhenIcur
lmytoesandf
eel
t
heti
ngl
i
ngsensati
onbefor
eIrel
ease.
..
Zenandepl acesherwi negl
assont hecoff
eetabl
e.
Theatmospher ei
nther oom hasnowchanged.
Mbaligetsupf rom thecouchandexcuseshersel
fto
thebathroom.Shel ooksathersel
finthebathr
oom
mirr
or,shet ouchesherpanti
esandt heyarewet.
..

Mbal
i
-Jesus.
...

Thebathr
oom dooropens,Zenandegetsinsi
dethe
bathr
oom andstandsbehi
ndMbal i
.Shelooksather
thr
oughthemirr
or..
.

Zee-(
looki
ngatMbal
i
'sf
atass)
(bi
tesherl
owerl
i
p)
ever
ythi
ngokay?
Mbal
i
-Yeah.
..
Zee-(
mov esclosert
oher)(
rubsher
sel
fonherass)
(bi
tesherlobe)areyousur
e?
Mbal
i
-(moansal
i
ttl
e)(
leansherheadback)y
..
e..
.s.
..
.
Shequeezesherfatt
ybehindandherlef
thand
brushesherpussyoverherpant
iesf
abri
c..
.

Mbal
i
-(moans)whatar
eyoudoi
ngZee?
Zee-(
bit
esherl
owerlip,
squeezi
ngherfat
tybehi
nd
evenmoreti
ght
er)Idon'
tknow,butIl
i
keit.
..
Mbal
i
-(moan)ohgod!
!!Il
i
kei
ttoo.
..

Theycont
inuedtomakeoutr
ightt
herestandi
ng,
whentheybothbegant
omoanoutl oud.They
st
opped..
.

Zee-(
mov
ingback)It
hinkweshoul
dst
op.
..
Mbal
i
-uhmmm y
our
ight
.Letgobackt
othel
ounge.
..

Zenandel
eftf
irst
,af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es,
Mbal
i
fol
l
owedher..
..
ATZI
MBALI
..
.

Theybreakf r
om eachot her'
sembr ace.Lookingat
eachotherey es,lostint hemoment .Helookedat
herwonder i
ngi fafterhet ell
sherev eryt
hing,wi
llshe
sti
lll
ookathi m wi t
hthoseey est hatarefill
edwith
adorati
onandl ove.Yesl ove,thoughshehasnev er
tol
dhim, heknowshel ov eshim, shei sj
ustholding
backbecauseoff ear.Hi slookpi erceshersoul.He
alwayslooksatherasi fheknowsexact l
ywhatshe
i
st hi
nking,helooksatherasi f,heseest hroughher
chesttohernakedhear tandcount sexact l
ythe
numberoft imesherhear tbeatsf orhim...

Nel
ly
-(bi
tesherl
owerli
p)(hol
dshi
sshi
rtwi
thher
t
inyf
ist
)letski
pdinner
..
.
Sbani-(
smir
ks)(pressesherbodytohi
s)what
happenedto(i
mitati
nghervoice)"
Sbaniweneedt
o
gettoknoweachot her"
Nel
l
y-(
hit
shi
m)Idon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
..
.
Sbani
-(st
aresather
)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Nel
l
y-(
wrapsherar
msar
oundhi
sneck)
Ineedy
ou.
..
.

Hesweepsherf r
om thef
loort
ohisarmsmaki
ngher
exci
tedl
yscream andwal
kswithhert
ohis
bedr
oom. .
..

(THERESTOFTHECONTENTWI
LLBEPOSTEDON
THEGROUP)

"Il
ov eyou"t hosewor dskeepr i
nginginhishead.He
can'tbeli
eveshef i
nall
ysaidthoset hreewordsto
him.Wr appedi nhisgr eysil
ksheets,hereshelays
onhi sbarechest .Aft
erav eryhotandst eamy
session.Ev erythi
nghet ri
estoclosehi seyeshe
remember st helookinherf acewhenshesai dthose
threewor dst ohim.Heknownowi sthet i
me.Ifhe
doest el
lhernow, hedoesn'tthi
nkhewi l
leverbe
readytotell her.Het akesadeepbr eatheandhold
hert
ight
ly.Bl
i
nkingthetearsaway,wor
ri
edand
scar
edthathemi ghtj
ustloseher
,whenhejust
fi
nal
lyhadher.
..

Sbani
-(swal
l
ows)I
'
m bi
pol
ar.
..

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

Theynowont hesi xthepi sode, j

ustwhent hetension
wasaboutt odiedown, asceneofMar yJaneand
Dav i
df uckingpl ays.Bot hshiftthemsel vesont he
couch, theybot hcl eart heirt
hr oats.Butt heintense
scenet hatt heywat ching,fuelst hef ir
et obe
touched, Mbal i'
shandbr ushesov erZenandest highs,
shelooksather ,staringateachot her ,
"whatt hehell"
theybot hgof ortheki ll
.Zenander eachesf orMbal i'
s
shoulder sandpul l
sherf acet oher 's,kissesher
slowlyt hanincr easingherpace, hert onguef orcing
i
nt ohermout h.Mbal irespondsbypul l
inghercl oser
andpr essingherbi gt it
sagai nsther s."Jesus!!
"The
feeli
ngwasel ectri
fyingf orthebot hwomen. ..
Zenande-(t
alkswhi
l
eki
ssi
ngher
)letmaket
his
i
nterest
ing.
..
Mbal
i
-(squeezi
nghert
ighs)how?
Zenande-l
etv
ideoShakamaki
ngout
..
.
Mbal
i-(
smi
les)Igotaevenmor
ebetteri
dea.
(
Touchi
ngherpussy)l
etmaket
hisanorgy.
..
Zee-(bi
tesherl
i
p)Iwi
l
lvi
deoShaka,
yout
akecar
e
ofBruce.

Theykissonel
astt
ime,andcl
eart
hetable,
taki
ng
thei
rphoneget
ti
ngtheguysonboard.
..

(RESTOFTHECONTENTTOBEPOSTEDONTHE
GROUP)
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t66

ATZI
MBALI
Hewaitedforhertorespond, butwhenshedidn't
,
hi
sheartstart
edbeatingf ast
.Unsurewhethershe
hear
dhim orsheisasl eep.Hecalledhernameonce
agai
n,shakingher
..
.

Sbani
-Nel
l
y..
.
Nel
l
y-uhmmm.
..
Sbani
-ungi
zwi
l
eukut
hingi
theni
?(Di
dyouhearwhat
Isai
d?)
Nel
l
y-Yeah.
..
.
Sbani
-(hear
tpoundi
ng)so?Whatdoy
ouhav
etosay
?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Idon'
tknow,
whaty
ouexpectf
rom me.

Hisheartsank, notknowi ngwhatexact l

ywhatsheis
feel
i
ng.Shel aidonhi schestquiet
,digest
ingwhathe
hadjusttol
dher .Feeli
nghisbodygoi ngstif
fandhis
handsshakingabi t.Sheturns,wit
hhernakedbody
ontopofhis, shef aceshim, car
essinghisface.
..
Nell
y-(sighs)okay,maybethatcameoutwr ong.I
meanIdon' tknowwhaty ouexpect
edaftert
ell
ing
met hi
s.Ify outhoughti
twouldmakemer unorsee
youdif
f erentl
ythanI'
m sorr
ytodisappoi
ntyou.
Sbani
-what
..
.whatar
eyousay
ing?
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)I
'
m say
ingIl
ovey
oui
diot
.(Fr
ench
ki
sseshim)

Af
terafewminutes,
hepul l
sbackf
rom t
heki
ssand
pr
essesherbodytohis.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)howaboutwehav
ethatt
alknow?
Nel
l
y-ahhhIt
houghtwewer
edoi
ngt
hissexi
ngt
hing
t
hewholeni
ght.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)wow!
!!
!

Shesmiledl
ooki
ngathi
m.Hewasl aughing,
Sbani
sezweZuluwasact
ual
l
ylaughing,withal
lhi
s
t
eet
hout
..
.

Nell
y-(st
ari
ngathi
m)youshoul
dlaughmoreoft
en.
I
tsuitsyou,andIf
indy
ourl
aughsexy.(
Giv
inghi
ma
naughtysmil
e)
Sbani
-(smir
ks)ift
hatyourwayofseduci
ngmefor
mydick,i
tai
n'tworki
ng.(Rol
l
inghert
othesi
de)l
et
tal
kmissy.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)y
ounof
un.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
..

Nel
ly
-sohowl
onghav
eyouknownaboutt
he
di
sorder
?
Sbani
-(l
ooksatt
heceil
i
ng)thedayNt
ombi
came
andmadeasceneattheoff
ice.
..
.
Nell
y-(
conf
used)sheknew,
wai
thowcomeshe
knewyoudidn'
t?
Sbani
-mywhol
efami
l
yknew,
Mydadsawi
tbest
thatIbekeptint hedark.JustsoIcoul
dnotfeelli
ke
Iwasn'tli
ketheot herki
ds.(Shaki
nghishead)ifonl
y
heknewt hat
, keepingmei nthedarkdi
dmor e
damaget hanpr otect
ingme.( Thi
nki
ngaboutthat
fai
thfulni
ght
)
Nel
ly-Ithi
nkwhatyourfamil
ydi
dwasv erysel
fi
sh.
(
Thinking)howdidyousurv
ivet
hiswholeti
me
wit
houtt r
eatment
?
Sbani-thedoctordidprescri
besomepi l
lsf
orme.I
thoughtt heywerejustusedtocal
m myanger..
..
(si
lent)
...canItel
lyousomet hi
ngthough?
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)of
cour
se.
.
Sbani
-Ial
readyknew.
Nel
l
y-whatdoy
oumean?
Sbani-Istoppedusingthepi l
lswhenIwentt o
varsit
y.Iwasdoingv erywel l
.If
eltevenmor ebetter
withoutthem.Thepi l
lsjustusedtodepr essmeand
slowmedown.Myf ir
standsecondy earwentby
perfectl
ywithoutmehav i
nganyepi sodes.(
Thinking)
whenIt hinkaboutit
,Inev erhadanymaj orepisodes.
Ijustgotirr
it
atedeasil
y,andwhenIwasangr y
, t
here
wasn'tawaytocalm medown.ButIneverr
eall
y
harmedanybody.Onmythir
dyearthatwhenthi
ngs
changed,
I.
..
Nel
l
y-(
hol
dshi
shand)y
oudon'
thav
etot
ell
me.
Sbani-(
closeshi
seyes)IwishIcantel
lyoual
lthi
s
butthanIwouldhav
et otel
lyouaboutmydreams.
I
'm notreadyyet
.

Shewrappedherar
m armsar
oundhi
stor
soandl
aid
herheadonhi
schest.
..

Nell
y-Idon'
twantyout
ofeelpr
essured.ThoughI
t
hink,youdon'
treal
l
yhavet
odoi tbutIj
ust.
..
Sbani
-whati
sit
?
Nelly-It
hinkmay beyoushoul
dr equestasecond
diagnosis.Therearet
omanydi screpancieswi
ththe
fi
rstone, It
hinkseeki
ngasecondopi nionwil
lput
yourmi ndatease,mov i
ngfoward.
Sbani
-seeki
ngaseconddi
agnosi
swi
l
lrequi
remet
o
gothr
oughther
apyagai
nNell
y.
Nel
l
y-woul
dthatbesuchabadt
hing?
Sbani-t
hanIwoul
dbejustanot
hercase,some
doctorwant
stocr
ack.NoIdon'twantt
odot hatshi
t
agai
n.
Nel
ly
-(sighs)whydoy
ouhav
etol
ookati
tli
ket
hat
?I
j
ustthi
nk..
.
Sbani-NO!!!Ever
ythingwasokay,
everyt
hingwas
goingwel l
upunt i
lthatni
ghtwhenI.
..(
brusheshi
s
face)
(sighs)I'
m sorry.
.
Nel
l
y-j
ustt
hinkabouti
t(l
ooki
ngupathi
m)
Sbani
-..
.Okay.
..
.(hol
dshert
ight
ly)whati
syour
bi
ggestfeari
nli
fe?
Nel
l
y-mybi
ggestf
eari
smy
sel
f.
Sbani
-whatdoy
oumeanbabe?
Nelly
-(sighs)mymi ndismyownwor stenemy.I
haveawayofexpect i
ngfail
erevenbef oreIatt
empt
somet hi
ng.Especial
lywhenitcomest opersonal
mat t
ers.Ili
veandbreathebusiness,Icansolveany
problem andcomeupwi t
hv ar
ietyofsoluti
onst o
thatproblem.Icangotoanybusi nessdeal withzer
o
preparati
onbutr estassur edbyt heendoft hatdeal I
woul dhav econv incedt hecl i
enttobuyorsel latany
amountofmychoi ce.Thathowgoodand
confidenceIam.Buti can'tapplythatl evelof
confidencet oany thingt hatpersonal.( Touchi ngher
bell
y)I'm pregnant ,Ishoul dbehappyl ikeanyot her
womanbutal lI'
mt hinki ngabouti showbadIwoul d
do,IknowIwi l
lfail
,wi ththatinmymi nd,Ifind
my selfnotev enwant ingt otr
y.(Teary /ashamed)
somet imesIwi shIwasn' tpregnant,somet imesI
wishIwi llj
ustwakeupandt hesebabi eswi llbe
gone, l
ikeInev erwaspr egnanttobegi nwi th.What
kindofaper sondoest hatmakeme? .Whatki ndofa
mot herwishesherbabi est ojustdisappear ?.
Somet imeIdon' tevenhav ethedesi r
eofpar enti
ng
them oncet heyout .(Sni f
fs)
Sbani-(
sit
ti
ngup)whydi
dn'
tyoutel
lmeyouwer
e
feel
ingl
ikethi
s?Whendi
dyouevenstar
ttof
eel
li
ke
thi
s?
Nel
l
y-Il
ovet
hem,
Ido.ButI
'
m scar
ed.(
Sni
ff
s)
Sbani
-(huggi
ngher)youwil
lbegreat
.Doyouhear
me?Youwi ll
begreat
.Justl
ikehowyouruntheZul
u
Coship..
.youwi l
lrunthispar
ent
ingshi
pandi
twi
l
l
sai
ltothefinestofsea's.
Nel
l
y-y
oumeant
hat
?(sni
ff
s)
Sbani
-(smi
les)yesbabe.Phelayoucar
ryi
ngMrCEO
i
nsidet
here(ki
ssesherforehead)
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs,
tear
y).
Sbani
-doy
ouwantt
oknowmybi
ggestf
ear
?
Nel
l
y-Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouhav
eany
.
Sbani -ever
yonehasonebabe.( Sil
ent)..
..If earnot
beingaccept ed,thatwhyIkeepasmal l ci
r cle.I'
m
notper fect
,I'
m probablymor eofamesst hant he
averageper son.Nellypromisemet hatwheni t
's
getst oomuch, whenIhur tyou.You'dt akeourki ds
andl eave.Idon'tthi
nkIcanl i
veknowi ngt hatI 've
hurty ou.Ial
way swantt okeepy ouhappy .Butt here
willcomeat i
mewhenI ,yourbiggestpr ot
ect ormay
bet heboogymany oushouldbehi di
ngf r
om.Ipr ay
thattimedoesn' tcome, butasl
ongasIhav et r
oubles
sleeping,youwillalwaysbeatr i
skwi t
hme.
Nel
l
y-(
star
esdeepi
ntohi
sey
es)Iwoul
dnev
erl
eav
e.
(Shaki
ngherhead)Iam y
ou,
youar
eme,
remember
?
Icanneverl
eaveSbani
.
Sbani-(shaki
nghishead)(
pull
i
ngherevenmore
closer)whatwill
Idowithyou?It
hinkmyatt
it
udei
s
rubbingofony ou.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)sayt
hatagai
n..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)agai
nbabe.
.

Shelaughs,
shouti
ngthosewor ds.Hequi
cklygets
ontopofher,ki
ssi
ngher,caressi
ngherti
ghs,ready
togetitonwit
hheragain.
..
.

Nextday
..
.

7:
00am
ATNELLYSAPARTMENT

MaSi wel apunchesi nthecodet oNellysdoor .I

t
opens.Shewal ksi nsi
de,itquietandpeaceful.The
l
oungel ooksmessywi thallthepopcor n,sweets
andt hemel tedicecr eam.Sheshakesherheadand
makesherwayt oherdaught er'
sroom, fi
ndingit
empt yandt hebedmadeup.Shewal kst otheguest
room.Andwhatshesee' sgiveshertheshockofher
l
ife.ZenandeandMbal i
aretangledtogethernaked
ont hebed, wi thMbal i'
shandI 'minbetweenZee' s
ti
ghs, vicev ersa.Shewal kstot hebathroom, wets
thet owel andwal ksbackt othebedroom, dropping
herbagt othef loor.Shepul l
shersleevesupand
goescl osert ot hebed.Fi r
ststri
kelandson
Zenande' stighs, whilethesecondst r
ikelandson
Mbal i'
sbut t.Jumpi ngf r
om theexcruciati
ngpain,
bothl adieslookatMa' Siwelawhost ri
kesadoubl e
hitont hem. ..

MaSi
wel
a-mi
hlol
ami
nil
e(st
ri
kesagai
n)sekuphel
e
wonaamadodaemhl
abeni
.
..
Zee-(
standi
ngont
opoft
hebed)mama,
whatar
e
youdoingher
e?
MaSi
wela-whatam Idoi
ngher
e?(St
ri
kesagai
n)
umbuzomunilayo(whatki
ndofaquest
ioni
sthat
?)
Mbal
i
-(j
umpingonthebed,mi
ssi
ngt
hest
ri
ke)
mama,i
tnotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke.
MaSi
wela-(st
ri
kes)i
tnotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke?
Nj
engobaigquzazenuzi
ngi
bukanje?

Shestr
ikesatthem r
epeatedl
y,theycont
inueto
dodgesomeoft hestr
ikes,whi
lesomeoft hem st
ing
ri
ghtt
ot hei
rfl
esh.
..
.

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE.
..
..

Mav
isf
ini
shespl
aci
ngev
ery
thi
ngont
het
abl
e..
.
MrsZulu-si
yabongaMavi
s,t
hisl
ooksepi
ti
zi
ng.
Babaputthephonedown,t
hefoodisr
eady.
MrZulu-(
placeshi
sphoneont hesi
de)Iwasjust
readi
ngatextfr
om Sbani
.Letti
ngmeknowt hathe
won'tbei
ntodayattheof
fice.HeandNell
ywillbe
backonMonday .
Sipho-(si
ghs)thatmoreworkonme.Alr
eadyNel
ly'
s
absenceissetti
ngusback.NowtheCEOi sal
sonot
putti
nginthewor k.Hewasn'
tpr
esentev
en
yester
day.Thisisnoton.
MrZul
u-(si
ghs)justlett
hem hav
ethi
sbr
eak.They
goi
ngt
hroughalotrightnow.
MrsZul u-(
looki
ngatSi pho)babythatwhatbrothers
do,whenonei sslackingtheotheronehast ocarry
theload.Hemaybet heCEObutt hatcompany
belongstoallofyou.Ityourchi
ldr
en'sfut
ure.
Zanele-hasanyonetal
kedtoNtombi ,sheai
n'
t
answeringmycallandnotrespondingtoanyofmy
text
s.IwentpasstheirhousebutIwasnotbuzzed
i
n.Owet husaysNomat oldherthathermommyand
daddyar eonthechasetocatchthebadman.
Si
pho-(
laughs)whatt
hehel
ldoest
hatmean?
MrsZulu-(
laughs)ar
eyousur
eOwet
huhear
dNoma
cor
rect
ly?
Zanel
e-(
laughs)eyI'
m notsure.Ial
sofi
ndthatwei
rd
butNomanev erj
usttal
ks,shealwayshasareason
behi
ndherstorytel
l
ing.
MrZulu-well
thi
stime,Iguessoursuperst
arwas
j
ustbeingl
ikeever
yotherkid,t
alki
ngthi
ngsthat
hav
enosenseandmeani ng..
.

Theyl
aughar
oundt
het
abl
e,ast
heydi
gin.
..

(
Unedi
ted)
Shor
t,I
'
m atwor
k..
.
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t67

ATNELLYSAPARTMENT
ZenandeandMbal i
wer esit
tedonthebed.Theyj
ust
fi
nishedshower
ing,scaredtogooutandface
MaSi wel
a..
..

Mbal
i
-Ican'
tbel
i
evewej
ustgotabeat
ing.
Zenande-t
ell
meabouti
t.(
Looki
ngathert
ighs)I
t
st
il
lsti
ngsli
kehel
l
.
Mbali
-(l
aughs)mybut
ttoo.Jesuswhydi
dn'
twe
hearhergeti
n.
Zenande-(
laughs)If
eel
li
kest
ayi
ngher
eunt
ilshe
l
eaves..
.

MaSi
welashout
sfr
om t
heki
tchen,
tel
l
ingt
hem t
o
cometoher
..
..

Zenande-It
hinkweshoul
dgo.
..
Mbal
i
-thi
sisembar
rassi
ng.
..
Theymadethei
rwaytothekit
chen.Thesmell
of
bl
ueberr
ypancakesfi
ll
edtheki
tchen.They
st
omachsgrowled.
..

MaSi
wel
a-si
t,I
'
vemadebr
eakf
astf
ory
ou.

Theylookedateachotherandt
ooktheirseat
s.
MaSiwelajoi
nedinandsatfaci
ngt
het hem...

Zenande-(
clear
sthr
oat
)uhmmm si
yabongaf
ort
he
breakf
astmama.
Mbali
-(cl
ear
sthr
oat
,looki
ngatZee)y
eah,
itt
ast
es
ver
ygood.
MaSi
wel
a-(
sipsherj
uice)ar
eyoul
esbi
ans?
Them-NOOOO!
!!
!
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatt
hem)soy
ini
leengi
boni
l
e
(
whatwast
hatIsaw?)
Zenande-uhmm mama,
we.
..
.wewer
ejust
exper
imenting.
.
MaSi
wel
a-andwhatdi
dyougetf
rom i
t?
Zenande-Ma?
Mbali
-Ma,wewerejustbeingcrazyandf
ool
i
sh,
I'
m
sor
rythaty
ouhadtoseet hat.
MaSi wela-(si
ghs)Iunderst
andy oubothyoung,your
sti
llatthatdiscov
eryage.Idon'
thav eaproblem
withhomosexual i
ty,butyouhavetounderstandthat
I'
m oldandIcomef rom agenerati
onwheresuch
thi
ngswer enotmeantt obeseen.Areyousur eyou
notLesbi ans?
Them-YES!
!!
!
MaSi
wel
a-okaysoni
thandaamapi
pi?
Them-YES!
!!
!!

shetakestheclot
hfrom thetabl
eandstri
kesbot
h
ofthem,dodgi
ngherst r
ikes,
theypul
lthei
rarmsup
coveri
ngthei
rfaces.
..

Mbal
i
-andt
hen?Whatdi
dwedonow?
MaSiwel
a-aninamahl
oni
,ni
ngi
tshel
aebusweni
ukut
hini
thandaamasendeamadoda(Youadmit
ing
tomyfacethatyouli
kemen'
sball
s.)
Zenande-buty
ou.
..
.
MaSiwela-nobut
s,don'
tyouknowthatwhena
parent
sasksyousomet hi
ng,
theansweral
wayshas
tobeno, ev
enwhenityes.Ay
isuka!
!!
!

Sheget
supfrom t
hechair
,thr
owi
ngt
heki
tchen
cl
othontopoft
hecounter
..
..

MaSiwel
a-wena(point
ingatZee)Ibet
terf
indy
ouat
hometoni
ght.Pussyweekhascomet oanend.
Uyangi
zwa?(Doyouhearme? )
Zee-y
eboma.
..
MaSiwel
a-(
sighs)andwher
eist
hemadam oft
his
pl
ace?
Mbal
i-Shehadadat
ewi
thSbani
yest
erdayandshe
di
dn'
tcomeback.
MaSiwel
a-I
'm notevensur
pri
sed.Anywaysget
ready
,wegoingtothehospi
tal
,doessheevenknow
Lungi
eygavebir
th?
Zee-Idon'
tthi
nksomama.Ionl
yknowbecause
Si
mi tol
dme.
Mbali
-(l
ooki
ngatZee)Idon'
tthi
nkIcangotothe
hospi
tal
,ImeanherandNell
yain'
ttal
ki
ngIt
hink.
..
MaSi wel
a-i don'
tcareift
heyai
n'tt
alki
ng,
thi
sisn'
t
abouttheirbeef,i
taboutmygranddaughter
.Nell
y
wil
ljusthavet osuckitup.
Zee-mama,
Ihav
ebecomeclosewi
thSi
mi,
Idon'
t
thi
nkgoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
isa..
.
MaSi wel
a-heh!!
!!Youaf r
aidofgoi ngt oahospital
j
ustbecausey oul oy
altowhoev erbuty oucansi t
andsuckeachot her
'spussieshere?Ni y
anginyel
a
nina(youshi
tti
ngme)y ougoingt ot hathospit
al.I
don'tcar
eaboutanybi tchypettygr udgesr i
ghtnow.
WhenIcomebackf rom thebathroom, youbett
erbe
readytoleav
e...
ATZI
MBALI

Nellyisawakenbyt henoi secomingfrom the

bathroom.Shet akesapi ll
owandcov ersherhead
withit.Butwhenshet riestogobackt osleep,
it
provest obeami ssion.Shesighsandt hr
owst he
pil
lowt othesi
deandl azi
lysit
supthebed.Shehas
alr
eadygat her
edt hatSbani i
staki
ngashower ,but
thatnotwhatwokeherup, i
twashishor r
ibl
esingi
ng
thatdid.Hewassi nging"IFbyDav i
do".
..

"
Ilov
eyou,
Ilov
eyou"

Nel
l
y-(
shout
ing)ohgod!
!!
!Sbani
sezwemyear
s

Hel
aughsandcar
ri
esonwi
thhi
shor
ri
blesi
ngi
ng.
..

Sheget
supfrom thebed,
wearshisshi
rt
,shegoes
tohi
swalki
nclosetandsear
chsforfr
eshsheet
s
andcov erforthebed.Whenshe' sdonemaki ngt he
bed.Shebendsdownpi cki
ngt heirscatt
eredcl othes
ont hefl
oor.Sbani comesoutf rom thebat hroom
withatowel wrappedar oundhi swaist.Thev iewof
Nellybentdown, wearinghisshi r
t,wit
hno
underwear,reveali
nghersmoot hskin.Hewal ks
closertoherandpr esseshiscr otchonherbut t.She
standsuphehol dsherwai standswi ngst hem si de
tosidesinging..
.

Sbani
-"Bananaf
all
ony
ou,
papar
azzi
fol
l
owy
ou.
..
."
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)Yaaaasssssbabe.
..

Afterafewminut
esofdanci
ngandhor
ri
blysi
ngi
ng
together
.Shemovesf
rom hi
m..
..

Nell
y-yousuchali
ghtsl
eeper
.Wesl
eptv
eryl
atebut
al
readyyouawake.
..
Sbani
-y ouknowIdon'tsl
eepwheny
ouar
oundbabe.
Ican'
ttakethatr
isk.
Nel
ly-(
wrapsherar
msar
oundhi
swai
st)
(si
ghs)I
'
m
sor
rybabe.
..
Sbani-(smil
es)wenotdiscussi
ngany
thi
ng
depressingtoday
.Nowgoshowersowecaneat
.I
pl
annedsomet hi
ngf
ortheday .
Nel
ly
-(smi
les)It
houghtwewer
est
ayi
ngi
ndoor
s
t
hiswhol
eweekend.
Sbani
-wewer e,
unti
lIr
eal
i
sedy ousawthatasan
oppor
tunit
ytoabusemydick.(
Laughs)
nowgo
shower,
5mi nut
esonly
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)mxm,
yousost
upi
d..
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Shecomesoutoft
heshower
..
.

Nel
l
y-babe,
whatam Igoi
ngt
owear
?
Sbani
-youcanwearmysweatpant
sandt
-shi
rt
.We
wil
lpassbyH&M andgety
ousomethi
ngt
owear..
..
.
ATPAVI
LIONSHOPPI
NGMALL.
..

Simipushedt hebabyst r
oll
er,wit
hNkosana
peacefullysleepinginside.Shewasatcl i
cksbuyi
ng
hersel
fsomecosmet i
cs.Shakawasaboutt ogoand
paywhenhi sey eslandedonSi miwhowas
undecidedonwhatt ypeofwi pestobuy.Helooked
ather,tr
y i
ngt orememberexact lywhere,
hehas
seenher ."Thegar age"her ememberedhowwhenhe
wantedt oknowhername, shewasalreadygone
withthewi nd.Hewal kedtoher .
..
.

Shaka-whydon'
tyouj
ustbuyt
hem bot
h..
.
Si
mi-(
looksbesi
deher
)sor
ry?
Shaka-(point
ingatt
hewipes)whydon'ty
oujustbuy
them both.Youhavebeenstar
ingatt
hem forover2
minutesnow.
Si
mi-(l
aughs)ohmygod!
!!Hav
eIbeenr
eal
l
y
st
ari
ngatthem t
hatl
ong?
Shaka-(
laughs)okaymay
bengi
nehhaba,
buty
ou
havebeenforquit
eawhil
e..
.
Simi-(
smiles)okayIguessIcoul
djustbuyt
hem al
l
.
(Looksathim)uhmm hav ewemet ?
Shaka-t
hankgod,It
houghtyouwouldn'
tremember.
(Smil
es)yeswehave,monthsback,
atthegarage.
Youwere..
.
Si
mi-ohYES,nowIremember
.OhGod!
!!Iwassuch
amessthatday,
thanky
ouagain.
.
Shaka-(l
aughs)arey
ougoingt
othankmeov
erand
overagai
nforjustpi
cki
ngupyourpur
se?
Si
mi-(l
aughs)well
youdidn'
tj
ustpi
ckupmypurse,
butyousavedmef r
om t
hatwomanandtheey
esof
ever
yoneinsi
dethegar
agestor
e.
Shaka-(smil
es)well
howabouty
ouhavel
unchwith
met oday.Thatwayyouwi
l
lbehelpi
ngmethi
sti
me.
Si
mi-(
sil
ent
).
..
Shaka-(
sighs)Iwon'
thi
tony
ou.Ipr
omi
seI
'
m nota
perv
et.
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)Iknowy
ounotaper
vet
,youdon'
tl
ook
l
i
keone.
Shaka-washa!!
!!ThankGodforthesel
ooks.Iknow
whenwomansayt hatt
heyact
uall
ymean"damn
brot
heryoufine..
."(i
mit
ati
ngwomanv oi
ce).

Simibur stsoutlaughing, herl aughwasso

contagioust hatShakaf oundhi msel flaughingtoo.It
hadbeenal ongt imesi ncesheact ual
lylaughedand
enjoyedi t
.Herbi gmar bleey eshi pnotizedhi mt o
j
ustkeepst ari
ngather .Whenherl aughdi eddown,
Nkosanadeci deditwast heper fectt i
met owakeup,
hestartedt ofidget,
thest r
ollerbeltthatst rapped
hi
mi rri
tatedhi m,hemadesmal lbabynoi ses.Shaka
bentdownandl ookedathi m, hecont inuedt ofidget
andmakesmal l
babynoi se,almostasl etti
nghi s
mom knowt hathedidn' twantt obest rapped
anymor e..
..

Shaka-(
smil
es)(
looksatNkosana)It
hinksomeone
wantstobefr
eef r
om al
lthesebel
ts.
Si
mi-(
laughs)hewoul
dhav
etobest
rong.Ican'
t
car
ryhi
m andal
ltheset
hings.
Shaka-y
oucancar
ryhi
m,Iwi
l
lpushal
lthesef
ory
ou.
Simi-(
skept
ical
)Idon'
twantt
obot
hery
ou.
.ar
eyou
sure?
Shaka-Ii
nsi
stedsot
hati
snotbot
her
ingme.So
whatdoyousay ?
Si
mi-uhmm okay
.Thanky
ousomuch.

Sheunbucklestheli
tt
leguy
,whi
leShakaputshis
st
affonhert r
oll
eyandpushest
hetrol
leyt
ogether
wit
hthestroll
er.
..
.

Af
terpay
ing,
theybot
hwal
kedoutofCl
i
kst
oget
her
..
.

Shaka-i
sthereanywher
e,youwantt
ogot
oo?Idon'
t
mindpushingal
lthi
sforyou.
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
wehav
ingl
unchai
n'
twe?
Shaka-(
looksather
)wai
t..
..ar
eyou.
..(
smi
l
es)wow
okay
.Sowher
e..
.wher
e..
.
Si
mi-(
laughs)Jesus!
!!Br
eat
he.
..
Shaka-(t
akesadeepbr eat
h)(
laughs)I'
m sor
ryi
t
j
ust.
..uhm YhoooI
'm speechl
essrightnow..
Si
mi-j
eez!
!!Yout
hink.(
Laughs)i
sCaf
eGi
tanookay
wi
thyou?
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)y
es.
..
.

Theybot
hwal
ktowar
dst
hef
oodcour
tar
ea.
..
.

ATTHEGASARESI
DENCE

MosesandMrsGasawer eseatedatthel
ounge
wai
ti
ngfort
hei
rchil
drentojoi
nt hem.Moses
r
equest
edafamil
ymeet i
ng..
.

Moses-t
heseki
dsar
elat
e.
Mr
sGasa-i
thasonl
ybeen2mi
nut
es.
..
Hi
stwosonsBandi
leandSandi
l
e,t
heyar
etwi
ns
wal
kinsi
det
heLounge..
.

Sandi
l
e-wa'
supf
am.
.
Bandi
l
e-(
kissi
nghi
smom' scheek)mama.
..(
nods
hi
sheadatMoses)pops.
..
Moses-hell
oson..
.(LooksatSandi
l
e)It
oldy
ou,to
l
ivet
hathip-hopshi
toutsi
demyhouse.Nowgreet
uspr
obably...
MrsGasa-(
hol
dshi
shand)babakhepl
ease,
not
t
oday.
.
Sandil
e-what
'spoppi
nvel
e?Whyar
ewesummoned
here?
Mr sGasa-yourf
atherwantstotel
lyouguys
somet hi
ng.Wewillwai
tforyoursi
sterbef
orewe
proceed.
Sandi
le-wel
lthi
sbett
ergofast
.I'
m per
for
mingt
oday
.
Ineedtobeatrehear
sal
s.
Bandi
l
e-Yeah,
Ial
sogotr
ugbypr
act
icet
oday
.
Moses-(l
ooki
ngatBandil
e)(
smiles)howisitgoing
son?Youknowifyoukeepgoingatthispace,you
wil
ldef
ini
tel
yhaveaplaceattheSharksacademy .
Andyouknowwhatthatmeansr ight
?
Bandi
le-(
smi
l
es)onest
epcl
osert
othespr
ingboks
cl
ub..
.
Moses-(smi
l
es)t
hatr
ightson.I
'
m sopr
oudofy
ou
ndodana.
Sandi
l
e-(
rol
l
sey
es)
..
.
MrsGasa-(
looksatSandil
e)(
sighs)babakhe,you
knowSandi
leisperf
ormingatthe46664Nel son
Mandel
aconcert,
themoneyi sgoingtotheNelson
Mandel
afoundati
onforchil
dren.
Bandile-(
smiles)
(fi
stbumpswi thhisbrother
)you
betterscoremebackst aget
ickets.Iheard
NomzamoMbat hawill
behostingit.Ineedtosee
thatfinebabe.
Sandi
le-(l
aughs)heybro,
I'
mjustanopeningact,
I'
m
notatthatl
evelofhavi
ngbackstaget
icketsy
et.But
don'
twor
ryIwi
l
ltakeapi
ctur
efory
oubr
o.
MrsGasa-(
laughs)sowhi
choneofyouwi
l
lbe
maki
ngNomzamomydaught erinl
aw.
Bandil
e-def
ini
tel
yme.Oncesheseesallthi
s,she
wil
lfor
getaboutthatcheeseboyMaps.

Theyal
lbur
stoutlaughi
ng,wel
lexceptf
orMoses.
Nomvel
ocomesr ushingtol
ounge..
.

Nomv elo-(putt
ingherbagdown)I'
m sor
ry,
Ihadto
dropthet winsatDerek'
shouse,
hismom wanted
them fortheweekend...
Sandil
e-(l
aughs)doessheknowwhatshei
sgetti
ng
hersel
fint
o?Phelatheyar
enotcut
eanymore,
they
annoyi
nglit
tl
emonst er
s.
Bandi
l
e-(
laughs)Isecondt
hatBaf
o...
Nomvelo-(
laughs)l
eav
emybabi
esal
one.Yout
wo
usedt
oannoymeaswel l
.
Moses-(
standi
ngup).
..
Mr
sGasa-uy
aphi
babakhe?
Moses-Ineedadr
ink.Youwil
lcomeandcal
lme
whenyoudonewit
ht hi
slousyt
alk.
..

Hewal
kst
ohi
sst
udy
..
..

Nomv
elo-andt
hen,
whatupwi
thhi
m?
MrsGasa-don'
tmindhi
m,hei
sjustst
ressedabout
someworkstuf
f.
Sandi
l
e-nomom,
speakt
het
rut
h.I
tnotwor
k,i
tme.
Bandi
l
e-nobr
ocomeon.
..
Nomv el
o-(
sighs)hesti
ll
streat
syouli
keshit
.(Looks
athermom)Mama! !
!Thisi
snoton.Allt
hisj
ust
becausehedoesn'twantSandi
let
orap.
MrsGasa-justgi
vehi
mtimebaby
.Hejustdoesn'
t
under
standthewaysoft
oday
.Hedoesn'
thateyou.
Nomv
elo-may
bey
oushoul
dcomest
aywi
thme.
Bandi
l
e-noway
,Iwoul
dbebor
edt
odeat
h.Pl
ushe
wil
lfocusal
lhi
sat
tent
iononme,
ifhei
sgoi
ngt
han
I
'm goingt
oo.
MrsGasa-nooneisgoinganywher
e,(si
ghs)wewi l
l
di
scussthi
slat
er.I
'm goi
ngtocal
lyourfather
,he
hassomeimportantnewstoshar
ewi t
hy ou.
Nomvel
o-whyam Iher
e,Ial
readyknowwhathei
s
goi
ngtotel
lus.
Mr
sGasa-t
her
eismor
e..
..

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,shewal
kst
oMosesst
udy
..
.

ATAMANZI
MTOTI

BOBYBEARCHI
LDRENSHOME.
..

Sbanipar
kshiscar
.Nel
lyget
soutt hecarandl
ooks
attheest
abl
ishmentwi
thconfusi
on.
Nel
l
y-babe,
whyar
eweher
e?
Sbani-(smiles)wel l,Iknowy ouusedt ocomeher e
everyChr i
stmaswi thy ourfamilyandspendt heday
withthechildren.AndIknowt hisisthehome, y
ou
usedt odor aisef undsf orbackwheny ouwer esti
l
la
Brownieandgi r
l guide( scout)
.SoIt houghtwecoul d
spendt hedayher ewi ththekids,ifwehav eti
me, we
coulddot hisev eryweekendunt ilyouget
comf ort
ablewi thhav i
ngkidsar oundy ou.I
nherewe
willgettodoal lthesef unst uf
f,changingdiapers,
feedingthebabi es, bathethem.Putt hem tosleep,
playwiththem.
Nell
y-(
laughs,
whilecr
ying)
(sni
ff
s)what
'sf
unabout
changi
ngdiapers?
Sbani
-(smil
es)wel
lnothi
ng,butthewholepoi
ntisto
havefun,
whilel
ear
ningintheprocess.Sowhatdo
yousay?Areyouwit
hme?
Nel
l
y-(
fel
tthebabyki
ck)
(smi
l
es)ohmygod!
!!

Takeshishandandpl acesi
tonherbel
ly
.Hef el
tthe
smallki
cks,exci
ted,
wi t
heveryemot
ionrunni
ng
t
hroughhi
m.Onesmal
ltearr
andownhi
scheeks.

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)wow!
!!
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ffs/
smi
les)i
tthef
ir
stti
me.IguessMrCEO
i
sonboar
daboutthi
swholethi
ng.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)wel
lar
ewi
thusmommy
?
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)y
esbabe.(
Kissi
nghi
m)y
es.
..
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t68

ATTHEGASARESI
DENCE

Mosesandhi
sfamil
ywer
eset
tl
edatt
hel
ounge.He
cl
ear
edhist
hroat
..
.

Moses-uhmm, t
hanky
ouall
forcomi
ng,
thoughi
t
notl
i
key ouhadachoi
ce.
Mr
sGasa-(
Giv
inghi
mthewar
ningl
ook)babakhe.
..
Sandi
l
e-(
rol
l
shi
sey
es)canwej
ustgett
othepoi
nt.
Moses-( gi
vi
nghim adeathst ar
e)AsIwassaying,
thereasonIcall
edyouallhereisbecauseIhave
somenewst oshar
ewithy ou.(Sighs)Newswhich
mightcomeasashockt oy ou..
.
Nomv el
o-(r
oll
sey
es)y
ouf
orgott
ocountmeout
.I
al
readyknow.
MrsGasa-(
looksather
)youknownothi
ngsweety
,
soi
twoulddoy ougoodtol
ist
entoyourf
ather
.
Moses-(t
akesadeepbr
eath)Ihav
easonanda
daught
eroutsi
det
hismarr
iage.
Bandi
l
e-(
eyesout
)WHAT!
!!
!!
??
Nomv elo-(
confused)daughter
?Whatdoy
oumean
daughter?IthoughtBl
ess..
..
MrsGasa-wil
lyoul
etyourfat
herf
ini
shspeaki
ng.
Thankyoucanaskquesti
ons.
Moses-thankyoumkami .Ihaveason,hei smyf irst
born.Hi
snamei sBl essi
ngSbusisoNdawor a,Ihad
hi
m whenIwasst i
l
l young.ThenIhady oursi
ster
Nomv el
o,thenaft
erNomv el
oIhady ourothersister,
(t
akesadeepbr eath)Nellythenaf
terhercamey ou
guy
s.
Bandil
e-wher
ear
ethey
,howcomeweknownot
hing
aboutthem?
Nomvel
o-soIhav
easi
ster
..
.whenar
ewemeet
ing
her
?
Moses-(
looksdown)y
oual
readymether
..
Nomvelo-(
confused)whatdoyoumeanIal
ready
mether(st
aresatherfat
her)
Moses-(
star
esbackather
).
..
Nomv
elo-(
eyesout
)NO.
..
.
Moses-(
sighs)YES.
..
Bandi
le-(
looksathissi
ster
)sis,
whatgoingon?Do
youknowt hesepeopl
ethatdadist
alki
ngabout?
Nomv
elo-Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his.
..
.doessheknow?
Moses-No.
..
MrsGasa-weplant
otel
lhert
hough.Wecoul
dn'
ttel
l
herwi
thever
ythi
nggoi
ngonwithher.
Nomv
elo-(
looksathermom)y
ouknewaboutt
his?
..
.
wow! !
!!Justwow! !
!Kanti
babaunj aniwena,izi
fi
hlo
ezingaka,Ial
mostdatedmyownbr ot
her.Ihave
beenhangi ngaroundmyownsi sterthiswholetime
andIdi dn'
tknow.Doy ouknowthedanger sofsuch
secrets.WhatcouldhavehappenedhadIsl eptwi t
h
myownbr other
, wor
sehadIgottenpr egnantwith
hischild.
Mr sGasa-y ourfatherhadtokeephi schil
dren
hiddenf r
om theey esofthepubli
c.Youknowt he
dangersofhi slineofwork,backthant her
ewer eno
resourcesforhimt oassignsecuri
tydet ai
lfort
hem.
I
twasonl yl
imi t
edt ous,t
helegalfami l
yintheeyes
ofthepubl i
c.Hecoul dnottakethatriskandput
theirl
i
v esatrisk.Hehadt owatchf r
om adi st
ance.
Bandi
l
e-whendowemeett
hem?Ori
sitst
il
lnot
saf
e?
Moses-y ouwil
lmeett hem soonson.Yourolder
brot
herlookssomuchl i
keme( laughs)youwil
llov
e
hi
m.Andy oursi
ster(smil
es)shei stoowhit
e,took
hermother'scomplexionbutdefini
tel
ytookour
hazeley
es.
Bandi
le-(
smil
es)wel
lI
'm gl
adtohaveabi
gbr
other,
nooff
encetymabutabigbrot
heri
ssomuchmor e
cool
erthany
ouoldman.
Moses-
(l
aughs)hawu,l
etseehowcool
Iam whenI
cuty
oural
lowance.
..
MrsGasa-(l
ooksatSandi
le)y
ouhav
ebeenqui
et,
don'
tyouhaveanyt
hingtosay.
Sandi
l
e-No.
..
Mr
sGasa-any
thi
ngatal
l
,Iknowi
tashockbut
..
.
Sandil
e-(l
aughs, sar
casti
cal
ly)shock???I
'm not
shocked,Isawt hiscoming,
I'
mj ustgladi
toutt her
e,
i
shesur ehedi dn'tl
eaveanyotherkidsbehind,I
mean, wedon'twantt ofi
ndourselvesimpregnanti
ng
ourownsi st
ers.
MrsGasa-(r
epr
imandshim)SANDI
LE!
!!
!Thati
sno
waytotal
ktoyourf
ather
..
Sandi
le-(r
oll
seyes)i
sther
eanythi
ngel
se,
ift
her
eis
nothi
ng,Iwouldl
iket
oleavenow.
Mr
sGasa-SANDI
LE!
!!
Moses-(
star
esathi
m)l
ethi
mleav
emkami
,j
ustl
i
ke
thepussyhei
s,t
hisconv
ersat
ioni
sn'
tforsi
ssi
es
anyway..
.
Nomv
elo-Baba!
!!
!
Bandi
l
e-Dad!
!!
!
Mr
sGasa-BABAKHE!
!!
!!NO.
..
.
Sandil
e-(st
andingup)ifrefusi
ngtoprai
seyoufor
abandoningyourownbl oodmakesmeapussy ,t
han
I'
dbehappyt obet hebiggestpussyi
nthisfamil
y.
Forgi
vemeMoses, Idon'tcheerf
ordeadbeat
fat
her'
s...

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,hel
eftt
hem seat
edt
her
e..
..

ATGALLERI
AMALL

SbaniandNellyj
ustcamebackfr
om theBabyBear
chi
ldr
en'shome.Theydeci
dedtomakeast opatthe
nearbymallandbuythemsel
vesaplatt
erfr
om
oceanbasket.Ohwell
,i
twashercrav
ingthei
rost
ers
andj
uicypr
awns.
..
.

Sbani
-(hol
dingherhand)y
oudi
dgr
eatt
oday
..
Nel
l
y-(squeezeshi
shand)Iactuall
yhadagr eatday
.
Howdidyouknowaboutt hatpl
ace?andthatmy
f
amilyandIusedtogothereeveryhol
idayseason?
Sbani
-(smi
les,
feel
i
ngpr oudofhi
msel
f)wel
lIdi
d
somediggi
ngandal i
tt
lebir
dytol
dme.
Nell
y-(
smiles)andwhoi
sthat
?Idef
ini
tel
yknowi
t
notMa'Si
wela.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)def
ini
tel
ynot
,yourbr
otherdi
d.
Nel
l
y-Mt
hoko?
Sbani
-yeah,
hei
sact
ual
l
yagr
eatguy
.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)hei
s.Sensi
ti
vet
oo.Hei
sjusta
cuddl
ebear
.
Sbani
-(ki
ssi
nghercheek)hey
!!
!I'
myourcuddl
ebear
.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
essmi
l
ing)
..
.
Theywer ewai t
ingforthei
rorder,whenagent l
eman
seatedatt hefarendoft hecorner.Her egconi
sed
her,notsureifitwasherbuthedef i
nit
elywouldn'
t
forgetthefacethatremindshim somuchofhi stv
personali
tycrush,AmandaduPont .Heexcuses
himselffrom hi
st ablehewasshar i
ngwi thhis
fri
endsandmadehi swaytothem. .
.

Man-(
bar
it
onev
oice)Hel
l
o!!
!

Theyturnedandstaredathim.Hewaswear i
ng
casual
ly,hi
skarkishort
sf i
tt
edhim perfectl
y,tal
l
,
muscular,darki
ncompl exi
onandbal d.Itsafetosay
,
hewasMor ri
sChestnutcousin.
..

Sbani
-(r
aisi
nganey
ebr
ow)canwehel
pyou?
Man-(star
esatNel l
y)(
pull
shishandoutf
orashake)
JasonJones,butyoucancal l
meJJ, r
epr
esent
ati
ve
ofYorubaLogist
ics,Lagos.
Nel
l
y-(
shakeshi
shand)uhmm hey
,Ihav
en'
treal
l
y
metany
onef
rom t
hatsi
debesi
deBel
i
nda.
JJ-(smiles,showinghi swhit
et eet
h)wel l,I
'veseen
you,wehav eact uall
ybeenint hesamer ooms
coupleoft i
mes, butIguessy ouwer etoooccupi ed
tonoticeany one.Besideyout hebeastint his
i
ndust r
y,whenev eryoui nt
her oom,ever yonewant s
apieceofy ou.I'm gl
adt ofi
nallymeety ou, wewill
be
workingcloselytogetherontheNi geri
andeal .
Sbani
-(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
,looki
ngatt
hei
rhands)

Shel
etgoofhishand,l
ooki
ngathi
m,hepul
l
sout
hi
shandtoshakeSbani'
s.
..

JJ-I
'
m sor
ryMan,
I'
mjustt
akenbyt
hisr
emar
kabl
e
woman.
Sbani
-(st
aresathi
shands)
..

Nel
l
yscl
ear
shert
hroat
,nudgi
nghi
m..
.
Sbanishakeshi
shandsqueezi
ngtight
er,
stari
ng
backathim JJmatcheshi
sti
ghtsqueezeand
respondsbysqueezi
ngbackevenmoretight
er.
..

Nel
ly
-(st
aresatbot
hmen)uhmm wel
l
,itwasni
ce
meeti
ngyou..
JJ-(l
et'
sgoofhishand)(smil
es)pleasureallmine,
toget
herIhopewewi l
lachi
evegreatthings.Ican'
t
waitworkcl
osel
ywithyou.

HeacknowledgesSbani
,andlooksatNel
lyonemor e
t
imebeforeturni
ngandgoingbacktohi
stable.
..
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Zenandelazi
lyt
hrowedhersel
fonthebed.She
l
ookedupt hecei
li
ng,thi
nki
nghowMaSi welastri
ked
them, ont
opofthatshegavethem ahearingon
thei
rwaytoseeLungieyatthehospit
al.Shelaughed
thi
nkinghowmuchshehasl ongedforamot herl
ike
MaSi welai
nherl i
fe.Shegotupf r
om t hebedand
wentt oherdresserdr awer slooki
ngf orwi pesto
remov eshermakeup, shenot i
cedshewasoutof
stocksoshemadeherwayt oMaSi wel a'
sr oom.She
walkedtoheri nsuitebat hroom, l
ookingt hroughher
drawers,whensheopenedt heseconddr awer ,t
here
wer etwophotost hatcaughtherat t
ent i
on.She
pickedthefir
stone.I twasMaSi welaandamanwho
l
ookedexact l
yl i
keher .Nodoubtt hemanwasmi x
race.ShelookedatMaSi welawear i
nghermom
j
eans, whit
ePepsi sweat erwithadryper m.

Zee-(
laughs)hhay
ithi
smamahasbeensl
ayi
ngal
l
herl
if
e..
.

Shepl acedthepicturebackinsi
de,shet ookthe
secondt hepicture,t
hiswasdiff
erentthough,the
samemanf r
om t hefi
rstphotowasher ebuthisface
waspokedwi thapen, makinghisface
unrecognizable.Thatwasst r
ange,whywoul dshedo
that.Sheplacedt hephotobackinside,whenshe
wasaboutt oclosethedr awer ,
shenot icedthere
wasa3r dphot oatthecor neroft hedrawer.She
pickedthephot oup, atthebacki twaswr i
tt
en" BFF'
s
4EVER "shelaughed, thi
nkhowt hatwasso
hi
ghschool tendencies.Shet urnedthephot o,when
herey eslandedont heper sonnextt oMaSi wela,she
chokedonherownsal iva,hermout hgoi ngdrythat
i
nst ant.
..

Zee-(
conf
used)Mom.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
tear
y)Icanexpl
ain.
..

ATSI
MIANDNHLANHLA'
SHOUSE

Shepl acedNkosanaonhi sbabycourt.Shejust

fi
nishedbat hehim.Hehasbeensuchagoodboy
thi
saf ternoon.Shesmi l
edthi
nkingofthewonder f
ul
dayshehad.Shakai saveryf
unnyguy ,fr
eespir
it
soul.Nhl anhl
aent er
edtheroom andwat chedhow
shestar esattheirson.Hewalksclosertothem and
holdsherfrom behi
nd,
looki
ngatt
hei
rson
together
..
..

Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)hei
sbeaut
if
ul,
isn'
the?
Nhl
anhl
a-(
smi
l
es)hei
s..
..t
hanky
ou.

Heturnsher,t
heyf
aceeachot her
,heplaceshis
handsonherwaist
,star
ingathereyes.Heleans
for
ward,whenhisl
ipswer ei
nchesawayf r
om hers.
Sheclear
edherthr
oat.Brushi
ngthesideofhis
shoul
ders.
..

Si
mi-I
'
lll
eav
eyout
obondwi
thy
ourson.

Shemovesf
rom him andleaveshim standi
ngther
e.
Hesi
ghsandmov esclosertohisson'scourt
.

Nhl
anhl
a-Ihur
therdi
dn'
tI.
Nkosanamakesbabysounds.
..

Nhl
anhl
a-y
eah,
Iknow.Imessedup.
..

ATORTAMBOI
NTERNATI
ONALAI
RPORT

Tel
l
er-I
Dmama.
..
Lady
2-(handedher
)
Tell
er-(cl
icksonherscreen)ThandekaZwaneand
JuniorSbanisezweZulu.
..
(cl
icksonherscr
een)
(smiles)

Shehandedherbackt
hei
rID'
s.
..

Tel
l
er-(
smi
l
es)Saf
etr
avel
smama.By
eJR.
..
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t69
ATMA'
SIWELA'
SHOUSE

Zenande-(
looki
ngatthephotoinherhands)what'
s
thi
smama?Thi sisLi
ndiwe,(
looksatMaSiwela)how
doyouknowmymot her?
Ma'Si
wela-(
bli
nkst
het
ear
yaway
)canwesi
tdown
andtal
k.
Zee-(
conf
used)mamawhat
'
s??
..
.

Shetookherhand,
theywal
kedandsatont
opofher
bed.
..
.

Ma'Si
wela-(takesadeepbr eath)youknowt hefi
rst
ti
meIsawy ou,(smiles)therewasj ustsomethi
ng
aboutyouthatbr oughtjoyintomyhear t.wheneverI
l
ookediny ourey es,Iseemy self
..
.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)MamaI.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
shaki
ngherhead)nobabyl
etmet
alk.
(Takest hephot o)(looksati tandsmi les)Iremember
whenwet ookt hi
spi cture,i
twasoursecondy earin
varsity,t
hiswasataJamesBr ownconcer t.I
rememberwel ivedonnoodl esf orthreemont hsj ust
sowesav eupt ogoseehi m(Laughs)wehadsucha
greatt i
met hatday , Doncoul dn'tpickusaspl anned
i
nst eadhecal ledRob, mybr other ,andt hatwast he
dayshemethi m. (
Tear y)Idon' tknowhowandwhen
theyexchangednumber sbutt heydi dandbef oreI
knewi t
,theywer eacoupl e.Itriedsohar dtogether
tobr eakitoffwi thhi m butshewasj ustsohead
overheel sforhi m.( Cryi
ng)If ailedher ,
Iwi l
lforever
l
ivewi t
hthegui lt
.Iknewt heki ndofmonst erhewas
butIdi dn'tdoany thing,Ididn'ttryhar denough.
(Sniffs)Ifail
edher .
Zee-(
huggi
ngher
)mama!
!!
MaSiwela-no,l
etmespeakbaby
.(Sni
ff
s)(
takesa
deepbreath)Robusedt
orapeme..
Zee-(
cov
ershermout
htear
y)No,
mama!
!..
.st
op.
..
MaSiwel
a-(
sni
ff
s)i
tstar
tedwhenIwasingrade6
andhewasint
he9thgrade.Unf
ort
unat
elyf
orme,I
wasav eryear l
ybloomer ,mybr eastgr ewbi gata
veryy oungage, myassandhi psdev elopedear l
ytoo.
Bor ninaf ami l
ywher ethewhi tesi deofmyf ami l
y
domi nated, Iwasav erycar ef reechi ld,mypar ents
all
owedmet owearany thingIl iked, shor t,long,dark
orbr i
ght.Asl ongasIf eltcomf ortabl e,Iusedt o
wearj eanshor tsandsmal lsummerdr essesal ot,I
l
ikedshowi ngof fmyf r
eshwhi telegs, "mi lkylegs"as
Doncal lst hem.Iusedt oat tr
actal otofboy sand
men, justonel ookatme, t
heywoul dbeal l overmy
space.Iguesswhatt hoseboy sandmensaw, was
thesamet hingRobsawandwant ed.Oneev ening
mymom andherpar entswer eawayat tendi nga
relati
vesweddi ng,Iwasl eftwit hRobandourmai d.I
rememberIwentdownst air
swi thmyshor tboxer
pajamas, Ihadabadhabi tofdr i
nki ngmi l
kf r
om it
packagi ng, Iwasst andingdr inkingmi l
k, withthe
fri
dgeopenwhenIhadt hisfeel i
ngofbei ngwat ched.
Isuddenl yf eltuncomf ortableanduneasy .WhenI
turnedIf oundRobst ari
ngdi rect l
yatme,hi seyes
piercethroughmybody ,hewoul dr unhi sey es
starti
ngf rom t hebottom al lt
hewayup, If elt
disgustedbyhi sacti
ons.Iconf ront edhi m buthe
straightoutdeni edi t,t elli
ngmei tallj
usti nmyhead.
Ifeltsobadacussi ngmyonl ybrot herofsuch.One
dayIar rivedbackf rom t ennispr act i
ceandhehad
fri
endsov er,oneoft hosef r
iendswasDon,
i
mmedi at el
yIgothi sat tention,vicev ersa.Robdi dn'
t
appr oveofourr el
at i
onshi p, atfir
stIt houghti twas
becauseoft heagegapandbecausehewashi s
fri
endandRobwasj ustbei ngapr otectivebi g
brother.ButI tf arfrom i t,Ijustdidn' tknowhowf ar
fetchedi twas.Thef i
r stt i
mehet ouchedme, Iwasi n
thebasementofourhousepl ay i
ngdol lswi t
hour
mai ds8y earol ddaught er.Hecamei nsi deandt old
thegi r
ltogoout sidehewant edt ot al
kt ome.He
shutt hedoorandwal kedcl osert ome, hest arted
askingmei nappr opr iat equest i
ons, heaskedi fhav e
Isleptwi thDony etet c.WhenIanswer edNot oall
hisquest ions, Iremembert hesi cksmi rkhehadon
hisface.( Takesadeepbr eat h)thatwhenhest arted
runninghi shandsonmyt ighs, Ipushedhi m of f
,but
hepi nnedmedownandwhenIt riedtoscr eam, out
ofnowher eIsawakni fepl acedonmyt hroat.He
toldmei fIdon' tgiv ehi m whathewant s, hewoul d
sli
tmyt hroat ,
andt ell mymot herandourgr and
parentst hatt hemai dhi redment orobourhomehe
tol
dmehewoul drapemet hanki llme, het oldmehe
wouldt ellourgr andpar ent st hemenr apedme.
Comi ngf rom awhi tefami ly ,theywer enotr acists
butof cour set heywi llfor ev erpr ef ert heirownt han
others.Ourmai dwast hesweet estwomanal i
ve,
knowi ngt hatshecoul dbear rest ed, herdaught er
wouldbel eftwi thoutamot her ,anent i
ref ami l
y
l
osingabr eadwi nner,al lbecauseofasi ckand
twist
edi ndi vidual.Wi tht ear sr unni ngdownmy
cheeks, (crying)Igav emy sel ft ohi m, rightt her ehe
tookmyi nnocence.Af tert hatday ,Ibecamehi sto
have.Ihadt oabor tmyf irstt wochi l
dr enbecause
theywer eanabomi nat ion, howcoul dIt ellpeopl e
thesewer emybr othersbabi es, howcoul dIev en
l
ov ethem whent heywer econcei v edi nt hemost
painf
ul andbr utal way .Af t ersomet i
meInol onger
foughthi m, Ijustgav emy sel fwi lli
ngl y.Ir emember
whenIwasi nmymat ricy earDonwant edt osl eep
withme.Ihadt of akebr eakupwi thhi m, It oldhi m,I
knewaboutt hegi r
lshedat edi nv arsity,
af tercoupl e
ofmont hsIgotbackwi thhi m, t
el l
inghi m some
scum t ookmyv irginit
yandl eftmeaf tert hat .He
consoledmeandal lwasf orgiven.Igotpregnant
withNhlanhlai nthelastfewmont hsofmy1sty ear
i
nv arsit
y,he.
...Heusedt ostickhisdirtythinginside
me, whil
eIwaspr egnantwithmybaby ..
..
..whenhe
mety ourmot her, hestoppedf orsomet i
me.Ibegan
tohav ehopet hatmay behef i
nallyfoundJesusor
somet hi
ng.ButwhenIbegant obegLi ndiwet oleave
him,Ishotmy sel fonthef oot,shet ol
dhim whatI
havebeendoi ng, hewasl i
vi
d, thatdayhef orced
himselfonmybut thole,whenIt ri
edt ofi
ghthi m, he
thr
eatenedt oki l
lmyson, r
apeLi ndiweandpi ni ton
Don.Whatar et heodds, mygr andparentshadpower ,
money ,connect i
onsandDon, wellhecamef rom a
welloffamilytoobuthewasBl ack.SoIlethim
ravageme. .
.
Zee-(cr
ying)nomamast opplease,
Ican'tbear
seei
ngy ouli
kethi
s,Icantl
i
stentothisanymore.
(Tr
yingtostandup).
..
MaSi wela-(stoppedher)Ienduredalltherapes
protect
ingal otofinnocent
sliv
es.Het urnedmy
fri
endagai nstme.Li ndi
weandIr elat
ionshi
pslowl
y
faded.Fastf orwardtowhenNel lyandMt hokower
e
alreadybor n,byt henhehadmanagedt omake
Lindi wedr opoutofv arsit
y ,herf ami l
yhaddi sowned
her ,theywer ebot haddi ctedt odr ugs.It ried
count l
essoft i
mest ohel pLi ndiwe, shewoul dcome
andst aywi thmef oronl yonedayandt henext ,she
woul dbebackwi thhi m.Onceshest artedwi tht he
drugs, itbecameev enmor edi ff
iculttohel pher .I
wat chedmyf riendl oseher sel falli
nt henameof
l
ov e, lov i
ngamonst er .Iknewheabusedher
phy sical l
y ,Iwoul dseet hebr uisesonher .Buthe
nev erabusedhersexual ly.Sheusedt ocomebymy
placeandaskf ormoney ,
Iwoul dgi veher , butI
stoppedwhenIknewwhatshewant edi tfor .My
grandpar entshadst oppedsuppor tinghi mt oo.One
nightIt hink, t
heywer eoutofcash, withdr awal
sympt omski ckedi n, het r
iedt opimpherof f,she
agr eedt hinkingitwasaonet imet hing,butwhenhe
sawt heamountofmoneyhemade, het ur nedi ttoa
regul art hing.Oneni ghthecamewi thawomant o
theirpl ace, t
heyf ought ,hecal l
edhernames, called
herapr ost i
tute.Whenshef oughthi m, her apedher ,
brut allyrapedher .Thatwast hedayshecamet omy
doorst epbl eeding, bitemar ksonher ,herl ife
hangi ngont hinice.Itol dherl etgot othepol icebut
sher ef used, i
nasi ckt wist edway ,shewasst illl
oy al
tohi m.Shest ay edwithmef oraweekandt he
foll
owi ngweekwentbackt ohi m.Whenhef oundout
Ihelpedher ,hewentt owher eNel ly'sday carewas,
het ookpi cturesofmyl itt
legi rlpl ay i
ngatt heschool
playgr ound, hesentt hoset ex tswi thasi ckcapt i
on" I
wonderhowt ightandsweet ,shewoul dt aste".That
daysomet hingcl i
ckedi nsi deme, Ihadenoughof
him, Iv owedonmybabygi rlslife, thathewoul dn't
touchher .2weeksl ater ,theybr okei nsidemyhouse,
Ithinkt hepl anwast oj ustst eal andl eav e, butI
camebackear lythatday ,itwasmeandmybaby
girl
,theboy swer eatthei rfather 's.Iopenedt hedoor
andf oundt hem, l
ookingf orcashi nsidemyhouse.I
askedt hem t oleavebef oremydaught ersawt hem,
Lindiweapol ogisedandt oldhi mt heyshoul dl eav e,
theywer eaboutt ogobutwhent hewor ds" mommy "
camef rom behi ndme, hest oppedandl ookedather ,
witht hesamesi cktwi stedsmi r
konhi sf ace,one
thatIknewt oowel l,j
udgi ngf rom l indiwesf acet oo,I
concl udedsheknewi ttoo.Iboi led, hewasnotgoi ng
totouchmydaught er
, notwi thmet hereandnot
whenIwasbr eathing.Lindi
webeggedhi mt hatt
hey
l
eav ebuti
tfeltondeafear s, hesawhi msel fasGod,
hegotawaywi thtoomuch, hebecamecocky .He
thoughthewoul ddoashepl easesandget saway
withitj
ustli
keal way s,
butwhathedi dn'tknowwas,
hewasdeal i
ngwi t
ht wol i
vid, enraged,t
iredwomen,
womanwhowher ebothmot her '
s,mother stobaby
gir
ls.Li
ndiwewaspr egnantt hatnight,
nowwhenI
l
ookback....

Shestoodupandwal
kedt
oherwi
ndow,
looki
ng
out
side.
..

Zee-mymom waspr
egnant
?What
..
.whathappened
tothebaby
?
MaSiwel
a-(
tur
nedandl
ookedathersi
l
ent
lycr
ying)
I
'mlooki
ngather
..
..
Zee-(cr
ying)
whaaaaat
ttt
!!
!!
!.
..
.ifIwast
hebaby
,than
thatmeans..
..t
hatmeans..
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
cry
ing)hei
syourf
atherbaby
,Robi
syour
f
ather
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.

Zee-wher
eishe?Whathappenedt
ohi
mthatni
ght
?
MaSi
wel
a-(
stopscr
ying)
(bol
dvoi
ce)WEKI
LLED
HI
M..
.

ATMORNI
NGSI
DE.
..

boy
-(f
rowns)whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome.
Thandeka-(
sighs)babyIt
oldyouthi
sisourhome
now.Igotabetterpayi
ngjobher
e.
Boy
-Iwantt
ogobackhome.IHATEt
hispl
ace.
Thandeka-wel
lsuckitupSbani,
thi
sisnowy our
home.I'
m notdeal
ingwithyourt
antr
umsrightnow.
SJ-(
kickst
hetabl
e)IHATEYOU,
ANDIHATETHI
S
FUCKINGPLACE..
.
Thandeka-(
shouti
ngathim)YEY!!
!WENA!
!!whoar
e
youtal
kingt
olikethat
..
.

Thedoortohi
sroom bangedsohar
dthati
tpi
erce
thr
oughherear
s..
..
.

Shesighedsitt
ingdown.SJtemperwasget t
ingour
outofhand.Herparent
stoldherthatSJneededto
beintr
oducedtohisfamil
iesancestor
s,ev
enwhen
hewassi ck,
theywenttoseeapr ophet
,hetoldt
hem
thesamet hi
ng.

"Theboyneedst
obei
ntr
oducedt
ohi
sfat
her
's
ancest
ors"

Shet
ookherphoneandwentt
ohercont
act
s,f
indi
ng
Si
phonumber,
shesenthi
m atext
..
.

"
HeyMrCFO,
guesswhol
i
vesi
nDur
bannow,
tex
t
mesowecanmeetov
erl
unchandcat
chup"

4MONTHSLATER.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
56]Mar
cia:
Inser
t70

ATZULU&SONSCO

boar
droom 1B.
..
.

Nel
lyandJasonwer
eonav
ideoconf
erencecal
l
wit
hBeli
nda.
..

Beli
nda-(
smiles)I
'
mi mpressedguy s,
inf
act
ever
yoneis.Weont her
ighttrack.
Jason-well
Belindat
hatwhaty ougetwhenyouwor
k
wit
hthebest.(
looksatNell
y)sheisabeast,
that
di
stri
buti
onconcept,shecameupwi thi
t.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)It
hinky
ougi
vemet
oomuchcr
edi
t,
al
lIdi
dwaswrit
eupt heconcept,
ther
eal
wor
kis
whenyouputt
hatconcepttoli
fe.
Beli
nda-well
youthebr ai
ns,
(smil
es)ar
eyousure
youhappythere,y
ouknowwecanpayy out
hree
ti
mesmor e.JointheLagosteam.
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)I'
mloyal
tomypeopl
eBel,butifyou
mustknow,Idon'
tpl
antobeanemploy
eef orlong.
Jason-mmmhhhmm. .
.I'
l
lbey ourfi
rstemployee
wheny oustartupyourownbusi ness,
withyourki
nd
ofbrai
ns,youwi l
lbeaseriouscontenderi
nthisli
ne
ofbusiness.
Beli
nda-y
ouknow,ifi
tfundsyouwant,Yorubat
eam
i
swi l
li
ngtogi
veyou,andyoucanstar
ty our
busi
nessinnoti
me.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)(packsup)Belyoudon'tgi
veupdo
you,wellr
ightnowIstil
lenj
oywor ki
nghere,butI
'
ll
keepthatinmind.Wellift
hatall
,Iwouldli
kewe
wrapthisup,I'
m hungryandexhausted.
Jason-(
smi
les)mybabiesneedfeedi
ng.Bel
i
nda,
I
thi
nkweshouldsayourgoodbyesnow.
Bel
inda-(
laughs)wel
li
tal
way
sgoodwi
thy
ouguy
s.I
wil
lbeintouch.

Vi
deocal
ll
inedi
sconnect
..
..

Shest
ooduppacki
ng.
..

Jason-(
standi
ngup)l
etmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat
..
Nell
y-(
rol
lsey
es)Jay
,youdoknowthatI
'
m not
handi
cappedri
ght
?I'
mjustpr
egnant
.
Jason-well
Idoknowthatyouiny
our8thmonth,I
can'
tlety
ouexhausty
oursel
f.Nowshutupandlet
me.

Shesmil
esathi
m,hesmi l
esbackandgathersthei
r
st
uff
.Walki
ngouttheboar
droom andmakingtheir
waytoherof
fi
ce.
..
Jason-whathav
en'
tyout
akenl
eav
eyet
?
Nel
ly
-(si
ghs)Niger
iaismyfi
rstbi
gproj
ect
,ifIIgi
ve
i
tmybest,thi
stheproj
ectt
hatwil
lgi
vemeaname
i
nthi
sindustr
y.
Jason-butyoualr
eadyhaveaname.Imeanmost
peopleknowy oual
ready
.Youdon'
treal
l
yneedt
o
proveyoursel
f.
Nelly-(
sighs)Iact uall
ydo,onethi ngforsur eis,asa
womanwor kinginamal edomi nat edindustry,Iwi l
l
foreverhav etoprov emyself
.Yespeopl eknowwhoI
am, butt heyonlyknowmebecauseIwor kedal ong
sidesomeone.Butwi tht
hisproject ,
I'
m notwor king
alongthesi des,Iam headingit,thebestt hingabout
thisproject,Icomeupwi t
htheconcept ,Iwillbe
theretoi mplementi tandIwil
lbet heonet oinspect
theout come.I '
m aonemanar my .Thisisbigf orme
Jay .
Jay-(
smi
l
es)your
eal
l
ypassi
onat
eaboutt
his,
Isee
thegl
owi
nyourey
es.
Nell
y-(
stops,smil
esandlooksathi
m)thebeaut
y
aboutl
ogist
icsist
hatiti
severy
where,
andmost
peopledon'tknowt hat,i
nbusi nessy oulear
n
everyday,whatmayf ai
ltoday,tomor r
owi tmaypass,
businessisflexi
ble.(Si
ghs)besi desmywor ki
st he
onet hi
ngy oucan'ttakeawayf r
om me, todayImay
fai
lbuttomor rowIgetachancet oredeem my self
.
(Touchingherbelly)Iwishlifewasl i
kethat,hackI
wishpar enti
ngwasl ikethat.(Shaki
ngherhead) ...
Jason-(hol
dsherhand,
stari
ngather
)youknow,
sometimesitokayt
oletother
sdothi
ngsforyou.
.
Nel
l
y-(
star
ingathi
m)whatdoy
oumean?
Jason-Imeany oudon' thavetoknowi tallordoi tal
l
.
You'r
ehuman, emot i
onsandf eeli
ngar epartofy ou.
Whywantt oliveli
kear obotormachi newheny ou
notmadel i
keone.Humansar emeantt ofail
,feel
andrejoi
ce.Somet i
mesGodpl acespeopl einour
l
ivestodot hingsthatwef ai
ltodoour sel
ves,so
whatI'm sayingis,l
etthosepeopl eful
filt
heir
purposeiny ourli
fe,i
tokayt oaskf orhelpbuty ou
havetobewi ll
i
ngt oletthatthosepeopl ehelpy ou
andtaket hebacksi t
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)sowhi
chpur
posear
eyoumeantt
o
f
ulf
ili
nmyl
i
fe?
Jason-(smiles)welll
etsee,
fornow,It
hinkIam
meanttot akey ououtforaver
yjui
cy,mouth
wateri
nglunch.Sowhatdoy ousaymamapant her
?
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)okaypapa!
!!

Sbanicl
ear
shisthroat
,theyturnar
oundandface
him,hi
seyesstar
esatwher ethei
rhandsar
e.Nell
y
removesherhandfrom hi
s..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)hey
..
.
Sbani-(
star
esatJasont
hanbackather
)canwe
tal
k..
..i
npri
vat
e..
.
Nel
l
y-(
tur
nst
oJason)cany
ouwai
tinmyof
fi
ce.

JasongaveSbani
onel
ookandt
urnedwal
ki
ngt
oher
off
ice.
..
Sbani
-Iser
iousl
ydon'
tl
iket
heguy
..
.
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)wel
lIdon'
tthi
nkhel
i
kesy
ouv
ery
muchtoo.
Sbani
-wel
lhedoesn'
tl
ikemebecauseI
'
mtheguy
thati
nhi
sway,hewantsyou.
Nel
ly
-(r
oll
sey
es)andIt
houghtwomanwer
e
dr
amati
c.
Sbani-y
oudon'
tbel
i
eveme?Ory
ouj
ustchoosi
ngt
o
beindenial
?
Nel
ly
-(sighs)Ij
ustdon'tcare,
Ilov
eyouandonl
yyou.
SoanyoneelseIjustdon'tcar
eaboutt
hem.
Sbani
-(movescl
osertoher)
(smi
l
es)
(hol
dsher
waist
)whatdi
dyoujustsay
?
Nell
y-(
laughs)mxm, y
ousostupi
d.(
removinghis
handsonherwai st
)youknowyoucan'tbetouchi
ng
melikethisatt
heoffice.
Sbani
-(f
rowns)whatar
ewehi
ding?Theyal
ready
knowyou'r
emywoman.
Nel
l
y-Yeahbut
..
.
Bef or
eshecouldfinishhersentence,hemov es
cl
oser ,t
aki
nghermout hint
ohis,holdingherwaist
anddeepeningtheki ss,shewrappedherar ms
aroundhisneck,gainingafewst aresfrom t
hestaff
,
afterafewminutes,hest opandl ookedather.
..

Sbani
-youwer
esay
ing?
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ourightnow.BabeI
havetogo,
Jayistaki
ngmeoutt
ol unch,
plusI
'm
ver
yhungry
.
Sbani
-Jayhuh?!!(
Looksather)
..
.whydoyouguys
havet
oleavetheoffi
ce?Whycan'tyouj
ustorder
?
You8mont hs,
youcan'tberi
ski
ngmov i
ngaround
toomuch.
Nel
l
y-wej
ustgoi
ngdownt
hest
reetbabe,
itnotl
i
ke.
..
Sbani-(giv
esherthestare)..Iknowyousaidy ou
don'
tlikemet ocontroly
ou, (st
ernvoi
ce)butthis
ti
me, Ireal
lydon'
tli
kethi
s, t
ellhimtoorderandt hat
i
sf i
nal.
Nel
l
y-(
sul
ks)y
eahwhat
ever
..
.

Shet
urnedwal
ki
ngt
oherof
fi
ce.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Nel
l
y-(
stopsandt
urnst
ohi
m).
..(
mout
hs"
fucky
ou"
)
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Ial
readyhav
ebabe,
Igav
eyout
wo
babi
esontheprocess..
.

Giv
inghim adeathst
are,sheturnedawayfrom him
andwalkedtoheroff
ice,helaughedwatchi
ngher
unti
lshewentinsi
deheroffi
ce,whenshewasno
l
ongerinsi
ghtwi t
hasmi l
estil
lonhisfaceheturned
andfoundmajorit
yofthestuffl
ookingathi
m...
..
.

Sbani
-(ster
nvoi
ce)
(bl
ankf
ace)GETBACKTO
WORK!!!!
45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Ntombi walksinsi
dether
ecepti
onarea.Shewas
abouttowal kpassMbali
'
srecepti
ondeskwhen
Mbalistoppedher..
..
.

Mbali
-I'
m sor
rybutyoucan'
tj
ustwal
kpassher
e
wi
thoutpermi
ssion.
Nt
ombi
-Idon'
tneedper
missi
on,
I'
mfami
l
y.
Mbali-Idon'tcarewhethery
ou'refamil
yorwhatbut
sti
l
l,Ican'tletyout
hroughwithoutchecki
ngmy
booksf i
rst.Nowpleasedon'tmakemyj obdi
ffi
cul
t.
Nt
ombi-(
rol
lsey
es)Ihaveameeti
ngwi
thmyhus.
..I
meanSba.
..
.MrSbanisezweZul
u..
Mbali
-(checki
ngonherscr een)okayIseeyour
nameislist
edher e.Pleasetakeaseatonthecouch
whil
eIlethim knowt hatyouhavearri
ved.She
wal
kedandt ookherseat .
Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Nell
yandJasonwal kedt owardstherecept i
ondesk
alli
nsmi l
es,Ntombi l
if
tedherey esfrom herphone
andwat chedast heymadet hei
rwayt owardsher.
Sheswal l
owedl ookingatherst omach, itwast he
fi
rstti
meseei nghersi nceshehasbeenpr egnant.
Shewasn' tt
hatbigbutshedi dl
ook3t i
mesbi gger
thanhernormal wei ght.Shewat chedasshesmi led
andgiggledwi t
ht hegent lemannexttoher .Final
ly
theyreachedMbal i
'
sdesk. .
..

Mbali
-(t
ypi
ngonherscr
een)
(smi
l
es)Ihopey
ou
guy
sleftmelunch.
.
Jason-(l
ooksatMbali
gui
l
ty)ei
sh!
!!!Mamapant
her
hereateever
ythi
ng,
sheevenat
ehalfofmyf
ood.
Mbal
i-(
eyesout
)seri
ousl
y??
?Nomngani y
ouneed
t
ostopeati
ngli
kethi
s.Youwil
ltur
ntoawhal
e.
Nel
l
y-(
star
edather
).
..
.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Jason-uhmmm.
..
Mbali
-(l
ooksatNel
lysf
ace)
(fakessmil
es)I
'm
messi
ngwi t
hyou,y
ouknowy ou'r
ethesexi
stthi
ng
al
i
ve.
Nel
ly-Nxi
!!
!!
..
.comeJayl
etmewal
kyout
othe
el
evator
.

Jasonf
oll
owsaf
ter
.Nt
ombi
looksatMbal
iand
l
aughs.
..

Ntombi
-(l
aughs)ser
iously
??!
!!Howdumpcanyou
be?No.
1rule,
youdon'ttal
kweightwi
thapr
egnant
woman.
Mbal
i
-(si
ghs)honest
lyi
tjustcameout
.Idi
dn'
tmean
t
ooff
endher.
Ntombi-(
laughs)Jesus!
!!You'r
eanidi
ot(shaki
ng
herhead)
(mumur ed)I'
m notsupri
sedt
houghall
r
ecept
ioni
star
ebl
onde.
..
Mbal
i
-(f
rowns)excuseme?
Nt
ombi
-(f
akesmi
l
es)not
hing.
.

Nell
ywal ksbackt ot
herecepti
on.Hereyeslandon
Ntombi ,
shest opsandstar
esather.Feel
ing
someone' seyesonher,sheli
ft
shereyesup,
meet i
ngNelly
'ssetofeyes.Theystar
eatone
anotherforafewmi nut
es..
.

Nt
ombi
-(f
akesmi
l
es)hi
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
fakesmi
l
es)hi
..
.

Ntombist
aresatherbel
l
y,putt
ingherhandsar
ound
herbel
l
y,shetur
nstoMbali.
..

Nel
l
y-whyi
ssheseat
edher
e?
Mbal
i
-shehasameet
ingwi
thSbani
,buti
tst
il
ll
unch
soIwi
l
lpagehi
m oncel
unchends.
Nelly
-y ouknowsheissti
llaZuluri
ght,youcoul
d
havej ustl
ethi
m know,t
hedecisiontowaitti
lll
unch
endswoul dhavebeenhis.(
Sighs)(
takesadeep
breath)(t
urnst
oher)uhmm youcancomewi thme..
.
Mbal
i
-(ey
esout
)..
.
Nt
ombi
-(r
aisi
nganey
ebr
ow)
..
.
Nell
y-i
tei
thert
hatory
ouwai tt
il
ll
unchends,(l
ooks
atherwat
ch)whichwi
llendaft
er30minutes.I
tup
toyou.

Ntombist
andsupandfoll
owsNel
l
yast
heymake
t
heirwaytoSbani
'
soff
ice.
..
.

Sbani
'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Thedooropened,l
i
fti
nghiseyestothedoor,he
st
oppedbreathi
ngforasecondwhenhisey es
l
andedonNellyandNtombi."WTF"hethought.
..
Nt
ombi-(
rol
l
sey es)ohr
elaxwoul
dyou,
noneedt
o
pi
ssy
ourpants.
Nel
ly-(st
aresatNt
ombi
)shei
sear
lyf
orhermeet
ing
wit
hy ou.
Sbani
-oh.
.(l
ooksatt
het
ime)v
eryear
lyi
ndeed.
Ntombi
-(sar
casm)Iwant
edt
omakeagood
i
mpressi
onMrZulu.
..
Sbani-(
brushesherof
f)wel
lIguesswecanget
st
arted.
..
Nt
ombi
-(st
aresatNel
l
y).
..
Sbani
-shewoul
dbej
oini
ngus,
shehasaf
ewgr
eat
i
deas.
Ntombi
-(r
aisi
nghereyebr
ow)whydidn'
tyoutel
lme?
ImeanIal
readyhaveever
ythi
ngonpaper
.Idon'
t
real
l
yneedanythi
ng.
Nell
y-(
rol
lseyes)youknowy oucoul
dsitdownand
hearwhatIhavetosay.Youdon'tr
eall
yhavetodo
whatItel
lyoubutthefi
rstr
uleofbusi
nessisyou
havetobeopent oever
ysoluti
on.I
tyourchoi
ce.
Nt
ombi
-(st
aresather
).
..
Sbani-(sighs)look,Ireadyourproposali
tgood.You
didav erygoodj ob.ButNellyrai
sedaf ewpoint
s
thatmadesense.Whatshesuggest edwouldbe
greatfory ourbusiness.Justhearheroutpl
ease..
.
Nt
ombi
-FI
NE!
!!ButIhav
ethef
inal
say
..
.
Nell
y -(
shrugs)fi
nebyme, I'
m notlooki
ngt osteal
yourbusinessfrom you,butIf eel
li
keyourv al
ue
chainwasbeaur acrat
ic,andnotf l
exibl
e,your
proposalwasst at
edt oapposechangewhi chcould
bedanger ousinthelongr un.Youwanty our
businesstogrowi nthey earstocome, soyour
managementv i
ewpoi nthast obeforchangeandnot
againstit
..
.

Shel
i
stenedcar
eful
l
yassheexpl
ainedt
oher
..
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Si
phoandThandekagotoutt
heel
evat
ormeet
ing
Shakaatt
herecept
ionareawhi
l
eengagedonasi
l
ly
conver
sat
ionwit
hMbali.
..

Thandeka-hel
l
oMrTer
enceJ.
..

Shakaturnedl
ookingatthedi
rect
ionoft
hev oi
ce
thatsoundedsofamil
iar
,avoi
cehehasn'thear
dina
l
ongt i
me...

Shaka-(
eyesout
)Mat
handi
e!!
!!
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)I
naf
lash.
..

Hewal
kedandgav
eherabomecr
ushi
nghug.
..

Thandeka-(
laughs)st
il
lhav
en'
tchangedonebi
t.
..
Shaka-(
pull
sawayfr
om t
hehug)ohmyGod!!
!When
di
dy ougether
e?Whatar
eyoudoingher
e?(
Smil
es)
I
'm sohappytoseey
ou
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)i
tgoodt
oseey
out
ooki
d.
Shaka-(r
oll
sey
es)
..
.I'
m ol
dmanj
e,sengi
dla
i
zingane!
!!
Si
pho-(
laughs)y
ouj
usthadt
osayt
hat
..
.
Mbal
i
-(r
oll
sey
es)y
ouknowMel
rosei
sst
upi
dnj
e..
.

Thandekal
ooksatMbal
iandsmi
l
es,
shesmi
l
es
backather
..
.

Thandeka-y
out
woar
est
il
lati
t.
..
Si
pho-t
heyhav
enev
erst
opped.
..
Thandeka-(
laughs)andy
oust
il
lnotdat
ing?
Mbali
-(l
aughs)nev
er!
!!HeknowsIdon'
tdol
i
ght
ski
n..
.

Theyallbur
stoutl
aughi
ngasShakaandMbal i
go
offoneachother
.Thandekawatchesevery
one
i
nfrontofher
,smil
ingt
ohersel
f,i
treal
lyfel
tgood
bei
ngi
nthecompanyofol
dfr
iends.
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t71

ATZULU&SONSCO

Mbali
-(l
ooksathi
m annoyed)don'
tyouhavewor
kto
dothanstandher
ewithyourannoy
ingface.
Shaka-(
smi
rks)t
his(
poi
nti
ngathi
msel
f)annoy
ing
facemadey
oucum theot
herday.
Mbal
i
-poi
ntofcor
rect
ion,
Brucedi
d,noty
ouMel
rose.
Shaka-(l
aughs)ngi
kuboni
leubukauZulukancane(I
sawy oulooki
ngatmydick),
admitit
,Isupri
sedyou.
(St
aresather)
Mbal
i-(
rol
l
sey es)sowhatexact
lydoyouwantme
t
osay?Kahle,
kahleufunani
kimi
?(Exact
lywhatdo
youwantf
rom me? )
Shaka-(
smirks)Iwanty
outoadmitthatmydi
cki
s
bi
g..
..
.orandthatyouwoul
dactual
lyfuckme.
Mbal
i
-(gl
ancesathi
m andqui
ckl
ydi
ver
tsherey
es)
..
.
Shaka-(burstoutl
aughi
ng)comeonnow,(
looksat
her)don'tgoshyonmenow.I '
mtheguyy
ouwoul d
neverfuckremember?..
.
Mbal
i
-..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.(keepsherey
esont
hescr
een)
..
.
Shaka-(smi
rks)uhmmm, I'
m st
il
ltheguyyouwoul
d
neverfuckr
ight
?..
.(l
ooksather
)..
..ohmyGod!!!
Youwoul dt
otal
lyfuckme(annoyi
nglaugh).
.
Mbal
i
-(r
oll
sey
es)oohhhshutupMel
rose.

Heconti
nuestoannoyi
ngl
yirr
it
ateMbal
i,hemoves
f
rom whereheisandgoestostandi
nsi
deMbali
'
s
r
ecepti
oncubical
..
.

Mbal
i
-whatar
edoi
ngher
e?Thi
sismyspacei
diot
..
Shaka-(
leansonhercubi
cal
)(
smi
rks)j
ustsayi
t.
..
(f
oldshi
sar ms)
..
.
Mbali
-(si
ghs)i
fIsayi
t,woul
dyoul
eav
emyspace
andstopannoyi
ngme?
Shaka-(
smi
rks)Deal
.
...
Mbal
i
-(l
ooksathi
m skept
ical
)okayy
ourdi
cki
sbi
g!!
!
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)and?
???
Mbal
i
-(r
oll
sey
es)andIwoul
dtot
all
yfuckbangy
ou.

Heannoyi
ngl
ybur
stoutlaughi
ng,
ear
ningaf
ew
st
aresf
rom t
heof
ficest
uff.
..

Mbal
i
-nowwoul
dyoul
eav
emei
npeace.
..
Shaka-(smirks)Iknewy oul
ikedme,
(smi
l
es)y
ou
al
way sdid.Youjustindeni
al.
Mbal
i
-Shakahert
hef
uckoutmyspace(
pusheshi
m
(
Shaka-(hol
dshisdick)(smir
ks)Iknowyoucan'
twai
t
tohavethisBangerforbreakfast
,(l
i
ckshisl
i
p)don'
t
worrymycum t ast
eslikemeltedcheese
sweetheart
..
.

Heki
sseshercheeksandwi
nksather
,wal
ki
ngaway
f
rom herwi
thavict
ori
ouswal
k..
..
ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

SheknocksonZenandesdoor
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
knocks)baby
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MaSiwela-(si
ghs)well
Ijustwantedtotel
lyout
hat
,
I
'm goi
ngt otheshops,i
sthereanythi
ngyouwant
met ogetyou?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shesi
ghsandgoest
otheki
tchen.
..
Mt
hoko-Iguessi
toneoft
hoseday
stoday
?
MaSiwela-(sad)Ithoughtshewasget t
ingbackto
herol
dsel f
,butnow, sheisbacktolockingher
sel
f
i
nsidethebedr oom.May beIshoul
dn'thavetol
dher
thetr
uth,Imeannowt hegirl
isdepr
essed.
Mthoko-(br
usheshershoul der
s)youdidther i
ght
thi
ngmom.Shei sfamil
y,shewillbeokay,j
ustgi v
e
herti
me.(Smi l
es)atl
eastshedoesn'that
ey ou,she
l
ovesy ouverymuch.(Frowns)itagoodthingthat
uncl
eRobdi edofcancer,theworldisabetterplace
wit
houthim.
MaSiwela-(
swal l
owed)uhmmm j eah..
.wellI
'm of
fto
theshops.Willyoustayandwat chov erher
,Idon'
t
wanthertobel eftal
one,I
'm af
raidshemi ghtdo
somethingstupidandharm herself.
.
Mthoko-Iwi
llwatchov
erher,
don'
twor
ry.Andshei
s
bet
terthant
hat,shewon'
tsel
fhar
m.
MaSiwel
a-(
sighs)okay.
..t
hanky
ouson.
.(baby
ki
sseshi
m onthelips)
Mt
hoko-(
wipeshi
sli
ps)ar
gh!
!!Mom!
!!
!..
..no.
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
rai
sesherey
ebr
ow)y
ini
??(
What
?)
Mthoko-si
nceIf
oundoutt haty
ouanddadar est
il
l
messingar
ound,I
'm notcomfort
ablewithy
our
ki
ssesanymore,
Idon'tknowwher ethosel
i
pshave
been.
MaSi
wel
a-(
hit
sthebackofhi
shead)st
upi
dboy
!!!
..
.
Mthoko-(
touchest
hebackofhi
shead)ouch!
!!
,what
wasthatf
or?..
MaSiwel
a-Idon'
tknowhowmanypussi esyou'
ve
beeneati
ngwit
ht hatmout
hofyoursbutIst
il
lki
ss
you.Wenayoudisgust
edbyonedick.
.
Mthoko-(
rol
lseyes)j
esus!!
!Mom,j
ustgo,Idon'
t
wanttohavethi
sconversat
ionwi
thyou.

Sheshakesherhead,
gat
her
ingherst
uffwhi
l
e
tal
ki
ng.
..

MaSiwel a-Idon'
tunder
standwhyt heideaofmeand
yourfatherfucki
ngscaresyou.Kahle,
kahlehowdo
youthinky ouweremade?
Mthoko-(
closeshi
sey
es)Mom I
'
m notl
i
steni
ngt
o
you.
..

Shel
aughsandwal
ksoutt
hehouse.
..
..

ATZULU&SONSCO

MrZul
u-hasany
oneseenSi
pho?
Worker
1-uhmm hewentt
oboar
droom 2bsi
rwi
th
somelady.
.
MrZul
u-okay
,thanky
ou.
..

Hewal
kedt
oboar
droom 2b.
..
..

MrZulu-(
smiles)Iwast
oldyou'
reher
ewi
thsome
l
ady,
kantibashowenaShaka..
.
Shaka-(
laughs)t
hel
evel
sofhandsomenessbaba.
..
Si
pho-(
laughs)
(rol
l
sey
es)kodwababa,
heal
ready
t
hinkshei
sthekingofhandsomeandy
ouj
usthad
t
ogi v
ehimtheboost
.
MrZulu-(l
aughs)wel
lmysoni
squi
teal
ookerSi
pho,
don'
thate.
..
Shaka-(smil
es)Yaaaaasssssmt
shel
ewena
dadddzzi!
!!

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
..

MrZul
u-sowhoi
sthel
adyt
hatr
epor
tedl
yyouher
e
wi
th?
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)y
ouwon'
tbel
i
evewhoi
tis?
MrZul
u-well
areyougoi
ngtotel
lme?Mybr
aini
sto
ol
dtodotheguessi
nggame.
Si
pho-Thandeka,
ThandekaZwane.
..
MrZulu-(
smil
es)youmeanXolaniZwane'
sdaught
er?
Theonethatl
iveddownourst
reetbackwhenwe
st
il
ll
ivedUmlazi
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)y
ept
hatone.
.
MrZulu-wow!
!!Ican'
tremembert
hel
astt
imewe
sawthem..
.
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)sher
ecent
lymov
edbackher
e..
.
MrZul
u-(smil
es)shemustbegr
ownnow.Beaut
if
ul
andr
espect
fulyoungl
ady.
Shaka-shedefi
nit
elyi
s,shel
ooksgoodtoo,
Iwonder
whatmadet hem moveinthefi
rstpl
ace?
MrZul
u-beat
smeson...
..(
looksatSipho)doy
ou
t
hinki
twaswiset
hough,bri
ngingherhere?
Si
pho-whatdoy
oumean?
MrZulu-youdoknowthatNtombi i
shere,
Nell
y
worksatthesamebuil
ding,Idon'
tthi
nkbr
ingi
ng
yourbr
othersexathi
swor kpl
aceisagoodmov e
son.
Si
pho-wellI'
m nother
etonursepeopl
e'
sfeel
i
ngs,
I
j
ustbroughtanoldfri
endt
hatall
..
..
Shaka-shi
t!
!!Iwasjustsotakenbackandexci
tedt
o
seeher,If
orgotaboutSbani.
..
Meanwhi
l
e..
..
.

Ntombi wasf i
xinghermakeup, whent het oi
let
cubical dooropened, shelookedatt heper son
throught hemi rror
, i
twasal ady,wear inganav y
pantssui twi thawhi teblouse.Thel adywasf acing
down, fi
xi
ngher selfsoshecoul dn'tseet heface.
Shecont i
nuedf ixi
nghermakeup.Thandekal if
ted
herf aceupandherey eslandedonNt ombi ,she
stoodst il
landst aredather ,shest i
lllookedgood,
wel l
sheal way sdid, shewaswear ingaf ormal Oliv
e
penci lski
rt,withacr eam blouse, mat chedi twitha
blackpeept oeheel .Shewat chedNt ombi '
sperfect
tallf
igure.Shel ackedont heassdepar tmentbutt he
bitchdef i
nitelyknewhowt odressher self,
shewas
foreverst y
li
shandl ookedhot .Herbeaut ywasn'tthe
overt hetopbeaut y ,herbeautywast hecal m beauty,
shei sdef i
nitelyisanat tr
acti
vewoman.Shehadher
22inchweav e,andherl ongcoffinshapebl acknai l
s.
Thandekat ookadeepbr eathandwal kedt owar ds
thesi nk,oblivi
oust oherNt ombi cont inued
retouchinghermakeup.Thandekawashedher
hands,sheglancedonhersideagainl
ookingat
Ntombi,debati
ngwhethertosaysomethingornot
,
butsomethinggotheratt
ention.Nt
ombiwasn't
weari
ngherr i
ng."Whywasn'tsheweari
ngi t
?Coul
d
i
tbet r
oubleinparadi
se?.
..

Thandeka-sawubonaNt
ombi
..
.

Shestoppedwithwhatshewasdoi ngandl ookedat

thepersonwhoj ustgreet
edher.Whenherey esmet
Thandeka,herf
acechanged.Packingherthings.
Shedecidedtojustignoreher
..
.

Thandeka-(roll
seyes)ohcomeon!!
!Ungangi
tshel
i
ukuthiusangibambelei
gqubu(don'
ttel
lmeyoustil
l
holdi
ngagr udge).
.
Ntombi -(
looksather)
(takeadeepbr eath)I
'
m not
holdinganygrudges,youjustdon'
texistinmyworl
d.
Irefusetoacknowledgey ourpr
esence..
.
Shefi
nishespacki
nghermakeup,shet
urnst
owalk
awaybutThandekastopsherbygr
abbi
ngherar
m..
.

Thandeka-(
smi
rks)doIint
ermedi
atey
out
hatmuch?
Youcan'tev
enbeinthesamespaceasme.
..
Ntombi-
(l
aughssar
casti
cal
ly)
(shakesherarm ofher
)
ohnohoney,whywouldIbeinter
mediatedwhen
ther
eisnocompeti
ti
oninfr
ontofme.( Looksather
upanddown)y ouj
ustnotworthmyt i
meandener gy
.

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,Nt
ombi
cat
wal
ksoutt
het
oil
et.

Thandekasmi ledlookingathersel
finthemi rror
.
Feeli
ngpr oudofher self
,shedi
dn'tthi
nkher
presencewi l
lweight hi
smuchonNt ombi,
consider
ingSbani chooseherov erandov eragain.
Sowhywoul dshehav eaprobl
em wi t
hherpr esence,
unless,t
hingswer en'tsogoodattheZuluhousehol d.
Shef i
xedherselfandwal kedoutthetoil
et.When
shewasaboutt opasssomeof fi
ces,shestoppedon
hert r
ackswhenherey esl andedonSbani , she
swal l
owedandl ookedathi m.Hest i
lllookedas
goodasshel astsawhi m, shewat chedhowhe
talked,def init
elyhewasamanofpower ,theway
thoset wowor kersl istenedt ohim.Hi snav ybl ue
sli
m sui tfittedhi ml ikei twasspeci f
icallyt ail
or edf or
hisbody .Shewat chedt hewayhi sshoul der s,hands,
mout hmov ed.Thi smanscr eamed" sex" .
Remember i
nghowper fecttheyusedt obet oget her ,
howev ery oneal way st oldthem t hatt heywoul dl ast.
Sher emember edwhent heybot hlostt hei rv i
rginity
tooneanot her,remember inghowgoodhet reat ed
heraf t
ert hat .Feel i
ngst upidf orjustr unningaway
andl eavinghi m wi thoutev ensay inggoodby e.When
Sbani ent eredar oom notf arfrom wher eshewas
standing, shewal kedst rai
ghtandst oodnextt ot he
doorwhi chwaswr itten" CEO-MrSbani sezweZul u"
shet ookadeepbr eat handmadeherwayt owher e
Siphowas. .
..

Thandeka-(
smi
l
ed)Sawubonababa.
..
MrZulusmi
l
edandmadehi
swayt
oher
,huggi
ng
her
..
.

MrZul
u-sawubonant
okazi
,(mov
esawayf
rom her
)
unj
ani
kodwa?
Thandeka-ngy
aphi
l
ababa,
unj
ani
kodwawena?And
uyaphi
laumama?
MrZul u-si
yaphil
a,y
ouhav
egrownsomuch,Iknow
yourfatherwouldbesopr
oudandhappyt
oseehis
l
itt
legirlt
hisgrown.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
ed)hewoul
d,I
'
m sohappyt
osee
youbaba..
MrZul
u-kujabul
aminant
okazi
.Howisyourmot
her
andl
it
tl
esister
?Kombewhat'
shername?
Thandeka-mymotherisgreat
,butNtokozo.
..(
sighs)
Idon'
tknow,shedisappear
ed.Ti
llt
hisdaywedon' t
knowwher eshei
s.
Si
pho-howcansomeonej
ustdi
sappear
s?
Shaka-t
heydoBaf
o.Especi
all
yyoungwomen.Do
youhaveanyi
deawhereshewent?
Thandeka-No. ..Sheshecamet ostudyherein
Durban, 7mont hsdownt heli
neonherf ir
styear,
she
didn'
tcomehomef orJuneholidays.Herfr
iendssay
theylastsawher egetti
ngintoapol oviv
owhi t
ecar.
Andaf terthat,
theyneversawheragai n.Wehav e
tri
edev ery
thingbutsti
llnoluck..
.
MrZul
u-pr
ay,
onedayt
het
rut
hwi
l
lber
eveal
ed.
..
.
Si
pho-whydon'
tyouhav
esupperwi
thust
oni
ght
?
MrZul
u-(
looksatSi
pho)
..
.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)may
besomeot
hert
ime.
..
Shaka-(l
aughs)whynott
oni
ght
,uy
acel
i
say
ini
?(Ar
e
youbreastf
eeding)
Thandeka-(
swal
l
owed)hahahno.
..
.
MrZulu-wel
li
twasgoodtoseeyount
okazi,
(looks
atSi
phoandShaka)boy
s,awordpl
ease.
..

MrZul
uandhissonst
epoutt
heboardr
oom,whi
le
Mbal
ient
erscar
ryi
ngatr
aywi
thj
uiceandbi
scui
ts.
..
Mbal i
-(smiled)t
houghty oumightusesome
ref
reshment s.Ibroughtj
uice,
butIcoul
dmakey
ou
anythi
ngt hatyoupr ef
er.
..
Thandeka-(
smiles)j
uiceisokay
.Sowhathasbeen
goi
ngonar oundhere?..
Mbali
-nothi
ngmuchhey.Iguessevery
onejustgr
ew
up.Youlookgood,
wer
ey outhi
sslender?
Thandeka-notr
eal
ly,
Ilostafewpounds.Iusedto
besize30,nowI'
m a28...
.uhmmm sowhyhav en'
t
youandShakadated?Iknowy ousayheisn'
tyour
typebutwhoareyouguy ski
dding,
thechemist
ryi
s
therebet
weenyoutwo.
Mbali-(
laughs)Shakaisanidi
ot.Wejustgood
fri
ends.Dati
ngwoul dj
ustcomplicat
eour
rel
ati
onship.Notevery
oneyoucl i
ckwit
hismeantt
o
dateyou.
Thandeka-okay,
wheny ouwal
ki
ngdowntheisl
e,
makingyourwaystowardshi
m.Rememberthese
words."
Itoldyouso"
..
.
Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Thandeka-soIsawNt
ombi
int
hebat
hroom.
..
Mbal
i
-ohy
eah,
shehadameet
ingwi
thMrCEO.
..
Thandeka-(
glancesather
)IheardSbani i
snowt he
CEO,heisswimmi nginmoney.I'
m supri
sedthough,
shoul
dn'tSi
phobet heCEO,heistheoldest.
..
Mbal
i
-(shr
ugs)eyf
ami
l
ypol
i
tics,
angi
zi
ngeni
..
.
Thandeka-
..
..
..soNtombiwasnotweari
ngherring
whenIsawher ,(l
ooksatMbal
i
)..
.(si
psherj
uice).
..

Mbalil
ooksather,skepticalontel
l
ingher,
wel
lfor
one,t
hiswasn'taquestionbutsheknewThandeka
wantedhertogivehersomet hi
ngonthematt
er.
Thandekafacesdown, hopingMbalicat
chest
he
bai
t.
..

Mbal
i
-..
.hmmm wel
ltheynol
ongert
oget
her
..
.
Thandeka-(
hol
dsher
sel
ffr
om smi
l
ing)
(fakesbei
ng
shocked)ohmygod!!!
!Nowondershel
ookedhur
t.
Sothey...
.uhmm di
vorced?
Mbali
-yeah,theyf
inal
isedi
tlastmonth.Butthey
havebeenseparatedforawhile.(
Confused)areyou
sur
eshel ookedhurt
?..
.Shelookedfi
net ome..
Thandeka-(
brushesheroff)maybeI'
m wrong.
(St
andingup)thankyouforthej
uiceandbiscui
t.I
needtomakeaqui ckphonecall
.Uhmm takemy
number,weshoulddobrunchsomet imes.

Theyexchangednumber
s,Mbal
igat
her
edt
het
ray
andwalkedout.
..

15mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Sbani
'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Hehear
dasof
tknockonhi
sdoor
..
.
Sbani
-(f
aci
ngdown)
(bol
dvoi
ce)comei
n..
.

Thandekaopenedt hedoorandcl
osedi
t.Shestood
bythedoorlookingathi
m.Hewassof ocusedon
hi
slaptopscreen..
.

Sbani
-(st
il
lfaci
ngdown)CanIhel
pyou?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Annoyedbythepersonnotr
espondi
ng,
he
annoy
ingl
ylookedup..
.

Sbani
-(annoy
ed)ISAI
DCANI
..
..

Stoppi
ngonhistr
ackswhenhi
sey
esl
andont
he
fi
gurei
nfr
ontofhi
m...
.
Thandeka-(smi
l
es)st
il
lamanwi
thal
ow
tol
erance.
..
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.

Sbani
-(whi
sper
s)Thandeka.
..
..

Shewal
kedt
owar
dshi
sof
fi
cedesk.
..

Thandeka-(l
ooksaround)you'vealwaysl
ikedpower ,
I'
m notsupri
sedyouoccupy i
ngt hatchai
r.
...(l
ooks
athim di
rect
lytohi
sey es)
..
.itsuit
syou..
.itlooks
goodony ou..
.youl
ookgood. .
Sbani
-(st
aresather
)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?.
..
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)can'
tIv
isi
tanol
dfr
iend.

Shewalksaroundrunni
ngtheti
psofherf
inger
s,on
hi
sdesk,couch,hi
sfil
eshelf
,andt
hewindowblinds.
Allthi
st i
me, hi
seyesfol
lowhermov ement.She
l
ooksathi m ont hecor
nerofhereye,sati
sfi
edthat
hisstareisonher ,
sheswaysherhipsthisti
me,
repeatingthesamemov ements,butthisti
me,she
stopsonhi ssideofthedesk,j
ustandinchfrom
touchinghim, shesi
tsonhisdesk.Hewasaboutt o
speakwhent hedoorswingopen..
.

Nel
l
y-babe,
Iwasl
ooki
ngat
..
..

Shej
umpedandstooduplooki
ngatt
hedoor.Nel
l
y
st
oppedonhert
racksandl
ookedatt
hem..
.

Nel
ly
-(l
ooksatThandekat
hanSbani
)oohhh.
..I
di
dn'
tknowyouhadcompany..
..
..
Sbani
-(r
ubshi
seyes)no,
Iehee,
you,
Ihav
eti
mef
or
you,y
ouknowthat
?
Nel
ly-(
star
esatThandeka)umm I
tokay
,wr
apup
her
e,youwill
findmeinmyoffi
ce.
..
Withthatsai
d,shewalkedouthi soff
ice.Thandeka
bl
inkedhereyest woti
mes, not
icingt
hatNellywas
nolongerwiththem,shestaredatSbani whowas
al
sonol ongernexttoherbutbyt hedoorholdi
ngit.
..

Sbani-(
star
esatherbl
ankl
y)doy
oumi
nd?(
signal
i
ng
thatshemustexi
thisof
fi
ce)

Shewal ksouthisoff
ice,heshutsthedoorand
walkstoNel l
y'
soffi
ce.LeavingThandekast i
l
l
confusedt owhatexactl
yjusthappened.Ntombi
cat
walkedt owar
dsherwi t
hasmi r
konherf ace.
.

Ntombi-(smir
ks)y ouwantedcompetit
ion,
nowthat
,
i
sy ourcompetit
ion.(Looksatherupanddown)
goodluckblackbitch..
.

Sheturnsandwalksawayf
rom herwi
thher
vi
ctor
iousevi
lgr
in..
..
WhenThandekacomesbackt oreal
ity,
andwhenher
mindr egist
erswhatjusthappened.Nelly'
swor ds
ri
nglikeabel lt
oherears"babe"shesai d"babe"
Ntombi '
swor dspopupt oo"thatyourcompet i
tion"
whenev ery
thi
ngmakessense.Shel ooksupahead
ofher,Nt ombiwinksatherandcar r
iesonwi t
hher
catwalk.Thandekaswallowsahugel ump..
..
.

Theelevat
ordoorspi
ngsopens,Ntombiwal
ks
i
nside,whenthedoor
sare2inchesfr
om cl
osi
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
-(gr
ins)Chuckt
hatbi
tch.
..

Remembert
oal
way
sLI
KEandCOMMENT.
..
..

Ijustsubmitt
edmyfir
stport
fol
i
o,soIwasgivi
ng
my sel
fabreak.It
houghtwhynotty
peaninser
tfor
youguy s.
..
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t72
ATZULU&SONSCO

Nel
l
y'sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Sbani-(
brusheshi
sface)I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
..
(Looksather)
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)whoi
sshe?
Sbani
-sheis.
..y
ouknowwhat( movesclosertoher)
Idon'
twanttodiscussher
,shei
sn'
trel
evant,sheis
nobody.
..
Nel
l
y-(
star
esathi
mforf
ewmi
nut
es)
(shr
ugs)okay
..
.

Shecarr
iesonpacki
ngherst
uff.Hemovesclosert
o
her
,makesherstopwhatsheisdoi
ngandholdsher
wai
st,br
ingi
nghercl
osert
ohim.Staresather
..
.

Sbani
-babe,
please.
..
..
.Idon'
twantt
ofi
ght
..
.
Nell
y-(st
aresathi
m)whywoul dy
outhi
nkwe
f
ighti
ng?,she'
snotrel
evantr
emember.
..

Shemov edawayfr
om hi m,hewatchedherasshe
packedherbagandl aptopbag.Herfacegave
nothingaway,
cluel
esst owhatsheisthi
nkingand
feel
ingri
ghtnow.Hest oppedherfr
om packing.
..

Sbani
-Letme.
..
Nel
ly
-(si
ghs)Icanpackf
ormy
sel
f,besi
desam
al
mostdone.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)sowhatdi
dyouwantt
otal
kabout
?
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)hmmm?
Sbani
-whenyoucamet
omyof
fi
ce,
whatdi
dyou
wanttot
alkabout
?
Nel
ly
-oh..
.uhmmm i tnot
hingr
eal
l
y..
..l
ook,I
'
m going
hometoday,Zenandeneedsme,mom call
edtoday.
Sbani
-shei
sbackt
olocki
ngher
sel
finsi
deherr
oom?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)y
eah,
Ithoughtshewasf
inal
l
ybackt
o
bei
ngher
sel
fbutIguessnot
..
.
Sbani
-youwi
l
lbebackt
omor
rowr
ight
?..
.
Nell
y-actual
l
y..
..Iwasthinki
ngofst
ayi
ngther
efor
somet i
me.Zenander eall
yneedsmeri
ghtnowbabe,
shehasbeent hroughalot.
Sbani
-(si
l
ent
).
..
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)(
sighs)f
ine!
!!Iwi
l
lst
ayf
orj
ust
t
wodays..
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)
(movescl
osert
oher,hol
dsherwai
st)
Good,Ifeel
badfort
hegi
rl
,butIal
soneedyou.
Nel
l
y-(
brusheshi
sshoul
der
s)y
ouknowsheneeds
memore?
Sbani-(shrugs)IknowbutI
'
m sel
fi
sh.
..
.(st
aresat
her)arey ouokay?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)I
'
m okay
..
..i
tjustIgett
ir
edeasi
l
ynow.
Sbani
-(brushesherbel
l
y)may
bei
tti
me,
yout
ake
thatl
eave.
Nell
y-yi
ni?Soy
oucanhav
emor
ewomensi
tt
ingon
yourdesk.
..
Sbani-whyar
ewegoingbackt
othati
ssue?I
thoughtwepassedi
t.

Shemov esawayf r
om him andpenguinwal ks
hersel
ftothecouch,hewatchesher,hefinds
himsel
flaughi
ngal i
tt
lebecauseofherfunnywalk,
"whendidshestartwalki
ngliket
his?
"..
..

Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)uhl
ekani
?(Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ng?
)
Sbani
-(l
aughs)babeIknowwedoingthewhol
e
angry
/conf
rontat
ionr
ightnowbutcanyoudot
hat
walkagai
n?

Shest ar
esathim withhereyesopen, howcouldhe
l
aughatherr ight
nowwhenshei sthi
sannoy edand
hehast heaudacit
yt omakef unofherwalkwhenhe
i
sr esponsi
bleforthi
s.Shefoldsherar ms,whi
ch
provestobedi f
fi
cultsotheyendupr esti
ngontop
ofherbelly
..
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)wer
eyout
ryi
ngt
ofol
dyourar
ms?

Hereyesbecomeev enmor ebi gger,

herwhole
appearancer i
ghtnowi ssocuteandf unnyt
ohim.
Heknowsheshoul dn'tbelaughingrightnowbuthe
can'
thelpit.Shereal
lydoesl ookfunnyr i
ghtnow.
Tearsthreatenhereyes,andbef oreheorsheknows
i
t,waterwor ks.
..

Sbani
-(movescl
osert
oher
,squat
sbef
oreher
)babe,
don'
tcry
..
.
Nel
ly
-(tear
srunni
ng,runnynose)DON'TTOUCH
ME!!
!..
.howcany oulaughatmewheny oudi
dt hi
s?
Youtheonethatpokedmewi thyourni
ddl
edicknow
Iam..
.
Sbani
-"ni
ddl
edick?
"Babe,mydi
cki
stoobi
gfory
ou
tocomparei
ttoaniddl
e..
.
Nelly
-(sni
ff
s)(
sil
ent
).
..
.oh,youright.
..
..(
frowns)but
thatbesi
desthepoi
nt.Thefactisyourdickpoked
somet hi
ngandsomethingbroke,nowI '
m big,
swol
l
enf
eet
,fatcheeks.
.

Shetakeshi
shandsandmakeshi
mfeel
her
cheeks.
..

Nel
l
y-(
cryi
ng)
youcanf
eel
them?Youseehowf
at
t
heyare?
Sbani
-(nods)t
heysof
ttoobabe.
..
Nell
y-(f
rownsandcr
iesev
enmor e)yousay i
ngmy
cheeksarefat
?Howheart
lessar
ey ou.Ican'
tbel
i
eve
you.
.
Sbani
-(ey
esout
)butbabe.
..
Nell
y-(putsf
ingeronhi
slips)shhhss!
!!Idon'twant
t
oheari t,
youhavesaidenough..
..
.I'
m sti
llbeauti
ful
r
ight?
Sbani-(
smi
les)t
hemostbeauti
ful
humanbeingI
'
ve
eversetmyeyesonbabe.(
Wipeshert
ear
s).
..
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)ki
ssme.
..
Hel ooksather ,shehast hecut est,adorablepuppy
l
ookr i
ghtnow, herpuf fyredf acei smaki ngherev en
mor ebeaut if
ul butyoucan' treal lymisshert ears
andt herunnysnotcomi ngf rom hernose.Nowshe
hasaskedhi mt oki
ssher ,i
magi nesaltytearsmixed
withsaltyrunnysnot ,shest aresathi m wi t
h
pl
eadi ngey es,shel ookssosadr i
ghtnow, hesquats
evenmov escl osertoherandl eansf orwardt oki
ss
her,theykissf oraf ewmi nutest hant heypullapart
fr
om eachot her .
..

Sbani
-(wipesherwholeface)youbeaut
if
ul,
now
st
opcryingbabe,youupsetti
ngMrCEO...
Nel
ly
-(sni
ffsandl
aughsal
i
ttl
e)whataboutVi
ce
Pr
esident
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)
(feel
sastingonhi shear
t)ourVPi s
sl
eepi
ng..
.Heispeacefull
ysleepingmylove..
..get
upbabe,soIcandriv
ey outoyourmother'
s...

Sheget
supwhil
ehetakesherbags,
don'
taskhi
m
howtheki
sswasbecauseal
lheknowsisi
twas
"somet hi
ngsalt
y"butitwasall
worthy,i
fitmeans
boost i
ngherselfest
eem andhelpi
ngherr egai
nher
confidencethanheiswill
i
ngtoshareasmany" sal
ty
kisses"thr
ownathi m.Hetakesherhandast hey
maket heirwayouttheoffi
ce.
..

Nell
y-(sni
ff
s)west
il
lgoi
ngt
ohav
etheangr
ytal
k
r
ight?
Sbani-(
sighs)Iwashopi
ngwepassthatbutokay
,
whateverthemadam wants,
shewi
ll
get..
.
Nel
ly-(
sni
ffs)okay,
I'
m goingt
ostopt
alki
ngtoyou
now,soIcanstil
lbeangrywhenwehavethetal
k,
pl
easedon'ttal
ktome..
.
Sbani
-(st
aresatherhol
dinghi
slaugh)butbabe.
..
Nel
ly-(
teary
)pl
ease?I
fyout
alkt
ome,
Iwi
l
lfor
gett
o
beangry.
..
.
Sbani
-(ki
sseshercheek)okay
..
..
Nel
l
y-y
ounotsupposet
oki
ssmycheek,
weangr
y
r
emember
?
Sbani
-you'
reangr
ybabenotme.
..
Shest
opswal
ki
ngandf
rownsl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Nel
l
y-ar
elow-
keyt
ryi
ngt
osayIam mean?
Sbani
-nobabeIwas.
..
.(si
ghs)
..
..

Hetakesherhandagai
nsot
heycoul
dcont
inuet
o
wal
k..
.

Nel
l
y-y
ouwer
ejustwhat
?..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-soy
ouwon'
ttal
ktomenow?
Sbani
-angr
ypeopl
edon'
ttal
ktoeachot
herl
ove.
..
Nel
ly-butyoujustsai
d,y
ouknowwhatl
eav
eit
,you
j
ustdon'tgeti
t..
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Hei sdef i
nitelynotreplyi
ngtoany thingri
ghtnow.He
hasl earnthisl essontoday.Hecan' tbel
ievehe
thoughtt hiswasasmoot hpregnancyf orherasshe
wasn' tthatmoodybutnow, hetakesbackhi swor ds,
shei slikeev eryotherpregnantwomen, del
usional
,
mad, happy,sad, hornyandat i
ckingt i
mebomb.
Thiswhol etimeast heypassr ecept i
on,Thandeka
staresatt hecoupl e..
..

Thandeka-sowhoi
sshe?(
Poi
ntsatNel
l
y)
Shaka-(
star
esatSipho)uhmmm she'sour
companiesstr
ategi
st.Thebr
ainsoft
hiscompany
..
Thandeka-If
iguredthatshewor
ksher
e,Imeanwho
i
sshet oyourbrother
?
Shaka-(
sil
ent
).
..
Si
pho-hi
smi
str
ess.
..
Shaka-Ndoda!!!(Gi
veshim adeathstare)l
ook,I
wouldtell
youwhoshei sbutIdontthinkmybr ot
her
wouldappreciateusdiscussi
nghisbusiness.Just
askhim aboutherwheny ouf
inal
l
ygetachancet o
tal
ktohim...

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,Shakal
eftt
hem st
andi
ng.
..
.

Thandeka-(
star
esatNel
l
y)shel
ooksy
oung.
..
Si
pho-shei
s,y
oungert
hanShaka.
..
Thandeka-hei
sint
oki
dsnow.
..(
star
esatt
hecoupl
e)

2hour
slat
er.
..
.

ATSBANI
'
SHOUSE.
..
.

Bless-(
laughs)soy
out
ell
i
ngme,
shemadey
oueat
hersnot?
Sbani-(
sipshi
swhi
skey
)I '
mt el
li
ngy ouman.
Pregnantwomenar
eserialtort
ures.
..
Bl
ess-(
laughs)wel
lconsequencesofhi
tt
ingi
traw
myman. .
.
Sbani-(laughs)andt hat
'snottheendofit
.Cany ou
beli
evesheaskedmenott otal
ktoherbecause
"apparently"meandherar eangr y
.SowhenIchoose
nottot alktoherthroughoutthewholedr
ive,whenI
parkout sidehermot her
'shouse,sheget
soutthe
car,yel
lsatmef ori
gnoringher,appar
ent
lyInowf i
nd
her"bor i
ng"thatwhyIdon'tmakeconv er
sati
ons
withherany more.

Blessbur
stoutl
aughi
ng,heholdshi
sst
omachasit
nowpainsfr
om all
thel
aughinghehasbeendoi
ng.
..
.

Bless-sheshowedyouf
lamestoday
?(Laughs)Ican
j
ustimagineherdoi
ngal
l t
hat
..
.howredwasher
face?
Sbani
-(l
aughs)r
edpepper
!!
!!
Bl
ess-don'
thearhercal
li
ngherthat,ohyouwon'tbe
j
usteati
nghersnot.
..Marasi
ster
ilakala'
Tshi
sa
mos!!!

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Bl
ess-(
star
esathi
m).
..Sowhat
'seat
ingy
ouup?
Sbani
-uhmm?
Bless-(
rol
l
seyes)Icanseesomet
hingi
sbot
her
ing
you,sooutwi
thit
..
.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)(
gul
pshi
swhi
skey
)Mat
handi
eis
back.
..
Bl
ess-(
almostf
all
i
ngouthi
sseat
)SHI
T!!
!.
..
Sbani
-(pour
shi
msel
fanot
herdr
inkandgul
psi
t)I
know!
!!

Theybot
hst
areateachot
her
..
.
ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..
.

She'
sont
hephonewi
thhermot
her
..
.

Thandeka-Idon'
tknowhowmuchmoreIcant
ake
mom, may becomingher
ewasabadi
dea.
..
MrsZwane-uzelenil
apho?Uzel
euSbani
nomauzel
e
umsbenzi
?(Whyar eyouther
e?Areyout
her
efor
Sbani
oryourjob?)
Thandeka-(
sighs)Icameformyj obmama, buty ou
knowIlovehim andIalwayshave.Heari
ngthathei s
nolongerwi
thNt ombigavemesmal lhopeyou
know,butaft
erseeinghim wi
thher.
..sheispregnant
mama. .
.
MrsZwane-li
stent
omemychil
d,l
eav
ethatboy
al
one.Focusonwhaty
ouwentt
heret
odoandthat
i
stodoy ourj
ob.
Thandeka-(
star
esathersonsl
eepi
ngonthecouch)
maybeitti
meSbanigetstomeethi
sson,
hisheir
.
Mr
sZwane-SJhasar
ightt
omeethi
sfat
herbutdo
notfighty ourbatt
leswi
thy
oursonanddonot
i
nt r
oducehi mf orthewr
ongreasons,don'
thav
e
expectationsbecauseyoumightjustget
disappointed.
Thandeka-(
sighs)mom Ihav
etogo.
..
.
MrsZwane-y ouwi llf
indtherightmanf oryoumy
baby,SbaniZul
ui snottheonef oryou.Anddon' tbe
i
nti
mi dat
edbyanywomen, y
oubeaut ifulony our
own,colourdoesn'tdefi
nebeaut y,whati nsideyou
does.Embracethef actthatyoudi f
ferent,thatyou
don'
tlookli
keev eryoneelse.Youruniquenessi s
whatsetsyouapar tfrom therest.
Thandeka-(
tear
y)Il
ovey
oumom.
..
Mr
sZwane-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
out
oobaby
.Goodni
ght
..
.

Shehangsup.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE.
..
.
Af
tert
heyal
lfi
nishpr
ayi
ng,
MaSiwel
asay
sgood
ni
ghtt
othegi
rl
sandgoestosl
eep..
.

Zee-(
looksather
)youknowyoudi
dn'
thav
etocome
al
lthewayhere,I
'
m okay.
..
Nel
ly
-(smi
l
es)Iknowbabygi
rl
,butIwant
edt
oo.
Pl
usIwant
edMaSi wel
a'
sni
cehomecookedmeal
.

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Nell
y-(
star
esather
)Icanseeyounotokay.Ibooked
spadayforyou,
meandthatgogoupstai
rs.
..

MaSiwela-(
shout
ingf
rom upst
air
s)hhey
iwena!
!!
!
Ubaniugogo?

Theyal
ll
augh.
..
Zee-ai
n'
tshesl
eepi
ng?
Nell
y-(
laughs)Nosheissti
llstandi
ngbythe
upst
air
spassageeavesdroppingonus.(Shout
ing)
MAMAGOSLEEP, ANGEKESI KHULUMENOW, I
KNOW YOULI STENI
NG, WEWI LLDOTHETALKI NG
TOMORROW WHENWEALLPAMPEREDAND
RELAXED...
.

Theyhear
dfoot
stepsandafterfewseconds,
the
doort
oMaSiwela'
sroom shut.
..

Zee-(l
aughs)Ican'
tbel
i
eveshewasr
eal
l
ybyt
he
passage.
..
Nel
ly
-(si
ghs)shei
swor
ri
edabouty
oubabygi
rl
,we
al
lar
e..
.
Zee-(
sighs)IknowandI
'
m sor
ry.
..

Shemov
escl
oserandt
heyhug.
..
Nel
l
y-don'
tapol
ogi
se,
wef
ami
l
y..
.
Zee-(smi
les)IhopemySbar
iisokaywi
thyoubei
ng
here,
Iknowhej ust
swant
syoualltohi
mself
..
Nell
y-mxm hewi
l
lsurv
ive,hehassomeNubi
an
queenwant
inghi
satt
ention.
..

Shepengui
nswal
ksupthest
ares,
Zeef
oll
owsher
,
l
aughi
ngatherwal
k..
.

Zee-(
laughs)
whathappenedt
oyourwal
k?
Nell
y-(
sighs)itmyf
eet
,theyswol
l
enandI
'
mfeel
i
ng
heavyandtir
ed..
.
Zee-(l
aughs)sowhatwer
eyousay
ingaboutt
he
Nubianqueen?
Nell
y-(taki
ngdeepbr
eaths)Iwi
llt
ellyoual
labouti
t
tomorrow babygi
rl
..
.(heav
ybreat
hing)yhoothese
stai
rs.
..

1hourl
ater
..
..
Nel
l
yphonesv
ibr
ates.
..
..
Shei
gnor
esi
t.
..
.
I
tvi
brat
esagai
n..
.

Sheanswer
sit
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
sleepyv
oice)
hmmm
Sbani
-babeI
'
m par
kedout
sidey
ourmot
her
'shouse.
..
Nel
l
y-(
sleepy
)hmmm?
Sbani
-I'
m par
ked.
..(
sighs)heendst
hecal
l
...

Hedeci
dest
ocal
lMt
hoko.
..

Mt
hoko-sho
Sbani
-heyman.
..Ineedaf
avour
..
..
Af
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
..
.

Sbani
snakeshi
sarmsaroundher.Sheal
most
j
umpsoutoffear
sbuthetight
lyhol
dsher.
..

Sbani
-itmebabe.
..shhh.
..I
tjustme.
..
Nell
y-(
openshereyesl
i
ght
ly)
(hersl
eepyey
esst
are
athi
m)weangr y
..
..
Sbani-(
smil
es,
shaki
nghi
shead)Iknowl
ove,
we
angrysl
eepi
ng.
.
Nel
l
y-(
hint
sasmi
l
e)okay
..
.

Hebabykissesher,
hereyescl
oseassleeptakes
overher
.Buttodaywasoneofthosenight
sforhi
m,
helai
dawakeandwat chedher
.Hekissedher
for
ehead.
..
Sbani
-(whi
sper
s)yousav
emefr
om my
sel
feachday
andyoudon'
tevenknowit
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s..
..

Iwascr ossnighti
ng,
aft
erIwasdonewiththe
st
udying,Icouldn'
tsl
eepbecauseIdr
ankbioplus.
Whichiswhymodi momademegi veyouguysan
i
nsert
...Imissy ou
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t73

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

O4:
15am.
..
.

Sbani
-(l
i
ghtl
yshakesher
)(whi
sper
s)babe.
..
.babe
wakeup..
.
Shef
rownsandr
esi
stsf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)
I'
m sor
rybabebutIhav
etogo.
..
Nel
ly-(
ti
ghtl
ywrapsherar
msaroundhi
m)(
makesa
sl
eepypuppyface)
don'
tgo.
..
Sbani
-Ihav
etomylov
e,Ican'
thav
eDr
agonl
ady
fi
ndi
ngmehere.
..
Nell
y-(pl
ayf
ull
yhi
tshi
m)hey!
!!Thatmymother
..
..
(
placesherheadonhi
schest
)whatareyourpl
ans
t
oday ?
Sbani-(
playswi
thherhai
r)Idon'
tknowbabe, maybe
I
'l
lgogolfingwi
thyourbr
..ImeanBless.Iwould
probabl
ygocheckonNomal at
er.
.
Nell
y-(smil
es)Idon'
twi
sht
obey
ou,
bossl
adyi
stoo
hyperacti
ve.
Sbani -(
laughs,brushi
ngherbel
ly)heyungasho
uluphindelelo(youcansaythatagain)andy ou
(kissesherforehead)whatdoesy ourdaylookli
ke
today ?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Ihav
easpadaywi
thMaSi
wel
aand
Zenande,hopeful
l
yaf
tert
oday
,Zenandewi
l
lbeback
toheroldself
.
Sbani-shebet
terbe,Ineedyoubackinmybed,i
fby
theendoftodayshei sn'
t,
thanShakaneedst
ofuck
herwaybacktor eal
i
ty .
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)
(hi
tshi
m)t
hatnotani
cet
hingt
osay
.
Sbani
-(si
tsupst
rai
ght
)putonagownbabesoy
ou
canwalkmeout.

Theybot hgetupf rom thebed, whileSbaniputson

hisshoes,Nellyslowlytiptoeschecki ngthecoast,
wellyoucani maginehowf unnyshelookedtip
toe'i
ngwi t
hherpengui nwal k.Sbaniwatchedher
closelyst
if
fl
inghisl augh,ifhewant edtomakei tout
ofthehouseal iv
eandwi thoutwaki ngMaSiwelaup,
heneededt okeepi ttogether .
..
.

Nel
ly-(
whisper
s)thecoasti
scl
ear
..
.(
looksathi
m)
whatarey
ouwai t
ingfor
?
Sbani
-af
tery
oubabe.
..
Nell
y-(
rai
sesherbrow)soyoucanlaughatmywal
k
agai
n,Idon'
tthi
nksoMr ,
aft
eryou.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Idi
dn'
tl
augh.
..
Nel
l
y-(
put
supherhand)sav
eit
..
.

Hesmil
esandwalksuptoher.Placi
nghishandson
herwai
stst
il
lwi
ththesmil
e,star
esintohereyes.
..

Sbani-(smil
es)youknow, whet
heryouwalkli
kea
duck,penguin,seaseal
,tomeitdoesn'tmatt
er.I
n
factthesearethemoment swewoul dcher
ishforthe
restofourli
ves.Ilov
eyouandy ourfunnywalkbabe.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)I'm alwaystir
ednowandmyf eethurt
.
Youknowmaj ori
tyoft heti
me, Ifeelsweaty,ir
ri
tat
ed,
annoyedandheav y.Myhappi nessonlylastsli
ke2
minutenow, andnotf orgett
ingthehear t
burnsand
constant
lyfeeli
ngnauseat ed.Ithoughtthenauseai s
supposetoonl ylastthefir
stthreemont hs.(Teary
)
I'
mt i
redbabe,Ialway sfeelsleepy,Ican'
teven
concentr
atefor2hour sstr
aightwithoutfeeli
ng
dr
owsy
.

Hewi peshertear
sandleadsthem backt
othebed,
signal
sforhertotakeof
fhergownandgetinunder
thecovers.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)(
whi
sper
s)It
hought
..
.
Sbani
-Iknow,
justgeti
n..
.

Shegetsunderthecovers,heplaceshisj
acket
,
wal
letandcarkeysont heside,
hel ay
sont opoft
he
cover
s,br
ingsherclosertohim,holdsher
..
.

Sbani
-( brushesherhai r
)y ouknowImaynotknow
howy ouf eelexactl
ybutonet hingIknowi sthat,you
areprettyamazi ngbeing,y ousacrif
icey ourown
happi
nessandcomf ortformont hsonend, i
nor der
tobri
ngmy /ourbabiesintot hewor ld.Ofcour se,i
t'
s
notal
way saneasyr oad,especi all
yf oryoubabe,
somet i
mesi tacompl icatedpr egnancy ,
expect i
ng
twobabiesonl ytof i
ndoutt hatone....
.(
tearruns
downhischeek, quicklywi pesit)
..
..,
hav i
ngexisti
ng
heal
thconditions,ori fyou'rejustnotfeelingthe
wholeparasit
ef eedi ngof fyourbodyv ibe.Imean,
youcanonlyt hrowupev erymor ningforfew
consecuti
vemont hsbef or ethewhol e"carryi
ng
humanl i
feinsidey ourbody "thi
ngst art
stoget
i
rksome.
Nel
ly-(
wipeshert
ear
s)IknowI
'
m annoy
ingnow,
but
..
.
Sbani -shhhsshhh! !!
.Idon'twanty ouev ersayingthat
.
Ili
kewhaty oudoi ng,Il
ov ethatI'
mt heper sony ou
whi neandcompl ai ntoo.Ifeveryougett hisfeel
ing
ofbei ngov erwhelmed, whet heram thereornot ,
don' tbeafraidtost opmeandl etitallout.Thinkof
measy ourownper sonal j
ournal.Iwil
lalwaysbe
theret oli
stenandIal way sbereadyt oholdy our
hand.Ij ustwanty outobeal i
ttl
ebitpatient,
we
alr
eadyonourl astlap,justholdonbabe.( Ki
ssesher
forehead)Il ovey ou..
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)Il
ovey
out
oo.
Hebr
ushesherhai
rwi
thhi
shandunt
ilsl
eept
akes
ov
erher
..
..
.

2hour
slat
er.
..
..
..

MaSiwel
awal
ksoutt
hehousest
il
linhersl
eepwear,
shepour
sTobihi
smeal
andchangeshiswater
..
..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Adeli
veryv
anstopsbythegateandbuzzesthe
i
nter
com.MaSiwelawalkst
othegate,thedel
iv
ery
mancomesoutt hevancar
ryi
ngahugebouquetof
Tr
anvaldai
ses(
wi t
hallt
hecolour
s).
..

Man-mor
ningmam
MaSi
wel
a-goodmor
ningt
oyout
ooson.
Man-(
looksathiscl
ipboar
d)IhopeI'
m att
her
ight
pl
ace,
I'
ml ooki
ngforaMissSiwel
a..
MaSi
wela-welly
ouatt
hecor
rectaddr
essandIam
Mi
ssSiwela.
..

Themanl
ooksatherwi
thhi
sey
esopened,
hisey
es
goest
oherbel
l
y..
.

Man-butIwast
old,
you,
she.
..
MaSiwela-(
laughs)pregnant(
themannods)well
I
fi
gur
edwheny oureyeswenttomybel l
y.You
l
ookingformydaught erbutsheisst
il
lasl
eepsoI
cansignforher.

Themanhandshert
hef
lower
s,shesi
gns.
..

Man-hav
eagooddaymam.
..
MaSi
wel
a-y
out
ooson.
..
5mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

MaSiwelawal ksi
nsideNell
ysbedr oom, carr
ingthe
fl
ower s,
whichshehasal r
eadyputi nsideav asewit
h
water.Sheplacesitonherdresserandopenst he
curt
ains,makingthesunli
ghtpiercet hroughher
eyes.Nell
ygroansunderhercov er.
...

MaSi
wela-(
sit
sonthebed,
nextt
oher
)Vuka,
vuka
(
wakeup,wakeup)
Nel
l
y-(
groans)mama!
!!.
..

Shefrownssi
tt
ingup,
MaSi
wel
ahandshert
hesmal
l
envel
ope..
..

Nel
l
y-(
takesi
t)what
'
sthi
s?
MaSi
wel
a-i
tcamewi
tht
hat(
poi
ntsatt
hef
lower
s).
..
MaSiwelagetsupandwal ksoutt el
l
inghert ogetup
andshowerbecauseshedoesn' twantt ospendt he
wholedayout.Nell
ysmi l
eslooki
ngatt hefl
owers,
shedefi
nit
elyknowswhot heyfrom, judgingbyhow
hugethebouquetis.Sheopenst heenv el
opeand
takest
hecardoutr eadi
ngit
...
.

"You’r
eprobablywonder i
ngwhyIj ustsentyoua
goodmor ni
ngtext(checky ourphone)afterwe
al
readyhuggedandki ssedt hi
smor ni
ng,Checkthe
si
deofy ourbed,whereyourphonei s"

Sheplacedthecarddownandcheckedt hesideof
herbed.Whenherey esl
andedonhisblackcard,she
swall
owedtakingit
,whil
eherbrai
nwasst i
l
ltr
yingto
comprehend,herphonevi
brat
ed,answeringit
..
..

Sbani-(
smil
es)I
'
m guessi
ngyouhavemycardon
yourhandsri
ght
now,andbef
oreyoust
artf
ight
ing
me, pl
easeli
stentowhatIhav et osay .Iknowt her
e
i
snot hi
ngIcandoorbuyf oryout haty oucannotdo
orbuyforyoursel
f,(
laughs)thatdef i
nitel
ysr at
ches
outthe"sheiswit
hmef ormymoney "point.Il
eftmy
cardbecauseIwantedt ospoilmygi rl,mywoman,
mybabymama( t
heybot hlaugh)andhopef ull
ymy
fut
urewife.Thisi
snotmet ryi
ngt obei ncont r
olbut
thi
sisjustasimplegestureofy ourmant akingcare
ofyou,notbecausey oucan't,
butbecausehewant s
to,
nowgochopt hatmoneybabe. .
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)okaybabydaddy
..
..
.
Sbani
-Il
ovey
ou.
..
Nel
l
y-Il
ovey
out
oo.
..
..

Theybot
hhangedup.
..

Nell
y-(
smil
es)(brushesherbell
y)wediggingtoday
babi
es,gol
d,patnuim,di
amonds, i
vory.
..(
shest ops)
..
wait
,dopeopledigplati
num andivory,
(shrugs)oh
well
,mommyi sagol ddiggert
oday .
.
ATMA'
NXUMALO'
SHOUSE.
..

MaNxumal
o-(
rocki
ngZi
sanda)soy
ouhav
en'
thear
d
any
thi
ngfr
om her
?
Lungiey
-(shakesherhead)not
hing,
Ithi
nkshehat
es
me...
MaNxumalo-(si
ghs)Idon'
tthi
nkshehatesyoubaby,
shemaysti
llbeli
tt
leangrywit
hyou,butshedoesn'
t
hat
eyou.
..
Lungiey-Ithoughtmay be,j
ustmaybebecauseof
Zisandashemi ghtcome, butshehasn'tevencame
toseeherownni ece.Zenande,Mbal
iev enMthoko
came, buty enalutho.MaybeIshouldjustgiveupon
thisfr
iendshi p,
may betheshiphaslongsailedand
I'
mj ustforcingthings.
MaNxumalo-Iknowhowi mportantsheistoyou,
howmuchy ouloveher
.Don'tgiveup,butal
sodon't
havehi
ghhopes,thi
ngswon'tjustgobacktohow
theywer
e.Youmaypat chthi
ngsupbutt hebutthe
crackswil
ltakef
orevertocov
erup.
..
.(Looksather
)
havey out
ri
edcontacti
ngher?
Lungiey
-no,I'
m scared,
butIjustknowshemay
choosetojusti
gnoreme.Alreadyherabsenceis
ki
ll
ingme,herreject
ionwil
lsendmeov ertheedge.
..
MaNxumalo-wel
lyouwon'
tknowunl
essyout
rymy
baby
..
..sohowisi
tgoi
nglooki
ngf
orahouse?
Lungi
ey -I
'
velookedatafewhouses,t
heyall
beaut
ifulbutnonhavecaughtmyatt
entionyet
.I
thi
nkwewi llbestay
ingher
eandcrowdingyoufora
whil
e..
.
MaNxumalo-nonsense,y
ouknowIl
ovehavingy
ou
bot
h.Thekhoza'
shav esentust
hel
ett
er.
..
Lungi
ey-oh!
!!Sowheni
sthedat
e?
MaNxumal o-3weeksf rom now.Lungile,y
oushoul d
respectSimi,nowomanwi l
l dowhatshei sdoi ng,
especial
lywheny ouhav ebeenthecauseofherpai n.
Thatgirlhasstrengthandahear tthatI,myselfdon't
have.Giveher,herplaceast hef
irstwife,l
istento
her,st
andbyheratal lt
imes.Shei sgiv
ingy ouhalf
ofherownwor l
d, shemayactst rongandunaf fect
ed
buttr
ustme, sheisbreaking,hermi ndisconstant l
y
onabat tl
e.Fr eeher
,youcandot hatby
understandi
ngt hatNhlanhlaisherhusbandt oo,the
wayy ou'r
eusedt ohav i
ngal l
hisattentionwillnow
havetochange.Best ri
ctwithhim,hecannotspend
moret i
met hanheshoul dwithyou,wheni tday s
where"home"i swit
hSi mi,t
ellhi
mt ogohome, that
way,mychi ldallofyouwi l
lli
vepeacef ull
y.And
remember ,not hi
rdparty,i
ntheout sidewor l
d,you
prot
ectSi mi,sheprotectsyou,donotl etpeoplet al
k
i
llofyourhome.
Lungi
ey-ngi
yakuzwamama(
Iheary
oumom)
..
.
MaNxumal o-good!
!!Nowgomakeheranot her
bottl
e,youknowshegetsf ei
stywhenshewakesup,
thi
schil
dofy oursi
sadrinker,Idon'
tknowwhyyou
stoppedbreastf
eedingt
hisear l
y.
..
.
Lungi
ey-(st
andsup)hhay
imama,Iwantt
ogoback
towork,sheneedst
ogetusedt
othebott
le.
..

Shedi
sappear
stot
heki
tchen.
..
.
ATNTOMBI
'
SHOUSE

Herphonev
ibr
ates.
.

Sheanswer
s..
.

Nt
ombi
-(sl
eepy
)hel
l
o..
.
Sbani
-hey
,(smi
l
es)ar
eyoust
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
Nt
ombi-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
I'
mti
redNomakeptmeupal
l
ni
ght
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)sor
ry.
..
.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)t
hanks.
.

.
..
.(si
l
ent
).
..
.

Them-uhm so.
..
Theybot
hlaugh.
.

Sbani
-IwantedtoknowifIcanhaveherdur
ingthe
day,(
smil
es)youcansleepwhil
esheisgone..
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)soundsl
i
keagooddeal.Iwi
ll
get
herr
eady?Whatti
mear eyoupi
cki
ngherup?
Sbani-uhmmm,letsaylat
er,
around13:
30pm,
woul
d
thatbeokaywi
thy ou?
Nt
ombi
-Yeah,
thatshoul
dbef
ine.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nt
ombi
-uhmm how'
sNel
l
y?
Sbani
-(t
akenback)uhmm she'
sokay
..
..
Ntombi-(
sighs)wel
lthankherforme.Thepoi
nts
andsuggesti
onsshemadehel pedal
ot.
Sbani
-Iwi
l
lpasst
hemessage.
..Ihav
etogo.
..
Nt
ombi
-by
e..
.
Shesi
ghedhangi
ngup.
..

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Shewalksi
nsi
detheLounge,
Nomai
swat
chi
ng
Phi
neas&Ferb.
..

Ntombi
-(l
ooksatt
hemai
lont
hecouch)whendi
d
t
hesegethere?
Noma-(
notl
ooki
ngather
)Igott
hem f
rom t
hemai
l
manatt
hegate.
..
Ntombi-babyy
ouknowy
ounotsupposet
ogot
othe
gateal
one..
Noma-(r
oll
seyes)Idi
dn'
topenthegat
emom,
Ijust
t
ookthem f
rom t
hemai l
house.
..
Ntombi-(
see'
ssomeofSbani'
smail
,shepl
acesiton
thesi
de)babydaddyi
scomingtogetyoul
atert
oday.
Remindmet ogi
vehim hi
smail
..
.
Noma-(smi
l
es)okay
..
..
.mommy
,ar
eyouanddaddy
di
vor
ced?
Nt
ombi
-(shocked)wher
edi
dyouheart
hatwor
d?
Noma-Owethusai
dyouanddaddyar
edivor
ced,
she
sai
ddaddydoesn'
tl
ovey
ouanymorethatwhyhe
l
eft
..
Ntombi-(si
ghs)(sit
snexttoher )
(brushesherback)
meanddaddyl oveeachot herverymuch, but
r
ememberwet ol dyouthatsomet imesadul t
swho
l
oveeachot herhav etoli
veapar tbecauseitthebest
t
hingforthem butitdoesn'tchangehowmucht hey
l
ovetheirbeautif
ul,naught
yl i
tt
lebug( t
ickl
ingher).
..
Noma-(
giggl
es)mooomm.
..
.
Ntombi-(smi
les)welov
ey oubaby,
daddyl
ovesy
ou.
Don'
tl
istentononsensethatki
dssay,
okay
?
Noma-okay
..
.(si
ghs)Imi
ssdaddy
..
Ntombi-Iknowbaby
,Imi
sshi
mtoo.Nowgobr ush
yourt
eethsowecanchooseast
yli
shout
fi
tforyou.
.

Nomar
unst
oherbat
hroom,
Ntombi
fur
iousl
ytakes
herphoneanddi
alsZandi
l
e..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Zah-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
omf
azi
Ntombi-howdar
ey ouandthatexcuseofahusband
t
alkaboutmybusinessi
nfr
ontofy ourki
ds?
Zah-(
conf
used)hai
ybo!
!Whatar
eyou.
..
Ntombi-(angry)youdiscussi
ngIandSbani'
sfail
ed
marri
agei nf
rontofyourkidsnowthatf
atpotatoe
youcallachildtoldNomat hatwedi
vorcedand
Sbanidoesn'tloveNomaany more.
..
Zah-howcany
oucal
lmychi
l
dsuchnames,
Iget
thaty
ou..
.
Ntombi -saveit
,ir
eall
ydon'tcareri
ghtnow, telly
our
chil
dt oshutthatmouthofhers,ifshecan'tuseit
usefull
y,li
kestopeati
ngallthesugar,soonshe
wouldbedi abeti
c.Youandy ourhusbandshoul dbe
focusedony ourchil
dren'
sweightandst op
discussingNtombiandSbani ,
yourkidsaresl owly
dyi
ngbutyoutooi
nvest
edi
not
herpeopl
e'
sbusi
ness
tonot
icenxi
!!
!

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,shehangsup.
..
.

ATSI
GNATURESPA,
THEOYSTERBOXHOTEL.
..
.

TheTurki
shHammam andMedi
tat
ion/
Rel
axi
ng
Room..
.

Aftertheladi
esgottheirmassage,
theywereal
l
rel
axed, havi
ngaTurkishbath,
whil
eindugi
ngon
theirsnacksandtea.
..

Zenande-(
smiles)t
hisi
samazi
ng,
I'
mlov
ingeach
secondofit
..
.
MaSiwela-(
sipsonhergr
eent ea)defi
nit
elyamazi
ng.
(LooksatNell
y)howdidyourpregnancytreat
ment
go?MeandZenandehadabl ast.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
les)If
eel
rej
uvenat
ed,t
heyev
enwaxed
medownt
here,y
ouknowitastr
uggl
ebendi
ngnow.
MaSiwel
a-Ihopey ounotthi
nki
ngofhavi
ngsex
undermyroof,Iknowthatmanofyourssl
epti
nmy
housel
astnight.
Zenande-(
eyesout
)hahahaser
iousmama?
MaSiwel
a-yes,
theyt
houghtt
heysocl
ever
.Iknow
Mthokol
ethimin.
Nelly-(si
ghs)pl
easedon'
tcauseascenewhenever
thathappensagain,someti
meshestruggl
es
sleeping,hesay
smypr esenceandourbabi
escal
m
him.
Zenande-(
makescut
eface)ncooohmumu,
how
cut
eisthat.
..
MaSiwel
a-Idi
dn'tmakeascenenowdi dI?Justt
ell
Gi
deonitokaytoparkhiscari
nsi
demyy ardnext
t
imeandnotont hesideofthest
reet
,orel
sehewi l
l
wakeupwithitnott
here.
Zenande-(
burstoutl
aughi
ng)whyar
eyoucal
l
ing
hi
m Gideon?
MaSi
wela-him andGideonsamewhatsappgroup,
t
heyhav
et roublesl
eeping,
demonstoheavyon
t
hem,AmadodanakaSat an(Sat
an'
ssons)
Nel
l
y-mamapl
ease!
!!
!
Zenande-(
laughs)Iguesst
hatmakesNel
l
y,Emma.
..
MaSiwel
a-YeahbutEmmawassmar
tenoughnott
o
f
all
pregnantbyGi
deon.

Zenandebur
tsoutl
aughi
ng,
whi
l
eNel
l
yrol
l
sher
eyesatMaSi
wela.
..

1hourl
ater
..
..

Theladiesareseat
edatRocoMama'
swai
ti
ngon
thei
rorder.
..
..

MaSiwel
a-y
ouknowGideonwil
lki
lluswhenhe
see'
showmuchfaty
ouwi l
lbeeat
ingtoday
.
Nell
y-(l
aughs)canyoustopcalli
nghim Gideonand
hewon'tthr
owaf it,
hesaidIshouldspoilmy sel
f
todayandthatexactl
ywhatI'
m doing.BesidesIsti
l
l
havealotofshoppingtodoafterthi
s.
Zenande-(
touchesherweav
eandf akescough)I
thi
nkanewweav ef
ormewi l
ldo.
..
MaSiwel
a-Iwanttwonewhandbagswit
hmat chi
ng
shoesornotf
orgett
ingmygl
amoroushats.
Zenande-It
hinkt
wopai
rsofsneaker
swoul
ddot
he
tr
ickaswell
.
Nelly
-(laughs)bothofyouhavemenwhoownbl ack
cards..
.(LooksatMaSiwela)whathappenedt
othe
hatIboughty oulastmonth?
MaSiwel
a-(
rol
lseyes)t
hepast
or'
swif
ecamet
o
chur
chweari
ngit,
youknowIhavetol
ookt
hebest
outofev
ery
one.
Zenande-(l
aughs)yousai
dthesamet
hingabout
thatpur
pletwopiece.
..
MaSi
wela-y
es,
shecamewear i
ngitt
oo,
Nxi
!!It
hink
t
hatwomanbuysev
eryt
hingshesee'
smewearing.
..
ZenandeandNellyl
aughasMaSiwelagoeson
complai
ningaboutt
hepastor
'swi
fe.Thewait
er
bri
ngstheirf
ood.MaSi
welabl
essesit.
..

Zenande-(
looksatthem)t
hankyou,
Iknowyoudi
d
al
lthi
sjusttocheermeup.I'
m gr
eat
ful
fort
hebot
h
ofyou.
..
MaSi wela-If eel l
i
key outhinkthaty ouandy our
problemsar eabur dent oot herpeople.Youdon't
walkar oundcompl ainingorev envent i
ngaboutyour
pain.Instead, youhol di tal
lin,asnott oannoyor
wor r
yany oneel se.ButIneedy outoknowt hatIam
heref orar eason.WhenIt ellyouthatIam her ef
or
anythingy ouneed, I'
m notj ustsayingthattobenice,
Imeani t
.
Nell
y-Iknowt odaymayseem i nsurmountable,
but
neverforgetthefr
iendshi
p/si
sterhoodweshar eis
vit
altome.I ’
m al
way sgoingtotrymybestt ohelp
youfindsomesembl anceofnormalcy,butIknow
thefeel
ingofdepressioncanbedr aini
ng,and
‘
nor mal’maynotbepossi bleri
ghtnowbutIf eelli
ke
youar eoneofthestrongestpeoplethatIknow.The
factthatyouar
ef eeli
ngall oft
hesethi
ngsthaty ou
cannotdef i
nei
sterri
f y
ing,andyetyousti
llmanage
togetoutofbedandf acet heworl
deachday .You
paintasmi l
eonyourf ace,nomat t
erhowposedi t
maybe, everymorningandsetoutf oryourli
fe.Even
i
flifeonlymeansgoi ngthroughthemotions.
MaSi wel a-AndIknowt hatnooner eallyknowshow
youar ef eeling.Ther ear enowor dst hatcan
descr i
bewhati sgoi ngthroughy oumi ndort hat
achingf eel i
nginy ourhear t
.Otherpeopl ecan'tknow
because, mostoft het ime,youdon' tevenknow
yoursel f
.Youdon' tunder standhoworwhyy ouf eel
thewayy oudo.Buty oualsodon' tknowhowt of eel
anythingel se.Baby ,Iam here,I'
mr eadyt ofeel
what everi tisthaty ou'refeeli
ng,t hatamot her'sduty
tocar r
yherchi ld'
sbur denwheni tbecomest oheav y
forher .Pleasedon' tshutusout .We' refamil
y ,
you're
mydaught er,yourexi stencesav edmei naway ,
Lindiwechoset ofightt hatnightbecausesheknew
shedi dn'twanty out obebor naroundt hatevilman.
Yousav
edme,
nowl
etmesav
eyou.
Zenande-(
cry
ing)
(sni
ff
s)Il
ovey
ouguy
s.Thanky
ou
somuch...

Theystand,
well
exceptf
orNell
yastheybend
towar
dshershari
ngagrouphug..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s..
.
Congratul
ati
onsont
he1kLi
kesont
hepr
evi
ous2
post
s...
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t74

ATBURGERKI
NG.
..

Nomalookedatt hebi
gburgerinf
rontofher,
having
ahar
dtimet r
yingtofi
gur
eout ,
howexact l
ywill
she
t
ackl
eit.
..
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksatherwi
thasmi
l
e)whati
sitbossl
ady
?
Noma-(
notlooki
ngathi
m)not
hingdaddy
..
.(st
ares
att
heburger
).
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)youknowifyouhadagr
eedthatwe
gotoMac'Donal
ds,getyouakiddi
esmeal
,you
wouldbehalfwaythr
oughyourhappymealr
ight
now.
Noma-(
grunt
s)DAaaaadddd.
..
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)

3mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Herst omachmakesnoi se,catchingSbani's

attenti
on,Noma' sey esar estillf
ocusedont he
burgerinfrontofher , shehasf i
nishedhersoda, but
herbur gerwasst i
l
lunt ouched.Nomawat chesas
herdadeat shisbur gerusi ngt hef orkandknif
e
provided,shepi cksupherf ork,(knif
ewasnot
providedforher )shesi ghsandst aresatherfather
,
withpuppyey es.Herst areheav yonhi m,shelooks
upatherandsmi
l
es.
..

Sbani
-yesbossl
ady
?
Noma-(smir
ks)
thepr
incesswant
sherdaddyt
o
ser
veher.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)i
sthatso?
Noma-(smiles)y
es,youknowthepr
incessshoul
dn'
t
getherhandsdir
ty,
sosheneedstobeserved.
..
Sbani-(
smirks)youmean,
sheneedstobef ed.
..
..
.
sheneedstobef edl
ikeababy
..
..
..af
teral
lthe
pri
ncessisa...
.
Noma-(si
ghs)okay,
okay!
!!
!Igeti
tdad,y
ourightI
'
m
nott
ooldforakiddi
eshappymeal,weshoul
dhave
wenttoMac'
Donalds(l
ooksdown)
Sbani-(
smiles)
(l
aughs)nowthatoutoft
heway
,
comesi tonmyl apandl
etdaddyservet
he
pri
ncess..
.

Shesmi
l
edexci
tedl
ygoi
ngt
osi
tonherf
ather
'sl
ap,
whil
ehecut
sherbur
geri
nto4smal
lpi
ecesj
ust
enoughf
orhert
ochew.
..

Noma-(wrapsherr
ightarm ar
oundhisneck)you
bet
ternott
ellmom aboutthi
s..
..i
tourl
i
ttl
esecret
Wil
fred.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)yesyourmaj
est
y..
..
..heywhyar
eyou
cal
li
ngmeWi lf
red?
Noma-(gi
ggl
es)Isawitont
hemov
ie.Wi
l
fredwas
Pr
incessMona'
sserv
ant.

Theybot
hlaugh.
..
..

ATREPUNZELHAI
RSALON.
..
.

Zenandewashav i
nghernew30inchMongol i
an
weav ei
nstall
ed.Aft
ershoppi
ngaround,MaSiwel
a
decidedtoleavethegi
rl
saloneandgohome.The
l
adiesinsi
det hesal
onkeptthegi
rlsent
ert
ained,
t
opicsrangi
ngfr
om, sex,
sidechi
cks,
mar
ri
age,
men,moneyandpregnancy.
..

Nell
y-It
hinkwejustwantt
obei ndeni
alt
hinki
ngt
hat
moneyisnotafactori
narelat
ionshi
p,whenweall
knowiti
s.
Cust
omer1-(
staresatNell
y)uqondenivele?Usho
ukut
hii
malii
balul
ekeidl
ulauthando?(
Whatdoy ou
mean?Yousayingmoneyi smoreimportantthan
l
ove?)
Lady2-ofcour
se,angekenj
engi
jol
enomunt
u
ongenamal i(
Iwon'tdat
esomeonewhohasno
money )
Nell
y-whatI '
m say i
ngis,asmuchasy oumayl ove
someonebutt hatlovewon' tgetyouallthe
necessecit
ies.Formeper sonall
yandlooki nghowI
wasbr oughtupandl ooki
ngatt hewor l
dt oday.I
cannotdatesomeonewhoear nslessthanme, If
eel
l
ikeImaynotmi ndthatheear nslessthanmebut
myf amily,
peoplear ounduswi l
l
,astimegoesbyhe
wouldmi ndtoo, withallt
hehearsay sthatwi l
lbe
goingar
ound,i
twoul
dstar
tget
ti
ngtohim andweal
l
knowwhathappenswhenamanstart
stof eel
i
ntermedi
atedbyawoman..
.
Zee-hmmm hewoul
dst
artsnappi
ngaty
ouf
orno
reason.
.
Customer2-hewil
lfor
everbeangr
y,basi
call
yhe
wouldstartt
ell
i
ngnoactuall
ydemandingyoutoqui
t
yourjob.
Lady1-hewouldaccuseyouofal
lsor
toft
hings,
we
al
lknowt hebeat
ingwil
lstar
t.
Customer1-thatwhatsocietysaysbutthatnot
alwaysthecase.Notallmenwi l
lbehaveli
ket hat.
(Star
esatNelly,wi
ththosejudgement aleyes)just
saythatyouprefermenwi thalotofmoney .
Nell
y-Idon'tt
hinkyouget t
ingmypoi nt.ButlikeI
sai
dthisisjustmeper sonally.FormeIdon' tlookfor
l
oveonlywhenIgeti ntoar elationshi
p,therear ealot
ofthi
ngsthatIlookforandmoneyhappenst obe
oneofthoseaspects.Icannev erjustbeina
rel
ati
onshiponlybecauseIl ovesomeone, thatisjust
notme.WhenI '
minar elat
ionshi pIneedt of eela
senseofsecur ityinallangl es, moneywi l
l getusa
properr oofov erourheads, f ood,itwillsendour
chil
drent oschool ,giveourki dsacomf ortablelife.I
don'tcar eaboutt heflashyt hingsi nli
febutIwant
thebestf ormyki ds.Igr ewupcomf ort
abl eand
havingt hebestofev erythingt herewas, Iwantev en
mor eformyki ds,Ithinkev er yonewant smor ef or
theirkids.Sot hatwhyIpr ef eramanwhowi l
l earn
mor ethanme, becauseIl ookati tlikethis.Theman
thatwi l
lmar rymewi llhavet oof f
ermebet t
ert han
whatIal readyhav e.Ican' tjustl eavemycomf ortabl
e
home, andgot obewi thsomeonewhoi sstil
lf i
nding
themsel vesorj ustisn'twher eIam.Thatj ustgi v i
ng
my selfunnecessar yst ressandbaggage.If eel li
ke
thatkindofper sonwi l
l pullmebacki nsteadof
forward, Iwouldbet obusywor ryingabouthi m and
thatwi l
lsetmeandmyhust leback.
Lady3-(
looksatNelly
)Ihearwhaty ousaying.My
si
stergotmar ri
edtoherbabydaddy ,hewascomi ng
fr
om adi sadvant
agedhome, butthatwasnott he
probl
em, theprobl
em wasinsteadofdoing
somethingtochangehissit
uat i
onforhimselfand
fami ly,hechoi cet owast ehischanceateducat ion,
myf athergothi m ajobatt hemi nes, withthattohe
didn'tdoany thingpr oducti
vewi thhi ssal ar
y .Allhe
didwasf l
ashhi smoneyonboozeandexpensi ve
clothes.Hi sfami l
ywoul dgoday swi thoutfood,
whilehespenthi smoneyonmat eriali
sticthings.
Longst oryshor tis,thei
rmar ri
agedi dn'tev
enl ast6
mont hs.Mysi sterjustcouldn'
tst aywi thhim, she
j
ustwasn' tusedt ot hekindofl i
feheandhi sf amily
l
ived.Asmuchasshet ri
edhel pingoutbutshe
reali
sedt hatlifewasnotf orher,t hatwhenshe
vowednev ert odatesomeonewi thal i
festylelower
thanher s..
.
Lady 2-theproblem withmen/ peoplewhocome
from disadvantagedbackgr oundssomeoft hem just
havesmal l
mi nds.Idi
spi seamanwhoi sl
azy,one
thatwai tsf
orpeopl etot el
lhi
m wher etogoi norder
tofindaj obetc.Menl ikethathavethatstinki
ng
atti
tudeoff eeli
ngobligatedtothings.Theyblame
gover nmentforev er
ythingbuttheynev erblametheir
l
azyasses.
Nel
l
y-Ican'
tsi
tatZi
mbal
iandhav
elunchordi
nner
withyouwhi leyoust i
lll
i
veinsi dea2r oom houseand
yoursibl
ingsandpar ent
sar ehungr ybackhome.I '
m
sorrybutI'
ddumpy ouri
ghtt her e.Fixyoursel
fand
yourfamilyfir
st.Thatwhyl ov ef ormewi l
lneverbe
enough.Ihav etolookatev er ythingthatmakesy ou
whoy ouar e.ThatwhyIpr efercor poratemen.They
usuallymor efocusedanddr iven, noof fencetoother
professi
onsbutIl ikemymeni nasui t.
Zenande-v erytr
ue, onet hi
ngwomencan' tgoback
fr
om is"l
ifestyl
e"themi nuteshedat esaguywi tha
car,
restassur eever yguyaf t
ert hatguywi t
hacar
wil
lhavetohav eacaraswel l.Justlikemenwon' t
gobacksexual ly,oncet heygetagi r
lthatswal
lows,
ever
ygirlafterthathast oswal low..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)v
eryt
rue.
..
Cust omer3-(
laughs)Irememberthefi
rstt
imeI
datedaguywhowear sexpensi
vesneaker
s,af
ter
thatallt
heguy swhowor esneakersgotmy
attenti
on.
Lady
1-(l
aughs)andonceyoumeetaguywhotakes
youondates,
givesy
ouall
owance,buy
syoust
uff.
Ev
eryguyaf
tert
hatneedst
ofol
l
owt
hesequence.
..
.
Customer 1-(
judgemental)Ist
il
lthi
nkthisisal
ljust
soci
ety'sexpentati
on.Youdon'treal
lyneedsuchi n
yourli
fe,buti
tokay ,t
herewill
alwaysbet hat"
type"..
.
Nel
l
y-(
rai
sesherbr
ow)whatt
ype?
Lady2-(
stopsdoi
nghai
r)
(fol
dsar
m)Iwantt
oknow
too?
Cust
omer
1-hmmm wel
l
...
..
.Iwasj
ust
..
..Imean.
..
Cust
omer3-(l
aughs)hehehesuddenl
yMs
ri
ght
eousnesscan'
tspeak..
.
Zee-(
laughs)akat
hol
akal
angaekuphawul
eni
!!
!
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)hhay
iakezi
Mtase.
..
.

Every
onei nsidet
hesal
onl
aughsandscr
eams.
..
.
"andi
zi!
!!
!"
...
..
.

I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
..
Hej ustdroppedNomaof fatNt
ombi '
safteralong
dayofr unningafterherassheshoppeddol l
sand
clothes.Itbeenabeaut i
ful
dayspentwithhis
daught ernowall hewant edwastoendt hedayoff
l
aidont hecouchwi thhiswomanwat chingher
favouritehousewi v
esshows, watchherexplain
thingstohi m,event houghheain'
tint
erested.
..

Hi
sphoneri
ngs,unr
egist
ednumber,
connect
edt
o
hi
scarBl
uet
ooth,heanswer
s..
..

Sbani
-(deepv
oice)Zul
uspeaki
ng.
..
Thandeka-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)hey
..
..i
tme.
..
Sbani
-(f
rowns)whoar
eyou?
..
.whot
hehel
li
s"me?
"
Thandeka-(
sighs)i
tme.
..
..Thandeka
Sbani
-whatdoy
ouwant
?
Thandeka-pl
easedon'
tbel
i
ket
hat
?
Sbani
-Uf
unani
Thandeka?
Thandeka-(
sighs)It
oseey
ou,
Iwantust
omeet
..
..
sowecoul
dtal
k..
.
Sbani
-Ihav
enot
hingt
hatIwantt
otal
ktoy
ouabout
MsZwane...
Thandeka-(
roll
sey es)well
Iwi l
ldothetal
ki
ng.Why
areyouthi
scoldt owardsme?Si nceIgotbackyou
havebeenav oi
dingme?I sitbecauseofher?Di
dshe
tel
lyoutostayawayf rom me?
Sbani
-whoar
eyout
oheragai
n?
Thandeka-(
frowns)whatdoy
oumean?
Sbani
-whati
sshet
oyou?
Thandeka-no.
..
nooneImeannobody
..
.
Sbani
-exact
ly,y
ou'r
enobodysoshehasnoreason
total
kaboutyou.Nowbegoodandkeepherout
yourmouth.
..
Thandeka-woooo!
!!!NOneedt
obi
temyheadof
f.
Socanwemeett oday?
Sbani
-nott
oday.Ihav
eplans.Wewi ll
meet
tomor
row.Iwi
ll
sendy outhelocat
ion.
Wi
tht
hatsai
dhehangsup.
..
..

Hequi
ckl
ysendsBl
essat
ext"
I'
m comi
ngt
oyou
now"

Meanwhi
l
e..
.

Theconv ersationshav edi eddownal i

tt
le,Nell
ygoes
toFacebookandbr owst hr oughthenewsf eeds.The
numberofi nboxescat chesherat tent i
onagain.She
sighsandgoest ohermessengerapp.Shescr oll
s
downt heinboxesandl i
kesheexpect ed, i
tall
guy s
hitt
ingonher .Sheshakesherhead, butwhenshe
wasaboutt ocloset heapp, amessagef rom a
Ntombi catchesherat t
ent ionsoshecl i
cksoni tand
thesur nameZul uandt hepr ofi
lepicturegives
conf i
rmat i
ont hatindeedi ttheNtombi t
hatshe
knows.Sher eadsheri nbox.Suddenl yconf usionhits
her,allsortofemot ionsr unt hr
oughher ,
she
touchesherbel ly.Shest andsandwal kstoZee..
Nell
y-babygi
rlIwi
l
lberi
ghtnow,Isawaphar
macy
r
ightar
oundthecor
ner
.Ineedtobuyvol
tar
engel
..
.
Zee-(
star
esather)areyouokay)I
'm al
mostdone,
wecangot oget
herjustwai
tali
ttl
e.
Nel
l
y-(
fakeslaughs)no,
Iwi
llbefi
ne.I
tjustar
ound
t
hecor
ner.Youwor r
ytoomuch..
.

Shetakesherhandbagandsmi
lesatt
hel
adi
esand
Zenandethanwalksoutt
hesal
on..
.

Lady
1-shel
ooksreadytopop,
isi
twi
sel
ett
ingher
goonherownli
kethis.
.
Zee-(
wor
ri
ed)Iknow,
butshei
stoost
ubbor
n.

Mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Nel
l
ywal
ksi
nsi
deapedi
atr
ici
anof
fi
ce.Shel
i
edt
o
Zenande, shesawt hi
spract
icewhentheywer
e
passing.Sheneededt oknowthetrut
h.Shewal
kst
o
thereceptioni
st.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
o
Ol
dLady
-(smi
l
es)hel
l
o,howcanwehel
pyoudear
.
Nelly-(
takesadeepbr eat
h)doyouhaveascan
here,Idon'tf
eeltoogood.Ij
ustwantt
oseemy
babiesandf eel
better
.
Oldl
ady-(
smil
es)l
uckyforyouwedo.( Looksather
bel
ly
)Jesusyousuredolookready.Ar
ey ousur
e
youdon'
twantuscall
i
nganambul ance.
Nel
l
y-nono.
..
.justascanpl
ease.
..

Theoldladysmil
esandasksNell
ytofoll
owher,she
wantedtomakeherfil
li
nsomef ormsbutdit
ched
thei
dea.Shedidn'
twanttostr
essherwit
hpaper
work.Meanwhil
eSandil
ecameoutofoneoft he
doctor
sroom.Whenhisey esl
andedonNell
ywho
waspassingbywitht
heoldlady,
hestoppedashis
heartbeatfast.Hecoul
dn'tbel
ievethereshewas,
Nomv elohadshowedt hem herpictur
eont hephone
andhehadf oll
owedheronInstagram.Heknewi t
wasdef i
nitel
yher.Hewatchedherunt i
lshe
di
sappear edinsi
dearoom onthef arendofthe
corner.
..
.

Her
anghi
sbr
other
..
..

Bandi
l
e-shoBaf
o..
.
Sandil
e-ohmyGod!
!!Ij
ustsawher
,li
keshewal
ked
i
nfrontofmeman.
..
Bandi
l
e-(
conf
used)whatar
eyou.
..
Sandil
e-Iwascoll
ecti
ngthet
winsmedicat
ion
Mv el
ohsentmeandIsawherman.Shel ooks
heavenl
ypregnantbutshest
il
ll
ooksgood.
Bandi
le-many
ouj
ustr
ambl
i
ng,
whoar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?
Sandi
l
e-oursi
ster
,Nel
l
ybr
o..
.
Bandil
e-(al
mostfel
loft
hechai
r)areyouser
ious?
Didyoutalktoher
?Youhavetotal
ktoherman.
Sandi
l
e-Idi
dn'
t,
youknowdadsai
d..
.
Bandi
l
e-f
uckdad!
!!Thi
sisoursi
sterman.
..
.
Sandi
l
e-okay,ll
etmegoIseemov
ementwher
eshe
i
s,iwi
llcal
lyouback.
..

Heendedt hecal l
.Hesatatt her ecept i
onbenches
withhi sheartbeatingfast,nervouslywai t
ingforher.
Thedooropensf r
om ar oom nextt owhereNel lyis,
Sizwewal ksoutwi t
hlit
tleAyandawhowascar ryi
ng
asmal ll
oll
i
pop.Si zwegoesandst andsnexttot he
receptionast heyswaphi smedi cal ai
dcard.Nel l
y
walkoutherr oom looki
ngbl ank, noemot ions
runninginsideher.Shel ookspal eandcol d.She
walkst owardswher eSizweandSandi l
eare,t
hey
botht urnandl ookather ,Si
zweswal l
owslookingat
herbel l
y,hehadhear dshewaspr egnantbutitbeen
solongsi ncehehadseenher ..
.
Sandi
l
e-(
takesadeepbr
eat
hst
andi
ng)uhmmm hi
mynameis..
.
Si
zwe-uhmm HeyNel
l
y..

Shejustblankystar
esatthem andwalkspastt
hem
l
ikeazombi e,thest
areateachotherandfol
lowher
outsi
de..
..

Si
zwe-(
shout
s)Nel
l
y..

Zenandeseesherandr
unst
oher
,whenshef
inal
l
y
reachesher
..
.

Zee-(heavybreat
hing)wherehavey oubeen?Iwas
worri
edsick,Icheckedatthe.
..
.(Looksather)Nel
l
y,
..
..youlook.
..
Nel
l
y-(
whi
sper
s)t
heyl
i
ed.
..
..
Zee-(
touchesher
)Jesus,
yourbodyi
sfr
eezedup.
..
Nel
l
y-t
heyl
i
ed.
..
Sandil
e-shedoesn'
tlooktoogood,
Ithi
nkweshoul
d
takehertothehospi
tal
..
.

Befor
etheycouldsayany
thi
ngel
se,
wat
erandbl
ood
runsdownherlegs.
..

Ayanda-daddy,
look.
..(
poi
ntsatNel
l
ylegs)shepee
peehersel
f.
..

Remembert
oal
way
sLI
KEandCOMMENT.
..
.

Sur
pri
sei
nser
t.
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t75

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL
Nomv el
owalkedtowhereZenande,Sandil
eand
Si
zwewer e,j
ustwhenshewasaboutt oreacht
hem,
MaSiwelaandMrsZulucamer ushi
ngoutthe
el
evator
..
..

MaSiwel
a-thankGodIfoundy
ouher
esisi(
looki
ng
atNomvelo)howisshe?Wher
eismydaughter?
Mr
sZul
u-i
sthebabyokay
?
Sandi
l
e-si
si,
shewasbl
eedi
ngi
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Nomv elo-(
takesadeepbr eat
h)herdoctor
sare
att
endingtoherr i
ghtnow,Idon'
thavetheful
l
detai
l
sofwhat shappeni
ngbutIcanassureyouthat
sheisincapablehands.
Zenande-i
sn'
ti
tabi
tear
lyf
orhert
ogi
vebi
rt
h,and
thebl
ood?
Nomv elo-she's8mont hssoany thingispossi
ble,i
t
normalt ogivebi
rthearlythananticipat
edbutI'
m
afr
aidwi thhercaseitdiff
erent,
thesi gnofwaterand
bl
oodi sacausef orconcer n.
Si
zwe-whatdoy
oumean?
MaSiwel
aandMrsZulustar
eatSi
zwe,
theyhadn'
t
not
icedt
hathewashere.
..
.

Nomvelo-webeli
eveherwaterbr
okebutthesignof
bl
oodiswhatconcerni
ngma, bl
eedi
ngatherstage
i
sahighr i
skbutl
etwaitandhearfr
om herdoctor
s.
Sandi
l
e-butshewoul
dbeokaysi
si?
Nomv elo-(
looksatt
hem wi
thpit
yeyes)Ihopeso,
theonlythi
ngwecandof orherr
ightnowispray
.I
havetogo, butIwi
ll
beback.
..

Sheacknowl
edgest
het
wool
dwomenandl
eav
es.
..

Mr
sZul
u-Si
zwewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Zenande-hei
stheonewhohel
pedusbr
ingher
here.
..
Sizwe-Iwasatt
hedenti
stwit
hAyandawhenImet
her,shel
ookedoutofi
tso,
wef ol
l
owedherout
side
andt
hatwhenev
ery
thi
nghappened.
.
MaSi
wel
a-y
ouandwho?
Sandil
e-thatwoul
dbemeMa, (
bri
ngshi
shandf
ora
handshake)mynameisSandi
l
eGasa..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
shakeshi
shand)oh.
..okay
..
.
Mr
sZul
u-hav
eanyofy
out
ri
edt
ocal
lSbani
?
Zenande-y
es,
buthi
sphonei
sn'
tgoi
ngt
hrough.
..
.
Sizwe-(cl
ear
sthr
oat)ummm Ihavetogo,Ay
andai
s
ti
red,(
looksatMaSi
wela)Ipr
ayal
liswel
lwit
hher
Ma...
MaSi
wel
a-(
glancesathi
m).
..t
hanky
ou.
..
.

Hepi
cksupasl
eepi
ngAy
andaandbi
dsf
arewel
l
...
..

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Sbani
downshi
ssecondgl
assofwhi
skey
..
..
Bl
ess-(l
ooksathi
m)areyougoi
ngtotel
lmewhat
's
uporyoujustgoi
ngt
osither
eanddri
nkall
mygood
st
uff
?
Sbani
:(downshi
s3r
dgl
ass)i
t'
sThandeka.
..
.
Bl
ess-(
star
esathi
m)whatabouther
?
Sbani-(brusheshisfacefr
ustratedly
)herbeingback
doesn'tsitwellwit
hmeman, angazi kodwaIhave
thi
sfeelingthatthereismoretoherbei ngbackthan
Whatshei slet
ti
ngon.Doy out hink.
..
.
Bl
ess-(
sit
sup)NO!
!!
!!
..
..don'
tev
engot
her
e..
.
Sbani
-whati
f.
..
.
Bless-(
sighs)t
ell
youwhat,
Iwi
lll
ooki
ntoher
,iwi
l
l
haveoneofmyguy sf
oll
owher
.
Sbani
-NgiyabongaBafo,
ngabuyengi
beyi
ninj
e
ngaphandl
ekwakho.(Thankyoubro,
whatwil
lIbe
wit
houtyou)

Theyf
istbump.
..
Bl
ess-uy
azi
,ngi
kuphet
he.
..(
youknowIgoty
ou)

Theyl
augh,Bl
ess'
sphoneri
ngs,i
tanunknown
numberwit
haBostwanaregi
str
ati
on.
..

Bl
ess-hel
l
o..
.
Lady
-hel
l
oam Ispeaki
ngt
oMrNdawor
a?
Bl
ess-y
esspeaki
ng?
Lady-mynamei
sBonol
osi
r,Iam y
ourmot
her
's
caregi
ver
..
.
Bl
ess-(
hear
tpounding)i
sev
ery
thi
ngokaywi
thmy
mother
?Whereisshe?
Bonol
o-t
hati
swhyI'
m call
i
ngsi
r,shemademe
pr
omisenott
osayanyt
hingbut
..
.
Bless-whati
sit
?Godcany
ouj
ustt
ell
me?I
sshe
okay?
Bonolo-shehasbeencomplaini
ngaboutaheadache
forthepastt
woweeks,Ihavebeenprescr
ibi
ngpain
kil
ler
sforher,
wit
htheacceptabl
edosageofcourse
butlastweekIhav ebeennot icingt hatshet endst o
j
ustz oneout ,
almostasi fshei snott here,her
hearingaswel l
,I'
venot i
cedlat elythatIhav et o
repeatal mostev eryt
hingwhenI '
mt alki
ngwi t
hher .I
askedMr sMathebat okeepacl oseey eonheras
shei stheonel ivi
ngwi thher, Itoldhert oinform me
i
fshepi cksanyst rangethings, andi ndeedMr s
Mat hebahasbr oughtt omyat tenti
ont haty our
mot herr arel
ysleepsasshecompl ainsabout
headache, shealsotoldmet haty ourmot herhas
beent alking"Grandpapowder "andsheseemst obe
highlydependentoni t.Nowsi rforsomeonei nyour
mot her'
sageandcondi ti
on,herbei ngdependenton
suchast rongandhi ghdosageofsuchsubst ancei s
veryrisky .
Bless-(
takesadeepbreat
h)uhmmm sowhati
sit
thatneedstobedone?Imeanshoul
dn'
tyout
ake
somet estsor
..
.
Bonolo-uhmm thatiswhyIcall
edsir
,I'
m not
supposetosaythisbutIthi
nkitwouldbebestthat
youtransf
erhertoSouthAfri
ca,hav
et hedoct
ors
thatsi
dehaveal ookather.
Bl
ess-whydoy ouhavelit
tl
econfidenti
nour
Bot
swanadoctors?Theyhav ebeentaki
ngcareof
mymot herv
erywellal
lthi
stime,areyousur
et hat
..
.
Bonol o-sirdon'
tgetmewr ong,Ihaveev eryfaithin
ourdoct orsbutIalsot hinkitbestthatyoubecl ose
toyourmot herr
ightnow.Sheal readyhasMr s
Mat hebawr appedar oundherf inger,It
hinkshe
needsaf i
rm hand,Iknowshel i
stenstoy ou.The
l
esspeopl eshehasar oundherwhoshecan
mani pulatethebetterchancewehav etocar eforher
healthandkeepherar oundforal it
tl
ewhi le.I
'
m sur e
youst il
lwantherar ound, andgiveherthose
grandchi l
drenshefor evertell
smeabout( giggles).
..
Bless-(
laughs)(
br usheshisheadfr
ustr
atedl
y)mama
andherbi gmout h!!
!Isthi
syournumber?Letmejust
sortouteveryt
hingt hanIwouldgetbacktoyouMiss?
Bonol
o-i
tBonol
o,andy
est
hisi
smynumber
..
..
..
per
sonal
number.
..
Bl
ess-okay
,Iwi
l
lbei
ntouch.
..
Bonol
o-Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ourcal
l
,by
e..
..
.
Hesi
ghsandhangsup,
wit
hhi
sey
ebr
owscur
ved.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
m)y
ini
?
Bl
ess-It
hinkmymot
her
'scar
egi
verj
usthi
tonme.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)r
eal
l
y?Whatdi
dshesay
?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)I
'm probabl
yjusti
magi
ningt
hings.
DamnIneedt ogetlaid.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
esyoudo!!
!!.
.soisev ery
thi
ngokay
?
Ihear
dyoument i
oni
ngdoct
ors,hospi
tals?
Bless-i
t'
stheOD,apparentl
yshehasbeenhav i
ng
seri
esofheadaches,heari
ngloss,andsheseemsto
beaddictedtoGr
andpapowder ..
Sbani
-shi
t!
!!
..
..
..soar
eyougoi
ngt
omov
eher
?
Bl
ess-Ihavenochoice,
appar
ent
lyy
ourcount
ryhas
more"equi
pped"doctor
s.
Sbani-(
laughs)wellt
hatwhat'sup..
.(ser
iousface)
youknowy oucan'
tgamblewi t
hy ourmother'
slif
e,
wemaypr oducethebestdoctorsbutwest i
l
llack
thespecialequi
pments,ar
ey ousur eshewil
lgetthe
car
esheneedsher
e?
Bless-(
sighs)yeahIbel
ieveshewi l
l
.Itnotsomuch
aboutthedoctorsorthe"best
"hospital
s,Ithinkit
ti
meshecomesst aywithme, spendthelit
tletimeI
havewithherasmuchaspossi bl
ey ouknow. ..
Sbani
-(si
ghs)(
brusheshi
sshoul
der
)whatdoy
ou
needmet odo?
Bl
ess-well
IneedtogetherVisaandt emporar
il
y
ci
ti
zenshi
pdocumentsready,soIwon'thaveti
meto
l
ookforahouse,canyousortthatoutforme?
Sbani-yeahIcandot
hat
,shoul
dIt
akeoneofy
our
propert
iesor?
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)nah,l
ookoutsi
demy
terr
it
ory,
itwoul
dbeanothergoodi
nvestment
.
Sbani
-Roger
!!
!!
..
..y
ouknowshegoi
ngt
obeokay
..
.
Bl
ess-(
fakessmi
l
es)j
eah.
..
Sbani-(
tri
estoli
ght
enupt hemood)so.
..t
heyal
so
sel
l"Grandpa"i
nBotswana?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)Nxi
!!!Howt
hef
uckshoul
dIknow?
..
.
Theybot
hlaugh,
maki
ngt
hemoodl
i
ttl
eli
ght
er.
..
.

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL.
..
.

Nellycollapsesont hehospi talbedf eeli

ng
exhaust ed, shecoul df eel herey escl osingandher
bodysl owl ygi vinguponher ,ithasbeenonehel lof
afewhour s,andal onewi t
houtany onef rom fami l
y
andf r
iendsi nsidet her oom, justherandt hedoct ors,
i
twasn' thowsheex pect edittobe.Shei magined
havinghermot her,Lungi ey,evenZenandeher ewi t
h
her,shewant edMbal iher easwel l
, shewast heone
whowasgoi ngt odi str actherwi t
hshef eltt
he
l
abourpai ns.Ev erythingwaswr ong.Thebestf r
iend
shewant edher e, wel lshewasn' tinspeaki ngterms
with,themot hershewant ed,wel lshei soneof
thosepeopl et hatl i
edt oher .Howdi dsheendup
here?Howdi dshel osesomuchcont rolofherlifein
suchashor tper iodoft ime?Hady ouaskedherear l
y
thi
sy ear,wher eshesawhersel fin8mont hs,her
responsewoul dhav ebeen, mar riedt oSizwe,
enjoyi
ngmar r
iedlifewi thherhusband.Gett oknow
eachot herev enmor e.Shewoul dpr obablyhav e
fi
nishedherbi ggestpr oject,compani eswoul dhav e
beencour t
ingherl eftrightandcent er, whichwoul d
havefor cedt heZul u'
st oof ferheradeal t
obea
shareholder .Sheev erythingpl annedout .Babi esand
kidswer esomet hingshel ookedt ohav emay bein5
yearstocome.Shedef i
nitel
ywasn' taboutt hat
parentinglifesoear l
y,shebel i
evedhert went i
es
wer ethephasei nherl if
ewer esheneededt olive
andmakeamar kforhersel f .Butnot hing,
NOTHI NG! !!
!wentwi thhowshei nv i
sionedi ttobe.A
tearsrunsdownt hesi deofherl eftey easherbody
fail
sher ,exhaustiont akingov er
...
..

DrGrey-(l
ooksatnurse1)gethercleaned,andhave
hermov edtothemat er
nit
ywar d,Iwantfourdr
ips
onher,andhav eSpencerrunaf ewtest
sonher ,I
thi
nkshemi ghtneedbloodtransfusi
on..
.
Nur
se1-y
esdoct
or.
..
Shetoget
herwi
ththehospi
tal
por
ter
,pushher
st
ret
cherbedout
..
.

Nur
se2-uhmmm doct
or,
whatshoul
dIdowi
tht
hese?
DrGr
ey-(
pit
ful
eyes)ar
ethose?
Nur
se2-y
es.
..
DrGrey-(r
ubsey es)uhmm, welljustputittoget
her
withthepl
acentasonai cecooler,usual
lysome
Afri
canfamil
iestaketheplacenta,Ithi
nkitonlyfai
r
thatt
heyhavethel i
tt
leremainsaswel l.
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatt
her
ecept
ionar
ea.
..
.

SbaniandBlessrushoutatthewai ti
ngchai
rswher
e
hisparent
sandbr ot
her
saret ogetherwi
ththeSi
wela
famil
y,theGasa'
sarealsohere,itsafet
osaythe
waiti
ngareawasswamped. .
.
Sbani
-(heav
ybr
eat
hing)wher
eisshe?WHYDI
DN'
T
ANYONETRYTOCALLME?
MrsZulu-(
annoyed)YEYI
!!
!!
!khuzeka,
khuzeka
Sbani
sezwe!!
!!
Moses-Il
ongsai
dthatt
hisboyhasnomanner
s..
.
Mr
sGasa-(
giv
eshi
m adeat
hst
are)notnowMo.
..
Sbani
-WHEREARETHEBLOODYDOCTORS!
!!(
See'
s
anurse)(
stopsher
)cany
out
ell
mewher
emywifei
s?
She'
s..
..
Nur
se-(
conf
used)I
'
m sor
rysi
rbut
..
.
Sbani
-WHYDOYOUHAVETHATCONFUSEDFACE
ON???HOW THEHELLAREYOU.
..
.
Bless-(
looksatthenur
se)I'
m sor
ryMi
ss,
hei
sabout
tobeadadagai n,don'
tmindhim.
..

Thenur
senodsandwal
ksaway
..
.

MaSiwel
a-(
heartpoundi
ng)wehavebeenheref
or
hour
s,whyisn'
tanybodytel
l
ingusany
thi
ng..
.
MrsZul
u-andi
tbeenl
ongsi
nceNomv
elohascame
t
ocheckonus.
..
Zee-i
tgoi
ngt
obeokaymama(
brushesMaSi
wel
a'
s
back)

Zenande'
sphonevibr
ates,
shel
ooksatt
hecal
l
erI
D
anditMam'Gl
ad..
..

Zee-hel
l
oMam'
Glad.
..
Mam'Gl
ad-sawubonamt
anami
,(br
eat
hes)khona
i
nki
ngala.
..(
hel
lomychi
l
d,wehaveaprobl
em her
e)
Zee-(hear
tpoundi
ng)yi
ni?Kwenzenj
an?(
What
wrong?)Isi
tThabo?Isheokay?
Mam'Gl ad-uLindiweugwazeuThabongebhodl el
a
l
abhiya,angazi kahl
ekahl
eukuthikwenzakalenibut
weatt heclini
cnowanduLi ndi
weuy asi
thukala..
.
(Li
ndi
west abbedThabowi t
habeerbottle,
Idon't
knowwhathappened, butweatthecli
nicandy our
motheri sswear i
ngatus)
Zee-(
breat
hesheav
y)(
tear
y)Li
ndi
wei
sback?
Uhmmm okayuhmmm,
Jesus!
!!

Shesuddenlyfeel
sli
ghtheaded,Mt hokosnatches
thephoneandspeakst oMam' Gl
ad, aft
erafew
minutes,
hehangsup.MaSi welaaskswhat '
swr ong?
Mthokoexplai
nstoherwhat '
sgoingon, hetel
lsher
hewilldr
iveZenandetoMpangeni ,
MaSi wel
aof fer
s
tocomebutZeet ell
sherotherwise...

Zee-(
sni
ff
s)Iappr
eci
ateyouwanti
ngtocome
mamabutNell
yneedsyouri
ghtnow.
Shaka-I
'
m comingwi
thy
ouguy
s,keepuspost
ed
aboutNell
y.
..

Theybi
dfarewel
last
heymakest
hei
rwayt
othe
el
evat
or.
..
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.
Sbani
-fuckt
his,
I'
m goi
ngt
osear
ch.
..
.

Befor
ehecancomplet
ehi
ssent
ence,
theyseeDr
Watsonmakeherwaytot
hem,t
heyal
lstandupas
shereachest
hem.
..

Sbani
-WEHAVEBEENSI
TTI
NG.
..
MrZul
u-(
aut
hor
ati
ve,
bol
dvoi
ce)
SBANI
!!
!!
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-what
'
shappeni
ng?I
ssheokay
?
Moses-wehav
ebeenher
e..
.
MrZul
u-canwel
ett
hedoct
orspeak.
..
..
.

Theyal
lset
tl
e,andst
areatt
hedoct
or.
..

DrWatson-(
takesadeepbreat
he)MissSiwel
ahas
askedmetotelly
ouallt
hatyoushoul
dleave.
..

Them-WHAT.
..
.
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENTALWAYS!
!!
!

f
ewmor
eday
sthanwebackpeopl
e..
.
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t76

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL

Sbani
-WHATTHEHELLDOESTHATSUPPOSETO
MEAN?
MaSi
wel
a-Idon'
tunder
stand,
whywoul
dshesay
t
hat?
MrsGasa-uhmm doctorar
eyousur
eshesai
dthat
?
I
tjustdoesn'
tmakesense.
.

JustasDrWatsonwasaboutt
ospeak,
agent l
eman
dressedi
nanavybl
uesuit
,car
ryi
ngabri
efcasewi
th
afil
einhi
slef
thandwal
kstothem..
.
Man-eveni
ng,
(looksatt
heDr
)youmustbeDr
Watson?
DrWatson-y
es,
umm Iam guessi
ngy
ou'
re,
MrJ
Bogat
su..
.
JB-yes,butyoucancallmeJB,(l
ooksatthecrowd
i
nfrontofhim)Iam guessi
ngthi
sisthefamil
yand
fr
iends?
Bl
ess-(
conf
used)what
'
sgoi
ngonher
e?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)WHOTHEFUCKAREYOU?
JB-(
star
esatSbani
)(
Deepv
oice)ar
eyouaddr
essi
ng
me?
Sbani
-YE.
..
..
MrZul
u-(
Conf
used/
annoy
ed)SBANI
SEZWE!
!!
!!
..
..
JB-(
star
esatMeZulu)(
bar
it
onev
oice)keepy
our
dogonaleashZul
u..
.
Bless-(annoy
ed) (
star
esatJB)
(cl
enchedt
eet
h)no
needt obeallrudenow?
JB-(
looksatBl
ess)andwhoar
eyou?Hi
sbi
tch?
Bef
oreever
yoneknewit
,Bl
essthr
ewapunchatJB,
hestumbl
edbackwar
dsali
ttl
e,t
ouchi
nghi
spai
nful
j
aw..
..

DrWatson-(pani
cked)(
star
ingatBl
essandSbani)i
f
youkeepthi
sbehav i
or,y
ouwi l
ll
eav
emenochoi ce
butt
ocallsecuri
tytoescor
tyououtthehospi
tal
..
.
Sbani
-(annoyed)i
twasn'tevenameanpunch,
he
shoul
dn'tbepussyaboutit
..
.
MrsZulu-(
annoyed)Usungimeemqaleniwi
thy our
behav
iorri
ghtnow.Can'tyouj
ustactaccor
dinglyf
or
once,
justonceinyourl
ifeNxi
!!!
Sbani -(annoyed)
(bei
ngsarcasti
c)Icanneveract
"accor dingl
y",
I'
m bi
polarmotherdearest
,orhave
youf or gott
en?

MrandMr sZuluswall
owedhardwhi
leMaSi
wel
a
eyesopenedwide,Mosesst
aredatt
heZul
u'
swit
h
anannoyedlook.
..
Moses-kadengakubonal
ukhokuthi
kuyahl
any
a(I
sawlongti
meagot hatt
hisonei
scrazy
)
MaSiwel
a-(
takesadeepbr
eath)Ir
eal
lydon'
tcar
e
aboutt
hedramahere?(
LooksatJB)whoareyou?
DrWat
son-uhmm
JB-(st
opsher)i
tokay
,letme.
..
.(f
ixeshi
sperf
ect
tai
l
oredsui
t)
(Lookatevery
one)wellmyname..
.
Sandile-y
oualr
eadyt
oldusyourname,Ithi
nkwhat
everyoneher
ewantstoknowis,whatexact
lyar
e
doinghere?Andwhati
sNell
ytoy ou?
JB-(putshisbriefcasedown) Iam MsSiwela'
s
l
awy erandIam her eonbusiness,(
handsDrWat son
afil
e)thatforyou, myclientsdoesnotwishtosee
anyoneofy ou,Iwoul dli
kethatyourespecther
wishes,(handsMaSi wel
a,theZulu'
sandSbani each
a2pagedocument s)whatIhav ehandedyouisa2
pagedocument st hatstateswhatmycl i
entswishes
atthemoment .
...
MaSi
wel
a-(
eyesout
)ngi
yal
i
ngway
ini
!!
!!
Mr
sZul
u-i
sthi
saj
oke?

Theyall
lookatthepapershandedtot
hem,t
hey
shakesthei
rheadsastheybrowsethr
ought
hem
readi
ngtheter
msandcondi ti
ons.
..
.

MrsZul
u-(l
aughsi
ndisbel
i
ef)Icannotbel
i
evet
his
gi
rl
,umsanganowodwalo(Thi
sismadness)
Sbani
-(cl
i
ckshistongue)(
squashesthepaper
)thi
s
i
sbull
shit
!!
!I'
m notsi
gningthi
sshit
..
.
Si
pho-(l
aughs)kunj
enakeukuj
olanezi
ngane(
Thi
sis
whatdat
ingkidsisl
i
ke)
Bless-(
fini
shesreadi
ngthewholedocument
)wait,
it
sayshere,Ican'
tbeli
evethi
s?(
LooksatDrWatson)
i
st hi
strue?
DrWat
son-(
smi
l
es)y
es.
..
Mr
sGasa-what
'
str
ue?
Bl
ess-(smi
les)
(hi
swholefaceli
ght
sup)i
tsayhere
Nel
lygavebir
thtotwobabies,
aboyandagirl
..
.
Theyal
lst
opcursi
ngandtalki
ng,theystareatBl
ess
l
ikehej
ustsai
dthest
upidestthi
ngev er
...

Sbani
-(br
eat
hsheav
y)whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
ref
atheroft
wo,
andI
'
m anuncl
e..
MaSi
wel
a-(
tear
y)What
!!
!!But
..
.but
..
.
MrZul
u-soshedi
dn'
tl
oset
hebaby
?
DrWat son-sheDid,butIguessthegirlj
ustdidn't
wantt obeseen,wear eallst
il
loverwhel
medand
shocked,itver
yrarethatwehav eacaseoft win
dismiseandacaseofav anishi
ngtwinaswel l.The
boyisperfectandhealthybuttheli
ttl
egir
lsti
llneeds
ourcare,herweighti
snoty etattheacceptkg.
Sandi
l
e-soshehast
ost
ayi
nthatcubet
hingy
?
DrWatson-(
laughs)jeah,
butshewil
lbeokay
,her
wei
ghtisnotyetattheacceptkg.
Sandi
l
e-soshehast
ost
ayi
nthatcubet
hingy
?
DrWat
son-(
laughs)j
eah,
butshewi
l
lbeokay
,her
wei
ghti
snott
hatbad.
Mr
sZul
u-(
smi
l
es)sowhencanweseet
hebabi
es?
Bless-unfor
tunat
elythatisnotpossi
ble,
accor
ding
totheseterms,shedoesnotwantany oneseei
ngher
babies,Sbaniwoul
dbeal lowedinbecauseheneeds
tosignthebirt
hcerti
ficat
es.
MrsZulu-thi
sisjustbull
shit
,thi
sgi
rli
sbeingself
ish
r
ightnow.Imeanweal lkeptthi
sfr
om herbecause
wewant edtoprotectherandherbabi
es.
MrZul
u-butwedi
dli
e,r
ight
nowshei
sst
il
langr
y.
Mr
sGasa-may
behecant
akepi
ctur
es.
..
Sandi
l
e-nocamer
a'sal
l
owedei
thermom.
MaSi
wel
a-(
angr
y)Nxi
!!
!!Amasi
mbal
awa!
!!
MrsZul
u-sheisungr
ateful
,howcansher
obusof
t
hechancetoseeourgrandchi
l
dren,
Zul
u'
sbabi
es.
..
MaSiwel
a-saywhatnow???Ther
ei snoZulubabi
es
her
e?Anikazeni
hlawul
e(y
ouhav enotpaid
damages),t
hosebabi
esarest
il
lSiwela'
sbabi
es.
Moses-Sosi
ncewedi
dn'
tgetser
ved,
arewe
al
l
owedi
n?
JB-Yes.
.
Moses-(
smiles)sowhenam Iseei
ngmy
gr
andchi
ldr
enDr ?
DrWat son-unfor
tunatelyshedoesn'
twantany
visi
tor
ssi r
,shehasstrictl
yaskedthehospi
talnott
o
approveanyv i
sit
orsforher ,
thosear
ehertermsin
thisfi
l
et hatwashandedt ome. .
..
Mr
sGasa-wow!
!!

Sbaniwasquiett
hiswhol
eti
me,al
lthatwasrunni
ng
thr
oughhismindtwosmallr
ascal
swhowi l
lbe
cal
li
nghim dadsoon.
..
.

MrsZul
u-Sbani
,youneedt
odosomet
hingabout
t
his?
Sipho-congr
atul
ationsBafo,ev
enthoughIdon't
approveofyourrel
ationshi
pbutI'
m happyaboutthe
newmember softheMagebaf amil
y..
..
..
Sbani
-(br
ohugshi
m)Ngi
yabongaBaf
o...Sowhen
canIseethem?
DrWat son-Iwi
l
lletyouknowwhen,Ineedtogo
checkonmypat ient
,MrBog..
.(
can'
tpronouncehi
s
surname)
JB-(
laughs)
Itokay
,justJBdoc.
..
DrWatson-Mi
ssSiwel
aaskedt
oseey
oubef
orey
ou
l
eave,
pleasef
oll
owme...
Sbani
-canIseeher
?
JB-don'
tyouunder
standEngl
i
sh?

Sbani
staresathi
m withadeadlylook,
JBst
ares
backwit
hanequallydeadl
ylook..
..

DrWatson-(giveshi
m apitf
ull
ook)
I'
m af
rai
dthati
s
notpossi
ble,butIwi
llaskherf
oryou?
JB-(
col
dly
)Zul
u,keepy
ourweir
doincheckbecauseI
don'
tmi
ndputt
inghimi
nastraysui
t.
Hewal ksof
fwithonehandcarr
yinghi
sbrief
case
andtheotherhandwasinsi
dehispocket
,he
fol
lowedbehindthedoct
orwit
hhisHlomlaDandala
confi
dencewalk.
...
.

ATMPANGENI
..
..

MthokoparkshisGolf7R,whileShakaparkshis
MercedesBenzA45behi ndhim.Mt hokoand
Zenandegetoutthecarandmaket heirwayt
owards
herhouse,whi
chhasasmal lcrowd,somepeople
arestandi
ngoutsi
detheirhouseslookingatt
hem...
..

Mthoko-(
looksar
ound)whatar
eal
lthesepeopl
e
doi
nghere?
Zee-(
si ghs,l
ooki
ngar ound)yabaziabantubase
l
okshini i
zi
ndababay azi
thandaindabazabantu(you
knowt ownshippeople,theyli
kepeople'
sbusiness)
(l
ooksar oundagain)andy ourcar
sar enotmakingit
easy,
itnotev er
ydaysuchcar sparkinthi
ssideof
t
het
ownshi
p.

Theywal
kt owar
dsthegatewi
tht
henei
ghbor
sand
peopl
eatthestr
eetst
ari
ngatt
hem..
.

Woman1-inganekal
i
ndi
wel
eya?(
Ist
hatLi
ndi
we'
s
daught
er)
Woman2-( blinks2t i
mes)ehhe, uyenauZenande,
mubukeukut hi uphathekekahlekanjani
?Kodwa
umawakhenomf owabobahl alakwindl
uyomxasho
esiphuphel
wenawupende( yesither,l
ookathow
welltakencareof fsheis,buthermom andbr ot
her
stayatagov ernment shouse( RDP)whichitpai
nt
hasf aded)

Onewomanf
rom acr
osst
hest
reetshout
satt
he
t
wowomen..
..

Woman3-(shout
s)bukauhl
obol
wezimot
oezihamba
i
nganekaLindi
we(l
ookattheki
ndofcar
s,Li
ndiwe'
s
daught
erdr
ives)
Woman-(shouts)phelazi
thengi
sangemizimbal
ezi
ezi
mhl
opheangekeuphi kenazo.(Wel
lthese
yel
l
owbones,sellt
heirbodi
es)
Woman3-yey
!!!(
Clapsonce)awul
amat
hanga
amhl
opheashukwaamasendenje.
..

Theyl
aughaswoman3f
ixeshergownandwal
ks
towar
dstheot
hert
wowomen...

Woman2-li
ngcol
i
lei
theku,
angekeey
ami
inganei
ye
et
hekwi
ni.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
de.
..
.

Zenandeisangr
il
ypackingal
lherbr
otherscl
othes,
whil
eMt hokohelpscl
eari
ngthefur
nit
ure.
..
Zee-don'
tbothercl
eari
ngal
lthat,
theminut
esheget
aupf r
om thatfl
oorshewi
ll
bef al
li
ngandhit
ti
ngal
l
thesethi
ngs..
.

Mt hokoconti
nuest ocl
earthings,
ashestar esata
drunkLindi
weont hefl
oor.Shekeepsburping, andif
i
tmustbesai d, whatcomingouthermout hi sn'ta
pleasantsmellatall
,i
nfactthewholehousest inks,
shest i
nks.
..
.

Mt
hoko-ar
eyousur
eweshoul
dleav
eherher
e?
Zee-(
annoy
ed)Yes.
..
Mthoko-(
sighs)weshoul
datl
eastgi
vehermoney
f
orfood..
Zee-nol
etherbe,
shewi
l
ldr
inkt
hatmoneyany
way..
.
Mt
hoko-wel
lwewi
l
lbuyherf
oodi
nst
ead?
Zee-(si
ghs)sometimesIhatethatcari
ngheartof
yoursbutno,wenotbuy i
ngLindiweanythi
ng.
..
(Looksather)doesthatl
ookslikeapersonwho
needsf
ood?Shei
sn'
tevenawar
ether
ear
epeopl
e
i
nsidet
hedamnhouse.
..

Mt hokogl ancesatLi ndiweagain,Sheisholdi

nga
blacklabel stoutbot t
leonherhand, shekeeps
mumbl i
ngbuti tisn'texactl
ywor dssheismumbl ing.
Shest aresr i
ghtathi seyes,al
mostasi fshesees
hi
m, orl
ikesheknowshi m,sheal mostsmileswhen
shebur ps, andfartsatthesamet i
me.Mt hokolooks
atherdi sgustedandt ur
nstoZenande. .
.

Mt
hoko-Ihav
enev
erseensuchbef
ore.
..
Zee-( l
aughs)of coursey ouhav en't,ukhul
ekuma
subur bswena, ubuzozi bonaphi izintoezinje?(You
grewupi nt hesubur bs,wher ewoul dyouseesuch
things?)hereatt hetownshi p'
swehav eal otofthese
oldieswhodr inkliketherei snot omor row,
unf or
tunatel
ymymom happenst obeanal lr
ounder,
drunkard,crackaddi ct,
pr osti
tute,andnotf orget
ti
ng
av erybadmot her,i
nfactt hewor l
d'swor separ ent.
..
Mt
hoko-don'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
,I'
m sur
eshewasn'
tl
ike
t
hisatsomepoi
nt.
..
Zee-(shr
ugs)wel
lwhatI
'v
ejusttol
dyoui
sal
lIhav
e
everknownmymo. .Li
ndi
wet obe.
..

Mthokol ooksatherwit
hpit
fuleyes,healmost
detectthesadnessinhert
one,ifyoudidn'
treal
l
y
knowher ,youwouldn'
tseethehurtbecauseshe
covereditsowell.
..

Zee-(shakesherhead)don'tl
ookatmeli
ket hat
..
.I
havemadepeacet hatthi
sisLindi
we,(
smiles)I'
m
good.Nowhel pmewi ththebags.
..

Shewalksoutwi
thonebag,Mthokotakesapict
ure
ofLi
ndiweandwalksoutcar
ryi
ngtheothersmal
l
bag.
..

Shaka-ar
ethoset
heonl
ybags?
Zee-y
eah,
I'
m sur
eshedr
ankal
lthemoneyIsenther
tobuyThabocl
othes,
noneoft
hepai
rofsneaker
sI
boughthi
m ar
ehere,I
'
m sur
eshesol
dall
ofthem..
Shaka-wel
lIcameallt
hewayhere,
I'm notl
eav
ing
wit
houtseei
ngthefamousLindi
we.
..bytheway
Nell
ygavebir
thtot
wobabies..
.
Mt
hoko-what
?Di
dn'
therbodyeatt
heonebaby
?
Zee-(
hit
sMt
hoko'
sar
m)t
hat
'
snotni
ce,
whatdoy
ou
mean2babi
es?
Shaka-Idon'
tknowsomethi
ngaboutav
ani
sht
win
bl
a,bla.
..
..I
'
m goingt
oseeLindi
we.
..

Hewalksof
ftothehouseasonewomancome
t
owardsZenande.
..

Zee-Jesus,
kazeuf
unani
lo?(
Whatdoesshewant
?)
Woman3-sawubonaZenah,
hawuseni
yat
hut
ha?
Zee-yebo, ngi
zothat
hauThabo,uzohl
alanami
eThekwini.(Yes,I
'mtaki
ngThabo,hewill
beli
vi
ng
wit
hmei nDur ban)
Woman3-hawu!!
!Ngabeisoel
ihl
elel
o?Umntana
uzomboni
sani
?(I
sthatwise?Whatwil
lyoube
exposi
ngt
hechil
dtoo?)
Zee-(
conf
used)uqondeni
?(Whatdoy
oumean?
)
Woman3-uhmmm. ..uhmm sengi shoubona
kungconoukut hii
nganei bonelempi l
ooy i
phi
la
eThekwi ni
?Awumushi yingani l
akumi (youseeit
bestthatachi l
dseesy ourkindoflif
estyl
e?),
Ican
l
ookaf terhim,wenanjezongi khokhela1500
ngenyanga( youwil
lpayme1500amont h)
Zee-(
raisesabr
ow)
..
.thatwon'
tbenecessar
y,
uzohl
alanoanti
wamieThekwini
..
Woman3-( shocked)uAnti
???Unoant
iwena
eThekwi
ni?(Anaunt ?Youhaveanaunti
nDurban?
)
Mthoko-( cl
earsthroat)yebounoanti,kahlekahl
e
ngi
zot hiunomdeni wonkeeThekwi ni
,(shakesher
hand)Mt hokozisiKhoza, mi
nangumzal aka
Zenande, uAntil
oakhul umangay engumama
ongizalayo(Yesshehasanaunt ,inf
actshehasan
enti
ref amil
yinDur ban,theauntsheistalki
ngabout
i
smymot her)
Woman3-(swal
l
owed)Li
ndi
wehasaf
ami
l
y
eThekwi
ni?
Zee-umndeni
kababa.
..
Woman3-(
shocked)f
ather
?
Zee-y
esandweneedt
ogetgoi
ng,
west
il
lneedt
o
passbyt
hecl
ini
c..
.

ZenandegrabsMt
hokobef
oret
hewomancoul
dsay
anyt
hing.
..
..

ATTHANDEKA'
S..
.

ShechecksSJ'
stemperat
ureagainandi
tnot
l
ooki
nggood.Shefeel
shisforeheadhei
sburni
ng,
hi
swholebodyisonfi
re..
.

Shedai
l
shermom agai
n..
.
Mr
sZwane-y
esbaby
Thandeka-mama,SJi sburni
ngupagai
n,I
'
vet
ri
ed
ever
ythi
ng,Idon'
tknowwhatt odoanymor
emaybeI
shoul
dtakehimtot hehospit
al?
Mr
sZwane-whendi
ditst
art
?
Thandeka-(worr
ied)i
tbeen3andhalfhour
sandit
st
il
lhasn'tgonedowninsteadi
tget
ti
ngworse.
..
MrsZwane-(sighs)youknowwhattodo,stop
del
ayi
ngthi
s,lomnt anakadewaqal
akugula.
..
Thandeka-mum pl
easeI
..
.

SJ-(
Shouts)Mom!!
!!
..
.bl
ood.
..I
'
m bl
eedi
ng.
..my
nosei
sbleedi
ng.
..
Thandeka-(
teary)Jesus!
!!(
Giv
inghi
m awetcl
oth)
l
aydownandf aceupwardsboy..
.
MrsZwane-(
shout
s)(st
ernv
oice)HAMBI
SAI
NGANE
KUBOTHANDEKA!!!

Shecut
sthecal
landdi
alsSbani
'
snumberbuti
t
sendshert
ovoi
cemai
l
,soshedi
alsSi
pho'
snumber
..
.
.
..
..
.
..
.
.
..
.
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)Ma'
Zwane
Thandeka-(
sni
ff
s)Ineedy
ourhel
p..
..
.

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL.
..
.

Mat
erni
tywar
dB2.
..
.

Nurse-(
handsherthef
orms)Ineedyouandt
he
f
atherofthebabi
estofi
ll
thesefor
ms..
.
Nel
l
y-uhmm okay
..
.
Nur
se-shoul
dIcal
lthef
atheri
n?
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)y
eah.
..
Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Sbani walksinsi
deherr oom,shehasthepaper son
thesideoft hebed,shei sf
acingawayf r
om thedoor.
Hesighsandwal ksclosertoherbed,hiscologne
gavehi m away,shealreadyknowshei sstanding
nexttoher .Hetouchesherarm butshef l
inchesand
thathurtshim...

Sbani
-babe.
..
Nel
ly-pleasedon'
t.
..
.justsignthef
orms,
thenur
se
wil
ltakey out
ogoseet hem..
.
Sbani
-babepl
easej
ust
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
shout
s)ISAI
DDON'
T!!
!!JUSTDON'
T..
..
.

Hesi
ghsandtakest
hepapershebrowsethr
ough
t
hem,hesmil
eswhenhiseyeslandon.
..

"
NKANYEZIMI
RACLEZULU"
"
NTSI
KAYESI
ZWEZULU"

Hisey esgett eary,hequicklywipest hem,hecan't

beli
evet hatsheact uall
ygavet hem huslastname,
consideringwhathermom sai dbackatt he
receptionabout" ihl
awulo"andt henamesar e
beautifulhepr obablywouldhav esuckedatnami ng
them, butsheamazedhi mj ustlikeshealwaysdoes
andgav ethei
rchi l
drenmeani ngfulnames.Hefound
himselff al
li
ngi nl
oveagain..
.

Sbani
-you.
..y
ougav
ethem myl
astname.
..
.
Nel
l
y-pl
easesi
gn,
Ineedt
orest
..
..

Hesi
ghedandsigned,
thenursecameincarry
ingt
he
smal
lcool
er.Sbani
handedherthepaper
s..
.

Nel
l
y-pl
easet
akehi
mtoseehi
sbabi
es.
..
Nur
se-Iwi
l
lcal
lmycol
l
eaguet
otakehi
m whenI
dr
opt
hef
ormsatadmi
n,uhmmm .
..
Sbani
-issomet
hingwr
ong?
Nurse-uhmm i
nsideher
eistheplacentasplacent
a
and,uhmm andthesmallr
emainsoft heotherbaby,
uhmmm wecanbur ni
tbutusual
l
yf amili
estakethe
pl
acentassouhmmm . .
.
Sbani
-(t
akest
hecool
er)t
hanky
ou,
wet
aki
ngi
t.
..

Thenur senodsandwal ksout ,

Sbani t
akesthe
coolerandpl acesitdown.Tear srundownNel l
ys
eyes,shesi l
ent l
ycri
esasshet hinksabouthowher
wombki l
ledherbaby ,thinkingabouthowsome
remainsofherbabydi ssolv edinsi
deher ,
basical
ly
herveryownwombi sherbaby 'sgrave.Thethought
ofthatdrivesherov ertheedgeas, hercri
esget
l
ouder .Sbani hugsherast heybothcryineach
other'
sarms, toSbaniitfeelsalmostlikeitt
hef i
rst
ti
mehewast ol dhelosthisson. .
..

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
TheZul
u'
shomest
ead)
Nganono-I
NGAZI
,I
NGAZI
,I
NGAZI
..
..
..

Babo'
mkhul
uNganonowakesupsweat
ing,
hesi
ts
upanddi
alsMrZul
u..
..

MrZul
u-hawuMagebaomkhul
u..
.
Nganono-Tel l
Sbanitocont
actme,Iwil
lbewait
ing
forhiscalli
nthenext2days.Congr
atul
ati
onsonthe
grandchil
dren,uThi
ngowil
lbeaspecial
baby.
..

Heendst
hecal
l
...
.

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENTALWAYS.
..
..
.
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t77

3day
slat
er.
..
..
.
ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

MaSiwel
a-(
annoyed)Ican'
tbel
iev
eIam prepari
ngto
accommodatet
heZulu'swhil
emyowndaught er
hasn'
tal
l
owedmet oseemyowngr andchi
l
dren.
..
Si
mi-(pl
acest
henapki
nsoneachplat
e)Mama, j
ust
gi
veherti
me,IknowNell
y,shewi
l
lcomearound.
YhoooMaraIcan'
tbel
i
eveshewentasfaras
i
nvolv
ingherl
awyer
.
MaSiwel
a-Nxi
!!!
!Ispoi
ledhertoomuch, Nel
lyi
s
sel
fi
shnj
e..
..
.(
looksaround)uphiuZenande?
Simi
-umm Ithi
nkshewenttotakeashower,
lastI
sawhereshewasprepar
ingporr
idgef
orThaboand
Nkosana.
MaSiwela-okay,Ineedhertohelpmewiththe
sal
ads.Whatt i
mei syourhusbandcoming?He
needstobeher ealongwit
ht heuncl
es.
Si
mi-hewil
lbeher
eMama, whenItal
kedtohi
mthi
s
morni
nghewasgoingtocheckonLungi
leand
Zi
sandabef
oremakinghi
swayhere.
MaSiwela-(
lookedather
)(sighs)ar
eyoucoping
kodwa?Imeanwi thever
ythinggoingon?Arey ou
sureyousti
llwantt
ogot hroughwiththi
spolygamy
thi
ng?Youknowi fyouwalkawaynobodywi llblame
you?
Si
mi-(
sighs)Ican'
tsayi
teasyMama,butIlov
e
Nhl
anhla.
..
.walki
ngawayisnotanopt
ion.Wewil
l
makethisthi
ngwork.Wehaveto.
MaSi
wel
a-f
ory
oursakebaby
,Ihopei
twor
ks.

Theycarr
yonsetti
ngt
het
abl
east
heyengagedi
n
conver
sati
ons.
..
..

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE

Theunclesandt
hef
ami
l
yar
egat
her
edatt
hel
ounge
area.
..
..

Mr
sZul
u-Idon'
tseewhyweneedt
ohonourt
he
Si
wela'
swhent
hatgi
rlhasn'
tev
enal
l
owedust
osee
ourbabi
es.
Uncl
e2-Iagr
eewithMakot
i,whati
fthosebabi
esar
e
notZul
u'
sbabies?
Aunt1-Sbani
sezweneedst oar
rangeformetogoto
thehospit
alandinspectt
hebaby,Ineedt
oident
if
yit
asaZul ubaby.
..
MrZulu-(si
ghs)canwej ustpl
easerespectt
he
mother'
swishes, r
ightnowandacor di
ngtothe
papersherl
awy erissued,we'r
enotall
owedin.
Todaywegot ot heSiwela'shousehol
dandwepay
thedamages.
Uncl
e3-howmuchar
ewepay
ingv
ele?Dowehav
e
thel
i
st?
MrZulu-yeswedo,
wepayingwhateveramounti
s
r
equi
red,sother
ewil
lbenonegot
iati
ons.
Aunt
1-aibo!
!!
!!Wenotpayi
ngl
obola,sowewil
lpay
ther
easonabl
eamount,thegi
rlwasnotavi
rgi
n
phel
a.
MrZul
u-(
looksathi
swi
fe)Nozi
wegetr
eady
,we
can'
tbel
ate.

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..
..

Hepl
acesSJont
hebedcar
eful
l
y..
..

Si
pho-Ican'
tkeepdoi
ngt
hisThandeka.
Thandeka-(t
uckshimi
n)Ngiyaziokay
,butyouknow
wecan'ttel
lyourf
amil
y,wel
latl
eastnotyet
..
Sipho-sointhemeant i
meIhav etokeepburning
i
mpephoandcal li
ngouttheZulu'scl
annames
whenev erhestart
sgetti
ngsick.Youknowthisis
onlytemporary
, andwhatIam doingiswrong,Ican'
t
keepbur ni
ngimpephoy akwaZuluinaflat
,thi
s
couldbedanger ousThandeka.
Thandeka-( sighs)j
ustgi
vemet i
meokay .Lookwe
will
t ell
yourfami l
ybutIj
ustneedtotal
kwi t
hSbani
fi
rst.Ijustneedhimt ogi
vemehi sti
mebef oreIt
ell
yourf amilyaboutSJ.
Sipho-Ican'
tbeli
eveyouright
now,youri
ski
ngy our
sonslif
ejustbecauseyouhopingformybrotherto
seesomel ightandfal
lforyouagai
n..
.

Thandekal
eadshi
m outofherson'
sbedr
oom t
hey
st
andoutsi
dethepassage.
..

Thandeka-(l
ooksathim)youknowIthoughtyou
underst
oodwhyIcan'tjustt
ell
yourf
amilywit
hout
tal
ki
ngt oyourbr
otherfi
rst
,whyareyounowacting
out?
Sipho-(annoy ed)becauseIam notstupid
Thandeka....Iknowwhaty ouhopingfor,Ij
ustdon'
t
getit,
whati si tthatmybr ot
herhas?thatmakes
everywomanhesl eepswithj
usttur
nintohisfool.
Doeshi sdickhi pnotizeyousobadthaty ouall
just
fall
int
oat railoff ooli
shness.
Thandeka-Si
phopl
easeunder
stand,
Iknowt
hisi
s..
.
Si
pho-(
angr
y)youknowwhatIam done,
DONE
THANDEKA!
!!
!Iwantnopar
tofthi
s..
.
Hefr
ustr
atedlywal
kspastherbutThandekahol
d
hi
m byhi
sar m..
.

Thandeka-(
breat
hingv
eryf
ast
)pl
easedon'
tdot
his
Si
pho..
Si
pho-(
Annoy
ed)Gety
ouhandofme.
..

Shecoul
dseehowangryandannoy
edhewas,she
neededt
ocomeupwi t
hsomethi
ngandsheneeded
tothi
nkver
yfast
..
..

Sipho-(angry
)IWI LLNOTLETYOUUSEMEAS
YOURPAWNI NTHI SGAMEYOUPLAYI NG,ITMY
BROTHERYOUWANTRI GHT?THANFUCKOFF! !!
!I
Siphowi l
lnotbeusedjustsoy oucangeti
ntot
he
"mightySbanisezwe"pants.
..
.

Andt
her
ewasi
t,t
hiswasherchancet
ogethi
mful
l
y
onhersi
de,shecoulddetectthet
oneofenv
ious
Si
phohadabouthisbrot
her..
..

Thandeka-(
lower
edherv
oice)Si
pho.
..
..

Shesaidhisnameal mostasifshewaslosi
ngher
breat
he.Shestaredint
ohi sey
esashestaredback
i
ntohers.Sheslowlybrushedhisar
m asshebit
eher
l
owerlip.
..
.

Thandeka-(
breat
hingsl
owl
y)pl
ease.
..
.I.
..needy
ou.
..

Hequickl
ygrabbedherbyherneckashesuckedon
hernape,shecl
ungherarmsaroundhi
sneck,whi
le
herri
ghthandbrushedhi
shead..
..

Thandeka-(
moaned)Ahhhhh.
..
Hepickedherup,grabbi
ngherassandsqueezingi
t
whil
eherlegswrappedaroundhiswaist
,feel
i
nghis
t
hick,bazookadi
ck.Hebroughthisl
i
psont ohers.
..

Si
pho-(
breat
hingheav
y)bedr
oom?(
Kissi
ngher
)..
..
.

Theycarri
edonki ssi
ngeachot her,whil
ehehelped
hertakeofherblouse.Shehel pedhi mtakeoffhis
shir
t.Hesqueezedherr i
ghtnippl e,poppi
ngouther
braandthrowingitonthefloor, hesuckedonher
ni
pples,makinghermoancr azy...

Thandeka-aaaahhhh.
..Jesus.
..
ahhhl
eftdoort
oyour
ri
ght.
..
.

Hewal kedwit
hhert othebedr
oom,threwheronthe
bedandl ai
dontopofherashecar r
iedonsucki
ng
andbiti
nghernipples.Shemoanedandworkedon
hi
sbelt,whenshesucceeded,shepull
edoutthe
bazookaandstartedtoslowl
ymassageit.Asmall
whit
estainhadst
ainedhisbri
efs.Hetookhi
sbr
ief
s
andpantswhil
esuckingherneck..
..

Si
pho-ahhhhh.
.shi
t.
...
..

Heposit
ionedhi
mselft
oherentr
ance,herhoneypot
wasj
uicyandwaiti
ngtobefi
l
ledup..
.

Si
pho-gr
rrr
rrr
..
..
.condom?
..
..
Thandeka-(
moaned)
..
.aahhh,
I'
m ont
hei
nject
ion.
..

Hehel
dherwai
st,
ent
eredt
hegat
esofJer
usal
em.
..
..
.

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL

Thenur
sewheel
edi
nNt
sika.
..
..
Nur
se-(
smi
l
ed)someoneneedsf
eedi
ng.
..

Nellysatupstrai
ghtandlookedatthenurseand
fakedsmi l
ed.Shereal
lyhatedbreastf
eeding,i
t
hurtsanditjustmadeherfeelsouncomf ort
abl
e.
Thenur sehandedherthebaby,shestaredathim
andsighed..
.

Nur
se-(
pit
edher
)youst
il
lhav
etr
oubl
ebr
east
f
eedi
nghim?
Nel
ly-(
sighs)It
houghtIwouldgetusedtoi
tbutI
j
ust.
..(
sniff
s)am Iahorr
ibl
emotherthatIr
ather
gi
vethem formul
a?
Nurse-(
sighs)noy
ounot
.ButcanIt
ell
you
somethi
ng?

Shenodded.
..
.

Nur
se-y
ouknowsomewomendon'
thav
etheabi
l
ity
tobreastfeedt hei rbabi es,whenIdeal witht hese
womenIf indt hatmaj orityofthem f allinto
depressionbecauset heyt hi
nkt hisist hewaywhi ch
theuniversei st el li
ngt hem howhor ri
bleandbad
mot her'
stheyar e.Br east f
eedingi saconnect ion
whichbr i
ngsmot herandbabyt oget her,itthe
specialbondwhi chababycani dentifyhis/ her
mot her'
sbr east .Whi chi swhysomebabi eswi ll
neversuckonanot herwoman' sbr eastbecause
therewon'tbet hatspeci alli
nkorbond.I tcan' tbe
createdwi thanot herwomen, onl ythebi ologi cal
mot hercancr eat et hatbondwi tht hebaby .We
recommendbr east feedi ngbecausey ourchi l
d's
needst hoseheal thynut r i
ent
st hatcomef rom br east
milk,wecanchangey out oformul abutdoy our eal
ly
wantt oroby our sel fofar areandoncei nal i
fet i
me
chancet ocr eat easpeci albondwi thy ourbabi es
j
ustbecausey oucan' thandlet hepai n?
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)no.
..(
sni
ff
s).
..
Nurse-(smiles)t
hinkofitasl
ikelosi
ngy ourvi
rgi
nit
y,
i
tpainfulforacoupleoftimesy oudoitbutit
eventual
lygetsbetterandworthy.
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)
(sni
ff
s)t
hanky
ou.
..
Nur
se-(
smil
es)noneedtot
hankme,Iwasj
ust
doi
ngmyjob.Nowletf
eedt
hisguy
..
.

Shehelpsherposit
ionNtsika,
withherbreastout
,
sheclosedhereyesashissmal lmouthclungonher
ni
pple.Shefl
inchesalit
tl
ebitrememberst henur
ses
wordsandtri
est orel
axhersel
f..
..

Nur
se-(
smi
l
es)don'
tdwel
lont
hepai
n,y
ouwi
l
lget
t
her
e..
Nel
ly-(smil
es)Iguessyouright
..
..
.whenwi
l
l
Nkanyezibeoutofthosetubes?
Nurse-sheisdoi
ngreall
ygr
eat
,Ithi
nkbyt
heendof
t
hisweek, y
ouwillbeabl
etoholdher.
Nell
y-okay.
..(
Looksathersonandsmil
es)i
sit
possi
blethatyoumovehim her
ewithme?
Nur
se-thatcanbearranged.(
Smi
l
es)wel
ll
etme
l
eaveyoutwot obond.
Nel
l
ysmil
esatthenurse,
thenur
sewalksoutt
he
r
oom.Onthepassageshebumpsint
oSbani.
..

Nur
se-MrZul
u..
.
Sbani-Ijustcamef
rom checki
ngmysonbuthei
s
notthere?
Nurse-oh(smiles)hei
swi
thhi
smot
her
,thebi
gguy
needsfeeding.
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)okay
.Wi
l
lIbeabl
etoseemy
daught
ertoday.
Nur
se-of
cour
se,
wewi
l
lneedt
opr
epy
ouasusual
.

Sbani nodsatthedoctorsandmakeshi swayt o

Nelly
'sroom.Whenheopenst hedoorandhi sey es
l
andont hesightofherbreastfeedingthei
rson.He
standsbyt hedoorandsmi les.Hewat chedhow
everynowandt hanshewoul dfl
inchandcloseher
eyes.Heappr eciat
edthewayshewast ryi
ng.He
remember edhow2day sagoshewant ednot hi
ngto
dowi thbr eastfeedi
ngbuther esheisnow.He
smiledagai nandwal kedclosert
oher.Shecould
smel lhiscolognesohel ookedupathim, hesmil
ed,
shef akedsmi l
edathi m,hishearthur
tali
ttl
e
notici
ngt hef akesmi l
eshegav ehim.Shewasst i
ll
angr y
,althoughhewasn' tsosurethatshewasangry
orjustsadandgr i
evi
ngf orthei
rsonwhodi dn'
t
makei t
..
.

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)hey
..
.(br
usheshi
ssonscheek)
Nel
l
y-hi
..
..
Sbani
-howy
ouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?
Nel
l
y-(
shr
ugs)okayIguess.
..
Sbani
-(si
ghs)youknowy
oucant
alkt
ome?Iknow
exact
lywhatyou.
..
.
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)don't!
!!
!Don'
tdothat,you
havenoideahowIf eel?I
tnotyouwhohast heir
babi
esremainsinsideher,i
tnotyouwhohast hei
r
babi
esgraveinsi
deher ,I
tnotyouwho'
swombki l
led
thei
rbaby.Sodon'ttel
lmehowy ouknowexact l
y
whatIam f
eel
i
ngbecausey
ouDON'
T!!
!!NOBODY
DOES..
.

Becauseherbodybecomer estl
essandshewas
star
tingtogetinfur
iat
ed,
hersoncouldfeelher
energy,hestoppedsucki
ngonherbreastand
star
tedt of
idget.
..

Sbani-I
'
m sor
ry,I
'
m sosor ryandyouri
ghtIdon't
knowhowal l
thatfeelsbutIl
ostababytoo,al
low
met obether
efory oubabeplease.
..(
holdsher
hand)
Nell
y-(
teary
)no.
..(
snat
chesherhandawayfr
om hi
m)
youli
ed,youpr
omisedmenomor eli
esremember?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)IknowIdidbabebuty
ouhav
eto
under
standthatIhadnochoi
ce.
..
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)y
oualwayshav eachoice.
..
.
I
'M ANGRY, SAD,HURTANDONTOP OFTHATI
HAVETOGRI EVEFORMYSON. .
.Ican'tevenbe
happythatIgavebi
rt
htotwowonderfulbabies.
Hetri
edtot ouchherbutsherefusedshakingher
head.Hersonst ar
tedcry
ingsensingthefoulmood
i
nsidetheroom.Shet r
iedtofeedhim buthedidn'
t
wantto..
.

Sbani
-It
hinkhehashadenoughoft
hat
..
.
Nell
y-arey
ouadoctornow?Ormay
beareyout
ryi
ng
t
ot eachmeaboutbr
eastf
eedi
ngmyownson?Do
youhavebreast
?

Sbani si
ghedasbabyNtsikacont
inuedtocry,
Nelly
tr
iedtoshhshhhim butnothingwasworking,hi
s
cri
esst ar
tedt
opier
cethroughbothparent
s.Sbani
decidedenoughwasenough.Het ookthebabyaway
fr
om her .
..

Sbani-(
cradl
i
ngthebaby)Iknowyouhateme
ri
ghtnowbutall
owmet ohelp.Youtooangrybabe,
thebabycansenseyournegati
veenergy
..
..
Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)ohsonowIam t
heprobl
em, Nxi
HAMBALAWI THYOURPOSI
TIVEENERGY..
.

Hewalkedt
othedoorwit
haquit
ebabyNt
sika,he
st
oodbythedoorandl
ookedataov
eremotional
Nel
ly
..
.

Sbani
-Il
ovey
ou.
..
.

Wi
tht
hatsai
dhewal
kedoutt
hedoorwi
thhi
sson.
..
.

ATMA'
SIWELAHOUSE

TheZulu'
sgeti
nsi
det
hei
rcar
s,onebyonet
hecar
s
l
eavetheyar
d..
.

MaSiwel
a-Ican'
tbel
iev
eshegaveherbabi
est
he
Zul
usurnamewithoutt
hem pay
ingyet
.
Zenande-butt
heyhav
epaidmama,I
'm sur
eshedid
i
tbecausesheknewtheywoul
dpay
.Andt heyar
e
Zul
ubabies.
Simi-Iguessshedi
dn'
twanttogothr
ought
he
hassleofchangi
ngbir
thcer
ti
fi
cat
es.
MaSiwela-(
sighs)yeahIguess.(
Sad)ijustwi
shI
coul
dbet her
ef orheryouknow.Ifonl
yshewould
j
ustall
owme. ..

Theyhuggedher
,consol
i
ngher
..
..

Zenande-wel
lat
leasty
ouhav eR50000i
nyourbank
account
,youcanbuythem anyt
hingy
ouwant.
.
Simi-(
laughs)Ican'
tbel
i
evet
heypai
dsomuchj
ust
fordamages.
MaSi
wela-(l
aughs)metoo,
Ionlychangedthem t
he
l
egal
priceofR20000butapparent
lySbani
told
t
hem hewantedtopayanextr
aR30000.
Si
mi-imagi
neift
heycamebackforLobol
a,shut
hi
phel
awewillbet
aki
ngsixf
igur
es..
Theylaughast
heymaket
hei
rwayi
nsi
det
he
house..
..

I
nsi
deMrZul
u'
scar
..
..

MrsZulu-Ican'
tbel
i
evewepai
dR50000j
ustf
or
damages.
MrZulu-i
twhatSbani
want
ednkosi
kazi
,whoar
ewe
t
odisputethat
.
MrsZul
u-t
hisi
sjustri
dicul
ous,
wehav
en'
tev
en
seent
hebabi
esyet.
..

MrZuluwasaboutt
orespondwhenhi
sphone
r
inged.
..

MrZul
u-Magebaomkhul
u..
.
Nganono-(
ster
nvoi
ce)Whyhasn'
tSbani
cal
l
edme
y
et?
MrZulu-ngikhohl
iweukumtshel
a,ngi
zomtshel
a
akushayel
et oday
.(If
orgott
otel
lhim,Iwi
l
l t
ell
him
tocally
outoday )
Nganono-ngiyakubonaidolobhaseli
gcwel
eikhanda,
utshel
euSbani angit
hint
ekungazekonakal
eizint
o.(I
seethecityhasfil
ledyouhead,tel
lhimtocallme
beforet
hingsspiraloutofcontr
ol)

Wi
tht
hatsai
d,hecutt
hecal
l
,MrZul
uswal
l
owed.
..

Mr
sZul
u-whati
swr
ong?Whowast
hat
?
MrZul
u-Nganono.
..
MrsZul
u-(eyesout
)henevercall
sunlessther
eis
somet
hingimport
antorbadthattohappen.
MrZul
u-t
hatwhyIam wor
ri
ed.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s...
.
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t78

2hour
slat
er.
..
.

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL

Thenursefi
nishespr
epar
inghert
ogoseebaby
Nkanyezi
.

Nur
se-di
dyousani
ti
zey
ourhands?
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)
yes...
.Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hisi
swhatIhav
e
t
ogothroughjusttoseemybaby.
Nur
se-Iknowitnoti
dealbutwedoallt
hist
opr
otect
t
heli
tt
leone.Youwil
lfi
ndMrZuluinsi
de.
Nel
l
y-(t
akesadeepbr
eat
h)hmm hei
sst
il
lher
e?I
t
houghthel
eftl
ongt
imeago.
Nurse-(
smi
les)hehasbeenwithbabyNtsi
kathi
s
wholeti
me,
thelit
tl
eguydidn'
twanttorest
.You'
re
l
uckytohav
eamanl
i
kehi
m,hei
sdev
out
edt
ohi
s
ki
ds.
Nel
l
y-(
fakessmi
l
es)y
eah.
..
.
Nur
se-(
smi
l
es)ar
ethesehi
sfi
rstki
ds?
Nel
l
y-uhmm nohehasa4y
earol
ddaught
er.
Nur
se-oh.
..
.

Nell
yent
ersther
oom wherebabyNkanyezii
sbei
ng
kept
.Shefi
ndsSbani
standi
ngnexttoher..
..
.

Sbani
-(st
aresathi
sbabygi
rl
)she'
sper
fect
..
Nel
l
y-(
hol
dsi
nhert
ear
s)y
eah.
.
Sbani
-(t
urnst
oNel
l
y)whyar
eyoust
andi
ngt
her
e?
Nel
l
y-(shakesherhead)Idon'
twantt
oseeherl
i
ke
t
hat.
Sbani
-(ey
esout
)(whi
sper
s)Babe.
..
..
Nel
ly-(
shakesherhead)no.
..(
tear
srol
l
ingdown)
pl
easedon'tmakeme.
Sbani
-(wal
ksclosert
oher
)shewi
l
lbeokay
,she
l
ookshealt
hy,
ourbabyisokay
.
Nelly-(
teary
)Idon'twantt
orememberherinside
thatthi
ng..(sni
ff
s)Iwanttor
emembermyf irstt
ime
withher,whenIam abletohol
dheri
nmyar ms.
Pleasedon'tmakemer ememberherl
ikethis,
please.
..

Hehugsher ,
pr essingherheadonhi schestasher
cri
esechoi nsidet heroom.Hewhi spers"I'
m sor r
y"
everythi
ngtime.Hi sar mssti
ll
givehert hefeel
ingof
safetyandhome.Shewant stojustforgiv
eand
for
getev er
ything,shewant stojustputev er
ything
pastherandenj oythisphaseofherlif
ewi thher
l
ov edonesbutdeepdownshei sdeali
ngwi thalotof
uncertai
nti
es,st i
lli
nhisarms...

Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)howdoesshel
ook?
Sbani
-(br
ushesherhead)shei
sper
fect
,shehas
yourl
i
ps.
Nel
l
y-i
sthatal
lshehasofme?
Sbani-(
smil
es)yes,
sheisaZul
ubabywhatdi
dyou
expectshewil
ll
ooklike?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
(sni
ff
s)me.

Shegi
ggl
esali
tt
le,t
hatmakeshim smi
leandhav
e
hopet
hatj
ustmaybetheywi
llbeokay.
..
.

ATZANDI
LE&SI
PHO'
SHOUSE

Shet r
ieshi
snumberagai
nbutitsendsherst
rai
ght
tovoicemailj
ustl
i
kethe13t
hti
meshehasbeen
tryi
ngtocallhi
m.Shesi
ghsanddailst
heZulu
resi
dence..
..

Mav
is-Zul
uresi
dencehel
l
o?
Zah-SawubonaMav
is,
itZandi
l
e
Mav
is-(
smi
l
es)Mr
sSi
phoZul
u,whatcanIdof
or
y
out
oday
?
Zah-(smiles)hawuMavis,whysoformal
,
ngakutshelangathi
ungi
bizengoZandi
le(
Itol
dyou
tocallmeZandi l
e)
Mav
is-(
smi
l
es)Ihav
etor
especty
oumam.
Zah-(
laughs)hhayi
wena!
!!Iwascal
l
ingtochecki
f
SI
phoisstil
lther
e?Havet
heunclesl
eft
?
Mavis-uhmm theunclesar
est
il
lher
ebutSi
phoi
s
not
,infactIhaven'
tseenhi
mtoday.
Zah-(
confused)hawu!!
!Angithi
bezohamba
nomalumebey akwaSiwel
at opaydamages?
(Wasn'
thegoingt ogototheSiwel
ahome)
Mav i
s-Idon'
tknowmam, buthewasn'
ther
ewhen
theunclesl
eftf
ortheSiwel
ahome,maybetheywer
e
goingtomeethimt her
e.
Zah-uhmmm okayt
hanky
ouMav
is.

Sheendst
hecal
landgoest
opr
epar
eherki
dsf
or
bed.
..
.
ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT

Siphowasi nsidet
hebathroom busycleani
ng
himself.Thandekawasmaki ngherbedwhenshe
noticedhisphoneflashi
ngapurpleli
ght.Shewal
ked
toitandpickeditup.

26mi
scal
l
s
35t
extmessages(
what
sapp)
10messagesf
rom "
Crai
g"

Si
phocameoutthebathroom f
ixi
nghisbelt
,hi
seyes
l
andedonThandekaholdi
nghisphone.He
fr
ustr
atedl
ywal
kedtowardsherandsnatchedhi
s
phoneawayfr
om her.
..

Si
pho-(
annoy
ed)wenzan?(
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
)
Thandeka-I
'
m sor
ry,
Ijustsaw.
..
Si
pho-(
ster
nvoi
ce)Idon'
tgi
veafuckwhatyousaw
butmyphonei
soffl
imit
s.Uyangi
zwaThandeka?

Shecoul dseet
heangerv isi
blei
nhiseyes,the
str
esslinesonhisforehead,i
tsaf
et osaythiswasn'
t
theSiphosheknew.Hewasal sobreat
hingheavil
y,
whichkindofconfusedher .
..

Thandeka-JesusSipho,youdon'
thav
etobi
temy
headoff,Isai
dI'
m sorry
.
Si
pho-(
lookedathi
sphone)whatdi
dyousee?
Thandeka-not
hing.
Sipho-(
star
edather
)Unesi
qini
sekosal
okho?(
Are
yousure?)

Shedidn'
tli
kethewayhewasstari
ngather,she
nodded.Hecalmeddownandreli
efwashedov erhi
s
wholefaceandhebegant
orel
axagain,theSipho
sheknewwasnow back.
..

Thandeka-It
hinky
oushoul
dleav
e,i
tlat
e.
Si
pho-y
eahy
our
ight
.

Hewal ksoutthebedr
oom wi t
houtevenglanci
ngher
way.Okay,shedidn'
texpectthat
,notthatshe
wantedsomeki ndofaffect
ionbutthewayheacted
wasn'twhatshehadinmi nd..
.

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE

Ntombi
andSbanisimul
taneousl
ypar
kthei
rcar.
Nomaexci
tedl
ygetsoutthecarandr
unsstr
aight
s
t
oherdad'
scar.
..
.

Sbani
-(pi
cksherup)
(smi
l
es)hel
l
opr
incess.
..
Noma-(
smi
l
es)daddy
,mom sai
dI'
m get
ti
ngababy
br
otherandsi
sterf
orChr
ist
mas

SbanistaresatNt
ombi,
shemout hs"
Zandi
let
old
me"hesi ghsandtur
nshisat
tent
ionbackt
ohis
daughter.
...

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
esyou'
rebutt
hatwi
l
lhappeni
fonl
y
youbeagoodgi
rl
.
Noma-(
exci
ted)
Iam agoodgi
rl
.Somommyi
sgoi
ng
t
ohavetwobabies?

Nt
ombi
clear
shert
hroat
..
..

Nt
ombi
-babywhydon'
tyougoi
nsi
desot
hat
mommyanddaddycantal
k.
Noma-(
frowns)butIam st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
odaddy
.
Ntombi
-youwi
l
lseedaddyi
nsi
de,
theadul
tsneedt
o
t
alk.
Noma-(fr
owns)NO!
!!(
placesherheadonher
f
ather
'schest
)
Sbani-(ki
ssesherfor
ehead)tel
lyouwhat,goinsi
de
andgr eetever
yone,t
oni
ghtyouwi l
lsl
eepwithdaddy
andtomor rowwecangot othehospital
soyoucan
choosey ourbrot
herandsist
er.
..
Noma-(
exci
ted)Yeeey
y!!!
!!Iwi
l
lchooseonewho
wi
ll
bebeaut
ifull
ikeme.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
es.
..

Hepl acesherdownandsher unsinsi

del
eavi
ngher
parentsstandi
ngwat chi
ngher.I
tgoessi
l
entfora
fewmi nutes,i
tthatawkwar
dsi l
ent
..
..
.

Nt
ombi
-(l
ooksdown)soy
ou'
readadof3now?
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
eah,
Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evei
t.
Nt
ombi
-(swal
l
owed)Iam happyf
ory
ou.
Sbani
-(st
aresather
)thanky
ou.
..
.
Shecouldf eelthetearsbuildi
ngup, shetr
iedso
hardholdingthem inbutshewast olat
ebecause
whenshebl i
nked, t
heyrandownbot hhercheeks,he
noti
cedt hem, partofhim hurt
,hewoul dalwayshave
asoftspotf orher.Hemov edclosertoher,wi
pes
hertear
sasmor efoll
owedandbr oughthercl
oserto
hi
schesthuggi ngher..
..

Sbani
-don'
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f.
Ntombi-(
cryi
ng)(
snif
fs)I
'm sorr
y,Iam notsad
beli
eveme,Iam tr
ulyhappyforyou,Iknowhow
muchy ouwantedabigfami l
y.
Sbani-(kissedthetopofherhead)(brushesher
back)y ouknowy oumademewantabi gf amil
y,I
havey out othankformakingmet hi
skindofper son.
Iwill
for everbegratef
ulf
ortheyearsweshar ed
together.
Ntombi-(
tear
y)Icoul
dn'
tgi
vey
out
hatf
ami
l
y,If
ail
ed.
I
'm sor
ry.
Sbani
-(f
li
nched)
(bodyst
if
fen)Idon'
twantt
otal
k
aboutt
hat.
..
.
Ntombi-(movesfr
om hi
m)(st
aresathi
m)y ou
haven'
tforgi
venmeforsl
eepi
ngwithyourbrot
her
,
haveyou?

Hebrusheshi
sheadfrust
rat
edl
yandst
aredather
t
aki
ngadeepbr eat
h..
.

Sbani
-weshoul
dgoi
nsi
de.Myf
atheri
swai
ti
ngf
or
me.

Witht
hatsai
dheturnedandwal
kedi
nsi
del
eav
ing
herst
andi
ngther
e..
..
.

ATZANDI
LE&SI
PHO'
SHOUSE

Zandil
eheardhiscarpar
kinsi
det hegar
age.She
walkedtotheki
tchenandwarmedt hei
rfoodupand
setthetabl
ewheretheyweregoingtohavethei
r
supperat.Si
phogotoutthecar
,hisphonevibr
ated,
i
ndi
cat
ingani
ncomi
ngcal
l
...

"
Crai
g"

Shebr
ushedhi
sface.
..
.

Si
pho-Ican'
tdeal
wit
hthi
sri
ght
now.
..

Heendedhi scal l anddi v

ertedhiscall
s.Hewal ked
i
nsidethehouseandf oundZandi l
eseated,waiti
ng
forhim withhi sfood.Het ookadeepbr eat
hand
smiledwal kingt owar dsher .Shesmi l
edback
l
ookingathi m, exami ningev erydet
ail
.Henot i
ced
thathi
sl astthreebut tonsofhi sshir
twereleft
opened, hesmel ledofadi ff
erentshowergel,i
t
wasn'tfemi nineormuscul ar,i
twasjustmild.He
couldfeel herst ar eonhi m...
.

Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)y
oudi
dn'
thav
etowai
tforme?
Zah-Iwant
edtoo,
phel
aungumny
eni
wami
(you'
re
myhusband)

Shesai dthatputti
nganemphasi sont he"wami"
part,asshegotupgoi ngtotheki
tchen.Forsome
reasonhef eltsomet hingwasami ss,itcoul
dbehis
guil
teatinghim upbutZandi l
ewasact ingdi
ff
erent
.
Shecamebackcar r
y ingabowl wit
hlukewar m
waterandacl eandishcl ot
h.Hewashedhi shands
andwi pedthem. .
.

Si
pho-Ngi
yabongamkami
..
.
Zah-(
fakedsmi
l
ed)any
thi
ngf
ory
ouMageba.

Sheplacedt
hebowlandcl
othasi
de.Theygat
her
ed
thei
rhandssay
ingGr
ace.
...

Them-Amen.
..
Si
pho-i
tsmel
l
sdel
i
cious.
Zah-(
star
esathi
m)Imadei
tspeci
all
yfory
ou.

Heswall
owed,hecoul
dn'
tevenlookathi
swife.Thi
s
whol
etimeZandil
ewasstar
ingathim.Hesuddenly
l
osthi
sappeti
te.
..
.

Zah-(
dri
nki
ngherwi
ne)so,
howdi
dthedamagesgo?
Si
pho-
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)uhmm,
theywentokay
..
Zah-( l
ooksathi
m)younottouchi
ngyourfood.
(Smiles)yi
ni,
yousti
l
lful
lfr
om whatt
heSiwela'
s
preparedorMavisdi
shedforyoubef
oreyoucame
here?
Sipho-(f
akelaughs)hahaheyyeahyeahMavi
s
dishedmeamount ai
n.I'
m sor
rymkami,Iwi
l
leat
thistomorr
owmor ni
ng.
Zah-(fakedsmil
ed)okay.Youcangoupstai
rsand
getoutofthoseclot
hes.Iwil
lbether
etoprepar
ea
bathforyou.
Sipho-uhmm,don'
tworr
ymkami,Iactual
l
y
showeredbackatMageba'
shouse.Ij
ustwantt
oli
e
down.Goodnight
..

Witht hatsai d,hewal kedupt hest air

swi t houtev en
l
ookingatherorki ssinghergoodni ght.Shesatt her e,
thi
nkinghowhej ustl i
edt hroughhi steeth.Shet ook
adeepbr eat h,stoodupandcl earedt het able.After
afewmi nut essheswi tchedt hel i
ghtsof fand
foll
owedhi m upst ai
rs.Shel ookedatt hef l
oorof
thei
rbedr oom andhi scl ot heswer enott her e,whi ch
wasoddbecause, sheal way shast opi ckt hem up
andt hrowt hem i nsidet hel aundr ybasket .She
walkedt ot hebat hroom andf oundhi scl ot hesinsi de
thelaundr ybasket ,neat lyputi nside.Shewasabout
toleav ewhensomet hingi nsidehert oldhert olook
i
nsidehi spant s.Shegr abbedt hem andsear chedhi s
pocket s,whi cht oherdi sappoi ntment sshef ound
nothing,shewasaboutt ot hrowt hem backi nsi
de
whenherey esl andedont hewhi tedr yedoutst ain.
TWOWEEKLATER.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS.
...
[
11/
3,20:
57]Mar
cia:
Inser
t79

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Theywereal
lseat
edar
oundt
het
abl
ehav
ing
breakf
ast
.

Si
mi-(smil
es)youmustbeexci
ted,
Nell
yisbeing
di
schargedtoday
.Youwil
lgett
oseethebabies.
Zenande-(
smiles)Ican'
twai
t,YhoooIcan'
tbel
i
eveI
t
wil
lbethefi
rstti
meseeingthem.
Mthoko-(
laughs)YhooominaIsti
l
lcan'
tbel
iev
eshe
ser
veduspaper sj
ustrest
ri
cti
ngustogonearher
andherbabies.
Theyl
augh,
wel
lexceptf
orMaSi
wel
a..
..

Mthoko-(l
ooksathi
smother
)mama, You'
vebeen
awful
lyqui
etthi
smorni
ng.Ngabekonkekuhamba
kahl
e?
MaSi wela-noMt hokozisi
, nothingiswel l
,yazi
kunzi maukubaumz al
i,wheny ou'repar entyou're
expect edtomakesacr ifi
cesanddeci si
onsf ory our
children, f
orthei
rbenefit,nomat terhowhar dt hose
deci sionsare.Youcanonl yhopeasapar entthat
yourchi l
drenwouldatleastunder standwher ey ou
comi ngf r
om.Butwhatdoy oukidsdo?Youj ust
throwev eryt
hingri
ghtintoourf aces, ungreatful
brats.Kahl ekahlewhati si tthatyouki dswant
vele? (l
ooksatZenande)ni funani?
Zenande-(
looksar
ound,
thanl
ooksdown)uhmm
mama. .
.
MaSiwela-(l
ooksatSimi)Simi?Whati
sitthatyou
want?Ngitshel
e?Whyi sitt
hatyouchi
ldrenare
neversati
sfi
edwit
hy ourparentsef
for
ts?What'st
he
probl
em?
Si
mi-(
looksar
ound,
thanl
ooksdown)Idon'
tknow.
MaSiwela-(
looksatMthoko)wenaUfunani
?Whati
s
i
tthatyouwantthatIhaveneverdonefory
ouorI
wi
llneverdoforyou?
Mt
hoko-(
swal
l
ows)not
hing.
MaSiwela-(bangst hetabl
e)EXACTLY! !!
!NOTHI NG,
youknowwhy ?Becauset hereisn'tanythi
ngt hata
l
ov i
ngparentwoul dn'
tdof orthei
rchi l
dren.Butwith
youkids,oureffortsjustgoi nvain.(Shakesherhead)
(l
aughsindisbelief)myownchi ld,hast hegutsto
servemewi thlawy er
s.Myownchi l
d,theverysame
chil
dthatIkil
ledf orjustsoshecanl iv
eahappysaf e
l
ife.Wow!!!(
Tear y)Iam done! !
!DONE. ...

Shestandsupf rom t
het ablewi
thtearsrunni
ng
downhercheeks.Mt hokot ri
estostopherbutshe
shakesherheadandwal ksupstair
s, l
eavi
ngthe
tabl
esilent,withever
yonej ustl
ostforwords.Aft
era
fewmi nutes,theyhearthedoorshut .I
tgoessil
ent
forafewmi nutesagai
n..
Thabo-(
looksatZenande)whyi
sgogocr
ying?
Zenande-(
clear
shert
hroat
)uhmm,
she.
.uhmm
Simi
-(br
ushesThabo'
sarm)baby
,gogowi
l
lbef
ine,
shej
usthasfl
u,gogoneedst
orest.
Thabo-(
thought
ful
)uhmm okay
..
.
Mthoko-heybi
gguy,whydon'tyoutaket
herestof
t
hepancakesandgositattheloungeandwatch
t
hosecartoonsyoul
ovesomuch.
Thabo-(
smi
l
es)okay
.

Thabowalksouttheli
vi
ngroom wit
hhispancakes.
Oncetheyheart
het von,
theyst
arttal
ki
ng.
..

Zenande-(
sad)sher
eal
l
yisn'
ttaki
ngt
hiswhol
e
thi
ngwell.
Simi-Yeah,
Imeanwej okeabouti
tbuti
tgett
ingt
o
her,
shei sr
eall
yhurt
.Imeanthisi
sheronl
y
daughterwetal
kingabout
.
Zenande-andshei
sbei
ngr
obbedt
hechancet
ohel
p
herf
igur
eoutmot
her
hood.
Mthoko-(
sighs)Iwi
l
ltryandt
alkt
oSbani
,seeifis
t
hereachanceshemi ghtl
etmamaseethebabies.
Si
mi-(
conf
used)wai
t?!
!Kant
iisn'
tshecomi
ngher
e?
Si
nceshei
sbeingdi
schar
ged?
Mthoko-sheshoul
dbecomi ngherebutwith
ev
erythi
nggoingon,Iam r
eall
ynotsure.
..
Zenande-l
etcal
lNomv
elo,
may
beshemi
ghtbeabl
e
tohel
pusaswel l
.
Si
mi-(
sighs)y
eah.
..
.

ATUMHLANGAHOSPI
TAL

Sbanient ersther oom, hefi

ndst hebedmadeup, hi
s
heartstarttobeatv er
yf ast
,"coulditbet hatshehas
l
eftalready"het houghttohimsel f
,hewasst il
l
di
stractedbyhi sownt hought s,whent hedoor
opened, het urnedandl ookedatwher ethedooris,in
walksNel ly,whoi sdressedinapi nksweatpant ,
wit
hawhi t
ef ormal bl
ousemat chedwi thablazer.
Herhai
rwasmadeup, from headtowaistshe
l
ookedprof
essional
.Shewasf ol
lowedbyJB, anda
youngl
adywhichhehasnev erseenbef
or e.

Nel
ly-(si
tsont
hebed)
(wi
thoutst
ari
ngathi
m)y
ou
ear
lytoday.
Sbani
-(looksar ound)Yeah,wel
lIf
igur
edsi
nceit
wasyourl astdayhere,Ishoul
dcomeearl
ysowe
cansortev er
ythingoutandandgetyououtofher
e.
Nell
y-(t
akesaf i
l
esfrom thelady)
(looksthroughit)
ohyoudidn'thavet
oo,(handstheladythef i
leback)
thi
slooksgood.Makeacopyandsendi ttomy
Dropboxaccount.(
LooksatJBandt helady)thatwil
l
beallf
ortoday.Enj
oyChr i
stmas,Bridgetwewi l
lsee
eachotherearl
ynextyear,unl
esssomet hingli
kethis
comesup.
Bri
dget-(
smil
es)ThankyouMissSi
wela,
Iappr
eci
ate
theopport
uni
ty,
Iwon'tl
etyoudown.
JB-(smi
les)y
oubetternot,orel
seIwil
ll
ookbad,I
'
m
theonethatr
ecommendedy ouremember?(
Looks
atSbani
andsmi r
ks)prett
yladyhere"
TRUSTS"my
j
udgement
.
Sbani
-(t
ryi
ngt
ocal
m down)Nel
l
ycanwet
alk?
Nel
l
y-(
looksatSbani
)okay
..
..guy
s?

Bri
dgetnodsandbidsfarewell,
JBwalkstowards
Nell
ybutSbanibl
ockshim, givi
nghimthe"don'
t
eventhi
nkaboutitl
ook"JBl ooksatNel
ly,
she
shakesherhead.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
sighs)I
'
mfi
ne
JB-ar
eyousur
e?
Sbani
-(st
aresathi
m col
dly
)ar
eyoudeaf
?Shesai
d
she'
sfi
ne.
JB-(st
aresathi
m back)Idon'tknow,maybeIam
j
ustnotcomf or
tabl
eleavi
ngherwi t
halunat
ic,who
knowsmay beyouforgotyourpil
lst
oday.

Somehowthathurther
,yesshewasverymuchsti
l
l
undeci
dedaboutwhereshestandswi
thhi
m but
heari
ngJBt al
kli
kethatpi
ssedherof
f,shemoved
i
nfrontofSbani
,fol
dedherarmsandstaredcol
dlyat
JB...

Nel
l
y-MrBogat
su,
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dleav
e.
JB-(
not
iceshowannoy
edshel
ooked)Iam.
.
Nel
l
y-whyar
eyoust
il
lher
e?

JBsighedandlookedatheronelastti
mebefore
makinghiswayouttheroom.Nellytur
nedtoSbani
,
shelookedathi
m, hehadablankface,shecoul
dn'
t
tel
lwhatwasgoingoninsidehi
shead...

Nel
l
y-I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
Sbani
-what'
sgoi
ngon?Whywasheher
e?Andwho
wasthatl
ady?
Nell
y-Ineededtofi
nali
zeonel
astthi
ngont he
Nigeri
andealbefor
ewewenttot heChr
istmas
holi
days.Ir
eali
sedtheonl
ywayIcanactuall
ywor
k
i
nthi
sproj
ectwithoutov
erworki
ngmy sel
fisifIget
aPA.SoJBrecommendedBr i
dgetandcreateda
t
emporar
ycontract.
Sbani
-sof
ornow,
whoi
spay
ingher
?
Nell
y-thatwhyIaskedJBt
odrawupat empor
ary
contr
act,ri
ght
nowIam pay
ingherf
rom myown
pocket.
Sbani-(
takesadeepbr eath)y oulosi
ngmoney ,
when
youcouldhav etol
dmey ouneededaPA, Icoul
d
havemadei tHR'
sfir
stpriorit
ytaskaftertheycome
backfrom theholi
days.Whydi dyouhav etogoto
him wheny oucouldhavej ustcamet ome?
Nel
l
y-(
takesherbagandstar
tspacki
ng)Idi
dn'
t
r
eal
lyt
hinkthatf
arokay
!!
!
Sbani-(
looksather
)andwhyar
eyoudr
essedl
i
ke
that
?
Nel
ly-(
takesoffherblouseandblazer
,repl
acingi
t
wit
hasweat er
)oh, Ij
ustcamefrom aconference
cal
lwit
ht heNi
gerians.
Sbani
-(ey
esout
)WHAT?
!!
!!Whydi
dyouhav
etodoi
t,
coul
dn'
tJasonhandl
eit
?Nel
l
yyou'
rebr
east
feedi
ng.
Nell
y-Idi
dn'
tevenl
eavethehospit
alt
hatlong, i
twas
anhourmax.JustbecauseIam br
eastf
eeding
doesn'
tmeanIam encableofdoi
ngotherthings.
Sbani-(
brusheshi
sfacefr
ust
rat
edl
y)andwhodi
d
youleavemykidswith?
Nell
y-IaskedNomv
elot
okeepaney
eont
hem.
Besi
desJBwashereaswel
l.

Sbanifr
ust
rat
edlyki
ckst
hebed,r
ubbinghi
sface,
thi
smakesherjump.Shecoul
dseehowangr yhe
was,andhowmuchhewast ry
ingtoholdi
tinbut
fai
l
ing.
..

Sbani
-(angr
y)IFIHEARTHATMAN'
SNAMEONE
MORETI MEISWEARNELLYUZONYA,IDAREYOU
TOSAYI T?(St
aresather
)

Helookedatherdeadl
y,t
hiswasthef
ir
stti
meshe
hasseenhimthisangr
y,pr
obabl
yeventhefi
rstt
ime
hehast alkedtoherl ikethis.Herbreathi
ngstarted
tochange, shefeltscar edbutshewasal soangry,
shewasconf l
icted.Sheangr i
l
ymov edpasthi m
bumpi nghisshoul dersgoingt othecloset,t
aki
ng
herclothes.Hewat chedherev erymov e.Shecould
feel
herbodyt akingst r
ain,shewasexhaust edbut
shedidn'twantt oshowi t.
..
.

Nel
ly-(
sit
sonthebed)(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)arey
ou
goi
ngtostandandwatchme?Orareyougoi
ngto
makeyoursel
fusef
ulandhelpme?
Sbani
-(annoyed)Ididn'
tknowy ouneededmyhelp,
angi
thiwenaungu" superwoman"orev enbet
ter
,
whydon'tyoutel
lJBt oissuepaper
sallowi
ngmet o
hel
p,heseemst obey ourdict
atort
heseday,he
knowswhatbestr i
ght?
Nell
y-(
cli
ckedhert
ongue)
(mumbl
ed)may
beI
shoul
d.

Shest
oodupfrom t
hebed,whenshewasaboutt
o
movepasthi
m agai
n,Sbani
hel
dherwri
st,
he
wrappedhi
sri
ghtarm aroundherwai
st,
pickingher
up,shewassti
l
lsensi
tiv
e, t
hegri
bhehadar oundher
stomachhur
ther.
..

Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)y
ou'
rehur
ti
ngme.
.

Hesatheront hebed, lockedheri nbetweenhislegs

andheldbot hherwr istti
ght l
y,hewassoangr y,he
wasact ual
lyli
vid.Partofhi sangerwasl osi
nghis
chi
ld,wast heuncertaintyofhi srelati
onshipst
atus.
Hest ar
edatherast earsrandownhercheeks.I fi
t
wasanyot herday ,t
hoset earswoul dhav ehi
ta
nerveonhi m butnott oday ,
hewasj usttoangrywith
herandhi mself.
..

Sbani
-uthi
ni?Awuphi
ndeangi
zwanga?(whatdi
dy ou
j
ustsay?Repeatwhatyouj
ustsai
d,Idi
dn'
thearyou)

Hepresseddownonherwr
ist
s,hur
ti
ngherev
en
more.
..
Sbani
-NGI
THIPHINDALENTOOYI
SHI
LONELLY?
AKUSAKHULUMEKIYI
NI?
Nel
ly
-(cr
ying)Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing,
I'
m sor
ryokay
,is
t
hatwhatyouwanttohear?
Sbani
-(l
aughsi
ndi
sbeli
ef)Idon'
twanty
oursor
ry,
do
youknowwhatIwant
?
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)(
shakesherhead)no.
..
Sbani-(
smir
ks)Good!
!!IWANTYOUTOSTOP
ACTINGLIKEYOU'REALONE,YOUNEEDTO
SWALLOW YOURPRI DEANDSTOPACTINGLI
KEA
SPOILEDPRIVI
LEGEDBRATANDHEARUSOUT,
ESPECIALLYYOURMOTHER.SIYAZWANA?
Nel
l
y-(
nods)
(cr
ying)
Sbani-GOOD! !
!Her
eiswhatgoi ngtohappen, I
'm
goingtodri
vey outoyourmother'
st oday.Youwill
be
stayi
ngthereunti
lwef i
guret
hingsout .Youneedher
help.TomorrowIwillpi
ckyouguy supweheadi ngt o
myhomest eads,ineedtoint
roducet hekidstomy
ancestor
s,Ineedtobe" i
mbeleko"forthem.Weal so
needtobur
ytheplacent
asalongwi
th.
..
.(cl
oseshi
s
eyesandopenst
hem again)
Nel
l
y-(
cry
ing)y
oudon'
thav
etosayi
t.
Sbani
-(l
et'
sgoofherwri
sts)nowfi
nishpacki
ng,I
wil
lsor
toutyouguysdi
schargefor
ms, whenIcome
backweleavi
ng.
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)(
rubsherwr
ist
s)okay
.

Henoti
ceshebr
uisedherwri
sts,shepul
l
sher
sl
eev
esdownandcov er
sthem...

Sbani
-look.
..
Nel
l
y-(wi
peshert
ear
s)(
bol
d)don'
t!
!!Thi
sisn'
tthe
t
imetoli
ckmywounds.
Sbani-(giv
esherthebl
anklooktoo)Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
o,
Iwasj ustgoingt
osay,makesurenobodysees
thosebr ui
ses,wedon'
twanttoaddontoour
probl
ems.
Nel
l
y-y
oumeany
oudon'
twantany
onet
hinki
ng
y
ou'
reunst
abl
e..

I
tgoessil
ent,
helooksathershocked,maybeal
i
ttl
e
hur
t.Whenitregi
ster
swhatshejustsai
d..
..

Sbani
-DON'
T!!
!we'
renotl
i
cki
ngwoundsr
emember
..
.

Wi
tht
hatsai
dhewal
ksoutt
her
oom.
..
.

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE

Theyf
ini
shpacki
ngal
lthei
rbagsi
ntot
hei
rcar
s..
..

MrZul
u-Ithi
nkweshouldgonow,wedon'
twantt
o
dr
ivel
ateatni
ght
,ther
oadsarebadt
hatsi
de.
Shaka-ai
n'
twewai
ti
ngf
orSbani
?
MrsZul
u-no,Nel
lyandt
hebabiesarebeing
di
schar
gedtodaysohewil
ldr
ivetomorrowwit
h
t
hem.Nt
ombi
your
idi
ngwi
thusornaboZandi
l
e?
Nt
ombi
-uhmm,
Idon'
tmi
ndgoi
ngwi
thany
one
mama.
Shaka-y
oushoulddr
ivewi
thme,
I'
mtheonl
yone
whoisdriv
ingal
one.
Nt
ombi
-(l
ooksathi
m)uhmm okay
.
MrZulu-well
sincewe'
real
lset
tl
ed,
lethi
tther
oad
Zul
ufamily
.

Theyallwal
koutsi
detothei
rr espect
ivecars.
Zandi
lewaitsf
orSiphot
of i
nishwi t
hhiscallbefor
e
theyj
ointheot
hercarswhohav el
eftt
hey ard.
..

Zah-(f
ast
enherseat
bel
t)It
houghty
ouwoul
dnev
er
fi
nish.
Si
pho-(
fakesl
aughs)busi
nessmkami
,busi
ness.
Zah-yousur
ehavebeenget
ti
ngal
otoft
hese
busi
nesscal
lsl
atel
y.
Si
pho-(
fakesl
aughs)uhmm j
eah,
kidsar
eyour
ead
f
ort
het
ri
p?
Ki
ds-(
exci
ted)YEYY!
!!
!

Hedri
vesofftheyard,wi
thhi
skidssi
ngi
ngatt
he
backandZandil
efacingt
hewindow..
.

Remembert
oal
way
sLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
11/
3,20:
58]Mar
cia:
Inser
t80

I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
.

Thetensi
oninsi
dethecarissothickyoucanal
most
cuti
twithaknif
e.Thesi
lenceisdistur
bedbyhi
s
phoneri
nging,
thescr
eenindicat
esthatitBl
ess
cal
li
ng..
.

Sbani
-Baf
o..
Bl
ess-what
'sup?Ihav
en'
thear
dfr
om y
ousi
nce
y
est
erday
.
Sbani
-(l
aughsal
i
ttl
e)ar
eyoumi
ssi
ngme?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)v
oet
sek!
!!
..
.

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Bl
ess-(
sighs)ont
her
eal
though,
ever
ythi
ngokay
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)uhmm notr
eal
l
y,butnot
hingIcan'
t
handl
e.
Bl
ess-(
qui
et)
..
..i
smysi
..
.
Sbani-you'
reoncarspeaker
,I'
m dr
ivi
ngNel
l
yand
thetwinshomes.
Bl
ess-(
clear
sthr
oat
)ohh.
..
.am Ial
l
owedt
osayhi
?

Sbanist
aresatNelly
,shelooksbackathi
m, t
hey
keeptheeyecontactforafewsecondsbeforehe
breaksi
tandfocusesont heroad.
..
Sbani
-Idon'tknow,butshecanhearyou,Iam glad
youasked,phelayoudon'twantt
ofi
ndy oursel
f
bei
ngsued.

Nell
yshootshi
m adeadlyl
ook,hedoesn'
tl
ookat
herbutrat
herl
ooksathisr
evi
ewmi rr
or.Bl
ess
chuckl
esontheothersi
de.

Bless-(
laughs)mxm,
y ouknowIgotmor
emoney
thanthatmalumeJB,solethi
m sueme.
Sbani-(
chuckles)y
eah,
maybewit
hhi
sshar
eofthe
moneyIcant akehimtowher
eIbuymysui
ts.Ay
eke
kugqokabrandwood.

Blessbur
stoutlaughi
ng,
Sbanigl
ancesatNel
lyand
fi
ndsherlooki
ngoutthewindow,
shelooksabsent
minded.

Sbani-manIwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
,wheni
syourmot
her
l
anding?
Bless-t
wodaysfr
om now,Iknowyouheadi
ngt
othe
homesteadst
omorrowsoy ouwon'
tbeavai
l
abl
eto
welcomeher,
Iunderst
and.
Sbani
-okay
.Sendmemyl
ove.
Bl
ess-al
ri
ght
,Iwi
l
lri
ngy
oul
ater
..
..
.by
emommy
..
.

Shewassol ostinherthought
sthatshedi
dn'thear
Bless.Sbanistopsattheengengarage.Henudges
her,sheturnsandlooksathim...
.

Sbani
-doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)cha.
.

Af
terafewminut
esheget
sbacki
nsi
det
hecarand
dr
ivesoutt
hegar
age.
..
.

Nell
y-(shi
ft
sinherseat
)howl
ongwoul
dwest
ayat
yourhomestead.
Sbani
-(gl
ancesather)Ithi
nk3day
sisenough.But
dopackextr
aclothesjusti
ncasei
tmorethanwhat
weexpect.

Sil
encesf i
l
lsthecaragain,hisphoner i
ngs,
i
ndicati
ngt hat"
unknownnumber "butheal ready
knowsi tThandeka.Heignoresituntili
tstops
ri
nging.Nellygl
ancesather ,
heglancesbackather
forafewsecondst hanfocusesont heroad.The
phoner i
ngsagain,thescreenssti
llshowsi tthe
"unknownnumber "hestil
l i
gnoresit.
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)whyar
eyounotanswer
ing?
Sbani
-(bol
d)Angi
funi
Nel
l
y -(
foldsherar
ms)(
rai
sesherey
ebr
ow)awufuni
?
Oryoujustdon'
twantt
oanswerwit
hmehere?
Sbani
-Whicheveri
tist
hatappl
i
cabl
etoy
ou,
(gl
ancesather
)

Shecl
i
ckshert
ongueandl
ooksout
sidet
hewi
ndow,
hefocusesonhi sdri
ving,ever
ynowandt hanhe
wouldcheckont hei
rbabi esattheback,theyseem
tobeenjoy i
ngtheri
dei nthei
rfather
'scarbecause
noneoft hem ar
esleepingbuttheyjustquiet
.His
phoneringsagain,i
tthesame" unknownnumber "
theyst
areateachot her,Sbaniwasaboutt orej
ect
thecal
lwhenshepr essedaccept ..
.

Thandeka-Ihavebeentry
ingtogetyouf
orthepast
twoweeks, y
ini
uyangizi
ba,It
houghtwehadan
agreementtomeet.

Nel
lyfol
dsherar
msandturnsherwholebody
l
ookingathi
m wi
thherbr
owraised.
..

Sbani
-(bor
edt
one)
hel
l
otoy
out
ooThandeka.
Thandeka-(si
ghs)whenarewemeeti
ng,Ireal
l
y
needtotalktoyou.Iknowshej
ustj
usthadtwinsso
sheisn'
treall
ybreat
hingdowny
ourneck,y
oucan
maket i
mef orus.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)whatdoy
ouwantThandeka?
Thandeka-Sbani
weneedt
otal
k.
Sbani
-Itol
dy ouIwoul
dgetbacktoyounowwhy
can'
tyoujustwaitf
ormetocontacty
ou.
Thandeka-becausewhatweneedt
otal
kabouti
s
urgentandimportant
.
Sbani
-ever
ythi
ngt
haturgentandi
mportantIgoti
t
ri
ghther
ewithmeri
ghtnowsoIdon'tt
hinkso.
Thandeka-l
alel
a,Iwi
llsendy
out hel
ocati
ont
omy
fl
at,
justi
ncasey ouchangeyourmind,
Iam f
ree
toni
ght.

Shehangedup.
..
.

Nel
ly-It
houghtshewasanobody
,nowy
ou'
re
pl
anningtomeetanobody
.
Sbani
-itnotwhatyout
hink.AndIdi
dn'
tpl
an,
you
hear
dfory our
sel
fshewantstotal
knotme.
Nel
l
y-buty
ouagr
eed,
thef
actt
haty
ouwer
ewi
l
li
ng
t
oli
stent
ohersay
sal
ot.
Sbani-Ij
ustsai
dthattogetherofmycase.I
fI
wantedtoseeherIwouldhav el
ongseenher.
(Looksather)
getal
lthosestupi
dideasouty
our
head.

Shekeepsquietandlooksoutthewindowpi
ssed,he
l
ooksatherandshakeshi shead.Heisnoti
nthe
moodtobegher ,sheiscl
earl
ynotinthemoodto
fi
ghthi
m,theybothjustexhausted.
..

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

MaSiwelahearsthegateopenandTobi '
sloud
barki
ng,shewakesupf r
om thebedandheadst o
herwindow,shewatchesasSbani '
sJeeppar ks
i
nsidetheyard.Par
tofherhopest hatherdaughter
andgrandchi
ldrenar
einsidethatJeep.Shequickly
f
ixesher
sel
fandwal
ksdownst
air
s..
..
.

Mthoko,ZenandeandSimist
andbythedoor
exci
tedl
ywaitingf
orNell
yandthet
wins.MaSi
wel
a
fi
ndsthem standi
ng.
..

MaSiwela-(
looksatt
hem)andt
hen?Whyy
oual
l
st
andingherefor?
Simi
-(smil
es)hawumama,
wewai
ti
ngf
ort
hem t
o
geti
nside.
MaSi
wela-di
dn'ti
toccurt
oanyofy
out
hatt
hey
mi
ghtneedhelp.

Theyalllookatherasi fremember i
ngsomet hi
ng,
ZenandeandSi mirunexci t
edlyoutsi
de,t
hemi nut
e
theyreachwher ethecari s,theyjumponNel ly
huggingher,shesmi leshuggi ngthem back,she
fi
ndsher sel
fcryingaswel l,whowasshef ool
ing
thesepeoplerighthere, shemi ssedmost, ev
enwith
them hurti
ngheral it
tlebecauseherwai stand
st
omachar est
il
lsensi
ti
ve,
att
hismomentnot
hing
matt
ers.
..
.

Si
mi-(
smi
l
eswhi
l
ecr
ying)Imi
ssedy
ouNenoh.
.
Zee-(
pincheshercheeks)
(smil
es)Iam happyy ou'
re
home,itwasn'
tthesamewi t
houtyourpresence.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es,
snif
fs)Imi
ssedy
ouguy
ssomuch,
(
wipeshert
ears)

ShelooksatSbani
,hel
ooksather
,givi
ngherthe
l
ook.Shetakesadeepbreat
handlooksatthegi
rls.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es,
wipeshert
ear
s)IknowIact
ed.
..
Zee-(stoppi
ngher)(shakesherhead)y
oudon'
tneed
toexplainsi
s,Iunderst
and.
Si
mi -(smil
es)whenweangr yandoverwhel
medwe
dothingswithoutthi
nki
ng.WhichiswhyI(l
ooksat
Zenande)actuall
ywedonothol danyt
hingt
hatyou
di
dagai nstyou.
Si
mitr
iest
oholdherhandsbutt
ouchesherwr
ist
whi
chmakesherfl
inchi
npain.
..

Si
mi-(
concer
ned)ar
eyouokay
?
Nell
y-(
pul
l
shersleevesdown)uhmm Iuhm Ihad
dr
ipsonmywr i
stssoitst
il
lver
ymuchhurts.
Nothi
ngmajort
hough.
Si
mi-ar
eyousur
e?Icanhav
eal
ookati
tify
ouwant
?
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)No,
No,
no.
..I
'
m okay
.
Zee-(exci
ted)soIknowI'
m happyandal
ltoseey
ou
buttherearetwopeopl
eIactual
lywantt
oseethe
most .
Simi-(
clapshands)y
eessss!
!!Wher
ear
ethel
i
ttl
e
rascal
s.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)st
il
li
nsi
det
he.
..

Shecouldn'
tevenfi
nishhersent
encebecauset
hey
rushedpastherscr
eaming..
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)
don'
tcr
owdmyexecut
ivesquad
pl
ease.
Zee-mxm awukahl
ewena,
(fol
dsarms)opent
he
doorIwantt
oseemyGodchi l
dren.
.
Si
mi-(
looksather
)whendi
dyougetappoi
nted?
Zee-hai
ybo,Idon'
tneedt
o,I
'
mtheobv
iouspi
c.Sbar
i
vul
aiscabhasemoto.
Sbani
-(smil
es, l
ooki
ngatthem)No...
.ri
ght
nowyou
al
lhypedup, kahl
ekahl
efuthii
dresscodeyenui
s
notappropr
iate.

Theylookateachotherandfoldthei
rarmslooki
ng
athim,hefol
dshisarmssmi rki
ngatthem.Thisis
actual
lyt
hefir
stti
met heythi
sfreearoundhim,
mightbebecausehet ooisst
ill
overjoyedbythe
bir
thofhiski
ds..
.

Si
mi-manj
eweshoul
dbef
ormal
?
Nell
ywalksandst andsnexttoSbani ,shesmi les
l
ookingathim andthant hem.Asmuchast heynot
i
nagoodpl aceandt heirrel
ati
onshipst atusi s
uncert
ainnobodyneedst oknow, r
ightnowt hey
needstobeonet eam, i
fthereisanythingt heybot h
candoiswor ktogetherandgiveoutt heirbest
perf
ormance..
.

Nell
y-kant
inicabangani
,youmeeti
ngt
heexecut
ive
squad,
youcan'tbelooki
nglikey
ougoi
ngtomeet
theKar
dashians.
Zee-(
rol
l
sey
es)sav
elel
wa

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

Mt hokowalkstowar
dsthem wit
habi gsmil
eonhis
face.Nel
lyrunstohi
m,hepicksherupandswi ngs
heraround.Theyhugeachotherfordearl
i
fe.
..
Mt
hoko-(
kissesherf
orehead)mt
akama
Nel
l
y-(
cri
es)I
'
m sor
ry.(
Tight
lyhol
dshi
m)
Mt
hoko-(
brushesherback)Iknow.
..

Theybreakof
fthehug,shepull
shersl
eevesdown
agai
n,shemakessuresheholdstheedges.He
smil
esandwipeshertears.
..
.

Mt hoko-(smil
es)t
heper sonwhoy ouneedto
apol ogi
setothemostisi nsi
de,(
looksather
)shei
s
veryhur t
,Iknowwhatwedi di
swr ongbutwewoul
d
doi tagainandagai
nifitmeanty ougettohol
d
thoset wopeoplei
nsidethatcar.Sowenot
apol oget
icabouti
t,gotalktoMaSiwela.
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)okay
.

Shelooksbehi
ndher,
theyal
llookbackather,
she
takesadeepbreat
handwalkstowardsthehouse.
..
I
nsi
deShaka'
scar
..
.

Thedriv
ehasbeenratheranawkwardone,welli
t
hasbeenawkwar df
orNtombi,Shakahaspret
ty
muchjustbeenhimsel
f.Theyhavehadsmallt
alks
hereandther
e,andi
tbeenShakawhost ar
tedthe
conver
sati
ons..
..

Shaka-soy
ouj
ustgoi
ngt
obesi
l
entt
hewhol
etr
ip.
Ntombi-(
looksoutt
hewi
ndow)Idon'
tknowwhat
youexpectmetosay.
Shaka-(
sighs)comeonNto,ther
ewasat i
mewher
e
youandmewer ecl
ose,
Imissedthoset
imes.
Ntombi-(
sighs)y
eswewer e,
butwhenIlookatyou
now,Idon'
tseethemanIknew,Idon'
tseeBoyce.I
seethemanwhosuppor t
edhisbr
othersi
nfi
deli
ty,
I
seeamanwhoabandonedmeandt hrewmet othe
fi
rewhentheheatgott
omuch.
Shaka-(shakeshead)youseethatwerey
ou'
re
wrong,Ididn'
tsuppor
tSbani'
scheati
ngwaysbutI
coul
dn'
tjudgehim andactallr
ight
eouswhenIam
nothol
l
ymy sel
f.If
ucki
ngsleptwit
hhiswif
e.
Ntombi -wecan'tr
eall
ycomparethetwo,what
happenedbet weenmeandy ouwasadr unken
mistake.Sbanicar
riedoutanaf
fair
.
Shaka-nosinisbi ggert hantheot her.Ntoy ouneed
tostoplookingforpeopl et oblamef ory ourfail
ed
mar r
iagewithmybr otherandacceptt hatwhet her
wehadsl epttogetherornot ,oryouhadf al
led
pregnanthewasst i
llgoingt oleaveyout heminut e
hiseyeslandedonNel ly.Stopbeat i
ngy ourselfup
thi
nkingaboutallthewhati f'
sandj ustacceptt hat
youwer enotthepr oblem neitherwher ey ouractions,
mybr otherf
elli
nlovewi t hanotherwoman.

I
tgoessi
l
ent
..
..

Heglancesatherandseest ear
srunni
ngdownher
cheeks,shewipesthem ofbutmorecomeout
.He
feel
ssorryforher
,hehasbeensocaughtupinother
thi
ngsthathehasn'treal
l
ytakentheti
meto
understandhowt hiswhol esituati
onaf f
ectedher.
Every
onehasbeenont hewhol e"Ntombi i
scrazy"
tr
ainthatnoonehasact uall
yt akent i
meandasked
herhowshei shol dingup.Nt ombi isaZulu,which
meansshei sfami lyandonet hi
ngt heMageba's
pri
det hemsel
vesoni sfamilybutt heyhavefail
edto
careforoneoft heirown.Nobodysai dshehast obe
perf
ect ,
shemaybedi srespect f
ul,annoyi
ngandl oud
butshei sst
il
lfami l
y .Hehol dsherhand.Shel ooks
athim andholdsitt i
ghtlyasshecr iesmoresilentl
y.
.

Shaka-Il
ovey
ouTot
o..
.

Shel
ooksathi
m andl
aughswhi
l
ecr
ying.
..

Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)Jesus.
..
.Ihat
ethatname.
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)r
ememberhowIusedt
oannoyy
ou
wit
hit.
Ntombi-(smi
l
es)Yhooo.
..don'
tev
enr
emi
ndme
Boyceeeee
Shaka-hhey
i!
!!
!!Ungal
i
nge.
..
.

Theyl
augh.
..
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Shest andsout sidethedoorcont emplati

nggoing
i
nside." Hassher eal
lyforgi
venhermot her
?"She
washav ingahar dt i
mef orgi
vingbot
hhermot her
andSbani ,t
hesewer ethetwopeopleshewasangr y
withthemost .Shest oodbyt hedoorandkeptdoing
breat
hi ngexer cises...

Nel
l
y-(
takesonel
astdeepbr
eat
h)Icandot
his.
..

Sheslowlywalkedi
nsidetheLoungeareaandfound
hermotherlooki
ngatherpictur
ewhenshest ar
ted
school,
shehasnof r
ontteethonthatpi
ctur
e.She
smiledali
tt
lebutwasbroughtbackbyhermot her
whowasnowstandi
nginf
rontofherwi
tht
ear
s
r
unni
ngdownhercheeks.
..

Nel
l
y-(
whi
sper
s)mama

(
Slap)
(
Slap)
(
Slap)

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s.

Nexti
nser
tfol
l
owsl
ateri
ntheaf
ter
noon
[
11/
3,21:
00]Mar
cia:
Inser
t81

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Shest
oodt
her
edumbf
olded,
almostasi
fshe
couldn'
tbel
iev
ewhatjusthappened.Bot
hher
cheeksburnedandst
ung,shestaredathermot
her
,
whost ar
edbackather.

MaSiwel
a-(
sni
ff
s)Nowy
ouwi
l
lsuemef
orav
ali
d
r
eason.

Hermot herstar
edbackather,hermother
'seyes
werefil
ledwithsomuchhur t
,sadness,
anger.She
hasnev erseenhersoli
vi
dbutatthesamet i
meso
broken.Sheheldhercheeks,
sil
entl
ycryi
ngast ear
s
randownhercheeksbutshemadenosound.

MaSiwela-(
takesadeepbr eat
h)y ouknowInever
wantedtobet hatparentt
oyou,Ineverwantedtol
ay
myhandsony ou,you'r
emybaby ,kodwaungenzani
Nel
isiwe?Kodwanganey amiyi
nileongenzayona.
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)mamangi
yaxol
i
sa.
..
MaSiwel
a-(
wipeshertears)(
shakesherhead)cha,
chaawuxol
i
si,Icanseeitinyoureyeshowangry
you'
re,y
ounotsorr
ybecausekusekuni
ngiokugodl
e
ngaphakat
hi(
ther
eisst
il
laloty
oukeepinginsi
deyou)
.

Shel ooksdown, sheknowshermom i sright

,
Mthokowal kstowar dsthem andlooksatbot hher
mom andsi ster.Hisey eswidenwhenheseeshi s
si
sterf ace,shehasl it
eral
lytur
nedpinkandher
mot her'shandsar ev isi
bleonhercheeks.He
swallowsandl ooksatt hebothofthem again.The
atmospher eint her oom alongwiththeirexpressi
ons
i
tnowher eali
sest hemagni tudeofthepr obl
em.He
onlyfear swhatwi llhappenwhenshef indsout
aboutherf ather..
.

Mthoko-(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)mama, It
hinkmay
bey
ou
guysshouldsi
tdownandt
alk.
MaSiwela-(
wi peshert
ears)yoursi
sterknowsshe
cantal
kt omewhenev ersheisreadytoletgoofal
l
thi
sangershehol di
nginsi
de.Okwamanj eayi
kho
i
ntoengizoyikhulumanodadewenu( ri
ghtnowther
e
i
snothingthatIwil
ltal
kwi t
hyoursi
ster)
,thisis
morethanjustuskeepingasecret,
shehasdeeper
i
ssues,Ican'
thelpherifsheisnotwil
li
ngtol etme
i
n.Sheneedst ostopthispret
enceofbeing
apol
ogeticandgetdownt owhatreall
yeatingherup.
Mt
hoko-(
looksatNel
l
y)dadewet
hu?

Shel
ooksdown,
hesi
ghs.
..
.

Mthoko-manj
eshoul
dwecomeinsi
det
hehouse
now,aboZenandear
einmyl
ounge(
out
sidef
lat
)
MaSiwela-(sni
ff
s)y es,
tel
lthem t
ocomei n,Iwantt
o
seemygr andchil
dren(smil
es).
..
.(LooksatNell
y)i
fI
am al
lowedt o?

Shenodsandwalksupst
airst
oherroom.Leavi
ng
hermom andbr
otherl
ookingateachot
her.
..

Mt
hoko-kodwanawemama,
didy
our
eal
l
yhav
eto
sl
apher
,di
dyouseehowshel
ooks.
MaSiwela-(cl
ickstongue)Ididn'
twanttobutshe
neededar eminderthatIam stil
lhermother.Nowgo
getmygr andchil
drenwhileIprepareref
reshments.I
needtogetmy sel
freadyphelangisazovel
elwa
uGideonmaseebonai nt
ombi y
akheukuthi
ngiyi
dabulengezimpama.
Mthoko-(l
aughs)uy
ibonil
ekut
hi i
bomv ukanj
aniuf
il
e
wena(didyouseehowr edsheis,you'
redead)
.

Theylaughwhil
eMaSiwel
amakesherwayt
othe
ki
tchen,Mthokowal
ksouttocal
lev
ery
onet
ocome
i
nside.
..

I
nsi
deMrZul
u'
scar

MrsZul
u-babaarewegoingt
obuyt
hegoat
sor
si
zot
hat
haleziesi
zi
fuy
il
e?
MrZul
u-wenotbuy
inganygoats,whywastemoney
whenwehav
esomanygoat sezif
uyiwe.Ni
nahave
y
ouboughtev
ery
thi
ngy
ouwi
l
lneedf
orcooki
ng?
MrsZul u-(
widenshereyes)hawema!!!
!Thanky ou
forr
emi ndi
ngme, yaziMavi
sdidsayIwi l
lforget
.Let
met extZahandNt ombitomeetusatPi netownso
wecanshop.Phel atheyaretheonewhowi l
lbe
cooking,minaIwil
lhelphereandther
e.
MrZulu-(
laughs)whyai
n'
tyoucooki
ng?Phel
anawe
usawumakot i
..
MrsZulu-(smil
es)habe!
!!Whenmyson' stookcows
t
otheNcwaneandNgcobof amil
ytheywer e
r
eli
evi
ngmeofmydut yt
oslav
eaway .Sengino
makot
imi na..
.

Theyl
augh.
..
.

I
nsi
deSi
pho'
scar
..
.

Theyr
idehasbeenawf ull
yquietbetweenSi
phoand
hi
swife.I
fitwasn'
tforthei
rchil
dren,t
hewholecar
ri
dewouldhavebeenf i
l
ledwithsil
ent.
Zah-(
readsatext)Mamawantsust
opassby
Woolworthsi
nPinetown,
weneedgr
ocer
ies.
Sipho-okay,
noprobl
em Iam sur
etheki
dsneed
somer efr
eshmentst
oo.
Zah-yeahaslongasi tnotsweets,
sugari
sbadfor
them.PlusIam notpreparedtoberunni
ngaf
ter
thei
renerget
icselves.
Si
pho-t
hanwhatdoy
ouexpectt
hem t
obuy
?Ki
ds
l
ovesugarZah.
Zah-Igetthatbutrightnowsugari snotanopt i
onf or
them.Didn'
ty ouhearwhatNt ombi sai
d,i
nthe
courseofthisyearaloneIhadt obuyOlwethu
schoolunif
ormsandgy m gear4timesbecauset hey
keptgett
ingtot i
ght.Doest hatsoundalri
ghttoyou?
Sheisonly6y earsold.Theki dsatschoolhave
alr
eadystart
edbul ly
ingher ,evenNomaasy oungas
sheisshef i
ndst heneedt ocommentonOl wethu's
weight.
Sipho-somykidshav
et osuf
ferj
ustbecauseyou
l
istentowhatNtombiandherspoi
ledbratofachi
l
d
sai
d.Sbani
'schi
ldhasal
waysbeenabul
ly
,andmost
ti
mesitthi
ngsthathet
aughthert
osay
.
Zah-di dyoulistentowhatIj ustsaidt oy ou,oryou
j
ustsel ectedwhaty ouwant edt ocommenton.I s
buyingy ourdaught ernewuni f
or m andgy m gear4
ti
mesi noney earsoundsr i
ghtt oyou?Inol onger
buyherj eansnowbecauseshewear st hem once
andNextt i
meshewear sthem t heydon' tf
it
,
somet imesIl ookatt eenssect ionsj ustsoshecan
havesomet hingtowear ,
shei sonl y6, nowIdon' t
wantmydaught ertodi einsuchay oungage, have
youconsi deredhowt hiswillaffectheri nthelong
run?,whatt hi
swi l
ldot ohersel festeem?Chi l
d
diabit
iesisreal Si
pho, wakeupormay beyouwant
yourwakeupcal l
tobewheny oulayy ourchil
d's
coffi
nsi xfeetundergr ound.
Si
pho-(
sighs)Iam notfi
ghti
ngwithyoubutIj
ust
don'
twantmyki d'
sthi
nkingtheydi
ff
erentf
rom ot
her
ki
ds.
Zah-wel
lyout ol
atedearhusbandbecauseyour
daught
eralr
eadyhasday swhenshecr i
estome
aboutwhattheysayaboutheratschool
.Just
becauseIam managi ngmyki dssugari ntake
doesn'
tmeanIam st ar v
ingthem.Wej ustneedt o
havest r
ictruleswheni tcomest ohowt heyindulge
i
nsugar .Ihadal r
eadyst ar
tedreplacingtheirsweets
andchocol ateswithfrui
tsandener gybar sintheir
l
unchcool ers,andtheynotal l
owedt odr i
nksoda' s.
Haven'tyounot i
cedIgotr i
dofal l
t hesoda'sinside
thehouse?
Sipho-(shakeshi
shead)nah,Idr
inkbeersoIdon'
t
payattenti
ontothosethi
ngs.
Zah-wellyouneedt ostartpayi
ngattent
ion,Idon'
t
wantthem thi
nkingtheycansweett alkyouinto
gi
vingthem sugarwhenIam nott here.Sowhenwe
getback,weallgoingtothef amil
ydoctorand
gett
ingoursugartested,changesneedt obemade
athome.
Si
pho-y
eahsur
e..

Shelookedathim andcl
i
ckedhert
onguel
ooki
ng
out
sidethewindow...
Si
pho-(
looksather
)hawu!
!!
!Andt
hen?

ATSANE'
SANDSI
ZWESHOUSE

Shewalksandsi
tsonthecouch,
placesherf
eet
ontopofSi
zwe'
slap,
whowasr el
axedwatchi
ng
soccer
..
.

Sane-babey
azi
Ijustgotat
extf
rom mom.

Shelooksathi
m andhi
seyesarefi
xedont
he
scr
een,shenudgeshi
m wi
thhertoes.
..

Si
zwe-hmmm
Sane-di
dyouhearwhatIj
ustsai
d?
Sizwe-(
focusedont
het
vscr
een)suchaweakpass,
yabozalenj
a..
.
Sane-(
kickshi
m)SI
ZWE!
!!
!
Si
zwe-heyhey
..
..whatwast
hatf
or?
Sane-ngi
khul
umanaweandy
ounotpay
ingat
tent
ion.
Sizwe-babe,I
'm watchingsoccer
,Idon'tdi
stur
byou
wheny ourwatchy ourrat
chetshows.(Downshis
beer)
(looksatthescreen)yazil
omunt uifhemade
thatl
eftpass,ngabewet alki
ngadrawmanj e,he
wast hiscl
osebabe.
Sane-(
rol
lsherey
es)ngi
cel
aukunakwanami
?
(Pl
easepayatt
enti
ontome)

Shetakesther
emoteandpausesthetv
,heal
most
j
umpsoft hecouch,
helooksatherl
i
keshe
murderedsomeone.
..

Sizwe-doyour
eal
i
set
hepasst
hatwasgoi
ngt
o
takeplace?
Sane-youcansti
llwatchi
t,IpausedthegameI
di
dn'tswit
chitoff
.AsIwassay ing,
Igotatextfr
om
mom andshe'sinvi
ti
ngustot heZuluhomestead,
mybr ot
herisdoi
ng"imbel
eko"forhisnewborn
babi
es.Sout
hini
Mtungwacanwehonourt
he
i
nvit
ati
on?
Si
zwe-(
sighs)doy
ouwantt
ogo?
Sane-wel
lIhav en'
tseenmyf amil
yinmonthssoi t
wouldbegreatseeingthem all
inonepl
ace.Butwe
wil
lgodownt hereSaturdaybabe,
phel
aFridaythey
wil
lbeburni
ng" impepho"andwecan'tbethere
whentheydot hat,
phelaIam akhumalonownota
Zul
u,angi
hlanganinezimpephozakwaZulu.
Sizwe-(
makeshersitonhislap)(
smiles)ewu,
spokenli
keat r
uekhumalowife.(Ki
ssesher)Iwi
l
l
askmom t obabysi
tforus.
Sane-(
smiles)ThankGod, becauseIdon'twantto
beworryi
ngaboutKi ds,besi
deitbeenlongsincewe
j
usthadtimet oourselv
es.(Wiggl
esherey ebr
ows)

Hestandsup,maki
ngherscr
eam al
i
ttl
e,wr
appi
ng
herl
egsaroundhi
swaist
..
.

Si
zwe-howaboutwepr
act
icehowourweekend
wi
thoutt
heki
dswi
l
lbel
i
ke.(
Kissesher
)
Sane-(
smi
l
es)Yasssssss!
!!!

Hewal
kswi
thhert
othebedr
oom.
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Laughterandhappi nessf i
ll
stheLoungear ea,as
MaSi welat akesthi
stimet oadmireher
grandchildren.Herheartisfi
ll
edwi t
htheatmostj oy
,
sheher selfcannotputtowor ds,Sbanihasbeeni n
andoutoft hehousebecausehehasbeent aking
callarr
angi ngtheceremonywhi chwoul dbehel d
thiscomi ngweekend.Nel lyhasn'
tcamedownev er
sinceshewentupherr oom...

MaSiwela-(
staresatNkany
ezi
)thi
sonel
ooksso
cal
m, It
hinkIli
kehermore.
Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)t
hel
i
ttl
eguyi
swel
lbehav
edt
oo.
Zenande-buthe'
smor
eofadaddy'
sboy,y
oucan
seehim wonderhi
sey
eswhenhisdadi
sn'
taround.
Simi-(
laughs)Inot
icedt
oo,
Nel
l
yhasbeaut
if
ulki
ds
though.
MaSi
wel
a-al
lmygenes.
..
.

Theyall
burstoutl
aughi
ng,Nkany
ezi
frownsalit
tl
e,
i
talmostasifshewantstocr
y.MaSi
welacraddl
es
her.
..

MaSiwela-Ithinkt
hisgi r
lisnotafanofnoise..
..
.
(babytal
ks)youdon' tl
ikenoisedoyoubaby ,noy ou
don't
..
.she'
st oocute,IthinktheR50000theZul u's
paidisnotenoughthesebabi esaretoocute.
Zee-(
laughs)t
heSiwel
amagicgenewor
kswonder
s
mama, Ithi
nkweshoul
dputapri
cetoi
t.
Simi
-(laughs)ay
ikahl
eni
bo!
!!!Thekhoza'
sar
efi
re
too.
..
MaSi
wela-(
laughs)hehehewhoist
hefact
ory
moghel
?Iam, mychildr
enaret
hedist
ri
but
ors,t
hat
whyyourki
dsl
ookl
i
ket
heydo.Iam t
hesecr
et
i
ngredi
ent
..
.

Theybur
stoutl
aughi
ngagai
n,babyNkanyezi
fidget
s
andfr
ownsagai
n.MaSiwel
alaughsandshhhssher.
..

MaSi
wela-(smi
les)sher
eal
l
yhat
esnoi
se,
Ithi
nkwe
t
ooloudforher
...
Zee-hahaa!
!!Si
vel
elwe,
queenexecut
ive.

Theyl
aughagai n,thi
sti
mebabyNkany ezif
rowns
andstartscryi
ng.Sbani
walksinsidet
hehouse,
whenNt sikahearshi
ssist
er'
scriesheal
sostar
tsto
fi
dget
...

Zee-hhay ipl
easetakequeenexecut
ivet
oher
mot her,shewantstodi
sturbt
hepeaceofour
presidenther
e..
.
Sbani chuckl
esandt akesNkanyezif
rom MaSi
wela,
shei ndi
catesthatNell
yisupstai
rs,
henodsand
walksupst ai
rs.MthokolooksatMaSiwel
aholdi
ng
hi
sl augh..
.

Mt
hoko-uf
il
ewena.
..
.
MaSiwel
a-hawuGi
deonmnganam (
imi
tat
ingbabes
wodumo)

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
.

SbaniwalksinsideNel l
ysroom, hefi
ndsitempt ybut
hearsshuffl
inginsidethebathroom, whenNel l
y
hearsthesmal l
cr i
esofherbaby ,shewalksoutt he
bathr
oom andf indsSbani tr
yingtocalmt heir
daughter
,shewal kst ohim andwhenhet urnsand
seesherface,hiswhol ebodygoesst if
f,withi
nan
i
nstanthisbreathingchangesandv i
enspopouthi s
for
ehead...
Sbani
-WHATTHEFUCKHAPPENEDTOYOURFACE?
WHOTHEHELLDIDTHIS?

BabyNkany ezicri
esgetl ouderast hetoneofher
father
'svoi
cesscar esher.Nellysignalsthathe
handshert oher.Shesitsdownont hebedandpops
herbreastout,shepositi
onsherdaught er,i
nnot ime
sheclungshermout honherni pple.Shef l
i
nches,
"thi
sshitnevergetsbetter"shethinkstoher self
.
Sbanipacesupanddowncont r
olli
nghi sbreathi
ng
buteveryti
mehel ooksatherf ace,heget seven
mor eangry,herl
eftsideoft hefaceseemsswol len
ormay beherwhol efaceseemsswol l
en..
.

Nel
l
y-cany
oust
op,
youmaki
ngmedi
zzy
.
Sbani
-(pi
ssed)HAVEYOUSEENYOURFACE?

BabyNkany
ezi
fli
nches.
..

Nel
l
y-y
ou'
rescar
ingt
hebaby
,pl
easecany
oucome
down.
..

Hest ormsoutt heroom, t

heycanhearhisloud
footstepsashemakeshi swaydownt hestair
s,they
l
ookatMaSi wel
awhor oll
shereyesandbraces
herself.Sbaniwalksi
nsidetheLoungeareaand
everyonegoessi l
entandlooksathim,hestaresat
Ma'Siwel a.
..
.

Sbani
-(pissed)car
etoexpl
ainwhyt
hemot
herofmy
chi
ldr
en'sfacelooksl
i
kethat.
..

Theyal
ltur
nthei
rey
est
oMaSi
wel
a..
.

MaSi
wel
a-si
vel
esaz
iphuny
ukel
aisandl
a..
..
.

Asseriousasthesi
tuat
ionwasbutMthokoand
Zenandecouldn'
thol
dtheirl
aught
erast
heyburst
outl
aughing.
..
..
Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ng.
..
..

Nel
l
yfi
nall
yputsbothherbabi
estosl
eep.Shewal
ks
t
otheLoungeareaandjoi
nsever
yonether
e..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
star
esatNel
l
y)y
oul
ookr
eal
l
ybad.
..

Sbani
shoot
sheral
ook,
shesi
ghs.
..

MaSi
wel
a-Iwasact
ual
l
ysay
ingbadasi
nexhaust
ed.
Mthoko-(l
aughs,
shakeshi
shead)whatt
imey
ou
guysleav
ingtomorr
ow?
Sbani
-uhmm probabl
yaroundmi
dday
.Butweneed
togetreadyi
nthemorni
ngsowecanpack.(
Looks
atNell
y)canIspeakt
oyou?
MaSiwel
a-well
itl
atesowewi
l
lleav
eyouguy
s.
Goodni
ght.
..
Theyal
lsaygoodni
ghtandheadt
othei
rrooms.
..

Sbani-Ineedt
odriv
ehome,
youwi
l
lcal
lmewhen
youreadytomorr
ow.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)y
ou'
rel
eav
ing?Why
?
Sbani
-youhav etwoki
dsinyourbed,weall
can'
tfi
t
andNell
ythisisyourmother
'shouse,
Ican'
tmakeit
ahabi
tsleepingherei
tnotri
ght.
..

I
tgoessi
l
ent
..
.

Nel
l
y-ar
eyou.
..ar
eyougoi
ngt
oher
?

Hel
ooksatherconf
used,
thanitregi
ster
swhoi
s
"
her
"hebrusheshi
sfacef
rust
ratedly
..
.

Sbani
-whyt
hef
uckwoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
?
Nel
l
y -(
pissed)Idon'
tknow,
whyel
sewoul
dyou
l
eavethi
sl at
e?Youleavi
ngmewit
htwoKi
ds?
Sbani
-Iam not.
..
.(si
ghs)l
ookI'
m goingstr
aightt
o
myplace,al
othashappenedtoday,
It hi
nkweboth
needtorest
.
Nel
ly-(
pissed)
(fol
dsherar
ms)wellIdon'
tgiv
ea
f
lyi
ngfuckwhathappenedtoday
,younotleavi
ng.
..

Shewasabouttost
andupandleavewhenheheld
herwri
st,
shefl
i
nchedi
npain,
heletgoandsather
onhisl
ap..
.

Sbani-(
clenchedhi steeth)don'
tyouever,Imean
evertal
ktomel i
ket hat.I
'm get
ti
ngti
redofy our
att
it
ude.Nowl isten,Iam notgoingtoher,youcan
havemyphonef ort hewholenighti
fthatwillmake
yousleepbetter.Ort r
ackmycarwhi cheveryouwant.

Shestar
edathi
m, shet
ookadeepbr
eathand
di
rect
lyl
ookedathisey
eswi
thhert
eethcl
enched
t
oo.
..

Nell
y-(cl
enchedherteeth)Iam gett
ingt
iredofyou
notheari
ngme, Isai
dy ou'r
enotgoingany wher
e.
NowIam goi ngtotakeaqui ckshoweryoubetter
fol
l
owmei fyouwanttoj oi
nme. .
.

Shecli
ckshertongueandwalksupthest
air
s.He
si
tsther
eandsi ghs.Af
teraf
ewmi nut
eshewalks
upthestai
rs.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
00]Mar
cia:
Inser
t82

5:
08am.
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE
Oneofthebabi esst artfi
dgeti
ng,andmakessmal l
babynoises,Sbani looksdownf rom thebedand
watchesashi ssont r
iestostret
chhimsel f
.Asifhe
sensesthathisfatheri sawakewat chinghim,they
star
eateachot her ,hestartst
of rown,Sbanismi l
es,
seei
ngthathisf atherisnotcomi ngtot akehi
m, he
star
ttocry.Sbani looksatNellywhoi sdeadasl eep
onhischest,hei snotsupr i
sed,theli
ttl
edudekept
wakingup,theyhar dlysleptbecauseofhi m..
.

Sbani-(
whispers)
(smil
es)heyMji
tawhycan'
tyoube
wellbehav
edl i
keyoursist
er.
..

Hesettlesdownal it
tl
e,Sbanisi
ghsinrel
iefand
shif
tsal i
ttl
einbedmaki ngNell
ywakeup.Whenshe
noti
cest hatshe'
slayi
ngonhischest,sheclicksher
tongueandt ri
estomov e,hesmilesandholdsher
back..
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)sl
wel
ani
vel
e?(
Whyar
ewef
ight
ing?
)
Nel
l
y-(
hidesinhi
schest
)(sl
eepyv
oice)shutupand
l
etmesleep.
..
Sbani
-(ki
ssesherf
orehead)y
oursoni
sawake.
..
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)
Noooooo.
..
.
Sbani
-(smi
les)wakeupsoIcanhelpyoubathhim
whil
ehissi
steri
ssti
ll
asl
eep.Ihavetogotoo,Ineed
togopackandprepar
eforourdepar
ture.

Hewakesupf rom t
hebedandwear shisj
eans,
pi
ckshi
ssonf rom t
hefloor,
looksatbabyNkanyezi
whoispeacefull
ysl
eepi
ng.Hest aresathi
sdaughter
,
Nel
lywatcheshimfrom thebed..
.

Nel
l
y-whyy
oust
ari
ngatherl
i
ket
hat
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)I'
m checki
ngifshe'
sstil
lbreat
hing,
is
i
tnormalforanewbor nbabytosleepsoundly
wit
houtwakingupinthemiddleofthenight?

Shemov
esf
rom t
hebedandwal
kst
owher
ehei
s
st
andi
ngwithhisson.Shesquar
tsandsof
tl
y
br
ushesherdaught
erscheeks.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)It
hinkt
hisonei
sjustnat
ural
l
ycal
m.
Sbani
-(concer
ned)herqui
etnesswor
ri
esme.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)notal
lyourbabi
eswi
l
lbedi
vas
Sbani
-(l
aughs)hey
!!
!Myki
dsar
enotdi
vas.
.
Nell
y-(r
aiseshereyebr
ow)Noma?Andt
hisone
(poi
ntsatNtsika)l
i
kesatt
ent
iont
oomuch,he'
sa
dragqueen..

Hepl ay
ful
lyki
cksheronthebut
tcheek,shel
aughs
fal
l
ingont hef
loornextt
oherdaught
er,whokicks
herlegsandfr
ownsonhersleepbecauseofthe
noi
seshe'sheari
ng..
..

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Nell
yisseat
edonthecouchbreastf
eedingherson,
Sbanicomesdownandsitsnexttoherputt
inghis
sneaker
son..
.

Nel
l
y-i
sNkany
ezi
sti
l
lsl
eepi
ng?
Sbani-y
eah,Iev
enmovedhertot
hebedbutshest
il
l
di
dn'twakeup.She'
sal
azyone.
Nel
l
y-whent
hisonesl
eeps,
Iam waki
ngherup.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Ican'
tbel
i
evewel etourki
dssl
eep
onthefl
oorwhil
eweusedt hebed.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)woul
dyour
atherbet
heonet
hatsl
ept
ont
hefloor
?
Sbani-(
thought
ful
)uhmmm nope,butweneedt
o
buythem cots,
theti
l
efl
oori
scold.
Nel
ly-yeah,
theycameear
lywehadn'
tev
enpr
epar
ed
nur
seryroom.We'resobl
ack.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)speakforyour
self,
Ihadst
art
ed
worki
ngontheirroom atmyplace.
Nel
l
y-(
supr
ised)r
eal
l
y?(
Smi
l
es)y
oudi
dn'
ttel
lme?
Sbani-(smil
es)i
twasmeanttobeasupri
se.Ihad
preparedforonebaby
,nowIhavet
opreparefor
Nkany ezi
.

She'
sactual
l
ysupri
sedbythis,
shesmi
l
esl
ooki
ngat
hi
m,helooksatherback.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)what
?
Nel
l
y-(
blushes)not
hing.
..
Sbani-(
looksather
)(smil
es)areyoubl
ushi
ngory
ou
st
il
lredfrom l
amabhej i
ayizol
o?
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)
(pl
ayf
ull
yhi
tshi
m)mxm,
awungi
yeka.

Hesmi l
esandbr usheshercheeks,heexaminesher
face,she'sst
ill
pinkbutheisn'
tsurewhetherit
becauseshej ustwokeuport heresultof
yesterday'
sslaps.Thehandpr i
ntsarenolonger
there.
.
Nel
l
y-(
wor
ri
ed)howdoIl
ook?
Sbani-(grunts)t
hehandpr
int
saregone,buty
oust
il
l
pink.Ireall
ywantedtomur
deryourmother
yesterday.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)atl
eastthehandpri
ntsaregone.Iwas
morewor ri
edaboutthem bei
ngvisi
ble.Befastokay,
Ineedtogobymypl aceandpackmyst aff
,Idon't
l
iketheclothesIhav
ehere.
Sbani-okay,ohbabeyouneedt
opackski
rtsor
dresses,pantsar
enotall
owedatt
heZulu
homest ead.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)doIhav
etowearadoek?
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Idon'
tknowbabe,
butdocar
ryone
ortwo.
Nel
l
y-okay
..
.

Hewatchesherasshebreastf
eedsthei
rson.Thi
s
morni
nghasbeenbeauti
fulforhi
m, hewasablet
o
makeherlaughandsmil
e,somethingwhichhe
hasn'
tdoneinweeks.
.
Sbani
-Nel
l
y?
Nel
l
y-hmmm
Sbani
-ar
eweokay
?Imean.
..
Nel
l
y -(
sighs)Idon'
tknow.
..
(holdshishand)It
hink
we'
reokaybutIam notokayrightnow.
Sbani
-sowhatdoy
oumean?
Nell
y-letj
ustgetthr
oughthi
sweekendandwewi
l
l
takeitfr
om ther
e.Ipromi
sewewillhav
ea
conversati
onthen.
Sbani-(
babykissesher)(
ster
nvoi
ce)nomatterwhat
younotleavi
ngme. .
.(l
ooksdeepi
ntoherey
es)
l
eavingisnotanoptionbabe.

Hewal ksoutthehouse.MaSiwelawait
stil
lshe
hearshiscardri
vesoutthanshecomesandsi t
s
nexttoNell
y.Shelooksatherbruisedwri
st.
.

MaSi
wel
a-whathappenedt
oyourwr
ist
?
Nel
l
y-Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
tmom.
MaSi
wel
a-Di
d..
.di
dhedot
hist
oyou?
Nel
ly-(
rai
sesherbrow)who?..
..Noooo!!
!Hewoul
d
nev
erhurtme,wellnotphy
sicall
y.Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou
wouldevent
hinkthat.
MaSiwela-Iwasnotsayinghedi
dbutIam just
aski
ng,pleasesbabyyouwouldtel
lmeifhedid
somethi
ngl i
kethi
s?Right?(
Looksatherdaught
er)
Nell
y-(av
oidseyecontact)yesofcourseIwould,
youknowmemom. .
.(t
akesadeepbr eath)butSbani
wouldneverlayahandonme.( HandsherNtsi
ka)
canyouwat chhi
mf orme, Ineedtowakehissister
up.
MaSiwela-(takeshi
m andbur pshi
m)Nel l
yyouneed
topayattentiontot
hingsthatamansay s,usual
l
y
ther
earehi ddenmessagesi never
ythi
ngtheysay.
Especi
all
ywhatSbani sai
dbeforehelef
t.
Nell
y-(HandsherNt sika'
sblanket)mom listeni
ngto
peoplesconversat
ionsi swrong.What ev
eritisyou
thi
nki
ngpl easegetridofit.Iknowy oudon'tli
ke
Sbani t
hatmuch, y
out hinki
ngt hathe'
ssomeki ndof
abuserwon'
tmakey
out
ryandl
i
kehi
m.
MaSi
wel
a-whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mehewasbi
pol
ar?

Shest
opswhat
'
sshe'
sdoi
ngandl
ooksather
..
.

Nel
l
y-whot
oldy
out
hat
?
MaSiwel
a-i
tdoesn'
tmatter
,whydi
dn'
tyoutel
lme?
Youknowpeoplel
ikehi
m canbedanger
ous,I
..
.
Nelly-(annoy ed)"peoplel
ikehi m"reall
ymama?Why
yousay i
ngi tli
ke,he'sdi
fferentfr
om otherhuman
beings.Idi dn'tt
ellyoubecausei twasnoty our
business, andwe' renotev ensureifheisbipolarhe
wasn' tdiagnosed.Fory ourinformationmama
everyonei sdanger ous,bi
pol arornotweallhav e
thatdar ksidewi t
hinus.I'
m goi ngtocheckon
Nkany ezi,pleaseIdon'twantt otalkaboutthis
again...

Shefrust
rat
edl
ywalksupstai
rs.MaSi
welal
ooksat
Ntsi
kawho'seyesarewonderi
ngaroundwi
tha
f
rownonhi
sface.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
redef
ini
tel
yGi
deonsson.
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)

All t
heZuluwi veshav ewokenup, somear ebusy
maki ngtheirhusbandsbr eakfast,othersare
cleaningthi
errondav els.Themenhav ewokenup
andhav etakent hecat tl
eout,(bayolusa).MrZulu's
fatherhad8son' s,MrZul uisthe6t hson.They ardis
fi
lledwithrondav el
sandhouses.Seni orwifeofthe
2ndsonandseni orwi feofthe4t hsonar estanding
togetherneartheJoJot ank,eachwai tingfort
heir
bucketofwat er..
.

Seni
orwif
e1-uyay
aziwenal
entombazane
emit
hisweuSbani
?(Doyouknowthegi
rlt
hatSbani
i
mpregnated?
)
Seni
orwi
fe2-angi
yazi
,uy
amazi
njeuNozi
weukut
hi
uyazi
fi
hlai
zi
ndabazakwakhe.(
idon'tknowher
,you
knowNoziwehidesherf
amilymatters)
S.wi
fe1-akuv
eezit
shelanaye,umbonil
eindl
ela
abegqokengayo?(
Shehashi ghstandar
ds,di
dy ou
seehowshewasdr essed)
S.wi
fe2-sekut
sheli
l
eukut
hikuzophekwani
?(Di
dshe
tel
lyouwhatwill
becooked)
S.wif
e1-cha,kodwabafikenazoi zi
ntozokupheka
i
zolo,ut
heumakot ikaSipho,bazosazisanamhlanj
e
ukuthii
zi
ntozizohambakanjani.(No,butthey
boughtevery
thingyest
erday,Sipho'
swi f
esaidshe
will
tel
lustoday,howthingswillgo)
S.wif
e2-uphi
yenauSbani,angi
zangengi
mubone,
ngibonaumakoti
wakhenenganekuphela.(Wherei
s
Sbani?Idi
dn'
tseehi
m, Isawhiswifeandchi
ld)

Zandil
eandNt
ombi
arest
andi
ngnearthecurt
ain
l
ookingatt
het
wowomanwhoarestandingnearthe
tank.
..
Zah-bahlangenengezi
ndabanj
ekuphel
alaba
bobabi
li.
(Theytal
ki
ngaboutpeopl
e'
sbusinesses
thosetwo)
Ntombi-mxm, Idon'
thaveti
meforthoset
wo,t
hey
al
wayssticki
ngt hei
rnosesonot
herpeopl
e'
s
busi
ness.
Zah-Nxi
!!
!Akuv
ebengi
dina(
theyi
rr
it
ateme),
anywaysdoyouknowwhatt
imeisSbaniar
ri
vi
ng
today
?
Nt
ombi
-No,wedon'
ttal
kthatmuchany
mor
e,when
wedoi
tnor
mall
ybecauseofNoma.
Zah-(looksather
)youmisshi
m don'
tyou?Imeanit
understandabl
eyoutwohaveknowneachotherf
or
solong.
Nt
ombi-(
smiles)Iact
uall
ydomissbeingf
ri
ends
wi
thhim,
thosewer eeasyti
mes.Butweatagood
pl
ace.
Zah-(smil
es)t
hatbett
er,
youshouldt
hankt
heLor
d
Nell
ydidn'
tseethati
nboxmessage.
Nt
ombi
-hhey
iwena!
!!Iam st
il
luneasyaboutt
hat
thi
ng.Idon'tev
enknowwhyIsentt hatmessage.I
shoul
dpr obabl
yjustt
ell
him abouti
t.Iwasst
il
lbit
ter
andangrythatti
me.
Zah-hav
eyouseent
hebabi
es?
Nt
ombi
-(shakeshead)wena?
Zah-No,apparent
lysheandl
awy
ersandal
l
,nobody
wasall
owedt oseethem.
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)andIt
houghtIwast
hedr
amat
ic
one.

Theylaugh.NtombilooksatZandi
l
e,shecansee
thatsheisnotherusualsel
f.
..

Nt
ombi
-isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Zah-(
sighs)y
eah.
..(
Looksdown)
Ntombi
-youknowyoucantel
lme,butIwon'
tpush
whenyouready
,youknowwheret
of i
ndme.
Zah-(
smi
l
es)t
hanks,
butever
ythi
ngisokay.Uhmm
l
etmegogett
heseki
dsready,
doy ouwantmet o
getNomar
eadyt
oo?
Ntombi
-pl
easedo,Ineedt
ogohelpwit
h
umqombothi
,udi
ngwaukukhany
wa..

Zandil
enods,Ntombi walksoutt
hemainhouseand
walkstotherondavelwhereumqombothii
s,asshe'
s
walki
ng,shecanheart hewomeni nt
heyard
whisperi
ngandtalki
ngabouther,shesi
ghsand
keepsherheaddown. .
.

I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
.

Sbani
-(gl
ancesather
)ar
eyour
eady
?
Nel
ly-(
sighs)Idon'
tknow,
younev
err
eal
l
ytol
dme
whatyourfamilyi
sli
ke.
Sbani
-(smil
es)wellt
herei
sn'treal
l
yanythi
ngtot
ell
,
butwe'
reabigf ami
ly,
youdon'tneedtoknow
ever
yone,al
ltheimport
antpeopleyouknow.
Nel
l
y-Iwoul
dbet
hegi
rlt
hatbr
okey
ourmar
ri
age.
DoIr
eal
l
yhav
etobet
her
e?
Sbani-yeah,Idon'
tthi
nkyouwouldbecomf ortable
havi
ngsomeoneel sel
ookaft
eryourbabi
es, besides
you'
rebr east
feedi
ng.(
Hol
dsherhand)Igoty ou, I
won'tletanyonedoorsayanyt
hingaboutyou.
Nel
l
y-(
Hol
dshi
shandt
ight
er)Il
ovey
ou.
.
Sbani
-(supr
ised)
(ki
ssesherpal
m)Il
ovey
out
oo.
RememberIam y ou.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
reme.
.

Them-t
oget
herwear
eone.
..
.

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT

She'
sont
hephonewi
thSi
pho.
..

Thandeka-(annoy
ed)soyoutel
l
ingmethatherki
ds
aregoi
ngt obeintr
oducedt
otheancest
orsandthe
whol
eZul
ucl
an.
Sipho-yes,
Thandekawhatdoy
ouwant
?I'
m busy
here.
..
Thandeka-hawuy
in?
??I
sthathowwet
alknow?
Si
pho-(
sighs)ngi
busyl
aMat
handi
e..
.
Thandeka-canyousendmeyourlocat
ion,
Imight
j
ustsupri
sey ouweari
ngt
hatsexynumberyouli
ke.
.
Sipho-(
laughs)y
out
oonaught
y,Iwi
l
lsendi
tIhav
e
togonow.

Hehangsup,shetakesoutabi
gbag,
andst
art
s
packi
nghercl
othes.

Thandeka-(
Shouts)SJst
artpacki
ng,
itt
imey
ou
meetyourfather
'sf
amil
y.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
00]Mar
cia:
Inser
t83
ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)

I
nsi
der
ondav
el1

Nt
ombi
wasbusywi
thumqombot
hi.
.

Aunt1-(smil
es)you'r
egoodatthis, akuj
wayel
ekil
e
ukuthiomakotiabancanebakwazi ukwenza
utshwalabesi
zulu.(I
thardl
yyoufindy oungwives
whoknowhowt oprepar
etradi
ti
onal beer)
Ntombi -(
smil
es)mymot hert
aughtmehowtodoit
ngisemncane,Iusedtohatei
tbutnowIl
ookati
t
j
ustlikeanyotherhobby
.
Aunt1-youshoul
dteachSipho'
swi
feInoti
cedshe
al
way savoi
dsdoingIt
,inf
actangi
kazengi
mbone
ekwenza.
Nt
ombi-(
laughs)shecandoi
tbutIguessshej
ust
pr
efer
snotto.
Aunt
1-(laughs)yeah,konai
tnotreal
lyafunj
ob,i
t
toot
ir
ing.(Smiles)Isawyoudaughtery
ester
day
,ave
emuhle.
Ntombi-(
smi l
es)hahaha!!
!Ngi
yabongaant
i,
usekhul
il
e,shetalksalotmanj
e.Someti
mesIwi
sh
shewasst i
llatoddler
.
Aunt1-(l
aughs)oncetheyst
artt
alki
ng,
theynever
stop.Butyoudaughteri
stoomuchofherfather
,I
sawherst anduptoSipho'
sson.
Ntombi
-(si
ghs)Iusedtothi
nkthatwasagoodthi
ng
butnowIseethati
treal
lyi
sn'
t,
Ifearshewi
llt
urn
i
ntoabull
y.
Aunt1-(smiles)don'tfeelbad,youbothr ai
si
nga
str
onggi rlr
ighttherewithastrongwi l
l.Solongyou
makesur esheknowswhat 'swrongandwhat '
sri
ght
youwon' thaveapr oblem.Thewor l
dneedsmor e
str
onggi rl
swhowi l
l bestr
ongwomeni nfut
ure.
You'r
el uckyyourdaught eri
snat ur
all
ynotapush
over,somet i
mest eachinggrownwoment ostandup
fort
hemsel vespr ovestobeami ssi
ont hanthose
whoar ebor nhardheaded.
Ntombi
-(smi
les)Ineverl
ookedatitl
ikethat.
Ngiy
abongaanti
.(Looksather)whyarey ounicet
o
me?Imeanmostpeopl eherearegossipi
ngabout
me.
Aunt1-(smi
les)don'tmi
ndthegossi
ps,peoplewil
l
al
way stal
k.Uzobonawenasoonast hatgi
rlgets
her
e, t
heywouldbegossipi
ngaboutherandt hey
wouldbeony ourside.
Ntombi-(
looksdown)Idoubtt herewoul dbe
anyt
hingtogossi
pabouther ,she'sper f
ect .Muhle,
unomzimbaomuhl e,isi
khumbaesi sulekile,ay
ikho
nj
eintoashodangay o.(She'
sbeaut i
ful,nicebody ,
herski
nisflawl
ess,shedoesn'tlackany t
hing)
Aunt1-( shakeshead)noonei sper f
ectmychil
d,we
allareper fectinourowni mperfecti
ons.Nawe
umuhl e, neskhumbasakhosi hle,fut
hiaveugqoka
kahle.(
y ou'realsobeauti
ful
,yourskinisbeaut
iful
too,
andy ougotgr eatfashi
onsense)Yabonaukut hi
theset hingsy ousaidactual
lydon'tcount.
Ntombi-(sighs)y
eahkodwamuhl ekakhul
u
yena(she'stoobeaut
if
ul)
..
..(
sil
ent
).
..
Aunt1-(
pit
ful
)ist
hatwhyy
ougav
eupsoeasyon
yourmarri
age?
Ntombi -(
nods)itwasoneoft hereasons, butanti
thatwasnott hemainr eason.Yazi i
fy oucanseet he
wayambukangakhona, thewayhi sey esal ways
foll
owherev erymovementev enwhenshei sn't
watchi ng.Thewayhef ightsforher ,st
andsupf or
her.Ihav eneverseenhi ml ikethatwi thme.
Sbani sezwehasdoneal otf orme, hasst oodupf or
mei nt hepastbutitnott hesamewi thher .Hislove
forheri ssopower f
ul andy oucanseei ti
nhi sey es,
hecan' tevenhidesit.NowhowcanIcompet ewith
that?.AsmuchasIl ov ehi m,Icannothur tmy self
l
ikethat ,besi
desIhav eal sodonesobadt hings.I
knowhel ovesme. .
.
Aunt
1-buthej
ustl
oveshermor
e..
.
Ntombi-(nods).
..
..y
enashei
sn'tsuchabadperson
butIguesswecannev erbefr
iendsbecauseshehas
somethingthatIwant,
she'
sli
vingmylif
e.
Aunt
1-(
sighs)Icannotr
eall
ycommentmuch,
Iam
notmar
ri
ed,indodangayi
bonaear
lyukut
hi
akusiy
onai nt
oyami.(Ir
eal
i
sedear
lyt
hat
men/ r
elati
onshi
psarenotf
orme)soyoutwoar
e
real
lydivor
ced?
Ntombi -y
es, butI'
m stil
lhi
swifet
radit
ional
l
y,uyazi
ukuthiangikwazi ukubuyel
aekhaya(youknowIcan't
gobackhome)becausebycust om thisi
smyhome
andf amil
y.Soi feverIwanttogetmar ri
edagain,
myLobol awoul dbepai dkwaZulu,becauseIbelong
tothem.
Aunt1-(shakeshead)Isometi
mesthi
nktr
adi
tion
wasf ormedjusttooppressuswomen.Ev
ery
thing
fav
our sthemen.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)Ishar
ethesamesent
iment
..
.

Theyl
aughandcar
ri
edonwi
th"
ukukhamaut
shwal
a"

NomaandOwet
huwal
koutt
hebat
hroom wi
th

t
hei
rwhi
tetowel
swrappedaroundt
heirbodi
es,
Nomasi
tsonthedr
esserchai
randcrossherl
egs.
Owethudropshertowelandopensherbagt
aki
ng
outherVasel
ineandlot
ion.
..

Owet
hu-(l
ooksatNoma)whyar
eyouj
ustsi
tt
ing?
Whoisgoi
ngtolot
iony
ou?
Noma-mybagi
sinmymom'
sroom.

OwethuopensherVaseli
neandstar
tstoappl
yiton
herbody
.Nomast ar
esatherfatbody,
theext
ra
meatonherstomach..
.

Noma-(
cur
ious)whyi
syourst
omachf
olded?
Owethu-(
ignor
esher
)Nomaj
ustgoandgety
our
bag.
Noma-lookhowbigyourst
omachis,i
tthi
sbig
(
widenherarms)
(l
aughs)youshoul
dn'
teatanymor
e
wethu
Owet
hu-(
frowns)I
'
m goi
ngt
otel
lmymommy
.
Noma-(
laughs)butIdi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngwr
ong,
your
stomachi
sbi
g,l
ooki
nthemi
rr
or.(
Giggl
es)y
oul
ook
l
iketheOr
osman
Owet
hu-y
ougotbi
gey
es,
li
kemar
bles.
.
Noma-(fol
dsherar
ms)y
ou'
rebi
gli
kebi
gmama
(
laughs)
Owethu-(
angr
y)you'r
euglythatwhyy
ourdadl
eft
youandhadotherbabies.
.

Nomaf r
ustr
atedl
ygetsdownthechai
randgoesto
pushOwethu,Zandi
l
ecanhearthem f
ight
ingf
rom
thebat
hroom,shequickl
ygoest
owher et
heyare.
..

Zandi
l
e-(
shout
ing)y
eyi
nina,
NENZANI
!!
!!

ATBEVERLEYHI
LLSHOTEL

Hi
sphonev
ibr
ates,
hel
ooksati
tfi
rstt
hananswer
s..
.
Bl
ess-(
bol
dvoi
ce)speakt
ome.
Man-bossyousai
dtocal
lwhenwenot
iceany
thi
ng
al
arming.
Bl
ess-y
eah,
yini
?
Man-t
hewomanpackedherbagandl
eft
,we'
re
f
oll
owi
ngheraswespeak.
Bl
ess-(
sit
sup)wher
eisshehanded?
Man-we'
renotsur
ebossbutl
ookl
i
keshe'
sheaded
t
otheout
skir
tsofumbumbulu.
Bless-(
thi
nki
ng).
..
.stopherandtakehert
othe
remotelocat
ionIwil
lmeetyouthere.
Man-uhmm she'
snott
rav
eli
ngal
onesi
r.
.
Bl
ess-wel
lwhoi
sshewi
th?
Man-aboy,wehaveseenherwi
tht
heboybef
ore,
wethi
nkitherson.
Bl
ess-(
standsandbrusheshi
sface)YOUTELLI
NG
MENOW! !!
!!
!!gett
hem bot
h.
HehangsupanddialsSbani'
snumber,buthe
cancelsi
twhenheisremindedt
hathemi ghtst
il
lbe
i
nt hecarwi
thNel
ly
.Het akeshi
scarkeysandwal ks
out..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)

Sbani '
sJeepst opsatt hegat e,
theywai tast hegat e
boyopenst hegat e.Nel l
ylooksar ound, t
heyar e
definit
elyintherur alareas,butitnotthatbad
l
ooki ng.Hecanhearherhear tbeati
ngr apidl
y ,he
holdsherhandashedr i
vesinsidethey ard.They ard
i
sbuzzi ngwi thpeopl e,womenar ewal kingar ound
withapr ons,atthef arendofherr i
ghtcor nershe
canseest eam comi ngoutoft hebigbl ackpot s.She
hasn'tseenonef ami l
iarfaceasy et.Thecarst opsat
adoubl est or
yhouse, wellittheonlydoubl est ory
here,alltheotherhousesar eeit
her2r ooms, 4
roomsandal otofr ondav els.Sbaniturnsandl ookat
her..
.
Sbani
-(hol
dsherhand)ar
eyour
eady
?
Nel
l
y-(
hol
dshi
shandt
ight
er)Ij
ustneedami
nut
e.
Sbani-(
smil
es)takeasmuchti
measyouneed.Iam
hereandIam notgoingany
where.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iknow.
.

Hest aresintoherey es,shest aresback, hebr ings

herf acecl osertohi s,boththei rnoset ouch,
breat hi
ngt hesameai r,
theyst aylikethatforaf ew
seconds, unti
lshebr eakshermout htohisand
claimshi m.Theki ssi sslowandpassi onat e,itan
unspokenconv ersationbet weent het wooft hem.
Shecanf eelherselfcalm downal i
ttl
e,herbody
relaxes, shestopst heki ssandpul lsback,hesul ks
maki nghersmi le,shebabyki sseshi mt helastt ime
andsi t
sbackonherseat .Takesonel astbr eathand
unf astenherseat bel t.

Nel
l
y-Iguessi
tti
met
ofacet
hemusi
c.
Sbani
-hey
,lookatme.
..
Shel
ooksathi
m..
.

Sbani
-Ngi
yakut
handay
ezwa.
..
.

Shesmi l
esandlooksatherbabiesattheback,
they
soquietl
ookingatthei
rpar
ents.Nell
ylaughs
shaki
ngherhead..
.

Nel
l
y-It
hinkIgav
ebi
rt
htocr
eepyki
ds.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Iam supr
isedourst
arboyher
ekept
tohi
mself.

Theylaugh,Sbanigetsoutthecar,hesmi l
esand
nodsattheelderwomenseat ednearhi sfather
's
house.Ntombi walksoutfr
om oneoft herondav el
s,
whil
eNomar unsoutthehouset oherfather.Sbani
pi
cksherup, ti
ckl
ingandkissingherasshegi ggles.
..
.
Noma-(
giggl
i
ng)whatdi
dyoubuyf
ormedaddy
?
Sbani
-(smil
es)al
lyourf
avour
it
esbuty
ouwi
l
lshar
e
wit
halltheot
herki
ds.
Noma-(
smi
l
es)okay
..
..wherear
ethebabi
es?
Mommysai
dyoubri
ngingthem.
.

Heput sherdownont hegr oundandwhi sperst

hat
herbrotherandsi sterarei nsidethecar.She
exci
tedlyrunst owardst hedr iversseatandgetsin.
Ntombi smi l
esandwal kst owar dsSbani,meanwhil
e
almostev eryoneinsidet hey ard,ot
herspeepingout
thei
rcurtainsarelookingatt hem.Theyshar eahug,
hekissesherf orehead, thant heypullapartf
rom
eachother ,t
heylookar ound, thei
raudience
pret
endsnott obelooki ngatt hem..
.

Sbani
-wegotoursel
fanaudi
ence.
.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)y
eah.
..
.howar
eyou?
Sbani
-I'm okay
,andwena?Icoul
dhav
ecameear
li
er
Iknowitmustbehardforyou.
Ntombi-(
sighs)Iunder
stand,
besideIam abi
ggi
rl,
ShakaandZandilehavebeenlookingoutf
orme.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)I
'
m gl
ad.
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Ntombi-uhmm, Ihav
eprepar
edourmai
nroom f
or
Nell
yandt heki
ds.MeandNomawi l
lmovetot
he
guestr
oom.
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)No,thaty
ourr
oom,
Nel
l
y
wil
lbefinewit
htheguest
room.
Ntombi-
(supri
sed)(
smi
l
es)
oh.
.okay
.Wel
ll
etmeget
i
treadyforher.
.

Henods, Ntombi looksatNel

lyvi
athewindscreen
andsmileswav i
ngherhandather.Nell
ysmi l
es
l
ight
lyandwav esbackather.Shewalksinsi
dethe
houseast herestoft hef
amil
ycomesout ..
..
MrZul
u-(
brohugshi
m)Son.
..
Sbani
-ni
yaphi
l
aMageba?
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
es)konkekuhambakahl
e,howwas
t
hedri
ve?
Sbani
-(smi
les)notbadbaba,
wheny
oudr
iveaJeep
awuzwalut
ho.
MrZul
u-(
laughs)umshi
ningempel
alemot
oyakho.
.

Theyl
augh,MrsZulur
oll
sherey
esasshemov
es
andhugsherson.
..

MrsZul
u-Iam gl
ady
ouher
e,It
houghwewoul
dsee
yout
omorrow.
Sbani
-thatwastheplanbutyouknowroadsar
e
busyonFriday
s.PlusIneededNel
lyt
oget
comfor
tablefi
rst
.
MrsZul
u-(
rol
l
sey
es)sel
ehl
il
einconsi
?Phel
ami
naI
wantt
oseemygr
andchi
l
dren.
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
es)shel
ooksokayt
omemuchbet
ter
..
.
Theyallt
urnandlookatherviathewindscreenas
shelaughswithNoma, t
heycan'tseethatt
heyare
bei
ngwat chedbecausethei
rfocusisattheback
wit
ht hetwi
ns..
.

MrsZulu-doy
outhi
nkoursuper
starwi
l
lbeokay
nowthatshei
snolongert
heonl
ybaby?
MrZul u-(
smi
les)It
hinksheissupri
singusall
,I
thoughtwewouldbedealingwithherout
burstbut
sofarsheseemsmor eexcited.
Sbani
-(smi
les)weshouldthankNtombi,
whateveri
t
i
sthatshesaidtoheri
swor ki
ngonourfavour
.Well
l
etmegetthem sett
ledthanIhavetomeetwith
babo'
mkhuluNganonoathisrondavel
.
MrZulu-gethersett
ledsonthanyourmotherandI
wil
lseeherwhenshei ssett
led.WozaNoziwe,l
et
notsuf
focateher.
MrsZulu-(
sulks)y
oubet
terbef
astIwantt
oseemy
gr
andchil
dren.
.
Theyal
ll
augh.
..
.

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON.
..

SJ-whydi
dthosemant
akeus?
Thandeka-uhmm t
heyareworki
ngwitht
hepol
i
ce
baby,uhmm oncei
tsaf
e,theywi
lll
etusgo.
SJ-(
frowns)wel
lIam bor
ed.
..

BeforeThandekacouldr
espondthedooropens,
Blesswalksin,
hiseyesl
andonSJ, heswal
lowsand
l
ooksatThandekawhol ooksbackathim
fr
ustrat
ed..
.

Thandeka-(
pissed)YOU!
!!
!!
Bl
ess-(
looksatSJ)uhmm boygodownstai
rs,
ther
e
ar
esnacksandv i
deogamessetupfory
ou.
SJ-(
exci
ted)cool
..
..

Hewalksoutthebedr
oom.Bl essclosest
hedoor
andl
ocksitl
ookingatThandeka..
.

Bl
ess-(
bol
dvoi
ce)WHATTHEFUCKI
NGAREYOU
PLAYI
NGAT?..
..
Thandeka-(
annoy
ed)whyam Iher
e?
Bl
ess-(
str
aightf
ace)Iwi
l
lasky
ouagai
n,WHATTHE
FUCKAREPLAYI NGAT??
Thandeka-(
fol
dsherar
ms)Idon'
tanswert
oyou.
..
..
Bl
ess-(
laughs)
okay
...Iguessyourst
ayher
ewoul
d
bel
ongerthanIant
icipat
ed..
.

Hewasaboutt ot ur
nar oundwhenshestoodupand
pushedhim.Hegav eheradeat hst
are,she
swallowedscaredbutbecauseshewassopi ssed
shethoughtitwaswi seideat
oslaphim.He
grabbedherbyt heneck,shov
edheragainstt
hewall
andgav
eheral
ookt
hatsentchi
l
lsdownherspi
ne.
..

Bless-(
squeezi
ngherneck)DONOT, EVERPUT
YOURFI LTHYHANDSONME. ..
.Iwilcr
usht
hisneck,
andmakey ouswall
owy ourbones.
..
Thandeka-(
choki
ng)
..
.I'
m..
..
.so.
..
.r
r.
..
yy

Heroughl
ythr
ewheronthehar
dfl
oorandwal
ked
outl
eavi
nghershaki
ng.
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS

Seeeachot
herMonday
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t84

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON

Bl
essf
rust
rat
edl
ybr
usheshi
sfaceagai
n.Hewal
ks
t
otheLoungear
eawer
eSJi
s..
..

Bless-(
fakessmi
l
es)boyboy
,ar
eyouenj
oyi
ngt
he
games?
SJ-(
smil
es)y
esss!
!!Ihav
ebeenwant
ingt
hem f
orso
l
ong..
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)y
oucankeept
hem.
SJ-(
stopspl
ayi
ng)Ar
eyouser
ious?

Blessnodsathi
m, heexci
tedl
ythrowshi
msel
fat
him,Blessi
sshockedforaminutebutev
ent
ual
ly
rel
axesandsmileshuggi
ngher..
.

SJ-(
pul
l
sback)
(l
ooksdown)Iam sor
ryi
tjust
..
.
Bl
ess-(
brusheshi
shai
r)i
tokayl
i
l'
man(
smi
l
es)
SJ-(
smi
l
es)Thanky
ou.
..
.uhmm.
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)j
ustcal
lmeuncl
eB.
.
SJ-(
smi
l
es)okay
..
.thanky
ouuncl
eB.
..
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)howol
dar
eyou?
SJ-I
'
m am 8y
ear
sol
d..
.

Blessswal
l
owsandnods, hel
eaveshimther
eto
carryonwi
thhisgames.Hewalkstohi
soffi
ceand
dial
sSbani
..
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Sbani
-Baf
o..
Bl
ess-(
angr
y)DON'
TFUCKI
NGBAFOME!!!
!I
THOUGHTYOUSAIDYOUNEVERCHEATEDON
NTOMBIBEFORE.
Sbani
-(conf
used)whatt
hef
uck?Whatar
eyouon
about
?
Bl
ess-(
li
vi
d)Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his,(
Hefr
ust
rat
edl
y
ki
ckshi
schair
)DOYOUREALI SEWHATYOUHAVE
DONE?
Sbani
-(t
akesadeepbr
eat
h)manwhatar
etal
ki
ng
about
?Of
cour
seInev
ercheat
edonNt
ombi
bef
ore.
..
.
Bl
ess-YOUFUCKINGLYI
NGTOMEMAN, I
THOUGHTWEDI DN'
TKEEPSECRETSFROM EACH
OTHER..
.
Sbani
-(annoyed)IDON'TKNOW WHATTHEFUCKI S
GOINGONWI THYOUBUTLI KEISAI DINEVER
CHEATEDONNTOMBIBEFORE. .
..
.(
sighs)i
sthis
aboutmedatingy oursi
ster?Iknowpar tofyouain'
t
okaywithi
t,l
ookmanIl ov eNell
yandi fyouworri
ed
aboutmecheat i
ngonher e,don'
tIwoul dneverdo
thatt
oher.

Hecoul dheart
hehonestyinhi swords,heknew
Sbani woul
dneverli
etohiml ikethatbuthowdoy ou
explaint
henotsit
ti
ngi nt
hel oungearea?Although
hetakeshismother'sdar
kcompl exion,heisa
spit
tingimageofhisbestfr
iend..
...

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
TheZul
u'
shomest
ead)
Hisphonebeepsi ndicat
ingthatt hecallj
ustended.
Hetakesaf ewsecondsj ustthinkingaboutthe
phonecal
l hejusthad.Blesssur ehellsoundedli
vid.
Hetakesadeepbr eathandent ersNganono'shut,he
fi
ndshim standi
ngl ooki
ngout sidehiswindow.
Almostasifhewasexpect i
nghi m. .
.

Sbani
-(bowsdown)Magebaomkhul
u..
Nganono-(
tur
nsandlooksathim)t
akeawalkwit
h
me,askoneoftheboysoutsi
detogi
veyouast
ick,
youwil
lcat
chupwithme...

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Sbanicat
chesupwi thNganono, hefi
ndshim
st
andingbythefiel
ds,hewal ksandstandsnextt
o
hi
m, Nganonowasnotamanofmanywor ds,but
whenhespoke, y
oul i
stened.Every
thi
ngabouthim
waspower f
ul.
.
Nganono-howar
eyouSbani
sezwe?

Heasksnotlooki
ngathi
m,Sbanil
ooksathi
m, i
t
al
mostasifheisn'
ther
e,hi
sbodyi
sherebutitasi
f
hi
ssouli
sn'
t..
.

Sbani-(
clear
sthr
oat
)uhmm Iam okayMageba,
how
areyou?
Nganono-(
looksathi
m andsmil
es)sengi
yi
khehl
a
minamanjendodana(Iam anol
dmannowson)

Hesay sthatandcar ri
esonwal king,Sbani foll
ows
him.Theywal ktogetheri nsi l
ence, everynowand
thentheywoul dstop,ev eryt i
met heyst oppedhe
showedhi ml andmar ks, hewoul dnarrateancient
hist
orytohim.Sbani f
oundNganono' sknowl edgeto
beoutoft hi
swor l
d, somet hing'sjustsoundedt o
goodt obetrue,butisn'tliket hatwithev er
yanci ent
hist
orystory.Almostashecoul dreadhi sthoughts
hisnextwordswer e" youy oungpeopl eonlywantt o
believet hi
ngsthatarewr it
tenint extbooks,
forgettingthatt
hosev erysamet ext booksar e
writtenby" MAN" ,whereisthetruthi nthat?"
.Sbani
goest ot el
lhim aboutscience,het ell
shim how
scientistprovetheori
esandt hoset heor i
esarethan
compl iedinformsoft extbooks,informat i
onfrom
textbooksar eprovenfacts.Nganonosmi l
esand
l
ooksathi m...

Nganono-Sci encey ousay ..

..isn'tthissci encey ou
tal
kaboutbasedondi scov er i
es?Wher edoy out hi
nk
thosedecov eriesaremade?Ai n'tt
heyf oundonl and?
Ain'
tthosesampl esusedt ot estandmaket hese
newmedi cinef oundonl and.Whodoy out hink
foundt hosef irst
?Don'tbebl i
ndedbyt her ev oluti
on
ofthewor ld.Wear estillwal kingont hesamest eps
thatthef oref athersoft hiswor l
ddi d.Wedoi ng
exactlywhatt heydid,thesci ent ist
'sy out al kabout ,
theywor kbasedonwhati spr esent edt ot hem by
earth.Thosewhower eher ebef oreusmadet hose
decov eries,becauset imedi dnotal lowt hem t o
furt
herl ooki nt othei
rdi scov eries,theyl efti tf orthe
nextgener ati
ontol ookintoIt
,justl
ikewe'r
eher e
today.Thecy cleisrepeated,whydoy out
hinkwi th
everydecade, we'reint
roducedt onewmet hods,
becauseasanewgener ati
onisborn, weevol
v e.The
textbooksy outalkaboutandbel iev
esomuchi nto
arenot hi
ngbutmoder ndaywayt opassandi nfli
ct
knowl edge.(Looksathim)ev erhear dofr
ock
painti
ng?

Sbani
looksathi
m andsmi
l
es,
Nganononods.
..

Sbani
-asthewor
ldev
olv
ed,
wewer
eint
roducedt
o
paperandi
nk.
Nganono-Exact
ly!
!!
!.
..
.(Looksatt
hesky
)letmov
eor
wewillmissi
t,t
hesuni sgett
ingr
eadyt
oset.

Heturnsandwalks,Sbanifol
lowshi
m, henow
underst
andwhyv i
ll
agepeoplewalkwit
hsticks,t
hey
hel
pkeept hebal
ance,theyworkasthethi
rdleg.I
f
hedidn'
thaveitwi
thhim, hi
slegswoul
dbewei ghing
onhi
m now.
..
.

Nganono-i
fItol
dyouear l
ierthati
ta" hi
ckingsti
ck"
youwouldhaveunderst
oodi tpurpose.Yout hi
nk
t
hissci
enceandtechnologyisopeningy oureyes,
well
Isayitbl
i
ndingyout othetruth.
..
.

Sbani laughsandshaki nghi shead, hewasamazed

byhowNganonoknewal labouthi sthought s.They
carriedonwal king,unti
ltheyreachedt hetopoft he
hil
l,standingt heretheycoul dseeev ery t
hingcl earl
y.
Hewat chedcl oselyandadmi redthebeaut yoft his
place.Hewat chedast hesunwasgoi ngdown, but
j
ustabov eithenot icedar ainbow, buthowcome?
Het houghtar ainbowsonl yappearwheni trained.
Hehasnev erseeni tsobr ight
, i
nfacthehasnev er
seeni twhent hesunwasaboutt oset ,everything
seemedf oreign.Itli
kehewaswi tnessingt he
i
mpossi bl
er i
ghtbef or
ehi seyes.Hel ookedat
Nganonowhol ookedbackathi m wi t
hasmi leand
thansai d..
.
Nganono-"
Thi
ngo"
..
..Thi
ngol
enkosazana

Backatt
hehomest
ead.
..
..

Nellywasl ayedont hebedwi t

hbabyNkany ezi who
l
ookedal i
veandhappyf orwhat ev erreasonknown
toheronl y.I
tsurprisinghowt heat t
ent i
onseeker
(Ntsika)wasf astasl eepandt heev ersoqui et
Nkany eziwasoutt opl ay.Shewat chedhappyasher
daught ersmiledandpl ayedwi t
hherhands, she
kickedandmadebabynoi ses.Shet ookherphone
andt ookav ideo,Sbani won'tbel ievet his,she
thoughtt oherself
.Sheknewhowi twor r i
edhi mt hat
Nkany eziwasaqui etbaby ,heev ensuggest edt hat
theyt akehert othehospi tal.Par tofherwasal so
wor r
iedbutshedi dn' twantt oshowi t
.Shef ear ed
herdaught erbeingdeafmor ethanany t
hing, she
smi l
edl ooki
ngatNkany eziwhosmi l
edback
showi ngherdi mples. .
.
Nell
y-(smil
es)heywhydoy
ouhav
edi
mpl
esandI
don'
t.
..(shepouts)

Herpout ingcausesNkany ezitoki

ckexci t
edl yand
smile,Thedoorwassl i
ghtl
yopened, Ntombi
watchedasNel lyplay edwi t
hherdaught er,the
happybabysoundsNkany ezimade, pi
ercedt hrough
herheart, shecouldf eelthetearsbli
ndingup.She
calmedher sel
fdownandt ookadeepbr eath,she
walkedinsi detheroom car r
yingatraywi t
hf ood.
Distur
bedbyt heintruder ,
Nellytur
nedandl ookedat
Ntombi ,asshest oodadi stanceawayf rom wher e
thebedi s...

Ntombi-uhmmm,
Iboughty
ouf
ood.Youmust
hungr
y..
.
Nel
l
y-uhmm t
hanks.
..

Shewal
ksandtakest
hetrayawayfr
om herand
pl
acesi
tbythesi
deofherbed.Shewal
ksbackto
thebedandsmi l
esatherdaught er,shel
ooksback
Ntombi whoissti
ll
rootedwher eshewasl ooki
ngat
herdaughter
,Nell
yclearsherthroatuncomfort
abl
y
andlooksather.Ntombi br
eakst hestar
eandlooks
atNell
y..
.

Nel
l
y-i
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se?
Nt
ombi
-uhmmm no.
..
..

Nell
yrai
sesherbrowlooki
ngatherwitht
heface
t
hatstat
es"wellwhatthefuckdoy
ouwant ?"
Ntombi'
seyesmov etobabyNkanyezi
again.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
shout
s)NTOMBI
!!
!!

Shej
umpsandherey esmov et
oNel
l
ywhonowis
l
ooki
ngather,
shecanseehowuncomfor
tabl
eshe
i
swit
hherpresencehere.
..
Ntombi-uhmm Iam sor
ry,
itthat
..
.(si
ghs)canIhol
d
her?Umm noImeannothol dher,whatIam t
ryi
ng
tosayi
scanI..
.
Nel
l
y-No.
..
.
Nt
ombi
-oh.
..umm Iunder
stand.
.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)Isawy
our
Facebookinbox..

Nt
ombi
swal
l
owsl
ooki
ngathershocked.
..

Nelly
-thatwhatsentmet oearl
yLabour ,
lookIam
notangrywi thyou,Iunderst
andy ourf
rustr
ations
withme, butpleaseIdon'tknowthis!!
!Idon'tknow
thi
scalmy ou, t
hisniceNtombi,youmaki ngme
uneasy.Iratherwekeepci vi
lwit
heachot her,
respectmyspace, Iwillr
espectyours.
.
Ntombi
-yousl
eptwit
hmyhusband,
howi
sthat
r
espect
ingmyspace.
..
Shebl
untedt
hatoursof
ast
,shewasshocked
her
sel
f.
..
.

Nt
ombi
-Iam sor
ryt
hatnotwhatImeant.
..
Nell
y -(shakesherhead)seewhatImean?Thi s,y
ou
pretendingandsmi li
ngatmei sunreal
isti
c.I
under standyoudoingitwhentherearepeople
aroundbuty oudon'
thavetopretendwi t
hme, Iknow
youdon' tl
i
keme.Fr ankl
yIdon'
twantt obefri
ends
withy ouaswel l
..
.
Ntombi-(
start
ingt
ogetannoy
ed)Idi
dn'
tsayIwant
t
obey ourfri
end.
Nel
l
y-Good!
!!Iguessi
tsett
ledt
han.Pl
easecl
ose
t
hedooronyourwayout..
.

Nel
lyturnst oherdaughter,
Ntombi couldn'
tbel
ieve
howshei sact i
ngri
ghtnow, sheknewt heycan
neverbef r
iendsbutshewasj ustt
ryingt obeci
vil
wit
hher ,al
l t
hisbi
ckingaroundshei sti
redofit
.She
j
ustdidn'texpecthertoactli
keabitch..
.
Ntombi-(
cli
ckshert
ongue)somuchf
ort
ryi
ngt
obe
ci
vil
..
.

Shewalksout
,leavingthedoorwideopen.Shaka
wal
ksinsidet
her oom andclosesthedoor
..
.

Shaka-y
oudi
dn'
thav
etobel
i
ket
hat
,She'
str
ying
Nell
y.
Nel
l
y-(l
ooksupathim)heyShaka,
howar
eyou?
Wel
lIam good,
thanksf
oraski
ng.
Shaka-sar
casm doesn'
tsui
tyou.
.

Hegoesandhugsher
,ki
sseshercheekandpicks
Nkanyezi
upwhosmil
es,l
ooki
ngpleasedseei
ngher
uncl
e..
.

Shaka-(smiles)hel
l
ocut
ie.
..wel
lyoul
ookl
i
keme.
Fl
ygir
l(kissesher)
Nell
y-(
rol
l
sherey
es)psssh!
!!Pl
easet
hisonel
ooks
l
ikeme.

Shakachuckl
esandpl
acesNkany
ezi
backont
he
bed.
..

Shaka-(
laughs)y
ouwi
sh,
sheonl
yhasy
ourl
i
ps,
nothi
ngelse.
..

Shegr
unt
s,causi
nghi
mtol
aughagai
n..
.

ATTHEREMOTELOCATI
ON

ThandekawipesSJonthefor
eheadwi
thawett
owel
.
Bl
esswat chesbyt
hedoor.
.

Bl
ess-whatdoy
ouneed?
Thandeka-(
looksathi
m)It
oldy
ouwhatheneeds.
(Toucheshischest
)hei
sbur
ningup,
pleasey
ou
needtoletusgo.
Bl
ess-y
ouneedt
otel
lmet
het
rut
h..
Thandeka-(tear
y)Ial
readytol
dyouthetr
uth,
we
sleptt
ogetherwhenIcamebackt oDurbanei
ght
yearsago.Whatmor edoy ouwant
?
Bl
ess-(
shakeshi
shead)andItoldy
ouIknowSbani
,
hewoul
dhav et
oldme.Somethingi
snotaddi
ngup.
Thandeka-(
tear
y)pleaseIneedt
otakehi
mtohi
s
famil
y,mysonwi l
ldie.
Bless-tellmethetrut
h..
..(
coldst
ar e)ifyoursondies,
Sbani wil
lneverknowabouthi m,Icanbur yhim and
noonewoul dknow.Icanspar emysi sterthe
heartbreak.Nowituptoy ou.Tel
lmet hetrut
h..
.
Thandeka-(
cry
ing)Ial
readyt
old.
..
Bl
ess-Fi
ne.
..
.hav
eity
ourway
..
.

Blesswasaboutt
otur
nandwal
kawaywhen
Thandekagotupt
hebedandwentonherknees
begginghi
m..
.
Bl
ess-(
unmov
ed)y
ouknowwhatt
odo.
..

SJstar
tedtocough,
Thandekal
ookedbackathi
m
andatBless.

Thandeka-(
cryi
ng)Fine.
..
.fi
ne.
..Iwi
ll
tel
lyouthe
trut
h.Butpl
easehelpmet akehimtotheZul
u'
saf t
er
that?
Bl
ess-y
ouhav
emywor
d..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)

Zah-Ican'
tbel
i
ev esheact
edl
iket
hat,wowIthought
maybeshewoul d.
..y
ouknowbemorewel comi
ng.
She'
stheonewhosl eptwi
thy
ourhusband.
Nt
ombi -(
shakesherhead)shehastoomuch
pr
ide.
..
..
.(si
ghs)sheknowsabouttheFacebook
messageZah.NowSbani wil
lknowtoo.
Zah-(
eyesout
)WHAT!
!!
!!
!Thatcan'
tbegood.
Ntombi-(si
tsonthebed)Iknow,
Imeanwef i
nal
l
yat
aplacewherewegoodt oeachother.Imeanhe
evenletmekeepourroom.Hecar esZahnowall
thatwil
lchange.
Zah-maybeshewon'
ttel
lhi
m,Imeanwhyhasn'
t
shetol
dhimyet?
Ntombi-maybeshethoughtIam bei
ngnicet
oher
soshewon'ttell
Sbaniaboutt
hemessage.May beI
shoul
dgoexpl ai
ntoherthati
tnotwhatIam doing.
Zah-(shakesherhead)no,j
ustl
etherbefornow.
Thelastthi
ngyouwantt odoisupsether
.
Ntombi-yeah,y
ouright
..
..
.herbabi
esl
ooksoperfect
,
youshouldhaveseenthewayshewasl ooki
ngat
herdaughter
,shehadthesamel ookt
hatSbani
giv
esher.
Zah-don'
tdothattoyoursel
fsisi
,youwer edoi
ngso
well,
don'
tl
etthi
ssety ouback.Herey ou'
rei
ncharge.
WakeupNt ombi,y
out hewifehere,andsheis
nothi
ngbutababymama, She'
sthewomant hat
brokeamarri
age,i
ntheey esofallthesepeopl
e
i
nsidethey ar
dtothem she'
snot
hingbutahome
wrecker.You'
ret
hewife.
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)y
eah,
Iam t
hewi
fe.
Zah-(
smi
l
es)Good!
!!

I
nsi
det
her
oom.
..
.

Thebabi eswer ebothnowsl eepi

ng, Nellywalkst o
andst andslooki ngout si
det hewindow, t
hey ar
di s
buzzing,shet r
ieslookingforSbani amongt hemen
seatedneart hekraal,i
tdarkbutduet ot heli
ghts
thatareev erywhereshe' sabl et
oseet heirf
acesbut
he'snott here.Shesi ghs,shehasn'tseenhi m since
helefthert oset t
leinsidethisroom.I tbeenhour s
now.Mr sZul uknocksout sidethedoor ,
Nellyshouts
"comei n"thedooropensandMr sZul ucomesi n
withanot herwomanwhi chNel l
ydoesn' trecognise..
.

Mr
sZul
u-hel
l
odear
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
tur
nsandl
ooksather
)sani
bonani
MrsZul
u-t
hisisSbani'
saunt
,She'
smyhusband'
s
uncl
e'
sel
destdaughter
.

Nel
lyl
ooksatthewoman,whoalreadyhasa
di
sgust
edlookonheface.Shesi
zesNellyf
rom t
he
bot
tom r
ightupt
owhereherfaceis.
..
.

Aunt-wellngaphandl
ekokubai
sichi
thamuzi,kuhl
e
kona.(Besidebei
ngahomewr ecker
, She'
squit
e
beauti
ful
)

Nel
lysighs,
knowingthatsheneededtokeepcalm
andjusti
gnoreal
lthatwouldbesaidaboutheri
fshe
wantstogetthr
oughthisweekend..
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t85

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE
Zenande-(
shout
s)Thabosheshi
sa,
ithol
i
day
snow
theshopsaref
ull
.
MaSiwela-(
smi
l
es)leav
ethechi
ldal
one.SoDoy
ou
haveenoughmoneywit
hyou?Icangi
veyoumy
car
dif.
..
Zee-(smil
es)nomah,wehaveenoughmoney,
Nell
y
sentmeR5000y est
erday
,Ihadmysavi
ngsaswel
l,
bhuti
Mt hokogavemeanextraR3000t
oo.Wegood.
Masiwela-(
sighs)okay,
itj
ustIwanttogiv
ey ou
guysthebestholiday
sever.Youhavebeenthrough
al
ot.IwantThabot oenj
oyhisChri
stmasthisyear.
Zee-(smil
es)hewillmama, he'salr
eadygl
owingand
gai
ninghisweightbacksincehe'sbeenhere,Ican
seehe'shappy.ButIst
il
lwanthi mt obegrounded
andlearn,
Idon'twanthi
mt of eelenti
tl
edandspoil
t.
MaSiwel a-hewon't
,solongasIam hi
sguardi
an.
(Laughs)buyy our
selfsomet
hingni
cetoo,Isl
i
pped
some, somei nyourpursewhi
leyouwereshower
ing.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)mama!
!!
..
.
Shebendsdownandtheyhug,
Thabocomesr unni
ng
downthestai
rs.MaSi
wel
ahandshercarkey
st oher
BMW 3seri
es.
..

Zee-(
exci
ted)ar
eyouser
ious?
MaSi
wel
a-y
esbutdon'
tgetusedt
oit
.

Shejumpsupanddownexci t
edl
y.MaSiwel
aki sses
Thabo,whofrownsal
itt
le,
shegi
veshim"thelook"
ZeelaughsasThaboshowMaSiwelathebiggest
smil
eev er
..
..

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Mthokoentersthehouse,hewalksupt hestair
sand
knocksonhismot her'
sdoor.Shescreams" comein"
fr
om thei
nside.Hewal ksinsi
deandf i
ndshermom
packi
nganov ernightback.Henoti
ceslingeri
e
sui
tedf
orwomeninMaSi
wel
a'
sage.Hef
rownsand
l
ooksathi
smother
..
..

Mt
hoko-uy
aphi
?
MaSiwel
a-il
okhookuzel
elaekamer
eni
lami
?(I
sthat
whatyoucameinmyr oom f
or?)
Mt
hoko-(r
oll
seyes)cha!
!!Phel
aIhav
etoask,
you'
re
mymotherIwor
ryabouty ou.
MaSiwel
a-(smi
les)ncoooh!
!!!Yousuchagoodson,
someti
mesIsecondguesst hatIgavebi
rt
htoyou.
Youtoogoodtobemyson.
Mt
hoko-(
laughs)whatdoest
hatsupposet
omean?
MaSiwela-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
reni
ce,
thatwhyy
ou'
remy
f
avouri
te.
Mthoko-y
eahr
ight
,weal
lknowNel
l
yisy
our
f
avouri
te.
MaSi
wel
a-No.
..
.Nel
l
yismyonl ydaughterbutshe
i
sn'
tmyf
avour
it
echil
d.Butdon'
ttel
lherIsaidthat
.
Theybot
hlaugh.
..
..
.

Mthoko-mamaIwant
edust
otal
kaboutZenande'
s
mother.
MaSi
wel
a-whataboutLi
ndi
we?
Mthoko-(si
ghs)thest
atewefoundheri
ni sv
ery
depressi
ng,It
hinkmaybeweshouldhel
pher,I
suggestedi
ttoZenandebutshewashavingnoneof
i
t.
MaSiwel
a-Iknowyoumeanwel lmysonbut
someti
mesitbestyoujustletpeopl
ebe.Youcan'
t
hel
psomeonel i
keLindiwe,godknowsItr
iedbutshe
al
wayswentbacktot hatli
fe.
Mthoko-youdon'
tunder
standmama,
thewayshe
was...Waitl
etmeshowy ou.
..

Mthokotookhisphoneouthispocketandwentto
hi
sgall
ery,cl
i
ckedont hepi
ctur
ehet ookofLi
ndi
we
andhandedittohi
smot her
.Shetookthephoneand
l
ookedatthepict
ure.Sheswall
owedhar dl
ooki
ngat
herfriendint hatstate.Shel ookedcr usty
,ol
dand
smel l
y ,
shel ooked5y earsoldert hansheis,shewas
al
soski nny,wrinkl
esanddar kci r
clesaroundher
eyes.Herl ipslookbust ed, musthav egottenintoa
fi
ghtshet houghtt oherself.Shehel dabeerbot t
lei
n
herhands, hernailsweredi rt
y, t
heylookedcr acked
up.Ithur tseeingherl i
ket hat,Li
ndiwewassof ul
lof
l
ife,shewast hef r
iendt hatli
vedherl if
eont heedge,
shewasadv enturousanddar edt odot he
unthinkableatal lti
mes.ShehandedMt hokohi s
phonebackandsayonherbed. ..
.

MaSi
wel
a-Ihav
etoseeher
..
.
Mt
hoko-wewi
l
llookf
orheraf
tert
hehol
i
day
s.

Hebr ushedherbackandkissedt
hetopofherhead.
Herphoner ang,
shetookitandsmil
edlooki
ngatthe
cal
lerID..
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)DK.
..
Don-(
deepv
oice)
ndl
ovukazi
MaSi
wel
a-(
blushed)ar
eyouher
eal
ready
?..
Don-Iwoul
dbeinthenext10mi
nut
es,
justwant
ed
toheary
ourvoi
ce.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)Iam wi
thy
ourson.
..
Don-(
laughs)whi
chone?
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatMt
hoko)umf
undi
si
..

Mthoko'
seyeswi
den,whi
leDoncracksuponthe
ot
herside,
shej
oinshi
m andendsthecal
l.
..

Mt
hoko-r
eal
l
ymom?
MaSiwel
a-(roll
seyes)babyy ouneedt
ogetali
fe,
meandy ourfatherareworr
iedaboutyou?We
st
art
ingt
ot hinkmay beyougay .
Mthoko-Jesusmama!
!!Whatwi
l
l makeyout
hink
t
hat?Andwhyar ey
ouanddaddiscussi
ngme.
MaSi
wel
a-(
shr
ugs)y
oucan'
treal
l
ybl
ameus.You
haven'
tbr
oughtagir
lhomesinceLungiey,Idon'
t
evenseeyousneakonei
n.Andy ousti
l
l l
i
vewi thme.
Don'ty
ouseeanythi
ngwrongwiththat
?
Mthoko-unbel
i
evabl
e!!
!!
..
..
.soy
ougoi
ngoutwi
th
dad?
MaSi
wela-yes.
..(
closesherbag)Nancywi
l
lbeher
e
i
ntheaf
ternoon,Iwil
lbebackMonday .
Mthoko-soyougoi
ngtospendthewhol
eweekend
t
ogether?Whatwil
lyoubedoi
ngthewhol
eweekend?
MaSi
wel
a-si
yodl
anaduh!
!!
!.
..
..
Mt
hoko-(
closeshi
sear
s)Jesusmom no!
!!

MaSi
wel
alaughs,
shehear
sDon'
scarpar
king.
..

MaSiwel
a-(
laughs)hel
pmewi
thmybags,
soy
ou
cangogreetyourfat
her.
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)
Theywer
ebot
hsi
tt
ingont
her
ocks.
..
.

Nganono-y
oumustbewonder
ingwhyIboughty
ou
her
e?
Sbani-y
es..
..whatdi
dyoumeanwheny
ousai
d
"Thi
ngo".
..
Nganono-(
smi
l
ed)t
haty
ourdaught
ersnameson.
..
Sbani
-(conf
used)mydaught
er?
Nganono-(nods)youdidn'
tloseason,youlosta
daught
er.Av er
yspecialdaughter
.Shewasn'tgoi
ng
toli
ve,
herlif
ewasmeantt obeshort,
youshould
stopbl
amingy our
selfforherdeath.
Sbani
-buti
tismyfaul
t,Ihel
dhert
ooti
ghtthatday
.I
wassoscaredther
ewast oomuchbl
ood.
Nganono-Iknow,
Isawi
ttoo.
..
.
Sbani
-(shocked)y
oudi
d..
..
..i
nthedr
eam Ihad.
..I
had..
Nganono-y
ouhadki
l
ledy
ourunbor
nbabi
es,
you
wat
chedt
hewoman(
Nel
l
y)ki
l
lher
sel
f.
Sbani
-(cl
enchhi
steet
h)(
looksdown)y
es.
..
Nganono-shel
ovesy
ou.
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
m).
..
Nganono-t hewoman, shelovesyouandy oulov
e
her..
.butthislov
ey oubot hhaveforeachotherbe
carefulnotloseyourselvesinit
..
..
.anywaysIcall
ed
youherebecauseIwantust otalkabouty
our
dreams. .
..

Sbani
swal
l
owed.
..
.

Sbani
-uhmm whatdoy
ouknowaboutmydr
eams?
..
.
Nganono-Iknowev erythi
ngthattheancestorswant
met oknow.Ndodanai tisimpor t
anttoknowt hatI
am notasangomaori nyanganeitheram Iahealer
.I
wasbornwi thagi
ftthatenabl esmet o
communi cat
ewithmyancest ors,i
nanutshelli
tsafe
tosayIam justamessenger .SoIneedy outobe
honestwithme,cany oudot hat?
Sbani
-yebo,
whati
sitt
haty
ouneedt
oknow?
Nganono-t
hegir
l,doy
oust
il
lrememberwher
eyou
bur
iedherbody
?
Sbani
-(swal
l
ows)y
es.
.
Nganono-good. .
.Iwill
needy ouandyourfr
iendto
di
gherbodyupandr etur
nittoherhome,sheneeds
aproperburi
al.Sheisnotatr est
,sheiswonderi
ng
around,
herancest or
sar eangrythati
swhytheyare
fi
ghti
ngusingy ourson.
Sbani
-son?Nsi
ka?
Whati
swr
ongwi
thhi
m?
Nganono-(
shakeshi
shead)nothi
m,y
ourot
herson.
Sbani-(confused)butIdon'
thav
eanot
herson.
Nsikayesizweismyonl yson.
Nganono-(
shakeshead)cha!
!!Theancest
ors
showedmeanot herson.Hei
sy ourf
ir
stson.
Sbani
-butt
hatcan'
tber
ight
,Ihav
enoson.Dot
hey
saywheret
hissoncomesfr
om?
Nganono-unf
ort
unatel
yno...t
heyonlytellmewhatI
needtoknow.Thegirl
sancestorsaref
ightingv
ery
hard,
youral
mostlostyourbabiesson,
y our
ancest
orsf
oughtveryhar
dtosavet
heliv
esofy our
newbornbabi
es,Thingowasasacr
if
icethatneeded
tomadesohersibl
ingscanl
iv
e.
Sbani
-soi
tismyfaul
tthatmydaught
erdi
edbef
ore
shewasevenbor
n?
Nganono-( shakeshead)you'r
enotl
ist
ening.Thi
ngo
wasnotgoi ngt ol
iv
eev enifshewasborn.She
serv
edasapr otect
iveguardi
antohersi
blings,
sacri
fi
cingherwaseasybecauseshewasnev er
meantt oli
v eamongus, herpl
acewaswithour
ancestors.
Sbani-(
bli
nkst
het
ear
saway
)itst
il
ldoesn'
tmakei
t
bett
er..
.
Nganono-i
tneveri
s...
.buttrustmei
tbett
erthatshe
i
samongourancest orsthanus.Haveyouev er
wonderedwhyInevermar ri
edorhadchil
dren?
Sbani
-yes.
..
Nganono-thi
sgiftIhavecomeswi t
hapr i
ce.
Someonelikemeshoul dnotengageinansexual
i
nter
course,Icannotbeonewithanotherspi
ri
t.I
fI
doIwil
ltai
ntmygi ft
.Mychildr
enwoul dbebornwit
h
disabi
l
iti
es,themotherofmychil
drenwil
ldi
e.SoI
l
ongdeci dedthatIwil
lnotmakeother
ssuff
er.I
'
m
sureyouwoul dn'
twantyoudaughtert
ogrowold
al
one,whi l
ehersibl
ingsmarr
iedandhavechi
ldr
en.
Sbani
-wi
l
lIev
erseeher
?Thi
ngo?
Nganono-she'
salwayswit
hyou.Ineedt
ocl
eanse
Nkanyezi
,sheseesher.
Sbani
-ist
hatnotagoodt
hing?
Nganono-no. ..
.shewillbecomer esi
stancei nletti
ng
Nkany ezil
iv
eherl i
fe.Shewi l
lwanttolivewi thi
n
Nkany ezi
,whichwillcausehertohav emul tiple
personali
ti
es.Itver
ycommonwi thtwins,especi al
l
y
i
fonedi ed,theyusuall
ywantt olivewithi
nt heir
si
blingsbodies.Wecannotr i
skthatwithNkany ezi
,
especiall
ysinceThingoisaspeci albaby.
Sbani
-Inot
icedNkanyezit
obev
eryqui
et,
almostas
i
fsheisn'
taroundpeopl
e.
Nganono-coul
dbethatshei
snat
ural
l
yqui
etorshe
coul
dbeseeingThi
ngo.
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)sot
hisot
herson?HowdoI
gett
ohi
m?
Nganono-youwi l
lknowsoon.ButI
tisimpor
tantthe
gir
lget
sapr operburial
,ory
ourpr
oblemswil
lfol
low
youevery
wher e.Yourdreamsmightst
artj
ust
becomingreal
ity.
..
..y
ourwife?
Sbani
-whataboutNt
ombi
?
Nganono-tel
lhert
hatherfamilyneedt obri
ngagoat ,
Shakaneedstobuyagoataswel ltocleansetheir
si
ns,theyneedtoacknowledgewhatt heydid,t
hey
needtonamet hei
rson.TheZuluancest or
sarev ery
angry
, t
hati
swhyy ourwif
ecouldn'tconceive.
Sbani
-thebabyt
hatsheabor
tedwasShaka'
s?
Nganono-yes.
..
.todayweburnandbur
ytheashes
of"
imizany
ana"alongwithThi
ngo'
sremai
ns.
That
wayNkanyeziwil
l st
opseei
ngheramongus.
Sbani
-doall
theset
hingsneedt
obedonet
his
weekend?
Nganono-notr
eal
l
ybutIt hinkitbestwedo.
Tomorrowwedothei mbelekof orthet
wins,
Sat
urdaywecanattendtoy ourwi f
eandbrot
her
s
si
tuat
ion.
Sbani
-uhmm andt
hegi
rl
?Uhmm dowehav
eto.
..
Nganono-thatyouwi lldi
scusswithyourf
ri
endthan
l
etmeknow.( Sitsup)l et
'sgetgoi
ngsowecanget
onwithtoday'
spr ogram.Callyourfat
herwhenwe
makeitdownt hehi l
l
, t
hereisnowaywewal ki
ng
backatthi
stime.

Sbani
laughsashel
i
ght
sthef
lashonhi
sphone.
..
.

I
nsi
deBl
ess'
scar
..
.

Bl
ess-(
looksatt
heback)howi
she?
Thandeka-(
sni
ff
s)hi
stemper
atur
eisgoi
ngdowna
l
it
tl
e.
Bl
ess-y
ousel
fi
shy
ouknowt
hat
?
Thandeka-Idon'tneedyoutol
ectur
emer
ightnow,
I
hadenoughoft hatfrom mymother
.
Bless-(chuckl
es)Sbanii
sgoingtoki
l
lyou.
..
.you
thi
nky ouknowhi m,youact
uall
ydon'
tknowasingl
e
thi
ngabouthi m.
Thandeka-cany
oupl
easej
ustshutup.
..
.Idon'
tneed
thi
sri
ghtnow.
Bless-(
annoy
ed)Idon'
tgi
veaf uckaboutwhaty
ou
need.Youhavemessedever
ythingupri
ghtnow..
..

Hedi
alsSbani
'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Sbani
-Baf
oIcan'
ttal
kri
ghtnow.
..
Bless-I'
m goi
ngt
osendy ouat
ext
,readi
tandget
backt omesoon.RED.
..

Heendst
hecal
landsendshi
m api
ctur
eofSJhe
t
ookwhil
ehewasplay
ingvi
deogames.
"
Heneedshel
p,Iam dr
ivi
ngdownt
her
enow"

Beep.
..

"
Nganonot
oldmeabouthi
m,Idon'
tunder
stand,
whoi
sthemother
?"

"
Thandeka"

Hi
sphoneringshedi
sconnect
sitf
rom t
hecar
Bl
uet
ooth.
..

Sbani
-WHATTHEFUCK?
??INEVERSLEPTWI
TH
HER.WHATISTHI
S??
Bless-t
heki
dis8year
sol
d.Li
stenIam dr
ivi
ngwi
th
them now,
whatdoyouwantmetodo?
Thandekagotscar
ed,
herbodyst
art
edt
oshake,
she
fear
edBless.
..

Sbani
-(angr
y)IAM GOI
NGTOKI
LLTHATBI
TCH.
..
Bless-shewil
lexpl
aint
oyouwhathappened.For
nowcal m down.
Sbani-don'
tcomest rai
ghthere,
Iwil
lgetsomeone
totaketheboy,Ineedtohav eawordwithThandeka
fi
rst.Stopadistanceawayfrom her
e,Iwil
lcometo
you.
Bl
ess-Roger
!!
!

Hel
ookedatThandekashaki
nghi
sheadandended
t
hecal
l.
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t86
ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS(
Zul
u'
shomest
ead)

Nellyl
ooksather selfonemor et i
mei nthemi r
ror.
She'swearingabl ackpenci lskir
t,blackpol oneck
andherblackbomberj acket.Shedef init
elyneedsto
getbacktogy m.Shedi dnotgai nthatmuchwei ght
butsheisn'thappywi tht hewayshel ooks.Lucky
shehadpur chasedawai sttrainerforher self
.She
cannowusei tasherst omachi sn'
tt hatsensiti
ve
anymore.Shewear sheruggsboot s,lookingat
hersel
fonel astti
me.Shet akesadeepbr eathand
walksoutther oom.Fi ndingt hef ami l
yseat edinthe
l
oungear ea,Sbani meet sherhal fwayandhol dsher
hand..
.

Sbani
-(whi
sper
s)Iam her
e..
.
Nel
l
y-(
fakesmi
l
es)Iknow.
.

Thetal
ki
ngst
opsandever
ybodyl
ooksatthem.
Shakai
scar
ryi
ngNkany
ezi,
whil
eMrsZuluhas
Nsi
ka.
..

Nganono-(
looksatt
hem)ar
eyour
eady
?

Sbanil
ooksatNel
ly
,shenods,
het
urnshi
sat
tent
ion
toNganonoandnods.
..

Nel
ly
-(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)canImakear
equesti
fyou
woul
dletme?

Ev
ery
onel
ooksather
,Nganononodsl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Nel
ly
-(takesadeepbr eat
h)Iwashopingthatitbe
meandSbani andyoubaba(looksatNganono)
pr
esentattheburni
ngandburialof"
imzanyana"
al
ongwiththeremains.
MrZul
u-(
nods)It
hinkt
hatwoul
dbebest
.
Aunt
1-(
looksar
ound)ut
hini
uml
ungu?
Uncl
e2-( shakeshishead)engathiusi
let
helei
nki
nga
uSbanisezwe( l
ooksli
keSbani hasbroughtus
tr
ouble)
Aunt1-(l
ooksatNelly
)uthini
ntombazane?asi
si
zwa
l
esingisisakho(whatareyousayi
nggirl
?Wedon't
underst
andy ourEngl
ish)
MrsZulu-(
looksatherhusbandthanSbani )you
mustjoki
ng?(LooksatNell
y)fi
rstyoudepr i
veusof
achancetoseeourgrandchil
dren,nowy ou
depr
ivi
ngusofachancet ogetourcl osur
easwel l
.
Shaka-mamaIdon'tseeitasabigdeal,
whyar eyou
makingafussaboutthi
s,thi
sisnotaburialofa
body,t
heyaresimplyj
usthonouri
ngtr
adit
ion.Thi
sis
thei
rti
met oseekcl
osureandgri
evetogether.I
agreewit
hNelly,
thi
sismeanttobeapr i
vate
momentbet weenherandSbani.
Aunt2-It
hinkweshoul
dhonourt
hemot
her
's
request
.
Aunt3-whataboutNt
ombi?She'
sthewif
e,she
shouldbether
etoo,t
hiswasherchi
l
dtoo.
Sbaniclenchedhi
steet
h,hecouldfeelhi
mself
l
osingcont r
ol,
hewasalreadyunset
tl
edbecauseof
thi
swhol eThandekasi
tuati
on,hewasaboutto
addresshisauntwhenNellyst
oppedhim...

Sbani-(
takesadeepbr eath)(
authorati
vevoi
ce)I
thi
nkNel .
..ImeanmakaNkany ezi
heremadea
mistakeby" aski
ng"wheni nactualfactwe'
retel
l
ing
you.Thiswi l
lbeaprivatemomentf orus.
Babo'mkhuluwe'reready .
Nganono-wel
li
tset
tl
edt
han.Pl
easef
oll
owme.

Nganonowalksoutt
hel
oungear
ea,
Sbani
andNel
l
y
f
oll
owafterhim.
..
.

Aunt1-(l
ooksatMrZul u)i
nganeyakhoiy
adel el
a,
nal
onokor oyi
wakheukuhlaza,ungubani
y ena?
Ushayelabanii
mi t
hetho?(
Yourchil
disdisrespect
ful
,
hi
sbi t
chtooisrude,whothehelldoeshethinkheis?
Giv
ingwhoor ders?)
Uncl
e2-thisi
snotonZulu,Sbanisezwecannot
par
adehi smist
ressli
kethi
s,heneedst or
especthi
s
wif
e.Whatwi l
lthepeopl
esay?Itbadenoughhe
i
mpr egr
antedawomant hatnothiswife.
MrZulu-(
aut
horati
vevoi
ce)we'
renotdi
scussi
ng
Sbani
sezwe'
saffai
rswhenheisnother
e.Now
ever
yonecangobacktowhattheyweredoi
ng.

Withthatsai
dhegetsupf
rom t
hecouchandwalks
outsi
de,theuncl
esf
oll
owbehi
ndhim shaki
ngt
heir
heads..
.

Aunt1-(l
ooksatNt ombi)wenauthuleleni
,udedel
ale
ntombazaneemhl opheicanasalaizenzela
umathandanomny eniwakho?(Whyar eyouquit
e,
youlett
ingthatl
ightskingi
rlt
ogalav entanddoas
shepleaseswithyourhusband)
Zah-Antinaniniy
amubonauSbani ukut
hii
ndlov
u
ayiphi
ki
swa, ni
thiuNt
ombienzenjani
?(Youcansee
thatSbanidoesn'
twanthi
sactionstobequesti
oned,
whatdoy ouexpectNtombitodo? )
Aunt1-Yey
!!Thulawena...ubani
okhul
umanawe?
I
phindoday akho?Hey!!
!Youshutup,who'
stal
ki
ng
toyou?Wher eisyourhusband?
Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatShaka)wher
eisSi
phov
ele?
Shaka-Ilastsawhim,hewasi naphonecal
l.(
Looks
atthesleepingNkany
ezi)Ineedtogolayt
hisone
down.
MrsZul
u-(
smil
es)she'
sverycute.
..
..
Ntombi
wil
lyou
l
ookaft
ert
hem,Ineedtosortf
ewt hi
ngsout
?.
Nt
ombi
-uhmm Idon'
tmi
ndma.
Shaka-(gi
veshermotherthelook)Idon'tt
hinkthata
wisedecisi
on.(
LooksatNt ombi)Iknowy oucapable
butforobvi
ousreasons,
Idon'tthi
nky oushould.
Zah-It
hinkShakai
sri
ght
..(
giv
esNt
ombi
thepi
tf
ul
l
ook)
MrsZulu-sowhowilll
ookaf
tert
hebabi
es?Iwoul
d
doitbutIam busyf
ornow?
Zah-i
tfi
neIcanl
ookaf
tert
hem.
MrsZuluhandsZandil
easleepingNsi
ka,Shakaand
Zandi
lewalkoutt
heloungeareawit
hsleepi
ng
babi
es..
.

Aunt3-ni
yayi
tet
emi
sal
ent
ombazane(
yout
oosof
t
onthatgi
rl)
MrsZulu-(si
ghs)Nell
yisnotabadgi
rlbutl
atel
yher
deci
sionsIdon'
tagreewiththem.

Theaunt'
sst
andupandwal
koutt
alki
ngabouthow
notpl
easedt
heyar
e..
..

Out
sidet
hey
ard.
..
.

Nganonohandst hem thecontai

nerwithashes.They
all
walktothebacky ar
dofthehousetowhatused
tobeSbani'
sgr andmother'
sgarden.I
tbeauti
fulwit
h
all
typesofroses,theylookf
reshandwelltakencare
of.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)t
hisgar
deni
sbeaut
if
ul.
.
Sbani-(smiles)itusedtobeMaZul u'
sshewasmy
grandmot her.Shewoul dspendherwhol emor ni
ng
wateri
ngandpl antingevenmor er oses.Thant he
restofherday ,shewoul dspendi tjustsitti
ngover
there(poi
nt satav int
ager ustychair)comf ort
abl
ein
herownsi lence.WhenIwoul dgeti ntofightswit
h
mycousi nsorv i
ll
ageboy s,shewoul dtakemyhand
andmakemesi tnexttoher.(Laughs)t hanshe
wouldaskmei fdoIsmel lthefreshness?
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)obv
iousl
yyoubum headsai
dno.
Sbani-(chuckles)y ouknowmet oowel l
.Icouldn't
smellanyf ragrancef r
om herr oses,Isti
lldon't
understandpeopl ewhosayf l
ower shavesomesor t
ofsmel l
,theyal lj
ustblendt ome.( Smiles)butdo
youknowwhathappenedwhenshemademesi t
nexttoher ?Icalmeddown, all
theanger ,the
fr
ustrati
onv anished.Ifoundpeace, If
elt
comfortableinbei ngsilence.Wewoul dhav e
conversati
onswi t
houtev ent al
king,wewoul djust
smi
l
eateachot
herandenj
oyt
hef
reshai
r.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iwoul
dhav
elov
edt
omeether
..

Heplacedthecontainerdownandfacedherhol
ding
herwaist
,bri
ngingherclosert
ohi
m.Lookingint
o
eachother
'seye's.
.

Sbani
-(smil
es)Ihavenodoubti
nmymi ndy
out
wo
wouldhavegotalongl
ikeahouseonf
ir
e.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)def
ini
tel
ywebot
hlov
efl
ower
s.
Sbani-(laughs)thatanothert
hing.Herdeathhitme
hard,Ilostmybuddy ,myqueen,Ilosttheone
personwhoknewwhatIneededwi t
houtevenme
tel
li
ngher .(Smiles)sowhenIf i
rstsawy ouandt he
fi
rstthingthatcamet omindwasIwantt obuythat
womanal otofflowers.Iknewthatitwasn'ta
coincidentthatwecr ossi
ngpaths, MaZuluwas
givi
ngmeaper sontoshar emysilencewith,
she
wasgi vingmesomeonewhowi l
llookbeyondev er
y
fl
awandj ustfi
ndcomf or
tinl
ov i
ngme.
Nelly
-(bl
ushes)nowthatexpl
ainsthebunchof
bouquetsyouboughtformeatt hehospi
tal
.50
rosesineachbouquettobeexact.
Sbani
-(br
ushhercheeksandl
i
pswhi
l
est
ari
ngather
)
Iai
mt opl
ease.
..

Hercheekswer eburni
ng,sheknewshewas
probably"redpepper "ashealway ssay swhenshe's
redfrom blushing.Theygotlostineachot her'
seyes,
whenNganononot i
cedhowcl osetheirfaceswere
toeachot her,het houghtitwasthegr eatti
met o
remindthem t hattheywer enotalone,hewasst il
l
therewiththem.Hecl ear
edhisthroat,makingthem
pullapartandl ookathi m.Sbanismiledlookingat
Nganono, whogav ehim asmi rk,
Nellywasf l
ashed,
didtheyreall
yf orgettheyhadanel derpresentand
notjustanyelder ,thi
swasNganono. .
..

Nganono-(
smil
es)nowIunder
standwhyy
ou
r
equestedt
hist
obeaprivat
emoment .
Nel
l
y-(
looksdown)uhmm wesosor
rybaba,
we.
..
Nganono-(shakeshi shead)don'tbemychi l
d.Love
i
sabeaut if
ulthing.NowIwi l
lgiveyouspace,itupto
youhowy ouwi sht ogoaboutt hi
sstage.Youcan
scatt
erthoseashes, oryoucanbur ythem andplant
aflower.Myadv iseistoburythem, i
nthatwayIcan
str
engthenwher ey ouhaveplanted.Call
mewhen
youdone.

Witht hatsaidheleav esthem alone.Nel l

yt akesa
seatont hechai rwhichhisgr andmot herusedt o
occupyashegr absaspadeandst artstodiga
whole.Af terafewmi nutes,satisfiedwi ththewhol e,
hesignal shertocomewher ehei s, helaysasmal l
mat, theybothgetont hi
erknees.Shehol dshi s
handsandt heysayasmal lprayer .Whent heyfini
sh
praying,theybothhol dthecont ainerandatonego,
theypourt heashes.Wi t
hev erythingdoneandt he
seedpl anted,whichtheyhopewi l
l growt oa
beaut i
fulwhiterose.Theyst ayroot edwher ethey
are,shelay sherheadonhi schest , astheybot hcry
sil
entlybutineachot her'sarms. ..
.
Meanwhi
l
einsi
deBl
ess'
scar
..
..

Whenhiscarjoi
nsthegravelr
oad,Thandeka'
shear
t
star
tbeat
ingver
yfast.Unawarewhatawaitsf
orher
wheresheisgoi
ng,hermindcan'
thelpbutgoback
tohowshegothersel
fintothi
ssit
uati
on..
..

》》》8y
ear
sago.
..
.

Thandeka-uhmm, KatIt
hinkmay
beweshoul
dgo
backtothehotel
.
Kat
-(l
ooksather
)aiboTee,
wej ustgother
e,what
's
wasthepoi
ntofcomingtoDurbanifwegoingt
o
l
ockoursel
vesi
nsi
dethehotel
.
Thandeka-(
heartbeati
ng)pl
easeKat
,wewi
l
lbe
back,Ij
ustdon'
tfeelgood.

Katl
ookedather
,sheseemsjumpyandsweaty,
somethi
ngwasdefi
nit
elywr
ong.Shenot
icedshe
keptl
ooki
ngbehi
ndher
..
.

Kat
-Tee,(shet
urnedar
ound)whatar
eyoul
ooki
ng
at
?Youlookli
keyouaboutt
opassout.
Thandeka-(
lashedout
)CANWEJUSTGO!
!!
!
Kat-(
fol
dherar
ms)Iam notgoi
ngany
whereunl
ess
youtel
lmewhatexact
lyi
sgoingonwi
thy
ou.

Beforeshecananswer ,
shel ockedey eswi thSbani,
helookedathershockednotbel i
evi
nghi sey es.She
couldf eelawav eofemot ionsrunningt hroughher
body .Thel asttimeshesawhi m waswhenshewas
only17y earsoldandnowher eshei s5y earslater,
facet ofacewi tht heonl yguysheev erloved.She
wassol ostinhert houghtst hatshedi dn'
tnot i
cehe
wasst andi ngrightnextt oher ,l
ookingatheri n
disbeli
ef.Theyst oodt hereinsilencejustlookingat
eachot her, y
oucoul dseei tinhiseyest hathehad
alotofquest ionsbutshecoul dseet heangerv i
sibl
e
too.
Kat
-(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)Teewhat
'sgoi
ngon?Who
i
sthi
s?
Thandeka-(br
eakst
heey
econt
act
)uhmm he'
sthe
guyItol
dy ouabout
..
.

Katlego'sey eswiden, Thandekahast oldherabout

Sbani ,butwhatdi dn'tmakesenset oherwaswhy
shej ustupandl ef twi thoutl
etti
nghi m know.That
pieceoft hepuzzlealway stroubledher.Thestoryof
hermom mov ingtoJobur gbecauseshewant edto
becl osert oherfami l
ybecauseherf ather
'sfamil
y
chasedt hem outoft hei rhouseaf t
erherf at
herdied,
sheal way sthoughtt her ewasal sosomet hingwhi ch
Thandekawasn' tlettingon. .
.

Kat-(
looksatSbani
)may
beIshoul
dgi
vey
ouguy
s
space..
.

Katpi
ckedhert
owel
sandsandal
sandwal
kedback
tothehotel.Sbani
brusheshi
sfacesandt
akesa
deepbreath..
.

Sbani -doy ouknowIwoul dgot oourspotf or6

whol emont hsj ustwi ththehopet haty ouwi l
ljust
showup.Buty ounev erdid.Doy ouknowhowmuch
Icrackedmymi ndt hinkingmay bei fther
ewas
somet hingwr ongwhi chIdi dtomakey oujustleav e
wi t
houtl et t
ingmeknow.Howdi dthingsjustgo
from bur y i
ngy ourfat her
, t
ouspl anningt omeetl ater,
thant omewai tingfory out oshowupandwheny ou
don't.If i
ndoutt henextmor ningthaty ouandy our
fami l
yhav emov ed.Youcoul dn'
tev encallme, l
eav e
meanot e.Ourschool wasaboar dingschool,you
didn'thav etol eavebuty ouknowhowsi ckmy
stomachf eltwheny ourfri
endst oldmey ouchoset o
l
eav ewi t
hy ourmot herinsteadofj uststayi
ngi nthe
school dor ms.
Thandeka-(
tear
y)Iam sorr
y ,
Iam sosor r
y .Iwas
youngandstupi
d,Iwasn'tt
hinking.Ihadjustlostmy
fat
her,t
heZwane'swerekickingus outmyf ather'
s
house.Whenmom suggest edIstayIjustcouldn't
,
thethoughtofbeingwi thoutt hem ki
ll
edme
especiall
ywhenIhadj ustf oundoutIwasp. ..
.(l
ooksdown)Iam sosor r
y .Imissedy ouev
er yday
,I
wantedt ocall
y oubutIwasscar edandashamed.I
l
ov edyousomuch, infactInev erstoppedIthought
abouty oueverysingl
eday .

Shesteppedcl
osertohim buthebacked.Thathur
t
her
.Shewasaboutt ost epcl
oseragai
nandtryto
hol
dhishandwhenaSl enderwoman,weari
ngapink
bi
kinstoppedr
ightnextt ohi
m..
.

Ntombi-(
looksatThandekathanSbani
)Ihav
ebeen
l
ookingeverywher
eforyou.
Sbani-(t
urnedt
oNtombiandsmil
ed)(
babyki
ssed
her)Itol
dtheguyst
otel
lyouwhereIwas.
Ntombi-(
giggled)
(rol
l
seyes)y
eahbuty
ouhav
ebeen
gonefort
ool ongnow.Imissyou.

Hesmi
l
ed,
whi
l
eshebl
ushedl
ooki
ngathi
m,hewas
aboutt
okisshi
m whenThandekacl
ear
edher
thr
oat.
..

Nt
ombi
-(l
ookedatherupanddown)andy
ou'
re?
Sbani
-(hol
dsNt
ombi
)heycalm downki
tt
en.She
someonewhousedt
ostaynearmyoldhouse.
Thandeka-(
annoy
ed)i
sthatal
lIam t
oyou?
Sbani-(
rai
seshi
sbr
ow)di
dn'
tyoul
eav
enearmyol
d
house?
Thandeka-(
angr
y)Idi
dbutt
hatnotal
l
...
Ntombi-(
annoyed)hol
dup,Idon'
tthi
nkIli
keyour
t
one.(Looksathim)whoisthi
sblackbi
tch?And
whyisshesocomf ort
abl
ewithyou?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)babemeetThandeka.
.
Nt
ombi
-(wi
deney
es)t
hisi
sthebi
tch,
ohhel
lno.
..

Shegav eThandekaonesl apacrosstheface,

soon
aft
erthattheyst
ar t
edfi
ght i
ng,
peopleatthebeach
watchasSbani t
riedtobreakthem apart
...
.
Thenextday
..
.

Kat
-Ithi
nkyoushouldj
ustl
etthi
sguygo,he
obvi
ousl
yhasmov edonandyoucan'
treal
lybl
ame
hi
m.
Thandeka-(touchi
ngherri
bs)thatbi
tchcanki
ck.
Katyoudon'tunderst
andIlovehim.Seei
nghim
yest
erdaymademer eal
isehowmuchIhav ebeen
fool
ingmy self
.Isawiti
nhiseyeshestil
ll
ovesme.
Kat-youwanttoembar
rassy
oursel
fagainl
i
ke
yester
day.Whatwer
eyouthi
nki
ngfight
ingt
hatgi
rl
.
Thandeka-shehitmefi
rst.
..(
feel
i
ngjeal
ous)you
shoul
dhav eseenthewayshewashol di
nghim.
Arr
rrr
ggggg!!
!Ifel
tli
kestr
angli
ngher
.
Kat-t
hisi
ssupposetobeourhol
iday
,weshouldbe
rel
axi
ngandhav i
ngfun.I
nst
eadwehearout
sidea
guysapar
tment.Stal
ki
ngaguywhodoesn'
teven
wantyou.
Thandeka-(
sighs)I
'
m sor
ry.ButIj
ustneedt
otal
kto
hi
m.Ipr
omiseaft
ert
oday
.Wewi
l
lresumeourf
un.
Pr
ett
ypl
ease.
..
Kat
-(si
ghs)okay
..
.wai
tisn'
tthatt
hegi
rl
fr
iend?
Thandeka-(
cli
ckshert
ongue)i
ther
,ost
ri
chl
egs.
She'
sliv
ingthi
sismychance.
Kat
-howdi
dyouev
enf
indoutwher
ehel
i
veany
way
?
Thandeka-Ihadhimt el
lacabdri
vert
odropherof
f
hereyest
erday.Ipret
endedtobeli
mpingj
ustsohe
car
riesmet omyr oom.

Theybothl
augh,Thandekawalkst
oSbani'
sdooras
soonasNtombigetsinsi
deacabcaranddr i
vesof
f.
Sheknocksonthedoor.Heopensthedoorweari
ng
onl
yhissweatpants,
historsowasnakedand
screami
ngtobetouched..
.

Sbani
-whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Shepushedhi
m asi
deandwenti
nsi
de.Hecl
osed
t
hedoorandt
urnedt
oher
.

Thandeka-Iwanty
ouback.
Sbani
-(l
ooksatherbor
ed)goodf
ory
ou.
Thandeka-Iknowy oustil
lloveme,Icanseeiti
n
youreyes.Don'
tfi
ghtit.Icanmov ebacktoDurban
wecanbet ogetheragainplease,
Iloveyou.
Sbani-(l
aughsindi sbel
ief
)Idon'
tlov
eyou,Ihav
ea
gir
lf
ri
endwhoIl ov e.Ihadthebestni
ghtofmyenti
re
exi
stence.Iam tir
ed, Ij
ustwantt
oshowerandsleep.
Nowpl easeleave.

Shetouchesherarm,het
urnedaroundandgaveher
astar
ethatsentchil
l
sdownherspine.I
twasdeadly
,
shehasneverseenhimli
kethi
s.Shecouldseehi
m
for
mingfist
severynowandthan.
.

Sbani
-(bol
dvoi
ce)Iam goingt
otakeashower
.
WhenIcomeouty oubett
erbegone.
Afteraf ewsecondsofhi m beinggone, shecould
heartheshowerwat errunning.Shewasaboutt o
l
eavebutdeci dedagainstitandwal kedtohis
bedroom.Thebedwasnotmade, butwhatcatched
herattenti
onwasal lt
hepacket sofcondomsal l
overthef l
oor
.Sheswal lowedhar dwhenhermi nd
dri
ft
edt ohimt ouchi
ngherhowheusedt otouchher.
Shehel dhertearsback.Shelookedatt hebin,allt
he
usedcondomswer edisposedt here.Shehadt he
showerwat erstop.Shequicklypickedthesmal lbi
n
upandr unoutt heapartment.
...

Fastf
orwar
d...
.

Kat
-don'
tgot
hroughwi
tht
his.
Thandeka-Ihav
eto,whenIhav
ehi
sbaby
,hewoul
d
beforcedtobewit
hme.
Kat-t
hiscoul
dbedangerousTee,
howsur
ear
ewe
thatt
hisguyknowswhatheisdoi
ng?
Thandeka-he'
swhit
e,heknowswhathei
sdoing.
Justbecausehedoesn'
thaveal
i
censedoesn'
t
meanhe'scluel
ess.
Kat
-howwil
lyouexpl
ainf
all
i
ngpr
egnant
?Teej
ust
st
opthi
s.
Thandeka-Iwi
l
lgethi
mtosl
eepwi
thme.

Aladycomestowheretheyar
eandt
ell
sThandeka
t
hattheyr
eadyforher
..
.

3mont
hsl
ater
..
..
..

Thandekawasont
hephonewi
thherf
ri
endKat
...

Kat
-sohei
sn'
tfal
l
ingf
ort
het
rap.
Thandeka-(
annoyed)howcouldhewhenever
yti
me
It
ryandbeal onewit
hhimthatbi
mbowi t
hchock
st
ickslegsdoesn'
twantt
olethim br
eat
he.
Kat-Teejustcomebackhome.Pl ust hewhole
i
nsemi nat
ionprobabl
ydidn'
twork,youstil
ltest
ing
negati
veandj ustl
astweekyoustartedyourperiods.
Thandeka-aaaar
rrggg!
!!YouknowIev
entri
edhis
brot
herjusti
ncase,Nxi
!!!Themoronj
usti
nsist
ed
weusear ubber.
Kat-(shocked)yousleptwithSiphoagai
n???Teeno,
youlosingyourself
.Myf r
iendyouneedtocome
back.JustleaveDurban,itnotgoodforyou.Pl
ease
fr
iend,justl
etitgo.Atl
eastyout r
ied.
Thandeka-(
sighs)maybey
our i
ght
..
.Iwi
l
lbookt
he
fi
rstf
li
ghtouttomorr
ow.Tell
mamaIam coming
home...

2mont
hsl
ater
..
.

Nur
se-y
ou5mont
hspr
egnantmam.
Thandeka-(
shocked)what
??
《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《《

Hert
hought
sar
edi
stur
bedbyt
hecarcomi
ngt
oa
st
op.

Bl
ess-we'
reher
e..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS

Unedi
ted
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t87

I
nsi
deBl
ess'
scar
..
.

Hiscarwindowsar et
aint
edblack,andwit
hitbeing
darkoutsi
de,youcan'
treall
yseeanythi
ng.All
she
couldseewast hecarhadstoppedinthemiddleof
nowhere,shecouldhearthesoundsofthebatsand
owl
s.Shebr
oughthersoncl
osert
oher
..
..

Thandeka-(
shaki
ngv
oice)Whydi
dwest
op?
Bl
ess-we'
rewai
ti
ngf
orSJ'
sri
de.
Thandeka-whatdoy
oumeanSJ'
sri
de,
ain'
tweal
l
goi
ngtogether
?

Blesst urnsandlooksather
,hecouldseethefeari
n
herey es,herhandswereli
tt
lebitshaki
ng.Healmost
fel
tsor ryforbutwhenheremindedhimselfhowthi
s
whol ethingwill
looktohi
ssist
er.He'sstomach
turned...

Bless-(
annoyed)di
dyouthi
nky
ouwouldj
ustWaltz
i
nt heZuluyar
dandevery
onewasgoi
ngtowelcome
youwi t
hopenarms.
Thandeka-(t
ryi
ngtokeepast
rai
ghtface)thi
sisthei
r
son,Sbani
'shei
r.TheZul
u'
swouldneverturnback
ononeoft hei
rown.
Bless-(
chuckles)youmor edelusi
onalthanIthought
youwer e.Yourightt
heZulu'swill
notturnbackon
SJbuty ou'r
enotaZul u,
thingswon'tj
ustgosmoot h
sail
ingforyou.
Thandeka-(
chokedonhersal
i
va)Sbani
woul
dn'
t
hurtt
hemot herofhi
schi
l
d.
Bless-(
looksatherdeadi
ntheey
es)ar
eyousur
e
aboutthat?

Sheswal l
owedandbr oketheeyecontactl
ookingat
thesideofherwindow.Blesstur
nedtohis
windscreenwhenahesawSbani '
sJeepf l
ashi
ng
l
ightscomingtowardsthem...

Bl
ess-(unf
astenhi
sseatbel
t)wel
ll
ookl
i
ket
hewai
t
i
sover.Yoursper
m donorisher
e.

Thandekal
ookedaheadofher,Sbani
'scarparked
nextt
owheretheyare.Thedoorsopenedandhegot
outwit
hanexpressi
onshecouldnotread.Blessgot
outt hecar .Theyst oodout si
det alkingf oraf ew
mi nutes,shewat chedt hem ast hecarl i
ghtsf lashed
them.Theybodyl anguagehav enot hingawaysoshe
couldnotr eadwhatt heywer eplanni ng.Theman
whocamewi t
hSbani fistbumpedBl ess.They
cont i
nuedt alking,afteraf ewmi nutesSbani wal ked
towar dsThandeka' sdoor .Herhear tst art
ingbeat i
ng
beat i
ngf ast ,
hertoescur l
edbecauseoff ear ,her
mout hbecomedr yandhert onguegott i
eddown.
Shel iter
all
ycoul df eel herbodygoi ngt oast ateof
shock.Thedooropened, hest oodt her eandl ooked
atherandt hanlookedatt heboywho' sheadl ai
don
hert i
ghs.Youcoul dseet heshockonhi sey eashe
l
ookedatt hecopyofhi msel f,shecoul dseeanger
starti
ngt obr ewi n,thev ei
nswi l
l popanddi sappear
everynowandt hanf r
om hi sforehead.Hi shands
mov edt owar dashet ookt heboyf rom her .SJ' s
eyesopened, sti
llsl
eepyhel ookedathi smommy ..
.

SJ-(
sleepyv
oice)mom?
?
Thandeka-(
hol
dinghert
ear
s)i
tokaybaby
,gowi
th
daddy.
Sbani'
sbodywentstif
fwhenshesai d"
daddy"t
he
boylookedatSbaniandmouthed" dad"cl
osi
nghis
eyesassleeptookoverhi
m again.Sbaniwal
ked
withhi
mt ohiscar,
Blessremovedt hetwi
nscar
seatstothebootmakingspaceforSJt osl
eep.

Sbani
-sowhatdi
dyourwi
fesay
?
Thul
ani
-sheagreedthathecansl
eepinourhouse
fort
oni
ght.Thantomorrowmorni
ngyoucantake
him.
Sbani
-Thankherforme.Makesur
enobodyseey
ou
whenyouentert
hey ar
d.
Thulani
-don'
twor r
yMzalaIgotyourback.Ialso
tal
kedtothatfr
iendofmine,he'
swil
li
ngtol endyou
hisrondav
elfortoni
ght
.
Sbani-(
brohugged)ThankyouMzala.
..(
handedhi
m
thekeystothej
eep)youshouldgonow.

Henoddedandgoti
nsi
det
hej
eep.Her
ever
sedt
he
carandwi t
hinsecondshewasheadedbackt othe
Zuluhomest ead.Thandekawat chedfrom Bl ess'
sas
everyt
hinghappened.Ifshewasn' tscaredbef ore
nowshei s.Thedenialhasleftherbody .Allshe
coulddonowi spraythatt
heyspar eher ,herlif
e.
Theybot hwalkedtowardsthecar ,Bl
esst ookt he
passengerseatwhi l
eSbanitookt hedriver'
sseat .
..
.

Thandeka-(
tear
y)wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?

.
..
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.

Thandeka-(
snif
fs)y
oucan'
tdot
his,
youwi
l
lbot
hgo
toj
ailpl
ease.Takemetomyson.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
..

Af
ter15minut
esofdri
vi
ngthecarstopped.Thi
s
whol
etimeshehasbeencr
yingbeggingthem t
o
takeherback.Blessgotourfi
rstanddi sappeared,
secondslatershesawl i
ght
scomi ngf r
om t he
rondavelt
heyar epackednextto.Sbani gotoutthe
carandopenedherdoor .Hegrabbedherbyher
weav eanddraggedherout.Shescr eamedbeggi ng
him..
.

Thandeka-(
cry
ing)Sbanipl
ease,
stopt
hisy
ou'
re
hurt
ingme,Iam sorr
y.(Scr
eamed)ohmyGod
HELP!!!
!

Hedr aggedhertotherondavel,
shescreamedeven
l
ouderwhenshef el
tsomethingscrapherti
gh.When
theygotinsi
de,hethrewheront hehardcer
ment
fl
oor.Shestayedtherecry
ing,sti
ll
inshockbywhat'
s
happening.

Sbani
-(angr
y)Why
?

Shesni
ff
edandl
ookedathi
m wi
thr
edey
es.When
shedidn'
tanswerhim,hestompedonherf
oot
makingherscream andgr
oaninpai
n..
.

Sbani
-Iaskedy
ouquest
ion,
WHY?
??

Thandeka-(
cry
ing)Iam sor
ry.
..
.Il
ovey
out
hatwhy
..
.

Sbani
chuckl
edshaki
nghi
shead.Hel
ovedatBl
ess.
..

Sbani
-(l
aughs)cany
ouhearwhatt
hisbi
tchi
s
sayi
ng?

Hesquattedtowardsherandhel dherbytheneck
wit
honehand, wit
htheot herhandhegrabbedherby
herweave.Shecoughed, t
earsrunni
ngdowncheeks.
Hetight
enhishandt hatwasgrabbingherweave,
makingherwinceinpain..
.
Thandeka-(
coughi
ng)pl
ea.
..
se.
..
.ithur
ts.
..

Shet r
iedgrabbinghisarm butt
hatwoul
djust
coursehimt otight
enhisholdonherneckandhead.
WhenBl essfeltli
kehewassqueezingherneckt
o
ti
ght,hewalkedt owardshi
m andremovedhimfrom
her.
..

Bless-(
lookedathim deadintheeyes)remember
wear enotkill
i
ngher .Thi
sisj
ustyoutakingouty
our
angerdon'tforgett
hat.

Sbaniwasaboutt
opushpasthi
m whenBl
ess
pushedhi
m back.
.

Bless-(
havehimthelook)It
hinkyouneedtocal
m
downabi t
.(Handedhim abottl
eofwater
)dri
nkher
e
thanyoucancontinue.
..
Sbaniroughlygrabbedthebottl
eofwat erfrom hi
m
andwal kedoutside.Thandekabreathedoutofreli
ef
forafewmi nutesbutherbodywasst il
lpaini
ng.Her
footwher eSbanistompedonwasbur ning.Forafew
secondsshewasgr atefult
oBless..
.

Thandeka-(
moani
npai
n)(
tear
y)Thanky
ou.
..
Bl
ess-(
annoy
ed)Iwasnotdoi
ngi
tfory
ou.
.

Heclickedhi stongueandwal kedtositwherehe

wasseat edbef ore.Sbaniwal
kedbacki nsi
de,al
lher
hopev anished.Hel ookedatBless,whonoddedand
headedhi m aleatherbelt
.Herey eswidenwit
hfear.

Thandeka-(
scr
eamed)no,
no,
no,
no,
nooooooooo

Hegav eheronewhi p,whi

chwentfrom thesideof
herearallthewaydownt oherknees,makingher
scream evenmore.Shepainf
ull
ycurledherbody
i
ntoabal l
.Hecontinuedtowhipher,al
lthatwas
hear dwasherpai nful screams, thet apofl eather
wheni tmadecont actwi t
hherbody .Hei ncreased
hispacewhenev er ythingcamef loodingi n,t
he
i
nf edil
ityofhi swi fewi thhisbr other,his"supposed"
i
llness, thel ossofhi sdaught er,t
hey ear shel ost
withhi sson, howhewasconcei ved,guiltandmost l
y
ther ealisationt hathemi ghtloset heoneper sonhe
l
ov est hemost .Itpainedhi mt hathemi ghtloseher
becauseshemi ghtr ealisethatbei ngwi thhim
comeswi t
hal otofbaggage, hewi l
lloseherbecause
shewi l
l reali
set hatshe' sbeensl eepingwi t
ha
mur der er.Hewassol ostinhi sthought sthathe
didn'tev enr ealizet hathehadst oppedwhi ppingher
becauset earswer erunni ngdownhi scheeks.
Suddenl yhur ti
nghergav ehim zer osatisfacti
on,
didn'tmakehi mf eelanyl essangr y,
becausehehad
reali
sedt hatbei ngangr yisbetterthanwhat '
shei s
feeli
ngr ightnow.Fort hef ir
stt i
mei nhisl if
ehei s
"scared" .

Hesit
'sdownonthecoldfloor
,nextt
oamoani
ng
andgroani
ngThandeka.Shehasnoener
gyt
o
scream now, hertearsarejustfall
ingouthereyes.
Herbodyi sshaking, herhi
ccupsandsni ff
ingisall
thatisheardfrom her .Shelaysthereonthecold
fl
oor,hereyesr ootedonhi m ashesi t
stherenextto
her,hiskneesup, facedownasdr opsofhistears
fal
ltot heground.Suddenl ysi
lencefil
l
sthewhol e
room....

Sbani
-(sni
ff
s)(
tur
nst
oher
)Iam sor
ry.

Heget
supf
rom t
hef
loorandwal
ksout
..
..

3hour
slat
er.
..
.

Sbaniwal ksinsidetheroom wher eNell

yissleepi
ng,
henoticest hetwobabycot snexttothebed,he
recognizesoneasNoma' swhenshewasst i
llababy
,
heassumest hattheot herisprobabl
ybelongsto
Zandil
e'schi l
dren.Hechecksonhi schi
ldr
enand
theyarebot hpeacef ul
l
ysl eepi
ng.Hesmi l
eslooki
ng
athi
sdaught er.Shewil
ldefi
nit
elyturnheadslikeher
mommy .Hekissesbothhiskidsandsitsont he
edgeoft hebed.Hebrusheshisfaceandst aresat
thedark.Sensi
ngsomeone' spresence,Nell
yopens
hereyes,whenshenot i
cesaf i
guresitt
ingont he
bed,sheshift
scausinghimt oturnandlookather .
..

Nel
l
y-(
hol
dsherchest
)Jesusy
ouscar
edme.
Sbani-(
squeezesherf
ootov
ert
hecomf
ort
er)Iam
sorr
ybabe.
Nel
ly
-(l
ooksathim)Iwait
edforyou,wheny
oudi
dn'
t
comeIthoughtmaybeyouwere.
..
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)sl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?
Nelly-(nods)Iam sor
ry.
..
.itjustIknowher
esheis
sti
llconsideredasyourwife.Iam notangr
yitj
ust
thaty ou.
..

Shest
opswhenshenot
icest
hathei
ssmi
l
ing
l
ooki
ngather
..
.
Nel
l
y-Whyar
eyousmi
l
ing?
Sbani
-(st
aresather
)youbeaut
if
ul.
.

Sheblushesandl
ooksathim, buthersmilessoon
fr
ownswhenshenot i
cesthatsomet hingi
sn'tr
ight
wit
hhim.Shecanseet heworry,hurtandsomet hi
ng
whichshehasneverseenbefore,FEAR..
..

Nel
l
y-(
wor
ri
ed)what
'
swr
ong?
Sbani
-(hol
dshi
stears)
(fakessmi
l
es)not
hing,
Ijust
wanttohol
dyouthatall
.
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)No.
..Sbani
what
'sgoi
ngon?

Hekicksofhi
ssleeper
sandgetsunderthecover
s,
shestar
esathimthiswhol
eti
me.Hel ay
sf aci
ngthe
cei
li
ng..
.

Nel
l
y-(
whi
sper
s)Sbani
..
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)canIj
usthol
dyou.
..
Nel
l
y-butI
...
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)pl
ease.
..

Shenods, heturnst oher,wrappi nghi sarmsar ound

herwai standlay shisheadonherbr east.They
kinderhur tbutshedoesn' ttel
l insteadshehol dshim
andsi l
encef i
ll
sint heroom.Af teraf ewmi nutes,
shef eelshim holdherev ent i
ght er,nextthing
somet hingwet sherchest .Bef oreshecoul dregister
what '
scausingt hewet snessi nhetchest ,shef eel
s
him shaki ngandasmal lsoundescapeshi sl i
ps.Hi s
crying, shecouldf eelherhear tbr eak,iti
sn'tli
ke
any thingshehasf eltbef
or e.I
tt hatexcr uciati
ng
foreignf eeli
ng,wheni tli
kesomeonei sstabbingy ou
repeat edlyandt hereisnot hi
ngy oucandot onumb
thepai n.
..

Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)babe.
..
.tal
ktome.
Meanwhi
l
e..
..
..

Sheswall
owspai
nful
l
ythepai
nki
l
ler
s,gul
psdown
thewat
er.
..

Bl
ess-youneedt
orest
,wehav
eal
ongdayaheadof
ustomorr
ow.
Thandeka-(moansofpain)howcouldyoul
ethi
m do
thi
stome?Andy ouwatched,whatki
ndofahuman
bei
ngarey ou?
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)ev
enaf
tert
hatwhi
ppi
ng,
youstil
lhaveabi
dmouth.
Thandeka-(
groans)Iam goingtoreportyoutwo,
(sni
ff
s)howcanhedot hi
stome?Thi sisabuse.
Howcanhedot hi
stoadef ensel
esswoman?
Bl
ess-(
looksather
)justsl
eep.
..
.

Heswi
tchest
heli
ght
sof
fandsi
tsont
hechai
r
wat
chi
ngher.
..
.
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS

Nexti
nser
twi
l
lfol
l
owl
atert
oni
ght
..
..
..
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t88

6:
00am

ATTHEKHOZAHOME

Donpar
kshiscarnexttot
hedoubl
estoryhouse
whi
chbelongst
oMaSi wel
aasthef
irstwif
e..
..
.

MaSiwel
a-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)i
tbeenl
ongsi
nceI
setf
ooti
nthisyar
d.
Don-(
smiles)Yeah,
butnowyou'r
ebackpl usIhave
beent
akinggoodcareofyourhouse.Ievenasked
oneofourmaidstocleani
tandgetitreadyforyou.
MaSiwel
a-(l
aughs)howdidyouknowIwoul
dsay
yes?ImeanwhatifIj
ustsai
dNo?
Don-(smi
rks)
(bol
dv oi
ce)uwuthandakakhul
u
umthondowami ,
bungekeunqabe( y
oulovemydi
ck
toomuch,youwouldn'
thavesaidno).
MaSiwela-Iam notr
eadytodeal
wi t
hy ourwife.
She'
stoomuchofasuckup.Sheact slikethose
annoyi
ngkidsatschoolwhoareteacher'spets.
Don-(l
aughs)l
eav
ePinkyal
one.Idon'
tknowwhy
youfi
ndherannoyi
ngwhenshepracti
cal
lywor
shi
ps
you.
MaSi
wela-(
laughs)she'
stoobl
onde,
whatdi
dyou
seei
nhervele?
Don-(smil
es)Pinkyi
sagoodwoman,she'
s
submissi
ve,see'
sgoodi
never
yoneandhasagood
hear
t.
MaSi
wela-(
laughs)ar
eyousur
eshedi
dn'
tgi
vebi
rt
h
t
oMthokozi
si?

Theybot
hbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Thenj
i
wewat
chesf
rom
thewindowasDonandMaSi welagetoutt
hecar
withherbags.Shecl
i
ckshertongueandcl
osest
he
curtai
ns.
..

Don-(
placesherbagsont
hebed)getset
tl
edwhil
eI
gotothemainhouseandaskoneofthemaidst
o
pr
epareyoubreakfast
.
MaSi
wel a-whydon'
tyouj
ustaskthem tobri
ngme
ev
eryt
hingIneedtomakebreakfastandyouinvi
te
Pi
nkywhenshewakesup, wecanal leatt
ogether
.
Don-(
smi
l
es,
supr
ised)r
eal
l
y??
MaSi wel
a-(rol
l
sey es)yesreall
y.
..phel
aIdon'
that
e
her,she'
sjustannoyingnje.Butli
keyousai
dsheisa
greatwomanpl usshei sasecondmot hert
omy
son's.

Hebr
ingshercl
osertohi
sbodyandgi
veshera
br
eat
htaki
ngkiss.
..
.

Don-(
babyki
ssesher
)thanky
ouf
orgi
vi
ngus
anot
herchance.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)i
tnotl
i
key
ouhav
emeachoi
ce.
Don-(seri
ousface)Si
badalaMatho,i
ndaba
yokudl
alanokujol
aangiyi
sebenzi
kakhul
uwheni
t
comest oyou,ungumfaziwami.

Sher oll
sherey es,shehat esitwhenheget sall
serious.Thedeci si
ont ogetbackwi thhim wasnota
hardone.Tr aditi
onallyshewashi swi f
e,butt he
reasonbehi ndheragr eeingwasbecauseDonhas
beent hroughev eryt
hingwi t
hher ,
hehasal ways
managedt ocalm herdownandbet heref orher.
Evenwhenshebr oket heirmar riageanddat ed
Moses, Donnev erhatedher ,insteadhef orgaveher
andbef ri
endedher .Looki ngbacksher eali
zest hat
shest oppedbei ngDon' swi febutDonnev erstopped
beingherhusband, hedi dev erythingahusband
woul ddof orhiswi f
e.Sheal way sthoughtshel ov es
Mosesmor ebutno, shel ovedt hebadboyMoses
was, shelustedhi m.Donhasal way sbeent heone.
Evenherpar ent
sappr ovedofDon. ..
.
45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Pinkycomesi ncarry
ingf reshcroissants.Shewal ks
i
nsidetheli
vingroom andf indsMaSi welasetti
ngt he
tabl
e.Sheclearsherthroat .MaSiwelalooksupat
herandsmiles,Pinkyisabeaut i
fulcaramel ski
n
woman.She'sy oungert hanMaSi wela.Theyhug, she
thanksherf
ort hecroissant sandplacest hem i
nt he
tabl
e..
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)di
dyoumaket
hose?
Pinky-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
youknowmeandt
heki
tchenar
e
fr
iends.
MaSi
wela-(
laughs)bet
tery
out
hanmedar
li
..
..
.
uy
aphi
lakodwa?
Pinky
-si
yaphi
la,i
tgoodt ohaveyouback.Thisplace
cangetsodepressi
ngsomet i
mes.Especial
lysince
Vuyohaslef
tforVarsi
ty.Evennowsheisn'tbacky et
i
tholi
days.
MaSiwela-hhay
i!!
!Icannotli
vehere,
whydon'
tyou
askDont ogetyouapl aceneart
ownoranywherei
n
thesuburbs.
Pi
nky-(smil
es)Ishoul
ddothat
.Aft
erbr
eakf
asty
ou
wi
llsuggestsomeplacesf
orme..
..

Theycont
inuet
ocat
chupast
heybot
hsetupt
he
tabl
e..
.

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Don-(wi
peshi
smonth)
(smi
l
es)br
eakf
astwasgr
eat
,
si
yabongaMaSi
wel
a.
Thenji
we-(dr
inksherj
uice)bekumnandikonaukudl
a.
Kodwakei br
eakfasti
ngenziwengi
shoingane
ena12.(Thefoodwasnicebutevena12y earol
d
canpreparebreakf
ast
)
Pinky
-(rollseyes)avengi
jabul
enjengobaesebuyi
l
e
umam' khulu,awujabul
iwenaanti
?(Iam sohappy
thatmyel dersist
erwifei
sback,ain'
tyouhappy
aunt
y?
Thenjiwe-ungashesheujabul
e,ngobakusasalokho
kwafikaBat i
stauzohambaendizanayeaphinde
azal
euml ungu.(
Don'tbehappytoquickbecause
onceBat i
sta( Moses)comes,shewillbefl
yi
ng
l
eavingwi thhim andgi
vebirt
htoanotherwhite
baby.)
MaSiwela-(l
aughs)hawu,suchli
tt
lef
ait
hinme,
khul
ulekathi
stimeIam goingnowhere,meandyou
wil
lbeattendi
ngstokvel
stogether
.

Thenj
iwest
andupf
rom t
het
abl
etaki
ngherwal
ki
ng
st
ick.
..

MaSiwel
a-hawuusuy
ahamba,
Ithoughtwewer
e
goi
ngtocatchup.
Thenj
i
we-ay
ileav
emeal
oneDel
i
lah.
..

Theyal
llaughasshemakesherwayout
sidet
he
house.
..
Don-(
laughs)whyi
ssheusi
ngast
ick?
Pinky-(
laughs)shesli
ppedonthebathtubyest
erday
.
Anyway sitwasgoodseeingyouMatho,Ineedto
getreadyIam picki
ngmymom f rom Durbanst
ati
on
today.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)okaysi
siuhambekahl
e.

Shesmil
esasDonwalksherout.Aft
eraf ew
minut
eshecomesbackandfindsherleaning
agai
nstt
hetabl
ewi
thherphonei nherhands..
.

Don-i
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
MaSiwel
a-No,i
tjustt
hatIhavereali
sedNel
l
yhasn'
t
cal
l
edeversi
ncesheleftt
ot heZuluhomest
ead.
Don-whodi
dshel
eav
ewi
th?
MaSiwela-t
hekidsandSbani
,shesai
dshewoul
d
cal
lbutshehasn't
.
Don-noImeanbesi
det
hatboy
,whoel
sedi
dshego
wi
th?Pl
easedon'tt
ellmeyoulethergoalonetoa
pl
acewheresheknowsnooneandpr obabl
yshe
woul
dfeell
ikeanoutsi
der
.Pheladon'tfor
geti
nthei
r
ey
esshe'ssti
l
lthegi
rlt
hatbr
okeupaf amil
y.
MaSiwel
a-ohmygod!!Youri
ght,
alothasbeen
happeni
ngthatdi
dn'
tevencr
ossmymi nd.
Don-(
sighs)y
ouknowwhatl
et'
sgot
her
e?
MaSiwel
a-(supri
zed)real
l
y?ImeanMrZul udi
dsay
we'
rewelcomedt odinewiththem ontheact
ual
cer
emonyday .ButIj
ustbrusheditoff
.
Don-(
smiles)well
getready
,asambesiy
odlainyama
yembuzi
kwaZul u.(l
et'
sgoeatmeatattheZulu'
s)

Shewal
kedupstai
rst
ogetherhandbag,
whi
l
eDon
wal
kedoutt
othecar.
..

ATTHEZULUHOMESTEAD.
.

Mr
sZul
uent
eredt
her
oom wher
eNel
l
ywas.She
foundhi
m dressi
ngNkanyeziwhoj
ustr
etur
nedf
rom
beingcl
eansedbyNganono..
.

MrsZulu-howi
sshe?Shewasscreamingherl
ungs
outwhenherbodymadecont
actwitht
hecoldwater
.
Nell
y-she'scal
meddownabi
tbutIam wor
ri
edshe
mightcatchacold.
MrsZulu-hopef
ullynot
,babi
esar
equi
tehandf
ul
whentheyaresick.

Shef akedsmiledandcontinueddressi
ngherbaby.
Shewonder edwhatel sedoesshewant ,sheknew
thatthiswomandi dn'
tli
keherthatmuch.Shemi ght
nothat eherbutsheisn'
texactl
yherfavouri
te
person.

Nel
l
y-(
tur
nst
oher
)ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
seMr
sZul
u?
MrsZul
u-(si
ghs)It
houghtIt
oldyout
ocallmemah.
LookNel
lyIknowyouthi
nkIhaveaprobl
em wi
th
youbut
..
.
Nel
ly
-(stopsandl
ookather
)buty
oudohav
ea
pr
oblem wit
hme,don'
tyou?
MrsZul u-asIwassay ing,
Iadmi reyou,thekindof
persony ou'r
e.Iknowmyson' slovesy ouandIknow
youcanbegoodf orhi
m.Mypr oblem withyoui sthe
decisi
onsy ouhav ebeentakingl atel
y,If
eelli
key ou
havebeensel fishandnottakingt oconsiderati
on
thefami l
iesfeeli
ng.
Nell
y -(sighs)(t
akesadeepbr eath)l ookMr suhm
mah, Iwoul dadmi tmay beIt ookt hingst ofaratt he
hospital butIwashur ti
ngandIdon' tbeli
evei tis
necessar yt hatyouhol dthatagai nstme.Buti fyou
tal
kingaboutt hedeci si
onImadey esterdaythanI
am sor rytosayy ouony ourown.Butt hat'snotmy
problem wi thy ouma, mypr obl em wi thyoui st hat
youwantt opr etendasi fyoul i
keme.Ther eisa
hugedi fferencebet weenl i
kingsomeoneand
tol
eratingsomeone.Youmi ghthav elikedmebef ore
Ibecamet hewomanwhoy ourdaught ermar riedher
fi
anceandIdi dn'treal
lymaket hi
ngsanybet ter
whenIbecamet hewomany oursonl efthiswi fefor.
Iknowy ourl oyal
tywi l
lalwaysbewi thyourdaught er
andpar tofy oui sloy altoNt ombi aswel lwhichis
under standabl eshe' sbeeni ny ourlifeforf artolong.
Youdon' thav et opr etend,Iunder st andt he
dy nami csofourr elationship, wecannev erhav e
l
unchdat esorspardat es,andi tokay ,
y ougav ebirt
h
tot hemanIl ov eandy ou'
ret hegr andmot herofmy
kids.Wewi llalway sbei neachot her '
slives,wewi ll
shar ehappy , sadmoment st oget hersomet imeswe
willargueandnotagr eewithoneanot herbutt hat
doesn' tmeanwehat eeachot her.May besomeday
wewi llgoonspat reat setcbutt odayi snott hatday.
Letj ustber ealisti
cabouti t,don'tbeachamel eon,I
respectpeopl ewhost aytruet ot hierfeelings.

Shekeptquietandswal
l
owedlooki
ngather
.Itwas
qui
etforafewsecondsunt
ilNel
lydeci
dedt
ospeak
agai
n.

Nel
l
y-any
way
shav
eyouseenSbani
?
MrsZul
u-(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)uhmm nobutIt
hink
he'
sbusywit
hthemenoutsi
de.Di
dyouneed
any
thi
ngf
rom hi
m?
Nel
ly
-(si
ghs)no.
..i
tjusthav
en'
tseenmuchofhi
m
si
ncewegothere.
MrsZulu-(
looksather)y
ouknowy oudon'
thav
eto
becoupedupi nt
hisroom, y
ou'
real
lowedt
ogo
out
sideandjustbr
eathfreshai
r.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Imi
ghtj
ustdot
hat
.
Mr
sZul
u-wel
ll
etmel
eav
eyout
han.
..

Shewasatt
hedoorwhenshet
urnedandl
ookedat
her
..
.

MrsZul
u-forwhatiswort
hIthi
nky
ou'
regreat
woman,Iknowithardt
obeli
evemeri
ghtnowbut
par
tofmedoesl i
keyou.

Witht
hatsai
dsheturnsandl eav
esNell
ywhosighs
andpi
ckupbabyNkany ezi.Herminddr
if
tsofto
Sbani
,shenot
icedt
hatthingswereabittenset
oday
,
especi al l
ywi ththeel ders,Sbani wasal soof f,they
heldont oeachot herunt i
ltheyf ellasleepl astnight.
Shei sn' tsurei fhesl eptatal lbecausehi sey esare
stil
lred.Shewant edt oaskhi m whatwr ongwhen
theywokeupbutshecoul dn' tbecauseshewokeup
alone.She' ssawhi m whenNganonowascl eansing
Nkany ezi,hehadt ot akecar eofNsi kabecause
todayt heboydeci dedt othrowat antrum, nobody
want st ot akecar eofascr eami ngbaby ,si
ncehe' s
mor ef ondofhi sfat her,Sbani hadt ol ookaf terhim.
Nganonomi xedsomeher bsf orhi m, hesai di twil
l
helpcal m him downandwi l
l av oidhi m get t
inga
headacheaf terhe' scool eddown.Sbani was
reluctantonhi m dr i
nkingit,tobehonestNel l
ywas
toobutshedi dn'tsayany thingbecauseshe
respect edNganonoanddi dn'twantt oseem
disrespect f
ul.ButNganonoi nsi stedt hatt heher bs
won' thar m hi m, buti ftheydi dn' tf
eel comf ortable
theycanj ustbur ni tsohecani nheal i
t.Whent hey
gotbackt ot her oom, shewant edt otalkbuthej ust
kissedherl i
psandt oldhernotnow.Shedi dn'twant
topushbecauseshecoul dseehowst ressedand
affectedbywhat ev erwaseat inghi mi nside.
20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Tir
edofj ustsit
ti
nganddoi ngnothing,shewas
abouttogof indoneoft hegir
lswhousual lybr
ing
herfood,tohelpherwi t
hthetwins,shewant edtogo
si
tbyt heSbani'sgrandmother'
sgar den,maybethat
mighttakehermi ndoft hi
ngs.Herchi l
drenmight
al
sol i
keit,sheopenedt hedoor,butstoppedwhen
hereyesmeethi s..
.

Nel
l
y-(
whi
sper
ed)babe.
.
Sbani
-(av
oidsey
econt
act
)wher
eyougoi
ng
somewhere?
Nel
l
y-yeah.
.Iwast hi
nki
ngofgoi
ngandsi
tt
ingby
t
hegarden,Ineededoneoft
hegir
lst
ohel
pmewi th
t
hebabies.
Sbani
-(sighs)i
tfi
ne,gr
abablanketwewi
l
lgo
toget
her.Ineedtotel
lyousomethi
ng.
Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Ther umouraboutamy st
eri
ouswomanar ebuzz
ing
aroundt hey ard.Every
onewant stoknowaboutt he
woman.Oner umourhasi tt
hatshewasf ound
practi
cingwi tchcraftintheearl
yhoursofthe
mor ning.Thesecondr umouristhatshe'
sabeggar,
oraf oreigner.
..

Ntombi
andZandil
etoget
herwi
tht
woot
herwomen,
ar
ewashingpot
soutsi
de.
..
.

Ntombi
-doyouknowanythingaboutthi
smy
ster
ious
womanthatev
eryonei
stalkingabout
?
Zah-(
shakesherhead)lut
hosisi
,butt
her
eistal
kall
overt
heyardabouther.Ther
earetoomanytheor
ies
soIdon'
tknowwhichonei str
ue.
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)ay
ivi
l
lagepeopl
e.
Women1-myhusbandsay
shesawt
hewoman
ar
ri
vel
atei
ntheearl
yhour
soft
hemorni
ngwi
tha
manhehasnev
erseenbef
ore.
Zah-l
etj
ustwait
,I'
m am sur
ewewi
l
lknowwhat
's
goi
ngonv er
ysoon.

Theuncle'
sandNganonoar eseatedonthebenches
i
noneoft herondavel
s,t
heaunt'
sar eseat
edonthe
mats,al
ongwi t
hMr sZul
u,Thandekaisseatedal
one
onthematandi sfaci
ngdown...
.

Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatThandeka)what
'sgoi
ngon?
Aunt1-ubanilent
ombazaneembi
kanj
e?(
Whoi
s
thi
suglygirl
?)
MrZulu-(l
ooksatThandeka)shel
ooksli
keshe
needstohaveadoctorcheckherout
,kahl
e,kahl
e
kwenzakal
ani?
Nganono-Igav
ehersomethi
ngtodrinkitwi
l
lhel
p
herwit
hthepainandwi
ll
helpherheal.
Uncl
e2-sosi
l
endeni
vel
e?(
Whatar
ewewai
ti
ngf
or?
)
Aunt
2-akul
onai
kwer
ekwer
enj
elel
e?(
Isn'
tthi
sa
f
orei
gner
?)
Shaka-(shakeshishead)
(l
ooksataunt
2)asify
ou
coul
dn'tgetanydumb.Notalldar
kpeoplear
e
for
eigners.Nxi
!!
!Typi
calSout
hAfri
can.
Aunt
1-kut
hini
Iokho?(
Whati
sthi
sonesay
ing?
)
Aunt
2-angi
mazikodwangi zomumurangempama
ahl
anzel
esi
ngi
sisakhe.(Idon'
tknowbutIwil
lsl
ap
hi
m andmakehi
mv omithisengl
ish)

Shakacli
ckedhi
stongue,hest
oodupgoingt
o
ThandekabutNganonoshookhisheadmaki
nghi
m
takeaseat.

Nganono-Iknowy oual
lwonderi
ngwhyweareher
e
butyouwi l
lal
lknowsoon.Wejustwai
ti
ngf
or
Sbanisezwe.
Uncl
e3-howi
sthi
sgi
rlr
elat
edt
oSbani
sezwe?
Nganono-pat
ientboMageba.
Siphowalkedinsi
detherondavel
,obli
vi
ousto
Thandeka,hegreetshi
sauntsandmot her
.He
acknowledgeshisunclesanddad.Thandekali
ft
s
herheadupwhenshehear shi
svoice..
.

Thandeka-(
tear
y)(
whi
sper
ing)Si
p..
.ho.
..
.

Hiseyesscant heroom andt

heymeether
s,shocked
atthesighthequickl
ygoesandsquat
snexttoher,
bri
ngingherfacetohis.
..

Si
pho-whodi
dthi
s?What
'
sgoi
ngon?Whodi
dthi
s?

Every
oneint
her
oom openedt
hei
rey
esl
ooki
ngat
them..
..

Aunt
1-AIBO!
!!
!!KWENZANILOKHO?(
Whati
sthi
s
onedoi
ng?)
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t89

WhenSbaniandNellysteppedoutsi
detheyardshe
coul
dfeel
peoplestari
ngather.Feel
ingher
di
scomfor
t,Sbani
whowasaheadofherwai tedand
hel
dherhand..
.

Nell
y-(l
ooksaround)Icannev
ergetusedt
othese
peoplestar
es.
Sbani
-justdon'
tpayatt
ent
iont
othem,
theyv
il
lage
peopl
e,li
tt
lethi
ngsexci
tet
hem.
Nell
y-(
chuckl
es)well
Idon'
tthi
nkitexci
tement,
the
waysomeoft hesewomenlookatmei sfarf
rom
exci
tement
.
Sbani-j
ustbit
terjealousv i
l
lagewomenwhoare
unhappyaboutt heirl
ives.Theyenv
yyou,
butt
hey
won'tsaythattoy ourface.
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)y
ouv
erymean.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)t
hatwhyy
oul
oveme.
.

Theybothgi
ggl
eastheymakethei
rwaytot
he
garden,
wit
hever
yonelooki
ngatt
hem..

Women2- (stopswashingthebigpot s)(

lookingatthe
dir
ecti
onofSbani &Nell
y)Yhooo!!
!!KodwaNt ombi
uyabekezela,minaangekenjengiv
umeey ami
i
ndodai hambenomakhwapheni way okanje.
(Ntombi you'
reverypati
entper
son, Iwouldnev er
all
owmyhusbandt oparadewit
hhi smi str
esslike
thi
s)
Ntombi-(si
ghs)ucabangaukut
hiNgiy
akuthandayi
ni
minalokhookwenziwanguSbani,(
doy outhi
nkIli
ke
whathe'sdoing?
)ButIhavenosaywear edivor
ced.
Women2-y abonakuhlalakulamadolobhaenu,yini
njelamadi vosi
,kubebenehlalalaemakhayangabe
ayikhoy onkel emfabhatheka.(Youseewhatli
v i
ngin
thesecitiesofy oursdoes,whatisdivor
ce?Ifyou
wer estayingheratt hefar
mst hiswholerubbi
sh
woul dn'
texist.
Zah-(
roll
seyes)kuy
afananj
e!!
!Ifamanwant
stobe
adoghewi l
lbeadog.Theenvir
onmenthest
aysi
n
hasnothi
ngtodowi t
hhiswhori
ngways.
Woman1-Iagree,butNtombikuyabekezel
wa
emshadweni,y
ougav euptoeasywena.Mi namy
husbandhas3kidsfrom out
sideourmar r
iagebutI
am sti
ll
marri
edtohim.
Zah-Idon'tknowaboutyouladi
esbutminaIfuckup
hi
m andt hanfuckthebit
chupaswell
.Iworkedto
hardformyf amil
yain'
tnobi
tchwhowi l
lmessthat
upforme.

Ntombiglancesatthedi r
ecti
onofNell
yandSbani
andnoti
cest hatt
heyar enolongert
here.Shesi
ghs
andcarr
iesonscr ubbi
ngt hepotswhil
ethetopi
cof
cheat
ingisbeingdiscussedbythewomen. ..
.

Whent heygettothegarden,theyfi
ndagazeebo
setup,abasketfi
ll
edwi t
hfreahfrui
ts,
crushorange
j
uice(Nell
y'
sf av
ourit
e).Acuteblanketisl
aidonthe
fl
oorandcomf ort
ablecushi
ons...
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)whendi
dyoupl
anal
lthi
s?
Sbani-(
smiles)well
whenIcameupt oyourr
oom I
wantedtoasky outocomehavepicni
cwithme,I
wassupr i
sedwheny out ol
dmey
oualsowantedto
comer el
axbyt hegarden.
Nel
l
y-(
kisseshi
scheeks)t
hisi
sbeaut
if
ul,
Ilov
eit
..
.
Sbani
-Iam gl
ady
oudo.
..

Nomacomesrunningt
othem, Sbani
tur
nst
oher
,
shegi
ggl
esandslowsherpace..
.

Sbani
-whatdi
dIsayaboutr
unni
ngy
oungl
ady
?
Noma-(smi
l
es)sor
rydaddy
.(l
ooksatNel
l
y)hel
l
o
Neneh.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
obaby
.
Noma-daddycanIpl
aywi
thmybr
otherandSi
ster
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)pr
incessy
ouknowt
heyst
il
lbabi
es,
t
heycan'
trunl
i
key
ou.
Noma-butwe'
renotrunni
ng,
wejustsit
ti
ngunder
t
hetr
ees,pl
ease?(Makesapuppyface)
Sbani
-may
benext.
..
Nell
y-(
smil
es)y
ouknowwhatIthi
nkt
heywoul
dbe
happytopl
aywit
hthei
rbi
gsi
ster
..
.

Sbanishootsheral
ook,sheignor
eshi
m,Noma
exci
tedl
yclapsherhands.
..

Nel
ly
-don'tt
akethem outofthei
rstr
oll
erokay.And
makesureyoudon'tsi
tinthesun.Anddon'tf
eed
t
hem di
rt
.
Noma-(exci
ted)okay
..
.wethui
sgoi
ngt obeso
j
eal
ous.Inowhav eabrot
herandasi
stertoo,
and
t
heycutenotli
ke..
Sbani
-(war
ningher
)Noma!
!!
Noma-(
shr
ugs)What
?!!
!
Nomacareful
l
ypushest hedoubl
estrol
lert
owhere
theot
herki
dsare, whoj
umpandr untoherbutshe
tel
lst
hem t
onott oucht
hebabiesbecausethei
r
handsar
edirt
y..
..

Sbani
-Ihopey
oudon'
tregr
etwhaty
ouj
ustdi
d.
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)Ihopeso,
Iam st
il
ltr
yingt
ogett
he
ki
dtoli
keme.

Theymov et
ot hegazeeboandsi
tont hecushions.
Hesitsbehi
ndherandholdsherastheywat ch
Noma, who'
sbossingevery
one,t
heylaughshaking
thei
rheads.
..

Sbani-It
hinkshe'
staki
ngt
hebi
gsi
sterr
olewayt
o
ser
ious.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)she'
sfunnyt
owat
ch.
..

Theysmi
l
eandf
all
int
osi
l
ence.Hehol
dshert
ight
ly
andshebrusheshi
sar
m.Suddenl
ythemood
changes.
..
.

Nel
l
y-wantt
otal
kabouti
t?
Sbani
-Idon'
tev
enknowwher
etost
art
,ital
lmessed
up.
Nel
l
y-y
ouknowIam her
eri
ght
?
Sbani
-(ki
ssest
hetopofherhead)Iknowbabe.
..
(t
akesadeepbreat
he)
rememberwhenIwentt othe
hi
ll
swithNganono?
Nel
l
y-y
esandhet
oldy
ouaboutThi
ngol
enkosi
.
Sbani-yeahbutthat
'
snotall
hetol
dmeabout.He
tol
dmet hatt
heancest
orsshowedhi
mthatIhav
ea
son,Ithoughthewastal
ki
ngaboutNsi
kabuthe
wasn't.

Hecoul
dfeel
herbodygoingal
i
ttl
ecol
dandst
if
f.
Hesi
ghedandcont
inued.
..
Sbani-Iwasconfused,hethanwentontosaythe
boyissickandneedst obeintr
oducedtotheZul
u
ancestors.WhenIaskedifmay beheknowswhere
thi
ssupposedsoni s,hetol
dmeno.Hesai dthe
ancestorsonl
ytel
lhim whatheneedstoknow.
Nell
y-sowhatdoest
hatmean?Wher
eist
hatson?I
don'
tunder
stand.
Sbani
-Idi
dn'
tunder
standt
oo,Iwassosur
emay
be
Nganonomadeami st
akeunt
il
..
..
.
Nel
l
y-unt
ilWhat
???
Sbani
-unti
lIgotaphonecal
lfr
om Bl
ess,
tel
l
ingme
heiswit
haboywhoneedshel pandl
ooksexact
ly
l
ikeme.

Het ookouthisphoneandwenttot
hepicturethat
Blesssenthim,handedhert
hephone.Shelookedat
thepict
ure,shebli
nked4ti
meshopingthatj
ust
may beshewasn'tseei
ngwhatshe'
sseeing.
..

Sbani
-youdon'
tknowhowmuchIst
aredand
bl
inkedl
ooki
ngatthepi
ctur
ehopi
ngi
tnott
rue.But
asyoucansee.
..
Nell
y-(whi
spered)he'
sy our
s..
..
(bl
i
nked)but
..
..
idon'
t
underst
and.
..
.(looksathim)how?
Sbani
-(cl
enchedhi
steet
h)t
hat
'st
hef
uckeduppar
t.
..

Shelookedathi m,t
heangerv i
si
blei nhi
sface,he
wastryi
ngsomucht oholditinbutitwasprovingto
beverydiff
icult
.Shedidn'
tunderstandwhatwas
fr
ustr
ati
nghi m?I nf
actnothi
ngmadesense, t
heboy
l
ookedoldert hanNomasoi tobviousitsome
womanf rom hispast.
..
.

Nel
ly-howdi dBl
essknowal
laboutt
his?Sbani
thi
s
boylooksoldert
hanNoma?Didyouhaveanaffai
r
whil
edatingNtombi?
Sbani
-(angr
y)FUCKNO!
!!.
..
Nell
y-(
movesf r
om hi
m)Jesusokay!
!!
!Ther
e'sno
needtobi
temyheadof f
,Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngtomake
senseoft
hings.
Sbani
-(si
ghsandbringsherclosert
oheragain)
I
knowIam sor
ry,i
tjust.
.(gr
it
shisteeth)t
hiswhol
e
thi
ngj
ustangersmesomuch.
Nel
l
y-who'
schi
l
dist
hisSbani
?Whoi
shi
smot
her
?
Sbani
-(l
ooksdown)Thandeka.
..

Shetr
iest
omov eawayfrom hi
m buthehol
dsher
evenmoretight
.Shetr
iesagainbutfai
l
sbecausehe
i
snotbudging..

Nel
ly-thenobody!!
!!THENOBODY!!
!!.
..
.Ican'
t
bel
i
ev ethi
s.Ithoughtyousai
dshei
sn'trel
evant
..
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)v
eleshei
sn'
t.
..
Nelly
-Thanhowdoy ouexpl
aint
hechi
l
d?That
soundsl i
kesomeonewhoisver
ymuchrel
evant
,in
factthatsoundsl
i
kesomeonewhowil
lfor
everbein
yourlif
e.
Sbani
-(cl
enchedhi
steet
h)don'
tsayt
hat
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
huf
fi
ng)i
ttr
ue!
!!
!Howdoessheev
enhav
e
yourchi
ld?I
sthatwhatshewantedt
otal
kaboutt
hat
dayinyourof
fi
ce?Orthatwhyshe'
sbeencal
l
ingyou?
Ohmygod! !
!!

Shegotofhisholdandstooduppacingar
ound.Alot
wasgoingthroughherheadri
ghtnow.Hestoodup
andtr
iedtotouchherbutshemov edfr
om hi
m...

Nell
y-Idon'
tknowmuchaboutt hatwomanbutone
t
hingIknowisIdon'
tl
ikeher,somethi
ngabouther
j
ustrubsmet hewr
ongway .
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)babel
ookatme.
..
.

Shestoppedandl ookedathi m,hecouldseeshe

wasbattl
ingwithhermi nd,thi
siswhathedi dn't
want,t
helastcoupleofweekshe' swi t
nessedwhat
she'
sli
kewhenshe' sinherhead,i
tv er
yhardtoget
thr
oughtoher.Nel l
ydoesn'tdowel l
wheni tcomes
toper
sonalissues,infactshefail
scompl et
ely.They
havebeengoodl atelyhedoesn'twanttogobackt o
t
hatpl
acewher
esheshut
shi
m out
..
..

Sbani
-Iknowal
otdoesn'tmakesenseri
ghtnow.But
pl
easeletmeexpl
ain,
cany oudothatf
orme,
ngi
yakucel
aMa'Thabekhul
u..
.

Shelookedathim,hear
inghim cal
lherbyherprai
se
name,kindofmeltedherabit
.Shewasaboutt onod
whenloudvoicescomingfr
om behindherdist
urbed
her
,outofnowhereSiphocamef ly
inggiv
ingSbani
onestrongpunchontheface.
.

Si
pho-(
angr
y)WHATTHEFUCKISWRONGWI
TH
YOU?YOUBEATWOMANNOW! !
!

Sbaniwipedhi
sjaw,andlookedatSiphowithdeadl
y
eyes.Hewasabouttotalkagai
nwhenSbani hel
d
hi
m bytheneck,l
ockedhisheadunderhisarmsand
punchedhimrepeat
edlyonhisstomach.Sipho
managedt ost
ompedonSbani '
sleftfoot
,making
himl oosebal
ance,butheheldSiphobyhi scollar
bri
ngi nghi
mtot hegroundwithhim.Hequi cklygot
ont opofhim andpunchedhimr epeatedl
yonhi s
face.Thewomanst artedscr
eami ng,t
heuncl esand
themenandboy scamef l
oodingtryi
ngt obreakoff
thef i
ght.
..

Zah-(
looksatNel
l
y)(
pani
cki
ng)what
'sgoi
ngon?
Aunt2-(
hadherhandsonherhead)EEEHENNNI
II
!!
!!
!!
kodwalezi
nganezi
ngenel
wey i
ni?(
Whathasgot
ten
i
ntothesechi
ldr
en?)
MrsZul
u-(hear
tbeat
ing)
(scr
eami
ng)GETSBANI
OFFHIM,HEWI LLKI
LLHIM..

I
twasv eryhardt ogett hem offeachotherasboth
men'sholdoneachot herwasst r
ong.Theywer e
bothnotwill
i
ngt ol etgoof .Sbanikeptpunchi
nghim
onhisstomachwhi leSiphot r
iedgetti
ngagripon
hi
sneckbutwasf ail
ingbecauseoft hement ry
ingto
gethi
m off.Blesscamer unni
ngtothescenealong
wit
hThulani,Blesst ookouthi sgunandshootupt he
air3ti
mes, makingthepeoplescatt
erandscream
evenlouderastheylai
ddownont hefloorhol
ding
thei
rheadsfacingtheground.Hewal kedand
grabbedSbaniwi t
hthehelpofThulaniawayfrom
Siphoastheothergroupofmenhel dSi phoback.
.

Bl
ess-(
giv
esSbani
thedeadl
ylook)WHATTHE
FUCKAREYOUDOI NGFI
GHTINGYOURBROTHER?
Sbani
-(spatbl
oodont
hegr
ound)hecamef
orme.
Bl
ess-(
looksatSi
pho)DOYOUHAVEADEATH
WISH?
Si
pho-(
chokedonhisbl
oodandspatitout)Iwanted
hi
mt of
ightsomeonehi
ssi
zenotadef ensel
ess
woman.Whatkindofamandoesthattothemot her
ofhi
schil
d?
Ntombi
-(wi
denherey
es)TOTHEWHAT? ?.
.what
t
hehell
ishetal
ki
ngabout
?(LooksatSbani
)
Sbani
-(angr
y)eyawumeNt
ombi
..

Nel
l
ytur
nedandl
ookedathowf
ri
ght
ent
heki
ds
wher e,everyonewassof ocusedont hebr others
fi
ght ingt hattheyf orgotthatthekidswer eright
there.Sbani 'sey esscannedt hecr owdandf oundher
wal kingf uri
ouslyt owher ethekidswher e.Shef ound
them al lseatedt oget herandhadt hetwinsdoubl e
strollerinthemi ddle,theysurroundeditforminga
prot ectiv
eshi eld,l
ittl
eNkany ezifoundthisamusi ng
asshewascr ackingupbecauseofal l
thedi ff
erent
facesur roundingher .Thisbrokeherhear tbutatt he
samet imewar medi tupofhowatsuchay oungage
theyar esmar tenought odosuchat hi
ng...

Nelly
-heyguys,
ever
yonehol
dthehandofthe
personnextt
oyouweallgoi
ngtowalkbacktot
he
house.
Owet
hu-(
scar
ed)canIhol
dyourhandaunt
y?
Noma-(
frowns)NO!
!!Iwantt
ohol
dyourhand,
you
myNeneh..

Theboystandi
ngnextt
owhereNell
ywassawhow
drai
nedshewas,hewalkedt
oher
..
.
Boy
-hi
mam,
itokayIcanpusht
hepr
am f
ory
ou.

Shesmil
edli
ghtl
yattheboy
,vi
ll
agepeopl
ehadsuch
easyl
i
vesshethought,
astr
oll
ert
othem i
sapram..
.

Nel
l
y-Ngi
yabonga,
wel
lIguessy
oubot
hcanhol
d
myhandnow.

Theyquickl
yheldherhands, theboypushedt he
st
roll
erwalkedfir
stwhileNellyandtherestofthe
ki
dsf ol
lowed.Sheturnedandmadeey econtactwit
h
Sbani,sheshakedherheadandwal kedquickly
,he
watchedheruntilshedisappearedonsight
..

Aunt1-amany al
alawa,Nozi
wei zi
nganezakho
azi
fundiseki
l
e.(Thisi
sadisgrace,yourchi
l
drenar
e
notdisci
pli
ned)
Nganono-(
bol
dvoi
ce)wonkeumunt
uakabuy
il
e
kwintoabey enza,Sbanisezwe,Sipho,Shaka,Ntombi,
Zandil
e.Youwi l
lallfoll
owust othediscussi
onr oom.
Ngikhatheleil
imany alaenziwalaemagcekeni
aMageba.Abaphansi abanemeneze.( Ever
yonecan
nowgobackt owhatt heyweredoi ng,Iam t
ir
edof
al
lthisdisgracefulbehav i
orhappeninginthi
sy ard.
Theancest orsarenothappyatal l
.)
Aunt1-il
ezi
nganezaNoziwe,zonkezi
nesi
nyamanj
e
(i
tNiziwe'
schil
dren,
thatal
lhavedarkcoul
dhangi
ng
overthem)
Nganono-(looksather)Awut hulemf azi,
ngoba
ngekeuthandemasengi kutshelaizindabazakho,iphi
i
nganey akho?Uyit
sheleukut hiuhlukanenomf azi
womunt ungobaizofa.(Shutupwoman! !
!Because
youwon'tli
keitwhenIt el
lyoursecr ets,whereis
yourson?Tellhi
mt oleavet hatman' swifeorelsehe
wil
ldie)

Nganonowalkedawayleavi
ngtheauntannoyedas
hel
l.Peopl
estar
tedscatt
eri
ngaroundtheyar
d,al
ot
ofwhisper
ingwasgoingon.Asifthi
ngscoul
dnot
getanywor se.Don'
sFordRangerparkedout
sidet
he
gate.Thegateboywalkedtowardsthem.Don'
s
windowr ol
l
eddown. .

Boy
-ngi
ngakusi
zamnumzane(
canIhel
pyousi
r?)
Don-ngi
zekwi
nganey
ami
mfana.(
Icamef
ormy
chi
ldboy)

Theboywasaboutt or
espondbutMrZuluwalkedto
thegateandsi
gnal
edthatheopensthegat
e.They
dri
veinsi
detheyar
dandparknexttotheot
hercars.
MaSiwelaandDongetoutthecar
..

MrZulu-(
smil
es)hawu,sav
akashel
waezinkul
u?(
A
vi
sit
ati
onofsuchbigandimport
antpeopl
e)
MaSiwela-(l
aughs)sizodlainy
ama,ngi
yat
hemba
ukut
hiseli
lungi
leidombolo( weher
etoeatmeat
,I
hopethedumpl i
ngsar eready)
MrZul
u-(
shakesDon'shand)Idon'
tbel
i
evewehav
e
met
.Iam Sbani
sezwe'
sfather
.
Don-(
shakeshi
shand)DonKhoza,
Nel
l
y'sst
ep
fat
her
.

TheylaughasMrZul uwalksthem i
nsi
dethehouse.
Ntombi andDonmakeey econtact
,sheswall
ows
seei
nghi m,whil
ehisey
eswi denandhegivesherhi
s
ki
ll
erpantydroppersmi
le,shecoul
dfeelherpant
ies
wet.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
01]Mar
cia:
Inser
t90

Nganono-(l
ooksatSbani
)getyourdadandyour
wi
fehere.Thesoonerwegetthi
sdonethebetter
.
Sbani
-(st
aresatThandekadeadl
y)okay
..
..canIgo
seeNell
y?
Nganono-(
shakeshishead)t
her
eisnoti
me.You
wil
lat
tendtoheraf
terwedonehere.Nowgoget
yourf
ather
.
Sbani
wal ksoutt
hedi
scussi
onr
oom andbumps
i
ntoBless..
.

Bl
ess-(
sweat
ing)i
tnotl
ooki
nggoodman.
Sbani-(annoyed)y
outhi
nk.
..di
dyouf
uckenseehow
yoursisterl
ookedatmeman.
Bl
ess-mysist
erislessofmywor
ri
esr
ightnow.
MaSiwel
aishere.
Sbani
-(ey
esout
)WHAT?
!!
!Tel
lmey
ouj
oki
ngman.
Bless-(shakeshishead)Isawy
ourf
atherwal
ki
ng
them insi
det hehouse.
Sbani
-Shi
t!
!!
!

Heki
ckst
hebucketnextt
othem f
rust
rat
edl
y.
..

MrZul
u-canweleaveyouher
easy ouenjoyyour
r
efr
eshments,
Ineedtoatt
endtoanurgentfamil
y
meet
ing.
Sbani
-itokayfat
herIwoul
dli
keforNell
yandher
mothertojoi
nusatthemeeti
ng.(Looksatt
hem)
sani
bonani.
.

Sbanisaysthatasheenter
stheloungearea.
MaSiwelalooksathi
m andnoti
cesthebloodonhi
st
-
shir
t.
..

MaSiwel
a-udl
i
way
ini
wenaGi
deon?(
What
'seat
ing
youup?)

Ever
yonel
ooksather,conf
usedbyt
he"
Gideon
name"shebr
ushesthem off
..
.

MaSiwel
a-what
'
sgoingon?Inot
icedhowpeopl
e
seemedoff,
andIhear
dfewwhispers.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)ital
ott
oexplai
nwhichi
swhyIneed
usall
toattendthi
smeet
ingsoIdon'
thav
eto
expl
aint
hist
oeachper
sononebyone.
Don-(l
ooksatMaSiwela)It
hinkyoushouldgo,
Judgi
ngbyhisfaceIthinkt
hisisser
ious,
our
daught
erneedsyou.
.

Nell
ywalksdownthestair
shol
dingNoma'
shand,
heari
nghermom'sv oi
ceshewalkst
otheLounge
areaandindeedi
ther.
..

Nel
l
y-Mom.
.

Sheturnsandlooksatherdaught
er,shedoesn't
evenneedhertocalloutf
orhertwice,hereyessays
alot
.Shestandsupandwal ksuptoher .Theyhug
forafewseconds..
.

MaSi
wel
a-Iam her
ebaby
,Iam her
e.

MaSi
wel
asquat
sdownandt
ouchesNoma'
s
cheeks.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)
who'
sthi
scut
ethi
ng?
Noma-(
smi
l
es)
(hi
desbehi
ndNel
l
y)Iam Noma.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)doy
ouwantsomechocol
ate?
Noma-(
exci
ted)y
es!
!!
MaSi
wel
a-goopenmybagandy
ouwi
l
lfi
ndi
tther
e.
Nell
y-(l
ooksatNoma)y
ouwi
l
lshar
ewi
tht
heot
her
s
r
ight?
Noma-(
sighs)okayNene.
.

Sher
unst
oMa'
Siwel
a'
sbag.
..

Nel
l
y-whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
oucomi
ng?
MaSiwel
a-i
twasn'
tplanned.Donscol
dedmeabout
l
ett
ingyoucomeherealone.
Nel
ly-(
smiles)Donhuh?
?Ist
her
esomet
hingy
ou
wanttotel
lme?
MaSi
wel
a-(
hit
shershoul
der
)ay
isuka!
!!

Nell
ywalkstowher eDonis,
sheavoidsSbani'
seyes.
Donopenshisar msandNellymel
tsinthem.She
hasalwayssawhi m asaperf
ectf
atherfi
gure.He
ki
ssesherforehead..

Don-howar
eyou?
Nel
l
y-exhaust
ed,
Ijustwantt
ogohome.

Sbani
shoot
sheral
ook,
butshej
ustchoset
oignor
e
hi
m..

Don-(
smil
es)wewi l
lbutf
ir
styouandyourmother
needtoat
tendameet i
ngwit
htheZulu'
s.(
Looksat
Sbani
thanNel l
y)andIneedyoutokeepanopen
mindokay.Isenseyourmotherwon'
t.
Nel
ly-(si
ghs)okay.
..uhmm whowi
l
llookaf
ter
NkanyeziandNsika?
Sbani
-oneoft
hey
ounggi
rl
swi
l
l.Ial
readyt
alkedt
o
them.
MrZul
u-wel
ll
et'
sgo.

Donnodsandtheyal
lwal
kouttheloungearea,
Sbani
walksnextt
oNell
yandholdsherhand,she
l
ooksathim.
..

Nel
l
y-Iam t
ir
edSbani
.
Sbani
-(squeezesherhand)Iknowbabe,
buti
twi
l
l
beoversoon.Ilov
ey ou.
..

Shedoesn'
trespondastheykeepwalki
ngtothe
di
scussi
onroom.Hest opsherbef
oretheycan
ent
er.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)Isai
dIl
ovey
ou.
Nel
l
y-(
wipeshert
ear
s)Il
ovey
oumor
e..
Hebabyki
ssesher
,bef
oret
heycanwal
kinsi
deshe
st
opshim.
..

Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)wher
eisBl
ess?
Sbani
-insi
debabe.

Shenodsandt heybothwalki
nside,ev
ery
onel ooks
atthem,Sbani
t akesaseatont
hebench, whil
eNelly
goesandseatnextt ohermom onthematlikethe
restoft
hewomen. .
.

Aunt
1-(
rol
lseyes)wangenaDiananoChar
les.(
In
comespri
ncessDianaandPri
nceCharl
es)

MaSiwelashoot
sheralook,
butNel
l
yhol
dsherhand
si
gnali
nghernottor
espond.
..
Nganono-(l
ooksaround)Goodthatwet
hatweall
her
e,(l
ooksatMaSi wel
a)Iassumeyou'
reMaka
Nkanyezi
'
smot her
?

MaSi
wel
anods.
.

Nganono-(bol
dv oi
ce)v er ywellt
han,letusbegi n.I
knowy ou'
real
lwonder ingwhyar eweal lhere?And
whoist hi
swomanher e( point
satThandeka) .Al
l
thatwouldbeanswer ed.Iaskt hatduringthis
secti
onweal l
openourear sandli
sten, wewi l
lnot
i
nterr
uptandwewi llnotmakeunnecessar y
comment s(l
ooksatAunt 1).Ntombazane( looksat
Thandeka)khulumasi l
alele..
.

Thandekaclearedherthroatandlookedupat
ever
yoneinsidetheroom.Shet ookadeepbreat
h
andlookeddownagai n..
.

Thandeka-Mynamei
sThandekaZwane,
I.
..
Aunt1-ayisi
cel
aumnyamaneakhul umei siZul
u
phelathi
naasimuzwa(canbl
ackieher eplease
speakZulusomeofuscan'tunderstandher )
Shaka-wellt
hanmay beyoushoul
dn'
tbeher
e,di
dn'
t
yousaysheisakwer ekwer
ethanwhydoyouwant
tounderst
andfor
eignersl
anguage.
Aunt2-Ayiawusi
yekeThaboMbeki,
isi
fundi
swa
esi
khulu,l
okhokuvel
ekunginci
kanj
emekuv ula
umlomo, (
everyt
imethi
soneopenshismout h,he
j
ustirr
it
atesme).
Nganono-( givesthem adeadlyey e)ngit
heni kunina?
(WhatdidIsayt oyou? )Onemor ewor dyouourout
ofhere.(LooksatThandeka)y oucancar ryon, no
needtoint roduceyourself
,ngenaendabeni ,batshele
ukuthiyi
ni ekuzisalaemagcekeni kaZulu,uphinde
ushoukut hi wenzani(getst
rai
ghtt othepoint,tel
l
them whyy ouhere?Andwhaty oudid)

Shecoul
dfeel
herpal
mssweat
ing.
..
..
Thandeka-I.
..
.uhmm ngizel
akwaZul ungoba
ngibhekanenenki
nga,i
nganeyamiyomfanaiyagul
a
i
dingaukuthii
bikweemodlozi
niakubo.(
Iam here
becauseIhaveapr obl
em,mybabyboyi ssi
ckand
heneedst obeintr
oducedtohi
sancestors)
MrZulu-(
looksather
)(bol
dvoi
ce)unenganewena
oyi
zal
alakwaZul u?(
Youhaveachil
dwhi chi
s
fat
her
edher e?
)
Thandeka-(
looksdown)y
ebobaba.
.
Aunt3-ubaniubabawal
eyongane?(
Whoi
sthef
ather
ofthatchi
ld?
)

Thandekalookedupandmadeey econt actwi

th
Sbani,whogaveheradisgusti
nglook, she
swall
owedt hanshif
tedhereyestoNt ombi,whowas
breat
hingheavil
y,i
twasobv i
ousthatshewasangry.
Lastl
yshelookedatNellywhojuststaredatherwi
th
ablankface..
.
Nganono-khul
umant
ombazane(
tal
kgi
rl
)
Thandeka-uSbani
.
..

Mayhem st
art
edaroundther
oom,uncl
esl
ookedat
MrsZul
uwi t
hquesti
oni
ngeyes.
.

Uncl
e1-Zul
uuthi
ningal
entoeshi
woil
entombazane?
(Whatdoyousayaboutwhatthi
sgi
rli
ssayi
ng?)
Aunt3-t
hisisadisgr
ace,uSbaniuyasi
phoxa,
uhambaezalisanjeyonkei
njalangaphandle(Sbani
i
sshami ngus,he'
sgoingaroundimpregnati
ngevery
dogoutside)
MaSiwel
a-muthi
"inj
a"uqondeni
v el
e?Ubizaey
ami
i
nganengenj
a?(Wheny ousayeverydog?Whatdo
youmean?Youcalli
ngmydaughteradog? )
Aunt
1-ushokonal
o..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatAunt
1)Thul
awenaHl
engi
we
Mhl
aba.
.
Uncl
e2-It
hinkweshoul
dcar
ryon,
Idon'
tthi
nkshe
meant
..
.
MaSiwela-(l
ooksatuncl e2)chawewon'tcarr
yon,
ni
zongimele,phendulamf azingimamel
e(l
ooksat
aunt
3).(Youwi l
lwaitforme, answermewoman,I
am l
ist
ening)
Aunt
3-(
swall
ows)changi
yaxol
i
saIdi
dn'
tmeani
tin
abadway.
.
MaSiwela-(
cli
ckshert ongue)wenzakahleuxoli
se,
ngobabengizokutshengisaukuthi
imigodoy
iefana
namiiy
enzani i
midlwaneef ananawe.(Youdidgood
byapologi
zi
ng, Iwasgoingt oshowyouwhatabul l
dogli
kemedoest opuppi esli
keyou)
.

Theroom goesqui
et.Nel
l
ysqueezeshermom'
s
hand.
..

Ntombi
-(annoyed)ut
hul
eleni
wenanondidwa?
Khul
uma.(whyareyouqui
etyouwhore,
talk)
Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatSbani
)di
dyouknowaboutt
his?
Sbani
-(angr
y)l
etherf
ini
sh,
(looksatThandeka)t
ell
t
hem howy
ougotpr
egnant
?
Zah-(
looksatSbani
)Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatnecessar
y..
.
Nt
ombi
-(snapped)Awut
hul
eZandi
l
e!!
!(Shutup)
Shaka-(
looksatThandeka)Mat
handi
ekhul
uma.
.

Shedidn'
tknowhowshewasgoi ngtotel
lthem
whatshedid,soshethoughtItwasbestt
hatshe
j
ustli
es,nobodyreal
l
yhadpr oofofwhatshedid.
..

Thandeka-meandSbani
had.
..
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)don'teventhi
nkaboutl
yi
ng.
(Givesheradeat
hstare)youdon'twantt
odothat.
Unlessyouwantmet oplaythem ali
tt
lemovi
e,t
ell
thetrut
h..
.

Thandekaswal
l
owedandlookedatSi
phowhoal
so
l
ookedatherwit
haconf
usedlook.
..
Thandeka-uhmm (
tear
y)ngi
yaxol
i
sa.
..
Sbani
-(angr
y)t
ell
them howy
oust
olemysper
m?
Mr
sZul
u-(
eyesout
)WHAT?
??
Shaka-(
looksatSbani
indi
sbel
i
ef)Thef
uck?
?
Si
pho-(
eyesout
,looksatThandeka)What
?But
..
.
but
..
.

Ever
yonei ntheroom wasshocked, evenMaSi wela
wasleftwithoutany thingtosay .Nel
lyjustwent
numb,herbr ai
nwasst il
ltr
yingtoprocessev er
ythi
ng.
Ntombi earswerebur ningwi t
hhotair,
shet ookout
hershoesandf r
ustratedlythrewatThandeka, it
l
andedonherl eftcheek. .

Ntombi-YOUWHORE,
UNGUSATAN.
..
.SI
ES
YANGINYANYI
SASFEBE.
..
.
Nel
ly
-(l
ooksatThandeka)wher
edi
dyouev
enget
hi
ssper
m?
Sheheldhermout hwhenshereal
izedsheasked
thatoutloud,
every
onelookedatNell
ybutt
heyall
turnedtoThandekaastheyal
sowantedtoknow...

Aunt1-(
looksatZandi
l
e)y
ini
lesi
pel
eabakhul
uma
ngaso?
Aunt
2-nami
ngi
funaukwazi
,isi
pel
esani
leso?
Zandi
l
e-itsper
m ant
i,notsi
pel
e.Sper
misi
mbewu
yomuntuwesil
i
sa.
Aunt
1-manj
euyenzenii
mbewukaSbani
?(Whatdi
d
shedot
oSbani
'
ssper m?)
Zandi
l
e-kut
hiwauy
itshont
shi
l
eant
i(t
heysayshe
st
olei
t)

Theaunt
'sal
lgaspl
ooki
ngatThandeka.
..

Aunt
1-ngishi
loNgathil
eli
kwerekwereali
thembakal
i
,
ut
shontshaimbewuy omshanawami uy
owenza
umuthi
wokut hakat
hangayo(Ididsaythisthi
s
for
eignershoul
dn'
tbet
rust
ed,
shestol
emy
nephew'sspermtogomakemuthi
)
Uncl
e2-cany
ouanswert
hequest
ionnt
ombazane?

Thandekal
ookeddown.
..
.

Bless-okayyouknowwhatf uckt hi
s..
.shestol
ea
bi
nf rom Sbani
'sapar
tmentwhi chwasf ul
lofused
condomsandshegotani l
legal i
nseminat
ionfr
om a
backstreetdoctor
.Andthatladiesandgentl
emeni s
howshegotpr egnant.
..

Itgoesquietasever
yonewasst
il
ltr
yingtopr
ocess
everyt
hing.I
nthatheatoft
hemoment ,
Nganono
stoodup..

Nganono-Iseei fwecarryoni
nt hisrat
e,wewill
be
heretil
lkingdom come.Letmej ustmaket hi
ngs
easierforeveryone.Whil
ewest i
llatitwit
hyou
Ntombazane( Thandeka)youandSi phoneedtobe
cleansedandnamet hebabythaty ouabor ted14
yearsago, thatwhyy ouchosetor unawaybecause
youwer epr egnantanditwasSi pho'schild.(Looks
atShaka)y ouneedt obuyagoatandcl eansey our
brothershouse, asyousleptwithhiswi fe.(l
ooksat
Nt ombi)bothy ouandShakaneedcl eansingandy ou
needt onamet hebabyy ouabortedaswel l.When
that'
sdoney ouwillnolongerhaveapr obl em
conceiving.(LooksatSbani)youwi llupdat eyour
fri
end( l
ooksatBl ess)andgetbackt ome.Nowt hat
outoft hewayexcusemeIneedt oprepar efor
i
mbel eko...

Wit
ht hatsai
dNganonowalksoutt
heroom l
i
ving
t
hewhol eroom qui
et,
peopl
e'
sjawsweredr
oppedto
t
hefloor..
.

Mr
sZul
u-(
mout
hopen)sal
eusubuy
aJesus!
!!

MaSiwel
a-(l
ooksaround)noyoupeopleneed
ser
iousi
nter
vent
ion,l
ikeni
dinga"
utat
akho"tobe
surethatyourchildisactual
lyyours,
nidi
nga
uMam' Angie"pleasestepin"andlastl
yyouneed
"Nyani'
Nyani"kahle,kahl
enidingayourown
channel.
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t91

Aunt1-(
looksatZandi
le)mtanami uthenil
omf ana
oyi
skweqe,ngizweseshini
,seshi
ninjekuphela(my
chi
ldwhatdidthatbuffboy(Bl
ess)say?,al
lIheard
wassession,sessi
on)
Aunt2-mi
nangi
funaukwazi
ukuthiuNganonoutheni
,
bukawonkeumuntuumuncukanjani
?(Iwantt
o
knowwhatNganonosai
d,di
dyouseehowsour
ever
yonei
s)

Zandil
egetsupf
rom t
hefl
oorandgi
vesThandekaa
nastyl
ookandstompsoutt
heroom.Si
phoquickl
y
fol
lowsaft
erher
..
..
Aunt1-weeeeeh!
!!Sizochazelwaubanikenakhu
uZandil
eehamba. (
whowi llexpl
aint
hingstoussince
Zandil
ehasleft
)
Aunt2-(
looksatAunt3)wenakhonaokuzwi
le?
Unconowenaway aeskol
eni
.(Di
dyouhearanythi
ng?
Youbetterthanus,y
ouwenttoschool)
Aunt3-(shakesherhead)Habe! !
!Nami ngagcinaka
standard7.Kodwaengi kuzwileukuthil
e
ntombazaneemny amay atshontshaimbewuy enza
amaseshi ni,
semi shiniangazi kodwakonal okho,
yasey amit
hake.( Istoppedschool ingrade9.But
whatIhear dwast heblackgi rlstol
ehisspermsand
didsessions,semi ti
onsIdon' tknow, whateveriti
s
andshegotpr egnant )

Theaunt
'scl
appedthei
rhandslookingatThandeka
asshewassti
llseat
ed.Sherol
l
edt hei
reyes.
..

Thandeka-(
annoy
ed)ani
khul
umi
ngani
ngoShaka
ongeneesi
bayenisi
kafowabo,washi
yai si
su(why
areyounottal
ki
ngaboutShakawhosl eptwit
hhis
brot
herswif
eandmadeherpr egnant
)

Theyholdt
hei
rheadsinshock,
Thandekawat
ches
them i
namusement.
..

Meanwhi
l
einsi
det
hemai
nhouse.
..
..
.

MrZulu-(shakeshisheadindi
sappoi
ntment
)Ihav
e
neverbeensoashamedi nmywhol el
if
e,whati
s
happeningtothesechi
ldr
enNoziwe?
MrsZulu-(sighs)Idon'tbaba,Iam shockedas
you'
re.IneverexpectedthisandthatgirlThandeka,
canyoubelievewhatshedi d?Whost eal
saman' s
sper
m andget shersel
fpregnant?
MrZulu-(l
ooksather)Don'
tevengetmestart
edon
t
hatone.Andhowdoy ouexpl
ainShakaandNtombi?
What'
sgot t
enint
otheseboysandwantingtosl
eep
wi
thev er
ywomenSbani sezweiswit
h?HereI
thoughtShakawasthi
nki
ngabouthisbr
otherwhen
hedecidedtostopgoi
ngaft
erNell
ykant
inohewas
j
usteasinghisgui
lt
yconsci
ous.
MrsZul
u-andSi
pho?What'
supwithhisbehavi
our
?
He'
sact
ingmoreofafool
thanev
eryoneelse.
MrZulu-(
annoy
ed)(
cli
ckedhistongue)don'
teven
tel
lmeabouthi
m,Ifeell
ikeski
nninghim al
i
ve,he'
s
sti
l
lsl
eepingwi
thThandekaIcanseeitinhisf
ace.
MrsZulu-(br
usheshisback)whatarewegoi ngto
donowMageba?Wecan' tleavet
hingsl
ikethis?At
theendofthedaytheyareoursons,wecan't
abandonthem,yoursist
ersareal
readyglor
if
y i
ng
aboutthi
swholethi
ng.
MrZul
u-(cl
i
ckshist
ongue)Iam l
ookingl
ikeaman
whodoesn'
thav
ehishousehol
dinorder.

Mr sZulut
ri
estotouchhim buthemov esf
rom t
he
bedandf r
ustr
atedl
ywalksoutthebedroom,he
bumpsi nt
oShakaatthedoor ,
theyst
areateach
other.
..
Shaka-(
looksdown)
babaIcan.
..

Befor
ehecoul dfi
nish,
hisf
athergiv
eshim onehar
d
sl
apt hathashi
ml ooki
ngli
keat omatowi
thin
seconds..

MrZul u-(angry
)(shout i
ng)
WHATI SITTHATYOU
WANTTOEXPLAI N?Uf unaukungichazel
anikahle,
kahle?UFUNAUKUNGI TSHELAUKUTHI
UBHEBHANANOMFAZIKAMFOWENU( youwantt o
tel
lmey oufuckingy ourbrot
herswife)
?Youwantt o
tel
lmei tsogoodt hatyouev engett
ingherpregnant?
Isthatwhaty ouwantt oexpl
aintomeShaka?

Thewayhe' sshout
ingever
yoneinsi
dethehouse
canhearhim.Shakalooksdown,hehasnev erseen
hisfat
herthi
sangrybutitt
hedisappoi
ntmentinhis
father
seyesthathashimfeel
ingli
keshit
..
.
MrZulu-(
boldangr
yvoice)SUKAENDLENIYAMI
NGOBANGI ZOHLAKAZALOBUSOBAKHO
NODONGA.( MoveoutmywaybecauseIwil
l
r
earr
angey ourf
acewit
ht hewal
l)

Heshamefull
ystepsasi
de,hisf
atherf
uri
ousl
ywalks
pasthi
m,tal
kingtohi
mselfabouthowembarrassi
ng
hi
ssonsare.MrsZulustandsbythedoorl
ookingat
Shaka,
hiseyesmeether..
.

Shaka-(
whi
sper
s)Mom.
..

Hi
smom looksathi
m, sheshakesherhead
di
sappoi
ntedl
yandshutsthedoort
ohisface.
..
.

Out
sideatt
hecor
neroft
hey
ard.
..
.

Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)howdoy ouf
eel
nowt
hat
ev
eryt
hingisouti
ntheopen?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)wel
lnotever
ything.
..butIguessIam
gl
adthisl
othasbeenli
ft
edof fmyshoul der
s.
Bless-(
puffshi
scigaret
te)Igetyouman..
.youneed
tomaket hi
ngsrightwit
hy ourbr
other
syouknow
thatri
ght?
Sbani
-yeah,meandShakaIthinkwe'r
ecool,Ihave
noani
mosi t
ywit
hhim.SiphoisarggghhhIdon't
knowmanbutwewi l
lwor kt
hingsout.
Bl
ess-Shakai
sstil
lyoung,he'sacooldude,j
ustl
et
hi
m beandstopbeinganasswhenhet ri
estobe
cl
osetoNell
y,yougotnothingtoworryabout
.I
HATEtosayitbutmysisterlovesyour
sass.
Sbani-(
chuckl
es)Iam noti
nti
midat
edbymyl
i
ttl
e
brot
herift
hatwhatyouinsi
nuati
ng.
Bless-(l
aughs)Iknowy ourcockyassisn'tbutI
knowt hatthefactshe'scomf or
tabl
ear oundhim
makesy ouuncomf ortable.
Trustinwhaty ouboth
have,don'tl
etyouranimal i
sti
cpossessivesiderui
n
i
t.
Sbani
-yeah.
..
.(si
l
ent
)doy
out
hinkIshoul
dtel
lher
about
..
.
Bless-(shakeshi
shead)NO..thatonesecretwe
goingtohav etodi
ewith.Idon'tseeherl
ookingat
yout hesameway .Andsheisn'tmywor r
y,butyou'
re.
Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
m)whatdoy
oumean?

Bl
esspuf
fshi
scigar
ett
efort
helastt
imeand
st
ompsonitwit
hhisti
mberl
andboot.
..

Bless-Idon'
tthi
nkyouwil
lhandl
eherrej
ect
ionwell
.
LetjustsayIdon'
twantt
obehelpingyoubury
bodieseverymorni
ngaft
eryouwakeupandr eal
i
ze
thefloozi
enexttoyoui
sn'
tmysister
.

Sil
encef il
lstheair,
theybothlookatt hehil
l
s, i
t
overwhelmi nghowmucht hisguyrightnexttohim
caressomuch.Howmanypeopl ecansayt heyhave
af r
iendlike"Bless"
?.Everyti
mehecount shis
Blessings,hecount shisbestfr
iendtwice.Het r
uly
l
ivesupt ohi sname. .
.
Sbani
-Il
ovey
oubr
o..
.

Hesay sthatnotlooki
ngathim.Sil
encefi
ll
stheair
again,butt histi
meBlessi
stheonet hatt
akesti
me
andappr eciat
estheguynexttohim.Hemaybea
fuckupandal otoft
hoseti
mesheneedst ohelp
cleanhi smessbuthewoul dn'
ttradehimfor
any t
hing..

Bl
ess-(
looksathim)
(i
mit
atesawoman)y
esIwi
l
l
marr
yyoubabe...

Theybot
hlookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Backatt
hemai
nhouse.
..
.

Zandi
lei
sstandingbythewindowlooki
ngout
side.
Whil
eSiphoisseatedonthechai
rfaci
ngdown..
..
Zandi
le-(cal
mvoi
ce)whatdoy
ouhav
etosayf
or
your
self?
Si
pho-(
brusheshi
sface)Iam sor
ry.
Zandi
l
e-di
dyouknowaboutt
hebaby
?
Si
pho-honest
lyno.Andwhatwehadbackt han
wasn'
tevenserious,
wehookedondayswhenSbani
wasatrugbypracti
ce.Wewereyoungandstupi
d.
Zandil
e-Iam noti
nter
estedonwhatyoudidback
than.Wewer enotdat
ingatthatt
imesoIreal
lydon'
t
care.
..
..(
takesadeepbreath)doyoust
il
ll
ikeher?
Si
pho-(cl
earsthr
oat
)uhm No.
..Inev
erl
ovedheri
t
wasall
justsexmkami.
.

Shetur
nsandl
ooksathi
m,shewal
ksandst
ands
overhi
m..
..

Zandil
e-Iam goi
ngtoaskyouonequestionandI
wanty outobetr
uthf
ulabouti
t,i
fyouhonestwit
h
met hanIam goi
ngtostandbyyouandwewi ll
be
okay.
Si
pho-i
fIam nott
rut
hful
thanwhathappens?

Shesquatssotheirheadscanbelev
eled,shehol
d's
bothsi
desofthechairsarmrest
sandl ooksathi
m
deadintheeyes.
..

Zandi
l
e-(
ster
nvoi
ce)ungabi
yisi
l
imaSi
pho(
don'
tbe
afool
)

.
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Zandi
l
e-I
sshet
hewomany
ou'
ref
ucki
ngnow?
Si
pho-(
looksather
)No.

Shesmil
esandbabyki
sseshim,t
hanwal
ksback
andst
andsnextt
othewindow,l
ooki
ngout
side.

Zandi
l
e-cany
oupl
easegi
vesomespace,
Ijustwant
togetmy
sel
ftoget
her.Gocheckontheki
dsthey
seemedt
obefri
ghtenbyyouract
ionsear
li
er.

Henodsandwal ksandstandsbehindher,
heholds
her,shecanfeelhisbr
eathfanningherear
.He
kisseshercheek,sheshutshereyesandopens
them whenshedoesn'tfeelhi
slipsonhercheek
any more.
..

Si
pho-Ngi
yabongamkami
,ngi
yakuthanda
Ma'
Ncwane.(Thanky
oumywife,Il
ovey ou
Ma'
Ncwane)

Assoonast
hedoorshuts,
shetakesherphone
fr
om t
hebedanddi
alsthenumber.
..

Lady-t
hisi
stheFi
rear
msdepar
tmenthowcanIbe
ofserv
ice?
Zandi
le-hel
lo,
youspeakingt
oZandileZulu,
canI
speaktoBrendapl
ease,she'
stheassist
ancethat
's
hel
pingme.
Lady-(t
ypesonherkey
boar
d)okaymam,
hol
dwhi
l
eI
tr
ansferyourcal
l
...

musi
cpl
ays

Brenda-(
smi
l
es)Mr
sZul
u,y
ouspeaki
ngt
oBr
enda,
howcanIhel
pyout
oday
?

ShewatchesSiphof
rom t
hecur
tai
nsandt
akesa
deepbr
eath..
.

Zandi
le-(
bol
dvoi
ce)Iam r
eadyt
ogett
hatpi
stol
we
tal
kedabout
.

I
nthenextr
oom.
..
.

Nt
ombi
wasseat
edont
hef
loorcr
yingherey
esout
.
Shewassoashamedshowi ngherf aceoutsidethis
room, thelookt hatevery onegaveherwast oomuch.
Andshehear dMrZul u'sshoutingatt hepassage.
Thatgotherf eeli
ngev enmor el i
keshi t
.Thegloatin
Thandeka' sfacecoul dn'tbemi ssedwhenNganono
droppedt hatboom aboutherandShaka. Thefact
thatshewasnowgoi ngt othi
nkt heywer esome
whatsi milardisgustedher .Lowl i
vesl i
keThandeka
shouldn'tbecompar edt ohershet houghtt ohersel
f.
Shepi ckedherphoneupanddi aledhermot her.
.

.
..
ri
ngi
ng.
..

Voi
cemai
l

Shet r
iedagainbutitkeptri
ngingwithoutanyone
answer i
nguntil
itsenthertovoicemail."They
probablyatchurch"shethought.Herparentswere
Christ
ianstothecore,theyatt
endedchur chMonday
toSunday .Shetri
edhersister
snumber ..
.
..
.r
ingi
ng.
..

Nont
o-(
breat
hingheavi
ly)heysi
si,
Ican'
ttal
know.
Cal
lmelat
erl
ov eyou.
..

Wi t
hthatshehangedup, shecouldswearshehear d
clappingofski n."I
sNont ohavingsex? "Shet hought
butqui cklydismissedthatidea.Shesighed, now
whowasshegoi ngtocall.Shehadnof r
iends,
suddenl ysomeonecamet omi nd,someoneshe
hasn'ttalkedt oi
nmont hs.Shewentt ohercont act
l
istandpr essedcallt
ohi snumber ..
.

.
..
ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mt
hoko-(
sleepyhoar
sev
oice)hel
l
o..

Hear
inghi
svoi
cej
ustmadehercr
yev
enmor
e,she
j
ustcoul dn'
tholditin.Mt hokowasconfused,
he
l
ookedathi sscreen, thenumberwasnotr egi
stered.
Hel i
stenedtotheper sonont heothersi
decry
hysteri
call
y,becauseoft hepersonheis,hekeptthe
callon.Whenshef i
nal l
ycalmeddownaf t
er5
minutes.Shewi pedhert earsandtookadeepbr eath
tr
yingtokeepi ttogether..

Ntombi-(
sni
ff
s)Iam sor
ry,Iknowt hi
sisn'
ti
deal
but
Ij
ustneededtohearafr
iendl
yv oi
ce.
Mt
hoko-(
sighed)i
tokay
..
.uhmm who'
sthi
s?.
.

Thatshockedher,
shewasn'texpect
ingt
hat.The
factt
hatheaskedthatpr
ovedhehaddeletedher
number.Thatki
ndofhurther.
..

Nt
ombi
-(hur
t)(
sni
ff
s)oh.
..uhmm i
tNt
ombi
.
Mthoko-(sil
ent)
..
..
.I'
m sorr
yitj
ustIhavebeentr
ying
t
ot alkt
oy ouinmont hsbutyouhavebeenblue
t
ickingmeandi gnori
ngmycal l
s.SoIgotthe
messageandbackedof
f.Idon'
tkeepnumber
sthatI
don'
tneedi
nmyphone.
Ntombi-(
swall
owed)itokayIunder
stand.
.uhmm
sorr
yfordi
stur
bingyoursleep.
.

Sheendedt hecall
,butwi t
hinsecondsherphone
vibratedi
ndicati
ngani ncomi ngcal
l f
rom "
Mthoko"
.
Shel ookedatitandletitringunti
lthecal
lended.
Agai nwithi
nsecondsat extmessagecame
through..
.

"
Whenyoureadyt
otal
kcal
lme,
Iam notaboutt
o
r
unaf
tery
ou"

Shereadthemessagef
ourt
imes,
shesi
ghedand
di
aledhi
snumber..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..
Nel
lyplacedNsi
kaont hebedandcoveredhim
ni
celywithabl
anketandkissedhi
scheek..
.

Don-(
smi
l
es)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
remot
her
.
Nell
y-(
smi
l
es)Iknowr
ight
,amot
heroft
wot
obe
exact
..
.

MaSi
welamovesfr
om t
hecur
tai
nsandr
oll
sher
ey
essit
ti
ngnextt
oDon..
.

MaSi
wel
a-sov el
e,v
elewear
ejustgoi
ngt
oignor
e
t
hebi
gelephanti
ntheroom.
Don-(
looksather
)whatbi
gel
ephanti
nther
oom?
MaSiwela-(roll
seyes)"keepi
ngupwiththeZul
u'
s"
duh!!
!!Phelathesepeoplegotreal
probl
ems.Iam
tal
ki
ng" deep"issues.
Nel
ly
-(si
ghs)real
l
ymom?Idon'thaveenergyfor
what
ever
'shappeningwi
tht
hesepeopl
erightnow.
MaSi
wel
a-y
azi
hear
ingt
hei
rsecr
etsmademef
eel
bett
eraboutmyown,Ireal
i
zedminesarenotthat
deep,Icanev
entel
lyouaboutt
hebigheadthat
fat
heredyou.

Theybot
hlookedather
,notbel
i
evi
ngwhatshej
ust
sai
d..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t92

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatt
hem)Yi
ni?(
What
?)
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)unbel
i
evabl
e..

Shewal
ksoutt
her
oom.
..
.

Don-(
looksather
)real
l
y?Thatwasnotcool
.
MaSiwel
a-(
shrugs)Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtoblasti
touther
e,
butIwasj
ustsayi
ng.She'
sopentoaskingme
any
thi
ng.
Don-(
smil
es)you'
retoomuchhoney,someti
mesI
don'
tknowwhatisitt
hatIlov
eaboutyou,
yourbi
g
mouthorbi
gpersonali
ty.

Shesmilesandsit
sonhisl
ap.Hehugsherwai
stas
theybot
hstareeachot
herwit
hsomuchadorat
ion.
..

MaSi
wela-(
leansf
owar
d)(
smi
l
es)
psssshhy
oul
ove
ev
ery
thi
ngaboutme.

Heleansforwardtoo,theynoset
ouch,t
heyboth
smil
eandwer eaboutt ogototheki
llwhenher
phonestar
tedvibrat
ing.Shegotupfr
om hisl
apand
pi
ckedituplookingatthecall
erI
D..
.

MaSiwel
a-(
rol
lsey
es)nanguumqedi
wenj
abul
o
(
here'
ski
llj
oy)
Shesi
ghedandanswer
ed.
..

MaSi
wel
a-hel
l
okhandakhul
u(hel
l
obi
ghead)
Moses-(
rai
sedhi
sbr
ow)What
?
MaSi
wel
a-(
brusheshim of
f)ngi
ngakusi
zangani
?
(
HowcanIhel
py ou?
)
Moses-Iwantust otal
kaboutourdaughter
.You
havebeenquietsincet
hatdayatthehospit
al.Kahl
e,
kahl
eMat hoyindabaungafuni
ngazanenendodakazi
yami?(Exact
lywhydon'tyouwantmet ogettoknow
mydaught er
)
MaSiwel
a-(rol
lseyes)alothasbeenhappeni
ngi
n
t
helastcoupleofmont hs.Buti
fyoumustknowyou
wel
comet ointr
oducey oursel
f.
Moses-(
smi
lesi
nrel
i
ef)socanmeandmywi
fe
cometomor
row?
MaSiwela-(
sighs)noyoucan'
t,
right
nowwe'reatt
he
Zul
u'shomest eadfori
mbel
ekoforthet
wins.SoI
wil
li
nformy ouwhenweback.
Moses-(
frowns)whodi
dtheypay"
inhl
awul
o"t
oo?
Andwhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
meaboutt
hei
mbel
eko?
MaSi wela-(f
rowns)whywoul dwet el
lyou?I
mbeleko
ceremoni esarestri
ctl
yfamily,
theZul
uf ami
l
yt obe
mor eprecise.TheonlyreasonwhyIam hereisto
helphernotf eell
ikeanoutsider,
besi
deswhatwill
yourreasoningforbeingherebewhensheasksy ou?
Moses-( si
ghs)may beyouright
.Pl
easegetbackt
o
meassoonasy oucomeback.Iwanthertoomeet
hersibl
ings,Ihavebeentry
ingtogethol
dof
Blessi
ngbutnol uck,Iwanthimtobether
etooon
thatday.
MaSiwela-don'
twor
ryaboutthatone,he'
shere,
(l
aughs)youknowhe'spr
obablyignor
ingyourcal
ls,
phel
awenaunesdinakabi(youveryannoyi
ng).
Moses-(
smir
ks)awusangi
funi
yini
?(Youdon'
twant
meanymore)
MaSi
wel
a-by
eby
eDemon.
..

Sheshakesherheadendi
ngthecal
l
,whenheturns
toDon,he'
splay
ingwit
hbabyNkanyezi
,shest
ares
athi
m,"
suchaf
ineman"shet
houghtt
oher
sel
f.
..
.

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Everyoneisgather
edintheloungearea.MrZulu
walksinwithaast r
aightbl
ankface,
hel ooksar
ound,
he'
sgott hat"
hemeansbusi ness"pr
esence
ri
ghtnow...

MrZul u-(sternv oice)Ihav eaf ewt hingswhi chI

needt osaybef or ewepr oceedwi t
ht heceremony .I
woul dst artbysay i
ngIam angr y,pissedandv ery
disappoi ntedbyact i
onsdi spl ayedbymyf ami l
yand
byt hoseIconsi der edcl osef riends.(Looksat
Ma'Siwel a)Iwoul dst ar twithy ou,Iam sor r
yt hat
youandy ourdaught erhadt owi tnessal l
thi
s, Iknow
weshoul dhav el ongpr oceededwi tht heceremony
butduet ot hesedi sgracef ul discov erieswe're
delayed.Iassur ey out hatt henecessar yand
i
mpor tantaspect st o"i
mbel eko"woul dbedone
today .Tomor r
owy ouwi llbeabl etot akeyour
daught
erandmygr
andchi
l
drenbackt
oyourhome.

MaSi
wel
anodsr
espect
ful
l
yandsmi
l
esl
i
ght
ly.
..
.

MrZul u-(looksatThandeka)nowt oy ou
ntombazane, whaty ouhav edonei sanactofcr i
me.
Wer ey out hatdesper atef orababyt haty ouhadt o
got hroughsuchmeasur es?Whatdoest hissay
abouty ourchar acter?Ngobal angi mekhonami na
ngizibonel ai si
khohl akalisent ombazane, ungcol i
le
(becausef rom wher eIam st andi ngal lIseei sa
sini
st erandadi rt
ywoman)andy ou'
reachancer .I
donotknowwhatmot ivatedy ouract i
ons, fr
ankl yI
donotev enwantt oknow.Sor ryt obur sty ourbubbl e,
herekwaZul u,beingt hef i
rsthei rdoesn'tguar antee
thaty ouwi llholdther opes, i
fy ouwer emot ivatedby
moneyt hinkingy ouwoul dgetr icht hroughy ourson,
Ifeel sorryf oryou, butIf eelmor esor ryfory ourson
whowi llbesubj ectedt oemot ional t
raumawhenhe
l
ear nshowhewasconcei ved.
Thandekaswal
l
owsandshamef
ull
yfacesdown.
..

MrZul u-(
looksatSbani)you'r
enowaf atheroffour,
Iexpectyout ogr
owev enmor eup.Thisangery ou
haveneedst obecontroll
ed,aswr ongasThandeka
wasy oudonotgett olayahandonher ,she'ssti
ll
a
woman.Yougott wodaught er
s,Idonott hinkyou
wouldwantsomeonet odowhaty oudid,tothem.
You'r
er ai
singtwoson'
saswel lIthinky
ouwoul dn'
t
wantthem gr owi
ngupt hi
nkingitokaytol ayahand
onawoman.

Sbani
justst
aresathi
sfat
herwi
thabl
ankl
ook.
..

MrZul u-(looksatShakaandNt ombi)Iam v ery

disappointedandhur twheni tcomest oyout wo.
(LooksatNt ombi)Becausethemany ousl eptwit
his
aZul uandy ourhusband'sbrother,youwoul dnotbe
shunnedoutoft hisyar
di nst
eady ouwillmov etothe
guestrondav el
until
you'
recleansedonl ythanwould
youbeal lowedt oenterthemai nhouse...
Ntombi'
stear
srundownhercheeksasshesi
l
ent
ly
cr
iesshameful
ly
..
..
.

MrZul u-(l
ooksatSi pho)you'
retheel
dest
, y
ou
shouldbel eadingbyexampl eandnotbei
ngt he
biggestfool.Youseewhyy oucanneverl
ead, y
ou'r
e
easil
yinfl
uenced, youdonothav eamindofy our
own.St opthebul l
shityoudoingbef
oreeveryt
hing
comescr ambl i
ngdown.Beamanandnotapussy .

Siphofur
iousl
ylooksdown,
Zandi
l
est
aresathi
m
andthanThandeka..
.

MrZulu-in10mi nutesyoual lneededt othe

ancestralr
ondavel.(
LooksatNel l
y)unfortunatel
y
becausey ou'
renotmarriedt oSbani,you'renot
all
owedt oentertheancestralrondavel,youwi l
lhave
tohandNt ombi t
hechil
dr enasshei st herecognised
wife,
(looksatThandeka)t hatgoesf oryout oo.
Ever
yonescat
ter
saround,ast
heyal
lgot
opr
epar
e
fort
heceremonyahead.
..
.

Nell
ywaswalki
ngdownthepassageandwasabout
topasswher
eNtombi'
smainbedroom was,she
hear
dhercry
ingandsni
ff
ingi
nside.Shest
opped
anddebat
edwhethert
ogoinornot..
.

Nel
l
y-j
ustkeepwal
ki
ng.
..

Shewalkedpassedherdoorbutst
oppedandt
urns
backl
ookingatit
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
gri
tshert
eet
h)aar
rgggghhh.
..

Sheslowl
ywalkedbackandst oodbyherdoor,
debati
ngwit
hhersel
f,shef
inallyhel
dherhandina
fi
standknockedonthedoor.Shecouldhearher
shuffl
eandsnif
f.Fewsecondswhenshewasabout
toknockagai
n,thedooropened,i
tobvi
ousshehas
beencryi
ngforquitesometimenow,hereyeshave
tur
nedsmall,
hernosewasr edandwithwhiteti
ssue
bit
s.Theybothlookedateachot
herwithoutsay
ing
anythi
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)uf
unani
?(Whatdoy
ouwant
?)
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)canIcomei
n?

Shest oodthereforafewsecondswonder i
ngwhat
theshewant si
nherroom butsheev entual
ly
steppedasideandNel lywal
kedin,shelooked
aroundt heroom,itwasniceandsubt l
e,abigpot
rai
t
ofSbani andNtombi '
sweddingphotohangedi nt
he
wall.
..

Ntombi
-Iknowyounother
etoadmi
remygr
eat
desi
gnski
ll
s,sowhati
sitt
haty
ouwant
?
Nel
l
y-(
rai
sesherbr
ow)
fi
rst
,yesImustadmi
tyour
room l
ooksreall
ybeautifulbutthanagai nIam not
supri
sedI'
venoticedyouqui t
eaf ashionabl eperson.
Second,Iam notheretogloatandr ubt hingsiny our
facesoyoucanl osetheattit
ude.Third,thef i
reyou
givi
ngoutri
ghtnow, t
hesameat ti
tudey ougi v
ingme,
i
twouldbewi seofy ouifyouusedal lthatt ohel
p
youwiththesit
uationyou'r
ei n.

Ntombif
oldsherarmsandlooksather
.Nel
lywalks
andsi
tsonthedresserchai
rcr
ossi
ngherl
egs..
..

Nelly-Nowl etmet ellyousomet hi

ng, theinsultsand
whi speringwon' tstop,andt heysur ewon'tf orget
thaty oushaggedt hey oungerbr other
.Yougott wo
options, yousitandmopar ound, l
etti
ngwhatbei ng
saidaf fectyou,dragy ouintobei ngev enmor e
miser ableory ougetup, cleany ourselfandownup
toy ourshi t
.Sowhaty ougotsome, somef rom the
youngbr other,t
hatwasagesago.Youal r
eady
mov edpasst hat,lookathowal lthisisn'
tr eall
y
affectingShaka, yeshispar entsar edisappoi nted
butwhatpuni shmentdi dheget ?NONE! !
!andy ouon
theotherhand, arebeingcrucifiedf orami stakeyou
bothdid.Yousuf f
eri
ngthefall ofbei nganunf itwi
fe
bycheatingony ourhusband,thev erysame
husbandwhoi sn'tyour"
husbandany more.Look
whatIam t r
yingt osayisculturef av our
smen,
ri
ghtnowy our eall
ygotnothingt ol ose,allyouneed
i
st ogetcleansedandgetonwi thy ourl
ife.These
vil
l
agepeopl ear eofnobenef ittoy ou.
Ntombi-(f
rowns)easyfort osay,y
ouforget
tingy ou
theonethattookmyhusbandsowhywoul dIt ake
advi
cefrom you?ForallIthiscoul
dbeyout hrowing
meundert hebus.Youwant ingmet ol
ookev en
moreunfittothesepeople.
Nell
y -(shr
ugs)ifthathowy ouseei tt
hancool .Buti
f
youwer esmartyouwoul dact ual
l
yseet haty ouina
sit
uat i
onthatIwasi nwhenIcameher e.Ev eryone
hadsomet hi
ngtosayaboutme, t
heaunt '
sand
unclescalledmeal lsortofnames, i
ncludi
ngy ou.I
cameher easthegirlwhowr eckedahome.Di dyou
onceseemecr umbl eandl ockmy sel
finsidet he
room?Noandy ouknowwhy ?BecauseIact uall
y
didn'tcare,Iwasbr aveenought osl eepwitha
mar ri
edmannowwhymustIbeaf r
aidofinsultsthat
arethrownatmef ormyownact ions.Iam gr own
enought ounder standev eryact
ionhasa
consequence.Youcan' tsleepwithy ourhusbands
brotherandexpectpeopl etocheery ouonjustlikeI
can'tsleepwi thyourhusbandandexpecty outol i
ke
meandf orpeopl etounder st
andwhyIdi dit.Just
becausey outhelatestgossipdoesn' tmeant heyno
l
ongerconsi dermeasahomewr ecker ,
allt
hisis
j
ustt alkthatgivesparkorsaucet hesev i
ll
agerslives,
nowdoy ougetmypoi ntoryoust i
llthi
nkIam
throwingy ouundert hebus?
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)Iguessy
ouhav
eapoi
nt.
Nel
ly
-cool.
..
..wel
lwhenyoudoneher
eyoucan
cometakeNkanyeziandNsi
ka.

Shestandsandwal
kst
othedoorbutNt
ombi
stops
herbefor
eshecanwal
kout
..

Nt
ombi
-(l
ooksather
)Ist
il
lver
ymuchdon'
tl
ikey
ou.
Nel
l
y-IknowandIdon'
tcar
e..
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t93

Thandekawat chedashersonget shimselfdressed,

hehasgr ownsomuch, wi
theachpassi ngti
mehe
l
ooksmor eandmor eli
kehisfather
,thoughhe's
takenherdarksmoot hski
nt onebuthehashi s
father
'sf
eatures.
..

Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)don'
tfor
gett
obr
ushy
ourhai
r.
SJ-Iknow,
lknow.
..

HesatonthebedandputhisJor
don'
ssneaker
s.
Thandekawal
kedandsatnextt
ohim.
..

Thandeka-(
hol
dshi
shand)babyy
ouknowt
hat
t
odayyourf
ather
'sf
ami
l
ywi
l
lbewel
comi
ngy
out
o
t
hefamil
y.
SJ-y
es,
uncleTool
stol
dme, healsotol
dmeIwi
l
l
seemybrot
herandsi
ster
sisthattr
uemom?
Thandeka-(
conf
used)uncl
eTool
s?
SJ-(smiles)y es,
mal umeThulani
,Iwasathishouse
play
ingv i
deogameswi t
hhisson'
st hewhol
eday
yester
day .Heev ensaidwhenwegetbackt othecit
y
Imustr egisteratthesameschool asJabu.
CanI
mom?Ihat etheschoolIam i
nnow.
Thandeka-uhmm wewi
l
lseei
fmommyaf
for
dsi
t
baby.
SJ-uncl
eBsai
dmydadwil
lpay
.Mom whyhasn'
t
mydadcometoseeme?
Thandeka-(swall
owed)uhmm he'
sbeenbusybaby
butIpromisetodayyouwil
lseehi
m.
SJ-(
looksather)ar
ey oufeel
i
ngbet
ternow?Uncle
Tool
ssai dyouwerefeel
ingsi
ckt
hatwhyIdidn'
tsee
youyesterday
.
Thandeka-(
fakesmi
l
es)y
eahIam bet
ternow.You
sur
edoseem f
ondoft
hismal
umeTool
s.
SJ-(smiled)he'
sarealman,heandunclesuncleB
tol
dmer ealmendon'tseet
heirf
ather
'sunt
ilt
hey
oldenough.TheysaidnowIam ar eal
man.(Frowns
l
ookingather )whydi
dy oul
ieandsaymyf at
herwas
asoldi
er?Whydi dn'
tyoutel
lmeIwasbei ngtr
ained
tobear ealman.
Thandeka-(f
rowns)babyIdon'
tthi
nky
oushoul
d
l
ist
entoev er
ythi
ng..
.

Heget
soft
hebedandl
ookatheri
nter
rupt
ingher
..
.

SJ-i
tokay
,Uncl
eBt
oldmet
hatwomanl
i
eal
ot.
.

Wit
hthatsai
dhewalkedtothebat
hroom t
obrush
hi
steet
hleavi
ngThandekawit
hhermouthopen..
.

Out
sidet
hey
ard.
..
.
Thevi
llagegir
lsandyoungwomenwer ealll
ooki
ng
athi
m ashedi dhispushups,thesweatdri
pping
fr
om hisdarkscorpi
onchestglit
err
edinthesun,
Zandi
lewashangi ngtabl
eclot
hsont hewashingli
ne,
sheheardthegir
lsbehindhergiggl
e,cl
earl
ythey
weretakenbywhoev erthi
smanwas. .
.

Gi
rl
1-(gi
ggl
es)mhl
ampeuyi
soshaloMkhont
o
wesi
zwe(maybeheisaMKsoldi
er)
Gi
rl2-(
li
cksherli
ps)anginendabakut hiwenzani,
minasengiy
azibonaleziyangalosezi
ngibambile
hmmmm i ndodaemadodeni leya(Idon'tcar
ewhat
hedoes,Ial
readyseet hosear msholdi
ngme
hmmmm, heisamanamongstmen) .
Theycont i
nuetogiggl
elikehighschoolgirl
s,she
l
aughsandshakesherheadbecauset heyprobably
areinhighschool
.Thenoi seandthegiddi
nessoft he
gir
lsseemedt ogetmor ehy pedupsoshet urned
wantingtoseewhatexact lywasmaki ngthese
vil
l
aget hot
sloosethei
rmi ndsbutshewasn'tready
forwhatstoodinf
rontofher .Sheswearherhear t
stoppedbeat i
ng, t
hesal i
vainhermout hdr iedup,the
fi
nespeci ment hatstoodbef oreherwithitsweat
drippingdar
kl i
ndtchocol at
edet ail
edeightorit
sixteenpecks,cansomeoneev enhavesi xteen
pecks?Sher eallydidn'
tcarer i
ghtnowbecauseal l
herey escouldseewasbl ockonbl ocks,itsurewas
abumpywaydownt othatdeepV.Hecl earedhis
throatbri
ngingherbackt oli
fe..

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)Zandi
l
eri
ght
?

"Jesusev enhist eethl

ookedl i
ketheywer ecarvedto
perfecti
on.Hist hickmoi stdar
kli
ps,clearl
yhewasa
smooker ,hisshar ppointednose,shet houghtonly
whitepeoplehadt hoseki ndofnose.Hisperfect
brushcut ,t
hisguydef ini
t el
yhadabrushwi thhim
wher everhewent ,t
herewasnowayhecoul d
mai ntai
nsuchaconsi stantwaveonhi shair"she
thoughtt oherself.

Zah-doy
oucar
ryabr
ushev
ery
wher
eyougo?
Bless-(smi
rks)i
fhavi
ngiti
nmycarmeanscar r
ying
i
tev ery
wherethantheanswert
oyourquest
ioni
s
yes..
.
Zah-(
bli
nksl
ooki
ngathi
m)wai
twhat
?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)Idocar
ryabr
ushev
ery
wher
eIgo.

Shewi denhereyeswhenshereal
i
seshehadbl
urted
thatoutloudtohim.Hechuckl
esl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Zah-(
stummer
s)uhmm i
tjust
..
.

Herey esbet r
ay edheragainast heywentst raightto
hischestandt orso,
shefelthipnotized,shewasso
focusedonhi schestthatshedi dn'thearhim asking
hert opl easetakehisshirtofthewashi ngli
ne, he
hadhangedi ttherewhil
ehewor kedout .Whenshe
didn'trespondhemov edclosert oher ,
shejust
stoodr ootedwher eshewas, hel eanedf oward,she
closedherey esf eel
inghotashi spr esenceheldher
ov ertheedge, hisbr
eathfannedherneckmaki ng
herbreatheacert
ainway
.Shef el
therhandcomein
contactwithbi
ghardobj
ectbeforeshecould
compr ehendwhatwhati
t.Shesawhi m st
andi
ng
i
nfrontofhernowwi t
hhi
sshirton..
.

Bless-(
smil
es)Igotmyshi
rtnow,Idon'
tthi
nkwe
haveeverhadaconver
sati
on,weshouldhangout
somet i
mes.

Hewi nkedatherandwalkeddownt othegate,she

watchedhimt al
ktotheboyatthegate,t
hegate
openedandhewal kedoutdisappear
inginhereyes.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
det
hehouse.
..

Sbaniwalksinsidetheroom andfindsNel
lybur pi
ng
Nsika.Sheglancesathimf orafewsecondst han
hereyesgobackt othei
rsononceagain.Hesi ghs
andwal kst
osi tnexttoher,hewrapshisl
eftarm
aroundherwaist .
..
Sbani
-babear
eyouav
oidi
ngme?
Nel
l
y-no(
smi
l
elooki
ngatherson)
Sbani
-thanwhydoIfeel
likeyou'
re?Wehaven'
t
tal
kedsincewel
eftt
hediscussi
onr oom.
Nell
y-(l
ooksathi
m)woul
dyouev
erdot
omewhat
youdidtoThandeka?

Mov esfr
om thebedandbr usheshisface,hewasn'
t
expecti
nghertoaskhim aboutwhathedi d,i
nfact
hewashopi ngthatshewouldjustbrushofthe
wholehim hit
ti
ngThandekasaga...

Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)ar
eyouaf
rai
dofme?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)No..
.butIhavetoaskSbani,Imight
havenotseenherbruisesbutthepainwasv i
si
blein
herface,
Iheardthewayshewasmoanand
groani
ng,Isawhowshewoul dshuthereyesevery
ti
met hepaingotser
vereforher.Igetwhyyoumi ght
havedonewhaty oudid,t
houghl i
keyourf
athersaid
i
tnoexcuset olayahandinawomanbutj ustt
his
onceIchoosetoputasidemybel i
efsandcondone
youract
ions.Butpar
tofmecan' thel
pbutwonder
whatcany oudoifIweretoangeryoutothatpoint
,
wouldyoulayyourhandsonme.

Hewalksclosert
oherandt akesthei
rsonaway
fr
om herarmsplaci
nghim ont hebedandtakesher
handmakingherstandbef
or ehim..
.

Sbani-(l
ooksi ntoherey es)Iwoul dNEVERl aya
handony ou,Ineedy out obeli
ev ethat.Il
oveyouso
mucht hatseei ngy ouhurtwillhurtmemor e.
..
.
(sil
ent)
..
.howev erIcannotguar anteethatduri
ngmy
nightmaresIwoul dn'
tmanhandl ey ou.ButIam
wor ki
ngonget ti
ngbetterdon'tlosehopei nme
whenIam al r
eadyhal fwayt here,youchangingme
forthebet t
er.
Nel
l
y-(
car
esshi
sface)
(whi
sper
ed)okay
..
.
Hel eanedf orwar dandcl ai
medherl ips, shet i
lt
ed
herheadashi smanl yhandscar essedherf ace, he
smi l
edt hrought hekisstastingherstrawber ryli
p
gloss,thisalway sexcitehim.Theki ssst artedof f
slowandpassi onatebutnowwi thhi shandsr unni ng
wildalloverherbody ,thekisswasnowmessyand
needy .Hishandsgr abbedbot hherbut tcheeks
maki nghermoani npleasure,i
tbeensol ongsi nce
theybot hbeeni nt
imate,shecoul dfeel hishar ddi ck
ri
ghtbel owherst omach.Herheadt il
tedev enmor e
whenhest ar
t edsuckingont henapeofherneck, the
heatwasget t i
ngtomuchf orbothoft hem.Hi s
handst raveledal lt
hewayunderherdr ess, caressi ng
hert i
ghsal lthewayupt oherpant i
es.Theywer e
alreadysoaki ngwet .Her ubbedonherpant iesf abric
causingf ri
ctiononhercl it.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
moan)babe.
..
.
Sbani
-(suckeddeeperonherneck)hmmm.
.

Hi
shandf
inal
l
ygotunderherpant
ies,hest
art
ed
rubbi
ngherwetpussy,hisfi
ngerkeptgentl
yfli
cki
ng
herbean,shewasmoani ngi
nsomuchpl easur
e,hi
s
otherhandwassqueezingonherbreast.
..

Nel
l
y-(
moani
ng)don'
tsqueezet
hem babe.
..
Sbani
-(ki
ssesherl
i
ps)sor
ry.
..

Hetri
edtal
kingofherpant
iesbutshestoppedhim,
makinghi
m grithi
steet
h.Asgoodast hi
swasbut
sheknewtheycouldn'
tdoit
,shesti
ll
hadst i
tches.
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
kisseshi
m)wecan'
tbabe,
Ijustgav
ebi
rt
h
r
emember..
.
Sbani
-(sulks)
(squeezesherbut
tcheeks)comeon
babe,
Iwi l
lbegentle,Ipr
omise.
Nel
l
y-wegoi
ngt
ohav
etowai
tunt
ilt
hedoct
orcl
ear
s
me.

Hehel
dherwai
st,
sul
ki
ngl
ooki
ngatherwi
th
pl
eadi
ngey
es.
..

Sbani
-(bi
tesonherear
)howabouty
oul
etmef
eed
fr
om behi
nd.
Nel
l
y-howaboutIbl
owy
oui
nst
ead?

Hesmiledandexci
tedlydr
oppedhispantsmaki
ng
Magebashootstr
aightout
.Shelookedathi
m and
l
aughed..
.

Nel
l
y-(
laughs)Jesusbabe,notnexttot
heki
dsgoby
t
hecor
nerIwillat
tendtoyouthere.
..

Heturnedandstar
tedwalki
ngtothecorner,
hiswalk
wasfunnybecausehispant
sandbrief
swer esti
ll
by
hi
sankles,shewat
chedhistonedfi
rm buttf
rom
behi
nd..
.

Nel
l
y-(
bit
eherl
i
ps)Dudl
u!!
!!
Heturnedandshotheral
ook,
maki
ngherchuckl
e
andf
ollowhi
m exci
tedl
y.
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t94

Downbyt
her
iver
..
.

Hewal ksdownapat hl
eadi
nghimt owheretheri
ver
wateris,heisdist
urbedbyhisphonevibr
ati
nginhis
pocket.Het akesi
toutandlooksatthecal
lerI
D,i
t
Nomv elo..
.

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
oMs.
Mv
elo-(
smi
l
es)heyy
ou,
what
'sup?
Bl
ess-not
hingmuch,
towhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e
ofyoucal
l
ingme?
Mv
elo-can'
tIcal
lmybr
other
?
Bl
ess-Idon'
tknow,
youhav
ebeenav
oidi
ngmel
atel
y.
Mvel
o-.
.(
sil
ent
).
.yeahIhav
ebeengoi
ngt
hrough
somest
uff.
Bl
ess-wannat
alkabouti
t?
Mvel
o-uhmm notr
eal
l
yIwi
l
lbef
ine.Ukephi
?(Wher
e
ar
eyou?)
Bless-(
sighs)att
heZul
u'
shomest
ead,
thoughtI
shouldgetsomef r
eshai
r.
Mvelo-(chuckl
es)y
eahr
ight
.Ohwel
lsayhi
tomy
si
sterforme.
Bless-y
oushouldgi
veheracal
l
...
.(si
l
ent
).
.ar
eyou
sureyou'
reokay
?
Mvel
o-(t
akesadeepbreat
h)y
eah,
IguessIwi
l
lsee
youwhenyougetback.
Bl
ess-okayby
edoc.
..
Mv
elo-byshadyman.
..
Hechuckl esandendst hecall
, hel
ift
shisey esthey
l
andonagi r
lwearingawor noutyell
owsummer
dress,sl
ightlyonthechubbysi de.Hewat chesas
shelaysabl anketont hefloorandtakesoutabunch
ofbooks, shelaysflatonherback, herdresspul l
s
upabi t,showingsomeofherf l
esh.Shestarts
readingoneoft hebooksshehadwi thher.Het hi
nks
aboutleav i
ngandnotdi sturbi
ngherbutdamnt hose
ti
ghsar edoingsomeunexpl ainabl
et hi
ngstot hebig
man. .

Bless-(admi
reshert
ighs)
(bi
teshisl
owerli
p)(
deep
voice)Azeamahleamathangaetshi
tshi

Thegi r
l j
umpsi nf ear,shesi tsupandpul l
sherdr ess
down, usest hebookt ocov ersomepar tsofher
ti
ghs.Hel ooksatherandsmi l
es,thegi
rli
sabeaut y
,
fatcheeks,di mplesbot hsi desofhercheeks,thich
bushey ebrows, thickli
ps, andl astbi
gbrowney es.
Herhai ri
sn'tthatgr eatthough, shedefi
nit
elyneeds
av i
sittothesal on...
.
Gir
l-(
looksaroundinf
ear
)cel
aungangi
l
imazi
bhut
i.
(Pl
easedon'thurtme)

Hef rownsl ookingathowf rightenshei s, okay

may behewentaboutt hingst hewrongway .May be
heshoul dn'
thav esneakeduponher .Het ri
est o
squatt owardsherbutshebacksawayandshut sher
ey es, sohedeci dest ojustbackawayaf ewi nches
from her .Herhear tisbeat i
ngsof astwi t
hf ear ,
her
mi ndi sr acingar oundt hinkingaboutt hest range
manher ewi t
hher , shet riest othinkofhowdi dhe
seeher ,t
hisi shersecr etpl ace, nobodycomesher e,
thet hi ckbushesandt reeshi desthisplacesowel l
thatnobodydar est oev encomet hisside.Shet hinks
aboutal lt
hepossi bili
ti
esofwhot hisstrangeman
coul dbe, may behe' sher etot akeheraway ,sher ead
somewher eint hepaperaboutcasesof" ukut hwal a"
wher emenf orcef ullytakey ounggi rlsandkeept hem
prisonerunt ilLobol anegot iationsaredone.She
opensherey esandr ealiset hatthest r
angemanhas
backedawayf rom her ..
.
Bless-(
looksather
)Iwon'
thur
tyou,
pleasedon'
t
scream..

"Okaymuhlel obhut i,he'

sdressedwel lt
oo,noonei n
thevil
lagedr essesl ikehi
m, exceptforthechief
s
chil
drenandt hef ewhouseswher etheyhaveboy s
whoschool i
nt hecity.Hedoesn'tlookli
keabad
manaswel l"shet hi
nkst oherself
.Shet r
iestocalm
down.Whenhenot icesthatherbodyi srel
axingabit
hesighsinr elief.
..

Bless-ngi
yaxol
i
sangokuthusa,(
I'
m sor
ryf
or
fr
ighteni
ngyou)..
.uhmm uyasi
khul
umaisi
ngi
si?(
Do
youspeakEnglish?)

Gi
rl
-(nods)
yesbutsmal
l
,smal
l
...

Hesmilesandholdshi
msel
ffrom l
aughi
ngather
r
esponse,shehasabeaut
if
ulsoftvoi
ce.
..
Bl
ess-(smi
les)okay
,Iguesswecanwor
kwi
thsmal
l
,
small
Engli
sh..
.
Gi
rl
-ngabeul
ahl
eki
l
e,ngi
yaqal
aukukubona(
arey
ou
l
ost
?Itmyfir
stt
imeseei
ngyouhere)
Bless-(
shakeshishead)Chaangil
ahleki
le(
noIam
notlost
)Ijustcamehereforf
reshairthanIsawy
ou
here.
Gi
rl
-oh.
..Icomeher
eforpeace.
..
Bless-(
clear
shert
hroat
)canIsi
tnextt
oyou?Cel
a
ukuhlal
aeduzekwakho?
Gir
l-youdon'
thavetorepeatev
ery
thingyousayi
n
Engli
shinisi
Zul
u,IcanspeakEngl
ishbutitt
hebi
g
wordsthatIdonotunderst
and.

Hesmileslooki
ngather,hesi
gnal
sifi
tokayhesit
s,
shemov esthebooksasidemaki
ngspaceforhi
m.
Hewalksslowlyandsit
snexttoher
.
Bl
ess-
(smi
lesl
ookingather
)mynameisBlessi
ng
Sbusi
soNdaworabutyoucancal
lmeBl
ess.

Hesti
ckshishandoutf
orashake,
shest
icksher
handoutt
ooandshakeshi
shand..
.

Gi
rl
-(smi
l
es)Iam NomusaThusi
..

"Wegetti
ngsomewher
e"hesmi
l
est
hinki
ngt
o
himsel
f.
..

I
nsi
deSi
zwe'
scar
..
.

Sane-(
looksathim)doyouthi
nky
ourmom wil
l
handl
etakingcareofbot
hbabi
es,
ImeanAyandai
s
qui
teahandf ul
theseday
s.
Sizwe-(smil
es)don'
twor r
yy oursel
fbabe,
my
mot herwil
lbefi
ne,besi
dei tnotli
keshewill
be
taki
ngcareofthem alone,shehashelp.
Sane-y
eahyour
ight
,IhopeNomadoesn'
tbi
temy
headofff
orl
eav
ingAyandabehi
nd.
Sizwe-(
laughs)thatwhoyoushouldbeworr
ied
about,t
hatkidcantalkf
ordays.She'
stoogr
ownfor
herage.
Sane-(
laughs)she'
sasmar
tmout
h..
.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Helooksatherandnoti
ceshowunsett
leshei
s,he
ki
ndofhasani deawhyshelookssoner
vous.
.

Sizwe-(
hol
dsherhand)khul
umanami
sthandwa
sami
Sane-(takesadeepbr eath)
Iam justthi
nkingabout
her,
Istillfeelguil
tyaboutever
ythingwedi dtoher.
Andthet i
meshecamet oLungiey'
splaceandf ound
usthere, Isti
l
l r
ememberhowherf acewaslike,
JesusIdon' tknowwhyIf eell
i
ket hisbecauseI
shouldn'tespeciall
ysinceshe'
smanagedt owor m
herwayt
omyf
ami
l
y.
Si
zwe-(l
ooksathershocked)babeNo,
thatnota
ni
cethi
ngtosay.
Sane-(looksathim)howelsecanyouexplai
nwhat
shedid?Doy ouhonestl
ythinkshelovesmybrot
her
orshe'sjustt
oyingwit
hhimt ogetbackatus?
Sizwe-lookIknowNel ly
,she'snott
hatkindof
person,shewouldn'tgothroughallt
hisjustfora
pointl
essrevenge,okayl
etsaythisi
sherr evenge,
whatexactlywill
shegai nf
rom allt
his?
Sane-(shr
ugs)Idon'
tknowbutnot
hingmakes
sense.Wenaucabangani?
Si
zwe-mi naIthi
nkyoushouldstopworrying,
Nell
yis
notpl
ott
ingagainstus,she'
snotthatki
ndofwoman.
Shewouldn'twasteherti
meonmeani nglessthi
ngs.
Sane-(
frowns)whyar
eyout
aki
nghersi
de?
Si
zwe-babeIam nottaki
nganysi
des,
butIdon'
tget
wher
eallthi
siscomingfrom?
Sane-mxm!!
!Letj
ustdr
opthi
sconver
sat
ion
becausei
tcl
earl
yyouchoosi
ngherov
erme.
Sizwe-(annoy
ed)(
clickshist
ongue)yeahlet
'sdropi
t
velebecauseyoujustbeingaspoil
edbratri
ghtnow.

Shef
rust
rat
edl
ylooksout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
..
.

ATTHEZULUHOMESTEAD.
..

Nell
yisseat edintheloungear eabusyonherphone,
hermotherandDonhav elockedthemsel
v esi
nside
theguestrondav elt
hatwasassi gnedtothem.One
ofthegir
lst hathel
par oundthehousecomesst ands
whereshei s..
.

Gir
l-(
clear
sthr
oat)sor
rysi
si,
kukhonamhl
ampe
odi
ngangikwenzel
ekona?(I
st her
eany
thi
ngy
ou
wantmet odoforyou?)
Nell
y-(smil
es)uhmm cha,kodwaungangilethel
a
i
jui
ce,ngiy
acabangaukuthiuSbaniukut
shengisi
lele
engi
ohuzayo?(Nobutyoucanbr ingmejuice,It
hink
Sbanididshowy out
heoneIdr i
nk?)
Gir
l-(smi
les)y
eboubhut iusi
tshengi
sil
e.Amakhekhe
wonaungawat handa?(Yeshedi dshowus,would
youlovesomebi scui
ts?)
Nel
ly-(
shakesherhead)chaNgi
yabonga,
ngi
cel
a
i
jui
cenjeqha.

Thenodsandwalksawaybutbef
oreshecanr
each
theki
tchen,
shei
sstoppedbyThandeka.
..

Gi
rl
-(l
ooksather
)ngi
ngakusi
za?(
CanIhel
pyou)
Thandeka-y
ou'
ret
hemai
dri
ght
?

Thegir
ljustl
ooksatherf
ri
ght
en,
shecoul
dn'
t
under
standwhatshewassayi
ng.
..

Thandeka-(cl
apsherhandsi
nherf
ace)hel
l
o!!
!!
!Iam
tal
ki
ngtoy ou,ut
hul
eleni
?
Gi
rl
-(l
ooksdown)angi
kuzwasi
si?(
Ican'
theary
ou)
Thandeka-(r
ollseyes)Jesus,i
sev er
yonei
nthisyar
d
i
ll
iter
ate.Lal
elakecelaungenzelaamaqanda,
anochizinotwosli
cewesi nkwaesi mhl
ophe.(
List
en
herepleasemakemeeggs, withcheeseandtwo
sl
icewhi t
ebread).
Girl
-uhmm kodwaukudl akwasekuseni l
okho,
kuphekiwemanj ei
sitambu,
ngingakuphakel
a.(But
thatbreakf
astfood,sampisal
readyprepared,
Ican
dishitoutfory
ou)
Thandeka-(foldsherarms)l al
elalafar
mjuli
a,
anginendabanal okhomina,mhl ampeufunauSbani
azweukut hiuqabaukwenzel aumamawenkosana
yakheukudla?( List
enIdon'tcareaboutormaybe
youwantSbani toknowt hatyourefusi
ngtomake
themot herofhishierfood?
Girl
-(fr
ight
en)ngiyaxol
isacelabandlaungasholut
ho,
ngizokwenzelanomay inioy
ifunayo.(
Iam sorr
y,
pleasedon'tsayanythi
ngIwilldowhat ev
eriti
sthat
youwant ).

Thandekasmi
rksandsi
gnal
sthegi
rlt
omov
eal
ong.
Shewal kst ot heLoungeandf indsNel l
yseatedwi th
herlegscr ossedbusyonherAppl eiPad.Shetook
thetimetopr operlylookather ,shewasbeaut ifulno
doubtaboutt hat,herbeautywasj ustoutofthis
worldandherf l
awlessskin,per fectpinkpoutlips.
She'sdefinit
elyaheadt urner.Shehadnomakeup
butshest il
llookedgood, event houghshehaddoek
onherhead, itdidn'tl
ookoutofpl ace,i
nsteaditjust
accessorizeherbeaut yevenmor e.Shewal kedand
satont hecouchwhi chwasopposi tetoher.Nelly
l
ift
edherheadupandt heymadeey econtactfora
fewsecondsunt il
shedeci dedt of ocusbackonher
i
Pad. .
.

Thandeka-(
clear
sthr
oat
)hi
..
.
Nel
l
y-hi
..
.

Sherespondstoherwithoutevenlooki
ngather
,
Thandekacannotreal
lyreadherfaci
alexpr
essi
onas
shewasn'texact
lygiv
inganythi
ngaway .
..
Thandeka-uhmm wehav
en'
tbeenf
ormal
l
y
i
ntroduced,Iam.
..
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Iknowwhoy
ou'
re

Nellysaysthatl
ookingatherdi
rectl
yintohereyes,
thatwhenThandekanot i
cesthehugel ovebit
eon
herneck,sheswall
owsf eel
ingalit
tl
ejealous.Nel
ly
's
eyesstil
lhavemov edonebitfr
om her..
..

Thandeka-uhmm okay
..

Hereyesshi
ftbacktot
hehugelov
ebi
te,
she
swal
lowsahugel umpagai
n..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looksather
)pr
obl
em?
Thandeka-(
fakesmi
l
es)No.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksather
)whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Thandeka-sor
ry?
Nell
y-(
rai
sesherbr
ow)youknowexact
lywhatIam
t
alki
ngabout?Whydidy
oudoi t
?
Thandeka-(si
ghs)Il
ovehi
mthatwhyIdi
dit
,Inev
er
st
oppedl ov
inghim.
Nell
y-(shakesherhead)Idon'
tbel
iev
ethatfora
second.Youhadhim butyouchosetodestr
oywhat
youbothhad.Sowhyexact lydi
dyoudoit?
Thandeka-y
ouwoul
dn'tunder
stand,
Icanseey
ou
l
ookingatmewit
hthosejudgmentaley
es.
Nell
y-Iam notj udgingy ou,Ij
ustdon'tgetwhatkind
ofwomany ou're.Youhadhi m butyouchoset obed
hisol
derbr ot her,f
all pregnantforhim, abortt
he
baby,andrunawaywi t
houtexpl ai
ningthingstohi
m.
Youcomebackhe' smov edont hanyoust eal
his
sperm soy oucanhav ehisbaby ,thesameguyy ou
hadnopr obl em exitinghi slif
ewi t
houtany
expl
anation.Thatdoesn' tsoundl i
kesomeonewho
i
sinl
ove.Ther
eissomet
hingelsethatyouwant,
somethi
ngpushedyout
odot his?Thequest
ionis
what
?
Thandeka-beli
evewhatyouwantbutli
keIsai
dIlove
hi
m.Whyar eyouquest
ioni
ngmyactions?Who's
quest
ioni
ngy ours?Whydidyousl
eepwithamarried
man?Isitbecauseyouwantedtocli
mbt hel
adder
qui
cklyatwork?

Nel
l
ylooksatherandl
aughs.
..

Nelly-Adi ckdidn'
tgivemest atusort hesixf i
gure
balanceonmybankaccount ,i
tonl ygavemegr eat
fuckhencet het wobeauti
fulchildr
enandt hebi g
purplelovebitethatyoucan'tgety oureyesof f.Your
sperm donordi dn'
thelpmecl i
mbt heladder,my
qualif
icati
onpaperdet er
minedwher einthel adderI
shouldbe, dearIdon'tdr
eam pr omot i
ons,Idr eam
stakeholders,youshouldgetonet hingstraightI
don'thaveaj obIhaveacar eer.Itpeoplewi thjobs
thatdream promot i
ons,peoplelikeyou.
Nel
l
yst
oodupl
eav
ingherwi
thherj
awsdr
opped.
..

Thandeka-Bi
tch!
!!

Nel
l
ytur
nedandsmi
rkedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Nell
y-( smiled)y ou'reri
ght, Iam thebi t
cht hatgoing
toraisey ourson, t
hebi t
cht hatwil
lbecomey our
son'ssuperwomanbecauseshedr ivesacool big
meancar ,thebi tchthatwi llhaveahugeasshouse
withar oom t hathasev erythingthatal i
tt
leboycan
everdr eam of ,Iwillhavey oursoncal lthisbitch
(poi
nt sather self)mommy ,whileyouwi ll
bet he
miserabl ebitcht hatwor ksasat el
leratthebank
andlistenst opeopl ecompl ai
neachandev eryday.
Mightaswel l adoptacat ,
itoneoft hemusthav e's
onthel onelymi serablebitchst ar
terpack...

"
Ireal
l
ydi
sli
ket
hiswoman"shewal
kedof
fthi
nki
ng
thattoher
sel
f.Thegir
lwalkedinsidetheLounge
andplacedherfoodonthetable,becauseshewas
boil
ingwit
hangershefuri
ouslykickedthefoodoff
thetabl
emakingthegir
ljumpwi thfear,and
stompedoffthehouse.
..

Downbyt
her
iver
..
.

Theyhav ebeenbot htell

ingeachot herabout
themsel ves,butNomusahadbeent heonewhowas
talkingthemost ,Blessont heotherhand, hi
seyes
hav ebeengl uedt othewayherl ipsmov ewhenshe
talked,heimagi nedthosethicklipssuckingonhis
dick, hefant
asizedabouthert hicky el
lowboneti
ghs,
i
tsaf etosayhewasonanot herwor ldofhisown.I
n
thatwor ldhehadhi sdar kchocolateskinpounding
har donherul tr
aMel yel
l
owski n...
.

Bl
ess-whati
fIt
oldy
ouIcangety
out
ovar
sit
y?
Nomusa-(
looksathi
m)ngi
zot
hini
kubazal
ibami
?
(
Whatwi
l
lIsayt
omypar
ent
s)
Bless-uzobatshelaukuthingi
hlobenenabakwaZul u,
kodwaungazi hluphingalokhowenakuy ekelekonke
kumi na.(Youwillt
ellt
hem Iam relat
edtot heZulu'
s
butdon' tworr
yy our
selfaboutthat,l
eav
eev er
ythi
ng
tome)

Shel ookedathi m wi thav er yexcitedf ace,hehad

l
ookedv eryimpr essedwhenshet oldhi mt hestory
behindhercomi ngt othebusheswi thbookst oread.
Shenar ratedtohi m howherpar ent scouldn'tsend
hertouni versit
yaf termat ricbecauset heyhadno
funds, thenei ghborwhowor ksatt hemuni ci
pali
ty
hadgi venherf ormst oappl yforfundi ngbutwhen
herchi l
df ail
edshebecamebi tt
eranddi dnothand
i
nherf or ms.Shet oldhimt hattheol dmant hat
ownsabi gmi nisupermar kethadgi venherbooks
aboutdi f
ferentuni versit
iesi nAf r
ica, everydayhe
giveshernewspaper .Andj ustforent er t
ainmenthe
wouldal sogi vehermagazi ne'
s.Whenheaskedher
whot aughtherhowt oread?Shehast ol
dhi m,her
Englisht eacheratschool did,andt heol dmanf r
om
theminisupermar ketgaveherf r
eel essonsev ery
Sunday.Shewasscar edtotell
himt hatshehadno
i
deaexact lywhatshewant edtobe, theywer enot
exposedt omuchatherol dschool alltheywer etol
d
wastobecomeadoct or,l
awyer,teacherornur se,
evensot heyweretoldadoct orandl awy erwasa
mancar eerssotheonl yopti
onwasnur seorteacher
butnoneoft hesecareersint
erestedher .
..
.

Bless-i
ftheyagree,
Iwi
l
lbooky
out
oev
erycar
eer
expoavailabl
e.
Nomusa-y
ini
ley
o?(
What
'
sthat
?)
Bless-i
ndawolaufundiswakhonangezihlobo
zezif
undoongazenzaeny uv
esi(i
tplacewereyou'r
e
educatedaboutdi
ffer
entcoursesinuniv
ersit
y).
.
Nomusa-(
excited)ngat
hingi
yabonasengi
se
Thekwi
ni(
blushes).

Helookedatheramazed,
hisdi
ckwasn'
tgi
vi
nghim
anyrest
,itwashar
dasfuck.Heshi
ft
edcl
osert
oher
wi
thoutbr
eaki
ngt
heey
econt
act
..
.

Bless-yafunangikut
shel
eukuthi
li
thi
nii
gamalakho
ngesingisi
?( doyouwanttoknowwhatyourname
meansi nEngl i
sh?)

Shesmi l
edfeel
ingveryshyandnodded,
hisZul
uhad
av er
ysexyaccent,
shewasscaredtoaskhim whi
ch
tr
ibeexactl
yishe?.
..

Bless-(
boldvoice)Gener
ous,t
hatwhatyourname
means, angi
thiuNomusauqondeukuthi
umunt u
onothandofuthiophanay
o( Nomusameansa
personwhoi slovi
ngandgivi
ng?)
Nomusa-(
whi
sper
ed)Gener
ous.
.

Shesaiditsosoftaccompaniedbyt hatdeepZul
u
thwangthatpeoplewhodon'tusuallyspeakEngl
ish
havewhent heyt
ryandspeaki t
,itusuall
yisatur
n
offbutt
histime,hi
sdickhar
denev enmor e,
making
hi
m usehi
slef
thandtoholditdown.Shewatched
wher
ehisl
efthandwas,butquickl
ydi
vert
edher
ey
esback.
..

Bl
ess-manj
ewenangabeuy
aphanay
ini
?(Soar
eyou
agi
vingper
son?
)
Nomusa-(
looksdown)umm It
hinkso.
.
Bless-(smil
ed)
(bi
ti
nghi
slower
li
p)manj
eshukut
hi
nami uzongi
pha?
Nomusa-(
heat
ingbeati
ng)uf
unangi
kupheni
?(What
doyouwantmetogiveyou)
Bless-(bi
thislip)ngi
funaungi
phei
ntoongakaze
uyiphemunt u.(Iwantyoutogi
vemesomet hi
ngyou
hav enevergiventoanyone)

Bef
or eshecouldrespond,hebrushedhertighs
l
ookingr i
ghti
ntohereyes,herheartstar
tedbeati
ng
sofast,shehasneverhadamant ouchherbefore.
Hecar ef
ull
ylai
dheront heblanket
...
Nomusa-(
shaki
ng)uhmm Ican'
tI
Bl
ess-(
babyki
ssesher
)justr
elax,
awungi
phebo!
!!

Hegentlyki
ssedherlips,whil
ehishandsexpl ored
eachandev er
ypartofherbody ,shecouldfeelher
bodystartt
ofeelver
yhotf rom histouch,heslowly
pull
edherdressup,shetriedtostophim buthehel d
herhandsbackandpr oceededtogent lypul
louther
panti
eswhichwerealreadywet .
..

Nomusa-(
hear
tbeat
ing)angekengi
kwazi
kul
ala
nawe.
..
Bless-shhhsshh,
angekengi
kwenzel
utho,
ngithembe..

Hefinall
yhadherpant i
esout ,hest
ar t
edt okissher
neckwhi let
ouchingherfull
sizebreastandpi tchi
ng
hernippleshereandthere.Hegentlyrubbedonher
cl
itmaki ngsurenottofl
ickhercli
thar shly
.He
begant opullouthi
spants,shestartedt opanick.
..
Bl
ess-(
babyki
ssedher
)ngi
thembe.
..

Heheldonhi smanhoodandst artedt or

ubar ound
hercli
t,i
tfel
tsogoodbutbecauseofhowscar ed
shewas, herfocuswasonmaki ngsur ehedoesn' t
penetr
ateher.Heshi f
tedbackabi tandopenedher
ti
ghs,heplacedhi sdickinbet weenhert i
ghsand
madehercl osedt hem, hestartedt ogentlymov ein
andout,herey eswi denatthewi dthofwhatwasi n
betweenhert i
ghs, shefeltl
ikeshewashol dingt he
sizeofaDoom cani nbetweenher .Theintensi tyand
theheatthefrict
ionofhert hickt ighsweredoi ngt o
him,buil
dedthedesper at
ioninhi mt ogoev enf aster.

Bl
ess-(
groans)
shi
t.
..
.fuckbabe.
..

Aft
erafewmi nut
esofhim mov
inghiswaistgoingin
andoutbetweenherti
ghs,
hisj
uicescamef l
yi
ngout,
shefel
tthethi
ckmoistbet
weenhertighs,
hepul l
ed
hi
sdi ckoutandherey eswidenev enmor e,itwas
big,
dar kandhadv ienspoppi
ngout ,i
tlookedr eal
l
y
angry,andunfr
iendlyli
keoneoft hoseshehasseen
fr
om oneofherf ri
endsphone, shenevert hought
sucht hi
ngswerer ealbutl
ooki
ngatt heangr y,mean
Doom si zemonsterinfr
ontofher,sheswal l
owed...
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t95

Hetakeshisshi
rtandgiveshersoshecanwi
pethe
moistbetweenherti
ghs.Hecouldseehowfr
eaked
outsheis.
..

Bless-(hol
dsherchi
n)l
ookatme.
..angi
zange
ngil
ifake.
.

Shelooksdownandcontinuest
owi pehersel
f,t
he
i
magesofhi sangr
ylooki
ngdickkeptfl
ashinginher
mind..
.
Bl
ess-(
ster
nvoi
ce)NOMUSA!
!!

Shejumpedlooki
ngathi
m, heroughlygr
abbedhis
shi
rtandthr
ewitonthef
loor,heheldherhands.
..

Bl
ess-(
looksather
)kwenzenj
an?You'
reshaki
ng.
.
Nomusa-(pani
cking)hawemahngizomitha,
uboni
l
e
ukut
hihowmuchy oursper
mswer e,
ngzi
wowenzanjanimekukhonaangenil
e.
Bl
ess-(
shakeshishead)Nomusangisomi
l
ekuphel
a,
noonegetspregnantf
rom ukusoma.
Nomusa-t
heycan,ugogobenomah,
bangi
tshel
a
zonkei
zi
nsukul
okho.
Bless-basukebekusabi
sa.
..(
sighs)okaywouldyou
feelbett
erifuphuzaamaphil
i
si azokusi
zaukut
hi
ungami t
hi?
Nomusa-(shakesherhead,pani
cki
ngev
enmor e)
hhah!
!!Uf
unangikhi
pheisisu,
isi
kol
amiali
ngi
vumeli
ukubangenzel
eyont
o(youwantmet
ohavean
abort
ion,
mycult
uredoesn'
tal
l
owmetodothat
).
Bl
ess-(br
usheshi
sface)l
ist
en,
theynotabor
ti
on
pi
l
ls,yazi
nipacky
ourthi
ngsandlet
'sgo.
Nomusa-si
yaphi
?Sekuhl
wilemanj
e,mel
engibuy
ele
ekhay
a(Wherearewegoing?I
tlat
enow,Ihav
eto
gobackhome)
Bl
ess-(
hel
douthi
shandf
orher
)asambe.
.
Shepackedupevery
thi
ngandpl
acedherhandon
hi
s,hesqueezedi
tandusedhi
sotherhandt
omake
acall
.
..

Nel
l
y-hel
l
o..
Bl
ess-wer
eyousl
eepi
ng?
Nel
ly-no,Iwasjustcat
chi
nguponabookIam
cur
rentl
yreadi
ng,what'
sup?
Bless-Ineedy ourhel
p,meetmei
nsi
detheguest
rondavelthatIam occupy
ingi
n10minut
es.
.
Nel
l
y-uhmm okay
..
.
Wi
tht
hathehangedup.
..

Bl
ess-l
et'
shur
ry,
mysi
steri
swai
ti
ngf
orus.
.
Nomusa-(
pani
cked)y
oursi
ster
?Kodwa.
.
Bless-(br
usheshisfacefr
ustrat
edl
y)babecel
a
ungithembe,uyekeukuphi
kisananami(Pl
easet
rust
meandst opquesti
oningme).

Shekeptquietastheywalkedhandi nhand,she
couldn'
thel
pbutthinkabouthim cal
lingher"babe"
hehassaidittwotimesnow, doesthismeansshei s
hisgir
lf
ri
endnow?Shecoul dfeelherst omach
turni
ngtoknotsatthethoughtofthat,hewasasexy
manandshewasj ustaplai
nuneducat edvil
lagegi
rl
,
whatcouldshepossibl
yof f
erhim..
.

15mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Theywalki
nsidetheZuluy ard,shestar
tspani
cking
afr
aidt
hatsomeonemi ghtr ecogniseherandher
wholef
amilywil
lknowthatshewasseenhandi n
handwit
haman.Shequi cklyletgoofhishand..
.

Bl
ess-y
ini
manj
e?(
Whatnow?
)
Nomusa-( shaking,l
ooksar ound)angekengikwazi
ukubonakalanawe, bazotshelaumndeni wamiukuthi
ngihambangi bambaamadodai zandla(Ican'
tbe
seenwithy ou,theywil
ltell
myf amilythatIwasseen
holdi
nghandswi thaman) .
Bl
ess-manj
euf
unasenzenj
ani
?(Nowwhatdoy
ou
wantust
odo?)
Nomusa-(
shr
ugs)angazi(
Idon'
tknow)
..
.

Hesi
ghs,
theboywhoguar
dst
hegatecoul
dhear
t
hei
rconv
ersat
ion,
hewal
kedt
owar
dsthem..

Boy-ngi
ngamungeni
saminarazor
,angekebasho
l
uthomebesibonasi
hambendawonye,ngangi
lusa
i
zinkomozababawakhengi j
way el
enenomndeni
wakhe(Icanwalkherinsi
de, t
heywon'tsay
anythi
ngwhentheyseeust ogether
,Iusedt
oherd
herfat
her
'scow,herf
ami l
yknowsme) .
Bl
ess-(
looksather
)kul
ungi
l
elokho?
Nomusa-(
nods)y
es.
..
Bless-(
looksatt
heboy)muy
isel
angi
l
alakhona
(t
akehert owher
eIsl
eep)

Theboynods,
het akesthebl
anketandbooksfr
om
herandt
heystar
twal ki
ngtowar
dstherondavel
..
.

Woman1-akuyonainganey
akwaThusi
ley
a?(
Isn'
t
t
hatt
hegirl
from t
heThusifami
l
y?)
Woman2-( shakesherhead)angi cabangiukut
hi
i
yona,phelaleyanganeiyahl
oniphafuthiayi
hambi
ebsuku(Idon'tthi
nkither,t
hatgirli
srespectf
uland
shedoesn'twonderatnight)
Theboyopenstherondav
el,Nomusawalksi
nand
fi
ndsNell
yseat
edonachai rnextt
othebed,she
standwhensheseesNomusaandt heboy.
..

Boy-(
looksdown)ngi
yaxol
i
samah,
ubhut
iut
he
angi
mulethel
ana.
Nel
l
y-uhmm kul
ungi
l
e,(
looksatNomusa)
..
.

BeforeshecouldaskaboutherBl esswalksinsi
de
andsi gnal
stheboytol
eave, hehandshimt hepack
ofcigarett
es,af
tert
heboyleav es,hel
ooksthedoor
andt ell
sNomusat osi
tont hebedbutsheshakes
herhead. .
.

Nomusa-akumelengi
hlal
eembhedeniwendoda
engasi
youmnyeniwami (
Iam notal
l
owedtositon
thebedofamanwhoi snotmyhusband).

Nel
l
y'seyeswidenasshel
ooksatBl
esswhol
ooks
r
eal
lystr
essedout.
..
Bless-(
brusheshisfacef
rustr
atedl
y)Nomusacan
yousit,
thisi
sn'tevenmyfucki
ngbed...

Shelooksdownfeel
ingshyandscar
edali
tt
le.Nel
ly
gl
ancesatherandthansignal
sBl
esstogooutsi
de.
..

Nell
y-(
looksather
)sisicel
auhl
aleeshl
alweni
,
ngi
yabuyamanje(Pleasesi
tonthechai
r,Iwil
lbe
backnow).

Nel
l
ywal
ksout
sidef
oll
owi
ngBl
ess.
..
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Nel
lywalksbackinsi
de,shecl
osesthedoorand
wal
kstot hebed,Nomusawasstari
ngatherthis
wholet
ime, shewasamazedbyhowbeaut i
fulshe
was.
..
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)l
etmeguessucabangaukuthi
I'
mthe
mostbeaut
if
ulper
sonyouhaveeverseen.
Nomusa-( smil
esandlooksdown)ngi yaxol
isa,
ukuthiumuhlenjeangazingingachazakanj
ani(Iam
sorr
y ,
itj
ustthatyoubeauti
fulandIcan'tev
en
expl
ainit)
.
Nell
y-(smil
es)Ngi
yabonga,naweumuhle,but
r
ightnowIwantust ot
alkaboutyouandwhatt hat
i
diotdid.
..
(l
ooksather
)youunderstandEngl
ishright
?
Nomusa-(roll
shereyes)yourbr
otheraskedmethe
samething,whydoyout hi
nkpeopleinthevi
l
lage
don'
tknowEngl i
sh?
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)wel
lyouknowwhatnev
ermi
nd.
..

Shewasamazedbyher ,herEngl
ishdi
dn'
thavethat
pri
vateschoolt
hwangbutshesuredidspeaki
t.She
thangoestotel
lhert
hatBlesshadtol
dherwhat
happened..
.
Nomusa-(l
ooksdown)Ihopey
oudon'
tseemeasa
gi
rlot
handaizi
nto?
Nell
y -(
sighs)Idon' tbutwhatmy" brother
"didtoy ou
i
sunnaccept able,angit
hiuyaziukut
hi uma
ungay i
thandangal entoayenzekuwe, kumeleuy e
kobikaekhay a,nomaumubophi seemaphoy iseni
(youdoknowt hatifyoudidn'
tli
kewhathedi dy ou
cangot el
lyourf amil
yorreporthimt othepoli
ce)
Nomusa-(
play
swi
thhi
shand)Idon'
twantt
ogot
o
t
hepoli
ce.
.
Nel
l
y-isitbecausehepromisedt
opayf
ory
ourf
ees?
Hedidtel
lmeev ery
thi
ng..
Nomusa-(looksdown)yes.
..
.kodwaakenzanga
l
uthonje,
angifuni
aboshwe(Buthedidn'
tdo
anyt
hing,
Idon'twanthi
m arr
ested)
Nel
ly
-manjeuzothi
niumaumi
tha?(
Whatwi
l
lyoudo
i
fyoufal
lpr
egnant?)

Hereyeswiden,sheseemedt
ohav ef
orgot
tenabout
t
hat,al
lthatwasringi
ngi
nherheadwashim bei
ng
arrest
ed,shefel
therstomachturn,
shedidn'tl
i
ke
thatonebit.Nowtheissueofherbei
ngpregnant,
shest ar
tedtopani
ck,Nell
ynoti
cedthepanickinher
face..
.

Nelly
-(holdsherhand)r el
ax!!
!Jesus..
.Youwon'tget
pregnant.Ihaveneverhadacaseofsomeone
getti
ngpr egnantfr
om ukusoma.Ai n'
tvir
gins
supposedt obeseal ed?Soifthatthecasethanhow
willt
hesper m geti
nside,angi
thiakunambobo
evuli
we?
Nomusa-( shr
ugs)angazibutmymot
herandgogo
tel
lmeev eryt
imethatukusomacangety
ou
pregnant
.
Nell
y -thatiswhyt i
llt
hisdayIam notsatisf
iedwi
th
theex planati
onthatsomeonecanl ookaty our
vir
ginaanddet er
minewhet heryou'
revir
ginornot.
Tomeal lt
hisisj
ustt hesame,i
tallaboutthe
str
etchi ngofyourv i
rginaski
n,i
fyou'r
evirgi
nitwi
ll
hurtfort hefi
rstti
mebecausey ouhav eneverhada
penist r
y i
ngtopenetrat ey
oubeforebutifyour
musclesarewellaccustomedt ost r
etchingitwill
hurt
slessorwon'thur tatall
.Thisthi
ngofseal ed
andnotsealeddoesn'twor kwithme.Li stenIcan
giv
ey ouapill
todrinkjustsoy oufeelateaseandi t
notanaborti
onpilli
tjustpreventspregnancy .You
seem li
keasmartgi rl
,Iam sureyoudi dlifesci
ence
atschool,
youshoul dbeabl etodif
ferentiate
betweenallt
ypesofcont racepti
ves.

Nomusaj ustlooksatherfeel
i
ngov erwhelmed,
she
managedt ounderstandfewthingsthatshesai
dbut
therestshej ustwentblankaft
erallshe
understandssmal l,
smallEngl
ish..
.

Nomusa-uhmm It
hinkIwi
l
lbef
ine.Cel
aukuhamba
manj
e(CanIgonow? )
Nell
y-(nods)wewi lldr
iveyouhome, Ineedt
ospeak
wit
hy ourparents.Li
stenNomusaIknowy ousai
d
youdon'twantt oreportmy"brother
"butIwanty
ou
t
oknowt hathehadnor i
ghtdoingwhathedidto
youifyoudidn'tcondoneit.Nomeansno.Icansee
youli
kehim butheneedstoknowt hathecannotdo
ashepleaseswi t
hyou.Don'tl
oseyourpowerand
voi
cejustbecauseyou'
redistr
act
edbyt hedeep
voi
ce,sexymusclesandhismanlyauthorit
y.Iknow
aswomenwe' reattr
actedt
omenl ikethatbutknow
wheretodrawline.

Nomusaj ustnods,Nell
ytal
kstoofastforher
,she
fi
ndsherselfnothear
inganythi
ngthatshesays,
al
thoughsheunder st
andsEngli
shbut
comprehendingiti
sstil
ldif
fi
cul
tforher.

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Sbani
-(bur
psNkany
ezi
)soy
ouwentandt
alkedt
o
thegi
rl
sparent
s?
Nel
ly-morel
ikeli
ebabe,
Itol
dthem shewasbaby
si
tt
ingforme..
Sbani-(
laughs)sohowdoeshergoi
ngt
ouni
ver
sit
y
fi
tin?
Nell
y-(satnexttohi
m)Itoldherparent
sthataf
ter
gett
ingtoknowherIt al
kedmy" br
other
"whogives
outscholarshi
pstohelpherout
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksathergr
inni
ng)butbabeIhav
etohand
i
touttoyou,t
hatwasagreatcoverup.
Nell
y-(
looksatNkanyezi
)It
hinkthi
sonelikesme
more(l
aughs)anywaysIsti
l
lstandbyBlesswas
wrong,hetookadvant
ageofherbeingnai
v e.
Sbani-(
laughs)Nkanyezi
isadaddy'sgi
rlatheart.
..
(Looksather)babethegir
lis21yearsol
d, she'
sold
enought oknowwhatexactlywashappening,and
what'sthebigdeal
?Didn'
tyousaythegir
l seemst o
l
ikeBless.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)y
ouj
ustdon'
tgeti
t.
..
Sbani
-(sideseyeher)
wenotgoi ngtoargueabout
thi
s,l
et'sdropit
.Iam sexuall
yfrust
rat
edalr
eadyI
don'
tneedot herpeopl
e'sproblems.
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)wher
eisy
ourson?
Sbani
-whi
chone?
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)Nsi
ka,
Iam nott
alki
ngabout"
bor
na
cr
ime"
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)don'
tcal
lhi
mthat
,Iexpecty
our
mothert
osaysomet hi
ngli
ket
hatnotyoubabe.

Theybothstartlaughi
ngbutar
eint
err
upt
edby
MaSiwelawalkinginsi
dewit
hNsikaonherar
ms,
theybot
hlookather ..
.

Nell
y-y
oul
ookl
i
key
ouj
ustseensomeoney
oudon'
t
l
ike.
MaSi
wel
a-(
huf
fs)t
hatbecauseIhav
e..
Sbani
-(si
ghs)
whoi
stheunl
uckyper
son?
MaSi
wel
a-TheVi
rgi
niaandhi
stel
l
ytabbywi
fe.

Theybothlookatherconf
usedast
owhatorwho
exact
lysheistal
ki
ngabout..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
rol
l
sey
es)Si
zweandy
oursi
ster
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)kodwamama!
!!
Sbani
-whyar
eyoucal
l
ingSane"
tel
l
ytabby
"?
MaSiwela-becauset
heVir
gini
alef
tmydaught
erf
or
apacif
iersucki
ngwife.

Nel
lybur
stoutlaughi
ng,whil
eSbani
lookatt
hebot
h
oft
hem shaki
nghishead..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..
..

Siphowastakingashowerwhenhi sphonest
art
ed
tovibr
ateonthesideofthebed.Zandil
epl
acedhis
fooddownandpi ckeduphisphone..
.

Zah-hel
l
o..
.
..
..
..
Zah-Hel
l
o!!!
!!
.
..
..
Theper sonont heothersi
decutthecal
l,shewas
abouttoplacet hephonedownwheni tfl
ashedand
i
ndicatedat extmessage.Shereadthepopup
whatsappt extfrom t
heunknownnumber ..
.

"
Arewest
il
lmeet
ingt
oni
ght
"

Sheclickedhertongueandwal kedtoherhandbag
taki
ngoutabot tl
eofsleepingpil
ls.Shecrashed
them andpoursomeonhi sfoodandi nsi
dehisdri
nk.
Fewmi nut
eslat
erSiphocomesoutt heshowerwit
h
atowel wrappedaroundhim...

Sipho-mkami haveyouir
onedforme?YouknowI
hav et
hatimportantcl
i
entgett
ogethert
hatIhav
eto
attendtomorr
owbutIhav etol
eavetoni
ght
.
Zah-
(f
akesmiles)Iknow.
..Buthav
esomef
oodf
ir
st
pl
easebabakhe.
Si
pho-umm Ihav
etor
ush,
ital
readyl
atemaka
wet
hu.
.
Zah-(
puppyf
ace)Hawu!
!!Ngi
yakucel
ababakhe.

Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)Okay
,onl
ybecausey
ouaskedni
cel
y.
.

Shef
akesmil
eslooki
ngathim ashepl
acest
het
ray
onhi
slapandst
artseat
ing.
..

Si
pho-hmmm t
ast
esgr
eatmkami
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS

Nexti
nser
tint
henextt
woday
s..
.
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t96

Zandi
lewakesupandlooksatSiphowhoisfast
asl
eepnexttoher
,shetakesherphoneanddial
sher
mother.
..
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

MaNcwane-(
sleepyv
oice)
Hel
l
o
Zah-SawubonaMama.
MaNcwane-Zandi
l
e?I
sthaty
ouMt
anami
?
Zah-(
nods)y
esMa,
ngi
kuv
usi
l
eyi
ni?(
DidIwakey
ou
up?)

Hermot
hersi
tsupf
rom t
hebed.
..

MaNcwane-(r
ubshereyesandy awns)youknowI
am alway
savai
labl
eforyou,besi
desitwasti
mefor
met ogomakeporri
dgeforyourdad.Yi
ni
kwenzenj
ani
?(Whathappened?)
Zah-(
tear
y)i
tSi
phomama,
he'
s.
..
.he'
scheat
ingon
me..
Hermothergoessi
l
entandl
ooksatZandi
l
e'sf
ather
sl
eepi
ngnexttoher
...
.

Zah-(
sni
ff
s)mamadi
dyouhearwhatIsai
d?
MaNcwane-(
sighs)i
hear
dyou,l
etmemov ef
rom
t
hebed,Idon'
twanttowakeyourf
atherup.

Shemovesfrom t
hebedandt akeshergown
wear
ingI
t,whenshelooksdecentenough,shewal
ks
outt
hebedroom goi
ngtothekitchen.
..

MaNcwane-Zandi
l
e,unesi
qini
sekosal
ent
ooy
ishoy
o?
(
areyousur
eaboutwhatyousay i
ng?)
Zah-(
nods)
(sni
ff
s)y
esmama,
Iam sur
e..
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MaNcwane-(
annoy
ed)Phout
efel
ani
?(Thanwhyar
e
y
ousobbi
ng?
)
Zah-(
sni
ff
s)excuseMe?
MaNcwane-ukhalel
aukuthikubenj
ani?Kuzokusi
za
nganiukukhal
a?(
Youcryingforwhat?Whatwi l
l
cry
inghelpupiwi
th?)Di
dIraiseaweaklingordidI
rai
seast r
ongwomanwhot akescar
eofbusiness?
Zah-(
wipeshertears)whatshoul
dIdo,
Iam hur
t
mama,Iam angr
y .
MaNcwane-notgood, bei
ng"angry"i
snotwhaty ou
wantrightnow,Ineedyouascalm asy oucanbe,
l
alel
awhat '
simportantri
ghtnowi snottoshowthat
mant hatyoususpectanythi
ng,youneedtobethe
happyandl ov
ingwifethatheknowsy outobe.

Shemov
esf
rom t
hebedandwal
kst
othewi
ndow.
..

Zah-(
sni
ff
s)okay
,whatshoul
dIdomama?Ineed
you.
MaNcwane-(
bol
dv oi
ce)youwi
l
lteachhi
m alesson,
onet
hathewon'
tforget
.Whenyoudonewit
hhi m,
hewi
l
llear
nnev
ert
omesswi
thy
ou.
Zah-(
whi
sper
ed)Iboughtapi
stol
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MaNcwane-(
looksbehi
ndher)l
alel
awewilldi
scuss
t
hedetai
l
s,Iwil
lbeinDurbani
nthenextt
hreedays.
Zah-(
nods)okayMa.
MaNcwane-don'tworr
ybabywear egoingtosave
yourmarr
iage.Butf
ir
stweneedtot eachthat
husbandofyoursmanner
s,(cl
i
ckshert ongue)
Ngizomushwabanisaamasende.
.

Zandi
let
urnsandl
ooksatSi
pho,
her
eal
l
ylooksout
ofi
t..
.

Zah-Ineedt
ogomama.
MaNcwane-(
smi
l
es)okay
,gr
eety
ouri
n-l
awsf
orme.
Theybot
hhangup.
..
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Nell
ywal ksdownt hestairscarr
y i
ngempt ybaby
bott
lesthatneedst obewashed, shestandsbyt he
si
nkassheput sthebottlesinsi
det hebucketsoshe
canster
el i
zethem.Sanewal ksinsidethekitchen
andstopsonhert rackswhenherey eslandonNel ly,
whohasherbackonher .Feeli
ngt hepresenceof
someonebehi ndher ,
shet ur
nsandt heybothst are
ateachot her
..
..

Sane-(
clear
shert
hroat
)hi
.

Nel
lyst
aresatherf
or1mi
nut
ewi
thoutsay
ing
any
thi
ng..
.
Nel
l
y-hi
..

Shefakessmil
esandl
ooksatt
hebabyst
eri
l
izi
ng
bucketbehi
ndher
..
.

Sane-(
fakesmi
l
es)cl
eani
ngt
hei
rbot
tl
escanbeso
bori
ng.
.
Nel
ly-Yeah,butwehaveiteasynow, j
ustdi
pthe
bot
tl
esinsidethest
eri
l
izedwat erandyougoodto
go.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looksather
)Ihav
etogo.
..

BeforeshecanmovepastherSanest
opsherby
touchi
ngherarm.
..
Sane-(
sighs)uhmm l
ookIj
ustwantt
osay
..
Nelly
-(l
ooksatherandshakesherhead)Don'
t!
!!
!
Youknowy ou'
renotsor
ry,
Idon'
tthi
nkitev
enguil
t
thatyoufeeli
ng..
Sane-butIam sor
ry,
Ifeel
..
Nell
y-will
youapologiseever
ytimeyouseeme?I
fit
gui
ltthatyouf
eel
ingt hanyoutell
i
ngmeever
yti
me
youseemegui l
twi l
lconsumey ou?
Sane-(
stummer
s)uhmm .
..
Nell
y -letmemakei teasyforyou,j
ustst
ayt r
uet
o
yourf eeli
ngsiteasi
erthatway,t
hanpretendi
ngt
o
f
eel sor r
yforsomethingthaty
ou'renot
.

Shechokedlooki
ngather,
allshewantedwasj
ustto
cl
eartheai
rbetweenthem,thi
sreact
ionshewasn'
t
expect
ingf
rom her.
..
.

Sane-oh.
..
.(Looksather
)thanyouwon'
tmindme
aski
ngwhati si
texact
lyt
hatyouwantfr
om my
famil
y?
Nel
l
y-(
rai
sesherbr
ow)Excuseme?
Sane-(f
oldsherarms)comeone,youtal
kabout
stayi
ngtruetoourfeel
ings,
whydon'
tyoubehonest
withmeandt el
lmet hetrut
h,y
oudati
ngmybrother
becausey ouwanttogetbackatmeri
ght?

Nel
lyl
ooksatherandl
aughsshaki
ngherheadi
n
di
sbel
i
ef.
..

Nel
ly-youneedtogetal
i
feandIam notexpl
aini
ng
myselftoyou.

ShesteppedfowardmakingherwayoutbutSane
grabbedherbytheshi
rtshewasweari
ng,Nell
y
forcef
ull
ypushedher.
..

(
SLAP)
!!
!!
(
SLAP)
!!
!!
Sanehel
dherbothcheeksl
ooki
ngatherwi
thbot
h
herey
eswideopened..
.

Nelly-(i
r r
it
at ed)(shout ing)y oushoul dhavekeptt o
fakesmi l
ing, buty ouj usthadt opushi t
.Whati sit
thaty ouwant ?Yout ookev ery t
hi ngfrom me,y ougot
myf iance, yougotmar ri
edonmyweddi ngday ,you
practicall
yliv i
ngmyl ifebutt hatnotenoughi sit?
Hav eIev erconf rontedy ouabouty ouracti
ons?NO,
thatbecauseIknewy ouwer enotatf aul
tbutSi zwe
was, buty oucomeher ewi t
hy ourf akesmileand
pretendt of eel guil
tyandsor ryf orwhaty oudidbut
youknowy ou' r
enot , nowy ouquest i
oni
ngmy
charact erandmot iv
ej usttoeasey ourconscious.
Lalelalagi r
lyt hisisnotsomef uckingFrozen
pri
ncessshow, fundaukubai sif
ebaesi neli
sekay o
(l
earnt obeasat i
sfi
edbi tch)...

Hershout
inghadev
eryoneinsi
dethehousecome
downthestai
rst
owitness,
what'sgoi
ngon?.
..
.
MrsZul
u-(
looksatbot
hoft
hem)kwenzakal
ani
?
(
What'
sgoingon?)
Sane-(
hol
dinghercheek)shehi
tme.
..

MrsZul
ulooksatherdaught
er'
scheeksandt
hen
shel
ooksatNell
y.
..

MrsZul
u-(
shout
ing)WHATDI
DYOUDO?LOOKAT
HERCHEEKS?
Nelly-(breathingheav il
y )
(teary)
( shakesherhead)I
didn'
texpectany thingl esscomi ngf r
om y ou.Ihate
howy ouexpectmet obet hisrobotwhi l
ey oupeopl e
actall holyandshi t,yousayonet hi
ngandact
diff
erent l
ysuchdoubl est andards.Yourdaught erdid
medi r
tyMr sZul u,Iam notsay ingsheshoul dbe
heldaccount abl
ebutt hispr et
endi ngasi fshe'salso
av i
ctimi ssickening, sheknew, y ouknewt oo.Iam
call
ednamesandy out alkbehindmybackabout
howIdest royedNt ombi '
smar riaget hev erysame
Ntombi whichy ouMr sZul uarenotsol oyaltoo
aswel l
, onemi nutey ouhav eherbackt henexty ou
feel indiff
erentabouther ,
yetIam expect edt onot
voi cey ourspoi ledbrat sbehav i
our ,wellguesswhat ,
shedest roy edmyl i
fet oo,sher i
ppedev er ythi
ngI
ev erbel i
evedi nbuty oudon' tseemei nsul tingher,
talkingbehi ndherback.Nowshehast hegut sto
standbef or emeandquest i
onmychar act er?MY
CHARACTER? !!!
!!Shemadet hisst eelbitchbef ore
hernowshewant stoquest ionitchar acter ,bl
oody
trustf undi diot.Iwillalwaysr espectNt ombi more
thany out wo, atleastwi t
hherIknowwhatIam
get ti
ng, andy ouwantmet ocal lyou"Ma"f orwhat?
Wheny oucan' tevenf oronemi nuterelatet owhatI
am f eeling...

I
tgoessi
lentf
orafewminut
es,ShakaandSbani
bot
hwalktowardsNel
l
ybutsheshakesherhead.
..

Nel
l
y-(
hiccups)
Don'
t!
!!
!

Shecouldfeel
herhear
tbeat
ingver
yfast
,sheputs
herr
ighthandonherpai
nful
chest,
SbaniandShaka
bot
hlookatherwor
ryi
ngl
y.
..

Nell
y-(
snif
fs)
(st
il
lhol
dingherchest
)(l
ooksatSbani
)
Ineedspace.
.

Sherunsoutthehouse,goingtotheback,Si
zwe
seesherandrunsafterher
.Whenhef indsher
kneel
ingontheground,cry
inghereyesoutand
str
uggli
ngtobreat
h,hehurriest
oherandsquatsto
her.
..

Si
zwe-(
pani
cki
ng)Nel
l
y!!
!Nel
l
y!!
!

Shefrustrat
edlyremoveshi
shandsfrom hi
m st
il
l
cr
ying,togetherwit
hhershor
tbreat
hs..
..

Nel
l
y-(
sobbi
ng)
leav
e!!
!!l
eav
e..
..
.Fuck.
..
of.
..
.
Si
zwe-(
hol
dsherf
ir
mly
)Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
e..
.
Fl
ashesoft
hatni
ghtcamef
loodi
ngi
n..
.

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

"Si
zwe:(ki
ssingherneck)babe(
breat
hes)st
handwa
sami(
breathes)(
onherneckagain)If
ucki
nglove
youMageba"

"Nel
l
y-(
louder
)WHOI
SSHESI
ZWE?
Si
zwe-(
sighs)Mywi
fe"

"
Nel
ly
-(t
ear
srunni
ngdown)(
runnynose)wheni
s
y
ourwhi
teweddi
ng?
Si
zwe-i
n3weeks
Nel
ly-(swal
l
owed)t
he.
..
thesamedat
eas"
our
"my
wedding?
Si
zwe-(
looki
ngdown)y
es
Nell
y-(v
oicebreaki
ng)y
ou.
..
you.
..
you.
..
.(
takesa
deepbreathe)Iwasnev
ergoi
ngtomarr
yy ou?My
weddingwasj usti
nmymind?
Si
zwe-y
es(
sti
l
llooki
ngdown)
"

"Nelly-(
lookingathim)(holdi
nghishand)( cryi
ng)
babe,lookatme, itme(voicebreaking)you...
.
yo..
..
you( hi
cupped)notthinki
ngst r
aight,
we...
we...
(hi
ccupped)wecanst i
ll
getmar r
ied,l
et
elopebabe, wecanmakeababyt oo,please,
please..
..
(cr
yingharder
)"

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

Sher emembershowshekneeledandalmostkissed
hisfeet,
sheremembershowshebeggedhi m notto
go,sherememberstheexpressionhehadonhis
face.Shecouldf
eelherbodystart
ingt
oshake..
.

Si
zwe-(
hol
dsherf
acesl
ooki
ngather
)Babel
ookat
me,
fol
l
owmyv
oice,
don'
tdot
hist
omebhabha.
.

Shesobbedi nhisarms,f
eel
ingherheartbreakingall
overagai
n.Sbani r
ushedoutsi
deandwhenhi sey es
l
andedonSi zwe,hewatchedashishandst racedher
cheeksasshecr i
eduncontr
oll
ably,
thewayt hey
werebothstari
ngateachother,di
dn'tsi
twellwi t
h
him,hecoul
df eelhi
sbodygost i
ff
,heclenchedhi s
teet
hmakinghi swaytothem butNganonohel dhi s
arm st
oppi
nghi m...

Nganono-l
etthem be,
theyneedi
t,(
looksathi
m)
sheneedsi
t..
.

Hecl enchedhisteethandhi
shandsformedfist
s,he
l
ookedatt hem onemoreti
me,theyst
il
lhaven'
t
brokent heeyecontact,
andhi
shandswer esti
ll
caressinghercheeks..
.

Si
zwe-Iam sor
rybabe,
(car
esseshercheekswi
ping
t
het
ear
s)Iam sor
ry.
..

Nganono-(
looksatSbani
)asambesikhi
phei
zit
hebe,
i
nyamaisil
ungil
e(l
etgodishout
,themeati
sready)

Sbaniglancedatthei
rdi
rect
iononemor etimeand
angri
lyfoll
owedNganono.Thandekasmi r
ked
l
ookingatev er
ythi
ngbythecornerofThulani
'
s
house..
.

Thandeka-(
smi
rked)t
hisi
sint
erest
ing.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

I
nsi
det
hehouse.
..

MrZulu-(
annoyed)can'
tthi
sfami
l
yjusthav
eaday
wi
thoutdrama.
Shaka-(
looksatSane)whatdi
dyousayt
oher
?
Sane-(
sni
ff
s)Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing,
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ng
toapol
ogi
zeandshejust
..
.
MrZul u-(shouts)cutt hecr ap,Iam ti
red, t
ir
edoft hi
s
famil
y.Wena( pointsatMr sZulu)whatdi dIsay
aboutinvolvi
ngy ourselfi
nmat t er
sthatdon' t
concerny ou?Didn' tItell
y outostopt akingsides
andleav eeverythingtot heseki dssot heycansor ti
t
outthemsel ves,whydoy ouhav etoinv ol
vey our
self
?
Nowl ookatwhaty ouhav edone.

SaneandMr
sZul
ubot
hlookdowninshame.
MaSiwel
awal
kst
owheret
heyare.
..

MaSiwela-Iam leavingtodayandIam t aki

ngmy
daughterandmygr andchil
drenwithme, i
fIdon'
t
l
eavengi zozi
thol
asengi shi
shil
izi
sainganeyabant
u
ngendunuphansi .
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t97

I
nsi
det
hemai
nhouse.
.

Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatSane)howdoesi
tfeel
now?
Sane-(
rubshercheek)i
tst
il
lsti
ngsbuti
tnotthat
badanymore.Idi
dn'tt
akeherasther
atchett
ype.
MaSiwela-shei
sn'
tbutwhenpr
ovokedany
thi
ngi
s
possi
ble.
Sane-Iwasn'
tevenf
ighti
ngher
,al
lIwant
edwasjust
tounderst
andafewthings,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshewi
l
l
reactl
i
kethat.
MrsZulu-(si
ghs)babyareyousureyoudi
dn'
tsay
anyt
hingthatsetherof
f?Itmighthav
enotbeen
i
ntent
ionalbut.
..
Sane-(
looksathermom)Idi
dn'
t,
Iswear
..
MaSiwela-(l
ooksatSane)Idon'
treal
l
ycar
eabout
yourf
ued, bot
hofyouneedt ofi
ndawaytodealwi
th
ever
ythi
ng.IhatewhatyouandSizwedidt
omy
daught erbutIdon' thatey ou,neitherdoesmy
daught erbutshe' sbeencagi ngherf eeli
ngabout
thi
si ssuef orsol ong, Iam notsupr i
sedshebl ewup.
(LooksatMr sZul u)Nellyhadnor ightt otal
kt oy ou
l
iket hat ,Ididn'traisehert oaddr essherel der sthat
way ,Iwi llspeakt oheraboutherbehav i
or.Imust
sayt hough, Ithinkitbestsi sithaty oudonoti nvolve
yoursel finsquabbl esbet weenourki ds, Il
oveand
respecty oubutIcannotsi tandwat chy ougangup
onmydaught er,Nell
yi sthemot herofy our
grandchi l
dren, andshei sdatingy oursonwhomi ght
wantt omar ryheroneday ,Iwoul dexpectt haty ou
willcar ef orherl i
key ourown, butthatwon' thappen
i
fshef eel slikeshecannott r
usty ou, boththese
fami l
iesr elationshiphasal ongwayt ogobef or e
thi
ngsgetr osey ,weneedt obepat ientwi t
heach
otherandwor ktoget her.Aspar entsweneedt o
separ at efrom ourki dsf ueds, weneedt ogiv ethem
room t odeal wit
ht heirproblemswi thoutinterferi
ng
ortaki nganysi des.
MrsZul
u-(
sighs)myhusbandhasbeent
ell
i
ngme
t
hesamething.
MaSiwel
a-yourhusbandisav er
ywiseman,y
ou
shoul
dli
stentohim.(LooksatSane)howol
dare
you?
Sane-Iam 23.
.
MaSi wela-Nel i
siweis26, t
hatmakesher3y ear s
olderthany ou.Bot hofy ouar ey oungbutIt aught
mydaught ertof i
ghtherownbat tles,t
ost andupi na
room f ul
l ofpower f
ulmenandwomenandnotf eel
i
nt i
midat ed, she'
sheadst rongandshenev erbacks
downnomat t
erhowpower fulhercompet i
tioni s,
whatIam t r
y i
ngtosayi sdon'thidebehi ndy ourage,
yourpar ent swon' talway sbet heret obacky ouup.
Thesamegutandwi l
lyouusedt of alli
nlov ewi tha
mant hatwasnoty ours,givehi m babies, plana
weddi ngont hesamedat east hewomany out aki
ng
himf r
om, shoul dbet hesamegutandwi llyou
possesswheny oui naconf rontat i
onalsituat ion.I
don'tbuyt hisnaiveactof" Iwasnott r
yingt o
provokeher ",youknewexact l
ywhaty ouwer edoing,
ownupt oi t
.Mydaught erwaswr ongtol ayahand
ony ouandbestbel ievemesheknowst hatandIwi l
l
haveherapol ogi
set oy oubuti fy oukeept his
pr
etenceofyou'
reinnocentandshe'
sthebull
y,i
t
won'tdogoodforyou,i
nsteaditwi
ll
makey oulook
st
upidwheny ounot.

Sanel
ooksathermother
,wholooksbackather
,she
thanl
ooksdown,l
ett
ingMaSi
wela'
swordssinki
n..
.

MaSiwela-y
oulooklikeaverynicegi
rl
,Iam sur
e
underdi
ffer
entci
rcumstancesyouandmydaught er
wouldhavebeengoodf r
iends.Behappy,y
ougot
ever
ythi
ngyouwant ed.
Sane-(
sighs)whyar
eyouki
ndt
oMe?
MaSi wela-becauseIam awomanbef oreany t
hing.I
knowt hef eel
ingofknowi ngthathechosey ouov er
anotherwoman, itunexplai
nabl
ebutt hatshouldn't
got oyourhead, youcan'talwayshavet hement al
ity
of"IgetwhatIwant "or"ItakewhatIwant ".You'r
e
onlyluckyonce, butifyoulucktwicethan"hlabela
amadl ozi"(l
aughs)butonaser iousnotejustknow
thatasgr eatasthef eel
ingof"taki
ng"whaty ouwant
i
s, i
thurtsjustthesameofev enmor ewhenwhat
y
ouwant
sget
s"t
aken"f
rom y
ou.
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Sbani walksbacki nsidet hehouseandupt hest

air
s,
Thandekaf oll
owsaf terhim, withev eryone
distract
ed,shegoesunnot i
cedasshemakesher
wayupt hestair
st oo.Shewasi nsidet heroom and
seest hebabiesasl eepi nsi
det heircots, hereyes
mov ear oundther oom andf i
nallylandont hemanly
strongfigurewhohashi sbackf acingherashe
standsbyt hewi ndowl ooki
ngout sidewi thhisarms
folded,l
egswi deopen, exposinghi sbr acketshape.
Shecl osedthedoorsl owlywi t
houti tmaki ngnoi
se
asshemadeherwayt owar dshi m...

Sbani
-(deepv
oice)uf
unani
la(
Whatar
edoi
ngher
e?)

Shest
oppedonhert r
acks,
"howdi
dheknowshe
washere?
,especi
all
ywhenshehadbeenso
di
scr
eet
"shet
houghtt
oher
sel
f.
..

Thandeka-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)y
ou'
reangr
y

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-Ithi
nkitdisr
espectf
ulofhertohavea
manholdherl i
kethatwhil
ey ou'
rehere,
howcanshe
haveanothermancar essherli
kethatwhil
eshe'
sin
theyar
dofy ourforef
ather
sMageba. .
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-Iwoul
dnev
erdot
hatt
oyou.

Sbani t
urnedandlookedather,
withhi
shandsinside
hispockets,hestudi
edher,
feel
inghi
seyespier
cing
throughher,shecanseetheangerandfr
ust
rati
on
onhisf
ace,
butmor
eimpor
tant
lyt
hel
ookoft
he
dev
ilhi
msel
f.
..

Sbani
-of
cour
sey
ouwoul
dn'
t.
..

Asmi
l
edf
ormedonherl
i
ps.
..

Hewal kstowardsher,l
ooki
ngdir
ectlyt
oherey es.
Hetraceshishandaroundherface,hepinchesher
chi
n,bringi
ngherfacetowardshi
s,hishandlandon
herchest,shet
akesadeepbr eat
hlookingathim,
hi
shandf i
ndsherneck.
.

Sbani
-youtheki
ndt
osleepwithbr
other
s,abor
t
babi
es,st
ealaman'
ssperm,shoul
dIgoon?

Thesmi
levanishedf
rom herl
i
psasshegaspsathi
s
gri
ponherneck..
.
Sbani
-(
removeshi
shandsfr
om herneck)saywhat
youwanttosayandgett
hefuckout
..
Thandeka-(coughstouchi
ngherneck)
(smirks)y
ou
caninsul
tandbar kall
youwantatmebutIknow
i
nsideyouboi l
i
ng,(l
aughs)Iknewthepri
ncess
wasn'tsoinnocentaft
eral
l.
..

Shesmil
esandmodelsall
thewayt
owar
dsthe
window,
shelooksatSi
zweandNel
l
yout
side.
..

Thandeka-Iwon'
tli
e,theylookgoodtoget
her,
actual
lyIam l
yi
ng,theylookPERFECT.Theycoul
dfi
t
ri
ghtinaDisneymov i
e,thebeauti
ful
pri
ncessand
thehandsomeprincecharming.

Hewasboi l
inginsi
de,imagesofSizwecar essingher
cheekslikesthatkeptfl
ashi
ngback, thewayshe
staredathim.NowThandeka' swor dssenthim over
theedge.Sizwewast hepri
ncecharmi ng,
hei snot
bipolar
,hehasnev ermurdered,
hehadnoanger
i
ssues,
hewasper
fectandhi
m,j
ustt
heopposi
te.

Sbani
-(Cl
enchedhi
steet
h)GETTHEFUCKOUT!
!!
!.
..

Shelookedathi
m onelastt
imeandt
hanwal
kedout
ther
oom bumpingint
oZandile.
..
.

Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)Zandi
l
e,uhm hi
Zah-(
looksather
)Thandeka.
.
Thandeka-y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul,
Siphot
alksabouty
ou
ever
ytime.
Zah-(
fakel
aughs)Iam sur
ehedoes.
Thandeka-weshoul
dhangoutsomet
imes.
.
Zah-(
fakesmil
es)uhmm sur
e..
.youknowwhatwhy
don'
tyoujoi
nusforChr
ist
masdinner?

Thandeka'
sey
eswi
den.
..
Zah-t
hatify
oudon'thav
epl
ans,
Ithi
nkSJcangetto
knowhiscousi
ns,
andwecanhavesomegir
lchat
..
.
Thandeka-(
smil
es)wowokay,uhmm It
hought
maybey ouwoul
dhatemejustli
keev
eryoneel
se.
Zah-Iwasangry,GodIt hi
nkIevenhatedyoubutI
real
isedt
hereisalotwecanshar easwomen,I
real
izedyouneedaf r
iend,oneyoucansharewit
h
yourfeel
i
ngs,(l
aughs)may beIcanlendyouSi
pho's
dickonceinawhil
e..

Thandekachokesandl
ooksatherl
aughi
ng
awkwardl
yatZandil
e'
sdickst
atement
..
.

Zah-soIwi
l
lsendy
out
hedet
ail
s?
Thandeka-j
eahsur
e..

Zandi
lef
akessmil
esandwal
kspasthert
ypi
nga
messagetohermother
..
"
Ihav
etheper
fectpl
an"

Send.
..
..

Out
sidet
hey
ard.
..

Sizwe-(
wipeshert
ear
s)Idon'
tl
ikeseei
ngy
oul
i
ke
this.
.
Nell
y-(
sniff
s)Iwi
l
lbeokay
,IguessIneededt
ocr
y
l
ikethi
s..
Sizwe-Ifeell
ikeshit,Ishoul
dhav eknownt herewas
nowayy oucoul dhav emov edont hatfast
,IguessI
consoledmy selfwhenIsawy oubeingheadst rong
andunaffected.Ishouldhav eknownt hatyouwer e
j
ustav oi
dingdealingwi t
halltheseemot i
ons.
(Laughsshakinghi shead)Ishouldhav eknown, I
meanIknowy ouNelly.
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)Idon'
tthi
nky
oudo.
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nelly-(looksathi m)ifyouknewme, youwouldn't

hav eleftbecausey ouwoul dhav eknowhowmuchI
l
ov edy ou, Iwouldhav edoneany thi
ngf oryou.But
youl eftSizwe,y ouhurtmemor ethanany onehas
everhur tmei nmyl i
fe.Ilookint hemi rr
orandIask
my selfwhati sitthatIwasl ackingf oryou?Whati s
i
tthaty oucouldn'tseei nmebutsawi nher?Iknow
nowt hatitwhaty ourhear tthatwant edherbutto
menot hingmadesense, whathur tthemosti sthe
wayy ouwentaboutt hings,itli
key ouwer e
deliberatelytr
yingtohur tme. .
Sizwe-(
shakeshi
shead)t
hatnott
rue,
Idi
dn'
twant
tohurtyou.
Nelly
-butyoudid,youfail
edtoseethatsheplanned
everyt
hingaboutherweddingdayjusttomakea
point,
whywoul dshepickthesamedat easme, the
samev enue,t
hesamemenu, thesamedecorand
wearasi mi
lardresstowhichIwantedtopick.
(Wipesherrunni
ngt ear
s)Iaskedmy sel
fhowdid
sheknowal ltheset hi
ngs?ButI tmadesensewhenI
fi
gur edal l t
hoseni ghtsy ouwer eawayy oumust
hav edi scussedmeandev erythi
ngaboutmynon-
existingf airyt
aleweddi ngi ny ourpill
owt alks.She
actsl ikethemostr emor sefulpersonbutdeepdown
sheknowsherwhol eweddi ngwasj usttomakeher
feelgoodt hatshegoty ou, shegotev erythingI
want edandmosti mpor tant l
yshewi llbelivingthe
l
ifeIshoul dbel i
ving.Whodoest hat?Idon' tthi
nk
youunder standt hemagni tudeofwhaty ouandher
didtome.I twoul dhav ebeenbet terifyouj ust
cheat edandl eftmef orherbuty oudidf arwor se.
Youbot hrippedmeofmyl ife,nowIhav etowat ch
yousmi l
eandl i
v ehappi lyev erafterwhileIl i
vewith
scarsy oubot hl eftmewi t
h. .
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Si
zwe-BabeIam so.
.
Nel
ly-y
ousorry
?Nodon'tbe.Li
keIsai
dIwil
lbe
al
ri
ght,hadweendeduptoget
herpr
obabl
yweboth
woul dn'tbepar entsr i
ghtnow.Ir eali
sedwi t
hy ouI
plannedev er
y t
hing, Iknewexact lywhatIwant ed,
howIwant edittobeandwhenIwant edit.Lif
ei sn'
t
l
iket hat,Iam nowwi thsomeonewhoIgett oliveli
fe
with,someonewhodoesn' tpromi semet omor row
butinst eadreassur esmeof" t
oday "andt omor row
remai nsamy stery,onewhi chIfindmy selfwant ing
todiscov eritwithhi m bymysi de.Hei sn'
tthe
perfectman, hedi dn'tsweepmeof fmyf eetwhenI
fi
rstsawhi m butIl ovehi m, Il
ovet hathechooses
meev erytime.( Tear y)Iwishy oual l
thebestandI
hopey ougetev ery t
hingy ouev erwant edi nli
fe...
Si
zwe-Thanky
ou,
Iwi
sht
hebestf
or.
..

Shest
opshi
m bypl
aci
ngherf
ingeronhi
sli
ps.
.

Nel
ly-(smi
leswit
htear
s)youdon'
tneedt
owi
shme,
Ial
readyhavethebest
..

Shest
andsandki
sseshi
scheek.Shewasaboutt
o
l
eav
ebutr
emember
ed.
..

Nell
y-Isl
appedy
ourwif
e,youshoul
dpr
obabl
ygo
checkonhowshe'sdoi
ng.
..

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Blessstandsbehi
ndNomusawhoj
ustcamefr
om
servi
ngsomeoft hewomanwhoar
earoundt
he
yard.
..

Bl
ess-waaaaaaah.
.

Shejumpsal
mostdr
oppi
ngt
het
rayshehadi
nher
hands.
..

Nomusa-(
holdsherchest
)wazewangi
thusa(
you
gav
emeaf ri
ght)
Bl
ess-(
smil
es)sor
ry,unjani
?Wazewamuhl
e(how
ar
eyou?Youbeauti
ful)

Sheblushedlookingatthedressshewaswear i
ng,
welli
twasn'tfancybuttoheritwast hebestshehad.
Thiswasthedr esssheworeev eryti
meshe
accompaniedhergr andmothertothecit
y..
.

Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)Ngi
yabonga.
.
Bless-(
movescl
osert
oher
)kut
hiangi
kubambey
azi
(Iwanttohol
dyou)

Sheglancestowhereherpar
entsandgrandmother
arebefor
eholdi
nghishandanddraggi
nghim away
fr
om people'
seyes,
whichshockshim,buthesmiles
andfoll
ows..
.

Nomusa-myf ami
lycan'
tseemetalkingtoaman,
kakhul
ukazi
ubaba(especi
all
ymyfather)
Bless-Iunder
stand,Iwantt
okissyouandhol
dgr
ab
thosethighsbutIcan'
t,mysi
sterwi
llki
l
lme..
.

Sheblushesev
enmor
eandl
ooksdown,
hehol
ds
herhand..

Bless-l
isten,
Iwantt otel
lyouthatngiy
ahamba
today,mymot herjustarr
ivedi
nDur banandIhav
eto
prepareforherstay.
.

Shelooksdownfeel
ingal
it
tl
esad,shedoesn'
tknow
hi
mt hatwell
butsomehowhispr
esenceexcit
es
her
..
.

Bless-(hol
dsherchi
n)don'
tbesad,ngi
zobuya
sengizokul
anda(Iwil
lcomebacktofet
chy ou)

Shenodsandtheylookateachot
her,shecoul
dfeel
theanxi
etyofwhatshewasabouttodokicki
ngin,
shehasbeent hinki
ngaboutki ssinghim since
yesterday.Shemov escl osertohim,beforeitcan
regist
erwhat '
sshe'sdoingherl ipssmashhi s,the
kisswasv erysloppy,shedi dn'
tknowwhatshewas
doing,buti twast heeffortthatcountedespeci al
l
y
becauseheknewhowmuchofashyper sonshei s,
theybr oket hekissandst aredateachot her,she
stoleababyki ssandqui cklyranaway ,
leav i
nghim
withasmi l
e, helaughsshaki nghishead...

Att
hebacky
ard.
..

Shehasbeenl ookingforhim everywhere,somehow

sheknewthatt heoneplaceshewi l
lfi
ndhi m was
here,t
hebacky ard,Mazulu'
sgar den.Therehewas
seatedonherchai rl
ooki
ngatt heirgarden,she
walksandstandsnextt ohim...

Sbani-(
notl
ooki
ngather)
(deepv oi
ce)younot
l
eavingme,act
uall
yletmerephrasethatyounever
l
eavingme.Idon'
tcarewhetheryousti
llhungupon
thatasshol
e,Iwi
ll
fuckthefeel
ingsyouhaveforhi
m
outofy oui
fIhav
et oobutther
eisnofucki
ngwayI
am let
tingy
ougo.Idon'tcarewhaty
ouandt hatshi
t
headpr omi
sedeachotherbut.
.

Shesmi ledandsatonhi slap,

wrappi ngherarms
aroundhi sneckandki ssedthehel
l outofhi m,at
fi
rsthedi dn'
trespondbutshepushedunt i
lhe
responded.Shepr essedherbodyt owar dshim unt
il
hewr appedhisar msar oundherwai st.Shebreaks
thekissandsmi l
eslookingathim..
.

Nel
ly
-youtal
ktoomuch(peckshi
sli
ps)
(l
ooksat
hi
m)(si
ghs)y
ou'r
eangr
y?
Sbani
-(nods)v
ery
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(si
ghs)butIam t
ryi
ngt
ounder
stand.
.
Shesmil
esandhugshi
mti
ght
er,
lay
ingherheadon
hi
schest
..
.

Sbani-(
clenchedhist
eet
h)Idi
dn'
tli
kethewayhe
washoldingy ou,
thewayhewaslooki
ngatyou,
Nell
yIhat edeachandever
ysecondyouspentwi
th
hi
m.
Nel
l
y-Iam sor
ry.
Sbani
-(ki
ssedherforehead)Ilov
eyoubutwhatI
sawtoday,Ishoul
dn'
tseeev eragai
n.WhenIsee
thatf
uckerIam goi
ngt opunchhisteet
hout
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)Iknow.
Sbani
-Good.
.

Shesmilesandt
heybothst
aygluedt
ooneanot
her
astheysiti
ncomfor
tabl
esi
lence.
.

4day
slat
er.
..
..
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t98

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE.
.

Theywer ebothlayingont hei

rbed,noneoft hem
wereasleepbutt heyjustl
aidthereinsi
lence.Ev er
si
ncet heygotbackf rom t
hehomest eadthingswent
backtobeingnor mal,theyrouti
nesneverchanged
exceptforthefactthatitwasholidayseason, t
he
ki
dswer eof ffr
om school andZandil
ewasal sooff
fr
om wor k.
...

Zah-(
looksatt
hecei
l
ing)mymom i
scomi
ngt
oday
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Zah-Ineedy outolookaf tert
hekidsj
ustf
ortoday
.I
am picki
ngmymot herf r
om Durbanst
ati
onat
12:30pm andafterthatmeandherwi l
lshopfora
fewt hi
ngsthatIneedf ortomorr
ow'sChri
stmas
dinner.
Si
pho-(notl
ooki
ngather
)yourmot
heri
sspendi
ng
Chr
ist
maswi thus?

Shel
ooksathi
m..

Zah-(
nods)yesshei
s,khonainkingangal
okho
Mageba?(i
sthereapr
oblem withthatMageba?
)
Sipho-(si
ghs)ofcoursenot,youknowIadorey
our
mot her
.ButIthoughtafterourguestsl
eav
e,maybe
wecoul daskourpar entst
obabysi tt
heki
dsandwe
gettohaveoural onetime.

Hesaysthatwhi
leturni
ngandl ooki
ngather,his
handbr
ushingherti
ghinsidethecov er
s.Shefakes
smil
esandlooksathim,feel
ingal i
tt
lesickf
rom hi
s
touch,
butshequi
ckl
ydismi
ssest
hatandl
ooksat
him wi
thsomuchlove.
..

Zah-(
brusheshi
scheek)ohr
eal
l
y?

Shesaysthatgi
vi
nghimtheseductiv
eeyesand
smil
e,hestar
esather,
mov i
ngcloserandgrabbi
ng
herass,
givi
ngitagent
lebutneedysqueeze.
.

Sipho-(bi
teshisli
p)yebo,ngi
funakudansisa
ubhontshi
si wakho(Yes,Iwanttomakey ourbean
dance)

Shesmi l
esandl ooksathim,herpant i
esf eel
inga
l
itt
lewetfrom histouch,
butwhenshet hi
nksofhow,
thesehandsar ethesamehandst hatcar esses
Thandekaeachandev er
ynightthathedi sappears,
hergenuinesmi l
efadesbutshequi cklymasksi tby
herfakesmile,sherunsherhandsf rom hisli
p,his
chestandallthewaydownt ohist orso,until
she
gr
abshi
sbal
l
sanddi
ck,
looki
ngr
ighti
ntohi
sey
es.
..

Zah-Iam goi
ngt
ohav
efunwi
thhi
m..

Asboldandsexyheracti
onswer ebuthecouldn'
t
helpbutthi
nkhej
ustsawanunf ami
li
arlookof
angerfl
ashint
ohereyes,buthedismissesthat
thought
.Hegetsontopofher ,
looki
ngintohereyes.
.

Si
pho-awut
hingi
kudl
ekancane(
howabouta
qui
cky?)

Ashewasaboutt
oplacehi
sli
psonher,
sheraff
les
hi
m andqui
ckl
yget
soffhi
sgri
pandoffthebed.
..

Zah-Ineedt
ogetr
eady
,sor
ry.
..

Shewal
kst
othebat
hroom butst
opshal
fwayand
l
ooksathi
m..
.

Zah-byt
heway
,Ii
nvi
tedThandekaandherson.
.

Hequi
ckl
ysit
supf rom t
hebednotbeli
evi
nghisears,
di
dhehearhercorr
ectl
y?Helookedatherwi
thhis
ey
eswideopen..

Si
pho-wenzeni
?i
thiuyadl
alaNcwane(
Whatdi
dyou
do?Youmustbejoking)

Sheshakesherhead,r
emovi
ngherpaj
amat op,
exposi
ngherbreast
stohi
m,hebli
nkedlooki
ngher
breast
sbuthismindwasst
il
li
nthe"Ii
nvit
ed
Thandeka"par
t.
..

Zah-(
rai
sesherbr
ow)i
sther
eapr
obl
em?
Si
pho-Yes,
ImeanNo.
.yesbutNo.
..
Shedropsherpajamapant
sonthefl
oor,
sti
l
l l
ooki
ng
athim,shecoul
dseehismout
hformingan"O"ashe
star
edatherbody .
..

Zah-YesnoNo?Whi choneisit?Iwasunderthe
i
mpr essionthaty
ouwoul dn'
thaveaprobl
em,since
youguy sarewellacquai
ntedwitheachot
her.

Witht hatsaidsheturnaround, herbackf aci

nghi m.
Shet ookofherpant ies,
herassv i
sibletohissight,
asifherst r
ippi
ngnakedwasn' ttort
ur i
nghim enough,
shebentdownpi ckingherclothesf rom thefl
oor,her
asswi den,exposingherpreciouswetwhol e.She
couldhearhi m gulpdownhissal ivaashest aredat
i
t.Shesmi r
kedandr anherhandsgent l
yfrom her
buttcheekal lt
hewaydownherl egs, shedidallt
his
sti
l
l bentdown. .
.

Zah-soy
ouokaywi
thhercomi
ng?
Si
pho-(
bit
eshi
sli
p)(
breat
hless)Y.
.e.
.s.
.

Sati
sfied, shesmi l
esandwal kst othei nsui te
bathroom andcl osest hedooronceshe' si nside.He
walksoutt hebedwi thhishar donandt riesopeni ng
thedoorbutshehadl ockedi tfrom t heinsi de,he
couldheart heshowerwat err unning, hesi ghsand
walksawayf r
om t hedoor .Meanwhi l
einsi det he
bathroom, Zandilesi tsinsidethedr ytubandf il
lsher
ri
ghthandwi t
hl ubegel shet ookf rom thecupboar d
i
nsidet heirbathr oom andl aysbacki nsidet het ub.
Thesmal lseduct ionsessi ont heyhadwi thher
husbandt urnedheron, youcan' treallybl ameher ,
theyhav en'tbeeni nti
mat ef oralmostt womont hs
now.Sheopensherl egswi deopenandl ay sher
headbackandst artsr ubbingonher self,t hef ri
cti
on
herhandandf i
nger sar ehav i
ngonhercl it, hasher
thi
nkingaboutacer tainhar d,danger ous, dar klindt
chocolateski ntonedchestandt orso, t
he
excit
ementbui ldingup, andwi thherr emember ing
howt hatl i
ndtchocol atebr ickonbr i
ckt or sof l
exed
whendoi ngpushupsandhowi tsweatr ef l
ectedi n
thesun,shecri
edoutassheexpol
dedonherfi
nger
s,
putt
ingthefacetot
hedanger
ouslyscul
ptur
ed
scorpi
onchest.
..

Zah-(
breat
hless)"
Bless"

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Shewasgoi ngthr
oughhercloset,searchi
ngfora
dressshewill
weartomor r
owatt heChrist
mas
di
nner.Herphonev i
brat
ed,shelookedatthecall
er
I
Dandr oll
edhereyesbeforeansweringit.
..

Moses-sivumel anenganivel
emi nanawe?( Whatdid
meandy ouagreeon? )Di
dn'tweagr eethaty
ou
wouldletmeknowwheny ouguy sarebackfrom the
Zuluhomest ead?KodwaMat hoyindabaungathandi
ukulal
ela(whydon'tyouli
ket oli
sten?)
MaSi
wel
a-Hel
l
otoy
out
ooMday
i.
.
Hesighed,smili
ngali
tt
le,
justl
i
keev
erymenout
ther
e,heloveditwhenawomancall
edhi
m byhi
s
prai
sename. .

Moses-(
smi
les)ngiy
abonaukut
hiuzamaukwenzani
(
Iseewhaty
out r
yingtodo?
)
MaSi
wel
a-(
laughs)wel
li
sitwor
king?
Moses-(
laughs)st
opt r
yingtosoft
enmeup, you
f
li
rt
ingwithmeMa' Thabekhul
u,youbet
terst
op..
MaSiwel
a-(
rol
l
sey es,smil
es)ohl
ight
enupwould
you,
don'
tyouevergetti
redofbei
ngsoseri
ousal
l
t
hetime?
Moses-(
laughs)mxm, smi
li
ngi
sfortheweak,
Ideal
wi
thtopsecretcasesandcr
imi
nal
s,Idon'
thave
t
imetobej ol
ly
.
MaSiwela-(
shakesherhead)youwil
lnev
erchange,
anywayIwasgoi ngtocal
lyoubutsi
nceyoubeat
met oit
,Imightaswell
tel
lyounow.Wil
lyouand
yourfamil
ybeabl et
ocomeandhav eChri
stmas
l
unchwithus?Thanonthefol
lowingdayIhav
e
bookedafamil
ydayforal
lofus,wecanthantel
lour
daught
er.
Moses-(
smiles)uhmm hmm okayt
hatsoundsgood
t
ome, Iwi
ll
letmyf ami
l
yknow.
MaSi
wela-t
omorrowmorningbefor
ewehavelunch,
wewil
lbeatchur
ch,Nel
lywill
bebapti
zi
ngherki
ds,
woul
dyouli
ketobepartofthat?
Moses-(
smi
l
es)of
cour
se.
.

Hecar r
iesont el
li
ngherhowhappyhei sthatsheis
i
nv i
ti
nghimt obepar toft
hebapti
zi
ngofhi s
grandchil
dren.Theyalsogoontodiscussthedetai
ls
oftomor r
ow'slunch.
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Shakast
andsbyt hedoorandwatcheshermov e
aroundf
rom babytobabyinherbum shor
t,she
l
ookedcrankybutshewasstil
lver
ymuchsexy ,her
naturalcur
lyhai
rwast ir
edint oal azybun.Shehad
onabaggyt -
shi
rt,heassumedi twasbecauseoft he
weightshestil
lhadonherst omach, ei
therthanthat
shedi dn'
tgai
ntomuchwei ght ,
hert i
ghswer esti
ll
fi
rm.Hesmi l
edlookingatherasNsi kagavehera
hardtimewhenshewast r
yingt oputonhi sdiaper
,
shegav ehim adeathstareandl ightl
ytappedhis
butt.
..

Nel
l
y-(
poi
ntsaf
ingerathi
m)hhey
i!
!!St
op.
.

Helaughedcausinghertostopandl
ookatthedoor
,
theyeyesmeet,hesmiledandshesi
ghedsmi l
i
ng
backathim.Hewal kedinandcl
osedthedoor
l
ightl
y.
..

Shaka-(
smi
les)hel
l
obeauti
ful
mama,
youl
ookl
i
ke
youcoul
dusesomehelp.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ouhav
enoi
dea.
.
Hesmil
edwal ki
ngclosertoher,
shenoti
cesthe
f
reshbouquetofwhiteroses,
andthesmallbasket
f
il
ledwit
hgoodies,
shel ooksathimrai
si
ngherbr ow,
t
heyhug,wit
hhim ki
ssinghercheek.
.

Shaka-(
smi
l
es)wel
lmamapant
her
,thi
sisf
ory
ou.

Shet
akest
hebasketandl
ooksati
t.
..

Shaka-don'
tworr
ynothi
ngt her
ewil
l hav
ey ou
gai
ninganymorepoundsthanyouneed, i
tall
heal
thy
snacksandafewfemini
nebat hsal
ts.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)Ilovei
t,(
looksathi
m)okaywhatdo
youwant?Idon'
tbeli
eveyouboughtmeall
thi
sjust
asakindgestur
e,outwit
hitti
ger.

Helaughsandpi
ncheshercheek,l
ooki
ngintoher
eyes,
hewentsil
entf
orawhile,shecl
earedhe
thr
oat.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)wel
l
?
Shaka-(smi
les)wel
lIdi
d,y
oual
lIhav
ebeent
hinki
ng
about,pl
usImissyou.

Hehandshert
her
oses.
..

Shaka-Ial
soboughty
ouy
ourf
avour
it
es.
..

Shetakesthem andsmi l
es,partofherwasalit
tl
e
rel
uct
antacceptingthem,fl
ower sweresenti
mental
toherandSbani,especi
all
yafterhetoldherabout
hisgr
andmot her
.ButthiswasShaka, shehadasoft
spotforhi
m..

Nel
l
y-t
heybeaut
if
ul,
Ilov
ethem.
..
.
Shaka-(
looksather
)andIl
ovey
ou.
..
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)huh?
!.
.
Shaka-(
smil
es)putthosei
nsi
deav
ase,
letmet
ake
car
eoftheserascal
s..

Hedismissedherandmovedtowardsthebedwere
NkanyeziandNsi
kalai
d.Shewatchedhim pl
aywit
h
hi
snieceandnephew,smil
edshakingherhead,
she
pr
obablyheardhi
m wrong.
..

ATBPGARAGE.
..

Blesswassmokinghiscigarett
ewhil
eSbaniwas
tal
kingtothepet
rol
attendant.Acal
lcamethrough
Blessphone,i
twasanunknownnumber ..

Bl
ess-y
ebounknown.
.
Her
-uhmm hel
l
o..
Bl
ess-who'
sthi
s?
Her
-uhmm i
minauNomusa(
itmeNomusa)
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)awumabhebeza!
!!
Nomusa-(bl
ushes)Ican'
ttal
kforlong,akuyonaif
oni
yamil
e(thi
sisn'
tmyphone)ar eyou..ar
ey ousti
l
l
goi
ngtocomegetme?
Bless-Ishoul
dgetyouaphonebabe.Andyesaft
er
theholiday
smeandmysi st
erar
ecoming.Ngi
yaf
a
ukukukhumbula(Iam dy
ing,Imi
ssyou)

Shegi
ggl
ed,
feel
i
ngl
i
ttl
eshy
..
.

Nomusa-(smil
es)okay
,Ihav
etogo,
ube
nokhi
simusiomnandi(
haveamer
ryChr
ist
mas)
Bless-(
smi l
es)Dudl
umySt
ofol
o!!
!Yakut
handa
uSbuday ezwa..

Sheblushedandhangedup,
Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
s
phone.Sbanil
ookedathi
m..
.

Sbani
-whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngl
i
key
ouj
ustgotapussy
i
nvi
te?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)notj
ustaanypussy
,av
irgi
npussy
.
Sbani
-wasthatNomusa?Jesusdudewhatdi
dyou
gi
vethatgi
rl
?
Bless-(
smiles)not
hing,
youknow,
noonecanr
esi
st
thebatswanamagi c.
Sbani
-(shakeshishead)she'
stooi
nnocentdude,
don'
tgothere,shewil
lbeapaininyourass.
Bless-Iwi
l
ltr
eathergood,
hav
eyouseent
hatgi
rl
ti
ghsYhoooo!!
!!
Sbani-(l
aughs)Iknow,everyguyi
nthevil
lage
wantedher,butshe'sj
usttooyoung,Idi
dn'twantt
o
dwelltoomuchonher .
Bless-(
laughs)y
out
ell
i
ngmey
oual
sowant
edt
otap
that.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)whowoul
dn'
t,
she'
saf
ineonebutI
havemywor l
dalr
eady
.
Bless-(l
aughs)y
esandyoushoul
dyouhur
tmy
si
ster,IswearmanIwi
ll
kil
lyouwit
hmyownbare
hands.
Sbani
-rel
ax!
!!Iwatch,
Idon'
ttouch.Buthert
ighsdog,
sheasexythickone
Bl
ess-(
laughs)
hhey
i!
!!St
ayaway
,thatmi
ne.
.

Theybot
hlaugh,andconti
nuet
odiscusswoman,
butar
esooninter
upptedbyNomvelo.
..

Mv
elo-(
smi
l
es)Iknewi
twasy
out
woIwasseei
ng.
.

Theysmi
l
eandt
heybot
hhugher
..
.

Sbani
-hav
en'
tseeny
oui
nawhi
l
e
Mv el
o-Iam notsupr
ised,youonl
yhaveti
mef ort
his
one(point
satBless)
, y
ourkidsandmysister
.Those
aretheonlypeopl
eyoul ov
einthiswor
ld.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)gui
l
ty!
!!
..
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)y
oul
ookgr
eat
,ar
eyouonadat
e?
Mv
elo-(
rol
l
sey
es)t
hanky
ou,
butnotgoi
ngt
oadat
e,
Iam act
uallyonmywayt ofet
chingt
hetwi
nsf
rom
thei
rdad'splace.(
LooksatBl
ess)whydoy
oul
ook
sosmitten?
Sbani
-(l
aughs)
isi
tthatabv
ious?
Mv
elo-y
es,
myguessi
thast
odowi
thawoman.
..
.

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

5mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Sbani
-isitmeorMv el
odi
dn'
tl
ookt
oohappyabout
youhavingi
nter
estonNomusa?
Bless-(si
ghs)i
tnotyou,
Ital
kedt
ohertwodays
back,tell
i
ngheraboutNomusabutshej
ustwental
l
awkwar dwithme.
Sbani
-Shi
t!
!!
!Shest
il
ll
ikesy
oul
i
ket
hat
..
.
Bl
ess-(
nods)y
eah!
!!ThatwhatIam af
rai
dof
..
.
Sbani
looksathi
m..
.

Sbani
-whatabouty
ou?Doy
oust
il
ll
ikeherl
i
ket
hat
?
Bless-uhmm nobutitjustcompli
cat
ed,Ireal
l
yliked
herman, youknowIam notonet owanttomar r
ya
woman, butwithherIactual
lysawmyselfmarry
ing
her.Nxi!
!!
!Letj
ustdropthis.
.

Henodsunder
standi
ngt
hathi
sfr
iendwashav
inga
har
dwitht
his.
..

I
nsi
deZandi
l
e'scar
..
.

Shedai
l
sSbani
'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
.

Sbani
-(deepv
oice)hel
l
o
Zah-Ineedy
ourhel
p,canwemeet
?pl
ease.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Sbani
-okay
,CBDi
n45mi
nut
es.
.
Zah-Thanky
ou.
.

Hehangsup.
..
.

ATLUNGI
EY'
SFLAT.
..

Ma'
Nxumal
o-howar
eyoufeel
i
ngaboutt
omor
row?
Ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
ogo?
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)Iam l
i
ttl
eexci
ted,
Iwil
lgett
osee
mybestfri
end.ButIam ner
vousaswel
l.
Ma'Nxumalo-wellat
leastyouhavemadepeacewith
t
heot her
s,ImeanZenandeandMbal ididcomeand
vi
sity
ouatt hehospi
tal,t
heyevenboughtyoubaby
gi
ft
s,hav
efai
thbaby
.
Lungiey-(smil
es)Ihavenochoi cebuttot
rustinGod,
Ireall
ymi ssmyf r
iend.Iam hopingwhenZisanda
getsbaptizedthatshewi l
lagreetobeherGod
mot her.
Ma'Nx umalo-shemightnotagreebaby,Idon'
twant
youpr essuri
ngherbutIknowshel ovesyou,t
hat
whyi tsohardforhertojustf
orgetandforgi
veeasi
l
y,
butshel ovesyou.Andremembery ouneedto
respectSimi t
omorrow.
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)Iknowmom, youknowNhl
anhl
a
hasn'
tcomet oseeme, Idon'
tevenknowhow
exact
lywearetravel
ingtomorr
ow.
MaNxumal
o-j
ustcal
lSi
mi,
hearwhatshesay
s.
Lungi
ey-soIhav
etoaskSi
mif
orper
missi
ont
opee
aswel
l?

Shestandsupandfrust
rat
edlywalkstoher
bedr
oom, shut
ti
ngthedoor.She'
ssot i
redofher
mothertel
li
ngherofhowsheshoul dbowdownt o
Si
mi,yessheknowssheshoul
drespectherbuther
motheri
staki
ngthi
swholethi
ngtoanotherl
evel.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s..
.
[
11/
3,21:
02]Mar
cia:
Inser
t99

ATDURBANCENTRAL(
CBD)

Zandil
eparkshercaront
hesideoft
her oad,she
takesoutherphoneandr
ingshermother.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

MaNcwane-Hel
l
o.
Zah-hel
l
omama,
Iam al
readyi
ntown,
howf
arar
e
younow?
MaNcwane-Iwi
l
lbet
her
ein20mi
nut
esbaby
,you
ear
ly.
Zah-y
eahIneededt
omeetupwi
thsomeone,
uhmm
mamaIhavetogo.

ShehangsupwhensheseesSbani '
sJeeppar ki
ng
i
nfrontofher.Hegetsoutofhiscarandwalks
towardshers.Knocksonthewindow,sheunlocks
thedoorfrom thei
nside,
hethanopensthedoorand
getsinsi
dethepassengerseat
...

Sbani
-outofal
lthepl
aces,
y ouhadt
ochooset
he
busi
estst
reet
,Weststr
eetreal
ly
?
Zah-(shr
ugs)Iam pi
ckingmymot herupatDurban
stat
ionsoitwastheclosest
,besi
desIdidn'
twant
bumpingintoany
onethatwebot hknow.
Sbani
-what
ever
,sowhyam Iher
e?(
Star
esather
bl
ankl
y)
Zah-(
play
swi t
hherhands)Ineedy
ourhel
pwi
th
somethi
ng..
Sbani
-wel
lar
egoi
ngt
otel
lmewhatt
hati
s?
Zah-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)(
looksathi
m)Ineedy
our
hel
pinget
ti
ngmesomei
nject
iondr
ugs.
Sbani
-(rai
seshi
sbrow)youwor
katahospi
tal
,you
haveaccesstoever
ydrug.
Zah-Idon'
thavet
hejur
isdi
cti
ont
oaccesst
heki
nd
ofi
nject
iondrugt
hatIwant.

Hekeepsqui
etandl
ooksather
..
.

Sbani
-iti
l
legal
right
?
Zah-ki
ndof
,soar
eyougoi
ngt
ohel
pme.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)whatmakesy
out hi
nkIwoul
dknow
wheretogetthedr
ugyouwant?

Sher
aisesherey
ebr
owandl
ooksathi
m..
.

Zah-may
bei
twasmi
stakecal
l
ingy
ou,
letj
ustf
orget
I
..
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)st
opt
hat
,youknowy
ou
needme.Sowhatt
ypeofi
nject
iondr
ugar
ewe
tal
ki
ngabout
?
Zah-(
star
esi
ntohi
sey
es)EDdr
ug!
!

Helooksathershocked,okayhehast
oadmi
t,he
di
dn'tseet
hisonecomi ng.
..

Sbani
-ismybr
otherhav
ingt
roubl
esper
for
ming?
Zah-(
rol
l
seyes)No,
trustmehe'
sfarf
rom hav
ing
tr
oubl
esper
formi
ng.
Sbani
-(conf
used)t
hanwhywoul
dyouwant
..
.

Thanitcl
icked,
maki nghi
seyesgr
owev enmor e
wide,
"Fuck"hethoughttohi
mself
.Henev erpi
ctur
ed
herasthetypethatcanbethi
sdevious.
..

Zah-don'
tgi
vemet
hatl
ook.
Sbani
-(shr
ugs)what
?Iam j
ustsupr
isedt
hatal
l
.
Zah-Iam awomanscor
ned.
..
Sbani-(
laughs)
(smi
rks)Icoul
dn'
tthinkofamor
e
bett
erpunishmentf
orthefuckerIcall
abrot
her
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Theywal
kinsi
deaspar
epar
tshop.
..
..

Zah-(
looksar
ound)wher
earewe?Whatst
reeti
s
thi
s?Andwhatarewedoingi
naspar
epart
sshop?

Hehel
dherhandt
ight
ly,
stoppi
ngherf
rom shaki
ng.
..
.

Sbani-(
gri
thi
steet
h)st
opshakingandquitl
ooki
ng
aroundtheywi
ll
thi
nkyou'
recop,j
ustr
elax.
Zah-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)okay
,okay
..

Hegav
eheronel
astsqueezeandl
etgoofherhand.
Awhit
eguywi t
hlongbl
ackhai
r,andt
attoosal
lov
er
hi
sbody,pi
erci
ngsever
ywher
eandast r
ongsmellof
weed.
..

Guy
-Hel
l
obr
o,canIhel
pyouwi
thany
thi
ng?
Sbani
-weher
etoseeSt
even.
.

TheguylooksatSbani,
wholooksbackathi
m wi
tha
bl
ankface,hiseyesmovef
rom hi
mt oZandi
l
e,who
tr
iesherbestnottol
ookaf
fect
ed..
.

Guy
-Iam sor
rybutwedon'
thav
eaSt
evenher
e.
Sbani
-Tel
lhi
m Ty
soni
sher
e,af
ri
endofBl
essi
ngs.

Theyguylooksathi
m onemor
eti
meandt
hangoes
tothebackoftheshop.
..

Zah-(
looksatSbani
)Ty
son?
Sbani
-woul
dyour
atheri
stol
dthem myr
eal
name?
Zah-Iguessnot(looksaround)
(smi
les)Ty
son,i
sn'
t
thatabitdul
lforastreetname?Iwasexpect
ing
somethingli
ke"Beast"or"Ti
ger
"

Hel
ooksatherandl
aughsshaki
nghi
shead.
..
.

Sbani
-your
eadandwat
cht
oomuchmov
ies.
Zah-(shr
ugs)y
oucan'
tbl
ameme.
..
.sowhatwi
l
lmy
st
reetnamebe?

Bef
orehecoul
danswerher
,theguywi
thal
otof
pi
erci
ngscameback.
.

Guy
-fol
l
owme.
..

Theywal
kedtot
hebackoftheshopandwalked
thr
oughadar
kpassageunt
ilt
heystoppednextt
oa
door .Theguyopenedt hedoorandt heywenti nside
ar oom whi chhadext ravehicl
epar tsandappliances,
shewasst i
llconf
usedast owhatexact lyaret
hey
doingher ebutbef oresheknewi ttheguyhad
shiftedat ableandwasl ookingathert owalkdown
thebasementdoorwhi chwassi tuatedont hef l
oor
hiddenbyt hetable.ShelookedatSbani ,who
noddedathert ogoinandsoshedi dandt hey
foll
owedher .Shewasamazedbyhowt hebasement
par toft heshopl ookedlikeanotherdi ff
erentl
uxur y
stor e,thistimeshecoul dn'
thidet heshocki nher
eyes.Shewasst i
lli
n"aw"t hatshedi dn'
thearrealise
theywer enowi nthepresenceoft hemi ght
y
"Stev en"..

Stev
en-(smil
es)ol
dpal(
shakesSbani'
shand)
apol
ogiesfort
heboy,
he'
snewher e.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)i
tokay
,If
igur
edt
hat
,wher
e'sMi
ke?
St
even-oht
hatr
at,Ihadt
ogetr
idofhi
mify
ouknow
whatImean(wi
nkedathi
m)
Zandil
e'
sbodyst i
ffen,whil
eSbanif
akedsmi ledat
Steven,
heknewv erywellhowmuchofar uthless
manhewas, hewant edtogetwhattheywereher e
forandleav
e, Bl
essal waystol
dhi
m nevertost ay
l
ongerthanneededwhendoi ngatr
ansacti
onwi t
h
peoplel
ikeSteven..
.

Steven-sowhatcanIhel
pyouwithtodayandwho'
s
thi
sbeautif
ulmama?(LooksatZandil
e)

Zandi
l
emov edcl
osert
oSbani
,notl
i
kingt
hewayt
he
manbefor
ethem wasl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Sbani
-Thi
sissi
sterBet
ti
na,
afr
iendofBl
essi
ngs
aswel
l.

Zandi
l
elookedatSbani,
whosmirkedlooki
ngather
,
knowi
ngexactl
ythatshedi
dn'
tl
ikethename..
.
Steven-(
smirksandbit
eshisli
p)sisterBet
ti
nahuh?!
(LooksatZandil
e)Icanal
readypictureyouwear
ing
ti
ghtscrubs.
.

Zandil
efel
tdisgustedbytheoldmani nf
rontoft
hem
butknewverywel lt
hatshecouldn'
tshowhow
di
sgustedshef el
t.
..

Sbani
-(f
akel
aughs)letnotgetaheadofour
sel
ves
now,l
etgett
obusiness..
St
even-(sur
render
s)y
ouwer
eal
way
snof
un,
okay
whatcanIhelpyouwit
h?
Sbani-cany
ouhookusupwi
thsomeEDi
nject
ion
drugs..
St
even-ar
ey ouhav
ingtr
oubl
esget
ti
ngi
ton?Don'
t
worr
ymani tnor
mal..
Sbani
-No,No,nothatnotthei
ssueatal
l
,theynot
forme,Bet
tyher
eneedst hem.
St
even-(
conf
used)wai
t?Youhav
eapeni
s?
Zah-(
rol
l
sey
es)No,
theyf
ormyhusband.
St
even-ohJesus!
!Yougotmet
her
e,wel
lfol
l
ow
me..
.

Theyfol
l
owedStev
eni
nsi
dear
oom whi
chwasnext
tohi
soffi
ce.
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Shaka-(smi
l
es)t
heyl
ookpeacef
ulwhent
hey
sl
eeping.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)t
oopeaceful
,butNkany
ezii
sacalm
babybynat
ure,
nansi
idramaKing(poi
ntsatNsi
ka)

Theyl
augh.
..

Shaka-(l
ooksathi
swatch)Il
it
eral
l
yspentmywhol
e
daywithyouguys(smi
l
es)..
Nel
l
y-Ihopewehav
ebeengr
eatcompany
..
Shaka-(
smi
les)Iwoul
dn'
ttr
adeitf
orany
thi
ng.I
l
ovedeachandeverymoment.
Nell
y-may
bey
oushoul
dst
artt
hinki
ngaboutbei
nga
dad.
.
Shaka-(
laughs)Iwoul
dlov
etoo.
..(
Looksatt
he
babi
es).
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)t
hanul
i
ndel
eni
?(Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ng
f
or?
)
Shaka-(
sighs)i
tnotthatsi
mple,Iwantt
ohav ea
chil
dwit
hsomebodyIl ove,someonewho'sspeci
al,
theonethatmakesmel augh,smil
e,t
heonethat
makesmydaywi t
hjusta"goodmorni
ng"text
.
Nell
y-(l
ooksathim)(
smil
es)
(j
okes)i
sthatme?Phela
youjustdescr
ibedmeinanutshel
l
.Imakeyoulaugh,
smil
e.Nje!!
!
Shaka-(
laughs)
(smi
l
es)v
elengi
showena(
iti
syou)

Sheplay
ful
lyhit
shi
schestl
aughi
ng,
whi
l
ehesmi
l
es
admir
ingher.
..
Nell
y-(
looksathim)Zenandewil
lmakeagr
eat
mother,she'
stheonethatt
aughtmemostt
hings
aboutparent
ing.
Shaka-(
frownsli
ght
ly)whatmakesy
out
hinki
therI
wanttomot hermyki
ds?
Nel
l
y-ai
n'
tyouguy
stoget
her
?
Shaka-(si
ghs)itcompli
cat
edwi t
hus,Iwil
lbethe
fi
rstt
oadmi tthatIdon'
tmindhavingafamil
ywith
Zee,butshedoesn'tlov
emel i
kethat,
shehates
commi t
ment .
Nel
l
y-sothatwhyy
ouguy sarenott
ogether
,
t
ogether
?Youwanttobutshedoesn'
t?
Shaka-t
hatj
ustpar
tofwhy
..
.

Shelooksathim andnot
icesthat
,thisi
sn'tt
he
bubbly,
ful
lofli
feShakasheknows, hel
ooks
di
stract
ed,helookssad,
shetakeshi sr
ighthand
andholdsitl
ookingathi
m...
Nel
l
y-Iam l
i
steni
ng.
.
Shaka-(takesadeepbr eath)IthoughtIwasi nlove
withZee, butIreal
isedthatIam not ,she'sjusta
repli
caofsomeoneIcannothav e.IguessIbel i
eved
somucht hatIlovedherjustsoIcanshutwhatI
wasf eel
ing.Icaresomuchf orZeeandIknowshe
l
ov esmej ustasIl oveherbutwenoti nlove.Iam
i
nlovewi t
hsomeone, someonesospeci al,theone
thattookmybr eathawayt hef i
rstti
meIl aidmy
eyesonher ,
theonet hatgotmet onguet i
edwhenI
fi
rstsawher ,Icouldn'
tev enutteronewor dsoIdi d
whatIdobest ,
Ibecamepl ayfulShaka.(Smi l
es)I
tol
dherIwasherf ut
urehusbandwhenIf irstsaw
her..
.
Nel
l
y-(l
aughs)(
rol
l
seyes)yousai
dthesamet
hingt
o
me,(
pouts)nowIam j
eal
ous.
Shaka-(smi
les)
(rubsherpal
ms,
starti
ngather
)if
onl
yy ouknewthatyouhavenoreasontobe
j
ealous.
..

Theybot
hsmi
l
est
arr
ingateachot
her
..
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-(
clear
shert
hroat
)sowhyai
n'
tyouwi
thher
?
Shaka-she'
swithsomeoneel
se,she'
sveryhappy
wheresheis,Idon'
twantt
orui
nthatforher
.

Shelooksathi
m wit
hey esofpi
ty,
itclearwhoev
er
thi
sgirl
is,
she'
sveryspecial
tohi
m, shehasnever
seenShakathi
ssad..
.

Nel
l
y-doessheknowabouty
ou?Thaty
oul
oveher
.
Shaka-(
shakeshi
shead)Idon'
tthi
nkso.
Nell
y-(
smilesl
ight
ly)It
hinkyoushouldtel
lher
,she
mightj
ustsupr
iseyou.Dy i
nginsi
deli
kethi
sisnot
heal
thyShaka,
lett
ellher,what'
shername?DoI
knowher?
Shaka-(smil
es)she'
sclosert
hanyout
hink.
..
(si
l
ent).
..canIaskyousomething?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
eahany
thi
ng,
shoot
.
Shaka-hadwemeantunderdi
fferentci
rcumst
ances,
wouldyouhavedatedme?ThatifhadIaskedyou
out?Am Itheki
ndofguywoul
ddat e?
Nelly
-( smiles)wel
l i
tnosecr ety ou'r
ehandsome,
truedef i
nit
ionofahotf uckboy .Ahear tbreakerbut
yesIwoul dhavedatedy ou,becausebehi ndallthis
appear anceisakindhear ted,car i
ng,lovingandv ery
funnyi ndi
vidual
.Ilovespendi ngt i
mewi thy ou,Iam
carefreewhenIam wi t
hy ou,y oubr i
ngoutt hefuni n
me, t
hechi l
dinme.Shakay ou'remyspi ri
thuman,
nothingev erbri
ngsy oudown, youf ulloflif
e,just
yoursmi l
ealonereassuresmet hattomor row'sthere
i
shope.You' reawesome, (smi les)ourbabi eswoul d
havebeent hebomb, Imeanl ookatus, wet heshi t
..

Theybot
hlookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Shaka-(j
okes)If
eel
li
key
ouj
ustsai
dourweddi
ng
vows..
Nel
l
y-(
pincheshi
sabs)hey
!!
!.
..
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)
(l
ooksather
)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Nelly
-(smil
es)(
bumpshisshoul
der)l
oveyout
oo,
nowl etst
opthi
sdepressi
ngtal
k,wantt
ohaveice-
cream wit
hme?I tal
wayshel
ps.
Shaka-(
laughs)Iam i
nlov
e,Idi
dnotgetdumped.
.

Theybot
hlaugh,
shedr
agshi
mtot
heki
tchen.
..
.

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE.
.

Hermom pl acesthebagofgrocer
iesontopofthe
ki
tchencounter,Zandi
l
efol
lowswiththeotherhal
f
ofgrocer
ies..
.

Ma'
Ncwane-Myf eetsYhooowestoodforhour
s
wai
tingt
opay,thatwhyIdon'
tli
keshoppi
ngtheday
bef
oreChri
stmas.Isi
cef
enje.
Zah-Idi
dn'
tknowpeopl
estil
lwaitt
odot hei
r
shoppi
ngsonthel
astday.Shoul
dIgetyouanyt
hing
todri
nkmamaory ouwouldrat
herfr
eshenupfi
rst?
Ma' Ncwane-hhayingenzelai
ti
yel
apho(makeme
tea)(l
ooksaround)whyisitsoqui
et?Wher
earet
he
kids?
Zah-Si
phomusthavetakent
hem out
,he'
spr
obabl
y
athi
sparent
shouse.
Ma'
Ncwane-ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
omor
row?
Zah-(st
opsandlooksathermot her
)yes,Nxi!
!!Can
youbeli
evethebast
ard,hewasbusyt ouchingme
wanti
ngt osl
eepwithmeasi fhehasn'tbeen
feedi
nghimselfwi
ththat'
sskankspussy.
Ma'Ncwane-he'ssti
llyourhusband,af
tert
his
puni
shment ,
y ouwil
llovehim andsexhimlikey
ou
weretaughttoo,si
yezwanaZandi l
e?(Doyouhear
me?)
Zah-(si
ghs)Iknowthatmama,buthejustannoy
s
mer i
ghtnow.(Smir
ks)whenIam donewi t
hhim,he
wil
lneverthi
nkofst
icki
ngiti
nsi
deanot herwoman'
s
hol
eev eragai
n.
Ma'Ncwane-Good!!!Idon'twantyoujumpi ngfrom
mant oman,Siphoisy ourhusband.Mef ebaakusho
ukuthif
ebanawe( whenhecheat s,thatdoesnot
meany ouhavetocheatt oo)youjustneedt oteach
hi
m alesson,manar ev er
yweakandst upid.
Zah-(
looksather)Ngiyabongamama, angazi
bengi
zobay i
ningaphandlekwakho.(
Thanky ou
mama, Idon'
tknowwhatIwi llbewit
houtyou)
Ma'Ncwane-( smiles)makef
astwi
thmytea,sowe
candiscussukut hisi
zowanwebakanj
ani
lamasende
endoday akho..

Shesmi
l
esandget
sonwi
thhermot
her
'st
ea.
..

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT

Shehearsabangi
ngsoundonherdoor
,shewipes
herhandsonherapr
onandwalkst
owardsthe
door.
..
.
Thandeka-(
openst
hedoor
)whatt
hehel
l
?

Hepushespasther
..
.

Si
pho-y
oucan'
tgot
othatdi
nner
..
Thandeka-(
fol
dsherar
ms)angi
zwa?
Si
pho-Idon'
tknowwhatyouplay
ingatbut
Mathandi
eyoucan'
tgotothatdi
nner
.Yini
usangene
yi
ni?(What
?Areyoucr
azy?)Howcany ouacceptt
he
i
nvit
e?

Shecl
i
ckshert
ongueandcl
osest
hedoor
..

Thandeka-Iam notdoi
ngitf
ormebutf orSJ,Iwant
hi
mt oenjoyhisChri
stmaswithhisfamily.Sobhut
i
getofft
hathighhorse,
notevery
thingisaboutyou.
Sipho-canyouhonestl
ytel
lmethaty
ouwil
lbeabl
e
tositonthesamet abl
easmywifeandenj
oy
yoursel
fknowingverywell
whatmeandyouare
doi
ng?
Thandeka-weredoi
ng,itint
hepastnow.Besi
desI
don'
thaveanyguilt
yconscious,
Iam nott
hemar r
ied
one.Sowhatwef ucked?Shedoesn'
tknowthat.
Nowcany ouleave,Iam ki
ndofbusy.
.

Hemov esclosert
oher
,hol
dsherwai
standbr
ushes
hercheek.
..

Si
pho-ngi
yakucel
ast
handwasami,
ungayikul
eya
di
nner(pl
easemylov
e,don'
tgot
othatdi
nner)

Hetr
iestoki
ssherbutshewiggl
esher
sel
faway
f
rom hi
m andwipesherl
ips.
..

Thandeka-Iam noti
nthemood,
cel
auhambe
(pl
easeleave)

Shewal
kst
othedoorandopensi
t,hesi
ghsand
wal
ksoutt
hebutst
opsout
side.
.

Sipho-(
star
esather)i
fyouknowwhatgoodf
ory
ou,
youwon'tsetf
ootinthatdi
nner
..

Sheshut
sthedooronhi
sface.
..

Thandeka-(
ir
ri
tat
ed)Nxi
!!
!Nal
ii
pipi
lenj
abo!
!!

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
..
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Nel
lywasmoist
uri
zingherbodywhenhermom
ent
eredherr
oom..
.

MaSiwela-(
looksatt
hebabies)theyl
ookwi
de
awake,don'
tyouwantmet osleepwit
honeoft
hem?
Nel
l
y-(smi
l
es)Sbani
iscomi
ngov
ersoi
tfi
nemama,
wewil
lmanage.
MaSiwel
a-(
rai
sesherey
ebr
ow)t
hisi
snotahot
el
Nel
isi
we.
.
Nel
ly
-(r
oll
seyes)Ihav
en'
tseenhi
mf ortwoday
s,
andi
tnotl
ikehecomeshereever
yday.
MaSi
wela-Iam j
ustsaying,
sowil
lyout
ell
him about
t
heli
tt
levi
sithi
sbrothergavey
outoday
..
.

Shegav
ehermot
hert
hel
ook.
..

Nel
l
y-don'
tmakei
tat
hingwheni
tnot
.
MaSi
wel
a-i
tisathi
ngwhenthebr
otherl
ooksaty
ou
l
ikey
out
heonlywomaninthi
suni
verse.

Sheget
supfrom t
hebedandwal
kst
othecl
oset
get
ti
nghersl
eepwear.
..
Nel
ly
-don'
tbesil
l
ymama, shoul
dn'
tyoube
pr
epari
ngf
orthedinneratdaddyD'
splace?
MaSi
wela-changi
ngthesubj
ect
,don'
tsayIdi
dn'
t
war
nyou.GreetGideonf
orme..

Shewal
ksoutt
her
oom.
..
..

Thenextday
..
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
03]Mar
cia:
Inser
t100

ATSI
MI'
SHOUSE.
..

ShewasgettingNkosanareadywhenshehear da
carparkout
side,
shet ookadeepbreat
h,knowing
thati
tmustbeNhl anhlaal
ongwit
hLungiey.
..
.
Nhl
anhl
a-ar
eyour
eady
?Wedon'
twantt
obel
ate.
.

Hesai
dthatwal
ki
ngi
nsi
deNkosana'
snuser
y..

Simi
-(nods)y
eah, cany
oupackhi
sbagf
orme.Ij
ust
needtoputajacketonhim.
..
Nhlanhla-haveyoucont
actedyourf
ri
end?Aft
erthe
ceremonywehav i
ngNkosanabapti
zedIam
guessingy ouhavesomeoneyouwanttoappoi
ntas
hisGodmot her
.
Si
mi -(
sighs)act
uall
yIwasthi
nkingImakeLungi
ey
hi
sGodmot herandshedoesthesame,itonl
y
makessenset odosobecausetechni
cal
lywe
al
readyparentstoourchi
l
dren.
.

Hezipsthebabybagandl ooksather
,hewasn't
expect
ingthatfr
om herbutthanagai
nSimihas
beensurpr
isinghi
mt hesepastfewmonths.
..
Nhlanhl
a-ar
ey ousure?ImeanIthoughtmaybethis
couldbesomethingspeci
alt
oy ouandyougetto
pi
cksomeonet hatyouwant.Si
mi notever
ydeci
sion
hastobeinfl
uencedbythesit
uati
onwei n.
.
Simi
-(pickupNkosana)Iwoul
dn'
tbemakingsuch
deci
sionsifyouhadn'
tputusi
nthi
ssi
tuat
ionto
begi
nwi th.
..

Shewal kedoutther oom withherson, hesi ghedand

fol
lowedherwi ththebabybag.Hegotout sideand
tookhissonf r
om hi smother,st
rappinghi m safelyi
n
hiscarseatwhichwasnextt ohissister.Simi got
i
nsidethebackoft hecar,shegreetedLungi eywho
wasseat edcomf ortabl
yinthefrontpassengerseat .
Nhlanhl
agoti nsi
deandst artedthecar ,offtheygo.
Forfi
vemi nutestraightt
hecarridewassi lent,
awkwar dsil
enttobeexact ..
..

Nhl
anhl
a-(
clear
shert
hroat
)uhmm Luh.
.
Lungi
ey-(
looksathi
m)hmmm
Nhlanhl
a-Si
mi r
aisedsomethi
ngwhilewewer
e
i
nsidethehouse,Ij
ustwanttohearwhaty
outhi
nk
aboutit
.
Lungi
ey-y
ini
ley
o?(
Whatt
hat
?)
Simi-(
rol
lsey es)Iraisedt
hei dea,andwe,toget
her
(l
ooksatNhl anhla)thinki
twoul dbebestthatI
becomeZi sanda'sGodmot herandy ouNkosana'
s
Godmot her.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nhlanhla-(l
ooksatLungiey)l
ookyoudon' thaveto
agree(givesSimi t
helook)wehaven'tdecided
anythi
ngy et,buti
twil
lsuremaket hi
ngseasi er
becausey oualreadyhavetoplayamot herlyfi
gur
e
toNkosana. .

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Heholdsherhand, br
ushingit,
whil
eSi mistared
downattheirhands,i
tsuredidhurtalot,
Nhlanhla
hasbeengivingthem (
herandherson)at tenti
on
l
atel
ythatpartofherhadhopet hatjustmay behe
wasstart
ingtoreali
sethatitonlyt
hem hewant ed.
..

Lungi
ey-Igetwhyyouwouldsuggestthat,i
tmakes
sensebutIwashopingIwoul
daskNel lytobethe
Godmot her
.Itsomethi
ngwealwaystalkedabout
..
Simi-y
ounoti
nspeaki
ngt
ermswhatmakesy
ou
thi
nkshewoul
dagree?
Lungi
ey-i
therni
ece,
shewi
l
l.
.
Si
mi-ani
eceshehasn'
tcomet
oseeev
ersi
nceshe
wasbor
n..

Simi'swordsstung,of
courseithurtheralit
tl
ethat
Nellyhasn'
tcomet oseeherbaby ,
partofher
thoughtthatwasselfi
shofher .Butsheconsoled
herselfbyunderst
andi
ngt hatsomet i
mesherf r
iend
couldbesomewhatsel fcenteredifshewantedto
be.
..

Lungi
ey-IknowIhavetor
especty
ouandallbutt
hat
doesnotmeanyougettomakedecisi
onsaboutmy
l
ifeormydaughter
's.
.
Si
mi-ourdaught
er,
int
hisuni
ont
her
eisno"
I"
..
Lungi
ey-(annoyed)Exactl
y!
!!Soyoucan'
tmake
deci
sionswithheari
ngwhatIhav etosayfi
rst
,the
thr
eeofusmakedeci si
onsnotthetwoofyou..
.

Lungieylookedoutsi
det hewi ndowr emovi
ngher
handsawayf r
om Nhlanhla.Simi shr
uggedher
shoulderswhentheymadeey econtactwit
h
Nhlanhla,t
hecarri
dewassi lentagain.
..

ATTHEGASARESI
DENCE.
..

Hewasal
readyout
side,
wai
ti
ngonhi
swi
feandsons
t
ocomeout..
.
Man1-Si
rwoul
dyoubedr
ivi
ngy
our
sel
f?
Moses-y
esbutIneedyoutogather5ofy
ourbest
mentoguar
dt hechur
ch,
havetwoofthem f
oll
ow
meandmyf amil
y.

Themannodsandwalksaway
,Nomv
elo'
scarpar
ks
nextt
oherf
ather
'sSUV.
..

Nomvelo-(ki
sseshi
scheek)
(smi
l
es)y
oul
ook
dashi
ng..
Moses-(
smi
l
es)Iam j
ustexci
ted.
.
Nomv el
o-(
brusheshi
sar
m)don'
twor
ryshewi
l
llov
e
you.
..

Henods,
MrsGasatoget
herwi
thBandi
l
eand
Sandi
l
emakethei
rwaytowher
eMosesi s.
..
Mr
sGasa-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
obaby
,wher
ear
ether
ascal
s?
Nomv elo-(smiles)hel
lomom, (r
oll
seyes)
Derek
pickedthem upt hismorning,
Idon'
tunder
standwhy
Ihadtof et
cht hem yester
dayifhewasgoingtotake
them againtoday .
Moses-(l
ooksatSandi l
e)ugqokeniwenamf ana?
Ufunakungihl
azaphambi kwabantu?Li
phii
bhade
kulel
obhulukwelakho?(Whatareyouwearingboy?
Youwanttoembar rassmei nf
rontofpeopl
e?
Where'st
hebeltforthatJean?)
Bandi
l
e-dady
ou.
.
Moses-Thulawena!!!(
Youshutup)lookathow
Bandil
eisdressed,
helooksdecentandwellput
toget
her,zi
bukewena?( Andl
ookaty our
sel
f)
MrsGasa-(br
usheshi
sarm)babakhenotnow
pl
ease,
todayisahappyday
..

Mosescl
ickedhist
ongueandgotinsi
dehiscar,
hi
tt
ingt
hehorn.MrsGasalookedatSandil
ewith
sy
mpathybeforewalki
ngt
owardsthecar.Bandi
le
wasaboutt
osaysomet
hingbutSandi
l
eint
eruppt
ed
hi
m..
.

Sandi
le-(
shakeshishead)savei
tgol
denboy..
.
(l
ooksatNomv el
o)Iam ri
dingwi
thyousi
s..

Heputonhi
sheadphonesandwal
kedt
ohi
ssi
ster
's
car
..
..

Nomv
elo-(
sighs)Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m..

Bandi
lenodsandwal kstori
dewi thhispar
ents,
whil
eNomv elowalkstohiscar.Thebicker
ingthat
al
way shappensbetweenhisbrotherandfather
al
way sl
eavesabittert
astetoeveryone.
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.
ATSTPETER'
SCHURCH.
..

TheZul u'
s,Gasa'
s,Khoza'
s,Siwela'
s,Khumalo'
s
togetherwithMa'
Nxumal o,ThandekawithSJand
Blesswi t
hhismother,al
lthei
rcarsparkatthe
samet i
me. .
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
unf
ast
enherseat
bel
t)wel
ate.
..

SheseesSbani
maki
nghi
swayt
othei
rcar
..
.

MaSi
wela-ohgood,her
ecomesGi
deon,
hewi
l
lhel
p
wi
thhi
srestl
essson..
Zenande-(l
aughs)vel
e,v
elet
hathi
snewnamenow
mama, Thabooutthecarboy
,boy.
..

Sbani
reachesthem andopensthedoorf
orNel
l
y,
whogiveshim adeathst
are.
..
Sbani
-(smil
es)Iam sor
rybabe,
Igothel
dup
yest
erday
..
.

.
.(
sil
ent
).
.

Sbani
looksatZee,whoshakesherheadandwal
ks
awaywithThabo.Hetur
nstoMaSiwelawith
pl
eadi
ngey es.
..

MaSiwela-(
shakesherhead)No,
Noangi
zi
ngeni
eza
"
lov
el i
veshere"
..
.

Shet
akesherhandbagandwal
ksawayt
oo.He
si
ghsandunst
raphi
sson..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..
Blesshelpshismotheroutthecar,whil
eBonol
o
helpswithherhandbag.MaSiwelasmi l
eswhenshe
seesBlesswi t
hawomanwhol ooksl
ikehi
m but
olderassumingithi
smot her.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)sani
bonani
(hel
l
o)
Bl
ess-(
smil
es)hel
l
oMa(
kisseshercheek)l
ooki
ng
cl
assyasal
ways.
MaSi
wela-y
ouknowme,Ij
usthopet
hepast
or'
swi
fe
i
sn'
tdr
essedbet
tert
hanmeorwewill
havea
pr
obl
em.

Theyl
augh.
..

MissNdawora-(
smi
l
es)Idon'
tthi
nkany
onewi
l
ltop
yourdr
essi
ng.
MaSiwel
a-(
shakesherhand)Idon'
tbel
i
evewehav
e
met,
MathoSiwela.
.
Mi
ssNdawor
a-(
smi
l
es)Mat
emaNdawor
a,
Bl
essi
ngsmom,
youmustbeNel
i
siwe'
smot
her
?
MaSiwela-(
smi
l
es)y
eshowdoy
ouknowmy
daught
er?
MissNdawora-Thi
sonehereshowedmepi
ctur
es,
andSbaniwasexci
tedshowi
ngmet hemot
herofhi
s
chi
ldr
en.
.

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

MaSiwela-(
hol
dsherhand)It
hinkyouandIwill
be
besti
ffri
ends,
letgoandl
eavetheseyoungst
ers
al
one..
.

Theybot hwal ktowar

dsthechurchdoors,meet
ing
theZulu'
sandt heGasa'
stogetherwi
thMa'Nxumalo.
Mosesey esl andonMatema, healmostchokeon
hissal
iva, butheknewheneededt ogethi
mself
toget
herbef orehemakesaf oolofhi
mself.
..
MrsZulu-(
smi
l
es)habe!
!!Naz
enabahl
e(y
oul
ook
beaut
if
ul)
Mr
sGasa-ni
khi
pheubhozohhe!
!
MrZulu-It
hinkweshoul
dal
lent
ernow,
weal
ready
l
ate.
MaNxumalo-l
etwai
tfort
hem t
ost
artasongt
han
wewil
lent
er..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)Thi
sisBl
essi
ngsmot
her
..

Theyal lsmi l
eandgr eetMissNdawor a,wit
hMr&
Mr sZulur ecognisingher ,t
heycat chupal i
t t
lewhil
e.
Mr sGasal ooksatMoseswhoav oidslookingback
ather.Shest udi
esMat ema, sheisn'tl
ightskinli
ke
MaSi welaorher self,Infactshe'
sf arfrom beingli
ght,
butherdar kskintonel ookssmoot handsof t,y
ou
canseet hatshe'snotwel l
butherbeaut yisst i
ll
there,herbi gmar bleeyesandl ongey elashesar e
herbestasset s.
.

Moses-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)Tema.
.
Mi
ssNdawor
a-(
looksathi
m)Mo.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Not
ici
ngt
heawkwardness,t
her
estoft
hem st
art
t
hei
rownconv
ersat
ions.
..

Mi
ssNdawor
a-(
looksatMr
sGasa)Idon'
tbel
i
eve
wehav
emet.
Mr
sGasa-(
smi
l
es)y
our
aisedawel
lbehav
edson.
.
MissNdawora-Thanky ou,Iam gl
adhe'
sfoundhi
s
f
amilybutwetalkproperl
ylater
.
MaSi
wel
a-khandakhul
u(l
ooksatMoses)
..

Theyal
ll
augh.
.

Moses-y
ouv
eryt
roubl
esomeMat
ho
MaSi
wel
a-y
asi
bonai
sit
hembusakho(
you
sur
roundedbyy
ourpol
ygamy
)
Mr
sGasa-(
laughs)l
eav
emyhusbandal
one.
.
MaSiwel
a-khonaomawenganet
oday
,amanunu
angaf
i.
..

Theyl
augh.
..
.

SJr
unstohi
sdad,
whohasNsi
kaonhi sar
ms,
whi
l
e
Nel
l
yfol
l
owedbehi
ndwi
thNkanyezi
..
.

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)hel
l
oBoy
..
.
SJ-(smil
es)Iam goi
ngwi
thy
out
oday
..
..(
Looksat
Nell
y)hel
lo.
.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)hel
l
obaby
,comehel
pwi
tht
his
bl
anket.
.

Her
unsandt
akest
hebl
ankett
oNel
l
y..
.
Thandeka-(
looksatSbani
)(
smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)Hi
Sbani
-Hi
Thandeka-Ihavepackedanext
raoverni
ghtbagf
or
hi
m, youwill
takeiti
nmycaraftert
heservi
ce.
Sbani
-okay
..
.

ShelooksatNell
y,whoi
slaughi
ngtosomet
hingt
hat
SJsaid,Nel
lyl
i
ftsherey
esandtheymeetwi
th
her
s...
.

Nel
l
y-Hi
.
.
Thandeka-(
fakesmi
l
es)Hi
,Il
ovey
ourdr
ess.
.
Nel
l
y-Thanks.
..
.

Nomvel
oandMbali
comesscr
eami
ngt
owar
dwher
e
Nel
l
yandSbani
are.
..

Mv
elo-(
exci
ted)i
justwantt
hebabi
esnoty
ou.
..
Mbali-(
rol
l
sey es)ungafungaukuthiizinganeza
BeyoncenoJayZl ezingendlelaabancikisel
angayo
abazali
bazo( you'
dsweart hesewereBey onceand
JayZkids,thewaythepar entsdepri
v eusofseeing
them)

Theyl
augh,whi
l
eThandekast
andst
her
elooki
ngout
ofpl
ace.
..

Ma'NcwaneandZandi
l
est
andnextt
owher
eal
lthe
ot
hersare.
..

MaNcwane-(
looksar
ound)uphi
nondi
dwa?(
Wher
e's
t
hehoe?)
Zandil
e-(
poi
ntswhereThandekai
s)t
her
eshei
s,
l
ookingli
kealostpuppy
.
Ma'
Ncwane-t
hebl
ackone?Wow!
!!
Zah-(
hit
shershoul
der
)mama,
shedoesn'
tl
ookt
hat
bad.
.
Ma'
Ncwane-(
shr
ugs)notmycupoft
ea.
.

Theycouldheart hepeoplestartt
osi nginsidethe
church,everyonegatherst ogoinside,t
hedoor s
open,andl i
ket heroyalf
ami l
y,wit
ht heirexpensive
clot
hing,t
heyal lwalkinside,makingev ery
onest op
andlookatt hem, all
theirspoil
edbr at
sf ol
lowbehind
thei
rparents...

Nel
l
y-(
looksar
ound)wher
e'sNt
ombi
andNoma?
Sbani
-Theyspendi
ngChri
stmaswithNt
ombi
'
s
famil
y.
..(
smil
es)soIam f
orgi
ven?
Nel
l
y-(
giv
eshi
m adeat
hst
are)No.
.

Hesmi r
ksandholdsherhandl
eadi
nghertothei
r
seat
s.Lungi
eysmilesandwavesatNel
lywhosmiles
backatherbutqui
cklyshi
ft
shereyesf
ocusi
ngon
somethi
ngelse.
..
.
45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Pastor-Tothefamil
iesthatar
egoingtobapti
zethei
r
babies,pl
easeprepareaswewi l
lst
artwi
ththat
ceremony..
.

Sbani
-(shout
s)Bl
essi
ng,
youknowy
out
heGod
fat
herr
ight?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)of
cour
se,
Iam y
ouronl
yfr
iend.
.

Theybot
hfi
stbump.
..

Lungi
ey-(
clear
sthr
oat
)uhmm Nel
l
ycanwet
alk?
Mbal
i
-(t
akesNkany
ezi
)wewi
l
lwai
tfory
ouher
e..

Theymov
efr
om t
hem.
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksather
)howar
eyou?
Lungi
ey-(
smil
es)umm Iam okay
,Iam happyt
osee
you,y
ourbabi
esarebeaut
if
ul.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Isawy
ourbabygi
rlt
oo,
she'
spr
ett
y..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Lungi
ey-(t
akesadeepbr
eath)Iwas.
..Iwashopi
ng
youbeZisanda'
sGodmother?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Lungi
ey -(
teary
)please,Iam tr
yingher
e,Imi
ssmy
bestfr
iend,Imissyou..iknow,IknowImessedup
butIam tryi
ng..
.

Nellycoul
dfeelhert
ear
sthreat
eni
ngt
ocome,she
quickl
yengulf
edherinati
ghthug,
maki
ngLungi
ey
cryevenmore..
.
Lungi
ey-Iam sor
ry,
sosor
rybhabha.
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sni
ff
s)Imi
ssy
out
oo,
somuch.
..
.

Theybrokethehugandhel
dhandsl
ooki
ngateach
othersmil
i
ng..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
Irui
nedy
ourmakeup.
.
Lungi
ey-(
laughs)Idon'
tcar
e..
.Sowi
l
lyoube.
..
Nelly
-(si
ghs)ithi
nkweneedtowor konour
fr
iendshi
pfir
st,Iwoul
dlovet
obey ourdaught
ers
Godmot herbutri
ghtnowwesti
llneedtoworkonus.
Pleaseunderst
and(smil
es)may
bewheny ouhavea
secondbaby?
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)Iunder
stand,
event
houghIam l
i
ttl
e
sadbutIunderst
and..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iwi
l
lseey
oul
ater
..
Theyhugonel
astt
ime.
..

Zandi
l
e-Thandeka,
youst
il
lcomi
ngt
odi
nnerr
ight
?
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)y
eah,
Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ssi
t,i
sthat
yourmom?
Zandi
l
e-(smi
l
es)y
es,
comemeether
..
.(shout
s)
mama...
Ma'
Ncwane-y
esbaby(
looksatThandeka)
Zandi
l
e-meetThandeka,
SJmom,
she'
sal
sov
ery
goodfr
iendswi
thSi
pho..
Ma'Ncwane-i
sit
?(Smiles)whydon'ty
oucomeand
hel
puspreparedi
nner,Iam surey
ouwi l
lbev
ery
bor
edduringl
unch,comewi thusdear
..
Thandeka-uhmm Idon'
twantt
oov
erst
epma.
.
Zandil
e-(
smi l
es)nonsense,
youcomi
ng,
wenot
taki
ngNof orananswer..

Thandekasmiles,
whi
l
eZandi
l
eandMaNcwanel
ook
ateachotherandsmi
le.
..
Nhlanhl
a-l
etmevideocallMt
hoko,
he'
stheGod
f
athertobothmybabies.
.
Nel
ly
-het
oldmehe'
sspendi
ngChri
stmasin
Mozambi
quet
hisy
ear,
Ithi
nkhehasagir
lf
ri
end
now.
..
Nhl
anhl
a-It
hinksot
oo.
..Baf
o...
Mt
hoko-(
rubshi
sey
es)ei
ta!
!!I
sthatNel
l
y?
Nel
l
y-y
es,
Imi
ssy
ou.
.
Mt
hoko-y
oumi
ssmeormypocket
?

Theyl
augh.
..

Nhl
anhla-heyman,getdressed,t
hebapti
zi
ng
cer
emonyi saboutt
ostart,Ican'
tvi
deocal
lyou
whi
leyouwear i
ngboxers,Ican'
tbel
iev
eyoudit
ched
us.
.
Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)st
opwhi
ningl
i
keabi
tch.
..
Awomanl
egsshowedont
hescr
een.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)ar
ethoseawomanl
egs?Iknewi
t.
..
Nhl
anhl
a-Idi
dn'
tknowy
oul
i
kedl
ongl
egs?
Mthoko-(
smiles)shutupy
out
oo,
Nxi
letmeget
dr
essed,bye.
..
Nhlanhl
a-y
oubet
terber
eady
,whenIconnecty
ou
again.
..
Mt
hoko-y
eah,
yeah.
..
Nel
ly
-(exci
ted)sayhi
tot
hewomanwi
tht
hel
ong
l
egs.
.

Theyl
augh.
..
.

LATER

LUNCHTI
ME.
..
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t101

Theyallcomeoutofthebapti
zi
ngceremony,maki
ng
conver
sationsast
heywalktowardst
heircar
s..
.

MrZul
u-i
sitl
uncht
omypl
ace?
MaSi
wela-(l
aughs)dr
eam onMageba,
Iam host
ing
t
hist
ime..

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

Ma'
Ncwane-wozanini
zodl
anat
hii
si
dlosasebusuku
(
comehavedinnerwit
hus)
MaSiwel
a-unf
ort
unat
elyIhav
etobeatt
hekhoza'
s
dur
ingdi
nnert
ime.
Mr
sZul
u-(
smi
l
es)wher
eist
hathusbandofy
our
s
v
ele?
MaSi wela-he'swithhi
sotherwife,hehadt
oassist
herwi t
hdi nnerprepar
ati
ons..
.(l
ooksatMatemaand
Moses)webet t
ermakeourwayt omyhouse,t
he
caterpeopl earewaiti
ngforus..
MrsZul
u-(
smi
l
es)wel
lMer
ryChr
ist
mas,
enj
oyand
besaf
e.
MrsGasa-whydon'
tyouguysj
oinusforthefami
l
y
outi
ngtomor
row?(LooksatMa'
Siwel
a)isthat
okay?.
..
MaSiwela-(shakesherhead)yamubonakeumuntu
omnyama, uy amumemey enaamemeabant ubakhe
naye(y
ouseehowabl ackper
sonis,y
ouinvi
teher
andsheinvitesherownpeople)

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Shaka-(
smi
l
es)
(shout
s)Si
mi
Shest
opsandsmi
l
esl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Simi-Idi
dn'
texpectt
oseey
ouher
e,wher
eyouher
e
thi
swholeti
me?
Shaka-(
shakeshi
shead)No,
Icamever
ylate,
Iwas
seat
edattheback,soy
oumarri
edt
oNelly
'sbrot
her
?
Simi
-(nods)y
eahunfor
tunat
ely
,uhmm hmm howdo
youknowmysi st
eri
nlaw?
Shaka-letmef
ormall
yint
roducemy
sel
f,(
shakesher
hand)thenameisShakaZulu.
.

Herey
eswi
denwi
thshock.
..

Si
mi-you'
reSbanibrother
?Whydidn'
tIseet
hat
?But
howcouldI?Yourskintonei
sli
ght.
Shaka-uhmm y eah,
soyoudeci
dedt
owor
kthi
ngs
outwithyourhusband?
Si
mi-(
looksdown)uhmm y
eah,
hei
sthef
atherof
mysonafteral
l
..
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
.

Simi-so,
hav eyoufi
nal
l
yhadthecour
agetoconf
ess
yourfeel
ingstothewomanyouweretel
l
ingme
about?
Shaka-(
laughs)nah,Iwassoclosebutitcouldrui
n
somanyr elat
ionshi
ps,Iam worki
ngonmov ing
for
ward.(Looksather)youlookbeaut
if
ulbyt he
way..
Si
mi-(
blushes)t
hanky
ou,
uhmm Ihav
etogo.
.
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)sayhi
tot
hel
i
ttl
eguyf
orme.
.
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)Iwi
l
l.
..

Shewasaboutt
oleav
ewhenhecal
l
edhername
agai
n..
.

Shaka-uhmm weshoul
dgooutforcoffeeorlunch
sometimes,
uhmm you'
rev
eryi
nterest
ingperson..
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)Iwoul
dli
ket
hat
..

Theybi
dfar
ewel
ltooneanot
her
..
..

Mbali
-Ishoul
dhavebeenNkany
ezi
'
sGodmot
her
,
she'
stoocutethi
sone.
.
Nell
y-(shakesherhead)Changi
yal
a(Ir
efuse)wena
youwillteachmybabygirlhowt
osuckdick,uy
igozi
(
y oudanger ous)

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

Zee-Iam sur
ethi
soneevenspi
tsonhersausages
thewaysheissousedonsucki
ngdick.
Mbal
i
-(l
aughs)don'
tst
artwena.
..

Nkany
ezi
smi
l
esl
ooki
ngatMbal
i
...
Mbal
i
-(smi
l
es)she'
sdef
ini
tel
yteam di
ck.
.

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Shaka-ni
khul
umangamandoda(
yout
alki
ngabout
men)
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?
..

Het
akesNkany
ezi
awayf
rom Mbal
i
...

Shaka-v
eryl
ate,
Isatatt
heback.(
LooksatZenande)
youokay?
Zee-(
nods)y
eah.
..
Mbali
-(l
ooksatt
hem)ar
ewemi
ssi
ngsomet
hing
her
e?
Shaka-kahl
ewenandabazabant
u..
.

Theyl
augh.
..
Sbani
wal
ksupt
othem.
..

Zee-nanguGi
ddy
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)noty
out
oo.
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksatNel
l
y)canwet
alk?
Shaka-(
looksatNel
l
y)mer
ryChr
ist
mas,
Iwi
l
lcal
l
you.
..

HehandsMbal i
Nkanyezi
andacknowl
edgeshi
s
brot
her,
hetakesZeehandandtheywal
ktowar
ds
thecar
s..
.

Mbal
i
-youwi
l
lfi
ndmenextt
omycar
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)okay
..

Shel
eav
es.
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)youmadatme?
Nel
l
y-(
fol
dsherar
ms)whatdoy
out
hink?
Sbani-(sighs)babe,
Iam sor
ry,
Ijustgothel
dupwi
th
otherthings.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(hol
dsherwai
st)comeonbabe,
please?
Nell
y-(
looksathim)Imissedyou,pl
usy oursonwas
act
ingup,notevenonetextorcal
ltoletmeknow
younotcoming,whatexactl
ywassoi mportant
?
Sbani-(
bri
ngsherclosertohi
m)Not hi
ng(baby
ki
ssesher)Idon'twanttofi
ght
,letbeangr
ylat
er,
ri
ghtnowIjustwanttospendti
mewi thmywoman
andkids,i
sthatokaywithyouMr sMe?

Heaskst hatasheleanscl
osertoherli
pswhile
ti
ckl
ingher,shetr
iedsohardholdi
ngherlaught
er
butshefail
edmiserably
.Hi
slipsfoundhersand
theybothdancedt
oget
her,t
hefami l
iari
tyofeach
other
'sscenthadt
hem f
orget
ti
ngt heywer eoutsi
de
achurchandinthepr
esenceoftheirfamil
ies.
..
.

Bl
esscl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
..
.

Sbani
-(br
oket
heki
ss)y
ini
?(What
?)
Bless-Iwouldli
ketoremindy outhatwesti
l
l at
churchandbot hyourfamil
i
esar ewatchi
ng,ascute
asNkany eziandNsikaare,Idon'
tthi
nkwewoul d
l
iketowi t
nessliv
ehowt heywer emade..

Nell
ytri
edt
omov
eawayf
rom Sbani
buthehel
dher
t
ightl
y.
..

Sbani
-letgobabe,
Iam dr
ivi
ngy
oubackhome.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ouj
oini
ngusf
orl
unch?
Sbani
-(squeezesherbuttcheek)uhmm noIam
havi
nglunchwi t
hmyf amilybutIwil
lfet
chy
oulat
er,
y
ouspendi
ngt
heni
ghtwi
thme.
Bl
ess-ai
n'
tyougoi
ngt
oSi
pho'
sChr
ist
masdi
nner
?
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)Nah,(l
aughs)t
houghI
wouldl
ov etobeafl
yathishouse.
..
Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)why
?
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Iwi
llt
ell
youallaboutl
ovewhenwe
haveourgossi
psessi
ont oni
ght
..

Theyal
ll
aughast
heymaket
hei
rwayt
othecar
s..
.

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..
.

Theywereall
seatedonalongvert
ical
tabl
efaci
ng
oneanot
her,thecat
ershadsetl
unchoutsi
dein
MaSiwel
a'sbackyard.
..
Mr
sGasa-(
looksar
ound)y
ouwental
lout
MaNxumal
o-(
smi
l
es)Iam notsur
pri
sed.
.
Bl
ess-Ithi
nkift
heplacel
ookedlessthanWhati
tis,
wewillal
lbequest
ioni
nghersanit
y..

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

MaSi
wela-Il
ovethef
inert
hingsi
nli
fe,
thatwhyI
woul
dhavenevermarri
edastri
ctmanli
kethi
s..
.

Shest
oppednoti
cingshewasaboutt
osay
somet
hingt
hatsheshouldn'
t
...

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)daddyDhasi
ttoughwi
thy
ouMa.
.
Moses-(
looksatNel
l
y)y
oucal
lDondad?
Nel
ly-uhmm notr
eal
l
ybuthe'
sbeenafat
hert
ome
soIguesssometi
mesIdocal
lhi
m dad.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mi
ssNdawor
a-so,
Nomv
elohowi
sitbei
ngadoct
or?
Nomvelo-(smil
es)thebest,Il
ovemyprofessi
on.
Knowi
ngt hatIsaveli
vesforaliv
ing,
cal
msmysoul
somehow..
MissNdawor
a-Iwant
edtobecomeadoct
ort
oo
whenIwasayounggi
rl.
.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)whatst
oppedy
ou?
Mi
ssNdawora-(l
ooksatMoses)uhmm backt
han
wedi
dn'
thav
et heopport
uni
ti
esthaty
ounowhave.
MaSiwela-whenIwasyoungIwantedtobea
housewife,
Iam ev
ensurpr
isedIgavebi
rt
htosmart
ki
ds,IthoughtIwi
l
lberai
singbl
ondesandsnobs.
.

Theyal
lbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Nhlanhl
a-wel
lyouki
nderdi
dgetasnobwi
th
Mthoko..
MaSi
wel
a-ohy
eahumf
undi
si(
thepast
or)
Lungi
ey-(
laughs)Mthokoi
sn'
tasnob,
he'
sjust
gentl
ebynature,
ver
ykindsoul
..
Simi-(
looksatLungi
ey)wel
lyouwoul
dknowhi
m
bett
erwouldn'
tyou?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mr
sGasa-(
smi
l
es)soNel
l
y,how'
spar
ent
ing?
Nel
ly-(
smiles)chall
engi
ngbutIam l
ear
ningdayby
day
,ithel
pst hatIhaveasuppor
ti
ngpart
ner.
MrsGasa-(
smil
es)y
ouwi l
lgett
her
e,y
ouv
eryl
ucky
t
ohavethatmanbyyoursi
de..
MissNdawora-andbythelooksoft
hings,
heai
n'
t
l
etti
ngyougoany t
imesoon..
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)Idon'
tthi
nkanyofusar
epl
anni
ngon
l
ett
inggoever.
..
Moses-It
hinky
ouwayoutofhi
sleague.
.
Bless-(l
ooksathi
m)It
hinkt
heyf
itper
fect
ly
together
..
.
Moses-he'
sjustno.
..
.

Noti
cingMosesf
ace,
MaSiwelaqui
cklyi
nter
rupt
s
hi
m befor
ehesai
danythi
ngaboutSbani
..
.

MaSi
wel
a-t
heboy
slookhandsome,
whatdot
heydo?
Nomvelo-Theyj
ustf
ini
shedMat
ri
c,wewai
ti
ngf
or
t
hei
rresult
snextmonth.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smil
es)wel
lIam sur
eyouguy
sdi
dwel
l
,you
l
ooksmar
t.
.
Moses-Iam sureBandil
edi
dwell
,andtheywi
ll
defi
nit
elyaccepthi
m att
heshar
ksacademy.He'
s
thebestatrugby.
Nell
y-(
impressed)soy
oupl
ayedatt
her
ugbyhi
gh
schoolsev
ens?
Bandi
l
e-(
smi
l
es)y
eah,
you'
ref
anofr
ugby
?
Nel
l
y-of
cour
se.
..
.(l
ooksatSandi
l
e)whatdoy
ou
wantt
odo?
Moses-whatdoesheknow?Al
lhedoesi
stal
kto
hi
mselfi
nsidehi
sroom.
Nomvelo-dad!
!!(
Sighs)Sandi
lei
sagr eatrapper
,he
per
for
medatt heMandel a46664concert.
..
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
ed)y
oudr
opbar
s..
Sandi
le-(
smil
es)def
ini
tel
y,Ihav
emyownr
ecor
ding
st
udioathome..
Zee-It
hinkweshoul
dst
artget
ti
ngy
ouraut
ogr
aphs

Theyal
ll
aughacceptf
orMoses.
..

ATZANDI
LE'
SHOUSE.
..

Thandeka-(
looksar
ound)chamuhl
eumuzi
wakho
oe(youhaveabeauti
fulhouse)
Zah-Thanks,
can'
ttaket
hecr
edi
t.I
tal
lthei
nter
ior
desi
gnerswork.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)butnawey
ouhav
est
yle.
..
Zah-wouldyoul
ikemetobr
ingy
ouany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
Jui
ce,wineorev
encoff
ee?
Thandeka-uhmm wi
nepl
ease.
.
Ma'
Ncwane-gr
eatchoice,
phel
aakukhonai
kasi
ster
Mar
iahl
ana,si
yabuhl
aba..
.

Shesay
sthatwal
ki
ngi
nsi
det
heki
tchen.
..
.

Thandeka-(
looksatZah)Ithi
nkbyt
heendofthe
ni
ght,yourmom andIwill
bebestoffr
iends
Ma'
Ncwane-(
laughs)Nj
e!!
!!
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)whatcanIhel
pwi
th?
Zah-uhmmm doy
ouknowhowt obake?It
hinkwe
coul
dusesomecrunchycooki
es.
.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)baki
ngi
soneofmyst
rengt
hs.
..
Ma'
Ncwane-Azi
sheke!
!!
Shesay
sthatt
hrowi
ngheranapr
on.
..

MaNcwane-(
whi
sper
s)f
orabl
ackgi
rl
,shesur
eisa
bl
ondeone.
Zah-(
laughs)Iam al
sosur
pri
sed,Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshe
wasthatdumb...

Theylaughast hewat
chThandekasl
aveawayinsi
de
thekit
chen.Siphoar
ri
veshometoget
herwithMrs
Zulu.HereyeswidenwhensheseesThandekai
nthe
kit
chenwithanapronon..
.

MrsZul
u-(
looksatZandi
le)am Imi
ssi
ngsomet
hing?
Whati
sshedoinghere?
Zah-ohIi
nvi
tedher
..
.
Mr
sZul
u-Idi
dn'
tknowy
out
wower
efr
iends.
Zah-wenotbutshe'
sSi
pho'
sfr
iend,
rightbabe?
(LooksatSi
pho)
Si
pho-(
clear
shi
sthr
oat
)uhmm j
eah.
..
Ma'
Ncwane-(
smi
l
es)wher
ear
etheki
dsandMrZul
u?
MrsZul
u-(
smil
es)wel
li
tjustustoday,hewasso
t
ir
edhedeci
dedtost
ayinwiththekids.
..

Theyl
aughast
heybot
hwal
ktot
heLoungear
ea.
..

Zah-l
etmegosett
het
abl
e..

Shekisseshischeekandleaveshim st
andi
ng.He
fr
ust
ratedlywalkstot
hekitchenwhereThandekai
s.
Hedragsherbyherar m outsi
de.
..

Si
pho-(
angr
y)(
gri
thi
steet
h)whatt
hef
uckThandeka?
Thandeka-(
remov
eshi
shand)whaty
ourpr
obl
em?
Sipho-uf
unani
lana?(Whatareyoudoingher
e?)Do
youwantmywi fetosuspectsomet
hing?
Thandeka-shewon'
thav
eany
thi
ngt
osuspecti
fyou
wouldjustchi
l
l.
Sipho-y
ouneedt
oleav
e,j
ustt
ell
hersomet
hing
cameup.
Thandeka-(
annoyed)Iwon'tdothat
,justsuckitup
andacceptthatmeandy ourwif
eareact ual
lygoing
tobefri
ends.

Heangr
il
ygr
abbedherar
m..
..

Si
pho-(
clenchedhi
steet
h)y
oul
eav
ing.
..
Thandeka-Fucky
ou!
!!
..
Si
pho-(
looksather
)Iam war
ningy
ouTee.
.
Thandeka-(annoyed)i
fyoudon'tgety
ourhandsoff
meIwi l
lscream soloudthatyourmom,motheri
n
l
awandwi f
ewi l
lcomingrunni
ngandy ouwil
lhav
eto
expl
ain,whyy oumanhandlingme?
Si
pho-(
looksather
)youwoul
dn'
t.
.
Thandeka-(
star
esdeadathi
m)t
ryme.
..
Hev i
olent
lypushedpasther
,cli
ckinghist
ongue.Hi
s
phonev i
brat
edinsi
dehispocket,hetooki
toutand
readthetextmessage.
..

"
Ineedy
ou"

Hedel
etedthemessageandwalkedtot
heliv
ing
r
oom whereZandi
l
ewasset t
ingthet
abl
e..

Si
pho-babe,
Iam headi
ngout
.
Zah-y
ounotj
oini
ngusf
ordi
nner
?
Si
pho-(
shakeshi
shead)nope,
Ican'
tl
ist
ent
oyou
womental
kaboutshoesandmakeup..
.

Shewalksuptohim andwr
apsherar
msaroundhi
s
neck,
makinghim hol
dontoherwai
st.
..

Zah-(
babyki
sseshi
m)wel
ldocomeback,
Ihav
ea
sur
pri
sef
ory
oul
ater
..
..
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)r
eal
l
y?Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ng?
Zah-Ican'
ttel
lyou(bi
tesherl
i
ps)buti
tsomet
hing
l
acy,si
lkandawhi p.
.

Hecoul
dfeel
hismemberget
ti
ngexci
ted.
..
.

Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)suddenl
yIdon'
twantt
oleav
e..
.
Zah-(
shakesherhead)no,
naughtyboy
,leav
eso
mamacanpr epar
easnackf ory
ou..

Shespankedhisbum andl
ickedherbott
om l
i
p.He
l
aughedenjoy
ingthi
ssideofhiswif
e..
.

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Thel
adi
eswer
eal
lseat
edar
oundt
het
abl
e..
.
MrsZul
u-ngi
zokhul
uphal
ami
nanamhl
anj
e(Iwi
l
l
gai
nweightt
oday)
Zah-(
laughs)i
tChr
ist
mas,
youal
l
owedt
oindul
ge
your
self
.
Thandeka-(
smiles)Iusedt
obecauti
ousofwhatI
eatbutnowIjusteatwhatIwant
..
Ma'Ncwane-goodforyoubaby,y
oulookl
i
keyou
hardl
ygainweight
..
.ThinakaNcwanewenat
ural
l
y
havebigbones,sowehav et
owatchhowmuchwe
eatandwhatweeat .
..

Theycar
ryontal
ki
ngabouteveryt
hingt
hatas
womentheycanrel
atet
oo,thatwasunti
l
MaNcwaneaskedthequest
ion..
.

MaNcwane-sol adi
es,
howdoy
oudeal
wit
ha
cheat
inghusband?.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
MrsZul
u-(
looksather
)isNcwanecheat
ingony
ou
si
si?
MaNcwane-( shakesherhead)ohno.Hewoul dn'
t
ev
ent hi
nkabouti t
.Backinthedayhecheatedon
me,Idon'tknowwher ehegotthebal
lstocheat
whenheknewv erywell
thatIwasanurse.
.
Thandeka-(
clear
edhert
hroat
)whatdoy
oumean?
MaNcwane-(l
aughs)
(l
ookatThandeka)awaziukut
hi
awufebi
nendodaenomfazi
oyi
nesi(don'
tyouknow
youdon'
tsl
eepwithamanwho'swifeisanurse?)
Thandeka-(
looksar
oundt
het
abl
e)whyi
sthat
?
Ma'
Ncwane-si
yaj
ovanasi
si!
!!

Theyal
lburstoutlaughi
ngwhil
eThandekachokes
onherdri
nk,makinghercoughuncont
roll
abl
y.
..

Ma'
Ncwane-gi
veherwat
er.
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
laughs)sowhatdi
dyoudot
othegi
rl
?
Ma'
Ncwane-Igav
eherher
pes.
.

Thandekacoughsev
enmoremaki
ngherexcuse
hersel
ffr
om thet
abl
e..
..

2hour
slat
er.
..
.

Zandil
eandThandekastoodoutsi
det hehouse
tal
kingtobothMrsZuluandMaNcwanewhower e
l
eav i
nggoingtotospendtheni
ghttogetheratt
he
Zuluresi
dence.
..

Ma'
Ncwane-(
looksatThandeka)itwasnice
meet
ingy
oubaby ,
Ihopetoseey ouagain..
MrsZul
u-st
aysafe,i
tthef
est
iveseasonpeopl
ear
e
dr
unkontheroads.
.

Theysharehugsandt
heywat
chast
heydr
iveout
theyar
d..
.
Zah-t
heseol
diest
alkt
oomuch.
.
Thandeka-(
laughs)theyal
otoff
un.
..Ngi
yabonga
Zandi
leIhadagr eatti
me..
Zah-sur
pri
singl
yIdi
dtoo.
.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)It
hinki
tti
meIl
eav
etoo.
..
Zah-uhmm bef
orey
oudo,
cany
ouhel
pmewi
th
somethi
ngfi
rst
?
Thandeka-j
eahsur
e..
.

Theywalkinsi
dethehouse,Zandil
epicksuptwo
bott
lesofwineandtheymaket hei
rwayt ot
heguest
bedroom.Shepouredhersel
fwine..
.

Zah-hav
esome.
.
Thandeka-umm Iam dr
ivi
ng.
.
Zah-don'
tbesuchabor ei
tChri
stmas..
.youcan
al
way sl
eaveyourcarbehi
ndandcalluber.
.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)y
our
ight
..
.

Shepouredhersel
fwinet
oo,Zandi
lecamebackwi
th
twoshoppingbagsfr
om Vict
ori
asecret
..
.

Zah-Ineedyoutohel
pmepi
cksomet
hingt
hat
Si
phomi ghtl
ike.
Thandeka-(
gulpsherwine)uhmm buthe'
syour
husband,It
hinkyouknowwhathel i
kesthemost.
Zah-(
rol
lseyes)yeah,
yeahbutIneedy
ouri
nput
,I
haveafeel
ingyouknowt oo.
.

Shest
ri
psandt
ri
esoutt
hef
ir
stone.
..

Zah-howi
sthi
s?
Thandeka-(l
ooksather
)uhmm, i
ttoosafe,y
ouneed
morestraps,Si
phImeanmanl i
kestrapsorstr
ings
andyouneedsomet hi
nglaceyt
oo..
..
Zandil
elooksather
,"t
hebit
chevenknowswhather
husbandli
kes"shet
houghttoher
sel
f.
..

Zah-(
smil
es)y
our
ight
..
.uhmm whydon'
tyout
ry
sometoo.
.
Thandeka-uhmm no,
no.
..
Zah-ohcomeon,
Iboughtpl
ent
y,i
twi
l
lbel
i
kedr
ess
up,pl
ease.
..
Thandeka-(
thi
nks)
..
..uhmm (
smi
l
es)Okay
,okay
...

Shej umpedexcit
edandst art
edstri
ppi
ngherclot
hes
offtoo, t
heyt
ri
edseverall
ingeri
eunti
ltheybot
h
foundt hemsel
vessat
isfi
edwi thwhatt
heybothhad
on..
.

Zah-l
ett
akepi
ctur
es.
.
Theyposedl
ooki
ngal
lsexy
..
.

Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)Iam hav
ingsomuchf
un.
..
Zah-met
oo.
..
.uhmm.
..Iwantt
oasky
ousomet
hing.
.
Thandeka-(
looksather
)whati
sit
?
Zah-uhmm y
ouknowIwantt
ogi
veSi
phot
hebest
Chri
stmaspr
esentev
er.
Thandeka-whatdoy
ouhav
einmi
nd?
Zah-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)i
tinv
olv
esy
ou.
.

Theybot
hst
areateachot
her
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-(
chokes)noway
..
..JesusNo.
.
Zah-pleaseIknowi
ttoomuchbutIcoul
dn'
tthi
nkof
abetterperson,
Ngi
yakucel
a(Pl
ease)
Shegotupf r
om thebedandpacedar oundtheroom,
shecouldn'tbeli
evewhatZandilewasaskingher.I
meani tcouldn'
tbethatbad,shehassleptwit
h
Siphobeforebutnowshewi llgettodoitwit
hhis
wifehere.At hr
eesome,doesshehav etheguttodo
i
t..
.

Thandeka-(
satdown)Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..
.
Zah-sayy
es.
.
Thandeka-hmm okay
...Okay
..
.

Zandi
l
esmi
l
edandgotup.
..

Zah-l
etsett
hemoodt
han.
..

Shetookadeepbr eathandremember edher

mother'
swords"revengeisbit
terbef
oreitsweet
",so
onelastbr
eath,
shepl acedherwineglassonthe
sideandwal kedt owardsthebedwher eThandeka
wasseat ed.Shet ookherwi neglassandpl acedi ton
thesideaswel l
,theybothl ookedateachot her,she
couldn'tbelieveshewasaboutt opl aceherlipson
thisbitch.Shet racedthetipofherf inger
sar ound
herchest ,gunningf orherbr east,withoutbreaking
theey econt actshel oweredherbodyt ohers,
pushingThandekat olayflatont hebed.Si t
tingon
topofher ,
shel ower edherselfevenmor eandher
l
ipsf oundher s,shecoul df eelThandeka'sbody
betrayingher ,r
ubbingherbr eastwithonehandwhi l
e
theot hertravel
eddownt oherv i
rgina..

Thandeka-(
sof
tvoi
ce)Zandi
l
e..
.

Shestoppedkissi
ngherandburiedherfaceonher
neckasshecount edt
othreeonherheadandher
fi
ngersfoundThandeka'
scli
t,makinghermoan
whil
eZandilet
riedver
yhardtosuppressthe
di
sgust.
..
Zandi
l
e-(
babyki
ssedher
)letgetr
eadyf
ordaddy
..
.

Shegotupfr
om herandleftThandekafeel
i
ng
fl
ashedont
hebed.Zandilerushedoutandwentt
o
herbedr
oom goi
ngstr
aighttothebathr
oom. .
.

Zah-(
disgust
ed)ew,
ew!
!!Ar
ghhh.
..
.

Aft
ershefinishedwashingormorel
ikescr
ubbi
ng
herhands,shegr abbedabot
tl
eofbabyoil
and
walkedbackt otheguestr
oom..
.

Zah-appl
ythi
s,wewantourski
nsmoot
handr
eady
..
.
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)If
eel
li
keat
eenageragai
n..
.
Zah-(
fakesmil
es)Iam aboutt
odi
sci
pli
net
hef
uck
outofyou.
..
Thandeka-i
sitwr
ongt
hatwhaty
ouj
ustsai
dtur
ns
meon...
Zah-(shakesherhead)youwi
l
lremembert
hisni
ght
fort
her estofy
ourli
fe.
..

Shesaidthatwi
nki
ngatherandwalki
ngoutthe
room.Onherwaytotheki
tchenshesentoneofthe
pict
urest
heytookwit
hThandekatoSipho.
..

I
mage
"
Happymeal
"

Sent
..
.

Wi
thi
njustsecondsSi
phocal
l
ed.
..

Zah-Mageba.
.
Si
pho-whati
sthi
s?Zandi
l
e?
Zah-comehomeandseeforyour
sel
f,don'
tkeepus
wait
ing,
wemightj
ustst
artt
ouchi
ngoursel
ves..
.
Si
pho-Fuckwhat
..
.

Shehangedupandcl
i
ckedhert
ongue.
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Theyhear
dacarpullupinthedr
iveway.They
l
ookedateachother
.Thandekasuddenl
yfel
t
nerv
ouswhil
eZandil
ecouldn'
twaitt
ogether
puni
shmentstar
ted.
..

Zah-l
etgowel
comeSant
a..

Shewalkedouttheroom,Thandekaf ol
lowed
nerv
ouslyaf
terher
.Siphogotinsidethehouseand
wasmetbybot hwomeni nnothingbutstri
ngson,
thel
aceleav
ingnothingt
ohisimagi nat
ion.
..
Zah-(seduct
ivel
y)shoul
dwest
artsi
ngi
ngj
i
ngl
e
bel
lsSanta?

Hegottongueti
ed,t
hesightwasjustt
oomuch,on
hisway,het
houghtwhenhegother ehewasgoing
toputastoptot
hisnonsensebutri
ghtnow,
bazookawastooexci
ted.
.

ZahheldThandeka' shandandt heywalkedtowar ds

wherehewasst anding.Shest art
edkissi
nghi m,
whichhehungr il
yresponded, aft
eraf ewseconds
shebroketheki ssandl ookedatThandeka, signali
ng
hertokissSipho.Shener vouslylookedatSipho,
wholookedbackather ,theybothslowlyleanedi n,
wit
hinsecondst heirli
pscrashedt ooneanot her.
Zandil
ecouldf eelherstomacht urnbutsheknew, i
t
wil
lallbeoversoon. .
.

Zah-whydon'
tyout
oogoupst ai
rst
otheguest
room,
haveSant
aheremoist
uri
zedandIwil
lbeupsoon
wit
hourtoys.
..
Them-t
oys?
Zah-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
whati
sChr
ist
maswi
thoutt
oys?
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)oh,
Igeti
t,Sant
a,t
oys.
.
Zah-exact
ly.
..

Shewat chedt hem ast hewentupt hestairsand

i
nsi detheguest room.Nowi twascr unchtime.She
wal kedtoherbedr oom, dr essedi nhersexyscr ubs,
ti
edherweav eint oabun.Gat heredhermedi calbag
wi t
hhernotf orgett i
ngherwhi p.Shequi cklywentt o
theki t
chen, grabbingt hecr ushedchi l
li
es,shewor e
hergl ovesandr ubbedt hem ont hewhipandl eather
belt.Aftershewasdone, shet ookabot tl
eofwat er
from thef r
idgeandpl acedi tinsidethemedi cal bag.
Shepour edf i
veshot sofv odkaandgul pedt hem
down.Taki ngonel astbr eath...

Zah-oper
ati
onkhi
phaubuf
ebe,
showt
ime.
.

Shepl
acedt
hebagandwhi
pandbel
tout
sidet
he
guest
room,sheent
eredt
her
oom andf
oundt
hem
spooni
ng.
..

Zah-st
art
edwi
thoutmehuh?
Si
pho-(smil
es)y
out
ookt
ool
ong,
Sant
awas
i
mpatient
..
.
Zah-(seduct
ivel
y)suchanaught
ySanta,
Ithinkyou
bothdeservetobepunishedbyt
hesexynurse..
.
Thandeka-ooohhh,
Ifeel
mybl
oodpr
essur
eri
si
ng.
..
Zah-(
smi
rks)t
oosoon.
..

Shebentundert
hebed,t
aki
ngthehi
ddent
wosetof
handcuff
sexposi
ngherbut
twholet
othebot
hof
them.
..

Si
pho-shi
t.
..

Zah-bad,
bad!
!!Youneedpuni
shment
..
.
Shet
hrewonesetofhandcuf
fst
oThandeka.
..

Zah-(
commanded)cuf
fhi
m..
.

Andsoshedidj
ustthat
.Zandi
lesatonhi
m and
st
art
edmovingbackandfort
hslowly
..
.

Si
pho-(
groans)f
uck!
!!

ShestoppedandturnedtoThandeka,theyst
arted
makingoutinf
rontofhi
m.Hewassof uckingturned
on,butwit
hhishandscuffedhecouldn'tt
ouch..
.

Zah-nowIneedt
ocuf
fyoubaddi
e..
..nur
seBet
tyon
amission.
..

Sheseduct
ivel
ylai
dhernextt
oSi
phoont
hebedand
cuff
edherhandst oo.Shesmi rkedandmov edfrom
them goingoutsideandr et
urningwit
ht hemedical
bagwi t
hher .Takingoutempt yneedlesandthe
bott
leofwat er,t
heywat chedasshef il
ledt
hewat er
i
nsidethet woneedl es.
..

Zah-nur
seBett
yisgoingt
ogi
vey
out
wobaddi
es
someloyal
inj
ecti
on.
..

Seeingthatitj
ustwat
ert
heyr
elaxed,butwhen
Zandil
ebentdownsheexchangedtheneedleswi
th
waterwiththeneedl
eswit
hAlpr
ostadildr
ug.
..

5mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Si
pho-(
feel
i
nghot
)somet
hingi
swr
ong
Thandeka-(
looksar
ound)whatgoi
ngon?

Zandi
l
ecamei
nsi
det
her
oom nowwear
ing
t
racksui
ts.
..
.

Thandeka-Zandi
l
e(l
ooksather
).
.
Zah-y outwot houghtyousmar thuh?Youthought
youhadev eryt
hingfi
guredoutandwenaSi pho,di
d
your eall
ythingIam thetypeofwomant ogiveyoua
threesome?I syourbrainfi
ll
edwithsomuchsper m
thaty oufai
ledtoevenseet hatI,
Zandil
e,y
ourwi f
e
willneverdosuchf i
lt
hyact .

Hetri
est
owiggl
ehimsel
foutbutthecuff
sare
pl
acedar
oundasteel
pol
e,whichhefail
edtosee.
..

Si
pho-(
angr
y)uncuf
fme.
.

Shel
aughedshaki
ngherhead.
..

Zah-Ihaveinj
ect
edbothofyouwit
hadrugcal
led
Alpost
radi
l,
itnor
mall
ycall
edtheEDdr
ug,usedby
most
lymenwhohav etroubl
esgetti
ngthei
rpenises
er
ect
.Butt
heoneIinjectedyouwithhasatwisttoit
.
Onei
til
l
egal
,twoi
tmi xedwithViagraandCi
alis.
..
.

Theybot
hlookather
,sher
oll
edherey
es.
..

Zah-letmeeducat eyoudummi es.WhatAl postradi

l
doeswhenov erdosedi sitcreateswhatwecal l
praipi
sm, whichiswhatwecal lapr ol
ongeder ecti
on.
Youknowhowwheny ourpeni sejaculates,your
bloodvesselsstayr elaxedev enthoughy ouno
l
ongerar ousedbuti nt hecaseofpr ai
pism, sincethe
dorsalvi
eni ssti
llconst r
ict
ed, t
heext rabloodf l
ow
staysinyourpenisi nsteadoff l
owi ngbackout ,when
thishappensallthatpentbl oodwi l
lmakey ourpenis
feelunusuall
yhard, swol l
enandv erypainful.
.

Siphocouldfeel
sweatrunningdownhi sbody ,
part
ofhim doesn'
twanttobeli
eveZandil
e, especi
all
y
si
ncehesawherdr awwaterfrom t
hebot tl
e,butthe
seri
ousnessfrom herf
ace,t
ell
shim, she'snot
pl
ayi
ng.
..

Thandeka-(
pani
cki
ng)what
..
.whataboutme?
Zah-(looksather )what 'saboutyounondidwa? ..
.
(l
aughs)ohy ouwantt oknowwhatwi ll
happent o
you?Ohwel l
itprettymucht hesamewi t
hy out oo.
Yourclit
ori
swi l
l startswelli
ngupandof coursei twi
l
l
bev er
ypainfulfory out oo,fory
ourcaseifprolonged
withoutbeingtreatedi tmightcausefi
brosis.
.
Thandeka-(
tear
y)y
ouev i
lwoman,
unguSat
an
onezi
pondouqobolwakhewena

Zandi
l
elaughedasshet
ookher"
imv
ubu"andhel
dit
i
nherhands..
.

Zah-Ni
nani
ngi
j
way
elakabi
..
..
.

ShegaveSiphoonewhipont
hesideofhist
igh,t
he
chi
ll
ionthe"i
mvubu"st
ungontheal
readyburni
ng
bodyofhi
s.Hecr
iedoutbeggi
nghernott
odot
his.
..

Zah-(
looksatThandeka)kuy
adl
i
wal
okhongaki
ni?

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t102

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE.
..

Aftergi
vingascreamingSi pho5whi ps,
shedragged
herdresserchai
randsatopposi tethem.Shecould
alr
eadyseet heeff
ectsoft hedrugslowlywor
king,
thesweatandst r
esslinesonherhusband, t
he
pokingnippl
esont hebitchnexttohim..
.

Si
pho-(
groans)
Zah,
stopt
his,
uzoboshwa.
.
Thandeka-(
squeezeshert
highs)Iam def
ini
tel
y
taki
ngyoutocourt.
.
Zah-(
smi
rks)Idon'
tthi
nkso.
..
Thandeka-(
try
stocontrolherbr
eat
hing)wat
chme
doit
,didyoureal
lyt
hinkyouwouldgetawaywit
h
whatyoudoing?
Zah-uhmmm letmesee.
.(pr
etendst
othi
nk)
..
.
act
uall
yyesandIwil
l
.

Thandekashutsherey
esforafewseconds,
suppressi
ngthepai
nfrom hert
hrobbi
ngswol
len
cl
it
..
..

Thandeka-y
oudel
usi
onal
..
Zah-( l
aughs) (
shakesherhead)Nobi tch,you'r
e
delusional.Doy outhi
nkIwoul dgothroughsuch
l
engt hsandnothav eeverytrackcov
er ed.(
Rolls
eyes)of courseIknewy ourdumbasswi llt
hreatent
o
sue,soIgotmy sel
fprepared..
.
Si
pho-(
looksather
)whatdoy
oumean?
Zandi
l
elaughsandl
ooksatherhusband.
..
.

Zah-( smiles)easyt her

eti
ger,don'
trui
nthismoment
byr ushingme. .
.(looksathishardst
anding
dick)(l
icksherlips)hmm thatl
ooksappetizi
ng,
don'
t
yout hinkhoe?( LooksatThandeka)

Thandekacl
i
ckshert
ongueandl
ookst
heot
her
way..
.

Zah-(smirks)nci
,nci
,nci
..
.arewefeeli
ngshy
?Li
ke
seri
ouslyukhophozel
aumt hondowendodayami
?
(Laughssarcasti
cal
ly
)youpatheti
c..
.

Shest
andsupf
rom herchai
rannoy
edandl
ooksat
them.
..

Zah-(
ser
iousf
ace)youknowwhatmaki ngmeangry
?
Noneofyouhasthoughtaboutapol
ogi
singt
ome,or
at
leasttr
yjust
ify
ingyourdirt
y,fi
l
thyacti
onsbutno,
i
nsteadwehav eanangr yhusbandandhismistr
ess
bl
ushingatthesightofhisharddick.
Ni
y angi
nyanyi
sa(youdisgustme)

Sheclickshertongueandwal ksouttheroom.
Siphoshut shi
sey es, t
hepainhewasf eeli
ngwas
nothi
nghehasev erf eltbef
ore.I
twaslikesomeone
deepfreezedhi serectpenis.Andthesightofa
nakedThandekanextt ohim wasn'
texactl
yhel
ping
thesit
uation..
.

Thandeka-weneedt
ogetoutofher
e..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-umfaziwakhouy
ahl
any
a,usangene(
your
wif
eiscrazy,she'
smad)
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Whenhedoesnotr espondt oher,shetur nsand

l
ooksathi m,fi
ndinghi ml ai
dnextt oher ,
wi t
hhis
eyesshut ,shecouldseet heamountofpai nhewas
feel
ing,itwasev i
dentt hathehadi tmor er oughthan
her.Sureherclitwasat hrobbingpainfulmessbuti t
wasqui temanageabl efornow, squeezinghert hi
ghs
togetherwashel pfulali
ttl
e.Shecoul dn'ti
magi nethe
painthathewasexper i
encingbutt heveinspopping
onhisf oreheadandpeni ssaidalot..
.

Thandeka-ar
eyouokay
?
Sipho-(
gri
thi
steet
h)(
annoy
ed)ucabangani
wena?
(Whatdoyouthi
nk?)
Thandeka-okaymay
bet
hatwasast
upi
dquest
iont
o
ask.
.
Si
pho-(
pissed)damnr
ighti
twas.
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..
Lunchwasasuccess,t
houghtheyweremoment
s
wherei
tbecameveryawkwardespeci
all
ywheni
t
cametoMosesandSandile.
..
.

Nel
ly
'sphonev
ibr
ated,
shewalkedawayf r
om t
he
cr
owdandwenttoamor equi
etplace.
..

Nel
l
y-hel
l
o..
Sbani
-ist
hathowweanswert
hephonenow?
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)
(smi
l
es)babe?

Shel
ooksatt
hescr
eenandi
ndeedi
thi
m..

Sbani
-Iam guessi
ngy
ouj
ustl
ookedaty
ourscr
een?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
yep,
whatup?
Sbani
-can'
tIcheckuponmywomannow?
Nel
l
y-wel
li
fthatt
hecase,
Iwoul
dhav
eyouknow
t
haty
ouar
esonotmi
ssedMrZul
u..
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)wooooo,
yourwor
dscutdeepmunt
u
wami.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)y
oust
il
lcomi
ngr
ight
?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-r
ight
?
Sbani
-uhmm babe,
Iwashopi
ng.
..
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)NO!
!!Idon'
twantt
oheari
t.
.
Sbani
-babeIpromi
set
omakeitupt
oyou,
Ijust
needtotakecar
eofaf
ewt
hings.
.
Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)l
i
kewhat
?Ar
eyoucheat
ingonme?
Sbani
-WHAT?
?!!of
cour
senot
,whywoul
dyouev
en
thi
nkthat
?
Nel
ly-Idon'
tknowy
out
ell
me?Youhav
ebeenv
ery
di
stancelat
ely
..
Sbani
-(f
rowns)andt
hef
ir
stt
hingt
hatpopsi
nyour
headi
sIam cheat
ing?
Nel
ly-(
annoyed)Idon'
tknow,
whyar
eyousuddenl
y
sosecret
ive?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)babe,
Idon'
twantt
ofi
ght
,look.
.
Nell
y-(
pissed)Noy oulook,
ify
oustil
lwantmeas
yourwoman, youbett
ergetyourassher
e..
.

Shefrust
rat
edl
ycutt
hecall,
takingafewdeep
breat
hstryi
ngt
ocalm her
selfdown.
..
.

Moses-Amanwi
l
lal
way
slety
oudown.
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandf
oundMosesst
andi
ngt
her
e
l
ooki
ngather
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
fakesmi
l
e)MrGasa
Moses-(
shakeshi
shead)It
houghtwespokeabout
t
heformali
ti
es,
cal
lmebabababy..
Nel
l
y-(
clear
sthr
oat
)uhmm okay
..
..
Moses-t
hatZul
uboyt
roubl
i
ngy
ou?
Nel
l
y-NoMrGauhm Imeanbaba.
.
Moses-whatIheardandy
ourf
acesay
sadi
ff
erent
st
ory,
comeont alktome.
.
Nel
ly-i
tnot
hingr
eal
l
y,j
ustami
sunder
standi
ngt
hat
al
l.
.

Mosesstar
esather
,thereisnothi
nghewishes
morethant
otel
lherthathe'sherf
ather
..
.

Moses-(
sighs)don'
ttaket
histhewrongwaybutI
f
eell
ikeyoudeservemore,Iknowyoucandobett
er
t
hanhim..
Nell
y-he'sever
ythi
ngandmor etome.Iknowfor
somer easonyoudon'tli
kehim butt
hatbecauseyou
bothhavestrongpersonali
ti
esandthatcancause
peopletoarguealot
,justl
ikeyouandSandil
e.
Moses-(
smi
rks)y
out
oosmar
t,swi
tchi
ngi
tupl
i
ke
t
hat
..
Nell
y-uhmm don'
ttakethi
sthewrongwayaswel
l
butwhydoy outr
eatyoursonl
ikethat
?Whycan'
t
youlethi
m behimself
?Whydoy ouwantt
oturnhi
m
tosomeonehe'snot?
Sandi
l
e-umoshai
skhat
hisakho?(
Youwast
ingy
our
ti
me)hewon'
tanswery
ou..
.

Sandi
l
esay
sthatwal
ki
ngf
rom behi
ndt
hem.
..

Sandi
le-(
looksatNel
l
y)"
Our
"fat
heri
sav
erysel
fi
sh
bas.
..
Moses-(
giv
eshi
m adeat
hst
are)wat
chy
ourmout
h
Boy
!!
!.
..
Sandi
l
e-uzokwenzani
baba?(
Whatar eyougoi
ngto
dodad?)Whatmorecanyoupossi
blysayordo?
Moses-y
ousee?(LooksatNelly
)thi
sisexact
lywhy
hewil
lal
way
sf al
lshortoutofal
lmychil
dren.
.
Nel
lygaspsholdinghermouth,shecoul
dseethe
hur
tvisibl
einSandil
e'
sfacebuthequickl
ymaskedi
t
wit
har r
ogance.
..

Sandi
le-Iguessthedi
ff
erencebet
weenmeandmy
si
bli
ngsis,Iact
uall
ydonotgiveaFuck.
..

Withoutwarni
ngMosesf i
stlandedonSandil
e'
slef
t
cheek,makinghim st
ambl ebackandcausingNell
y
toscream ali
tt
le,
aler
tingeveryone.
..

Nelly
-(l
ooksatMosesindisbel
ief
)he'
saki
d,y
oung,
rebel
li
ous,onet
hatcr
yingoutforyout
oseehi
m,
acknowledgehi
m..
.

Shestepst
owar
dsSandi
l
eandt r
ieshel
pingbut
Sandi
l
ewalksaway
,bumpingi
ntoBlessshoul
der.
..

Bl
ess-wooo,
wat
chi
tbr
other
,wai
tist
hatbl
ood?
ButSandi
ledoesn'
tst
op,
hef
rust
rat
edl
yrushesout
theyar
d..
.

Bl
ess-(
looksatMoses)car
etoexpl
ain?
Moses-(
pissed)Idon'
thav
eti
mef
orSandi
l
e'sBS.
.
Bless-(
cli
ckshistongue)whyam Inotsur
pri
sed?
Whendoy ouactual
lyhaveti
meforanyofyourki
ds?
"MrIsavet heworl
d",whoissav
ingyourson?
Bandi
l
e-Dad?
yousti
l
lhere?whatgoi
ngon?Ijust
sawSandi
ler
ushi
ngoutofhere,
helookedangry
..
Moses-notnowson.
.
Mvel
o-(annoyed)Ican'
tbel
ieveyoudad,
yourf
ist
r
eall
y?Whatifyoubrokehisjaws?
Bandi
le-(
eyesopen)y
oupunchedhi
m?(
Looksat
Moses)
Nel
l
y-(
looksatt
hem)Iam goi
ngt
osear
chf
orhi
m..
Bandi
l
e-Iam comi
ngt
oo.
.
Bl
ess-i
tnotsaf
e,i
tlat
e..
.
Nel
l
y-exact
ly,
hecan'
tbewander
ingar
oundal
one.
.
Bl
ess-okay
,Iam comi
ngt
oo.
.
Mv
elo-wai
tforme.
.

Theyallrushoutl
eavi
ngMosesst andi
ngalone.He
walksinsidet
hehouseandfindsZenandeclear
ing
out.Feel
ingsomeone'
spresenceshestopsand
l
ooksatt hedoor.
..

Zee-uhmm MrGasa.
.
Moses-(
smi
l
es)uhmm Zi
nhl
eri
ght
?
Zee-(
smi
l
es)No,
itZenande.
.
Moses-ohfor
giv
eme,Iam get
ti
ngol
d.(
Looksather)
youlooksomuchli
keMat
hoandmydaughteri
tvery
scar
y .
.

Theybot
hlaugh.
..
Zee-It
houghtal
ltheol
diesl
eft
?
Moses-(
chuckl
es)i
sthatwhatwear
ehuh?Ol
dies?
Zee-(
laughs)uhmm may
benot
..
Moses-(
smiles)Iwashopi
ngIsaygoodby
etomy
gr
andchi
ldr
en..
Zee-uhmm okay,Nsi
kai
salreadyasl
eepbut
Nkanyezi
isverymuchawake,Icantakey
outo
them..
Moses-l
eadt
heway
..
.

Shewal
ksupst
air
swi
thMosesf
oll
owi
ngher
..
..

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Sbani
'scarpar
ksi
nsi
det
hey
ard,
hewal
ksoutt
he
car
,shockedas
whythegat
ewaslef
topenl i
kethi
s,Tobi
isnowhere
t
obeseenaswel
l.Thereisn'
ttoomuchnoise.When
Mosesmenseehim,theystophim.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
m)whatt
hef
uck?
Man-si
rIcannotl
ety
oupasswi
thoutcl
ear
ance.
.
Sbani-(
rai
sesabrow)clear
ance?Thef
uck!
!!
Clear
ancefrom who?Justmoveoutmyway.
Man-sirpl
easedon'
tmaket
hishar
d,j
ustwai
twhi
l
eI
getcl
earance.
.
Sbani-(l
aughsindi
sbel
ief
)Iam r
eall
yhavi
ngabad
night
,ifyouknowwhatgoodforyou,youwi
ll
move
yourassoutmyway ..
Man2-Iwi
l
lhaveyouwarnedt
hatf
ight
ingmy
col
l
eaguewil
lbeabadideasi
r.
.

Sbaniseestheot
hermanr
eachi
ngf
oragun,he
shakeshishead.
..
Sbani
-(pi
ssed)bunchofbi
tches.
..
.
Man1-excuseme?
Sbani-(
giveshimthedeathst
are)wel
lar
eyou
gett
ingyourclear
anceformetoseemyown
chi
ldrenandgirl
fri
endoryougoi
ngtohaveyourugl
y
assstareatmet hewholeni
ght?
Man2-chi
l
dren?(Looksatman1)
yout
heguyt
hat
waswitht
hey oungmiss?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)whatdoy
ouasshol
est
hink?

TheybothlookateachotherandthanlookatSbani
,
recogni
zingt
hatiti
ndeedhim,theyfeelsomewhat
stupi
d..
.

Sbani
-whenyoufi
nishhav
ingy
ourli
ghtbul
b
moment,canIgoseemyfamil
y..
Man2-weapol
ogi
zesi
r,i
tjustyourcl
othi
ng(
looksat
hi
m)wehadahardti
mer ecognizi
ngyou.
.
Sbani
-(cl
i
ckedhi
stongue)y
eahwhat
ever
..
.
Hef
rust
rat
edl
ywal
kspastt
hem.
..
..

Sbani
-ohf
uckno!
!!Yougott
obeki
ddi
ngme.
.

Hesaysthatwhenhi
sey
esl
andonMosescar
ryi
ng
hi
sdaughter.
..

Moses-(
looksathi
m)youl
ookl
i
key
ouj
ustcame
f
rom di
ggingagrav
e.
Sbani
-yeah,
onewhi
chIpl
ant
obur
yyourasson,
gi
vememydaughter?
Moses-ser
iousl
y??Hav
eyoul
ookedaty
our
sel
f?

Beforehecoul daskaboutwher eever

yoneis,Nel
l
y
walksinsideherroom, shockedtoseeMoseswith
Nkanyezi butevenmor eshockedtoseeSbani
l
ookinglikeagr avedi
gger .Hehadonblue
municipali
tyoveral
ls,
theywer esodir
ty.
..
Nel
l
y-(
looksatSbani
)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)packupandl
etgo.
.
Nel
l
y-excuseme?(
Fol
dsherar
ms)
Sbani-y
ouf ucki
ngwant
edmeher e,nowIam.Now
packup,youknowwhatdon'tpack,
theki
dshave
extr
aclothesinmyhouse,
letgo.
.
Moses-Idon'
tl
ikey
ourt
oneboy
,Idon'
tthi
nkshe
doestoo.
.
Sbani
-(i
rr
it
ated)yeahIam sur
ethe"
fat
heroft
he
year
"awardwillgotoyou.
..

Sbanil
ooksatNell
ywit
hthe"
whatt
hef
uckar
eyou
wait
ingforl
ook?
"..
..

Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)Idon'
tappr
eci
ate(
looksatMoses)
..

Notwant
ingt
ofi
ghti
nfr
ontofhi
m,t
hemanal
ready
doesn'
tli
keSbani ,
notthati
tmatter
swhetherhe
l
ikeshim ornotbutsheneverwantstogi
vepeople
powertoscruti
nizeorhaveopi
nionsabouther
rel
ati
onship.
..

Bef
oreshecantal
k,Blessi
ngt
ogetherwi
thNomvelo
wal
kin,t
hei
reyeslandonSbani,
Blessgi
veshi
mt he
l
ook..
.

Nomv
elo-(
looksatSbani
)Jesusy
oul
ookr
eal
l
ybad.
.
Bl
ess-whendi
dyougether
e?
Sbani
-notsol
ongago?Wher
ewer
eyouguy
s?
Mvelo-l
ongstor
ybutIam sur
ey ourwomanherewil
l
updateyou.(
Smil
es)wel
lpeopleIthi
nkwehaveto
cal
litanight
Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
swat
ch)i
tact
ual
l
year
lyhour
sof
themorni
ng.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksatSbani
)ar
eyouser
ious?
Henods,shewal
ksandt
akesNkany
ezi
from
Moses.
..

Nel
l
y-Ineedt
oputt
hisonet
osl
eep.
..
Mv
elo-dad?Letgo.
.

MoseskissesNkanyezi
foreheadandgi
vesSbani
a
l
ookbeforehewalksouttheroom..
.

Sbani
-Ir
eal
l
ydon'
tl
iket
hatman.
..

Nomv
elobi
dsf
arewel
ltoev
ery
oneandl
eav
est
oo.
..

Sbani
-ar
eyoual
sol
eav
ing?
Bl
ess-(
shakeshead)nah,Iam sl
eepingher
e,Bonol
o
i
swithmymom, Idon'tf
eelli
kedri
vingthi
slat
e.
Sbani
-(l
ooksatNel
l
y)ar
eyoul
eav
ingwi
thmeor
what?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)i
tlat
e,t
her
oadsar
efi
l
ledwi
thdr
unk
people.
Sbani
-okay
,seey
oui
nthemor
ning.
.

Nel
l
y'sey
eswi
den.
..

Nel
l
y-(
ir
ri
tat
ed)r
eal
l
y??
?..
.

Shecl
ickshertongueandwal
ksoutt
her
oom,
l
eavi
ngt hem l
ooki
ngateachot
her
..

Bl
ess-(
laughs)y
oumusthav
eadeat
hwi
sh.
.
Sbani-(
brusheshi
sface)
Iwast
ryi
ngt
odi
g"her
"out
toni
ght.
..
.

Bl
essbodystif
fen,theybothl
ookateachot
hernot
br
eaki
ngthestare,Iguesshewasn'
treadyf
orwhat
hi
sbestfr
iendjustsaid.
..
.
I
nsi
deMosesSUV.
..

Moses-Rememberi askedyoutol
ookint
o
Sbani
sezweZulu,It
hinkitt
imeyougaveme
ever
ythi
ngthatyoufoundaboutt
hatZul
uboy.
Man2-y
essi
r.
.
Moses-(
looksatMan1)Iwanty
out ogotoHQand
l
ookint
oev er
ycamerawehaveinthecit
y,Iwantt
o
knowwhereexact
lyt
hatboywastonight
..
Man1-y
esboss.
..
Moses-(
smi
rks)Iam comi
ngf
ory
ouZul
u..
.

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE

Theyhav ebeensit
ti
nghereforhour
sinthemost
excruciat
ingpai
nthatt
heybothhaveeverfel
t.They
haven'tseenZandi
leev
ersinceshelef
ttheroom...
Thandeka-(sni
ff
s)ohmygod,
Ican'
ttaket
his
anymore..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-(
shout
s)ZANDI
LE!
!!
!!
!!
!ZANDI
LE!
!!
!!
!!
!

ShelooksatSi phonextt
oherwhoissowetf rom al
l
thesweat,hisdarkskint
onehasturnedashadeof
navyorisitgreenormayberedbuty oucouldsee
he'sr
eall
ygoi ngthr
oughthemost.Shet r
iestohave
herbodymov eupwardssoshecanbel ai
dont opof
him..

Si
pho-(
angr
y)WHATTHEFUCKAREYOUDOI
NG?
Thandeka-Iam t
ryi
ngt
ohel
pyououther
e,t
ohel
p
usboth..
.
Si
pho-BYSI
TTI
NGONMYDI
CK?
Thandeka-(annoyed)Idon'
tknowokay,butmay
bei
t
willeasethepai
n.Shedidgiveusadrugwith
Viagra..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-It
hinkweshoul
djustdoi
t.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t103

Twoday
slat
er.
..

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS

Nomusawassit
ti
ngaloneout
side,
star
ri
ngi
nto
not
hingbutt
hehi
ll
s..
..
Gogo-Musa!
!

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Gogo-Musa!
!!
!

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Gogo-MUSA!
!!
!!
!

Shesnapsoutofhert houghtsandturnsseei
ngher
grandmot
herstandingbehindherwithherhands
pl
acedonherwai ststarr
ingather
..
.

Nomusa-(
clear
shert
hroat
)(whi
sper
s)Gogo
Gogo-(si
ghs)kwenz
akal
aningawemtanami?Sol
oke
ubukekaudumelenj
e.(
Whathappeni
ngwithyoumy
chi
ld?You'
vebeendepr
essed)
Nomusa-(
looksdown)l
uthoGogo(
not
hingGogo)

Hergrandmother'
swal
ksandsit
snexttoher,she
takesherhandint
oher
sandlooksatherdi
rectl
yto
hereyes.
..

Gogo-(smi
l
es)y
ouhav
eal
way
sbeenabadl
i
army
chi
ld.
.

Nomusa'sey eswiden,shockedhear
ingher
grandmotherspeakEngl i
shbutmoreshockedat
howexcellentandfluentshespokei
t,j
ustl
ikeBl
ess
si
ster,
Nelly.
..

Nomusa-y
ou.
.uy
a..
.
Gogo-(smil
es)ngiyazi
unemi buzoemini
ngikodwa
asiqal
engawe(Iknowy ouhav equesti
onsbutlet
startwi
thyou)t
hanIpr omi setotel
lyouastoryof
whyIspeakEnglishsof luent
ly.
Nomusa-okay ..
.nginov aloukuthimhlampei phupho
l
ami l
okufundangekel enzeke,uBabangi yamubona
ukuthiakayizwakahl elent oyami y
okuyaeThekwi ni
ngiyofunda,nalaphaBl e..unomzaneNdawor aakaze
afone.(Iam ner v
oust hatmydr eam ofstudyingwil
l
nothappen, Icanseedadi snotconv i
ncedont he
i
deaofmegoi ngt oDur banandst udyi
ng, Mr
Ndawor aont heot herhandhasnotcal led).

Hergrandmotherstar
esatherbutNomusaqui ckl
y
di
vertshereyessomewhereelse,
afrai
dher
gr
andmot herwil
lseeri
ghtt
hroughher.Gogosmi l
es
l
ookingatNomusaknowi ngexactl
ywhatthereal
i
ssueis..
.

Gogo-(l
ooksatthehi
l
ls)t
heywereher
einourvi
l
lage
tobui
ld"Ndl
adlamapri
maryschool
"whenIf
ir
stmet
him(smil
es).
..
Nomusa-(
looksatGogo)wheny
ouf
ir
stmetwho?
Gogo-(
rol
l
seyes)l
alel
aNomusa(
li
stenNomusa)
,I
am t
ell
i
ngyouastor
y .
Gogo-asIwassay i
ng, t
heywer eheret obui l
dt he
vil
lagefirstschool,wor dar oundt hev il
lagespr ead
thatamabhunu( Afr
ikaneer s)ar ehere, of
cour set hi
s
wasanewexper i
encet oev eryonearoundher e, you
onlygotachancet oseepeopl eofcol orwheny ou
wentt otheci t
y ,
plusAf rikaneer swerepopul ar
becauseoft heApar thei
dr egime,whi chwasst i
ll
verymuchal iv
ear oundt hatt ime.OnedayIwasby
theriverfetchingwat erwhenIsawt hem, myf ather
alway stoldmet or unwhenev erIcameacr oss
amabhunuorwhi t
epeopl esowhenmyey esmethi s,
Iwascapt i
vatedbyt hei ntensi t
yinthem butI
snappedoutofi twhent heot hertwomenhewas
withsawme.( Laughed)Il ef tmybuckett hereand
ranf ormyl i
fe,Icouldheart hem laughatmebutI
didn'tst
op. .
Nomusa-(l
aughs)kwasekwenzakal
ani
?(What
happenedaf
ter
?)
Gogo-(smil
es)It
oldmyfatherandsoheandaf ew
vi
ll
agemenwentt otheri
vertogetwaterformy
housebecausehedidn'
twantmegoi ngbackthere.
Latert
hatni
ghtIwaswashingtheplatesweusedt o
eatdinneroutside,mypar enthadal r
eadygonet o
theirr
ondav elt
osl eep.Ahandcov er
edmymout h,
theotherhandwr appedar oundmywai standcar r
ied
mebehi ndoneoft her ondav el
s,Iwasscaredand
shiveri
ng,myhear twaspoundi ng.Heplacedme
downbuthi sonehandst i
l
l coveri
ngmymout h,
he
spokehi sEngli
sh, ofcourseIdi dn'
tunderstanda
thi
ng, butitwashisey est hattoldmet hathewas
diff
erentfrom hispeopl e.Her eachedforhispocket
andhandedmeanot e.Hesmi ledatmeandI
watchedhi m disappeari ntothenight.
.
Nomusa-(smil
es)y
ayi
thi
nii
ncwadi
Gogo(
Whatdi
d
t
helet
tersay?
)
Gogo-(smil
es)i
twasn'tr
eall
yalett
erbuthehad
someonewr i
tei
tinisi
Zul
u,wayefunaukuthi
ngimubonengosukuolul
andel
ayoemf ulweni(
he
wantedmet omeetupwi t
hhimthef ol
lowingdayby
theri
ver)
Nomusa-di
dyougo?
Gogo-(
shakesherhead)NO!!
!Myfatherhadi
nsti
ll
ed
howbrut
alamabhunuwer e,
youhavetounder
stand
asmesmer
izi
nghi
sey
eswer
ebutIcoul
dn'
ttr
ust
hi
m..
Nomusa-whatdoes"
mesmer
izi
ng"meanGogo?
Gogo-itmeans"ukuchazeka"
,wheny oudrawnt o
something.Don'
tworrywhenyougett oDurbany ou
wil
lknowwhatal lt
hebigwordsmean.( Smiles)your
curi
ousnessremindsmeofmyy oungerself
, Iwas
l
ikeyou.
Nomusa-(
smiles)sowheny
oudi
dn'
tmeetupwi
th
hi
m,whathappened?
Gogo-( smi les)justlikehesneakeduponmet he
prev i
ousni ght,hedi dthesameont hef oll
owing
daysper suingme, unti
lIfi
nall
ygavei n.Myf ather
all
owedmet ogobackt omydut yoffetchingwat er
byt her iverandt hatwherewewoul dmeet .I
tcrazy
howIdi dn'tunder standasinglewordhespokebut
whatIf eltwhenIwaswi t
hhim wasmor epower f
ul
thanact ual wordsspoken, j
ustonelooki ntohisey es
Iknewwhathewassay i
ngandsodi dhe.Thathow
wef oundt hespotwhi chyoulikeverymucht ohide
at,byt her iver,t
hatwher eweal sohidour sel
ves,we
woul dst ayineachother'
sar msthewhol eday
withoutsay inganyt
hing,justhappytobei nt
he
presenceofeachot her.Hecouldn'tstayi
nour
vi
llagef orlongbecausehewasj usttheQuanti
ty
Sur v
ey erperson,whenheneededt ogobackt othe
ci
ty ,heaskedmet ogowi thhim...
Nomusa-(
looksatGogo)wav
uma?(
Didy
ouagr
ee?
)
Gogo-(shakesherhead)No,
Icoul
dn'
tl
eav
emy
fami
ly.
Nomusa-(
sad)kwaphel
akanj
alonj
e?(
Thathowi
t
ended?
)
Gogo-emv akwemi nyakaemithathu(afterthree
years)myfathermar riedmeof ftoyourgr andfat
her
butIwassor ebell
i
ous, t
hedaymymot hertookme
toeThekwinit obuyadr essformyweddi ng,Hesaw
me, hewaswi t
hanotherwhi t
egirlwhichwashi s
girl
fr
iendatthet i
mebuthemanagedt ogetme
alone,heaskedmet ost aywit
hhim, Iagreed
becauseIdidn'tloveyourgrandfather.ThathowI
ranawayf r
om home.
Nomusa-(
shocked)
(conf
used)buty
oumar
ri
ed
mkhul
u?
Gogo-( sighs)( nods)ev erhear dofst arcrossed
l
ov ers?Thatwasus.Asbeaut i
f ulandf i
reburning
ourlov ewas, wewer etwodi ff
er entpeopl e,al
otwas
againstus, ev ent hecount ry'slawwasagai nstus.
Ouruni onwasacr i
me.Thet woy ear swestay ed
togetherwer et hemostbeaut i
ful twoy earsofmy
entir
eexi stencebuthi sf amilyf oundusand
threatenedme, wet ookt hem light l
y ,(l
ooksdown)
theyhadmyf at herf ir
edf r
om themi nes,whenwe
didn'tst op,theyhadhi m ki l
led.Butt helaststraw
waswhent heypushedouroney earsont othepool
andhedr owned.( Teary )Theysai di twasan
ancidentbutIknewwhatt heyhaddone, whenI
comf ront edt hem, itjustshowedhow" invi
sibl
e"I
wast ot hem.Theyhadt hepowerandIwasnot hing
butabl ackiet aki ngchances.( Sni ffs)Af t
erthedeat h
ofoursonIpackedmybagsandcamebackhome
butmymot herdi dn'twantme, shebl amedmef or
myf at her'sdeat h..
.
Nomusa-(
tear
y)wher
edi
dyougo?
Gogo-wel
ltr
adi
ti
onal
l
yIwasal
readymar
ri
ed
becausey ourgrandfather'
sfamil
yhadal readypaid
l
obol a, soIwentt omyhusband'shome, hehad
takenanot herwifebuttheycoul
dn'tchasemeout ,
tradit
iondi dn'
tallowthem soIwasbui l
tar ondavel
whi chIwer etostayi
nandt hathowmyl i
fewi t
hyour
grandf atherbegin.
Nomusa-(
sad)di
dyouev
erseehi
m agai
n?
Gogo-" Al f
red"thatwashi snameandNo, Inever
sawhi m agai n,Ididn'twantt oo.(Sighs)y ourfather
beingr eluctantony oul eavingisallbecausehe
hear dstoriesabouthowI ,hismotherr anawayf rom
home, conspiredwi t
hamabhunuwhol aterkil
ledmy
fatherandnotf orgettingthatI"bit
ched"ar oundin
theci t
yandwhent hewhi t
emanki ckedmeoutI
camebackwi t
hnot hing.Hedoesn' twanty ou
repeatingmypast ,him andy ourgrandf at
herhav e
wor kedhar dinbui l
dingt heThusi name.
Nomusa-(l
ooksdown)ti
meshav echangedkodwa
Gogo,BabaisaNdunaofthev
il
lage,It
rusthe
knowsbett
er.
Gogo-(
brushesherhand)hedoesbuty
ouhi
s
previousdaught er,akafuniudlalweabaf anaMusa,
uBabawakhoukuf unelaimpi l
oengconokodwa
uyazi ukuthiukuzelokhokwenzekekumel e
akudedel euboneumhl aba( hedoesn'twanty outo
bepl ayedbyboy s, yourfatherwant syout ohavea
betterli
febutheal soknowsf orthatt
ohappenhe
hast olety ouexplorethewor ld)andt hatthehardest
partforhim, givi
ngy ouy ourwi ngs,l
etti
ngy ougo..
.
Nomusa-( pout
s)uBabakumel eanget
hembe,
athembezonkei zi
fundi
soangini
kezona(dadneeds
totrustme,tr
ustintheli
fel
essonshegaveme).
Gogo-(l
ooksather)Iprayyourwi
ngsfl
yy ouinthe
corr
ectdi
rect
ionbaby.IhopeMrNdawor atreat
syou
thewayinwhichyoudeservetobetr
eated..

Nomusawi denhereyesl
ooki
ngathersmir
king
gr
andmother"howdidsheknow?"
,feel
i
ngtheheat
onhercheeks,shel
ookstheot
herway..
.

Gogo-(smil
es)ohyes,
ImaybeoldbutIam not
st
upid.Ubukekaemudalakodwa(
hel
ooksold,but
)I
foroneknowt hatloveknowsnoage, race,gender .
Musaasdr awny ouar et othatman, don'tfor
gety our
purpose,yougoi ngtot hecitytochangey ourl
ife,
youluckythatlov easmadei twayt oy oubutthat
manl ookslikeheadmi resindependentwoman, Iam
notsurpri
sedhei nsi
stedonhav i
ngy oueducat ed, i
t
raretofi
ndmenl ikethat .Remembery ourpur pose
always..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.

Moses-(
angr
y)WHYDI
DYOUNOTALLOW METO
TELLOURDAUGHTERTHETRUTH?
MaSiwel
a-yousawhowdi st
anceshewasatthe
f
amilyout
ing,di
dyoureal
l
ywantt obr
eaksuchnews
whenshe'
sclearl
ygoi
ngthroughsomethi
ng?
Moses-IDON'
TGI
VEAFUCKTHATHERANDTHAT
I
DIOTAREFIGHTI
NG,IDON'
TTHI
NKHE'
SGOOD
FORHERANYWAYS..
MaSi
wel
a-(
rol
l
sey
es)wel
ltoughbecauset
hati
diot
cl
ear
lydomi
nat
esy
ourdaught
ershear
t.
.
Moses-(
cli
ckshi
stongue)Notf
orl
ong.
..
MaSi
wela-(
staresathim)whatdoyoumeannotfor
l
ong?(
Laughssar cast
ical
l
y)y
ouhavenoideahow
muchNell
yisintoGideondoyou?
Moses-IDON'TGIVEAFUCK, HE'
SATHUGINA
SUIT.(
Looksather)Iam t
ell
i
ngmydaught
ertoday
,
younotstoppi
ngme.
MaSiwela-(
thr
owsherhandsi
ntheair
)FI
NE!!
!!GO
AHEADANDJUSTBLURTI TOUTandseejusthow
thatwi
l
lwor koutf
ory
oubighead.
..
Moses-Iam ti
redpl
ayingbyyourrul
esMat ho,y
ou
Clearydonotwantmei nherl
if
e.NELLYNEEDSTO
KNOW IAM HER" FATHER",she'
sbloodycall
s
anotherman"dad"whenIAM RIGHTHERE. .

Theyhearavasebr eak,
itshutter
sonthefl
oorby
thepassagenexttoMaSi wel
a'sroom.Shewalks
andstandsbythedoorandf indsZenande,
before
shecouldspeak,shehearsacarspeedingoutthe
y
ard.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
hear
tpoundi
ng)She.
..
.She.
..

ZenandenodsatMaSi
wel
a,Mosescomest
ovi
ewby
thedooral
so.
..

MaSiwel
a-(gi
veshi
m adeat
hst
are)congr
ulat
ions,
I
hopeyouhappynow..
.

Shel
eav
eshi
m st
andi
ngt
her
e..
..

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE

Zandi
l
ewasont
hephone.
..
.

Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)y
oudi
dwhat
!!
!Youl
i
e..
.
Zah-(
laughs)ngi
yakut
shel
awena(Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou)
hehasn'tl
eftt
hehouseatall
.
Ntombi-(
laughs)yhoooZah!!
!Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouhadi
t
i
ny ou.WhereisThandeka?
Zah-mxm loy
onondidwa( Thathoe)shel
eftthe
ver
ynextmorning,
afterIt
reat
edthem Imadehim
dri
veherhomesot heycouldt
hinkaboutwhatthey
haddone.
Ntombi-hehehe(
clapsonce)hambaZah,
remi
ndme
nevert
omesswi thyouever.
.
Zah-(
laughs)yourexhusbandhel
pmegett
hedr
ugs,
hewasgr eathel
p..
Ntombi
-Sbani
hasalway
sbeensavage.
..
.sowhat
doest
hismeanfory
ourmar
riage?
Zah-well
theidi
oti
signor
ingmef
ornowbutI
expect
edit.
.
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)
(smi
les)y
oumademydaysi
si,
t
hankyouforcal
li
ngme.
Zah-(
smil
es)ImustsayImissedyou,
sayhit
o
Noma.Iki
ndofmisshernaughti
ness,
canIspeakt
o
her
?
Ntombi-uhmm she'
s..
.uhm shewentwit
hmysi st
er
t
ot heshoppi
ngcenter
.Iwil
ltel
lheraunt
iesai
dhi.
..
.
Zah-(
smi
l
es)dot
hat
..
..Ihav
etogo.
..
Nt
ombi
-by
esi
si.
..

ATWANERBEACH.
..

Nellyparkshercar ,unfastenherseat bel

tandst ays
i
nhercarast hewor dskeepr ingi
ngi nherhead" she
needst oknowIam herf ather".Shewant stoscr eam
andcr ybutnot hingcomesout .Shef eelsempt y.Her
phoner i
ngsbutshecancel st hecal landswi t
chesi t
off.Shewal ksoutt hecarandwal kst owardsthe
ocean.Get t
inghersneaker swetasshecl i
mbst he
rockswhi charepi l
l
edupf ewmet er sinsidethe
wat er
.Shesi t
'st hereandwat chthewav esoft he
ocean.Sheandherbr othersal way scameher ewhen
shewasi nhert eens, shewoul dsitbyt herocksand
wat chasherbr ot hersandt heirfr
iendsswi m.When
thewaveshi tt
her ockst
hewetsherbutshedoesn'
t
evenfeelthecoldnessoftheoceanwat
er,hermind
i
sstil
lstuckon" SHENEEDSTOKNOW IAM HER
FATHER" .
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Sbani
wasonhi
s8t
hgl
assofHennessey
..
.

Bless-(
looksathi
m)y
ouneedtosl
owdown,
att
he
rateyougoing,
youwi
l
lki
l
lyour
sel
f.
Sbani
-(gul
pshi
s9t
hgl
ass)myl
i
fei
sal
readyov
er.
Bless-(
brusheshi
sface)YOU..
.younotal
one,
we
bothburi
edherremember ,
ify
ougodownIgodown
withyou.
Sbani
-(l
ooksathim)youcan'tt
aket
hefal
lfor
somethi
ngIdid,
besidesIneedsomeonet
ol ook
aft
erNel
lyandmyf amil
ywhenIam notar
ound.
Bl
ess-y
ounotgoi
ngany
wher
e,may
bewehav
ebeen
di
ggingi
nthewr
ongpl
ace,
toni
ghtwewi
l
lgodi
g
agai
n.

Sbani giveshi
mt hel
ook, heknowsexact l
ythatt he
fi
rstpl acewasthecorr
ectone, theot hertwowhol es
theydugwasj ustwi
shfulthinki
ng,thebodywas
gone.Someonehasi tt
hequest ionis" who? ".There
wasnowaysomeonecoul dhavest umbl edacr oss
thegr ave,i
twasburi
eddeepdown, itclearwhoev er
dugt hebodyknewexact lywhatt heywer elooking
for.Hecoul dnotdoanything,al
l hecoul ddowas
wai t
,wai tf
ortheper
sont omakecont actwithhim. .
..

Sbani
-(gul
pshi
s13thgl
ass)someonei
sfucki
ng
wit
hme, andt
heygotmegood.
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)Iwi
l
lgetmyguy
sto.
..
Sbani
-(shakeshishead)letwai
t,i
tcl
earwhoeveri
s
doi
ngthis,t
hey5st epsaheadofus.Weneedtobe
smart
.Wewai tforthem t
omakecont actf
ir
st.
..
Bef
oreBl
esscanspeak,
Sbani
'
sphoner
ings.
..

"
Shaka"

Her
eject
sthecal
l
...

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

"
Shaka"

Her
eject
sthecal
lagai
n..
.

Bl
ess-don'
tyouwantt
oanswert
hat
?
Sbani
-(gul
pshi
s14t
hgl
ass)No.
..

Bl
essphoner
ings.
..
"
Mvel
o"

Hesi
ghsanddi
ver
tst
hecal
l
...

Sbani
-won'
tyouanswert
hat
?
Bl
ess-(
gul
pshi
s3r
dgl
ass)No.
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t104

I
nsi
deShaka'
scar
..
.

Hi
sphonev
ibr
ates.
..
.

Shaka-Sho
Nhl
anhl
a-hav
eyougothol
dofy
ourbr
other
?
Shaka-(
sighs)no,
hisphonei
sof
f,Iam onmyway
t
oMaSi
wel
a'
shouser
ightnow.
Nhl
anhl
a-okay
,keept
ryi
ng.
..

Hehangsup.
..
.

Hegoest
ohi
scont
actanddi
alsBr
uce.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Br
uce-(
Niger
ianaccent
)Shaka
Shaka-Ineedy
ourhel
pwi
thsomet
hing.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
.

Bruce-youknowwecan'tt
alkonthephone,
itt
oo
dangerous.Letmeeti
ntwodays.
Shaka-okay
..
.
ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.

Ever
yonewaspaci ngupanddowncall
ingalmost
ever
yonetheycouldthi
nkofft
hatNel
l
ymi ghthav
e
cont
actedormay bewenttoo.
.

Zenande-(
hangsup)
(l
ooksatMaSiwela)
(shakesher
head)ThatwasMbali
,shehasn'
tseenhernorspoke
toher.
MaSi
wela-Iknowmydaughter
,Iknowshedi
dn'
tgo
t
oanyonebutdoesn'
thur
ttotr
y.
Sandi
le-Idon'
tknowherthatwel
lbutIdon'
tthi
nk
shewentany wher
efar
,shewouldn'
tleav
eher
babi
esbehind.
Moses-(l
ooksatSandi
l
e)wazi
niwena?(
Whatdo
youknow?)
Sandil
e-(
laughs)Iam nottheoneyoushouldbe
pi
ckingafightwit
h,t
rydirect
ingal
lthatenergyi
n
comingupwi thagoodexcusewhyy ouabandoned
y
ourdaught
er.

Moseshuf
fedrai
singhi
shandt
owar
dsSandi
l
ebut
Nhl
anhl
astoppedhim..
.

Nhlanhla-st
opthisshi
tri
ghtnow, bul
l
yingyourson
i
sn'tgoingtohelpyouri
ghtnow.Can'tyougethold
ofyourpeople,wecanusey ourhelpri
ghtnowMr
I
ntell
igence.
..
Si
mi-(
looksatLungiey
)isthereapl
aceorspot
maybethatNell
yli
kedtogot owhenshewantedt
o
beal
oneorthink?Anyplaceyoucanthi
nkof?
Lungiey
-uhmm, Iam notsur
e,shel
ikedwalkingTobi
tothepark,
Iguessthatwhereshegotheralone
ti
me.
Si
mi -(
rol
l
sey es)wel
lshelef
tTobibehi
ndandwe
al
readycheckedthepark,
isther
eanotherpl
ace?
Lungiey-(
looksatNhl
anhl
a)(
shr
ugs)uhmm no,
not
thatIknowof .
..
Si
mi-gr
eat
!!
!Somuchofabestf
ri
endy
ou'
re.
.
Lungi
ey-(
annoy
ed)y
ini
inki
ngay
akho?(
Whaty
our
probl
em?)
Si
mi-(l
ooksather
)nowi
snott
het
imesi
si,
youdo
notwantt
otryme.

Lungi
eymov
escl
osert
oher
..
.

Lungi
ey-uzokwenzani
?(Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
)
Nhl
anhl
a-(
gri
tshi
steet
h)LUNGI
LE!
!!
Lungi
ey-No,ngi
funaenzeint
oafunaukuy
enza,
ngi
khathel
euSimi(Iwanthert
odowhatshewants
todo,Iam t
ir
edofSimi)
Si
mi-(
clenchhert
eeth)Nhl
anhl
amov
eyourbaby
mamaoutofmyf ace.
Lungi
ey-(
star
esather
)Yi
ni?Can'
tst
andt
heheat
..
MaSiwela-(l
ooksatt hem)asent er
tai
ningt
hisi
sbut
youshouldhav esaveditforanepisodeof
"
Cheaters"buty out
ool ate.Nhl
anhlahandl
eyour
women,r i
ghtnowourpr iori
tyi
sfi
ndingthe"r
unaway
mot
heroft
wo"
..
.

Zeebur
stoutl
aughi
ngandt
heyal
ll
ookather
..
.

Zenande-(
cont
ainsher
sel
f)
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)Iam
sorr
y..
.

ATMOZAMBI
QUE.
..
.

Hewaschi
ll
i
ngout
sidethebal
conyoft
hei
rhot
el
r
oom,enj
oyi
ngt
hesun..
.

Mt
hoko-(
star
esatt
hebl
uesky
)per
fect
..
.

Shesatontopofhi
m,spr
eadi
ngherlegsapar
t,
brushedhi
sabswit
hsomesunscreenwhil
e
st
r addl
i
nghim.
..
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
esseduct
ivel
y)Nowt
hisi
sper
fect
..
.

Heplaceshishandsonherbut
tcheeksasshe
st
raddleshi
m makinghi
smemberhar d.
..

Mt
hoko-(
smi
rks)suf
unangi
kudl
efut
hi?

Hisvoi
ceandthegr
iphehadonherbut
tsentchi
ll
s
downherspi
nemakingever
yner
veinherbodyset
al
ight
.

Ntombi-(bendsandbit
ehisl
owerl
ip)Thatt
hewhole
pointofbae-cat
ion,
yougett
oenj
oydickanywher
e,
anyti
me...

Hislipsfoundhersandtheydanced,
wit
hout
breakingthekiss,
hegri
ppedthebackofherthi
ghs,
pull
inghimselfupsoherlegscanwraparoundhi
s
waist,herarmsaroundhisneckwhil
ehe
reposit
ionedthem hav i
nghi m ontopofher
.He
l
eanedbackandl ookedatherwi thcompl
eteand
utterdesir
e,hishandsmov edtoherbackand
undoneherbi kinibra,t
hrowingitonthesi
deand
smi l
eslookingather36Cbr easts.Hedi
veshisf
ace
betweent hem andmakesbubbl esoundsmaking
herlaugh,somet hingwhichhehasbeendoi ngal
ot
sincetheyhav ebeenher .
..

Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)r
eal
l
y??
Mthoko-(sucksherl
eftboob)It
hinkIf
oundmynew
obsessi
on.
Ntombi
-(smi
l
esbr usheshi
sface)somyl
egsar
eno
l
ongery
ourobsession?
Mthoko-uhmmm okayokayphel
anothingcan
comparetoyourl
egsbutdamnyourbreastbabe.
..

Shel
aughsl
eani
ngback.
..
.

Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
esl
ooki
ngather
)youshoul
dlaugh
mor
e,i
tsui
tsy
ou.
.
Nt
ombi
-(bl
ushes)Iam happy
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nt
ombi-(l
ooksathi
m)soar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
areat
meoruzongi
dla?
Mthoko-(
smil
es)Kant
iuZul
umekwenzani
?(What
wasZuludoi
ngtoyou?)
Ntombi-(
rol
lseyes)Iwasdepri
vedbecausey
our
si
sterwastheoner i
dingt
hatdi
ck.
..
.
Mthoko-(
laughs)real
ly?Youj
ustgoi
ngt
opr
etendas
i
fyoudidn'
tjustsaythat?

Shet uggedherfingersunderthewaist
li
neofhis
shorts,t
ryingtotugthem down, whi
l
ehepl aced
kissesalloverher.Herhandsheldhishardmember
throughthef abr
icofhisshort
...
.
Ntombi-(
bit
esherl
i
p)Iwantt
hisi
nsi
deme,
Iwant
yourbabi
es.
..

Heswiftl
yshuff
ledhi
sshor t
sdownandt ossedt hem
asi
de,makinghisharddickspr
ingout.Helearned
backandrubbedhisdickwhil
ehiseyesfi
xedonher .
Heslappedeachsideofherthi
ghswithhisdick..
.

Mthoko-uMthokouzokut
hokozi
sa,nguKhozami
na,
nguMlil
o,ngi
yawubasaphindengi
zici
shel
e..
.

Hebentdownandr
ubbedhi
sdi
ckonherent
rance.
..

Nt
ombi
-Yaaaaaasssssss!
!!
!

ATZI
MBALIESTATE

Shakapar
kshi
scar
,whenheseesbot
hBl
essand
Sbani '
scarparkedheshakeshisheadandwal ks
i
nsi dethehouse.Whenher eachestheloungeand
fi
ndst hem seatedwit
honebot tl
eofHennessey
al
r eadyfini
shedandthesecondoneal mosthalfway
fr
om bei ngfini
shed,
hefrustr
atedl
ywalksand
standsnextt othem..
.

Shaka-(
annoy
ed)REALLY?
??

Theybot
hlookathi
m..
.

Shaka-WHYTHEFUCKAREYOURPHONE'
SOFF?
?
Sbani-(
gul
pshi
sdrink)hhay
i,hhay
iandt
hen?What
areyou?Mykeeper
?
Bl
ess-(
puf
fshi
sci
gar
)takeaseatandhav
eadr
ink
man.
Shaka-(
laughssar
cast
ical
ly
)ohtrustmeIwould
l
ovetositandhaveadrinkl
ikey
out woasshol
es.
..
Sbani
-(annoy
ed)WHOTHEFUCKYOUCALLI
NG
ASSHOLEBOY?
?
Shaka-woooooIam scaredMachoMan, li
stenhere
whil
ey ouenjoysomeHennesseyj
ustknowt hatyour
gi
rl
fri
end(looksatSbani
),y
oursi
ster(
looksatBless)
hasgoneawol .

Withthatsai
dShakaf
rust
rat
edlywal
kst
owardsthe
door.Bothmengetupandhurr
ybehi
ndShaka.
..

Sbani
-(shout
s)WHATTHEFUCKMAN?WAI
TUP.
.
Bl
ess-WHATTHEFUCKDOYOUMEANAWOL?
WHATHAPPENED?
Sbani
-WHYdi
dn'
tany
onef
ucki
ngcal
lme?

Shakast
opsbyhi
scarandl
ooksatt
hem.
..

Shaka-gl
adIhav
eyourat
tent
ionnow.
Bl
ess-(
brusheshi
sface)comeonman,
giv
eus
somet
hing?
Shaka-(
pissed)IAM NOTGI
VINGYOUSHI
T..
.

Sbani
angri
lyholdsShakabyhiscoll
arandshoves
hi
m agai
nsthiscar,
Blesstr
iestoholdhi
m back.
..

Sbani
-DON'TFUCKINGTRYTOPLAYHERO,
SHE'
S
MINE(st
aresathi
m)MINE!
!!
Shaka-(
clenchhi
steet
h)IKNOW.
..BUTYOUDON'
T
DESERVEHER. .
.

Theybot
hstareateachot
her,
Sbani
let
sgoofShaka
andangr
il
ykickst
hecartyr
es.
..

Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface,
hol
dshi
stear
s)YOUSAI
D
YOUDIDN'TWANTHER
Shaka-(
fi
xeshi
scol
l
ar)IDON'
T..
.
SbanipunchesShaka'
scarwi
ndow,maki
ngit
shut
tercutt
inghi
sfist
,bl
oodcomesout.
..

Sbani
-DON'
TFUCKI
NGTRYME,
YOULYI
NG.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-(
looksbetweenthem)Guy
scal
m down,
thi
s
i
sn'
ttheri
ghtti
mef ort
his.
.
Shaka-(si
ghs)FINE!
!!Youwantt
het
rut
h,Il
oveher
,I
havealwayslovedher.
.
Bl
ess-(
looksatShaka)UDAKI
WEYI
NI?(
arey
ou
dr
unk?)
Shaka-butIknowshelovesyoumorethanany
thi
ng
andanyone.Youluckybr
other,buty
oucan'
teven
seeit
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Shaka-(
looksatt
hem)y oubothmightwantt
o
fr
eshenupbeforefoll
owi ngme,youdon'
twantt
obe
weari
ngthesamecl othesy ouworel
astni
ghtwhen
youwentdiggi
ng..
.

Hesai dthatandgotinsidehiscar,
reversedand
droveoutleavingthem standi
ngthere,wit
hthewor
d
"di
gging"ri
nginginthei
rheads...

Bl
ess-WHATTHEFUCK?
?..
.

ATWANERBEACH

Derekparkshi
scarnextt oNelly'
s,heget
soutand
hiseyessear
chf orherunti
ltheylandonafigur
e
seatedontherocks.Hesmi l
esandwal kstowards
her.
...
.
Der
ek-IknewIwoul
dfi
ndy
ouher
e..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sur
pri
sed)Der
ek!
!!
Der
ek-(
smi
l
es)i
naf
lash.
..

Hecar
eful
l
ycl
i
mbst
hesl
i
pper
yrocksandsi
tsnext
t
oher.
..

Derek-so?
?Iam nol
onger"
superbae"
?Idon'
tgeta
hug?

Shesmi
l
esandl
eansherheadonhi
sshoul
der
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Iam wet
..
Der
ek-t
hatmusi
ctomyey
es.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Nel
ly-(
laughsandhi
tshi
sshoul
der
)Eww!
!!Thatnot
whatImeant..
.
Der
ek-(l
aughs)coul
dhav
efool
edme.
..(
Looksather
)
wantt
otalkaboutit
?
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)
(l
ooksathi
m)howdi
dyou
know?
Der
ek-Nhl
anhl
acal
l
edme,
soy
oursi
steri
smybaby
mama..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
eah,
Dur
bani
sreal
l
ysmal
lhey
.
Der
ek-y
eah(
pout
s).
..sonowIcan'
tasky
ouout
?
Nell
y-(
laughs)It
hinkwefiguredt
hatpar
toutwhen
ourl
unchdat ewascutshort.
Derek-howcanIf
orget
,sot
hatdi
cki
syourbaby
daddy?
Nel
l
y-(
pincheshi
m)don'
tsayt
hat
..
.
Der
ek-(
shr
ugs)Idon'
tl
iket
heguy
,buthel
ovesy
ou.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksatt
heocean)Iknow.
..
..Der
ek?
Der
ek-hmmm?
Nel
ly
-Iwantt
imebymy
sel
f,Idon'
twantt
ogoback
home..
Der
ek-ai
n'
tyoubr
eastf
eedi
ng?
Nel
l
y-Ist
opped.
..
Der
ek-why
?
Nel
l
y-(
rol
l
seyes)wenotgoi
ngt
odi
scussmybr
east
.
Nowcanyouhel
pme?
Derek-justoneni
ght
?Tomor
rowy
ougobackt
oyour
babies?Deal?
Nel
l
y-(
nods)y
eah,
Ijustneedoneni
ghtonl
y.
..
Der
ek-thebestplacetohidei
sinplai
nsight
.Isay
gotoyourapart
ment ,t
heyalr
eadycheckedand
di
dn'
tfi
ndy ousoi tper
fect
.
Nel
l
y-okay
,canIt
akey
ourcar
.
Der
ek-(
looksather
)sweet
hear
tthataJaguar
..
Nel
ly-Iknow,Ipr
omiseIwi
l
lbr
ingi
tbacki
none
pi
ece..
.youcandriv
emyX6?
Der
ek-(
rol
lsey
es)ohpl
easei
ntheSt
atest
hatat
een
mom'scar
..
Shepl
ayf
ull
yki
ckshi
m andt
heybot
hlaugh.
..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS

Nomusawaspassi
ngbyther
iverwhenabunchof
vi
l
lagegi
rl
sst
oppedher
..
.

Gir
l1-ngi
zwil
eukuthi
uyakohl
alaedol
obheni(
Ihear
d
yougoingtostayatt
hecit
y)
Gir
l2-(r
oll
seyes)ngamubonalonaemci
mbinikwa
Zul
uebanj weindodaemakhoneni(
Isawthi
satthe
Zul
uf unct
ion,
shewasbeingheldbyaman)
Gi
rl
1-(
pushesNomusashoul
ders)ufunakuf
anano
Gogowakho(y
ouwanttobeli
key ourgr
andmother
).
.

All
thegi
rl
slaughather,shecoul
dhearwhi spersof
howhergrandmotherwasa"prost
it
ute","
whor e"
someevenmentionthatshewasawi tch,
usedher
ownf at
herasasacr
if
ice.Shepushespastt
hem and
runs.
..

Nomusa-y
ouwi
l
lnotcr
y..
.

Shekeepssay
ingt
hatassher
unshome.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t105

ATMOZAMBI
QUE

Theybothjuststeppedouttheshowerwheret
hey
hadanothersteamysessionbeforet
heyfr
eshen
themsel
vesup. .
.

Mt
hoko-shoul
dweor
deri
norgoout
?
Nt
ombi
-whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?
Mthoko-(
shr
ugs)Ir
eal
l
ydon'
tcar
e,Iwi
l
lgowi
th
whatyouwant.
Ntombi-okayletor
deri
nsincet
omorrowwewil
l
expl
ori
ngt hecit
y,l
etj
ustenj
oyeachother
's
companyindoorstoday.

Hewr
apshi
sar
msar
oundherwai
standki
ssesher
..
.

Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)y
ouj
ustr
eadmymi
ndwoman.
Nt
ombi-(
smiles)
(babyki
sseshi
m)orderwhi
l
eI
makeacal
ltomymom, Iwantt
ospeaktoNoma.

Theyki
ssfort
helastt
ime,
shemakesherwayt
othe
bal
conyanddai
lshermom'snumber
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

MaNgcobo-hel
l
o..
Nt
ombi
-Mamai
tNt
ombi
,howar
eyou?
MaNgcobo-si
yaphi
l
a,ubuyani
nikant
i?(
wegood,
whenyoucomingback?)
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)Iam spendi
ngnewy
ear
sher
e
mama.
MaNgcobo-usangene,mi
nangizothi
nikwingane
yakho?Mhl
ampeusukhohliweukuthiunengane(ar
e
youmad?Whatwi l
lIsaytoyourchil
d?Ormay beyou
havefor
got
tenthatyouhaveachild)
.
Ntombi-(
brushesherf
ace)Iknowmamabutt
hisi
s
busi
nesstryandunder
stand.
MaNgcobo-(cal
msdown)Iunder
standbutyour
daught
ermissesyou,
she'
sevenaski
ngabouther
fat
her.
Ntombi-don'
tcal
lSbani
rightnow,hehasal
otonhi
s
plat
e.Iwil
laskZandi
lei
fshecouldfet
chNoma,Iam
sureshewon'tmind.
MaNgcobo-Idon'thaveaproblem st
ayi
ngwith
Noma,she'smygr andchi
ldbutIhavenot
icedhow
sadanddistancesheis,pl
ussheisnotusedto
goi
ngt
ochur
chev
ery
day
,shebecomesr
ebel
l
ious.
Ntombi
-okaymama,Iwi
ll
tryandwr
apt
hingsupas
f
astasIcanher
e.Sendmyregar
dst
ouBaba.
MaNgcobo-okay
,by
e..
.

Shesi
ghsandhangsup,walki
ngbackinsidet
heir
room,
Mthokowasonacal l
,soshedecidestojust
l
ayonthecouchandst
artseati
ng.
..

Mthoko-(ki
ssi
nghercheek)how'
sthel
i
ttl
e
munchkin?
Ntombi-(
shi
ft
scl
osert
ohi
m)Idi
dn'
tgett
ospeakt
o
her.
..
Mthoko-(ki
ssesherf
orehead)okay
,tel
lme
ev
erythi
ng..
Ntombi
-(si
ghs)mom wantsmet ocomeback,
Nomaisfeel
inghomesi
cknow( l
ooksathim)Idon'
t
wantt
ocutourvacat
ionshor
t,Iam happyher
e.
Mt
hoko-(
hol
dsherhands)
(smi
l
es)wel
lwewer
ejust
gamblingwiththepossi
bil
i
tyofyoubeingawayfor
toolong,Iwasexpecti
ngsomethingl
i
ket hi
s,I
understandbabe.
Nt
ombi
-ar
eyousur
e?

Hemakeshersi
tonhi
slap,
wrappi
nghi
sar
ms
ar
oundherwai
st.
..

Mthoko-yes, besi
deswhosaidanythi
ngabout
cutt
ingourv acati
onshort
.Wecandr i
vedownt o
yourhome, pickherupandwecanal ldri
veto
Mpumal anga, whatdoyousay?OfcourseIwi
ll
underst
andi fyounotcomfort
ablewithmemeet i
ng
yourdaughter..

Shef
renchki
sseshi
m..
.

Ntombi
-(smi l
es)youmagical
,Il
i
kethesoundofthat.
Whowerey out al
ki
ngtooonthephone?Youlooked
ki
ndofstressed.
Mt
hoko-Mybr
other
..
.

Hetel
l
sheral
laboutwhat
'
shappeni
ngbackat
home.
..
.

Ntombi-YhoooIam gl
adIam noti
nDur
banri
ght
now,t
hereisalway
ssomethi
nggoingonwi
thour
fami
li
es.
Mthoko-tel
lmeabouti
t.Letmecal
lmysi
ster
,check
i
fshe'sokay.
Ntombi-(
shakesherhead)No,gi
veherspaceri
ght
now.Youwillcal
lhertomor
row,nowleteatsowe
cangobacktodeser t
..
.

Shesayst
hatseduct
ivelyasshesnakesherhands
undert
hetowelandbrusheshisdi
ck..
.

Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)If
eel
li
kemydi
cki
sabuf
fetnow.
..
Nt
ombi
-"Eatasmuchasy
oucan"babe.
..
Theybot
hbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Derekdr
ivesinsi
det
heyardwi
thNell
y'
scar,
every
oneturnsandl
ooksathi
m ashestepsoutt
he
car.
..

Mv
elo-(
conf
used)Der
ek?
Mr
sGasa-whyar
eyoudr
ivi
ngNel
l
y'scar
?
Moses-(l
ooksathi
m)howdoy
ouev
enknowmy
daught
er?

Derek'
srol
l
shisey
esatMoses,heknowshowmuch
ofanasshecanbe.Hewal
kstowardsMaSiwel
a
andhugsher.
..
Der
ek-(
smi
l
es)Mamzo!
!!
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)Son,
lookhowt
all
you'
renow?
Der
ek-(
laughs)sekukhul
eki
l
emama(
Ihav
egr
own
up)
Mv
elo-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)y
ouknowDer
ekmama?
MaSi
wela-(
smiles)yes,
Ipr
act
ical
l
yrai
sedhi
m anda
f
ewothernaughtyones.
Der
ek-(
looksatMv
elo)(
Smi
l
es)hel
l
obabymama.
..
Mv
elo-(
rol
l
sherey
es)
(hugshi
m)hel
l
oDee.
..

Theyal
lgreetDer
ek,
hetel
l
sthem t
hatNell
yissaf
e
andwil
lbebacktomorr
ow.Theyal
lconv
ersefora
fewminut
es...
.

MaSi
wela-Iguessyoucanal
lgohomenow,wewil
l
bei
ntouchregardi
nghowwewi l
lmov
eforwar
d.
MrsGasa-(
nods)yeah,
Iguessitbestwegivethe
chi
l
dsomespace, t
hisi
sn'taneasysi
tuat
ion.(
Looks
atMaSi
wela)si
siwewillbeint
ouch..
Shebi
dsf
arewel
landwal
kst
othecar
..
.

Sandi
l
e-(
looksatNomv
elo)Iam goi
ngwi
thy
ou
Mv
elo-(
nods)okay(
handshi
mthecarkey
s)
Sandi
l
e-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)ni
sal
ekahl
emama
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)okaybaby
..

Nomvel
oandSandi
l
ebi
dfar
ewel
landwal
kto
Mvel
o'
scar
..
.

Moses-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)(
ser
iousf
ace)y
oubet
ter
makesurethat
..
.
MaSiwela-(
rai
sesherhand)awukahl
enescef
e,
l
andelaumndeniwakho..

Shesay
sthatandwalkst
owardsthedoorbutstops
andl
ooksatSimi
,Lungi
ey,Nhl
anhl
a,Zenandeand
Der
ek.
..

MaSi
wel
a-nahl
ahl
aamehl
onj
eni
na,
nil
i
ndeni
lapho?

TheylookatMosesandqui
ckl
yfol
l
owMaSi
wel
a
i
nsidethehouse.
..

40mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

DerekalongwithNhlanhlaandLungieyleft10
minuteago,Simidecidedtostaybehind.Thethree
ofthem werecleani
ngt heki
tchen,
theyhadj ust
fi
nishedeati
ngsupper .
..

Zenande-(
wipesplat
e)Ithoughtwewer
egoi
ngt
o
havepeacef
ulhol
idays.
Simi-(l
aughs)ev
ersinceourfami
li
eshavecome
together
,weneverseem tohavepeace.
MaSi
wel
a-Nxi
ital
l"Dl
adl
aMshunqi
si"f
aul
t.
Zee-(
laughs)whoi
s"dl
adl
aMshunqi
si"now?
MaSi
wel
a-Thatbi
gheadMoses.
..

ZeeandSimi l
ookateachotherandthanlookat
MaSiwela,
theyburtoutl
aughi
ng,theyl
aughsohard
thatt
heyevenstopwhattheydoingandholdthei
r
stomachs.
..

Si
mi-(
laughs)kodwamamay
ouandnami
ngpeopl
e..
Zee-(
laughs)shej
ustf
ini
shesme.
..

Theyhearacarpar
kingout
sidet
hey ard.Afew
minut
estheyhearBl
essandSbani'
sv oice.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
rol
l
sey
es)nay
eeny
eikat
hazo!
!!

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
..
.
23:
45pm

ATNELLY'
SAPARTMENT.
..
.

Shewokeupf rom herbedandwal kedt oheri nsuite,

afterusingt het oil
etshewashedherhandsand
l
ookedatherr edswol l
eney esint hemi rr
or.After
tryi
ngsohar dnott ocry, shef i
nal l
ydi d, shecried
untilshef el
l asleep.She'snotangr ybutshe' ssad,
sadbecauseoft heyear sshel ostofnotknowi ngher
sibli
ngs, sadbecauset hemanshehasal way s
admi redbecauseoft hewayher ant hecount r
ies
crimeuni t,notknowi ngt hathewasact uallyher
father,sadbecauseshei sn'tsurehowshef el
ls
aboutt hesamemanbei ngherf ather ,after
witnessinghowhet r
eat shi sothersonandt heyway
hel i
kest ocont rolhiskidsl ives.She' sal way sbeen
thety petodowhatshewant s,hermot herhas
alway sgivenhert hatfreedom andspacet ol i
veher
l
ife.Shehadal otonhermi nd,Sbani tooseemst obe
dist
ancedlatel
y,hesnapseasil
yandhebrushesher
offeveryti
meshet r
iesaski
nghim what'
swrong.
She'sgreat
fulf
orDerekall
owinghertohavethis
ti
mebyher self
.Sheslowlywalksbackt
oherr oom
butstopsholdi
ngherchestwhenshef i
ndsSbani
seatedonhersidechair
..
.

Sbani
-Iam sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyou.
..
Nell
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)howl
onghav
eyoubeen
seat
edthere.
..
Sbani-ify
ouaskingmewasIherewhenyouwalked
tothetoil
et?Theansweri
syes,
youknowIlov
e
watchingyousleep.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Theybothstareateachothert
hroughthedar k,
hol
dinghertearsback,somehowhispresenceis
makingherweakr i
ghtnow.Hearingherbreathi
ng
patt
ernschange.Hestandsandwal kst
owar dsher.
..
.
Sbani
-(hol
dsouthi
shandt
oher
)come,
letmeput
youbacktosl
eep.
..

Shecoul dfeelhercheekswetbutshequi ckl

ywi pes
them.Itfeelsl
ikey ear
ssincei tjustbeenthem alone
andnobodyel se,herhandf indshi sandtheinstant
contactsendst hosefamousel ectri
cshockwav es.
Hecar r
ieshertot hebed,kickingouthi sshoesthey
bothlaydown, withherheadonhi schest
...
.

Sbani
-IknowIhav
ebeendi
ff
icul
ttodeal
wit
h..
.
Nel
l
y-(
Sni
ff
s)(
clear
shert
hroat
).
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)okayIhav
ebeenass,
Iknowwenot
okayr
ightnowbutall
owmet obeher
eforyou.

Sheshi
ft
scl
osert
ohi
m,hehol
dshert
ight
er.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
Guy
sIam atwor
k,sor
ryf
orshor
tinser
t
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t106

ATNELLY'
SAPARTMENT.
..
.

Shewasst il
lpeacefull
ysl eepingwithherbody
crushedt ohis,surpr
isinglyhemanagedt oal sof
al l
asleep, somet hingwhichr arelyhappenswhenhei s
l
ai dnextt oher .Hetightenedhi sholdar oundherand
kissedt het opofherhead, thesmel lofwat ermelon
bodywashf il
ledhisnost ri
ls,shehadchangedher
sweetandr osesbodywashbecausewhi l
eshewas
stil
lpregnantshehat edt hesmel lofit,i
ttookqui tea
whi l
ef orhi mtogetusedt ot hesmel lofwat ermelon
butknowi thadgrownonhi m.Hebr ushedhercur ly
hairoutherf aceandt racedhi sfi
nger sonher
poutedl ips,shef r
ownedf eelingi
rri
tatedbyt he
featheryf eelofhisfingert i
psonherf ace,hesmi l
es
knowi ngexact l
yhowshehat esbeingwokenupf rom
hersleep.Openi ngherey es, shebli
nkedacoupl eof
ti
mesandl
ookedatt
hesmil
ingmani nf
rontofher
shef
rownannoy
edbythef
actthathewokeherup...
.

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)mor
ningbeaut
if
ul.
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(pi
nchesherl
owerl
i
p)y
oust
il
lmad?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Heshi
ft
sclosert
oherandhol
dsherchi
nst
rai
ght
maki
ngherlookdi
rect
lyt
ohi
seyes.
..

Sbani-comeonbabe,Isai
dIam sor
ry,
Ithoughty
ou
agreei
ngtosleepwi
thmemeantwewi llwakeup
cool,youknow..
.
Shegetsevenmoreannoyedandremoveshersel
f
fr
om hisar
ms,fr
ustr
atedl
ywalki
ngtoherinsuit
e
bathr
oom,shest
opshalfwayandlooksathim..
.

Nel
l
y-(
shout
s)(
poi
ntsathi
m)DONOTFOLLOW ME.
..

Hesighsandbrusheshisfaceget
ti
ngupfrom t
he
bed.Weari
ngonlyhisboxershewalkst
othekit
chen
dai
li
ngBlessnumber..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Bl
ess-(
sleepyv
oice)Baf
o..
Sbani
-what
'
sup?
Bl
ess-(
chuckl
es)l
etmeguess,
youwentt
oherr
ight
?
Sbani
-(openst
hewat
erbot
tl
e)y
ouknowmet
owel
l
.
Bl
ess-(
sit
sup)wel
l
?Howi
sshe?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)she'
samess,
butIt
hinkIam
annoy
ingherev
enmor
e.
Bless-okayIam l
i
steni
ng,
wenzeni
?(Whatdi
dyou
do?)
Sbani
-IkindofthoughtIwoul
dhaveherfor
get
aboutevery
thi
ngthathasbeenhappeni
ngwithus
butIguessnotwithmywoman.
Bless-(laughs)somet i
mesIt hinkyoudeliber atel
y
actdumb, don'tyouknowNel lycaresmor eabout
yout hanany oneel searoundher ,sheprobabl yain'
t
thataffectedbyf indingoutMosesi sherfatherbut
she'smor eaff
ect edbyknowi ngthatsomet hingis
upwi thy ouandshehasnocl uewhatt hei ssuei s.
Mysi sterlovesy ouman, y
ouneedt ostartseeing
that,j
ustf i
ndawayt osoftenherupwi thoutr eall
y
tel
li
nghert hetruth,sheisn'tr
eadyt oknowi tyet.
Sbani
-(gul
psthewater
)Iguessy
our
ight
,hav
eyou
tal
kedtoyourvi
l
lagequeen?
Bl
ess-(si
ghs)actual
l
yIhav
en'tspokentohersi
nce
Chr
ist
mas, youknowwehav ebeendist
ract
ed.
Sbani
-well
Isuggestyoucal
lheri
fyoudon'
ttof
ind
your
sel
finmysituat
ion,
womanar ehar
dwork.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)andy
oualr
eadygota"
smartmouth"
,
a"
hothead"wellwegett
oseewhatMissNkany
ezi
wi
llt
urnouttobe.
Sbani-(
chuckl
es)l
eavemygir
lsalone,
speaki
ngof
the"smartmouth"
,Ineedt
ocall
hertoday.
Bl
ess-Ihavet
ogo,
comebyf
orl
unch,
mom woul
d
l
ovethat.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Iwi
l
l,Ibr
ingt
heMr
saswel
l
..
Bl
ess-(
laughs)goodl
uck.
..

Theybothlaughandhangup.Nel lycomest othe

kit
chenwearinghisboxersandaski nnybr
a, her
stomachwassl owlyget
tingbacktonor mal,j
ust4
weeksingym andt heri
ghtkindoffoodintakeher
waistwi
llbebacktobeingt i
ny.Shewasst i
llasexy
thi
ngthough,herbeauti
fulyel
lowtanskinglowed..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)st
opey
efucki
ngme.
..
Shesaidthatandwalkedpasthi
m,goingt
othe
fr
idgeandtakingoutabott
leofwat
er.Bef
orehe
couldr
espondt oher,
theybot
hheardaknock.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksather)expect
ingsomeone?I
tst
il
lver
y
ear
lyi
nthemor ni
ngforvisi
tor
s..
.

Sherolledherey esandwal kedpasthim headedto

thedoor ,
hef oll
owedaf terher.Whensheopenedt he
door,Derekst oodtherewi t
hMug&Beanbr ownt ake
awaybag.Sbani shif
tedclosertoherandcircledhi
s
arm aroundherwai st,mindy ouhewasonl yinhis
boxers,barechest ,
whileshewasal sowear i
nghis
boxershor t
s,skinnybraandherhai rwasallmessed
up..
.

Der
ek-(
smi
l
ed)br
eakf
ast
?Iknowhow.
..

Hest
oppedwhenhiseyeslandedonSbani,
shetr
ied
r
emovingher
sel
ffr
om hisholdbuthekepti
tti
ght
ar
oundher
..
.

Der
ek-(
clear
shert
hroat
)sor
ry,
didIi
nter
rupt
somet
hing?
Sbani
-(gr
ithi
steet
h)y
es.
.
Nel
l
y-No.
..

Sbani
looksatNel
l
yandpi
nchesherst
omach.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
oucancomei
nDer
ek.
.

Shet
urnedandpushedSbanioutt
heway
,Der
ek
wal
ksinandlooksatNel
l
y..

Nell
y-gosetupi
ntheki
tchen,
wewi
l
lbewi
thy
ou
r
ightnow..

Der
eksmi
l
esandnods,
theyshar
eaney
emoment
wi
thSbani
thanhewal
ksconf
ident
lyt
otheki
tchen.
..

Sbani-(
annoyed)whyishehere?I
sn'
tthi
sthesame
foolt
hatboughtyouredroses?
Nel
l
y-(
rol
lseyes)Iam notdoi
ngthi
swi
thyou,Derek
i
safamil
yfr
iend(looksathi
m)nowgogetdressed.
.
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)FUCKNo! !
!Iam notgoi
ng
tomaket hi
ngseasyf
orhimjustsohecanbe
comfor
tableinmygir
lf
ri
end'
splace.Nowy ougoand
putaT-shir
ton.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)beni
ce.
..

Shewalkstoherbedroom andhewal
kst
othe
ki
tchenandbumpsi nt
oDer ek.
..

Sbani
-(f
akessmil
e)Iam sureyoumeantwel
lbut
youki
ndofint
eruppt
edus,ifyouknowwhatImean.
.
Derek-(
looksathi
m)Idon'tknowwhatsheseesin
youbutIknowNelly,
Iguessther
eisapartofyou
t
hat"
good"whi
chIhi
ghl
ydoubt
..

Theybot
hst
areateachot
her
..
.

Der
ek-y
oudon'
thav
etosayi
t,Iam l
eav
ing.
.

Derekwalkspasthi
m butSbani
stopshi
m whenhe
reachest
hedoor.HethrowsDerekasetofcar
keys..
.

Sbani
-(boldvoice)mywomanlov
esbig,sexyand
beast
ythings.Cuteandpol
i
sheddoesn'
tcutit
..
.

Hesaidthatandshutt hedoortohi
sf ace.Hewalks
tothekit
chenandsi t
'sbiti
ngoneofthefresh
cheesecroi
ssants.Nel l
ywalksi
nsi
det hekit
chen
andlooksaround..
.
Nel
l
y-wher
eisDer
ek?
Sbani
-hel
eft
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?

Heswall
owshisfoodandgul
psdownt
hewat
er,
t
urnsandlooksather
..
.

Sbani
-whencanwest
arthav
ingsexagai
n?

Shebl
i
nksandl
ooksathi
m..
.

Nel
l
y-WHAT?
!!
!

Hewi
peshi
smout
handwal
kst
ost
andov
erher
..
.

Sbani
-(t
ouchesherchi
n)weneedt ost
artf
ucki
ng
agai
n,r
econnect
,getyourcal
m backbabe.
.
Hebabyki
ssesherandwal
ksof
fleav
ingher
st
andi
ngsti
ll
..
.

ATTHESOUTHAFRI
CANHQOFFI
CES.
..

Man1-whatdowedowi
tht
hebonessi
r?
Moses-(t
hinks)
..
.canwef
indt
hei
dent
it
ytot
he
bones?
Man2-wecanrundent
alr
ecor
dssirbuti
ftheJane
Doehadnevervi
sit
edt
hedent
istof
fi
ceswecanhita
br
ickwal
l.
Moses-ther
ehast obesomeonel ookingforher
,run
al
lmissi
ngpersonscases,f
indany t
hingthat
matcheswit
hourJaneDoeher e.Iwantt oknow
ev
erythi
ng.(
Smirks)Iwantt
obur ythatZuluboy.

Themanlookateachother
,wonder
ingi
fthey
shoul
dtel
lhi
m ornot
..
..
Man1-(cl
ear
st hr
oat)uhm wehav
eaprobl
em si
r.
.
Yoursonhasbeenspot t
edatt
hesit
ewher
ethe
boneswererecover
ed..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Man3-webel
i
evehemi
ghtbei
nvol
vedt
oo.
Moses-FUCK!
!!
..
.

Hebangst
het
abl
efr
ust
rat
ed.
..

Moses-j
ustkeepdi
ggi
ng,
letmewor
ryaboutmy
son.
..

Themannodwhil
eMosestr
iestot
hinkhowi
sBl
ess
connect
edt
othi
swhol
ethi
ng..
.
ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
.

Bonolowalkst othekit
chencar r
ingat raywi th
empt ybowlsofporri
dge, shestopsonhert racks
whenherey eslandont hechocol atescor pionchest.
Blesswasst andi
ngbyt hecount er,wearingonl yhis
sweatpants.Hewasbusychoppi ngupf r
ui t
ssohe
couldmakehi mselfasmoot hie,oblivi
oust ot hefact
theBonolowasdi str
actedbyhowhi smuscl es
fl
exedev er
yt i
meheusedt heknifetocutt hef r
uit
s.
Feeli
ngherpant i
essoak, shecomposesher selfand
clear
sherthroatsteppingfoottot hekitchen. .
.

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)
(l
ooksather
)ohy
oual
readyawake?

Shesmil
esner vousl
yandtri
esnott
olethi
sbody
andthebigbulgeshenoti
cedwhenheturnedt
olook
atherdi
stract
sher..
.

Bonol
o-(
smi
l
es)y
eah,
Ihav
etomakesur
eMi
ss
Ndawor
atakesher8ocl
ockmedi
cat
ionont
ime.
Bless-(
smi
l
es)Iappr
eciat
eyoubeingher
e.Iknowit
mustbehardj
ustmovingtoanot
hercount
rywhere
youknownobody.
.
Bonol
o-wel
li
tmyj
obMrNdawor
a..
Bl
ess-f
orgett
hef
ormal
BS,
cal
lmeBl
ess.

Shesmi
l
esandl
ooksatsmoot
hiehewasmaki
ng.
..

Bl
ess-whydon'
tyougetri
dofthatandcomehel
p
memaket hebestsmoot
hiey
ouwi l
levert
ast
e.
Bonol
o-uhmm Idon'
twantt
oov
erst
ep.
.
Bless-nonsense,wecangett oknoweachot heror
youcant el
lmet helatestgossipaboutbackhome,
youknowMaunt her
ei sal
way ssomethingtogossip
about..

Shebl
ushesanddi
scar
dsthetray.Shewal
ksand
st
andsnextt
ohim,hehandhertheMangosashe
tel
lsherst
ori
esaboutMaun,shecoul
dn'
thel
pbut
stareathi
sperf
ectt
eeth.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
05]Mar
cia:
Inser
t107

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Bl
esspoursthesmoot
hief
orBonol
oandhandst
he
gl
asstoher.
..

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)dr
inkandt
ell
mewhaty
out
hink?
Bonol
o-Thecol
ourl
ooksgr
eat
,Ihopei
ttast
esj
ust
asitl
ooks.
.

Shesipsal i
tt
le,butassoonasthet
asteofMango
andthefreshnessofthatpassi
onfr
uithi
tsher
tongue,
shecl oseshereyesandenj
oysthecool
smoot hi
e,shemoansenj oy i
ngit.Hetakesthetime
tostudyherfeatures,
nothingstoodoutabouther
butshewasawomanwhot ookcareinher
appearance,herskinwasmoi sturi
zed,herhairwas
neat,sheknewhowt odressherbody ,shesmelled
greattoo.Whenshef ini
shedhersmoot hi
e,she
glancedandnot i
cedthathewasst ar
ingather,so
sheclearedherthroat
...

Bl
ess-(
smil
es)y
ousur
edoknowhowt
omoan
woman..

Hercheeksheat
edupcausi
nghert
obl
ushi
n
embarrassment
..
.

Bonol
o-Iam sor
ry,
itj
ust
..
.
Bless-Iam notcomplaini
ng,
youjustboostedmy
ego,nowIknowImakeameansmoot hie.Any
way sI
am hav i
ngaf ewpeoplecomingt
ol unch,youwil
lbe
j
oiningusright?
Bonol
o-(
smi
l
e)y
eah,
shoul
dIwearany
thi
ngf
ormal
?
Bl
ess-Noi
tjustl
unch.
..

Het
akeshi
ssmoothi
eandwal
koutt
heki
tchen
t
ypi
ngonhi
sphone..
.

Bl
ess-(
shout
s)seey
oui
nlunchBonz.
..

Shef eel
sli
tt
legi
ddyinsideherstomachhear i
nghim
callhernameli
kethat.Shewal kst
othepant r
yroom
andf i
ndsthemaidbusypr eppi
ngforlunch.She
takesapacketofnutsandst opsbythedoor..
.

Bonolo-uhmm,doesMrNdaworahaveagi
rl
fr
iend?I
meanIdon'twanttobeov
erst
eppinganyr
ooms
i
nsidethehouse.
..
Mai
d-(
shakesherhead)Ihaveneverseenhi
m wit
h
awomanbutweallnewher esoIcouldbewrong.
Shesmi
lesbutqui
ckl
ycomposesher
sel
fandwal
ks
outt
hepant
ryroom..
.

Bonol
o-(
whi
sper
s)he'
syourbossBonol
o..
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..
.

Blesswalksinsi
dehismot
her'
sbedroom andf
inds
herseatedoutsi
dethebal
conyreadi
ng"The
Mer cur
y"newspaper
...

Bl
ess-(
kisseshercheek)mysunshi
ne.
.
Mat
ema-(
smi
l
es)myBl
ess

Hetakesasitnextt
oher,sheput
sthenewspaper
asi
deandlooksatherson..
.

Mat
ema-what
'sbot
her
ingy
ou?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)not
hingmama.
..
Mat
ema-(
fol
dsherarms)t
ryagai
n,Iam y
our
mot
her
.Youcanneverl
i
etome.
Bless-(si
ghs)Sbanihasapr obl
em,wellwehavea
problem (br
usheshisface)IguessIam j
ustnot
usedt ofeel
inghopel
ess..
Mat
ema-y
ouf
eel
hopel
ess?
Bl
ess-(
nods)Ij
ustknowi
tD-
day
.
Matema-Idi
dn'tr
aiseyoutobeaquit
ternei
therdi
dI
rai
seafai
lur
e.Justbecauseyoudon'
thavethe
answer
stotheproblem r
ight
nowdoesn'
tmeant her
e
i
snosoluti
on.
Bl
ess-butwhydoIf
eel
li
keIam l
ett
inghi
m down?

Shet
akeshi
shandsandhol
dsi
tti
ght
ly.
.

Matema-Iknowhowmuchy oul ov
eSbani andI
knowhowmuchhel ovesyou.Iknowy ouwould
j
umpt hehi
ghestofcl
i
ffsj
ustforhim butbabydon'
t
puttoomuchpr essur
eonyoursel
f,hewouldn'twant
youtoo.Heknowswhathemeanst oyou,heknows
whatheistoy ou,hewoul
dneverblameyouf or
fai
l
inghim becauseheunder
standsyou'
renotGod
butyoujustaman.

Hecloseshi
seyesandleansbackonthechai
r,hi
s
mother'
ssmil
esandlooksathi
m.Itcl
earasdaythat
he'
snotdeal
ingwit
h"notknowingwhattodo"wel
l.
..

Mat
ema-youcan'
tevenusey
ournotsol
egal
tact
ics
t
ohelpwi
ththi
sprobl
em?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)mom!
!!
Mat
ema-(
smi
l
esandshr
ugs)
Iam j
ustaski
ng.
Bless-(
smi l
es)IknowbutIdon'
twantyouanywher
e
nearmy" notsolegalt
acti
cs"
.SoIdon'
teverwantt
o
di
scusst hatwit
hy ouokaymysunshi
ne?
Matema-(
smi l
es)okay
..
..
(l
ooksathi
m)sowhenam
Iget
ti
nggrandchi
ldr
en?Youknowmyt i
meisl
imi
ted.
Bl
ess-(
frowns)
(squeezesherhand)don'
ttal
kli
ke
t
hat
,Icanf
indy
ouadonor
,Iam amat
cht
ooI
t
est
ed..
Matema-(smil
esshakingherhead)wet
alkedabout
t
hismyBless,nowt el
lmeaboutwhenareyougivi
ng
megrandchil
dren?
Bless-(smiles)
(ki
sseshercheek)l
etf
indy
out
he
perfectdressforl
unch..
.

Hehel
douthi
shandt
oher,
shet ookitandt
hey
wal
kedhandi
nhandt
ohercloset.
..

Mat
ema-(
smi
l
es)y
out
hinky
ousmar
thuh?

Hesmilesandmakeshersi
tont
heoneofthe
comfort
abl
erestchai
rswhi
l
ehegoest
hroughher
cl
oset.
.

Mat
ema-(
looksathi
m)ar
eyousur
eyounotgay
?
Helaughsandfindsabubbl
eyell
owdress,wi
th
whit
ewool kni
tt
edpatt
ernsontheends.Hesmiles
whenhet hi
nksofNomusawhowaswear i
nga
si
milarf
adeddresstotheonehe'
schosenforher
mother.
.

Bless-(smil
es)Thisdr
esswill
beper
fectforyoumy
sunshine,pl
usifyoumustknowsomeonewhoI
thi
nkwi ll
haveaspecialpl
aceinmyheartownsa
simil
ardress.
Matema-(cheeksheatup)r
eall
y?Ican'
twai
ttomeet
her
.Thankgody ounotgay,al
lthosemuscl
eswoul
d
hav
egonet owaste..

Hebur
stoutlaughi
ngwhil
ehismot
herpr
esseson
t
hepotent
ial
daughteri
nlaw.
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Sbani
par
ksout
sidet
hegat
e..
.
Sbani
-Iam goi
ngt
ofuel
up,
ber
eadywi
tht
heki
ds
whenIcomeback.
Nel
l
y-wet
aki
ngt
hem t
olunchwi
thus?
Sbani
-Iwanty
ouguystosl
eepatmypl
aceand
pl
easedon'
tfi
ghtmebabe.
.

Hegav
ehert
highal
i
ghtsqueeze.
..

Sbani
-nowgety
ourpr
ett
yassout
,Iwi
l
lbebacki
n
10minut
es.
.

Theyki ssandsheget soutt hecar,t

heyhaven't
real
lysortedouttheirproblemsbutwi t
hbot hnot
wantingt ofi
ght"thebigelephantintheroom"iskind
ofpushedasi deandl i
fecont i
nuesforthebothof
them.Shewal ksint heloungeandf i
ndsZeef eedi
ng
Nkany eziherbott
lewhileThabomakesf unnyface
play
ingwi thNsika..
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)It
hinkhel
i
kest
hat
..
Thabo-(
smi
l
es)aunt
ie.
.

Theydot
hei
rfamoushandshake,
shet
urnst
oZee
whosmil
esandgreet
sher
..
.

Zee-hel
l
o"r
unawaymot
heroft
wo"
Nel
ly-(
sighs)Iam sor
ryIl
efty
ouwi
thsucha
bur
den..
Zee-(
smil
es)itokay
,Iunder
standbesi
desIam t
he
Godmother.

Nel
l
ysi
tsnextt
oZenandewhohandsherNkany
ezi
..
.

Nell
y-(
smiles)
(babyt
alk)hel
l
obaby,mommy
missedyou,di
dy oumissmommy ?
Nkany
ezi
smi
l
esshowi
ngof
fherdi
mpl
es.
..

Zenande-Ican'
tgetenoughofhowbeauti
ful
shei
s
(smil
es)she'
sli
keacr af
tedBar
biedol
l
...
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)hel
l
o,hav
eyouseenhermot
her
?

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Zenande-(r
oll
seyes)Iknewyouwouldsayt
hati
diot
.
(Looksather)ar
eyouokaythough?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)tobehonestIdon'
tknowhowIshould
feel
li
ke.ShouldIbeangry?Happy?Orshoul
dIbe
sad?Idon'tknowbabygirl
.Al
lIknowisIhavetwo
beauti
fulki
dswhoneedmyundi videdat
tent
ion
morethanany thi
ngr
ightnow.
Zenande-ar
eyouusi
ngy
ourki
dsasanescapegoat
?
Nel
l
y-(
nods)y
eah.
..
.
.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
looksatZenande)howwoul
dyouf
eel
?
Zee-Idon'tknowbutIguessIwoul
dactoutwhatI
am feel
ing,i
sn'tthatwhaty
oual
wayspr
each?Stay
tr
uet oyourfeeli
ngs.
Nel
ly-yeah.
..
..whati
fyougenui
nel
ydon'
tfeel
any
thing?
Zee-whatdoy
oumean?It
hinkt
hati
mpossi
ble.
Nel l
y-Imeanaf t
erf i
ndi ngoutt hatMrGasai smy
father,Ishouldfeel someki ndofchanger ight?I
shouldf eeldif
ferentsomehowbutIgenui nel ydon'
t
feelany t
hingZee.May bei tbecauseIr eal
lydon' t
needhi m, I
'veli
vedmaj ori
tyofmyl i
fewi thouta
father,mymot herhasdonesuchagr eatjobof
rai
singmet hatIdon' tknowwhathav i
ngaf ather
woul dchangei nmyl i
f e.Ittoolatef
orf ather '
sday
giftcards,daddydaught erdances,teadat esor
superdadmoment s.Ihav etwochil
dr enthanIneed
tobui l
dmemor i
eswi th, nowt el
lmehowexact l
y
doesMrGasaf i
tinmyl iferight
now, Ican
under standt hepar thewi l
lplayi
nNkany ezi&Nsi ka
l
iv esbecausehecanbecomet hesupergr anddad
butt heyZul u'schildren,MrZul uwil
l bepapat ot hem.
Ireallycan'tpinpoi ntwher eexact
lyhewoul df i
tin
myl i
fe.ThatwhyIr eall
ydon'tknowhowIshoul d
feel becauseIf eel nothing.Onewoul dexpectmet o
beangr yatMaSi wel abutIam not,Il ovemymom so
mucht hatIknowshewoul dneverdoany t
hingi fshe
thoughti twasn' twhatbest .Iknowt hrought hecr azy,
sillytherei
sasuperv ul
nerablewomanbutatt he
samet i
meshe' sstrongandoneoft hebr avest
womenIhav eev erknown.SoIam notangr ybutI
j
ustdon' tf
eel any t
hi ngtoMrGasabei ngmyf ather,I
knowt hatmaycomeacr ossasselfishbuti tthe
truth.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zenande-wow.
..
Nell
y-am Iasel
fi
shper
son?Am Ibei
ngirr
ati
onal
r
ightnowormaybeIam j
ustbei
ngspoil
edbrat?I
meanIknowofpeopl ewhowoul dkil
lofknowing
thei
rfatherorhav
ear el
ati
onshipwithhim buther
eI
am giventheopport
unit
ybutIjustfeelbl
ank,empty.
Zenande-(
hol
dsherhand)youknowIwi
l
lal
way
sbe
honestwit
hyounomatterwhatri
ght
?

Shenods.
..
.

Zenande-It hinky ouneedhel p,justhearmeout

beforeyoudi sput ethis.Isayy ouneedhel pbecause
Iseeapat ternwi thy ouwhi chIseei nme.I tnotbad
tonotfeelany t
hingbecausesomet imeswear e
facedwithsi t
uat i
onst hatwej ustgenui nelydon't
careforbuti nt hi
scase( sheshakesherhead)Nel l
y
youjustfoundoutwhoy ourfatheris?,youj ust
foundtheot herhal fwhi chy oubel ongtoo.Thi sis
yourotherfami l
y,thisist hemant hathelpedbr i
ng
yout ol
if
e.Youcan' tnotf eelanything,i
tnotheal thy
babygirl
.Letmet ellyouwhyy ouf eelasi fyoudon't
feelanyt
hing, itbecausey ouhavet rai
nedy oursel
fto
switchoffanyf eeli
ngst hathav ecamewi th"daddy
i
ssues" .Iknowy oulongedf ory ourdadonf at her'
s
day ,daddydances, t
eapar t
iesot her wisey ou
woul dn' thav ement i
onedt hosepar t
icularev ent sif
youdi dn't.Youspeci ficall
yt oldmeaboutt hem
becausey ouknowexact l
yhowy ouf eltwheny ou
wat chedot herski dswi ththeirdaddi es.Sur eDon
wast her ebuti twasn' tt hesame.Iunder st andt hat
youdon' tneedaf atheri ny ourlifer i
ghtnow?And
thatt ruei tislittletol atet omaket hosememor i
es
buti tnott ool atet obui ldsomesor tofrel ationshi p
wi thhim.Abandonmentscarcut sv erydeep, trust
meIknow.Buty ouhav eamant hatwi ll
ingt ohav ea
relati
onshi pher e.Ihav eamot herwhonev erev en
triedorbot heredt ol ov eme, boozeandt henextf ix
wer emor ei mpor tantt hanherchi l
dr enfut ur e.Don' t
closey our selfof fli
keIhav e,youal readysuckwi t
h
men, Iknowhowscar edy ou'reofnotbei ng" enough"
andt hatpar ti
allyMrGasaf aultbecausey ouof ten
wonder edwhy" mydad"i sn'ther e?Si zweputt he
finalnai l whenhel efty ou,y ouwer enot" enough"f or
him.Nowy ougotSbani buty oust i
llfearnev erbeing
"enough" .Thatwhyy ouchoseamal edomi nat ed
fieldbecausey ouwant edt opr ov ethaty oucanbe
j
ustasgoodasamanorcanbet
hatyouwanted
accept
ance,
topr
ovet
haty
ou'
re"
enough"r
ight
?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zenande-y oudon'thav etoanswery ouknowIam

ri
ght.Youneedhel pory ouwillbel i
keme, justli
ke
youf earnotbei ng" enough"If ear"commi tment "I
don'tdocommi t
mentatal l
,Ihav eseenhowt hi
ngs
j
ustdon' tlast,l
ookatwhatl ovedi dtomymot her ?
Lookatwhati tmademyf atherdo?Inev erwanta
mant odot hattome, Idon'
twantt olov
esomeone
thatwhent heyleaveIf i
ndmy selfi
nahel lholelike
mymot her.Shecoul dnevercommi ttoher sel
fand
chil
dr enbecauseshel ovedthewr ongmant oodeep
thatshel ostherself.Justli
key ouhav eclosedof
anyf eelingsassoci atedwi t
h" daddy"Ihavecl osed
allf
eel i
ngsassoci atedwi t
h"lovingaman" .Yousee
thepat tern?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Theybot
hsi
tsi
l
ent
lyasZenandewor
dssi
nki
n..
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

MaSi wel atearfull

ysl idesdownt hewal landsi t
son
thetil
ef loor,shehear dev erything, from whatNel l
y
saidtoev er
ywor dZenandespoke.I twast oomuch
forher ,
twobeaut iful girl
sbutbr okeni nside, shehad
alway sthoughtherdaught erwast hebol dandf ierce
typeal l
becauset hathowshet aughthert obebut
hearingt hatpar tofherbol dandf iercenessi s
becauseshef earst hatshei sn' t"enough" ,
that
somehowherwor ket hicandherani malisti
chunger
i
sal lherseeki ngv alidat i
on,ithur ts.Thant her eis
Zenande, asmuchasshe' snowwi ththem, af amily
she'snev erhadbuti tcannev erer aset hepai nand
sufferi
ngshehasedur ed,itcannev erheal thescar
thathasbeencar vedi nsi
deher .She' swi l
li
ngt oliv
e
herlifedepr i
vingher selfoflov e.Ital lwasabi tterpil
l
toswal lowbutknowt hatshet hinksabouti t
, she
shouldhaveseent hecracks,Sbanihadmanagedt o
makeherdaught ersomewhatweak, vulner
ableand
withZenandesheav oidedev er
yrel
ationshi
pt opic,
shewast hefi
rstpersonwhoshewat chedTi t
anic
withandnevershedonet earwhenJackdi ed.She
didn'
tevenseem fazedbyt heromance.Shewi ped
hertear
sandst oodinherf eet,
tookadeepbr eath
andwalkedtot heLounge. .
.

MaSiwela-(cl
earsthr
oat)aft
ernewy ear
seveIam
bookingallofusint
otherapyanditnotupf
or
di
scussion.Therewouldbeonef orusasafamil
y
andindivi
dualsessi
ons.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Il
ovey
oumom.
..

MaSiwel
abli
nkst
hetear
sandwal
kstowher
et he
gi
rl
sareseat
ed,t
heyal
lshar
edagr
ouphugteary
..
.
MaSiwela-t
herei
snoMannualtol
ov i
ngy
ouguys
butIj
ustwanttobethebestmom andmomst
erI
caneverbe..

Thabol ooksatthem conf

usedseeingallofthem
withtears,Nkanyezi
makesani r
ri
tatedsound,
aler
ti
ngt hem tomov eawayfr
om eachot her
, seei
ng
thattheyhavehersquashedinthemi ddl
e..
.

Nel
l
y-(
laughs)mybabyr
eal
l
yhat
esbei
ngst
aff
ed.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
rol
l
sey
es)kuy
azi
tshel
anj
elokho

Theyal
ll
augh.
..
.

Thabo-(
conf
used)whyar
eyoual
lcr
ying?
Zenande-(
smi
l
es)wej
usthappyboyboy
..
..
Thabo-(
shakeshi
shead)Women!
!!
Wi
tht
hatsai
dhegoesbackt
oent
ert
aini
ngNsi
ka.
..

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT

Shewasl ookingt hroughtheclassif

iedsecti
onof
thenewspaper ,searchingifar
et her
eanyv acant
posts.Shewashappyaboutherj obbutweal lknow
ther
ei snogrowi ngatt hebank,youstayinthesame
posi
tionunti
ly our eti
re.
..

Thandeka-Mxm t
hisi
sjustusel
ess.
..

Shef r
ustrat
edlywalkstot heki
tchenandopensthe
fr
idge,notsati
sfiedwithanythi
ngthatwasinside
shemakesament alnotetohersel
fthatsheneeds
togogr oceryshopping.Herphonedistur
bsherby
ri
nging,sheclosesthef r
idgeandrunstoit.
..
Thandeka-hel
l
o..
Shaka-hel
l
oTee,
itShaka.
.
Thandeka-(
sighs)uf
unani
?(Whatdoy
ouwant
?)
Shaka-what
'
swi
tht
heat
ti
tude?
Thandeka-Ir
eal
l
ydon'twantanydr
amai
nmyl
i
fe
ri
ghtsandyouZulu'
shavetonsofi
t.
.
Shaka-(
laughs)t
hei
rony
..
.

Sher oleshereyes,
shecoul
ddetactf
rom hi
slaugh
thathepr obabl
yknowsexact
lywhathappened
Christmasday .
..

Thandeka-howcanIhel
pyouShaka?
Shaka-Ihav
esomet
hingIwantust
otal
kabout
.Let
meetintwodays
Thandeka-whatdoy
ouwant
?
Shaka-(
bol
dvoi
ce)i
ntwoday
sThandeka.
..
Wi
tht
hatheendedt
hecal
l
...

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t108

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE

Afteraveryemotional
momentbet weenthethr
ee
women, theyhuggedthingsoutandwentonwith
theirday
.Nell
ywaspacki ngheroverni
ghtbagwhen
hermom andZenandewal kedin.
..

MaSi
wel
a-Gi
deoni
sdownst
air
s..
Nell
y-(
looksaround)Iam al
mostdone,j
ust
checki
ngifther
eissomethingIam f
orget
ti
ng.
Zee-(l
ooksatt
hebag)youpackedf
ory
our
sel
fand
therascal
sint
hatonebag?
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)no,
Iam notpacki
ngf
or
t
hem,
Sbani
hascl
othesf
ort
hem athi
spl
ace.
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksather
)NosexNel
i
siwe.

Zenandel
aughs.
..
.

Nell
y-(
rol
lseyes)wewon'
thav
esexma,
thedoct
or
hasn'
tcl
earedmey et
.
MaSi wel
a-Good!!
!Idon'twantyouhavingadozen
ki
ds, webothknowGi dshootsthreet
imest hanan
averageman.IlovethefactthatIam agrandmother
nowbutIam notMam' Doll
yandmyhousei snotan
orphanage.

ZenandeandNel
l
ybot
hlookateachot
hert
han
MaSiwela.
..

MaSiwela-(shr
ugs)What?Don'tt
ellmeyoudon'
t
knowt hatmostti
mest hewoment hatar
ecar
e
taker
sofanor phanageareal
waysnamedDolly,
Agnes,
Nandi
orandnotf
orget
ti
ngMar
y.
Zenande-(l
aughs)Maryi
spr
obabl
ytheonet
hat
"sav
ed"preachesthewor
dofGodalot
..
MaSi wel
a-(nods)yeah,ev
ery
bodythi
nkssheisa
vi
rginbutshe'sshaggingi
tupwit
hthepastor
Luther.
..
Nell
y-(nods)t
ruemamaandweal
lknowhowLut
her
l
ikestorolepl
ay.
.

Theyl
ookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ouguy
sar
ereal
l
ysi
l
ly.
.
Zenande-(
smi
l
es)y
ouknowIl
ovey
our
ight
?
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherheadl
aughi
ng)noIam notl
eav
ing
myper
fumeZee.
MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatNel
l
y)y
ounot
?

Nel
l
yfol
dsherar
msandl
ooksatt
hem.
..
Nel
l
y-y
esIam notl
eav
ingany
thi
ng.
Zenande-(
rol
lseyes)wel
lwehav
ebeenusi
ngi
tso
youmightaswell
justl
eavei
t.
.
MaSi
wel
a-i
tnotl
i
key
oucan'
taf
for
danot
herone.
.
Nelly
-(l
aughs)exactl
yIam awor ki
ngwoman, t
hat
affor
dst osmell
likeIdo.Youtwoont heot
herhand
(shakesherhead)sti
cktoJustineandAvon
products,i
twi
thinyourpaygrade.
Zenande-wooooo!
!!
!Babygi
rl
,Iam hur
t.
..
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)t
het
rut
hdoest
hatt
oyoubabe.
.

MaSi
wel
ast
andsupf
rom t
hebed.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatNel
l
y)av
euy
inj
a!!
!

Wit
hthatshel
eavesther
oom,
Nel
l
yandZenande
bur
stoutl
aughi
ng..
.
Nel
l
y-Il
ovey
out
oomom!
!!

ATMPANGENI
..
..

Acarst opped, t
hepassengerdooropened, Li
ndiwe
wasr oughlythrownoutt hecar,beforeherwhole
bodyev entouchedt hegr oundt
hecarspeedout ,
l
eav i
ngherst ruggli
ngt ogetupfrom t hef
loorwhil
e
cursi
ng.Thenei ghbor swalkouttheirhouses
wantingtoseet hecrazywomanwhowasshout i
ng
andcur si
ngint hestreet.Shefi
nall
ymanagedt o
standonherf eetbutshewasusi ngt hesmallgate
tobalancehersel f.
..

Li
ndiwe-(looksaround)ni
bukani
?,hl
ekaniphel
a,
Nxi!
!!
!Nizi
njakabi ni
na(Whatareyoulooki
ngat?
Laugh!!
!!
,youallDogs)

Shet
ri
edt
ost
andonherownbutshef
ell
flatont
he
fl
oorexposi
ngherbutt
.Theki
dswhower epl
ayi
ngi
n
thest
reetl
ookedatherandburstoutl
aughi
ng
seei
ngherassandboobsout..

Ki
d1-(l
aughi
ng)bukai
phent
ilakamakaThabo
l
engcol
il
e
Ki
d2-(
giggl
es)Mhl
ampel
i
nesi
shl
ama

Theki
dsbur
stoutl
aughi
ngev
enmor
epoi
ntat
Li
ndi
we..
.

Lindi
we-(l
ooksattheki
ds)hambani
lalezi
nto
ezimbil
ezi(goawayyouugl
ythi
ngs)
..
.

Shekeptcursi
ngandshout
ing,
sti
l
lst
ruggl
i
ngt
o
st
andstil
landwalk.
..

Woman1-(
shakesherhead)i
tsuchashamengo
Li
ndi
we.
..
Woman2-It r
iedcal
li
ngherdaughterlastweekbut
shestr
aightuptol
dmenev ertocallheragai
nifi
t
aboutLi
ndiwe.
Woman3-doyouthi
nksheuseswhooganow?I
meanl
ookather,
ungcol
il
e.
Woman1-Iwon'
tbesurpr
isedifshedi
d.Ihear
dshe
wor
ksforBobbynow,weallknowwhatthatmeans.
..

Thewomansi
ghandwal
kupt
owar
dswher
eLi
ndi
we
was.
..
.

Woman2-letgetheri
nsi
debef
oreondabaseeher
l
iket
his.
..

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS

Nomusawasbusysweepi
ngtheyar
dwhenher
f
ri
endcamerunni
ngtoherwi
thherphone.
..
Fr
iend-(
smil
es)i
ndoday
akhokadei
foni
l
e(y
our
manjustcal
l
ed)

Nomusadr opsthebroom andlooksbehi

ndher
checkingi
fhermotherwasany wher
einsi
ght.She
draggedherfr
iendsotheywerenowstanding
behindoneoftherondavel
s..
.

Nomusa-(
fol
dsherar
ms)y
ouwantmyf
ami
l
yto
heary
ou.
Fri
end-(rol
lseyes)ubabawakhoisatt
hechief
s
house.(Givesherthephone)t
humelai
ndodaucal
l
backizofonayona.

Nomusasighsandt
akest
hephonesendi
ngacal
l
backt
oBless.
.

Nomusa-whenImovet
oeThekwi
niy
oubet
ter
del
etehi
snumber.
Fri
end-y
eahwhatev
erbit
ch.
..uhambani
niv
ele?
(Whenareyoul
eavi
ng?)
Nomusa-(
blushes)Angazi
(Idon'
tknow)
Fr
iend-wel
lwhenhecal
l
s,umbuze(
askhi
m)
Nomusa-(shakesherhead)angi
funikubukeke
engat
hingiy
amuf una(Idon'
twantittoseem l
ikeI
wanthim)
Fri
end-(r
oll
seyes)kuni ngiokusameleukufunde
ngamadoda( t
hereisst i
llal
oty ouneedtolearn
aboutmen)thisguy salreadyknowsy ouinterest
ed,
whyelseareyousneaki ngar oundandusingy our
"f
ri
ends"phonet ocallhim.VukaMusa, yout oo
beauti
fult
obet hisslow.
Nomusa-(
smirks)si
ncewhendoy
ouspeakt
his
muchEngl
ish.
..
Fri
end-(
smil
es)well
rememberIt
oldy
ou
ngi
nendodaentsha(
Ihav
eanewman) ?

Nomusanodsandl
ooksatherf
ri
end.
..
Fri
end-wel
l
,itoneofthoseSomali
anguysthatj
ust
openedaminisuper
mar keti
nourvi
ll
age.
Nomusa-(
laughs)y
ouj
oki
ngr
ight
?
Fr
iend-(
shakesherhead)deadser
iousoe.
..
Nomusa-buttheyst
ingywit
hmoney
,(shr
ugs)
at
leastt
hatwhatIheard.
.
Fri
end-(
sighs)wel
lIhav
eaguyt
hatgi
vesmemoney
so.
..(
sheshrugs)
Nomusa-t
hanwhyy
oudat
inghi
m?
Fri
end-hegiv
esmegr
ocer
ies,
uyazi
west
ruggl
i
ngat
homef ort
hemoment
.

Nomusacoulddetectt
hesadt oneonherf
ri
ends
voi
ce,shewasabouttorespondwhenthephone
r
inged,shet
ookadeepbr eat
handanswered.
..

Nomusa-hel
l
o..
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)aawmyShukut
a..
Sheblushed,
drawi
ngci
rcl
esont
hegr
oundwi
thher
feet
..
.

Nomusa-unj
ani
?
Bl
ess-Iam okay
,howar
eyou?

Shecoul
dsomehowdet ectf
rom hi
svoi
cethathe
wasn'
tfi
ne,butshedi
dn'
twantt
oseem noseyso
shedeci
dednottoask.
..

Nomusa-okay
..
..whyhav
en'
tyoubeencal
l
ing?

Shehel
dhermout
h,okaysher
eal
l
ydi
dn'
tmeant
o
askt
hat.
..

Nomusa-uhmm I
,aah.
..
Bl
ess-(
chuckl
es)i
tokay
,youdohav
ear
ightt
oask
meanythi
ng,
uyakwazi
lokhoangi
thi(
youknowt
hat
r
ight
)?
Nomusa-uhmm y
eah.
..
Bl
ess-(
smi
les)Ihav
easmal l
pr obl
em atthe
momentemsebenzi
nibutIwi
llsorti
tout.Imissy
ou.
.
Nomusa-(
blushes)okay
..
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)don'
tyoumi
ssme?
Nomusa-(
blushesev
enmor
e)angazi
..
.

Herfri
endrol
lshereyesandpinchesNomusa,
i
ndicat
ingsheshouldsay"shemisseshi
mtoo".
..

Bless-(
smil
es)wel
lIdoandnextweekIcomi
ngt
o
getyou..
.

Sheblushedevenmor eandconti
nuedtodraw
ci
rcl
esont hegroundastheykepttal
ki
ng,wel
lhe
wasdoingthemost .
..
I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
.

Hel
ooksathi
ski
dst
hrought
hemi
rr
or.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evey
ougav
emet
wo
ki
ds..
Nell
y-(smi
les)techni
cal
l
yIgaveyouthr
eekids.
(
Laughs)mymot herwarnedmenottohav
esexwi t
h
youbecausey oushoott
hreeti
methananaverage
man...

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Sbani
-thatsur
esoundsl
i
key
ourmot
her
..
Nell
y-(
smiles)MaSi
welaissomet hi
ngel se(looksat
hi
m)Ihappyt obeherewithyou,Iknowwej ust
i
nsideacarandwepr obabl
ygoingt ospendt herest
ofouraft
ernoonnotal
onebutIam st i
llhappy .Al
lI
wanti
sthis,
thesimpl
i
cit
yofj
ustbei
ngwi
thy
ouand
ourki
ds,
Ilovethat
.
Sbani
-(hol
dsherhand)Iknow.
..

Theystareateachot
herbuthi
sgazequi
cklyl
ooks
backattheroad.Hecoul
dfeelt
heanxi
etyofwhat
's
tocomebui l
dingi
nsi
deofhim.
..

Nel
ly'
sphonevibrat
es,
shetakesitoutherhandbag
andsmil
eslookingatt
hecall
erID..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)awusangi
funi
wena.
..
Mt
hoko-(
laughs)Iknewy
ouwoul
dsayt
hat
..
Nel
l
y-shebet
terbewor
thy
..
Mthoko-(
smi
l
es)Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngt
hatshei
s,ur
ight
kodwa?
Nel
l
y -(
sighs)Iam okay
,mom t
hinksIshoul
dtr
y
t
herapy.
.
Mt
hoko-whatdoy
out
hink?
Nell
y-Iwi
llgi
vei
tatry,
Ihav
esomeotheri
ssues,
enoughaboutme,how'
syourt
ri
pandwhenyou
comingback?
Mthoko-Iam hav
ingtheti
meofmyl
i
febutIam
headi
nghomet onight
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
pout
s)Iwontbehome.
.
Mthoko-y
eahwel
l
,techni
cal
l
yIwon'
tgohome,
Iam
headi
ngtoMpumalanga.
.
Nel
l
y-wi
Blesserneh?

Hebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Mt
hoko-ngi
dlai
mal
iyami
,angi
nanganephel
ami
na.
.
Nel
l
y-wooo!
!!Hol
dupwi
thy
ourguns.
Mt
hoko-(
laughs)ngi
yadl
ala.

Theycont
inuet
ochatandcat
chup.
..
ATSHAKA'
SAPARTMENT

Shaka-Mybrotheri
sgoingtopr
ison,
Ineed
prot
ecti
onforhiminsi
de..

Bruce'
seyeswiden,hegulpshi
swhi
skeyandsi
ts
backbrushi
nghisface.
..

Br
uce-y
ouser
ious?
Shaka-(nods)Ineedy out
ogethim prot
ect
ionon
theinsi
de.Iam hopingifmyplansworkshewon't
gotopr i
sonbutrightnowIjustneedall
angles
covered.
Br
uce-t
hiswi
l
lcosty
ou.
.
Shaka-moneyi
snotapr
obl
em y
ouknowt
hat
.
Bruce-okay(
looksathi
m)howdoy
oupl
anon
helpi
nghim?May beIcan.
.
Shaka-(shakeshi
shead)justdowhatIam aski
ng
now,letmehandletherest.

Brucenods,t
heybot
hsi
tandabsor
bthesi
tuat
ion
theyfacedwi
th.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t109

ATNDAWORARESI
DENCE.
.

Bl
ess-Mysunshi
newer
edoy
ouwantt
oeat
?
Matema-wel lt
heweatherisniceandsunny,It
hink
thegardenwill
beaniceplacet oeatbutl
etwaitfor
ourguest,seeift
heyl
iketheideaornot.
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)wethehostsoifwesaywe
eati
ngoutsidet
hanoutsi
dei
tis.Theyhavenosay
here.
Mat
ema-(
smi
l
es)Di
dyoui
nvi
tey
ourot
hersi
bli
ngs?
Bl
ess-(nods)Nomvel
oandSandil
earecomingbut
Bandi
leisn'
t,
appar
ent
lyhehasrugbypr
act
ice.
Matema-(
sighs)wel
lthatabummer
,Iwashopi
ng
youki
dsgettoknoweachot her
.
Bless-wewillmamabutBandil
eneedst
olear
ntodo
thi
ngsf orhi
mselfandnotMoses.
Matema-yeah,
remembert
oal
waysbetheref
or
eachot
herassibl
i
ngsnomatt
erwhatokay
?
Bl
ess-okaymama.
.

Hesi
deshugsherandki
sseshercheek.
.

Matema-Iam happyt
haty
ouhav
eaf
ami
l
ynow,
I
wasworri
edyou..
.
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)l
etnott
alkaboutt
hatnow,
todayisahappyday
.
Shenodsandt
heybot
hwal
ktowher
ethecooks
are.
..

ATTHEGASARESI
DENCE.
..

MrsGasawasseat
eddri
nki
ngwi
neandreadi
nga
magazi
newhenBandi
l
ecamedownst
air
sinhisgy
m
wear
..
.

Mr sGasa-(frowns)ain'
tyousupposetobeatyour
brothershouse,Ithi
nkIheardyoursi
sterment
ion
somet hingaboutlunch.
Bandi
le-y
eahbutDadbookedmepr
act
icesessi
on
wit
h..
.
MrsGasa-(si
ghs)Bandi
l
ejustst
op,enoughabout
whatyourf
athersai
dorwant.Wenawhatdoy ou
want?
Bandi
l
e-(
sighs)Mom,
youknowhowdadi
s..
Mr
sGasa-(
shakesherhead)i
thol
i
day
sforGod
sake,you'
rey
oung.Bey oungbaby,t
urnandgoback
toyourroom,changeandtell
yoursist
eryouwi
l
l
them atBl
esshouse.

Bandi
lewasaboutt
ospeakbutMr
sGasast
opped
hi
m...

Mr
sGasa-Iwi
l
lspeakt
oyourf
ather
,justgo.
.

Hesmi
l
esandnodsgoi
ngbackt
ohi
shome.
..

ATZANDI
LEANDSI
PHO'
SHOUSE

Shewal
kst
otheirbedr
oom andf
indsSi
phol
aidi
n
bedwat
chi
ngtv
...

Zah-whatdoy
ouwantf
orl
unch?
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-(
looksathi
m)Si
pho.
.

Hegl
ancesatherandt
hanhi
sfocusgoesbackt
o
t
hetvscr
een.
.

Zah-(annoyed)Fi
ne,
stayqui
etf
ort
her
estofnex
t
yearaswell
.
Si
pho-(
looksather
)ufunangi
thi
niZandi
l
e?(
What
doyouwantmet osay
? )
Zah-(
fol
dsherar
ms)whatwast
hequest
ion?
Sipho-Iam nothungr
yZandi
l
e,i
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se
thatyouwant?

Sheshakesherhead,heglancesatheronemor e
ti
meandt hanmoveshisey esbacktothescreen.
Shewasabouttowalkawaywhenshet ur
nedback
andl
ookedathim annoyed...
Zah-youact
ingasifIam t
heonewhor uinedt
his
marri
agewheny oudid,
buthearIam bei
ngawifeto
yourungr
eat
fulass.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shegotevenmoreannoyedbyhissi
l
enttreatment
.
Shewaswantedtospitbackbutt
hevibr
atingofhi
s
phonedi
stur
bedher.
..

Si
pho-hel
l
o
Shaka-(bol
dvoi
ce)howi
syourdayl
ooki
ng
tomorrow?
Si
pho-not
hingy
et,
why
?
Shaka-Ineedt
oseey
ou.
.
Sipho-okay
,smsmet
het
imeandpl
ace,
Iwi
l
lbe
there.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-(
fol
dhi
sar
ms)t
haty
ourbi
tchcal
l
ing?

Hesi
tsupf
rom t
hebedandwal
kst
ost
andbesi
de.
..

Sipho-(
smirks)y
es,doyouwanttogetyourki
tready
,
chainbothofusinsi
det
hebedroom agai
n.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sipho-Ididn'
tthi
nksot oo,
Ithi
nkIam hungr
yfor
thatlunchnowwi fe.
..

Hesaysthatandki
sseshercheekwal
ki
ngaway
f
rom her
..
.
ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE

MrsNdawor aandNomvel
owerebusyadmi
ri
ng
babyNkanyeziandNsi
kawhi
l
ethemensetup
outsi
de.
..

Matema-y ouhav
ebeaut
if
ulbabi
esmychi
ld,God
hasblessedyouandhewil
lcont
inuet
obl
essyou
abundantl
y.
Nell
y-(smil
es)Thankyoumama, i
tfeel
sgoodt
o
hearthosewordsfrom someonel
i
key ou.
Bonol
o-ar
eyoumar
ri
ed?(
LooksatNel
l
y)

Nomv
elol
ooksatNel
l
ywi
thar
aisedey
ebr
ow.

Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)No,
Mv
elo-(
looksatBonol
o)whydoy
ouask?
Bonol
o-(
shr
ugs)Ij
ustt
houghtshewas,
especi
all
y
wi
tht
het
woki
ds.
Nel
l
y-ar
eal
lwomenwi
tht
woki
dsmar
ri
ed?
Bonol
o-Iguessnot
..
Mvel
o-thatwasadumbquesti
on,areal
lydumbone.
Don'
tbethejudgment
alt
ypehoney
,itnotcut
e.

Theyal
ll
aughawkwar
dly
,youcoul
dn'
tmi
sst
hel
i
ttl
e
awkwar
dsil
ent.
..

Meanwhi
l
eout
sidei
nthegar
den.
..

Sbani
-sodi
dyoucal
lyourv
il
lagequeen?
Bless-
(l
aughs)y
eah(looksatSbani)Ishoul
dbe
thanki
ngyouBafo,y
ousav edmet hedrama.Can
youbeli
evetheshyNomusaact ual
lyhadthegutt
o
askmewhyIhav ebeenqui etl
atel
y.

Sbani
stopswhathewasdoi
ngandl
ooksatBl
ess.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
ouki
ddi
ngr
ight
?
Bl
ess-(
chuckl
es)Nope,
itwaski
ndofcut
ethough.
.
Sbani
-thi
sgir
lhasyoubythebal
l
s(l
ooksatSandi
l
e)
Doyouhav eagi
rl
fr
iend?
Sandi
le-(chuckl
es)Idi
dbutwebr okeupanditwas
thebestdecisi
onofmyl i
fe,
gir
lsarejustt
oomuch
str
ess..

Bl
essandSbani
lookateachot
herandbur
stout
l
aughi
ng.
..

Bl
ess-Theyar
ebutt
hepussydawg!
!!
..
.
Sandi
l
e-Toogood.
..
Sbani-I
'dtel
lyoutwofoolsal
laboutgreatpussybut
Idon'twanttoscary
ouf orl
if
e,butthetwobeauti
ful
babiesIgaveyoursi
stershoul
dbeal lt
heproofyou
need.
Bot
hBl
essandSandi
l
efr
own.
..

Sbani
-(l
aughs)passmet
hatchai
r.
..

Theycar
ryonl
aughi
ngandhav
ingagr
eatt
ime
di
scussi
ngwomen..
.

I
ntheki
tchen.
..

Nomv
elo-so.
..
.doy
ouknowBl
essnewgi
rl
fr
iend?
Nel
l
y-Newgi
rl
fr
iend?
Nomvel
o-yeahsomegi
rlhemetwheny
ouguy
s
wer
eatthevil
l
age.
Nell
y-(smil
es)ohy
oumeanNomusa,
greatgi
rl
,
beauti
fult
oo..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Nel
lyl
ooksatNomv
elo,
hereyeswidenbutshe
qui
ckl
ycover
supwit
hasadlook.
..

Nel
l
y-I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Mvel
o-itokay
,Imeanat
leastwehav
easi
bli
ng
r
elat
ionshi
p.
Nell
y-Iknowbuti
tsti
l
lmustsuck,
Iknowhowmuch
youactual
lyl
i
kedhim..
Nomv
elo-Ist
il
ll
ikehi
m,al
ot.
..
Nell
y-(
looksather)y
ouneedt
olett
hosef
eel
i
nggo
babygi
rl,he'
syourbr
other
.
Nomv
elo-canIt
ell
yousomet
hing
Nel
l
y-(
nods)y
eah.
.
Nomv
elo-Iwantt
ohav
esexwi
thhi
m..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nomv
elo-may
bei
nthatwayIwi
l
lst
ophav
ingal
l
t
hesewhat
sif
'sandf
ant
asi
esaboutt
hebot
hofus.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nomv
elo-y
ouunder
standr
ight
?
Nell
y-(hol
dsherhand)he'
sourbrot
her
,br
otherbabe,
l
etthisgo.Youknowwhat ,l
etgoj
oint
heother
s,I
t
hinkIheardBandil
e'
svoice.
..

Shegav
eheronelastsympatheti
clookbef
oret
hey
wal
kedout
sidet
ot hegarden.
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Theyallwereseatedar oundthet ablehavinglunch,

theytal
kedev er
ythingfrom poli
ti
cs,mar ri
age,kids.
Thedayseemedbl issf
ul f
orthebunch, thesibli
ngs
gottoknoweachot her,i
tsafetosayt heywer eall
havingfun.Laughterwasar oundt hetableuntil
Shakast
oodbef
oret
hem.
.

Shaka-(
smi
l
edl
i
ght
ly)Sani
bonani
..
.

Theyal
lgr
eet
edhi
m back.
..

Mat
ema-(smil
es)uhmm,getachai
randcomej
oin
ust
her
eisplent
yoffood.
Shaka-Iwoul
dlov
etoomamabutIam i
nahurr
y,I
j
ustneedtohaveaqui
ckwor
dwithmybrot
herand
Bl
ess..

Hesaidthatandwalkedbacki
nsidet
hehouse,
BlessandSbanil
ookedateachother
,theyexcused
themselv
esandwalkedinsi
dethehouse..
.

Mvelo-i
sitmeorhedidnotlookl
i
ket
hecheer
ful
Shakethatweal
lusedtoo.
.
Nel
l
y-(l
ookswheret
heyal
lwal
kedt
oo)somet
hing
i
swrong,Icanf
eeli
t.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
det
hehouse

Bl
ess-(
looksatShaka)what
'supman?
Shaka-y
oubot
hmi
ghtwantt
osi
tdownf
ort
his.
..
Sbani
-(Looksathi
m)j
ustspi
titout
..
.
Shaka-IknowaboutNt
okozo.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(bl
ankface)Ial
readyf
igur
edt
hatout
,nowt
ell
mewhatdoy ouwant ?
Bless-wai
t?Howdi
dyouknow?Ar
eyout
heone
that.
..

Shakast
oppedhi
m..
.
Shaka-youdon'
twanttosaysuchthingswhi
leyou
surr
oundedbysomanyear s.
..Iam her
ebecauseI
knowwhohasNt okozo.
..

SbaniandBl
esslookateachothert
hanl
ookedat
Shakawitht
he"welist
eni
ng"face.
..

Shaka-MosesGasa.
..

Whenhesaidthosewords,bot
hSbaniandBl
ess
bodi
eswentcold,t
heybothknewthi
swasnotgood
atal
l
...

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t110
Thenextday
..
.

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..

Sheopenedthedoor,Shakasmil
edl
ightl
yand
wal
kedinsi
de.Shefrownedlooki
ngattheti
me,i
t
waswayearlyforv
isit
ors.
..

Thandeka-(
foldsherar
ms)usi
boni
l
eisi
khat
hi?(
Did
youseethetime?)
Shaka-(
shrugs)canwesit
?Ineedust
ogett
his
doneveryquickl
y,Ihav
esomewher
eel
setobe.

Shesi
ghsandl
eadshi
mtot
hecouch.
..

Thandeka-whatt
hati
nyourhands?(
Looksatt
he
fi
l
ehehadwi thhi
m)
Shaka-(
handshert
hef
il
e)t
hisi
swhatIwant
edus
todiscuss,
inyourhandsyouhav
ethepaper
sthat
securesyourson'
sfutur
e.

HereyeswidenlookingatShaka,
notbeli
evi
ngthat
sheheardhim cor
rectl
y,shegl
ancesathi
m again.
..

Thandeka-i
sthi
swhatIt
hinki
tis?
Shaka-(nods)That,youhol
dingisasetofpaper
s
thataretobeattachedtoSbani'
swil
laswell
asthe
Zuluempi r
e.I
fyousi gnt
hosepapersSJwouldbe
setforli
fe.

Thesmil
eonherfacecouldn'tbemissed,shewas
nofool
,of
coursesheknowssi gni
ngthesepaper
s
wouldmeanforherson'
sfuture.
..

Thandeka-(l
ooksatShaka)what'
sthecat
ch?Iknow
ther
e'ssomethi
ngwhichy ouwantinr
etur
nandwhy
i
sn'tSbaniher
ehimself
?
Shaka-youknowver
ywel
lthaty
ou'
renothi
s
fav
ourit
eperson.
.
Thandeka-okaybuty
oust
il
ldi
dn'
ttel
lmet
hecat
ch?
Shaka-there'
snocat ch,
all
wewantisthatyousi
gn
theotherformsinthatfi
le,
anewbirthcer
ti
fi
cat
e
wouldbei ssuedforSJindi
cat
ingSbaniashi
sfat
her.
Thandeka-he'
ssur
namealr
eadyi
sZul
u,Idon'
tsee
theneedforanewbir
thcer
ti
fi
cat
e.
Shaka-Sbani
needst
ohav
epar
ent
alr
ight
stohi
s
son.
Thandeka-Healr
eadydoes,
Idon'
tseewhyt
her
eis
needforall
thi
s..
Shaka-wepr acti
calpeopl
e,wedon'
tli
ke
uncert
aint
ies.Wehav eapeaceofmindwhen
ever
ythi
ngi slegi
tanddottedonpaper
.

ShelooksatthedocumentandthanatShaka, hi
s
facei
sblankandgivesnothi
ngaway .Butthi
swas
Shakashehadnor easontodoubtanythi
ngabout
him.Shakacouldseethedoubti
nherey es,he
neededhert
osi
gnal
lthesedocument
s..
..

Shaka-youcancal
lyourl
awyerifyouwant,wecan
si
thereashedoesthrougheveryt
hingbef
oreyou
si
gn,Icanseeyouabithesi
tantonsigni
ng..
.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Hel
ooksather
,hoppi
ngshet
akest
hebai
t.
..
.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..

Shaka-okayMathandi
ejustcal
lyourl
awy
er,
Iwi
l
l
l
eavey ouwit
hthedocu..
..
Thandeka-uhmm NO!
!!!I
tfi
ne(
looksatShaka)i
tjust
i
nsuranceformsr
ight
?

Hesmi
l
esandnodsl
ooki
ngr
ightbackather
..
.
Shaka-r
ight
..
.

Shegrabsapenandsitdownwhilesi
gni
ngand
put
ti
ngherini
ti
alsonever
ysingl
epaper.
..

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE.
..
.

MrZul
u-(l
ooksatt
het
ime)wher
eisthi
sboy
?He
wassupposet
obeher
e20minutesago.
.
MrsZulu-doy
ouhav
eanyi
deawhyhewant
sto
meetup?
MrZul
u-(
shakeshi
shead)No.
..

Mr sZul
uwasaboutt osaysomethi
ngwhenshe
heardfoot
stepsmakingthei
rwaytothem, i
nsi
dethe
study,t
hepersonknockedonthedoor,Si
phowalked
i
nside..
.
Si
pho-(
looksathi
sfat
her
)Mageba.
.
MrZul
u-(
nods)Ndodana(
son)

Hewalkstowar
dshi
smot
herandhugher
,ki
ssesher
cheek.
..

Si
pho-howar
eyou?
MrsZulu-(
smil
es)Iam okay
,If
eel
li
keIhav
en'
tseen
yousi
nceforev
er.
Si
pho-(
laughs)Imi
ssy
out
oomom.
.
MrsZulu-youkidsdon'
tl
oveusanymor
e,i
tthe
hol
idaysbutnoneofyouwanttoev
enspendafew
hourswit
hus.
MrZul
u-zi
bal
ewedwa,
Iam f
inewi
thoutseei
ngt
hei
r
f
aces.
.

Theyal
ll
augh.
..
Sipho-(
looksar
ound)wherei
sShaka?Hecal
l
edme
andsaidhewantstotal
k..
.

MrZul
uandMrsZul
ubot
hlookateachot
herand
t
hanSi
pho.
..

Mr
sZul
u-hecal
l
edy
out
oo?
Si
pho-(
nods)y
eah,
yini
?What
'sgoi
ngon?
MrZulu-(
shr
ugs)Idon'
tknowbuthealsocal
l
edus
andsaidhewant
edtotalk,
buthe'
slat
e..
Si
pho-hesoundedof
font
hephone,
li
kesomet
hing
waswrong.
Mr sZulu-ohGodIhopeitnot
hingbad,Iwas
actual
lyhopingwestar
tanewy earwit
houtany
drama.

Thedooropened,Shakacl
osedthedoorandwalked
i
nside.Theyal
lst
aredathi
m, hel
ookedatthem and
si
ghed.
..

Shaka-y
oual
lmi
ghtwantt
osi
tdownf
ort
his.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nell
ywokeupal onei nbed, shebr ushedherf ace
andblinkedaf ewt i
mes.Shel ookedar oundand
foundthatNobodywasher ewi thher, shewal kedt o
thebathr oom, aft
ershef ini
shedbr ushinghert eeth
shewal kedt othebabynur sery.Bot hcot swer e
empt y
, soshemadeherwayt otheki tchen.When
shewasaboutt opasst hel oungear ea, shest opped
l
ookingatt hesightbeforeher .Shesmi l
edand
walkedt owher et heglassdoorwas, shest oodt here
andwat chedSbani readingabookt obot hNkany ezi
andNsi ka.Hehadasmal lpicni
csetup, shelooked
aroundandnot icedthesmal lgardenwhi chhad
fl
owersgr owing,wellthelastt i
meshewasher e,
therewasnogar den,hemusthav eor ganised
everyt
hingt het i
mehewasset t
ingupanur seryshe
thoughttoher
sel
f.Shesl
owlywal
kedtowhereher
smallfamil
ywasandsquatt
ednextt
oSbani,
he
l
ookedupatherandsmi l
edbabyki
ssi
ngher.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)mor
ning.
..
Sbani-(
smi
l
es)i
tact
ual
l
ygoodday
,hav
eyoul
ooked
attheti
me.
..

Shegaspedandtookhi
sphonewhi
chwasont
he
fl
oornextt
ohim andl
ookedatt
het
ime.
..

"
13:
23"

Nell
y-(
shocked)Isleptthatmuch,whydidn'ty
ou
wakemeup?Ohmygod! !
!Thebabies,t
heyneedto
changethei
rdiaper
s,theyneedtobef ed..
.

Hesmil
eslooki
ngatherpani
cki
ng,
shest
oppedand
l
ookedathi
m...
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)whyy
oul
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
?
Sbani-(l
aughs)
(shrugs)Ijustl
oveseei
ngthissi
deof
you(kissedher
)justsitandenjoyyourcol
d
breakfast
..
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)whataboutt
he.
..
Sbani-(
roll
seyes)Idideveryt
hing(smil
esproudl
y)I
changedtheirdi
apers,tr
ustmei twasn'
taprett
y
si
ght,Ican'
tbeli
evehowcansuchcut eli
tt
lethi
ngs
producethatyel
low,green.
..
Nel
l
y-(l
aughs)okaystop!
!!Noneedt
odescr
ibe al
l
t
hat,
Isti
l
lwanttoenjoymyf ood.
.
Sbani-(l
aughs)sor
rybabeany waysIwast el
li
ngy ou
aboutmydaddyondut ymorning.Aft
erIremov ed
thei
rdiapers,
Igavethem bot
hawash, yourson
hateswatersoitwasn'tastr
ugglewithhim butour
l
itt
lestar,
Ithi
nkIwitnessedherfir
strebel
li
ous
tantr
um.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)she'
sal
ady
,wel
oveourl
ongbat
hs.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
eah,
shel
ookedr
eal
l
yhappywhen
shewasi nt hewater,anywaysIpi ckedoutt hei
r
outfi
ts,whichsurpri
singlyIenj
oy eddoing.Ihad
plannedonabeaut ifulgardenbreakfastforallofus
butyouwer esooutofi t
,Idecideditjustgoingtobe
us.(Feeli
ngev enmor eproud)Ifedt hem their
bottl
eswhi chImadef r
om scratch..
.

Shesmil
edseeinghowhappyandproudofhewas
ofhi
mself
.Actual
lyhesur
pri
sedher
,butmoresohe
sur
pri
sedhimself
..
.

Nell
y-soIcanl
eav
ethem wi
thdaddywhi
l
emommy
goesonaspardaywi
ththegi
rl
s..
.
Sbani
-pssshof
cour
seIgott
his.
..
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)okaysuperdad(
shel
ooksatt
hef
ood)
sodi
dyoumakeal lt
his?

Theybot
hlookateachot
herandbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
Sbani
-Iam superdadnotChefGor
donRamsey
Nel
l
y-(
kisseshi
m)Iwoul
dtake"superdad"ov
er
Gor
donRamseyanydaybabe.
Sbani
-don'
tyouwantt
ogoandr
eheatal
lthi
sfood.
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)Nah,
Iam l
azysoIwi
l
ljust
eati
tcold.
.

Helaughsandshakeshi
sheadlooki
ngather ,
he
gl
ancesatthebabi
es,t
heywerebothasleepnow.
Heputsthebookdownandtakesthefoodfrom her
..
.

Sbani
-Myj obofbei
ngsuperdadisdone,nowletme
beboyfr
iendoftheyear
,Iwi
llheatt
hisupforus.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ouhav
en'
teat
en?
Sbani
-yep,
Iwant
edust
oeatt
oget
her
..
Nel
l
y-(bl
ushes)y
oudef
ini
tel
yget
ti
ngabl
owi
e
t
oday.
..
Shespankshi
sass,helaughsshaki
nghisheadand
makeshiswayinsi
dethehousewiththei
rfood.
..

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE.
..

Itwasallquiet
,every
onewassti
l
l t
ryi
ngtolet
everyt
hingthatShakahassai
dsinkin,
MrsZulu
couldfeelhertear
swanti
ngtocomeout .
.

MrsZulu-(
chokesonhersal
i
va)whatdoy
oumean
murder
?
Sipho-(l
ooksatShaka)Idon'
tunder
stand,Imean
therei
snowaySbani coul
ddosuchat hi
ng,maybe
youmi st
akenBafo.
.
Shaka-(si
ghs)Ican'
tgoint
odetailbutIj
ustwant
ed
youguystoallknow,heneedsoursupport,I
promisetotel
lyouallt
hedetai
lonce
wehav
eal
lpl
ayedourpar
tsi
nhel
pinghi
m.
Mr
sZul
u-(
tear
y)Idon'
twantt
obel
i
evet
his(
shakes
herhead)NO,
No!
!!
Si
pho-Iknowwedisagreeal
otwit
hhi
m, buthe'
sst
il
l
mybrother(
star
esatShaka)ar
eyousur
eabout
whatyousayi
ng?
Shaka-(
nods)deadser
iousBaf
o..
..

MrsZul
u'
sloudcryi
shear
dallovert
her
oom,
Sipho
t
ri
esandcomfort
sthei
rmother
..
.

MrZul
u-(
looksatShaka)whatdoy
ouwantust
odo?
Shaka-Ineedy outocal
lanur
gentboar dmeeti
ngfor
tomorrowmor ning,
ther
eyouwillannounceSbani
's
resi
gnationfrom theCEOposit
ion,fur
thermoreyou
will
ment ionhisdecisi
ontodi
stancehimselff
rom
everyt
hingthathast odowit
hZulu&Sons.
Sipho-bydoingso,weensuret
hatwhenwor ds
spreadsoutabouthiscase,
sharehol
dersandclient
s
donotf eel
threat
enedwitht
heiri
nvest
ment s.
Shaka-(
nods)cor
rect
!!
!
MrZul
u-whotakest
heCEOposit
ion?Ican'
tdoi
t,I
hav
ealotonmyplat
eri
ghtnow.
Shaka-Ican'
ttakethatposi
ti
ontoo,
Ihavel
oads
wit
htheconstructi
ondepartmentpl
usIhav
etohel
p
wit
hSbani '
scase.
Si
pho-(l
ooksatthem)wellIcanoccupytheseat
,I
meanIknowev ery
thi
ngaboutthebusiness,
Iam
wel
lacquai
ntedwiththeboardmember s.
.
MrZulu-(
sighs)itcan'
tbey ouson,y
ouj ustnot.
..i
t
j
ustcannotbey ou,youdoingagreatjobmanagi ng
al
lourdeportsandsites,
itbestyoustaythere.
Si
pho-butbaba,
Icandoi
t,al
l
owmet
opr
ove
mysel
f.
.
MrZulu-(shakeshishead)Idon' tneedsomeone
whostil
lneedst oprov ethemselvesasZulu&Son's
CEO.Whenwor dsspr eadsabouty ourbr
other,our
CEOneedst obesomeonewhoi snotapushov er
,
someonewhoi srut
hless, hungryandbold.That
boar
droom wi l
lbefi
lledwi thall
sortsofanimals,I
needanAl phanotaBet a.
Shaka-(
looksathi
sfat
her
)sowhowi
l
ltaket
he
r
opesofact
ingCEO?
MrZul
u-Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t.
.

Shakanodsandl ooksatSiphowi
thsy
mpathet
ic
eyes,wellasmuchasSiphowasagoodmanager,
hejustdidn'
thav
et hebal
lsofpl
ayi
ngwit
hthetop
dogs..
..

Mr
sZul
u-(
Sni
ff
s)wher
e'sSbani
now?
Shaka-hewantedt
ospendthi
sdaywi
thhi
sfami
l
y,
heunderst
andshedoesn'
thav
emuchti
me.
Si
pho-Idon'
tthi
nkhewI
'
llsur
viv
einsi
det
her
e..
Shaka-(
sighs)Iam wor
kingonget
ti
nghi
m
prot
ecti
onfrom thei
nsi
de..
Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatMrZul
u)can'
twef
ightt
his?
Shaka-wewor
kingont
hatmama,
justl
etusdeal
wit
hthis.
.
MrZul
u-whendoy
out
hinkt
hear
restwi
l
lbemade?
Shaka-i
fIam cor
rect
,It
hinknewy
ear
sev
eni
ght
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
widensey
es)Thati
stomor
row.
.
MrZulu-(br
usheshisf
ace)wedon'
thavemuchti
me
t
han(standsup)letmegocont
acttheboar
d..

Theynodateachother
,MrsZulust
art
scryi
ngev
en
more.Shakast
andsandlooksatSi
pho..
.

Shaka-Ican'
tdealwi
tht
hisr
ightnow(poi
ntsathi
s
mom)Ineedt orushsomewhere,y
ougotherri
ght
?
Si
pho-(
nods)y
eahsho.
.

Shakawal
ksoutt
heirfat
her
'sstudy
,whi
l
eSi
pho
st
aysandcomfor
tshismother.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t111
ATSHAKA'
SFLAT.
..

Bl
ess-whatdoy
ouknowaboutt
hisguyBr
uce?
Shaka-(
looksatBless)i
fyouaskinghowwelldoI
knowBruceorwhatexact l
yismyr el
ati
onshi
pwit
h
himis?thanyouranswerisBruceistomewhat
you'
retoSbani.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Bless-(
looksatShaka)t
her
eisonet
hingIst
il
ldon'
t
get..

Shakal
ooksathi
m wi
tht
he"
goon"f
ace.
..

Bl
ess-howdi
dyouknowaboutNtokozo?I
nfacthow
di
dyouknowaboutever
ythi
ngt
hatgoingon?
Shaka-(
smi
rksandl
ooksatBl
ess)y
ounott
heonl
y
onet
hatknowspeopl
e.
Bless-(
rai
seshi
sbr
ow)Iam ser
ious,
howdi
dyou
know?
Shaka-(
sighs)Ididn'
tknowbutIguessmef ucki
ng
thewholeofDurbankindofpai
dof f
,letj
ustsayi
t
workedi
nmyf avour.
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)y
ougotsomebodyont
he
i
nsi
de?
Shaka-(shakeshi
shead)Iam f
ucki
ngsomeoneon
thei
nside,weexclusi
ve.
Bl
ess-(
frowns)ai
n'
tyoudat
ingZenande?
Shaka-Inev
erdat
edZee(
sighs)i
tcompl
i
cat
ed.
Bl
ess-(
shakeshi
shead)sowhaty
ourpl
an?
Shaka-(
shrugs)honest
lyIdon'
thav
eone,
whatar
e
youthi
nking?
Bless-Iam hopi
ngifiti
sMo..myf atherwhohasthe
body,IguessIam hopinghethi
nkofme, ofwhat
thi
swi l
ldotoNelly
.(LooksatShaka)dudear eyou
sureithimthatdugthebodyup?Itjustdoesn't
makesense, whatdoeshegainfrom sendingSbani
t
ojai
l
?
Shaka-he'syourf
ather
,youshoul
daskhimthat
,but
youcan'taskhimyetbecausehewil
lknowweont o
him.
Bl
ess-Iguessy
our
ight
..
.

Thedooropened, af
ewsecondsl aterBruce
emer gedtotheLoungear eawithamanbehi ndhim,
Blesscouldn'
texactl
yseewhot hemanwasbutas
soonast heman' seyeslandedonBl essandBless
eyeslandedont heman, bothmen'sgunswer eout
pointi
ngatoneanot her.BruceandShakastood
therecompletel
yshocked...

Shaka-(
looksbet
weent
hem)okay
,uhmm what
's
goi
ngon?
Man-(
looksatBr
uce)WHATTHEFUCKI
SHEDOI
NG
HERE?DIDYOUSETMEUP?
Bruce-(
hol
dshishandsup)cany
oubot
hjustput
yourgunsdown..
Man-YOUFUCKI
NGSETMEUP,
YOU'
REDEADMAN.
.
Shaka-nobodysetany
bodyup(
looksatBl
ess)can
youputyourgunsdown..
Bl
ess-(
shakeshi
shead)NOFUCKI
NGWAY.
..
.DO
YOUKNOW WHOTHI SIS?
Bruce-(
looksatShaka)WHATTHEFUCKI
SGOING
ONMAN?ITHOUGHTWEWEREHERETODI SCUSS
YOURBROTHERGETTI NGPROTECTI
ON.

Thet ensi
oni nsi
det heroom washeat edup, you
couldseehowbot hBl essandt hemanhav e
suddenlybecamecol dandt hisdark,dangerousaur a
surroundedt hem.Itwascl earasdayt hatbot hmen
werepr eparedtopul l
thetriggeri
fneededt ooand
bothmenwer egoingtogodownf i
ght i
ng.Real i
sing
thatnotonl ywil
lthesetwomeni nj
uret hemsel v
es
butbot hShakaandBr ucewer einthefiri
ngline.
Theywer egoi ngtobecont ingenci
esofagunbat tl
e
betweent hesetwomen.I fBruceandShakadonot
dosomet hingnow, noonewaswal ki
ngoutoft his
room alive.Shakaslowlywal kswit
hhi shandsup
andstandsi
nthemiddl
eofbot
hmen,
maki
ngbot
h
thegunspoi
ntathi
m..

Bl
ess-SHAKAGETTHEFUCKAWAY.
.
Man-(
looksatShaka)y
ouwantt
odi
e?
Shaka-(
takesadeepbr eat
h)(sweati
ng)CANYOU
BOTHJUSTLI STEN,WEDON' THAVEMUCHTI ME
(l
ooksatBless)thi
sisn'
taboutwhateverbeeft
hisi
s,
i
taboutmybr other,
yourbestfri
end.
Bless-(
looksbet
weenShakaandt
heman)Tel
lhi
m
tolowerhisgun.
Man-FUCKNO!
!!IAM NOTDOI
NGSHI
T..
..
Bruce-l
ookSiyaIdon'
tknowwhatthi
sisri
ghther
e
butIswearIam notset
ti
ngyouup.WhywillIdot
hat
?
Isti
lll
ovepussyman,Idon'
twantt
odieyet.
Siy
a-(
looksatBl
ess)wegoi
ngt
olowerourgunst
he
sametime.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Shakal
ooksatBl
esswi
thhi
sey
ebr
owr
aised.
..

Bl
ess-FI
NE!!
!Buti
fhedamnt
ri
esany
thi
ng,
Iwi
l
l
bl
owhisbrai
nsout.
Si
ya-(
annoy
ed)t
hati
fIdon'
tbl
owy
our
sfi
rst
.
Shaka-okay
!!
!Okay
!!
!Canwel
owert
hegunsnow.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Si
ya-(
looksatShaka)what
'
syourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
hi
m?Youdoknowhe' sadr
ugl
ord.
Shaka-(
looksatBl
ess)he'
sfami
l
y..
Br
uce-(
looksatBl
ess)y
ou'
remaf
ia.
.
Bless-( cl
ickshistongue)NO,thatmoreofthe
Sibi
ya' sturf.Iam nomafia,
Irunanef f
ecti
veand
effi
cientbusi ness.(
LooksatSiya)Iam not
hingl
i
ke
yourf ami l
y.
Si
ya-(
smiles)car
eful
thi
sisSout
hAf
ri
ca,
youi
nour
pl
ayground.
Bl
ess-(
bor
edl
ook)l
i
keIgi
veaf
uckaboutt
hat
.
Si
ya-ofcour
seyoudon'
t,
daddyr
unst
he
i
ntel
li
gence.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Siy
a-(laughs)Ibetyouthoughtnobodyknowshuh?
Li
key ousaid,younothi
nglikemyfamily
,wealways
ahead.
Shaka-(
looksatbot
hmen)arewegoingtohavea
probl
em?Ismybr ot
hergoi
ngtobesafeonthe
i
nside?
Si
ya-(si
tsback)don'
twor
ryabouty
ourbr
other
,itwi
l
l
beli
kehe'sonholi
day.
Br
uce-l
ett
alkf
igur
es.
.
Si
ya-Iwi
l
lhav
etogetbackt
oyouwi
tht
hat
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
rks)howcanIf
orget
,youdon'
trunt
he
shi
p.DaddyandDabukodo.
Si
ya-y
eahandwebothknowhowruthl
esst
heybot
h
ar
e,j
ustbegl
adIam her
eandnott
hem.

Si
yagul
pshi
swhi
skeyandst
andupt
aki
nghi
sgun.

Si
ya-i
tbeenni
cegent
lemenbutIhav
eabeaut
if
ul
l
adywait
ingf
orme.

Si
yawasaboutt
otur
nwhenBl
essspoke.
..

Bless-(
sipshi
swhi
skeyandsmi
l
es)sayhi
toBuhl
e
forme..

Hestoppedhisbodygoi
ngcoldi
naninstant
.He
cl
enchedhisteet
handturnl
ooki
ngatBless,
who
hadtheworld'
smostannoyi
nggri
nonhisface.
..
Siy
a-(
tri
esandmaskshi
spani
ck)st
ayaway
Ndawora,y
oudon'
twantt
omessthepeacey
ou
havewi
thmyf ami
l
y.
Bless-y
ourfamil
yisnottheonl
yoneswhoar e
al
way sahead.Goodl
uckonkeepinghersecr
et,we
bothknowdaddywi l
lnottakei
tli
ght
lywhenhef i
nds
outabouther.

Hefrust
ratedl
ywalksoutt
hedoorbutt
hesweat
comingfrom hi
sbodycoul
dn'
tbemissed.Bl
esshi
ta
nur
ve..
..

Shaka-wel
lthatwentwel
l
..
Bless-(
looksatBruce)Whatr
elat
ionshi
pdoy
ou
havewiththeSibi
yafamil
y?
Br
uce-None,
IjustknowSi
yabonga.
Bless-(
looksatShaka)Ihopeyouknowwhatdoor
s
youhav eopened.Youdon'twantt
ocrosspat
hwit
h
thatfamil
y.
Shaka-Iwi
l
ltakemychances.
..
Blessshakeshi
sheadandst
andsuptaki
nghi
scar
keysfrom t
hetabl
e,wal
ki
ngoutt
hedoor.
.

Br
uce-Bl
essi
sagangst
er.
..
Shaka-Iknewhehasashadybusi
ness,
Ijustdi
dn'
t
knowhe'sthatdeep.

Bot
hmensi tbacki
nsil
entt
hinki
ngaboutwhat
al
mosthappenedtoday
.

ATGATEWAYSHOPPI
NGMALL.
..

Si
phowasbor edl
ypushi
ngashoppi
ngtrol
l
eywhi
l
e
Zandi
l
epickedwhatshewant
edfrom t
hefood
st
ands.

Zandi
l
e-uhmm doy
out
hinkweshoul
dtakecokeor
cokezer
o?
Si
pho-(
shr
ugs)i
tupt
oyou.
Zah-well
Ipersonall
yfeel
li
keweshoul dkeep
avoi
dingall
thesefeezydri
nksbutIknowhowmuch
youli
kecoke.SoshouldItakei
t?
Si
pho-(
shr
ugs)dowhat
ever
..

Zandil
elooksathim andsi
ghs,he'
sbeenlikethi
s
si
ncehecamebackf rom meeti
ngwithShaka.She
hastri
edtoaskhim what'
swr ongbuthe'
sbeen
brushi
ngheroff.

Zah-well
Iam undecidedbywhichjuicest
obuy .I
knowwehav epacksoft heCerejui
cebutthat
normal
lyforschool
soshoul dIbuytheOros?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-Si
phongi
khul
umanawe(
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou)
Si
pho-whyareweev enhere?Didn'
tweshopl i
kea
wholebunchofthi
ngsbef oreChri
stmas?(Raisi
ng
hi
sv oi
ce)andstopaskingallt
hesebunchofst upi
d
questi
onsdon'
tforgetyouweretheonet hatwas
emphasizi
ngthewhol eeatheal
thy,behealt
hyshit
..
.

Acouplenextt
ot hem stoppedandl
ookedatthem.
Zandil
enoti
cedthefewst aresandf
eltembar
rassed
butshewasalsoannoy ed..

Zah-(shouts)shoutforthewhol
estoretoheary ou
whiley ouatitt
ellt
hem howy oucheatedony our
wif
ewi thapsychopathwomanwhoi mpregnated
herselfusi
ngy ourbrother
ssperms.

Peoplearoundthem gasped,
af ewwhi
sperswent
aroundthestor
e.Siphosawthisandtr
iedt
otouch
Zandil
e'
shandbutsher oughlyshov
edhim of
f.
..

Zah-DON'
TTOUCHME!
!!
!(Looksar
ound)THI
SIS
WHATUNGREATFULHUSBANDSDO,
THEYCHEAT
ANDWHENYOUTRYTOBETHEGOODWI FE,
THEY
SPI
TONYOURFACE..
.

WiththatsaidZandi leleaveshim st andingt here

whil
eev eryonel ooksathi m.Hecoul dhearhow
somewoment alkedabouthi m, otherst alkedin
generalabouthowmenar ejustdogs.Hesi ghed
whenheknewmostdef i
nitel
yhewast hemai ntopi
c
i
nsidethest ore.Heputev eryt
hingt hatZandi le
wantedinsidet het roll
ey,heev endr oppedaboxof
herfavourit
echocol ateandwentt opay .Whenhe
waswal ki
ngoutt hestorepushi nghi strolleyful
l of
goods.Av oicecal l
edbehi ndhim, recogni zing
exactl
ywhot hatv oicebelongst oo, hebr usheshi s
faceandt urns...

Si
pho-(
tal
kst
ohi
msel
f)Idon'
tneedt
hisr
ightnow.

Cr
aigsmi
l
esandf
inal
l
yreacheswher
eSi
phowas.
..
Crai
g-(smi
les)Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ogethol
dofy
ou
forweeks.
.
Si
pho-(
looksar
ound)Ihav
ebeenbusy
.
Craig-wel
lwecanhangoutnow,
may
behav
edi
nner
atthat.
.
Si
pho-Ican'
t,
lookCr
aigIhav
etogo.
.
Crai
g-(f
rowns)di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?Of
fend
youinanyway?
Si
pho-(
sighs)
(l
ooksbehi
ndhi
m)Cr
aig.
.
Crai
g-(
rai
seshi
sbr
ow)Cr
aig?
?(Laughsi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)
real
l
y???
Si
pho-Iam wi
thmywi
fe.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Si
pho-Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
..
Heglancesathi
m onemor eti
meandpusheshi
s
t
rol
l
eyl eav
inghi
m standi
ng..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS.
..

Fr
iend-(
looksather
)whydoy
oul
ooksodown?
Nomusa-It
hink.
..Sbuhasn'
tcal
l
ed.
.
Fri
end-kadeukhul
umanay
eli
ket
woday
soroneday
ago
Nomusa-hepr
omi
sedt
ocal
l
..
Fri
end-Musadon'tforgetwhyy ougoingtothecit
y.
Ngiyazimnganiukut
hi uyay
ithandalendodakodwa
ungabiisi
l
ima(Iknowy oul
ov ethi
smanbutdon'tbe
afool).
Nomusa-angeke!
!!I
tjust
..
.mxm y
ekel
a.
Fri
end-(sighs)l
ookIknowy ounewatt his,
experi
encingaman'st ouchfort
hef i
rsttime.Al
lthat
i
sexci t
ingbutMusay ougoingtotheci tytobet
ter
yoursel
fandy ourf
ami l
ytoo.Youluckyt ohavea
manbyy oursi
dethatwantsgoodsthi
ngsf oryou
butdon'
tbethatgir
lthatf
orget
stoputherselffi
rst
,
youcanhaveitall
ifyoubesmartaboutthi
ngs.Don't
beastati
sti
clikeeveryot
hervi
ll
agegir
lthatwentto
theci
ty.
Nomusa-(l
ooksatherf
ri
end)uy
akukhumbul
a
edol
obheni
?(Doyoumisstheci
ty?
)
Fri
end-(shr
ugs)may
be,
butImi
ssschool
mor
ethan
anythi
ng.
Nomusa-Ipr
omi
set
olookoutf
orbur
sar
iesf
ory
ou.
Fri
end-(smil
es)Iknowy ouwi ll
.(Looksather)
rememberwhatIsai d,ungazikhohlwaukuthi
ungubanifut
hiufunani(don'tforgetwhoyou'r
eand
whereyoucomef r
om? )
Nomusa-Iwon'
t.
.(
smi
l
es)Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
ou.
Fri
end-(
laughs)ngizokukhumbulanami mngani(I
wil
lmissyout oofr
iend)youbet t
erbuymeclothes
atMrPrice(holdsherhand)letgoofgetti
ngdark
now,Idon'
twanty ourfatherscol
dingyou,uy
aziave
engangi
funi(youknowhe' sdoesn'tl
ikeme).
.
Thetwogir
lsl
aughast
hewal
ktowar
dsNomusa'
s
house.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Sbani
-(shout
s)BabeBl
essi
sher
e!!
!
Nel
l
y-(
shout
sback)IAM ALMOSTDONE!
!!
Sbani
-YOUSAI
DTHAT20MI
NUTESAGOWOMAN.
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)st
all
him al
i
ttl
e...

Helaughsandshakeshi
sheadwal
ki
ngdownst
air
s
whereBlessi
s,t
heybrohug.
.

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)what
'
sup?y
oucl
eanupni
ce.
Sbani
-(smil
es)y
ouknowi
t.
..t
hankyouagai
nfor
doi
ngthis,
Iknowitt
oomuchtoaskbutt
hankyou.
Bl
ess-pssshIam t
heGodf
atheri
tti
meIdomydut
y.
Sohowmucht
imedoy
ouguy
sneed?
Sbani
-justthewholenight
,wewi
l
lseeyouguysin
themorning.(Looksbehi
ndhi
m)youcamealone?
Bless-(
shakeshishead)Bonol
oist
alki
ngt
othe
phoneoutside.
Sbani
-(nods)gi
vemamaaki
ssf
orme.
Bless-(
smil
es)oht
rustMe,she'
smor eexci
ted
aboutthi
sthanme.Iwon'
theartheendofit
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)vel
evel
ey ouneedtopopt
heegg
soon,
ufunaukubanenganeusugugil
e.
Bless-(l
aughs)Iwi
l
lpopt
heeggv
erysoonj
ustneed
therightwoman.
Sbani
-vi
l
lagequeen?
Bless-(l
aughs)wi
llseebutIhaveaver
ygood
feeli
ngabouther
.Iwasthinki
ngofhavi
ngababy
mamawi t
honeofmyhomegi rl
sbutBat
swana
womendon' tpl
ay.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)rememberthatonegir
lwewentt
o
var
sit
ywithKeba,shefoundherboyf
ri
endwi
thagir
l
andnearl
yforcedhert
odr i
nkj
ik.
Theybot
hbur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
..
.

Bl
ess-(
laughs)sheevent
easedhi
sdick.Bat
swana
womenr emindofXhosawomen,l
oosescrews.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)samewhat
sappgr
oupBaf
o..
..

Thel
aughi
ngdi
esdown.
..

Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)Iam wor
ri
edaboutShaka.
Sbani
-(f
rowns)what
'
sup?
Bless-he.
.(Looksupt
hestai
rs)y
ouknowwhat,
just
enjoythi
snightoutwi
thy
ourwoman.Wewil
ltal
k
tomorrow.
Sbani
-(nods)okay,
letgett
her
ascal
sbuckl
edup
i
nsideyourcar.
..

Theybot
hwal
kupt
hest
air
s..
.
Sbani
-(shouts)BABEWECOMI
NGYOURWAY,
YOU
DRESSEDRI GHT?

Sheshout
sbackathi
m buthecoul
dn'
thearwhat
shesai
d..
.

Bl
ess-(
laughs)howl
onghasshebeenget
ti
ngr
eady
?
Sbani
-(l
ooksathiswatch)about2hour
snow.She'
s
ki
ndoffinsecur
eaboutherbodynow.
Bless-(
frowns)butshelooksgreat,notmuch
changed,shewasn'teventhatbig.
.

Sbani
shr
ugsdef
eat
ed.
..

Sbani
-youknowhowwomenar
e..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t112

ATZI
MBALIESTATE

Bless,
Sbani andBonolowereallst
andi
ngout
side
thehouse,theyhadalreadybuckl
edNkany
eziand
Nsikainsi
det hecar
..
.

Sbani-(l
ooksathi
swat
ch)
ser
iousl
yIam goi
ngt
oki
l
l
yoursist
er.
.
Bl
ess-(
chuckles)It
oldy
ouweshoul
dn'
tl
eav
eher
al
oneupst
airs.
Sbani
-(shakeshishead)whatisi
twi
thwomanand
notwanti
ngt ogetoutthehouse.
Bonolo-(smi
l
es)i
tjusti
nourDNAt
okeepmen
wait
ing..

Befor
eanyoft hem coul
dspeak,
Nell
ywalkedout
thehouse.Theyal
ltookaminuteandst
udiedher
,
shewasn'tweari
ngmuchbutshehadonat i
ghtfit
nudeskir
twhichwasbelowtheknee,whit
ev estand
shetoppeditwi
thawhitebl
azer.Shel
efthernatural
curl
sout,nomakeup,butshedidafewtouchup,
nothi
ngamascar aandl
ipglosscoul
dn'
tfi
x..
.

Nel
l
y-(l
ooksatthem andf
rowns)whati
sit
?DoI
l
ookbad,Icoul
dgochange..
Sbani-NOOOOO!!
!!
!!(
Looksatherandsmi
l
es)babe
youlookbeaut
if
ul.
.

Shebl
ushesandsmi
l
esl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Bless-(
laughs)sokahl
ekahlewhatwer
eyoudoi
ng
thi
swhol eti
me?Younotev enweari
ngmakeup?
Nell
y-(
rol
l
sey
es)i
sthi
syourwayofsay
ingIl
ook
aver
age?

Sbani
wal
kst
oherandki
sseshercheek.
..
Sbani-(
smiles)not
hingabouty
oui saveragebabe,
evenwithoutmakeup, f
ancycl
othes,uyabanyi
sa
l
ov e.
.
Nell
y-(bl
ushes)youdef
ini
tel
yget
ti
ngy
ourdi
ck
suckedtoni
ght.
..

Bl
essgagsandcoughsf
rowni
ngatt
hesi
ghtbef
ore
hi
m..
..

Bless-(
closeshi
sears)Idon'
tneedtobehear
ing
such.Saygoodnighttoyourr
ascalssowecould
l
eav e.
Nel
ly-(
looksatBonolo)(skept
ical)ar
eyousureyou
won'
tmi ndlooki
ngafterthem?( LooksatSbani
)
maybeweshoul djust
...
Bonolo-(smi
les)i
tokayr
eal
l
y,y
ouenj
oyy
ourni
ght
,
youreall
ybeauti
ful
.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)Thanky
ou.
..wel
ll
etmeki
ssmy
babi
es.
..
Shewal
kstot
hebackseatofBlesscart
okissher
babi
eswhi
l
etheguyssaygoodbyetoeachother
..
..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Zenande-Igotacallf
rom oneoftheneighborsback
hom...whereLindi
westays,appar
entl
ythingsar
eso
badthatshe'snowbeingusedbydi f
fer
entmenf or
prost
itut
ion,
theydon'
tevenpayher .

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MaSi
wel
a-howdoy
ouf
eel
aboutt
hat
?
Zenande-(shr
ugs)Ireal
l
ydon' tcare.Ihavewasted
majori
tyofmychildhoodst r
essingaboutLindiwe.I
am notabouttowasteany moret i
mewi thher.The
onlyr
easonwhyIwasst i
llkeepi
ngupwi t
hherwas
becauseofThabo,nowt hathe'sherewi t
hme.Iam
done.
MaSiwela-IhearyouandIunder standwherey ou
comingfrom butMthokowast hi
nkingthatwecoul d
helpher
,youknowpar tofmest i
llbel
ievesthatshe
canchangeandbet helovel
y,outgoingLindiwethat
Iknew,butIdon'twanttodoany thingthatwil
lmake
youuncomf ort
able.
Zenande-(sit
snexttoher)Mamai fyouwantt ohel
p
Lindiwet
hanIam notgoi ngtoholdyoubackbut
pleasedon'texpectmetobepartofany thi
ngthat
youandbhut iMthokoareplanni
ng.Ijustwanttol
ive
myl i
feandbehappywi t
hyouguys.Lindiweisnot
someoneIconsi derfamil
y.
MaSi wel
a-(smil
es)yousuchabeaut i
fulchildbaby.
Itapitymybr ot
herandLindi
wedi dn'tevengett he
chancet oseewhattheycreated.Outoft heir
selfi
shnesstheybothhadwithinthemsel ves,t
hey
mi ssi
ngoutont hechancetoseet heirf
lower
blossom.
Zenande-Iam happythatyoutheonet
hatgetsto
seethi
sflowerblossom,youthemostdeser
ving.
MaSiwel
a-(squeezesherhand)anyway
,the
Kennedy
'swanttomeety ou.
Zenande-(ey
eswi
den)r
eal
l
y?Imeany
ouhar
dlyt
alk
aboutthem.
MaSiwel
a-(si
ghs)wellmymotheri
snomor
ebutwe
st
il
lhaveNancy,youcangett
omeether
.
Zenande-(smi
l
es)okay
,sowespendi
ngnewy
ear
s
evewitht
hem?
MaSi wela-yeahIwashopingweallj
usthav
eagi rl
s
dinnerattheKennedy '
sbutNel
lyt
extedme
yesterdaytotellmethatGi
dandherhaveplannedto
j
ustst ayindoorsfornewyear
seve.
Zenande-Iguessi
tjustmeandy
out
han.
MaSiwel
a-yepIwil
lchecki
fSi
mi i
savai
l
ablebuti
f
shehasthe"di
ck"f
ortheni
ghtt
hanIguessitwi
ll
j
ustbeusandNancy .

ATZANDI
LE'
SHOUSE.
..
.
Shewasseat edatthedini
ngroom t
ablej uststari
ng
atherlaptopscreen.Shehadbeenreadi ngher
email
sbutnowshe' sjustzonedout
.Hermi ndwas
fi
ll
edwi ththeconfr
ontati
onshehadwi thSi phoat
thestore,shedidn'
tmeanf oritt
oescalatet hatf
ast
butshej ustgotsoangryandannoyedwi t
hhi s
att
it
ude.Shepi ckedherphoneanddailedhermom. .
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Ma'
Ncwane-hel
l
o..
Zah-Ma.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MaNcwane-kwenzenj
ani
?(Whathappened?
)
Zah-(teary)It
hinkIam l
osi
ngmyhusbandmama,
everyt
hingi sj
ustamess.It
houghty
ousaidaf
ter
thatpunishmentevery
thi
ngwil
lbeokay.
MaNcwane-Mybabyy oucannotrushthesethings
theyt
aketi
me.Si
phoisstil
lverymuchangrybutgi ve
himti
meandhewi l
lcomear ound.Areyoubeingthe
wifet
haty
ouneedtobel i
keItoldyou?
Zah-ofcour
se,Idoevery
thi
ngforhi
mlikeIal
ways
doneforthepastyear
s.Buthe'
sthr
owingmyeffor
ts
ri
ghtbackatmyf ace,
he'st
heonethatcheat
ednot
me.Ishouldbeangrynothim.
MaNcwane-he'
sjustbei
ngfool
ishr
ight
nowbaby
,
he'
saman,he'segoisbrui
sed.
Zah-(
sni
ff
s)sowhatshoul
dIdo?
MaNcwane-Thi si
syourmarri
ageZandi
le,aft
er
somet i
met hi
ngswil
lchange,
youcannotkeep
cry
ingaboutevery
thi
ng,youneedt
oadaptt othe
changesthatcomewithti
mebutZandil
edi v
orceis
notaoption.
Zah-(
sni
ff
)Mama?
MaNcwane-NoZANDILE!
!!Youtookvows,nowst
op
t
hiscr
yingandweary
ourbiggir
lpant
iesandshow
t
hatZul
umanwhatNcwanewomenar emadeof.
..
Shehangedupandl aidherheadont hetabl
e.She
knewhermot herwillj
usttellhertostaymar r
iedno
matterwhat ,nott
hatshewant edt odivor
cebutjust
foroncesheneededhermot hertojustsay"babyI
am her e"andwhenshecr i
edev enmor eandshej ust
neededf orhertotellher"babyy ouhav etomakea
decisionthatbestfory ou"
.Insteadallhermother
want sisthatshestaysmar riednomat t
erwhat,even
i
fitatt heexpenseofherownhappi ness.
..

ATI
SIBAYACASI
NO.
..

Sbani
hel
dNel
l
yshandast
heywal
kedi
nsi
de.
..

Nel
ly-(
looksar
ound)wowIdi
dn'
texpecti
ttont
his
f
ull
.
Sbani
-itt
hef
est
iveseasonbabe.
..
Nel
l
y-(
smi r
ks)y
ouv
erybr
ave,
bri
ngi
ngay
ell
owbone
t
oacasino.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Shi
t!
!!
!.
..
.

Theybot
hlaughsastheymakethei
rwayt
ooneof
thel
uxur
iousdi
ningareasi
nsi
de.
..

Man-(smiles)Goodev
eni
ng,
doy
ouguy
shav
ea
r
eserv
ation?
Sbani
-yes,
underZul
u.

Themanlooksathi
siPadscr
eenandsmi
l
esl
ooki
ng
uptot
hem...

Man-verywel
l,
yourt
abl
eisrightnextt
othewindow,
Iwil
lhav
eoneofthewai
tressestakeyouther
e.I
hopeyouhaveagoodeveni
ngMr&Mr sZulu.

Nell
ysmil
edathim,notwant
ingt
ocorr
ecthim on
the"Mr
s"par
t,i
twasn'tt
hatmuchofabi
gdeal
anyway
.Thewaitr
esscameandwalkedthem t
o
thei
rtabl
e.Nel
l
yfr
ownedl
ooki
ngatt
het
abl
e
sett
ing.
..

Nell
y-uhmm ist
hereawaymay bewhichyouguys
canchangetheset
ti
ngofthetabl
e.Ipref
erustobe
seat
ednexttoeachotherr
athert
hanopposit
eof
eachother
..
Gi
rl-(
smil
es)Iwi
l
lhav
eoneofourguyst
uff
schange
i
tforyoumam.
Nel
l
y-(
nods)Iwi
l
lappr
eci
atet
hatv
erymuch.
.

Thegi
rlnoddedandl
eft
..
..

Sbani
-(smi
rks)y
oudon'
twantt
okeepy
ourhands
offmehuh?!
!!
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
ooohZul
uyouknowy
oul
ovei
t.
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Sbani
-youknowy
oucoul
dhaveorder
edst
ake,
I
knowhowmuchyoul
ovethei
rst
ake.
Nel
l
y-don'
ttr
ymedi
pshi
t!
!!
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Idon'tknowwhyy
ousof
ussyabout
yourwei
ght,i
tnotthatbad.
Nell
y-Iam notev
engoingt
owastemyt
ime
di
scussingthi
swithy
ou.Af
ternewy
ear
swegoi
ng
backtogym.

Hecouldfeel
hisheartt
akeahit
,knowi
ngthathe
mightnotbearoundbythatt
imewasreal
l
yweighing
heavyonhim..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)so.
..
.ourbi
rt
hday
sar
ecomi
ngup?
Sbani
-(r
aiseshi
sey
ebr
ow)howdi
dyouknowwhen
mybir
thdayis?
Nell
y-(r
oll
sey
es)of
courseIwoul
dknow,whatkind
ofgi
rlf
ri
endwoul
dIbeifIdi
dn'
t.Besi
desi
tjustaday
af
termi
nes.Iam 26Januar
yandy
ou28.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)sowhatar
eyouget
ti
ngme?
Nell
y-itwoul
dn'tbeasurpri
senowifItel
lyoubuti
t
somet hi
ngverybig.Wel
lnotreal
l
ybigbutitahuge
stepforourrel
ati
onshi
p..
Sbani-(
sit
sbackandsmir
ks)ar
eyoudoi
ngt
o
proposetomeThabekhul
u?
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)y
ouwi
shZul
u.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)youknowifyoumaybethi
nki
ng
abouti
t,myanswerwill
alwaysbey
es,Icanmarr
y
youeventomorr
owi fy
ouasked.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)welli
tnotaproposal
dummy ,as
mordenasIam Isti
l
lbeli
eveinthet
radi
ti
onalway
t
hatthemanhast oaskthewoman.
Sbani
-(squeezeshert
igh)It
houghty
ouwer
e
spont
aneousmyl ady.
Nell
y-(
laughs)Iam babe,
whichiswhyIt
hinkwe
shoul
dplaytrut
hordar er
ightnow.
.
Sbani
-(smi
rks)ohr
eal
l
y?
Nel
l
y-(smil
es)
(shi
ft
scl
osert
ohim)
yesandZul
uget
t
hepleasur
eofaski
ngmefir
st.
Sbani
-tr
uthordar
e?
Nel
l
y-t
rut
h..
Sbani
-suchasissy
..
.hav
eyouev
erhadsexi
na
publ
icspace?
Nell
y-(
thinks)doestheti
mewehadsexinsi
demy
carandtheelevatorqual
i
fyaspubl
i
cspace?
Sbani
-uhmm okayIguesswecanacceptt
hat
..
.
Nel
l
y-t
rut
hordar
e?
Sbani
-tr
uth.
.
Nel
l
y-hav
eyouev
erhadat
hreesomebef
ore?
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)No.
..
Nel
l
y-(
wideney
es)wowr
eal
l
y?
Sbani
-yes(
looksather
)hav
eyou?
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)nobutIjustt
houghtmay
bey
ouhav
e,
mostguysdream oft
hat.
Sbani
-Iam notl
i
kemostguy
s..nowt
rut
hordar
e?
Nel
l
y-dar
e.
Sbani
-hmmm,
Idar
eyout
ounzi
pmyj
eansr
ight
now..

Shelookedstr
aightint
ohi
sey
esandst
art
ingt
o
workonhisjeans..
.

Sbani
-(l
ooki
ngst
rai
ghti
nherey
es)sl
owl
ybabe.
..
Nel
l
y-(
wit
houtbr
eaki
ngt
hest
are)t
rut
hordar
e?
Sbani
-(wi
thoutbr
eaki
ngt
hest
areaswel
l
)dar
e..
Nel
ly
-(bi
tesherli
p)Idareyout
orunyourhands
sl
owlyupmyt i
ghs,getbet
weenmylegsandtakeof
f
mythong.
..

Shesl
owl
yleanedt
ohi
searandwhi
sper
ed.
..

Nel
l
y-i
tal
lst
ri
ngsbabe.
..
Thet emperaturesuddenlychanged,herhear
t
star
tedtot umbl eoverwhenawomanwhowas
seatedaf ewmet er
sawayglancedatt hem.She
wantedt osaysomet hi
ngbuthishandsdisappeared
underherskirt,easi
ngitwayhigherandhigher,her
vi
sionoft hewomanbl urr
edasshef el
thimy ankthe
waistbandstringofherthong..
.

Sbani
-(whi
sper
edi
nherear
)ar
eyour
eady
?
Nel
l
y-(
feel
i
ngbr
eat
hless)y
es.
..

Heslowlyguidedherupsohecany ankal l
ofher
thongdown,wheni tfi
nallyl
andedonhert highs,he
slowl
ytuggeditdown, hiseyesnotl
eav i
nghers,it
happenedsoseduct i
velythatshedi
dn'tevenfeelit
wearofherfeets.Shewasbr oughtbacktol i
fewhen
shesawhisfacepl ast
eredwi t
hhisfamoussmi r
k..
.

Sbani
-(sni
ff
sit
)hmmm smel
l
sli
kecooki
esand
cr
eam...
Nel
l
y-(
kissi
nghi
m)cooki
esandcr
eam huh?
!!
!!
..
.
Sbani
-(cl
aimsherl
i
ps)def
ini
tel
y.
..
Nel
ly-(bi
tesonhi
slowerl
i
p,giv
inghi
m at
ease)I
dar
ey outomakemecome. .
.
Sbani
-(sl
owl
ypul
l
ingherski
rt
)It
houghttherul
es
wereyouhav
etoaskmewhatIwantfir
st..
Nel
ly-(
rubbi
nghiscrot
cht
hroughthefabr
icofhi
s
Cal
vi
nKl ei
nboxers)f
uckt
herules.
..
Sbani
-(hi
sfi
nger
sbrushedov
erherheat
edsex)I
l
ikehowyouthi
nk..
.

Bot htheirbreathi
ngpat ternschanged, i
tfeltrushed,
theycoul dnotcont rol howt heyfeltwhent heir
handsmadecont actwi ththesensiti
vepar toftheir
bodi es.Lockinggaz es, eyesfil
ledwithsomuch
hungerandi ntensity
, f
uel i
ngthef i
rethatwasal r
eady
heat i
ngupt heirbodi es.Herhandsbr ushedand
tracedhi sd**kinanador abl
eandsmoot hmanner ,
maki nghi m groanf r
om t hef r
icti
on.Heknewhe
neededt obecal m sincet heywer einapubl icarea
butt heheatwast oomuch, shef edhi m hi sst ake
j
ustt odi stractpeopl ef r
omshi sgr oans.Hest art
ed
torubcont i
nuouslyonhersoakedar ea, fli
ckingher
sexev er ynowandt han.Feedi nghert hecr i
spy
chickensal ad,shemoanedi ndel ight ,feel i
ng
satisfi
edi nbot hhermout handdownsout h.Hesl id
hisf i
ngeri n,gent l
ypushi ngi nandoutofher , she
cont i
nuousl yr ubbedupanddownhi sd* *k,gi ving
himr epeat edwav eef fectf i
l
ledwi thsomuch
pleasur e,theydi dthist oeachot herunt iltheybot h
couldf eel themsel vesst arttogaspoutofai ri na
room f ullofpeopl eenj oyingt heirmeal oblivioust o
thet wowhower ebot hlosti nt hewor ldofest acy .
Whent hepal m ofhishandf oundt heki l
l spot ,she
l
eanedonhi m, buryi
ngherheadonhi sneckasshe
squeezedhert hi
ghst oget herkeepi nghi shand
l
ockedandbur i
edinsideher .Heusedhi sot herhand
togr i
phert highwhenhef el
therusi ngt heot her
handt oci r
clet heti
pofhi sd* *k.Feel ingt hesmal l
electri
cityshocksandv i
brat i
ons, theycoul df eel
themsel vesbei ngpulledundert hewav eofanup
comi ngor gasm.Theadr enal i
nofbei ngi napubl i
c
space, knowi ngthepeopl ehadnoi deawhatwas
happeningt othemanandwomanatt hefarendof
therestaurantspurredthem ahead, t
heycoul dn'
t
holdonany more,i
twast oomuch, t
hewav ethathad
beenf ormingwithinthem unraveledrapidly
.They
bothshat t
eredaroundt hei
rhands, breakinginto
pieceswhiletheirbodiessinkintowar mth..
.

Nel
l
y-(
cat
chi
ngherbr
eat
h)Il
ovey
ou.
..

Smi l
ingandli
fti
nghisheadup,henot i
cedawoman
seatedmet er
sawayf r
om them l
ookingt hei
rway
withhermout hopenedandlooki
ngf l
ushed.He
grinedandwinkedather,f
eeli
ngembar rassedfor
beingcaughtthewhitewomandi v
er t
edherey es
elsewhere.Sbanismil
edandhisey estracedbackto
thebeautif
ulwomannextt ohi
m...

Sbani
-(whi
sper
ed)l
etgetoutofher
e..
..

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Assoonast heyent eredthebedroom, theyjumped
eachot her
'sbones.Hepi ckedherup,wr appingher
l
egsar oundhiswai st
,walkedthem tothebed,
feel
i
nghi sbulgef rom hisjeansshegrindonhi m.
Theheatofhi sbodypr essedagainsthersdrov eher
mad, shewant edhi m andhewant edhersobadl y
buttheyknewt heyhadt ostop..
.

Sbani
-FUCK!
!!
!.
..
Nel
l
y-(
runni
ngherhandsonhi
sback)Iknow.
..
.
Sbani-(
coll
apsesontopofher)It
hinkthi
sist
hepart
whereIhav et
obegy ouandsaythefamouswords
"ngi
zoli
fakakancane"
..
.

Theybot
hbur
stouti
ntol
aught
er.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t113
ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Theywerebot
hcuddl
edupnakedi
nsi
det
he
cover
s..
..

Sbani
-(br
ushesherback)ar
eyouawake?
..
Nel
l
y -yeah,
(looksupathi
m andsmi
l
es)good
morning.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)
(ki
ssesherf
orehead)howdi
dyou
sl
eep?
Nel
l
y-It
hinkt
hesmi
l
eonmyf
acesay
sital
l
..
Sbani
-Iknow,
Icangetusedt
othi
s..
.
Them-butnowwehav
eki
ds.
..

Theyl
ookateachot
herandl
augh.
..

Nel
l
y-Il
ovemybabi
esbut
..
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)youdon'
tneedt
oexpl
ainbabe,
I
knowwhaty oumean.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)wear
esuchbadpar
ent
s..
.
Sbani-wanttoshowerwithmesowecoul dsave
ti
meandwat er
?(Squeezesherbut
tcheeksunder
thecovers)maybewecanal sohaveali
tt
lef
un.

Sheexcit
edl
yjumpsandsit
sonhi
sd*
*k,
lower
s
her
selfsoshecanl
ockli
pswit
hhi
m..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
ouknowIam y
ourbad,
bad.
..

Hedeepkissesheragai
n,pul
li
ngheruphav
ingher
l
egswr aparoundhi
swaistashewalkst
hem t
othe
bat
hroom...

I
NMPUMALANGA.
..
Noma-(smil
es)mommyar
ewegoi
ngt
oseet
he
ani
malsagai
ntoday
?
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)y
ouwantt
oseet
hem agai
n?
Noma-(
nods)Iwantt
otakemorepi
ctur
esagai
n.
Wethui
sgoingtobesojeal
ous.
Nt
ombi
-It
houghtt
hepi
ctur
eswer
efordaddy
..
Noma-yaaaabutIal
sowantt
oshowWet
hu,
papa
andgr
anny..
Nt
ombi
-(l
aughs)okay
,eaty
ourf
oodnow.
.

Herphonev i
brat
edi
ndicati
ngatext.Shepickedher
phoneupandr eadi
t,Mthokowatchedcloselyasher
facechangedint
oafrown.

Nt
ombi
-(st
andsup)excuseme.
.

Shewalkedt
othebedr
oom wi
thherphoneand
dai
ledSbani
'
snumber.
..
Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Sbani
-hel
l
o..
.
Nt
ombi
-whatt
hehel
l
?
Sbani
-It
akei
tyouhav
ereadmyt
ext
..
Ntombi-It
houghtwetal
kedaboutthi
sSbani
,It
old
youthatNomaisspendi
ngnewy earsev
ewithme.
Sbani
-y oudidn'
ttel
lmeany t
hing,
weonl yagr
eedon
Chri
stmasdayt hatshewill
bewi t
hy ouandyour
famil
ynowIwantherwi t
hme.Ihav en'
tseenmy
daughterinweeksNt ombi
.
Ntombi-cansheatl
eastar
ri
v ether
etomorrow,
I
haveherwithme,afri
endofmi nesuggest
edwe
spendnewy ear
sinMpumal anga.
Sbani-(
boldv oi
ce)No.
..Ihaveal
readysentadri
ver
tocomepi ckherup,DurbanandMpumal angaare
notthatfarapart
.Getherready
.
Nt
ombi
-But
..
.
Sbani-IwantmydaughterNt
ombi,Iam notgoi
ngto
fi
ghty ouaboutt
his,
youhadherf
ormosthol i
days,
bereasonable.

Hehangedup.Mthokowal
kedandst
oodbehi
ndher
,
br
ushi
ngherbothshoul
der
s..
.

Mt
hoko-i
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?

Shet
urnst
ohi
m wi
thasadf
ace.
..

Nt
ombi
-thatwasSbani
,hewant
sNoma.
..
Mthoko-okay
,Iguesswecandr
ivet
oDur
ban
t
omor r
ow..
Ntombi-t
hat
'st
hethi
ng,
hedoesn'
twanthere
tomorr
owhewantshert
oday
,he'sal
readysenta
dri
verf
orher
.
Mthoko-(
sighs)wowokay,
sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
o
do?Wecandr iveback.
.
Ntombi -(shakesherhead)No,wenotgoingtodo
that(smiles)Iwanttospendmor eti
mewi t
hy ou
besidesthedr i
veri
sprobablygoingtobeherewithi
n
anhour ,soletmegetNomar eadyIhopeshe
doesn'tthrowaf i
t.
Mthoko-Iwi
llt
akehert
oseet
heani
mal
swhi
l
eyou
sor
therstuf
fout.
.
Nt
ombi
-(ki
ssesher
)yout
hebest
..
.
Mthoko-(smil
esandspanksherbut
t)y
oubet
ternot
f
orgetthat.
..

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE.
..
.

Shewasont
hephonewi
thSbani
..
.

Sbani
-mom Idon'
twantt
ogeti
ntot
hisr
ightnow.
.
MrsZulu-whendoyouwanttogetint
oitt
han
Sbani
sezwe?Youhavebeenavoi
dingme.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)wewi
l
ltal
klat
erokay
,Iam aboutt
o
dr
ive.
.
MrsZul
u-wel
lcany
ouat
leastcomehav
elunchwi
th
us.
.
Sbani
-Ican'
tIhav
eadaypl
annedwi
thNel
l
yandt
he
ki
ds.
MrsZul
u-(t
eary
)Sbani
weareyourf
ami
l
ytoo,
why
ar
eyoudist
anci
ngyour
sel
ffr
om us.
.
Sbani -MOM! !!!.
..LookIam notdi st ancingmy self
butIjustwantt ospendasmucht imeasIcanwi th
Nellyandt heki ds.Youanddadcanhehandl ewhat 's
tocomebuti tadi f
ferentstoryforNel l
yandmyki ds.
SJwi llhav eahar dtimenotseei ngmeespeci ally
sincehej ustgott oknowme, Nomawi l
l not
under standwhyshewi llnotabletoseemef orsome
ti
me, herpar entshav esepar ated,nowherdadwi ll
bet akenaway ,li
feforherwi l
lbev er ydi srupt
ive.
Nellyjustgav ebi r
thtoourt wobabi es, nowshe' s
goingt obef acedwi tht hereali
tyofpossi bl
yraisi
ng
them al one.She' slosingapar tner, boyf r
iendanda
babydaddy .Nkany ezi andNsikapr obabl ywon'tsee
thedif f
erencesi ncetheyst i
llt
ooy oungbutIwi l
lbe
l
osingt hechanceforthem tobeaccust omedt omy
scentandt ouchwelltheli
ttl
eguyal readyknowsmy
touchsoi tgoingtobediffi
cultforhi
mt oadjust
aswell.Thesef i
vepeopleIhav ement i
onedar ewhat
i
mpor tantrightnowmom, pl
easedon' tstr
essme
whileIalreadyhavealotIam dealingwith..
.
Mr
sZul
u-Iam y
ourmot
herSbani
..
.
Sbani
-IknowandIl ovey oubutIhav emyown
famil
ynow.Youcanv i
sitmei nprisonanyti
mey ou
wantbutNellymightnotwantany thi
ngtodowi t
h
meaf t
erthi
s,Idefi
nit
elydon'twantmyki dsv i
si
ti
ng
meinpr i
son.Iwanttoremembert heirf
acesas
muchasIcanandIwantt heylastmemor ywithme
tobeahappyone. .
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MrsZulu-(
cry
ing)don'
tspeakl
i
ket
hat
,wecanf
ight
t
his.
..
Sbani
-weneedt
ofacer
eal
i
tymom,
lookIneedt
ogo,
Il
ovey
ou.
..
Mr
sZul
u-babywai
t.
..

Hehangeduponher,shecr
iedev
enmor easshesat
onherbedhol
dingt
hephonetoherchest
..
..

Mav
is-Mam ar
eyouokay
?..
.
MrsZulu-(sni
ff
s)uhm Mav i
s..
.(wipesher
t
ears)
(fakesmiles)ever
ythi
ngisokayMav i
s,j
ust
f
eeli
ngal i
ttl
ebitundert
heweat her.
.
Mavis-(
looksatherskept
ical
)ist
hereany
thi
ngyou
needmet odoforyou?Icanmakey ouabowlof
soup.
MrsZulu-(sni
ff
s)(
laughsli
ght
ly)itsummerandy
ou
wanttomakemesoup, j
ustaglassoflemonwat
er
wi
lldojustfi
ne.
Mav
is-(
nods)okaymam.
.

Shel
eav
est
her
oom meet
ingMrZul
ubyt
he
passage.
..

MrZul
u-hav
eyouseenNozi
we?
Mavis-She'
sinsi
det
hebedr
oom si
r,It
hinkshe'
s
beencryi
ng..
MrZulu-(
sighs)okayt
hankMav
is,
Iwi
l
ltakei
tfr
om
her
e..

Hebr usheshisface,f
eeli
ngstressedbythewhole
si
tuation.Hewalksinsi
detheirbedroom andfi
nds
herlaidonthebedcr yi
ngsil
ently
.Hesitsnexttoher
andbr ushesherbackashercr i
esbecomel oud.
..

Mr
sZul
u-he'
smyson,
myson.
..
MrZul
u-Iknow.
.
MrsZulu-Ij
ustwantt
ohughim,Ij
ustwanthi
mto
knowthatIam her
ebuthedoesn'
tev
enwanttosee
me.
MrZul
u-heknowsy
ouher
eforhi
m dar
li
n,but
Sbani
sezweisaman, asamanheneedstobewi
th
hi
sfamily
.He'sexact
lywher
eheshoul
dbe.

Shenodsandmov
escl
osert
ohi
m..
..

ATuSHAKAMARI
NEWORLD.
..
.

Nell
ywal kedcar r
yingNkany ezi,whil
eSbani was
carry
ingNsi ka,Blessf ollowedaf terthem wit
hthe
eachbabi esbags.Ther ewasahugepi cni
csetup,
withjustev ery
thingt hatkidswoul dwanttomuchon,
l
ookingar oundNel lynot i
cedt hattheywereother
famili
esgat heredar ound.Ther ewasal sogamesfor
thekids,talentshows, clownact s.Kidswererunni
ng
aroundscr eami ngandl aughing.

Nel
l
y-(
laughs)Nkany
ezi
'
stant
rumswi
l
lbeoni
tal
l
t
imehi
ght oday
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)damn,IforgotourSt
ardoesn'
tl
ike
noi
seandcrowdedspaces.
Bl
ess-al
lyourki
dshav
edr
ama!
!!

Theyal
ll
augh.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..
.

Thandekalockshercarandwal
kswi
thSJwhowas
exci
tedl
ylookingar
ound..
.

Thandeka-(
looksaround)Jesushowarewegoing
tofi
ndyourfather
,thi
splacelookscr
owded.
..
SJ-cal
lhi
m mom (smil
es)may
beIwi
l
lseesomeof
myschoolfr
iendsher
e..
.

Thandekadai
l
sSbani
'
snumber
..
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
Sbani
-hel
l
o..
.
Thandeka-weher
ebutIcan'
tse.
..
.

SheseesBl
essandhol
dsSJ'
shandwhof
rownsnot
want
ingtobehel
d..
.

Thandeka-ohnev
ermi
ndIcanseey
ouguy
s..

Sheendst
hecal
l
...

SJ-(
frowni
ng)Mooom!
!!(
Remov
esherhand)Iam
notababy.
.
Thandeka-(
shakesherhead)wheny ouactl
i
kethisI
quest
ionwhyIstoleyourf
ather
'sspe..
.mxm you
sti
l
lmybaby .
.

Hi
seyesl
andedonhisfat
her
,heexci
tedl
yruns
t
owar
dswhereheis.
..
Thandeka-(
tri
est
ost
op)hhey
ii
iuzowa(
youwi
l
l
fal
l
)..
.

15mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Sbani
looksathi
sphone.
..

Sbani-Noma'
sdriv
erisher
e(looksatNell
y)Iam
goingtogogether(l
ooksatThandeka)t
hankyou
forbri
ngi
nghim..
Thandeka-(
smi
l
esandnods)y
ou'
rehi
sdad.
.

Nel
l
yrol
l
sherey
esmaki
ngBl
essnudgeher
..
.

Bless-wel
lIthi
nkmyjobisdoneher
e(ki
ssesNel
l
y's
cheek)Iwil
lseeyoul
ater
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksatSJ)wantt
ocomewi
thme?
SJnodsasBl essandSbani
walktot
heentr
ancet
o
fetchNoma.Thandekaawkwar
dlyst
andswhil
eNel
ly
focusesonherbabies.
..

Thandeka-uhmmm SJ'
sbedt
imei
s20:
00,
he.
..
Nell
y-(si
ghs)Thandekat
hisi
snotthefir
stti
methat
yoursonsspendstimewit
hme,IthinkIcanmanage
him..
Thandeka-Iknowi
tjustasmot
hery
ousomet
imes.
..
Nel
l
y-(
cut
sherof
f)Iknow.
..
.
Thandeka-(
looksar
ound)wel
lIhav
etogo,
Ihope
youhaveagoodday .
Nel
l
y-(
looksather
)hav
eagooddayy
our
sel
ftoo.
..

Thandekasmi l
esandwalksawayleavi
ngNell
y
shaki
ngherhead.Itnott
hatshehatesherbut
Thandekaisjustoneoft
hoseplai
nwomant hat
don'
tint
eresther.
..
.
1hourl
ater
..
..
.

Nel
lywasgonet
orestr
oom,
leav
ingSbani
wit
hthe
ki
ds..
.

Noma-(
li
cksheri
cecream)DaddycanIshar
emy
i
cecr
eam wit
hNkanyezi
Sbani
-Noprincess,babi
esdon'
teati
ce-
cream,
they
don'
teatany
t hi
ngthat'
scol
d.

NomaandSJl
ookateachot
herwi
tht
hei
rey
eswi
de
open.
..
.

SJ-what
'shappenswhent
heydo?
Sbani
-theygetsi
ck.
..
Noma-butweshar
edouricel
oll
i
eswi
tht
hem (
sad)
ar
etheygoi
ngtogetsi
ck?
SJ-t
heyenj
oyedouri
celoll
i
es( l
aughs)Nkany
ezi
cr
iedwhenNomawasn'tlet
tinghersuckthei
cel
oll
y.
.
Noma-(
laughs)y
esdaddy(
giggl
es)she'
sgr
eedy
..
.
Sbani
-(smi
les)sot
hatwhytheyj
umpershadbl
ue
dyeonthem.Youfedthem i
cel
oll
i
es.
.

Theygi
ggl
eandnodl
ooki
ngatt
hei
rdad.
..

Sbani
-(smiles)Iam happyt
hatyouguysloveto
shar
ewi t
hy ourli
tt
lebrot
herandsi
sterbutnextti
me
askokay,noteveryt
hingyouguyseati
sgoodf orthe
babi
es..
.
Noma-(
smi
l
es)okay
..
..dadwhenar
ewegoi
ngt
o
swi
m?
SJ-y
eah,
Iwantt
oswi
mtoo.
.
Sbani-l
et'
swaitf
orNenet
ocomebackf
ir
stt
hanI
wil
ltakeyouguys.
..

ATTHEGASAHOUSEHOLD.
..
.
Man1-ev
ert
hingi
sinor
dersi
r.
..
Moses-andmyson?
Man2-wemadesur
ethatnot
hingl
eadst
ohi
m si
r.
..
Moses-Good.
..
Man2-siruhm, butwesti
ll
don'
tknowwhot he
bonesbelongtoo,thedent
alsr
ecordsshowed
nothi
ng,i
tseemsourJaneDoedi dn'
tvisi
tthe
denti
stsatall
,exactl
yhowareyougoingtogoabout
thi
s..
Moses-Iwil
lhandl
ethat
..
.GetmeDet
ect
ive
Shabanguontheli
ne.
.
Man2-y
essi
r.
..

Man2l
eav
est
hest
udy
..
.

Man1-wedidnothaveanyjur
isdicti
onstodoal
lthi
s
si
r,wedeal
withmajorcri
mesnotsomeav er
age
ki
l
li
ng.Howarewegoi ngtoexplainall
thi
s?
Moses-ar
eyouquest
ioni
ngme?

Man1wasabouttor
espondwhenthedooropened,
Bl
esswal
kedinnott
aki
nghiseyesof
fMoses...

Moses-(
smi
l
es)Son?Wi
l
lyouexcuseus.
.
Bl
ess-(
bol
dvoi
ce)Thatwon'
tbenecessar
y..

Hewalksandstandsfaci
ngMoses,
leav
ingj
ustan
i
nchbetweenthem..

Bless-Ij
ustcamet
olookatyoudeadi
ntheeyes
andt el
lyouhowmuchofaself
ishmanyou'
re.
..
Moses-whatar
e..
Bl
ess-SHUTUP!
!!
..
.

Hereachedi
nhispocketandtookouthi
sphone,
pr
essingoni
tforafewseconds,Mosesphone
v
ibr
ated.
..

Bl
ess-whydon'
tyoul
ookaty
ourphone.
..

Mosesr eachedforhisphoneandopenedt hei

mage
Blesssenthi m.Itwasapi ctur
eofNel l
yandSbani
togetherwi t
hallfourkids.Ont hepict
ureSbanihad
Nkany ezionhisar mswhi leSJl ai
dhisheadonhi s
father'
slap,Nomabal ancedherwei ghtonNellys
back, pi
ggybackst y
le,wit
hherl it
tl
earmswr apped
aroundNel ly'
sneck.Thel i
t t
lehappyfamilywereall
smi l
esasi tseemst heywer eall f
ocusedon
what everwasont hescreenoft heiPadinSJ's
hands. .

Bless-Iwanty outostudythat,Iwantyout osee

exactl
ywhaty oudoing.Yout hemonst erthat
parentswarnt hei
rki
dsabout .
Yougoi ngtor ui
na
man'slif
eal l
becauseofy ourselfi
shness.Takea
l
ookatt hatpictur
e,becausey ouabouttobr eakal
l
thosehearts,mostimportantl
yy ouabouttobr eak
y
ourdaught
ersheart
.Ihopey
oupr
oudofy
our
sel
f
(
cli
ckshi
stongue)
..
.

Withthatsaid,hewalkedoutt
heroom,leavi
ng
Mosesst unned."Howdidhissonknowaboutthi
s?"
Helookedatt hepict
ureonemoretime,hecoul
dn'
t
missthehappi nessi
nhisdaught
erseyes..
..

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ng.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Bl
ess-It
hinkIwasabl
etobuyy
oumor
eti
me.
.
Shaka-(
looksatBl
ess)howdi
dyoumanaget
odo
that
?
Bl
ess-i
tnotimpor
tantbutweneedt
ocomeupwi
th
apl
anfast.
.
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)wenotgoi
ngtodoanythi
ng,
welly
out wowon'
tbedoingany
thi
ngbecauseIam
t
urni
ngmy
sel
fint
oni
ght
..
.

Theybothlookedathi
m wi
tht
hei
rey
eswi
de
opened.
..

Shaka-WHAT?
!!
!!
!.
..
Bl
ess-No,
youj
oki
ngr
ight
?
Sbani-(brusheshi sface)NoIam notjoki
ng.(
Looks
atBless)Cany oucallMaSiwel
atellhertocome
hereaftermi dnight,
Nellyi
sgoingtoneedher
mother.
Shaka-Baf
o..
.
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)y
ouhav
edoneenough,
I
needtodot hi
s.
Bl
ess-y
ougi
vi
ngup?
Sbani
-(hol
dshistears)Iam t
aki
ngresponsi
bil
i
ty,
I
needtogohelpNellywitht
hekids,
pluswehav ea
l
ongnightaheadofus...
Shakawasabouttor
espondbutNomacame
runni
ngt
othem...

Noma-daddyi
sit12y
et?Canwel
i
ghtt
hekr
icasy
et?
Sbani
-(l
aughs)j
ustsayf
ir
ewor
kspr
incess.
..
Noma-huh?
!!
!.
..
Sbani-(
smil
es)nothi
ng,
any
way
sitnot12y
et,
hav
e
youtakenabath?
Noma-noty
et.
..

Sbanipickshi
sdaught
erupast
heymaket
hei
rway
upst
airschatt
ingaway
.

Shaka-wecan'
tl
ethi
m dot
his.
..
Bl
ess-(
bli
nkst
het
ear
saway
)Idon'
tthi
nkwecan
st
ophim..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
06]Mar
cia:
Inser
t114

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nell
yfi
nisheddressNkanyeziup,
shekissedher
daught
er'scheekandplacedhersaf
elyonthefl
oor
whereNomaandSJwer e.
..

Noma-canwepl
aywi
tht
hem now?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
hav
eyout
wobr
ushedy
ourt
eet
h?

Theybot
hnod.
..
.

Nel
ly-okay,guar
dthem andmakesur
etheydon'
tfal
l
wit
htheirheads.
.
Noma-(smi
l
es)Iam t
hebi
gsi
ster
,Icant
akecar
eof
t
hem..
SJ-(
rol
l
sey
es)y
eahr
ight
..
.
Nomaf
rownsandki
cksSJ'
sleg.
..

Noma-SHUTup!
!!You'
reboy
,boy
sar
eusel
ess.
SJ-(
kissi
ngNkany ezicheek)(
looksatNoma)boys
don'
tl
ikegirl
sthattal
kt oomuch, youbet
tert
onei
t
downory ouwil
ldielonely.
..

Nel
l
y'sey
eswi
den.
..

Noma-(f
rowns)wel
lgi
rl
sdon'
tl
ikest
upi
drude
boy
s..
SJ-(shr
ugs)act
uall
ytheydo,
badboy
sal
way
sget
thehothunni
es.
..
.
Nel
l
y-(l
aughsamused)
(l
ooksatSJ)whot
oldy
ou
t
hat?
SJ-mal
umeTool
sanduncl
eB.
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughsshaki
ngherhead)y
oushoul
dn'
tl
ist
en
t
oev
ery
thi
ngy
ouruncl
e'
ssaybaby
..

SJshrugsandcar r
iesonplayi
ngwithNkany ezi
.
Nell
yglancesatthekidsonemoret i
meandsmi l
es
walki
ngoutthenurserybutshestopsbyt hedoor
whenshehear saninter
esti
ngconversat
ionbetween
thesi
bli
ngs..
.

SJ-y
ouandNkany ezi
cannev
erhaveboyfr
iends,
Dadtol
dmet opunchever
yboythatmesseswith
mysist
er'
s.
.
Noma-Cool
,Idon'
tl
ikeboy
sany
way
,theyst
upi
d..
.
SJ-Good,
keepi
tthatway
..
.

Nsi
kamakesbabysounds.
..

SJ-(
smi
l
es)seeev
ent
hel
i
ttl
eguyagr
eeswi
thme.
..
Nell
ylaughsandwal kstoSbani '
sbedroom,shewas
abouttogot othebathroom butstopswhenshe
seestheslidi
ngdoort othebalconyopened.She
walkstocloseitbecauseofthecol dwindai
r
cominginbutst opswhenshef i
ndsSbaniseated
andsmoki ng,hereyeswiden..
.

Nel
l
y-y
ousmoke?
..

Helooksupatherandsi
ghsashi
ngoutt
he
ci
garet
te.
..
.

Sbani
-(notl
ooki
ngather
)Idon'
tsmoke.
..
Nel
l
y-(
mov
escl
osert
ohi
m)t
hanexpl
ainal
lthi
s..
.
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)comeher
e..

Shesi
tsnextt
ohim,
hehol
dsherhandandsmi
l
es
l
ooki
ngather.
..
Sbani-y ouknowwhatIl oveaboutyou,ithowy ou
alwaysmanaget osurpri
seme.Whenev erIt hi
nkI
couldn'tlov eyouanymor ethanIal
readydobutt han
yousur prisemeandIf i
ndmy sel
ffall
ingmor eand
morei nlovewi thyou.Eachdaywithy ouf eel
slike
theveryf irstti
meIlaidmyey esony ou,itjustkeeps
gett
ingbet terandbett
erwithyou.

Hethi
nksofreachingforhi
spocketbutqui
ckl
yget
s
r
idofthatt
hought.Ifheweret
odowhathewant ed
t
odonow, itwoul
donl yhur
therevenmore.
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)what
'sgoi
ngon?
Sbani
-(smi
l
edli
ghtl
y)Nothi
ng,youl
ookexhaust
ed
don'
tyouwantt
orestali
ttl
e..
Nell
y-(
sighs)IdobutIhav
efour
skidsthatneedmy
att
enti
on.(Looksathi
m)soyoujustgoi
ngtoignor
e
thewholesmokingthi
ng?

Hest
andsandt
akesherhandandt
heywal
kinsi
de
t
hei
rbedr
oom.
..

Sbani
-Iwi
l
lfi
l
lthet
ub,
yougetnaked.
.
Nel
l
y-(
stopsandl
ooksathi
m)Sbani
..
.
Sbani
-wewil
ltal
kinsi
det
hewat
ernowgetr
eady
,I
wil
lwashy
ourback..
.

Hel eav esherst andi ngther e,shecouldsee

somet hingwaswr ong,asmuchashet ri
edtocov er
i
tup.Hi sener gyal onegav ehim away .Shesighed
andt iedherhai rtoamessybun, aft
ershewasdone
takinghercl othesof f,
shecl osestheirbedr
oom
doorandwal kedi nsidet heirbathroom naked.Her
j
awsdr opped, t
her ewer er osepedal severy
wher e,
thel i
ght swer edi mmed, smal lfr
agrancecandles
placedal mostev erywher e, i
tsmel l
edf r
eshand
exot i
c.Shecoul dn'tbelievet hatitwashimt hathad
donet his,shescannedherey esaroundunt i
lthey
l
andedonhi m. .
.
Nel
l
y-ohmyGodbabe.
..
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)doy
oul
i
kei
t?
Nel
ly
-li
kei
t?Hel
lNo!
!!If
ucki
ngl
ovei
t.
..
.butwhen?
,
How?..
Sbani
-Idi
dall
thi
swheny ouwer
ebusywit
ht heki
ds,
whenIwasatthebal
conyIwaswai
ti
ngforthewater
i
nsidet
hetubtocool
down...
Nel
l
y-(
looksar
ound)i
tbeaut
if
ul.
.
Sbani
-(takesherhand)comel
et'
sgeti
nsi
debef
ore
thewatergetscol
d..
.
Nel
l
y-wai
tIwantt
otakeapi
ctur
e..
.
Sbani
-Nel
l
y!!
!
Nel
l
y-(
babyki
sseshi
m)Iwi
l
lber
ightback.
..
.

Sher
anonhertiptoes,
hel
ookedatherandl
aughed
l
ooki
ngatherbutt
..
.

I
nsi
deMaSi
wel
a'
scar
..
..
Zenandewasscrol
li
ngt
hroughherI
nst
agr
am when
shesawthepi
ctureNel
l
yjustpost
ed5minut
esago.
..

Zee-(
smi
l
es)wow.
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
glancesather
)whati
sit
?
Zee-Nell
yjustpost
edapi
ctur
eonI
nst
agr
am,
that
ha
(handsherthephone)

MaSi
wel
alooksatt
hepi
ctur
e..
.

MaSi
wela-(
handsZeeherphone)Idi
dn'
tpi
ctur
eGi
d
ast
heromanti
ctype.
.
Zee-menei
therbutIguesswej
udgedt
oosoon.
.
MaSi
wel
a-t
ell
hermom say
snosex.
..
Zee-(
laughs)ar
eyouser
ious?
MaSiwela-(
laughs)y
eah,
Iam hermom,
youher
si
steri
tourjobtoembarr
assher.
..
Theybot hlaugh,scr
oll
ingdownagain,Zeefi
ndsa
pict
ureofMt hokokissingawomanwhi leontheZi
p
l
ine,youcoul dn'
tseethewoman'sfacebecause
thei
rheadswer ecoveredwi
thhel
met s,butt
he
woman' slegswer ewrappedar
oundMt hoko's
waist.
..

Zee-Yhooobhut
iMt
hokoi
sser
ving#hol
i
day
goal
s
ri
ghtnow.
MaSiwel
a-thatonehasn'
tcal
l
edmesi
nce
Chr
istmas.
.
Zee-j
eahnowIgetwhyhehasn'
tbeenbl
owi
ngup
myphonetoo.

MaSi
wel
alooksatt
hepi
ctur
eandsmi
l
es.
..

MaSiwela-scr
eenshott
hispi
ctur
eandsendi
ttome,
IwanttoshowDon. .
.
Zee-(
smi
l
es)soy
ourf
utur
emakot
iasmodel
legs.
MaSiwela-Idon'tev
encar ei
fthatwomanisj
usta
onenightstandoraf r
iendwit
hbenefi
ts,
Iam j
ust
happyhe'shavingsex..
.
Zee-(
laughs)Iam pr
ett
ysur
enor
mal
par
ent
sdon'
t
saysuchthings.
.
MaSi
wela-y
eah,y
eahbutMthokoi
sadi
ff
erentcase,
wewereworri
edt
hathe'
sgay.
..
Zee-(burstoutlaughing)youhi
lari
ousmama,
ofcoursebhutiMt hokoisn'
tgay
, Ioncesawhi
mti
p
toei
ngagi rlouthisroom..
MaSi
wel
a-r
eal
l
y?
Zee-(
laughsandnods)yeah,
itwasroundaboutt
hat
ti
mey ouguyswereatthehomesteads.
.
MaSi
wel
a-Iam sor
eli
eved.
..
Zee-i
fhewasgay
?Woul
dthatbeenapr
obl
em?
MaSiwela-(
sighs)No, butallparentswishforthei
r
chi
ldr
ent ogetmar r
iedandhav ekids.Especi
all
y
boysbecausetheycar rythesurnamesowheny our
sonli
kesmen, itcompl i
catesthingsbutwel i
vein
dif
ferentti
mes,Idon'
thaveaprobl
em hav
ingagay
sonbutnopar entswakesupandwishesforagay
chil
d( l
ooksather)ar
eyou..
.?
Zee-(
laughs)JesusNo.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

shesati nbetweenhislegswi t
hherheadonhi s
chestashi shandscontinuedtocaressherbody .
Theyhav ebeent al
ki
ngaboutany thi
ngthatcamet o
thei
rmi ndsbutnowi twassi l
ent,
theysati
nsidethe
tubintheirmostcomf ortabl
esil
ent,int
hei
rperfect
worldwer enobodyexistedbutjustthetwoof
them..
..

Sbani
-rememberwheny
ouaskedmeaboutmy
ni
ghtmares?
Nell
y-(shestoppedbr
ushi
nghi
sknee)y
eah,you
promisedthatonedayyouwi
ll
tel
lmewhatexactl
y
happensinthem...
Sbani
-itmypast
..
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Shedi
dn'twantt
osayany
thi
ng,
shewant
edt
ojust
l
ethi
mt alk.
..

Sbani
-ther
eist
hisgi
rl
..
.

Herbodysti
ffenatt
hementi
onofanot
herwoman,
hesmi l
edknowingt
hatshewaspr
obabl
yfeel
i
ng
j
ealous.
..

Sbani
-(t
wistherheadt
ofacehi
m,ki
ssesher
)Inev
er
l
ovedher.
.

Shesmi
lesandpr
essesherbodytohi
s,wr
appi
ng
hi
sarmsti
ghtl
yar
oundherwaist
..
.
Sbani-shewasj ustaf reshmangi rl i
nUKZN, i
tround
aboutthetimewhenIhadst arteddoi ngan
i
nternshipatmyf ather'
scompany .AsmuchasIwas
donewi t
hschool Iwasst i
llver
ymuchi ncontact
withsomeoft hef ri
endsImadei nv ar
sity.Youcan
guessmyci rcl
eoff ri
endswer etheonepopul arl
y
knownf orhosti
ngt hecool estparties,beingthe
captai
noft herugbyt eam didn'texactlytonedown
thelevelofmebei ngpopul ar..
.
Nell
y-(smi
les)soinanut shel
lyouwerethe
handsome,arrogantQuarter
backthatev
erygi
rl
gushesaboutinev er
yteenmov ie.
.
Sbani-(laughs)notexact l
y,buttherichandsnob
kidsthatat t
endedmodel Cschool sweret heones
thatprobablygushedaboutmet hemostbecause
theymost l
yattendedourgames.St udentsthat
camef rom publ i
cschool didn'
tcareaboutr ugby
becauset heydon' tunderstandi
t,somedon' teven
knowi tbutt heycamet ot heparti
esandt hatwhenI
mether .Oneofmybuddi eswhohast urnedhosti
ng
thesev arsi
typarti
esi nt
oacar eerhadhost eda
fresher sbashf orUKZNsohei nvitedal lhisboy s.
Nowy oucani magi net hehy pegi rlshad, ev erygi rl
want edt oassoci atethemsel veswi t
hus, plusv ar si
ty
girl
sl ovesboy swi thcar s.Wehadagoodt i
mewi th
herandsomeofherf riends, wedi dn' texchange
numberbutamont haf tert hepar tyImetheragai n
weexchangednumber st han.I nmysecondy earof
study i
ngIj oi nedagr oupwi thcoupl eoff riendsand
someot herst udents.Itwasl i
kesomesexcul tkind
ofgr oup.Wedi dn'tdoany thi
ngf r
eakyl i
kesl eepwi th
eachot herbuti twasaspacewer easmenwe
embr acedoursexual i
tyt hatwhenIwasi nt roduced
tobei ngadomi nant ,wel lIwoul dn'treallysayIwas
onebecauseIdi dn'tdot heext remet hi
ngst hat
domi nant sdobutIl i
kedt hewhol econceptofbei ng
onebecausei tmeantIgett obet heonewi ththe
power ,str
ongwi ll
.Ilikedt hefactofdoi ngany thing
andev erythingknowi ngt hatsomeonewi l
l be
submi ssivet omydemands, itingni t
edsomet hi ng
wi t
hinmet hatIlikedandt hatIcr av ed.Becauseat
thattimeIwasn' treallyear ni
ngmuchf rom my
father'scompany ,plusIhadot herexpensest opay
l
ikemycari nsuranceaswel lasr ent .Asmuchaswe
wer er ichourf atherinstil
ledr esponsi bil
ityand
i
ndependenceonus.SobecauseIwasn' tbigon
cashIcoul dn' texer ci
semydomi nant st ot he
ext reme.SoIi ntroducedNt okozot ot hecul t,she
freakedoutatf i
rstbutIt oldherIwasn' tt hathi ghi
n
ther anki ngsbecauseIhadnomoneysonot hing
ext remewi llhappent oher ,butal lshehadt odowas
j
ustsubmi ttomysexual demands.Shewast he
per fectt ar get ,young, naiveandwel leasi ly
i
nf luenced.IchoseherbecauseIr eallydi dn'tli
kethe
i
deaofsl eepi ngwi thdifferentwomanpl usIwas
alreadyst artingar elati
onshi pwi thNt ombi ,you
mi ghtbewonder ingwhyIdi dn'
tintroduceNt ombi to
bei ngmysubmi ssive?Wel lsheherexboy fr
iendwas
alsoi nt hecul t,heabusedher ,phy sicall
yand
sexual ly,torturedherandev enhadherabor ther
chi l
d.Icoul dn'thav ehergot hrought hatagai n.So
whenNt okozoagr eedtobei ngasubmi ssi veitwas
thebestnewst ome.Ist artedr esear ching
ev ery thingonbei ngadomi nant ,Ibecameobsessed
wi thi t.Ispenthour sandhour sonmyscr eenj ust
resear ching, Ialsowant edt omaket hings
comf ortabl ef orher .Iwoul dmeetupwi thherj ustso
wecoul ddi scusst hel ogi sticsofwhatwewer ebot h
aboutt oat t
empt .Ihadal readyst artedpay i
ngher
somemoney ,Imeanshedi dn'
twanti tbutIknew
howt oughr esl i
fecoul dbet oast udentsoIpai dher
any way .Iguessmepay ingheral soki ndofeased
myconsci ousespeci allysi nceIwast aki ng
adv antageofherbei ngnai v e.ItoldBlessabouther ,
hedi scidedi twasbesthel ooksi ntothegi r
l,well
yourbr ot herhasal way sbeeni nv olvedwi t
hthecr azy
wrongcr owd, heknewanddi dthingst hathe
shoul dn't,hecoul daccessy ourbankaccount
withoutev enhav ingy ourpi nsoIknewi fIneededt o
fi
nddi r
tori nf ormat i
ononsomeonehewast heguyI
shoul dtrust .Besi deshewasal soi nthecul t,they
paidhi mf orhi sski ll
st hough, hedi dthei rdir
tywor k.
Any way ssomehowNt ombi '
sexf oundoutIwas
i
nv olvedi nt hecul t, heal somanagedt ogett o
Ntokozo, hewasaguyf rom aweal thyf amily,he's
fami l
ywasi nv ol
vedi npol iticsIguesswhat ev eritis
thathehadpr omi sedherwasbi g.Sowhenwemeet
up, Iwasj ustget tinghercomf ortabley ouknow,
gettingt heawkwar dnessoutoft heway .Sowehad
acoupl eofdr inks, Imanagedt ospi keup
conversati
onherethere,
mostl
yIjustaskedabout
her,
Ifiguredi
fwewer egett
ingi
ntothispart
nershi
p
wemi ghtaswellhertoknoweachotherbutthr
ough
theconv er
sat
ionthatwhenImadet heconnect
ionof
herbeingThand..
..
.

Nomabur
sti
ntot
her
oom scr
eami
ng.
..
.

Noma-DADDY,
DAAAAADDDDDD!
!!
!!
..
..
.NENE.
..
..

Theycoul
dher
ehersmal
lfoot
stepswant
ingt
o
makethei
rwaytot
hebat
hroom...

Sbani
-babydaddyi
sbat
hing,
don'
tcomei
n..
.
Noma-okay
,comeoutqui
ckl
y,uncl
eBl
esssay
sit
goi
ngtobekri
cast
imenow..
.
Sbani
-okaybaby
..
.
Shewal
kst
othedoorbutst
opsandl
ooksar
ound.
..

Noma-wher
eisNene?
Sbani
-uhmm.
..She'
sdownst
air
s..
Noma-(confused)
(tal
kst
oher
sel
f)
butIwasj
ust
downst
airs.
..

Shesay
sthatandwalksoutt
her
oom.Theybot
h
l
ookateachotherandsi
gh.
..

Nell
y-(t
oucheshi
schest
)wewi
l
lcont
inuet
hist
alk
l
ater.
.

Notgi
v i
nghi
mt i
metorespond,sheget
sawayfrom
hi
sgripandwrapsat
owel ar
oundherbodyget
ti
ng
outt
hewater.
..
..

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Nel
lywaschat
ti
ngawaywiththekidswhi
lef
eedi
ng
Nsi
kahisbot
tl
e.Theguyswalkedouttot
hegar
den
wheret
hemeatwasbeingprepared.
..
.

Bl
ess-di
dyout
alkt
oher
?
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)IwasbutNomai
nter
rupt
ed
us.
.
Bl
ess-sowhatar
egoi
ngt
odo?
Sbani
-IguessIwi
l
lhav
etof
indt
imeaf
tert
he
fi
rewor
ks..
.
Bl
ess-whataf
uckedupwayt
ost
artt
henewy
ear
..
.
Sbani
-Iknow.
..

Shakawal
kst
owar
dst
heguy
s..
.

Shaka-Ij
ustgotofthephonewit
hSi
ya,
theywi
l
li
ng
tomeetandtalkaboutthepr
ice.
Sbani-(
looksatShaka)aboutthat,
youneedt
otel
l
them wenol ongerneedt
heirhelp.
.
Shaka-(
eyeswi
den)WHAT?
??!
!!
!
Bless-Ihatet
oadmitbutt
hehavi
ngt
heSi
biy
a'sas
yourall
iancecoul
dreal
l
yhelpy
ou.
Sbani
-y eahbutatwhatpr i
ce?(Looksatbot hmen)
wetalkingaboutaf uckingmaf i
af amil
yhere,please
don'
ttellmey our eall
yt hi
ngitmoneyt heywi l
lwant.
Thesepeopler unf uckingponzi schemes,drug
busi
ness, br
othels,clubs,il
legalfi
rearmsandt hat
j
ustaf ewoft hethingst hattheydo.Moneyi sthe
l
eastoft hei
rworr i
es...
Shaka-buti
fitnotmoneyt
heywantt
hanWhat
?
Sbani-(shrugs)Idon'tknowandIdon'tevenwantto
know.Cal lhim andtellhi
m wenolongerneedtheir
servi
cesShaka.Ihav etoomuchstressasiti
s,Iwill
beinthei nsidestr
essedaboutmyki dsandNelly,
I
don'twantt obest r
essinghowIam fucki
ngupmy
parentsandbr othersli
vestoo.Wenotassoci
ating
ourselv
eswi ththeSi bi
ya'
s..
..
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t115

ATTHEGASARESI
DENCE.
..

Moses-(
looksathi
swi
fe)ucabangani
ngal
omf ana
kaZul
u?(Whatdoyout
hinkofthatZul
uboy?)
MrsGasa-muphiumfanakaZul
u?(
Whi
chZul
uboy
?),
t
here'
sli
kethr
eeofthem?
Moses-l
okaNel
l
y..
MrsGasa-wellIdon'tknowhimt hatwellbuthe
seemsl i
keagreatmanwel lhedefini
tel
ylovesyour
daughter
,I'
veseenthewayhi seyesstaygluedtoher
evenwhenshei sn'
tpayingatt
enti
ont ohim.InfactI
haveneverseenhim withamor eglori
ousface
unlesshe'
swithherorwhenhe' swithBlessbutit
shinesmorewhenhe' swithher.
Moses-soy
out
hinkhe'
sgoodf
orher
?
Mr
sGasa-Idon'
tknowbecausey
ounev
err
eal
l
y
knowsomeonebutwhatIdoknowi sIwoul
dbea
happypar enti
fIknewmydaught erwaswit
haman
thatlooksatherli
kethewaythatZuluboyl
ooksat
Nelly
.Itbeauti
fult
osee,Iwantthatf
orNomv el
otoo.
Moses-t hatoneneedstopriori
ti
zeherti
me, noman
wantsawomant hatwi
l
lleavehimi nbedat12
o'cl
ockjusttoattendwork.ThatwhythatGumede
boylefther,shewasmor ededicatedtoherwork
thananythingelse.
MrsGasa-wel lshe'sadoctorherwor kisvery
demandingbesi desitnotli
keDer ekwaswi l
l
ingto
compr omisehiswor ktoo.Hef r
eakenleavesin
anotherconti
nent.Any wayswhyar eyoudiscussi
ng
Sbani?Iseethewayy oulookathi m,y
ounotf ondof
him ar
ey ou?Butt hanagainyoual way
slikethatwi
th
thement hatdatey ourdaughters.
Moses-(si
ghs)Ijustdon'tl
ikethewayhe's
possessi
veoverher ,
Iswearifitwasuptot hatguy,
noneofuswillhaveanyr el
ati
onstoNelly
.Iwanta
rel
ati
onshi
pwithmydaught er,
Iwanttogett oknow
her,l
aughwit
hher ,havethatdaddydaughter
rel
ati
onshi
pbutIf eell
ikewithhim ar
oundIwon' tget
t
hatchance.
..

Shelooksathim,st
udi
eshi
sfaceandnot
icest
he
uneasi
nessfrom hi
m..
.

Mr
sGasa-whatdi
dyoudo?
Moses-(
lookather
)whatdoy
oumean?
Mr
sGasa-wenzeni
Moses?
Moses-Idon'
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngabout
?
MrsGasa-Iam notst
upi
djustbecauseIr
espectand
obeyy
ouasawi f
eshoul
ddoesn'tmeanthatIdon'
t
knowyouorIam bli
ndtoexact
lywhatyouare.
..
Moses-It
hinky
ouov
err
eact
ingher
ewoman.
.
MrsGasa-( annoyed)yeahIhopeforyoursakey ou
di
dn'tdoany t
hingstupidbecauselookaroundyou
Moses, itonlymey ouleftwit
hnoneofy ourkids
wantedt ospendnewy earsev eni
ghtwithyou.You
pushingy ourkidsaway ,i
fyoudon'tst
opbeing
Mini
st erInt
elli
genceeveni nyourr
elat
ionshi
pwi t
h
yourkidsandst artbei
ng" dad"youwi l
lendupnot
hav i
nganyr el
ationshi
pleftwiththem.Bandi l
ewill
soonst ar
tseeingt hetr
uey ouandy ouwillbel
eft
withnochi l
dren,Nomv eloonlytolerat
esy ou
becausey oust i
l
l herf
ather,Sandil
ehat esyou,
Blessingcan' tstandyouandnowy ouwantt omess
ar el
ationshipthathasn'tbeenf or
medy etbecause
ofy ourbigego.
Moses-(
Boldvoi
ce)ENOUGH.
..
.It
hinky
ouhav
e
f
orgot
tenyourpl
ace.

MrsGasalooksathim onemor
eti
meandst
andsup
t
akingherphone.
..

Moses-(
looksather
)Uy
aphi
?(Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
)
MrsGasa-Iam goi
ngtobewithmychi
l
dren,
ist
hat
okaywi
thyoudearhusband?
..

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
Mr
sGasadi
aledNomv
elo'
snumber
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mv
elo-hel
l
omom.
.

Shecoul
dheart
henoi
sei
nthebackgr
ound.
..

Mr
sGasa-heybabywher
ear
eyouguy
sat
?
Mv el
o-ohaf
ri
endofmi
nehadi
nvi
tedmet
ohi
s
social
..
.
Mr
sGasa-t
heboy
sar
ether
etoo?
Mvel
o-(l
aughs)No,Sandil
ewenttotheFDRparty
andBandi
lewentoutwithhisf
ri
endsIthi
nk.Yi
ni?
What'
sup?
MrsGasa-( si
ghs)wel
lIwasonmywayt oyour
house,yourfat
herj
ust.
..
.youknowwhatnevermi
nd
iwil
ltel
lthedri
vertot
urnback.
.
Shecouldheart
hedistressf
rom hermot
her'
svoi
ce,
i
tnotevery
daythathermom' sbecomesthi
s
vul
ner
abletowardsher.Herdadmusthavereal
ly
messedup...

Mvel
o-Nodon'
t,
Iwil
ldr
ivehomei
tnott
hatf
arj
ust
10minut
esaway.
Mr
sGasa-ohnobabyIdon'
twantt
o..
.
Mv el
o-(laughs)mom i tokay,
Ididn'
tevenwanttobe
i
nt hispartyitjustDer
ekhast hetwi
nsandt heboys
decidedt oditchmesoIopt edtoattendthi
sparty
becauseIdi dn'twanttobealone.
Mr
sGasa-(
smi
l
es)okay
!!
!Thanky
oubaby
..
Mv
elo-don'
tment
ioni
tmom,
Ilov
eyou.
.
Mr
sGasa-Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Theybot
hhangedup.
..
ATMA'
NXUMALO'
SHOUSE.
..
.

Ma'Nxumal
o-y
ouhav
ebeengl
uedt
othatphonef
or
hours.
..
Lungi
ey-whatel
secanIdomom?Iam bor
ed.
Ma'
Nxumal
o-y
oubor
ed?
Lungiey
-(r
oll
sey es)yesmom Iam bor
ed,li
ke
every
oneisdoingsomet hi
nghavingt
hetimeoft
hei
r
l
ivesandIam juststuckher
edoingnothi
ng..
MaNxumal o-(
rai
seshereyebrow)st
uck?
?Lungil
e
youfeelst
uckjustbecauseyouwit
hmeandy our
daughter
..
Lungi
ey-(
sighs)notl
ikethatmom butmyli
fejust
..
.I
don'
tknowbutt hi
sisthefi
rstnewyear
sthatIam at
homedoingnothing.
MaNxumalo-t
hingschangeLungil
e,youhavea
daught
ernow,youcan'
tbeparty
ingitup.
..
Lungi
ey-Nel
lyhastwokidsbutshe'
sdoing
somethi
ngonhernewy ear'
s,Ihav
ebeenseei
ng
pi
ctur
esthatshe'
sbeenpostingonInst
agr
am,Iev
en
sawherwhat
sappvi
deos,Mthokotooi
shav
ingt
he
ti
meofhisl
ir
ewit
hhisgir
lf
ri
end..
.
MaNxumal o-ohsoIseewhatt hisi
sabout ,Lungi
l
e
youcannotcompar eyourl
ifetoNel l
y's,
youbot htwo
differ
entpeoplewhoaredestinedfordiff
erent
things.Andwhydoy ousoundsobi tterabout
Mt hokohav i
ngagir
lf
ri
end,didy ouexpecthimt obe
alonef or
ever?
Lungiey-mamay oujustdon'
tgeti
t,Idon'
twant
Nelly'
sli
febutIwasj ustmakinganexampleofhow
she'shavingthebesttimeofherli
fewithtwoki
ds
butIam st uckandboredwi t
honekid.AndIam not
discussi
ngMt hoko.
.
MaNxumal o-(shakesherhead)Iwi llnever
understandy ou( standsup)letmegogetmybi ble
sowecanpr ayandIcangot osleep.(Looksather)
i
nsteadoff ant asizi
ngaboutwhatot hershavegoing
oninthei rl
iv
eswhydon' tyout hinkaboutthethings
thatGodhasbl essedy ouwith, y
ourdaught er
,
fi
ndingy ourfather ,
yoursi
blingsandmost lyy
our
fri
endshipwi thNel l
y,begreatfulandaskGodt o
keepblessingy ouev enmoreasweent eranew
y
ear
..
.

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Shaka-comeonki
dsi
tal
mostt
imef
ort
hecount
down..
.

Nomascr
eamsexcit
edl
yassherunst
owher
ethe
guy
swereset
ti
ngthefi
rewor
ksat
..
.

SJ-(
looksathi
sdad)dowehav
ethebi
gbombs?
Sbani
-(smil
es)wehaveev
ery
thi
ng,
doy
ouwantme
tohel
py oul
ightup?
SJ-(
smi
l
es)COOOOLLL.
..
..
Noma-(
exci
ted)
(cl
appi
ngherhands)Iwantt
oli
ght
upt
oo..
SJ-gi
rl
sar
enotal
l
owedt
opl
aywi
thmat
ches.
.
Noma-(
frowns)Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyoumonkeyhead.
.
SJ-(
looksatherandl
aughs)i
sthatsupposet
o
makemecr y?Yousolame..

NomastompsonSJfootwhenhewasaboutt
o
r
etal
i
ateSbani
separ
atedt
hem..
.

Sbani
-(l
ooksatt
hem)WHATDIDISAYABOUT
FI
GHTINGWI THEACHOTHER?
Noma-(
frowns)
(poi
ntsatSJ)hest
art
edi
t.
.
SJ-Noy
ourst
upi
dfacest
art
edi
t.
.
Noma-whoar
eyoucal
l
ingst
upi
dface?
SJ-(
glar
esather
)whatar
egoi
ngt
odo?
Sbani
-(i
rr
it
ated)
(commandi
ngv
oice)SHUTUP!
!!
!.
..

Bothhiski
dskeepqui eti
nthatinst
ant,
theyhave
neverhadtheirdadshoutatthem l
iket
his,
even
ShakaandBl esswereshockedtoseeSbani l
ashout
athiski
dslikethi
s,seei
ngthedistr
essonhisface
Nell
ybrusheshisarm...
Nel
l
y-babe,
letmedeal
wit
hthi
s..
.

Henodsandwal ksinsi
dethehouse,Nell
ysi
ghsand
l
ooksatShakaandBl esswhogivehersympathet
ic
l
ooksbeforedi
verti
ngthei
reyestosett
ingupthe
f
ir
eworks..
.

Noma-i
sdaddymadatus?
Nel
l
y-(smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)babydaddyi
sjustnotf
eel
i
ng
wel
l.
.
SJ-i
sitbecauset
omor
rowhe'
sgoi
ngonal
ong
busi
nesstri
p?

Nel
l
yfr
ownsl
ooki
ngatSJ,
"whatbusi
nesst
ri
p?"
..
..
.

Nell
y-(f
akesmil
es)yeahsoyout
woneedt ost
op
f
ighti
ngbecauseyoustr
essi
ngdaddyokay
?
Noma-(
nods)
(l
ooksatherbr
other
)Iam sor
ry.
..
but
.

Nel
lyrai
seshereyebr
owsl
ooki
ngather
,shesi
ghs
andkeepsqui
et.
..

SJ-(
looksdown)Iam sor
ryt
oo.
..
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)
nowwhoi
sreadyt
oseesome
f
ir
eworks.
..

Theybot
hexci
tedl
yscr
eam "
meeeeeeee!
!!
!!
".
..
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

I
twas30secondst i
l
l t
heclockhit00:
00pm,t
hey
wereallgat
her
edinthegarden,t
hekissapol
ogi
sed
tothei
rdadwhoti
ckledthem ti
l
ltheywereal
most
outofbreat
h,i
twasallsmil
esnow. .
..
Bl
ess-okayi
tti
menow.
..
Noma-(
clappi
nghands)y
eeeeey
!!
!!

Si
x
Fi
ve
Four
Thr
ee
Two
One

Them-(
shout
s)HAPPYNEW YEAR!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!

Itwasf i
reworksandpeopl eshout
ingandscreami ng
excit
edlyeverywhere,thekidswer
ehappyand
chatt
ingaway ,jumpingupanddownwi th
excit
ementpoi nti
ngt otheskyasitwasfi
ll
edwi th
fir
eworks.NellyandSbani managedtostealakiss
from eachotherwhilethekidswerenotwatching
butShakadi dcatchagl i
mpseoft hekissbetween
thetwol ov
ebirds.Blesssti
llcouldnotbel i
evehis
bestfri
endwasgoi ngt otur
nhi mselfin,j
ust
watchingthem ri
ghtnowandt hei
rblendedf amil
y,
everyt
hingwasper fectbutreali
tywasi twasall
goingtocomecr ashingdowni nthemat terof
hours.
...

Bl
ess-(
brohugshi
sfr
iend)HappyNewy
earmy
br
other
..
.
Sbani-(
smil
es)happyNewyearbr
o..
.hav
eyou
cal
ledyourvi
ll
agequeen?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)Iwi
l
lthanksf
orr
emi
ndi
ngme.
..

Theyf
istbump,
Blesswal
kst
ohi
ssi
ster
..
.

Bl
ess-dadewet
hu!
!!
..
.
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)youhav
eaf
unnyaccentwheny
out
ry
andspeakZul
u..
Bless-(
smil
es)wel
lIt
ry.
..(
hugsherandki
ssesher
cheek)HappyNewyearbeaut
if
ul.
..
Nel
l
y-HappyNewy
earmybr
other
..
.

Leav
ingt
heki
dsal
one,
Shakawal
kst
ohi
sbr
other
..
.

Shaka-hey
..
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksupathi
m)hey
..
Shaka-y
ouokay
?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)Idon'
tknow.
..
.(smi
l
es)HappyNew
year
..
Shaka-(
smi
l
es)HappyNewy
ear
..
.

Theylookateachother,
mov i
ngclosert
ohi sl
it
tl
e
brot
her,Sbanigi
veshim ati
ghthugbli
nkingaway
hist
earswhileShakawipeshisownwhi chhave
seemedt oescapehi
sey es.
..
Sbani
-itokay
,itokay
..
.
Shaka-don'
tdot
his.
..
.

Hebreakst
hehugbutsti
ll
keepshi
shandatt
he
backofhi
sli
tt
lebr
other
shead..
.

Sbani-(smi
l
esli
ghtly)
(wi
peshi
slef
teyebef
oret
he
yeardropevenescapeshi
seye)t
akecar
eofmykids
forme...
Shaka-(
nods)y
oudon'
tev
enhav
etoask.
..

Theynodateachother
,Sbani
tur
nsandlooksat
Nell
ythanbr
ingshi
seyesbacktohi
sbrother
..
.

Sbani-gosayhappyNewyear'
stoher(smil
es)you
al
lowedt ohugandki
sshercheek.Justf
ortoni
ghtI
won'tmind..
.
Theybothl
aughbutt
hei
rhear
tswer
est
il
lver
ymuch
heavy
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)okaywho'
smom ar
ewecal
l
ingf
ir
st?
SJ-Mi
nes.
..
Nel
l
y-okay
,letdi
alher
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
..

Thandeka-hel
l
o..
.
SJ-(
smi
l
es)HAPPYNEW YEAR'
SMOM!
!!
!
Thandeka-(
smi
l
es)HappyNewy
ear
'sbaby
,ar
eyou
havi
ngfun?
SJ-y
es!
!!
!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Thandeka-(
laughs)eat
ingi
cecr
eam andwat
chi
ng
somesoapie..
SJ-(
laughs)t
hatbor
ing.
..
Thandeka-(
rol
l
sey
es)what
everbi
gguy
,mommy
mi
ssesy
ou.
.
Noma-i
tmyt
urnnow!
!!
SJ-Ihav
etogonowmom,
lov
eyou.
..

Bef
oreThandekacoul
drespond,SJcutthecal
l
.
Nel
lyt
ookthephoneanddialedNtombi.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
-Hel
l
o
Noma-(
scr
eams)MOM!
!!
!HAPPYNEW YEAR'
S!!
!!
Nt
ombi
-(gi
ggl
ed)happyNewy
ear
'st
oyoubaby
..
.

Nell
ysi
ghedandtur
nedt
oShakaknowingt
hat
Nomaisprobabl
ygoi
ngt
otakefor
everont
hat
phone.
..

Shaka-(
laughs)y
ougav
eNomay
ourphone?
Nel
ly
-(l
aughs)Ij
ustt
houghti
twoul
dbeni
cei
fthe
ki
dstal
ktothei
rmother
s..
Shaka-(l
ooksather
)yout
hei
rmot
hert
oo,
youknow
thatr
ight
?
Nel
l
y-Iknow(
smi
l
es)HappyNewy
ear
's.
..
Shaka-HappyNewy
ear
's.
..
Nel
l
y-(
openherar
ms)hug?
Shaka-(
shakeshi
shead)Nah.
..
Nell
y-(
rol
l
shereyes)gety
ourassher
e,y
ouknow
youwanttoo.
..

Theyl
augh,
hewal
kscl
oserandt
heyshar
eahug.
..

ATTHESI
BIYARESI
DENCE.
..
.

MrSi
biy
a-Hast
heboyr
esponded?
Si
ya-(
shakeshi
shead)No.
..
MrSi
biy
a-(
thi
nks)wasn'
thesupposet
obebr
ought
i
ntoday
?
Si
ya-hewasbutIhav
ecall
edmycontacti
nsi
det
he
st
ati
onnoarr
esthasbeenmadet
onight.
.
MrSi
biy
a-okay
,wewi
l
lwai
t.
..

Siya'
sphonev ibrates,hel ooksati tandsmi l
es
seeingthename" Buhl e"hereadt het extand
respondedshov inghisphonebacki nsi
dehispocket
.
Hecoul dfeelhisfather '
sstarebur ningholesinhi
m.
Hegat heredhimsel fandl ookedupwi t
hastrai
ght
facecov eri
nghisbut terfl
iesthatar ejumpingforj
oy
i
nsidehisst omach. .
.

MrSi
biy
a-GoodNews?

Si
ya-(
blankf
ace)Pussy
!!
!!
..
.

Godhehat
edthewordst
hatj
ustcameouthi
s
mout
hbutifhedi
dn'
twanthi
sfat
herandbr
other
sti
cki
ngtheirnosei
nhisbusi
ness,heneededt
o
keepfocusandplaythegamejustl
iket
heywanted
himtoo.Buhlewil
lremai
nahiddensecret
..
.

MrSibi
ya-(smi
l
es)ahhh!
!!
!Oneoft
hose,
letmenot
keepyourwhor
ewaiti
ng.
..

Hegulpeddownhiswhiskeyandwalkedoutt
he
room l
eavi
ngSiyawit
habittert
asteinhi
smouth.
Buhl
ewasf arf
rom bei
ngawhor e.Shewasanangel
,
hisMonaLisa.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Theexci
tementhasdieddown,theki
dswerenow
set
tl
edinthei
rbeds.Sbaniki
ssedhi
sdaughter
..
.

Sbani
-sl
eeppr
incess.
..
Noma-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
oudaddy
!!
!
Sbani-(
brushesherf
orehead)Il
ovey
out
oo
pri
ncess..
.

Hecontinuedbrushingherhairunti
lsl
eepf
inal
l
y
tookov
erher .Hekissedherforeheadonemoreti
me
andwalkedoutther oom..
.

Sbani
-Champy
oust
il
lawake?
SJ-y
eah.
..
.

Sbanismil
esandwal
kst
osi
tont
hebed,
henot
ice
hi
sglassyeyes.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksathi
m)ar
eyouokay
?
SJ-(
sad)y
ounotcomi
ngbackar
eyou?

Hi
shear
tshut
ter
ed.
..
.
Sbani
-of
cour
seIam.
.
SJ-y
oupr
omi
se?

Sbani
get
sinbedandcuddl
eshi
sson.
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
eahr
ememberwhatIt
oldy
ou.
.
SJ-Iwi
l
ltakecar
eoft
hegi
rl
s..
.
Sbani
-(smil
es)Goodjob,theywil
lbedoi
ngawhol
e
l
otofcryi
ngandy oursist
erwil
lhavesomany
moodydaysatschool butremembertoal
ways
st
andbyher..
SJ-(
sighs)she'
sannoy
ingbutIl
i
keher(
laughs)
don'
ttel
lherthat
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Iwon'
t,
Iknowhowyouf
eel
.Gi
rl
sar
e
toomuchwor kbutwelov
ethem.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.
SJ-dad.
..
Sbani
-hmmm
SJ-Iwon'
tseey
oui
nthemor
ningwi
l
lI?
Sbani
-(si
ghs)Yes.
..
SJ-(
hugshi
m)cany
oust
ayt
il
lIf
all
asl
eep.
..
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)of
cour
se.
..
.

Heki
sseshi
sfor
ehead.
..

SJ-ew!
!!
!!
Sbani
-(l
aughs)shutup!
!!
!

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..

Hewalkstot
heirbedr
oom andfindsNell
ysleepi
ng
i
nthei
rbedwithhershoessti
l
lon, hesi
ghsand
wal
kstoher,
takingof
fhershoesandcov ersher
wi
thathrowthatwasplacedbesidethebed.He
star
esatherf
orafewminut
esandbrusheshi
sface
ashewalkstohi
ssidedr
awerandt
akesapenand
paper.

40mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Hepl acesthel et
teronhersi deoft hebed.He
couldn'tholdhisyearsanymor ehel etthem run
downhi scheeksashest aresatt hebeaut if
ul
womansl eepingpeaceful
lyonhi sbed, t
hemot herof
hiskids.Leaningtowardsherf ace,hepl aceshi s
handonhercheekwhi l
ehist humbbr ushesherl ips
withadr opsofhi syearsl
andi ngonherl i
ps,he
wipest hem withhisthumb, kissingherl ipspossi bl
y
forthelasttime,tasti
nghisownsal tytears,he
kissesheragai n,t
histi
mehol dingonal itt
lelonger
withonel astpeckhemov esawayf r
om her ..
.

Sbani
-(sni
ff
s)Iam sor
rybabe.
..
.
Hewal ksoutt her oom andcl osethedoor .He
standsout sideandcr i
essil
ent ly
.Afterafew
mi nuteshesni ffsandwi peshi stears.Walkingt othe
nur sery,
hewat chesashi ssonpeacef ul
l
ysl eepsbut
whatsur pr
iseshi mi shi
sdaught erwhohasherey e
wideawakel ooki ngbackathi m.Whenhel ower shis
handt oher ,shehasasmal l softgri
ponhi sfinger,
hesmi l
eswi thglassyey es,notwant ingtocr yinfr
ont
ofhi sdaught er.
..
.

Sbani
-whyy
oumaki
ngt
hishar
dfordaddyhuh?
!!
!.
..
.

Helooksawaysohecanbl inkawayhi
stears,
his
eyesfal
lbacktoherdaughterwhost
il
lhashereyes
l
ockedonhi m al
mostasifsheknowsshewon'tbe
seei
nghimf orawhil
e..
.

Sbani
-(ki
ssesherf
orehead)r
ememberdaddyl
i
ttl
e
st
ar..
.
Hewal ksoutthenurserywit
haheav yheart,f
indi
ng
hi
sf amil
y,MaSiwelaandZenandei ntheloungearea.
Theyallst
andupandl ookathi
m.Itwasobv i
oushe
hadbeencr y
ingwiththeredeyes,hestil
lwantedto
crybuthehelditi
n.Hismom t hr
owsher selfathi
m
cryi
ng..
.

Sbani
-(hugshert
ight
ly)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
nods)Il
ovey
out
oo.
..
.

Hisfat
hermov
estothem andhugsthem aswel
l
,
bury
inghi
smotheri
nthemi ddl
e..
.

MrZul
u-Idon'
tcondonewhaty
oudi
dbutIam pr
oud
ofy
ouson..
.

Theyletgoofhi
m,Siphowal
kstowardshi
m,despi
te
thei
rfeudshest
il
ll
oveshi
sbrot
herverymuch.
..
Si
pho-(
smi
l
es)Iwi
l
lmi
ssar
gui
ngwi
thy
ou.
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
eah,
Ilov
eyoubi
gbr
o..
Si
pho-(
pull
shimforahug)Il
ovey
out
oobr
other
..
.I
wi
llt
akecareoft
hekids.
..

Theynodateachot herandpulloutthehug.His
eyeslandonMaSi welawaiti
ngforhertoslapthe
hell
outofhim,he'ssurpr
isedwhenshewal ksand
hugshim.Every
bodyi sshockedconsideri
ngt hey
j
usttoldMaSiwelawhySbani '
sgoingtojai
l..
.

MaSiwela-eventhoughIdidn'
tshowi
t,I
'v
ealways
beenTeam Gi deon.
..
..besi
deswemurdersgott
o
sti
cktogether.
..

Ev
ery
one'
sey
eswi
den.
..

MaSiwela-(
rol
l
seyes)hewasar api
stbutIwi
l
ltell
youall
aboutwhenIvisi
tyou.Rememberdon'
tdrop
t
hesoap.
..

Theyal
lsmil
eli
ght
lyappr
eci
ati
vethatshe'
sbr
ingi
ng
ali
tt
lehumourt
oadepressi
ngsit
uati
on..
.

Sbani
-uhmm Nel
l
y..
.
MaSi
wel
a-Iwi
l
llookaf
terher
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksatBl
ess)cany
oudr
ivemedownt
othe
st
ati
on?
Bl
ess-(
sni
ff
)sur
e..
.

Hel
ooksatev
eryonear
oundt
hel
oungear
eaand
wal
ksoutt
hedoor..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t116

I
nsi
deBl
esscar
..
.
I
tbeenquietsincetheylef
tthehouse,hehasn'
tsaid
onewor dt
ohi m.Mostoft heti
meSbani hasbeen
l
ookingoutsi
det hewindowwi thhi
shandcoveri
ng
hi
sey esal
mostasi fhe'scryi
ngbuthe'
sdoingav er
y
goodjobinhidingit
..
.

Bl
ess-i
tnott
ool
atet
ochangey
ourmi
nd.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bless-comeonmandoy oureall
ywantt
odot
hist
o
yourfamil
y?Yourki
ds?Nel
ly
? .
.
Sbani
-we'vebeenthr oughthi
sBlessi
ng,Idon'
twant
total
kaboutitagain.Andy oudon'
thavetoremind
whatexactl
yIam losing,Iam goi
ngthroughthe
mostrightnow..
.
Bless-Idon'
tmeantoupsety oubutIj
usthat
e
seeingyouli
kethi
s,Ihatenotknowingwhatt
odo,I
am sousedt of
ixi
ngev er
ythi
ngforyouandnowthat
Ican'
t,
Ifeel
li
keIam f
ail
i
ngy
ou.
..
Sbani-(
sighs)thef actt
hatIknowy ouwi l
lbethere
formyfami lywhi l
eIam ont heinsidemeansal otto
me.Youal readydoi ngyourpart,stopfeel
ingli
key ou
fai
li
ngmebecausehonest lyIdon'tthi
nkI'dbebrav e
enoughtodot hisifIdi
dn'thavesomeonel i
keyou
ontheout si
de, someonewhoIknowwi l
ldoany t
hing
formeaswel l
asmyl ovedones.
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)hav
eyout
oldNt
ombi
?
Sbani-(br
usheshisface)No,Iwasplanni
ngt obut
wehadagoateachot herwhenIwantedNomasoI
kindofjustdi
dn'twanttogetint
oitaft
ert
hat ,
besidesIthi
nkshe'sfoundhersel
faman, Idon'tbuy
this"myfri
end"sit
uati
on..
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)r
eal
l
y?
Sbani-(nods)Ithi
nksheforgetsthatIhaveknown
herfor11y ears,t
heonlyfr
iendshehadwasmenow
suddenlyshehas" afr
iend"whichshe'ssoclosetoo
thattheyevengoonv acati
onst oget
her,y
eahr i
ght.
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)wow!
!!(
Looksathi
m)ar
eyouj
eal
ous?
Sbani -(shakeshishead)No!Iwanthert obehappy
sheknowst hatandi fthere'sanyoneinthi
swor l
d
thatdeser v
eshappi nessi ther,
she'sbeenthrough
alot.Ihatet hatshef eelstheneedt oli
etome
especi all
ysinceshe' shadt hismani nthepresence
ofourdaught er.Iknowshewoul dn'
thave
i
nt r
oducedourdaught ert ohimifshewasn'tsure
abouthi m butt hefactt hatshedidgoest oshow
she'sser iousabouthi m.Iwoul dexpecthert obe
upfrontwi t
hmeaboutsucht hi
ngs..
Bless-(nods)yeahIunder
stand,wel
li
fitwi
llmake
youf eelbet
terIwil
lhaveSki
ll
slooki
ntotheguy.
..
Sbani
-pl
easedo,
thel
astt
hingIwantist
heguy
bei
nganabusi
vebast
ardl
ikeherl
astboyf
ri
end.
Bl
ess-y
eahwewoul
dn'
twantthatnow,
Imeanwe
l
oveussomeNt
ombidrama.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)she'
squi
tet
hef
ir
ecr
ackeri
sn'
tshe?
Bl
ess-(
laughs)def
ini
tel
y(l
ooksathi
m)Iwi
l
lkeepan
ey
eonhert oo.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)t
hanks.
..
Bl
ess-(
smi
rksandl
ooksathim)youknowIwoul
dn'
t
j
udgeyoui
fyouadmi
tthaty
ou'r
ebitj
ealous?
Sbani-(
laughs)st
opt
alki
ngnonsenseandf
ocuson
theroad..

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Aft
erlocki
ngthecar,bot
hmenmaket
hei
rway
i
nsidethestat
ion.
..

Bl
ess-sowhatexact
lyar
eyougoi
ngt
osayi
nther
e?
Sbani
-thet
rut
h..
.
Bl
ess-wecanst
il
ltur
nba.
..
Sbani
-(st
opsandl
ooksathi
m)Dude!
!!
..
.
Bless-(sighs)Iam sorr
y,welli
sitabadthingthatI
j
ustdon' twanty outodothis?Imeanwecanf i
nd
somehobbot hatwecanpayt oadmittothecrime,
orany one,ti
mesar eroughpeoplearedesperatefor
money .
Sbani-(shakeshishead)againIwil
lhavethe
consciousthatIrui
nedanotherinnocentper
sonsl
ife,
whataboutt hatperson'
sfamily
?NomanIneedt o
dothis.May beyoushouldjustgobackhome, l
etme
walktherealone.
Bl
ess-Nof
orgetI
t,Iam comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
.

Henodsathim andt
heywal
kinsi
dethestat
ion,
fi
ndingtwopol
i
ceoffi
cer
sbehi
ndtherecept
ion
desk..
.

Man1-(l
ooksathi
m)sharpbaf
wethungi
ngani
si
za
ngani
?(WhatcanIhel
pyouwit
h?)
Sbani
-yeah,
Iam her
etohandmy
sel
fin.
.

Thet
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
slookateachot
her
..
.

Man2-khul
umandoda
Sbani-(
takesadeepbreat
h)Ikil
ledawoman,8or9
year
sagoIam notsureinfactIdon'
tev
enwantto
rememberbutngambulal
a,ngamqiba(Iki
l
ledand
buri
edher).
..

Theytwopol i
cemenlookateachot
heragai
nand
burstoutl
aughing,
theyl
aughsohardthatt
heyst
art
toannoySbani abi
tbutheknewheneededtocome
downaf t
erallt
hisr
eacti
onwasonehewas
expecti
ng..
..

Man2-yay
izwal
eone(l
aughs)abantuababuy
eke
ut
shwal
a( Cany
ouher
ethisone,peopl
eshouldgi
ve
upal
cohol).
.
Man1-(laughs)Ihadhopewhentheclockhit12and
wewillhavenosill
yrepor
tsbutIguessIrej
oicedt
oo
soon.
Sbani-(
bol
dv oi
ce)seni
qedil
eukusi
neke?noma
ni
safunaukunwayaizi
sini
futhi
?
Thet wopoliceoffi
cer
sstopandlookathi
m,he
l
ookedbackatt hem wi
thacoldseri
ousst
ernf
ace,
thei
rey eswenttoBlesswhoalsohasacold
expressionplast
eredonhisf
ace..
.

Man2-(
looksatBl
ess)umnganakhoser
iousy
ini
?
Bl
ess-(
rai
seshi
sey ebr
ow)wenaucabangani
?
Per
hapsyouwil
lbeli
eveitwhenwedi
rectyouto
wheret
hebonesare..

Themanswal l
owedhear
ingthetonetoBl
essings
voi
ce.Hetookastat
ementform andpl
aceditonthe
count
er.
.

Man2-(
handedSbani
apen)Bhal
ast
atementsakho
Sbani
-DoIreal
lyhav
etodot
his?Angani
Iam t
ell
i
ng
youexact
lywhatIdi
d?
Man1-wej
ustf
oll
owi
ngpr
otocol
.
Sbanigrabbedthepenandpaperandwalkedt
ot he
cornerwheretherewasasmalldeskandchai
r.One
ofthepoli
ceof f
erswal
kedtotheback.
..

Man2-eyconst
abl
eangekeuzeuyi
khol
wekel
e(hey
const
abl
eyouwon'tbel
i
evethi
s)
Constabl
e-(
munchsonhischi
ckenmayosandwich)
yi
ni?Khul
umangil
alel
e(what?Tal
kIam l
i
steni
ng)
Man2-kunendodal
ait
hiizozi
bophi
sa(
ther
eisaman
who'
sheretohandhimselfi
n)
Constable-(
swall
owshissandwich)i
sitoneof
thosedrunkardst
hatcomeev er
ynewy ear
s?
Man2-Idon'tt
hinkso,helooksseri
ousand
akabukekeedakiwe(hedoesn'
tlookdrunk)
Constabl
e-gobackt
othef
rontngi
yezamanj
e(Iam
coming).
..

Theconst
ablequi
ckl
yfi
nishedt
hel
astf
oursl
i
cesof
hi
ssandwich.
..
Constabl
e-(
standi
ngup)umunt uakasakwazingi
sho
ukudl
akahlenxi!
!!
!(Onecannotev
eneathisfood
peaceful
l
y)

Hewal kstothef rontwher ethetwopol i

ceof fi
cers
werebusyr eadingSbani '
sstatementwi ththeireyes
wideopened, theycoul dn'tbeli
ev ehowdet ail
edthe
wholethingwas.Meanwhi l
eSbani wasseat edwi t
h
hishandscov eri
nghi sf acewr it
ingthatstatement
provedtobedi ffi
cultforhi m ashehadt or eli
vethat
dayalloveragain.Hecannoti maginehowNel lywil
l
feelaft
erreadingt hatlett
er ,
judgingbyfacial
expressi
onsoft heset woof fi
cers.Hehast oaccept
thathewi l
ll
oseherf orever..
.

Const
able-(
looksatt
hewhi
tepaper
)i
sthatt
he
st
atement?
Man1-(
nods)l
endodaenesi
hlunguhah!
!!
Man2-whatIdon'
tunder
standi
swhyt
urnhi
msel
fin
phel
alomunt
uhadt
hechancet
ogetawaywi
th
murder
..
..
Const
able-(
snatchest
hepaper
)awut
hingi
fundel
a
(l
etmeread).
..
.

10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Const
able-(
looksatSbani
)thi
sisaser
iouscr
ime,
wetal
kingaboutmurderhere.
.
Sbani
-Iunder
stand.
.
Constabl
e-whyarey
oudoingt
his?Your
eal
i
sewhat
tur
ningyour
sel
finmeans?
Sbani
-shoul
dn'
tyoubesendi
ngmet
omycel
lnow?
Bl
ess-Sbani
!!
!
Sbani
-Ij
ustwantt
ogett
hisov
eranddonewi
th.
..

Theconst
abl
est
aresatBl
ess.
..
Man1-const
abl
eawut
hisl
umei
ndl
ebekancane.
.

Theywal
ktot
hebackwher
etheconst
abl
e'
sof
fi
ce
i
s..
.

Const
abl
e-whati
sit
?
Man1-Iwasjustoutsi
deandIhappentoseethe
ki
ndofcarthosetwogentl
emencamewi t
h,di
dyou
seet
heirwatchesandthecl
othestheyhaveon.
Const
abl
e-whatar
eyoui
mpl
yi
ngMhl
ongo?
Man1-Isaywecutadeal
..
Const
abl
e-(
sil
ent
)Iam l
i
steni
ng.
..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS.
..
.

Nomusaj
ustfi
nishedwashingthedi
shesthatwer
e
usedt
oeatbyherfamilyandafewvil
lagemenand
womenwhocamet ocelebr
ateNewyear'
sevewit
h
t
hem.

MrThusi
-(usahlalel
eni
langaphandl
e?)Musawhy
ar
eyousti
lloutside?
Nomusa-(
angi
zel
ibaba)Iam notsl
eepybaba.
.
MrThusi
-(l
ooksather
)ar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
ort
hat
f
ri
endofyours?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MrThusi
-(f
rowns)don'
tl
etherkeepy
out
ool
ong.
.
Nomusa-(
nods)y
ebobaba

Herf atherleftherandwalkedt owardstheot her

vil
l
agemenwhower eenj
oy i
ngumqombot hi.The
footstepsofherf ri
endgavemadehert akeherey es
offthev il
l
agemen.Shequi cklygrabbedherf riends
handandwal kedwithhertowar dst
herondav elthat
shesl eepsi nwithhersi
bli
ngsbutnoneoft hem
wer
etheret
onightwhichi
swhyshewant
edherand
Mpumitosi
tinsi
de..
.

Mpumi
-Jesus!
!!Si
siIdi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
esoear
ger
f
ormetogethere.
.
Nomusa-whatt
ooky
ousol
ongv
ele,
kade
ngi
kul
i
ndil
e..

ShehandsheraTupper
warewhichhadfoodi
nsi
de,
sheal
sohadmadeherjuiceandstol
esomechoi
ce
assor
tedbi
scui
ts.
..

Nomusa-okwakhol
okhu(
thi
sisf
ory
ou)
Mpumi-(
smiles)
(hugsher )Ngiy
abongabuty
ou
di
dn'
thavetoo.Phelasengij
olaneSomali
anhe
pr
ovi
dedgroceryformyf amily
.
Nomusa-(sighs)ohyeahIforgotIam j
ustusedt
o
doi
ngthi
sf oryoueveryyear
.
Mpumi
-itokay
,Iwi
l
leati
tvel
eangi
kazengi
dle(
I
hav
en'
teat
en)

Sheopenedt
heTupperwareandst
art
edt
odi
gin,
shemoanedindeli
ghtNomusahasal
way
sbeen
goodwit
hthepots.
..

Mpumi-bi
tchr
emi ndmet
onev
erl
etmyboy
fri
end
t
astey
ourcooking..
.
Nomusa-(
laughs)what
ever
.Sodi
dSbucal
l
?
Mpumi -(
stopseati
ng)sothatwhyIam her
e?
(Touchesherchest)ungi
phul
ainhl
i
ziy
omngani(
you
breaki
ngmyhear t)

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Nomusa-Iam ser
ious(
smi
l
es)Di
dhe?
Mpumi
-(si
ghs)hedi
dn'
thoney
..
.
Nomusa-(
frowns)oh.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
.

Mpumi -Iam sur

ehewi
l
lthough,
itNewy
ear
'sMusa,
cheerup..
Nomusa-Ishoul
dgi
vehi
m acal
lbacky
abo?
Mpumi
-No,
youdon'
twantt
obet
hosecli
ngygi
rl
s,
t
hemansai
dhewil
lcal
lsowewi
l
lwait
..
Nomusa-okay,okay
!!
!!
!Ngi
tshel
akengawenoMr
supemar
ket.
..

Thegi
rl
slaugh.
..

Mpumi
-ngi
muni
keuswi
dit
oday
..
.

Nomusascr eamsexci
tedl
ybutMpumi
s
shhhuussshhher
..
..
Mpumi-keepy
ourvoi
cedown,uf
unal
enkanyamba
ewubabawakhoingi
xoshe(
youwantyourDr
agon
fat
hert
okickmeout)
Nomusa-sor
ry,
sobekunj
ani
?(HowwasI
t?)
Mpumi-(
rol
lseyes)youknowitwasn'tmyfi
rstt
ime
sonowitwasjustsex.ButIki
nderenj
oyedi
t.
Nomusa-wenaawuhambi l
anamhlanje,
uzol
alal
ana
(younotgoi
ngtonight
,youwil
lsl
eephere)j
ustin
caseSbucall
sfuthiIwantyout
otellmeally
ou
knowngoNcansi.
..
Mpumi-y
hooooejustsaysex,whenyousayitl
i
ke
t
hatuv
eleuzi
bonakal
iseukut
hiungumkhaya.
.

Nomusapl
ayful
l
yhit
sMpumi
ont
heshoul
deras
t
heybot
hlaugh.
..

Nomusa-dontmakef
unofme,
any
way
ssowi
l
lyou
sl
eepover
?
Mpumi
-wi
l
lNkany
ambabeokaywi
tht
hat
?
Nomusa-(nods)wel
lgogoandmymom wi
l
lsof
ten
hi
m upekuseni.
.
Mpumi-(smi
les)okayvelehenev
eract
slikehe
doesn'
twantmei nf
rontofmebutIj
ustknowbythe
wayhelooksatme..
Nomusa-souzol
ala?
Mpumi
-(nods)okay
,itl
ateany
way
s..
.

Nomusasmil
esexci
tedly
,herfat
herwi
l
ljusthavet
o
makepeacewi
thherfr
iendshi
pwithMpumi..
..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..
.

Const
abl
e-(
looksatBl
ess)canwet
alk?

Bl
essandSbani
lookateachot
her
..
.

Bl
ess-sur
e..
.
Hewal
kst
othebackof
fi
ce.
..

Constable-ngi
yakubonaukut
hiyouagai
nstwhat
yourfr
iendisdoing?EvenmeIhav enev
erwit
ness
anythi
ngl i
kethi
s.Whointhei
rri
ghtmindshands
themselvesin?
Bl
ess-(
bol
dvoi
ce)whyam Iher
eConst
abl
e?
Const
abl
e-Iwantt
ocutadeal
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Constabl
e-youlookli
keareasonabl
eman,Iknow
youknowt hatpr
isonisnotaplacewher
eaperson
l
ikeyourfri
endorbrot
hershouldbe.NowIcanhel
p
youwiththat?

.
..
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)whatdoy
ouwant
?
Const
abl
e-f
ivemi
l
li
on.
..

Blesslooksathim, fi
vemil
li
onisjustchangetohim
aswellasSbani butthef
uckerinf
rontofhim doesn'
t
knowt hathellhedoesn'
tevenknowwhat500000
thousandlookslike.He'
sjustt
aki
ngchances.Bl ess
start
slaughing,makingtheconst
ablefrownand
l
ookathi m...

Bl
ess-soy
ouev
enknowwhatFi
vemi
l
li
onl
ooksl
i
ke?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-Idi
dn'
tthi
nkso.
..1.
5mi
l
li
ont
akei
torl
eav
eit
..
.

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
Const
abl
e-makei
t2mi
l
li
on.
..
Bl
ess-Isai
d1.
5mi
l
li
on.
..
Const
abl
e-(
sighs)okay
..
..
Bl
ess-wel
ll
etmedi
scusst
hewi
thmyf
ri
end.
..

Theynodateachother,AssoonasBlesscomest
o
viewwher
eSbaniis,Sbanist
andsandlooksat
them.
..

Sbani
-(Boldvoi
ce)Iam notpay
inganyofy
oushit,
nowwhi choneofyouistaki
ngmet omycell
?.
..

Thenextday
..
..

Nel
lyopenedhereyesandscannedther
oom,Sbani
wasnotinbedshesighed,shereal
l
ywantedt
o
makehim br
eakfastandservei
ttohimi
nbed.She
quicklygotupf r
om thebedandwal kedt othe
bathroom tobrushhert eethandappl yherface
scrub.Shewal ksoutther oom andmakesherway
tothenur ser
ybutshest opsonhert r
ackswhenshe
heardhermom' svoi
ce,soi nsteadshewal ksdown
thestairs.Wi
thaconf usedf aceherey eslandonthe
Zulu'
s, Hermom, Zenandeev enNhlanhlaishere.
..

Nel
l
y-Mor
ning.
..

Ev
ery
onest
opst
alki
ngandl
ooksather
..
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-ooookay
!!
!!
..
.

Shesayst
hatwhennobodyresponds,
sensi
ngthat
Shewil
lcr
yMrZuluti
ghtenshishol
donhiswif
e..
..
MrZul
u-(
smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)mor
ningmychi
l
d..

Zenandehandsherahotcupofr
ooi
bost
ea.
..

Zee-Iwast
oldy
oul
i
keacupev
erymor
ning.
.
Nell
y-(
smil
es)Thanky
ou(
looksar
ound)whendi
d
youguysgether
e?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nelly
-(placeshercuponthecounter)okaywhat'
s
goingon?Youal lact
ingwierd(
looksatShakaand
Nhlanhla)andwhyarey outwolookingatmelike
that?

MrsZul
ubr eaksf
reef
rom herhusbandasshecoul
d
hol
diti
n..
.
Mr
sZul
u-(
bur
sti
ntot
ear
s)Ican'
tdot
his.
..

Shesaysthatandleavestheki
tchen,
Nell
ylooksat
ever
yoneandallofthem arel
ookingbackatherwi
th
sympathet
iceyes.
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t117

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Itbeenv eryquietsinceMr sZulul ef

tthekit
chen,Mr
Zulufollowedqui cklyaft
erher,Zenandehasbeen
avoidingey econtactwi t
hNelly
, NhlanhlaandShaka
havebeencont inuouslymovingt heirey
esfrom
MaSi welatoNel ly.
..

Nel
ly-(l
ooksar
ound)ser
iousl
ynobodywant
stosay
any
thing.
..
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksatZenande)Zee?
Zenande-(
widensherey
es)uhmmm y
eah.
..
Nel
l
y-ar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
Zenande-(
sti
ff
ens)(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)Iwoul
dbutI
don'
tthi
nkitmyplace..
MaSiwel
a-whydon'
tyouj
usteatbr
eakf
astt
hanwe
wi
llt
alkaf
tert
hat
,pl
ease.
..

Shelooksathermot
her
'spl
eadi
ngey
esanddeci
des
toj
ustgivei
ntoherr
equest
..
.

Nell
y-Iam notthathungrysi
nceweat ebraai
meat
midhoursofthemor ning.CanIjusthavet
woslices
oftoastwi
thjustrama, Iwi
llhav
et hem wi
tht
his
rooi
bostea..
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)any
thi
ngy
ouwantbaby
..

Ever
y bodyrel
axesf
ortheti
mebei ngasi tseems
Nell
y'satt
enti
onisf
ocusedherf ood.MaSiwela
si
gnalsShakaandNhlanhlatotheLoungear ea
l
eavingNellywit
hZenandeinthekitchen..
..

MaSiwel
a-(f
inal
l
ybreat
hsfr
eel
y)JesusIdi
dn'
tthi
nk
t
ell
i
ngwillbesodif
fi
cul
t.
.
Nhlanhla-shel
ookssohappybutallthathappi
ness
wil
lbet akenawayfr
om her
,ital
readyisbutshejust
doesn'tknowit
..
.
Shaka-may
beweshoul
dn'
ttel
lher
..
MaSiwela-(gi
veshi
m adeathstare)uyahl
anya?Iam
notl
yingtomydaughter,
wej ustgoingtohaveto
fi
ndtherightwaytobr
eakthesenewst oher
..
Nhlanhl
a-i
sther
ear i
ghtwaykodwamamaf orust
o
breaksuchnews,I
'
veneverhear
dofar
ightwayto
tel
lsomeonebadnews..
MaSi
wel
a-(
rol
l
sey
es)don'
tyout
hinkIknowt
hat
(l
ooksatShaka)andyourmotheri
snotmakingt hi
s
anyeasi
erbutIcanunderst
andherpai
n,nomot her
shoul
dgothroughwhat'
sshe'sgoi
ngthrough.
..

MeanwhileBlesswalksinsi
detheki
tchenwit
hasad,
l
ongfaceitobv i
ousthathehadn'
tslept,
he'
seyes
werebloodshotred,hi
swholeappearancewasjust
of
f,wronghel ookedli
kesomeonewhoi shangover
..
.

Nell
y-(l
ooksathi
m)(
laughs)
wooooo!
!What
happenedtoyou?

BlesslooksatNel
lyconfused,
hiseyesthattr
avel
ed
toZenandewi t
hthefaceof"shedoesn'
tknowy et
"
Zenandenodssadly.Hesighsandwalkst ohi
s
sist
erhuggingher
,whichsurpri
zesherbutshehugs
him back.
..

Nel
l
y-(
laughs)okaybi
gguyIt
hinky
ouneedabat
h..
.
Bl
ess-(
breakst
hehug)y
oul
ovemeany
way
..
Nel l
y-(smi les)what ever,i
fyoul ooki nglikethisthat
meansy ouguy scont inuedthepar tywi t
houtme
(confused)butShakal ooksfineorhecoul dhav eleft
earlyleav i
ngy ouandSbani ,
pr obablyt hatwhyhe
didn'tsleepnextt ome( l
aughsandl ooksatBl ess)is
hehangov ertoo?Iwoul dlovet oseet hatsi deofhi m.
(Smi l
esandpout s)ifhei shangov erIwoul dbe
j
eal ousI ti
nmybucketl i
sttohav eadaywher ewe
drinkourassesoutandhav ecr azydr unkmakeout
session( l
aughs)sor r
yTMIguy sbutheywho
woul dn'twantt hat ?(Smi l
es)buti tokayIunder stand
wecoul dn'tdoi tlastnightbecausewehadki dsi n
thehousepl us(looksatBl ess)y oubi gguywasher e.
Trustmenext ..
...

Hecoul dn'thearwhatshesai dnextbecauseal lt

hat
wasplast erdonhi sfacewast heimageoft hehappy
womani nfrontofhim blabbingaway ,itpai
nedhim,
hejustcoul dn'
tstandwat chhersmile, l
aughhappil
y,
howherey esglowedwhenshement ionedSbani'
s
name, hecoul dn'
tdoi tany more,hehadt ostopher
sohecr ashedheri ntohi schestwhil
ehehel dback
histear
sbuthi
svoi
cewasbr
eaki
ngashewhi
sper
ed
"st
op"toher
..
..

Bl
ess-"
Stop"
..
.

Hol di
nghert i
ght l
yshekeepqui etf oraf ewmi nutes
butwi thherbr aint r
yingt ocompr ehendwhat '
sgoi ng
onwi thBl ess,sher ealisedhowwhenshewal ked
i
nsi detheki t
chent heyal lstoppedt al
kingexact ly
l
ikewheny ouwal kinwhenpeopl ear etalkingabout
you.Sheal soremember edhowt heyal ll
ookedather
andhowt heirlooksqui ckl ychangedt osy mpat hy,
Zenandehadt riedtomaski twhenshehandedher
thecupofr ooibos, sher emember showbr okenMr s
Zuluwas, whenhermom pl eadedwi t
hhert oeat
fi
rstItwasal ldonesoherat t
entioncoul dbe
divertedsomewher eel se.Nowt hatshe' spr essed
thiscloset oBl ess,sher eali
sest hattherei sno
alcohol smell,usual l
ywhenonei shangov erthey
hav ethissmel l ofalcohol butBlessdi dn'tthatwhen
sher ealisesthathei sn'thangov erbutsomet hing
waswr ongwi thhim, what everitwas, itsur eis
relatedt owhyev eryonewasact i
ngwi erd.Nowt hat
herheadi sf i
l
ledwi thev erythi
ngsher ealisest hat
ther eissomeonemi ssingt hismor ning, someone
whousual lyfussesov erher ,whenBl esswal kedi n
l
ooki nghangov ershehadt houghtt hatmay behe' s
sleepi nghi shangov ert oobutnowt hatsheknows
Blessi sn'thangov erandev eryoneisact ingwi erd,
shement allykicksher selfwhensher ealizehow
stupi dofhert ot hi
nkSbani wassl eepi ng, eversince
shemett hatmanhe' snev erbeenonet osl eep.
Somet hingwasgoi ngonandshehadasi ckf eeli
ng
i
ti nvol vedherj udginghowev eryonewast ryingt o
avoi dher .Whenshef eltov erwhelmedorl osthis
presenceal way scomf ortedher ,feeli
ngunsur e,he
waswhatsheneededr i
ghtnow.Justt ohav ehim
nextt oher ,beingcomf ort
abl eintheirsilence.She
unt angl esher selffr
om Bl ess...

Nel
l
y-wher
e'sSbani
?.
..
Shewat chedhowhisbodyst i
ffs,howhi seyesheld
sadnessthatmadeherhear tbeatfasterthanit
alr
eadywas, "
may beshewaswr ongthiswholetime,
whateverwasgoingonwasn' tsomet hingtodowi t
h
herbutmay beeveryt
hingtodowi thSban, hewas
absentforthemostpar toft
hismor ni
ng"she
thoughttohersel
f.
..

Nel
l
y-pl
easedon'
tl
iet
ome.
..
Bless-(si
ghs)hel
efty
oual
ett
eri
nyoursi
deoft
he
bed...
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)
(confused)whatl
ett
er?Whatwoul
d
hel
eav
emeal etter
?
Bless-Iam guessingyoudi
dn'tseeItbutitt
her
e.
Beforeweuhmm, beforeIt
ell
y ouanythi
ngoryou
askquestionspleasereadt
hel et
terfi
rst
..

ShelooksatZenandewholooksbackatherwit
h
sadness.Shecoul
dfeel
herstomachformingknot
s..
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksatBl
ess)i
she.
..
Bl
ess-j
ustgoreadthelet
teraf
tert
haty
oucanask
meallt
hequesti
ons..
.

Shenodsandget
sdownt
heki
tchenchai
randwal
ks
tot
hebedroom.
..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..
.

Hedi dn'tsleepatal l
,thegoodt hi
ngwast hathewas
alonei nsidehiscellbutheknewt hati
twasn' tgoing
tolast.Theconst ableandt het wopolicement ried
continuousl ytogethimt ochangehi smi ndandt ake
thedeal buthewasnotgoi ngt ochangehi smi nd, he
neededt odot hi
s,justli
keNganonosai difNtokozo
wasn' tlaidtorestbyherf ami l
y,t
heZwane
ancest orswer egoingt ofol
lowhi m al
lhislif
eand
whent heyretali
ateitwasn'tgoingtobepr etty.He
wasast r
ong,boldmanbuty ethefearedsomet hing
sosmal lashisownsl eepbecauset hatwhenhi sev i
l
deedshaunthi mt hemost .Itallneededt oend, he
knowst hatpar tofNt ombi notfalli
ngpr egnantmi ght
hav ebeenal soconnect edt owhathe' sdone, l
osi ng
hisdaughterThi ngol
enkosi t
oo.Asmuchas
Nganonost atedwhyThi ngohadt odiebutdeep
downhebl amedhi mself.Ifhewant edhisfamilyt o
besaf e,heknewbei ngacowar dhadt ostop,this
wasonepr oblem hecoul dn'trunawayf rom.The
soundoff oot stepscomi nghi swaygai nedhi s
attent
ionashel ookedupandnot iceaguar d
standingout sidehiscell,itwasn' ttheonef rom last
night.
..
.

Guar
d-uwenauZul
u?

Sbaninods,t
heguardslooksathim andshakehis
head,j
udgingfr
om theguardsfacet heypr
obabl
y
tol
dhim howhehandedhi msel
fi n.Theguardopens
thecel
landsignal
shimt ocome...

Guar
d-angazi
nomangi
zot
hiunesi
bindi
noma
uyi
siphukuphukusomhlaba(cl
osesthecel
l)ayi
unamasendeensi mbiweMageba(Idon'
tknow
whethertosayy oubr
aveoryouthestupi
destmanin
thi
swor l
deitherwayyougotball
smadeofst eel
Mageba)

Sbaniignoreshi
m ast heywalkstogethersi
deto
side,
heknewhewi ll
beget ti
ngthesekindof
remarksfrom ever
yonewhohear sexactl
yhowhe
handedhi msel
ftothepol i
ce.Sohealreadyprepar
ed
himself,
hewouldn'treplytoanyoftheremarks
cominghi sway.
..

Sbani
-ungi
saphi
?(Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
)
Guar
d-unesi
vakashi
(Youhav
eav
ist
or)
Sbani
-si
thesi
ngubani
?(Di
dtheysaywhot
heyar
e?)
Guard-eyndodaisi
boshwaasinamal
ungel
o
(pr
isonersdon'
thaveri
ght
s),
stopaski
ngquest
ions
andwal k.
.
Theycont
inuewal
ki
ngunt
ilt
heguar
dst
opsata
cl
oseddoor..

Guar
d-Ngenal
a(goi
nsi
de)

Hel
ooksatt
heguar
dsuspi
ci
ousl
y.
..

Guar
d-(
looksathi
m)ehbabaIdon'
thav
eal
lday
..
.

Sbani opensthedoorandf i
ndsMoseswi t
han
unknownman, theymakeey econt
actwithMoses,
themanwal kstowardsSbaniandcl
osest hedoor
,
oncet hedoorisclosedthemanwal ksbacktohis
seat.Sbaniissti
llgl
uedtohisspot
..
.

Moses-(
looksathi
m)y
oumi
ghtwantt
otakeaseat
..
Sbani
-Iwi
l
lst
and.
.
Man-(
looksatMoses)Ngat
hiuzobai
nki
ngal
o
munt
uwakho.
..
Moses-(
aut
hor
ati
vev
oice)SI
T!!
!!

Heey esMosesannoyi
nglyandt akesasit
,Moses
smirksathi
m knowi
ngthathei sinv ul
ner
abl
e
becausethi
sisMosesplayground...

Moses-(poi
ntsatt
heman)t
hisi
sdet
ect
ive
Shabangu.
.
Sbani
-youmeany
ourdi
rt
ycop.
.
Shabangu-(
frowns)Iwil
lhaveyouknowIam t
he
bestatthej
ob,myr ecor
disclean.
.
Sbani
-(bor
ed)okay
,Iguesst
hataboutt
ochange
huh?
Shabangu-(
looksatSbani
)whatdoy
oumean?
Sbani
-whyam Iher
e?

Mosessi
gnal
sShabangut
ohandhi
mthef
il
e,t
hef
il
e
i
stossedt
oSbani
.
..

Sbani
-(l
ooksatt
hef
il
e)Yi
nil
e?(
What
'st
his?
)
Shabangu-thatrighttherei
swhaty ourcasel ooks
l
ike,murderisaser i
ouscr i
meandi ny ourcaseit
doesn'
tevenhel pthaty ouwentbyallmeanst o
coveryourtr
acksandgetr i
dofallevidence.You
l
ookingatserioust i
mei npri
sonZulu..

Sbanil
ooksatMosest
hanhi
sey
est
rav
elt
o
Shabangu.
..

Sbani
-Iam l
i
steni
ng.
..
Moses-Icanmakeallyourprobl
emsgoaway ,y
ou
canjustgetoutwi
thsomethi
ngsmal lascommunit
y
ser
viceoryoumaynotev engetsent
encedatal
l.
.

Sbanil
ooksatthet
womeni nf
rontofhi
m,knowi
ng
thatMosescanmakeal
lthi
sgoawaybuthe's
al
readyt
ool
ateandal
ltheyt
alki
ngnowi
sbul
l
shi
t.
..
.

Sbani
-(looksatMoses)whywouldy
ouhelpme?
Wheny outhesamemant hatputmeint
hisposi
ti
on
i
nthefirstpl
ace.
.
Moses-Idon'
twanttohel
pyoubutmay
beIreal
ised
t
hatyoubeinginj
ail
wil
ldonogoodtomydaughter
..
.
Sbani -(l
aughs)y oumustt hi
nkIam st upi d,l
etme
breakt hisdownf ory ou.Youdonotwantt ohel p
i
nst eady our eali
sedt haty ouwentaboutt hi
st he
wrongway .Youhav etheboneswi thy oubuty ou
actuallyhav enoi deawhatt odowi t
ht hem, youcan' t
reall
yuset heimageofmedi ggingthem upbecause
well yoursonwi l
lbei mplicatedtoo.Youcannot
actuallyhandt hebonesoutt othecr imel abor ator
y
becauset hany ourof fi
cewi l
lhav etofillinar eport
ofwher ey ougott hem from andwhot hebones
belongt oo.Yourdepar tmentdi dhav ej uri
sdictionto
dowhaty ouaskedt hem too, y
ourdi sl
ikeofmeand
youregomadey out akeirrati
onal decisionst owhich
youhadnoi deawhatt heendgamewas, whichi s
whynowy ouhav et hisi diot(point
satShabangu)t o
comeher eandact sasi fheknowswhat 'she'sdoing,
l
ikehe' sgotal lthef act .Youdonotwantt ohelpme,
i
nst eady ouusi ngmesoy oucancl eany ourdi r
ty
doings, y
oubot hhav enocaseher e, ( r
oll
sey es)wel l
technicall
yy oust il
l don' t,youhav et hebonesbuty ou
cannotpr ovet hatIki lledher ,myconf essionisthe
onlythingthathol dingt hi scaseandy ousucker s
wantcheckoni t( l
aughs)Imustsayy oubot h
thoughtt hi
st hroughbutmehandi ngmy selfreall
y
fuckedwi thy ourpl ans, youbot hdidn' tantici
pateon
mehandi ngmy selfi ndi dn'tYou?Thi sfil
et hi
ngwas
amov ewhi chy ouwer egoi ngt ouset omakedance
toy oursurrendert oy ou, Iwoul dhav ebeenaty our
mer cybutIf uckedi tal lupf orguysdi dn'
tI( l
aughs
i
nl ouder)this( pickst hef i
le),t
hisrighther eisal la
bluff(t
hrowst hef i
leatShabangu' sf ace).
..

ShabangulooksatMoseswi t
hadefeated
expressi
on,Sbani
wasstil
ll
aughi
ngatt hetwomen
whichmadeMosesboi li
nsidewi
thanger ,
hewas
evenmor eangryt
hatev
erythi
ngever
ythingthat
Sbani sai
dwast rueandt heybot hknewit.He
reali
sedhowmuchhef uckedupwhent hebones
wher einhi
scar ebuthehadnoi deaonhowhe
goingt oi
mplicateSbani,he'sbigegocouldn'tlet
him admitthathehadnopl an,heactedoni mpulse.
Heunder esti
mat edSbani andnowi tfr
ustratedhim
evenmor ebecausehehadnot hingonhim. .
..

Sbani-(sit
supst r
aight )ohwhat 'swi t
hthel ong
faces,(smirksandl ooksatMoses)don' twor r
y
daddyIdon' tplanonst ay i
nginpr i
sonf orlong, iam
bipol
arr emember ,imi ghthav ebeennotmy self
wheni str
angledt hatgi rltodeat h(anyway s)now
l
istenupandl ethel pyoucl eanthismessf ory ou.
Taket hebonesbackt owher eIbur iedthem, t
hat
waynoonewi lleverknowy ouhadanyaccesst o
them,y ourdepar t
mentget st hechancet ooper ate.
DesmondDubeher e( poi ntsatShabangu)wi l
lfoll
ow
themapwher et o" dig"t hebonesupandhe
becomest heher ocop.
Shabangu-(
wideney
es)j
ustl
i
ket
hat
?
Sbani
-(smi
rks)
whatcanIsayIam ani
ceguy
Moses-(
frowns)niceguymyass,
Iknowy
ou
t
hinki
ngaboutscrewingmeup
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Idon'
tneedt oscr
ewthingsupfor
you,y
ou'
vedoneani mpacablejobonyourown.
WordofadviceNell
yisn'
treall
yafor
giv
ingperson.

Hestandsupsmirksatthem whi
lewhi
stl
i
ngsome
goodmusictohimsel
f,hewalksandst
andsbyt
he
doorandtur
nslooki
ngatMoses...

Sbani
-HeyBraMo, nowt
hathowyoubeaty
our
opposi
ti
onatthei
rowngame.Checkmat
edaddy
..
.

Heopensthedoorandwalksout
,theycoul
dst
il
l
hearhi
m whi
stl
inghappi
l
y..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s..
..
Imaypostt
omor
row,
Ihav
eanof
fday
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t118

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Shehasbeensi t
ti
ngont hebedforthepastt wenty
mi nutes,f
orsomer easonshe'sconflictedaboutthe
l
et teri
nherhands.Par tofherwantt oopeni tand
readwhat ev erwri
tt
ent herebutanotherpar tofher
j
ustdoesn' twantt oknowwhatt heletterentail
s,i
t
thepar tofherthatscar ed,t
hesickfeelinginsidethe
pitofherst omachwon' tgoaway .Withonel ast
deepbr eathsheopenst helett
er.
..

"
HELLOBEAUTI
FUL!
!!
!!
..
..
"

Shesmi
l
edl
i
ght
ly,
thi
nki
nghowcheesyofhi
m..
.

"
Iknowy
oupr
obabl
yrol
l
edy
ourey
esandsmi
l
ed
becauseofhowcheesyt hatsoundedbuti tbr i
ngs
mej oyt oknowt hatIhav ey etmanagedt oputa
smi leony ourf aceev enwhenaf tery ouf inish
readi ngt hisletterIwoul dhav esucceededi ndoi ng
theonet hingwhi chIv owednev ert odoandt hati s
totakeawayt hesmi leony ourf acebecausej ustl i
ke
Ivowedt onev ert akei taway ,Ipr omisedt oal way s
bet heonet oputi tt her e.For givemebecauseIam
aboutt obr eakt hatpr omi se.Remembert het ub?Do
your emembert heconv ersat i
on?Iwasont hev er ge
oft elli
ngy out her ootofmyni ght mares.Ihopey ou
canr ememberwher ewel eftof f, l
etmequi ckly
remi ndy ou.Iwasaboutt ot el
l yout hatt hroughour
conv er sati
onsIwasst unnedt of indoutt hatshewas
Thandeka' slitt
lesi st er.Immedi at elymybr ainbegun
towor ki naf asterpacet hannor mal ,Icouldn' t
believ ehowIf ailedt omaket heconnect ionbecause
afterIhaddi scov er edshewasThandeka' ssi ster ,
l
ooki ngbackatNt okozoIbegi nt oseesi mi lari
ties,
howcoul dIhav emi ssedt hatint hebegi nningwhenI
fi
rstsawher ?Iment al l
yaskedmy sel
ft hatquest ion,
ofcour set herewasnoanswert oi tbecausemy
brainandheadwer eal readywor kingov er t
imeon
thei
rown.Buthowcoul dhav eIknownt hatshewas
hissister,Ntokozohadchangedsomucht hatshe
l
ookednot hingliketheNt okozowhoIusedt obribe
soshecancal lhersisterforme.Youpr obabl y
askingy ourselfifNtokozocoul dn'
trecogniseme?
Wel lIalsoaskedmy sel
fthatquestiontoo.Af t
er
maki ngt heconnect ionandmybr ai
nwasdi str
acted,
whileinsidemyheadIhadal lt
hesequest ions,Iwas
j
ustuncomf or t
abl eaboutthewhol esit
uat i
on.SoI
steppedoutt her oom tomakeacal lt
oBl ess;.
..

Bl
ess-Iwasj
ustaboutt
ocal
lyou.
.
Sbani
-Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
.
Bless-wel
lIhavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyou
andy ouwon'tbel
i
evei
t.
..
Sbani
-whati
sit
?
Bless-youknowIhav
ebeendoingsomediggi
ngon
ourgirl
Ntokozo,
she'
sThandeka'
ssi
sterman,
shei
s
aZwane.
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)Iknow.
..
Bless-(
conf
used)y
ouknow?Whatdoy
oumeany
ou
know?
Sbani
-well
Ijustfoundoutnowwhenwewer e
tal
ki
ng,f
uckmanIj ustcan'
tbel
iev
et hatIwasso
damnobli
vioustoseetheresemblance.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-yi
ndaba?(
Whati
sit
?),
whyar
eyouqui
et?
Bless-Icanunder standwhyy oucouldn'
trecognise
her,Imeanwi thwidehips,ful
lchest
,gir
lstendto
changeal otwhenpuber tyhitsbutwhatabouther ?I
meany ouhav en'
tchangedt hatmuch?Surelyshe
musthav er ecognizedyou,whatIdon'tunderst
and
i
swhydi dn'
tshesayany thi
ng?
Sbani
-(t
hinki
ng)Idon'
tunder
standt
oo.
.
Bless-(
sighs)l
ookwhatIam aboutt
otelly
ouplease
promisemet hatyouwi
lll
i
stenandnotletyour
angertakeover?
Sbani
-tal
k..
Bless-t
hatnotal
lthatIf
oundout
,Ial
sofoundout
thatourgi
rlhasbeenmeeti
ngupwithTumelo.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(f
rowns)Tumel
owho?
Bless-Mbalul
a,Il
ookedi
ntoherbankaccount
stoo,
i
tseemsl iket
heboyhasbeenmaki nggener
ous
donationstoi
t.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Sbani
-Idon'
tknow.
..
.
Bless-whyar
eyout
hiscal
m?Iam wor
ri
ed,
shoul
dI
comet her
e?
Sbani
-No,
lookIneedt
ogo.
.
Bl
ess-Sbani
!!
!Don'
tdoany
thi
ngst
upi
d..
.
Iendedt hecall
,l
efthim hangingont heot herside,I
knewhewaswor r
iedaboutme, aboutmyt emper ,
he'
sseenmeatmywor stespeciallywheni tcamet o
beingangryandnotabl etocont rolit
.Goingback
i
nsidet heroom,IfoundNt okozoseat edont hebed, I
don'tknowwhati twasbutaf terdiscov er
ingthatshe
wasThandeka' ssist
erandhersuspi ciousmeet ings
withTumel o(Ntombi'
sex)Isawheri nadi f
ferent
l
ight,gonewast henaive,sweet,innocentgi r
lthatI
oncesawhert obe.Icouldfeeltheangerbui l
dingup
i
nsidebutIknewi fIwant edanswer sIneededt obe
cal
m. ..

Nt
okozo-ev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Sbani
-(br
usheshi
sface)y
eah.
..
.
Ntokozo-(smi
l
es)well
whil
eyouwereoutsi
deIt
ook
t
hel i
bert
yofmakingussomet
hingt
odrink.
..

Shesmi
l
ed,
flashi
ngt
hatcut
einnocentsmi
l
eshe
al
way sworeeveryti
meIsawherbutknowi ngwhatI
knowandwi thevery
thingt
hatgoingt
hroughmy
headIcouldn'
thelpbutquesti
onhowconnivi
ngthat
smileofherswas.Sheheadedmet hedri
nkand
broughthergl
assupt omines.
..

Nt
okozo-(
clear
sthr
oat
)tous.
.

Ij
ustsmi l
edlightlytoherandplacedmydrinkont
he
si
de, Idi
dn'tt
rusthersoIwasn'tgoingtodrink
anythingmadebyher .Somethi
ngaboutherhad
changedt oo,Icouldn'
tdeci
ferwhatexact
lyor
may beitwasj ustmyi magi
nati
on...

Sbani
-canwet
alk?
Nt
okozo-(
laughs)It
houghtwedi
dthatal
ready
..
Sbani
-yeahbutweneedt
otal
ksomemor
e,pl
ease
takeaseat
..
Ntokozo-(
looksathi
sdr
ink)y
ounotgoi
ngt
odr
ink
t
hat?
Sbani-l
ater.Iwanty
out obehonestwit
hme, Iv
alue
honestyalotandIhatepeopl
ewhol i
e,youwouldn'
t
dothatwillyou?
Nt
okozo-(
swal
l
ows)uhmmm y
eah,what
'sgoi
ngon?
Sbani-(
takest
hedri
nk)ifIwast ohandy outhi
s
gl
assandaskedy outodri
nkt hecontentinsi
de,t
ell
mey ouwouldn'
thaveaproblem wit
ht hat?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-youspi
kedt
hedr
inkdi
dn'
tyou?
Ntokozo-(
openshermout
handcl
osesi
t)
..
.uhmm I
don'
t..
.
Sbani-(
grabbedherwrist
spainful
l
y)(shakeshi
s
head)rememberwhatIt ol
dyouaboutpeopl ethatl
i
e?
(Rel
easeherwr i
sts)l
ettr
yagain?Didy ouspi
kethe
dri
nk?
Nt
okozo-(
looksdown)y
es.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nt
okozo-Iam sor
ry,
I.
..
Sbani
-(st
aresatherbl
ankl
y)whaty
ourdeal
wit
h
TumeloMbalul
a?
Ntokozo-(
hear
tbeat
ingf
ast
)Idon'
tknowwhot
hat
i
s?
Sbani
-youwanttor
eal
l
yli
etome?Doy
our
eal
l
y
wanttodothat
?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-Ididn'
tthi
nkso,Iwon'tasky
ouagai
n,Iam
begi
nningtolosepati
entandIdon'
tthi
nky
our eal
l
y
wanttoseethatsideofme..
.
Ntokozo-(scar
ed)he'
smyboy f
ri
end,wellIt
hinkt
hat
whatheisbutmyf ri
endspr
eferthatIcal
lhi
m my
sponsor.
Sbani
-forhowl
ong?
Ntokozo-Imethi m aft
ert hepar ty,wehav ebeen
hangi ngoutsi nce, t
hanhet oldmeabouty ouand
somegi rlnamedNt ombi ,het ol
dmet hatheneeded
topr otectherf rom y oubecausey oui nvolvedinthi
s
cult.Hesai dhehur tNtombi andheknowshow
muchshehat est hecul tandev eryment hatinvol
ved
i
ni t
.Hesai ddoi ngt hi
sf orhi m willbemehel ping
Ntombi fr
om anot herabusi veman.Thecul tisnot
aboutmenexpl oringtheirsexual i
ty,italljusta
bunchofdi r
ty, sickandf i
lthyment hatpr eyony oung
gir
ls.I taplat f
or m wher ethesesi ckbast ar dabuse
womensexual lyknowi ngt hattheywi llgetawaywi t
h
i
t.Thecul tisf i
lthyandev erymeni nitisjustasf i
lt
hy
...
(silent)
...includi ngyou. ..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-sowhydi
dyouagr
eet
odot
his?
Ntokozo-If
ir
stgott
ogetherwit
hyoubecauseI
al
way shadastupi
dcrushony ou,
Iwasrel
uctanton
approachi
ngyouatthatpar
tybutwhenIdi
dandy ou
didn'trecognisewhoIwasIknewt hiswasmy
chance.Butt hanImetTumeloandhet ol
dme
everything,Ididn'
twanttodoi
tatf ir
stbutwhenhe
offeredmet hemoney ,
Icoul
dn'tturnawaybesides
al
r eadyIwashel pi
ngawomanwhohadnocl uethat
sheescapedanani malt
ofal
lintoanotherani
mal s
arms. .
.
Sbani
-(l
aughsi
ndisbel
i
ef)y
ety
ouworki
ngorshal
lI
saysl
eepingwi
tht
hesameanimal
..
Nt
okozo-(
bit
esherl
i
p)he'
schanged.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)andy
oubel
i
evet
hat
?Youdon'
tev
en
knowthi
sguy ?
Nt
okozo-It
houghtIknewy
oubutIguessIwas
wr
ong..
Sbani-sowhatwast heplan?Youcomehereand
youdrugme, Ipassoutthanwhat?Enl
i
ghtenme
becausethi
splandoesn'tmakesensetome..
Nt
okozo-Iwantt
ogo.
.
Sbani-(
star
esatherdeadl
y)FUCKNO!!
!younot
l
eavingunti
lyout
ellmeexactl
ywhatt
heplanwas?
Ntokozo-(
looksar
ound)t
hepl
anf
ail
edsocanIgo
home...

Ilookedather ,
Ianal ysedhercl oselyjustt of ind
anythingonhert hatwoul di ndicatetomet hatshe
wasl yingbutIf oundnot hing.I tmadesenset o
beli
ev ethatthepl anf ail
edbecauseasmuchasI
hadf oundoutaboutt hewhol econspi racysomehow
Istil
lbeli
evedt hatshewasn' treall
yabadper son,
j
ustnai ve,t
hatpi eceofshi tTumel ogott oher .Iwas
angry,mor eangr yatTumel onotwant ingt ol etthe
angergett hebestoutofmeIdeci dedt ol ethergo,
thewhol ethingwasj ustt omessy .Whenshewas
packinghert hings, Iwat chedherpi ckherphoneand
pressoni tforaf ewseconds, somet hingi nmej ust
wasn'tsitti
ngwel l withme.Iwasconf licted,wasI
reall
yletti
ngt hi
sgi rlgoscot tf r
ee?Thi swasTumel o,
Icouldn'thelpbutf eelther eismor et ot histhan
whatshewasl etti
ngon.Ir eachedf orherphoneand
Isawherbodyst iffandt hatwhenIknewwhat ever
thatwasont hatphone, Ineededt ogetmyhandson
i
t...
Sbani
-(angr
y)YOUFUCK'
ENRECORDEDME?

Ididn'tneedhert oanswerme, herbodygav eher

away ,alltheangert hatwasbui ldingupi nside,Ij
ust
couldn'tcont aini tanyl onger .Iwaswi lli
ngt oletthis
girlgo,IjustsawRED, allIcant hi nkofwashowshe
managedt opl ayme, fool me.Idon' tknowhowor
whenbutmyhandswer ewr appedar oundhert hroat,
Ihaddi fferentv oicesi nsidemyheadandIwasj ust
l
ivid.Ever ythingwasj ustRED, RED, RED, butIf el
ther
takeherl astbr eat he,thanwhenIwasf i
nallyableto
seeherf acebef or eshet ookherl astbr eath,Isaw
fearinherey es, Isawt heinnocencet oo, herlast
wor dswi llforev erhauntme." I
tokay "thatwhatshe
saidbef oreshecl osedherey es.Justl i
ket hatIhad
kil
ledher ,itlikeIwasn' ti
ncont rol ofmybody
alt
hought hosef ewsecondsbef or eshet ookherl ast
breathIwasr eli
ev edf r
om t het rancebutseconds
afterthatitl i
keIwentbackt obei ngpossessed.I
quicklycleanedt hesceneup, Ididn'tev enf eel
remor seful thatIj usttookal if
e, herlastwor dswer e
ri
ngi ngi nsi demyhear dbutt her ewast hi
sot her
voicet oot hatjustkeptt ell
ingmet hatIneededt o
showt hem whoi sboss, Icoul dn'tlett hem wi n,I
didn'tneedt obeweakandcr umbl edownbecauseI
tookal i
fe, Ineededt otakecar eofbusi nessand
prov et ot hem t hatIam notweak.Youasky our self
whoi s" them" ?Iguess" them"wer epeopl eli
ke
NtokozoandTumel owhot houghtt heycoul dt ake
medown.Wel ltheywer ewr ongandIknewexact ly
whatt odot oprov et hatIwi llal
way scomeoutt op.
Andy es, y oupr obabl yhav ef i
gurednobodywas
repor t
edt ot hepol ice,thatbecauseIt ookcar eof
busi ness, j
ustliket hev oi cewant edmet oo.Ibur i
ed
herbody ,notasi ngledayaf terthatwentbywi thout
herwor dsandf acehaunt ingmeandt hatwast he
dayIf ear edmyownsl eep, Icoul dbl amei tonmy
angerormysocal led" disor der"butt hefactisIt ook
ani nnocentl i
febecauseofmyownsel fi
shreasons.
NowIneedt ost opr unni ngandf acemydemons, I
am sor ryt hatIam nott hemant haty ouwantmet o
be,Iam sor r
ythatnowy ougett ohur talloveragai n
becauseIsel f
ishnott ot elly ouexact lywhatIam, a
monst er ,amur derer.Butmosti mpor tantl
yIam
sorrythatIr i
ppedy ouofasecondchancet o
happiness, Iwil
lforeverl
ivewit
hther egr
etthatnot
onlyhasmysel fishnesstookawayani nnocentl
ife
andscar edaf ami l
yforli
febutmysel fi
shnessyet
againwi l
lhurtandscarmanyhear t
s.Iloveyouand
ourchildren,Iwillfor
everlov
eyouev enthoughI
knowt hatIdon' tdeserveyou.

I
twi l
lbesel f
ishofmet oaskf orfor
givenesssoI
won't.Takecar eofourchi
ldren,betheherothat
theyneedi ntheirl
i
ves.Don'tholdbackonl ov
e
becausey oudeserveit.
.

Il
ovey
ou.
..
"

Thelet t
erf
ell
outherhands, shecouldfeelherbody
wasgoi ngtoast at
eofshock, shewentonher
kneesandal oudcryescapingouthermout h,
MaSi welaqui
cklywentovertoher ,
shehadbeen
standingoutthedoorthi
swhol etimewat chingher
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
hol
dsher
)ohmybaby
..
..
Nel
l
y-(
cry
ing)heki
l
ledhermama.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
brushesherhai
r)Iam sor
rybaby
..
Nel
l
y-whywoul
dhedoi
t?He'
sst
upi
d,st
upi
d
mama..
.

Shecont
inuedtocr
yherey eballsout,
shewas
begi
nni
ngtoloseherv
oi ce,herchestwasheavy,her
hear
twasbeati
ngwayf asterthanthenormalpace..
.

Nel
ly-whycan'tIbehappyj
ustf
oronce,
whyme
mama?WhySbani ?.
..
..NO,
noooo.
..(
hol
dsher
pai
nfulchest
)NO...

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t119
Thenextday
..
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

MrsZuluwasfeedingbabyNkanyeziherbot
tl
ewhi
l
e
MaSiwel
awasf eedingNsi
ka.ZenandeandSimi
werebusywi
ththegr ownki
ds..
..

Mr
sZul
u-Nel
l
yisst
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
MaSi
wel
a-(
nods)Yeah,
sheneedst
orest
..
MrsZulu-Iam sur
eshehasaheadachef
rom al
lthe
cr
yingshedidyester
day
.
MaSi wel
a-wellIhaverequest
edherdoctortocome
checkherup, Nel
lyhasalwayshadahear tprobl
em I
fearfrom ev
eryt
hingthatbeenhappeni
ngar oundher
,
i
tmi ghthavegottenevenmoreweak...
MrsZul
u-Ist
il
lrememberhowshefai
ntedbythe
st
air
sinmyhouse,l
etprayev
ery
thi
ngwi l
lbeokay
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-i
thast
oo,
theset
wocannotl
oset
hei
r
motherat
leastt
heyneedt
ohav
eonepar
enti
nthei
r
l
iv
es..
.
MrsZul
u-maybeweneedt
ofi
ndsomeonet
ohel
p
herwi
tht
hebabies?
MaSiwel
a-Ithinki
tbestthatshecont
inuesst
ayi
ng
wi
thmeunt i
lshe'sstabl
etostayonherown.Idon'
t
wantherst
ayingalone.
Mr
sZul
u-okayt
hatcoul
dwor
k..
.

Blesstoget
herwithShakaandMrZul
uwal
kinsi
de
theloungearea.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksatBl
ess)howi
she?
Bl
ess-he'
sst
rongbutIcanseeal
lthi
sisaf
fect
ing
hi
m.How'sNell
y?
MaSi
wel
a-(
shakesherhead)notgoodatal
l
..
MrZulu-(
brusheshisf
ace)IguessIshouldfi
nd
someoneelsefort
heacti
ngCEOposi ti
on,Idon'
t
knowwhyIev enconsi
deredaski
ngher,Iseemedto
f
orgetshe'
stheonet
obegoi
ngt
hrought
hemost
.
Mr
sZul
u-whycan'
tyour
unt
hecompany
?
MrZulu-Ihaveothercommit
ment splus,
Ileftt
he
companytomyki dsIam nolongercutoutfordayt
o
dayoperat
ions.
..
Nel
l
y-Iwi
l
ldoi
t.
..

Theyal
ltur
nandl
ookatherwi
tht
hei
rey
eswi
de
open.
..

MaSi
wel
a-Nel
l
y!!
Nel
ly-(
wi peshertear
s)Nomama, Iwanttodoit
(
breaki
ngv oi
ce)IhavetooorIwil
lgoinsanewit
hal
l
t
hesevoi cesinmyhead.(Teary
)Ifeelsuff
ocat
ed
wit
hallthesefeeli
ngs..

MaSiwel
amovestowar
dsherandtr
iest
ohugher
butNel
lymov
estothesi
deandshakesherhead.
.
Nel
ly-Don'
t!
!!Idon'
twanttodothisany
more,Idon'
t
wanttobethispersonthatbr
eaksdownever
yt i
me.
(Cr
ying)i
thurtsso,sobadbutIdon'
twantt
odot hi
s
anymore,i
tnotme.
MrsZul
u-(sad)honeyi
tokayt
ocr
yweunder
stand
andweall
hereforyou.
..

Sheholdsherpainf
ulchestandt r
ieswipi
ngthe
tear
sthatrundownherf acebutitprov
estobean
unsuccessful
missi
onast heyjustkeepfal
li
ng.
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksatMrZul
u)Icandoi
tpl
ease?
MaSiwela-(l
ooksatherindisbeli
ef)absol
utelynot
Neli
siwe,yourunningawaythatwhaty oudoing,you
can'
thidebehindy ourworkbaby,youneedtoallow
your
selftofeelthepain,
cry,y
ouneedt oall
owy our
bodytogot hroughtheseemot i
ons.Runni
ngi snot
heal
thybaby .
Nel
l
y -(cr
ying)Iam notr
unning,t
hepai
nisalr
eady
t
here,Ican'teat
,Ican'
tsl
eep,Ican'
tev
enlookatmy
ownki dswi thoutbur sti
ngt otears.SJlooksso
muchl ikehisf ather,Noma' satti
tuderemi ndsmeof
him,babyNsi ka'smoodsar esomuchl ikeSbani '
s
andNkany ezi,hercalmnessmakesev ery t
hingso
hardbecauseal lIwanti stohav ehim besi demeand
enjoythequi etnesst ogether,
butIcan' thav ethat
canI ?Nomat terwhatIdoorhowmuchIcr y,I
cannothav et hat,sonomamaIam notr unning
awayf rom any thing.Iam choosingt okeept heone
thi
ngt hathasbeenconst antinmyl if
eandt hatis
myj ob...
Shaka-y
ousti
l
lonmater
nityl
eavethough,
atl
east
comebacktoworkwhenthatdone.
.
Nell
y-(snif
fs)fi
nebuty
oucanst i
l
lemailme
ever
ythingsIcanworkfrom homeunt
ilmymat
erni
ty
l
eaveisov er.
MrZulu-uhmm okaybutIam goi
ngt
oneedyout
o
comebyt heof
fi
cetomorrowwehaveaboar
d
meet
ing.
Nel
ly-(
nods)(
looksathermom)canIhavetheki
ds,
I
wanttospendtimewiththem att
hegar
den.
.
MaSi
wel
a-Iam goi
ngt
omakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
f
ir
st.
.
Nel
ly-(
shakesherhead)Iam nothungrymom
pl
easedon'tpushit(
shetakesNsikafr
om her
)is
NomaandSJbyt hegar
den?
Shaka-(
nods)Iwi
l
lfol
l
owwi
thNkany
ezi
..
.

Nel
l
ynodsandwal
kst
owar
dst
hegar
den.
..

MrsZulu-Idon'
tthi
nkshe'
sgoi
ngt
obef
ineany
time
soon.
.
MaSi
wel
a-she'sdoingexactl
ywhatshedidwi t
hthe
Si
zwesi
tuat
ion,she'
ssuppressi
ngherfeel
ings..
Bless-Idon'
tthi
nkthatwhatshe'
sdoing, Imeanwe
allsawher,shecan'
tevenspeakonewor dwithout
tearsescapi
nghereyes,she'
shurt
ing.Ithink
focusingonworkwilldogoodforher,keephermi nd
balanced.
..
MaSiwel
a-(
sighs)Ihopeso,
sowhat
'sgoi
ngt
o
happent
oSbani now?
Bless-si
ncehehandedhimselfi
n,hewon' tbet r
ail
ed
forlongashe'sgoi
ngtopleadguil
ty.Thetrail
can
onlybedraggedoutift
heprosecutorortheZwane
familyhi
resthei
rownlawyerandtheyfightfora
toughsentence.
..
MrZul
u-hashemetwi
thJackson?
Bless-he'
sgoingt
omeetwit
hhimtomorr
ow,today
he'staki
ngthepol
icet
owherehebur
iedt
hebody..

MrZulucoul dfeelhi
shear tsi
nk,asmuchashe
doesn'
twanthi ssont ogot oj
ailbuthecan'thel
p
butthi
nkabouthowt heZwanef amilyhasbeen
feel
i
ngallthesey ear
s,itdoesn'
tmaket hingsbett
er
ashewasv erygoodfriendswiththelat
eMr
Zwane..
..

MrsZulu-sowehavet
oprepare,
Thandekawi
l
lbe
bur
sti
ngourdoorsany
timetoday
..
.
MaSi
wela-shemightf
il
eforcust
ody
,It
hinkt
hatwi
l
l
dr
agthecaseevenmore..
Bless-Idon'
tev
enwanttothi
nkoft
hat
,excusemeI
needt omakeaphonecal
l.
..

Hesay
st hatandwalkst
otheguest
room.Hedai
l
s
Mpumi'
snumber .
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mpumi
-hel
l
o..
Bl
ess-heyunj
ani
?
Mpumi
-ngi
yaphi
l
aunj
ani
wena?
Bl
ess-f
ine,
canIspeakt
oNomusa?
Mpumi-wel
lIam notwi
thMusaany
mor
eIl
efther
housel
iket
enminuteago.
Bless-ishokay
,can'
tyouwal
kbackt
oherhouse?I
knowi ttoomuchtoask?
Mpumi-(si
ghs)Ican'
t,Isl
eptther
eandwespent
mostourmorningtogether
.IfIgobackt
her
eagai
n
ubabawakheuzosola,
akangit
handisi
sikahl
e(her
dadwill
besuspici
ous,hedoesn'
tl
ikemet hatmuch)
,
Iam sor
ryIcannothel
pyou.
Bless-okayi
tfi
ne,
youal
readydoi
ngsomuch.Wel
l
howi sshe?
Mpumi-urightbutIguessshei
sdi
sappoi
ntedt
hat
youdi
dn'tcall
..
Bless-(
feel
sbad)Shi
t!
!If
orgot
,al
oti
shappeni
ng
hereandI..
.
Mpumi -lookIdon' tknowwhatexact lyy our
i
nt entionsar ewithmyf r
iendbutIwanty out oknow
thatMusai snotexper i
encedwi thal otoft hi
ngs
especi al l
ywheni tcomest omenandr elat i
onshi ps.
Yout hef irstguysheseemst obedr awni nto,so
wheny oupr omiset odosomet hi ngitall shet hinks
aboutal l dayandwheny oudon'tdel iv
ershef eels
disappoi ntedandst artsfeeli
ngi nsecur e.
Ngi yakucel aungadl alingaye,Iknowy ounotper fect
andt her eisnoper fectguyoutt her ebuti fy our eall
y
i
nt erest edi nmyf riendmakeherf i
rstexper i
encei na
relati
onshi pspeci al,shedeser vesi t.
Bl
ess-Idon'
tpl
anonhur
ti
ngheri
fthatwhaty
ou
worr
iedabout
.
Mpumi -thanIsuggesty oumakef astwiththe
arr
angement sofhercomi ngthatside,she'salr
eady
sodistractedwithwhat everitisthatgoingonwi th
yout oothatshe'sev enforgett
ingwhatexact l
yher
purposeofcomi ngtot hecityis,youseem likea
wiseguyIsuggesty ougethert here,getherfocused
onappl yi
ngt otheschool sshewant satleastwhen
she'stherewithy oushewi l
lst
opst r
essingabout
younotcal li
nget c.
Bl
ess-(
sighs)okay
,thanky
ou.
..
Mpumi
-youwelcome,Iwi
l
ltryandseeyoubef
ore
t
hedayendssoyoucanspeaktoher.
.
Bl
ess-Iwoul
dappr
eciat
ethatv
erymuch,
Ngi
yabongaMpumi.
.
Mpumi
-cool
.
..

Sheendst
hecall
.Bl
essbrusheshi
sfacefrust
rat
edl
y,
wit
hthi
sSbani
dramagoingonheisn'tsur
eexactl
y
havi
ngMusahereatduringthist
imeiswhatr
ight
butheknowsschoolsaregoingt
oopenandMusa
neededtor
egi
ster,
She'salr
eadylat
e..
.

ATTHESI
BIYARESI
DENCE.
..

MrSibi
ya-Iheart
heZul
uboyi
sal
readyi
nthe
hol
dingcel
ls.
.
Siya-(
nods)y
eah,
ourcontactsay
she'
sbeent
her
e
foraboutt
wodaysnow..
MrSi
biya-(
frowns)andyoudidn'
tthi
nki
twasr
ight
t
onoti
fymeory ourbrot
her?
Si
ya-Shakahasnotcont
actedmeyetsoIfi
gur
edI
wai
tforhimtomakecontactbef
oreIt
ell
you.
MrSibiy
a-(thi
nks)Ithi
nkitti
meIpayZul useni
ora
vi
sit
,haveagr ownupmant omanconv er
sati
on.You
boysaretooslowformyl i
king.Timeismoney,r
ight
now(giveshim adeadstare)youbothwasti
ngmy
ti
me.Idon'tli
ketobekeptwai t
ing.
Si
ya-(
frowns)Letmedeal
wit
hthi
sbaba.
.
MrSibi
ya-(
ster
nface)Iam gi
vi
ngy
ouoneday
,one
daySiy
abonga.
.
Si
ya-(
nods)Thatal
lIneed.
..

Siyaacknowledgeshi
sfat
herandwal
ksoutt
he
study.MrSibi
yatakeshi
sphoneanddai
l
shisol
der
son..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Dabuko-(
deepv
oice)Baba!
!!
MrSibi
ya-Zul
uishav
ingaboar
dmeet
ingt
omor
row,
Iwantustopayhi
m avisi
t.
Dabuko-i
sn'
tSi
yat
aki
ngcar
eoft
hat
?
MrSibi
ya-hei
sbuthe'
swasti
ngti
meandournext
shi
pmentiscomi
ngup.Iwantust
ohandl
ethi
s..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Dabuko-y
oumeangobehi
ndhi
sback?
MrSi
biy
a-wej
ustassi
ti
ngwher
etheboyi
slacki
ng.
Dabuko-(
qui
et)
..
..okay
,Iwi
l
lseey
out
her
e..
MrSi
biy
a-(
smi
rks)Sot
obe.
.

Theybot
hendt
hecal
l
...

ATCRAI
G'SHOUSE.
..

Thedoorbellr
ings,
heplaceshiscof f
eeonthesi
de
andwalkstothedooropeningit,
findi
ngSipho
standi
ngoutsi
delooki
ngstressed,theymakeeye
contact
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Cr
aig-(
clear
sthr
oat
)whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Si
pho-canIcomei
n?

Craigwasabouttopr otestbutSi phoquicklycr ashes

hi
sl i
pswithCrai
gs,hedoesn' trespondfi
r stbut
Siphopressesonhim har dermaki nghim gr oan, he
wrapshisarmsaroundhi sneckandhi stongue
di
v esdeepinsi
deSiphosmout h.Siphoki
ckst he
doorusingthebackofhi sf ootast heywal ktot he
Loungewi t
houtbreakingapar t.
...

(
THERESTTOBEPOSTEDI
NTHEGROUP/TMOL
HOUSE)

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENTALWAYS
[
11/
3,21:
07]Mar
cia:
Inser
t120

Thenextmor
ning.
..

ATSI
PHO&ZANDI
LE'
SHOUSE.
..
"
Iam sor
ry"

Heclickedthesentbut
tonandhi
dhisphoneinsi
de
hispocketbefor
efocusi
nghisat
tent
ionbacktohi
s
food.
..

Zandi
l
e-(
looksathi
m)ar
eyouokay
?
Si
pho-(
play
swithhisf
ood)Yeah,
justabi
t
di
str
act
edthatal
l.
.
Zah-(
sighs)Ihavenotice,ImeanIknowev er
yonei
s
havi
ngahar dtimedealingwiththi
swholeSbani
i
ssuebuty est
erdayIfeltl
ikeyouwerevery
di
sconnected,physi
call
yy ouherebutmental
lywe
l
ostyou,eventhekidsnoticed..
.
Sipho-(brushesherhand)Iam sor
ry,
itjust.
..
.
(smiles)youknowwhatwhydon' tyouandIgot o
dinnertonightandtal
k,i
tanewy ear
,letstar
tover
huh!Whatdoy ousay?..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-(l
ooksathim)areyousure?Imeanwit
h
ever
ythi
nggoingon,isi
treal
lyagoodideat
owine
anddine?Ourfamil
yisgoingthr
oughthemostr
ight
now..
Sipho-yeahbutIdon' tt
hinkSbaniwouldwantour
l
ivestost op,Idon'tcareaboutanybodyelseright
nowbutIcar eaboutsav ingourmar r
iage,
"our"
family.(
Sighs)lookwedon' thavet
ogoout ,wecan
j
ustcookdi nnertogether,eatwi
ththekidsthan
whent heygot osl eep,wehav eouraloneti
meand
talk,
how'st hat?
Zah-(smil
es)okay
,okay.
..t
hatsoundsgreat
..
.
(Looksathim)soyounotangryanymore?
Sipho-(sighs)Iwasneverangry,
mymanhoodwas
bruised,butIkindofunder
standwhyy oudi
dit
,Ihur
t
youmkami andnowIwast ofixt
hings.
..
Zah-(
smilesl
ight
ly)okay
,uhm wi
l
lyougobySbani
'
s
pl
acetoday?
Sipho-It
hinkso,
besideswehav
eaboar
dmeet
ing
todaysoyeah,whyyouask?
Zah-Iwantt
ogot
her
e,may
behel
poutImeant
hisi
s
famil
y.
.

Hest
andsupandt
akest
hecupofcof
feef
rom t
he
t
abl
e

Si
pho-okaywell
ber
eadyi
n10mi
nut
es,
Ihav
eto
makeacall.
..

Hesmi
l
edatherandwal
kst
ohi
sst
udy
..
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Comi ngf
rom thegym Nel
l
ypar kshercarthesame
ti
measThandekapar kshers.Thewayshebangs
thedoortoherToyotaYar
isindicateshowangryand
fumingsheis.Nel
lysi
ghsandwal ksoutherowncar
wit
hhergy m bagonhershoul der.Theymakeey e
contactwi
thThandeka, she'
sbeencr yi
ngitobvi
ous
becauseNell
yknowst hatl
ookt oowell
,she'
s
wearingonerightnow.Theangerandf r
ustr
ati
ontoo
doesnotgounnot icedfrom Thandeka'
sface.She'
s
hurt
,butshe'
sal sofuri
ousandgunni ngforbl
ood..
.

Thandeka-(
gri
tshert
eet
h)Iam her
eformyson.
.
Nel
l
y-y
oucancomei
nsi
de.
.
Thandeka-angi
hlel
i,
ngi
funai
nganeyami
kuphel
a(I
am notstayi
ng,
Ijustwantmychi
ld)
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)l
ookIknow.
..
Thandeka-(annoyed)DON' T!!
!!YOUKNOW
NOTHING, sodon'ty oudaregi v
emet hat"
Iknow
whatyougoi ngthroughbullshit
"becauseyoudon'
t,
nowmyson.( Shouts)SJ!!
!!
!...SJ.
..

Shekeepsscreami
nghersonsname, MrsZul
uand
MaSiwel
awalkouttothef r
ontdoort
heymeetwit
h
Nel
lywholooksatthem shaki
ngherheadandwal
ks
i
nsi
del
eav
ingt
hem wi
thscr
eami
ngThandeka.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
shout
s)Hey
!!
!!
..

Thandekast
opsandl
ooksather
..
.

MaSi wel a-(sternv oice)nowl ist

en, SJi shav i
ng
breakf astwi t
hhi ssi bl
ings,y ouwi llgetinsidethe
houseandwai tforhi mt ofinishhisf oodi nthemean
ti
meIwi l
lhav eZenandepackhi sbags.Whaty ou
won' tdoandst andher eandscr eam l i
keamad
womanbecausey ounot ,youhur t
ing,youf uri
ous
andmost l
yy oudev astated.Scr eami ngandshout ing
atuswon' ttakeal l t
haty ouf eelingawaypl uswe
don'twantt oscar et heki dsandmost lyIdon'tt r
ust
my selfnott osl apy ourf acebecauseIhat ebei ng
disrespect ed,angi f
uni inganei ngijwayelekabi ,
uzosi hloni
phasi badalakunawe, siyakuzala,nowar e
yougoi ngtost andt hereorwi llyoucomei nsi
de?
Shewant edt or espondandt ell them exactlywhat
she' sthinkingbutonel ookf rom MaSi wel atoldher
thatshei sn'tthet ypeofwomanshewoul dwantt o
pissof f,besi desi tnotli
keMr sZul uhasev ertreated
herbadl yi tunf ortunatet hatci rcumst anceswi llhave
them si dingwi t
ht heirmur der ousson, event hi
nking
abouti tjustmakesherwantt ov omit,everytimeshe
thinksabouthowhersi sterfel tonherl astmoment s
bef oreshet ookherf i
nal breat h, thesamemanshe' s
l
ov edal lthesey earsist hesamemant hattookher
sisterawayf rom her.Shebl i
nkst wotimeshol ding
backt het earst hatwantt oescapeherey es,she
takesadeepbr eat handwal ksi nsidethehouseand
thet woel der lywomenf oll
owher .
..
.

SJ-(
smi
l
esandl
ooksathi
smom)Sup'
mom.
..
Thandeka-(
smi
l
esandli
ft
sherey
ebr
ow)soy
ounot
goi
ngtohugmommy ?
SJ-(
shakeshi
sheadandl
aughs)Ifyoust
opt
alki
ng
tomeli
keababy,Iwi
ll
thi
nkaboutit
...
Thandekalaughsli
ght
lyandpl
ayf
ull
yhi
thi
m att
he
backofhishead..
.

Thandeka-what
everbi
gguy
,nowf
ini
shupsowe
cango..

SJnodsandi mmediatel
yturnshisat
tenti
onbackt o
Noma.Thandekacal msher sel
finsi
de,shefeelsbad
thatpartofhersti
ff
edwhenshesawherson, she
knowsi tbecauseoftheundeniabl
eresemblanceSJ
haswi t
hhisf at
her
.SheturnstoMr sZulu.
..

Thandeka-si
ngakhul
uma?(
Canwet
alk?
)
Mr
sZul
u-sur
e,l
etgosomewher
epr
ivat
e..
.
Meanwhi
l
eint
hemai
nbedr
oom.
..

MaSiwela-ar
eyougoi
ngt
ogodownandt
alkt
o
Thandeka?
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)Cha!
..
.
MaSi
wel
a-andwhyi
sthat
?

Nel
l
yshrugsandcont
inuet
olookt
hroughher
t
abl
et.
..

MaSi
wel
a-wel
lIt
hinky
oushoul
d..
.
Nel
l
y-(
notl
ooki
ngather
)wel
lIdon'
t.
..
MaSiwela-(
frowns)
(sternv
oice)uphendul
aba
kanj
alo?(Whoy out
alkingt
oolikethat
?)
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)Iam sor
r.
..
.
MaSiwela-No!!
!Don'tsayyousor rywheny oudon't
meani t
.Lal
elasisi
,Iam sti
llyourmother,Iknowy ou
goingthr
oughalotrightnowbutt hatdoesn'tmean
youshouldloserespect,Nguzokukhahlel
ami na,
habe!!
!.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
)
Nell
y-Ij
ustchoosenottoinvol
vemy sel
fin
Thandeka'
saf f
air
s,yousawwhatshedi dout
side
she'
sjust.
..
..Ij
ustdon'
tneedal
lthatri
ghtnow..
MaSiwela-wel
ltoughbecauseyoushareababy
daddyandthekidsneedt obei
neachother
sliv
es
especi
all
ywithGid..
.Sbanii
npri
sonyougoi
ngto
havetocommuni catewit
hheraboutSJ.
Nel
ly-Idon'
tneedtocommuni
cat
ewithherf
or
any
thing,t
heZulu'
swil
lcommuni
cat
ewithher.
.
MaSiwela-(annoy ed)Musaukuzenzai si
l
ima(don't
actli
keaf ool)becausey ounot,youcan'
texpecther
tobecomf ortablewithyouhav i
nghersoniny our
housewheny ouguy sarenotevencommuni cating,
nowgeti fthathighhorsedarli
ngsandgot al
kt oher,
uyekeukumbukel aphansi(st
oplookingdownon
her)
.
Nelly
-Idon'
tlookdownonherbutshei sn'
tsomeone
thatIseemyselfassoci
ati
ngwit
h,she'
s..
.Idon'
t
knowbutIjustdon'tseeherl
i
kethat.
.
MaSiwel
a-"
youjustdon'
tseeherli
ket
hat"yousay
ory
oujustwon'
tseeherli
kethat,
youdon'tev
en
wanttogi veherachance.Iam notsay inggot o
part
iesandl unchestogetherbutIam say i
ngfind
commongr oundwi t
hheri nfacty ouhav efoundit
,
SJthaty ourcommongr oundnowal lyouneedi sto
havemut ualrespectforeachot her.You'vedone
wit
hNt ombi ,whycan'tyoudoi twi t
hThandeka?
Whatisit?She'stoghet t
of oryou, t
oor ust
y?She's
notony ourlevel
?
Nel
l
y-(
frowns)nowy
ouput
ti
ngwor
dsi
nmymout
h..
MaSi
wel
a-Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngtounder
standy
ou,
Iwant
t
oknowwhyyousodismissi
veofher?
Nell
y-mamaIhav enoissueswithThandekabuty ou
knowme, Iam notonet ofor
cethingsor
rel
ati
onships,Ihatesmal l
tal
ksandt hatj
ustexactly
whatwewi l
lhaveifeverwewer etotryandbuild
somesor tofship,She'
snoti nt
erest
ingtome, Idon't
fi
ndmy selfwantingtoknowherokay .
.
MaSiwela-(
looksather)(
shakesherhead)(st
andsup)
youbecomingabitchandi tnotcut
esisi
,therei
sa
thi
nli
nebetween"arrogance"and"conf
idence"
alway
sremembert hat,nowgetupandgot al
kto
her
..
.

MaSi
welawalkstowardsthedoorandst
opst
urni
ng
t
olookatherdaught
er..
.

MaSiwela-ohandforyoutoknowifsomeonei s
i
nterest
ingornotyouhavetogettoknowt hem.You
can'
tjustl
ookatsomeoneandt handecideifthey
i
nterest
ingornot,l
ookscanbedeceivi
ng,youofal l
peopleshoul
dknowt hatandIam nottr
yingtoget
youtobuildafr
iendshi
pwithherbutIam teaching
youwhatitmeanst obeawoman, a"grown"
woman. .
..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..

Sbaniwasfacingcei
li
ngwithhishandscov
eri
nghis
face.Thesoundofhiscel
lopeningmadehim si
tup
andlookattheguard.
..
Guar
d-ei
ta,
yougotav
isi
torazi
ye!
!!

Hebrusheshi
sfaceandwal
ksouthi
scel
landt
he
guar
dfoll
owshim..

Guar
d-youget t
ingar oommat etonight
,yourdaysof
owni
ngy ourcel
l areover(
laughs)itshouldbe
i
nter
est
ingtowat ch,
withyouratti
tudeIdon'tseea
br
omancef orming..

Sbanii
gnoreshim keepswalki
ng,
theguar
dopens
thedoorandsignalshi
mt ogoin.
..

Guard-nomaungangiziba,
soonuzongi
dingal
apho
ngizobesengi
nepri
ce.(Youcanignor
emebutsoon
youwi l
lneedme,bythanIwil
lcomewi t
hapri
ce
tag).
.

Sbani
wal
ksi
nsi
det
her
oom andshut
sthedoor
,he
see'
shi
sfat
herandhi
slawy
erJackson.
..

Jackson-woooo!
!!Youl
ookhor
ri
ble.
.
Sbani-(
takeshisseat
)wowIappreci
atet
hehonest
y.
(Looksathisfat
her,r
espect
ful
l
yacknowl
edgeshi
m)
Mageba..
MrZul
u-(nods)Son(
looksatJackson)what'
sthe
pl
anIhav
eani mport
antmeetingtogettoo.
.
Jackson-okaystr
aightt othepoi nt
,Il
ikei
t(opens
hisfi
le)wel
laccordingtot heinformati
ongivento
mebyMrNdawor aandy ourconf essi
onitnot
l
ookinggoodbutt heangl ewhi chyouhavedecided
thatIgoaboutthi
scasei tgivesusa45%chance, I
say45%becauset hej udgeort heprosecut
ormi ght
pushanasy l
um prisonsent ence.
Sbani
-butIam notcr
azy
..
Jackson-(
nods)yesIknow, weal lknowthatbuty
ou
notonanymedicationwhicht heycanstrongl
ypush
howdangerousyou'ret
osoci ety,mightevencr
oss
examinesomeoft hepeopley ouhav ecl
ose
rel
at i
onshipwithorhav ewor kedwit
hf orthem to
cri
tici
zey ourcharacter.Theymostl ikel
yt ogof or
theonesy ouverycloset oo,itmosteasyt odetectif
theylyinganditv eryeasyt obr i
ngouttheemot i
ons
i
nt hem, itst
rengthenthei rcase.SoIam goi ngto
asky out hi
sonceandy oubet t
ertel
lmet het r
uth,
havey ouev erbeenphy sicalwi t
hanyoft hewomen
youhav ebeenwit h.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Jackson-Fuck!
!Wel
lthatnotgood.
.
MrZul
u-(
frowns)
you'
vebeenphy
sical
wit
hNt
ombi
?
Sbani-(
sighs)Nobaba, Ihavenev erl
aidafi
ngeron
herbutshe'sseenmegoi ngof fandwe' v
ehadtimes
wereshet r
iedtofi
ghtmeandIwast ryi
ngtogether
offmeIhappent ohol dhertootightt
hatshebruised
andImi ghthaveaccidental
l
ypushedheronceshe
brui
sedagai nal
loverherbodyandIhel dheragainst
herwill
soshecanheal fi
rst
..
MrZul
u-WENZENI
??
Sbani
-Ihadt oookay,i
twasr oundaboutthet i
mewe
weredi
vor ci
ngandshet hreatenedtoopena
domesti
cabusecaseaswel lasf i
l
eforful
lcustody
ofNoma, shewantedtot akemyki dawayfrom meI
coul
dn'
tletthathappen.
.
MrZulu-(l
ooksathi
m)uy
angi
phoxa!
!!(
You
di
sappointme).
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thathithome,nobodywant
stoev
erheart
hei
r
parent
ssaythat.
..

Jackson-any
thi
ngel
seIneedt
oknow,
Idon'
twant
nosurpri
ses.
.
Sbani
-(closeshiseyesandcl
enchedhisteeth)Iwas
havi
ngani ghtmare,i
twasoneofthosenightswereI
acci
dentall
yfeltasl
eepandIsawher,I
..
.I.
..
.Iwas
choki
ngheragai nbutonl
ythi
sti
mei twasn'ther.
..
.it
was.
.itwasNel
l
y..
.

Mr
sZul
ust
andsupandki
ckst
hechai
r.
..

MrZulu-ohmygod!
!!Thi
sisnothappeni
ng(l
ooksat
her
)Iam star
ti
ngt
oquesti
onifisi
treal
lyagood
i
deatohaveyououtsi
depri
son.
..
Sbani
-(wi
deney
es)Baba!
!!
..
MrZul
u-(shakeshi
shead)Ihav
etogo.
..Jackson
wewil
lbeintouch.
.

Hesay
sthatandl
eav
eswi
thoutev
enl
ooki
ngback.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nell
yhugsSJandkisseshisfor
eheadholdi
ngher
tear
s,somehowhispresencecalmedhermaybe
becausewhenshel
ookedathi mitwasasifhewas
l
ookingbackatthemanthatshedoesn'
twantt
o
t
hinkaboutri
ghtnow.
..
SJ-ew!
!!Noki
sses.
.
Nel
ly
-(laughs)shutup,y
ouknowyoul
ovethem..
.
(
fi
ddleswithhishair
)Iam goi
ngt
omissyoubigguy
.
SJ-(smil
es)Iwil
lcomevi
sitsoon,
Ipr
omisedNsi
ka
toteachhim howtopl
ayvi
deogames..
Nell
y-(
laughs)he'
salongwayf r
om pl
ayi
ngvideo
gamesbutIknowhel oveswatchingy
outal
kto
your
selfwheny oupl
aythosegamesofyour
s..
SJ-(
laughs)y
ouhearmet
alkt
omy
sel
f?
Nel
ly-(smiles)al
ltheti
me.
.Nowgoki
ssy
ourbr
other
andsistergoodbye..

Her
unsof
f.
..
.

Nell
y-(
looksatThandeka)
(cl
ear
shert
hroat
)uhmm
canwet al
k?
Thandeka-(
fol
dsherar
ms)r
eal
l
y?Wena?Queenof
Engl
and,
youwantt
ohav
eaconv
ersat
ionwi
thme?
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)i
taboutSJ.
.
Thandeka-(l
aughs)ohdon'tworryl
ikeIhave
i
nformedMr sZulu,Iwil
ltel
lyounow,mysoni s
neversett
ingfootanywherewereyoupeopleare
concerned,t
hiswasthelastti
meheset sfoother
e..
Nell
y-WHAT!!???.
.Youcan'
tdothat?Hehassibli
ngs?
Hehasaf amil
y ,
peopl
ewhol ov
ehim.Hej ustgott
o
knowhisfamilyandyouwanttotakethataway
becauseof.
..
.
Thandeka-sayi
t,SAYI
T!!
!!y
oucan'
tcany
ou?Yes
becauseSbaniki
ll
edmysister
,myl
it
tl
esi
ster
,SJ'
s
aunt.
..
Nel
ly
-Igetthatbutyoucannotpuni
shevery
bodyfor
somethi
ngthatSbanidi
d,youcannotpuni
shyour
sonforhi
sfather
'smist
akes.
.
Thandeka-(
tear
y)Mi
stakes?FUCKTHAT,YOUCALL
KILLI
NGANI NNOCENTGI RLA"MISTAKE"
?
Nel
ly
-No,
ofcour
senot
,Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hatI
was.
..
Thandeka-Savei
t,wel
lIam sur
eallthoseyear
syou
spentatCrawfor
d'spr
ivat
eschoolenhancedyour
i
nterpr
etat
ion,
MYSONI SSTAYINGTHEF* *AWAY
FROM YOUPEOPLE. .(t
urnstot
heside)SJCAR
NOW! !
!WELEAVI NG..
.

Thandekawalksoutt
hehouse,Nel
l
ytur
nsandfi
nds
hermom standi
ngbythest
airswat
chi
ngher
..
.

Nel
ly
-andyouwantmet
ocommuni
cat
ewi
th
someonel
i
kethat
?
MaSi
wel
a-she'
sangr
y..
Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)No,
shehasasmal
lmi
nd.
.
MaSiwela-Iguessitgoodthatshedoesn'
thav
ea
"
big"mindbecauset hanshewouldhavehadher
l
awy erser
vingall
ofuspaper s.
.
Nel
l
y-wow!
!Real
l
y?It
houghtwegotov
ert
hat
?
MaSiwel
a-wedi d,Iam justt
ryi
ngtomakey ousee
t
hebiggerpictur
e,youlosingsi
ghtofyour
self
Nel
isi
we.Ithinkitt
imewebookt hoset
herapy
sessions,
youbecomi
ngmoreandmoreclosedof
f
eachdayanddon'tev
engetmestar
tedonyour
tol
erance.
.
Nell
y-Ineedt
ogetr
eadyf
ort
heboar
dmeet
ing,
excuseme..

Shewalksof
fleav
inghermot
herst
andi
ngt
her
e
watchi
ngher
..
.

Si
mi-Don'
tdon'
tyout
hinky
oubei
nghar
shonher
?
MaSiwela-(shakesherhead)No, Idon'
tsugarcoat
t
hingsjustsoIcannur seyourfeeli
ngs,Nel
lyneeds
t
odeal withheremotionsalonebutIam notgoingto
watchherlosesightofwhoshei sjustbecauseli
fe
i
sfucki
ngherupr i
ghtnow.
Si
mi-IknowbutIt
hinksheneedsy
out obemommy
ri
ghtnowandnotMaSiwelat
hestr
aightshoot
er.
..
MaSiwela-Iam mommy,
Iwillal
way sbemommy
butIwil
lnotbethemommyt hatencour
agesi
zi
nto
ezi
ngasi
le,nowcomeandletseewhatwecanmake
f
orl
unch.
.

Theywal
ktoget
hert
otheki
tchen.
..

I
nsi
deMt
hoko'
scar
..
.

Hegl
ancesather
..
.

Mt
hoko-(
hol
dsherhand)i
tgoi
ngt
obeokay
..
Ntombi-(wi
peshertear
s)Noitwon'
t,
he'
sasel
fi
sh
bastar
d,howcouldhedothi
stome?Tohis
daughter
?
Mt
hoko-babe,
Iam pul
l
ingov
er.
.
Ntombi-(
sni
ffs)No,dr
iveIam okayi
tjust
..
..goshI
hatehi
m( cr
ies).
..
Mthoko-t
hatit
,Iam pul
li
ngoverIam notaboutt
o
l
etyoucry,Iwanty
out ocryonmyarms...
Heki
ssest
hepal
m ofherhandandpul
l
sthecart
o
t
hesi
deofther
oad.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
09]Mar
cia:
Inser
t121

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Nellylookedher sel
finthemi r
ror,shewasl osingthe
weightqui ckerthanshet houghtshewoul dbutshe
knowspar tofherbeingst r
essedcont ributedtoit
.
Wi t
hinjust2weeksshewon' tneedt obewear ing
bodysui ts,shehadont ightblackpant s,white
blouseandabl ackblazer,shel ookedsimpl ebut
sophisti
cat edenough.Deci dedonj usttyingherhair
i
nt oacleanbun, nomakeup.Zenandewal ksint
o
thebedr oom andsi t
sont hebed. ..

Zee-damngi
rlt
hosepant
sont
hatass.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughsl
i
ght
ly)t
hati
snott
her
eact
ionIwant
t
oget.
.
Zee-(smiles)t
oolat
e,youser
vingt
hem mama,
Iam
sojealousofyourbody
..
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)maybeweshoul
dgy
mt ogethernow,
I
meanSba..
.sowhatdoyousay
?Wanttotakemeon
t
hetreadmi
ll
?
Zee-(pout
s)youknowIam sol
azy
,Ihav
enev
er
workedoutinmylif
e..
Nell
y-comeonitwill
befun(putsonherst
il
toes
heel
s)itwil
lbel
ikeourt
hing,y
ouknowsisterst
hat
gymt oget
herst
aytoget
her.
.
Zee-(
groans)Fine!
!!Buty
oupay
ingf
ormy
member shi
p..
Nell
y-(
li
ftshereyebrow)whathappenstothe
al
lowanceMaSi welagiv
esyou?BesidesIgiv
eyou
moneylikeal
lthetime..
Zee-(r
oll
seyes)y
ouknowIam asneakerhead,
(shr
ugs)besi
desIwi
ll
bedoingt
hisgymt hi
ngfor
you.
.
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)Iam notpayi
ngshit
,youwil
l
speaktoMthokohavehimlistyouinourmembers
group,
ther
eyouwon'tpaythefullamountbuthal
fof
i
t.
Zee-Fi
ne!!
!.
.speaki
ngofMt
hokohej
ustar
ri
vedwi
th
Ntombi.
.
Nel
l
y-whatdoy
oumeanhej
ustar
ri
vedwi
thNt
ombi
?
Zee-(l
aughs)Idon'
tmeanli
ket
ogether
,toget
her,
theycamewi t
hseparat
ecar
sbutatthesamet i
me.
Nel
l
y-oh,
any
way
showdoIl
ook?
Zee-(smiles)y
oul
ookl
i
keaCEOshoul
d,asexyone
atthat.
..
Nel
l
y-(r
oll
seyes)Iam nott
ryi
ngt
obesexy
,Iwantt
o
beaBadass.
..

Shelookedathersel
finthemi r
roragain,
asmuchas
thi
swasanoppor tuni
tyforhertomakehermar k,
somet hi
ngshealwayswantedbutpar tofherdi
dn'
t
feelr
ight,
itwassupposetobeherandhi mt aki
ng
overthemar i
ti
me,si
debysi de.Zenandenoti
ced
howherfacechanged,shesawhowshewast ry
ing
tohol
dhersel
fbackfrom cr
ying.Shewal
ked
towar
dsherandstoodbehindherbrushi
ngher
shoul
der
s..
.

Zee-Youmi
sshi
m?
Nell
y-(
takesadeepbreat
h)(
nods,gri
tt
inghert
eeth)I
shoul
dn'tr
ight?He'
samurdererZee,
hekil
ledan
i
nnocentgirl
,whywoul
dImisssomeonel i
kethat
?
Whatdoest hatmakeme?
Zee-i
tokaytomisshim, y
oudon' tknowt he
murdererbuti
nst
eady ouknowt heguyt hatcl
aimed
youbeforeyouwereevenhis,themant hatsmiles
fornoonebutyou,themant hat.
.
Nell
y-(wipeshertears)STOP! !
!!Iam nott
hinki
ng
aboutallthatr
ightnow, Ishoul
dst opthi
nki
ngabout
Sba..him,Ineedtoforgetaboutal lt
heseemotions
andf ocusonthemeet ing.
Zee-(l
ooksatherskepti
cal
)okay,okaysisi,
goto
thatboardr
oom andshowthem thatSiwelawomen
areaforcetobereckonwit
h,showt hem thefi
erce
si
deofyou,makesuret
hatwhenyouwalkoutt
hat
boar
droom t
heyal
lknowwhoisinchar
genow..
Nell
y-(smi
l
esl
ooki
ngatt
hemi
rr
or)ngu'
Thabekhul
u
mina..
Zee-(
nods)yes,uSandanezwe,
uMav undl
a,
uDubandl
ela,Nongal
o,uMpanza,t
hina
si
ngabasenxeni
..
.

Shetakesadeepbr eathandtheymakecont act

l
ookingateacht hr
oughthemi rr
or,Zenandenodsat
her,
shet akesherhandbagandwal ksouttheroom
wit
hnot hingi
nhermi ndbutZulu&Son'sandthemen
whowi l
lbeseatedinthatboardroom readytobri
ng
herdownbecauseshe' sawoman. ..

Meanwhi
l
edownst
air
s..
.

Mthoko-(
brusheshi
sface)soyoutel
l
ingthi
sguy
ki
l
ledagirl
,buri
edherandthantur
nedhimsel
fin?
MaSi
wel
a-(
nods)
yeah.
.
Mthoko-(shakeshishead)butwhytur
nhi
msel
fin?
Af
terallt
hesey ear
s,Idon'
tgetit
..
Ntombi-(
angry)WHYKI LLHER?thatwhatyou
shoul
dbeasking(givesMthokoadeathstar
e)Sbani
i
ssickinthehead,t
hesoonerweal l
seethatandget
hi
m helpthebett
er.
Mr
sZul
u-hei
sn'
tsi
ck,
hej
ustmadeami
stake.
.
Ntombi -(l
ooksatherindisbel
ief)aMISTAKE??you
gottobeki ddi
ngmema, kil
li
ngsomeone, than
bury
ingt hem sothatnobodyfindsthem i
sn'ta
mistake..
Mt
hoko-(
sighs)i
tacal
cul
ati
vemov
e..
Ntombi-EXACTLY! !
!,
itcal
cul
ati
ve,i
tmanipul
ati
ve
anditsi
ck(tear
y )he'
ssoself
ish,whatdowesayto
hiski
ds?Whatt heduckdoeshewantust osayto
them?

Shecrieshol
dinghersel
ftry
ingtocalm down,
Mthokowantst ojumpandhol dherbuthecan't
becauseofallthequest
ionsthatwil
lcomeafterthat
.
Simi r
ubsNt ombi'
sback, thesoundofheel cli
cking
gettheirattenti
onasNel lywal kst otheLoungear ea
foll
owedbyZenande.Mt hokowal kst owar
dsherand
crushesheri nat i
ghthug, sher eturnsthehugbut
showsnoemot ions,theybreakt hehugandhel ooks
atherconf used, t
hisisn'
twhatheexpect ed,he
thoughthewoul dfindhissistercr yi
nghereyebal l
s
outbuti nst
eadshel ooksounaf f
ect edbyanythi
ng,
shelookscol dandempt y...

Nel
l
y-i
tgoodt
oseey
ou.
.
Mthoko-i
tgoodt
oseey
out
oo.
.(Looksather
)
bhabha.
.
Nel
l
y-(
shakesherhead)notnow,
nott
oday
..
Mthoko-Idon'
tunder
stand(l
ooksathercl
othes)
ar
ey ougoingsomewhere?
Nel
ly-(
smil
es)act
uall
yyes,youl
ooki
ngatt
henew
act
ingCEOofZulu&Son'
s..

Nt
ombi
qui
ckl
yremov
esher
sel
ffr
om Si
mi'
s
embr
aceandshoot
sherheatatNel
l
y..
.

Nt
ombi
-WHAT?
?!!
!!
..
.
Mt
hoko-uhmm what
?Ar
eyouser
ious?But
..
.
Nt
ombi
-(l
ooksatMr
sZul
u)y
oumadeherCEO?
MrsZul
u-Idi
dn'
tmakeherany
thi
ng,
babawakho
di
d..
Simi-(
looksatNt
ombi
)ist
her
eapr
obl
em wi
thher
beingCEO?
Ntombi-"
act
ing"CEO,Ij
ustt
houghti
twoul
dhav
e
beenoneofthebrot
hers.
.
MrsZul u-i
tshoul
dhavebeenbutbabadidn'
tthi
nk
so(looksatNell
y)youl
ookeagertotaketheseatof
act
ingCEO. .

Nellyl
ooksatMr sZulu,i
tcl
earshedoesn'tli
kethe
i
deaofherr unningthecompanybutthereisno
surpri
sest
here, t
heyaren'
texactl
ybesti
es,buti
t
Ntombi'sr
eactionsthatsur
pri
singher,
shelooksli
ke
shei
sn'
tl
iki
ngt
hei
deat
oo.
..

Nell
y-(l
ooksatMrsZulu)Iam, Iwantnot
hingmore
buttogrowasanindiv
idualespecial
l
yincorpor
ate.
Nowi fyouwil
lal
lex
cusemeIhav eaboardmeet i
ng
toatt
endt oo.

Shel
ooksatev
eryoneonceagai
nandleav
es,
MaSi
welasi
ghsandlooksatMrsZul
u..
.

ATZULU&SON'
SCO.
..

Boar
droom1

Man1-(l
ooksathi
swatch)(
looksar
ound)It
hinkwe
al
lher
e,weshouldst
artgentl
emen.
.
MrZul
u-act
uall
ywewai
ti
ngf
oronemor
eper
son
andwewil
lstar
t.
..
Themenlookateachot
her,
whisper
ingtoone
anot
her
,wonderi
ngwhothatot
herpersoni
s..
.

Si
pho-(
looksathi
swat
ch)wehav
e2mi
nut
esl
eft
,
wher
eisshe?
Shaka-(
looksback)she'
scomi
ng,
shest
il
lhasa
minutet
ogo...

BeforeSiphocouldr espond,thedooropensand
Nell
ywal ksin,al
leyesf al
lonher,Shakastandsand
smilesholdingtheCEOchai rforhertocomesi t.I
f
everymeni nsidetheboardroom waswonder ingwho
thenewCEOwi l
lbe,wellShakajustansweredthe
questionforthem.Shesmi l
esathim andtakesher
seatlookingatMrZul uwhonodsi napprovalather.
.

Man2-(
looksatNel
l
ythanMrZul
u)Zul
uwhati
sthi
s?
Man1-Ial
sowantt
oknow.
.
MrZulu-(cl
earsthr
oat)gent
lemenIam sureyouall
knowMi ssSiwel
ahere,ourcompaniesSt
rategi
st
butnowwhowi l
lal
sowor kasouracti
ngCEOunt i
l
fur
thernoti
ce.
Man2-(
shakeshi
shead)i
sthi
ssomeki
ndofj
oke?
Shaka-Iwillhav
ey ouallknowt hatMi
ssSiwelahere
i
swel lequi
ppedf ort
heposi t
ion,whobesttooccupy
thi
schairthanthebrainsofthecompany .

Twoofthemenwhoar eal
soseatednodthei
rheads
i
nagreement,
bot
hthesemen'shaveworkedclosel
y
wit
hNell
y,t
heywell
awareofhercapabi
l
iti
es.
.

Man1-Iwouldhaveguessedthaty
ouZul uwi l
ltake
t
hechairbackormay behaveoneofy ourson'
sbutI
woul
dn'thaveguessedthaty
ouwillhave..(
Looksat
Nel
ly
)...
Nell
y-(r
aisesherey
ebrow)(l
ooksathi
m)hav
ewhat?
Sayit
,youdidn'
tguessthatawomanwouldoccupy
thechai
r?
Man1-Iwasgoingt osayarookie,nooff
encebut
yousti
ll
anamat eur,st
rat
egistandall
itj
ustnot
enoughtoqual
i
fyy ouforthepositi
onofCEO..
Man2-Iwoul
dhavet
houghtt
hecompany
'sdi
rect
or
t
otakethechai
r.
MrZulu-wel
l i
fyoumustknow, MissSi
wel
awas
goingtobeappoint
edDir
ectorwhenwecomeback
fr
om holi
days.MysonSbanisezwewasoccupy
ing
boththeCEOanddi r
ect
orschair
..
.
Man3-uphiuSbani
vel
e?Itdoesn'tmakesenset
hat
hej
ustresi
gns,Zul
ukwenzakalanil
a?
Nell
y -MrSbani sezweZul uchooset or esi
gnwi th
i
mmedi at
eeffect,hehasper sonalmat ter
st oat tend
too,onewhi chhechoosesnott odisclosewi t
hus.
Justlikey ouweret oldont hefi
rstboar dmeet ing
whereMrZul uSeni oraddressedhissonchoi cet o
l
eav et hecompany ,
anythingthatdoesnotr elat eto
thecompanywi l
lnotbedi scussedher e.Wehav e
assur edallourcli
entsthatwor kwillconti
nueas
normal ,noneofMrSbani sezwecl i
entshav eissues
withhi mleavingashi m andIhav ebeenwor king
closel
ytogether,allaccountsaresafe,hi
sdepart
ure
posesnot hreattoy ourinvest
ment s.Nowifnoneof
youhav equestionst hatyouwoul dli
ketoaskme
thatarerel
atedt othecompanyt hanIguessweget
ri
ghtintotheyear '
sagenda.
Man2-t
hequest
ionwasdi
rect
edt
oMrZul
unoty
ou
Mi
ssSiwel
ani
..
Nelly
-(l
aughsli
ght
ly)
wel
lIcanassureyout
hatMr
Zuluwouldhavegi
venyoutheexactsameanswer
thatIgaveyou.
.
Man1-ofcour
seyouwoul
dknowallaboutthe
cl
i
ents,y
ousayyouwerewor
kingcl
oselywithhi
m,
well
howclosewerey
ou?(Gi
vesherthelook)
Nell
y-(bol
dv oice)ifyouaski
ngifwe'
rewesleepi
ng
toget
herthant heanswerisyesandwenowhav e
twobeautif
ul chil
dren.Nowdoy ouwantdet
ail
sof
howwemadeourt wobeauti
ful
chil
dren?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Nell
y-Idi
dn'
tthi
nksotoo,(l
ooksatMan2)Iam Mi ss
Siwel
a,youknowthat
,Idon'tseewhyy ouwanttobe
pett
yaboutit
.Nowlet'
sdiscusstheyear'
sagenda
(l
ooksatShaka)yougott
hepowerpoi ntIsentyou.
.
Shaka-(
nods)y
esboss.
.
Nel
l
y-gent
lemen,
lethav
eal
ookatt
hescr
een.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Theel evat
ordoor sopen, MrSibi y
aandDabukohi s
fi
rstsonwal kout ,
Mbali hadherear phoneson
l
isteningtoBey once,si
ngingal ongquietl
y.MrSi bi
ya
clearshisthroatbutMbal icontinuestosingt o
Bey onceandpl ayhercandycr ushgame.MrSi bi
ya
andDabukol ookateachot her,MrSibi
yat ri
esone
mor et i
me,thisti
mehebangst hedeskmaki ng
Mbal ijumpoutherseat .Shet akesherear phones
off,readyt
ot ellt
hesetwogent lemenoffbutas
soonasherey eslandont heirfaces,shechokesand
twistshert ongue..
.
Mbal
i
-(cl
ear
shert
hroat
)MrSi
biy
a..
MrSibi
ya-(
smi l
es)good,IguessIdon'
thav
eto
i
ntr
oducemy sel
f,thi
sis.
.
Mbal
i
-Da..DabukoSi
biy
a,y
ourf
ir
stbor
nson,
Iknow
hi
mtoo.
.
MrSibi
ya-(
smil
es)Il
i
key
ou.
..Nowweher
etosee
Zul
uSenior
..

Mbal
il
ooksint
ohercomput
erscr
eenbutDabuko
st
opsher
..

Dabuko-wedon'
thav
eanappoi
ntment
,don'
tbot
her
l
ooking.
.

Hisvoi
ceisevenmoresexy,i
nfacteveryt
hingabout
themaninfr
ontofheri
sexoti
c.Allt
het i
meshe's
seenhi
spictur
esonsocial
mediaort henewspaper
orwhenshe'sseenhi
m ont.v
.don'
tcompar etothi
s
moment ,seei nghi mli
ve,hear i
nghi sdeepmanl y
voice.Godsheneedst ohav eherpant yli
ner
changed, themanwasdr ippingsexbutmakeno
mi stake,asf *Gr eekGodhewas, thedar k,
danger ousaur aaroundhi m hady ouwant i
ngtopiss
yourpant s,heonl yhadhisl ooksandsexappeal
goingf orhim becauseapar tfr
om t hattheman
standingi nf
r ontofherwasnot hi
ngbutcol d,empty,
j
ustashel l,
itlooksbeaut ifulontheout si
debutther
e
not hi
ngont hei nside,
itservesnopur pose..
..

Dabuko-(
ir
ri
tat
ed)ar
eyoudone?
Mbal
i
-excuseme?
Dabuko-It
akei
tyou'
re,
nowwher
ecanwef
indy
our
Boss?
Mbali
-(conf
used)Iam afr
aidy
oucannotseehi
m
wi
thoutanappoint
ment .
.
Dabuko-maybemyf at
herherewasn'tcl
earbutwe
arenotaski
ngyouforpermissi
on,nowweknow
Zuluhasameetingsobeagoodgi rlandbri
ngus
waterwhil
ewesitoverther
e( poi
ntsatthecouches)
andwai
t.
.

Notwaiti
ngforhert
orespond,
theywal
ktot
he
couches.
..

Dabuko-(l
ooksaround)Imustsay,Iunder
est
imat
ed
theZul
u's,
thi
splacesiswort
hbill
i
ons. .
MrSibiya-(l
ooksar ound)he'sdonewell
forhimself
,
he'
soneoft heonl yfiveblackmenoccupyi
ngt he
seatsthatcontrol
thehar bour,
andknowDur banis
thebiggestportal
l overAfri
ca,weneedamanl i
ke
Zuluasaf ri
end..
Dabuko-(
smirks)Shi
t!
!!Idi
dn'
tknowthat
..
..l
i
ttl
e
br
otherhasoutdonehimselft
hist
ime.
.
MrSibi
ya-(
smil
es)hehasnoi
deaj
usthowmuch
he'
soutdonehi
mself.
..

Theysmir
kateachot
herandcont
inuet
oadmi
ret
he
pl
ace.
..
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
09]Mar
cia:
Inser
t122

ATZULU&SON'
SCO.
..
.

1hourl
ater
..
.

Boar
droom1opensast hemenwal kouttheychatto
oneanother
,someexpr essi
ngtheirdi
sl
ikeinchange
ofmanagement,otherscongrat
ulati
ngNell
yonher
newtemporaryposit
ion..
.

Shaka-(
smi
l
es)wel
lthatwentwel
l
..
Nell
y-pssshhh!!
!Yeahrightbutt
heyj ustgoi
ngto
havetofindthei
r"bal
ls"becauseclearl
ytheyseem
tohavelostthem anddeal wi
ththefactthata
womani sincharge..
Shaka-(
laughs)yhooookay
,remi
ndmenott
ogo
agai
nstyouany t
imesoonmadam CEO.
.

Theyl
augh,
shegi
veshi
m asmal
lgenui
nesmi
l
e..

Nell
y-Ngi
yabongaShaka,youhadmyback,i
nfact
youalway
sdo, Icannotst
resshowmuchthat
meanstome. .
Shaka-(holdsherhand)
(l
ooksintohereyes)
(smil
es)
youwillal
way shavemebyy oursidenomatter
what..
.(brushesthepal
m ofherhand)remember
that
,alway s.
..

Shesmil
esandt
urnstoMrZul
uwhowassay
ing
goodby
etooneoftheboar
dmember
s..

Man-(shakeshi
shand)wel
lZul
uIhopewehav
e
anot
hergreatfi
nanci
aly
ear
..
MrZul
u-of
cour
se,
thanky
ouf
iry
oursuppor
t.
..
Man-(l
ooksatNel
ly)mygut
st el
l
smey ouwi
lldo
gr
eatfort
hiscompany,
don'
tletmedownyoung
l
ady.
..
Nel
ly
-(smil
esandshakeshi
shand)Iwon'
tl
ety
ou
downsir
..

Themannodsatt hem t
hanwal
ksaway,Mbal
i
quickl
yrunst
owher et
heyar
estandi
ngmaki
ngher
heelshitt
hef
loorl
oudl
y..
.

Shaka-(
looksather
)andt
hanwena?
Mbali
-(r
oll
sherey
es)angi
zil
ekuweMelrose(Iam
nother
eforyouMelr
ose)(
looksatMrZulu)Si
r.
.

Bef
oreMbali
couldspeakMrSi
biy
aandDabuko
cometovi
ew...

MrSi
biy
a-(
bol
dvoi
ce)Zul
u..
Shaka' sbodyst iffensatthesightofthet women
i
nf rontofhi m,Siphol ooksathisfat
herconf usedas
towhywoul dhehav eanysortofcont actwiththe
Sibiyaf amily,
ev enNel l
ylooksatMrZul uwi t
ha
conf usedf ace,howonear thdoeshehav eany
relati
onwi ththeki ndoff amil
ythattheSi bi
ya'
sare.
Herey esturntoShakawho' sfacehast urnredand
i
mmedi at
elysheknowswhat everbroughtthe
Sibiya'sont hei
rt urfi
sn'tgoodatall
..

MrZul
u-(movesforwardandshakesMeSibi
ya)
Sot
obe,
ngavakashelwauwena,howcanIhel
pyou?
MrSibi
ya-(
smil
es)thequest
ionishowcanwehel p
eachot
her?Asi
xoxengasese(let
'stal
kpr
ivat
ely
)

ConfusedastowhySi biyaishere,theynotenemi es
buttheynotfr
iendseither.Theymut ual
lyrespect
eachotherbutifyouknowbet t
eryouknownott o
getyoursel
font heSi
biya'sbadsidebuty oualso
knownott ogetintobusinesswiththem, i
tjustbest
tokeeptheSibiyafamilyatadistance..
.
MrZulu-wedonotdoanybusi
nesstogetherSot
obe
soIdonotseewhyyoucannotsayanyt
hinghere
i
nfr
ontofmyfamil
y..
MrSibi
ya-(l
aughsl
ightl
y)Magebaittr
uewedonot
doanybusinesst
ogether"
yet
"..
.butIassur
ey ou
whatIhavetosayyouwouldwantittobepriv
ate..

MrSibiyal ooksatSi phoandNel l

ywhoar est ari
ng
backathi m cur i
ously,Shakai sf i
dgetyattheback
toodistr
act edt oevenl ookupatt hetwoSi biyamen.
Dabuko'sey esscandanger ouslyatNel l
ybutatt he
samet imehemustadmi tshewasabeaut iful
woman, oneoft hemostbeaut i
ful womanhe' sseen
todate.Nel lycouldfeel hiseyesonherbutshe
doesn'tl
ookupt omeethi sstare,she'
stoof ocused
ontheSeni orSibiy
a,not hingaboutt hesetwomen
say"goodci ti
zens",t
hej ustcriminalsinsuits..
..

MrZulu-(
looksathi
m)letheadtotheboar
droom
(
looksatDabuko)wil
lhebejoi
ningus?
MrSibiya-(smi
les)wellheshoul
dbutIpr ef
eritt
obe
j
ustus, Ihaveafeeli
ngwecabr el
atemor e,
consideri
ngwei nthesameagegr oup.Thisismy
fi
rstbornsonbyt hewayDabukoSi bi
ya..

MrZul unodsatDabukowhor et
urnstherespectf
ul
gesturebynoddingbackbef
orehiseyesgobackt o
stari
ngatthewomanst andi
ngnexttoMrZul u,
foll
owinghisson'sey
esMrSibiy
asmi rkswhenhe
fi
nall
ysee'swhathascaptur
edhisson'sattent
ion
"ahhfreshpussy"hethi
nkst
ohimself.
..

MrSi
biy
a-(
looksatNel
l
y)beaut
if
uldaught
erZul
u..
MrZul
u-(
smi
rks)Iguessmysonhasgr
eatt
ast
ein
women.
.

St
unnedbytherev
elat
ionallt
hatcomesoutt
heir
mouthi
s"Oh!!
"MrZulusignal
sforSi
biy
atofol
low
hi
m..
.
MrSi
biy
a-y
ou'
vedonewel
lZul
u,uhl
eli
emaf
utheni
..
MrZul
u-(
laughsl
i
ght
ly)hmmmm.
..

Oncethetwool
dmenar
eoutofsi
ghtNel
l
ytur
nst
o
Shaka.
..

Nel
l
y-canwet
alk.
.
Shaka-(
looksatDabuko)sur
e..

Theybot
hmov el
i
ttl
efur
therf
rom wher
eSi
phoand
Dabukoar
e..

Nel
l
y-whatdi
dyoudo?
Shaka-(br
usheshi
sface)Shit!
!!
!Iwassupposeto
cutthedealof
fbutIf
orgot,hetoldmetocutitof
f
butIhavebeensooccupiedwithever
ythi
ngelseI
for
gottheonethi
ngthathet ol
dmeIneededt odo,
FUCK!!.
.
Nel
l
y-(
gri
tshert
eet
h)Shaka!
!!Your
ambl
i
ng.
.
Shaka-(l
ooksather
)IneededSbanitohave
prot
ecti
onont hei
nsi
desoIaskedBr ucetohel
pme
andIkindofcutadealwi
ththeSibi
ya's,
theypr
otect
Sbaniontheinsi
deand.
..
Nel
l
y-andwhat
??
Shaka-wel
ltheywer
esupposet
onamet
hei
rpr
ice
andwepaybut .
.
Nel
l
y-(
hear
tpoundi
ng)butWhat
?Whati
sit
?
Shaka-t heyweresupposet otel
lmetheirpri
ce,
actuall
yNo, angaziexactl
ywhatisitt
hatthey
want ed,Sbanit
oldmet oendthedeal
,tel
lthem we
nol ongerneedtheirservi
cesbutIf
orgot.Wenev er
closedthedeal orsignedanyt
hingsotechnical
l
y
thereisnodeal ,
itnotabigdealri
ght.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-(
looksather
)(si
ghs)If
uckedupdi
dn'
tI?
Nell
y-geeezyout
hink!
!!
!Wet al
kingaboutt
he
Sibi
ya'
shere,
whatdidyouthinktheywil
lwant
?They
haveallt
hemoneysoitnotmoneyt heywantJesus!
!
Shakawhatwereyouthinki
ng..
Shaka-y
ouknowhesaidthesamething,
itnot
moneytheywi
ll
want
,thatwhyhetoldmet oendt
he
deal
..
Nell
y-thatbecausehewasr i
ght,
Idon'
tknowwhy
youdidn'tthi
nkofthereper
cussi
onsofdeal
i
ngwi
th
afamilyliket
heSibiy
a's.
.
Shaka-Ij
ustwant
edtoprot
ectmybr ot
her
,Iwasn' t
necessar
ythi
nki
ngall
aboutrepercussi
ons,butthere
i
snodeal yet
,Imeanwehaven'texchangeanything
yet
..
Nell
y-(shakesherhead)areyouslowory ou
del
iberatel
yacti
ngdumb.Anexchangei snotneeded,
youalr
eadygi v
enthem every
thingtheyneed.You
nottheoneheadingthisnow,theyaretheone's
makingy ouadealandfrom whatIam sensingwe
notgoingtoli
keit.
..
Shaka-wedon'
thav
etogi
vei
nthough,
west
ickt
o
whatt
heor
igi
nal
dealwas,t
heypr
otectSbani
ont
he
i
nsi
deandwepaythati
t.
Nel
ly-(
laughsindi
sbel
ief
)areyouli
steningtowhatI
am t
ell
ingyou?Letmeaskt hi
s,whenyouf ir
stcame
tot
hem wi t
hthisi
dea,
whower eyoutalkingtoo?
Whowasl eadingt
hiswholethi
ng?
Shaka-wel
lIt
alkedtoBrucewhoi
ntr
oducedmet
o
Si
ya,he'
sMrSibiya'
ssontoo.
..
Nelly-wher ei sSi yanow?Letmebr eakthi
sdownt o
youbecausei tclearyoureadi ngthiswholesi tuation
verysl ow.Thi sSiyaguyy out alkedt oowast he
smal lfish,Iwon' tbesur prisedifhedoesn' tev en
knowaboutt hisv i
sithi
sfat herhasgr aceduswi th.
This" deal"isnol ongerheadedbyt hesmall f
ish.
Theyher etal kingtoy ourfatherbecausenowi tthe
Bigfishdeal .Youopenedadoorf orthem wheny ou
request edf ort heirservi
ces, youexposedy our
vulnerablespotandnowt heygoi ngt ouseitagai nst
youinanewdeal .
Shaka-t
heyneedl
ever
age.
.
Nel
l
y-t
heydon'
tneedi
t,t
heyal
readyhav
eit
,you
gav
eitt
othem.Sbani
ist
hel
ever
age.
.
Shaka-t
heyneedl
ever
age.
.
Nel
ly-theydon'
tneedit
,theyal
readyhav
eit
,you
gav
ei ttothem.Sbani
isthelev
erage.
.
Shaka-FUCK!
!!
!!
.

Meanwhi
l
e..
..

Dabuko-(
looki
ngatShaka&Nel
l
y)sot
heymar
ri
ed?
Sipho-(shakeshi
shead)No,she'
sdati
ngmyot her
brother(l
ooksathim)
(gi
veshimthelook)
theyhave
twoki dstoget
her
..
Dabuko-ahh!
!!Theonewho'
sgoi
ngt
opr
ison.
.
Si
pho-(
frowns)notf
orl
ong.
.
Dabuko-(
smirks)
(shr
ugs)whosai
dwomenwi
thki
ds
ar
en'tf
uckabl
e?
Si
pho-(
annoy
ed)j
ustst
ayawayf
rom her
..
Dabuko-(
laughs)r
elax
,Iam notf
all
i
ngi
nli
newi
th
her
,Idon'
tdor
elat
ionshi
ps.
.
Si
pho-Idon'
tcar
e,j
ustst
ayawayfr
om her
,inf
act
st
aythefuckawayf
rom myfami
ly
..
Dabuko-(
laughs)woooooIam scar
ed,
ist
hist
he
machosideofy ou?
Sipho-(straightface)Idon'
tcar
ewhatsidet hisi
s,I
don'tknowwhati sitt
hatyouwantfrom myf amil
y
butwhat ev eriti
sjustknowthatyouandy ourdir
ty
cri
mi nalfami l
yain'tget
ti
ngyourfi
lt
yclawsinmy
family'
scompany .
..

DabukolooksatSiphoandburtsoutlaughi
ngwhil
e
cl
appinghishands,ear
ninganev enmoredeadl
y
st
arefrom theannoyedSipho.
..

Dabuko-Ialmostbel
i
evedyou,(
clappi
nghishands)
youalmosthadme, j
ustal
mostbutthanI
remember edhowyoubendli
keawhor eandtakeit
from behi
nd..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Dabuko-( smirks)nowt hatIhav ey ourattenti

on,your
homewor kistomakesur et hatyouconv inceyour
fat
hert oacceptmyf ather'sdeal,makei tknownt hat
i
twhatbestf ory ourf
ami ly,yourbrotherandwel li
t
whatbestf ory ouaswel lbuthedoesn' thav eto
knowt hatright?( Smi
les)itwi l
lbeiny ourbest
i
nterestthaty oudonotdi sappointme, youstil
llove
yourwifer i
ght?Iam sur ey oudon'twantt heimage
ofyouandanot herman'sdi ckony ourmout htobe
yourkid'sbedt imestory...

DabukopatSipho'
sback,hewal
ksawayf
rom hi
m
whenhesee'shisfat
herandMrZul
ucomingoutof
theboar
droom..

MrSi
biya-Ihopeyoutakemyof
fert
oconsi
der
ati
on,
i
twil
lbenefi
tusboth.
.
MrZul
u-(
shakeshi
shand)uhambekahl
eSot
obe
Theyshakehands,MrSibi
yaglancesatNel
l
yand
Shaka,
butNell
ylookstheotherwaynotwanti
ngto
facehi
m.ThetwoSi bi
yamenwal ktotheel
evat
or.
..

MrSi
biy
a-howdi
ditgowi
thmf
ana'
Ntombzane?
Dabuko-(
smi
rks)heknowswhatatst
ake.
.
MrSi
biy
a-(
smi
l
es)Goodj
obson.
..

Theelevatordoor sopen,theywalkinsi
debef ore
theycouldcloseDabukowi nksdangerouslytoNell
y,
shefrownsandt urnstoMrZul ubutbeforeshecan
askhim anything,afistl
andsonShaka' sleftsi
de
cheek,hestumbl esbackhol di
nghisjaws, i
nstant
ly
hisnosebleeds...

MrZul
u-(
angr
y,annoyedandf
umi
ng)YAWABONA
LAMASI
MBAONGI FAKEKUWONA,NXI!
!!
..
.
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
09]Mar
cia:
Inser
t123

Aweekl
ater
..
.

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Zenandest ar
esatMt hokoattentiv
elyashesmi l
es
withhisphone, he'sbeenthisgiddyandsmileyfor
thepast45mi nutessincetheyhav esatont
het abl
e
havingbreakfast.Atextcomest hr
oughhisphone
onceagainmaki nghischeeksheatup, sher
ollsher
eyesandst ar
esathi m. .
.

Zee-ar
eyounowgoi
ngt
otel
lmewhoshei
s?

Hel
ooksupatherandsmi
l
espl
aci
nghi
sphoneon
t
hetabl
e..
.
Mthoko-(
shakeshishead)
(l
aughs)Nope,
Itol
dyou
t
hataweekago, sostopaski
ngme..
Zee-wel
lIwoul
dn'
tbeaskingy ouifyouweren'
t
goi
ngaroundsmil
ingwithyourphoneeveryti
me,
j
usttel
lmewhoshei s,
Ialr
eadyknowshehasl ong
l
egs,car
amelski
nsooutwi thitbr
other.
.
Mthoko-(
laughs)well
thatal
lyoushoul
dknowright
nowandohIam mov i
ngouttomorrowIthi
nki
ttime
Igetmyownspace, pri
vacy.
.
Zee-(
smi
rks)y
ougoti
tbadf
orherhuh?
Mt hoko-( smiles)letj
ustsayshe'sthespar
kt omy
dull l
if
e,clichebuti tt
hetrut
h,shemakesmef eel
ali
v e.Ihav en'
tfeltali
veforaverylongti
me,itagood
feelingsis..

Shelooksathim,ast
onishbyhi swords,shealways
knewMt hokowasahopel essromantic,
itwasgreat
seei
nghiml i
kethi
s,hi
sf acel
itupwhenhet al
ked
aboutthi
smy st
eri
ouswoman, all
theyknewwas
thatshehaslongl
egs,sl
enderandshemadetheir
brotherbl
ushever
yti
meher ecei
vedatextf
rom her
..
.

Zee-(smi
les)t
helookonyourf
acewhenyouspeak
abouther
,Idon'
tneedtoevenseehert
oappr
ove,I
l
ikeheral
ready.
.
Mthoko-hmmm, Ngi
yabongasisi
..
.(si
pshiscoff
ee)
wellIneedtogobeforeIbelat
eonmyf i
rstdayback
towor k(l
ooksathi
m)doy ouneedar i
det ocampus?
Iknowy ourcarwentt
ot heservi
cepeople..
Zee-(
shakesherhead)nopeIam good,bhut
iBless
i
sonhiswayt ofet
chme, rememberIam hel
ping
hi
m withsomegirl
sregi
strat
iont
hingy
!!
!
Mt
hoko-ohy
eah,
wel
lseey
oul
aterki
d..

Theyfi
stbumped,
Mthokowalkedoutthehouseand
Zenandegotupcl
ear
ingupt
het abl
e..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..
Bl
ess-ar
eyour
eadyf
orThur
sday
?
Sbani
-(shrugs)Idon'tthi
nkonecanpr
epare
themsel
vesi nsuchsituat
ions,
youj
ustnev
erknow
whatthejudgewi l
lrul
e..
Bless-(r
aisesabr
ow)sot
heZwanef
ami
l
yar
enot
fi
ghtingyou?
Sbani-Idon'
tknowbutIt
hinktheywi
ll
pushf
ora
hushersentence,
itt
hel
ogicthi
ngtodo..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)hasmysi
ster
..
.
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)shehasn'
tcamet
oseeme
andtobehonestIdon'
twanthertoo.
.
Bl
ess-i
tunder
standabl
eyounotwant
inghert
oo.
.
Sbani
-yeah!
!!Howi
sshe?
Bless-youknowher,sheput
sonapokerf ace,
I
haven'tseenmuchofherlat
ely
,shesoswamped
withwor kIthi
nkt
hatherwayofavoi
dingevery
one
andt hesit
uati
on.
Sbani
-(cl
encheshi
steet
h)t
hatwhyIwasagai
nst
babamakinghert
heact
ingCEO,(si
ghs)doesshe
evenhav
et i
metonur
seourkids?
Bl
ess-Idon'
tthi
nkt
hisi
sthet
imet
oquest
ionher
mother
lyski
ll
s?
Sbani-(br
usheshi sface)Idon' tmeani tli
kethat,I
knowshei sagr eatmot herbutIalsoknowhowshe
getswhenshe' savoidingt odealwithheremot i
ons,
shebecomesar obot, nothi
ngmat tersbutwhatshe
cancont r
ol,nowshecan' tcontrol"thi
s"situati
onbut
shecancont r olwhathappenswi ththebusi ness,
she'sshutev eryemot ioninherbodyandt hatscares
theshitoutofmebecauseIam notgoi ngt obein
ourkidsli
ves, Iwantt hem tohav eat l
eastonepar ent
attendi
ngtot heirneeds, givi
ngthem af fecti
onbut
howi sthatgoi ngtohappenwhent heirmot herisa
robot.
Bl
ess-FUCK!
!!
..
Sbani
-EXACTLY!!
!Ihavealott
hatIam deali
ngwi t
h
ri
ghtnow,IknowIdidthi
sto"us"butthi
sshitisn'
t
j
ustaboutmeandher ,wegottwobeautif
ulkidsthat
needtobelovedandtakencareoff
..
Bless-Iwil
ltal
ktoyourf
ather
,may
behecanr
ethi
nk
thi
swhol eherbei
ngacti
ngCEOshandi
s..
Sbani
-it
'stolate,wejustgoi
ngt
ohavetofi
ndaway
tomakesur ethatshedoesnotf
orgetwhat
's
i
mportant,
ourki ds.
.
Bless-(
nods)Ipr
omisey
outhough,
shehasn'
t
neglect
edthem,shewor
ksf
rom homemajori
tyof
thetime.
Sbani-"y
et"
..
.thatwhyyouneedt
omakesur
eshe
doesn'tl
osesightofwhat
'si
mport
ant
.
Bless-(nods)Ihavetogobro,y
ouknowIam
tr
av el
ingtoMt shi
ngwanetoday.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)f
inal
l
ythev
il
lagequeeni
scomi
ngt
o
theci
ty.
.
Bless-j
eah,j
eah!
!!(
Laughs)Nel
lyandZenandear
e
driv
ingther
ewithme,Iwassurpri
sedNell
yeven
agreed.
.
Sbani
-shemadeapromi
setothegir
l'
sfami
l
y,
besi
desthegi
rl
'
sfat
hert
rust
sher.
Bl
ess-j
eah,
wel
lIwi
l
lseey
out
omor
rowbr
o,(
looks
athi
m)besaf
e..
Sbani-(
fi
stbumphim)thanksforthev
isi
tsman,
I
appreci
ateever
ythi
ngy
oudoi ng.
.
Bless-It
hinki
tgoingtoberealf
ormewhent
hey
tr
ansportyoutothefeder
alpri
son.
.
Sbani
-jeah,
Ican'
tbekeptheri
nt hehol
dingcel
l
sfor
l
ong,doom dayisar
oundthecorner.
Bl
ess-(
nodsathi
m)t
akecar
eofy
our
sel
fbr
o..
.

Theybothst
andupast
heguar
dswal
kst
owar
ds
them.
..

Guar
d-(
smi
rks)azi
yesboshwa!
!!
..
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nel
lywasfeedi
ngNkanyeziherbot
tl
ewhi
l
eshesent
anemail
withtheot
herhand..
.
Bri
dget
-(l
ooksather
)shoul
dIhel
pyouwi
thsendi
ng
theemail
mam?
Nel
ly-(
smi
les)pl
easedo,
(handshert
het
abl
et)Iam
t
ryi
ngtobesupermom.
Br
idget
-It
hinky
oudoi
ngj
ustf
ine.
Nell
y-(nodsli
ghtl
y)Iwon'
tbeavai
labl
efort
herest
ofthedaysoinform Mbal
i,
aft
eryoudonewithfi
l
ing
every
thingyouwelcometogohome. .
Br
idget
-(smi
l
es)Thanky
oumam.
..

Shewant
edtosaysomethingbutst
oppedher
sel
f,i
t
wastool
atebecauseNel
lyhadnoti
cedhowher
mouthcl
osedandopened..
.

Nel
l
y-doy
ouwantt
osaysomet
hing?
Br
idget
-uhmm no,
not
hingmam.
.
Nel
l
y-Bri
dget
!!!I
fyouwantust
ohaveaheal
thy
wor
kingr
elat
ionshi
pthanwehavet
obehonestwi
th
eachot
her
..
Bri
dget-well
Inoti
cethatWhitneyisdoingt
hesame
j
obasme, ImeanIdon'tunderst
and,Iam y
ourPA
ri
ght?Howcomewebot hwork8bgforyou?
Nelly-oh( sighs)Whi tneyhasbeenwi t
ht hecompany
forav erylongt i
me, shewasMrZul uSeni orsPA
thanbecomeMrSbani sezweZul uPA.Youwor kfor
me, y ou'r
emyPAbutIhav etokeepWhi tneytoo
becausesheknowsmaj ori
tyofwhatt he" CEO"
needset c,she'stempor ar
ywor kingformeunt i
la
newCEOwi llbepointedt hanshewi llwor kfort
hem.
Iam cur r
entlyoccupy ingthreechai r
s,theCEO, the
Direct or'
schai rwhichy ouhandl eeverything
regardi ngthatsideoft hebusinessandIam st i
ll
operat ingast hecompany '
sstrategi
st.Iam goingto
needy out owor ktoget herwit
hWhi t
ney ,Itr
ustthat
won' tbeapr oblem?
Br
idget
-(shakesherhead)notaprobl
em atal
lmam,
Ij
ustwantedclar
if
icat
ionbutIam goodnow..
Nel
ly-(smil
es)okay
,don'
tbeaf
rai
dtoaskme
any
thing..
Bri
dgetnodsandf ocusesheratt
ent
ionbackt
o
sendingemai
ls,Zandil
ewalkstowar
dsthem
carr
yingNsi
ka..
.

Zandi
l
e-(
smi
l
es)t
heBi
gboyi
sdonewi
thhi
sbat
h..
Nel
ly
-(smil
es)oht
hanky
ou,Ihopehedi
dn'
tgi
vey
ou
ahardti
me,hehat
eswat
er.
.
Zandil
e-(l
aughs)
hehateswat
erf
orsurebutaft
er
rai
singthr
eekidsyoul
earnt
odealwi
ththei
rli
tt
le
tant
rums..
Nell
y-(l
ooksather)Ngi
yabongaZandi
l
e,Imeanf or
every
thi
ng,thi
spastweekyouhavebeengreathelp,
Iknowwenotcl osebut
..
Zandil
e-(
smil
es)wefamil
ysisi
,Iknowour
rel
ati
onshi
pprobabl
ydi
dn'tst
artoffni
cel
ybutatt
he
endoftheday,f
amil
ysti
ckstogether.
.
Nel
ly
-(smiles)
Ngiyabongakakhulu(t
hankyouso
much)(
looksatthetime)ai
n'tyougoingt
obelat
e
f
orwork?Idon'twanttokeepy ou.
.
Zandil
e-Ist
il
lhav
e40minutest
ospar
e,doy
ouwant
tofeedthi
sonewhil
eIbur
bNkanyezi
?
Nel
l
y-(
nods)y
espl
ease.
..

Theyexchangebabies,Nel
l
ysi
gnal
sBr
idgett
ogo
worki
nsidethestudy..
..

Zandil
e-uhmm sodoy
ouwantt
ohav
edi
nnerwi
th
met oni
ght?
Nell
y-uhmm, wel
lwehav
ingdinneratBlesspl
ace
toni
ght,wewantNomusatofeelwelcomeand
comfortabl
esomaybewecanr ai
ncheck?
Zandi
l
e-uhmm okay
..
.

Nell
ycoulddet
ectt
hedisappointmenti
nherv oice,
shealsohasbeennoti
cinghowZandilehasbeen
avoi
dinggoi
ngbackhomet oherhouselately,she
wouldoft
enstaywit
hhert i
l
llat
e,shehasn'tasked
heri
fanythi
ngiswrongbutshecanseet hatshe's
havi
ngsomet r
oubl
esathome.Shecannotask
Siphoifeveryt
hingi
sokayeitherastheyarenot
reall
ythebestoffri
ends,i
tdoesn'thel
pthatthey
disagreei
nglatel
ybecauseoftheSibiy
a'ssi
tuati
on.
Thesef ewdaysshehasspentwi thZandil
e,shehas
noticehowmuchofagr eatwomanshei s,somehow
thissit
uati
onhasbroughtthem closer
..
.

Nel
l
y-whydon'
tyouj
oinus?
Zandi
l
e-(
smi
l
esandwi
denherey
es)ar
eyousur
e?
Nel
ly-(
smil
esandnods)yeah,Imeanthati
fSi
pho
wil
lbeokaywi
thyouspendingtheni
ghtaway.
.
Zandil
e-(
whisper
s)asi
fhewil
lnot
ice.
..
(smi
l
es)
countmein,Iact
ual
lyl
ovet
obeinthecompanyof
yourmother
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)
(rol
l
sey
es)whyam Inotsur
pri
sed.
.

Theybot
hlaugh,
BlessandZenandewal
kinont
he
twowomen..
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)
(i
mit
ati
ngTi
ra)hel
l
oLadi
es!
!!
!
Them-HELLO!
!!
!!
..
.

Theyalllaugh, i
tgr
eattoseeherlaughi
ngespeciall
y
wit
hev erythinggoingon,Zandi
legl
ancesatBless
butquicklylooksawaywhenhercheeksbegant o
heatup.Blesswal ksandsitsnextt
oZandil
ewhi ch
doesn'
thel pt hesi
tuat
ionatall
asshetri
esherbest
nottogiveawayhowhi spr
esenceaff
ectsher
...

Bless-(
looksatZandi
l
e)hmmm, Ihavenev
erseen
youinScrubsbefore(
smil
es)Il
i
keit.
.
Nel
l
y-(
roll
sey
es)Ifor
getyouhav
eat
hingf
or
womeninmedical
car
e..
.

Hesmi l
esandbendsdownki ssi
ngbabyNkany ezi
maki ngZandil
eenhalehi
scologne,itdoesn'
t
surprisehert
hatthesmil
eisentoxicati
ngandstrong,
defi
ni t
elyagr
eattast
eforamanl ikehim.She
scoldshersel
finsi
deherhead,sheshoul dn'
tbe
t
hinkingthi
ngsl
i
ket
his,
shei
samar
ri
edwomanf
or
God'ssake.
.

Bl
ess-(
smil
es)t
heygrowi
ng,
Ineedtogetmyguns
i
norder
,thi
soneist
oocutef
orherowngood.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)i
sitt
imet
ogo?
Bless-(nods)yeah,
Iwanttocomebackqui
ckl
y,I
don'tl
ikedrivi
ngatnight
,ar
ewetaki
ngtheki
ds?
Nel
l
y-(shakesherhead)No,Zandil
ewil
lbedr
oppi
ng
t
hem offatyourmother
's,
sheofferedt
obabysi
t
t
hem..
Bless-(
nods)(l
ooksatZandi
l
e)okay
,wel
ll
etmehel
p
youbucklethem up.
.

BlesstakesNsikafrom Nell
y'
sarmsandf ol
l
ows
Zandil
et othecar,whi
leZenandef oll
owswi ththe
kidsbags.Hiseyesgot oZandil
e'sass, herscr
ubs
arenottightbutherassisdispl
ayedper fect
lyon
them,Zandile'
sbodydefinesexactlywhatanAf ri
can
womani s,sheisn'
tbignorisshesmal l
,she'
s
probablyasize36or38onthepants.Heshakeshis
headanddi vert
shi
seyessomewher eel
se,butt
hey
betrayhim andgobackl
ooki
ngattheheartyshape
ass...

ATTHESI
BIYARESI
DENCE.
..
..

MrSibiy
aandhi
stwoson'
swer
eseatedi
nsidehi
s
study
,smoki
ngci
gar
sandenj
oyi
ngthei
rexpensi
ve
cognac.
..
.

MrSibi
ya-ournextshi
pmenti
sint
henextt
wo
weeks.
..
Dabuko-st
il
lnor
esponsef
rom t
heZul
u'
s.

Hi
sf at
hershakeshishead,
Siy
asi
tssi
l
ent
lyand
dr
inkshiswhiskey
..

MrSi
biy
a-Si
yabonga?
Si
ya-Sot
obe?
MrSi
biy
a-whatdoy
out
hink?Anysuggest
ions?
Si
ya-(
shr
ugs)y
oubot
hheadt
hedeal
now,
whyy
ou
i
nvol
vi
ngme..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MrSibiyaandDabukol
ookateachother
,Si
yawas
notveryhappywhenhefoundoutwhathi
sfat
her
andbrotherdi
d,goi
ngbehindhi
sbackand
undermini
nghisaut
hori
ty.
..

Dabuko-don'
ttel
lmey
oust
il
lsul
ki
ngaboutwhatme
andfatherdi
d?
Si
ya-Iam notsul
kingbutt
hatdoesn'
tmeanIagr
ee
wi
thwhaty oubothdid.
.
Dabuko-wellgood, sul
ki
ngisforbi
tches,ohl
i
ttl
e
brotheryoudon'thavetoagr
eewi t
hmi neand
father'
sdeci
sionsordoingsbutall
youneedtodois
sucki
tupandwor
kwi
thus.
.
Si
ya-(
frowns)wel
l,Idon'
twantt
owor
kwi
thy
ou,
nowyousuckthatup..
.

Theybot
hgi
veeachot
herdeadlystar
es,MrSi
biy
a
si
ghsandpl
aceshi
sgl
assont hetabl
e..

MrSibiy
a-(bol
dv oice)ENOUGH! !
!!
..
..(
Looksat
Dabuko)yourbr
ot herisri
ght,
weshoul dn'
thav
e
donewhatwedi dbuti tdonesoweneedt owor k
toget
herandmakesur etheZulu'
sagreetowork
withus.
.
Dabuko-l
etgi
veSi
phosomet
ime,
heknowswhat
's
atst
ake..
MrSi
biy
a-yeahbutweneedtohaveotherplanj
ust
i
ncaseMfana'
Ntombzanedoesn'
tcomet hr
ough.
.
Dabuko-thanwegot
oextr
ememeasur
es,
weshow
them t
hatwemeanbusi
ness.
.
MrSibiy
a-(shakeshi
shead)weholdof
fonthe
t
hreatsfornow,Zul
uisnotast
upidman,i
nfacthe'
s
v
erypower
ful
..
Dabuko-wel
lwemor epower
ful
thanhi
m,heneeds
togetthemessage.
.
MrSibi
ya-healreadyknowswepower f
ulbutZului
s
nott
hekindofmany oucanjustwalkover,i
fitwar
heneedstopreparef orthanhewillgoall
out,he
won'
tsitandletuswal kalloverhi
m, weneedt o
makesurethather eali
sesthatworkingwithusit
whatbestforeveryone..
Siy
a-(looksatthem)Zulual
readyknowsthatgoi
ng
towarwi thusisasui
cidemission,
heknowsthat
agreei
ngt oyourpr
oposali
swhatbest,hedoesn'
t
l
ikeitbutforpeaceheknowsitwhatheshoulddo.
Dabuko-whatar
eyousay
ing?
MrSi
biy
a-(
smi
rks)Iam l
i
steni
ngson.
..
Siy
a-(gul
pshisdrink)Iam say
ing,
itnotZul
uyou
shoul
dbef ocusi
ngon. .
.

Wit
hthatsai
dSi
yanodsathi
sfat
herandwal
ksout
t
hestudy.
..
Dabuko-(
frowns)whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?
MrSibi
ya-(smil
es)heknowssomet
hingv
aluabl
eto
t
hissit
uati
on..
.
Dabuko-sowhydidy
oulethi
m wal
koutoft
his
room wi
thouthi
mtel
li
ngus?
MrSi
biya-he'
ssti
ll
angryaboutwhatwedidt
ohim,
l
ethi
m cooloffwhenhe'sdoneact
ingal
lnot
ori
ous,
hewi
llt
elluswhatheknows..
Dabuko-(
smi
rks)l
ett
hef
uckerhav
ehi
smoment
..
.
MrSi
biy
a-EXACTLY!
!!
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
09]Mar
cia:
Inser
t124

ATVI
RGI
NACTI
VEGYM.
..

Cr
aigwasgoi
nghar
dont
het
readmi
l
l,hewasso
focusedthathedidn'
tnot i
ceSiphost andi
ngbehi nd
him wit
hhisar msfoldedandchecki nghim out.He
walkstowardshim andlower sthemachi netot he
pointofswitchi
ngitoff,
Craigey eshim di
fferentl
y
andwal kstopickuphistowel andwi pi
nghi ssweat
off.
..

Si
pho-soy
ounott
alki
ngt
ome?
Cr
aig-whatdoy
ouwant
?
Si
pho-thi
sisagym,
Iam her
etowor
koutj
ustl
i
ke
ev
erybodyel
se.
.
Cr
aig-okay
!!
..

Hepicksuphiswaterbot
tl
e,hangi
nghistowelover
hi
sshoulderwhenhewasaboutt opassSipho,
he
st
oppedhim bygrabbi
nghisarm..

Si
pho-comeon(
looksathi
m)don'
tbel
i
ket
his.
.
Cr
aig-l
etmyar
m go
Sipho-(
sighs)okayIam sor
ry,
ist
hatwhaty
ouwant
tohear?
Cr
aig-don'
tsayi
fyoudon'
tmeani
t.
.
Sipho-(f
rowned)whati
sitt
haty
ouwant
?Iam t
ryi
ng
toapologiseher
e
Crai
g-Iwanty
outostoptreat
ingmel i
keshit
,you
cometomeev er
ynightwil
li
nglythanwhenyoudone
havi
ngyourwaywit
hme, youtreatmelikegar
bage
andtel
lmeaboutyourwif
e..
Si
pho-youknewlongti
meagot
hatIhav
eawi
fe,
whyisn'
taprobl
em now?
Cr
aig-Idon'
tcar
ethatyouhav
eawi f
ebutdon'
trub
i
tonmyf aceasifIam t
heonethatt
urnedy
ougay..
Si
pho-st
opi
t.
..
Crai
g-NO!!!
,youneedtostarttr
eati
ngmeri
ghtify
ou
wanttocontinuewhat
everthisis,
Ihav
ehaditwit
h
thedi
srespect.
.

Wit
hthatsai
dCrai
groughl
yremov
esSiphohand
f
rom hi
sarm andt
othechangi
ngroom wi
thhi
seyes
fi
ll
i
ngwit
htear
s.Hei
mmedi
atel
ydai
l
shi
ssi
ster
's
number
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Si
ster
-Hel
l
o!!
Crai
g-(t
eary)Ididwhaty outol
dmetodo, t
ell
meI
di
dtherightthi
ng,tell
met hathei
sthewrongone
andther
eisnot hi
ngwr ongwi t
hme.(Cry
ing)ohmy
god!
!!Whatifhenev ertal
kstomeagain,whatifhe.
..
Si
ster
-Cr
aig!
Crai
g-Jesus,
heisgoi
ngt ohat
eme,youshould
haveseenthewayhelookedatme.Iam goi
ngto
l
osehim..
Si
ster
-CRAI
G!!
!!
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Cr
aig-(
cal
msdown)Iam doi
ngi
tagai
nai
n'
tI?
Si
ster
-yeah,
li
stent ome, y
oudi
dwhatbestforyou,
i
fhetrul
ylov
esy out hanhewi
llchangehi
sway.
You'
rewonderf
ul personi
fhecan'tseet
hatt
hanthat
hi
sloss.

Hissi
sterconti
nuestal
kingtohim whil
ehetri
esto
makesenseofev er
ythi
ngt hatshei
ssay i
ng.He
l
ovesSiphobuthissist
erisright
,heneedstostar
t
t
reati
nghimt hewayheshoul dbetreat
ed..
.

ATMTSHI
GWANEFARMS

Nomusaf i
nishedpacki ngthelastbitofherclothes,
hermom wasseat ednextt oherwithtearsinher
eyes,she'
sbeent hisdepressedeversi nceNell
y
call
edthreeday sbackt el
l
ingthem thatshewi l
lbe
comingt ofetchNomusa.Theoneper sonwhohas
beenhappyf orherishergr andmother,thel
astt hr
ee
daysshe'sbeent elli
ngNomusaev erythingaboutthe
cit
y.Theywouldmakej okes,hergr
andmother
l
ecturedherhereandt herebutmosti mpor
tant
lyshe
tol
dNomusat oenjoyherself,asmuchasthiswas
herjour
neytobetterherselfbygett
inganeducati
on
butshetoldherthatthiswasal soajour
neywere
sheshoulddiscoverherselfandenjoybei
ngyoung..
..

MrsThusi-(
snif
fs)ngabeupaki
shezonkeizi
nto
ozozi
dingaMusa?(Didyoupackever
ythi
ngthatyou
wouldneed?)
Nomusa-(
nods)y
ebomama.
.
Gogo-okuny
euzokut
hengaphambi
l
iet
hekwi
ni(
you
wil
lbuyther
esti
ntheci
ty)
MrsThusi-ngayi
phiimali
?ngobaphel
auyaziukut
hi
i
nyangaay i
kophel
ifuthi
ubabaabamukhokhel
il
e
edl
onkulu(wit
hwhatmoney ?Becauseyouknowit
notmonthendy etandtheroyal
househasn'
tpaid
herf
ather)
Gogo-(smil
es)waithere,
Iwill
bebackHer
grandmotherwalksoutoftherondav
ell
eav
ingher
andhermot her
..
.
MrsThusi
-usephezukwanimanjeugogowakho?
(
Whatisyourgrandmotherupt
onow? )
Nomusa-(
shr
ugs)angazi
mama(
Idon'
tknowmom)
Mr sThusi-Nomusamt anami ,unganaki i
zint
o
eziningieThekwi ni ,ufundef uthi uzi
phat hekahl e.
(Sighs)ngiyazi ukut hi umkhonzi l
eugogowakho
kodwaungal aleliyonkei ntoay ishoyo.Ungaf ani naye
oway aeThekwi ni elandel ananamadoda,
ungamuphoxi uy ihlo, ungaphoxi i
gamal akwaThusi
njengogogowakho.( Nomusamychi ld, don'
tpay
attenti
ont oothert hingsi ntheci ty,st
udyandcar r
y
yourselfwell.Iknowy ouv eryfondofy our
grandmot herbutdon' tlistentoev eryt
hi ngshesay s,
don'tbel i
keherwhowentt otheci tygoi ngaftermen,
don'tdisappointy ourf ather,don'tlettheThusi name
downl i
keyourgr andmot her.
.

Nomusakeepsqui etnotr
espondingt
ohermother,
afterhergr
andmotherhadexpl
ainedt
ogetwhat
reall
yhappenedt
oherwhenshewentt otheci
ty,she
hatedhowev eryonej ustwental ongwi tht he
rumour sthathergr andmot heronl ywentt ot heci ty
formen.Oneoft her easonswhyshe' sso
deter minedt oleav eherv ill
agei sbecauseshehat es
howsmal lmi ndedpeopl eint hev i
ll
agear e, allthey
everdoi stalkbehi ndeachot her'sback, bewi tchone
anot herandactl iket heyar et hemostr ight eous.I t
sadt hatherpar entsar enodi fferent ,hermot heri s
j
ustl ikeev eryvill
agewi fet hatl i
kest ogossi p, her
fatheri salapdogt ot heki ng, heabi desbyev er y
wor dt hatther oyal housedi shesev enwhent hey
takeadv antageofhi ski ndnessandl oy alty.Ther oyal
housesomet i
mesgoesmont hswi thoutpay inghi m,
alltheydoi sgivehandout sofv eget ablesandf ew
foodpar cels.Theyar enotapoorf ami lybutt heynot
evenr ackedwi thiny ourav er agef ami lybecauseher
fatheri stooi nvestedi nser vingt her oy al houseand
hermot heri stoowor riedaboutknowi ngt hehot test
vil
lagegossi p.Thet r
ut hist heysur v i
veonher
grandmot her '
spensi onmoney ,thegr antwhi chher
sibli
ngsgeti susedt opayf orf uel forherf ather '
s
oldNi ssan4×4.She' sdi sturbf rom hert hought s
whenhergr andmot hersi tsnextt oherhol dinga
whi
teenv
elope.
..

Nomusa-gogowhati
sthat
?
Gogo-(
smi
l
es)
(handst
heenv
elopet
oher
)thi
sisf
or
you.
.

Shetakestheenvelopefrom hergrandmother
,she
gaspswhenshef eelswhat'
si nsi
de,shewidenher
al
mostt ear
yeyeslookingathergr andmot
her..
.

Gogo-Ist ar
tedsavi
ngfory
oual ongtimeago,Iused
tohearyout al
kwithMpumi howmuchy ouwanted
tostudy,Isawhowpassionatey ouwer esoIstart
ed
savi
ngwheny ouwereinmatric.ItnotmuchbutI
wantedtosaf eenoughsoyoucoul dpayf or
regi
strat
ionwhileappl
yi
ngforst udentaid.Wi
thyour
marksIknewy oucoul
dmakei t..
.

Hermother
'sgaspscl
osi
nghermout hwi
thher
hands,
Nomusat hr
owshersel
ftohergr
andmother
cr
ying,
shehugsherf
ordearl
i
fe.
..
.

Gogo-whent hisoppor
tunitycameforyout ogo
study
, IthankedGodbecausemypr ayerswere
answer ed,Iwantyoutohav ethemoneybecauseI
wassav ingi
tforyou.I
tR12350, (
smi l
es)useitfor
whatev eriti
syouneedf orschoolordoy ourhai
r,
buyclot hes(l
aughs)Idon'tknowbutityours.
Nomusa-(
kisseshercheek)Ngi
yabongagogo,
(
sni
ff
s)kodwat hi
sistoomuchmoney ..
Gogo-( smi l
es,wipingNomusa'stears)ityours,you
needt oopenabankaccountwheny ouatt hecit
y ,
(l
ooksatMr sThusi )justpr
omisemet hatyouwon' t
holdyour selfbackbecausey ouworriedaboutwhat
otherswi l
lthink,doyoubutdonotf orgetwho
Nomusai sandwhatshest andsfor,carryyour
i
dent i
tythroughev erythi
ngandyouwi l
lnotlose
yourself.
..
Nomusa-(cr
yingandsni
ff
ing)ngi
zokwenza
uzi
qheny
engami gogo(Iwill
makey oubeproudof
me)
Theycouldhearacarenginegoi
ngoffout
side,t
hey
l
ookateachot herknowi
ngthatNel
l
yandBl esshav
e
arr
ived.
.

Gogo-(smi
les)wipet
hosetear
sandgetyoursel
f
ready
,Iwil
lgogreett
hem whil
eyougat
heryoursel
f.
.
Nomusa-(
nods)okaygogo.
..
.

Hergrandmotherwal
kst
owar
dst
hedoorwhenMr
s
Thusi
st opsher
..
.

MrsThusi-(
clear
shert
hroat)uhmm Ngi
yabonga
ngokwenzel
euNomusa( thankyouf
orwhatyou
havedoneforNomusa)
Gogo-(nods)ungumzukuluwami,
ngi
ngamenzel
a
nomayini(
she'smygrandchi
l
d,Iwoul
ddoanyt
hing
forher
)
Withoutwait
ingforhert
orespond,
hergrandmot
her
walksoutsmi l
i
ngasshegreetsNell
y,Bl
essand
Zenande..
.

ATTHESTATI
ON.
.

Sbanistopslookingatthemanseated,apparent
ly
hewasher ev i
sit
inghi
m buthehadnocl uewhohe
was,hisfootstepsgainSiy
a'satt
ent
ionmakinghi m
l
ookupatSbani ,
theybothholdeyecontact
,Sbani
opensthechairandsitsdownnotmov inghiseyes
fr
om Siya..

Si
ya-woooaaa!
!!YounotwhatIexpect
ed.
.
Sbani
-(bol
dvoi
ce)Whoar
eyou?

Hesaysthataggressi
vel
y,hi
sv oi
cewassodeep
andhoarse,
SiyacouldseethatSbani
wasreadyt
o
spi
tvenom..
.
Si
ya-Si
yabongaSi
biy
a..

Sbanihel
dontohisblankfaceev
ent
houghthe
menti
onofthemanl astnamehadhi
sstomachtur
n,
heknewthiswasn'
tgood..

Sbani
-whatdoy
ouwant
?
Siy
a-toni
ghtamanwi l
l bebroughtt
othestati
on,he
wil
lswamppl aceswitht heguyyoushari
ngthecell
wit
h.Youwilllethi
m staby ouandyouwon'tfi
ght
backthati
fyouwantt omakei tt
othefeder
alpri
son
al
ive.
Sbani-(
laughs)sol
etmegett
hisst
rai
ght
,youwant
met owat chamanstabmeandnotdoshit
?
Siya-( nods)ityouronlyopt i
on,theguybei
ngsentto
staby oui snoor dinaryguy,he'sanexmarine,
ser v
edi nAf ghanistanwiththebestofthebest.He'
s
wifecheat edonhi m wit
hhi sluteni
ent
,hesli
tthe
l
ut enientthroatandwaski ckedoutofthearmy ,
sent
topri
sonandl
aterfoundoutthathi
stwokidswere
nothi
s.Nowtel
lme, doyoureall
ywanttopicka
fi
ghtwit
haguylikethat
,wi
thhisangryst
ateof
mind.
.
Sbani-(
studi
eshi
m)Whyar ey
outel
li
ngmet hi
s?I
supposeIam notmeantt
oknowall
thissowhy?
Si
ya-IguessIam ani
ceguy
..
Sbani
-BULLSHI
T!!
!

Si
yast
andsupandl
ooksatSbani
..
.

Siy
a-hei snotsupposetoki
lly
ousodoy
our
sel
fa
favourandjustl
ethim dohi
sjob.
..

WhenSiyawasbythedoorSbani
tur
nfr
om hi
schai
r
andcal
l
edhim out
..
.

Sbani-Idon'
tknowaboutyourguybutIam notsur
e
i
fhe'swi l
l
ingtofaceaguywho'sbeenbipol
aral
lhi
s
l
ife,st
rangl
edagi rl
t odeath,insomaniac,hastodeal
withthethefactofnotseei nghisfamilyespeci
all
y
whent heybeingthreatenedorhe'sfueledbyrage
thathistwobornbabi eswillgrowupnotknowi ng
him...

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.

Aft
erafewmi nut
esofSi
yabongastandi
ngbythe
doorl
ett
ingSbani
'swor
dssinkin,
heglancesathi
m..
.

Si
ya-(
sighs)j
ustdoasIsay
..
.
Sbani
-(shr
ugs)l
ett
hebestmencomeoutal
i
ve.
..

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
..
..
.

Hewasaloneinsi
detheholdi
ngcel
l,hiseyeswer
e
cl
osedashelaiddownfaci
ngtheceil
ing.Afew
minut
esofhi
ml aidwit
hhiseyescl
osed, t
hecel
l
gat
eopenedandcl
osedaf
teraf
ewseconds.
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Hecoul
dhearthemansl
owlymaki
nghi
sway
t
owardshi
ssideoft
hebed.
..

Sbani
-(ey
esst
il
lcl
osed)y
oudon'
twantt
odot
his.
..

Hecouldheart
hemanstoponhi
stracks,st
il
lhe
r
emainedinthesameposi
ti
onwi
thhiseyesclosed.
.

Sbani-Iknowy
ounotsupposet
oki
l
lmebutknow
thi
s..
.

Heopenshi
seyesandsi
tsupl
ooki
ngdi
rect
lyatt
he
man'
seyes.
..
Sbani-(boldvoice)comef ormeandIwi ll
killyou,
thatknifeyouhav e,Iwil
lcutyourbal
l
sandt ape
them insideyourmout h,haveyoudel
iverthem to
yourboss, cl
earlyhelacksthem...
.

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE

Itwasl ate,dinnerf i
nished2hour sago,allt
heywer e
doingnowwasj ustcat chi
ngup.Nel l
ynoti
cedhow
Nomv el
okeptl ookingatNomusat hewhol enight
,it
wasn'tal ookofdi sgustorhat r
edbutheenv iedher,
i
tbr okeherhear ttoseehersi sterf
eel l
i
ke,sheknew
howmuchofahar dt i
meshe' shavingtoletgo
compl etelyofwhat everfeel
ingsorthoughtsshehas
ofthemenwhoi st heirbrot
hernow.Shepul l
sher
aside,furtherfrom ev eryoneelse.
..

Nel
l
y-(
hugsher
)youst
rongy
ouknowt
hat
..
.
Nomvelo-(
sighs)Idon'tknowaboutt
hatbutIguess
si
nceIhaven'toncebrokendown..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)wel
lIam pr
oudofy
ou.
.
Nomvel
o-(
shr
ugs)shel
ooksl
i
keani
cegi
rl
,pr
ett
y
t
oo..
Nel
l
y-y
eahshei
s..
Nomv el
o-wel
lenoughaboutmeandmysi l
l
y
obsessi
onIhaveformyownbr ot
her
.(Br
ushedher
hand)howareyou?Real
lyl
ikehowareyouholdi
ng
up?

Nel
lysighs,
feel
i
ngherstomachdropandasmal
l
pi
ngonherheart,shet
ight
ensherhol
donhersi
ster
si
sterhand.
..

Meanwhi
l
e..
.

Blesswal
kstotheLoungear
eacarr
yingav
elv
et
throwandpassedi
ttoNomusa.
..

Bl
ess-i
tki
ndofchi
l
lynow,
uset
hist
ocov
ery
our
sel
f,
whydi
dn'
tyouwearaj
acket
?
Nomusa-uhmm (
looksdown)Idon'
thav
eone.
.
Bl
ess-(
conf
used)whatdoy
oumeany
oudon'
thav
e
aj
acket?
Nomusa-(
embarr
assed)
(cl
ear
sthr
oat
)uhm t
heyal
l
ol
dandugly.
..
Bl
ess-oh.
..
Zenande-(
smi
l
eslooki
ngatNomusa)well
tomor
row
aft
erwedonewit
hyourregi
str
ati
onwegoi
ng
shoppi
ng..
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)It
hinkt
hatagr
eati
dea.
.

Zenandeexci
tedl
ytugsNomusa'
sshoulderand
walkswit
hhertowardswher
eMaSiwelais,cl
ear
ly
usi
ngherasherwigmansowhensheasksf or
money..
.

Zenande-angekeanqabemengi
cel
aukhona(
she
won'tsayNowi t
hyouherewi
thme)
Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Zandi l
egul peddownhergl assofwat er,thinking
abouthowhappyshewast oni
ghti nt hecompanyof
MaSi wela, Mi ssNdawor a, Nell
yandZenandewas
welcomi ngt oo,thoughshespentmaj or i
tyoft he
ti
mewi tht hegi r
l whonamei sNomusa.Ashygi rl
,
kindofr emi ndherofherol dsel f
,v eryr eser v
ed.The
onlyper sonsheki ndofdi dn'tt
alkal otwi thwas
Bonol o,Nomv el
osur pri
singl ywasv erycool ,
they
workatt hesamehospi tal butnev erhadt heyev er
saidonewor dt oeachot herbutt onightt heygel l
ed
perfectl
y .Toni ghtshedi dn'tev enoncet hinkofher
husband, shedoesn' tknowwhet hert hatgoodor
bad, shesi ghsandt urnst owal koutt heki tchenbut
coll
ideswi thahar dobj ectt hatnear lysendshert o
thegr oundbutt hatnotwhatmakesherhear tbeat
faster,i
twhatherhandsacci dentallyt ouchedt hat
hasherchoki ngonherownsal iv
a" SWEETMOTHER
OFJESUS, WASTHATHI SD. ..
"
Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t125

2:
23am

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..

Sbani satonhi scel lbedsmoki ngtheman' s

cigaret t
ewhi chhef oundi nsidehispocket .Hehad
alreadycal ledfort heguar d,t
hesoundsoft heman
groani nginexcr uciatingpai nechoedal loverthecel
l
room.Whent heguar dscamet ov i
ewwi ththescene
i
nf rontoft hem, theirmout hswer eleftopened,thei
r
hear t
sbeat i
ngf astert hant henormal rate,t
heir
handswer eshaki nglooki ngatt hebloodwhi ch
cov eredhal fofthecel lbutwhatgav ethem chil
ls
washowt hemanwhi cht heyhav ebeent easingand
wal ki
ngal loverthesepastweekswasseat edonhi s
bedunaf fectedandsmoki ng,al
mostasi fhewasn't
coveredinblood.Whathadt hem gaggingandr eady
tothrowupwast hemanl aidtothefl
oori nt
hepool
ofhisblood,itwasobv i
oushewasi npai nbecause
ofallthegroaningbutsomet hi
ngappear edt
obe
ti
edinsidehismout h.Sbanistoodupandashedt he
cigar
et t
eoutbef orewal ki
ngwi t
hacool demeanor
towardst hecel
l gate..
.

Sbani
-(smi
rks)Ni
yachazekay
ini
?

Thetwoguar dslookedateachot her,notsur ehow

torespondt oSbani,theyhadhear dallthe
commot ionandnoi sethatbrokeoutwhent hetwo
menwer eatitbuttheydidn'
tthi
nkSbani woul d
comeoutt opconsideri
nghowt heot hermanwas
ver
ybuf fandf ormermar i
neguy .I
twascl earhe
managedt othrowinaf ewpunchesatSbani aswell
asscoringaf ewcut sbecauseSbani '
sleftar m hasa
kni
fecutwhi chappear stobelit
tledeepandhi s
whiteshirtwast or
nf r
om thestomachar ea,leavi
ng
afewscr atches.
Guard1-(swal
lows)youj
ustaddedanot
hert
wo
year
sf oryour
self
..
Guard2-(
shakeshi
shead)Wenauzobol
ela
edanyani
..
Sbani
-(fakesyawns)Cleanthi
sshitupand(l
ooksat
themanont hefloor
)deli
everhi
mt oyourboss,if
youmov efastyoumightbeabletosavehisli
fe
(l
aughs)alt
houghIam notsurewhatkindofli
fe
wouldthatbe,consi
der
inghenolongerhasballs.
.

Thet woguar dsst artcoughi nguncont r

oll
ablyduet o
choki ngf
rom t hei
rownsal iva,theyalmostshittheir
pant swhent heysawhowcasual lySbanijustsaid
that,noemot ions,nor egrets.Nowt hathewas
upclosetot hem, theynot icehowhi shandsar e
stainedwithdr yblood, hi
sknuckl eswer ebruisedup
toot heyhadaf ewcut soft heirown, hi
sfacewasn' t
affectedthatmuch, heonlyhadabumponhi s
foreheadbutnobr uises..
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksatt
hem)WHATTHEFUCKAREYOU
WAITI
NGFOR? ??
..
.
Guard2-howarewesupposet
ocl
eant
hispl
aceup
bef
oreourshif
tends?
Sbani-howthefuckshouldIknowandIdon'tcar
e,
youfuckersbot
hknowt hi
sasshol
eshouldn'
thave
beenheretobeginwith.Nowgethim outandIneed
ashower .
.
Guar
d1-t
hisi
sahol
dingcel
l
,uthi
sowathat
haphi
amashower(
wher
ewi l
lwegetashowerfr
om?)
Sbani
-Iknowsomebodywhocanar
ranget
hatf
or
me..
Guar
d1-(
shakeshi
shead)Noway
..
Sbani-(
rol
l
seyes)angekengenqebutIneedtoget
thi
sbloodoffme,unl
essyouwanttoexplai
ntoyour
captai
nwhyIam coveredi
nblood.
..

Theyl
ookateachbot
hhesi
tant
ly.
..
Guar
d2-40mi
nut
es.
.
Sbani
-(st
aresatt
hem)1hour
..
Guard2-Fi
ne!
!!Buti
fyounotbackher
ebyt
hanIam
cal
li
ngit.
.
Sbani
-(smi
rks)don'
twor
ry,
itwi
l
lbel
i
keInev
erl
eft
..

Guar
d1handsSbani
hisphonewhi
chhedi
alsBl
ess
number
..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Bl
ess-(
sleepyv
oice)y
eah.
..
Sbani
-itme.
.
Bl
ess-(
sit
sup)Sbani
??
Sbani
-yeah,
li
stenIdon'
thav
emucht
ime,
cany
ou
dri
vedowntothestati
onqui
ckl
y.
.
Bl
ess-wai
t,what
'
sgoi
ngon?
Sbani
-justdr
ivedownher
eorandbr
ingt
woofy
our
menwi
thy
ou.
.

Befor
eBlesscoul
drespondt
hecall
wascut
.Sbani
handstheguar
dhisphoneback.
.

Sbani
-changeofplans,l
eavehi
m here(poi
ntsatt
he
man)(
smirks)Ihav
eot herpl
ansforhi
m..

ATTHESI
BIYARESI
DENCE.
..

7:
00am.
..

I
twasTuesdaywhichmeansthatitwaspi ckupday,
t
hegateopenedasthemaidwalkedoutsideitwi
th
t
woblagbinbags,
whensheturnedacor nertoplace
t
hegarbage,
shescreameddr
oppingthebi nbags..
.

Mai
d-(
scr
eami
ng)MAAAAAYYYYYEEEEEE!
!!
!
Thetwogateguardscamer unni
ngtoseewhatwas
makingherscr
eam thatwhenthei
reyesl
andedon
thebat
tedman...

Man1-(
putshi
shandsonhishead)ai
boakusi
ye
uSt
onelona?(
Isn'
tthi
sSt
one?)

Theothermanwal ksclosertothebody,r
ecogni
zi
ng
hi
m butwhatmakeshi m cringetaki
ngastepback
wastheitem st
ackedinsidehismouth.
..

Man2-iy
oooool
eaw'
thi
bay
inqumeamasende(
they
cuthi
sball
s)
Mai
d-HAWU!
!!HAWU!
!!
!HAWU!
!!
!!
Man1-(
tur
nst
othemai
d)i
sh,
goi
nfor
m ubasi
..

Themaidqui
ckl
yrunsi
nsi
det
hehouset
oinf
orm Mr
Si
biy
a..
.
10mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

MrSi
biy
aandSi
yawal
ktot
hegat
e..
.

Si
ya-SHI
T!!
!!
,WHATTHEFUCKI
SINSI
DEHI
S
MOUTH?

Thetwogatemenlookateachother
,notsureifthey
shoul
dinf
ormthei
rbossaboutthenotetheyfound..
.

Man1-(
handsMrSi
biy
athenote)wef
oundt
his
st
ucktohi
smouthaswel
lsi
r.
.

MrSi
biy
atakest
hepi
eceofpaperandr
eadsi
t.
.

"
Ibel
i
evey
oul
ackt
hese"
Hefrownedfeel
ingverydisr
espect
ed,hecl
enched
hi
steethandstaresatthetwomen...

MrSi
biy
a-(angr
y)WHATTHEFUCKI
STHI
S?WHO
SENTTHIS?
Man2-(tr
embling)we..we...Idon'
tknowsir
,the
maidstumbledacrosst hebodywhenshewas
pl
acingthebinbags,clearl
ywhoev erpl
acedhim
her
ewant edust of
indhi m..
Man1-Ithinkhewaslefther
eearl
yinthemor ni
ng
aft
erIfi
nisheddoi
ngmyr ounds,
whoev erpl
aced
hi
m hereclearl
yknowshowourcamer acir
cles
becausetherei
snotraceofacaroranysuspici
ous
acti
vi
ty.
.

Siyabongacouldn'
ttakehi
sey
esoffStone,heknew
exactl
ywhodi dthi
sbuthesti
l
lcoul
dn'tfi
gureout
howhedi ditbecausethemanwaslockedinsi
dea
cel
l..
.
Si
ya-Idon'
tgeti
t.
..

Hi
sfat
her
'sst
aresathi
m..
.

MrSi
biy
a-DOYOUKNOW ANYTHI
NGABOUTTHI
S?
Siy
a-Iam notsur
e,It
hink.
..buti
tdoesn'
tmake
sense.
.
MrSi
biy
a-(
fumi
ng)KHULUMAMANI
!!
!(TALK!
!!
)
Si
ya-Babahowwelldoy
ouknowZul
u'
ssecondson?
Theoneinpri
son.
.
MrSibi
ya-(annoyed)Notmuchbesidesthatheishis
f
ather'
ssuccessor,wor
daroundishe'sabulli
nside
t
heboar dr
oom, he'
sabusinessman..
Si
ya-(
conf
used)t
hat
'
sit
?
MrSibiy
a-(
nods)pret
tymuchj eah,Whati
sit
?Is
ther
esomethi
ngelsethatIshouldknow?
SIYABONGA???
Siy
a-(si
ghs)It
hink,
actuall
yNoIdon'
tthi
nk,
Iknow
he'
stheonebehindall
this.
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MrSi
biya-whyt
hefuckwill
hedothi
s?Whysendme
amessage?Whystartwarwit
hus?Unl
ess,
WHAT
THEFUCKDI DYOUDO?
Siya-(l
aughs)notme,itwhatyourtr
ustedsondi d,
hesentSt onetostabZulu'
ssoninsi
dehiscel l
.The
orderwasnott okil
lhi
m butjustbr
uisehim enough
sot heZulu'
scanseethattheyneedusbutIguess
thi
sSbani ret
ali
atedbysendingusacleardirect
message. .
MrSi
biy
a-"FUCKOFF"
..
.
Si
ya-exact
ly!
!!
..
.
MrSibi
ya-cal
lourguy
,Iwantt
hisbodydi
sposedof
f,
(l
ooksatman2)getmeDabuko,tel
lhi
m myhouse
ASAP..
.

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
Nel
lyy
awnssi tt
inguponherbed, sher ubshereyes
f
orafewsecondsandy awnsagainf eeli
ngreal
l
y
t
ir
ed.I
tt akesherami nutetoreali
set hatshewas
i
nsi
det heirbedroom andthatsheact ual
lysl
ept
.
"
Howt hef *didshegettot hebed?".
..

Nel
l
y-(
gasps)Noway
,no,
no.
..
.

Shejumpsoutoftheandr unstothenursery
,fi
nding
bot
hherbabiessleepingsoundly,i
tlooksli
kethey
havebeengivenabath,changed,andfed.Sher uns
tot
hekitchenandfindshermot herdri
nkingtea..

MaSi
wel
a-oh,
mor
ningbaby
..
Nel
ly-(
breat
hingheav
il
y)mom whatt
imedi
dyouget
her
e?
MaSi
wel
a-ohIcame5mi
nut
esago.
.
Shecouldfeelherhear
tbeati
ngf
ast
,eachseconds
hersuspi
cionsarebecomingmorer
eal
ity
..
.

Nel
l
y-soy
oudi
dn'
tbat
horchangeNkany
ezi
and
Nsi
ka?
MaSi wel
a-(shakesherhead)No,Iwasgoingtoobut
thanIfoundt hem asl
eepandtheywereoutofthei
r
sleepwear.
..wai ti
fIdi
dn'
tchangethem andyou
didn'
teit
her..thanwhodid?

Sheheldherchestwhichwasti
ghteni
ngwit
heach
second,herey
eswer ebegi
nni
ngtotearupast
he
i
mageofhermot herkeptf
adi
ng.
..

MaSi
wel
a-Nel
l
y!!
!
Nel
l
y-(
burstoutcr
ying)hewasher
e,hewasher
e
mama.
..

Shel
ether
sel
fsi
tont
hef
loorandl
ethercr
y,
MaSi welarantoherdaughterandhuggedher
brushingherbackbutthegesturefail
edtocal
m her
down, Nell
y'scri
eswereevenmor elouder
,sol
oud
thatitwokel i
tt
leNkany
eziupwhoal sobegint
ocry
hysteri
call
y..
.

MaSiwel
a-baby
,cal
m down,don'tdot hi
stoyour
self
,
Iknowyoumisshi
m butSbaniislockedup,t
hereis
nowayhecouldhavebeenhere..
.
Nel
ly-(
cry
ing)Iam notcr
azyIsaw,It
hink,hewas
her
emama, hecar
ri
edmet othebed,he.
..He.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
kissi
ngt
het
opofherhead)ohmychi
l
d..
.

Whenlit
tleNsikastar
tedtocryaswel
lMaSiwel
a
stoodupandwal kedtothenurser
ytoat
tendtothe
twobabies.
..

Nel
ly
-(hel
dherkneesup)Iam notcr
azy
,Iam not
cr
azy.
..
.
Shekeptrepeat
ingthosewor dsasshecried,
her
motherwatchedherf r
om thestai
rswithNkanyezi
oninhetarms.Shesadl ywatchedherdaughterr
ock
her
selfbackandforth.Shelookedli
keshewas
l
osingit
,thewayherbodyj erkedup,t
heywayher
mouthwillmove.Sheusedherot herhandtotext
MrsZulu..
.

"
Comet
oZi
mbal
i
,itur
gent
"

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..

Thandeka,SJaswel
lasMrsZwanewer
eseat
ed
aroundthetabl
ehav
ingbr
eakf
ast.
..

Mr
sZwane-wheni
sSJgoi
ngbackt
oschool
?
Thandeka-oh,he'
salr
eadybackmamabutt
odayhe
hasadentistappoi
ntment
..
Mr
sZwane-oh,
(eat
sherpor
ri
dge)
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thandeka-(l
ooksatSJ)st
opplayi
ngwithyour
cer
eal,eat
,Iam notbuy
ingyouanyt
hingwhenwe
l
eavethishouse.
.
MrsZwane-may
behewant
stoeatbread,Baf
anado
youwantmetomakey
ouasandwichinst
ead..
.

SJshakeshi
shead,
Thandekasl
apshi
shand.
..

Thandeka-whatdi
dItel
lyouaboutusi
ngyourhead
whenrespondingt
oyourelder
s,xol
i
sakugogo.
.
SJ-Iam sor
rygogo.
..
Mr
sZwane-(
smi
l
es)i
tokayBaf
anakagogo.
..

.
..
.(
sil
ent
).
..
.
SJ-Isawdadl
astni
ght
..
.

MrsZwanealmostspi
ll
edherporr
idgewhi
l
e
Thandekadr
oppedherspoon.
..

Thandeka-(
hushi
nghi
m)don'
tbesi
l
ly.
.
SJ-butIr
eal
l
ydi
dseehi
m mom,
I.
..
.

Thandekawat
chedashermom str
uggledtoeather
porr
idgeduet
otheshaki
ngofherheads,shecoul
d
al
soseehowshetri
esherbestt
oholdhert ear
s
back..
.

Thandeka-(
shout
ing)SJSTOPIT,
EATYOUR
BREAKFASTANDSTOPTALKI NGNONSENSE.
..
SJ-butI
..
..
Thandeka-HHEYI
!!
!!
!!
!NGI
THI
NIKUWEKANTI
?NOW
EATYOURFOODANDSHUTYOURMOUTH, THE
ONLYTI MEIWANTTOSEETHATMOUTHOPENI S
WHENYOUEATI
NGYOURFOOD.
..
SJ-(
sighs)Iknewnoonewi
l
lbel
i
eveme.
..

Heangril
ypushedhisbowlandwalkedof
f,
Thandekasighedandl
ookedathermother
,br
ushi
ng
herhand.
..

Thandeka-Iam sor
rymama.
.
MrsZwane-(wipeshert
ear
s)i
tokay
,itnoty
ourf
aul
t
nei
theri
sitBaf
ana's.
.

Shesi
ghsandwalkstohughermot
her
,theyst
ay
gl
uedtoeachot
herinsi
lence.
..

ATNTOMBI
'
SHOUSE.
..

Ntombiwascleari
ngt
hetabl
e,Nomahadjustlef
tfor
school
.Sheheardacarpar
koutsi
de,
shesmiled
quickl
yrunni
ngtolookher
selfi
nthemirr
or.Mthoko
knockedonceonthedoorthanopeneditgoi
ng
i
nside,hewalkedt
owardsthekit
chenbutshe
quickl
yjumpedonhisbackexci
tedl
y..
.

Mt
hoko-(
laughs)
(faki
ngi
t)ohmyback.
..

Shelaughsgetti
ngoffhi
m, shehi
tshi
m pl
ayful
lyon
theshoulderandfol
dsherarmslooki
ngather.
..

Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)y
oul
ate.
.
Mthoko-(
movesclosert
oher)wellIwasgett
ing
t
hese(hehandsherthefl
owers)f
oraprett
ylady.
.

Shebl
ushedt
aki
ngt
hef
lower
sandsmel
l
ingi
t.
..

Mt
hoko-(
laughs)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Nt
ombi
-mxm,
leav
emeal
one,
letmeenj
oyt
his
moment
..
.
Mthoko-y
oudoknowf
lower
shav
enoscentbaby
r
ight
?
Ntombi
-(shr
ugs)wellIam doi
ngwhatev
ery
body
doeswhentheyreci
evefl
owers..

Theybothlaugh,
hemov esevencl
oserandcapt
ures
herli
ps,t
hekisslastf
ortwominut
esbefor
ethey
breakapart
..
.

Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)y
ourki
ssesar
ethebest
..
.
Mt
hoko-ohIknow,
mydi
cki
sev
engr
eat
..
Ntombi-(
roll
seyes)come(t
akehishand)Iwil
lput
t
heseinav aset
hanIwi l
lmakeyousomethingtoeat
,
youhungryri
ght
?
Mt
hoko-st
arv
ing.
.
Nt
ombi
-(smi
l
es)gr
eat
..
.
Hesi
tsont
hechai
randleansonthecount
erwhi
l
e
Nt
ombimovesar
oundthekit
chen.
.

Mt
hoko-sohowwasy
ourmor
ning?
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)st
ressf
ul.
..
Mt
hoko-pr
incessgi
vi
ngy
out
roubl
e?
Nt
ombi
-wor
se,
shecl
aimsshesawSbani
..
Mthoko-butthatnotpossi
ble,
shemighthave
dr
eamedabouthi m anditdoesn'
thel
pthatshe
misseshim..
Ntombi-Iknow,i
twasaroughmor
ning,
shewas
cr
y i
nghereyebal
lsout
.

Theycont
inuet
alki
ngwhi
l
eNt
ombi
makehi
mfood.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t126
ATTHESI
BIYARESI
DENCE.
.

Dabukoquickl
ygotouthiscarandraninsi
det he
house,whenoneofthement hatworksforhisfather
call
edhim,hesoundedurgental
sohecouldhearhi s
fat
hershouti
nginthebackground,
hismot herstops
him byt
hestair
s..
.

MrsSi
biy
a-(
looksathi
m)yourfat
heri
sveryangr
y,I
hopey
ouboyshavenothi
ngtodowithhi
smood..
Dabuko-(
kisseshercheek)(
sighs)mom stayoutof
themenbusiness(brusheshercheek)yourjobi
sto
l
ookcute,nowgof i
xy ourmakeupi tl
ookingali
tt
le
smudge..
.

Wi t
hthatsai
dDabukowal kedtowardshi sfat
her
studyroom,hismotherwasl ef
tstandingwithno
emot i
ons,i
fitwer
e20y earsagomay bethat
commentsai dbyhissonwoul dhavel ef
therhur
t
butshe'smadepeacewi t
ht hefactthatthemanshe
marriedandt heson'sshegav ebir
thtoo,arenothing
butcold,heartl
essbastards.Wellatl
eastSiyabonga
sti
ll
respect sherashismot herandshowsaf f
ecti
on
whenev ertheyalonebutDabuko, i
sdefinit
elyhis
fat
her '
sson.AssoonasDabukocl osesthedoort o
thestudyof fi
ce,hi
sfatherholdsagunt ohis
for
ehead. .

MrSibi
ya-Gi
vemeonegoodr
easonnott
obl
owy
our
f
uckenbrai
nsof
f.
.

Dabukogl ancesathi sbr others, t

wohadt heirheads
down, "
typical asski sses"het hought ,Siyabonga
wast heonl yonest aringbet weenhi m andt heir
father,cl
ear lytheirfat herpoi ntingagunathi m
caughtSi yabongaof fguar d,Dabukonot i
cedhowhi s
brotherwasaboutt opr ot estagai nsttheirfatherbut
hesi gnaledhi m wi thhi sey es" No" ,t
hiswasexact l
y
whyt heirfat hernev ert rustedSi yawi ththeSi biy
a
l
egacy ,
Siyabongawasv er yaffectionate,loyaland
hev aluedf ami ly,
ironicasi tmaybebutt hesewer e
v
aluest
hatt
hei
rfat
herdespi
sed.

Dabuko-(
tookadeepbr
eath)Iam oneofyourbest
men..
.act
uall
yfuckt
hat
,Iam yourbestman..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

MrSi
biya-(
smirks)(
pull
shisgunaway)fora
momentthereIthoughtyou'
dsayIshoul
dn'
tpul
lthe
t
ri
ggerbecauseyoumyson. .
Dabuko-(pour
shimsel
fwhi
skey
)nowwebot
hknow
thathol
dsnoplacewit
hamanlikey
ou.
.
MrSibi
ya-(l
aughs)youknowmetowel
lson(l
ooks
athi
m)nowdon' ttel
lmeyouwer
ewil
li
ngtogo
downwithoutfi
ghti
ngme?
Dabuko-of
cour
senot(
signal
shi
mtol
ookathi
s
chest
).
..

MrSi
biy
ast
aresatt
her
eddott
hatwasdi
rect
ly
ai
medtohi sheart
,hesmirkedlookingathisson
wit
haproudf ace,
thefacethataf athergi
veshi
s
sonwhenhewi nshisfi
rstgame, butonlythi
sti
me,
MrSibi
yaisproudhowhe' smanagedt ohaveat
least
oneofhissonstobeexact l
yli
kehi m...

MrSibiya-(smil
es,cl
appinghi
shands)Iam pr
oud
son(seriousface)butwehaveaprobl
em, t
hestupi
d
mov eyoupulledtryi
ngtoscar
eoftheZulu'
sdidn'
t
work..
.
Si
ya-St
onei
sdead.
..

Dabukohel dhisemot
ionsback,hewassurpri
sed,
shocked,Stonewasoneoft hei
rbestmen,hewas
rackedveryhighwhenitcametotheirhi
tmans.

MrSi bi
ya-y
oudon'
thavetohi
deyourshocked
expressi
on,weal
lar
e(handedhi
m atabl
et)lookat
thi
s..
Dabukotookthetabl
etandstar
edatthepi ct
ureof
St
onebattedwi t
hhisdismemberedball
sinsi
dehis
mouth,hetossedthetabl
ett
othetableandgulped
hi
swhiskey..
.

Si
ya-(
amused)ohthatwasnotal
lbrother
,ther
eisa
messagef
oryou,si
nceyouwerebehindtheatt
ack.
.

"Ibel
i
eveyoul
ackt
hese"
,her
eadt
hepi
eceof
paper.
..

Si
ya-he'
stal
ki
ngaboutbal
l
s..
.
Dabuko-y
ouf
indal
lthi
sver
yamusi
ngdon'
tyou?
Si
ya-(shrugs)ev
eny
ouhav
etoadmi
t,t
hebal
l
spar
t
i
sclassic.
..
Dabuko-(l
ooksathi
sfather
)(br
usheshi
sface)wai
t,
(l
aughs)nofucki
ngway..
.youtell
i
ngmeZulu'sson
di
dthis?Theoneinpri
son?
HisfatherandSiy
anodsathim,Dabukol
aughs
shakinghisheadbutdeepdownhehadquesti
ons,
hewasr acki
nghi
sownbr ai
nbutdi
dn'
twanttoshow
hi
sf atherhowaff
ectedhewas..
.

MrSibi
ya-(l
ooksatSi
ya)Idon'
tl
iket
his,
Idon'
tli
ke
thi
satal
l.Ihat
enotknowingwhoIam deal
i
ngwi t
h,
youneedtotel
lusever
ythi
ngyouknowaboutthi
s
guy.
.
Si
ya-(
rai
seshisv
oice)IKNOW JUSTASMUCHAS
YOUKNOW. .
MrSi
biy
a-Dabuko?
Dabuko-Ithi
nkitt
imeSiyatell
usexactlywhathe
knowsaboutthesepeople,Imeaneverythi
ng,Iwant
toknowthenameofev eryrat,r
oachthatbreathesi
n
thedi
rect
ionoftheZul
u's..
..
Si
ya-(
looksathi
sphone)Ineedt
ogo.
.
Dabuko-(
angr
y)ar
eyouser
iousr
ightnow?

Si
yashr
ugsandsi
gnal
soneofhi
sment
ofol
l
ow
hi
m..
.

Si
ya-(turnsandl ooksatt
hem)l etgetonethi
ng
str
aight,Idon'
twor konbothyourti
mes, Iwor
kon
myt i
me, Iwil
ltextyoutheti
meandpl acethanwe
wil
ldiscusswhatIknowandwhatIt hinkyoushoul
d
do..
.

Heopensthestudydoorandwal
ksoutwi
thhi
sbody
guar
dfol
lowinghim.
..

Dabuko-wej
ustgoi
ngt
olethi
m wal
kout
?
MrSibi
ya-youhear dt
heman, hedoesn'
tworkonour
ti
me,nowal lofyougett
hef uckoutofmyhouseI
needtoblowof fst
eam (
looksatoneofhi smen)get
meanav ail
ablewhoreasap...

Hesaysthatandwal
ksoutt
hest
udybangi
ngt
he
doorbehi
ndhim..
.
ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nellyrubbedherey es,shelookedar oundandsaw

thatshewasl aidonthecouch, hermot hermust
hav edruggedherr ooi
bost eajustsoshecancalm
downandsl eep.Shewi ncedandt ouchedher
foreheadduet othesharppain..
.

Nel
l
y-(
shout
s)MOM!
!!
!

Shewor
ehersl
eeper
sandwal
kedtotheki
tchen
fi
ndi
ngMrsZul
ubusywi
tht
hepots.
..

Mr
sZul
u-(
looksup)ohhey
..
.
Nel
l
y-hey
..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
MrsZulu-uhmm youmotherj
ustst
eppedoutf
ora
fewminutes,ar
eyouhungr
y?Icanmakeyoua
sandwi
chf ornow.
.
Nell
y-(shakesherhead)Ngiy
abongama, kodwaI
am offbreadfort
woweeks, Iam t
ryi
ngast arch
fr
eediet.(Smil
esli
ghtl
y)besi
desIam nothungry.
.
MrsZul
u-oh!
!!(
Clear
sthr
oat
)yourmot
hert
ell
sme.
..
Iknow.
..
Nel
ly-(
sighs)arey
ougoingtotel
lmet hatIam cr
azy
ort
hatIdon'tknowwhatIam tal
ki
ngabout ?(
teary)I
di
dseehi m,howelsecanyouexplai
nhowIended
uponmybedwhenIt rul
yrememberwor ki
nginthe
st
udy..
MrsZul
u-Idon'
tknowbutIhopeyougetbet
terfor
t
hesakeofthetwobeaut
if
ulchi
ldr
enupstai
rs.
..

MrsZuluwentbacktof
ocusi
ngherattent
iononthe
pot
s,Nell
ysi
ghedandwalkedtothest
udies,shesat
onthechai
randswingi
ngonitforaf
ewseconds
unti
lhereyesl
andedont hef
ilest
hatwer est
acked
neatl
yonthedesk,shetookthefi
rstfil
eandopened
i
t,scanni
nghereyesthr
ought hef
ile.
..

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Nof
ucki
ngway
..
.

Shequi ckl
yopenedthesecondfi
l
e, t
hethir
dfil
euntil
shewentt hroughal
l9fi
lesandallwerecompleted,
balancedoutandaf ewnotesweremadeher eand
there.
.

Nel
ly-(
laughsli
ght
ly)babe.
..
.soIwasn'
tdr
eami
ng,
I
am notcrazy
,youwerereal
lyher
e..
.

Shelai
dherheadbackandsmi l
edwhil
eswinging
thechai
r,she'
sbeensoconsumedt hi
nkingabout
himthatshehadn'tnot
icedhermom st
andingbythe
doorwithawhitemiddl
eagewoman.Sheal so
hadn'
treali
sethatasmuchasshewasl aughi
ngand
smil
ing,sheal
sowascr ying,
shest
oppedandst ar
ed
athermotherandtheunknownwoman,
shewi
ped
hertear
sandclear
edherthroat
..
.

Nel
l
y-Mom.
..

MaSiwelacoul
dfeel api
nginherhear
t,herdaughter
wasactingver
ystrange,
shedidn'
twanttobeliev
e
thatshewaslosi
ngitbutthewayshe'
sact i
ngsays
otherwi
se.
..
.

MaSiwel
a-Nel
lythisisMirandaGoodwel l
,Iwanted
hertobeourf
ami l
i
espsy chologist
,It
hinkitbestyou
star
twit
hyouri
ndividual
sessi onsri
ghtawaybef or
e
wedooursessionsasagr oup.
Nel
l
y-(
raf
fl
esherhai
r)MamaIam notcr
azy
..
MaSiwela-Iknowbabybutpl easetal
ktoher,
I
thoughtitwil
lbebestt
hatyouhav ethesessi
ons
hereinyourownspacef ornow, Iwanty
outobe
comf or
table.
.
Mi
randa-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)Icancomebackwhen
youtwohav ehadafull
discussi
on, i
fyouguyssti
l
l
needt i
me,thewhol
epointoftherapyistonotf
eel
pressuredandover
whelmed( l
ooksatNel l
y)wecan
workaty ourownpacedear,nopressure.
.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)canwescheduleasessi
onfor
t
omorr
ow, t
odayhashadjustbeenastr
essf
ulday
..
.
Mir
anda-(
smiles)fi
newit
hmedear
,howdoes
t
omorrowlunchtimesounds?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)soundsgoodt
ome.
..

Mi
randanodsatNel
l
yappr
ovi
ngl
yandt
urnst
o
MaSi
wela.
..

Mi
randa-Iwi
l
ltakemyl
eav
enow.
.
MaSiwel
a-(
smil
es)ThankyousomuchMiranda,
you
hav
enoideahowmuchy ouhelpi
ngmydaughter
..
Nel
l
y-Iwi
l
lwal
kyouout
,Ineedawal
kany
way
..
MaSi
wel a-(
smiles)whydon'
tyoutaketheki
dsfora
st
rol
ltoo,Iam suretheywi
ll
appreci
atethef
reshai
r
j
ustasmuchasy
ouwi
l
l.
.
Nel
l
y-sur
e..
MaSiwel
a-wellIguessIwil
lMi
randaoutnowwhi
l
e
yougogetthekidsready
..
.

ATMUSGRAVEMALL.
..

ZenandeandNomusaweregrabbi
ngl
uncht ogether
,
theyj
ustcamefr
om Nel
sonMandelaSchool of
Medici
neCampustofi
nal
izeNomusa'
sregistrat
ion.
..

Nomusa-(l
ooksar
ound)y
inhl
elendawo(
thi
spl
ace
i
sbeauti
ful
)
Zenande-(
nods)Il
i
keitbecausei
tqui
etnotcrowdy,
Il
ovethebuzzbutsometi
mesIcoulddowithouti
t.
.
Nomusa-buzz?
Zee-(
smi
l
es)j
ustsl
angl
i
ngo.
..
Nomusal
ookedev
enmor
econf
used.
..

Zee-(
sighs)
(smil
es)don'
twor
ryy
ouwi
l
llear
nas
ti
megoesby ..
Nomusa-Iknowsmal
lEngl
i
sh.
.
Zee-(l
aughs)youmean" li
tt
le"
,ify
ouwer
en'
tthi
s
cutengabengiyakundakazastr
ongmoghel
!!
!But
becauseityouitfi
ne.
.
Nomusa-I
'
vel
i
stedEngl
i
shasmyext
racur
i.
..cur
i.
..
Zee-curr
iculum,agai
ni fyouwereanyotherpersonI
wouldhav ebeenli
ke" solameandboring"butin
yoursi
tuationIunderstandbesi
desyougoingto
needtoknowEngl ishwi t
hallt
heextr
abi gwords
yourcoursecomeswi th.
.
Nomusa-(
nods)soy
oual
sogoi
ngt
ost
udyher
e?
Zee-(
shakesherhead)Ist
udyatUKZNtoobut
Westvi
ll
eCampus,Iam major
ingi
naccount
ing.
.

Zenandenot
iceshowherf
acechangedt
obei
ng
ner
vousassoonasshetol
dhert
heygoi
ngt
obei
n
di
ff
erentcampuses.
..

Zee-(smi
les)don'
tworryi
tnotthatfar
,10mi nutes
awayplusIdri
vesowecoul dhavelunchtogetherall
theti
me,whichremindsmey ouneedtogetaphone. .
Nomusa-y
eah,
bengif
unaukuy
ithengat
oday(
I
want
edtobuyi
ttoday)
Zee-l
et'
sor
der
,soy
ithengaaf
terwef
ini
shhav
ing
l
unch.
..
Nomusa-(nods)(
looksatt hemenue)whatcanIeat ?
MinangaziuKFC,Chicken'Licken,lezi
toloezi
'f
ancy
angi
zazi(Iam onlyf
ami l
iarwi t
hKFC, Chicken'
Li
cken,Idon'
tknowt hesef ancyrestaurant
s..
Zee-j
ustor
derburgerandf
ri
es,
(smi
l
es)sowena
nananoBhuti
Bless?

Nomusablushesandlooksdown,itbeenso
over
whelmingforher
,leav
ingherf
ami l
ybehi
nd,
new
pl
ace,newpeople.Ev
eryonehasbeenv er
y
welcomingsofarandBl esshasbeengreatt
oo.
Theyhaven'
treal
lyhadsomeal oneti
met ogetherbut
thesmallst
olenglancesandsmallcut
egest ures
thathedoeshaven'tgoneunnoti
ced.
..

Nomusa-(
smiles)angazi
ukhul
umangani
?(Idon'
t
knowwhatyoutalki
ngabout
)
Zee-(
smi
l
es)y
eahr
ight
,wazi
kahl
e,he'
s.
..
Nomusa-(
skept
ical
)ol
d?
Zee-(
shakesherhead)manl
y,y
eaht
hat
'st
hewor
d,
pi
eceofdarkchocol
ate.
.
Nomusa-(gi
ggl
es)soyoudon'
tj
udgeaboutt
heage,
Iam 21andhe'
s33..
Zee-(shr
ugs)t
heimportantt
hingi
sthatyouboth
l
ikeeachother
,ever
ythi
ngelseonthesidedoesn'
t
matterbesi
desdoyoureall
ywanttogiv
eupt hat
hunkofaman?
Nomusa-(
blushesevenmore)(
shr
ugs)Idon'
tknow,
I
wantt
oknowmor eabouthi
mthatal
lIknow.
.
Zee-(
nods)Good,
don'
tj
umpt
oany
thi
ngunl
essy
ou
sur
eabouthi m,someti
mest hegiddyli
tt
leti
ngl
es
i
nsideourstomachscanmi sleadus.Gettoknow
hi
mf ir
stbutbhutiBl
essisagr eatguy
..
Nomusa-man,
he'
sagr
eatman.
.
Zee-(
laughs)OKAY!
!!Fel
i
ciamybad.
.
Nomusa-unal
oisokawena?(
Doy
ouhav
eaman?
)
Zee-(
sighs)i
tcompl
i
cat
edbutnoIdon'
thav
ea
man..
Nomusa-(
conf
used)umuhl
enj
e
Zee-(smiles)Thankyoubuti
tnotthatguy
s
abangisheli
,theydobutIam deal
i
ngwithfewt
hings
kwamanj e..

Nomusanodsinunder
standi
ng,
sensingt
hati
t
mightbeper
sonal
andshedoesn'twantt
opry
..
.

Zee-(
smil
es)butprobabl
yifIwast
odat
eIwi
l
lbea
l
over,
Iam anunli
mitededi
tion.
.
Nomusa-(
conf
used)i
don'
tunder
stand.
..
Zee-Icandat
ebot
hmenandwomen.
.

Nomusagaspsandclosi
nghermouth,
shecomes
f
rom apl
aceweresuchthingsar
efr
ownedapon.
.

Nomusa-wi
stabane?(
Arey
ougay
?)
Zee-cha,Ican'
tsayIam bi
sexualt
oobecauseI
haven'
treall
ydi
scoveredmyself
,al
lIknowisIdon'
t
minddatingbothmenandwomen. ..
Nomusa-(
nods)backathomet
heyj
udgepeopl
eli
ke
t
hat.
.
Zee-(
shrugs)Idon'
treal
lycar
eforwhatpeopl
esay
,
youshouldn'
tei
ther(
looksather
)haveyouever
ki
ssedagi r
l?
Nomusa-(
shakesherhead)Cha!
!
Zee-makeoutwi
thone?
Nomusa-(
rai
sesherey
ebr
ow)hmmm?
Zee-asi
nli
ke,
dot
hings,
sexual
thi
ngswi
thagi
rl
..
.
Nomusa-(
gasps)No,
no.
..wena?
Zee-(
nods)
(smi
l
es)gi
rl
sgi
vet
hebestor
gasmsev
er.
.

Nomusal ooksaroundpr obablyav oidingtoask

Zenandewhat" orgasm"means, Zeecat chesonand
smi l
esatherst eali
ngherf ri
es.Nomusa' si
nnocence
wasr efr
eshing,althoughZenandecamef r
om a
disadvantagehomebutsheknewanddi dthingsj
ust
l
ikeev er
yt eenagersoheri nnocencewasn' tli
ke
Nomusa' s.Thegi rlat
ethroughthei rlunchandt he
discussi
onofboy scontinuedbet weent het wonewly
foundf r
iends..

ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSI
PTAL.
..

Ntombi wal
kedinsi
dethecafeter
iaandimmediat
ely
spotsZandi
le,t
heysmileateachotherandshe
walkstowardsherwit
htheirl
unchonherhands..
.

Nt
ombi
-(hugsher
)Mf
azi
..
Zandi
le-(
smi
l
es)If
eel
li
kewehav
en'
thangedouti
n
for
ever.
.
Nt
ombi-(
takeshercar
diganout
)Iknowhey
,
uy
aphi
l
akodwa?
Zandi
l
e-(
sighs)Iam f
ineundert
heci
rcumst
ances.
.
Nt
ombi
-whatwr
ong?Pl
easet
alkt
ome.
.
Zandi
le-(
smil
es)Iwil
lbutf
ir
stl
ettal
kabouty
ou,
uya'
gl
owmf azi
,doesthi
snewdickhaveaname?
Ntombi
-(bl
ushes)"JOY"honey
,that
'st
henewdi
ck
nameandthatall
Iam tel
li
ngfornow..

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Zandile-wel
lIcanseethe"j
oy"al
ri
ght,
lookatyou,
hasJoysnowedi nsideyouyet
?Thewayy ou
glowingIam suresomehumani sfor
minginsi
de
there.
.
Ntombi-(
blushesevenmor e)hmmmm,thewayhe'
s
beensnowingin,Iam sur
ehe'sbui
l
tasnowmen
i
nsi
deme.
.

Theybur stoutl
aughi
ngevenmoreear
ningafew
staresfrom ot
herdoct
orsandnur
sesi
nt he
cafeter
ia..

Nt
ombi
-sohowar
eyour
eal
l
y?
Zandile-mymarr
iageisnotgoingwell,
Ihaven'
t
sleptnextt
omyhusbandi n5day s.Hecomesl at
e
andpassesoutont hecouch.Iknowheusest hetv
asanexcuset oj
ustavoidsl
eepingnexttomeand
don'tevengetmestart
edonsex, Idon'
teven
remembert hel
astti
meweact uallydi
dit.
.
Ntombi
-(f
rowns)whataboutthedat
eheplannedf
or
youguy
s,Ithoughtt
hingswer
egetti
ngbet
ter.
.
Zandile-i
twasj
ustadisaster,
itwassoar ewardand
whenIt ri
edget
ti
ngitonwithhimitjustlai
dflat
,no
mov ementwhat'
ssoev er
,Ithi
nkIruinedour
rel
ationshi
pwit
hthepunishmentIgav ehim..
.
Nt
ombi
-Iam sosor
rymama,
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hings
wer
ethatbad.
.
Zandi
l
e-youknowwhat'sf
unnyi
sIam notev
ent
hat
aff
ect
edbyhisact
ions.
.
Nt
ombi
-whatdoy
oumean?
Zandi
l
e-Iknowmymar
ri
agei
sdeadNt
ombi
..
Nt
ombi
-you.
..y
ouconsi
der
ingdi
vor
ce?
Zandi
l
e-of
cour
senot
..
Nt
ombi
-Idon'
tunder
standt
han?
Zandi
le-meandSiphocannev erdiv
orce,
Irespect
cul
tur
ev erymuchsotheywill
benodi vor
cingbuti
f
needsbet hanwecoul
daltert
het er
msand
condi
tionsofourmarr
iagecontr
act..
.
Ntombi-(
wideney
es)y
oumeanl
i
keseeot
her
peopl
e?
Zandil
e-(
shrugs)somethi
ngli
kethatbutourf
ami
l
y
cannotdi
vide,di
vor
ceisnotanopti
on..
Nt
ombi
-wow!
!!
..
.
Ntombi wat chesasZandi letakesherf oodand
star
tstoeat ,shesitstherebaf fl
edhowmuch
womengot hroughjusttocat erforother'
sneedsbut
nottheirown.Zandi lei
sst ayi
ngi nthismar r
iagejust
soherki dsdon'thav etoseemommyanddaddy
apart,t
opl easeherpar entsandsoci ety,
clearl
yher
feel
ingsarewear i
ngoutf orSiphobutst il
l
,leavi
ng
him wasnotanopt ionforher .
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t127

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nell
ypushedthedoublestroll
erenjoyi
ngt he
ref
reshi
ngwalk,t
hiswasdef ini
telyafunwayt o
exerci
se.Thetwi
nswer ecl
ear l
yenjoyingittoo,
NkanyeziwasherusualquietselfandNsi kabeing
theatt
enti
onseekerthatheiskeptmaki ngsmal l
babysounds.Theareawasapr ivat
eresidence,
mostpr oper tyandhousesar oundt hear eawer e
ownedbyBl essandSbani i
nt heirpr opertybusi ness,
thecar sthatpassedherwer ecarsbel ongingtot he
peopl ewhost ayedar oundt hepr i
v ateest atetoo, so
shef eltsaf e, t
hesecur it
ycarwoul dpassbyhernow
andagai nqui t
eof ten.Abl ackAst onMar tinpassed
byheri nf ull speedbutcamest oppedf urt
herinf r
ont
ofher ,thecarr ever sedbackandonl ythandi dshe
payat tentiont ot hewhol escene.Thecarst opped
nextt oherandwi ndowsr oll
eddownr ev eali
ng
Dabukoandhi sdi mmedsungl asses, Nel l
ydidn' t
evengl anceathi m, shecont i
nuedwi thherwal k,that
didn'tstopDabukoashesl owl ydrov ehi scar
mat chingherpace. ..

Dabuko-(
smi
rks)wemeetagai
n..
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)am Isupposet
oknowor
r
ememberyou?

Helookedatherwant
ingt
oseei fdidsher eall
ynot
r
ecognizehi
m orshewasjustbeingsarcastic.He
sighedwhenherfacegav
enot
hingaway
,itj
ust
remainedneut
ral
.
..

Dabuko-y
oudon'
tknowwhoIam?
Nell
y-(l
aughsl
i
ghtl
y)y
ourt
onet
ell
smet
hatmenot
knowingyouof
fendsy
ou.
.
Dabuko-(
shr
ugs)notreal
ly
,Iam pret
tysur
eyoudo
rememberme,t
hisfaceispret
tydamnhardto
for
get.
.
Nell
y-ohletmeguessonmyf i
rstencounterwith
youIam supposet
oogleaty ourbodyandf allhead
overheel
sinlov
ewit
hallofyouandhowdar eInot
remembert hef
amousSi
biyaof fspr
ing?!
Dabuko-(
smi
l
es)soy
oudor
ememberme?
Nel
l
y-(
bor
edbyhi
m)whatdoy
ouwant
?
Dabuko-wantt
ogr
abi
ce-cr
eam wi
thme?
Nel
l
y-(
rai
sedherey
ebr
ows)what
!!
!
Dabuko-heydon'
tshootdaggersatme,Idon'
t
nor
mal l
ydothisshi
t,Ij
usthear
dthatl
ineinamov
ie
pl
ayi
ngatsomest
orewhi
l
eIwai
ti
ngf
ormyor
der
..
Nel
ly-andsoy
outhoughti
twasagoodi
deat
ousei
t
wit
hev er
ywomenyoumeet?
Dabuko-techni
call
yIdon'
tusual
l
ychasewomen,
theychasemebutIcanmakeanexcept i
onf
oryou
(winkedather)
..
.
Nel
ly-(shakesherhead)j
ustl
eav
emeal
onepl
ease
andstoplookingatmyass..

Hesmi ledandlaughedthathehadbeencaught ,well

i
tnotlikehewashi di
ngitbuthejustdidn'tt
hink
she'
dnot i
cewhathewasdoi ngespeci
allysincehe
tr
iedlookingatherassont hedownlow, keepingher
busytonot i
cebychatti
ngbutitdidn'
twor kasNel l
y
provedtohav eaverysharpeye.
..

Dabuko-sorr
ybutyoucan'
tbl
ameme,
itj
ustt
her
e,i
t
i
nmynat uretost
areatit
..

Sheav
oidedhi
m andcar
ri
edonwi
thherwal
k,i
t
wasn'tsof ulfi
lli
nganymoreashehaddi stur
bedher
peace, herphoneal arm st
artedr i
nging,
shet ookher
phonet odisal ar
mi tbutonlytof i
nditwasn'tan
alarm butar emi ndert
hatSat ur
daywasSbani '
s
birt
hdaywhi chmeansher sisonFr i
day,thedayt hat
Sbani goest ocour t
.Shecoul dfeelherchesttighten
butstronglypushedher selfnott obreakdown, she
wasaf ardistanceawayf r
om t hehouseandnot
forget
tingaSi biyawasi nherpr esence.

Dabuko-(l
ooksather
)doesy
oual
arm al
way
s
changeyourmood?
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)y
oust
il
lher
e?
Dabuko-(
smi
l
es)ouch!

Nsikastart
edt ocry,
Nellystoppedandwal ked
aroundthestroll
ersoshecoul df aceherson,she
brushesherson'sstomachhopi nghewoul dquiet
en
downbutNsi kahadot herplans.Shesighedand
noti
cedabenchunderat r
ee,shepushedt hestrol
ler
towardsthebench.Dabukopar kshiscarontheside
ofr
oadandwal
kst
owar
dsher
..
.

Dabuko-y
our
eal
l
ysuckatt
hisbabysi
tt
ingj
ob.
.
Nel
l
y-t
hesear
emyki
ds.

Sheroll
edherey esandunbuckl
ehersonoutthe
str
oll
er,
takinghimtoherarms.Dabukocoul
dn'tf
ake
hi
ssurpriseatthement i
onof"t
hesearemyki
ds".
Si
phodidment ionthatshehadtwokidswi
ththe
j
ail
bir
dbr ot
herbuthet ooki
tasanexcusej
ustsohe
doesn'
tchasehert obedher.
.

Nel
l
y-whyar
eyousur
pri
sed?
Dabuko-y
out
ooy
oungt
ohav
eki
ds.
Nel
l
y-(
annoy
ed)
whatar
eyoui
mpl
yi
ng?
Dabuko-not
hing,
Ihat
eki
ds.
..

Shecoul
ddet
ectt
het
rut
hinhi
swor
ds,
"howcoul
d
someonebet hisclosedof f?"Shet houghtt oherself
,
Dabukor esembl edSbani i
nsomanyway s, t
heybot h
wer ecockyandar rogant ,conf i
dent ,
goodl ooking
men, al t
houghDabukot ookt hecupofbei ngt hetrue
def i
nit
ionofGr eeksexAdoni s, theyhadst rong
presence, theyf itt
hebadboy ,dangerousandsexy
ti
tle.Thedi fferencewasascl osedof fSbani was,
he's"danger ous"wasn' tat wi stedone, i
twasj usthis
nat ur
eandper sonalit
yt oonl yshowaf f
ectiont o
peopl eheonl ywascl oset oo.Dabukoont heot her
side,hecoul dbel oveabl ebecauseev eryone
deser veslov ebuthi saur awasj ustoff,his
"danger ous"wast wisted, het rulyresembl edaman
withnosoul ."Ihateki ds"cl earlyshowshi slackof
affection,i
fhecoul ddespi sesomet hingsoi nnocent
l
ikeababy , howsi nistercanhebe?

Dabuko-t
houghIhat
eyourl
it
tl
emonster
s(bi
teshi
s
l
ip)Idon'
tmindf
ucki
ngthei
rmother
..

Nel
l
y-(
giv
eshi
m adeadl
yst
are)wat
chy
ourmout
h,
youi
nthepresenceofmychi
l
drennoty
our
hool
i
gans.
.
Dabuko-nowy
ouwatchit
,youdon'
twantany
thi
ng
happeni
ngtot
hebabydaddynowdoyou?
Nel
ly
-(smi
l
es)fi
nal
ly
,nowweset
tl
eint
other
eal
r
easonwhyyouher
e
Dabuko-act
ual
l
ythat
'
snotthereasonwhyIam her
e
buti
fyouwanttohav
ethatdi
scussion,
wecan.
.
Nelly
-(placesNsikabackont hestr
oll
er)t
herei
sno
pointinushav i
ngadiscussion(st
aresathim)but
sinceyouher eImightaswellgi
veyouananswer
"NO"nowy oucandeli
everthemessaget odaddy
dearest.
..

Hi
spresencewasstar
ti
ngtoannoyheri
nfactshe
wasal
readyir
ri
tat
edbutdi
dn'
twanttoshowit.
..

Dabuko-(
laughi
ng)yout
hinkthi
ssomegame?Look
thi
sisnotsomecampaigntoprovehowst
rongofa
femini
styou'
re,
(bol
dvoi
ce)asmuchasyoumay
walkthewalkandt alkthetal
kattheendoftheday
youstil
lawoman, (
mov esclosert
oher)your
exist
encesti
ll
clearlydefi
nesthatyouneedtolayon
yourbackandspr eadthoselegsandletamanf i
ll
thatwholeofyoursup.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Theywer esocl oset oeachot hert hatonl yani nch

separ atedt hem, t
heydi dn'ttaket heirey esof feach
other, i
twascl earthathewasnowi nfur i
atedbyher
i
ndirect l
ycal linghi m a" deliveryboy "byt elli
nghi mto
deli
veramessaget ohisf ather,hecoul ddet ectthe
mocki ngi nhert onewhenshesai dthat .Nel l
ywas
evenmor eangr ynowbutshewasn' tgoi ngt o
crumbl e, shewasn' tgoingt ogiv ehimt hat
sati
sf action, sheknewhowv i
l
eshecanbei fshe
want edt oo, soshewasgoi ngt otapi ntot hatsideof
her,heneededt oseet hatshewasn' tsomesmal l
cuteki t
tent hatshyawaybecauseofabi gbul l
ycat,
shedeal twitht hosebi gbul lycatsal lthet i
mei nside
theboardroom ev enthoughDabukowasadi f
ferent
bull
ycatbuthewasst i
llamanandi ft
here'
sone
thi
ngshehasl earntaboutthekindofment hat
preyedonwomen, t
hement hatvaluedwomenl ess,
thement hatonl ybeli
evedawomen' sworthwas
betweenherl egsisthatthoset y
peofmenf eedof
thevulner
abilit
yofawoman, t
hemomenty oushow
them howt heirwordsaf f
ectyou,themomenty ou
crumbleandwantt ohidei nacornerwithyourknees
upbecausey oucan'tstandupt othem,youboost
thei
regos.Shewasn' tgoingtogivehim anyofthat
i
nsteadshewant edtoi nf
uriat
ehim evenmor e.
.

Dabuko-nci
,
nci,
nci(
shakeshi
shead)y
out
hreadi
ng
onthi
niceMiss..
Nell
y-(
nott
aki
nghereyesf
rom his)wel
lfor
giv
eme
i
fthewannab'
sMexicanCart
elfamil
ydoesn'
tscar
e
meof f
..

Thati
nfur
iat
edhi
m evenmore,
herai
sedhishandto
sl
apherbutwasstoppedbyavoi
cebehi
ndhim..
.
Bl
ess-(
deepv
oice)Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hati
fIwer
eyou.
.

Nellysighedinreli
ef,nomanhasev erlaidahandon
herbutonet hingforsur ewasshepr omi sedherself
thatshewoul dfightandi foneoft hem hast odi
e
thansobei tbutnev erwasshegoi ngt oallowaman
tohitherandshenotf i
ghthim back.Fight i
ngaman
l
ikeDabukowoul dhav ebeenabaddeci sion,not
onlybecauset hekindofmanhewasbutbecause
shehadherbabi eswithher ,
asmuchasherego
woul dn'
tall
owhert ojustwat chamanhi therbut
shehadt ot
hinkaboutherbabi es.Bl essbei nghere
savedherf r
om her selfandfrom themonst erstouch,
"whendi dherbrotherev enarri
ve?"Shet houghtt o
herself.
.

Dabuko-Ndawor
a..
Bl
ess-Si
biy
a..
Thesetwomendi dn'
that
eeachotherbutt
heywer
e
notfri
endsaswel
l
, t
hemutualr
espectwasther
e
though.
..

Bl
ess-(
looksatNel
l
y)y
ouokay
..

Shenods,
butBl
essr
aiseshi
sey
ebr
ow.
..

Nel
l
y-Iam okay
..
.
Bl
ess-(
nods)okay
,goi
nsi
det
hecar
..

Hesawhowshehesitat
edl
ooki
ngbet
weenhim and
Dabuko,
whowastr
yingtof
igur
eoutt
herel
ati
onshi
p
bet
weentheset
wo.
.

Bl
ess-Nowpl
ease.
.

Nel
l
ygi
vesDabukoadeadl
yst
arebef
oreshepushes
herst
rol
l
ertoherbrother
sGWagon.Blesskeepshi
s
eyesonherunt
ilshe'
sinsi
det
hecar
..
.

Dabuko-whati
sshet
oyou?
Bl
ess-t
hatnoty
ourbusi
ness,
whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?
Dabuko-t
hatnoty
ourbusi
nesst
oo.
.
Bless-cool
, butwhati
smybusinessisIfi
ndyou
secondsf r
om hitt
ingawoman'sface,
soy ou'
ve
addedanot herti
tl
etomanythatyoualr
eady
possess,youabusewomennow?
Dabuko-(
annoy
ed)Thebi
..
.Shewasaski
ngf
ori
t.
.
Bl
ess-st
ayawayfr
om her
,prov
oki
ngorhur
ti
ngher
i
sn'
tsomethi
ngyouwanttodo.
.
Dabuko-whati
sshe?Thepr
esi
dentsdaught
er?Just
soyouknowIfuckedt
woofhisdaught
ers.
.
Bl
ess-(
looksdi
rect
lyi
ntohi
sey
es)howi
sSt
one?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Dabuko-(
alar
med)
(looksathim)St
one?Whywoul
d
youaskmeabout.
..itwasyou..
Bless-(l
ightshiscigarett
e)yourfamil
y'
stechni
cal
securit
ysy stem i
spr ett
yweakf orafamil
yli
key our
s,
Ihavet osayIwasr eall
ydisappoi
ntedathoweasyi t
wast otapi ntoi
t,nowst aythefuckawayfrom her.
..

Hehandedhim hi
scigar
ette,
Dabukotooki
tlooki
ng
atBl
ess,t
ryi
ngtopieceevery
thi
ngtoget
herbutit
j
ustwasn'
tmakingsense.

Dabuko-(puff
edthecigar
et t
e)ar
eyousur eitwise
thr
eateni
ngmei nmyt err
itor
y,mycountr
y ?Why
wouldyouwanttor i
skthepeaceful
rel
ationshipmy
famil
yandy ouhavejustforsomeb..
.forher..
Bl
ess-she'
simpor
tantt
ome.
..

Blessgl
ancesathi
m onemor
eti
mebef
orewal
ki
ng
tohiscar
..
.
Nell
y-(
looksatDabukot
hrought
hewi
ndow)Doy
ou
knoweachother?
Bl
ess-(
gri
thi
steet
h)whatwer
eyoudoi
ngwi
thhi
m?
Nelly
-not
hing,Iwasjustt
aki
ngthekidsonastr
oll
thanheshowedup, what'
sgoi
ngon?Iam notstupi
d
youknow,Isawt hewayyoutwolookedateach
other?Ar
ey ouagangster
?
Bless-that
'sr
idicul
ousNel
l
y,besidesIam t
oooldt
o
beagangst er
, t
hat'
saboy'
sjob.Iam aman, a
businessman.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m)okayMrIam abusi
nessman.
.

Shef
oldsherar
msandl
ooksout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
.

Bl
ess-Theyt
ri
edt
ost
abSbani
..
Nel
l
y-(
hear
tbeat
ing)WHAT?
!!Ohmygodi
sheokay
?
Bless-yeah,
he'
sfi
nebutgotst
abbedonhi
s
shoulder.
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-(
looksather
)ar
eyouokay
?
Nel
ly-Iam j
ustconf
used,
soSbani
wasi
nhi
scel
l
l
astnight
?
Bl
ess-y
eah,
wher
eel
sewoul
dhebe?
Nel
l
y-oh.
..

Herhear tsank, i
fSbani wasi nhi scellt
hant hat
meanshenev erwasi nsidet hehouse, i
tmeansshe
musthav edoneal lt
hosef i
lesandwhenshewas
ti
redshewentt obed, butt hanwhobat heandf ed
herkids?,wel li
tpossibleshemusthav edonet hat
toobutcan' trememberj ustlikeshecan'trecall
walkingher sel
ftobed,hermot herwasr i
ght,she
real
lywasl osingit.She'ssodesper atetobel i
eve
thathewast herewheni nact uall
yfacthewasn' t
,
whenr ealit
yofhewon' tbet heref oraav erylong
ti
meseti nsheswal lowedandhel dherchest
st
ruggl
i
ngt
obr
eat
h..
.

Bl
ess-(
pani
cked)Nel
l
y!!
!,
NELLY.
..
Nel
l
y-I
..
..can'
t.
..
..br
eat
he.
..

Hestoppedatthefronty
ardandhel dherhand
hel
pinghercontr
olherbreat
hing.
..

Thenextday
..
.

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Nomusawal kedt othekit

chenandst oppedonher
tr
ackswatchingBl essmakinghimselfasmoot hi
e
onlyi
nhisboxers, herey
est r
aveledthegor geous
speci
mensbody .Shedoesn' tknowmuchabout
guyswit
hmuscl esbutBl esslookedlikethoseOps
guysshesawi nBab' Ndl
ovut v
.Feeli
ngt heheav y
eyesonhim,het urnsandNomusachokesand
star
tscoughi
ng,
shehadn'
tex
pect
edhi
mtot
urnj
ust
yet.
..

Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)wel
lSawubonant
ombenhl
e..
Musa-(
blushes)hi
..
.

Herey
est
rav
elbackt
ohi
sfi
nebody
..
.

Bless-wel
lsor
ryf
ornotdressi
ngup,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nk
anyonewil
lbeawakeatthisti
me.
Musa-(
clear
sherthroat)bengi
zophuzaamanzi
(I
want
edtodrinkwater)

Shewal kedtowardsthesinkbutbefor
eshecoul ddo
anythi
nghehel dherarm andbroughtherbody
cl
osert ohisbody,shetrembl
edinhisembr ace,
she
broughtherfacedownnotwant ingtostareathi
m
whent heyweresocl osetooneanother.
.
Bl
ess-(
whi
sper
sinherear
)shoul
dIl
ety
ougo?

Shefoundhersel
flet
ti
ngherhandstouchonhis
tor
sobeforeshecouldcomprehendwhatexact
ly
she'
sagreedto,heheldhert
ight
lyandsmil
espull
ing
herchi
nupsoshecoul dfacehim..
.

Bless-Ihav
ewantedt
ohol
dyoul
i
ket
hisev
ersi
nce
youcameher e.
.
Nomusa-ngi
yawat
handaamashi
yaakho(
ili
key
our
eyebr
ows)
Bless-(l
aughs)r
eal
ly,
Ijustsaid.
.nev
ermi
nd,
minaI
l
ikey ourbodypr
essedtomi nes.
.

Shecoul dfeelsomethingverybigandhardpressed
onhert hi
ghs,inherheadsheknewwhati twasbut
herminddi dn'
twanttobel i
eveit.Bl
essbrushedher
cheeksandhel dherpul l
i
ngherf acesotheycoul
d
kissbutbeforehisli
pscouldt ouchhers,t
heyheard
footst
epsmaki ngtheirwaytot hekit
chen,Nomusa
i
mmedi at
elypul
ledbackf r
om hi
m andstoodbythe
si
nk.Bonolocametov iewweari
ngherboycut
panti
esandasmal l
tightvest
,shealsohadasmall
si
lkygownbutitwasbear l
ycover
inganythi
ng.
.

Bonol
o-oh,
uhm Idi
dn'
tknowy
out
wower
eal
ready
awake,

Blesseyest
ravel
edtot
hereveal
edpart
sofBonol o'
s
body,hecur
sedhimsel
finhi
sheadandt ur
nedthe
otherwaybutBonol
ohadalr
eadyseenthevisi
ble
boner.

Bl
ess-(
tookhi
sshake)wel
lIwi
l
lleav
eyoul
adi
es
al
one.
..

HeglancesatNomusawhohadherheaddownand
wal
kedoutoftheki
tchenmut
ter
ingf
rust
rat
edl
yto
hi
mself.
..
Bl
ess-badt
imi
ngBons,
badt
imi
ng.
..

BonolowatchedasNomusat
ookagl
assand
walkedbacktothet
ap.
.

Bonol
o-wehav
ebot
tl
ewat
ery
ouknow?
Nomusa-i
tokay
,itj
ustwat
er.
.

Bonoloshakesherheadandwalkst
othefr
idge
taki
ngoutbottl
ewaterandhandedi
ttoNomusa..

Nomusa-(
smi
l
edl
i
ght
ly)Ngi
yabongasi
si.
.
Bonol
o-Di
d..
.di
dIi
nter
ruptsomet
hing?
Nomusa-huh?
!
Bonol
o-y
ouandBl
ess?
Nomusa-(
shakesherhead)Cha,
bengi
funaamanzi
(
Iwantedwater
)Idi
dn'tknowSbuwashere.
.
Bonol
o-Idon'
tknowZul
u,Sbu?Who'
sSbu?
Nomusa-(
clearsherthr
oat
)ohuhm Bl
essi
ngbuthe
t
oldt
ocallhim Sbu.
.
Bonol
o-oh.
..

Nomusasmi ledatherandwal kedouttheki t

chen,
Bonolostar
edathert hewhol etime,shef eel
sli
ke
shekindofwalkedintosomet hingbutsheshakes
herheadnotwant i
ngt obel
ievei t
.Hermi ndsgoes
backtoBlessboner,"Godhewasahugeguy ,di
d
Nomusaseei ttoo?Wasshet her easonwhyhi s
peni
swaser ect?"Shethoughtt oherself
.She
consoledher
selfbytell
ingherher sel
fthatitwasjust
anaturalmorni
ngbonerbesi desNomusawasn' t
weari
ngany t
hingreveali
ng.
..

ATSI
PHOANDZANDI
LE'
SHOUSE.
.

Zandi
l
ewashav i
nghercof f
eeandr eadinga
magazine,
theki
dsjustl
eftforschool.Siphowal
ked
i
nandsatopposit
eher..
.
Si
pho-mor
ning.
.
Zah-(
glancedather
)mor
ning.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sipho-(
pour
shi
msel
fcof
fee)t
heki
dsgonet
o
school?
Zah-y
es.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Si
pho-y
ougoi
ngt
owor
ktoday
?

Shestopsandlooksathi
m,t
hatwassuchadumb
quest
ionseei
ngasshewaswearingherscr
ubs.
..
Zah-y
es.
..
Si
pho-(
laughs)t
hatwasadumbquest
ionwasn'
ti
t?
Zah-y
eah.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-wor
kingl
ateagai
ntoday
?
Si
pho-(
clear
shi
sthr
oat
)uhm may
be,
Ithi
nkso.
..
Zah-okay
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sipho-thi
ngsarehecticr
ightnowespecial
lysi
nce
Sbaniisgone,Nel
lyissti
llonmat er
nity
,besi
desit
sti
llt
hebeginni
ngoft heyear.Whent hi
ngssett
leI
promisetobehomemor eof tenandmakingital
lup
toyouguy s.
.
Zah-y
eahIam sur
eyouwi
l
l.
.
Shegetsupandrinseshercupbefor
egather
ingher
bags,
shewal kst
ohim andplacesahandonhis
shoul
ders.
..

Zah-wel
l
,Iwi
l
l

seey
oul
ater
..
Si
pho-(t
ouchedherhandf
orasecondbef
orel
ett
ing
go)hav
eagooddaymkami ..

Shef r
ozeheari
nghim sayt
hat,
onceaponat i
me
shelovedheari
nghim sayt
hatbutnowitwasj usta
si
ll
ywor dwithnofeel
i
ngsorevenmeani ng.Shehel
d
hertearsbackandwalkedout
sidetohercars.
.

I
nsi
deZenande'
scar
..
.
Zee-Isenty
ouawhat
sappl
astni
ght
,whydi
dn'
tyou
repl
y?.
Musa-(
sighs)ngi
say
ifundal
efoni
(Iam st
il
ll
ear
ning
t
ousethisphone)
Zee-i
tpr
ett
yeasy,
onceyouapr
ousingt
hat
SamsungJ5,webuyi
ngy
ouaniPhone
Musa-myf
ri
endMpumi
tal
ksaboutt
hatphoneal
ot.
.
Zee-(
smil
es)youtal
kalotaboutt
hisMpumi
cheek,
I
thi
nkIam goi
ngtoli
keher.
Musa-(
smi
l
es)uphaphi
l
enj
engawe.
.
Zee-(
laughs)i
yhooo,
fir
ingshotatmenow,
youl
ow
keysavagewena..
Musa-i
sthi
sthepar
twher
eyout
alkt
oyour
sel
f.
.
Zee-(smil
es)youseewhatImean, yousav
age.
Oncey ou'
reperfectEngl
ishwewil
lbeabl
eto
communi catebetter
.Ihavetopi
ckupsomeone
befor
eIdr opyout oschool
..
Musa-whati
shername?
Zee-i
tnotagi
rli
taboy
,Bandi
l
ehe'
sact
ual
l
y
Bl
essi
ngsl
i
ttl
ebr
other
,hegoest
oUKZNt
oo,
Howar
dcampus.
.
Musa-okay
..

Shewantedtoaskmoreaboutwhyt heypi
cki
nghim
upbutthoughti
twoul
dn'tbeappropr
iat
e.Thecar
stoppedandherey
eslookedatthehugehouse
beforet
hem..

Musa-wow!
!!
Zee-Iknowr
ight
,somepeopl
ear
ejustdamnl
ucky
..
Musa-thi
sisbi
ggert
hanmyschool
backat
Mtshi
ngwane..

Bandi l
ewalkedoutthehousewi t
hhi sgym bagand
ar edbatbackpack,hewaswear ingallbag,anice
cleanf r
eshl
yfadecut.Hisbodywasbuf fbecauseof
rugby ,
hewalkedwithhislegsformingabr acket,
he
def i
nit
elywasalookerjustl
ikehisolderbrother
,just
notasdar kasBlesswas, Bandi
lewasont he
car
amelside.Thebackpassengerdooropenedand
hegoti
n..

Bandi
l
e-l
adi
es.
.
Zee-Ndi
let
hisi
sNomusa,gi
rlt
hisi
sBandi
l
e,t
heguy
Iwastel
l
ingyouabout
..
Bandil
e-(
smi
les)shoul
dIbehappyt
hatIwast
he
topi
coftwobeauti
full
adi
es.
.
Musa-(
conf
used)awunay
oimot
o?(
Youdon'
thav
ea
car
?)

Bandi l
emov edcl oserandst uckhisheadlooki
ngat
thegi r
lwhoj ustspokehert houghtsoutloud,i
twas
clearthatshemeantt osayt hatinherheadbecause
ri
ghtaf tert
hewor dsescapedhermout h,
shegasped
andl ookeddownduet oembar rassment.
.

Zee-(
laughs)hambaNomusa!
!!
!
Bandi
l
e-Idohav
eacarbutIam hav
inganewsound
sy
stem i
nst
all
edi
nit
..
.

Nomusanoddedandl ookedout sideherey es

admiri
ngthehugehouseagai n,Zenandest ar
tedthe
carwhil
eBandi l
et ooktheoppor tunitytostareatthe
chubbycutegirlseatedinthef r
ontpassengerseat .
Shewaswear i
nganudesummerdr ess,thecolor
compli
ment edherski n,hesmi l
edandl eanedback
onhisseatbuthi shandbr ushedNomusa' sshoulder
acci
dental
ly,shetookadeepbr eat handcont inued
l
ookingoutthewi ndow..

Bandi
le-so,
areyouladi
esgoingtot
hefreshers
bash?Sandi
leisper
formingt
hereonFr
iday..
Zee-(excit
ed)i
fIhadn'
tmetyouguysIpr
obabl
y
wouldn'thavegonebutnow(l
ooksatNomusa)I
havemor ethanenoughofyou.
Bandi
l
e-soy
oubot
hon?
Musa-(
pani
cked)NO,
Iam noton.
.
Bandi
leandZenandelookedateachot herandthan
l
ookedatt hehor
ri
fi
edNomusa, r
eali
singthatshe
i
nter
pret
edt heword"on"i
ncor
rect
lytheybot hburst
outl
aughing..
.

Bandi
l
e-(
laughs)It
hinkIam goi
ngt
oli
key
ou.
.
Zee-(
laughs)nott
hat"on"
,hemeansarewegoi ng
toapartywit
hhim,somethingl
ikei
nkwaributonl
y
moreproperandapprovedbyschoolmanagement..
Musa-(
embar
rassed)
(redcheeks)oh.
.
Zee-(
smi
l
esshaki
ngherhead)y
ousocut
e..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t128

ATNDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Abl
ackSUVpar
kedi
nthef
ronty
ard,
Moseswal
ked
outt
hecarasoneofhi
sguar
dshol
dst
hedoorf
or
hi
m..
.

Moses-(
looksatman1)st
ayher
e..
Man1-(
nods)y
esboss.
.

Moseswalksinsidet
hehouseandfindsBonolo,she
hadherearphonesonswayi
ngherhipsfrom si
det o
si
deassheenj oyedt
hemusic,hestoodbehindher
andtappedhershoul
dermakingherjump..

Bonol
o-(
scr
eams)
(hol
dsherchest
)ohmyGod!
!

WhenMatemahear
dBonol
o'
sscr
eams,
shemade
herwayt
othel
ounge.
..

Matema-(
looksatMoses)oh..
.(LooksatBonol
o)I
hear
dyouscream,i
severyt
hingokay?
Moses-(
looksatMatema)t
hatwoul
dbemyf
aul
t,I
ki
ndofscaredherabit
.
Bonol
o-sor
ryMa,Ihadmyear
phoneson,
Idi
dn'
t
hearMrGasawal
kin..
Matema-It
oldyouaboutt
hoset
hings,
(tur
nst
o
Moses)Moses.
.
Moses-(
smi
l
es)Mat
ema,
canwet
alk?
Mat
ema-Iwashav
ingt
eai
nthegar
den,
wecant
alk
t
her
e..

Henodsandmakeshiswaytowar
dsthegarden,
Mat
emat akesadeepbr
eat
handfoll
owshim..

Moses-howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Mat
ema-Iam okay
,unj
ani
wena?
Moses-coul
dbebet
ter
..
Matema-what'
smissi
ngi
nyourl
i
fe,
youl
i
ter
all
y
hav
eeveryt
hing.
.
Moses-(
star
esather
)Idon'
thav
eev
ery
thi
ng.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Matema-(
shrugs)wel
lwedon'
tal
way
sgetwhatwe
wantnow,dowe?
Moses-(
shakeshi
shead)wedon'
t.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Matema-(
shrugs)wel
lwedon'
tal
way
sgetwhatwe
wantnow,dowe?
Moses-(
shakeshi
shead)wedon'
t.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mat
ema-(
looksathi
m)Mo,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Moses-i
sitsowr
ongt
hatIj
ustcamet
oseey
ou.
.
Mat
ema-Idon'
tknow.
..
Moses-Imi
ssy
ouTema.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
)

Moses-(
star
esather
)didyouhearwhatIsai
d?I
sai
dImissyouTema,Ial
wayshave.
Mat
ema-(si
ghs)Ij
ustdon'
tknowhowy
ouwantme
t
orespondt
othat.
.
Moses-howaboutj
ustr
espondwi
tht
het
rut
h..
Mat
ema-Imi
ssedy
ouunt
ilIl
ear
ntnott
omi
ssy
ou.
Moses-howareyoufeel
i
ngnow?Howar
eyou
f
eel
ingnowthatIam her
ewit
hyou?

Shegotupfr
om herchai
randtookt
wostepsaway
fr
om t
hepati
o,shefol
dedherarmsandstoodf
aci
ng
awayfr
om hi
m.MosesGasawasoneper sonshe
hadhopetohopeful
lynotcr
osspathwi t
hagainnot
becauseshehat
edhim butbecausethei
rpastwas
fi
ll
edwithal
otofheart
acheandtears.
..

Matema-I
fIsai
dthewords"Imissyoutoo"
,what
exact
lywi
l
lyougai
nfrom t
hat?Idon'
tunder
stand.
.
Moses-nothingbuti
twillbegoodtoknowt hatIsti
l
l
aff
ectyoujustli
keyourpresencest
il
laff
ectsmeso
much,itnotj
ustyourpresencebuteventhement i
on
ofyourname. .
Matema-(
tur
nst
ohi
m andshakesherhead)Don'
t,
pl
easedon'
t.
.

Mosesst andsupandwalkstowar
dsher,hewas
abouttotouchherbutst
oppedsheputherhands
outtostophim..
.

Mat
ema-don'
ttouchme.
.
Moses-(
sighs)Ineverwant
edtoleav
ey ou,Il
oved
you,
Isti
l
lloveyou,Iwasgoingt
omar ryyouandwe
wer
egoi
ngt
orai
seoursont
oget
her
.
Matema-(
tear
y)Il
eftmyf
ami
l
yfory
ouandf
orwhat
?
Huh?
Moses-myfather
,youknewhowhewasbutIwas
goi
ngtomarryyoutooTema,youwer
egoi
ngtobe
mywifetoo.
.
Matema-secondwi fe,
Iwasn'tgoingtobeyourone
andonl y
,itwasnolongerj
ustgoingtobemeand
you.Ineverwantedanythi
ngfrom youbutf
oryouto
j
ustloveme, butmoneyandst at
uswasmor e
i
mpor tanttoyou.
.
Moses-y
ouknowIhadtomarr
yMar t
habecausei
t
madesensef
ormypoli
ti
cal
career
,herf
amil
y..
.
Mat
ema-(shout
s)IDON'TCAREWHATHERFAMI LY
WAS,IDON'
TCARE!!!
!.
..
.facti
sshei
sst
il
lyourwi
fe.
.
Moses-sheknows.
.
Mat
ema-knowswhat
?
Moses-sheknowsyouhavealwaysbeentheone,
sheknowshowmyhear tst
il
lbeat
sjustbythe
menti
onofyourname,sheknowsIsti
lll
oveyou.
.
Mat
ema-If
eel
sor
ryf
orhert
han.
.
Moses-Il
ovehert
oo,
shei
sagr
eatwoman,
great
mother
..
Matema-Idon'
tneedtoknowhowgr eatsheis,I
'
ve
hear
denoughofhowgr eatsheisf
rom yourf
ather.
Thatwhysheisyourwi
fe,she'
s"gr
eat"
..
.
Moses-whydi
dyoupr
etendt
onotknowheron
Chr
ist
masday?
Matema-technicall
yIdon'tknowherbutdidyou
wantmet obel i
ke"heyIam t hewomanwhoy ou
tookherwholelif
ef rom becauseIwasn'
tdimmedf
it
andyouwer e"great"int
heey esofyourf
ather
i
nlaw".
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Moses-Iam sor
ryTema.
.
Matema-ain'
tweall sorr
y?Iam al
sosorr
yIwasn'
t
enough,Iam sor
rythatIwasnotworthyofbei
ng
yourwif
e,Iam sorr
yI .
..
Hestepsclosert
ohershakinghishead,hegrabs
hershoul
dersandlooksst
raighti
ntohereyes..

Moses-STOP!
!.
..
.don'
ttal
kli
ket
hatabouty
our
sel
f.
.
Mat
ema-whynot
?Itwhaty
ouf
athert
houghtabout
me.
.
Moses-maybebutIdi
dn'
tthi
nkl
iket
hatabouty
ou,
I
st
il
ldon'
t,
Temay ouever
ythi
ngt
ome...

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Hecar esseshercheeks,hisey esnotleavi

nghers,
sheblinksletti
ngthetear
sf ree,hemov eseven
closer
st hatthei
rbodiestouch, herhandstouchhi
s
chest,theemot i
onsgoingthr oughthebothofthem
i
sunexpl ainabl
e.Usinghi
st humbhesof tl
ywipes
thetearsandbr ushesherli
psont heprocess.
.
Moses-IknowIhav enor i
ghttohol dyoul i
ket hi
s,
l
ookaty oul i
ket hi
sorev entellyouhowIf eelbutI
can'thelpit.Ifail
edt ostandupf ormy self,t
ost and
upfory ou,If ai
ledtobehonestwi thmy selfandwi th
myf atherbutIdon' twantt orepeatthosemi stakes
today,Iwantt obehonestwi t
hy ourightnowi nthis
moment .TemaIl oveyou, i
thasal waysbeeny ouin
myhear t
,inmysoul .Youknowi fyouwer etoask
met oleav eMar t
ha( l
aughslightly
)Iwoul dbutI
knowy ouwoul dneverdot hattoany one,because
younott hatki ndofper sonbutIam asel f
ishman, i
f
thereisasl ightestchanceofy ouandmebei ng
togetheragai nIwoul dtakeit.
.
Matema-(
cryi
ng)
(shakingherhead)wecan'
t,
wecan
nev
erbetoget
heragain..
Moses-(swallowe'dpai
nful
l
y)okaybutIwon'tgiv
e
uptryi
ng,notwheny ouherenow,notwhenIhav e
touchedyoulikethi
s,notwhenyourheartsti
l
lbeats
asfastasmi nesdoeswhenwet ogetherli
kethi
s..
Mat
ema-(
sni
ff
s)pl
ease.
..
..l
eav
e..
Moses-(
whi
sper
ed)Tema.
.
Matema-(shakesherheadcr
yingevenmor
e)l
eav
e,I
don'
twantmysonf indi
ngyouhere.
.

Hepai nful
lylooksatherbi gmar bl
eey esonemor e
ti
me, hecoul dfeelthehurtinthepitofhi sst
omach,
she'ssocl osenowbuty etsti
l
l sofarawayf rom hi
m.
Hehugsher ,shehesitateforaf ewsecondsbutshe
hugshi m backcr y
ingonhi schest.Theyst ayli
ke
thatfor2mi nutesuntilshecallsherselfand
detachedher selff
rom him...

Matema-(sni
ff
sandwi
peshert
ear
s)y
ouknowy
our
wayout.
.

Moseswasaboutt
oreachf
orheragai
nbutshe
sl
i
ppedawayveryf
ast
..

Moses-Tema!
!!
..
.
Hesi
ghedandbrusheshisfacefrust
rat
edl
y,he
madehi
swayout si
dethehouseandf ound
MaSi
wela'
scarparkednexttohisSUV,shewas
l
eani
ngonhercaralmostasifshehadbeent her
e
f
orsometi
mewai ti
ngforhi
m. .
.

Moses-Mat
ho.
.
MaSiwel
a-(
looksathi
m)y
ouhur
ti
ngherev
enmor
e
youknow.
.
Moses-Iam notdoi
ngi
tonpur
pose,
Ilov
eher
..
MaSi wela-(nods)Iknowbuty oumar r
iednowand
youneedt or espectherspace, haveyouthought
howdi ffi
cultitmustbef orher,ifi
twashar dj ust
seeingy ourfacei nthet vimaginehowhar di tbe
mustt obei nt hesamer oom asy ouandy ourwi fe.
Shel ovesyouMoses, Isawi ti
nherey eswhenwe
wereatchur chandwhenweal lhaddi
nnert ogether
butasmuchasshel ov esyouandshe' snota
vi
ndictiveper sonsomewher edeepdowni nhershe
holdssomer esentmentf oryourwifeandfory ou
aswel l
.Lookj ustdon'tputt oomuchpr essureonher
ri
ght
now,giveherspaceandtal
kwithyourwif
e,i
t
notf
aironhertoo,Iknowyouhavegrowntolove
Mart
ha,Idon'
tyouwoul dwantt
ohurthertoo.
Moses-(nods).
..(
Looksather)i
twier
dseei
ngyou
t
hisseri
ous,Iam usedtothecrazysi
deofy
our
s..
MaSi
wel
a-(
laughs)
ohy
ouknowy
oul
ovet
hecr
azy
..
Moses-(
laughs)
(shr
ugs)i
tref
reshi
ng,
how'
sMr
Bi
l
li
onair
e?
MaSiwel
a-(
rol
l
seyesandsmi
l
es)he'
sokay
,al
way
s
t
hinki
ngofwayst
omakemoremoney..
Moses-Ican'
tbeli
evey
oumarri
edaner
d,pret
tygi
rl
s
al
waysfallf
orthebadguy
s,It
hinky
oumissedthe
memo..
MaSi
wela-andt
hear
rogantkhandakhul
u
r
esur
faces.
.
Moses-(
smi
l
es)ubekway
ini
la?(
Whatbr
ingsy
ou
her
e?)
MaSiwel
a-Ineedtotalkt
oMatema,Iwashoping
shecoul
dbabysitforNel
lyt
omorr
ow, i
tSbani
'
s
cour
tdaytomorrow..
Moses-ohy
eah.
..whydon'
ttheZul
u'
snannybabysi
t?
MaSiwela-Mav i
salreadyhastobabysitZandi
le'
s
t
hreekids,Ntombi'sdaughterwhoisahardful
land
t
hereistwoot herkidsforSane,
itt
oomuch, besi
des
Matemaal waysofferstobabysi
tforus.
.
Moses-(
nods)Iam comi
ngt
oo
MaSi
wel
a-okay
,hav
eyout
alkedt
oyourdaught
er?
Moses-(shakeshishead)facetofaceNobutIhav
e
cal
ledaf ewti
mes, wedidn'
tspeakmuchIthi
nkshe
sti
l
l hol
dssomer esent
mentf orme..
MaSiwel
a-i
tcouldbethatshe'
sst
ressedbecauseof
al
lthi
sSbanidr
ama..

Mosesswal
l
owedandnodded.
..

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksathi
m)whatdi
dyoudo?
Moses-whatdoy
oumean?
MaSiwel
a-y
oumadet
hatf
ace,
thegui
l
tyf
ace,
wenzeni
Moses?
Moses-not
hing,
usuqal
alokhuhl
any
akwakho.
.
MaSi
wel
a-Ihopei
tnot
hing.
..

ATUKZN-(Nel
sonMandel
aSchool
ofMedi
ci
ne
Campus)

"
Comebyt
hecarpar
king"

ShereadBlesstextandsmi l
edput ti
ngherbooks
i
nsideherbagandwal kedoutt hel ectureroom.I t
wasnotabadf ir
stdaybutshehadn' tmadeany
fri
endsyet,
everyoneinherlectur elookedser i
ous
andfocusedsot herewasnot i
met ositandmi ngle
orevengettoknowoneanot her .Shealsor eal
ised
thathercampuswasn' tasbigasBandi le'
sor
Zenandes,Bandi
letoldherther easonwhyher
campuswasnotbusyandhadnov ibeisbecauseal l
thenerdsandbor i
ngkidsstudiedt here.Shedi dn'
t
payat t
ent
iontohim becausesi
twasj usttypi
calof
foraguylikehi
mt ospeakl i
kethat .Asshecame
closertot
heparkinglotshenoticedast rongfi
gure
l
ear ni
ngtoasmal lr
edcar,thefi
gur elookedli
ke
Blessbutitwasthecarthatconf usedher,"wher
e
washi sbi
gcar?"

Nomusa-Sbu?
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)whyy
oust
andi
ngsof
ar?Woza.
..
Nomusa-wher
eisy
ourcar
?(Looksar
ound)

Hesmi l
esshaki
nghisheadandmovestowardsher,
cir
cli
nghisar
msaroundherwaist
,herbodyfr
eezes
forafewsecondsbuthi
sstar
eandhisentoxi
cati
ng
smellmakeshermelt
sinhisar
msandherhands
fi
ndhischest
..
.

Bl
ess-Iwantt
oki
ssy
ou.
.
Shebl
ushesandl
ooksdown.
.

Bl
ess-(
kissesherf
orehead)wi
l
lyoul
etme?

Shewasst i
llsol
osti
nhissmell
andhercheeks
weresti
llsoheat
edupf r
om t
heclosenessoft
hei
r
bodiesandtheki
ssthathej
ustplant
edonher
for
ehead..

Bl
ess-Musa!
!!
Nomusa-hmmm.
..
Bl
ess-Isai
dIwantt
oki
ssy
ou,
wil
lyoul
etme?

Sheblushesandlooksar oundthem, noti

cingaf ew
st
udent,somesher egconisefrom herlecture
l
ookingatthem,shesi ghsfeel
ingembar rassed.
Whattheyweredoingwasi nappr
opriatesincethey
werestandi
nginpublic..
.
Nomusa-(
shakesherhead)nother
e..
Bl
ess-(
frowns)whatnot
?
Nomusa-abant
ubay
isi
bukaSbu(
peopl
ear
e
wat
chi
ngSbu)
Bless-(
sighs)okay
,let
'sgoIwantt
ospendsome
ti
mewi thyou..
Nomusa-Ihav
eal
ect
ureat15:
00pm.
.
Bl
ess-ngi
zokubuy
isa,
(hel
douthi
shand)woza.
..

Theywal
kasmalldi
stancehandi
nhand,
Bless
openst
hedoorf
orher..
.

Nomusa-(
amazed)I
'
veonl
yseencar
sli
ket
hisi
na
magazi
ne.
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)uy
ayi
thanda?(
Doy
oul
i
kei
t?)
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)i
nhl
ekodwaIdon'
tthi
nkIcan
dr
ivei
t.
.
Bl
ess-i
taFer
rar
i,Iwon'
ttel
lyouwhatmodel
ngoba
ngizovel
engi
kul
ahleki
sebutIam t
esti
ngdr
ivi
ngi
t
forthedayandyougettoenj
oyitwit
hme..

ThecarmakesaloudVroom, v
room ear
ningafew
star
esandatt
enti
onofstudent
sasitmakei tway
outthecampus.
..

Gi
rl
1-somegi
rl
sar
ejustl
ucky
..
.
Gi
rl
2-(
sighs)Iknowr
ight
..
.

I
nsi
det
heki
dscar
..
.

Owet
hu-ar
eyousl
eepi
ngatmyhouset
oday
?
Noma-(shakesherhead)weal
lgoi
ngt
opapa'
s
houset
oday .
.
Owet
hu-y
eeey
!!
!Ican'
twai
ttoeatMav
iscooki
es.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Owethu-(
looksatNoma)ar
eyouokay
,youal
way
s
qui
etnow?
Noma-(
tear
y)Imi
ssmydaddy
..

SJput
shi
stabl
etonhi
slapandt
urnst
ohi
ssi
ster
..
.

SJ-Isawdadatni
ghtt
heot
herday
..
Noma-(wi
peshert
earsandsmi l
es)metoo,
he
pr
omisedt
obuymei cecream whenhecomesback.
.
SJ-(
smi
l
es)y
ousawhi
mtoo?
..
.

Nomanodsandt
heybot
hsmi
l
etoeachot
her
..
.

SJ-mymom andgogodi
dn'
tbel
i
eveme.
.
Noma-(
sad)met
oo.
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Owet
hu-(
looksatt
hem)
(opensherchi
ps)y
ourdad
i
sgoi
ngtojail
.
.

Owethugaspsandputsheronehandonhermouth,
shewasn'
tsupposetosaythat
,shehadover
hear
d
hermom tal
konthephone..
.

Noma-(
frowns)y
oul
yi
ng.
.
SJ-(annoyed)Shutup!
!!
!Ourdadwentonabusi
ness
tr
ip,
rightNoma?
Noma-(
nods)y
eah.
.
Owethu-(
shrugs)Ihear
dmommyt al
kont
hephone
andshesaidyourdadisinj
ail
..

SJangril
ygrabsOwethuchi psandempti
esthe
packetonthefl
oorbeforestampingonthechi
ps,
Owethucriesandherbrotherstr
ytopi
ckthesmal
l
chipsbutNomamov
esf
rom herseatandst
ampson
them t
oo..
.

Owet
hu-(
cry
ing)mychi
ps.
..
SJ-t
hatwhaty
ougetf
orl
yi
ngaboutourdad.
..
Noma-(
angr
y)y
es.
..
SJ-youdon'
tneedt
hechi
psany
way
,yout
oobi
g
al
ready.
..

Thedr i
verlooksatthecommotiongoingonatt he
backoft hecarandsighs,
everydayitl
iket hi
s,he
usedtot hi
nkNomawast hebullybutnowev encut
e
ChubbyOwet huhasgrownamout hinf actallt
he
kidshavegr ownevenmorebold.Hegl ancesat
them onemor et
imeandfocusesont her oad..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t129
ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..

Thedr
iverpar
kst
hecar
,het
urnst
oSJ.
..

Driver
-bequick,
Iwasn'tsupposetopassby
anywherebutincasey ouwantedtopassherIwas
tol
dt ogi
veyouthis(handshim anenvel
ope)gi
ve
thattoyourmom orgrandmother..
SJ-(
unbuckl
eshi
sbel
t)okay

Heopensthedoorandwalksoutbuthequi
ckl
y
comesbackandlooksatOwethuandhertwo
brot
her
s..

SJ-y
ounotgoi
ngt
ojumpmysi
sterar
eyou?
Owethu-(shrugs)wedon'tknow,wedon'tmake
promisesthatwecan'tkeep,i
sn'
tthatoneofyour
dad'
slessonNoma?
Noma-(
annoy
ed)whyi
syourmout
hev
enopened?
Doy
ouwantmet
oshuti
tfory
ou?
Sanel
e-(
looksatSJ)wewon'
tfi
ghtbr
o..
Owet
hu-(
annoy
ed)who'ssidear
eyouonSanel
e?
Ar
eyoumybrotherort
hei
rs?

Sanelesi
ghs,
him andhisbr
otherdon'
thaveprobl
em
wit
hSJandNomabutt heyj
ustfightf
orthei
rsi
ster
becauseNomanowhasSJ. .

Dr
iver
-That
'si
t,SJtakey oursi
sterwi
th,
Iam not
si
tt
inganot
herhourli
steningtoyouki
dsjumpeach
ot
her.
.

Nomaunbuckl
esherseatandgetoutt
hecar
,they
maket
heirwaytot
heelevator
..

Noma-(f
rowns)whywer
eyouspeaki
ngt
otheboy
s
agai
n?
SJ-whatdoy
oumeanwhy
?Theymybr
other
s..
Noma-weinwarwi
tht
hem (
rol
l
sey
es)y
oudon'
t
speakwi
tht
heenemy.
..
SJ-(shakeshi
shead)y oudel
usi
onal,
Ionlyshut
Wethuupbecauseshewasl y
ingaboutdad,nowI
am cool.Don'
texpectus"men"toj
umpi nyourpet
ty
l
it
tl
egi r
lsfi
ghts.
.
Noma-some"
man"y
ou'
re.
..

Hegl ancesathi ssisterandshakeshi shead,Noma

surer eal
lywasahandf ulbuthemadeapr omiseto
theirdadt oprotectandnotf i
ghtwi
thher.Itwas
goingt obev eryhardf orthetwosibl
ingstonot
bickerheadsbuthi sdaddi dwarnhim aboutthe
possibili
tyofNomal ashingoutduetoherf eel
ing
hurtorov erwhelmed. .
.

SJ-Iam t
ryi
ngsohar
dnott
ofi
ghtwi
thy
ouher
esi
s..
Noma-(gr
it
sherteet
h)andIam t
ryi
ngsohar
dnott
o
cal
lyoust
u..
.badnames..
.
Helaughslooki
ngather,
heconcl
udesthati
twas
pr
obablyapromiseshemadetothei
rdadtonotcall
hi
m" bad"names.Theyfi
nal
l
ymakeittoSJ'sfl
oor
,
heopensthedoortothei
rpl
aceandtheybothwal
k
i
nside.
..

Mr
sZwane-(
loud)BAFANAI
STHATYOU?
SJ-y
esgogo.
.

Theyf
indhi
sgr andmotheri
ntheki
tchencooki
ng,
shesmil
eslookingathi
m butsmil
esevenmore
whensheseest hel
it
tl
egirl
withhi
m...

Mr
sZwane-(
smi
l
es)who'
sthi
scut
egi
rl
?
SJ-That
'sNomagogo,
ismom backy
etf
rom wor
k?
MrsZwane-(shakesherhead)Nobaby,
(looksat
Noma)(
smiles)hell
oNomaIam Bafana'
s
gr
andmother.
.
Noma-SJ'
snamei
sBaf
ana?
MrsZwane-(l
aughs)i
taspeci
alnamet
hatIonl
ycal
l
hi
m wi
th,come..
.

Shepicksherupandpl
acesheront
hecount
er
chai
r.
..

Mr
sZwane-Doy
oul
i
kemi
l
k?
Noma-(
smi
l
es)y
es.
.
MrsZwane-(smiles)GoodbecauseIhav
esome
or
eobiscui
tsthatgowel l
wit
hmi l
k..
Noma-(
clapsherhands)y
eey
y!!
!.
.

MrsZwanepourssomemil
kwhichonl
yreacheshal
f
oft
heglassandgi
vesNomafourOr
eobiscui
ts.
..

Noma-t
hanky
ougogoka.
..
Mr
sZwane-(
smi
l
es)Iam y
ourgogot
oo.
.
Noma-t
hanky
ougogo.
..
Meanwhi
l
einsi
deSJ'
sroom.
..

Mr
sZwanewal
ksi
n..
.

Mr
sZwane-DoesNoma'
smom knowshe'
sher
e?
SJ-ourdr
iveri
swai
ti
ngf
orusdownst
air
sgogo.
.
MrsZwane-y
ouleav
ing?BafanaIdon'
tremember
yourmot
hert
ell
i
ngmeany thi
ngaboutthis?
SJ-(gi
veshert
heenvelope)ourdr
ivert
oldmeto
handthist
oyouormom i ncaseyouasked
questi
ons,
gogoIwantt ogo,weallsl
eepi
ngat
Mkhulu'
shousetoday
,Idon'twanttobelef
tout
..
.
Mr
sZwane-(
sighs)okay
,Iwi
l
ltel
lyourmot
her
..
.

Heexci
tedl
yhugshisgrandmot
herandcont
inues
t
aki
ngwhathewi l
lneed..
.
ATUKZN (Nel
sonMandel
aSchool
ofMedi
cine
Campus)
..

Nomusawasseat edinaempt ylectureroom, her

l
essonwassupposet ostartin10mi nutes, she
foundher sel
fthinkingaboutt oday.Theyhaddr iven
aroundt heci t
ywel lt
hatSbut oldherandt hant hey
wentt osomef ancyr estaurant,shecan' tremember
whatnamei twasbutt heyhadt heirluncht hereor
andnotf orgett
inghowt heykissedeachot heralot
andshel i
kedi t
.Shewassof ocusedscr oll
ingont he
Appt hatZenandemadeherdownl oad,shesai dit
"I
nstagr am"andi twher eshewoul df i
ndev er yt
hing
cool andwher eheri nspirat
ionf orfashionormake
upwi llcomef rom.Whenshehadabaghi tt hedesk
sheliftedherey esupandnot i
cedt hatagi rl wearing
glasseshadsatnextt oher...

Gi
rl
-(smi
l
es)hi
..
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)hi
..
Gi
rl
-(cl
ear
shert
hroat
)Smi
soNkosi
..
Nomusa-(
shakesherhead)Cha,
Iam NomusaThusi
notSmi
..
.

Shestopswhensher eali
zedt hatthegirlwas
i
ntroducingherselftoher, t
hisisexactlyhowMpumi
andBandi lehadtoldhert hatherfirstf
riendwil
l
i
ntroducet hemselves,shesmi l
ed,asenseofr el
ief
andhappi nessburstintohera" f
ri
end"shewas
goingtomakea" fri
end"andi twasonl yherfir
stday,
suddenlyshewasexci tedaboutt hejourneyahead.

Smi
so-(
smil
esandlaughs)okay
!!
!NowIknowwhy
myl
it
tl
ebrot
heral
wayscallsmeaweir
do..
Nomusa-huh?Imeanngi
yaxol
i
sai
tjust
..
.
Smiso-( smil
es)i
tokay,Igetit
,Itendtohavelong
conversati
onsinmyheadt oothatIzoneoutand
fi
ndmy sel
fsmili
ngaloneandpeopl elooki
ngatme
asifIhav egonemad.SoNomusaThusi whereare
youfrom?
Nomusa-eMt
shi
ngwane,
wena?
Smiso-kwaMakhut
ha,townshi
pwhi
chisnear
AdamsandAmanzi mtoti
,Ihav
enev
erhear
dof
eMtshi
ngwanebefore?
Nomusa-i
tav
il
lagenear
,ngaseMbumbul
u..
Smiso-wel
lIknowwher
eMbumbul
uis,
soy
out
rav
el
ev
eryday?
Nomusa-(
shakeshead)Il
i
vei
ntheci
tynow.
.
Smiso-(
smil
es)okaywhichfl
atdoyoul
i
vei
n?Mi
naI
st
ayeSouthpoi
ntstudentr
esi
dence.
.

Shewasabouttorespondwhensher emembered
sheact
ual
lyhasnoideawher esheli
ves,
shenev er
askedt
henameoft heplace,
feari
nghowstupidshe
wouldl
ookinf
rontofSmisonow, t
heonlyfr
iend
she'
smanagedtomake. .

Nomusa-canIt
ell
yousomet
hing?
Smi
so-(
nods)sur
e..
Nomusa-(
sighs)angi
l
azi
igamal
alendawoengi
hlal
a
kuyo(Idon'
tknowt
henameoft
hepl
aceofwher
eI
stay
)..
Smiso-(confused)okay(l
aughs)wellMusaIam
givi
ngyouhomewor kt
oday,
kusasauzobuya
ungit
sheleigamal endawoohlal
akuy o(t
omorrow
youwill
tellmet henameoft heplacewherey
ou
l
ive).
.

Shenodsatherandtheybothlaughwit
hSmiso
maki
ngjokesabouthernotknowingthenameoft
he
pl
acewheresheli
ves..

Nomusa-soar
ewef
ri
ends?
Smi
so-(nods)(
smiles)y
eah,Il
ikeyouandIt
hinkmy
mom wil
lapproveofyou,shehasneverl
i
kedanyof
myfr
iendbefore.
.
Nomusa-(
laughs)ubabai
sthesame,
ver
yst
ri
ct
vi
l
lageman..
Smiso-sohowareyouget
ti
nghome?Ifyoudon'
t
knowtheplacewher
eyougoing,
howareyouget
ti
ng
t
her
e?
Nomusa-Zenandewi
l
lpi
ckmeup.
..
Smi
so-whoi
sthat
?

Shewasabouttosayf
ri
endbutrememberedt
hat
Zenandet
oldhert
hatt
heyweresist
ers.
.

Nomusa-wesi
ster
's.
.
Smiso-(
nods)okay
,sot
hissi
sterofy
our
sst
aysi
n
theci
tywit
hyou?
Nomusa-No,i
treal
lyconf
usi
ngbutIwi
l
ltel
lyou
ever
ythi
ngi
nti
me. .
Smi
so-okayf
ri
end.
.

Theywer eaboutt ost ar

ttal
kingagai
nbutthe
l
ecturerenter
edt her oom andthatwhenNomusa
reali
sedthattheywer enol ongeral
onebutal
most
halfoftheseatswer enowoccupi edwit
hstudent
s,
shemadeey econt actwithoneoftheguyswhowas
seat
ed7seat
sawayfr
om her,
hewavedather
,
Nomusasmil
edandwavedback.
..

ATVI
RGI
NACTI
VEGYM.
..

Nellyhadchangedhergy m sessi onst ol aterint he

afternoon,shecannol ongermanaget ogy m earlyi
n
themor ningbecauseNkany eziandNsi kaneeded
herandhergy m partnerSbani wasnol ongert here,i
t
wasn' tr
ighttodoitwi thouthi m, themor ning
sessionswer ejusttoopai nfulf
orherasi tremi nded
hersomuchofhi m.Shej ustcamef rom ani ntense
wor kout,itwaslegdayt odayandhert rainerwasn' t
l
eni entatall
.Shewasmaki ngherwayt ot hechange
roomswhenherey eslandedonSi phocomi ngoutof
thesonar oom buthewasn' talonehewaswi t
h
Craig..

Nel
l
y-(
conf
used)Cr
aig?
?
Shewat chedast het womenconv ersewi t
heach
otherobli
vioustot hei
rsur r
oundings, shehasn'tseen
Craigeversincetheywentoutcl ubbingt oget
her,the
twomenwer eal lsmileschattingawaynaked, wel l
notreal
lybutt heyhadwhi t
et owelswr appedaround
them sotheywer ebasi call
ynaked, besidesnobody
enterst
heSonar oom dr essed.Shemadeherway
towardsthem, whenshewasadi stancecloseto
them Si
phonot i
cedherandj umpedmov i
ngfurther
awayf r
om aconf usedCr ai
g...

Si
pho-Nel
l
ywhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Nell
y-(
rai
seshereyebr
ows)whatam Idoinghere?
Thatadumbquestiondon'
tyout
hink?Consideri
ngI
am her
eforthesamereasonastowhyy ouhere..
Sipho-(
laughsl
i
ghtl
y)r
ight
,itjustIr
ememberyour
ti
mest obeearl
yint
hemor ningwithmybr
other.
.
Nell
y-yeahwellt
hatwasbeforeIbecomeamot her,
mymor ningsnowareful
lydedi
catedtomykids.You
changedgy mvenuet
oo?Imeant hereisavir
gin
acti
vebranch10minutesawayfrom yourpl
ace.
.
Sipho-act
ual
lyNo,Iwasar
oundt
hear
eaandI
thoughtwhynot.
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathi
m andnods)
(tur
nst
oCr
aig)l
ong
t
imenosee..
.
Cr
aig-uhmm y
eah.
..(
swal
l
ows)Iam sor
ryabout
..
.
Nell
y-(
shakesherhead)i
tfi
ne,
Idon'
twantt
otal
k
aboutt
hatnight
..
.

BothCrai
gandSiphot enseup,t
heyweret
ryi
ngto
readherf
acial
expression,t
oseeifdi
dshesuspect
anythi
ngoranysignsthatcoul
dgivet
hem acl
ueof
whatshewast hi
nking.
.

Nell
y-al
thoughIwoul
dli
ket
oknowhowy
out
wo
knoweachot her
?
Si
pho&Cr
aig-wemeetatgol
f,busi
nessmeet
ing.
..

Theybothtal
kedatthesameti
mebutbot
hsaid
di
ffer
entthi
ngs,shel
ookedatt
hem wi
tht
hefaceof
"
whi
chi
swhi
ch?
"

Si
pho-(
sighs)i
twasthebusi
nessmeet
ingf
ir
stt
han
wemetagainatgol
f.
.

Si
phostaredatCrai
gwiththeeyesthatsaid"
back
whatIj
ustsaidup"butCraigwassickofthel
iesand
si
ckofSipho'
sbully
ingtendenci
es.
..

Crai
g-actuall
ywemetbackinv ar
sit
ybutthi
sone
heredoesn'tr
ememberthatbecauseitwasapar
ty
andwewer eal l
pret
tywast
ed..
.
Nel
l
y-andy
ety
our
emember
?
Cr
aig-Iwasn'
tthatdr
unkpl
usIhav
eaphot
ogr
aphi
c
memor y
..
Nell
y-hmmm okay
,wel
li
twasni
ceseei
ngy
out
woI
guess.
.
Si
pho-(
nods)best
rongf
ort
omor
row.
.
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)t
hanks.
..
Sheacknowl edgesCraigandwal kstothechange
roomsleav i
ngthetwomenst anding,assoonasshe
i
soutofsi ghttheybothrel
easedeepbr eat
hsthat
theydi
dn'tevenknowhowt heyhel dt
hislong.
.

Si
pho-whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?"Wemeti
nvar
sit
y"
Crai
g-i
tthetr
uth,
Iam t
ir
edoft
heli
es,i
twasst
upi
d
toli
eaboutsomethi
ngsosmal
lashowwemet.
Sipho-ar
ey ouani
diotoryouchooset
oj ustactli
ke
one?Thatwomani snotstupid,
whati
fthatbrainof
hersputstwoandtwot oget
her.
.
Craig-she'
snotsuspect
ingany
thi
ng,
yousawher
face..
Sipho-(
brusheshisfacefr
ust
ratedl
y)youdon'
tknow
herli
keIdo, (
thi
nki
ng)shedownpl ayedt
hewhole
cl
ubscene, she'
sont osomet
hing..
Crai
g-wellifshe'
sontosomethi
ngthanmaybeit
may bebecauseofthecl
ubscene,di
dyourbr
other
tel
lherexactl
ywhathappened?.
.
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Si
pho-Ihav
etogo.
..

Hedoesn'
tevenwai
tforCr
aigt
orespondashe
makeshiswaytot
hemenchangerooms..
.

ATTHANDEKA'
SFLAT.
..
.

Shewal kedinsi
deherplace,
takesoffhershoesand
walksbar ef
ootallt
hewayt otheloungeareawhere
shefindshermot herwatchi
ngtheboldandt he
beautif
ul.
..

Thandeka-SawubonaMa.
.
Mr
sZwane-(
looksather
)longday
?
Thandeka-(
thr
owsher
sel
fint
hecouch)y
ouhav
eno
i
dea,Idon'tunder
standhowev erydaypeopl
efi
llup
thebank,Iwil
lneverunder
stand,t
odaywaswor se
evenourlunchbreakwascuti nhalfduetohowlong
thel
inesi
neachbanksect ionwere..
MrsZwane-wel
lthanityourl
uckydaybecauseI
cookedy
ourfav
ourit
e,uJeqenoBhontshi
si.
.
Thandeka-(
smiles)i
fyoukeepthisupImightnotl
et
yougobackt oJoburg,
(looksar
ound)where'
sSJ?
MrsZwane-he'snothere,
he'sathisgrandpar
ents
house,
apparentl
yal
lthegrandchi
ldrenarehavi
nga
sl
eepovertheresohewant edtogot oo.
.
Thandeka-(
fumi
ng)wit
hwho'
sper
missi
on?The
Zul
u'sarenowpushi
ngit.
.
MrsZwane-(si
ghs)her
eal
lywasexci
tedaboutt
his
andhi
sli
ttl
esist
erwasher
esoIdidn'
twanttobreak
hi
sheart
..
Thandeka-(angry)Iam goi
ngtofetchhim,t
hisis
unacceptableNomamat hesepeopleneedtoknow
thei
rplace,aft
erthi
sstuntIhaveav er
ygoodideato
permenantlytakeSJawayf rom t
hem..
MrsZwane-j ustl
ettheboybe,he'sfi
nall
ywithhi
s
familydon'
ttakethatawayf
rom him.Ihatehis
fat
herforwhathedi dtomylit
tl
egi r
lbutIwil
lnot
punishBafanaforhisfat
her
'ssinsandy oushoul
dn'
t
eit
her..

Shehandshert
heenv
elopet
hatSJgav
eher
..
.

MrsZwane-Bafanagav
emethi
stogi
vey
ou,
itwas
seal
edsoIdidn'
twantt
oopeni
t.
.
Thandeka-(
frowns)what
'
sthi
s?

MrsZwaneshrugsandwalkstotheki
tchensoshe
coul
ddishfort
hebothofthem whi
leThandekasi
ts
onthecouchandopenstheenvel
ope.
..

Thenextday
..
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t130.
.

ATTHEZULURESI
DENCE.
..

Every
bodywasdr essedf ort hedayahead,gathered
ar
oundt hetableforbr eakfast,i
tbeenav eryquiet
morning,besi
dest hemor ninggreet
ingsnobodyhas
i
nsist
edonst arti
ngaconv ersat
ionandtheyall
pr
eferredtostayint heirsil
enceast heyall
tryto
pr
eferthemselvesf orwhat 'sahead..
.

MrsZul
u-(l
ooksatherwatch)
(l
ooksatZandi
le)is
Si
phomeetingi
sincourtorwi
llhedr
iveher
ef or
br
eakf
ast.
.
Zandi
l
e-Idon'
tknowMa,
wedi
dn'
treal
l
ytal
kthi
s
morni
ng.
.

MrsZul
unodsandlooksaroundthet
abl
e,hereyes
l
andedonShaka,
hisdi
str
esswasawf ul
l
yvisi
bleas
hewasli
ghti
ncomplexi
on,sheknewhowhersoni s
probablyl
ett
inggui
lteathi
minsi
de,
eventhoughit
nothisfaul
tbutknowingShaka,
hemustprobabl
y
feell
ikehefail
edhi
sbr ot
her
..

Mr
sZul
u-(
sighs)Shaka.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mr
sZul
u-Shaka,
babyi
tnoty
our
..
.
Shaka-(
shakeshi
shead)notnowmom,
Idon'
twant
toheari
t.
.
Mr
sZul
u-(
nods)okay
..
Sane-Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evehedi
dit
,hemur
der
ed
somebody..

MrZuludroppedhisspoononhi sbowlandhuffed
l
ookingdown, ev
erybodystoppedeat
ingandlooked
atSane,hercommenthadcaughtev ery
oneoff
guard,
italmostl
ikeevery
bodyhadsweptt hewhole
reasonwhySbani wasgoi
ngtojai
lforundercar
pet
butnowt hatSanehadvoi
cedi
tout,thei
rbodies
cri
nge.MrZul usi
ppedhi
scoff
eeonemor eti
meand
l
eftthetable.
..

Si
zwe-(brushesSane'
sthi
gh)Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatwasa
pol
it
ethingtosay.
.
Sane-whaty oumeannot" pol
it
e"?Iwasj ustvoici
ng
outmyt houghts,f
or gi
vemei fIjusthaveahardt i
me
graspi
ngthef actthatmybi gbrother
, t
heperson
whohaspr otectedandl ov
edmeal ltheseyears,
someonewhocont i
nuestolookoutf ormei s
actual
l
yamur ..
.
Shaka-( annoyed)SHUTUP! !
!Wedon' treal
lyneed
yourj udgementr i
ghtnow, canyouj ustref
rain
your selffrom acti
nglikeaspoi l
tentit
ledbit
chj ust
foroneday ,
thisdayisnotabouty ou,ourbrother
maybesentt opri
sont odayandal lyouwantt odois
sither eandj udgehim, cruci
fyhimf orhismi st
akes
asi fyou' r
easai nt.Whojudgesy ouf oryour
mi stakes?Whocr ucif
iedy ouforthewayy ouwent
aboutget
ti
ngy
ourhusband?Who.
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
Bangst
het
abl
e)ENOUGH!
!!
!.
..
Sane-(fuming)(
LOOKSATSHAKA)HOW DAREYOU?
Don'tactsorighteousShakabecausewebothknow
thatli
tt
lepartofy oui
shappythatSbani
mightbe
awayf oralongt i
me,thatgi
vesyouachance,
a
chancet ogetclosertoNell
yri
ght?
Shaka-Shutup!
!Youdon'
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ng
about.
.
Sane-( laughs)Idon'tknowwhatIam t alki
ngabout ?
Wel lthisbratain'
tblondebr ot
her,Iseet hewayy our
eyesl ustov erher
, Iseethewayy oul ookatherwhen
yout hinknoonei swat chi
ngbesidesy ourheartbeat
givesy ouawayev eryti
meshe'snextt oy ou,
itbeats
sol oudandf astyou'dsweary ourunninga
mar athonIam sur pr i
sedshehasn' tpickedthatup. .
.
Shaka-(
angr
y)(
looksatSi
zwe)SHUTYOURSTUPI
D
WIFEUP..
Si
zwe-Sanet
hisi
snott
het
ime.
.
Sane-WHYNOT?HEWANTSPOI
NTSOUTMY
BUSINESSNOW HECAN' TSUCKHI
SUP,FIRSTHE
SLEEPSWI THSBANI'
SWIFENOW HE'
SLUSTING
OVERHI SGIRLFRI
END/BABYMAMA(Clapshands)
wowbr ot
herI.
..
Mr
sZul
u-(
star
esatSane)SHUTYOURMOUTH.
..
Sane-buthe.
..
MrsZul
u-(cl
enchedhert
eet
h)ISAI
DSHUTTHE
FUCKUP..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mr sZul u-Whati sitwiththi

sf amily?Wecan' thavea
peacef ulmeal wi t
houtanyofy oujumpi ngeach
other.Ist hishowwebr oughty ouup?I si tallthe
pri
v i
l
egest hatmaki ngyouallloser espectf orone
anyot her?Wear et heZulufami l
y,itnoti nourbl ood
tobreakeachot herbutourbloodi ssot hickt hatno
mat t
erwhat ,nomat t
erthecircumst ances, together
west and, t
ogetherwear estrongerandt oget herwe
willr
iseabov eourenemi es.Nowt ellmehowcanwe
bestrongwhenwef i
ghtingour
sel
ves,whenwe
j
udgingandcruci
fyi
ngourown?NowIknowwhat
yourbrot
herdi
dis.
..
.(takesadeepbreat
h)
Zandile-di
sgust
ing,
terr
if
ying,
unaccept
able,
ther
e
reall
yisnowayt odescri
behisbehavi
orbesi
desthat
ofanani malbuthe'
snotjustanyani
mal,he'
sno
straydog,he'
sfamil
y,he'
saZul u.
.
Mr sZulu-(nods)y es,(
teary
)wev erydisappointedin
him, he'
sletusdownandr i
ghtnowhe' snotour
favourit
eper sonbuthe'sgoingt ogot hrought he
most ,hewi l
l suf
fertheconsequencesofhi sactions,
i
nhi ssufferingheneedst oknowt hatwehav en'
t
turnedourbacksonhi m, heneedst oknowt hatwe
hav en'
tgivenuponhi m.Weneedt ogiv ehi
ma
reasont ofightsohecancomebackt ous...

Ntombi'
sheelscl
i
ckasshewal ksuptothem,she'
s
beenstandi
ngbythepassageandli
steningt
o
ever
ythi
ng,t
heyallt
urnandlookather.
..

Nt
ombi
-Sani
bona.
..
Theyal
lnodather
,Mr
sZul
uwal
ksupt
oherand
hugsher
..

Mr
sZul
u-howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Ntombi
-(si
ghs)Idon'
tknow,Iam hurtbutIam al
so
scar
edbutmypar ent
sarr
ivedyest
erdaysoIwasi n
comfor
ti
nghands.
Mr
sZul
u-ar
etheyal
socomi
ngt
ocour
t?
Ntombi
-(nods)yeah,t
heyout
sidehav
ingachatwi
th
BabaandBaba'Nganono.
.

Ev
ery
one'
sey
eswi
denatt
hement
ionofNganono.
.

Shaka-Baba'
Nganonoi
sher
ebutIt
houghthe
coul
dn'thel
pus.
.
Nt
ombi
-(shr
ugs)wel
lhe'
sout
side.
.
Zandi
l
e-(
looksatNt
ombi
)shoul
dIpoury
oucof
fee?
Ntombi-(shakesherhead)ohNo!!
!Iam f
inesi
si,
ungazi
hluphingami,besengi
dli
l
e(don'
tworr
yabout
me,I'
vealreadyeaten)
..

Zandil
ekeepsherey esonNt ombiwhil
eshegiveher
thelookof"wewi l
ltal
klater
".Nt
ombi'
sparents,
Mr
ZuluandNganonoal l
maket hei
rwayinsi
dethe
house.Aft
eraf ewmi nut
es,ever
ybodywasnow
gatheredi
nsidethelounge..
.

Mr
sZulu-(
looksatNganono)havey
ouchangedy
our
mi
ndabouthelpi
ngSbanisezwe?
Nganono-Makot iyouf orgetthatIam noti Ny anga,I
donotper for
m mi r
acles,Ionlydelivermessages
thattheancest orswantmet oo, Iwarned
Sbanisezweaboutt his,wanyathelakancane, now
thereisn'tanythingt hatIcandobuthopef orthe
bestjustl i
key ou.Al thoughluckyf orhimt woday s
backIwasshownher bs,Imadehi m adr inkt hatwill
strengthenhim( smi l
es)hewoul dhav eraisedav er
y
smar tdaught er,Thingoi snothinglikeIhav eev er
seenbef
ore.
.
MrZul
u-y
oucanseeher
?
Nganono-(
nods)onlywhenitnecessar
y,notonly
am Iher
eforSbanibutIneedtoseeNkanyezitoo.
.
Mr
sZul
u-why
?Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ongwi
thher
?
Nganono-Ithi
nkweshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
ain'
tthese
t
hingsstr
ictonti
me.
.
MrsNgcobo-It
hinkweshouldpraybefor
eweal lgo,
weneedtoasktheLordtoaccompanyusont hi
s
j
ourneyandal
sotoprotectMkhwenyanaforus.
.

Theyall
hel
dhandsandbowedthei
rheadsas
Rever
endNgcobo(MrNgcobo)l
eadthem t
opray
er.
..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..

Sbanilookedather
sel
fint
hemir
roronemoreti
me
befor
et ur
ningtoBl
esswhowasalr
eadyst
ari
ngat
hi
sf r
iend..
.
Sbani
-younotgoi
ngt
ocr
yonmenowar
eyou?
Bless-(
smil
es)shutup,
youl
ookdapperf
oraman
goingtopr
ison.
.
Sbani-(
laughs)wellIguessi
twhatIneedasfor
God'sknowhowl ongbutaf t
ert
odaytheonl
y
cl
othesorcolourthatIwouldbeweari
ngisOrange.
.
Bless-welly
ouknowwhatt
heysayOr
angei
sthe
newbl ack.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
hough?
Sbani
-youwantt
het
rut
h?
Bl
ess-(
nods)y
eah.
.
Sbani-Iam scar
ed,
butnotbecauseIam goingto
pri
sonbutbecauseIdon'
tknowwhati sitthatgoi
ng
tohappen,Iguessi
ttheuncer
tai
ntythatnotsettl
i
ng
wellwithme.
Bless-youdoknowthatthej
udgeisn'
tgoingtogi
ve
hi
sr ul
ingtoday(
smil
esli
ghtl
y)soyoumi ghtgeta
chancet ol
ookdapperi
nanothersui
tagain.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)wel
lIl
ookf
orwar
dtot
hatday
..
Bl
ess-(
hugshi
m)nomat
terwhat
,Igoty
oubr
other
..
Sbani
-(t
ight
ent
hehug)Iknow,
Iknow.
..

Theypullapartandholdeyecont
actforafew
secondsuntiltheydeci
detobrohugagai
nand
walkoutt
her oom headingt
owhereJacksonwas.
..

Bless-Iwantedyoutoridewit
hmebutt
hesemot
her
fuckersai
n'ttaki
ngchances.
.
Sbani
-(smir
ks)goodbecauseyouwoul
dhave
tur
nedbothofusint
ofugit
ivesont
herun.
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)i
tact
ual
l
ywasn'
tabadi
dea.
.

Theybot
hlaugh.
..
Sbani
-itahor
ribleone,
moredumbt hantheoneI
madewhenIt urnedmysel
fin(
shakeshishead).
.
Bless-soy
oudoagr
eet
hatt
urni
ngy
our
sel
finwasa
dumbmov e?
Sbani-(
fi
stshi
shand)(
clencheshi
s
teet
h)someti
mesIthi
nkmay beIshoul
dhavejust
..
..
(cal
mshi msel
fdown)youknowwhatitdoesn'
teven
matter.
..
Bl
ess-(
looksathi
m)whatdi
dyouwantt
osay
?
Sbani
-Idon'
tthi
nky
ouwi
l
lli
kei
tsol
etj
ustdr
opi
t.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bless-somet
imesyouwishy
oucoul
dhav
ejustputa
bull
etintoMoseshead.
.

Sbani
stopsandl
ooksathi
m..
.
Bless-(
shrugs)youseem tof or
getthatIknow
everyt
hingabouty ou,someti
mesIev enthinkwe
havebeenf r
iendssol ongandsoclosethatour
bondhast urnedintosomet el
epat
hicshit.
.
Sbani
-yeahandIdon'
tl
ikei
t,i
tfr
eaksmeout
..
Bless-youri
ghtthough,Idon'
tl
iketheideaof
putti
ngabul l
etthr
oughMosesheadnotbecausehis
stupidbigheadismyf at
herbutbecauseitwoul
d
havebeenav er
y,ver
ydumbt hi
ngtodo.
Sbani
-Iknow.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Shewokeupt othewholehousef i
ll
edwi throses,i
t
beenav erybl
eakmor ni
ngev enwithalltheflower
s
andthattodaywasher27t hbir
thday ,
shewasn' t
happy,shecouldn'
tevenfakeasmi le.Shewas
al
readydressedforcourt
,hermot herhadt r
iedtoget
hertoeatbutshedeniedher,shewasn' thungryat
al
l,
shedidn'
teventr
ytoputmakebecauseever
y
nowandthantearswil
lspr
ingoutherey
esandshe
wouldbeasil
entl
ycryi
ngagain.
..
.

Zee-si
s,y
ousur
eyoudon'
twantt
oeatany
thi
ng?
Nelly
-( nods)y
eah,don'
tyouwantt
oborr
owmynav
y
peept oeheel?Theywouldlookgr
eatwi
thy
our
dress..
Zee-(
smi
l
es)Iwasact
ual
l
yher
etoasky
ouf
or
them.
.
Nel
ly-(sni
ff
sandl
aughsl
i
ght
ly)whyam Inot
sur
prised.
.
Zee-y
oulovemethough,
(looksatt
hef
lower
s)Iam
goi
ngtosteal
abouquett
oo..
Nel
ly-(buri
esherf
aceonherhands)
(sni
ff
s)myhear
t
hur
ts..
.(tear
y)i
thurt
ssobad.
.

ZenandewasalarmedbyNel ly'
ssuddenconfessi
on,
shewasn'tonetotalkaboutherfeeli
ngs,
eversi
nce
Sbanitur
nedhimselfinshehadn'ttal
kedabouthow
shef eels.Theywouldseehercryi
ngher eandther
e
butshewoul dn'
tquickl
ywipethetearsandputa
bravef aceonbuttodayi tl
i
keshehasnocont rol
overheremot i
ons,shehasbeencr yi
ngsince
3:00am t hi
smor ni
ngandshe'ssti
llcryi
ngevennow..
.

Zee-(movescloserandbr
ushesherback)y
ouknow
i
tgoingtohurtforalongt
imeanditokaybabe.
.
Nelly-(
cryi
ng)somet
imesithurt
ssomucht hatI
can'tbreat
handsomeday sIwishIwoul
dstop
breathi
ngbecauseIcan'
tstandit,
itt
oomuch,itcut
s
deept omycor e,
whydoesithurtthi
smuch?.
..

Zenandedi dn'
tr espondtoherbuthuggedherr ight
asshel etital
lout ,i
twaspainfulseei
ngherl i
kethi
s,
shewasoneoft hestrongestpeoplesheknew,
MaSiwel aindi
cat edtoherthatitwasti
met hey
madet heirwayt ocour t
,shesighedandwhi spered
tohereart hatitwast i
me.Nellytookawiperand
wipedhert earsbef or
eblowinghernose..
.
Nel
l
y-(
looksathermom)cany
oudr
ive?
MaSi
wela-of
cour
sebaby
,yourbr
other
swi
l
lmetus
i
ncourt
..
Nel
l
y-(
nods)Nkany
ezi
andNsi
ka?
MaSiwela-Br
idgetdr
oppedt
hem of
fatBl
essi
ngs
house.
.
Nell
y-Godr
emindmet orai
sethatgi
rl
spay,
she
doesmorethanshe'
srequi
redtodoforme.
.
MaSi
wela-shecar
es,
Ithi
nkshewoul
dmakeagood
f
ri
end.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughsl
i
ght
ly)y
ouandr
ecr
uit
ingf
ri
endsf
or
me.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(smil
es)youwil
lthankmeoneday
,
(
hol
dsherhand)youstr
ongerthany
ouknowbaby
..

Shehugshermom andbur
iesherf
aceonher
mother
'sneck.
..

Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)t
hanky
ousomuchmom,
youmyr
ock,
Il
ovey
ou.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
out
oobaby
..

Theypul lapar
tandwalkoutsi
det ot
hecar,
once
i
nsideitallqui
et,Nel
lysit
sonthebackandstares
outsi
det hewindow,holdi
nghertear
sin,
sheshuts
every
thingoutandsinksintoherowndarkspace.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t131.
.

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Matemawassi t
ti
ngonherr ockingchairoutsi
dei
n
thepati
o,singi
ngtoNkanyezi whof orsome
unknownr easonwasveryrestlesstoday.Nomusa
walkedupt ohercar
ryi
ngat raywi t
hporridge,
Matemasmi l
edandlookedupt oher.
..
Matema-(smil
es)ohchi
ldyoudidn'
thav
etoo,
we
hav
emai dslaekhay
aforthatj
ob.
Nomusa-(pl
acedt
hetr
aynex tt
oher )akunanki
nga
Ma,Icookumdokonj
aloekuseniekhaya..
Matema-( smiles)well
inthatcaset
hanky ou,I
haven'
thadi phari
shil
empuphoi nalongtime,al
l
theyevergivemei sthoseinst
antporr
idges.
.
Nomusa-( smil
es)Ididn'tknowhowy ouliketoeatit
songival
engalet hayonkeinto,wehaverama,
peanutbutter(
smi l
eswi del
y)whichismyf av
our i
te
andthanIputsomel emons, ugogoekhayaulit
handa
nolamula(mygr andmotherbackhomel ikesitwit
h
l
emon) .
..
Matema-whenIwasachi l
dIusedt ohaveitwi
th
l
emontoobutIwasn' tal
lowedtouset helemons
ngobat
heywer eformygr andmother.(
Laughs)
kodwanjengenganeIusedtostealthelemons.
.
Nomusa-(l
aughs)mybrother
sdoest hatal
ot,
ucabangaukut
hiugogoakazibutsheknows..
Matema-(
laughs)j
ustli
keme,Ithoughtmy
gr
andmotherdidn'
tknowbutsheknew, t
heonesI
usedtostealwer
elemonswhichshepl
acedf
orme
soIcoul
df i
ndthem,her
'swer
ehiddeni
nherown
secr
etplace.
.
Nomusa-(l
aughsl
oudl
y)soy
ouusedt
ost
eal
your
ownstash?
Mat ema-( laughs)(nods)cabanganj e!!
!(Smiles)
that'
st hebeaut yofgr andparentsmychi ld,
every t
hingt heysayordoi salway sal
ifelesson.I
thoughtIwascl ev
erkant ial
lalongIwaspl aying
my self,gogoal way shadt heupperhand, Iwas
playingr i
ghti nt
ohert rapandIdi dn'
tevenknowi t
(l
ooksather )whereisy ourbowl?
Nomusa-Iwasgoi
ngt
oeati
ntheki
tchenMa.
.
Matema-nonsense,
takey
ourbowl
andcomeeat
wi
thme..
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)okay
..

Shewal
kstothekit
chenandfi
ndsBonol
oeat
ingher
por
ri
dgewhichshehadlef
ttocool
off
..
Bonol
o-(
looksup)ohhey
..

Nomusast
aresatherandt
hanatt
hebowl
in
Bonol
o'
shands.
.

Bonol
o-(
clear
shert
hroat
)uhmm was.
..wast
his
your
s?
Nomusa-(
nods)Il
efti
tkhonal
i
zophol
a..
Bonol
o-umm Iam sorr
y,Ithoughtt
hechefl ef
tither
forme(l
aughsli
ghtl
y)al
thoughInowsoundsi l
ly
obvi
ousl
ythechefcoul
dn'thavelef
titbecause..
.

Nomusapul
l
edherhandupst
oppi
ngt
her
ambl
i
ng
Bonol
o..
.

Nomusa-kul
ungi
l
e,Iwi
l
ljustpoursomef
ormy
sel
f.
.
Bonol
o-(
wideney
es)y
oumadei
t?
Nomusa-(
nods)y
eah.
.
Bonol
o-oh..uhmm i
ttast
esni
ce,
Ilov
ethepeanut
but
tert
asteaswel
l.
.

Nomusanodsandwal kstopourhersel
ftherestof
theporri
dgewhichwasl eft
,addedt
hreescoopsof
blackcatpeanutbutt
er.Shewasabouttopass
Bonolowhenshest oppedher..
.

Bonol
o-Uy
aphi
?(Wher
eyougoi
ng?
)Won'
tyoueat
wit
hme?
Nomusa-Sbu'
smotheraskedmet
oeatwi
thher
,do
wantt
ocomet oo?
Bonol
o-uhmm,
sur
e..

Nomusasmilesandwalksaway,Bonol
orol
lsher
eyesandst
andsupwalkingaf
terNomusa..

Bonol
o-(mutt
eri
ngt
oher
sel
f)(
imi
tat
ingNomusa'
s
voi
ce)Sbu,
Sbu..
Aftert
hatsheimmediatel
yfeelsguil
tyasshethinks
howNomusahaddonenot hingwr ongbutbeniceto
hereversi
nceshecameher e,itwasstupi
dbecause
shewasn'tevendati
ngBlessbutshewant edtoo,
nowwi t
hNomusaher eherchancewi thhi
m seems
tobegetti
nglessbytheminute.Sheisn'
tsurewhat
goingonbetweenthem buteveryti
meshewal kson
them al
one,t
here'
salwaysthistensi
onand
awkwardness..
.

ATDURBANHI
GHCOURT.
..

MaSi welaandNellywalkedt owar dswhere

everybodywaswai t
ing,
Zenandewasr i
ghtbeside
them, Mthokonoticedhisfami l
ycomi ngtowards
them butitwasthecondi ti
onhi ssist
erwast hat
caughthisattent
ion.Hedi dn'tevenwaitforthem t
o
reachwher eever
y onewasher ushedandmett hem
half,
hugginghissister.
..
Mthoko-youokay?(Curseshimsel
f)thatwasa
st
upidquesti
on..Happybir
thdaybhabha..
Nel
ly-(
smi l
esl
ight
ly)Iwashopi
ngever
yonewould
f
orgetthatpar
tofthedayyouknow,
iti
sn'tr
eal
l
ya
"
happy"one.

Heacknowl
edgeshismotherandZenandebefor
e
t
urni
nghisat
tent
ionbacktohissi
sterPul
li
ngaway
f
rom t
heembrace,hehol
dsherhandast heywal
k..
.

Nel
l
y-shoul
dIwor
ryabouty
oubaby
ingmef
ort
oday
?
Mthoko-welltechnical
lyyou'
reababyt oday
becauseityourbirt
hdaybutnoIam notgoi ngto
babyy oubutwhatIwi lldoi
sbenextt oyoual lt
he
way ,
Iam goingt obestuckbyy oursi
delikeglue,
fol
lowingyouev erywhereli
kethatannoyi
ng
mosqui t
oatnightandl i
kethatannoyingflythatj
ust
keepsonbuzzi ng..
Nell
y-(
laughs)wowbrot
hery
ourcompari
sonisn'
t
l
ikeanythi
ngIhaveev
erhear
dbefor
e,ar
ey ousur
e
y
oust
udi
edatCr
awf
ord'
s?

Theyalllaughli
ght
ly,
assoonastheyreachthethe
others,t
heirl
aughsett
lesdownandthegreeti
ngs
begin..

Nhlanhl
a-(
hugsher)(ki
sseshercheek)y
oust
rong,
youknowt hatr
ight
?
Nel
ly
-(squeezeshi
shim)Idon'
tknowbutIdoknow
t
hatIfeel
somest r
engt
hwithyouguysher
e..
Nhlanhl
a-(br
eakshug)goodbecauseyouai
n'
t
gett
ingri
dofusthateasy,wewil
lalway
sbeheref
or
you..

Shehugshi
m onemoreti
mebef
oreherat
tent
ion
tur
nstoSi
miandLungi
ey.
.

Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)Il
ovey
ourdr
ess.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughsl
i
ght
ly)t
hanks,
youdon'
tknowhow
muchIappreci
ateyounotaski
ngmehowIam doing
becauseIact
ual
lydon'
thaveanyanswert
othat
questi
on.
.
Simi
-(hugsher )i
tastupidquest i
onbutNhl ahis
ri
ght,youv erystr
ongNel l
y,Iknowi tmightnotlook
l
ikeitnowbuty ou'
reandwenotsay i
ngthatjustso
youcanhi dey ourtear
sandputonamaskbutwe
sayi
ngi tbecausewewanty outoknowt hatitokay,
i
tokayf ory outocryandf eelanditokayfory outo
notwantt owakeupi nbedf orsomeday sandi t
okaytoknowt hatweher etor el
i
evet hebaggage
fr
om you, strongactual
lymeansi tokaytonotbe
okay.
Nel
l
y-(
breakst
hehug)Ngi
yabongasi
si.
.
Si
mi-(
smi
l
es)any
time.
.

Siminodsatherandgi
vesherandLungi
eysome
space.
.

Lungi
ey-hi
..
Nel
l
y-hi
..
Lungi
ey-Iam sor
ry.
.
Nell
y-(si
ghs)ar
ey ouevenmybestf
ri
end?IknowI
sai
dweshoul dtakethi
ngssl
owbutIwouldhave
appreci
atedaphonecall.
.
Lungiey-Iam sorr
y,Ij
ustdi
dn'tknowi
fyou'
dhave
wantedmet oo, Nel
lyIdon'
tknowhowt oi
nter
pret
thi
s"takingt
hingsslow".
Nelly-thehumant hi
ngtodoi sj
ustbet
here,we
didn'tevenhavetotalkbutyoucoul
dhavebeenjust
there.Yourmom camet oseemeLuh,(si
ghs)Idon'
t
wantt ofight
,especi
all
ynottoday.
.
Lungiey
-(Handsheravelvetsquar
ebox)Igott
his
foryou,Ihopey
oulikei
t,Happybir
thday
..
Nell
y-( smil
esli
ghtl
y )thankyou.
.(star
esather )I
hopewecangetbackwhatwehadbecauseIr eal
ly
domi ssy oubutthatnotgoingt ohappenunlessy ou
star
tbei nghonestwi t
hy our
self
,IguessIgetwhy
youli
ttledrawnback, Irememberourconv ersati
on
andIr emembery ourwor dsveryclear
ly.Mylif
eis
notper fect
,inf
actitveryfarfr
om perfect
.(Wipes
thedr opoft ear s)Iam onl y27butl ooki ngat
ev erythingt hathashappenedIdon' tt hi
nki tmat ches
toanyonei nt hisr oom andIam notsay ingt hatj ust
becauseIwantpeopl et ofeel sorryf ormeor
j
ust ifyingmypai norpr obl emst obef arwor sethan
any oneel sebecauser ealityisev eryonehast hei r
ownshi tgoi ngonbutIam say i
ngal l thisbecauseI
wanty out obeawar ethanact uallyy ouhav ei tfar
mor ebet t
ert hanIdor ightnow.Mi nust hemoney ,
thecar sandt hej obt i
tlewhatexact lydoIhav e?,
truthi sIam j ustasi nglemot heroft wo, Ihav eto
wor ryaboutbei ngbot hmom anddadt omybabi es, I
am notcompl ainingbecausei taj obt hatIwi ll
proudl ydobutLungi ley ouhav eaf at hert hathas
accept edy ou, agoodj ob, beaut i
ful babyandaman
thatl ov esy ou.Thatal lyouneed, Iam opent otry ing
wi thusagai nbuty ouneedt of ir
stbegr atefulfor
whaty ouhav eandunder standt haty oual readyhav e
ev erythingt haty ouneedi nyourl if
e, ithur tsthata
par tofy ouhol dsr esent mentf ormebecauseofmy
successbutIcanf or
giv ey ouf orit,itnott hat
ser i
oust oloseaf r
iendshi pov er..
Lungi
ey-(
Wi peshert
ears)
(swal
l
owsal
ump)Ihav
e
beenaself
ishbit
chhaven'
tI?
Nel
l
y-Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
.

Shesqueezesherhandandwal ksaway ,
shedidn'
t
wanttomakeherfeelbadormay beshewantedtoo
becausehowbadLungieyhashur thernotj
ustlyi
ng
andbetray
inghert
rustbutalsothewordsthatcame
outhermouthduri
ngtheirconfr
ontati
on.

Don-(
openshi
sar
ms)comeher
epr
incess.
.
Nel
ly
-(hugshi
m)It
houghtwel
onggotr
idoft
hat
name..
Don-(smil
es)wel
lyouwi
llal
waysbemyl i
tt
legir
l
besi
desityourbi
rt
hdayt
odayso,Igett
ocally
ouby
al
lbabynames..

Shegigglesi
nhisembrace,
theyst
ayli
kethatfora
minute,
hebrushesherbackandki
ssesthetopof
herhead..
Nel
ly
-Mom tol
dmey ouwereawayonbusi
ness,
I
di
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'dmakeit
..
Don-yourmom l
ikestoov
eractaboutev
ery
thingI
tol
dherIam coming,
besi
deshowcanInotcome
whenmydaughterneedsme, whatki
ndoffat
herwil
l
thatmakeme?..
Nell
y-(
wipeshert
ear
s)wel
lthanky
ouf
orcomi
ng
dad.
.

Thewor d"dad"makesMosescri
nge,hewas
standi
ngnexttothem,li
steni
ngt
oeverywor
d
exchangedbetweenthetwo..
.

Don-(
breakst
hehug)Iam notdaddyDt
oday
?
Nel
ly
-(shakesherhead)(smil
es)youonl
yDaddyD
whenyouspoilme,Ithoughtyouknewthat
..
Don-oh,
soIam coolDaddyDbecauseofmywal
l
et,
youwoudmesweet hear
t.
..
Theyaretol
dthati
tti
methatt
heyall
sett
lei
nsi
de,
DonholdsNell
y'
shandandwalksi
nsidet
hedoubl
e
doors.Mr
sNgcobokeepshereyesonher.
.

MrsNgcobo-soshe'
stheonet
hatsl
eptwi
th
Mkhwenyana?
Nt
ombi
-(nods)y
eah.
.
Mr
sNgcobo-hmmm.
..

Mthokobr ushesNt ombi '

shandwi t
houtanyone
notici
ngbef oregoingt otakehi
sseat,making
Ntombi smile,herey esscannedtheseatsunti
lthey
l
andedont hemanwhomadeherpant i
essoak
wit
houtev ent ouchingher ,
Donwinkedather,she
quickl
ydivertedherey essomewher eelsemaking
Donshakehi sheadandl augh..

MaSi
wela-whatwi
tht
hewi
degr
in?Spot
tedy
our
sel
f
wi
fenumber3?
Don-(
kisseshercheek)may
be,
ofcour
sey
ouwoul
d
havet
oappr ov
ef i
rst
..
.
MaSi
wela-ohbabe, Ithi
nkwebot hfi
guredal
ong
t
imeagot hatIdon'tmi ndyourpol
ygamousways,
t
heonlythingthatIam wor ri
edaboutishowgood
t
heotherMkhat hi
ni feedsme...

Nell
ywincedatthewor
dscomingoutofher
mother
'smout h,
tomakemat
tersworseDonmade
hermothertouchhi
sd*.
..

Nel
ly-(f
rownsandlooksatt
hem)shoul
dIf
ind
myselfanot
herseat?
Don-(
laughs)sor
rybaby
..
.

Shesighedandlookedahead,Thandekaandher
mom andsomeofherf amil
ymember swal ki
nsi
de,
i
tlookedli
keThandekawant edtospi
tsomewor ds
toShakabuthermot herandthelawyert
alkedher
outofit
..
.
Thandeka-(st
aresattheZulu'
s)(
teary
)Iam goi
ngto
makey oursonpay,he'sgoi
ngtopr i
son,
didyouhear
that
?He'sgoingtoprison.
.

MrsZwanepul l
edherdaughterawaybutnotbefore
l
ookingatt
heZul uf
amily,whoallhadthei
rheads
f
aceddowni nshame,Mr sZwanedi dn'
tl
ookangry,
i
nsteadshelookedhur
t,brokenandmost l
yti
red.
..

Man1-thesepeoplehavemoney,l
ookattheway
theyal
ldressed,
(angr
y)thebast
ardi
sprobabl
y
goingt
owal kawayscottfr
ee.
.
Woman1-Iwon'
tbesur
pri
sed,
herei
nSout
hAf
ri
ca
peopl
ewi
thmoneydon'
tgotopri
son.
.
Gir
l1-(si
ghs)i
ftheyt hatr
ichthanIguesshewil
lbe
senttopriv
ateprison,youknowt heonewher
erich
peoplearesenttoo..
MrsZwane-pr
ivat
epr
ison?I
sther
eev
ensucha
t
hing?
Gir
l1-(
nods)yesMam'ncaneitwereallt
he
pol
iti
ciansgotoser
vethei
rsentence.
.

Mr sZwanefacefal
lswhenthepossibil
i
tyoft heman
thatki
ll
edherdaughterbei
ngsentt
oa" hol
iday"
pri
sonbecausethatwhatinreal
i
tythis"pri
vate
pri
son"was..
.

Prosecutor
-(l
ooksatMrsZwane)welldonotworry
yoursel
faboutthat
,hewon'
tbegoingtosomef ancy
pri
son,hiscel
linWestv
il
lei
swaiti
ngforhi
mj ustl
ike
allt
heotheranimal
sli
kehim ar
elockedat
..
.

Itbecomessi lenti
nsidethecourtr
oom whent he
small dooropensandSbani i
swalkedi nbyt wo
poli
ceof fi
cers,hi
shandswer ecuffed,theyuncuf f
him,asmal l
hintofhurtpassesthroughhi sfamily
whent heyseehi m buthiseyesscant heroom onl y
l
ookingf oronepairofey esandwhent heyfindthem,
everythingshut sdownandal ltheybothcoul ddo
wasj ustst areateachother.Oneoft heofficers
roughl
yturnshim sohecouldlookfoward,t
hejudge
arri
vedthr
eemi nutesand45secondsagobuthe
wassoobl i
vioustothatandtotheoff
icercal
li
nghis
namet hewholetimewhi l
ehi
sey esstar
edather.

Gi
rl
2-Jesus,
thi
sguy
slookshot
..

Thandekagi
vesthegi
rladeadl
yst
are,
shel
ooks
downinshame..

"
ALLRI
SE"
..
.

"
THECOURTI
SNOW I
NSESSI
ON"
..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
10]Mar
cia:
Inser
t132

ATDURBANHI
GHCOURT.
..
MaSi
wel
a-(
whi
sper
s)ar
eyouokaybaby
?
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)y
eah.
..

TheJudgelooksatwhatseemstobeadocument
i
nfrontofhi
m bef
oreheli
ft
shisheadupt
othe
prosecut
or.
..

Judge-y
oumayst
atet
hecase.
.
Pr
osecut
or-(
nods)Thanky
ouy
ourhonour
..

Henodsatt
heZwanef
ami
l
ybef
orest
andi
ngup.
..

Prosecutor
-Weher etodaybecauseonemanwho
decidedtobev er
yselfi
sh,onemanwhodeci dedto
pl
ayGodandt akethelif
eofaninnocenty oung
womanwhohadev eryt
hinggoi
ngforher ,shewas
j
ustst ar
ti
ngthejourneytobett
erherselfandmake
somet hi
ngofherselfaswell
asbetterthelif
eofher
family .(PointsatSbani )Thatman( chuckl
es
l
ightly) (
shaki nghishead) lookathi m, l
ookatthe
expensi v esui the'
swear ing,Iam sur ethatNtokozo,
ourv ictim whenshemethi m shet houghtshecould
trusthi m, shet houghthewoul dn'thurtherbutshe
waswr ong, shewasv eryfarfrom thet r
uth,whatshe
didn'tknowi sthatshef oundcomf ortonthearmsof
acol dbl oodedki l
ler
,apr edatorlookingtosinkit
clawsoni tinnocentpr ey,shehadnoi deashewas
sharingabedwi ththedev ilhi
msel f.
.
Jackson-(standsup)Obj ecti
onyourhonour
,Iwoul
d
l
ikethePlainti
fftoref
rainfrom speaki
ngoutof
context
,mycl ientandthedeceasedhadnor omant
ic
rel
ati
on..
Judge-(
looksattheprosecutor)i
sthereany
evi
dencethatbackstheclaim oft
heaccusedhav
ing
aromanticrel
ati
onshi
pwi ththedeceased?
Pr
osecut
or-Noy
ourhonourbut
..
.
Judge-obj
ecti
onsust
ained,
(looksatt
heprosecut
or)
stat
eyourcaseasiti
sonpaper ,l
etr
efr
ainf
rom
makingfal
seclai
m.
Prosecutor-(nods)wi
thoutwast
ingt
hecour
tst
ime
andev er
ybody '
selse'
sti
mewewoul dli
ket
ocal
lthe
accusedt othestand.

Sbaniwal
kstothestand,
heissworntooat
hbef
ore
thepr
osecut
orcrossexamineshi
m..
.

Hemakesey econtactwi t
hNelly
,lookingatthest
ate
she'sin,i
ttakesev eryt
hinginhimt onotbursthi
s
wayt owher esheis.Whenshe' stakeherey esaway
from him,heusest hatoppor t
unit
yt olookathi
s
family,hi
sey esmeetNganono' s,whoshakeshi s
headl ooki
ngathi m, hesighsandhi seyesgotohis
womanonemor etimebef or
elookingtowardsthe
prosecutorsdirect
ion..

Prosecutor
-MrZulu,
mindifIj
ustcal
lyouZulu?I
don'tt
hinkyoudeser
vetobecall
edMr,looki
ngat
how..
Jackson-Obj
ect
iony
ourhonour
,thePl
aint
if
fis
pr
ovoki
ngmycl
i
ent
..
Judge-(l
ooksatt
hepr
osecut
or)l
et'
sgetst
rai
ghtt
o
thepoint
..
Pr
osecutor
-(smil
es)Iwasjustwar
minghim up,now
MrZulu,
cany oust
atethenatur
eofyourr
elati
onshi
p
wi
ththedeceased.
.
Sbani
-It
houghtIwr
oteev
ery
thi
ngi
nmyst
atement
.
Pr
osecut
or-answert
hequest
ionMrZul
u..
Sbani-okaysoy
ounotonlyhaveareadi
ngpr
obl
em
butyoualsohaveahear
ingone.
..

Ther
eisgaspsandwhi
sper
sint
hecour
troom.
..

Nhlanhla-(
whi
sper
s)doesy
ourbr
otherhav
eadeat
h
wish..
Shaka-(
whi
sper
s)he'
sgoi
ngt
oshoothi
msel
font
he
foot
..
.
TheJudgelooksatSbani
alongwi
thev
ery
bodyi
n
thecour
troom..

Judge-answert
hequest
ionMrZul
u..
Sbani
-(smi
rks)well
Iwasjustwar
minghim up,
I
don'
tknowiftheyt
oldhi
mt hi
sbutIcanbevery
di
ffi
cul
tsometimes.
..

Bl
essandMaSi
wel
alaughqui
etl
y.
..

Sbani
-whatwasy
ourquest
ionagai
n?

Theprosecutorfr
ownsir
rit
atedbyhi
m, heknewthat
heremember sthequest
ionbutwasjustaski
nghim
tor
epeatitjustt
ogetunderhisski
n..

Pr
osecut
or-(
gri
tshisteet
h)thequest
ionMrZulu
was,
whatwasy ourrel
ati
onshi
pwiththedeceased.
.
Sbani
-(bl
ankf
ace)wehadnor
elat
ionshi
p..
Prosecut
or-t
hanWhati
sitexact
lyt
haty
ouandt
he
deceasedhad?.
.
Sbani
-not
hing.
.
Prosecut
or-needIremindyouMrZulut
haty
ou'r
e
underoath,i
tinyourbesti
nter
estt
haty
ouanswer
thequesti
onstruthf
ull
y.
.
Sbani
-Ij
ustgaveyoumyt rut
h,itnotmyf
aul
tyou
can'
taskt
herightquest
ions.
..

MthokoandNhl
anhl
abot
hlaughshaki
ngt
hei
r
heads.
..

Nhl
anhl
a-wow.
.
Mt
hoko-he'
sgotbal
l
sIgi
vet
hatt
ohi
m..

Thandekahuf
fsandl
ooksathermot
her
..
.
Thandeka-l
ookathi
m,he'snotev
entakingthi
s
ser
ious,i
tshowshowunremorsef
ulheis..
Man1-(
shakeshi
shead)
inomut
hil
endoda.
.

Thepr
osecut
orl
ooksatSbani
wit
hast
ernf
ace.
..

Prosecut or -Iseey out aki

ngt hisasi fitwer eaj oke,
yousi tther eandy oumockme, y oumockmyj obbut
mosti mpor tantlyy oumockt heser i
ousnessofy our
cri
me.( Wal kscl osel ytoSbani )whi l
ey ouputt hi
s
show, t
hisTr evorNoahper sonadon' tforgett her eal
reasonwhyweal lhere,don'tf orgetwhyy ouseat ed
ont hatchai randdon' tforgetwhy( Point
satMr s
Zwane)t hatmot herr i
ghtther eisdr essedi nbl ack,
mour ningt hedeat hofherdaught er
,thedaught er
youmur der ed,y our obbedt hatwomanandt her est
oftheZwanef ami l
yt hechancet omour npr oper ly
fort hedeat hoft heirdaught ert heleasty oucoul d
dof orthem i snotr obbedt hem t hechancet oknow
thet r
uth, nowwegoi ngt otr yagai nMrZul u,what
wasy ourr elati
onshi pwitht hedeceased?
Sbani
-(bol
dvoi
ce)NOTHI
NG.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Thepr
osecut
orl
ooksatt
hej
udge.
..

Judge-( wri
tessomethi
ngdown)(
looksatt
he
prosecutor)ift
herear
eanyquesti
onsyouwouldl
ike
toaskt heaccusedgoonbutifnotlett
heDef
endant
pleadtheircase..
Prosecut
or-(
nods)soMrZulu,yousayyouandt he
deceasedhadnoromanti
crelat
ionaswellasno
fr
iendshi
pinfacty
ousaytherewasnor el
ati
onship
betweenthetwoofyouatall
isthatcor
rect?
Sbani
-No.
.
Prosecut
or-(
raiseshi
seyebrow)No?Int
eresti
ng,I
beli
eveIj
ustsaidtheexactsamewordswhi chyou
tol
dmeMrZul u..
Sbani
-Idi
dn'
tsayt
hewor
ds"
atal
l
"..
Pr
osecut
or-(
annoy
ed)y
ourhonour
..
.
Judge-MrZul
upl
easedonotwast
ethecour
tst
ime.
.
Sbani
-sor
ryy
ourhonour,
askedtheri
ghtquest
ionsI
bel
iev
eIcangiv
etheri
ghtanswers.
.
Judge-(writ
eshi
snotes)
(l
ooksthepr
osecut
or)y
ou
maypr oceedwit
hyourquest
ions.
.
Prosecutor-Iseey ouwanttowastethecourtst
ime,
thi
sshowsexact lythet
hetypeofmant hatyou
real
lyare,nofurtherquest
ionsyourhonour.
.

Thepr
osecut
orwal
ksbackt
ohi
sseat
,Thandeka
l
eanst
owardshi
m..
.

Thandeka-whydi
dn'
tyougohar
donhi
m?
Prosecut
or-ev
eni
fIdi
dhewasn'
tgoi
ngt
ogi
veme
anythi
ng.
.
Thandeka-butyoucoul
dhaveaskedhi
m whyhe
ki
ll
edmysi ster
?There'
ssomanyquest
ionsyou
coul
dhav easkedhim..
Prosecutor
2-evenifhedid,i
twasgoi
ngtobe
point
less,t
hei
rstrat
egyisforust
ohavenocaseat
al
l..
Prosecut
or1-nowwegoingtohavet
ogohar dwit
h
you,youneedtoshowthejudget
hedist
resshe'
s
broughtt
oy ourf
amil
y.
.

TheJudgefini
sheswr
it
inghi
snot
esdownandt
urns
toJackson.
..

Judge-TheDef endantcanpleaditcase,
thef
loori
s
yoursMrJackson, Isurehopethiswil
lbequi
ckand
tothepoint
,yourclienthaswastedenoughofthe
court
stimealready...
Jackson-(nods)Thankyouyourhonour
,(Wal
ks
towardsSbani)(
smiles)MrZul
uwilly
oubewill
ingt
o
cooperat
e?
Sbani
-ify
ouaskt
her
ightquest
ions.
..
Jackson-youandt
hedeceased,
yousayther
ewas
norelat
ionshi
pbet
weenthetwoofyou,
nowt el
lme
howexact
lyt
het
woofy
oumet
?
Sbani-wemetatapart
y,oneofmyfri
endswas
hosti
ngitandshewasther
ewithherf
ri
ends.
.
Jackson-di
danythi
nghappenbet
weent
het
woofi
n
thatpar
tyoraf
terthepar
ty?
Sbani-(
shakeshishead)not
hinghappenedi
nthe
part
yandaf t
erthepart
y
Jackson-y
ouwer
ebot
hincont
actwi
theachot
her
,
i
sthatcorr
ect
?
Sbani
-(nods)y
es.
.
Jackson-whatwereyouincont
actf
or?Iam aski
ng
becauseyoustat
edthatther
ewasnorelat
ionshi
p
betweenthetwoofyou..
Sbani
-Iwant
edhert
obemysubmi
ssi
ve.
..

Ntombifl
inchesandwat
chesSbaniwi
thhermouth
opened,
thereareafewwhisper
sfr
om ev
eryone.
..

MaSi
wel
a-soGi
ddyandChr
ist
ianGr
eysame
what
sappgroup,thisi
sint
erest
ing(l
ooksatNel
l
y)i
s
t
hathowthetri
pletswereconceiv
ed?
Nel
l
y-(
star
esathermot
her
)real
l
ymom?
Don-(
brushesMaSi
wel
a'
sthi
gh)babe,
notnow.
.

Jacksonnodsandr
eadssomet
hingf
rom a
document.
.

Jackson-sowhathappened?Bef oreyouanswer
thatquesti
on,Iwanty outopaintaclearpi
ctureof
exactlywhathappenedf r
om thetimey ouasked
MissZwanet obeyoursubmi ssi
veandwal kus
throughthefatal
nightMi ssZwanet ookherlast
breath,canyoudot hat.
.

Sbaninods,hetakesadeepbr eat
handl ooksat
Nell
ythanhiseyestrav elt
oNt ombiandt heylandon
MrsZwaneapol ogeticall
ybeforeheclearshisthroat
andexplai
nindetailexactlywhathappenednot
l
eavinganythi
ngout, noteventwist
ingany thi
ng,no
mat t
erhowbr utali
twasheexpl ainedev erythingt
he
wayi twas.I twasl ikehewasn'thi mself,l
ike
someoneorsomet hi
nghadtakenov erhisbody ,
especi al
lywhenhehadt oexplainhowshet ookher
l
astbr eath, hestruggledali
ttl
ebi twheni tcamet o
thatpar tbutaf t
eraf ewminutesofget ti
nghi mself
together ,
hemanagedt ogetthroughev ery t
hingeven
explainedhowhegotr i
dofthebodyof course
l
eav i
ngBl esspar tout.
..

Jackson-t
hankyouMrZul u,
(looksatt
heJudge)no
fur
therquest
ionyourhonour
..
.

Mr sZwanest artedt ocryhy st

erical
ly
,hearingthe
brutalwayofhowherl it
tl
egi r
ldiedtri
ggeredburied
emot ionsinher,shewasweepi ngveryloudlyand
painfull
ythatever yonestartedtogettearyont he
Zwanef amil
ysideoft hecourt,evenMr sZulufound
herselfshari
ngaf ewt ears,
hear i
ngwhatj ustcame
outofherson' smout h,shewasn' tr
eady ,
itwasa
bi
tterpillt
oswal lowt heev i
ldeedsofherson.Nel l
y
stoodupf rom herseatandwal kedqui ckl
youtoft he
courtroom, Sbaniwant edtogoaf t
erherbuthe
knewhecoul dn't
,heclenchedhi steet handhis
handsf ormedi nt
of i
sts.Him andBl essmadeey e
contactandunder stoodt hathewant edhimtogo
afterher .Bl
essst oodupt hesamet imeasMt hoko
andNt ombi stoodup, theyallwalkedoutt he
courtroom.Mr sZwanest il
lhadn'
tst oppedcrying,
Thandekawasal soacr y
ingmess.

Judge-(gather
shi
snot
e)t
hecour
tisadj
our
nedf
or
45mi nutes.
..

TheJudgegat
hershi
sthi
ngsandwalksoff,
two
off
icer
smakethei
rwaytoSbani
,heshrugsthem of
f
hi
m. .
.

Sbani
-ICANFUCKI
NGWALK.
.
Jackson-(
looksatt
heoffi
cers)y
oudonothaveto
cuffhi
m, t
hisismydebr
ief
ingsessi
onwi
thhim..
Thet woof f
icer
snodandst epasideasJacksonand
Sbani walkt owardsthesmalldoort ogether,the
off
icersf oll
owbehi ndthem,t
hedi sappointment
l
ooksf r
om bot hhisparent
s,Ntombi 'sparents,the
onlyper sonwhodi dn'tgi
vehi
m adi sappoi ntedlook
wasMaSi wel abutshedidn'
tgivehim al ookof
suppor taswel l
,herfacewasjustblankand
unreadabl e.Assoonast heydisappearedf rom the
small door ,
hisfamilymadetheirwayt ot hebi g
doubledoor .
..

Sane-Ican'
tbel
i
evewhatIj
usthear
d..
Si
zwe-i
tov
erwhel
ming,
Iknowbaby
..
Sane-mybrotheri
smurder
erSi
zwe,heact
ual
l
ydid
al
lthat
,bur
iedthatgi
rll
i
keshewassomedog,what
ki
ndofpersonishe?
Si
zwe-(
atMr
sZul
u)babenotnow,
atl
eastnother
e..
MrsZulu-i
tokay
,(t
eary
)aft
erhear
ingal
lthat,we
can'
tkeepbei
ngindeni
alanyl
onger,
Sbanisezweis
dangert
ohi
msel
fandt
othosear
oundhi
m..

Theyal
lsi
ghandwal
koutt
hecour
troom,
MaSi
wel
a
tur
nedtoDon.
.

MaSi wela-youknowIwasoneoft hosewhodi dn't

j
udgehi m andhisact i
onsbuthear i
ngev ery
thi
ngi n
detailt
odaywasj ustov er
whelming,Isti
lldon'
tjudge
him butagainSbanihasangeri ssues,ImeanIhav e
witnessaf ewcaseswher eheact soni mpulseI
guessIj ustwonderifismydaught erreall
ysafe
whenwi thhim.Iknowhel oveshertoomuchbut
thatinit
selfsoundsdanger oustome.What
happenswhenhel osesgr i
ponedayandshe' sthere
withhim?Whati f.
..
Don-(hugsher )hey,t
hatwon'thappen,st
opt hi
nki
ng
l
ikethat.LookIdon'tknowalotabouthim butNell
y
seemst oreall
ylovehim,Imeanhe' snottheguywe
wantforherbutshe' schosenhim andwehav eto
acceptthatbutImeanwho' stosayshewi l
lsti
l
l
wanthim afterthi
s,sodon'tworryyour
sel
faboutall
t
hisokay
..

Shenodsandhugshi
mti
ght
er.
..

Meanwhi
l
einsi
det
hef
emal
erest
room.
..

Nell
yopenst hedoort
ohercubi
cal,
sher ubsher
eyesandfindsNtombist
ari
ngatthemi r
rorwit
hred
eyes,i
tseemsshehadbeencr y
ingtoo.Shewalkst
o
thesi
nkandwashesherhands...

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Ntombi-canyoustomachit?(
Almostbr
eaki
ng)
becauseIcan'
t,
Ijustcan'
t,
I.
..
.I.
..
Nel
l
y-Iknow.
..
Nt
ombi-(wi
peshert
ear
s)Iam angr
y,Iwantt
ohat
e
hi
m but
..
.
Nel
l
y-(
tear
y)I
..
..Iknow.
.
Ntombi-(
turnstoher)
(tear
y)canyousaysomethi
ng
t
hanjust"Iknow",
Ifeelli
keIam goi
ngcrazyher
e..
Nel
ly
-(cr
ying)WHATTHEFUCKDOYOUWANTME
TOSAY?DOYOUWANTTOHEARMESAYHOW
MUCHIHATEHI M,THATWHATHEDIDIS
DI
SGUSTINGANDUNFORGIVABLE,
THATHE'
SA
MONSTERANDDESERVESTOROTI NJAI
L.I
STHAT
WHATYOUWANTMETOSAY? .
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nelly-(hol
dsherchest )(
shaki
ngherhead)Ican'tsay
allofthoset hingsbecauseIdon' twanttooinst
ead
allIam thinkingi swhycouldn'thejustdumpher
bodysomewher eshecouldbef oundandmadei t
l
ookl i
kesomet hingitwasn'
tthatwayhewoul dn'
tbe
facingjail
char gesandIwoul dn'thavefoundout,he
willhavebeenwi thmeandourki dsliv
inghappy,
planningourf utur el
ikei
twasal lsupposedtobe.
(Crying)whatki ndofaper sonam I ?Therei
sa
mot herouttherewho'scryingherey eball
sout
becauseshewon' tbeseeingherdaught er,cr
ying
becauseshe' sj
ustcamef acet of acewi ththeman
thattookherlif
ebuther eIam bei ngsel fi
shand
thinki
ngaboutmyownGoddamnf eelings.Iam
disgustedinmy selfr
ight
now, howf uckedupam I
huh?IFUCKI NGHATETHI SSHI T,IWANTI TALLTO
END, IWANTTHEPAI NTOEND, IFEELLI KETAKI NG
AKNI FEANDCUTMYCHESTOPENSOICANTAKE
MYHEARTOUTANDREPLACEI TWI THONETHAT
DOESNOTHURTTHI SMUCH, I(choked) (
gaspedf or
air)

Shetri
edtohol dt
hesinkforsupportbutitwasjust
tolat
e,herbodymadecont actwit
ht hefl
oor,making
Ntombi j
umpt owardsher
..
.

Ntombi-(
hel
dherhead)Ohmygod,
ohmygod
(
Shouts)SOMEBODYHELP..
.

Nel
l
ywasst
il
lst
ruggl
i
ngt
obr
eat
he,
herhandsf
ist
ed
onNtombi
'sbl
ousebuteachsecondst
hegr
ipwas
l
ooseni
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
-(scr
eams)HELP!
!!

MthokoandBl
essal
ongwi
thZandi
l
ebur
sti
ntot
he
r
estroom.
.

Zah-Nt
ombi
what
'
sgoi
..
.

Shecouldn'
tev
enf
ini
shwhent
heysawwhatwas
happeni
ng..
.

Ntombi-(
tear
y)hel
p,Idon'
tknowwhathappenedbut
oneminuteweweretalki
ngandshewascryi
ng
tel
li
ng.
..

Nt
ombi
wasshaki
ngasBl
esscar
ri
edNel
l
yinhi
s
armsandr
ushedoutt
her
est
room Zandil
efoll
owi
ng
behi
nd,Mt
hokohel
pedNt
ombitoherfeets.
.

Nt
ombi
-I.
..Idon'
tknow.
.
Mthoko-i
tokaybabe,
itokay
,cany
ouwal
kory
ou
wantmetocarryyou?

Shejustbur
iedherfaceonhischestandcri
ed,
he
sweepedheroffthefloorandwal
kedoutthe
rest
room wi
thheronhi sarms.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t133

ATDURBANHI
GHCOURT.
..

WhenBl
esscomesrushingt
hroughthepassage
wi
thNel
l
yinhisar
ms, commotionst
arts.
..
MaSi
wel
a-whathappened?
Bless-Idon'
tknow, wejusthadscreami
ngandwhen
webur sti
nsidetherestr
oom wef oundNt
ombit
ryi
ng
tohelphercontrolherbreat
hing.
.
Zandi
le-Icheckedherpul
sei
tveryf
aintbutweneed
togethertothehospit
alr
eal
quick.
.
Nomvelo-i
tokay
,Icangowithher
,getheri
nsidet
he
cari
nthemeanti
meIwi l
lcont
actherdoct
or.
.
Moses-usemycar,i
tgotthestat
est
ickersot
hatan
aut
omaticpasst
hroughtr
affi
c..
Bl
ess-(
nods)whoel
sei
sgoi
ngwi
thher
?,Ineedt
o
st
ayhere.
.
Zenande-i
tokay
,Iwi
l
lgo.
.
Lungi
ey-Iwi
l
lgot
oo.
.
Don-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)It
hinkweshoul
dgot
oo
babe.
.
MaSi
wel
a-y
eah.
..
Whil
etheSiwel
afamil
ywal
ksoutt
hecour
thouse,
Mthokosi
tsNtombidownandwi
peshert
ear
s..
.

Nt
ombi
-(sni
ff
s)Thanky
ou.
.
Mthoko-(
smi
l
es)i
tokay
,Iwanty
out
obeokay
al
ways..
Ntombi-(
smi
l
es)Iknow,(l
ooksaround)It
hinky
ou
shoul
dgoseeify
oursist
erisokay.
.
Mthoko-(br
usheshercheek)ar
eyouokay
?Iwon'
t
l
eaveunlessyou'
reokay?
Ntombi-(
squeezeshishand)Iam okaybabe,
Iwant
t
ot hankyouagai
n..
Mthoko-y
oudon'
thav
etothankme,i
tmyjobas
yourmantomakesur
eyougoodall
thet
ime..
Ntombi
-(bl
ushes)mymanhuh?Il
ovet
hesoundof
t
hat.
.

Shegiggl
es,t
heyl
ockeyes,havi
ngasil
ent
conv
ersati
onwit
heachother,hewasaboutt
olean
andkissherbutwasdi
stur
bedbysomeonecl
ear
ing
thei
rthr
oat.
.

Simi -uhmm, Iam sorr

ytodist
urbyouguysbut
Mt hokowehav etofol
lowmamaandev er
yoneel
se
tot hehospit
al,It
houghtitwouldhav
ebeenbest
thatIwai t
edbehindforyou..
Mthoko-uhm okay
..(
LooksatNt
ombi
)wi
l
lyoube
okay?
Ntombi
-(nods)yeah,thanky
ouforever
ythi
ngagai
n,
Ihopey
oursisterfeel
sgoodagai
n..
Mt
hoko-j
eah.
.

Theystar
eateachotheragainbefor
ehetur
nst
o
Si
mi whohashereyesont hebothofthem.
.

Mt
hoko-l
etsgo.
.

Si
mist
aresatNt
ombi
andnodsatherbef
oreshe
f
oll
owsafterMthoko.Zandi
l
equi
ckl
yrushest
o
whereNt
ombi was..
.

Zah-(
looksather
)sowhenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
l
me?
Nt
ombi
-tel
lyouwhat
?
Zah-ohdon'
tpl
aydumb,
IknowwhatIsaw.
.
Ntombi
-(si
ghs)Ij
ustdi
dn'twantt
otel
lyoujusti
n
caset
hingsdon'
tworkout,i
tst
il
lnewZah,Idon'
t
wantt
ogetmyhopeshi gh..
Zah-wel l
thatisalit
tl
et oolat
eforthatwoul
dn'
tyou
agree,seeingthatyoualreadyexpect
inghi
sbaby,i
t
i
shi sbabyt hatyoupregnantwithri
ght?

Ntombi swal
lowsandlooksdown, shehasbeen
suspecti
ngthatshe'
spregnantbutwasscaredtodo
atestincaseitcamebacknegative.
..

Nt
ombi
-Iam notpr
egnantZah.
.
Zah-ohreall
y,t
hanwhat'supwi
thy ounotdr
inki
ng
coff
ee,Idon'
tknowifyouhavenoticedbuty
ou
seem tohaveyourr
ighthandal
way sonyour
stomach,j
ustli
kenowwhenIwal kedinonyou.
Besidesl
ookathowy ouglowi
ng..
Ntombi-Ihaven'
tdoneanytesttoprovei
fIam
pregnantornot,
pleasedon'
tpressuremetodoi
ng
anyanddon'ttel
lanyoneaboutthis.
.
Zah-okay
,Iunder
standbutIam j
usthappyf
ory
ou.
.
Ntombi-(
smilest
eary)Idon'
twantt
obehappyj
ust
yetbutIwantnot
hingmor et
hantohav
eababy.
.

Zandil
ewasaboutt orespondbutMrsNgcobo
dist
urbedthem whenshet ol
dthem t
hati
twasti
me
theygetbackinsi
de.
..

Thandeka-(l
ooksatShaka)youwerest upidt
othink
thatpeaceofpapercoul
dstopmef orfill
i
ngforfull
custodyofSJ,doyoureal
lyt
hinkthatthecourtwill
sti
llgr
antSbanir
ightst
oSJaf t
erallt
his..
Shaka-( l
aughs)ev ennowy oustil
lhaven'
tr eadt he
fulldocumentofwhaty ousigned,youdidn'tjust
signf ullcustodyofSJt ousbuty oualsoadmi tt
edto
i
llegallygoingbehi ndSbani '
sbackandst eal i
nghi s
sper m, youjustadmi tt
edt hatSJwasbor nacr ime
soi fIwer ey ouIwoul dthinktwicebeforest art
ing
shit,Iunder standSbani getti
ngpunishedf orwhathe
didt oy oursisterbutyounotdr aggingSJt oanyof
thisbul l
shit.(Movescl osertoher)nowdr opt his
cust odyshi tandfocusony ourfamilygetti
ngj usti
ce
aswel lasbei ngagoodmot hertoyoursonbecause
unlikey ouTee, weactuallydon'
twantt osepar ate
youf rom y ourchild.Youknowwhatt odo, don'tbe
stupidnow. .

Hesay st hatandpassesherbumpi ngi nt

oher
shoulders.Thandekacli
ckshertongueandwal ks
i
nsidet hecourtr
oom taki
ngaseatnextt oher
mot her.JacksonandSbaniwalkinj ustasBlesswas
goingtot akehisseat
,theymakeey econt act,Bless
sighsandshakeshi sheadbutSbani couldsense
thattherewasmor ethanhewasn' ttell
inghim...
Jackson-Nomoremi
ndgamesnow,
justanswert
he
questi
onsokay
?
Sbani
-sur
e..

Ever
yonewasnowsett
leddown,t
hesmal
ldoor
opensandt
hejudgewalksi
n,t
aki
nghi
sseat
.

"
ALLRI
SE"

"
THECOURTI
SNOW I
NSESSI
ON"

Judge-Bef orethecourtwentintoadj
ournmentwe
hadt heaccusedont hestand,heinsomanywor ds
paintedusapi ctur
etowhathappenedwi ththe
deceased, wit
houtwastingti
me, Iwi
ll
givethe
Plainti
fft
heoppor t
unit
yt ocr
ossexami nethe
accusedf oll
owingtheconfessi
onhemade. .
.
Prosecutor-(
standsup)Thankyouyourhonour
,
nowMrZul uyouhadtheopport
unit
ytostop
yoursel
ffrom ki
ll
i
ngMi ssZwanebutyouchosenot
tostop,whyisthat?
Sbani
-Idon'
tknow.
.
Prosecut
or-(
laughs)y
oudon'tknow?Tr
yanot
her
answerMrZulubecauseIt
hinkyouknow..
Sbani
-Iam t
ell
i
ngy
out
hatdon'
tknowwhyIdi
dn'
t
st
op..
Prosecutor -hereiswhatIt hink,Ithinkyouinvit
ed
Mi ssZwanet omeetwi thy ouandwheny ou
expl ai
nedt oherwhatexact lyitmeanst obea
submi ssive,shepani ckedandr ealisedshedidn't
wantt obepar tofallthat,shewant edt ogoandy ou
didn'twanthert oo, y
oumusthav et r
iedtotouchher
i
nappr opriatel
y,Imeanamany oursi zeandwithall
thehor moneser upti
ngnotf orgetti
ngt hekindofsex
whi chyoupr efer.Iam guessi ngMi ssZwanef ought
youandt hreatenedtor epor tyouandy oucouldn't
hav ethat,soy oudidwhaty ouneededt odo,you
strangledher ,t
hatMrZul ui swhatIt hi
nkhappened.
Youwantedtoki
l
lher
,youknewexact
lywhaty
ou
weredoi
ng..
Jackson-(st
andsup)Objecti
ony ourhonour
,the
Plai
nti
ffi
spr ovoki
ngmyclientagain,i
tagai
nstt
he
courtt
oinsinuatefal
secl
aimsjustt obackmycli
ent
i
ntoacor ner.
Judge-object
ionsust
ained,(l
ooksatt
hepr
osecut
or)
pl
aint
iffy
ouhav ebeenwar ned..
Prosecut
or-(
smil
es)Iapol
ogiseyourhonour,
Mr
Zuluwhatwasgoingthr
oughy ourmindwheny our
handsweresqueezi
ngtheli
feoutofMi ssZwane?
Sbani-(rubbedhisey es)whenmyhandsf ir
st
grabbedherneck, Ijustwant edtoseet hef eari
nher
eyes,(brusheshisface)i nfactIdon'tknowwhatI
wantedbutIj ustneededt obeincont r
ol ofthe
si
tuation,shemademef eel l
ikeIwasl osinggri
pof
everyt
hing.Ididevery t
hingrightforher..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Sbani
-(whi
sper
s)i
tal
lhappenedt
oof
ast
..
Prosecut
or-y
oumentionthaty
ouwant
edt
oseet
he
feari
nhereyes?I
sthatri
ghtMrZul
u?
Sbani
-(nods)y
es.
.
Pr
osecut
or-wel
ldi
dyou?Di
dyouseet
hef
eari
nher
ey
es?
Sbani
-yes.
.
Prosecutor
-hmmm i
nter
est
ing,
howdi
dthatmake
youfeel?
Sbani
-(l
ooksdown)Good.
..

Thepr
osecut
orsmi
l
esandt
urnst
oJackson.
..

Pr
osecut
or-Nof
urt
herquest
ionsy
ourhonour
..
.

ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
.

MaSi
wel
aandherf
ami
l
ywer
eal
lgat
her
edi
nthe
wait
ingroom, i
tbeenovert
hir
tyminut
essincet
he
doctorshaveatt
endedNell
y,t
heyhavebeenno
updates,not
hingatal
l
...

Nhl
anhl
a-wehav
ebeenher
efort
olongnow.
Lungi
ey-yeah,
Ithi
nkIam goi
ngt
ogetsomewat
er,
doesanybodywantanyt
hing?
MaSi
wela-Icoul
ddowi
thsomesourRascal
s,my
mout
hisdry..
Don-j
ustSt
il
lwat
erf
orme.
.
Zee-Iwi
l
lgowi
thy
ou.
.

Lungi
eyandZenandewal
ktowar
dst
hev
endi
ng
machine.
.

Don-(
looksatMaSi
wel
a)what
'sony
ourmi
nd?
MaSiwela-Iam t
hinki
nghowIdon'
twantt
olosemy
daught
er..
Don-(ki
sseshercheek)y
ouwon'
tbabeshe'
sa
toughonejustl
i
kehermommy .
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)shei
s,i
sn'
tshe?
Don-y
eah.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
tear
y)t
hanwhydoIf
eel
sohel
pless?
Don-becausei
tmat t
ersoftheheart
,ther
eisn'
t
muchwecandof orherbutsheknowswewi ll
al
waysbet her
eforher.
.
MaSi
wel
a-Thanky
ouf
orbei
ngher
e..
Don-(hugsher
)she'smydaught
ert
oo,t
her
eisno
placeIwoul
dratherbet
hanherewi
thy
ouguys,my
family
..

Theypul
lapar
tfr
om t
hehugandhi
sli
psf
indsher
s..

Nhlanhl
a-woooaaa!
!!
!!I
twi
erdseei
ngy
ouguy
sli
ke
t
his..
Don-(
laughs)shutup,
didy
oucal
lyourot
hermot
her
?
Nhl
anhl
a-y
eah,
she'
sonherway
..
MaSiwel
a-youguy
scal
l
edPi
nky
?Youdi
dn'
thav
eto
t
roubl
eher.
.
Don-itnotroubleatal
l
,itwhatshewant
s,shesays
wedon'tincludehermostoftheti
messotell
i
ngher
suchthingsmakesherf eel
wantedandmorepartof
thefamily.
.
MaSi
wel
a-(
smi
l
es)okay
..

I
nsi
deMt
hoko'
scar
..
.

Si
mi-sohowl
onghav
eyout
wobeenseei
ngeach
ot
her?
Mt
hoko-sor
ry?
Si
mi-y
ouandNt
ombi
,howl
ong?

Hekeepsquietandf
ocusesontheroad,
hedebat
es
whet
hertotell
herev
eryt
hingorj
ustli
eabout
ev
eryt
hing.
.
Mt
hoko-notf
orl
ong.
.
Si
mi-hmmmm.
..
Mt
hoko-(
looksather
)ist
hatal
lyougoi
ngt
osay
?
Simi-wellt
here'
sal
otIwanttosaybutIthi
nkIwi
l
l
keepeverythi
ngtomysel
f,Idon'
tthi
nkyouwantt
o
hearitr
ightnow.
.
Mthoko-youthi
nkthisi
sstupi
danditdef
ini
tel
y
goi
ngt obi
temei ntheass,
youthi
nkIhavel
ostmy
mind,don'
tyou?
Simi-doIthinkt
hi si
sstupid?Yes, doIt hinkitgoing
tobiteyouintheass?Hmm notr eall
ybutt heway
youguy saregoingabouti twi
llbackf i
re, secret
s
alwayscomeout .DoIthinkyouhav elosty ourmind?
(Shakesherhead)No, Ithinkfi
nall
yy oudoi ng
somet hi
ngbecausey ouwantt oandgi v ingnof uck
whatpeoplewi l
lsay.
Mthoko-(
sur
pri
sed)soy
oudon'
tthi
nkt
hisi
sabad
i
dea?
Si
mi-doy
oul
oveher
?
Mthoko-It
hinkso,
shemakesmehappy
,li
ker
eal
l
y
happy.
.
Si
mi-(smi
l
es)Iseet
hat,Ihopesheknowst
hatshe'
s
gott
hebestguyi
ntheentir
eworld.
.
Mt
hoko-(
smi
l
es)y
eah,
youshoul
dtel
lhert
hat
..
Si
mi-(
laughs)Iwi
l
l,sohowlongar
eyouguy
s
pl
anni
ngtokeephidingt
hatyout
oget
her
?
Mt hoko-wewil
ltel
lever
yoneeventual
l
yjustnotnow,
there'
stomuchdr ama,besi
desIkindofwantto
enjoymyr el
ati
onshi
pbeforeever
yonestar
ts
thi
nkingtheyhaveasayaboutit.
.
Simi
-(l
aughs)okay
!!
!!Ihav
enev
erseent
hissi
deof
youbef
ore.
.
Mthoko-(rol
l
sey es)youknowhowev eryoneis,as
soonaswor daboutusi sout,i
tjustgoingtobet o
muchdr amat hatwedon'tneed,peoplejustneedto
mindtheirownf ucki
ngbusiness..
Simi-"mi
ndingyourownbusi
ness"i
snotal
anguage
thattheKhoza'
s,Si
wela'
sandtheZul
u'
sunder
stand.
.
Mt
hoko-(
sighs)Iknow.
.
ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

MthokoandSimimaket
heirwayi
nsidethehospi
tal
,
t
heybumpi nt
oLungi
eyandZenande..

Mt
hoko-what
'st
heupdat
e?
Zee-(shakesherhead)noneyet
,wewer
ejust
gett
ingwat erf
orever
yone..
Lungi
ey-(
looksatMt
hoko)hi
..
Mt
hoko-(
brushesherof
f)hi
..

Anawkwar
dmomentpasses,
ZenandeandSi
mi
l
ookbet
weent
het
woexl over
s..

Mt
hoko-l
et'
sgot
han.
.
Si
mi-y
eah,
greati
dea.
.
Theyal
lmakethei
rwayt
ot hewait
ingr
oom,
they
arr
ivej
usti
nti
measNomv elo.
..

MaSiwel
a-(
standsup)Nomv
elo,
ismydaught
er
okay
?
Nomv el
o-wehavemanagedt orestor
eherhear
t
beattoi
tnormalrhyt
hm byusi
ngt heAut
homated
Exter
nalDef
ri
bri
l
latorot
herwi
secommonl yknown
asAED..
Don-AED?Butthati
susedf
orpat
ient
swhohav
e
suf
feredCar
diacarr
est
..
Nomv elo-(
nods)Yest hat
'scorrect
,Nell
ysuffer
ed
whatwecal lasSuddenCar diacArrest(SCA),t
hisi
s
whent heheartsuddenlystopsbeating,
itnor
mally
happenswi t
houtwarning.
Mthoko-wait
,soyoutel
li
ngmet hatmysister
'shear
t
st
oppedbeat i
ng?Howisthatevenpossi
ble?
Shoul
dn'tshebedeadthanift
hatwhathappened?
Nomvel
o-(
nods)y
esIknowweallt
hinkt
hata
per
son'
sdi
eswhenthehear
tst
opsbeati
ngbuti
n
gener althetruthisbr aincel l
sbegintodie
appr oximatel
yaf ter4- 6mi nutesofnobloodflow,
afteraround10mi nutest hosecellswil
lcease
funct i
oningandbeef fect
ivelydead,alt
hougha
personcandi ef r
om SCAi nmi nut
esifnotatt
ended
tooort reatedt herightway .Nell
ywasv er
yluckyto
hav eZandi l
et here,shemanagedt odoaquickCPR
onher ,
shesav edherl if
e..
Si
mi-sowhatnow?I
ssheokay
?
Nomv el
o-wesedat edherfornowandshe' sokaybut
wedidsomet estj
usttobesafe,l
ookingather
medicalhistor
yitwasbestwedomor etestjustin
casewemi ssedsomethi
ng.Right
nowwel ookingat
thepossibil
it
yofherhavi
ngAr r
hymais..

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Bandil
ewalkedoutofhi
scarandri
ngedthedoor
bel
l,Matemaopenedthedoorandsmil
edathim.
..
Mat
ema-t
hisi
sani
cesur
pri
se,
comei
n..

Hewal
kedi
nsi
deandgreet
edMatemabef
oret
hey
madet
hei
rwaytot
heloungear
ea.
.

Matema-ever
yti
meIseey
ou,
itl
i
key
ougr
owmor
e
muscles.
.
Bandil
e-(
laughs)ital
lthepr
otei
nshakeandgym,
butIam notgett
ingany mor
ebufft
hanthi
s..
Matema-(laughs)good,youdon'
twantt
obelike
yourbigbr
other,someti
mesIf i
ndmysel
ftel
li
nghim
t
ocl osehi
sar msforget
tingi
tall
themuscl
es
makinghispostureli
kethat.
.

Theybot
hlaugh.
.

Matema-sowhatbri
ngsyouher
e?Iknowi
tnott
o
hangoutwi
ththebori
ngoldme.
.
Bandi
l
e-(
laughs)y
ou'
dsur
pri
sed,
Idon'
tfi
ndy
ou
bor
ingatal
lbutunf
ort
unat
elyt
odayIam her
efor
Musa..
Mat
ema-ohr
eal
l
y?
Bandil
e-(
nods)yeah,Iam supposedtodr
iveherso
shecanbuyanout f
itfort
onight
'sfr
esher
sparty,
Zenande'
sorder
s..
Matema-(laughs)If
igured,well
itgr
eatthatMusai
s
makingfri
endsandt hi
spar t
yisagreatwayforher
t
oenj oyhersel
fasaf i
rstyear
sstudent,
Iremember
myfreshersparty
..
Bandi
l
e-(
laughs)ohy
eah?Howwasi
t?
Mat
ema-(l
ooks)okaymaybenotbutwhatIdo
r
ememberwasshotsaft
ershot
saftershot
s..
Bandi
l
e-(
smi
l
es)wayt
ogoMi
ssNda!
!!

Theybot
hlaugh.
..

Matema-wel
lMusaupst
air
s,shewasput
ti
ngy
our
ni
ecetosl
eep,y
oucangoup..
Bandi
l
e-thanky
ou,Iwi
llpassbyandgi
vet
hecut
e
Nkanyezi
asweetki
ss.
..
Mat
ema-(
smi
l
es)y
oubet
ternotwakeherup.
..

Helaughsandshout
s"Iwon'
t"bef
orer
unni
ngupt
he
st
air
s..
.

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t134.
..

ATDURBANHI
GHCOURT.
..

Judge-Def
endantt
hef
loori
syour
s..

Jacksonnodsandst
andsupwal
ki
ngcl
osert
othe
stand.
.

Jackson-MrZul
u,somet
hingy
ousai
disn'
tsi
tt
ing
wellwithme,i
nfactIfi
nditver
ydisturbi
ngtomy
ears.Iquot
einyourownwor ds"Good"wast he
feel
ingyoufel
twheny ouwit
nessedf eari
ntheeyes
ofMi ssZwane.Descr
ibet
his"Good"t ome..
Sbani
-Ican'
t.
.
Jackson-y oucan't?Wel l here'smydef init
ionof
"Good",it"good"wheny ouscor eanAi ny ourmat h
test,i
t"good"wheny ouf inallysucceedi nspor ts,you
knowt hef eeli
ngwheny ou' rekidandy ouf inall
y
managedt oswal l
owdownal lthepeas, carrotsand
broccoliinyourplat,t
hef eelingis"good"because
yourpar entsrewardy ouwi thabarofchocol at
eor
threescoopsofi ce-cream.Thatwhat" Good"f eels
l
iketome, nowwasi tthesamef eeli
ngof" good"
wheny ourhandswer ewr appedar oundMi ss
Zwane'sneckandherey eswetwi thtearsandf ear
i
nst i
l
ledi nthem, l
ookingdi rectlyatyours, witha
sil
entpleaf oryoutost op, tof r
eey ourhandsf rom
herneck. .
..
(takesadeepbr eath)toletherl i
ve..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Jackson-MrZul
u?
Sbani
-Maybe"good"wasn'tther
ightwor
dto
descr
ibewhatIwasfeel
ing..
Jackson-(
nods)okay,nowwouldyouli
ketotel
lus
theexactwor
dt odescri
bewhatyoufel
tatthat
moment ?
Sbani
-Idon'
tthi
nkIcan.
.
Jackson-whyi
sthat
?
Sbani-(st
aresathi
m) (
blankface)becausetherei
s
norightwordtodescri
bewhatIwasf eel
ing,i
tall
a
bunchofr awemotionsmi xedtoget
her.
.
Jackson-hmmm,
cany
ousayy
ouf
elt"
sat
isf
ied"
..
.
Sbani
-(nods)att
hatmoment
,yes.
..
Jackson-soyoursat
isf
acti
onwasshortl
ived?What
el
sedidy ouf
eel?Befor
eyouanswerthat
,tel
lmeat
whatpointdi
dy our"
sat
isf
acti
on"st
op.
Sbani-(
swal
l
ows)whenIf
elthert
akeherl
ast
breat
h..
Itwasqui etinsidethecour t
room, MissZwanedi dn't
takeherey esawayf rom Sbani ,eversincehestart
ed
talking,t
earshav ebeenr unningdownhercheeks,
sil
ent l
ycryi
ngont heout sidebutscr eami ngonthe
i
nsi de.Everynowandt hanwhenhi sey eswil
lmeet
his,theywoul dshowr emor se,regretbutsometimes
theywoul djustbebl ank, almostasi fhe'sbodywas
her ebuthismi ndwasabsent ..
.

Jackson-howdi
dyouf
eel
aft
ert
hat
?
Sbani
-(hi
shandsf
ormedf
ist
s)angr
y..
Jackson-angr
yatwhaty
ouhav
edone?
Sbani
-(shakeshi
shead)angr
yatwhatshemademe
do.
..
Jackson-soy
oubl
amedher
?Itwasherf
aul
t?
Sbani-(
loud)OFCOURSEI
TWAS, I
FSHEHADN'
T..
.
(si
ghs)Ididn'
twantt
ohur
ther
..
Jackson-soy
oudidn'
tseeanyt
hingwrongwi
thwhat
youhavedone?I
twasallherf
ault,
shemadeyoudo
i
t,i
sthathowy
ouf
elt
?
Sbani
-(nods)att
hatt
ime,
yes.
.
Jackson-doyousti
llbl
ameher
?Doy ousti
l
lfeel
li
ke
i
twasherf aul
t?Thatshemadeyoudoit
?
Sbani
-(t
akesadeepbr
eat
h)somet
imes.
.
Jackson-(nods)(l
ooksattheJudge)nofurt
her
questi
onsf ortheaccusedyourhonourbutwit
hyour
permissi
on, Iwouldl
iketobri
ngDrBurketothe
stand.
.
Prosecutor
-(st
andsup)obj
ect
ionyourhonour,we
weretoldnothi
ngaboutthi
sDrBurke,
weaskt hat
yourejectt
heDefendantpl
eaf
orthisDrBurketo
takethestand.
.
Jackson-yourhonoural
thought her eisnomention
forDrBurkeasacandidateoft hest and,wedid
submitadocumentf ort
hepossi bilityofherbei
ng
crossexamined.. 118854985270

Prosecut
or-yourhonourwedidn'
trecei
veanyl et
ter
ordocumentwhi chstat
edsuch,ify
ouallowthisDr
Burketothestandthanwewoul dli
keafairchance
t
ocr
ossexami
neheraswel
l
..

TheJudgenodsandsi
l
encest
hem f
oraf
ew
minut
es.
.

Thandeka-(
whi
sper
s)whoi
sthi
sDrBur
ke?
Prosecutor
-Ihavenoi
dea,whi
chiswhyIam hopi
ng
thejudgesdeni
esthei
rpl
eaforhi
m/hert
otakethe
stand..

Meanwhi
l
e..
.

Bless-(r
eadsatextf
rom Nomvel
o)Ijustr
eceiv
eda
textfr
om Mv el
o,Nel
l
ysuffer
edCardi
acarrest
..
Shaka-i
sitseri
ous?Iknowsomecar
diacar
restcan
beli
fethr
eateni
ng..
Bl
ess-(
shr
ugs)Idon'
tknow,
theyr
ansomet
est
s,we
wi
llhav
etowait
.
Shaka-wi
l
lyout
ell
Sbani
?Idon'
tthi
nki
tagr
eati
dea.
.
Bl
ess-(
frowns)Ican'
tli
etohim,nott
ell
i
nghim
woul
dbeav erybadidea,hehastoknow..

TheJudgegat
her
shi
snot
es.
..

Judge-Ihav ecamet ot hedecisiontodenyt he

Defendantther equestforDrBur ketotaket hestand,
thi
smeansDrBur kealongwi thallcandidat
esthat
boththePlainti
ffandDef endantwoul dliketocross
examineshoul dbepr esent edtothecour tnolater
thanTuesdayast hecaser uli
ngispost ponedto
Fri
day.Thisgivesbot hthePl ai
ntif
fandt he
defendantfairchancetopr epare..
.

"
COURTDI
SMI
SSED"
..
..

Thandeka-(
standsup)sowhatdoest
hismeans?
Pr
osecut
or-i
tmeanswenowhav
eachancet
o
strengthenourcase,wereal
l
yneedtopreparey ou
tof aceJackson,hewon'
tgoeasyonyou,itdoesn't
helpt hatt
heirwhol
estr
ategyist
omanipulatethe
brain..
Mi
ssZwane-whatar
eourchances?
Prosecut
or-(pat
shershoul
der
)Iwil
lgetj
ust
icef
or
yourdaughterMissZwane,
havef
ait
hinthat
..
.

Shesighsandnodsappr eci
ati
veofhowhardhe's
tr
ying.TheZwanef amil
ywalksoutt
hecourtroom
wit
houtev enspar
ingtheZulu'
soneglace.
..

Nganono-Ineedt
ospeakt
oSbani
sezwe.
.
Bl
ess-(
nods)okaybaba,
youwi
l
lneedt
ofol
l
owme.
.
MrZul
u-(
looksatMr
sZul
u)doy
ouwantt
oseehi
m?
Mr
sZul
u-(
shakesherhead)Ij
ustwantt
ogohome.
.
MrZulu-(
nods)(
looksatSane)youwil
ldr
ivey
our
motherhome,minanoBabo'Mkhuluwenawil
lst
ay
behi
ndwhilehespeakswithyourbr
other
..
Si
zwe-well
let
'sgo,
Iam sur
eMav
isexhaust
edwi
th
al
ltheki
dsshehadwit
hher..

Sizwebidsfarewel
l,SaneandMrsZul
ufol
lowhim
outthecourthouse.Theyall
fol
l
owJacksonandare
l
edt oaoffi
cel i
kespacewhereSbani
waswaiti
ng
forthem,bothhishandscuff
ed.
.

Jackson-Iseet
heyhav
eputt
hecuf
fsback.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughsl
i
ght
ly)t
heyt
aki
ngnochances.
.
Nganono-(
bol
dvoi
ce)Son.
.
Sbani
-(l
ooksdown)Magebaomkhul
u..

Hepl
acesabott
lewi
thgr
eensi
nsi
deandpushesi
t
t
owar
dshim..

Nganono-dr
inkt
his,
all
ofi
t.
.
Jackson-(
looksatt
hebot
tl
e)whati
sthi
s?
Sbani
-shoul
dIdr
inki
tatonego?
Nganono-(nods)i
tagi
ftf
rom y
ourdaught
er
Thi
ngolenkosi
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-wi
l
lthi
shel
pwi
tht
hecase?
Nganono-(
frowns)whatdoy outhinkthi
sisboy?A
magicshow?DoIl ookli
kefatherChri
stmastoyou
andthi
s(pointsatthebott
le)isagif
tfrom t
he
nor
thpol
e?

Bl
esshol
dsbackhi
slaugh.
..

Shaka-(
looksdown)Ngi
yaxol
i
saBabo'
Mkhul
u..
Nganono-thi
swillgi
veyoustrengthonyourjourney
ahead,Ndodanayouhaveanger edtheZwane
ancest
orsitoutofourhandsbuty ougotavery
speci
aldaughter
,maybewer eyougoingitwon'tbe
sobad.
.
Bl
ess-wai
t,sohe'
sdef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngt
opr
ison?
Nganono-(f
rowns)wher
edi
dyout
hinkhewasgoi
ng?
KhuvukuLand?
Sbani
-youcancommuni
cat
ewi
thThi
ngo?
Nganono-( nods)whennecessar yyes, Iseeher
aswel l
anddon'tgivet hatface,youknowi twasn't
yourfaultshedied,Itoldyoushewasnev ermeant
forthelandofthel i
vi
ng, herplacewasal way swith
ourancest or
s.Herpowerandst r
engthhadnopl ace
i
nt hisworld,It
oldyoul iv
inginthiswor ldwi t
hagi ft
l
ikeher swasgoi ngtobeabur denf orher.Nowy ou
needt odrinkup,wecan' tbeher eforlong, Ineedto
speakt othemakaThi ngo..

Sbanigulpeddownt hedri
nk,i
ttastedbit
terbuthe
knewt hatheneededtotoughenupanddr i
nk,
pissi
ngNganonoupwast helastthinghewanted.
Hef i
nishedthedri
nkandthrewthebot tl
etothe
smallbininthecorner
..
.
Nganono-wegoi
ngt oneedtocleansetheZwane
famil
yfort
hehor
ri
bledeedyoubr oughttothem
befor
ewedoawel comingceremonyf oryourson.
..
Sbani-It
houghtweal
readyi
ntr
oducedSJt
otheZul
u
ancestor
s?
Nganono-( shakeshi shead)weonl yhadNkany ezi
andNsi kayesizwecer emony ,
thatdayweonl y
i
nf or
medt heancest or
sofy ourel
destsonpr esence,
wehav etodot hisceremonybecauset heZwane
ancestorsmaydi rectthei
rangertowardst heboy ,i
f
wecl eanset hei
rhomet hanweacknowl edgeour
fault
s,theycal m downandt heboywi llstopbeing
sickaswel lashewon' tbecaughti nthef i
rebetween
theangert heyhav ewi thyouashisfather..
Shaka-shoul
dn'
tThandekaal
socleanseourhome,
shedidsteal
imbewuy akwaMageba?

Theyal
ll
aughwel
lbesi
deJacksonwhodi
dn'
tcat
ch
thej
oke.
..
Nganono-(smil
es)seewhyamanshouldn'
thave
l
ightski
n,notonl
ydoeshelookbl
onde,
hestart
s
t
alki
ng"blonde"t
oo..
.

Theyal
ll
aughev
enmor
eloud.
..

Jackson-hey
,If
eel
ofended.
.
Nganono-sonImustt
akemyleavenow,
Idon'
twant
t
odistur
bmakaThingolat
eatnight
..
Bless-uhmm Idon'tt
hinkitpossi
blefory
outotal
k
tohert odaybaba,
she'
s( cl
earshisthr
oat
)she'
sin
hospital,suf
fer
edcar
diacarrest
..
Sbani
-(wi
nced)howbadi
sit
?
Bl
ess-Iam notsur
ebutt
heyr
ansomet
est
s..
Nganono-wel
lthat
'
sf i
nebutIam goi
ngt
oneedt
o
seeNkanyezi
tomorrow..
Sbani
-why
?Ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ongwi
thher
?
Nganono-nothi
ngyoushoul
dwor
ryy
our
sel
fabout
f
ornow, keepwell
son.
.

NganonoandMrZul
ubi
dfar
ewel
landexi
tther
oom.
.

Sbani
-(l
ooksatBl
ess)t
ell
yourf
atherIneedt
osee
hi
m now..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)okay
..
Jackson-wel
lcanyoutwopl
easeexcuseus,
Ineed
tohaveapriv
atechatwit
hmycli
ent.
.

ShakaandBl
essexi
tther
oom.
..

ATGALLERI
ASHOPPI
NGMALL.
..

Nomusahadboughtaf ewdressesandskir
tsthat
shel
ikedbutBandi
lehadinsi
stedthatshel
ooksfor
somethi
ngelsetoweartoni
ghtasnoneofthe
dressesandski
rt
ssheboughtwer
efi
tfort
oni
ght
's
party.
.

Bandi
le-hey,howcomeIhav en'
tseeny
out
ryout
pant
s,skinnyjeansorshor
ts?
Nomusa-angi
wagqoki
amabhul
ukwe(
Idon'
twear
pant
s)
Bandil
e-(shocked)whodoesn'twearpant
s?I
sitpar
t
ofyourreli
gion?Achur
chthing?
Nomusa-(shakesherhead)myf
ather
,hedoesn'
t
l
ikepant
s..
Bandi
le-sot
hat'
stheonlyr
easonwhyyoudon'
twear
pant
s?Becauseyourfat
hersaysso?
Nomusa-(
looksdown)y
eah.
.
Bandi
le-(
huf
fs)
(mutt
ers)may
bey
ourf
atherand
minecomefrom t
hesamewomb..
Nomusa-huh?
..
Bandil
e-not
hing,
wel
li
tagoodthi
ngthatyourfather
ai
n'ther
e,sowhydon'
tyoupi
cksomeskinnyjeans
andtr
ythem out,
Ibettheywoul
dlookgoodony
ou,
i
nfactever
ythi
nglooksgoodonyou..

Nomusabl ushesandmov esawayfrom him,he'

s
beendoingthatalot
,complementi
ngherev er
ynow
andthan,almostasifhewasn'
tevenawar ehewas
doingi
t.Bandil
e'
sphonev i
brat
ed,helookedatitand
sawZenande'snameont hescreen..

Bandi
l
e-t
alkt
ome.
.
Zee-(
rol
l
sherey
es)wher
ear
eyouguy
s?
Bandi
l
e-weatH&M.
.
Zee-ohl
uckymeIwasj
ustbyt
heent
rance.
.

Theybot
hendedthecal
l
,secondsl
aterZenande
walkedi
nonthem..
.

Zee-(
looksatNomusa)
(smi
les)Iseeyouhave
managedtoshopafewclot
hesforyoursel
f.
.
Nomusa-(r
oll
sey
es)Idohav
eani
deaoft
heki
ndof
cl
othesIl
i
ke.
Bandi
le-pl
easet
ell
hershewoul
dlookgoodi
n
pant
s..
Zee-shel
ooksgoodi
nany
thi
ng.
.
Bandil
e-Iknow,wellIwil
ll
ety
ouladi
esdoyourt
hing,
Iam goingtost
ockonbooze( wi
nksatNomusa)see
youlat
erpuffcheeks..

Hejogsoutt
hest
ore,
leav
ingNomusawi
thr
ed
cheeks.
..

ATTHESTATI
ON.
..

Thedooropened,
Sbani
wal
kedi
nandsatopposi
te
Moses.
.

Moses-y
ouwant
edt
oseeme.
.
Sbani
-(smir
ks)thatwasqui
ck,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
haty
ou
wouldgetheret
hisfast
..
Moses-j
ustsoy
ouknowIdon'
ttakei
tki
ndl
ytoy
ou
summoningmeli
keIwor
kfory
ou..
Sbani
-(shr
ugs)y
ouhereso,any
waysIwantyout
o
doyourthi
ngandgetmeapasstoseeNel
lyandmy
ki
ds..
Moses-(l
aughs)andwhywoul
dIdot
hat
?What
makesyouthinkIwouldev
enagr
eet
osuchat
hing,
I
l
ikeseei
ngyouhere..
Sbani-y
ougoi
ngt
odoi
tbecauseIsai
dso,
simpl
eas
that
..
Moses-(
laughs)
(st
andsup)y
ouwast
ingmyt
ime.
.
Sbani
-(Bangst
het
abl
e)si
tyourassdown.
.
Moses-(
annoy
ed)f
ucky
ou.
.
Sbani
-Iwonderwhatyourdaught
erwouldthi
nkif
shefoundoutdeadbeatdaddyher
eisresponsi
ble
wit
hfor..
.
Moses-t
hecarwoul
dbeher
ear
ound8pm,
ber
eady
..
Hesay
sthatandbangst
hedooronhi
swayoutt
he
r
oom..

ATMASI
WELA'
SHOUSE.
..

Zenandef
ini
sheddoinghermakeupandturnedto
Nomusawhowascont emplat
ingonwhethertowear
sandal
sorsneaker
swhichZenandef
orcedherto
buy.
.

Zee-j
ustweartheChuckTay l
or'
s,theywil
llookgood
withy
ourbluejeans,
besideswear egoingtobeat
thegr
ounds,youdon'twantyourfeettogetdir
tyor
evencol
d,wegoi ngt
obeout si
deal lni
ght
..
Nomusa-okay
Zee-(
looksatherj
eans)damn,Bandil
ewasr
ight
,you
defi
nit
elyl
ookhot,l
ookatthatass.
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)doIr
eal
l
ylookni
ce?
Zee-ni
ce?You'
real
lfl
amesgi
rl
..
Nomusa-huh?
Zee-(
shr
ugsheroff
)uyashi
samnt wana,
thatwhatI
meantwhenIsai
dflames.Any
way sdoyouwantto
putmakeup?Alt
houghyoudon'tr
eall
yneedit
..
Nomusa-Iwantt
otr
yit
..
Zee-(
smi
l
es)okaysi
tandl
etmewor
kmymagi
c..
.

45mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Zenande'sphonebeepedindicat
ingat
ext
,sher
eads
thetextandstandsupexcit
edly.
.

Zee-t
heguy
sar
eher
e,gety
oursl
i
ngbagandl
et'
s
go.
.
Nomusa-okay
..
.

Twomi
nut
esl
atert
heywal
koutt
hegat
eandf
inda
bl
ackH1par kedont hesi
de,Sandil
ewaski ckingthe
ai
rbusysmoki ngoutsi
dethecar,henot i
cedt hetwo
l
adiesbecauseZenandewasi nst
ructingTobi togo
backinsi
dethey ar
d.Heashedouthi scigaretteand
gri
nnedlooki
ngatZeeandt heunknowngi r
l nextto
her.
.

Zee-(
hugshi
m)Sandz.
.
Sandi
l
e-what
'supma,
who'
sthebi
rdwi
thy
ou?
Zee-(
smil
es)MusameetSandi
l
e,he'
sBandi
l
e'st
win,
Sandi
let
hisMusaafr
iend.
.
Nomusa-hi
..
Sandi
l
e-(hugsher
)youwi
l
lhav
etof
orgi
veme,
Iam
ahugger
...
.
Bandi
l
e-st
opsuf
focat
ingt
hegi
rlbr
o..

Theyl
aughandbreakt
hehug,Bandi
l
epinches
Nomusa'
scheekandtakesi
nheroutf
it
..
Bandi
le-(
smi
les)Itol
dyoupuf
fcheekst
hatj
eans
wil
ll
ookgoodony ou.
.
Nomusa-(
blushes)t
hanky
ou.
.
Sandi
l
e-wai
t,y
ouknowbi
rdher
e?

Nomusawasconf usedast
owhywasSandil
ewas
cal
li
ngher"bi
rd"
,theonl
ybi
rdsheknewwasthe
onesthatf
ly.
.

Nomusa-mynamei
sNomusa,
notbi
rd.
.

Sandi
lewidenhiseyesandlooksather
,Zeeand
Bandi
lelaughbecausetheyhavegr
ownt o
under
standNomusa. .

Zee-(pat
sSandi
l
e'sback)don'
twor
ry,
shedoest
hat
al
ot..
Sandi
l
e-(
smi
l
es)wel
lshe'
sluckyshe'
scut
e..
Zee-Iknowr
ight
,toocut
e..
Bandil
e-motherfuckenbeaut
if
ul(
pinchesher
cheeksagai
n)..
.
Nomusa-(
blushes)
(pr
otest
s)Ndi
l
e!!
!

Hesmi l
esheari
nghercal
lhim byhi
sni
ckname,
she'
sneverdonethatbef
orebuthe'
snot
complai
ningbecauseheli
keit
..

Sandi
l
e-wel
llet
sgo,Iam perf
ormingtonight
,Ineed
tomeett
hetechguy
sf orsoundcheck..
.
Zee-(nods)okaybutf
ir
stweneedt
opassbySouth
pointresi
denceandpi
ckupNomusa'sf
ri
end,
Smiso
ri
ght?
Nomusa-y
eah.
.

Theyal
lhopi nsi
detheH1, whichhadthr
eeguysand
onegir
l,Sandil
e'
sfr
iends.Theyallgr
eeteachot
her
andsett
ledown.Nomusasi t
snexttoZee..
.
Zee-soy
ougotusadr
iver
?
Bandi
l
e-(nods)oneofmydad'
sguy
s,If
igur
edal
lof
uswouldbewasted.
..
Zee-Il
i
ket
hewayy
out
hink.
..

Oneoftheunknownguy spoursshotsforevery
one,
Nomusatakesthesmal lshotpl
asti
ccupandgul ps
i
tjustl
i
keeveryoneelse,i
twasn'tabit
terst
rong
tast
eli
kesheexpectedittobeinfacti
ttast
edlike
coughsyr
up..
.

Nomusa-(
li
ckst
hecup)Il
i
ket
his.
.
Zee-(
laughs)f
ir
stt
imedr
inki
ng?
Nomusa-notreall
y,Mpumist
olesomeofher
boy
fri
endsalcohol,
butIdi
dn'
tli
kethebi
tt
ert
ast
e..
Zee-(
giggl
es)hmmm soyounott
hati
nnocent
,we
goi
ngtohav esomuchf
un..
.
Sandi
lei
nstr
uct
sthedri
vert
oturnt
hemusi
cup,
they
shar
eanotherr
oundofshot
s..
.

ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

ShakawalksinsideNelly'
shospitalroom, heplaces
thewhiter
osesnextt othewi ndowst and.Hedi dn'
t
knowwhet hershewasasl eeporst i
llpassedout
becauseofthesedatives.Thebeepi ngoft he
machinewast heonlythingthatcoul dbeheard.He
walkedtowardsherandbr ushedt hepalm ofher
hand..
.

Shaka-y
oulooksopeacefulbutt
hanagainIal
way s
l
ikedyoubet
terwhenyouasleepbecausethat
'sthe
onlyt
imewhenIgettolookatyouandallowmy sel
f
tolov
eyouli
kehowIwantt oo.

Hemov
escl
osert
oher
..
.
Shaka-AsmuchasIl ovethesleepingf orm ofy ou
butIt r
easurethehappy ,
bubblysi deofy outoo.I
l
ov eitwheny ousmi l
eandy oushowt hoset wo
pointedteethofy ours,howy ousqui nty oureyes
everyti
mey oul augh,youhav enoi deawhaty our
smilesdoest ome, sometimeswheny ousmi l
elike
thatatme, Igett hefeeli
ngthaty ouseemyf eeli
ngs
foryourrightthroughme.Cany ouseei t?Doy ou
reall
yknowhowIf eelaboutyou?

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-(si
ghs)ithar
df orme, sometimesIjustwant
topackandgo, star
tal i
fesomewher ewer eIdon' t
havetolookaty ouandwi sht hatyouwer emi ne,
wishthatNkanyeziandNsi kawer eour s,sothatI
don'thavetol
ookatmybr ot herandt hi
nkhowl ucky
heistohav eyou,wishthatIcoul dtakehispl acebut
thanagainIdon'twanttot akehisplacebecauseI
don'twanttobesecondbestt oyou,Iwantt obet he
bestforyou,t
heonlyone( laughs)Iguesst hatwhat
meandSbani
haveincommon,
webot
hsel
fi
shl
y
wanty
ouasourown..
.

Hepl
ayswi
thherf
inger
s..
.

Shaka-Iwonderhowy oufeel aboutme, Idon'tknow

butIrememberbackt ot hedaywhenIwasaty our
apart
mentandwehaddi nnert ogether,Iremember
howy oulaughedatmyev eryjoke,howy ourbody
fel
tnexttomi nes,howyoul ookeddi rectlytomy
eyes,IguessthatwhyIcan'tseem t omov eon,I
alwaysrememberbackt othatday ,Ialsohol dont o
howcomf or
tableyoualwaysar earoundme.Tel lme
Iam wrong?Tel lmeyoudon' tf eel
any thi
ngf orme?
Squeezemyhand. .

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-(
laughsandsmil
es)
(shakeshi
shead)you
dri
vemecr azy,
Idon'
tev
enknowwhyIam t al
kingt
o
y
oul
i
key
oui
nacoma.
..

Heuseshishandandtracesherface,herski
nwas
sosof
t,hestoppedr
ighttoherpoutedpinkli
ps.
..

Shaka-Godyousobeauti
ful
,Iam goi
ngtokissyou,
becausethi
sist
heonlychanceIwouldeverget
..
.

Heslowlybendsdown, pul
lstheoxygenmaskof f
andkissesher
, hi
sli
psstayrootedonhersoftli
ps
forafewsecondsbeforehepul l
stheoxygenmask
backonandpl aceshi
slipsonherforehead.
..

Shaka-(
whi
sper
s)Il
ovey
ou.
..

Hebrusheshercheekonemor eti
meandmakeshis
waytowardsthedoor,
hisheartal
mostst
ops
beati
ngwhenhef i
ndshisbrot
herseat
edononeof
thebenchesnextt
othedoorholdi
ngabouquetof
pi
nkr
oses.
.

Shaka-Sbani
?
Sbani
-baf
o..
Shaka-whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Di
dyouescape?
Sbani
-No,my"f
atheri
nlaw"pul
l
edsomest
ri
ngs,
I
haveathr
eedayspass.
.
Shaka-(
clearshi
sthr
oat
)howl
onghav
eyoubeen
si
tti
nghere..
.
Sbani
-(st
aresathi
m)notl
ong.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-sohowi
sshe?
Shaka-she'
snotawake,
butshel
ooksl
i
keshe'
s
goi
ngt obeokay.
..
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Shaka-wel
lIwi
ll
leav
eyoutoat
tendyouwoman,
you
don'
twanttowastet
imenowdoy ou.
.
Sbani-yeah,
my"woman"(smil
es)
wel
lthankf
or
checkinguponherbr
other
..
Shaka-any
time.
.

Sbaniwal ksinsidetheroom andcl

osesthedoor,
Shakaf i
nall
ybr eathes,hebr
usheshissweati
ngface.
Somet hi
ngt ell
shim hisbrot
herhear
dev er
ythi
ngbut
thantheSbani heknewwoul dhavehadhisface
connectedwi ththewal l
sbeforet
hewords"Iam
sorr
y"lefthismout h..
.

ATUKZNSPORTI
NGGROUNDS(
HOWARD
CAMPUS)
..
.

TheguysgetouttheH1wi
thcool
erboxesaswel
las
gazeebot
ents.
..
Bandi
l
e-wegoi
ngt
ofi
ndaspor
tandsetup.
.

Thegi r
lsgetoutt
heH1,Nomusal ooksaround,
the
groundwaspackedwithstudent
sandt ents,
music
wasl oudandsowasthescreams...
.

Nomusa-somanypeopl
e..
Zee-(
looksaround)wel
li
tist
hebi
ggestevent,
ever
yonealwayslooksf
orwar
dtot
hefreshersbash.
.
Smiso-y
ouguysar
efr
iendswi
thBandi
l
e,i
sn'
the
par
tofrugbyt
eam.
.
Zee-(
nods)y
ouhi
sfangi
rlt
oo?
Smiso-(shakesherhead)nobutthegi
rl
soncampus
al
way stalkabouthi
ml i
kehe'
ssomesor tofcel
ebr
it
y,
wel
l t
heyt al
kaboutall
sportguy
sl i
ket
hey
cel
ebrit
ies..
Nomusa-al
ltheguy
sar
ehot
..
.
Sheput
sherhandsonhermouthwhensher
eali
ses
shesai
dthatoutl
oud,
SmisoandZeel
aughather.
..

Zee-don'
tworry
,notal
lguysinthecit
yarehot
,it
j
ustthatyouhadthepl
easureofbeingint
he
companyofthehotones.
.
Smi
so-(
laughs)t
rue.
.
Zee-okaysoIam goi ngtobemamabearr i
ghtnow.
Youdonotwanderf aroff,
y oudonotacceptdr i
nks
from str
angers,wheny ouf eel l
i
key ourheadisheav y
andy oustarti
ngt oseedoubl e,youst opdri
nkingand
youdr i
nkasmuchwat erasy oucan, ther
eisa
designatedcoolerboxf i
ll
edwi t
hjustwaterbot t
les.
Ifyougoingt omakeoutwi thaguymakesur eit
someoney ouwon' twakeupt omorrowmor ningand
regretever
y t
hing.(Laughs)Nosex. ..

Theyal
ll
augh.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t135.
.

ATUKZNSPORTI
NGGROUNDS(
HOWARD
CAMPUS)
..
.

Student swer escat tedalloverthegr ounds, some

wer ealreadydr unkt otheirkneesast heykept
blabbingnonsenseandl osingt hei
rst eps,itwasa
newenv ironmentt oNomusay etshewasenj oying
herself.Whatwasshocki ngt oherwashow
everyonewassof ri
endly,gi
rlsshedi dn'tknowwoul d
comeov erandt al
kwi ththem, laughandsome
woul dev entakepi cturesormakev ideos, everyone
seemedsocar ef ree.Zenandet oldhert her eason
whyev eryonewassof ri
endlywasbecauseoft he
al
cohol ,whenpeopl ear edrinki
ngt heyal lhaveone
commongoal ittogetwast edandhav efun.They
wer enowseat edont hei
rcampchai rswat chi
ngone
ofBandi le'sfr
iendswhowast r
yingtoscor e..
.

Smi
so-(
laughs)she'
sdef
ini
tel
yfal
l
ingf
orhi
str
icks.
.
Zee-(l
aughs)Iknowr i
ght
,lookatthewayshe'
s
swingi
ngherlegs,she'
sdefini
tel
yfeel
i
nghim..
Smiso-Iam notsur
pri
sedt
hough,
theguyi
sa
l
ooker.
.
Nomusa-(
looksar
ound)uphi
Bandi
l
e?
Zee-Sandzi sabouttoperf
orm,Ithi
nkhewentto
helphim setup,whichremindsme, weshoul
d
probabl
ymov ecl
osertothestage..
Smi
so-whowi
l
llookaf
terourst
uffher
e?
Zee-hi
m(point
satthedr
iver
)notonl
yhe'
sourdr
iver
buthe'
soursecur
it
y..
Nomusa-l
i
keabodyguar
d?
Smi
so-kant
ihowr
ichi
sBandi
l
e'sf
ami
l
y?
Zee-(l
ooksatNomusa)hewor ksasabodyguard
forBandi
le'
sfamily
,theydefi
nit
elyr
ich,
hisf
ather
headstheNationalI
ntel
li
gence..
Smiso-(gasps)wow, He'
sMosesGasason,
he'
smy
fav
ourit
epoliti
cian.
.
Zee-(
shr
ugs)he'
snott
hatgr
eatoncey
ougett
o
knowhi
m,any
way
sletmov
eladi
es.
.

Thegr
oupmov
escl
osert
othest
age.
..

Gi
rl
-(speaksont
hemi
crophone)UKZNWASSUP!
!!
..
..

Thestudent
sst
art
sscr
eami
ngandwhi
stl
i
ngi
n
exci
tement.
.

Gi
rl
-(smil
es)YEAH!
!!
!THATWHATI'M TALKI
NG
ABOUT,IHAVEASURPRISEPERFORMANCEFOR
YOU,WANNATAKEAGUESSWHOI TIS? .
.

Thecr
owstartschanti
ng"BUCKS"andscreami
ng
evenl
ouder
,theyshoutoutt
hename" BUCKS".
..
.

Gir
l-(
smil
es)y
eah!
!!
,hemadehisdebutappearance
attheNel
sonMandel
aGlobal
Citi
zenconcert
,46664,
hedroppedhi
sfir
stsi
ngl
elasty
earandperf
ormedit
attheHipHopfest
,nowhe'
sbackev enmor
ebigger
andbetter
,GI
VEITUPFOR
"BBBBUUUUUCCCCCKKKKSSSS!!!
!!
!"
..
.

Zee-(
scr
eams)WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
!!
!
Smiso-(cl
appi
nghands)WOOOOOOOOO!
!!
!!Wow!
!I
di
dn'tknowhewasthisbi
g..
Zee-(smil
e)hej
ustmadei nt
othegame,he'
smost
popularar
oundDurbanri
ghtnowbuthe'
stot
all
y
ki
ll
ingthegame(nudgesNomusa)..
.
Nomusa-wooo!
!!Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?
Zee-(
giggl
es)y
ousoundl i
keapuppybutIwanty
ou
toscr
eam andletl
oose,
itatur
nup,don'
tbea
walki
ngdeadnow..

Theyal
lgi
ggl
e..
.

Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)l
eav
emeal
one.
..
..
Sandi l
e,stagename" Bucks"st artsper f
or ming
maki ngev ery
onel osetheirmi nds, Nomusawat ches
asZenandeandSmi sodance, shaki ngt heirbuttli
ke
thosegi r
lsshesawont v,shesmi l
esl ookingar ound
asal lgi
rlswer eei
thershaki ngt heirassorgr i
nding
theirassesonguy scrotchs.OneofSandi l
e'sfri
ends
wal kstothem andhandst hem onel it
resofSmi r
noff
stormseach, butbeforetheycoul ddrinki t
,theyall
doshot sagai nasagr oupbutt hist i
met heshot sare
strongandbi tter
..
..

Nomusa-(
frowns)AAAAAHHHHH!
!!
!!

Theyalllaughatherandkeepondanci ng, Smiso

pull
shert owar dst hem andwinglesherbody ,
fol
lowingt heirrhythm,shelaughsandcat cheson.
Theykeepdanci ngandsippingont hei
rdrinks,they
wouldstopandl aughhereandt herebutSandi lewas
giv
ingoutaf ireper f
ormancethattheyhar dlyspoke
butjustscr eamedandenj oyedthemusi c.The
al
cohol hadkickedinalongtimeagobutitlikeever
si
nceshehadt hatshotandstart
eddri
nkingt he
Stor
m, herheadhadst art
edtobuzz,shefelt
somethingtakeov erherbodyandsheletloose..
.

Nomusa-(
scr
eaming)WOOOOOOOOO!
!!
!!
!!GO
BBBUUUUUCCCCKKKSSS!
!!
!!
..
.

ZenandeandSmi
sol
ookedateachot
herandsmi
l
ed,
j
oini
ngNomusaonherscr
eams..
.

Them-WOOOOOOOOOOOO! !
!!
!!GOOOOO
BBBBUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKSSS!!!
!!
!.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..
.

Thetwinswer efi
nal
lyasl
eep,
Nomv el
ooff
eredto
staywit
ht hem andhel
pMasiwel
asinceNell
ywasin
hospi
tal,
shet i
edhergownandwalkeddownstai
rs,
shehel
dherchestwhenshefoundherbr
other
taki
ngbeeroutoft
hefr
idge.
..

Nomvelo-y
ounear
lygav
emeahear
tat
tack,
Idi
dn'
t
knowyouwereher
e..
Bl
ess-Ij
ustarr
ived,
(looksatherbar
elegs)y
ou
st
ayi
ngthenight?
Nomvel
o-yeah,It
houghtIshoul
dhel
poutsi
nce
Nel
l
yisn'
there.
Bl
ess-y
oual
one?I
tawf
ull
yqui
et.
.
Nomv el
o-(
nods)MaSiwel
ajustl
eftaf
ewhour
sago
butshewouldbebackint
hemor ni
ng,
wantmeto
di
shforyou?
Bl
ess-(
nods)y
espl
ease.
.
Nomv
elo-gosi
t,Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ourf
oodt
oyou.
.

Henodsandwalksoutt
heki t
chen,
shestar
esathi
s
backaf
ewsecondsbeforemov i
ngtowar
dsthepot
s.
Hemakeshimselfcomf
ortabl
eonthecouchand
opensthespor
tchannel.Shewal
kstohim wi
thhis
warm plat
eoffoodandhandsitt
ohim,theyhands
brushtoget
her
,theyst
opandstareateachother
..

Bl
ess-(
takest
hepl
ate)t
hisshoul
dst
op.
.
Nomv
elo-(
sit
sdown)why
?
Bl
ess-becausei
tnotr
ightMv
elo,
wesi
bli
ngs.
.
Nomv el
o-don'
tyout
hinkIknowt
hat
,Iam t
ryi
ngbut
Ican'
t.
.
Bl
ess-(
smi
l
es)Thanksf
ort
hef
ood.
.

Hestart
smunchi
ngonhi
sfood,t
heysitt
oget
her
qui
etl
y,shet
ri
eswat
chi
ngthetvbutf
ail
s..

Bl
ess-y
oucanchanget
hechannel
youknow.
.
Nomvel
o-Idon'twantt
ochangethechannel
,Iwant
ust
ostopavoidingt
heelephanti
nther
oom...
Bl
ess-(
sighs)wewer
edoi
nggr
eat
,whatchanged?
Nomv
elo-r
eal
l
y?Wer
ewer
eal
l
ydoi
nggr
eat
?
Bl
ess-okaymaybenotr
eal
lybutweweredoi
ng
pr
ett
yokay,handl
i
ngthesi
tuat
ionbet
ter
,get
ti
ng
al
ongnicel
y.
.
Nomv elo-Bl
essingwenev erhadaprobl
em get
ti
ng
al
ong, t
hatwasoneoft hereasonswhyweevenfal
l
i
nlovewi t
heachot her
,wegotal ongsowel
l
,li
kea
houseonf ir
e..
.
Bless-"i
nlove"
?Thataverystr
ongwordt
odefi
ne
whatwehad, don'
tyouthi
nk?Ithi
nkt
heword
"f
eelings"ismuchsuit
edforwhatwehave.
.
Nomvel
o-soy
oudoadmi
tyoust
il
lhav
efeel
i
ngsf
or
me?
Bless-Ihav enev erdeniedmyf eelingsforyouMv el
o
butwebot hknowt herecannev erbeany thi
ng
betweenus.Iam t ryi
ngt omov eonher e,Iam fi
nall
y
tr
y i
ngt opicturemyl if
ewi t
hsomeonewho' snotyou,
Ireall
ydon' twantt otal
kaboutt his,Idon'
tknow
whatt alki
ngabouti twillchangeforus?Because
nothingwi l
l change,Iam yourbrot her
,you'r
emy
si
ster.
Mv
elo-(
tear
y)t
ell
thatt
omyhear
t.
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mv el
o-IwishIhadaswi t
chwhereIcouldjustswit
ch
thesethoughtsandf eel
i
ngsIhavef ory
ou,Iknowit
disgust
ingandnotr i
ghtbutIlov
ey ouBlessi
ng,not
j
ustasmybr otherbutIl
ov ey
ou..
Bl
ess-Iam bui
l
dingar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thsomeone
el
se.
.
Mv
elo-(
looksathi
m)y
oudon'
tl
oveher
..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)Imaynotbeheadoverheel
sinl
ove
wi
thherbutIcaredeepl
yforher
..

Hestandsupandwalkstothekitchen,
shef ol
lows
behi
ndhim,hewasheshisplateandtakesanot her
beeroutt
hefri
dgeandturnstoher,hesighsand
pl
acesthebeeronthecounterandmov escloserto
her,
huggi
ngher..
Bl
ess-y
ouneedt
oletmegoj
ustl
i
keIam t
ryi
ngt
o
l
etyougo.
.
Nomvel
o-(
sni
ff
s)canyouki
ssme,
onel
astt
ime
t
hanIpr
omiseIwi
lll
eti
tgo.
.
Bl
ess-Mv
elo.
.
Nomv
elo-pl
ease.
.

Hepul ledawayf rom t hehug, hi

sey esst ayedglued
tohers, shesl owl yleanedherl i
pstohis, heknew
whatt heywer eaboutt odowaswr ong, hewant edt o
stopthi swhol emadnessbuti twast helongi ng,the
hopeandt hedesper at ioninherey esthatmadehi m
givein,Shecl osedherey escl osi
ngt hedi stance
betweent heirl i
ps.Bl essl eanedin,wast ingnot ime
thrusti
nghi st hickt onguei ntohermout h, sucking
downonher s.Herki sseswer esweetandt angy ,
as
i
nappr opriatet hisactwashel ovedhowhert ongue
fel
tbr ushedupagai nstandt angledwithhi s.She
moanedf eel inghi sgr owi ngmanhoodpushi ng
againsthersex.Pi cki ngherupandswi ngingher
overtheki tchencount er,heslammedherhar d
againstherbody .Shewr appedherbar el egsar ound
historsoandbr oket heki sstopul lhisshi r
tov erhis
head.Bl essr eachedhergownandunt iedt heknot
exposinghersi lkgown, showi ngherpoi nted
nippl
es. Takingonei nt ohismout h,Blessr oughly
suckedandpul ledt hesl i
kf abri
ct othesi de.
Tighteningherl egsar oundhi m,sheunbut tonedhi s
j
eansanddr aggedbot hhi spantsandboxer sof f
,
l
eav i
nghi m compl etel ynaked.Theycont i
nued
ki
ssingandsucki ngoneachot hersmout hswi th
fi
erceur gency .Asi ftheywer ethesour cef oreach
othersoxy gensuppl y .Blesslift
edherupandcar ri
ed
hertot hecouch, tossi ngherdown, wat chingher
breastasshepl ay edwi ththem whi letuggi ngherslik
nightyup, t
ossi ngt heni ght ytothesi de,theylocked
eyes,shenodded, wit hinsecondsshef elthishands
caresshert highssof tlyfollowedbyhi swetki sses...
.

(
EXPLI
CITCONTENT,
FOUNDI
NTHEGROUP)
Nomv el
o-(
play
swi
thhi
sfi
nger
s)Doy
our
egr
etwhat
happened.
.
Bl
ess-(
rubshi
sey
es)No.
..
Nomvel
o-(smi
l
es)(
kisseshi
schest)Thanky
ou,
I
knowi
twrongbutI
..weneededit
..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)Yeah.
..
.

Shewasabouttosaysomethi
ngbutherphone
st
art
edtori
ng,sheusedherar
mtor eachi
t.
..

Nomv
elo-hel
l
o..

Blesstookt hatopport
unitytomov ehimsel
ffrom
thecouch, hepickedhispantsandboxer sup
makinghi swayt otheguestroom.Hewal kedtothe
i
nsui t
ebat hroom andsplashedhi sfacewi
thcold
water.Thegui l
tofwhatt heyjustdidwaseati
nghim
upbutt hefactthatheenj oy
edi t
,wasbugginghim
evenmor e.Hecoul dn'
tunder st
andwhyhel usted
overhissisterli
kethi
s,theimageofhernakedbody
agai
nsthismadehim wantt
ogobackt othatlounge
room andfi
l
lherupagai
n.Justt
hethoughtofwhat
happenedwasenoughtomakehim hardagain..
.

Bl
ess-FUCK!
!!
!.
..

Hel ookedathi serectpeni sanddeci dedt owal k

i
nsidet heshowert ocool himsel fof fwithacol d
shower .Whi l
ehewasshower ing, Nomv el opl aced
herphoneont heglasscof feet ableandsmi l
edt o
hersel fthinkingaboutwhatj usthappened, shesaw
hi
sT- shi r
tont hef l
oor ,hemusthav emi ssedi twhen
hewaspi cki
nghi sclothesup.Shet ooktheshi rtand
worei t ,enhalinghisst rongmuscul arperf urm.She
noticedaawhi t
ecum st ainont hebl ackleat her
couch, shequi cklywal kedt otheki t
chent ot akea
papert owel ,
poursomepi neJel ,afterwipi ngt he
whitest ainoff,shedi sposedt hepapert owel and
cl
ear edt heloungeupbef orewal ki
ngt ot he
guest room shewasoccupy ing..
30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Shedi dn'twanttoshowerbecauseshel ovedhis

smel l
mi xedwi thhersbutshef el
tsti
ckybet ween
herlegssosheendedupt aki
ngashower .She
moistur i
zedherhandsandl ookedatherselfinthe
mirror,shecouldn'tstopsmi l
i
ng,shequickly
remember edaboutt hephonecallshegotf rom her
co-wor ker,soshequi ckl
ymadeherwayt othe
guestroom whi chBlesswasoccupy ing,sheknocked
beforeopeni ngthedoor .
.

Nomv
elo-uhmm ar
eyouasl
eep?
Bless-(
shakeshi
shead)nope,Iwasgoi
ngt
ogo
downnowandhav eanot
herbeer.
.
Nomv elo-thecall
,i
twasanur sethatwor ksatthe
hospital,apparent
lyt heybumpedint oZandileat
CAPPELLO' S,shesay sshewasal readyhalfway
throughawi nebottlewhent heyf
oundher ,
sot hey
allchi
lledtogetherandhaddr i
nksbutnowshe' stoo
drunkt odriveandt heyallcan'
tdri
v e,shedidn'
twant
t
hem t
ocallherhusbandsotheyf
igur
edt
heycal
l
mebecausetheyhaveseenusist
alki
ngl
atel
yat
wor
k..
Bl
ess-(
frowns)It
houghtZandi
l
edi
dn'
tdr
ink?
Nomv
elo-ar
eyout
wocl
ose?
Bless-uhmm no,butwhenweallhaddi
nneratmy
houseshedeclinedal
cohol
,sai
dshedoesn'
tdri
nk.
.
Nomv el
o-ohYeah,wellIcouldhavegonet
ofet
ch
herbutIam babysi
tt
ing,Itr
iedShaka'
snumberbut
hedidn'
tpi
ckup...
Bl
ess-(
takeshi
scarkey
s)i
tokay
,Iwi
l
lgo.
.

Shest
oppedhi
mfr
om passi
ngherandbr
ushedher
l
ipsonhi
s..
.

Nomv
elo-(
smi
l
es)nowy
oucango.
..
Bl
ess-(
clear
sthr
oat
)uhm y
eah.
..
Hewalkeddownthestai
rswit
houtevenl
ooki
ng
backather
,al
otwasrunningt
hroughhi
shead.
..

ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

Hesathi mselfnexttoher ,hedi dn'tmakeany

meanst otouchherort alkt oher ,allhedi dwasj ust
stareather .Hehadpl acedhi sflower sont heside
cabinetoft hebed, everytimehi sey est r
aveledtothe
oxygenmaskhef eltgui l
ty,itwashi sfaultthatshe
wasont hishospitalbed.Wheni tgott oomuchwi th
j
ustst aringather,hewal kedt owar dst hewi ndow
andnot i
cedtherosesi nsidet hegl assv aseont he
windowst and.Hecoul dfeel hisangerbui l
dingup
buthet r
iedhisbestt ocal m hi msel fdown, heonl y
hadt hreeday swithher ,hedi dn'twantt owast e
thoset hreedaysbei ngaj ealouspossessi ve
boyfriend.Thedooropened, amal enur sewalkedi n.
..

Sbani
-(f
rowns)whoar
eyou?
Guy-uhmm Iwor
kher
esi
r,Icamet
ochangeherI
V
dr
ip.
.
Sbani
-whydi
dtheysendy
ou?Coul
dn'
ttheysenda
femal
etodothat
..
Guy-(r
oll
seyes)Iam per
fect
lycapabl
eofdoingthe
samejobasaf emalenursewouldsir
,nowi
fy ou'
d
excuseme,IneedtochangeMi ssSi
weladr
ip..
Sbani-(movestowardsthebed)Idon'tcarethatyou
capableofdoingyourjob,
Ijustdon'
twanty ou
touchingherperi
od,howcant heysendamal eto
assistatni
ghtwithasedatedfemalesleepingalone
i
noner oom?
Guy-(
frowns)ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
oaccusemeof
something?
Sbani
-No,butshoul
dIbewor
ri
ed,
youseem t
obe
ver
ydefensi
ve?
Guy-wouldn'
tyoubewhensomeoneaccusesyouof
suchaseriouscr
ime?Nowpleasel
etmechangeher
IVdri
p,y
ouher esoIguessy
ouwill
super
vise.
..
Sbani
-fi
ne,
butIdon'
twanty
out
ouchi
ngheri
none
pl
acef
orl
ong,
doy
ourshi
tandgetout
..

Themal enurseshakeshisheadandwal kstowar

ds
Nell
y,Sbanikeepshiseyesonthemal enurses
hands,notbli
nki
ngev enforasecond.Withi
n
minutesthemalenurseisdone,heturnstoSbani
..
.

Guy
-al
ldone,
happy
?
Sbani
-justgetoutofher
e..
Guy-(r
oll
seyes)t
hevi
sit
inghoursarelongov
erbutI
am guessi
ngyoudon'
tcareaboutthat
..
Sbani
-exact
ly.
.
Guy-(
shrugs)wellther
e'sext
racl
eanhospi
tal
bl
anketsinthatdrawer,
hopethecouchwil
lbe
comfort
ableforyou..
.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)Thanky
ou.
.
Guy-(
smil
es)Iam i
mpr
essed,
you'
renotanar
rogant
j
erkaft
eral
l.
.
Sbani
-(si
ghs)y
oust
il
lher
e?
Guy-(
shrugs)i
tnoteveryni
ghtIgett
obumpint
oa
hunkl
ikeyou(winksathim)byebouj
eman.
..

Sbani l
aughsl i
ght
lyshaki
nghi shead,hef el
tstupid
notnot i
cingtheguywasgay ,itnowwhent hemal e
nursewal kedouttheroom thathenot i
cedhowt ight
hispantswer e.Li
pgloss,theguywaswear ing
fuckingpinklipgl
ossandheact edall
cav eman
whenhe' seyeswer en'
tevenont hewomanl ai
don
thebedbuthi m, t
histi
mehel aughsoutl oud,he
l
aughssohar dthathedoesn'tnoticeNelly
struggl
ingtor emovetheoxygenmask. ..
.

Nell
y-(
eyescl
osed)
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)Sha.
..
.sha.
..
Shaka.
..

Thesmi l
eonhisfacetur
nedintoafr
own,helooked
ather,shesti
l
lhadherey escl
osed,t
hehandthat
wasont hemaskhadf al
l
edbackont hesi
de,he
couldhearhowi twassti
llastr
uggl
eforhert
o
breath,sohepositi
onedbacktheoxygenmask,wit
h
hisclenchedt eet
handshakinghandshest ar
edat
thewomanhel oveswonderingwhywoul dthefirst
wor dthatcomeouthermout hbehisbr ot
her.He
brushedhi sfacefrust
rat
edlyandleanedplacinga
kissonherf orehead,hecouldhearshewasst i
l
l
mumbl i
ngsomet hingandhehear dthatnameagai n
"Shaka"..
..

Sbani
-(pul
ledback)Iwi
l
lseey
oui
nthemor
ning
beaut
if
ul.
..
.

Hegrabbedther
osesonthewi
ndowst
andand
wal
kedoutthehospi
tal
room.
..

ATCAPPELLO'
S..
.

Blesspar kedhisGWagonandwal kedtowar

dst he
entrance,hegr eet
edaf ewguysandlookedaround
searchingf orZandi
leoragroupofwomen.Hi sey es
fi
nallylandedonher ,hesi
ghedandwal kedt
owar ds
wher
eshewas.
..

Bl
ess-hel
l
o..
Lady
-( l
ooksathi
m)ar
eyout
heonesentby
Nomv el
o?
Bl
ess-y
eah,
howbadi
sshe?
Lady-notbadr
eall
y,shel
ooksmor
edepr
essedt
han
drunktobehonest
..
Bl
ess-i
sitj
ustt
het
woofy
ou?Wher
ear
etheot
her
s?
Lady
-theyal
llef
t,Iof
feredtowai
tbehi
nd,
(laughs)
I
am t
hesingl
eoneoft hegroup
Bless-(
nods)Iam goi
ngtocar
ryher
,cany
ougat
her
herbagandf ol
l
owme. .
Lady
-Nopr
obl
em.
.
Bl
ess-(
looksatZandi
l
e)i
sshepassedout
?
Lady
-(shakesherhead)Ithoughtshewaspassed
outt
oobutIreali
sedshe'sbeenzoningout
..
Bl
essmovestowar
dsZandil
e,hebendsdown,
wr
appinghi
sarmsaroundher
,helif
tsherup,
maki
ngZandil
ecomebacktolif
e..

Zandi
l
e-whyam I
..
..(
eyesout
)Bl
ess.
.
Bless-Yeah,
canyoupl
aceyourar
msar
oundmy
necksoIcanbalancey
ou..
Zah-wha.
..whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
..
.(smi
l
essheepl
y)
wait
,ar
eyoucarryi
ngme?
Bl
ess-(
nods)y
es,
nowy
ouar
mspl
ease.
..

Shewrapsherar
msar
oundhi
sneckandsmi
l
es
l
ooki
ngathim..
.

Zah-ar
ey oustr
ong?(Looksathi
sfl
exedmuscl
es)
youdefi
nitel
yst
rong.
.
Bl
ess-okay
,wewal
ki
ngnow.
..
Zah-(
scr
eams)THISFEELSLIKEAMOVI
E..Bl
ess
youmysuperher
o..
.HELLO,
EVERYONE,
HELLO!
!!
!!
!.
..
.MYCRUSHISCARRYI
NGMEOUTSI
DE
THEPUB,HE'SVERYSTR.
..
..
.

Shecouldn'
tev
enf i
nishhersentencewhenshefel
t
somethi
ngcomehert hr
oat,shethr
ewupont he
fl
oor
,thepukejustmissingthetabl
eandthepeopl
e
whowereseatedaroundi t
..
.

Lady
-jesus.
..uhmm Iam sosor
ry.
.

Blessstopsandl ooksatt hemesswhi chhas

happened,heapol ogi
zedt ot heguy swhower e
seatedont hattablebutt heyshr uggedev er
ythi
ng
offandtoldhimt hati twasokayt heyunderstand.In
facttheycheeredZandi l
et ell
i
ngBl essthatshehad
beenagr eatspor ttonight,Blesssighedwonder i
ng
whatexactlyhadshedonet onightbeforehearri
ved,
i
tseemedshehadqui teanumberoff ans.Zandil
e
giggl
edandt ightenedherhol donBl ess,sheused
hisT-shi
rttowi pehermout h.
..
Zah-EVERYONEHE'
SMYCRUSH!
!!
!.
..
.

Dr
unkpeoplecheer
edar
oundt
hepub,
somebl
owi
ng
whi
stl
es.
..

Gi
rl
-WOOOOOOO!
!!
!!Yougogggi
i
irr
rl
ll
l
...
Gi
rl
2-(
thumbsup)gogethi
m..
.
Zah-(
bur
ps)YOUSHOULDSEEHOW BI
GHI
SDI
..
..

Blesscoveredhermouthbef
oreshecoul
dfini
shher
sentenceandshouted"t
imetogo",
ever
ybody
cheeredthem astheymadethei
rwayoutt
hepub..
.

Zah-(
bur
ps)
(gi
ggles)t
hatwasabigone,wantto
hearmedoanot
herone,butl
oudert
hist
ime..
Bless-(
laughs)Iwouldlov
etohearyoudoal
ouder
onebutIt hi
nkthatenoughfort
oni
ght.
.
Zah-(
smi
l
es)l
astone,
Ipr
omi
se.
..

Shebur pedlouderthi
sti
me, al
mostasifitwasan
ani
mal growling,Bl
essopenedthecardoorlaughi
ng
ather,heplacedont hebackseatandstr
appedher
safel
y.
...

Zah-hey
,youdi
dn'
ttel
lmehowwasmybur
p?
Bless-(
laughs)thebestIhav
eev
erhad,
Iam cl
osi
ng
thedoornow. .

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghedt
urni
ngt
othel
ady
..

Bless-what
'swr
ongwi
thher
?Ihav
enev
erseenher
l
ikethis?
Lady-Idon'
tknowbutIhav eseensomeoneIcare
aboutacti
ngjustl
ikeshe'
sacting.Thi
sisasignof
someonecr y
ingforhel
p,someonewhoi sdepressed.
I'
veworkedwithherfor6yearsnowandnev erhaveI
seenherli
kethi
s,she'
sal
way
ssor
eser
vedandwel
l
puttoget
her.
.
Bl
ess-(
nods)y
eah,
Idon'
tknowhert
hatwel
lbutI
..
.

Thebackseatwi
ndowr
oll
eddown.
..

Zah-whatar
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?
Bl
ess-(
looksather
)not
hing,
youokay
?
Zah-(
frowns)
isshehi
tt
ingony
ou?
Lady
-(l
aughs)of
cour
senot
..
.
Zah-GOOD!
!!he'
smyl
i
ndtchocol
atet
oeat
..
.

Thewindowrol
l
edupagain,
theycoul
dhearherbur
p
agai
nandgiggl
etal
ki
ngtohersel
fhowthatwasa
ver
yweakone..
.

Bl
ess-(
sighed)wher
edoy
oust
ay?Icandr
opy
ou
of
f.
.
Lady
-west
bri
dge.
.
Bl
ess-okay
,hopi
n..

ATUKZNSPORTI
NGGROUNDS(
HOWARD
CAMPUS)
..
..

NomusaandSmi sower enowseat edont heircamp

chairsdrinki
ngt heir4t hbot t
leofSmi rnof fstorms,i
t
safetosayt heyal l wer eprett
ydr unknow.Dur ing
thedanci ngsessi on, Nomusawat chedasal most
everygi r
lhadt hei rtonguesshov eddownaguy s
throat,shewasn' tgr ossedoutorwi ncingatwhat
washappeni ngar oundher ,i
nfactshef eltl
ikeshe
wasl i
keev eryot herst udent,sher emember show
hergrandmot herhadt oldherthatuni v ersit
ywi l
lbea
placewher eshedi scov ersherselfandal so
experiencealot .Hergr andmot herwasr ight,Smiso
nudgedherandpoi ntedinfrontoft hem, shegasped
seeingZenandepr essedt ogetherwi t
hagi rland
suckingf acewhi l
et hei
rhandsgr abbedeachot her'
s
butts.
..
Smi
so-(
giggl
es)t
hat
'ssohot
..
.
Guy
-damn!
!!
..
.
Bandi
l
e-(
laughs)Zeei
sthel
i
feoft
hepar
ty.
..
Smi
so-Idi
dn'
tknowshewasal
esbai
n..
Nomusa-(
shakesherhead)she'
snot
..
.

Theyal
lstar
eatthet
wogir
lsmakingout
,obl
i
vious
tothemanystar
esar
oundthem.
..

Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)Zeei
sar
ainbow.
..
Bandi
le-(
shocked)
(l
ooksatNomusa)
(smi
l
es)y
ou
keepamazingme..

Shebl
ushesandgul
psherdr
ink.
..

Guy-(
tur
nst
oSmi
so)cany
ouaccompanymet
othe
t
oil
et.
.
Smi
so-su.
..
Nomusa-she'
sagi
rl
,whydo.
..

Bandil
enudgesher,shenodsremember i
nghow
Zenandetol
dherthatwhenaguyasksy outo
accompanyhimtothet oi
l
etoranywhereitwasa
codefor"
canwet al
ki npr
ivat
e"or"wegoingto
makeout",Nomusagr i
nswithredcheeksandtur
ns
toSmiso.
..

Smi
so-wi
l
lyoubeokay
?
Nomusa-(
nods)
(bl
ushes)go.
..
.

WhenSandi
le'
sfri
endandSmisodisappeari
ntot
he
cr
owdofstudent
s,NomusaturnstoBandil
ewho
waspour
inghimsel
fvodkaonhiscup..
.

Nomusa-can.
..canIdr
inkt
hatt
oo.
.
Bandi
l
e-y
ouwantt
odr
inkv
odka?
Nomusa-(
nods)y
eah.
.
Bandil
e-uhmmmn,noway(shakeshi
shead)Iknow
Iam drunkAFnowbutt
her
e'snowayIam giv
ing
youvodka..
.
Nomusa-pl
ease.
..

Helooksatherpuppyey es,hecursedhi mselfonthe

i
nside,heknewt hatshewasn' tpurposelyshowing
him herpuppyey esjustsohecoul dgivein,i
twas
theinnocenceinher ,shewasal readydrunk,her
eyeswer enowr edandsmal lbutwhatamazedhi m
washowf oraf i
rstti
mershewasn' tyetpassedout .
Hepour edhercr anberryjui
ceont hecupbef ore
addingthev odka..
.

Nomusa-(
tast
edt
hedr
ink)Il
i
kei
t.
.
Bandi
l
e-so.
..y
ouandmybr
other
,isi
tser
ious?
Nomusa-notyet
,kusamel
esi
khul
umekuqal
a(we
needt
otalkfi
rst
)
Bandi
l
e-doy
oul
ovehi
m?
Nomusa-Idon'
tknow.
..
Bandi
l
e-howaboutme?Doy
oul
i
keme?
Nomusa-Idon'
tknow,
youmakemel
augh.
..
Sbumakesmef
eel
saf
e..

Bandi l
enodsi nunder standing,Nomusawasst i
ll
verymuchnai veandconf used,shewasn' tusedt o
guy sgivingherat t
ention,hencewhyev er ything
madeherbl ush, hedecidedt oendt heserioustalk
andgr abherhandsot heycouldgodance.They
dancedt ot hesong, withalcohol i
nhersy stem she
dancedt hewayshesawt hegirlsdancing,she
sway edherhi psandt werkedli
ghtly.Aragaesong
startedtopl ay,
wi t
houtwar ning,Bandil
epul ledher
towar dshischest ,huggingherf r
om behind, wit
hhi s
handswr appedar oundherwai st,hetookhercup
from herhands, theykeptmov ingtothemusi c,hi
s
headl eaneddown, ingnit
ingherskinintof l
ames, she
struggledtocat chherbr eathashi sheadwasbur ied
i
nt hecr ookofherneck. .
.
Bandile-(
whisper
s)Idon'
tknowi
fitbecauseIam
drunkbuty ousmell
li
kevanil
l
adi
ppedintothe
coolnessoftheocean.
..

Sheshiveredwhenhi sbreathf annedthesensit

ive
partofherbody .Hedroppedt heempt ycupsont he
fl
oor,sheleanedbackonhi m, hisarmst i
ghtl
yheld
herashef elthowhistouchwasmaki ngherweak
onhersteps, orwasitthealcohol?Buteitherway,
hekeptheronherf eets.Shesway edherhipssideto
si
deandgr i
ndonhi sd**,obl
ivioustotheeffecther
mov ementhadonhi m.
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t136.
.

ATSHAKA'
SAPARTMENT.
..

Hewaspassedoutont
hecouchwit
hahal
fwhiskey
bot
tl
einhi
shand.Thel
oudbangi
ngoft
hedoor
wokehim up,hi
seyesfel
theavyandhef l
atasharp
painpassthr
oughhishead,heacci
dental
lydr
opped
thewhiskeybot
tl
e,t
hecontentspil
l
ingonthe
carpet
..
.

Shaka-(
hissi
ng)ahhhh.
.FUCK!
!!
..
.

Thebangingont hedoordidn'
tstop,hestr
uggled
gett
ingonhistwof eetsbutevent
uall
yhemanages
tostandstr
aightandlookatthetime,thebanging
onthedoorgotev enlouder,
thepersonwasn'tgivi
ng
up.
..

Shaka-(annoy
ed)I'
m comi
ng,
I'
m coming(cl
icked
hi
stongue)whoknocksonpeople'
sdoorsinthe
middleofthenight
..
.

Hef i
nall
yreachedthedoorandt
urnedthel
ock,
beforehecouldevenopenthedoor,t
hepersonon
theothersidefor
ceful
l
ypushedthedooropen
befor
ehecoul dev encompr ehendwhatwasgoi ng
on,hesawagl assvasewi t
hf l
owersfl
yingdirectl
y
towardshisface,hetriedtodivesoitdoesn'thithi
m
buthewast ool at
e,theglassconnectedwi t
hhi s
chinbefor
ebr eaki
ngi ntopi
ecesont hefloor
, he
l
ookedupathi sbrot
hershocked...

Shaka-WHATTHEFUCKBRO?
!!
!!
..
.

Het ouchedthesi
deofhischinwherehef
eltt
he
glasscuthim abi
t,hef
inall
ybreat
hedasi
ghofrel
i
ef
seeingasitwasjustascrat
ch..
.

Sbani
-(cl
enchi
nghi
steet
h)IAM GOI
NGTO
FUCKINGKILLYOU.
..IAM GOI
NGTOKILLYOU.
..

Sbanil
ungedhisf i
stbutShakawasqui cktodefend
hi
mself,ashardashet riedtoholdhisbrotheroff
,
Sbaniwasjusttoostrongf orhi
m, i
tdidn'
thelpthat
Shakawasintoxicat
edt ooSbani managedt opunch
hi
m onhisstomach, hewi ncedinpainandhi shold
onhim weaken,Sbani t
ookt hatopportunityt
opin
hi
mt ofl
oorandhel dhisface, hi
sleftsideofthe
cheekwasani nchfrom touchingthegl assyfl
oor
.
Someoft heglasspieceswer epierci
ngi nhisski
n..
.

Sbani
-youf ucki
ngboughtmywomanf l
owers
(l
aughs)youhadt hegutstost
aremeintheeyesas
i
fyouwer en'tj
ustdecl
ari
ngyourundy
inglov
ef ormy
woman, MYFUCKI NGWOMANSHAKA, YOUHEAR
THATMI NE. .
.
Shaka-ahhh!
!!(
Clenchhisteet
h)Idon'
tknowwhat
thefuckyoutal
kingabout.
.
Sbani-(punchedhisface)keepmakingmeaf ool
andthesepi ecesofglasswil
lconnectwit
hyour
ent
ireleftface.(
Hissed)Idon'
tknowwhyy oukeep
doi
ngt hisman, doyouwantmet oki
lly
ou,DO
YOU!!!
?? ?
Shaka-(
spatbl
ood)youhav
enopr
obl
em doi
ngt
hat
,
don'
tyoudearbrot
her?
Hesi ghsandr oughl
ylet
'
sgoofhi m,hel
aughs
steppingbackwhi l
eshakinghi
shead.Hecan't
beli
ev ehejustusedtheinci
dencewi
thNtokozo
againsthim..
.

Sbani
-youknowwhat
,FUCKYOU!
!!
..

Shakafr
ustr
atedl
ygetsupfrom t
hefloor,hi
swhole
bodyinpai
n,hespit
sbloodoutofhismout hagai
n
befor
ewipi
nghisjawstari
ngathisbrother.
..

Shaka-(angry
)Fuckme?Ar eyouser i
ousr i
ghtnow?
FUCKy oubro,Iam doneputti
ngupwi thyour
ungrat
efulass,Ial
waysputyourneedsbef oremi nes,
alwaystryhel
pf i
xi
ngyourmess, allmyent i
r eli
feI
madesur ethatyouhappy.Weal way shadt o
sacri
fi
ceorcompr omiseall
because" Sbani"needed
tobeokay ,WHATABOUTME?WHATABOUTSI PHO?
doesany oneeveraskusifweokay ,whatwewant ?
Orwhatweneed?FUCKI NGNO! !!becausei fthe
mighty"Sbani
"isn'
tthr
owingaf uckingtantrum than
ev erythingisokay.FUCKYOU, IFUCKINGGAVEUP
THEWOMANTHATILOVEBECAUSEOFYOU, Il
ove
hert oonowy ouwantt obeatmeupbecauseoft he
wayIf eelabouther,thanfuckingdoi tbr
o,comeon,
giv eityourbestshot( openi
nghi sarms)yougoing
tohav etokil
lmebecausenoamountofpunches,
kicksorst rangul
ationwi l
lchanget hewayIfeel
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-(l
aughssarcast
ical
l
y)y ouknowwhatf unny
hereisIwouldgi
veupt heworldf oryou,y
oudon' t
evenhavetoaskme, Iwoulddoi tonahear tbeat.I
t
noteasyforme,haveyouev erthoughtabouthow
harditi
stowatchherhappywi t
hy ou?Iam happy
thatshe'
shappybuthonestlyIdon'tthi
nky ou
deserveher
..
Sbani
-ohandy
oudo?
Shaka-(shakeshi
shead)Idon'
tdeserveheraswell
,I
di
dn'tfi
ghtforher
,ittookmeseei
ngherhappywi t
h
someone, wit
hyout oreal
i
set
hatIlov
eherwi t
h
ev
ery
thi
ngi
nme.
..
Sbani
-yousayy
ouwouldgi
veuptheworl
dforme?I
wouldgi
veupanyt
hingf
ory
outoobrot
her.
.
Shaka-j
ustnother
?
Sbani-NO!!!Iwoul dnev ergi veherupf oryouorf or
anyone,becausewheni tcomest oher ,Iwil
lalway s
chooseher ,fi
ghtf orherbecauseshe' swor thest.
Thethingsy oudof orme, Iwoul ddot ent i
mesf or
youandSi phobecausewebr other s,webl oodbut
whatwi l
lalway ssepar atemef rom y ouguy si sthatI
wil
lneverhav eexcusesf ormyact ionsoractl ikea
coward.Younev erhadt ogi v
eupany thi
ngforme, al
l
youneededt odowasbesel fi
sh, fightf orwhaty ou
wanted,FUCKev er yoneandany thingi nyourway ,
butyoucoul dnev erdot hatli
ttlebr other ,
yout oo
soft
,tooconsi derate.( Mov esclosert ohim) (bold
voi
ce)GETRI DOFANYFUCKI NGFEELI NGSYOU
HAVEFORHERBECAUSEIWON' TBEHELD
ACCOUNTABLEFORWHATIDOI FISEEYOU
TOUCHI NGHERI NAPPROPRI ATELYORPLACI NG
YOURLI PSONHERS.Ir espectt hef riendshipy ou
havewi t
hherbutdon' tpushmebr otherory oumi ght
j
ustwakeupthesi
ckpartofmybr
ainandIwi
l
l
f
orgett
haty
oumybr ot
her..
.
Shaka-(angr
y)(
mov
escl
osert
ohi
m)ar
eyou
thr
eateningme?
Sbani
-itnotat
hreatbutawar
ningandapr
omi
se,
I
WILLKILLYOU..
.

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Shaka-y
oudon'
twantt
otakemeonSbani
..
Sbani
-thi
sisn'
tagamel
i
ttl
ebr
other
,Iwi
l
lbur
yyou
al
ive,
don'
ttestme.
.
Shaka-GETOUT!
!!
!.
.

Theystaredateachotherf
orafewsecondsbef
ore
Sbanipushedpasthi
m andwalkedoutthe
apart
ment ,
bangingt
hedoorbehindhi
m. .
.
ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Nomvelowalkedandsatnextt
oBlessonthecouch,
hemovedtot heot
hercouchandplacedaboxof
morni
ngafteraswel
lasbott
leofwater,
ajugf
il
led
wit
hsaltwater.
.

Bl
ess-dr
inkup.
.
Nomvel
o-(
looksatt
hepi
l
ls)uhmm ohy
eah,
when
di
dyoubuyit
?
Bl
ess-onmywaywhenIwasgoi
ngt
ofet
chZandi
l
e..
Nomv
elo-what
'st
hewat
eri
nthej
ugf
or?
Bless-i
tsaltwater
,ithel
pscl
eansyouup,works
bestwiththepil
l
.Idon'twantt
otakeanychances.
.
Nomv
elo-(
clear
sthr
oat
)yeah,
Iguessy
our
ight
..

Shepi
ckedthepi
l
lsanddr
ankt
hem al
ongwi
tht
he
sal
twater
..
Bl
ess-how'
sZandi
l
e?
Nomvel
o-aft
erbat
hingher,
Igav
ehersl
eepi
ngpi
l
ls,
She'
ssoundasl
eepfornow..
.

Blessnodsatst
aresathi
sphoneagai
n,shenot
iced
hehasbeenstari
ngathisphoneev
ersi
ncehegot
back..
.

Nomv
elo-expect
ingaphonecal
l
?
Bl
ess-t
ryi
ngt
oreachMusabutnol
uck.
.
Nomv
elo-(
disappoi
nted)oh.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-Iam goi
ngt
otel
lhert
het
rut
h..
Nomv
elo-sor
ry?
Bl
ess-Iam goi
ngt
otel
lMusaaboutwhathappened
t
oni
ght
..
Nomvelo-(
swall
ows)(
loud)whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Younotevendati
ng.
.
Bl
ess-sheder sevestoknow,i
fIwantt ohav
eheras
mypartnerthansheneedst oknowev ery
thi
ng,
Inot
st
art
ingar el
ationshi
pbasedonlies.
.
Nomvel
o-(
angr
y)YOUDON'
TEVENFUCKI
NGLOVE
HER.
.
Bl
ess-IDO.
.
Nomv
elo-what
?But
..
.buty
ou.
..
Bless-Idoloveher ,Ir
eali
sedwhenIlefther
ethatI
do,Idon'twantt oloseher,t
hethoughtofnotseei
ng
herinnocentfaceandhowhershor tt
eethshow
whenshesmi l
es, howshemakessnor tsounds
everyt
hingshel aughs,thewayhereyes..
.
Nomvel
o-STOP!
!!
!YOUDON'TLOVEHER,
WEJUST
MADELOVE,YOUCAN'TLOVEHER..
.

Shemovedcloserhi
m buthest
oodupandmov
ed
awayf
rom her.
.
Bless-i
twasj
ustsex,wedi
dn'
tmakel
ove,
wehad
sex.Yougoty
ourclosur
enowwemoveon..
Nomvel
o-mycl
osur
e?Whatabouty
ou?(
Tear
y)YOU
SAI
DYOUDIDN'
TREGRETWHATHAPPENED. .
Bl
ess-(
frustr
atedl
ybr
ushedhi
sface)ILI
ED,I
REGRETEVERYTHI NGTHATHAPPENEDTONI GHT,
I
TRI
EDTOTELLMYSELFTHATI TWHATIWANTED
BUTIDON' T,IHATEMYSELFFORDOI NGIT,
IAM
SOR.
..
.
Nomvelo-DON'T!
!!
!don'
ttel
lmeyousorr
y,notaf
ter
whatwedi d,y
ouli
kedeverymi
nuteofi
t,y
ourbody
r
espondedt omytouch,
sodon'
tstandhereandgiv
e
methe,itwrongwesibl
i
ngsbull
shit
.
Bless-itwaswrong,Ihat
emy selffordoingthatt o
you,IthoughtIwashelpi
ngthesi t
uation,Ididn'
t
wantt ohurtyoubutnowIseet hatIjustmadeev ery
thi
ngwor se.Ihat
emy sel
fmor ebecauset hi
smi ght
hurtMusa...
Nomvel
o-(
angr
y)MUSA!
!!THAT'
SALLIAM
HEARI
NG,WHATDOESSHEHAVETHATIDON'
T
HUH?IDON'
TCARETHATSHEWILLHURT,
WHAT
ABOUTME?IAM HURTI
NGTOO.
..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)Iam nottal
ki
ngaboutthi
sany
more,
it
wasami st
akethatital
lhappened,
nowdealwi
thi
t.
.

Het ri
edwal kingawaybutshest oppedi nfr
ontofhi m,
screami nginhisf aceandshout ing,
Blesswas
starti
ngt ogetangr yatt hewayshewasact ing,they
wer ebusyscr eami ngateachot herthattheydidn't
hearthatt hei
rshout inghaswokenuponeoft he
babiesupst ai
rs,theydi dn'
tevenheart hedoor
opening, Sbaniwal kedi nont hetwo,Blesswas
tr
y i
ngt ogetNomv eloof fhi
m, whil
eshehadat ight
griponhi sshirtstil
l screamingathim. .
.

Sbani
-(f
rowned)WHATTHEFUCKI
SGOI
NGON
HERE?.
.

Theystoppedshovi
ngeachot
her,
Nomv el
onear
ly
chokedonhersali
vawhenherey
eslandedon
Sbani
.
..

Nomv el
o-whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?OhmyGod,
you
escaped.
.
Sbani
-(angr
y)ONEOFMYBABIESISSCREAMING
THEIRLUNGSOUTANDYOUTWOARE. .
..
WHATEVERI TISTHATYOUDOING,WHAT'STHE
POINTOFBEI NGHEREI
FYOUCAN'TEVENATTEND
TOMYKI DS..
Nomv
elo-uhmm Idi
dn'
thear
..
.
Sbani
-WHYAREYOUSTI
LLHERE?
..

Shequi
ckl
yrunupstai
rsl
eav
ingSbani
hav
east
are
downwit
hBless.
..

Bl
ess-Iam guessi
ngy oubei
ngher
eist
her
eason
whyyouwant edtotal
ktotheol
dman..

Sbani
nodsandwal
kst
otheki
tchent
aki
ngbeerout
t
hef
ri
dge.
..

Bl
ess-howdi
dyoumanaget
ogethi
mto.
..
Sbani
-cutt
hecr
ap,
whatt
hehel
ldi
dIwal
kint
o?
Bless-(
sighs)canIhav
eabeert
oo,
Ineedoner
ight
now..

Heturnsandtakesabottl
eofwhiskeywi
thhim,he
si
gnalsthatt
heygotohisstudy
.Oncetheyl
ocked
i
nsidestudy,
Sbanipour
sbothofthem whi
skey.
.

Sbani
-youl
ookl
i
key
ouneedsomet
hingst
rong.
.
Bl
ess-(
gul
pst
hedr
ink)pourmesomemor
e..
Sbani
-st
artt
alki
ng,
Iam l
i
steni
ng.
.
Bl
ess-(
brusheshi
sface)wef
ucked.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..
Sbani
-OHSHI
T!!
!Youser
ious.
.
Bl
ess-y
ep(
gul
pshi
sdr
ink)
Sbani
-(l
aughs)y
ou'
ref
ool
..
Bless-t
hanky
ouf
orpoint
ingoutt
heobv
ious,
Idon'
t
knowwhatIwast
hinki
ng.
.
Sbani
-thatbecauseyouwer
en'
tthi
nki
ng,
yourdi
ck
wasdoingthemost .
Bl
ess-she'
smysi
ster
..
Sbani
-whoi
sabi
tch.
.
Bl
ess-Sbani
!!
!
Sbani
-it
'sthet
rut
h,i
fshewasn'tone,
shewouldn'
t
haveal
lowedyoutosti
ckyourdicki
nherpussy.
She'
saBi t
chperi
od.
Bl
ess-Iwental
ongwi
thi
t,whatdoest
hatmakeme.
.
Sbani-y
oumyf ri
endarestupid,
lookIknowy out wo
wereont hev
ergeofstart
ingarelat
ionshipbutthan
youfoundoutyousibl
ingsbutthatexactl
ywhati t
was,youguysdidn'
tdate,youwereonlyjustst
arting
togettoknoweachother.Youcan'ttel
lmei nthose
fewencountersy oubothhadther
ewassome
magicalundeniablebondfor
medandnowy oucan'
t
l
etitgo.FUCKno, whi
chiswhyIwill
sayi
tagai
n,
She'
saBi t
ch,yousi st
erisaBit
ch.
.
Bless-okay,okay
!!
!Cany oustopcall
ingherthatnow,
Igetyoubr oandyour ight.WhenIreali
sedthat
actuall
yIhavenof eeli
ngsf orheri
nthatwayIf el
t
l
ikeshit,i
nfactIsti
lldo.Nomusai sgoingtohur t
..
.
Sbani-(
smiles)nowthat'
sal ady,(
laughs)butyour
stupi
dassmi ghthavejustblowny ourchanceswit
h
herbeforeanythi
ngevenstarted.JesushereI
thoughtIhaveseri
ousproblemsbutwehav epeople
fucki
ngtheirownsist
er,wowl if
eisgoodf oryou.
.
Bless-(
laughs)soyougoi
ngtoremi
ndmet
hatI
fuckedmysi st
erev
erychancey
ouget.
.
Sbani
-(shrugs)may be,itmakesmef eelbet
ter
aboutmysi t
uations,It
hinksleepi
ngwithyoursi
ster
i
sabi ggersinthankill
i
ngsomeone. .
Bl
ess-nosi
nisbi
ggert
hant
heot
her
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)youwanttoquotethebibl
ereal
l
y?
Aft
ertheabominat
ionyoujustcommitt
ed..
Bl
ess-(
sighs)whyam Iev
enf
ri
endswi
thy
ou.
.
Sbani-becauseyouknownoonewil
leverkeepi
t
realwit
hy ouli
keIdo.Sowhatar
egoi
ngt odoabout
thi
swhol ethi
ng?
Bl
ess-Igoi
ngt
otel
lMusa.
.
Sbani
-good,
youshoul
dalsomakesur
ethatyoudo
notgi
veroom f
ory
ourbit
chsi
stert
odi
srespect
Nomusa.
Bl
ess-yeah,Icant
oler
ateany
thi
ngbutnotsomeone
di
srespect
ingmywoman. .
Sbani-(
smi
rks)she'
snotyourwomany
et,
shemi
ght
neverbeaf
terthi
sstunty
oupull
ed.
Bl
ess-y
ouf
indt
hiswhol
ethi
ngamusi
ng.
.
Sbani-(
laughs)Ihaven'
thadal
aughinages,
besi
des
i
thelpsmef orgetaboutmyownshit
..
Bless-speakingaboutyourownshit
,whathappened
toy ourlef
tarm?IknowwhenIl efty
outhi
s
afternoon,youdi
dn'thavethat
..
Sbani-wel
lwhi
ley
ouwerebusydoi
ngthenasty,wel
l
i
ny ourcasei
twasnast
ybecausei
tyoursi
ster
,Iwas
takingcareofbusi
ness,neededt
osetsomet
hing
straightwi
thmylit
tl
ebrother.
.
Bless-whathashedonet
hist
ime?Thatboyl
oves
tr
ouble..
Sbani
-he'
smaki
ngmov
esonNel
l
y(l
aughs)
(shakes
hi
shead).
.
Bless-wel
lnot
hingnewther
e,sowhat
'sr
eal
l
ygot
youhotandbothered.
.
Sbani
-(cl
enchedhi
steet
h)shedi
dn'
tsqueezehi
s
hand.
.
Bl
ess-what
?
Sbani-i
fshewasheari
nghim al
lthi
sti
me,
thanwhy
di
dn'tshesqueezehi
shandwhenheaskedhert
oo?
Bl
ess-squeezehi
shand?Whatexact
lyhappened?
Sbani-Thatfuckeraskedhertosqueezehishandif
shedidn'thaveanysortoffeel
ingsforhi
m, Nel
ly
didn'
tsqueezehishand, why?
Bl
ess-howsur
ear
eyout
hatshehear
dhi
m?
Sbani
-Whywoul
dthef
ir
stwor
dshespeaksi
nher
sedat
ivest
atebehi
sname?
Bless-lookIdon'
tknowwhat '
sreall
yhappened
tonightbutdon'
tdoubtmysister'
slovef
oryouman,
she'sli
teral
l
ylosi
ngherli
feforyou.Don'
toverthi
nk
thi
ngs, youdon'
twanttopushherr i
ghti
ntothearms
ofyourbr ot
her.
.
Sbani
-theonl
yar
msshewi
l
lev
erl
ayonar
emi
nes.
.
Bless-(
nods)whydon'tyouhavearest
,itbeena
l
ongdaybesi desyouneedtowakeupfreshf or
tomorrow,youknowyourkidsareal
lahandful.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)yeah(fi
stbump)doyouwantto
sl
eepont hefl
oorinmyr oom?Youdon'
twantyour
bi
tchsi
sterjumpingyourbones.
..

Theybothburstoutl
aughi
ngmaki
ngt
hei
rwayt
o
thei
rrespect
iver
ooms..
.

Thenextday
..
..
..
ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

DrWat
son-howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?
Nell
y-Iam ali
tt
leti
redbutIguessi
tbecauseIhav
e
beengluedtothi
sbed..
DrWat son-( smil
es)wellIhavegoodnewsf oryou,I
am lett
ingyougohomet oday,y
ouf i
nall
yableto
breathony ourownwi thoutfeel
ingpaininyourchest
,
thereisnor easonforyout obehere.
.
Nel
ly-whataboutmytest
s?What'
swrongwi t
hme, I
hav
enev erf
eltt
hatamountofpai
ninchestbefor
e?
DrWat son-that'
swhatwet ryingtofi
gureoutbutwe
suspecti
ngAr rhyt
hmi asbutthatusual
lyisveryhad
todetect,i
tsympt omsar everymuchsimi l
arto
thoseofahear tattack.Westill
studyi
ngy our
medicalrecordsaswel last
her eadi
ngfrom your
heartbeat.
..
Nel
l
y-sowhatdoIdoi
nthemeant
ime?
DrWatson-Iam af
rai
dther
eisn'
tmuchthatyoucan
dobutIwouldadvi
sethatyoucar
ryonasperusual
butrefr
ainfrom beinginsi
tuationst
hatwill
tri
gger
yourstresslevels,
wedon'twantt ot
akechances
withyourheartespecial
lysincewey ett
odiscoveri
f
youhav eArrhythmiasoraweakhear twhichinthe
caseofaweakhear tmeansy oumightneed
tr
ansplantinthenearfuture..
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)okay
,thanky
oudoct
or.
.
DrWatson-(smil
esandnods)t
akecareofyour
sel
f
MissSiwel
a,sayhit
othosebeaut
if
ulbabi
eswhen
yougethome..
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Iwi
l
l,Imi
sst
hem.
.

Thedoct
orssmi
l
esonel
astt
imebef
orewal
ki
ngout
ther
oom..
..

Nel
l
y-(
looksar
ound)whatdoIdonow?
..
.

Thedooropens,
ahangoverZenandewal
ksinsi
de
theroom wi
thabagwhi
chNel l
yassumeshasher
clot
hes.
..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)whathappenedt
oyou?
Zee-(
groans)ahhh!
!!I
tal
lyourman'
sfaul
tIcoul
dbe
sl
eepi
ngr i
ghtnowbutheorderedmetobr
ingyou
cl
eanclothes.
.
Nel
l
y-Sbani
?
Zee-(
nods)don'
taskmequesti
onsbecauseIam
j
ustascluel
ess,
howareyou?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)okayIguess,
Iam av
oidi
ngany
thi
ng
negati
veright
now..
Zee-good,
looksi
siIwoul
dlovetostayandchatbut
Ihavetogofi
ndNomusabef or
eBlessskinsme
al
ive.
.
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)y
oul
osther
?
Zee-notreall
ybutIwenthomewi t
hthisf
inegir
lwho
hadv er
yinter
esti
ngtatoosandpi
erci
ngsinvery
i
nterest
ingplacesify
ouknowwhatImean.It hi
nk
Musaei t
hercrashedatafri
endshouseorlef
twith
theguys..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)at
leasty
ouguy
shadf
un.
.
Zee-al
ot,(
kisseshercheek)Igott
ogofindMusa
andapparentl
yBlesshassomet hi
ngpl
annedf
or
them t
oday..
Nell
y-sayhitoher,Ifeel
badthatIhav
en'thadt
ime
tospendwithherev ersi
nceshecamet otheci
ty,
She'
sal ov
elygir
l.
.
Zee-(l
aughs)who'
saboutt
obet
rappedi
nal
ove
tr
iangl
e..
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)what
?Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?
Zee-wewillhaveourlastni
ghti
cecr
eam dat
eandI
wil
ltel
lyouallabouti
t..

Zenandewasbyt
hedoorwhenNel
l
ycal
l
edaf
ter
her.
..

Nel
l
y-sowho'
spi
cki
ngmeup?
Zee-(
smi
l
es)y
ou'
l
lsee.
..
.BYESI
S..
.

ATTHEROYALHOTEL.
..
Sandil
e-(
sipshi
scoff
ee)sowhathappenedbet
ween
youtwolastni
ght?WhenIfoundyouguysyouwer
e
pret
tycomfort
abl
ewitheachother
..
Bandi
le-doy
ouhav
esomet
hingf
ort
heheadache,
I
am dy
ingman..
Sandi
le-checkont
hel
eftsi
deoft
heJeanIwas
weari
ng..
Guy
-sowher
ear
ethegi
rl
s?
Sandi
l
e-Ibookedt
hem t
hei
rownr
oom,
youal
lwer
e
ver
ywasted.
.
Guy-t
helastthi
ngIrememberismakingoutwi
tht
he
ot
hercheek,Ican'
trememberhername..
Sandi
l
e-(
shakeshi
shead)havebr
eakf
ast
,Iam
goi
ngtogocheckont
hegirl
s..
Bandi
l
e-Iam comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
.
Sandil
e-(st
opshi m)Idon'
tthinkso,t
heyprobably
goingtobev er
yshy ,
consideri
ngtheywon'teven
rememberhowt heyendedupwher etheyarenow.I
don'tt
hinktheywouldwantt oseetheguysthey
wer
emaki
ngoutwi
th.
Bandi
l
e-(
scr
atcheshi
shead)y
oupr
obabl
yri
ght
..
.
Sandi
l
e-hadmethepi
ll
s,t
heymightneedt
hem,I
t
wasMusa'sf
ir
stt
imedri
nki
ngsoshewouldneedi
t
more.
..

Sandi
l
ewalksouttheroom l
eav
ingtheguys
l
aughi
ngandtal
kingabouthowli
tlastni
ghtwas.
..

ATMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

Nel
lywasbr
ushinghercur
lswhenshehear
dsmal
l
voi
cesfr
om out
side.
..

Gi
rl
-(whi
nes)daaaaddd,
yousupposet
ohi
debehi
nd
t
heball
oonssoshewon'tseeyou.
.
Boy
-(bor
edv
oice)t
hisi
spoi
ntl
ess.
..
Shecoul
dn'thearwhatel
sewasbei
ngsaidbecause
ofthei
nter
com noisebutshedi
dmanagetoheara
fewbabysoundstoo..
.

Gir
l-(
clappi
nghands)
(exci
ted)canIkeept
het
eddy
bear.
.
Boy-Whydi
dwebuyi
tforheri
fyouwer
egoi
ngt
o
keepi
t.
.
Gi
rl
-Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyou.
.
Boy
-yeahwhat
ever
..

Itseem ast heli

tt
leboyandgi rl
wer enowf i
ghting,i
t
soundedl i
ket hedadwast r
y i
ngtost opthem but
beforeshecoul dhearhisv oicethedoorbur stopen
andNomacamer unningfol l
owedbySJ, t
hedoubl e
strol
lerwhichhadNsi kaandNkany ezi,shecouldn't
seewhowaspushi ngitast hebigbal l
oonshidt hem,
theballoonshad" getwellsoon" ,"
wel oveyou",and
thebiggestonehad" wil
lyougooutwi t
hus?".
.
Noma-(
smi
l
es)canIkeept
het
eddybear
..
.
SJ-sayNo.
..

Shewassti
ll
sosurpr
isedthatherwhol
ebodysti
l
led
whentheper
sonbehi
ndt heball
oonsspoke.
..

Sbani
-Hi

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t137

ATUMHLANGANETCAREHOSPI
TAL.
..

Nel
l
y-hi
..
Sbani
-howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Nel
l
y-(
shr
ugs)okayIguess,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Sbani
-wel
lwecamet
oaski
fyoucoul
djoi
nal
lofus
onadat
e?
Nel
l
y-noImeanwhatar
eyoudoi
ngout
side?
Sbani
-ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
otal
kaboutt
hatnow?
Nell
y-(si
ghs)your
ight,
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t
butshouldIbeworri
ed?
Sbani
-ifthatyourwayofaski
ngifIescapedthanthe
answerisNo, j
usthadsomeonepullafewstri
ngs
j
ustsoIcoul dgetthr
eedayswit
hy ou,al
lofy
ou.I
am al
readyonmyseconddaysocanwemakei t
count
?..
Nell
y-(l
ooksathi
m)okay..
.(smi
l
es)who'
sideawas
i
t(point
satthebal
loons)
?
Noma-(smil
es)itwasmines(
clapsherhands
exci
tedl
y)doyouli
keit
?
Nel
ly-(
pincheshercheek)
(smi
l
es)Il
ovei
tbaby
,
hel
l
oSJ. .
.

Hepl
acedhi
stabl
etont
hecouchandwal
kedcl
oser
t
oher.
.
SJ-hel
l
o,whatar
edoi
ngatahospi
tal
?Ar
eyousi
ck?
Nel
l
y-Iwassi
ckbutnowIam f
ine.

Hereyestr
aveledtoherbabi
es,
shegiggl
edwhen
shesawhowi rri
tat
edNsikawasoft
heballoonst
ied
tothest
rol
ler
..

Nel
l
y-Idon'
tthi
nkhe'
saf
anofal
lthesedecor
ati
ons.
.

Theyal
ltur
nedandl
aughedatNsi
ka'
scut
ebaby
fr
own..

Sbani
-Iwantt
ospeakt
othedoct
orbef
orewel
eav
e..
Nel
l
y-why
?
Sbani
-Ineedt
oknowwhatwrongwi
thy
ou?You
can'
tkeepcol
l
apsi
ngl
i
kethi
s..
Shesighsandwalkscl
osertohim,shelooksupat
hi
m,st udyi
nghi
sfeat
uresalmostasifshewantedt
o
makesur eshewasn'
tdreamingorhal
luci
nati
ng
agai
n..

Sbani-(
tracesherf
acewithhi
shand)y
ounot
dreaming,Iam r
eal
lyher
e..
Nel
l
y-(
lookathi
sli
ps)Icanseet
hat
..
Sbani
-(smi
rks)(
histhumbbr
ushesherl
i
ps)y
oucan
ki
ssmey ouknow..

Hishandscont i
nuedt otracehercheeki nan
affecti
onateway ,
hiseyesnotl eav i
ngher ,hisface
descendedt owar dshersunt i
ltheirli
psl ocked
together.Whent heirli
psstartedmov i
ng, shewas
yetagainremi ndedoft hefamousel ectricshocks
andf ir
eworkst hathistouchgav eher .Sbani '
shand
tangledinhercur lyhai
rast heki ssintensif
ied,she
moanedashi st ongueroamedi nsidehermout h,her
handsf oundhi sneckandwr appedar oundi tpulli
ng
i
n, thefamil
iartasteofst r
awber rylipglosshadhi m
smili
ngwhi l
ehistonguewasst i
llbur
ieddeepwi t
h
hers,hermoaningignitedsomet hi
nginhi sbody,
he
wasgl adthathestil
lhadsomuchef fectonher
body.Hishandsf oundherhi psandlandedonher
buttbefor
et uggi
nghercl osersoshecoul dbe
pressedonhi sbody.Theycont i
nuedt okissfora
fewmi nutesbeforetheydecidedtopul l
apartso
theycouldcatchtheirbreaths.
..

Sbani
-(st
il
lholdi
nghercl
ose)Il
i
ter
all
yjustmade
youbr
eathless.
.
Nel
ly-(
blushes)It
hinkIam goi
ngt
oneedt
hat
oxy
genmaskagai n..

Hebrushedherhai
rawayf r
om herf
aceandkisses
herf
oreheadbefor
epeckingherontheli
ps,
she
gi
ggl
edl i
keaschoolgi
rlwit
hacrush..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)Happybi
rt
hday
..
.
Sbani
-(l
aughsl
i
ght
ly)y
our
emember
ed?
Nel
l
y-ki
ndofhar
dtof
orget
,Idi
dn'
tgety
ouany
thi
ng
t
hough.
.
Sbani-(
shakeshi
shead)Igotever
y t
hingIneedri
ght
i
nfrontofme.(Smil
es)happybel
atedbirt
hday.
.
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)
(remember
ed)ohmyGod!
!!Theki
ds.
..

Theybothlaughandturnt
hei
rheadsandfoundSJ
focusedonhistabl
et,
Nomawasnowher einsi
ght
..
.

SJ-(
notl
ooki
ngatthem)youguysfi
nal
l
y
remember
edther
eareki
dsintheroom.
.
Sbani
-youwil
lunder
standwheny ougety
ourown
gi
rl
fri
endson,
where'
sy oursi
ster
?
SJ-(
shrugs)pr
obabl
ygonedownt ot
hepl
ayr
oom we
sawwhenwewer ecominghere,
youknowNkany
ezi
wasstari
ngatyouguysal
lthi
sti
me..

Indeedwhentheyt
urnedt
hei
rfacest
oNkanyezi
she
sti
llhadherey
esonthem wi
thaconf
usedand
cur
iousst
are.
..

Sbani
-(whi
sper
edinherear
)It
hinkwej
ustmade
ourl
it
tl
egir
lwatchpor
n..
Nel
l
y-(
laughs)shewon'
trememberanyoft
his.
..
Sbani
-(l
ooksather
)ar
eyousur
eyouokay
?
Nel
ly-(nods)Idon'
twantt
obenegat i
veri
ghtnow,
I
am t
ired,mybodyisti
red,
Ijustwanttobehappy,
enj
oyt heti
mewehav ewithyou.
..
Sbani
-(nods)Thanky
ou.
..
Nel
l
y-(
nods)
(smi
l
es)soWhathav
eyougotpl
anned?
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
ouwi
l
lsee,
nowar
eyour
eady
?
Nel
l
y-(
nods)y
eah.
..

ATZI
MBALIESTATE.
..

Zandi
lewal
kedi
nsi
det
heki
tchenandf
ound
MaSiwel
adri
nki
ngt
ea.
..
Zah-mor
ningMa.
.
MaSiwela-(l
ooksather)Morni
ngbaby,Mvel
omade
youbreakfastbef
oreshelef
t,i
tinsi
det
he
micr
owav e.
Zah-uhmm okay
..
.

Shemovestothemicrowaveandwar
msherf
oodup
bef
oregoi
ngtositdown..
.

MaSi
wel
a-(
looksather
)wi
l
lyout
ell
mewhat
'sgoi
ng
onwi
thy
ou?
Zah-(l
ooksdown)It
hinkIwascomi
ngdownwi
tha
fl
u..
MaSiwela-(
shakesherhead)ChaZandi
l
edon'tdo
that
,notwit
hmebaby .SoIam goi
ngtoaskyou
agai
n,what'
sgoingon?
Zah-ever
ythi
ngi
swr
ong,
Ifeel
sooutoft
ouchwi
th
ever
ythi
ng..
MaSiwela-andy
out
hinkal
cohol
isgoi
ngt
ofi
x
t
hings?
Zah-i
twasapoordeci
sionbutat
leastIgott
ofor
get
forawhi
le.
.
MaSiwel
a-y
ouknownothingi
sgoingtochangeunt
il
youdeci
detot
aket
hatstepoftaki
ngcharge.
..
Zah-Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo.
.
MaSi
wela-thatisal
ie,y
ouknowwhattodobutyou
t
oodamnwor r
iedaboutwhatwi
l
lpeopl
esay.Doyou
l
oveyourhusbandZandil
e?
Zah-(
clear
shi
sthr
oat
)Ma?
MaSi
wela-ungi
zwi
l
e,uy
amuthandaumny eniwakho
na?(
Youheardme,doyoul
oveyourhusband?)

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Zah-I
..
.Ido,
hismyhusbandIhav
etol
ovehi
m,we
havet
hreeki
dstoget
her.
.
MaSi
wel
a-j
ustbecausehei
syourhusbanddoesn'
t
meany ouhav etolovehim, i
tpossibletofalloutof
l
ovemychi l
d.Iam notsay i
ngyoudon' tloveyour
husbandbutsomet imest hepeoplewel ovear enot
necessari
l
ygoodf orus, f
oroursoul s.You'
re
beauti
fulyoungwoman, youdeservet obelov edand
tobehappy ,don'
tsettl
eforlessthany oudeser ve.I
dontknowy ourmar r
iageproblemsbuti tclearthat
younothappy ,Donhasaguesthousei nWest brook,
i
topeni fyouneedt i
met obreathandt hinkthings
thr
ough..
Zah-Idon'
tthi
nkmymotherwoul
dappr
oveofme
l
eavingmymar i
tal
home.
.
MaSi wel
a-thi
sisn'tyourmother'
smar r
iagebut
yours,whatworksi nhermarri
agedoesn't
necessari
lymeani twil
lworkinyours.Theti
me
awaywi l
ldoy ougood, i
tcl
osetoy ourworkandyou
canhav eyourkidswithyou.ShouldIaskmy
husbandforthekey s?
Zah-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)y
eah.
.
MaSiwel
a-(smi
l
es)great,
noweatsoy oucan
accompanymeshopping,myhousehasnofood.
.
ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Mat
ema-what
'sy
ouri
ntent
ionwi
thNomusa?
Bless-Whyaskaquest
iont
owhi
chy
ouknowt
he
answertoo.
.
Mat ema-becauseIdon' twantyouholdi
ngherback
Sbusiso,She'
sy oung,beautif
ulandyett
oexperience
l
ife.Theideaofy outwobei ngtoget
hermayseem
i
deal r
ightnowbutIdon'twanty oumakingherfeel
l
ikesheowesy ousomet hi
ng.
Bless-IwouldneverusethefactthatIam pay
ingfor
herst udi
esagai
nsther,Iam doi
ngev ery
thi
ngforher
becauseIwantt o,notbecauseIexpectsomethi
ng
i
nr eturn.
.
Matema-Good,nowIhopewhat
everi
tist
haty
ou
di
dshewill
forgi
veyou.
.
Bless-(
swal
l
owed)Idon'
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ng
about..
Mat
ema-y
ouf
orgetIgav
ebi
rt
htoy
ouboy
,Iknow
youli
keIknewwhenIwasgoi
ngt
ohav
emynext
per
iod.
.
Bl
ess-(
frowns)di
dyouhav
etouset
hatcompar
ison?
Matema-(shr
ugs)i
tthefirstthi
ngt
hatcamet omy
mind.(
Looksatherwatch)IwonderwhereisBonol
o,
shewassupposetobet akingmetothedoctor.
.
Bless-(
wor
ri
ed)i
sev er
ythi
ngokay?JesusI
'
vebeen
soswampedwitheverythi
ngthat
'sgoi
ngonIf
orgot
aboutmyownmot her'
shealt
h..
Matema-nottoworr
yitj
ustmymont hl
ycheckup,I
am gladyouhav
ebeendist
ract
edbecauseyoudon't
gettofussandl
ookatmewi t
hthosesappyeyes.
..
Bl
ess-Ij
ustwor
ryabouty
ou.
.
Matema-(smil
es)IknowbabybutIam okayf
ornow,
how'sNel
l
y ?Hermom tol
dmeshewasadmi t
ted
whenshecamef ortheki
dslastni
ght
?
Bl
ess-(si
ghs)Theynotsur
eyetwhat'
sgoingonbut
Sbanit
extedmesayingshe'
slooksheal
thy.
.
Mat
ema-Sbani
?
Bl
ess-(
nods)Mosesmanagedt
opul
lst
ri
ngsand
hav
ehi
m out
sidef
ort
hreeday
s..
Mat
ema-wow,Inev
ert
houghtI
'
dseet
hedayt
hose
t
wogetal
ong.
.
Bl
ess-(
laughs)t
rustmei
twasnotbychoi
ce.
.
Mat
ema-Iam notev
engoi
ngt
oaskwhatmadehi
m
doi
t.
.

Theybothlaugh,Nomusawalksinonthem whil
e
theysti
l
l l
aughi
ng.Shecl
earsherthr
oatandthey
bothturnandlookather
..
.

Nomusa-uhmmm Iam r
eady
..
Mat
ema-(
smi
l
es)y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ulbaby
..
Nomusa-(
blushes)Ngi
yabongaMa.
.
Matema-(st
andsup)ohwelll
etmenotkeepy
ou
guy
s,Ihopeyouhaveagreatday
..

Hi
smot
herki
ssedhi
scheek,
whi
chhef
orced
himselfnottofrownatt hegest ur
ebecauseheknew
arguingwithhismot hertostopki ssi
nghischeek
l
ikethatbecausehewasnowagr ownmanwoul dbe
useless,shewoul ddoiteitherway .Hereminded
himselfthatheneedasmanyki ssesont hecheek
fr
om hi smotherbecausehedi dn'
thav emucht i
me
l
eftwi t
hher.Mat emacaughtNomusaof fguard
whensheki ssedheront hecheekt oandembr acing
herwi t
hawar m hug...

Bl
ess-(
looksather
)youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
.
Nomusa-(
blushed)Thanky
ou.
.

Thewalkedsidebysi
detohiscar
,hecoul
dn'
thel
p
l
ookingathowherbuttandhi
pssti
ckedouti
nthose
ski
nnyjeansshehadon..

Bl
ess-t
hisi
smyf
ir
stt
imeseei
ngy
oui
npant
s..
Nomusa-(
feel
i
ngsel
fconsci
ous)y
ou.
..y
oudon'
tl
ike
i
t.
.
Bless-uhmm Not hat
'
snotwhatImeant,i
tjust
angikazengi
kuboneugqokeibhul
ukwe,
Ifi
gur edy
ou
onlyworedressesandski
rt
s..
Nomusa-oh,Bandi
let
houghtt
heywoul
dlookgood
soIboughtt
hem...

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Theydi dn'tallthewayt othecar ,

thedr i
vewassi lent
foraf ewmi nutes,Nomusacoul dn'thelpbutf eel l
ike
shesai dsomet hingwrongbutshehadnoi deawhat
couldhav echangedt hemoodbet weent hem.Bl ess
wasdeepi nhi sthoughts,heknewt hatwhatshe
saidaboutBandi lewasn'tintendedt ohur thimi nany
sortofway ,shewasj ustbei nghonestandmaki ng
conv ersati
onbuthecoul dn'thelpbutf rownatt he
thoughtofhi sli
ttl
ebrotherhav ingthatmuchofan
effectonNomusa.Agai nhet houghtBandi l
emi ght
hav esuggest edt hepantsjustbecausehet oomi ght
hav enot i
cedt hatNomusanev erwor ethem butst i
ll
,
theyhav en'tknowneachot hert hatwel lbutthef act
thatshemanagedt odosomethi
ngjustbecausehis
brothert
houghtitwoul
dbebest,
wasn'tsit
ti
ngwel l
withhim,"am Ij
eal
ous?"Het
houghttohimself.
..

Nomusa-di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
Bl
ess-(
shakeshi
sheadf
ocusi
ngont
her
oad)Cha!
!!
Nomusa-uhmm okay
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Bl
ess-(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)sohowwast
hepar
tyl
ast
ni
ght?
Nomusa-(
shr
ugs)i
twasokay
..
.

Hesighedsensi
ngthatshewasholdingback
becauseofthewayhewasact i
ng,t
houghNomusa
wasnaiveandsti
ll
arookiewhenitcameto
rel
ati
onshi
psbutshewasst i
l
lawomanandt hat
meansshecanbepet t
yifshewantedtoaswell
,she
mightnotknowthatshewasbei
ngpet
tybuthe
knewjudgi
ngbythefrownshehadwhenshegave
him ashor
tanswer.
..
.

Bl
ess-(
sighs)Iwasj
eal
ous.
..
Nomusa-huh?
Bl
ess-Iam j
eal
ousofy
ourr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thmy
br
other.
.
Nomusa-oh.
.

Shewasn' texpecti
nghi mtosaythatbutital
lmade
sensenowi nherhead, Bl
essmoodchanged
i
mmedi atel
yaftershement i
onedBandil
e'
sname,
shefeltherchesttighteni
ng,shewasfeeli
ng
overwhelmedanddi dn'
tknowhowt oreacttohi
s
confession.
..

Nomusa-Icall
edy
oui
zol
oebsuku,
awuzange
uphendul
e..
Hi
sbodysti
ffenedknowingthati
twast
het
imehe
waspoundi
ngonhi ssister
..
.

Bless-(cl
ear
edhisthr
oat
)uhmm y
eah,Iwasheldup
atwor kbutwhenIsawyourmi
sscal
lItr
iedcal
l
ing
youback..
Nomusa-(
nods)Idr
unkbyt
han.
.
Bless-(
laughed)Iwoul
dlov
etoseet
hedr
unksi
deof
you..
Nomusa-(
laughs)
(remember
ed)Sbuwher
edoy
ou
wor
k?

Hisbodystif
fenedagai
n,thatwasanot
herquest
ion
hewasn'texpecti
ngforhertoask.
..

Bl
ess-Iam abusi
nessman.
.
Nomusa-(
nods)okay
..
Hesi ghedinreli
ef,theyfell
intosi
lenceagainbut
thisti
mei twascomf ort
ablesil
ence,hehesitantl
y
placedhishandonhert ighs,hewasshockedwhen
hef el
thersmal lhandstugginghis,heglancedather
andsmi ledbeforefocusingont heroadagain...
.

ATNTOMBI
'
SHOUSE.
..

Shehear
dthei
nter
com r
ing.
..

Nt
ombi
-hel
l
o..
Shaka-i
tme,
Buzzmei
n..
Nt
ombi
-okay
..
.

Shefrownedwonder
ingwhyv i
si
tfrom her,surethey
spokehereandwhentheysaweachot herbutt hey
weren'
tascloseast
heyusedtobe.Shewal kedto
thefr
ontdoorandwatchedashiscarparks, both
doorsopened,
Shakawalkedtowar
dsherwi
than
unknowngeeklooki
ngguy..
.

Shaka-Sor
ryt
ocomeunannounced.
.
Ntombi
-(hel
dherheadup)i
tokay,
youwelcome
anyt
imeyouknowthat,
wefamil
yafteral
l
...
Shaka-(
smi
l
esl
i
ght
ly)y
eah.
.

Hereyestr
avel
edtotheguybehi
ndhi
m whohada
l
aptopinhi
shands.
.

Nt
ombi
-who'
syourf
ri
end?
Shaka-ohy eahsi
llyme,Thi
sisGary,he'
sa
computergenius,he'
sheretocheckthesecuri
ty
syst
em, updateafewt hi
ngshereandthere.Si
nce
mybr ot
herwi l
lbegoingaway,hewantyouguy s
prot
ected.
.
Ntombi-ohokaybutshouldn'
tthesecur
it
ycompany
t
hatinstal
l
edoursystem betheonedoingthat
..
Shaka-y
eahbutt her
eisn'
tmucht hatneedstobe
done.Wej ustneedtoupdatethesoftwareandadda
fewnewf eatures,nocamerachangesareneeded.
.
Nt
ombi
-(nods)okay
,comei
n..
.

Shestepsasi
de,l
ett
ingthem i
nsidethehouse,
she
not
icedShakahadaf ewscrat
chesandbr ui
ses
whichhesuredi
dn'
thav eyest
erday.
..

Shaka-mindi
fItaket
heguyt
othest
udysohecoul
d
workinpeacet
here?
Nt
ombi
-(shr
ugs)sur
e..
.

WhenShakaand" Gary"disappearedshetookher
phoneanddailedSbani'
snumber ,
itwason
voi
cemailsheremember edt hathi
sphonewasheld
upatthestat
ionsoshedai ledNelly'
snumber.
..

Ri
ngi
ng.
..
Itkeptr
ingi
nguntili
tsenthertovoicemai
l
,she
sighedandplacedherphonedown.Justasshewas
abouttogotot hestudy,Shakaappear
edandasked
i
fshehadbeeri nsi
det hefri
dge.
.

Ntombi
-yeahIthi
nkMt.
..l
etmecheck.(
Takesbeer
outt
hefri
dge)sowhathappenedt
oyoulastni
ght
?
Shaka-whatdoy
oumean?
Nt
ombi
-thecut
sandt
hebr
uises?
Shaka-oh(
shr
ugs)Sbani
happened.
.
Nt
ombi
-(ey
eswi
den)hedi
dthatt
oyou?Butwhy
?
Shaka-(f
akeslaugh)don'
tworryabouti
t,wewer
e
j
ustbringboys.Wegood, whyelsewoul
dIbehere
hel
pinghimifweren'tongoodterms.
..
Ntombi
-(l
aughs)okayt
hatmakessensebesi
des
youboy
salwaysli
kedtoplayr
ough.
.
Shaka-(
fakesmi
l
es)y
eah.
..
(l
ooksar
ound)wher
e's
oursuper
star
?
Ntombi-Sbanipi
ckedherupthi
smorning,
Iwonder
whyhedi dn'
tmenti
onanythi
ngaboutsecr
uri
ty
updat
es..
Shaka-wellt
hatbecausehedi dn'
tknowIwasgoing
tocomet oday,
wedi scussedit,
Iagreedt
odoi
tjust
didn'
ttel
lhi
m when.Ihadf reeti
metodaysoI
thoughtwhynot..
Nt
ombi
-(nods)wel
lwoul
dyoul
i
keany
thi
ngt
oeat
?
Shaka-(
shakeshi
shead)nahIam al
ri
ght
.Ishoul
d
probabl
ycheckonhowGaryisdoi
ng..

Hewalkedt othest udyleavingNtombifeeli

ng
unset
tledaboutsomet hi
ng.Shehadt hi
sf eel
ingli
ke
somethingwaswr ong.Whywoul dSbani makesuch
animpor t
antdecisionaboutsecruri
tycamer asinher
housewi t
houttel
lingher ,
hehasgoodi ntenti
onsbut
thi
swasn'ttheirhouseany more,i
twasher s.She
tookherphoneandsentat extt
oNelly.
.

"
Tel
lSbani
weneedt
otal
kaboutt
heSecr
uri
ty
sy
stem change,
Iam nothappy
"..

ATBUTCHER'
SBLOCK.
..

Bl
ess-Thi
sismyf
avour
it
epl
acet
oeat
..
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)
(l
ooksar
ound)l
i
kehowi
tlooks
Bless-(
smil
es)l
et'
sorderdri
nkfi
rstt
hany
oucan
decideukut
hiuf
unaukudlani
..
Nomusa-Iwantabur
gerandal
otoff
ri
es.
..
Bless-(
laughs)awomanwi
thabi
gappet
it
e,Il
i
ke
that.
.

Sheblushesandlooksatt
hemenu,butshehad
al
readydecidedwhatshewant
ed.Bl
esssignal
sthe
wait
ertocome. .
.

Bl
ess-canyoubri
ngustwobott
lesofst
il
lwater
,non
al
coholi
ccockt
ail
fort
helady
,beerf
orme, dr
y.
Guy
-(j
oint
sitdown)whatar
eyoubot
heat
ingsi
r?
Bless-steakforme,mustbewelldoneandav ocado
salad,l
argebeefwithbaconandgreesycheese
burgerforthelady
,andbringusaplat
ewithalotof
fi
res.

Thewai
ternodsandwal
kst
opl
acet
hei
ror
der
..
.

Bless-Iwantust
otal
kbutwegoi
ngt
oeatf
ir
st
beforewegetall
seri
ous.
.
Nomusa-i
ssomet
hingwr
ong?
Bless-notr
eall
ybutIwanttot
alkaboutus,
Musa
youknowIl i
keyouri
ght?.
.

Hedi
dn'
twantt
ousethewor
d"l
ove"becausehe
di
dn'
twantt
oscar
eher.
..

Nomusa-uhmmm y
eah.
.
Bless-(
nods)l
et'
sgett
oknoweachot
her
,askme
anythi
ng?
Nomusa-Idon'
tknowwhatt
oasky
ou.
.
Bless-anythi
ng,
Iknowt
her
eissomet
hingy
ouwant
toknow. .
Nomusa-howol
dar
eyou?
Bless-(smiles)If
igur
edthatwouldbeyourf
ir
st
question,Iam 33,buttur
ning34soon,
you21right
?
Nomusa-(
nods)butIam t
urni
ng22i
nMar
ch.
..
Bless-okay
,twel
vey
eardi
ff
erence,
doest
hatbot
her
you?
Nomusa-(
shr
ugs)y
oudon'
tl
ookt
hatol
d..
Bl
ess-(
laughs)t
hatbecauseIam notol
d,j
usti
nmy
midthi
rt
ies.
.
Nomusa-y
oushoul
dn'
ttel
lyouraget
omyf
ather
..
Bl
ess-he'
sat
oughmant
opl
ease.
.
Nomusa-whyar
eyounotmar
ri
ed?
Bl
ess-Ihav
en'
tfoundsomeonet
hatIwantt
omar
ry
butt
hatcanchange.
..wi
thy
ou.
.
Nomusa-(
looksdownandnods)how.
..howmany
t
imeshaveyou..
.
Bl
ess-hav
eIwhat
?

Nomusal ooksdownnotsur ewhyshewant edtoask

hi
mt hatquestionsbuti twasj ustonhermindand
herbr aingoesbackt othet i
mewhent heydid
ukusomabyt her i
ver ,
sher emember showhishands
caressedherbody ,sher emember shisgr
untsand
groans.Mpumi toldhert hatwhenamangr unt
sthat
l
oudi tmeanshe' senjoyingthewar mthofherbody,
Blessl ookedl
ikeav eryexperiencedmanwheni t
camet oawoman' sbody .
.

Bl
ess-MUSA!
!!
..
.
Nomusa-(
snappedoutofi
t)hmm?
Bless-youwantt
oaskmehowmanyt
imeshav
eI
fu..
.hadsex?
Nomusa-(
blushesandl
ooksdown)
(whi
sper
ed)
y
eah.
..
Bless-(smi
les)wel
lthatar
andom quest
ion,Idon'
t
knowt heexactnumberoft
imesbutital
ot..

Shegaspswiththerev
elat
ionbutcoul
dn'
taskthe
nextquest
ionwhichwas"howmanywomen? "
Becausethewai
tercamesot hei
rfoodanddr
inks.
..

I
nsi
deSbani
'
scar
..
.

Noma-Daddywhenar
ewegoi
ngbackt
oseet
he
ani
mals?
Sbani-wheny
ourbrot
herandsi
sterar
eal
i
ttl
ebi
tol
d,
di
dy ouhavefun?
Noma-(
smi
l
es)y
es,
ItouchedPol
l
y,shet
alksdaddy
..
Sbani
-(l
aughs)of
cour
seshedoes.
..

Her
oll
shi
sey
esandf
ocusesont
her
oad,
hecannot
under
standthef
asci
nat
ionaboutt
hatbi
rd,i
tcan'
t
event
alks,i
tonl
ysay
sonewor dwhichi
tist
rai
ned
tosay
...

Sbani
-SJdi
dyouhav
efun?
SJ-(
nods)Ihadmoref
unwhenwewentr
idi
ngwi
th
thef
ourwheels.
..
Nel
l
y-(
nodsandsmi
l
ed)Ienj
oyedt
hatt
oo.
.
Sbani
-(laughs)Iam notsur
pri
sedthere,
(smil
es)I
l
earntsomet hi
ngnewaboutmygi r
l t
oday,shel
oves
ext
remespor ts.
.
Nel
l
y-It
houghty
ouknewt
hatal
ready
..
Sbani
-yeahbutseei
ngy
out oday,r
idi
ngt
hatf
our
wheeldi
dthi
ngstome,especial
l
ythewayyouras.
..
Nel
l
y-TODDLERSI
NSI
DETHECAR.
..
.

Theylookateachotherandl augh,
iti
ndeedwasa
greatdayf
ortheli
tt
lefamil
y .Theyhadwenttosee
theanimal
s,theki
dsparti
cipatedinfeedi
ngthe
par
rots,goat
saswellast
hepigs.Theyal
sodid
someout si
deroughspor
ts,
ofcourseNomawasn't
i
ntoitbutri
dingwit
hherdadmadeherf i
nal
l
ygivei
n
andenjoyhersel
f.

Nel
l
y-sowher
edoy
ouguy
swantt
oeat
?
Noma-MAC'
DONALDS!
!!
!
SJ-Iwantr
ibs.
.
Nell
y-wel
lhowaboutwegotoRoco'
Mama'sthat
whyNomacanhav eherbur
gerandSJcangethi
s
r
ibs.
.

Thekidsshrugsandnod,theyweren'
treal
l
yfussy
aboutwheretoeat,mustbebecausetheywereti
red
andveryhungry.
..

Noma-Daddy
..
..
Sbani
-yespr
incess.
.
Shewashesi t
anttoaskherdadbutwhenSbani
glancedatherwhena"youcantal
ktome"face,she
tookadeepbr eat
handasadnesstookoverher
face..
.

Sbani
-what
'
swr
ongbaby
?
Noma-i
sitt
ruet
haty
ouwer
einj
ail
,wer
ebadguy
s
l
iv
e?

Nel
lyandSbani quicklystaredateachother,SJ
pl
acedhistabletonhi slapandst ar
edathisdad,
Nel
lynoti
cedthatbot hki dswerealarmedand
l
ookedreal
lyinterestedintheirdad'
sresponse.
..

Sbani
-whot
oldy
out
hatbaby
?
SJ-i
sitt
rue?
Sbani
-ofcoursenot
,It
oldy
ouIwasgoi
ngona
busi
nesstri
p..
Nel
l
y-(
looksatNoma)whot
oldt
hatbaby
?
Noma-Wet
hu.
.
SJ-(
sighs)Iknewshewasl
yi
ng,
shehasabi
g
mouth..

Bot
hNell
yandSbani
sighknowi
ngthatOwet
hu
pr
obabl
yover
hear
dZandil
eandSipho.
..

Sbani
-(mutt
ered)Zandi
leandSiphoreal
l
yneedto
becar
efulwhattheyspeakaboutwhenthei
rki
dsare
i
ntheroom..

Nel
ly
-(fr
owns)yeahandtheyneedt
ost
art
di
sci
pli
ningt
hei
rdaughter
..
Sbani-(
sighs)youreall
yblamethekid,t
heyhave
enqusit
iveminds,y
ou' l
lseewhenNkany ezi
and
Nsikagrowupandst ar
tcomprehendingcert
ain
thi
ngs..
Nell
y-(nods)
(l
ooksatthekids)daddywasn'
tinj
ail
buthewentov erseasf
orbusiness,nowhe'
sback
forafewdaysbuthewi l
lhavetogobackagain.
.
Noma-wi
l
lhebeher
eformybi
rt
hday
?
Sbani
-Idon'
tkn.
..
Nell
y-
(smil
es)ofcour
sebaby
,hewoul
dn'
tmi
sshi
s
pr
incessbi
rthday.
.
SJ-Iwantt
opl
aycr
icketatschool
,wi
l
lhecomet
o
mygames?
Nell
y-(
sighs)umm nott oeverygamebabybuthe
wil
latt
endsomeofy ourgameswhenhehast i
me
outofbusiness,
butmeandy ourmom aswel
las
si
bli
ngswi l
lbether
et ocheeron..
.

SbanisqueezesNelly'
st hi
ghasaf or
m ofan
appreci
ativ
egesture,reali
tyki
cksinonall
thethi
ngs
he'
sgoi ngtomiss,hissonsgames, thebi
rt
hdays
aswellasthefi
rststepsoft hetwi
ns.
..

Nel
ly
-(l
ooksathi
m)youwon'
tmi
ssmuch,
Iwi
l
l
makesureoft
hat
..
Sbani
-(ki
ssesthebackofherhand)Thanky
ouf
or
ever
ythi
ng,youamazing.
..
Shesmi lesl
ight
lyandlooksatt
hekids,
theyare
backt othei
rusualsel
f,Nomaplay
ingwithherli
tt
le
brotherandsist
erwhil
eSJi sgl
uedtohistabl
et
screen..
.

Nel
ly-Iam beginni
ngtot
hinkitwasabadidea
gi
ft
inghim withthatt
abl
et,he'
sfor
evergl
uedtoi
t.
.
Sbani
-(l
aughs)Iwasthi
nki
ngthesamet
hingbut
he'
saguyheget sbor
edeasil
y.
.

Hecat
chesherl
ooki
ngathi
m,hesmi
l
esandt
urns
t
oher.
..

Sbani
-Whyy
oul
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
?
Nell
y-Iam happyy
ouher
e,y
oumakemev
eryhappy
Sbani.
..
Sbani-(
smilesandblushes)Iguessi
tagoodthi
ng
thatIam notl
ightl
i
key ou,youdon'
tgett
oseeme
bl
ush.
..
Nell
y-(smil
es)Idontneedt
oseey
oublush,
your
eyestell
meev ery
thi
ngIneedt
oknow.
.
Sbani-(
smiles)shouldweski
pthemeal wi
tht
he
kidsandfastfowardtotheni
ghtaheadwheni
tgoi
ng
tobejustmeandy ou?
Nell
y-(
laughs)Idon'
tthi
nktheywoul
dli
ket
hat
,they
missedyouasmuchasIdi d..
.

Thecarr
idewasfil
l
edwithconv
ersat
ionsbet
ween
theki
dsandthei
rdadandawholelotofsi
ngi
ng.
..

ATUMHLANGABEACH.
..

Nomusa-Il
i
ket
hebeach.
.
Bless-met
oo,itv
eryrefr
eshi
ng,
letgosi
tov
ert
hat
bench,weneedtotal
k..
.
Nomusa-okay
..
Themovet
othebenchandsi
tfaci
ngeachot
her,
Bl
esst
akesadeepbreat
handstar
esatNomusa.
..

Bless-Iwantt
otal
kaboutourr
elati
onship,MusaI
wanty outobemywomanbutbef orethatcoul
d
happenIwanttotell
yousomet
hingbutf i
rstIwant
toasky ousomet
hing..
Nomusa-whati
sit
?
Bl
ess-Doy
oul
i
keBandi
l
e?
Nomusa-(
looksdown)
(smi
l
es)Idon'
tknowbuthe
makesl
aughalot.
..
Bless-(
swal
l
owsal
ump)okay
,howdoy
ouf
eel
aboutme?Doyoul
i
keme?
Nomusa-Idon'
tknow,y
oumakemenervousand
hotwhenIam nextt
oyoubutIal
way
sfeelsaf
ewit
h
you.
.
Bl
ess-buty
ounotsur
ewhoy
oul
i
kemor
ebet
ween
meandmybr ot
her
?
Nomusa-(
shrugs)youbot
hdiffer
ent(l
ooksdown)
Bandi
lemakesmef eel
.
..f
ree,
youngyeahthatwhat
ZeeandSmisosaid.
.
Bl
ess-i
sthathowy
ouf
eel
?
Nomusa-(
nods)y
eah.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nomusa-buty
oumakemef
eel
war
m Sbu,
whyi
s
t
hat?
Bless-Idon'
tknownkosazanabutonl
yyoucan
answerthat.
.
Nomusa-(
nods)
(l
ooksathi
m)whatdi
dyouwantt
o
t
ell
me?
Bl
ess-(
takesadeepbreat
h)promisethatyouwon'
t
j
udgemeunt i
lyouhearev
ery
thingIhavetosay.
..
Nomusa-okay
..
.
Blessst ar t
st ell
ingheral l
abouthowhecamet o
Dur ban, thathedi dn'
tknowhisfather,
howhewasi n
sear chf orhi ssisterbutendedupf i
ndingall
his
sibli
ngs.Heal sonar r
ateshowheandNomv elomet,
howt heycl ickedandt hattheywantedt ohavea
relationshipbutt hatdidn'
thappenedbecauset hey
foundoutt heirsibli
ngs..

Nomv
elo-(
gasps)t
hat
'
ssad.
..
Bl
ess-y
eahIknowbutIam al
ri
ghtnow.
..
Nomv el
o-shedoesn'
tl
ikeme,
shel
ookedatMe
di
ff
erentl
y.
.
Bl
ess-(
sighs)shest
il
lhasf
eel
i
ngsf
orme.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nomusa-oh.
..
Bl
ess-andlastni
ghtIdi
dsomet
hinghorr
ible,
Iregr
et
i
tsobad,Ididn'
tevenwantt
odoitbuti
tjust
happened,
I.
..Wehadsex.
..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Nomusa-(
gasps)ohmyGod!
!!
!Ul
alenosi
siwakho?
Bless-Iam sor
ryNomusa,Ihat
emysel
fforit
,I
wantedt ot
ellyouj
ustsowehavenosecret
s
betweenus...

Shewasst il
ltr
yingtomakesenseofev ery t
hing,it
wasal ljustt
oomuch, Blesskeptt ry
ingt oexpl ai
n
himselfandapol ogisebutshewasj ustt oozoned
out.Herbr ai
nwast ry
ingt ograspev erythingt hathe
hassaidatt hesamet imesher emember edt heway
shedancedwi thBandi l
eandhowhet ouchedher ,
thewayheki ssedherandhowhi sfingerst rokedher
vaginaunt i
lshef el
twether self
,shehadnoi dea
whatwasgoi ngonbuti tfel
tgood.Smi sot oldher
thatwhatBandi ledidiscal l
edfingering,she
wonder edifsheshoul dt el
lhim...
Bless-pl
easesaysomethi
ngMusa,
please
nkosazanaemhlophe.
.
Nomusa-canwegobackhome.
.
Bl
ess-oh,
ist
hatwhaty
ouwant
?
Nomusa-(
nods)y
eah.
.

Hesi
ghsandhol
dsherhandsast
heywal
ksi
l
ent
lyt
o
t
hecar.
..

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
..
.

ATTHELI
GHTHOUSEBARUMHLANGA.
..

SbanihadaskedBr i
dget
,Nell
y'sPAt oorgani
se
someonewhocanl ookaft
erthekidsallni
ght
becausehewantedt ohaveani ghtoutal
onewith
her.Theyj
ustfi
nishedaromant icdi
nnerfort
wo,
theywer enowwal kingont hesandast hel i
ghtf r
om
theli
ghthousekeptshi nningt hrough, sher ealised
thattheyhav ebeenwal kingonat railfil
ledwi thr ose
pedals, ever ystept heyt ookSbani woul dgetmor e
nervous, thesoundofanor chest r
apl ayingcaught
herattent ion, i
tblendedwel lwi t
hr ef reshingf eel and
soundoft hewav es.Herhear tskippedabeatwhen
herey esl andedont hel i
veor chestr a, t
heset ting
wasdecor atedwi thal lherfav ouri
tef oll
ower s, there
wasal soani cepicnicl i
kesetup, shecaughtt he
i
nstrument ssoundst owhi cht heor chest rawas
playi
ng, itwasWal ef tUsher-Mat rimony .Herhear t
wasst illbeat ingfastt akingev erythingi n, whenher
eyeslandedont hemannextt oher , shest opped
breathing, hewasononeknee, withasmal lvelvet
boxopen, howi ngsomet hingr osegol dgl it
teri
ng. ..
..

Remembert
oLI
KEandCOMMENTal
way
s
[
11/
3,21:
11]Mar
cia:
Inser
t138-SEASONFI
NALE

ATTHELI
GHTHOUSEBAR.
..
Nel
l
y-(
whi
sper
ed)Sbani
..
..
Sbani -(
smi l
es)Idon' treallyhav eal onggood
speecht hatwi l
ltakey ourbr eathawaypr epar ed.
Thismi ghtlookl i
keasel fi
shst ept ot akeespeci all
y
becauseIam goi ngt ojai l
andt hatl eav esour
rel
ationshipouti nt heopen, maki ngi tv er y
vulnerableandal otofi nsecur iti
es.Thef ut ur
ei s
unknownbutbecauseofmyt railther eist he
sli
ghtestchancet hatwemi ghtnotev enhav eonei fI
am sent encedt olifebutIwantt obesel fishandask
thaty ougambl ewi ththesmal lchancet hatwe
mighthav eafutur eeveni fitmayt akesomey ears.I
l
ov ey ouNel l
y,Ilovey ouwi thev erythingi nme, I
don'thav ether i
ghtwor dstodescr i
bemyl ovef or
youbecauseIam notev ensur ei fther e'sawor d
whichi sgoodenought odescr ibehowIf eel about
you.Ipr i
demy selfinbei ngav eryst rongmanbut
you'vepr oventomet hatev ent hest rongestofmen
crumbl eandsof tenwhent heyl ov et her ightwoman,
yout herightwomanf orme, theonl ywomanIwant .
Iknowl ongdi stancer elati
onshi psar ehar d,Ihav e
noideahowr elati
onshi pswithsomeonei nprisoni s
l
ikebut ,evenwhenwear esepar atedbymanymi les
apartorev ent hesmal l
estofdi st ancemyhear thas
neverfeltcl osert oany onel i
kei tdoeswi thyours, it
goingt obet ri
cky ,hardandv eryf rust
rat
ingbuti fit
meanst hatIser vemyt imelockedupwi thyouas
mywomant hanIwi l
l buyy ouasmanydi l
dosasI
couldpossi blyfind,ift herear enonewhi chmat ch
mysi ze,Imakesur etocust om makei tforyou, fuck
Iwoul dev enbui l
daf uckenSbani l
ookalikesexdol l.
.
Nel
l
y-(
laughst
ear
y)ohmyGodt
hat
'ssobad.
..
Sbani
-(smi
lesandshrugs)itcrazybutthat
'sj
ust
howyoumakemef eel
,Iam crazyforyoubabe,I
don'
twantyouwithanyoneelsebutme.I fIam
bei
nghonestwit
hmy self
,ifeveryouwer etobewit
h
anymaneit
herthanmy sel
f,Iwouldprobablyki
ll
him..
Nel
l
y-(sni
ff
s)ar
ey ousur
eyousupposet
obet
ell
i
ng
methatbef
oreyouhearmyanswer?
Sbani-(shr
ugs)Iam j
usttel
li
ngy out
hetr
uth,Icoul
d
neverbehappyseeingy ouwit
hanotherman.My
l
ovef oryouisdeadl
y,Iknowthismayseem toxi
c
buti tiswhati tis.(Takesadeepbr eath)IknewI
want edy out obemywi fet hedaywhenIhadabad
night mar eandIendedupst rangl i
ngy ou, al
though
youwer equi tet erri
fiedt hatdayofwhaty ousawbut
Ialsosawt hel ovei ny ourey es,ast erri
fi
edasy ou
wer enotoncedi dyoul ookatmedi fferent l
y,thelove
nev erleftyourey es, tot opt hatof f,itwast hef i
rst
nightwemadel ove, ri
ghtaf teryousawt hemonst er
buty oust i
l
l accept edme, thewhol eofmeand
communi catedy ourf eelingsi namor esensual way .
YoubecamemeandIbecamey out hatni ght.Than
wheny ougav emet hr eebeaut if
ul children, t
here
wasnodeny inghowmuchy oumeantt ome.I
boughtt her i
ngbef or ewewentt ot hehomest ead,I
want edt opr oposet oy out hedaywescat tered
Thingol enkosi r
emai nsi nMaZul u'sgar denbutt her e
wassomuchgoi ngont hatday ,Iknewt hememor y
ofmepr oposi ngwoul dhav ebeent ainted.Thanon
newy earsIwant edt opr oposeagai nr ightbef orewe
wenti ntot hebat htubbutIchi ckenedout ,againthe
memor ywoul dhav ebeent aintedbecausey ou
woul dhav ewokenupt omegone.Idon' twantt o
chickenoutany mor e,Iwantt olov ey ouandonl yy ou
forever,Neli
siweSiwel
awi l
lyouacceptt hisri
ngasa
promi setoloveonlymel i
keIwilll
oveonl yyou
foreverandnotonlybemygi rl
fr
iend,babymama
(winks)butbemyr i
ghthandwoman, they i
ngtomy
yangwhat ev
erthatshi
tis,superwomanbut
i
mpor tant
lymybetterhalf
,mywi fe?.
.
Nelly-Ireal
isedt hatIam t ir
edofbei ngMi ssknow- i
t-
all
,beingunhappyandput ti
ngmyhappi nessasi de.
I'
vecr i
ed,endur edal oti nt hepastcoupl eofmont hs,
thisisanewy earandi tdeser vesaf reshst artand
anev enbet terme.Iwantt obeabet terv ersionof
my selfthanIwasl asty ear ,(
sniff
s)somet imeswhen
Ilookatourj our ney ,itnotsogood, I
'
v einher itedt hi
s
badhabi tofwonder ingwhat 'snext,whenwi llthe
tearscomebackagai n, I'
v ekindofpr epar edmy self
thatmyhappi nesswi l
l alway sbeshor t-
li
v ed.Idon' t
wantt hatany mor e, Idon' twantt obewai tingf ort he
nextsur pri
seort r
agedyt ost r
ike.Alt
hought her e
hav ebeensomebadt i
mebutwe' vealsohadso
manyexci t
ingadv ent uresasacoupl easal soasone
fami l
y,Ichooset oonl yf ocusont hegoodt imes
we'vehad, notf or get tingt hebadt imesbecauset hey
118854985270
havemol dedustowherewear enow.Fr om t
he
bumpsi ntheroadtothewonderfult
imes,withour
fearshar
eofbot hheart
acheandlaughter,
Iknow
therei
snooneIwoul dratherspendmyf utur
ewith
thanyou..

.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Sbani
-(smi
l
es)
(sur
pri
sed)hol
yshi
tbabe,
arey
ou.
..
Nell
y-(nods)(smil
eswi thtears)Yes,YesIacceptthe
ri
ngasapr omi setol ov
eonl yyouf or
ever,Iwould
l
ovetobey ourgir
lfr
iend,babymama( giggles),
your
superwoman, r
ighthandwoman, y oubetterhal
fand
mostimpor tantl
yyourwi f
eSbani ,Iam selfi
shtoo
becauseIwantt oownev erytit
lewheni tcomest o
you.
.

Hetakesherlef
thandandbrushesherri
ngf i
ngeras
hesmilesandstar
esint
ohereyes,i
twasst i
llsur
real
tohi
mt hatsheagreedt
obehiswife,hedidn'
tthi
nk
shewasgoi ngtoagr eebutagainthi
swomanbef or
e
him alwayssurpriseshim.Hesl i
dtheringi
n,itwasa
perfectfi
t,therosegol dr
inglookedbeauti
fuli
nher
smal lf
inger,i
tcompl imentedherli
ghtcomplexi
on
verywel l
..
.

Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
es)i
tbeaut
if
ul.
..
Sbani-(
standsontwofeets)y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul,
thankyouMa'Thabekhul
u..

Hecuppedherf aceforafewmi nutes,shelooked

herlefthandandadmi redtheri
ng, i
treall
ylooked
beautiful
,ital
sohadar oyalf
eel t
oit.Shemadea
ment alnotetoresear
chaboutt heov al
shape
cl
assi cdiamondinherhand...

Nel
l
y-(
looksar
ound)y
ouhi
redanor
chest
ra?
Sbani-(
laughs)actual
l
ytheydidmeaf av
our,whenI
askedthehotelstafft
oorganisethi
sromantic
sett
ingforusbecauseIwant edtopropose,
theytol
d
met hataclassi
calmusicgrouphadbeen
perfor
mingy est
erdayandtheyweresti
llavai
labl
eso
thehotelmanagerpull
edaf ewstr
ingsandt omy
surpri
sethegroupleaderagreedt
opriv
at el
yperf
orm
forus.
Nel
l
y-wow,
theyv
erygood.
.
Sbani
-wel
lMrsSbani
sezweZul
uwoul
dyoul
i
ket
o
dancewi
thme?
Nel
l
y-(
smi
l
e)Iwoul
dlov
etooMrZul
u..
.

Hetookherhandandsi
gnal
edt
heor
chest
rat
ost
art
pl
ayi
ng..
..

ATTHENDAWORARESI
DENCE.
..

Nomusal aidonherbedf acingtheceil

ing,shewas
sti
l
lthinki
ngaboutev er
ythingthathappenedl ast
ni
ghtandt oday.Butonethingthatkeptringingin
herheadwasBl esssleepingwithhisownsi ster.She
di
dn'tneedtobeageni ust oknowhowdi sgusting
andunacceptabl
ethatwas,
shetookherphoneand
cal
ledherfr
iendfr
om backhome..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Mpumi
-hel
l
o..
Nomusa-Mpumi
itmeMusa.
.
Mpumi-(smil
es)
(scr
eams)MNGANI !
!!
!!Unj
ani
?I
wantyoutotel
lmeev ery
thi
ngthat
'sbeenhappeni
ng?
Waitwho'snumberi
st hi
s?Iknowitnotbaes.
.
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)ngi
yaphi
l
a,ngi
yakukhumbul
a..
Mpumi -Imi
ssyoutoobutMrSomal i
aisgoingt
obe
tr
avel
ingtoeThekwininextmont
hsoIwill
tagal
ong,
wil
lyoubealsotoseeme?Mxm of cour
seyouwould,
baehasacarafterall
..
Nomusa-(
smi
l
es)Ican'
twai
ttoseeyoubytheway
t
hisi
smynumbernow,Ihav
ewhatsapptoo.
.
Mpumi
-okayIwi
l
lsav
eitmngani
,so.
..how'
sbae?
Nomusa-(
sighs)ur
ightoe.
..
.
..
(si
l
ent
).
..

Mpumi-khul
umangil
alel
e(tal
kIam l
i
steni
ng)
,iam
sensi
ngachangeofenergykuwe.
.

Shegoest ot
ell
herallaboutZenande,Smisoand
Bandil
e.Sheal
sot el
l
sMpumi al
laboutthepar
tyand
endthi
ngswithBlessandNomusa' smessy
si
tuati
on..
.

Mpumi
-yhooo,
Sbuandhi
ssi
stert
hat
'sv
erydeep.
.
Nomusa-Iknow,
imagi
nemi
nasengl
alanoSabel
o..
Mpumi -(si
ghs)y eahitpr
ett
ydisgust
ingbutIkindof
understandtheirsit
uati
onbutitst
il
ldoesn'
tnot
j
usti
fylekohlakaloabayenzi
le,
sohowdoy oufeel
aboutev er
ythi
ng?
Nomusa-(shr
ugs)Idon'
tknow,
Sbui
sol
d,hecando
what
everhewantstodo..
Mpumi
-ai
boMusa!
!!
..
Nomusa-i
t'
sthet
rut
h..
Mpumi-aret
alki
ngli
ket
hisbecausey
oust
il
l
di
str
actedbyhisl
it
tl
ebr
other
?
Nomusa-Cha!
!!Iwasj
ustsay
ingnj
e..
Mpumi -hehehe! !!!Mngani ,
yousoundl i
keaci tygirl
now.Buty ouknowIam al wayshonestwi thyou.I
understandy ousayt hisBandaorwhat everhisname
i
s, makesy oufeel youngandf ree,Igeti tbecause
he'softhesameagegr oupasy ou,he' ssupposet o
makef eel allt
hoset hi
ngsespeci all
ysi nceyou
haven'texperiencedal otbutdoy our eall
ywantt o
ri
sky ourhear tforjustaf ewmont hsofi nfat
uat ion,
reckl
essf un?Sbumaybeol dbutwi thhimy ou're
guaranteedaf uture,he'snoti
nhi sf uckboyst age, he
wantst oset t
ledown, nowIknowy ouMusa, Ithink
Sbuisbet tersuitedf oryou.Idon'tthi nkyoust rong
enought osur viveaguyl i
keBanda. ..
Nomusa-Bandi
l
e,t
hathi
sname.
.
Mpumi-y
eahhim,Idon'tt
hinky
oucansurv
iveaguy
l
ikehi
m,yourhear
tisn'
tst
rongenought
osurvi
vea
hear
tbr
eak.
.
Nomusa-(
sighs)Iam st
il
lconf
used,
soIwil
lseebut
whenyoumeetBandil
ey ouwil
lseet
hathe'
sagreat
guy.
.
Mpumi-Idon'
tthinkIevenwantt omeethim,i
haven'
tmetSbuy etbutjustt
alki
ngwithhi
m onthe
phonetel
l
smehe' sagreatguy.Ihopeyoudon'
t
makeabaddeci sionsmngani.
.
Nomusa-Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
konWhat
sApp.
.

Sheendedt hecal
l bef
oreMpumicoul
dev en
respond.Shehuggedherpil
lowandshutherey
es,
all
owingsleeptotakeover
..
.

ATTHELI
GHTHOUSE.
..
.

Heopenedthedoorwi t
hheronhi sarms,hehad
i
nsist
edwhent heyl
efttheoceantocarr
yherbri
dal
st
yle,
tell
i
ngherthathe'
sgivingheragli
mpseof
whatthei
rhoneymoonwi ll
lookli
ke..
.
Nelly
-(looksaroundi
naw!!!
)Thi
slooks.
..Idon'
t
evenknowwhatt osay
,itt
hatgl
assonther oof
?Is
thatevenar oof?

Hesmil
edhappi
l
yknowi
ngt
hatshel
i
kedwhatshe
wasseei
ng.
..
.

Sbani-yest
hat '
sglass,i
tgivesyouthefeelt
hatyou
sleepi
ngoutsidebecausey oucanseet heni
ghtsky
andst ar
swhil
ey oul
aiddown( smil
es)Ihopeyou
okaywi t
hsl
eepi nginasleepingbag,asyoucansee,
there'
snoplacet ofi
tabedher e.
.
Nel
ly-It
hinkyoualr
eadyknowIam okaywi
th
any
thingaslongasyoubymyside.
..

Hesmi lesandplacesherdownashelight
st he
heaterup,whenhet ur
nstoher,hest
oppedwi t
hhis
mout hhangingopenashestaredatherst
rippi
ng
herclot
hesof f
..
.
Sbani
-(swal
l
owed)
(whi
sper
ed)babe.
..
Nel
l
y-(t
akesadeepbr
eath)makelovet
ome,
(
smil
es)makelov
etoyourfi
ancee.
.

Hedidn'tneedtobetoldtwiceashishandscupped
herface,shetr
ail
edherhands,getti
ngunderhi
s
shi
rtandwi t
hhishelp,
shepul l
editoverhi
shead,
l
eavinghisbarechestoutintheopen..
..

Nel
l
y-(
car
essedhi
sscul
ptur
edAdoni
schest
)Mi
ne.
.
Sbani
-(smi
rks)
(l
aughs)Your
sbabe,
all
your
s..
.

(
CONTI
NUEI
NTHEGROUP-TMOLHOUSE)

Theywerebothtangl
edupinonesleepi
ngbag,her
nakedselfwaslai
dontopofhisnakedsel
f.Hewas
drawi
nglinesonherbackasshedrewcir
clesonhi
s
chest
..
..
Sbani
-whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout
?
Nel
l
y-thatmaybeweshoul
dtakeourki
dsandmov
e
t
oar emotei
sland.
.
Sbani
-(smi
l
es)y
ouwantt
obeBonni
eandCl
yde?
Nel
ly
-(smi
les)y
eah,onl
ythisthi
sversi
onofBonni
e
andCly
dehasfourki
dswiththem onther
un..

Theybothlaugh,af
teraf
ewsecondst
heyf
all
int
o
si
lenceagain.
..

Nel
l
y-Iwi
shy
oudi
dn'
thav
etogot
opr
ison.
.
Sbani
-(ki
ssesherf
orehead)Iknow.
.
Nel
ly
-(l
ooksatherr
ing)Iwil
lbewaiti
ngforyou
whenyoucomeout,probabl
ywi t
hourfi
ft
hchil
don
myarms,youempti
edquitealoti
nsi
deme. .
Sbani
-(smil
es)Icanal
readyseet hati
mageinmy
head,
itbeaut
iful
butIt
hinkitwouldbebestyoutake
thepi
llt
omorrowbabe,Idon'tt
hinkhavingaf
if
th
chi
l
disbestr
ightnow.
.
Nel
l
y-Iknow.
..

Shesi
tsupwit
hal egsspr
eadacr
oss,hedigshi
s
fi
nger
sonherthi
ghsasherhotpotconnectswi
th
hi
sspear
..

Sbani
-woooo!
!!Babet
hat
'
sadanger
ouspl
acey
ou
seat
edon..
Nel
l
y-(
giggl
es)Iknow.
..

Sher
eachedf
orherphoneont
hesi
deandswi
tches
i
ton.
.

Sbani
-whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Wesupposet
ohav
eno
phonesr
emember.
.
Nel
ly-IknowbutIkindofwantt
ocheckonthekids,
welostthepri
vi
legeofhavi
ngourphonesswi
tched
of
fmor ethan3hour s.
.
Sbani
-(nods)wel
ll
etmegopeewhi
l
eyoucheckon
ki
ds..
.

Helif
tsherupandpl acesheronthesi
dewhilehe
makeshiswayout .Shescrol
lsthr
oughherphone
andfindal
otoftextmessagesfrom Ntombi,
aswell
asmisscall
s,t
her ewasalso10mi sscall
sfr
om an
unknownnumber .ShefrownedanddailedNtombi
'
s
number..
.

Ri
ngi
ng.
..

Ntombi-ohthankGod!
!!Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
oreach
si
nceforever
..
Nell
y-Ij
ustswi
tchedonmyphonenow,
isev
ery
thi
ng
okay?Doyouwanttospeakt
oNoma?
Ntombi-(
panicked)No,
Iwantt
ospeakt
oyou,
it
aboutSbani
butIneedy out
omoveawayfr
om hi
m
fi
rst
..
Nel
l
y-y
oucant
alk,
hest
eppedout
sidef
oraf
ew
mi
nut
es.
..

Shestartstell
i
ngheraboutt hev i
sitf
rom Shakaan
unknownguywhi chShakaintr
oducedas" Gary"
.She
goesont osayhowt heminuteher angedher
i
ntercom andannouncedhi svisit
,shehadan
unsettl
i
ngf eel
ing.Shethangoest otellherthat
hourslatersherecievedacall
from Br ucetel
li
ngher
ofShaka'splanstosabotagehi sbrotherscase..

Nel
l
y-(
pani
cked)ohmyGod!
!!
!Ital
lmyf
aul
t.
.
Ntombi-l
ookIneedyout
onotpani ckri
ghtnowbut
weneedtomakesurethatwhateverfootageShaka
hasdoesn'
tlandont
heprosecut
or'shands.Bruce
tol
dmeheknowsShakawel landissuret hati
fhe
wentaheadanddidt
hist
ohisbrotherhewi llr
egr
et
i
t..
.
Nel
l
y-uhmm Bl
ess,
hav
eyout
ri
edcal
l
ingBl
ess?
Ntombi
-yesbuthi
sphonegoest
ovoicemail
,Br
uce
t
ri
edhiscel
landyour
s,hesai
dhegotbothour
number
sfr
om Mbal
i
.
Nell
y-Jesus!
!!What'
swr
ongwi
thShaka,
thi
s
shoul
dn'tbehappeni
ng.
.
Ntombi-sowhatar eyougoi ngtodo?Sbani can't
speedanymor eti
mei npr isont hanheneedst oo,
apparent
lyhewasl ookingf orthef ootagewhen
Sbaniphy sicallyassaultedmeandhadBl essmov e
meoutt hehousesonoonewi llknow.Butaccor di
ng
toBruce,thef ootagewhenev erythinghappened
i
nsidethehousewaswi pedoutbutt heoutside
foot
agewasn' t.I
tshowsBl esswal kingwithan
unconsciousmet ohi scarandt wohour slaterit
showsSbani cleaningthebr okengl assinsi
det he
house,soi tski pstheact ual alt
ercat i
onbut
accordi
ngt oBr uce, l
ookingatt het wounwi ped
foot
age,itr ai
sessuspi cions...
Nell
y-butwhywoul
dtheynotj
ustwi
pet
hewhol
e
t
hing?
Ntombi-(
shrugs)Idon'
tknow,IguessSbaniwas
j
usttoowor r
iedaboutt
heactualal
ter
cati
onfoot
age
anddidn'
tthi
nkabouttheoutsi
decamera..
.
Nell
y-(
sighs)It
hinkhe'
scomingback.
..
..t
hanky
ou
Ntombi,Ihavet
ogobutIwill
call
youtomor r
ow.
.

Shehangedupandf
acedt
hedoorasSbani
wal
ked
backi
nside.
.

Sbani
-soev
ery
thi
ngokaywi
tht
heki
ds?
Nel
l
y-huh?
Sbani-t
heki
ds?Ar
etheyal
ri
ght
?Youwer
etal
ki
ngt
o
thenannyr
ight
?
Nell
y-ohyeah,theyf
ine,
justki
ndofdi
str
act
edwi
th
yournakedness..

Hesmi lesandwinksatherbef
oretur
ningt
olockt
he
door,shefakedsmil
edandquickl
ysentatextt
o
Shaka..
.

"
Canwemeet,Wednesday
,somewher
epr
ivat
e,l
i
kea
r
emot
earea"
..
..
Shebit
eherl
i
pandsi
ghedfeel
i
ngl
ikeshewasgoi
ng
tot
hrowupasshet
ypedt
henextmessage"
..

"
Ihear
dyouatthehospi
tal
..
..Ihear
dev
ery
thi
ngandI
wantt
otel
lyouhowIfeelt
oo"..

Sheswit
chedherphoneof
fandpl
acedi
tont
hesi
de.
Hewalkedbackandlai
dnextt
oher
..
.

Sbani-(
wrapshisar
msar
oundherwai
st)whowher
e
youtexti
ngthatf
ast
..
Nel
l
y-MaSi
wel
a,y
ouknowhowshei
s..

Hel aughsandbr ingshercloserandt heyspoon.She

hatesthatthef i
rstnightashisfi
ancee, she'
salr
eady
l
yingandkeepi ngsecr etsbuthedidn'tneed
anymor estress,theywereat eam nowandshe
neededt otakecar eofbusiness,especiall
yanyt
hing
t
hathast
odowi
thherf
ami
l
y..
.

Wednesday
..
.

I
nsi
deNel
l
y'scar
..
.

Nell
y-Doy outhi
nkwemaki
ngther
ightdecisi
onnot
t
ell
ingBless,Imeanhe'
smor
eequi
ppedf orsuch
t
hings.
..
Ntombi -Ithi
nkitprobabl
yabadi deathatwedidn'
t
tellanyonebutifwet ol
dBlessthanhewouldhav e
toldSbani andthi
swoul dhaveexposedShaka's
plans.Ifthathappenedthei
rrel
ati
onshipwouldhave
beenr uinedandy ouknowSbani,itgoodthi
ngthat
hedoesn' tknow..
.
Nel
l
y-(
sighs)y
eah.
..
Nt
ombi
-congr
atul
ati
onsbyt
heway
..
Nel
l
y-huh?
Nt
ombi
-ther
ing,
congr
atul
ati
ons.
..
Nel
l
y-uhmm y
eah.
..t
hanky
ou.
.
Ntombi-(r
oll
sey es)youcansmileaboutity
ouknow,
Iwil
lalwaysl
ov eSbani,he'
sthefat
herofmychi l
d
butnotonlyt
hatwewer efr
iendsbeforeany
thing
el
seandhesav edmef rom aheart
lessmonsterbutI
am overhi
m, he'syoursnow..
.
Nel
l
y-uhmm y
eah.
..

.
..
(awkwar
dsi
l
ence)
..
.

Nt
ombi
-sowher
eexact
lyar
eyoumeet
inghi
m?
Nel
ly-hetext
edmeaboutanabandonedschool
bui
l
ding..
.
Nt
ombi
-(si
ghs)okay
..
Nell
y-(
looksather)y
oudon'
thavetodoity
ouknow,
youcanjustwaitf
ormeinsi
dethecar
..
Nt
ombi
-(shakesherhead)wei
nthi
stoget
her
..
Nell
y-okay,
(looksatherwat
ch)Ithi
nkwe10
minutesear
ly,gi
vesustimefory
outohide.
.
Ntombi-that'
sgood..
.youknowIknewhef anci
es
youbutIdidn'tt
hinkhewaswi l
li
ngtoevenbetr
ay
he'
sownbr ot
her,he'
snotevengoingtoendup
gett
ingyouaf t
erhedestroysSbani
,i
tmakesno
sense.
.
Nell
y-(
nods)ThatwhyBrucedecidedtotel
lus,we
needtostophim,he'
swayinoverhishead,t
ryingto
proveastupi
dpointt
ohisbrot
her.Butknowing
Shakatoo,Br
uceisri
ght
,hewillhatehi
mselfifhe
weretogoonanddot hi
s..

Nell
yparkedherBMW X6neart heabandonedold
schoolbuil
ding.Theybothgotoutthecarand
l
ookedar ound,ther
enohousesonsi ght
,itl
ooked
l
ikehobo'sandhomel esspeopleuseit
..
.

Ntombi
-(t
ugsherhoodie)howdoesShakaknow
t
hispl
ace,i
tlookscr
eepy..
Nell
y-l
etgofi
ndyouapl
acewher
ey ouwi
l
lhi
de,
Shakawil
lbeher
eanyminut
enow..
Thewalkedinsi
dethebeatdownbuil
ding,i
tsmell
ed
awfulandther
ewasdirtal
lovert
heplace.They
fi
nall
yfoundaplacewhereNtombicouldseecl
earl
y
thevi
ewofNel l
y'
scar.
.

Ntombi-It
hinkthi
sspoti
sfi
ne,
Iwi
l
lbeabl
etosee
bothofyouhere..
Nel
ly-(
scansthepl
ace)yeah(l
ooksather
)Iwil
lbe
qui
ck,Ihopewewon'tneedtoswit
chtoplanB.
.
Nt
ombi
-Ihopesot
oo.
.

Theycouldhearacarmaki ngitwayt owardst

he
buil
ding,
Nellyquickl
yranbackt ohercar,
shearri
ved
thesamet i
measShaka' sMer cedesBenz.He
parkedhiscarclosetoNell
y'
sandgotout .He
l
ookedar oundandmadehi swayt owardsher,she
tookoutherringandplaceditinsi
deherpocket.
.

Shaka-hi
..
Nel
l
y-(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)hi
..
.
Shaka-(
looksather
)youlookbeaut
if
ul,Iknowy
ou
weari
ngjustspor
twearbutyoulookgreat.
.
Nel
l
y-(f
akesmi
l
es)hmmm t
hanky
ou,
youl
ookgr
eat
t
oo.
..

.
..
(si
l
ence)
..
.

Shaka-so,
att
hehospi
tal
youhear
dme?
Nel
l
y-uhmm y
eah.
.
Shaka-wowokay(
smi
l
es)sowhatdoy
ouwantt
o
say?
Nell
y-(walksclosertohim)Ialr
eadyknewhowy ou
fel
taboutmeShaka, peoplekeptsayingthatyou
havefeeli
ngsforme, Ididn'
twanttobel i
eveitbut
thanIstar
tedpay i
ngmuchcl oserattenti
ontoy ou
whenevery ouaroundme, IguessIjustdidn'
twant
tosayanythingunlessIwaswr ongbutIknew. .
Shaka-wel
lIguesst
hequest
ionl
eftt
oaski
s,what
ar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
Nelly
-Nothi
ng,ShakaIam i nl
ovewi t
hyourbrother,
he'sthef
atherofmybabi es.Nothingcanhappen
betweenus,anotherreasonwhyIkeptqui teabout
yourfeel
i
ngswasbecauseIdi dn'twantt
oruinour
fr
iendshi
p,Ival
ueittoomuch.Il oveyoubutIam not
i
nlovewithyou,Icannev erbebecausey ourbrother
i
st heonl
yonet hathasmyhear t..

.
..
(si
l
ence)
..
.

Shaka-(bl
ankface)Nel
lywhydi
dy oucal
lmeher
e?I
am guessi
ngitnottel
lmehowy oufeel
..
Nel
ly-(
swal
lows)Iam t
ell
i
ngyouhowIf
eel
Shaka,
it
j
ustnotwhatyouwanttohear
..
Shaka-whatdoy
ouwantNel
l
y?
Nell
y-Iknowwhaty
oupl
anni
ngt
odoShaka,
please
youcan't
..
Shaka-whynot?Ihav
ebeensupporti
ngmybrother
si
ncethebeginni
ngbutSbani
treat
sthepeopl
ethat
hel
phiml i
keshi
t.Iwon'tstandf
oritanymor e.He
under
minesme, Iam goingtoshowhi m Icanbejust
asheart
lessasheis,"
selfi
sh"ashelikestosay .
.
Nel
ly
-Shakapl
ease,t
heygoingtogi
vehiml
i
fei
fyou
goaheadanddothi
s,he'
syourbrot
her
..
Shaka-y
eshe'
smybr otheraf
terIdot
hishewi
l
l
l
earntonev
erunder
mi neme..
Nel
l
y-y
oudoi
ngal
lthi
sbecauseofme?
Shaka-No,itnotaboutyou,
you'v
emadeitcl
earhow
youfeelaboutme.Thisisbetweenmeandmy
arr
ogantbrothersass.
Nell
y-pl
easedon'tdot hi
s,gi
vemet hef
oot
ageand
Thandeka'
sori
ginaldocument ,
Iknowyouwer
e
pl
anningtowit
hdrawi ttoo.
..
Shaka-Iseewhoev eri
syoursourcegaveyoumy
enti
replanbutIam sor
ryNell
y,nothi
ngisgoingto
changemymi ndnotevenmyf eeli
ngsforyou..
Nel
l
y-notev
enf
orhi
ski
ds,
yourni
ecesandnephews?
Shaka-Iwi
l
lbet
her
e,sowi
l
lSi
pho.
..
Nel
l
y-t
hany
ougi
vemenochoi
ceShaka,
Idi
dn'
t
wantt
odot hi
sbutIcan'
tl
ety
oudot
his(
shout
s)
Ntombi
!!
!.
..

Ntombiwal
kst
owardst
hem, Shakatur
nst
ohisback
andseesNt
ombial
sodressedinsport
ywear
..

Shaka-(
laughs)what'
sthi
s?Renui
onoft
hewif
eand
mistr
ess?Yout wothi
nkyoucantakemedown
real
l
y?
Nel
l
y-Shakapl
ease,
reconsi
der
..
Shaka-No.
.

Ntombitakesagunbehi
ndherbackandpoi
ntsi
tto
Shaka.
..

Nt
ombi
-Shakaj
ustgi
veuswhatwewant
..
Shaka-(
laughs)r
eal
l
yagun?Doy
ouev
enknowhow
tousethatthi
ng?
Nel
l
y-t
hisdoesn'
thav
etogetugl
y?
Shaka-(
laughs)y
ounotgoi
ngt
oshootme.
.

Theywer enotgoi ngt oshoothim, thegunwasnot

evenloaded,t
heyj ustwantedt oscarehim,itwasa
shit
typlanbecauseShakawasal readycall
ingthe
bluff
.Theunthinkabl ehappenedj ustasNellywas
abouttotryandconv inceShakaagai n,al
oud
"BANG"washear d, nextShakawasont heground
holdi
nghislowerpar tofhisstomach. .

Shaka-(
coughi
ngbl
ood)y
..
oo.
.uus.
.hhot
..
.me.
..

Nell
y-(
hear
traci
ng)OHMYGOD! !
!(l
ooksatNt
ombi
)
youwerenotsupposet
oshoothi
m..
Nt
ombi-(
pani
cki
ng)t
hat
'sthethi
ng,
Ididn'
tshoot
hi
m,t
hegunhadnobull
etsremember.
.
Nel
ly
-(t
eary
)THANWHATTHEFUCKJUST
HAPPENED?
Ntombi-(
cry
ing)IDON'
TKNOW,
IDON'
TKNOW
(
looksatShaka)i
shedead?
Nel
l
y-(
shaki
ng)Idon'
tknow.
.

Theybothlookedaroundbutt heydi
dn'
tseeanythi
ng,
oranyone.Thereonlythingt
hatwasbehindtheold
beatdownschool buil
dingwasanotherabandoned
bui
ldi
ng,lookedli
keitusedtobeahost el
..

Nel
l
y-Iam cal
l
ingt
hepol
i
ce.
.
Ntombi-(
eyesshotup)WHAT?NO. ..howdoy ou
thi
nkthi
swill
lookli
ke?Remotearea,wedressed
sport
yandonemanshotf ordead.
.
Nel
l
y-WECAN'
TLEAVEHI
M LI
KETHI
STHOUGH,
WECAN'
T..
.
Ntombi-wellIcan'tgot
ojail
,THI
SMAYNOTBETHE
RIGHTTI METOTELLYOUBUTIAM PREGNANT
WITHYOURNI ECEORNEPHEW, Iam notr
aisi
ngmy
chil
dinprison,Mthokodeser
vestobehappyabout
hi
sf i
rstchil
d..
Nel
l
y-(
shocked)y
oudat
ingmybr
other
?
Ntombi-y
es,
Ihopey ouwon'
tgi
veusahar
dti
me,
youtookmyhusband..
.
Nel
ly
-(br
ushesherof
f)HELPMEMOVEHI
M TOHI
S
CAR.
.
Nt
ombi
-whatar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
odo?
Nel
l
y-weneedtogethi
mtoahospit
al,
Iam not
l
eavi
nghi
m her
etodie,
he'
smyfri
end..
.
Ntombi-Nell
ywehav etoleavehim,ifwet akehimto
thehospi
talthatwil
lrai
seanotherseri
esof
questi
ons,di
dn'tyouhearme?Iam pr egnant,you
gottwobabiesathome, doyour eal
l
ywantt obean
i
nmat ewit
hy ourfi
ance?
Nell
y-(t
ookadeepbr eath)(wi
pedhert
ears)okay,
okay(cr
ying)butat
leastletst
opthebl
eeding.
..
.

Ntombi handedNell
ythel
eathergl
oveswhichshe
hadon, shekneel
eddownwi t
hshakinghandsand
tearsrunni
ngdownhereyes.Shemanagedt oput
pressureonthebull
etwound..
Nell
y-(
snif
fs)pl
easegetmegr
eenleaves,pr
eferabl
y
oneswhichhaveastr
ongsmel
l.Hurr
yplease..
.

Ntombirushedtowardsthebushesandst
art
ed
pi
ckinggreenleaves,
aft
erafewmi nut
esshecame
backwit
ht hem...

Nel
ly-(
sniff
sputti
ngmorepr essureonthe
wound)(
pointsatabr
ick)uset hatandcrushthose
l
eavesplease,f
astNt
ombi ,he'
sl osi
ngblood.
..

WhenNtombiwasdone,Nell
ytookt
heleavesand
pr
essedi
tonthebull
etwoundbefor
eaddingsand,
l
otsandl
otsofsand.
..

Nell
y-checkhi
scarandseei
fhe'
sgotanyext
rashi
rt
,
Ineedtowrappedt
hisupsoi
tcouldhol
d..
Wit
hinsecondsNt ombi camebackwi thanewshi r
t
whichShakahadboughtt owearincourt
.Ntombi
unwrappedthebrandnewshi r
tandhandeditto
Nell
y,sheaddedmor eleav esandsandagainbefor
e
usi
ngt heshi
rtt
ot i
eitaroundhi swound.
..

Nell
y-(
cryi
ng)
(whi
sper
s)pl
easehol
donf
orhel
p,
don'
tdie,
don'
tdi
e..
.
Ntombi-(
shaki
ngandcryi
ng)Nel
l
ywehav etogo,
befor
epeoplest
artshowi
ng,t
hegunshotwasver
y
l
oud..
Nel
l
y-(
looksatShaka)Iam sor
ry.
..

Shebrushedhisfor
eheadandgotupqui ckl
ymaking
herwaytohercar.Shedidahar drev
erseoft hecar
andpressedhardont heaccel
erat
or,dr
ivingaway
l
eavi
nganunconsci ousShakabehind..
..
.

Fr
iday
..
.
ATDURBANHI
GHCOURT.
..
.

Ithadbeenaverybr
utalandsourday,
thet
rai
l
start
edat9am i
nthemor ni
ng,i
twasnow14:30pm,
theywerewai
ti
ngont hejudgef
orthefi
nal
verdi
ct.
..
.

Mr
sZul
u-(
looksatSane)st
il
lnosi
gnofy
ourbr
other
?
Sane-(
shakesherhead)No.
..

Nell
yandNt ombiswal
lowedandsharedabri
efeye
contact
.TheyhadbeennonewsofShakasof ar,
theycoul
dbothonlyhopethathel
pfoundhi
m...

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Thej
udgewal
ksbacki
nsi
det
hecour
troom.
..

"
ALLRI
SE"
..
.
Judge-Af t
erl i
steningtobot ht hepr osecut orand
Defendantscase, t
hecour thasr eachedav erdict .
Theaccusedhaspl eadedgui l
tyt othechar gesof
mansl aughterther ef
oret hecour ttookthatt o
considerati
on, t
heaccusedi ssent encedt o10y ears
i
npr i
sont owhi chheneedst oser vethr
eef ul
l year s
beforehecoul dpossi bl
ybeconsi deredf orpar ol e.
Thecour tsalsoor derstheaccusedt ogoaf ull
psychiat
ricev al
uationtowhi cht hecour twi llgrant
theaccusedt oseeapsy chi atristthreetimesaweek,
unti
lhe'sfullydiagnosedi smade, shouldt he
accusedbef oundt obeunf itforsoci ety,necessar y
acti
onswi llbetakent owhi chament al
asy lum
wouldbeoneoft hosemeasur est hecour twi ll
consider.
..

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENTALWAYS.
..