[

04/
21,
17:
26]:S2-
Inser
tOne
CRAI
G
Iwasbusyt akingof fmywat chwhenIhear dt he
doorbehi ndmeopenandcl oseonceagai n.
Exci t
ementr ushedt hroughmyent irebody,
especi allyinsidemypant .Ismi l
edt omysel fbefore
placingt hewat chont hebedsi dedr awerandIf elta
handdi sappearundermyshi r
tcar essingmyupper
bodyandt heot herhandgavet hesameki nd
attentiont omybul gingmanhood.It ur
nedar ound
tof acet hewomanwhowasmaki ngmel oseal lof
mysenses.Asexpect edshewor esomet hinglacy
andwasj ustenought ocoverupal lherspecial
spot s.I'
vebeenget t
ingtheseunexpect edsummons
fr
om myl overf ort hepastt womont hsandeach
meet i
ngwasatadi f
ferentplaceandIneverknew
whatt oexpect .I '
m notonet oletpeopl ejustcont rol
mymovement sbutf orthesexywomani nfrontof
meIdr oppedever ythinginahear tbeat.Herl i
psmet
mi neandweshar edadeepki ss.Shegent lypushed
mebackwar dsunt i
lIlandedont hebed.Sheeased
her sel
fonmyl apandmyhandscuppedhercur vy
behindtosuppor therbeforeIpl acedki
ssesdown
herthroatuntil
Ireachedt hespotbet weenher
breaststotakeinherper fectscentandsmall
bumpsr oseonhersof tskin.Iloveknowingthatmy
touchsendsshi versthroughherbody.Usual l
y
thi
ngswoul dbeexcit
ingandabi tr
oughduri
ngour
secretmeet i
ngsbuttodayIf el
tsheneededthe
opposite.
"Youokay?
"Iaskedbet weenki
sses.Iknewthatby
doingsoIbrokethemostimportantrul
e,t
onever
bri
ngourproblemswi t
hus,nott
ot heseduct
ive
l
ovenestwecr eated.
"Makemef or
get,"shepleadedandshedi dnothave
tosaymor easherwi shwasmycommand.Ist ood
withherfir
mlyinmyar mswhol est i
llki
ssingher
andplaceheront hesoftcushionbyt hehotel's
window.Itwasacomf ort
ablepl acetositandr eada
bookwhi l
ewat chingthefewoccasi onall
ynotf or
sleepi
ngonbutshef itperfect
ly.Ilovedhowt he
l
ightthatshownf rom thewi ndowcompl imented
herskin.Il
ovedt hatIhadavi ewofal lofher.Ialso
l
ovedt hesoundoft her ai
nont heglassoft he
wi ndow.Mymout ht racedal lthebar espot sonher
body.Idi dnotwantt ot akeof fthesexyl acy
numbershehadonbutwhatIcr avedwasbeneat h
thef abricsoIhadnochoi cebutImadesur etot ake
myt imei nunwr appingherasshedi dthesamewi t
h
me.Shear chedherbodyasIt easedherni pples
andIf eastedonhersweetni pplest hatlookedas
thought heyhadbeendi ppedi ndar kchocol ate.I
want edhert henandt herebutIpr omi sedt omake
herf orgetwhat everdampenedhermood.Myl i
ps
tracedki ssesdownwar dsandsheeasedherl egs
apar tandImadesur et hatshecoul dthinkof
not hingelsebutt hepl easur eIof feredher .Herl oud
moansf i
ll
edther oom andIwassur et hateven
thosewhooccupi edt her oomsnextt oour scoul d
hearherbutIdi dnotcar e.Ilovedt hatshecoul dl et
go.I '
dt akeintheer oticvi ewofherwel comi ngal l
thel oveIof f
eredunt ilsher eachedt heedge.Iknew
thatshewoul dwantt oexpl oremybodybutal lI
want edwast obeonewi thher .Thepl acebyt he
wi ndowwast oosmal l formet obecomf ortablebut
Idi dnotwantt ol eavei tsoIt oldhert ohol donasI
l
iftedheragai nstt hewal l.OureyesmetandIeased
mysel fint ohermoi stwar mt h.Iwassoar ousedby
thef eelofhert hatIhadt ohal tmyt hr ust sbecause
Ididnotwanti ttooendt ooqui ckly.Thesoundof
hermoansmi xedwi tht her ainwassoer ot i
candI
i
ncr easedmyt hr ustswhi leki ssinganypar tmyl i
ps
couldt ouchunt ilIfelthert ightenunt ilshehad
anot heror gasm.Wat chi ngherr eacht heedgemade
i
timpossi bl eformet ohol donanyl onger .Igri
pped
hert highsandgr owl edl oudl yasIr eleased.Ihel d
ont oherast houghmyl ifedependedoni tunt i
lthe
pleasur esubsi ded.Ther ewascompl etesi l
ence,al
l
wecoul dhearwast her ai nagai nstt hewi ndow.I
startedt of eelmyl egsgoabi tnumbasIwas
kneel i
ngonet hecushi onandherl egswr apped
aroundme.Ideci dedt oendur eabi tbecauseshe
wasnotr eadt ol etgoyet .Iki ssedt hesi deofher
neckunt i
loureyesmet .Ibr ushedmyl ipsagai nst
hersandwoul doccasi onal lyki sst hem.OnceIf elt
thegr ipofherl egsl osenIgent lygotmysel ftomy
feetwhi leshewasi nmygr i
p.Iwant edt ocar ryher
whet heremot i
onal ly, ment allyorphysi cal l
ywhen
shewashavi ngabadday.Iputheront hewhi te
cover edKi ngsi zebedandset tl
edbet weenher
warmt hi
ghs.Itwasnotouror di
narysexmeetups
wherewewoul dactoutsexualfantasi
essoIcould
notbeincharactertoday.Ihadt
obewhoIam, her
husbandbecausei twasoneoft hosedaysshe
neededextr
aloving.
Othu:"
Wear
ebreaki
ngourownr uleswi
thal
lthi
s
sobbymoment
s"shelaughedsoft
ly.
Cr
aig:"
I'
minnomoodt
obei
nchar
act
ert
oday"
Othu:" Imisshim, Craig"shesai dbef orehereyes
gotf i
ll
edwi thtears."I'
m sor ry"sheadded.Havi ng
beenmar ri
edf oralmostf orteenyear s,weal ways
foundt hingstokeepourmar ri
ageexciting.ToO
thatmeantsummoni ngmet ost eamyqui ckiesat
themostbi zarr
epl aces.Itf eltli
keIwashavi ngan
affairbutwi t
houtthegui l
tandIl ovedit.Iloved
beingathermer cymostt imes.Iam ahappyman
withahappywi f
eandchi l
dr en.Chuluthoughi n
varsityandcoul dmoveoutpr eferredtost ayat
homeandwehadnopr oblem wi thit
.Wedon' t
believeinthewhol et hingofki dsmovi ngoutat21
justbecauset heyar ecl assif i
edadul t
s.Whenshe' s
readyshe' l
lmovebecauseshehasani ndependent
spiri
t.QhaweandPhawuar efort
eenyear soldand
growi ngint otallandmuscul i
neyoungmenj ustlike
thei
rf ather.Ever yonewasgoodbutt hesuddencar
crashwhi chcl aimedLanga' slif
ewasunexpect ed
andi thithar d.Kumkanihadt obur yyetanot herson
andf oraf at herwhoval uedheir
sandst uffithit
hardbutnotashar dasithitO.Ihaveexhaust edall
thewor dsofcomf ortduri
ngthepastf ewweeksand
tosaymor ewoul dmakemesoundl ikeabroken
recordsoIi nsteadj ustheldOagai nstmychest
untilshef inishedcr ying.Sometimessi l
encei salla
personneeded.Shewi pedhertearsoffandl ooked
atme.
Crai
g:"
Maybet hepartyt
hattheki
dsareplanni
ng
forMakhul
uiswhatweneed.I twon'
ttakethepai
n
awaybutit
'sthefi
rstcel
ebr
ationwehavehadsince
weburiedLanga"shenodded.
Othu:"Notmanygetachancet ot ur
n88soshe
doesneedacel ebr
ati
on"Makhul uremainedOthu'
s
comforterduri
ngsit
uati
onsIcannotf ul
ly
understand.O'
srel
ati
onshipwithhermot heri
s
muchbet tert
hanbefor
et heboyswer ebornbut
everyonewhohaseyescanseeherbondwi thher
grandmotheri
sstronger.Meont heothersi
dehave
beenunsuccessfuli
ntraci
nganyext endedfami
ly
ofmyownbutI 'l
lkeeponl ooki
ng.
Craig:"
Iimagi
neIwillneedlotsofViagraoncewe
reachthatagebecauseyouhavei nheri
ted
Makhulu'snonaginggenessoIwoul dsti
llwantt
o
tapthatevenwhenI'm over90"Imovedmybr ows
upanddownandshel aughed.
Othu:"
YoubetterstockupnowbecauseIwillmake
yousweat"shelaughed.Maki ngmesweati
swhat
sheindeeddoes.I'
m afortunatemant
ohaveawi f
e
withasexualappeti
tethatalmostmat
chesmine.
Craig:"Iloveyou"myf r
iendsclaimt hatOfedme
l
ovepot ionandthat'
swhyIdon' thaveawonder i
ng
eye.Thi ngisI'
vehadmypl ayerdaysunt i
lIgott
ir
ed.
Anot hert hi
ngi
sthatI'
vebeenwi thoutOaf t
erwe
hadat hingwhenwewer eteens.Irememberhowi t
fel
tast houghmyhear tstayedwi thherwhenmy
parent ssaidwe'r
emovi ng.Unlikemostofmy
fri
endswhohavenotseper atedfrom thewomen
theyl oveIknowI '
vefoundhome.Theyal sodidn'
t
enjoythei ryouthsmuchandwer etooser ious
beforet heexpect edagenowt heywantt odof un
thi
ngswhi chIout gr ewKongago.Whenyou' re
youngdoyout hr elat edthingssoyouwon' tcrave
thenonceyou' r
eol der.I'
velivedbutnowI 'vef ound
ahomei nmywi feandI '
m happy.I '
m notbl ind, Iof
courseam abl et onot i
cethatt her ear eother
beautifulwomenar oundbutnonar ewortht hrowi ng
theli
feI 'vebui l
twi thmywi f
eaway.phoner angand
Poppy'sf acefil
ledt hescreen.Iwentt othe
bathroom andl efthert al
kingont hephone.I
fi
nishedmybusi nessandwetat owelwi thwar m
waterbef oremaki ngi tbackt ot her oom.Ihel ped
mywi f
egetdecentanddel i
berat elymovedci rcles
aroundherl ovebudandwat chedhercl osehereyes.
Thevoi ceont heot hersideoft hephonebr ought
herbackt or eal
ityandIhear dheragr eeaf ewt imes
whilelett i
ngoutsof tl
ymoansunt i
lsheendedt he
call
.
Othu:"
Theyaskthatwepickupthecakeonourway
hoooo.
.."Idi
dsuchwonderswit
hmyf ingert
hatshe
for
gotwhatshewantedtosay.ShedidaskthatI
makeherf
orget
.,di
dn'
tshe?

Chul
u
Mybr other sandIi ndependentlyarrangedapar ty
forourgr eatgr andmot herNomhl e.Themat r
iarch
ofthef ami l
y.Thegl uethatkeepsusal lintact.Well
basical lyIdidal ltheplanningbutIdon' tmind
shar i
ngt hepr aiseswi t
hthetwi ns.Phawur eada
comi cbookwhi leheoccasional l
yadjustedhis
glassesast heywoul dsli
poffhi sface.Mom has
beenwant ingt ogett hem t
ightnedbutPhawusai dit
woul donl ygivehi m headaches.Iwentt ocheckon
theot herdeser tsandf oundsomeonehadswi ped
theirfingeracr ossoneoft hecakes.
Chulu:"
Liqhawe!!
!"Ishout
edbecauseIknewi t
coul
donl ybehim.IswearQhawegi vesmeas
manygr eyhair
sashedoesourpar ents.Hecame
crui
singdownt hepassageli
keacr ownpr i
nce.wi
th
nosignofguilt
."Explai
nthi
s;"Ipoi
ntedt ot
hecake.
Qhawe:"Phawuissitt
ingnextt
othecri
mescene
yetI
'
mt hefir
stsuspect.Bl
acksheep,
you'
reonyour
own"hesai
dtohi
msel
fandIcoul
dnothel
pbut
l
augh.
Chulu:"
Thi
sisf
orMakhulu,
wasekhaya.Solet'
sput
al
lelseasi
depl
ease.Thepr
anksandallar
et obe
putaway"
Phawu:" Tellyourselfthattoobecauseyout woar e
thebi ggestpr anksters"allofusl aughed.My
brother s, mybestbuddi es.Idon' tsayt hi
sbutI
haven' tmovedoutbecauseIdonoti maginewaki ng
upt oaqui etmor ni
ngal onei naf latwhenal lthef un
i
sathome.Il ovemyt ri
be."Okay, ProfessorXavi er
putt hecomi cbookdown"Il ookedPhawu.Hei st he
ner dbet weenusandhel ovesX-mansot hat'
st he
nicknamewegavehi m."Youst ayawayf r
om the
cakes"Ipoi ntedatQhaweandhel i
ftedhisarmsup.
West oodt of i
nishwi t
ht hedecor ations.Whenmom
comeshomeIdonotwanthert ol i
ftasinglefinger.
It'
scl eart oever yonet hatshet ookahar demot ional
knockaf terl osingherbr othersowet r
iedbyal l
meanst onotbur denherbutt het hreeofususual ly
failbecausewear ecr ybabieswhoar eateach
other '
st hroat smostt imesbutdadhasbeen
keepingt hepeacei nhisownl ittl
eway.SoonI '
llbe
anartgr aduat e.Oneofmypai nti
ngshasbeen
boughtbyapr of oundartexi bi
torandmosthangon
mypar ent swal l.Nonoft hem havegi venmet he
"howdoyoui ntendt omakeal ivi
ngbecausear t
doesn'tpay"t alkassomeki dscl aimt heirpar ents
havesoI '
m ver yf or
tunate.Thedoorf l
ungopenand
Ipeekedt hinkingi tmypar entswi t
ht hebi rthday
cakebuti nsteadMakhul uMat owal kedin.Wehave
notseenheri noverayearandshel ookedas
thoughshehadcomef rom apl acewher e
goddesseswer ebr edwhi chhel dthef ount ainof
eter
nalyout h.Idonotknowhowol dshei sbutI
knowshe' soldbyyear sbutherphysi calstruct ure
saysot herwise.Theboysr ant ogr eether .Phawui s
notonet oshowexci tementmuchbutMat owas
alwaysabl etomakehi m expr esshi shappi ness.I
alsorant ohugherandwassur pri
sedt onotseeher
husbandf ol
lowi ngbehind.
Mato:"I'
m sureeveryoneisangryatmefornot
att
endingLanga'
sf uneral
.Iactst
rongbuthonest
ly
funer
alsaretoomuchf ormeandknowi ngUnathi
shemostprobabl
ywantedtothrowhersel
finthe
graveasshewatchedherson'
scasketgodown"
shewasspoton.That'
sexactl
ywhatmygr andma
did.
Qhawe:"Butyouwereabletocometoapar
ty.Isee
yousneakyKhuluz"heworeasmir
konhisface
bef
oretheybothlaughed.
Mato:"
Nocorpsesanddramaatsuch,myboy.Go
putmybagsintheguest
room,Qhawez.Phawu-
PhawugetKhuluMato'
sotherbagsi
nthecar
pl
easeboy-
boy"
Phawu:"It
houghtyou'dst aywithMakhuluHl eand
TamkhuluDeaconatther eti
rementvil
lage"Qhawe
andPhawugrewuphear i
ngever yonecall
Makhul
u'shusbanddeaconsot heythoughtitwas
hi
snameandt il
ltodaytheyr ef
ertohim as
TamkhuluDeacon.
Mat
o:"Therei
s" t
ir
e"inthewor dr
eti
rement.DoI
l
ookti
red?"welaughed.Wel oveal
lofourextended
f
amil
ymember sbutwel i
kedMatomost .
Phawu:"
I'
llgogett
hem Makhul
u"shegavePhawu
hercarkeys.NooneaskedaboutFl inchbecause
wet houghtitwasaquest i
onbestcomi ngf rom the
parents.JustasPhawumadehi swayoutoft he
doordadshoweduphol di
ngacakecar vedintotwo
perfecteight
s.Mom wasbehi ndhim andIcoul d
seet heywereshockedt ofi
ndMakhul uMat oi nour
home.Theygr eet
edanddaddi dnotwast eanyt i
me
andaskedaboutFl i
nch.MrsFlinchfli
nchedwhen
askedaboutherhusbandandgaveavagueanswer
Idon'tthi
nkanyofusunder st
oodbutwewer ejust
happyt hatsheishome.DadandIwentaboutour
business.
Mat o:"Othunyiweyo, youareglowing"shet urnedto
facemyf ather.Iknewshewasi nsinuati
ngt hati
t
wast hej oysofmar riagethatmademom gl ow.I'm
oldenought oknowwhatsexi sthoughIhavenot
donei t.Yes,I'
m 21andunt ouchedwhi chhasmade
meat opicofjokesi nmyci rcl
esomet imes.Ihavea
boyfriend.MyhandsomeI mangewhom I '
vebeen
withforsi xmont hsnow.I '
veintr
oducedhi m home
becausedadwant edt oseewhoIwasdat ingso
thatshoul danythinghappent omehe' dknowwher e
tostar tlooki ngf oranswer s.Mom bl ushedwhen
Makhul upoi nt edouthergl ow.I ft her e'sonethi ng
mypar ent sdon' tlacki t
'saf fectionf oreachot her .
Wegr ewupwat chingt hem showl ovef oreach
otherofcour senotexpl i
citly.Thi ngssuchas
holdinghands.Dadst eali
ngaki sswhenhet hinks
wear ef ocusedont heTV.Mom f ixingbr eakfast
andput t
ingi nonat reyforherhusbandsohe' dbe
servedbr eakf asti nbed.Dadcar ryingmom l i
terall
y
whenshehear daboutMal umeLanga' spassi ng.It'
s
j
ustt hel i
ttlet hings.Hour swentbyandweal lwer e
dressedandwai ti
ngf orthebi rthdaygr anny.Ihave
somanygr anni est hereisnowayIcoul dever
starvei nl ife.Thedeaconbr oughtherandweal l
startedt osi ngassoonast heymadeanent rance.
Makhul ul eani ngonhercanewascr ying.Granny
Nokul ungacal ledhermot herasshecoul dnotmake
i
tf r
om t heEast ernCape.Wear ebl essedt ostil
l
haveher .Theyar eol dbutst il
lindependentwhi chis
whyt heypr ef ert ost ayinar eti
rementvi ll
age.They
havet heirownhomewhi lehavi ngnei ghborswho
arethei rage.Mom atf i
rstsawi tasanol dage
homeandcr i
edsayi ngi t'
snoti nt heAf ri
cannat ur
e
toleaveeldersatol dagehomeswhi lewest il
llived
butMakhul uassur edhert hatonceshe' stooweak
todoever ythingf orher selfMom woul dbet hef irst
she'l
lcomet oforhel p.Iunder standmymom' s
concernsasourbondi sasst rongast hatshehas
withMakhul u.IknowI 'm notbi ological l
yher sbut
forthefi
rstyear sofmyl if
ei thadmost l
ybeenme
andheragai nstt hewor ld.Wehadagr eatbirthday
l
unchandi twasf il
ledwi thlaught er
.Tamkhul u
Kumkaniwasst il
lwheel chairboundbuthehad
feeli
nginhisl egsbutt heywer en'tstr ongenought o
holdhiswei ght.Hi m andgr andmaUnat hipatched
thi
ngsupandmygr andfatherwasabl etostar t
anotherconst ructioncompany.Ourf ami lywasj ust
ajoyevenwi thther ecenttragedy.Il ookedat
MakhuluHl e, Makhul uMat oandMom andIswear
thesewomenhadt hesecr etsofyout h.Pi tyMom' s
genesaren'tapar tofme.
Makhulu:"Soonwewil
lbecel
ebrat
ingourbaby'
s
graduat
ion"shel
ookedatme.Typi
calMakhulut
o
puttheshineonanot
herper
sonwhenitwasher
day.
Kumkani:"
Ihavebeentell
ingallmyartl
overfri
ends
aboutmyChulu'
stalent
s.Iswearsoonshe'llhave
herownexhibi
ti
oninoneoft hetopgall
eri
esin
Souther
nAfri
caandbeyond"
Chul
u:"YesbutIhavet
oear
nitbymer
it
,Khul
uso
nopull
ingst
ri
ngs."
Mat
o:"I
'l
lbebuyingahousesoon.I
'
llneedyout
o
doafewpieces"
Makhul
u:"
Wil
lyouandFl
inchset
tl
ebacki
nSout
h
Af
ri
ca?"
Poppy:"Thewayyouwer ealwayst ravel
ingwe
thoughtthatyouwouldreturnhomeper manent l
y
onlywhenyouwer edead"shej okedandl aughed
alone.Makazisti
llhadtolearntonott hi
nkoutloud.
Herhusbandgavehera" wast hatreall
ynecessary"
l
ook.Theywer eabeaut i
fulfamilyandIador edmy
l
ittl
ecousins
Mat o:"
Iam sur
eyoucannotwaittoscattermy
ashesinthesea"Mat
osaidsarcasti
call
y.Ihaven'
t
quit
ef i
gur
edouthowthesetwofeltabouteach
other.
Othu:"
Noonei sdyi
ngandi fMakhul
uMatoisnot
readyt
ot el
luswhathappenedbetweenherand
Fli
nchthenwemustnotf or
ceherto.I'
mjusthappy
toseeher"
Kumkani :"Shei
sabletogettopart
iesbutnot
funer
als"hemumbl ed.Isaidmyfamilywashappy
butIdidn'tsaywearewithoutdr
ama.
Phawu:"I
'm out"hetookhiscakeandheadedtothe
doorwit
hhisbookunderhi sarm.Phawuhates
drama.He'
dr atherbealone.Thenther
eisQhawe
andIwhol i
kedr amasowecanhavei nsi
dej
okes
l
ateron.Nothingbeatsfamilyj
okes.
Mato:"
Idi
dmakeitwhenweburi
edyourl
egsall
t
hoseyear
sagoremember?
"ever
yonehadthei
r
mouthswi
deopen.
Qhawe:"I
'
m outt oo"beputeverysweettreatthere
wasonapl ateandj oi
nedPhawu.Thatwast helast
t
hingweexpect edMat owouldsay.Khulustil
lhad
l
egstheyjustwer en'
tasfunct
ionalasours.
Makhul
u:"
Onewoul
dthi
nkol
dagewoul
dmakeyou
t
woabitbett
er"
Mat
o:"Thatonei
sol
d"shepoi
ntedatKumkani."I
'
m
amiddl
eagedwoman"sheaddedwithconf
idence.
Kumkani
:"I
'
m shockedFl
incht
oler
atedyouf
orso
l
ong"
Makhuku:"St
opit,
man!Youar enotchildren.Chulu
getMakhulusomewat erplease"Iknewshewant ed
megone.Iwasnoki dbutshedi dsendmesoI
noddedandwenttot hekit
chen.Iheardt hem tal
k
behi
ndmeasIwal kedbutcoul dnothearanyt hing.I
gotMakhuluherwat erjustasshel i
kesit.Halfofit
i
cecoldfrom t
hefridgeandt heot herhalfroom
temperat
urewater
.Imademywaybackandgavei t
toher.
Mato:"
Iwon'tsaywhyI
'
m al
oneyetbecausei
t'
snot
aboutmetoday"
Kumkani
:"That
'saf
ir
st.Usual
lyi
t'
sal
laboutyou.
Makhulu:"
Youdon'thavet oMato.l
et'
senjoythe
day.Mygreatgr
andchi l
drenwentthr
oughsomuch
tr
oubleandyourendlesssquabblechasedthem
out"
Mat
o:Al
lIwi
llsayi
sthi
s"Not
umat
oundenzi
lebo
Wand'
that
hel
'
uthandol
wakho
Not
umat
oundenzi
lebo
Wat
hat
hel
'i
mal
iyam
Ti
kit
ikindi
yakhal
a
Ti
kit
ikindi
yof
unda
Ti
kit
ikiwandi
boni
sa
Ti
kit
ikindi
yaxol
isa"
TikiTikindakwazi.shesangherownver si
onofTiki
TikibyPhi ndawhi l
edancing."I'
m suret hatiswhat
Flinchissingingnowbutt hat'sallI
'
llsaysi nceit
's
notmyday"shezi ppedhermout h.Ithinkeveryone
wast r
yingtofigureoutwhatexact l
yitisshewas
tryingtosay.Soont hemoodwasgoodagai nonce
theadul tswhodr ankgottheirstr
ongdr inks.Iwent
tosi toutsi
debetweenmyl i
tt
lebrothers.
Phawu:" Afteryou'
veheardyourfri
endstal
kabout
theirf
ami l
ies.Doyoueverwishyouwer ebornina
diff
erentfami l
y?"Al
lthr
eeofusr ai
sedourtopli
ps
asthoughwewer edi
sgustedbutinact
ualfactwe
weret hi
nking.Daddoest hat
,Idon'
tknowifit
's
somethingweinher
it
edfr
om him ori
fwej
ust
mimickedhim.Welookateachother
.
Us:Hel lno!"weshoutedsimultaneousl
ybefor
ewe
burstoutl aughi
ng.IswearI'
llmostprobabl
yleave
myf ather'
shouseoncesomemancomest oaskfor
hi
sbl essingt omarr
yme.Iknowi t'
snotwhatmy
peersar edoingbutIdon'tcare.

NB:Ichangedt
heyeart
hestorywasbasedi
nso
t
hekidswouldbegrownint
hiscur
rentt
imewel
ive
i
n
[
04/
21,
17:
26]:S2-
INSERT2
Othuwokeupwi thadr yi
tchyfeel
inginhert hroat.
Shegent l
ymadei toffthebedandcoul dn'tfi
gure
outwhyshebot heredbecauseonl yabombcoul d
wakeCr aigupf rom hisdeepsleep.Shecheckedt he
clockandi tread5:30am.I twasaSaturdaymor ning
soshecoul dret
urnt obedaf t
erhavi
ngdeal twith
theirr
it
ati
oni nhert hroat
.Navigat
ingthrought heir
bedroom int hesemi darkwaseasyasOt hu
decorateditherselfsosheknewwhatwaswher e.
Shemadeherwayt othekitchenquietlytoavoid
wakinganyoneuponaSat urdaymor ning.There
wasaphonet hatkeptonringingandi tgotlouder
asOt humovedf orward.ToOt hu'
ssur pri
seMat o
wassi t
tingwithherphonef acedownont hekitchen
counter.Aweeksi nceshehadr eturnedandshest i
ll
hadnotsai dwhyherhubbyhadnotf oll
owed.
Everyoneinthefami l
yknewt hem asi nseparable.
Matosnappedoutofherdeept houghtandl it
erall
y
putonahappyf aceassoonasshewasawar eof
Othu'spresence.
Othu:"Iwishyoudi dn'thavetodot hat,Makhulu.
ThatI'm al
wayshappyactyoupul lwhenar ound
people.Yaziasamot herI'vecomet olearnthati
t'
s
okaytobesadandsomet imesevenmakemy
chil
drenawar eofitbecauset heyl i
ftmeup.Iknow
youneedl if
ti
ngupandt hat'
swhyyou' rehere"Ot
hu
saidwhilesheputont hecat t
le.Suddenlythequi
ck
watersippingtur
nedi ntoat eagatheringwithMato.
Mato:"
Notal lofuscanl
ivewit
houtwall
s,Thu-
Thu"
Othuplacedahotcupont eai
nf r
ontofMato.
Perf
ectforthecoldweat
her.
Othu:"Iknowbutsomet imest hewallshurtt
he
buil
dermor ethanitdoest hosewhot hebuil
deris
tr
yingtokeepout .I
'm notgoingtogiveyouthe
wholeI'm 40andnowI '
vegotabetter
understandi
ngatl i
fe,
Makhul ubutI'
vebeenar ound
l
ongenoughf oryoutoopenupt ome.Iloveitwhen
you'r
ehappybutadmi tthatyousomet i
mesdoi ton
autopil
ot"
Mato:"
Ithi
nkhe'shavinganaff
air"sheblurt
edout
andOthualmostburntherl
ipbyhol di
ngthehotcup
toherl
ipsfort
oolong.Whywoul dagr andpali
ke
Fli
nchcheat?Wherewouldhegett heenergy?
Thosewerethequesti
onsinOthu'smi nd.
Ot
hu:"
Yout
hink?
"
Mat o:"Noactuall
yIknow.He' salwayspr eoccupied
withwhat ever.Ir
ecentlyfoundasecr etcellphone
andwhenIaskedhi m aboutithewaspl ai
nr ude.I
won' tbegamant olovemeasi fIdon'thavef amil
y
whoal r
eadydoes.SoIpackedupandl eft
.Don't
givemet hatwhole"awomanmustendur e"talk
thoseol dwoment el
lusonourweddi ngday
becauseIwi l
ldealwithyou"shepoi ntedatOt hu.
Ot
hu:"Noendur
ancespeechf r
om me.I
'
m sor
ry,
Makhul
utohearthatyou'
rehurt
ing"
Mat o:" I
'
m goi ngt odoaTi naTur nerandgetmysel f
ayoungerman.Her sappar entlygaveheraki dney
soImi ghtneedonesomedayandanol dtrai
nl i
ke
Flinchwon' thaveenoughst eam t opowermeup"
shej okedandl aughed.Mat omaskedpai nwi th
l
aught erandnonser i
ousconver sat
ions.Itwasnot
ast rength, notaccor dingtoOt huanyway.Mat odid
ever yt
hingi nherpowert odiver tthetopicaway
from her ."HaveyouandCr aigst oppedt r
yingfor
anot herlitt
leone? "Ahhanot herdi sappointment
Ot huandCr ai
ghadt ogott hroughi ntheirmar ri
age.
Rightaf tert hetwinswer ewer ebor nOt huhadsome
ser i
ousf ibroidsandf orsomer easont hataffected
herabi li
tyt oevergetpr egnantagai nwel lexceptfor
thatonet imewhi chledt oami scar ri
age.Shewas
noti nfert
ilebutt hingshavej ustnotgoneast hey
hoped.
Othu:"
IthinkI'
mt oool
dt obeamom t oanewborn
now.CraigandIar ef
acingreti
rement
"Matolooked
atOthuast houghshewasi nsane.
Mato:"
Whyar epeopl
ecomfortabl
ewithaging
young?You'
reachil
d,Ot
hunyiweyoKnight!
"she
bangedherhandonthetabl
eandOt hulaughed.
Othu:"
Okayyesthat
'str
uebutitwon'thappen,
Makhulu.Wearenotusi
nganypr ecaut
ionary
measuressoifIwasevergoi
ngtof al
lpregnant
again,
itwoul
dhavehappened"
Mato:"Iknowyou'r
enotgoi ngthroughmenupause
becausewedon'tgett hatear
lyjustaskNomhle.
Yougotourgenes, Icanseeit.Haveyouthought
aboutadjust
ingyourdi ett
oaplantbasedone?"
Ot
hu:"
Eatsal
adal
lday?
"shef
rowned.
Mato:"
NoIwil
lint
roduceyoutoplantbasedr
ecipes.
Whydoyouthi
nkIl ookt
hisyoung?Yogaandclean
eat
ing"
Ot
hu:"
Andgenepr
ivi
lege"t
heybot
hlaughed.
Mato:"
Ifyousti
llwantt
otr
yandthedoct
or'
scan'
t
hel
pthenlet
'sseewhatnatur
ecandoforus"
Ot
hu:"
Idon'
tknowi
fCr
aigi
sst
il
lupf
ori
t"
Cr
aig:"
Upf
orwhat
?"t
hel
adi
est
urnedt
olookatt
he
manoft hehouseandl ookedliketwomi cecaught
stealingcheese.Cr
aiglookedatOt huwhi l
ewaiti
ng
forhert ospeak.Ot
hut ookadeepbr eath.Sincethe
mi scarri
ageaboutsixyearsagot hebabyt opi
cwas
notonet heyt
ouched.Mat otookasipofhert ea
wai t
ingforOthutoanswer .
Othu:"Ababy"shesai dsof t
ly.Craig'sfaci
al
expressi
onwentf r
om curioust ounabl etoread.He
wast her
ewhent heylostthebabyandhe' sbeen
ther
ewhenOt huwasdesper atef oranotherchil
d.
Hewasal sotherewhent heyt houghtthef i
broi
ds
werecancer.Hewant edachi ldbackt henbutnotat
hiswife'
sexpense.I fi
tcosthi m Othu'shealth,i
t
wast ooexpensive.Othuexpl ainedthesuggest i
on
Matomade.
Craig:"Ratherdoi tforhealt
hpur poses,Onotf or
hopeofget t
ingpr egnant.Wear egoodaswear e"i
t
wasconcer nspeaki ng.Hewat chedt hesubtl
e
excitementvani shf r
om Othu'seyes.Somet imeshe
hadt omaket oughchoi cesinthebesti nt
erestof
thosehel oved." Il
oveyou"heassur edOthu.She
smiledandnoddedbef oreshewat chedhi m
di
sappeardownt
hepassage.
Mato:"He'
sscar
ed,Thu-
Thu.Gocuddlewit
hyour
husband.Hewasheretocheckwhytheothersi
de
ofthebedwascold.Iwi
llbef
ine.Iam Mat
o-Mato"
Othu:" That'sexactlywhatscar esme"Ot huwal ked
withhert eabackt other oom t
ogetaf ewmor e
hour sofsl eep.SleepsheandCr ai
ghadbeen
deprivedofduet orai
singkidsbutnowt hatt
hey
weregr ownt heywer efreetomoveast heypleased.
Mat o'ssituati
onwasonet hatl
eftOthuconcer ned.
Mat o'sphoner angagain.
Mat o:"Youcallmeagain,Iwil
lhaveCr aigfindyou
anddealwi thyou"Mat othr
eantedFlinch.Sheknew
Craigwoul dnotretur
ntohisoldwaysf orherand
shedi dnotexpecthimt obutatleastFlinch
stoppedcal l
ing.Sheli
ft
edhersilkpij
amat opto
l
ookatt hebigbluebrui
seonhert herightsideof
herr i
bsandbr okedowni nsil
entsobs.

I
twasmidaf
ternoonandChulusatwit
hthet
winsin
t
hecar
.Shedidn'thaveacarbutOt
huwaswill
ing
toletherdri
vehers.ItmadeOt hu'
sli
feeasieras
shecouldn'tal
wayspi cktheboysupfrom school.
Theyhadcomef rom doingsomemi nigr
ocer y
shopping.Lucki
lytheyallhadthesametast ein
musi csonoonef oughtoverwhattoplay.
Chulu:"Sowhendoyout woi ntendongi vi
ngt he
parentsthelet
tersyougotf r
om schoolyest erday
stat
ingthatyoumustbr ingyourpar entstoschool ?
"
Chuluwast hei
rconf i
dant.Af r
iendtheycoul dtal
k
toaboutmostt hingsexceptthoset hi
ngswhi ch
neededmal eadvice.SheglancedoveratPhawu
whowasnoddi nghisheadt othet uneandcheck
themirrortofi
ndQhawedoi ngt heysameatt he
back.Theyhear dherbutnonhadt heanswert oher
questi
on."Icantellt
hem. .
."
Them:"
Nooooo"t
heybot
hsai
d.
Chulu:"
Sotheyspeak!Lookguysi
fyoudidnothi
ng
wrongthenyouhavenot hi
ngtowor
ryabout.You
wouldhavetol
dmei ftherewasmoret
othe
si
tuati
onri
ght?"
Phawu:"
Youknowwewoul
dhave.Al
lowust
otr
ace
backouract
ionst
oseei
fwer
eal
lyar
ecl
ean"
Chul
u:"
Okaybutt
oni
ghtyout
ellt
hem"
Qhawe:"Ithi
nkthecarbehindusfoll
owingus"
Chulurol
ledhereyesbefor
echeckingthemirror
.
She'
dnoticedthecarbuttosayitwasfoll
owing
them wastoodramati
c.
Chulu:"
LuphawuandLiqhaweyouknowhowupset
dadgetswhenitcomestoschoolmatt
ersl
ike
these"
Phawu:"Tur
nheret oseeifwhatQhawesaysis
accurat
e.Hi
jacki
ngisrealandIdonotwanttohave
tobeatsomethug'sassforputt
inghi
shandonmy
sist
er"
Chul
u:"
Igi
veup.I
ftheyaski
fIknewabouti
tthen
sayno"
Phawu:"Taketheturn,Chul
z"Chuludi
dasher
br
othersuggested.Thecartookthesameturnand
i
twast henthatherheartst
art
edtobeatf
aster.
Chul
u:"
Shoul
dwecal
ldad?
"
Qhawe:"
Takeanot
hert
urnahead,
ifi
tsbehi
ndus
afterthatthenyes, wecalldad"nonoft hekids
knewt hatt heirf
atherwasasni perinhisyouthdays
buttheyt rustedhim.Chulutookt heturnand
breathedwhent hecarwentt heot herdi
rect
ion.
Phawur ubbedhi ssist
er'
sshoulder .
Phawu:"Eveni
fitwassomet
hing.Wewoul
dhave
hadyourback"
Qhawe:"
Always"Chululaughed.Shewastheone
whowassupposedt osaythatbutforsomereason
theywer
emoreoverprotecti
veofherevenwhen
shewassevenyearsolder.
Chulu:"
Ifonl
yyoutwohadli
censesyou'
dtaket
he
carhome.I'm meet
ingI
mangelat
er"
Phawu:"Wear eskill
eddr iversbutnotl egalones
unfort
unatel
y"EvenChul ul earnedtodr i
vebef or
e
sheturnedsixteen.Somet hi ngOt hudidnotlike
becauseshef earedt hekidswoul dstealthecarin
themiddleoftheni ghttopl easef ri
endsbutnonof
thathashappened.Cr ai
gmadei tcl
earthathe
wouldlosetrustinthem ift heytookadvant ageof
theskil
landpossi blyendupki ll
inganotherroad
useri nanacci dent .Theboysr espect edtheirf ather
sot heyonl ydr ovewhenhewaspr esentandi n
empt yopenpar kingspaces.Ot hudi dn'tdar eget
i
nt oacarwi t
hunl i
censeddr iver soutoff earbutshe
l
ovedChul u' scar efuldriving.Chul udr oppedt he
boysandt hef oodhome.Thepar entswer eout ,
somet hi
ngt heydi dal otlat ely.Mat owasat
Makhul uHl e'
s.Chul uwentt ogr abat axit omeet
Imange.Theywer efrom t wocompl etelydi f
fer ent
backgr oundsandshedi dnotwantt ogowi th
asset swhi char en'
tevenher st ohi m.Shef ound
him wai ti
ngatsomeoft hepopul arfoodout l
et s.He
wasabeaut i
fuldar kyoungmanandChul u'
sknees
mel tedatthesi ghtofhi m.I mangest oodt ogr eet
hisgi rl
fr
iend.HehuggedChul uandgott hescentof
herdr eadlockst hatsmel l
edl ikeat r
opi calisland.
Shegr ewitwhenshest artedvar sityandhadher
parent sconcer nedt hinkingshe' dstar tsmoki ng
weedandsuchbecauseaccor dingt ot hem ar t
student swer ever yexpr essi ve.
Imange:"Youlookbeauti
ful
.Di
dyoumanagetodo
allyourchor
esbeforecomingher
ebecauseIdon'
t
wantyourparent
stot
hinkI
'
mtaki
ngyouawayf
rom
i
mportantt
hings"
Chul u:"It'
sgoodt ohavel it
tlebr ot her stobribe, you
know"t heybot hlaughed.Chul u'sl ifewasdi ff
er ent
from I ma's.Shehadbot hpar ent swhi leheonl yhad
hismom.Hel i
vedi naver ydanger ousgangst er
pronet ownshi pwhenshewasi naqui etsurbur b
butt heywer ebot hequallyambi ti
ous.I mangei s
studyi ngCi vi
lengi neeri
ng.Hi sdr eam i smusi cbut
hehadt ochoosewhathef eltwoul dbringmoney
oncehe' sdone.Thest ranget hingi stheymetat
Cr aig'soffi
ce.I mangewant edapar tti
mej obandal l
Cr aighadatt het i
mewasacl eani ngj ob.Hedi dn't
hesi tateintaki ngitbuthegotpr omot edtoassi sti
ng
wi thsecur i
tyi nstal
lments.Thef earofherf ather
fi
ringhi mf ordat ingherwaswhatmadeChul u
afraidt oopenl ybewi t
hImange.Atf ir
stitwas
toughashet houghtshedi ditbecauseshewas
ashamedt ohaveaboyf r
iendwhocl eanedf oraj ob
butshecoul dn'tcareless.Chul uspoket oher
best estbestf riend,hermom andshewast heone
tobr eakt henewst oCraig.Cr aigl ikedI mangef or
hishardworkanddedi cationbuthim dat i
ngChul u
madeCr ai
gputupt hef atherl
yar mor.WhenCr aig
heardChuluwasdat i
nghewant edtomeett heboy
anddeepdownhewashappyi twassomeonehe
kindofknew.Imangeconst ant
lybeingf orcedto
joinagangdidnothaveaneasyupbr inging.It
remindedCrai
gifhi
msel fwhenhewasf orcedt obe
aassassinduetocircumst ancessohet ri
edbyal l
meanst okeepImangemot i
vated.
Chul
u:"
Isyourmom'
sul
cer
sbet
ternow?
"
Imange:"She' sast rongwoman.Shej usthat edthat
shehast ost opeat i
ngt omato"Chul ulaughed.She
blushedwhenshef eltImange' slipst ouchedher
cheeksbef orehest oodt ogogett heirorder .He
retur
nedinnot imeandhandedChul uherf avourit
e.
Chuluappr eciatedhi m.Sheknewhef i
rsthadt o
savet hechangeheget saf t
erpayi nghi sexpenses
i
nor dertooccasi onal l
yt akeherout .Fortunat el
yhe
didnotmi ndbei ngspoi l
edeverynowandt hen.
Whenevert heywant edsomet hingf rom Cr aigand
hewasnotabl etotheywoul dremi ndhi mt hathe
hadt hemoney." Exactly,Ihavet hemoneyChul znot
you"wasCr ai
g'sreplywhenhef el
tbuyingt
hem
unnecessaryt
hingswasawast e.I
tkeptChulu
humbledandshenot iceditdi
dthesamewi thher
brot
hers.HadCr aigallowedeveryt
hingChulumight
haveseenImangeasbei ngbeneathherandmissed
outonlove.Her espectedherchoicetowaitunti
l
shewasr eadytohavesexandhel ovedher
.
Chulu:"
Thankyouf ort
his,
baby.Iwasst ar
ving.It
's
st
rangehowonebecomest hedesignatedfamily
dr
iverassoonast heygetali
sence"Imange
l
aughedashel i
stenedtohercompl ai
n.
Imange:"Don'
tworry.OnedaywhenIhaveacar
you'
llr
elaxbecauseI'
llcomepickyouupanyt
ime
butIneedyoutobepat ient
"Chulusmi
led.
Chulu:"
Iknowyouf i
rstwanttofi
xyourmom' s
housebeforebuyi
ngsuchandIr espectit
.Evenif
i
t'
s20year sfr
om nowI '
l
lholdyoutothispromise,
Mange"shepointedathim andtheyl
aughed.
Imange:"I
twil
lnotbetomorrowbuti twi
llmost
cer
tai
nlywon'ttakethatl
ong.In20yearstimewe
mustalreadyhaveli
kesixchi
ldren"Chul
ualmost
chokedasshel
aughed.
Chul
u:"
Six,
Baby?"shehel
dupsi
xfi
nger
sandhe
smil
edandnodded.
Imange:" Si
nceyouhavet winsi nyourf ami l
y.We
couldhavet hem i npairsoft hree"Chul u'seyes
welledupasshecoul dnotcont ainherl aught er.To
Imangej ustseeingChul uhappywhi l
ewi t
hhi m
war medhi shear t
.Wi t
hsomanyyoungl adies
settl
ingformenwi thcar sandmoneyhef eltlucky
tohaveonel i
keChul u.Heunder stoodthatsomeof
them diditoutofdesper ati
onwhi chwasnot
somet hi
ngChul uknewbutheknewsomedi di t
becauset heydi dnotwantt obei ndependent .Aguy
thatpull
edupwi thaGTIwal kedi nandhehadno
shamei nwi nkingatChul uthoughshewaswi th
someone.I mangepr etendednott onoticebutdeep
downi nsecur i
tywaswhathef el
t.Chul uwor eal ook
ofdisgustbef orefocusingherat tenti
onbackathi m.
Afteralovelyaf t
ernoonf il
ledwi thst r
ollsint hepar k
andbenchki ssesI mangeensur edChul ugoti nto
thetaxisafe.Heopenedhi swal letandChul usaw
onlyaR10not ei nitandhi sownr i
dehomecost ed
R18.Chulusawt helookofshameinhi
sface.She
hatedthathefel
tobligat
edtodosuchbutshedid
notwanttoembar r
asshi minfr
ontoft
heother
passengers.
Chulu:" Il
oveyou"Chul upl antedani nnocentki ss
onhi slipsandwi thouthim evennot icingsl i
ppeda
R20not einhi spocketandt ookt heR10ashe
i
nsistedonpayi ngforhert ri
p.Oncet het axidrove
offImange' st axipull
edup.Het r
iedt onegot i
ate
withthedr iverbutt hedriverrefused.Towal kwoul d
besui cide.It'
saweekendandi twasnear lydark.He
searchedhi swal l
etandasexpect edi twasempt y.
Hesear chedt hesmal lpocketonhi sshi r
tandt hen
hisjeansandf oundaR20.Hesmi ledoutofr eli
ef .
Hehadahabi tofnotempt yinghi spocket ssohe
thoughti twasoneoft hosel uckymoment swher e
hefor gothehadmoneyandwat chedasi tpopped
upwhenheneededi tmost .Hegotont hetaxiand
wenthome.Chul uarri
vedhomesaf eandt he
parentschar gedherwi th"doyouknowwhatt hi
si s
about? "ast heyhel dupthel ettertheboysgotf rom
school .Sheshookherheadbecauseshedi dnot
knowaboutanyt
roubl
etheboyscausedatschool
anddoubt
edther
ewasany.
Chul u:"
Ifi
twassomet hingbadt heywouldhave
called.Daddidtheytel
lyout hatwethoughtwe
wer ebeingfol
lowed?Iconsi dermysel
fagood
driverbutInearl
yforgotwhat '
swhatwhenIt hought
we' dgethij
acked"Chululaughedbuttheparents
wer edeadserious.Shetoldthem ther
estofthe
storybeforeshewentt oherr oom t
oaskImangei f
hewashomesaf eandbl ushastheyremini
scedt he
day.
Ot
hu:"
Areyouwor
ri
ed?
"shel
ookedatCr
aig.
Crai
g:"
NobutI'
llt
akepr
ecaut
ionar
ymeasures
anyway.Wantmetohel
pyoupeelveggi
es?
"Othu
smil
ed.
Othu:"
Thankyoubutt hesedaysyoupeeltheskin
offt
hepotatoessothickthatt
hereisnot
hinglef
tif
thepoort
hing"theybothlaughed."
Justsi
tand
occasi
onal
lytel
lmehowgr eatmyfoodsmells"she
added.
Cr
aig:"
Icant
ast
eitt
ooi
fyouwant
"hi
stonewas
cl
eart
oOt hut
hathenol
ongerr
efer
redt
oveggi
es.
Ot
hublushed.
Othu:"Ratherleavemeal lt
ogetherandgopl ay
gameswi t
hyoursons.Idon' tneedthatdistr
acti
on
i
nher e."Crai
gl aughedandl eftheralonebeforehe
madeherbur nt hei
rdinner.Bondingtimewi t
hthe
boyswasamustt ohim.Het ri
edf i
shingforanyli
es
regar
dingt heletterbuttheyseemedt obeas
cluel
essashewas.Thecarf oll
owinghiskidscould
becoincidencebutCr ai
gknewbet t
erthantojust
dismissit.
[
04/
21,
17:
26]:I
nser
t3-S2
OthuandCr aigsatnervousl
yastheywait
edf orthe
schoolpr
incipalt
oj oi
nthem.Crai
glif
tedOthu's
handandbr oughtittohisli
pst
ocalm her
.
Othu:"
Whati ft
heydidsomethi
ngt
hatcanmake
t
hem expelthem?"shewhisper
edherquest
ionas
t
hought hewall
shadgr ownear
s.
Crai
g:"
Thenwewi l
ldealwit
hitbuttr
ynotto
over
thi
nkthesi
tuat
ion.Wemi ghtbemakinga
mountai
noutofananthill
"Othunodded.The
pri
ncipalcameinandapol ogizedformakingthem
wait
m Af t
ershakinghandst hethr
eeofthem sit
down.TheheadMast erthankedtheKnightsfor
makingt i
met ocomeseehi m andOt huwishedshe
couldjustshakehim andtellhi
mt ogettothepoint
.
Principal:"Icanassureyou,Mr sKni
ghtthatyour
kidshavebr okenanyr ul
e"Othuheldherchestas
shebr eat
hedout .Sheknewherchi l
drenwerenot
per f
ectandwoul dmaket hei
rownmi stakestolearn
l
essonsf rom butshehopedt heyrai
sedt hem t
o
thinkbef oretheyact.Theyli
stenedastheprincipal
saidt heywantt oupgradethet wi
nstoamuch
highergr ade.
Othu:"
Whatoneart
hwoul d14yearoldsdoingr
ade
twel
ve?"Ot
hu'
seyesshotopenasshel ookedat
Crai
gandthenbackatthemaninfrontofthem.
Theboyswereal
readyaheadofthei
rpeersin
school
.
Cr
aig:"
Theboysal
readyski
ppedt
wogr
adesi
n
pr
imaryphase"
Pr
inci
pal
:"I
'
m awar
eoft
hat
,Si
randyouMam but
theyar
ewast edingradetenasi s.Somuchsot hat
theygi
veteachersmat hemati
cssol uti
onsthatour
owneducatorshadnotevenknown.Honest l
yeven
gradet
welvemi ghtbeawast eoft i
me"Ot husat
backshaki
ngherhead." MrsKnightt heworldhasa
fewchil
dgeniuses.Iactual
lythi
nkwemustt ellt
he
l
ocalnewspapersaboutourver yown, "
Crai
g:"
No,myboyswi l
lnotbeinanypapert
o
promot
ethisschool
.MywifeandIneedtodiscuss
thi
sbefor
ewemakeadeci sion"
Principal
:"Theymi ghtnotsayit,SirbutIi magine
thesemedi ocrelessonst obetorturet ot hem.
Imaginel i
steni
ngt osomeonet eacht hingsyou
alr
eadyknowsomehowbuthavet oendur eit
becauseofyourage"Ot huknewexact lywhathe
spokeaboutsi nceshewasoncel iket hatbutit
seemedQhaweandPhawuwer eonal eveloftheir
own.TheKni ght
st hankedthepr i
nci palandwer eon
theirway.Theywer egoingseperat ewaysbutCr ai
g
satinOt hu'
scarsohewoul dfindoutwhatherst ate
ofmi ndis.
Ot
hu:"
Iwantt
hem t
obeki
ds,
Crai
g.Theyar
ebabi
es.
Canyoui maginethepressuret heywillf
elli
na
seniorcl
ass?Want i
ngt odowhatt hebigkidsdo.
Tataputsomuchpr essureonmeandsomet i
mes
paradedmei nfrontofhisfr
iendst obrag"hervoi
ce
wasshaky.Cr ai
gheldherchi nsoshe' dlookathi
m
butshedidn'
tsohel eanedfor wardtokissher
cheekandshet urnedtofacehi m.
Crai g:"Wear enotyourf at her.Baby, i
ntelligentkids
arebor neverywher eint hewor l
d.Thi shasnot hing
todowi thhowyouwer econcei vedandt he
chemi calsthelikesofFl inchf edyouasanembr yo.
Theymi ghthavei nheri
tedt hisf rom myf ami l
yfor
allIknow.Si nceIdon' tknowt hem i t
'spossi ble.We
can' tsavet hem from ever yt hi
ng, especi allyl i
fe'
s
pressur esbutwecancont inuet ohaveanopen
mi ndpol i
cywhent heycomewi t ht heiri
ssues.
Thi nkabouthowmuchpr essur ei talreadyt odumb
your selfdownt ofiti
nwhi chIsuspecti swhatt hey
aredoi ng.Theymakesur et oneverr eachf ullmarks
becauset helastti
met heycor rect edami stakea
teachermadedur i
nglessonst heywer e
repr emandedf orsomet hi ngt heycannothel p"Othu
keptqui
et."
O"Cr
aigsai
dsof
tl
yandhershi
nyeyes
methis.
Othu:"You'r
eright.Ineedtogetbacktowor k"The
bellrangforbr
eakt i
meandbef oreOthuandCr aig
couldmovet heirsonswer einthebackseatwith
theirheadsbetweent hei
rparentswait
ingi
n
antici
pati
ontohearwhatt hemeet ingwasabout .
Craigexplai
nedandapol ogizedforassumingthe
wor st.
Phawu:"Isawthei
rtextbooks.Icanr
epeat90%of
thethi
ngsonitri
ghtnow.HeckIcouldgivea
l
ecture"
Ot
hu:"
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellust
his?
"
Qhawe:" Wellyouweresadf ordayswheni t
happenedwhi l
ewewerei npri
mar yschoolsowe
thoughtit'
sbestwejusttrytokeepitonthelow"
Othufeltterr
ibl
eaft
erhearingherson'sconfessi
on.
Sheapol ogi
zedsincer
ely.Shejustwantedthem to
bechildrenandenjoyit
.
Phawu:"Justenr
olusi
ntouni
ver
sit
ynow"hej
oked
andOthu'sbrowwentup.
Qhawe:"Let'
sgiveseni
orgradeachancethentake
i
tfr
om there.Maybeit'
l
lchall
engeusmore"Othu
l
ookedatCr ai
g.
Crai
gs:"Goeat,wemustgobackt
owor
k.We'
l
ltal
k
aboutthi
slat
er."
Phawu:"Uhm act
uall
ywecamet oyourcart
oask
forsomechange.Justsmal
lnyanachange"
Qhawe:"Smallnyana"Othulaughedasheshowed
t
hesmal lnyanachangewithhisfinger
s.Cr
aig
reachedfort
hesilveri
nOthu'scarandGaittothem.
Crai
g:"Usethosemat hematicsski
ll
sofyourson
makingaproperbudgetwi thyourmoney"he
handedthem thecoins.Theysaidthei
rthanksand
wentout."
So? "Cr
aiglookedathiswife.
Othu:"Let
'sgiveitashot.Let'
sputourf
our t
eenyear
oldbabiesinmat ri
cwheni t
'salmostmi
dt erm
exams"Cr ai
gl aughedathowshesai di
t.Shewas
afrai
dforthem.
Crai
g:"Don'twor
ry.Theywil
lst
il
lbetooyoungto
l
iveontheirown.Sothelawsti
llgi
vesusfouryear
s
tohavethem underourroof
,mommybear "Othudi
d
notwanttosmi
lebutshef ai
led."Neveradull
momentinourf
ami l
y,Iswear "t
heylaughed.Crai
g
ki
ssedOthubef
oregoingtohi sowncar .Theydrove
offt
ogoaboutthei
rbusiness.
Mat owassi t
ti
ngwi thMakhul utoavoidbeingalone
athome.Makhul uheldherr i
bareagentlytotel
lher
thattheymustgoout sidetogetsomeai rbut
pausedwhenMat ogaveal oud"Ahh"asonewho
wasi npain.MakhuluwasnotOt huwhenshe
sensedsomet hingwaswr ong,sheinspectedand
shef oundanugl ybruiseonMat o'
supperbody.I t
nearlymadeherf ragil
ehear tst
and.
Makhul
u:"
Not
omat
owhati
tthi
s?"
Mat
o:"
Not
hing,
sisi
"Mat
opul
ledhert
opbackdown.
Makhul u:"
Donotnothi
ngmewhenyouhavea
bruisethathi
deosman"Makhulusai
dinf
rustr
ati
on.
Mat oletoutabi
tt
ercryasonewhoheldi
nheapsof
pain.Makhulucomfort
edherandwait
edforhert
o
calm down.
Mato:"Hehi
tmebecauseIf oundoutt
hatheis
cheat
ing"Makhul
u'sf
istcl
enchedandshewished
shecouldint
roducei
ttoFli
nch'sli
ps."Iwasall
al
onewhi l
ehewentgalavanti
ng.Ididn'tseeyouf
or
overayearbecausehecontrol
ledmymoneyt oo"
Makhulu:"
Iknewthatyounotcomi
ngtoLanga'
s
f
uneralwasunli
keyou.Whydidn'
tyoucal
l,
Mato
man?"
Mato:"Theoneswhobragf al
lthehar
dest.Itol
d
ever
yonewhocar edt
olistenabouthowper f
ectmy
marri
agewasandnowIr etur
nasavi ct
im?"
Makhul
u:"
Rat
hert
hatt
hanyoust
ayi
ngwi
thhi
m"
Mato:"
Ihadt oaskpoorBandil
etohelpmewi th
moneytoreturn.Hehadt obor
rowfrom t
hebank
butIwi
llr
eturnit.Iwi
llst
ri
pthatsmallpr
icknaked.
Hedoesn'
tknowme"
Makhulu:"
Youaretheonewhodoesn' tknowFli
nch.
Di
vorcehim andcomelivewithus.Wearen'
tasrich
asFl
inchbutwewi l
lnotfai
lintaki
ngcareofyou"
Mato:"
AfterallthatIendur
edIdeservewhat'
sowed
tomeandt hel awagreeswithme.Don'tt
ellOt
hu.
Sheandherf ami l
yareatagoodplace.Il
ovebeing
ther
ebecauset hekidskeepmymi ndbusywi t
h
t
hei
rst
ori
es"
Makhul u:"Divor
ceFl i
nchandcomehome.Youdon' t
deservewhatcoul dbedi rtymoney.Cr ai
g's
businesst ookahar dknocklastyearandOt huhad
tohelphi m.Iknowf inancial
lytheyaren'
tasstr
ong
asbef orebutIwi l
lgiveyoumoneysoyoucangi ve
i
ttot hem tohelpwi t
hf ood.Makeast houghit
comesf r
om youanddonotgi veintothem
decl
ining"
Mato:"
Thisi
swhatIdonotwant
.Dependi
ngonyou
orSandi
leagai
n"
Makhulu:"Ratheryourlovingsi
bli
ngst hanawoman
beater
.IfIseethatFlinchhey"sheraisedhercane
i
nwar ningandMat olaughedsoft
ly."
Letusgot o
thedoctortohavet hatcheckedoutbecauseyou
mighthavef r
acturedar i
b.Youmustal sogotothe
poli
cestati
ont oreportit
,"
Mato:"ThedoctorI'l
lgotobutnopolice.They
won'tevenbotherinfi
ndinghi
m whent heyhearhe
i
sn'
tinSouthAf ri
ca"Makhulutri
edtoconvince
Matotoatleasttrybutshefai
led.Makhuluwasnot
techsavvybutshemanagedt osnapMat o'
sbr ui
ses
forwhent heywoul dneedevi dence.Theymadet o
thedoct orandt herewer enobr okenr ibs.Mat ofelt
ashamedandwonder edwhatt hedoct orthoughtof
thesi tuationasbeexami nedher .Flinchmustf eel
shame, notherbutshecoul dnothel pi t
.She
i
nt endedonget tingherhal fofFl i
nche' sest at
eas
theywer emar ri
edi ncommuni tyofpr oper t
y.She
hadt opayBandi l
ebackt hemoneyhel enttoher.
Makhul uwasconcer nedbutl etMat ogobackt o
Othu' shouse.Shewasj usti nt i
mef ordi nnerand
not icedOt hu'spl atelikeher shadnot hingbut
veggi es.Thef ami l
yhadmi xedemot i
onsaboutt he
kidsgoi ngt ouppergr adebutKumkaniwast oo
proudt ohi dehi sj oy.Cr aigmadei tclearthatno
heir swoul dbegr oomedf orhi sconst ructi
on
company.Kumkaniwasst i
lltoomuchsomet imes
butl uckilyt heboyshadaf ather .Ot hu'smi ndwas
toobusyear l
ieronandshedi dnotevenr eali
zethat
thecart hatf ollowedt heki dshadbeenbehi ndher .
Shedi dn'tknowwhatpr ecaut ionar ymeasur esCr ai
g
tookbuti tseemedt hedr iverout smar tedCr ai
g's
saf etymeasur esandwentunnot icedsonoonewas
awarethatt
herewasshadybusi
ness.Thedoorbel
l
rangandCraigwentt
oopenwhil
ethefamil
yate.
Othustoodwhenshesawawomanwal ki
nwith
Crai
g.
Crai
g:"Family,thi
sisMar i
aRodr i
guezandshesays
she'
sTat i
ana'ssister
"hesaidhesitantly.Othucould
seethestrongr esemblancebetweenChul u'
slate
motherandt hewomani nfrontofthem.Shest ood
astheladyoft hehouset owelcomet heirguestbut
Mariafi
xedhereyesonChul uandwal kedst r
aight
toChulzbeforeOt hucouldreachher.Shecupped
Chulu'
sfacewhi l
esmili
ng.
Mar
ia:"
Tal
ia"
Chul
u:"Chulumanco.Ipref
ertobecall
ed
Chul
umancobuthel l
o,"Chulusmil
ed.Othuknew
shewasuncomf ort
able.Chuluhat
edtobetouched
byst
rangers.
Maria:"Youl
ooksomuchl i
keyourmot her,
yourreal
mother"shehadanAmericanaccentandshemade
sureallhear
dthe"
realmother"par
t.Chululookedat
Othutoseeifhermom wasf i
ne.
Chul
u:"
Yeah"shesmi
ledawkwar
dly.
Mari
a:"I
'
m sor
rytojustgostr
aighttomyniece.I
j
ustsawmysisteri
nherandcoul dn'
tcont
rol
mysel
f"shewal
kedtoOt huandtheyshookhands.
Othu:"I
t'
sokayandwel comet oourhome"Ot
hu
i
ntroducedherenti
refamil
y.Mar i
ahadappar
entl
y
heardyearsagothathersist
erhadachil
dbuthad
di
ffi
cult
ytraci
ngChuludown.
Mato:"Sowhatnow?Imeannowt hatyou'
vefound
her?"Mari
aaskedthequesti
onnoonehadcourage
to.Mari
alookedatCrai
gasthoughshewantedhim
tosaysomethingbutCrai
gwaswaiti
ngtohear
whatshehadt osay.
Mari
a:"
Ifi
t'
sokaywi
thherdadt
henI
'
dli
ket
ogett
o
knowher"
Craig:"
Idi
dn'tr
aiseChul
ualoneandshe'sanadult
whocanseewhoevershewant s.Ther
esheisri
ght
nexttoyou,askheri
fshe'
dliketobeknownbetter"
Mat ocl
appedherhandoncesubt l
yassheli
ked
Craig'
sanswer.ShesawMar íaandinthe5minutes
hatedMaria.
Chulu:"
Uhm let'
stakei
tastepatatime.Fornow
I'
mjustoverwhelmedbecauseInevercaredabout
Tati
ana'
sfami l
ybecausemymom' shasal ways
beenaround"Mar i
anodded.
Maria:"
Isitf
inei
fIcomebacktomorr
owonceyou
haveprocessedever
ythi
ng?
"Chulul
ookedatOt
hu.
Chul
u:"Leaveyournumber .I
fIhaveti
meI '
l
lcall
"
Mari
asmi led.ShewasexpectingChulutowel
come
herwi
thopenar msandt el
lhertoputherstuf
f
downsot heycant al
kbutChulu'
sreacti
onwasnot
whatsheexpect ed.
Mar
ia:"
Uhm okay.Iwi
llwai
t.Thankyouf
or
wel
comingmeintoyourhome"
Ot
hu:"
Woul
dyoul
iket
ojoi
nusf
ordi
nner
?"
Mar i
a:"
Ohno, Idonotwantt oimposeandI '
mti
red"
shelookedatCr ai
gandt henatChulu."Lucki
lyI
askedthetaxinottogo.Thisiswher eIli
ve"She
handedacar dtoChulu.Chulusmiledandnodded.
Theyhadabr iefconversati
onbef
or eMar i
aexcused
hersel
ftogoset tl
eint
oherB&B.
Chul
u:"
Thatwassounexpect
ed.Daddoyouknow
her
?"Cr
aigshookhi
shead.
Othu:"
Shei
saspitt
ingi
mageofTati
anat
houghso
I
'm sur
ewhatshe'
ssayi
ngi
strue"
Mat o:Wheneverasnakeentersyourhousedonot
takeyoureyesoffi
tbecauseitwillsli
therandhide.
Youwi llt
hinki
t'
sgonebutitisgrowingunt i
litget
s
strongenoughtobit
e"Mato'swhi sperint
oOt hu'
s
earleftOthuwit
hacoldchill
.Fli
nch'scheating
musthavemadeMat osuspectever yperson.
Qhawe:" Youlooksomuchl ikeyourmom.Imean
yourrealMom"hesai dinasof tvoicet omi micking
Mariabef oresett
li
ngdownt oeat .Phawuf oll
owed
behi
ndandsodi dChuluandMat o.Itseemedt he
ki
dswer enott ooimpressedwi thMar ía
emphasizi ngthatChul
uwast hei
rhal fsist
erinher
subtl
eways.Theyknewbutt heydi dn'tl
ikehear i
ng
i
tsoi tmadesensewhyt heywoul dnotl i
keMar i
a's
approach.
Crai
g:"Thatwasanoddmeeti
ng.Whydi
dn'tshet
ry
togetournumberssowe'
deaseourchi
ldint
othe
news?"Craigwr
appedhi
sarmsaroundOthu'
s
shoul
der
sfr
om behi
nd.
Othu:"
Maybeshedi
dnotknowhowt
ogett
he
numbers"
Craig:"Yetshegotourhouse, baby?I '
l
lhavet o
checkt hi
sout .Iknowshe' sanadul tbutthat'
sstil
l
mypr i
ncess"Othut i
tl
edherheadt olookedather
husband." I
'l
lber i
ghtback"Cr ai
gkissedOt hu
beforehewentt otheirroom.Othuwentt ositdown
andt hemoodwasnotasi twasbef ore.She
checkedt hecar dMar i
agaveChul uandknewt he
B&B.Theki dsst oodtowasht hedishesaf t
erhaving
dinnerandoutt heirfather'
sfoodint hefri
dge.
Mat
o:"
It
'sst
rangethatCrai
gdoesn'
tknowt
his
womanwhenit'
sthesist
erofawomanhedated"
Othu:"
WellitseemsCr aigandhi
scoll
eagueskept
anythi
ngfamilyrelat
edsecretsi
ncet
helivest
hey
l
iveddidn'
tall
owt hem tohaveweakspots"
Mato:"
Evenso,whydi dn'tTatianaleaveChuluwith
thi
ssocalledsi
sterbutinsteadchoseaf riendto
rai
seherchil
d"Othushrugged." ,Don'tt
rusteasi
ly
anddon'tyoudareinvi
tehert ocomest ayatyour
housenomat t
erhowsoppythestor
yshetel
lsyou"
Othunodded."
Don'tj
ustnod,
Othunyi
weyo"
Ot
hu:"
I'
m notMakhul
u"
Mato:Hmmm! "sheraisedabr owwhi legivingOt hu
asidel ook.Othuhadabi gheartandever yoneknew
that
, everyone.ShefoundCr aigturni
ngt heirroom
upsidedownbef or
ehecal l
edNat ewhom hewent
yearsbackwi t
h.Othudidn'treall
yseewhatt hef uss
wasabout .Shewasnoti ntimidatedbyChul u
gett
ingt oknowmember sofofherbi ol
ogical
mother 'sfamil
ybuttherewasasadnesst oi t
.
Therewasnodoubtt hatMar i
awasTat i
ana'ssi ster
oratl eastrel
atedi
nsomecer t
ainway.Ot huleft
Crai
gt ogot oChul
u.
Chul
u:"Tobehonest
,MamaIdon' tf
eelanyt
hing.
Haveyouevernotf
eltanyt
hingt
owardssomeone?"
Othu:"Afewt
imes'
Othuwant
edChul
utodot
he
t
alking.
Chul
u:"
I'
llmeetupwit
hherbutsheshouldnott
hink
she'
l
lbemybestfri
end.Thatspoti
sfi
ll
edalr
eady"
Chul
uoutherheadonOthu'slapandcl
osedher
eyesasshef elthermot her
'sfi
nger'
sgl i
det hrough
herhai rgently.Othul ookedatChul uwhi leshewas
fall
ingasl eepandsmi l
ed.Itfel
tli
kej ustyest erday
whenOt huhadnoi deahowshe' draiseChul ualone
butt heypul l
edt hroughf orsixyearsbef oreCraig
camei ntothepi ct
ur e.Ofallthegift
sOt hugotf rom
herf ri
endsChul uwast hemostpr ecious.Deep
downi nsideshewasconcer nedaboutbei ng
replacedbutshet houghtbackonal lthememor ies
sheshar edwi t
hChul umancoandsmi ledbef ore
kissingChul u'scheek.
Ot
hu:"
Iloveyou,
Bhabha"
Chul
u:"
Loveyou"shesai
dinasl
eepyt
one.

GOODNI
GHT
S2-I
nser
t4
Crai
gdidsomei ntensedigging,
wellNatediditf
or
him andfoundthatMariawaswhosai dshewas.
ToChuluitbroughtnonewexci tementbecauseshe
fel
titdi
dnotaddanyt hi
ngt oherli
febutinst
ead
fi
ll
edherwi t
hquestionssheneverhad.Imange
advicedt hatshegoandmeetMar i
aandaskher
thosequest ionsper sonal l
y.Apar tofChul uf el
tli
ke
shewasbet rayinghermot herbutOt hugaveher
blessingsoChul ucal ledMar íatomeet .Chul usatat
thespotwher et heyagr eedt ocomet ogetherbut
Mar iawasl atebyt hir
tymi nutes.Chulubei ng
punct ualwasangr yt hatsomeonewoul dwast e
anot herperson'st imel ikethat.JustasChul ustood
toleaveMar i
aar rived.Chul ucouldnothel pbut
noticethechangei nMar ia.Whent heyf ir
stmetshe
wor ethemostbl endcl othingbutnotont hatday.
Shel ookedl i
keaVi ctoriasecr etmodelandshewas
ast hinasonet oowi t
hagapbet weent helegsthat
wast owidef orChul ul i
king.Shenot i
cedshe' sbody
shami ngandr egret t
edi timmedi atel
y.
Maria:"I
'
m sosorryforbeinglate,
Tali
a"shegave
Chuluat i
ghthugbeforegivingherapeckont he
l
ips.Itwastooint
rusivetoChulubutshe'daddress
i
tlateron.Shewasapeopl e'
spersonanddidn't
mindaf f
ecti
onbutwithinli
mi t
s.
Chulu:"
Iwon'tsayit
'sokaybecauseyoudidnot
evencall
.Ihaveotherplans"Chul
ublur
tedouti
n
fr
ustr
ationbuttookabreat
htocalm down.Mar
ía
l
aughedi nsteadwhichmadecal
mingdownmor e
di
ffi
cultforChulu.
María:"Fei
styjustl
i
keallt
heRodriguezwomen.
NexttimeIwi l
lbeontime.Comesitdown.Ihaveso
muchIwantt oknowaboutyou"shepul l
edachai
r
outandChul ueasedint
oitandwat chedMari
asit
oppositeher."
Sohowar eyou?"Mar i
aaddedwit
ha
smil
e.
Chul
u:"
I'
m goodandyou"
Maria:"
I'
vebeenhavingmyphoneonmeeveryday
wait
ingforyourcal
lsonowthatI
'
m si
tt
ingwi
thyou,
I
'm over
joyed"
Chulu:"
Ifi
rsthadtoseeifmymot herwasokaywi
th
thi
s.IknowI'm nochi
ldbutst
il
l"Chulul
ookedatt
he
menu.
Maria:"
Don'
ttel
lmethatwomanistr
yingtokeep
youfrom me.I
'mtheonl
yli
nktoyourmother,
your
re.
..
"
Chul
u:"
Myrealmot
her,wegoti
tthef
ir
sthundred
ti
mesyousai
dit
,Mari
a.MyMOTHER"Chul uput
mor eemphasisonthewor
dmot her."
sheisagreat
womanwhom youshoul dbegratef
ultoforr
aisi
ng
yourblood.Act
uall
ywhyareyouonlycomingnow
thatI'
m agrownwoman?"Chulucouldnothi
deher
anger.Itwasevi
denti
nhervoi
ce.
Maria:"
Ahhsoyouar eangrybecauseI '
m only
comingnow.Wel lIonlyfoundoutaboutyouf ive
year
sagoandevent henIdidn'thavefulldet
ail
sso
Ihadtotraceyourmot her'
sjourneytothiscountr
y
tofi
ndyou"
Chul
u:"
Why?
"
Mar
ia:"
You'
remysi
ster
'schi
ld.Whyel
se,
Tal
ia?
"
Chul
u:"
Idon'
tli
ket
hatname"
Mar i
a:"Wel
ldealwit
hitbecauseIcannot
pronounceyourAfri
canname"Chulu'
sbrowsdrew
closer"
youraren'
teventr
ying"waswhatwent
throughChul
u'smindbutshekeptitt
ohersel
f.
Chulu:"Under
stood.Idon'
tnor
mal l
ysnapatel
der
s
butIjustdon'
tknowwhyI '
m doingitnow"
Mar
ia:"
Itol
dyou,
it'
stheRodr
iguezf
ir
e.Your
grannyhadi t,yourmom andmesowhywoul dn'
t
you"shel aughed." Di
dyouhaveagoodupbr ingi
ng?
Iknowyourf atheronlycameint
oyourlif
ewhen
yourwer eaboutseven.Howwasl if
e?Stepmothers
canbecr uel"Chul uwasshockedathowser i
ousthe
conversationbecameandsoqui ckl
ytoo.
Chulu:"Ihadagr eatli
febef
oreandafterdadcame
i
ntomyl i
fe.Idon'tknowwhathavingastepmom is
l
ikeeitherbecauseIneverhadone.Areyout ryi
ng
tobashmymom? "Chulul
ookedintoMaria'
sbrown
eyes.
Mar i
a:"Ij
ustwanttoknowift
herei
sanychil
dhood
traumaIshouldknowaboutsothatIknowwhatto
besensi t
ivet
owhenI '
m wi
thyou.I
'
m happytohear
thatyourmom. .
..
gaveyouagoodli
fe"
Chulu:"Idi
dn'
tgrowupinabr okenhomesoIhave
notraumaf ol
lowi
ngmebutt hankyouforyour
concern.Sowhenwast hel
astt i
meyousawTi ana?
Whathappenedt hatmadeherleaveyouguys?"
Mari
a:"Yourf
atherdi
dn'
ttel
lyouaboutt
helif
ehe
andherli
ved?
"Chulushookherhead."
WellIdon'
t
knowwhyshel efthomebutIfoundthatsheli
ved
ontheedge.Shemetyourfatheri
nthatli
fe"Chulu:
"Wassheapr ost
itut
e?"Mar
iacoughedasshedi dn'
t
expectt
hatassumpt i
on.
Mar ia:"No!Theyj usthadver yspecial
isedski ll
s..
.i
n
theuhm l aw enf orcementi ndustry.Let'
sor derIam
starving"Mar i
ar aisedherhandf orassistance.
Chul uwashavi ngsomet erri
bleperiodpai nand
wishedsheschedul edanot herdayf orthisbecause
ever yt
hingMar i
asai dseemedt orubherof fthe
wr ongway.Shebl amedi tonPMS.Theyor dered
andhadsmal ltalkandawkwar dsi l
encesunt i
l
Mar iaaskedaboutOt hu'sparenti
ngski l
ls.Itwasas
thoughsheexpect edChul utosayshehadat erri
ble
childhoodandwashappyt hatsomeonef rom her
biologicalmot her'
sf amilycamet osaveherbut
Chul uhadonl ygoodt hingstosay.I ftherewasone
thingChul ulovedt alkingaboutitsherf ami l
ysoher
moodbecamebet t
erwhenMar i
aallowedhert otell
heraboutherl if
ewi thoutthewei rdsoundi ng
quest i
ons.
Mar
ia:"
Itsoundsl
ikeyou'
vehaveagoodl
if
e.Imust
gothankyourmotherf
orraisi
ngyousowell
.I
act
uall
yshouldhavedoneitthatni
ghtwef
ir
stmet
"
Chulu:"
Mybr ot
hersandIshowherhowmuchwe
appreci
ateherever
ychancewegetanddadt
oo.I
'
m
sureevenTianaisatpeacewher
esheis"
Maria:"
Iwouldhavegivenyouagr eatli
fetooi
f
Tat
ianadidn'
tgiveyoutoastranger,youknow"the
momentbecameawkwar dasChul udidn'
tknow
whattosay."Butshesoundsli
keagoodwoman
andTatianahadherreasons"
Chulu:"
Whydoyousayi tl
ikethat
?Li
keyouknow
somethingt
hatIdonot.Doyouknowsomething
aboutmymot hert
hatIdon't
?"
Mari
a:"
Don'tbesi
ll
y"shefakel
aughed."
B&Bli
fei
s
get
ti
ngexpensi
ve.I
'l
lsoonhavetogobackhome"
sheimmedi
atel
ychangedthetopi
c.
Chulu:"
We'
llkeepi
ntouch.Smar
tphonesmake
di
stanceabitbear
abl
e"
Mari
a:"Iwashopi
ngformor
eofthesekindsof
meeti
ngsbutbeggar
scan'
tbechoosers"she
smi
led.Thesamegentl
emanwhowi nkedatChul
u
whenshewaswi thI
mangemadeanappearance
agai
nandsmi l
edatthel
adi
es."Youcangot
alkt
o
hi
mi fyouwant.I
'
m notanupt
ightgr
ownup"Mari
a
l
ookedatChulu.
Chul
u:"
Ihaveaboyf
ri
end"
Mari
a:"
Ihopehet
akescar
eofyoubecauset
hat
l
ooksli
keamanwhoknowshowtotakecareofa
woman"
Chul
u:"Myboyfri
endlovesmeandIalr
eadyhavea
manwhot akescareofme,mydad"Chulusai
d
pol
it
ely.
Maria:"
Yesyouareright
.I'
m sor
ryforthat
.I'
m sur
e
Tati
anagotsomemoneyf r
om herprevi
ousjob.I
hopesheatleastl
eftyousome"
Chul
u:"
Yesshedi
d.Mymom.
..
"
Mari
a:"
Letmeguess,shespenti
tbefor
eyoueven
knewwhatthewor
dinheri
tancemeans?"shecut
Chul
uoff.
Chul
u:"
Mymom madesmartchoi
ceswit
hitsoi
t
woul
dgrowandwhenIl
ear
nedwhattheword
i
nheri
tancer
eall
ymeans,shemadesuretogiveme
fi
nanci
all
yli
ter
acyl
essons"Chul
ufi
nishedher
sent
ence.
Mar i
a:"ThereIgoagainjustassumi ngthewor stof
thepoorwoman"Mar i
aputherhandoverhereyes
andshookherhead." I
t'
sjustthatI
'veseencasesof
adoptiongoingbadwher ethekidsar emistr
eated.
I'
m asocialwor kersoIknowf i
rsthandwhati tcan
belike.Peopletakingi
nkidsjustsot heycanhave
thei
rsocialservicesmoneybutdon' tevenbuyt he
kidsfoodwitht hemoney"
Chul
u:"Wel lasyoucanseeI'
m wellfed"Chulu
l
aughed" Iknowsuchexistbutnoti
nmyhousehol d.
Inf
actIthinkI'm mymom'sfavori
tebutdon'ttel
l
mybr ot
hers"shechuckl
ed.Mar i
azippedhermout h
andlaughed.
Maria:"
Tel
lmeaboutt hisboyfri
endofyours"she
watchedChulu'
sf acel
ightup.Chulutol
dherabout
herImangewhowast hesameageasher .I
twas
goodwhenChul udescribedhischaract
erbut
Maria'
simpressionchangedwhenChul usaid
Imangehadnot hingbutnotonlythat
,butal
sothat
hecamef rom af
amil
ywhohadnot hing.She
thoughtChul
uwouldaim hi
gherbutneversai
dit
outloud.
NateandCraigsatwit
htallgl
assesofi
cecol
d
beersi
nfrontofthem.Suchmeetingswer
erar
e
becausebothweresobusy.
Nate:"SoChul
uwenttomeetMar i
a?"Crai
gnodded.
"Shelooksashotashersi
sterwasjudgi
ngfr
om the
pict
uresofherIsaw"
Cr
aig:"
Mydef
ini
ti
onofhotdi
ff
ersf
rom your
s,man"
Nat
e:"
Letmeguess.Youonl
yseeOt
hu"hej
oked.
Crai
g:"
Ilovemywomanwi t
hcurvesi
nallt
her
ight
pl
aces,especi
all
ythebehind.Il
ovehavi
ngmy
handsfull
"Natelaughed.
Nat
e:"Nhat
hesl
immerandl
essasst
her
eis,
the
bet
ter
"
Cr
aig:"
Mypointexact
ly.Whi
chi
swhyMar
iai
ssexy
i
nyoureyes"t
heylaughed.
Nat
e:"Soyou'
rehappywit
hjustonewomanwhen
t
herearesomanytofeastonoutther
e?"
Crai
g:"Thisist
her easonwhyt hedeaconsays
marri
edmenshoul dn'thavesinglefr
iends"they
bothlaughed."
YouknowhowIusedt oplaybackin
theday.I'
mt al
kingbooze, dangerandl ot
sandl ot
s
andlotsofwomenbutnonoft hatfil
ledthevoidI
had,i
fanythingitdepletedtheremainingenergyI
had.Thencamemyexhi ghschoolsweet hear
twith
herdaughterandIf oundmysel fwant i
ngmor eof
them andlessofthatlif
eIhad"Cr ai
gsmi led.
Nat
e:"You'
vebecomedomesti
cated"t
heyl
aughed.
"
Youwer eawolfbutnowyou'
reahousepet
"Crai
g
l
aughed.
Craig:"
Wol veshavetohuntandsometimesgodays
withoutfood.Housedogsgetfoodeverydayand
tr
eatsbet weenmeals"t
heybothlaughed.
Nat
e:"
Ihear
dsomehousedogsst
arve"
Cr
aig:"
Ipi
tyt
hosebutnotal
lcanrel
atet
opover
ty"
Nat
eshookhisheadwhil
esmili
ng
Nate:"It
riedt
hatset
tli
ngsitwi
thLuci
abutnhait
's
notforme.Itakecareofourdaught
erbutnhaI
can'
tdot hewhit
epicketf
enceli
fe"
Cr
aig:"
Doyoust
il
ldoj
obs?
"
Nate:"
Yeahbutthi
scount
ryhassomesmal lf
ish
butatl
easti
tkeepsmysoulali
ve.Don'
tyoumi ss
i
t?"
Craig:"Tr
acki
ngpeopl e'
smovementsonl
ytosi
lence
them? "Natenodded"Not hi
ngbeat
sgoi
ngtomy
familywithaclearconciousatt
heendoft
heday,
nothing"
Nate:"
Butyou'recl
earl
ytakingaknockf i
nanciall
yif
youhadt oaskmet obailyououtlastyear.You'
re
nosecurit
ysystem i
nstall
er,Sni
peyouar ethe
damnsecur i
tyit
sel
f.Youaskedmet olookinto
Mariabutyearsbackyou'dhaveknownevenwho
themidwifewhohelpedhermot hergivebirt
htoher
wasinfiveminutesoflooking"
Craig:"I
t'snosecretthatyougetcutof ff
rom the
connect ionsonceyou'reoutandt hoseare
connect ionsIdon'
twantt oowef avoursto.I
'm cool
.
I'
mr aisingboys.Ican'ttel
lthem whattodo,I'
vegot
toleadsot heycanfoll
owt hetracesofmy
footstepsandIdon' ttoleadthem astr
ay.I'
m also
thestandardinwhi chChul zwillj
udgemen.I fI'
ma
thug,she'
llthi
nkdat i
ngonei sgood.It'
snolonger
aboutmebutt hem.Ifthechai nisnotstronginone
generati
ont heothergener ati
onsmi ghtsuff
er.The
Knightsarekeepingt heirchainstr
ongandcl ean"
Nateknewi twast imet oshush.Tohi m whathi s
daughterdidn'tknowwoul dn'
thurther.Theytalked
aboutspor t
s,women, carsandot hergeneralthings
beforeCraigwentt ofetchMat oatthemal l.
Crai
g:"Somuchf ood?"Arewest
art
ingasoup
ki
tchenfort
hehomel ess"Cr
aigl
aughedwhi
le
putt
ingonhisseatbel
t.
Mato:"
Wemustactual
lyconsi
derthatbutnothi
sis
f
orusathome.Si
nceyourwiferef
usedt otakemy
moneyIdeci
dedt
oshopmysel f
"Craiglaughed.
Crai
g:"
MakhuluHletol
dyouaboutthedi
pwehad
l
astyear?I
t'
sokayI'
m notashamedofi
t.That'
s
busi
ness.Onemonthit
'sgoodandtheotheri
t'
snot
butwe'
regoodnow,Makhulu"
Mato:"I
'
m notdoingitoutofpi
tybutasagood
gest
ure.I'
m noguestatthehouse,Cr
aigy.Iwantt
o
contributetooso...
"shest oppedtal
kingwhena
mant hatlookedli
keFlinchpassedinf r
ontoft he
car.Herhear tstar
tedtobeatf ast
erandherear s
wentdeafunt i
lshefeltahandonherar m which
shehi toffherbutremember edshewaswi thCr ai
g.
Craigl ookedatthemanandsawt heresemblance
toFlinchbuti tcl
earl
ywasnothi m.Personall
yt o
Craigal lol
dwhi t
emenl ookedali
kebutMat o'
s
reactionwor ri
edhim.
Craig:"Hehur tyou?Thebast atdhi
tyoudi dn'
the?"
Mat olookedatCr aiganddi dnotseeusei ndenying
soshenodded." Whatt hefuck,Makhulu?"Crai
g
regrettedhisuseofwor dsassoonashesai dit
"Whydi dn'
tyout ellus?Wet houghtyouar ehappy
sippingcockt ai
lsonsomei slandwhenyouwer e
hurti
ng?Wher e'
st hatfuckernow?I sheint he
count r
y? "I
tseemedt heFwor dsj
ustsli
ppedoutof
Craig'smout h."I
'm sorryforswearingbutdamn
man"headded.Mat owaswi ppi
nghertear sof
f.
Mato:"Idonotknowwherethefuckeri
s"she
l
aughedbetweent ear
s.Cr
aig'
sreachedfort
he
t
issuesOthualwayskepti
nhiscarandgavei tMat
o.
"Don'
ttellOthuaboutthi
s.MakhuluNomhleknows
butshepr omisedtonotsayanythi
ng.Ot
huonly
knowst hathecheated.NomhlesaidImustj
ust
l
eaveitbeanddi vorcehim"
Cr
aig:"
Ihaveaf
eel
ingyoudon'
twantt
hat
!"
Mato:"
OhleaveI
'
ml eavi
ngbutnotsi
lent
ly.Onea
scal
eoftenhowdangerousi
she?"
Craig:"
Maybenothi m personal
lybutpeoplel
ike
Fli
nchar eapartoftwistedsyst
emsandar e
protect
edbyt hei
r"bosses"soI'
m withMakhuluon
thisone.Iknowweusual l
ywanttoservethe
revengecoldbutsomet imesthebestkindist
heone
wher eyouchooseyour sel
fandleave"Crai
g
l
aughedsof tl
y.
Mat
o:"
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
"
Craig:"
Theol dmewouldhaveservedt hecol
d
revengeforyouwit
houtyouevenaski ng.I
naweek
you'dhavebeeninFli
nch'
sWi l
lreadingwithhi
s
l
awyer .IguessNat
ewasr i
ght,alothaschanged.
Mat
o:"
Doyour
egr
eti
t?"
Crai
g:"No,MakhulubutwhenIthoughtt
hekids
werebeingfol
lowedIactual
lydi
dn'
tknowwhatto
do.Li
kenowIwantt ohelpyoubutIdon'tknowhow.
OldCraigwoul
dhave"
Mato:"Somet imeswemustbur yourlowerselves,
Crai
g.SinceIcan' tdealwithFli
nchont hel
owl evel
heisat,IwilldoitproperlysoIdon'tsinktohis
l
evel.You'veactuall
yhel pedmeseehe' snotwor t
h
theenergyandIdonotwanthi sbloodonyour
hands.IfIam inaWi l
lreadingit
'l
lbebecauset hat
oldheartstoppedbyi tself
"theybothlaughed.
Craig:"
Let'
sgohomebef orethefrozenfoodstartt
o
melt.You'
llbefine.Iknow"Cr ai
g'sphoner angand
helookedar oundashespoket otheper sononthe
otherendoft heli
ne." I
t'
sChulu,want i
ngtoknowi f
i
t'
smycart hat'
spar kedherebecauseshewason
herwaybackhomet oo"hesaidwhenheendedt he
call
.Chulurant othecarandgr eetedtheelders.
Chul
u:"Somuchfood?Arewefeedi
ngt
he
dest
it
ute?
"theel
dersl
aughed.
Mat
o:"
You'
reyourf
ather
'sdaught
eri
ndeed.Chul
u
tol
dthem abouthermeeti
ngwithMar í
a.Al
lMato
heardwas"blahblahbl
ahandMar iaquest
ioni
ng
Othu'
sloveforChulubutshekeptqui
et.
OthuhadgonebacktoLanga'sgraveforthefir
st
ti
mesincehewaslai
dtorest.Ithadfreshflowers
sosheknewthei
rmothermadeat ur
nt oo.Sheput
herownfl
owersonthetombstone.
Othu:"Isn'ti
tweirdhowpeopl etendt oshowcar e
onlywhenwear egone?IthinkTat awi sheshehad
spentmor eti
mel ovingyouthanj udgingyou.We
missyousomuch.I ...
"afi
rm handbl ockedOt hu'
s
mout hfrom utter
inganotherwor d.Shet ri
edt ofi
ght
butitfeltli
kewhatwashol dingherf rom behind
wasst eelasitdidn'tevenmovewhi l
eshewi ggl
ed.
Shet houghtabouthowdef eat
edherf amilywould
betof i
ndherl if
elessbodyont opoft heirother
chil
d'sgr ave.
Person:"Shhhh!"sai
dawhisperinOthu'sear"I
'
m
goi
ngt oremovemyhandandr ememberwear ein
cemeteryduringtheweeksodon'tscream,it
'l
lbe
poi
ntless"thevoicewassodeept hati
tsounded
l
ikethemanmumbl edwhi
lespeaking.Wit
hwomen
goingmi ssingi nnumber sOt hucoul dnothel pbut
wonderi fherf ami l
ywoul dbepost i
ngpi ctur esof
heronsoci almedi apagessoonaski ngf ort he
count rytohel pf i
ndher .Dyi ngwasnotwhatshe
plannedondoi ngsot hatdaybutl ifeisst r
ange.She
noddedandagr eednott oscr eam.Thehandsl owly
gotr emovedt ot estifshe'dr eall
ykeepqui et.Othu
keptherpr omi sebutr emai nedf rozen.Hert azer
andpepperspr aywer einherhandbagwhi chshe
l
ef tinthecar .Shedi dnotknowhowmanyt here
wer ebehi ndhersoshecoul dnotr i
skr unni ngonl y
toangerheri nt ruder .Othusawbl ackboot sl i
ke
thosewor nbysol diersont opofLanga' sgr aveas
shedi dnotl ookup.Fi nger '
sr est
edunderherchi n
toliftherfaceupbutOt huhi tthehandawaywi t
h
attit
ude.Shewasangr ythatt hesar cedr esting
placeofherbr ot herwasbei ngdi srespect ed.She
l
iftedherheadandwasgr eetedbyamanwi thacap
overhi seyes.Whenhesl owlylif
tedt hecapOt hu's
eyeswi denedandshewassur eshewasgoi ngt o
haveahear tattackasherhear tstartedt obeat
abnor mal l
yf ast .
S2-
INSERT5
Othu'
smi ndhi tablanklikeithadneverdonebef or e.
Theli
psoft hemani nf
rontofherwer emovi ngso
hewascl earl
ysayi ngsomet hingtogetbutshe
seemedt ohavegonedeaf .Shef eltst r
ongar msl if
t
herupandhel dherast houghheknewshewoul d
notbeablet obalanceonherown.Herhands
tr
embledashebr oughtt hem t ohisf acesoshe
wouldfeelthathewasr eal.Ot hulookedathi m and
shesawher selfbutamuscul arver sionofher self.
Hewasabi gman.I fachildcoul dwal kbesidehim
Othuwassur ethatchil
dwoul dt hinkhewas
walki
ngnextamovi ngtree.Ot husankt ot hegrey
marbletombst oneandhesatr ighti nfrontofher .A
sanepersonwoul drunf orthehi ll
sbutOt huf el
tall
emoti
onsexpectf ear.
Othu:"
Kugent
ando"shesaidsoftl
yandwasnot
evensurei
fshecoul
dcallhimthatbecausehewas
givent
hatnameaft
erhehaddi ed.
Ntando:"CallmeBabini.Iaskedanelderwhata
perfectAfr
icannamef oramal etwi
nwasandhe
saidBabinisoIstoppedbeinganumber "Othu
brokedowni nt earsbeforeshekneltdownbet ween
hislegst ohughi m.Babiniwentonhi skneest o
l
iteral
lyreceivt hever yf
ir
sthugi nhisli
feandi tdi
d
notjustcomef rom anyone,i
tcamef rom hisother
half.I
twasal lthatheeverwi shedforsincehewas
awar eoft hefactt hathehadat win.Othuwast he
reasonwhyheescapedf rom thesecretsystems
thatusedhi m asaweaponf orthei
rowngai n,
that
tri
edtot urnhi mi ntoananimal,akil
li
ngmachi ne.
Hef eltOthu'sgr iparoundhisneckloosenandshe
wipedhert earsof f
."Areyouhappyorsad? "he
askedt odet ermi newhathispresencebr oughtto
hissisterexact l
y.
Othu:"Idon'tknow"sheanswer edhonest l
ywhi l
e
wipinghertearsof f
.Othulethi
m hel phersiton
Langa'stombst oneonceagain.Tosi tonthef resh
graveofherbr otherwhorecentlydiedwhileshe
watchedt hebrotherwhom shet houghtshebur i
ed
yearsagosi tri
ghtnexttoherwast oochil
li
ngofa
momentt odescribeinwords.Othust ar
edathi m
forthelongesttimeandcoul dtellphysi
calaffection
andcr yi
ngwomenwer eoutofhisdor mainsot onot
over whelm hi m shewi pedanyt racesoft earswi t
h
thesl eeveofhert op.Hewasl ooki ngatherandshe
knewhewast ryi
nghar dt odet ermi newhather
stateofmi ndwasl ike.Ther ewasnowayt hathe
woul dknowbecausesheher selfdi dnotknowwhat
hermi ndwast hinki ng.Heunexpect edlyj ustgot
straighttot hepoi ntbydr oppi ngsomeshocki ng
news.Newst hatFl inchwasact ual lytheownerof
thelabhecl aimedheonl ywor kedf or.Thatt obr i
ng
Othuandherbr ot herwasanot heronei fhis
exor t
ienentsnott hatofpeopl ehesupposedl y
wor kedf or.Mani pulatingt hegenesofembr yo'sso
theycoul dbeexactmat chesf orr ichpat i
ent swho
neededor gandonor sanddi dnotwantt owai tfor
thewai t
inglistt ogetshor terlikenor malpeopl edo.
OthuknewaboutFl i
nch' spastbutsheal ways
thoughthewasf orcedi nt othissecr etscientifi
c
exper imentsbecauset hatwaswhatFl incht old
them.Ot huf elther selff eeldisgust edwi t
ht he
l
engt hst hesomef i
lthyr ichpeopl ewoul dgo
throught oaddf i
veorsomor eyear st ot heirli
ves
arti
ficial
lyandcoul dnotbel i
evet hatt herewer e
peopl ewhocr eat edt echnol ogiest omakesuch
happen.Tocr eat
ebabiesonl yforthevitalpart
sof
theirbodi
esjustbecausesomeonewasaf r
aidto
diewasj ustt
oomuchf orOthutopr ocees.She
thoughtsheandherbr otherwer ewor secasesbut
atleastnooneputapr iceont heirorgans.
Babi ni:"
Africaisfartoobehindwi thsuchsoI
under standwhyyoudonotunder standi t
.I'
ve
wor kedwi thgroupsofpeopl ewhodi dt hi
ngthatI
wil
lnotevenbot heryouwi t
hast heyar edisturbi
ng.
Ididn'tdoi tbecauseIwant edt obutbecauseFl i
nch
mademe.Mymi ndwor ksinwayst hatevenhecan
notgetsohe' srentedmeoutt osecr etagenciesto
bri
ngdownbi gnamesal loverthewor ld.Thatis
whyt heyletyougo, youaccor dingt ot hem wasa
fai
ledexper i
ment ,t
hedumbone"Ot huhadhear d
manydescr i
pti
onsofher selfbefor ebutdumbhad
neverbeenone." ButIam gladtheyt houghtthat
becauseyoudi dnothavet owi t
nesst hingsthatI
haveandyouar ehappy.Youar ehappyr i
ght?"Othu
couldnott akehereyesof fhim.
Othu:"Happy?Yes.
..
Iam"shestut
ter
edasshe
hadn'tbeenaskedt
hatinalongti
me.
Babi
ni:"
Thi
sNotomat
oper
sonwhol
iveswi
thyou.
Doyouloveher
?"
Ot
hu:"
Ido.Why?
"
Babini
:"BecauseIwanttopr
otectwhat'
syoursso
youwillremainhappy"Ot
hutr
iedtowraphermind
aroundwhathemeantbyhe" what'
syours"
.
Othu:"Youmeanyouwi l
lprot
ectmylovedones
becauseyouknowt hatshouldtheyhurt
,Iwi
llt
oo?
"
hewasst range.Si
bli
ngsshouldhugandsing
kumbayai ftheymetforthefi
rstt
imebutwit
h
Babiniitf
eltli
keashadybusinessmeeti
ng.
Babini
:"YesbecauseIsawwhatyourot
her
brot
her'
sdeathdidtoyouandIdonotnotl
ike
seei
ngyouhur t
"
Ot
hu:"
Haveyoubeenst
alki
ngme!
"
Babini:"
No,Ij
ustknowt hi
ngs.Ihavehoweverbeen
stal
kingyousincethi
sNotomat opersoncameto
yourhousebecauseFlinchwillf
oll
owher"Othu
expectedonherdoorsteptocomebegMat ot
ogive
him asecondchanceasmostcheat ersdo.
Ot
hu:"
Youknowt
hishow?
"
Babi
ni:"
Becauset
hat
'swhatyoudowhensomeone
hasyourhear
t"
Ot
hu:"
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hei
rlover
unssodeepanymor
e"
Babini:" No, Imeanshel i
ter
al l
yhashi sheart,well
theonehewant st ocl aim ashi s.Hi sowni sgiving
upqui ckandshei stheonl ymat ch.Hei sdesperate
too"Ot hust oodtoherf eettolookathi m.She
remember edMat o'sjokeaboutki dneydonor sand
wonder edi fhergr andmawast ryingt ohintat
somet hi ng.Babi nistoodandOt hu'sheadt it
ledup
asher oset ohi sf eet."Thei rony, t
heonewho
harvest sor gansf orot her scannotf indonef or
himselfsohet ri
est oki l
lhiswi fef orher s"Othu
nearlycol lapsedsoshesatbackdownt oprocess
thi
ngs.ShehadseenMat ojumpi nf rightwhen
therewasanunexpect ednoi seout sidebutshe
wouldneverhaveguessedt hatshewasr unningto
saveherhear t,l
iterall
y.
Ot
hu:"
Howar
eyoual
ive?Whatdi
dwebur
y?"
Babi
ni:"
Det
ail
sIcan'
tgeti
ntonow.Ihadt
odoi
tto
escapethatl
ifeforgood.FlinchthinksIam deadso
hewi l
lnotl
ookformebuti fthedeathoft hi
s
Notomat owi
llhurtyou,thenIwantt opreventt
hat
fr
om happening"Othujustcamet oputfresh
fl
owersonherbr other'
sgravenott ohearsuch.
Theirl
ivesweresogood.
Ot
hu:"Sheisyourgr
andmothert
oosoyoumust
pr
otectherf
orthatr
eason"
Babini:"
Idonotl oveasyoudo, Othunyi weyo.I'm
connectedt oyoubecausewear etwinssoIf eelI
mustpr otectyouandsinceyouhavemanyt hatyou
l
ovet heytoobecomeapar tofmypr otect
ion"Ot hu
suddenlyquest i
onedthemeaningofl ove.Maybe
i
t'
snott hewar mf uzzyf
eel
ingshegotwhenshe
sawl ovedones.MaybeBabi nihadt hecor rect
conceptofl ove.Hewasbluntanddi dnotmi ncehi s
words.Likewhenhesai dshe'sdumbmostwoul d
stut
terbuthesai ditast
houghi twasnotof fensive.
Yandi:"
Othunyiweyo!"suddenlyOthuremembered
thatsheleftYandii
nt hecar.Yandimadeherway
towardsthem andBabi nisuddenl
yfel
thishear
t
beatrapi
dly.Hewasaf earl
essmansoi twasnot
fearbutratheri
ntriguehecoul dnotunderstandwhy
thebeautif
ulsmoot hchocolateski
nnedlady
makingherwayt owar dsthem madehisbodyr eact
i
nwayshehadabsol utel
ynocont r
olover.Babini
breatheddeeplybef oreputti
nghiscapbackonand
headingtheopposi tedirecti
on.Heranbackt oOthu
asYandimadei tthrought hemanygraves.
Babini:"Iwil
lalsoneedyourhelpifyouwantt o
keepNot omatosafe.Iwillf
indtherightmomentto
contactyousowecanhaveapr operconversat
ion
butfornowt ellnooneaboutthis,notevenyour
dog"Ot huwatchedhimr unthrought hegr
avesunti
l
hegoti ntoablackcar.
Yandi:"
Whowasthat
?"sheaskedwhil
eoutof
breat
hasshewaswalki
ngtoofastt
oreachher
fr
iend.
Ot
hu:"Cemet
erysecuri
ty,Iwant
edtoknowwho
st
eal
sLanga'
sflowers"Yandil
aughed.
Yandi
:"Areyousure?"Yandil
ookedar
ound."
Idon'
t
knowIfeelst
range"
Ot
hu:"
It
'st
het
hir
st.I
t'
sbeent
woyear
ssi
nceyou
di
vor
cedVuyoyetyouhaven'
tbeent
oasi
ngl
edat
e"
Yandi:"
I'
m notdoi
ngthi
swi t
hyou"shelaughed
whilepoi
nti
ngatOthu.Othukeptl
ooki
ngbackas
theymadet hei
rwaytothecar.
Othu:"
Yandi,
whenyoudi dthet
radit
ionalprocesses
yearsbackwit
hmybr ot
her
.Yousaidhisspiri
twas
atpeaceri
ght?"Yandicl
ear
edherthroat.I
Yandi:"Iact ual
lyfeltnothing.Itwasasi fmygi f
t
wasbl ocked.Iwentagai nsttheancest orssoIand
saidthstt onotupsetyoumor e"Af t
ersomany
yearsYandiconf essed.Ot huj ustnodded.I fshe
wasnotal l
owedt oevent ellt
hedogt hatcoul dnot
speakt hatmeantCr aigwast obekepti nt hedark
tooandi twasgoi ngtobeast ruggl
e.Shewonder ed
whereBabi niwasf oralltheseyear s?Thent her
e
wasFl incht heheartsnat cherwhomadeOt husick.
Yandidr oveOt huhomeandf oundt heent i
refamily
home.Herhusbandgaveheral ongkisswhent hey
wereal oneast houghhehadnotdonesoi ndays.
Therewasasecr etbetweent hem andi tateatOt hu.
Shedi dn'tunderstandwhyshecoul dnott el
lCraig
whomi ghtbeabl et ohelpBabi nimoret hanshe
evercoul
d.MatoandOt
huwashedthedishesand
wheneveryoneel
sewentaboutt
hei
rbusinessOt
hu
stoodinf
rontofMat
o.
Othu:"Iknowt
hings,Makhulu.Tellmewhatyou
knowsoIcanhel pyou"Othu'seyesborei
nto
Mato's.andMatoswallowedhar d.
Mat o:"Hesaidt hatmyhear tishisbuthedi dnot
meani ti
nsomer omant i
cwayandonceIr eali
zed
thatImadepl anst ogetasf arawayf rom him as
possi bl
e.Hef orcedaheal t
hyl i
festyl
eonmesoand
atf i
rstIwasf l
at teredt hi
nkingmyhusbandwant ed
ust ohaveal ongl ifetogetherbutitwasonl yforhis
mer chandiset obest r
ongwhent herighttimet orip
i
toutcame.If oundsi ckthingsonceIst art
ed
diggingandIr ealizedt hedemonIhadmar ri
ed.
Ther eitisOthunyi weyo.Ar ethethingst hatyou
knowwhatIknow? "OthuhopedMat owoul dsay
thatsheandFl inchj usthadani nfedelit
yissuet hey
coulddealwi thbutsheknewt hatthi
swasbi gger
thanMat othat'swhyshehadnotbeenher self
."I
didnotwantt ot ellyoual lbecauseIknowi tmi ght
bringt r
oubles.Hel lIdidn'
tevenwantt ocomeher e
butamongstt heent i
refami lyCr aig'shousei sthe
onlyoneFl i
nchmi ghthesi tat eto...
to...tocomeget
me. ..becauseheknowsCr aig'spast "shebr oke
down." I
'm. .
.sor ryOt hu.Pl easedonotbeangr yat
me.Hewant smenotanyofyousoIhadt ochoose
togowher eIwoul dbesaf er .Ihavenot hing.Al lthis
I'
llstri
pFl inchofhi smoneyi scoverup, tr
uthi sI
wantnot hingmor et hant oj ustkeepmyl i
fe.Ihave
notaskedyourhusbandf orhel p,Ipr omi se...
but
sinceIhavet oldFl i
nchdur ingt hel astphonecal l
thatI '
l
ltellCr aigandi fhei sst alki
ngmehehas
alwaysseenCr aigpickmeupf rom pl acessoIt hink
hegotscar ed"Ot huneverhavi ngseenMat obr oken
anddef eatedf eltherselfgetweak.Shef eltas
thoughamount ai
nhadj ustbeenpl acedonher
shoul ders, ahugeone.Somuchsot hatshedi dn't
evenhaveener gyt oaskChul uaboutherdaywi t
h
Mar íabutshedi dnotsenseanyt roubl essoshe
wasnotwor ri
ed.Af tercalmi ngMat odownand
givingherher balt eatosl eepbet t
erOt huwentt o
herr oom andf oundabat hr eadyf orher .Shewas
kissed, undr essedandsoakedi nt hewar m wat er
wi t
hherhusband.Shef ear edbr eakingBabi ni's
tr
ustbutshef earedkeepingsuchf rom Craigeven
mor e.Bothherhusbandandbr otherwer ealpha
malessoshedi dnotknowhowt heywoul dbe
aroundeachot hershouldtheymeet .Especially
Babiniwhoseemedt owantt odoal lt
hepr otecting.
Craigwouldneveragr eetoanothermanpr otecting
hisfamilywhenhewast heprotector,heespeci all
y
woul dnotwantt obeprotect
edeither.
S2-
INSERT6
Chul
u
Ilovedl i
vingathomebutIadmi tthatIal solike
havingspacet omysel fandhouse- sit
tingfort he
Fredricksf amil
ywhowasonaf ami l
yt ri
ptoZambi a
wasgr eat
.Al lt
hatIneededt odowasmakesur e
thattheirpetsar efedandt hattheirhousewoul d
notbur ndown.Iwat chedasMar iapackedherbags
togetr eadyt oleavethecount r
y.It'
sbeenaf ew
dayssi ncewe' vebeenmeet i
ngupbutIcan' tsayI'l
l
mi sshermuchbutIwi llcal
lher.Idol oveTi ana
event houghIdonotr ememberhersot ohaveal ink
toherwasgood.Appar entl
yIhaveanent i
re
extendedf ami l
ytooandIpr omisedt ovisitsoon
onceI'm comfortablewiththeidea.Iwasbusy
chatt
ingwi t
hImangeonWhat sAppaswewer eboth
exci
tedt ohavesomepr ivacy.Hesai dhel i
vesina
room inhismot her'
syardbutbecauseoft he
cri
minalactivi
ti
esandhi sf or
merf ri
endspr essur
ing
himtoj oi
nagang, hepreferr
edt hatInotvisi
thim
athishome.Somet imeswhent heparentsareat
workandt heboysatschoolIi nvit
ehim overtoour
houset ochil
l.
Mari
a:"Iwi
shyouwer
ethatexci
tedwhent
alki
ngt
o
me"Iputmyphoneawayandsmi l
ed.
Chulu:"I
'm sor
ryandIknowI'
m bei
ngrude.Okay
I'
veputt hephoneaway,youhavemyundivi
ded
att
ention"
Mari
a:"
IwishIdidn'
thavet
ogobutmoneydoesn'
t
gr
owont r
eesthat'
swhatmygr
annyusedt
osay"
Chul
u:"
Plusyou'
vegott
oret
urnt
owor
kri
ght
?"
Maria:"Iactual
lyputinunpaidleavesoIcoul
d
spendt imewi t
hyoubutIdi dn'
texpectt
hefli
ght
andot herexpensestobesohi gh.Onewouldthink
Afri
cai scheaper"shelaughedandIsuddenlyfelt
guiltyf orsoundi ngl ikeIwant edhergonewhi leshe
tookunpai ddayst omeetmeandspendt imewi th
me." Letmegot ot her ecept ionqui ckly.Ineedt o
askt hem aboutani mpor tanti tem Ican' tf i
nd"she
sear chedt hroughhert hings" Nopei t'sdef initelynot
her e.I'
llbeback.Pl easet akemyhygi enepr oduct s
andputt hem int hevani tycase"Iwat chedhermake
herwayout .I'
m notsur ewhyI 'm bot her edbyher
extremel yt hi
nbodyespeci allynowt hatshewor e
whatseemedl i
keabum shor t.Idi dasor der edby
goingt othebat hr oom andpacki nghert oiletri
es.
OnceIwasdoneIwentt opl acet hem ont hebed
wher eal lherot herst uffwer e.Acut epi nkst eel
casecaughtmyat t
ent ionbecausei twasi dent ical
tot hatwhi chTi anaputi nt hel ettersandot her
thingsshewant edmymom t ogi vet omei n.I
openedi tandt hef i
rstt hingt hatpoppedupwast wo
l
ittl
egi rlswi t
hpi gtailsont heirheads.I twasTi ana
andMar iaandIsmi ledt omysel fasmyhandgl ided
overi t.Ilookedexact lyliket hem whent heywer e
kids.Beneat hthepi ctur eswer eletter swr ittenon
smal lpagesl i
ket heonesTi anat owr ot
ef orme.I
openedt hef i
rstone.
"
Dearher
mani
ta(
sist
er)
IknowIl ef thomewi thoutawor dbutnowIwi shI
hadnot "Iscannedt hrought hepar tswher et he
wor dsexpl ainedhowt hewr itermi ssedherf ami ly."
I
wantt ocomehomebutmypaper smyst er iousl y
wentmi ssi ng.Isuspectt hechi ca(girl)Ilivebyt he
nameOt hunyi weyohast hem becausesheknows
shoul dIl eave, Iwillleavewi thmymoney"Myhear t
racedasIr eadmymot her '
sname.Ipagedt ot he
nextl ett
erandonl ysaw" I'm sickandt hechi cai s
nothel pingwi thanyt hing.Shet akesmymoneyand
somet i
mesl eavesmet ostarveandIwoul dsl eepi n
myownunr i
nef ordays.Ihavenochoi cebutt o
l
eaveTal iawi t
hhersot hatthedayyouf indt his
l
etterandyoul ookf ormyhi ja( daught er)youwi ll
notst ruggl einf i
ndingher .Myhear tispai ned
becauseIdonotknowhowOt huwi lltreatmyhi ja
asshet reat smel i
kegar bage.Iwi lldiesoonandI
willsendt hislettertoourol daddr ess.Ihopei t
fi
ndsyoubef oreIdi esot hatyoucancomegetmy
child.LoveTat i
ana"IshookmyheadasIf oldedt he
l
etter
stoputt hem backagai n.Iopeneditagainand
tookapictureofthem wi t
hmyphonet omakesur e
thatt
hehandwr i
ti
ngwasi dent i
calt
othatofthe
l
etter
sTatianawr otetome.Thosel et
tersandthe
onesIjustreadpai nttwodiffer
entperspecti
vesof
mymot her.IputMar í
a'st
hingsbackandwentt osit
whereshel eftme.ThedoorswungopenandIt r
ied
toactasnor malaspossi ble.Sheexplai
nedwhat
happenedt otheitem shethoughtwasl ostwhile
conti
nuingtopack.
Chulu:"Ihavemoney.ThemoneyTi analeftmesoif
youwantIcanhel pyou.You'llhavetofi
nd
somewher echeaperbutyesIcanhel p"Iblur
tedout
withoutthi
nking.Isuddenlydidn'twanthertogo.
Themoneywasf orwhenIr eall
yneededi t
.Iknew
mydad' sbusinesshadhi ckupslastyearbuteven
thenhedi dnotwantmegi vi
nghi m myinherit
ance
money.
Mar i
a:"
No,Icannotexpectthat
.Tat
ianal
efti
tto
you,noKhulu"shefort
hefir
stti
metriedt
o
pronounceChulu.
Chul
u:"
Yesbutshewoul
dhavewant
edust
ospend
al
lthet
imeyouhaveavai
labl
etogethersoI
'm sur
e
shewouldhavesai
dthemoneywillgotogooduse"
Maria:"
TheB&Bdownt her
oadismuchcheaper
.I
checkedityest
erdaywhenIcheckedhowl
ongI
couldstr
etchthemoneyIhave"
Chulu:"
Thenpackupsoyoucangocheckinther
e.I
haveR200inmypursenow.Wil
litbeenoughfor
toni
ght?"
Maria:"
Icancovert
onightandam sohappythatwe
wil
lhavemoretimetogether
.Won'
tyourparentsbe
upset?"
Chulu:"I
'
m andadul tandwasgi venf ul
lcontr
olof
mymoneywhenIt urned21soI 'm notcommi tt
inga
cri
me"If eltherar
mswr apar oundmet ightl
y.I
huggedherbackawkwar dly.Iexcusedmysel fas
theFredrickswantedtogi vemet hekeystothe
house.OnceIcamef rom them Iheadedhomeand
ranstrai
ghtt omyroom t ogetTi ana'
slett
ers.My
handswer eshaki
ngasIcheckedmyphonescr een
andthelet t
erstofi
ndt hehandwr i
ti
ngmat chi
ng.I
thr
ewmysel fonmybednotknowi ngwhattodo.
I
mangecal
ledt
osayhewasonhi
swaysoIt
ook
mybagandwentout
.
Othu:"
Chulz,pl
easecalli
fyougetscar
edokay?
"I
j
uststaredatherfort
helongestt
ime.
Chulu:"
I'
llbef
ine,Mama.It'
snotthefir
stti
meI
havehousesetfortheFredri
cks"Idi
dn'twantt
o
saythatIwasgoingtohaveImangeover .Iwat
ched
asshemovedcl osert
ohol dme.Ifli
nchedatfi
rst
l
ikeonewhowasscar ed.
Othu:"
Hey,youokay?Idon'
tthi
nkyoumustgo
sl
eeptheretoni
ght
.Youlookabitpal
e"shepl
aced
herhandsonmycheeks.
Chul
u:"
I'
llbef
ine.I
'
llseeyoui
naf
ewdays"
Othu:"Afewdaysisabitt
oomuchdon'tyout
hink?
You'r
erightar
oundthecorner
.I'
l
lbr
ingyoudi
nner
asusual"
Chulu:"
Stopfussing,Mama! "Isnappedandeven
theboysturnedtheirheadstolookatme
disr
especti
ngourmot her
."I
'
mf i
ne"Isai
dcal
mly.
Ot
hu:"
Okay,
Iloveyou"Inodded.Ineverj
ust
noddedwhenmymom saysshelovesme.It
ri
edto
pi
ctureherl
eavi
ngTi
anainherownwast
efordays
anditdi
stur
bedmetoevenimagi
neit
.
Phawu:"
Chul
ucanwecomet ot
hepooltomor
row?I
pr
omisewewillcl
eanupasweusual
lydo"
Chul
u:"
MrFr
edr
icksdr
ainedt
hepoolf
orcl
eani
ng"I
l
ied.
Qhawe:"
Okayj
ustt
ochi
llwi
thyout
hen"
Chul
u:"No!
"Isnapped."
I'
m havi
ngfr
iendsoverso
no!
.I'
mleavi
ngI'l
lseeyou"Isai
dgoodbyeandwent
tot
hedoor.Mom call
edmeandIt ur
nedtofaceher.
Othu:'
YouknowI'l
lbeher
eshoul
dyouneedt
otal
k
aboutanyt
hingr
ight?
"
Chul
u:"
I'
mfi
ne,
Mom.Ij
ustmessedupapr
oject
"
Othu:"
You'
rethemostt
alent
edyoungart
istIknow
soI'
m sur
eit'
snott
hatbad.I
'l
lbr
ingdi
nner"
Chul
u:"
I'
m havi
ngdi
nnerwi
thI
mange"
Othu:"Sayhit
ohi mthen"Icoul
dheart
hesubtl
e
paininhervoi
ce.Wasi tt
hereforawhi
leordi
dmy
att
it
udebr i
ngiton?
Chul
u:"Il
oveyou"shesmi ledMybeautif
ulmother
whowasmyever yt
hing.Iwavedandheadeddown
ther
oadandf oundImangewai t
ingnotsofarf
rom
myhomeIwr appedmyar msaroundhissli
m wai
st
andfel
thim wraphisaroundmyupperbody.
Imange:" Badday? "Ourf inger sent winedaswe
madeourwayt otheFr ederickshouse.Idi dn'ttell
him anythingont hewaybutIj ustwant edhi mt o
kissmeassoonast hedoorbehi nduscl osedand
hedi djustthat.I'
m nor obot ,Igetar ousedandso
doeshebuthehasbeent heper fectgentl
eman.He
pickedmeupandwentwi thmet otot hetallleather
couchwi t
hbr eakingt heki ss.Hi sfullli
pswer e
perfectast heydancedwi thmi ne.Hebr oket heki ss
andki ssedmyf oreheadbef or elayingonhi sback
andput ti
ngmeont opofhi m.Il i
stenedt ohi shear t
beatfast,clearl
yt heki ssmadei texcitedbuti twas
notonl ythehear tthatwasexci tedbuthi smanhood
tooasIf eltitagainstmyt high.
Imange:"Tel
lmewhat'
sgoingon"Itol
dhim
everyt
hingwhil
edrawi
ngheartshapesonhischest
.
"Thatdoesn'
tmakesense.Yourmom woul
dhave
droppedyouoffatsomechurchandranawayif
shewasascr uelasyousayyourbiol
ogi
calmom
wroteonthelet
ter.Pl
ust
helett
ersyouhaveand
thoseyousawatyouraunt'
scontradi
cteachother
becauseyourTati
ananevermenti
onedI'l
ltr
eat
ment,
Manco"Ili
ft
edmyheadt olookathim.
Chul
u:"
Mange,
thewr
it
ingi
sident
ical
"
Imange:"Wellthi
sist
ri
cky.Doyouthinkyourmom
hasanothersidetohert
hatyoudon'tknow?But
Chului
fyourmom onl ywantedTati
anaforher
moneywhywoul dshekeepyours?
"
Chul
u:"Techni
call
yTati
ana'
slawyerkeptitbut
wheneverther
ewasasmar tinvest
ment,mymom
wouldaskhimt oi
nvestandkeeptheret
urnssomy
i
nheri
tancewouldgrow"
Imange:" Butst
il
lnomoneyhungr ypersondoes
that
.I '
vewatchedmovi esandifmoneyi sti
edup
suchpeopl edon'tbotherr
aisi
ngthoseinheri
tance
babies.Speaktoyourauntshemustexpl ai
n.Ilike
andr espectMaOt huandIr ef
usetobelievethat
shewoul dleaveasi ckwomani nherownwast efor
days!Wher ewoul dyoubewhi l
eyourmot her
supposedl ywether selfandwasal onei nthe
house? "Ishr ugged." Becar efult
onott r
ade
treasuref ordust ,baby" "Ikissedhim deepl yasI
didn'twantt odiscusswhathappenedear li
eron
dur i
ngoneoft her aremoment swegett obe
together .Icouldf eel hismanhoodt hrobandshe
felthersel fgetarousedbyhi ssensualt ouch.Itwas
nott hef i
rsttimewegotst eamybuthadt ocalm
themsel vesdownr ightaf terbutshedi dnotwantt o
coolof f.Imangegent lyturnedmesoI '
dbeonmy
back.Hi shandwentovermybar ehipsast hey
disappear edundermydr ess.WhenIf el
thim settl
e
bet weenmyl egsIcoul dnothel pbutletoutasof t
moan.Di dIwantt ohavesex?Iwasnotsur ebutI
didn'twanthi mt ost opt ouchingmei nalltheplaces
hishandst r
aveled.
Imange:"Chulu,
"hesaidaf terhisli
pspartedwi th
mine.Ilookedintohiseyest hathadgottensmal ler
forsomer eason."Manco, Idon'thaveprotecti
on
andI'm notsureifyouwillbegl adthatwedi dthis
whenyouwakeupwi thacl earerheadtomor row"he
spokesosof
tl
yasonewhowasi
nasemihypnosi
s.
Chul
u:"
Ithi
nkI
'
mready"
Imange:"Idon'
twantyout othi
nk,Chulumanco.I
wantyout obesure.Iwantyouinallwaysahot
bloodedyoungmanwoul dhisbeauti
fulgir
lf
ri
end
butIdon'twanttowakeupwonder ingifItook
advantageofyouremot i
onalval
nerabil
it
y"Ikissed
him agai
nnottosleepwi t
hhim becausehewas
ri
ght,hewouldn'
tfeelgoodabouthimselfifhef el
t
hetookadvantage.
Chul
u:IhearyouandIl
oveyou"
Imange:"Il
oveyout ooandIhopet hisfancyhouse
hasextracoldwatercomi ngfr
om theirshower
becausegirlyoudamagedme"webot hlaughed.
"Letmegot othebathroom quickl
ysoIcanmake
youmyf amousdi shonceIr et
urn"Iwatchedashe
skil
lf
ull
ygotupsoIwoul dnotseethedamageI
caused.Ifi
xedmydr essbecauseIwasj ustas
"damaged"ashewas.Mar i
acall
edandIpi ckedup.
Mar
ia:"Iknowyousawt helet
ter
sBecauset
hey
wer
en'tasIlef
tthem.ThiswaswhyIkeptaski
ngi
f
youhadagoodchi l
dhoodbecausetomeOt hui sa
per
sonwhodi dn'tgivearatsassaboutmysister
whil
eshewassi ck"Iheardhersnif
faf ewt
imes.
"Wechangedaddr essessoonlywhenIwentt ovisi
t
anoldfri
enddi danei ghboursayl
etter
scamef or
meyear sago.Ishoul dhavebeentheretot
akecar e
ofher"shecri
ed.
Chul
u:"
Idon'
tbel
ieveyou.I
t'
snotwhatTat
iana
wrot
einmylet
ter
s"
Mar i
a:"
Wedon'tknowifmysi st
erwrotethose
l
etterswil
li
ngl
yorfor
cefull
y.Youcanclearl
ysee
thatmylett
erswerewri
ttenimperf
ect
lysoshemust
havedonesowhenOt huwasout "
Chul
u:"
WherewasIt henbecauseshementi
oned
meinyourl
ett
ers"shekeptquietf
orthel
ongest
ti
me.
Maria:"Youclear
lydidn'
tgettothem all.Uhm..
.i
n
oneitsaysOt huwouldlockyouupal onei naroom
whenyoucr iedtoomuchandTat i
anawast ooweak
togetupt oholdyousoshe. .
.shewoul dli
stenunti
l
youcriedyourselft
osleep"Iwipedat earofquickl
y.
Imangel
eanedagainstthefr
ameofadoorandmy
phonehadspeakerproblemssoIhadt
oputiton
l
oudspeakert
ot al
kont hephone.
Chul
u:"
Butshet
reat
edmewel
l"
Mar ia:"Wakeup, Talia.Youhadi nheri
tancewhi l
e
shewasaj uniort
eachersoofcour seshewoul d
tr
eatyouwel lbecauseyouwer ehert i
cketoutof
str
uggl ewhenshenol ongerbenefit
tedf rom
Tatiana.butnowshecan' tmist
reatyoubecause
yourf atheristhere.Ihaveotherproof "Iendedthe
callwi t
houtsayinggoodbye.Ihadaf airl
yeasy
childhoodandmyt eenageyear sweren'thecticas
puber tydidn'thi
tmehar dbutinthismomentIf el
t
l
ikeat eenage.Imangesatopposi t
emeanddr ew
mecl osetohi m.
Imange:"
Youknowthet
rut
h.I
tmi
ghtnotf
eell
ikei
t
nowbutyoudodeepdown"

OTHU
Isatanxi
ouslyonachai
rinapubl
icpl
aceIwould
neverhavechosent
ocomet ovol
unt
ari
lybutBabi
ni
want edtoseeme.Hewasr ightinsayingt hathe
hadmeanst ocont actmebecausehehad
professi
onalcompanydel i
veral ettert
ome.I t
's
beenhel lkeepi ngthi sfr
om Cr ai
g.I'
m also
concernedaboutChul u'
sbehavi ourearl
ieron.I '
llbe
honestandadmi tt
hatIhaven' tsatdownwi thmy
gir
ltokeept r
ackonherr elationshipwithheraunt .I
wonderi fshepi ckedupt hatIhavebeent oobusy
withallelseasi def rom fami l
y.Cr ai
gwasnof ool
whenIwi thdrawwhi chi
swhatIdi dwhenst ressed
hewoul dnot ice.Mat oandInowgaveeachot her
str
angel ooksovert hedinnert ablewhenevert her e
wasaknockont hedoor .IdonotwantCr aigtobe
Snipeeveragai nsoIkeptqui et.Iwasst art
ledby
Babinisitti
ngdownandhef rozet oseei fIwasf ine.
Hewasst rangebutIact uall
ywant edtoknowhi m.
Hef i
rsthadt oexpl ainwhywehadt othinkhewas
dead.Hegavemeavagueansweraboutmanagi ng
tofoolFlinchi ntothi nki
ngt hathewasdead.
Othu:"I
nal
lfourt
eenyearsyoukeepquietand
expectmetobeli
evethatyouarenotfol
lowing
Fli
nch'
sordersnow?Idon'tmeantoinsultyoubutI
can'
tbesur
e"Iwhi
sper
edl
ikeat
hief
.
Babi ni:"Iwoul dhavebeenmor edisappoi ntedifyou
justwentaheadandt r
ustedme.Dur ingthef ourteen
year sIhavebeenki dnappingbabi es"myeyes
wi denedandIf eltmyhear tcoll
apse." Nottheway
you' ret hinking.Fl i
nchhast hesel i
tt
le"orphanages"
fort heki dswhoseor ganshewant s.SoIhavebeen
taki ngt hesechi ldreni nsmal lgroupsoft woort hree
andI 'dcr ossboar derswi t
ht hem toleavet hem in
realchi l
dr en'shomeswhi chIest abli
shedsohe
won' ttracet hem i nplaceshewon' tlikel
ysni ff
aroundi n.Hi mt hinkingI'
m deadmakesmemove
freel y.Nosyst em canout smar tme.SoIam pr oud
toannouncet hatt hef i
rstfewki dsarenow
teenager sandl ivenor mallives.Iwoul dhavedone
mor ebutt hispastyeart heyhavenear lycaughtme
numer oust imes.Ihavet obel ikeaghostandmove
wi thoutl eavingt races"
Othu:"
Myhusbandwi
llbeabl
etohel
pyou"he
l
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Ift
helevelsofworkwedidcouldbe
comparedtoKingdom r
olesyourhusbandwoul
dbe
aser
vantandIkingthat
'showlit
tl
epowerhehas.
Hemightsounddangeroustoyoubuti
nmywor ld
hewouldbeclassi
fi
edaninter
n."
.
Othu:"
Wel
lIam not
hingt
heni
fyouseehi
m as
such"
Babini
:"HaveNotomatotaket henextt
ri
psal
oneas
hewouldthinksheletherguarddown.Thebastard
i
slikeachameleonlatel
ycan'tbeseeanywherejust
bl
endingin.Sowemustl urehim out
"
Othu:"
Iwi
llnotputmygr
andmai
ndanger
"Isai
d
t
hroughgr
ittedt
eeth.
Babini:"
Doyouwantt ofindherbodysomewher e
withahol einherchest?"Ibreathedloudlywhi l
e
l
ookingar oundbef or
eshakingmyhead." Also,
Fli
nchdi dn'
tst aycl
osetoyoubecausehel ikesyou.
Hewant edt oseehowyourchi l
drenwi l
ltur
nout "
mymout hremai nedopeneasmyj awseemedt o
havebeenf r
ozen.SuddenlyIt houghtaboutt he
twinsbeingwayaboveaver ageintheirschoolwor k.
"Don'tworry,t
heyar esmartkidsbutnott hegenius
theli
kesofFl inchareaft
er.I'
mt heonewhomust
neverdar
ehavechi
ldr
en"
Ot
hu:"
Areyousayi
ngmychi
ldr
enar
edumb?
!"
Babini:"Donotcatchf eel
ingsbecausethisisnot
theti
me"Iwascer tai
nwej usthadourfi
rstsibl
ing
fal
loutmoment ."DoasIsayyourpr epar
et obury
yourgr andmotherwithoutahear t
"
Othu:"
Geezcanyoubemor esensi
ti
veandchoose
bett
erwaystoputt
hings"
Babini
:"Real
it
yisreal
it
yandIwi
llnotmakeup
thi
ngstomakei tsoundli
kef
ant
asy"
Ot
hu:"
Youknowwhatnevermi
nd"
Babini:"
Ihavetogo.I
'm watchi
ngyouguyssodon't
wor r
y"webothstoodtoleavebecausethesmokei
n
theplacewastoomuchf ormyl ungst
ohandle.
"Othunyi
weyo"helookedatmeandIt urnedt
oface
him" CanIhaveahug?Uhm
.
..Imeanitwi
llmakethesepeopl
estoplookingat
usasift
heyareabouttocallt
hecops"fora
momentIsawvalnerabi
li
ty.Iwal
kedtohim wit
hmy
armshel
doutandwr appedmyar msaroundhis
br
oadwai
st.
Othu:" Whent hisplanofyourswor ks,youmust
comehome, Ntando.Thisdrift
ingl
ikeasoul less
beingwhoneedsnoonei snowayt olivehonestl
y"I
felthisgri
pgett ighteraf
terIsaidt
hosewor ds.I
l
ookedupathi m."Youknowi nAf r
icancul t
urea
fathermusthavesomeonet opasst hespearont o
sot hatthefami l
ywoul dbeled.TheZwenispear
mustbepi ckedupbyyouwhenourf atherpasses
someday.Youmi ghthaveyourst r
angeaccentbut
youar eanAf ricanmanatt heendoft hedaywi t
ha
clanwhoneedsyou"
Babini
:"Trustme,IknowI'
m anAfri
can.That
'swhy
IchoseanAf ri
cannamef ormysel
f.Famil
yisnota
system t
hatIknowbutifther
eissomethingIam
goodatitsstudyi
ngsystemstounderst
andthem
ful
ly.
Othu:"
Idon'tt
hinkevenyouwi l
lful
lyunderst
and
famil
ybutlucki
lyyoudon'thaveto.Youmustj ust
beopentoitandsomet i
mesdr i
nkvodkat odeal
withi
t"hel
aughed.Mygoodnesshel aughedandI
sawanothersidetohim.Hehasourgr andfat
her '
s
smi l
eandwasahandsomemanandIam notbei ng
biased.HenoddedandIwat chedhi m movelikehe
wasf loati
ng.Iswearmybr otherist heli
kea
superhuman.Ki dnappi ngki dst ogivethem safe
homes.Faki nghi sowndeat h.Thi nkingCrai
g'spast
makesCr aigani nterni nthegamewhenwesawi t
ast hemostdanger oust hingever .Makemewonder
whatt ypeofl if
ehel ivedbecauseInol onger
beli
evedwhatFl i
ncht oldusabouthi m.Iwenthome
andcookedf ormyf ami ly.Itol dMat owhathesai d
butIdi dn'
tsaywho.Ij ustsai dsomeonewhocoul d
help.Mypoorgr andmot hershookherheadand
l
ockedher selfinherr oom i nst ead.Isatonthe
kit
chencount erwhi leCr aigst oodbet weenmyl egs
asweat eicecr eam.Hepausedt hespoonmi dway
tomymout handdr oppedi tint hebowlagain.
Othu:"
Craig!
"hedidn'
trespondbutinst
eadl ooked
atthewindows.Theblindswereopenhal f
wayand
i
twasdar kout.Helookedli
keonewhowast r
ying
tohearapindropashewasf ocusedoutside.
Craig:"
Someone'
swatchi
ng"It
urnedar
oundt
olook
atthedarkandbef
oreIcoul
drepl
yCrai
ghadagun
i
nhishand.Iknewwehadonebuthewoul dhave
hadtogotoourroom t
oaccessitbutitseemedhe
drewoutoutfr
om somewherei
nt hekit
chen.I
j
umpeddownt hinki
ngi
twasBabi ni
."Lockaft
erI
've
goneout"headded.
Ot
hu:
"You'
regoi
ngoutt
her
e?"
Craig:"LockOt hunyiweyo"Ahhwhenmyf ullname
i
scal ledit'
sbusi ness.Hewentt othedoorandI
foll
owedbehi nd.Iwat chedhim movet ot hedoor
andasi fheknewIwoul dnotlockhi m out ,het ook
thekeyandl ockedf rom outside.Iturnedal lthe
i
nsidel i
ghtsof fandl eftt
heonesout sideon.Iwas
bit
tingmynai lsbutsoonher eturnedandhesai d
therewasnot hing.Idon'tknowi fI'
llbeabl et okeep
quietaboutMat o'ssituat
ionanyl onger .Idon' twant
to.
S2-
INSERT7
Therewasast rangevibeint
heKni ght
shousehold
becauseeveryoneseemedt oharborthei
rown
secret
s.Communi cati
onwasonet hingthatthey
neverlackedbuteversinceMatoarri
veditseemed
tobet heonet hingt hatwasnotdone, notopenly
anyway.Mat osensedt heshi ftinener gyandf elt
terr
iblebecausewhenshecamet heywer ethe
Knight sthatsheknew.Theywer en'tper fectbut
event hebl indcoul dseet hecl osekni ttheywer e.
Chul uwal kedar oundwi thanat t
itudet hatonly
seemedt ober eservedf orOt huandherbr others.
Mar iamadeherl ist
ent oanaudi ot hatwasnott oo
clearbutshecoul dhearOt hunyi weyo' snamebei ng
call
edandt heper sonwhodi dsoseemedt obe
beggi ngt hatOt hushoul dn' tbeather .Theper son
hadaSpani shaccentandMar iacl aimedt het ape
camewi tht hel et t
ersf r
om Tat iana.Chul udidn't
wantt oi nsultOt hubyconf r ontinghersoshekept
quiet.Itistruewhent heysayt hati fyoudonot
speakupaboutyourf eeli
ngst opr eventconf l
ict,
youar estartingawarwi t
hi nyour self .Chuluhada
ragingwarwi thinherandshewasnotevenawar e
thatMar í
akeptonpr ovidingherwi thweaponst o
fuelthatwar .Shef eltli
keachi l
dt hatcoul dnot
choosesi desandshesawj usthowi ndecisiveshe
was.I mangewasundoubt edlyonOt hu'ssideashe
tri
edt oext i
ngui shthef lamesMar iacausedby
makingOthu'snamedi r
ty.Chul
uwat chedasOt hu
andtheboysr anaroundli
keheadl
esschi cken
tr
yingtogettoworkandschoolont i
me.Ot hutook
asipofthecof f
eethatwasdefi
nit
elystandingto
l
ongt osti
llbehot.
Chulu:"Mama, Ineedt otalktoyou"shej umped
fr
om thechai rast houghi thadj usthitherwithan
el
ectronicvolt.Whenshecoul dnotshar ethings
wit
hhermom t henshef eltshehadnoel setodoi t
wit
h.Ot hutookamomentt oscanChul u'
sf ace.She
knewhergi rlhasnotbeenher selflat
elybutChul u
wasl i
kethat.Shewant edsomet hingtost r
essher
outfir
stbeforet el
linganyone.Ot hukepther
pati
enceasal waysbecasesheknewshewast he
oneChul uusual l
ywentt ototalkbutatt hat
part
icularmomentt her
ewasnot ime.
Othu:"
I'
mli
steni
ng"shesai
dqui
ckl
ywhi
lel
ooki
ng
atChul
u.
Chulu:"
I'
dli
ketohearmor
eaboutyourl
if
ewi
th
Tat
ianaplease"Ot
husmil
ed.
Ot
hu:"
Getpi
zzaf
orusaf
terwor
kandwe'
l
lsi
tdown
andt
alk"
Phawu:"
Mama,
comeon!
"heshout
edf
rom t
hedoor
.
Chulu:"Mama, Iam dealingwit
hsomet hingandI '
m
confli
ctedsoIneedt otalknowpl ease"Othu
droppedherbagwhenshenot i
cedChul u'
seyesgot
shiner.Othuknewt hatshehadnothel dChulu's
handdur i
ngher" gettoknowbet t
er"processwith
Mar í
a.Shecouldonl yimaginethefloodof
emot i
onsMar i
a'spresencecamewi thtoChulu.
Chuluwat chedhermom movet het hr
eelocksof
hairthathungoverherf acetotheback.
Othu:" I'
vebeendi st anthaven'tI?WhenIr et
urn
fr
om wor kandIpr omi setocomest raighthere,we
willtalkaboutwhatyou' vebeent hroughovert he
pastf ewdays.Iwi lltel
lyouever ythingaboutmyl i
fe
withyourmot heragai nandagai n.Iwillneverget
ti
redoft ell
ingyouabouther .Sopi zzadat eafter
wor k?"Chul unoddedandf el
tOt hu'sarmsar ound
her."PlusDadi snother eandt heboyshavet hat
sl
eepover .It'
l
lbejustmeandyou"Chul unodded
again.
Qhawe:"
Maaaa!Ihavedebat
efi
rstthi
ngint
he
morni
ngandIneedtoreadmyfactsonthet
opi
c
agai
nbefor
eitst
art
s"
Othu:" Therear eact uall
yotherthi ngsIhaven' ttold
you.Il ovedTat ianabutIadmi tsomet imesIf eltli
ke
stranglingher"Ot hul aughedandChul u' s
brainwashedmi ndsentwar ni
ngsi gnal s.She
wat chedOt hut akeherst uffandr unoutoft hedoor
witht heboys.Chul usentImangeat extmessage
ont heirconver sation.Thephonebeepedwi thin
seconds." Ifeell i
kest r
angli
ngmysi bl
ingst oowhen
theywor konmyl astnervebutitdoesn' tmeanIwi ll
doi tormeani tbutangerdoest hat .Areyout ell
ing
met hatyouneverwant edtoshakesensei ntoyour
brother swhent heydr i
veyouovert heedge? "the
textf r
om Imanger ead.Yes,Chul u'swant edtoki ck
herbr othersmanyt i
mesbef oreduet oanger .She
putherhandoverherf acewhi leshaki ngherhead
assher eal
izedt hatevenshehadst ar
tedt odoubt
hermot her.Craighasbeenoutoft ownonbusi ness
foracoupl eofdaysandChul unot i
cedMat ohas
notgoneoutsi nceherdadl ef
t.Shewentt oknock
onMato'
sdoorandwai
tedunt
ilshewast
oldt
o
ent
er.
Chulu:"
Woul dyoul iketogetyournail
spai
nteda
newcol or?"Chulusmi l
ed.SheknewMat ol
oved
pret
tythingsbutl at
elyshelether
selfl
ooktoopl
ain.
Shewasdepr essed.
Mato:"Whenwi l
lyourdadcomeback, Chulu?"
Chulushruggedandwat chedMat osi
tupwhen
ther
ewasaknockont hedoor .Chuluwentt oopen
andherauntstoodi nfrontofher .Shenolonger
wantedtohearanyt hi
ngunt ilshespoketoherMom
l
ateronbutshel etMariainanyway.Mat omadeher
wayt ot
helivi
ngr oom andf eltsi
ckwhenshesaw
María.
Mato:"Wereyouwai
ti
ngforthel
adyoft
hehouset
o
l
eavesoyoucancomet eachChulumor
e
di
srespect
?"
Chul
u:"
Haa,
Khul
u"
Mat
o:"
Don'tyouHaame.Iseeyoudisrespectyour
mot
herbecauseoft
hisf
ongkongreplacement"
Mar
ia:"
IfIam t
hef
ongkongt
henwhyi
sityour
sweetOthuwhomeet smeninshadypl aces?
"Mar i
a
heldoutaanA4pi ct
ureofOthuhuggingBabini
.
Becausehealwayshadacapoverhi seyesthey
couldnotevenseethestr
ongresemblancebetween
thepict
uredpeopl
e.
Mato:"Hey,devi
l!Ar
eyoustalki
ngmychi l
d,huh?"
Matowentt ogettheket
tl
ethatsti
llhadhotwat eri
n
i
tandmadeherwayt oMar i
a.Chulu'seyeswer e
f
ixedont hepict
ureandabetrayaltoherdadf el
t
l
ikebetrayi
ngher.Whenshenot i
cedwhatMat o
wantedt odoshestoodinfr
ontofMar iasoMat o
r
etreat
ed.
Mari
a:"
Chul
uyourmot
heri
snotwhoyouthi
nkshe
i
s.Youknowwher
etofi
ndme"Mari
acli
ckedher
t
ongueandwal
kedout
.
Mato:"
Comingher ewi
thfakepict
uresaswel i
vein
thedar
kageswi t
hnoknowl edgeofphotoshoprhaa.
Youshouldhaveletmeburnhersot hatt
hedevil
wil
lseehowit'
sdone"
Chulu:"
MaybeMamar eal
lyi
snotsomeonethatwe
know.Latel
yshehasbeenli
keCaspert
heghost.
Onemi nut
eshe'st her
eandt henextnotandnow
weknowi t'
sbecauseshei scheati
ngonmydad"
MatoslappedChul uandr egret
teditt
hesecondshe
real
isedhowimpr operheract i
onswere.Chul
uhad
neverbeenslappedbef or
esoshewasf uming.
Chulu:"
YoujustprovedthatIdonotknowyouwel l
ei
ther.WhenOthunyiweyocomes,tel
lherI'
ve
movedoutbecauseIwi l
lnotlookmydadi nthe
eyesknowingthathiswifehassomeextraacti
vit
ies
heknowsnot hi
ngof "
Mat o:"Chul
umanco! "Matoputherhandoverher
mout hinshockoft heChul uthatseemedt obe
possessed.Chul uwenttopackhert hingsandMato
forgotaboutherownpai nasshedi aledOthu's
numberbuti tranguntili
twentt ovoicemai l
.She
dialedMakhuluHl e'
snumberandi nshor ttol
dher
whatshej ustwitnessed."OurChuluhasdemons
becauset hedevil
'swifejustshowedherl i
es"was
Mat o'swordswhensheendedt hecall.Shewalked
toChul u'
sroom andapol ogizedfortheslapbut
Chul uwassetonpacki ngandl eaving.Whenshe
wasdoneshemadeherwayoutoft hedoorandout
ofMat o'ssi
ght.Babinisawt hecommot iongoi ngon
asMat ocalledaft
erChul ubuthecoul dnotgoand
askwhati sgoingonandhedi dnotwantt oinvolve
himselfindramaeither.Hisphonerangandhe
answer edquickl
ybecausei twasthemanwhowas
helpi
nghi mt r
ackFli
nch.Af r
icawast err
itoryhe
admitt
edhewasnotf amili
arwithsoitwaseasyf or
Fli
ncht ohidebecauseheknewever ycor ner.
Call
er:"
Itr
ackedthepackageandi
thasbeen
destr
oyed"Babi
nishi
ftedinhi
scarseat
.
Babi
ni:"
Didt
heol
dhear
tgi
vei
n?"
Caller:"
Someonespedupt hepr ocess"Babi ni'
sjaw
clenchedandhehi tthest eeringwheelaf ewt i
mes.
Hadhehear dFli
nchdi ednat urall
yhewoul dnot
havehadapr obl
em buti fhewasmur deredi tcoul
d
openanot hercanofwor ms, onet hatcouldeven
makeMat oamur dersuspecteveni fshewasno
wher enearthescene.Babi niknewFl i
nchhadot her
enemi esbutnowhi saim wasaf i
ndwhodi dt hi
s
andwhy.Hewant edt oknowwhopul ledoffa
tr
acki ngFl
inchwhenhest ruggl edtodoso.Hewent
toOt hu'
swor kandpaidacl eanert osendanot eto
her."Fl
inchi sdead, yourauntmi ghtneedyouhome.
Youwon' thearf rom mef orawhi l
e"thenot er ead
andOt hut or eitt oshr edsasshe' ddonewi thal lhis
l
ettersandj ustt obesaf e,sheevenputt hepi eces
i
nherbagi nsteadoft hebi n.Shef akedillnessand
wast ol
dt ogor esthert iredbody.Whenshecame
homeshef oundMat olooki nglikeashehadseena
ghost.Ot hupr et endedt onotknowaboutFl inch's
newsasshel i
st enedt oMat ot ellthestory.Mat o
didn'
tseem t oknowmuchonl yt hatFli
nchgotshot .
Mat oputheri ssuesasi det houghandt oldOt hu
aboutChul uwhol eftwithhercl othes.Ot hut riedto
callChulubutshedi dn'tanswer .Sheevencal l
ed
Imangeandherf ri
endsbutnooneknewwher eshe
was.Shecal l
edt henumberMar i
agavet hem buti t
wentst r
ai ghtt ovoi cemai l.TheB&Bgotcal ledonl y
toheart hatMar iacheckedouti nt hemor ni
ng.Ot hu
wasbeyondher sel fwithwor ry.Shedi dn'tcar e
aboutthepi cturebecauseshewoul dtellCr aigt he
tr
uthwhi chsheknewsheshoul dhavedonel ong
ago.Herconcer nwasherdaught erwhowasmost
probablydi sgust edwher eshewasasshet hought
hermot herwascheat i
ng.Ot husuddenl yknew
Mar iacamewi thanagenda.Babi niwassof ocused
onFl incht hathecoul dnotevenpayat tentiont ot he
oneort wopeopl ewhosatar oundt hem whent hey
metatt heshadypl acesbesummonedOt hut o.I t
madeOt hut hinkheexagger atedhi sski ll
sabi ttoo
muchbutt hensher emember edt hathewasonl y
humanandnotsomesensi ngmachi ne.Ot hudr ove
aroundandwentt omostaccomodat ionpl acesbut
noChul u, TaliaorMar í
acheckedi n.Shewasal so
concer nedaboutMat obutwhensher eturnedhome
shef oundMakhul uHl ecomf ortingMat o.Yes,
Fli
nchwasadi rtydogbutt heycoul dnotdenyt hat
formostyear shemadeMat ohappyandi twast he
goodmemor i
est hatflashedt hroughMat o'smi nd
thatmadehermour n.Crai
gwasnotanswer i
nghi s
phonebutOt huaskedhi mt ocomehome
i
mmedi atelyinal lt
hevoi cemai lmessagesshel eft
him.Ot huwant edt ocallthecopst or eportChul u
mi ssingbutMakhul usaidshehadaf eeli
ngt hat
Chul ujustneededt imet othinksoshewenti nt o
hiding.Itwasl ateatni ghtandt hedoorf l
ungopen.
Craigwal kedi nt otheheavymoodt hathungi nt he
air.Othuwentt ohughi m andhewast oldwhat
happened.Heonlyseemedt
obeconcer
nedabout
theChuluissue.
Crai
g:"SometimesWi l
lsneedt ober ead,Makhulu
Mato"helookedatMat oandOt huandMakhul uHl e
woreconfusedlooksont heirf
acesbutMat o
seemedt ogetit
."I
'
m goi ngt olookforChul uand
bri
ngherbackher esoshecanexpl aintheatti
tude
she'
sbeenhavi nglat
ely.I'vebeenpat ientwit
hher
l
ongenough"
Othu:"Craig,
Ifi
rstneedtotel
lyousomething"she
wantedt heBabinii
ssueoutintheopensoCr ai
g
wouldknowwhyshest oodhugginganot
hermani n
t
hepi ctureshouldChul
uhavei tandshowittohim.
Craig:"
Letmebr ingourdaught erhomef ir
st"heli
ke
Babiniseemedt oj ustfl
oatashewal kedoutand
Othuhadnotseenhi m besomyst er
ioussince
beforetheboyswer eborn.Sheknewshecoul dnot
stophim soheronl yhopewast hatChuluwould
gi
veherachancet oexplai
nbef or
einvolvi
ngCr ai
g
i
nt hefalsecheatingaccusation.
S2-I
nser
tei
ght
Sur vivali nstinctski ckedi nst rongwhenBabi nifelt
at ightgr ipar oundhi sthickneckf rom behi nd.For
thef irstf ewsecondshewasunabl et ogethimsel f
freeandf eltt heai rbei ngdr ainedoutofhi sbody.
Hemanagedt oel bowhi sat tackert oloosent hegr i
p
aroundhi sneckandwhent hathappenedan
i
nt ensef ighter upt ed.Itwassoi ntenset hatifthe
grasscoul dspeak, allitwoul dhavedonewasweep
ast het womuscul inement rampl edi tduringt heir
fi
stf i
ght s.Ot huwasbusyi nherki tchenandwas
notevenawar eofwhatwashappeni ngont hel awn
af ewf eetawayf rom herasi twasdar kint hatarea
oft heyar d.I twasonl ywhenshehear dacr acki n
thewi ndowi nf rontofhert hatshebecameawar eof
whatwashappeni ngout side.Sheduckedatf irst
becauseshedi dnotknowwhatwasgoi ngonand
Mat ocamei nt ot heki t
chenasshehear dabangi ng
soundcomi ngf r
om t heki t
chenasCr aigwasbusy
bangi ngBabi ni '
sbackagai nstt hewi ndowunt ilthe
glassbr oke.I twasonl ywhenMat ocal l
edout
Cr aig'
snamet hatOt huqui ckl yst oodupt ogeta
l
ookatherhusbandbutt het womenwer enowher e
tobeseensot hel adi esr anoutt oseewhatwas
goingon.Noamountofsel fdefensel essonswer e
enoughf orOthut oseparatethetwomen.Babi ni
andCr aigwerebusyst r
aggl i
ngeachot herandi t
wasevi dentthatneit
herwoul dstopunt iloneof
them passedout .Noamountofscr eamingfrom the
l
adieshel ped.I
twasl i
ket wobul l
swhohadl ocked
hornsandwoul donlystopwhenonewasdead.I t
wasonl ywhenOt huconfessedt oknowBabi nithat
Craig'
sgr i
ploosenedandbyhi m doi ngsoBabi ni
alsoletgobutt heywerebot hfumi ng.
Crai
g:"Tel
lmewhyt hehel
ltherei
samanwhoyou
cl
aimt oknowinourdamnyar datni
ght
,O!
"he
shoutedwhil
ebreat
hingheavi
ly.
Babini
:"Don'ttal
ktoherlikethat!
"Ot hutriednott
o
crybuthertearshadami ndofi t
sown.Sheasked
togointothehousesoshe' dexplainbutt hemen
j
uststoodast houghtheyhadr ootspl anteddeepin
thegroundmaki ngthem unablet omove.Ot hu
explai
nedeverythingtoCraigandMat ofound
hersel
fscanninghergr andson'sfacei nthesemi
darkasshecoul dnotbel i
evethati twashi m.They
wereinter
ruptedbybluel i
ghtsatt hegat e.Othuwas
certainthattheneighbor scal l
edthepolice.Cr aig
wentt ocheckwhatwasgoi ngonandsoon
everyonewasi nthehousebecauset heof ficers
didn'twantanyonet oleavet hepremises.I twas
onlywhent heywer einsidedi dOthurealizedj ust
howmuchherbr ot herandhusbandr oughedeach
otherup.I twasbad, t
heywer eswoll
enand
bleeding.Craigdidnotevenwantt obet ouchedby
hersoshekeptherdi stance.Thecopswer enot
therebecauseoft hef i
ghtbutbecauseofFl inch.
Theycamet oaskMat oallkindsofquest ionsand
sheanswer edashonest l
yasshecoul d.Theyasked
herwher eshewasatt heest imat
edtimeofFl inch'
s
deathandshesai dshewashome.Whenaskedi f
shehadanal i
bishesai dChul u.Whent heywant ed
totalktoChul uever yonelookedatCr aigbuthe
revealedthathef ailedinfindingher.
Offi
cer:"Soyoural i
biisnowher etobefound?I s
theremor ethisthatweneedt oknow? "t
heof f
icer
askedwhi lelookingatthebleedingmen.Foran
outsiderwhocamei nlateduringthechaositmust
havebeenver ysuspici
ous."Didyoureportyour
daughtermissi
ng,
Mam? "heaskedwhilel
ooki
ngat
Othu.Shewantedtobutwasadvisedagai
nsti
tbut
sheregret
tednotr
eport
ingChul
umi ssi
ng.
Ot
hu:"
No"shesai
dinashamef
ulwhi
sper
.
Off
icer
:"Whywereyoutwof
ight
ing?
"hepoi
ntedhi
s
penatCrai
gthenBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"
Not
hingr
elat
edt
owhatbr
oughtyouher
e.
Sowhatwil
lyoudonow?"
Off
icer
:"Unf
ort
unatel
yMr sFli
nchyou'
llneedt
o
comewi t
husforf
ur t
herquest
ioni
ngforyour
husband'
smurder"
Cr
aig:"
Shehasanal
ibi
!"heshout
ed.
Offi
cer:"Onewhoi smissi
ngandwhosemot her
fai
ledtor epor
tassuch.Iadvisethatyoudo,sothat
wewi l
lfindherandshecani ndeedverif
ythatshe
waswi thMr sFli
nch"
Ot
hu:"
Areyouar
rest
ingher
?"
Mat
o:"
Iwi
llbef
ine,
Othu"
Off
icer
:"ComewithmeandIsuggestthatyoufol
ks
fol
lowri
ghtbehi
ndtoopent
hatmissingperson
case"Othufel
therheadspinasshewatchedMato
beingtakenaway.Atleastt
heydi
dnotoutheri
n
thebackofthevehicl
elikesomecr
imi
nal.
Babini
:"Areyouhappynow?Yout akingoutFli
nch
hasmadeyourNot omatobepul l
edintoasystem
whichfavourst
helikesofFl
inch.
"Othufeltherhead
hurt
.
Crai
g:"Fuckyou!Youdon'
tgettocometomyhouse
andaccusemeofshi t!
"hepoi
ntedatBabi
ni.Ot
hu
watchedCrai
ggot othedi
rect
ionoft
heirr
oom.
Ot
hu:"
Ithi
nki
t'
sbestt
hatyoul
eave"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m notl
eavi
ngyoualonewi
tht
hat
"he
poi
ntedtothedi
rect
ionCr
aigwent
.
Othu:"
That,
ismyhusbandandhehasever
yreason
t
obeangr ysopl
easego"
Babi
ni:"
Soyouthinkit
'soverbecauseFlinchi
s
deadasifhedi
dn'thavefri
ends.Ihopeyour
amateurofahusbandcoveredhistracks"
Crai
g:"Si
nceyouseem toknowt
hem sowel
lgi
ve
them mydamnregards"hemadehi
swaytowards
t
henhol
dingat
owel
.
Ot
hu:"
Areyoubackt
othatl
if
e?"Ot
huaskedsof
tl
y.
Crai
g:"Soyou'
renotonlykeepingsecr
etsf
r om me
becauseofthi
sdamnpuppet ,youalsobel
ievehim
whenhesaysIsilencedFli
nch? "
Ot
hu:"
Iwasaski
ng,
Crai
gandIam sor
ry"
Craig:"Getthatthi
ngoutofmyhouse"Babi niwore
asmi r
konhi sface.Cr
aigleftt
hem againand
returnedafterawhilewearingallbl
ack.Othustood
asshet houghthewasr eadytogotot hepoli
ce
stati
on.
Crai
g:"
I'
m goi
ngt
ocont
inuel
ooki
ngf
or
Chul
umanco"
Babi
ni:"
Besuret
obuyheracoffi
ntoonyourway
andgettwoi
dent
icalonesf
oryourboyst
oo"
Crai
g:"Ar
eyout hr
eateni
ngmychi ldren?"Cr
aig
marchedtowardshim butOthublockedhisway.
Shewasf umi
ngaf t
erBabinisai
dt hattoobuti
fshe
al
lowedthem t
of i
ghtagainitmi
ghtt urnugl
y.
Ot
hu:"
Let
'sst
opatt
hepol
icest
ati
onf
ir
stt
orepor
t
hermi
ssi
ngandt
henwecanl
ookel
sewher
e"
shesai
dcal
mlyt
onotaddf
uel
tot
hef
ir
e.
Crai
g:"
Gowi t
hyourprot
ector
"hesaidsar cast
ical
ly.
"I
'
lll
ookformychil
donmyown"hesai dbuthedi d
nott
il
thisheaddowntolookatOt
hui nsteadlooked
atBabi
ni.Cr
aigl
eftt
hetwoofthem behind.
Othu:"
Don'tyoudar
edisrespectmyhusbandagai
n
anddon'tyoudaret
heatenourchil
drenei
ther
"
Babini:"Thereyougoagai n,act i
ngoutofemot i
ons.
Ifyourhusbandsi l
encedFl i
nchandFl i
nch' s
buddiesgetangr ythenyoubestbel i
evethatyou
willbeachi l
dlesswi dow"hiswor dsst ungdeep.So
muchsot hatOt hu'schestli
t eral
lyhur t
."You
mar ri
edadamnemot i
onalmant ooandt hat '
swhy
you'reraisingkidswhoar eeasi l
ycont rol
ledbyt hei
r
emot i
onsl ikeyourdaught er.Comel et'
sgof i
ndyour
dramat i
cdaught er"hewal kedout .Othufollowed
behindlikeasmal lhungrydogaf terabone.Babi ni
hatedseei ngherhur tashedr ovehert othepol i
ce
stati
on.Ot hucal ledtheboyswhosoundedl ikethey
hadnocar einthewor ld.Atleastt heywer ehappy
",
Yourdaughterwasnotabduct edsower eall
yneed
notmakeal lt
hisfussasi fshe'si
nsomecont ainer
beingshippedofftoanothercount r
y"human
tr
affi
ckingwasr ealandOt huknewt hat
.Ifhetri
ed
tomakeherf eelbetterhefail
edbecausehermi nd
neverthoughtaboutt hepossibi
li
tyofhuman
tr
affi
cking.
Othu:"Yeahandyouwoul dknow,MrOutsmar
t
everysystem butcoul
dnotevenfi
ndFl
inchyet
cl
aim mysupposedi nter
nhusbanddi
d"
Babini:"Idon'
tgiveaf uckaboutFl i
nch.Ihopet hey
kil
lhimi nthenextlifetoo.Ifyourmant ookhi m out
thenyoubestbel i
eveFlinch'sfri
endswi llcomef or
him andt heywillatt
ackyourchi ldren.Youmi ghtbe
proudofhi mf ortaki
ngcar eoft hepr oblem buthi s
approachi sthataninternwoul dhavechosen.You
canbeangr yallyouwantbutf actisfact .IfIdidit
whowoul dhavesuspect edadeadman?Not omat o
runstocr ytoyourhusbandwhohappenst ohave
networ ksonhisownandsuddenl yFlinchi sfound
deadandguesswhat "hekeptqui etashewant ed
Othutor eall
yguessbutshekeptqui et ."Hewas
shotf
rom adi
stanceonl
yaskill
edsni
perwouldpul
l
off
.Sogetyoursel
fbl
ackcl
othesandprepar
eto
haveyourhai
rshavedof
fformourni
ng"
Ot
hu:"
Youar
emean,
justpl
ainmean"
Babi
ni:"Igi
vei
ttoyouasi
tisandbecauseyoul i
ve
i
nasugar coat
edworl
dwhatIsayisbit
terbecause
i
t'
str
ut h"
Ot
hu:"
Idon'
tli
keyour
ightnow"
Babini:"
WellIdon'
tli
ket
hemanyouchosetobemy
brotheri
nlawbutIhavetodealwi
thi
tsoyoudeal
withmet oo"
Ot
hu:"
Mxm"
Babi
ni:"
Yourdaughteri
shere.Room 13.I'
l
lwait
her
ebecauseifIgoinI'
llputherdr
amaticassover
myshoulderandtakehertothepol
icestat
ion"
Othu:"
Goodt hi
ngyoudon'thaveki
dst hen"she
mumbl edbefor
eheadingout.Shecal
ledCr aigbutit
j
ustrangsoshel ef
tamessagewi t
htheaddr ess.
OnceinsidesheaskedforaChulumancobutcoul d
notfi
ndanyonebyt hatnamesosheaskedf ora
Tali
aandChuluindeedcheckedi nusinghersecond
name.Therecepti
onistcal
ledtheroom andtold
OthutowaitsoOthudidjustthat
.Afterawhile
Mariashowedupinstead.
Mar
ia:"
Shedoesn'
twantt
oseeyou"
Othu:"Getthehelloutofmyface.I
fthosear e
Chulu'swords,Iwanttohearthem f
rom her "Othu
pushedMar i
aasidetogotoroom 13butMar iahel
d
herbyt hearm.Othuyankedherarm outofhergr ip
andpoi nt
edherf i
ngerbet
weenMar ia'seyes."Iwil
l
breakyou, t
oothpi
ck"shepokedMar iaforehead
severalti
mes.
Mar i
a:"Try,Bit
ch"Ot hudidn'tgoar oundf i
ghtingin
publi
corevenpr ivatel
yforthatmat t
erbutMar i
a
chosethewr ongdayt otestherandsoonal lhell
brokeloose.Shet ookoutallofherf rustr
ationson
Mar i
aevenonessheonl yhadher selftoblamef or
.
Babinipeeledt hetwoawayf rom eachot herwhen
hesawt hem fi
ghtashest oodout side.Othuf el
t
ashamedwhenshesawChul ustandi ngnotsof ar
fr
om them butMar i
afel
tnoshameatal l
.Chulu
askedhermom whyshewast her
eandOt hu
expl ainedt ohert hatMat oneededher .Ther ewas
not imet obegChul umancot ocomehome.I twasa
weekendandshoul dMat obechar gedshe' donly
seeaj udget hef ollowi ngweekandt heydi dnot
wantt hat.Chul umancodi dnotwantt ogobutwhen
herf at herarrivedsher anint ohisar msl i
keal i
tt
le
girlwhohadj ustbeenscol dedbyhermot her.To
Chul useei ngBabi niwi thhermom conf medt heso
calleraf fairbutshesai dnot hingt oCr aigyet.She
hadCr aigdrivehert ot hest ati
onbecauseshe
want edt ogohel pMat oi fpossi bleevenaf t
erthe
slapMat ogaveher .Cr aigadvi cedOt hut onotgo
witht hem asherpr esence" upset "ever yoneand
Othucoul dnothi det hepai nhi swor dscausedbut
shenoddedandwat chedt het hr eeoft hem leave.
Babi nial mostl iterall
yf eeli
nghi ssi ster'spain
ti
ght enedhi sf aceashewat chedt hepeopl ehe
thoughtcausedi twal kawayunt iltheygoti ntotheir
carandl eft.
Babiniopenedhi
smout
htospeakandOt
hur
aised
herhand.
Ot
hu:"
Pleaset
akemet
omygr
andmot
her
'shouse"
evenmot her sneededt hei rownmot hert ocomf ort
them whent hingswer enotgoi ngwel l
.Ot hujust
want edt obecomf ortedbyt hehandst hatal ways
caughtherwhenevershef ell.Sheneededanout let
andBabi niwasnott heper sonf orhert ocr yto.
She'dbossupanddealwi thever ythi
ngaf t
er
sheddi ngaf ewt earswhi l
el i
st eni
ngt oMakhul u's
wordsofwi sdom.Andmaybeonceever ythi
nghas
settl
edshe' dt eachBabi nihowt ospeakt opeopl eor
didever yoneneedabl untper sonint heirl i
veseven
whent heywer eupset tingot her s?Shehad
i
magi nedhowwel lCr aigandBabi niwoul dgetal ong
oncet heyf or mallymeetbutt heyhat edeachot her
andshef eltshewast obl ame." AtleastonceCr aig
explaintoChul uwhoBabi niwasshe' dst opbeing
angryandcomehomebecauseIcan' tthinkof
anythingel set hatwoul dseemeast hebadguy"
shet houghtwhi letheysi l
ent l
ydr ovet ot he
reti
rementvi ll
aget hatmi ghtnotevenal lowher
accesst hatl ateatni ght .
Ot
hu:"
Whydidmyhusbandf i
ndyouonmyl awn?
Wehaveadooryouknow"shelookedatBabini
.
Babi
ni:"
Iwant
edt
osaygoodbyei
nmyownway"
Ot
hu:"Soyou'
rel
eavingmeagai
n?"hershakyvoi
ce
wasenoughtoexpr
essherpai
n.
Babini
:"Iam notlyi
ngwhenIsayyouar etheonly
personIfeekconnectedto.Inyourlanguagei t
meansyouar et heonl
ypersont hatIlove.Iescaped
sothatIcouldfindyounottodisruptyourl i
febutto
gettoseeyouevenwhenyoudonot .Allyou'
ve
beenissadsi nceIhavearri
ved"
Othu:"I
'
llbemor
esadshouldyoul
eave.Iknowl
if
e
i
smessedupnowbutgi veusachance.Wearenice
people"
Babi
ni:"
Thati
swhyIwi
llneverf
iti
n.Pl
usyousai
d
youdon'
tli
keme"
Othu:"
Idon'
tli
kemychil
drentoosometi
meswhen
t
heyupsetmebutIlovethem al
ways.Il
oveyou
t
oo"
Babi
ni:"
Gocr
y"
Ot
hu:"
What
?"
Babi
ni:"
Yousai
dyouar
egoi
ngt
oyourgr
andmot
her
tocryandweareher esogocry"Ot
hulaughedabi
t
whenathowhesai dit.Li
kewhenonesaystoa
chi
ld"gopee"becauseyousai
dyourbladderi
s
goi
ngt obur
st.
Othu:"
Pl easedonotgo"hekeptqui etforal ong
whil
eandOt huopenedt hedoorandwentt othe
securi
ty.After15minutesoftr
yingtogeti nthe
securi
tylethergot oMakhulu'shouse.Shewat ched
Babini
'scardr i
veoffandwhenshel ookedback
Makhuluwasst andingatthedoorwai t
ing.Justas
ChuludidwhenCr ai
gwal kedi
natt heB&Bsheal so
ranint
oMakhul u'
sar ms.
S2-I
nser
t9
Mat owassenthomer ightaft
erChulumancot old
thepoli
cet hattheyweretogetherduringt heti
me
Fli
nchdied.Sheevenhadpi cturesofherandMat o
whichhadt heest i
matedtimeanddat edet ai
ls
whichprovedMat owasbusyt akingsel f
ieswith
ChuluwhenFl i
nchwasshot .ToMat o, goinghome
tothevil
lageandsayt hatshei sawi dowwasmuch
bett
erthansayi ngshehadbeenavi ctim of
domesticviolence.Her"whatwi l
lpeoplesay"
att
itudedi dnotal
lowhertoshowanyweaknesst
o
outsiders.BothMatoandOt huhadbeenat
Makhul u'shousesinceFri
day.Othuwasbusy
maki ngteafortheelder
s.TheDeaconwasat
church.
Ot
hu:"Ihavetogohome, Makhulu.Theboyswi
llbe
dr
oppedof fl
ateron"Ot
husaidtoMakhuluHle
whil
ehandingherthecupoftea.
Mato:"Iam goi ngwithyou.Ifeelsobad,
OthunyiweyobecauseI '
dopenupt oyouandtell
younott otellCrai
gandvi caversawhenIshoul d
havesatyoubot hdownaspeopl ewhot ookmei n
andexplainedt oyoubot hatthesamet ime"Deep
downOt huagr eedthatMat oshouldhavedoneso
butshewasnotsur ewhatst ateofmi ndMatowas
i
naf t
erFlinch'sdeathbecauseshehi dpainwell.So
i
nsteadofsayi ng"veleyoushoul dhave"Othu
huggedMat obecausenoonef orcedherandCraig
tokeepthingsf rom eachother.
Makhulu:"
Howdi dthi
ngsbecomesuchasmessin
ashortspaceofti
me?Andwhatisthecasewi
th
Chul
u?"Youchildr
enkeepthi
ngsfr
om meandonly
comewhenyouar ecrying"shewasf ragileorsot
he
famil
ytoldthemsel
vessot otel
lherthingsthat
mightgiveherheartatt
ackswasnotanyt hingany
ofthefamil
ymember swant edtori
skdoi ng.
Othu:"Wear eol
denought odealwi
thourst
uffbut
yeswhenwewantt ocrywewi l
lcomedoso"Othu
plant
edaki ssofMakhulu'
scheek.Othusai
dMat o
shouldnotmentionBabinitoMakhul
ubecauseshe
wascer t
ainhehadlef
tonceagain.
Makhulu:"
WhataboutFl
inch'
sfuner
al?
"Mat
o's
headsuddenl
yhurt
.
Mato:"Hisbodyhasnotbeenreleasedyetbuthe
wantedtobecr ematedsothat
'swhatIwilldoonce
theyrel
easehisbody"Othuwenttotakeashower
andMakhul ulookedatMato.
Makhulu:"Idonotknowwhati shappeningbutI
senseI'
m nott ol
dtheentir
etruthaboutwhyChulu
i
sactingoutandwhyCr aigissoupsetthatOthu
cameher e.SoallIaskfrom youisthatyoucome
l
iveheresot hattheycansortthi
ngsout "
Mat
o:"
Areyoui
mpl
yingt
hatIam abur
dent
othem,
Si
si?
"
Makhul
u:"Iam sayi
ngthatyouwil
lwanttot
ake
Ot
hu'ssi
dewhichmi ghtmakeCrai
gfeelbul
li
edi
n
hi
sownhouse"Mat otookadeepbreath.
Mato:"
Okay,
Iseeyourpoi
nt.Iwi
llgowithOt
huto
getmythi
ngsandcomeback.Willdeaconbegood
wit
hit?
"
Makhul u:"
Myhusbandl ovesf amilybot hmineand
hisbutyoumustnotcauset roublewi t
ht he
neighborsMat o"Mat olaughed.Mat oandOt hu
wer eontheirwaybackandt hef i
rstt hingOt hudid
waschangecl othes.Thebr okenwi ndowhadbeen
replacedwhi chwaspr ooft hatCraighadbeenhome.
Shewassadt oseeMat ol eavebecauseshewoul d
havet oexplaint otheboyswhyt hehousei sempty
oncet heyretur n.Butsheunder stoodt hatMat o
neededsomeonewhounder standshergr i
efand
Makhul uwast heper f
ectper son.WhenMat ogot
i
nt othecarandOt huwat chedi tdriveof fherheart
broke.Tokeepher sel
fbusyshedi dlaundr yand
cleanedthehouse.I nfactshespr ingcl eaned
especiall
yint heirbedroom andcameacr ossvideos
tapes.Ot husatdownt ryingt othinkwhatwason
them.I twast heageofDVD, memor yst i
cksand
suchsot ocomeacr osst hebi gblackt apesfeltli
ke
visi
tingapastl ife.Othuwasaboutt oputt hem in
thebl ackbagt ot hr
owt hem awaybutshepaused
asshewast oocur i
oust oknowwhatwasont hem.
Sheusedt olovebl ackandwhi t
emovi essoOt hu
thoughti twast apesofhercl assics.Sheputt hem
backwer eshedugt hem f r
om andwentabouther
busi ness.Craigwentt otheB&Bwher eChulul i
ved
andmadehi swayt ot hei
rr oom.Whenhear r
ivedhe
foundChul uandMar i
awat chingTV.Mar i
awast he
fir
stt ojumpupt ogreetCr aig.Hel i
terall
yblocked
herf rom hugginghi m andgavehert hat"whatt he
hell"look.Sheawkwar dlybackof fandCr aigpassed
hert ogohughi sdaught er.
Crai
g:"
Couldyouexcuseusplease?"Cr
aigl
ooked
atMari
aandshenodded.Theywat chedMari
awalk
out"
What'swit
hthehugging?
"Craigsatdownand
Chul
ulaughed.
Chul
u:"Shedi
dthatwit
hme.It'
sinvasiveatf
ir
stbut
I
'vegot
tenusedtoi
t"Crai
grai
sedabr owbecause
hedi
dnotwantt
ogetusedt
oit
.
Craig:"Chuluwhat '
sthisbusinesswithyouand
mom? "Chuluhadnott oldhim anyt
hingnoteven
aboutt heallegedaffai
r.Chulusatdownbesi dehim.
Sheexpl ainedt oCrai
gindet ai
lwhatmadeher
dist
anceher sel
ffrom Othuandevenwentasf aras
givi
ngCr aigt hefal
secheat i
ngpict
ures.Craig
carefull
ylookedatt hepicturesandhecoul dnot
seet heman' sface.Itwaswhenhesawt het att
oo
ont hearmt hather eal
iseditwasBabini.
Chul
u:"
Areyoutwogoi
ngt ogetdi
vor
ced?Mar
ia
sai
dmencan'tf
orgi
vecheati
ng"
Cr
aig:"
Isthatwhatyouandt
hiswomant al
kabout
?
Mymar r
iageandshegivi
ngyoulessonsonwhat
menwant ?"
Chul
u:"
Ididn'
tmeani
tdi
srespect
ful
lydad"she
l
ookeddown.
Craig:"
AndI'
m notst
arti
ngafighteit
her,Chul
z.I
'm
tr
yingtounderst
andhowwhatyou' vejustsai
dand
showedmehasanyt hingtodowithMar íaget
ti
ngto
knowyoubet t
er"
Chul
u:"
Iguessi
tdoesn'
tbutdadt
hat
'snott
hepoi
nt
her
e"
Crai
g:"Somom i senemynumberonenow? "Craig
l
ookedi nt
ohereyes." Doyouthinkanadul t
showingachi l
dpicturesoft
heirmot her'
salleged
cheati
ngisgood? "Chulushutdownasshef el
tlike
shewasscol dedinsteadofhavingaconver sation.
"Anywayyouar eachi l
dsoyoudon' tinvol
ve
yoursel
fwithadultstuff
.For
gett hi
sbecauseIknow
whot hi
sisandi t
'snotyourmother '
sloverbecause
shehasnonsonoIam notdi vorcingmywi fe"
Chul
u:"
I'
m sor
ry,
"shesai
dqui
etl
y.
Crai
g:"Nowt hatthat'
soutofthewaywhatelse
wouldmakeyouf ightwit
hmom andmoveoutl ikea
thi
efinthenight?
"Chul uwenttogetthel
ett
ersfrom
Maria'
sstuffandgavet hem t
oherfather
.Crai
g
readthr
ought hem whilemakingstr
angefaces.
Chul
u:"
See?
"
Cr
aig:"
WhatIseeissomeonewr
it
ingcr
apaboutmy
wi
fethat'
swhatIsee"
Chul
u:"
Mar
iadi
dsayf
ather
staket
hei
rwi
vessi
de
rat
herthant
heirki
ds"Craigcoul
dnothel
pbutlaugh.
Notbecauseitwasfunnybutbecausehecoul
dnot
bel
ievewhathehadhear d.
Craig:"Si
ncewheni sMom bei ngrefer
redtoasa
stepmot her,Chulumanco? "Chululookeddown.
Shewentt ogetthetapeandl etherdadl i
sten."
So
thisMar i
acameher etobasicallyj
ustdivi
deyou
andyourmot herandyoual lowher ?Packyour
things,wearegoi nghome.Iwi l
lnothavesome
strangerbadmout hmywi f
et omychi l
dandevengo
togr eatl
engthstopr oveherlies"
Chulu:"
I'
m notgoi
ngwit
hyou.Mariasai
dthi
s
wouldhappenbecauseshehadseenmanyfather
s
dothisi
nherlineofwor
k"
Crai
g:"
Ist
hissomedelayedteenagephase,
Chul
umanco?Wellnewsfl
ash,youare21not16"
Chul
u:"
Exact
lyandIwantt
ost
ayher
e"
Crai
g:"Howlongwillshebeabletoaff
ordthi
skind
ofaccomodati
on,Chulu?"Chul
ulookeddown.Crai
g
wenttogetChulu'
sbagandst art
edtopackthi
ngs
heassumedwer eChulu'sbutChulut
ookthe
cl
othesoutashewaspacki
ng.Mar
iawal
kedi
nand
hel
pedChuluunpack.
Mari
a:"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Youcan'
tfor
cehert
o
go"
Crai
g:"
Youdonott
ellmewhatIcanandcannotdo,
thi
sismychi
ld"
Mari
a:"OneTati
anakeptyouf r
om becauseyou
t
oldhertohaveanabort
ion!"Cr
aigdi
dnotexpect
t
hatatallsohehadtocoll
ecthi
sthoughtsfi
rst
.
Chulu:"Yes,Dad.Ireadthatl
ettert
ooinwhi ch
Tati
anat el
lsMar i
ahowyousai dshemustgetr i
dof
me"Cr aigpoint
edhi sfi
ngeratMariabutheknewt o
hi
therwoul dcausehi mt r
oublesohewi shedOthu
wast heretosortMar i
aoutonceagain.Het ooka
deepbr eat
h.
Crai
g:"Clearl
yyouhavef oundmeandyourmot her
guil
tyofthingst hi
swomansayssoIwi llnot
expl
ainmysel fbecauseasyousaid,you'r
eanadult
.
Idon'tknowi fyoufearl
osingTat
ianaagaini
nsome
wayandt hat'swhyyouwantt oholdont owhat
ever
thi
sis"hepoi ntedatMari
aandChul u."
Youknow
wher eyoul eftmom andIshoul dyouf i
nall
ycome
toyoursenses"Cr aigwishedChul uwasunder age
sohe' dchar geMar iawit
hki dnappi ngbutshewas
anadul tsohedeci dedtotreatherassuch.He
madehi swayt othedoorandt urnedtoface
Chul umanco." Bothmom andIl ovedyousi ncet he
fir
stdaywemetyou.Herper hapsi nawayI
coul dn'tunder standbecauseshewast heresince
dayone, shecutyourumbi l
icalcor dwhilethis
womanwaswhoknowswher e.Ponderovert hat
whenyoushutyoureyest onight "Hebangedt he
doorandt henhegotacal lfrom Mat osayingOt hu
washome.Hehadbeent ryingt ocallhersincehe
calmeddownbutherphonewentt ovoicemai l sohe
washappyt ohearshewashome.Theyneededt o
talk.Hef oundheri nthegarageasshewasl ooki ng
forsomet hi
ng.Hehuggedf rom behi nd.
Craig:"
Let'
spromisetoneverhidethingsfr
om each
otherevenwhenwet hi
nkit
'stoprotectt
hosewe
l
ove"Hewhi speredinherearandOt hunoddeda
fewt i
mesbeforecryi
ng."I
'm sorr
ythatIwasaj er
k
whenIpr omisedyearsagotoneverbeoneagai n"
helef
ttr
acesofsoftki
ssesonherneckbef
orehe
spunheraroundt
okissherwetl
ipsastear
sflew
overt
hem.
Othu:"
I'
m sor
ryfornotsayi
nganythi
ng"She
huggedhim"IthoughtandChuluwouldr
unoffi
nto
thesunsetwi
thMar í
a"Crai
glaughed
Crai
g:"Ir
anintothesunsetwi
thmywomanyears
ago.Chulu.
..
Chuluwil
llear
nsoont
hatl
if
eifnotal
l
sunshi
neandr oses"
Othu:"
Youspoket
oher
?Babyi
t'
sBab.
..
"Cr
aig
ki
ssedher.
Craig:"Iknowwhoyou' rewithinthepictur
e.It
's
mor elikeChul uspoketomeandt ol
dmeexact l
y
whatshet houghtofusl atel
y"het ol
dhertheentir
e
storyandOt huwasf ir
edupandr eadytogogether
chil
deveni fitmeantdoingi tBabini
'
swayandput
Chuluoverhershoul derandcar ryherhome."Don't
gother e.I
t'smor ehurtf
ulwhenshesayst hese
herselfvsospar eyourselfthepain"
Othu:"
SoIleavemychi
ldwi
thal
yingpsycho"Cr
aig
nodded"Thenwhat
?"
Crai
g:"ThenChululear
ns.Wer ai
sedherinabubble
i
nevennowi nheryoungadultli
fewetr
eatherli
ke
anegg.Somet i
mesabur nisenoughtoletachil
d
real
izethatpl
ayi
ngwi t
hfir
ehasconsequences.It
's
noteasyonmet oobutt ofor
cecouldcomewith
l
egalconsequences.Doyout hi
nkdarkmagicreal
ly
works?Mar i
ahasherspellonChulu"
Ot
hu:"
OrChuludeepdownwishesherr
ealmom
wasal
ivesosheseesheri
nMaria"
Crai
g:"
We'l
lhearherreasonswhenshe'
slear
ned
herl
essonbutfornowwewai tonher
"
Othu:"Whati
fsheconvi
ncesmybabyt
ogowi
th
her?"
Crai
g:"Chului
sconf used,notdumbbutIhave
spokentomyai rpor
tsecurit
yandboar derpatrol
e
contact
s.Shoul dChululeaveSAwhet herbypl ane,
carorfootIwillbetherebeforeshecansay
Amer i
ca"Othunodded.Sheexpr essedhowshef elt
whenCr ai
gsaidhe' sgoingtolookfor"his"daught er
i
nsteadoftheirdaughter.Craigwassoangr yatthe
ti
mehecoul dn'tevenremembert hemomentbuthe
didapologi
zeanyway.Theyki ssedandOt hu'
slegs
wrappedaroundCr aig'
swai stti
ghtlywhil
ehis
handssuppor t
edherbyhol dingherbehind.Babi ni
cl
earedhisthroatandOt huplantedherfeetont he
ground.Shewassohappyt oseehi m.Thetwomen
whobot hsti
llworethebruisesoft hefi
ghtlookedat
eachother.
Babini
:"Icoul
dcomebackl
aterwhenyouar
efr
ee"
helookedatOthu.
Othu:"
No, i
t'
sokay.Ri
ght,
Craig?"Cr
aigsawthehi
nt
ofjoyi
nhereyessohenodded." Babini
KungentandoZwenithi
sisCraigKnightmy
husband,Crai
gthi
sismybr ot
her"shesmil
ed.
Cr
aig:"
Thewal
kingdead"Cr
aigl
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babini:"Thechoker
"Babinisaidasher emember ed
howCr ai
gchokedhim.Ot huwasnotsur eifi
twas
i
nsultsorsomeguyt hi
ngbutatl easttheywerenot
fi
ghting.TherewasahandshakeandOt huknewi t
wasascl oset
opeaceast heywouldget .She
cookedl unchastheyusual l
ydidonSunday
aft
ernoons.Tohavepeopl et oserveittowasgood.
Babini:"
Ther
e'saNateinyourcir
cle.Wher
edoI
placehiminyourli
fe,
Othu?"Crai
g'satt
ent
ionwas
focusedonhisbrot
herinlaw.
Othu:"I
fit
'st
heNatethatweknowt
henhe'
sCr
aig'
s
fr
iend"Othul
ookedatCrai
g.
Babini
:"Sowhathedoeswithhisl
if
eisnonofyour
concernri
ght
?"helookedathi
ssist
er.
Othu:"
Notr
eall
yIguessespeci
all
ysi
ncehebr
oke
upwithmyfri
end"
Babini
:"Okaysohisscr
ewi
ngupwon'taf
fectyou.
Nowwecaneat "Ot
husmil
edandwenttogetthe
foodwarmedup.
Cr
aig:"
What
'st
hatabout
?"
Babi
ni:"
Hewasgi
venFli
nch'
scontr
actbutIst
il
l
don'
tknowwhohetookt
heorderf
rom.Tellhi
m hi
s
worki
smessy,
"
Craig:"
WellOjustopenedforhim sot
ellhim
yourself
"Crai
glookedoveratthebackent r
anceas
hewat chedNategreetOt
hu.Craigknewt hathi
s
fr
iendcamef orOthu'
sSundayl unchmoret han
anyt
hingel
se.Othudir
ectedNat
etot
hemenand
Natetookawhif
fofthefoodbei
ngpr
epar
edand
smil
edathisper
fectti
ming.
Babini
:"Nathaniel
?"Nat
ewast akenabackby
someonecal l
inghisful
lname.Anameonl yhi
s
bir
thmot herknew.
Nate:"Yeah,youare?"Natecouldseethathewas
Othu'
sf amil
ybecauseoft heresemblancebuthe
hadn'tseenBabinibefor
e.
Babini:"I
'mthemanwhowant stotel
lyouthatyou
l
eftabi gstenchtraili
ngbehindyouonyourl astjob
andi fFli
nch'sbl
oodhoundf r
iendscomesni ffi
ng
theywi l
lfi
ndyouwi thease.Luckil
yIcanrelax
becausemysi st
eri snotgoingtobemi xedupi n
yourshi t
.Ifyouaret ir
ed,r
eti
re"hesaiditwithout
evenst utt
eri
ngbef oreheleftthem "Bunchof
i
nterns"headdedl oudenoughf orthem t
ohearand
CraigstoppedNat ej ustashewasaboutt otake
offense.
Crai
g:"Don'
tmindhi
m butdomi ndt
hepartwher
e
hesaidyoulef
ttr
acks.Youhaveadaught
erin
boar
dingschoolsogodosomecl
eanupwor
k,"
Nat
e:"
Whoi
she?
"
Cr
aig:"
SomeoneIwil
lhavet
otol
erat
eforO'
ssake.
Whoorder
edthehi
t?"
Nate:"
YouknowIcan'tt
ellyout
hat"Crai
grai
sedhi
s
handsupandNatehatedthathewouldnothave
homecookedlunchbuthehadtogomakesur e
nothi
ngcamebacktobitehimforhisdaught
er'
s
sake.
Othu:"Iwasl
ooki
ngforourvi
deoplayeri
nthe
garagesoIcoul
dseewhatisonthese"
Babi
ni:"
Damnt hesear
easoldasdinosaur
s"Ot
hu'
s
l
aughmadeCr aigsmil
eashestoodwherehewoul
d
noti
nter
ruptt
hem.
Ot
hu:"
ThenImustbeaf
ossi
l
"
Babi
ni:"
I'
lll
oadwhat
ever'
sonthem ont
oadi
scso
youcanwat cht
hem onyourPC"
Othu:"Reall
y?"shesmi
ledexcit
ingl
ybefor
eshe
huggedhim.ForamomentCr ai
gsawt hesamejoy
i
nOt hu'sfaceshe'
dhavewhenLangawasar ound.
Lunchwasser vedandOt huthoughtCraigatealot
buthewasnomat chforBabini.Af
terlunchOthu
wenttogetallthevi
deot apesshecouldgether
handsonsoshe' dgivethem toBabini
.Craiggave
Babiniabeerandtheybot hstoodwithonehandi n
thepocketwhil
elookingahead.
Craig:"
IguessIwillhavetocanceltheorderfort
he
coffi
ns"sarcasm t
heonlyhumorBabi nigaveaside
smirktobecausehepr efer
edit.Foramomenthe
thoughtCraigwasallemotionandnot hi
ngelse.He
didnotlaughbutgaveasubt lesmirk.
Babini
:"Ihopether
e'snoret
urnpolicyfortheone
yougotf oryour
sel
f.Youmightsti
llneeditshoul
dI
notbehappywi thhowyoutreatmysi ster
"Crai
g
worehisownsubt l
esmirkbeforet
akingasi pofthe
beer
.
Cr
aig:"Yourbi
gbr
otherscar
eisf
ourt
eenyear
stoo
l
ate"bothmensmil
edtothemsel
veswhil
enoddi
ng.
Babi
ni:"
Idonotl
ikeyou.Il
oveherandshel
oves
yousothati
swhyItoler
ateyou"
Cr
aig:"
Ahnowt
othatwecant
oastt
obecauset
he
feeli
ngismutual
"Crai
graisedhisbeerandlooked
direct
lyi
ntoBabi
ni'
seyes.Babi
ni'sbott
leki
ssed
Craig'
soneandOthustoodast hesightofher
husbandandandbr ot
hertoast
ing.
Othu:"
Iknewyoutwowoul dli
keeachot heronce
yougottobeint
roducedproper
ly.I
'm sohappy"she
huggedCrai
gfir
standthenBabini.
Crai
g:"Wehavejustfoundthatwehavesomething
i
ncommon"Ot hucoul dnotcontai
nherexci
tement
asshethoughttheyhadbecomebuddiesbutreall
y
whattheyhadincommonwasher .
Babini:"
Wegetonl ikeahouseonf ire"Othuwasso
excitedshecoul dscream.Ther ewaspeace
betweent wooft hemosti mportantmeni nherlif
e.
Shewant edt oknowwher eBabi nilivedandhesai d
he'dcomegethersoshe' dseewher eoncehehas
settl
ed.Babiniwasact ual
lygladt hatCr aigwasnot
responsibl
ef orFli
nch'sdeat
h.Hewasgl adthat
Fli
nch'sbuddi eswon'twanttohar m Ot hut ogetto
Craig.Heact ual
lydugdeeperi ntoCr aig'
spastand
hewasi mpr essedbyhowcl eanandpr ecisehis
workusedt obe.Hewasmor ei mpressedbyCr aig
shutti
ngdownt heagencysot hathewoul dbea
propermant ohissi ster.Hewasnotgoi ngtot ell
Craighewasi mpr essedbuti fCr ai
gwasst i
llint he
game, Babi niwoul ddoj obswi thhi m.Hei nt
er nal l
y
admi t
tedthatCr aigwasnoi ntern.Whent heboys
call
edt osayt heywer eont heirwayhomeBabi ni
saidgoodbye.Eacht imehedi dsohe' dseet he
sadnessi nOt hu'
seyessoheassur edherhe' df etch
hersoshecoul dvi sithim.Hest il
llef
tnocont act
detail
swher eOt hucoul df i
ndhi m andshedi dnot
pressurehi m byaski ngf ort hem.Theboyswer enot
readyfort heover whel minghugsandki ssest hei r
mom shower edt henwi t
h.Theyact edallgrossed
outbutdeepdownt heyl ovedi tall
.Crai
gandOt hu
didn'
ttelltheirkidst henewsoft heirunclewhohad
comebackf rom t hedead.PhawuandQhawedi dn'
t
wantt ohavedi nneratt heirfriend'shousesot hey
couldfeast sont hemeal t
heyknewt hei
rmom
preparedf orSundayl unch.Theywer ehappyand
bothpar entswer egladt hatatl eastthei
rboysgot
savedt het roublesoft her ecentdr ama.
Phawu:"
Wher
eisChul
u?"t
headul
tsl
ookedateach
ot
her
.
Crai
g:"Shehasgonet osomear tthingwhi
chmight
l
astamont h"hel i
edbecausehedi dnotwantt
o
tai
ntthestr
ongr el
ati
onshi
pt heki
dshad.Fora
secondtheylookeddoubtfulbutt
heynodded.
Qhawe:"Soshewi l
lbegoneforthatl
ongbutdidn't
sayanythingtous?"Ot
huknewbet t
erthantospin
them astorywit
houthavi
ngthoughtitt
hrough.
Othu:"Tamkhulugotherinatthelastminuteand
don'tbeworriedwhenshedoesnott akeyourcall
s
ei
ther,ter
ri
blenetwor
k"theboysnodded.Chul uwas
nottakinghercal
lsandCraigsaidOthumustst op
tr
yingbuthowcoul dshewhenherbabyi sdist
ant
.
Qhawe:"Shecoul
datl
easthavet
oldus.Aheavy
penal
tyawait
sher"
Phawu:"
Cleani
ngt
het
oil
etf
oral
lthedaysshei
s
gone,
"
Qhawe:"Letusgodiscussthis,comr
ade,
"they
walkedt
ot hei
rroom notknowingwhatahell
ish
weekendeveryoneel
sehad.
Othu:"
Don'
tyouwishyoucouldbet hatprobl
em
fr
ee?Nicel
ifepr
oblems"Crai
glaughed."Sorr
y
againf
orassumingyoukil
ledFl
inch"
Craig:"I
tsokaybutIwi
llpuni
shyout hough"hesai
d
i
tinsuchawayt hatOt
huf el
therl
egsgetweak.
Craiglif
tedherupandcarri
edhertheirr
oom to
"punish"her.
Chulugotacallf
rom MrFreder
ickstotellherthat
oneofhiswife'
sneckl
aceswentmi ssi
ng.I tf
eltto
Chuluasthoughtheywereaccusingher.Imange
whowasnothappywi thChululi
vinginaB&Bshe
waspayingforwhil
eshehadaper f
ectl
ysaf eand
fr
eehomet ogot ol
ist
enedasChul udefended
hersel
f.
Chul
u:"WhatwouldIdowi t
hMrsFredr
ick'
svint
age
pi
eces?Iam abeadgir
l,notgol
dandsil
ver"
I
mange:"Theyhadtoasktobesur
e.I
fyou'
re
i
nnocentdon'
tfussabouti
t"
Chulu:"
Wher eyouint
hemainbedroom whenwe
werethere?
"Imangewasstunnedbythesubtl
e
accusati
ondirect
edathi
m.
Imange:"SoIam poorsoitonl
ymakessensethatI
tookitri
ght
?"hi
squestioncamefr
om aplaceof
disappoi
ntment
.
Chul
u:"
No,Ijust
..
.j
usthavetoask.Maybeyousaw
i
tandputi
tinadiffer
entpl
acethanbefor
e"
I
mange:"
Wil
lyouaskyourauntt
hesamet
oo?
"
Chul
u:"
Shenevermadei
tpastt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom"
Imange:" Yourf atherleaveshi swal l
etwi t
hloadsof
cashwhi leI'm alone.I'vebeent oyourhousewher e
yourf ami lycarelesslyleavet hingsar oundyet
nothingevergotl ost.Nowyout hinkIst ol
esome
oldlady'sneckl ace?Youar ebur ningbr idges,
Chul umanco.Justbesur ethatt hesi deyouchose
willtreatyouwel lbecauseonceabr idgei sbur ntit
's
noteasyt ocr osst othesi deyoul eft
"het ookhi s
bagandwentt ot hedoor .JustwhenChul uthought
herdaycoul dn'
tgetanywor seshegota
notifi
cationf rom herbanksayi ngt hatthousands
wer ewi thdrawnwhenal lMar íahadt odowasget
them f ood.Shewonder edwhatt ypeoff oodwasso
expensi vet hatitwoul dcostsomuch.Shepr essed
herphoneandsear chedforOt hu'
snumberbut
coul
dnotpr essdualbecauseherpr idewast oobig.
Shelist
enedt ot hemanyvoi cemail
sOt husent .I
n
thefi
rstonessheaskedChul utocomebackt otalk.
Inothersshej ustaskedi fshe'deatenbutinmost
Othujustsaid" Iloveyou".Itwaswhenshebr oke
downi ntearsthatshest oodt opackherst uf
fas
Imange'swor dsofbur ni
ngbr i
dgeswasal lshe
coul
dt hinkof
S2-I
nser
t10
Chul ukeptont appi
ngherphoneagai nstherhand
assheanxi ouslysatandwai tedf orMar iatoreturn
togethercar df r
om her.Shewasgoi ngbackhome
andnot hingwoul dstopher .Eveni fCr ai
gwant ed
Tatianatoabor therorifOthumi streatedher
mot hertheirgooddeedsout wei ght hebadand
that'
swhyChul udecidedt oputt hingst hat
belongedi nt hepastbehi ndher .Herphonest arted
tobeependl esslyandf oramomentshet houghtit
wasI mangewhowasf inallyreplyingt ogettexts
butitwasnot ifi
cati
onandnotj ustofherr egular
accountbutal soherinvestmentaccountwhi chhad
allherinheri
tance.Shewat chedast hemoney
depleteduntiltherewasnot hing.Herhear tstarted
tobeatatar atet hatwasal armi ng.Shehadpl ansto
somedaybuyasmal lartgal l
er ywiththatmoney.
ShegaveMar i
adet ailstoherr egularbankaccount
butnotheri nvestmentaccount .InfactChul u
thoughtshewasneededi nor derf orhertosignof f
onheri nvestmentf undst ober eleasedbutshewas
clearl
ywr ong.Thef ir
stper sont hatshecal l
edwas
herfatherbecausehewoul dknowwhatt odoi na
fraudcasebutCr aig'sphonewentt ovoicemai l.She
tri
edOt hubutitwentst raightt ovoi cemail.The
boyswer emostpr obabl yasl eepbutsheur gent l
y
neededt ospeakt oherpar entssoshecal l
edonl yt
o
alsohearvoi cemai l system.I tseemedt hat
everyone'sphonewasof fandChul uhadnocash
onhert ocallat axi.Af t
eral lt
hatshesai danddi dto
herpar entsshewast ooashamedt oaskt hem f or
anything.Mar i
awal kedinhol dingshoppi ngbags
j
ustasChul uwasaboutt ocal lher.
Mari
a:"Iknowyousaidfoodonl
ybutIsawsome
i
temsthatIthoughtwoul
dlookgoodonus.Pl
ease
don'tbeangryt
hatIwentoverbudget"Chuluwas
setongivingMari
aanearfulabouti
tbutherbuyi
ng
cl
ot heswassmallcomparedtoheri
nherit
ance
beingstol
en.Shetol
dMariawhathappened.Chulu
satandbrushedherkneesvigor
ousl
y.
Maria:"
Whoel
seknowst
hedet
ail
sofyour
account?"
Chulu:"
Mypar
ent
sbuti
t'
snott
hem.Iknowi
t'
snot
them"
Mari
a:"
Howcanyoubesur
ebecauset
heymightbe
puni
shi
ngyouort
hisi
sawayforyout
oret
urn
home"
Chul
u:"I
t'
snotthem!"shesnapped"Honest
lyIdon'
t
knowwhyIletyoutalkmeintoleavi
nghome.This
woul
dneverhavehappenedifIwashome"she
wantedsomeonetoblame.
Maria:"
I'
m yourbl
ood,
Tal
ia.I
'
m asgoodasbei
ng
yourmom"
Chul
u:"ThenwhydidIcal
lMYMOM bef or
eIcall
ed
youwhenI '
mint
roubl
e?Icannotbel
ieveyoumade
meturnonmymom"Chul udidnotwanttotaket
he
responsi
bil
it
yforherchoi
ces.Shewasnotf
orced
byMar i
aandshewasnochi l
deit
her
.
Mar ia:"You' r
ej ustupset .Iwillgomakeyout eaand
thenwecanf ir
stt ryt ot raceyourmoneyour selves
befor etroublingyourpar ents"Anyhel pwas
wel comesoChul uagr eed.Mar iamadet eaf orthe
twooft hem andt heybot htookt helapt opt ocheck
i
ft heycoul dgetanyl eads.Chul uknewt hatCr aig
woul dbevi vidsoi ftheycoul dgett hemoneyback
befor ehimf i
ndi ngoutshewoul dber eli
eved.The
sunshownsopai nfullyi ntoChul u'
sf acet hatshe
putbot hherhandsi nf r ontofherf acef orshade.
Shesatupandcol l
ect edhert hought sbef ore
scanni ngt her oom t hathadbeenheraccomodat i
on
fort hepastf ewdays.Sher eali
sedt hatshedozed
offwhi letheyt riedt ot rackhermoney.Shecal led
outf orMar i
abutt her oom wasempt y.Herhear t
near lystoppedwhenamancamei ntot her oom
uninvi t
edShet ookagl assvaceandpr omi sedt ohit
him wi thitshoul dbet ryt ohur ther.
Babi
ni:"
Putthedamnvacedownbef or
eyouhurt
your
self
.Itsucksdoesn'
tit
?Tor
eal
izethatt
he
grasswasi ndeednotgr eeneront heotherside"he
shookhi sheadbef or
ehesatdownonachai rinthe
corneroft her oom.Hegest uredforChul utojoi
n
him andi nst eadofscr eaminglikeanylogical
personint hatsituati
onwoul ddo, sheslowlysaton
theothersi deoft hesmalltableandlookedathi m.
Itwasast houghshewasl ookingathermot herand
l
ateuncl e.Hermi ndtookherbackt owhenOt hu
camet ot heB&Bwher eshethoughtBabi niwasher
mot her
'sl over .
Chulu:"Myauntwil
lbeherenow"Babi
nil
aughed
unti
lhiseyesgott
eary.Hestoodandwal
kedtothe
othersi
deoftheroom.
Babini
:"Tada!"heopenedt heclosetandChul u
stoodtochecki fhereyesweren'tdeceivi
ngherbut
theyweren't
.Mar i
a'sclot
heswerenowher etobe
seen."
Noauntofyour siscomingbacksosi tdown
sowecanchat "heledChulubackt othechairint
he
mistgentl
emanl i
kemannereverbef orehesat
down.
Chul
u:"
Whatdi
dyoudot
omyaunt
?"
Babi
ni:"
Thequest
ionyoushouldbeaskingis"what
di
dmyauntdot ome? "becauseyouar
et hesucker
i
nallofthi
s"Chul
u'seyeswidened.
Chulu:"
Didmymom t el
...
"sheshutupwhenBabini
puthisfi
ngeroverherl
ips.Shef
eltof
fended."
How
dareyoutouchmewhenyoudonotevenknowme"
Babi
ni:"
Youar
easpoi
ledpi
eceofshi
t,Chul
umanco
Kni
ght"
Chul
u:"
Excuseme?
!"
Babini:"Getoffendedal lyoulikeitwon'tchange
whatyouar e.Yourpar entsclaim you'r
econf used.
"ohpoorChul ut heovergrownbabyi sconfused"he
saidinast rangevoi ce."Trut
hi syouar easpoi l
ed
pieceofshi twhosepar entsthinktheyaredoi nga
favourbyt reatingli
keababy.Ican' tbeli
eveyouf el
l
forthi
ssoqui ckly.Don'tyouknowsomesi bli
ngs
havethesamehandwr iti
ng?Doyouevenknow
whatTat iana'svoicesoundedl ikeordidyouj ust
heartheSpani shaccentandassumedi twasher ?
Notonl yspoiledbuti tseemsyou' redumbt oo"
Chuluf el
therangerf l
owt hroughherl i
ghtning.
"Yourfavourit
eper sonscammedyououtofyour
moneybyt heway.Thankyourmom becauseifit
weren'tforherlovi
ngyouI '
dhavel
etyoucry
yourselfint
oadamncoma"Chul ubl
inkedafew
ti
mesbutkeptqui et.
Chul
u:"
Whatdi
dmymom do?
"
Babini
:"Not hi
ng,herlovejustsustainsyouIguess.
Iwouldn'tbewast ingmydamnt i
mepl ayi
ngdoll
wit
hsmal lgir
lsl
ikeI'm doingnowbutIknowyour
mom wi llbesadwhenshehear syoul etyourselfbe
scammedoutofyourdamnmoneyandIdonot
wantthat "hesaidwhi l
epr essi
nghisl aptop.
Suddenlyhehadal lofChul u'
satt
ent i
on.Hedi dn't
saymor eandshedi dn'taskbutwat chedhi m ashe
waspr essingthepoorl aptopsbuttonshar d.He
l
ookedatChul uast houghhewast ryi
ngt odecide
onsomet hi
ngbef oreheshookhi sheadandwent
backtobusi ness.
Chulu:"
Whoareyou?"heignoredhersoshesat
backandwatchedhim.Heturnedthelapt
opsot he
screenwoul
dfaceher.Chul
ulookedatthescreen
andcouldnotunder
standwhatshewasl ooki
ngat.
Chul
u:"
ButitsaysUhm.
..
Fyou,
B"Chul
uli
keOt
hu
coul
dnotswear.
Babi ni
:"Fuckyou, bit
ch?"het urnedthel aptop
aroundqui ckl
y"Mybad, youwer en'
tsupposedt o
seet hat.That
'sjustt hefr
iendlygreetingshe'l
lsee
fi
rstoncesheseest hatIstolethemoneyt hatshe
stolefrom you"Chul udidn'tknowi fsheshoul dbe
afraidorhappy.Babi niwasnotgoi ngt obother
himsel fwit
hChul u'schil
dishnessbuthehear dhow
i
tdi dn'
tsitwellwithOt husohedeci dedt ohelp.
Chulu:"
WhenmustIexpecti
tbacki
ntomy
account?"
Babi
ni:"
WhenIt
hinkyoudeser
veit.Nowgohome,
runi
ntomommy'sarmsandapologize"hest
ood.
Chul
u:"
Wai
t,whoar
eyou?
"
Babini:"Ohhowver yrudeme.I'm MalumeBabi ni
"
heshookherhand." Trygoi
nghomemor eoft
en
you'vebeenmi ssi
ngt hefamil
ynewsf eeds"Justl
ike
thathewasgone.Hecame, heconquer edandhe
l
eft.WhenBabi niheardthatOthuhadhi s
suspicionsaboutMar ia,
hebegant oact.Shewas
herauntt
hatwasnol iebutshewasal soacon
art
istwhowouldscam evenhergr andmotheroutof
herpensi
onifneeded.Chululookedatthedoor
whenitopenedandBabi niappr
earedagain.
Babini:"Ij
ustr eali
zedt hatthe" Malume"t hi
ngt odo
i
st omakesur eyou' rehomesaf esopackupand
fi
ndmeatr eception"Chul unodded." Her ei
ssome
entert
ainmentf oryouwhi l
eyougetr eady"he
handedheradi sc"Takeyourt i
me, I'
mi nnorush
whatsoever "hecl osedt hedooragai n.Chul
uput
thedisci nherl aptopandwai tedforittoloadas
shewascur i
ous.Shewentt ositont hebed
becauseshewasnotr eadyfort heent i
reworl
dasi t
fel
tast houghever yoneknewwhataf oolshewas.
Thevideowasnotcl earatf i
rstbutoncei twasclear
enoughayoungOt hunyi weyoappear edandr ight
behindherwasTat iana.Ot huseemedt obe
adjusti
ngt hevi deor ecorderandoncet hatwas
doneshequi cklyr ant owher eTatianawasst anding.
Othu:"
Playthesong"Tatianagr
abbedhol
dofa
remote"Chul
u,Chulu"Othuaddedinasi
ll
yvoi
ce
whil
eshet i
ckl
edTat i
ana'
sbabybump.
Tat
iana:"
Thi
swi
llhel
peaset
hebi
rt
hri
ght
?"
Othu:" Yeahr eaditinsomemegazi ne.Chul uwillbe
heref i
vemi nutesafteryourf i
rstfewcont ract
ions"
theybot hl aughed.Soonanol dkwaitot r
ackstarted
andt het woyoungl adiesdancedl i
ketherewasno
tomor rowwhi l
elaughi ng.JustasChul uwas
enjoyingt hatscenet hevi deowentt oanot herandit
wasTat i
ana' sbir
thvi deo.Chul ut
houghtonl y
moder npr egnantwomenf i
lmedt heirbir
thbutshe
waswr ong.Ot huwast heonehol di
ngt hevideo
camer awhi leTati
anawast r
yingtobr i
ngbaby
Chului ntot heworld.Int hatvideoTat i
anahad
alr
eadygot t
enveryt hin.
Othu:"Onlyamatterofti
mebef orewear ethree"
shesaidexcit
ingl
y.Foranoutsiderwatchingt he
vi
deocl i
psitwouldhavebeenast hough
OthunyiweyoandTat i
anaweresomel esbiancouple.
Tati
anahadast rongcontract
ionandOt hugavet he
camer atosomeoneandr ushedtoholdherf ri
ends
hand.Therewerescreamsandl oudbreathing.Soon
Tati
anawaspushi ngfordearlif
eunti
lanewbor n'
s
cryfi
ll
edt her
oom.Tat i
anaseemedt opassout
ri
ghtafterbutt henursesassuredOthushe' sfine.
Chuluwat chedOt hufoll
owedi nst
ructi
onsgi venfor
hertocutherChul u'
scord.Thescenet ouched
Chulusomucht hatsheheldont oherbell
ybut ton
whilecrying.Chuluwaspl acedgentlyint
oOt hu's
armsaf terthenursesexami nedherandOt hu
walkedtot hefrontofthecamer awhileholding
Chulu.Thevi deowasbl urr
ybutChul ucouldsee
enough.
Othu:"Ourbabyi shere.Hi,
babyTali
a,HibabyChu-
Chu.Youar esoper fect
"shesaidinacutebaby
voicebeforekissi
ngChul u'
snose.Thenthevi
deo
wenttoanot hercli
pandTat i
ana'
spalefaceand
darkcircl
edeyesbr okeChulu'
sheart.
Tati
ana:"Weboughtthiscamer at ocapturespeci
al
moment sandIdonott hinkthatitgetsmor especi
al
thanthi
s"shewhisperedandChul uforthefir
stti
me
heardTati
ana'
svoicepr oper
ly.Chuluplacedher
fi
ngersonherli
psandt hentouchedt hescreento
shareakisswi
thTatiana.Shewi pedhert earsoff
andlookedatt
hescr eenagai n.
Tat
iana:"
Ican'
tmaket
oomuchnoi
sebecausemy
twor oommat esar esl eepi ngbutIhadt ocapt ure
thismoment "shesl owl ytur nedt hecamer aand
ri
ghti nfrontoft hebedwasOt hunyi weyosl eeping
whi l
esi t
tingar oundat ableandonherbackwas
babyChul uwhowasal sosl eepingsoundl y.The
camer aturnedagai n." Somyf ri
endnotonl ybathed
andf edmybabywhenwegotl etdownbyourusual
helperbutshehel pedmet obat handeatt oo"the
camer aturnedt ofaceOt huagai n." Canyouseet he
booksont het able?Shef ellasleepwhi lest udying.I
haveneverseent heheavanl yangel sspokenofbut
i
fIwast ol dOt hunyi weyoZweniwasoneoft hem I
woul dnotdoubti tforonesecond.Tal i
a,ifyouever
gettoseet hi s, youmustknowt hatMommyi s
l
eavi ngyoui ncapabl ehands.Iwoul dn'tchose
anyonet or aiseyoubutmybestf r
iend, notevenmy
ownmot hersot akecar eofherf orme, Princess"
Tatianasmi ledbef orebl owi ngaki sst ot hescr een.
Anot hercl i
pcameonandi twascl earthatTat iana
didn'thavel ongt olive.Ther ewassomeoneel se
witht hem hol dingt hecamer aandOt hukeptt elli
ng
theper sont oshuti tof f.Theper sonmusthave
thoughtt heyswi tchedi tof fbefor eput t
ingi tdown
butitwasstil
lrecor
ding.Chul
usawanotherper
son
exittheroom andsheassumeditwasafri
endof
their
s.Chuluwassl eepi
ngonTati
ana'
schestwhil
e
Othul ai
dnexttoher.
Othu:"
Areyoucomfor
tabl
e?"sheaskedsoft
ly"
Are
yousureyoudon'
twanttogotothehospi
tal
?"
Tatiana:"Iam sur eandIam comf ortable.Youknow,
Othuwi ththel onelyli
feIhavel ivedIwascer t
ainI
woul ddiealonet oobutIcl earl
ydi dsomet hingr i
ght
tohaveasi sterbymysi de"Othuputherhandover
hermout htobl ockthesoundofhercr ysoTat iana
woul dnotbesad." I'
m notafraid, youknow.Not
whenIknowmychi l
dhasamot hershecancr yt o
whenl i
feknocksherover .Thankyouf ormaki ngmy
l
astf ewyear st hebest.Wef ought ,wecr i
ed,but
most lywel aughed.I '
m sorryforaski ngyout obea
singlemot herbutIcan' thavemychi ldtolostint he
system.I twashel lformei nthedi ff
erentfoster
homesIl i
vedi n.Theemot i
onal,physi calandsexual
abusemessedmeupandIaskt hatyoupr otectour
hija(daughter)f r
om such.I'm soatpeace, Fri
end.
I'
m atpeace"Thosewer eTat i
ana' slastwor ds
befor eshepeacef ullydiedinhersl eep.Ot hunever
toldChul ut hatTat i
anadi edinherar msShenever
toldChul ut hatshesomet imeshadt obat hTat iana
andt henherandf eedt hem bot ht oo.Shenevert old
Chul uthatwhenTat i
anawast ooweakt obe
mot hershewoul dhol dChul uwhi letryi
ngt ost udy.
Chul uhear dal lthegr eatthingsaboutOt huand
Tat i
ana'slifefrom Ot hubutnott hehar dti
mes.Ot hu
sobbedsi l
ent l
yt onotwakel it
tleChul uupasshe
l
ai dnextt oherTat i
ana'slifel
essbody.Ot herpeopl e
camei ntother oom andChul uassumedt heywer e
fri
endsbecauseshecoul dnotseet hem.Ot hu
kissedTat iana' sfor eheadandt hevi deocl ipended.
Chul ufeltherhear tr i
p.Shef eltnumbsoshej ust
satont hebed.Shechoseanout sideroverher
numberonewhi chwassomet hingshe' dnever
forgiveher selffor .Babiniwai tedf orChul ut ojoin
him sohe' dt akeherhome.Whenhesawwhatt he
tapeshadonhewant edtoshowt hem toChul u
befor etakingt hem t ohi ssister.Hehat edt hat
Chul uchoseMar i
aoverOt huj ustbecauset hey
shar edDNA.Heknewt hatChul uwasmost
probabl ylayingi napoolofherownt earsbuthe
wasnotaboutt ogotellherit'
sokaybecausehe
knewherpar entswoulddot hat.Hewant edi tallto
sinki n.Hewant edhert ofeelasenseofr egr etthat
woul dmakeherappr eciatehermot hermor e.Af ter
wai t
ingf oroveranhourChul ufoundhim still
wai t
ingjustashehadpr omised.Theywer en' twell
acquai ntedbutitwil
lchangesoon.Chul ust epped
i
nt ohi scarandwassi lentallthewayunt ilthey
reachedherhome.Onet hewayhet ol
dherhe' d
releasehermoneyoncehef eltshe'
sreal
lyl earned
herl esson.Calli
nghimsel f"
thebet t
erthi
ef "
.They
satint hecarf orawhil
easChul u'
seyeswer efixed
ont hef r
ontdoor .
Chul
u:"
WhatdoIsay?
"sheasked.
Babini
:"Sorr
yMom andDadf orbei
nganungrat
eful
ass"Chululookedathi
m,shookherheadand
l
ookedatt hedooragai
n.
Chulu:"
Thankyouforget
ti
ngt
hemoneybackt
ome,
wellki
nda"backt
ome"
Babi
ni:"
Noone'
shomebyt heway.Sogomakea
car
doraspaghet
tineckl
acej
ustwhateveryouki
ds
dot oshowyou'resorry"Chulunodded.Sheopened
thedoorandwal kedinsidethehousewi t
hhert
ail
betweenherlegs.Thef amili
arscentofhomehither
fi
rstandshecoul dnotbelievethatshewasso
stupidi
nthefir
stplace.
Othuwasshockedt oseeBabi nivisitherduring
breaktimehol dingf oodinhi shands.Shel i
kedhow
heshowedhi msel fmor eandmor eeachday.He
agreedt oOt huar rangingaf ami l
ymeet ingtotel
l the
enti
ref amily.Hedi dn'
ttellherChul uwashome, he
want edittobeasur pri
se.Hewasnotgoi ngtost ay
sohewasonhi swayoutwhent hedooropened.
Yandiwi thaper fectli
ttl
epast elpinkdr esswhich
compl i
ment edhersmoot hdar klegsmadeherway
i
nsideOt hu'scl asswi thoutknocki ng.Thef orm and
penshehadi nhandf ellt
ot hef l
oorwhenhereyes
fel
lonBabi ni.Notbecauseshewast akenbyhi s
charmsbutbecauseshet houghtt hathewasa
spir
it.ToYandishet houghtt hespi r
itof
"Kungent ando"appear edbef oreherbecausehe
wasnothappyt hatshel i
edt oOt huyear sagoby
sayinghewaswel comedwel lbyt heirancestors
whenshewasnotsur
e.Soshestar
tedt
osay
Ot
hu'scl
annamesandapologi
zedt
otheancest
ors.
Ot
huquickl
ywentt
oherfr
iend.
Ot
hu:"
Yaya,
cal
m down"
Yandi:"
No, Ihavet of i
xsomet hing.Youdonot
underst
and"shewaspani cki ng.SoOt huwentt o
holdBabini'
shandandYandical medher self.Othu
summer i
zedt her ecentt hingst hathappenedbut
notindetail
.Yandiwi shedt hegr oundwoul d
swall
owherwhol e.Shequi cklyr anoutt opr ocess
hermomentofembar assment .Babi nitookadeep
breat
hwhi lest il
llookingatt hedoor .Hewat ched
Othurunaf terherf riendsohepi ckedupt hef orm
andpent oputi tonOt hu'sdesk.Hewasl eaning
overOthu'st ablewhenhehear dt heclicksoundof
shoessohet urnedhi sheadt ol ookatYandif rom
toetoheadr at herthanheadt ot oe.Hest oodt allas
shemadeherwayt ohi m.Herscentexci tedhi s
senses.
Yandi
:"I
'
m sor
ryformyreacti
onearli
eron"Babi
ni
fi
xedoneachdet
ailonYandi'
sface.Herl
ong
l
asheswhichmanywouldgiveanar mtohave.
Faci
alf
eat
urest
hatf
itherper
fectovalf
ace.
Babini:"Iactuall
ydi
dn'tmi ndthatIwast hefir
st
thi
ngyounot i
cedwhenyouent er
edevenwhenyou
thoughtIwasaghost "Yandial socouldn'thel
pbut
appreciatethebeautif
ullycraftedmuscularman
whowasnear lytwi
cehersi ze.Shecouldal most
feelavibrati
oni nherchestwhenhespokei nhis
deepvoi ce.Theymadepr olongedeyecont actand
Yandijumpedwhenshehear dt heloudschoolbell
.
Babiniwat chedherwal kout .
Yandi
:"Youar
est
ari
ng"shet
urnedt
ofacehi
m
agai
n.
Babi
ni:"
Doyouhaveeyesbehi
ndyourhead?
"
Yandi
:"No,Icanfeel
itsost
opi,i
t'
smaki
ngme
uncomfort
able"sher
ushedoutandBabi
nismi
led.
Othuwalkedin.
Babini
:"Yandii
snotsomedi
stantcousi
nofyour
s
orsomesor tr
ight
?"
Ot
hu:"
No,
why?
"
Babi
ni:"
Nor
eason"f
ort
hef
ir
stt
imehewasnot
bluntaboutsomet hingbecausei fhewashe'dhave
toldOt huthethingst hathappenedt ohisbodybot h
i
nsi deandoutwhenhel aideyesonYandi '
srich
mel aninskin.Hest oodandwal kingout.Yandi
stoodi nfrontbi
ghercl asstogett hem towalkina
straightli
ne.Hereyesl ockedwithhisashemade
hiswayoutoft hepr emi sesuntilshefel
tachildtug
atherdr essforattent i
on.
S2-
INSERT11
"No,no,no!
"Mari
ashout edasshesatinashady
buil
dingwheresheplannedtomeetherboyfri
end
andpartneri
ncri
meRober t
.Hemadehi sway
i
nside,l
ookedbacktochecki fhewasn'
tfol
lowed
andclosesthedoorbehindhim.
Rob:"Iknowthisjobwasnoteasybecausei t'
syour
niecebutdesperateti
mescallsfordesperate
measures,baby"Mar i
ajustkeptonlookingatthe
screensoRobertyankedt helapt
opoutofher
handstoseewhyshewasnotcel ebr
atinghim.
"Whatdidyoudowi t
hallourmoney?Di dyougi vei
t
backtoyoursister'
sbrat?
"heshookMar ia
Mari
a:"Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hatbr
atbutcl
ear
ly
someonehelpedher
"
Rob:"I
t'
sbecauseyoudi dabadjobinwi nni
ngthi
s
chi
ldover.Al
lwasjusttoorushrush.Youwer e
supposedtotaket
hingsslow,maket hem al
lli
ke
youandwhent heyl
eastexpecteditBAM! "
Mar i
a:"
Thi
sisnotourf i
rstl
osssostopmoaning.I
didn'
twantTatiana'
sbastar
dbratwhenshefir
st
askedmet otakehersowhywoul dIwanthernow?"
Rob:"Becausehermoneyi
snol
ongert
iedup,
St
upid"
Maria:"Donotcallmestupid.Doyouknowhow
har
di twast ofakeaSpanishaccentIl ostyear
sago
whenImovedt oAfri
ca?Iwant ednot hingt
odowith
Tat
ianawhenshecamel ookingf ormeher ein
SouthAf r
icaandthathasnotchanged.Nextt i
me
dothej obyourdamnselfifyouf eelIdidit
i
ncorrectl
y.Justtobenearwhat '
sTat iana'
smade
mesi ck"
Rob:"
Youmustreal
lyhavehat
edheri
fyouhat
eher
chi
ldt
oo.Maybechasi
ngherawaywhenshecame
t
ousf
orhel
pal
lthoseyear
sagowasami
stake"
Mar
ia:"
Wel
lwedi
dn'
tknowshehadmoney"
Rob:"
Woul
dyouhavekeptt
hechi
ld?
"
Mar
ia:"
Iwoul
dhavel
eftt
hatt
hingi
nadi
tch"
Rob:"Whatdi
dyoursisterdot
oyou?I'
vebeen
hat
ingonherbecauseofyoubutIdon'
tknowwhy"
Mariagavehi
m acoldlook.
Maria:"
Shekil
ledourparent
s.Mamádiedwhil
e
gi
vingbirt
htoherandPapádr ankhi
mselft
odeat
h
becausehecouldnottakeManá'sdeat
h"
Rob:"Alloft
hisf
ucki
nghateoversomethingshe
herselfhadnocontr
olover
?Geez!Maybei t
'st
ime
thatyougetbackonyourtreat
mentforyour
crazi
ness"
Maria:"Shegott
akenbysomer i
chwhitefamil
y
whil
eIwasl eftt
ofendf ormysel
fatt
enyear sold.I
f
shewasneverbor n,I
'dhavenotgonethroughthe
thi
ngsIhad.Iwoul dhavebeeneducat
edand
marriedalawyerorsomet hi
ng"
Rob:
"I
'm st
il
lst
uckatt
hef
actt
hatyouhat
edher
oversomet hingshemostpr obablyf eltterribl
ef or
orhadnoi deaof "Mar íalistenedt oRobgoonand
onbuthewasnott her ewhenshehadt osleepi n
thest reetandt hest reetboyswoul dhar rassher .He
wasnott herewhenshehadt omovef rom f oster
homet of ost erhomewher eshewasabusedi n
some.WhatMar íadi dn'tknowwast hatTat i
anahad
herownhar dshi psbef oretheagencyt ookher
undert heirwi ng.WhenTat ianahear dt hatMar ía
wasi nSout hAf r
icashemadear rangement stogo
theret of i
nal l
yber eunitedwi thhersi sterbutMar í
a
spati nherf acel iterall
ywhenshesawTat iana.By
thatt i
meTat i
anawasal r
eadypr egnantandwant ed
hersi stertohaveChul u.It'
sonl yaft erTat i
ana's
deat hdi dMar íalear nshel etgoof" apotofgol d".
Soi nsteadofl ooki ngf orChul utobei nherl if
eas
heraunt ,Mar íawai tedsoChul ucoul dbet her i
ght
agesoshe' dgoget" hermoney"asshef el
tTat iana
owedherf ort hesuf feringshehadt oendur eafter
theirmot herdi ed.Thet houghtofhur ti
ngChul u
actual l
ymadeMar í
af eel ast houghshewasf i
nally
gettingherr evengeonTat i
anabuti twascl earlynot
revengeser vedascol dasMar í
awi shedbecause
themoneywasgone.Rober twasr ight,shedi da
rushjobbuti twasbecausesheact edonemot ion
ratherthanl ogicbutshewant edt ogetoutof
Chulu'sf acet onott hinkaboutt hepastmuch.
Chuluhadt hel ifesheshoul dhavehad.Al ifeof
havingbot hpar ent sandasaf ehomebutsot osee
Chuluf ightwi thherpar entsmadeMar íafeelgood.
Shedi dn'tcar eaboutt hemoney, t
hatwasf or
Rober t
.Shewant edt oseeChul ugot hroughhel l
emot i
onal lyandhadshebeenaki l
ler,she'dhave
kil
ledOt hut omakeChul uf eelt heexactpai nshe
fel
twhenhermot herdi ed.Apai nthatwasbr ought
onbyTat i
ana'sbi rth.Sirensbr oughtMar íaf r
om her
deept hought sandt hepol i
cer ai dedt heirplacet o
arrestthem onmul ti
plechar gesoff r
audt heymade
overtheyear s.Mar íastoppedt akinghert reatment
sosheknewhercaseofi nsani tywoul dkeepher
outofj ailbutwoul dr atherbesent encedt oament al
hospital.Shedi dn'tresistwhent hecopscuf fedher
asshet houghtt hatt i
meawayf rom Rober twas
exactlywhatsheneededt othinkcl earlyandcome
upwi thabet terpl antohaveherr evenge.Once
againshef eltli
keTat ianar uinedherl ifeeveni fit
wasi
ndi
rect
ly.
Othucamehomet ofindthehousef i
lledwiththe
smel lofherbsandspi ces.Sheknewt heboyshad
extraschoolact i
vit
iesandCr aigwouldcomewi t
h
them lateronsoshemadeherwayt ot hekit
chen
andwasshockedt of i
ndChul ucooking.Tat i
ana
nevert oldOthushehadasi steri
nSout hernAf ri
ca,
notaf terthewayMar í
at r
eatedherwhent hey
reconnect ed.Tati
anadi dn'twantOthut oinvlove
Mar íainChul u'
sli
febecausesheknewhersi ster
woul dbeabadi nfl
uenceonChul uorevenabuse
her.Ther ewasnoext t
endedf amil
yasMar í
at old
Chul u.InfactChulumi ghthavepassedMar í
ai nthe
streetwi t
houtevenr eali
singit.Chuluwal kedt o
Othut ohugherbutOt hubl ockedher .Shewasgl ad
thatChul uwashomebutshewasnotgoi ngtoact
asi fChulu'sacti
onsdi dn'thurther.
Chul
u:"
I'
m sor
ry,
Mama"shel
ookeddown.
Othu:"Andyout
hi nkcooki
ngformewi ller
asethe
memor yofyoutreati
ngmel i
kedir
t,Chulumanco?
Youtreatedme,
yourownmot herl
ikegarbagefora
womanyoudon' tevenknow.Sowhatdoyou
expectmet odonow, Chuluhuh?"shesai
dina
sternvoiceandChul ustart
edtocry."
Dadtoldme
thatyouaskedi fhe'ddi
vorceme?Sowhatwer e
youhopi ngthathe'dmar r
yyourpreci
ousauntso
thatyou'dbewi t
hpeoplewhoar ebothrel
atedto
youbiological
ly?"
Chulu:"Mama,
I'
m sor
ry.Iam sor
ry"Ot
hu'
sown
tear
sf l
ewdown.
Othu:"Youhur tmesomuch.It houghtI'dbehappy
tohaveyoubackbuti nsteadallIfeeli
ssadness
becauseyoupr ovedtomet hatIam disposable.
Likeanol dtor
npl asti
cbag.Nextpeopl ewhowi ll
claimthattheyar eyourgrandparentswillcomeand
youwi l
lturnonmet ogot hem andlaughwhi l
et hey
talkbadl
yaboutmei nyourpr esence.Howdoyou
thinkourrelat
ionshipwil
lbelikefrom nowonwhen
Idoubtthatyouevenseemeasyourmot her?"
Chulu:"
Sorr
y"shewascr
yingunt
ilevenhersnot
ranoverherl
ips.
Ot
hu:"WellIam sor
ryt
oo,
sorr
ythatyoufeelI
'm no
mothert
oyoubutmyconciousiscl
ear.Ihaveloved
youandpr ovidedf oryouasbestasIknewpossi bl
e.
Af terwebur i
edTat iana, IlookedatyouandI
pr omi sedyou'dneverf eelt hevoidofnothavi nga
mot herbecauseIwi llst epi n.IthoughtIst eppedup,
Chul umancobutcl ear l
y. .
.cl earl
ynotaccor dingt o
you.Ment i
ononeday, onedaywher eIleftyout o
cryyour sel
ftosl eepwhi leIwast here,Chul umanco.
Doyouknowt hatIfailedt womodul esbecause. .
.
becauseInotonl yhadanadul ttocar ef orbutal so
ababy.Doyouknowt hatIcar ri
edyouonmyback
whi leIhadt ocl eanupyourmot herwhenshesoi l
ed
her self.Icouldhavel eftyouatsomeor phanage
andl eftTati
anaatsomehospi cebutdammi tIdidn't
becauseIl oveyou. ..Ther ewasat i
memypar ents
l
iter all
yforcedmet ol etyougoandt hatday. ..
that
dayIsl appedmyownmot herbecauseIwoul dgot o
warf oryou.I'm nott ellingyout hist omakeyouf eel
wor sebutsoyou' dreal izet hatIwoul ddoanyt hing
foryouwhi l
eyouwoul dcl earlywat chshoul ddogs
ri
pmeapar t
"Chul uf eltherheadt hrobwhi l
eshe
l
ist enedt othepai ninOt hu'svoiceandi nhereyes.
"Ifyouwantt omoveoutt henmove.I '
m honest l
y
toot i
redtobegyout ost ay.Idon' twantyourf ood
ei
therbecauser
ightnowIfearthatyoumi
ghteven
poisonmeattheordersofyournewmothersi
nce
youseem todoanythi
ngshesays"
Phawu:"Mama,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"Ot
huwi
pedher
tear
soffwhi
lel
ooki
ngatChul
u.
Othu:"Askyoursi
ster.I
'
mj ustherstepmot herso
whatdoIknow"Ot hucouldnotbelievethosewords
camef rom hermouthbuti
t'showChul umadeher
feel
.Shetookherbagandheadedt owardst he
bedroom.Cr ai
gshookhisheadwhi l
elookingat
Chulumanco.
Chulu:"
Da.
..
DadI
'
m sor
ry"bynowevenherhands
wereshaki
ng.
Crai
g:"Choi
ceshaveconsequences,
Chulumanco"
hesaidbefor
efol
lowi
ngOt hutothei
rroom.
Qhawe:"
Chulu,
whatdi
dyoudo?Di
dyoumessup
att
heartt
hing?
"hehel
dhert
rembl
inghands.
Phawu:"Don'tf
orcehertospeak.Mom wi l
lcalm
down,Sis.I
'
veneverseenherl i
kethisbutshewill
for
givewhateverbecause.
..
wellbecauseshe'sour
mom"hesai dast houghChuluneededreassurance
thatOt
huwasst
il
lhermot
herr
egar
dlessofwhat
happened.
Qhawe:" Youalwaystellustochooseourcompany
wiselyandbecauseIt hinkthi
shastodowi t
hthat
womanIadvi sethatyout akeyourownadvice.You
star
tedtoactstrangel
yaf tershear
ri
ved.Mom is
ourmom notj ustmineandPhawu' sbecauseshe
carr
iedus"
Chulu:"
I'
m sorry"Shecoveredhereyesandbr oke
down.Thet winshatedseeingt hei
rbuddysodown
becauseitwast hefi
rstti
met heysensedsuch
tensi
onint hehouse.Theybot hwenttohugtheir
oldersi
sterasChulu'stear
scamei namoreintense
upoar.
Phawu:" We'l
leatyourfoodandt omor r
owwewi l
l
grovelwithyouforforgi
veness.Kni ghtsst ayti
ght,
remember ?"Chulunodded.Craighel dont o
Othunyiweyoasshel etthepainout .Listeningto
herspeakt oChulubrokehishear tsomuchsot hat
hecouldn'tdealwit
hChul ui
mmedi atelyeither.They
werehappyshewasgoi ngt
osl eephomebutt hey
werejusttoohurttotalktoher.Babi nitoldCraig
aboutt hemoneysagaandCr aigwast hankf ult
hat
hewassovi gilant.Heal sogavehi mt hedi scwi th
thevideocl ipsandonceOt hucal meddownbe
playedt hem andshe' dlaughsof tl
ywhent hedance
onescameonbutwoul dshedt earsatt hesatones
especiallywhenTat i
anadi ed.Craigwasneveri n
l
ovewi thTat i
anabutt oseeheragai neveni fitwas
anol dbl urr
yvi deowasgoodaf tershej ust
disappear edont hem.Cr aighadal waysappr eciat
ed
Othuf orr ai
singhi sdaught erbutevenhedi dn't
knowj usthowmuchhi swifewentt hrought ocare
forhischi ldandhermot her.Hewi shedt herewer e
mor ewayshecoul dshowherhowgr at ef
ulhewas
fornotj ustraisingChul ubutf ormar r
yinghi m
givi
nghi m mor echildrenandmaki nghi shousea
home.
Craig:"
Thankyouf orbeingar emarkablewoman, O.
Ihopei t
'llbethelasttimeanyofusf ailt
o
appreciateyou.Nowor dswer eexchangedafter
thatbecauseOt huj ustwant edt
obehel dunti
lshe
fel
lasleep.Anyt hi
ngi nvol
vingChulushe'ddealwith
someot herti
me.
S2-
INSERT12
Babi
ni
Ther ear edemonst hatonej ustcannotescapei n
l
ife.Nott heki ndofdemonsoneseesi nhor ror
movi esbutt hedemonsoft hepastt hatar e
const anti nmymi nd.WhenIar rangedf ormybody
tobedr uggedsot hatnoonewoul dlikelyf eelmy
palse, IthoughtIwoul dwakeupanewmanbutI
waswr ong.Imi ghtnotphysi callybei nt hewor l
dof
torturi
ngt hatIl ivedal mostal lmyl i
feinbut
ment allyIwasst i
llthere.I
tisevi dentint hewayI 'd
jumpupf r om mybedi nacol dsweatwheneverI '
ve
hadani ght mar e.Notevensl eepi ngpi ll
scanhel p
mesoonceI 'vewokenup, Igetmysel fbusywi t
h
thingsIcanf i
xi nOt hu'sli
fewi thouthereven
knowi ngi tasIwoul dusuallyj ustnotpr efertogo
backt osl eep.I '
m anexhaust edman, notj ustbyt he
l
ackofsl eepbutbyt heli
fet hatIl i
ve.Al i
feI'veonly
all
owedmysi steri ntobutevenshecoul dnot
accessal lofme.I '
m notahappyman, Idonot
knowwhathappi nessi sli
keandt hecl osestI
assumeIwi llevergett ofeelinghappyi sbymaki ng
Othu'shappy.Cr aigsai dsheal r
eadyhadsomeone
fi
ll
ingt hatr oleandt hatwashi m butIdon' tgetwhy
wecan' tdoubl eherj oybecauseI '
m nott hreatto
him.I '
m sogl adt hatOt huwasbor n" nor mal"
becausehadshebeenl ikemeshe' dal sobea
brokenper sonasIam.Shewoul dhavebeena
moder ndaysl avet othemostevi l
peopl eand
becauseshe' sawomanper hapsshe' dhave
sufferedagr eaterdeal .If i
nallysentherdet ai
lsto
mypl acesoshe' dcomepi ckmeupt ot akemet o
thefami l
ygat heringwher eshewi llr
eintroduceme.
Idonotf eelsexci tedbutIdowantt omeett hem
becauseIpr omi sedt hatonceFl i
nch'ssagawas
overI '
dt r
yt hef ami l
yl i
fe.Ther ewasaknockont he
doorandIknewt hatitwasherbecausel it
erall
yno
oneel seknowswher eIlive.Iwentt oopenandshe
stoodwi t
habi gsmi leonherf ace,clearlytoo
excitedt ocont ainher self.I'
m stil
linaweofher
becausewheneverIl ookatherIseewhatIwoul d
havel ookedl ikehadIbeenawoman.Shehugged
me, herheadr est ingonmyst omachbecauset hat'
s
howshor tshewasormaybeIwast heonewhowas
j
ustuncomf ortabl ytoot all
.Iletherinandhereyes
widened.Iwi
shshe'
dlear
ntojustspeakhermind
rat
herthanmakestr
angefaci
alexpressi
onthatIdo
notget.
Babi
ni:"
Sowhatdoyout
hink?
"
Othu:"I
t'
ssosmal l
andopen"shel ookedaround.
"Li
keIcanlit
eral
lyseeyourki
tchen,li
vingroom and
bedfrom her
e"shepointeduptothet oppartofthe
l
oftwheremyhugebedwas, i
twashonest lytoobig
fort
hespacebutI '
m abigman.
Babi
ni:"I
'
m asi
mpl eman.Icanevenmakeatent
myhouse"shelookedatmef r
om headt
otoeasif
she'
stryi
ngtopi
cturehowI'
dfiti
ntoacampi
ngtent.
Othu:"Wheredoyoupoop?"webothlaughed.Al
l
myl i
feI'
veneverl
aughedsothefi
rstti
methatshe
mademel aughwhenImethertodiscussFl
inch
t
houghtmyj awwoul
dcrack.
Babi
ni:"Whydi
dn'
tyouaskwher
emybathroom
wasrathert
hanputi
tli
ket
hat
?"shel
aughed.
Othu:"I
'
mt ryi
ngtospeakyourlanguage"sheheld
mywai standIputmyarm aroundhershoulder.I
expl
ainedtoherthatt
hebathroom wastherebythe
kit
chenandshemadef unofmeandsai dIpoopin
thekit
chen.Igottiredofexpl ainstohersoIwentt o
showher .Needlesst osayshemadef unofmy
housebutIwasgl adshewashonest .Wewer e
soononourwayt owher ethef amilywoul dbe
waiti
ngandIact uallyenjoyedbei ngherpassenger .
Shealreadyexplainedever yt
hi ngtothepeopl ethat
shewast aki
ngmet osoallIhadt odowasshow
myselfsot hatpeopledon'tthinkmypoorsi ster
wasseei ngdeadpeopl e.Ever yonestoodwhenwe
walkedin, wel
lexpectforKumkani .Iknowal lof
them t
hrought heresearchIcol l
ectedyearsago.
Othuintr
oducedKumkaniandUnat hifir
st.
Babini
:"Yesthedonors"Isaidandt hemoment
becameawkwar d.WhatwasIsupposedt osay?
Theywer enotanybetterthanthecarrier
swhol ef
t
thebabiestheycarr
iedforthelikesofFli
nchfor
money.Thesoonert heyacceptt heytheywere
i
niti
all
yjustapaidsurrogateandsper m donorwho
happenedtobest uckwithOt hubecauseshewas
notwhatthescienti
stswant edthebetter
.Theonly
chil
dthatwaswant edbyt heset wowasdeadsoI
wasnotaboutt oactasi ftheyarethemost
happiestpeopletoseemewhenIwasnot hingbuta
meanst omakecasht ot hem.OnceIr eal
izedthatI
madeever yoneuncomf ort
ableIforcedmyselfto
greetthem buttheywillhearexact l
ywhatIthi
nkof
them whenIpayt hem apr i
vatevisi
t.
Kumkani :"
Areyougay? "everyonemumbl edaft
er
heaskedt hatquest
ionast heywer enothappywhat
heasked.Iknowmyl atebrotherwasgayand
Kumkanidi dn'
tli
kei
t.Whi l
eever yonearoundus
thoughtthatIwasoffendedIwasact ual
ly
i
mpr essedthathespokehi sdamnmi ndratherthan
throwhintsaboutamakot iduringourconversation.
Babini
:"I
fthati
soneofthetermsandcondi tionsof
beingwelcomedthenI'
m notsigni
ngt hecont ract
"
Kumkanismi l
edandnoddedashehear dthathis
othersonwasnotgay.Thekidswer en'tthereas
Othuprefer
redthatt
heybetoldlat
eron.Isatnext
tomygr andmotherandshewashol dingmyhand
allt
hetimesbutIwasnotuncomf ortableatal l
.
Makhul
u:"
Youarebuil
tli
kemygrandfather
.Noone
i
nourfami
lyhaseverhadthi
sst
ructureaft
erhi
m.
Right
,Mato?"shesai dwi t
hasmileandIfound
myselfsmil
ing"Lookatt hatsmil
etoo.I
t'
sl i
keI'
m
l
ookingatmyl atehusband.OhMakhul u's
handsomeZweni "sheheldmycheekandOt hu
l
aughedwhenIdi dn'tknowwhattodowi thmyself.
Sobasical
lyI'm acollect
ionoft
hephysicalfeat
ures
ofmyf or
efathers.
Mat o"Youshoul dhaveseenhowIscr uti
nizedhim
whenIf i
rstsawhi m.It houghtitwasTamkhul u"
shel aughed.Unat hiwasnotawomanofmany
words.She' djustsmi lewhenacompl imentisgiven
andchather eandt here.Iknowal labouthowt hey
tr
eat edmysi sterwhent heyshouldhavebeen
parentst oher .IknowhowKumkanir ef
erredto
Othuast houghshewasnobl essingbutacur se.
I'
m notsur eifIshoul dactont heangerthatisdeep
i
nsideofmet owardst hem becauseOt huseemst o
havef orgivenever ything.
Poppy:"Wel
lsinceyou'
vebeentoOthu'
shouse.
Whenwi l
lyoucomet omineandalsomeetmy
chi
ldrenandhusband?"Isensedsomecompeti
ng
comingfrom Poppy.Tr
uthisIdonotwantt
ovisi
t
her.Idi
dn'
tevenwanttomeetCraigandthei
r
spoil
eddaughterbutci
rcumst
ancesfor
cedmeto.
Othu:" Let'snotpr essurehimt odohomevi sitsyet,
Poppy.Hehasn' tevenbeent oEast ernCapewher e
ourrealhomei s.Everythi
nghasi tsownt ime"she
blurt
edoutj ustasIwasaboutt otellPoppyt onot
holdherbr eat hwhi lewait
ingonmet ovi sit.The
meet i
ngwentwel lasidefrom t heoccasi onal
uncomf ortabl emoment swhenI 'dspeakt hingst hat
wereappar entlysupposedt ost ayinmymi nd.I
didn'
tst ayl ongbecauseI 'm notr eadyt opl ayhappy
familywi t
ht hem.It ol
dOthut hatI 'dfindmyown
waybackhomewhensheof feredt odr opmeof f
.I
onlyhuggedherandMakhul ubef oreleavi ngt hem.I
tookawal kr atherthanimmedi atelygr abat axi
becauseIneededt othi
nkifIr eallywant edt he
peopleI 'vej ustseeni nmyl i
fe.IsawYandif ocused
onhert abletf rom theglasswal lofar est aur ant
.For
amomentIj uststoodandst ar edwi t
houthereven
knowi ngbutsoonIwascur i
oust oknowwhatwas
holdi
ngherat tent
ionsomuch.Iwal kedi nsi deand
becauseshehadherbackt ot heent r
anceshedi dn'
t
seemebehi ndher."
Whysomewomendon' treach
orgasm"wast heheadi
ngofthearti
cleont
he
screen.Womenpayt heseexpensi
vemegazine
subscript
ionstoreadsuchcrap?
Babi
ni:"
Allwomancanhaveanor gasm.It'
sa
shamesomeassumet heycan'
t"Isaidbehindher.
Shejumpedbutmanagedt ogr
abherj ui
cebeforei
t
damagedthebeauti
fuldressshehadon.Shewas
cl
earl
yadr essgi
rl
.Isatopposit
eherwi t
houtbeing
i
nvit
ed.
Yandi
:"Can'
tyousi
tatanot
hert
abl
e?"
Babi
ni:"
Notevenahel
lo?
"
Yandi:"
Didyoubot herwithhellowhenyour eadmy
screenandinvadi ngmypr ivacy?"Ismiledand
l
ookeddownf orasecondbef oreIlookedather
beauti
fulf
aceagai n.Thi
st i
meshehadnomakeup
onandIgott oshewhatagoddessshet rulywas.
"Thisi
sthepar twhereyousaysor r
y,Yandi sa"she
pull
edherbr owst ogetherclearl
yI'm workingonher
nervesbutthemor eshedidt hatthemor eIbecame
amut emanwhoj ustwantedt olookather .I'vemet
acoupleofwomenbutneverfortheconventional
reasonofl
ovebuttocaref
ormyphysi calneeds.
Thosewomenonl ygotaphysi
calreacti
onfrom me
butthewomaninfrontofmegotmeexci tedin
waysIneverknewIcouldandclearl
ymademea
mut emanandmut ewasnevermyt hi
ng.
Babini:"
I'
m sorrythatIcaughtyoureadi
ng
nonsense,Yandisaandpoi nt
editouttoyout
hatit
i
snotf act
ual"shedidn'tl
ikemyapologyonebit
.
Yandi:"Andyouknowwomenr ight
?Allwomen"she
askedsar cast
ical
ly.IswearIneveroncebl
inked
whil
el ookingather.Shemustt hi
nkI'
m somecreep.
Babini
:"Iknowthateachwomanhasherpl easur
e
spotsandifwement ookt i
metolearnourwomen's
bodiessuchart
icl
eswoul dnotexi
st.Ar
eyouoneof
thosewomenwho" st
ruggle"
?hereyeswidened.
Yandi
:"No!Areyouherewit
hyoursi
sterbecause
shedi
dn'tsayanyt
hingaboutyouj
oini
ngus"she
l
ookedaround.
Babi
ni:"
ThenIst
and.Al
lwomencanor
gasm"
Yandi
:"That
'snott
ruebecauseI
..
..
"shel
ookedat
meforawhil
ebef
orel
aughi
ng"
Yout
ri
ckedme"she
poi
ntedatme.
Babini
:"Thetopicaff
ectsyousoyouremot ions
tr
ickedyou.Icouldprovetoyour i
ghtnowthatyour
bodycandowonder swi t
houtaasingleper
son
aroundhereevennot i
cing,unl
essyou'r
ea
screamer"sheopenedhermout hbutnowor dcame
fr
om it.I
'm notsur
eifIshouldexpectaslapora
punch.
Yandi
:"Ican'
tbel
ieveyouj
ustsai
dthat.Whoon
ear
thsayssuch?Ar eyouaper
v?"Ishookmyhead
sl
owly.
Babini:"Justafactualman"t her
ewast hat
prolongedeyecont actagainast houghshewas
tr
yingt ostudyme." Sinceyougetuncomf ort
abl
e
withyourr eadbeingchallengedI'l
ljuststop"
Yandi:"
I'
m notuncomfort
able.I'
mj ustt
ryi
ngt o
underst
andwhatmakesyout hinkyoucansaysuch
tosomeonewhoyoudon' tevenknow.Toof ferto
makemeor gasm i
napublicplace.That'
s.
..
that'
s
wellj
ustnotsomethingyoudoandI '
m notthatki
nd
ofawoman.Soifyout
hinkyoucanj
ustcomehere
andof
fermeorgasmsthi
nki
ngI'
daccepti
tthenyou
arewr
ong"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m wr
ong"
Yandi
:"Youar
ewr ongbacau..
."shestoppedtalki
ng
whenshereal
izedIagreedwithherandlookedat
me"Yesyouarewr ong.I
'm gl
adyouseet hattoo"
shecal
meddown.
Babini
:"Si
nceIheardthatyouaredivorcedandI
hopethatyouarenotseeinganyone.Woul dyouli
ke
tohaveadr i
nkwithmesomet i
me? "Iaskednicel
y
soshewoul dn'
tgetworkedupagain.
Yandi :"
Haven'
tyouhear
dthati
t'
snotwisetoaska
divorceesuchbecauset
heycomewi t
hbaggage?"
therewassomet hi
ngshewashinti
ngatthatImust
knowbutshewasnotgoi ngtobetheonetotellme.
Babi
ni:"
Doesthi
shavetodowi
thwhyyouar
ea
di
vor
ceei nt
hefi
rstpl
ace?
"
Yandi:"
Wellsi
nceyoursist
ertel
lsyoueveryt
hing,
don'
tactdumbandpr etendyoudon'tknowwhyI '
m
di
vorced"shegotf
rustr
ated.Idon'
twanttotalkto
Othuabouther,
Iwanthert
obet
heonet
otal
k
abouther
selft
ome.
Babini
:"Didyougolookforamanwhocangi veyou
orgasms?"herfi
stcl
enchedandIwascer
tainthose
beauti
fuldel
icat
ehandswouldl
andonmyf ace
hard.
Yandi
:"Excuseme!
"hermout
hfel
lopen.
Babini
:"Iwil
lmaket
hewor stassumpti
onsunt
ilyou
tel
lmewhatt hi
sbaggagethat'
sstoppi
ngyoufrom
goingoutforonedr
inkwit
hmei s"
Yandi:"I
t'
snonofyourbusi ness"TruthisIcould
knowt hereasonstoherdivorcewithacl i
ckofa
button.Icoul
dknoweveryt hi
ngaboutherasI '
ve
donewi thOthu'
sfamil
ybutwhenImett hiswoman,
Iwant edtokeepthemysteryandl etherreveal
herselft
omeshoul dshewantt o.
Babi
ni:"
Wil
lyounott
ell
ingmechangeanythi
ng?
Wil
litt
urnbackt
imesoyoucanmakethingsright
?"
Yandi:"Ican'thavekidsokay!"shesaiditsoloudl
y
thatothersturnedtheirheadsandshel ookedoutof
theglasswal ltotheoutsidel
,clear
lyashamed.I
f
eltbadf
orpushi
ng."
Areyouhappynow?
"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m nothappyt
hatIpushedyout otel
lme
somethi
ngthat'
snowmakingyouf eelashamedt
o
l
ookatme, no"
Yandi:"
Tellyoursist
erthatIlef
t.I'
m suddenlynot
hungryanymor e"shetookherpur setostandbutI
heldbothherhandsqui ckl
ysoshesunkbacki nto
thechair
.Idonotdot hisemot i
onalstuffbutsi
nceI
evokedtheemot ionsinher,Ihadtochannel
whatevercomf or
tIcouldfindwithinmeandof feri
t
toher.
Babini:"I
'm sorry.Ididn'tmeant oupsetyou"Ir eal
ly
didn't,
notwi t
hher" Idon'tknowwhyamanwoul d
l
eaveabeaut i
fulandcl earl
yi nt
elli
gentwomanj ust
becauseshecan' tconceivebutl etthepieceofshit
go"thatwasasf arasIcoul dgoi ncomf ort
ingher.I
thoughtshe' dstandandl eavebutshej usttookher
smal lhandsoutofmi nebutst i
llstaredout.Her
eyesf i
nall
yf ocusedonmi neagai nsoIbr eathedin
reli
eftoseeshewasnotcr yi
ng.
Yandi
:"I
fyoumar
ri
edmet
enyear
sagoandyour
fami
lykeepst
ell
ingyoutohavekidsbutyou
marr
iedawomanwhof ai
ledtogetpregnant
.Woul
d
youhavebeenmyhusbandt oday?"
Babini:"
Hellyes, Imarr
iedyoudi dn'tI.Youwould
havebeent hecher ryont opnottheki dsyou'dgive
me.Theywoul djusthavebeenanext ensi
onofthe
l
ovewewoul dhaveshar ed.I
sn'tthathowi ti
s?"
Mar r
iageandki dswasnotsomet hingthatonce
crossedmymi nd.IfthatwerethecaseI '
dhave
adoptedoneoft hechil
drenthatIr escuedbutI'm
notaboutthatlife.
Yandi
:"You'r
elyi
ng.I
'
m sur
eevennowyouar e
mental
lytaki
ngyouroff
ert
ogofordr
inksback"
Babi
ni:"
Iact
ual
lynowwanttomakeitanent
ir
efi
ve
cour
semealrat
herthanadr
inksoI
'dspendmore
ti
mewi t
hyou"
Yandi
:"Soyoudon'
twantki
dsoral
readyhave?
"
Babini
:"Ihavesever
alallovert
heworldactual
ly"
shelookeddownandIknewherf emalemind
assumedI '
m afuckboy" Nonofthem cr
eat
edby
myseedt hough"shelookedupandIt ol
dherIhave
safehavensforki
dsbutdidn'
ttellherwhyIhadto
star
tsuch.Sheactual
lysmil
edwhenIt ol
dherthatI
gavechil
drenhomes."Ismyli
fei ncomplet
ewithout
myown?Theansweri snoandt hatisthehonest
tr
uth"shenodded.
Yandi:"
That
'safi
rstcomi
ngf
rom aman.I
'
m usual
ly
upfr
ontandtheyr
un"
Babi
ni:"Sowitheverymanyoumeetyougo" HiI
'm
YandiandIthinkIcan'
thaveki
ds?"shel
aughed
sof
tl
y.Thef i
rstti
meIheardherl
aughproper
ly.I
wantmor eofthat.
Yandi
:"Noti
nsomanywor
dsbutki
nda"shel
ooked
down.
Babini:"Thenwhydi dIhavetogot hroughsomany
l
ayerst ohearit?"sheshrugged."Youdohavea
wombr ight?You'r
enottransgenderorsomethi
ng"
shethr ewherhandsi ntheairandlaughedwhil
e
shakingherheadi ndisbeli
ef.
Yandi:"
Whyareyoulikethi
s?Ohmygoodness"she
putherhandoverherface.
Babi
ni:"
Don'
tgetof
fended.Wel
ivei
nint
erest
ing
t
imessotoaskist
oknow"sheshookherheadand
l
ookedt
otheside.
Yandi:"
Iwasbornafemalei
nsi
deandout.Soyes,
I
haveeveryt
hingt
hatneedst
obether
e"shesai
d
poli
tel
y.
Othu:"
I'
m sorr
y,fr
iend"shewassweat ingcl
earl
y
shehadbeenr unning.Sheexpl
ainedaboutaburst
ti
reandwhoknowswhatel se.SometimeOthutalks
way,waytoomuch" Andthenwhyar eyouhere?"
shelookedatme.
Babi
ni:"
Thankmebecauseyouwouldhavecomet
o
anemptytabl
e.Ikepthercompanyf
oryou"
Ot
hu:"
Oh"shesmi
led.
Yandi:"
Fri
end,comeandsither
e"shepatt
edthe
spotnexther
.WesatinaCshapedchai rsoOthu
wouldli
ter
all
ybesit
ti
ngbetweenusasifYandi
fear
edI'ddothi
ngstoher
.Iwouldbutshemustask.
Othu:"
Right.
..r
ightther
ebetweenyou.I
'
llsi
tri
ght
herebecausetositther
ewouldjustber
ude,fr
iend.
Sowhatwer eyout wotalki
ngabout?
"
Babi
ni:"
Iwassuggest
ingt
hatYandit
ryoutsome
newacti
vit
ieswi
thme"
Othu:"
Oht hat'
sexci
ti
ng.Whatkind?"shesai
dwhile
tappi
nghershinyfacewi t
hati
ssue.YandiandInot
oncebreakingeyecontact.
Babi
ni:"
Thetypet
hatwi
llsurel
yleaveherwet"
Yandiswal
lowedhar
dbeforecrossi
ngherlegs.
Othu:"No,t
rysomet hi
ngelsebecausewear en't
real
lyswimmingpeopl eYandiandI "YandiandI
bothlaughedsoftl
ybecausethet opicwasnever
supposedtobeaboutswi mmi ngbutIwasgl ad
that
'swhatmysi stert
hought.Iexcusedmysel fand
Othusaidshe'squickl
ygoingtochecki fshel ooked
okayintherestr
oom mi r
ror
s.Isli
dedovert ocl ose
thegapbetweenYandiandI .
Babi ni:"
Sometimesasar cedwomanneeda
strongerseed"Iwhisperedintoherearbef
ore
l
ooki ngather.Icoul
df eelherwarm br
eathagai
nst
myf aceandjustafewi nchesfor
wardI'dt
aste
thosebeaut i
full
ipswhichI '
m sur
eweresweetbut
i
nst eadIstoodandsaidmygoodbyes.
Yandi
ThereIsatwi thmyl egscl enchedt ight
lyasone
whof earedwhatmi ghttr
anspi reshoul dInotkeep
them ti
ghtlytogether.Thi
sman, t
hishandsome
giantofamanj ustmademef eelanel ectr
onic
sensationbetweenmyl egswi t
houtevent ouching
me.I '
m surethatIhadami niorgasm justby
l
isteni
ngt ohim.Iunt angledmyl egswhenIwas
surethathehadl ef
ttherest aurant.Othusatdown
andIwonder edwhatshewoul dthinkaboutthef act
thatherbrotherandIj usthadsomeunder li
neer ot
ic
conversati
onwi thoutherevenknowi ng.
Othu:"Ifhesai danythingoffensivethenIapol
ogize,
fri
end.Pl easeDon'tdisownmebecauseIhavesuch
aper soni nmyl i
fe"webot hlaughed.Ilookedoutas
thoughIhopedt oseet heper sononceagain.He
wasdi fferentfr
om anymanIknewwhet her
romant i
cal l
yorotherwise.Notevenmyf amil
yhad
suchamanandf orthatreason, If
oundmyself
i
ntrigued.Ot huwentonandIt houghtofhowhe
woul dhavemademeor gasm inapubl i
cspace
withoutanyonenoti
cing.WasIascream?Idon't
knowbecauseInevergott ofi
ndout.Isnappedout
i
fmydeept hought
swhenawai t
ercamet oour
table.Ot
huorderedourusual
.
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,
doyouor
gasm?"Ot
hubli
nkedaf
ew
ti
mesclearl
ynotr
eadyf
ormyquest
ion.
Othu:"Yes, Imakesur eCr aigknowsexact lywher e
togiveal ilextralovi
ng...youknow"shegi ggledand
blushed.Wear en'
tinthehabi tofspeakingabout
oursexl ivesaswef eltitwoul ddisrespectour
husbandssoi twast hef i
rsttimeIaskedsuchan
i
nt i
mat equest ionsabouthermar ri
age.Tr uthisI
don'thaveor gasmsandbecauseI '
vereadar ti
cles
ofwomenwhocoul drelateIt houghtit
'sjusthowi t
i
sf orsomeofus.Il ovedVuyobuthewasasaf e
most l
yatni ghtwi ththel i
ght soffandhi mt aking
controlkindofman.Het reatedmewel lforthef ir
st
coupleofyear sofourmar ri
agebutwi theach
negativepr egnancyt estt hatpassedIsawhowhe
sawmeasl essofawomaneachday.Somuchso
thathei mpr egnatedagi rlwhi lewewer emar ri
edt o
provet othepeopl et hatIwast heproblem, nothi m.
Apai nthatIcanneverf orget.Fort hef irstchi l
dI
forgavebutwhenanot hersidechi ckcameand
announcedhernewsIpackedandneverl ooked
back. Thefami li
estell
ingmet obegl adt hathewas
sti
llmar ri
edt omeandsi nceIcoul dnotget
pregnantIshoul dbehappyf orhim whenhehadhi s
children.Mygi f
tofdreami ngcamet oast opwhenI
returnedt ohim andIknewVuyowasbl ocki ngmy
ener gysoIchosemysel fandmygi f
ti nstead.
Dat i
nghasnotbeeneasybecauseI '
dt ellment hatI
can'thaveki dssot hey'dknowf rom getgot hat
shoul dtheywantmor e,Icanonl ygivet hem so
much.I '
vedat edmenwhoal readyhadki dsbutt hei
r
babymamadr amawasbeyondme.Toheara
childlessmansayt hathiswomanwoul dbecher ry
ont opf orhim whenmostmenr egar dedchi ldren,
especi all
ysonsast hecher r
yont opofmar riage
wasnewt ome.Somuchsot hatIstillthinkhe' s
l
ying.Ot huaskedwhyIaskedsuchandIshowed
hert hear t
icl
e" Asawoman, youknowyourbody
andsomet i
mesyouhavet ogi veyourmanl essons.
Ifhecoul dgi vehispreviouspar tnermul tipl
e
orgasmsi tdoesn'tmeant harwhathedi dt oherwi l
l
workforyou.Atfir
stIadmityougetshytotel
lhim
becausewewomanar en'
tsupposedt obevocal
aboutsexinsociet
ybutit
'samust "shesai
daf t
er
readi
ngthearti
cle.
Yandi
:"Ihearyou,
fri
end.Soi
sChul
ust
il
lint
hedog
box?"
Ot
hu:"Weli
vepasteachot
hernow.Idon'
tknow
whyIcan'
tst
ophurti
ng.Am Ibei
ngunfai
r?"Ishook
myhead.
Yandi:"
Youarebei
nghuman.WhatChul
udidi
s
hurt
fulsoshemustgi
veyouti
mebutIknowyou
wil
lsorti
tout
.
Ot
hu:"
Yeah"ourf
oodcameandwedugi
n.
Yandi
:"It
hinkIli
kesomeone"Iconfessedandshe
chewedquickl
ytobeabletospeak.DidIli
keBabi
ni?
Othu:"I
shefrom Ear
th?Iwasst art
ingtothinkno
manont hispl
anetwasgoodenough.Pl easedon'
t
tel
lmeyout ol
dhim aboutt
hebabyt hi
ngwheni t'
s
real
lynonofhisbusi
ness,notsosoonanyway.
PleaseYanditel
lmeyouwi l
ljustenjoybeforet
he
heavystuf
f"
Yandi:"
Itol
dhim"shegavemet he"r
eall
ynow"look.
"Hesaidhewouldst i
lll
iket
ot akemeoutf orafi
ve
coursemealthatis"Othuscreamed."Andhonestl
y
I'
m notsurei
fhe'sfrom Ear
th, I
'
lll
etyouknowonce
Ifi
ndout"webot hlaughed.
Othu:"
WhendoImeethi m?Icansi ti
nthecorner
somewherewhi l
eyouhaveyourf ivecoursemeal
j
ustincaseyouneedabai lout.Fivemeal sisaheck
ofalotsoyou'llbespendi
nganawf ull
ylongtime
onthatdate"shesli
ppedherjuice.
Yandi:"No, Idon'twanttobechaperonedtothisone.
Hest r
ickesmeasamanwhoval uespr i
vacy"I
smiled.Thepr obl
em withmeisthatIfal
ltooquickl
y.
Iwasal readybl ushi
ngatthethoughtofhim aft
erI
promisedmysel fthatIwoul
dn'tf
allqui
cklybecause
I'
m usual l
yt heonewhowoul denduphur t.
Othu:"Okaysowheni
sthedate?
"itt
henhitmethat
Ididn'
tagreetogowi
thhi
m andwedidn'
texchange
number seit
her.
Yandi
:"Not
hisi
smylit
tl
esecretsostopaski
ng"I
zi
ppedmymouth."Sothi
sbrotherofyour
swhat
doeshedoandwheredoeshest
ay?
"Ihadt
ofi
sh
wit
houthernot
ici
ng.
Othu:"Thatonedoesn' tevenwantt hef amilyto
knowwher ehelives.Ionl ysawhi shomet odayand
hesaidImustt el lnoonesosor r
yf r
iend, hemust
givemet hegoaheadf irst"Inoddedwi th
disappointment.Iwasnotgoi ngtopi tchupathi s
doorbutj ustt
oknowwhi chneighbor hoodhewas
i
nwoul dhavebeenni ce." Heissosecr eti
vethatI
don'tevenhavehi snumber .Me,hisownsi ster,
YandisabutIwi llnotpr essurehim"suchamyst er
y
ofamanheseemedt obeandi nsteadofseei ngit
asar edf l
ag.Iwant edt ouncovert hismyst er
y.
Yabdi
'"Doeshehaveagi r
lf
ri
end?"Shelookedatme
andIwassur eshefur
guredoutthatIwasasking
waytoomuchabouthi m.WhydoIevencar eifhe
hasagirl
fr
iend,It
houghttomyself
.
Othu:"Betweenyouandme, Idonotthi
nkthereisa
womanwhowoul dbeablet
odealwithhim"she
whisperedasthoughhewascl oseandIlaughed.
"Heisjust.
..
wellhei
sjustBabini
"shesai
dofal ack
ofabet t
erdescri
pti
on.
Yabdi
'
:"Sohe'
shi
msel
f?"
Othu:" Yeahandhi msel fisabittoomuchbecause
hecomesacr ossasr udebutonceyout hi
nkabout
themomentyouar eactuallygladhesaidwhathe
said.Idon' tknowhowt oputi t
,Fri
end.Idosuggest
younotbear oundhim mucht houghtoavoidyou
fi
ndi ngof f
enseandi truiningourfri
endshi
p"butI
want edt obear oundhim somemor eIthoughbut
i
nst eadIj ustnodded.Shewasr i
ght,
hecameof fas
ajer kinsomemoment sbutt hatwouldnotmake
mebr eakupourf r
iendship.

I
mange
Ihadbeenavoi di
ngChul usincesheaccusedmeof
thef
t.Shesentavoi cenotesayi ngtheFredricks
foundthenecklace.Sheal sosentmet extsabout
theenti
restorywithMar ía.Iloveherandf eltsorry
forherbutIhadbi ggerproblemst hanChulu'snice
l
ifeproblems.Mymot herhasbeensi ckandt he
cli
nichasbeengi vinghermedi cat
ionthatseemst o
bemaki ngherwor ser at
herthansendhert o
hospit
al.Atleastmyaunt'
sareheretohel
pmecar e
forher
.Wemi ghtbepoorbutwearenotpoorin
famil
yvalues.Theycanonlydoasmucht houghso
wesatandwat chedasmymot herseemedtobe
l
osingcolor.Isuggest
edthatwecallanambulance.
Makazi:"Youknowt hatthosethugswi llnotall
ow
theambul ancet hrough.Whenevert heyseeone
theythi
nki t'
sforar ivalr
yoft heir
ssot heydo
anythi
ngt ostopt hehel pfrom comi ngin.Idonot
evenhavemoneyt opaysomeonewhohasacar "
shesaidwhi lelookingathersl eepingsister.I
'
m an
onlychil
dbutIhavesi bl
ingsinmycousi ns.Ifel
t
l
ikeI'mfaili
ngmymot her.ThemoneyIgetgoest o
foodandt ransportsoIhadnot hi
ngt opaythe
peoplewithcar seither.Idecidedt odowhatI
wouldn'
tusual l
ydoasIdi aledthenumber.
Crai
g:"
Hello?"Icalledwit
hmyaunt'
sphoneandi
t
wasonpr i
vatecallsohewouldnothaveknownI
'
m
theonecall
ing.Iclearedmyt
hroat
.
Imange:"Hel
lo,
MrKnight.I
tisImange.Iam sorryt
o
botheryouatni
ghtbutIcan'
tthi
nkofanyoneel se.
Mymot herissi
ckagai
n.Thegangsdon' tal
low
ambul ancesinandIdonothavemoneyt opayour
nei
ghbor s.SoIaskt hatyoupl easetakemymot her
tothehospi t
al.Ibegyoupl ease,MrKni ght"Ispoke
quickl
ybecausemyhear twasbeat ingfastandmy
voi
cewasshaki ngasIwasscar ed.Hewasan
i
ntimidatingman.Thi sisnotonl ymygi rl
fr
iend's
fat
herbutal somyboss.Icr ampedi ntheaddr ess
tomyhousebutmyai r
ti
megotf ini
shedbef or
eI
couldhearhi srepl
y.
Makazi
:"Whatdi
dhesay?
"shel
ookedatme.
I
mange:"Ai
rt
imei
sfini
shedsoIdi
dnotgett
ohear
whathi
sanswerwas,Makazi
"
Makazi :"
Idon'tknowwhyyouwast edthel
astbi tof
airt
imeonyourbosswhoi scosyi nthesuburbs,
Imange.Thatmanwi llnotl eavehisbigscreenTV
todrivetoarought ownshi pandt akeyourmot her
tothehospitalforfr
ee.LetmegoandaskTat '
Phalo.Ihopehewon' ttel
lmeabouthi spetrol
"she
stoodandwal kedout .IfeltsohelplesssoIsaton
thefloornexttothebedt ryingtothinkofapl an.
Makazir et
urnedandal lt
hosewi thcarssaidthey
onlyhaveenoughpet roltogot owor ktomorrow
andsi ncewecan' tpaytofil
lthem upt heycan' thel
p.
Iwant edt osendChuluacal l
backbuthowpat heti
c
woul dthatbe."Hey,ChuluI'
m stil
langr yatyoubut
askyourdadt otakemymom t othehospi tal
please"soundspat het
ic.Makazi didwhat everhome
met hodsshecoul dthi
nkofbutnot hingwashel pi
ng.
Afteralongwhi lewehear dacarhootout side.I
l
ookedt hroughthewindowandMrKni ght'sjeep
waspar kedinfr
ontofouryar d.Iimmedi atelywent
outt omeethi m att
hegate.Itwasl ikeawasseei ng
myf atheraf t
eralongdayofhar dshi psbutI
woul dn'
tknowbecauseIdonotknowmyf ather.
I
mange:"
Thankyou,Si
r.Thankyou"Iputmyhands
t
oget
herasthoughIwassayingaprayer
.
Crai
g:"Let'
sgogetyourmom.I '
m sor ryItookso
l
ongbutIr ani ntosomeboyswhot hi
nktheyar e
gangster"Ifel
tsobadsoIapol ogizedwhi l
ewe
walkedinsidethehouse" Ishowedt hem what '
s
gangstersodon' tworry"hepattedmyshoul der.I
di
dn'tknowwhatt hatmeantbyt hat.Hecurriedmy
fr
agil
emot hertothecarandIgoti ntothebackwi t
h
herwhileMakazist ayedwiththeki ds.Justaswe
wereabouttoexistmyhoodagroupofboysmy
agestoodahead.Iknewthem wel
lbecausethey
makemyl i
fealivinghel
lbyt
ryi
ngtomakemeone
oft
hem.Ther obotwentredandMrKnight'
scar
sl
owed.
I
mange:"
No,Sirdon'tstop.Theypr
eyononpeopl
e
whost
opatnight"Isaidquickl
yinapani
c.
Craig:"I
'm notaboutt opayat i
cketbecauseof
somesmal lt
imewannabegangst ers"butthey
aren'tsmal lt
ime,Ithoughtt omysel f.Ifearedthem
becauset heywer eneverempt yhanded.Whywas
hesocal m whenagr oupofgangst erswe
surroundingt hecar?Hedi dnotevenl ocksoI
l
ockedt hebackseat s.Lloyd,whowasmy
childhoodf ri
endbutnowsomet hugwhohel da
commanderr ol
eint hegangsawmehol dingmy
mot heratt heback.Ifeltli
kehidingandIknowt hey
willaddtomyt roublesafterthis.Hewashur t
j
udgi ngfrom howhekeptwi pinghi snoseandl i
p.
Theydi dn'tevenattemptt otoucht hecarwhi chwas
ashockt ome.MrKni ghtcalml ywentonast he
robotturnedgr een.Inear l
ywetmypant sthinking
hisfancycarwoul dbebur ntwithusinsi
deofi tbut
hedidn' tevenbl ink.Wefinall
ygottothehospital
andMamawasadmi tt
ed.Ithankedhim andtold
himt opl easet akethemoneyf r
om mypaybuthe
saidit'sfine.Iexpectedhimt oleavebuthesatnext
tomeont hehar dchairsinthepublichospit
al.I'
m
suret heirprivatehospit
alshadmassagechai rs
whilet heywai ted.Wesati nsil
enceandI '
m sureI
hadinconveni encedhim agr eatdeal
.Iapologized
andt hankedhi m onceagain.
Crai
g:"Cal
lyourauntt
otel
lhert
hatyourmom was
admitt
ed"
Imange:" Idonothaveai rti
me, Sirbutshewi l
lcome
tomor row"hehandedmehi sphone." Thankyou,
Sir"Itookitandcal l
edmyaunt .Shewashappyt o
hearwemadei ttothehospi t
alsafe.Sheaskedal l
kindsofquest ions"Makazi,youar efini
shingMr
Knight'sairt
ime.Wewi l
ltal
kt omorrow"Iwhi spered
andendedt hecall.Igavehim backhi sphone.Igot
al i
tt
leideaofwhathavi ngaf at
herwaspossi bl
ylike.
IknowIcan' tclai
m mybossassuchbuti nthi s
momenthedi dwhatmyf athershouldhavedone.
Craig:"
Youdidamanl ythingbycal
li
ngmebyt he
way.Amanonl ygivesuponcehehasexhaust edall
hisopti
ons"Icouldn'thelpbutsmil
e.Noot herman
eversaidIdidamanl ythingbefor
e.Itwasascl ose
asI'l
levercometohear ingsomeonesayt heywer e
proudofme.
Imange:"
Thankyou,Si
r.Wit
hwhatishappeni
ng
bet
weenChul uandmeIthoughtt
oaskyouwould
beaninsult
"
Craig:"
Idon'tknowwhat'shappeni
ngbetweenyou
andChul umanco,Imange.Youtwojustt
reateach
otherwithrespect
.Thedetail
sIdonotwantto
know"hel ookeduncomfortabl
e.
Imange:" Yes,Sir
"adoctorcamet ousaf t
erwesat
fortwohour sandt oldmethatmymot her
'slung
hadani nfecti
onbutt heygavehermedssoshe
wouldbef i
ne.Theclini
cclearl
ygavehert hewrong
medi cati
onbecauset heysaiditwasulcers.Mr
Knightonl yaskedtoleavewhenhehear dMan' s
wouldbef i
ne.ItoldhimI'
dstaythenightatthe
hospital
.Hegavememoneyf ort
hevending
machi ne.Heevensai dImustcallhi
m shoul dwe
needari
debackhome.Chul
uandhersibl
ingswer
e
bl
essedtohavesuchamanasthei
rdad.Theli
kes
ofuscoul
donlyimagi
ne.
I
mange:"Sir
, howdidyoumakeLl oydandhis
fr
iendsj
ustletyougli
dethroughwithyourf
ancycar
?
Theseboysar eevengi
vingpoli
cetroubl
e"
Crai
g:"Imadet hem reali
set hatt
heywerereall
yjust
puppiesinsteadofdanger ouspit
bull
s.Letmego
homet osleep.Sendr egardstoyourmotherfrom
OthunyiweyoandI "hebr ushedthetopofmyhead
andIwat chedhiml eavethehospital
.Iwentto
Mama' sWar dandwashappyt oseehereati
ng
becauseshedi dn'
twantt oeatathome.
S2-
Inser
t13
WhenI mangegotat extfrom Craigaskinghimt ogo
overt otheirhouseandhel phi
m wi tht
hegar dening
andsor toutt hegar
ageI mangei mmedi at
elygoton
ataxit otheirnei
ghbor hood.WhenI mangear ri
ved
hef oundCr aigwait
ingf orhim andsoont hey
tackledthegar agewhi leOthuinst r
uctedthem on
whatt okeep, whattogi vetotheneedyandwhatt o
throwaway.Thei rgar agewasamessandI mange
wassur prisedthattheyf oundnof ami lyofmi ce
l
ivingt here.Othuser vedl astnight'
sl eftovert o
ImangeandCr aigwheni twascl oset ol unchtime.
Chul ucamehomef r
om af ri
end'shouseandgave
Imangeasubt lewavet houghshewant edtor unt o
him andhughi m butherf athersatr ightnextt ohi m
soshepassedi nstead.Shewassur prisedt ofind
Imangewor ki
ngatherhomei nsteadofatCr aig's
offi
ceoronsi t
e.Thet winsar etwooft hepeopl e
whower eneverhomedur ingweekends.I fthey
didn'thavepr acti
ceonsomeoft hei rext raschool
activit
ies,theypreferredt ogot of r
iends.Thevi be
betweenChul uandOt huwasnotsoheavyanymor e
buti twasnotl ikebef oreeither.Dur i
ngt helastpast
weeksOt huf el
tli
kej ustast epmot hert o
Chul umancoandshehat edi t
.
Chulu:"
Mama, whydoesDadtreatI
mangel
ikehei
s
ourgardenboynow?"Othust
oppedwhatshewas
doi
ngandl ookedatChul
u.
Othu:"
Noonei st
reat
ingI
mangeli
keagardenboy,
Chulumanco.YouknowDadusual
lydoessuchwit
h
theboysbutheaskedI mangebecauseImange
neededthemoney.Wedonotwanthi mt othi
nkwe
pit
yhim byjustoff
eri
ngmoney.Behappyt hatyour
boyfr
iendprefer
stodohonestwor ktoearnhis
moneyr at
herthanrobpeople.Notever
yoneisas
for
tunateasyou"Chulunodded.
Chul
u:"
I'
m sor
ryandyesyouar
eright
.Whatwi
ll
youbedoi
ngforther
estoft
heday?"
Othu:"
Not
hingact
ual
ly.I
'l
lmostprobabl
yjustsleep
onceDadandImangestopmakingnoisewiththe
l
awnmower"
Chul
u:"Canwepleasegoout
?Justyouandme.I
missyou"Othusai
dnothi
ngatf
ir
stbutshet
ooka
deepbreat
h.
Othu:"Imissyout oo"shegaveChul uherundivided
att
enti
on." Look,ChulumancoIdon'tli
keallofthis
andI'm honestlyti
redofwat chi
ngyoudodgeme.
I'
vebeent hinki
ngaboutt hi
ngsandInowseet hat
wehavebeenspoi li
ngyou, especi
all
ymebecause
Dadisnotaf r
aidtoputhisfootdown.Thef i
rstyear
aft
erTatiana'sdeathIdidn'
tevenhavet hecourage
tosaynot oyoubecauseIf eltl
ikeyourlitt
lemi nd
wouldi nterpretitast houghIdidn'tloveyou.It's
onlyafterMakhul ucamet ovisitusreli
giouslydid
sonot i
cet hatIwasdoi ngyounof avoratal l
.Even
now, Icouldnothugyouandsayal lwaswel lwhen
youwer ewr ong.I'vebeenyoungsoIknowt hatit'
s
easyt ogetconf usedwhenyou' reyoungbutt hat's
whydadandIar eher e.Nexttimeyouar ef aced
wit
hsucht al ktous.Wewoul dhaveavoi dedal lt
his
psin.Communi cationissoimpor tantandI '
dliketo
beli
evet hatDadandIar eopent ospeakt oyou
chil
drenevent houghi t
'suncomf ort
able"Chulu
wentt owr apherar msar oundOt hu'sshoulders
fr
om behi ndandpl acedakissonhermot her'
s
cheek.Shehel donsot i
ghtl
yasi fshe'dneverget
anotheroppor t
uni t
yagai n.
Chulu:"Youdoever ythi
ngr i
ght,Mama.I t'
smy
terr
ibl
ejudgeofchar acterandl ackofthinkingthat
gotusher e.Iwillf
oreverregretthi
sandIhumbl y
apologi
ze"Ot hukissedChul u'
sar m andhel donto
them.Shemi ssedhergirlalot.Sulki
nghel pedno
oneatal landwhatki ndofmot herwoul dshebei f
shepr
eachedf
orgivenessbutcoul
dnotpr
act
icei
t
wit
hherownchil
dren.
Ot hu:"Iforgiveyou, Chulz.Ifor
giveyou"shet urned
tohugChul uandChul ufinal
lybreathedagainand
feltast houghshehadj ustbeenf reedfrom hel
l.
"We' l
lhavet ogooutonanot herdayt hough
becausedadmi ghtt hrowawaybet hinksaretr
ash
whi letheyar etreasuretomesoIhavet okeep
wat ch"theyl aughed.Chul uhadlongmadepeace
wi thCraig" ApologizetoImanget oo.Hei ssucha
responsi bl
eyoungman, Chuluwhoi sgoingthr
ough
troublesyouonl yseei nmovi es.Daddoesn' tsayit
buthei shappyt hatyougotyour selfadecent
boyf ri
endwhoi snotaf raidofhar dwor k"
Chul
u:"
I'
llapol
ogi
zeagai
n,Mama"
Ot hu:"Goodnowpl easegogett heplatestheyate
from out sideandwasht hem t
ogetherwiththeones
i
nt hesink.Thosetwot hinkt
hattheygotof ft
oday
butIhaveaspeci alchorewaiti
ngforthem when
theyr eturn"
Chul
u:"
ButFezi
le'
spar
ent
shi
redadomest
icwor
ker
sowhycan'
twe"ChulusaidinthebestQhawe
i
mpersonat
ionbef
oretheylaughed.
Othu:" Youcan' thaveever yt
hingonasi lverplatter.
DadandIwi llgetahelpt hedayyou' real lgonebut
untilthenever yonehast odot heirbi
t"Chul usmi led
andnodded.Shewal kedt ot
hedoorbutr eturnedt o
hugOt huagai n.Sheheldonf oral ongwhi lebefor e
goingout sidet ogetthepl at
es.I manger ushedt o
fi
nisheat ingwhenhehear dChul uwant edt odo
dishes.Shet oldhimt otakehist imeandsatnextt o
him.Cr aighadgonet otalktot henei ghboracr oss
ther oadgi vi
ngChul utimet oapol ogizeagai n.
Imange:"I
'm actuall
ynotangryatyouanymore,
MancobutnowIf earyouwil
lsuspectmewhenever
thi
ngsdisappearar oundyou.Maybeyoumustfind
yoursel
faboyf r
iendont hesamef i
nanci
all
evel
as
you"Chuludidn'twantthecheeseboysofthe
suburbswhohadneverevencutgr ass.
Chul
u:"Idon'
twantanotherguy.Ireal
lyl
oveyou,
Mange.ImissyousomuchIf eell
ikeI
'm goi
ngto
gocr
azy"Imangesmi l
ed.
Imange:" Imi ssyout ooandi tsuckst onotchat
withyou.Idon' twantanyoneei ther"hegl anced
overatCr aigwhowaspoi nt i
ngwhi letalki
ngt ohis
neighbourandl ookedbackt oseei fOthuwas
wat ching.Whent hecoastwascl earhegavehera
kisst hatprovedjusthowmuchhemi ssedher .
Chul ublushedwhent heylookedateachot her
.
Craigmadehi swaybacksoChul ust oodandt ook
thet wopl at
esandgl asses.Shef eltli
keshewas
fl
oat i
ngar oundonacl oudwhi lewashi ngdishes
becauseshemadepeacewi ththoseshedi dbad.
Imanget r
immedt hesmalltreeont hef rontofthe
yardasCr aigwoul doccasionallygivehi m
i
nst ructi
ons.Theywer ebusyunt illateint he
afternoon.
Craig:"It
hinkweshouldcalli
taday.Thelit
tl
ethat
's
l
eftI'l
ldowi t
hthetwinsnextSat
urday.Thankyou
foryourhelp,Imange"Cr
aigcoll
ectedhist
ools.
I
mange:"Idonotmi
ndret
urni
ngtomorr
ow,Sir.
Aft
ertaki
ngmymothert
othehospi
tall
astweekit
's
t
heleastIcoul
ddo"
Cr
aig:"
Idi
ditbecauseIwant
edt
o.Howi
syour
mom doi
ng?
"
Imange:"
Shei
sdoi
ngf
ine,
Sir
.Get
ti
ngst
ronger
eachday"
Crai
g:"Here"Cr
aigoff
eredImangeanenvelope.
Imangeexpectednorewardforhel
pinghi
m buthe
openedtheenvelopeandinsi
defoundafood
voucherofR3000.
Imange:" Thankyou, Sir"hesaidi nashakyvoi ce
andhecoul dnotcont aintheover whelmingj oyso
histearsjustflewdown.Hel ookeddownand
quicklywipedof fhi stears.Craighel dont ohi s
shoulderbef oregivingt hem af ewmanl ytaps." We
havebeen. ..
.beenhavi ngpapwi thbutterfort he
pastweekandI '
m notcompl ainingbutt hedoct or
gaveMamaal ongl i
stoff oodtospeedupher
heali
ngandt owat chhereatst ar chjusttot akepills
hasbeenhar d.Sot hankyou"Cr aigclenchedhi s
j
awt onotcr y.Her egrettedagreei ngtobei ngt he
onet ogivethevouchert oImangeasOt hut hought
Imangewoul daccepti tifi
tcamef r
om ahi m seei ng
ashewasamanandI mangeaboychi ld.
Crai
g:"Thi
sisnotchari
tyorpit
y.I
tisr
ewardfor
yourhardwork.Amanonl yhashi
sdigni
tyri
ght
?"
Imangelaughedwhil
enodding.
Imange:"Yes,Si
r"I
mangewouldn'treal
lyknowwhat
amanmusthavewhenhewasr ai
sedbywomen.
Heappreciatedt
heladi
esinhislif
ebuthewas
cert
ainafathert
aughtasonthingsamot her
couldn'
t.
Crai
g:"I
'm notreal
lygoodwi t
hbuyinggroceri
es
becauseallIbuyismeat ,meatandmeat .Sosince
youarealreadyclosetotheshops,maybegowi t
h
Chuluassheusual lydoesgroceri
eswithher
mother.Maybebuyherachocol at
ebarbecausea
manmustal sospoilhi
sladyabit"Imangelaughed
whil
estil
llookingdown.
I
mange:"
Yes,
sir
"
Craig:"
Letmegocal lChulubefor
eyourtaxi
sget
fi
nished.Iunfort
unat
elycan'
ttakeyouhome
becauseI'm spoi
li
ngmyl adytoni
ght"Cr
aiggave
Imangeaf ir
m handshakebeforehewentinsi
deto
getChulu.Imangecoll
ectedthetool
sandwentto
putt hem int hegar age.Hel ookedatt hevoucher
againandsmi led.Heusual lybought10kgf l
our,
mai zeandsuchsoi twoul dl astlongerbutsi ncethe
starchout lastedtheveggi eshef oundhi mself
concer nedt hathismot her'sl ackofnut ri
ti
onwoul d
sendherbackt ohospital.Hewenti nsidetosay
goodbyet oOt hunyi weyoandt hankedheral sof or
thevoucher .Chuludr ovehermot her'
scartot he
shopswi thherboyf ri
endaspassengerf orthevery
fi
rstt i
me.I mangecoul ddr ivebutheknewt oaskto
driveOt hu'scarwasi nappr opr iate.Theybought
anyt hi
ngheal t
hyI mangecoul dr ememberf rom the
l
istandkeptsomemoneyont hevoucherf orli
ttl
e
stuffdur i
ngt hemont h.Thevoucherwasnoteven
halfofI mange' spayandheknewChul uknewt hat
herf athergavei ttohi m.
Imange:"I
'
m nottaki
ngadvantageofour
rel
ati
onshiptomakeyourparentshel
pme,okay?
"
hereassuredher
.
Chulu:"
Whatar eyoutalkingabout
?Iwatchedmy
manwor khardallday,sweatingandal
lsoI'm gl
ad
toseehim spendhishar dearnedmoney"I
mange
f
elthi
sconfi
denceboostabit.ThatwastheChul
u
t
hatheknewandhewasgl adthatshewasback.
"
Thankyouforthechocol
ate,baby.I
'l
lhavet
ohide
i
tfrom t
heboysthough"t
heylaughed.
Imange:"Il
oveyou,
Chul
umancoKni
ght
"Chul
u
blushed.
Chulu:"
Iloveyoutoo,
Radebe"t
hesmi l
eon
Imange'
sf acewhenshecall
edhim byhercl
an
name."Staylonger
.Mom andDadar egoi
ngoutso
yeah"
I
mange:
"Ihavet
ocat
cht
hel
astt
axi
,Manco"
Chul
u:"
I'
lldr
iveyou"
I
mange:"
Hel
lno"
Chul
u:"
Ima.
..
"
Imange:"
Isaidno, Chulumanco.Iloveyou.Ihavet o
go.I'
vegotdataagainsowe' llchatunti
lwef all
asl
eep"hekissedher .Chulugotoutandhel pedhim
carr
ythebagst ohistaxi.I
mangej ustcouldn'twait
unti
lhewashomeandshowhi ssibli
ngsthathar d
workdoesn'
tkillbutrewards.
Babinisatner vousl yint hecarashewai tedf or
Yandi sat ocomeoutofherapar tment .Hecoul dnot
under standwhyhef eltsoner vousandhehoped
thatwhathehadpl annedf ort heirfi
rstdat ewas
somet hi
ngshe' dlike.Hest eppedoutoft hecar
whenhesawhercomeoutofherf lat.Hewi pedhi s
sweat ypal msonhi sj eanbef oregreet ingher .He
didn'
twantt omessanyt hingupsohewasnot
goingt ot alkanyt hingsexualorchi ldr elatedt oher.
Hecompl iment edheronhowbeaut ifulshel ooked
i
nt hehi ghwai stedwi del eggedpant sandat opthat
showedj ustenoughcl eavaget oteaseBabi ni.He
l
ovedhersenseofdr essbecausei twasnot
revealing.I tleftBabi nicur i
ousaboutwhathewoul d
findshoul dheseemor eski n.Li ketheper fet
gentlemanhewentt oopent hedoorf orher .He'd
beenf allingasl eepwhi lewat chi ngromancemovi es
tolearnwhatchi lvarywasl ike.Theymadesmal l
talkont hewayandBabi nihadt obitehi stonguea
fewt i
mes.Yandiwoul doccasi onallygl anceathi m
whenhewasf ocusedont her oad.Shewasner vous
andwonder edi fshe'dbeabl et oeatanyt hing
feeli
ngl iket hat .Theymadei tt otheirdest inat i
on
andmadeitoutofthecar.Yandil
ookedatt
he
nameoft
hepl aceandlookedathim.
Yandi:"I
st hi
swhereyouar etaki
ngme?DoIl ook
l
ikeIam dr esstost
andi nfr
ontofast oveinthis
outfi
t,Babini
?OhIsee, youareoneoft hosemen
whowantt oseeift
hewomancancook, cleanand
suchbecauseyout hinkawoman' splaceisinthe
kit
chen"shesnappedandBabi nistoodwitha
mout hfulloft
eethnotknowingwhatt osay.
Babini:"
Uhm. .
.wecangosomewher eel
se"he
l
ookedar oundt oseeift
herewasanot
herdecent
placewithreadymadef oodandYandibur
stout
l
aughing.Shel aughedsomuchshehadt owipeher
tearsoff
.
Yandi:"
Ijustwant
edtogetyoubackf ormakingme
speechlesstheot
herday.I
'
vealwayswant edto
comet othesesel
fcooki
ngplaces"Babinibr
eathed
Babini
:"Woman,you'
llgi
vemeahear
tat
tack.Iwas
abouttohaveUbereatbri
ngusf
oodint
hecar"they
l
aughed.
Yandi
:"Il
ovet
ryi
ngnewt
hings.I
'
mjustwor
ri
ed
aboutget
ti
ngt
ir
edi
ntheseheel
s"hel
ookedather
feet
.
Babini:"
Iwon'
tfindyouanyl essbeautif
uli
fyou
takethem of
fforcomf ort
"Yandiblushed.Heheld
herlowerbackast heymadet hei
rwayi nsi
de.It
's
notwhatsomeonewoul dimaginetheywouldbe
takentoonaf i
rstdatebutthat'
swhatYandiliked
aboutBabini
,hedidn'tcareaboutnorms.
Nat asha:"Goodeveni ng, l
adiesandgent lemen.I 'm
Nat asha, achefbypr ofessionbuttonightI '
m going
towat chal lofyoucook.Ourf i
ft
hcoupl ej ustcalled
theywi l
lbehereshor tl
y.Ah, j
ustont ime"she
l
ookedatt hedoorandVuyoandal adywhowas
notoneofhi sbabyMama' sentered.Hegl anced
overt oYandiandsuddenl ybecamet oo
affectionatewithhisdat e,somuchsot hatt hepoor
girllookeduncomf ortable.Babinionlyhadt olookat
Vuyooncet oknowi twashi m becauset hej ealousy
i
nhi seyeswer eevident .
Babi
ni:"
Doyouwantt
oleave?
"Yandil
ookedathi
m.
Yabdi
'
:"Ii
ntendedonenj
oyi
ngt
hisexper
iencewi
th
youandnot hingisgoi ngt ostopmef rom doi ngt hat
.
Letmet akeof fmyshoessoIcanshowyouwhat
cookingi s, MrZweni "shelaughed.Babi niknel t
downt ounbuckl ehershoes.Nat ashaexpl ained
thateacht ablewoul dprepareadi f
f erentmeal
accor di
ngt other ecipeinfrontofthem.Once
everyonewasdonet hewai t
erwoul dser veal lt he
meal stot hecoupl e'ssotheywoul dt ast eeach
other'sfoodandenduphavi nghadaf ivecour se
meal .Ever yoneint roducedthemsel vesandYandi
couldseeBabi niwasnotusedt osoci alset t
ingsbut
sheappr eciatedhi seffort
s.Honest lyshewoul dnot
havemi ndedadi nnerwi thjustthem sohe' dbeat
ease.Babi nineverhavi ngcookedbef oref eltlikehe
wasi naf oreignpl acebutwhenhehear dOt hu
ment iont hatshoul dYandinothavechosen
teaching, she'dbeachef .Hewant edmaket hat
dream comet rueeveni fitwasj ustonemealand
foroneni ght.Sooneachcoupl ewasbusybutVuyo
wasmor ebusyl ooki ngatYandiwhowasnotonce
l
ookingback.Yandi 'sl
aughf il
ledther oom when
Babinisentt hefullchickenf l
yingthr ought her oom.
Babini:"
Ali
tt
ler
incewon'
thurt
"heranwit
hhis
chickentot
hesinkandYandiwaswipi
nghert
ear
s
fr
om laughi
ng.Asoundwhichwasmusicto
Babini'
sear
s.
Natasha:"
MrZweni,
rat
hert
aket
hischi
cken"t
hey
gavehim anot
her
.
Babini
:"Thedamnthi
ngi
ssosl
ipper
y"het
ookt
he
secondchicken.
Yandi
:"I
'l
ltakethatthankyou"Yandil
ookedathi
m
whil
etaki
ngt hechicken.
Babi
ni:"
WhatmustIdo?
"
Yandi
:"Readt
her
eci
peandI
'
lldowhatyousay.
Deal
?"
Babini:"
Readi
ngIcando.Thi
sissohar
d.It
hought
cookingwaseasy"
Yandi
'
:"I
'
llt
eachyou"
Babini:"
Wi l
lyouall
owmet oteachyoustuf
fI'
m
expertintoo?"Yandibl
ushedandnodded.
Yandi
'
:"Ouch"i
nhermomentofbeingl
osti
n
Babi
ni'
seyessheputherhandonahotpl
ate.
Babiniquickl
ytooksomei cef rom thecokehewas
dri
nkingandr ubbedthem onherhand.Yandiwas
notevent hatsorebutshelethi m doct
orherhand
becauseshel ovedhowhef ussed.Whenhe
thoughtitwasenoughhepat teditwithaclot
h.
Babini:"
Doesitstil
lburn?"Yandishookherhead.
"Sure?"shesmi l
edandnoddedbef orewatchinghim
kissthe"booboo"Theycont i
nuedandenj oyed
putti
ngsomet hingtogethersomucht hati
tfeltt
hey
wereinapr i
vatekitchenintheirhome.Once
everyonehadt hei
rmeal sreadytheywentt osit
downatt hetablesandwai ter
sser vedthem the
food.
Babi ni:"
Wemakeapr et
tygreatteam.Ourmeal
tastesper fect
"theyhighfi
ved."I'
m notgoingtoeat
thedeser tthough"Yandibreathedwhenhesai dit
becauseshet houghtitmightmakehercome
acrossaspet tyifshesai
dshewoul dn'teatthe
deser tpreparedbyVuyoandhi sdate.
Yandu'
:"Wit
hthewayhe'sst
ari
ng,Ifearwhathe
mighthaveputi
nther
ejustt
ospiteusbutlet
'snot
tal
kaboutVuyo"t
heyspokeaboutal
most
everyt
hingundert
hesun.Babinilaughedand
l
aughedast houghhewasmaki ngupf ort
heyears
hespentwithoutl
aught
er.Babinistoodandand
helpedhisl
adyoutofhi
sseatoncet heyfi
nished
thefourt
hmeal.Vuyostoodandbl ockedtheirway.
Vuyo:"
Hi,
Yandisa"Yandiwasgladhecal
ledherby
hernamesinceshewasnol ongerhi
smakoti
.
Yandi:"Hell
o,Vuyo.BabinithisisVuyoandVuyo,
Babini"shealwayswonder edwhati twoul
dbel i
ke
toseehi m agai
nforthefirstsinceaft
ert
hedivorce.
Sheimagi nedshe'dcrumbl eintoapil
eoftear
sbut
sheact ual
lyfel
tnothi
ng.Themenexchangeda
greeti
ngnod.
Vuyo:"It
'spret
tyrudetonothavedesertwhen
everyoneelseateyourmealisn'
tit
?"Babinididn'
t
wantt oanswerbecausehewant edtoletYandideal
withherex.Itwastooearl
ytoactterri
tori
al.
Yandu':"
Actual
ly,wehavedeci dedtohavedesert
elsewher
e"shel ookedupatBabi niwi
thasmileand
theypassedVuyot omakei toutofthebui
ldi
ng.In
Vuyo'smindthedeser tYandispokeofwassexbut
hedidn'
tknowthatt
heyact
ual
lyboughtasweet
tr
eatandsati
nthecarwhil
eeati
ngit
.
Yandi:"
Ihadagreateveni
ngandyoudeli
ver
edon
thef
ivecoursemealyoupromisedme"shesmi
led.
Babini
:"Tohearyouenjoyedyoursel
fismusi ct
o
myears.Nextt i
mewear egoingdancing.Ican'
t
danceeitherbutwhatt
hehell
"Yandilookedathim.
Yabdi'
:"I
'
vebeenli
steningtoyouandyouseemed
tohavetamedyourselfabitt
oni
ght"heglanced
overather.Hedi
dnott hi
nkshe'
dnotice.
Babini
:"Ihaver
eali
zedit
'sbestt
odosot oavoid
upsett
inganyone.Idi
dn'
twanttorui
ntonight
"
Yandu':"
Iact
uall
ymissedthatl
it
tl
edetai
ltonight
"
theymadeeyecontact."
Sopleasedon'
tdot hat
again"henodded.
Babi
ni:"
SodoesthatmeanIcanpi
ckyouupagai
n
whenyouarefr
ee?"
Yandi:"
I'
dli
ket
hat"shesai
dsof
tl
yandBabi
nihel
d
herchinsohe'
dlookather
.
Babi
ni:"
What
'
sonyourmi
nd?
"
Yandi
:"No,i
t'
stooearl
ytospeakaboutsuch.Idon'
t
wanttoscar
eyouoff"sheconfessed.Sheli
kedhi
m
andwantedtoseehim moresoshedi dn'
twantt
o
gett
ooheavy.
Babini
:"Yaya,I
'm amanwhohasbeenar oundthe
blockandtrustmewhenIsayt hatyourdefi
nit
ionof
scarydif
fersfr
om mi ne.Sopl
easet al
kifyouhave
somethingyouf eelyoushoul
dshar e"
Yandi:"BecauseI'
vegotatradi
ti
onalgi
ft.Ihaveto
alsoi
nt r
oducemyboyf ri
endtomyancest ors"she
saidsoftl
y."Iknowyou'r
enotmyboyf r
iendbut
yeah..
.youknowwhatj ustf
orgeti
t"
Babi
ni:"
Whathappensi
fyourancest
orsdonot
appr
ove?"
Yandu' :"
Wi t
hVuyo, whenourener gydi
dn'tmatchI
stoppedget ti
ngmessagesf rom t
hem.Iunderstand
i
fyouwantt ostopthiswhi l
ewehaven'
tinvested
much"Yandist oppedt al
kingwhenshefeltcoolli
ps
pressagai nsthers.She'dbeenstari
ngatBabini'
s
l
ipsal lnightwonderingwhatkissingwouldfeelli
ke.
Shef eltbadf ordoi
ngsobutshewasonl yhuman. .
Itwasf argreaterthanshei magined.Onceshegot
overtheshockoft heunexpectedki ssshemoved
herli
pst okisshim back.Shewant edhim soclose
shenear l
yshi f
tedt ositonhislapbutshehadt o
rememberi twasaf ir
stkiss.Babiniwashappyt o
knowt hatYandi '
slipswer eassweetandsof tashe
i
magi ned.Hehat edthattherewasagapbet ween
thei
rseat sbecausehewant edtohol dhercl
ose.
Yandi
:"Idon'
tusual
lyki
ssont hef
ir
stdat
e"Yandi
l
ookedathim andhesmiled.
Babi ni
:"I
'
veneverbeenonaf ir
stdatesoIdi dn't
knowki ssingwasnotal l
owed"Yandismi led.He
kissedhernose" Letmegetyouhome, i
t'slate"The
drivehomewasf arr el
axedthanwhent heywer eon
theirwayt othedate.Likeagent l
emanBabi ni
wal kedYanditoherdoort omakesur ethatshe' s
homesaf e.Theykissedagai nbeforeYandiwent
i
nsi deherapartment .Shestoodbehi ndt hedoor
whi lesmili
ngtoher sel
f.Babinihi
thisst eering
wheelhar dashet houghtaboutwhatYandisai d
aboutherancest ors.IfaregularJoel i
keVuyowas
notgoodenought ot hem thenhet ol
dhi msel fthat
hewascer tai
nlynotgoingtobe.Hehadpast
demonst hatwouldmakeYandir unfort
hehil
ls
shouldsheknow.Fort hefi
rsttimeinhisli
fehefel
t
afli
ckerofjoybutheshutitdownbecausehecoul d
notbri
ngYandii nt
othemesshewasi nt
ernal
ly.He
drovetohiscoldhouseandt hrewhimselfonhis
bed.Beingalonewast heli
fethatheknewbest .He
l
aidstari
ngatt hecei
li
ngwonder ingifhewaseven
capableoflove.
Babi
ni:"
I'
m sur
eherspir
itgui
deswil
lshowherthat
youareadarkfuckwhom seeneedstosageof
f"he
sai
dtohimself
.
S2-
INSERT14
Fli
nch'sbodywasf i
nallyr
eleasedbyt hecopsand
Matodi dn'twantt oburyhim onlytofeelguil
tyfor
notvisi
tinghi sgravesit
e.Noonewoul devervisi
t
Fli
nch'sgr avesoi twasbestt hathebecr emated.
Truthwast hatMat odidn'
tknowwhatFl i
nchwoul d
havepref erredbecauseheal waysspokeast hough
hewoul dl i
vef or
ever.Theentirefamil
yexcept
Babiniwentt oFl
inch'smemor i
alser
vicenot
becauseanyoft hem shedat earbutbecauseMat o
coul
dnotdoital
one.Itwasabri
efcer
emonyand
soonFl
inch'
sasheswereinMato'
shandswhil
ethe
wavesofthesal
tyseawatert
ouchedherf
eet
.
Mat o:"Youmi ghthavebeenamanwi t
hevilsIdidn'
t
knowofbutdur i
ngmostofourt i
met ogetheryou
wer egoodt ome, Ndothuke.SoIchooset oholdon
tothosememor ies.Thelastt imeIsawyou, you
wer etryingt oslicemeupbutyoudi dn'tknowMat o
wasasur vivor.Iusedt obr i
ngbul lsdowni nthe
vil
lagesoyoushoul dhaveaskedaboutmebef ore
testi
ngme.Don' tbeasevi li
nyournextl i
feandmay
thekar maoft hislifenotfollowyout oyournext.I
donotknowi fwhi t
epeopl er eturnt otheancestral
realm ori ftheirsoulswai tonj udgementdaybut
what everhappensj ustknowt hatIr el
easeyou"she
wasst andi ngatadi stancef rom t hefami l
ysono
onehear dher .Shef reedthel astthingshehadof
Fli
nch, hisashesandvowedt onevergetmar ri
ed
again.Oncedoneever yonewentt oKumkani 's
housef orlunch.
Unat
hi:"
Iam sohappythatever
yonedeci
dedto
comeheret
oday.Thelastti
methefamil
ygather
ed
atourhousewaswhenLangadiedandt
hatwas
barel
yacelebr
ati
on"shesai
dsoft
ly.
Kumkani:"
Todayisnotacelebrat
ioneit
her,Maka
Othu.Maybewemustonl yexpectthem her
ewhen
ther
eisdeath"hesai
dsarcasti
cal
lybeforel
aughi
ng
"Sowhydidmysonnotcome? "helookedatOthu
andCrai
gsincetheyweretheoneswhosawBabi ni
most.
Othu:"Babi
nii
snotusedtousgather
ingl
iket
his,
Tata.Givehi
mtimetojustset
tl
e"
Poppy:"
Heseemst
ohaveset
tl
edwel
li
nyourl
if
e"
Othu:"
Hefeel
sclosertomet hanyouguysandi
f
anyofyouexpectmet oapol
ogizefort
hatt
hen
for
getit
"shesai
dinfrustr
ati
on.
Makhulu:"
Nooneisexpecti
ngyout o,nunu.You
twoshareabondwewon' tunder
stand"shetooka
sipofhert
ea.
Deacon:"Heseemsl i
keadecentyoungman"
everyonesmil
ed.EveryonemetBabiniexceptt
he
twins.Othust
il
lwantedtofi
ndachildfri
endlyway
toexplai
nhisresur
recti
on.
Othu:"Makhul
uareyouokay?"shelookedatMat
o
whowasuncomf or
tabl
yquiet.Usuall
yshewoul
dbe
theonetotal
kmostaroundthetableormock
someone.
Mato:"
I'
mt hi
nkingabouthowhappyIwaswhenI
methimthefir
sttime.Ithoughtt
hatI
'
dsurel
ydi
e
happybutnow"shelift
edherhandsandshookher
head.
Kumkani :"Ithi
nkthemoneyhel eftyouwi llmake
youahappywomanagai n, Notomat o.Whatwas
thatsongagai n?Not omato, wangithathel'i
mal i
yam"het r
iedtosingt heTikiTikisong" Yousai d
Fli
nchwoul dsingthatandI '
m sur ewher everthe
bastardis,heissingingit"helaughed.Forashor t
whileafterKumkanibecamei l
leveryonet hought
thathe'dforevereatthehumbl epieheswal lowed
whenhewassi ckandcoul dn'tdoanyt hingf or
himselfbutashegotbet terandst rongerhi sold
charactershowed.Ot huhopedt hatBabi niwasnot
l
ikeKumkanibecauseshet ri
edbyal lmeanst o
keepherboysf rom Kumkanisoshehopedshe
wouldn'thavet odot hesamewi thhert win.
Kumkanigotacal landhewheel
edhimselfsohe'd
takeitpr
ivat
ely.Heusedtobeaser
ialcheaterback
i
nt hedayandever yonei
ncl
udi
ngUnathihopedt hat
hewasnotbackt ohisol
dways.
Kumkani :"
Areyousur ethatyouwipedthet
races
mysonsai dyouleft?heaskedNat ewhenNat e
demandedt heotherhalfofhismoney.Nate
assuredhimthatnot hingwouldcomebackt obit
e
them "I
'
llgi
veyouyourpackagewi thinanhour"he
endedthecallwit
houtsayi ngmore.
Craig:"Isuspectedthatyouwer et heonewho
orderedt hehit
.Idon'tcareifyoudi ditforMatoorif
youdi dittogetrevengeonFl inchf orputti
ngyouin
thatchair.Thishadbet t
ernotaf fectmywi feand
kidsinanywaybecauseyouwi llnotjusthaveme
todealwi thbutyoursont oo"Cr aiglookedhim dead
i
nt heeye.I twasnot hreatbutapr omi se.
Kumkani:"
Iwillrememberthat,
dearsoninlaw"he
sai
dwi t
hasmi rk.Crai
gwalkedmeanteverywor d.I
f
Natemessingupcamebackt ohauntKumkanihe
bet
terhopethatOthuwasnotmi xedupinit.They
wal
kedbackt ofindthefamil
ylaughi
ngasthough
theyhadnotjustcomefr
om afuner
al,acompl
etel
y
diff
erentmoodcomparedtowhentheycamefr
om
buryingLanga.
Chuluexcusedher selftogohomeandgether
clot
hesasshewoul dbesl eepingoveratHanel ,her
fri
end'sflatfort heweekend.Hanelwasgoi ngt obe
awaywi t
hherboyf riendsoChul uaskedi fshecoul d
haveI mangeover .Shewant edtospentpr ivatetime
awayf rom theeyesoff ell
owst udent sorherf amily.
Therewer ejustaf fect i
onst heycoul dnotexchange
whiletheyf earedsomeonemi ghti nterr
uptt hem.
Imangemadehi swayt otownandhat edt hathe
couldnoti nviteChul ut ohishome.Theywoul dhave
allt
hepr ivacyt heyneededashehadhi sownshack
atthebackofhi shomebuthewasnotr eadyt o
takeChul uther e.Per hapsapar tofhi m was
ashamedoft hest at ehishomewasi sbutmost ly
i
t'sbecausehef ear edChul uwoul dcomet ohi s
homewi thouthi m knowi ngandgetmugged
becauset heywoul dseef r
om adi stancethatshe
wasasubur bgi rl
.Oncet heymetandgotset t
ledin
theflattheymadet hemsel vessandwi ches.Chul u
couldn'teatwhenshewaswi t
hherfamilybecause
shewasner vous.Toonervoustotel
lImangethat
shewasr eadytotakethei
rrel
ati
onshiptothenext
step.I
fshewasnotdr oppingspoonsshewas
droppingbr eadandImangecouldseeshewasnot
hersel
f.
Imange:"
Iwantedtocomesuppor
tyoubutsi
nce
yousaidi
t'
sfamil
yonlyatt
hecremat
ion.
..
"
Chulu:"
It
'snotwhyI'
m suchaclumsyfoolt
oday,
Baby"shelookedathi
mt oassurehi
m.Her eall
ydid
wanttosupportherwhentheyhadaservi
cef or
Fl
inchbuthewasnotasoni nlawyetsohecoul dn'
t.
Imange:"
Thentalkt
ome"hepl
acedat
hicksl
iceof
cheeseonhissandwich.
Chulu:"
I'
mready,
Mange"shebl
urt
edoutandhe
tur
nedtofaceher
.
Imange:"
For?
"Chuluf
eltast
houghherhear
twas
sit
ti
nginhert
hroat
"
Chulu:"
Uhm...
tomoveout
"shesai
d.Shehadbeen
thi
nkingaboutmovi
ngoutal
otlat
ely.Notbecause
shewasunhappyathomebutbecauseshef el
tit
wastime.Shewasgoi ngtoaskHanelifshewant ed
aroommat e.Theexper i
encewithMaríahasmade
herwanttolearnl
ifelessonsassheknewshe' d
needasshegotol der.Athomet heytr
eatedherli
ke
ali
tt
lechi
ld.Sheappr eciat
editbutshefeltshe
wouldnotgrowast rongcharactershoul
dsheal l
ow
i
t.
Imange:"
Whatwi l
lyoupayr
entwi
th?Yousaidyour
mom soldheroldapart
mentl
ongago.Wil
ltheyhel
p
youpay?"heaskedsomanyquesti
onsChuluhadto
thi
nkaboutthem agai
ntogi
vehi
m answers.
Chulu:"I
'
llgraduatesoonsoIwillgetwork.Maybe
wecanmovei ntoget
heroncewe'vegraduated"
Imangeal mostchokedonhi sownsal i
vaashe
coughedaf ewt i
mes.Hewast hemanathi shome.
Hef el
thisfamilywouldbelostwithouthi
m orsohe
thoughtanyway.
Imange:"ThatwouldbegreatbutIwon'tbeabl
eto,
notsoonaf t
ergraduat
ion,Manco"Chul
unodded.
Sheexpectedthatanswerbecausesheknewhe
hadresponsibi
li
ti
esthatshedidn'
t.Heonlywor
ked
theweekendshiftssoChuluknewhewoul dnot
affordhal fther ent.Sheher sel
fdi dn'thavet he
moneyf orrent.Thatwasnotwhatshewant edt o
tel
lhi m butsheal sodi dn'thavecour aget otellhim
whatsher eall
ywant ed.Theyat ewhi lestanding
andwoul doccasi onallykiss.Lat ertheychi l
led
whi l
ewat chingacomedyshowandChul utitl
edher
headt olookatI mange.Hesmi ledandki ssedher .
Theki ssbecamei ntense.I mangewasusedt ot he
extremel yst eamymoment sthatl efthim aroused
onlyt ohavet ocoolhi msel fdownagai n.Hewas
notasi nnocentwheni tcamet osexasChul uwas
butbecausehel ovedher ,hedi dn'tmi ndt he"col d
shower s".Hewassur pri
sedwhenChul ueased
herselfont opofhi m becauseshe' dneverbeent hat
bravewhenshowi ngaf f
ectionbef ore.Themoment
gott ooheat edforImangesohest oppedt heki ss
befor eher ippedChul u'
scl othesof f.
Chul
u:"I
'mr
eady.Myheadiscleart
hist
imesoyou
don'
thavet
oworryaboutmeregret
ti
ngit
"
I
mange:"
But
..
."Chul
uki
ssedhi
m.
Chulu:"
Youdi dn'
tcomeprepar
edbecausei
t'
s
unexpected"shestoodandwentt
oherbagandgot
condomsofallbrandsshecoul
dfindandwalked
backtothecouch"Iwasnotsurewhichbrandyou
pref
ersoIboughtalloft
hem"Imangelaughed.
Imange:" Youwentinstoreandboughtsomany
condoms?Di dyoudothewal kofshame
after
war ds"theybot
hlaughed.That'
sexactl
ywhat
Chuludi d.Shechunkedallt
hecondomsi nherbag
soqui cklyaft
erpayi
ng,itwasasthoughtheywere
i
llegaldrugs.
Chul
u:"
Ifel
tsoashamed,
Baby"t
heyl
aughed.
Imange:"Youaresure,sur
eManco? "hest
udi
edher
facetocheckforanydoubtbutfoundnon"Li
ke
sure,
sure"Chulusmiledandnodded.
Chulu:"Sure,sure,sur e"sher eassuredhi m.I
mange
stoodandl edhert ot hebedr oom t heyputthei
r
bagsin.Theywer eki ssingast heymadet hei
rway
tothebedr oom.Hegent lyputheront hebedand
easedhi mselfont opofher .Imangewi shedhe'
dri
p
thei
rclothesof fandgetdownt obusinessbuthe
remember edt hatitwasaf irstforChul usohehad
totakeitslow.Het ookof fthedr essshehadon.
Chul udi dnotwearbr asbecauseshef eltitwasa
wast easherbr eastsdeci dedt ostopgr owi ngl ong
ago.Shewat chedasI mangeundr essedhi msel f
andf ort hef i
r sttimegott oseehi sleanbody
withoutashedofcl othing.Thef ir
stnudemanshe' d
seenandshewasl ef
twi thnodi sappoi ntmentas
shet ooki nal lofI mangewi thhereyes.Theysmi led
ateachot herbef or eImangel oweredhi msel ft okiss
her.Chul uf eltherhear tbeatf astwhenshef elthi
m
l
owert heonl ypi eceofcl ot honherbody, herundi es.
ShegotshysoI mangeopenedt hecover ssoshe' d
belessshyunt iltheywer ecompl etelycomf ortable
witheachot her .Itwasanewexper iencet oChul u
sohewant edt oeaseheri ntothi
snewphaseof
theirlove.Heshowedherbodysomel oveby
shower i
ngi twi thki ssessoi twouldwel comehi m
withease.Hel ookedatt hebr andsofpr otection
againt ryingt ochooseoneandt heybot hlaughedat
howmanyshegot .Oncehechoset hatwhi chhe
preferredhewasr eadyt obeonewi t hher .
Imange:"
Thi
swillhur
tabi
t,okay"hel
ookedather
andshenodded.Chul
ufel
thim makehiswayint
o
herwar mthandi tdi dhur tbutI mangewaswasset
onmaki ngi tlesspai nf ulwithhi scar efulthur sts.He
tri
ednott obesol ostint hepl easurej ustincase
Chul uwantedhi mt ost opbutshedi dn'toncest op
him.Oncehet houghtherbodywasabi tless
uncomf ort
abl ewi tht henewi nvasionhebegant o
moveatast eadyyetgent l
er hythm.Chul uhavi ng
noi deahowshewassupposedt orespondt ot he
momental l
owedhi mt ot akecont rol.Onceshe
relaxedhert ensebodyshest art
edt of eelahi ntof
pleasurethatmadehermovewi thhim.Shewas
ti
ghtasanyvi r
ginwassoI manget ri
edhi sbestt o
notshor t
ent heexper iencebecausehenever
want edtoChul ut of orgetit.Thei ntensi t
yi ncr easd
andsodi dhi sst r
okes.Chul ur anherhandsal lover
hisbackwhi letheybot hletoutsof tmoansand
groans.AChul uf elteachandever ysi nglepar tof
herbodyf eelast hought heywer eonf i
re,inagood
waybecauseshehadexper i
encedherver yf i
r st
momentofpl easur .Rightaf terthatImange
releasedafterf ai
lingt ohol dof fanyl onger .Ithad
beenmont hssi ncehel astwaswi t
hagi rl
.Thet wo
oft hem t
ookamomentt osoaki nt hebeaut yof
whatj
usthappened.I
mangelif
tedhisheadwhich
hadbeenburi
edinChulu'
snecktolookather
.
I
mange:"
Youokay?
"hewhi
sper
ed.
Chulu:"Perfect
"shewhi sper
edback.Heki
ssedher
moistforeheadbef or
etakinghi
sweightof
fofher.
Lat
ert heylaidsidebysideinbedwhil
eImange
pl
ayedwi thChul u'
slocks.
Babinisatdownopposi t
eYandi saandwat chedas
shedi dwhatneededt obedonet omaket heirthi
ng
offi
cial
.Afterdaysofseei ngeachot hernear l
y
everydaytheybot hwant edtomakei toffi
ci al
.
Yandisabroughtoutaj oyi nBabiniandhef ound
himselfaddi ctedt othegr eatfeel
ingsoheputhi s
fearofbeingr eject edbyherancest orsasi desoshe
wouldseehowser i
oushewasabouther .Hewas
notsur ei
fhel ovedherbuthewant edtobewi thher
almostever yday.Theweat herchangedsoqui ckly
andsooni tst artedt orainandBabi niwassur eit
wasYandi sa' sspi ri
tguidesshowi nghert hathe
wast hebadspi ritinherhouse.
Yandi
:"Done"Babi
nil
ookedatherast
hesmokeof
i
mpephol
inger
edbet
weent
hem.
Babi
ni:"I
sthati
t?"heexpect
edal i
ght
ningbol
ttohi
t
hi
m strai
ghtint
heheartbutthatdi
dnothappen.
Yandi :"
Ihopeyouwer en'texpect ingmet o
slaughteragoatf oryou"shej okedandhel aughed.
Shewassuchaspeci alwomanandBabi niwasgl ad
thattheygotpasst hei ntroductionpar t.Yandit ook
herclothoverhershoul derandheadscal fof fas
theymadei tt
ot hel oungebar efooted.Shehada
cosyar eathatwasmeantf orherwor k.Itwas
easierforYandiwhenshewasst il
lli
vingi nthe
housesheshar edwi thVuyobecauseshebui lta
l
ittl
eindependentr oom out sidet owor kfrom but
shemadet hebestofherf latsituati
on.Thel ast
year'
sofhermar r
iagewer ehel lbecauseVuyo
woul doccasionallyaccuseherofbei ngawi tchand
hisfami l
ywoul dsecondi t.Todowhatshehadj ust
donewi thwasbi gforherbecauseshef earedBabi n
thoughtt hesamet hingabouther .
Babi
ni:"
CanIt
ouchyou?
"heasked.
Yandi
:"Pl
easedon'
tdot
hatent
ir
ethi
ngwher
eyou
treatmedi fferentl
y.You'remymansoofcour seI
wantyout ot ouchme"shesai dsoftly.Babiniwas
stil
llostatt hepar twhereYandical ledhim herman.
Yandisai dthatwi thoutthinki
nganddeepdown
regret tedthi
nki ngoutloud.Hehel dherf rom behind
sot ight l
yYandif eltthetroublesoft hedayf ade.
Shel ovedhisbearhugs.Theymadeherf eelsafe.
Sheal soappr eci
atedthather espect edherwor k
becausewi t
hVuyoi twasast ruggleashewasa
bor nagai nChr i
sti
anwhent heymetsoYandihadt o
explai ntohim whyshehadt ointroduceher
boyf riend.
Babini
:"Idon' twanttomesst hisup,Nt l
izi
yoyam.
SoImustaskbecauseIknowt hatyou' r
easar ced
woman"heki ssedherneckandYandit urnedtokiss
him.Hel earntthesmal lAfricanlanguagephr ases
quickl
y.Wi thoutherheelsshewasl ikeadwal f
compar edtohi m soshef elthim wraphi spower f
ul
armsar oundherwai stbef orehel i
ft
edherof fthe
fl
oortoki ssher."Ntl
izi
yoyam"Yandit houghtto
hersel
fandwonder edifhehi nt
edatf all
ingforher.
Shedidn'twantt ooverwhel m him with" Il
oveyous"
sosoon.Shemadet hatmi stakewi thVuyoandso
shewasaf raid.Ther ewasnodoubtt hatshewas
fall
ingf orhim.Shegaveherhear ttoeasi lyandi t
wasst upi di nmoder ntimesasl ovei stakenf or
grant edbutshecoul dnothel pit
.Al ltheset hought s
crossedhermi ndmaki ngi tnearlyimpossi blet o
enjoyt hemoment ."Justenj oybef or etheheavy
stuff"Ot hu'sadvicer ingedi nhermi ndandshe
focusedont hebeaut i
fulmanwhol i
ftedherl ikeshe
wasaf eat her.Hewasamagni fi
cent l
yhandsome
manwi thabodyt hatsai dhewasnotaf raidtoget
hishandsdi r
ty.Yandinevert houghtshe' dbei nto
"badboys"butt hereshewasmel tingi nthear msof
whatsheassumedwasonebecausehewasvague
i
nt ellinghert hingsabouthi msel f
.Anot herredf l
ag
Yandii gnor ed.Babi nifelthismanhoodgett oo
excitedsobeputYandidownbef or ebreakingt he
kiss.Yandiwasnotr eadyt ot akethei rrel
ationshi p
thereyet .Shel earnedt hatsl owwasusual lybest
whi chwassomet hingsheopenl ydi scussedwi th
Babi ni.Sheexpect edhi mt or emindhert hatshe
wasnovi rginbuthesai dhewasj usthappyt o
spendt i
mewi thher .Theysatont hecouch
wat chingconspi racyt heorydocument ar
ies.Yandi
keptsayi ngshedoesn' tbel
ievealltheshocki ng
thi
ngst hatwer ereveal edbutBabi niknewt hey
existed.Heknewt hatmostt heor
iesnor malpeopl e
consi deredconspi racieswer erealit
iesinsome
partsoft hewor l
d.Or ganhar vest
ingwasat hing.
Human- Animalhybr i
dswer er eal
.Heknewbecause
hewasi nthemessofmostoft hem.Hel ai
donhi s
backandpl acedYandiont opofhi m.Hedi dn'twant
tober emindedoft hingshewant edt oputbehi nd
him.Hewant edtofocusont hebeaut ywitht he
cont agiousl aughinstead.
Yandi
:"Wi
llyoueveri
nvi
temetoyourhomesoI
canseeyouarenotsomeali
enwhosleepsina
sl
immycacoon"heletouthi
ssexydeeplaught
hat
madeYandi'
skneesweak.
Babini
:"WellOthumadef unofitsomuch, I'm even
afr
aidtotakeyou.Shesaiditwasl ikeChulu'
sdol l
housewher etheycouldseeeachr oom fr
om the
doorwhent heylookedatit
"theylaughed.
Yandi
:"Idon'
tmi
nd.Ial
wayswant
edadol
lhouse
sotoseeahumansizeonewoul
dbeawesome"she
smil
ed"It
houghtyou'
dgotoFli
nch'
scremat
ion
ser
vicet
oday"Babi
nishookhi
shead.
Babini
:"I'
m nopretender,Ntli
ziyoyam.Idespised
themanandwoul dmostpr obablyhavespatonhis
gravehadIbeent herewhi chwoul dhavebeen
disr
espectfult
ohiswi dow"Yandisensedahat r
ed
i
nhi m shehadneversensedi nanyonebefore.
Yandi
:"Atl
eastyouhavethecour
aget
onotpr
etend.
Mostofusmuststil
llear
nthat
"
Babini :"
Howmanychi ldrendidyouwant ?
"Yandi
putherheadonhi schestandhear dthesoundof
hishear tbeat .Shehel dupt wof ingerst oshowshe
want edt wobabi es,j
ustt wo.Wast hataskingfor
much? .Babinihel dherhandandki ssedi t
.Hewas
shockedt hathewast heonegi vingsomuch
affectiontosomeone.Theot hert hi
ngt hatnoone
buthi msel fknewwast hatheandOt huwoul d
alwayshaveki dsinpai rs,al
waysShoul dOt hufal
l
pregnantagai n,she'dhaveanot herQhaweand
Phawu.Thepr egnancyshel ostwoul dhavebeen
twins.Eitherboys, gir
lsorami xl ikethem.I twas
howt heywer e" designed"buthedi dn'ttel
lOthuthat
toavoi dmaki ngherf eel li
keaf reak.Babi nithought
thathadhebeent het ypeofmant odr eam about
fatherhoodandhemadeYandipr egnant ,hewoul d
giveher ,hertwoki dsi nasi ngl epr egnancy.They
cuddlesunt i
lYandif ellasl eepbutBabi nifoughthi s
ownsl eep.Hecar r i
edYandit oherbedr oom and
placedheronherbed.Oncehecover edherwi t
ha
blanketheki ssedherandmadehi swayt ot hedoor .
Herdoorhadal edgesowhenhecl osedi titwoul d
l
ockf rom t heinside.Hegotacal lfrom Cr ai
gand
wasshockedt oseet hatnameappearonhi sscreen
becausehedi dnotputi tther e.Het hen
remember edOt huaskedt omakeacal lonceusi ng
hisphone.Shehadbeent ryingt ogett hem t obe
buddies.Babi nidr ovet oOt hu'sinst eadofgoi ng
homebecauseCr ai gsai dt hathewant edt ot alkto
himf acet oface.Whenhear rivedOt huandt hekids
wer enott here.Thet wi nsspentt heni ghtwi t
ht heir
mom atMakhul u'sandChul uwassupposedl y
spendi ngtheni ghtwi thf ri
ends.Cr aigof feredBabi ni
abeerandheappr eciat esdi tsinceYandionl yhad
sweetdr inksandwat er.Cr aigt oldBabi niabout
Kumkanibei ngr esponsi bl
ef orFl inch' shit.
Babini
:"Hetookhissweetti
metogetrevenge.Let
's
hopenoonemi ssesFli
nchbecausethat'
swhen
tr
oublewil
lstar
t.EvenIknewitwasnotwisetojust
si
lenceFli
nch.Youwantmet obeonguardjustin
case?"
Craig:"
Iwantustobeonguard.Nothi
ngmight
happenbutifsomethi
ngdoes,oneofusshoul
dbe
abletopicki
tupini
tsear
lystages"
Babini
:"Doyouevenst
il
lhavei
tinyou?
"Her
aiseda
brow.
Crai
g:"Therecentthi
ngsthathappenedhaspr
oved
tomet hati
nthisworld,
it'
snotwiseforamanto
completel
yreti
re"
Babi ni:"
Iguessi t
'l
lbea'whatOt hudoesn'
tknow
won' thurthersituati
on'huh?"Crai
gnodded"Well
thenyoursecr eti
ssaf ewit
hme"t heyshookhands
"ButIgott oseet hatyoustil
lhaveit.I
nti
mesof
troubleyoumi ghthitmewi t
hadamnbul l
et
i
nt endedf ortheenemybecauseyou' r
eoutof
pract i
ce"theylaughed.
Cr
aig:"
Icanshootanenemyf
rom adi
stancet
hat
wi
llshockyou.Wecangopract
icet
hough.Ther
e's
ashooti
ngfarm outoft
own"
Babi
ni:"
Arewebondi
ng?
"
Cr
aig:"
Fuckno"Babi
nibr
eat
hed.
Babi ni:"
GoodbecauseIwascl oset oget t
ingyoua
damndr essthinki
ngyou' vegonesof tonme"t hey
l
aughed.Nei t
heroft hem knewwhatt odescr i
be
theirrelati
onshi pl
ikebutatl eastnof ighthas
brokenoutsi ncethef ir
stwhi chi sgood.Theywer e
enjoyingt hespor t
schannelwhent hel ightswent
out.Babi nisaidhe'dsi tunti
lthel oadsheddi ng
passedbecauseOt hucalledtocheckonCr aigand
het oldherhewast here.Needl esst osayshet old
himt onotdar edri
vewhi l
et her obotsar en'tworki
ng
andt hati nthedarkni ghttoosoheobeyed.Cr ai
g
putonsomeol dschoolR&Bonhi slapt opandbot h
menappr eci
atedthecl assicswhi l
edr inkingsome
whiskey.Ther ewasnot alki
ng, justbot hr elaxing
andnoddi ngt othet unesofol dschoolmusi c.
Babi nistoodwhent hel i
ghtscamebackbuthel ost
hisbal ance.
Babi
ni:"
Allgood"hecl
ear
lyhadt
oomuchoft
he
goodstuf
f.
Crai
g:"Li
kehel
l.Youcan'
tdr
ivel
iket
hat
.Got
othe
guest
room t
osleepitof
f"
Babini
:"Idon'
tdosl
eepover
s"hesunkbackt
othe
couch.
Craig:" Idon' tdodi vorcesandt hat '
swhatwi l
l
happeni fIletyoudr i
vedr unk.Mywi f
eal readyl ost
abr otherl iket hat,mansoyou' l
lhave. .
."Cr aighear d
Babi nisnor ebef orehecoul dt ellhimt hathewoul d
havet ogot hroughhi mi fhewant edhiscarkeys.
Craigmadet hebi gguyascomf ortabl
easpossi ble
ont hecouchbef oreheswi t
chedt helightsof ftogo
tobed.Togot obedwi t
houtOt huwasunusualbut
whenMakhul uHl ecompl ainedaboutbackpai n
Othudi dn'twantt oleavehersi deevent houghMat o
wast her e.Theboysmi ssedMat osot heydeci ded
tospendt heni ghtt oo.Craighear dadeepdi stant
scream.Oneonl yamanwhowasgoi ngt hr ought he
wor stki ndoft ortur
ewoul dl etout .Oncehewas
ful
lyawakeher eali
sedt hatitwasnodr eam,
someoneneededhel p.Hewonder edifsomeone
br okei nandhur tBabinibecauseonl yhehadsuch
adeepvoi ce.Cr aigtookhi sgunr eadyt opr otecthi s
br otheri nl aw.Thel astthi nghewant edwasf or
Babi nit odi ewhi l
eonhi swat ch.Hedi dn' tswi tch
thel ight sonashequi etlymadehi swayt ot hel i
ving
room.Heswi tchedt helampi nt hel ivingr oom on
andt her ewasnoonebutt heper sonhel ef tthere
bef oregoi ngt obed.Cr aigcoul donl yi magi net he
fightBabi nimustbei nwhi l
eindr eaml andbecause
hewasl i
keabeastandCr aigwast hankf ulthathis
sleepyst ateallowedl i
mi tedmovementsohe
woul dn'tactouthi sdream.Hewassoaki ngwet
from hi sownsweatandgr owledl oudl ywi thgr eeted
teeth.Cr aighadenoughsohepl acedhi sgunoutof
sightandwentt oshakeBabi nihar dunt ilhiseyes
shotopen.Babi nisatupwhi lebr eat hingl oudl yunt i
l
hisbr eathi ngbecamesi lentagai n.Cr ai gwat ched
him st and.
Babi
ni:"
Mykeys,
wher
ear
emykeys?
"hesear
ched
hi
spockets.
Cr
aig:"
Yougood?
"
Babi
ni:"
Idi
dn'
taski
fyouhavecounsel
ingser
vices.
Iaskedf
ormydamncarkeys"
Craig:"
Wel lf
uckt hat.I
'
m notletti
ngyoudr ive"
BabinigaveCr aigadeat hstar
e."We' l
lfighttodeath
beforeIgiveyout hosedamnkey"Babi nibreathed
hardandsatbackdownbecausehedi dnothave
energytof i
ghtCr ai
g,notthatnight.Craiggottwo
waterbottlesfrom thefri
dgeandof f
eredBabi nione
beforehesatdown.Hewat chedBabi nidownt he
waterinonesi p.TheysatinsilencebecauseCr aig
knewi t
'snoteasyf orment oopenupespeci al
lyto
anotherman.
Babini
:"Haveyoueverbeeninacagewit
hcorpses,
Knight
"heaskedquietl
y.Cr
aiggavehi
m allhi
s
at
tenti
on.
Cr
aig:"
No"
Babi ni
:"WellIhave.Iwasf i
vetheymadeuswat ch
agr afi
czombi eapocalypsef i
lm.Igotscaredasany
fi
veyearol dwoul d.I
nst eadofget t
ingcomf ort,I
wasputi nacagewi thcor pses.Icanstil
lsmel lthe
stenchofdeat hthatfil
ledt hatroom.Afterthat,I
stoppedf eari
ngzombi esanddeat hallt
oget her,at
agefi
ve"heheldupf i
vefi
nger
s.Craigthought
abouthi
sownchi l
dren.Howtheywouldwantt o
sl
eepinthei
rroom whenthethunderwasj usta
l
it
tl
ebittool
oudsohecoul dnotimaginethem
bei
ngoutthroughsuchpsychologi
caltort
ure.
Crai
g:"
Idon'tknowwhatt osay,
Man"hesai
d
honest
ly.Babi
nilookedathi
m.
Babini:"Everbeenputtoasensor ytest?Theyput
youinaqui etr
oom whereal lyoucoul dhearwher e
yourownor gansmovewi thinyou.Wher ethey
woulddepr i
veyouofsound, smel l,
sight,t
astefor
weeksonl ytooverwhel
m youwi ththesamet hings
theydepr i
vedyouof foncethet estisdoneandyou
wouldf eelyoursel
flosi
ngit.Likeyouwoul dli
teral
ly
feelyourselfgetmad.Youwat chyourf ri
endsgo
crazyast heyfail
edthement alendurancetestand
you'dneverseet hem agai
nbecauset heywereof
nouse"Cr ai
gbreatheddeeply.
Cr
aig:"
Neverexper
iencedt
hat
"
Babi
ni:"
Orwhentheywoul
dburyusal
ivet
ocheck
whatwewil
lbeli
keaft
erwar
ds.Theyt
akeyouout
j
ustasyouf eelyoursoulescapeyourbody.Al lof
thatbefor
et heageoft enandsomuchmor e.They
fi
rstwanttot esti
fyouar efi
tenoughtodealwi th
theanimalisti
cthingstheymakeyoudo.Canyou
disposeofsomeonewi thnotraceofthem ever
havingexisted?"Crai
gshookhi shead.
Cr
aig:"
Nha,Ididn'
tdocl eanup.Ihi
tandIwent
"
Cr
aigthoughthispastdemonswer ebadbutBabi
ni
madehislookli
kenothing.
Babini:"
Wel lIhave,
.Knight.Becauseofmet her
e
arepeoplewhot hi
nktheirlovedonesaresti
llal
ive
becauset heyneverfoundt hebodyandtheynever
willeveniftheydugearth'senti
resoil
"hegrit
tedhis
teethwhilesqueezingtheempt ywaterbott
le.
Cr
aig:"
Fli
nchmadeitsoundli
keyouweresome
hi
ghendtechgeni
us,notal
lofwhatyousai
d"
Babini
:"That'
swhatheinit
iall
ythoughtI'
dbeused
forwhenhesol dme.Ididthattoo,Ihackedhigh
endsystems.I'dcr
eat
elethalweaponsandot her
techni
calstuf
fbutIal
sogotmyhandsdi r
ty.I
fa
weaponwashuman, I
'dbei t
.Onmoment sthe
oppositionwoul dgetuswewoul dfi
rstbesubj ect
ed
toruthlesstort
urebef or
eourpar t
yrescuedus.I
usedt owor kli
veautopi l
ot.Theymadesur et ostr
ip
meofal lemotionswhenwhenIwasst illakid.No
parentst oki
ssmyboo- boosorchaset heboogy
manaway.Whenyouar epl acedindi f
ficult
sit
uationsasachi ld,youstopf eeli
ngasameanst o
survi
ve"Cr ai
gneverr eall
yst oppedfeelingbecause
theydidn'tgettort
uredattheagency.He
understoodwhyBabi nicall
edt hem interns,t
hey
werel i
kespoiledkidscompar edtohi m.
Cr
aig:"
Sot
hat
'swhatt
heni
ght
mar
esar
eabout
?"
Babini:"
Ineversawmyr ecordsunti
lIwasi nmy
l
ateteens, eventhatwasbycoi nci
dence.Ididn'
t
evenknow Fl i
nchattheti
mebutIsawhi snameon
myr ecords.Ididn'
tpayattenti
ontoitasonlyone
detai
lcaughtmyeye.ThatIwasat winandhada
si
stersomewher e"
Cr
aig:"
Soyoust
art
eddi
ggi
ng?
"Babi
ninodded.
Babini
:"Ihadal
waysusedmyintel
lectt
oser
vice
thesyst
em butonceIl
earnedt
hatOthuwasout
ther
e,Iusedi
tformysel
fandthat'
showIgott
o
knowaboutFli
nch,t
hemanr esponsi
blef
orOt
hu
andI'
sexist
ence"
Crai
g:"That'
swhenyouout smart
edthesystem t
hat
usedyout oout
smar tothersyst
ems?"Babini
nodded.Babinknewt hathadUnathiandKumkani
notbeendonorst her
ewoul dhavebeenother
donorsbuthefeltangertowardsthem nonthel
ess.
Babi ni:"Iknewget ti
ngt omysi sterwoul dnotbeas
easyasget ti
ngonapl aneandvi si t
ingf or
Christmas.WhenFl inchcamebacki ntoOt hu'
sl i
fe
theyhadal r
eadysuspect edthatIwant edt obreak
myst ringstost opbeingapuppet .Hecamet obe
closet oherbecauseheknewIwoul dshowmysel f
toherf ir
st.Itwasneveraboutl ovingher ,
never !
"he
shout edt hesecondnever ."
Doyouknowt hesayi ng
"i
fwecan' thaveyounoonewi ll?"Babi nilookedat
Craigwi thasmi rk"That'swhatt hel eadersoft he
system t hought .Iknewal otsoahi twasputout
andt hat '
swhenImanagedt ooutsnar tthesyst em
thatusedmet ooutsmar tothersyst emsby" dying"
i
nst eadoff i
ghting.Ittookyearsofpl anningbutI
pul
ledi
tof
f"
Cr
aig:"
Damn,
manIwoul dhavecommi
tedsui
cide
l
ongagoasakidhadIbeenyou"
Babini:"TheyknewIwascr eat
edtonotl
ikelycrack
ment all
y.DoyouknowwhatIgotwhenIf i
rstsaw
Othunyiweyowi t
houtherevenknowingI
'
ml ooking
ather?"
Cr
aig:"
Tel
lme"Cr
aigdi
dn'
twantt
oassume.
Babi ni:"Aconci ous"hesmi led."SobecauseI
coul dn'tj
ustshowmysel finherl if
easIhadt obe
surenoonef igur edoutt
hatIf akedmydeat hIput
thatconci oust ousebyf reeyingchi l
drensot hey
woul dnotgot hr oughanyt hingIwentt hroughasa
child.Ididn'tsaveal lbutaf ewwi l
lhavenor mal
l
ives.Idi dn'
tbr eakt hesyst em becauseI '
mt oo
power l
essal oneandIhonest lydonotwantt o
returnt oanyofi t"
Crai
g:"Andf
orthatIt
akemyheadof
fforyou.
Respect,
Manrespect
"
Babi
ni:"
Theconsequenceofgr
owi
ngaconsci
ous
ar
ethebaddreamst hatt
akemebackt
oeventhe
t
ort
uri
ngIhadf
orgot
ten"
Cr
aig:"
Howf
requentar
ethey?
"
Babini
:"Atfi
rsttheyweren'
tbadbutr
ecent
lyt
hey'
ve
beenhappeningdai l
y.I
tsli
kethemor
eIall
ow
myselftofeel
,themor emydemonsdance.Idon'
t
l
ikesleepi
ngbecausemydemonsf ol
lowmeinmy
sleeptoo"
Craig:"Sowi l
lyougetbacktosleepagain? "Babi
ni
shookhi shead" Andyoudot hatdail
y?Af t
era
nightmar eyoustayawakef ort
her estoftheday?"
BabininoddedandCr ai
gwasmi ndblown." Youdo
knowyourbodywi l
lshutdownforcefull
yright?No
mat terhowst r
ongyouar ementall
ybutyourbody
willshutitsel
fdown"
Babini:"
Iknow,
Kni
ght
"hebr
ushedhi
shands
together
.
Cr
aig:"
Haveyout
ri
edspeaki
ngt
osomeone?
"
Babini
:"Peoplel
ikemear ebeyondtherapy.I
'
ma
brokenman, Kni
ght.Iam anexhaustedandbr oken
man"Craigknewmaki ngthatconfessionwashar d
onBabini.TheonlyreasonBabiniopenedupto
Craigwasbecauseofal lt
hepeoplehemethewas
closesttounderstandingwhathewentt hrough.
ThoughCr aigcringedattheotherthi
ngsBabi ni
openedup, hewasnotgoi ngtooncejudge.This
wasamanwhowasbr okensincehewasachi l
d.
Craigwassogl adOt huwassavedf r
om ital
lbuthe
feltsor
ryforhisbr ot
herinlaw.Noonesai ditbut
theywer ebonding.Babininevert
oldanyonet hi
s.
Crai
g:"
It
'sal
sowhyyoudon'
tdosl
eepover
sI
assume"Babi
ninodded.
Babi
ni:"
NowIhavemett hi
s..
.t
hisgr
eatwoman
whom Idon'
tevenwanttopeelmysel
ffrom when
we'
retoget
her.Doyouknowhowbadl yIwantedt
o
hol
dherinmyar mstoni
ght?"
Crai
g:"Ihaveani
deabutinyourcaseyouf
eared
scari
ngherawake"Babi
ninodded"Soyounever
spentti
mewi t
hawoman"
Babini
:"I
'
m novir
ginift
hat
'swhatyou'
reasking.
BecauseIhadli
mitedmovementthepeopleI
workedforwoul
dbr i
ngmewomen, Isuspectthey
wereescort
s.Soitwasmoreli
ketakeaways.You
eatandyoudi spose.Thiswomani snott hatand
thefi
rstti
meIspoket oherpr operl
y,Ispokeinsuch
awayIt hinkInear l
ydegr adedherbutI'vebeen
behavingsince"hesmi ledashet houghtabout
Yandi.Hedi dn'twanttosayi t
'sYandibecause
Yandididn'twantOt hutoknowyet .
Cr
aig:"
Soyoul
oveher
?"
Babini
:"IdonotknowbutIwanttobewithherany
chanceIget.I
sthatl
oveinyouropi
nion?
"
Craig:"
Ifnotthenit
'swel
lonthewaytobeingl ove.I
openedupt oO, somaybeyourladywil
l
understandthatyouwereaslavei
nacr uelsystem"
Babinishookhishead.Hewasshockedt hatYandi
hadnotbeenshownanyt hinginherdr
eamsyetso
hewasgoi ngt oenj
oyhercompanyforthetime
being.
Babi
ni:"
CanIhavemykeysnow?
"
Crai
g:"I
naminute.Fi
rstt
ellmewhatyou'
lldot
he
enti
reni
ghtwhi
leyouwaitfort
heworldtowakeup"
Babi
ni:"
Wat
chspor
ts"hel
aughed.
Crai
g:"IhaveabigenoughTVandyourbeastl
y
shoutwokemeupf r om mysweetsl
umbersolet'
s
chil
l"Babi
niappr
eciatedthet
easi
ngasi
tli
ft
edt he
heavymood.
Babi
ni:"I
sthereper
hapsanyofmysi
ster
'scooki
ng
i
nthef r
idge?
"
Craig:"I
'm notyourwi f
enormai dsogol ook
yourself"Babi nididn'tneedtobet oldtwice.Craig
putont heTVandnonoft hem werei nthemoodf or
mor ealcohol .Babiniwassohappywhenheopened
thecont ainersf i
ll
edwi t
hlef
toversandCr ai
gsaidhe
want edsomet oo.Thef oodwaswar medupandput
betweent hem ont hecouchast heyat efrom the
containerst oavoi dmaki ngmor edishesdi r
ty.Craig
didn'tpi
tyBabi niandt hatwasexact l
ywhatBabi ni
neededwhenhef irstletsomeonei nonwhathe
wentt hroughbutevenwhathet oldCr ai
gwast he
ti
pofani ceber g.

NB:I
'
vegot
tenamessagesayi
ngthef
amil
yspeaks
t
oomuchEngli
sh.I
nmymi ndt
heyspeaki
siXhosa
andevenCr ai
gandBabinicansayafewwor dsl
ol.
Butbecausewear eabeauti
fuldi
ver
segroupof
peopleIuseEngli
shasIdon'twantanyonet
o
stut
terwhil
ereadi
ng.IhopeImakesense
S2-
INSERT15
Othunyi weyowai t
edexact l
ytwomont hsbefor eshe
satdownwi ththetwi nsandt riedtoexplai
nt hatt he
unclet heyt houghtwasdead, wasaliveandwel l.
HadChul unotgot t
enher selfintoastinkysituat i
on
she'dhaveal sobeeni nthedar kwithherbrot hers
butshef or cedBabi nitomeetherunderunpl easant
cir
cumst ances.Needl esst osay, t
het wi
nshat ed
thattheywer etheonl yoneswhomi ssedouton
meet ingt hei runcl
eear li
er.Craighadnott old
anyoneaboutBabi ni'
ssi t
uation.Therewer ejust
certaint hingshedi dnotf eelguil
tyforkeeping
awayf rom Ot hubecauset ohearthem woul donl y
messherupemot i
onally.QhaweandPhawuwai ted
withexci tementt omeetBabi niandwhent hey
heardt heknockont hedoorbot hofthem j
umpedt o
seewhoi twas.Usual lyQhawewast heforwar done
butt oseePhawual sobeexci t
edjustshowedt hat
theywant edtomeett hei
rmother'stwin.Ot
hudidn'
t
gointodet ai
labouthowsheandBabi nigot
separated.Itwasinf
or mati
onthatwast oodeepfor
evenChul utocompr ehend.Boththeboysstood
withtheirmouthswideopenast heylookedupat
Babini.
Babini
:"Ther
earebeesout,cl
oseyourmouths"he
j
okedandt heycl
osedthem si
mult
aneously.Ot
hu
wenttothedoorbecausesheknewhowf orward
theycanbe.
Qhawe:"Mamaist hi
suncleLazarus?"Babinir
aised
abrowandlookedatOt huconfused.Othu
expl
ainedt
hatLazaruswasachar acterint
heBi bl
e
whohadwokenf rom death.Babi
nicouldn'
thelpbut
l
augh.
Othu:"Don'tberude.ThisisMal umeBabi ni
.Bhuti
,
thi
st hesearemyboysLuphawuandLi qhawe"she
i
ntroducedt hem pr
operly.Bothboysdidn'tneedan
i
nvitati
ontohugt heiruncle.Theyhadthishabitof
headbuddi ngsomeonegent lybefor
etheirar
ms
wouldopen.Ot huconcludedt hattheytr
iedtokeep
thei
rhugsas" manly"aspossi bl
e.
Phawu:" Pleasedtomeetyou,Malume.Haveyou
consideredacar eeri
nbasketbal
l?.Youarehuge,
theNBLwoul dpaymi l
li
onsofdol
larstohaveyou"
Babinilaughed.Othuhopedtheywer en'
t
overwhelmi nghim.
Othu:"
LetMalumei npl ease,
guys"bothofthem
i
mmedi at
elymadewaysoBabi nipassedbetween
them.Thei
rheadst urningwithastheyweresti
lli
n
aweofhisheight.CraigshookBabini'
shandand
Chuluwenttogivehim ahug.
Phawu:"
Doyout hi
nkI
'l
lreachyourhei
ght
?I'
m
consi
der
ingbasket
bal
lalotlat
ely"
Chulu:"
Stopit!
"shesaidsoft
ly."Stoppoi
nti
ngout
Malume'sheightbecauseyouhat eitwhenwepoint
outyourthi
ckglasses"shescoldedhim qui
etl
yli
ke
thebigsi
sshewas.
Babini
:"Idon'
tseemyheightasaf l
awsoIdon't
mind.Youseem tobeprett
ytallf
orafourt
eenyear
ol
d,Phawusoyoumi ghtj
usttakeaft
eryouruncl
e"
Phawusmi ledtohi
mself.
Qhawe:"
Iagr
eewi
tht
het
all
ness,
Mal
umebut
basketbal
l!Thisone?Youshoul dseehi m whenhis
crushiswat ching,he'dlookli
kehewaspl aying
netbal
l"helaughedandPhawupushedhi m" Then
thegirlwouldgi ggl
el i
ke'hi
hihihi
hihi,
ohPhawu"he
saidinagirlytonel eavi
ngPhawuf eel
ingtoo
exposed.
Phawu:" AtleastIhaveagirl
fri
end"Chul uand
Phawul aughedatQhawe.Babi niwatchedthem and
wonder edifhe,LangaandOt huwoul dhavehad
thatsamet ypeofr el
ati
onshiphadt heygrownup
together.Theymi ghtt
easeeachot herbutther
eis
clear
lyabond." See,nogirl
fr
iend.Iarrestmycase.I
putitinhandcuf f
sandIar r
estit"Phawuadded.
Qhawe:" It'
sIr estmycase.Mamagogetyour
moneyf orPhawu' sfees,he'
snotwor thit"theyall
l
aughed.Cr aigjustwatchedhi skidswel come
anothermal efigur
eintheirlives.Someonet heboys
clearl
yidolizedbuthewasnotoncet hreanted.The
mor ement herewer earoundt hem toshowt hem
whatbei ngamani s,t
hebett er.Babi
niwasl edt
o
thecouchwi thnochancegi vent osaymuch.He
wonder edifhewoul dsettl
ei ntosuchal if
e.Al i
fe
wit
hchi l
drenwhospoket
oomuchandawi f
ewho'
d
occasi
onallyapol
ogi
zewhenshef
eltt
hey
overst
eppedtheli
ne.
Qhawe:" So,Malumewhenyouwokeupf rom t
he
l
andoft hedead.Didyoul ikedoanUnder t
aker
?"he
l
aidont hecouchandr oseasUnder t
akerinWWE
usuall
ydi dandBabinilaughed"Ordi
dyouj ust
standupl i
keyouhadj ustwokenupf rom anapand
stret
chedyourar msandyawned"t hetwinsmight
besmar tbuttheywerest i
llki
dsanditwasno
shockthatsuchaquest i
onwasasked.
Babini
:"IdidanUndertaker,
Mchana"hesaid
confi
dently.Theboyswentcr azywhentheyhear
d
thatbecausetheyabsolutel
ylovedwrest
li
ng.
Phawu:" Dadt el
lsusyouwer eonsomehi ghend
undercovermi ssionthat'swhyyouhadt ofakeyour
death.Man, youhavel ivedMal ume"heshookhi s
headinadmi r
ation.Theywer en'tawarethattheir
ownf ather"l
ived".Othuexpectedt hem tobeabi t
wit
hdr awnbutherboyswer esocomf ort
abl
ei twas
asthought heyhadknownBabi nisincebirt
h.Chulu
wasal soverycomf or
tablearoundhi m andnotonce
askedhim abouthermoneybecauseshesawi tas
"saf
ekeeping"rat
herthant hef
t.SheheardMaría
wasar r
estedbutshehadnothadt hecouragetogo
seeher.SheandI mangehadgot t
entoget
hertodo
whatloversdoandshel ovedhim mor eaf
tereach
momentt heyspenttogether.
Phawu:"We'dreall
yliketocreateacomicbook
aboutyou,Malume.Whenyouar ef
reehaveour
peopl
ecallyours"everyonelaughedashespoke
l
ikeonewhohadabusi ness.
Babi
ni:"
GivemeyourPA'
snumber
"hepl
ayedal
ong.
Phawu:"Chul
ugiveMal
umeyournumber
"Chul
uhi
t
hi
m atthebackofhi
shead.
Chul
u:"
Youwoul
dn'
tbeabl
etoaf
for
dme"
Cr
aig:"
Idi
dn'
tknowyouwr
it
ecomi
cbooks"Cr
aig
l
ookedathi
sson.
Qhawe:" Noonebutthetwoofusknow,Dad.We
actual
lydidoneofyoutoo"Cr
aigshi
ft
edforwar
din
hischairini
nter
est
.
Cr
aig:"
Whatdoesmychar
act
erdo?
"
Phawu:"Heisasuper heroofcourse,
whatelse
wouldhebe? .YouandMom ar et
hisbadasssuper
coupl
ewi thsuperpowersthatcompli
menteach
other
..
."Qhaweputhi shandoverhismouthbefor
e
hegavet hestor
yaway.
Qhawe:"
Toomuchi
nfor
mat
iont
oosoon,
shhh"
Othu:"
Honestl
yI'
mjustgl
adI'
m asuper
woman,
hey,
Baby?"shesmil
edatCrai
g.
Crai
g:"
Iknewtheyli
kedcomi csbutneverknew
theywer
ebusywi t
ht hei
rown.Onceyou'rereadyt
o
showtheworl
d,startwit
hDadf i
rstbecauseI'
vegot
agoodeyeforsuch"
Qhawe:" Whoel sewouldweshowf irst
,Dad?Soof
courseyou' l
lbethefir
sttobel etintothesecret
missionandMal umetoo.Wel ovedMal umeLanga
buthewasnoti ntosucht hi
ngs"Babi nisawt he
beautif
ulrelati
onshipbetweenCr aigandhi ssons.
Hewonder edshouldhehaveasonorsonswoul d
hebesoopenasCr aigseemst obewi thhisboys.
Wouldhebet heirsuperherotoo?Neverhavi nghad
afather,hedidnothaveanyt hingt orefer
encefrom
ast ohowamani storaisehi sboys.Atl eastCr aig
hadaf atherf ort hefir
styear sofhi slife.He
remember edwhataf at
herdoesanddoesnotdo.
Babinidi dn'tknowandf ort hatr eason, he
dismi ssedt het houghtofchi ldrent hatst art
edt of i
ll
hismi ndt of ocusonhi sf ami l
y.Hewasnot
overwhel medbyt hem buti nsteadf el
tembr acedby
them.Theyexpl ai nedtohi m howt hest oryl
ineof
thesuper herocomi cshe' dinspi rewoul dgobut
vaguel y.Hecoul dn'tbelievet hatt heysawhi m asa
super hero.Hel ookedatCr aigandOt huwhohad
spunt heirkidsast orythatmadehi m soundl i
ke
thisglor i
ousbei ngandhewast hankf ulespeci all
y
toCr aigwhoknewhi sdar kpast .Hecoul dn'twai tto
readt hecomi cbookssomedayoncet het wi ns
publishi t
.Toseehi msel fthrought hel ensest hey
sawhi m, lensesofasuper her o.
Chul
u:"I
'
m sti
llwai
ti
ngt
ohearifI'
mf eat
uredi
nany
oft
hese"shel
ookedatherbr
others.
Phawu:"Yeah,
wenamedacatChul
usomewher
ein
thest
ory"
Chul
u:"
Mama,
LuphawusaysI
'
m acat
"she
shout
edsoOthuwhowasmaki
ngl
unchwoul
d
scol
datPhawu.
Othu:"
Hey,heyLuphawu,taket
hatback.Nochildof
minehaswhi sker
sandcl
aws"sheshout edback
andChulucrossedherar
mswai t
ingforanapology.
Qhawe:"Aren'
tyoutoooldtotell
?"Chul
uthrew
mushmellowsatthem sotheymadet hebestoft
he
si
tuat
ionbyopeningthei
rmout hstowelcomethe
sweettr
eats.
Craig:"St
opit!
"hepoi ntedatt hem whenhefel
tthey
wer etaki
ngittoof arandt heystoppedimmedi
ately
"Pickupthoset hingsont hef l
oorbefor
eImakeyou
allmopi t
"hepoi ntedatthedecor ati
onof
mushmel lowsont hefl
oor .Theyallst
oodand
cleaned.
Babini:"Youruncl
edoesn'
tknowanythingabout
comi cbooksbuthewilll
earnj
ustforyouandI'l
l
createonewher eyou'
reabadassPr i
ncess"Chul
u
fel
ther sel
fmeltandst
uckhertongueoutather
brothers.
Chul
u:"
Thankyou,
Mal
ume.Il
ovei
tal
ready"she
st
oodandwr
appedherar
msar
oundhi
sshoul
der
s.
Othu:"Kidspleasecometakethesedi
shesandput
them ont hetabl
esowecanhavet helunchwe
i
nvitedMal umef or
"sheshout
edf r
om theki
tchen
andt heystoodtodoasasked.
Babini:"
Ist
hisyoureverydayreal
it
y?"hepoi
ntedat
thekids.Cr
aiglaughedbeforehesatbacktorel
ax.
Cr
aig:"
Iti
sbutIwouldn'tt
radeitforanythi
ng.Ther
e
ar
emoment sIdon'tl
ikemyki dsbutIlovethem
morethananyt
hing.Imadet hose,Man"theyboth
l
aughed.
Babini
:"Youhaveabeauti
fulf
amily,Kni
ghtandyes,
I
'm bei
ngbiasedbecauseI'
mr el
atedtothem"
Crai
g:"Willyouandthisl
adyofyour shaveany
onceyou'vesettl
ed?"Babi
nishookhi shead.Not
becausehet houghtaboutYandisayingshecan'
t
havekids,hejustdi
dn'tf
eelhedeservedthem.
Babi
ni:"
I'
m al
onewol
f"hesatbackandr
elaxed.
Cr
aig:"
Iwastoobutl
ookatmenow"Babi
nil
if
ted
hi
sheadtolookatCr
aig.
Babi
ni:"
Nowyoucan'
tevenswear
"Cr
aigl
aughed.
Crai
g:"
Mywi f
edoesn'
tswear
.Iswearj
ustnotat
herandourki
ds"
Babi
ni:"
Andyouwantmet
ojoi
nyou?
"
Cr
aig:"
Doyouswearwhenyou'
rewi
thyourl
ady?
"
Babi
ni:"
No"helaughedsof
tly"
Whatar et
hesegood
womendoingtomenl i
keus,Knight
?"hewondered
howhecouldbeacompl et
elydi
ffer
entperson
whenwithYandiasCrai
gwaswi thOthu.
Craig:"
Theymakeuswantt obebet termen, Zweni
withoutevenaski ngust ochange"Aht hat'
sexactly
howBabi nif el
tYandidi dt oo.Het houghthewas
start
ingtof eelcr
azybutatl eastCraigconf i
rmedhe
wasi nthesameboat .Oncet hefoodwasr eady
theysatdownandenj oyedaSat urdayluncht hat
wassogr eatBabi niwant edt oaskOt hut odishup
forhim everydaysohe' dcomecol lectthefoodat
nightbuthedi dn'twantt oi nconveniencet hem.The
l
unchwasgr eat,
thet winswer eawesomet obe
aroundandsowasChul u.Babi nii
nvitedCraigfora
guysonl ydr i
nkandOt huwassohappyt oheart hat.
Othu:" No,youguysst i
llhavet ogopackt hose
thingsi nthegar agethatImangeandDaddi dn'
tget
tosogetonwi ththat"shesai dwhent het winssaid
theywer eguyst oo.Othuhadaf eeli
ngt hatBabini
want edmor emat urecompanybuthepr omi sedto
taket hetwinsoutj ustthet hreeoft hem andt hat
wasenought oexcitethem.Cr aigdrovet othe
shoot ingfarmt hatheandBabi nisaidthey'dgoto
weeksago.WhenCr aigtookouthi soldsni perri
ff
le
Babi niaskedt olookati t
.Itwasacl assicandhe
couldnotbel ieveCr ai
gwor kedwi thsuchanol d
model .
Babi
ni:"
Haven'
tseenoneoft
heseinmyli
fe"he
ai
medatat ar
getbutdi
dn'
tpul
lthet
ri
gger
.
Crai
g:"Youwon'
t,
Buddy.Onlytwoweremade.
Chul
u'sbiol
ogi
calmom act
uall
ygott
heotherone"
Babini:"I'
m surpri
sedthatsheisnotatleastacop.
Onewoul dt hi
nkshe'dwantadventureli
keher
parents"Cr aigwasgladthatwasnott hecase.He
l
ovedhi sdaughter"normal"
."Youknow, Kni
ght,
havingapar tofyouawomancan' taccessi snota
badt hing"hepulledthetr
iggerbutbecausehehad
nothel
dthatkindofweaponbefor
e,anol
dschool
one,hemissedthetar
getsoCrai
gtooki
tandaimed.
Cr
aig:"Caretoel
aborate?
"hepulledthetri
ggerand
hi
tthetargetdol
lri
ghtinthehead.Babininodded
whil
elookingaheadclearl
yimpressed.
Babi
ni:"
Theremustbeasingl
edooryourwoman
can'
topen.Shemusthaveaccesst
o99%butthe
1%mustbeamyst ery"
Cr
aig:"
Andyouknowwoman?
"
Babi ni:"
FucknobutIdoknowusmen, especi
all
y
menl i
keyouandI .I'
m notsayinggoki l
l,
I'
m sayi
ng
dot hingssuchast hese,Man.Thi ngst okeepyour
damnsoulal ive.Youhadbet ternothi dewomen
behindt hatdoorbecauseIwi l
lf uckyouup"he
pointedatCr aigandCr aigremi ndedhimt hathe
hadagunsoBabi nimustnotmesswi thhim.Avery
str
anger el
ati
onshi pbetweent hebr ot
hers.
Crai
g:"I
'vegotnoint
erestinhidi
ngwomenbutIdo
underst
andyourpointthough.Andwomenlikeabit
ofmystery,event
hegoodgi r
ls"theybot
hsmil
ed.
Babi
ni:"
Soi
fyoudon'
tmi
nd,
I'
dli
ket
ohavemor
eof
thesegat
heri
ngswi thyou.Ineedt ol
osepl ent
yof
thi
ngsbuttherearethi
ngsinmet hatareallmeand
youaretheonlypersonwhomi ghtenjoythesame
thi
ngsthatIdo.Thingsourwomenwon' tapprove
of"
Craig:"Idon' tmind, Zweni ,
"Thet wooft hem di d
mor epr acticeshoot ing.Theowneroft hef arm
broughtt hem var i
ousr angesofr if
flesandwhen
onewasexper tinaweaponhewoul dshowt he
otherhowt ousei t.Cr aigactuall
yenj oyedhi mself
buthecoul dnott ellOt huabouti t
.That 'swhenhe
under st
oodwhatBabi nimeantbyonedoorbei ng
i
naccessi bl
et oOthu.I twasadoorwher ehest ored
thi
ngst hathedi dnothavei ncommonwi th
Othunyi weyo.JustasOt huhasspadat esbehi nd
herdoor ,thingshecoul dn'
teverlovet odo.Heand
Babinist oredthesamet hi
ngsbehi ndthei r"secret"
doorsandt hatmadei teasierforthem t oclick.Nate
hadl ongst oppedbei ngabestf r
iendt oCr aigbut
theydohangoutbutnott odosuch, i
twasmost ly
totalkaboutgi r
lshesl eptwithandcar s.Babi ni
neverevenhadaf r
iendsot heygotonwel l si
nce
thatni
ghtBabi
niopenedup.Thatnightwasnever
broughtupagai
nbutCraigwouldlendali
steni
ng
shouldBabi
niopenhischestagai
n.
Babinisatont hecouchf eeli
ngexhaust edafterhis
daywi tht
heKni ght s.Hecoul dn'
tsleept hough
becausehedi dn'twantt odr eam butal sobecause
Yandiwasonherwayt ovi sithimf orthever yfi
rst
ti
me.Hecl eanedt hepl acesomuchababycoul d
eatfrom thefloor.I tsmel ledf reshtoo.Ther ewasa
softknockont hedoorandhegotexci ted.Whenhe
openedhecoul dbar elyseeYandi '
sfaceast he
container
sshecar riedpi l
edupont opofeachot her.
Hehel pedherbyt aki ngt hem af tergreetingher.The
container
swer ewar m sot hef oodwasf reshfrom
thepotorsoBabi nit hought .Het ookasecondt o
scant hecontainer s.
Yandi:"
I'
mj umpingthegun, aren'
tI ?It
'st
ooearl
yto
cookforyouandt hatwhenIdon' tevenknowwhat
you'r
eall
ergictoo.I'
m sor
ry, I
'
m sur enowoman
broughtyoufoodonherf ir
stvi si
t.Couldyoucome
acrossasanymor edesperate,Yandisa?"she
mumbl edthelastli
netoher sel
fbef oreatt
empti
ng
tot
akethefoodback.Babi
niputi
tdownonat
abl
e
bythedoorandhel
dherhands.
Babini
:"You'r
eright,
nowomanhaseverbr ought
mef oodont hefir
stvisit
"Yandifel
tli
keshecoul d
j
ustdisappear"Andt hat'
swhyIappr eciat
eyouso
muchbecauseyouar en'
tjustanywoman.And
techni
call
yyou'vecookedf ormebefore"hekissed
herandl i
ft
edherupi nat ighthug"
Haveyouhad
l
unch? "Yandinodded" Sowecankeept hisforlater
.
Itsmellsamazing"
Yandi
:"I
t'
ssampandbeanswi
thbeefst
ewont
he
si
de.Doyoueatt
hat
?"
Babini:"Yoursampandbeanswi l
lbemyf ir
st,
Ntli
ziyoyam andIcan' twaittotast
ei t.AlsoIdon't
haveanyal l
ergies"Yandismi l
edandnodded.She
watchedhi m pickupt hef oodandt akeitt otheli
tt
le
cornerwher ehi skitchenwas.Shet it
ledherheadt o
tolookatt hewhi tecover edbedabove.I twasa
cosyl i
tt
lespacef oramanwhodi dn'tfussmuch
andwhocl earlydidn'tcareabouthi dingwhat '
sin
hishome.Babi nifoundYandiawakwadl ystanding
atthesamepl acehel efther.Hethoughtt hatshe'
d
bef reesi ncehehadbeent oherhomesever al
ti
mes.Hewonder edifshesensedsomet hi ngt hat
madeheruncomf ort
abl e.Xhosat raditi
onalsongs
wer epl ayingsof tl
yint hebackgr oundandBabi ni
wentt otur nthevolumeupbef orehest artedt o
movehi sshoul dersandsi ncehewasal r
eady
bar efootedhemovedhi sfeett oo.Yandist ood
smi li
ngbecauset helastt i
meshesawamandoa
traditi
onaldancewasi nherhomevi l
lage.She
wat chedhi m dancesoper fectlyandshepi ctured
himi numbhaco( Xhosat raditi
onalcl oth)wi t
h
beadshangi ngovert hatper fectchestofhi s.Yandi
felther selfrelaxsomuchsot hatshet ookher
shoesof f.Iftherewasonet hingYandiknewhowt o
dowasukuxhent sa( Xhosat raditionaldance)so
shej oinedhi m.Heexpl ai
nedhowhel earnedi tby
wat chingvi deost olear nmor eabouthi scul t
ur e.
Clear l
yhewasaf astlearnerwi t
hNat ur ar hythm.
Hersoulf eltsof reeasi twast hef i
rsttimeshedi da
traditi
onaldancewi t
haboyf riend.Oncet hesong
endedThandi swaMazwai 's"Thongol am"st artedto
play.Babi nisatonahi ghchai rwhi leYandiwas
standi ngbet weenhi sl egs.
Babini:"OhNdi celaiyezayezal okuhlambandi suse
i
inkathazoonant siinkathazoGogondi celaiyeza
l
okughabhandi khuphei inkathazongobanant si
i
nkathazoohnant siebusukunant sinasemi nheyy
ndizi
vandi phambanaHehi nkathazoThongol am
vuma, lam vumal am vuma! "Yandili
stenedt ohim
singsof t
lytothesongi nhisimper f
ectAf r
ican
accentbutt hi
st i
mei twasdifferent
.Itsoundedas
thoughBabi niwant edt otel
lhersomet hingbecause
helookedi ntohereyessoi ntensly.
Yandi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"shewhi
sper
ed.
Babini
:"I
'
mtryingt
oimpr essmylady"heli
ed.That
wasamessengef orYandi,onehedidn'
tknowhow
tosay.Heneededhelp.
Yandi:"
I'
mimpressedbutyoudon'
thavet
oli
stent
o
tr
adit
ionalmusi
cbecauseofme"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m ki
ddi
ng.Iact
ual
lylovei
t.I
thi
tsmer
ight
her
e"hepoint
edtohishear
t.
Yandi:"
Rightther
e?"shepl
acedherwar m handon
hi
schestandwat chedhim nod.Shekissedthat
partandBabinismil
ed"DoIhityouthere?"she
l
ookedathi
m.
Babini:"Youhitmeinever yway,mind, bodyand
soul"hesaidhonestly."
Imi ghtnotbeabl etosing
alongt oeverysongbutI'
m embr acingmyr oot
s.So
pleasedon'ttrytomakemegot ochurch,Iwantto
practi
cespi r
it
uali
tyasmyancest or
sdid.Idon't
knowhowyetbutI 'mlearning"Yandismi l
ed.
Yandi:"Thebestwaytoknowhowi swhenyousi
t
withyourelder
stolearnbecauseGoogl
edi
lut
esour
cult
ure.Plusyou'
realuckymanbecauseyour
gir
lfr
iendknowsat hi
ngortwo"
Babi
n:"
Whydoyouthinkshet
ouchesmeonasoul
l
evel
?"heki
ssedher
.
Yandi
:"Wi
llyougi
vemeat
ourofyourhouse"Babi
ni
l
aughed.
Babini
:"Thisi
sit
,Baby.Inthishouset hebathroom
i
stheonl ythi
ngthathaswal l
saroundi t
"Yandi
l
aughed.Het ookherontheshor ttour.Helether
walkupt hebl
ackcurvystair
swhi chledtothe
bedroom.Yandi'
seyeswi denedwhenshesawhi s
bed."Amanmysi zewon'tfi
tonasi nglebed"he
explai nedhi sbedbef orehuggi ngherf r
om behi nd.
Yandit urnedt of acehi m andt hei rli
psmet .Babi ni
slidhi shandsoverherhi psbef oregi vingherper ky
behindat i
ghtsqueezewhi chl etasof tmoans
escapeYandi '
sl ips.Babi niwasnotaboutt oaski f
shewasr eadyt ot aket heirr elationshi pt ot henext
l
evel ,herr esponset ohi stoucheswoul dtel lhim.
Yandiwasnotawomanwhof ear edt elli
nghi m
whatshedi dn' twantsoshoul dshef eeldi scomf ort
heknewshe' dst ophi m.Hesatdownont hebed
andpul ledYandibet weenhi sl egsbef orehef elther
volunt aril
ysi tonhi sl ap.Thel evelofi ntensi t
y
i
ncr easest hel ongert heirli
pswer egl uedt oeach
other .Yandif elthisbi ghandsl ideunderherdr ess
togent l
ybr ushheri nnert highs.Shef oundher self
par t
ingherl egst ogi vehim mor ef reedom t o
explor e.Soonshef elthishandst ravelupunt i
lit
reachedherdel icatewomanhood.Shebr oket he
kisst ot akeinhowwonder fulhi shandsf elt.Babi ni
wor eanaught ysmi r
kwhenhesawYandi '
s
seduct i
velyar ousedexpr essi on.Hereyeshutand
herlipspar tl
ypar t
ed, sheopenedhereyesabi tand
hecoul dseehewasdoi ngsomet hingr ightsohe
tookherunder wearof ftogai nmor eaccesst othe
sweetspott hathi dinside.WhenYandil iftedher
onel egt orestherf ootonhi sknee, heknewshe
want edmor e.Heki ssedherandseduct ivelyslidhis
tongueoverherpar tedl ipsbef or eki ssi
nghersof t
l
ips.Thatt oget herwi thf eel i
nghi sl ongf ingerslid
i
nsi dehermadeYandit rembl e.Babi ni'
smanhood
wast hrobbingwi ththeneedofherbuthewant edto
provesomet hi
ngt oYandi .Thati ndeedal lwomen,
i
ncl udinghercanor gasm.Heski ll
fullypleasur es
herunt ilhef el
therbodyt ense.Af ewsecondsaf t
er
thatYandil etoutasof tscr eam, notmoan.She
clenchedherl egst i
ght lyasar ippingor gasm hi ther.
Sheopenedhereyesandf oundBabi nist aring
alreadysher elaxedherl egst or eleasedhi shand
herl egshel dpr i
soner .Itwasanewexper i
encef or
Yandi ,somuchshef eltlikeavi rginbei ngt aught
howt obei ntimate.
Babini:"I
'm notdone"hesaidinanevendeeper
tone,clearl
yaroused.Heli
ftedYandiof
fhislapand
l
etherst andinf r
ontofhi
m.Yandicouldbarely
standast hatexperi
encealonemadeherlegsfeel
l
ikejel
lysoshewonderedwhathemeantbyhe's
notdone."Undr
essforme"headdedandhereyes
widened.I
twasacommandbutonet hatl
eftYandi
melti
ngevenmor e.
Yandi
:"Youwantmetodoast
ri
pshowf
oryou?
"he
shookhisheadsl
owl
y.
Babi ni:"Iwantyout oi nt
r oducemet oyourbody.I
don'twantyout odancef ormewhi leIt hrowmoney
atyou, no"Yandiwant edhi m sobadl ybutshewas
selfconsci ousaboutwhatheasked.Bei ngcheat ed
onmul t
ipletimesmadeheral oseabuti fself
esteem.Shesl owlytookherdr essoffandsi ncehe
gotr idofherbot tomsal r eady, sheletgooft hebra
too.Shewat chedhi m mar velathernakednessand
wonder edwhathewast hinking.Babi nitooki nthe
sightofher .Hewassohappyt hathercl othes
wer en'treveal i
ngbecausei tmadehi mf eellikehe
wasunwr appingagi ft.Herchestsof ullwithdar k
nipplest hatf acehi m directly.Shehadhi ntsofpal e
strectmaeksoverhercur vyt hi
ghsandal lofherhe
l
oved, all.Hest oodsl owlywal kedtocl oset hegap
betweent hem andhedr oppedt ohi
sknees.He
l
iftedoneofherl egsoverhi sshoul derbef orehe
feast edatherl ovespot .Amomentt hatmadeYandi
graspf orairast hatt oowasnew.Or alpleasur ewas
notsomet hi ngVuyodi dashecl aimedshewasugl y
downt herebutt hereBabi niwashai li
ngherl ove
spotwi thhist ongueast houghhi sl i
fedependedon
i
t.Ast houghheknewshewasl osingbal ance, he
pickedherupandpl acedheronhi sbedonl yt opick
upwher ehel eftof.Itwast hebackar ching,sheet
grabbi ng,toecur l
ingmomentYandionl yhadt he
pleasur eofr eadi nginmegazi nes.Shecoul dnot
holdonanyl onger .Howcoul dshewhenshewas
stil
lsensi ti
vef rom thef irstpleasur emoment ?An
i
nt enseor gasm sentaf irethrougheachcel linher
bodymaki nghersecondscr eam l ouder ,surelythe
neighbor shear dherbutshecoul dnothel pit.Itwas
i
nt hatmomentt hatshel earnedt hatshewas
i
ndeedascr eamerandt hatmaybeal lwomencan
orgasm.I fot her scoul dnot ,shecoul dnol onger
relate.Babi niundr essedt ofreehi msel fofthe
bondageofhi sj eans.Yandiwasi naweofhow
beaut if
ulthemanwas.Power fullegs, muscul ar
chestandamanhoodt hatstoodst rongandpr oud
andwascl ear l
yhungr yforher .Hecheckedf or
protectioni nhi sdr awer .Yandiwonder edwhyhe
hadt hem i nt hef ir
stpl ace.Washewi t
hot her
womennotsol ongago?Shest oppedherover
thi
nkingbef or eitmessedupt hemoment .They
sharedanot heri ntenseki ss.Babi nididn'twant
Yandit owast et imei nshowi nghi sbodyt hesame
oralattent i
on.Whathewant edwast obei nsideof
herandhedi dexact lythatandl ovedever ysecond.
Neverhavi ngmadel ovet oawomanhet riedhi s
besttomakei tromant icbutast hepleasur e
i
ntendedsodi dt heirdanceofl ove.Yandiwas
thankfulf orthoseZumbadancecl assesbecause
Babini'sbodyst ruct urerequi r
edhert obef l
exi bl
eto
beabl et ocomf or t
abl eaccomodat ehim bet ween
herwar ml egs.Nonoft hem want edanyofi tt ostop
buttheywer ebet rayedbyt heirbodi eswhent hey
bothr eachedt heedgesecondsapar t
.Yandiwas
sureshecoul dnotbeabl etost andaf terwar ds
becauseherl egswer eshaki ngabi t
.Hehel dher
handsaboveherheadwhi l
eshecl ungt ohi m wi t
h
herlegsunt ilthebl issfulmomentsubsi ded.Hel aid
nexttoherl ooki ngl ikeonewhohadj ustr una
marathonandYandiwasnobett
er.Theymade
pr
olongedeyecontactwhi
lesmi
li
ngandkissi
ng.
Yandi
:"I
'veonlyreadaboutmenlikeyouinromance
novel
s,Zweni"sheconfessedandhelaughedsoft
ly.
Babini
:"WellI
'
veneverencounteredawomanl i
ke
you,notevenfi
ncti
onal
ly"Yandigavehim adeep
ki
ss.Sheneverthoughtshe'devermeetamanwho
putherneedsbeforehi
s,thathediditsexual
lytoo
wasabonus.
Yandi:"
Onsecondthought.Ihaven'tfoundoneli
ke
youinanynovel.I
'
m sohappy"shel ookedaway.
Shewassat i
sfi
edfull
yyetsti
llcravedmor eofhi
m.
Hewashappyt oo.Forthefi
rstti
mehecoul dsayhe
washappy.Notjustbecausetheyhadsexbut
becauseYandiunl
ockedadoorofj oyinhishear
t
eachdayandt obeinti
matewi t
hhermadehi m
openmul t
ipl
edoorsatonce.
Babini
:"Soar
ewescr appingyournameof ft
heli
st
ofwomenwhocan' torgasm? "Yandibl
ushedand
noddedbefor
elaughi
ngsof tl
y.
Yandi
:"It
hinkyournei
ghborwi
llcomewi
tha
complaintt
omor rowf ormyunexpect edand
shockingnoisessober eady"hedr ewhercl oser
andkissedher .Af t
ermor eandmor esessionsof
l
ovingeachot herbot hgent lyandroughYandiwas
nestl
edinhisar mst i
redf rom theday'sactiviti
es.At
l
easttheymanagedt oeatt hefoodshecookedand
shewasi ndeedasecr etchef .I
twasni ghtandhe
didn'
twanttowakeheronl yt othr
owheroutaf t
er
theysharedsomuch.Heal sodidn'twanttol etgo.
Howcoul dhewhenherwar m skinwasagai nsthis?
Whenhersof tbr eathingmadehi m wanttobur yhi s
faceinherneckandf allasleepwhi l
eholdingher ?
Babini
:"Don'tfallasleep,
man, don'
tfallasl
eep.It
'l
l
bemor ningsoonandshe' llwanttogohome"he
saidtohimselfsof tl
y.Hecl earl
yfai
ledbecause
Yandiwaswokenupbyt hemostf r
ightingcri
esthat
couldcomef rom aman.Somuchsot hatshe
l
iter
all
yfelloffthebedi nfright.Whenshest oodup,
shewor ehisext remelyover si
zedshirtandtriedto
wakehim butf ailed.Shefeltaheavinessi nthe
room shedidnotf eelear
li
eron, soheavyshef el
t
hersel
ffeelabi tdizzy.Si
ncehewoul dn'twakeup
from hershaki nghi m,shet riedtodoi tinawayshe
knewbest .Afellowt eacherhadsl eepl essni ght s
probl emssoshecamet oYandif orhel p.She
happenedt ohavet hem wi thherasshewas
planni ngongi vingt hecol leagueonMonday.She
rushedt oherbagandf oundwhatshewasl ooking
for.Shel ookedf orabucketi nBabi ni'sbat hroom
butf oundnonsoshet ookabowli nt heki t
chenand
fi
lledi twithwat erandputherher bsi nbef oreshe
wentupst ai
rstof indBabi niliterall
ysweat i
ngl ike
wat erhadbeent hr ownonhi m.Yandiwoul dputher
handi ntheher bmi xedwat erandscat teredi twhile
wal kingar oundt hebedassheor der edt heheavy
ent i
tyt ogoaway.Cal l
ingonBabi ni'
scl annames.
Babi nical medabi tbutst i
llmovedt oomuchsoshe
tookanoi nt
ment , i
twasnott hebestsmel l
ingbut
shehadf ait
hini t.Sheputsomeofi tunderhi sfeet,
hishandsbutpausedwhenshewant edt oputi tin
hiscr own.Shef eltshewasi nvadi nghi sper sonal
spacebutsheappl ieditonhi sbaldheadanyway
andaf teraf ewsecondshecal meddownandal l
shecoul dhearwashi ssnor e.Yandiwi pedher
foreheadwi thherhandandbr eathed.Hescar edher
somuch.Sheal sof
eltthemoodr eturntonormal.
Babiniwokeupandscannedt heroom.Yandiwas
si
tti
ngont heedgeoft hebedpagingacar
megazi ne.Hewasshockedt ofindherstil
lthere
becauseheknewhehadanot herepisode,hejust
knew.Shel ookedathim whenhemoved.They
greetedeachot her.
Babini
:"Whatt
imeisit
?"i
twasdayforsur
ebuthe
expect
edhertosayitwasabout7am.
Yandi :"I
t'
s5pm"Babi nisatupbecauseYandiwas
surelymi staken.Helookedathiscl
ockwhi chhe
tr
ust edandt het i
mewas17: 30pm."I'
veordered
breakf astandlunchbuthadt oeatalonebecauseI
didn'twantt owakeyoubecauseyouhadabad
night"Babi nicoul
dnotbeli
evehesl eptthr
oughthe
nightandonl ywokeupat5pm t henextday.Hesat
ont heedgeoft hebedwithhisbackt ur
nedtoher.
Babini:"
DidIscareyou?"heaskedqui etl
y.Hefel
t
thebedbounceasYandiwentt ohissideandshe
wrappedherar msaroundhi swaistfr
om behind.
Babinishuthiseyeswhenhef elthertraceki
ssed
uphisspi neunt
ilshereachedthebackofhi sneck.
Wit
heachki
sshefelthi
sarmorweaken.Somuch
t
hathi
senti
rebodygotgoosebumps.
Yandi:"
Nothi
ngIcouldnothandle"sher
estedher
headonhisshoul
der.Heturnedhisheadtothesi
de
tolookather
.Hekissedherfor
ehead.
Babini:"
I'l
lbeback"hest ood.Hest eppedont he
wetf l
oorandl ookedatYandi .Shel ookeddownso
hemadehi swaydownt hest air
st othebat hroom.
Hecoul donl yimaginehowt erri
blehi sbr eathwas
sohewant edt ospeakt oYandiwi t
haf reshbr eath
becauseher swasf r
esh.Heal soneededt oempt y
hisbladder .Af
terdoingsoher i
nsedhi sfacewi th
coldwat er.Hisbodyf eltst r
ange, hef eltrested.He
madehi swayupst air
sagai n,allthattimehewas
sti
llnakedbuthewasneveramant obeashamed
ofhisnudebodyandYandiwashi swomansohe
wasnotaboutt ohidei tfr om her.Hef oundYandi
moppi ngwher eshemadeamessl astni ght .
Babini
:"No,youarenotgoingtobecleani
ngmy
houseli
keyou'remymai d.Idon'
tmindbeing
cookedforbutnotthat
"
Yandi :"
Iwasn' tbewitchingyou,Zwenioreven
givi
ngyoul ovepot i
onorwhat ever.I
'
m sor ry.
..
"she
stoppedt alkingwhenshewat chedhim wal k
towardsher .Shef eltsheneededtoexpl ainherself
.
Byt henhert earshadbeenf l
owing"Pleasedon' thi
t
me"Babi niwal kedfastertogettoher.Hi ther
?he
thoughtt ohi msel f
.Hewonder edifYandir evealed
yetanot herbadexper ienceinherformermar riage.
Hepr essedhi slipsagainsthershard.
Babini:"ThedayIhi tyouwi l
lbethedayIputagun
tomyheadbecauseIwoul dn'
tbewor t
hyoflif
e
thereafter"hekissedheragain."Ihavemyboxi ng
glovesonwhenI '
m outintheworldbutnotwhen
I'
m wi thyou.WhenI '
m wit
hyouIhangt hem atthe
door .Youhearme? "shenodded."Iappreci
ate
what everyoudi dbecauseIcannotr emembert he
l
astt imeIsl eptsolong"heputheroutofherdr ess
soonandl ovedheronceagai n.Yandigotontopof
him.Nol ongershyorselfconsciousofherbody.
Yandi:"
YouaskedmetoundresssoIcould
i
ntroducemybodytoyou.Iaskthatyouundr
ess
what'si
nsi
deofyouandintr
oduceittome"shef
elt
hishandscaressesherbreast
swhi
lelooki
ngat
them.Itwastheparthelovedmost
,secondtoher
beauti
fulf
aceofcourse.
Babi
ni:"
WhatIaskedt
oseeisbeaut
if
ulbutwhat
youasktoseei
sugly,
Ntl
izi
yoyam"hedidn'
tlookat
her
.
Yandi
:"Ipr
omisedtonotbreakanyt
hingonceyou
l
etmein"hesatup.Hishandsonherhipswhile
her
srestedonhisbroadshoul
ders.
Babini
:"Everyt
hingalr
eadyisbrokenthat
'swhyI
don'
twantt oletyouin.Youmightgethurtbyt
he
sharpedgesoft hebrokenpi
eces"helookedather
eyesast heywelledup.
Yandi :"
Thenwesweept hosepi ecesandt hrow
them inthet rash,Baby.What'sofval uewepi ece
together.Theywon' tbeper f
ectbutt heywillbe
i
nt act"hertearsfell
.Theyspokeabouthi sinnerself
ast houghi twereat angl
ibl
er oom wi thbr
oken
glassever ywhereyoul ook.Babiniwi pedhertears
andki ssedherneck.
Babi
ni:"
Pleasegi
vemesomet
ime"shenodded.
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngtomet
hough,
Yandi
sa
hmmm? "shesmi
led.
Yandi:"
Lovi
ngyou"sheconfessed"
I'
mlovingyou"
sherepeat
ed.Shewasti
redofdenyingi
t.Shewas
i
ntoodeept odenyherf
eeli
ngs.
Babi ni:"Il
oveyou"i twasaf ir
stheut teredthose
wor dsandhi sbodywasnotusedt ot henew
sensat ionashi shear trateincreased.Yandiwas
goingt ogivehimt imet oopenup.I twasenough
heavyf orthedaysohesoonhadheronhi sbackas
theywentt oshower .Yandialreadyshower edbut
whatt hehell.Coincidentall
yshewentt obuyan
electrictoothbrushasmostr ecommendedandshe
hadi tinherbagsot hat'
swhyshehadf reshbreat
h.
Sheshowedi tt
oBabi nijustsohe' dknowshedi dn'
t
usehi s.Theyki ssedast heywal kedwi t
ht heirwet
bodiesandal mostfellOncet heshockwasover
theyl aughed.
Yandi:"
Yhoi
maginewefal
landdienaked.What
wouldmyparent
sthi
nk?
"shelaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Thepeopl
ewhof
induswi
llt
ellt
hem '
at
l
eastshedi edahappywoman"t heylaughed.Yandi
woreherdr essagainandBabi niwaski ndenough
toborrowhi smuskytoil
etri
es.Theywal kedtoa
nearbyeaterybecausetheywer ehungr yandBabi ni
l
iter
all
yonlyhadwat erandbeeri nhi sfridge.He
can'
tcooksoheseesnoneedbuygr ocer i
es.Babi
ni
escusedhimselftogot otherestroom andYandi
wassmi l
ingt oher
self
.Vuyosatdownandshewas
notshockedt oseehim ashel i
vedi nthear easo
shedidn'
toncet hi
nkhewasst alkingher .
Vuyo:"Youarestil
lweari
ngthedr essIsawyoui nat
theshopyesterdayaroundthisti
me, si
es,Yandi
sa"
helookeddisgusted.Ol
dYandiwoul dfeeldir
tybut
shedidn'
tgivehimt hesat
isfact
ion.
Yandi :"
Idon'
tcarewhatyout hi
nk.Allthenasty
thingsyouassumeIdowi t
hmyboyf ri
endinprivat
e
aret r
uesomuchsot hatI
'm notreadytoletgo
becauseyoudepr ivedmeofgr eatness"shehated
sinkingtohisl
evelbutthelookonhi sfacemadei t
wor thit
.
Vuyo:"Si
esman, goi
ngar
oundopeni
nglegsfort
hat
Goli
ath"hepoi
ntedather
.Vuyowasshockedtofeel
"Goli
ath"lit
erall
yl i
fthim upf r
om hi schai rmaki ng
himloseanydi gnityhet houghthehadl eft.Yandi
couldseeBabi ni
'slipsmovebutshecoul dnothear
whathewassayi ngsosheconcl udedi twasf or
Vuyo'sear sonlysoshewasnotgoi ngt oi nvol ve
herself
.Sheneveronceconf rontedt hewomenhe
cheatedwi thwhi l
emar ri
edt ohersoshewasnot
aboutt ostopBabi nif orl et
ti
ngVuyoknowt hatshe
wasnol ongerhisbusi nessVuyousedt obea
churchgoi ngmanandYandiwonder edwher ei tal
l
wentwr ong.Accor dingt ohisf amilyYandi
bewitchedhi m butYandi '
sconci ouswascl ear
becausehergi ftwasevert ohar m.Babi niletgoof
Vuyoandhehi tthef l
oorbuthegotupqui ckly.
Vuyodust edhi msel fof fandl eftwithouteven
l
ookingatbackatYandi .Babiniapol ogizedf or
makingYandiwi tnesst hatandYandir eal i
zedt hat
hewasnotpl ayingwhenhesai dheputhi sgl oves
onwhendeal ingwi tht hewor l
d.Vuyoont heot her
handr eali
zedt hatinsomecases" Gol i
at hs"beatt he
"Davids".
S2-
INSERT16
Othur antoYandi'sclassassoonast hechildren
wentoutf orfi
rstbreak.Hermi ndhadnotbeenwi t
h
herclasssinceshesawYandil ooking"di
ff
erent"in
staff
room thatmor ni
ngbutsi ncet heywerewi th
otherteachersOthucoul dnotask.Yandihear dher
dooropenj ustasshewasst andingt ogotot he
staff
room.
Othu:"Si
tdown,Yandi
sa"Othu'
sbr
eadcont
ainerf
ell
butsheranquickl
ytopicki
tupbef
oreshesunkin
theli
tt
lechai
rbefor
eYandi.
Yandi:"
Iwasaboutt
ogot
othest
aff
room andeat
ther
e"
Othu:"
Isaidsi
tdown,Yandi
sa.Youenjoy
tor
mentingme.Iknowyouwentonadat ewit
hyour
myster
ymansosi tandtal
k"Yandibl
ushedbefor
e
shesatbackdown.
Yandi:"Yes,Idi
dmeetmymanandIsawhi m
yesterdaytoo.Ispentt
heenti
reweekendnakedand
I'
m notashamedt osaythi
swasthedressIworeon
SaturdaywhenIwentt oknockathi
sdoor "Othu
screamedbutputherhandoverhermout ht ost
op.
Ot
hupr
etendedt
ofai
nt.
Othu:"Soyoucamefreshf
rom hi
ssheet
seven
today?Sies,
Yandi
"Yandil
aughedasshethought
abouttheVuyoepi
sode.
Yandi
:"Ext
remel
yfreshfr
om hissheets"bot
h
womenheldpapersoverthei
rfacesastheyblushed.
I
fOthublushedonYandi'
sbehalfshecouldonly
i
maginewhatherfri
endwasf eel
ing.
Othu:"
Howwasi t?
"t heyaren'
tthet
ypeoffr
iends
whospeakdetai
lsaboutsexbutOt huwascurious
becauseshewouldhearYandicompl ai
nabouta
bl
endbedroom l
if
ewhi l
eshewasmar ri
edsoshe
wantedtoknowifitdiff
ered.
Yandi:"
Hedi dthethings,thatmadethethingstobe
done,Fri
end"Yandiwasmor ethanhappytoshar e
thatshewasf ull
fi
ll
ed.Othuscr eamedagain.
"Fri
end,helookedatmybodyandheexper imented
withit
.Iscreamed,Imoaned, Ishout
edhisname.
That'
sallI'
l
lsay"shezi ppedhermout handOt hu
wentcrazy.She'dneverseenYandil i
kethat,never.
Ot
hu:"
Yes,
yes,
yes!
"shescr
eamedandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.Ot
huwascr
azywhenshewant
ed.
Othu:"NowIcan'twai
ttomeetthisguy"'ifonl
yyou
knew'Yandithoughtt
ohersel
f.Shewant edtheir
l
ovet obeprivat
eunti
lsomeonecat chesthem i
n
theactwellexceptOt
hu.She'
dtellherproperl
y.
Yandi
:"That
'snotall
,Fri
end.ComeVuyoright
,he
sayssomethingli
kesiesYandiopeni
ngyourl
egs
sosoon"Othu'sexpr
essionchanged.
Othu:"
Heunzippedhi spant
stomorethanone
woman.Whydoexesj ustcomewhenyou'r
e
happy?"Yandi
st oppedherwhenshesawthatOthu
wasgetti
ngwor kedup.Vuyowasnotworthitona
Monday.
Yandi:"
Myman, yesmyman"t heybothgiggledas
Yandiconfi
dentl
ycl ai
medBabi ni"Somyman
sort
edVuyoout .Imaginet hi
sisVuyo"shepl aced
oneofthestuff
edt oysinherclassont hetable
"Youseethosecar sinactionmovieswher ethe
charact
ercanejectf r
om theseatjustastheyar e
abouttocrash?
"Ot hunodded, notonceblinking
fear
ingshe'dmissmor egoodparts"Myman
grabbedVuyol i
kethi
s"shehel
dthedol
lbyi
tsneck
"Andhel i
ter
all
yyankedVuyooutoft
heseat
"they
bothlaughed.
Othu:"Vuyogotej ected!
"hereyeswi dened"It
'l
l
teachhimt omi ndhi sbusiness.Somemenj ust
don'tl
iket heirwomenbei ngdi srespect
edbecause
i
tf eel
sast hought heyarebeingdi sr
espect
ed
direct
ly"shespokeaboutCr aig,hewasoneof
those."Ilovet hiseject
er,yazi.Whendoest hebest
fri
endgett ocheckhi m out?"Ot huaskedandYandi
promisedt hati twouldhappensoon.
Yandi:"
Youknow,
I'
mf l
oati
ng,Fri
end.I
'mjust
walt
zingthr
oughl
if
etoday"Yandicl
osedhereyes.
Othu:"
Waltz,
myFriend.Wal
tzbecauseyoudeser
ve
i
t.Youlooksohappyandso,soful
l,i
fyouknow
whatImean"shewinked.
Yandi:"
Icanst il
lfeelhi
m betweenmyl egs"They
pl
acedpaper sovert hei
rfacestoblushagainwhil
e
gi
ggli
ngl i
ket eenagers"WhenIwokeupt hi
s
morning,Ifeltl
ikeIwasamer maidwho
unexpectedlywokeupwi t
hlegsinsteadofatrai
l
becauseIsuddenl ydi
dn'tknowhowt ousemyl egs
astheyfeltl
iketheywerewobbl y"shebl
ushed,oh
didsheblush.Yandiknewi twouldbeawkwardt o
forOthuonceshehear sthatit
'sherbrot
herbutshe
hadnooneel setotel
lherjoyt
o.
Othu:"
Thismani sclearl
ygivi
ngyouli
fe.Ihopeyou
usedprotecti
on"shesmiledasshelookedatthe
j
oyfulYandi.Yandinodded.
Yandi
:"Ihopeyougoti
tal
ltoo,
oratl
eastsome"
shesai
dsof t
ly.Ot
hubl
ushed.
Othu:"Wel lIdidn'twantt orainonyourshi nebutI
did.Whenyou' vebeenmar riedforsol ong, youhave
tobecr eative.Mymanhadmeboundt othebed
anddi dthingst omet hatmademel i
teral
lyf eel
dizzyfrom t hepleasur e"Ot huwasnotaboutt obe
grafi
cinr espectf orCr aig.Yandiwat chedasher
fr
iendbl ushedandwi shedt hati
nyear stocome
Babiniwoul dst i
llmakeherdoasCr aigclear lydoes
tohiswi fe.Lastni ghtCr aigandOt huhadt heir
meet i
ngandf ort hefirsttimet oyswer eintroduced
andshel ovedit.Theschoolsecur i
tyknockedand
whenheopenedBabi nistoodwi t
hhim.Ot hust ood
togreethim butshedi
dn'
tknowthathewasnot
thereforher.HeandYandipol
it
elygr
eet
edeach
otheraspeopl ewhodi
dn'
ttakeashowertoget
her
thatmor ni
ng.
Babini:"Ibroughtyousomecake"hel ookedatOt
hu
"Andsi nceIknowt hatyoutwoeattogether,
I
broughtonef oryoutoo,Yandi
"hebroughtcakef
or
Yandi.Ot huwasact uall
ytheaft
ert
hought.The
l
adiest hankedhi m andopenedtofi
ndtheir
favourites.
Othu:"Howdi dyouknowt hat'
sYandi '
sfavouri
te?
Likeonlytwobaker i
esint heentir
eCapet own
makest hose"BabinilookedatYandiandf oundher
alreadyst
aring.Hedi dn'tcareifOthuknewabout
them butforYandihehadt othinkonhisfeet
becausehissisterwasnof ool.
Babini
:Youactual
lyment
ionedi
t.Yandii
soneof
thepeopl
eyouspeakaboutmost"hesaidwhi
le
l
ookingatYandi.
Othu:"
Yesthat'
str
ue.I'
m sor
ry,
Fri
endbutIdotend
t
ot al
kaboutyoualot"Babi
nismil
edbecauseYandi
di
dtheexactsame.
Yandi:"
IdotooandIknowwebot
hsaygr
eatt
hings
abouteachother
"
Securi
ty:"
Mam Knight,
Ithinkyourcarhasa
scr
atch"hepeekedin.Othu'seyewidened.
Othu:"Thesekidsthoughorwasi tmykidsthis
morning?"shestoodandr anout .Therewasno
str
atchont hecar.Babinibri
bedt hesecur
itysohe'
d
seeifhisladywasgoodaf t
ertheyseperated.He
knelti
nfrontofheranddi dn'
twast eti
meashe
ki
ssedher .
Babi
ni:"Yougood?Ihopeyou'r
enotfeel
ingsor
e
anymore"hekissedherhand.Awoman'sbody
sometimescanonlytakesomuchloving.
Yandu:"
Moreli
keagoodt ypeofdi
scomfor
tthen
pai
n,Baby.I
'
m good.Thankyouforaski
ng"
Babi
ni'
:"Imi
ghtt
akeacleani
ngjobherej
ustsoI
canseeyou"hewonder
edifhesoundedobsessed.
Yandi
:"Willyoucomecl
eanmycl
assmor
ethan
ot
hers?"shesmi l
ed.
Babini
:"I
'dmakesureI'
m commi ssionedt o
excl
usivel
ycleanonl
yyourclass"theyl aughed."
I'
m
sorr
yagainfortheni
ghtmareepisodel astnight
"he
wasashamed.Yandicouldseei t
.Shehuggedhi m.
Yandi
:"Iwasn'
tafr
aidbutt
heydokindabreakmy
hear
tbecauseIknowtheyaren'
tpl
easantonyou"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m abigguy"hesmi
l
edSomeone'
scl
icki
ng
heel
sinthepassagemadehi
mri
setohisf
eet
.
Othu:"
Tat'Sol
lywasmi
staken.Thankgoodness"
shebreat
hedasshemadeherwayt ot
hetable.
Babi
ni:"
Youtwol
ookedhappywhenIwal
kedi
n.
What'
sup?"
Othu:"Wewer etalki
ngaboutpeoplewhomaket he
thi
ngst hatmakethepot stobedone"Babiniwasso
confuseditwasn'tfunny.Crai
gmadehiswayi n
whil
et heladi
esshar edthei
rinsi
dej
okes,hetoo
comingwi thcake.
Cr
aig:"Br
oughtyouladi
escakesi
nceIknowyou'r
e
i
nseparabl
e."hebroughtOt
hucakeYandiwasthe
af
tert
hought
Othu:"
Whatdi
dIdeser
vetohavemybrotherand
husbandbuymesuchtr
eat
stoday?shesmiled.
Yandi:"
You'r
eluckytohavesuchmeni nyourl
if
e,
Fri
end"Othuwast oobusyeyeinghermantonoti
ce
Yandidoingthesamewithhers.
Craig:"
I'
m notstayi
ngthough,Baby.Gotameet
ing
acrosstown.Iloveyou"hekissedOthu.
Babini
:"I
'
vegottogotoo"hewantedtohaveaki
ss
toobutYandisubt
lyshookherhead.
Cr
aig:"
Youguysalr
eadyhavet
hicksl
ices,
huh?
"he
l
ookedatBabi
ni.
Ot
hu:"
Bhut
iboughti
tforus"shesmi
led.
Cr
aig:"
Ohhdi
dhenow?
"Cr
aigl
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"
Youwer
einahur
ry.Let
'sgo"hel
edCr
aig
out
side.
Craig:"Sothi
sladyisYandi.O'
sYandi
"hesaidwit
h
asmi rk."
Youknowshemi ghtbet
heperfectonet
o
helpyouwi thyourdemons"hesuggest
ed.
Babi
n:"
Let
'sgo"Cr
aigl
aughed.
Crai
g:"Soact
ual
lyyoudidn'
tbuymyladycake,
my
poorhoneygoti
tbecauseyouaret
ryi
ngtocover
up"
Babini
:"Asifyouboughtthatf
ormyhoney.You
probabl
ythoughtofheronyourwayoutofthe
bakeryalr
eady"Crai
glaughed.
Craig:"
You'vegotitbad,Zweni
"helaughed" The
manf eelsaft
eral
l.Allhai
l,
Yandi
,theheartsoftener
"
Craigsaidasmadeasonewoul dwhenhai li
ng
royalt
y.
Babi
ni'
:"Whatt
hef
uck?
.Yousoundl
ikeadamnki
d"
Craig:"Thatf uckingsmi l
eonyourf acemakesyou
l
ookl ikeadamnki d"bothmenl aughedalltheway
totheircars.Onl yYandiknewt hathedi dfr
eelance
ITservicesdur i
ngtheday.Onl yYandicouldmake
him sleepassoundl yasababy.Onl yYandiheard
him sayi nfullthathelovedher .OnlyYandicould
makehi m driveallacrosstownt olocat
eoneoft he
twobaker iest hatsoldherfavourit
ecake.Only
Yandicoul dmakehi m comet oaski fshewas
havingagr eatdaywheni twasonl y10am i
nt he
morning.Craigwasr i
ght,hehaditbadbutbecause
Yandihaditj ustasbadtheexperi
encefeltsweeter
.
HehopedCr aigwouldkeepquietunti
lYandifel
t
comfortabl
eenought otellOt
huher sel
f.
ItwasthedayFl inch'slawyercouldmeetMat oto
readtheWi l
l.Thepoormanf lewal lt
hewayf rom
Austral
iaforthereading.Mat ohonest l
ydidn'
t
expecttobecal l
edf oraWi l
lreadingandwhi l
eshe
sataroundthebi gshinyoakt ableshewascer t
ain
Fli
nchleftheradeadr atti
edwi t
har edr i
bbon.
MrNai k:"
Wewil
lpr
oceedshor
tl
y,MrsFli
nch.We
awaitonemoreper
son"t
helawyersai
dinhispor
ch
Bri
ti
shaccent
.
Mato:"
It'
sokay,Pr
inceWil
li
am I'
minnor ush"she
j
okedbecauseofhisaccentbuthedidn'
tlaugh.She
wonderedifal
lBri
ti
shmenwer esouptight.The
doorfl
ungopenandi nwal
kedamanwhoseemed
tobeinhisfour
ti
es.Hewasshort,r
edhai rand
ext
remelypaleski
n.
MrNaik:"
MrLancast
er,
welcome.Pl
easedotakea
seat
"thegent
lemanl
ookedatMatobefor
ehesat
downt hr
eeseatsawayfr
om her."
Iam awar
et hat
thedeceasedkeptt
hetwoofyouapart
.Soallow
met omakeintr
oducti
onsfi
rst
.MrsNozumatu
Fli
nch.
.."
Mat
o:"
It
'sNot
omat
o"shecor
rect
edhi
m.
MrNai k:"Ohyespardonmymi stake,Mam.AsI
wassayi ngThisisMrJohnLancast er
,sonofMr
Fli
nch"Mat olookedatJohn"MrLancaster,
thi
sis
yourfather'
swidow"JohnlookedatMat ofr
om
headtot oe.
John:"
Anegr
oe?
"Mat
olosti
t.
MrNai k:"Par
donyourself,
MrLancaster.Thisi
s
yourfather'
swife.Doapologizeorwatchmewal k
outofthatdoor.Iwil
lnottolerat
eraci
stbiggot
s"he
sai
dinast er
nyetcalm voi
ce.
MrLancast
er:"Sorr
y,j
ustdi
dn'tpi
cturehi
mtohave
hadj
unglefever"hesai
dsarcasti
cal
ly.
Mato:"
Idi
dn'
texpecthi
mt ohaveapalevampi
reof
asontoo,
yether
eyouar e"sheshotback.
MrNai
k:"
MrsFl
inch,
youar
edoi
ngnobet
tert
han
hi
m bycal
li
nghi
m names"hel
ookedatMat
o.
Mato:"
Sizowanyat
hel
aamabhulu"shest
artedt
o
si
ngoneofherveryoldst
ruggl
esongwhileher
handwasupi nafi
st.
MrNai
k:"
MrsFl
inchpl
ease"hepl
eadedf
orhert
o
cal
m.
Lancaster
:"Whatdoyouexpectf
rom t
hesepeopl
e?
Uncivi
li
zedbunch"shel
ookedatMato.
Mato:"Iwillpet
rolbombyou.Iwasi nthefor
efront
ofthestrugglesodon' tt
estmebecauseIst i
llhave
fi
ghtinme.Rhacomi ngherethinki
ngyourextra
pi
nknesswi l
lscareme.Don' tt
estme,I'
m comr ade
Mazito"Johnexpect edMat otocower.Hewas
cl
earlyusedt ogetti
ngawaywi t
hhisraci
sm.
MeNai k:"Letusgetonwiththebusinessoft heday
please.Thisri
ghtherei
sthelastwillandtestament
ofMrFl i
nch.Youtwoar etheonlybenefit
iat
riesof
hisestate"heconti
nuedtoreadthewi l
landMat o
gotagoodshunkofmoneywhi chwoul dsurelyset
herforli
feandmostofi twenttoJohnt ogetherwith
thehousesFl i
nchownedover seas.Matowasr eal
ly
shockedshegotadi
meoutoft
hemanwhowant
ed
herdead.
John:"Idon'tcar
eaboutthat.I
'm heretofindout
whodidt hi
st omyol dman.Don' tthi
nkjust
becausethecopsl etyouoff
,I'
lleraseyouoffmy
suspectli
st"Matolookedhim deadi ntheeye.
Mato:"
Dig,
mntasekhayaunt
ilyourknuckl
esbl
eed
butnowherewil
lyoufindNotomatopopup.Should
Ibri
ngyouashoveltomakeyourdi ggi
ngeasi
er?
"
sherai
sedabrow.
John:"
Iwonderwhatmyf athersawinyou"hesai
d
di
sgustedandMatolaughed.Shestoodup.
Mato:"
Lookatt hi
s.Lookatt hi
ssmoot hskinthat
doesn'
tcrack.Lookatthesehipst hatswaywi thout
meevenput ti
ngineffort
.Lookatmyhai rwhich
defi
esgravit
y.Ohdear ,
I'
dber acisttooifIcouldn't
getmyhandsonaMat o"shetwirled"Pri
nceWi ll
iam,
i
fthatwil
lbeall,mayIgo? "shelookedatMrNai k.
MrNaik:"Gowellandt
hankyouforcoming,
Mrs
Fl
inch"henodded"YoutooMrLancast
er"Mato
walkedtothedoor.
Mat o:"JohnnyBravowit
houtthemuscles"she
call
edoutt oJohn."IdohopetheAfri
cansunwi llbe
kisstoyourskin.Youareinneedofatansobesur e
todot hatdiggi
ngoutsi
demostt i
me.Itwasn'tatall
apleasur etomeetyou,Juni
orNdothuke"Sheshut
thedoorbehi ndher.
MrLancast
er:"
Lif
ewasbet
terwhenherki
ndwer
e
f
ucki
ngslaves"
MrNai k:"Idon'tshar eyoursentiment s,
Mr
Lancast er.Mywi feis"herkind"asyouputi tandI
couldn'tbeamor ehappi erman.Howdoexcuseme,
menl ikeyoumakemewi sht ovomi t"het ookhi s
fi
lesandl eft
.Johnexpect edMrNai kasaf ellow
whitemant ohol dthesamer acialviewsashi m but
hewascl earl
ymi staken.Hebangedt het ablehard
butonl yendedupbei ngleftwitht hepai n.Hewas
theretof indhisf ather'
skill
er,nothingel se.Flinch
madesur etonotgi vehissonhi ssur namef or
safetyr easonsbutt heywer en'
tonbadt ermsbut
didn'
thaveast rongbondei ther.Johncoul dn't
beli
evehi sfatherlefthismot herforabl ackwoman,
j
ustt het houghtofi tmadehi m sickt othecor e.
SchoolwasoutandOt huandYandiwentt otheir
carst odr ivehome.JustasYandihel dthehandl eof
thedoorshecol lapsed. Theki dswhower ewai ting
forthei rpar entst ofetcht hem soonf lockedar ound
herbutOt humanagedt omaket hem st andata
distance.Pani cr ushedt hr oughOt huwhenshe
foll
owedamal eteachert ogetcarsoshe' ddr i
ve
Yandit othehospi t
alinst eadofwai ti
ngi nan
ambul ance.Ot huwasf r
ust rat
edbyt heki dswho
woul dn'tmakewaybutunder stoodassomewer e
Yandi 'sconcer nedpupi l
s.Shedr ovel ikeamad
womanunt iltheyr eachedt heemer gencyr oom.
Yandiwast akeni nandi mmedi atelyattendedt o.
Othusor tedouthermedi calai dissuesbyl ooking
forYandi '
scar dandI Dint hebagYandicar r
ied.
Oncet hatwasoutoft hewayshecal ledCr aigtot el
l
him shewon' tbehomeatherusualt imebecause
Yandiwassi ck.Cr ai
gdi al edBabi ni '
snumber
i
mmedi atelyaf tertalkingt oOt hu.Thephonewent
tovoi cemai lbutCr aiglef tamessage.Af terawhi l
e
Othuwast oldshecoul dseeYandiandsher ant o
wher eherbestf riendwas.ShehuggedYandiso
ti
ght l
yandaskedhert oneverdot hattoheragai n.
Othu:"It
hinkyourbodywasr eadyt odoal lt
he
thi
ngsyoudi ddur i
ngt heweekendanymor e,Fri
end"
shejokedandt heybot hl aughed." Callyourman"
Yandishookherhead.Shewashi dingsomet hing
butshedidn'tsaywhat ."
Getupf r
om t hatbed
becauseyouknowver ywel lwhyyouar eher e.No
doctorcanhelp"avoi cesai dbehindOt hu.When
sheturnedawomanwhohadat r
adi t
ionalcl oth
overhershouldersent ered.Itwast hewomanwho
ment or
edYandiwhensheheadedt hecal l
ing.Yandi
tookadeepbr eathbecausesheknewGog
Khazimlawasr ight,
noWest ernmachi neorpi ll
s
couldhealherbecauseshewasnotsi ck.
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,
gohomet
oyourf
ami
ly"
Ot
hu:"
No,
Ican'
tjustl
eaveyouher
e"
Yandi
:"WhenIgetdi
schar
ged,
I'
llcal
lsoyoucan
takemehome,okay"Ot
hunodded.
Ot
hu:"
Iloveyou"
Yandu:"Il
oveyout oo,
Friendandthankyoufor
bri
ngingmei n"Othugreetedtheheal
eronherway
out.Yandiwasgladshecol l
apsedwhenBabiniwas
notar
oundbecausesheknewhe'dhavef
li
pped.
Shewouldonl
ytellhi
m whenshe'
shome.
MaKhazimla:"
Standup.Youarenotsi
ck"Yandigot
outofbedwit
hease.Thedoctorwal
kedin.
Doctor
:"No,
no,
nowestil
ldon'tknowwhat'
swrong
wit
hyouyetsoyoucan'
tgo"shestoppedYandi
.
MaKhazi ml a:"Sheknowswhat 'swr ongwi t
hher"
Yandiwasnotshockedatal ltoseeMaKhazi mla
becauseshewasaver ygi f
tedwoman.Hervi si
ons
didn'
tcomei ndreamsl i
keYandi 's.Theycameeven
atthemostr andom moment s.Yandit ol
dthedoctor
she'dbedischar gingher self
.Af t
eraper suasion
attemptthedoct orgaveupandwentt ogetthe
dischar
gef or m.YandisawBabi nibehindMa
Khazimlaandshewat chedast heel der'
sbody
becomest if
f .Babininotsur ewhatt odojuststood
andwat chedunt ilsuchamomenthewoul dbet ol
d
whatwasgoi ngon.Hewonder edifthecakehe
broughtmadeYandisi ckbecauseshesai dshe'l
l
eathisfir
standkeepCr aig'
sf orlater.
MaKhazi
mla:"
Youar
eamanwi
thoutt
hepr
otect
ion
ofyourancestorsandi tl
eavesyouopent ot heevil
spi
ritsIseearoundyou.Theysuckyoursoul "she
l
ookedatBabi ni."Youmakehersi ck.Shei sachi ld
chosenchildofherancest ors.Aswespeakt hey
havecircl
edaroundherwhenyouwal kedin.You
walknotwi t
hyourancest orsbutwi thent i
ti
est hat
l
eavemyski ncrawling"sheneveroncebr okeeye
contactwit
hhim.Babi ni'
shear tsank.Thehear tthat
Yandiopenedj ustsankashehear dt hatshei ndeed
shewasi nhospi t
albecauseofhi m butnotbecause
ofhiscake,becauseoft hespi r
it
shehi mselfcould
notevensee.
Babi
ni:"
Isi
tbecauseofmypast
?"hel
ookedat
Yandi
.
Yandi:"
Notyourpastbutt
hethi
ngsofyourpast
whicharefol
lowi
ngyou"shesai
dsoft
ly.
Babini:"Youknow? "shenodded"Ever
ything?"she
nodded.Hef el
tsoexposed.Yandiassuredhim she
wasnotangr yordisgust
edbyhim.Ifanythingall
shewant edtodowashugt heli
ttl
eboyshesawi n
hervisions.Theli
ttl
eboywhowasusedt oadvance
anagenda.Thel i
tt
leboywhoshoul dhavebeen
giventoysandnotguns.Thel itt
leboysheknew
wasst i
llcagedi nsi
deoft hehandsomegr ownman
shesawi nfrontofher.Thel i
ttl
eboywhom t he
wor l
dowesanapol ogyto.Thel i
ttl
eboywhowas
scaredbutwasf orcedtobebr avewhenal lhe
neededwasahug.Thel i
ttl
eboyYandiknew
neededheal i
ngbecauseast heanAf ricanpr over
b
said,achildwhoi snotembr acedbyt hevi l
lage
couldbur nindownt ofeeli
t'
swar mth.Soshewas
notgoingt obeoneoft hepeopl etorunwhenhe
neededher .
Yandi
:"Idi
dn'
tpassoutbecausemybloodpr
essur
e
i
shigh.Myancestorswant
edtoreveal
thi
ngstome
andsometimestheyhavebadti
ming"
Babi
ni:"
SowhatmustIdo?
"Yandil
ookedatMa
Khazi
mla"
MaKhazi mla:"Thisisbeyondyou,mychi l
d"she
l
ookedatYandi" No, youcannothelphim and
neit
hercanIbecauseIwasnotchosent o"Babi
ni
wishedthathe'djustnotseenOthu'sfi
leyearsago.
Hewasf il
ledwi t
hemot ionshedidn'
tknowwhatt o
dowi t
handr egrett
edbreakingfr
eefrom thesyst
em
becauseatleastt
henhef eltabsol
utel
ynothi
ng.He
madehersickandt hat'
sallhecouldthi
nkof.He
fel
thishear
tshutdoor sonceagain.Yandiwassur
e
Babinihadnoancestralcal
lingsoshefel
tshewas
upforthechall
enge.
Yandu:"Iwasablet ohel
phim,Ma"shesai
dsoftl
y.
Shedidn'twanttoletgoandifbei
ngwit
hhim ki
ll
ed
hert
hensobei t
,shethought
.
MaKhazi mla:"Onlytempor aril
y.Hel pmustbea
permanentt hi
ng.Got oyouf ather ,
son.Havehi m
takeyouhomeandf rom ther ethingswi l
lfalli
nto
place"shel ookedatBabi ni
.MaKhazi mlaknewt hat
i
thar donYandibuti tcouldnotbehel ped,shewas
notlikeotherwomenwhodi dn'tfaceconsequences
ofbei ngwithamanl ikeBabi ni
.Yandineededt obe
protectedforherownsake.Babi nilookedatYandi
foral ongwhi l
eandsawhereyesbecomegl assy
witht ear
s.Het henwal kedoutl eavingthet wo
l
adiesal oneandYandi '
stearsj ustflewoutl i
kea
taphadbeenopened.MaKhazi ml adidn'
thavet o
explainittoher,sheknewt hatYandiknewver ywell
whyshehadt odoi t
.WhenBabi nigotinhiscarhe
hiti
tsohar dtostophimselffr
om crying.Hedoesn' t
cry,hediditwhenhewasaki dbutgotpuni shedf or
i
tsot hatwasi t
.Hecouldfeelhischestt i
ghtenas
thelumpi nhisthr
oatgrewbigger.At earfel
landf or
thefir
sttimesincehewasaboutf i
ve.Hewi pedi t
offquicklybef
orespeedingoff."
Imakehersi ck"
wasal lhethoughtashespedof f.Craigfound
Babiniattheshooti
ngfarm andhewat chedhi s
brotherinlawshootwithoutst
opandf earedeven
touchinghim.
Craig:"
Icomei npeacesodon'tshootplease"he
heldhisarmsupwhi leshouti
ng.Babinitur
nedto
l
ookathi mf orasecondbeforecont
inuingwith
l
etti
nghi spainout
.
Babini:"
Ihopeyouhaven'
ttol
dmysisteraboutthi
s.
Idon'twantherfussi
ngandgivi
ngmeendl ess
hugs"Craigsmil
edbecausethat
'swhatshe'ddo
i
ndeed.
Cr
aig:"
Yoursecr
etsar
est
il
lsaf
ewi
thme,
Man"
Babini'
:"GoodbecauseyouandOt hulookl
iket
hose
coupleswhogossi ptoget
herbecauseyouknow
whatyousaywi l
lremai
nbetweenyou"Crai
g
l
aughedsoft
ly.Hedidn'
tgossi
pbuthewouldli
sten
whenOthutellhimthebusi
nessofot
herswhen
t
heyarecuddling.I
t'
scute,
orsoCrai
gthought
.
Crai
g:"Sowhatnow? "CraigknewbecauseBabi ni
call
edhimt otellhi
mt hathewasr esponsibl
efor
Yandibeingsick.Crai
gj ustknewi
twasnota
physicalmatt
erwhenYandiwasi nvolved.Babi
ni
tol
dhi mindetailwhathappened
Babinif
or:"
SonowIgobackt
obei
ngacoldbast
ard
andchangemywomenasIusual
lydi
dtonotget
att
ached"
Craig:"
OryougotoKumkanianddoast
hewoman
said"hesuggest
ed.
Babi
ni:
'
"Iwantnot
hingf
rom t
hatbast
ard.Thati
snot
afat
her,nott
omeanyway"
Crai
g:"Doi
tforyoursel
f,Man"Babi
nididn'
trespond
"Doitf
orYandisa"hesuddenl
ylookedatCraigand
Crai
gknewthathest r
uckachord.
Babi
ni:"
Whati
fI'
m beyondr
epai
r?"
Cr
aig:"
You'
rescar
ed"
Babi
ni:"
Ist
opf
ear
ingwhenIwasaki
d"
Crai
g:"Youst opfeari
ngphysi caldangerbutnow
yourfearisemotional.Youfearl osi
ngher.Iknow
becauseIt oohadtoseperatef rom Othutotake
careofmypastonceandf orallandwhat '
swor se
wasthatshewaspr egnant.ItseemsyouandIhave
alotmor eincommont hanwecar etoadmit"he
tookafewf ewshots.Babi
nibr eathed.
Babi
ni:"
Whatkeptyougoi
ng?
"
Craig:"Myurgetobewi thher.Icheateddeat h
becauseIwasoncewi thouthersoIr efusedtobe
withoutheragain.Wher eyouneedt ogot oputyour
pastbehindyouhasnogunssoyouwi l
lsureretur
n
ali
veandr eadytodat eawomanl ikeYandi .Idon't
full
yunderstandhergi f
tbutifherancest orscould
showyouwhatyouneedt odot obewi ththeirchil
d,
theymusthaveappr ovedofyousomehowbutwho
knowswhatyoubr oughtbackf r
om yourpast .She's
aspi r
it
ualwomansoofcour seimbal ancewi l
lmake
hersick.Wecan' tseeitbutpeoplelikeYandican
andwemustr
espectt
hat
,youespeci
all
ybecause
youwantt
obewit
hher"
Babi
ni:"
Youshoul
dhavebeenat
her
api
st"Cr
aig
l
aughed.
Crai
g:"
Whenyour et
urnwit
hnewperspect
iveaf
ter
yourj
ourneyhome,you'
l
lbetal
kingt
hesamethi
ng"
Babi
ni:"
Soyout
hinkIshoul
dgo?
"
Craig:"
Issheworthi
t?"Babi
ninodded.Yandiwas
worthevenwalki
ngonhotcoalbar ef
ootedfor
"Thendoeveryt
hingtobewi t
hyourwomanasyou
didtobeinyoursist
er'
sli
fe"nootherwordswere
exchangedaft
erthat.
Yandisatontheflooraftershewokeupf r
om t he
napshetookfrom cryinghersel
ftosleep.Shedi dn't
evenhaveenergyt ogethercaratwor k.Therewas
aknockont hedoorbutshedi dn'
tpayanyat tenti
on
toit
.Sheheardthedooropenandhear dfootsteps
makeittoherbedroom butshedi dn'
tcarei fa
burgl
arcamei nandr obbedherofallher
possessi
onsbecausenonoft hem mat t
eredtoher
anymore.Shewishedshewasj ustnormal .Shef el
t
famil
iarli
psonhersbefor
eopeninghereyes.Babi
ni
hatedwhathewasdoi ngtoher
.Hehopedshe
wouldn'tpassoutagai
nbyhim ki
ssi
ngher.
Babi ni:"I
'
m sorrythatIdidt hi
stoyou"hesai dsof tl
y.
Yandiki ssedhi m deeplyandf oramomenthegot
l
osti nt hekiss.Shetookhert opof ftoreveal
Babi ni'
sweakness, het enderbreastsbefor eshe
kissedhi m again.Hewant edtodowhatshe
i
ni t
iated,boydi dhewantt obuthecoul dn'tsohe
stoppedher ."
Yaya"headdedsof tlybutshedi dn't
stop.Hehel dherneckgent l
yyetfirmlytost opher
l
ipsf rom reachinghis" Yaya"hecal l
edoutsof tl
ybut
shedi dn'tlookup" Yandisa"shest i
lldi
dn'trespond
"Ntli
ziyoyam"shel if
tedhereyesast hought hat
wer ehername." Amanl i
kemedoesn' tdeser vea
womanl i
keyouandi fyousayal lgotrevealedt o
yout henyouknowwhy"
Yandi:"
ButIdeser
veyou,Babini
.Don'
tIdeser
ve
you,Baby?
"hisheartsankevenmore.
Babi
ni:"
Anyounceofgoodthatcanbefoundinme
youdeserve.Ever
ysi
ngl
eshredofgood,Nt
li
ziyo
yam"
Yandi
:"Thenl
etmet
ryt
ohel
pyouf
ir
st"
Babin:"
Idon'
twantt
empor
arysol
uti
onsanymor
e.
All
owmet odealwit
hwhat
everi
scausi
ngabarr
ier
betweenus"
Yandi
:"Andwhataboutme?
"
Babini
:"Idon'
twanttoputyourlif
eonholdsoI'
m
notgoingtobeoneoft hosemenwhoaskyout o
waitandretur
nafteryearsangryatyouf
ormoving
on.Soliveyourl
if
eandi fyoumeetsomeoneyeah"
Yandistoodup.Hehat edthatt
hosewordscame
fr
om him.
Yandi:"Youdon' tunderstand.It'
seasyforyouto
saythatbecauseyoudon' tunderst
and.Youwer e
themanIusedt ofantasi
zeaboutwhenIst art
ed
havinginterestinboys.Year sandyearsof
disappointmentyouj ustcamewhenIst opped
l
ookingf oryou.Justliket hat,
SthandwaSam you
caughtmyat tenti
onsoyouwon' tunderst
and"she
puthert opbackonandf el thi
m holdherfr
om
behind.Howwasshesupposedt ogetoverthose
bearhugs?shewonder ed.Nomanwasasbi gso
nomanwoul
dhughert
hesame.
Babini
:"Iunderst
and.Imightnothavefant
asi
zed
butthesecondIsawyou, Iknewyouwer ewhatI
wasmi ssinginmyl i
fesoIunderst
and"heti
ghtned
thegri
pal it
tl
emor e.
Yandu:"
Thenlet'
sfindhelpi
nCapeTown.Therear
e
pl
entyoftr
adi
tionalheal
erswhoar
epowerful
"
Babini:"Ntl
izi
yoyam"i sallhecouldsayashet r
ied
topleadwi thhertostop.Shedoesn' tunderst
and
howCr ai
g'smessengescar edhim whenhesai d
shewasi nhospital
.Hewasr eadytoeli
mi nat
e
whoeverorwhat everputhert her
eandsi ncehewas
theproblem, hehadt oprotectherbyeliminat
ing
himself.
Yandi:"Youdon' tgethowsecl udedt hesethi
ngsare.
Theywi llmakeyoul osecontactwi t
ht heout
side
worldfort hefi
rstweeksofyourheal ing.Iwon'
tbe
all
owedt ovisi
tuntilsuchat i
meI 'm all
owed.Iknow
thesethings.Theydon' ttakeaday"shecr i
ed.Yandi
couldn'
tevenr emembercr yi
ngt hatmuchaf tershe
l
eftdivorcecour t.WhatwasBabi nidoingtoher?
Babini:"I
'm sorrythatI'm doi
ngt hi
saf
terIevoked
yourlove.Theel der l
ywomanl ookedl
ikesheknew
whatshewast alkingabout"ohshedoesandYandi
knewi tbutherdesper ati
ontokeephim cl
osegot
thebet t
erofher ."Ihavetogo"headdedwi tha
brokenhear t.
Yandi:"No"sheclungt ohi m.Notcar ingifshecame
acrossaspat heti
cbutshedi dn'twanthi mt ogo.
Shegavehi m anotherdeepki ssbef oreshet ookher
topoffagain.Babiniknewshedi ditonpur pose,
sheknewherbr eastswer ewhatdr ovehim cr aziest
.
Het r
iedtostop,her eall
ydidbutwhenYandi
unbuckledhisbelthel ostallsanityt hatwasl eftin
him.Bot hofthem lostallsanitythatwasl efti
n
them.
Babi
ni:"
Nocondoms"hesear
chedhi
spocket
s
bet
weenkisses.
Yandi:"Don'
tcare"shesai
dquicklyandcar el
essly.
Sheofcour sehadtotestaft
erVuyo'sindescret
ions
butluckil
yhebroughtnothi
ngtoherandshe
bel
ievedBabiniwhenhesai dhetestednegativetoo.
Shecoul dn'
thavebabiessopregnancywasal so
notapr oblem.Shemadehi m soar ousedt hat
Babinihadnochancet othi nkaboutt he
consequencesunpr otect edsexcoul dbringbot h
physicall
yandspi r
itual lytoher .Hewassur ehe
wasgoi ngt obur stwhenhesl idinsideofher
withoutprotecti
onasi twasaf ir
stf orhim.So
overwhelmedwi thpl easur ehehadt otakea
momentt oslowhi msel fdownt onotl eaveher
unsatisf
ied.Yandiknewshewasbr eakingr ul
esbut
therewer erulest hatneededt obentf orjusta
momentasshel i
st enedt ohi m gr oani nherear .She
gotont ooandshemovedherhi psl ikether ewasno
tomorrow, welltechni callyt herewasnot omor row
notforwhatt heywer edoi ng.Thewor ds" shitand
fuck"camef r
om hi mf ort hef i
rsttimewhi leinher
company.Shel eanedf orwar dtoki sst heswear ing
mout hwhi l
est i
llmovi ngont opofhi m.
Babini
:"Cum forme"t hosedeepseducti
ve
commandst hatYandilovedandjustl
ikethather
bodyobeyedt heordergivenwhensher eachedthe
edge.Babiniwastorturedenoughsoheal lowedhis
ownbodyt or el
easewhenhef el
thermoistwall
convulsearoundhismanhood.Shecol lapsedon
hischestwhiletheyweresti
llunit
edinflesh.She
wasnotr eadytohavehim partwithhersohehel d
herbehindwai t
ingonhertobet heonet omakehim
exitherbody.
Yandi:"I'
llwait"shesai dinawhi sper."Don'
tthi
nkI'l
l
beabl ever ytolerat
eanot hermananywaysoI '
l
l
wait"sheaddedhonest ly.Loyaltywasonet hi
ng
shedi dn'thaveshor tageof .Babinikeptquiet
becausehewasst il
lnotreadyt osayanyt hingyet.
Hisfinger sgli
dedoverherspi neashel ookedupat
thewhi teceil
ingwonder ingifjustthethoughtofher
wouldbeenought omakehi mf aceanewdayas
Crai
gsai dt hethoughtofOt hudi dwhenhewas
gone.Yandir aisedherheadwhennor eplycame
andf oundhi mj uststaringintothevoi d.Shefelt
exactlyhowhel ooked.Hef inall
ytit
ledhisheadt o
l
ookather .
Babi
ni:"
You'remyhear t
,doyouknowthat
?Idon'
t
cal
lyou"Ntli
ziyoyam"becausei
t'
scut
e"Yandi
smil
ed."You'
rebeauti
ful"
Yandi
:"Thankyou"
Babini:"
Ihavetogo.Youmi ghtnotseeme
tomorroworthedayaf tert
hatandmostpr obably
foramont hbutreturnIwil
l.Iwanttobetheman
yourfatherwi
llapproveofandt hemanyour
foref
atherswil
lapproveof.EvennowIapol ogi
zeto
them forcomingclosetoyouagai nandIhopethey
hearmyhumbl eapology"
Yandi :"
I'
m sureitreachedthem"shesmi led."No
fall
inginlovewithvirginmai dens,
Zweni .Ther ur
al
areai sfi
ll
edwiththem"Babi nil
aughedsof tl
y.He
didn'twantanyvi r
ginmaidenseveni ftheyt hrew
themsel vesathi
m.Hewant edthegoodgi r
lthat
turnedbadf orhi
m whent heywer ealone.
Babi
ni:"
Novi
rgi
ns,
Ipr
omi
se"
Yandi
:"GoodandIl
oveyou"
Babi ni:"
Iloveyou.Letmegogetat owelsoIcan
cleanupt hemesst hatImade"hedi dn'
twanttoget
emot i
onal.Hewentt ogetatowelandmadeher
decentagai nhimself.Helai
dbetweenherl egs.
"Youdoknowt hathadthisbeen"normal"
circumst ances,myseedwoul dhaveal r
eadyfound
youreggright?"headdedandYandilaughed.Babi
ni
himsel
fdidn'tknowwherethatcamef r
om butit
wasinhismi ndandhewasknownf orspeakingi
t.
Yandu:"
Iwoul
dn'
thavemindedbecauseyou'
dhave
wantedt
ogetbackevenf
aster
"hesmi l
ed.
Babi ni:"Youal onemakemewantt ohurryhome,
youal one, Ntli
ziyoyam"Yandiwat chedashegot
dressedwhi l
el ooki
ngatherunt ilheputont helast
pieceoff abricshet ookof fhisbody.Oncehi s
shoeswer eonsheunwi ll
inglyputhergownont o
wal khi m out .Hehuggedherf r
om behindwhi le
wal kingt othedoor .Ni bbl
ingonherneckt ohear
hergi ggle.Shewasmeantt owal khimtothedoor
butshest oodout si
dehi scarwhi l
ehesatint he
driver'sseat .Theyki ssedliketeenagers.
Babini:"
Goinside.Iwanttohearyourkeyturnfrom
hereasyoul ockthedoor.Nomor esitt
ingwiththe
doorunlockedatnightwhileyou'
realoneplease,
Ntl
iziyoyam"Yandinoddedandsmi l
ed.
Yandu:"
YesIwi
lll
ock.Unt
ilnextt
imeokay.I
fyou
cancall
..
."
Babini
:"Yournumberi sinhere,"hepointedathi
s
head"Soit'l
lbethefirstonet hatIdialandwhenI'm
all
owedvisitor
s,youcomer i
ght?"shenodded."I
'l
l
seeyouar ound,Beaut i
ful"hekissedhert hr
oughthe
window."Doesmest aringwhi l
eyouwal kawaysti
ll
makeyouuncomf ortablebecauseIwi l
lstare
whetheryoul i
keitornot "shelaughed.
Yandu:" I
t'
sal lyour s,sost are,MrZweni "aftert he
l
astki ssshewal kedsl owl y.Whathedi dn'texpect
washert ost andi nf rontofhi scar ,l
ookedar ound
toseei ft
hecoastwascl earbef orebr ieflyopeni ng
thetopofhergownt oshowherbr easts.Babi niput
hishandsoverhi sheadbef oresinkingi ntothe
chair.Sheteasedhi m andhel ovedit.Hewat ched
herwal kandcoul dhearhergi ggleuntilshewent
i
nsideandcl osedt hedoorbehi ndher .Hewai teda
whileandshewavedt hrought hewi ndowwhi l
e
holdi
ngherkeyst oshowshel ockedt hedoor .Af t
er
thathepul l
edoutandYandi '
ssmi lefadedwhenhi s
cardisappear edoutofsi ght.Shekeptt hehappy
facesoshewoul dn' tbet hereasonwhyhest ayed
andnotgot tenhel p.Af t
erseei ngthevi si onsofhi s
l
ife,sheknewheneededheal i
ngandper hapst he
fr
eshai randgreenmount ai
nsoft heruralareawhat
exactlywhatheneed.Shet houghtaboutwhathe
saidabouthisseedmeet i
nghereggandt r
uthful
ly
shewoul dnothavemi ndedgivinghim hisfi
rstchil
d
andshewoul dlovehim evenmor eforgivinghera
chanceatmot herhood.
Babinidrovet oKumkani '
shousewi t
hspeed.He
wantedt ogett hebal lroll
ingassoonaspossi ble.
Hisangerbui ltupagai nwhenhel ef tYandi .He
hatedwhatl ovedi dt ohi m.Kumkanil i
vedi naver y
upmar kethomet hatwast oobigf orhi m andUnat hi
butthemanhadast atust ouphol d.I twasni ghtand
thei
rli
ghtswer eof falr
eadysoBabi nij umpedt he
fencetogeti ntotheyar d.Aneighbor 'scur t
ains
movedandheknewt heywoul dcal lKumkani .
Babinibangedt hedoubl edoorl oudl ywi t
hhisf ist
.
Kumkanigotacal ltosaysomeonej umpedhi s
fencesot oheart heknockwasst rangebecause
thugsdon'tknockbuti twasn' taf ri
endl yknock
eit
her.Hegotont ohi swheel chairandt ookhisgun
out.Unathiwasbeyondher sel
f,justaweekagoa
fr
iendofhersandherfamilywer ehel
datgunpoi
nt
i
nt hei
rownhomesoshet houghtthatwould
happentothem.Unathicall
edt hecopswhen
Babini
'sknockgotl
ouderandl ouderwhi
leKumkani
wheeledhimsel
ftotheli
vingroom.
Kumkani :"
Youcomei nher eIwil
lshootyou.Who
areyou,Bastard?"heshout edbutBabi nijustkept
bangingthedoor .Hedidn'tfeargunsifanyt hi
nghe
fear
edKumkaniwoul dshoothi salreadycr i
pple
l
egshi mself"Iam goingtoshootyout hr oughthe
doorthen.Ifyoudie,youdi e"Babi
nilaughedatt he
cowardlybehaviour.
Babi
ni:"
It
'sme,
Babini
"heshout
edt
oputt
hei
r
el
der
lyheart
satease.
Unat
hi:"
Kungent ando?"shehurri
edtoopent
he
door
.Shebr eathedwheni twasindeedhi
m.He
cameinsidetheirhouseandlookedatKumkani
whowor eapleasedexpr essi
on.
Kumkani
:"Hey,
NdodaInear
lyki
ll
edyou.Whyare
youher
ethisl
ate?
"hewheel
edhimsel
fcloser
.
Unat
hi:"
Doyouneedapl
acet
ost
ay?
"shebr
ushed
hi
sar
m buthemovedi
tfr
om hert
ouch.
Babi ni
:"BookticketstotheEasternCapef orthe
threeofus.I'm nottalki
ngaboutgoi ngtothe
holidayhomeyouhavei ntheupmar ketspotsinthe
province.I'
mt alki
ngaboutt heplacewhereour
l
ineagebegan"hehel dthesi desofKumkani '
s
wheel chai
rtomakesur etolookathi sf
atherso
Kumkaniwoul dseei twasnoj oke.
Kumkani:"
I'
m gl
adyouwantt oknowwhereyou
comefrom butweusual
lydothetradi
ti
onalr
it
uals
andcel
ebrati
onsdur
ingfest
iveseasonwhenallcan
go"
Babin:"
Youwi l
lgetont
hefir
stf
li
ghtoutwi
thme.
Youowemet hatmuch"hi
seyesbecamecold
becausehehadangertowardst
hosetwosincehe
foundoutaboutthem.
Kumkani
:"ButIhavet
hreei
mpor
tantmeet
ings
t
omorrow"
Unat
hi:"
OhKumkani ,foronceputyourchi
ldrenfi
rst
man.Can'tyouseethatheiscl
earl
ygoingthrough
somethi
ngt hatr
equi
resyouashisdamnf atherto
takehim home.Dammi t
,man"sheshout edwhi le
cryi
ng.Babi nist
oodupst rai
ght.Hedi dn'
tknowt hat
shewoul dt akehisside.
Heneverhadamot hert o
takehissidesoi ttouchedhi m."Hayiman, I
'l
lbook
ti
cketsforyouandI ,Mntanam.Iknowwher eyour
homei s.Ican'tdowhatyouwantasI '
m aZweni by
mar r
iagebutIwi lll
eaveyouwi thmal eelderswi t
h
thesamesur nameandcl annameasyousot hey
canhel pwithwhat everyouneed.Il oveyou,bot h
youandOt husoIwi llmakei tr
ightwithyouasIdi d
withher"shewi pedhert earsoffbeforeshet ook
herlaptoptocheckf oravai l
abl
ef l
ights.
Babi
ni:"
Youdon' tdeserveher"helookedat
Kumkani."Youdon'tdeserveanyofyourchil
dren
andgrandchil
dreneither"hepoint
edatKumkani.
Kumkani:"ButIl
ovemygr andchi
ldr
en"Thatwas
thehonesttr
uth,
heindeeddidlovethem "
HadI
knownyouwer eoutther
eI '
dhavetri
edtofindyou"
Babini
:"Toolatet
oplayDaddynow.I '
ml ear
ning
whatiti
st obeamanwi thoutyourhelpandjudging
fr
om howsel fi
shyouare,I
'm gl
adIdidn'
tbother
wit
hyou"
Kumkani :"Haaa, Nyanathosear ehur t
fulthingst o
saytoyourf ather.MakaOthu, bookat icketforme
too.I'
l
ldor ightbymyson.Hei sgoingt ogett he
spearonceIdi esohemustknowwhatt odowi t
h
i
t!"shesaidt oUnat hibutshedi dn'
treply"Money
canwai t
, i
t'
si mpor t
antbutitcanwai tfornow.Have
theelder
sbeenbot her
ingyoui nyourdr eams?What
mustyougodot hatcan'
twai tunti
ltheent i
ref amil
y
cangot osuppor tyou?"heledBabi nitothel i
ving
room.Babi niexplainedbutnotwhatbr oughti t
about.
Babini
:"YoumustbeashamedthatIhadtocomet
o
youwhenyoushouldhaveknownt hatasan
Afr
icanmanIneededsuch"
Kumkani:"WhenIwant edtoburnimpephof oryou
whenwewer ereunitedyourefused.Thatalone
wouldhavebeenenought ol
ettheancestorsknow
thei
rgreatgrandchi ldwashome.Iwaspl anningon
doingthebigst uffinDecemberwhenwecoul dall
godownt ot her uralar
eas.Iknowyou'reamanand
needtheset hingsf r
om me.AskUnat hiIwast alki
ng
tomybr othersanduncl esal
ready"Unathinodded
"Hayi,manIam honest lynott hemonst eryoual l
makemeoutt obe.Ihavef eelingst ooandi thurts
whenyouaccusemeoft hingsIam notgui l
tyof.
Mygr andchi l
drenar etheonl yoneswhogi veme
thebenef i
tofdoubti nt hisfami l
y.Comel etusgo
burnimpephoandt alktot heancest orsnow.
Int
roductioni snotsomet hingbi g,I'
m sur eyou' re
embr acedal r
eadyf orsteppi ngf ooti nyourf at
her'
s
house.Come, comeNdoda"hewheel edhi mselfto
theroom.Babi niwatchedhi m doexact lyasYandi
didbutobvi ouslyspokedi f
f erentl
y.Hedi dn'tfeel
anydi f
ferentbuthewasgl adt oknowt hatst epone
wasoverwi th.Theyr et
ur nedt ot hel i
vingr oom and
weregr eetedbywar mt eaasUnat himadei ttorel
ax
Babini.
Theyact ual
lywer en'thal fasbadashe
assumed.Thecopscameandwi thoutbei ngt ol
d
whot hecul pri
twhoj umpedf encewast hey
i
mmedi atelywenttot hebi ggestmani nt her oom.
Kumkani:"
Heyvoet sek,
man.NoZwenii
sa
cri
minal
"het ol
dthecopsandtheywar
nedhi
m
abouti
nsult
ingoffi
cersoft
helaw.
Of
fi
cer
:"That
'swhyIhat
ecomi
ngt
othesef
ancy
house.Thesepeoplecallwhenadogdiedand
expectustoinvest
igat
ewhi l
etheCapeflat
shas
realcr
imes"t
hecopsl eftnotpl
easedatall
.
Kumkani:"Becausewedon'
thavef
ait
hinyouf
or
reali
ssues"
Unat
hi:"
Kumkani
"shesai
dwi
thgr
it
tedt
eet
h.
Kumkani :"
No,theycanvoetsek,putti
ngmysoni n
cuffsli
kethat
"hewentt oclosethedoor .Unathi
wasashamedatt herudeness.Babiniwasr eady
andf umingonhiswayt herebutinsteadhef ound
bothhisparent
sr eadytodefendhim whent heneed
arose.
Unathi:"Wehaveaf l
ightt
hatleavesi
nt hr
eehour s.
Sogopackandmeetusatt heairpor
t.Goodt hi
ng
I'
m onl eaveandKumkanii sselfemployed"she
smiledatherson.Babi niwonderedwhatherhugas
motherf eltl
ike.Thehugheneededdesper atelyas
achild'
s.
Babi
ni:"
Othunyi
weyo?
"
Kumkani:"
Wear en'
tleavi
ngforgood.Othuwil
lbe
st
rong.Gopack.Yousai dthi
sismoreimport
ant
thananyt hing"i
twasandi fi tcoul deasehi sni ghts
andchaset hedemonst hatchasedhi m awayOt hu
wouldhavet ounderstandwhyhehadt ol eave
withoutsayi nggoodbye.Theyl i
vedacr osst own
andhi sownhousewasf arfr om Kumkani '
ssohe
wouldhavet oskipgoodbyeswi thheri fhewant sto
makehi sunexpect edfli
ght .Hecal ledYandit otell
her.Shehopedhe' dsayhegotaf lightf orlaterin
theweekbutsheact edexci tedf orhi m.Shehat es
hisnightmar essoshewant edhi mt ogethel p.He
wasat r
oubl edmanandr unni ngsol vednot hing.
Shewaspr oudofhi mf ortaki ngast andt ofightbut
thenwhatdi dsheexpectf rom hergent legiant .She
cheeredhi m onfrom thesi deoft heboxi ngr i
ngas
hewor ehi sglovestokickhi spastl ife'
sass.
S2-
INSERT17
Babinistoodonthegreenmount ai nsofrural
Easternprovi
nceandbr eathedindeepl ytotakei
n
thefreshnessofhissur
r oundi
ngs.Al lhehadon
overhisunderwearwasawhi tetradit
ionalcl
oth
thathadblackstr
ipesont hebottom.I thadbeen
exactlytwoweeksincehet ouchedgr oundont he
samesoi lhisf or
efatherswal kedon.Kumkaniand
Unathicoul dnotstaywi thhi m becausewhent hey
arri
vedTat uBhozo, atr
adi t
ionalhealerwhowas
senttohel pBabinisaidal ltheyaspar entsneeded
todowasbr i
nghim andsi ncet heycouldn'tdo
mor eforhim asKumkanial readyintr
oducedhi mt o
thei
rancest orstheyhadt ol eavehi m.Bhozowas
veryspecificintell
ingBabi nithathecoul donl yhelp
Babiniwitht hedarkent i
ti
eswhi chseemedt ofollow
him butwhatwasi nsideofBabi ni'
smi ndwashi s
responsibil
ityandnooneel se's.Babi
ni'sfeltahand
restonhi sbareshoul dersohet ur
nedt ofacehi s
company.Tat uBhozost oodst oodaf ootawayf rom
Babini.
Bhozo:"I
tgetst
oyoudoesn'tit
?Youf eelyoursoul
breat
h"theybot
hlookedatthenatur
alhabitatwit
h
scatt
eredhomesallover
.Iti
ndeeddidgett ohi
m
butinagoodway.
Babi
ni:"
Itdoes,Tat
a.I
tindeeddoesf eedthesoul.
Doyout hi
nkthefactt
hatIt ookmyi nit
iati
nginto
manhoodunt omymysel fwi l
ldi
sruptthisprocess?
Myfatherdidnotseem pleasedwithme"
Bhozo:" Youdi dever ythi ngbyt hebookandby
culture.Iftheancest or swer enotpl easedt hey
woul dhaveshowedi ttome.Yourf atherisj ust
upsetbecauseever yf atherwant stobepr esent
whenhi ssongoest hroughsuchani mpor t
antr i
te
ofpassage"Thr eeyear sagowhenBabi nist artedto
l
ear nmor eabouthi scul ture,hemetanel derwho
coincident allyhadt hesamecl annameashi m.He
hadr esear chedt heZweni ssoheknewever ything
aboutvt hem, event hei rmovement s.Thatyearhe
didn'tdowor kinsavi ngki dsashehadt ol ielow
from Flinch.Theel deral sohappenedt ogi vehi m
thenameBabi ni.WhenTat '
Jonihear dBabi niwas
stil
la" boy"heof fer edt ot akehimt hrought he
i
ni t
iati
onpr ocess.Att hatt i
meBabi nididn'ttellthe
elderhi spar entswer eal ivebecausehewasnot
readyt of acet heZweni s.Needl esst osayKumkani
hatedt hatBabi nicel ebr at edthepr ocesst o
manhoodaspert heircul turewithouthi m butBabi ni
hopedt hathi sfat herwoul df i
ndpeaceast her e
woul dbemanymor et heywoul ddot ogether .
KumkaniandUnat hilef taboutt wodaysagoso
Babi niwasl eftwi thTat uBhozof ort hedur at i
onof
t
heheal
ing.
Babi
ni:"
Howlongi
sthi
sgoi
ngtot
ake,Tat
a?"he
l
ookedatthemanwhowasnowbesi
deshim.
Bhozo:" Imetyouonl ythr eedaysago, Zweni .We
stil
lhavet owal kthisprocesst ogetherbecauseyou
comewi thheavi nessIhavenotencount eredinmy
l
ifebuti ti snotbeyondme.Soi fyoul eftadogi n
theci ty,youbet terfi
ndawayt or eachyour
neighbor ssot heycanf eedi tbecauseyouwon' tbe
l
eavi ngt omor rowort hedayaf t
er"Babinibr eat
hed
deepl y.Hel ef tsomet hingwaymor eval uablethana
dog.Shecoul df eedher selfbutBabi nihatedbei ng
awayf rom hernont heless.Yandiwasr ightinthe
i
sol ationpar t.Notbecausehewasnotal lowedt o
callherbutbecauset her ewasnonet wor knor
electrici
tyt ochar geelectronicsfort hatmat ter
.Had
hebeenasi ngl emanhewoul dnothavecar ed
muchbuthemi ssedsomet hingassi mpleas
Yandi 'sgiggl es.
Babi
ni:"
I'
m commi
tt
ed,
Tat
a"
Bhozo:"
Doyouseehowt
hatsmal
lboyl
eadscat
tl
e
withjustastickinhand"hepointedataf ar
dist
ance.Theboywasnool derthant enbutleda
herdofhealthycat t
lewhocouldpi ercehim wit
h
thei
rhornsift heywantedtobutt hatdidn'
thappen.
Theywal kedbehi ndthei
rsmal l"
mast er"
.
Babi
ni:"
Iseei
t"
Bhozo:"
Thati
showIwantyout odealwithyour
demons.Makethem bowtoyouandnott heother
wayaroundoryou'
llbei
nbondageallyourli
fe.I
wishIcoul
derasebadmemor i
esbutIcan't
"
Babini
:"I
fitwer
ethateasy,
I'
dhavedonesol
ong
ago.Ican'
tescapemyownt hought
"
Bhozo:"Youarethiscl
osetoinsanit
y"heshowed
wit
hhisf i
ngershowcloseBabiniwast oinsani
ty
andtherewasbar el
yspacebet weenhisf i
nger
sso
cl
earl
yBabi niwasanepisodeawayf rom amental
hospi
talandhef el
tit
.
Babi
ni:"
Iknow"
Bhozo:"Thosecowsarefarmorepowerf
ulthanthat
boybuthehasmadet hem knowwhot hebossis.
Yourinnerdemonsarethosecowsandyouar ethat
boy.Quest
ionis,wi
llyouleadorwi
llyoubest
epped
onunti
lyoudie?"helookedatBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"
Iwantt
olead,
Tat
a"
Bhozo:" Ican'tteachyouhow.Onl yyoucant ame
yourinnerdemons.Nowl ist
en,thereisadi f
ference
betweent ami ngandcagi ng.Truthisthosethings
thatbotheryouwi ll
alwaysbet herebecausewecan
noterasememor y.Whenyoucagewhat '
snegat ive
i
nsideyoust artawarast heywi l
lwantt orebelto
getfreebutwhenyout amet hem theywillknow
thattheycan' tcontrolyoubecauset heyknowwho
i
smast er.IhopeI '
m maki ngsense"
Babi
ni:"
Per
fectsense"
Bhozo:"Iwasal soshownayoungwomani nyour
l
ife.Sheiswai t
ingf oryouwithbait
edbreath.Your
ancestorshaveact uall
yknownyousi nceshe
i
nt r
oducedyout ot hem whenyouhadt opr et
endas
i
fyouwer edead.Theyar eangr
ythatyounever
humbl edyourselfandgaveapol ogytothem once
yourplant of
oolt hosewhoensl avedyouwor ked.
Sot heyjustt
urnedt heirbackonyouandt hat'
swhy
t
heheal
ercoul
dnotf
eel
thei
rpr
otect
ion"
Babi
ni:"
HowdoIgi
veapol
ogy?
"
Bhozo:" Thecleansi ngwedi dyester
daywasa
beginning.Wemustnotr ushaswedonotwantyou
backher eagai n.Iknowt hatyouwantt oreturnto
theyoungwomanIwasshowed"Babi nismiled
subtlybecausehewasnotaboutt odenyit.Thesad
thi
ngwasheonl ygott otellOt
huabouthi sjourney
hushhushwhent heywer esti
llatt
heairport.He
heardhersni ffsoshewassur elycryi
ngbutBabi ni
wascer tainCraigwoul dtrytomakeherunder stand
withoutgivingever ythi
ngaway.
Babini:"
Idofeell
ight
er.Ist
il
lhavethosebad
dreamsbutI '
m notaf
raidtoret
urnbacktosl
eepl
ike
before.Iwi
lll
earntotamemydemons"
Bhozo:"
Youcanstar
tbylear
ningtocont
rolmy
st
ubborncat
tl
efi
rstt
hingtomorr
owmor ni
ng"
Babi
ni:"
Youwantmet
ohear
dcows?
"
Bhozo:"
Ifasmal
lboycandoi
t.Iam sur
eamanl
ike
youwon'tf
ail
"
Babi
ni:"
Iguessnot
"
Bhozo:" Whenyoudr eam youar ethatsmal lboyina
cagebei ngtormented,stopstayingint hatcage.
Breakf r
eeandonceyouseet hedoor ,openitand
seealloft hi
s"hepointedatthegr eener ybefor
e
them "Freeyoursel
f,myson.Ref usetobet here
again.Seeyour sel
fbreakingfreeandcomest r
aight
homet ot helandofyourancest ors"
Babi
ni:"
Idon'
tcontr
oldreams,Tat
a.Iwi
shIcoul
d
butI
'
m alwaysinbondageinthem"
Bhozo:"Iwantt ot eachyousomet hi
ngbutf ornow
l
etusgodance.Not hi
ngchancesbadener gyand
depressingthought sawayl i
kedancing"Babini
knewt hatitwasnotgoi ngt obeclubdancing.His
rondavelwasadi stancef r
om TataBhozo' shouse
buttheel der
'swifewaski ndenought osendf ood
overforBabi nieveryday.Thatwasgoi ngt obehis
homef orwhoknowshowl ong.Afir
ewasbur ni
ng
andthedanci nghadal readybegun.Not hi
ngcould
beatbeinghomeevent houghi twasnott heZweni
homebutt heBhozohome.Babi nial
readyf el
t
connectedt oTatuBhozoandheenj oyedt heold
man'scompanyimmensel y.Healwayslef
tBabi
ni
t
hinki
ngabouthisoutlookonlif
e.Ther
ewasa
magicintherur
alpl
ainsofvill
ageli
fet
hatone
wouldnotfi
ndinapollutedcit
y.
Othuwassosadt hatherbrotherl
eftagai
nbecause
shefear
edhewoul dnotreturn.Twoweekandt hey
hadnotcontact
edeachot heratall
.Crai
gtri
edt o
consol
eherbytell
ingherthatheneededt otouch
baseatthei
rhome.
Kumkani :"
Idon'tknowwhyyourlipi
shangingon
thefloorasifwewenttoslaught
eryourbrother,
Othunyiweyo"hesaidwhil
elooki
ngather.They
weret her
etogivethem f
eedbackonhowBabi ni
sett
ledandOt huwashappyt oheart
hatheset tl
ed
i
nwel l
.Shealwaysfear
edhe'dbeoverwhelmed.
Ot
hu:"
MaybeImustt
akesi
ckl
eavet
ogosuppor
t
hi
m"
Cr
aig:"
O,somet
imesamanhast
odealwi
tht
hings
al
one"hesai
dcalml
y.
Kumkani
:"Li
stentoyourhusband.Hei
samanso
heknowsthesethi
ngs.TatuBhozowil
lhaveBabi
ni
i
nt unewit
hhisroot
sinnoti
me.I
'm st
il
lsadhel
et
anothermansendhimtothemount
ainwhenhe
knewwher eIwas"
Unat hi
:" Heexpl ainedthathewasnotr eadyt obein
ourlives, TatakaLanga.Canwepl easej ustbe
gratefulthatwegott ospendt imewi t
hourson
awayf rom thebusyci t
y.Yougott oshowhi mt he
familykr aal,yougott oshowhi m howt otal
kt othe
ancest ors,yougott oshowhi m howsl aughteri
ngi s
done.Hel etmecookandwashf orhim.Canwe
pleasej ustbeatpeacewi ththelit
tl
et hathel etus
dot ohi m.Hei samant radit
ionall
yandot herwise
andwhogott ohol dhishanddoesnotmat t
er
becausehedi dn'tknowbet ter.Yoursonact ual
ly
tookt i
met olearnourwaysandhedi dwhathef el
t
heneededatt het ime"
Kumkani :"
Ohbutwher ewouldIbewi thoutyour
wordsofwi sdom, MakaOt hu.Yes,i
twasgoodt o
showhim allofthat"hesmi l
edwhi l
eshakinghis
headclearl
ypr oud."I
t'
samant hatone.Hey,the
ki
dshe'llhavetotaket heZweninamef or
wardwill
bestr
ong.Icanal readyseei t
.Youknow, Dambuza
hasadaught
erwhoisinherear
lyt
hir
ti
es.Sheis
beaut
if
ul,
wel
leducat
edanddoesn'
thavekidsyet
"
Othu:"
Iact
ual
lyl
iket
hat
,Tat
a.Sur
elyhet
ooget
s
l
onely"
Kumkani :"
Heeee?"hesmi l
edandlookedathi
s
daughter"I
'm shockedbecauseyoufi
ghtmeon
ever
ything"helaughed.
Othu:"
Notonthi
s.Iwantt
omeett hi
swomant
osee
i
fsheisgood"shesai
dwithexci
tement
.
Crai
g:"O,
don'
tdothat
.Nogrownmanl
ikesbei
ng
hookedupbyhisdadandsi
ster
"
Kumkani :"
We'
llmakeitl
ookli
keitwasachance
meeting.Wewon'tevenfor
cethi
ng.It
'l
lbeli
kea
random meeti
ngandIknowt her
estwillwor
kout
onitsown"
Poppy:"
Likeyouhookedmeupandwentand
sewedmeupj ustsoI
'dbeavirgi
nfort
hear
ranged
marri
age?"Othuthoughtback.
Othu:"
Onsecondthought,Tatanever
mi ndbecause
Poppyjustmademer eal
izethatyoutendtotake
t
hingst
oof
ar"
Kumkani :"ButIapol
ogizedtoPoppy.Howmany
ti
meswi llIhavetohangont hecross?I
'm notl
oved
here,Ishouldhavestayedwi t
hmyson"hesai das
thoughtheyhadt hestrongestbond.
Unathi
:"Iwanthi
mt ofi
ndani
cegi
rlhi
msel
fnot
wit
hhelp"shesmiled.
Craig:"Maybehealreadydid.Wedon'tknowwhat
hedoeswhenhe' snotwithus"Cr
aigdidn'twantt
o
entertai
ntheideaofBabinibei
nghookedupwhen
heknowshi sheartwascapt ur
edalr
eady.
Poppy:"
Othucomelet'
sgo.Yousaidthatwemust
gocheerYandiup.I
'
m sur
eLuciaisthereal
ready"
Unat
hi:"
What
'
swr
ongwi
thYandi
sa?
"
Othu:"I
t'
syoungwomenbusiness,Mama.Tata,
don'tor
gani
zethatdat
eforBhuti
.Iwasexci
tedunt
il
Poppyspokesono"
Kumkani:"
Iknewweagr eei
ngonsomet hi
ngwas
toogoodtobetrue.Let'
sgo,Una.Toomuchwas
putonholdfort
histhingwithBabi
ni"hedidn'
tlose
moneyashi sbusinesswasasel frunningmachi ne.
Hej ustl
ikedfeeli
nglikeal
lrevol
vedar oundhi m.
DeepdownKumkaniwashappyt hathef inall
ygot
tospendt imetimeBabi ni
.Foroveraweekt hey
wokeupandwentt obedint hesamehouseand
nothingbeatthat.
PoppyandOt hugotYandisomesnacksandwi ne
becausetheyfel
ttheywouldneedit
.IndeedLuci
a
wasalreadyinhercarwai
ti
ngf ort
hem.
Othu:"Whydidn'
tyougoin?"shehuggedherf
ri
end
andsodidPoppy.Afteral
ltheseyear
stheywere
sti
llt
ogether
.
Lucia:"
Ifel
tI'
l
lneedbackup.Thel
astt
imewesaw
Yandishebitourheadsof
fsono"shespoke
quickl
y.
Poppy:"
Doyouguysthi
nkthedi
vor
cei
sfi
nal
ly
hi
tt
ingheraf
tert
woyears?
"
Othu:"
Wecan'tsayi
t'
snotbecausewedealwit
h
thi
ngsdif
fer
entl
ybutYandiwassohappywit
hher
newmanweeksago.Whatcoul dbethepr
oblem?"
Luci
a:"
Ifyoudon'
tknowt
henyouknowt
her
e'sno
waywecoul d.Let'
sgoi nside.Ist
hewi neenough
j
ustincasewemustgetdr unktoforgetour
problems? "Poppyl i
ftedt hesmal lboxwi thfour
bottl
esofwi ne.Thethr eeoft hem knockedon
Yandi'sdoorf orthelongestmoment .WhenYandi
openedshewasst il
linPJ' slooki
ngl i
kethelivi
ng
dead, okaymaybenott hedead.Justnotl i
keher
usualsel f
.Shedi dn'
tt ellthem togoi nbutleftt
he
dooropensot heywal kedi nandcl osedthedoor .
Theywer ehappyt oseeshehadnott urnedintoa
sl
oppyper sonasherf latwascl ean.Yandiwast he
cl
eanestper soni nthewor l
d.
Ot
hu:"
I'
llst
artonl
unch"shel
ookedatt
heki
tchen.
Luci
a:"
Iwi
llmakesur
ethatourf
ri
endshower
sand
wearsapr
ett
yli
tt
ledr
ess"
Poppy:"
I'
llkeepthewinecomingandt
idyupthe
l
it
tl
eoutofpl acethi
ngs"t
heladi
essai
dhoping
Yandiwouldcheerupabit.
Yandi:"
Don'tyouhavehomes, Husbandsandki
ds?
I
'm notint
hemoodf ort
his"shesai
dquiet
ly.
Poppy:"
Sot
hisi
saboutt
hedi
vor
ce?
"Yandishot
herameaneye.
Yandi:"
Idon'
tcar
ewhatVuyodoes.Hecango
screwallt
hewomaninthi
sworl
d.Idon'
tcar
e"she
snapped.
Othu:"
Hayithanks,
Fri
endbutpleasedon'tcount
mei nt
he"all
"becauseIdon'
twannadoi twith
Vuyo"PoppyandLuciacountedthemsel
vesoutto
andYandilaughed.
Yandi
:"I
'
m sorr
y"shesai
dandf el
therf
ri
endshug
her
."I
t'
snotaboutmydivor
ce.Imetamanaf ew
weeksagobuthehadtogoawayonbusi ness"she
madeupast or
y.
Luci
a:"
What?Al
lofthi
sforamanwhohasgoneon
busi
nessandwi
llr
etur
n?"Yandil
aughedsof
tl
y.
Yandi
:"ButImi
sshi
m"shesai
dinasof
tvoi
cel
i
ke
ali
tt
legir
l.
Poppy:"
Youwer edickni
fi
ed.Onlygoodsexcan
makeagirlthi
scrazy"Yandidi
dn'tdenyi
tbuti
twas
morethanthat.
Luci
a:"
Ihaven'
thadsomeact
ioni
nal
ongwhi
leso
begl
adhel
eftyouahappywoman"
Poppy:"Don'
tyouknowonceyougobl ackyou
nevergobackorwhat ever
.Sogetyour
sel
faNate
again"t
heylaughed.
Othu:"
Whendi dyourmanl
eave,
Yandi
?Mybrother
hasleftt
oo"sherai
sedabr
owandYandi'
shear
t
star
tedtobeatfast
.
Yandi :"Hel ef
tlastweekandyousai dyourbrother
hadbeengonef ort
woweekssodon' tjumpto
conclusi ons"shedidn'tknowwhyshekeptt hat
detailfrom herbestfri
end.Howwoul dOthube
objectivewhensheandBabi nif
ightsomeday?She
assumedi twouldnotbesomet hingthatwoul
d
makeOt huhappy.
Lucia:"
Ifthi
smandoesn' tcomeback,Othuarr
ange
adat ef
oroneofuswi thyourbrother
.OryouPoppy
sincehe'syourbr
othertoo"YandishotLuci
aalook.
"adatewi t
hwho'sman? "sheaskedherself
i
nt er
nal
ly.
Ot
hu:"Idon'tt
hinkanyofyouarei
ntomenli
kemy
br
other.YouLucianobecauseyoucan'
tcommi
t.
Yandi
,wel
lYandidoesn'
tdo"
badboy"shel
ikeher
mensweetandsoft"
Poppy:"Unt
ilt
heyshowtheyweresoural
lalongbut
notmyman.He' sbeensweetsi
ncefor
ever"she
bragged.
Luci
a:"I
fyoucouldtamea" badboy"shelookedat
Othu"Yandimostdefini
tel
ywon'
thaveapr oblem
ei
ther
"LuciaandPoppywenti ntodootherthings
soOthuinsteadwastheonet omakesurethat
Yandishowered.Yandiwasbusyputt
ingloti
onon
herbodywhi l
eOthupagedamegazine.
Othu:"
Idon'
tli
ket
hatt
hisguyj
ustuppedandl
eft
yousosad"
Yandi
:"I
tisbusi
nesshecan'
tavoi
d,Ot
hu"shewor
e
ashir
tandtight
s.
Ot
hu:"
Thenwhyareyousodepr
essed?Youcant
ell
mebecausewear
ealone"
Yandi
:"WhenCrai
ggoest
odobusi
nessoutoft
own,
don'
tyoumisshim?"
Ot
hu:"
You'
vegotagoodpoi
ntt
her
e.I
'
m al
sosad
thatBabi
nij
ustl
eft
.NowTat awantst
oarrangehim
adatewithsomegir
l"Yandidr
oppedhert
oilet
ry
bag.
Yandi
:"Youappr
ove?
"
Othu:"
Atfi
rstIdi
dbutIr emember edthatmydad
goestoext
remessoIdi dn'tapprove.Iknowhe
al
readyisi
ntalkswiththisgir
l'
sfatherastheyare
fr
iendsbecauseKumkaniZwenidoesn' tknowthe
wordno"Yandipickedupt hebag.
Yandi:"
Andyourbr
other
,doyout
hinkhe'
l
l
approve?"
Othu:"Maybehe'si
ntothosefuncti
ongoing,man
pl
easing,yeswomensohemi ghtbebecausemy
dadwillsurel
ygethi
m such."Yandisatdown.
Yandi:"
Sowomenl ikeus..
.womenwhodon' tliketo
fussaboutalwaysl
ookingpr et
tyorbei
ngathigh
endfunctions,
won'
tbeappr ovedbyyourfather?"
shewant edtoknowifshe'
dbewel comedshoul d
thei
rthi
nggetbeyondboyfriendandgirl
fr
iend.
Othu:"
Nope,nott
oKumkanibecauseIdon'teven
havehisappr
ovalsi
nceIdon'
tli
kethet
hingsthe
daught
ersofhi
sfr
iendsdo"
Yandi:"
Oh"shesai
dsoftly.Tobehatedagai
nbyin
l
awswoul dbesounpleasantasital
socontr
ibut
ed
toherfi
rstmar
ri
agefail
ing.
Othu:"ButIwoul dl oveasi st
erinlawwhoi ssimilar
tome.Iwoul dsur elyhaveherbackwheneverwe
areatthehomest ead.Iwoul dgivehersuchani ce
name.We' dbebestf ri
ends"Yandilookedatt he
smili
ngOt hu" Secondt oyouofcour se,Friend"Ot hu
addedandsmi l
ed" Butifhebringsapr i
ncesswho
can'
tdoanyt hi
ngt henIwi llj
ustkeepmydi st
ance.
YouknowIcan' tst andpeoplewhot reateveryone
l
ikeservantswhi let heyhavehands"shepagedt he
megazine" Lookathowbeaut i
fulthi
st raditi
onal
weddingdr essis"sheshowedYandi ."It'
slikea
whiteweddi ngdr ess"
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,
whenyouwer
ereadyhowdi
dyou
tel
lCr
aigyouwantedmor
eki
ds?"
Othu:"
Heaskedmet hat
'swhyIf eelsodown
wheneverIt
hinkaboutmymi scarr
iage.Wehoped
foradaught
erforbal
ance"shesmi l
ed.
Yandi
:"Ar
ewet
oool
dtot
ry?
"
Othu:"Mat osaidwemustnotbecomf ort
ablewi t
h
growingol dyoung.Shesai daplantbaseddi etdoes
wonder s.Ifai
ledthoughbecauseIl ovemymeatso
IguessIcanki ssthatmethodoftryingtof al
l
pregnantaway.Pl usCraigsaidwear ecl oset o
shunkingt hekidsoutsowecant r
avelwi thout
tr
oubleashei snotinthemoodf orsl eeplessnights
again"theylaughed.
Yandi:"
Sothi
spl
antbaseddi
et,
didyouf
eel
di
ffer
ent"
Othu:"
Iact
ual
lydi
d.If
eltmor
eener
gized,
less
heavyandmyskingl
owed"
Yand:"Soi
tworks?"Ot
hufinal
lygaveYandiherf
ull
at
tenti
on.Shestudi
edYandi'
sface.
Othu:"Ar
eyouandt
hismant
ryi
ng,
Yandi
sa?
"she
smiled.
Yandi:"Don'
tbesil
ly.YouknowItri
edforyearswi
th
Vuyo.Hemadebabi estopr
ovetomei ti
smewho
i
sf aul
ted.Mypersondoesn'twantki
dseither
"she
assumed.
Ot
hu:"
Haveyouaskedhi
m?"
Yandi:"Ij
ustknow, Friendandhedoesn' twant
mar r
iageagain"Agl assbr okeint heki tchensot he
bestfri
endshel doffont heirconver sationt ojoi
n
theothers.Theycookedl uncht ogetherwhi l
e
sippi
ngonwi neandgossi pi
ng.Yandiappr eciat
ed
them somuch.Shewasi nnomoodf orcompanyat
fi
rstbuttheyr emi ndedhert hatl i
fedoesn' thavet o
standwhi l
eyouwai tforyourlovet or etur n.When
theyleaveheral onei t'
sacompl etelydi fferentstory
thoughasal lthememor i
esofhi m comesback.
Overaweekofnotcommuni cateandi twast orture.
Shet ol
dherf riendsl i
keSkypedever yni ghtt onot
maket hem awar eofhi sidenti
ty.Ot hucoul dn'tstay
l
ongt houghasshehadal ateafternoondat ewith
herfami l
y.
Othuwast i
redbutsheandCr aigpromisedtheboys
backtobackmovi esbecausetheydidn'thavethe
samet ast
einmovi es.Chuluwasnotfeeli
ngwel l
so
shewasst ayi
nghomeal onebutshedidn'tmindthe
l
itt
lehoursofsleep.
Chuku:"
Mom,
ift
heshopsar
eop
.
..
"shepausedt
oputherhandoverhermout
h.
Phawu:"
MamagetChulutoadoct
or.Lastni
ghtshe
wasvomiti
ngal
lni
ght
"Othul
ookedatChulu.
Othu:"
ShouldImakeanappoi
ntmentf
orMonday?
"
shelookedatChul
umore.
Chuku:"
I'
mtoool
dtogowi
thmymom tot hedoct
or
andPhawuismaki
ngamount
ainofnot
hingas
usual
"
Qhawe:"
Hayiifyoudi
e,youdi
e,Si
sbecausewe
t
ri
edtohelp"
Craig:"
Let
'sgo.Lockthedoorandgot obedtorest
okay"hehuggedhispr i
ncess."
Don'tdi
ebecause
thesetwowillcr
yfir
st"hejokedandtheyl
aughed.
Othu:"
Dadcangowi
tht
heboysal
onesoIcan
nurseyou"
Chulu:"
Mama, I
'
llbefi
ne.Nowgo"Ot
hujustwant
ed
togetoutofwatchi
nganacti
onmovi
e.Crai
gand
theboyswentoutexci
ted.
Othu:"
Chulz,
youandImange.Haveyouguys.
..you
know..
.t
akenyourr
elat
ionshi
ptot
henextl
evel
?I f
sowereyouguyssaf
e?"Chul
u'seyeswi
dened
whenshecaughton.
Chuku:"No,MamaI'm st
il
lavirgi
n"shesnapped
whil
elying."
Andevenifthatwerethecase,
I'
m not
st
upid.Iknowsafesexisbest"sheadded.
Othu:"Okaydon'
tattackme.Imustbesur e.I
'm
happyt oknowthatyouwillbesaf
eshouldyoudoi t.
LockthedoorasDadsai dandgosl eep.I
'
llseeifI
canfindyousomet hingt
ohelpwithnausea.Ilove
you"
Chulu:"Iloveyout oo"Othut ookherbagand
preparedher selfmentall
yf orloudgunshotscenes
whenshe' dr atherwatchar omancemovi es.Chul
u
wasbusyt ryingtomaket heconcocti
onMakhul u
Hlesaidhel pedwi t
htummybugbutshewasmor e
nauseoust hanincramps.Thedoor bel
lrangand
sheknewi twasnotherf amilyasitwasst i
llt
oo
earl
yandt heyhadt heirownkey.I mangest oodin
fr
ontoft hedoorwhensheopened.
Chuku:"Mange,
yourt
axi
sareaboutt
oallleavef
or
yourhood"shesai
doutofconcer
nbecauseshe
knewhewouldnotl
etherdr
ivehi
m.I
mangel
et
himsel
fin.
Imange:"
IknowbutIwouldhavegonecrazyi
fI
didn'
tcomenow"
Chuluclosedthedoor
.
Chul
u:"I
syourmom i
sokay?
"Imangeshookhi
s
headanxi
ousl
y.
I
mange:"
Wellshe'sokaybuti
fwhatIsuspecti
s
t
ruet
henshewillhaveali
test
roke"
Chulu:"
What '
swr ong?"I
mangetookoutahome
pregnancytestfr
om underhisj
acket
.Chulukept
quiett
olethim explai
n.Shehopedhedidn'
tcheat
andgetagirlpregnant.
Imange:"
Yoursymptomsaren'
tgoi
ngaway,
Manco.
Isear
chedearl
ypregnancysympt
omsandyou
havethem"
Chuku:"Excuseme?What '
swi t
hyouandmymom.I
understandwhyshe'dt hi
nkitbutyouIdon'
t
becauseyouknowwe' vebeensafe,al
ways"she
snapped."Ican'
tbel
ievethatwear ehavi
ngthi
s
conversati
onwhileI
'
m wor r
iedabouthowyou'
llget
home"
Imange:"
Thingshappen,Chul
umancoandthey
don'
talwaysgoaccordingtopl
an"hewasn'
tonet
o
shoutbuthewasfrustr
atedandscar
edashell
.
Chulu:"
Isther
esomet hi
ngyouknowt hatIdon'
t?
Didyouremovet hecondom onceuponat i
me,
I
mange? "hefeltsooff
ended.
Imange:"
Whythehellwoul
dyouthi
nkthat
?I
wouldn'
tdoyouli
kethat
,Chul
umanco.I
'm scar
ed
ashell
,l
ook"hi
shandswereshaki
ng.
Chuku:"Ihopet
hatwasnotyourtaxi
'
smoney
becauseitwoul
dbeawasteasI '
m notPREGNANT"
sheshouted.
Imange:"Tonotwastemymoneyandt orul
eout
pregnancy,
takei
tthen"heshovedi
tinherhands.
Chulu'
sownhearthadst ar
tedt
oraceandher
handsshake.
Chuku:"ToprovetoyouI'm not,I'
l
ltaket hissothat
youwi l
lgetoffmycase"shedi sappeareddownt he
passagetothebathroom.Af t
erdoingal lthe
i
nstructi
onssaidsheshould,shewentt oI mange
andgavehi m hi
stest.Hesetthet i
meandwai ted.
Chulu:"Ican'tbel
ieveyoumademef orceuri
ne
whenmybl adderwasn' tevenf ul
l.Allt
hisbecause
ofGoogl e.Peopledieofhear tatt
ackswhent hey
askGoogl eaboutt hei
rsympt oms.Googl ewould
saythroatcancerwheni t
'sjustal i
tt
lethroat
i
rri
tati
on"shewasf uming.
Imange:"I
t'
spositi
ve"hesaidasthetwostri
pes
appearedbefor
efiveminutespassed.Chul
unearl
y
col
lapsed.Shetookitfr
om hishandandindeedit
wasashesai d.
Chulu:"Didyoupokehol esint hecondom to
i
mpr egnatemeandt henaskmet omar ryyouas
youar eamanofhonorbutr eall
yit'
sformy
i
nheritance?"sheaskedqui ckly.Aquesti
onthat
camef rom aplaceofshockanddeni al.I
mange
breathedtocalm hi
msel f.Oneoft hem hadtobe.
Imange:"I'm notgoi
ngt ogivet hatoff
ensive
questi
onananswer .I'
m poor ,
Chul uokay?Istudy
usi
ngast udyloanI'
llhavet opayof fwhenIwor k.
Myf amilyistalki
ngaboutmet akingthem outif
povert
ywhi l
esomanygr aduatesar eunemployed.
Mypoi ntis,ababyist helastthingthatIwanted.I
dreamtofgivi
ngmyki dsabetterl
if
esomeday"he
saidwhil
elookingatherandwatchedt ear
sflow
overcheeks.Hehuggedher."Idi
dn'tpokeholesin
condomsort akeitof
f.I
'mjustasfr
ightened"hefel
t
Chuluhughim back.Hewashonest .Hedidn'tknow
whathappened.
Chulu:"
Ihavedreams,Mange.Toexhi
bitinNew
York,j
ustever
ywhere.Ababydoesn'
tfi
tintot
hat"
I
mange:"
Ifeelt
hesamewaybuther
ewear
e"
Chul
u:"Howaccur
atear
ethese?
"shebr
oket
hehug
andcheckedt
hebox.
Imange:"
Pret
tyaccur
ateandwit
hyoumissi
ngyour
peri
odsandnausea.You'
repr
egnant
,Manco"Chul
u
shookherhead.
Chul
u:"
Whatwi
llIdowi
thababy?
"sheaskedsof
tl
y
Imange:"Pl
easedon'tt
ellmeyouconsi derto
ter
minate.Manco.I'
m here.Iwil
lnotbeabletogi
ve
ourchi
ldeveryt
hingbutI'l
lbethereunt
ilIcando
more"
Chul
u:"
Wit
hwhatwi
llyousuppor
tthebaby?
"
I
mangel
ookeddown"
See?
"sheadded.
I
mange:"
It
smylastyearandyousti
llhavemany
mont
hsaheadbef
oregivi
ngbir
th"
Chulu:"Mymedicalbil
ls,
Imange?I'
m broke,Baby.
Myuncl ehasn'
tsaidawor dsaboutgi
vingbackmy
moneyandI '
m star
tingtothi
nkhegavei tt
omy
parents.Wi
thwhatwi l
lwegot odoscansandot her
stuff
?"
I
mange:"Yourf
amil
ycanhelpunti
lI'
m st
abl
e"he
l
ookeddown.Hehatedsayi
ngthat
.
Chul
u:"
Myfami
lyar
en'tt
heoneswhomademe
pr
egnant
.Wear
eresponsi
ble"
I
mange:"
Exactl
ysowecan' tj
ustenj
oyt
hesexand
wantt
orunfr
om theconsequences"
Chulu:"
Areyouli
steningtoyoursel
f?Imadesureto
getcondomstoavoi dtheseconsequences,I
mange.
Iti
ckedallt
hesafetyboxestoavoidthis"she
shoutedwhil
ecryi
ng.
I
mange:"
IknowandIfeelbadbutwemustnot
maker
ushdeci
sionsCanyouskipchur
chtomor
row
sowecantal
kabouti
t?Myl
astt
axii
saboutt
opul
l
outoft
own"
Chul
u:"SeewhatImean?I fyou'
refr
om wor kyou'
l
l
begoi
ngst r
aighthomewhi l
eI'
m exhaustedand
br
eastf
eeding"shecuppedherbreasts.
Imange:"
Youknowmebettert
hant
hat
.Iwi
llcome
evenduri
ngmylunchhour
s"
Chulu:"
Sti
llIst
ayupallnightwit
hacr yi
ngbaby
whil
eyousl eeppeacef
ull
y"shecried."
Ididn'
tpl
an
thi
s,Imange.Idonotwantt hi
s""
Imange:"Soyou'vedecided,
justli
kethat?"Chulu
l
ookedathi m."Iwantmychi l
d,I'
m notreadybutI
wanthim sopleasedon'tdothis.Havehim andI'l
l
takehim somymom canhel pmer aisehim.Please,
Chulumanco"hepl eaded"If
eelterr
iblef
orhavingto
l
eaveyouatt hi
smomentwhenyouar ecl
earlynot
yoursel
f"
Chulu:"
Iunder
standandIneedt i
mebymyself
anyway"Imangekissedherf
oreheadandsai
d
goodbye"Mange"het ur
nedtofaceher"
I'
m
pregnant
"shecri
edbutnotjoyful
ly.I
mangewentt
o
hugherandl
ethercr
yunt
ilhert
ear
sdr
iedup.
Imange:"Iwon'tbeli
kemyf ather
.Iwi l
lbeher ef
rom
todayuntilourchi
ldtell
sushenol ongerneedsus
tofussoverhi m.I
'm sorr
yscaredashel lsoIcan
onlyimagineyou.Thingsdon'tmakesensebut
tomor r
owwewi l
lsi
tandt al
kaboutit.Let'
schaton
What sApplatersoIcanknowwhatyou' ret
hinki
ng"
Chulu:"
Youdon'
tknowhowmuchmymom
str
uggledwi
thme,Imangebot
hbef
oreTat
ianadi
ed
andafter
"
Imange:"Iknowbecausemi nedidtooyett oday
theysaywear eli
fe'
sgr eatestgift
s.Iknowt hatyou
grewupwi thoutafat
herf ort hefi
rstyearsofyour
l
ifeandIal lmyl i
febutIwi llstepup.I'
vesteppedup
withshakinghandsal readybutwe' l
lbef i
ne, r
ight
?"
Chulushookherheadt oshowshewon' tbef i
ne.
Chulu:"Mydadwi
llbesodi
sappoi
nted.Theycan'
t
know, I
mange"
Imange:"
Chul u,
let
'stal
ktomorr
owpleasebefor
e
youmaket hatdeci
sion.Ihavet
ogo.Iloveyouand
thel
it
tl
eper son"
Chul
u:"
Fet
us"shecor
rect
edhi
m.Hej
ustnodded.
Imange:" Iloveyou,Manco"hest oodatt hedoor
befor egoi ng.Heranasf astashecoul dtogett he
l
astt axioft heday.Chul ur emai nedcr yingasshe
wasst il
linshock.Shewentt ohideundert he
cover ssonoonewoul daskhert otalk.She
switchedof fherphonesot hatImangewoul dstop
asking" Ar eyoustil
lokay? "Shewasnotokayatal l
.
Sheknewpr ot
ecti
onbr okebutshet houghtt hey'd
noticesoshe' dtakemor ni
ngaf t
erpillsrightaft
er.
Sheal sointendedonbi rthcont rolbutnevercoul d
makeuphermi ndaboutwhi chtochoose.She
wishedshechoseanyj ustsoshewoul dnotbe
staringatapr egnancyt estt hatwoul dchange
results.Shesl epthopingi twasal ladr eam.
S2-
INSERT18
Imangehadspentoveraweekt ryi
ngt oconvince
Chulumancot onotterminat
ethepr egnancybutas
hestoodont heirki
tchenmakingteaf orhi
smot her
Chulumancowasget ti
ngreadyforherappointment
togothroughwi thi
t.Hehasbeensuppor t
iveofher
i
neverythingthatshehasbeent hrougheveni fhe
fel
tChul uspati nhi sface.Thel astcoupl eofday
havebeenhar dbecausewheneverhet ri
edt ocome
upwi thapl anonhowhewi llsuppor tChulushe' d
shooti tdown.I fshedoesn' tpointouthi sf i
nanci al
struggles, shemakesi tsoundast houghher aped
hert ogetherpr egnanctwhenhewascont entwi th
thenonsexr elationshipasdi ffi
cultasitwast owai t.
Hehasnotf ocusedonschoolmuchei t
herandhe
knewhecoul dn' taff
ordt of ailbecauseadegr ee
woul dgi vehi m abet t
erchanceatbei ngthef ather
whoi sgoi ngt oabl etopr ovideforhi schild.Het hen
remember edt hati naf ewhour st herewoul dbeno
childsohepi ckedupt hecupt oputi tinfrontof
Jane, hismot herbuti tslippedt hroughhi sf i
nger s
beforei trestedont het able.Goodt hinghehad
wor kboot sonashedi dn'thavet odealwi thbur ns
ont opofever ythingel se.Cynt hia,hisauntst oodt o
grabt hemop.
Cynthia:"
Leaveit
,Imange.Wi t
hthemanyt hi
ngs
you'
vebeenbr eaki
nglatelyyoumi ghtevenfi
nda
wayt obreakthefl
oor.Sitdown"shepoi nt
edatthe
seatopposit
ehismot herbeforeshecleanedthe
messhemade.
Jane:"Areyouhavi ngstr
essaboutschool ?MustI
goandgetdocument sreadyagai ntoshowt hem
thatIcan'
taffordyourfees?"Janer eachedforher
son'shand.Imangel ookedatherandcoul dnot
beli
evewhatf reshfooddoest othebody.Hi s
mot herwasheal t
hyandevenst artedtosellvet
koek
again.
Imange:"No,Nozalaever
ythi
ngisfinewiththe
studyloan.I
'
vemademygi rl
fr
iendpregnant
"he
blurt
edtheconfessi
onout.Cynthi
anowst anding
withonehandonherhi pwhileJane'shandswere
overhermout h.
Cynthi
a:"Ithoughtyouwerejoki
ngwhenyousai d
youhaveagi rlf
ri
end.Ial
waysusedt oseeZukigo
tothebackroom whenyouwer edating.Whyhas
thi
sgirlnotdonethesame? "shesatdownl eavi
ng
thebrokenpiecesonthef l
oorassomet hi
ngmor e
i
mpor tantcaughtheratt
enti
on.
I
mange:"
Shei
snotf
rom t
hear
ea"
Jane:"
Howwi
llyousuppor
tthi
schi
ld,
Imange?A
soci
algr
anti
snotenoughf
orachi
ldaskmeI
know"
Cynt
hia:"
Wai
t,Si
sihemustt
elluswhot
hisgi
rli
s"
shel
ookedathersi
ster
.
Imange:"
Hernamei sChul
umancoKnight.She'
smy
boss'
sdaughter
"Cynthi
aclappedoncebefor
e
l
ookingatImange.
Cynthia:"
Theywi l
lmaket hatbabybeaccustomed
toporchthing.I'
m surethebabyclothesareal
ready
i
mpor tedfrom America.Youwillgowithyouri
tchy
fongkongcl ot
hesandl ettheri
chlaughatyou"she
shouted.
Jane:"Cynt
hiaababydoesn'
tknowt
hedi
ff
erence
betweenclot
hesbrands"
Cynthi
a:"
Weknow, Si
si.I
'm suretheywil
lthrowthe
cl
otheswebuyi nthebinassoonaswel eave.
uImangecouldn'
tchooseal ocalgirlweknow, he
j
usthadtogochooset hedaught erofami ll
ionai
re"
shesaidasifsheknewt hei
rfinances.
I
mange:"Theyar
en'tmi
ll
ionair
es.Themotheri
sa
t
eacherandthef
atherabusinessman.Theyar
e
f
inanci
all
yst
abl
e,notf
il
thyr
ich"
Cynt
hia:"
Thenletthem r
aisethebabywhethert
hey
arer
ichorjustf
inanci
all
ystable.Wecan'
taff
ord
anot
hermout hi
nt hi
shouse!"Imangefel
thi
mself
fumewithrage.
Imange:"Wecan' taffordanot hermout h, Makazi? "
hestoodandshout ed.Theydon' tknowhi mt o
shoutsot heyknewhewasvi vi
d" Yourdaught er
Asandahasf i
vechi ldrenf r
om f i
vedi f
ferentfathers
Nonoft hosef ather'
ssuppor ttheirchil
dren.ThenI ,
Imangehast ogodot utoringaf t
erclassesf or
money.Ihavet owor kt heweekendshi ftsMrKni ght
waskindenought ogi vemef orextrapay.Iam t he
onewhof eedsyourdaught erandyourf ive
grandchil
drenyetyouhavet hegut stotellmet hat
mymoneywi l
lnotbeabl et ofeedanext r amout h,
themout hofmychi l
d, mine!"
Jane:"
Cal
m down,
Ndoda"
I
mange:"No,
Nozala.Makazii
shappywhenIplay
f
athert
ohergrandchi
ldr
enbutwhenIwanttobe
f
athert
omineit'
swrong.Asandat
akesher
chi
ldr
en'
sgrantmoneytogodohai
r,nai
lsanddri
nk
tol
uremeninonlytobri
ngmoref
atherl
essbabi
es
her
ethatImustfeed"
Asanda:"
Thendon'tdoiti
fyoudon'
twantt
o.Ibuy
mychildr
encl
othes"shecameoutofnowhere.
Imange:" Li
kehowyoul etthem beal aughi ngst ock
toot herchi
ldr
enwhent heydidn'thaveChr i
st mas
clotheshuh?Likehowyoudr ankAlu'scr èche
money?Iwi l
lnotstopdoingitbecausei fIst op
thoseki dshavenothi
ng.I'
m notdoingt hisf oryou.I
willhaveyouar r
estedforbuyingthoseshi ny
weaveswi t
htheirmoney.Youmar kmywor ds"he
war ned.
Asanda:"
Mxm"shewal
kedoutf
umi
ng.
Imange:"Clearl
yuI mangeisthefoolwhoi sonly
goodenought obringinmoneybutwhenheneeds
helphemustst andalone.Ial
wayspr i
demysel fi
n
sayingthatImi ghtbepoorbutatleastIhavefami l
y.
Iwasclearlywr ong.Makazi,I
'
m sorrytodisappoint
youbutIwon' tturnmybackonmychi l
d.IfIcan
sustai
nchildrenofot hermen,minewillnotburden
meonebi
t"hepoi
ntedhisf
ingeront
het
abl
ehar
d
t
ogett
hatpoi
ntacross.
Jane:"OhI mange.Youspeaksopai nful
lynow.Sit
sowecant al
kpleasebecauseyouspeaki ngsuch
painfulwordshurtme.I'
m notangrythatthereisa
grandbabyont heway.Myver yfir
stoneatt hat
.I'
m
sell
ingagainatschoolsoIwillhel
pyousoon.You
havemat ri
c,youarestudyi
ng,youar eworkingpart
ti
mewhi l
eotherboysarerobbingelderl
ypeople.I
wantt omeetthisgir
lyoumadepr egnant"
Imange:" Ihearyou, NozalabutI '
m st i
llstuckon
howunappr eciatedIam inever yone'sl i
fe.Ifi
t'
snot
Chu...
ifit
'snotanyofyoui t'sotherpeopl e.Thank
youMakazif orshowi ngmet hatyouonl ysmi l
ein
myf acebecauseIsuppor tyourdaught er.Youtwo
aretheonl yonesi nthishousewhohadaf ather"He
saidtohismom andaunt" Butther estofusdon' t
.
I'
m notgoi ngtodot hattomychi ld.Inf actI'
m going
togoputmyf ootdownwi thChulumancot oo"he
walkedoutl eavinghisauntr egr
etful"Mybody, my
choice'smoer "hemumbl edt ohimsel fashe
thoughtaboutChul utel
li
nghi mit'
sherbodyand
shecoulddoanything.Hewenttothet
axistopt
o
tel
lherwhathethoughtabout"mybody,mychoice"
.
Cynthi
apickedupthebr okenpi
eceswi
shingwords
couldbetakenback.
Jane:"Don'
tyouwi shyourchil
drensf
atherwasli
ke
Imange,Cynthia?Iwishhisfat
herwasli
kethat
whenIwaspr egnant
.Clearl
ythi
sChulumancoisa
blessedgir
l"
Cynthi
a:"
MaybethatwhyIsai
dallthoset
hings.
MaybedeepdownIenvythisChul
umanco.Pl ease
for
givemeforupset
ti
ngyourson,Sisi
"
Jane:"Iam angrybutI'
llcal
m down.Ineedtomake
morest ocktohelpmyson.Tel lyourdaught
ertogo
l
ookf orworkandst opopeningherlegsoratleast
havehergetsomet hingfrom i
t"
Cynthia:"Soyouwantmet
otel
lmychi
ldt
o
prosti
tutehersel
f?"
Jane:"
Sheal
readysleepswithmenforalcoholso
sheinawayalreadyisone"Cynt
hia'
seyeswidened.
Cynthia:"
Areyousayi
ngyourchi
ldi
sbet
tert
hanmy
chi
ldren?"
Jane:" Mzusakhei shi ghont i
kaswespeak.
Asandaobvi ousl yrant ot het aver naf t
ert hat
argument .Mychi ldisnotbet terbuthei st r
yi ng.
Onl ynowdoIr eali
zet hathei scar r
yingbur dens
thatar eyour s.Yousi ther eal ldaycompl aining
aboutnowor kbutyoudon' thaveaCV.Iwakeupat
fourt omakevet koekandyou' veneverwokenup
withme.Maybe, Si
siitist i
meeachwomant akes
careofherchi l
dr enandt hei rgr andchildren.I mange
i
saboutt ohavehi sownchi l
dandeveni fChul ui s
thedaught erofabi ll
ionai re,hemustsuppor t.Ifyou
aremat ureyouwi l
lrealizehowsel fi
shyouandyour
childrenhavebeen.Mzust olemychi ld'
st ranspor t
moneyj ustl astweekandwehadt obor rowsohe
coul dgot oschool .I'
mt iredwi thmyson, Sisi.I
knowi t
'stoughbuti fyouandyourki dsdon' thelp,I
willdosomet hingI'veneverdoneandi tstobuy
foodf ormeandI mangeal one.Letmeatl eastsee
yout ry.Imangecanhel pwi thaCV.Domest ic
wor kersar ewant edever ywher e.Wecanhave
Imangeaskhi sbossi fyoucant akethatcl eani ng
posi t
ionhehadbef oreMrKni ghttrainedhi mt obe
assistanti nstalleri
nt hesesecur it
ysyst em t hings"
Cynt
hia:"
Yhookay"
Jane:" I
'm gladyouunder stand"shest oodandwent
tother oom.Cynt hiasatdownonceshet hr ewt he
glassawayandt houghthar daboutl i
fe.When
Imangecamewi t
hthegr oceriesf r
om t hef ood
voucheri twasCynt hia'ski
dswhomadet oomuch
foodunnecessar i
lyuntilt
heyr anout .Theywer e
backt opapwi thbutt
erwi t
hi naweekandt hat'swhy
Janeaskedhersont obuyherst ockwi tht her estof
themoneyont hevouchersoshe' dkneaddough
andsel lvetkoektowor kersandschoolki ds.I t'
snot
maki nghermuchbutshei sabl etobuyt hingsher e
andt herefrom theirl
ocaltuckshop.Asandai s27
andneverwor kedi nherlif
e.I fshe'snotgossi ping
whilewear ingagowni nbr oaddayl ightatst r
eet
cornersshe' satthetarvendr inking.Leavi ngher
fi
veki dstohermot her.Mzusakhewasaddi ctedt o
ti
kandst olefrom homet of eedhi saddi ction.No
wonderI mangewasexhaust ed.Imangewentt o
Chul u'
shomeandknockedont hedoor .Itwasa
weekdaysochancesoft herebei nganyonehome
wer eslim butChuluwasnotoncampussohe
assumedshe'dbehome.Cr ai
gopenedtheandwas
surpr
isedt
of i
ndImangestandingatt
hedooras
theyusual
lyonlyseeeachotheronweekends.
Crai
g:"Comein,Imange.Iwasjustmaki
ngmy
mean-bomb-zoop-zoopbaconsandwi
ch.Want
one?"heli
ckedthemayonnaiseoffhi
sfi
nger
s.
Imange:" Please,Sir"hei nt endedonsayi ngnoas
hewant edtospeakt oChul ubutt rut hwashewas
starving.Thelastbr eadwasgi vent othekidsthat
mor ning.Hef ol
lowedCr aigt ot heki tchenand
nearlyaskedf orast r
ipof fbaconst rai
ghtfrom t
he
pan.Cr aigdidever ythingext rasot hatImange
woul djoinhim.Hewaswor kingf rom homesohe
hadt hef r
eedom t ocombi nej unkf oodwi t
houtO
remi ndinghim aboutcal est rol.Imangewat ched
Craigpackwhat everhecoul dpossi blyfi
ndinthe
fri
dgeunt ilamount ainofasandwi chwasbef ore
them.HegaveI mangehi sandI mangeswor ehe
couldhearangel swhenhet ookabi te.Evendry
breadwoul dhavehadt hesameef fectashewas
hungr y.
Cr
aig:"
Ther
eismor
eifyouwant
.I'
m gl
adt
hatIsee
youactual
ly.Ispoket
oafr
iendofmi neandguess
what?He'slooki
ngforaCi
vilengi
neerint
ern,
Buddy"
Imange:"
Andyourecommendedme,
Sir
?"he
soundedhopef
ul.
Craig:"
Weliveintimeswhenconnectionsoutweigh
mer i
tunfor
tunatel
y,I
mange.Iusedmyconnect ion
togetyouin.Willyoubeabl
et ochangeyour
classestopartt
imebecausethispositi
onisan8
hourone"Craigbithi
ssandwichandlookedat
Imangewhol ookedlikehewasgoingt ocr
y.He
hopedhewoul dn'tcr
y.
Imange:"I
'm sur
eoncetheyhearwhyIhavet
odoit
theywil
lagree.Yho,
Siryougotmeajobagai
n?"he
couldn'
tbel
ieveit
.
Craig:"
Igotyouani nter
nshipsoyourwor kwil
l
determineifyougetthejobaftert
hat.It
'saR5000
sti
pendandt hat'
swaymor ethanyougetfrom me.I
knowwor king8hour sadayf orR5000attheendof
themont hsoundslikedayli
ghtrobberybutyou
gottastar
tsomewher eright
?"'I
sthismankidding
me? 'I
mangethoughtt
ohi msel
f.Thatmoneywoul
d
begreatespeci
all
ynow" Bonusis,
youwon'tbe
taxedsincei
t'
snotasalarysogohomeandt hi
nk
aboutit"
Imange:"
Idon'
thavet
o.I
'
mt akingi
t,Si
r.WhendoI
star
t?WhatdoIwear?
"Crai
glaughed.
Craig:"Idon'tknow, Man.Iheardhi m sayhewas
l
ooki ngforani nternsoIwasl i
ke" heyIhavea
hardwor ki
ngboywhowoul dsur el
yhel pthe
companyr eachnewhei ght
s'andhesai dhavet he
boycomet omesoal lel
seisupt oyou.OnMonday
goseehi m andwearyourbestsui tj
ustf orfi
rst
i
mpr essionsake.Ihavesui tsfrom bef or
eOf edme
toomuchandgavemeahusbandbody, youcan
j
ustal t
erthem abi tsi
nceyou'r
easki nnyman"
Imangewal kedar oundthekit
chencount ertohug
Craig.
I
mange:"
Thankyou,
Sir
"
Crai
g:"I
t'
snothi
ng.Iwasatt heri
ghtplaceatthe
ri
ghtti
me.Ifyourfi
nishedeati
ng,Isuggestt
hatyou
gototheuniver
sit
ynow.Chul uisnotherebecause
herdoct
or'
sappoi
ntmentwasmovedt
oanear
li
er
hour"
I
mange:"
Didshesaywhatki
nd?
"
Craig:"Whatot herki ndofdoct or'
sappoi ntment
woul dtherebe?Shewascageyabouti tthoughsoI
guessi t
'sladyr elatedsomaybeagyneat hing.I
honest l
ydon'tknow.Takeyourf ood,her eisa
containerandr usht oschoolf ort hepar tti
me
studyingthing"Cr aigputwayt oomuchi na
containerbutI manget ookitandt hankedhi m.
Imangeputhi shandst ogetherandl ookedupatt he
blueskyi ngratitude.Hewaspr ayingforawayt o
betterhisli
feandaf t
erweekshi spr ayersf or
answer ed."Blessyou, MrKni ghtandpl easedon' t
kil
lmewhenyouhearIi mpr egnat edyourdaught er
"
hesai dwhi l
elooki ngatt hecloseddoorbehi ndhim.
Hecoul dn'tgetahol dofChul uandheknewt he
appointmentwasatt hebir
thcont rolcl
inicandhi s
heartsank.Hewassetonchangi nghermi ndbut
forallheknewi twasdoneal ready.Hewentt othe
universit
yandputhi spleafor war d.Theysai dthey
woul dprocesshi sr equesttogof rom fullt
imet o
partti
mest udying.Hismorni
ngst ar
tedofbadl
y.
WithChulut er
mi nati
ngandhisfamilyj
ustbei
ng
ungratef
ul.Hisphoner angandwhenChul u'
sname
showedheanswer edimmediat
ely.
Chul u:"Mange, pleasecomeandgetme"shewas
cryingsoshemusthavegonet hroughwi thit.
Imangehat edi tandt hat'swhyher efusedt ogo
withhert otheappoi ntmentbutt ohavehergo
throught het raumaal onewoul dbesel fi
sh.Shet ol
d
him wher eshewasandhemadehi swaybyf oot.
Her eallywasnotr eadyt obeaf atherbutwhenhe
sawt hosetwost ripeshement allyprepar edhi mself
andhewonder edi fhisr elati
onshi pwi t
hChul u
woul dbet hesameaf terwar ds.Woul dhebeabl eto
l
ookatherwi t
houtwonder i
ngwhatt heirliveswould
havebeenl ikehadshenott erminatedt he
pregnancy?Woul dhebeabl et oforgiveheri fhe
foundoutt hatt hatwashi slastfertil
eseedt hatshe
gotr i
dof ?Al lthesequest ionswentt hroughhi s
mindunt i
lher eachedt heclinic.Hef oundsever al
girl
st hereandoneevenwi t
hhermot her.Heasked
foraChul umancoKni ghtbutf oundaTat ianaZweni
i
nstead.Cl
earl
yshewast ooashamedtousedher
ownname.Thenur seseemedtomumbl ei
n
di
spleasementwhenheledImangetoChulu.
Nurse:"Thisisthemostdi ffi
cul
tpati
entI '
veever
had.Onemi nuteIcangoaheadandt henextshe
stopsmeandsoonandsoon.Lear ntouse
condoms, Manwear enotyourpl aythings"shesai
d
toImangebef or
eopeningt hedoortofindChulu
sit
ti
ngont hebedcr ying.Hecouldn'tevenhugher
sohej uststoodatadi st
ance.Theirrelati
onshi
p
wouldn'tbet hesameagai n,heknewi nthat
moment ..
Chulu'"Icouldn'
tdoit
"shesai dsoft
ly.Whenhi s
earsprocessedherwor dsher antohugher .Hewas
happyt hatshedidn'
tputhim andespeci al
lyhersel
f
thr
oughwhatwassur el
yat r
aumaticthingtomost
gir
ls."
Shedi dascanandt henshesai dt here
he/shei s.Il
ookedattheblackdotont hescr een
andIcoul dn'
tdoit.SheisupsetthatIkeep
changingmymi nd"
I
mange:"Getdressedsowecango.Wewi l
ltel
lyour
f
athert
ogetherandifIdi
e,Idi
e"heki
ssedher
f
orehead.
Chulu:"Thebestwayi
sthroughmymom.She' l
lbe
disappoint
edbutshewil
lgetoveri
tandshe'
sbest
totell
mydad.Shecalmshi m,it
'st
hei
rthi
ng"she
shrugged.
I
mange:"
Okaywe'
l
ldoi
tasyouseebest
"
Nurse:"Li
tt
legi
rl
,haveyouf
inal
lydeci
dedwhatyou
want?"shepeekedin.
Imange:"
Wearekeepingourbaby,
Ma.Weare
keepi
ngourchi
ld"hesaidt
wiceasift
henur
sewas
deaf.
Nurse:"
Wear
enotr
efundi
ngbecauseshewast
ed
ourti
me."
Imange:"Youkeepyourmoney, wekeepourbaby"
thenurseclosedthedoor"Getupsoyoucanget
dressed"hehelpedheroff
.WhileChuludressedhe
checkedthemoni t
ornexttothebedwiththebaby
scan.Hesawabeansi zethi
ngandsmi l
ed.He
touchedthescreen.Hetookouthisphonetot akea
pict
ureofthescreentoshowhi smom.
Chul
u:"
Sowe'
l
lbepar
ent
s?"shel
ookedathi
m.
I
mange:"
Numberoneofsi
x"Chul
ulaughed.
Chulu:"I
'm notget
ti
ngpregnantsixt
imesf oryou.
We'lladdonemor eaft
ertwentyyear
sandI '
l
lmake
surethatI'
m onbirt
hcontrolasInolongertrust
condoms"
Imange:"AllIaski
sthatyoushowmer espectfr
om
nowoneveni nmoment swhenyou' r
eangr y.You
saythemosthur tf
ulthings,ChulumancoandI
swall
owt hem becauseIl oveyoubuti tstopshere.I
wouldrathercoparentthenst aywiththemot herof
thechil
dwhodoesn' trespectmeandbel itt
lesme
whenevershe'sangry.Let '
snotbeoneoft hose
coupleswhobr eakupwhent hebabycomesbuti f
i
t'sf
ormyownsani tythenIwi lll
eaveyouandcar e
formybaby.Ihaveenoughst ressathome"
Chulu:"Idon'
tknowwhyI'mli
ket
hat
.It
'sat
err
ible
fl
awI '
llworkon.Idon'
twantt
obeasi
nglemother.
I
'm sorry"
I
mange:"Changedbehavi
ouri
stheapologyIpref
er.
Yourdadgotmeagoodpayingint
ernshipwit
h
pr
omi
seofi
tbei
ngper
manent
"hesmi
led.
Chul
u:"
Iknowyou'l
lworkhardtomakeit
per
manent.Doyouthi
nkhewi l
ltakei
tbackwhen
hehear
syougotmepr egnant
?"heshrugged.
Imange:"Idon'
tknowbuti
fsoI'
l
llookforanother
j
ob.I'
llst
udypartti
menow.Spoketotheuniversi
ty
alr
eady"
Chulu:"
Thi
sisal
readyhar
d,I
mange.Di
dyout
ell
yourmom?"
I
mange:"
Shesai
dshe'
l
lhel
pbysel
li
ngmor
est
uff
"
Chul
usmil
ed.
Chulu:"I
'
m suremymom wi l
lhel
ptoooncesheget
s
overthedisappoi
ntment.Idon'
tknowwhymy
i
magi nati
onkeepstel
li
ngmemyDadwi llt
hrowme
out"
Imange:"Letusdealwi
thi
tonceheknows.He
mightbet hecal
m oneandyourmom t
hefreaked
outone,youneverknow"
Nurse:"
Areyoutwogoingt
owaitunt
ilyourbaby
get
sbornorwillyougohome?
"
I
mange:"
Home,
Ma"het
ookChul
u'sandl
edherout
.
Nurse:"Dear,hol
dont othi
sone.Mydaught
er'
s
boyfri
endleftthesecondshetol
dhi
m she'
s
pregnant.Suchyoungboysarehardtocomeby"
shesmi l
ed.
Chul u:"
IknowI 'm aluckygi r
l,
Ma.I '
l
lappreci
ate
him"I mangebl ushed.Thet wooft hem wentto
Chul u'
shomeandf oundCr aigalr
eadygone.
Imangekeptt hefoodCr aigpackedf orhi
snephews
andni ecesoncet heyr et
urnf rom cr
èche.Chulu
cleanedt hemessherdadmadewhi l
esheand
Imangepr act
icedthewor dsshemustusewhen
tell
ingOthushe' sgoi ngtobeagr andmot herand
theanswer sshe'
llgiveCraigassheknewhe' dask
hert hemostunanswer ablequestions.
Yandistoodinf rontofherpupi l
sassheannounced
thatshewasl eavingthem.Shewasoneoft he
teacherswhower efort
unat eenought otrai
na
younggr aduatewhowaspl acedintheirschoolso
Yandiwasl eavingherlitt
leone'sincapabl eand
famili
arhandsunt ilareplacementwasf i
und.She
hadt opleadtohavet hepr i
ncipalaccepther
resignationbutshedi dn'tbackdownandeven
cried.The" Noooo, Teacher "sulkingt hatYandigot
from thecut efacesl ef therwithabl urrysight.She
l
ovedherj obandherl earnerssomuchbutshej ust
couldn'tanymor e.Shef el
tpathet i
cf orletti
ngaman
gett oherl i
kethatbutshecoul dnothel pi t
.She
mi ssedhi sbearhugsandhi ssmel l
.Hecksheeven
mi ssedhi m waki ngherupwi t
hhi sni ghtmar es
becauseatl easthewasnextt oher .Inaf ewdaysi t
woul dbeamont hsofnotcommuni cat i
ng.Even
Ot hudidn'tknowwhatwashappeni ngasBabi ni
wascutof felectronical l
y.Thel earner sallsatdown
tomakecar dsforthei rteacherandsomeaskedt o
goout sidet opickf l
ower swhileot hersgaveYandi
thesweett reat
spackedf ortheirlunchboxes.Yandi
hadt oblinkt hetearsawayt onotcr yi nfrontof
them.Wheni twasbr eakt i
meOt hushutt hedoor
behindherandwal kedt owardsYandi .
Othu:"Canyoubel ievet
hat,MrsGouwssai dyou
resi
gnedef fect
iveimmediatel
y?.It
oldhertostop
spreadingrumour sandthatforanoldperson,
i
magi ne"shesai dwithafr
own.Yandi'sheartsank.
Yandi:"I
t'str
ue, Fri
end"Ot huwasaboutt ogogi ve
Gouwsapi eceofhermi ndwhenYandiconf ir
med
therumour .Othushookherheadqui ckl
y."Ishould
havet ol
dyoubutIhandedi nmyr esi
gnati
onletter
thi
smor ni
ng.Al lofthi
sIdeci dedat3am inthe
mor ni
ngwhenIcoul dn'
tsleep.Iswearthisman
musthavegi venmekor obelabecauseIwantt obe
withhim, Fri
end"sheaddedsof t
lyandwatched
Othu'stearsrollandher sfoll
owed.
Othu:"Al
lofthisforaman,Yandi?You' vegotno
backuppl an.Whataboutmoney, Fri
end?Whati f
thi
smandeci deshe'
shadenoughanddoesn' twant
tosupportyou?Theymi ghtsayteachingisanin
demandoccupat i
onbutwestruggletof i
ndwork
too.YouareatoneofCapeTown' sbestandyou
wanttothrowi tawayforaman? "
Yandi:"Youoncel
eftyourj
obdur
ingt
hewhol
e
Crai
gt hing"
Ot
hu:" BecauseIhadt hecompensati
onthi
ngfr
om
Fl
inch, Fr
iend.Haveyousaved?Ifsohowmuch?
Willyoubeabl etobookafli
ghtbackwhenthi
ngs
ar
en' twel
l"
Yandi:"Friend,I'
m nothappy"herlipsshookasshe
start
edt ocr y"Aft
erVuyoandhi smot herthrewmy
bagsoutofourhouse, Iswor enomanwoul dever
getmyl oveagai n.Thencomest hismanandhe
saysYandiI '
llwi
peyourt earsbecauseIcansee
you'reti
redandhedi d.Friend,hewi pedthem dry
butnowhe' snothereandIwannabewher eheis.
I'
vefoundmyhomei nhumanf orm andIf eelcol
d
withoutit.Whi l
eyou,PoppyandLuci aar
ehel dti
ght
atnightIwonderi fmymanhaseat enbecausehe
can'tcookt osavehi sli
fe"
Othu:"
Soyouwi
llpl
aywi
fet
oamanwhoi
sn'
tyour
husband?
"
Yandi:"
Yes,
Othunyi
weyobecauseI
'
vebeenwi
fet
o
ahusbandbefor
eandthatdi
dmenogoodsowhy
not?
"
Othu:"I
'
mj ustsad"shestart
edtocrylikeachild.
"Whyareyoual ll
eaving,
Yandi?Fir
stitwasBabi ni
andnowyou.Idon' tevenknowi ft
hismanwi l
l
all
owyout ocontactme.Idonotwantt osound
selfi
shbutIam scaredforyou.Iwastheonewho
pickedyouupwhenVuyoandhi smotherkicked
yououtofyourownhouse.Howwi l
lIgopickyou
upifthismandoest hesamewhenyouar eso
secret
iveabouthim?"Yandi'
shear
tsank.Shewent
tohugOt huandletherowntearsf
all
.Theyhad
beenthroughalot.Thefr
iendwhotookherinwhen
themanwhoswor ebeforeGodtoprot
ecther
tur
nedhi sbackonher.
Yandi :"Lastni ghtIhadadr eam.I nthisdream was
thiswar r
iorwhowassl ayingr edeyedbeast swhil
eI
stoodbehi ndhi m.Itwascl eart hathewas
protect i
ngmeandwhenhet urnedar ounditwasthe
manI 'vebeenseei ng"Ot hulookedather" Fri
end,
whenhewal kedtomet herewast hi
smar konhis
chestl i
keat attoothatglowedbutaspeci alki
nd.
Whenher eachedmehepoi ntedt omychestand
whenIl ookedIhadt heexactsamet attooli
ke
glowi ngmar kashedi d.Youknowmydr eamsare
notj ustdr eams.Thi swasamessengeandIchose
tolisten"shebr ushedOt hu'
sar m.
Othu:"
Sowereyourancest
orsshowi
ngyout
hathe
i
st heone?
"Yandishr
ugged.
Yandi
:"Iwantt
ofi
ndout
"
Othu:"
Thengi
vemehisnamesoIcanatl east
Googlehi
m.Thewor
ldisugl
y,Yandiyho"
Yandi
:"Fi
rstpr
omi
seyouwon'
tbemad"
Othu:"
I'
m alr
eadyupsetthatyou'
releavi
ngmefora
glowi
ngwar r
ior
"theylaughedbetweentear
s"I
'
m
happythatyoufoundlovebutImustknowbecause
l
ikeIsaid,
theworldisugly"sheadded.
Yandi
:"
It
'sBabi
ni"
Othu:"MyBabini
?"shelookedatYandiandYandi
nodded.Othuonceagaincriedli
kealit
tl
ebabyand
Yandiwonderedifshewasn'tpregnantbecauset
he
l
asttimeshesawOt hulikethatwaswhenshe
carr
iedthetwi
ns.
Yandi:"
I'
m sorr
yt hatIdi
dn'
ttel
lyou"Ot
husobbed
"Fr
iend,I
'm sor
ry"sheadded.
Othu:"
I'
m happy"shesaidherheadst i
llburi
edin
herarmsonthet abl
e.Yandithoughtshewas
heari
ngwrong" WheneverI
'dsayhe'snotf oryouI
wishedyou'
dtellmeotherwisesothatIcouldt r
yto
getyouguystogetherbutwhenyoudi dn'tI
assumedyout houghthewast oobadf oryou"
Yandi
:"Soyouwantedt
ohookusup?
"Ot
hunodded
andYandismil
ed.
Othu:"
Iwanthi mtohaveawomant hatwil
lteach
hi
mt hatit
'sokaytobekindandsensiti
ve.Onet hat
woulddemolishthosesteelwal
lst
hathebui l
t.Ifel
t
soself
ishforthi
nkingaboutoff
eri
ngyout oaman
withaheavypast"
Yandi :"
Coul dyouhonest l
ygetanymor eamazi ng,
Othunyi weyoZweniKni ght?"Yandili
ft
edOthu's
upperbodyof fthetableandhuggedherf ri
end" I
don'tknowi fImanagedt obreakafewofhi swal l
s,
FriendbutIam cer tai
nt hatIlovehim somuch.He
mi ghtturnmeawaywhenheseesmeIdon' tknow
butIcan' tstayli
kethis.Amont hofnotseeinghim
orhear i
ngf rom hi
mi sst arti
ngtodrivemecr azy.I
thinkthedr eam symbol izesthatheisreadyfor
visit
orsandIdi dpromi sehi m one"shewhispered.
Othu:"
Go,Friend.Babi
nihonestlyowesmef orthe
l
unchesI'l
lhavealonebutIcan'tkeepyouhere.He
mightsaythatmyhappi nesscomesf i
rstbutIwant
hi
mt obehappyevenwi thoutmeandIknowyou' ll
l
ookafterhim.You'l
lmostpr obabl
yfi
ndhi mthin
andshrunkenasyousai dhecan'tcookt
osavehis
ownli
febutpl easedon'
tleavehi
m.He'smushy
somewherei nthatgi
antframe,j
ustsomewhereand
I'
m hi
ssistersotherei
saspotIcanneverreach."
Yandi
:"Sowehaveyourbl
essi
ng?
"
Othu:"Whydoyout hinkI
'
m quicktoleavehi
m with
youwhenhevi sit
smeatwor k?Icomeback
disappointedeacht imeasIdon'tfi
ndyouguys
kissi
ng"sheconf essedandl aughed."Heneedsa
l
otofwor ki
ngont obuthei snotbad"Yandinodded.
"NowIdonotwannawor kherealso"shesulked"
I
willt
ryinteri
ordesign"
Yandi
:"Hel
lno,
onewouldswearyourwerebor
n
col
orbli
ndsoNo,Fr
iendpl
easeyho"theyl
aughed.
Othu:"
It'
ski ndagrossthatmybr otheristheone
whomadet hethi
ngsthatmadet heor gasms
happent houghsonomor eshar i
ng"Yandil aughed
andzippedhermout h.Othugotasentapi cture"I
donotat tachedtomycr eati
onsbutt hatone
Othunyiweyomakesmef eell
ikeIam af athertoa
daughter.IdonotknowwhyIwantt okeephersaf e.
Itmustbet hatshei
saccepti
ngofme.Icamet o
spyanddot hi
ngstoearnhert
rusttoseei fnumber
twowillshowupbutIf oundmyselfinthehear tof
herfamilybecausesheputmet her
e"itread.Itwas
awriti
ngi noneofFli
nch'sj
ournal
sandMat osentit
toOthu.
Yandi
:"Thi
smanwassomet
hingel
se"sher
ead
agai
n.
Othu:"
Iwanttobur yFl
inchinmymi ndt
oo.Idon'
t
beli
evethatei
therasheliedtous"
Yandi:"Butwewr it
etruthi
npersonaljour
nals,
Fri
end"Ot huputt hephonedownandf ocusedback
onYandigoi ngt omeethergl owingwarri
orinthe
mount ains."Soyoudon' tmindmenotbei ngableto
havekidswhi l
eIdat eyourbrot
herbecausethi
ngs
mightgof ur
ther?"Yandiasked.
Othu:"I
fBabi ni
'doesn'
tthenthat
'sallyoushoul d
careaboutandnotwhatpeopl eout
sideyour
rel
ati
onshipt hi
nk.Plusmybrotherisaspeci alman,
Yandi.Createdinaspecialwaysohi ssoldiers
mightjustforceyourstubbor
neggt ol ett
hem inno
mat
terhowst
rongi
tswal
lsar
e."t
heyl
aughed.
Yandi:"
Iloveyou"shesai
daf
teral
ongwhi
le
l
ookingatOt hu.
Ot
hu:"
Iloveyout
oo,
Nomabobwi
re"
Yandi
:"What
?"shel
aughed.
Othu:"
Thi
nkingaboutpossi
blenamesshoul
dwe
feedyouut
sikit
hiscomingDecember"t
heyl
aughed
Yandi:"
DoIlookli
keabobwi re?Ohmygoodness
I
'm sohurt
"shelaughed"LetmegoseeifIst
il
lhave
aboyfri
endfi
rstbef
oreyouthinksof
arahead"
Ot
hu:"PlusheisaZwenithatoneandladi
esflock
ar
oundZwenimen.Remembert hatonewho
woul
dn'tacceptLangawasgay?"theyl
aughed.
Yandi:"
Langanhe?"t
heysmil
edastheythought
aboutthehandsomelat
eLangaZweni.
Ot
hu:"It'
sli
keGoddoesn'twantmewi t
houta
br
other.Thebelli
sabouttoring.Letmegomake
myselfpret
tyagai
nafteral
lthetears"
Yandi
:"You'
repr
ett
yal
ready"
Othu:"
Areyousucki
ngupalr
eadysoI'dgi
veyoua
ni
cemakotinameandhelpyoudodisheswhenyou
godoyourmakotidut
ies?
"Yandil
aughed.
Yandi
:"I
sitwor
king?
"shepl
ayedal
ong.
Othu:"
No,Noma-Engl
andit
'snot"Yandibrur
stout
l
aughing.Thel
aughBabi
nilaughedtobits.
Yandi
:"I
'
llmi
ssyousomuch"
Othu:"
Justcomeback,bothofyou.Goodthi
ngmy
dadhascropsandli
vestockatourhomest
ead
becauseyouandyourmanar ebothunemployed"
Yandiwaswipi
ngtearsoffhereyesfr
om l
aughing.
Shelovedherf
ri
endsomuch.
Yandi
:"We'
l
lli
veonot
hert
ypesoff
ood"
Othu:"Gr
oosss"sheshoutedwhenshereal
ized
Yandiref
err
edtosex" Don'
tti
remybrot
herout,
Yandi.Weareold.I
'l
ltakeyoutot
heair
portyeah"
shepromised.
Yabdi
:"If
lyoutt
oni
ght
"Ot
huf
rowned.
Othu:"
Givemet hedet
ail
sfl
ightdet
ail
sduri
ng
secondbreakandIwantyoutotakealet
tertomy
brot her.HemustknowhowIf eelaboutbei ngkept
i
nt hedar k.Alsotellhim ourf athert ell
sever yone
thathewi l
lworkfort hefami lybusi ness.Heal sotel
l
ever yonet hathim andhi ssonar ear ecloseas
buddi es.KumkaniZweniwi llbet heendofyour
mansomakesur ehe' swel lrestedf orthatol dman.
Lat erokay"sher anoutj ustast hebel lr
ang.Yandi
feltast hought heheavensagr eed, herancest ors
appr ovedandherbestf r
iend/si sterinlawhas
givenbl essingsoshef el
tthewayaheadcoul donly
begood.Shepackedherst uffupasshewasgoi ng
tobi df arewellt
oever ythingt ochasel ove.Not
knowi ngwhatwi llgreetherbutshedi dn'tcareas
shewast iredofplayingi tsafe.
ChuluwaitedforOthutocomebackf rom taki
ng
Yanditotheairpor
t.I
twaslateatnightandCraig
andtheboyshadgonet osl
eepalready.Othu
walkedinjustasChuluwasaboutt ostandtogoto
bed.
Othu:"
Hi,
BhabhaIt
houghtyou'dbeindreamland
bynow.It
'ski
ndal
ate,
isn'
tit
?"shesatbesideChul
u.
Chul
u:"
Mom,
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.Idon'
t
haveaspecialwaytothoughI'
vebeenpr
actici
ngal
l
daysoI'
llj
ustsayit
.I'
m pregnant
"shebl
urt
edout.
Sheexpecteda"howfaryouwhenwest i
llf
eedyou"
sl
ap.
Ot
hu:"
Iknow"shel
ookedChul
u.
Chul
u:"
Buthow?
"
Othu:"Yourbut
tonbr
east
shavesuddenlydeci
ded
tostartgr
owingagai
nwhentheystoppedwhenyou
were15.Youalsohaven'
tcometogetthepackof
padsyouaskedmet ogetyouweeksago"shesai
d
calmly.
Chul
u:"
Areyoumad?
"
Othu:"IwaswhenIputt
hedotstoget
herbutI
real
izedthati
twon'
tmakeyounotpregnant
"
Chulu:"
Iwasat .
..
attheaborti
onclinictoday"she
saidquietl
yandOthulookedatheri ntensly.She
knowsit'sChul
u'schoicebutherhear tbroke" I
didn'
tgot hr
oughwithit"Othubreathed" I
mange
beggedmeandwhent hatnursewant edtost artI
thoughtabouthi
m andIcoul dnot"sheadded.Ot hu
huggedher .
Othu:"
Wear egrat
efult
ohi
mthen.Youmustst
art
t
oappr eci
atet
hatboy"
Chul
u:"
Iknow.Mama,
howwi
llIbeamom?
"
Othu:"Bytakingitadayatat i
me.Idi
ditwit
hyou
guys,i
nf actIsti
lldo.Ineveri
magi
nednorwanted
youtobeonet hi
sear l
ieri
nyourl
if
ebutit
'sour
real
it
ynow"
Chul
u:"
Haveyout
olddadaboutyoursuspi
cion?
"
Othu:"
Doyout hi
nkhe'
dhavekeptqui
etabouti
t?"
Chulushookherhead.
Othu:"Doyouwantmet otel
lhi
mt oni
ght
?He'snot
sl
eeping,he'
supworri
edthatIdrovesol
ateatni
ght
al
oneandwi llbr
eat
hwhenIwal kint
oourroom"she
l
aughedsof t
ly.
Chulu:"
Pleasetel
lhi
m andtel
lhimI '
m ver
ysorry.I
real
lydi
dusepr ot
ecti
on,Mama"Ot huhada
condom burstwhensheconceivedthetwinssoshe
wasnotaboutt ol
ectur
eChuluaboutnotbeing
doublesafe.
Ot
hu:"
Ihopeyoudi
dn'
tbl
ameI
mangeofal
lsor
tsof
t
hings,
Chul
umanco.Youhavethatterr
iblehabi
t
whenyoudon'
twanttot
akeresponsibi
lit
y"
Chul
u:"
Idi
d,MamaandI'
l
lworkonthatf
law.Ij
ust
worr
yhewon'
tbeabl
etoprovi
de"
Othu:"Youwer en'timpregnatedbyadeadbeat ,
Chulu.Hei satschoolandDadt oldmehegot
Imangeani nternshipthatpaysbet t
er.Hewon' tbe
abletotakethebabyt oDisneywor l
dbuthe'llbe
abletotakethebabyt othenearbypar kand
honestlythat
'sallthatmat t
ers.Youaren'tmarried
toImangesoyouar estil
lourresponsibi
li
ty"
Chulu:"
Thankyou"shehuggedhermom.Ot huwent
totheroom andfoundCr aigreading.Shewasgoing
totel
lhim nowsohe' dfreakoutandgeti toverwi
th.
Hegaveherhi sundividedatt
entionwhensheasked
tospeaktohim.
Othu:"Sosomet hi
ngisgoingonwithChul
uthat
's
l
ifechanging.She'
spregnant"shesai
dcal
mlyand
watchedhiml ookatherasthoughhewasin
anotheruniver
se.
Cr
aig:"
Youmeanherf
utur
eispr
egnantwi
th
possi
bil
it
iesr
ight
?"
Othu:"Wellyeahifyouyouchoosetoseeitthat
way..
.possibi
li
ti
esofmot her
hood"hegotoffthe
bed.
Crai
g:"
Towhat
"ast
upi
dquest
ionaskedoutof
shock.
Othu:"Isur
ehopei t
'snotanali
en"Crai
gwalkedout
andheadedst r
aightforChul
u'sroom.Heyanked
thatcovershehidunderassheknewOt huwas
tel
li
nghi m.
Crai
g:"
Pr egnant
,Chulumanco?".You,Chuluachil
d
j
ustdecidedtobringanotherchil
dintotheworl
d?"
heshouted.Chulucouldhearthedisappoint
mentin
hi
svoice.
Chul
u:"
Idi
dn'
tdeci
..
."
Crai
g:"
Don'
tyoutalkbackatmewhil
eI'm speaki
ng.
Youtol
dusthatyou'l
lbeworki
ngal
lovertheworld
yether
eyouarepregnant
,Chul
umanco"
Ot
hu:"
Crai
..
."
Cr
aig:"
Didyounothearyourmot
hersaybei
nga
youngmot heri
snoteasy?Doyouknowwhatt hese
boysdo?Theyletyoudealwit
heveryt
hingonyour
ownasi fyouhadthedamnsexallonyourown"he
shoutedandChulustar
tedtocr
y"Wipethosetear
s
offbecauseyouarenobaby.Youarecarr
yingthe
realbabyremember?"
Othu:"Crai
git'
snoteasyonher .We'vet her
e,
remember ?"sheremindedhiminawhi sper.She
didn'
twantt orai
sehervoiceonlyf
ort hem toend
upf i
ghti
ng.Oneoft hem hast
obet hesanepar ent
i
nt heli
fechangingmoment .
Craig:"Thesetwohavenot hingyett heyt hi
nkit's
okayt obringachi ldintothat?Atl eastweknew
whatourchi ldrenwoul dl i
veon.I fyout hinkthat
Mom andIwi lltakethatbabyasourownwhi leyou
continuetobeachi ldyouar ewrong.Youwi llfeel
everychal l
enget hatcomeswi thmot herhoodso
youwon' teasilygogetanot her.Givememy
medi calaidcard"Chul usear chedherbagandgave
i
ttohi m" Gotot hepubl i
ccl i
nicsandgoquel ikethe
brokeper sonthatyouar e.Ifyouwantt obegr own
thensobei t
.Yout hinkthatl i
ttl
emoneyTat i
anal ef
t
youwi
llsust
ainachi
ldwhomi ghtgetsi
ckandpi
le
upaR200000hospit
albi
llwi
llbeenough?"
Ot
hu:"
Crai
g"shepl
eaded.
Craig:" Thi
sboycomesandhechat swhi
leknowing
thathemademychi l
dpregnant ?Youknowwhat...
"
hewal kedoutandwentt otheroom togetdr
essed.
Hewal kedbackt oChulu'sroom andstoodbythe
door ."Theonlythingthatisstandingbet
weenyou
andanasswhi ppingisthatpreciouscar
goyou'r
e
carryingbecauseIdon' twantt ohurtmy
grandbaby"hepoi nt
edbef orehewentoutthemai n
door .
Chul
u:"
Hehat
esme"
Othu:"Hewasapar entwithexpect ati
onsofhi sown
andreal i
tyremindedhimthatt hi
ngsdon' talways
goyourway.Bhabha, whendadl ooksatyouhe
seeslit
tleChuluwi t
hthethickredf ramegl asses
whoissevenyear soldsowhenhehear spr egnant
,
hecan'tpi ct
urehisli
tt
legi
rlamot her.I
t'
sadad
thi
ngIguess.Lethi m gocal m downandt omor r
ow
we'l
ltalk"
Chul
u:"
Alloft
hisi
shar
d"
Othu:"Wel lI'
m sorrytosaybutit'
l
lbemor esowhen
babycomes.Yourl i
fechangesbutnotal lbad
actuall
yj usttakesadjust
ingto.Hedidn'tcallt
he
baby" athing"heacknowl edgedthatit
'shis
grandbabyandal readyexpressed
overprotecti
veness.Lethim cooloff
.Gobackt o
sleep"Chul uwentt ogethercoverwher eCraig
threwitwhenheyankedi tf
rom overher.Toqueat
apubl i
ccl i
nic?Chulu'smedicalaidaccustomed
mi ndthought .
Chul
u:"
Doyouthinkhe'l
ltel
lhisf
ri
endtotake
I
mange'
sint
ernshipback?"Othushr
ugged.
Othu:"Tomorrowisanotherday.I
'vehadan
emot i
onaloverl
oadtodaysoI'mtired.Goodnight"
ChulusaidgoodnightandOthuwentt obed.Craig
parkedafewbl ocksfr
om hishomeandhepaged
hisphoneandcameacr ossChuluasal it
tl
egirl.He
sighedandwonder edwheretheyear swent.Just
yester
dayhemetChul uatsixyearsol dandtoday
herownchi l
dwasgr owinginsi
deofher .Theywer e
growingandashappyashewast hattheywer e
blessedwi t
hsomanyyear s, hewassadt hatthey
woul dsoonhavet heirownl i
vesindependentf r
om
them.I t
'swhatapar entwant sbutithi
thardwheni t
seemedt ohappensosoon, orsoCr ai
gfeltanyway.
Hewasgoi ngtodealwi t
hI mangeoncehe' scalmed
downashef earedhe'dstrangleImange'st hi
nneck.
Hewenthomet ofi
ndever yonesleeping.Chuluwas
deepi nsleepasheknel tnexttoherbed.
Crai
g:"Theshoutingwasn'tdir
ectedatyouokay.It
's
forthetwoirr
esponsi
blebumsyouhaveaspar ent
s.
Iwasexpect i
ngyouinli
ket enyearsti
mebutI '
m
sureyoucouldn'
twaittomeetyourgr andf
ather.I
hopeshef eedsyoufoodtoobet weenthesweet
thi
ngsshe'sbeenhaving.Ifnotmakeherpukeso
she'
dknowyou' renothappy"hespoket ohis
unborngrandchil
dbeforehewentt ocuddlehiswife.

S2-
INSERT19
MI
NISKI
RT
Yandir
ent
edacartodri
vetowher
eOthusaid
Babi
niwas.Shewasner
vousandapartofher
fearedthatshe' df i
ndhi m withanotherwoman.She
wonder edi fhe'dbehappyt oseeherori fhewi l
l
sayshe' sinterrupt i
ngt hepr ocess.Sheheaded
strai
ghtf orTat uBhozo' scompoundandf oundan
olderwomancooki ngout side.Thesimpl el if
eort he
ruralareathatYandil oved.Yandimadesur ethat
herheadscar fwasonpr oper l
ybecauseshehadt o
showr especti nt heheal er'
shouse.Shewasnot
planningonst ayingwi t
hBabi niinar oom oreveni n
theBhozohousebutshehopedt hey'dal lowhert o
seehi m.Yandigr eetedandMr sBhozot ur nedt o
l
ookather .Herf aceshi nysocl earl
yt heheatoft he
fi
rewasef fective.Mr sBhozot ookthest i
ckshe
stir
redthepotwi thoutandpl aceditasi debef or
e
closingthepott ogi veYandiherf ul
lat t
ent ion.She
greetedYandi int hewar mestr egardYandiever
gottenfrom ast ranger .
Yandi
:"Ma,Iwoul
dli
ketoknowi fBhut
iBabini
Zweniisper
hapsbei
ngaccomodat edhereordoI
havethewronghome"j
ustaskinganelderi
fher
boyf
ri
endwashomef el
tfor
eign.
Mr
sBhozo:"
Hei
ndeedi
sbutyouhavenott
oldme
whoyouar e"shesmiled.Yandireachedherhand
outtoMr sBhozoandf el
tthewr i
nkledhandhol
d
hers.Thehardnessofthem provedshewasahar d
workingwoman.
Yandi:"
Yandi,
Ma.I '
m Yandi
saDudumashe"she
i
ntroducedhersel
fbyhermaidensurname.Mrs
Bhozosmi l
edandalsointr
oducedhersel
f.
MaBhozo:" Thegentl
emanyouarelookingf
oris
i
ndeedourguestsoyouhavecomet otheri
ght
pl
acebuthei soutwithmyhusbandandwi l
lmost
probabl
ybebackl at
erintheaf
ter
noon"Yandif
elt
hersel
fgetdisappoi
nted.
Yandi
:"Oh"shel
ookedar
ound"
Iwi
llr
etur
nlat
er,
Ma"
MaBhozo:" Youareher
eal r
eadyandyoul ookso
ti
red.Comesitdownandkeepmecompany.Iwant
tohearwhatclanyouarefrom andwhatyour
businessi
swi t
hourguest"MaBhozodr ewclosera
l
ongwoodenbenchandYandit hankedherbefore
sit
ti
ngdown.MaBhozowasaver ytal
kati
vewoman
butYandididn'
tmindasitmadet heti
megoby.To
watchanelderhardatworkst
ir
ri
ngabl ackpot
didn'
tsi
twellwit
hYandisosheof f
eredtohel
p.She
wasar ur
algir
lsohardworkandcookingoutsi
de
camenaturall
y.MaBhozosatwhi l
esmili
ngasshe
watchedYandigetherhandsdi
rty.
MaBhozo:"
Babi
nichosewel
l
"Yandibl
ushed.
Yandi:"
Wear
ejustf
ri
ends,
Ma"shel
iedoutof
respect
.
MaBhozo:" Iwasonceyoung,mygirlsoIknow
whatIsee.Hehasbeenmaki ngalotofprogress.
I'
m notal
lowedtospeakaboutitbutyouareno
outsi
der,
right
?"
Yandi
:"No,Mabuti
fTat'
Bhozosaidyoumustnot
sayanythi
ngt
oanyoneelse,l
etusrespecti
t.Iam a
heal
ertooso,
Itoodonotli
ketotalkaboutwhatmy
peopl
ecomet omewit
htoot herpeopl
e"
MaBhozo:"
Myhusbandisgoingtol
oveyou.Why
di
dyounothel
pBabi
niyoursel
f?"
Yandi
:"Hisi
ssueneededsomeonewi
tht
hewi
sdom
asadvancedasTat'
Bhozo'
s,Ma"
MaBhozo:" Herecomes, Tshawenow.Iwi ll
i
ntroduceyouandaski fyoucangot alktoBabini.
Theyret ur nedear l
yt oday"Tat'Bhozowal kedinand
hiseyeswer efixedonYandif rom themomenthe
enter
edt hegat e.Theyhadahugeyar dsot hewalk
fr
om thegat ewasqui teadistance.Yandiwas
l
ookingdownunt ilshesawhi sfeetinfrontofher.
Shegr eet edandwant edtointroduceher sel
fbut
Tat'
Bhozosai dhewasexpect i
ngher .Yandi
wonder edi fhervisionswoul deverbeashi swere,
cl
earlyst rong.
Yandi:"
I'
m sor
ryforcomingtoyourhome
unannounced,El
der"shesai
dquiet
ly.
Tat'Bhozo:"Li
keIhavesai d,Iwasexpectingyou.
Theancest orsannouncedyourar ri
val
.Eveni fthat
wer enotthecase, Iwoul
dnotchaseyouaway,
child"Yandismi l
ed" Youcangoandgr eethim but
donotoncet hinkthatyouaregoingtosharet hat
rondavelwithhi m.Youknowhowspi r
itual
cleanli
nessisimpor t
antdur
ingsuchthings.SoI
cannothavet het woofyougetyourbloodhotand
ruinthewor kwe' vedonesof ar
"
Yandi:"
Idonoti
ntendondi
srespect
ingyourhome,
Tata"
Bhozo:"Ther
eisnoB&Bheresoyoumaystaywi
th
usf ort
hedurat
ionoft
het
ime.WedonothaveTV
andsuchheresoyoumustkeepyour
sel
fbusywi
th
realwork"
Yandi:"
Thankyouf
oropeni
ngupyourhomet
ome,
Tata"
Tat
'Bhozo:"
Onceyouar
edonegr
eeti
ng,
Babiniyou
mustcomeandhelpMaMyir
hawit
hcooking"
MaBhozo:" Shecanhel pmet omorrow,Tata.She
droveal lthewayandIcanseeshei sti
red"she
smi l
ed.Tat '
Bhozol etYandifreesoshecoul dgot o
Babi ni.Hispoorr ondavelwassof arthatonewoul d
nott hinkhewasaguestatt heBhozohousebut
Yandiknewt herewasar eason.Shehel dont othe
poleoft hegat eandf rom adistancewatchedhi m
closet hecat tl
ekraal.Helookedast houghhewas
i
nhi sel ement .SuddenlyYandiwasdoubt f
ul
thinkingthathewoul dthinkthatshewast oo
desper ate.Shel eanedagainstthepolenothaving
thecour aget oenter.Babi niwasnowwor kingt he
gar densohedi dnotseeherbecausehewasnot
expect i
ngher .Heonl ywor eatradi t
ionalcl othand
shedi dnotmi ndfeedinghereyest hesightofhi m.
Shequi etlywal kedtowar dshim whenshesawMa
Bhozost ar r
ingatherf rom adi stance.Whenshe
reachedhi m shewentonherkneest ohelphi m wi
th
takingoutsmal ltr
acesofweedar oundt hebeaut i
ful
spinacht hatwasgr owing.Babi niimmedi at el
y
stoppedwhathewasdoi ngkissedher .Hest oodto
pullherintohi sarmsandYandil aughedl ikea
teenagerwhosecr ushfinallynoticedher .Bei ng
l
iftedoffthegr oundwast hebestbutshet hought
aboutTat 'Bhozo'swor dssosheaskedhi mt oput
herdown.
Babini:"
Whyareyouhere,Ntl
izi
yoyam?I '
m happy
thatyouarebutwar
namanbecauser ightnowmy
heartisbeat
ingsof
astIfeari
tmi ghtj
ustcomet oa
halt
"heheldhisbar
echest.
Yandi:"
Iwant
edtocomeseeifyouareeat
ing
becauseIwoul
dnotwantyouifyouareasti
ck"she
l
iedshe'dt
akehi
m anyhow.Hecuppedhercheeks
withhisdi
rt
yhandsandkissedherwant
ingtopi
ck
herupandlayheronhisbedtoprovej
usthow
happyhewast oseeherbuthetoowasgivent
he
sexualabst
ainencel
ect
ure.
Babi
ni'
:"I
'
m notevenal
lowedt
ocar r
yyouintomy
cast
leanddothingst
oyou"Yandigiggl
ed.
Yandi:"
Wemustbehave, Zweni.Howareyou
though?"shestudiedhi
sf ace.Hebr
eathedin
deeplywitheyesshutandasmi l
eonhisface
beforeopeninghiseyestolookatheragain.
Babini'
:"Iam great.Thef i
rstweekwi thUnat hiand
Kumkaniwasnoteasyast heydidtoomucht owant
toimpressmebutI '
ml earningtoforgivethem.He
showedmewhati susuallydonewhent heent i
re
familygather sf
ort r
aditi
onalcelebrati
onson
December .Tat '
Bhozoi sami r
acl
ewor ker,the
nightmaresgetl essandl essaf t
ereachday.He
taughtmet hismeditati
ont hingwhereIcal m my
mi ndandl astnightforthef i
rstt
imeIact uall
ybroke
freeinmydr eam ashesai dImustt r
yt odoand
whenIl ookedoutIsawyouandyoul ookedso
beautif
ul"hespokesomuchYandicoul dnot
bel
ievethatitwasthemanoff ewwordsshelast
sawaboutamont hago.Shewassohappyf orhi
m.
Shedidn'tt
ellhi
mt hatshedr
eamtabouthimtoo.
Tat'
Bhozo:"Zweni,yourememberwhatwespoke
about?
"hest ar
tl
edYandif r
om behi
nd.Shequi
ckl
y
gothersel
ffrom Babini
'
sgrip.
Babini:"
Nogett
ingmybloodhotwhenIam nextto
awoman"Tat '
Bhozonodded.That
'showt
heel der
ref
erredtoar
ousal.
Babi
ni'
:"CanIt
akehert
oseemyf
avour
it
epl
ace?
"
Tat'
Bhozo:"
Ift
hegrass,t
hewaterandthet
reesin
thatar
eacouldspeak,
itwouldt
ellyout
hestor
iesof
theyoungpeopl
ewhosebl oodgothott
her
e"
Babi
ni'
:"Iwi
llnotdoi
t,Tat
a.Ipr
omi
se"
Tat'
Bhozo:"
Thenyoumaygobutdonotst
ayunti
l
l
ate.Yandi
saneedstor
est
.Shewil
lbest
ayingwi
th
meandMaBhozo"
Babi
ni:"
Thankyouforthat
"hebowedhi shead.He
l
edthewayashet ookYanditothest
ream where
ever
ythi
ngintheworl
djustseemedtofade.He
wantedt hem t otal
kaboutthingswi t
houtMaBhozo
l
ookingoveratt hem asthought heywerekidswho
couldnotr esisttemptat
ion.Yanditookinthesight
andf el
tcont ent.Thecit
yhadawayofj ustclouding
hermi ndsowhenevershegott ogohomet oher
parents,shewi sheditwouldnotend.Babinisat
againstat r
eeandYandisatbet weenhislegs.
Babi
ni'
:"Woul
dyoumi
ndr
eti
ri
ngher
e?"Yandi
smil
ed.
Yandi
:"Icanr
etir
eher
eandyou"shet
it
ledherhead
tol
ookathim andheki
ssedher
.
Babi
ni:"
Wil
lyoucomeset
tl
ewi
thme?
"
Yandi
:"Doyouwantmeto?
"henodded"
For
ever
?"
henoddedonceagai
n.
Babi
ni:"
IfIasktosendmyuncl e'
stoyourfat
her
woul
dyouagr ee?"Yandit
urnedtogetaproperl
ook
athi
m.
Yandi:"
Asintogoforl
obol
anegot
iat
ions?
"he
nodded"Ist
hatwhatyouwantt
odo?"
Babi
ni:"
Isi
ttoosoon?Iam j
ustamanwhoknows
whathewantsandonceIsetmymi ndon
somethi
ng,
Imakesuretodoit.Ri
ghtnowIwantt
o
bewit
hyousoIam tel
li
ngyou"
Yandi
:"Shoul
dn'
twedat
eforl
ikeayearort
wo?
"
Babini
:"Whoknowsi fwewi llbeal
ivei
nayearor
two.Everyt
hingint
heci t
yist omor
row.Wepl ant o
l
ivewelltomorrowwhiletodayisourreali
ty.HereI
l
iveinthemomentandIgot obedfeel
ingsatisfi
ed
wit
hmysel fasIdon'tbothermysel
fwi t
hthei ssues
oftomorrow"Yandismiled.
Yandi:"
Wellyourout
lookonli
fer
ubbedoffonme
becauseIquitmyjobbecauseIwant
edtobewit
h
youtoday"theysmil
ed.
Babi
ni:"
Howdoesi
tfeel
?"
Yandi:"
I'
m scaredf ort
omor r
owasIdon'thavea
planandIdon'thaveani ncomebutI'
m alsohappy
I'
m herewit
hyour i
ghtnow"shesmiled"I
'm more
happythanscar ed"shelaughedner
vously.
Babi
ni:"
Icanseet
hatandsoam I
"
Yandi
:"Ar
en'
twemovi
ngt
oof
ast
,Babi
ni?
"
Babini
:"Doyouhavelif
e'shandbook?Pl
easegive
meyourcopybecauseIdonotknowhowt hingsare
supposedtobe,Nt
li
ziyoyam.SomustIaskyou
agai
ninayear?"
Yandi
:"Baby,
we'
veonl
ybeent
oli
kef
ourdat
es.Do
youknowmeenough?"
Babini'
:"Youwer eshownal l
ofmewi thoutmy
consentyetyouar ehereinfrontofmel ovi
ngme.I f
youcanknowal lofthatandbewi thmet oday,what
Iwil
llearnaboutyouwi llbeminor.Ilovehowyou
areli
keagi ftandjustasItakethewr apof fandf i
nd
agift
,Ifindthattherei
smor eunwr appingt odo.I
wouldbel yi
ngt oyouifIsaidIfearli
fe'schallenges
becauseIdon' t
"
Yandi
:"Ar
eyoupr
oposi
ngt
ome?
"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m doi
ngi
tthewr
ongway,
aren'
tI?
"
Yandi
:"No,Ij
ustdidn'
texpecti
t.CanIt
hinkabout
i
t?"hedidn'
tlookdi
sappoint
ed.
Babini:"I
'l
lbehereforawhil
esothinkabouti
t.For
nowl etthetroubl
esoftomorrownotint
err
uptthi
s
beautifulmoment"Yanditur
nedtofaceaheadonce
agai n.Suddenlywhenhesai dwi t
hhi sownmout h
thathewant stomar ryhershewonder edi fshe
want edt oputher selfthrought hatagai n.Italways
startedgr eatandt hehappi nesswoul dj ustfade
afteraf ewyear s.Ifshedi dn'twantt ogetmar r
ied,
woul dsheevenhavet hehear ttotellhi m?She
neverevensawhi m angr yathersoshecoul dnot
besur ehewoul dnotpushheragai nstawal lin
moment sofanger .Sur ehesai dhe'dneverdoi tbut
Yandiwassur eabuser soncet oldthei rpar t
ner s
thatt heywer eharml ess.Vuyot ol
dhert hathewas
har mless.Shel ookedathi m againandhehadhi s
eyescl osedwhi lehol dingher ,cl
earlyamanwho
feltthatallheneededwasi nf rontofhi m.Aman
cont entwi t
hlif
e.Hedi str
actedherf rom her
thought swhenshef elthishandbr ushherbr east.
Yandi
:"Behave"shewar nedwit
hasmi
le"
Doyou
wantt
ost ar
talloveragain?"
Babini
'
:"Justasneakpeak"heki
ssedherneck"
I
missedthem"hecuppedherbreast
s.He
unbutt
onedthethreetopbut
tonsofhertop"
Hmmm
butTat'
Bhozoistort
uri
ngme"hewr appedhi
sar
ms
ar
oundherupperbodywhi
leshaki
nghi
shead.
Chul
uwantedt otel
lherli
tt
lebr other
sthenews
si
ncethei
rparentsknowal ready.Theyallsat
ar
oundthekit
chencount erquietasmi ce.Theboys
ar
guingwasallthatoccasionallyfi
ll
edtheair
.
Chul
u:"
Mama,
canIt
ellt
hem?
"
Crai
g:"
Wasyourmot hertherewhenyoudidwhat
gotyouinthissit
uation?You'regr
ownsomaket he
choi
cetotellthem yourself
"hesaid.Chul
ulooked
down.
Qhawe:"
Whatdidyoudonow,Chul
u?Didanother
fami
lymembercomefindyou?
"heaskedcur
iousl
y.
Chulu:"I
'm pr
egnant"shelookedatPhawuwho
pausedt hespoonofcerealhalf
waytohisopen
mout h.Qhawe'seyeswerewi deopen.
Phawu:"Thi
sisbi
gnews.Howi sImangegoi
ngt
o
takecar
eofthebaby?
"Crai
glookedatChul
u.
Othu:"
Wearenotgoi
ngtodiscussI
mange's
fi
nancesast
houghweknowt hem.Hei
sf arolder
t
hanyou"shedidn'
twantt
hem aski
ngvthibgsthat
wasnott
hei
rbusi
ness.
Craig:"I
t'
ssomet hi
ngthatChulumustt hinkabout
though"ther
ewasaknockont hedoor" Righton
ti
me"hewentt oopenthedoorhi mself
.Hef el
tli
ke
strangli
ngImangewhenhesawt heyoungman
standingnervouslyinf
rontofhisdoorlookinglike
hewasaboutt owethimself.Crai
gstoodasi deand
l
etI mangein.Thef ami
lywentquietwhenCr aig
wal kedinwi
thImange.
Cr
aig:"
O,theboyswil
lbelatef
orschool
"itwashi
s
wayofsayingl
eaveusalone.
Ot
hu:"Boys,
let
'sgo"shet
ookherbags.Sheand
Cr
aigspokeaboutit
.
Qhawe:"Congr
atsonthebaby,
ImangeandChul
u"
hehuggedhissist
er.
Chulu:"
Thankyou"shehel donali
tt
lelongert
han
usualtoavoidbei
ngl ef
tal
onewithherdad.Crai
g
l
edthet wototheli
vingroom whentheywerelef
t
al
oneal one.
Imange:"
MrKni
ght
,Iam sor
..
."Cr
aigputaf
inger
overhi
sli
pst
oshushhi
m.
Crai
g:"
Neit
herofyouhaveaplaceofthei
rown.I
knowChuluhasneverbeentoyourhome.Didyou
cometodothesedisgust
ingt
hingsthatl
edushere
i
nmyhouse, I
mangeandChul u?"t
heyoungster
s
l
ookedateachother.
I
mange:"
No.
..
no,
Sirnever
"hest
utt
ered.
Crai
g:"
Soyouwentt
odi
srespectyourmot
her
's
house?
"
Chulu:"
Dadist
hisreal
lyimpor
tant
?Wearer
eal
ly
uncomfort
abl
e"sheblurt
edoutsof
tly.
Crai
g:"
I'm uncomfor
tabl
ewiththethoughtofyou
twodoingthingsinmyhousewhi l
eyoutwoshould
havebeeni nschool
"heshouted.
I
mange:"
Wedi
dn'
tdi
srespectyourhouse,
Sir
"
Craig:"Yesterdayyoucomeher eandt alktomebut
didn'ttellmethatyoumadet hisonepr egnant"he
pointedatChul u"Youreall
ythinkR5000wi llbe
enought osupportyourchi
ld,I
mange?Youhave
yourf ami l
ytofeedandnowyoumustbuyver y
expensi vebabyitemsthatdon'tlast,ohletmet el
l
youguyst hosethingsdon'
tlast..Theygetsi ck
unexpect edl yandyouhavet opayR400f orj ustthe
consultat i
on.Wi l
lyout wocopeorwer eyoul ooking
tohaveyourpar entsbet heonest owor kf ort hat
money?Thi sonei smostpr obabl ythink'ohbutI 'm
aninher itancebaby' hepoi ntedatChul u" Money
thati
snotusedonwayst omaker eturnsr unsout ,
babygirl.IseeMom bei ngsof tmaki ngi tseem asi f
wewi llraiseyourchi ldforyou.Letmet ellyounow
thati
tnotgoi ngt ohappen.Youwi l
lcomef rom the
townshipat2am whenshehast hosef alse
contractions"hel ookedatI mange" Youwi llmake
thathyst ericalteethingbabyst opcr yi
ngat4am i n
themor ni ngwi thoutevent hinkingofcomi ngt oour
room"hepoi ntedatChul u.Hef elthi sangerj ustrise
againsodeci dedt oleavet hem f orthet i
mebei ng
beforehegi vest hem thehi ddinghef el
tthey
deserved.Justashewasaboutt ol eaveChul u
call
edhi m outsof tly.
Chulu:"
PleasemayyouhaveMal umeBabinigive
mymoneybackeveni fyougiveitt
omeonamont h
tomonthbasistomakesurethatIdonotwastei t.I
wil
lneedtohelpImangewit
hbabyst uf
f"Crai
gj ust
star
edather .Heturnedtowalkwhenshecal l
ed
hi
m again.Het ur
nedar oundt
ol ookather
."Please
borr
owusmoneyf orthedoct
orbecauseIthinkmy
morningsicknessisnotnormal.Wewi l
lpayyou
back"Crai
gbr eat
hed.
Craig:"
Youknowwhat ?Iwi l
levendr i
veyoutoa
walkindoctor"Chulusi ghedi nreli
efandsmiled.
"ComeI mange, l
etmedr iveyout wotothewal ki
n
doctor"hewentt owai tforthem inthecar.Both
kidssatatthebackast houghCr ai
gwouldbite.
Craigputinhisfavour i
temusi candsangal ongto
thetuneasi fhedidn'thaveacar eintheworld.
WhatChul udidn'texpectwast oseeherfatherpark
i
nf rontofaclini
c.
Craig:"
Youseeher e,youwi l
lfi
ndfreehelpthatis
suit
edf orpenni
lesspeoplelikeyou.Hereisyour
proofofaddress,Chulumancosot heycanopena
fi
leforyou.Iam sureyouhaveyourI Dinyour
purse"ChululookedatCraig'shandashegaveher
theproofofaddress.Publiccli
nicswereallthat
Imangeknewsohedi dn'
tmind.
I
mange:"
Thankyouf
ordr
ivi
ngus,
Sir
.Come,
Chul
u
bef
oret
hel
ineget
slonger
"hehel
dherhand.
Chul
u:"
Dadpl
easeI
'
m sor
ry"
Crai
g:"Youbett
erl
ist
entoI
mange.Theli
nedoesget
pret
tylong.I
t'
snotacaseofmaki
ngan
appointmentandbei
nghel
pedonarri
val
"heshook
hi
shead.
Chul
u:"
Whyar eyoupuni
shi
ngme?It
ook
pr
ecaut
ions".
Crai
g:"I'
m notpuni shingyou.Thisi syourr eali
ty.
Thisiswher epeopl ewhocan' taffordprivatehealt
h
caregethelp.Yout wocan'tafforditatthemoment
soIdroveyout othepl acethatwillbeabl etohelp
you"Chulul ookedatI mangebuthecoul dnot
chall
engeCr aigandt hatforhismoney." Don'teven
thi
nkaboutcal lingmywi f
eandst ressingherat
work.Untilyouruncl ecomesf rom ther uralarea
whichmi ghtbeaf teryourchildisbor n,thi
siswher e
youwi l
lcomef orallprenatalcare.Manywomendo
andtheyhavebounci ngbabies"
Chul
u:"
Dad"shepl
eaded.
Cr
aig:"
Fivemor
epeopl
ewal
kedi
nsi
ncewear
ri
ved.
Sopl easegost andinlinesoyou' l
lbehome
quicker"hegaveI manget heproofofaddr ess.
Imangehel dChulu'
shandandl edheroutt hecar.
Craigcal l
edChulubackandsher anthinki nghe
changedhi smind."Thisi
sf r
uitsoyoudon' tstar
ve
theli
t t
leone.It'
salongwai tinthere"hegaveChul u
acont ainerofchoppedf r
uitbeforehedr oveof f.
Chuluf eltsosad.Shewasnotr eadyt oseet he
manypeopl ethathadf or
medal i
ne.Theyst oodin
l
inef orwhatf el
tli
keforevertoChul uunt ilshehad
herfirstfil
eatapubl i
chealthcareinstitution.They
weret oldtogohaveaseatunt ilChulu'
snamegot
call
ed.
Imange:" I
t'
sreal
lynotsobad,Manco.Yourdad
wasr i
ght,manygi r
lscamehereforcheckups"
Chululearnedtothinkbef
orespeaki
ngsoshedidn'
t
wanttot alkwhil
eshewasupset.Sheputherhead
onhisshoul der
.
Chul
u:"
Ican'
tbel
ievet
hathedi
dthat
"
Imange:"Hi
smoneysoyeah.Atleastmymeeting
nextMondaywasnotcancel
ledsoIstil
lhavet
he
i
nternshi
poffer
"
Chul u:"
Whol eavest heirchil
dwhohasneverbeen
toapubl iccli
ni ci
nonewi t
hf rui
tsal ad?Event he
saladwasf orthebaby, notmebutl uckilywear e
attachedtoeachot hersoI '
llgettoeatt oowhenI
gethungr y.Ican'tbeli
evemydad"Theyspent
hour satthecl i
nicandChul ucoul df eelherfeet
bur nbystandi nginli
ne.Lat eintheaf ternoonshe
foundherpar entssit
ti
ngi nthelivingr oom.Shewas
tooupsett osayanyt hingt oherf athersoshe
greetedandpassed.
Ot
hu:"
Wasi
thar
dtol
eaveher
?"
Crai
g:"Nope, shewasnotgoi ngtoaslaught er
house.Thesoonershel ear
nsthatwewi l
lnotbaby
herthebetter.Ihearthewholeusedprot ect
ionpar
t
andIbeli
evet hem butwhenyoust arthavingsex
youmustf acet heconsequencesregardless
becausenot hingis100%.Shecanbegr atef
ulI'
m
notapettyper sonorI'dhavetol
dmyf riendtotake
hisoff
erback"
Othu:"Andyoulef
tyourgr
andchil
dwithfrui
t
salad?
"shelaughedandhedidtooforthefi
rstt
ime
si
ncet henewsbroke.
Crai
g:"
Myangerisnotathim/her.Chulubemaki
ng
suchsexyandyoungpeopl
egr andparent
s"he
pull
edhiswi
feontopofhim andkissedher.
Othu:"I
magine,
Baby.Somesmal lper
sonsayi ng
"Grandpa"t
oyouwhi l
efol
lowi
ngyouar oundthe
shops"hemadeadi sgust
edfaceandki ssedher.
Craig:"
Tawuwu, Tawuwu"hej okedabouthowt he
chil
dwoul dsayTamkhul uoncet heycanmumbl ea
fewwor dsandOt hulaughed."Shewi l
lfeelever
y
singlechal
lengethatcomeswi thbeingamom.We
onlygoi nwhenit'
ssomet hi
ngr eal
lyoverherhead"
Ot
hu:"
Yes"
Craig:"
I'
m seri
ous,Comr ade.Auni tedfr
ontmustbe
presentedhere"Othudidasal ute."Chul
umanco
comeandst ar
tondinner!"heshout edandheard
Chuludr aghersl
ippercoveredf eetdownthe
passaget othekit
chen.Theycoul dhearherbang
plat
es,spoonsandpot st otel
lthem thatshewas
notpleasedatall.
Ot
hu:"Chul
umanco,st
opwrecki
ngmykit
chen
pl
ease.Youcamebackinonepi
ecesoIf
ailt
o
under
standwhyyouareact
ingl
iket
his"she
shout
edandChulust
opped.
Chul
u:"Butmyfeetar
esor
efr
om st
andi
ng"she
mumbledtogetpit
y.
Crai
g:"
Butdidyoudie?
"Chuludi
dn'trepl
y"Ididn'
t
thi
nkso"theywentt
othei
rroom t
or estaf
terhavi
ng
alongday.
Crai
g:"Iam reall
ydi
sappoint
edthough,O.Idi
dn't
pi
ctureherwi t
habigbell
yonhergr aduat
ionday"
hewat chedherrubhiskneesastheysoakedina
warm bath.
Othu:"Iam disappoi
ntedt oobuti
twon'tt
urnback
ti
me.It houghtIspoketoChul uaboutt
hebirdsand
thebeesandt ol
dhertodoubl eonprot
ecti
onasI
didn'
twanthert omaket hesamemi st
akewedud.
Butkidsthesedaysdon' ttakeadvi
ceseri
ouslyand
theyrushintoeveryt
hing"
Crai
g:"Andparent
shavetodealwiththemessbut
nott
hisone.ThisisaChulumanco-I
mangepr oblem
andIhopeImange'sfamil
yisdoingthesame.
That'
sifheeventoldt
hem.Thatboybetternotrun
becauseIwi l
lmakesur eheneveri mpregnated
anothergir
laft
ert hat"Othudidn'twanttotellhim
aboutChulualmostt erminatingasi twouldstarta
diff
erentar
gumental lt
ogether.Shehadf ait
hi n
Imange.Hemi ghtbr eakupwi t
hChul uforwhatever
reasonbutshef elthewoul dn'tabandontheirchil
d
butshemustwai tandsee.
Othu:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
heyneedto.Heseemsli
kea
personwhoknowsi t
'l
lgethar
d.Our
sisthespoi
l
ed
one"
Crai
g:"Complai
ningaboutsoref
eetwhenshe'
snot
evenshowingyet.Waitunt
ilt
hoseankl
esswell
up"
theysatqui
etl
yeachthinki
ngaboutwhatt
his
changewouldbring.
S2-
INSERT20
Babinisatbyt hekraalwithTat'
Bhozowhowas
busylighti
nghi sverystubbornsmokepi pe.Soon
thesmokel ingeredaroundthem whent heelder
suckedhar donhi spipetoexhalethesmokef rom
hismout handnose.Asmel lthatBabinihadlong
gott
enaccust omedt o.From adistancewasMa
BhozoandYandi sawhower ebusypr epar i
ng
breakfastf
orthetwomenwhocoul dn'tevenboi l
eggs.BabiniwatchedasYandidi dn'tcareabouther
nail
sasshest ir
redthepot.Yandihadar r
ivedfour
mont hsagoandBabi nihadt oendurethet ort
ureof
notbeingabletotouchher .Hewasnoteven
al
lowedt obewi t
hherbehindcl oseddoor sas
Tat'
Bhozo'ssaidtheywouldf indthemselvesonei n
fl
eshbef or
etheycouldevengett heirclot
hesof f
.It
wasbestf orBabini
'sheali
ngbuti twasal soat est.
Tat'
Bhozo:"
Ithasbeensogoodhavi ngyouhere,
son.Youarebyf arthebestpatientt
hatIhaveever
had.Youli
stenandyouar eal soamanwhoknows
whathewant s.Ihavealsolearnedoneortwo
thi
ngsfrom you,youngman"
Babini
:"Welli
twasyouwhot aughtmethataman' s
educat
iononlystopsthedayhishear
tdoest oo.I
donotrecognizemyself
,Tat
a.Insi
deIfeell
ikeIam
bornagain"
Babini
:"Icanonl
ytakecredi
tforhel
pingwi
tht
he
exter
nalbadthatsurr
oundedyou,son.I
accomplishedt
hatinaweekofwor ki
ngwit
hyou.
Whathaskeptyouher
esolongwaswhatyouhave
beenbat
tl
ingwit
honthei
nside"
Babini
:"Iam i
ncontrolnow.Mydemonsknowthat
"
Tat
'Bhozosmi l
edwhi l
ehispiper
est
edonthe
cor
nerofhismout h.HelookedatBabi
nif
ort
he
l
ongestwhilebeforehenodded.
Tat'Bhozo:"Spokenl i
keat r ueman.Nowyoumust
convincehert hatyouar eamanwor thyofher
father'
sblessing"hepoi ntedatYandibutwi thhis
fi
stashevi ewedpoi nt
ingaf i
ngeratawoman
disrespectf
ul"Don'tthi
nkt hatIdi dn'
tnot i
cehow
yourheal i
ngpr ocessedevenqui ckeraftershe
enteredthishome.Iknowwhenamanhasf ounda
nurturerforhishouse"hel aughedsof t
lyandBabi ni
'
l
ookeddownwi thasmi le." Wil
lyouchildrenretur
n
totheevillifeofthecit
yagai normustIaskt he
chiefforapl otoflandforyou? "
Babini
'
:"Shehasnotgi
venmeanswer,Tat
a.Idon'
t
knowifshewantsherf
athertoknowmeandIwill
getbacktoyouaboutt
heland"
Bhozo:"
MaMyi
rhal
etmewai
tayearbef
oreshe
evenagr eedt ocour tshi pbutamanwhoknows
whathewant sispat ient.Nowomanl eavesher
l
iveli
hoodf oramanwhom shei snotser i
ousabout "
Babininodded.Yandiwal kedovert ot hement otel
l
them theymayst andcl oserast hef oodwasr eady.
Babinicoul dpictureheri nhi shomest eaddur ing
tradi
tionalcelebrationsashi swife.Themen
thankedherandst oodwhenshewal kedadi st ance
aheadoft hem.MaBhozowokeupat5am each
mor ningwi thoutfailtogett oherdai lydut i
es.
ThoughYandi wasusedt oruralli
fe,shehadt o
readjustabi tbutshecoul dnotsleepunt i
llatewhi l
e
shewasaguestsoshel earnedt ogetupwi t
hMa
Bhozo.Themenwer enobet t
erast heyt oogotup
atthecr ackofdawn, ifnott ogot ot her i
ver,itwas
totaket hel i
vestockoutormendf ences.Ther ewas
not i
met ostayinbedunt ill
ateast her ewasal ways
somet hingt odo.Thel adi esgott hankedf ort he
breakfastbyt hesat isfiedgent lemen.
Tat'
Bhozo:"
Iti
swi t
hahappyandsadhear
ttosay
thi
sbutBabiniourj
our
neyhascometoanend,
youngman.Ther ei
snothi
ngTshawecandoforyou
anymoreasallt
heancest orssai
dImustdo, Idid"
Babi
niwashappybutt hesadnessal solingered
deepwit
hin.Hekneltwit
honekneei nfrontofthe
el
derbefor
etakingthestrongwrinkledhandi nt
ohis.
Hehadtohumbl ehimselftothemanwhot ook
monthsofhisli
fetohelpbeabet terman.
Babini:"Iwillhaveacowgi ventoyouforal lt
hefi
ve
mont hst hatIhavebeenher e.Fi
vemont hsofgreat
i
ntrospect i
on, ofheal
ingf
rom asoullevel,of
breathinginnot hingbutf
reshness.Icouldnever
thankyouenough"
Tat'Bhozo:" Thisi
swhatI 'm calledfor
,son.Eveni fit
tookayear ,
Iwouldhavebeenpat i
entwithyoubutI
am gl adt hatyouabet t
ermannow.Donotwor ry
aboutt hecowsasyourf at
herandIal r
eadyspoke
aboutt hoseki ndsofdetail
s.Whenyougett iredof
cit
yl if
e, docomehomeandr est.Hopefull
yt hen
you'llbeabl etosharethatrondavelwi thyourl ady
fri
ends"Babi nil
aughedsof t
ly" Gowell,myson.You
willbel eavingmewi thMr sBhozo' stearsasshe
l
ovedhavi ngyouaroundandcooki ngwayt oomuch
assheknewyouappr eciat
edhercooki ng"thet wo
menl aughed.Tat'Bhozopl acedhi shandon
Babini'
sheadbef oreBabi nihel
pedt heoldmant o
hi
sf eettogivehi
m abr i
efembr ace.Mr sBhozowas
cryi
ngast houghshewasaboutt oloseasont othe
bi
gbadci t
y.Appar ent
lyshest i
llhadnotl earned
howt onotgetattachedt ot hemanyt empor ary
peoplewhocr ossedt heirli
vestogethel pfrom her
husbandevenaf teralltheseyear s.
MaBhozo:"NowIhavet osaygoodbyet
obothof
youbecauseYandiisnotgoi
ngtowantt
ostaywith
me"shesmiledbetweentear
sandYandihugged
her
.
Yandi:"
Tat'
BhozoandIsti
llhaveplentytodiscuss
ashehasbecomeoneofmyt eachersinthiswork
oftheancestor
ssoIwil
lcomeback, Maf orcert
ain"
shepromised.
MaBhozo:" Bringthi
sonewi thyou"shehugged
Babini.Fort
hosemont hsheknewwhati twasl i
ke
tohaveamot herfi
gure.Notonewhodi dthingsfor
him becauseshewasdesper at
eforhimtof orgi
ve
herasUnat hididbutonewhoj ustcar
ed.The
elder
lyhavegr ownchildrenandtwosti
llli
venearby
buttheyar ebythemselvesmostt imesunt i
la
compl etestr
angercomest otheirhomef orhel
p.
WelltoTat '
Bhozotheywer eneverstrangersashe'
d
getvisionsofthem pr
iortomeet i
ngt hem aswhat
happenedwi thYandiandBabi ni
.Af t
erthe
emotionalgoodbyeYandi saandBabi niwereon
thei
rway.
Yandi :"
Ican'tbel
ievethatti
mehasgonebyso
quickly.I
tfeelsli
kejustyesterdaywhenIar r
ived
here.Thesepeopl ear eamazing"shesai dast hey
packedt hei
rbagsi nthebakki eBabini'
suncle
borrowedhi m.Yandit ookther ent
edcarbackl ong
ago.Theyhadbeent heresolongt hattheseason
startedtochangeast hewinterwast hereinfull
force.Itwasami ldonet oBabi nihashewasused
tosnowbuthecoul dseeYandihat edcol dweat her
.
Babini
:"Iguessnowit
'sbackt
otheci
ty"hesai
das
thoughitwereater
ri
blethi
ng.
Yandi:"
IfIdidn'
tknowanybett
erI'
dthinkthatyou
wantedtost ayher
e"sheputherseat
belton.He
tur
nedtof aceher.
Babini:"Imustfi
rstgoandwor ksothatIcanget
l
ivestockofmyownf orret
irementandIcan'
tdoIT
thi
ngswhi l
eI'
m herebecausemyphonehasbeen
deadsi nceI'
vearri
ved"
Yandi:"
Doyout hi
nkwemissedmuch?"heshook
hi
sheadbef or
edrivi
ngof
f.Hehootedunt
ilhecoul
d
nolongerseetheBhozof
amilyi
nthemirr
or.
Babini:"Igainedmor eheretocareaboutwhatI
missedi nthecity"WhenYandireal
izedthatt
hey
drovef rom theBhozof amil
ytotheZwenimai n
homest eadwhi chwasabout30mi nutesaway.
Yandif eltli
ketelli
nghi
mt oturnbackaroundbut
shewassur etherewassomet hi
ngthatheneeded
todososhe' dwai tint
hecarforhim.Babini
stoppedt hecarandopenedhi sdoorbutpaused
whenhesawYandihasn' tmoved.
Babi
ni:"
It
'snott
hatcol
d,Nt
li
ziyoyam comeon
now"helaughed
Yandi:"
Thisisyourf
ather'
shouse,
hi sr
eal
,real
house,Babini
.Idon'
tthi
nkheisgoingtoappreci
ate
agir
lfri
endcominghere"Babi
nismiledathowcute
shel
ookedwhenshewasworri
edaboutwhathi
s
el
der
swouldthi
nkifshecamei
nholdi
nghishand.
Babini'
:"Noone' shereactual l
y.Myuncl ehasgone
toanot hervil
lageforafuner al.Ri
ghtnow, Xolani
theboywhol ooksaf t
erthel i
vestockandhi s
brothersareher et
ot akecar eofthings.Pluswe
aren'tstayi
ng.There'selectri
cityheresowecan
chargeourphonesandbysomel uckthenet workis
notasbadasatBhozossowecanbookourf l
ight
s
back"hehopedheputherf earstorest.Yandisaw
twoyoungmeni nthelarger ondavelfi
lled
compoundandchoset otrusthim.Sheopenedher
doorandwat chedhimt aket heirbagsoutt heback
ofthebakki e.
Yandi:"
Whathappenedtoonlychar
gingphones?
"
Babinil
aughed.Hedidn'
tknowwhatshewasaf r
aid
of.
Babini
:"Doyouwantyourcl ot
hestogetwet
becauseIdon'tmindleavingthem here?
"helooked
atherandwhenshef eltafewraindropsshe
hel
pedhi m qui
cklygetthesmal l
erbagsofft
he
coverl
essbakkie.Babinigreet
edtheyoungboys
whower elookingaft
erhishome.Theyaskedi fthey
couldquicklygohomeashewashomeandhe
agreed.Othu'shomest eadwasabeaut ywit
habi g
houseandnear lyt
enr ondavelsaround.Atthef ar
side,t
herewasakr aalwithhealthylivest
ockandi n
onecor nerwaswher et heygrewt heirownfresh
veggies.Clearl
yKumkaniwasmaki ngsur ethatthe
dayheget st i
redofcit
yl i
fe,hereturnedtothelitt
le
paradiseYandisaw.
Yandi:"
Yourhomei ssobeauti
ful
.I'
vebeenher
e
bef
or ebutyourf
atherhasmadesuch
i
mpr ovementssi
nce"shesaidasshewalkedahead
ofBabini
.
Babi
ni:"
Hesai
dinaf
ewyear
she'
dret
ir
eher
eand
Unat
hican'
twai
t"
Yandi
:"Doyoublameher?Lookatt
his.Sowe'
re
al
one?"Babi
ninoddedandsheeasedupabit.
Babini
:"Wegottowaitf
ormyuncl
etoretur
n
becausewe'l
lneedsomeonewhowil
ldri
veust
o
theair
port
"
Yandi
:"Hewon'
tmi
ndmebei
ngher
e?"
Babi ni:"
Hewasaski ngmeaboutamakot ifr
om the
secondImethi m soI '
m sureheisgoi
ngtoaskyou
whatyourf ather'saddressissohecansendyour
fatheral et
tertonegot iat
e"hejokedastheywalked
i
nsi de.Babiniwentt ochecki ft
heredparraf
in
heat erwasf ullbeforeheliti
tsoYandiwouldstop
l
ooki ngsost i
ff.Yandiwalkedaroundtofi
nd
picturesoft heent i
refamilyonthewall
,al
lexcept
Babi ni.
Yandi
:"Baby,
Ithi
nkyourf
ami
lyi
swai
ti
ngf
oryout
o
gi
vethem apict
ure"
Babi n:"
Idon'ttakepictures,Ntl
iziyoyam.Soyou
mustnothopet ohavesel fi
eswi thme,especial
ly
forsocialmedi a.I'
m adeadmanr emember?"he
didn'twantthepeopl eint hesystem tocomeacr oss
hispi ct
ureandhunthi m down.Hewassocaut i
ous
thatheaskedOt hut ovisi
thisgr aveonceaweekas
she'dalwaysdoneandOt huwashappyt ogoact
sadonanempt ygravetokeephi m saf
e.They
relaxedoncet hehousegotwar m andYandi
reali
zedt hati
ndeedt heywer eal one.Hewentt o
kissherandt heki sssoont urnedheavyast hey
caressedandsqueezedeachother
'sbodi
es.Yandi
brokethekisswhenshesawapi ct
ureofBabini
'
s
grandfat
herfaci
ngthem.Sherememberedthatthey
wereinhisfamil
yhome.
Babini
:"Youknow,ifyouagreetobemywi feyou
won'tbesotensenexttimeyoucomeher e"hesaid
casuall
y.Heneverproposedagainaf
tert
hatfir
st
ti
meandYandit houghthechangedhismi ndbuthe
star
tedtospeakmar ri
ageagain.
Yandi
:"I
'
m scar
edt
ogetmar
ri
edagai
n,Babi
ni"she
sai
dhonest
ly.
Babi
ni:"
SoImustsuf
ferbecauseoft
hef
ool
ish
choi
cesofanot
herman?"
Yandi
:"Youdon'
tunder
stand"
Babini
:"Lear nt
obeupf r
ontwithme, YandisasoI
canunder standinst
eadofjusttel
li
ngmeIwon' t
understand.OfcourseIwon'tunderstand,asI'
m no
mindr eader"Yandiknewtheywerehavi ngthei
rfi
rst
argument .
Yandi
:"Wi
llyoubet
hismani
nfi
veyear
sti
me?
"
Babi ni:"
Imi ghtbeamummyi nf i
veyearst
imesoI
don'tknow, Yandisa"'
Ntli
ziyoyam ismynamenot
Yandi sa'Yandithoughttoher sel
f."I
fyouhaven't
l
ear nedt hatwhatyouseei swhatyougetwi t
hme
thenyou' llneverl
earn.Letmeguess, youf
earthat
I'
llcheatonyouorper hapshi tyouashedid,ri
ght?"
shenodded" Sojustbecauseyouknowwhatmy
pastwasl ikethensurelyImustbeawomenbeat er
,
ri
ght ?"
Yandi
:"I
'
mtal
kingaboutmypasther
e,notyour
s"
Babi ni
:"Andyouassoci atemewi thit,Yandisa.I'
ma
muscul i
neman, Yandisa.Iknowt hatmyhi ghest
calli
ngi nli
feassuchast r ongmani stopr otect
womenandchi ldren.Youmi st
akemef orthatweak
thingyout hougtwasaman.That '
showyouwomen
are,yougethi tbyaweakl ingandi nyourmi ndyou
thinkthattypeisamuscul ineman.Wel lI'
m sorry
youmar ri
edaweakl i
ngbutI '
m noweakl i
ngofa
mal e.I'
m aman, amuscul i
nemanwhohas
accept edhishighestcal l
ingofprotectingyou, my
sistersandallwomeni nneedofhel p.Don'tdare
compar emet osomeweakassman"Yandil ooked
athim getworkedup.Soont hetwoofthem were
havingaprett
yheat edconversati
onand
somewher eshemi ghthaveaccusedhim of
possibl
ybeinganabuser .Withhi
sdeepvoiceYandi
wascer t
aineventhef arawayneighbor
scouldhear
thei
rhomesvi brat
ewhenher ai
sedhisvoi
ce.She
watchedhim headf orthedoorashewantedtogo
calm hi
mselfdown.
Yandi:"Babini"shecal l
edoutbef oreheshutt he
doorbehi ndhi m.Yandisatdownt oallowhi m some
ti
met ocal m down.Shehear dthef amili
arsoundof
herphonef ort hefirsttimeinmont hs.Tobecutof f
from ci
vili
zationfeltgoodandYandit oldherf amil
y
thatshewasgoi ngont r
adit
ionalbusinessand
sincetheyr espectedhercal l
ingtheyunder stood.
Shef i
rstcalledherpar entsandspoket ohermot her
aboutBabi niaskinghert ogetmar riedandMa
Dudumashewassohappyt hatYandidi dn'teven
getachancet obr i
ngf orwardherconcer ns.She
alsocalledOt hutot ellhertheyarewel landt hather
brotherwoul dcalloncehi sphoneswi tchedon.
Ot huwassohappyt ohearhervoi ceYandihadt o
putt hephoneawayf rom hereart
onothaveOt hu'
s
scream bursthereardrums.Shestoodtogot othe
kit
chent ocheckwhatt heyhadthatshecouldwhip
upf orlunch.Onceshewashappywi t
hthe
i
ngr edient
sshegotshest art
edtogetbusyand
madeext r
ajustincasetheboyswhol ookedaft
er
thehousecameback.Sheopenedt hefri
dgetotake
thecheese.
Yandi :"Youar ealreadypl ayingwi fetotheman,
Yandi sa"shewhi speredt oher selfasherfor ehead
restedont hedooroft hegr eyfridge"Alsothe
thingsyou' vebeendoi ngar esonotyou, girl
.
Leavi ngyourj obt ochaseaf t
eramanandt hencut
your selfofffr
om ci vil
izat
ionf ormont hssoyou' d
suppor thim.Youar ejustdoingt hemostl ately"she
addedbef oreclosingt hef r
idge." Nowyou' r
ei nhis
grandf ather'
shouseandcooki ngl i
ketheelder s
alreadygaveyouanewname"sheshookherhead
slowl yasshecont inuedt ospeakt oherself"Imean
youl ovehi m andhe' sbeenshowi ngyoui nhi sown
wayt hathelovesyou.Sur ehe'snott heflower sand
goononekneet ypeofmanbutheatl eastmade
hisint
enti
onsclearandt henyouwentandaccused
him ofbei
ngacl osetwomanabuser "shet ooka
fewblocksofchoppedcar rot
sandat et hem "
Gi r
l,
areyougoingtoal l
owt hemanwhoset syoursoul s
i
nf i
regojustbecauseyouf earwhathewi l
lbel i
ke
fi
veyearsfrom nowwhenyouyour selfdon'tknow
whatyou'l
lbeli
ke? "sheaskedher self.Shefeltshe
neededthatconversat i
onwi t
hherselfandithadt o
bespokenoutloudt oo.Sheputherdi shintheoven
tobakeforafewmi nutesandshet ookt hetimet o
gofindBabini
.Ther e'snowayhewoul dbeablet o
hidehisbi
gself.Yandif oundhim standingout si
de.
Yandi
:"I
'
m sor
ry"shesai
dsi
ncer
ely.
Babini
:"Youshoul
dbebecauseyouwasted
preci
oustimetoarguewhenweshouldhavebeen
holdi
ngeachothertogett
hrought
hiscol
dweather
"
heturnedtol
ookather.
Yandi
:"Soyouanswer
edyourhi
ghestcal
li
ngasa
musculi
neman.Whatismineasayourwoman?"
Babi
ni:"
Accordi
ngtoTat
'Bhozo'
steachingsmineas
amani stopr
otectmywomanandchi ldrenandmy
woman'scall
ingi
stoleadmeashermant
omy
soul
"Yandinodded.
Yandi
:"HaveIbeenl
eadi
ngyout
oyoursoul
?"
Babini'
:"Ionlywantedtoseektoheal
ingwhenI
real
izedt hatmypresenceinyourl
if
emakesyoui l
l
soyes, you'vemademecomeher etofi
ndmysoul
soImayst opbeingawander i
ngman"hesai d
honestly."Doyoufeelsaf
einmypr esence?
"Yandi
smil
ed.
Yandi:"Evenaft
erIgotagl impseoft het hi
ngsthey
madeyoudoi nthepast ,I
'
veneverf eltunsafe
aroundyouandnowwhenwear guedt oo.Soyes,
youdoandIknowt hatevenifdangercomes, you'
l
l
dietr
yingtoprotectme"shedi dn'tknowi fthatwere
tr
uebutshedi dn'tstut
terwhebshesai ditandher
soulkindaknewt hathe'dprotectheral lthetime.
Babini
:"Doyoupromi
set ojustsaythi
ngseven
whentheyareuncomfortabl
einsteadofspeaki
ngi
n
codeshopingI
'l
lgeti
t?"Yandismiled.
Yandi
:"It
houghtcodespeakingandsuchwas
somethi
ngyouwer eexper
tin"theybot
hlaughed.
Babini:"Thoseofwomenr emainamyst eryt
ome,
Ntl
iziyoyam sopl easej
usttellmeexactlywhatyou
mean.Don' tjustsaythi
ngslike'youdon't
under st
and'Yandipromisedtobemor evocalabout
thi
ngst hatwereinhermi nd.
Yandi
:"Doyouwantchil
dren?
"that
'swhatwason
hermindandsinceheencour
agedhertospeaki
t,
shedi
dj ustt
hat
.
Babini:"
Thati sonet hingi nli
feI'm uncer tai
nabout .
I'
m notevergoi ngt omakeyouf eellikel essona
womanj ustbecauseoft hat.LikeI'vesai d, myl ifeis
notincompl etewithoutthem andt hati sst i
llmy
tr
uth"Yandinodded.Shewashappyt olear nt hat
shewoul dn'thavet ofeel badf ornotget ti
ng
pregnant."CanIpl ease,pleasegetmyr ewar dfor
beingagoodboyal lthesemont hspl ease"he
pleadedandYandil aughed.Theywenti nsi det he
mai nhousebutnott ogetf r
eakyt ogett heheat erto
oneoft her ondavelsandswi tchthest oveof fas
Yandiknewwhatt heywant edtodowasnotgoi ng
tobeaqui ckkissandcuddl e.Babi nili
ter all
yt ore
Yandi'sdressf r
om herbodyl i
kebeastwhogott he
smelloffoodafterdaysofhunting.
Soonshef el
thi
s
tonguetwir
laroundherer ectni
pplewhil
ehis
fi
ngersmovedseduct ivel
yinandar oundher
womanhood.
Yandi:"Baby, Iwantyoui nsideofmepl ease"she
pleadedandf ort hef i
rsttimebecamesobal dand
demandwhatshewant eddur ingthei rlovesessi ons.
Shemi ssedt hef eelofhowf ullshef eltwhenhe
wasonewi thher .Babinismi ledandhewasi nno
waygoi ngt ol etherwai tonwhathef eltwasher s.
Soheknel tbet weenherwar ml egsandpar tedthem
j
ustabi tasheneededmor eroom t of i
tbet ween
them.Hi smanhoodal readysaucywi ththeneedof
her.Hisar ousalst ronganddemandi ngandYandi
washappyt oseet hatshecoul dstil
lexci t
ehi m.
Shemoanedhi snamesof tl
ywhenshef el
tt hetipof
hismemberki ssherent rance.Asubt leshudder
movedt hroughherwhenshecoul df eelhimf il
lher.
Babinihavi nggonemont hswi thouttouchi ngher
andst i
llhadt ogetusedt ohermoi st,tightand
war mfol dswi thoutthebar r
ierofr ubberhadt oput
i
nasmuchwi l
lpoweraspossi blet onotr elease
qui cklybutheknewhewoul dn'tbeabl et ohol don
forl ong.Shef eltamazi ngandt ooccasi onal l
ycat ch
herbr east sdanceashi sthrustsi ncreaseddr ove
himi nsane.Yandigotaf ri
ghtwhenshef eltthebed
sinkast heircar elessmovement sbr okei tbut
Babi nidi dn' tseemedi nconveni encedatal l.She
want edt oi nspectt hedamagebutf elther selfbei ng
l
iftedof fthebedandpi nnedagai ntt hewal l.Her
l
egst ight lywr appedar oundhi m whi l
ehi sst r
ong
handshel dheri nj ustther i
ghtpl acest opr ovideher
suppor t.Thewayheki ssedherneckashegr owled
i
npl easur elikeamanbeastmadeherpr epar etobe
l
ef twi thl ovemar ksbutshedi dn'tcar easherown
nailsdugi ntohi smuscul ineback.Thei rmout hs
woul doccasi onal l
ymeetbuti twasmor elips
bumpi ngt hanki ssi ngasbot hwer et oodeepi nt he
hazeofpl easuret ogi veat t
entiont odoi ngi tright.
Thel oudert heirmoansandgr oansgott heheavi er
ther ainont het i
nr ooff el
l.Bodi esdr ippingsweatas
i
fi twer enotcol dout side.Bot hoft hem f eltintense
pleasur ebui l
dupt hatneithercoul dhol dof f
anymor esot heyl etgoasbot hoft hem
simul t
aneousl yf eltashudderofpl easur er ip
throught hei
rbodi esandast heyletthemoansand
groansescapet hei rl
ipst heheavanl etoutal oud
thunder.Babi nisunkt ot hef l
oorwithherashi s
l
egswer etooweakt ocar ryhim,letalonebot hof
them.Bot hbr eathingl oudl ytowai tontheirbodi es
tocalm.Yandil ookedi nt ohi sfai
nteyesandhe
gaveal azysmi l
ebef or eki ssingher.She'dseenhi m
l
ookabi tti
redaf t
erher eachedcl imaxbuti nthat
momenthel ookedast houghhegaveheral lthat
wasi nhim.Whenhegat heredabi tofstr
engt hhe
carri
edhert ot hebedandl aidnexttoher .Allthey
didforthef i
rstf ewmi nut eswasj ustlookintoeach
other'
seyeswhi l
eYandibr ushedhi sbeard.
Babini
:"YoubrokeoneofKumkani'
sguest
room
beds"helaughedandshecheckedtofi
ndthe
doublebedleaningononesi
declear
lyt
heybroke
twoofitslegs.
Yandi:"
You'
ret
oblame,Baby.Youf
orgott
hisi
snot
yourbed"t
heyl
aughed.
Babi
ni:"Il
oveyou"heclosedhiseyestorestf
rom
thel
ovesessionthatcl
earlywastoomuchf orhim.
Therainwastheonlythingthatwasheavyinthat
momentbecauset heybothf el
lasleepineach
other'
sarmshappy.Babi nifoundmul ti
plemi ssed
call
sandal lf
rom Ot hunyiweyowhenheswi t
ched
hisphoneonsohecal l
edhert oprovet hathewas
i
ndeedst i
llapar toftheli
ving.Hecoul dhearhow
muchhewasmi ssedsot heydecidedtogobackas
soonaspossi ble.Whi l
eYandiwaschecki ngf or
avail
ablefl
ights,hewaswar mingupt hef ood.It
wascl ear
lyabi gmi st
akebecauseYandiwasnot
i
mpr essedwi t
hherhar dwor kbeingbur ntbutt hey
ateitnontheless.
Othusatwi t
hChul uforascantochecki fthebaby
wasf ine.Theystil
lservedhertoughl ovebutthe
moneyf orthescanwasf rom Imangeandnott he
parents.Hest art
edhisnewj obandwasset t
li
ngin
wellbutt heonlyproblem wasthef actthatChulu
hardlysawhi m.Ifit'
snotwor k,
itwasschooland
assignment ssoshewashappyt hathermom came
withhert otheultr
asound.
Othu:"
SoyouandImangewantt
oknowt
he
gender
?"shel
ookedatChul
u.
Chul
u:"
Hismom want
stobuysui
tedcl
othesf
ort
he
baby.Shesaysshebel i
evest hataboymustwear
bluesandagi rlpinkssoyeahi t'
smoref orher "
Chulufinall
ymetI mange' smot heraft
ershecame
totell
theKni ght sthattheywoul dpayf ordamages
i
ni nst
allments.Cr aigfeltbadandsai dt hey
shouldn'tbutJanewassetonf oll
owingt radit
ion.
ChuluandJanegotonwel landJanecoul dnotwai t
tomeetherf irstgr andchil
d."Ooooh, Mamahe' s
kicki
ng"shequi cklytookOt hu'shandandgr andma
spoket ohergr andchi l
din" babylanguage"
Othu:"Ican' tbeli
evethatt
herewi l
lbebabygi ggles
i
nourhousesoon.Thi si
sJaneandI '
sfirst
grandbabysoI '
m surewewi l
lfi
ghttonamet he
chil
d.Pr epar etohaveaboutfournames, Bhabha"
shesaidwhi lerubbingChulu'
sbellyandChul u
l
aughed.Chul u'
snamegotcal l
edandt heywent
i
nside.Af termont hsofbeingusedt opubl i
ccl i
nics
andhospi tal
sChul ufel
tstr
angeinapr ivatedoct or
consultationr oom.ShewashappyI mangewas
abletogi vehermoneyt ogotoapr ivat
edoct or
becauseshewasi nnomoodt ostandi nline.Her
fr
iendsst ar t
edt otr
eatherdif
fer
entlyafterfinding
shewaspr egnantsoshewentf rom schoolstraight
homebutshenol ongermi nded.Thedoctor
prepar edherandOt huheldChul u'shandast hey
bothwat chedt hemonitor.Thedoct orwashappy
withbaby' sgr owth.Chuluactuallyfoundherselfget
attachedeachandever ysingledayespecial
lyaf ter
feeli
ngt hef i
rstkickandhear i
ngt heheart
beatf or
thef i
rsttime.
Ot
hu:"
Canyouseewhatt
hegenderi
sdoct
or?
"
Doctor:"
Doesthemotherwanttoknow? "hesmil
ed
atChuluandshenodded"Youar ehavi
ngagi r
l"
Othuletoutaqui
etscream ofexci
tement.
Othu:"
Someonetodr
essupagai
n"shesmi
ledand
Chulul
aughed.
Chulu:"
Dadsaidt
hatyouguyswon'
thel
p
remember?"sher
aisedabr
ow.
Othu:"
Wet r
ytorai
seyout ober esponsi
blekidsso
thatwewil
lbeabletospoilourgrandchi
ldren.I
fwe
hadspoil
enyourott
enwe'dhavehadt oraiseyour
baby.Soall
owmet ospoilmygr andbabyasyou
dealwit
hthehar
dpar t
s"Chululaughed.Shehad
evenmadeaf ri
endatt hecl i
nicwhowasal so
pregnant.Fezekawasf rom Por tElizabethand
camet ost udyi nCapeTown.Shehadnotevent old
herparent st hatshe' saboutt opop.Herpl ani sto
rockupwi thababyi nhandwhenshegoeshome.I t
madeChul ur ealizejusthowl uckyshewast ohave
supportar oundhereveni fshehadt odownscal ea
bit
.Whenal lwasgoodOt hudr oveherdaught er
home.I twasschoolhol i
dayssoshewasnot
working.Chul ucr avedicecr eam int hecoolweat her
sohermom boughtheroneandcof feeforherself.
WhileOt huwasi nsideChul uwai tedi nthecarand
j
ustasshet houghtnot hingwoul ddampenher
moodofhear ingt hatshewashavi ngadaught er
Imangest oodatadi st
ancehol dingagi rl
'shandi n
onehandandt heirtakeawaysi nt heot her.Othu
j
oinedChul uandgavehert heicecr eam.When
Chuluwoul dn' ttakehereyesof fsomet hi
ngOt hu
decidedt of ollowwher ehereyeswer egluedt oand
shesawI mangecr ossingt heroadwi t
hanot hergir
l.
Het ol
dherhewon' tbeabl etogof orascanwi th
herandgavesomevaguer eason.
Othu:"Don'
tlett
hatmi
ndofyoursj
umpto
conclusi
ons.Goandmakehim awar
eofyour
presencesohecanexplai
n"
Chulu:"Pleasetakemehome, Mama.Wi t
hsomany
youngsi nglemothersaround,Idon'tknowwhyI
thoughtIwasspeci al
.Let'
sgohome.Dadsai dhe
wantstoknowi fheshouldbuyadol lorabal
lfor
thebaby"Ot hudidn'
tfeell
ikearguingwi t
hChulu
becauseshebecamespi cyquicklyandherbeing
pregnantdidn'thel
pmuch.Whent heycamehome
theyfoundt heproudtwinunclesofbabyChul u
putti
ngupacoti nChulu'
sr oom.
Qhawe:"Thi
suncledut
yisnoteasybutwegottado
i
t.Soarewehavingaboy?"hesmiledexci
ti
ngl
y.
Phawu:"
Iact
ual
lywoul
dli
keapr
incess"
Chul
u:"
It
'sagi
rl
"
Phawu:"
Yes,gi
vememyR20wehadabet ,Brot
her
"
Chul
ushookherhead.Qhaweunwi
ll
inggave
PhawuhisR20.
Chulu:"
Youguysar
esosmart
.Thecoti
sperf
ect.
Thankyou"Qhawegoti
nsi
det
oshowherthati
t
woul
ddef
ini
tel
ycar
ryababy.
Phawu:"Myfr
iendsai
dhecoul
dhookusupwi t
h
thoset
hingst
hatmakearoom soundpr
oof
.Shoul
d
Ihookyouup,
"
Chulu:"
No,Idon'
twanti
tbecauseI
'
llhaveasweet
baby"Crai
gjoi
nedthem.
Crai
g:"Mom saysyou'
rehavi
ngagi
rl
"hel
ookedat
Chul
u'sador
ablebabybump.
Chulu:"
IknowDad.I'
llst
il
lwakeupaloneinthe
middleoftheni
ghtevenifi
t'
sagirl
,Ihavebeen
l
ist
eningtoyouremindmeal lt
hesemonths"
Craig:" Goodt hingbutI '
m heretosayIcan' twaitf
or
thepr incesstocome.No, off
enceboysbutyou
guyswer et oonaught y,justt
oonaught y"theboys
smi ledpr oudly."Soasweetl it
tlegir
linpinkisgood"
Chul usmi l
ed.Ther ewasaknockont hedoorand
ever yonewentt oseewhatmadeOt huscr eam so
much.Theybr eathedwhent heywat chedherclung
l
ikegum t oBabi ni.Aft
erdaysofenj oyingtheir
alonet imeBabi niandYandif inal
lyretur
nedt othe
city.Thef amilyknewt hatthepastmont hswer enot
easyonOthuasshemi ssedBabi
niandYandial
ot
andonsomedayst houghthewouldmovetothe
East
ernCapeforgoodtogetawayfrom t
hem.
Othu:"
Ohmygoodness, uBhut
iwam"sheclosed
hereyeswhilest
il
lholdinghim andfel
ther
self
beingengul
fedinhisbearhug." I
'
m sohappy,If
eel
l
ikeI'
mf l
oat
ingoncl ouds"
Babini
:"Imissedyoutoo,Wel
e"heki ssedhercrown.
HerhairandYandi'ssmell
edthesamesot he
fri
endsclearl
ysharebeaut
ytipst oo.Babinibr
oke
thehugbecausehewasnotal one.Her eachedhis
handbacksoYandiwoul dgrabhol dofit
.Othu
screamedwhenshesawherf riendandusual l
y
Yandiwouldt oobuthermandi dn'tknowhercrazy
yetsoshest ayedcool
.
Othu:"Baby,lookatYandiacti
ngallshyasifshe'
d
neversteppedf ootinthi
shouse"shetur
nedto
smileatCraig.CraigshookBabini
'shandandwent
togiveYandiabr iefhug.
Crai
g:"I
t'
snoteasytomeett
hei
nlawssogi
veher
ti
me"theyal
llaughed.
Qhawe:"
Malume,Chul
uispregnant"hebl
urt
edout
andever
yonel
ookedathim.Babinil
ookedatChul
u
andsawthegrowi
ngbell
y.
Babini:"
Sowhi l
esomeofuswer eheal
ingChulu
wasbusymaki ngbabies?"hel
ookedatCr ai
gand
Crai
gj ustl
if
tedhisbrowsandshookhishead
"Chuluwhatisababyl ikeyoudoi
ngmaki ng
babies?"Chululookeddown.
Craig:"
Tel
lmewhenyouf
inal
lygett
heanswert
o
thatquest
ion"
Babini
:"I
stheboywhodi
srespect
edusl
iket
hisst
il
l
al
ive?"
Craig:"Someonehastohelphertakecar eofthe
baby.IfIstr
anglehi
mt hat
'l
lhavetobemesoyes
he'sali
vebecausehehasababyt osuppor t
"Chulu
l
iteral
lyjumpedwhenshesawhergr andfatherat
thedoorashewast heonlyonewhot reatedherthe
sameaf t
erhear
ingt
henews.
Kumkani:"
Lit
tl
ePeanuti sgrowi
ng"hebrushed
Chul
u'sbel
ly.Hegavet hebabythatnamewhenhe
sawtheveryfi
rstscan.Hesaidthechil
dwasas
smal lasapeanut .Chulutoldhi
mi t
'sagirlandhe
smi l
ed.Othuwasshockedbecausedaught erswer e
aletdownt oKumkani ."Nyana,
youareher e?The
l
eastyoucoul dhavedonei stel
lyouroldmant hat
youar eback.Howdi di tgo?Areyourissueswi th
theancestorssorted?"Yandijustwantedt o
disappearinthebackgr oundwhenshesaw
Kumkani .Babinibri
efl
yt ol
dKumkanit hatallwas
well."Goodsonowt hatisoutoftheway, youmust
fi
ndawi f
e,Man.NoZwenimanwaseverwi thouta
woman"headded.
Othu:"Langawasandhewashappy"shesai di
ton
purposebecausesheknewitwouldgetherf
ather
al
lwor kedup.Kumkanigavehera'
areyouforreal
"
ki
ndal ook.
Kumkani :"Othunyiweyoj ustalwaysfi
ndingwayst o
pusht hoser edbuttonsandcr ywhenIhi tbackand
Igetcalledabadper sonbutnott odaybecauseI '
m
happy"Ot hul aughedsof t
ly.Sheexcusedherkids
becauset heirgrandfatherwassomet hingelse"This
gi
rlisachar teredaccount antandhaswor ked
overseast oo.Iam fri
endswi thherfat
hersoshei s
fr
om awel
lrespectedf
ami
ly"hesai
dwit
hpride.
Othuwassmili
ngasshewaitedf
orBabi
nit
obr eak
t
henewstoherf at
her.
Crai
g:"
Baby, you'
react
uall
ysmil
ingforal
ltosee"
hewhisperedinherearandshetri
edtokeepa
st
rai
ghtface.
Babi
ni:"ShesoundgoodbutIhavesomeonei nmy
l
if
ealready"hegentlydrewYandiwhohadst oodfar
cl
osersoshe'dstandnextt ohim.Theexpr
ession
onKumkani '
sfaceleftOthulaughi
ngbutsubtl
yand
Crai
ghadt ogentl
yelbowher .
Kumkani :"
ButthisisOt hunyiweyo'
sfri
end"he
pointedtoYandi."She..
..sheteachesandI'
m sure
thatherfat
herdoesnotevenknowwhatast ock
mar keti
s"headdedandYandif el
tsoexposed.
She'dbeent her
ebef orewher etheinl
awsdon' tl
ike
herandshewashopi nghistorywouldnotrepeat
i
tself.
Babini
:"Di
dIsayyouwi
llmar
ryher
,MrZweni
?"he
askedrespect
ful
ly.
Kumkani
:"Nobutcomeon,
Kungent
ando"
Babini:"Idi
dn'
tsaythatIbroughtherforyou.Isai
d
thatshe'smywomansonowher et
heredoyou
featur
e, nowhere"Othuhidherfaceinhershirt
becausesheknewhowhar dBabini
'swordsstung
somet imesbutshecouldnotstoplaughing.
Kumkani:"I
fmybl oodli
newilldi
eoutthenofcour
se
Ifeat
ure.Shecouldn'
tgiveherhusbandkidsand
thatwhyhel ef
therandyouwantmet oactasifI
'
m
happy"Babini'
sjawclenched.
Babini:"
Youwer eablet
ohavechi l
drenbemadei na
l
abbef oresoIf ailt
ounderstandwhyyoudon' t
againsot hatyourbloodl
inewon' tdieout .Idon'
t
knowwhogotyouaccust omedt odi srespecti
ng
them butwhenyouar ewithme, itstops.Taket his
womanasyoursecondwi f
eandhaveyour
bloodli
necont i
nuedbutdon'tdaret hinkjust
becauseIam yourseedIwi llst
andher eandl i
sten
toyoudi srespecti
ngYandisa.I'
m happywi thmy
choice"
Kumkani
:"I
t'
sal
lthi
sone'
sfaul
tIknow"hepoi
nted
atOt
hu.
Crai
g:"Noti
nmyhouse,MrZweniandmost
cert
ainl
ynotatmywi
fe"Cr
aigal
sowarned.
Kumkani :"
Staywi
thyourambiti
onlessprimar
y
schoolteacher
swhoaretoooldtogi veyou
chil
dren"hewheel
edhimselfout.
Yandi:"
Baby,It
hinkyoumustgoapol
ogi
ze"she
suggested.
Othu:"Fri
end,wit
hmyf atheryoumustdr awthel
ine
orhewi l
lsteponyouunt i
lyouarenothi
ng.You'l
l
getusedt ohim.Evenhisinsul
tsbounchoffby
now"shel aughed.Othupull
edYandiasidetogetal
l
thedetail
sofwhathappenedandYandiwashappy
togivethem toher.
Othu:"You'
reglowing,l
ikeyouhavethi
stwi
nkl
e
aurathingIcan'tdescr
ibe"shesmi
led.
Yandi
:"If
eelatpeacewit
hmylif
e.Sur
emyman
andImightstar
veinafewmonthsaft
erour
savi
ngsrunoutbutIdon'
tcar
e"shebl
ushed.
Ot
hu:"Cr
aigandIwi
llbr
ingyoufoodont
hest
reet
whenyou'
rehomel
ess"theyl
aughed.
Yandi
:"SoChul
uhuh?
"Ot
hushookherhead.
Othu:"
Andnowshe'
sangryatherboyf
ri
endafter
seei
nghim wi
thagi
rlwhocoul
dbear el
ati
ve"
Yandi
:"Wewereonceli
kethat
.Jumpingto
concl
usi
onsonlyt
ofinditwasnot
hing.Pl
easedon'
t
behardonher
"
Othu:" Wehavet o, Friend.Chul ui sspoi l
edandyes
i
t'sourf aultbutnowshemustknowt hatit'
sno
mor eChul ubutever yt hingbaby.I 'm havinga
granddaught erbyt heway"shesmi l
ed" Soonlit
tl
e
giggl esandcr i
eswi llfil
lt hi
shouse"shesmi l
ed
mor e.Yandismi ledbecauseshewashappyf orthe
fami lyast heywoul dwel comeanot herbundleofj oy.
Ashappyasshewasshewasal sosadt ohearthat
Chul uconsi deredt ermi nat i
ngwhi leshe'dgive
anyt hingt obepr egnantandf eelaper songr ow
i
nsi deher .Chul ucamei nexcitedaboutaneven
strongerki ckandYandiunexpect edlyfeltwarm
tearsf lowdownhercheeksasshehel dChulu's
bump.She' shel dOt hu' sbump, Poppy' sbumps,
Luci a'sbumpandnowshewashol dingt hatofa
childwhoshel i
terallyusedt ocomf ortwhenshe
usedtogetscar
ed.Shegaveuphopi ngforoneof
herownwhenshehel dChulu'ski
cki
ngbumpi nher
hands.Chul
uthebabyshehel pedOthut
akecareof
notsolongagowaspr egnantsoYandif
eltt
here
wasnohopeanymor e.
Chul
u:"
AuntYandz,
areyouokay?
"Yandismi
led.
Yandi:"I'
mj ustsohappyf oryou"sher eall
ywas
happyf orChul ubutsadf orher sel
f.OthutoldChul u
togogetsomet hi
nginther oom andt henshe
huggedherf r
iend.Babinifelthisheartsinkashe
stoodi ntheshadowsl ist
eningt ohisl
adycr y
becauseshegotover whel medbyChul u'skicking
baby.Hewasdi st
urbedbyaf ranti
cknockedand
Craigwentt oopen.Unat hiwal kedinnotmaki ng
anysenseatal l.I
nhergripwasanempt y
wheel chair
.Othuaskedhermot hertocalm downso
theywoul dhearwhatshewassayi ng.Yandigave
Unathiwat erandUnat hidranki tandtookadeep
breath.
Unathi:"
Iwaswater
ingmyplant
swhent hedri
ver
droppedKumkanihome.Thensuddenlyacarcame
speedingandsomemencameout ,scooped
Kumkaniupanddr i
veof fagai
n"Crai
gandBabini
wer
enowf orcedtogot r
yandf indamanwhohad
j
usti
nsult
edtheirl
adies.Thetwomenst oodupat
t
hesamet i
met ogot akecareofbusi
ness.
S2-
INSERT21
Itwasast ressfulti
mefortheZwenif amil
ybecause
i
tt urnedoutt hatMat owasmi ssingtoaf
terfai
li
ng
tof ai
li
ngt oreturnhomewhenshewentf l
athunti
ng.
Makhul u'shighbl oodpressureshotupwhenshe
hear dthatKumkaniwasal somi ssi
ng.Yandiwas
kindenought ost aywit
hOt hu'schildr
enwhileOthu
spendt hehour satt hehospitaltomakesur ethat
hergr andmot herwaswel l.
Othu:"
Areyoucomf
ort
abl
e?"Ot
huki
ssedMakhul
u's
hand.
Makhulu:"I'
m notgoingtodienow, Ot
hunyiweyo.
Thereisagr eatgr
eatgranddaughtert
hatImustst i
ll
meet.I'
mj uststr
essedthat'
sall
.IhopeChul uisnot
i
nt henextroom"shel ookedatOthu"Don'tgiveme
thatl
ookbecauseIknowhowyouki dshidethings
from me"shescolded.
Deacon:"
Cal
m down,Hl
e.Chul
uisnoti
nthenext
room"hesai
dsoft
ly.
Othu:"Wekeepthi
ngsfr
om youtoavoidthesekinds
ofsit
uati
ons"shel
ookedar
oundthehospi t
alroom
"Chul
uishomewi t
hYandiandthetwins"Makhulu
nodded.
Makhul
u:"
Goodchi
ldt
hatYandi
"
Othu:"
I'
m gladyout
hinksobecausesheis
bhut'
Babini
'
snewgirl
fri
end"Makhul
ulif
tedherhead
andsmiled.
Makhul
u:"
Somygrandchi
ldwil
lbelookedaf t
er?I
f
eelmypressur
egodownalr
eady.Tellmemor eof
t
hegoodnews.Howseri
ousdoyout hinki
tis?"
Deacon:"Iwi
lll
eaveyouladiest
ochataboutthat.I
needt ofi
ndanicecupofwar mtea.Ift
hesestif
f
kneesdon'tmovenowthenIwi l
lbeboundt othis
chairfor
ever
.Wouldyoulikesomet ea,
Othu?"he
smiled.
Othu:"
Icangot r
yt ofi
ndsome,Deacon"heinsi
sted
ongoingsayingthewalkwoulddohim good"I
wouldlovesomet hen,t
hankyou"sheadded.
Deacon:"PraythatImakemywaybackqui ckt
o
avoi
dser vi
ngyoucol dtea"hel
aughed" Nomhle,I
wil
lberightback"hekissedMakhulu'
scheekbef ore
headi
ngt othedoor.Deaconlovedhisteasomuch
i
thadstar t
edtobemor el i
keanaddit
ion.Hestil
l
l
ovedMakhul uandOt huhopedsheandCr aigwould
beli
kethatintheirgol
denyears.
Othu:"SoMakhulu,thei
rrel
ati
onshipissoser i
ous
thatYandispentfourmonthsinthevill
ageto
supporthimthroughhisspir
it
ualcleansing"
Makhul ucl
appedwhi l
esmili
ng.
Makhul
u:"Nowthatsoundsseri
ous.Sothi
s
Decemberwemi ghtwelcomeamakoti
?Youbet t
er
thi
nkofanamef orYandi.Shei
sagoodgirlandI
knowshewillmakeoursonhappy"
Othu:"Yesbutyoursonhadt owelcomeherwith
rudenessearl
ieron.IknowyousayZwenimen
knowhowt otreatthei
rwomenbutyoursoncl ear
ly
didn'
tgetacopyoft heinst
ruct
ions,Makhul
u"
Makhul ul
aughed.
Makhul
u:"
Ithoughthi
ssi
cknesshadhumbl
edhi
m
buthehadusallfool
edbuthe'smysonnont he
l
essandI'm wor
ri
edabouthim"thedoctorwalked
i
nandr i
ghtbehi
ndherapprearedt
hesweatyMat o
whowasoutofbr eat
h.Othujumpedtogohugher
andMatowor eaconfusedl
ookonherface.
Mato:"ThewayOt huishuggi ngme,onewould
swearthatIwasmi ssing"OthuletgoandMato
wenttohugMakhul u"IgooutforonedayandI
comebackt ofindyouonahospi t
albed,
Sisi
.What
happened,Othunyiweyo?"shelookedatOthuwho
wasstilll
ooki
nglikeshehadseenaghost ..
Ot
hu:"
Crai
g..
.l
etmecal
lCr
aig"shesmi
ledi
nexci
ted.
Mat o:"
ButCr aigbroughtmeher e.Sayingthatthey
trackedmyl ocation.Iwassitt
inghavingagr eat
conversati
onwi t
hanol dschoolfri
end,Craigpull
s
upandl it
erall
yhel pedmet omyf eett
ogetmet o
thecaranddr i
vemeher e.Ar
eweshoot i
ngamovi e
becauseIdon' tfeelli
keI'mli
vingmyownl i
fetoday"
shespokequi ckl
y.Theyexplainedtoherwhatt hey
assumedhadhappened.
Makhul
u:"
ButKumkaniwascer
tai
nlyt
aken
becauseUnat hisai
dshesawit.I
'm sohappytosee
you,Mat o"hehuggedMatoagain"I
fClayand
Babinicouldlocat
eyouthensoontheywillbeabl
e
tolocateKumkanitoo.Idohopetheywil
lbecareful
becauseUnat hisai
dthosemenlookeddangerous"
Mat o:"Ihopet heyt eachhi m humblenessbecauseI
enjoyedt hehumbl eKumkaniwhenhewassi ck.No
onewoul ddar et rytoki dnapmebecauseIwoul d
sendt hem str aightt othemadhouse"shesai d
confidently."I'
m sur eKumkanii sscreamingand
beggingf orhi sl i
fe.Whi lewewer emar chi
ngdur i
ng
thestruggl e,
Si sihidhi m underthebedsohe' snot
madef ortortur e"shelaughed.
Makhul
u:"
Ithoughtt
hatraci
stsonofFl
inchyou
t
oldmeabouttookyou"
Mato:"
ButIt
oldyout
hatIsor
tedt
hatcowar
dout
.I
hadnothi
ngt
odowi t
hFli
nch'
sdeat
h"
Ot
hu:"I
'mjusthappyt
hatyou'
resaf
e"shehugged
Matoagai
n.
WhenBabi
niandCrai
glocat
edMatotheythought
t
hatt
heywouldfi
ndKumkanitoobutMatowasj ust
havingacoffeewithafri
endandlosttr
ackofti
me.
Duringnormalcir
cumstancesnoonewoul dbe
alar
medbyherst ayingoutlat
ebutKumkani'
s
abductionwhichwaswitnessedbyhiswif
emade
everyonecauti
ous.
Imangefranti
call
yknockedont hedoorwhenhegot
passedthesecurityatChulu'shome.Af t
erChulu
fai
ledtoanswerhi scal
lsandt extsheaskedaguy
whol i
vesnearhimt otakehimt oChul u's
neighbor
hood.Hewasgr eetedbyYandi saatthe
doorandshel etI
mangei nandt ol
dhi mt ogosit
withthetwinsintheli
vingroom whi leshegoest o
getChuluinherroom.Chul uwast heoneYandi
keptaclosesteyeonbecauseshef earedthestr
ess
wouldsendChul uintoearl
ylabor .
.Imangegr eet
ed
theboyswhower ebusyhavi ngdinner.
Phawu:"Iscor
edaR20f r
om thi
soneearli
erwhen
Chulutoldusthatshe'
sgoingtohaveagirl
"he
point
edatQhawe.I mangefakedasmilebuthe
hatedthathehadtohearfrom Phawuthathewas
expecti
ngadaught er
.Hewashopi ngf
oraboybut
heknewhe' dl
oveadaught ert
hesameway.
I
mange:"
What'
swi t
hthesecur
it
yatt
hegat
e?"t
he
t
winsl
ookedateachother
.
Qhawe:" Wewer etoldnott otell
,bra.Rat
herask
auntYandisoi tcomesf rom anel der.Wantsome
meat ?
"heof feredImangeapi eceofhismeatand
Imanger eachedf orwardt otakeit.Hewat ched
Chuluwal kinwear ingapi nkgown.Herbel l
ywas
biggerthant helasttimeshesawheraboutaweek
ago.Chulut oldhimt of
ollowhert othekit
chenso
theycouldspeakpr ivat
elysohest oodandf ol
lowed
her.
Imange:" SoIhadtohearf
rom chil
drent
hatwe'
re
havingagi rl
,Manco?
"heexpressedhis
displeasement.
Chulu:"Welli
fyouwer en'tbusyholdinghandswit
h
othergir
lsintown, I
'
dhavet ol
dyout henews.
Holdinghandswi t
hanot hergirlr
ightint
heopen,
Imangewhi leyoutoldmet hatyouwon' tbeabl
eto
comewi thmet othedoct or.Aweekofnotseeing
youatall"shegotemot i
onal .
I
mange:"
IfIcoul
dhavecopi
esofmemade,
Iwoul
d
havebutIhavetobal
ancemyt
imebet
weenwor
k,
school
,fami
lyandyou"
Chul
u:"Wil
lyouexplai
nt hegi
rlt
hatIsawyouwi
th?
"
shest
artedtogetagit
ated.
Imange:" She'saf el
lowinter nandonewhom I
foundhast hehot sforme.Shet ol
dmet hatshe
wasaf raidtocr ossabusyr oadalonesoIof feredt
o
helpbyt akingherhandbutIdi dn'
texpectthekiss
whenwegott ot heotherside"Chul u'
sheartsank.
Girl
satuni versitywouldn'tevengi veImangea
secondgl ancebecauseaf ewmont hsagohehad
nothingtohel pt hem getthroughthest r
ugglesof
universi
tylife.Chuludidn'tdat ehi
m outofpitybut
shewonder edifhewasst ar t
ingtoshowhi strue
coloursnowhehadal i
ttl
ei ncome.
Chulu:"Wel lI'
m havi
ngcr ampsatt hemostrandom
moment sandmyf eetareswollenbutbecauseI'
ve
acceptedmysi tuat
ionitmeansI '
m nolonger
scaredright ,I
mange?"shewi pedhertearsaway.
Hewant edt ohugherbutshebackaway" No,whil
e
youholdhandsofagr owngi r
lwhoi safr
aidto
crossther oadyourpr egnantgirl
fr
iendhadtoask
hermothert
ogowi t
hhertoholdherhanddur
ing
oneofthemostimpor t
antul
tr
asounds.Sogoand
cont
inuetocrossroadsandgetrewardedwi
th
ki
sses"shepoint
edt ot
hedoor.
Imange:"Youarebeingunfair,
Chulumanco.I'vej
ust
explai
nedt oyouwhathappened.I'
m sorrythatyou
aretheonewhof eel
sthest r
ugglesofthis
pregnancyasyouarecarryingthebabybutyou
can'texpectmetoputeverythi
ngonhol dtohold
yourhandeachandever ysingleti
me"
Chulu:"MayIr emi ndyout hatyouwer etheonewho
beggedmet ost aypr egnant ,
Imange? "sheshout ed
andever yonet urnedt heirheadsint heli
vingroom
"I
'
m notmaki ngani ssueaboutyoubei ngt oobusy
l
atelysinceI'vegot tenusedt oit.It
'sthehand
holdi
ngwi thanot hergi rlwhenyout oldmet hatyou
haveaf ami l
ycommi tment.Youwokemeupf r
om
mynapsopl easel eavesoIcanr eturntoitaswe' r
e
goingthroughat ought imeasaf ami l
y"shesai d
quiet
ly.
Imange:"
Areyouguysi
ntr
oubl
e?Inear
lygotshot
att
hegateandhadtoshowmyIDandtheyli
teral
ly
sear
chedever
ypar
tofmet
omakesur
eI'
m not
l
oaded"
Chul
u:"Pleaselet'
stal
kwhenI '
mfeeli
ngbet
ter
.I
can'
tthi
nkst r
aightsoplease.I
'
m notbei
ngr
ude,I
'm
j
usthurtandst r
essed"
I
mange:"
Iwi
llt
ellt
hegi
rlt
ost
ayawayf
rom me"
Chul
u:"
Youshouldhavetol
dherthatwhenshe
ki
ssedyou.Di
dyoukissherback?
"hejustl
ookedat
her
Imange:" Idi
dn't"hesaidaf t
erawhil
e" Callmewhen
you' rer eadyt ot
alk"hebr ushedherbell
ybef ore
kissingherf orehead.Theyhadnotbeeni ntimate
sincet hebabynewsbr okeoutandChul uthought
aboutFezeka' swor dsofhowI mangewoul dfi
nd
sexel sewher e.Ithurtherbutshehadbi ggerthings
towor ryaboutt owonderi fI
mangewasbei ng
tr
ut hful .Shemi ssedherI mange.Theonewhoused
tomaket imetocomet obabyscansnomat t
erwhat
andshewonder edi fshewasexagger ati
ng.Yandi
wal kedi ntothekitchenandChulutoldher
ever ythi ng.
Chulu:"If
eelli
kewe'redri
ft
ingfurt
herandfurther
apart,
auntYandz.HonestlyifIcouldaskGod, I
'
d
askhimt ogiveyout hi
sbaby.Peopleli
keImange
andIwhomi ghtbri
ngababyi ntoanunpleasant
si
tuati
onar ejustnotwort
hit"shelookeddown.
Yandi:"I
nafewyearstimeyouaregoingt owonder
whatmadeyousaysuch.You' vegotgreatsuppor
t,
Chulumanco.Evenifyoutwobreakupheavan
forbi
dbutshouldi
thappenthisbabywillhaveas
stableofahomeasyouandyourbr others.Pl
ease
don'taddmoretoyourstr
ess.MaybeImangespoke
thetrut
h"Chul
usatbesideher.
Chulu:"I
'
vehadt oadj
usttot hi
snewphasewhi l
ehe
seemst ojustcomewheni t'
ssuitsforhim.I'
ve
beenhear i
ngthatIshouldf acetheconsequences
ofsexandIagr eebutdoesn'tmekeepingsaf eat
l
eastmakemewor thyofal it
tl
esympat hy?To
constantl
yber emindedthatI '
m br
okeandhaveno
meanst oraiseachildhurts"Yandihuggedher .
Yandi :"
Allt
hei
rangeranddisappoint
mentswi l
l
fadewhent heyholdthatbabyinthei
rhands.They
willevenfussaft
ertel
li
ngyouformont hsthatt
hey
won'
tgeti
nvolved.I
'
veseenitwit
hmysisterwhen
shef
ellpr
egnantat18"Chul
u'seyeswi
dened.
Chul
u:"
Howdi
dshecope?
"
Yandi:"Supportf
rom thefamilyandyouare
defi
nitel
ynotlacki
ngint hatdepart
mentbutthey
gottoshowyouabi toftoughlucksoyouwon' t
bri
ngnumbert wosoon"
Chulu:"I
'm neverbr ingingnumbert wo.LastweekI
wasconst i
patedf oranent ir
eweekandt hatwas
notaf i
rst.Ihatebei ngpr egnantsoIwantt hebaby
tobustcome"t heyl aughed" I'
mr eallyhappythat
youarewi t
hmyuncl e.You'repracticall
yapartof
thefamily.Wear eaver ywel comi ngf amil
y.You
canaskuncl eLanga' sformerboyf r
iends.Don't
mi ndmygr andf ather,whenhedoesn' tgethi
sway
hegetsmean.I 'ml i
ket hattoowhenangr ybuthe
takesittoanewl evel "
Yandi:"
Atleastyourf
atherandunclef
oundyour
grandmotherMatoali
vesol et
'sst
ayhopeful.Have
yourfri
endsbeenhinti
ngatababyshower ?"she
askedcasuall
ytotrytakeChulu'
smindfr
om t he
heavyst
uff
.
Chulu:"Whatf
riends,
auntYandz?Af terItol
dt hem
I'
m pregnantt
heydon'teveninvi
temet ocasual
placesanymore.It
'sl
ikeI'
vebecomei nvinci
ble.My
fr
iendsaremybooksandmypai nt
ings"shefiddled
withherfi
ngers.Shewasr eal
lyhurtbytheisolati
on.
Yandi
:"Woul
dyoul
i
keone?
"
Chulu:"Andhavemyf at
hersayIbot herpeopl eby
makingt hem getmegi f
tsforababyI mangeandI
made?Not hanks.Pl uswhowi l
lattendi twhenmy
fr
iendswal ktheotherwayt oavoidme? "sheshook
herheadwhi lestil
llookingatherf ingers."Once
Malumegi vesmemymoney, eveni fi
t'
smont hl
yI'
l
l
buythingsformybabybymysel f
.Imange' smom
hasboughtani t
em ort wo.She' sreall
yexci t
ed
aboutthear r
ivalofPeanut "shesmi l
ed.
Yandi
:"Yourmom t
oo"shebr
ushedChul
u's
shoul
der.
Chul
u:"
Isawl i
tt
lepi
nkbabyboot
iesi
nherbag
whenshetol
dmet ogotakeapeninherbag"she
l
aughedsoft
ly"Il
ovemypeanutt
oo,auntYandz.I
j
ustwishshecameatal
atert
ime,
youknow?
"she
l
ookedatYandi
.
Yandi
:"It
hinkhert
imi
ngi sj
ustr
ight.Sheclear
ly
knowsweneedaspar kl
einourl
ives"Chulusmiled
andst
oodt ohugYandi.
Chulu:" Gi
vemeyourhands"shegr abbedhol dof
Yandi '
shandsandr ubbedthem al loverherbelly
"I
'mr ubbingthebabymagi calloveryousot hatyou
willj
oi nmesoon.I '
mt ir
edofpeopl etalki
ngabout
mypr egnancy.SoauntYandzmayt hepregnancy
magicbef allyou"thetwooft hem l aughed.Chulu
rubbedherbel lyagainstYandi'
st ummyt ooand
Yandibur stoutlaughingatthesilliness.
WhenBabiniandCr aigfinal
lygotalocati
onfor
Kumkanit
heydr ovetot heplacewhichwasquitea
di
stancef
rom thecity.Craigfel
thi
msel fget
ner
vousashedi dn'
tknowwhatwasaheadoft hem
Babini
:"Ineedyouf ocused,Knight
.You'vebeen
awfull
yquietandIdon' twanttotel
lmysi st
ershe's
awidowatt heendoft his"he'
doccasionall
yglance
atCrai
gwhi lespeedingtogettherefast
er.
Craig:"I
'
mr eady.Ijustwishwewon'
tregr
et
rescuingyourfatherbecauseher
eal
lyisapi
eceof
wor k"
Babin:"Tel
lmeabouti tbuttherestofthef amilywil
l
misshim sowemust .Wemi ghtf
indthisJohn
Lancasterther
e.Maybehef i
guredoutKumkani 's
responsibl
eforki
ll
ingFl i
nch.Orwemi ghtfind
peoplemor epowerfulthansomer acistfrom Taxes
withnewmoney.I '
m sur ethosesuit
sar edirtywhen
theyarenotaroundt heboardroom table.Sothis
mightbet heconsequencesofadealgonebad"
Craig:"Yetwear etheoneswhopeopl eseead
thugsjustbecausewehavet att
oos"t
heylaughed.
Craiggothi sammuni t
ionwithabeati
nghear tbut
alsofeeli
ngabi texcitedfordoingsomethingli
ke
that.Babiniwasonl yhopingthatthi
swouldnot
makehi mincompat i
blewi t
hYandiagainwher ehe'
d
havet oreturntoTat'Bhozo.Theyparkedtheircara
dist
ancef rom thei
sol atedfar
m houseli
keplace.
Bothoft hem ensurest hatt
heywer el
oadedwi th
enought obeabl etot akedownaf ewmen.I twas
darkbutnot hingei
thermenhadnotdeal twithat
somepoi nti ntheirl ives.They' dcar efullygetcl oser
andcl osert othezi ncbar nlikebuildingast hey
hear dal oudgr untcomef rom it.Craigcount ed
Babi nidownwi thhi sf i
ngersast hel i
ghtf rom f ar
shownper fectlyf ort hem t obeabl et oseeeach
other .WhenCr aig'sonl yremai ningf i
ngerwent
downt hetwooft hem wenti nsidequi etly.They
skil
lfullymadet hei rwayf orwar dandwoul dpoi nt
theirgunsatt hespot stheyt houghtt herewoul dbe
guar dbutt herewasnoonest andingguar d,not
evenadog.Theyhear dthegr untagai nsot hey
foll
owedi tonl yt of indKumkaninakedwi thagi rl
whowasyoungenought obehi sgr anddaught er.
Babi nishotaf ewwar ningshot st omaket heol d
manawar eoft hei rpr esence.Theyoungwoman
screamedherl ungsoutbef oresher anbehi nda
pill
art oshi eldher sel f.WhenKumkanisawt hathi s
sonswer et heshoot ershequi cklypul l
edt hecover
overhi snudebody.Ther ewer esomer opesandal l
kindsofot hert hingsusedbyt hosewhol ikedabi t
ofroughsex.Cr aigandBabi niwer ef umi ng.Each
want ingt oshootKumkanisomewher ej usttoget
rewar df ort hehar dwor ktheyputi nt of i
ndhi m.
Babini:"Ican'
tbeli
evethisf
uckingman.Whatthe
fuck?Whati fwekilledsomeone'sdaughter
?Fuck
Kumkani !
"helosti
t.Bothofthem weretoo
disgustedandangr ytostaythere.
Craig:"He'sdonesomecr azyshi
tbutthi
s..
.t
hisi
s
fuckingsick.Thatgir
lcouldbeChul
u'sage.We
fuckingthoughthewasdeadorbei ngtort
uredbut
no...
thebast ar
dwasscr ewinghi
ssugarbaby"They
didn'twaitforhimtocomeandexplainastheysped
offbothtooenr agedtoevenspeak.
Babini:"Theli
tt
ler
espectthatIst
artedt
ohavef or
him gone!"heshouted.Nosonwant stoseetheir
fat
herengagedi nstupidi
ty.Whentheyarr
ivedat
theKni ghthouset
heybangedt hedoorbehindhim.
Chul
u:"Daddidyoufi
ndhi
m?"Chul
ulookedbehi
nd
herf
atheranduncl
e.
Babini
:"Ntli
ziyoyam,let
'sgo.Takeyourstuffsowe
cango.I'vewast edt
imeherealreadyfornothi
ng"
hetookYandi 'sbagandwalkedoutoft hedoor.
Crai
g:"Tr
ustme,
hehasagoodr easonforbei
ngso
angryandwhenyouheari
t.Youwil
lfeelt
hesame
way"hesai
dtoYandibef
oresher
anoutbehi
nd
Babi
ni.
Chuku:"
Dad,
isTamkhul
uokay?
"
Crai
g:" He'sperfect.
..
justper fect"Crai
gwentt othe
bedroom t ogoandcal lOthunyi weyoandt ol
dher
whatt heyhadt owi t
ness.Ot hu'smout hwaswi de
openasshecoul dnotbel i
evet hatKumkanimade
them allsoconcer nedf ornot hing,nothi
ngatall.
Othutol dtheladieswhatCr aigsai dandMakhul u
fel
therl astpati
enceandner vel eaveherbody.She
wasswear ingasKumkanimadeherbeadmi tt
edf or
absolutelynothing.Thedeacon' steawaswhat
managedt osomewhatcal m her .
Thefoll
owingdayUnat
hi,OthuandMat osat
l
ookingatKumkaniasthoughhewast hescum of
theeart
h.Theyspar
edthechi l
drenthedisgusti
ng
stor
yandonl yt
oldt
hem thathewasbacksaf e.
Unathihadtobehel
dbackf rom ki
ll
inghim hersel
f
Mato:"Expl
ainyour
selforwil
lyoujustl
ookatus
l
ikethat?Younearl
ykill
edyourmother,Kumkani
.
Howol dareyou?Sixt
een?"sheshouted.
Kumkani:"
Idon'tneedt
oexpl
ainmysel
ftoyou"he
poi
ntedather.
Othu:"
Explai
nyour
selft
omybr otherandhusband
whowastedhourslooki
ngforyou,Tata.Andyes,
youoweusanexpl anat
iont
oofornear l
ykil
li
ngus
withworr
y"sherai
sedhervoi
ce
Kumkani
:"Youar
eachil
dandyouwil
lremember
t
hatwhenyouspeakt
ome"hepoint
edatOthu.
Unathi
:"Youexpectyourchil
dtor espectyouyet
yougoandyouhaveyour sel
fkidnappedt ogohave
somesicksexualfantasyyouhavewi thagi rlyoung
enoughtobeyourdamngr anddaughter.Sies,man"
shespat.
Kumkani :"
Unathi,t
hisi sanissuebetweenus
becauseI '
m marri
edt oyouandnotOt hunyi weyo
andNot omato.Ithoughtt hatyouwereatt hat
stokvelthingsoIdi dn'tknowyou'dwi tnessmeget
"taken".Pluswhenamani skeptonapr isoneras
youdomet henobvi ouslyamanwi l
lresortto
dr asti
cmeasur estobr eakf r
ee.Youwentandt ol
d
thef amilythatIwaski dnappedwhenIwent
wil
li
ngl
y.I'
m usedtodoi
ngthi
sandt hedri
vert
ook
mywheelchairal
waysbutyoujusthadtobehome
whenyousaidyouwouldn'
t"Unathit
hrewherri
ng
i
nhisface.
Unat
hi:"
Befeethen,MrBlesser
"shewal
kedaway
i
ndisgustmorethanpai
n.
Mat o:"Youdoknowt hatotherbl
essersj
ustr ent
hotelrooms,screwandcomebackr ight
?Onl y
KumkaniZwenihadt oletevensuchadiscr eet
thi
nggr abal
lourat
tenti
onbecauseliferevolves
aroundyouandyourbi ghead"shepokedhi shead
afewt imesandhehel dherhandoutofanger .
Kumkani
:"Thankstomeyouareri
chwi
dowand
nowyouthinkyouareaboveme?
"
Mat o:"
Youkill
edmyhusband?Doyouknowt hat
hissonisoutt r
yingtofindwhodi dthis?Whodo
yout hi
nkisgoingt owastet i
melookingforyou
whenyou' r
einr ealdanger,Kumkani?.Yourbest
optionstodealwi t
hthelikesofJohnLancast er
wantabsolutelynothingtodowi t
hyoubecauseyou
playedthem forfoolswhent heyt
houghtt heywere
goingt
orescueyou.Ot
hunyi
weyol et
'sgobef
ore
Fl
inch'
ssonthi
nkthatweareI.cahootswi
tht
his
one"
Kumkani
:"I
'
m notafr
aidofhi
m,l
ethi
m come!
"he
shout
edarr
ogant
ly.
Othu:"You'
vegonewayt oofarthi
stime,Tat a.I
nearlyl
ostMakhulubecauseofyou.Andpr etendi
ng
thatyoucan'twal
kwhenyoucl earl
ycan.Yho,
KumkaniZweniwhatkindofal i
enareyou? "she
tookherbag."Don'
tcomenearmychi l
drenagai n.I
don'twantmyboysidoli
zingyouonlytot ur
noutt o
besoconni vi
ng".
Kumkani :"
Soamancan' tevenhaveal i
ttlebitof
fun?Yourhusband' smi ghtnotbeashonestasyou
thi
nk.Nomani smonogamous.Gooutofmyhouse.
Comi ngtoinsultmewhent hiswasnonofyour
businessanyway"Ot hunyiweyoandMat ot ookthei
r
bagsandl efthi
m alone.Justast heladiesmade
thei
rwayoutoft hehouset hemi ght
yKumkanigot
ami ghtypaininhischestbef orehestartedto
coughupbl ood.Hecoul dsti
llseeOthunyiweyo's
carpulledoutofhisdrivewaybuthecoul dnotcall
them back.Johnwalkedinasthoughheknewt
he
housepr et
tywellandknel
tdowninfrontof
Kumkaniwhowaskneel i
ng.
John:"Idon'tthi
nkanyoft hem willcomer escue
younowsodon' tbotherpressingthatphone.You
shouldhavel etyoursonsrescueyouwhent hey
foundyoubecauser i
ghtaftertheyf oundyouLazel
madesur et
oputsomet hingi nyourdr i
nktoensure
you'l
lsleepforgood.Sayhit omyf atheri
nhellf
or
me"hewor easmi rkonhisf ace.
Kumkani:"
Bastard"shesaidqui et
ly.Hewasnot
pr
eparedtohaver evengeservedt ohim byoneof
hi
s"bl
essees".Thepoi sonwor kedsoslowlythat
Kumkanididn'
tthinkLazelspikedhisdrink.
John:"
Someti
mesi t'
sjustsaf
erforamant ostay
home,Kumkani.Exci
tementcankillanolddogl i
ke
you.I
twasgreatmeet i
ngyoubutIsadlyhavet o
saygoodbyet
oo"hest oodandwalkedout .
KumkaniknewhewasFl i
nch'
ssonasMat ospoke
abouthi
m andhelaidtherenotbel
ievi
ngt hat
Fli
nch'
ssonhadhi m poi
sonedinhisownhouseas
Fli
nchdidmanyyearsago.Itwaslikehist
or y
repeat
ingitsel
f.Hetri
edtor eacht hepanicbut ton
buthislegswoul dnotcarryhim up.Hedi aled
Babini
'snumberbuthedi dn'tanswer .Hedidt he
samet oOthu'sandUnat hi'
sbutt herewasno
answer.Hef el
ttheairhebr eathedbecomel essand
l
essunt i
lhecol l
apsedont hef l
oor.Itwasint hat
momentt hathel ear
nedthatf amilyisallhegotbut
i
twast oolatebecausether ewoul dbenosecond
chance.

PS:Mi
ghtbeshor
tbutI
'
mti
redt
oday.Ni
ghtni
ght

S2-
INSERT22
Ithadbeenamont hsinceKumkaniwasl aidtorest
.
Thegr andchil
drenasexpect eddidnottaketheloss
wel latall
.Craighadtolistentoavaguemessenge
from Nat eaf ewdaysafterKumkani '
sdeathoni t
Nat est at
edthatheisgoi ngtoliel
owf orawhi l
e.
Cr aigwasneverhappi erwi t
hthefactthatheleft
thatl i
febehindhim becausehecoul dnotpicture
himsel fexil
edandleavinghi sfamil
ybehind.Babini
wasnotgoi ngt orevengeKumkani '
sdeathasit
wouldjustdr awunnecessar yattenti
ontohim.
EveryonewasmadatKumkanif ormakingthem
partwithhim onsuchat er
ri
blenot e.Shocki
nglyhis
deathdidn'tsendMakhul uintoacomaoranear l
y
grave.I
twast i
mef orsomej oyandYandideci ded
toplanababyshowerf orChulumancoonceshe
askedOt huifitwouldbef i
ne.SheandI mangewer e
goodagai nwel lasgoodast heiryoungnaiveselves
couldbe.Yandir anintoherbat hroom t
ofindBabini
kneeli
ngbyhert oi
let
.
Yandi:"
Baby,
Igott
auset heloo"shesai
dwhile
movingabouttoi
ndicat
et ohimjusthowful
lher
bl
adderwas.
Babini
:"Youcan'
tuseitatt
hemoment ,Nt l
izi
yoyam.
Sinceyourusel
esslandl
ordhasbeendr agginghis
feeti
nfixi
ngtheleakatt
heback,Icheckedi tout
"
hesaidsocalmlyasthoughYandi'
sbladderwasn' t
abouttoburst
.
Yandi
:"Letmepeequi
ckl
y"hehel
dupapi
pe.
Babi
ni:"
Youcan'
t.Ibl
ockedt
hewat
erandI
'
mreal
ly
busyhere.IfIstopsomethingelsewillgr
abmy
att
enti
on"hel ookedatherandshel ookedli
keshe'
s
abouttocry.Hiseyeswentar oundherbathroom
"Thebucket,Ntli
ziyoyam.Usethebucket"he
point
edtothesmal lr
edbucketinthecorner
.Yandi
l
ookedatitandshookherhead.
Yandi
:"I
t'
snotforuri
nat
ingi
n,Babi
niZweni
.Baby,
pl
easeI'
mr eal
lypr
essed"
Babini:"
I'
llbuyyouanewbucket .Pl easeuset hat
onet orel
ieveyourselfbecauseIdonotwantt o
dri
veyout oadoctorf orabladderinf ect
iont hat
couldhavebeenavoi ded.I'
m wai t
ingf oranewpi pe
tobedel i
veredandt hatnighttakeawhi le"hesai d
whilebusywi t
ht hepipes."It
'sthatf ir
stmor ning
peetoosoIcanonl yi maginehowmuchi tmust
burn"headded.Yandit ookthebucketandf eltas
thoughamount ainhadbeent akenof fher
shoulderswhenal lshef el
twasr elief.
Yandi:"Ican'
tbel
ievethatyoumademepeei na
bucketwhi l
eyou'
rerightther
e"shefelther
selffeel
embar r
assed."I
sn'ti
ttooearlyforustogetthis
comfortablewit
heachot her?"sheasked.
Babini:"
I'm sti
llwait
ingformycopyofl i
fe'srules
butunt i
lthen,youwi llf
oreverhavetoteachme
what'saccept ableandwhat 'snot"helookedather
andsmi led.Shel ookedsouncomf or
table.He
reachedf orthetoil
etpaperabovehi m andt hrewit
ather.
Yandi
:"Thankyou"shesmi
led.
Babini'
:"You'rewelcome.Forasecondt hereI
thoughtyou'llgoaskyournei ghbort
ousehi s
bathroom"hesai dwi t
hasmi rk"Baby,Iknowthat
youpoopandpeesoIdon' tknowwhyyourf ace
hasturnedr ed"theylaughed.Shethrewtherollof
paperbackathi m.
Yandi
:"Ican'
ttur
nredandyouar
ewell
awareofi
t.
Okay,
I'
m donesowhatmustIdowit
hthebucket
?"
shest
ood.
Babini
:"LeaveitandI'
l
lgetr
idofi
tscont
entonce
I
'm done,Ntli
ziyoyam"
Yandi
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetyout
hatr
ulebookonl
if
e"he
l
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Bet
tergetr
eadyf
orChul
u'sbaby
cel
ebr
ati
onseei
ngasyouar
etheor
gani
zer
"
Yandi
:"Nowatertoshowerbecauseyouchosea
badti
me, MrPlumber"shet
urnedthetapst
oonl
y
getadropout.
Babi
ni:"
Ifi
ll
edafewbowl ssoputsomewat eri
nthe
ket
tl
eanddoi tt
heruralway"hesmil
edather"Good
morni
ngbyt heway"hestoodandkissedher.
Yandi :"Goodmor ning, Baby.Letmebr ushmyt eet
h
quickly"hewentbackt ohispl umbi ngwhi l
eshegot
hermout hf r
esh.Shet urnedandsmi l
edasshe
wat chedhi m got hroughhi st oolbox" Sthandwa
Sam, mayIhaveaqui ckwor dwi thyou"her ai
sed
hisheadt olookupatherandst ood.Het hensaton
topoft het oi
letseat .Yandisatwi theachl eg
hangi ngonhi ssides.Shedi dn' twantt obr ingup
whatshewant edt ospeakt ohi m aboutwhi lethey
sti
llgr i
evedt heirf at
hersoshef eltthatwast het i
me.
Hef irstgaveherapr operdeepmor ningki ssbef or
e
hehel dherf irmlysoshe' dbecomf or
table." This
thi
ngwi thyourf at herhasmademer ealizej usthow
shor tandunpr edictabl eli
feis.Iknowyou' vebeen
tel
lingmet hatal lthesemont hsbutIgotawakeup
callnow.SoBabiniKungent
andoZweni,i
fyousti
ll
wantt omar r
yYandi
saDudumashet henshewould
reall
y,real
lyl
ovetobeyourwif
e"shesmiled
nervously.
Babini
:"Idon'
trecallamomentIt ookmypr oposal
back"hekissedher ."
Iwasstart
ingt othi
nkthatyou
don'
tli
kemynonr omanti
cass,Ntli
ziyoyam.I'l
lget
youtheringasIhear dyouwomenneedi tt
ogo
fl
auntsubtlyatotherladi
es"Yandilaughedandf el
t
hisl
ipstouchherchi n.
Yandi:"Yesandwesuddenl ybecomel efthandedi
n
everythi
ng"shewavedherl efthandi nhisfaceand
helaughed" Butyouknowwhat ,baby.Idonotwant
todot hatagain.Il
ovet hi
s.Howyouar eandhow
youdot hings.Idon'texpectyout obet herose
petalsandr i
nginthechampagnegl asstypeofmen.
Ilovemygent legiantroughar oundt heedges"he
smi l
ed.
Babini
:"Il
iket
hat.Nowpl easegogetreadybefore
Othunyi
weyostartscall
ingmebecauseshecan' t
reachyou"Yandilaughed.Itwasathi
ngOt hudid
now.Whenshecoul dn'
treachoneofthem she'
d
cal
ltheot
heranddeepdownYandil
ovedi
t.
Yandi :"Wil
lyoubeherewhenIcomeback? "he
nodded" Doyouwantmet ogiveyouspaceandgo
washi nthebedroom?"shelaughedsomuchwhen
heshookhi shead"Anyexcuset oseethetwi
ns
huh? "shecuppedherbr east
sandhest uff
edhis
facebet weenhersoftthem befor
elif
ti
nghishead
tokissher .
Babini:"Myweaknesses"heconf essedf orthe
hundr edtime.Yandigotupandf i
rststartedto
makebr eakfastforthetwoofthem.Shedi dn'
tmind
thathecoul dn'tcookbecausehet ookcar eofthe
creepycr awlersinthehouseanddi dot hermanly
thi
ngsi nherapar tment."Doestherulebooksayi t
's
tooear l
yt ol
ookf orahouse?sheputhi sbreakfast
i
nf rontofhim.Yandil ookeddown.
Yandi
:"I
nwhatar
eawoul
dyoul
iket
obuyone?
"
Babini
:"Onewher eIwon'tgocrazywi
thworry
shouldIhavetoleaveyouhomeal oneforacoupl
e
ofdaysforbusiness"Yandibr
eathed.
Yandi
:"Thosear
eexpensi
veandevenwi
tht
he
moneythatIgot,
Iwil
lnotevenbeabletocont
ri
but
e
hal
fofthehomevalue"shelookeddown.Hefel
thi
s
hugfr
om behind.
Babi
ni:"
Ihavesomesavingsofmyown.I '
m sur
e
oncewesitdownandputwhatwehaveont het
abl
e,
wecanmakeapl an"hekissedherneck.
Yandi
:"What
'swr
ongwi
thyourhouse?
"
Babini
:"Wher ewil
lyouwor k?Idoubtt hepeople
whocomet oyouf orhel pwi l
lappreci
ateahal f
nakedmanwal ki
ngar ound"shel ovedhim somuch
forconsi
deringhert radit
ionalwor k."
Wecan' tst
ay
hereeit
her.Ineedhi ghcei l
ingsandyourpl ace
makesmef eelsuf
f ocated"hesul ked.
Yandi:"
I'
m sor
ry"shetur
nedtoki
sshi
m."
Sowe'
re
real
lydoingt
hismarri
agethi
ng?"
Babin:"
Assoonasyoul eave,I
'
llbeont hephone
wit
hmyuncl estot ellthem t
olettheDudumashe
famil
yknowt hattheZwenisonwant stopi
cka
fl
owerfrom t
heirgarden"Yandibl ushed.Vuyo'
s
famil
ydemandedt heirlobol
asayingYandiadded
nothi
ngtotheirfamily.Thoughnotusual l
ydone,
Yandi'sfathergavei tbacktot hem.SoYandiwas
happyshewoul dnothavet odealwi thVuyo's
familywhent heZweni sgot oaskf orher.Theyate
whiletalki
ngaboutt hehousei ssueandsoonYandi
wasdoi ngsi l
lynakeddanceswhi l
eshewashed
herself
.Assi l
lyast heywer e,theyleftherman
want i
ngher .Needlesst osayOt hu'sdidcallBabini
whenYandidi dn'
tar ri
veont heirsettimeasshe
wast oobusyget tingkissesal loverherbody.Yandi
gotdressedandl eftBabinitohisplumbi ng.When
shear ri
vedatOt hu'sonlyCr ai
gandt hetwinswer e
therebecauseOt huhadt akenChul uoutt ogive
them ti
met oprepare.
Qhawe:"AuntYandz, wheredoyouwantt hi
scake? "
heheldapinkcaket hatwasshapedl i
keal i
ttle
baby.Yandipointedt owhichtabl
et hecakemust
go.Poppysoonar r
ivedtohelpplanf orherni ece's
babyshower .I
fChul u'sf
ri
endswer enotgoi ngt o
stepupandcel ebratethenewphasei nt hei
rfriend'
s
l
ife,t
heolderwomeni nherlif
ewer edoi ngit.Soon
theguestarr
ivedandYandishowedt hem wher eto
putthegif
tsthattheygotf orChulu.Someoft he
guestswer ecol l
eguesofOt huandYandiknew
them too.Theonl yfri
endwhowasal soaboutt o
popt hatChul uhadwasFezekawhom shemetat
theclini
c.Thel adiesletFezrel
axasherf eetlooked
l
iketheywer esorefrom howswol l
ent heywer e.
Othucal l
edYandiwhent heywerecl
oseandYandi
saidthatallwasr eady.Cr ai
gandtheboyswent
withBabi nitosomemot orcycl
eExpot hingt hatno
l
adyhadi nteresti
n.WhenChul uwalkedi ntof i
nd
thepinkbal l
oonsandr i
bbonsinherl i
vingr oom she
start
edt ocry.
Chul
u:"
Thankyousomuch,
Mama"shehuggedher
mom.
Othu:"You'
rewelcomebutwasallauntYandi
'
sidea.
Ijusthel
pedhereandther
e"shesmi l
ed.Chul
uwent
tohugYandi .
Chul
u:"I
t'
ssoprett
yandsogi
rl
ysothankyouso
much,auntYandz.
"shewi
pedhert
ears.
Yandi
:"Di
dyoureal
l
ythi
nkthatwewouldletyou
comehomewithanakedbaby?"ever
yonelaughed.
Poppy:"
Comesi
t,Mommy"sheputt
he'
mommyt
o
be'sashoverChul
u'sshoul
der
.Chul
uwentt
osi
t
downandgr eet
edFezeka.
Yandi:"Fr
iend,
Ihopethatyoudi
dnotexhaust
Chulutoomuchbecausewewi l
lbeplayinggames
wit
hhert heenti
reday"whatshesaidwast rue
becausesoonChukuhadt oplaythemi str
idicul
ous
babyrelat
edgamesbutshewashavi ngsucha
goodt i
me.
Mat o:"
Ourl itt
leChul umancoi sgoi ngtobea
mommy.Iknowt hatKumkaniwoul dhavel ovedto
havemett hatl i
ttl
egi rl
"her eall
ywoul dhavel oved
tomeethi sgr eatgrandchi ldbutt hechoi cesthathe
madecamewi t
hdi reconsequences.Ther ewasno
caseofmur deropenedbecauset hepoi sonwas
untraceable.Becausehe' shadanor gant r
ansplant
yearsago, itwasr uledt hathi skidneysandhi s
l
ungsf ail
edhi m.Babi niandCr ai
gknewt herewas
mor etoitbutt oprotectt heirfami li
es,theyhadt o
tur
nabl i
ndeyeandl etJohnLancast ergetaway
withmur der .Babiniwasnothappyt hathewas
fat
her l
essbutheknewt or etali
atewoul dbr ing
downawart ohisf ami l
yt hatwasnotwor thit
.
Fezeka:"
Youaresoluckyt
ohavet
his,
chomee"she
hel
dChulu'shand.
Chulu:"
Youknowi fyoutel
lyourfamil
ytheywillbuy
st
uffforyoubabytoo.Thisthingyou'
repl
anningof
j
ustrockingupatthei
rdoorstepwithachi
ldisjust
nota.goodidea"
Fezeka:"Theysentmeheretost
udyandIget
pregnantinst
ead.Mydadisnotli
keyour
s.Iwon't
besurpri
sedifIgetabeati
ngwhenIarri
ve"she
shookherheadwhi l
eeati
ngcake.
Makhul u:"Youareaboutt obeginaj ourneyofaf ar
differentlovethanyouhaveeverexper i
enced,
Chul umanco.Yes, ther ewillbet i
meswher eyou' l
l
feellikecryingbutwhenyouseeyourchi l
dsmi l
e, i
t
willmakeal lt
hediffi
cul tmoment sjustfadeaway.I
knowever yonekeepssayi ngt hatthebabycame
tooear l
ybutGodknowswhyHedeci dedt otrust
youwi ththisbeauti
fulgi f
tnow, notear l
ier,
notl ater
butnow.Wewer edisappoi ntedbutwear e
anxi ouslywaiti
ngforbabyChul utocome.Thi si s
myver yfi
rstgr
eatgr eatgranddaught erandIhave
tol
dal lwhocar edtolistenaboutt hear r
ivalinaf ew
mont hs.Il
oveyou"sheheldherarm outandChu
stoodt ogohugher .Theot
herladi
esalsosaida
fewthings.Poppyj ustr
emi
ndedChul uthather
breastswillsangbutshemadesur eeveryonehada
greatlaugh.Othuandherfri
endsweresi t
ti
ng
togetherafterever
yonehel
pedthemselvestothe
plat
ters.
Yandi:"I'
vegotnewsbutpr omiset onotmakea
sceneasIdon' twanttotakeChulu'sshine"she
l
ookedatal lofthem especi
all
yOt hubuttheyall
sworet onotmakeasound" I
'm engaged"shesaid
exci
tinglyandshecoul dseeitwashar dforOthuto
notletthewholewor l
dknow.
Poppy:"
Iseenor
ing"shehel
dYandi
'
shand.
Yandi:"
Ther ewon'
tbeany.Wear
edoi
ngt
hings
di
ffer
ently"shesmil
ed.
Poppy:"
Atleastt
ellmehewentononekneeand
madeeverythi
ngromanti
c"
Yandi:"
Itwasr
omant
ici
nBabi
ni'
sway"shesmi
led
andlookeddown.
Luci
a:"
Youar
ethegi
rlwhor
eadsr
omancenovel
s
andfantasi
zeabouttheper
fectlove,f
il
ledwit
h
romance.Ifyouwanthimtotryber omanti
cwhen
you'
remar r
ied,youhadbet
teraskforthatr
ing,gi
rl
"
Poppy:"
Luci
aisr
ight
.Howdi
dhepr
oposet
hen?
"
Yandi
:"Heaskedi
fhecoul
dsendhi
suncl
e'
stomy
home"
Poppy:"
Andyousaidyestothat
?Youdoknowa
l
adyactual
lyagr
eestotheri
ngfi
rstr
ightbef
ore
sayi
ngyestohim"
Yandi:"
Beenthere,
donethereandgotthet-
shir
t.
I'
m happywithhowmymandi dit.I
twasperf
ect"
shesmi l
ed.Othuwasquietbecauseshewas
wipingofft
earsofjoy.
Shestoodtogohugherbest
fr
iendandsoont obesist
erinlaw.
Othu:"
I'
m sohappyforyouguys.Makhulusawthi
s
comingamont hago.Screwtheri
ng.Yougotyour
man"Yandilaughedwhil
ewipingtear
s.
Yandi:"
Andheisj
ustper
fectf
orme,Fr
iend.He
mightnotber
omanti
cbutheisanenti
rel
yamazing
package"
Poppy:"Butsti
ll
,aringisimportant
.Othuweneed
tohaveachatwi thourbr ot
her.Themanhasn't
evenboughtYandiagi ft
.Hecknotevenat eddy
bear"shesaidindisapproval
.SheandBabinihad
start
edtogetalongandhe' shaddinneratthei
r
placeonceortwice.
Yandi
:"Leavehim alone.He'ssti
llnewtot hi
s
romant
iclovething.Whenhef i
nall
ycatcheson, I
knowI'
llbeshower edwi t
hgift
sbutIdon' tcareeven
i
fhedoesn't.Myl ovelanguageisspendingqual i
ty
ti
meandhegi vesmeenoughoft hatthankyou.
NowcanIj ustgetacongr atul
ati
onsal r
eady"she
smil
ed.
Luci
a:"
Congrat
ulat
ions,
Yandz.Iknowyouwon' t
havemonst
ersinlawsintheZwenifamil
y.I
'm so
happyf
oryou"sheputherwinedownt ohugYandi.
Poppy:"Youguysmi ghtactokaybutdeepdown
youwantt oseearingonitandbecauseI 'mthe
si
sterIcanhaveawor dabouti tt
ohim.I'
llevenput
asi
deadayt ohel
phim choose.Unti
lthen,
congrat
ulati
onsYandi.Welcomet ot
hecr azi
ness
andoccasionaldr
amaoft heZwenifami l
y"Onceall
t
hel
adi
esf
ini
shedt
hei
rgr
ouphugt
heysatandat
e.
Lucia:"Soyou'l
lbeahousewif
e?"Yandiwasnot
planningtososheshookherhead.Shelovedbei
ng
ani ndependentwomanandsoonhermoneywoul d
runoutandshecoul dn'
trememberatimeshewas
withoutadime.
Othu:"Theyreplacedyouaboutt
hreemonthsago
butthereareotherschool
ssolet
'snotst
ressabout
i
ttoomuch"
Poppy:"Shemustst r
ess.Noof f
ence,Yandisabut
yourmani salsounempl oyed.Doyouwantt obe
newlymar ri
edandbroke? "Yandi'
sheartstart
edt o
beatfaster
.She'sal
lfortheliveinthenowt hingof
Babinibutasfarasfinancesar econcerned,i
t's
besttohaveast abl
ef l
ownowandt omorrow.
Yandi
:"He'sselfemployed,notunemployed.We've
di
scussedt hi
sbr i
efl
ythi
smor ningsowear egood.
SoonI'
llf
indaj obandeverythi
ngwi l
lbesorted"she
smil
edner vously.
Luci
a:"
Goodbecausewewon'
tal
lowabr
okeass
mantomarryyou"
Othu:"They'
llpul
lthr
oughandift
heyneedhelp.We
wil
lstepinwhenaskedandonl ywhenasked.
Babinihatespeoplei
nhisper
sonali
ssues"t
hey
l
aughed.
Craig,Babi
niandthet winsdidnotwantt obe
surroundedbypinkdecor ati
onsandpr egnant
womensot heywentt oamot orbikeshowcase
wher ethenewestandbeast ybikeswer ebeing
shown.Onceper mittedtheygottot esttwooft he
best.Thehelmetswer eonandCr aigandBabi ni
tookthetwinsonaspi nt heywoul dbet ell
ingtheir
fri
endsaboutonMonday.Theyunder stoodthathe
can'thavepict
urestakensot hey'
dsnaphi m wi th
hishelmeton.Babinialsopulledhiscapt ohiseyes
toavoidtheshow'scamer a'
sfrom want ingtosnap
him.
Phawu:"Yhoooo,Dadwhenyoul ett
hebikeleanon
onesideIthoughtthatIwassurelygoi
ngt ofal
lof
f.
Thatwassocool "hebrushedtheblackbike.
Qhawe:"Malumedidthesamet hi
ngwithourbike.
Theadrenal
inewasinsane"hesai
dwhi l
eholding
hi
sheadandshowi ngallofhi
sperfect
lyal
igned
t
eet
h.
Phawu:"
Whydon'
teit
herofyouhavebi
kes?Acari
s
awastet
osuchexper
iencedri
der
s"
Crai
g:"
WherewouldIhaveputyourcarseats,
buddy?
"hebrushedhi
sheadwhi l
elaughing.
Qhawe:"
Wellwenolongerneedcar
seat
s,Dad.So
getonef
orus"Crai
glaughed.
Cr
aig:"
Andhaveyourmot
herski
nusal
ive?
"he
j
okedandlaughed.
Phawu:"
Youcan,
Mal
ume"
Babini
:"I
'
vegottopayl obol
ainafewweeks, Buddy.
Hereismoney,youcan'tgetabikebutyoucanget
ushotdogsandjuice"hegavethem afewnotes
andwatchedthem runofftothevanthatsol
d
hot
dogsandchi ps.
Craig:"
Lobola,
huh?
"heshookBabi
ni'
shandto
congratul
atehim."
Ist
hemanfinal
lyhangi
nghi
s
gloves?"
Babi
ni:"
Themani
shangi
nghisgl
oveswhenhe'sat
homebutoutt
her
eI'
l
lst
il
lhavet
hem onbecause
l
if
eisamot
her
fucka"t
heyl
aughed.
Cr
aig:"
IhopeI
'
mthebestman?
"
Babini:"
Iam thegr
oom andthebestmansono
thanks"Crai
gburstoutl
aughing.
Crai
g:"Sowhogaveyout her omanti
cni
ghtlessons.
Weal lknowthatyouarepracti
cal
lyast
one"Babini
tol
dCr aighowheproposedandCr ai
gadvi
cedt hat
heplansomet hi
ngromanti
cl at
eronaswomen
l
ovedi t."
Andgetheragif
ttoodamn"hef r
owned.
Babi
ni:"
Rel
ax,
Ial
readygott
hatpar
tcover
ed"
Cr
aig:"
Isi
tshi
nyandf
rom aj
ewel
ryst
ore?
"
Babi
ni:"
Imadei
tmysel
f"Cr
aigpl
acedahandover
hi
sfacewhil
eshaki
nghi
shead.
Crai
g:"Throwwhat evert
hehellyoumadeyoursel
f
outforwhenyouguysar emar ri
edandsenti
mental
.
Thisissti
llnew,andwomenappr eci
atef
lowersand
st
uff"BabinilookedatCr
aig.
Babini
:NotYandi
sa.She'
llappr
eciat
ewhatIgother
.
Stoptal
kingasi
fyouaresomel ovegur
uwhenI
knowyou'renot
"theyl
aughed.
Yandicamebackl atert
hanexpectedthatnightbut
shesawBabi ni'scaroutsosheknewhewasst i
llat
herplace.Shelovedcomi nghomet ohim.When
sheenteredshef oundsmal lscent
edcandles
everywhereshel ooked.Sheputherbagdownand
walkedtotheki t
chenandf oundBabiniwit
han
aprononcooki ngupast orm.Whenhenot icedher
hewentt ogreetherwi t
hadeepki ss.
Babini
:"Surel
ybabycelebr
ati
onsar
en'
tt i
ri
ngri
ght
becauseIplantokeepyouupallni
ght"heputher
ontopoft heki
tchencount
erandki
ssedhermor e.
Yandi
:"Wel
lanyexhausti
onIhadisnowgone.You
di
dalloft
his?
"shesmiledwhil
elooki
ngar
ound.
Babi
ni:"
Yourmegazi
nesgavemeat
iport
wo"Yandi
l
aughed.
Yandi
:"Youreadmymegazineswhi
chyoucal
led
di
sgusti
ngl
yf emi
nine?
"hel
aughed.
Babini
:"Amansometimeshastoendur
etort
urein
honorofhiswoman.Wouldyouli
kesomethi
ngto
dri
nkwhileyouwai
tfort
hefoodtogetr
eady?"she
nodded.
Babi
ni:"
Wine,
pleasebaby.I
t'
sbeenal
ongday"
Babi
ni:"
That'
stheonet
hingt
hatIf
orgott
ost
ockup
on"Yandisul
ked.
Yandi
:"ButIhadtowat chtheladi
eshavesomeand
Icoul
dn'tbecauseIwast hepart
yorgani
serand
hadtodrivebackhere"shesulked.
Babi ni:"Doyouwantbeer ?I'
vegott hat "shewor ea
disgust edlook.Accor dingt oYandibeerwast oo
bittersoheknewshewoul dn'twanti t.Hegaveher
appl ejuicebeforehewentt ohi scooki ng.Yandi
wentt ot akeaqui ckshowert ogetr i
doft heday' s
sweat .Shesmi l
edasshef eltthewar m wat erf l
ow
downherbodyandshecoul ddef i
nitelygetusedt o
thel i
feofcomi nghomet oamanwhowast ryingto
cookf orher .Shef eltahandt raveldownherback
andshedi dn'tevengetf r
ightenedbecausenoone
woul dgetpassedBabi nitogett ohersosheknew
i
t'shi m.Shef elthismanhoodagai nstherbackas
hewasbusywashi ngherbody.Herf r
iendsmi ght
thinkBabi niisnotr omant i
cbutsheknewdi fferent
becauset hatli
ttl
esi deofhi m wasl i
ket heirli
ttle
secr et.Theyusual l
yhavest eamyshowermoment s
butthatnighther eal
lyj
ustcamet ohelpher" wash
herback".Hel aidheronthebedwhi l
epattingher
bodydr ywi t
hat owelandYandil aughedwhenhe' d
touchplacest hatti
ckl
ed.Shef el
thishandsgl ide
overherbodyashemadesur ethatallofhergot
butter
edwi thherloti
on.Kisseswoul dfoll
owwhen
hewasdonewi thaspotuntilshewassmel li
nglike
afreshgar denoflavender.
Yandi:"
Myturn"shesai dassher eachedforhis
muskybodybut ter
.Sohel ai
donhi sbackwi thhis
armsbehindhisheadf orsupportandapr oud
manhoodwhi chwasf acingtheroof.Yandi'
sfoot
gotcaughtonthematbuthecaughtherbef oreshe
coul
devenr eal
izeshewasf all
ing.
Babi
ni:"
Car
eful
"hel
ookedatt
hematbef
oreki
ssi
ng
her
.
Yandi:"
Ifal
loverthi
sthingallthet
imeandI '
m st
il
l
fi
ne"shesaidwithasmi lewhensher eal
izedthathe
l
ookedabi tspookedbyheral mostfal
li
ng.Yandi
pushedhim backbeforegett
ingontopofhi m and
soonherhandsgl i
dedoverhismuscul arframeto
showhisbodyt hesamel oveheshowedher s.
Babinifelthermoi stkissesdownhi schesttohis
tummyandal lthewaydownt ohismemberunt i
lhe
fel
therwar m mout hseduct i
velygivehisarousal
att
ention.Hiseyescl osedtotakeint heexell
erat
ing
sensation.Shepul l
edhim upt otoputloti
onhi s
back.Whi leherhandsmovedonhi sbackhehel d
herhipst odirecthimsel fi
ntoherwar mth.Soon
Yandiwasnol ongermoi stur
izinghisbackbut
i
nsteadcl ungt oitast hetwooft hem madel ove
unti
ltheywer el efthappy.
Yandi
:"Wi
llIevergetenoughofyou,
Babi
niZweni
?"
sheki
ssedhim.
Babini:"Idon'
twantyout oandI '
vebeengonef or
fourdayssoofcour sewe'l
lbecat chi
ngup.Let'
sgo
eat.I
'm starvi
ng"hegentlyli
ft
edherf rom hi
m and
wenttot hebathroom.Oncet heywer ebothdecent
theywentt othekitchenandYandiwasal most
afrai
dt oeventouchhi sf
oodt houghitsmelled
amazing.Shewat chedashedi shedupf ort
hetwo
ofthem.
Yandi
:"Thesear
en'
tprecookedtakeawaysr
ight
?"
shewasshockedtoseeitl
ookedgreatt
oo.
Babini:"
No, Ididall
ofthis.Ifoll
owedar eci
petot he
teejustasyouadvi ced"hel aughed."Tasteandt ell
mewhatyout hi
nk"Yandideci dedtohavef ait
hin
hermansoshet ookadecent l
ysizedbiteofthe
salt
lessfood.Hewassmi l
ingsoeager lythatshe
chewedandswal lowedtonotdampenhi smood.
Hecookedf orherforthefirstti
meandt hat
'sall
thatmattered.
Yandi:"I
tactual
lyt
astesgood,babybutitl
ackssal
t"
hetastedhisownf oodandlookedasifhecould
ki
ckhi mself
.
Babini
:"Imagi
neget t
ingeveryt
hingr
ightexceptt
he
seasoning"helookeddisappoi
ntedi
nhimselfso
Yandileanedforwardtokisshi
m.
Yandi
:"Not
hingsomesel
fseasoni
ngwon'
tsol
ve"
shewenttogett
hesal
t.
Babini
:"WellnowIf earyougetti
ngf oodpoisoning
sono.I'
llheatupyest er
day'sl
asagna.Itwast he
bestI'
veeverhad"Yandii nsi
stedoneat i
nghisf ood
aft
ersprinkl
ingsaltonbuther efusedsayingit
mightbepoi sonous.Shegaveupandl ethim heat
thefoodt heyhadl astnight.Yandiwouldcatchhim
stari
ngwi thasmi l
eonhi sfacewhenevershe
l
ookedathi m.Ifsheknewhersayi ngyest ohi
s
proposalwoul dmakehi m sohappy,she'dhavesaid
yeslongagobutsheneededt imetoprocessit.The
saltt
hatwassupposedt obei nthefoodwasal l
pouredi nt
ot hedessert.Bothspatitout
simultaneouslybeforebur sti
ngoutlaughing.
Yandi:"
Yourcooki
ngmightneedsome
i
mpr ovementbutt
enfort
heeffor
t,baby.Thank
you"shehuggedhim.
Babini:"
Whoneedsdesser twhenIalreadystart
ed
withthebestkindanyway.You' rewel come,Ntli
ziyo
yam andIal sohaveagi f
tforyou"Yandismi l
ed.If
herfri
endswer ear oundshe'dstickhertongueout
tothem forsayi
nghermanwasnotr omant i
c.She
watchedashedi sappearedintotheroom togoget
aredboxf rom thebedr oom.Itwaslikeoneoft hose
thatpackagedneckl acesandYandif elther
selfget
excit
ed.
Babini
:"Bef
oreyougetdi
sappoi
nted.Ij
ustwantt
o
tel
lyouthati
tisnotsomet
hingshinyfr
om t
he
j
ewelrystor
e"apartofYandiki
ndaf
eltdi
sappoi
nted
becausethepackagi
ngmadeherimaginat
iongoto
j
ewelry.
Yandi
:"Whatisi
t?"sheshookitandheard
somethingmove.Shesmiledwhensheatleast
hear
dt her
ewasindeedsomethinginsi
de.
Babini
:"OpenitandIhopeyouli
kei
tbecause
unfort
unatel
ytherei
snoretur
npoli
cyonit"
Yandi:"Youdor eali
zet hisi sthef ir
stgi f
tyou've
evergot tenmesi ncewe' vebeent oget herri
ght ?
Eveni fit'
saspoonweusedt ocookwi thont hat
fir
stdat e,Iwillcherishitf orever "sheassur edhi m.
Shedi dn'twanthi mt oevert hinkthatanygi f
thegot
herwaswor thless.Yandiopenedt heboxbutwi t
h
eyescl osed.Hersmi l
ef adedwhenhereyesf inall
y
caughtsi ghtofwhatwasi nside.Twopr egnancy
tests,onehadt wost ri
pesandt heot hershowed3- 4
weeksont helitt
lewi ndow.Herhear tst art
edt obeat
fasterashel ookedathi mt hroughbl urryeyes.
Yandi:"
You..
..
yougotsomeonepregnant?
"she
askedquiet
lybef
oretear
sfel
l.Herhear
tsankas
shet houghtt hathegotsomeonepr egnantandl i
ke
Vuyocamet or ubitinherf acethatever ythingwas
wr ongwi thher .Shef elthi
shandsonherwai stas
hepul l
edherbet weenhi slegs.Shef eltmor e
hear t
brokent hanwhenshehear dVuyowashavi ng
ababybecausesher eall
ylovedBabi niinawayshe
nevert houghtherhear twascapabl eoflovinga
man.Shef el
thi m brushhercheekswi t
hhi sthumbs
towi pet hetearsbutt hemor ehedi dsot hemor e
tearscame.Shewassupposedt oscr eam and
throwt hingsoutofangerbuti nsteadshel ethim
kissher .Shef eltli
ket hefoolofal i
feti
me.
Babi ni
:"Ididgetsomeonepr egnant
"heconf essed
andYandif el
therheartski
pabeat" AndIam
l
ooki ngrightather"sheli
ft
edhereyesconf usedto
studyhis.Heki ssedher"Youleftmesampl etotest
ont hismor ni
ngremember ?"Yandididn'
tbeli
eve
hi
m atal l.
Yandi:"
Sothesear
etest
edonmyur ine?"hereyes
well
edupagainashenodded"Mine,Zweni?You
di
dn'tgetChul
utopeeonthesebuttheseare
mine?"shecri
edwhenhedidn'
tevenblinkwhil
e
l
ooki
ngathernoddi
nghi
shead.
Babini:"
Iwouldn'teverpl
aylikethatastobring
anotherwoman' spositi
vetestandtellyouit
's
yours"heheldherbyt hesideofherneckbef orehe
ki
ssedherf or
eheadt wot i
mes.Yandist i
lldi
dn'
t
bel
ieveit.Howcoul dshe?
Yandi
:"Buti
t'
snotpossi
ble"sheshookherhead.
Babini:"Iboughtelevent estsfr
om different
pharmaci esandal lhadt hesamer esult.Ididkeep
theeleventhonebecauseIknewyou' dhave
doubts"her eachedhi sar m outt
oopenaki t
chen
drawert otakeoutat estthatwasstil
lini t
sbox" Go
testt
hi soneyour selfsoyoucanseet hatIdi dn'
t
askChul umancot obor r
owmeherur ine"he
l
aughedandshesmi ledathowsi l
lyitsounded
whenhesai dit.Yandigavehi m onelastgl ance
beforeshedi sappear edintothebathroom.She' d
takenonebef or eduringherdesperatet i
mest oget
pregnantwher eshe'dt esteverymont h.Shehat ed
howherhear tsankt of i
ndnegat i
veresul t
sdur i
ng
thosedesper atetimest ogiveherexhusbanda
chil
dsohe' dstopcheat ing.Shewashedherhands
andsatont het oi
letsothatshe'
dwai tf
ort he
result
salone.Shepl acedherhandoverhermout h
astearsflewoveri twhenshesawt hetwobol dbl
ue
stri
pes.Shel eanedf orwardtoplaceherfaceonher
kneeswhi lecrying.Babiniknel
tdowni nfrontofher.
Hepi ckedthet estupandsawt hetwostripesand
smiledwhi l
ewai t
ingforhershocktober eplacedby
joy.
Babini:"
Ntli
ziyoyam"hel if
tedherupsoshe' dl
ook
athim butshecoul dn'
t.Justwhenshet houghtt hat
herloveforhim couldn'tsurelyr
eachadeeper
depthhewentandpul ledoutt hebiggestsur pr
ise
thatYandihasevergot ten.Shewr appedherar ms
andl egsaroundhim sot ightl
y.Hestoodwi thheri n
hisar msandwal kedtot hebedroom withher
hopingshe'df i
nall
ysaysomet hi
ngt ohim.Hesat
downont hebedandhef el
therletgoabi tbefore
shelookedathi m.Hereyesr edandpuf fyfrom
cryi
ngandshewassni ffi
ngwhi l
eshewi pedher
tearsoff.
Yandi
:"Il
ovethegif
tsomuch,
Babyl
ikeso,
so,
so
much"shekissedhi
m.
Babini:"
WellIheardyousayyoual
wayswanted
suchgi ftsoImadesuretogoimportt
hebestfor
you"Yandilaughedwhenhespokeasthoughhe
orderedababyf r
om Amazon."Ar
eyouhappy?"he
l
ookedather .
Yandi:"
I'
vebeenhappybeforebutitnever
comparedtothi
s.I'
m beyondhappy.Areyou
happy?"shehadtoaskbecausesheknewhewas
notonetodream aboutf
atherhood.
Babini:"I
'
m happyandscar
ed"hesai dhonest
ly.To
Babinihavingbabi
esandcarseatsatthebackofhis
carwasnotal if
eheeverdreamtofyettherehewas
expectinghisf
ir
stwit
hhisfir
stlove.
Yandi
:"Ofwhat
?"
Babini
:"Whati fImessthem up,Nt
li
ziyoyam?What
i
fIpunishourki dsbyputti
ngthem awayi nacage
whenalltheyneededwasahug? "hisjawtightened
"Areyouevensur ethatyouwanttor i
skthat,me
helpi
ngyour aisethem?"headded.Yandiheldhi s
faceinherhandsbecauseshewant edhimt olist
en
toherandlistengoodtoo.
Yandi:"Youwon'tputourchildinacagebecause
youarenomonst er
.Icanal r
eadypi ctur
eabi g
Daddy'sfaninthisone"theybothl aughedsoftl
y" A
choicewasmadef ormybyt hecr eatorandmy
ancestorssoIcannotf aultt
hatbecauseIchoose
youoverandoveragai ntoo.We' l
lholdeachot her '
s
handsaswewi l
lbothbel earni
ngandwehavegr eat
fr
iendswhoar eexperiencedinthiswhowi lladvise
us"shegavehim al ongkiss.
Babi
ni:"Pl
usIwasneveramantof
earl
if
e's
chal
lengessoI'
m upf
ortheset
wot
oo"heheld
Yandi'
sbell
y.
Yandi
:"Howdoyouknowi
t'
stwo?
"sher
aisedher
brow.
Babini
:"BecauseIam amanwhomakesbabi esin
pai
rs,Ntli
ziyoyam. "Yandilookedconf
usedand
shookherheadnotbel i
evinghim.buthe'dlether
besurpri
sedont hefir
stscanwhent hedoctortel
ls
herthattwower eont heway.Herper f
ecttwothat
shehadbeenpr ayi
ngf orsinceshecouldremember .
Yandi
:"Howdi
dyouevenknowI
'
m pr
egnant
,Babi
ni
Zweni?Idon'
tfeelanydif
fer
entatall
"shel
ookedat
herbody.Shehadalwaysbeenonet ohave
i
rregul
arperi
odssot oski
pamont hwassomet hi
ng
thatst
art
edwhenshewasat eenager.
Babini:"Il
ear
nedt obeobservantofsmalldetai
lsi
n
myj ob.PlusIdidletyouintr
oduceyourbodyt ome
soifcour seI
'l
lpickupont hechanges.Shameon
youf ornotknowingyourownbody, Ntli
ziyoyam"
hetickledherandshel aughed.Shewast oohappy
tofeelshame.
Yandi:"
Sot
heplumbi
ngt
hismor
ningwasaf
ront
?"
hereyeswi
dened.
Babini:"
No,thatneededt
obedonebutIthoughtI
'
d
testyouforpregnancywit
houtyouknowi
ngsoI
kil
ledtwobirdswithonestone"
Yandi
:"You'
resomethi
ngelse,
Babi niZweni"she
smil
ed"Youdoknowt hatt
hetwi nswillnol
onger
bel
ongtoyouinafewmont hsright?"Yandil
aughed
whenheheldhisheadandlookingatherchest.
Babini
:"Amanhasgott
omaket
hebestoft
he
si
tuati
onwhil
ehest
il
lhast
imet
hen"her
eveal
ed
oneofher" twins"andki ssedi ttender l
ybef orehis
tonguemovedci rclesar oundherni pple.Sheundi d
theknotofhergownandl etitfalltothef loor
reveal i
nghernakedbody.Hel aidheront hebed
befor etaki nghi spant sof ftojoinher .Yandi
wel comedhi sgent let hrustsashewasl ikeonewho
fearedget tingt oor oughni ghthar m herort hebaby.
Itsuddenl ymadesenset oherwhyhel ookedso
petrifi
edwhenshenear lyf el
l.Hismout hdi dn't
l
eaveher sashemovedi naoutofherwhi l
e
caressi ngherbr east s.Theybr oket heki sst olookat
howper fectlytheirbodi esf i
tast heymovedt heir
bodi esinaper fectr hyth.Hemanagedaf ai
ntsmi le
throught hemomentofar ousalbef orehi slipsmet
his.Soonbot hoft hem wher ebr eathingheavi l
yas
theyl aidsi debysi de.Hi sthumbgl i
dedonhert high
asshef elthishai ryl egsagai nsther s.Shet urned
herheadt ol ookbackathi m.
Yandi:"
Baby,Ididn'
tpressur
eyouintot
hisri
ght
?"
helookedather.Heturnedherfr
om hersi
deonher
backwhileherlegshangedoverhis.
Babi
ni:"
Imadeaconsci
ousdeci
siont
osl
eepwi
th
youwi
thoutacondom whil
eIknewt
hatyouwer
e
onnopregnancypr
event
ion"
Yandi
:"BecauseItol
dyouthatIcan'tf
allpregnant.
Nowthattheexcit
ementhasgonedownabi tIcan'
t
hel
pbutfeelli
keyou'
llsoont
hinkthatItri
ckedyou"
Babini:"
Youbelievedthatyoucan' tfallpregnant,
I
neverdidsoIwenti nknowi ngver ywel lwhatthe
i
mpl icat
ionsmightbe.Ididt el
lyout hatasar ced
womansomet imesneedsast rongerseedt hedayI
l
earnedaboutyourdel ayedpr egnancy.Mysol di
ers
becamedanger ousaf t
ermycl eansing,Ntli
ziyoya
andyouregghadnochoi cebutt olettheinvaderin
"Yandilaughed."I'
m gl
adt hatI'mt hemanchosen
forthejob"heputherf earstor est
.
Yandi:"I
ngoingtobesomeone'smom"she
whisperedwi t
hasmil
e."Iwanttokeepthisqui
et
unti
lIstartshowi
ngabit
.Areyouokaywi t
hthat
?"
henodded" I'
m goi
ngtobesomeone'smom"she
repeatedasthoughhedidn'
thearthefi
rstti
me.To
seeherhappymadehi m happytoo.
Babi
ni:"
I'
dhavet
oletmyuncl
esspeedupt
he
pr
ocess.Iknowwomandon'
tl
ikepeoplethi
nki
nga
manismar r
yinghert
ohi
deapregnancy"
Yandi:"
Idon'tcar
e,baby.Iknowt hatbabiesare
expensi
vethesedayssoIdonotmi ndifwehol doff
onthelobol
aunt i
lyou'vesavedenough.Iwi l
llook
forajobandIwon' tt
ellthem t
hatI'
m pregnant
duri
nginter
views"akissshutherup.
Babi ni:"TheZwenikr aalisf ullandIdidsayt hatI
havesavi ngsandyoudot oo.I fwearehomel ess
wegobackt otheempt yhousei ntheEast er nCape
untilwear esortedagai n"heknewt hatwoul dnot
happenbuthewant edhert oknowt hattheywer e
sorted.Heal sogotacal lfrom Kumkani '
slawyerso
hemi ghthavegot tensomet hingfrom Kumkani .He
wishedKumkaniwasal i
vet oseet hathisbl oodl i
ne
woul di ndeedcont inuebuthewassur ethat
Kumkaniwasdanci ngwher everhewast hatt hereis
anot hergener ationf r
om hisl ineageont heway.The
fi
rstpeopl ethey'dtellwhent heywer ereadywas
OthuandCr aig.JustasOt huwasYandi '
sbest
fri
end.Cr ai
gbegant ofeelli
keonet oBabi nitoo.
"Andwe' renott aki
ngt hatugl yr ugthattri
ppedyou
toournewhouse.That '
sal lIcareaboutbuttherest
ofthehouseyoucandecor ateasplease"heput
downhi sonlyconditi
onl i
ket hesimplemanwho
wouldmovet oacavei fneeded.Yandibur stout
l
aughing.Hewashopi ngf orami xasheandOt hu
was."Goodt hingIknowhowt ouseagun.Thel ikes
ofthatImangeboyhadbet ternotcomenearmy
daughterorIwi l
lshoothispeni soff"Yandil
aughed
unti
lshecried..
Yandi:"Ohmypoorchil
dbutIst
illhaveafewyears
tosoftenyouupandmakeyour eali
zetoday'
ski
ds
dateyoungandther
e'snot
hingyoucandoabouti t
"
Babi
ni:"
Isitnormalthatt
hethoughtalreadymakes
meangry.I'
m hopingforboysbecauseIwon'tbeas
cal
m asKni ghti
fmybabygirlgotknockedupby
someskinnyboy"Yandilaughed.
Yandi :"Whathappenedt onotwor r
yingabout
tomor row'
spr oblems?"heshr uggedwhi l
ehis
browswer estil
ldrawntogetherasonewhowas
clearlywor kedupbysomet hingt hatmighthappen
aftereighteenyears.Hef el
lasleepaf t
erawhile
l
eavi ngYandismi l
ingatherfl
atbel l
y.Shedidn'
t
wantt
osl
eep..
Yandi :"Mommycan' tbel i
evet hatyouar ei nther e.
Daddysayst herei stwoofyoubutI 'm cont enteven
i
fyoudon' thaveabuddyi ntherebuti fther eist wo
ofyout henMommywon' tbelieveitevenmor e.I've
beenpr ayi
ngf oryouf orsol ongt hatitfeelslikeI '
m
dreami ng.Ican' twai tt oholdyouandevenwi tht he
fearshehasIknowt hatDaddyf eelsthesame.I
wonderhowbi gyouar eandwhenexact l
yIcan
expectyou?Nextyearseemssof arbutst ayi n
thereandbakef orasl ongasyouneed"shesai d
sof t
ly.Shel ookedoveratBabi niwhowassnor ing.
Themant hatgavehert hegiftthatnoot herper son
couldevert op.Sheknewhe' dbeast rictdadbut
sheknewt hatthei rchi l
drenwoul dbeshowedl ove
andi fit'
sboyst heywoul dknowwhati tisliket obe
amanbecauset hey'llhaveagr eatexampl e.Ifit'
sa
girlthenshe' dknowt hest andardonwhi cht ojudge
menasherf at
herwoul dshowherhowal ady
shoul dbet reated.Shedi dn'
tdoubthi m onebi t.She
l
ookedathi sfeat ureswonder ingwhi cht hechi ld
woul dtake.Shej usthopedt hatifit'
sadaught er
shewon' thavehisbodyst r
uct ur
e.At houghtwhi ch
l
ef therl
aughingasshepi cturedtheirdaughterso
bigthatnobulkywoul ddarecomenearher .She
fi
nallyclosedhereyeswhenshecoul dnolonger
stayawake.Realitywasfargr eaterthandreaml and
butherbodyneededt herestasithousedanew
Zwenigener at
ionaftert
heyl ai
dt orestoneoft he
previousgenerat
ion.

Yandiwokeupt
ofindi
twasal
ladr
eam.I
'
M
KIDDINGYANDII
SPREGNANT
S2-
INSERT23
TheKnight
-Zwenif
ami lysati
nKumkani '
shometo
prepar
efortheWil
lreadingofKumkani.MrXaba,
whowasKumkani '
sf r
iendandlawyerenter
ed.
Xaba:"Iam sorryt
hatIam l ate,Zwenifamil
y"he
wasgi venaseatandsi ncet hefamil
yknewhi m
theyforgavehimforletti
ngt hem al
lwait.Hesat
downandt ookoutallofhisdocument s,pl
acing
them onthel ar
gedinningtabletheyallsatar
ound.
"Youar eal
lcall
edforther eadingofKumkaniZweni.
OhMawawabet huna"heshookhi sheadsl owlyto
takeasecondt ot hinkaboutt heloss.Theywer e
greatbuddi essi ncet heyst udiedtogetheri nFort
HareUni versity"Thi si sthelastWi l
landt estament
ofKumkaniZweni .Youar eallgatheredher e
becauseyouar ebenef ici
ari
est othisgreatman' s
estate.Anyquest i
onsar etobeaskedaf t
ert he
readingpleasebutbef orewepr oceed,Iaski fIcan
pleasehaveaccesst ot heTVsyst em"Unat hil
ed
thewayt othel i
vi ngr oom wher eshehel pedMr
Xabawi t
hal lthatwasneeded.Shewor eherbl ue
mour ningclot hi
ngevenwhenshet hrewKumkani
hisringthel astt i
meshesawhi m.OncedoneMr
Xabaaskedt hef ami l
yt ostandcloserast heyfir
st
hadt owat chsomet hing.
Mat o:"I
'
m surethathewant edtoreadhisownWi l
l
himselfthatone.OhbutIdomi sshim"everyone
l
aughedsof t
lybef
oret heysatdowni nfr
ontofthe
screen.SoonKumkaniappear edlooki
ngdapperi n
histhreepiecesuitthatusedtobelongtohisfather.
Makhul uwast hefir
sttotakeat i
ssueouttowipe
hertears.
Kumkani :"Whenyouar ewat chingt hi
si tmeansI '
m
nowyourancest orandIwi llaskf ortradit
ionalbeer
everyweekj ustforcont rol"hel aughedand
everyoneact uallysmi led"Mama, ohNozal ayouar e
theonewhost oodbymeandIknowyouar e
saddenedbyt hefactt hatIhavegonebef oreyou
butrestknowi ngthatTat ast oodwai t
ingtogr eet
meatt hegat ewhenIj oinedt her ealm ofour
ancestor s.Li
veasl ongasyoucanbecausewear e
i
nnor ushf oryout oj oinus, mybeaut if
ulmot her
.
Thequeenf r
om whosewombIwasmol dedand
acceptmyapol ogiesf orallthepai nthatIcaused
you.Not omat o,wegr ewupt ogetherandt hat
'swhy
youwer emor el i
keapeert hanmyaunt .I'
m notin
hellsodon' tbet oohappy"hel aughedandMat o
alsotookoutat i
ssue.
Mato:"
Hayif
okof,
mannowyoumademecry"she
sai
dwhilewi
pinghert
ear
sast
houghhe'
danswer
back.
Kumkani:"
Takecar
eofmymot herpl
ease,Mato.
Unat
hi,
thewomant hatIneveroncedeser
vedbut
whoputupwi t
hmenont heless.Iwi
llgi
veLangaa
hugf rom thissidefrom you.I'
m sorry"Unat hitook
outat issuet oo"Mayt heynotkeepyoui nt hose
mour ningcl othesl
ongasyouhaveputupwi th
enoughf r
om meal ready.Poppy, mygi r
lyouwer e
anunexpect edadditi
ont othefamilyandI
apologizef ornotdoingr i
ghtbyyourmot herasshe
hadt ost r
uggl ewit
hyouandIal soapologizef or
for
cingyout obeavirginbutIstil
lsayyour
husbandwassur el
ynotcompl ai
ning"
Poppy:"
Ohwowjustwhenhewasdoi
ngwel
l
"she
l
aughedwhi
lewi
pingtear
s.
Kumkani :"Othunyiweyo, I
'm sorryt hatIt
reatedyou
badlywhi l
egr owingup.Ihopet hatImadeupf orit
whenyougavemet hegi ftofforgiveness.Itri
edto
stayasgoodaspossi bletonevercauseyout he
samepai nt hatIdidwhenyouwer eyoung.I '
m sure
thatapar tofyoui sthinki
ngI '
mf aki ngmydeat ht
o
getsympat hy"helaughedandOt hudi dt
ooasher
eyeswel l
edup" Butwhenyouar ewat chi
ngt his,i
t
meansi nr eall
ygone.Iapol ogizet oyout oo.Toomy
grandchil
dr en,mygr eatestpri
de, theoneswho
l
ovedt heirTamkhul uevenwhent hewor ldleftme
outinthecol d.BoysIknowyouar enoZwenimen
butmybl oodlineist ocont i
nuet hroughyout ooas
mybl oodr unsst r
ongt hrought hosevei ns.Chul u,
Tamkhul uChu- Chubear "Chulubr okedowni nt ears
"Youmel tedt hishear t"hehel dhischest" And
Tamkhul uwi llforeverbegr at
eful.I'
m hopi ngyou
seethisaf t
erPeanuti sbornwhi chwoul dmeanI
gottoseeherbuti fnot,knowt hatTamkhul uwi ll
alwaysbecl ose.Tel lPeanutaboutmef rom your
perspectiveandnooneel se'sasIt rustnoonebut
you"hel aughedagai nandChul usmi led."Oh
Mpinga, Senzwa, Mawawa, Bholoqoshe, Nt o
yomnt u,Impondoezixonywexhant ini"hecal led
thei
rclannamepr oudlyandever yoneknewt hati t
wasf orBabi ni."Whent heheadofaf ami lygoes
backt omeethi sel dersthent heeldestsoni st o
pickuphi sspearandl eadt heclanasdoneby
thosebef orehi m.Ihadt odoanot herr ecor di
ngt o
speciall
yaddyouandPeanutt othecl ip.Ihavemet
you,ZweniandIam pr oudt oknowt hatI '
vel ef tyour
sist
erswi thapr otector.Mayyounotbet hel astone
ofmyl ineagebecauseourgr eatnessmustbe
knowingf ormanycent uri
estocome.AhMpi nga
omhle!"hesaidproudly.Othucoul dn'tr
emember
Kumkanibei ngsopr oudofLangabutshewasnot
abouttoletKumkanieveni ndeathgetherwor ked
up."Don'tcr
yf ormebecauseIhavel i
ved.I'
m
shockedyou' r
eonlyseeingthisvideonowbutone
canonlycheatdeathsomanyt i
mes.Iknowot her
s
aresaying"Yahambai Bastard"hej okedand
l
aughed.Ever yonewasl aughingwhi leshakingthei
r
headsbet weentears.
Qhawe:"Respect
,Tamkhul
u"bothhi
m andPhawu
putthei
rfi
stsonthei
rhear
twhil
ebowingthei
r
heads.
Othu:"
OhbutTat a.Tat'XabamayIpl easehave
copyoft hi
s?"MrXabapr omisedeveryoneacopy.
"I'
mjustkiddi
ng.Didyour eal
lythi
nkthemi ghty
KumkaniZweniwoul djustdie?"avoicesaidbehind
andeveryoneturnedtheirheadsinshock.Thecl i
p
conti
nuedont heTVandKumkaniwasl aughingon
thescreen.
Kumkani:"
I'
m ki
dding,
I'
mr eal
lydead"t
hekidswer
e
t
heonlyonewhof ounditf
unny.Evenifdeadhe
wassti
llhi
mself
Mat o:"
Fokof,Kumkani
.Voet
sek,man"sheshout ed
atthescreen"Heyyourson,
Sisi
"shelaughedout
l
oudwhi lelooki
ngatMakhul
uwhowasj ustshaking
herhead.
Kumkani :"What everyousai d,youtoo, Notomat o"
helaughedsohar dast houghheknewMat owoul d
swearathi m.Whatashamet hathi sfamil
yhadt o
seehim cr ackouti nlaught erwhenhewasbur i
ed
alr
eady."IfIpar tedwithal lofyoubadl yjustknow
thatI'
m sor ry.Goodbye, thegr eatMpingasar e
waiti
ngf orme"headded" MamaIknowyou' l
lbury
mei nTat a'ssuitandgi vet hatotheronet oBabi ni
.
Letmegor est.Unti
lwemeetagai n"hewavedand
theTVwentbl ank.Hemi ghthavehadhi sflawsbut
hewasmi ssedandever yonehadt otakeamoment
tojustcryi tout.Howhewavedatt heendwi tha
smilejustmadeanyangerandgr udgestheyhad
fadeaway.EvenUnat hif el
therhear tfeelfree.
Xaba:"Idi
dn'
twanttoplayt
heaudiointheendbut
ashislawyerIhadt
odoasheor deredduringhi
s
readi
ng.HayiKumkaniwassomethingelse"he
shookhisheadwhil
elaughi
ng"Letmereadwhat
youal lhavegat her edf or"hewentt ogethi s
document s.Ever yonel aughedaf terhel eftast hey
thoughtaboutt heaudi othatmadet hem t hink
Kumkanipr ankedt hem wi thhisdeat h.Itwasno
ti
met or emai nangr yathi m anymor esoever yone
feltt
heirhear t
sf orgive.Asexpect edBabi nigotthe
biggestshunkonKumkani '
sshar es.Ot huwasnot
compl ainingbutPoppywasnothappyatal l
.Hel ef
t
moneyf ort heki dsandt heboyswoul dgeti tat
twentyone.Ast udyt r
ustwasest abli
shedf or
Peanutwhowasnotevenoft hiswor ldyet .Makhulu
gotmoneyandKumkani '
sestateinEastLondon.
Mat ogotacarwhi chshebeggedKumkanif oryear
s
for.Unat higotal lthei rotherproper t
iesandmoney.
Nooneact uallyr ealizedjusthowbi gofacome
backKumkanimadeaf terlosi
ngever ythingdur i
ng
theFlinchper iod.Inbusi nesshewast rulyagi ant
andt ohi sgr andchi ldrenhewi l
lremai nt hei rhero.I
t
wasani mageofhi mt hatnoonewoul dt aint.
.
Twodaysaf
tert
hereadingt
heDudumashe
homest
eadhadhugeblackpot
sonthefi
reast
hey
cookedaf easttowelcomet hegroom.Ma
Dudumashewental loutforYandi sa'
sl obol
aas
thoughitwasherf ir
stweddi ng.Yandihadbeen
homef oraweek.Theyst i
llhadnott oldanyone
aboutthepregnancyyet .Shewas12weeks
pregnantatthatti
meandshecoul dn'twaittoshow
offherbumpal ready.
MamCi r
ha:"
Hmmm I '
m sureeventhi
slobolawi l
lbe
demandedbackbecausei fshecouldnotgivethe
previousonekidswhi
leshewasaspr ingchicken, I
doubtshewi l
lnowthatherbodyisti
red"saidthe
vil
lagegossi
pasYandiwast akingmorevegitables
tothewomenwhocamet ohelphermotherwi t
ht he
cooking.
Yandi:"Withal
lduer espect
,MamCi rha.Idonot
remembersayi ngthatyoursonwi llbet heone
marryingmesomywombi snotyourbusi nessasit
wil
lnotcar r
yyourgrandchildr
en.Idon' tappreci
ate
youtalkingaboutmei nmyf ather'
shousel i
kethat
"
MamCi r
hawant edtoexplai
nher selfbutYandionly
handedt heveggiesandwentbacki nside.She
wantedt oshutthem upsobadl ybyt el
li
ngthem
shewaspregnantbutdecidednott
o.Othuent
ered
theDudumashehomest eadwit
hherheadscar
ftied
neat
lytocoverherhai
r.SheknewYandi'
sfamil
yso
muchthatshehadt ohugandkissherwaythr
ough
soshe'
dreachYandi.
MaDudumashe:"Ot
hunyi
weyo,Yandii
snotyour
si
steri
nlawyet
"shepl
acedherhandonherhip
whil
ejoki
ng.
Othu:"
I'
m weari
ngmybestf ri
endhatr
ightnow,Ma"
shesmiledbef
orewalkingopenarmstoYandi'
s
mom.MaDudumashegaveheragoodsqueeze
befor
ehersmallli
psplantedapeckonOthu'
s.
MaDudumashe:"Ohmyot herdaught
er"she
huggedOt
huagain"Andyouthoughtthatbei
ng
fr
iendswi
thYandiwasnotenough.Youjusthadt
o
makeheryoursi
stert
oo?"t
heylaughed.
Othu:"
Youknowme,
Mama.Isor
tpeopl
eout
"they
l
aughedlouder
..
NaDudumashe:"Yandii
ssosecr et
ivewit
hBabini'
s
i
dent
it
ybutwhenIhear dthathewasyourbrotherI
j
umpedupinjoy.Isawhim brief
lyatyourf
ather
's
f
uner
al.Ohwhatamanl yman.Yourfr
iendshi
pis
t
heonlythi
ngthatmakesmesleepatnightwhil
e
mychi
ldisint
hecity.Wher
eisyourhusband?"
Othu:"
Wit
hhi
sbr
otheri
nl awout
sidewait
ingf
ort
he
Dudumashef
ami
lytowelcometheirnewson.
"
MaDudumashe:"
Yandit
ell
smet hatChulumancoi
s
goi
ngt
omakeyouaGr anny"shesmiled.
Othu:"
Wewi llt
alkovert
ea,Mama.Ther eisso
muchci t
ygossipthatImustshar
ewi thyouandi t
needst eaandthosebiscui
tsofyours.Makhulu
sendsherr egardsandshethanksyouf ortr
avel
ing
forTata'sfuner
al"OthuhuggedYandi'
smot her
again.
Yandi
:"Fri
end,
youaren'
tsupposedtobeher eyet
"
shescreamedbefor
ehuggingOthuandMa
Dudumashelaughedatthecrazi
ness.Yandiwentt
o
cl
osethedoortothebedroom.
MaDudumashe:"Don'
ttel
lmeyouar egett
ingcol
d
f
eet
,Madlomo.Iwanttooffi
cial
lymeetmysoni n
l
aw"shepoi
ntedatYandiwithar ai
sedbrow.
Yandi
:"Oh,
Mama"shel
aughed"
Sincemyt
wobest
fri
endsar ebot hhere"OthuandMaDudumashe
smi l
edateachot her"Ihavesomenewst ogiveyou
twoandyou' llbet hefir
sttohearthi
s.I'
m 12weeks
pregnant "t
heyj ustl
ookedatherast hought heyhad
blankedout .Oncet henewsgotpr ocessedOt hu
andMaDudumashehuggedeachot herandj umped
aboutlikechi ldren.MaDudumashel eanedagai nst
thewar drobewhi leherhandswer eoverhereyest o
hidehert ears.Ot huwasnobet t
erwiththetears
"Mama? "shehel dhermot her
'sarmfighti
ngher
ownt ears.
MaDudumashe:" I
'mf ine,I'
mf i
ne,sanalwam"she
saidassheaskedf orasecondt ojustl
etthej oy
reachever ycellinherbody" YhiniMadlomo, ooYem
-Yem, Sopitsho.NinamaNt andemahle.Livumi l
e
Icamagu.Ndi yabulelaboMadi ba"sheletoutal oud
cryandYandisankt othef l
oorwithhermot her .
Othuknel tdownt oj oi
nint hehugandt heyal ljust
sobbedhappyt ears."Iwillnowshutthesewi tches
upwhower elaughi ngatmychi l
d'sdownfall.They
forgetthatGodi snotasl eepingGod.OhMadl omo
whydi dyounott ellust hatyouwer ewaiti
ngf orthe
Mpingason? "sheheldYandi
'sbell
yandsaida
shortprayer
.OthuplacedherhandsonYandi'sbel
ly
tooprayingforpr
otecti
onovertheli
tt
leone.
Yandi:"That
'snotall.Iam goingtohavet wins"Ma
Dudumashesai dpraiseswhi l
ecryingandYandi
j
uststoodt otakeinhermot her'
sjoy.Forasecond
shefearedthehappi nesswoul dmakehermot her
coll
apse.WhenVuyo' sf amil
ycamet ot aketheir
cowsback, hermot herwast helaughingst ockof
thevil
lagebutnowMaDudumashewasdanci ngin
j
oyasshe' dhaveherf i
rstborn'
sgr andchildrunni
ng
aroundherhousef oral ltoseesoon.
Othu:"Idon'
tevenhavewords,
Fri
endandyouknow
I
'm notusuall
ylostforwor
dsbutt
his.
..
.thi
s..
.oh,
Yandisa"shecriedandMaDudumashehel dher.
Oncet heemotionswentdownabitYandihel
d
Othu'
shands.
Yandi:"Fr
iend,
havi
ngyoui nmyl ifehascomewi th
somuchandnowi thascomewi thahusbandand
chil
drenbecauseIdon'tbelieveI
'
dhavemetyour
brot
herhadyounotbeeni nmyl i
fe.We'veat
tended
i
mpor tanttr
adi
ti
onalcelebrati
onsateachother'
s
homes.We'
vewipedeachother'
stear
sandwehave
l
aughedsomuch.Ihonest
lyloveyousomuch"
Othu:"Ijustcannotwaittohol
dyourbundlesand
thefactthatIwil
lshareDNAwi t
hthem makesi t
justsomuchmor especial
.You'
vehelpedmer aise
myki dsandIam r eady,
soreadytohelpyouraise
yours"theyhugged.
Yandi :"
Ialsoaskt hatyouguysonl yhaveababy
showerf ormeaf terthebabiesar ebornandt hat
youpl easerequestvoucher sratherthangif
ts.I
don'twantanybadener gyaroundmeandIknow
somepeopl espeakbadovert hi
ngsandendup
cursingothers.Imi ghtbeoverprotecti
vebutIcan't
helpit.I'
vebeenwai t
ingforthi
sf orsolong"Othu
wipedhert ears.
Othu:"Nobabyshowerunt i
lafteryougivebirthand
onlyvouchers.Iwil
ldealwiththosewhowi llhavea
probl
em withit.Don'
tapologizeforhowyouchoose
toembraceyourpr egnancy,don'teverdothat.I
l
oveyout oo"shehuggedYandi .
MaDudumashe:"
Iwi
llkeepqui
ett
oof
ort
hose
wi t
cheswhoar ebusygossi pingaswespeak.Ican
notwai ttoshutt hem upwi tht henewsandIwi l
ltell
them nott odar et rybewi tchyoubecauset heywi l
l
knowme.Hey, mysoni nl awhasmademet he
happi estwomanal ive.Letmegot ellthosement o
stopdel ayingg.Iwantt owel comeMpi ngai nside
ourhomeal r
eady"shewi pedhert earswi t
hacl oth
andwentout .That 'swhatshewasr eal l
ygoi ngt o
do.Yandi 'smot herwasnotasr eser vedasher .She
tookt hatt rai
tf r
om herf ather .Sur eenought he
eldersconcl udedt heirnegot iationsaf tershel eft.
Yandidr essedi nheri siXhodabestwentoutwhen
herf athercal ledher .TheZwenif ami l
ysuddenl y
justcameouti nnumber sf rom t het hreet axisas
theysangt oaccompanyt heirsoni nsi dehisf ather
i
nl aw' shouse.Cr aigasbestmanwal kingnotsof ar
from Babi niast heymar chedi nsi det heDl omo
home.Nooneseemedt ober eadyt oseet hehei ght
ofYandi 'shusband.Event hegi ssi per swentqui et.
Babi nigotsoexci tedwhenhesawYandi sa
blushingasheappr oachedt hathest ar t
edt odance
tother hyt hm oft hesong.Thecheer ingbecameso
l
oadf ort henotsoshygr oom t hatYandiwas
encour agedt ogoj oinhim.Shebl ushedf or wardas
shemovedhershoul dersindanceunt i
lshe
reachedhi m.Hewasf acingtheot herwayshe
facedt heopposi tedirect
ionast heyst oodsi deby
sidedanci ngt ot hetuneoft hebowl sbei ngusedas
drums.Soont heZweniandDudumashef ami l
y
circledtheirchildreni ndancingwhenBabi niheld
Yandi '
shand.Thewomenwer eulululati
ngandt he
mencheer edi nt heirmuscul i
nemanner .Sur el
ythe
ent i
revil
lagehear djusthowhappyt heDudumashe
homewasi nt hatmoment .MrDudumashewal ked
towar dsBabi niandshookhi shandf irmlyto
wel comehi mt ohishouse.
MrDudumashe:" Wewel comeyout otheDlomo
house, Mawawa.Nowt hatourfamili
esareunit
ed
youmaycomeanyt ime."Mama, nankuuNyana(my
wife,hereisourson)"helookedathiswife.I
fMa
Dudumashewasnohousewi f
eshewoul dhave
beenapr aisesingerbecauseshespokewor dsso
profoundthatmostwer eleftwithgoosebumps.The
twof amil
iesshookhandsandhuggedt ogetto
knoweachot herwell
.Thegr oom waswelcomed
andsoonthefoodgotserved.Tr
adi
ti
onalbeerwas
al
soservedandallcoul
deatanddri
nkuntilt
hey
coul
dtakenomor e.
Babi
ni:"
Youshouldhavetol
dmehow
over
whelmi
ngthisfeel
s"hesai
dtoCr
aig.
Cr
aig:"
Iwasact
ual
lyhopi
ngt
hatyou'
dcr
y"t
hey
l
aughed.
Babi ni:"
I'
m goi ngt obeaf atheroft wobyt hewayin
af ewmont hst ime"hesai dsocasual ly.Cr ai
g
shookhi shandpr oudly.Itwasamazi nghow
differentmenbr okenewsandal sohowt heir
reactiondifferedf rom thoseofwomen.Ot huand
Yandisoakedar oom wi thtearswhi l
eCr aigand
Babi nionlyshookhands.Thesunst artedt osetand
noonel ookedast hought heywer er eadyt oletgo
soYandit ookherhusbandt oherf avour itespot.
Thet wooft hem st oodonst opofahi lllookingat
theor angesky.Babi niwasbr ushingherbel l
ywhile
kissinghercheek.
Yandi:"
IwasherewhenIfi
rsthear
dthevoi
ceofmy
greatgr
eatgr
eatgrandmot
herwhenIwascall
ed.
Thisi
sasar cedplacetomeandasmyhusbandI
wantyout oknowt hatshoul
dyounotfindmeatt he
house,youwillsur
elyfindmehere.I
t'
swher eIfi
rst
connectedwithmyancest or
sandIjustfeelImust
bri
ngyouher eandsoonourbabiestoo"shet i
tl
ed
herheadupt ofacehim.
Babi ni:"Thankyouf oral l
owingmet ocomeher e
wi t
hyou, Nt l
iziyoyam.I '
m goi ngt omakeplent yof
mi stakesbutIwantyout oknowt hatnonwillbeto
deliber at
elyhur tyou.Al lIaski sthatyoubringme
backt omysoulshoul dIwanderasIpr omiset o
alwayspr otectyouandourchi l
drenunt i
lmyl ast
breat h.Ifyourancest or sarelisteningthenImake
thispr omi sebef or
et hem too.IswearIonce
thoughtIdon' thaveahear tbutacl ockbutthenyou
cameandi tturnsouti twasj ustfrozenover.Thank
you, mamNt ande"t heypl annedt oonlyhavea
traditionalweddi ngcel ebrati
onsandnotawest er
n
onesoon.
Yandi:"Ipromiset
obeyourpeace, Mpi
nga.That
you'
llleavethewaroutsi
deandf i
ndpeaceathome.
Il
oveyousomuch"t heykissedandshefel
ther
l
iftedupt okissherpr oper l
y.Hepl acedheront he
groundandknel tdownt oki ssherbel l
y.Othust ood
atadi st
ancewi t
hCr aigandbecauset hesunwas
behindYandiandBabi nitheirfaceswer enotclear
soOt hucapturedthemomentofBabi niref
lect
ion
kissingYandi '
sbellyast heyst oodupahi l
l.Cr
aig
turnedhersoshe' dfacehi m andhedr ewherclose
tokissherdeepl yt obef oret heyjoinedt henewl y
unitedpai ronthehi l
l.Thel adiesst oodbet weent he
menwi t
htheirarmsar oundeachot her'sandeach
l
adyhel dhermanwhi letheywat chedt hesunhi de
behindt hemount ains.
S2-
INSERT24
Thedayt hatYandisignedt hedivorcepapersshe
swor etonevergetmar r
iedagai nyetthereshesat
decorati
ngherf acewi thwhi t
edot sgetti
ngreadyto
offi
cial
lybeMr sZweni .Noout si
derknewaboutt he
pregnancyyetbecauseshedi dnotwantt hemany
peoplewhowi l
lbeinat tendanceatt heweddingto
touchherbel l
y.Shewasoneoft hemost
overprotecti
vepreggymommi esbecauseshe
fearedthatonemi stakemi ghtmakeherl oseher
preci
ousgift
s.Shesmi ledassher ecal
ledt
heday
Babinihel
dherhandast heybothlookedatthe
monitortoseethatthereweretwooft hem i
nher
womb.Shenear lykissedBabinitodeathbecause
shecouldnotbelievethathepredicat
edthetwins.
MaDudumashe:" Sanalwam,thesoonerwegetyou
readyt
hesooneryou'l
lseeyourhusbandsoyou'll
stopdaydr
eamingabouthim"Yandisnappedoutof
herhappymemor i
esandsmi l
edwhileshelookedat
hermother."
Ial
waysfeltl
iket
hatVuyomanwas
notgoodforyou"sheadded.
El
ihl
e:"Andshereal
lydidbutnonofusl
ist
ened"
Yandi
'syoungersi
stersai
dasshetri
edt
of i
x
Yandi
'stangl
edbeads.
Yandi:"
Ilearnedthehardway,Mamasot el
lme
whatyout hinkaboutt
hisone"shesmil
ed.Ma
Dudumashedancedwhi leul
ulul
ati
ngandher
daughter
sl aughed.
MaDudumashe:" Idon'
tthi
nkwhatIthinkofhi
m
matter
s,MaYandi.I
fthecreat
orsai
dyesand
ancest
orssecondeditt
henwhoam I ?"shegent
ly
hitherchest"ButIl
ovet hi
sone.Hegaveme
grandchil
drensoIjustlovehim somuch"she
cheeredagain.Othunyi
weyowal kedinandjoi
ned
MaDudumashei nt hecheeri
ng.Yandif
elther
sel
f
getgoosebumps.
Eli
hle:"
SisOthu,
shoul
dn'
tyoubehelpi
ngyour
familygetr
eadytowel
comethebri
de?"shel
aughed
soft
ly.
Othu:"No, Eli
hledon'tyoupullaPoppyonme
please.Ialreadygott he'youar
edisrespect
ing
cultur
e'lecturefr
om her .Youguysmustunder stand
thatI'
m closet obotht hebri
deandgr oom.So
please"shehel dahandoutatEl ihl
eandever yone
l
aughed.
MaDudumashe:" Don'
tworry,
Mnt anam soonther
e
wil
lbenoyourf ami
lyandourfamilybecausewe
areabouttogetdowntoget
her"shesunkt ot
he
fl
oorindanci
ng.
Yandi:"Mama,
yourkneehai
bo"shesai
doutof
concern.
MaDudumashe:"
Kneemyf
oot
"shecont
inuedt
o
dance."AnywaysoonI '
l
lhavemor egr
andchi l
dren
whowi l
lrubtheirMakhulu'
sachingj
oints.Yho
Yandi'
sfami l
ybeembar r
assinguswit
ht heirsoft
si
ngingasi fweareataf uner
alwhenIcanheart he
Zwenifamilyfrom manyhousesaway.LetMaLet a
goandshowt hem howit'
sdone"sheletgoof
whatevershewasdoi ngandwalkedandt hegirl'
s
werelaughingsomuch.
Yandi:"
Fri
end,
Iswearyourbr
otheri
slovedmor
e
thanbymymot hernow"t
heyalll
aughed.
Eli
hle:"
Yhoj ustli
st entoMamasi ngingthel oudest
andmaki ngt hefami l
ybackupsi ngers.Shewi llask
forendlessgingert eaaft
erthi
swhent hatthroat
hurts,j
ustyouwat ch"sheputherhandoverher
mout hwhilelookingoutthewi ndowt ofindMa
Dudumasheevenj umpingintheairinsome
i
nstances.
Othu:"
IswearyourmotheristheMatooft
hisf
ami
ly,
Fri
end.It
'
sashamet hattheyhavenotgot
tena
chancetoreal
lysi
tdownandt al
k"
Yandi
:"Tal
kat
ivepeopl
edon'
tl
ikepeopl
ewhoar
eas
tal
kati
veast hem.Theywantt obear oundli
stener
s.
Sodon'tthinktheywi l
lgetal
onghey"theylaughed
again"I
sPoppyst il
lhavi
nganatt
itude"shehanded
ablacktradit
ionalheadwraptoOthu.Othutooka
fewpinsandputt hem bet
weenherlipsandhelped
Yanditi
eherheadgear .
Othu:"Thewor stpartist
hatshei sdir
ecti
ngthis
att
it
udet owardst heoneper sonwhodoesn'tgivea
damn.Babi nilethergetallworkedupalone
becausehechooseshi sbattlesunl
ikeuswhogi ve
Poppyt heti
meofday"shesai dwit
hahalfclosed
mouthwhi letakingthepinsf r
om hermouthto
securetheheadwr ap
Elihl
e:"Butofallyourfri
endsPoppyhasal ways
beent hedramat i
cone"t heylaughed"YaziSi si
,I
thinkIhavejustseenVuyo' sauntandMamai s
dancingandsi ngingrightinthepoorwoman' sface"
Yandist oodquicklyandl ookedoutthewi ndowand
i
ndeedVuyo' sauntwasst andi
ngwi t
hal ongf ace
whi l
eMaDudumasheseemedt oonlypar adein
frontofherwhilewavi ngawhi t
eclot
h.Ma
Dudumashehadt ogetatl eastoneofthem togo
t
ellt
hei
rsont
hatYandi
sai
shappy.
Yandi:"Idon'tknowhowl ongMamawi llbeableto
keept hepregnancysecret.I
'
m suresheistheone
whoi nvit
edVuyo' sfamil
ybutwhywouldt heycome
allt
hisway? "allt
hreeladi
esfoundaspott opeek
fr
om.
Ot hu:"
Toseei fwhatyourmot herinvi
tedthem fori
s
true.Don'tbeupsetatMaDudubecauseshe' sso
happyandshewon' tsayanythi
ngaboutt he
pregnancyunl essyougiveper mi
ssion.Iknowmy
mot hersoI'm sure"Othusaidasthoughshewas
thet hi
rddaughterintheDudumashef amily.
El
ihl
e:"Tal
kingaboutpregnancy,
SisOthu.Isaw
Chulumancofrom adist
anceyester
day.Issheeven
al
lowedtotravel
withsuchabi gbel
ly?
"theladi
es
wentbacktogetti
ngready.
Othu:"
YouknowChul umancoistheloverofthi
ngs.
Wehadt otravelwit
hheragainstdoctor'
sorders
becausesheliter
all
ycri
edwhenwet oldhershe'
d
havetostay.Crai
gwaswi ll
ingtostayhomewi th
her.Si
ncenof l
ightwantedheronboar d,wehadto
driveallt
heway"sheshookherheadandever yone
l
aughed." Lookatyoursel
f"Othusmi l
edasshe
movedf r
om infr
ontthemi r
rorsoYandiwoul dlook
atherself.Theheadwraphadbl ueandwhitebeads
hangingoverhereyes.Elihl
eputabeadedpi ece
thatwasf orYandi'
shandsonYandi .Onceallher
beadswer eonOthuplacedat r
adit
ionalcl
othover
Yandi'sshoulder
stocompl etethel
ook.
MaDudumashe:" NankouDi bakaziomhl e.
uMaf ungwashekaJongi khayanoNot hembekil
e
Dudumashe.I nt
ombieyabi zwangokhokhobayo
yasebela.UmfaziwasemaMpi ngeni.Hayi ,
hayi
,
hayiMadl omo,Yem-Yem.I si
zalosamaDl omo"she
ci
rcledYandiandYandi '
ssof tt
earsflewbet ween
smiles.Shereal
lycouldnotr ememberhermot her
soover j
oyedthefi
rstt
imeshegotmar r
ied.
Othu:"
Mama, nowyouwi l
lmakemeemot i
onal.Let
megot el
ltheMpingaclanthatt
heDlomofamily
areaboutt
obringthei
rdaughtert
ohernewhome.
AhhDibakazi
"shecheeredwhiledanci
ngi
nfrontof
Yandiandmadeherwayoutdanci ng.
El
ihl
e:"
Youwi
llbeoneoft
hosel
uckybr
ideswho
ar
eloved,Si
si.I
'
m suretheywon'
tevenwantyout
o
l
if
tafinger
"shelaughed.
MaDudumashe:" Don'tyoudar egohumili
ateme
there,
Yandi sa.Youar egoingtobeapr operXhosa
bridether
e, noshortcuts"shesaidwhil
ef i
xing
Yandi'
sdr essandt hegi r
lslaughedatt
heirmot her
.
MrDudumashe:"Maf ungwashekaTata"hesaidin
hi
slowvoice.Usuall
yeveryonehadtobequietand
al
lowhimtospeaki norderfort
hem t
ohearhim
pr
operl
y"Ohyoul ookbeauti
ful,
Madlomo"he
smil
ed..
Yandi
:"Thankyou,
Tat
am"shesmi
ledbef
ore
huggi
nghim.
MrDudumashe:" Areyour eadytogototheZweni
compoundandcel ebrateyouruniontothei
rson"
Yandinoddedquickl
y.MrDudumashehel dhis
daughter
'shandast heymadet heirwayoutsi
de.
TheZwenifamilywaski ndenought ofi
ndthe
Dudumashef amil
yaccomodat i
onclosetothei
r
home.Thesingingbecamesol oudwhenYandi
appearedwit
hbothherpar ent
sbyhersidethatshe
gotgoosebumpsonceagai n.Hermot herwoul d
makeast houghshe' ssweepi ngt hewaysoher
daught ercoul dwal konsar cedsoi l.Thef i
r stthing
Yandidi dt hatmor ningwast ot alkt oherancest ors.
Shet rulybel i
evedt hatt heyhadar ol
ei nherget ting
mar ri
edandbei ngpr egnant .TheDudumashef ami l
y
headedt othebi gZwenicompoundbyf ootasi t
wasnotf aratal l
.Yandicoul dheart heZweni
fami l
y'ssingi nggetl ouderandwhenshel ift
edher
headt heret hel argef ami lyappr oached.Mat olike
MaDudumashewassweepi ngt hewayi nf rontof
theirsonandYandil aughedsof tlyasshet hought
aboutwhatOt husai dear li
er.Babi niwor ea
tradit
ionalcl othar oundhi sbot tom andhi sbar e
chestwasdr appedwi t hblueandwhi tebeadsanda
beadedbandwasar oundhi shead.Hewoul d
occasi onallyhol dupt hebeadedcanewhi ch
belongedt ohi sfatherwhi lesingi nganddanci ng.
Thet wof ami l
iesmetwhent hecoupl eheldhands
andt ogethert heymadet heshor twal kinsi det he
Zwenihomest eadwhi chhadahugewhi temar que
oni t
.Yandiwasi naweoft her oundt ableswhi ch
wer edecor atedi nt hecl othwhi chmat chest heir
atti
reandascent erpi eceshadsmal lthreel egged
blackpot sandsomebeaut iful
lyarrangedf lowers
i
nsi det hem.Thef ami l
iesaccompani edherand
Babi nitot her oyaltyseat sthatwer einf r
ont .The
crowddi dn'tgoqui etwhent heyr eachedt hef r
ont
ast hesi ngingwentonunt ilCraigwhowasMCand
"bestman"cal medt hepeopl e.Soont hecoupl esaid
theirownvowsandexchangedr ingsbef or eelders
blessedt heirunion.Noguestwasal lowedt otake
picturesast hecoupl ehi r
edt heirownphot ographer
tocapt ur etheirday.I twasal sof orBabi ni'
ssakeas
peopl ewoul dpostwi thoutt heirpermi ssion.Itwas
theonl yr uletherewasandt hef ami l
yevenhad
"secur i
ty"per sonnelt okeepwat chofanyonewho
tri
edt ot akeasnap.I twasusualbutt heyhadno
choi ce.Themar r
iagecont ractswer esignedshor t
ly
afterther i
ngsgotexchanged.Ther ewasenough
foodanddr inksf orever yonet ohavesecondsor
event hirdsi ftheywant ed.
Babini
:"Youl
ooksobeauti
ful
,wakwam"heki
ssed
hercheekandYandibl
ushed.
Yandi
:"Youar
elooki
nggoodyour
sel
f,myeni
wam"
sheplacedherhandi nfrontofthem toki sshi
m but
thecrowdcheer edjustastheythoughtt hey'
dsteal
anunnot i
cedkiss.Yandiwasleftfacingt hefl
ooras
sheblushedbutBabi nil
ookedpr oudtohavet heir
famil
ieswitnessthem showingaf f
ection.Soonit
wastimef ortheelderstosaytheirspeechesand
congratul
ati
ons.
Unathi:"Istandher enotj ustonmybehal fbutal so
onBabi ni'
sf at
her '
s.Hewoul dhavewor kedonsome
nervest oday"ever yonewhoknewKumkaniwel l
l
aughedwhi l
enoddi ng" Buthewoul dal sohave
beenver yhappyt oseehi ssontaki
ngawi feand
soonwi llhavechi ldofhi sown"Vuyo' sauntgavea
sarcasticlaughbef oresi ppingonherj uice.Ma
Dudumashegaveheradeat hstar
ebutYandi
i
ndicatedt oElihlet hatshemustcal mt hei rmot her
down.Yandihadnot imef ornonsenseonherday
"Yandisa,thatisthel asttimeIwi l
lcallyout hat
becausesoonyouwi llbegivenanewnamebyt he
Zwenif ami l
y.Wel comet ot hefamil
y, Ntombi .You
havebeenapar tofussi nceOt hu'
sgr aduat ion
ceremonysowear ehappyt oknowt hatoursoni s
i
ngoodhands"sheblewthem aki
ssandYandi
caughti
tandputi
tonherli
ps.
MaDudumashe:" EvenifIdi
enow,Iwouldhave
goneahappywoman.OhYandi ,wehaveseenyou
cryandt
henGodsai dnomor e.Todaythe
gossi
per
sandt hewitchesarewonderi
ngwhythei
r
darkmagi
cdidn'twork"
Mato:"
Yes,YesMamaDudumashe.Li
kethedevi
l
wholaughedwhenchi
ldr
enwerement
ioned"bot
h
oft
hem gaveVuyo'
sauntal
ook.
MaDudumashe:" Iwil
lnotnamenames, Mat obut
theyknowt hemselves"YandilookedatBabi niand
shookherheadsl owly"Yandithelastti
meIspoke
i
nasi milarcel
ebrati
onItoldyout hatyoumustnot
beafrai
dt ocomehomewhent hingsaren'twel l
becausewehavenotdeser tedyou.West i
llhaven't
desert
edyou, mychi l
dbutIhonest l
ydon' tthinkthe
sameadvi cewil
lbeneededt hi
stimear ound.Oh
nyanawam( myson)wear esohappyt hatyour
pathcrossedwithourchild'
s.I'
vehear dallthatyou
wenttodoi nordertobeabl etositnexttohert oday
andforthatmyhusbandandIt hankyou.Tat u
Dudumashei snotamanofmanywor dsbuthe
gavemebl essingtobet heonet ospeakonbehal f
ofourfamilybecauseyourmot herinlawhasno
stopasfarast al
kingisinvolved.Likeyourmother
welcomedmydaught ersobeaut ifulj
ustnow.I
welcomeyout oourfamily,Mawawa"shecheer ed
beforeshetookaseat .Mor eelderscamef orward
togivewellwishes.Soont herewassi ngi
ngand
dancingwhichmadet hosewi thpersonalprobl
ems
evenforgetthoseissues.
Mato:"
Wadanausatane"shesangwhi
leshe
dancednotsof
arfr
om Vuyo'saunt
.
MaDudumashe:" Whatdi
dyousay,Mat o?Wadana
usatane?
"sheaskedassheal socamet odance
withMato.Vuyo'sauntgotsofr
ustr
atedthatshe
stoodandleft.MatandMaDudumashedi dahigh
fi
vebeforelaughi
ng.
Mato:"Doyoudri
nksomethi
ngstronger,
Thembsie?"MaDudumashelookedatwhereher
husbandwasandwhenshesawt hathewasfar
awaysheturnedtoMat
o.
MaDudumashe:"Canyoumaket hosenicejui
ce
dri
nkssomyhusbandwon'tnot
ice?Hedoesn'tli
ke
i
twhenIdri
nkbuttodayi
saspeci aloccasi
on
ri
ght?
"shewhi
spered.
Mat o:"Sti
ckwi t
hme, wenagi r
landIwillmakeyou
themosti nnocentl ooki
ngcockt ai
lsandIknowt hi
s
housei nsideoutsoIcansor tyou"theygaveeach
otherawi nkbef oretheywentcockt ai
lhunti
ng.
LaterinthedayYandisatasheri nlawsdressesher
i
nmakot iatti
re.Itwasar atherhotdayfortheblue
checkedbl ankett heyputoverhershouldersbutit
wast radit
ionandshecoul dnotobjectnotthatshe
want edto.Oncedoneshesatonadr yreedmat
withherbl acksilkydoekhover i
ngoverhereyes.
Thebr ide'
smeatwasputi nfrontofhersoonafter
.
Othu:"Idon'tt
hinktherei
sagr eaterhonorasi ster
willhavethantogiveherbrother'swifeaname.I '
ve
beent hi
nkingaboutanameandIhaver eal
izedthat
mostf amili
estellt
heirmakotithattheymustbui ld
theirmarit
alhomes.Idon'tfeelli
keImusti nstruct
yout odothat,YandisaasIknowt hatyouwi l
ldo
thatwithoutbeingtoldMyselfandt heZwenif amily
wouldj
ustliketotel
lyouandshowyouhowt r
uly
weloveyouandt hatiswhyyouwi llbeknowntous
asAvethandwa.You'llbesisAvet osome,
MalumekaziAvet oothers.Welcomet otheMpinga
cl
an,si
sAvet handwa"Yandismi ledasshehear d
hernewname.Sheabsol utel
ylovedi t
.Babi
ni
l
ookedathismakot iasshesatr ightbesi
dehim.
Makhul u:"Avethandwa, ntombiyam.Many, many
yearsagoIsatasyouar enowbei ngwel comedi nt
o
theZwenif ami l
y.Iknowhowner vousyoumustf eel
butrestassur edthatyouar enowourchi ld.We
knewyou, Avelongbef oreoursonsethi seyeson
youandweknowt hetypeofwomant hatyouar e.
Wei ndeedl oveyousomuch.I '
m nowyour
grandmot herasmuchasIam yourhusband' s.
WhenIneedsomet hingf rom yourhusbandIwi l
lbe
suretost artwit
hyouf irstashi swifesoyoucan
passmyr equestontohi m.Ihavet ast
edyourt ea
manyt imesbutIwantt ot asteifi
t'sanydi f
ferent
nowt hatyouar eourmakot i"everyonelaughedand
Yandibl ushed.
Mat
o:"
OhMayaya,
MaYar
i-
Yar
i"t
hecockt
ail
sshe
andMaDudumashehadwer eclear
lytaki
ngeffect"
I
j
ustsaywel come.Heywhowi llt
ryandbewitchus
nowt hatwehaveaheal erint hefamil
y?Wear e
safenow"shesai dconf i
dent l
yandever yone
l
aughed." Onaseriousnot e,wet rul
yloveyouand
thisnamei sbef
it
ting.Bhut iBabini,
thankyouf or
bringi
ngusadaught erandal lweaski sthatyou
treatherwell
"
Vangel i
:"Notomatoj ustsaidwhatIwast hi
nking.I
don'trecallt
heZwenif amil
yeverhavingagifted
makot isopleasedonotgett ir
edwhenwecomet o
youf orourancest r
al issues,mychi l
d.Astheman
standinginforKumkaniwhoi smybr ot
her,t
he
Mpi ngaclanwel comesyou, Madlomo.Wear e
anxiouslywai t
ingtot astethewor kofyourhands
becauseBabi nihasbeenbr aggingaboutyour
cookingt ousandnowourmout hsarewateri
ngas
wecan' twaitforyout ocookf orus"Babi
nisatup
proudlyasYandil aughedsubt ly.
Unat
hi:"
SisAvet
handwakaBhutBabini
"thefamil
y
l
aughed"Onlyst
rongwomenisabletosayyesto
t
hestubbornZwenimen.Babi
nipl
easelookaft
er
yourmakot i
.Itissoeasyf orust odirectt he
i
nst ructi
onst ot hebr i
deast houghshei st heonl y
onewhoi sresponsi bl
ef ormaki ngamar riagewor k.
Donott hinkIwi l
lbet hosemot herswhot akeyour
sideevenwhenyouar et heonewhowr ongedyour
wife"t hewomeni nt her oom noddedi nagr eement
"Avet handwa' smot heri strusti
ngmeandt heel der
womeni nourf ami lytol ookaf terherdaught erand
wet akeont hedut ywi thopenhands.Ave, likemy
mot herinl aw, Ialsosatasyouar emanyyear sago.
Fear ingwhet hermymot herinlawwi l
llikeme.Igot
wel comedbyMaZweniashermakot iandIcan' t
pointoutadayIwast reatedbadl y.Shewoul d
reprimandmewhenI '
m wr ongandt herewer etimes
Ithoughtshewasi lltreat i
ngmebydoi ngsobutas
I'
m mor emat ur e,Irealizeshewasshowi ngmel ove
asanymot hershoul dbycor r
ectingmywr ongs.I
am sayi ngher et hatyouandIwi llfi
ghtoccasi onally
butl etyourmi ndnotf oolyoui ntot hinkingi t
's
becauseIhat eyou.Wel come, MamuZweni "Yandi
feltherhear twar m upasshel istenedt oal lt he
wor dsofwi sdom whi chwer emost l
yf rom t he
women.Shewassohappyt hatshewoul dbr ing
chil
drentothefamil
ybecausechi l
drenwere
mentionedinthespeeches.Theeldersaskedt
o
tast
eAvethandwa'steaast hei
rthr
oatsweredry
andOt huandPoppyshowedYandiwer etheki
tchen
was.Shehadcookedt herebeforesosheknewver y
wellwhereitwasbutsheplayedalong.Othuhelped
Yandimaket eafort
hebigZwenibunch.
Poppy:"
Othunyi
weyo,letYandidot
hingsbyher
sel
f.
I
t'
sherjobasmakoti"shestoodwit
hf ol
dedar
ms.
Othu:"Lastt
imeIcheckedthi
si smygr andmother'
s
ki
tchenandAvet handwaisalsoagr andchi
ldhere
now,sohowi smehel pingmysistermaket eafor
overtwentyelder
sacr i
me?"sheshotal ookat
Poppy.
Yandi:"
I'
vegotthi
s,f
ri
endsodon'
twor
ry"shesai
d
tokeepthepeace.
Ot
hu:"Iwantt
ohel
p"shecont
inueddoi
ngwhatshe
wasdoing.
Poppy:"
Onecant
ellyoumar r
iedamanwi thout
cul
tur
esonowyouar edesperat
etohelpthosewho
marri
edcul
tur
edmen.That'swhathappenswhen
youmar ryaboy"Othupoi
ntedaspoonatPoppy
whilewal ki
ngtowardsherbutYandistoppedthem.
Othut hrewthespoonandithitPoppy'scheek.She
breathedandcont i
nuedtohelphernewsi st
erin
l
awser vetheteat
ot heel
ders.Oncetheelderswere
donet heywenttogetthecupssot hey'
dwasht hem.
Yandi
:"She'
sri
ght
,youknow.Ishoul
dbedoi
ngt
his"
Othu:"JustbecausePoppyi
smadeaslaveatheri
n
l
awst hatdoesn'tmeanyoumustbeonetoo"
Poppy:" Atl
eastIhavei nlaws.Atl eastmychi ldr
en
willknowwher etheirl
ineagebegan"shesai das
sheputt hecupsdownbutOt huwasont opofher
beforeshecouldsayanyt hingel se.Yandit riedto
breakthesister
supbutshesoonhadt ocal lfor
helpwhenOt hulookedast houghshewasaboutt o
stranglePoppytodeat h.Likeat ypi calmot hershe
hatedwhenherchi ldrenwer edraggedi nt othings
thatwer enonoftheirbusiness.Babi nisepar ated
hissisterswi
thnot roubleatal landcar riedeachi n
hisarmsashemadehi swayt ooneoft heempt y
rondavels.Heplacedt hem downl ikekidsandshut
thedoor .
Babini
:"Thi
shadbetterbeworththetwoofyou
makingsuchascenei nyourgrandfat
her'
shouse"
hepointedatt
hem.Ot hutol
dherbr ot
herwhat
happened.Babi
nit
ur nedtoPoppy"Ihavebeen
tol
erat
ingyourbul
lshitf
oracoupleofweeksnow.
Saywhatyouwantt osayandgeti toverwi
th"he
point
edather..
Poppy:"Youtouchmelikethatagai
nI'
l
lhaveyou
ar
rested"shepoint
edatOthu.
Othu:"
It
'l
lbewort
hit"Babi
nir
aisedhi
svoi
ceashe
t
oldthem tost
op..
Poppy:"Yout
hinkyouaretheminiKumkanij
ust
becauseyougotmostofhisshares?
"sherai
seda
browandspokewithatt
it
ude.
Babini
:"Takethebloodyshares.I
'
m doingwel
lon
myown.Sot hat'
swhat'st
hisabout?Youarecryi
ng
oversharesthatneit
herofusevenworkedfor?
"he
l
ookedather .
Poppy:"
Goodthingyouknowthatnonofuswor ked
fori
tandther
eforei
t'
sonl
yfai
rthatyouspl
ityours
sothatwewil
lgetwhatwedeserve"
Babini:"
Icangiveital
ltoyouforfuckssake.
Ruiningmyweddi ngandnearlyhavingmywi f
e
i
njuredforfucki
ngshares.Takethem!"hewas
fuming.
Ot
hu:"
Youwi
llnotgi
vePoppyyourshar
es,
bhut
i"
Poppy:"Ohletmeguessashi st
winyoumusthave
equalshar
eashi m sohemustdor i
ghtbyyou"she
point
edatOt huandOthu'sl
egsfl
ewpastBabinito
ki
ckPoppybutshemi ssed.
Othu:"Thi
si sKumkaniZweni'shei
rPoppy.His
chil
drenwillcarr
ytheZweniname.YouandI
adoptedothersurnameswhenwedeci dedt oget
marriedsohowdoyouexpectsomeonel ikeTatato
l
eavemostofhi ssharestouswhenyouknowwe
won'tcarr
yonhi sbloodli
ne?Wewer edoi
ngsowel l
andnowwel etj
eal
ousygetinthewayagain.
Weren'tweher ebefor
e,Poppy?"
Poppy:"
Youmightbehappywi t
hgetti
ngcrumbs
whil
ehegetsever
ythi
ngjustbecausehehasa
peni
sbutIam not
"sheshotback.
Babi
ni:"
I'
m notgoi
ngt
ocutmyf
ucki
ngdi
ckof
fjust
becauseyouf eel itmakesmepr ivi
leged, soj ust
fuckingt aket hedamnshar es.AsI'vesai d,Idon't
needt hem.Icant akecar eofmygr owi ngf amily
withoutdaddy' smoney"hehel dOthu'shandand
wentoutwi thhert oavoi dhavi nganot herphysi cal
fi
ghthappen.Poppyf eltast houghshehadt ot ake
yetanot herbackseatt ooneKumkani 'schi l
drenjust
becausehemar riedthei rmot her
.Sheand
Othunyi weyogott heexactsamest akebutt hattoo
didn'tmakeherhappy.Herhusbandt oldher
mat erial
isti
ct hingswer en'timportantt oChr ist
ian
suchast hemsel vesbutPoppywasnotaboutt o
keepqui etagai nasshef el
tKumkaniowedher
mor e.Ot huwentt oapol ogizetoYandibef oreshe
wentoutf orsomeai r
.Hour swentbyandBabi ni
andYandif inallygott imeal oneast heyset tl
edi n
ther oom they' l
lbeaccommodat edi nfort he
durat i
onoft heirst ay.Theywer ebot ht i
redf rom the
activit
iesoft heday.
Yandi:"
Soal
lofthatwasbecauseofsharesat
KumkaniConst
ructi
on?"shesai
dwhiletaki
ngoff
herdoek.
Babini:"
Imagi ne,Ntl
izi
yoyam"het ookhi sbeadsof f.
"ButIdon'tcar eaboutPoppyr ightnow.Ij ustwant
towasht hesweatof fmybodyandf eellikemysel f
againbutbef orethatIwantt odot hi
s"het urnedher
aroundandki ssedherdeeply.Thef i
r stpassi onate
kissofthedayast heywer ehar dl
ylef talonef ort
he
day.Itwast heirfi
rstproperkissashusbandand
wifeandi tfeltabsol
utelywonder f
ul.Af terpledging
tobepar t
edonl ybydeaththeyknewi twast hef i
rst
ofmanyki ssesasamar ri
edcoupl e.
Babini
:"Mypoorbaby,
theyletyouwearsomany
cl
othesinthi
sheatandaddedabl ankett
oo"hesai
d
bet
weenkissesashetri
edtohel pheroutofher
cl
othes.
Yandi:"Thethi
ngsIgot hrought obeyourwi fe,
ZwenibutIdon' tmind"shef i
nal
lyfel
thi sski
n
againstherswhenshegott hetoplayersoff.She
wasst art
ingtoseeherabdomenswel l anditmade
herfeelsohappy.Bot hoft hem weret ootir
edtodo
theextrasbuttheywant edt osealtheirweddingday
withaweddi ngnightoff l
eshoneness.Yandi
l
aughedwhenheputheront hebedasi tt
ookher
backtot hedayt hattheybrokethebedandt heday
thei
rkidswer epossiblyconceived.I
twasasl ow
yetheatedlovemaki ngt hatlef
tYandifeel
ingas
thoughshewast hehappiestwomani ntheuni ver
se.
Theyhadabsol utel
ynoener gytogetupt ofreshen
upast heysaidt heywoul dbecausetheyspentt he
l
astdropofst rengthinsealingthei
rmar ri
age.
Babi
ni:"
Yandi
saAvethandwaZweni"hewhisper
ed
i
nherearwhil
enibbl
ingonitseduct
ivel
y.
Yandi
:"Il
ovet
hesoundofitsomuch.Youhavean
amazi
ngf ami
ly"shebr
ushedhi
sbeard.
Babini
:"I
t'
sourf
amil
ynowandthi
sti
menextyear
,
theset
wowi l
lbeacoupl
eofmont
hs"hehel
dher
bell
y.
Yandi
:"I
'
m beyondmysel
fwi
thexci
tement,baby.
You'
ll
goinwithmewhenIgi
vebirt
hright
?"he
ki
ssedher.
Babi
ni:"
Wher
eel
sewoul
dIbe?Il
oveyouokay"
Yandi:"
Iloveyoumore"theyfel
lasl
eepineach
other
'sarmsbutonl
yf orabout15minut
esast hey
gotwokenupbyascr eami ngwoman.Babiniput
hi
spant son,t
ookhisst
ickandwithouthesi
tat
ion
wenttocheckwhatwasgoi ngon.Yandigot
dressedonceagai
njustincaseherhelpwouldbe
neededinanyway.
Craig:"
Chulu'
sinlabour
"hesaidfrant
ical
lywhen
Babiniwentout.Soontheenti
refamil
ywasawake
andr anar
oundl i
keheadlesschi
cken.Makhuluwas
withChuluasquicklyasheroldl
egswoul dcarr
y
her.
Makhul u:"Shei snotgoi ngtomakei ttothehospital
ont i
me.Nogr andbabyofmi neisgi vingbirthina
car.Othunyi weyo, gett
hatmedi calsuppl ybox
Makhul ukeepsi nthemai nhouse.I '
m aboutt o
deli
vermyf i
rstgreatgreatgranddaught er"shesaid
calmly.Ot hur antogetwhatMakhul usai dshemust .
Thehospi t
albeingf arhadMakhul ualwaysst ocked
upwi thster i
li
sersandot hermedi calsuppl i
esher
nurseknowl edget ol
dherwasneededj ustincase
ofanemer gency.Craighatedtoseehi sprincessin
painbuti twasnor malwhenawomanwasbr i
nging
l
ifeintothewor ld.Makhulugavei nstructi
onsand
everyonewentanddi dexactlywhatshesai d.Eli
hle
wasal soayoungnursesoMakhuluhadher selfan
assist
ant.OthuwasbythesweatyChulu'ssideas
Chuluheldherhandti
ghtl
y.Therestofthefamily
stoodoutsidepr
ayi
ngforbothChuluandt hebaby
tobewel l
.
Chul
u:"Mama! "shescreamedwhenast r
ong
cont
racti
onhitandOthuwi shedshecoul
dtakethe
pai
nawaybutal lcoul
ddowassuppor tChulu.
Makhulugotsteri
li
zat
ionsorted.
Makhulu:"YoupushwheneverIt ellyout
opush,
Chulumanco.Makhul uhasdel i
veredmanybabies
before,
NunusoPeanuti sinverygoodhands, I
promise.Nowgi veMakhuluagoodpush"Chul u
pushedashar dasshecoul dwhi leMakhuluand
Othuwer etel
li
ngherhowgr eatshe'sdoi
ng"Ihave
herinmyhands, Nunu.JustgiveMakhuluanother
push"shesaidcal mly.
Chul
u:"
Ican'
t,
Mama! "t
earsr
andownthesideof
herf
aceasshefel
therbodyl
etherdown.
Othu:"
Youcan.Justonepushandyou'
llgett
ohol
d
yourbaby"shesai
dtoencour
ageChuluandsaw
Chulupushsohar dshewascer tainshe'dpushout
poopt oo.Chulu'
sheadf ellbacki nexhaust i
on
hopingtheywoul dnotaskhert opushagai nasshe
hadnost rength.Makhulusmi ledwhenshesaw
thatChulu'
sbabywasbor nwhi l
est il
linhersac.
Othutookavi deoofther aremomentbef ore
Makhul uhadt o"bur
stthebubbl e".El
ihleworkedon
Chuluwhi l
eMakhul uattendedt ot hebaby.She
didn'
tcryonebi tbutshewasasheal t
hyasany
newbor nshouldbe.Itwaswhenshewaspl acedon
hermot her'
schestthatshel etoutsuchaheal thy
crytofil
lherlungswithair.Thecr ythatmadeCr ai
g
sinktothegrassashecoul dbr eathagai n.
Makhul
u:"She'
sgoi
ngtobeacrybabythi
sone.
Qui
etal
lthisti
meunt
ilhermot
herhol
dsher"she
l
aughedsoftl
y.
Ot
hu:"
Makhul
u,shoul
dn'
tyoucutt
hecor
d?"
Makhulu:"Noiti
sst i
llpr
ovi
dingherwit
hstem cel
ls
andothernutr
ientsthatwil
lhel
pherimmune
system i
nthelongrun.Intheolddayswedidn'
tcut
thecordasitf
elloffwellonit
sown.That'
swhy
theycanbebor nunderwaterandnotdrown.When
youcutthecordyou'l
lseehergraspforairasshe
muststartusi
ngherlungsrightaway.Nothingwi l
l
happentoherwithhersti
llatt
achedtothepl acent
a"
shesaidconfi
dentl
y.
El
ihl
e:"
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hat
,Makhul
u."
Chulu:"She'
ssoper
fect.Hi"shelookedather
daughterwit
hasmile.Hairjetbl
ackandcurlyj
ust
l
ikeTatiana'
s.
Othu:"Shel
ooksli
keTat i
anasomuch"Ot huwiped
hertearsof
fbefor
et aki
ngbabyChul uf
rom her
mothergentl
y.Shefeltnogreaterl
ovet
hanwhen
shelookedathergranddaughter.
Chul
u:"Makhul
ucanmydadpleasecomein,pl
ease
Iwantbot
hhim andmom t
oseethebaby"she
pl
eadedsoft
ly.
Makhulu:"Yesbutaf t
ert hatwetakeyoutwot othe
hospi
talforapr opercheckup"Chul unodded.Othu
wenttogetthegr andfatherandCr ai
gnervousl
y
j
oinedtheladies.Hest eril
izedhi
shandstobeabl e
tohol
dt hebaby.
Chul
u:"
Dad,
comesi
tonmyot
hersi
de.She'
sso
perfect
"Craigfel
thi
shear
tmeltwenthiseyesf
ell
onthesmal lbutt
onnoseandgreyi
shl
ipsofhis
granddaughter.
Craig:"LetTamkhuluseeifallt
hosetoesand
fi
nger sarether
e"hecheckedherf eetandfi
nger
s
beforekissingthem "
Allt
here"hekissedhersmal
l
nose" I'
m soproudofyou"heki ssedChulu'
s
forehead.
Chulu:"
Andyouneverhavet owor r
yaboutnumber
twobecauseI '
m notgoi
ngt hroughthatpai
never,
everagain"ever
yonelaughed.SoonChul uandbaby
wereloadedontoCraig'
scaranddr i
ventothe
hospit
al.Themedicalstuffexaminedmommyand
babyandbot hwerehealthy.
Chul
u:"Thankyousomuchf orhel
pingme,
Makhulu.
Ir
eall
ywouldhavegivenbi
rt
hont heway"Makhul
u
smil
edwhilenoddi
ng.
Makhulu:"
Shecamequi ck"Chuluactuall
ygotmi l
d
contr
acti
onsduri
ngtheweddi ngbutshedi dn'
twant
torui
nthedayforthecouplesoshekeptqui etbut
shewasnotgoingtotellt
heeldersthat.Yandiwas
fi
nall
yabl etoholdt
henewaddi t
ionandshecoul d
al
readypi ct
ureherarmsful
lwithher s.Shekissed
herbeforepassingthebabytoBabi ni.Hetookthe
pi
nkbl anketoff
,hel
dthebaby'sheadgent lyfrom
behi
ndwi thonehandwhi l
etheot hersupportedthe
fr
agil
ebody.Oncet hebabywasf acet of
acewi t
h
hi
m hesmi l
ed.
Babini:"You'
resotiny"hesaid" IguesswhenIget
Makhul uAvethandwaananni versarygi
ftyou'l
lbe
demandi ngyourbirthdayonet oo.Iwouldhave
beencr ossedatanyoneoff ortakingourshine
todaybutnotyou, youbet hecher ryontopoft he
dayi fyouwant"Yandicouldseehe' dbeagr eat
fatherevenwithhisf ear
s.Othuhel dher
granddaughteragainandshewasabsol utel
yinlove.
Ot
hu:"
Whatwi
llyounameher
?"Chul
ushr
ugged"
Chulu:"
Kumkanikazi
"shesaidandeveryone
thoughtshewasjoki
ngbutshewasn't"Ireal
lylove
thenameQhayiyaasshe'sthefut
ure"shesmi l
ed.
Makhulu:"
That'
sabeauti
fulnameandawayt
o
honoryourgr
andfat
her
"shesmi l
ed.
Chulu:"
Qhayi yaKumkani kaziKnight "shesmi ledas
Othuhandedoverherdaught ert
oher .Sheknew
Imange'swoul dal sowantt ogivet hebabyaname.
MakhulushowedChul uhowt obrest feedbut
Peanutwasnotr eadyyetsot heywoul dtryanother
ti
me.Chul usnappedapi ct
ureoft hebabyandsent
i
ttoImange.Justwhent hefamilyt houghttheyhad
beenblessedenoughwi thabeaut ifulweddi ng,thei
r
j
oygoti ncreasedbyChul u'sbaby'sar ri
val.They
welcomeAvet handwaandQhayi yaont hesame
dayandYandi f
eltblessedtohaveQhayi yachoose
herweddingdayt omakeanent r
ance.
S2-
INSERT25
Yandienjoyeddoinghermakot iduti
esathernew
home.Ther estofthefamilymadeherf eelli
keshe
wasbor naZwenievenaf t
erOt huhadl ef
t.Sheand
Babinihavenotbeenabl etot ouchgroundast hey
weredesper at
elysear
chingf orahomebef orethe
twi
nsar ri
ve.Shehadal sogonet oacoupl eof
i
nterviewsbutassoonast heempl oyergotagl ance
atherbumpsheknewt hatitwasgoi ngtobeano.
Marriagehasbeenbl i
sseveni fi
t'
sstil
learl
ydays.
Shewakesupahappywomanandgoest obeda
happywomanandsoappl i
edforBabini.Yandi
searchedhercupboardsforwineglassesandwhen
sheturnedshefoundOt huandPoppyst ar
ingat
eachothercol
dly.Sheputaglassinf r
ontofeach
beforetaki
ngthewineoutofthefri
dge.
Yandi:"I
tisthebrandthatyoulikeandImadesure
tochil
litasyoutwopr eferi
tthatway"shesatdown
andfil
ledtheirgl
asseshopingthatshe'
dremind
them theyhadsomet hingsincommonsot here
wasnoneedt ofi
ght.
Othu:"
Ithoughtyoucal
ledmeheret
ogogetthe
i
temsthebabieswouldneedatt
hehospi
talaft
er
t
heyarebor n,
Ave"shetookasi
pofherf
rostywine.
Poppy:"Shetr
ickedus,dummy"sheroll
edhereyes
asifOthuhadn'tcaughtont
hatYandical
ledt
hem
underfalsepr
etense.
Yandi:"Iknowit
'sunf
airofmet ohaveliedbut
nei
therofyouwoul dhaveagreedtocomehadyou
knownt heotherwascoming"shedr ankherwater
nervouslywhil
elooki
ngtotheleftandthentheri
ght
hopi
ngoneoft
hem woul
dsaysomet
hing.
Poppy:"
Youexpectmet obeli
evethatyouareon
myside,Yandisa?Wheni t
'syourmanwhoi ssit
ti
ng
wit
hthefatinheri
tancethatI
'm sur
eyoualready
tol
dhimtonotl etgoof"shesnapped.
Othu:"
Tol
dyouit
'sabadi
dea"shef
il
ledhergl
ass
againwhi
lemumbli
ng.
Yandi
:"WhatBabi
nidoeswit
hhi
ssharesi
supto
hi
m.Icall
edyouheretoremi
ndyouguyst
hatwe
areonthesameteam"
Poppy:"Andyou'
vebeenaZweniforal
loffi
ve
minutesandyousaythat
.Luci
aandIhavespoken
aboutyoutwo.Youthi
nkyouaret
hebetterf
riends
i
nthiscircl
es"
Ot
hu:"
Wil
lLuci
aver
if
ythat
?"
Poppy:"Herecal
lherandputheronspeakeri
fyou
don'
tbelieveme"shehandedherphonetoOthubut
Othudidn'tt
akei
t.
Yandi
:"SoyouanLusht
alkaboutusl
iket
hatwhen
you'
realone"
Poppy:" Don'tactlikeyoudon' tdot hesame, Mrs
Perf ect
s"shel ookedatYandiandt henatOt huwho
tryi
ngt ohol dont othel astner veshehadl eft."
The
bestf ri
endswhodoever ythingtogetherandt he
sameway.Theybot ht eachandnowt heyhave
thesebadmenwi thdar kpast awhoar eableto
affor dt
hem al avishlifestylewi t
htheirdir
tymoney.
Ohnotf orgetti
ngt hattheywi l
lbothhavet winstoo"
shesai dinanof f
ensi vevoi ce"IfBabiniwasnotmy
brotherI'dhavehumbl edyoul ikeIhumbl edt hi
s
onewhenIsl eptwi t
hherman"Ot hust oodand
wal kedupanddownt okeepher selfcalm.
Yandi:"Doyou'dhavecheat
edonyourhusbandt
o
proveapoint,Poppy?Wow,youhaveagreatmanin
Mzusakheandhewor shi
psthegr
oundyouwalkon"
shefelthur
tonPoppy'shusband'
ssake.
Poppy:" Sometimest heMadamshavet obebr ought
backt oearth.AllIwanti smywel l
deservedequal
shareofKumkani 'sestatebecauseIhaveputup
withal otofcrapf r
om t hatmantohavesome
brotherjustcomet akeitall
"
Yandi
:"Thi
sisnotgoi
ngasIi
magi
nedatal
l"she
satbackandbr
ushedherbel
ly.
Ot
hu:"
Iexpect
edexact
lyt
his"shepoi
ntedatPoppy.
Poppy:"
Don'tf
orgett
hatBabi
nii
spracti
cal
lya
wantedman"Othusatbackdownagainwhenshe
fel
therbr
otherwasbeingt
hreat
ened.
Othu:"Youwoul dputyourbr other
'sl
if
eatr i
skfor
shares?Acompanyt hatmi ghtbebankruptaswe
speak.Doyouknowt hetypeofpeopl eBabini'
had
tofi
ghtt ogetawayf rom, Poppy?Helasisi,l
etme
tel
lyousomet hi
ng.Al lthreeofusar eli
nkedto
Babini.Areyouwi ll
ingt ofindyourdaught er
swi t
h
bull
etholesrighther e"shepoi ntedbetweenher
eyes"Comebackt or ealitybecausethisisnomovi e.
Yourchi l
drenwillbeki l
ledwhi leyouwatchandt hey
mightcookt hem andf orceyout oeatthen"
Yandi
:"Fr
iend"shef
elther
sel
fgetscar
ed.
Othu:"No,Fr
iend.Poppyiscl
eversoIwantherto
getaclearpi
ctureoftheli
feBabi
nigotawayfr
om.
Ifshetal
kstowhoeveraboutwhateverthenwewill
alldi
eslowandpai nf
ull
y"Poppyshi
ftedonherseat
scared.
Poppy:"
Idi
dn'
tsayI
'
llsni
tchonhi
m"shesai
d
sl
owly.
Othu:"
GoodbecauseIdon' twanttobeforcedt obe
adamncanni bal.Problem wi
thyouisyout hi
nkyou
knoweverythi
ng.Yout hinkit
'seasytobemar riedto
menwi t
hapast ?Bei ngworri
edifyourki
dsmi ght
becheckedoutbysomeonewai ti
ngfort
heper f
ect
momentt osnatchthem?Wel lt
hat'
smyr eali
tyafter
IchoseCrai
gsobehappywi thBhutMzuwhohas
anhonestandcl eanpast"
Poppy:"Thi
sconver
sat i
onisgetti
ngoutofhand.
Youjustoutwordsi
nmymout h.IneversaidI
'l
l
sni
tchonmyownbr otherforshares.Ij
ustsaidI
wanttobeequalpartner"shestoodandl ef
t.
Yandi
:"Ican'
tbel
ievet
hatshehi
ntedatt
ell
ingon
Babi
nitogetherway"shesai
dsoftl
y.
Othu:"
That'
sPoppyf oryou.Shejustputt
hatsi
de
awaybutclear
lyKumkani '
sdeathhasmadeher
br
ingoutthatPoppy.Comel et
'sgogetthosebaby
st
uff"
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,
doyour
eal
lywor
ryt
hatCr
aig'
spast
wi
llcomehauntyou?
"shest
ood.
Othu:" Notanymor e.Pl
easedon'tt
hinkaboutwhatI
saidtomuch.Ij ustwantedtoscar
ePoppy.Noone
willcomel ookingforhim"shehuggedYandi.Ther
e
wasaknockont hedoorandYandiwasshockedto
seehermot herandMat oatthedoor.Sincet
he
weddi ngthey'vebeenthebestofbuddies.Aft
er
greeti
ngYandil ett
hem in.
Yandi
:"DoesTat
aknowt
hatyouar
eher
e?"
MaDudumashe:" Don'
tworr
y,It
oldhim youneed
hel
pwi t
hpregnancyst
uff
.Matohasbeenki nd
enoughtoletmestaywit
hherandSisHl esoI
won'tbot
heryouandyourhusband"shesmi l
ed
Yandi
:"Soyoul
iedt
oTatat
ocomeandexplor
e
CapeTownwithMakhul
uMato?
"shesmi
led.
Mato:"Yandii
snowmakingitsoundasI
'
mI '
vegot
youanewmanher e"shelookedMaDudumashe"If
anythi
ngIwantyourmothertotel
lmemoreabout
yourwidoweduncl
e"shesmiled.
Othu:"
Ithoughtyousai
dyou'
dneverl
ookataman
again,
Makhulu"
Mato:"
Yhothewint
erwasbi
tt
er,
Othunyi
weyo"she
shookherhead.
MaDudumashe:"
AndMel
ikhayawi
llbeper
fect
"she
sai
dtoMat
o.
Mato:"Allofthem areKhayat oo.Thereisa
Meli
khaya, Jongikhaya,Landikhaya,Khokhekhaya"
shesaidwi thhereyescl osedast houghtshehad
somethingni ceinhermout h."Nowondert he
womenwhoar emar ri
edt oDudumashemenar e
happy"shel ookedatMaDudumashe." Youtwo
weredrinking"sheaskedwhenhereyesf el
lonthe
twowinegl asses.MaDudumasheputherhandson
herhipandl ookedatYandif rom headtotoe.
Yandi
:"Iwasnotdr
inking"shehel
dherhandsout.
MaDudumasher ai
sedabr owandYandilaughed"I
swear
,Mama"shepoi ntedatherempt
ywat ergl
ass.
Mato:"
Chom yam,
youwantdone?
"sherai
sedthe
bot
tl
eofwineandMaDudumashelookedatYandi
..
Yandi
:"Iwon'
ttel
lTat
asodoasyoupl
ease"she
smil
ed.
Mat
o:"
Avet
handwai
fwewer
ewi
tchesi
nthi
sfami
ly
you'dhelpusbewit
chpeopl
e.Butlucki
lywearej
ust
wineloverssoyourmom wi
lldr
inkonyourbehal
f"
theylaughed.
Othu:"Wewi l
lseeyoul at
er"shetookherbag.When
theladi
eshear dthekidsaregoingbabyshoppi ng
theyforgott
heirwineandt aggedalong.Yandiwas
happytohavehermot herclosebecauseMa
Dudumasher ar
elycamet othecit
y.Yandicall
ed
Babinitotel
lhimt onotbeshockedbyhermot her
j
oiningthem fordinnerandhewasexci tedtohave
her.MaDudumasheandMat owenttotheirown
shopping.Othuwasbusyl ookingforschoolshoes
forherboyswhi l
eYandiwasi nt
hebabyai sl
e.
Yandi:"
Mommyi sexpectingyouguysbeforewi
nter
butI'
m sureyou'
llneedwar m st
uffevent
hen.SoI'
ll
taketwoofthesefluffybunnybabygrowsformy
twobunnies"shesai dtohersel
fsl
owlyasshetook
thetwogreybabygr ows.
Vuyo:"Youcant ouchthoseclot
hesasmuchasyou
l
ike.Oksalayoyou'l
lfor
everhavearot
tenwomb"
Yandiclosedhereyesjustasshethoughtnoone
couldmakeherdaywor seaft
erPoppy,Vuyocame
on.
Yandi
:"Hi
,Vuyo"sheturnedar
oundwithasmi l
e.
Herhandslovi
ngl
yglidi
ngoverherbel
ly.Vuyo
l
ookedasthoughhehadseenaghost" MakaVuyo,
hel
lotoyouaswell"Yandismi
ledwhenshesaw
Vuyo'
smothernexttohim.
Vuyo'smot her:"
Iheardaboutthatl
it
tl
ethingyou
call
edaweddi ngf rom mysist
er.Doesthatboy
knowt hatyoucar r
ycushionsunderyourdressto
fakeapr egnancy?"shelookedatYandi
sai ndi
sgust
.
Yandi
:"Actual
lyI'
m carr
yingmyheal t
hytwinsunder
thi
sdress,Ma"sheheldherbellywithmoreint
ent
"Myhusbanddi dn'
tfai
latplant
inghisst
rongseed"
shesmiledatVuyoandshecoul dseehi
mf uming.
Vuyo:"Taket hatdamncushi onout"het r
iedto
touchYandi '
sbel l
ybutshet urnedtopr eventthat
from happening" YouthinkthatuglyGol i
athcan
makeyoupr egnantwhenIcoul dn't
.You'vegota
rott
enwomb, Yandisaletyoursickmindgeti t.Don'
t
stoopsol owast ofaki
ngadamnpr egnancy"he
start
edtof orcefull
ytouchYandiandshef ought
him offwhi
lescreaming.MaDudumashecameout
ofnowher ewithapuncht hatleftVuyofall
ing
backwardsagainstaclothi
ngr ail
.Shedidn'tst
opas
shewentathim wi t
hmor eclapsandpuncheswhi l
e
Vuyo'smotherhitMaDudumashewi thherbag.
Matof umedwhenherbestf riendwasbei nghitso
Vuyo'smotheralsogotabeat ing.Thesecurit
y
fi
nall
ycamet opullthewomenof fthei
rvict
ims.
Manager:"
Takethem outastheyaredi
stur
bing
ot
hercustomers"shepoint
edatthedoor.
MaDudumashe:" Thi
st hi
ngwasj usthar
rassingmy
pregnantdaughterandyouandyoursecur it
ydi dn'
t
evendarecomet oherrescueandnowyout hrow
meoutbecauseIwasdef endi
ngmychi l
d,Mi ss
Manager ?"sheshouted."Idar
eanyonetot r
yand
putahandonmydaught erbecauseIam readyand
fi
redupf orthem"
Mato:"
Wewi l
lsuethisstore.Ourdaughtercoul
d
havebeenhurtbyt
hisugl ythi
ng.HeyVuyo, Iwi
ll
makeyouavuvuku, Vuyo"shepointed.Vuyo'smom
wassti
llt
ryi
ngtohelphersonup.
MaDudumashe:" Makesurethatyouar enot
ej
eculat
ingwater,boy-
boy.Af r
ogl ikeyoucouldbe
wronghavesuchbeaut i
fulchi
ldren"shesai dto
Vuyo"ComeYandi sathi
splacewi llnothave
cl
othesthataregoodenoughf ormygr andbabi
es.
Youtouchmychi ldagain,
you'l
lknowme"shegave
Vuyoanotherkickwhil
ehewasnur si
nghiseyet hat
hadbegunt oswell.
Manager
:"Mam,
please"
MaDudumashe:" Hey"shel if
tedherhandatthe
Manager" Keepyouritchyclothes.Shameonyou
fornotcomingtodefendapr egnantwoman"her
eyeswelledupasshepoi ntedatthesecuri
ty.Ot
hu
walkedinafteri
thadal lgonebadandwassol ost
shehadt owaitunti
ltheyleftthestorefort
hem t
o
becalm enought ot
ellherwhathappened.She
fumedatt hepartwher eVuyot ouchedYandibut
onceshecal medshel aughedathowhewas
heateddownbyanol dwoman.
Mato:"
HeyVuyoandhismot herwi
llhavepeople
put
ti
ngasideladymanner
s.Iwasli
kephapha,
chi
ngching"shedemonst
rat
ehowshef ought
."You
don'
tneedadoct
or,
Avet
handwa?
"shel
ookedat
Yandi
.
Yandi:"No,MakhuluIthi
nkIam fine.Iwil
lneedto
cleansetheenergyaroundmet houghbecause
thosetwocamewi t
hhate.Pleasedon'tt
ellBabi
ni"
everyonelookedatherasifshewascr azybutthey
promised.
Lateri
nthedayBabiniandYandiar ri
vedatUnathi'
s
houseassheaskedt hem to.Bot
hoft hem not
knowingwhattoexpect.Unathiwelcomedt hem
i
nsideandYandinervouslywentinsidewonderingif
shehaddonesomet hingwr ong.
Babi
ni:"
Wewer en'
texpecti
ngyout oaskust ocome,
Ma.You'vegotAvethandwaanxious"hehelped
Yandisi
tdownbutYandismel l
edt hefoodcooked
andwantedtogof i
nishupwhil
eBabi nispoketohi
s
mother.
Unat
hi:"
No,no,Ave.Idi
dn'taskyouheretocome
andcookforme.Iwanttotalktobothofyou.Come,
Comesitthi
ssi
def ormorecomf or
t"shel
edthem
fr
om t
heharddinningchai
rstothelivi
ngroom
sofas."I'
mjustgoingtogettothepoint .I
'm moving
backt otheEasternCapebecauseIwantt ofinal
l
y
reti
reandIdon'twanttodot hati
nt heci t
y.So
becauseyout woar ehousehunting,Ithoughtyou'd
l
ovet hishouse"shelookedaround" I
t'
sopenso
thatthetwinswillr
unaroundfreely.Whatdoyou
thi
nk? "Yandil
ookedatherhusband.
Babi
ni:"
Iti
sbeauti
ful
,i
nasafear
eaandspaci
ous"
hesai
dwhi l
elooki
ngatYandi
.
Yandi
:"Wecan'
taf
for
dit
,baby"shewhi
sper
ed.
Unat
hi:"
DidImakei
tsoundli
keI'
m sel
li
ngitt
oyou?
No,I
'
m givi
ngitt
oyou"shesai
dwithexci
tement
.
Yandi
:"ButMamayou'vemadememor
ieswi
thTat
a
her
e"shelookedar
ound.
Unat hi:"
Ave,whatwi l
lIdowi t
hsuchabi ghouse
whent hepersonwhomademebuyi tisgone.You
twoar estil
lstart
ingyourfamilysoit
'sbestfor
peopl eli
keyou.I'm notfor
cingyoutotakeitwhen
youdon' twant ,
bantwanabam.Icoul dputitonthe
mar ketbutmyhear twantsyoutwotohavei t
please"shesmi l
ed."I
t'
snobr i
be.I
t'
saconcer ned
grandmotherwhoi sthi
nki
ngabouthercoming
grandchi
ldren.Youtwomightfi
ndagoodhome
onlyaft
ertheyarebornanditwil
lbedif
fi
cultt
o
movewi thbabies"shel
ookedatbothofthem.
Babi
ni:"
Ntli
ziyoyam"hel ookedather"YouknowI
coul
dgol i
veupamount ainbutI
'm notalone
anymoreandwhatMasaysmakessense.Idon' t
l
ikeyougoingfrom housetohouseatt hemoment"
Yandi
:"Butt
ojustt
akeyourmot
her
'shouse,
Zweni
"
shewhisper
edonceagai
n.
Unathi:"Takeitasaweddinggiftt
hen.Thesewalls
needlifeandwhenIdeci dedtomoveawayyout wo
justpoppedupi nmymi nd.Thinkaboutitatl
east.
I'
llbeleavingnextweeksothereisti
met othi
nk
aboutit.Ihavethetr
ansferdocumentsreadyfor
yoursignat ur
es"
Yandi:"
Thankyou,Ma"sheheldUnathi
'shands."
I'
d
l
iketotal
ktomyhusbandabouti tal
onelat
eronif
youdon'tmind.If
eell
ikewe'
retaki
ngtoomuch
fr
om you"
Unat
hi:"
Thi
nkabouti
tthen.Doyoumi
ndchecki
ng
i
fthatr
oastchi
ckenisr
eadyplease?
"Yandismiled
andnoddedbef
oreshestoodt
ogot otheki
tchen.
Babi
ni:"
Areyousur
eaboutthi
s?"Unat
hinodded
bef
oreshewenttosi
tonthecouchnextt
ohim.
Unat hi:"Thi
siswhatyourf at
herwouldhavewanted.
Ifgivingmemoneymeanssomucht oyoutwothen
I'
llacceptsomepaymentbutmyhear twouldbeat
peacei fyoujusttakeit.I
twasneverahome.
Kumkaniboughti ttoshowof f
.Withchil
dren
runningar oundi t
'l
lfinal
lybethefamil
yhomet hati
t
i
s.Pl ease, Mpinga"shehel dhishands.
Babini:"Knowi nghershef eelslikewear ethrowing
yououti nt hecol d"hepoi nt
edt ot heki t
chenand
theylaughed" We' l
lhaveananswerbyt omor row,
Ma.Thankyouf orhavingusi nmi ndt ogif
tthe
houset o.Mypl acei snotpractical forchil
dren.As
soonasIt ellherwher eyou'llsettl
ei nandherhear t
i
sateaseshemi ghtagree"hesmi led.
Unat
hi:"Idowantonet
hing.Justonethi
ng"hesat
andl
istened"
Justahugplease"Babi
nihelpedher
upandgaveherahug.Unathifel
thersoulbreat
h
whenheal lowedhertohol dhi
mf ortheveryfi
rst
ti
me.Yandiwassmi li
ngfrom t
hekitchenwhenshe
sawt hemot herandsonmoment .She'dalways
l
ovedt heZwenihousebutt omovei nfel
tli
ket hey
wer etakingsomet hi
ngfrom Unat
hijustasshel ost
herhusband.Yandismi l
edwhenshei maginedthe
twinscr awlingintheopenspaceswi t
houtany
obstaclesint hei
rway.
Babini
':"Youl ookhappy"hekissedherandrubbed
herbelly.Hissmi l
efadedwhenhesawabr uiseon
herarm andbecauseshecoul dn'tl
iet
ohim shehad
totel
lhi m aboutthemomentwi thVuyo.Babini
didn'
twai tforhertoevenfi
nishbeforehewentout
i
nsear chofVuyo.
Yandi
:"Leti
tgo,
baby!
"sheshout
edbehi
ndbuthe
wasgone.
Unathi
:"Whathappened? "sheaskedandYandit ol
d
her."
Ohwel li
fthatVuyoboyneedst obet aughta
l
essont hensobeit.Imagineyourhusbandt r
eating
youwellonlyforanothermantothinkit'
sokayf or
them t
oabuseyou.Comel etusgof i
nishcooking"
shesaidsocasually.SoonVuyowasdangl i
ngover
t
heroofofhisapart
mentbui
ldi
ngbeggi
ngf
orhi
s
l
if
eaft
erfi
rstgett
ingagoodbeati
ng.
Vuyo:"Ihavetol
iveformychi l
dren,bozzaplease"
heheldhishandstogether"Ionl
yt ouchedherbell
y
gent
lytocongratul
ateher"headdedandscr eamed
whenBabi nimadeasthoughhewasl et
ti
nggo.
Babi ni:"
Youst oppedhavingthefuckingr i
ghtto
touchheryear sago.Youcomenearmywi feagain
theywi l
lfi
ndyouatt hebottom ofaver yhigh
buildingwi t
hyourskullcracked"hepr omised
befor ehelift
edVuyoovert othesafesi de.Hisjean
waswetashemessedhi mself
."Damncowar dwho
picksatwomenbutpi sseshimselfwhenf acing
anot herman"hesai dindisgustbeforehewal ked
offleavingVuyo' segoandbodybr uised.Vuyo
startedt ocrywhenhet houghtabouthi sneardeat h
exper i
ence.
.
PS:di
dn'
tedi
tsopl
easef
orgi
vet
hespel
li
ng
mist
akes
S2-
INSERT26
Mzusakhewal kedinfeel
ingt i
redfrom hisni ghtshi
ft
.
ThandiweandThandanihi sdaught ersst opped
watchingt hei
rcart
oonstogogr eettheirfatherat
thedoor .Theyweredaddy'sgi rl
sdownt ot hebone
butMzudi dn'
tmindbeingthegot opar ent.His
daughter sweresoopent odi scussthingswi t
hhim
that12yearol dThandaniwentt oherfatherwhen
shegotherver yfir
stmenst rualcycle.ThatdayMzu
hadt ogogetseni t
arytowelsf orhi
sel destand
explai
nedt hechangesherbodywasgoi ngt hrough
soshe'dgetmor ei
nformationaboutt hebodyofa
youngt eenager.
Thandani:"Tata,youmi ssedout.Thesabbat h
schoolyesterdaywasj ustsoamazi ng"shesai d
beforetel
li
ngherf atherwhatelsehemi ssedat
church.That'
st heonl ythingthathehat edabout
beingashiftwor ker.Hewassomet i
mesf or
cedto
got oworkonSat urdayswhenhi sheartwasat
churchbuthehadt omakeal i
vingtofeedhi s
family.
Thandiwe:"
Tata,
didyoubringmesweet
s?"t
hesi
x
yearf
lashedhertoot
hlessmouth.
Mzu:" Butwehadyourt eet hpul l
edoutbecauseof
thesesweet s,Thandi.Tat ahasabanana"he
handedhi ssmal lblackcool erbagt oherandshe
i
nspect edittomakesur et hattherewer ereal
lyno
sweets.Shedi dn'twantt hef r
uitsoherol dersister
tookitbeforethewentbackt othel i
vingroom to
watchTV.Mzuwal kedinsi dethebedr oom thathe
sharedwi t
hhi swifeandf oundPoppysi pping
coffee.Theyhadaf i
ghtaboutt hesharesyester day
beforehisshi f
tbegansot heypar tedwaysbadl y.
Hesatont hebedandpl acedhi sheadonher
tummy.Het ickl
edherandaf t
ert r
yingsohar dto
notlaughPoppycr ackedal augh..
Mzu:"Ididn'tli
kehowweendedyest er
day,
Somi l
a"
sheleanedf orwar
dandki ssedhim.Hewast he
bestthi
ngt hathappenedtohertogetherwi
ththeir
ki
ds.Beforet hem sheal
waysf el
tli
keshewasal one.
Poppy:"
Ididn'tl
ikeittoo,Tolo.Howwaswor k?"she
coul
dseet hathewast i
red.Mzuwasashi f
t
manageratsomest eelfactoryandhelovedhis
j
obsregardlessofthest ressthatcamewithit.That
wasanotherthingwhi chPoppyhat ed.Herman
slavi
ngoffwhil
ethel
ikesofCr
aigki
ll
edpeopl
eto
l
iveluxur
iousl
y.
Mzu:"I
twasnotgoodbutonl
ybecauseIwas
thi
nki
ngaboutyouandthear
gument.Haveyou
cal
meddown? "
Poppy:"
Butit
'sunf
air
,Mzusakhe"shemumbl
ed
whil
esulki
ng.
Mzu:" Baby, r
ememberhowyouwer ewhenwemet ?
Noonewant edtoinvi
teyout ofami l
ystuf fbecause
theyf earedwhatyou'dsaywhenyouopenyour
mout h.Youusedt of i
nishyourai r
timejustcr yi
ng
overt hephonewhenyouhear dtheyshutyouout .
Mila,youapol ogi
zedandyourf ami l
yforgave.Your
fatherleftyoumoneyandshar est hatareequalt o
Othu'ssoIdon' tknowwhyyouar eupset .Kumkani
tookpr ideinhavi
ngsonst ocarryonhi slegacy.Are
yout ell
ingmet hatyour eal
lyexpectedhi mt onot
l
eavemostt oBabini
?"hebr ushedherar m gent l
y
beforeheki ssedherhand.
Poppy:"Wel
laft
erLangadied,It
houghtOt
huandI
werehisbenef
it
iat
ri
es"sheplayedwit
hhisshor
t
hai
r.
Mzu:"
Butasoncameandhegotwhathewant ed.
Someonetocar
ryontheZwenilegacy.Youar
eno
Zweni
,Somil
a"Poppyst
atedathim.
Poppy:"Thensupportmeont his.Toget
herwewil
l
growourshar esandleavealegacyforour
daughters.Wearemar ri
edi
ncommuni t
yof
proper
tysot hesesharesar
eyour sasmuchasthey
aremine"
Mzu:" I'
m notgoi
ngt ofi
ghtforanot
herman' ssweat
andt earsespeci
all
ynotthatofmyf at
herinlaw"he
stoodt oprepar
eforashower .Poppyhadn'ttakena
showeryetsoshet ookhergownof ft
ogoj oinhim.
Sheputhershower capontoavoidgetti
ngher
weavewetandst eppedinsi
dethefoggyshower
walls.
Poppy:"Wi
thabi
ggershare,
wecanbot
hmake
them cr
eat
eposi
ti
onsforus"
Mzu:"Youneedprayer,Somil
a.Youshouldn'
thave
missedchur
chyesterday"hesoapedhisbody.
Poppyfel
thist
ensebodyr el
axwhensher anher
handsoverhi sbody.SoonPoppyfel
therown
str
essbeaf adedmemor ywhenhepinnedher
againstthewallastheyhadawellneededl
ove
sessiontomakeupf ort
heint
enseargumentof
yesterday.
Poppy:" Weneedabi ggerhouse, Mzu.Thandanii s
soongoi ngtoneedspaceawayf r
om herl it
tlesist
er
asshe' l
lbegoi ngintohert eenyear s"Mzucoul dn'
t
beli
evet hatPoppyj ustruinedt hemomentaf ter
theyhadj ustmadel ove.Het ookabr eathand
continuedtogetdr essed.Poppywasaf irecracker
andheknewt hatbeforemar ryi
ngherbutt here
weredaysevenhecoul dnott akeit
.Comi ngf r
om
workt ohaveheri nhermoodswast hewor stbuthe
chosehersohehadt odealwi t
htheepi sodes.Hi s
familysaysthatshei sconst antl
ytryingtocont rol
him buthedi dn'tseeitthatway.
Mzu:"I'
veneverhear
dThandanicomplai
nabout
shari
ngar oom wi
thThandi
we.Theyarebothgir
ls
soIdon'tseehowshari
ngwouldinconveni
enceany
ofthem"
Poppy:"
But
,Mzu"sheknewt
hatshewas
sometimest
oomuchbuttokeephert
hought
sto
her
selfwasdif
fi
cul
tandhewasherper
sonsoshe
hadtotal
ktohim.
Mzu:"I'm notget
ti
ngi nvol
vedi nthi
s,Somi l
a"heput
hisfootdown.Whenhewi denedhiseyeswhen
speakingtherewasnouset ryingtoconvincehimto
changehi smind"Pleasefinishgetti
ngdressed.We
havetogot oMaZweni 'sgoodbyepar t
y"het r
ied
hisshoelaces.
Poppy:"
She'
snotmymot
her
"shemumbl
edt
o
her
self
.
Mzu:"ThenIwi llt
akemydaught er
sandwewi l
l
haveagr eatti
me"hest oodup" Theyevenplanned
i
tonaSundayi nsteadofSaturdayinrespectofour
sabbath.ThegirlswanttoseeQhayi yasi
nceyou
havebeenkeepi ngthem awaybecauseoft hiswar
youseem t obef i
ghti
ngalone"
Poppy:"
Whenwi
llyour
est
?"shewast
rul
y
concer
ned.
Mzu:"
I'
llj
ustgosayhiandcomebacktosleep.I
'
m
of
ftheenti
reweekasI'
m onleavesoI
'
llr
est
enough.Areyoucoming?
"heaskedonel
astt
ime
hecouldloadhi
skidsint
hecarandgowit
houther
.
Poppy:"Yes.Youwanttogi veOthuandYandi
somet hi
ngtogossipaboutwhenyouar r
ivewi
thout
me"shegotoutadr essfrom thewar dr
obeandgot
dressed"Idon'
thaveagift"shesulked.
Mzu:"Thegi rlsandIgotsomet hingfortheir
Makhul u.Shemi ghtnotbeamot hertoyou
accordingtoyoubutshei sagr andmot hertothem.
WhenUnat hitakeshergr andchi ldr
enout ,
shenever
l
eftourdaught ers.Sothis'she'snotmymot her'
thi
ngofyour si sshocking.You' llfi
ndusi nthecar"
hetookhi skeysandl eftheralone.Poppydi dn't
wanttogo.Shel astspokeandsawever yonelast
weekwhenshet houghtat hreatwouldgether
shares.Shej oinedherhusbandandki dsandt hey
drovetot heZwenihouse.
Thandiwe:"Mommy,whenwi l
lQhayi
yabeabl
eto
playwit
hme?ThandanihasPhawuandQhaweas
theyareolder
.Ial
soneedafri
end"Poppysmi
led
beforetur
ningtof
aceherdaught
erwhowasinher
carseat
.
Poppy:"
It
'l
lbeawhi
lebef
oreshecoul
devencr
awl
soyoumustbepati
ent
"shesaid.
Thandani:"
Wehadagoodt i
mewhenwewer eat
Malume'sweddi
ngbecauseourothercousi
nswer e
ther
e"shesmil
ed.Mzuenjoyedt
hosemoment s
wherePoppywasjustpr
esentandnotplott
ing
somethi
ng.
ImangekissedQhayiya'
schubbycheeksbuthewas
nothappyatall
.Hehadpl anstotakeQhayi
yat
othe
parkwhenChulut ol
dhimt hatt
heyweregoi
ngto
Unathi
'sf
arewellpart
y.
Chulu:"Nextti
mepl easet
ellmeinadvance.Idon'
t
haveapr oblem wit
hyoutakingQhayiyabutI
promisedmyf ami l
ythatI
'
llbri
ngherwithtoday.
Thandihasbeenonmycasecal l
ingmeandt el
li
ng
menott oforgetthebaby"
Imange:"SoImustmakeanappoint
menttoseemy
daughter
?"hehel
dQhayiyaagai
nsthi
schestwhi
le
brushi
ngherback.
Chul
u:"Nobutbecauseweliveapar
tfrom each
ot
her,wemustcommuni cat
eouroutingssothis
won'thappen.Youcan'trockupher eandtel
lme
onlynowthatyouwant edt ogowithher.Thi
sisa
brestf
eedi
ngbabyandIdi dn'
texpressanymilkfor
her"shepackedthelastofQhayiya'sthi
ngsinthe
babybagandl ookedatImange.
Imange:" Notsol ongagoyouwant edtogetr idof
herandnowyou' reconcer nedabouther
breastfeeding"hesai dbet weengr it
tedteeth.Chulu
couldfeelt hingschangebet weent hem.I twas
somet hingwhi chshenot icedwhi leshewasst i
ll
pregnant .Hehadchangedbutshehadnotbr ought
i
tupyet .Hewasagr eatfat hertoQhayi yaand
boughtal lthingsChul uwoul daskhi mt oandi fhe
couldn'the'dsayso.Tr uthwasshecoul daf f
or d
QhayiyaonherownbecauseBabi nistart
edt ogive
herhermoneyonamont hlybasi ssoshewoul dn'
t
blowitandi twasenoughf orthebabyandher
needseachmont hbutshewant edI manget ohave
hisowni temst obuysohe' dhelpsuppor tthelife
theybroughtt othewor ld.Chul uunder stoodthathe
most l
yhadweekendst ospendwi ththebabybut
shealsohadoccasi onswher eshewant edt otake
thei
rbabyonherweekendouti
ngs.Wit
hChrist
mas
socloseChul
ufel
thersel
fgetanxi
ousabouthow
sheandImangewouldspendthatday.
Chulu:"
Ihopethat
'snotwhatyou'
llkeeptell
ingher
asshegr owsup.Makingourchi
ldfeelunlovedby
tel
li
ngheraboutamomentIwasdesper ateand
afr
aidandalmostmadeabaddeci sion"she
answeredhimjustashethoughtshedidn'thear
anythi
ng.
Imange:"
Iaskt
hatyoukeepnextweekSat
urday
opensoshecanspendthedaywithmyfamil
y"
Chulul
ookedathi
m.
Chulu:"Wherewil
lyourti
kaddictcousi
nbe?"she
wasconcer nedandshewasnotaboutt ohi
deit.
She'
shear dcrazyst
ori
esaboutaddicts
hal
lucinat
ingandhurti
ngbabies.
Imange:"I
'
llcomegetyouboth,
Chul
umanco"Chul
u
didn'
tmindgoingt
ohishomeandshewasmor eat
easewhenshewaspr esent
.
Chul
u:"
Satur
daythenbutwegottogo"Imange
l
eanedfor
wardandgaveheradeepkiss.Hepl
aced
Qhayi yainhercar rycotbef or eheki ssedChul u
again.WhenChul uf elthi shandhol dherbehi nd
fi
rmlysheknewwher ei twasheadi ngsoshe
stoppedhi m."I'm notr eadyyet ,Imange.Mybody
hasn'thealedpr oper l
yyet "shet ookhi shandsof
herbehi nd.Forsomer easonshenol ongerfeltthe
sparkwhenhet ouchedher .Shest illl
ovedhi m butit
wasl ikeherbodydi dn'tlikehi m muchanymor e.
Imangenoddedandf ocusedonQhayi yaagain
beforehecar riedhert oOt hu' scarwhi chChuluhad
fortheday.WhenChul uar ri
vedatt heZwenihouse
shef oundsever alcar spar kedal r
eady.Thandi we
peekedt hrought hebackseatwi ndowandsmi l
edat
Qhayi yawhowasi ndr eaml and.Chul uwentand
scoopedherdaught erf rom hercar seatandhadt o
doanawkwar dwal ki nsideasThandi weal so
want edtoholdQhayi yai nhersmal lhandssoChul u
hadt osuppor tt hosesmal l armswi thher ssothe
babywoul dn'
tf all.Ever yonef i
rstgr eetedQhayiya
andChul ufel
ther selfjustbl endi nwi ththe
wallpaperbutshecoul dn'tbemadbecauseher
daught erwasl ikeal i
ttlefai rtyangel ,atleastChulu
thoughtso.
MaDudumashe:" MaYandiandBabi ni,
willyoutwo
evertelluswhatthegenderoft hebabiesar e?"she
saidwhi l
elooki
ngatQhayi yawhof inall
yopened
herhazeleyes.Shewasi ndeedaphot ocopyof
Tati
anabuthadbr ownski nli
keherfather.Atfir
st
Chuluevenf ear
edI mangewoul dsayshewasn' thi
s
asshedoesn' tl
ookl i
kehim atallnorherforthat
mat t
er.YandiandBabi nil
ookedateachot heras
thought heyhadasecr et.
Babi
ni:"
Soon,
Mamasoon"hesmi
led.
Poppy:"Othu,
whenar ewepl
anni
ngababyshower
forYandi?
"shelookedatOt
hu.
Othu:"
Aft
ershe'sgi
venbi
rt
h.I
t'
showAvepref
ers
thi
ngstobedone"Othusai
dwhil
epl
aci
ngthe
snacksonthetabl
e.
Poppy:"Yandii
ssoprotecti
veofthisbumpone
wouldswearshe'scarr
yingspecialchi
ldr
en.Noone
cantouchherbumpandnowt hebabyshowermust
bedoneaf t
ershe'
sgivenbirt
h"
Babini:"
Haveyoueverhadyourl
ipssown
together
?"hel
ookedatPoppyandshelookedt
aken
abackbyt hequest
ion"WellI
'vesownsomeone's
l
ipsbeforesodon'tremindmeofhowmuchI
enj
oyedt hesi
lenceaft
erwards"hefel
tYandi'
s
el
bowt ouchhim gentl
ytostophimf r
om sayi
ng
more.
Mato:"Youdidn'tevenwanttolif
ttoi
letpaperwhen
youwer epr
egnantf eari
ngitwouldputstrainon
yourbaby.Don'tcomewi thdrama,Nopopi .EvenI
putmydr amaint hesafetoday"shetookahandf ul
ofnutsandputt hem inhermouth.
Makhul u:"Unathii
sont heway.Stopwhat everthi
s
i
ssowecangi veherapr opersendoff"shesai dina
sternvoiceandever yonelist
enedtotheel der.
"Surpri
se!"everyoneshoutedwhenUnat himadeher
wayi nsideholdingshoppingbags.Shehadgot ten
cleansedsoshecoul dwearnor malcl
othesagai n.
Unathi:"Babini
,you'
reaskingf ort
hekeymaki ngme
thi
nkyouandAvet handwacamet ocheckt hehouse
i
ndet ailbutyouhadt hispl
annedal lalong?
"she
wrappedherar m aroundhi m andrestedherhead
onhiswai stbecauset hatwasasf arasshecould
reachhi m.
Makhulu:"Wecoul dn'tl
etyougowi thoutapr oper
goodbye,Nolitha"shel aughed.Unat hitookQhayi ya
fr
om MaDudumasheaf t
ergi vi
ngallher
grandchi
ldr
enhugsandki sses.She'dmi ssthem so
much.Shemi ssedt heweekendssheandKumkani
wouldhaveal lthegr andchildrentogetherintheir
house.Theonl ytimeswhent hathousedi dn'
tfeel
coldbutsheneededt ogor estandbecl oset oher
husband'
sgr avet ogocl eani teverynowandt hen.
Sheknewt hechi ldrenwoul dal lgodownt othe
Easter
nCapef orthef esti
veseasonwhi chwas
cl
ose.
Qhawe:"Makhul
u,Chul
udoesn'thaveherhouse
si
tt
ingcli
ent
sanymorenowt hatQhayiyaisher
e
andthi
swasouronlyaccesstoapool .Whatwil
lwe
benow?"heactedsadandUnathilaughed.
Unathi:"
WellMalumeandMal umekazihave
purchasedthehousesoi fyouasknicel
ytheymi ght
al
lowyout ocome"shedi dn'twantt
osayt hatshe
gaveittothem becausesheheardabouttheissue
wit
hPoppy.
Phawu:"
Mal
umekazi
"hesmi
ledatYandibef
orehe
placedhi
sheadonhershoul der
.Swimmingwas
secondlovetothem af
terdebat
e.Qhaweheld
Qhayiyainfr
ontofYandiandshecouldn'
thel
pbut
l
augh.
Yandi:"
Goodnessyoudi dn'thavetobri
ngQhayi i
nit.
Iwasgoingtoagr ee"shetookQhayiya.Athomet he
babywasmost lyinCraig'
sar ms.Chul
udi dn'
tmind
thatherfami
lygaveheral it
tl
ebreakbyf ussi
ng
overherdaughterasshecoul deatfr
eely.
Babi ni
:"Getawayfrom mywi fe"hejokedand
Phawuhel dYanditi
ghter"Iseeyouguysgoingfor
thesof ttar
get.Smartstr
ategysoIguessyoucan
allcomeanyt ime"hepickedupThandi weand
tri
ckledher."Howwi l
lMalume' sThandieatwi
thno
teeth?"helookedather.
Thandi
we:"TheyaregrowingMalume,f
eel
"she
tookhi
sfingerandputiti
nhermouth.Hecoul
dfeel
somethi
ngbuthewasnotsur e.
Mzu:"Don'
tencour
ageher,
Sbali.I
fsheeatstoo
manysweetsthoseteet
hwil
lrotbefor
etheyeven
show"theyl
aughedandThandiwehidherfacein
herMalume'snecksulking.Babinifoundhi
mself
warminguptohisniecesandnephews.Atf i
rsthe
usedtoavoi
dbeingalonewi ththem ashedidn't
knowhowt oactaroundhi m buttheyshowedhim
theyj
ustneededhisattenti
onandnot hi
ngel
se.
Poppy:"
MaDudumashe,areyougoi
ngt
ost
ayher
e
too?
"shelookedar
oundt
hehouse.
Mat o:"
IswearKumkani'
ssouljustenter
edPoppy"
shesaidquietl
ybefor
eshakingherhead" Ma
Dudumashei smyguest ,
Poppy.Sheisamar r
ied
woman, Poppyandsoshecan' tcomeandst aywi t
h
hernewlyweddaught er
,Poppy"shesaidloudly.
Craigexcusedthechi
ldr
enbutChul uwasnotabout
thatli
feanymore.ThesecondQhayiyastart
edt o
makeasound, Cr
aigj
umpedupt oseewhatwas
goingon.
Chul
u:"
Dad,t
heyaren'
tpi
nchi
ngherandthat'
snota
cr
y"shel
aughedwhenCraigl
ookedconcer
ned.
Makhulu:"
Cal
m down,
Tamkhul
u"shehel
dCr
aig'
s
hand.
Ot
hu:"
Makhul
u,Qhayi
ya'
sgr
andf
athermakesus
putQhayiyaonloudspeakersohe'dbeabl
eto
speaktoherwhenhe' snotaround.Whent
hebaby
i
smaki ngnosound, heasksuswhatwedidtothe
chi
ld"everyonel
aughed.
Craig:"
Idonotl
ikeheari
nghercr
yandwhenshe'
s
quietovert
hephone,Iworr
y"hel
aughedathi
msel
f.
MaDudumashe:" Yandi
'
sfat
herdi
dsimilart
hings
whenEli
hlehadherbabyateight
een.WhenEl i
hle
t
oldusshe'staki
ngMbasawithherwhenshegot
marr
iedmypoorhusbandwassodepr essed"all
l
aughed.
Crai
g:"You'r
enotget
ti
ngmarr
iedanyt
imesoon
ri
ght?"hejokedandl
aught
erf
il
ledt
heairagai
n.
Mzu:"IcanimaginethatI'
llbetheexactlysameway.
I'
m al
readysooverprotecti
veoft hegir
lssoIcan'
t
i
maginet hei
rki
ds"laughteronceagai n"Icr
ied
whenThandi wehadallhert eet
hpulledout"he
shookhisheadwhilelaughing.
Poppy:"Buttheywon'tgetpregnantyoung"t
he
l
aughterfaded.Poppywast heonlyonewhot ook
pl
easureinChulufail
ingsomemodul esanda
practi
cal
.Shewassupposedt obegr aduatingsoon
butshe'dret
urntoschoolagainnextyearonceshe
hasadjustedtomotherhood.OthuandCr aigwere
greatsupport
ersbutChuluwasj ustt
ootiredinher
l
astmont hsofpregnancytostudybutshe'dtry
again.
Mzu:"Ourchildr
enwillnotbeperf
ect.Chulumanco
i
st aki
ngcareofherchildandshe'l
lpassnextyear
"
hesmi l
edatChuluandshesmi ledback.Mzu
suddenlywishedheleftPoppyhomebutsoonMa
DudumasheandMat osdanci nghadt hefamil
y
l
ivelyagai
n.
Makhul
u:"
Someofyoudon'tknowthisbutUnat
hi
goest
omyhomet ocookformeandmyhusband.
Wehaveoursecr
etmeet
ingsandIwi l
lmisst
hem
somuch"Unat
hihel
dMakhulu'shand.
Unathi
:"I
'
m sti
llyourMakoti
,Mama.Ave,shoul
d
youwanttofl
yt ocomecookf ormeyou'r
e
welcome"shewi nkedandYandil
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Justsayt
hatmywi
feisagr eatcookand
you'
l
lmisshercooki
ng,
Ma"helookedatUnathi.
MaDudumashe:" Imadesurethatsheandher
sistercoul
dcook.Looknowshehasheri nlaws
wr appedaroundherfi
ngerbecauseofhergreat
skill
"Yandismil
ed.Hermotherwasheralleven
thoughshewasadaddy' sgirl
.
Mato:"Heygirl
,youcancook"shecompl
imented
herfr
iend"TeachmesoIcanchar m,Mel
ikhaya"
shehitMaDudumashe' shandgentl
y.
MaDudumashe:"
Igotyou"shewi
nked.
Mato:"Ave,
youdon'
tspecial
isei
nkorobelaj
usti
n
casethecooki
ngfai
ls"ever
yonelaughed.
Yandi
:"No,
Ma"sheshookherheadl
aughi
ng.
MaDudumashe:"Igotyoutheretoojusti
ncase"
shej
okedandwinkedagainfil
ledtheroom wi
th
l
aught
er.
Mato:"Myri
binfr
iendshi
pform,MyDuduza"t hey
highfi
ved"
Hey,Matoisabouttohersel
fa'st
andf or
thehome"shesai
dasshet ransl
atedMeli
khaya's
name.
Yandi
:"Mama,
don'
ttel
lmet
hati
sthesecr
ett
oyou
mar
ri
age"sher
aisedabr
ow..
MaDudumashe:" Jongi
khayatookonelookatthe
thenvi rgi
nXhosamai dennamedBongwekazi "she
tucki nhertummyandt wi
rled"
Andhisuncleswere
call
ingoutmycl annameatmyf at
her'
sgateaft
er
twodays.Iam t hekorobela,MaYandisodonotget
i
ttwi sted.Idon'
tneedhelp"shesaidconf
identl
y
beforeshesat .
Mat o:"Youar ethemi dni
ghtsnackandt hegarden
thatfeedshi mf ort
her estofhisli
fe"t
heylaughed.
Theywer en'tevent
ipsy,itwasjustthei
rnatur
al
l
ivelysel ves.Someti
mesYandif el
tli
kehidi
ngwhen
hermot herbecamet oomucht ohandl eandthat
wasoneoft hosemoment sbecauseherinlaws
weret her e.
Babini:"I
'
m st ar
ti
ngtobel
ieveyouar
ethekor
obel
a
yourselftoo"hewhisper
edinherearandwat
ched
hiswifebl ush.
Yandi :"
Itmustbefr
om mymot her'ssideoft
he
family"theyweresolosti
nthei
rfli
rti
ngthatthey
real
isedaf t
eramomentt hatal
leyeswer eonthem.
Mato:"
Heyletuseatandfokofi
nthi
shousebefor
e
thenewownersshowusf l
ames"shetookabi
gbite
ofhermeatandeveryonel
aughed.
Unat hi:"SeewhyIknewt hi
shousewasf oryou?"
shehel dBabi ni'
shand" Thesewal l
sar eal r
eady
bloomi ngf lower sduetothelaught er.Wecanhear
theki dslaughi ngfrom theotherroom andwehave
ti
ssuesi nourhandst owipet hetearsfrom laughing.
Youhaven' tevenmovedi nyett hi
si sahome
already"shel ookedatYandiandt oBabi niwitha
smi l
e." Pleaset el
lmet hatyouwi l
lmovei naftert
his
hear t
war mi ngmomentweshar edt oday.Heck
pleasespendt henightherewi t
hmeasI '
llbe
l
eavi ngt omor row"Yandilookedatever yone.
Yandi
:"Onlyi
feveryoneel
sedoest oo,
wellthose
whocan.Wewon' thaveenoughr oomsfor
ever
yoneherebutwe'llmakeaplan.Remember
howweusedt ofitint
oMakhulu'sonebedroom,
Mama? "shel
aughedandl ookedathermother.
MaDudumashe:" Chri
stmasbedseverywhereyou
l
ooked"shelaughed"I
'dlovet
ostaythenight
.
Thankyou,mychildr
en"shesmil
ed.
Mato:"
Andthatcel
lar
"sheshookherhead"
I'
llst
ay
t
oo.Iwil
lsl
eepinthewinecel
lari
t'
sfi
ne"
Babi
ni:"
Iguessi
t'
sasl
eepovert
hen"
Mzu:"Ican'
tunfort
unat elybecauseIhaveafeeli
ng
thatyou'
l
lstayupal lnightandifIdon'
tsl
eepina
fewhours,i
t'l
lbeadi sasterbutIwil
lgohome,pack
forthegi
rl
sandbr i
ngt hei
rstuff
.School
sareclosed
sowhynot ?"hesaid.
Poppy:"I
'm goi
nghomewithmyhusbandandwe
wil
lfi
rstaskourki
dsift
heywantt
osleepover
?"
shelookedatMzu.
Ot
hu:"
Baby?
"shel
ookedatCr
aig"
Cr
aig:"I
fnoonewi
llmindQhayi
ya'
sscreamsat
ni
ghtthenl
et'
sdoi
t.I'
l
lgogetourst
uff
"
Yandi:"
It
'l
lbepracti
ceforus.It
hinkwemust
act
uallywakeupwi thChul
ut ohelpwit
hthebaby"
shelookedatBabiniwhoshookhi sheadqui
ckl
y.
Chulu:"
AndQhayi
yaissosneaky.
Alldaysshe'l
l
sl
eepandbesweetandatnightyho"sheclapped
herhandswhi
leshaki
ngherheadandeveryone
l
aughed.
Makhulu:"
Myhusbandi svi
siti
nghi
schildr
enand
sinceMatowil
lsl
eepblanketedbywine,
Iwillneed
tostaytopi
ckherup"shelookedatMatoand
l
aughed.
Unathi:"I
t'
sgoingtobeagr eatnight.Iwil
lhaveall
theboar dgamesoutandwe' llcookupast orm, i
t'
ll
beani ghttoremember .Thankyousomuchf orthis
farewell
,mychi l
drenandyouMama"shewasr eall
y
happy.Somuchsot hatshewasconsi der
ing
movi ngherdateofdepar tur
et olat
erintheweek.
MrXabawasi ntheareabutpoppedi ntospeakto
Babini.Babi
nitoldhimt hathemusthavehi ssayin
frontofeveryoneelsebecauseheknewMrXaba
wasget ti
ngbackt ohim abouthi srequesttogi
ve
Poppyhi sshares.
MrXaba:" Mpinga,thecondi t
ionsareclear,
you
cannotsellnorgivetheshar esaway.Ifyoudonot
wantthem, yourfathermadesur et
heywi l
lbekept
foryoursonsuntiltheyareol denought o
underst
and.Soi t
'seitheryoul ookaft
erthe
i
nterest
sofyourhei r(s)orforyoursel
fbutKumkani
madesur et hatyoucan' tsellnorgi veawayashe
wantedt hem t ost ayinthefami ly.Sameappl iest
o
thedaught er s.Togetheryouown60%ofKumkani
Constructionast he40%bel ongst oFakaza
Dambuza.Thati swhyyourf atherwant edyout o
mar r
ymi ssDambuza.SoI '
mj ustheret otellyou
thatyoucan' tgiveyoursisteryourshar es.Thatwill
beall.Enjoyyourday"hewasi nahur ryandasked
them tocal lhimf oraproperexpl anati
on.
Poppy:"
Youwantedt
ogi
vemeyourshar
es?
"she
l
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babini
:"ItoldyouthatI'
m goodwi thoutthem so
yeah"hesai dcasuall
y"Youhear dyourselfthatI
can'
tdot hat.Ifyouwanttofightthis,
gohaveyour
l
awyercont actXaba.I'
m honestlynotint hi
sdamn
war.Ihavecomef rom onewhichsuckedmysoul
outandI '
m notabouttof i
ghtmyownsi sterover
shit
"hepoi ntedatPoppy.
Othu:"
TheDambuzaf ami
lyarepowerhungrypeopl
e.
Theylovest
atusandnowthatTataisgone,Tat
u
Dambuzawillwantt
obeathischestandshowwho
i
sboss.Sowear estr
ongert
ogether.Iper
sonal
ly
havenointeresti
nbei nganact i
veshar eholderbut
wemustt rytoprotectourfather'
slegacy.Oneour
chil
drenwil
lbenef i
tfrom i
t"shecouldn'tbelieve
thosewordscamef rom her.She'
dbeenf i
ght i
ngto
beindependentfrom Kumkanif orallherli
feyetshe
spokeaboutpr ot
ectinghislegacy.
Poppy:"Icanbeanacti
vememberandbebot hyou
proxy"shesai
dwithexci
tement.Shehadadi pl
oma
i
nbusi nessmanagementsoshef el
titwoul
dbeof
gooduse.Shewast heonlyoneofKumkani'skids
whoact ual
lywor
kedatKCsoshewascomf ort
abl
e
withit
.
Babini'
:"Notadi scussionthatIwi shtohavenow"
helookedatOt hu.Bothoft hem doubt i
ngi fPoppy
wouldt akecareoft hei
rinter ests.Thekidswal ked
i
nwi ththeirspeakerwhi chwasonf ul
lblastand
Matowasont hef l
oordoingonevoshoaf ter
another.MaDudumashet riedt odoonet oobut
Babinihadt ohel pherupt hef loor.Yandinear l
y
wentint oearl
yl aborduet oconcer nbutassoonas
Babinigothismot heri
nl awupMaDudumashewas
doi
ngagetdownol dfashionedst yleandt hekids
alsojoi
nedthei
rgr
annies.Matoheldeveryone'
s
handswhower esi
tti
ngdownt oli
ftthem offt
hei
r
seatssotheycoul
ddancet oo.
Poppy:" Ideci
dedt oalsosl eepover"noonegave
herar eplynotbecauset heydi dn'
twanttobutthey
weretoobusydoi ngwhatnowseemedl ikeafamil
y
step.Ther ewascount i
ng, backwardssteps,
forwar
d
stepsbef oreeveryone'
sleftl egl
if
tedupashighas
theycoul dtoturnandr epeat .
Mato:"
Tshisaaaa!
"shewouldshoutoccasi
onall
yas
shefel
tthedancereachherever
ycoreandfil
li
ngit
wit
hjoy.
MaDudumashe:" Haibo,haibo,haibo!"she'd
supportMat o's'tshisa'.Somewor etheirdisgusted
dancingf acesast heycoul dfeelther hythm and
beatjustmovet hem whi lesomel aughedat
themsel vesast heycoul dn'
tdance.Whent heyoung
oneslif
t edtheirlegintheai r,
Makhul uliftedher
cane.Yandinotl ett
inghersemiswol lenanklesget
i
nt hewayoff unasshehel dherbel lywhi ledancing
alongsi
deherhusband.Yandif el
tthiswasa
farewellforUnat hibutalsoahousewar mingfor
t
hem andshel
ovedaccommodat
ingt
hef
ami
lyso
much.
Mato:" HeeeekwamnandikwaAveasi safuni
nohamba"( i
t'
ssoni ceatAve' sthatwedon' teven
wantt ogo)shesai dast hesweatwasdr ipping
downherf acefrom danci ng.Makhul uwast hefi
rst
togett i
redsoshesatdownwavi ngaser viettein
herfacewhi lesmiling.Whenever yonehadenough
theywentar oundt her oom huggi ngeachot her.The
menwenthomet ogett het hingstheirfamilies
woul dneedandCr aig.Nonoft hel adieshadf ait
hin
whatt heirpart
nerswoul dpi ckforthem toweart he
nextdaybutt heyappr eciatedthatt heywer etryi
ng.
Matowentt othewi necel lartogot hr
ough
Kumkani 'sbestforher selfandt heot herladies.
Thosewhower ewor kingwoul dcal li
nsickt henext
mor ningbecausenoonewant edtost op.
Poppy:"YandiandOt hu,I
'
m sorr
yabouteverythi
ng
thatIsaid"shesaidwhil
etheyhelpedYandicook.I
t
wasst i
llherinlawshouseunti
lUnathimovedout
soYandihadt odowhatamakot imust.
Yandi
:"Iknewt
heshar
esi
ssuewoul
dbesor
tedbut
whenyousai dyouandLuci aspeakbadaboutus
behindourbacks"shel ookedatPoppy" Thathur t,
PoppybecauseOt huandIspeakaboutourown
crazystuf fwhenwear etogetheral one.You'llnever
hearussay, '
PoppyandLuci athisandt hat
'.Ialso
can'tforgethowyout hreantedmyhusband' ssafety.
Youwoul dhavebur ntthehousedownhadIdone
thatandt osayyouhumbl edOthubysl eepingwi th
herhusbandwhenyoucal ledhim aboynotsol ong
ago.Ijustneedsomet i
meoutf rom youf orawhi l
e"
thepotsi zzl
edwhensheaddedt heveggi est othe
fri
edoni ons.Everyonenot icedOt hu'ssil
enceand
everyoneknewOt hutobeapar toft heforwar d
onesdur ingaf amilygather i
ngsoshewasgl adthat
Yandisai dwhatshedi dtoPoppybecausehadi t
comef r
om herPoppywoul dsayshet hinksshe's
better
.
Poppy:"
Soshoul
dIt
urnar
oundandgohomewi
th
myhusband?"
Yandi
:"Idi
dn'tsaythat
.I'mjusthappythat
ever
yoneisinmynewhomel eavi
nggoodvi besbut
i
fyouwi l
lbeputti
ngwat eronourvibesthenmaybe
youshoul d"shehat edsayi ngi tsomuchbutshe
couldn'tt
akeitanymor e.Si ncet hatmeet i
ngwi th
Poppyshehasbeenconcer nedaboutBabi ni
's
safety"Doyouknowt hatIwor rywonder ingifyou
spoket owhoeveryoui nsinuat edyou' dspeakt o
whenyousai dBabi niwasawant edman? "she
decidedtoletwhat '
sonhermi ndoutasher
husbandt aughther" I
'm pregnant , Poppyandnow
you'veaddedt omyst r
essbecausewhenhe' snot
homewhenhesai dhewoul dbemypr essur egoes
up.I'm al
soscar edt hatIwi l
llosemybabi es
becauseweal lknowhowl ongi tt ookmet oget
heresoIhavef earsandnowIhavet odealwi ththe
wordsyouspokeoutofangerandj eal
ousyt oo"
Yandispokesosof tlyonewoul dn'tevenknowshe
wasangr y.Herf at
herwasl i
ket hatbuthadshe
beenl i
keMaDudumashePoppy' sheadwoul dbe
spi
nni ng.Othuknowi ngherf ri
endwel lknewYandi
wasangr ybutshecont inuedt okeepqui et.
Poppy:"
I'
llgohome"shesai
dqui
etl
y"AndI
'
m sor
ry
forwhatandhowIspoke"
Yandi
:"BhutMzusai
dThandineedst
obewokenup
togopeeoncertai
nti
mesdur i
ngtheni ght.Wedon't
knowthoseti
mesorhowshe' shandledsost ayso
yourbabywil
lnotwakeupfeeli
ngashamedwhen
shewakesupwetnexttohercousins.Iwasl ike
thatt
oosoIknowit'
snotni
ce"theyal lspokewhile
theywerebusy.
Poppy:"I
'l
lst
ay,thankyouf orthi
nkingabout
Thandiwe.Othu,I
'm sorryt
oyout oo"Othujust
nodded.Qhayiyawouldnotcal m soOthuranoutt
o
helpChulubutitwast heperf
ectexcusetogetaway
fr
om Poppy.
Yandi :"
Onecanonl yt
akebeingaccusedofact i
ng
perfectforsol ong.Ifshe'
dsaidsomet hi
ngyou'd
havesai dsheact sbet t
er"Yandididn'
tseem tost op.
"Evenme, IfearyouandLuci awi l
lgettoget
herand
youwi l
ltwisteverythi
ngthathappenedher e.Next
thi
ngyou' l
lbesayi ngit
'snotenought hatBabinigot
sharesandnowheget syourfather'
shouset oo
whileyoul iveinashack"Poppyl i
vedinagood
neighbor hoodandhadabeaut ifulhousebutYandi
want edtopoi ntouthowmuchPopoyexagger ated.
Poppy:"
Wil
lyoubef
ineal
one?Ineedt
oremi
nd
Mzut opacksomethi
ng"shepoi
ntedbackand
Yandinodded.PoppymadeherwayoutandOthu
j
oined.
Othu:"Thechangeofscener
yisnotsoni
cet
o,
Qhayi"shelaughed.
Yandi
:"Ar
eyouokay?
"shel
ookedatherf
ri
end.
Othu:"
YesandI '
m gladUnathisai
dyouguys
boughtthehouse"shewhispered.
Yandi:"Yho,f
ri
endshewouldhavethrownaf i
tthat
herfather'
shousewasgiventous"shewhispered
back"ButyouandIarenotthem sowewon' tgossi
p
aboutthem.Howdoweevensoci al
izewi
ththem
nowt hatweknow?"Othujustshr
ugged
Themencamecarryi
ngtheover
nightbags.The
easi
estonet
opackforCrai
gwasQhayiya's.
Babi
ni:"
Man,Il
ookedforther
eddressAvesaidI
mustbri
ngandIfounditnowherei
nt hehouseand
myhouseitsmall
"theyl
aughedastheysaton
campchair
soutsi
de.
Mzu:"
Theymakepi
cki
ngcl
othesandpacki
ngl
ook
somuchearli
erbutdar
ewet r
y"heputhishisarm
overhi
sheadbeforehesunkdeepintot
hechair.
Mzudecidedtospendtheni
ghttoo.Hewastir
ed
butheli
kedhangi
ngoutwithhi
sbr ot
heri
nlaws.
Crai
g:"Whathappenedt
oyourexhaust
ion,
man?
"
hetappedMzuwi t
hhisbeer
.
Mzu:"Honestl
yIjustwantedtogetawayf r
om
Poppysowhenshesai dthatshe'sgoinghome,I
deci
dedI'l
lsl
eepoverandt henIgethereshesays
she'
l
lsleepovertoo.GoodthingIbroughther
over
nightbagtoo"
Cr
aig:"
Amanmusthavehi
sal
onet
ime"henodded.
Babi
ni:"
Idon'twanttobeawayfrom mywife"Cr
aig
andMzul i
ft
edtheirbrowsbef
orelaughi
ng.
Crai
g:"
Ear
lydays,myfr
iendear
lydays"hewor
ea
smir
kwhil
eshakinghi
shead.
Mzu:" Babinii
scompar inghi mselftothe
experiencedones"theyl aughed"Butwecontinueto
l
ovet hem don'twe?"allthreemenst ar
edatt
hehigh
greywal l
swhi chseparatedt hem from t
he
neighborswhilenoddingwi t
hsmi les.
Crai
g:"
Congratsonthehouse,
brot
her.Itsui
tsyou
perf
ect
ly.MayyouandYandihavesomany
memorieshere"Cr
aigl
ookedatBabini
.
Mzu:" Hear ,hear"theirbot t
leski ssedbef oretheyall
tookasi p.Hour swentbyandt hechi l
drenwashed
thedi shesaf t
erhavi ngdi nner .Sleeping
arrangement sweresor tedandnomar riedcoupl e
woul dshar ear oom asl adiesandmenwoul dsleep
separ ately.Thechi ldrenpl annedt oahuge
"Christmasbed' i
nt helivingr oom ast heypl anned
towat chamovi e.Unat hitriedt odr awwhatshe
readont hecardf orever yonet oguess.Theyhad
playedt hreegamesaf t
erdi nner .Sheal mostl ost
patient swhennoonegoti tright.Makhul uand
Qhayi yawer esleepi ngwhi lether estoft hefamily
plannedt opassoutunexpect edl y.
Mato:"Justt
elluswhatthatis,
Unabecausethi
s
yourdrawingi
sasuncl earasyourhandwri
ti
ng"she
narr
owedhereyest olookattheboard"No,
mntasekhayajustt
ellus"sheshookherhead.
Unat
hi:"
It
'sabear
"sheshout
edbef
orel
aughi
ng.
Qhawe:"
Thatl
ooksl
ikeademon"hel
aughedwhi
le
poi
nti
ngatit
.
Unathi:"
Hayiandwher ewoul dyouhaveseena
demon? "shethrewacushi onathim befor
e
l
aughing.Thegameshadever yonel
aughingatthe
sil
lycl
uest hatmadenosense.Yandiwasst andi
ng
bythef r
idgeaft
ershet ookoutabottleofwaterand
herheartneverfel
tful
ler.Whenherhusband
thoughtshewast aki
ngt oolong,hewenttocheck
onher.
Babini:"Areyousl eepy?"hestudiedhereyes.She
wassl eepybutshef el
tshewast hehostinaway
soshecoul dn'tsleepbef oreever
yoneel se.Babi
ni
satherdownbef or ehelif
tedherf eetonhislap.
Theywer eswol l
enandYandiswor etheyhada
heartbeatoft heirownt oosot heyneededt hat
massage.She' dlaughwhenhet ouchedt he
sensetivepar ts.
Yandi
:"I
'
m sohappyt hatt
odayhappened.Ever
yone
i
ssohappy.Ifeell
ikemylifei
ssoperfectandI
'l
l
wakeuptoital
lbei
ngadr eam"
Babini:"Bepresentinthenow, Nt
li
ziyoyam.Takei n
allofthisandshoul ditbeadr eam atleastyou'l
l
wakeupsmi l
ing"Yandistoodinfrontofhi m ashe
brushedt hesidesofherbel l
y.Therewer estrong
kicksfrom insideofherandt heybot hlaughed.
"Don'tkickmywi f
eguyscomeon"hel ookedat
Yandi.
Yandi
:"Idon'
tfeel
li
keIdeser
veal
loft
his"
Babi
ni:"
Notsolongagoyouweresobbi
ngand
sayi
ngyoudeservemesohereIam soi
t'
skhet
hil
e
khet
hil
e"sheki
ssedhishead.
Yandi :"
EishandIt hrewt her eceiptawaysot here's
reall
ynot r
adi
ngyouback"shehel dherheadasone
i
nst ressandt heybot hlaughed" Idon'
twantt o
tradeyouf oranything.Ican' tbeli
evethatourhome
i
sal readysowar m.We' l
lhavemanymor eoft hese
ri
ght ?"henodded." I
'm proudoft hemanyou' ve
chosent obecome, Zweni .Iseeyoubecomebet ter
maneachdayandI '
veneveroncehadt oforceyou
oraskyou.Nott hatIhadapr obl
em withhowyou
wer ebefore,i
t'
sjustthatnowwear egrowingandI
seeyout urni
ntoagr eatf ami l
yleaderandI '
m proud
t
obebyyoursi
de"sheki
ssedhi
m.
Babi
ni:"
Youi
nspi
remygr
owt
h"
Mat o:"Yho,ifwewer en'
therethiskitchencounter
woul dbeseei ngamawol olo"shelaughedbehi nd
thecoupl e"Aveut handwa,SisAvethandwa"she
kissedYandi 'scheek"Thankyouf ornotthrowing
usout .Willyouguysuset hecellar?"Yandilaughed.
"BecauseMat ocant akecareofitforyou,Icanhelp
youcl eanupt here"
Babin:"
Arewesupposedt
ost
ageani
nter
vent
ion
soon?"
Mato:"I
'l
lpr
etendIdi dn'thearyouaccuseyour
grannyofbeinganal coholic"shepoi ntedatBabini
"Comeyouwi llloveeachot hertomor rowwhenwe
aregone.Youcandoi tinthecei l
ingtooi fyouwant
butfornowlet'sgomakeUnat hicrymor ehappy
tear
s"sheheldt heirhandsandl edt hem backt ot
he
famil
y.YandiandBabi nist
oodi nfrontoft hefamil
y.
Yandi:"
Theydidn'tgett
hehint,
Baby.Alldayandno
onegotthehint"shelaughedastheconfused
famil
ylookedatthem.
Babi
ni:"Theyhavebeenwanti
ngt
heanswertothis
butmissedtheobvioussi
gn"t
hecoupl
elaughed.
MaDudumashe:"Hayiyou'
vel
ostme.Iam al
lthe
wayi
nTranskeiwhi
leyouareher
ethat
'showlostI
am"
Mato:"Atleastyou'
reinTranskei,
I'
m onanother
pl
anet,that'
showl ongIam"sheshookherhead.
Babinipoint
edtoYandi'sdressbuteveryonewas
ei
thertoosleepyortheywer ereal
lyl
ost.
Phawu:" You' rehavingaboyandagi rl!
"hej umped
upf r
om hi sseatt olookathi suncl eandwhen
Babininoddedhej umpedupf rom exci tementf r
om
beingt heonet oguessr i
ght.Ever yonekeptaski ng
whatt hegender soft hetwinswer eyetnoonesaw
Yandisa' sbl uedr esswi thpinkdot sasahi ntand
sheandBabi nilaughedwhenever yonehel dthet op
oftheirheadswhent heyrealisedt heymi ssedthe
clueandsoont heylaughedatt hemsel ves.Unat hi
satnoddi ngasshef eltshemadet heper fectchoice
byleavi ngt hehouset otheyoungZwenicoupl eas
theypr ovedt hatitwoul dnotj ustbet heirhousebut
homet ot hosewhoneedt ohi det heirheadsi n
momentsoft
roubl
easitshouldhavebeenwhen
sheandKumkanil
ivedt
here.
S2-
INSERT27
Thef estiveseasonwasgr eatf ortheZweni sand
theKni ghts.Makhul uhadever yonespendi ng
Chr i
st masatt woor phanagesbecauseshef el
ther
fami lygotbl essedenought ogobl essot her s.Once
thef estivit
ieswer eoveritwasbackt or eal i
tyf or
ever yoneandwi tht hatcameast r
ikef r
om t he
const ruct i
onwor kersatKumkaniConst ruct ion.
Wi tht hedeat hofCEOandf ounderKumkaniZweni
theshi phadbeenr ockyasi tlackedcompet ent
l
eader ship.Babi ninotwant ingt ost epupashe
didn'twantt ohaveanonl i
nepr ofi
leasmany
busi nesspeopl eofbi gcorporat i
onsdi dl eftt he
Dambuzaf ami l
ypushi ngtohavet heirsonsi tonthe.
"throne" .Ani ntenseboar dmeet ingwashel dast he
boar dmember sgat heredtovot einanewCEO.
Ot huf eltat adbitoutofpl aceassheneededt obe
presentt ovot enotonl yonherbehal fbutal soon
herbr other's.She, PoppyandBabi nideci dedasa
col l
ect i
vet hattheywoul dvoteagai nstBr ian
Dambuzaj uni
orleadingKCbutPoppyl ef
tOt hu's
mout hwideopenaftershewastheonet ocastt hat
votewhichworkedinBr i
an'
sfavor.Thearrogant
youngDambuzawal kedinwit
hconf i
dencetot hat
couldsurel
yli
ghtupanent i
revil
lagehaditbeen
el
ectroni
c.
Bri
an:"KCisinverycapabl
ehandsbecauseIam
thesonofDambuzaSnrsoIwi lltakethi
scompany
togreat
erheight
s.Thankyouallforthevot
eof
confi
dence"hewor easmir
kashewasbusy
fi
ddli
ngwithhisredpowerti
e.Othuraisedherhand.
Othu:"Idon'tseehowMrDambuzawi llbecapabl
e
ofleadingtheenti
recompanywhenhef ail
edto
l
eadhi sdepar t
ment"shel
ookedatPoppywhose
smilefadedaf t
erOthuspoke.
Poppy:"
MrDambuzahasbeenapar tofthis
companyforfi
veyearsnow.If
ailt
ounder stand
whythatminormist
akewil
lbeheldagainsthim"
sheshotback.
Chai
rman:"MrsKnight
,thevot
ehasbeencast
ed.I
f
youhavevali
dreasonsastowhyMrDambuzacan't
beCEOpl easecompi lear eportandsendi ttoeach
memberf orrevi
ew.I fthatwillbeallthenthis
meetingisajourned.Ithankyoual lforcomi ng"said
MrTom whowasbasi call
yal apdogt owhoever
paidhim andMrDambuzawassur et olubri
catethe
handsofcer t
ainmember ssot heywoul dvot ei
n
favorofhisson.Theboar dmember swentonwi t
h
thei
rbusyschedul esleavingPoppyandBr ianwi t
h
theangryOthunyiweyo.
Poppy:"Youcan'tjustcomeher eandthinkthatyou
knowwhatgoeson, Othunyi
weyo.Iknowt hatyou
areangrybecauseIsai dI'dvotewi t
hyouguysbut
aft
ergivi
ngitmor et houghtIreali
zedthatitwasnot
wise"shejust
if
iedt hebetrayal.
Bri
an:"Youcan'tbri
ngf amil
ymat t
ersint
obusiness,
MrsKnight.That'
sthefirstadvi
cethatIwil
lgi
ve
you"hesaidconfident
ly.
Othu:"
Andyout hinkthatIwil
ltakeadvicefrom a
manwhodi dn'tevenreali
zethattherewasmoney
goingmissi
ngi nhisdepart
ment ?"shelookedat
hi
m andwat chedhiml ookdownl ookingembrassed.
Poppy:" Wear einthemi ddleofast rike!Theseare
notyourpupi lswhom yout elltocal m downand
watcht hem sitonthematwi t ht hei
rfingersover
theirl
ips.Thesear eangrymenandwomen.Wear e
herebecausewel ackleader shi p.Whycan' tyousee
thatwear esol vi
ngapr oblem bef or
ei tescal
ates
furt
her.Wear ebusinesspeopl e, Ot
huandyouar ea
teachersopl easetrustusaswear emor e
experi
enced"
Othu:"Smartmovebypi ckinghim"shesaid
sarcasti
call
ywhi lepoint
edatBr i
an."Wearen'ther
e
becausewel ackedleadershi
p.Wear eherebecause
hisdepartmenthasbeenhavi ngit
chyf i
ngersand
thei
rleaderfailedtopickitup.HadMrZweninot
l
ookedatt hef i
nanceswewoul dsti
llnothave
knownt hatthousandsofr andshavebeenst olen"
shelookedatPoppy.
Poppy:"
IfMrZweniissocompet entt
henwhydid
henotrunfort
hisposit
ion?"shewasgladt
hat
Babi
niwasnotinter
estedinthecompanybecause
shefel
tshecouldmovef reel
ywit
houtanot
her
Zwenimandomi nat
ingasKumkanidid.
Bri
an:"
MrsKni
ght,
Ihaveapologi
zedforthat.Ar
en'
t
youhuman?ImadeamistakeandI'm sorr
y"
Othu:"Li
sten,Br
ianI'
vegotnothi
ngagainstyouasa
personbutletusnotactasthoughyouar eher
eon
mer i
t.Weknowt hatyourf
atherpul
ledafew
str
ings"shepackedherfil
es.
Brian:"
Car ef
ul,MrsKnightyoudon'twantt omake
suchser i
ousaccusat i
onsandassumpt i
onbecause
thesewal l
saret hi
n.All
owmet oprovetoyout hatI
candot his.I'
m morevigil
antnowaf terthatli
ttle
messup"heassur edher.Brianwast hoset ypical
selfcenteredtypeofmenwhot houghtthewor ld
oweshi m somet hi
ng."Alsodon'tactanybet ter
becauseyouar eherebecauseofyourf athertoo"he
remindedher .
Othu:"
Atl
eastIdonotrunf orposit
ionsthatare
wayabovemycompet encies.Ift
hatwillbeallt
hen
I'
dli
ketogetbacktowork"shehel dherfil
esinher
handandlookedatPoppyandBr ian.
Poppy:"
Ihopet
hiswi
llnotaf
fectourhomel
if
e"
Ot
hu:"
I'
m notpet
tyandl
ikeyou'
vesai
d,i
t'
s
business"shetookherbagandlefttheboar
droom.
Afirm handgrabbedherupperarm andsheturned
tofacethepersonwhowasi ntr
udingherpersonal
space.Brianfi
xedhisti
ewhil
estraighti
nghi
s
posture.
Brian:"Ifeelt
hatasmar twomansuchasyoursel
fis
wast edont eachinglit
tl
ebrats"heputhi
shandsi
n
hisskinnysui tpants.Clear
lythesui
twasmade
speciallyforhim.
Othu:"I
t'
sagoodthi
ngthatnotallofuscareabout
yourfeel
ings,
MrDambuza.ItakenothingbackasI
meanteachandeverysi
nglewordi nther
e"
Brian:"
That'
swhatIlikeaboutyou.Mostwomen
aroundmechanget heirviewsoncetheyhearmine
arediff
erentandsuddenlytheyagreewit
hme.
Whatyouar edoingisrefr
eshingandIli
keit
.
Somet hi
ngthiscompanyneeds"hebr ushedhi
stie
again.Othusworethepoort hi
nggotthi
nneraf
ter
eachst r
oke.
Othu:"
ThecompanyneedsaCEOwhoisgoingt
o
putastopt
othestr
ike.Ast
ri
ket
hatwasyour
department '
sf aultbecausewef ail
edt opay
workersthei rbonusesduet ot hetheftofyour
subordinates.I'm notl azytowr i
tethatreportso
don'tgivemeammuni t
ionbymessi ngup"she
tur
nedar oundandwal kedintothelif
t.Hestaredat
heruntilhesawonl yhi mselfonthesilverdoorsof
theelevator.Br i
ancl osedhiseyeswhi l
eshakinghis
head,clearlyOt hust rucksomegoodcor dsashe
wasnotusedt obei ngchal l
engedespeci al
lyby
women.
Poppy:"She'ssti
llmyver ymar ri
edsistersoyoucan
for
getit.Othumi ghtbemanyt hi
ngsbutacheat eri
s
notoneoft hem.St ayawayf rom mysi st
er"she
warned.Shewasn' tcertainifshedidsobecause
shedidn'twantapl ayersuchasBr i
anclosetoOthu
orwhethershewasabi tenviousthatshehad
knownhi mf oryearsyetheneverl ookedso
i
mpr essedbyher .
Brian:"
Theymustt akeoutthatti
lldeat
hdouspar t
atweddi ngsbecausethatnolongerappli
es.
Insteadoftell
ingmewhatt odo,goconvinceherto
l
eavet eachingtofol
lowhercall
inginbusiness.I
canseet hefireofKumkaniZweniint hatone"he
pointedt
ot helif
twi t
hasmirkbeforehewentt ohis
offi
ce.Dambuzaseni orwal
kedinafteraf ewhours
andwentt ohisson' snewoffi
cetocongr atul
ate
him.Oncehel i
stenedtoBri
angoonaboutOt huhe
placedhislegont ooftheot
hertolookatt heyoung
Dambuzapr operl
y.
MrDambuza:"
WegotKumkanioutandnowyou
wantt
ogogetanotherZweniinonexecut
ivel
evel
.
Onewhohasacerti
ficat
ei nt
eachi
ngofal
lthi
ngs"
hi
seyesbor
eintohisson's.
Dambuza:"Theyst i
llownmaj or
ityshares,xhego.If
wecangetOt huonoursi dewehol dallthecar ds
becauseshe'sproxyf orherbrother.Don'tforget
thatwesti
llwanttopr esenttherebrandingi deaso
weneedvot es"hesatbackonhi schair.
MrDambuza:"WehavePoppyonourside"hesai
d
conf
ident
lyast
houghtheycont
rol
ledher
.
Br
ian:"PoppyandIhave50%combinedand
Othunyi
weyoandBabinihavet
heother
.Kumkani
l
eft40%t oBabi
niand10%eachtohisdaught
ers.
It
'l
lalwaysbeatieorsomesortwhenitcomest o
votes.I
fwewantt heDambuzanamet ofinall
ybe
recognisedi
nthi
scompany, weneedpower .Thi
s
companymustbeDambuzaConst ruct
ionsoon"he
remindedhisfat
heraboutKumkani'
simpeccable
businessski
ll
s.
MrDambuza:"Soyoupl ant
ochar
m Ot
hunyiweyo's
panti
esoffsoshe'
dsayyesandamentoeveryt
hing
thatyoubri
ngfor
ward?"Bri
anwor
easmirkbefore
hetookadeepbreath.
Bri
an:"Letusjustsaythathavi
ngPoppybymysi de
makest hi
ngseasier.Othui
snopushover.She
mightl
ookl i
keabl andpri
maryschoolt
eacherbut
youmustseet hoseclawsintheboardr
oom"he
l
ickedhisli
ps.
MrDambuza:" Sowheni sthi
spl anofyour s
starti
ng?"Bri
anstoodfrom hisof f
icechairand
wal kedtothebiggl
asswal lwhichgavehi ma
perfectviewoftabl
emount ain.Hesmi ledbefor
e
turningtofacehisf
ather.
Br
ian:"
Byt
heendoft
hedayOt
hu'
smar
ri
agemi
ght
j
ustst arttoshowcr acks.Poppysayssheandher
husbandar esolidwhi chwi l
lmakeconvinci
ngOt hu
diff
icultasshe'lltakeadvicef r
om herhusband.
Let'
snotf or
gett hatthismanowesasecur i
ty
compani eswhi chi mpor t
ssecur i
tysyst
emst hat
aren'tevenf r
om t hecontinentsoheknows
business.Idon'tknowhowst r
ongBabinii
sin
businessbutIdoubtIcancal lhimtheyoung
Kumkani .Ourpoweri swithOthunyiweyoZweni"he
satbackdown.
MrDambuza:"
Kni
ght
"hecor
rect
edhi
sson.
Bri
an:"
Maybenotf
orl
ong"hesai
dwi
thasenseof
cer
tai
ny.
MrDambuza:"Andhowl
ongdoyout
hinkPoppy
wi
llbeoural
ly?
"
Bri
an:"WellwhenIt oldherhowunf airi
twast hat
Babinigotmor esharesthanher,shecausedhavoc
i
nthef amily.She'
scontroll
ablebutthetrickist
o
makeherf eelshe'si
ncont r
ol"hesaidasi fthe
uni
versegavehi m amanualt oeverythi
ngPoppy.
"Al
sot her
ear ealwaysloopholesincontractsand
I
'
m sureshouldwegetourhandsonthet
ermsof
t
heWill
,we'l
lmakethem par
twit
hthei
rshar
es"he
l
ookedathi
sf at
her
.
MrDambuza:" KumkaniZweniwasnof ool.Ifhe
saidthoseshar esarestuckwi t
hhiski ds,hemade
surethatt herewouldbenol oophol es.Oneoft he
thi
ngsIadmi r
edabouthi m,not hinggotpastt he
general."hegaveasar casti
cl aughwhenhe
thoughtaboutKumkani ."
Sor tthismesswi ththe
stri
keout .Makesur ethatmoneyt hatwast aken
i
sn'ttracedbackt ous.Clearlythisstrategyt hatthe
stri
keisbecauseofl ackofr ealleadershi pwasa
smar tmove"hest oodtogetr eadytoleave.Af t
er
hismi l
dst rokehehadnochoi cebutt or estfora
while.
Bri
an:"ThankPoppyfort
hatasshemadesuret
o
sayitaboutt
entimesduri
ngthemeet
ing"t
hemen
l
aughed.
MrDambuza:" NoZweniwilleversi
tont
hatchai
r
again"hepoi
ntedtotheCEOchai r
.KChadan
acti
ngCEObutt hestri
kegotblamedonhim sot
he
companylethim st
epdown.Whatt heot
her
execut
ivesdon'tknowisthatMrDambuzapai d
somepeopletost artt
hechaosafterheandBri
an
tookmoneyfrom thecompanyt hatwasmeantto
paybonuses."Howdoesi tfeelt
obealpha?"he
l
ookedathisson.
Brian:"
LikeIwasbor nforit
"theybothlaughed
"NowIhavet owor konOt hunyiweyo.Yougocheck
forthoseloopholesbecauseonceI '
m donewithher
,
she'l
lgivemet hosesharesandIdon' twantl
egal
obstaclesinmyway"MrDambuzanodded.
MrDambuza:"Letmegogett hosedocument
sXaba
hasbeenkeepingcl
osetohischestt
hen.Ti
me
wait
sf ornoman.DambuzaConstri
cri
onmustbe
real
it
yinlesst
hansixmonths"heworehisj
acket
.
Br
ian:"
Maket hatt
hree,xhego.Har
dnutsli
ke
Ot
hunyiweyocracktoo"hesaidasthoughhe'
sdeal
t
wi
thanOt hubefor
e.
MrDambuza:"
Don'tf
allinl
ovewit
htheKnight
woman"hewarnedwhilepoi
nti
nghisf
inger
.
Brian:"
Whenhaveyouknownmeforl
ove?Even
thatmarri
ageyou'
rear
rangi
ngf
ormeistopol
ish
mybusinessprofi
le.Awif
eandf
ami
lymakesa
manlookstrust
wor t
hy"
MrDambuza:" HadZweni 'ssonagr eedtomar r
ying
yoursist
erwewouldnothavet hisproblem aswe
wouldknowt hetwofami l
ieswer eall
iesbutIguess
somepeopl ewanttolearnthehar dway"hewal ked
outofthemainoffi
cewi thagoalofget tinghi
s
handsonKumkani '
sWi llcondit
ionsasf arasthe
shareswereconcerned.Br i
anhadanewandbi gger
off
icechairbeor
deredashef el
tt heoldonewas
notbefit
ti
ngofamanl i
kehi m.
Craighadbeenawayonbusi nessforaf ewdays.
Hel aidonthecouchwi thQhayi yaonhischest
enjoyingthetimewi t
hhisgr anddaught er.Shewas
af ewmont hsol dal
readyandhadachi evedmany
babymi l
est
onesmostofwhi chwer ecaughton
camer a.Chuluhiredanannyasshewasnotr eady
toleaveherchi l
datdaycar e.Imangewas
per manentathisjobandwasear ni
ngmor ethanhis
i
nt ernshi
pof f
eredbutheal sohadanewgi rl
fri
end
ashef el
tChuluwasnegl ectinghimt ogiveQhayi ya
alloftheattenti
on.Theyunf ortunatel
ybr okeupt wo
monthsagoandaf terChuluspentweekscr yingon
hermot her'
sshouldershef i
nall
yaccept edt hespli
t
anddeci dedtostopfocusingonl oveandgi veher
al
ltoherdaught erandgr owingartcareer.Cr ai
g
wasmaki nghimselfasandwi chsoonaf tergivi
ng
si
sNoni , whowasQhayi ya'
snannyt her estoft he
dayoff.Qhayiya'
seyeswer efocusedonCr aig'
s
sandwichast houghsheknewi ttast
edbet terthan
whattheyf edher.
Craig:"
Tamkhul
uwantstosharewithhisQhayiya
sobadbutMakhul uwoul
dthrowTamkhul uoutfor
feedingyouj
unk"heki
ssedherli
tt
lenose.Heloved
hernosesomuch.
Qhayi
ya:"
Ahhhh"shemanagedt
osayattheper
fect
momentasthoughshewasexpr
essi
ngher
di
sappoi
ntment
.
Craig:"
Itsucksbutsoonyou'llj
oinme,okay"she
smi l
edwhenher ubbedhi
snoseagainsther s.Cr
aig
kneltdownt olookforaplat
eandQhayiya'seyes
widenedasshewonder edwherehewent .Craighad
placedherononeofherseat sandputitont he
ki
tchencount erandwhenhest oodshecr ackedup
l
aughinginhersweetgi ggle.WhenCr aigreali
zed
howamusedshewasher epeateditandhecoul dn'
t
getenoughofherl aughbuthehadt ostopwhen
shesoundedt i
redofl aughing.Hecar ri
edheri none
handwhi l
ehi sfoodwasi nt heotherwhena
doorbel
llefthim sayingaswearwor dthatlefthim
thankf
uloft hefactthatQhayi yacouldn'tspeakyet .
Heputt hefoodont het abl
eandwentwi thhert o
thedoor.Henear lycol l
apsedwi thQhayiyai nhis
armswhenhesawt hewomanatt hedoor .Hef elt
hisheartraceandmout hgetdrywhi leshest ood
smili
ng.
Vivi
ca:"You'
renotgoi ngtoletyourwifein?"she
peekedbehindhi sshoulderwithasmi l
e.Craig
pull
edherinsideandhi seyescheckedt hedr i
veway
beforeheclosedt hedoor.Vivi
calookedaround
l
ookingimpr essed"Icouldnevergetyout obet hi
s
ki
ndofset t
ledman.Yoursi det hi
ngmustknowher
stuff
"shewant edt ogositdownbutCr aigpulledhis
chairawaytoshowhershe' snotwelcome.
Craig:"
Whatthehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,Vi
v?"he
pointedather
.
Vivi
ca:"That
'snowaytogreetyourwi f
e.Isita
cri
mef orawifetocomeandcheckonher
estr
angedhusbandaf t
ershereal
izedthatshecan't
l
ivewithouthim?"shewentandplayedwi t
h
Qhayiya'
scheeksbutQhayiyapukedhersourmi lk
l
ikepukeonherhandandshewasdi sgustedwit
h
thebaby.
Cr
aig:"
You'
renotmywi
fe"hepoi
ntedather
.
Vivi
ca:"That'
snotwhatourmar ri
agecerti
fi
cate
says.AccordingtotheUSl awswear emar ri
ed"she
tookoutwetwi pesfrom Qhayiya'sst
ackwhich
wereont hetabletowipeherhandbef oreturni
ngto
facehim wit
hasmi l
e"Willyougogetmybags? "
shelaughedwhenshesawhi ml osehisl
astnerve.
Craig:"
Ilookedf oryoutogetourmar r
iageannul l
ed
andyoudi sappear edwit
houtadamnt r
acesodon' t
darecomeandt al
kasthoughwewer einloveand
happy.Imar ri
edyoubecauseofast upiddrunkbetI
didwhenIwasacar el
essprickbutI'
m nol onger
thatman.Soseei ngasthesnakefinal
lydeci dedto
comef rom hishome, wecanputanendt ot hisshi
t
onceandf orall"hesaidbetweengrit
tedteet h"How
di
dyouevenknowthatyouwil
lfi
ndmeher
e,i
nmy
damnhouse"hel
ookedather
.
Vivi
ca:"Ihavef ri
endsi nhighpl aceswhohel pedme.
SoI'm guessi ngt hemot heroft hatchi l
ddoesn' t
knowt hatyou' reamar ri
edman"shepoi ntedtot he
babybef orehereyecaughtt hebi gpi ctureofOt hu
andCr aigont hei rweddi ngday.Cr aighel dherar m
whenshewant edtomakeherwayt othel i
ving
room tochecki tbutsheyankedi toutofhi sgr i
p.He
knewbet tert hant odosomet hingt hatmi ghthave
Vivi
cawhowasapr ofessionalliargot ot hepolice
sayinghe'dhi ther ,she'ddonei tonceandCr aighad
tocoughupmoneyf orhert ostopt hel i
e.She
l
ookedatt hepi ctureoft hehappycoupl e"Iguess
havingdualci tizenshi phasi tsper kshuh?Youcan
marr ytwowomenatt hesamet imel egal l
ybecause
theyareindi f ferentcount ries"shel ookedathi m
"Doessheknowt hatyourmar r
iagemi ghtnoteven
beval i
dorwer eyouwai ti
ngf ormet ocomesowe
cant el
lhert oget her ,darli
ng?hereyeswentar ound
andshesawt hepi ct uresoft hechi l
dren" Yoursi de
thi
nghasgi venyoubeaut ifulbabi es,darli
ng"she
hel
dafamil
ypict
ure.Cr
aigpul
ledi
tfr
om herf
inger
s
andputi
tdown.
Crai
g:"Whatdoyouwantanddon'tdar
etel
lmethat
youwanttoplaywif
e"hist
ensedauramade
Qhayiyaupsetast
houghshecouldsenset
hathe
wasangrysoshestart
edtocry.
Vivi
ca:" Thequest i
onyoushoul dhaveaskedwhi leI
wasatt hedoor .Honest ly,
darlingIdonotknow
whatIwantyet .Imeannowt hatIknowt hatt
he
otherwomandoesn' tknowaboutme, Ihavesome
goodcar dshel dtomychestdon' tyout hi
nk?"her
thumbgl idedoverhi slipsbuthet ookitoff
aggressi vely.Hehel dthecr yi
ngQhayi yat ohis
chestwhi lebrushingherbackt ocal m herdown."I
mightgi veyout hatdivorcebuti t
'l
lcostyouandi n
doll
arst ooandevenmor esoi fyoudon' twantme
totel
l yourot herwi f
e"Cr ai
g'sjawt i
ght
enedwhi lehe
l
ookedathersmi rk"I'
l
lbei ntouch, honey.YouandI
gotal otofcat chingupt odo.Youcanbet hankful
thatIwasonbi rthcontrolbackwhenwewer e
together"shel ookedatQhayi ya"Letmegobef ore
theotherwomanf i
ndsmeher e.Ohandst op
l
ooki ngl ikeyouwantt oki l
lmewheneverIcal lher
the" otherwoman" .Iwasher ef i
rstsoshei sthe
otherwomanbutsi nceshe' syourwi felegal lyin
thiscount rythatwoul dmakeher .
..
mysi sterwi fe?"
shel aughed" Iknewyoul ovedski rtsbutInever
picturedyout obeapol ygami st"shel ookedathi m
from headt ot oe." Sincet hef irstwi f
ei snot
wel comei nherownhusband' shousebecausehe
kepthersecr et,Iguessshemustgof i
nd
accomodat ionandyoubestbel ieveIwi llsendyou
thebi ll.Youdon' tpay, Iintroducemysel ftot he
juniorwi fe.Youal socommi tt
edbi gamybecause
wedi dn'tknowabouteachot her "shef ixedherhai r
whenshegott ot hemi rrorbyt hepassagebef ore
shebl ewhi m aki ssandl eft.Cr aigputQhayi ya
downwhenshecal medandwentt otheki tchent o
goandbangt hecount erlettingouthi sanger .He
calledNat e,theonl yotherper sonwhoknewabout
Vivicabutt hephonewentt ovoi cemail maki nghi m
mor eangr y.Whenhear rivedi nSout hAf ricahe
didn'tt hinkhe' druni ntohi shi ghschoolsweet hear
t
butwhenhedi dhef el
linl ovewi thOthuonadeeper
l
evelt hanwhent heywer ebef oreandheknewhe
want edt omar r
yhert hesamedayt heyr eunit edbut
hehadal readybeenamar ri
edman.Hewasdr unk
andl ivingl i
feast hought herewoul dbeno
tomor r
owwhenhemetVi vicaandgothi msel f
i
nvol vedi namar riagehecoul dbar el
yr emember
thevowst obuthi ssi gnaturewasont hepaper sso
heknewhehadmadeami stake.Heact eda
husbandbutgott ir
edofi tashewasnott hemanhe
wast odaybackt hensohewant edadi vorcebut
Vivicadi sappear ed.Whenhewant edtomar ry
Othunyi weyohedi dn'twantt ospendyear sl ooki ng
forVi vi
caashedi dbef oresohet ookadvant ageof
hisdualci ti
zenshipandgott omar ryOt hul egal l
yin
SAwhi lehewasl egallymar r
iedt oVivicai ntheUS.
Hef ear edt el
li
ngOt huhewasmar r
iedwhent hey
wer edat ingbecauseshewasnott hetypet osl eep
withmar r
iedamen, heckhef oundheravi rginso
shesl eptwi t
hnomenatal l.Thet houghtofl osi ng
heragai nmadehi m keept hesecr etandf ort he
year sofmar ri
agehet houghtVi vicahaddi edsohe
relaxedandst oppedt ryingt ofindhert oget
divorced.Thel astt hi
ngheexpect edwasf orhert o
rockupathi sfrontdooraf tersomanyyear sofnot
seei
ngher.Hewentt
ochangeQhayiwhowas
rest
lessasshewaswet
.
Craig:"Ifyoucoul dt al
kyou' dbet el l
ingMakhul u
ever yt
hingt hathappenedher ejustnow"hepul l
ed
herpi nkdr essdownandshegi ggl ed"Itmustbe
nicet onothavepr oblemshey, pumpki n?hepi cked
herup." Idon'tknowwhatt odo.DoIt ellMakhul u
andendupmostpr obablydivor cedt othel oveof
myl i
feordoIkeepqui etandpayt hispsychoso
shecanl eavemeal onef orgood? "Qhayi yaputher
handsoverhermout hbef oreput ti
ngherf i
nger sin
hermout h" SoTamkhul umustkeepqui ett
onot
breakourl i
ttl
efami l
yup? "hewasdesper atef ora
signandt hebabyput ti
ngherhandoverhermout h
wasasi gni nhisterrif
iedmi nd.HeknewVi vica
woul dmakehi sli
fehel lbutther ealhel lwoul dbe
l
osi nghi sfamilysohedeci dedt ohearVi vica's
demands.Yandihadbeent ell
ingOt huabouta
tornadoshekeptseei ngwr eckingt hei
rhousewhi l
e
theyst oodhel pl
essly.Atf ir
sttheywer ewor ri
edbut
theybr ushedi toffsoCr aigwonder edifVivicawas
thet ornadoYandisawwhent heyt houghti twasan
act
ualone.
Chul
u:"Whowast hewomanIrani
ntoatthegate?
"
Crai
glookedatt
hedoorandf
elthi
mselfgetsweaty.
Cr
aig:"
Acl
ient
"hel
ied.
Chulu:"Youhatebri
ngingworkhomesosincewhen
doclientscomehere?"sheputherbagdownbef
ore
si
tt
ingnextt oCrai
g.Qhayi
yawantedtogotoher
mothersoCr ai
ggavehertoChulu.
Craig:"
SinceI
'vebeengoneforsi
xdaysandI
'
m
ti
red,Chulumanco"hesnapped.
Chulu:" Areyouokay?I fQhayimakesyousweat
thenst opgivingsisNonihalfdays"shelaughed
beforet aki
ngherbr eastouttofeedQhayiya.She
hadst artedonsomesol i
dsbutbr eastmi
lkwasher
favouritemeal ."
Dadar eyouokay? "shestar
tedt
o
getconcer ned.
Crai
g:"I'
mj ustexhausted.I'
m goingf
oradriveand
I'
l
lpicktheboysupf r
om schooltoosincemom' s
cari
si nforrepair
s"hest oodtolookforhi
schair
s.
Chul
u:"
Pleasegett
akeawaysbecauseI
'
mti
redand
I'
m suremom i
stoo.Wi
llyougogethertoo?"she
asked.Cr
aigdi
dn'
twanttoseeOthuatthatmoment
sotherewasnowayhe'sguil
tri
ddenselfwouldgo
fet
chher.
Crai
g:"MalumeBabiniisi
nthatareat
odayifIheard
ri
ghtsoI'
llhavehi
m pickherup"hewalkedtothe
door.
Chulu:"
Dad, yourwal l
et"shehel
di toutandhet old
hertothrowi tbutMakhul usai
dachi ldshouldn'
t
thr
owt hingsatelderssoChul ustoodcarefull
ywi t
h
Qhayiyatogogi veittohi m"Wereyougoi ngto
charmt heladiesatthef oodpl
acesot hey'dgive
youfreef ood?"shejokedandlaughed.
Craig:"
I'
llpr
etendIdidn'tjusthearsuchdisrespect
fr
om you"hewal kedoutandChul uwatchedhim
unti
lhegoti nt
ohi scar."Don'tthi
nkdadisf eel
ing
wellbuthe'stryi
ngtohi deit"shetext
edOt hubefore
shewentt obondwi t
hherdaught er.
Othusmi l
edandhuggedherbr
otherwhenshesaw
him par
kedattheschool
.Assoonastheygoti
nto
thecarshetol
dhim aboutt
heboardmeeti
ng.
Babi
ni:"
GivePoppyenoughr
opet
ohangher
sel
f"he
advi
sedcalmly.
Othu:"Bhutii
stherenowayyoucanl eadKC
withoutthosepeopleknowing?Youknowbusiness
asyousawt hemoneyt hatwentmissingwhen
Bri
anwi thhisPhDcouldn't"shel
ookedathim.
Babini:"Besidestheriskofbei ngcaughtbyt he
system, Idon'twanttoi nvolvemysel fincor porat
es
wars.Af teryearsofslavery, Ienjoymyf reedom of
nothavi ngtoanswert oanyone.Event heCEOhas
boardmember stoanswert o"hel ookedatherwhen
therobot sturnedred.Ot huwasnotaboutt otake
him af ewst epsbacki nlif
esosheunder stood
wher ehewascomi ngfrom." Whataboutyou?Ever
fel
tlikeachangeofscener y? "thecarst arted
movi ngagai n.Tobehonestaf terYandir esigned
workwasnol ongernicebutshedi dn'twantt ostay
home.
Ot
hu:"
Me,
aCEO?
"shel
aughedsof
tl
y.
Babi
ni'
:"Yourbr
otherhasal
otofknowl
edgesoI
cant
rainyouandyou'reasmartwomansoyou'
l
lbe
CEOreadyi nnoti
me.Whi l
ewegi vethem enough
ropetohangthemselves,
wepr epareyoutogoi n
andtakeover"hesuggested.Ot
hushookherhead
unsureofthesuggesti
on.
Ot
hu:"
I'
mtoosof
t?"shespokedownonher
sel
f.
Babini:"You'renotsof t
,you'r
eemphat icwhi chis
greatforal eader.Whent eachingisnotwhatyou
wantt odoanymor eyourbrotherisreadyt ohel p
younavi gatet hebusinesswor l
d.I'
ddoi tf orPoppy
butsomepeopl edon'tdeservepowerast hey
misusei t"Othunodded.Babi ni
'sphoner angandhe
tookashar pt ur
nassoonashecoul d.Mat ocalled
sayingt hatYandiwasonherwayt othehospi t
alas
shehadst artedtohavecont racti
ons.Shewas7
mont hsandt woweekspr egnantsot het wi nsas
expectedofmul tipl
epregnancieswer egoi ngt obe
bornbef oret i
me.Ot huwasdohappyt hatshewas
withhimi nt hatmomentandshehadt ohol donas
hedr ovelikeamani ac.ShecalledCrai gtot ellhim
thatbabyZweniwasont hewayandt oldhi m whi ch
hospital.Sheonl ysawChul u'stextaftert hecal land
couldr ememberhi m soundingoffishovert he
phonebuthepr omisedtogotot
hehospi t
al.Yandi
wasschedul edforC-
Secti
onbyherdoctorashe
saidnaturalbi
rthwasnotanopt
ionforher.Othu
foundMaDudumashewhocamebackt ohel pher
daughteradjusttomother
hoodf
oraf ewweeksand
Mat oi
nt hewaiti
ngroom.
Mato:"
Thatway!
"shepoint
edthedir
ect
ionYandi
wastakeni
ntoBabiniandthewat
chedhim
di
sappearf
rom t
hei
rsight
.
MaDudumashe:" Icannotwaitt
oholdmyl i
tt
le
grandbabi
es"shesaidwhi
leshemadeast hough
shewascr adl
ingababyalr
eady."Come,
letuspray
becausegivi
ngbir
thisnoteasyandwehavet ohel
p
Yandiasbestwecan"theyheldhandswhil
e
prayi
ng.
Othu:"
I'
m goingtobeadabawo"shescr
eamed
soft
lyaft
ersayingamen.
Babini
:"Ntl
izi
yoyam? "hefinal
lyf
oundherandhe
ki
ssedhersweat yforehead.Acontr
act
ionhi
tand
hehadt owaitfori
ttopassbef or
eshecoul
d
acknowledgehim properl
y.
Yandi:"Theysaidthatwemustgot otheat
erbutI
tol
dthem notwi t
houtyou.Ourbabiesarecoming"
shesmi ledexci
ti
ngly.Ithadbeensomethi
ngshe
dreamedofsi nceafterafewmonthsofmar r
ying
Vuyobutshewassohappyhewasnott heoneby
herside.
Babi
ni:"
Willt
heybeokay?It
'sal
it
tl
eoverseven
months"helookedatanur
se.
Nurse:" We' vebeenmoni tori
ngt hem andever ythi
ng
i
sper fectandnowt hatyouar eher e, l
et'sgetherto
theater.Gowi ththatnurseandshe' l
lpr epyouso
youcanbepr esentwhenyourchi ldrenar ebor n"
shesai dwi thasmi l
eandBabi nikissedYandias
theywheel edhert otheaterbefor ehewentt owear
protectivegeart obeabl et owitnessever ythi
ng.
Fortunat elytheydidn'thavet ooutYandiunder
compl etely.Onceshecoul dn'
tfeelanyt hingonher
l
owerpar tthemedi calprofessionalsstar tedthe
procedur e.
Babi
ni:"
Whatwil
lweevennamethem? "hekepther
companyunt
ilt
heycoul
dholdt
heirbabies.
Yandi:"
Babi
nijuni
orfortheboysincet
heyaret
wo
also?
"shesmiledwhileshefel
tsometuggi
ng
sensati
onbutnopain.
Babi
ni:"
Ilovebei
ngt
heonl
yBabi
ni"hesul
ked.
Doct or:" Whent heyaskwho' soldest ,t
heansweri s
thedaught er"hesai dwi t
hasmi lewhenhegot
princessZweniout .Babiniwenttol ooksincehe
wasnotaf raidofbl oodandsur eenoughhi s
daught erwasf irstandsoonshecr iedwhichmade
Yandi 'sownt earsflowdownt hesi deofgetf ace.
Soonbot hwer ebor nandt henursesexami ned
them andt hecr iesmadeYandihappybecauset hey
wer eal ive."Nowl et'
scloseyouup, MrsZweniandi t
takel ongert hanopeni ngupdi d"hesai dtoYandi
andshenodded.Soont henursespl acedthet wins
onherchestandYandibr okedowni ntear
sbuti t
wer eal lthoseofpur ej
oy" Ohitseemswehavea
l
ittl
esur prise"thedoct orsoundingshocked.
Babini
:"Doctoryouhadbet
ternotmessmywi feup"
hewar nedandwentt ol
ookonlytofi
ndthedoct or
holdi
nganotherbabybuthewasmuchsmal lerthat
theothertwo"Wait,
wherewashei nthescan?"he
poi
ntedathi
sson.
Yandi
:"Baby,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
"shewasconcer
ned.
Doct or:"I
tseemssomeonei scamer ashy, Mrs
Zweni .Congr atul
ations, you' vegotanot herboy"he
askedhi mt obeexami nedi mmedi at el
yandwhen
Yandicoul dn'
thearhi m cr yBabi niwentt owher e
theyt ookhi m butacr ycamei nstrongbef orehe
reachedt hemedi calstaf f.Soonhewashol ding
theirthirdbornwhobef ear edhewoul dsqueezet oo
muchbuthewasgent le.Yandicoul dn'tbeli
evei t
andhert earsjustwoul dn' tst opfall
ing.Babi niwas
shockedbecausehesawt hatheandOt huwer e
madet ohavemul t
ipl
echi ldrenatoncebutwhenhe
sawOt huhast winsheassumedt hatt heywer e
madet ohavet wi
ns.Thedoct orhadat horough
exami nationonal lbabi esbedoneandt heywer eal
l
healthyevent hought heywer eearlybutt obesaf e
theywer eplacedi nincubat orsover night.Babini
heldal lonebyonebef or et heycoul dbet akenaway.
Ther oseamongstt het hor nscoul df oll
owher
father'shandmovement swi thhereyessoper fectl
y
evenwhenhemovedi tinaci rcl
ebuthedi dn'tsay
anythingyetashe' l
lhaveplentyoft i
met ocheck
whyshewassoawar eatonlyaf ewmi nutesold.
Thef amilyweredancingwhent heylearnedabout
theextrabundl e.MaDudumashewascr yi
ngso
muchwhent heygotachancet oseethem all
.Yandi
couldn'twaittojustgohomewi ththem.Thepai n
medi cati
ontheygaveherst artedtomakeherf eel
drowsybutshef oughtthesleep.
Othu:"Theyaresoperfect
,fr
iend.Dabs'
sli
tt
le
bunnies"shekissedYandi
'scheek.
Yandi :"
I'
m amot her
,Othu.Li
keamot heroft
hree
l
ivingbeings"shesmi l
ed."Il
ovet
hem somuchand
Iwi shtheydi
dn'thavetobeinanotherroom.Ieven
l
etBabi nigoplayguardsonooneswi tchest
hem"
theylaughedsoftly.
Othu:"
Soonwewillbetaki
ngyoufourhome.How
wil
lyoucopewit
hthreebabies?
"sheheldher
cheeksandl
aughed.
Yandi
:"Idon'
tmind.If
eell
ikeGodmadeupf orl
ost
ti
mes.Idohoweverwonderhowt hebr
east
feedi
ng
wil
lworkbecauseIhaditf
igur
edoutwhenI
thoughttheyweretwins.Canyouimaginet
hescan
notpicki
nguponanent i
rebaby?"shewasshocked
yetoverj
oyed."Wedon'tevenhavenamesbutwe
willt
hinkaboutthatt
omor r
oworwhenever"she
smi l
ed.
Mat o:"Ical
ledeveryoneIcouldt hi
nkoftotellt
hem
thehappynews.Hl ewi l
lcomet omorrowandUnat hi
willfl
youttoo.Ididn'ttel
lthem aboutthesurpri
se
becauseIwantt hem tobeasshockedaswewer e
whenwehear d"shelaughed"TheZweniel ders
thankyouf ort hei
ncreaseinfami l
ymember s,
Avethandwa"Yandigaveanexhaust edsmile.
MaDudumashe:" Tataaskedf orapictur
ebutIt ol
d
him Iwantt olaythem nextt oeachot herandtakea
properpicture.Yhuuu, Makhul ulovesthem so
much"sheputherhandsoverherf acewhile
l
aughingi nexcitement .CraigandBabi nist
oodby
thewindowl ookingatt hei ncubatorst
hathadt he
Zwenibabi es.Babinifelli
nl ovewi t
hallatf
irst
glanceandhewi shedhecoul dbebyYandi'sside
butshet ol
dhi mt oplayguar dsothebabieswon' t
getswitchedwhi chheknewwoul dn'
thappenbuthe
di
dast
oldt
oputhermi
ndatease.
Crai
g:"
Wel
cometoneverhavi
ngpr
opersleep
agai
n"hel
ookedatBabi
niwhowassmil
ing.
Babini:"Yougood?Youseem abi t
..
.aloof "hesaid
ashet riedtodescr
ibeCraig'
smood" Ihopeyou
aren'tcheati
ng,Kni
ght"hepointedatCr aigand
Craiggaveaner vouslaugh.Tobef riendswi thyour
brotherinlawwasnotal waysagoodt hingashe
alwaysl ookedoutforhi
ssister.Heneededaf r
iend
totalktobutBabiniwasnott hatperson.
Crai
g:"Camef
rom ajobinMosselbaysoI
'
m cr
anky
becauseI'
mti
red"Babi
ninodded.
Babini:"
Tel
lme"heturnedt
ofaceCr aig" WasFl
inch
presentwhenOthugavebir
th?"Cr
aigt akenaback
bythatnamebeingbroughtupagainaf termont
hs
ofnotmentioni
nghim.Crai
gtri
edtot hinkback.
Craig:"
Ican'
teventel
lyoubecauset
hatnightwasa
blur.Al
lIcar
edaboutwasmywi f
eandkidsbutI
thinkhewas"hesaidsoundi
ngunsure."
Why? "he
l
ookedatBabi niwhowasshakinghi
shead.
Babi
ni:"
Andyouwer
ether
ewhent
heyt
ookt
he
boysoutright?"Craignodded"Andever ythi
ngwas
normal?"normallyCraigwouldhavef iguredoutt hat
Babiniwast r
yingtoaskhimi ftheyper hapsmi ssed
ababywi thoutreali
zingbutCraig'smindwast oo
foggytothinkthatdeepaboutt hingsthathappened
somanyyear sago.WhenBabi nisawhowal er
thi s
daughterwascompar edtotheboys, hecoul dnot
helpbutwonderi ftherewasagi rlbornwi t
hthe
twins.
Craig:"Wait"helookedatBabiniafterawhi l
ewhen
hef i
nallycaughton" Ihopeyou'r
enoti nsinuati
ng
thatFlinchtookoursur pri
sebabybecauset her
e
wasnonsuch, Zweni.YouandOt huar etwinsbut
don'tforgetthatyouareindivi
dualswhoar e
diff
erent.Iwast heresonoscanhi dourt hirdbaby
becausei twasonl yQhaweandPhawu"heassur ed
Babini.Babinibreathedandnodded." Youguysgi ve
Fli
nchwayt oomuchcr edi
t,waytomuch"heshook
hishead.
Babini
:"You'
rer
ight
,man.It
'sjustIwasalways
taughtt
ocheckeverydet
ailsoit'
sahabitIcan'
t
shakeoff"
Craig:"Wellyou'r
enol ongeri
nt hatli
fe.Thisisyour
l
ifenow"hepoi ntedatt hebabies"Wehadt wins
andyouhadt ri
plets,it'
sthatsimple"Babinicould
feelCraiggetti
ngwor kedupsohel etitgo.Helater
l
aught edathimsel fforhavingsuchaover acti
ve
i
magi nation.Hecompl etel
ydismissedt hethought
andf ocusedbackonhi sbabiesashewenti nsi
de
togoandhol dtheirli
ttlehands.Bothhi m andYandi
weret er
ribl
eatnamessot heywer egoi ngtowaiton
thefami l
ytohel pthem.
Babi
ni:"Baby,pleasestopfighti
ngthesleepiness"
hesaidashewal kedtoherside."Whenyouwake
upwe'llal
lsti
llbehere.You'vejustundergonean
oper
ationsopl easerest"hekissedherli
ps.
Yandi
:"Thankyoufort
hebeauti
fulgif
ts,baby.I
knowit'
susual
lytheman'sl
inebutthankyouandI
l
oveyou"shebrushedhishandwhileclosi
ngher
eyes.
Babini
:"ThankyouandIloveyoutoo"hekissedher
agai
nbef oreshefel
lasl
eep.Thei
rli
veswouldnever
bethesameagai nbuthewelcomedt henewphase
ofdadwi t
hopenar msbecausehe'dbedoingitwi
th
hisbestfr
iendandloveofhisli
fe.Thedayhemet
Yandiwast hedayheknewhewoul dneverbet
he
sameandhewoul dn'
tchangeat hi
ngevenifhe
couldtur
nbackt hehandoftime.
S2-
INSERT28
Yandi'sbabi eshadt oremai nini ncubat orsf ort wo
weeksbutaf t erthatt heycoul df i
nal l
ygoback
home.Theywentf r
om bei ngt wot obei ngf iveand
bothBabi niandYandiwel comedt hechal lengewi th
openar ms.Theywer egr atefultoMaDudumashe
forvolunteeringt ost aywi ththem f ort hef irstt hree
mont hsbecauset heyhadnotf oundasui tabl e
nannyt ocomeandhel pYandi .Af tert heyr etur ned
from hospitalMakhul uHleandMat ocomeal most
everydayt ohel pwer eneededbutt heydi diti nsuch
awayt hatitwoul dn'tfeell
iket heyt r
iedt ocont rol
Yandi'sparent i
ng.Yandiwasgr atefulasmuchas
shedi dshef eltabi toverwhel medbyt het hr eenew
additi
ons.Ot huwentandboughtmat chi ngcl othing
fortheunexpect edbundl eandf ortunat elyshe
managedt of indmosti t
ems.Ever ythinghadt obe
extr
af orhim buthi spar entsdi dn'tmi nd.Unat hi's
helperr emai nedont hej obbecauset hehousewas
toobi gf orYandit ocl eanal oneandt heydi dn' twant
anot herper soni nSout hAf ricatoj ointhe
unempl oymentst ati
st i
cs.Makhul uHl egaveYandi
recipest hatwoul di ncr easebr east milkf l
owand
theyhel pedbecausesomet imesshel eakedt hrough
thebr eastpads.Whent wobabi eswer eont he
breastt heot herwasdr inkingbr eastmi lkf r
om a
bottle.Ther ewasnospeci ficbabyt hatwasmeant
forthebot tl
ebecauset heyhadal latur ntobef ed
thatway.I twasamet hodt hatwor kedf ort hem at
thatt i
meandnoel dert riedt otellYandii t'
swr ong
becausei twasherbabi essoherchoi ces.Yandi
foundBabi nimakehi msel facupofcof feeandi t
wassur prisingashewasnotonef orhotbever ages.
Shehuggedhi mf rom t hesi deandf elthisar mr est
onhershoul der.HehasbeensohandsonYandi
somet i
meshadt ost andandwat chhi mi nawe
whilehehandl edt heirbabi es.Shef earedhe' dbe
over whel medbyt het hr eenewpeopl ewhocr iedat
random t i
mesbutDaddyZwenit ooki tinhi sst r
ides.
Yandi
:"I
sitt
heexhaust
iont
hatmakesyou
suddenlyhavecof
fee?"het
ookasi
pandsatdown
tobelevel
edwithher.
Babini
:"No,Ntl
iziyoyam.Wear elikeaf act
oryi
n
thi
shouse.Ther earedayshift
ersandni ghtshi
ft
ers
andoht her
e'sMat othecasualwor kerwhoispaid
wit
habot tl
eofwi ne"theybot
hl aughed.
Yandi:"
We'r
esobl
essedt
ohavet
hem al
l"heki
ssed
herhand.
Babi ni
:"Andasf orthecof fee,i
t'
saanEt hiopian
blendt hatMzugotf orhi
msel f,
Kni ghtandI .Ihave
tohavear eviewt henextt imewemeetsot hat'
s
whyI '
m drinkingit.I
t'sactuall
ygood, pi
tyyoucan' t
taste"het ookanot hersipandYandicoul dseet hat
hewasenj oyingit"Sowi l
lyout el
lmewhat 'sreall
y
onyourmi nd,MrsZweni ?Youhavet hatwhol elook
youusedt ohavej ustbeforesaying' youdon' t
under stand'"heknewhersowel l
andsomet i
mes
she'df orgetjusthowmuch.
Yandi:"
Baby,woul
ditbeaproblem i
fIwas
consi
deringbei
ngahousewifeunti
ltheki
dsst
art
schoolorsomethi
ng?"sheaskedsoftl
yandhe
knewshef
elti
twoul
dinconveni
encehi
m.
Babini:"I
st hatwhatyou' dli
keorisitsomet hing
yourmot hert hinksit'
sbest?"Yandisighed.She
alr
eadyf eltbadbecausehebuysmostt hi
ngsand
heboughtexpensi vebrandstoosayinghedi dn't
wanttor iskhiski dsgetti
ngar ashbywear ingfakes.
Shealsoal wayshadmoneyi nheraccountf r
om
him andshewoul dfeelbadsomet i
mes.I nher
previ
ousmar r
iageVuyowoul dborr
owhermoney
anddemandi tonherpaydaysoBabi nijustcame
withal otoffirststoYandi.
Yandi :"
It'
swhatI '
dlike.Isawavi deoofananny
j
ustki ckingababywhi l
eherpar entswer eatwor k
andIj ustgottraumat i
zed.If eelscaredf ort
hem
alreadyandt heyhaven' tevenbeeni ntr
oducedt o
thewor ld"shefelthiswar ml ipsonher sandcl osed
hereyest ot
akei nthelitt
leintimacyt heycould
steal.Thedoctorsai dshemustwai t8weeksbef ore
theycoul dmakel oveandast ir
edasshef el
t,Yandi
plannedonhavi ngar omant icnightoncet hat
ti
mef ramei sover.
Babi
ni:"
Youcanbeahouseexecut
ivef
oral
lyour
l
ife,
wel
lunlessIbecomecarel
esswi
thourmoney
andwereachbankrupt
cythenyoumustgowork,
woman"shelaughed.
Yandi
:"Houseexecut
ive?
"hesmi
ledandnodded.
Babini:"I
t'
swhathousewi vesgobyl ately.
Appar ent
lyr unni ngthehomei sasdifficultas
runningabusi nesssot heydeserveamor e
respectablet i
tle.Honest l
yIlovefindingyoual lhere
whenIcomegetabi te"he'ddevelopedt hathabitof
onlywant i
ngf oodcookedbyYandioratl east
someoneel sei nt hefamily.
Yandi
:"Andyou'
l
ltel
lmewhenyouar est
ruggl
ingt
o
handl
eourfi
nancesalone?
"henodded.
Babi ni
:"For t
unatelyyourhusbandcanhacki nto
highpr ofil
ebusi nesspeoplesaccount ssooncewe
aret i
ght,I'
llborrowsomemoneyt here"helaughed
whenhesawhowbewi lder
edshel ooked.He
wonder edi fhe'devergetusedtot hatinnocence
"I
'
m ki dding,I'
lll
etyouknow, Ntli
ziyoyam.SoI '
m
proudt oannouncet hatyougotthehouseexecut i
ve
directorjob,Mr sZweni.Ihaveaf eelingthatyou
andIwil
ltaket
hishometofargreat
erheights"he
hel
dhishandoutandYandilaughedbeforeshaki
ng
i
t.
Yandi:"Thankyou,
MrZweniandki ndlykeepin
mindt hatwearepart
nersnotemployerand
employee"shesaidinherbestbusi
nessvoice.
Babini
:"Iwouldn'thavei
tanyotherway,part
ner
"he
pul
ledhercloserandgaveherapr operkiss"
Are
yousti
llver
ysor e?"heasked.
Yandi:"Nodayi sthesame.TodayI '
llbegoodand
tomorrowI '
l
lhavesomepai nbutI'
m keepingthe
stit
chescleanast hedoctorsaidandI '
m heal
ing
slowlybutsurely"apainBabiniwishedhecoul d
havetransferr
edont ohim soshe'
df eelnothi
ng.
Babini
:"Il
ovethi
sbeautif
ulbodyf
oral
lthati
thas
done"hekissedhercheek.
Yandi:"
Soyoudon'tcr
ingeattheext
rafat,dark
str
ectmarksandscarwhenIundressinfrontofyou?
BecauseIcri
ngewhenIl ooki
nthemirrorlat
ely?"
shesaidhonest
ly
Babi
ni:"
Itdi
daccomodat
ethr
eehumans.Humans
thatIhel pedputi
nitsowhatki ndofasswoul dIbe
i
fIcr ingedattheafter
mathhmm?Ther ear esoul
s
thatneededt ocomei ntot
hephysi calworldandthe
creatorchosemywomant obeoneoft hose
magi calbeingstotr
ansportsoulsintothephysical.
Ifthat'snotmagicthanIdon'tknowwhati s"he
l
ookedsoi mpr
essedashiseyesf ellonYandi '
s
bodyt hatwascover edbyayellowmat ernitywear.
Yandi :"
Ireadsomewher ethatt
hepl acentai
s
createdfrom thesperm.Doyour eal
izethatIwas
carryi
ngapar tofyouinsideme,apar tthathel
ped
suppor tt
hechi l
drenwecreatedtogether?How
amazi ngiscreati
on?"shehuggedhi m.
Babini:"
I'
mj ustgladthatwedi dital
lnat
urall
y.No
IVFtreatmentswer eneeded.Justamanand
womandoi ngtheirbi
tt oadvancet hehumanr ace"
hekissedherbar eshoul der.Shewashappyt hat
theydidn'tneedassistancet oo.Theredoorbellrang
andBabi nitol
dwhoevert ocomei nandOthust ood
withherlaptopandot herdocument sinhand.She
greetedYandi andBabi nibeforeshesatdown.
Ot
hu:"
Bhut
,Icamet
oletyouknowt
hati
t'
smyl
ast
mont hatworksoI '
m hereandI '
mreadytolistento
whatyouhavet osayaboutgroomingmet obeCEO
oratleastsomeonewhowi l
lfiti
nther
ebecause
PoppyandBr ianremindmet hatIdonotf i
tin"she
saidsosoftl
yasonewhohadnoconf idencein
whatshewasdoi ng.Yandil
ookedatBabiniand
thenbackatOt hu.Theyhadn'ttol
dheraboutt hei
r
discussi
onyet.
Yandi:"
Wil
loneofyoutel
lmewhatisgoingon?"
shesatdown.Othust
oodtogogetherselfsome
waterasshewasfeel
inganxi
ousaboutthisnew
phase.
Babini
:"Wear eputt
inganot
herZwenii
ntheseatof
power"helif
tedhisarmsandthewayhesaidseat
ofpowerhemadei tsoundasthoughi
thadsome
supernat
uralpowers.
Yandi:"
AndOt hunyiweyoisthatperson?Fr
iendbut
youloveteaching"shelookedatOthu.
Othu:"
Honestlyaf
terreturni
ngtoworkthet
imeI
t
ookabr eakthesparkwasj ustnott
her
eanymore.I
j
ustloveditwhenyouj oinedmeatthenewschoolI
wasatbutnowt hatyou'r
egoneIdon' t"shesai
d
truthfull
y"Andt hespar kwassodeadwhenI
returnedt hatIstudiedthroughcorrespondenceand
earnedmysel fabachel or
'sofsciencedegreein
const ruct
ionmanagementabout8year sago"
Yandi '
smout hwasont hefloorasshecouldn't
believeOt hukepti tfr
om her.Anent i
resecond
degr ee.
Babini:"Iwasact uall
yther
eatyourgraduati
onbut
youdi dn'tknow.Iwaswonder i
ngwhenyou' dtel
l
everyone"Yandir aisedabrowithi
m" Itwasn'
tmy
placetot ell
,Ntl
izi
yoyam"hehel dhi
shandsupi n
surrender .
Yandi:"
Soyoucelebratedsuchami l
estoneal
one,
Othu?ImeanIwoul dhaveplannedagr aduat
ion
part
y"shelookeddowncl ear
lysadthatOthudidn'
t
gi
vehert heoppor
tunit
ytocelebrat
ewithher.
Othu:"
OnlyCrai
gknowsandnowIhearbhut idoes
t
oo"shesmi l
edatBabiniwhi
leshaki
ngherhead
"
HonestlyIwantedt
of eel
vali
dat
edbecause
KumkanikeptonsayingLangawastheonlyone
whohadar ealdegr
eesoIdidthesamecoursehe
didtofeel.
..
goodenoughIguess"sheshr ugged
"ButonceIcamet omysensesIwasdoi ngmyf inal
yearsoIcont inuedunti
lIfi
nishedbutnevertol
d
KumkanibecauseIdi dnotwantt ogi
vehimt he
sati
sfacti
onofknowi ngthathegotundermyski n"
shewhi speredasonewhowasashamedofever
l
etti
ngher selfdoubtherl
if
echoi ces.
Babi
ni:"
Canwescheduleadaywher ewewil
lbe
abl
etositdownproper
lyorl
ateri
ntheday?I
'm
ki
ndatir
edatthemoment"Othunodded.
Yandi:"Gosleep,
baby"heki
ssedhercheekand
Othu'
sbef or
ehewentt ogotakeanap."
Sohow's
Crai
gt aki
nghiswifegoi
ngintocor
porat
e?"
Othu:"
Cr ai
ghasjustbeenoffl
atel
y,fr
iend.He'snot
evenpresentwhenhe'saroundQhayiandyouknow
that
'shisfavour
it
eperson"Yandist
artedtofeel
concern.
Yandi:"
Youknow,Isti
llgett
hedream aboutthe
tor
nadowreckingyourhouse.Maybeit'
llcomefrom
yougoingint
ocoldcorporat
ewit
hpeopl ewhodo
anythi
ngtogetahead.That'
swhyI'm soafrai
dfor
you"Ot
huhel
dherhands.
Othu:"
SoCr ai
gwilll
eavemebecauseIchanged
career
s?"Yandishookherheadqui
ckl
y.
Yandi:"No!I
t'sjusthemightnotli
kethel
atenightsI
hearpeopleincor por
atehavesincehe'
susedt o
fi
ndingyouhomeatacer t
aint
ime.Maybet he
changewi l
ljustbeabi tr
ockybeforei
tbecomes
smoot h"
Othu:"Butevent
ornadoespassr
ight
?"sheneeded
cert
ainty.
Yandi
:"Butt
heyleaveawreckbehi
ndoncet hey
moveon"shehatedbeingtheonetorainonOthu'
s
newcareerpat
hbutasaf r
iendshejusthadto.
Othu:"Butwouldn'
tyouhaveseent heKumkani
Constructi
onbuil
dingi nthedream t
oot oshowi t
wasbr oughti
nbyi t?"YandialwayslovedOt hu's
perspecti
vewhenshef oundithardtointerprether
owndr eams.Butifithadnot hi
ngtodowi t
hOt hu
goingintocorpor
atet henitwasaper sonalattackat
herfri
end'shomeandt hatmadeYandievenmor e
afr
aid.
Yandi
:"Iguessyou'
vegotapoi
nt"shesai
daf
tera
whil
e.
Othu:"
SoImustpr epar
eforwaronthehomefront?
Doyout hi
nkCrai
gwoul dhaveanaf
fai
r?"Yandi'
s
eyeswidened.
Yandi
:"Whywoul
dyourmi
ndgost
rai
ghtt
o
somethi
ngli
ket
hat?
"
Othu:"
He'
sstrangel
atel
y,Ave.Hesnapsatallofus
andhehasthesedri
veshemustt aketocl
earhis
mindofwhoknowswhat .Doyout hi
nkIshould
haveBhut
iask?"
Yandi:"Youknowyourbr otherwon' task.Hewi l
ldig
unti
lheget stowhat'sbot heri
ngCr aigwi t
houtCr ai
g
evenhintingandifit
'sbadBabi nimi ghtactfrom
angerbecauseyouknowhowover protecti
vehei s
ofyou"Ot hubrushedherf aceandnodded" Maybe
i
t'
sal it
tlemidli
fecri
sisthathasnot hingtodowi t
h
anotherwoman.Orhe' splanningasur pri
sef oryou.
Youknowhowbadt heyar eatit"t
heybot hlaughed.
Yandihear dsomebabycr iesoverthemoni torand
Othuwast hefi
rstt
ogochecki nt henephewsand
niecewhower esti
llnameless.Nonoft henames
suggest edweregoodenoughf orthei
rparentsso
they'
dr emainnamel essforawhi l
eOt huassumed"I
knewt hiswholetraini
ngthingwasj ustafrontt
o
comeseet hosethree"sheshoutedandhear dOthu
l
augh.Ot huhel
pedYandichanget hem andthen
shegott obot
tl
efeedoneoft heboys.
Othu:"
Gir
l,youmusthavemilkf
ordays"shesai
das
sheheldt
hebottl
eandf el
thowstr
onghernephew
suckedonit.
Yandi:"
Soyest
erdayMamai swashingprincess
ZweniandIhearhercal
lmynamei nsuchawayI
thoughtsomet
hinghadhappenedtomypoorbaby
andguesswhatIfindwhenIwalki
n? "shelookedat
Othu.
Ot
hu:"
Aspi
der
?"shesai
dqui
ckl
y.
Yandi:"Li
tt
lemisswasl it
erall
ywal ki
nginthewater,
fr
iend"Othulookedatherni ece"Mamawashol di
ng
herupperbodyandt hoselegswer emovingforwar
d
al
lbyt hemselves"Othucouldn'tbeli
eveitsoYandi
showedhert heclipshemanagedt oget.
Othu:"Iswearbabi
eswillsoonbeborntalki
ng.
Haibomi ssZweni,what
'stherush,
gir
l?"shelooked
atherniecewhowasenj oyingherf
eedhavingno
careintheworld.
Yandi:"
Igoogl
editandIthi
nkit'
srefl
exes.Tat
akhe
saysthatshet
akesafterhi
m butIthi
nkitwon't
happenagain"
Othu:"Wel
lmaybeshedoest akeafterdaddybut
onlyti
mewi l
ltell
..Youlooksocontent"shesmil
ed
atYandiwhocl osedhereyeswhi l
ebreathi
ngin
deeplywit
hasmi leonherface.
Yandi
:"Ifeelal
ive.Li
keIwasbor ntobeawi f
etoa
wonderfulmanandamot hert
ot heset
hree.How
l
ongdidyouwai tunt
ilyoudi
d..
.youknowthe
deed?
"Ot hulaughed.
Othu:"
Doyouhaveani t
chal ready"shel aughed
moreandYandiblushed"Wel lI
'm sureyourdoctor
gaveyouthe8weekspoi nttoobutr eall
yitdepends
onyourbodyandhowyouf eelinside.Ij
umped
Crai
gthedayaftert
he8weekswasover "sheput
herhandoverhereyesfeel
ingshyandYandi
l
aughed" I
twassoawkwar d.Hef orgotthatI
breast
fedsoguyt akesthebraof fafterItoldhim
nottoandwhenhesqueezedt heboobi esmi l
kwent
i
ntohiseye"theylaughedsomuch" Moment swe
l
ookbackonandl aughaboutnow.Soal lI'
l
lsayis
l
aughatyour sel
vesbutdon'tletchildrenkillt
hat
magic.Chulusaidthat
'swhyI mangebr okeupwi t
h
herbecausehef el
tlef
tout"sheshookherhead.
Yandi:"Heisnotherhusband.Ir eallyam
disappoint
edatt heboyf orjustleavingour
stunningChul uaf t
erhewast heonewhobegged
hertonott erminate.I'
m gladshedi dn'tbutone
wouldhavet houghthe'dst i
cki tout"Chul u'sstor
y
remindedherofEl ihl
e'
sbutEl ihlefoundher selfa
greatguywhowasapar amedi candheadopt ed
Mbasaashi ssoYandihadhopet hatsomeday
Chuluwoul dmeetani ceyoungmant oo." SoMama
wasr i
ghtthen.I nthemi stoft hebabyj oysmommy
fi
ndsher selfin,shemustf indt i
mef ordaddy"she
l
ookedatOt huwhowasnoddi ng.
Othu:"
Andtheysometi
mest heydon'
tevenwant
sex,f
ri
end.Theyj
ustwantyoutosometimessi
t
wit
ht hem ont hecouchcuddl i
ngwhi lebabyi s
asl
eep"shesmi l
ed"Butsexi simpor tanttoobut
onceyou' vehealedandf eelgoodyeah? "Yandi
nodded.I fonlyPoppywast heretohearwhatt hey
tal
kaboutwhent heyaret ogether,she'df eelbadfor
gossipingaboutt hem int heirabsence.Ot huand
Yandimadeachoi cetokeept heirdistancef r
om
Lucia,they'ddothesamewi thPoppybutshewas
familysot heywer estuckwi thher .Neitherofthem
fel
ttheyneededot herfri
endsast heirf r
iendship
hadal lthevaluesofat ruef ri
endship.
Hour saft
erOthuleftCrai
gknockedhar donthe
Zwenidoorandcr ackedupl aughingwhenhef ound
Babiniwithagreywr apwhichhel dallt
hreeofhi
s
l
it
tleonesonhi sbroadchest .Babiniwait
edfor
Craigtofi
nishlaughingbeforehest oodasidet
olet
hi
mi n.
Cr
aig:"
What
'st
hat
?"hepoi
ntedt
othewr
ap.
Babini:"Somethi
ngIfoundont heint
ernettomakei
t
easierformet okangarooTata'
ssweetheartand
Tata'sbuddies"hesaidconf
identl
ywhilelooki
ngat
hischildren.
Crai
g:"I'
m al
lfordaddi
esdoi ngtheirbitbutyouare
notthetypeofmanIpi ct
ur eddoingthis.Iexpect
ed
tofi
ndYandihandl i
ngthreecryi
ngbabi eswhil
e
cookingandyouwer eont hecouchr eadingapaper
tel
li
nghertonotf or
getyourbeer"hej oked.
Babini
:"Wellsorr
yt odi
sappointyou,Knight.My
wif
ecarriedthesethreeforoversevenmont hsand
nowshehasar awwoundbecauseofi t.TheleastI
candoiscar rymybabi eswhil
eIlethersleep
damn"heshookhi shead.
Crai
g:"Don'
tdamnme.Ar ethebabiesevenokayi
n
ther
e?"hestoodonhist
oest ocheckthatnobaby
wasont opoftheot
herbutfoundthem very
comfortabl
eandsoundasleep.
Babini
:"Youhappy? "heheldouthi smiddlefi
nger
andCraiglaughedandnodded." Youandyourwi f
e
wouldsavei nfueli
fyouj ustdri
veheretogether
"he
l
edthewayt otheli
vingroom andgent l
ysatdown.
Helaidbacksot hetripl
etswoul dbecomf or
tabl
eon
hi
schest .Theyweregr owingandhewasst il
l
i
ntri
guedbyhowf asthispr i
ncesswasr eachi
ng
mil
estones.Craigputonsomet hingi
ntheTVset
andsoonOthu'sl
abourshowed.I
twassogr aphic
thati
tshowedtheent
ir
eprocedur
ebutneitherof
themenwer edi
sgust
edbythemut i
lat
ionandblood.
Craig:"See?Hesti
tchedherri
ghtupaft
erthe
secondonecame.Ther ewasnochanceinhellt
hat
he'ddot hatwhi
leshehadanotherbabyinther
e"he
want edtoprovetoBabinit
hathi
simaginat
ionwas
playingtri
cksonhim butBabi
nidi
smissedthat
thoughtlongago.
Babi
ni:"
Iact
uall
yletthatgobutIseet
hatIgotyou
al
lworri
edaboutit
.I'
m sorry,
man.Sowhotookthe
vi
deobecausecanclearlyseeyouwer
en'
ttheone?"
hepoi
ntedatthescreen.
Crai
g:"Anoffdutynursewaskindenought o.Had
togolookforthi
sinplacesyoudon'twannaknow
andno, noedi
tsweredoneoni t.It
ooki
tfrom her
assoonasi twasallover
"Babinifr
ownedwhi l
e
noddi
ng.
Babini:"
Didn'
tmeant omakeyouwor r
yandt he
creditwegiveFl
inchisn'
tevenhal
fofhisreal
achievementssoIjusthadtobesure"Crai
g
under
stoodandwasgr
atef
ulf
ort
hecar
ehe
showed.
Craig:"
Iwat chedthi
soverandovert omakesure
thatImi ssednothi
ng.Ican'tdealwi
thFli
nch'
ssi
ck
shitatthemoment ,
Ijustfucki
ngcan't
"heputhi
s
feetupandl aidbackont hecouch.
Babini
:"Don'tcomecr yher ewhenweal readyhave
thr
eebabies.Justspeakl iket hemanyouar esowe
cansortwhat evert hehel
li tisthat'
sbotheri
ngyou"
healsostraightnedsohecoul dlayonhisback.He
keptcheckingi fhisbundleswer eokayandsmi l
ed
whenhesawt heywer eper fect."Knight
,areyou
havi
nganaf fair,
man? "heaskedaf terawhile.Crai
g
satupimmedi ately.
Craig:"
Andl etmeguess.I fIam you' dputabulleti
n
myskul l"Babinidi
dn'twantt osayitbuthewas
gladCraigcaughton" IdonotevenknowwhyI
fuckingthoughtIcouldbef riendswi t
hmywi fe's
brother.I'
m nothavingaf uckingaffai
randdar enot
tailmet ogetintomydamnbusi ness,Zweni
becauseyouar en'
ttheonlyonewhocanputbul let
s
throughskulls"Babinilai
dwi thhiseyesclosed
l
isteni
ngt oCraiggettingallworkedupandheknew
somet hingwasupbutt hequest i
onheasked
himselfwaswhet herhemustf indouthi
mself
seeingasCr ai
gwoul dn'
ttell
him."Youknowwhat?
I'
m out"Babiniheardt hel
oudf ootst
epsbefor
ehe
heardt hedoorslam.
Yandi:"Zweni
,pleasedon'tgetallupinhis
business"heturnedhisheadt olookatherbef ore
shewal kedovertositonthesmal lspaceleftont he
couch."Baby,Othuisagr ownwoman.Wai tforher
orCraigtocomeaskf orhel
p.Ihonest l
ydon'twant
thi
sbondweal lhavetojustturnint
or esentment.A
thi
rdpar t
yinamar ri
agedest r
oys"hel ookedather
foralongwhilewi t
houtsayinganything.
Babini
:"Youbeti tdoesi
fit
'saloverorasecretlove
chi
ldbutIwi llnotdoanyt
hinguntilI
'
m askedthen"
hepromi sed.Thedoorbel
lrangandt heyknewthat
i
twasOt hu" Iswearthosetwolivepasteachother
now"heshookhi sheadbeforeOthuwal kedi
n.
Othu:"
Am Ii
nter
rupti
ng?Bhutiyoudi
dsayImust
ret
urnaft
erworkri
ght?"shel
ookedathi
m.
Yandi:" Hedi d,fri
end"shesmi l
edbef oreexcusi ng
herself.BabiniandOt hugotdownt olessonnumber
oneandaf terhegonet hroughKC' sfil
eshe
educat edherspeci f
ical
lyont hebusi nesst here
seeingasshehadt hegener altheoryof
constructionf rom herstudiesyear sago.Ot hu
couldn'tbelievet hatshesatandl i
stenedt ohi mt al
k
aboutKCwhenKumkanioncet ri
edt of or
cehert o.
Shet ooki nasmuchasshepossi blycould.They
spendaboutt hreehoursjustgoi ngt hroughbasi cs.
MaDudumashehadevenst art
edt opr eparedinner
yetOt huwasst i
llgl
uedtoBabi ni'sever ywor d.He
justscannedt hroughKC' sdocument soncebutwas
abletogi vehert heinsandout sasi fhesatbehi nd
adeskdai l
y.
Babi
ni:"Anot
herthi
ng.You'
llbeshadowi
ngaclient
ofminewhohasabi gconstruct
ionbusi
ness.When
sheheardyou'r
eawomanshewaskeent oteach
anot
herwomant ogoint
othemal edomi
nati
ng
i
ndustry"hel
ookedather.
Othu:"Wil
lthatbenecessar
y,Bhut
i?"shef
elther
sel
f
feelner
vousalready.
Babini:"Di
dyouknowhowt odr ivebyj ustr
eading
theK53, si
si?
"helookedatherandsheshookher
head" Samegoesher e,
you'
llneedpr acti
cal
experi
encesoyou'regoingthereifyou'reseri
ous
verythis"headded.
Othu:"
Yes, sir
"shelaughedathowser i
oushewas.
Hewoul dhavel edKCunt iltheyhadof f
icesal lover
theconti
nentOt husatandt houghtt oherselfwhi l
e
sheli
stenedt ohim.SoonOt hustartedt oask
questi
onsandcor r
ecthimi nsomei nstanceswher e
hedeli
beratelygavehert hewr ongi nformationand
hesmi l
edtohi mself.Heknewi twoul dbeapi eceof
cakeforherbutt herealwor kisactual l
ygettingher
handsdirt
yandt hespothegotheratSi yakha
Constr
uctionwoul dbuildupherbusi nesschar act
er
soshe'dbeabl etohandl ethosemenwhost il
lt hi
nk
womendon' tbel
ongi ntheboar droom.
Crai
gwenttothehotelroom whenVivi
ca
summonedhi mli
keal i
ttl
elapdogt
oitsmaster
.She
wassuretochooseoneofCapeTown' smostcostl
y
accomodati
ontooandhej usthadtopaythebi
llof
f
whenhearri
ved.
Craig:"Mywi
feandchil
drenar
ewait
ingformeso
getonwi t
hwhatyoucall
edmeherefor"hesai
dst
il
l
standingbyt
hedoor.
Vivi
ca:"
Youareat er
ri
blepolygami
st.Don'
tyou
knowyoumustt aketur
nsvisiti
ngourbeds,
darl
ing?
"shegavehim afli
rt
ysmi l
e.
Crai
g:"
Dammit,
Vi vi
caI
'
m nother
etopl
ayf
ucki
ng
games!
"heshouted.
Vivica:"TheKni ghtri
dert hatIknowandl ove.
Rough"shebi therbot tom li
pwhi l
elookingatt he
frontofhi spant s."Wel lyoucamej ustasIwas
aboutt ot akeashowersoi t'
supt oyoui fyou'l
l
standt herelikeast atueori fyouwantmet oremind
youofwhatabadgi rlIam"shedr oppedhergown
tothef loorreveal i
nghernudi tyandCr aigfora
secondact uallylookedathersmoot hnakedness.
"I'
m sureaf terfourkidsmysi sterwife'
sbodyno
l
ongerdoesi tforyou"shepar adedt owher ehe
stood.Shet houghtt hatOt huhadgi venbirthtoall
thechi l
dreni ntheirhouse.
Cr
aig:"
She'
sgotamazi
nggenessodon'
tyouwor
ry
aboutherbody.Youar etheonewhol ooksl i
ke
she'shadf ourbabies.Oldageiscat chingup"he
wentt opi ckhergownupandf orcedheri nt
oit"You
didsayyoul ikedtheroughmesodon' tfucki
nglook
l
ikeIj uststoleyouricecream bymaki ngyoucover
yourbody.Di dyout hi
nkIcameher etof uckyou?"
hel aughedsar casti
call
yandsheyankedherar m
outofhi sgr i
pbef orepushinghim buthedi dn't
moveonebi t"Si
nceyouknowt heol dmesowel l
youknownott omesswi thme.I'vewor kedfarto
har dinbui l
dingmyf amilyforyout ocomeand
wr eckit.Nowsi tyourfuckingsquar eassdownand
tellmewhatt hefuckyouwantf rom me"hewentt o
sitdownandwat chedherpost ponehershowert o
joinhim.
Vivi
ca:"
Youthi
nkyouholdallthecar
d, don'
tyou?
Onecallandt
hatpreci
ousfamilyi
sdonef orbut
si
nceIstandtogai
nmor ebykeepingquiet,
I'
llt
ell
youwhatIwant.Iwantamill
iondoll
ars"shesaid
boldl
y.
Crai
g:"Youmustbeoutofyourfucki
ngmind.That
's
about14mil
li
onrandgiveortake"hel
ookedather
.
Vivi
ca:"
ThenI
'
llt
ellherandyou'l
lwatchherwave
goodbyeandt
akeyourkidswith"shesai
dwith
cert
aint
y.
Craig:"
I'
llt
akemychances"hest
ood.Hisphone
musthaver angaboutf
ivet
imesbutheignor
editas
hewant edtomakeitcl
eartoVi
vicat
hatshe'
snot
goingtogetanythi
ngfr
om him.
Vivica:"Iagreemaybeshe' l
lbel enienti fyousi ther
downandexpl ainbutt hesecondyougooutoft hat
doorIcal landt ellherandIevent hrowi nsome
steamyf uckingjustt omaket henewsmor espi cy.
Doyout hinkshewon' tbeli
evemewhenIt ellher
yousl eptwi thmewhenyouwer eabl et ohideme
forthef ourteenyear sofmar r
iage? "shegavea
vict
or ylaughandwat chhi mlookast houghhe
couldst rangleher ."Paymemydamnmoneyand
becauseIst il
lenjoyt hecityI'
l
lgi veyout woweeks
togetmymoneyt ogetherandi fyoudon' tt
hanI '
ll
addmor e"shesai dcasual l
y.Cr ai
ggotr emi ndedof
oneoft her easonshest oppedchasi ngwomen
becauseusual lywomenwhohadnot hi
ngt ol ose
l
ikeVi vi
cawer ewhathef el
tfi
lledt hest reetsready
forapreytheycoul dfeaston.Hefeltl
ikeapr eyand
shemadesur eshelethim knowwhot hepr edictor
wasbet weenthem.Af t
erhelef
therroom fumi nghe
foundhimselfont opofanotherbuil
dingwithhi s
gunpointi
ngr i
ghtatVi vi
ca'
sheadasshesat
outsi
deherr oom bulcony.Oneshotwoul dsilence
herbigmout hforever.Hisfi
ngerwasont het ri
gger
ashekeptt heperfectaim wonderi
ngifheshoul d
gothroughwi t
hit.
Othuhavi ngcal ledr oadsideassistanceandbei ng
tol
dt heywoul dcomeaf t
er50mi nutesduet oa
seri
oust r
uckacci dentstoodbyt hesi deoft heroad
withaf l
atti
re.Shecal l
edCr ai
gsomanyt i
mesbut
attheendheswi tchedhisphoneof fal ltogether.
Shef eltshet ookupenoughofBabi ni'st i
met owant
tobot herhim agai nsoshewai tedf orr oadside
assistancef eeli
ngscar edassher eadabouta
hij
acki ngnotsol ongago.Whenabl ackcarpul l
ed
overrightinf rontofher sshef elthersel fget
nervousandmadesur ethedoor swer elocked.I n
thatmomentshewi shedshehadCr aig'sgun.I t
wasal mostdar kandnocarpassedt her oadsoshe
knewt hatt
hingscoul
dgougly.Sheneverf
eltso
reli
evedtoseeBrianDambuzainherl
if
e.She
steppedoutofthecarandhesmiledwhenhesaw
her.
Bri
an:"Onewouldthi
nkindependentwomencould
doeveryt
hingthewayyoubunchgoon"hel aughed
whil
einspect
inghert
ire.
Othu:"
Hell
otoyoutoo,Bri
an.OhI '
mfi
neandIhope
youaretoo"shesai
dsarcast
ical
ly.
Bri
an:"
Don'tmakemegetbacki
ntomycar,
Mampinga.Iwil
ldri
veof
fandl
eaveyouher
e"he
poi
ntedtohiscar
.
Ot
hu:"Thatwoul
dn'
tshockmeonebitact
uall
y"she
wentt
oopenherbootsohe'
dtaket
hespar e.
Brian:"Iwasj oki
ng.DamndoIl ookl i
keamanwho
woul dleaveawomanatni ghtalonewi t
haburst
ti
re?"Ot hunodded" Ouch!"hel aughed" Comeletme
showyouhowat i
reischangedsoyou' dneverhave
towai tonamant osaveyouagai n.I'
m sur
eevery
feministcelli
nyoui sscreami ngr ightnow"he
rol
ledt hesleevesofhisshi r
tup.
Othu:"Notallindependentwomenar efemini
sts.I
don'tmindamanget t
inghishandsdi r
tyinmy
honoractually.Ij
ustdidn'tpi
ctur
eyout obesucha
man"hel ookedatherbef orecontinui
ngwi t
hthe
ti
re.Hecheckedherbootandwhenhegotwhathe
neededthetirewasr eplacedinnot i
me.
Bri
an:"Ihopet hatyousawal lofthatbecauseit
's
thelastt
imeIgetoneofmysui tsdirt
yforyou"he
smiled"PlusIfeelusedchangingat ireforanot
her
man' swif
eyethei stheonewhowi llholdheraft
er
thi
s"Othuf el
therselfgetsi
ckashest oodupand
shehopedhewasf i
nished.
Othu:"
Thankyou,
MrDambuza."sheshookhi
s
head.
Bri
an:"Thankmewi t
hacoffee.Aninnocentoneof
coursebecauseI'
m someone'
sfiance"Othu
suddenlyfel
tsor
ryfort
hepoorwoman.
Othu:"Congr
atul
ati
onsbutIcan'
tgoforcof
feewit
h
you.I'
m notonetobefri
endswit
hmenwhoar e
knownt otr
ythei
rluckwit
heverywoman"
Br
ian:"
Soyourhusbandi
sn'
toneoft
hose?
"Ot
hu
shookherheadconf
identl
y"Soyourmar
ri
agei
s
perf
ect
?"heaskedmor e.
Ot
hu:"
Notper
fectbuti
t'
sgood.I
'
d
r
eal
lyl
iket
ogetgoi
ngsoi
fever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.
..
"
Bri
an:"
Ibetyoucal
ledhi
m whenyourt
irebur
styet
I
'mtheonestandi
nginfr
ontofyou"Ot
hulookedto
thebl
ackbutt
onsonhisshi
rt
.
Othu:"He'
sactual
lyoutoftownsoIdi dn'
tbother
call
inghim.St
opactingasifyouhavemyl i
fe
fi
guredout.Ar
eyouf ini
shed?"shel
ied.
Bri
an:"
Notyet"hekneltdownagai
n."Soyou'
dnever
dat
eamar r
iedman? "heaskedunexpect
edl
y.
Othu:"
I'
m evenof
fendedbythequest
ion.Idon't
datemarri
edmen,neverhaveandneverwil
l.Ihave
ahusbandwhom I'
m veryhappywit
h"sheassur ed
hi
m.
Bri
an:"I
fyousayso.NowI '
m done"hest oodupand
fi
xedthesleevesofhi
sshir
t."Wellsi
nceyoudon't
sl
eepwithmar ri
edmenandI '
m practi
call
yone
al
ready,Iguessacoff
eeisreall
yabadi dea
t
hen.
Seeyouar
ound"hest
art
edwal
kingt
ohi
scar
.
Ot
hu:"
Thanks"sheshout
edbehi
ndhi
m.
Bri
an:"I
twasn'
tapleasur
esoyou'r
enotwelcome"
hesaidwit
hagrinonhisfacebef
oreget
ti
nginto
hi
scaranddrivi
ngoff.
Othu:"Whatabum"shesai dt oher sel
fbef
oreshe
drovehome.Thatbum mi ghtbef ullofhi
mselfbut
hehelpedheral ot.Sheandt heki dsatewit
hout
Craigashewasn' thomei nti
mef ordinner
.They
evenwentt obedwi thouthim bei nghomeandOt hu
start
edtowor r
y.Hewal kedinj ustasshewas
abouttoleavehim anothervoi cemessage.
Ot
hu:"
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
"sheaskedcal
mly.
Craig:"Acli
enthadapr obl
em wit
honeofmy
systemsaf teritdi
dn'tdothejobi
twassupposedt o
whenabur glartri
edtoenter"het
houghtofaqui ck
l
ie.Afterai
mi ngatVi vi
cahecouldnotpullt
he
tri
gger.Evenassni perheneversil
encedthe
i
nnocentandasbadasVi vi
cawashef el
thehadt o
takeresponsibili
tyfori
ttoo.HadhetoldOthufrom
thebeginning,hewoul dhavebeenlaughi
ngi n
Vivi
ca'
sfacewhenshethr
eantedtotel
lOt
huyet
shehadthelastl
augh,
amill
iondoll
arl
augh.
Othu:"Didi
tgetsorted?"Craignodded" I
'
m gladit
did.Igotaflatt
ir
etodayandofal lpeopleBr i
an
camet ohelp.Thatonei ssomethingelse.Canyou
beli
evehetriedtomakemehaveanaf fairwithhi
m
i
nsomesubt leway,baby?"shewr appedherar ms
aroundhisshoulders."Themanwasnoteven
ashamedt oaskifI'
lleversleepwithamar ri
edman"
Craigtookherarmsof fashef el
thimselffeelhot
.
Cr
aig:"
Whatdi
dyousay?
"
Othu:"
No,
that
'sjustgr
oss.Ican'
tbel
ieveyou'
re
aski
ngmethattoo"
Crai
g:"I
'm sor
rybutsomet
imesbaby,aperson
meetstheloveofhisl
if
ewhil
emar r
iedt
oa
headacheofaperson.Whatt
hen?"Hestoodoffhi
s
Tshir
t.
Othu:"Thenthepersondealswiththeheadache
fi
rstbeforei
nvol
vingtheloveofhisl i
fei
nsuch.
I
magi nedatingamanwhodi dn'tt
ellyouthatheis
mar r
iedonlytof
indoutyou'rethesidechick.I'
d
kicksuchamani nt hebal l
sandl eavehi m.Ther e
arewomenwhoact uallydon' tmi ndbei ngnumber
twobuti t
'sbestthemanbeupf rontwi ththem.I ,
Othunyi weyoZweniwi llneveragr eet obeasi de
chickandi fyouwer emar r
iedanddi dn'ttel
lme
whi l
ewewer edatingandIf oundoutI 'dhavehat ed
youf orever"Craigf elthishear tsink."Igett hewhole
thingwher eyoumeetsomeonewhi l
ewi thanother
butinr espectoft heper sont oclaimt ol ovepeople
mustf irstcleanupt heirgar bageandt henmoveon"
shet ookhi sshir
tandt hr ewi ti
nt helaundr ybasket.
Crai
g:"
Letmegoshower
"hesai
daf
tert
aki
nghi
s
pant
soff.
Othu:"
CanIjoinyou?"shestoodonthebedbef
ore
shegentl
ythrewherselfi
ntohisar
msandkissi
ng
him.
Cr
aig:"
I'
mt i
red,
O"hesaidaft
erbreaki
ngt
heki
ss.
Hecouldseeshe'sdi
sappoi
nted.
Othu:"Imi
ssyou,Cr
aig.OnewouldswearI
'
mt he
newmommyasyouhaven' tt
ouchedmesincethe
tr
ipl
etswerebor
n"shesaidsoft
ly.
Crai
g:"I'
vegot t
enani nfl
uxofcl ientssoI'vebeen
busy.Imi ssyout oobutmybodycanonl ytakeso
much"heki ssedherbef oreput ti
ngheront hebed.
Othuheldont ohim anddi dn' tall
owhi mtowi thdraw
becausesheneededt ofeel him closeaft
erweeks
ofneglect.Oncehef el ti
twasenoughhepeel ed
himselffr
om herandapol ogi zedbef or
egoi nginto
thebathroom toshower .Craig'shandswer ei nti
ght
fi
stsashef eltthewat erflowoverhi sbody.Hef elt
guil
tywheneverhet ouchedhi swife,hisrealwife
becausedeepdownhef eltl
ikeacheat er
.Hewas
hopingtof i
ndOt huasl eepaf terhemadesur eto
spendaf ewext rami nutesint heshower .
Othu:"I
'l
lbewor kingatSiyakhaConst ructi
onsoon.
BhutBabi nihookedmeupwi thsomepr acti
cal
experi
ence.Igoogl edLerat
oDi nal
ediwhoi s
shareholderandCEO.She' ssoamazi ng,baby.
She'samom, wifeandbusi nesswoman.Iswear
somewomendoi tal
l"shesaidasshewant edto
tel
lhim aboutherday.Shewentonaboutherday
withBabinibutCr ai
g'smindwast ryingtofigureout
wherehe' dfi
ndt hemoneyt opayVi vicawithout
Othunot ici
ng.Hedi dn'twantt obet heki ndofboss
tosinkhi sownbusi nessbyst ealing.WhenOt hu
saidshe' dkickamanwhodi dn'tt ellherhewas
mar ri
edal r
eadyandt henl eavehi m Cr aigdeci dedto
giveintoVi vi
ca'sdemands.Heal sof earedBabi ni'
s
curiousityandover protectivenessofOt hu.He
hopedhi sbr otherinlawhear dhi m whenhesai dhe
didn'twanthi mi nhisbusi ness." Cr aig!"shecal l
ed
outwhi lewavingapi l
lowi nhi sf aceandCr ai
g
snappedoutofhi sthought st olookathi swife.He
tookamomentt ojustlookathercl eanf aceand
afteralltheyearsshel ookedast houghshewas
stil
lthe26yearol dvirginher euni tedwi th.Hewas
ont hebedsoonaf t
erandl ookedather .
Craig:"
Thankyoufort
hebeauti
fulhomeyou'
ve
helpedmebuild"Ot
hulookeddownandsmiled
beforeshehel
dhischintoki
sshim.
Ot
hu:"
Iwoul
dn'
thavedonei
twi
thanyoneel
se"
Craig:"
AndIpr omiseI
'
lldoanythingtokeepus
i
ntactevenifitmeansusingmet hodsthatar
e
drasti
c"hepromisedandOthu'ssmi l
efadedas
concerncreptin.
Othu:"Baby,you'dsayifyouhadsomet er
mi nal
deceaseright?"Idon'twantyoutaki
ngshortcutsto
getri
dofsomevi rusjustbecauseyouwereafrai
d
totel
lmewhenpr operprocedur
esaret
herethatwe
canfollowtogether"
Craig:"I
'
m notil
l"shenodded." Yousoundsor eady
forthisnewventure.Iknowyou' l
lki
ckas.I '
m proud
ofyou.Iwillcel
ebratewithyousoonbutl etmedeal
withthecli
entswhoar egivingmehel lthenI'
llbeall
yoursandonl yyours,Ipr
omi se"hekissedher
forehead.
Othu:"Iknowyou'vegotwhat everyourbusinessi
s
goingthroughasyoudi dwhenyouguyshada
fi
nancialdipbuttalktomeCraig.Imi ghtnot
understandcert
aint hi
ngsbutIlist
enandIgo
resear
chsoI '
dhel pyousolvewhat ever"
Craig:"AndI '
m aluckyman"heki ssedherand
whenhef eltherexplorehisnakedupperbodyhe
playedt hetir
edcardagai n.Hewantedhersobadly
buttheexper iencewoul dbespoil
edbythatrandom
thoughtofhi ssecret.Hewasn'tevensureifhi
s
mar ri
aget oOt huwasval i
daccordi
ngtoSAl aws.
Whatmessedhi m upmor eisherfi
ndi
ngoutthat
i
t'snotvalidandthataftergivi
nghim al
mostfif
teen
yearsofherlifeandbeaut if
ulchi
ldr
en.Heknew
she'dneverforgi
vehim becauset hatwoul
d
technical
lymeanshewasnot hi
ngbutaglori
fi
ed
sidechick.Hewasgl adt hatshe'
dbebusywi t
h
businesswhi l
ehesor t
edouthi smess.Amesshe
prayedwoul dnothitt
hef anandscat t
eral
loverhis
family.
S2-
INSERT29
Poppy:" Soshewasn' thappywithbeingthe
favourit
eatf amil
ygatheringsbutshehadt ocome
charm herwayi ntoKCt oo"shesaidassheputher
suiton.Mzuhadj ustgottenhomef r
om nightshif
t
andhewi shedhe'dstayedatwor kunti
lafterPoppy
hasleft."I
'vegotadegr eeinconstr
ucti
onsoI 'm
quali
f i
edtobeher e"shesai dwi
thatti
tudewhi l
e
mimi ckingOthu.
Mzu:"Thisistheper
fectoppor
tuni
tyf
oryout woto
worktogetherandprot
ectthecompanyyourfather
workedsohar dtobuil
d.Can'
tyouseethatthe
Dambuzamenar epushingyouguysaside,
Somi
la?"Poppygavehim acol
dst
aresohel
if
ted
hi
shandsupi nsur
render
.
Poppy:"
Bri
anDambuzaputastopt
othatst
ri
keso
cl
earl
ythewor
ker
shaveconfi
denceinhi
m"
Mzu:" MenlikeKumkaniandDambuzaSnrval ue
power ,Mil
a.TheKi ngbeinggonegivest
he
Dambuzamenenought omanipul
ateyouguysout.
I'
vewat chedsuchmovi eswhereit
'syouversus
them.Youhaveyoursi st
ernowsoyoucanf i
ght
againstthem together
"hepull
edthecoveroverhis
bodyashewant edtocatchuponsleep.
Poppy:"
Thisisreall
if
e.Noit'
sOthunyiweyoagainst
Poppythat'
swhat'sgoingon.Noweveryonehas
beenimpressedwithheratworksinceshestar
ted
sayi
ngthatshewast hefemaleversi
onofKumkani "
shesnappedandMzuf el
thisheadachestar
t.
Mzu:"I
sOt
hudoi
ngherwor
k?"Poppynodded"
Is
shedoi
ngi
tpr
operl
y?"
Poppy:"
Tooproper
lyact
ual
ly.Shewantseveryone
tothi
nkshe'
ssmartwheninactualf
actBabinii
sthe
brai
nbehindher
"shebuckl
edhershoestraps.
Mzu:"She'
she'sdamnpr oxy,
Poppy!
"hebl
urt
edout
.
Hehardlycal
ledherPoppysoPoppyknewhehad
enough.
Poppy:"
Sincewhendoyouusewor ld'
ssuchas
'
damn'?shesatbyhi sside"You'vebecomebuddy
buddywithBabiniandCr ai
gtoomuch.Doyou
knowthatthei
rpastsinsultourChri
sti
anval
ues?"
Mzu:" Ialsoknowt hoseChr istianvaluesar ewhat
taughtmet onotj udgeot her swhi leI'
m notper fect
mysel f.I
'm goi ngt ocont i
nuebei ngf r
iendswi t
h
them.I nfactI '
m expect ingt hem t hisafternoonand
youwi llnotchoosef ri
endsf orme.I fyouar edone
compl ainingaboutyourni cel i
feproblems, letme
sleep!"heshout edl eavi
ngherr athershocked." One
ofmysubor dinat eshur thi sf ootwhenst eelfellonit
soI '
m wor riedsi ckbutt ohel lwi t
hMzusakhe' sj ob
becausei t'snotasgr eatasPoppy' s.Shehas
sharesandcr iesoverwor kingwi thhersi ster.Leave
mewi thmyREALwor kprobl emsandgoandcause
chaosel sewher e.I t
'syourmostusedt r
ait"hepul led
thecover soverhi sbodyandhear dherl eavet he
room.Af t
eraheavyshi ftandbei ngmangerwasnot
easysohedi
dn'
twantt
odealwi
thi
tal
l.
Brianthrewaf il
eont opofOt hu'swor kst at i
on.
Afterspendi ngcl oset oamont hatSi yakha
Construct i
onOt huf eltherselffeelconf identi nt he
fi
rstweekofof ficialwor katKC.Shedi dn' texpect
anexecut i
veposi tionsoshewasn' tdi sappoi nted
whenshewast oldshehadt opr oveher sel ffir
st.
Craigmi ssedhi st woweeksdeadl i
net opayVi vica
becauset r
uthfullyhedi dn'thavet hatamountof
money.ButVi vwas" kind"enought ogi vehi m an
extensionbuthest il
lhadt opayherbi llfort he
accommodat i
onandhedi di twi t
hhi sbusi ness
cardbecauseOt huwoul dpicki tupi nst ant lyhadit
beenf r
om t heirper sonalaccount .Het riedbyal l
meanst oactl i
kehi snor malsel fandsi ncenoone
hascompl ainedabouthi sof fi
shbehavi ourast hey
didbefor ehef elthewassucceedi ngi nact ing.Othu
gotstartledwhenBr iandr oppedaf i
lehar donher
desk.Shest oodupt otellhimt hatshedi dn't
appreciatehi m doingso.
Bri
an:"
Youtol
dtheworker
st ogobackonhisi
nit
ial
14monthsbui
ldi
ngest
imationwhenthecl
ient
clearlyaskedust opushf or12? "hewasf uming.
Aftertalki
ngt oBabi niaboutt heapar tmentbuil
ding
projecttheydecidedi twoul dbebestt hattheyli
sten
tothosewhowor konsi t
eever ydaywhi letheysatin
offi
ceswi thairconandcoolspr ingwat er
."Youeven
wentasf arasusi ngtheZweninamet othrowyour
weightar ound.Iam t heCEOf orgodsake!What
makesyout hi
nkt hatyoucangi vemywor kerssuch
ani nstr
uct i
onandover ri
demydeci si
onasyour
senior?"hepoi ntedathi mself.Ot hulookedathimi n
disgustbecauseshel i
terall
ysawl i
ttl
esali
va
shower sashespoke.Shewor kedinanopenspace
offi
cesot heotherwor ker swer elookingatthem.
Othu:"Don'tyouknowi tlooksbadonyouasa
l
eadert ospeakinsuchamannert othosewhowor k
underyou, MrDambuza? "shesai dcalmly"You
don'twantyourempl oyeest oturndownt hatopen
doorpolicyyoupr eachaboutsomuchbecause
whent heyseeyoul iket his, t
heywi llf
earyou.Ifyou
wantwecangot oyourof ficeandt alkli
kethe
professi
onalsIassumewebot har e"shesaid
calmlyandi nsuchawayt heot herswereleft
wonder i
ngwhati twasshesai d.Leratohadtaught
herhowt odealwi thmenlikeDambuzawhol iked
humi l
iat
inginsteadofspeakingwel l
.Othufound
hersel
fbr i
ngingherinnerLerat
ot oo.Shewatched
hi
m br eathbeforeheapologi
zedt ohisstaf
f.
Brian:"
Foll
owme, Mr sKnight"heor deredand
turnedtowalkaway.Ot hutookt hefil
eher udelylef
t
atherdeskandwal kedbehindhi mt ohi soffi
ce.She
closedthedoorbehindher."Haveyoueverhear d
thesaying,whatt
hecl i
entwant s,theclientgets?
"
het ur
nedtofaceher.
Othu:"Notifwhatthecli
entwantsmi ghtcomeback
tobit
eusi nthelongrun.Youarer ushi
ngt he
workerstofini
shbecauset hecl
ientpromisedto
payalitt
leextr
ashouldyougobyhi sdeadl i
ne
i
nsteadofourver yquali
fi
edandexper ienced
groundwor ker
sdeadline"
Brian:"
Soiswantingali
tt
leextr
asuchacr i
me?"
therewasabr i
efknockandPoppypeekedthrough
tocheckifitwasokaytocomei n.Whensheheard
whatOt huhaddoneshelostitt
oo.
Poppy:"Fi
vemi
nuteswithinthesewal
lsandyou
al
readywantat
tent
ion,
Ot hu.Thisi
showKumkani
di
dt hi
ngs"
Othu:"Andthati swhyKumkani '
slegalteam hadt o
doover t
imet hreeyearsagowhenoneoft he
houseswewer econtractedtobuil
tinthepr i
vate
estatecoll
apsedr i
ght ?"Bri
anandPoppyl ookedat
eachast heyt houghtshedi dn'
tknowaboutsuch.I t
wasani nternalproblem whichwassol ved
i
nt er
nall
y.Wel lnothi
nggotpastBabi nibecausehe
pickeduponi tandhet oldhispart
nerabouti t
.
Brian:"
Thatwasbecauseofanumberofother
reasons"hej
usti
fi
edthecompanysecr
etvaguely.
Othu:"ItwasbecauseKumkaniandDambuzaSnr
rushedt hewor kerstodoar ushj obaspert he
requestofacl ientwhoal sopr omisedabonusi ft
he
deadlinewasmovedf orward.Yout womi ghtlike
howyourf athershandledmat tersbutIdon' t
.You
arealsocl earl
ycomf ort
ablewi thlosingmoneyi n
l
egalbat tl
esbutI '
m not.Wesetadeadl i
neof14
mont hsandwewi l
lnotrusht hewor kerstodoi t
anyqui ckeronlyfortheentireapar t
mentbl ockto
fal
lwhil
efamili
eshavemovedint
oital
ready"Poppy
fel
ther
selffumebutBri
anact
uall
ybreathedandlet
Othu'
swor dssi
nkin.
Poppy:"
Wellyouar
enotCEOoranyexecut i
vefor
thatmat
tersowhatyouthi
nkdoesn'tmat
ter
.You
thi
nkthr
owingZweniatpeopl
ewillmakeusallbow
downtoyou?"shepoint
edatOthu.
Brian:"Wellthathousecoll
apsingdidcostusi n
settl
ementf eessoshei sri
ght.Thecostswe'llhave
topayshoul dt hatbui
ldi
ngfallwil
lbemuchbi gger
thant hebonust hecli
entpromisedus"Bri
ansai d
whenhet houghtabouttheimpl i
cati
onsofthat
previousrushj ob.
Poppy:"She'sgoi
ngtodothisagai
nandagain.
Brian,wehaveunderst
andi
ngswi t
hourcl
ient
sso
thattheyconsi
derusforot
herproj
ect
s"
Bri
an:"WellwelostMrXavierandthetwonetworks
hebroughtinaft
eroneofthehousescol l
apsedso
welostmor et
hanwegai ned.Okay,MrsKnightyou
madeyourpointandIheardyoubutpl easedon't
everandImeanevermakedeci si
onswithout
speaki
ngtomeagai n"hepoint
edatherandOt hu
nodded"Ther
eissomet hi
ngelsethatIwantt
ot al
k
toyouaboutbutI'
l
lber i
ghtbacksositdown"he
sai
dbeforeexcusi
nghimself.
Poppy:"Youactal
lint
ell
igentwit
hBabini
's
knowledge,Ot
hunyi
weyo.Haveyounoshamet hat
youdon'tevengi
vehim creditwher
eit
'sdue"she
sai
dsof t
ly.
Othu:"Thecr
editIgi
veittolookaf
terhisint
eresti
n
thi
scompany.Hedi dn'
tsayImustshouthi sname
wheneverhegaveadviceonsomet hing.Hejust
saidImustspeakthehelloutandthat'
swhatI '
m
doing.Youhatedtobedomi nat
edbyKumkanibut
youloveitwhentheDambuzamendoi t
"
Poppy:"Atleastt
here'snomanmaki ngmehis
spokesperson.Withouthim you'
l
lonl
yknowthe
ABC'syout aughtyourlear
ners.He'
sthebr
ainand
youarethemout hpiece"shesaidwit
hasmirk.
Othu:"Wellwe'retwi
nssoofcour sewe'
llbeyi
nand
yang"shel ookedatPoppy."I
'
m notashamedtosay
ourbrotherishelpi
ngme, Poppy.IfI
'
m askedI
'l
lbe
honestaboutit
.Ifyoucamewithmet ohi
slessons
you'
llact
uall
yknowwhatar ealbusi
nessmanislike
unli
kethesemenwhoseegosyoust rokehere"
Poppy:"
Mxm,you'
reonl
ycost
ingusmoney.We
havesyst
emshereandyouwon'
tbul
lyusoutof
them"
Othu:"Idon'twantto"shesatdownwhi leshe
waitedfortheirbosstoreturn.Bri
anspokeabout
othermat t
erswi t
hthesistersandsoonOt huwas
onherwaybackt oherl
itt
lewor kcorner.Shenever
hadapr ivat
eof fi
ceasherl earner
swer etheremost
ofthetimesoshedi dn'
tmi ndsharingwhi l
ePoppy
braggedabouthergl assof fi
ce.
Poppy:"
Ithoughtt
hatwesuppor teachother,
Brian.
Areyousodesperatetogetunderherski
rtthatyou
j
ustgoweakatt hekneeswhenshe' sar
ound? "
Bri
an:"Youmadeasmar tbusinessmovewhenyou
votedformeandshedi dwhenshest ucktoour
ori
ginaldeadlinebypoint
ingoutt hatwe'
vehada
buil
dingcollapsebyrushingthings.Don'tbr
ingyour
familyfuedsher e,
thi
sisnotKumkani 'shouse"he
poi
ntedathi
sdesk."Wil
lthatbeal
lbecauseI'
vegot
somewhereIneedtobe"hestoodandwor ehis
j
acket.
Poppy:"
You'
remor
eoutt
her
ethani
nher
e"
Brian:"Iwantt obeonsi t
emor e.Surel
yyouguys
won' tsinkwi t
houtme"Hedi dn'twaitforhertorepl
y
befor etakinghisr edhardhatandheadi ngf
orthe
door .Thesi t
et hathewasgoi ngtowascal l
ed
VivicaKni ght.Afterfi
ghti
ngt empt at
iontokeep
thi
ngspr ofessionaltheyfoundt hemselves
breat hi
nghar daf t
erhavingahotsexualmoment .
Briangotupandst ar
tedtogetdr essedashewas
noti ntocuddlingandpi ll
owt alk.
Viv:"Ialmostenvyt hi
swomanyou' rearr
angedt o
mar r
ybecauseshe' l
lhaveal
lthiseveryday"her
handsr eachedfrom t
hebacktot ouchhiscrotch."I
didn'tevenknowar rangedmar r
iagewasst il
la
thing"shel aughedbeforedi
sappear i
ngintothe
bat hroom.Therehaveanagegapbet weenthem
becauseBr ianwasmuchyoungert hanherbut
neitherletagegetinthewayoft heirsexualneeds.
Br
ian:"I
nfamili
esli
keminewhereall
iancesar
e
moreimportantt
hanlovet
heyexist
"hesaidasshe
madeherwaybackt otheroom "
She'sther
eto
makemel ookgoodandgivemechi l
drenbutwe
wi
lll
iveourseparat
eli
ves"
Viv:"IguessyouandIdon'tl
etourmari
talstat
uses
getint hewayofourf
reedom.SomustIl etthi
s
otherwi f
eofmyhusbandknowt hatIexi
st?"she
smi l
ed.
Bri
an:"Notyet.Wemustwai tf
ortheper fect
moment .Keepmi l
kinghim unt
ilheisdr y.Once
Othuknowsherhusbandbankr uptedthem by
keepi
ngasi dechickquietshe'
llbedesper at
eto
maintaint
helifest
yleshegotherchildren
accustomedto"hesai dwithgreatcert
ainty.
Viv:"
I'
m hiswif
e.Iguessyou'
llbether
etobai
lher
outbyofferi
ngtobuyhershares"Bri
antur
nedto
faceherwhilef
ixi
nghiscuff
li
nks.
Bri
an:"AndI
'
llcoi
nci
dental
lyhaveasol
uti
ononhow
shecangoaroundthenoselli
ngcl
auseherf
ather
set
"theybot
hlaughedbeforeki
ssi
ng.
Vi
v:"
Andhersi
ster
?"
Br
ian:"I
'l
ljustchar
mthatonessharesfr
om her.She
mi
ghthaveaneducat ionbutsheisnotusi
ngher
mi
nd, noteeverydayanyway"heshookhishead.
Vi
v:"Inear
lyf
eelsor
ryf
ormydearhusband.I
t'
s
al
mostamont handhehasn'
tgot
tenmehalfof
whatIwantyet"
Br
ian:"
Don'tyoudar
egof alli
nlovewithhi
m.You
ar
ewor ki
ngformeandi fanyt
hinggoeswrong,
you
ki
ssthatbonusgoodbye"hepointedather
.
Vi
v:"Luckyforyou,Il
ovemoneymor ethanany
manint hi
sworld.Ial
socan'twaittoseethelook
onthisOthu'
sfacewhenIt el
lherthattherealMr
s
Kni
ghtishere"shewor easmirk.
Brian:"Andshedespi sesmar ri
edmenwhodat e
around.Isawi tt
hatdaywespokeabouti t.You
mightj ustgetthemoneyandyourhusbandback
butwepl aythisgameaccor di
ngtomyr ules.You
won' tevengiveOt huaglanceunti
lItel
lyout hati
t
i
sf ine"shepr omised.Whenhehear dfr
om Poppy
thatOt huhadast rongconfidanti
nCraig,
heknew
hehadt ogodi gandt hankstoPoppyal ways
wantingtoimpresshi m,hefoundt hatCrai
ghada
past.Hecouldn'tfi
ndanyt hi
ngabouthi sassassi
n
daysbuthedi dfindaVi vi
caKni ghtwhowas
mar r
iedtoCraigKnightwhoal sohappenedt obe
mar r
iedtoOthunyiweyoKni ght.Withpromiseof
greenerpastur
es, Bri
anhadVi vicacomingfrom her
hi
dingt omeethim.Theyendedupont hebedonce
againafterBri
anmi ssedani mpor t
antmeeting
whichtookweekst oschedule.
Yandiopenedf orOthuwi thasmi l
e.Shewasused
totheoccasionalvisit
sOt huhadwi t
hherbr other
afterworkasshepr eferr
edt otellhim everyt
hingin
person.Yandiactuallovedthepowerduoand
hopedt hatherchil
drenwoul dbel ikethattoo.Yandi
thoughtthatshewoul dbeabl etohavedat enight
withBabinitheothernightbutther ewasapr oblem
withherwoundwhi chshehadt ogot ot hehospital
foragainbutnothingserious.Shecont i
nuedwi th
hercookingwhi l
eOt huchoppedveggi esforherand
BabiniatethecarrotsOthuchopped.
Babi
ni:"
Theyt
hinkt
hatt
heycanj
ustt
akeshor
tcut
s
andpaytohi
detheaf
ter
mat
hoft
hoseshor
tcut
s"he
shookhi
shead.
Othu:"Theywereshockedtolear
nthatIknew, Bhut
i.
Apparentl
yitwas"aninter
nalaff
air
"bothlaughed.
Yandiwasamazedathowqui ckl
yOt husett
ledin
corpor
ate.
Babini:"Ifoundoutsomethi
ngver
yi nt
erest
ing
aboutt heDambuzamen.Themoneyt hatwent
missing, Itr
aceditbackt
othem"Othuputherhand
overhermout h.
Yandi:"
Babypl easedon'tlethergetinvolvedin
such.Businesspeoplewhoar ef r
audulentareso
evi
landt heygot ogreatlengthstocoverupt hei
r
dir
t.Fri
end,doyourwor kleavethosestuffto
executi
veslikePoppywhosayt heyknowbet ter
"
shelookedatBabi niwant i
nghimt obackherbuthe
j
ustdidn'tseem bothered.
Babini:"
Areyouscared?"helookedatOt
hu.Ot
hu
fi
rstlookedatYandiwholookedscaredonher
behalfbefor
efacingherbrot
her.
Ot
hu:"
You'
vegotmer
ight
?"shel
ookedathi
m.
Yandi:"Babini
Zweni,
don'tdaredothi
splease"she
pleaded."Babywhati
ftheyinvest
igat
eyouhuh? "
shedr ewherbrowstoget
her.
Babi
ni:"BabyOthu'stwinisdead.I'
m herbrother
whom Kumkanikeptsecr etandIleftafaketrai
lto
backitup.Unathiisn'
tevenmymot heraccor di
ngto
mycur r
entrecords.Theywouldneedmont hsand
monthsoft i
meandmi l
li
onstogettowhoIr eal
ly
am"heassur edher .
Yandi
:"ButPoppyknowsandshe'
scahoot
swith
thi
sBri
an"sheremindedt
hem asshef
eltt
hey
for
got
.
Babi
ni:"
She'snotgoi
ngtosayanythi
ng.Shemight
beapainbutshe'sst
il
lmyblood"hesai
dwith
conf
idence.
Othu:"
Ifyou'
resurethanl
etmehearwhatyouhave
tosay"shestr
aight
enedherpost
uret
olookmore
confi
dent.
Babi
ni:"
Ihavehereal
lthepr
oofast owheret
he
moneywentanditli
nkedtothem.Theyalsopai
d
oneofthefal
sel
yaccusedwhot ookthef
alli
n
exchangef orgenerousdonati
ont hatwi
llsustain
himf orafewyear s.Al
sothewor kerswerepaidt o
stri
ke,wellthetr
oublenl
makerswer epaidtost arti
t.
Theypl annedtheentir
ethi
ngthesebast ardtol ook
l
ikesavi or
s"hegaveOt huhisproofandshescan
readnotbel i
evi
nghereyes.
Othu:"
Youwantmet omaketheboar
dawar
eof
t
his?"shel
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"Oncetheyaresuretheygotawaywi th
somet hef
tnothi
ngwi l
lstopthem f
rom doingit
agai
nnowt hatt
heyhavemor epower .I
fyouwant
KCtohavepr operl
eadershipthenexposethedamn
bast
ards"hesaid.
Yandi:"
Baby"shel
ookedathi
m"Fri
end"she
pl
eadedwithOthubutZwenif
amil
ywasast ubbor
n
bunch.
Babini:"
Ntl
izi
yoyam, Igother"heassuredhi
swife
"Igotyou"hehel
dOt hu'sshoulderandshesmil
ed
andnodded.Hehel daf i
stinf
rontofherandshe
bumpedher sagainstit
.
Yandi
:"Idonotl
ikeyoubr
ingt
hrowni
nal
ionden
butifZwenigotyout henIgotyou"shehel
douther
fistt
ooandOt hulaughedandf i
stbumpedher
stoo
"Idon'tknowhowIgotyoubutsi ncethi
soneismy
husband, Igotyouwhat everwayhehas"sheshook
herheadandt heylaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Ther
eismor
e"hel
ookedatOt
hu.
Yandi
:"Whendoyougettodoal
lofthi
swhenyou
hel
pmef eed,
changeandbat
hbabies?
"Babi
ni
l
aughed.
Babini
:"Ij
ustl
ikeknowing,Nt
li
ziyoyam.I
'
m glad
thatmyhobbydoesnoti nt
erf
erewithmyparent
ing
andhusbanddut i
es"Yandismil
ed.
Yandi
:"OkaynowI '
m curi
oustoknowt hemor etoo.
WhatdidBri
anf akehisqual
if
icat
ions?"shejoked
andsheandOt hulaughedbutBabinididn'
t.
Babini:"Heactual
lydi
d.Themandoesn' tevenhave
amat riccert
if
icat
e"hehelpedcloseOthu'smouth
asitfellopenandhewoul dhavedonet hesamef or
Yandihadshenotst oodsof arfrom hi
m.'Yeahyou
areledbysomeonewhoknowsnot hi
ngaboutmany
thi
ngs.Iwoul dhavegivenhim credi
thadhewant ed
tolearnbuthei
scomfort
abl
ewi t
hjustsi
tt
ingonthe
hotseatandlet
ti
ngDaddysealdeal
sonthegolf
course"heshookhi
shead.
Othu:"
Andt
hisi
sal
ltr
ueandwe'
vegotpr
oof
?"she
l
ookedathi
m.
Babi
ni:"
Inbl
ackandwhi
teandwi
tnessest
over
if
y
i
t"hesai
d.
Othu:"Idon'tevencareaboutbeingCEObutIcan't
all
owhi mt otakeKCdownwi t
hhi m.Aproper
recruit
mentpr ocessmustbefoll
owedt ochoose
therightpersonforthi
sposit
ion.Ican'
tbeli
eve
Brianthough.Hesai dhehadaPhD.DoIt el
l
Poppy? "shelookedatthem.
Babini
:"Si
nceyoutwoar
esowor
ri
edaboutPoppy,
I
wil
ldealwit
hher"
Yandi
:"I
t'
sbecauseyoudon'
tknow,
Poppyl
ikewe
do,Zweni
.She'
saloosecannon"
Babini
:"I
'
llt
akecareofit
,baby.Si
si,
thismustbe
execut
edwel l
.Soyouaren'
ttaki
ngthistot
he
boardr
oom asofyet.WhentheDambuzast hinkthe
Zwenisarepushoverst
heygottogetreadyforthe
fi
rethati sheadi ngt heirway"helookedatYandisa
concernedf ace" Notrealfire,Nt
li
ziyoyam"he
smiled" I
'm nott hedevi lsoyeah"theyshookhis
headsl aughi ng."Xabaal sot ol
dmet hattheyar
e
tr
yingt ogetKumkani 'sWillsotheyareont o
somet hingandi tinvolvesourshares"Othu
breathedl oudly.
Ot
hu:"
Soweuset hi
stogett
hem t
obackof
f?"she
wasst
il
llear
ningdoshehadtoaskhi
m.
Babi
ni:"
LikeI
'
vesaid,weshowt heDambuzasthat
KumkaniwasnottheonlyZweniwhoknew
busi
ness.WhatdoesMat osaysomethi
nglol
o?"he
l
ookedatthem sotheycoul
dhelp.
Yandi :"
TheZweni swillshowtheDambuzas
amawol ol
o"shel aughedandBabi niwentar ound
thecount ertokisshercheek.Thel ovethatOt hu
missedi nherownhouse.Chul uandtheboys
couldn'tstandthepai ntfumesast heywer e
repainti
ngsot heywentt oMakhulu'sunti
l
renovationswer edone.Ot hudidn'
tmindt hesmel l
butshewasgl adChul ul ef
twithQhayiya."Othuwil
l
youst ayfordinner?"shet ouchedOthu'shandwhen
sher
eal
izedherf
ri
endzonedout
.
Othu:"Notl i
keI'
llfindanyonehome"shet hought
outloud"I'dlovet ostayfordi
nnerifI
'm not
i
ntruding"BabiniandYandil ookedateachot heras
theycouldseeshewasnotokay." Canwepl ease
j
ustgivet hebabi esnamest onight
?Ican'tname
them babyZweni sanymor e"shechangedt het opi
c.
Yandismi ledatherhusband.
Yandi:"
Mama,coul
dyoupleasecomet
hissi
de?
"
shecall
edoutr
espect
ful
lyandMaDudumashe
apprear
edandhuggedOthu.
Othu:"
Ma,It
houghtyouandMat
owentoutforgi
rl
's
ni
ght.Whyareyouhidi
ng?
"MaDudumashe
l
aughed.
MaDudumashe:" I
'
m singingformygrandbabi
es.I
can'
tgetenoughofthem yho"shehuggedastuff
ed
toyandeveryonel
aughed.
Yandi:"
Wet hi
nk"shel
ookedatherhusband"We
notsurebutwethinkwehavenames"shelaughed.
MaDudumashe:"Makhul
ual
readygavethem
namest
ogobyi nthemeant
ime"shelookedat
them andl
aughed"
It'
sMampingaandMawawaand
Senzwaaccordi
ngtothei
rcl
annames"ever
yone
l
aughed.
Babini
:"Wel
lwehavedecidedonZosul weforour
Pri
ncessbecausemylovefelthertear
sgotwi ped
whenthefir
stbabywasbornheal t
hyaftershehad
beenprayi
ngforoneforsolong"OthuandMa
Dudumashesmi l
ed.
Yandi
:"I
mibongoforthefir
stboythatcameaswe
arej
ustbeyondthankfulf
orhim andhissi
bli
ngs"
Babini
:"AndAhlumaforboynumbertwoashe
i
ncreasedtheMpingaclanevenmorethanwe
expect
ed"theysmil
edateachother
.
Othu:"Il
ikethatyoudidn'tforcesi
milarnames.I
l
ovet hem andtheirmeani ng.Dabs'
sZozo,Imiand
Hl
umi "shewentt ohugt hem.
MaDudumashe:"Othuwhyar eyouwit
houtyour
husbandsomuchlatel
y"Yandigavehermothera
l
ookforaski
ngt
hat.
Othu:"
He'
sbusy,
Ma"shesaidqui
etl
y.Shewentto
checkont
hechil
drenandhel
pedt
obaththem f
or
t
heni
ghtbef
oret
heyf
edthem.Therewasnot
hing
t
ogohometodoshewasinnorush.
WhenCr aigopenedt hedoorhefeltahardpunchhi t
hi
m.I twassuchabl owthathefel
thimsel ffeel
di
zzyaf t
erwardsbuthewasnotaboutt olethi m be
att
achedsohef oughtbutwhenher eal
isedt hatit
wasBabi nihejustknewthatitwasaboutVi vica.
WhenBabi nigotinaf ewgoodhitsbutreal i
zed
Crai
ghadsur renderedhimself
,heheldCr aig
againstt
hewal landshoutedhisangerrighti nto
Crai
g'sface.
Crai
g:"Di
dyoutellher
?"heaskedwhileaskedwhil
e
feel
inghi
schestgetti
ghterduetoBabini
'
sarm
fi
rmlyonit
.Suddenlytheywerebacktosquareone.
Babi
ni:"
Expl
ainyour
sel
f"hi
sfacehar
dened.
Crai
g:"
Can'tevenbreathproper
lysoIneedyouto
l
etgo"Babinishookhim afewtimeswanti
ngto
beathi
m mor ebutheletgo.Theydidn'
tmovefr
om
wheretheystoodandCr ai
gexplai
nedhimsel
f.
Babi
ni:"
Whothefuckareyou?I
fIdi
gwillIevenf
ind
whatmysist
ert
hinkssheknowsaboutyou?"he
poi
ntedathi
m.
Crai
g:"
Thi
sistheonl
ysecr
etI
'
vebeenkeepi
ng
fr
om mywife"
Babini:"
Yourwife?Youhavethener
vetocal
lmy
fucki
ngsi st
eryourwifewhenyouhadoneway
beforeher?"heshouted.
Craig:"Youmi ghtnotbeli
evet hi
sanymor ebutI
l
oveyoursi st
er.Vi
vicaisnothingsoIwi l
lfi
xthi
s
withoutOt huevenknowi ngVivicaexi
st"he
promi sed."Orhaveyoutol dherandthat'
swhyshe
hasn'tcomehome? "hest art
edt oworr
y.
Babi ni:"
She'snothomebecauseyouhavebeen
fail
ingatbei ngaf ucki
nghusband.Iwanttohurt
yousobadr ightnow"hehel dhi
sfist
supashe
clenchedhi sj awbuthedi dn'
twantOthutofi
ndhim
bleedi ngmor esohecal medhimself"You'
l
lfi
xthis
damnshi t
.Youhadbet ternotbefucki
ngyourfi
rst
wife, Knight"hewarned.
Crai
g:"Justi
magini
ngi
tmakesmyski
ncr
awl
.I'
ve
gott
his"hesaidwit
hconf
idence.
Babi
ni:"
Areyousur
eaboutt
hatbecauset
his
womanhasbeenher eoveramont h.Had
Othunyi
weyonotbeenoccupiedwithKC,she'
dhave
pi
ckeditupandshei sal
readyquesti
oni
ngthi
ngs.
Doyouhavet hi
sordoyouneedhel pdeal
ingwit
h
i
t?"helookedatCr
aig.
Crai
g:"Isai
dI'vegotthis.Idon'
tneedanotherman
al
lupinmybusi nesseveni fi
tismybrotheri
nlaw.
Backthehelloffandletmedealwi tht
his.Iknow
Vi
vica"hestoodst r
aighttoshowBabinithathe
meantbusiness.
Babini:"Youmar ri
edhersocl earl
yyoudo.Ot huwil
l
belikeawr eckingbal lwhenshef i
ndsout .She
mightnotadmi ti
tbutshe'sgotashor ttemperso
dealwi thyourshit
, Knight
.I'
m nowt al
kingtoyouas
afri
endwhodoesn' twantyout oloseyourf amil
y.
SoI'llaskagain,doyouneedhel pinhandlingthi
s?"
hi
schestwasr ai
singandf al
li
ngashebr eathed
hard.
Cr
aig:"
Isai
dI'
vegott
his"Cr
aig'
spr
ideanswer
edon
hi
sbehalf
.
Babi
ni:"
She'
sonherwaysoyoubet
termakesur
e
toki
llhercur i
oussuspi ci
ons.I'
m notgoingtowreck
somet hingIknowt ookyearst
obuiltbecauseofa
l
oseendf rom yourpast.I'
vegotapastsoI '
m not
aboutt oactholierthanthouwithyou.Icanactual
ly
i
magi nehowhar di tmustbetohaveal oseend
comebackwhenyoubui ltsomethi
ngsoIwi l
ltr
ust
youandbel i
evet hatyouhavegotthis"
Craig:"
Soyou' l
llookupmybusinesswheneveri
t'
s
convenientforyou?"hef
eltl
ikehi
spr i
vacywas
i
nvaded.Ot hu'
ssadnessduringdinnermadeBabi
ni
breakthepromi sehemadetoYandi .
Babini:"
Ifiti
nvolvesmysi sterthenyouf ucking
beli
eveitbutl i
keyousai d,it'
stheonl yt hi
ngyou
keepingfrom hersoIshoul dn'thavear easont o
again.Fixyourshi t
.Womenl i
ket hatwillsinkyour
reputati
onandyourf amily.Letmegobef or eIdo
somet hi
ngI '
llr
egret"hewasgonebef oreCr ai
gsai d
anythingelse.Craigsunkt ot hefloorandr ubbed
hisheadst il
lplanni
ngondoi ngt hingshi sway
i
nsteadofaski ngBabi niwhathehadi nmi ndso
theycouldbr ai
nstorm buthewasangr ythatBabi ni
i
nvadedhi sbusi nesssohewasnott hinkingclearly.
Othuarr
ivedwi
thacontai
nerfi
ll
edwi
thgoodfor
hi
m asshewasconcernedaboutwhathe'
dhadfor
di
nner.Whensheaskedabouthewoundonhisl
ip,
heli
edandsaidsomeonetri
edtomugghim.
S2-
INSERT30
ImangehadQhayi yaf orthedayandaf tertaki ngthe
babyt ovi sithergr andmot herhet ookhert ot he
parkt ot akeadvant ageofthebeaut i
fulweat her.He
didn'ttellChul ut hathi sgir
lf
r iendwoul dj oi
nt hem
ashedi dn' twantChul ut ogetangr yabouthi m
i
nt r
oduci ngQhayi yat othenewgi rlinhi sli
fe.Af t
er
weeksofcompl ainingt oChul ut hathef el
t
neglect ed, hedeci dedt hatitwasbestt hathegot
himsel fsomeonewhowoul dgi vehi mt heat tenti
on
hewant ed.Hadsomeonet ol dhi m mont hsagot hat
he'dbr eakupwi thChul uhewoul dn'thavebel i
eved
thatper son.Hel ovedhernotj ustast hemot herof
hisdaught erbutal sot hegirlwhol ovedhi m when
hehadnot hing.Agi r
lwhosef at hergothi mt hej ob
thataf fordedhi mt heoppor tuni tyt ost artsavi ngon
buildingmat eri
alforhi smot her 'shouse.Hemade
suret ogot heext r
ami l
edur inghi sinter nshipandi t
affor
dedhi m ajuniorposi t
ionwi t
hpromisetogr ow
anditcamewi t
hast ablesalarytooandbenefits.
Imangewasf eedingQhayi yaherf avour
it
efruit
y
babyf oodthatwashomemadebyOt hunyi
weyo.
Qhayiya'sgrandmot herhadal waysmadesur ethat
kidsraisedunderherr oofdi dn'
teatthebabyfood
withsomanyaddedpr eservati
vesandQhayiyawas
noexcept i
on.
Zuki:"Idon'tknowwhywecoul dn'
tgot oapr oper
placeinsteadofapar kthati smakingmei tchy"
Imangel ookedathi sgi
rlfr
iendasshewasbusy
pretendingtoscr atchherar m.She'dbeensul king
sinceImanget ol
dhi mt hathewast akinghis
daught ert
ot hepar kbeforet aki
ngherbackhome.
Zukiswawasagi rlwhol ovedt obeseendoi ng
thingsthatwoul dbegoodf orherI
nst agram pr of
il
e.
Imangecoul dn'
tbel i
evethatheoncehadt ocough
upt housandsf oraweavebuthi sfr
iendsadvi ce
thathedoi tt okeepherf rom leavi
ng.Hel ovedher
butshewasdi f
ferenttoChul u.
I
mange:"Iwant
edmydaughtert
obreathi
nfr
eshai
r
r
athert
hansiti
narest
aur
antwherepeopl
ewoul
d
givehercol dlooksassoonasshecr ies"hewi ped
Qhayiya'smout handl ift
edherupi ntheai rand
beingthehappybabyt hatshewasshel aughedi n
amusement ."I
'l
ltakeQhayi yahomenow, Zukit hen
wecangowher everitisthatwon'tbeitchyf oryou.
Itoldyout hatIhaveadaught erwhenIaskedf or
yournumbersodon' tbedraggingyourlipwhenyou
seemewi thher "t
osayhel ovedQhayiyawasan
understatement .
Zuki:"Wellsinceyousai dwecangoanywher e
there'
sapl aceIwantt obeatt onight.Al lthe
i
nf l
uencerswi llbet heresoIwantt onet wor k"she
smiledwhi l
ebr ushingherl ongst i
lett
onai l
ed
fi
nger soverhisshoul der.Whensher ealizedt hathe
wasnotpayi ngat tenti
ont oanyt hi
ngshewas
sayingashewast oof ocusedonmaki ngQhayi ya
l
aughshebecamemoodyagai n.Shedi dn't
understandwhyshehadt obei nvolvedi nt he
meet i
ngswi t
hQhayi yaasI mangehadn' tputar ing
onherf ingersoshewasn' taboutt opl aydeput y
mot hertoQhayi ya.Shel ookedatQhayi ya'shazel
eyesandbl ackcur lyhairintenslyandt henat
Imange'
scoar
seafrocut
."I
shermot
herwhi
te?
"she
askedwhil
eshef
eltQhayi
ya'
ssof
tcur
ls.
Imange:" Haveyoueverheardofawhi te
Chulumanco? "helookedather.ZukiandChulu
knewabouteachot herbutnei
therwereinter
est
ed
i
nmeet i
ngoneanot herbecauseChuluwasnot
awaret hatImangeintr
oducedherdaught ert
ohis
gir
lf
riendalready.
Zuki:"
Thatchi l
ddoesn'tlookl
ikeyouonebit
.It
's
rat
herstrangef ortwoblackpeopl
etogivenbir
thto
ababyt hatlookslikeshe'smi
xedrace"I
mange
l
ift
edhisbr owt olookather.
Imange:"Welli
fyouknewwhatChul ulookedli
ke
you'dknowthatsheismor eli
keRi hannathanKelly
Rolandinappearance"Zukiknewexact l
ywhat
Chululookedli
kebecauseshe' dmadesur etostal
k
Chuluonsocialmediatoseei fChuluwasanyt hi
ng
tofeeli
nti
midatedbyandshef el
talit
tl
einsecure
whensher eali
zedImange'sexwasabeaut i
ful
youngwoman.
Zuki
:"Butst
il
lshoul
dn'
tthechi
ldl
ookmor
ebl
acki
f
she'
syours?
"ImangegaveQhayi
yaatoyand
tur
nedhisatt
ent
iont
ohisgir
lf
ri
end.
Imange:"Ifshe'
smine?"hewant edtomakesur ehe
heardrightandshenodded" Thisismydaughter,
Zukiswa.Icanseeitandsocanmymot her
.Chulu'
s
motherhadbr owni
shalmostgr eeneyes.My
daughtergothergrandmother'
seyesandhai r
"he
wasof f
endedbyheri mplyi
ngt hatQhayi
yawasnot
his.
Zuki :"
Wellthepictureofherandhermot heron
Facebooksaysot herwise.Therehermotherhad
darkeyesandahugeassaf ro"shesai
dasshewas
referri
ngtoOt hunotknowi ngthatChuluwasnot
biological
lyhers.I
mangecol l
ectedhi
sdaughter'
s
toysandputt hem i nthebagChul upackedforher
.
"Andt hen?"sheaskedasshesawhi m pack.
Imange:"I'
m notgoi
ngt osither
eandlist
entoyou
i
mpl ythatmydaught eri
snotmi neandthatinfr
ont
ofher"hepickedthebabyupf rom t
heblankethe
satheronwhi l
etryi
ngt ofol
ditwit
honehand.
Zukiswastoodtoo."Chulumancowasavi rgi
n
beforeIcamealongandmadeherpr egnantsothis
i
smychil
d,notsomewhiteman'
ssi
nceyouseeher
asmi
xedrace"hefumed.
Zuki:"
Soyou'
reupsetbecauseIlookoutf
oryou?
Doyouknowhowmanymenr aisekidst
hatar
en'
t
thei
rs?Hel
levenmarri
edmenr aisebast
ardst
hese
days"
Imange:"
Wellthi
sisnobastar
dasI '
m herfat
her.
Youcangoandmeetyouri nfl
uencersbecauseI
'm
taki
ngmychildbacktohermother"heputthebaby
bagoverhisshoul
derandstar
tedtowalkaway.
Zuki:"
Don'
tt hinkt
hatyou'llfi
ndmewhenyoucome
l
ookingforme"sheshout edbehindhi m andshe
watchedhim wavewi t
houtevenl ookingback.
Chuluwasr athersurpri
sedt ofi
ndI mangebr inging
Qhayibacksoear ly.Eversincehisaddi ctcousi n
l
efttownshehasbeenmor eateasewi thhimt aki
ng
hertohismot heranditwasawkwar dtogowi th
si
nceshewasnol ongerhisgirl
fr
iend.Qhayi ya
madet hel
oudestnoi sewhenshesawhermot her
andChululaughedbef oretakingher .Shestillhada
softspotf
orI mangebecausehewast hefir
stguy
shesharedsomuchofher selfwithbutshewas
abl
etonotbepet
tybykeepi
ngQhayif
rom hi
m.
Chulu:"
Areyougoingoutagai
n?Youdon'
tusuall
y
bri
ngherbacksoearlyandyou'
vebecomequit
ethe
soci
alit
e"shel
aughedtryi
ngtobeaspol
it
eas
possibl
e.
I
mange:"
Soyou'
rest
alki
ngme?
"
Chul u:"I'
m notthet ypeofgi rltoblockexessoyou
popuponmyt i
melineever ynowandt hensodon' t
fl
at t
eryour self,
bhut i
"sher aisedherbr owand
l
ookedathi mf r
om headt ot oebef orelaughing.He
waski ndahur ttoseehow" her self
"shewasashe
thoughtshe' dwantt oknowt hingsabouthi snew
relati
onshi pandgetj ealous." Willt
hatbeal loris
thereanyt hingQhayi yarelatedyou' dli
ket o
discuss? "shesai daftertakingt hebagf rom him.
Shedi dn'tlethimi nasshef elthehadnobusi ness
beyondt hefrontdoor .
I
mange:"SoyouandIwon'
tchatanymor e?
"he
l
ookedatChul
uandshelookedconfused.
Chulu:"
Uhm about
?"sherai
sedbot
hbr ows.Fora
secondhehadforgot
tenhowbeaut
ifulshelooked.
Herhai
rwasal waysinwi l
dcurlyafroasshecuther
l
ocksaftergivi
ngbir
th.Thehairlookedtoobi
gfor
hercut
er oundfacebutitsui
tedher.
I
mange:"Li
fe,
Manco..
.Idon'
tknow"hetr
iedt
o
t
hinkaboutwhatt
heycoul
dtalkabout
.
Chulu:" Myli
feisgreatactual
ly.I
'm graduati
ngnext
mont handt here'
sthisgall
erythatwant sfourofmy
piecesast heywantt opromoteyoungar t
ist
s.My
daught eri
sgr owi
ngandmyf ami l
yishappyso
yeah...
myl i
feisgreat"shesmi l
ed"Your s?
"shef el
t
sheneededt oaskashel ookedast houghhe
want edherto.
Imange:"
Good. .
.savi
ngtost
artbui
ldi
ngthehouse
i
nDecembersoyeah"t hemomentbecame
awkwardmaki ngChuluwishhe'
djustsaygoodbye
"Anyboyf
riend?"heaskedqui
etlywit
hanawkwar d
smil
e.
Chulu:"
NoandI '
m notfocusi
ngont hat
.Thel
ast
ti
meIallowedamannearmet hi
sonecamealong"
shesmiledatQhayiyaandshesmi l
edback"I
'
m
happythatyou'
reinloveandstufft
houghsodon'
t
thi
nkI'm saddenedbyit.Mygr andmothermademe
real
izethatcert
ainpeoplejustcomeandt heyteach
youlessonsbutt heyar
en'tsupposedtostayinyour
l
ifeforever
"Imangenoddedsl owlyfeel
ingatadbi t
sad.
I
mange:"
SoIcamewi
thl
essons?
"hesmi
led.
Chulu:"YesthatImustdoubl euponpr otect
ionnext
ti
meandt hatsometimesj ustsomet i
mesmoney
changespeopl e"shesaidhonest ly"Don'tlook
shockedbyt hat,I
mange.Youst artedt oactfunny
aftermydadgotyout hatjob.Iwi l
ltellyouwhatmy
grandfatherwhowasaweal t
hymansai dabout
moneyt hough.Heusedt osay" Chu- Chubear ,
never
beusedbymoney.Youbei t'
smast erandusei tbut
neverbeasl avetoit.Thatwayi t'
llwantt ofoll
ow
youever ywhereyougo"shesmi ledwhenshe
thoughtaboutKumkani ."It'
smostpr obablyeasyfor
met ospeakbecauseIneverl ackedi tandsoI
understandhowi tmostlikelyover whelmedyoubut
i
t'snottoolatetowiseup"sheadded.
I
mange:"
Andthat'
swhyImissyou.Ineedyout
o
r
emindme.I
sittoolat
etot
ryagai
n?"
Chulu:" Peoplecompl imentmeonmygl owbecause
I'
mr eallycontentwi t
hmyl if
e.You'vegi venmea
beaut i
fuldaught er
,ImangeandIwi l
lforeverbe
gratefulthatyoust oppedmef rom termi nati
ng.I
j
ustl ovehowmyl if
ei s.It'
sQhayi ya,myar tand
school .PlusIdon'tthinkyourgi r
lfr
iendwi l
l
appreci ateyouaskingl oveback.I '
vecr i
edmyr iver
butIal sobui l
tabr i
dgeandgotoveri t
.Youar en'
t
theImanget hatIknew.Thi sisouronl yl inkandI
thinkwear edoinggr eatatgi vi
ngherl oveeven
thoughwe' vesplit
.Wi llthatbeall?"shesmi l
edand
henodded" Nextweekendmyuncl e'swif eplanned
ababypl aydat esoQhayi yawillbewi thmymom
butanyt i
medur ingtheweekyoucancomeseeher "
ImangenoddedandwhenChul usaidgoodbyeshe
closedt hedoort oavoi dmor eawkwar dness.
Imange:"Somuchf ortel
li
ngpeopleaboutnot
chasingstonesandleavi
nggold,I
mangeGusha"he
sai
dt ohimselfashemadehi swaydownt he
pathwayleadingtot
hegat e.Het
urnedtolookat
Chulu'sdooragai
nandshookhi sheadbeforegoi
ng
home.
Chulusatwit
hherbrother
swat chingamovi ewhil
e
Qhayiyawaskicki
ngaboutclearl
yhappyt obe
reuni
tedwit
hherbreastmil
k.Chuluintroduced
formulaf
orwhenshewasnotabl etofeedherbut
shewasnotr eadyt
ostopbrestfeedingevenwith
herli
febei
ngsodemandi ng.
Phawu:" Chul u,
ismom anddadget ti
ngdivor
ced"al
l
threeoft hem hadstar
tedtoseethecrackbetween
thepar ents.Theaff
ecti
ont heywereusedtoseei
ng
theirparentssharegotlessandless.
Qhawe:" Lookevennowmom wentt oMalumeand
whoknowswher edadis.Idon'twanttobeoneof
thosekidswhot aket
urnsbetweenhomes"he
couldn'
thidethesadnessinhisvoice.
Chul u:"
Stopbei
ngdramati
c.Theyaren'
tget
ting
divorced.MamaisatMalume'sforherbusi
ness
thingsandwelldad.
..
"
Phawu:"Youdon'tknow"hef ini
shedhersent
ence
forher
.Chuluactedposit
ivebutshewasas
concer
ned.Ift
heydivorcedt heli
tt
lehopeshefel
t
shehadlefti
nlovewoulddi e.Theywerethe
Knight
ssot
heydon'
tgetdi
vor
cedorsot
hei
rki
ds
hoped.
Chul u:"Iactual l
ydo.Hewentt otheoffi
ceandl ater
hesai dhe'dal sogotoMal ume.Ifyoucallmom
now, you'
llmostpr obablyheardad'svoiceinthe
backgr ound"shel i
edhopingtheywouldn'twantt o
pickt hephoneup.Theywer einthei
rfi
nalyearof
schoolatf i
fteenandChul uknewt hepressurethey
alreadywer einatschoolandshedi dn'twanttheir
par entsmar riageaddingtothat.
Qhawe:"Mamashouldneverhavel
eftherj
obt
o
workatKC"hewantedtohavesomethingt
obl
ame
atOthu'
scar
eerchangewasit.
Chul u:"
SoMamamustputherdr eamsonhol dto
keepushappy?I fIremembercor rectlyi
t'
sMama
whoi shometohelpwithhomewor kandother
thingsshedidwhileshewasst i
llat eacher
.St
op
blami ngthewomanf orever
ythi
ng"shegotwor ked
up.
Phawu:"
Wellyout
woaren'
thel
pingmuch"he
shookhi
shead"Wedon'
tknowwhat'
stoblamebut
somethi
ngist
obl
ame"Crai
gwalkedinast
hought
o
givet
hem asi
gnt
hathewastoblame.
Qhawe:"Dadareyouandmom getti
ngdivor
ced?
Crai
gcouldn'
tbeli
evethenosugar
coat
edquesti
on.
Theytol
dhimt hei
rconcer
ns.
Cr aig:"Letthoseover activeimagi nati
onsst op
bef oret heydr i
veyoui ntoear lygraves.Mom andI
aregoodsonodi vorcei sgoi ngtohappen"he
assur edthem andwat chedhi schil
drenbr eathin
relief."Andmom andIdon' tli
vepasteachot heras
yout hreesayyou' venot i
cedhappen.Ij ustcame
from t akingt hem lunchatMal ume'sandIcame
wi thyour st oo"hepoi ntedatt hetakeawaysi nfront
ofhi m.Theboysj umpedt oseewhathegotbut
Chul ucoul dsenset hathel i
edaboutt aki
ngl uncht o
Ot hubecauseYandiwasknownf orcookingl unch
sosheknewhermot herhadahomecookedmeal
att heZwenihousebutshedi dn'tsayanyt hing.She
wasn' tsurei fhereyeswer edecei vingherornotbut
shenot icedCr aig'
scl othesl ookingabi tbigandshe
wonder edi fhewassi ck.Chul udecidedthatshe' d
haveawomant owomanwi t
hhermot herasshe
fel
tshewasnochil
dwhosef eel
ingshadt
obe
prot
ectedbycomf
ortabl
eli
es.
Othuwaspl anningont akingherchi l
drenoutf orair
butshegotacal lfr
om Yandit hatsoundedur gent
soshehadt ogot ot heZwenihousebutaf terthat
she'dhaveaf ami l
ymomentwi thherki ds.Shef el
t
shecoul dn'tcountCr aigini nmanyt hingsashe
wasnoti nterested.Heri nsecur i
tieshadst art
edt o
setinast hesuspi cionofanaf fairgotst rongerwi t
h
eachpassi ngday.SheandBabi nihadapl anfor
BrianDambuzat ooaf t
ert heywer ecer tainthatthe
Dambuzamenwant edt ocheatt hem outoft heir
shares.Babi nisai dhe' shandl ingPoppybutOt hu
wasaf raidPoppywoul dtel lheral l
iedsoshehoped
Babiniwasn' tsharingt heirpl anwi thPoppy.Thi s
planhadunf ort
unat elycomewi thOt hubei ngal l
fr
iendlywi t
hBr iansohe' dt hinkt hatshehasf all
en
i
nt ohistrapwhi chshehat edbutshehadt otake
onef orthet eam.Sheal sot hr ewar oundhi ntsof
howsheandBabi nidi dn'twantt heshar esbuthad
nochoi cebutt okeept hem andshewoul dsee
Brian'
sf acel ightupwhenshespokeofsuch.Yandi
hel
dOthu'
shandsasshewor
eaconcer
nedl
ookon
herf
ace.
Yandi:"Fri
end,I'
vel
ostfri
endsandevenf amil
yafter
tel
li
ngthem whatIdr eamtaboutthem andthe
dream woul dcometruethenextday.I
'vebeen
accusedofbei ngawi t
chsotodot hi
sisnoteasy
butIhavenochoi cebecauseI'
llkeepseeingt
his
unti
lItellyou"shel
ookedatOthu
Othu:"I
'
ml i
steni
ng"shesai
dnervousl
ybecauseshe
knewitwasnotavi si
onwhereshewonat r
iptoan
exoti
cisland.
Yandi:"Ihadavi sionwhereCr ai
gwasst andi
ngin
anopenf i
eld.Awomanwear ingawhi t
eweddi ng
dresscamet ostandnexttohi m andaf terawhi l
e
youdidt oowear ingtr
adit
ionalclothes.Thi swoman
tr
iedtohol dhi shandbutheputi tinhispocketbut
extendedtheot herforyoutohold"Yandisai d
sl
owl ydoOt hucoul dunderst
andt hevi sionclear
ly.
Othu:"Sohereall
yishavinganaff
air"shefel
ther
heartbeatf
asterbefor
eshestoodtowal kabout"So
he'
lll
eavemet ogomar ryhismist
ress?"shefel
t
her
sel
ffeelbr
oken.Yandibr
eat
hed.
Yandi:"
Hedoesn' thaveami stress, Othu.Hehada
wifebeforeyou"shesaidwi t
hacr ashedhear t
.It
wasnoteasyt otel
lherbestfri
endsuch.Yandi
watchedOt hulaughoutofdi sbeli
efwhi leshaking
herhead" Thiswomankeptsayi ngt hatsheisthe
realMrsKni ghtbutshejustsuddenl ydisappeared
i
ntothinairaftersayi
ngthat"sheaddedi na
whisperandt houghtOthuwoul dsl apherbutOt hu
wasst i
llj
ustshakingherhead.
Babi
ni:"
It
'str
ue"hewant edtogokil
lCr
aigwhenhe
sawthepainwr i
ttenonhissi
ster
'sf
aceassheal
so
l
ookathim sti
llshaki
ngherhead.
Othu:"Wecan' tsayYandi'sdream isf actual.No
off
ence,fri
endbutIcan' tgoonadr eam"shel ooked
atYandi.Babini'
sfiststi
ghtenedashewasf orced
togiveherthef actsshewoul dbelievet hatwoul d
backhiswi f
e'svision.Hewasnotangr yatYandif or
tel
li
ngOt hubecauset hiswast hespi ri
tualrealms
messenget oOt huandnott ohi m norCr aigand
Yandiusuallysufferedwhenshedi dn'trelaya
messaget otheper sonitwasi ntendedf or.
Babini
:"Hehadawi f
ebyt hethenameofVi vica
whom hemar ri
edbefor
ehemar r
iedyou"het oldher
theentir
estor
yandwasf orcedtowat chherst i
llbe
i
ndeni alwi
thtear
sfl
owingf r
eel
yf r
om hereyes.
YandiwantedtocomfortOthubutOt hudidn'twant
totouched.
Othu:"
Youknew?"shepoi
ntedatBabi
niwi
tha
shakyhandandYandiwant
edtheanswert
othat
questi
ontoo.
Babi
ni:"
Ifoundoutaf ewdaysagoandIwentt o
confr
onthim buthesaidhe'
dtakecareofitand
si
nceIpromisedAvethandwathatIwon'tmeddle,
I
havebeengivinghimtimetodealwit
hitbutheis
cl
earl
youtofhi sdept
h"hesaidsocalmly.
Othu:"
Whatdoest akingcar eofitmean, Bhuti
?"she
wipedhernosewi ththesl eeveofhert opwhile
cryi
ng" Sohewasgoi ngt oki l
lherjustsoIwoul dn'
t
fi
ndoutabouther ?"that'
st heonlysol uti
onshe
couldthinkofsi
nceCr ai
gdi dn'
ttel
lher ."That'
swhy
hedidn'ttel
lmerightbecausehowel sewoul dhe
getri
dofherf orgoodsoshewon' ttellme? "she
cl
osedt hegapbet weenherandherbr other.
Babini:"I
fhewant edt okillhert henhe' dhavedone
solongago.He' sgoingt opayf orhersi l
ence"he
couldseeOt huwasont hebr inkofl osingi tandi f
shehadanyst rengthheknewhe' dhavebeenon
thefloorbeingpunchedf orkeepi ngqui et.They
watchedOt hushuthereyeswhi lestandingl i
kea
poleasshewaspr ocessingwhatshehadj ust
l
earned.Shet ookherkeysandheadedf ort hedoor
assoonasherangr yeyesshotopenbutBabi ni
stoppedherbef oreshecoul dl eave.Shewentcr azy
asshewast ryi
ngt ogetoutofhi sgripbutwhen
sherealizedt hatshewasf ail
inghef el
therst op
fi
ghtingbef oreshesobbedsof tly.Yandicoul dn't
beli
eveCr aigofal lpeoplewoul dhur thisf ami lyin
thatway.Shehear dababycr yandbecauseMa
Dudumashewasoutwi thMat oshehadt ogocheck
herselfbutshewast ornasshedi dn'twantt oleave
OthubutBabi nisignaledt hatitwasokayhe' dcalm
herdownsoYandiwentt ot endt othecr yingi nfant.
BabiniletgoofOt huandhel dherupperar msgent ly
soshe' dlookathi m.
Babi
ni:"
Iknowt
hatyouar
eangr
yandyoumost
probablywantt ogokickhimint heball
sandIwon'
t
stopyoubutIneedyout oputupast r
ongper
sona
foramoment "Othucouldn'
tbeli
evewhatshewas
heari
ng.Soj ustbecauseshe'sawomanshemust
bestrongandt akeitbecauseCr ai
gwasaman?she
askedher self.Babinit
oldherthatCrai
gwasgoing
topayVi vicaof fi
naf ewhoursandt heamount
nearl
ysentOt huintoacoma.
Othu:"Lethim gi
veherhi
smoney, Idonotcare.
Theycangoondamnhoneymoont oget
hertoo,
I
don'tcare"shesaidi
nacoldtone.Itwaswhen
Babinireveal
edwherethi
smoneywoul dcomefrom
thathegotOt hu'
satt
enti
on.
Babi ni:"Rightnowshet hinksshe' swon.Hermoney
i
sont hewayandshewi l
lsooncomel aughi nyour
facebecauseshet hi
nksshe' llbethefirstt
obreak
thenewst oyou.Idon'tknowaboutyoubutInever
givet heenemyt hesatisf
actionofseei ngme
def eated.EvenwhenIwoul dgettortur
edI '
dnever
telltheenemyt ostop,I'
dinsteadl aught hr
oughthe
excr uciati
ngpai nsoIgett oseet hedisappoint
ment
i
nt heirfaces.Youaremysi stersoIknowyouar e
thesame.Soyouwillgopullyour
selft
oget
herand
l
ookasbeautif
ulasyouwer ebeforewetol
dyou
thi
s.Youwil
lgoandi nt
roduceyoursel
ftot
his
Vivi
cawomanandyougi veherdi
rt
"headviced
almosti
nacommand.
Othu:"Soyouwantmet
ogof i
ghtanotherwoman
andgopl ayhappyf
ami
lywi
ththeperson
responsi
ble?
"
Babini
:"Hadthisbeensomei nnocentwomanwi tha
heartofgold,Iwoul
dn'tbetel
lyouthisbutshe'
sset
ontakingyourmoneyandt henr unherreali
denti
ty
i
nyourf ace.Hergoali
snott ogetthemoneyand
go.It
'stotakeitandconti
nuetowr eck.Youdowith
Knightasyouwantaf t
erthat"heledhertotheli
ving
room tostal
kt oher
.
Vivi
caorderedt
hemostexpensi vechampaigninall
ofCapeTownandsatl ooki
ngatthepeoplewho
passedbytheoutdoorspotatanupmar keteat
ery.
Itwasthedaythatshewoul dgetpai
dbyher
"husband"t
okeepsilent
Vi
vica:"
Aft
ert
hisl
it
tl
emeet
ing,
I'
llgohaveonewi
th
yoursecondwi fe,Knightr ider"shewhi sper edto
herselfwithagr inwhi lescanni ngt hemenu.
Othunyiweyowal kedt other eser vat i
ontableand
askedf oraVi vi
caKni ght.Othut ookoutherI Dto
showt hattheyhadt hesamesur namebecauset he
hostwasnothappywi t
hj ustpoint ingoutt heir
customer swhenVi vicadi dn'tment ionOthuwoul d
joi
nherbutOt huwassoonl edt ot hewher eVi vi
ca
was.Oncet heywer eatt hepat i
oar eathewai ter
pointedatVi vi
cawhowasst i
llt
oobusyl ookingat
themenut onotice.Ot hudi dn'twantt obet here
becauseshewasbr okeni nsidebutont heout si
de
shemadesur ethatshewasagoddess.She
broughtoutheri nnerMat oforthi smomentasshe
knewhergr andmot herwoul dwi pet hefl
oorwi tha
womanl i
keVi vi
ca.
Othu:"VivicaKnight?"Othusawt heshocked
expressiononVi v'sfacebefor
eshesunki nt
ot he
chairoppositeVi vi
cainhermostl adyl i
kepost ur
e
ever."I
'm surethatyouknowmeal r
eadybutl etme
i
ntroducemysel fnontheless.I
'm Ot hunyiweyo
Knight"sheheldherhandoutbutVi vicalookedatit
i
ndisgustsoOthul
aughedbefor
etakingherhand
backandifl
ookscoul
dkil
lOthuknewshe'dhave
di
edinthatmomentduetothedeathstar
eshewas
gi
ven.
Viv:"
AllI
sknowthatyouar
ethesi
dethi
ngofmy
husband"shewavedherl
ongnai
lsi
nawayto
di
smi ssOthu.
Othu:"OhbutVi vIwasnevert hesecret.Everyone
whoi simportantt ohim knowmebutyouont he
otherhand"sheshookherhead" Youdon' teven
quali
fytobeasi dechickbecauseevent heygetto
feelt
hewar mt hoft hemanever ynowandt hen.You
areadr unkenmi stakethatneededt obemar r
iedto
anAmer i
cantogetagr eencard"Vivicachokedon
herchampagneandOt hur eachedovert ohither
backbutwi thal i
ttl
eforceandVi vi
capushedOt hu'
s
handawaywhenshef elthowpainfulOthuhi theri
n
thenameofhel ping.Othuhatedhowl owCr aig
madehersi nk.
Vivi
ca:"
Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.Iwas
bornint
heUS"
Othu:"Notaccordingt oyourr ecords.Youfail
edto
l
etyournewhusbandknowt hatyouwer ealr
eady
mar r
iedinyournat i
vecount ry.Ohwai t.
..
youalso
fai
ledtotellhi
mt hatt heUSaut hor i
ti
escaughtyou
out,decl
aredyourmar r
iagetohim nullandvoid
whent heyfoundyouwer emar ri
edalreadybefore
theydeportedyou.PoorKni ghtcouldn'tfi
ndyou
becauseoft hat
.Nowyou' r
einSout hAf r
icawit
ha
fakedocument s"Vivicast r
aightened.
Vi
vica:"
Ever
ythi
ngofminei
saboveboar
d"Othu
l
ookedatputherbr
unet
tehai
rbehi
ndherear
.
Ot hu:"Ohno, honeyyouar enoVivicaKnightbut
VivicaNi les.PoorBr i
anwassodesper atet
oget
youher e,hedi dn'tevencheckifyouwer ereallysti
ll
Mr sKni ghtandgoodf oryougirlfortaki
ng
advant ageofhi sdesper at
ionbyget ti
ngyourself
fraudulentdocument sthatclai
mt hatyourMr s
VivicaKni ght"Ot huhel dupahi ghfiveandwhen
Vivicadi dn'tmeetherhal f
wayshel aughedoutl oud
"Mr sNiles, whenyoucomet omycount r
yandt ryto
threatenmyhusbandoutofmoneyt hatishalfmine,
youmakeOt hunyi weyoaveryangr ywomanand
sinceyoudonothavemoneyf orapl anet i
cketback,
Itookliber
tyofcal l
ingi nsomehel pf oryou.No
needt othankme.Myf riendsareout sider eadyt o
shipyour i
ghtbackt oCanadawher eyourhusband,
notmyhusband, mnt asekhayabutyour swi llgobail
youout .Ohbutyoupoort hi
ng,yougotdi vorceda
yearagosohewon' tbai lyououtbutanywayt hat'
s
nonofmyconcer n.Youpi ckedthewr ongdamn
womant otryandst eal from.Nowdocal lmy
husbandandt el
lhimt hatyouki ndlychangedyour
mi ndaboutthemoneysohecanr eturnourdamn
moneywher ehet ooki tfrom"shegaveVi vicaher
phonebecauseshewant edCraigtoknowt hatshe
knew.Vi vi
cawat chedOt humovet ot her hyt hm of
thesongt hatplayedi nthebackgr oundwhi leshe
dialedCraig.
Craig:"
O, Ican'
ttalkri
ghtnowandIpr
omiseafter
todaythingswillretur
ntonormal
"hesai
dquickly.
Vivi
ca:"
Idon'tneedt
hemoneyanymor
e"Cr
aig
nearl
ydroveintoast
eel
pol
ewhenheheardVivi
ca
hadOthu'sphone.
Cr
aig:"
Givemywi
fet
hephone"Vi
vicagaveOt
hu
thephonebutsheendedt
hecal
lwi
thouteven
bri
ngingi
ttoherear
.
Othu:" Inear lyfeelbadf orki ckingoutoft heci tyon
oneofi tsmostbeaut if
uldays"Ot hustoodupt o
l
eavebutshepausedandt ur nedbackt olookat
Vivicawhowasbusywi thherphone" Ohdon' t
bothercal l
ingyourl it
tl
edumbf ri
endBr ianbecause
Icanassur eyout hatonceI 'm donewi t
hhi m, he
won' tbeabl etoaf fordyouashe' llbecount i
ngeach
andever ysi ngledirtycenthehasi nhisaccount .
Goodday, Mr sNi l
eswannabeMr sKnight "shel eft
Vivicaf umi ng.WhenBr i
ancont actedhersayi ng
thatheknewabouthermar ri
aget oCr aigshedi dn'
t
sayt hatt hemar ri
agewasr uledani nvalidbyt heUS
authoritieswhent heyr ealisedshehadahusbandi n
Canadasoshecoul dn'tmar ryaUSci tizenasi twas
seenasf r
audul ent.Whenshehear dthepr omi ses
Brianmadeshehadt ogetf akepaper swi ththe
Knightnamet ofoolhi mi nt ot hi
nkingthatshewas
sti
llMr sKni ght.FredNi l
es, herhusbanddi vorced
herandl eftherwi thnot hingsoCr aigandBr ian
wer ehert icketoutofpover tyandshef elther self
hateOt huf orruiningherpl ansbutshecoul dn't
fi
ghtit.Othu' s"fr
iends"wentt ohert ableandshe
knewshe' dbedepor t
edbackt ohercount r
yjustas
theUSgover nmentdi dmanyyear sago.She
thoughtamar ri
aget oCr ai
gwoul dearnher
cit
izenshipt herebuti nsteadthatshor tmar ri
agegot
annulledandshegotdepor t
ed.Shecoul dn'
tcall
Brianbecausehe' dbeangr ythatshel iedtohim
aboutst i
llbeingmar ri
edt oCraig.Babi niwentt othe
Knighthouset osur prisehisnephews, ni
eceand
grandchildwi t
hani ghtoutashedi dn'twantt hem
tobepr esentwhenCr aigandOt huspoke.Ot hufelt
thedoorbehi ndhershutandsheknewi twasCr ai
g.
Othu:"I'
m evenashamedt osaythatmyhusbandi s
asmar tmanwhenhedi dn'
tevenr eali
zet
hathis
fi
rstmar r
iagewasdeclaredinval
idyearsago.It
's
sadonmypar tthoughbecausethatmeanst hatour
mar r
iageisasvalidastheycome.I '
m sur
eeven
youragencywoul dbeashamedt oclai
m youasone
whowasonceoneoft hem becauseyou'r
eclearl
y
notevenashadowoft hemanyouoncewe' re.
Lett
ingadamnwomanwhoyoul astsawduringa
drunkmomentcomeher eandscareyouint
o
getti
ngmoneyandusi ngourhomeassur et
y"her
calmnesswaswhatmadeCr ai
gmor eafr
aidtogo
nearher.Shesti
llhadherbackturnedtohim sof
or
allheknewshehadagunorkni fe."
Didshegetyour
tonguetoo?"sheturnedaroundemptyhanded.
Cr
aig:"
Iwasscaredt
oloseyou.Woul
dyoubemy
wi
fetodayi
fItol
dyouthatIwasmarr
ied?
"
Othu:"
Nobecauseyouwer ecl earlyoverr
at edby
yourpeersbecauseifyouwer et hemant heysaid
youwer ethenyouwoul dhavef oundt hatyouno
l
ongerhadawi febyVivi
ca.Ican' tbel
ievet hatyou
fail
edtocheckifyouwer esti
llmar ri
edaf tershe
justdi
sappearedonyou.Orwer eyouhopi ngshe'd
showupandpl ayfami
lywithyouagai n?"
Crai
g:"Ineverwantedher.Itwasastupiddrunkbet.
Thelastti
meIcheckedt hemar r
iagewasstillval
id
sotheymusthavegot tenheraftert
hatbecauseI
di
dn'tbothertocheckagainasmymai ngoalwast o
getholdofhertogetitannull
ed"
Ot
hu:"
Youdoknowt
hati
ncer
tai
nst
atesonecan
spli
twithouttheconsentoftheirspousebutonlyon
vali
dreasons.Iwouldt hi
nkthatanest r
angedwife
whoyoumar riedduri
ngadr unkbetisenough
reasontoendi t
.Soyoudidn'tt
hinkthatyoucould
trygetthemar ri
ageannull
edwhenyoucoul dn'
tfi
nd
her?Youar easmar tmanbutr i
ghtnowyouar ethe
biggestfoolt
hatIhaveevermet "sheremained
calm.
Crai
g:"Ifeell
ikeonesoinnotevengoingtodenyi
t"
hedidn'twanttoaddfuelt
oanal r
eadygiantf
ir
e.
Othu:"Youactast houghIdi dn'tknowaboutyour
past,Craig.Iknewaboutt helineofwor kandIknew
aboutt hedamnhundr edsofwomenwhoyouwer e
withbef oremebutImar ri
edyounont helessr i
ght.
Soyout hinkal i
tt
lemar ri
agecer t
if
icatewouldhave
scaredmeof f?Onethatnol ongerexistedandi f
youtoldmet henyouandIwoul dhavef oundi tout
together!"sheshoutedandhewasgl adbecause
thecalmnesswasst arti
ngt oscarehim mor e."Now
Ihearthatyouputourhomewher eourkidsand
grandchi l
dliveassur etyfortheloanyougotf ora
womanwhohadabsol utel
ynot hi
ngonyou, nothing.
Ihatehowyoumademeaf oolandIhat ehowyou
mademef eelguil
tyforyourchangei nbehavi our
.I
can'tevenl ookatyour i
ghtnowsoj ustgo!"she
start
edt ocr y.Heknewt otalktoherwhenshewas
angrywaspoi nt
less."Youmi ghtwantt otakeyour
cl
othest oobecauseIwon' twanttoseeyoul ater
northedaysaf t
ertoday.Letti
ngsomewr i
nkledhas
beensl ayQueencomeandscar eyouinsteadof
j
ustt el
lingmewhatwasgoi ngon"shel efthim
standingt hereandwentt oherbedr oom.
Babi
nifoundCrai
gattheirusualhangoutspot
l
ookingli
keawalki
ngdead.Babi niwassurethat
Crai
gwouldtackl
ehim buthewasshockedwhen
Crai
gdidn'
tevenstophimf r
om sit
ti
ngdown.
Babini:"Yourpri
dewillbeyourf uckingend.Iasked
yout wiceifyou'
vegotthisandyout oldmeabout
notwant ingnofucki
ngmanupi nyourshit.Idon't
wantt obeupyourshi teitherbutyourshitisl
inked
tomet hroughmysister.Stopbeingsuchasof t
emot ionalpussyanddealwi thyourmess"Cr aig
didn'texpectanI'
m sorryfrom him sohewasn' t
offendedbyhi swords.
Cr
aig:"
Soyoucoul
dn'
tjustt
ellmet
hatIhadl
ong
st
oppedbei
ngmarri
edtoher?"
Babi ni:"
Istayedoutofanot her '
smanshi tjustashe
toldmet o"Craignodded." Ifyouwer en'tsucha
wander i
ngpr ickbackt hencar ingaboutnot hing
you'dhavegot t
ennewsofi tfrom t hecour tsasI '
m
suret heyt r
iedt heirhar destt or eachyou.Ican' t
believesomet hingsosi mpl esl ippedyou.Ar eyou
event heSnipeIhear daboutorwast herealone
kil
ledandr eplacedwi thacl one? "havi ngseen
scienceexper iment shewoul dn'tbeshockedi ft
he
realCr aigdiedl ongagoandgotr eplacedj ustso
he'sf amilywon' tnot ice."Lettingawomanwi t
hno
fuckingst andingt ogett oyoul iket hat.Ther eisno
recor dofthatmar riageanywher ebutIhadt odig
placesyou' llneverknowt ofindouthowt hat
mar riageendedbutj ustaf terIf oundoutI
over heardAvet ell
ingOt huabouthervi si
onandsoI
toldhersi nceyouwer emessi ngupshewasbound
tofindoutanyway.Ican' tbelieveyoursol ut i
onwas
topayher .Shewoul dhavet oldOt huaboutyou
anywayj usttoaddt oherwi n.Whenyousai dyou've
goti
t,It
houghtyouhadsomer ealshi
tbutyouwer
e
wil
li
ngtogivein.I
'
m ashamedtoevensayyou'r
e
famil
y.Rui
ningmystreetcr
edi
tbyassociati
on"
Crai
g:"WellI
'm ki
ckedoutofmyhouseyoudon't
havetorubinhowmuchImessedupbutIwi l
lget
mywi f
ebacksodon' tt
hinkyou'
vegot
tenr
idofme
becauseyou'r
egoingtobefucki
ngassoci
atedwit
h
mewhet heryouli
keitornot
"
Babini:"
Andi tseemshest i
llhashisfuckingballs
j
ustasIt houghtVivicacutthem off"heshookhi s
head"I '
m goingtorubitthefuckinsowecanavoi d
arepeat.Doyouknowt hathadyouaccept edmy
hel
pt hatnightI'
dhavegot t
endownt othejobas
soonaspossi bl
ebutnoCr aigKnightdoesn'tneed
hel
pbecausehe' sal
waysgothi sshi t
"hesai d
sarcasti
call
y.
Cr
aig:"
Damni
tIhear
dyou"her
aisedhi
svoi
ce.
Babi ni
:"Ri
ghtnowwe'dhavehadacelebr
atory
drinkbecauseI'
dhavecometoyouwithmy
feedbackhadyouacceptedmyhelpandsaid"hey
Kni ghtguesswhat
?Youstoppedbei
ngmar ri
edto
Vivi
cal ongagobecauseshewasmar r
iedal r
eady
butthoughtshecoul dgetagr eencar
df rom youbut
shewascaughtoutanddepor ted'
andwe' dhave
l
aughedi nherfucki
ngf aceandneverl
etOt huinon
ourlit
tl
esecr et"heshookhishead.Hewant edto
stri
pCr ai
gof fhispri
deasbestaspossi ble.
Crai
g:"
Thenletmedri
nktomymesst
hensi
ncewe
can'
thaveyourcel
ebr
ator
ydr
ink"
Babini
:"You'regoingtofuckingmanupandst op
beingasissy.Ireallyneedtocheckifyou'
reno
damncl onebecausedamnyou' reashadowoft he
manIhear dabout"heshookhi shead"Come,we'l
l
hideyouinoneoft hebackr oomsbecauseIknowa
mandowni samanwhoi seasytargettot
hese
l
oosewomenandyou' l
lneverwinOthubackby
fucki
ngar ound"
Cr
aig:"
Don'
tactl
ikeyoucar
e"
Babini:"OhnoaboutyouIcur rentl
ydon' tandIwon'
t
evenpr etendto.I
'
llmostprobablyfightwithmy
wifeforbr i
ngi
ngyoubutIknowmysi sterisjust
madbutshe' l
lwanttotal
keveni fi
t'
ssi xmont hs
f
rom nowandi fyouaddsl eepi
ngar oundt
oyour
messthenyou'refucked.Idon'twantyouhur
ti
ng
mysisteranymorethanyouhavebecauseshe
l
ovesyou.Justtuckyourf ucki
ngprideawayfr
om
t
odayon"
Crai
g:"
Thankyoufortr
yingtohel
p,manandI'm
sorr
yIspati
nyourface.You'
reri
ght
,Idon'
tknowi
f
I'
m hal
fthemanthatIwas"headmit
ted.
Babini:"I
fbei ngwol fi stoomuchf oryouatl eastbe
apitbullrathert hanadamnchi huahua.I '
m sure
evenOt hui sscr eami ngf oryourfucking
mascul i
nityandvi gilancet ocomeback"hest ood
anddidn'tcar ei fCraigf oll
owedornotbutsoon
Craigappr earedatt heirhouse.Yandibei nga
typi
calbestf r
iendmadei tclearwhereherl oyalt
ies
werebutshest illf
eltli
keshebet rayedOt huby
openingherhomet oCr aigbutonceBabi nigavet he
reasonYandiact uallysawhi spoint.Alltheyneeded
todowast okeepCr aighi ddenwhenOt hucame
aroundorel seshe' dbeangr yatthem toof or
showinghi m ki ndnesswhenshewant edhi mt ohurt
asmuchasshedi d.
S2-
INSERT31
Themomentar oundthebr eakf
asttablewast ense
ast heki dswer egivi
ngeachot herlookswonder ing
wher etheirf atherwas.WhenQhawewentt oOt hu's
room t oaskf orpocketmoneyi twascl eartohim
thattheirfat herhadnotsl eptathomeonceagai n.
Othugavet hem t hestoryofCr ai
ggoi ngtoPaar lfor
wor kbutt heyknewhewoul dn'
tjustgowithout
tell
ingthem al soandgi vingQhayi yaami l
li
oncheek
kissest osust ainhi m ashewoul dusuall
yputi t
.
Qhayi yawast heonlyonemaki ngnoi seonherchai r
whi l
epl ayingwi t
hhert oy.
Qhawe:"Mom, areyouanddadget tingdivorced?"
heaskedOthut hequestionhissibli
ngswer e
burningt
oheart heanswert ofrom herasCr aig
al
readyassuredt hem i
twon'thappen.Ot hulooked
atthemanybadgesonhi sschoolblazerfi
rstbefore
hereyesmethis.Theywer eful
lofwor ryandahi nt
ofsadnessthatmadeOt hufeelmor eangertowar ds
Craig.
Othu:"
Yout
hreear
esmar tenought
ohaveseen
t
hroughmyli
eIguess.Dadisnotawayf
orwork.He
i
satMal ume'sbecausesomet i
mesmar riedpeople
needal ittl
ebreakfrom eachot hertothi
nk"shesaid
withhonest ybecauset heyseemedt obel i
e
det ectors.Yandicouldn' tkeepCr ai
ghiddenasshe
feltli
keshewasbet rayingOt husoshetoldOt hu
they'dbeaccommodat inghi m andOthuwasnot
upsetbecausei twast hei rhouseandtheycoul ddo
what everwi thit"Sono, dadandIar en'
tgetting
divor cedbutt herearegr ownupt hi
ngsthatwe
mustsor tout
"thekidsl ookedateachot herand
nodded.
Phawu:"Howlongwil
lhestayatMalume'sforand
canwegoseehi m?"hemissedhi
sfatherbuthe
missedseei
ngCrai
gwi t
hthei
rmothermor e.
Othu:"
Youcangoseehi m anyt
ime,boy"shedi
dn'
t
answerthequest
ionofwhenhewi l
lbeback
becauseshewasn'tsur
ethatsheevenwantedhim
backsosoon.
Chulu:"Grownupsfight
,guysbutt
heyalsotal
kand
patchthingsup.Mom anddadbothsaidnodivor
ce
solet'
sgi vet
hem t
imetosortoutt
heirgr
ownup
stuff
.Pleasegogetyourstuf
fbecauseyou'
l
lbe
l
ate"Qhawesippedont hel
astdropofhisjui
ce
befor
etheydisappear
edtothei
rbedroom.Chul u
l
ookedathermom " Mama,youar et
hepersont hatI
gotojustt
otalksoifyouneedashoulderI'm here.
I'
m notachil
dsoIcanhandleit"sheadded.
Othu:"You'
renotachi l
dtoQhaweandPhawu,
Chulumancobutt omeyouar e.AsmuchasIt old
them i
t'sagrownupi ssue,
sameappl i
estoyou.
Imaginemeaski ngformarit
aladvicefrom
someonewhohasneverbeenmar r
ied.Si
sNoniwi l
l
behereshortlysopleasegetyourthingssoIcan
dropyoualloffbecausedadwon' tbeabletotake
you"shestoodandsor tedherbag.
Chulu:"I
'
llgotocampusl at
eron.I
t'
sjustsor
ti
ngout
mygr aduati
onthings.Youanddadwi l
lgori
ght
..
.
toget
her?"shelookedathermother.
Othu:"We'l
lbothbet her
e,Chulumanco"shedi dn't
saythetogetherpartChuluwaseager l
ywaiti
ngf or
.
Assoonast heboyshadal lt
heirstuffi
twast i
met o
godr opthem offatschool
.Othut houghtthatt
hey'd
l
iketotakeat axitoschoolsi
ncemat r
iclear
ners
don'tusuall
ywantt hei
rmom dr oppingthem offbut
herboysdidn'
tmindatall
.Shecaughtuponthe
schoolyearandspeci
fi
cal
lythegradeandwas
happytohearthatt
heyadjustedwell
.
Ot hu:"Hai
bomyki sses?"sheaskedwhenshe
hear dthedoorsopenassoonasshepar ked.They
mumbl edafewt hi
ngsclear lytheydidn'twant
anyonet oseethem kissingt heirmom goodbye.
"Youguysknowt hatI'
llf
ol l
owyouandki ssyoui n
frontofalloft
hesekidsr ight,crushesandal l"she
remi ndedthem whil
elaughi ngandwat chedthem
l
ookatheragai n.
Qhawe:"
Haveagreatday,
Mom.Loveyou"he
ki
ssedhercheekf
ir
stashetookf
rontseatt
hat
morni
ng.
Phawu:"Loveyou,
Mom"hel eanedf
orwar
df r
om
thebacktoalsopl
antapeckonOthu'
scheek.
Othu:"
Whyi st
he"I"notputi
nfrontofLoveyou?
Howwi llIknowwhol ovesme?"shelookedatthem
shaketheirhead.Shelovedt
hem somuch.
Them:"Il
oveyou,Mom"theysangi
tsi
mul
taneousl
y
andOthulaughedsof
tl
y.
Othu:" Iloveyouguystoo.Somomsofmat ri
cul
ants
havet owor ksohar dt
ogetaki ssandproperIlove
you?Doyouknowyouguysusedt obesadwhenI
didn'tgiveyouhugsandki ssesbef oregoingto
wor k?"shesmi l
edatthememor i
es."
Okaygo, you
don'thavet olooksoconstipated.Youoncel ovedit
whenIf ussed"sheputsomeofherhandcr eam on
Phawu' skneesfi
rstastheylookedabi tashy.
Phawu:"
Mom, yho"hesaidinembarassment.He
l
ookedgreati
nschoolshort
sandOt huwasgl adhe
st
il
lworethem.Qhawewasbusyl aughingatPhawu
whenhefeltt
hecoolcream onhi
selbows.
Qhawe:"Mom,canwegonow?
"hesni
ff
edhis
el
bowandmadeagr ossf
ace"
NowIsmelll
ikea
chi
ck"heshookhi
shead.
Othu:"Youmustt hankmef orl ooki
ngoutf ort hose
ashykneesandel bows.Nogi r
lwant sdustyboys.
Youmaygo"shebl ewt hem kissesandwat ched
them disappearintotheschoolyar dbef or
edr iving
off.That'
swhyt het winspreferredCraigtodr op
them off.Hejuststoppedthecar ,f
istbumpedt hem
anddi dn'
tevenwai ttochecki ftheywer einsidet he
yardbef oredr i
vingof f.Theyhopedt heirfat
her
woul dreturnsoonbef or eOt humessedupt heir
schoolr eputation.Ot huwentt oherpr i
vatemeeting
withBrianaf terhecal ledt oletherknowt hathe
foundal oophol einasi mi l
arcasesuchas
Kumkani '
sWi llaf ewdaysago.Hedi dn'
tsayhegot
hishandsoni tandspeci fi
call
ywentt ol
ookf ort
he
l
oophol ei nit
.Br ianst oodt ogi veOthuahuganda
kissont hecheekt hatl eftOthucringingbutshehad
toact.Heevenwentasf arasor deringherfavourit
e
drink.
Othu:"
I'
m sur
pri
sedthatIdon'
tseeabott
leof
champagneonthetable"shesmil
edbef
oresi
tti
ng
down.
Bri
an:"Idi
dn'twanttobei nsensit
ive,Othu.Asmuch
asIknowyouhat ehavi
ngsomet hingofKumkani 's
aft
eryout ol
dmewhatheputyout hr
ough, Ican
al
soimagi nethatthi
sishar donyou"het r
iedto
haveempat hy.Tomaket hest or
yaboutbei ng
desperat
et ogetri
dofanyt hingKumkaniseem t rue
Othuhadt ogivesomedet ail
sofherchi ldhoodbut
onlytheli
testuffwhi
chmadeBr ianthinkhe
r
eachedhersoul
.
Othu:"Didyoumanaget ogethol
dofthatf riend?"
helookedather" Yester
daywhenwemetupyou
saidyouwer etryingt ogethol
dofafriendandi t
seemst hatitanger edyouwhenyoucoul dn'tfi
nd
them"shewant edtodr i
nktheteabutshewasnot
surewhatheputi nt her
esoshe'dmake
conversati
onunt ili
twentcold.Othuknewt hatthe
fri
endBr i
ancoul dn'tgethol
dofwasVi vica.
Bri
an:"Iact
uall
ythoughtIneededherf orsomethi
ng
butitt
urnsoutIwasabl etodoital
lbymysel f
"he
si
ppedhi scof
fee.Hewasangr ythathecouldn'
tget
holdofVivi
cabuthet houghthemanagedt oget
Othutogivehim herandBabini
'sshares.
Othu:"Youdon'tknowhowhappymybr otherandI
are,happytogetridoftheseshares.AfterKumkani
deniedBabiniwhenhi smothertol
dhim she's
pregnantBabiniwant snot
hingofhim evennowas
agrownupandwel lyouknowmyst ory"shesaidin
alowsadt one.
Br
ian:"
Itseemsyouguysmustgetr
eadyf
ormor
e
kidsfr
om yourfat
herbecausePoppytol
dmehedi d
thesamewi t
hher"heshookhishead.Thef
actthat
Kumkanideniedalovechil
dbefor
emadeselli
ng
Babini
'sst
orysoeasy.
Ot hu:"Let 'snottalkaboutt hatbecausewear ebot h
get ti
ngwhatwedeser veattheendoft heday.I '
l
lbe
freeofKumkani '
schai nsandyou' l
lbemaj or i
ty
shar ehol derofKC"t heylaughed.Ot hut ookoutt he
paper sbecauseshet oldBr i
anshewant edt ouse
herownl awyert omakesur ethatitst i
pulatedt he
l
oophol esot hatMrXabawoul dnotobj ectand
Br i
anwashappyt ol etheruseherl egalt eam f orthe
transferagr eement .Br i
anraisedhi shandsandone
ofKC' sempl oyeesst eppedcl osertobewi tness
thatnoonewasf orcedt osignorhel datgunpoi nt
asBr i
anf eltwasneeded.Ot hulookedovert oBr i
an
ner vouslybecausewhatshewasdoi ngwasa
gambl e.Shewat chedhi mtakehi sownpenf rom
hisj acketpocket" Aren'tyougoi ngt oreadi t?I
meani t'sadvi cedthatal lagreement sber ead"she
felther selffeelhotasshehopedhe' ddi smi ss
advi ceasheal waysdi d.Shewat chedhi m scan
overthedocumentsandsheswal lowedhard.Br
ian
wasnotr eadi
nghewasjustlookingforhisname,
Babini'
sandOthu'
snamet oensur ethatt
he
agreementwasbetweenthem indeed.
Bri
an:" YouandIhaveshar edsomanyper sonal
i
nfor mationabouteachot hersoIt r
ustyou.Pl us
you'real i
tt
lehonestpri
mar yschoolt eacher.Idoubt
you'velearntthedir
tyofbusi nessyer"hejoked
beforelaughingandOt hudi dtoo.Shewor easmi r
k
whenhi sfocuswasonsi gningt hepapers."li
tt
le
honestpr imaryschoolteacher"Othut houghtto
herselfbeforegri
nning.Brianhandedhert he
agreementt osignandshebor rowedhi spen.
Othu:"Youhavegi venmemor ethanyou'l
lever
know.Thankyouonbehal fofmyselfandmy
brotherforfi
ndingthatl
oophol
e"shesmi l
edbefore
putti
ngt heagreementint
oherbag.Oncet he
witnesssawnovi ol
encewasinvol
vedhel ef
taft
er
beingthanked.Othuwasgl adther
ewasawi t
ness
i
ncaseBr iantol
dboardmember sthathewasnotin
therightstateofmind.
Br
ian:"
I'
m st
il
lwonder
ingwhyyouwantmet
opay
t
hemoneyi
ntoKCt
hough"hel
ookedconf
used.
Othu:"Bri
anher emeout .WhenIsayIwantnothing
ofthesesharest hati
ncludest
hemoneyf ori
t.My
si
sterissti
llsharehol
dersoIwantthebusinessto
succeedforhersoshewon' tl
oseheri
nvestment
becausePoppyl ovesKC"heshookhi sheadclearl
y
hewoul dhavepocket edthemoney.
Br
ian:"
You'
recl
ear
lynott
hemateri
ali
sti
ctype.So
wi
llyoust
il
lwor
kforKCbecauseyouareanasset?"
Othu:"I
nit
ial
lyIdiditoutofdut
ybecauseIfeltI
neededtobet hereassharehol
derbutnha..
.Iwill
gobackt omyol dlif
e.Iam st
il
lthatl
it
tl
ehonest
pri
mar yschoolteacherasyoujustmenti
oned"they
bothlaughed.
Bri
an:"Yestruebecauseyouwantt odoeverythi
ng
bythebookwhi chproveshownai veyouarein
businessanditwi l
lmakepeopl emanipulat
eyou
wit
hease.Okaynowt hatthat
'soutoftheway,I
needt ogetgoing.Don'tt
ellanyoneaboutthi
syet
becauseIwantt omaket heannouncementmyself"
hesaidconfidentlyandOt hunodded.
Othu:"Iwouldn'thavei
tanyotherway,
MrDambuza.
Isti
llhatehowshadyt hisl
ooksseei
ngaswedidit
awayf rom t
heof fi
cewit
houtPoppyandyourf
ather
present"shelookedaround.
Bri
an:"Thiswasbet weenme, youandyourbr other
.
Youreall
yneedt ogobackt oteaching.MrsKnight.
Itwasapl easuredoi ngbusinesswi thyou"he
shookherhandbef or egoingofftoasiteinspecti
on.
Othuwant edtoor derher sel
facelebrator
ydrinkbut
shehadt ogogi vethet ransferagreementtotheKC
l
egalteam.Br iandialedhi sf
ather'
snumberbef ore
heevenlef tt
her est
aur ant.
Bri
an:"Guesswhois90%sharehol
derofKumkani
Constr
ucti
on..
.ohImeanDambuzaconstruct
ion"he
sai
dinasneakyvoiceli
keachil
dwhogotaway
wit
hsteali
ngsugar.
Dambuza:"Kumkaniwouldbeashamedofhi s
weakli
ngs.Nonofthem t
akesaft
erhim,whata
wasteofgoodbusi
nessgenes"helaughed"But
l
uckil
ytheDambuzasdon'thaveweakli
ngs"he
congrat
ulat
edhi
ssonandendedt hecallbef
ore
goingbacktohi
sgolfsessi
onwithapotenti
alcl
ient
hegotforhisson.DambuzaSnrdi dn'tminddoing
al
lthehardwor kwhilehissontookcredi
taslong
asaDambuzawast hefaceofKChedi dn'tmi
nd.
Lat
erOthust oodtogot otheannouncement
meeti
ngBr i
anwashavi ngandheevenwentasf ar
asgett
ingagl assofchampagnef orever
yone.
Brian:"I'
m sur et hatyou'reallwonder ingwhyIam
soexci ted.Wel lyouar ealll
ookingatt hepr oud
ownerof90%oft hiscompany.I 'm al sopr oudt o
announcet hatwewi l
lber ebrandi ngsoonandso
thecompanywi llnolongerbeknownasKumkani
Const r
uct i
onbutasDambuzaConst ruction"t he
staffl
ookedatOt huandPoppybutt heywer efirst
toclapsot heot her sclappedt owhent heysawhow
happyt heZwenil adieswer e.MrTom wal kedi nand
wentst raighttoBr i
anandbehi ndhi m wer eaf ewof
theboar dmember s.MrTom bei ngt heDambuza
l
apdogdi dn'twantt opubl i
callyannouncewhat ever
i
twast hathecamef orashewhi speredi ntoBr i
an's
ear.Briandi smi ssedt heempl oyeesandPoppyand
Othuwer eor deredt ofollowt otheboar droom and
theydid.Oncet hedoorwasshutt hechaosbegan.
MrTom:" Whydi
d..
."MrDambuzaSnrwalkedi
n
l
ookingl
ikeanot
herstr
okewasknocki
ngonhis
doorbef
oreTom coul
dfini
shhi
squesti
on.
Dambuza:" Whatisthi
sIhearaboutyousel
li
ngour
sharest
ot hem? "hepoi
ntedatOthuandPoppyand
Othucouldseet hepoormanshakeinanger.Br
ian
l
ookedconf used.
Bri
an:"Idon'
tknowwhatyouhear
dbutIgotthei
r
shares.
..
wellOt
hu'
sandBabini
'
sthati
s"hesaid
wit
hcer t
aint
y.
MrTom:" Thenwhydi dt
helegalteam cal
lmeand
tel
lmet hatKumkaniConstr
ucti
onwas100%Zweni
again"Bri
anlookedatOthu.
Othu:" Ohi sthi
st hepar
twher eIgi vemyl i
nes?"she
smiledasshel ookedaroundt her oom "WellBri
an
hadapr ivatemeet i
ngwithmesayi ngthathe
want edt ogetbackathi sfatherf orani nci
dent
wher ehef oundoutt hathisfat herwasent ert
aini
ng
aladyhewasal soentertai
ning.Youcanask
Sakhumziwhohear dBri
ansayweshar edsomany
pri
vat einformationaboutour selvest hathetrusted
mewi th"shereferredt otheempl oyeewho
watchedvthem si gn."Hesaid'Othunyiweyo, Iwant
tomakehi m suffer'andjustl
ikethatheof f
eredme
hisshares.I
'm notonet oinvolvemysel finfamily
feudsbutIam abusi nesswomansoIgr abagood
opportuni
tywhenIseeone.Idi deverythingabove
board.MrDambuzaJnrsi gnedont hedot tedli
ne
handinghissharesovert omysel fandmybr ot
her
BabiniZweni"shesai dcalmly.
MrDambuza:"Al
lofthisforadamnwhoreIt
hought
webothfor
gotabout
? "heshoutedandOt
hufel
t
scar
edforhi
sheart
.
Bri
an:"She'
slyi
ng!Inevert
oldheraboutt
hat
!"he
poi
ntedatOthu.Hereall
ydidn'
tbuti
twasamot i
ve
Babinif
oundast owhythejuni
orDambuzawould
sel
ltohertohurthi
sfather
.
Poppy:"
Alsotellever
yonethatyouaren'tquali
fi
ed
tobehere!
"sheshout edatBri
an.Babiniletheri
n
onsomeoft het hi
ngsandopenedhereyes.Mr
DambuzaSnrl ookedatPoppy.
Dambuza:"
Donott
alkbul
l!Isentt
hisboyt
othe
bestschool
sandI
'
veseenhi
sdegr
eesmysel
f!
"he
shouted.
Othu:"
Idon'
tknowwheregradeel
eveni
sequi
valent
toaPhD.Poppy,doyouper
hapsknow?"shel
ooked
atPoppyandPoppyshookherhead.
Dambuza:"
Don'
tjustst
andt
her
e.Def
endyour
sel
f"
heshout
ed.
Bri
an:" Iwasgoingt otellyou,xhego.My
quali
ficati
onsare...
theyar eallf
ake.Iwasn't
att
endi ngschool.Iinvestedthemoneyyougaveme
i
ntoabusi nessthatt urnedoutt obeascam"he
sai
df eeli
ngashamed.DambuzaSnrevenhada
vei
nr i
ghtonhi sforeheadandOt hufeltbad.
Dambuza:" Isawyourgr aduati
onpi ct
ures"i
tthen
hishimt hatt
hat '
sallhesawpi cturesthatborr
owed
graduati
onat ti
reandaphot ographercoul dgetas
Brianalwayst ol
dthem aftergraduat i
onthathehad
graduatedalready.Hebreathedr agewhenhe
l
ear nedthathewasnotj ustplayedbyt heZweni
fami l
ybuthisownson.
Ot
hu:"
MrDambuzaSnr
,don'
tactast
houghyou
wor kedf orthoseshar esyou'recryi
ngover ,si
r.You
blackmai ledmyf athertogiveyou40%andasi f
thatwasnotenoughyout r
iedtomakehi m gethi s
sont omar ryyourdaught er.Kumkanidiedwi t
hhi s
dirtsodon' tcrywhenhi schil
drentakewhatwas
neveryour stobegi nwith.AsforBrian'
scase"she
sear chedherbagandt ookoutpamphl ets"These
areABETcl assest hathecanat t
endtogetmat r
ic.
It'
sreal l
ynotat r
ainsmashasonei snevertoool d
tolear n"shehandedi tovertoBrianwhol ookedl i
ke
hecoul dstrangleher" I
t'
sokay,Idon'tl
ikecarrying
paper seitherandt hat
'swhyIalsoemai ledthe
school sinformat i
ont oyou.Thankmesomeot her
ti
me"shet uckedt hepapersbacki nherbag.
MrTom:"
Youcan'
tjust
..
."
Popoy:"Youdon'tdaretalkwhenwesawr ecordsof
donati
onsf r
om t
heDambuzaf amil
y"sheshouted.
Shecouldnotbelievethatshewaspl ayedbutwas
grat
efultoherbr
ot herf
orpr epar
ingherwit
h
i
nformationsoshewoul dn'tbeshockedast he
peoplearoundandbeaf ool.
Ot
hu:"
AlsoBr
ianyoudi
dgoodbypayi
ngbackt
hat
moneyyouandyourf at
herstolefrom KCandthat
wit
hi nter
esttoo.I'
m surethattheboardisgoi
ngto
belenientonyouoncet heyseeyour egr
ett
edthat
move"Br i
anwant edtostrangleherbutsheheldher
fi
ngeri nf
rontofhim whileshakingherhead"You
don'twantyourpr et
tyselfi
njail,
Briantr
ustmeyou
don't"heret
reated.
Bri
an:"
Thatmoneywast obuyhershar
esnott
o
paybackanyt
hing"heshout
ed.
Othu:"Whyonear
thwouldIwantmoneytomy
sharesbepai
dint
othecompanyaccount
?"she
l
ookedaround.
Dambuza:" Youl it
tl
egirlsthinkthatt hisisoverbut
youdonotknowwhoyouar edeal i
ngwi th.Go
resurr
ectyourf atherandaskhi m whatDambuzai s
capableof"hepoi ntedtoOt huandPoppyand
Poppywast heonl yonel ookinglikeshe' dwet
hersel
fbecauseOt hutrustedherbr otherwhenhe
saidhegotherback." I
fIknewt hatyouwoul dbe
playedbygi r
lswhoar estil
lplayingwi thdollsI
'd
havenevert rustedyouwi t
honeoft hef amil
y
i
nvestment s.Comebef oreyouhumi l
iatememor e"
hepoi
ntedatBr
ian.
Brian:"Youmessedwi ththewr
ongfamil
ythatI
promi seyou"hethreant
edtheZwenil
adi
esbefore
fol
lowi nghi
sfatherout.
Poppy:"
MrTom, foll
owyourbosses!
"shepoi
nted
tot
hedoorf or
get
tingtheywer
eherbossesnotso
l
ongagot oo.
MrTom:"
Youtwobett
ersl
eepwi
thoneeyeopen"
hewar
nedbef
orel
eavi
ng.
Othu:"Ladiesandgent lemen,nowt hatthe
unqual i
fi
edCEOyouvot edini
sgone.Ibel i
evethat
properchannel swillbefoll
owedt ochoosea
qualif
iedandexper iencedperson.I'm sur
enonof
usher eareinther i
ghtmi ndtot hi
nkaswear e
processingtheshocki ngnewswej ustreceivedsoI
willhaveapr operboar dmeetingbeschedul ed
somet imedur i
ngtheweek.Thankyouf orcomi ng
andIam sor ryyout houghtyoucameher et ori
dof
us"shel ookedatPoppyandt henatt hefive
member swhower eDambuzaf ans.Theyl ef
tand
Othuwasl ef
twi t
hPoppy.
Poppy:"
Ifeelplayedalloveragai
n.I
'
mjust
remi
ndedbyKumkaniagai nandhowhepl
ayedme"
shesatdownl ookingdizzy.
Othu:"SeewhyIi nvi
tedyout oourbr other'
s
businessclass?Yout hinkIgotl
iket hi
souti fthe
bl
ue.Het eachesmeal lki
ndsofst ufffr
om
businessdownt ohowt ogrowat hickskin.But
l
uckyf oryou,youareont hewinningt eam thisti
me
soyoudi dn'tl
ose"shesatopposi t
ePoppy.
Poppy:"Theymightkil
lus,Othu.Dambuzami ght
notbei nj
ailf
ort
her umouredcrimesbutt hat
doesn'tmeanhe'snotguil
tyofit"shestart
edt oget
scaredandmanagedt oletfearcreepintoOthutoo.
Othu:"
We'llbefi
ne.Got el
lthestaf
fthatBr
ianisno
majori
tyshareholder
.I'
m suretheywil
lbel
ieveit
whenitcomesf rom asharehol
derwhoi salsoan
execut
ive"
Poppy:"
SoyouandBabi
niown90%t
oget
her
?"
Ot
hu:"
No,Poppywearen'
tdoi
ngthisnow"she
st
oodandPoppydi
dtoandblockedherway.
Poppy:"
Iact
ual
lyj
ustwant
edt
ocongr
atul
ateyou"
shesmi
ledandOt
hul
ookedscept
ical
.
Othu:" Thankyoubutt het hreeofuswi llsitproperly
anddi scuss.Fornowj usttellt
hem thatKCi s100%
Zweniagai n"Poppysmi ledandnoddedbef oreshe
l
ef tther oom.Ot hucoul dfinall
ybreathedasshe
didn'tknowwher ethatwomanwhospoket oVi v
andnowt heDambuzascamef r
om.Shewonder ed
i
fshehaddoubl epersonal i
tydisor
derori fther e
wasj ustalionesst hatrestedinherwai ti
ngt obe
releasedf rom it
scage.Shecal ledBabiniandhe
wasj ustsopr oudofherbutYandist il
ldidn'tlikeit
onebi tasshef earedfort hem.
LaterinthedayOthuwasl ef
tbyhersel
fint heof f
ice
tocat chuponworkt hatshehadbeennegl ecting
sincesheandBabi niplannedthei
rcounterattack.
Shewaspacki ngupt oleavewhenshef eltacol d
met alonherneckandwhenshet urnedBrianst ood
holdingagunr i
ghttoherf or
ehead.Shenear l
yl ost
balancewhenshef eltherkneesweakenbutshe
strai
ghtened.
Othu:"
Soyouranoffwit
hdaddytogettoy?
"she
hopedhecoul
dn'theart
heshaki
nginhervoice.
Br
ianpushedthegunagai
nstherf
oreheadand
Ot
hufelther
selfwant
ingt
ocry.
Bri
an:"
Don'tyouknowt hatwhentheDambuzas
can'
tfi
ghtcleantheydosoindir
tyways?"hehasa
desper
atelookinhiseyes.
Othu:"Li kewhent heythoughtt heycouldout smar t
theZweni soutoft hecompanyt heirfat
herbui l
t?"
shef eltthatlionessawakenagai n" Look,Bri
anyou
start
edt hegameandnowyouar eangrythatI
playedal ongandwon?Youdi dn'
tgodi goutt hat
l
oophol et ohelpme, itwasf oryourowngai n.You
want edmyshar esbutt henIshowedyout hattwo
canpl ayt hegame.Letmer emindyouonceagai n
thatyoudon' twantapr ett
yboyl ikeyourselftobei n
j
ail,Brian"shef eltthegunmoveawayf rom her
foreheadbuthewasst il
lpointingitather.
Bri
an:"Youthi
nkIhaveanyt
hingaft
eryou
humil
iatedme?"t
hegunkissesherfor
eheadagai
n.
Othu:"
Lookguy,i
fyoustayedinschoolfort
hefinal
yearyou'
dhaveheardt
het eacheradvi
cethosewho
wil
lgostrai
ghtt
oemploymentt oreadcontr
acts
fi
rstbutsinceyoubunkedschool ,youmi ssedthat
l
esson.I fyoudon'twanttobeanacademi catleast
beadi ehar dhustl
ersoyouwi llbestreetwi se
becauseyoucan' tlackboth.Peoplewhodon' t
wastetheirtimeinclassroomsar ebusymaki ng
movesont hestreettogetmoneybutyouwer ejust
happywi thdaddyandyourf akepaper sdoi ng
thi
ngsf oryou"sheshookherhead.
Br
ian:"Yout
hinkyou'
reperf
ecthuh?Wellyour
marri
agecer
tif
icat
eisn'
tevenval
id"hel
aughed.
Othu:"IsentVivicaonherhi ghhorsebackt o
Canadaaf terItoldherthatIknowhermar r
iagegot
annull
edl ongago.Anot herthi
ngyouwoul dhave
pickedupi nschoolisthatit'
simportanttodoyour
homewor k"shegr innedandheputhi sfingeronthe
tr
igger.
Poppy:"
Youtakethatgunoutofmysi ster
'sf
aceor
IswearIwi
llbl
owyourbr ainout"Br
ianfel
t
somethi
ngcoolagainsthisheadbutwhathedidn'
t
knowwasthatitwasast eelst
apler
.Othugai
ned
moreconfi
dencewhenshesawPoppyherback.
MrTom:"Putthedamnstapl
erdownbeforeyou
hur
tyourl
it
tl
emani cur
edfi
ngers.Br
ianl
aughed
whenheheardPoppyhadast apl
er.
Dambuza:"
Youreal
lyt
houghtthatyouwoul
djust
getawaywi
thhumil
iat
ingus?"hegaveanevi
llaugh.
Othu:"Wellt
hat'
sunf ai
r,Bri
an.Youbr
ingyour
daddywhenyouknowour sisnother
et oprot
ect
us"shef r
owned" Butyouknowwhat ,heli
veswit
hin
us.Soyourmi stakewast hi
nkingt
hatwedon'thave
thegreatKumkaniZweniwi thi
nusbutyouar e
mistaken"shelaughed.
Babini:"Icanassur eyout hatthesear enof ucki
ng
stapl
er s"heheldhisweaponsagai nstMrDambuza
andTom' sheads" Iwillendyoual lhererightnow,
cl
eanever yfucki
ngt r
aceofyourexi stencedownt o
yourbir t
hrecordsandyourf amili
eswi llwonderif
youonl yexit
edi ntheirfuckingimagi nati
ons"they
knewhewasser iouswhent heyhear dtheguns
safet
iesbepul l
eddown.
Cr
aig:"
Getyourf
uckingshaki
nghandsoutofmy
wi
fe'
sfacebefor
eIletyoushi
tyour
sel
f"Bri
an
l
ookedi ntoCrai
g'seyesandal lhesawwas
coldness.Theeyesofamanwhohadj ustmeant
whathesai d.Othufeeli
ngabi ti
mpr essedbyhi m
comi ngtosavehergaveBr ianaconf i
dentsmi r
kas
shewat chedhiml owerhisgunf r
om herf ace.
"Don'tyouknowi t
'sfucki
ngdisrespectfultopoi
nta
gunatanot herman'swoman? "Crai
gki ckedBri
an's
behindthreeti
mesandhar dtoo.
Babini:"
Onebut ton, Dambuzaandallyournicel
y
coveredcrimest hatdidn'thol
dduetolackof
evidencewillr
esur facewithenoughevi
dencet olet
yougor eti
reinjail
.Youdon' tmesswithaman' s
fuckingli
tt
lesister
s.I '
m notKumkanisodon't
fuckingmesswi thme.Youcomenearmyf amil
y
youei t
hergotopr isonorIwi peoutt
heentire
Dambuzal ineage.Itwi l
ldependonthemoodI 'mi n
shouldyoudeci det otestme"hepromised.
Dambuza:"Letusgo,Br
ian.Wehavefargreat
er
i
nvestmentsthanthi
sspazashop"hetr
iedtokeep
t
helit
tl
edignit
ythathehadlef
t.
Crai
g:"
Youhadbet t
erstayawayf
rom wi
ndowsand
openspacesbecausethememoryofyoupoi
nti
nga
gunatmywi fewi l
lremainwi thmeandont hedayI
feell
iker etal
iati
ngyouwi llregrett
hismoment "
Brianfeltaf i
sthithisgutsohar dt
hatheswor ehis
soullefthisbodyf orasecondandj ustashewas
recoveringf r
om thatCr ai
ggavehi m mor ebeating
fordisr
espect i
ngOt hunyi
weyo.Dambuzast ood
withacl enchedj awunabl etodoanyt hi
ngunt i
l
Craigdeci dedthathehadenough, wellOthuhadt o
stophim becauseshest i
llhatedviolenceandBr i
an
wasdef eat edenough.
Poppy:"Youmessedwitht
hewr ongf
ami
ly"she
repeat
edBrian'
swordsofear
li
eron.
Kumkani:"Di
dyour eal
lythinkt
hemightyKumkani
wouldjustdi
e?"thecl i
pthatKumkanimadet o
prankhisfamil
yplayedont hecompanyspeakers
andwhoevereditedt hecli
paddedKumkani '
slaugh
attheendleavi
ngt heDambuzasandTom wi t
h
widenedeyesast heycoul dn'
twai
ttoleavet
he
buil
ding.
Dambuza:"Thebastardf
akedhisowndeath"he
l
ookedaroundwhilewait
ingfort
helif
ttoopen"
I
knewhewoul dn'
tfor
gethowIblackmail
edhimint
o
maki ngmeshar ehol
der.Weneedt orelocatethe
family,Br
ian.WithKumkanist i
llal
ive,wemustbe
careful
.Iknewhi ski
dscouldn'tpullsuchof falone.
Damnbast ar
dcouldn'
tjustdie"hesaidt hrough
gri
ttedteethashepressedt hebuttonoft heli
ftas
thoughhef earedsomethingmi ghtappeari nfront
oftheopendoor s.
MrXabawal kedinlaughingashewast heonet o
makesur etheaudiopl ayed.Heneverli
ked
Dambuzasohewashappyt oknowthatDambuza
wouldspendmoneyt r
yingtofindKumkaniashe
l
eftthi
nkingKumkanif akedhisdeat
h..Othulooked
atCrai
gbutt henwentt ohugandthankherbr ot
her
i
nstead.Poppyj oi
nedt hefamilymomentt ooasthe
thr
eesibl
ingsshar edagr ouphug.
Babini
:"NomoreyouandusPoppy.I t'
sjustus,al
l
thr
eeofustogether
.Iwoulddoexactlythesame
thi
ngtoprot
ectyouasIwouldOt hunyiweyo"he
l
ookedatPoppywhol ookedashamed.
Poppy:"
I'
vejustalwaysbeenabitjeal
ousofOthu
butIwil
lseekprofessi
onalhel
psinceitseemsI
can'
thel
pmysel f"
Othu:"
Youdonotneedpr ofessionalhelp,youneed
tobegratef
ulforyourli
fethat'
sal landtheshares
areours,
allofusbutyes,Babi niwillst
il
lhold
majori
tyasTatawant ed"
Poppy:"Idon'
thaveaproblem wi
tht
hat.Youare
real
lycutoutfort
his,
Othu.Thewayyouhandled
ever
ythingwaswow"shecompl i
ment
edOt hu.
Othy:"
Iam aZweniaft
er al
l.AsmuchasIt r
yt orun
fr
om itIcan'
trunf
rom thef actthatKumkani'
s
bloodrunthr
oughmyvei ns.Thankyouf ortryi
ngto
savemyl i
fewitht
hestapler"theyalll
aughed.
Poppy:"
I'
vej
ustr
eal
isedthati
t'
sbestIfi
ghtwit
h
youguysathomebutkeepaunitedf
rontinpubl
ic"
shesmil
ed.
Babini:"
That
'sallt
hatweask.Wewon'tbewithout
oursibli
ngshitbutouti
nthewor
ldwear e
Zwenis..
.wel
lyoutwonotanymorebutsti
ll
"they
l
aughed
MrXaba:"
IfKumkaniwasher
e,hewoul
dhavebeen
pr
oud.Youguysmadebigmoves.Heal
ways
want
edKCt obe100%Zweniagai
nandyoudid
t
hat
"
Othu:"
Andyouhadt
opl
ayt
hat
,TatXaba?
"they
l
aughed.
MrXaba:"
Theyweresokeentobr eakint
omyof fice
t
ogettheWil
lsoIthoughtI
'
dletthem gohunta
manwhoisrest
inginhisgr
ave"everyonelaughed.
Poppy:"I
'm notusedt obeingpointedwit
hgunssoI
askthatsomeonepl easedri
vemehomet omy
husbandandki dssoIcangopr ocesseverythi
ng
thathappenedtoday"shet ookadeepbr eath.Othu
hopedthatthisti
mePoppywast ruetoherapology.
MrXabavol unteeredtotakePoppyhome.Ot hu
walkedovertoCr aig.
Othu:"Thankyou"shegaveasi
ngl
enodbutdi
dn'
t
smile.
Crai
g:"
Doyouwantmetodr
iveyouhome?
"he
hopedshe'
dtel
lhi
mtocomehome.
Othu:"Nothanks.I'
m nott
hereyet
,Crai
gandyou
comi ngi
nwi t
hagunandf ighti
nginmyhonorwon'
t
changethings"Crai
gnodded"Bhut,t
hanksfor
havingmyback"hehel dherfi
stoutandhis
bumpedagainstitbeforeshetookherbagst
ogo
home.Asaf r
aidasshewaswhenBr i
anpoi
ntedt
hat
gunathersheknewshewasnotgoi ngt
ohave
ni
ghtmares.Agoodt hingFli
nchdidwasmakeOthu
usedtoholdi
nggunsbutshedi dn'
tli
ket
hem.
Babini:"
Smartmovet here,
Knight.Fol
lowi
ngme
here"helaughed."Idi
dn'tevennoticeyou'
rebehind
meMaybehest i
llhasitaft
erall
"hetappedCrai
g's
shoulderhard"Ihopeyourwi fecomest ogetyou
aft
erthisbecauseyouar efi
nishi
ngmyf ood"Craig
l
aughedandshookhi shead.
Crai
g:"
Isthatyourwayofsayingyou'
vehad
enoughofmei nyourhouse?
"
Babini:"
Ineverwant edyouinmydamnhousei n
thefi
rstplace.Ihopeyouscor edyoursel
fpoi
nts
becauseIdon' tneedanotheralphainmyhouse.
Youf i
xingshitaroundthehousel i
keIaskedyouto"
heraisedhisbr ow.
Crai
g:"Nowyousoundl
ikeaj
eal
ouspi
eceofshi
t"
helaughed.
Babi
ni:"
I'
mthepi
eceofshi
twhol
ikeshi
ssmel
l
sensestogethi
swi
fe'spur
fumeint
heai
randbaby
product
snotsomedisgust
ingmansmel
l"Cr
aig
l
aughed.
Craig:"Letmef ollowmywi fehomet oseei fshe's
homesaf ebef oreIr et urnt oyourhousewher eI
knownowI 'm notwel come"t heyl aughed.Her an
outandmadei ttothepar kingl otj ustasOt hu'scar
pulledout .Hemi ssedhersomuch.Hecoul dn't
remembert hel asttimehet ouchedherduet ot he
Vivicaissue.Hef el
tlikeki ckinghi msel ff ormaki ng
somet hingsosi mpl eseem l ikeitwasr ocket
science.Hedi dn'tli
kebei ngi nanot herman' shouse
asmuchasBabi nididn'twanthi m ar oundandhe
wasgoi ngtodoever ythingi nhi spowert ogethi s
l
ifeback.Thet houghtofBr ianhol di ngagunat
Othust il
lmadehi m angr ybuthesawt hatBr ianwas
justalittl
eboyi nexpensi vesui tswhol earnthis
l
esson.Hepl annedondr ivingof foncehesawOt hu
washomesaf ebutt hewayhemi ssedhi schildren
madehi m wal kovert othedoor .Al lt hr
eewentt o
him assoonashewal kedi nandOt hudecidednot
tolettheirissuesaf f
ectt hei rchildr ensoshewent
tobathwhi l
ehespoket othem.Heal soassured
them thatnodivorcewouldhappenandt hathe'd
retur
nhomesoon.Qhayi yawasalreadyasleepbut
hewentt okissherbeforehewentt ogetthi
ngshe
neededf r
om thebedroom.Ot huwalkedoutofthe
bathroom nakedandcover edher
selfwit
hherhands
asbestaspossi blewhenshesawCr ai
glookingfor
somet hi
ngintheirbedr
oom.
Crai
g:"Nothi
ngIhaven'
talr
eadyseen,
youknow? "
hesmi l
edandtri
edhishardestt
onottakehi
sown
clot
hesofftoshowherjusthowmuchhi sbody
yearnedforher
s.
Othu:"Wellyouhaven'tl
ookedi nawhi lesoI
thoughtyou'dforgot
ten"shewentt ot
akeherl oti
on
andhef orgotwhathewasevenl ooki
ngf or.The
wayshesensual l
ygli
dedherhandsoverherbody
wascl earthatshewast easi
nghi m.Hecoul dfeel
thefrontofhispantsfeelti
ghterashisar ousalgot
thebetterofhim."You'
restaring,Crai
g.It'
sr udeto
arri
veinotherpeople'
shomel ateli
keyouowni tso
fi
nishupsoyoucangowher eyou'restaying"she
remindedhi mthatheent er
edt heroom forar eason
sohewentbackt
olooki
ngf
ort
het
hinghef
orgot
.
Crai
g:"Iam l
ookingatmyhome"hef eltshewashis
home.Ot huwenttost andbetweenhislegsashe
satonthebed.Hi seyescouldn'
thelpbutfal
lonher
chestandtheyjusttravell
eddownuntilhesawhis
handsmovef orwardt otouchherbutOthuhitt
hem
gentl
y.
Othu:"
Iwantt
osl
eept
hat
'swhyI
'
m st
andi
ngnext
t
omybed"
Craig:"Naked?"hescannedherbodyagai nas
thoughshehadn' tsleptnakedbefore."Al
soI'm
sit
ti
ngonmysi desoifyouwantt osleepgoar ound
andgeti nfrom yourside"hehopedshe'ddoso
beforehewentonhi skneesandf eastedonher
sweet nessbecauseal lofhi
m wantedt odojustthat
.
Othu:"WellI'
vebeenhavingfreedom tosleepon
anysidesopl easemove"hest oodslowlyandt hey
di
dn'tbreakeyecont act"
Youmi ghtnotwantt o
standsopr oudlywhenyougett omybr other'
s
because"shepoi ntedatt
hefrontofhispants.A
partofherstil
lproudthatshehadsuchahol don
hisbody.Helaughedsoft
lyashewat chedherget
i
ntobedwi t
hherkneesbef or
eshereachedf or
somethingthatwasonthef l
oorontheothersi
deof
thebed.Chestfl
atandbehindfaci
nghim andgivi
ng
him acl
earviewofherfr
om behind.
Crai
g:"
O,nowyou'r
ejustbeingcruel
"itt
ookallof
hi
mt onotr
iphi
sclothesoffandgetbehindher
whil
eshewasstil
linthatposi
ti
on.Shefi
nall
ygot
undert
hecover
s.
Othu:"Iwaslooki
ngf
ort
his"shehel
dupahai
r
assessory.
Craig:"
Youcouldn'tgoonyoursideandpickitup
l
ikeanor malperson?Youjusthadtocomet omy
sideanddoaper fectdoggyposit
iont
opickupa
pin?"Othunodded.
Othu:"
Itwasn'
tadoggyposi
ti
on.Wedoitatyoga
toosoIwaspract
ici
ng.Iwoul
dhavehadyounot
beenheretoo"
Crai
g:"I
fyouraim wastotort
uremet hanyou'
ve
successed.Letmegot akeacoldshowerbecause
youryogapositi
onjustdamagedme"Justashe
t
houghtshewasdonesheopenedherdr awerto
t
akeoutamemor ystick.St
oodonthebedand
walkedbacktohissidewherehiseyeswerelevel
ed
wit
hhersmoot hthi
ghsandt hetr
easurebet
ween
t
hem.Cr ai
gfeltdef
eated.
Othu:"Thet hingyouwer elooki
ngfor.Yousentme
atextaskingi fI'
veseenitsoIlookedandkeptit
safe"Crai
gt itl
edhi sheaduptolookatherandhe
couldseet hatsubt l
esmirkonherfaceashe
reachedfort hestick.
Craig:"
YoudoknowIcoul dl i
ftt
hatlegovermy
shoulderswitheasebefor
estuffi
ngmyf ace
betweent hosethi
ghsri
ght?"Othufelthersel
fget
arousedbyt hethought
.
Othu:"
I'dopenwi
derforyou,
enjoyitandt henkick
yououtagain"Cr
aigl
aughedwhi l
eshakingt hi
s
head."Nextti
medon'
thidewives,Knightnowyou
can'
tevenjoinmeinbed"shewenti ntothecovers
again.
Cr
aig:"
Iloveyou"hesai
donhi
swayout
.
Ot
hu:"
Iloveyout
oo.Ij
ustdon'
tli
keyouatt
he
moment .Pleaseswitchthemainlightoffonyour
wayout "shefixedherpil
lowbeforeresti
ngher
headoni t.Cr
aigwasgl adtheki
dshadgonet obed
becauset her
ewasnowayhe' dhidethet enti
nhis
pantstheirmothercaused.Hewasmor edeter
mined
tocomehomeandatl eastheheardhersayshe
l
ovedhi m.Allhehadt odowasmakeherl i
kehim
enought owanthi m byhernudeselfonceagain.
S2-
INSERT32
(
Miniski
rt
)
"Hel
lo,
Yandisa"OthuandYandibothti
tl
edtheir
headstol
ookatVuyowhosoundedl i
keli
fe
humbledhim.Forabriefmomenttheysawt hat
bornagai
nChr i
sti
anVuyothattheyusedtolike.
Othu:"
Herhusbandi saroundsodon'tyoueven
daretr
ythatstuntoftouchingherwit
houther
consentagai
n"Ot huwarnedandwat chedVuyo's
eyesgoaroundt heroom tocheckifi
twassti
llsafe
total
ktoYandibef or
eBabinishowedup.
Vuyo:"
I'
m act
ual
lynotheretocausetr
oubl
e.Ij
ust
wantedtocomeapologi
zeforcheat
ingonyouand
fort
hatti
meIslappedyou"Yandicouldnotbelieve
herear
s.Aft
erspendingt
imehopi ngVuyowoul d
apol
ogizesoshe'
dfindcl
osuresher eal
izedt
hat
someti
mesonehast oforgi
vewithoutrecei
vingan
apol
ogy.
Yandi:"If
orgaveyoulongago.I
'
m honest
lyjustat
suchagr eatpointi
nmyl i
fet
hatyoudon'
teven
crossmymi nd"shesai
dhonest
lywhil
echewingon
herlunch.
Othu:"No,no,no"shepull
edthechairbacktowards
thetablewhenVuyopul l
editoutwantingtosit
down" Vuyo,youmovedonbef oreyourmar ri
age
evenendedsowhyar eyoubotheri
ngYandiwhen
shefinall
ymovedont oo?"shegotfrustr
ated.
Vuyo:"
Ijustwantedtotel
lyouthati
fyouar
enot
happythenyouar ewel
comet ocomeback.Idon'
t
mindadoptingyourtwi
ns
.
..
ortr
ipl
ets"YandiandOt hubur
stoutl
aughi
ngunt
il
t
earsfor
medi ntheireyes.
Othu:"
Adopt..
."shecouldn'
tfi
nishhersentenceas
shesti
llcoul
dn'tbel
ievewhattheyjusthadtohear
.
Yandi:"Yourchi
ldrenhavemot hersri
ght
?"she
fi
nall
ymanagedt ospeak" Wel
lsameappliestomy
chil
dren.Theyhaveaf at
hersotheydon'
tneed
somemant oadoptt hem"theylaughedwhil
e
point
ingathowpat het
ichelooked.
Othu:"
Ifi
t'
snotI
mange,
it'
sVuyo.Ishouldbe
thankf
ult
onothavi
ngaregret
fulexyho"shel
ooked
atVuyo.
Yandi:"Baby!"shewavedherhandintheairwhile
l
ookingatt hedoorandVuyol i
ter
all
yranintot
he
oppositedirect
ionwit
houtevenveri
fyi
ngifBabini
wasr eall
ybehindhim.OthuandYandihasal l
att
entionont hem ast
heycouldn'
tstoplaughi
ng.
Othu:"
JustwhenIthoughtmydaywasblandt
hen
Vuyomakesmel aughsomuch"shewipedher
t
ears.
Yandi
:"Hehaschi
ldr
ensowhyonear t
hwouldhe
wantt
oplayfat
hertomi
ne?"sheshookherhead.
Othu:"Unl
esshef oundoutthathe'
sbeenpl ayi
ng
fat
hertokidswhoar en'
thi
sal ll
ong.Withyou
gett
ingpregnantsoquickl
yonecan' thel
pbut
wonderifhe'
sthei
rdad"theyl
aughedmor
est
il
lnot
bel
ievi
ngwhatjusthappened.
Yandi :"Sopl easet el
lmet hatyouwon' tletpoor
Craigendupl ikeVuyobeggi ngforyourat t
enti
on
wheneverheseesyououti npublic"shel ookedat
herchi l
drenwhower esti
llasl
eepint heirpram.She
wasscar edt obr ingthem outfeari
ngt hatthey
woul dcat chsomet hingbutOthuassur edherthat
they'dbef i
ne.Qhayi yawasal sosleepingi nher
pram becauseOt huwantedChul utogosoci al
ize
forthedaywi t
hherf r
iendFezeka."IswearBabi nii
s
tel
li
ngCr aiginanotsosubt l
ewayt hathei sti
redof
hispr esence"Ot hulaughedasshei magi nedher
brotherbl untlytellCraigt
ogohome.
Othu:"
Iactuallysenthim atexttell
inghimt ocome
backhome.Thef i
ghtatschoolt hatQhawehad
mightbebecauseoft heuncertainti
esathome"she
couldnotbelievesheandCr aighadt omeetwi t
h
thepri
ncipalbecauseQhawef ought .Suddenlyher
angerwasj ustnotwor t
hherchi ldr
en'sstabil
it
y
beingcompr omised."We'l
lfi
gur ethingsoutonce
wesitdownandt alkbecauseI'vebeent urni
ng
downhi sat
temptstot
alk.Hereal
lyhur
tmet
hough,
fr
iend"sheaddedinawhisper
.
Yandi:"Ki
dsf i
ghtalltheti
mesoi tmighthavehad
nothingtodowi ththatbutIam gladthatyouare
will
ingtositdownandt al
k.Iknowhehur tyoubut
therewereexternalforceswhower esetoncreati
ng
havocinyourmar r
iage"
Ot
hu:"
Imi
sshi
m"sheconf
essed.
Yandi:"Hemi ssesyout oo.Themovesyoumade
withVivicaandBr ianturnedthetornadointoa
smallwindsodon' tgi
vet hem thesati
sfacti
onnow
thatt
heyar enonf actors"Othuknewt hatwhat
Yandiwassayi ngmadesense.Hadshewant ed
thei
rmar ri
aget obewr eckedshe' dhaveletVivi
ca
takeCraig'
smoneyandsendt hei
rmar r
iageintoa
nearl
yimpossi blerecoverybutshest oppedit
becauseshehat edhowsomeonej ustt
houghtt hey
hadpoweroft hem.
Othu:"Icanbar
elytakecr
editf
orthat
.HadBabini
notstoppedmeandt oldmehowt odealwi
thVivi
ca
Idon'tthi
nkIwouldevenhavestomachedCrai
g.He
waswil
li
ngtoriskourhouse,
Ave.IhearMato
sayi
ngIshoul
dconsiderthef
actthathedi
dn'
tjump
i
ntobedwithherbuthehurtmenont hel
ess"
Yandi:"Youhavetwoopt
ions,workitoutorwal
k
out.Thereisnoinbet
ween"YandihitOthuwit
hthe
hardtruth.Shedi
dn'
twanttodivor
cehim.
Othu:"
Iknow,f
ri
end"shenodded.Babi
niwal
kedi
n
tochecki
fYandiwasreadytogobecausehi
scar
hadtheseat
sforthebabi
es.
Yandi
:"Youcametooear
ly,
baby"shewat
chedhi
m
pi
ckedupImibongowhohadwokedup.
Othu:"Sit
,bhuti.Ihavesomewher ethatIneedt
obe.
Fri
end, I
'
llcal
lyou"sheki ssedYandi'
scheek"Bhut
i,
byebye"shehuggedhi m beforepushingthe
sl
eepingQhayi yaoutofther est
aurant.
Yandi:"
Ihaveasurpri
seforyoulat
eron"shegave
him afl
ir
tysmil
e.Becauseherwoundtookal i
tt
le
l
ongerthantheaverageC-Sect
iont
ohealshehad
topostponeonthatdat
enightshehadplanned.
Babini
:"Yeah?
"heki
ssedherdeepl
ymakingher
for
getthatshewasi
npubli
c.Vuyosati
nthecorner
withamenui nf rontofhi sfacel ooki
ngatt he
couplekiss.Hecoul dn'tbeli
evet hatYandihad
tri
plet
s.Oneofhi schi ldren'
smot her
sconfessedt o
havingbeenpr egnantal r
eadywhenshemethi m so
thebabywasnothi s.Whenheconf r
ontedhis
secondchi ld'
smot hersheconf essedtohaving
cheatedonhi m sonei t
herofhi ski dswerehis.That
madehi m wishthathehadst ayedwi thYandi
becauseheknewshewoul dhavest uckwithhim
event houghsheknewhecan' thaveki ds.Yandi
alwaysspokeaboutadopt i
onandhewast heonet o
tel
lherhewoul dn'tr ai
seanot herman' ski
dsyethe
diddounknowi nglyandhadt owat chBabinili
ving
thelif
ehef eltheshoul dhavewi thYandi.
Othuranthedoor
bel
latt
heZwenihousewhi
le
t
ryingtomakeQhayi
yastopcr
ying.
Craig:"
Hey,what'
swrong"hewassohappyt osee
them whenheopenedt hedoor.HetookQhayi
ya
andasi fshehadmissedbeinginhi
sar msshe
stoppedcryi
ng.Othuwalkedinsi
de.
Othu:"
Idon'
twantt
odivorceyou,Cr
aig.It
hink
Qhaweisacti
ngoutbecauseheisafr
aidthatwe
ar
eheadi
ngt
her
e"shegotst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt.
Crai
g:"
AdivorceisthelastthingthatIwantandI'
ve
beenworri
edaboutthem t oo.Lastthi
ngIwantis
formymesst omessupt heirschoolwor
k"heled
thewaytotheli
vingroom.
Ot
hu:"Youreall
yhur
tme,Crai
g"shecr
iedbehi
nd
hi
m soheturnedtof
aceherbefor
ewalki
ngbackto
wher
eshest ood.
Craig:"IknowandI '
m sor
ry"hetookherhandand
ki
ssedi t."Ihandl edthi
sentir
ethingwrong.Iam
gladthatit'souti ntheopenthoughsowecandeal
withitbecausei tdidn'
tsi
twellwithmet hatI
'm
keepingsomet hingsobi gfr
om you.Idonotwant
anotherwoman, O"shenoddedwhi l
ecryingandhe
washappyt hatsheal l
owedhimt oholdher."I
'm
sorry"hewhi speredinherear.
Othu:"
Wil
lmorewivescomeormaybechi
ldr
en?
"
shewipedhert
ear
st ol
ookathi
m.
Cr
aig:"
No"hesai
dwi
thcer
tai
nty.
Ot
hu:"
Good.I
fyouwanttocomehomet henyou'
re
wel
come.Thi
ngswon'
tjustf
alli
ntopl
acebutt
hey
wi
llgetwor
sewhenyou'
rel
ivi
ngher
e"
Crai
g:"I
'
mr eadytocomehome.Wecangonowi f
youwant"hesaidquickl
yasthoughOt
huwould
suddenl
ychangehermi ndsohewenttogogethi
s
stuf
ftoheadhome.
Yandiknewherchi ldr
en'ssleepschedul eandi f
nothingwentwr ongsheknewt heywoul dsleep
l
ongenought ogivehert imet oshowherhusband
howmuchshemi ssedspendi ngt imewi thhim.She
askedhermot herf orsomepr i
vacyandMa
Dudumashewasmor ethanhappyt ogot oMat o.
Yandif el
tabi tsorryforherf atherbuthehadvi si
ted
foraweeknotsol ongagoandsai dheunder stood
thatadaught erneededhermot her'
shel pafter
givi
ngbi r
th.Af t
ert helunchBabi nidroppedthem of f
athomebutwentt ogohel psomeonewhose
confidenti
alinformat i
onwashacked.I tgaveYandi
enought imet osetupar omant icnightandshewas
gratefult
hattheki dsf el
lasleepatt heexpected
ti
me.WhenBabi nient er
edhi shousehewas
greetedbyt hegr eatsmel lofhomecookeddi nner
butwhatcaughthi seyewast her omant i
cscene
thatlefthim smi l
ing.WhenYandisai dsurpr
ise,he
didn'
timagi netheki ndt hathesawbecausehe
knewshehaddi fficultyheal
ing.Whenshegr eeted
him atthedoorwear ingnothingbutasexylingeri
e
thatcompl iment edherpostl abourbodyso
beaut i
fulhefelthappyt hatOthutookherhusband
home.Needl esst osayt heydidn'
tevengetto
dinnerbecauseBabi niwast oohungryforherto
careaboutanyt hingel se.
Crai
gandOthuf
inal
lymadethei
rwayi
nsi
det
hei
r
hometoget
herf
orthef
ir
stti
meinawhil
e.
Knightki
ds:"
Happyanniver
sary!
"theyshout
edand
Othuhadtotellt
hem t
okeepitdownf ort
he
sl
eepingbaby.
Othu:'
Itsnotouranniver
sar
y"shelookedatCr
aig
confusedandheshr uggedtoshowheknew
nothi
ng.
Chulu:"Notyourweddinganniver
sar ybuti
tist
he
anniversar
yofthefir
stti
meyouagr eedtobedad'
s
gi
rlf
riendbackinhighschool"shelookedather
brot
her swhowerepoi nt
ingatA4paper sandwhen
Othugotacl
oserl
ooksher
eal
izedi
twasher
handwri
ti
ng.
Crai
g:"
Youhadadi
arywhereyouwr oteaboutme?
"
hesmil
edwhenhescannedthepapers.
Chulu:"
Onethatwasspeci
fi
call
yaboutyou,Dad"
shelaughedandOthuputherhandsoverherf
ace
blushi
ng.
Othu:"Wheredidyougett hi
s?"shereadher
teenagewrit
ing."Youarebreaki
ngallki
ndsofgi
rl
codebyexposi nganothergir
l'
sdiar
y,Chul
umanco"
shelaughed.
Chul
u:"Whenwewer ecleani
ngoldstuffyoutol
d
metothrowitawaybutwhenIr eali
zedi twasabout
dadwhenyouwer eyoungIkeptit.Todaywast he
dayyouactual
lywrotethathewasyourboyf ri
end
sohappyanniver
sary"shesaidcheerful
ly.
Qhawe:"Dad,Mom hadacr ushonyoufort
he
l
ongestti
me.List
entothis"Dear
,di
arywhenCrai
g
smil
edatmet odayIfel
tli
keIwasfloat
ingon
cl
ouds"hereadoutloud.
Ot
hu:"
Idi
dn'
twr
it
ethat
!"shel
aughed."
Tel
lthem
whatIsai
dwhenyouaskedmet obeyour
gi
rl
fr
iend"shel
ookedathi
m wi
thasmile.
Cr
aig:"
Youwr
oteback"
what
ever
""hel
aughed
Ot
hu:"
SeeIdi
dn'
twantyou"
Crai
g:"WellIi
nter
pretedt
hewhateveraswhatever
youwantCr ai
g.SinceIwant
edyout obemy
gir
lf
ri
end,youbecamemygi rl
fr
iendaftert
hat
"they
l
aughed.
Othu:"
No, Imeantwhateverasi
ngetl ostloser"she
l
aughed."Soyouwer eintherel
ati
onshipal onefor
aboutaweek? "t
heylaughed.Cr
aigdidn'tevenf eel
ChulutakeQhayiyaf
rom him.
Phawu:" Mama,therei
sawr i
ti
ngherewhereyou
wrote"deardi
ary,Crai
gfinall
yaskedmetobehi s
gir
lf
ri
endandIsai dyesinmyownway.Hei sso
goodlookingIcouldkisshim"Othufel
tso
embarrassedandCr ai
gbur stoutl
aughi
ngtolookat
thewri
ting.
Craig:"
Iti
sdat
edthatverysamedaythatIasked
yout obemygirl
fr
iendsoIwasinthatrel
ati
onshi
p
withyou.Shedi
dbr eakupwit
hmeaf teraweek
t
hough"
Othu:"Becauseyoukeptbor
rowingSamant
hayour
st
ationary"shef
rownedasthoughshewassti
llt
hat
j
ealousteenager.
Craig:"
Isthatther
easonyoubrokeupwithme?I
thoughtit'
sbecauseIst
oppedbringi
ngyoufl
ower
s
everyFriday"
Othu:"Thosef
lower
swer
eugl
ybyt
heway"she
confessed.
Chulu:"
These"sheheldoutadryfl
owerthatwas
stuckbetweentheol
dpagesifOthu'
sdiary.Cr
aig
wenttoinspectandi
twasindeedapetalofthe
fl
owersheusedt ogether
.
Craig:"
Dadusedt ocoughupanent
ir
e50cever
y
Fri
dayt obuyMom theseandnowIheart
heywere
ugly"helookedatOthu.
Othu:"
I'mjustbei nghonest.Il
ovedthegest
urebut
theywereugl y.Lookedlikesomealienandst
il
lto
thi
sdayneversawt hosekindoffl
owersagai
n.I
actual
lyfeelsorrythatyoupaidsomuchf ort
hem"
Qhawe:"
50ci
sbar
elymuch"Cr
aigandOt
hu
l
aughed
Cr
aig:"
Itwast
ous"t
heyl
aughed.
Chulu:Dadlistentothisone'
deardiary,Crai
giei
s
sohandsomeandhehasmewonder i
ngwhatour
chil
drenwilklooklikesomeday"Othulaughedat
hersel
fforwr i
tingsuchnonsense.Craiglookedat
thei
rkids.
Crai
g:"
Theydidn'
ttur
nouttoobadl
yri
ght
?"he
l
ookedatOthuwhost oodbl
ushi
ngwit
hasmileand
sheshookherhead.
Othu:"
Ican'
tbel
ieveIwasoncet
hosedi
arygi
rl
s"
shelookeddi
sgusted.
Crai
g:"
Ican'tbel
ievethatIgotdumpedf
orgi
ving
anot
hergir
lmyst ati
onary"
Chulu:"Mom andDad, wedi dt
hissoyouguys
couldrememberhowf aryouhavecome.Imean
howmanypeopl ecansayt heymar ri
edtheir
highschoolsweetheart?"OthulookedatCr ai
gand
foundhim stari
ngalready."Weknowt hatyouguys
aregoingthroughsomet hi
ngbutf ortoni
ghtwejust
askthatyoulookatt
hese"hegavethem t
he
pict
uresofthei
rhi
ghschooldays.
Ot
hu:"Lookatyoulooki
ngl
ikeyou'
llki
llpoor
Ti
mothyforlooki
ngatme,Crai
g"shepoi nt
edata
cl
asspict
ure.
Craig:'Iactuall
ywentt ot el
lhimt ost
ayawayf r
om
mygi rlduri
ngbr eakthatday"heshookhi shead
andOt huandt hekidsl aughed."Youwer esoskinny,
baby"hewr appedhisar msar oundherwai stas
theyl ookedatt hepicturestheyhaven'tseenin
yearsast heywer einsideOthu'sdiar
ywhi chshe
didn'tevenknowst il
lexited.
Othu:"Thiswaswhenyoubr okeyourar m playi
ng
rugby.Iwassomadatyouf orbreakingont heday
wewer esupposedtogohunttheicecr eam tr
uck
togetherandeatiti
nthepark"t
heyl aughedsof t
ly
"Youlooksomuchl iket
heboysont hese,baby"she
smiled.
Craig:"
Thiswasthatpartyt
hatendedupwithme
actuall
ygetti
ngmyf i
rstki
ss"sheti
tl
edherheadto
l
ookathi m andheleanedforwar
dtokissherfort
he
f
ir
stt
imesi
nceshef
oundoutabouthi
smar
ri
age.
Othu:"
Youguysar esosneaky"whentheylif
ted
thei
rheadstheyreal
isedthatt
heywerealoneasthe
kidsl
eftduri
ngthatkiss.Aki
ssthatl
eftt
hem with
widesmiles
Craig:"Dear,di
aryI'
m healingf r
om thecaraccident
butIcan' tseem t
ohealf r
om Cr aigi
eleavingwithout
sayinggoodbye.WhatmustIdowi ththe
daydr eamingaboutusbei nginl oveforevernow?I
alreadysawt hedressI'dli
ket omar ryhimin"Ot hu
feltsoexposedasher eadf r
om t hel
itt
lepurple
book.Shewassuchagi rl
ygi rlbeneathhernerdy
highschoolper sona.
Othu:"
Whowr i
testhatat16?OhmygoodnessI
can'
tbeli
evei
t"sheshookherhead.
Crai
g:"Ididn'
tknowwhatt odowi ththe
daydreamingaboutt hel i
feIthoughtwe'dhave
ei
ther.Thecruelestthingmypar entsdidwast o
makememoveawayf rom youandt hatwi
thouta
word.Ilovedyout hen, Oandal oveyouevenmor e
sonow.Idon' twantt ofeelthatpai
nofnothaving
youi
nmyl
if
eagai
n"hehel
dherf
acei
nhi
shands.
Othu:"Wereal
lyscaredthem hey"shel ookedback
atthepassageleadi
ngt otherooms" Idon'twantto
bewithanyoneelsesowehadbet termaket hi
s
work,Kni
ghtashar dasitsometimesi s.I'
m st
il
lthat
gi
rlwhoismadl yinlovewithyou"theykissed.
Crai
g:"
IloveyouandIam so,
so,
so,
sosor
ry.Just
sosorr
y"hesaidsi
ncerel
y.
TheKnightski
dswer
edoinghi
ghfivesast
hey
watchedthei
rpar
ent
sfr
om adist
ance.
Qhawe:"Greati
dea,
Chul
z"heputhi
sar
m over
Chul
u'sshoulder
.
Chulu:"Theyjustneededtoberemindedofhow
mucht heyhavebui l
ttoget
her
.Ourpar ent
sactual
ly
metwhent heywereaboutyourageyetwegett o
seethem kisstoday.Notsomanyki dsarefor
tunat
e
enought osaythat"shewasinspi
redtonotgiveup
onlove.
Phawu:"
Iseemysel
fwit
hYonel
ali
ket
hat
"hi
s
si
bli
ngsl
aughedathi
m
Qhawe:" Letusrathergotobedbeforeyoutal
k
mor ecrap"helookedathisbrot
her.Theyweren't
sureiftheirl
it
tl
econtri
buti
ondidmucht ohelpthei
r
parentsreconcil
ebutatleastt
heytri
ed.Othuand
Craigspendal mosttheenti
reni
ghttalki
ngthi
ngs
out.
S2-
INSERT33(
UNEDI
TED)
Babinitur
nedt oYandi '
ssi dehopinghecoul dst art
thedayonagr eatnot ebuthef oundhersi deempt y.
Whenhecheckedt het i
meher eal
isedthattheki ds
wereusuallylongupbyt hensoYandimusthave
beenwokenupt otendt othem.Theonl yt hi
ngt hat
seperat
edt hei
rr oom from thatofthechildren'
swas
aslidedoorwhi cht heykeptopendur ingtheni ght.
AtnightespeciallywhenYandi sa'
smot herwasnot
homet heylockedt hemai ndoortothenur seryso
thatshouldabur glarcomet heywouldhave
togothr oughthemai nbedr oom togett
othe
nursery.Babinidi
dn'twantt otakeanychancesas
farashiswi f
eandchi l
drenwer econcer
ned.He
brushedhi st
eethbef oregoingtothekit
chenbut
theywer en'
ttherebuthef oundYandibreastf
eedi
ng
t
heboys.
Babini
:"I
sZozowithyourmot her?"hewenttokiss
hiswif
eandsawhi sli
ttl
egir
lrightnexttoher
motherholdi
ngherownbot t
lewhenshehadnot
evenreachedsixmonthsyet
.Hepi ckedherupto
feedherandsheletoutaverydissat i
sfi
edsound
makingherparent
slaugh
Yandi:"
Missindependent"shesmil
edwhi leshaking
herhead"Shecanal sosi
tupbyher sel
fforashor t
moment "Babi
nismiledathisli
tt
legir
lwhowasst il
l
hel
pinghim hol
dherbot t
leasifhewasi ncapable.
Shedidsount i
lshehadherf i
ll
.
Babi ni
:"Howr udeofmet onotevensaygood
mor ningt omylover.Hey,Ntl
izi
yoyam"hel eaned
forwar dandshemethi sl i
pshalfway.They
mai ntainedseducti
velooksateachot herbef
ore
theirli
psmetagai n"I'
m sogladyou'vehealed
enoughbecauseIwascl osetolosi
ngmymi nd
waiting"Yandilaughed.She'dmissedbeing
i
ntimat ewi t
hhimjustashehad.
Yandi
:"That
'swhyIl
etyousl
eepunt
ill
ate.Ikept
youupmostoflastni
ght
"hekissedheragai
n.He
didn'
tmi
ndstayi
ngupwithherwhetheri
twasto
changenappi
esortoki
ssherenti
rebody.
Babini
:"Youareonbir
thcont
rolr
ight?"when
Yandi'
seyesshotopenhisownwi denedandhe
watchedherlaugh.
Yandi
:"YesIam"shewat
chedhi
m br
eat
h
Babini
:"Becauseyouwouldhavegi
venbi
rt
hagai
n
nextyear"Yandil
aughed.
Yandi:"
Youshouldhaveseent helookonyourface
whenIpr et
endedIforgott
hatli
tt
ledetai
l.Theonl
y
reasonIwasnotont hem l
astti
mewasbecauseI
neverinmywi l
destdreamsthoughtyouandI
wouldbesitti
nghereholdi
ngthreebabies"she
smiled.
Babi
ni:"
You'r
est i
llhappyright
?"itwasaquest
ion
hewouldoccasionallyaskbecauseherhappi
ness
washis.Yandinoddedbef oreplant
ingasof
tki
ss
onhi
sl i
ps.
Yandi:"
SoVuyoof f
eredtoadoptyourki
dstheother
day"shethoughtaboutVuyosoli
ttl
ethatshedi
dn't
bothertotellBabi
niaboutthatmomentbuti
t
crossedhermi ndandjustsheandOthulaughed
Babinicrackeduplaughing.
Babi ni:"Sowhatam I ?Anor nament ?Hewoul dn't
beabl etohandl et heZweniseeds.Thesear e
speci alchi l
drenwhower emol dedinasar ced
womb"Yandil aughedathowhemadei tsoundasi f
theirkidswer emi nigods" LookatZozowhoi s
goingt obegr ownatagef iveatt herateshei s
going"hel ookedathi sdaught erandwat chedher
pullherf acebef orecr yi
ng." I'
m sorr
y,princess.Tat a
i
ski ddi ngokay.You' llbegr ownat40because
you'reTat a'
sdel icateflower "heheldhert ohis
chestwhi l
erocki nghert ocal mness.Yandismi led
atthesi ghtoft hemanwhonotsol ongagof eared
thathe' dpuni sht heirkidsinst eadofcomf orting
them yett herehewaspl eadi ngwithZosulwet o
stopcr yingbecausehet houghthehadof fended
her.
Yandi
:"Doyoureal
izej
usthowmuchofaf amil
y
l
eaderyou'
vetur
nedint
o? "hel
ookedather"Your
uncl
emakessur et
ocallyoubefor
echanging
anythingatt hehouseint heEasternCape.Youhave
protectedyoursistersduringthiswholebusiness
thi
ng.Al lofthatyetyouar esti
llhometohelpme
withmostt hi
ngs.You'r
easuper man,Zweni"she
wasr eallyinaweofhi m andhowf arhehadcome.
Theysatt hei
rchil
drenbet weenthensupporting
them wi t
haC- shapedbabycushi on.
Babini:"
Idon'tknowwhyIhavet heprot
ector
i
nstinct,
Nt l
izi
yoyam.It
'sli
keit
'stheonl
ytraitt
hatI
have"hebr ushedherbareknee.Evenwit
ht he
changesi nherbody,helovedhowherdressesfit
overherbody.
Yandi
:"I
t'
sasexytr
aitsodon'
tchangei
t.I
'vebeen
thi
nki
ngaboutget
ti
ngahobby"shelookedathim.
Babini
:"Bor
edathomealr
eady?.Youknowyoucan
gojobhuntwhenyoufeelyouwantright
?Oryou
coul
dbemyPA"hemovedhi sbrowsi nasneaky
wayandYandiknewhehaddi r
tythoughtssoshe
l
aughed.
Yandi
:'
Youdon'
tevenhaveanoff
ice.You'
recal
led,
yougodothej
obandcomer i
ghtbackhere"she
r
emi
ndedhi
m.
Babini
:"I
'
ddi einanofficesoyesthePAt oyour
l
overoptionisout.Whydon'tyoust ar
taparty
planni
ngt hi
ng?"hesuggested"Imeaneveryone
asksyouf orti
pswhent heyareplanni
ngsomet hi
ng
evenChulu'sgraduati
onpartyisyourbabytoday"
Yandigaveitsomet hought.
Yandi
:"ButIdon'
twantt
obet
oobusy"shel
ooked
att
hetripl
ets.
Babini:"Thebeaut yabouthavi ngyourown
business, especial
lyonewhi chof f
ersaser vi
ceis
thatyouchoosewhi chpr ojectsyouwantt oaccept
andwhi chnot .Youcanst artsmallunti
lyoufeel
comf ortablewithleavingt heset hr
eewithananny.
Youdoknowt hatt heywillgr owupandgoont o
havet heirownl i
vesr i
ght? "her emindedherthat
soont heywoul dbeChul u'sageandwant ingto
moveout .
Yandi
:"You'l
lgi
vemeother
s"t
heyl
aughed."
Arewe
done?Havingkidst
hati
s"
Babi
ni:"
Ifwear
en'
ttr
aumat
izedbyt
het
err
ibl
etwos
everyparentcr
iesaboutthenwecangi veitanot
her
go.West art
edlat
esonoonewi l
ltelluswearetoo
oldtohavebabies.Pl
usIl i
ket
hepr ocessofmaking
them ver
ymuch"heki ssedher.
Yandi
:"Wi
llyouhel
pmewit
hstart
ingmylit
tl
e
busi
nesswhentheti
mei
sright
?"henodded.
Babini
:"I'
l
lalsomar ketyourservi
cestomycli
ents.
Thoserichfolkshaveapar tyforever
ythi
ngeven
thei
rcatsbir
t hday"t
heylaughed.
Mato:"
Oht hepeopl
ewhohavepeopletokiss"she
sai
dasshewal kedinwithMaDudumashe" Hel
lo,
mydarli
ngs"YandiandBabiniwer
eabouttogreet
whentheyreal
isedthehell
owasfort
hegroup
bet
weent hem.
Babini:"
Sowhatwer eyouladiesuptolastni
ght
thatmakesyour etur
nmymot heri
nlawonlynow,
Mat o?
"hestoodt ogogetdressedbecausehewas
onlyinhisboxershorts.
Mato:"Thingsyouaresti
llt
ooyoungt oknow,Bini
"
theyheardhimlaughatadi st
ance."
Avesh,youare
glowi
ngl i
keanantientEgypti
anqueen"shelooked
atYandiwhowasbl
ushi
ng.
Yandi:"
Idon'
tknowwhatonelookedli
kebutI
'm
tr
eatedli
keone,Makhul
usoIcan'tnotgl
ow"she
saidwit
hashysmi l
e.
Mato:"
Duza,ar
eyouhearingthis?
"shel
ookedat
MaDudumashewhol ookedlikeshehadsomet
hing
onhermindsoYandiaskedifshewasokay.
MaDudumashe:" Tataisnotfeelingwel l
,MaYandi
soIhavet ogol ookaf t
erhim"Yandihat edhowher
parent
swoul dhidethem beingillfrom them even
fr
om Elihlewhowasar egi
ster
ednur se."I
t'
snothing
seri
oust hatneedsyouandyoursi stertogodown
homebuti tissomethingthatrequiresawi fetogo
cookfoodt hatwil
lmakeherhusbandhealqui cker"
sheaddedi nassurancewhenshesawt helookof
concernonYandi '
sface..
Mato:"
Pleasest
ayforChulu'
sparty.Justonel
ast
dance,
fri
endshi
p"MaDudumashest oodwithHl
umi
i
nherarmst ogett
hepartystar
tedalreadyby
danci
ng..
Yandi
:"Wi
llyout
wopl
easebabysi
twhi
leIf
ixt
he
houseupf orChulu'
spartylateron?Poppyi sgoi
ng
tocomehel pmeandBabi niscoredhimselfati
cket
sohe'l
lbegoingwi t
hOt huandCr ai
gtothe
ceremony"theolderladi
eskissest hechubby
cheeksandagr eedtolookafterthem whil
etheir
mommyi sbusy.
Mato:"Ihopeyouwon'tbecooking,
Avet
handwa"
shelookedatYandi'
snail
s.Theywereshor
tbut
cl
earlythemanicur
ewasf resh.
MaDudumashe:"
Whynot
?It
'sheri
nlawssoshe
must
"
Mat o:"
NotheZwenimakoti
sareallowedt
ouse
cateri
ngservi
cessopl
easedon'taskourmakot
ito
breakherbackwhensheshouldbehavingwine
withus"
MaDudumashe:"
Heythemodernmakotihasitni
ce.
Myfir
ewoul
dbelongreadyf
orcooki
nghadt hi
s
beeni
nourt
ime"shecl
appedherhandsand
l
aughed.
Mato:"Ourmakot
isdonai
lssotheycan'
tri
skt
hem
br
eakingduetosti
rr
ingt
hreel
eggedpots.NoAvei
s
goi
ngtobeintheki
tchenwhi
lewearedanci
ng"she
putherf
ootdownandYandil
aughed.
Yandi:"
Don'twor
ry,Makhulu.Ot
huandIgott
he
bestcater
ingser
viceonthejob"
Mato:"
Yes,gir
l"shehi
ghfivedYandi"Justl
ookhow
perf
ectl
ypoli
shedthosef
ingersareforapartynot
cooki
ng"
MaDudumashe:" HeeeYandi
sathespoil
edmakoti"
sheclappedonce.Shewashappythatherdaught
er
wasmar ri
edint
oaf ami
lyt
hatsawherasa
daughternotj
ustamakoti
.
Yandi :"
Mama, Babi
nigotTataaspeci
algi
ft
,so
pleasegiveitt
ohim becausewedidn'
twantto
courierit
"shestoodtogogetit
.
MaDudumashe:" Jongi
khayagetsthegiftbutIwas
theoneher
ewaki nguptohelpyouf eedyour
babi
es"shejokedandtheyalll
aughed.Yandihad
beenspoi
li
ngheri nawaythatsheneverhadbef or
e
soshewascont ent.
Mato:"
Youcarryt
hem forni
nemonthsandthey
choosethef
ather
s"sheshookherhead.Ma
Dudumashealwayswant
edtoaskMat oabout
chi
ldr
ensothetimewasper
fectseei
ngasthey
wereonthet
opic.
MaDudumashe:"
Mari
ri
,haveyouneverwant
ed
ki
ds?
"shehopedi
twouldn'
tof
fendMato.
Mato:"Thereisasmal l
gr oupofwomenwhoar e
contentwit
hnotbei ngmot her
s,fr
iendshi
p.I
'
m sure
hadItriedt
ohavesome, IwouldhavebutInever
wantedkids,neverever"shesaidwithcomplet
e
honesty.
MaDudumashe:"I'
vealwaysf oundt
hatstrange
thatawomandoesn'twantkidsbutIseehow
happyyouaresoIwon'tevent r
ytoexpl
ainmyj oys
chil
drenbr
oughti
ntomyl i
fe".
Mat o:"Ihavechildr
en,grandchildr
enandgr eat
grandchildren"shekissedZozoandI mi'scheeks
"AndIneveroncegotpr egnant.Ihopesociety
woul djustgetthatsomeofust houghfewdon't
wantki ds.It'
snotaf emini
stthingbecause
feminism isnotsomet hingifourti
me.Iknewat18
thatIdonotwantki dsandIhavehadnomanwho
pr
omisedmel ovechangemymind.Iguessthat
's
whyInevergotmarri
edinmyyouthdaysbecause
menwantkids.
MaDudumashe:"Meli
khayahasni
nechi
ldr
en"she
r
emi
ndedMatot hathercr
ushwasafamil
yman
Mato:"Ihavegi
venitmorethought
,fr
iendship.I
don'twantaman,notapermanentoneanyway.I
tol
dyouwhatNdot hukedi
dsohayiI'm scared"
MaDudumashe:" Takeyourti
metoheal
.I'
m sur
e
evenMel i
khayaisstil
lmourni
ngbutwhentheti
me
i
sr i
ghtyou'l
lfi
ndsomeone.LookatsisHle"t
hey
smiled.
Mat o:"
Butwhoisgoi
ngtosmugglemethose
specimaldri
nksBabi
nihasbecomesoprot
ect
ive
of?"shefr
ownedbeforel
aughi
ng
MaDudumashe:" AskYandisa.Awomani sher
husband'
sweakspot "Mat
ogaveMaDudumashea
sneakygr
inclearl
yshehadf oundhernewaccess
toKumkani'
sfinewinecol
lecti
on.
OthuandCraigwereoneoft
heproudpar
entswho
sati
nthehallwai
ti
ngforChul
umancoTali
aKnight
's
nametobecalledbytheDeansot
heycoul
dwat
ch
thei
rdaught
ergraduat
e.
Craig:"WhenIf oundoutshe'spregnantInever
thoughtthatwewoul dwitnesst
hisday"hesai dto
Othunyiweyo.Theywat chedhowChul ustruggl
edt o
keepupwi t
hherst udieswhenshewaspr egnantso
Othut houghtChuluwoul dgiveupaftershef ai
led
butshewasgl adthatsheandCr aigkepther
mot i
vated.
Othu:" Havingababyi snott heendoft hewor ld,
baby.I '
m sopr oudofher "theysmi l
edwhi leholdi
ng
hands.WhenChul uwal kedacr ossthest agetoget
herBAi nFineAr tsOthuwasl efti
nt earsathow
muchChul uhadgr own.Justaf ewyear sagoi twas
them agai nstthewor l
dl i
vinginasmal lapartment
i
solat edfrom extendedf amily.Yettheret heywere
beingacompl etef amil
ywi thal i
fesheandCr aig
wer epr oudtohavebeenabl et oaffordtheir
chil
dr en.Babinimadesur etocapt urethemoment
asbestaspossi blesot hatQhayi yamaysomeday
seet hathermot herisanachi ever.Oncet he
ceremonywasdoneChul urant ohughermot her
fi
rstandtheybot
hcriedwhi
lelaughing.Crai
g
wrappedhisarmsaroundbothhisladieswhil
e
Babinicapt
uredi
t.
Othu:"Youlooksobeaut i
ful"shelookedatChulu
whil
ei nheracademi catt
ire"I
'm soproudofyou,
Chulz.Ican'tevenbeli
evethatyou'vegrownso
much.Nextt hi
ngsomeyoungmanwi llwantt
osee
yourdadf orlobol
anegotiati
ons"shelookedat
Crai
gandl aughed.
Chulu:"Idon'tknowaboutt hat,MamabutI 'm so,so
blessedtohaveyouanddad.Honest lywithQhayi ya
comi ngintomyl i
fe,
Ihadst oppeddr eami ngabout
thisdaybutyouguysj ustr ef
usedt ol etmet alk
aboutfailur
e"shehuggedbot hherpar ent
sagai n
"Malume, yout oldmei nanotsoni cewayt hatwe
don'thavef ail
uresinthisfamilysot hankyout oo"
shehuggedhi m andhepi ckedherupandspunher
aroundmaki ngallwhower ear oundt hem lookand
l
augh." I
'm agr aduate!
"sheshout edandal lthe
othergraduat esaroundhercheer edast heyf el
tas
happyasshewast ohavegot tensof arafterso
manyupsanddown.Fezekagr aduatedaf ewdays
agoandherf amil
ydidabigcelebr
ati
onf orherbut
Chuludidn'
texpectonebecauseshefelther
parentsdi
dsomucht ohel
pwi t
hQhayiyathatshe
couldn'
taskformore.
Imange:"
Congrat
ulat
ions,
Manco"hewalkedovert
o
herwhenshewaswi thhercl
asspeer
staking
mil
li
onsofpict
ures.
Chulu:"Thankyou"shesmi l
ed.Heexplainedhowa
fr
iendofhi swasal sograduati
ngandt hatwaswhy
hewast here."
Ithoughtmyl i
fewasovert heday
yourpregnancyt estshowedpositivebutli
ttl
edidI
knowt hatitwasast artofbeauti
fulmoment s"she
didahappydanceandI mangestoodandwat ched
whilesmi l
ing.Herusuallyf
reehairwasinasl eek
l
owbunsoherhatcoul dsi
tonherheadpr oper
ly.
Shewasbeaut if
ulandhewasst i
lldet
erminedto
winherback.
Imange:"Igotyouthi
s"hegaveheraboxt hathada
colourf
ulbeadedneckl
aceinside.Heknewshe
l
ovedsuchj ewelryi
nst
eadofgoodsandsi lver.He
fel
thimselffeelwar
m andfuzzyinsidewhenshe
reachedforwardtohughim.Hehel donalitt
letoo
l
ongbutfi
nal
lyl
etgo.Hersweetscentwoul
dsti
ck
t
ohiscl
othesasi
tdidwhentheywer et
oget
herand
t
hatwoul
donlymakehim misshermore.
Chul
u:"
Thankyou.Il
ovei
tsomuch"sheputi
ton
i
mmediatel
y.
Babini:"
Theboywhodoesn' tknowtheval ueofgold
andwentt ochasehar denedclay"I
mangel ooked
down" SinceyourunclesandIhaven'tmade
acquaintanceIdonotneedper missi
ont ot akemy
niece.Si
ncet hati
tthepersonyoucamet owat ch
graduateIsuggestyour et
urntoyourcamp
becauseyou'vegotnobusi nessinChulu's"he
pointedtheotherdir
ecti
on.
Imange:"
Yes.
..
yes,
sir
"hel
ookedatChul
ubef
ore
slowl
ywalki
ngof.
Chul
u:"
Malume"shet
it
ledherheadt
olookathi
m
andl
aughed.
Babini
:"Idon'
thavet
imef orfools.Comi
nghereto
giveyousomecheapneckl ace.Hewant syouback.
I'
m amansoIknowt hesethingsandIhopeyou're
notfool
ishenoughtofallf
orit"Chulusmil
edand
shookherhead" Good,nowletusgot oMal umekazi
soshe'dcheckifthi
sthingdoesn'thavelovepoti
on
i
ni t
"hetookthenecklaceoffandChul ul
aughedso
much.Itwashiswayt ogethertohi shousewher e
thegraduat
ioncelebr
ationshethoughtshedidn't
deservewas.
Crai
g:"I
'vej
ustr
eal
isedthatIf
orgotsomet
hingver
y
i
mpor t
antathome"heleftt
hegif
thehadforChulu
sohehadt ogogetit
.
Othu:"Baby,
pleasechecki
fPhawui sn'twor
seand
thencallmeifheissoIcandraghimt othedoctor
"
Phawucompl ainedaboutaheadacheandevenhad
darkcircl
esunderhi
seyesbutonlyOt husawthat
detai
l.
Crai
g:"Iwill
"hekissedher" Pr
oudofyou,Princess"
hekissedChulu'scheek."Butyes,gohavethat
damnneckl aceinspected.Wedon'tknowhow
desperate,I
mangei s"Imange'sgif
twassuddenlya
wayt ohidethesurpriseandOt hul
aughed
wonder i
ngwhatt heywoul dhaveusedhadImange
notgivenittoher.
Chulu:"Youguysareser
ious?
"shelookedatal
lof
them andtheynodded"I
mangewillnotbewi
tchme"
shelaughed.
Babini
:"Sincebeingmar r
iedtoyourauntI
'veseen
crazyshitsolet
'sjustbesure"Chul
ulooked
confused.
Chulu:"Uhm. .
.okayifyouguyst hinkit
'sbestt hen"
shegavet hem asuspi ci
ousl ook" Wemustgoget
Qhayiyaf r
om Makhul uHl ethough.She'st oool dto
babysitfortoolongandi t'
slatesoQhayi yaismost
probablycrankyandcr yingwant ingherf amili
ar
scenery"theywal kedwithherwhi leshespokeand
gotintothecar .MakhuluwasatYandi 'shouseso
Qhayiyawaswai ti
ngtoal sosupr i
sehermom t hat'
s
i
fshe' snotnapping.Craigdr ovehomehopi ngt hat
Phawuwoul dbef eeli
ngwel lenought ogowi t
hhi m
tothepar t
y.Qhawenevermi ssedapar tyeveni fhe
wast heonesi ckhe'dhavesai dhe' ddancet he
sicknessaway.
Luphawusatont hecouchwit
heverysnackbe
couldfindi
nthehouseinfr
ontofhi
m andhis
gir
lf
riendYonel
abyhis.Hefakedhi
sheadacheto
beabletoent ert
ainhisgir
lf
ri
endathi shometaking
advantageoft healoneti
me.He' dlear
nedhowt o
ki
ssaf ewweeksagowhenYonel awasmor ethan
happytoteachhi m how.Sot heysatonthecouch
ki
ssingandt hedar i
ngyoungt eenagegir
lgotontop
ofhim makingPhawul oseallsensesasthe
momentwast oonewandmadehi mfeel
overwhelmed.
Yonela:"Doyouhavear ubber ?
"Phawul ookedat
herconf usedast owhyt heywouldneedaner aser
.
"Soyou'veneverdonei t"shegiggledsoftl
y"Gosh
you'r
esobehi nd"Phawu'smi ndstil
lhadnot
regi
stered.Hewasasmar tboybutnotwheni t
camet ogi rl
s.Sheevent ookhisglassesofandhe
couldn'
tevenseeherpr operl
yashehadbl urr
y
visi
onwi thoutthem buthewant edt oimpr
essher .
"Don'twor r
y,Icamewi t
hone"shet ookouta
condom f rom herbackjeanpocket .Phawuwasso
shockedt hatheputherasi deandj umpedupf rom
thecouchsweat i
ng.
Phawu:"Youwannadothat
?"hepoi
ntedatt
he
condom i
nherhand.I
twasnotwhatheexpect
ed
whenshesai
dshewant
edt
ochi
llwi
thhi
m.
Yonel a:"You'
resoi nnocentl
ooki
ngandit'
scut e"
shest oodandwat chedhim backaway"Everyonein
mat ri
cdoesi t"shesaidtoaddont othepressure
"Myf riendsknowI '
m heresoifwedon'tdoitI'
lltel
l
andt heywi l
llaughatyou"Phawugothol dofhi s
glassesandwor ethem tocheckifhi
sbadeyes
wer en'tdecei
vinghi m.
Phawu:"
Idon'
twantt
odot
hat
,Yonel
a"heshook
hi
shead.
Yonela:"
Soyouwantt hewholeschooltoknowthat
youarestil
lscaredofsex?"herwordsstrucka
chord.Hecouldalreadypi
cturetheotherboys
point
ingathim whilel
aughing.Sohelethercome
cl
oserandki sshim.
Phawu:"
I'
veneverdonet
his"hesai
dner
vousl
yas
hefel
thi
sheartbeati
ncr
ease.
Yonela:"Ihave"shesai dinhersweetteenagevoice
andherconf essionl ef
tPhawuf eel
ingmor e
pressurethanbef ore."Ever
yoneinourclasshas"
shesaidbef oreattempt i
ngtotakehisshir
toff
.'Not
mybr other'Phawut houghtt ohimself.Hef el this
bodybet r
ayhi smi nd.Ment al
lyhewasnotr eadyf or
i
tbutphysi cal l
yhisyoungt eenagebodyr esponded
andthatledt hem ont hecouchagai n.Shecl ear l
y
hatedhisglassesbecauseshet ookthem of fagain
notreali
zingt hathehadar ealeyeproblem.Cr ai
g
walkedinsideandi nar ushheadedf orthepassage
togot other oom butwhenher eali
sedt hathesaw
somethingf rom thecor nerofhi seyehet ur ned
backtof i
ndt heshi rtl
essPhawuont opofagi rlwith
acondom ont hear m ofthecouch.Theywer esoi n
themomentt heyhadn' tevenhear dhim ent er.He
unbuckledhi sbel tandPhawuandYonel awer e
broughttor ealit
ybyt hewhi pping.Yonelat ookher
l
itt
lesli
ngbagandr anoutscr eamingwhi leCr aig
conti
nuet odealwi thPhawu.
Crai
g:"Inmyhouse, Luphawu?!"hegavehi m
anotherwhip.Theyhadnevergot tenhitwithabelt
butCraigfel
tdisr
espectedinhisownhouse.Phawu
keptapologi
zingwhilerunni
ngar oundt okeepthe
dist
ancebetweenhim andhi sfather.Everyt
hing
wasbl ur
rybuthecoul dseeCraig'
smovement sso
he'dgotheopposit
ewaybutheal sofeltt
hatbel
ton
hisskinasmuchashet r
iedtorunsohej ust
start
edtocry."Mom i
swor ri
edsickthinki
ngthat
youar ecl
osetogoingint
oadamncomayetyou
arenakedwithadamncondom cl earl
yhadInot
comeyou'dhavedonesomet hi
ngt hatyouhaveno
businessdoing!
"heshouted.
Phawu:"
I'
m sor
ry,
dad"hewi
pedhi
stear
sof
f.
Craig:"Dammit,
Luphawudoyout hinksexi sallf
un
andgames?Whati ft
hisdamnt hi
ngbr okeandyou
wer eleftwi
thanSTDorababy? "hewasst i
ll
fumi ng.Heknewhissoncan'tseewellwithouthis
glassessoheshovedt hem i
ntoPhawu' shandand
watchedPhawu' sshaki
nghandsputt heglasseson.
Phawu:"Iwantedt
oimpressher
"hesaidquietl
y
andcaughttheshi
rtCr
aigthr
ewathi
m.Cr aig
cal
meddownandr ememberedt
hepressuresbeing
ateenageboycamewi t
handheimaginedtheyhad
doubledi
nPhawuandQhawe' st
ime.
Crai
g:"Comesi
tyourassdown"
Phawuwalkedt
o
thecouchsl
owl
yandsatdownhopingCr
aigwould
notusethebel
tagain."
Don'
tIt
alkt
oyouandyour
brot
heraboutt
his,
Luphawuhuh?"hesai
dwit
h
di
sappoint
ment.
Phawu:"
Youdo"
Craig:"Boy,sexi snotgoinganywher e.Gi
rl
sarenot
goinganywher e.Boozeisnotgoi nganywhere.
Everythinghasi tsti
meandr i
ghtnowyouar e
rushingyour selfint
osomet hi
ngwi thmajor
consequences.Howol disthi
sgi r
l?"hepoi
ntedat
thedoorasi fYonel asti
llst
oodt here.
Phawu:"18nextweek"hemumbl
edandCr
aig
si
ghedloudl
y.
Craig:"
Somom andIagr eedtoyouguystobe
upgradedsoyou'dgiveintot
hepressur
eofkids
whoar enearl
ylegaladult
s?I
fgrade12istoomuch
foryouthenwecanputyour ightbacki
nthedamn
gradethathaskidsyourage"
Phawu:"Shesai
dtheywouldl
aughi
fIdon'
tdoi
t"
helookedatt
hetit
ledf
loor
.
Cr
aig:"
Lett
hem l
augh.It
'l
lbet
hem whohavet
o
dr
opoutbecausetheywannadogrownupthi
ngs.I
understandthepr essure,myboy.Iwasyourageso
Iunderstandthepr essurebutletcert
ainthi
ngs
passyou.You' l
lenjoythem whenyouknowt he
ti
meisr ight
"het appedhi sboy'sshoulder
.
Phawu:"
Butyoudat
edmom i
nhi
ghschool
"
Craig:"
Firstl
ymom andIwer eneveral onebehi nd
closeddoor s.Iknowf oraf actthatdiaryyouguys
readhadnot hi
ngaboutsexi nitbecauseI
respectedmysel fandIr espectedmom.Yout hink
myf ri
endsdi dn'tlaughatmef orkeepingthingsage
appropriatewithmom?Theyl aughedandIr eali
zed
theyaren'tmypeopl esoIwentont of i
ndfriends
withthesamemi ndsetasme.Doyounowhave
newf ri
endswhoar eolder
?IknowQhawei syour
buddyorar eyoubot hdoingt hesethings?"Phawu
shookhi shead.
Phawu:"Qhawedoesn'thaveagirl
fri
end.I'
m
alr
eadytheuncoolki
dswi t
hthesethickglassesand
theymakefunofusforbeingsmar ttoo"
Crai
g:"Becauset
heywishtheycoul
dbeli
keyou.
Partofbeingsmarti
susi
ngyourbrai
ninever
y
si
tuat
ion.Areyoureadytohaveesex?"Phawu
shookhisheadinhonesty"Soyouwouldhavedone
i
ttoimpressagirlwhomightdumpyouf oranot
her
boynextweek?"theteennodded.
Phawu:"
I'
m sor
ry,
Dad"her
epeat
ed.
Craig:"
Luphawuyousawf i
rsthandhowdi ff
icul
ti t
i
sf orChul utohaveal i
fenowt hatshehasQhayi ya.
Shef ai
ledschoolt oo.Mom andIar enotsupport
ing
Qhayiyaf i
nancially.ImangeandChul uhaveto
ensuret hattheirbabyhasever ythi
ngbecausethey
madehersot heymustber esponsibl
e.Youare15
andcan' tevengol ookforajobbecausenoonewi ll
hir
eanunder ageboy.Whatwi llyourbabyeat?"
Phawu:"
Idon'
twantababy"
Crai
g:"AndyouwantnoSTDei
ther
.Sost
opt
his
andfocusonyourbooks"
Phawu:"Soyou'
l
ltel
lmom?
"hef
ear
edOt
hu'
s
react
iontoo.
.
Crai
g:"OfcourseI'
l
ltellmom.Nowyouwil
lbe
knownasal iar
.Evenwhenyou'rer
eal
lysi
ckwe
won'tbel
ieveyou.I
'm notgoi
ngtobel
iket
hoseTV
dad' sandshakeyourhandf orbeingabl et ogeta
girltosleepwi thyou.Nosuchf uckerywi l
lhappen
i
nmyhouse.EvenChul umancowhoi swayol der
thanyour espect edthi
shouseyether eyouar eright
i
nt heopenhal fnakedwi thagi r
l.You'lltel
lme
wher eherpar ent sli
ve,I
'llgotellthem tost opt heir
girlfrom comi ngt ogetundr essedi nmyhousel ike
i
t'sabr othel .Asl ongasyouandyoursi blingsl i
ve
undermyr oof,youwi l
lrespectMom andI .Youget
somegi rlpr egnantyougowor k.Chul uislucky
becauseshehadherbi ologicalmot her'smoneyand
Imangewor ksbutgoaskt hem howhar ditiseven
whent heyhavesomemoney.Youwi llgowor kthe
minesi fneedbet osuppor tyourchild"Phawu
swal lowedhar dashei magi nedhi mselfint hedept h
oft heear th."You, meandQhawewi l
ltalkaboutt his
proper l
yl ateron.Nowgogetdr essedyou' re
comi ngwi thme".
Phawu:"Isti
llhaveaheadache"hesai dsof
tlyashe
didn'
twanttobehumi li
atedbyhisf
atheri
nfrontof
theenti
refamily.Crai
gliftedhi
m of
fthecouchwith
nosenseofgent leness.
Craig:"Youwer ehappyt ogetnakedwi tha
headachesocel ebratingwithyoursistershouldnot
kil
lyou"hehel dPhawu' sskinnyneckf rom behind
andl edhim downt hepassaget ohisroom sohe' d
change.Cr ai
gkeptl ooki
ngatPhawuwhi l
eshaki ng
hisheadast heydr ovetotheZwenihouse.When
theyarrivedeveryonewasi napartymoodal ready
andhewassadt hathemi ssedthemomentwher e
Chulugott hesur prisebutitwaswor thitashe
managedt ostopPhawuf r
om givi
ngi ntopeer
pressure.
Othu:"
Boyza,youl
ookmuchbett
er"shehel
d
Phawu'scheekandhel
ookedathi
sf at
her
.
Cr
aig:"
Foundhi
m aboutt
ohavesexact
ual
ly"
Ot
hu'seyeswi
dened.
Othu:"
It
'sthi
smat r
icbusi
ness.Iknewitwasabad
i
dea.You'r
ehavingsexnow, Luphawu?
"sheasked
soft
lywhil
epointi
ngathim.
Crai
g:"Let'
sdealwit
hitl
ater
,O.
Idon'
twantChulu'
s
dayruined"Qhayi
yawasscreamingbl
uemurderon
theothersideoft
heroom andOt
huwenttotakeher
andputheri
nPhawu'
shands.
Othu:"Si
nceyouarereadyf
orgrownupt hings.
Hereissomepracti
ceforwhentheconsequences
ofthosethi
ngscome.Youwillbebabysit
ti
ng
Qhayiyaandshe'
snothappysogoodl uck"
Phawu:"
But,Mom shewon'
tst
opcr
ying"hel
ooked
atQhayi
ya.
Othu:"Thereshe'scalmingdownsokeepher
enter
tainedsoshewon' tstar
tagai
n.I'
llgi
veyouher
foodnow.Baby, wewer ewaiti
ngforyoutocome
saysomet hing"shelookedatCrai
g.
Crai
g:"Hereisveryf avouri
tetoy"heputi tint
o
Phawu'salreadyfullhands" Malumewi lllookaf
ter
youtoday,Qhayiya.Gi vehim hel
l"hekissed
Qhayiya'
sforehead.Qhayi yapulledherf ace
wanti
ngt ocry.
Phawu:" Shhhshhh"her ockedhersoshewouldn'
t
cry.Othubroughtt
hef oodandPhawuwasf or
ced
tositandfeedababywhi l
eQhawehadhi sarmsup
i
nt heairdanci
nglikehehadnocar eintheworld.
"You'r
enotevenmybaby"hesai dtoQhayiyawho
st
uckhert
ongueoutasi
fshewasmocki
nghi
m.
Craig:" Chul z,Icanst il
lremembert heveryf i
rstday
thatImetyou.Iknewf r
om t hatdaythatIwant edto
beapar tofyour sandMama' sli
fenotknowi ngt hat
theuni ver seconspi redt ouni t
eusl ongago.Iknow
thatIwashar donyouwhenIhear dyou' repregnant
butIam al sopr oudt hatyout ookresponsi bi
li
tyand
areagr eatmot her.Todayyouhavemademeand
mom ver ypr oudpar ents.Towat chyour eapt he
rewar dsofyourhar dwor kwassuchaj oy.Igotyou
thi
sgi ft"Cr aighel dupar twor kfrom Chulu's
favour it
el ocalar ti
standhewat chedherputher
handsoverhermout hlookingshockedt ohaveher
fi
rstpi ecef r
om oneofherr olemodel sinthe
i
ndust r y"Idohopet hatyoupr i
ceyour sashighas
thi
sf ellowdoeshi s"ever yonelaughed.
Chulu:"
Thankyou, Dad"shehuggedhi m andlooked
atthepaint
ingagainbefor ecryi
ng"It
'smyf i
rst
pi
ecef r
om aprofessional.Iaspir
etobeatt hesame
l
evelasthisart
ist
.Wow, Dadt hankyou"shewi ped
hertear
sandhuggedhi m again.
Mat
o:"
Idon'
tknowwhat
'sont
hatpai
nti
ngbutIdo
knowthatyouwillreachfargreaterhei
ght s.Our
ownPicasso"shebl ewkisses"Justdon'tcutyour
earof
f"ever
yonel aughedwhi l
eshakingt heirhead.
Theywereshockedt hatMat oknewar t
ists.
Othu:"It
hi nkdadsai deveryt
hingt hatIwantedtoso
allI
'l
lsayisIl oveyouandI 'm proudofyou.Ican't
waitforthebi ggalleriestoexhibitChulumanco
Knightoriginals.Iwillbeateachandsi ngl
eoneof
those.Ididnotgetyouanexpensi veartcol
lect
ion
l
ikedadi nf actmygi f
tissecondhandbutIdohope
thatyoulikeit.Iam gi vi
ngyoumybabybecause
youlovehersomuch"shehel douthercarkeyst o
Chulumancoandwat chedChul uj umpupanddown
whilescreami ng.Ot huhadt obal ancewhenChul u
jumpedonher .
Othu:"
Iloooveit
.I'
vebeenhi
nti
ngthatyoumust
gi
veittomewhenyoubuyanewone.Thanks,
Mama"shescr eamedagainanddangledt
hekeysi
n
fr
ontofherfamily.
Babini
:"Don'
tbetoohappy.You'l
lnowdri
veyour
brot
herstoschoolbecauseyourmom won'twant
thei
rdir
tyhandsontheleatherseat
sofherCEO
car
!"heshout
edandOt
huputaf
ingeroverherl
i
ps
whil
elooki
ngathi
m.
MsDudumashe:"
Othunyi
weyowi
llbeabossl
ady?
"
Mat
o:"
Tshi
sa,
Kumkani
kazi
!"shest
oodanddanced.
Makhul u:"
Kumkanii
smostprobabl
ydanci
ngwher
e
heis.Hehasbeent r
yingt
ogetyouint
ohis
businessforsol
ong"shesmi
led.
Othu:"I
'
m nottheCEO.I'
m shor
tl
ist
edandt odayi
s
notaboutme.Bhuti,
Itr
ustedyoutokeepthe
secret
"shelookedatBabi
niwholaughedout.
Poppy:" Don'tbemodest .It
hinkwebot hknowt hat
youwi l
lbeitaftert
hemovesyour ecentl
ymadeat
KumkaniConst r
ucti
on"Mzuhel dherhandand
kissedi t
.Hewasgl adtonothearOt hu'sname
ever ysecondt heywer etogetherasPoppyseemed
tohaveaccept edthesituati
on.KCwoul dundergoa
l
otofchangesshoul dOt huandhersi bli
ngslead.
Othuknewt hatshoul dshebechosen, shewoul dn't
l
eadt hecompanyal oneandi tmadeherf eelready
tosi ti
nthemai nseatshouldshebechosen.Babi ni
wal kedupwi thYandit ogiveChulut hei
rgif
t.
Yandi :"Chulu,Imetyouwhenyouwer eaboutf our
orfivei fI'
m notmi staken.I '
vehadthehonorof
wat chingyougr ow.I'm alsoverygrat
efulf
ort hat
babymagi cyour ubbedof fonmebyt heway"Chul u
l
aughedwhi l
eever yonel ookedconfused.I
twas
theirli
ttlesecret"TodayIknowIspeakf orallofus
whenIsaywear eproudofyou.Zosul wewillhavea
rolemodelt olookupt osot hankyouforbeinga
greatyoungl ady.Youruncl eandIdohaveaf avour
toaskyourpar entsthough"t heyl
ookedatOt huand
Craig.
Babini
:"Weaskt hatyout wopleaselookafter
Qhayiyafort
woweeksbecausewegot
Chulumancoticketstotheyoungar t
istfest
ivali
n
Durban"Chul
ul i
teral
lystoodupandr ant ohug
them.Itwasanannualeventwher earti
stsfrom al
l
walksofli
fegatheredtonetwor k,
toshowcaseand
ti
cketswerealwayssoldout .
Chulu:"
Howdi dyougetmeat i
cket,
Malumeand
Malumekazi?Ican'tbel
ievet
hatthatIwi
llbegoi
ng
thi
syear"shescreamedagain"Doyouguysknow
thecali
breofart
ist
swhogot othi
s?""
Babini
:"MywifeandIhavemywaysofget
ti
ng
thi
ngs"Yandismil
edathim.
Chulu:"
Mamapr et
typleaselookaf
terQhayiyafor
thetwoweeks.Dadpretty,
prett
ypl
ease.Iwi l
ldoal
l
choresathomewhenIcomeback"shel ookedat
herparent
s.
Qhawe:"
Wellwhent
heydon'
tagree,youcoul
d
al
waysaskPhawuseei
ngashe'salreadyonthe
j
ob"hepoint
edathi
sbrot
herl
aughing.
Othu:"Okay,
okaywe'lll
ookaft
erourbaby,
it'
snot
l
ikeit
'sthehardestt
hingint
heworld"Chul
uwentto
hughermom anddad.
Mato:"MeIwillgi
veyoumoneyt ogopaintthe
str
eetsofDurbanredanddot hethi
ngsthatyoung
peopl
edo.Justdon'tbri
nganotherQhayiyaChulu
pl
ease"Chulucrossedherhearti
npromise.
Chul
u:"
Iwil
lbri
nganot
herwhenI
'
m mar
ri
ednow,
Makhul
u.Ipr
omiseyouthat
"
Mato:"
Goodbutpromi
set
odot
his"shedancedi
n
herhi
ghinchst
il
ett
o.
Makhul
u:"
Youlooklikeyouwantt
ogowi
thher
"she
l
aughedwhil
elooki
ngatthedanci
ngMat
o.
Mat o:"
AskOt huandYandihowMat ot akesover
andmakesever yone'
satt
enti
ononme.Idanced
them underthet abl
eatOthu'
sbachelor'
spart
y"
everyonelaughed.YandiandOthulookedateach
otherandtheybot hrememberedverywel l
.
Chulu:"
Don'tworry,
Makhuluyoutaughtmewel
l
"
shealsostart
edtodancewhilest
il
linher
graduat
ionatti
reandever
yonecheered.
Makhul
u:"
Idon'tgetwhyyoumustalll
ookli
kethe
r
oom youaredancinginst
inks.St
oppul
li
ngyour
f
acesli
kethat
"everybodyl
aughedonceagai
n.
MaDudumashe:" Chul
u,mybabyIam t heki
ndwho
makesgift
sbyhand.WhenIhear dt hatyoulove
beadsIdecidedtomakesyout hesef orwhenyou
arei
nyourtradit
ionalatt
ir
eagain.Ireall
yhopeyou
l
ovethem"Chul usmi l
edattheperfecthandcraft
ed
j
ewelryset
.Shecoul donlyimaginehowl ongit
musthavetakenMaDudumashet omaket hem.
Chul
u:"
I'
m notevengoi
ngt
owai
tforat
radi
ti
onal
aff
airs,Makhul
u.Iwil
lwearthem i
nDur ban.Don't
besur pr
isedwhenyougetordersbecauseI'l
ltel
l
everyonewhomadei t.Thankyou,
Makhul u"she
huggedMaDudumashe.
Makhulu:"
Nunu, youwil
lhavet
ocomewi th
Makhulutotownandchoosesomething.Youhave
ever
ythi
ngalready"shesmil
edandChuluwentto
hugher.
Chulu:"Youalonear eenough, Makhul u.Thankyou
somuchf orthiseveryone.Mal umekazi asalways
youout doneyour sel
fwithplanningyetanot her
partyforme.Iloveyoual lsomuch.Thankyouf or
taki
ngcar eofQhayi yawhenIhadsomet hi
ng
schoolrelat
edgoi ngon.Andbecauseofyoual l
I.
..
myf earsofbei ngayoungmot hergotl essand
l
essbecauseyouguyshaveal lcarri
edme.Iknow
thatIdisappointedyouwhenyouhear dI '
m
pregnantbutyouneverl etmedealwi thitalone"
shewi pedhert earsofwhi l
esmi l
ing"Tamkhul u
thankyout oo.Iknowyou' rewi t
hmeal waysandI
l
oveyou"shel ookeduphopi ngKumkanicoul dhear
her.Everyonest oodandwentt otakeat urnhugging
her
.Theywer
ever
ypr
oudofher
.
Qhawelaughedwhenhef
oundPhawuchangi
nga
di
aper
.
Qhawe:"
Whatdi
dyoudotodeser
vethi
s
puni
shment
?"hewi
pedhi
stearsof
f.
Phawu:"Mxm"hecontinuedwi
thwhathewasbusy
wit
h."Whatkindofwi
ngmanar eyou?Whydidn'
t
yousaydadwascomi nghome?Hef oundmewi t
h
Yonel
a,braandhewhippedmyass"Qhaweputhi s
handsonhisheadaft
erheari
ngthatCrai
gpull
eda
bel
toutforPhawu.
Qhawe:" Yougohavesexwhenyou'renoteven
ready.There'
sHIVoutt
here,br
a"heremindedhis
brotherofthel
if
eori
entat
ioncl
assestheyboth
attend.
Phawu:"NowI
'
llbet
hecl
ownoft
hecl
ass.She'
l
ltel
l
ever
yone"
Qhawe:"Wetel
leveryonehowDadgotheroutt hen
we'
llseewhotheylaughat .Dude,wearenott
here
yet
.Funnyhowever yonethinksI'
mtheforwar
done
whenyou'r
etheunder coversneakyone"
Phawu:"Pl
easet
akeQhayi
yasoIcaneat,br
a.Li
keI
don'
thaveti
metoevenscr
atchmysel
f"Qhaweheld
hi
shandsouttoshowhewasnottaki
ngthebaby.
Qhawe:"Ihavesomedanci ngtodo.Sexbri
ngs
babi
essof eeli
t"helaughed"Youputthenappyon
wrong.That'
snothowChul ushowedus.She'lll
eak"
hepoint
edatQhayi ya.
Phawu:"
Thenshowme"hel
ookedl
ikehe'
l
lcr
y.
Qhawe:"Soyou'llrunawaythesecondItouchher?
NoI'm notdumb, bra"Chul
uwalkedinasshewas
l
ookingforherbabywhom shemi ssesver
ymuch.
"Dad,caughtPhawupant sdownwi thagir
l"het
old
onPhawu.
Chulu:"I
nourparentshouse, Luphawu?Yout hi
nk
youbeingaboygi vesyour ightt
osuchdisrespect
?
Yout hi
nkbeingaparenti seasyhuh?"shepushed
him asi
detof i
xQhayiya'snappy"Goplayinthe
damnsand, LuphawuandLi qhawe.Dammitenjoy
beingkids!
"shegavet hem bothacoldstar
e.
Phawu:"Si
s,Iheardokay.Iwi
lldumpYonel
aeven
whenitcomeswi t
hbeingthejokeoft
heschool
"he
pr
omi
sed.
Chulu:"
Yes,gogetagi
rlwhowil
lenjoyicecr
eam
andwalksinthepar
k.Notonewhowi l
lcomet o
yourparent
shouseandopenherlegsforyouatage
15"
Phawu:"
She'
sal
most18"hesai
dsof
tl
y.
Chul u:"Perf
ectagef orj ailt
henseei ngasshe' s
will
ingt ohavesexwi thanunder agechi l
d.It'
s
statutoryrape"Phawu' shear tstartedt obeatf aster
.
"GoeatbecauseIsawQhayi yadi dn' tgiveyoua
chancet obreathtoday.I magi net hatever ydayf or
ther estofyourlif
e.Ar eyour eadyf ori t?"she
scoldedathi mi nhersof tvoiceandt heybot h
shookt hei
rheads."Mom wi l
ldealwi thyoul ateron.
Youknowshedoesn' tletsomet hinggount ilyou
feellikeburyingyoursel f.You'llbedoi ngallkindsof
hardl abourforalongt imear oundt hehouse.Now
go"
Phawu:"
Congr
atul
ati
onsonyourdegr
ee"she
smil
edwhenshefel
thim hugher
.
Chul
u:"
Thankyou"shesmi
led.
Phawu:"
Whydidyout
ellher
?"hehi
thi
sbr
otheras
theywal
kedout
.
Qhawe:"
Soyou'
dhavemoresur
val
lance"theybot
h
l
aughed"Damnner
d"heel
bowedhi
sbr other.
Phawu:"You'
llhavemybackwhent heymockmeat
schoolr
ight
?"hel ookedathi
sbr
other.
Qhawe:" Youknowwemockeachot herpr ivately
butkeepi ttightli
keKni ght sinpublic"theydi dt heir
ownuni quehandshakewhi chendedwi tht heir
foreheadst ouching."PlusIdar ethi
sYonel ato
mockyou, youknowI 'mt heki ngofshade"he
wrappedhi sar msar oundPhawu' sshoul derand
Phawudi dt hesame.Theywer ebestfriendsi ndeed.
Chul udi
dn'tr eall
yhavef riendsbutherpar t
yl ater
gotaswi ldasi twouldhaveshoul dshecel ebr atesd
withpeersheraget hankst oMat owhomadesur e
themusi candt hedrinkswer esorted.Shel ookedat
herf ami
lyaf tersheputQhayi yadown.Shewas
certaint
hatwhat everlif
et hrewathershe' dbeabl e
todealwi t
hasl ongast heywer ebyhersi de.She
tookherheel soffandwentt odancel i
kei twast he
l
astdayofherl i
fe.Afteryear sofhar dwor kand
fai
lur
eshefi
nal
lyhadherdegreeandsheonl
y
wishedt
hatKumkaniwassti
llali
vet
oseehisChu-
Chubearwhowasnowgr aduate.
S2-
INSERT34
WhenYonel agottoschoolshemadesur etotel
lher
fr
iendswhathappened.Thet eacherwasnotin
classyetsoitgavethegroupoflearnerssometime
tolaughunti
lthei
rtummi esweresore.Phawuand
Qhawewal kedinaftert
heyhadj ustbeendropped
offbyCraigwhosaidhe'dgohaveachatwi th
Yonela'
sparentslat
eron.
Zur aida:"Hey, nerdIheardthatyoudonoteven
knowwhatacondom l ookslike"everyonelaughed
"Doyousl eepdur i
nglif
eorientati
on? "Phawuf el
t
l
ikedi sappearingaf t
erYonela'sfri
endspoke.He
coul dnotbel i
evethatYonelar eall
ydidthattohim
aftershet oldhimt hathecaredabouther .Hewas
aboutt owal koutashecoul dfeelhiseyeswer e
closet otearsandt hatwouldj ustgivetheclass
mor eammuni tion.
Yonel
a:"
Andhi
sthi
ngi
ssosmal
lIhadt
obor
row
hisglassestobeablet oseeit"Phawublinkedt o
blockthetearsbefor
eheat temptedtoturnar ound
towal koutbutQhawehel dhisshouldertostophi m
beforeleadi
nghimt ohisdesk.Theybot hsati n
fr
ontasi twaseasierforthem thatwaysot hat
shouldtheteacher'
shandwr it
ingbetoosmal l
Qhawewoul dtel
lPhawuwhatwaswr i
tt
enont he
board.
Gary:"You'r
esuch. .
.what'
sitcall
edagain,Sadz?
Uhm. .
.apopayi "Phawuwantedt ostandandpunch
theblueeyedf reckl
edfaceGarybutQhawest opped
him onceagai n.Qhaweopenedhi ssportsbagand
Phawuwonder edwhyhehadi tbecausetheydidn't
havespor tonaMonday.Whathedi dn'
texpecthis
brot
hert opulloutwasChulu'sgraduati
ongown.
TheyoungKni ghtconfi
dent
lypulledtheblackgown
overhisshoul dersbef
oreputt
inghisarmsi nthe
widesleeves.
Yonela:"Lookatthi
sdamngeekwhoshoul dbein
theharrypottermovies"shefol
dedapaperint
oa
ballandthrewitathim andtheclassl
aughedagai
n.
Qhawewast heextrovertbet
weenhim andPhawu
andPhawu'ssoci alanxi
etymadesit
uati
onsl
ikethe
cl
asslaughingathi m moredi
ff
icul
tsi
ncehe'
s
pronet
opani cattackswhenhe'stooover
whelmed
byasocialsett
ing.
Qhawe:" Ageeki syourf atherbecausewi tht hat
bear dhemi ghtaswel lbepr ofessorDumbel door
andsi nceyouknowhar ryPot t
eryou' l
lknowwho
thati s"hepoi ntedatYonel awhowasnotexpect i
ng
himt oshootback.Shewasof fendedbyherpar ent
beingbr oughtintoitandt hesamepeopl ewho
l
aughedatherj okel aughi ngatherf at
her" I
'm
advocat eKni ghtandIwi llber epresentingMr
LuphawuKni ght.Letmest artwi t
hyouZur aida
Moodl ey,weact uall
ydosl eepdur i
ngl i
feor i
entati
on
becausei tisasubj ectthati nsultsouri nt
elligence"
hehel dont othegownandwal kedinhismost
prof essi onalmannerdownt hepat hwhi ch
separ atedthel i
nesofdeskst ostandi nfrontof
Zur aida." Youont heot herhandf aili
tevenaf t
er
studyi ngi tforaweek.Whoget s34%i nl i
fe
orient ation?"theclassl aughedasZur aidat urned
redi nembar r
assment" Idohopeyouknowasmany
Gandhiquot esaspossibl
ebecauseIadvi sethat
youlookintopublicspeaki
ngseeingasyouuse
yourmout hmor ethanyoudoyourbr ain"Zuraida
l
ookedaroundandf oundtheclasslaughing
especi
all
yt heother"ner
ds"theyli
ketomakef unof.
Zur
aida:"
I'
llt
elltheteacherwhatyoujustsai
d"the
ent
ir
eclasslaughedandPhawucoul dn'
thelpbut
smil
etohimsel fwhent heat
tent
ionwasnol onger
onhim.
Qhawe:"Runalong, l
it
tl
emi ss"hewavedhishandt o
thedoorinadismi ssiveway" AndyouYonelahave
noshamepoi ntingoutmycl i
ent'
sall
egedsmal l
penis.Di
dyout ellt
hecour tthatyouwerenoteven
for
tunateenought oseei t
?"heputhi shandsonhis
l
owerbackandwal kedtostandinfrontofYonela.
Yonel
a:"
Isawitandsinceyou'
ret
winsI'
m sur
e
your
sisasinvi
nci
ble"shel
ookedathi
m.
Qhawe:"MrKnight,doyoucar
etoshowt hecour
t
whathappenedthatmakesmecer t
aint
hatshesaw
not
hing?"hel
ookedatPhawuwhowaspoi nti
ngat
hi
mselfnotwantingpubli
catt
ent
ionbuthestoodto
cl
earhi
sname.
Phawu:"Mydadarr
ivedbef
orewecoulddo
anythi
ngsoyou'
rel
yingYonel
aandyouknowi
t"he
fel
thimsel
fgetwor
kupagainbythel
ie.
Qhawe:" Mycl i
entissuchahonor ablemant hathe
fai
ledtosayt hatyouwer echasedoutbyMrKni ght
Snrwi t
habel tscreaming"hemi mickedthe
screamingandhowhei maginedYonelaactedwhen
Craigcamewi t
habel tandtheclasslaughed"In
yourstatementyouf ail
edtoletthecourtknowt hat
youar etheamabokoboko, seeingasyouwer e
jumpinglikeaspringbokwhenMrKni ghtsnrdealt
withyou"hepoi ntedhisfi
ngeratYonela'sdeskand
theclasslaughedagai nwhenhej umpedupand
downt oshowhowYonel ajumpedabout .
Yonel
a:"
I'
m goi
ngtotel
lmydadandyourfat
herwil
l
bearr
est
edforhit
ti
ngme"shest
oodtofacehim.
Qhawe:"WeatKnightsattor
neyswi llslapyouhard
butnotwit
haf l
atopenhandbutwi t
hast at
utor
y
rapechar
ge,yougogo!"hereferencedChul u'
s
wordsaboutYonelabeingold.Hewat chedYonela
si
nki
ntoherchai
rscar
ed.
Niel
sen:"Hey,stopacti
ngcl everhere.I
fshe'
sa
gogot oyouthengobackt oyourpr i
marygrade!"
shoutedtheclassclownfrom t hebackand
everyonelaughed.Qhawet urnedhi t
ti
ngafewi nthe
facewithhissweetpurfumedgownasi tf
lewinthe
airwhenhet urnedtowalktoNi el
.
Qhawe:" Niel,youar e21sodon' tstartwiththeage
thi
ng.Youar enotevenamkhul ubutadamn
ancest or
"hepoi ntedatNi elwhowasal sopointing
athim ashi sfacet urnedr ed."Sureweshoul dhave
beeni ngradeni neasagehasi tbutyoushoul d
havebeeni nyourl astyearatuni versit
y.Sosi tyour
assdownbecauseyoul iveinaglasshouseandI
am notaf rai
dt oshowyout hatitcracks"hepoi nted
atthedeskbef oreNi el'
sbecausehef earedNi ela
bit
.Ni elwasgoodathi dinghisactualagebecause
hecamef rom anewschoolaf t
erfail
ingagainno
onei nclassknewsohewasl aughedatsomuch
thatheknewt hathel osthisclassclownr eputation
afterQhawemadehi m acl own.Qhawepr epared
himsel ff
orabeat ingaf t
erschoolbuti tfel
tgoodt o
puttheonewhomakesfunofpeopl
eever
yday,
especi
all
ythesmar
tki
dswhichwerehi
sfavour
it
e
vi
cti
ms.
Ni
el:"
I'
llgetyou"hepoi
ntedatQhawe.
Phawu:"Youraim shouldbetofinal
lygetoutofthe
damnschoolsystem.St opgett
ingthingsthatt
ake
younowher einli
fe"heshoutedtothebacksoNi el
wouldknowhe' dhavetogethimt ooifhewantedto
gethisbrot
her.QhaweknewPhawu' sheartwason
histhr
oataft
erthatpubli
coutburstbecausehe
hatedsuchbuthenoddedandsmi l
edfeel
ingproud.
"YoutooYonelastopgetti
ngthi
ngst hatmightget
youpregnantandf ocusonschool"helookedtothe
othersi
deoftheclass.
Qhawe:" Isuggestyout akemycl i
ent'
sadvi ce,Niel
andYonel a"hewalkedawaybef orethenaught y
boyskickedhim" OhIal mostforgotGar y.Wel l
seei
ngasI '
m popayithenit'
sonlyf ai
rtotellthe
courtthatyouarecar tooncharactert
oo.Takeyour
shoesandsocksof f
, DonaldDuck.Showt hem that
yourtoesar el
inkedbyt hinski
ni nbetweenl i
ket hat
ofaduck"t heclasslaughedhar dwant i
ngt osee
Gar y'sf eett hatQhawekeptsecr etsincef indingout
butt heymessedwi thhi sbr othersohewentout
gunsbl azing.Theyoungt eenwentt othepr incipal
togor eportt hatQhawemadef unofhi sdi sabi l
ity.
"Ist her eanyoneel sewhowi shest osaysomet hing
aboutmycl i
ent?"hel ookedar oundandnoone
spoke" Itakei tthi
sYonel acasehasbeensor ted
then.If indYonel agui l
tyoft wi sti
ngt hest oryt o
soundr elevant .Ialsof indhergui lt
yof
disr espect ingmycl ient '
shome.Isent enceyou
Yonel at oameet i
ngwi thyourpar entsaf terschool
becausemycl ient'
sf atheri sonhi swayt oyour sas
wespeak"Yonel ashi ftedf orwar dinherchai rwi th
wi denedeyeswhenshel earnedt hatCraigwason
thewayt oherf ather" Thankyoual l,courtisnow
adj our ned"hepr etendedt obebusysor tingpaper s
i
nf rontofhi m outt olookmor epr ofessional .The
teacherwal ki nlookingconf usedaboutt hebl ack
gownononeofherpupi l
s.
Teacher
:"Khawe,
IhearGarysai
dyouaremaki
ng
funofhi
m"sheclear
lyal
readypi
ckedsi
des.
Qhawe:"
It
'sQhawe,
Mam QhanotKha"hecor
rect
ed
herrespect
ful
ly"
I'
m sureyouknowast or
yhast
wo
sides,Mam.DidGarytel
lyouhestart
edit
?"t
he
teacherl
ookedatGarywhowasl ooki
ngdown.
Teacher:"
Yesbuttomakefunofhisdisabi
li
tyi
sa
bi
tpersonaldon'
tyout
hink?"hergr
eeneyeslooked
i
ntohis.
Qhawe:" Aboutasper sonalaswhenhemadef unof
myt wi n,Mam.Youcanaskmypar entstocomet o
schoolbecauseIseeyout akeyourfavourit
e
chil
dr en'sside.Liket
hatf i
ghtthatwasnotst arted
bymebutIhadt obri
ngmypar entsI'
m notgoingto
apologi zetoGar yunti
lheapol ogizestomybr other
andI .Iam wi ll
ingtorepeatthisintheprinci
pal'
s
off
icet oo"hesai dpolit
ely.
Teacher:"
Noneedt otakeitt
hatfar
.Bothofyougo
backtoyourdesks"shedismissedthem."Takeof
f
thatt
hing,youl
ookridicul
ous"shewalkedtoher
desk.
Qhawe:"
I'
dsayIlookl
ikeanadvocatesoIbegto
di
ffer
,Mam"hesaidconfi
dent
lybefor
etaki
ngthe
gownoffandsi
tt
ingdown.
Phawu:"HowmuchdoIoweyou? "hewhisper
ed
withasmilebef
oretheybr
oughtt
hei
rfor
eheads
toget
hertocel
ebrat
ethevi
ctor
y.
Qhawe:"I
t'
sprobono,bra.ThatmeansItookonthe
casefr
eebutnextti
mei t
'l
lbeR50"heputChulu'
s
gownbacksafelybecauseshewouldki
llhimifi
t
gotrui
nedbecausehestoleit
.
Phawu:" AdvocateLi
qhaweKni ght"hewas
i
mpr essedbyever yt
hing.Fr
om theact i
ng,the
costumer i
ghtdownt othewor dshisbrotherwas
using.HeknewQhaweGoogl edlawr el
atedthi
ngs
fi
rst.Phawusmi l
edashecoul dactuall
ypictur
ehi
s
brotheri
ncour t
.Hehadt heconfidence.
Teacher:"Befor
eIbegi nt
helesson.I'
dliket o
congratulat
etheKni ghtstwinsonyetanot her
achievement"shest oodinfrontoftheLikhawe
Knighthasbeenchosent obeleaderofthedebat e
team thatwil
lbeleadi ngourdebatepupi l
sint he
nati
onalcompet it
ion"Phawuwast hefir
stt ojump
uptohol dQhawe' shandbef oretheydidtheir
specialhandshake. Qhaweputhi shandsonhi s
headashecoul dn'tbeli
evethathewasgoi ngt o
nati
onal swher etheent ireSouthAf ri
canschool s
woul dcompet e.Thei rschoolneverwont hedebat e
compet iti
oni nal lthet enyear sofcompet ingandhe
wasdet erminedt oleadhi steam t othei rver yfir
st
vict
ory.Hewant edhi snamehi ghont heschool '
s
achievementboar dsohe' dshowhi ski dssomeday.
"Cal
m down, ever yone"sheaddedasshet ri
edt o
getthecl asswhowascheer ingf orthei rclassmat e
down" LuphawuKni ghtisgoi ngt ocompet eat
Afri
cachessgamebecausehei soneoft he
nati
onalchampi ons, heisgoi ngt obeoneoff ewt o
representSout hAf r
icaonacont inentall evel"she
smiledandcl appedandQhawedi dadancei nf ront
ofthecl assbef or eshaki nghisbr other '
shand.Li ke
QhaweLuphawuwant edhi snameengr avedont he
school'sachi evementboar dforever."Youguyswi l
l
berepr esentingt heschoolsodouspr oud"t he
enti
recl asscl appedhandsandsomebr ushedt heir
headsr oughl yt ocongr atulatethem i na" manl y"
way.Theyl eftamar kineachgr adeespeci ally
wher emat hsandsci encewasconcer nedandt ogo
homeandt ellthei rparent sthattheywoul daddt o
theachi evementwasgr eat.Theycongr atulated
eachot heragain.Theydi dt hesameext r
aactivi
ti
es
butar en'tequallygoodint hem.Phawuwasnot
suchahar dcoreindebat easQhawewasand
Qhawewasnotahar dcor einchessasPhawuwas
butone' swi nwast heother '
swinalso.Phawu
l
ookedbackatYonel aandpul l
edaf aceatherand
sher aisedhermi ddlefi
nger .Thegoalwast omake
Phawuf eelassmal laspossi blebecauseshe
thoughthewoul dmakef unofhersoshehadt odo
i
tfirstbutl it
tl
edi dsheknowt hatPhawuhadno
i
ntent i
onofmaki ngfunofher .
Crai
gf i
nal
lyfoundYonela'
shomeandhesatand
expl
ainedthesit
uati
ont oMrsVubawhowas
Yonela'
smom.Cr ai
gsf ocuskeptfal
li
ngonthebl
ue
eyethatMrsVubatriedherbesttohidewi
thmake
up.
Mr sVuba:"
Kidshavesex,MrKnight.Allwecando
nowi sgi
vethem condomsandcheckt heircl
ini
c
cardtomakesur etheygetthei
nject
ion"shesaid
socasuall
ywhi chshockedCrai
g.Hecoul dn't
pictur
ehimselfgi
vingcondomstohiski ds.
Cr
aig:"
Wel
ltel
lyourdaught
ert
ochooseanot
her
l
ocat
ionnextt
ime.Myhousei
snotsomebr
othel
"
MrsVuba:"
Areyoui
nsinuat
ingthatmychi
ldi
sa
whor
e?"shegavehi
m adirt
ylook.
Crai
g:"I
'mtell
ingyout hatInol
ongerwanttosee
yourdaughterhalfnakedwithcondomsinmy
house.Youmi ghtall
owherher ebutt
hat
'snot
happeningi
nmyhouse"
MrsVuba:"Iwillhaveachatwi thYonel a.Pleasedo
notcomebackandi nsist
ingontalkingt omy
husbandaboutt hi
s.I'
m sureyoudi dn'ttel
lyourwif
e
becauseyoudidn'twanttoshameyoursonand
samegoesf orme.Thi sisawomant owoman
betweenmydaught erandI"shesaidwhi l
epulli
ng
herdressovergerkneesmor e.
Craig:"
I'
m notgoi
ngtotel
lyouhowt odealwi t
h
yourdaughter,
Mam butIam tel
li
ngyouIdon' t
appreci
atewhathappenedinmyhousewhi chyou
arecasualaboutsocl
earl
yit'
snotafirstforyoubut
formeandmywi fei
twasaf i
rstandlast"heputhis
footdown.
Mr
sVuba:"
Iapol
ogi
zeonYonel
a'
sbehal
fthen.She
won'
tsetf
ooti
nyourhouseagai
n"
Crai
g:"Thankyou.Pl easeexcusemeasIhavewor k
togetto"hewant edtost arttherebef
oredoing
anythi
ngel se.Heturnedt olookatMr sVubawhen
shewal kedhi m out"Isyourhusbandhi t
ti
ngyou?"
hecouldn' tmi ndhi
sownbusi nesswhenawoman
wasbei ngabused.Mr sVubahel dherchestin
shockcl earlynotexpecti
ngt hequestion
MrsVuba:"
I'
m notbei
ngabused,
MrKnight.I
bumpedint
osomeequipmentatthegym"shehel
d
herf
ace.
Crai
g:"Ihopeso, mam.Ifnotthenseekhelpbef
ore
somethingworsehappens.Maybet hat'
swhy
Yonelaisdoi
ngt hesethi
ngs.Kidsdocrazystuf
f
whent hi
ngsaren'twel
lbetweenparentsIsawwith
myownki dsnotsol ongago"
Mr
sVuba:"
Thankyou,
MrKni
ght
"
Crai
g:"I
fyouneedmyhel panytimepleasecal lme"
hewrotehisnumberwithoutanameont hepaper
andgaveittoher.WhenCraiglef
tshet hrewthe
paperawayaftershr
eddingit
.WhatCr aigdidn't
knowwast hatMrsVubawast heonewhoabused
herhusbandemot ional
lyandsomet i
mesphysical
ly.
Lastnighthehadenoughandr et
ali
atedl
eavi
ngher
shocked.Inacount r
ythatlaughedatmenf or
repor
ti
ngabuseMrVubawasoneofmanymen
whower esilentt
okeept heirpubli
cdigni
tyi
ntact.
Othuwascal l
edintotheboardroom andshefound
themember sbotholdandnewwai t
ing.The
Dambuzapuppi eswer eki
ckedoutast heycouldnot
betrust
ed.Othualsohadamaj orwardrobechange
whichYandiwast othankfor.Asteachersheeven
worecasualsomet i
mesbutshewasi nhersti
ll
etos
andsuitsal
ltheti
mei ntheoffi
ce.Shesatdown
andlookedateveryone.
MrsRavel e:"
Mr sKnight
,wehavebeenst r
uggli
ngto
fi
ndther i
ghtcandidatefortheposition.Theyar eal
l
quali
fi
edbutt heylackapassi onforKumkani
Constructi
on.Wehavedeci dedtoappoi ntyou
acti
ngCEOandonceyourpr obati
onper iodisover
wewi llr
eviewyourcontributi
onint hecompanyand
whenwear esatisf
iedwithit,wewilllookat
appointi
ngyouper manent l
y.It'
snosecr etthatyou
j
oinedusnotsol ongagoandyoudon' thavemuch
experiencebutsomet imeschar act eroutweighs
experience.Wehavewat chedyouexpose
corrupti
oni nt hecompanyandyouhave
successf ull
ygot tenKCbackt othef oundereveni f
heisnol ongerher e.Youpossessgr eatleadership
skil
lsandknowl edgeoft hebusi nessandwel ook
forwardt oseewhatel seyouar ecapabl eof.My
onlyadvicet oyoui stol ist
ent ot hosewhoar e
underyouast hecapt ainneedshercr ewt osai la
bigship.Congr atul
at i
onst oyou, Mr sKnight"Ot hu
sattheref rozenl i
keabl ockofi ce" Assomeone
whowasagoodf riendofyourf at her'
s,Iknowhow
muchhewant edyouont het eam sor eall
yitwas
l
ongover due"Ot huwasst artl
edbyMr sRavele's
handi nfrontofherf ace.Shesl owl ystoodtoshake
thechai r
woman' shand" Don'tber attl
ed,youhavea
greatteam behi ndyou"shesmi ledasshef elt
Othu'sshi veri
nghandi nher s.Othut ookadeep
breath
Othu:"
Thankyousomuch,ladi
esandgent
lemen.I
knowthatI
'vebeenher
efi
veminutesandI
'
m glad
I'
llbeonapr obati
onper i
odsomywor kcanspeak
forit
selfandnotjustmyf ami
lyname.IknowI '
m
fi
lli
nghugeshoesasKumkaniZweniwasal egend
i
nconst ructi
onbutIwilldowit
hinthebestofmy
abili
ti
estoleadKCandgr owi
t"she,Poppyand
BabiniplannedtotakeKCacrossthecont i
nent
soon.She'dsurelyhavetopushhar dbutshehada
greatteam.
Mr sRavele:"Hangyourf ather'
sshoes,MrsKnight
don'ttr
yt ofi
llthem.Youwearyourownshoesand
makenamei ndependentlyfr
om him whil
ecarrying
hisbusinessval uesclose.Congratul
ati
onsonce
again.We'llbekeepi ngacloseeyeonyour
perfor
mancemor ethananyoneel sessodo
yourselfanduspr oud"Othunoddedwi t
hasmi le.
Oncet heboar dmeet ingwasdoneshecal ledBabini.
Babini
:"Youdi
daskmetogroom youtoCEOlevel
sostopsoundi
ngsoscaredofwhatyouasked"
Othugaveanervousl
augh.
Othu:"
You'
lldothi
swi t
hmer i
ght?Ist
il
lhaveso
muchtolearn,
Bhut.RightnowI'
m shaki
ng"she
l
ookedathertrembli
nghand.
Babini:"
Idon'tneedtohelpyoubutwheneveryou
feell
ikeIdothenI '
m her
ealways.Stopshaki
ngand
goandgi vethoseboringannouncementmeeti
ngs
tothestaff
"theylaughed.
Yandi:"Congratulations,fr
iendwhoooooo!Boss
Lady,Madam CEO, Mr sKnightkulondawo!Yes,
Mampi ngayessss! "sheshout edinthebackgr
ound
andBabi niwatchedherr unaroundt heki
tchenwit
h
herhandsi ntheai r."Ihavesomechampagne,
fri
endsowhenyou' vegott imepleasemakeat ur
n"
shesaidi nawhi sper" It
'snonalcoholi
cbutsame
thi
ngr i
ght?"t
heyl aughed.
Othu:"I
'l
lcomebytomorrowbecausewehavet o
takeChulutotheai
rpor
tlat
eron.You'
recrazy,
Yandiyouknow"shelaughedbecauseYandiwas
sti
llscr
eamingontheothersi
deoftheli
ne.
Babini:"Shekeptthi
ssideofher sunti
laft
erI
marriedher .Sheknewt hatIwouldnotmarryacray
-cr
ay"hej okedandt heylaughed.Othucouldal
ways
senset heirhappi
nessevenovert hephone.
Yandi
:"Don'
tyouknowi
t'
showi
t'
sdone,
baby?Wai
t
forhi
mt oputar
ingont
henshowyourt
ruecol
our
s"
shelaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Iloveyourt
ruecol
our
s"Othuhear
dsi
lence
andthenwhatsoundedli
keki
ssi
ng.
Othu:"Atleastendthecallbefor
eyoudoyour
business.Ohmygoodnessmaki ngmeli
stento
pornography!"sheexaggeratedandhear
dt he
couplelaughedbeforesheendedt hecal
l.
Poppy:"
Thest
affi
sreadyfort
heirCEOt
oaddr
ess
them"shewal
kedi
ntotheboardr
oom.
Ot
hu:"
Act
ingCEO,
act
ing"sher
emi
ndedPoppy.
Poppy:"Ohpleasetheappledidn'
tfal
lfarf
rom t
he
tr
eesoyou'real i
tt
lebeastinbusi
nessandyou've
shockedusall"shelaughed.
Ot
hu:"
Poppywe'
regoodr
ight
?Li
ke
Ishoul
dgetr
eadyf
orsabot
age?
"shel
ookedat
Poppy.
Poppy:"
Iact
uall
yfeelforyouasyou'
llbeworki
ng
hardandmakingalotofpubli
cappearanceson
behal
fofKC"shelaughed.
Ot hu:" Goodt hi
ngt eachinghel pedmepol ishmy
publ icspeaki ngt hen.I ft
here'sonet hi
ngIdon' t
mi nddoi ngi sspeaki ng.Thankyouf oryoursuppor t.
Iwi l
lneedyourhel pandourbr other '
sal soandI
trulybel ievet hatwecanmakeKCgr ow"Poppy
smi ledandnodded.Shecongr atulatedOt hubef ore
theywentt omaket heannouncement .Ot hu
plannedt ol atergoonsi t
esandt ellthegr ound
wor ker sal so.Sheknewmostoft hem al ready.The
staffl ookedhappywi t
hthesel ectionbutOt hucould
seeaf ewwer enothappyt hatshegott heposi t
ion
whenshear rivedonl yyesterdaysosheknewshe
hadt opr oveher self.Latershecal l
edCr ai gwho
washappyf orherandsai dhe' dcel ebrat ewi thher
l
at eron.Ot husati nt heCEOchai randl ookedt othe
por t
rai tofKumkanit hatBri
ansur prisi
ngl ydi dn'
t
remove.
Othu:"
I'
m sureyouarehappyt
hatyougotmet o
workforthefamil
ybusi
nessevenfrom yourgrave.
Youalwayssaidyou'dmakemeseewher eIbelong
i
fitwasthelastthi
ngyoudo.WellI
'
m her esogive
asmanysi gnsaspossi
bleonwhatImustdookay"
shel
aughedwhil
elooki
ngatt
heconf
identsmi
rkon
herf
ather
'sf
ace.
Lerato:"Ohboy, she'salreadystart
ingt
ospeakt o
herselfandt herealchaoshadn' tevenstarted"Ot
hu
tur
nedt of acetheopendoor ."
IthoughtI'
dcome
personallytocongr atul
atemycompet i
tor"sheheld
upabot t
leofbubbl y.Othuletherinandhuggedher .
Othu:"Thankyousomuchf oreveryt
hing,Lerat
o.
ThetimeatSi yakhathoughshor tcontri
butedtothi
s
moment "shetookthechampagneopenedi tto
pouritintothewaterglassesont hecornerofthe
off
ice.
Lerato:"YouandIwi l
lbecompet ingforthesame
tenderssowhenoneofusgett hetenderl et'
spat
eachot heront hebackinst
eadofdr awingour
clawsout .Themeni ntheindustryarewai ti
ngf or
ustof ailsoletusnothelpthem bybringingeach
otherdown"shehel dherglassupbef orei tkissed
Othu'sinat oast.
Ot
hu:"
Towomeni
nconst
ruct
ion"t
heybot
htooka
si
p.
Lerato:"
WhenIst art
edSiyakhaConst
ruct
ionIhad
l
itt
leexperienceyether
eIam sodon'tl
etanyone
pointoutthatandleaveyoufeel
ingi
ncompetent
"
Othu:"
Icannotcomparemyselft
oyou.Iwal
ked
i
ntoanalreadyf
urni
shedhouse"
Lerat
o:"Don'tdot hat.Youdeser vetobehere.This
i
saf ami lyl
egacysoyouwon' tapologizeforthe
foundationyourfatherbuil
t.Siyakhaisformy
chil
drenandIwoul dn'twantthem feel
ingguil
tyfor
conti
nuingal egacy.Don'tletanyonetellyouthat
yougother ebecauseofdaddy.Ihaveseenyou,
OthunyiweyoKni ghtandyouar eawoment hatI
wouldlikeinmyci rcle"shesmi l
ed.
Othu:"IknowI'l
lgainalotofknowledgef rom that
soI'
dlovet hat
.Dopr eparef
orther iseofKumkani
Constructi
onthoughbecauseSi yakhaConst ructi
on
wil
lbekeptoni tstoes"shesaidconf i
dentlybefor
e
rai
singherglass.Sheshockedher selfinhowwel l
shejustseemedt ofiti
ntocorporate.
Lerato:"
Finall
y!I
tsoundsli
keachall
engewort
hyof
Siyakha'
st i
meandef f
ort
s"theybot
hlaughed"
Let
megoandgetmybusi nessinordersowecanbe
readyforyou"t
heylaughed.Ot
huhuggedand
thankedheragai
nandLer at
osippedher
champagneandl ef
t.
TheKni ghthousehol dwasi nacel ebrat
orymood.
Thet winsbeingchoseni nt heirr
espectiveschool
acti
viti
estor epr
esentt heirschool.Ot huwas
appointedCEOwel lact ingCEO.Chul uinaf ew
hourswoul dboar dapl anet ogot othef est
ivethat
droveherinsaneeachyearwhenshesawi ton
socialmedia.Craig'sbusi nesspickedupagai nand
Qhayiyawasmaki ngmi lestonesofherowni nher
l
itt
lebabyl i
fe.Craigt ookhi sf amil
youtt ocelebrat
e
andhehel dhandswi thOt huundert hetabl
ewhi l
e
watchingtheirchil
dr en.
Crai
g:"Idon'
tthi
nkwedi
dtoobadofaj
obwit
h
them"helookedatOt
hubefor
eki
ssi
ngher
.
Othu:"Notatal
l,
baby.I'
mjustabitsadthatt
hey
aregrowingupsomuchandwi l
lsoonleavehome"
shemadeasadf aceandhelaughed.
Cr
aig:"
Qhayi
yadoesn'
tseem l
ikeshe'
l
lbeoutoft
he
houseanyti
mesoon"t heylookedatQhayi
yawho
satinahighchai
randl aughed."
IknowMom andI
saidthi
sforthemil
li
onthtimebutonceagainwe
aresuperproudofal
lofyou, j
ustsuperpr
oud"t
he
ki
dssmi l
edandthankedt hem.
Chul
u:"
Dad,wemustnotbel
atebecauseIdon'
t
wantt
omissmyfl
ight
"shepanicked.
Crai
g:"Rel axwe' r
est i
llgood.Igotyout his"hegave
herabr acelet"Rememberwhendadgaveyout hat
whist
lewi t
hat rackerwhenyouwer el
itt
le?Wellthat
hasonet oo.Iwon' tbecheckingyourever ymove,I
promisebutwi t
ht hingsi nt
hiscountrybei ngsobad
forwomen, Iwillknowwher eyouar eshoul dwenot
hearfrom youf orawhi lesohideitasbestas
possi
bl e.Putitonyourupperar m sonoonecan
seeit
"Ot husmi l
edatt heoverprotecti
veness.
Chulu:"Iwon'tt
akeitoff
,dadIpr omise.I
'l
lcall
everymor ni
ngandni ghtsowhenIdon' t,
trackme
okay"shewasj ustasscar edaboutgoingtoan
unfamili
arplacebyherselfthatwoul
dhavepeopl e
allovertheworl
dattendingsoshewasgl adto
knowt hatherdadthoughtofasaf et
ymeasur e.It
wasnosecr etthatSAwomenandchi l
drenhad
beentarget
sofvi ol
encesoshewentoverthetabl
e
tothankherdadwi thahugfort
hesafetygif
t.She
pickedQhayiyaupandkissedherafewtimes.
Othu:"
It
'snoteasyt
oleaveherIknowbutshe'
l
lbe
fi
ne"sheassuredChul
u.
Chulu:"Goodthingshe'
salsodrinkingfor
mula.
Mommywi l
lmissyousomuch, pri
ncessQhayi
yaof
thekingdom ofKnight
s"everyonelaughed.
Qhawe:"Byt
hetimeyou'
rebackshe'
llbewal
king"
hejustmadeChulumoresadforl
eaving.
Chul u:"Hol
donunt ilmommyi sback,don' tdo
anyt hi
ngbigl i
kesayi ngMamawhi l
eI'
m gone"she
kissedQhayi ya"Imangecomesr andoml ydur inghis
l
unchbr eakbutSi sNoniknows"shel ookedather
par entswhonodded." Manco, whil
eawaypl ease
thinkaboutusget t
ingbackt ogether.I
'vecl eaned
myactup.Nomor espl ashi
ngmoney.Ir eallymi ss
you.Pl easebesaf ei nDurbz.Iloveyou"r eadat ext
from ImangeandChul ulookedatQhayi yabef or
e
takingadeepbr eath.
Phawu:"Chulu,
Qhayiyawi l
lnotdi
sappear.You'll
fi
ndherthesamewayyoul efther
.It'
sonlyt wo
weeks"shedidn'
treal
izethatshewasstaringat
Qhayiyafort
oolong.Notjustbecauseshe'llmiss
herbutshealsothoughtaboutthetextI
mangesent .
Chulu:"Yesyou'
rer
ight.I
'vej
ustneverbeengone
from youallf
orsolong"shel
ookedar oundt
he
tabl
eandwonder edhowshe'dbewhenshemoves
outsomeday.
Craig:"Andwemustgetyout otheai rportoryou
willstaywi thusher eandhat eusf ormaki ngyou
mi ssyourf l
ight"hestoodaf terset t
li
ngt hebi l
land
theent irefami l
yst ood.Chulu'spackedbagswer ei
n
thecaral r
eadysot hey'dgost raighttot heai rpor
t.
Othukepti ttogetherbutdeepdowni tfeltlikeher
l
ittl
egi rlwasl eavinghomef orgoodevent houghi t
wasj ustt woweeks.Oncet he' seeyoul aters'were
givent hef amilywat chedChul udi sappearf rom
theirsight.Shewasexci t
edbutbecausei twasher
fi
rsttimeawayf rom herbabyshef eltsadt oo.
Cr
aigt
urnedt
hei
rbedr
oom i
ntoli
tt
lesurpr
isef
or
Ot
huwhenshewasdoneputt
ingQhayiyat
osleep.
Thebaby' scotwoul dbei nherunclesbedroom
tonightbecauseCr aigdidn'twantherl
itt
leearst
o
bewokenupbyt heirlovenoises.WhenOt hu
enteredthebedroom shef oundhermanwai ti
ngto
welcomeheri ntohi slovenest.Shewalkedoverto
thebedandgotont opofhi m befor
etheyshareda
deepki ss.
Craig:"Youknow, I'
veneverhadaCEObef ore"he
saidbef orekissingherneckwhi leunbut t
onedt he
manybut tonsont hefrontofherdr esstoreveal her
mat chingundi es.Othuintendedonhavi ngal it
tl
e
privatecelebrati
onwi t
hhi m soaf tertaki
nga
showerbef or
et heywentoutshewassur etowear
somet hingunderherdr esst hathecoul dmar velon.
Shest oodupandgaveCr ai
gat wirli
nherheel sand
l
acynumber ssohe' dgetapr operl ookatwhata
CEOl ookedl i
ke.Hesatbackandenj oyedwhi lehis
but t
onl i
pswasbet weenhi steeth.Whenherhands
reachedbackt ounbuckl eherbr aCr ai
gshi f
tedon
thebedabi tasi twastoohar df orhimt onotgoput
hishandsonherbuthewant edt oseewhathi sCEO
wasgoi ngtodo.Whenshewal kedovert ohim and
startedt oswayt hosecur vyhipsCr aigtookhi sown
shirtof ftolowert hehotf l
ashesheseemedt o
suddenl yhave.TheVi vicabusi nesssl owedt he
romanceabi tsohewasbeyondexi t
edt obeback
i
nt hegame.Ot huhadnoi deawhatshewasdoi ng
becauseshewasdef i
nitel ynolapdancerbutwhen
shef elthi sarousalpokeherasshel ower edher sel
f
onitwhi ledanci ngsheknewshewasdoi ng
somet hingr i
ght .Craighadat hingoflookingl i
kehe
wasr eallyaboutt odroolwhenhewast urnedonas
he'dopenhi smout hslight lyli
keonewhowas
seeingabuf fetaf t
erweeksofhunger ."Damn, Mr s
CEO"hesai dsof tl
yashehel dherhi pswhi l
eshe
seduct i
velymovedherbehi ndoverhi sfrontmaki ng
himl osei t
.Whenshest ood, turnedandl ostthe
onlypi eceoff abr i
creveal ingallofher sel
fCraig
stoodt of r
eehi msel fofhi sowncl othessoqui ckly
i
tlookedl i
kemagi c.Het houghthewasgoi ngt obe
i
nchar gebuthewascl ear lywrong.Needl esst osay
her ealisedt hathewasnotwhenhegotpushed
backont hebedandwat chedOt hutakecontrolof
everyt hing.Itwasnotaf irstbutitwasl i
keshe
want edt oprovet ohim what" having"aCEOwas
whensher odehim unt
ilhi
sheadspuni ni
ntense
pleasur
e.Sheprovedtohimj usthowflexi
bleshe
turnedoutt
obesi nceshestartedheryoga.
Craig:"
Ithi
nkI'mtoool
dforthi
sCEO, bri
ngbackmy
wife"hesaidoutofbr
eathwhil
elaughingasshe
coll
apsedont opofhi
mt r
yingt
obr eat
hnormall
y.
Othu:"
Iloveyou"shebrushedhi
ssweatyf
orehead
befor
ekissinghi
m andtakingadeepbr
eat
htoget
somer ealai
rinherl
ungs.
Cr
aig:"
Ihopeyouryogai
nst
ruct
ori
sawoman"he
l
ookedather.
Othu:"I
t'
sactual
lyaman"shef
elthi
m squeezeher
behindgent
ly.
Crai
g:"Soyoubendli
kethati
nfr
ontofanot
her
man? "hi
sbrowswentup.Hecoul
donlyimagi
ne
howdi st
ract
edt
hatmanwashavingherbendli
ke
that
.
Othu:"Baby,not
hingsexualhappensther
e.He
teachesmehowt obeflexi
bleandIcomeandI
bendf oryounaked"shegaveasneakysmi r
k.
Craig:"No,youar
en'
tgoingtot hati
nstructoragain
unlesshe'sgaybutifhe'
sstrai
ghtno"Ot hul aughed
whenshesawhowser i
oushewas" Ilooovet he
bendi ngandthet
wisti
ngbutonl yformyeyesonl y.
Getyour sel
fawomani nst
ructorplease,Mr sKnight"
heki ssedher.
Othu:"I
'
m kidding,
it'
sanalll
adiescl
ass.Youwer
e
gett
ingallworkedupt her
eforamoment "she
l
aughed.
Crai
g:"
Hellyeah.IsawonTVhowani nstr
uctor
knel
tbehi
ndsomeonet oshowt hem howtodoa
posi
ti
onproperlysothethoughtofsomeman
havi
nghisdirt
ytightcover
edbal l
sbehindyourdid
notsi
twellwit
hme"Ot hul
aughed.
Othu:"You'r
etheonlymanIopenandbendf or"she
bithi
sl owerli
pandhesmi l
ed.Ther
ewas
somet hingaboutbeingtheonlymanshe'sbeen
withthatmadeCr aigfeelacert
ainpr
ide.
Crai
g:"Youar
ekinky,
O.Youdon'tl
ookitbutyouar
e
fr
eaky"hetur
nedheraroundandgotontopofher.
Ot
hu:"
Areyoucompl
aini
ng?
"shewr
appedherl
egs
ar
oundhi
sshoul
der
s.
Crai
g:"
Hel lno"heki ssedherlegsbeforehelowers
himsel
ftoki ssherlips.Hewasgl adthatQhayiya'
s
bedwasi ntheboysr oom andthatsheslept
thr
oughtheni ghtbecausethatnightt
heydidn'
t
havemuchsl eepast heywerewr appi
ngupt he
day'
scelebration.
S2-
INSERT35(
mini
ski
rt
)
Chulu'sf i
ngersgli
dedovert hemar blesculptur
eand
shecoul dnotbel i
evethelitt
lefi
nedet ai
lsoni t
.
She'dt r
iedsculptur
ingbutpai nt
ingwasmor eher
thi
ng." Youlike,
nkosazana? "arusticvoicesaid
behindher .Sheturnedtol ookatthehandsome
darkski nnedmani nfrontofher."ShakaBhengu"he
fl
ashedhi ssmil
eandf orasecondsheswor eshe
hadseenasi mi
larsmilebeforebutcouldnotr ecal
l
wher e.Chululookedatt hetagont hesculptureand
thenathi m.
Chul
u:"
AreyouS.Bhengu?
"shepoi
ntedatt
hear
t
pi
ecewhil
elooki
ngathi
m.
Shaka:"
Theoneandonl
y"t
heyshookhands.
Chulu:"
Wow, MrBhenguyourhandsar ecl
ear
ly
magic.It
'sli
ke..
."shelookedatthepieceagai
n"The
wayyouj ustgoteverydetailr
ight
.Thewindbl
owing
herskir
tandt hesadnessinhereyes...
wow"she
wasamazedandhel ookeddownf eeli
ngabit
fl
att
ered.
Shaka:"
You'
reactual
lythefi
rstonet
ofeelthepi
ece
i
nsteadofj
ustlookatit
.Thankyou.Ihaven'
tgot
ten
yournamethough"hesmi l
edandChuluheldher
handoutagai
n.
Chulu:"Chul
umancoKnight"shesmi ledwhi l
e
shakinghishand."
Areallt
heseyourpi eces?"she
l
ookedar oundandhenodded" Whyhaven' tIever
heardofyouwhenyou'resot al
ented? .Imakei tmy
businesstoknoweverygreatart
ist"shel efthimto
golookatanotherofhi
spiecesandhel aughed.
Shaka:" It
'sthefir
sttimethatIexi
bitatt
hef est
ival
"
hesai dwhi lewalki
ngbehindher"Wi l
lyoube
attendingt heseminarlat
eronorhaveyoual so
comet oj ustexperiencemyhomet own? "hehoped
thatshe'dat tendbecausehewasoneoft he
speaker s.
Chul
u:"
Mygr andmot hertol
dmet oshowdur bani
tes
howtopart
ybutI '
dratherattendthet
alk"hel
oved
howshelookedlikeshe'sfocusedontheartbuther
ear
swerestil
lfocusedonhi m.
Shaka:"Rat
herstr
angeforagrandmothert
o
encourageagrandchi
ldtogobewild"t
heylaughed.
Chul u:"MyMakhuluMat oisnotyourusualgr
an.So
wi l
lyoubegoi ng?I
tstart
sinanhoursowecango
together"shewascaut i
onedagainstbei
ngtoo
trustingbutshefel
tshecouldtrustShaka.
Shaka:"I
'm oneoft
hespeakers.I'
l
lbespeaki
ng
todayandonFr i
daytooandI'
dl i
keforustogo
toget
her"hewelcomedherinvit
e.
Chul
u:"
Whatwi l
lyoubespeaki
ngabout
?"shegave
hi
m al
lherat
tenti
on.
Shaka:"TodayIwi l
lbetouchingonfi
nancial
sustai
nabili
ty.Asonewhohasbeeni nt hegamef or
awhi l
eIknowhowdi ff
icul
titisf
orar
tiststomake
moneyanddr agtheli
tt
letheygetunt
iltheyget
anothergig.SoI'
llbeshari
ngmyexper ienceand
givemyadvi ce"
Chulu:"
That'
simpressiveandI'
m gladIputmy
nameonf ori
tthen.I'
vealwaysstruggledwit
h
pri
cingmypiecessot hiswil
ldef
init
elyhel
p"he
l
ookedather.
Shaka:"
Whatki
ndofar
ti
star
eyou?
"
Chul
u:"
I'
m apaint
er,adrawerandIal
sodosome
phot
ogr
aphy"shelaughed.
Shaka:"
Doyouhaveamuse?"itwashi
swayof
aski
ngifther
ewassomeonespeci
ali
nherl
if
e.
Chulu:"Mydaught
erismymuse.It akepi
ctur
esof
herdoingthemostrandom t
hings"shel
aughedand
hesmi l
ed.
Shaka:"WellImi
ghtaskyout
otakesomeofmy
daughtert
hen"
Chulu:"
Itseemswewon'trunoutofconver
sat
ion,
MrBhengu.We' r
ebothart
ist
sandhavedaughters
sothatshouldsust
ainusunti
lwepart
"
Shaka:"
CallmeShakapl
ease.Letusgotothe
venuebecauseasoneoft
hespeakersImustarri
ve
earl
ysotheycanfi
xmymi cr
ophoneandallthose
t
echni
calst
uff
"hepoi
ntedatt
hedoor
.
Chul
u:"
Won'
ttheymi
ndmebei
ngseat
edsoear
ly?
"
Shaka:"I'
l
lmakesur ethattheydon'tandyou' l
lget
fr
ontrowseatsoyoucanhearmyf inancialt
alkin
orderforyoutobeabl etopriceyourwor k.Ihope
youhavear ecorderbecauseIt al
kal otbutI
promiseallwi
llberelevant
"shel aughed.
Chulu:"
Andwhatwillyout
alkaboutFr
iday?"she
foundhersel
fwant
ingtohearmoreaboutwhathis
experi
encedsel
fhadtooff
ertoayoungar t
istl
ike
hersel
f.
Shaka:"I
'
llbet
alki
ngmarketi
ngstrat
egies.I
'
vejust
comef r
om NewYor kact
ual
lytoexhibi
tther
esoI
wantasmanyAf ri
canart
ist
stobeknownal lover
theworl
d"
Chulu:"
Ohwow...
yousoundl i
keyouhavedonet he
mostShakaBhengu.Willi
tbepossibleforust
ojust
si
tdownovercoffeel
aterbecauseI'
mr eadyto
absorbanyknowl
edge,any"shemadet heanyclear
sohe'dknoweventhesmallestadvi
cewas
welcome.
Shaka:"I'
dlovet ot alk.Ican'tremembert helast
ti
meImetsomeonewhowassopassi onat
eabout
thebusinesssideofar t.Mostt hi
nkt alenti
senough
butifyoudon'tknowhowt omar ketyourwor kand
handleyourfinancest hi ngscangobadver yfast
.
Comel et'
sgot ot hevenue"hehel dhi sarm outto
l
etChul uwalkaheadofhi m.WhenChul uarri
ved
shefoundaf ewseat soccupi edal r
eadyandshe
wentt osi
tinthef r ontr ow.Shet ookouther
notebookandt ext edhermot hert hatherphone
wouldbeonsi l
entsot heywon' tworry.Sheopened
What sApptokilltime.
Imange:"Hey, Dur
bansti
llt
reati
ngyougood? "the
fi
rsttextthatshesawpopup.Shewasn' tsureif
shewant edhim backbecauseshefearedthata
promot i
onmi ghtmakehim chaseaf
terotherladi
es
again.
Chulu:"I
t'
sgreat.Learningl
ots"sher
epl
iedbef
ore
checkingherothertexts.Mostwerepi
ctur
esof
Qhayiyafrom herbrothers.
Imange:"Haveyoubeent
hinki
ngaboutwhatI
asked?"Chulubr
eat
heddeeplywhenshesawthat
quest
ion.Apartfr
om t
hehappeni
ngsar
oundheri
t
wastheonlythingshewasthi
nki
ngabout
.
Chul u:"
Can' ttalk.Insemi nar,later"shepr essed
sendbef or eput ti
ngherphoneonsi l
ent .Shaka
wavedf r
om t hest ageashewasbusyput ti
ngonhi s
earpiecear oundhi searandChul usmi ledand
wavedback.Shehadaweaknessf ordar kski nned,
skinnyguysandhewasasgoodl ookingast hey
come.Soont het alkbeganandChul ut ookher
phoneoutt ot akeavi deoasshef el
tshe' dmi ss
pointsbywr it
ingnot es.Sheandever yonear ound
herbot hyoungandol dhungt oever ywor dthat
escapedhi smout h.Hisknowl edgeasf aras
fi
nancesf orar t
istsspecificall
ywasvastandChul u
wassogl adt hatshewasi nat tendance.Hewas
cl
ear lyalsoamanwhowasnotaf raidtospeakt o
l
ar gegroupsashewal kedf rom onpoi ntoft he
staget otheot herconf identlyshar i
ngwhathehad
l
ear nedovert heyear s.Chulucoul dn'tbel i
evet hat
shehadneverhear dabouthi m." Howdoeshe
expectust olistenwhenal lIcanf ocusoni st hose
sexyl i
ps"sai dsomeoneonChul u'sleft.Shet ur ned
toseewhowassor udeastoint
err
uptherwhi
le
she'
sli
steni
ngandhereyesf el
lonayoungprett
y
l
adynexttoher.Chulumanagedtofakeasmileand
l
ookedtothefr
ontagain"I'
m Kim"shehel
douther
handandChuluclosedhereyesforasecondtonot
l
osehertemper.
Chulu:" Pleasedt omeetyou, Kim.I'm Chulu.Coul d
wechataf t
erthisplease? "Chul ugaveacl osed
mout hsmi leandKi m nodded.Ther ewasasmal l
breakandChul usawKi mf lirtwithShakai nanotso
subtleway.Chul uwalkedar oundt ostandi nt he
smal lgroupspeopl ewer ei nt onetwor kandl eave
heropi nionont hetopicoft hemoment .She
exchangednumber swi t
hsomepeopl e.Whi l
e
peopl eherageaskedf orsel fieswithcelebrit
ies
Chuluwentt oaskt heartexper tsforsomesoshe' d
bragt oherf or
mercl assmat esaboutmeet ing
i
ndust rygi ants.Shecoul dnott hankBabi niand
Yandienoughf ortheoppor tunity.I
twasonl yday
twoyetshe' sseen, touched, heardsomuchandshe
couldn'twai tformor e.Aftert heshor tbreaki twas
backt osi tt
ingdownandl isteningunt i
ltheday' s
tal
kwasf i
nal
lycomeconcl
uded.Assoonasthe
earpi
ecewasoffShakawentst
rai
ghtfr
om t
he
stagetoChul
u.
Shaka:"
Canwepleasegonowbeforeshefi
ndsme"
heduckedwhil
ehiseyesl
ookedbehi
ndChulu.She
tur
nedherheadandwhenshesawKi m wholooked
l
ikeshewaslooki
ngsomethi
ngshelaughedsoftl
y.
Chulu:"Shetal
kssomuch.Ihadt
omoveseat
s"
theylaughed.
Shaka:"Sopl easewalkwi thunt
ilwer eachthedoor
andI'
llpayf orcoff
ee"Chul uwalkedalongsidehim
ashemadehi msel
fshor t
ersoKi m wouldn'tsee
him.Shel aughedwhenhebr eathedoutl oudlyas
soonast heymadei toutthevenue."Mykni ghtin
shini
ngar mor "hej
okedandChul ulaughed.
Chulu:"
Don'tmakef
unofmysurnameli
kethat,
ShakaZulu"hi
seyeswi
denedbefor
ehelaughed.
Shaka:"
Let
'sgohavet
hatcof
fee"hel
edt
heway.
Chulu:"
Ijustwanttotel
lyouknowthati
fyouar
ea
ki
dnappermydadwi l
lfi
ndyou"shewarnedasshe
walkedaf ewstepsbehi
ndhim.Heturnedar
ound
andsmi
led.
Shaka:"
Iwon'
tki
dnapyou.Sodidyoutake
somethi
ngfr
om today'
ssessi
on?"her
eali
sedhow
rudei
twastowalkaheadofhersohewaitedso
she'
dbenexttohim.
Chul
u:"
Ilear
nedal
ot"sheadmi
tt
ed.
Shaka:"You'
reclearlynotshytoaskquest i
ons
ei
ther"Chuluputherhandoverherf aceand
l
aughedshyl y"Il
ikeitChulumancoKni ght
.Soyour
namemeansj oyright?"Chulunodded."What'
syour
daughter'
sname? "shel ookedathim.
Chul
u:"
Qhayi
yaandyour
s"shel
ookedathi
m.
Shaka:"
Nandi
"Chul
urai
sedherbr
ow.
Chulu:"Asi nShaka'smot herNandi? "Shaka
l
aughedandnodded.Theywal kedtoShaka' s
favouritespotintownandor der
edt hemselves
coffee.Chul uhadn'thadcoffeesinceshest ar
ted
breastfeedingbutsi nceshewouldn'tseeQhayi ya
forawhi l
esheor deredcuppocino.Heaskedt osee
pict
uresofherwor kandsi ncehewasaexper tshe
tookoutherphonet oshowhi m.Hekepthi sli
ps
betweenhi
steet
hwhil
eoccasi
onal
lyr
aisi
nghis
browsanditmadehi
ml ookmor
egoodlooki
ng.
Shaka:"Wowyouar earawtalent
.I'
dhavelovedt
o
seetheseinperson.I
'
m suresomegall
eri
eshave
beenknocking"hegaveherbackherphone.
Chulu:"Nott
hemaj oronesbutyesI'
vehad
opportuni
tyt
oshowmywor kandsellafewpieces,
mostlytomygr andfat
her"shegi
ggledathow
Kumkaniwoul djustbuyherstuf
fforsuppor
t.
Shaka:"I'
m sur ebyt heendoft het woweeks, you'll
haveof f
ers.Youar etal
ented"hepi ckedupt he
phonet olookatt hescr eenagainbutQhayi yahad
appearedasscr eensaverandhesmi l
ed"Butt his
pieceofar tisthemostbeaut ifulthatyou'veever
made"het urnedherphonet oherandshel aughed
whenshesawQhayi ya."Thi
sismyl it
tl
egi r
l"he
tookhishisphoneoutandshowedChul uapi ct ur
e
ofNandiwhowasanador abl
esi xyearoldl i
tt
le
girl
.Shelearnedt hathewas29year soldandl ived
permanent lyinDur banbuttravelsal otoverseas.
Chul
u:"
She'
ssobeaut
if
ul"shesmi
ledandhe
t
hankedher
.
Shaka:"
Areyougoingt
othearchi
tectur
eexpo
tomorr
ow?"hetookasi
pofhiscoffee.
Chulu:"
Iloveartbutar
chitect
ureisthetypet
hatI
havenointeresti
n.SoI'
llbeexplori
ngthecit
y"she
l
ookedar ound.
Shaka:"Icanshowyouar oundi fyou'dli
ke.Iknow
pret
tymuchal lthespots.Theweat herhasbeen
beauti
fulsowecanst artatt
hebeach"Chul ulooked
downnotsur eifsheshoul dtakehi m uponhi soffer
"I
'
mr eallynokidnapper.Youcant akeapictureof
menowandsendi ttoallyourlovedoneswi t
hmy
number "shel
ookedathi m.
Chulu:"
It
'snott
hat
.Ij
ustdon'
twantt
ogi
veyout
he
wrongimpressi
on"
Shaka:"
I'
m notaski
ngyouonadat e.Ij
ustwantt
o
showyouthebeautyofmyhomet own.Idon'
twant
youwalki
ngwithyourphonelooki
ngatamapand
thenendupwithoutaphoneattheendoftheday
duetomugging"
Chul
u:"
You'
vegotapoi
ntt
her
e.Okay,
Iagr
eet
oyou
beingmyt ourguide,ShakaBhengu.I'
vegotsome
streetar
tIwanttocol l
ectandsomethingt
ell
sme
thatyouknowal lthespots"hesmil
ed.
Shaka:" Al
lofthem.Canweor derdinnerorareyou
i
nar ush?"Chuludidn'tf
eel l
ikehavingthefoodat
thet al
ksoshenoddedt ohavi ngdinner.Hetoldher
hisschedul efortheremainingdaysandi twas
almostsi mil
artoher ssoshe' dbeseeinghim more
untilshewenthome.Sheenj oyedhiscompanyand
atleasthedi dn'
ttalkwit
hf oodi nhismouthso
dinnerwi t
hhi m wasnotsobadei ther
.Theyspoke
aboutal otofthingsfrom fami l
ytotheweather.
Chulu:"Thankyousomuchf ordi
nner
,Shakaand
thegreatlect
uretodaybutI
'
vebeenonmyf eetal
l
daysoIr eall
yneedtogotobed"shet
ookherpurse
outtopay.
Shaka:"Don'
tworr
y,I
'
vegoti
tcover
ed.Doyouneed
metot akeyout
oyourpl
aceofaccomodat
ion?
"
Chulu:"
Myt axi
isalmosther
eactuall
ysoI'
llbef
ine
thankyou.Iwil
lseeyoutomorr
ow? "shel
ookedat
him andhenodded.
Shaka:"MayIhaveyournumbersowecansay
wherewewi llmeettomorrow?
"Chulutol
dhimt o
givehisnumberinsteadandhewashappyt o.He
puthisopenwalletonthetabl
eandChulucouldn't
helpbutlookatoneofthepict
uresI'
mitwhile
Shakaspoket othewaiter
.Thepersonl
ookedlike
someonesheknewbutshecoul dnotbesureasit
wasblurry.
Chulu:I
'l
lseeyoutomor rowthen"shegot
noti
fi
cat
ionthathertaxiwasoutside.Hegaveher
al
lsafet
ymeasur estotakeshouldshefeelthe
dri
verwasnotheadingt oherdesti
nati
on.
Shaka:"Pleasesendat extwhenyouar ehomesaf e
orI'
llworrytheenti
renight"Chulupr omi sedand
shegavehi m abri
efhugbef or
eshel ef
thi m.He
smelledgoodsomucht hathisscentl i
nger eduntil
thefreshwindblewi nherfacewhenshest epped
out.Shesenthim atextwhenshegott ot hehot el
safel
yandhesentagoodni ghttext.Shet hendi al
ed
Othu'snumberbecauseshepr omisedt ocal lt
hem
atnight.
Ot
hu:"
Howwast
het
alk,
bhabha?
"sheaskedwhi
le
st
ir
ri
ngherpot
s..
Chulu:"
Itwasgr
eat,
Mama.Imett hisguywho
seemstobeaknowi tallwhenitcomestoart.He
wasactuall
yoneofthespeakerstodayandyho
Mamahecanhol dacr owd"Othulist
enedtoChul
u
goonandonaboutShakaandhowamazi nghe
was.
Othu:"
Soundsli
kesomeonewhor eal
lyknowshis
st
uffandheclearl
yleftani
mpr essionhey?"she
l
eanedagainstt
hekitchencountertolist
entoChulu.
Chulu:"
Notli
kethat,
Mama"shelaughedsof
tl
y
"I
mangesaidhewant smeback"Othuwasnot
shockedtohearthat
.
Ot
hu:"
Andyouransweri
s?"
Chulu:"
Idon'tknowwhatmyansweri
s.Hopeful
ly
I'
l
lknowbyt hetimeIr
etur
nhome.HasQhayiya
beengood?"
Othu:"She'
sbeenababyanddoeswhatbabi esdo.
Chulumancoi fyoudonotwantI
manget henplease
don'tstr
inghi
m alonganddon'
tyoudaregof al
lfor
thi
sShakat hatyoubarel
yknow.Yourbabyisnot
evenayearol d.Pl
easefocusonyourcar
eerfor
nowpl ease.MalumeandMal umekazi
haveyoua
greatheadstartwit
hthi
sgift
"
Chulu:"
I'
m notfal
li
nginlovewithanyone.Mama,I
real
lywon'tgetpr
egnantagainwellnotanyt
ime
soonanyway"shepr omised..
Othu:"
Itr
ustyou.Dadwant
stot
alkt
oyou.Il
ove
you"
Chulu:"Il
oveyoumor e"shesai
dandCr aigwason
thephone.Shet oldhim aboutt
heCrai
gl ookal
ikei
n
Shaka'swalletandtheyjokedabouti
t"LikedadI
thoughtIhadj ustdi
scoveredyourl
onglostson"
theylaughed.
Craig:"Theonl ysonsIhavear et
heonest hatyou
know.I 'm sogladthatyou'relear
ningnewt hi
ngs.
Theboyswantt osayhisohol don"soont her
ewer e
alltypesofst ori
escomi ngfrom thetwinsthatleft
Chul ulaughinguntilshehadt obegt hem tostop.
Qhayi yawasal sotalki
ngherbabyl anguage
somewher einthebackgr oundandi tmadeChul u
mi sshomesomuch.Herphoner angassoonas
sheendedt
hecal
lwi
thherf
ami
ly.
Chul
u:"
Imange,
hi"shel
aidonherback.
Imange:"
Iwasjustchecki
ngi n,Manco.Wentt osee
Qhayiyat
odayandIwast hinkingthatwemustst art
planni
ngherbi
rt
hdaypar t
ynow.Ihavesome
moneysavedupf ori
t.I
tshouldn'tbethatexpensive
ri
ght?Heronl
yfri
endsareyouruncl e'
sbabies"they
l
aughed.
Chulu:"
Let'
sdi
scussi
twhenI
'
m backbecauseI
'
m
real
lyti
red"
I
mange:"
Sohaveyoubeengood?
"
Chul
u:"YupbutIdidn'
tthi
nkI
'dmissmydaughter
somucht hough"I
mangesmiled"Letmecal
lita
ni
ght"sherubbedhersl
eepyeyesbefor
eyawning.
I
mange:"
Manco"hesai
dsof
tl
y.
Chulu:"
Hmmm?
"shewasbegi
nni
ngt
ocl
oseher
eyes.
I
mange:"
I.
..Il
oveyou"Chul
u'seyesshotopen.
Chul
u:"
Uhm..
.t
hankyou"shewasn'
tsur
ewhatt
o
sayt
ohim.Shewasnotreadyt
otal
kaboutl
ove
again.I
mangecoul dsensethatshewas
uncomfortableandhewishedhehadn'tsai
dit
"Goodnight"Chul
usaidwhenshecouldn'tt
akethe
sil
enceanymor e.
Imange:" Ni ght ,Manco"hesai dquietly.Helaidon
hisbedscr ollingt hroughpi ctur esofChul uand
Qhayi yawi thasmi l
e.Her egr ettednotwai ti
ngf or
Chul ut ober eadyt ogivehi m at tenti
onaf ter
Qhayi yawasbor n.Hecoul dn'tunder standhowhe
wai tedf orherf ormont hsbef oretheyhadsexbut
coul dn'tdot hesamewhi l
eshewasheal ingfrom
givingbi rth.Chul uwentt obedt hinki
ngaboutt he
Imangesi tuat i
on.Shedi dn'twantt ogobackt ohi m
forQhayi ya'ssakebecausei twoul donl ymaket he
relationshi pf eellikeachor e.I ttookal ongtimef or
hert obecomf ortableinherownski nagai naf t
er
givingbi rthandf orImanget odumpherf ornot
havi ngsexwi thhi m wassomet hingthatshecoul d
notf or get.Shef earedt hathe' dbet urnedof fbyher
bodybecausei tstil
lwasn' tbackt oitsoldsel fand
sheknewi tmi ghtneverbeagai n.Imangewasa
goodguyandhekepthi spr omi seaboutbei ngt he
bestandmostpr
esentf
athert
othei
rdaughterbut
shedoubt
edhim asapart
neraft
ert
hei
rbreakup.
S2-
INSERT36(
UNEDI
TED)
Babi niwastakinghi susualj ogbutbecauseYandi
volunteeredtoj oinhim hehadt ogoext r
aslowso
she'dkeepup.Het urnedar oundandj ogged
backwar dsonl ytof i
ndhi swi f
el ooki
nglikeshewas
ont hebr i
nkofcol lapsesohest oppedt ogotoher.
Yandisatont heconcr etepavementwi thaburni
ng
chestr egret
ti
ngt hedeci siontogowi t
hhi m.Her
wat erbottl
eranempt ysoonaf tertheybegan
joggingsosheappr eci
atedhi m offeri
nghisasshe
drankal lt
hewat erinit
.
Yandi
:"Thiscan'
tbeyourusualdi
stance,Babi
ni
Zweni"shetookadeepbreat
hbeforelyingonher
backandshehear dhi
mlaughabi t
.
Babi
ni:"
Iti
sn'
t"heconf
essed.
Yandi:"
Iknewit
!"shesatbackupt olookathim"If
youdidn'
twantmet ojoi
nyou, youcouldhavesaid
so,Zweninotr
unal ongerdi
stance"shesulked.
Babi
ni:"
Thi
sisnotevenhal
fofmyusualdi
stance.I
deci
dedtogoaroundt hebl
ocksoIwon'ttor
tur
e
you.Youwerebreat
hingli
keanasthmasti
cperson
assoonaswegott othefir
stcor
nersotherewas
nowayI'dr
unkil
omet reswit
hyou"heki
ssedher .
Yandi:"
Whatar eyoumadeof ?Andthatwasnot
goingaroundtheblock""helaughed"Baby,
you'
re
noteventryi
ngt ocatchabreath.Ishoul
dnever
haveputmysel fthr
ought hi
s"shesoundedli
keshe
wantedtocry.
Babini:"You'r
eri
ght,youshouldn'
thave.Ihonest
ly
don'tknowwhyt heobsessionwithl
osingweight
,
Ntl
iziyoyam"hebenthi skneestobeabletoface
herbef orehebrushedherkneeswi t
hhisthumb." I
hopeyou' renotdoingthisforme"heheldherchi
n
soshe' dlif
thereyestolookathim.
Yandi
:"Ijustwantmynor malbodyback.Thedoctor
sai
dthatIcanst artdoi
ngsomeexerci
ses.Hedidn't
sayki
llyourwife,Zweni"hel
aughedsoft
ly.
Babini
:"Hadmywi f
ebeenasawar eofherbodyasI
am ofit
,she'
dknowt hatshe'
sbeenl
osingthe
weightwit
houtef
fort
.Maybei t
'st
hebreast
feedi
ng"
heshrugged"Al
sodon'tfor
getthatyourbody
underwentmorechangesthanthatoft heaver
age
pregnantwoman.Sopleasestoptryingsohardto
getbacktoyour"
normalbody"hepl eadedashe
haddonesinceshestart
edthewei ghtlossgoal
.
Yandi
:"Ij
ustwantt
owearabiki
nit
hissummer "she
mumbledbefor
egivi
nghi
m puppyeyedlook.
Babini:"Thenweari t,MaZweni"hesaidwitha
smile"Comel etyourhusbandwhocan' twai
ttosee
youint hatbikinicarr
yyouhome"hest oodand
reachedhi shandoutt ohel
pherstand.Yandi
smiledbef or
eshecl i
mbedonhi sback.Shewasnot
l
ookingf orwar dtothelit
tl
edist
ancetheyhadlef
tso
shewasgl adheof feredtocarr
yher.
Yandi
:"Howwi
llIhi
det
het
highdi
mpl
es"t
hey
l
aughed.
Babini
:"Yourmanl ovesthethi
ghdi mplessoyou
don'
thavet oworryaboutwhatever yoneelsethinks.
Youdon'tevenfeelanyheavierthanbef or
eyou
werepregnantsoIdon' tknowwhatt heproblem is"
heturnedhisheadt olookatherblushingcuteface.
Yandi
:"Wil
lyouandt heki
dsreall
ybef
inetomorr
ow
whenIgotot hei
nit
iati
onri
tualofMaKhaziml
a'
s
newhealer
s?"henodded.
Babini
:"MaRadebei
stheret
ohelp.Thef
iveofus
wil
lbepart
yingupastor
m wit
houtyou"t
hey
l
aughed.
Yandi :"
Goodl uckt r
yingt ogetanyf unoutofyour
partymat esbecauset hreeoft hem onl ydr eam
aboutmi l
kandnaps.Iwonderwhent herightageto
stopbr eastfeedingt hem i .
.."Yandif eltherselffl
y
from hisbackt oaper fect l
ymowedl awn.She
l
andedont hepat chofgr asspai nfullyandt he
shockoft hemomentmadeherf eeldisorientedbut
sher emember edhear ingal oudbangandt he
soundofaspeedi ngcar .MrVanBur enwhowas
busywat eri
nghi sf l
ower swi tnessesever yt hi
ng.
Babiniwaschecki ngtoseei fitwasokayt ocross
whenawhi tecarcameatt hem.Het hrewYandion
thenear bylawnbef orehej umpedont hecart o
avoidhi slegsbei nghi tbuthi sf oreheadbumped
i
nt othewi ndscr eenbef orehef ellont het arroad.
VanBur enrant ogokneelbyBabi ni'
ssi de.
Babini:"
Mywif
e"wast
hefirstt
hinghesaidandwas
rel
ievedwhenhesawYandibyhisside.
VanBur en:"I'
m sur ethatbloodyf oolwasdr unkand
that'
swhyhedi dn'
tstop.Itookapi ctureoft hecar
withmyphoneandIhopet hecopswi l
lbeabl eto
seethelisencepl ate.Mywi f
ecal l
edemer gency
servi
ces"Babi nididn'tcareaboutemer gency
servi
cesasher osetohi sfeet.Hecouldf eelYandi'
s
handstrembl ingsohej ustwant edtohol dhiswife
thatwascl earlyinshock.Shecl ungtohi m assoon
asshef elthisar msar oundher .
Babi
ni:"I
'
mf i
ne.Youokay?"hewhi
speredand
Yandinodded."Doyouneedt ogotothehospi
tal
?"
Yandicouldn'
tbeli
evethathewasaskinghert
hat
whenhewast heonehitbyacar.
VanBuren:"I
tseemsyoudent edt hecarmor ethan
i
tdidyou"helookedatBabinifr
om al ldir
ect i
ons.
Soonthepoli
ceandambul ancear ri
vedandMrVan
Burenwasmor ethanhappytogi vehi sstatement
andthepict
urethathemanagedt otake" Ihopeyou
fol
ksfol
lowup.Thisyoungcoupl ewaswal ki
ngon
thesi
dewalkandthatlunat
icjustspedr ighttothem.
Ift
hismandidn'
tthrowhiswif
eof
fhisbackthey'
d
bothbehit
!"heshoutedatt
hepol
iceasi
ftheywere
thegui
lt
yones.
Off
icer:"
Doesthi
scarlookf
amili
artoyou,
sir
?"he
putthephoneinfr
ontofBabi
ni'
sfacebutBabi
ni
bl
ockedt heof
fi
cerwit
hhishand.
Babi
ni:"
Ijustwantt
otakemywi f
ehomeso
what
everelsewe'l
ldealwi
thl
ater
"
Paramedic:"
Sir
,youjustgothitbyacar
.Nota
bicycl
ebutanactualcarsopleaseal
lowusto
examineyou.It
'l
lhelpyourcasewhenyouhave
recordofyouri
njur
ies"ayoungladysai
d.
Babini:"
Checkmywi fe"t
hetrembli
ngYandishook
herheadst i
llcl
ingingtohim."We'l
lgotoourown
doctorandgi vetherepor
ttothepolicewhenwego
giveourstatement .Mywifeisshakingrightnowso
al
lIwantt odoi sgetherawayf r
om t hi
s.Tomor row
wewi l
lgot othepol i
ceanddealwithever yt
hing"he
saidinasternvoi ce.
Par
amedic:"
Atl
eastletusbandagethatbl
eedi
ng
woundonyourhead.Yandiqui
cklyl
if
tedherhead
tolookathi
m andf
eltpai
nedwhenshesawt
he
bloodrunni
ngdownoverhisf
orehead.
Yandi:"Babyhavet hem checki toutpl ease"she
pl
eadedi nashakyvoi ceandt herewasnowayhe
wasgoi ngt oarguewithherwhenshewasnotwel l
atall
.Babi niwalkedtot heambul anceandl etthe
paramedi ccheckhiswoundandf ortunat
elyitdidn'
t
needanyst i
tchi
ng.Theydr essedt hewoundaf ter
cl
eaningi t.Theytri
edt oconvincehi mt ogot othe
hospitalwiththem againbuther efusedbefore
cl
imbingoutoft hemedi calvehicle.
Paramedic:"Mam pleasetellhi
mt ogotothe
hospit
alforx-r
ays.Weneedt oensuret
hatthere
aren'
tanyinternali
njuri
es"shesaidwhil
elookingat
Yandi.Theynot i
cedthatBabinil
ist
enedonlytoher
si
ncet heyarri
vedont hescene.
Yandi
:"Zweni"shepl
eadedsoftl
y.Babi
nidi
d
j
umpingjacks,ranonthespotanddidpushups.
Babi
ni:"
I'
mfeel
ingper
fect
"hel
ookedatever
yone.
Yandi
:"I
nter
nali
njur
yismorethanj
ustj
ointpain,
Zweni
.Letthem doCTscanj
usttobesur
epl ease"
Babi
nit
ookadeepbreat
handexhal
edsl
owl
ywhi
le
l
ooki
ngatherconcer
nedface.
Babini:"
I'
m notr
idi
ngi
nthatdamnthi
ngl
ikea
cr
ipple"hepoint
edtot
heambulance.
VanBur en:" I
'l
ltakeyou.Wewi l
ldrivebehi ndthem.
Come, youbot hgetinmycarandI 'llwai tforyoui f
theywon' tadmi tyousoIcanbr i
ngyour ightback"
theelder lymanwhohadgr eyhai rar oundhi sshiny
baldnessof fers.Babinihateddoct or sandhospi tal
s
withpassi onbuthedi dittoputYandi '
smi ndat
ease.Yandical l
edtheirhelperMaRadebewhowas
homewi t
ht het r
ipl
etst otellherthey'dbeawhi le
butMaRadebesai dt hechi ldr
enwer eal lasleepso
everythingi sf i
ne.Yandiwentandopenedt hedoor
forherhusbandandhehat edi tbuthegotonnon
theless.MrVanBur enwant edtoknowwher e
Babinil earnedt othi
nkandactsoqui ckly.Hesai d
watchingi tallwaslikewat chingal ivemovi e.He
alsoaskedBabi nii
fhewasaspeci alagentofsome
sortandBabi niwasver ycloset otellinghi mt oshut
upbutl uckil
yYandianswer edmostoft he
questions.Thescansandt estswer edoneandt hey
camebackcl
ear
.
VanBuren:"
Youareli
ketheter
minator
"helooked
overatBabi
niont
hedrivebackhome" Isawthat
andtheaver
agepersonwouldeit
herhavediedor
beencri
ti
cal
lyhur
t"headded.
Babi ni:"Goodt hingIdon' tfallintotheaver age
personcat egor ythen"hel ookedbackatYandi sa
andsmi led.Hewasj usthappyhegothert osafet
y
becauseheknewherbodywasnotasst rongashi s.
Tot hrowherongr asswasbet t
erthant or iskher
colli
dingwi thsteelandgl ass.MrVanBur engave
Babi nihiscont actdet ai
lssohe' dbewi tnessi n
cour tifneedbebutBabi niwasmor einter estedin
thepi ctureoft hecar .Ther egistrati
onpl atewasa
blurbutBabi niwoul dlookati tassoonashi s
headachesubsi ded.Theyt hankedt heirnei ghbor
whom t heydi dn'tevenknowbutl ivedint hesame
streetwi th.That '
swhatYandihat edwhenshe
movedt othesubur bsyear sago.Thef actt hatthe
neighbor swer estrangersevenaf t
er5year sof
movi ngi n.Bot hoft hem wentt ogohol dt heir
childrenaf terther eminderofhowshor tl i
fei s.
Babini:"I
'
m st arving, Ntli
ziyoyam.Wel eftwithout
havingbr eakfastt hi
smor ni ng"hesaidwhi l
e
feedinghisl i
tt
leones.Yandiwentt oopent hef ri
dge
totakeoutsomet hingshecoul dquickl
yput
togetherforlunchbutshest oodandcr i
edbehi nd
theopenf r
idgedoor .Shef elthi
m pullhercloser
towar dshim bef orecl osi
ngt hefri
dge.
Yandi:"What'
stheuseofhavi
ngvisi
onswhenI
can'tevenseethatmyhusbandwouldgethi
tbya
car?Ididn'
tevenhaveabadfeel
ingwhenwel ef
t
homet hismorning,
Zweni
"shesobbedsoftl
y.
Babini:"
Wear ehumansandt hatwon'tmakeus
i
mmunet ohumanexper i
ences.Don'tyoudar e
i
nsultyourancest orsbecauseoft hi
s.I'
m sur ethat
person'skarmai sont hewayaswespeak.I fnot
thenI'
llserveittothem myself"hepromisedwhi l
e
kissi
ngherneckacoupl eoft i
mes."I'
mj ustglad
thatyouar en'
thurt.EvenifIwasI'dhavebeenabl e
tohandlei tbutIcan'tst
andtoseeyouhur t.Thatc-
secti
onscarwasenoughhel lforme"shet urned
aroundt ohughi m back.
Yandi
:"You'
rej
ustasuper
man,
Babi
niZweni
"
Babini
:"I
'm sor
ryf
orthrowi
ngyouof
fmybackl
i
ke
thatbutIhadnootherchoi
ce"
Yandi
:"Whatpartofyou'remysupermandi dn'
tyou
under
stand?"helaughedsoftl
y."
Whatar eyou
madeof,baby?"shelift
edhisshi
rtup.Asidefr
om
thel
it
tl
ebruisi
ngont hesidewherethecar
i
mpactedthedoct orsai
dhewasper fect
.
Babini
:"Hal
fman,halfmachineandadashofpur
e
Afr
icanmagic"hesaidconfi
dentl
yandYandi
l
aughedatthejoke."
Nol i
tt
lecari
sgoingto
bul
ldozemeoutofexi st
ence"hepromi
sed.
Yandi:"Ican'
tbeli
evetheyj
ustdr
oveoff.Whatkind
ofanimaldoest hat?Whohit
ssomeone'shusband
anddr i
vesoff?"shesaidasshef
eltherangerbegi
n
tori
se..
Babini
:"CowardsbutI
'
llf
indt
heper
son.I
'
m sur
e
theyweredri
nk"
Yandi:"
Wellmaytheygetdoubl
etheba.
..
"heki
ssed
herbeforeshecoul
dfi
nishherangr
ywords.
Babini
:"Idon'
twantyouburdeningyourener
gywi
th
grudges.Yousti
llhavet
hatri
tualt
oattend
tomorrowandMaKhazi mlami
ghtt
urnyouawayi
f
shefeelsyou'
reheavyaur
a"
Yandi:"I
'
m notgoi
nganymore.Myhusbandi
ssi
ck
soIcan'tbedanci
ngandsingi
ngwhil
eyouarei
n
pain"shewentbackt
ofindi
ngsomethi
ngqui
ckto
preparefort
hem.
Babini :"KnightandIpl annedanent i
rebabyl unch
becauseOt huwillbegoi ngoutwi t
hLer atoso
Qhayi yawi l
lbewi t
hKni ght .I'
m notsi ckandyou
evendr aggedmet ot hehospi t
alt oprovei t
.AfterI
eat,I'
llgonap"hepr omi sedandshegavehi mt he
sideeyeswhi l
emaki ngast irfryandhel aughed.
"Tatapl annedal itt
legett oget herwi thQhayiya
tomor row.Si nceyouguysar eabl etomakesounds
nowI 'm sur eyouf ourwi l
lunder standeachot her
perfect l
ybecausewedon' t"t het hreelaughedashe
spokei nababyt one." Ithinkyoumustbr eatf
eedfor
atleastayear ,Ntli
ziyoyam.Si ncebr east
mi l
ki s
healthyl et'
sgetthem asmuchofi taspossi ble"he
wipedt heirmouthswi t
hawetcl oth.
Yandi
:"Wher
edoest
hatcomef
rom?
"
Babini:"I
twasthelastt
hingwespokeaboutbef
ore
thehit.Il
ookli
keIdon'tl
ist
enbutIact
ual
lydo"he
dangledat oyi
nfrontofhischi
ldr
en.
Yandi:"
Wow..
.Imarri
edrobocop"sheshookher
headandhelaughedoutloud"Idon'
tremember
anythi
ngbef
orethatmoment"sheadded.She
warmedupotherstuf
fwhichwasi nthefr
idgeand
servedhimt
hewar mfood.
Babini:"Thankyou,sthandwa"heki ssedherbef or
e
di
ggingi n.Heclosedhiseyest aki
ngint he
del
iciousnessinhismout h"
Whyar en'tyoueating?I
hopei t
'snotthi
swei ghtlossthi
ng,Yandi sa"he
l
ookedatherandshecoul dnotrememberwhen
l
asthecal l
edherthat.
Yandi:"
It hi
nkI '
m st i
llrat
tled"sheheldhi mfrom
behindwhi leheat e.Shedi dn'
twanttoletgoofhi m
j
ustyetbuthehadt ogot akeanapaf tereatingand
shewasgl adhedi di twithoutherasking.Her
paranoidsel fkeptonchecki ngifhewasst il
l
breathi
ng.Thet r
ipletstookt hei
raft
ernoonnaponce
theywer efullandchanged.Yandiputt hem
betweenherandBabi niont hei
rbedbef or
etakinga
needednaphersel
f.Shefoundhim st
ari
ngwhen
sheopenedhereyesafterget
ti
ngagoodhournap.
Babi
ni:"Whoareyouandwhoseki dsar ethese?"
Yandi
'
shear tstart
edtobeatfasterasshel ookedat
hi
m withwidenedeyesbef oreshewat chedhim
l
augh" I
'
m kiddi
ng, Nt
li
ziyoyam"Yandi '
smout hfel
l
openandshet hrewoneoft hesmal lpi
ll
owsand
hi
m.
Yandi:"But
,babydon'
tdot
hat.Iwasreadytotake
outtheweddingvideot
oprovetoyouI'
m yourwif
e"
theylaughed.
Babini
:"Icanforgett
hem allbutnotyouguys.My
mindisfil
ledwithyoufourmostoft hedayso
for
gett
ingyoui simpossibl
e.Myheadacheisalso
gonesoIdon'twantt hoselabdrugsanymore.
Yandi
:"Iswearyou'
rel
ikeacatwi
thmanyl
ives"she
l
ookedathiminawe.
Babini:"
Sot
hatmeansIhavemor ethannine
becauseasmylif
ehasit,Ishoul
dhavediedat
about15buther
eIam lookingatmyqueenand
wantingmyqueensoletusmovet hesel
it
tlepeopl
e
whowi l
lwakeupanymi nut
enow"hegent lyt
ook
thechi
ldrenonebyonetothei
rroom thatwasina
wayintheirbedr
oom.Yandipul
ledherdressover
herheadandhepausedwhenhef oundherwaiti
ng.
Yandi
:"Baby,
wedon'
thavemucht
imesost
op
st
ari
ng"
Babini:"
I'mf easti
ngmyeyes"hel aughedbeforehe
wenttoki ssher .Theybothknewt hesleepschedule
andest i
mat eddur at
ionofnapsoft heirchi
ldr
en
wellsothecl otheswereof fbef
oret heyknewit.
Babinikissedt hedarkstr
ectmarkst hatwere
aroundherbel l
yandYandicover edhereyeswhi l
e
smili
ng.
Yandi :"Baby"shesai dinashywhi sperwhenshe
felthislipsacrossherbi r
thscarbefor ehertookoff
herunder wearandcar essi
ngheri nnerthighsand
moi stfoldswhi l
ekissingher.Therewasbar el
yany
foreplaywhent heystoleti
met obet ogether
bet weenbabynapsbuthemadesur ethatherbody
wasal wayswi l
lingtowelcomehi sbygi vingquick
kissesandcar essestohersof tspots.Hewasst i
ll
gent l
ewi thhisthrustsheknewt hatshewasst i
ll
not100%.Yandil etoutsoftmoanst onotwaket he
babi esup.Af t
ergi vingbir
thshef earedherbody
woul dnotf eelt hesamei ntensepl easureitdidbut
sheenj oyedt hest olenmoment st heycouldgetas
muchasshedi dt helonglovesessi ons.Shel oved
hisbodyandhowhewasabl etor eadhers.Never
oncehadshef akedacl i
maxwi thhim andshe
couldf eelanot heronebui l
dupwhenheki ssedher
neckwhi lehishandwasonherhi pmovi nghi mself
i
naseduct iver hythm beforeincreasi ngthepace
andsheknewt hathewascl oset orelease.His
narrowpl easur ef i
ll
edeyesmether sandhekept
eyecont actandt hemomentcamewi thanintensit
y
thanmadeYandishuthereyesasawaveof
pleasur erushedt hroughherbody.Toseeandf eel
herenj oyhi st ouchmadeBabi ni'
sownbodyr el
ease
ast heybot hst i
llmovedt heirhipst ogetasmuch
from themomentaspossi ble.
Yandi
:"Il
oveyousomuch,baby"shewhisper
edon
hi
sear.Ababycri
edandtheybothlaughedatt
he
per
fectti
ming.
Them:"
Zosul
we"t
heysai
dsi
mul
taneousl
ywi
tha
smi
le.Theywer
eabl
etot
ellt
hem apar
tbysound.
Yandi:"Theonlyladyall
owedtot akeyouratt
ent
ion
fr
om me"t heylaughedandBabi nistoodandwent
tothebathroom andwor ehispantsafter
wards
beforesli
dingthehalfopensli
dingdoorwhich
separatedthem fr
om thenursary.Yandial
so
disappearedint
ot hebathr
oom togethersel
fdecent
enought oholdherbabies.
Babini:"
PleasegogetI
mibongo,Ntl
izi
yoyam"he
sai
dwhi leholdi
ngHlumiandZozo.Yandiwentto
getI
miandt heydi
danappychangebef or
eplayi
ng
wit
ht hei
rkids.
Babini
:"Il
oveyoutoo"heleanedforwardtokissher.
"Ohandyoucouldal sot
rytocooktokeepbusy,
baby.Wehaveabi genoughkitchenandourst ove
i
snotsobad.IcanhaveOt hutakeordersatt
he
offi
cebecausepeopleli
keheartymeals.Icango
deli
veryouror
dersifyouli
ke"hesuggestedas
thoughheknewthepar t
yplanningthi
ngwasnotf or
her.
Yandi
:"Pl
usIr
eal
lyl
ovecooki
ng.MaRadebecan
hel
pmeandIwon'
thavetol
eavehomeal ot
.I
act
ual
lyl
ovet
hei
dea,babyt
hankyou"shesmil
ed.
Babi
ni:"
Ijustaskf
oraf
reemealf
ormyhar
dwor
k
i
ndeli
veri
ng"
Yandi:"
Youcanhaveasmanyasyoul i
ke,Mpi nga
wam.I '
m suchaluckygirlt
hough"shesmi led.The
doorbel
lrangandneitherofthem wereinthemood
forcompanybutBabinistoodt ogocheck.Cr aig
andMzust oodatthedoorandhef or
gothewas
supposedtomeetupwi t
hthem.
Crai
g:"
Youbet t
erhaveadamngoodr easonf
ornot
comingtoday"hepoint
edatBabi
ni.
Mzu:"
Sbal
i"heshookBabi
ni'
shandi
ngr
eet
ing.
Babini
:"That
'showacivil
izedmangr eet
s,Knight
.In
factIf
ineyouawhiskey.It'
smyrightasyourSbali.
Getyourassin"hel
ookedatCr ai
gandMzul aughed.
Mzu:"
Whathappenedt
oyourhead?
"hepoi
ntedt
o
t
hedressi
ng.
Babi
ni:"
Thankyouforasking,
Sbal
i.Igothi
tbya
car
"Crai
gburstoutl
aughingwhil
eMzul ooked
reall
yconcerned.Hadt hetabl
esbeentur
nedBabi
ni
knewhe' dl
aughatCr aigtoosohewasnot
offendedbythelaughing.Heexplai
nedtothem
whathappened.
Mzu:"
Ihopet
hepol
icegett
hatper
son"t
heywentt
o
t
heli
vingr
oom.
Crai
g:"Ihopesotoobefor
eyourSbal
igetsthem.
Wow, soyougothitbyacarandyoulookli
keyou
j
ustbumpedi nt
oawal l
.Diehar
d"hehitBabini
'
s
shoul
ders.
Yandi:"Cr
aigpl
easedon'tberoughwithmy
husband"shecamef r
om theroom pushi
ngapr am.
Shegr eet
edthemennicely"Wouldyouguysli
ke
somet hi
ngtodri
nk?Iknowyou' r
ecoff
eefanslatel
y
soIcanmakesome"shepoi ntedtot
hekit
chen.
Mzu:"We'dappreci
atesomet
hankyou,
sisAve"he
smil
ed.Yandigaveeachmanababywhileshefi
xed
thei
rdr
inks.
Cr
aig:"Theyar
egr owing.Ithi
nkAhlumawi l
lbeas
bi
gasyouseei ngashe' smuchbiggerthanthe
ot
hers.Soyour eal
lygothitbyacar?"Crai
glaughed
soft
lyagai
nandBabi
nihi
thisar
m har
d.His
rel
ati
onshi
pwit
hCrai
gwasmor eli
kesi
bli
ngri
val
ry
butwithMzuhewaspoli
te.
Babini:"
Cameoutofnowher e, man.Hadt othrow
Yandiintheopposit
edirecti
on.Goodt hi
ngi twas
notthef i
rstt
imeIgothitsoIwast r
ainedtodeal
withittogetasminimalinj
uri
esaspossi ble"he
shookhi shead"HadIbeenal oneI'
dhavegot t
ento
thebastardbefor
edrivi
ngoffbuthadt omakesur e
mywi fewasnothur t
"headded.
Mzu:"
Youtwomustt
eachmet hesethi
ngssoI
knowwhatt
odotooshoul
dithappentome"
Cr
aig:"
Whowant
sPoppyont
hei
rcase?
"theyal
l
l
aughed.
Babi
ni:"Man,
she'l
lsaywearest
ri
ppinghi
m ofhi
s
godl
inesssoI'
m notoutt
oo"hehel
dhishandup.
Mzu:"Amanmustknowwhatt odoinemer genci
es.
Somethi
ngscallf
oractionandprayerandIwon't
tel
lSomi
la"t
heyactual
lysawhowser ioushewas.
Babi
ni:"
Amanmustreal
lyf
ightt
okeephisfami
ly
saf
esometi
messoI'
m gameifyou'
l
lkeepyourwif
e
awayf
rom me.IloveherbutdamnPoppycanbe
i
mpossi
ble"heshookhishead.
Crai
g:"
Wearenotgi
vingyouagunt
hough"hel
aid
downther
ules.
Mzu:"
But
..
."
Babini
:"Nowe' r
enot"shookhishead."Andneit
her
ofyouaret ell
ingyourwivesabouttheaccident
,
especi
all
ynotOt hunyi
weyowhowi llcomef l
oodmy
housewi t
ht ears"Crai
glaughed.
Crai
g:"Mywi feisnocrybaby"hedef endedOthu.
Yandistart
edt ocookdinnerandhopedt hatt
he
menwoul dn'tstandtogooutbecauseshewasst i
ll
concernedaboutherhusband.I fshecanshe'l
ltr
y
tokeephimi nthehousef orafewdaysj ustt
obe
surethathewasgood.Oncet hesportchanneland
thecoffeewasser vedt
heyseemedt obegluedto
thei
rseatswhi l
eeachbot t
lefedababy.
Chuluwasonherf irsthor
sebackridingandthe
factt
hatitwasont hebeachmadet heexperi
ence
evengreater
.ShelookedoveratShakawho
seemedt obegoingont heseadventuresr
egular
ly
ashewasn' tsoamazedbyt hemomentasChul u
was.Af tershowingheraf ewar tgalleriesand
takinghert othemar ketChul
uf eltshewaspai nt
ing
thet ownr edi
nherownway.Af terridi
nghor ses
theyf el
tthewetsandundert heirfeetwhi l
e
splashingwat erateachother.Chul uwashavi ng
toogoodofat i
mesoshehadt orememberher
mot her'
swor dsaboutnotal l
owi ngher selftogett oo
attached.Theywal kedovertot hepi erast hesun
wasset ting.
Shaka:"Ourpi
erwasact
uall
yvotedt
hemost
beauti
ful
"hesmil
edconfi
dentl
y.
Chul
u:"Icanseewhy.Thankyousomuchfort
he
gr
eatday,Shaka.Ienj
oyedever
ypar
tofi
t"
Shaka:"
AndI '
m gladthatIwast
heonewho
capt
uredallyourhappymoments.Clear
lyt
he
cameralovesyou"hecompl i
mentedandChul
u
smil
ed.
Chulu:"Thankyou.Ican'
twai
ttogohomethough.I
real
ly,r
eall
y,real
lymissmydaught
eri
t'
snoteven
funny"
Shaka:"Thef i
rstti
meawayf r
om them i
sal
wayst
he
hardest.Ihadn'tseenNandii
namont hbef
ore
yester
day"Chul u'
seyeswidened.
Chul
u:"Areyouandhermom ongoodterms?"she
sawhisfaci
alexpr
essi
onchangewhensheasked
"I
'
m sorr
y,shoul
dn'
thaveasked"shel
ookeddown.
Shaka:"
Hermom diedinacarcrashthreeyears
agoonherwayhomet ogowelcomemyuncl es"he
pausedabit"
Iwasgoingtonegoti
atelobol
at hat
weekend.
..
wellmyuncleswer
e"helaughedsof tl
y.
Chulu:"
I'
m sor
rytoheart
hat.I
'm sur
eitwashar
d"
Shakalookedi
ntotheocean.
Shaka:"Themostt er
ribl
eti
meofmyl ifeandI
stoppedsculptur
ingforayearbutNandigotme
backandr emindedmet oli
ve"hesmiled"Howar
e
youandQhayi ya'
sdad? "
Chulu:"
We'
reokay.Wear
efr
iendsf
orQhayi
ya'
s
sake"
Shaka:"
Andhei shappywit
hj ustbeingfr
iendswith
suchabeauti
fulwoman?theyl aughed"Iwillmake
asculpt
ureofyou"hepromised.
Chul
u:"
Wil
lyougi
vei
ttome?
"
Shaka:"I
'
llmakesuret
hati
tisexi
bit
edf
ort
hewor
ld
tosee"Chulusmi
led.
Chul u:"Doyouhaveapi ctureofNandi '
smom?I
wannaseewher esheget shergoodl ooksf r
om"
shesai dtotakethef ocusof fherbeautywhi ch
mi ghtleadtounexpect edki sses.Het ookouthis
wal l
etandshowedi ttoher .Abeaut if
ulwomanshe
wasandpi t
yherl i
fehadt obecutshor t."
CanI
pleaseseet heotherpi cture?"shepointedatt he
pictureshesawl astni ght.Chuluwasst unnedby
ther esemblancebuti twasnotCr aigatall.
Shaka:"
That
'smyol
dman"hesai
dpr
oudl
y.
Chulu:"Youroldmanandmi necoul
dbetwins.
Look"shet ookherphoneoutt
oshowhim apict
ure
ofCraig.
Shaka:"WowIguessi t
'struethateachper
sonhas
someonewhol ooksli
ket hem somewhereinthe
world.Yourf atheri
sabi tfai
rincomplexi
onthan
minebutt heyl ookali
ke"hel ookedathi
swall
etand
thenatChul u'sphone.
Chul
u:"
What
'syourdad'
snameandsur
name?
"
Shaka:"
Mcedi
siBhengu"
Chulu:"
Sohedoesn'thaveanyr
elati
vesbythe
Knightsur
name?"ChuluknewCraigwaslooki
ngf
or
herfamil
ysoshehadt oask.
Shaka:"Myfat
herspeaksabouthi
sbr
othernamed
Nightbuti
t'
sNightwit
hanNnotKandi twashis
middlename"Chulunodded.
Chulu:"WellourshasaKandi t
'soursurnamenot
someone' smi ddl
ename.ForasecondthereI
actuall
ythoughtyourfat
herwasmyf ather'
s
rel
ative"shelaughed.
Shaka:"Wecangomeethi mt omorr
owandf indout
becauseIenjoyyourcompany.Thel astt
hingIwant
i
stof i
ndmyselfatt
ractedt oar el
ati
ve"hewas
hopingthatt
heywer en'tr
elated.Aft
erheari
ngthat
sheandI mangewer ejustfri
endshegotexcitedto
knowshewassi ngle.
Chulu:"
I'
llhavetotal
ktomydadf i
rst
"Chulu
enj
oyedt henightabitmorebef
orehetookhert
o
herhotelandleft
.Shedial
edCrai
g'snumber.
Cr
aig:"
Pri
ncess"hesai
dwi
thasmi
le.
Chulu:"
Dadsot hisguyIt ol
dyouaboutsaidthathi
s
fat
herhadabr othercall
edNi ghtwithanN.Was
yourfat
herperhapsNi ghtKnight?"shel
aughedat
howst r
angeitsounded.
Cr
aig:"
Nope"hesai
dqui
ckl
y.
Chul
u:"
Isi
tfi
neifIgomeethisdad?I
tcoul
dbea
l
ead.Li
keyoureal
ly,
real
lyl
ookl
ikehi
m"
Crai
g:"You'r
enotgoi ngtomeetsomest r
angemen
i
napl aceyoudon' tknow.Havehi m gi
vehis
fat
her'scontactdetai
ls.Youaren'
tther
etoreuni
te
famil
iesbuttolearn"Chululaughedsoftl
y.
Chul
u:"
OkayI'
lldothat
.Ar
eyouguysst
il
lgood?
"
sher
eal
lymissedthem.
Craig:"Asgoodaswewer ewhenyouspoket ous
thismor ningandyesQhayi yaisst
il
lbreat
hing"
Chulul aughedoutloud.Shespoket ohimfora
whi l
ebef orehegaveOthut hephone.Shewason
thephonewi thherf
amilyfortwohoursbefore
sleepingont heuncomfortablehot
elbedthatonly
madehermi sshomemor e.
S2-
INSERT37
Othuwaswokenupbyal oudbangont hedoorand
whoeveri twast ookt urnstor i
ngt hebellandknock.
Clearl
ybur glar
sdon' tknocksoMakhul uwast he
fi
rstthingt hatjumpedi ntomi nd.Herpressurehas
beenmi sbehavingandOt huhadbeenwor r
ied
abouther .Cr ai
gsl eptlikethedeadandwaswoken
upbyOt hushaki nghi m.Hej umpedupf rom the
bedassoonashehear dtheknocki ng.Bothoft hem
headedt othedoorandCr aigjustopenedwi t
hout
evenaski ngwhoi twas.Yandimadeherwayi nside
quicklyandOt hust artedtopani c.Itwas2am and
shewaswi thoutBabi niwhichr aisedevenmor e
alarmt otheKni ght s.
Cr
aig:"
Yandi
sa,
hassomet
hinghappened?
Yandi:"
Yourf
atherwant
stocomehome"sheheld
Crai
g'shandt
ightl
y"Hi
sspi
ri
tisr
est
lessandyou
needtodowhatshouldbedonet
obringi
thome"he
l
ookedintoCr
aig'
seyes.
Crai
g:"Af
teral
ltheseyear
s?Whywouldhewantto
doitnow?"hewor eaconfusedl
ookonhi
sface.
Yandi
:"Bhengu,Ngcolosi!Wena
wakwaDlabazane,KaNgwane, KaNephukaLamul a,
Nyawozigezwangamazol o,Shongolol
o"hereyes
borei
ntoCraig'
sandhewasnotsur ewhattodo.
"Younevert
ookhi sspir
itfrom t
heaccidentscene.
Hehasbeenwander i
ngar oundtherefort
oolong"
shesaidbeforesheheadedf orthedoor.Othuwent
aft
erher.
Othu:"Fri
end,l
etmecallBabi
ni.Idon'
tfeel
comfortablewi
thyoudrivi
ngalonewhenyoudon'
t
l
ooklikeyoursel
f"shespokequickl
y..
Yandi:"
I'
m neveralone"shesaidbefor
eshegotinto
hercaranddrivi
ngof f
.OthudialedBabini
'
snumber
anywayandhedi dn'tevenfeelYandil
eavethei
rbed
todri
vetotheirhouse.
Crai
g:"
IneedtogotoDurban"hesai daft
ert
hey
cl
osedthedoorbehi
ndthem." TheboyChulumetis
aBhengusoIcan'tj
ustl
etthissli
de.Thatwoul
d
makemyf at
heraZuluman? "helookedathi
swife
conf
used.
Ot
hu:"
Itwoul
dmakeyouaZul
uman"shehel
dhi
s
handandl edhi
mt otheki
tchent
omaket eaf or
them becauset
herewasnowayt hey'
dfallr
ight
backtosleepaft
erthat
.
Cr
aig:"Ial
waysthoughtthathewasAfri
can
American,notj
ust
..
.Afri
can"hesatdown.
Othu:"Wellbetweenhi m andyourmom itwasyour
mom wi t
ht hestrangeaccent.Hissounded"nor
mal"
tomebackt hensocl ear
lyitwasSouthAfri
can"she
putwaterint hekett
leandwentt oholdhimfrom
behind.
Craig:"SoImustgot othestateswherethe
accidenthappened? "helookedbackatherbef or
e
buryinghisf acei
nhi shands.Hehadn'tbeenatt hat
spotsi ncetheaccidentthatcostedhi
m hisparent'
s
whenhewasst il
lateenageboy.Heknewt hati
t
woul dcomewi t
hal otofburiedmemor i
esand
emot ions.
Othu:"
WewillaskYandihowi tworksandifwe
mustgotherethenwe'l
lgo.Iknowi t
'snoteasy,
babyandasChr i
sti
answedon' tunderst
andbutwe
mustnotfor
getthatweareAf ri
canswi t
hcustoms
andt
radi
ti
ons"sheki
ssedhi
sneck.
Crai
g:"I
t'
snottherit
ual sandcustoms,O.It
'sgoi
ng
backthere"hesai
dqui etl
y."
Idon'tknowifImustgo
toDurbanorthestates"hefeltf
rustr
atedbythe
conf
usionhewasf eeling.
Othu:" Yougot oDur banandI '
llaskYandiwhatshe
meantandt el
lyou.Iknowhowl ongyou' vebeen
l
ooki ngf oryourf amily.I'vewat chedmyl ovedones
returnwi shingthatsomedayyourf amilywi l
lcome
knockonourdoorandt hi sisal ead"shewashappy
thathewoul dpossi blyfindhi sf ami l
y.Sheknewhi s
parent sfrom thebr i
efvi sitsshedi datt heirhome
l
ongagobutt hatwasi t.Ther ewer eno
grandpar ents,auntsl i
keusualf ami li
eshadsot o
heart hathemi ghtmeetext endedf amilywasgr eat
news.Thei rboyswoul dknowwher etheirli
neage
began.Thet wooft hem deci dedt oactassoonas
possi bl
eandCr aigmanagedt ogetaf l
ightto
Dur banf orthedayaf t
ert omor row.
Crai
g:"
Ireal
lythoughtI
'
df i
ndthefamil
yoverseas.I
f
dadhadfamilyri
ghtherethenwhydidhekeepme
awayfr
om them?DamnI '
dhaveavoidedsomany
badt hingsi
nmyl if
ehadIknownt hathehada
fami l
yhere.Iwouldneverhavegonet otheagency"
Ot hucouldhearhisangerbuil
dup.Cr ai
gcouldn'
t
hel pbutwonderthetypeofmanhewoul dhave
beenhadhel i
vedwithhisfat
her'
sf amil
yaft
erthey
died.Tobeamanwhol i
vedast houghhecame
from nowher ewasnoteasy.
Othu:"You'
reagr eatmant oday, Cr
aig"shehugged
him"It'
snottool at
etoknowt hem.I ftheDurban
peopledon'tknowyourf amilythenatl eastt
hey
havethesamef amilynamesot heywillbeableto
helpyouwi t
ht heprocessofget ti
ngyourf at
her'
s
spir
it
"Craignodded.
Craig:"
Whydi dn'
thecomefor war
dsooner,O?he
turnedtoholdherwaistwhi
leherarmswerear ound
hisshoulder
s."Imean,we'
veknownYandif oryears
sowhydi dn'
theshowhi mselftoherbackt
hen"he
l
ookedsad.
Othu:"
Idon'
tknow, baby.Maybeever
ythi
ngis
comingful
lci
rclenowwi thChul
umeetingShaka.
Yandiwasactuall
ytheonewhochoset hi
sgiftf
or
Chulusomaybei nawayt heancest
orswere
workingthroughhersothatShakaandChul uwil
l
meet"CraignoddedandOt hu'
sphonebeeped.
"She'
shomesaf e"readatextf
rom BabiniandOthu
couldbreathagain.ShetoldCrai
gt hatYandiwas
homeandcoul dseehewasasr el
ieved.
Crai
g:"
Sothatwoul
dmakemeaBhengu?
"he
rai
sedabr
ow.
Othu:"CraigBhengu? "t
heybothl
aughedsoft
lyat
howst rangeitsounds.OthuhopedthatChul
uand
Shakawer enotf al
li
nginlovebutshehadful
ltr
ust
thatChuluwoul dn'
t,notwhensheknowstheymight
berelated.
Crai
g:"It
houghtIwantedthi
sbutnowIrealizethe
changesit
'l
lcomewi t
h"hefel
tanxi
ous"Whati fI
havetobeawayf orfi
vemonthsli
keBabinibecause
mypastisnotsor osyei
ther
"Othusmil
ed.
Othu:"
ThenI'
llpul
laYandiandgoint
othedeep
vi
ll
agelif
etosupportyou"t
heyl
aughed.
Cr
aig:"
Crai
gBhengu?
"her
epeat
edsof
tl
y.
Ot
hu:"
Ngcol
osi
"shesmi
led.
Crai
g:" Let'
snotgetaheadofour sel
ves.Asidefr
om
theot heremoti
onsI '
m actuall
yexcited.Tobea
manandnotbeabl et otellyourchil
drenwhot hey
arei
snotni ceatal
l.LikeothermenIal sowantt o
goflauntmywi f
eandchi l
dr entotheextended
family"helookedatherandki ssedher.
Othu:"
Whati ft
heydon'tl
ikeme?"shefort
hefi
rst
t
imehadi nlawfears.She'
sseenYandidothemost
t
oi mpressVuyo'sf
ami l
ysoshedidn'
twanttobe
t
hatway.
Crai
g:"Let
'snotgetaheadofoursel
ves.Letmecal
l
Chulumancososhewon' tt
hinkI'
m comingther
eto
keepandeyeonherandt hisShaka"
Othu:"
Yesandtel
lherwhatYandisaid.Youknow
youngpeopl
ejustf
alli
nloveunexpectedl
y"
Babininearl
yhadaheartat t
ackwhenher eal
ised
thatYandiwasgone.Hel ovedthathewasabl et
o
sleepsoundlybuthefel
titwast oosoundlywhen
hecouldn'tevenhearhi
swi fel
eavetheirhouse.
He'susedt oherget
ti
ngupt ogoandcommuni cat
e
withherancestorsi
nthemi ddl
eoftheni ghtwhen
needari
sebutf
orhertogeti
ntoacartodel
ivera
messagehefel
tshecoul
djustcal
landrel
aywas
scar
y.
Babi
ni:"
Ave,nextti
meatl eastwakemeup, babyso
Icandri
veyouplease.Nomanwant shiswifetobe
al
oneatnighti
nt heci
ty"helookedather.
Yandi
:"I
'l
ltr
yto"shepr
omised"Letmegetsome
sl
eepbecauseIneedtowakeupearlytogoto
Gugul
ethu"shecli
mbedint
othecovers.
Babini:"
Sohe'
llhavet
ogobackt
othest
ates?
"he
cuddledherf
rom behi
ndast
heylai
dsi
debyside.
Yandi:"
I'
llhavetogowithhim"shetur
nedherhead
tofacehim" Iknowthechi
ldrenar
esti
llsmal
lbutI
must"hebr eathedoutl
oudly.
Babi
ni:"
ButIwon'
tbeabl
etogowi
thyou"
Yandi:"
We'llbefine.It
'sjusti
nandout .I'
l
lexpress
asmuchmi lkf
ort hem thatwilllastunt
ilI
'm back
andwecanhaveMaRadebest ayinandwe' l
lpay
herextr
a"shewat chedhim closehi seyesclearl
y
nottopleasedwi t
hwhathej usthear d"Baby,Ido
nothaveachoi ce.Idon'tli
keleavi ngyouwith
babi
esei
ther
.I'
m sor
ry"shesai
dsof
tl
y.
Babini
:"Whati
fKni
ghtsenemi
esseehimt hereand
ther
eisashootoutandyougethur
t?"Yandismil
ed.
Yandi:"
Sothisisnotaboutyouhat
ingmyworkbut
aboutyoufeari
ngI'
llbecaughtbet
weenf
lyi
ng
bul
let
s?"shekissedhim.
Babi
ni:"
Baby,theywillknowthesecondIlandwi
th
yout
hatI'm al
ive"hehatedhowlimit
edhislif
ewas.
Yandi :"AndIwoul dneverdar el etyour iskyourl i
fe
forsomet hingthatisnotevengoi ngt omakeme
sweat .Idoubtt herearetradit
ionalheal ersi n
Amer ica.It'
llbeinandout "shet urnedt ohughi m.
Shedi dn'twantt ogoei t
herbutCr aig'
sf atherchose
toshowhi mselftohersoshef eltitwasonl yri
ght
thatshehol dhishanddur ingthepr ocess.Babi ni
knewgoi ngwoul dbesui cideforhi m sohehadt o
trustthatCr aig'
spastli
fewasasbur i
edi nt he
statesasi twasi nSA.Hedi dn'tmi ndlooki ngafter
theirkidswi ththeirhel
persassi stancebuthehat ed
thatshewi llbegonewi t
houthi m, nott oanot her
townbutaanot hercountrywhi chwaswor se.
Shaka'stalkwasmovedt oanear l
ierdayandhe
waski ndenought oletChuluknowandgethera
seat.Shemadesur etositabouttenseatsaway
from Kimt oavoi
dinterrupt
ions.OnceagainChulu
foundher sel
fhypnotizedbyhiswor ds.Shewasn'
t
sureifitwashisuniquevoi ceorthebeauti
ful
mout hthatspokebutsomet hi
ngjustmadeher
wantt ohearhimtalkmor eandmor e.
Shaka:"Ihadani nter esti
ngconver sationwi t
ha
youngandexcept ional l
ytalentedar ti
styesterday.
Shet ol
dmet hatsheent eredacompet it
ionandt he
rewardwashavi nghernamement ionedonabl og
thathadoverami l
lionf oll
ower s"Chul uknewhe
wast al
kingaboutt hei rconversat i
onandshewas
gladhedi dn'tputheront hespotbyment i
oningher
name" Iaskedherhowmanypi ecesshesol d
throughthatexposur eandshesai dfive.Mostof
youmostpr obablyt hi nkthatisnotmuchbutt oa
youngar ti
sttryi
ngt omakenamef orthemsel vesit
's
huge"Chul unoddedi nagr eement" Iknowt hatthis
arti
stwoul dhavesol dmuch, muchmor ehadshe
hadapr operpor tfolio.Par tofput t
ingyourwor kout
ther eismaki ngsur et hatyourpor t
fol i
oisper fect"
Chul usatupst r
aightl isteningt ohowshecoul dput
toget herapor tfoli
o.Shet houghtshel ear nti
tin
var sit
ybutcl ear l
youti nt hewor l
dadi fferentthing
waswant ed.Hegaveyoungar t
istssomanyways
ofhowt ogett heirwor koutt her e.Imange' sname
fl
ashedont hescr eenandChul ufel therselfget
frustrat edbecauseshewast akingavi deo.She
rejectedt hecal lbuthecal l
edagai n.Sheknewher
par ent swoul dhavecal l
edt oohadi tbeenabout
Qhayi ya.Af t
erever ythingf ort hedaywascover ed
Chul ul eftt hevenuebecauseShakawasnotl ucky
enought ogetawayf rom Ki m ashedi dt hefir
st
ti
me.Shet ookt het imet olistent oI mange' s
voicemai landal lthreehadt odowi t hwhather
answerwasaboutget tingbackt oget her .Shedi dn'
t
bot hert ocal lhim back.Cr aigcal l
edt otellherthat
he'dbei nDur bant omor r
owbuthedi dn'tment ion
ther easonovert hephone.Chul uhadt omakeway
foral i
ttlegi rlwhor anpassherandwhenshe
turnedt oseewher eshewasheadi ngshef ound
Shakaandt hel it
tl
egi r ldoingsomegr eet i
ngdance
thati nvol vedsomedabbi ngt oobef or esher ani nto
hisarmsi nat i
ghthuggi ggling.Chul u'satt
enti
on
thenfel
lont hemanwhogr eet edherwi t
hasmi l
e
beforepassingher .ItwasShaka' sfatherbuthe
l
ookedmuchol derthaninthepi ct
urebutChul u
couldsti
llseeCr ai
g'sfeaturesi nhim.Shakawal ked
towardsChul uwi t
hhi sdaught erinonear m andt he
otherarm wasar oundhi sfather '
sshoul dertomake
i
ntroducti
ons.
Shaka:"Baba,
thi
sist
heyoungt alentthatItoldyou
about"hesmil
edatChulu.Shedidn'tknowt hathe
spokeabouthertohi
sfatherofallpeople.
Mcedi si
:"Mysondoesn'
tkeepquietaboutyour
talent
.Ican'
trememberthelastt
imehespokeso
highlyofafell
owart
ist
.I'
m McedisiBhengu,hi
s
father"Chul
ushookhishand.
Chul
u:"
Pleasedt
omeetyou,
TatuBhengu.I
'
m
Chul
umancoKnight
"shesmi
led.
Nandi
:"Areyoumyf at
her'sgir
lf
ri
end?
"thesixyear
ol
dwithoutfrontt
eet
haskedunexpectedl
yleavi
ng
herf
atherfeeli
ngembarassed.
Shaka:"
Thi
sissi
sChul
umanco.Shei
smyf
ri
end
andcol
league"hecor
rect
edherqui
ckl
y.
Nandi:"
Wowhowdi dyougetyourhairlikethat
?"
herhandswereinChul
u'safr
ocur l
sbeforethey
knewitbutShakadr
ewherbackandr epri
manded
herfori
nvadi
ngChulu'
spersonalspace.
Chul u:"
Idon'
tmi nd"shegotcl osersoNandicould
fi
nishherhairinspection"Ionlyusewat erand
moi stur
izert
ogeti tl
ikethat"shelookedatthe
ador abl
eNandiwi thasmi le.Shecouldn'twai
tfor
Qhayi yatogettothatagesot heycoulddogir
ly
stuff.
Nandi
:"Baba,Iwantmyhai rthatbiganditmust
al
sosmellli
kebubbles"everyonelaughed.
Shaka:"I
'
m notsurehowbubblessmellnorhowt o
changeyourstr
aighthai
rtobeafrobutIwil
lmakea
plan"hepromi
sedandwat chedhersmil
eexcit
ingly.
Mcedi
si:"
Mymot herwasactual
lyaXhosawoman.
MamQwat hifr
om Tsol
oint
heEasternCape"he
sai
dproudly.
Chulu:"
Mymot heri
sMampi
nga"shesai
dtokeep
theconver
sat
iongoing.
Mcedisi:"
IonceknewaMpi ngafamily.Comejoi
n
usforlunchandIwil
ltellyouallaboutthem.Maybe
youknowt hem"Chul
ul ookedatShakaandhesai d
"sor
ry"soft
ly.
Chul
u:"
I'
dli
ket
hatver
ymuch,
Tat
athankyou"
Nandi:"I'
m sit
tingnexttosisChul umanco"she
rai
sedherhandsot hey'
dknowbef or
etheygott o
thetableandt heeldersl
aughed. .Shakaapologized
butChuludi dn'tmindonebi t.Theymadetheirway
downt her oadandNandiwast heonewhodi dthe
mostt al
kingunt i
ltheysatdown.SheaskedChul u
everyt
hingundert hesunf rom herfavour
it
ecol our
toaskingifChul uhadchildren.
Nandi:"Nextt
imebringQhayiyawit
hyou,sis
Chulumanco.Iwouldlovetoplaywit
hher.Ihavea
l
otoff ol
ksandshe'sagirlt
oosoI'm sur
eshe'lll
ove
them"shesaidasshesatonherkneest obeabl eto
l
ookatChul uproperl
y.Qhayi
yawouldchewt hose
doll
swi t
hhernewt eethChul
uthoughttoherself
.
Shaka:"
Nandi
,si
tdownplease"shel
ookedathi
m
bef
oresit
ti
ngdownbutsheheldChulu'
shand.
Mcedisi
:"Whati
syourfat
her'
scl
anname,
mntanami?"hel
ookedatChul
uatt
ent
ivel
y.
Shaka:"
Baba,youandNandiar
eover
whel
mingher
"
hesaidqui
etl
ytohisfat
her
.
Chulu:"
It'
sokay,Ir
eall
ydon'
tmind.Hedoesn'
thave
one,TatabecauseheisnotAfr
icanbutAmeri
can"
shelookedattheelderwhowasnoddingwhil
e
brushi
nghi sgr
eybeard.
Mcedisi
:"Afr
icanAmer
icanorEur
opeanAmer i
can?"
Shakafel
tthatChul
uwasbeingaskedtoodeep
quest
ionssohecall
edthewait
ertogetthei
ror
ders.
Chulu:"Actual
ly,
Tatamyfather'
sstor
yisjustnota
cl
earone.Hei sablackmanbuthedoesn' thave
ext
endedf amilyandhi
sparentsdiedlongagosohe
doesn'tknow"hesaidhonestl
y.
Mcedisi
:"Mhhhamanalonei
snotgood.Ihopethat
hefi
ndshisfami
lyf
ort
hesakeofhisdescendant
s"
Chulu:"Youactuall
yki
ndal
ookli
kehi
m"shejoked
andlookedatShakawhosmi l
ed.Mcedi
sisat
for
war dtogetclosert
oChul
u.
Mcedisi
:"Ihadabrot
herbyt henameSakhi l
eNight
Bhengu.Hewasmyf at her
'sfi
rstwi
fe'
schil
d.Does
thatnameperhapsri
ngabel l?
"Shakaclosedhi
s
eyeshopingforanofrom Chulu.
Chulu:"
Noitdoes.MygrandfatherwasMikeKni ght
butInevermethim andIdon'
tthinkmyfatherhasa
pi
cofhim"Shakabr eat
hedandhi sfat
herlookedat
hi
m andshookhisheadsubt l
ywhi l
esmil
ing.
Mcedi si
:"Iwasveryyoungwhenmybr ot
herlef
t
homebutt heelder
ssayt hathelefthomeaf t
er
refusingtotakethewifechosenf orhim.Toar r
ange
mar ri
agewasver ycommonbackt hen.Shaka's
mot herandIwer ealsomar r
iedthatway.Inever
heardanyt hi
ngabouthim goingt oAmer i
ca"het r
ied
tothinkback."Peoplechanget hei
rnamesf ormany
reasons.Maybeheusedhi smi ddlenameasa
surname"hebr ushedhisbear d.
Chulu:"Myfatheri
scominghereonbusi
ness
tomorrowsoyouandhi m coul
dmeetandtal
kif
possibl
e,Tata"
Mcedi
si:"
Shaka,
putChul
umanco'
snumberonmy
phonesoshecancal lmewhenherf atherhas
arri
ved.Thef
amil
yhasbeenl ookingforSakhil
efor
averylongti
me"hegaveShakahi sphoneandhe
ShakasavedChulu'
snumber .Theel derdial
ed
Chulu'
sphoneandsmi ledwheni trangont het
able
"Savemynumber, mntanami.Haveyourf ather
contactme"Chul
usmi l
edandnodded.
Nandi
:"Baba,Ineedt
ouset
hebat
hroom"she
cr
ossedherlegs.
Chul
u:"I
'l
ltakeher"sheoffer
edbecauseherown
bl
adderwasf ul
l.Mcedisi
lookedthem unt
ilt
hey
di
sappeared.
Mcedisi
:"ShakadonotthinkIdon'
tseehowyouar e
holdi
ngyourbreat
hwheneverwespeakabout
somepossiblerel
ati
ons.Stayaway,ndodanaunt
ilI
speaktoherfat
her"hewar ned.
Shaka:"
ButBaba,evenifyouar
erel
ated.I
t'
snot
l
ikeIam yourbi
ologi
calson"Mcedi
sipoi
ntedhi
s
fi
ngerathissoni
nwar ni
ng.
Mcedi
si:"
Ihavebeenfost
eri
ngyousinceyouwere
t
enyearsoldsodon'
twanttodi
sassociat
eyour
self
f
rom mef
oragi
rl
"
Shaka:" Iwouldnevereverdosuchat hingbutit'
s
fi
rsttimeIfeelli
kethisaboutawomansi nce
Zandi'sdeath,Baba.I'
m aZikhalisoevenifher
fatherisrel
atedtoyou,hewon' tbetome"he
remindedhi soldman.
Mcedisi
:"Youwerer
aisedi
nt heBhenguhousehold,
Shaka.Idon'
tcar
ewhatbloodsays.Theworldalso
knowsyoubyBhengu"her epri
mandedhisson.
Shaka:"
Onl
ybecauseIdon' tfeell
iketheZi
khali
nameiswort
hyoft herecogniti
on.Theyabandoned
mesoI '
mrai
singthenameoft hemanwhor ai
sed
mehigh"hewhisperedrespectful
ly.
Mcedisi
:"Yether
eyouarewant
ingtobeseenasa
f
uturesoninlawofthef
amil
yinst
eadofthesonwe
r
aisedyouas"
Shaka:"
Baba,
please"bepl
eaded.
Mcedi
si:"
IfChuluisaBhenguyouar eherbrother
sodon'
tcrossthatli
ne.Don'tbri
ngupt heZikhali
namewheni t
'sconvenientf
oryoubutyouwer e
fumi
ngwhenyouhadt odor it
ualsassociat
edwi t
h
i
t.Youar eaZi khalibynameonl ybutal lelsei s
Bhengu.Iam gl adt hatyouf oundawomant ol ove
becausei t'
sbeent hreeyear swi thoutonebutt his
onemi ghtnotbet herightone"Shakawasaboutt o
saysomet hing"No, Shaka.We' lltalkaboutt hisaf t
er
mymeet ingwi thherf ather"heputt hemat tert o
restfort hedayl eavingShakaf eel i
ngdef eat ed.He
reall
yl ikedChul uandhedi dn'
tmi ndwai t
ingunt il
Qhayi yawasol denoughf orChul ut ogi veher
attentiononl oveagai nbutheknewt hathi sf ather
woul dnotal l
owi tandhehadgr eatr espectf ort he
manwhor aisedhi m andt aughthi m whati ti stobe
aman. .Hepl annedont el
lingChul uwhent hey
reall
ygott oknoweachot herthathewasShaka
Zikhali.ShakaBhengui sthecr eat i
venameand
sincehemetChul ui nacr eati
vespacehef elthe
neededt ogi vehert hatname.Hewant ednot hingto
dowi tht heZi khalinamebutMrBhenguwas
unsuccessf ulinadopt inghi m sohehadt okeept he
Zikhaliname.Hewasadvi sedt okeepi tfor
tradit
ionalr easonssohi schi l
dr enwoul dknowt heir
truefami l
yname.WhenShakawasni nehi spar ents
diedwhent heirhousecol l
apseddur i
nganat ural
storm.TheZi khalif
amilyshowedt hem thathewas
onlygoodt othem whenhi spar entswer estil
lali
ve.
MrBhenguandhi swifetookShakai nandt hereis
notadayShakaf el
tunwantedi ntheBhenguhouse.
Totaket heBhengunamei nternationalthr
oughhi s
artwashi swayoft hankinghisf ather.Whathe
l
ovedmor eaboutChul uwashowcomf ort
able
Nandiwasar oundher.Thetwol adiessatdownand
Shakakeptl ookingathisfatherbet weenhis
conversati
onwi thChulumanco.
BabiniandCrai
gsatdownandwe' rehavi ngthei
r
plannedbabydate.Craigcoul
dn'
ttalktoYandias
shehadt ogotoGugul et
huearl
yinthemor ningbut
Babiniwasmor ethanhappytoexplaintoCraig
whatYandisaid.
Crai
g:"
Idon'
twantt
ogotherebutImust
.Thel
ast
ti
meIwentwastogoputflower
sandacrosst
her
e
butIwasfor
cedsoyeah"
Babi
ni:"
Keepmywi
fesaf
e,Kni
ght
"
Cr
aig:"
I'
llbri
ngherbacki
nonepiece,
Ipr
omise.I
t
mustbedi f
fi
cul
ttobemarri
edt
ohersometi
mes
huh?"Babi
nishookhi sheadquickl
y."Soi
twouldn'
t
havebeeneasierforhertobemar r
iedtoanot
her
heal
erwhounder stands?"Babi
nisatbackand
l
ookedatCraig.
Babini:"
She'
smar ri
edt oBabiniZweni, atr
adit
ional
manwhot ri
esbyallmeanst ounderstandher
call
ingandassistwher eneeded"Craigcouldsee
thathedidn'
tappreciatehi
m askingsucha
questi
onsohehel dhi shandsupt oshowhemeant
noof f
ence.Twoladieswal kedovertot hei
rtable
andwhent heywer eheadingf ort
hepr amsi nwhich
thebabiessatheblockedt hem beforetheycould
evengetapeak.
Babini
:"Idon'tknowwhot hehellyouareandImost
defi
nit
elydon'tknowwhatmakesyout hinkyou
werewel comet othi
stabl
e"helookedatbothof
them.Thecl eavageswerehighupt ot
heirchi
ns.
Lady:"Wej ustwantedt
ocomeseet headorabl
e
babies.Tri
pletsar
esocuteIcouldj
usteatthem up"
shebentf orwardandherbr
eastswerel
it
erall
yin
Babini'
sfacebuthemovedherback.
Babini:"
Gogetyourmantohumpyouandmake
yourown.Goeatyourdamnl unchandstop
wantingtoeatmykids"Cr
aiglaughedsof
tl
y.
Lady2:"
Justasneakpeek"
Babini
:"Getyourdir
tyhandsoffmychi l
dren's
fucki
ngstrol
ler
.Mywi fesagesusbeforewel eave
homesogowi thyourtai
ntedener
gies"hest ood
andthat'
swhent heysawt hathewasnotj oking.
Them:"
Mxm"t
heysai
dbef
orewal
kingof
f.
Crai
g:"Youdoknowtheywer
en'
tgoi
ngt
oreal
lyeat
them r
ight
?"hel
aughed.
Babini
:"Idon'
tcare.Theysai
dit
,Ii
magineditandI
gotangeredbyit.Ihopeyoudon'
tmakerandom
peopletouchmygr andchi
ld"
Crai
g:"Thetri
pletstr
oll
eri
stheonethatgrabs
att
enti
on.Itwasl i
keQhayiyaandIwereinvi
nci
ble.
Sohaveyoumanagedt ogett
othebott
om ofthehit
andrun?"
Babi
ni:"Avebarelyl
etmetouchmyphoneletal
one
anyothergadgets.Shewant
smetorecoverwhen
I'
m notevensi
ck.Hadtocar
ryhertothecarso
she'
dgot oGugulet
hu.SoI
'l
llooki
ntoitnowwhil
e
she'
saway"
Crai
g:"
Coul
ditbef
rom yourpast
?"Babi
nishookhi
s
head.
Babi ni
:"Theywoul dhaver anmeoverwi th
somet hingmuchbi ggerandst rongerbefore
shoot i
ngmei nt heheadt omakesur ethatI '
m dead.
Thiswasei theradr unkf oolorsomeonewhot hi
nks
Icanbef uckedwi t
h"hel ookedatt hetr
ipletswhen
hehear dsomesounds.Hepi ckedImiupandst ood
up" Excusemewhi leIgochangehi m"Cr aigdrew
thepr am closert ohim andQhayi yamadeal oud
noisewhenher sfacedt heirs.
Craig:"Don'
twaket hem"hewhi speredbef ore
kissi
ngQhayi ya'
scheeks.Her emember edthe
ti
meswhenhehadt ol
ookaf t
ert het winsaloneand
hecoul dn'
trememberhi m beingsocal m andwell
organizedasBabiniwas.WhenBabi nicamef r
om
therestroom heaskedtospeakt ot hemanager .
Themanagercamer ushi
ngt ot heirtablet
hinking
somet hingwaswr ongwiththei rfood.
Babini
:"Whenwillyouguysbuildnappychanging
st
ati
onsi nt
hemen' srest
room?Doyouguysknow
howuncomf or
tableiti
stochangeababyonyour
l
ap?"Hewasdeadser i
ousleavi
ngt hemanager
wit
houtwords.Craighadbeenwonder i
ngt hesame
whenheusedt ogooutwi ththeboysalone.
Manager
:"Thel
adi
esr
est
room hast
hem,
sir
"he
sai
dpoli
tel
y.
Babi
ni:"
Dowelookli
kel
adi
est
oyou?
"hepoi
ntedat
hi
mselfandCr
aig.
Manager
:"No,
siryoudon'
t"heshookhi
shead.
Babi
ni:"
Butyoudoseet hatwearefathersri
ght?"
themanagernodded"Thenwhyonear t
hdof at
her'
s
havetostr
ugglet
ochanget hei
rki
ds?Ther eare
ti
meswhenwear eoutwit
houtourwivesandt oput
mydamnchi ldonthefl
oorisnoopti
onsomyl apis
obvi
ouslythesol
uti
on"
Manager:"
Youarethefi
rstgentl
emantobri
ngitup,
sirsowenevergavei
tmucht hought
.I'
l
lruni
tpast
theowner"
Babi
ni:"
IbetyouI
'
m nott
hef
ir
stf
ather
i
nconveni
encedsodot
hat
"themanagerapol
ogi
zed
agai
nbeforegoi
ng.
Craig:"Notinthebestofmoodst oday.Comel et
's
gobef oreoneoft hem needsanappychangeand
youhaveKumkaniConst ructi
onwor kerscomebuild
thosest at
ionsforfree"t
heybot hlaughed."Doyou
everkeepanyt hingtoyour sel
f?I
'mj ustwonderi
ng"
Babini:"
Andgi vemyselfunnecessar
yheadaches
thi
nkingabouti tal
lday?Fuckno!Don'tt
ellmethat
youhaven' tgott
enangrybychangingacryingbaby
onyourl ap"
Craig:"
Ihavebutt
henIr
emembert
hati
t'
snotmy
establi
shment
"
Babini
:"Ourmoneysust ainitsot
heleasttheycan
doisgetthei
rli
tt
lecustomer scomfort
abletoo.Li
ke
bui
ldchangingstati
onsf orbothmother
sand
fat
hersandnothavet hem inladi
esrest
rooms.
Father
schangedi aper
st oo"
Crai
g:"
You'vet
akenfat
herhoodwit
hallit
sglory.I
nevert
houghtyouhaditi
nyouactual
ly.You'
resti
ll
arudebast
ardbutagoodf ami
lyman"
Babini
:"Ar
eyouexpecti
ngat hankyouforthat
i
nsultmaskedasacompl i
ment ?"Cr
aigl
aughedand
shookhishead."
You'
renottooshabbyyour sel
f,
Tamkhulu.Soshoul
dIwaitforyouorwor kwith
Mzualone?"
Cr
aig:"
Waitf
orme.Someonehast okeepremi
ndi
ng
Mzuthathe'
sagoodmanbef oreyoutur
nhimint
o
adamnmachi ne"Babi
nil
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Ihearyou,Kni
ghtakaBhengu.Youpromise
tobri
ngmywi fehomesafe,man?"helookedat
Crai
g.
Craig:"
Ipromise,brother"theyshookhandsf ir
ml y
andBabi nil
ookedi ntoCraig'seyesandsawt ruth.
Thet woofthem finishedtheirdrinksbefore
headingtotheKni ghtshouset owatchsomespor t
s
withtheboysandbabi es.Yandiwassur etostock
thenupwi thenoughmi l
kf orthedaysot herewas
nowayt hebabieswoul dst ar
ve.Chulucal l
edtot el
l
Craigaboutthemeet i
ngwi thMcddiandCr aig
suddenlylookedfor wardtohearwhatt hemanhad
tosay.He'switnessedMakhul uHl ereunitwit
hher
l
ongl ostdaughter.Hewi tnessedBabi nir
eturningto
hisfamil
ysoi tfel
tgoodtof i
nal
lyhaveal eadt hat
mightunitehim wit
hhisfather'
sfamily.He'dwai t
forYanditotellhi
m whent heyl
eavef orthestates
wherehewoul duncoversadmemor iesbuti thadto
bedonei fthatwil
lmakehi sfat
herrestinpeace
S2-
INSERT38
Craigrentedacarf orthedur at
ionofhi
sst ay.Unli
ke
ChuluheknewDur banwel lsonoGPSassi stance
wasneededashemadehi swayt oChulu'
shot el
.
Hehopedt hatitwouldnotbef ull
ybookedbecause
oftheinfluxofpeopl ewhower ethereforthe
fest
ival.Chulugavehi mt henumberofherr oom so
hedidn'tevenhavet ocallandask.Shetookawhi le
toopenupandCr aigthoughtaboutOthu'swor ds
andhopedt hatShakawasnoti nsi
dewi t
hher .She
hadat owelwr appedar oundherbodyandhead
whensheopened.
Chulu:"
Dad"shegavehim suchat i
ghthugone
wouldthinkshe'
dbeengonef ormonths.Cr
aig'
s
eyeswentaroundtheroom foranysignofShaka.
Cr
aig:"
Youal
one?
"Chul
upul
ledherl
ipst
oonesi
de
whi
lel
ooki
ngathi
m.
Chulu:"
I'
m notentert
aini
ngShakai
nmyroom,
dad"
shestoodasidetolethiminandhewasgl
adt
osee
thatshewasalone.
Cr
aig:"
Ididn'
tment
ionnoShaka"hewentt
oget
hi
mselfsomewater
.
Chulu:"IknowMamat el
lsyoueveryt
hingsoIknow
shement ionedhowimpressedIam byhim.Rest
assuredthatit
'snotr
omantic"shewenttosi
tonthe
arm chairopposi
tehi
m.
Cr
aig:"
Sohowhaveyoubeen?
"hesmi
led.
Chul
u:"Idi
dn'tknowI
'dmissyouguyssomuch.I
can'
tevenstandhavi
ngthebathr
oom t
omysel
f."
Crai
glaughed.
Cr
aig:"
Ithoughtyourbrother
sareli
kesl
ump
cr
eatur
esast heyleavethebathr
oom di
rt
y"t
hey
l
aughed.
Chul
u:"
Imi
sstheslumpcr eat
ures"shesai
dina
l
owtonewhi
let
hinkingaboutthetwins.
Cr
aig:"
Soonedaywhenyou'
remar
ri
ed,
mom andI
shoul
dexpecttoseeyouever
yday?
"hej
okedand
theyl
aughed.
Chul
u:"I
'
llbuyahousenextdoor.Iknowyouguys
won'
tli
keQhayiyabei
ngfarei
ther"
Craig:"Qhayiyaisourbaby.Youhadherwhi le
unmar ri
edandsheonl yknowsourhome.No
Qhayiyaismovi ngout"Chul ulaughedathow
quicklyhisfacialexpressionchanged.Notsol ong
agohesai dChul uwouldf eeleverychall
engeof
beingamot heryethedoesn' tlikethethoughtof
Qhayiyamovi ngout."Tellthi
sShakaoket ostay
away, Chulz"Chul ufel
ttooawkwar dtotalkt
ohi m
aboutboys.
Chul
u:"
Dad,Mamaal
readyhadt
hatt
alkwi
thme"
shel
ookeddown.
Crai
g:"WellshesaidImustr epeatitwhenIlook
youintheeyesoI '
m doi
ngwhatsheasked.Idonot
l
ikethesetalkswithyoueither
.Asidefrom t
his
Shakapossiblybeingrelat
edtoyout herei
s
Qhayiya.Yourmi l
kranoutonusandyouknowshe
l
ikesbreastmilkeverynowandt hen.Haditnot
beenf orMal umekaziQhayi yawoul dhavecr i
ed
her selfintoacomayest erday"Chul ufel
therself
feelsad" Wear en'
tsayingwer egr etyoubeingher e
becausewewantyourcar eert opickupbutwear e
sayi ngt hatQhayiyadoesn' tneedyourat t
ention
beingel sewhereatt hemoment .Youcan'tcompar e
your selft oImangeunf ort
unat elywemenar e
privilegedbecauseourbodi esdon' tchangeatal lso
nochi ldmustgetmi lkfr
om usandhecandat e
soonaf teryourbreakupbecausehei snotpr imary
car etakerofQhayi ya.It
'sunf ai
rIknowbuti t
'show
i
tis"her epeat
edtheexactwor dsOt hutoldChulu
overt hephonesoi twascl eartoChul uthatthey
wer eont hesamepage.
Chulu:"I
'm notcompar i
ngmysel ftoImange, dad
andyesi t'
sunfairbutit
'showitis.Ijustfeelhappy
fort
hef ir
sttimeafterhedumpedmenotbecause
I'
minl ovebutbecauseImetsomeonewi ththe
samei nter
estsasme"shesai dwhilestil
llooki
ngat
thecolourfulmat.Shecouldn'
tlookherf atherinthe
eyewhi l
etheyhadsuchadi scussion.
Cr
aig:"
Andwe'
rehappyt
hatyou'
ret
aki
ngi
nas
muchasyoucanbutkeept hesocialli
featabare
minimum.Getdr essedsodadcant akeyououtfor
breakf
ast .I'
vemissedyou"Chul usmi l
edwhenshe
fel
thislipsonherf orehead"I
'l
lgoaski ft
heyhavea
room availablebutifnotyou'
l
lhavet oall
owyour
oldmant osleepont hecouch"Chululaughedas
shewat chedhi m walktothedoor.Imangecall
edas
Chulurolledhereyes.
Chulu:"
Imange"shesai
dassoonassheputher
phonetoherear.
I
mange:"
Hey,
yougood?
"
Chulu:"I
'
m good.Ican'
ttal
kbecausesomeone
speciali
staki
ngmeoutf orbr
eakfastj
ustnow"she
smiled.
I
mange:"Soyoualreadymetaman,Chul
umanco?
Doyouknowthatthesemenyoubabymama'sdate
mol
estourchi
ldr
en? "
Chul
u:"Hol
ditri
ghtthere,I
mange"sheheldafi
nger
up"Am Iwit
hQhayiyahere?"hedidn'
tanswer"
If
youweresowor r
iedaboutothermencomingint
o
mylif
eforyourdaughter'
ssakethenyoushoul
dnot
havebr okenupwi t
hhermot her!
"sheshoutedin
frust
rati
on"Notthatyouneedanyexpl anati
onbut
thespecialmanI '
mt al
kingaboutismyf at
her.
You'vehadt wogirl
fri
endssinceourbreakupso
don'ttal
ktomeaboutal readyhavingamanwhen
youjumpedagi r
laweekaf terwespli
t"hecould
hearthatshe'sangry.
Imange:"I
'm sorr
ythatcameoutwrong.I
'mj
ustnot
readyf
oranot hermantobeint
roducedtomy
daughter
"
Chulu:"Idon'twantanyman!Whydoesn' tanyone
getthat.Idon'twantyounoranymanI '
vemet
here!
"sheshout ed" Iwasgoi ngtohavet his
conversationwithyouwhenwesaweachot herbut
sinceyoudon' tseem tomi ndanovert hephone
answert henthereitisIdon'twantyouback,
Imange.Mydaught erhasbeent heoneper sonthat
hasbeenoccupyi ngmymi ndsinceI'veleftnota
man"sher eal
lydidn'twanttohavet hediscussi on
overthephonebuthel ef
therwithnochoi ce.
I
mange:"
I'
m sor
rythatIbot
her
edyou,
Chulumanco.
Tel
lmewhenyou'r
ehomesowecandi scusst
he
babypar
ty"
Chulu:"I'
lldos..
."shehear dabeepi ngsoundaf ter
heendedt hecallandshecoul dnotbel i
evethathe
hungupbef oresheevengott ofi
nishhersent ence
"Great,
Imangeyoumessupandwhenyouwantt o
comebackandIt ellyounoyouactt hevict
im.
Wow. ..
justgreatTakaQhayi ya"shesai dwhile
shakingherheadl ookingatt hephone.Shet ypeda
texttoImanget ell
inghi m howr udehehadj ust
been.Thedooropenedagai n.
Craig:"
Managedtogetar oom onthebottom f
loor
"
hetookChulu'sphonewhenhesawshewas
i
gnor i
nghim"Chulumancopl easegetdr
essed.I
thoughtI'
dfi
ndyour eadythat'
swhyIgaveyou
space"helookedather.
Chulu:"
Itmustbenicet
obeaman, dad.I
tmustbe
real
lyni
ce"sheshookherheadandtookhercl
othes
tothebathr
oom t
ogetdressed.
Cr
aig:"
Ijustaskedyoutogetdressedf
orbr
eakfast
whatdoesthathavetodowithbeingaman?"he
st
oodlookingconfusedbyherchangeofmood.He
dial
edOthu'
snumberandt ol
dherthathel
anded
safel
ybutshesoundedtoobusytotal
ksohe
promisedt
ocallagai
n.
Othuwasbusygetti
ngQhayiyareadyf
ortheday.
Sherememberedjusthowmuchofast ruggl
eitwas
tohaveababyandwasgl adthatsheandCraig
didn'
tgetpr
egnantagai
n.
Othu:"PhawuandQhawe, IhopeIwon' thavet orun
afteryout wowhenI '
m doneher e.Youhadbet t
erbe
readyf orschool!"sheshout edf rom herbathroom
andcoul dheart hem saysomet hingbutshecoul d
hearwhat" IswearyourMal umesneedasmuch
attenti
onasyoudo, Nana.Idon' tknowwhyNonii s
notinyet .Ihopeshewon' tletusdown.Makhul u
hasameet i
ngsoonsoIcan' tbel at
e"shesai dwhil
e
dressinghergr anddaught er"Yourmommymust
returnalready"shepi ckedQhayi yaupandki ssed
herbef orewalkingwi thhert otheki t
chenwher ethe
boyswer edressedandr eadyt ogo." Hol
dherf ora
whi l
e"shegaveQhawet hebaby.
Qhawe:"
Pari
ri
,qhayi
-qhayi
,mar
omarokaMalume
Qhawe"hehel
dQhayiyaupandwatchedherf
lash
hernewwhi
tet
eet
h.
Phawu:"Yousoundr
idi
cul
ous"hepl
ayedwi
tht
he
baby'
stoes.
Qhawe:"Don'
tbejeal
ous.Youcannotmakeher
l
aughsodon'tjudgemymet hods"heconti
nuedto
saywordsthatmadenosensebutcl ear
lyQhayi
ya
l
ovedthem.TheywatchedOt hurundownthe
passagewit
hherheelsi
nhand.
Othu:"
Don'
tjustst
andther
e.Getmom somet oast
orsomethi
ng"shesai
dwhilefixi
ngherhai
rand
Phawuwenttogetthedrytoast.
Phawu:"Mama, i
sitsafet
oassumedadkeepsus
organi
zedinthemorningbecausethingsar
efal
li
ng
apartwi
thouthi
m"Ot hugavehim alook.
Othu:"We'l
lseejusthowmucht heyfallapart
shouldIdecidetoleave"Phawucamewi ththet
oast
"Somebut t
er-nyana,Luphawu?"shehel dthebread
betweenhert eet
handhecamewi t
habr eadknif
e
thathadalit
tlescoopofbut t
ertobutterthebread
whileitwasinhismot her'
smout handQhawe
l
aughed."Qhawet r
y,sisNoniagainplease"she
sai
dwhil
echewi
ngwhenshewastheonekeeps
tel
li
ngt
hem t
onevert
alkwi
thf
oodi
nthei
rmouth.
SisNoni
:"Yhuuusorr
y,Madam.Mytaxibr
okedown
ontheway"shesaidwhil
eoutofbr
eathbefor
e
taki
ngQhayiyaf
rom Qhawe.
Othu:"I
t'
sokay, Noniandpleasecal lmesi sOthu.
Thismadam st oryi
shonest l
yjustt oomuch"Noni
nodded" Everyonewhoi sgoi
ngwi t
hmeoutnow"
shewat chedt heboysheadt ot hedoorandshe
fol
lowed" Oh, Nonipleasedon'tgiveherthatbaby
porri
dge.ItoldChul uitmakeshert ummyupsetbut
moder nmot her'swantquickthings.Imadeher
veggieandf ruitpuréesshelovest hem andsodoes
hertummy"shesai donherwayandf el
ljustasshe
wasaboutt oexi t.
Noni
:"Hayi
,madam wam!"sheshout
edbefor
e
r
unni
ngt oOthu'
ssi
debutOthustoodli
keaboss
l
ooki
ngasthoughnothi
nghappened.
Othu:"
Nowordaboutthistoanyone"shepoi
ntedat
Noniandt
heybothlaughedbecausetheyknewthe
boyswoul
dhaveevent akenavideoandsentitt
o
theirdadandChul u.Othurantothecarwi t
hher
halftoastandbr eathedwhenshesawt heywer e
sti
llonschedule.Shedr oppedtheboysof fand
didn'tevebtrytogetkissesoutoft hem.Fer relher
PAf ixedherupl i
keachi l
dbeforeshewenti nt
oher
offi
cef orameet ingwithoneoft heirbiggestcl i
ents.
Shedi dn'twanttomessup, shecoul dn'taffordto
becausemanywai tedonhert oprovet hatshegot
theposi t
ionbecauseofdaddy' sname.Hour swent
byandLer at
ohadbeenwant i
ngt obef riendswi t
h
Othusi ncesheseemedt ovi
sitt
heof fi
ceof t
en.
Lerat
o:"
Howar
eyouset
tl
ingi
n?"shel
ookedat
Othu.
Othu:"
You'
renotgetti
ngcompanysecr et
soutof
me"theybothlaughed"Gogetanothermulebut
warnthem becauseMrZweniwillcatcht
hem out
"
shewarned.
Ler
ato:"
Qui
teamant
hatbr
otherofyour
s"she
smil
ed.
Ot
hu:"
Qui
teamarri
edmant ooandsoareyou"
Ot
huknewaboutLerat
o'smari
talpr
obl
ems.I
t'
sjust
str
angehowhappytheyl
ookedonmegazi
necover
s
yetbehi
ndcl
oseddoorsi
twasrocky.
Ler
ato:"
Jef
fandIar
eli
ker
oommat
esl
atel
y"
Othu:"
Bringt hespar kbackLer at
o.You'vebeen
marri
edal loffiveyearswhi chisstil
lfai
rlynew.I
t'
s
normalfort heexcitementtofadesomewhatbutgi r
l
getyourcr eat
iveelement sout"Leratolaughed"Or
youdon'twantt oeventry?"Lerat
oshr ugged.
Lerat
o:"
Hejustdoesn'
texci
temeanymor
e,you
know"Othushookherheadhonest
ly.
Ot
hu:"
Ireal
lydon'
t"
Lerat
o:"Qui
teamant hathusbandofyour
stoo.
Clear
lyhim andyourbrot
herhaver
oughedgesand
knowwher ethegym is"
Othu:"
Iknowt hatIpromisedtonotbr i
ngmyclaws
outbutthatisi
nt heboardroom asfarasmy
marri
ageisconcer ngir
rrr
l"sheheldhernai
lsout
andLeratolaughed.
Lerat
o:"Iwoul
dn'
tdoyoul
iket
hatbutIdonotknow
yoursist
eri
nlawsoIowehernot
hing"shesi
pped
herwat
er.
Othu:"Getoutoftherebecauseyoucl
earl
ydon't
knowBabi ni.Youseehimt odobusi
nesswit
hyou
andI'm sureeventhenhe'sputyoui
nyourplace"
Lerat
osmi ledandnodded.
Ler
ato:"
Tri
edt
oshowhi
mthi
ght
heot
herday"
Othu:"WellIknowmysi steri
nlawandI 'm not
comf or
tablewitht
hisconversat
ion.She'smybest
fri
endsoIwi llt
akethefangsandclawsoutf orher
too"shetoldLerat
oclearl
ywher eherloyal
tieswere.
Ler
ato:"
Howl
onghasshebeenyourbestf
ri
end?
"
Ot
hu:"
SinceIwasi
nmyt
went
ies"
Ler
ato:"
Andhedi
dn'
tnot
iceheral
lthoseyear
s?"
sherai
sedabr
ow.
Othu:"Trustme, hesawherandl ovedherthefir
st
momenthel aideyesont hatsmoothchocolat
e.
Babiniismyf ather'
slovechil
dsoweonl yrecentl
y
methim"Ler atonodded.Ther ewasaknockand
Yandiwal kedinandgr eet
ed.
Yandi
:"Ar
eyoui
nameet
ing?
"
Othu:"No"shest oodandwentt ogiveYandiati
ght
hug"Leratothisismysisteri
nlawandbestf ri
end
YandisaZweni "Lerat
olookedatYandisa'
scasual
wearfrom headt otoe"Ave,t
hisisLerat
omysi st
er
i
nbusi ness"theyshookhands.
Lerato:"Iguessyou'r
etheluckywomanwhoi s
mar r
iedt oBabini"Yandil
ookedatOthu"
Ididn'
t
pict
ur eyoutobeso. .
.sosi
mpl e"Ot
huwasaboutto
answerbutshegaveYandiachancet odefend
herselfi
nstead.
Yandi:"
Ibel
ievenaturaliswhatyoumeant .Notall
womenar ei
nt oarti
fi
cialbeautyandIcanassure
youthatmyhusbandl oveshiswomanwi thasless
fi
lt
eraspossible"Othumadet humbsupbehi nd
Lerat
o.Ayoungmancamet odeli
versushi
.
Ot
hu:"
Idi
dn'
tor
deranyt
hing"
Ler
ato:"
OhIdi
d"shet
ookt
hepackages.
Yandi
:"Sal
monmakesherbr eakoutinarashso
shedoesn'
tli
kesushi
"YandilookedatLer
ato.
Ler
ato:"
I'
llrememberthatnextt
imebutletmeget
goi
ng.Iforgott
hatIhaveameet i
ng"sheexcused
her
sel
f.
Yandi
:"Pi
tybecauseIcamewi
thenoughf
oodf
orus
al
l"
Ler
ato:"
Nextt
ime"sheai
rki
ssdOt
hu'
scheekand
l
eft
.
Yandi
:"Isthatyournewfri
endyou'
vebeen
negl
ecti
ngmef or?
"shesatdownandtookoutt
he
cont
ainerscontai
ningherfood.
Othu:"Friend,Iwascl osetoki cki
ngherf orsaying
ourmenar e"quit
et hemen"sheopenedt he
containerswithsomuchf ood" I
'm sohungr y.Those
ki
dsf edmeahal fbut ter
edt oast.Likeonesl i
ce"
Yandilaughed" We'lleatfrom thecont ainers.We' r
e
marriedal r
eadyrightsot hatyoushoul dn'teatfrom
containersoryouwon' tgetmar ri
eddoesn' tapplyto
us"shet ookaspoonf ulloffoodandf eltli
ke
huggingYandiagai n.
Yandi:"
It'
sact
uall
ypots"t
heylaughed"Soyour
comfortabl
ewithbei
ngfri
endswithherthoughshe
cal
ledyourhusbandadishinaway? "
Ot
hu:"
AsmuchasIr
espectLer
atoi
nbusi
nessand
wanthercloseinthatdepart
ment ,
Iam wise
enoughtonotbringherintomyf amil
ylif
e.Shesaw
Craiginpassi
ngandt hat
'sasfarasit'
l
lgo.Isense
aVivicather
easf arasmenar econcerned"she
saidhonestl
y.
Yandi
:"Wel
lI'
m notsol
uckybecauseshe'
soneof
myhusband'
sclient
s"
Othu:"He'
snotevenl ooki
ng.I'
vebeenabl et
or ead
him welll
atel
ysincehe'sbeenmaki nghimselfmore
accessibl
etous.Rightnowhi sfocusisonfinding
thepersonwhor anhim over"Yandi'
seyeswidened
"YeahIknowyouguysar ekeepingthatfr
om mebut
Ididn'
tgocr ybecauseCrai
gsaidt hatwhyhe
doesn'twantmet oknow"Yandil aughed.
Yandi
:"Iwasswor ntosecrecy,f
riendandeven
bl
ackmailedbecausetherewast alkofnotgett
ing
ki
ssesandcuddlesshouldIt al
k"theybothlaughed.
Ot
hu:"
Iunder
stand"shel
aughed.
Yandi
:"So,madam CEOI'
m act
ual
lyher
etot
alk
busi
ness"Othusmil
ed.
Ot
hu:"
Weunf
ort
unat
elydon'
thavemoneyf
or
anot hercommuni typr oject"Yandilaughedbefor
e
tell
ingOt huaboutt hehomecookedmeal sl
unch
packagesshe' dl i
ketosel ltoKCst affandhowshe'l
l
goaboutt aki
ngor dersanddel i
very"ChefYandii
s
finall
ybei ngarealit
y"shesai dwithexcit
ement"I
t
seemst hismanofyour si sonami ssi
ontoturnal
l
ofusi ntobossl adies"theyl aughed.
Yandi:"Don' tevensayt hat.Zosul
wei salready
beingsatr ightnextt ohi m whenhewor ksandl it
tl
e
missywi llbel ookinglikesheunder stands
everythi
ng"t heyl aughed" Babiniseesempl oyment
asaf orm ofsl avery,fri
endsopl easebar ewi thhim
andhi smi ssiontogetal lofusindependent .He's
nowl ookingatwaysf orChul utotreatherar tad
businessandt heonl yr easonheagr eedforChul uto
getagi f
tt hatwi l
lhavehergonef ort woweekswas
becausehesawt hesemi narsonschedul et here"
shesmi led.
Othu:"
He'sbeenamazing.Craigsaysyesterdayhe
hadtherest
aurantonstandsti
lldemanding
changi
ngstati
onsforfather
s"theylaughed.
Yandi
:"IswearIdi
dn'
tfeedhi
m kor
obel
a"shehel
d
herar
msupandt
heyl
aughed.
Othu:"
NoI'
m sur
ethatmanyfat
her
sfeelt
hesame
wayhedoessoI'
m gladhebr
oughti
tup"they
l
aughedagai
n.
Yandi
:"I
sn'
tthi
swomanmar
ri
ed.
..Ler
ato?
"Ot
hu
shr
ugged.
Othu:"Onpaperyesshei
sbuti
tseemsi
nthe
sheetsno"
Yandi:"
Lethergogethor
nyforsi
ngl
ement hen.I
thoughtyousai
dshehatedbri
ngi
ngotherwoman
down"
Othu:"I
nbusi ness,fri
endi nbusi
ness.LikeIsai dI
sensetheVi vi
cavi be.Youknowt hosef li
rtywoman
whowoul dgoasf arassi tt
ingonaman' slapand
stuffhi
sf acei nherchest "Yandididn'tl
ikethe
thoughtonebi t"Butdon'twor r
yhe' l
ltel
lherwhere
togetof fthesecondhel earnsthatshehasacr ush
onhi m asI '
m certainmyhusbandwoul dtoobutin
anicerway"sheshookherhead." SomustIl et
ordersbet akenf oryourfood? "
Yandi
:"Nextmont
hbecauseIneedt
odomeal
pl
anni
ngfir
st.Ar
eyousti
llhappy?
"Ot
huwent
ar
oundthetabl
etohugher.
Ot
hu:"
Iam,
fri
endt
hanksf
oraski
ng.Ar
eyou?
"
Yandi
:"Ver
yhappy"shesmi
led.
Othu:"
Ihopethepoli
cefi
ndthatper
sonwhor
anmy
poorbrot
heroverbef
orehedoes"
Yandi
:"Crai
gsaidt
hesamet
hing.Doyout
hinkhe
wil
lki
llt
heperson?
"
Othu:"Mybr ot
herisnotamonsterbutheisan
alphamal eandtheygoteachpeoplewhocross
them alesson"Yandiwassuddenlyconcer
ned
"Whenar eyouandCr ai
gleavi
ng?"
Yandi:"Pl
easecomewi thhi
m, Ot
hu.Ican'
tcomfor
t
anothermansohe' l
lneedyou.Pl
easetryt
oputin
l
eavef ornextweek.ThesoonerwegothesoonerI
ret
urnt omyf ami
ly"
Ot
hu:"
Qhayi
ya?
"shel
ookedatYandi
.
Yandi
:"Okayl
et'
sdoi
twhenChuluisback.Please
don'
tmakeanyimpor
tantmeet
ingsthatweek.I
knowhowbusyyoutendtobel
atelyandImiss
you"Ot
hupromisedtoavailher
self."I
'vegott
ogo.
I'
m meet
ingmyhandsomemanf orlunch"she
smil
edandstuckhertongueout.
Ot
hu:"
Iwaswonderi
ngwhyyouar
en'
teati
ng.
Wher
earemybabiesi
fyout
woaregal
avanti
ng?
"
Yandi:"
Mommyanddaddyneedsomet i
meout.
Yougavemet heseti
pssodonotdare"Othu
l
aughed."We'veneverhadadoubl
edat e,
Othunyi
weyo.Likejustadat
eni
ghtforusf our
toget
her"i
tfi
nallyhi
ther.
Ot
hu:"
Crai
gisnotgoi
ngt
oagr
eet
osuch"
Yandi
:"Yeahnei
therwil
lBabinibutwear
esmar
t
womenr i
ght?
"shegrinned.
Ot
hu:"
Tri
ckt
hem i
ntoi
t?"
Yandi
:"Wemakeitl
ookl
ikei
t'
sacoi
nci
dent
almeet
"
shesuggest
ed.
Othu:"
Thosetwowil
lgr
eeteachot
herandl
eadus
toourseper
atet
abl
es"shecoul
dalr
eadypi
ctur
eit
andsocouldYandi
.
Yandi
:"Whyar
etheyl
iket
hat
?"
Othu:"
Craigdi
dn'
tli
kei
twhenIsuggestedwedoit
withPoppyandMzuandheandbhut ihavet
hisl
ove
hatefr
iendshi
p"
Yandi:"ThoughtthatIwastheonlyonewhonoticed
that
.WhenCr ai
glivedwit
husBabi nikeptr
emi
nding
Crai
gt onotbet oocomfortabl
e"
Othu:"
AndIbetmylastcentthatCr
aigwouldhave
donethesame.It
'sl
ikebr
otherswit
hunresol
ved
i
ssues"sheshookherhead.
Yandi
:"Sonodoubl
edat
eni
ght
?"
Othu:"
Useyourwomanl
ytal
ent
stomakeyour
husbandsof
tandI'
l
lwor
konCraig"t
heyl
aughed.
Yandi:'
Thet
hingsweshoulddotogett
hem t
odo
cutethi
ngswit
husbuttheyarewil
li
ngtogo
toget
herwit
hbabies"
Othu:"Don'tgi
veyour sel
faheadachet r
yingt o
understandtheirfr
iendshipjustbehappyi tkinda
exist
s"theylaughed" Goflauntthosecurvesandget
usadoubl edat e,
Sista"t
heyhi ghfivedbefore
l
aughing.Yandist oodtotot oherlunchdat e.Othu
tookthefoodt hatremainedandl i
teral
lyhadsome
stafftakeabiteandtheycoul
dn'twaitf
orYandit
o
sellherfoodtothem."Ideser
vemar ket
ing
commi ssi
on"shesentYandiatext
.
Babi niwasnotatt heeateryyetsoYandiwentt o
thecount ersincei twasnotar estaurantwith
wai t
ers.Sheor deredt hei
rfavouri
tesandst ood
wai t
ingfortheor derwhenagr oupofl adiesnearly
broket hei
rneckst olookedatthet al
lhandsome
manwal kingin.Yandineverr eali
zedt hatBabinigot
somuchat t
entionf rom l
adiesunti
laftertheLerato
encount er.Shepr etendedtonotnot i
ceandf el
thim
hugherbef orebur yi
nghisf acehim herneckand
kissingit.
Therewasnowayshewoul dn'tgiggl
elike
at eenagerandt hecashi ersmiledwhi lel
ookingat
them.
Cashi
er:"
Yout
wol
ookver
ycut
e"shesmi
led.
Yandi
:Thankyou"shesmi l
ed.Babinicarr
iedt
he
tr
ayswit
ht heirf
oodwhil
ewalkingbehindher.He
coul
dn'
trememberadayhesawheri njeansandhe
l
ovedtheviewsomucht hathewi shedshecould
j
ustwalkinfrontofhi
m al
lday.
Babini
:"Ntl
izi
yoyam, wherehaveyoubeen
fl
auntingyoursel
fbeforet
his?
"Yandilookedathi
m
confused"Idi
dn'tevenknowyouwor edenim"Yandi
l
ookedatherbot tom andsmil
ed.
Yandi:"
Ifoundi
ttheotherdaywithOthuwhenI
wenttohelpherchoosesuit
s.It
'samommyj ean
andit'
ssocomf or
tabl
e"Babinil
ookedundert
he
tabl
e.
Babi
ni:"
Itl
ooksver
ymuchl
ikeagi
rl
fr
iendj
eans"
Yandil
aughed.
Yandi:"
WelltodayIam yourgir
lf
ri
endsoI'm gl
ad
thatIworeit
.Iwasf l
aunti
ngiti
nf r
ontofOthuand
yourcrush"shelookedathim.
Babi
ni:"
What
'
sthat
?"
Yandi:"
Someonewhol
ikesyouandappar
ent
ly
showedyousomethi
gh"Babiniwasi
nthedark
"Ler
ato"
Babini
:"Andsheshowedmet
high?
"her
aiseda
brow.
Yandi
:"Never
mind,
baby"shesai
dwhenshesaw
t
hatshehadnoi
deawhatshewasonabout
.
Babini
:"SoLeratohast
hiscr
ushonme? "hel
ooked
ather"Ican'
tevenrememberthelastti
meIsawthe
woman"Yandil eanedf
orwar
dt okisshim.
Yandi:"Shoul
dn'thavebroughti
tup,baby.For
get
aboutit"shebroughtthestawtoherli
psanddrank
herdrink.
Babini
:"Youwer eri
ghti
ndoingso.Idon' twantyou
wonder i
ngifIhavethi
scrushthingback.Baby, I'
m
commi tt
ed.Evenchosecommi t
tedfri
endsi nCraig
andMzubecauseMakhul u'
shusbandsai dmarried
menmustbef ri
endswithothermar r
iedmen.I '
l
l go
tel
lLeratowhatIthi
nkabouthercr ushandt hi
gh
thatIneverevensaw"Yandishookherheadqui ckly
becausesheknewhemi ghtlosethecli
ent sLer
at o
gothimt oo.
Yandi
:"For
getabouti
t"
Babi
ni:"NowcanIhavethi
srarealoneouti
ngwith
mygirlf
ri
endwit
houtherbri
ngingupmycr ushesor
whatever?
"heki
ssedher"Todaywear echi
ldl
essor
atl
eastforanhourort
wo"theylaughed.
Yandi
:"Areyounowf
eel
ingateasewi
thmyt
ri
p
wit
hCraig?"
Babi
ni:"
No"hesaidwhilet
akingabiteofhisbur
ger
"I
'
m sousedtoeatinggoodfood,
Icant ast
ethe
j
unkintheset
hings"hemadeadi sgust
edlook.
Yandi
:"You'
respoi
ledthat
'swhy"helaughed"
Don'
t
di
ewhileI'
m goneokay"shejoked.
Babini:"I'
m get ti
ngt hi
nj ustt hi nkingabouti t
becauseIr eallyam aspoi ledhusbandt hatIwon't
denyandyout el
lmeaboutLer ato'sthighswhenI
getthighsonmypl ateandi nmysheet sathome"
Yandibl ushed." SoCr aig'sf at her'sghosti skil
li
ng
me.Nowor riesthoughI '
lldi ei nourhousesomy
spir
itwillbehomehaunt ingyoudonotneedt o
spendt housandst ogogeti t"Yandidi dn'twantto
l
aughbutshecoul dn'thel pi t.Hest il
llovedt he
soundofherl aughsohemadesur etogeti tasloud
aspossi ble" Andhewi l
lcar ryal lyourcost stoo.We
aresavingf orthreechildr ensowecan' taffordan
overseast riptogogethi sf ather "headded.
"Kni
ght sdadmustbeonesweetandki ndghostt o
bequietal lthesedamnyear s"Yandikepthi tti
ng
himlightl
ysohe'dst opbutshecoul dn'tst
op
l
aughi ngandshefeltbad" Gowi t
hasmuch
tr
adit
ionalbeeraspossi ble,hemustbet hi
rst
y.Had
i
tbeenmeIki l
lanythingt hatcrossesmyacci dent
scene.Getasmanyf riendsaspossi ble"hewasso
seri
ousandYandij ustcoul dn'tbeli
eveherhusband.
Yandi
:"Whyareyoul
iket
his?I'
m notsupposedt
o
l
aughatthi
s,babyi
t'
sser
ious"sheshookherhead.
Babini:"Don'tactli
keyou'renott urnedonbyt he
wayt hatIam.Pi tyyou'rewear i
ngyour" mommy
j
ean"becausei fitwereaski r
tandIr eachedmy
handbet weent hosechocol atethighsmyf inger
s
wouldcomebackwet "Yandithrewt her ol
ledpaper
thatwr appedthebur glarathim beforelaughi ng
whilecover i
ngherf acewi t
hser viet
tes.
Yandi
:"I
'm goi
ngt
osell
you"belaughed"
OthuandI
weret
alki
ngaboutadoubl
edate"
Babini
:"What'
sthat?"sheexpl
ained"
SoImust
watchmysi st
erkisshermaninmypr esence?
"
Yandi
:"We'
l
lkeept
heki
ssi
ngout
"
Babi
ni:"
ButIl
oveki
ssi
ngyoubutnool
derbr
other
want
stoseehi
sli
tt
lesi
sterki
ssi
ng"
Yandi
:"Youar
ejustbei
ngdi
ff
icul
t,Zweni
"she
smil
edandsodidhe.
Babi
ni:"
Comebackfrom t
hestat
esi
nonepieceand
I
'l
ldef
ini
tel
ydoi
t"Yandismil
edandwentt
ohughim.
Yandi:"
Prepar
eforadoubledate.I
t'
llbesomuch
fun.Wecangot othebeachtoo"
Babi
ni:"
ThecoldseasonisheresoIpr
efernot
"
Yandil
aughedatthelaneexcuse.
Yandi:"
We'l
ltal
kaboutitwhenIgetback.Baby,
pleaset
ellmethatyou'
llt
urnt
heper sonthatr an
youoverinandnotdealwithi
tyourself.Nextthing
you'l
lbebacktosquareonewhenyou' vewor kedso
hard"
Babini
:"Iwon'tki
llanyonebutIwi llteachsomeone
alessonbeforehandi ngthem over.Nt l
izi
yoyam,
I'
m nevergoingtobet hatsoftmanl i
keMzu, never
.
Notsayinganythingiswr ongwithhi m he'sagr eat
guybutI'm nevergoingtobel i
ket hat.Idon'twant
anyonebeingcomf ortabl
ewi t
hdi srespectingme"
Yandi
:"Idon'
twantyoutobeaMzueit
herbutI
don'
twantyoutohavethosebaddr
eamsagain"
Babini
:"Thatwon'
thappen.Comel
et'
sgobecauseI
real
lycan'
tstomachthi
sfood"hel
ookedathi
sfood.
Yandi :"That'
sokay.Wecangi veittothet wo
gentlemenwesawout si
de"theyputt hef oodback
i
nt heirtakeawaypackagesandgavei ttot hetwo
homel esspeopl et
heysawont heirwayi n.Babini
alsogavet hem af
ewnot esforfoodlateron.Babi ni
tookhi sgirlf
ri
endoutonast rol
linthepar kandfor
awhi leitreall
yfel
tli
ketheywer echil
dlessgi rl
fri
end
andboyf ri
endunti
lYandi'
stopgotst ainedby
breast mil
k.
Craigsatandwait
edf orMcedisi
atalesscrowded
placebecausehedidn'twantanyint
err
upt
ions.
Craigwasshockedwhenhesawamanwhol ooked
l
ikehisfather
.
Cr
aig:"Chul
uwasnotki ddi
ngwhenshesai dhe
l
ookslikeus,Dad"hesaidt
ohimselfbef
orerai
sing
hi
shandatMcedi siwhowasst andi
ngatthedoor
l
ookingaround.Crai
gstoodtogiveMcedi
siafir
m
handshake.
Mcedisi:"
MrCr ai
gKni ght?
"Craigconf
ir
medi twas
him befor
eofferi
ngMcedi sit
ositdown."Youlook
somuchl ikeyoufather"hesaidnotbei
ngableto
takehiseyesoffCraig.
Craig:"Sodoyou, sir.I'
m suret hatwebot hwantt o
getdownt owhatbr ingsusher esodoyoubyany
chancehaveapi ctureofyourbr other?
"Mcedi si
quicklyputhi shandi nhispocket sandhi shands
cameouthol dingpi ctures.Craiglookedatt he
picturesandsmi l
edwheni twasi ndeedhisf ather
ont hem.Mi keKni ghthadadi mpleonhi sleftcheek
andi twascl earinal lthepictures.Asadness
rushedoverCr ai
gandhehadt obl inkafewt imesto
stopt hetearsfrom f all
ing.
Mcedisi:"I
st hatthemanyouknowasyourf ather?
"
hepointedatoneoft hepi
ctur
esandCr aignodded.
Mcedisiwasnotasgoodaskeepi nghi stear
sat
bayli
keCr aigwas.Het ookoutacl ot
hfrom his
pocketandwi pedhisweteyeswithit
.Afterl
ooking
forhi
sbr otherforsomanyyear s,
hef i
nallyf
ound
Crai
g"Wher eishe?IsheinCapet ownwi t
hyou? "
Cr
aigf
eltasti
nginhi
shear
twhenheheardthej
oy
i
nMcedisi
'svoi
cethi
nki
ngt
hatMikewasali
ve.
Crai
g:"
Uhm...
hedi
edinacaracci
dentmanyyear
s
ago"hesai
dnotwant
ingt
obeataroundt
hebush.
Mcedisi
:"Awunkosiyami "heputhishandtohis
chestasthought hel
osswasf reshwellt
ohimit
was.Craigreachedhisarmforwardandheld
Mcedisi
'sshoulderwhil
etheelderwipedhist
ears.
Thewaitercamet oaskifal
lwaswel l
.
Cr
aig:"Hejustrecei
vedbadnews.Pl
easebr
ing
waterforus"helookedatt
heyoungl
adywhowas
cl
earlyconcerned.
Wai
tr
ess:"
Yes,
sir
"shewentt
odoasasked.
Crai
g:"It
houghtChulumancotol
dyou"Mcedisi
shookhisheadwhilewipi
nghisnose."
I'
m sorr
y"
Mcedisicr
yinguneart
hedCrai
g'sownemotions.
Mcedisi
:"Wedidn'tgointodetai
lori
fshedidthenI
i
gnoreditbecauseIwashopi ngthathewil
lbeali
ve.
They.
..
theyareallgone..
.al
l"t
heoldmanst ar
tedt
o
cr
yagainandCr aignoti
cedalleyesbeingonthem.
Craig:"Mycari
sjustoutf
ront.Ifyoudon' tmind
thenwecangosi tini
tandtal k"Craigsettledthebi
ll
forhisjui
ceandtheymadet heirwayt ot hecarfor
privacy."
Whatdoyoumeant heyar eallgone? "
Craigaskedwhentheysett
ledi nthecar .
Mcedi si:"Oursi bli
ngs.Wewer eonourwayt oa
fami l
yweddi ngsowehi redabus.Mysi xsi sters
andf ourr emai ningbr otherswithsomef ami l
y
member spar ishedi nt hataccident"hest art
edt o
cryagai nandCr ai
gf elthisheartsink"NowIhear
thatSakhi lealsodi edt hesameway.Whydi dgod
nott akemet oot hensoIcanbewi thmyf at
her '
s
children?"hishear tbroke.Hewasr eall
yhopi ngthat
Craig'sfatherwasal i
veeveni fitmeanthewasi n
poorheal th.Theagencyal waysmadesur ethat
theirbestassassi nswer ebookedsepar at efl
ights
sot hatshoul dt herebeacr asht heywoul dn'tlose
alltheirbestmember sandCr aigwishedt hatt he
Bhenguf amilyhaddonet hesamebutonedoesn' t
thinkaboutsuchdur i
ngf amilytimes.
Crai
g:"Nowthatissad.Yourchi
ldr
en?
"Cr
aigf
elthe
neededtoaskifhelostmore.
Mcedi si:"Luckil
yShakaandhi sbrot
herswer ealli
n
universitysot heyweregoingtotakeataxifrom
there.Iam nowt heonlyel
derlef
tinthefami l
yandI
havet omysur et
hatmynephewsandni ecesare
caredf or.Iwashopi ngSakhil
ewouldcomehel pme
withtraditionalstuf
f"hewipedhiseyesmor e.
Crai
g:"Sot
hatwashi
snameSakhi
le?
"Mcedi
si
nodded.
Mcedisi:"
Sakhi
leNightBhengu.Hewasbor nat
ni
ghtandbacki nthedayourparentsgaveus
wester
nnamest hatwerest
range.Imysel
fam
Januarybecauseit'
sthemonthIwasbor nin"Cr
aig
l
aughedsof t
ly.
Craig:"Sohemadehi smiddlenamehi ssurname
butwi thaK"hesi ghed" Whydi dheleave?"heheard
ther easonChulusai dwasgi venbuthedidn't
believeit.Mcedisigavethear r
angedmar r
iage
reasonagai n"Allofthatforanunwant edmar ri
age?
Hechangedhi ssur nameandmovedt oadi ffer
ent
provincebef or
emovi ngt oadiffer
entcountryand
allbecausehedi dn'twanttogetmar ri
edwhenhe
coul djusthavesaidno? "heasked.
Mcedi si
:"Yourgr andfatherhadt wowi vesandIam
thelastbornoft hesecondwi fesoIwaspr actical
ly
ababywhenSakhi lelef t
.That '
st hestorythatIgot
andsoi t'
stheoneIt ell.Itisratherstrangebutwe
dealwi t
hthingsdi ff
erent lysomaybet hearranged
mar r
iagecamewhenheal r
eadymetyourmot her"
helookedatCr aig"Ourf atherdi edcryingoverhi s
fi
rstborn.Ourot herbr otherwentt oJohannesbur g
atthemi nestol ookforhi m becauset hat'
swher e
youngmenusedt odisappeart obacki nthosedays
togetawayf r
om t herur allif
eandchasegol dthere
buthedi dn'
tfindhi m.I'vebeenl ookingbutIwas
notlookingforaMi keKni ghtbutf oraSakhi l
eNi ght
Bhengu"
Crai
g:"Iwasl ookingforKnightfamili
esnotBhengu
orI'
dhavef oundyoul ongago.I '
dstil
lli
ketohavea
DNAt estdonet houghjusttobesur e"Mcedi siheld
outhisarmf orCraigtogetbloodi mmediatelybut
Crai
gshookhi sheadwhi l
elaughing."Fort
unat el
y
nobloodneedst obedrawn, si
r.Isthereperhaps
anyoneofmyf ather'
soldfri
endswhoar estillal
ive.
Maybet heyknowwhyt hismar r
iageangeredhi m so
much"
Mcedisi:"
Yesanol dmancal l
edNgcobobuthei s
notinthecit
ysoyoumustdr i
veouttohi
m"Cr aig
nodded" I
'
vegotnodoubtt hatyouar
ehisson.You
l
ookl i
kehim.Ihavefadedmemor yofhim butthe
pi
cturesdon'tl
ie"heshookCraig'
shandagain.
Cr
aig:"
Ineedt
ogogethi
sspi
ri
tinAmer
ica"
Mcedi
si:"Dot
heyhaveheal
erst
her
ewhowi
llhel
p
youdoit?
"
Craig:"
Mysist
eri
nlawisonesoshei
sgoi
ngt
obe
goingwithme"Mcedi
sinodded.
Mcedisi:"
Iwouldgowi t
hyoubutIam notwell
"he
l
iednotwant i
ngCr ai
gtoknowthathefear
edflyi
ng
"Whenar eyoubringi
ngyourmakoti?Wemightnot
bemanybutwe' dli
ketomeether.Chul
usaidshe
alsogaveyout wohealt
hyboys"hesaidpr
oudly.
Crai
g:"You'
llmeetheralli
ngoodti
meandt heboys.
Let'
stakethingssl
owly.Pl
easegi
vemeNgcobo' s
addresssoIcanspeakt ohim"Mcedi
sinodded.
Mcedi
si:"
Mysonhast
akenl
iki
ngt
oyourdaught
er
butItoldhi
mt onotdar egotherebecauset
heyar
e
rel
ated"hedidn'ttel
lCrai
gthatShakawashisf
ost
er
sonbecausei tdidn'
tfeelt
hatwaytohim
Craig:"
Chul
umancoknowswher ehermot
herandI
standonthematter
.Soisthel
impingf
rom t
hebus
accident
?"Mcedi
sinodded.
Mcedisi:"Iwasi nhospitalforsixmont hsandIwi sh
Ineverwokeupbecauset henewst hatmysi bli
ngs
weredeadandbur i
edwhenIwokeupki l
ledapar t
i
nsideofme.Ihadhi preplacementsot hat '
swhyI
walklinethis.Inwinterthepai n"heshuthi seyes
andCr ai
gknewi twasbad" Whyar et heser oads
clai
mingmyf at
her'
schi l
dren?Ihaven' tbeenon
l
ongdi stancet r
avelssincet heaccident.Shaka' s
fi
ancedi edalsoinacaracci dentnear l
yt akingmy
granddaught erwit
hher "hewi pedhistear sbef ore
theyroll
eddownhi scheeks" NowIwi l
lfearf ormy
sonbecauseShakai sont her oadalot"heshook
hishead.
Cr
aig:"
Somethi
ngsinli
fecan'
tbeexplained.At
l
eastyouandot
herfamil
ymember ssurvived.Can
wegof i
ndaDNAtesti
ngplacenow"Mcedi si
noddedqui
ckl
y.
Mcedisi:"
Iam sohappytohavemetyou.Apar tof
Sakhil
e"hesmi l
ed.Cr
aigl
ookedonl i
neforpl
aces
wheretheycouldhaveDNAt estsdone.Mcedi
si
di
dn'tneedapieceofpapert
ot ell
Yandiscr
eamedl oudlywhensheopenedt hedoor
makingBabinir
eachf orhisguni nhisdr awersince
hewassitti
nginhisstudyt r
yingt oidentif
ythe
numberplateofthecarthathi thi
m.I nsteadof
fi
ndi
ngsomeoneat t
ackingYandiasheassumed
washappeninghef oundPoppy, OthuandYandii n
agrouphugwi t
hawomant hathedi dn'tknowso
sheputhisgunawaybef or
et heladiescoul dseeit
.
Poppy:"Shewasli
ter
all
ysneaki
ngoutaft
ershehad
anint
erviewatKCtobepartofourl
egalt
eam"
PoppylookedatZuko.
Yandi
:"NozukoHans!
"sheputherhandoverher
mouthlooki
ngatthei
rfr
iend.
Zuko:"
It
'smeguys"shespunar
ound.
Ot
hu:"
Ican'
tbeli
evet
hatyouweregoingtol
eave
KCwit
houtsayi
nghi,
Zuko.Whatthehel
l?Yandiwe
l
it
eral
lyhadt
ochaseher
"
Yandi
:"Nooo"shel
aughedoutl
oud.
Poppy:"
Wekidyounot
.OthuandIwereheel
sof
f
chasi
ngthi
sone"t
heyal
llaughedout
.
Yandi:"
Icanjusti
magi
neit
.Whatdidweeverdot o
youthatmakesyourunawayfrom us,
Zuko?"Yandi
keptt
ouchinghertomakesur
eshewasr eal
.
Zuko:"Iwantedyouguystoseemeonmyf ir
stday
atwork.Iacedthatint
ervi
ewbutputi
nwor dforme
MrsCEO"shel ookedatOthu"Soyourf
atherfi
nall
y
gotyoutowor kforhim?"
Ot
hu:"
Heunf
ort
unat
elydi
edbef
orehecoul
deven
wel
comemetoKC"
Zuko:"
What?AhmanI
'
m sor
ry"shel
ookedat
PoppyandOthu.
Poppy:"Saysor
ryt
oYandit
oobecauseshelosta
fat
herinlawwhenKumkanidi
ed"Zukol
ookedat
Yandi
.
Zuko:"
DidLangatur
nouttobebisexual
?"she
l
ookedattheladi
esandt
heylaughed.
Othu:"
Heunfor
tunat
elydi
edt
oo"Zukowasshocked
beyondwor
ds.
Zuko:"Di
dPoppyorOt huturnouttobecl oset
l
esbiansthen?"t
heyalll
aughed"Whatt hehelldid
Yandimarry?"Babi
niwhohadbeeni nvincibl
esince
Yandiopenedthedoorclear
edhisthroatandt hey
allt
urnedtofacehi
m.Yandismi l
edandwentt o
takehishand.
Yandi:"Baby,
thi
sisNozukoHansourlonglostbest
fr
iendandZukot hi
sismyhusbandBabiniZweni
al
sobr othert
otheset
wo"shelookedathersist
erin
l
aws.
Zuko:"
Pleasedt
omeetyou,
Babi
ni"shehel
dher
handoutandheshooki
t.
Babini
:"Li
kewise.I
'vehear
dofyouandseen
pi
ctures"hesaidinhismostpol
it
evoi
ceevert
onot
makeZukof eelunwelcome.
Zuko:"I
'
m sor
rytoaskthi
sbutwhathappenedt
o
Zuko?"shewhi
spered.
Yandi
:"Hedi
vor
cedmef
ornotbei
ngabl
etogi
ve
hi
m ki
ds"
Zuko:"Thatdamnpi g.Goodri
ddancet
obad
rubbi
sh"Babiniexcusedhimselft
ogodohi
s
i
nvesti
gationwork.
Yandi:"
It
'sokay.Ihadtr
ipl
etswit
hmywonder ful
husbandaf ewmont hsago.You'
l
lmeetthem when
theyareawake"Nozuko'smouthfel
lopen.
Nozuko:"
Whatel
sedi
dImi
ss?
"
Ot
hu:"
I'
m agr
andmot
her
"Zukocl
appedherhands.
Zuko:"
Chulu?Thebabyhadababy?Youguys
wherehastheti
megoneto!"sheputherhandson
herhead.
Othu:"
Youar et
heonet hatwasgonef ortolong,
Zukowithoutwarni
nganddi dn'
tevencall"t
heyall
heldhands.Nozukolookedattheshinywooden
fl
oorandthenatthenwi t
heyesfil
ledwithtears.
Zuko:"AndImissedyouguysal
otbutIhadtodoi
t.
Storyforanot
herdaybutf
ornowIwanttocat
chup.
Please,pl
easedon'
ttel
lmeMakhul
uhaspassed"
shelookedatOthu.
Ot
hu:"
Asi
def
rom t
hepr
essur
ethatkeepsher
healt
hunst
ableshe'
sasstr
ongasanox"Zuko
breat
hedwhil
ehereyeswerecl
osed.
Zuko:" WhataboutMat o?"shelaughedand
everyoner ai
sedabr ow"OhMar i
rit
heslay
everything"shesmil
edwhi leshakingherhead.
"Fel
icia?"OthuandYandil ookedateachotherand
thenatPoppy" Whatdidyoudo, Poppy?"shelooked
atPoppy.
Poppy:"
Wekindagossipedaboutt
hem nowt
hey
keepusout
"shelookeddown.
Zuko:"Youknowwhatwemustdo?Goawayagai n
aswedi dthatti
meyearsago.Weneedar et
reatso
wecanj usttal
kandfor
give.Ican'
tvi
sitt
woand
thentheothertwot
omor r
ow.Sowhenar ewe
going?"
Yandi
:"Wearewivesandmother
snow, f
riend"she
l
ookedattheot
hers."
Whathappenedtothatlady
doct
oryouweredati
ngwhenyoul ef
t?Ar
eyouguys
marri
ed?"
Zuko:"
Mylif
ehasbeenboring.Let
'sdoiti
nabout
twomonthsbecauseI
'
llneedtosavefi
rstanyway"
theothersladiescouldseethatshedidn'
twantto
tal
kabouther selfsotheyl
etitbe.Yandiwentto
makedr inksforeveryoneandtheytoldherallt
hat
shemi ssed.Shemett hetri
plet
sandt heytal
kedfor
hoursbuteachhadsomet hingtogodoorki dsto
gohomet odot heywouldmeetupagai nsoon.
Babini
:"Iwasabouttoshootwhoeverwhenyou
screamed"hesaidbehi
ndYandiwhensheclosed
thedoor.
Yandi:"Didn'
tmeantoscareyou,baby.Iwas
exci
tedt oseeher.Wowit'
sbeenovert enyears
si
ncewel astsawher.
..t
enyears,baby.Iwonder
whereshewentandwhyshebr okecommuni cat
ion"
shelaidont opofhi
m onthecouch.
Babi
ni:"
Wantmet
ofi
ndout
?"Yandil
aughedsof
tl
y.
Yandi
:"No,
det
ect
ive.I
'
llwai
tunt
ilshet
ell
sus"she
ki
ssedhim.
Babi
ni:"
Nowyou'llgi
veyoursel
fmi
grai
nes
wonderi
ngunti
lshetell
syou?Youhumansar
e
weir
d"Yandil
aughedout.
Yandi
:"Whatar
eyou?
"hesmi
led.
Babi
ni:"
Acreat
urefr
om anothergalaxywhofeltthe
fr
equencyofabeaut
if
ull
adyher eonearthsoIleft
andcametomeether"Yandismiledbefor
ekissing
hi
m.
Yandi
:"Al
ienZweni
"
Babini:"Youwer egoingtorunusabat h.Inearl
y
tol
dthi sZukotocomebackt omor r
ow.Howl ong
mustIwai tunt
ilIshowhermyt r
uecolours?"Yandi
l
aughedoutandhadt oputherherhandoverher
mout htonotupsett hekids.
Yandi:"
Shinethem bri
ght,
sthandwasam.I '
m not
ashamedoft hem.Iloveyou"theykissedandl
aidin
eachother
'sarmsbef orei
ttheywoul dbat
hthe
tr
ipl
etstoputthem tobedforthenight.
Chuluwasexhaust edaft
erdinnerwit
hCraig.She
wasact uallyshockedtolear
nthatsheandShaka
arerelated.Shakacaughtherjustasshewas
unlockingherhoteldoor.Sheinvi
tedhiminsideand
cl
osedt hedoorbehindher.
Shaka:"I'
m notaBhengu.I'
m aZikhal
i"he
confessedbefor
eexplai
ning"Ir
eallyl
ikeyou,
Chul
umanconotasaf
ri
endbutwaymor
e"
Chulu:"Thi
ssituati
onwillonl
ycompl i
catemyl i
fe
Shaka.Idon'twantthatbecauseit
'l
ltakemyf ocus
from t
hemosti mpor t
antthi
ngswhichi smy
daughterandcar eer
"shekeptthedistancebetween
them.
Shaka:"Thetwothingsyou'llneverhearme
encourageyoutoleaveorgi velessat t
enti
onto
becausemyl i
ferevolvearoundt hosetwot hi
ngs
toobutIalsocan'
thel phowIf eel.Idon'twantt
he
daystoendbecauseIl ovedoingallthesecreat
ive
thi
ngswi t
hyou"
Chulu:"You'reagr eatguyandI 'm surehadwemet
atadi f
ferentti
meandwedi dn'thavet hisfamil
y
thingwe'dhaveseenwher eourf ri
endshipcoul dgo
butrightnowIj ustcan' t
"shetookhershoesof f
.He
steppedcl oserandChul ulookedatt hosel i
psthat
madeKi m weakt ot heknees.Shesuddenl y
wonder edwhyherownkneesf eltweak.Hi shands
gentlyheldherneckandChul ucouldf eelhiswarm
breathtoherf acet hat'
showcl osehewas.She
didn'tmoveasshesuddenl yfeltshecoul dn'
t.He
l
eanedf or
wardandshef elthiscooll
ipsr
estonher
for
eheadandshecl osedhereyesandcoul df
eel
herheartbeatuncont
rol
lably.Hemadeeyecontact
again.
Shaka:"Irespectyourr easons.You' r
eanewmot her
andIi magineitbeingscar ytoi nvit
eanot herman
i
nt oyourli
fe"theydidn'tbreakeyecont act.He
smel l
edgoodandi tfel
tgoodt oChul ut ohave
someoneshowi nt
erestbecauseshedi dn' tadmitit
buttheImanget hi
ngcamewi t
hsel festeem issues.
Shewasnotgoodatj udgingchar acterbutt hatlook
ofadmi ni
strati
onandr especthehadi nhi seyes
whenhegazedathermadehergetagl impseof
howhesawher" Honest l
yI '
m alsoaf raidoft he
tensionmyf eeli
ngsf oryouwi llbringbet weenmy
fatherandI.He'srightI'm Bhengui nallsense
expectmyname.I twasgr eatmeet i
ngyou"hesai d
i
tast houghi twasagoodbye.
Chul
u:"
Areyoul
eavi
ng?
"
Shaka:"Ihavetobei
nJoburgt
omorr
ow.Whichis
anotherreasonwhyIcan'
tbei
narel
ati
onshi
pbutI
wouldhavecomet oCapeTownasmuchas
possi
ble.ButI'
l
lseeyouinfutur
ef amil
ygather
ings.
Myoldmani ssur
ehe'syourdad'sunclesoyeah.."
hesmiledandChulufinal
lyknewwhi chcel
ebri
ty
hadasimi l
arsmil
etohim anditmadehersmi l
e.
Chul
u:"
I'
llseeyou"shehuggedhi
m
Shaka:" Takecareofyoursel
fandQhayi ya.Surel
y
I'
llmeethersoon.Thi sisagallari
stcontactdet
ail
s.
Giveheracal l.Idi
dn'tpul
lst
ring.Iwasvi ewi
ngyour
wor kont hatblogandshesawi t
.Yourwor kspoke
foritsel
fandshe' l
lbeinCapet ownnextmont h.I'
l
l
getyout icket
swhenIexi bi
tinyourcity"he
promi sed.
Chulu:"
Thankyouforever
ythingandfornot
pushingmetothi
nkaboutthis..
.usorwhatever
.
Thankyou"
Shaka:"Ihat
ebeingpr
essuredt
ofi
nishwor
ksoI
havelongstoppedbur
deningot
her
swi t
hpr
essur
e.
Letmegetgoi ng"
Chul
u:"
KissNandif
orme"
Shaka:"Thatonecr
iedwhenthehai
rst
yli
sttol
dher
thatshemustcutherrel
axedhert
ogetafrotogr
ow
out .SonowI 'm orderedtogof i
ndot herwaysto
turni ti
ntonat uralwhi l
eI'minJozi "heshookhi s
headwhi leheadi ngforthedoor .Apar tofhi
m wil
l
bel eftwithher .Deepdownhewant edt ogoonone
kneeandpl eadwi thhertogi vehim achancebut
thel astthinghewant edust oal i
enateherandmake
thingsawkwar dbetweent hem.Chul ulaughedwhil
e
wal kinghimt othedoor" SeeyouandImi ghtfl
y
backnextweekt ogetthel astofthef esti
veand
takeyoudanci ngsoyoucanatl easthaveaf un
stor ytotellyourMakhul uMat o"theylaughed.
Chulu:"I
'l
lhavemydanci ngshoesr eady"heheld
outonear m andChul ugavehi m anotherhugand
anunexpect edki ssont hecheekbef orewatching
him gointothel if
t.Shef eltasenseofsadness
whent heelivatordoorcl osed.She'dmisshim but
sheknewhewoul dnotst ayfortheenti
refesti
ve
butshedi dn'texpectt ofeelsosaddenedbyhi s
departur
e.Acol dsensat i
ononhercheekbr ought
herbackt orealityandshet houghtitwashim butit
washerdadhol dingicecream.
Cr
aig:"
Iknowmygi
rli
sani
ghtowll
ikeherdadsoI
gott
hesehaven'
tspental
oneti
mewi thyoui
na
l
ongwhile"hewr
appedhisarm ar
oundhershoulder
andki
ssedherheadmakingChulufeelabi
tbet
ter..
Chul
u:"
I'
m gl
adyou'
reher
e,dad"shehuggedhi
m.
Craig:"ThoughtI '
dbecr ampingyourst ylebutI'
m
gladmyl i
tt
leprincessi ssti
lli
ntheresomewher e"
hel aughedbef oretheywenti ntoherr oom andout
ont hebalconyt owat cht hestat
s.Chul ucould
swearshest i
llfel
tthef eelofShaka'slipsonher
forehead.Hisscentcl ungt ogetclothest oobutshe
talkedherselfoutofst arti
nganyf antasieswithhim
i
n.Shewassi ngleandhappywi thoutanymanwel l
exceptf orherfather.Hewast hemanshenever
want edtobehappywi thout.
S2-
INSERT39(
mini
ski
rt
)
Zukohadnopl anst oruni
ntoPoppyandOt huso
unexpect
edly.Whensheappl i
edatKCsheknewi t
wasKumkaniZweni '
scompanybutshemi ssedt
he
newsofOt hubei ngit'
sCEO.Shealsodidn'
tmean
torunawaywhent heyspot
tedherbutasmuchas
shemissedt hem, shewantedtomeetthem onher
ownterms.Zuricamef r
om thebathr
oom andcame
tosi
tonhermot her
'slap.Theygotalit
tl
ebachel
or
apar
tmentsotheywoul dn'
tsleepunderabri
dge
anditcost
edherbutitwasnoti nanupmarket
nei
ghborhood.
Zuko:"
Caref
ul,
youdon'twantmommyt of al
lwith
youinherar
ms"sheheldt hecampchair
ssteady
soZuriwhowasatalll
itt
leonecoul
dsitproper
ly.
Zuri:"
Whydi dwehavetomove,mommy?Nowwe
arewithoutanyf
urni
tur
eandyoumakemeeat
breadandbeansagainwhichIhat
e"t
heel
evenyear
ol
dsul ked.
Zuko:" Mommywentt oapr omisinginterviewt oday
sosoonwe' llhavefurnitureIpromise"sheki ssed
herdaught er '
scheek.Zur iwast helastthingZuko
want edi nherlif
eyetther eshesatwi thher
daught erinanempt yf l
atwi thsavingst hatwer e
slowlyr unningdry.Shemanagedt ofindwor kasa
l
awyeri nMozambi quebutt hepastyearhadher
workingataf actor
ytof eedherdaught erbecause
thecompanyshewor kedf orwentbankr upt.Being
factorywor kerwasbet terthanst ar
vingsoshedi dit
wit
houtcompl
aini
ngasitaf
fordedthenasmal
lli
tt
le
houseandZur
icouldgotoschool.
Zuri:"Yousaidthatamont hagot oo"sher emi nded
hermot herandZukocl osedhereyest r
yingher
hardestt onotshedanyt ears.Shewasgl adt hat
Yandidi dn'
tseehersneakt hebiscuit
st hatwer e
servedi nherbagsoshe' dgi veittoZuri.Sheal so
panickedwhi leshewasatYandi 'sbecauset he
personshel eftZuriwit
ht ogot otheinterviewwas
anei ghborandshedi dn'tl
ikeleavingherdaught er
butshehadnochoi ce"
Wewer efi
nein
Mozambi que.Iwenttoschool ,hadfriendsanda
home"shet oldhermother .
Zuko:"Zuri
,Iknowal loft hat
,mybabybutwhen
mommygotr etrenchedwecoul dn'tstayin
Mozambi queandt hent hef i
reruinedourfurni
ture.
Mommyhasgr eatexper i
encesoI '
l
lfindajoband
wewi l
lhavefurnitureandI 'l
lgetyoui nt
oadecent
school
.AllIaski sforyout obepat i
entwith
mommypl ease"shebl i
nkedhert earsaway
"Mommygotyoubi scuits"shetookt hem outofher
bagandwat chedZur i
'
sf acelightupwhenshegave
t
hem t
oher
.
Zuri
:"ButmommyIsaidIunderstand.Yousaid
cookiesareal
uxur
ythatwecan'taffor
d"Zuko'
s
heartsank.
Zuko:"Theygaveitt
omeatt
hei
nter
viewt
othank
mef orcoming"shel
ied.
Zuri
:"Thankyou"shehuggedhermot
her.The
huggedthatgaveZukoenergyt
ogoonwhent imes
weretough.Shewasgoingtopushsothather
daughterwoul
dhaveadecentlif
e.
Zuko:"Wer
eyouwel llookedaft
eratMaNokhaza'
s
today?
"Zurinoddedbecausehermouthwasfullof
theyummyt reatshehadn'teat
eninmont
hs.
Zuri
:"Shemademeni celunchtoo.Wehadmi nce
wit
hriceandveggi es.Iaskedhert okeepsomef or
youbutsheonl yhadt hatli
ttl
ebitandIwashungr y
sosorryforfi
nishi
ngmi ne,mommy"Zukot hought
abouttheheartymeal Yandiinvi
tedhert ostayfor
butshecouldn'tbecauseshehadadaught ert
o
comebackt o.Sheher selfhadtwoslicesofbread
andbakedbeansbef oregoingtotheintervi
ew.She
l
istenedtoZuritel
lheraboutherdayandshewas
gratef
ulfort
heirneighbourwhowatchedZur
ifor
fr
eewhi l
eshewentt oint
ervi
ews.
Zuko:"Mommyat eatt
hei nter
viewokay"Zuri
noddedherheadandof f
eredhermot herabiscuit
"Thankyou,mybaby"shet ookasmal lbi
teofit
whileitwasinZuri'
shandnotwant ingtotakeallof
i
t.Zuko'sphonerangandYandi '
snamef l
ashedon
thescreen"Shhh"shelookedatZuriwhowentas
quietasamouse.
Yandi:"Iwasjustmaki ngdoubl esuret hatyougave
usther i
ghtnumber .Pleasecomeoverf ordinner.
You'l
lseePoppy'sgi rl
s,you'llseehowgr ownOt hu'
s
boysar eandLucia'
sgi rli
sabi ggirlt
oo.I '
l
lputmy
grudgeswi t
hPoppyandLuci aonhol df oryou.I'
m
wassohappyt oseeyou, Zuko.Iusedt ohavebad
dreamsaboutyouaf teryoudi sappear ed...
"Zuko
heardsniff
ingasYandiwascr yi
ng" I
..
.It hought
thatyouwer emurder edandbur iedsomewher e"
shebrokedownandZukof oughtherownt ear
s.
"Yourfamilywouldn'tevent alktous.I '
m sohappy
thatyouarehomeandheal thy"Zukocr iedbut
wi
pedhert
ear
sof
fqui
ckl
y.
Zuko:"It
oldthem tonotspeaktoyouguysandI '
m
sorr
yformaki ngyouwor r
y,Yandi
.I'
vemissedyou
toobutI'
m busyt omorr
owsoIcan'tmakei t
"she
l
ied.Shedidn'tknowwhatshe'ddowi t
hZuri
becauseZurionherownr equir
edanexplanati
on.
Yandi:"Okay,youknowwher eIl i
ve.Myhusband
mightlookintimi
dati
ngbuthe' sharmlesssocome
anyti
me"Zukohear dBabinilaughi nthe
background.Shewasr eall
yint i
midat
edbyBabi ni
butshekeptcal m"Letmenotkeepyou.Goodni ght
okay..
.Iloveyou.YhobawoI '
llsl
eepwi t
hsucha
happyhear tt
onight
.NdiyabulelaMadl omo"she
thankedherancestorsbecausesheneverl eftZuko
outwhencommuni cati
ngwi ththem.Zukosai dI
l
oveyouandj ustasthecallendedOt hu'
scallcame
i
n.
Othu:"Fri
end,t
omorrowI'm makingmovesI
shouldn'
ttogetyoutoani nt
ervi
ewwi t
hthe
executi
vessinceyou'
reapplyi
ngf oraseni
or
posit
ion.PoppyandIwillcombineallt
hepowerwe
haveinthecompanyt ogetyouinbecauseIknow
thatyouareabadasslawyer
.Youareexact
lywhat
thecompanyneeds"Zukowipedhertear
soffand
Zurihuggedher."
Zuko?"Ot
hucal
ledoutthi
nki
ng
thecallgotcut
.
Zuko:"I'
m here,
fri
end.I'
mjustoverwhelmedbyall
ofyoubecauseIr eall
ymissedthis.Havi
ngpeople
tojustfal
lbackon.Thankyousomuchf orthe
str
ingsyou'l
lbepulli
ngandIpr omiseyouthatIwi
ll
notletyoudown"Ot hu'
sownt earswererunni
ng
fr
ee.
Othu:"Weneverstoppedl ovi
ngyou, fri
end.Wet ri
ed
i
nourownwayst olookf oryouevenaf teryour
familysai
dweshoul dn't
.Ourpr ayershadyour
namei nthem.Ourbi rthdaywi sheswer eyou.We
l
oveyou.OhmygoodnessZukoyou' reback"she
l
aughedbet weentear s."Will
youbeabl et ocomet o
dinnertomorrownightatmyhouse?I 'l
linvitethe
otherladi
es.Iwannashowyouhowt alltheseboys
areandyou'llmeetChul u'sbusydaught er"she
l
aughedandQhayi ya'sscreami ngleftZur iwit
ha
smile.
Zuko:"
Ican'
ttomor
rowbecauseI
'
m busybutI
'
lll
et
youknowwhenI
'
mfr
ee"shepr
omi
sed.
Othu:" Doyouneedanyt hi
ngtosettlebacki n?You
knowYandiandBabi ni
'
soldfurni
tureisstil
lin
storagesi ncetheymovedi nt
oaf urnishedhouse"
Zurigavehermot heranexecitedlook" Saytheword
andmybr otherwil
lbeatyourdoor stepbyt heend
ofdayt omor r
owwi thit
"Zukokeptqui et"I
t'
snot
charity,Zuko.It'
sjusttohel
pyouset tlebackagain"
sheaddedwhenshecoul dsenseZukowasabout
torejectherhel p.
Zuko:"I
fIt akeinanymorestuffi
nthi
st i
nyf
latt
hen
Iwil
lfalloverthem"theyl
aughed"Thankyouso
mucht hough"shewi pedhertear
soff.
Othu:"
Tel
lmewhenyou'refree.Ial
readyt
oldCrai
g
andmykidsyou'
reback.Chuluissoexcit
ed.Il
ove
you"shesmi
led.
Zuko:"
Iloveyoumor e"sheendedt
hecallandasi
f
i
twasawel lorgani
sedplanPoppycal
led.
Poppy:"I
'm st
il
lthatannoyi
ngPoppythatyouknow
butmyhusbandandki dshumbl
emesodocome
havedinnerwithustomor r
owpl
ease"Zukoturned
herdownt
oo.
Zuko:"
Iswearyouguyswantmef
at"shej
okedand
l
aughed.
Poppy:"Youaresti
llt
hatslenderZukoweusedt o
know.I'
m sogladyou'rebacktotakeyourplaceas
refer
eebetweenteam Lucia-
PoppyandOt hu-Yandi
team"shelaughed.
Zuko:"
Andyoujusthadtobetheonet
ost ar
tthe
wrest
li
ngmatchbutbestbel
ievet
hatI
'
llendit"t
hey
l
aughed.
Poppy:"Yhooonowt hatyou'r
ebackwemustgo
part
yjustonceasweusedt obackint
heday.Luci
a
can'
tcallbecauseshe'sint
hebushcampingwith
hermanandt hei
rchi
ldren"
Zuko:"
It
'sokay.Letmegot
obed"
Poppy:"
Loveyouandmygi r
lssayhi
"shehear
d
gi
rl
yvoicesgreet
inginthebackgr
oundandZuri
smil
edagain."Ni
ght"shemadekissi
ngsounds
bef
oreendingthecall
.
Zur
i:"
Mommywhydon'
tyougovi
sityourf
ri
ends
andIcanplaywit
htheirki
ds?
"shesuggest
edwit
ha
wif
esmileonherface"Andeatni
cerf
ood"shej
ust
hadtoaddthatdet
ail
.
Zuko:"We' l
lgowhenMommyhasaj ob.Iloveyou"
shet i
ckledherdaught erwhenshesawt hatZur i
wassul kingandZur i'
slaughfil
ledt heempt y
bachelorf l
at.Alltheyhadwer et hesmal lclothes
theycamewi t
handmoneyf orbr eadeachday, a
campchai randsomebeddi ng.At erriblefir
e
destroyedever ythingofthei
rsandwhenZukogot
retr
enchedsheknewshehadt or etur ntoSout h
Afri
caasl i
vingcondi t
ionswer ebet terthanon
Mozambi que.Sheappl i
edforever yj obt hereisbut
theywoul dn'tevenhi r
eherasacl eanersoshef elt
KCwasherl asthope.
Zuri:"
Whenyouworkpleasebuymeabicycl
eand
brandnewschoolshoesforwhenIgot
oschool
"
Zuko:"Iwi
llspoi
lyourot
tenbecauseyou'
vebeenso
matureaboutmommy' ssit
uati
onandyoushouldn'
t
havetobebutI '
m gr
atef
ul"
Zur
i:"
Alsogetusabed.Myr
ibsar
esor
efr
om
sl
eepi
ngonbl
anket
s"t
heyl
aughed.
Zuko:"Queensi
zefi
tforayoungqueen"she
promisedwithasmi
le.
Zuri
:"Ir
eall
y,r
eal
lywantt
omeetthegi
rlsthatsai
d
hiwhentheirmommycall
ed.Ial
mostsaidhitoo"
shelaughed.
Zuko:" You'llsayhisoon"shepr omised.Zukot old
Zur itogobr ushhert eethandshewentt othelit
tl
e
kit
chenar eaandhel dupt hefoursli
cesofbr ead
thatwer elef t
.Hert ummymadear umbl i
ngnoi se
butshei nst eadhadagl assofwat ersot hatZuri
willhavesomet hingtoeatt omor r
ow.Shehadt o
keept hel itt
let heyhadl ef
tforrentandt ransportto
i
nter views.Li fei nMozambi quewashar denought o
settleintoatf ir
stbutshehadt omakei twor k
especi allywhenZur iwasbor n.Sheputt hebr eadin
acont ainerandwentt of i
xtheirli
tt
lesleepingplace.
Shehadal otofexpl ainingtodot oherf ri
endsbut
shewasnotr eadyfort hatjustyet.
S2-
INSERT40
Cr
aigmadet
hedr
ivet
oavi
ll
aget
omeetNgcobo
andsinceMcedi siwant edt ogowi thhi m, heagreed.
Hewant edt oconcl udeever ythi
ngi nKZNbecause
Yanditoldhi mt hedat ethattheywoul df lyout.
Babinical l
edtot ellCraigthatYandiwi llnotbe
payingforherownf l
ightandaccommodat i
onbut
Craigalreadyhadt hatsor tedashedi dn' texpect
Yanditopaymoneyt ogohel phi m.Yandisounded
l
ikeshewasr eadyt ogobutwi t
hOt hugoi ngwi th
theyhadt owaitf orChul utogobackhome.The
greeneryar oundwasexapt i
onalmaki ngCr ai
g
wonderwhyvi l
lager schasedci tyli
fewhenGod' s
creati
onwasi nf rontoft hem.Cr aigcoul dsee
himselfgr owinghi sowncr opssohi sf ami lycould
eatsoheknewt hathadhegr ownupi nsuchan
areahewoul dn'tbeaci tyfan.Mcedi sit ookof fthe
baretthathewor edailytocovert hescaronhi s
headast heymadet heirwayi ntotheNgcobo
househol d.Craigshookt hehandsoft hemenaf ter
Mcebisidi d.
Mcedisi
:"Mapholoba,
Iam sorr
ytoj
ustcometo
yourhousesounexpectedbuti
twasamatterof
i
mpor t
ance"alongwoodenbenchwasbroughtout
andMcedi siandCr aigsatdowntohaveapr oper
conversat
ion" ThisisCrai
gKnight,
mynephew.He
i
st hesonofSakhi l
e"Ngcoboputhishandoverhis
mout hwhilelookingatCraigbef
orestandi
ng.Crai
g
stoodtooandt hemenshookhandsagai n.
Ngcobo:"Shongololo"hepatt
edCr ai
g'sshoul
der
twicewhil
esti
llholdingCrai
g'shandwi t
htheother
hand.Theysatbackdownagai n"Whereishe?"the
elder
lymanwi t
hanal lwhi
tebeardlookedat
Mcedisiwhoshookhi sheadslowl
y.
Mcedisi:"
Ihear
dafewdaysagot hathedi edl ong
ago"Ngcobocouldnotbeli
evet hathi schil
dhood
fr
iendwasdeadbuthewasabl etost aystrongnot
wanti
ngt oshowmuchsadnessi nf rontofot her
men" Mynephewhereisheret oaskyouabout
Sakhil
e.YouknowthatIwasachi ldwhenbaf olef
t
homeandyouar etheonlyli
vingf riendofhi s"
Ngcobonoddedwhi l
eatt
entivel
yl isteni
ngt o
Mcedisi.
Ngcobo:"Soyouwanttoknowther
ealreasonwhy
yourf
atherlef
thi
senti
refami
ly?
"helookedatCr
aig.
Cr
aig:"
Yes,
sir
"Ngcobot
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Ngcobo:"Youarenowaskingmet orevealasecret
thatIsworet
oneverletoutbutIguesshim bei
ng
gonemakesi tf
ine"
Mcedi
si:"
Soyouknowanotherstor
yothert
hanthe
oneofhimrunni
ngfr
om marri
age?"Ngcobonodded
"AwuNgcobowhyhaveyounottoldus?"heasked.
Ngcobo:" Youmustaskandyouwi l
lbetold, Bhengu.
Hi ssoncamef r
om f artoaskandIwi l
ltellhim.I '
m
aper sonf ullofot herpeople'ssecretssomeol der
than40year sandI '
m onlytell
ingyoungCr aighi s
father '
ssecr etsf orhealingpur poses"hel ookedat
Cr aig.Craigknewt hattherewasmor et othest ory
thanr unningf r
om anar rangedmar ri
agesohe
madesur ehi sfullfocuswasont hevill
agesecr et
hol der."Yourf atherwasamemberoft hemkhont o
wesi zwe.Heusedt omakesur et hathiscomr ades
crossedt heZambezi safelytogodot heirgor i
lla
traininginnei ghbor i
ngcount ri
es.Skill
edshoot erso
what evertreatcamei twasshotdowni nst antlyby
Ni ght"theol dmansmi lethinkingback.
Cr
aig:"
That
'sthenamehewasknownf
or,
Night
?"
Ngcobosmil
edandnodded.
Ngcobo:"Iam al
ivetodaybecauseofyourfather.
Animpimpiwant edtoshootmeandyourf ather
shott
hatspyrightintheheadandatadi st
ancet hat
l
eftustal
kingyearsaf t
ert
heinci
dentaswewer ein
awe"helaughedsoftly.Cr
aigcouldn'
thel
pbut
smil
etooandwonderi fhegothisgoodaimf r
om
hisf
ather
.
Mcedi
si:"
Ineverhear
daboutt
his?
"
Ngcobo:" Youwer efreshoutofnappi esbackthen
soyouwoul dn'
thave.Yourbr otherkepthi spol
iti
cal
l
ifeandf amilyli
feseparate.That '
swhyhewasonl y
knownasNi ght.Youneverhear dussaySakhi l
eor
Bhengubecauset heapar t
heidr egimewoul dhave
trackedhim easierthatway.Yourf athergavethe
policehell
,Ndodanapur ehellandapr i
cewast hen
putonhi sheadwhi chmadet hesni tchesinour
circlepl
othisbetrayal.I
twast hent hatNightmade
thedecisiontodistancehimsel ffrom hi sfamil
y
becauseonet i
met heyraidedhi shomeandyour
grandfatherwasbadl yassaultedbyt hepoli
cethat
day.Nighttoldust hathewasgoi ngtoexil
eand
he'ddosounderaf al
senamebutdi dn'tgi
ve
detai
ls"heblinkedawayhi stears"Il
ostabrother
becauseoft hebr ut
alsyst
em ofapar t
heidandthe
MKl ostoneofi tsbestweaponsexper t
"hef i
nal
ly
tookouthiscl ot
ht owipehistears.
Mcedi
si:"
Andyou'
vesai
dnot
hingal
ltheseyear
s?"
hegotupset
.
Ngcobo:" WhenIgi vepr omisetokeepasecretI
sti
ckt oit.Theytorturedmeandel ect
rocut
edmeso
I'
dtellthem wherehewaswhenheoncewentona
missionbutIwoul dr at
herhavediedthanbea
snit
chf ortheoppr essors!
"heshoutedastheanger
wascl earlysti
llt
her e.
Crai
g:"
Sohelefttogotoexil
eandnotbecausehe
fear
edmarr
iage?"Ngcobolaughed.
Ngcobo:"Ohno, Hl
engiwet
heyoungmai denhewas
goi
ngt omarrywasasdeeplyinlovewit
hhim ashe
waswi t
hher.Somuchsot hatthe.
..
"hekeptquiet
andlookedatthem bef
orecl
osinghismouth.There
wasclearanothersecr
ethesworetokeep.
Mcedi si:"Mapholoba,Sakhil
ehasdi edsoheisnot
goingt obeanger edbyyout ell
ingushissecret
s.
Thef ami lyknowsthatyouendedupmar ryi
ng
Hlengiwe.Hi ssondeser vesthetrut
hsoifyouknow
mor e,tellus"NgcobolookedatCr ai
gwhowas
noddingdesper ately.
Ngcobo:"
Thisonemightwreckafami
lywhoissti
ll
ver
ymuchal i
ve"hel
ookeddown.Hetookpri
dein
bei
ngtheonemanyconf i
dedinsotol
etsecr
etsout
washardforhi
m.
Craig:"
Wepr omi
setokeept
hesecr
et,
sir
"helooked
atMcedi siwhot
ookhi
ssweett
imetonodin
agreement .
Ngcobo:" Theywer esoinlovethatHlengiwegave
Sakhil
eherpr idebeforetheygotmar r
ied.Because
Sakhil
elef twit
houtagoodbyei nthemi ddleoft
he
nightashet houghthewaspr otecti
nghi sfamil
y,he
never.
..
henevergott ol
earnthatHlengiwewas
pregnant"Craig'seyesshotopen.Asiblingaft
er
yearsofbel i
evinghewasanonl ychi
ldwasashock.
Mcedi
si:"
Areyout
ell
ingmeanot
herBhengumust
bebroughthome?Didthefamil
yknowthat
Hlengi
wewaspr egnant
?"herai
sedhi
svoiceand
Ngcobotoldhi
mt okeepitdown.
Ngcobo:"Youknowt hatinourti
meanunmar ri
ed
womanwhowaspr egnantwasashamet othe
famil
y.Shefel
ttooashamedt oletanyoneknowbut
shecamet omebecausesheknewI 'm goodat
keepi
ngpeople'
ssecr ets"hewhisperedandMcedi si
shookhisheadnotagr eeingwit
ht hewayHl engiwe
wentaboutthematter.
Cr
aig:"Whatchi
lddi
dshegivebir
tht
o?Ist
hechi
ld
st
il
lali
ve?"t
hat'
sall
thathecar
edabout
.
Ngcobo:"Ahealthysonandyeshei ssti
llali
veand
around"Crai
gstoodt owalkadistancetopr ocess
thenewsofabr other.Anenti
rebrotherwithwhom
heshouldhavedeal twit
hmostt hingswith.He
wenttositbackdownaf teral
ongwhi l
e.
Mcedisi
:"Wherei
sHlengi
we?Iwanttogomeetour
son?"Ngcoboheldhi
shanduptostophi
mfrom
goinganyfur
ther
.
Ngcobo:"
Youar
einmyhouse,
Mephoandyouwi
ll
respecti
t"helookedatbothhi
sguests"Af
ter
Hlengiwetol
dmeIf el
titwasmydutytohel
pher
hidetheshameandhel pherrai
seherson"he
added.
Mcedisi:"Youhadnobusi nesshi dingBhengu
shamewhenSakhi l
ehadbr otherst odoso.Doyou
knowwhatyouhavedone?Youi ntroducedourson
totheNgcoboancest or
swhent heBhengu
ancestorsaremissi
ngason.Iwi llnotbeshockedif
heisfoll
owedbymi sfort
unes"hesai dinastern
whisper.
Crai
g:"Iseeamanthatst
eppedupt
oprotecthi
s
bestfr
iend'
sfami
ly,
MrBhengu"hel
ookedat
Mcedisi..
Mcedisi
:"Ndodana,t
heconsequencesofsucha
thi
ngarehuge.Itwasnothisdutytoprotectthem.
Zanomoyawasayearyoungert hanSakhi lesohe
wouldhavesteppedupandensur edthattheboyis
rai
sedaBhengu"het ol
dCraiginf r
ustr
ation.
Cr
aig:"
Welli
tisdone.Nowwemustfi
ndawayto
moveforwar
d.Doesheknowthathei
snotyour
s
bi
ologi
cal
,MrNgcobo?
"
Ngcobo:"Nooneknowsbutus.Imarr
iedher
qui
cklybefor
esheshowedsomyf amilyal
so
doesn'
tknow"
Mcedi si
:"Awuyinki ngaphel a"healsostoodtolet
thenewssi nkin.Hecoul dn'tbel
ievethatNgcobo
keptaBhenguchi ldasecr et.Heknewal lof
Ngcobo'sf i
vechildrenbutneveri nhiswil
dest
dreamst houghtthatt hefirstbor
nwast hei
rs
becauseunl i
keCr aigther esemblancewasnotso
strongbutasMcedi sistoodandt houghtabouti
t
mor e,hesawt hosel i
ttl
esi mil
ari
ties.
Ngcobo:"I
'
m sorr
y,Bhengubutatthatt
imemyaim
wastoprotectmaHlel
a.If
eltIhadadutyt
owar
ds
mybrother"
Mcedisi
:"Hewasmybr ot
herandonl
yacomradeto
you.Whatifhehadcomeback?Wouldyouhave
givenhi
m hiswomanandsonback?"
Cr
aig:"Wedon'
tknowandwewi
llneverbecausehe
di
dn'tcomeback"
Mcedi
si:"
Letmegosi
tint
hecar
.Iam t
ooangr
y
andsadtotalkort
hink.Ir
aisedasonwhoi sn'
t
minebutIneverst
ri
ppedhimf rom hi
str
ueidenti
ty
becauseasamanIknowhowi mport
anti
tis"t
hey
watchedhi
m walkaway.
Ngcobo:"Icannothavethi
ssecretoutasi
t'
llr
uin
mywi f
e'sreputat
ionandmyson'sli
fe.Att
hetimeit
f
eltl
iketherightt
hingtodoandIwoulddoitagain"
Crai
g:"AndIrespectyouforit
,si
r.Notmanywoul d
beabletoasyoudi d.Thankyouforrai
singmy
br
other"heshookNgcobo' shand"CanIatleast
meethim pl
ease?"hepleaded.Crai
gwat ched
Ngcobostand.
Ngcobo:" Sakhile!
"hecal l
edoutl oudbef oreraising
hiscanei ntheai r
.Craigstoodandwat chedaman
i
nbl ueover all
smakehi swayt owar dshim.They
clearl
ydisturbedhisgar deningashewasbusy
rubbinghishandst ogethertogett hesoiloff.Craig
couldseet hattheirnosesl ookedsi mil
ar.Sakhile
wasmuchdar kerbutCr aigsawbi tsoftheirfather
i
nhi m.Thatsi ngledimpl eMi kehadont hel eft
cheekr est
edonSakhi le'
sr i
ghtcheek.Sakhi le
shookCr aig'shandi ngreetingafterapologizingfor
t
hedi
rt
.
Sakhi
le:"
Baba"hesai
dasheheadedhi
sfat
her
's
cal
li
ng.
Ngcobo:" Thi
sisCr aigKnightfrom CapeTown.He
hascomet ovisituswi t
hMcedi siBhengubutt he
oldmani snotf eeli
ngwel lsoheisint hecar
.Cr ai
g
thisismyson, Sakhi l
eNgcobo"hel ookedatCr aig
withpl eadingeyeshopi ngCr ai
gwoul dn'
ttel
lthe
secr et
.Craigwasgl adthatSakhilehadhisfather'
s
biologicalname.
Mcedisi:"
Bhengu"heshookSakhi l
e'
shandoutof
nowher eandNgcobonear lyhi
thi
m withhi
sstick
butCraigandSakhi l
est oppedhim"Icannotl
eave
hereknowingI '
veleftoneofusbehind.Sakhi
le
wouldhavewant edbothhisboyshome.Maphol oba
thankyouf orwhatyoudi dbutyouhadnobusi ness
doingitandyouknowi t.TheBhengufamil
ywoul d
haveaccept edHlengiwebecausewewer every
closetopayinglobolaforher"
Ngcobo:"Youcomeanddisr
espectmeinmyhouse?
Theleastyoucoul
dhavedoneisgivemechancet
o
t
alkt
omyson!
"hesai
dinanger
.
Sakhi
le:"
What'
sgoi
ngon?
"hel
ookedatt
hemeni
n
fr
ontofhim.
Ngcobo:"
Go!Leavemyhouse"hesaidwhil
e
pushi
ngMncedisiwhowasalsopushingback.
Cr
aig:"
MrBhengupl easeyou'
llgetusar
rest
ed"
Mncedi
sistoppedf
ightingandwentfort
hegate
wi
thCraig.
Crai
g:"Wearesorry,
MrNgcoboandSakhi lei
twas
apleasuremeet
ingyou.Si r,
thi
sismynumber
shouldyouwanttocont actme"hegaveNgcobohi
s
businesscar
dbeforeleadingMncedi
sitot
hecar.
Mncedisi
:"Hepr
etendstobeafamil
yfr
iendyethe
st
oleourson"Crai
gdroveof
ftoavoi
dMncedisi
goi
ngbackt oof
fendMrNgcobo.
Craig:"Themandi dwhathethoughtwashonor abl
e.
Sakhileseemsl i
keastandupmansocl ear
lyhe
wasr aisedwell
.Youcan'texposesuchasecretand
clai
mt ol ovet
hepersonit'
l
lhurtmost.Iwanttoget
toknowmybi gbrotherbutwedothingsaccording
totheNgcobot erms.Wehavet oconsiderwhatthi
s
wil
ldoinhishouse"Crai
gcoul dn'
tbeli
evethathe
hadtocal
laneldertoorder.Suddenlyhefeltl
ikehe
wasinvol
vedinfamilydrama.Usuallybeonly
suppor
tedOthuwithherf amil
ydramabuti thi
t
homefortheveryfi
rstti
me.
Mncedi si
:"TherearenotmanyBhengumenl eft
,
Craig.SoforgivemeifIgetexci
tedwhenIsee
anotherofmybr ot
her'
ssons.Iwil
lgoapol
ogizeto
NgcobobutIwi l
lnotpret
endtobehappywithhim
steali
ngourson"
Crai
g:"Headoptedhi m whenhemar ri
edhismother
.
Wecanhar dlycalli
tkidnappi
ng.Clear
lyMrNgcobo
hadgreatrespectformyf at
hertobewill
ingto
marryhispregnantgirl
fri
endsoshe'dhavethe
samesecur i
tyhewoul dhavegivenher"
Mncedi si:"Asecur i
tyZanomoyawoul dhavegiven
her.Mysecondel destbrotherwassupposedt o
havemar ri
edHl engiwebutshewentandchose
Ngcobososhecoul dgivehi m ourson"Crai
gfel
ta
headachest ar
twhenher eali
sedjusthowstubborn
Mncedi siis.Craigjustwant edtotakeinthenewof
abr ot
herwi thoutanyi nterrupt
ionssohewentt o
dropMncedi sioffathishomepr omisingt ovi
sit
.He
wasnotr eadyt obei nt r
oducedtotheext ended
famil
yunt iltheygottheDNAr esul
ts.Chuluwasout
atherartthi ngssoCr aigdi
aledOthu'snumber
i
mmedi atel yafterget
tingbacktothehot el.Hetol
d
herever
yt hingandshecoul dnotbelieveit.
Othu:"
Ijustl
ovehowourfamili
esar
ejustcoming
t
ogether.Anenti
rebr
other
,baby?What'
sheli
ke?"
Craig:"
Heseemedqui tereservedandclearl
yisa
ruralmanwhol ovesthequietli
fe.It
'ssostr
ange
though,baby"hesmiled."
Dadl eftanenti
reli
fe
behind.Hisfi
rstl
oveisstil
lal
iveandhenevert ol
d
met hathewasanMKmemberwhocoul dusewar
guns"heshookhi shead.
Othu:" Sohemanagedt ogotoexilei
nLondon
wher ehemetyourmot her
?I'
mj ustt
ryi
ngto
under standthis"shespunheroffi
cechairsoshe'
d
wat cht herai
nf al
lonthebigwindowswhi l
e
l
isteningathi m.
Crai
g:"Ngcobodoesn'
tknowwhathappenedaf
ter
helef
tbutsincet
hat'
swherehemetmom Iguess
hedi
drunof
ftoLondon"
Othu:"
Butheclear
lyret
urnedr
ightsowhydi
dhe
notgotohisf
ir
stlove?"
Crai
g:"Baby,hadhedonethatyouwouldn'thavea
husband"theybothl
aughed"Myguessi shewent
ther
ebutfoundhermar r
iedtohisbestf
riendand
maybeSakhi l
ehadbeenbornalreadysoDaddi dn'
t
wanttoruinthefami
ly"
Othu:"Sohewentbackt oyourmother
,mar
ri
edher
andtheymovedt oSAf oracoupl
eofyear
sbefor
e
heleftforAmer
icaforgood?"
Cr ai
g:"That'swhatIthoughtt oo.Maybet hey
trackedhi mt ot
hewest ernCapebecauser aci
al
tensionwer estil
lhighwhenwewer ekidssomaybe
hewasf orcedtogot oexi lecompletel
y.OhbabyI
haveaheadachej ustthinkingaboutit
.AllIwant
rightnowi syourhug"hewentt obreathinf r
eshair
byst andingatthebal cony.Ot huwantedt ohughi m
toobutt herewasnowayshe' dbeabletojustf l
y
outt oDur banbecauseshehadki dst olookaf t
er
anddeal st oseal.
Othu:"Imissyoutoo"shetookadeepbreat
h"Did
youinvit
ehimt ogowithyoutogogetyourfat
her'
s
spir
it
?"
Crai
g:"
How, Owhenhedoesn' tevenknowt hathe'
s
notbi
ologi
cal
lyhisfat
her'
s?.Plustherearethe
cost
sofsuchat r
ip.We'vebudgetedforthethreeof
usandit'
salotofmoney.EvennowIwantt ocome
backhomeandnotspendonhot elrooms"
Othu:"YoucouldtakeupMrBhenguonhi sof
ferto
accomodateyou"shesuggestedknowi
nghemost
probablywouldn'
t."
OrgocrashonChulu'
scouch
si
nceherstayi sf
ullypai
dbyheruncl
e"theyboth
l
aughedsof t
ly.
Craig:"I
'
mf r
ust
rated,
baby.Wit
hdadandj
usthow
carelesshewas.Youdon'tj
ustl
eave"
Othu:"
Cr aigtheregi
meki l
ledourpeoplebackt hen
soyour eall
ycan'tbeangryathi mforleavingwhen
hehadapr iceonhishead.Wedonotknowt he
magnitudet hei
rhuntforhim was.He'saher o"
Crai
gknewshewasr ight"
Andi tseemst hataimin
thefamily.Wedidgoodbyneverget t
ingt heboys
toygunsorthey'
dhaver
eal
izedi
t'
saf
ami
lyt
hing"
Crai
glaughedout.
Crai
g:"Imissyou"hesai
dinasulkingt
one"Ijust
wantthisallbehi
ndme.It
houghtitwoul
djustbe
hugs,handshakesandseeyouinfamil
ygatheri
ngs"
Othulaughed.
Othu:"
Welcomet ot
hefamilydr
amas,baby"Crai
g
l
aughed."
We' l
lfi
gur
eoutthemoneythings.I
'
m sure
wecanbor r
owf r
om oursavi
ngs"Cr
aigshuthis
eyes.
Cr ai
g:"Mayweneverbur denourchi ldrenli
kethis,
O.
Iheart heexil
eissuebutwhenwer eturnedtoSA
dadcoul dhaver eturnedhomet oatl easttel
lthem
hehadawi feandson"Ot hucouldn'tsensehis
frustr
ation"What'stheuseoff i
ndinghi sfamily
whenIdon' tknowwhyheneverbot her edto
reconnectwi t
hthem?I '
l
lbehomeovert heweekend
okay? "hepromised
Ot
hu:"Ican'
twait,
baby.Thenwecansi tand
di
scussthetr
ip.Everyt
hingel
sewe'
lldealwit
h
af
ter
wards.Iloveyou"Crai
gsmil
ed.Her eal
ly
mi
ssedt
hem al
ot.
Crai
g:"Il
oveyoutoo"hewant
edtokissherandj
ust
holdheral
lday"SoZukohuh?"hesai
dwhenhe
knewthemomentwasget t
ingtoemoti
onal.
Othu:" Shewant snothingtodowi thusevennow,
baby.Spoket otheladiesandweal lsenseshe'
s
hidingsomet hing.Shedi dn'
tevensaywher eshe
l
ivesandwear eafrai
dt ogoaskherf amil
ybecause
l
astt imet heynearl
ythr ewboil
ingwateratus"she
sti
llfeltangrybythet houghtofthatday.
Cr
aig:"
Givehert
ime"
Othu:"Onali
ght
ernote,YandiandIar
eplanni
nga
doubledat
eforusfour"shesaidwi
thexci
tement
..
Crai
g:"
Howwi l
lIkissyouandsl
ipmyhandupyour
dr
essunderthetablewhenBabi
niwon'tevenal
low
ustobreat
hoverhisfood?
"Othulaughedsomuch.
Othu:"What'
swi t
hthelameexcusesf r
om youtwo?
"
theylaughed"Ipromi
setodowhat everyouli
ke
after
wards"shesaidinaseduct
ivevoiceandhe
smi l
ed.
Crai
g:"Okay,nowI '
m consideri
ngit
.Imeanhow
badcanl i
steni
ngtoBabi nirunhisr
udemouthfor
anhourbewhent herewar dwil
lbesweet
aft
erwards?"Othusmi l
ed.
Othu:"It
'l
lbegreat.We'
l
lhavegr
eatfun"shesmil
ed
"Baby,Iunfort
unatel
yhaveameeti
nginaf ew.I
'
ll
callagai
nl at
erokay"
Craig:"
Iloveyou.I
'
llt
akeanapandmaybeyour
verybusydaughterwil
lpi
tyherf
atherandgethi
m
l
unch".
Othu:"
That'
sifsheevenremember st
ogethersel
f
l
unch.Youknowhowsheget s.SoQhayi
yaisno
l
ongercryi
ngforbreastmil
ksinceher
sranout.
Thinkweweresuccessfuli
ngetti
ngheroffi
t"
Craig:"
Thedaysmustj ustgobyfastbecauseChul
u
needstobehome.Atl eastShakaisgone.Ihear
thathe'
snotbloodr
elatedbutsti
ll
"
Ot
hu:"I'
m wit
hyouont hatone.Fer
rel
ljustgaveme
si
gnalsogottarun.Il
oveyouandIreally,
real
ly
missyou.Don'tl
ikesl
eepi
ngbymyself"
Cr
aig:"
I'
llbehomesoon.Il
oveandmi
ssyoumor
e"
heendedt
hecal
landt
hrewhi
msel
font
hebed.
Zukosatwi t
hal lofKC'sexecut ivesasi twasa
panelintervi
ew.Thei nter
viewshehadwi ththeHR
departmentwasnotsoner vewr eckingast heone
shefoundher selfin.I
twasaf i
rstf orhertohave
twointerviewsasexecut iveshar dlybot hered
themselveswi t htherecruitmentpr ocessbutshe
wasappl yingt oheadt heirlegaldepar t
mentsot o
beinterviewedbyt hecompanyheadsmadesense.
ShelookedatOt huandcoul dn'
tbel ievethather
schoolteacherf r
iendsatont hehi ghestchairof
oneofSA' sbiggestcompani esandPoppywhowas
ablesseenotsol ongagowasal soatexecut ive
l
evel.Sheanswer sthei
rdi f
ficul
tquest i
onsasbest
asshecoul dandonceshewasgi vent he
opportunitysheaskedaf ewquest ionsandwas
happyt oheart hatshewasnotgoi ngt ositin
anotherinterviewwi ththeirpanel .
Othu:"Thankyouf orcomi ng,
MissHans.Imustsay
t
hatyourqual if
icat
ionsandexperienceare
i
mpr essive"shelookedatZuko'spapersandi
nthat
momenti twasnotabi asedrevi
ewbecauseZuko'
s
resumewasi ndeedmoreimpressivet
hanthel
ast
ti
met heyremembered.Sheexcludedwor
kingata
factor
ythough.Zukosai
dhergoodbyesleavi
ngthe
executi
vestotal
k.
Poppy:" MissHansi sexact lywhatweneed.Her
educat i
onalbackgr oundandexper i
enceclearly
makeherf itf
orthisposi t
ion"PoppyandOt hu
pull
edt heirweightfort heirfri
end.Theycoul djust
hir
eherbutt heydidn' twanthert obeunder mined
sotheyhadt ogot hr ought herecruit
mentpr ocess.
Thesi ster
smadet hei rwayoutoft heboardroom
andwer eshockedt of indZukoaboutt oexitwitha
l
itt
legirlbyhersi de.Zukogotdel ayedbyZur i
wantingt ouset her estroom andshet ookhersweet
ti
met oo.Shewat chedt heZwenisi stersmaket hei
r
wayt owar dsthem looki ngsur pr
ised.
Othu:"
Who'st
hisadorabl
eli
tt
legir
l?"shet
ickl
ed
Zuri
'schi
nandZuril
aughedsoft
ly.
Zuko:"
Thi
sismyni ece,
Zuri"Zurili
ftedherheadto
l
ookathermothernotli
kingtheintroducti
ononebit
"Mycousi
nissicksoIoffer
edt olookafterherf
ora
fewdaysandIcouldn'
tfi
ndheranannysoshehad
tocomewithme"shespokequickl
y"Iknowit'
s
unprof
essi
onalofme,l
adi
esbutIcouldn'
tleaveher
homealone"sheaddedwhenshesawt hesister
s
l
ookateachother.
Poppy:"
Nonsense"shewavedherhand"Idon'
t
knowhowmanyt imesIwasletdownbymyhel p
andhadtocomet oworkwit
hthegir
ls"
Othu:"Let'
snotshowthatweknoweachot hertoo
wellintheopen.ZukopleasemeetusatYandi '
s.
She'shavingatastet
hinghappeningforherfood"
Zuriactual
lypi
nchedhermot hersoshe'
dsayyes.
Zuko:"
Zuri
?"sheaskedner
vousl
ybef
orel
ooki
ngat
herdaught
er.
Poppy:"Mygi r
lsareaboutt hesameage.Shecan
pl
aywi ththem sobr i
ngheralong.Myhusbandis
doingnightshif
t,Othu'shusbandisoutoftownand
YandisaidBabinihadbusi nesstotakecar
eofso
i
t'
lljustbeusandt hekids"
Zuko:"
Okay,
we'
dli
ket
hat
.Whatshoul
dIbr
ing?
"
Othu:"
Justt
hiscut
ie"shehuggedZur
i.Zukol
eft
befor
ecompromisi
ngherchancesatemployment.
Zuri
:"Mommyar eyouashamedofme?I si
t
becauseIhaveadarkerski
nthanyour
s"Zukoknel
t
downt ol
ookather.
Zuko:"Donoteversayt hatagain.It
oldyouthat
yourskinisbeauti
fulandsoi syournose,eyes,hai
r
andeverythi
ngelse"Zurismiled"I'
m notashamed
butthosecouldbemommy' sbossesandt heysaid
peoplewhoappl yforthejobmustnothaveki ds"
shelied.
Zuri
:"Soyouli
edt
ogetaj
ob?
"sheputbot
hher
handsoverhermout
h.
Zuko:"Mommyjustbendthetr
uthabit.Ni
ecesare
authi
eschi
ldr
entoosoIdidn'
treall
yli
e.Doyou
wanttogotothedi
nner?"Zur
inoddedquickl
y"Okay
butthenwemustsitdownsomommycoul dtel
l
youwhattosaywhenwegett here"
Zur
i:"
ButIdon'
tli
kel
ying"shesul
ked.
Zuko:"Idon'
twantyout oli
eeit
herbutit
'sonlyunt
il
aft
ermommyget sthejob.Ihavealit
tl
eext r
afora
ni
cermealf oryout
oday"Zur it
ookthebribewitha
smile.Zukowascarefulinmakingwreckless
spendi ngbutsheknewZur iwouldn'tkeepquiet
aboutherhappi nesst oli
e.Theywentt oadecent l
y
pricedf i
shandchi psplace.Zukoor deredone
packaget heycouldshareandshehadt ost
op
her selff
rom eati
ngallofitbecauseshewas
star vi
ng.Herneighbourwentt oafami lyaff
airand
Zukowasnotcomf or
tabl
ewi t
hZur ijoi
ningherso
tobr i
nghertotheintervi
ewwasbest .
Zur i
:"Thisi ssoyummy"shesai dbef oreput ti
ng
anotherl ongchi pinhermout h.Itreall
ywasyummy
butZukoat eslowly.She'
deatwhat everZur il
eft
afterhavi ngherf i
ll
.BabiniwalkedinandZukot ri
ed
herbestt ohidebutaf t
erbuyinghiswat erhe
spottedher .Hewasnotonet ogosoci ali
zesohe
pretendedl i
kehedoesn' tseeherandsodi dZuko.
Whatcaughthi sattent
ionwasZur ieyei nganew
i
cecr eam t hatwasadver ti
sedonabi gpost ersohe
turnedar oundandwentt othefri
dget ogeti tand
wentt ot heirtabl
eaf t
erpaying.Hegavei ttoZuri
andwat chedherf acel i
ghtup.
Zuri
:"Thankyou"Zukor
eachedf
ori
tbef
oreZur
i
coul
d.
Zuko:"Doesyourwifeknowt hatyougoaround
buyingicecr
eam forl
it
tlegirls?Whatdoyouwantto
buyhert r
ustforsomesi ckreason?"shemadea
sceneandBabi niwantedt oleavebuthewasnot
abouttoletheraccusehi m ofbadthings.
Babini:"Iknowyoudi dn'tjustimplythatI'
ma
pedophi le"hesaidwhilelookingather"Your
daught erhasbeenl ookingatt hatdamnpost er
si
nceIent ered"hepointedtot hewindowandZuko
l
ookedati tandZuriwasl ookingdownsosheknew
i
twast rue"Youknowmywi f
esoIsawnot hing
wrongi nbuyi ngherfri
end'sdaught eranicecream.
Throwt hedamnt hi
ngawayi fyoul i
kebutdon' tyou
dareaccusemeofbei ngacr eepwhopr eysonl i
ttl
e
gi
rls"hepoi ntedather.
Zuko:"I'
m sorry"shesaidinawhi sperbefor
egivi
ng
Zurihericecr
eam " Thankyou"sheadded. "
Andshe's
myni ece,notdaught er
"shesaidsohe' dsayto
Yandiher anintoherandherni ece,notdaught
er.
Babi
ni:"
Ifyousayso"hewentf
ort
hedoor
.
Zuko:"
Whatdoest
hatmean?
"shef
oll
owedbehi
nd
"Youdi
dn'tl
ikemeaccusingyoubutitsoundsl
ike
you'
reaccusingmeoflyi
ng"sheadded.
Babini
:"I
t'
snotaccusati
onsifi
t'
struenowplease
excuseme.Ihaveserioust
hingstoatt
endto"
Zuko:"
Don'
tgolyi
ngt
oYandi
saandsayi
ngt
hatt
his
i
smydaughter"
Babi
ni:"
You'r
etheoneonedoingt
helyi
ngnotme.
Enj
oyyouricecr
eam,Zur
i"hesmil
edandwaved.
Zuri
:"Thankyou,uncle"shesmil
e.I
thitZukoonl y
aft
erhe'dgonethatshenevergavehim Zuri'
sname
andsuddenlyshebecameevenmor esuspiciousof
Babini
.Shewantedt ograbtheal
readyhalfeaten
i
cecream andthrowitawaybutshecouldn'tbreak
herdaughter
'sheartl
ikethat
.
Babinil
ookedintoZuko' sli
feandher espect ed
Yandinotwantingt ohearitfrom him sohe'dkeep
qui
etuntilZukowasr eadyt otellherf
r i
ends.Hehad
muchmor epersonalissuestodealwi ththanworry
aboutZukowhodi dn'
taskf orhelp.Babiniwasat
Bri
an'sapartmentblockandl ikethepr edi
ctabl
e
mant hatBri
anwashewentt ohi susualgym
session.Babi
niwenttohiscarandBrianhadan
i
njectioninhi
sneckwhichmadehi m unconscious
beforehecouldeventur
nt oseewherethesting
camef r
om.Hewascar r
iedlikeal
ightwei
ghtand
Babiniputhiminhiscar
.Briangotwokenupbya
splashofcoldwateri
nhisfaceandhepani cked
whenhecoul dnotmove.
Babini:"
Damn,Br
ianIthoughtIki
ll
edyoubef
oret
he
funevenbegan"helaughedandpretendt
obe
rel
ieved.
Bri
an:"Wheream I?"helookedaroundasbestashe
couldsi
ncehisfeetandhishandswer eti
edmaking
himlookli
kestarf
ish"Youtiedmeuponat r
ain
rai
l?
"hesaidwhenhesawt het
racksnextt
ohim.
Babini:"
Let'
svideocall
,daddy"hesl appedBr i
an's
cheeks.MrDambuzaSnrwasnotonet ogetvideo
call
sbuthef oundhimselffeeli
ngcur i
ousast owho
woul dcal
lhiminthatmanner .Hespi l
thiscool
coffeewhenhesawhi ssont i
edonat rai
ntrack
cryi
ng."Yourbiggestmist
akei ntryi
ngt orunme
overwasusi ngalit
tl
eboxcart odoi t.TodayI
thoughtI'
dshowyouhowt odot hejobproperlyand
sinceyoui nvolvedmywi f
eIt houghtit'
sonlyf
air
thatIinvolveyouronl yson"Babi nisai
dwi t
hasmi l
e
andMrDambuzacoul dfeel hi
shear tst
ingwhenhe
heardhi ssonbegf orhi
slife.LikeKumkanihe
valuedboysmor et hangir
lsandt oseehisonl
yson
strappedtot hetracksli
kethatanger edhim.
MrDambuza:"
Iwi
llf
indyouandIwi
llki
..
."
Babini
:"Ohshit
,thet rai
nisactual
lyont i
me! .I
t
usuall
ydelayssoIt houghtyouandIcoul dsoci al
ize
i
nt hemeantimebutwecan' tbecauseIgot t
ashow
youhowt orunaper sonoversoyou'ddoi tproperly
nextti
me"Babiniturnedt hecamer at
ot heyell
ow
tr
ainthatseemedt obeappr oachingfasttoo.
Brian:"
Tata!"hecr
iedoutandhi sfathersunki nt
o
hischairandhistremblinghandswer eholdingthe
phonet hatshowedat raincomi ngf ullspeedt ohi
s
son.Brianpeedhimselfandsoi ledhimsel fwhenhe
heardther ai
lbegi
nt ovibratewhi chmadehi m
reali
zejusthow closeitwas" Please,please,Iknow
nothingaboutrunningyourwi feover"hepl eaded
andt hesoundofthet r
ain'shoot ermadehi m beg
Babiniwhost oodataf ardistancet akingavi deofor
MrDambuzawhosati nhisstudysweatingbefore
hestart
edtocr y.Hecouldseehi sson'
swetpant s
andhewasr unni ngoutofbreathashefelthelpl
ess.
Babi
niturnedt hephonetothetrainanditsl
ights
werebiggerclearl
yitwasaboutt oruni
tssteel
wheelsoverthef l
eshofhisson.
Babini
:"It
oldyounott
of uckwi
thmebecauseI'
m
notKumkani"thet
rai
n'swarni
nggotl
ouderasdi
d
Bri
an'scri
esandbegging.
Brian:"
Iloveyou, xhego!"BrianshoutedandMr
Dambuzal etoutabittercry.Itwasthefi
rstt
imehe
heardBriansayt hosewor dssi ncehewasa
teenagerbecausei twasnotwor dstheyused.
MrDambuza:"
Spar
emyson.Takeme!
"hepl
eaded
wi
thBabi
ni.
Babini
:"Di
dyouf uckenthinkaboutsparingmywi fe?
Fuckyou,Dambuza.Ispar edyoualreadyduringthe
KCthing.Yourson'sdeathisonyou!"heshout ed
becausethetrai
nhadgot tenl
ouder."PlusIcan't
savehim evenifIwantedto.Aspeedingt r
ain
doesn'
tstopli
keaspeedi ngcar.Idon'twantto
fuckingdi ewithyourwhi mpofason! "headded.
Thet rainpassedamar kthatmadeMrDambuza
seehowser i
ousBabi niwas.Thet rai
ngavet helast
war ningandMrDambuzanol ongerheardBrian'
s
beggi ngandt hephonest ar t
edtoshowst range
i
magesbef oreitdied.Babinimadesur ethatitgota
virust hatwouldmakei ti
mpossi bl
eforanyonet o
tracet hevideocal l
.MrDambuzagotapai ninhis
hear twhilesti
lllookingatt heblankscreen.
Dambuza:" Ilove...
yout oo"hest utter
edbef orehe
sunkt ot hefl
oorunabl etobr eath.Thelasttimehe
saidt hosewor dst oBr i
anwaswhenhewasaki d.
Hest oppedsayi ngt hem becausehet houghtsayi ng
thathel ovedBr iant oomuchwoukdmakeBr i
antoo
soft.Ashel aidont hef loortryingtogetairt ohis
l
ungshewi shedt hathedi dn'tsayt hosewor dsaf ter
hisson' sdeath.Hewi shedt hatheneverr etaliat
ed
againstBabi nibyhi ringsomeonet or unhim over
withacarwhi l
eonhi sear l
ymor ningjogs.Bedi dn't
knowYandiwoul dbewi thBabi nithatmorni ngand
hedi dn'twantheri nvol vedbuthesawherasa
casual t
yofwar .Whenhehear dBabi nisurvivedhe
wasangr yandwaspl anninganot herhi
tbuthe
neveri
magi nedthatBabiniwouldhavehi ssonrun
overbyat r
ain,notevenat ruckbutanentir
etrai
n
"I
'
m sorry,Dambuza"heut teredthosewordssoftl
y
befor
elosingconciousness.
Babini:"Waket hef uckup, pussyyou'renotdead"
Brianopenedhi seyest ol ookatBabi nithr
ough
blurryvision.Hebr okedownonceagai nand
shakingl i
keal eaf."Don'tf uckingcryinmy
presencewhenIhavet hreebabi eswhoal readydo
that"hehel dBrian'sjawpai nfull
y"Youandyour
fatherthinkthatIcanbef uckedwi thhuh?"he
shookBr i
an'sheadaf ewt imesmaki ngpoorBrian
crymor e.
Br
ian:"Iknownothi
ng"hesai
dashi
snoseandeyes
wererunningatt
hesametimeashi
spri
vat
eareas
were.
Babini
:"Iknowyouknewnot hi
ng.Mywifeknew
nothi
ngaboutthebusinessatKCyetyourfather
draggedherint
oit.Thi
sshockthatyouar
ef eeli
ng
waswhatmywi fewasfeel
ingwhenyourfatherhad
acarcomeatusbutshe' snopussysoshedi dn't
sti
nkupthewhol eplacebyshit
ti
ngher sel
f"Bri
an
fel
tthet
racksvibrateagai
n"Unli
kethelasttrai
nthi
s
onewon'tchanget r
acks,i
t'
scomingrightatyou"he
l
ookedatthetrain.
Br
ian:"Please.
..
.pl
easeyou'l
lneverseemeagai n.
Pl
ease"hest ar
tedtocryagai
nast hevibr
ati
ongot
moreintense.Babi
nitookouthisknif
eandcutthe
whit
epl asti
cti
esfr
eeyingBri
anbutBr i
ancouldn't
moveashewaspar alyzedbyfear.
Babi ni:"Ar eyouf uckingkiddingme? "hecoul dn't
believei t.Hedr aggedBr ianf r
om t het racksand
madesur et oleavenot r
aceofbondagesi ncet he
driveroft hefir
stt r
ainwoul dsur elyretur nwith
aut horit
ies.Br i
anhadnochoi cebutt omovehi s
shaki ngl egsbecauseBabi nisaidhe'dl eavehi m
ther eifhedoesn' twalk.Theyf inall
yr eachedt he
spotwher eBabi nihidhiscarandheopenedhi s
boot" You' renotget ti
ngshi tont hesameseat sIput
mychi ldren'scarseat son.I t'
seithert hisorwal k
yourshi t
tysel fbackt othesubur bsandmi ghtI
war nyout hatwear ei nadanger oust ownshi p"
Brianl if
tedhi sshaki nglegupandnest ledinsidethe
bootsti
llcryingandshaking.Babi
nidroveBri
an
backwher ehegothi m andopenedthebootsohe'd
go"Greatgym session,Brian.I
'
dsaylet'
sdoitagai
n
butIthi
nkmyki ndofexercisei
stooextremeto
you"hepat tedBri
ancasual l
y.
Stranger:"Yi
kes,Bri
ant ellmewhi chgym thisguy
wor ksinsoIcanavoi di t
.Whenyousai dyougota
personaltrai
neryoudi dn'tsayyou'dcomeback
l
ooki ngli
kehel l
,man"theguywhohear dBabini
speakaboutgym j okedandl aughed"What'sthat
smel l?
"hesniffedintheai r"
Ihopei t
'snotsome
blockagewepayt oomucht ohavesuchher e"he
saidashewal kedawaymaki ngacal lt
othe
l
andl ord.
Babini
:"Your eall
ydost i
nk,man.Tellyourfathert
o
neverandImeannevercr ossmeagai n.Idonot
givewarningsyetI '
vegivenyoutwosodon' tf
uck
withme, Bri
an.Iwi l
lli
neupyourentirefamilyon
thosetr
acksandl ookatyouallbei
ngf lat
tened.
Thatisaf uckingpromise"hepromised.
Br
ian:"
Wewon'
t"hewasst
il
lshaki
ng.
Babini:"Letmegobuyai rfreshenerformyboot .
DamnBr ianmakeat urnsomywi fecangiveyou
herbst ocleanyoursyst em"hehel dhisshir
ttohis
nosebef oredr i
vingof f
.Br ianwal kedawkwar dl
y
tr
yingnott omaket hemessi nhispant sf
alloutof
hisgym shor ts.Hewascr yingallthewayt ohis
doorashecoul dn' tbel
ievet hathehadj ustbeen
spreadonar ailtrackwi that rai
ncomi ngri
ghtat
him.Hadt hattrai
nnotchangedt racksasitusuall
y
didBr i
anwoul dhavebeenadeadmanandwhata
painfuldeathitwoul dhavebeen.
Babinicl
eanedhiscaratthecarwashinsideand
outbefor
edr i
vinghome.Yandicametohughi m
andhehopedhedi dn'
tsmellofBr
ian'
sstench.
Yandi:"Babyt hepol
icearehere.
Theysayt hey
arr
estedt hemanwhodr ovethecar"sheledhim by
handt othelivingr
oom wherethepolicewere.
Babinigreetedbeforesi
tti
ngdown.
Offi
cer:"
Wearrestedayoungmanbyt hename
LorenzoAugust.Heactual
lyhandedhi
mselfi
nand
hesangl i
keacanary"YandigaveBabi
nial
ookof
excit
ement.
Babini
:"Letmehearhi
ssong"hel
ookedatt
he
off
icer
s.
Off
icer
:"HesaidthataMrFezil
eDambuzahir
ed
hi
mt okil
lyoubecauseofsomebusinesst
hathe
l
ostbecauseofyou"Yandiwasshockedandshe
di
dn'twanttosaytoBabi
nishetol
dthem t
hatt
he
Dambuzat ypewasdangerous.
Babi
ni:"
He'sangr
ybecausehi
ssonsoldmysist
er
shar
es.Wowbutwhywoul dhewanttokil
lmewhen
I'
minnocent?
"heact
edhurtandYandihel
dhi
m.
Yandi:"
Suchpeopl
ear
eevi
l,
baby.Youmustarr
est
thi
smanbef or
ehehur
tsmyhusbandagai
n"she
order
edthepoli
ce.
Offi
cer:"Wewentt ohishousetoat t
esthim andhi
s
wif
ef oundhi m passedout.MrDambuzahada
heartattackandi sincri
ti
calconditi
onbutwe
pl
acedguar dsatt hedoorbecausehe'sunder
arr
est"Yandibr eathed.Shewassadt hatDambuza
hadahear tatt
ackbecauseshe' dneverwishiton
herwor stenemybutapar tofherfeltDambuza
deservedi t
."Lorenzocamewi thfi
lesthat
i
ncr i
mi nateDambuzaandnegot i
atedforal esser
sentence.Thi syoungmancl earl
ycan'tst ayoutof
troubl
ebecausehei sal
sobeat enupbuthesai di
t
wasamuggi ngsoi t'
snothingr el
atedt oyourcase"
Babinishookhi sheadact ingshocked.Heknew
verywel lthatLorenzowasbeat enbecausehewas
theonewhodi ditwhenhef oundt hattheyoung
manwast heonewhor anhi m over.Babi nididn'
t
thinkthatDambuzawoul dhaveanhear tattackbut
hewasnotsaddenedbyt henewsei t
her.They
thankedt hepoliceforcomi ngt otellt
hem.
Yandi:"
See,babysomet
imest
hingswork
themselvesout
"shesai
dbehi
ndhim whi
lehe
closedt
hedoor .
Babi
ni:"
Ican'
tbel
ieveDambuzai
sangr
ybecauseof
shar
es"heshookhishead.
Yandi
:"I
sOt
husaf
e?Br
ianwasangr
ytoo"
Babini
:"Br
ianhasothert
hingst
owor r
yabout
.Let
megoshowerandheadoutbef oreyourf
ri
ends
come.Ithi
nkImaket heZukowoman
uncomfort
able"het
ookhisshir
toff
.
Yandi:"Youdon'thavetol
eavet hehouse,your
houseatt hatbecauseofi
t.I
'l
ltalkt
oher.I'm gl
ad
she'sbackbutshecan'texpectmyhusbandt onot
beherewhenshecomesover "Yandif ol
lowedhim
totheirroom.
Babini :"
I'
mt aki
ngt heboysoutf oragameni ght
andamovi e.Haven'tspentmucht imewiththem"
hekissedherbef oreundressi
ngcompl etelyand
headi ngfortheshower .Hisshower swereonlylong
whenshej oinedhim sohewasi nandoutand
gett
ingdr essedbef oreYandicouldevenbl i
nk.
"Ntl
iziyoyam, Ireall
ydon'tmindgi vi
ngthisfri
endof
yoursspace.It hinkshewant stot al
kwithoutaman
i
nterrupt i
ng.QhaweandPhawuar ealsover y
exci
t ed.We' l
lbebackher eagainsoOt hucandr i
ve
backhomewi ththem"
Yandi:"Ot
husaysshe'
scomi ngwit
hherniece"
Babiniavoi
dedeyecontactwit
hher."
Hopeful
ly
toni
ghtshe'l
ltel
luswhereshewas"shesaidsoft
ly.
Babini
:"Iof
fer
edtofindoutf
oryou"Yandigavehim
asideeyesoheraisedhishandsup.Thedoorbel
l
rangandYandipushedthepram t
othefrontand
Babi
niopened.
Twins:"
Malume"t
heysai
dwi
thexci
tementbef
ore
shaki
nghishand.
Babi
ni:"
Iloveyouokayandhaveagr
eatni
ght
"he
ki
ssedYandi.
Yandi
:"Il
oveyout
oo.Youenj
oyyourni
ghtt
oo"
Qhawe:"
Mal
umekazi
we'dcomei
nbutmom wil
l
makeusdoachor
ebefor
ewegososorr
y"Yandi
l
aughed.
Othu:"
QhaweorPhawupl easegetQhayiya'
sbagin
thecar
"Yandicoul dn'thelpbutlaughwhent he
boysgavehera' seewhatwemeanl ook'
.Qhawe
wenttogetthebag" Phawupl easegogethertoy
underthecarseatitfellt
here"Phawul ookedatt
he
skyshakinghisheadbef oregoing.
Yandi
:"Qhayi
"shesmi
ledandQhayi
yasmi
ledt
oo.
Phawu:"Mamaher ear
eyourthi
ngs"heputt
hem by
thedoornotwant
ingtost
epinsi
de.
Qhawe:"Malumecomeoutpl ease.We'
l
lbebyyour
car
!"heshoutedf
rom out
side.
Othu:"Comesayhit
oMal
umekazi
proper
ly"she
shouted.
Yandi
:"I
t'
sfi
ne,
fri
end.They'
l
lbebackher
eanyway"
Babi
ni:"
Callmeifyouneedme.Il
oveyoul adies
andyoulit
tl
egentl
emen"heshout
edbef or
egoi ng.
Ther
ewassuddenl ysomemanlynoisesof
exci
tementbef
oretheygoti
nthecaranddr i
veof f
.
Othu:"Crai
gissosadhemi ssedtheboysni
ght"
t
heyl aughed."
,Youneedhelpwit
hanythi
ng?"she
l
ookedt othekitchen.
Yandi
:"Set
ti
ngthetabl
e,f
riendpl
ease"Othuwentt
o
doasasked."Doyougetanoffi
shvibefr
om Zuko?
"
shewenttocheckift
hefoodwashotenough.
Othu:"
Ihavebutl
etuswai
tandhearwhatshehas
t
osay"
Lucia:"
Hel l
oooo"shesai dcheerf
ull
yholdi
ngt wo
bottl
esofwi ne.OthuandYandioutanypet tiness
asideforZukosot heygr eet
edherwi t
hasmuch
enthusiasm.Natalieherdaughterwassogr own
Othucoul dn'
tbeli
eveit.Theyhardlyseehersince
she'satboardingschool.SoonPoppyandher
daughtersarr
ivedandsodi dZukoandher" niece"
.
Yandiintr
oducedt heli
tt
legirl
stoeachot herand
tol
dthem togowat chcartoonsiftheyli
ke.They
tookQhayiyawi t
ht hem.Thewi neandj ui
cegot
pouredintogl
assesandsoonol dmemor ieshadthe
l
adiesforget
ti
ngt hattherewast ensionbetween
them.
Luci
a:"YandzandOthuI'mr eal
lysor r
yf ortalki
ng
behi
ndyourbacks.Li
kesr eall
y,reall
ysor ry"she
sai
dsincerel
y."
Nowt hatwe'realltogether,Idon't
wantthetensi
onanymor e"sheadded.
Poppy:"
Actual
lyIwast
heonewhobroughtupthe
namesandLuciahadtojustgowi
thi
t.I
'
m sor
ry
onceagain"
Zuko:"Thi
sisus,nott
alki
ngbehindeachot
her
's
backs.Poppyhasbeendoingitt
houghsowejust
havetoforgi
veher"t
heyalll
aughed.
Yandi
:"Ourli
veshavechangedsomuch.Sowe
mustreconnectagai
n.We'l
lst
artt
oyoumi ssgone
wit
houtatrace.Wherehaveyoubeen?
"theyall
l
ookedatZukoandshet ookadeepbreat
h.
Zuko:"Iwasi nMozambi que.Ichasedloveandthe
gooddoct orjustlef
tmesobecauseIal readyhada
l
if
et here,Idecidedtost
ayonunt ilt
hecompanyI
workedf orwentunder"shetoldthetrut
hpartl
y.
Lucia:"
Nocal
li
ngoratl
eastcreat
eaFacebook
pagesowe'dknowyou'
reali
ve?"shesi
ppedher
wine.
Zuko:"
IdonotknowwhyIdi
dthat
"shel
ooked
down.
Othu:"
Sowher edoyoul i
ve?Areyoubackwithyour
famil
y?"Zukolookeddownandshookherhead
'
Whydi dn'
ttheyjustsayt
hatyou'
reinMozambique?
We'dhavesavedandwentbecauseeheart heir
beachesareamazi ng"
Zuko:"TheywereangryatmewhenIl ef
t.Sothey
didn'
tsayanythi
ngbecauseI '
m nowdeadt othem
astheyaretome"theyalllookedateachotheras
theyweren'
texpect
ingthatanswer.
Poppy:"
Thenwhereonear
thdidtheniececome
fr
om ift
heyar
edeadtoyou?"sheaskedthe
quest
iononever
yone'
smind.
Zuko:"She'
smycousi nsist
er'
sdaughternotoneof
mybr other
's"shegother
selfdeeperi
nthewebof
l
ies.
Zuri:"Mommy,whereisthebat
hroom?"shelooked
atZukoandZukichokedonherdr i
nk.Shecould
feeltheladi
esst
areather.
Yabdi:"
GoaskThandi
wet oshowyou,Nana"Zuri
smil
edandnoddedbefor
egoi ngt
otheotherki
ds.
Thandiwecameouthol
dingherhandandgoingto
thebathr
oom.
Poppy:"
Wel
lthatwasawkwar
d"shel
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"
Ididn'
twanttotellyouguysbecauseIdon'
t
wantyourpit
y.Zuri'
smot herdi
edsoI '
mtheone
whowasputi nchargeofher.LikeandOthuand
Chulusi
tuati
on"shesaidquickl
yhopingthey
boughti
t.
Othu:"
Whywouldwepi t
yyou?Youhaveal i
tt
le
daught
erandthat
'sawesome.She'
ssoadorable"
shesmiled"
Whataboutschool
?"sheaskedquickl
y.
Zuko:"
She'
shomeschool
ed"morel
iesescapedher
l
ips"Nowyouguysar
epit
yingmeandIdon'twant
t
hat
"sheshout
ed.
Yandi
:"Cal
m down, fr
iend.It
'smoreshockthanpi
ty.
Soyou'r
eunempl oyed,fr
om anothercountr
yand
haveadaughter.Areyouokayf i
nancial
ly?
"Yandi
thenr
eali
zeditsoundedl i
kepit
y.
Zuko:"We'r
eokay.Ihavesavings"shel
ookedat
them "Nowcanwepl easeeatbecauseImissed
Yandisa'
scooki
ng"Yandismi l
edandnodded.
Yandi:"Letmedi shupfortheki
dsfir
standt henwe
canhel poursel
ves"Luciagotuptohelpher.Othu
knewt hatshehadt ogetZukothatj
oboratl easta
jobifnotthatonebecausesheknewwhathavi nga
daughterandl i
tt
lemoneywasl i
ke.Yandiservedthe
kidsandal l
owedt hem t
oeatwhilewatchi
ngt hei
r
cartoonandOt hutookQhayiyasotheywoul dfeed
herwhatt heyate.
Zur
i:"
Isallofthi
sforme?
"shesmi
ledwhi
lel
ooki
ng
att
hecolourfulpl
ate.
Yabdi:"
Ifyouhaveanimaginaryf
riendt
ellhi
m or
hertocomebackt omorr
ow"theylaughed"Keep
spaceforchocol
atecakeladi
es"shelef
tthem.
Zuri'
squest i
onunset tledherabi tbutshebrushedit
off.Theysatar oundt het abl
eandf edthebabies
theirmilkwhil
eeat ing.Eachhadexper i
enceso
Yandidi dn'
thavet oshowt hem howt obott
lefeed.
Zukocl earl
yhadexper iencetooasshef edQhayiya
herveggi epureewhi leeat i
ngherownf oodand
sociali
zing.
Zuko:"You'
vegot t
engr eateratcooking,Yandi.I
knowyourbusi nesswilldogr eat"shesmiled.and
theotherl
adiespretendedt heydidn'tnoti
cehow
shefil
ledhercheeksasi fi
twer ethelastmealshe'
ll
have.Zukoexcusedher sel
ftogot othebat hr
oom
whil
eYandiser veddeser t.
Ot
hu:"
Somet
hingi
swr
ong"shesai
dfi
rst
.
Poppy:"
Right
?"shesai
dasshewasgl
adi
twasnot
herbei
ngdramati
c.
Yandi
:"Babi
nisai
dhecoul
dfi
ndout"shesai
dina
shamefulwhi
sperandf
orasecondt
heywere
consi
deri
ngit
.
Luci
a:"
No,no,
ladi
es.Weknowwhatdoi
ngthi
ngs
behi
ndeachot
her'
sbackscandosono"t
heyall
nodded"Sohecanreall
yfi
ndout?
"allt
hosewho
knewBabiniwel
lnodded"No!
"sheshoutedt
he
temptat
ionof
f.
Yandi:"
I'
m sorr
ythatIbr
oughti
tup.Lushi
sri
ght
,
no,no,no"sheshookherhead.
Ot
hu'
s"We'
l
lwai
tonhert
otel
lus"t
heyal
lnodded.
Poppy:"Let'
sgiveheraweekandi fnot
hingi
ssaid
wecallintheinvesti
gator
"Yandil
aughedathow
shesaidinvesti
gator.
Othu:"
JusthowZurisai
d"mommy"soundedsoraw
andrealnotl
ikeanadopt
edchil
dwoul
dunlessshe
tookZurii
nasababy"shewhisper
ed.
Luci
a:"
Shesaidshegotcust
odyofherl
astyear
"
shewhisper
ed.
Poppy:"
Ohmywor dweredoingwhatwesaidwe
wouldn'
t"shesai
doutloudtobri
ngthem outoft
he
i
nvesti
gationmoment.
Zuko:"
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"shel
ookedat
Poppy.
Poppy:"
Wewant
edt
otakesecondsandwesai
d
we'
dkeepspacef
ort
hecake"Zukol
aughed.
Yandi:"
I'
lldi
shupext rafort
hosewhowanttotake
home.Goeatyour selfint
oacomaatyourown
house"shestoodtogocutt hecakeandcall
edthe
ki
dstocomegett heirs.Yandionceagai
nsawthat
l
ookofgr eatappr
eciationandexci
tementwhenshe
gothercake.
Zur
i:"
Thankyou,auntyYandi.PleasemayIhave
moreofthatni
cechickenfortomor r
ow?
"Yandi
smi
led.
Zuko:"
Zur
i"sher
epr
imandedherdaught
er.
Yabdi
:"Ial
readyputBabi
ni'
sasidesoIwil
lmake
youanicetakeawayokay"Zurismil
edandthanked
her
.
Zuko:"
Idon'
tknowwhyshe'
ddot
hat
"
Poppy:"
Ibetyoumygi
rl
sputherupt
oit
.Theyl
ove
Yandi
'scooki
ng.
Luci
a:"
Idon'
texcl
udeNat
ali
e"t
heyal
llaughed.
Othu:"
I'
vemissedthi
ssomuchandoncethechaos
i
nourlivesset
tl
e,wereal
lymustgoont
hatt
ri
p
l
adies.Eveni
fit
'saweekend"t
heyal
lhel
dthei
r
cakeupinagreement
.
Zuko:"
I'
vemi
ssedt
hist
oo"sher
eal
lydi
d.
Yandi
:"Tel
luswhereyouli
vesowecanthrowyoua
housewarming"Zukodi
dn'
twantt
otel
lthem.
Zuko:"
Atthemomentwear eataB&Bbutassoon
asIgetaplaceI
'
lll
etyouknow"
Othu:"
Butyousai
dyourfl
atwasfullandthat
'swhy
youcan'tt
akef
urni
tur
e"Zukof
elthersel
fsweat.
Zuko:"Ijustdi
dn'twanttodisclosethatI'
m ataB&B
nextthingyouguyswi l
lbeinvitingmet ostaywit
h
you.LadiesIknowyouwantt ohel pbutyouknow
howIl ovemyi ndependencesopl ease.WhenI'm
stuckI'
llshout
,promise"theladiessmiledand
nodded.
Othu:"
Wer espectthat
"shewantedtoshakethe
tr
uthoutofZukobutchosenott opushit.Thenight
wasgreatandBabi niwasbackwiththeboysjust
asOthuwasaboutt ocal
ltoaskwheretheyare.
Zukodidn'
tmakeeyecont actwit
hBabinibecause
deepdownshef eltheknewsomet hi
ngthathe
shoul
dn'
thave.Zur
iwentt
ohugBabi
niwhenshe
remember
edhimf r
om t
heshop.
Yandi
:"YouknowZur
i?"
Zur
i:"
Heboughtmeicecr
eam andIl
ovedi
tso
much"Yandismi
led.
Babini
:"I
'
m gladthatyoudid,
Zuri
"hesmil
ed"
Anyof
youladi
estoodrunktodriveyour
sel
ves?
"hel
ooked
aroundandtheylaughed.
Zuko:"
Ical
ledat
axi
"
Yandi:"
Myhusbandjustofferedsowecanstrap
theki
dsinanddropyouoffi fyouwant
.It
'l
lmake
them sl
eephopef
ull
y"shelookedatthetr
ipl
etswho
showednosignsofsleepi
ness.
Zuko:"Ourtaxii
sreadyher
e"shel
ookedather
phone."Nextti
meYandiandthankyouforof
fer
ing"
shesmi l
edatBabiniandhegaveanod.
Babini
:"BoysMalumewi l
lpl
ananotherboysni
ght
soon"theydidt
heirspeci
algr
eet
ing.
Qhawe:"
Wehadagreatt
ime,
Mal
ume"Phawu
noddedi
nagr
eement.
Babini:"Soal lyoul adiesaresor ted.Letmegot o
myr oom i t
'sbeenal ongday.Ot huandPoppyt el
l
mewhenyou' vear ri
vedhome"hehuggedal lthe
kidsthatwer ei nfrontofhim andZukosawt hathe
wasnopedophi leafteral
loratleasthedi dn'
tcome
acrossasone.Yandigaveever yonewhoaskedt he
foodthatwasl eftoverandBabi nitookhisandwent
tother oom.Poppy, Lucia,OthuandYandigave
eachot heranodaf t
ertheywat chedhi m di
sappear.
IfZukodi dn'tr evealthetruthinaweekt hey'
dcall
onthe" investigat or"
.
S2-
INSERT41(
UNEDI
TED)
"Mi
ssHans, t
hisi
sSindiswaJonif
rom Kumkani
Constr
uct
ion"afamil
iarvoi
cesai
dontheothersi
de
ofZuko'
sphoneline.
Zuko:"
Yes,yesIrememberyoufrom t
heinter
views
MrsJoni"shestoodupandbitherpi
nkynail
wait
inganxiousl
yforSi
ndit
ofini
shspeaking.
Sindi
:"Ihavecal
ledt
oletyouknowt hatyougott
he
j
ob"Zukoscr eamedwhil
etear
sr andownher
cheeksmakingZuricomefrom outsi
detoseewhat
waswr ongbutZukogaveherat humbsupt oshow
shewasf ine.Sindiswal ovedthatpartofherjob
whereshegott otellanapplicantthattheywer e
successfulsoshewassmi l
ingwhilewaiti
ngf or
Zuko'sj
oyt ocalm down" Congratulat
ions,Miss
Hans.Wewer ethor oughlyimpressedwi thyour
prof
essionalcareerandwecannotwai ttowel come
youtotheKCt eam"sheaddedwi thasmi le.
Zuko:"Thankyousomuch"shewi
pedhert
ear
sof
j
oyof f
.
Sindi:"
We'dli
keyout ocomeseeusat11am t oday
sothatwecangi veyouyourcontract.I'
m sureasa
l
awyeryou'llbeabl et
ocheckityour sel
f"Zuko
noddedanddr ewZur icl
osertoher" Congratul
ati
ons
onceagainandIhopeyour emembert hatyouare
expectedtostartworkonMonday"shenear lyshed
tearsofherownwhenshehear dZuko' ssoft
sobbing.Si
ndi knewhowscar cejobswasandhow
greatitf
eel
st ohearthatamongstt helarge
number sofapplicant
syouwer esuccessf ul
.
Zuko:"Mommygott
hej
ob"shehuggedZur
ieven
ti
ghter
.
Zuri
:"Wil
lyoutakemet othesameschoolt hat
ThandiweandThandaniar e?Natal
iedoesnotlive
athomeandIdonotwantt omoveagain"shelaid
downhert er
msandZukol aughedbecauseshef el
t
herdaughterdeservedi
tforbeingsuchan
underst
andingli
ttl
egirl
.
Zuko:"Uhm,we'l
lhavetoaskauntPoppyi fyouwil
l
beabletogetinsinceit
'st
hemi ddl
eoftheyear
al
readybutifnotthenyou'
llhavetost
artnextyear
"
shekissedZuri
'scheek.
Zuri:"
AuntyYandii sathomeandshel ikedhowI
playedwithherchildren.Icanst aywi thher"she
suggested.Shelovedal lofhermot her'
sf ri
endsbut
Yandiheldamor especi al pl
ace.Zukot hought
abouttheinconveniencei tmightcauseYandi ."
I'
ll
stayoutofherway, mommy.Ist ayoutofMa
Nokhaza'swaybecauseIkeepmysel fbusyandI
somet i
meshelphersweep.Ir eall
ylovet hebabi es
atauntYandi'
s.I'veneverseent hreebabi eswho
l
ooksomuchal ike"shepl eadedasshedi dn'twant
togobackt oMaNokhaza' s.
Zuko:"
Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
tandt
henaskauntYandi
butdon'
tgettooexci
tedbecauseshemi
ghtsayno.
Yandii
snotadaycare,Zuri
.Shehasabusi
nessto
st
artandthr
eebabiestolookaft
er"
Zur
i:"Idonotmindhelp.Icanhelpherwashdi
shes
whil
eshecooksf orherpeopl
e.Ihelpyouwash
di
shest oo"shewascrossi
ngfinger
s.
Zuko:"
Areyoucomf
ort
abl
ewi
thuncl
eBabi
ni?
"Zur
i
smil
ed.
Zuri:"
I'
llaskhimt oli
ftmeupi ntheai r
.Iam sureit'
l
l
feelli
keIam f l
ying"shelaughedsof t
lyandZuko
smi l
edwhi leshakingherhead."CanIvisittheother
girl
snowt oo?AlsoIcannowt el
lthem you'remy
mommyr ight
?herbi geyeslookedupathermot her
.
Zukof eltbadformaki ngherdaughterli
et ocover
upt hetruthsthatshehidfrom herfri
ends.
Zuko:"
Letmommyt
alkt
othem f
ir
st"Zur
inodded.
Zuri
:"Il
oveyou"shehel
dont
ight
lyandZukoki
ssed
herhead.
Zuko:"
Iloveyoumor e"shesai
dalit
tl
esil
entthank
youprayer.Thesal
aryandbenefi
tsofhernewjob
wouldaffordhert
ogiveZuriali
feshecoul
dn'
tin
Mozambi que.Al i
feinagoodschoolandgetaf l
at
atamuchsaf erarea."We'
llbui
ldlit
tl
ebylitt
le"Zuri
smiledandnodded.Zukot oldZurit
ogopl ayagain
beforeshedialedOt hu'
snumber .Shethankedher
fr
iendwhilecryingandOt hucriedtoo.
Othu:"
Honest
lyeveni
fPoppyandIwer en'
tther
e,
you'
dhavegott
enthejob.Congr
atul
ati
ons,Zuko"
Zuko:"
Don'tactasifyouguysdi
dn'thavean
i
nfl
uence.Ipromisetobeoneofyourmost
perf
ormingemployees,Ot
hu.Thankyouonceagai
n.
Il
oveyou"
Othu:"Il
oveyoumor e.GuessI
'l
lseeyouon
Monday.Pleasecomemakeat urnatmyof
fice
everynowandt henbecauseyouhavehabi
tof
speaki
ngof f
"theyl
aughed.
Zuko:"
Ihaveaf eeli
ngthatI'
llbecomingtot
hat
off
icealot.Whot houghtyou,meandPoppywould
beworkingtogether?"t
heylaughedout.
Ot
hu:"
Lif
e,f
ri
end.Idon'
tthi
nkanyofusi
magi
ned
we'
dbewherewearetoday"
Zuko:"
Sot
rue"sheknewver
ywel
lhow
unpredi
ctablel i
fewas" AlsoI'
dliketocomeovert o
yourhouset odaypl easelateri
fpossible.I
'
llalso
asktheotherl adiest ojoi
nmei ft hat
'sokaywi th
you.Iwantt otellyoual lsomething"Othusatup
str
aightbecausei twast hedayt heyhadpl annedto
getBabinii
nt ohel pbutshewasgl adZukowoul d
possibl
ytellthem her self.
Othu:"I
'
dlovethatverymuch.I
'
mtoot
ir
edt
ocook
sopizzaiti
s"Zukolaughed.
Zuko:"
Pleasedon'
tgett
hosewi
thpi
neappl
e.Zur
iis
al
ler
gictoit
"Othusmil
ed.
Othu:"Ineverl ikedthatcomboanywaybutImust
getonef orYandisi nceit
'sherfavour
ite.Gottago,
seeyoul at er"t
heysai dthei
rgoodbyesandended
thecall.Zukocal l
edPoppybutsheandOt huhada
presentationt ogot oforabigtendersoshe
couldn'
tt alkbutpr omisedtobeatOt hu'slateron.
Zukocoul dnotwai ttogetbusywi threalwor k.
Factorywor kwashar dworkandsher espectedit
butshemi sseddoi ngt hi
ngsthatchallengedher
mind.Shej umpedupanddowni nexcitement .She
hadbeeni nSout hAfri
caforalmosttwomont hs
andnoonewoul dhireher.Sheheardhowthe
unemploymentstat
isti
cshadgr ownandsheknew
shewasl ucyt
ohavef ri
endsinhighpl
aceswho
wereabletoassi
stheringetti
ngahead.
Zuko:"Zuri
!"shecall
edoutandZur iwasatt hedoor
quickl
y."Getready.MaNokhazai snotbackyetand
Ihavetobeatt heoffi
cei
ntwohour s.You'l
lsi
tand
waitformommybyt hesecuri
tyagai nunti
lI'
m done
di
scussingmypackage"Zur iwalkedi nsi
de.
Zuri:"Takemet oauntYandi '
s.Idon'tlikesitt
ing
andwai ti
ngforyout here.It
'scol
d"Zukohadno
ti
met oar guewi t
hZur isoshepr ayedYandiwoul d
behomeandt hatshewoul dn'
tmi nd.Theygot
readyandZukowor eoneofherbestsui tsthatshe
managedt osal
vagef rom thefi
re.Wi nterwas
starti
ngsoshedr essedZur iforthecoolweat her
beforet heymadet heirwayt oYandi '
s.Zukokept
tel
li
ngZur iwhattosayandwhatnott osayandZur i
hadat ti
tudebutZukohopedshewoul ddoast ol
d.
Theypr essedYandi '
sgat ebuzzerandsoont he
gatesl i
dedopen.Zukowassohappyt hatYandi
wasabl et ogetherselfal i
feshewant ed.Outofall
ofthem Yandiwasalwayst heonewhodr eamed
aboutahusband, ki
dsandbei ngahousewifeif
possibl
esoZukoknewt hatYandiwasli
vingtheli
fe.
Yandiopenedbeforetheyevengottothedoor
makingZuriletgoofhermot her'
shandtorunto
hugYandi.
Yandi:"Youlooksopr
ett
yinpink.Pl
easekeepthat
outfi
tforZozososhe'
dwearitwhenshe'sabiggir
l"
Zurigiggl
ed.
Zuri
:"Igotitatt
heshel
tert
oosoIwi
llkeepi
tni
ce
forher"shesmiled.
Zuko:"Fri
end,hi"shehuggedYandi"Ihaveahuge
favortoask.ThewomanIl eaveZur
iwithi
sn'tback
yetandIgotcalledatKCt ogosignacontractand
thatcantakelong"
Zur
i:"
Idon'
tli
kesitt
ingwitht
hesecur
it
y,auntYandi
.
Youcanoutont heTVandIpromiset
oonlymove
whengoingt
ot hetoil
et"
Yandi
:"Wel
lthatsoundsver
yuncomfort
ableso
pl
easedon'
tdot hat
.Goandsign,
fri
end.I
'l
llook
aft
erher
.Congratul
ati
onsonthej
ob"shesmi l
ed
andgaveZukoahug.Babinicamefrom behi
nd
YandiandZuko'
sfaci
alexpr
essionchanged.
Zuko:"
Isyourhusbandhomeal
ldayever
yday?
"
Yandil
ookedback.
Yandi
:"Somet
imeswhy?
"
Babini
:"Becauseshet
hinksI
'
m apedophil
e, t
hat
's
why"shesaidwhilewal
kingt
othedoor.Zuriwent
tohughimt obuthehadtopi
ckherupforittobea
properhug.
Yandi:"
Youthinkmyhusbandwoul dhurt
,Zuri
?"
Zukocouldhearthepaininhervoi ce"Youcan'task
met owatchherandt henexpectmyhusbandt o
l
eavehishousewhenevert hathappens,Zuko.He
l
iveshereandI'm honest
lyhur tt
hatyou'devensee
him assuch"hereyeswelledupandZukol ooked
down.
Babini:"
It
'sfine,
Ntl
izi
yoyam.She'
l
ltel
lyouher
reasons.I'
llgo"
Yandi
:"No"shelookedathim" Zuripleasegowat ch
TV.Theremoteisrightnextt
oi t
"Babi niputher
downandsher anof f"
Myhusbandi snotgoi ngt
o
l
eavebecauseyouthinkhe'
sgoi
ngtot
ouchyour
gi
rli
nappropr
iat
ely,
Zuko"shemadei
tcl
ear
.
Zuko:"
I'm sor
ry.It
'sjustthatweliveindarkti
mes
soI'mjustext
racar eful
.You'r
erightI'minsul
ti
ng
youandyourhusbandr ightnowaf teraski
ngyou
forhel
p.I'
m sorrybhutBabi ni
"shelookedathim
andtheycouldseet hesinceri
tyinhereyes.
Babini:"
Apologyaccept
edandj ustt
opr ovet
oyou
thatI'
m harmlessI
'l
ldri
veyoutoKC.I '
vegota
shareholder
smeeting"heoff
ered.
Zuko:"
Won'tyoumi nd?"shel
ookedatYandibut
shekeptqui
et"I
'm sorr
y,Yandi
sa"
Yandi
:"Idon'
tmi
nd.I'
mjustimagini
nghow
uncomfort
abl
eyoutwowillbe"t
heylaughed.
Babi
ni:"
YouknowI '
l
lputmymusiconandpr etend
she'
snotevennexttome"Yandil
aughedoutloud.
Yandi:"Hemi ghtreal
lydothat
.Don'
tdothat,
baby"
shesmi ledathim" I
fhedoesjustpr
etendhe'
sas
i
nvincible"Zukolaughed.
Babi
ni:"
I'
llseeyou"heki
ssedherdeepl
y"ByeZur
i"
heshout
ed.
Zur
i:"
Bye,
uncl
e"sheshout
edback.
Zuko:"
Mommy'
sgonet
oo.Il
oveyou"sheshout
ed.
Zur
i:"
Met
oo"t
hesweetvoi
cesai
dback.
Zuko:"
Pineappl
eisheronlyal
ler
gybutallel
seisa
go"shesaidtoYandiwhil
erunningaf
terBabi
niand
Yandil
aughed"Thanksforthi
s"shefi
nall
ygotint
o
thecar
.
Babini
:"Yousureyoudon'twanttogetint
ooneof
thebackseatsforcomfor
treasons.Idon'
twantt
o
reachformygearandhaveyouscr eam"hesai
d
whilef
ixinghismusic.
Zuko:"Iknowthedi fferencebet weenaccidental
touchanddel i
beratet ouch,trustme"Babininodded
befor
edr i
vingoff.Hesmi ledwhi l
elooki
ngatYandi
waveandhoot edbef or egivingasexywhi stle
l
eavingYandibl ushi
ng" Your eal
lyloveher"she
tri
edtomakeconver sation.
Babi
ni:"
Isur
eashel
lwouldn'
thavewantedherin
myfaceonadail
ybasi
sifIdi
dn'tl
oveher"Zuko
r
aisedabr
owatt
heanswer
.
Zuko:"
Thankyouformaki
ngherhappy"Babi
ni
gaveherabri
efgl
ance.
Babi ni:"Don'tyoudar egetallemot i
onalonme.I
willdr opyouof fatthetaxirank"Zukol aughedand
wonder edifYandihadt odealwi t
hsuchever yday
butBabi niwasdi ff
erentathome.Ther eheshowed
hissof t
ersideandal sowheni nthepresenceof
children.Heputonhi smusicwhent hesmalltalk
diedoutandi ndeeditwasast houghZukowasnot
existing.Theyf inal
lymadei ttoKC.
Zuko:"
Thankyouf
ort
her
ide"
Babi
ni:"
Atl
eastyouweren'
tlyi
ngaboutyour
achi
evement
ssowelcomet oKC,MissHans"he
hel
dhishandoutandsheshookit
.
Zuko:"Thankyou"sheopenedt hedoorandwal ked
i
nsidet hebuil
ding.Heli
edaboutbeingonhi sway
toKCbecausehewant edhertosavet heli
tt
leshe
hadf ortaxif
eeswhenshest ar
tedwor ki
ngHemade
hiswayt oCraig'
soffi
cesandfoundt hebigguy
test
inganewsyst em t
hathadjustbeendeli
vered.
Babini
'
sof fi
cewasanywheresohet ookhi
sthi
ngs
andplacedthem onCrai
g'sdesktoworkwhil
e
tel
li
ngCraigwhathedidtoBrianandCrai
gcracked
uplaughing.
Cr
aig:"
Andyouletmemi ssthef
un?"het
hrewabal
l
asmallboxagai
nstBabi
ni'
shead.
Babini
:"Youwerebusypl
ayi
ngfamil
y.Sothi
sguy
wil
lremainint
hedarkaboutwhohereal
lyi
s?"
Crai
g:"I
t'
sbest,man.Iwouldl
iketoknowhim but
i
t'
snotwor t
hdisrupt
inghi
sentir
elif
e.Whenthe
ti
meisr i
ghthi
sfamilywil
lbet
heonest otel
lhi
m,
notstr
angers"
Babini
:"Soyou'
rereall
yoneoft hem"helookedat
Crai
g"Whenyouwer einthestatesdi
dyouever
thi
nkthatyou'
reaZuluman?CozIneverevenknew
whatXhosawasl etaloneidenti
fyi
ngwit
hit"they
l
aughed.
Crai
g:"Meneitherbutbei
ngwi t
hOhadmademe
underst
andalotaboutcultureandtr
adi
ti
ons.Do
yeahDNApr ovedI'm aZuluman,aBhengu.Sti
ll
needtolear
nhowt oreci
tethesur
namethough"
t
heyl
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
You'
l
lchangeyourname?
"hel
ookedat
Crai
g.
Crai
g:"Il
ovemynamesoIdoubt .Mncedisiwant
s
met obeaBhenguthough.I'
minnorusht omake
changes.Ri
ghtnowmyf ocusisonTuesday"
Babi
ni:"
IdonotwantTuesdayt
ocomebecauseI
st
il
ldon'
tli
kemywifegoingtof
orei
gnl
andwit
hout
me"
Cr
aig:"
Stopbei
ngafucki
ngcrybaby.OandIwi
llgo
wi
th.Unli
keyouIbur
iedmypast"
Babini:"There'
snosuchat hing."hewentbackt o
wor k"Iknowmi newi llcomeknocki ngsomedayand
youknowyour swilltooevenwhenwear e90and
onourdeat hbeds"Cr aigdidn'targuewi thhi m."We
canchangenamesal lwel i
kebutt here'llalwaysbe
someonewhoi stryingt ohuntus, always"Cr aig
didn'tfeelafr
aidatal lbecauseheknewt hat.Itwas
goodt ohavesomeonet otalkabouti ttobecause
hedi dn'twanttomakeOt hupar anoid" Sothat '
swhy
i
m wor ri
edthatyou' l
lbeonemanagai nstapossi bl
e
thr
eat
.Ishouldhavedonei
ttheunder
coverwayas
Idi
dbeforeandhaveyouguysmeetmet her
e"
Crai
g:" Zweni,not
hingwil
lhappen.Don'
tdo
somet hingrushbecauseyou'l
lmakeami st
akethat
mightsetof falar
ms.I'
vegotthis"hepr
omisedand
Babininodded.
Yandihadali
tt
lehelperi
nZur
iassheheldt
he
bott
leasYandishowedherwhil
efeedi
ngHl
umi.
Zur
i:"Don'
tdr
inksofast,
Hlumiyou'
llchoke"she
pul
ledthebot
tleoutandYandil
aughedsof t
ly.
Yandi:"
I'
vebeent el
li
nghimt hatsoIhopehe' ll
l
ist
ent oyou"shesai dwhil
ewat chingZuriputthe
bott
lebackinthebaby'smout h.Hlumiwasl ikethat
andYandistoppedwor ryi
ngabouti tbecausesof ar
hehadn'tchoked."Didyouenjoylifein
Mozambi que?"Zurinoddedquicklywithasmi l
e.
Zuri:"
Theyall
owedmet owaitf
ormommyatt he
factor
yaft
erwor kt
oo.Herbossusedt
ogiveme
nicesweets"shesmil
edandsodidYandi
.
Yandi
:"Soyourmommyj ustt
ookyououtofschool
midyear?Whatwi
llyoudowhilemommywor ks?"
Zur
ishr
ugged.
Zur
i:"
Iaskedheri
fIcanpl
easecomest
aywi
thyou
whi
lesheisatwork"
Yandi:"
Wouldyoulikethat
? "Zurismil
edand
nodded"WellauntYandiwoul dn'
tmindcompany.
Zozo,ImiandHlumidon'ttalkandlovesleepal
ot
butauntYandiisateachersot hi
sthingofyounot
bei
ngment al
lysti
mulatedisjustnotgood"she
l
ookedatZur i
.
Zuri
:"Mommysai
dIwon'
tgeti
nnowatanew
school
"
Yandi
:"Mommyi sri
ghtbutweshoul
dgetyousome
mater
ialtokeept
hatcl
evermi
ndbusy"Zurinodded
qui
ckl
y" Wheredi
dyouli
vewit
hyourmom bef or
e
Mozambi que?
"
Zur
i:"
Weal
waysl
ivedt
her
e"
Yandi
:"Evenwit
hyourrealmommy? "Zuril
ooked
conf
usedasshef or
gotwhattheyr
ehearsedwith
ZukososhejustnoddedandsodidYandi
Zur
i:"
Ifyou'
reat
eacherwhyar
en'
tyouatschool
?"
Yandi:"I
'mt
akingali
tt
lebr
eaktobeabletorai
semy
babies.Somommywasal awyeratt
hefact
ory?"
Zurishookherhead.
Zuri
:"Sheusedtopackstuffi
nboxes"Yandi
'seyes
shotopen."Butt
henitcl
osedandthenourhouse
burntdownsomommymovedusher e"Yandi'
s
heartsank.
Yandi
:"Howl
onghaveyoubeenher
e?"
Zuri:"
Forlong, auntYandi .IwishIcouldt akethis
couchandsl eeponi tathome.Doyout hink
mommywi llbeabl et obuyusacouchwi t
hhernew
job'
smoney? "ClearlyZuriwentof fscri
ptandshe
onlymadeYandimor econcerned.Shedoesn' t
knowt hear eawher etheyl i
vedbutshedi ddiscri
be
theempt yflatandcl earl
yZukol iedaboutt heB&B.
Yandisatookt her i
skofaski ngherwher eherf ather
wasandZur irevealedthathedi edbefor eshewas
bornsoshedi dn'tknowhi m.Yandideci dedt ostop
askingZuriper sonalquest i
onsandi nvi
tedZur ito
helpherbakecooki es.Nextweekshe' dbebusy
prepari
ngf ort hel i
mitedor der
sthatshegott oseeif
shewoul dbeabl etokeepupwi thrunninga
busi
nessandbr
ingaf
ullt
imemot
her
.
Thetwinswentonacampi ngtr
ipforachi
eversand
Othuwasjustbeyondproudofthefactt
hatthey
werechosentogo.Craigwentoutwit
hBabiniand
neit
herYandinotOthuknewwheretheywentor
whattheyweregoingtodo.
Yandi:"
It
'ssost
rangehowtheycangooutalone
butwhenweaskedt ojoi
nthem,wegetexcuses"
shesaidtoOthubecauseshewassuretoarr
ive
fi
rst"Hesai
dhe'l
lbebackheret
opickusup
though"shel
ookedatOthu.
Othu:"It
oldyoutonotthi
nki
ngaboutt
heir
fr
iendshi
pt oomuch.Theycl
earl
yhaveact
ivi
ti
es
t
hatwemustnotknowabout "
Yandi:"
Idon'
tli
ket
hesoundoft
hat
.Itsounds
dodgy"
Othu:"
Theyhavethisshoot
ingt hi
ngt
esti
ngout
newguns.Crai
gthinksIdon'tknowbutIdo"she
l
aughed.
Yandi
:"Noonegetshurtri
ght?"Othushookher
head"
Thenwhat'swit
ht hesecrecy?"Ot
hulaughed
bef
orer
aisi
nghershoul
der
s..
Othu:"Ithi
nktheywantsomet hi
ngthatdoesn't
i
nvolveus.It'
sgoodthattheyhaveli
vesapar tfr
om
us.Asl ongasnoonegetshur tort
heydon't
enter
tainotherwomenI'
mf i
newiththesecrecy"
Yandi:"
SoImustaccepthe' l
lforeverl
ikehis
dangeroustoys"Ot hunodded" Ihadadiscussion
withZuriwhenIbabysatherwhi leZukowenttot he
offi
ce"thedoor bel
lrangbef oreshesaidanything
else.Al
ltheladiesarrivedtogetheronewoul dhave
swor nt
heypi ckedeachot herup.Theki dsgreeted
andmadet hei rwayt otheTV.Ot huwasgl adthe
boyswer enott her
et ohogt heTVr emoteandkeep
theTVont hespor tchannel .
Othu:"
We'l
lbeeat
ingstrai
ghtfr
om theboxes,l
adi
es.
Ievengotoutmydisposablegl
assessowecan
thr
owthem awayaftereat
ing"t
heyalll
aughed.
Poppy:"
Idon'
tblameyou.Todaywasonel
ongday"
sheputherheadonthecounter
.
Zuko:"SoonI
'l
lbej
oini
ngyoul
adi
esi
nthe
exhausti
onandIcan'
twai
t"
Luci
a:"ToZukoandhernewj ob"theycheered"So
Othuisreal
lyyourbossguys?"shelookedatPoppy.
Zukobeforetheyal
llaughed.
Poppy:"Andtrustmeatworkshedoesn'tactl
ike
mysister.SoZukopleasesepar
ateOt
huourf ri
end
andMr sKnightourboss"l
aught
edagain.
Zuko:"Idonotmi
ndatal
l.Thankyoul
adi
esf
or
meetingmehere"
Yandi
:"Zuriaskedtokeepmecompanydur i
ngthe
daywhileyouar eatworkunt
ilshest
art
sschool
"
Zukofel
tli
kehi di
ngbecauseshewantedtobethe
onetoaskYandi .
Zuko:"
I'
m sosor
ry,
Yandi
"
Yandi:"Idon'tmind.Wehadagr eatt
imet odayand
I'
l
lgethersomeeducat i
onalmat eri
alshecan
sti
mul atehermindwi thwhi l
eIgetmyor der sready.
She'sasweetchi l
dbutI '
m notsureyou'l
lbe
comf ort
ablesince..
.youknow"t heotherladies
wantedt oknowwhat' youknow' wasbutYandi
didn'
twantPoppyandOt hut ofeeloff
endedand
defendt hei
rbrothermaki ngZukochangehermi nd
aboutopeni
ngupt
othem.
Zuko:"That'
ssor
ted.Iknowshe'
l
lbesafeatyour
pl
ace.I'l
lpayyouassoonasIstartear
ning,
YandiI
promise"
Yandi :"I
t'
sokayyoudon' thavetolikeIsaid,Ienjoy
havingsomeonet otal
kto"Zukohuggedher" And
I'
m notopeni ngadaycar e"shepoi ntedatherot her
fri
endsandt heylaughed.Ot hutookt hechil
dren
theirpizzaandt heirj
uicebef or
etheysatdownt o
eat.Zukol ookedatt hekidswhosatatadi stance
witheyesgl uedonaDi sneymovi e.
Zuko:"Iknowt hatyouguysarenotdumbandyou
haverealizedthatthedotstomystoryaren'
t
connecting"theladiesl
ookedateachother.
Othu:"
Wewer ewait
ingforyoutobecomfor
tabl
e
enoughtot
ellusyoursel
f"shehel
dZuko'
shand..
Zuko:"I
'm comfortabl
enow.IguessIwant edto
checkifti
mechangedyouguysbutIr eali
zeyouare
sti
llt
heladiesthatIknow.Youarewar m and
supporti
veandt herei
snor easonformet onott
ell
youwhat '
sgoingon"shel ookedbackatthekids
agai
n.Ot
hu'
shousewasveryopenandnotasbi
g
asYandi
'
ssoshefear
edtheki
dswouldhear.
Othu:"Wecangosi toutint hepati
o.We'l
lbeablet
o
seethekidst
hrought heslidingdoorandwewi l
l
hearift
hebabiesstartcrying"sheheldupthe
monitort
hat'
sconnect edtoherbedr oom wher
e
Qhayiyaandthetr
ipletsslept.
Luci
a:"
Letmemakeushotchocol
ate,
it'
ski
nda
chi
ll
yout.Ot
hupl
easet
ellmewherewhatis
Othu:"Yandiwil
l.I
'l
lgogeteachaf l
eece"she
quickl
ywentt othebedr
oom t ogetf
leeceblankets
tokeepwar m.Sooneachl adysatoutsidewit
ha
fl
eeceandahotcupofhotchocol at
et oli
stento
whattheirfr
iendwantstotellt
hem.
Yandi
:"It
'
sactual
lynotbadout.I
t'
sabeaut
if
ulnight
asi
defrom t
hecoolbreeze"al
lnoddedi
nagreement
.
Poppy:"We'reli
stening,Zuko"shet
ookasipoft he
hotchocolate.Zukot ookadeepbreat
handt hanks
totheoutsideli
ght,shecouldseethem per
fectl
y.
Zuko:"
Ohgoodness"shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hand
exhal
edsl
owly.
Othu:"Takeyourt
ime,Zuko.Justt
akeyourti
me
fr
iend"theyal
lhel
dhandswhi l
enoddingbecause
cl
earlyitwasapainf
ulstor
y.
Zuko:"
YouguysrememberPat
ri
ckr
ight
?"she
l
ookedatthem.
Poppy:"
Yourbrot
her?"Zukonodded"Thatbast
ard
near
lygaveusthi
rddegreeburnswhenweonce
wenttol
ookforyou"shegotangry.
Zuko:"
WellyeahIcan'tsayI
'm sur
pri
sed"shef aked
alaughwhil
eshakingherhead" Wel
l.
..
ohmygod"
shebli
nkedwhil
efacingtheroofbuthert
earsf ell
downthesideofherface.Yandiwhowascl osestto
herhel
dherkneeforcomf or
t.
Yandi:"We'r
ei nnorush,fr
iend"shesaidsof
tl
y.
Othuatt hefarcornerwasalreadywipi
nghertears
offwi
t hherfleecethoughshehadn'tevenheardthe
st
ory.Itwast hepainZukogaveof fi
nhervoicethat
madehercr y.
Zuko:"Iwenthomeoneafternoont
ovisi
tthefamil
y
andtakegroceri
es.If
oundPathomewi thtwoofhis
buddies.I
thadbeenthefi
rstti
methatIactual
ly
sawhi m sincehecamebackf r om oneofhi slong
distancet ruckrout es.Iwasact ual l
yhappyt osee
him andIevenof feredhi m aj obatt hecompanyI
wor kedf orasadr iversohe' dbecl osert ohome
sincet hef amil
yal wayscompl ai nedt hathe'snever
home.SoI 'mintheki tchenunpacki ngt hegr oceries
thatIhadwi thmeandIheart hem maket hese
nast yhomosexualcomment swhi chl eftme
disgust ed"shet i
ght nedherf ist s" Youguysknow
meandmyadvocacyf orhumanr i
ght s"shel aughed
betweent earsandherf r
iendsmanagedt oletout
somel aughingt oobecauset heyknewver ywel l
thatshewasnotonet okeepqui etaboutsomet hi
ng
closet oherhear t" Igavet hem myt wocent swor th
andheact ual
lyaskedmewher eIf itinont heir
privateconver sationssoIt oldhi mt hati twas
per sonbecauset heywer einsul t
ingmewi t
ht heir
hat econver sati
onsi nceI 'm al esbi an.Aver bal
argumentbr okeoutaf terthatbet weenuswher eI
gotcal ledeveryi nsulti
ngnameundert hesun.The
fami lykeptmysexual i
tyf r
om hi m becauset hey
knewt hathehat edhomosexualpeopl eandIdi dn' t
haveapr oblem wi thitunt i
lIhear dexact lywhathe
thoughtaboutus"shepausedandf iddledwi thher
fi
nger swhi lelooki ngatt hef l
oor"Irememberhi m
slappingmesohar dt hatIhi tmyheadagai nstt he
wal lwhichr esul tedinmynosebl eeding.Int hat
momentofl ightheadednessandanger ,Icoul dhear
beltsunbuckl e.Thef i
ght eri nmer antot heki tchen
togr abakni febecauseIknew. .
.Iknewwhatwas
aboutt ohappennextf orsomer eason"shesai das
shecoul dremembereachandever ylit
tledet ail
.
Luci awasonherf eetbecauset heyallknewwher e
thest orywasheadi ngandi twasj usttoomuchbut
theywant edt oknowsoshegavet hem whatt hey
want ed" Iwashel dfrom behi ndsovi olentlybutI
managedt ost abmybr ot heri nthear m buthedi dn't
evenf li
nch"shel ookedupagai n"Hehadmeont he
fl
oorsoqui ckbutIf ought .DamnIf oughtbutwhat
chancedi dIst andagai nstt hreemen?Evenwhen
theot hertwopi nnedmedownwhi lePatt ookmy
pant sof f
,Ifought "shepunchedherpal m wi thher
otherhand" Andt henIbecameast ati
sticof
correctiverapei niti
atedbymyownbr other"she
brokedownandt heot herl adiesallcamet okneeli n
frontofhercr ying.Al loft hem hear dstoriesabout
suchbutneverinthei
rwi
ldestdr
eamsdidthey
i
magi nei
twouldhitsocl
osetohome.Theyspenta
l
ongwhi l
ejustcryi
ngandeachcursi
ngZuko's
brot
her.
Yandi:"
We'r
esorr
y"shesai
dinawhisper.Sor
ryt
hat
theywerenott
herewhensheneededthem most
.
Zuko:"
They...
theyjustt
ooktur
ns"cor
recti
ng"me.
I
'veneverregr
ettedspeaki
ngupasIdidinthat
moment .HadIjustkeptqui
et.
..
"shewipedher
tear
soff.
Poppy:"Zuri
?"Zukonoddedmult
ipl
eti
mesandt
he
l
adiesfeltt
hemselvesgetnumb.
Zuko:"IdrovebacktomyplaceandIjustkepti
tto
myselfforacoupleofdays.Iusedt
ogetsoangr y
unti
lmyt hengirl
fr
iendgott
ir
edandleft
"
Othu:"Whydidyounotspeakt
ous,Nozuko?"she
couldn'
tbel
ievet
hatZukodeal
twi
thsuchalone
whenshedidn'thavet
o.
Zuko:"Iwasindeni
al,
fri
end.Ikeptt
hinki
ngit
'sa
ter
ri
blenight
marebutIneverwokeup.Iwasal so
ashamed.YouguysknowhowmuchIhat epi
ty.So
Ijustwentont hinkingI '
devent uall
yf orget"her
handshadst artedt oshakebutherf riendsheld
them t ight."Ithengat her edthecour aget ogoback
homeaf teraf ewweekst ogoandt ellthefamily
whathappened.Heal readyspunt hem ast oryand
saidt hatIst abbedhi mf ornoappar entreason.Igot
chasedoutoft hehousebutIt oldt hem whatr eall
y
happenedbutt heydi dn' tbeli
eveme.Mamacoul dn't
believehowherf avour itechildcoul dr apehisown
l
ittl
esi stersoshet oldmet ogoandcomeback
whenI 'mr eadyt otellthet ruth.Theybecamedead
tomeont hatday.Iwentt oopenacaseagai nst
him andbecauseIdi dn'thavear apeki tdoneafter
thei ncident, Iwast oldt hatt heydi dn'thave
evidenceand" coi ncident al
ly"mycasef i
lewent
"missi ng"shel etoutal aughofdi sbel i
ef.
Luci
a:"
What
?!"sheshout
edt
oexpr
esshershock.
Zuko:"
Myuncl
ewasacopori sIdon'
tknowsoI'
m
guessi
nghi
ssi
steraskedhi
mtowipeoutmy"li
e"
Yandi
:"Iwi
shyouhadcomet
ous,
Zuko"
Zuko:"
Whatwoul
dyouhavedone,
fri
end?
"she
l
ookedatYandi
.
Yandi:"
Suppor
tyouandtr
ytogetj
usti
ceforyoubut
tohearyouwentthr
oughi
tal
lal
one,no"shestar
ted
tocryagai
n.
Zuko:"Att hatt imeIwant ednot hingt odowi t
hmy
familynort hesout hAf ri
canj usti
cesyst em andI
hatedthatIbel ongedt ot hatsystem.IknewI 'dr un
i
nt oPat '
sandhi sfriendsi nt ownandIwoul dn'tbe
abletodoanyt hi ngabouti t
"shest oodtof eelt he
coolwi ndi nherf ace" Pat '
scompanydi dn'tdel i
ver
i
nMozambi quesoIknewI '
dneverhavet ohearor
seehi m agai nsoIpackedupwi t
houtgi vingi t
thoughtandIl eft..
.j
ustl i
ket hat"shet urnedt olook
atthem agai n" Ihadsavi ngssoIwasokayandaf ter
threemont hsIf oundaj obbutIal sost ar t
edt of eel
sick.AtfirstIt houghti twasanSTDbecauseI
neverwentt ot estaf terthat .Thedoct ordr ewbl ood
andwhensheaskedmet ocomei n,Iwast oldt hat
I'
m diseasef reebutwaspr egnant"sheputherf ace
i
nherhandsandst artedt oshakeast ear sranf ree.
Luciawr appedherar msar oundhert i
ght l
y" Itold
herthatIwant edanabor ti
ont hereandt henbutshe
didn'
tof ferthoseser vices.Ihear dfrom t hestreet s
thattherewasabackst reetpl acewher ei tcoul dbe
doneandIdi dn'tevent hinkt wiceabouti t.SoIsat
waiti
ngmyt urnatt hef i
lthypl acepr essi ngmy
phonet opasst i
meandt hiswomanwhowaspr o-
l
ifeenter edtogi veuspamphl etsandoni twasa
messaget hatsoundedl ikeitwasf r
om t he
perspect i
veoft hebabyIwasaboutt ot er minate.
Thechi ldpleadswi tht hemot hert okeepi tsaying
somet hinglike' mommyIcanhearyourvoi ceandI
l
oveyoual r
eady.Ican' twai ttomeetyou"shesunk
tothet i
ledf l
oorcr ying" Icoul dn'tdoi tsoIl eft.The
thoughtofcar ryingachi l
dt hatmi ghtbeyourni ece
anddaught ermessedwi thmesoI '
dgot ot hepl ace
onlytor unoutagai nunt ilthel adyr ef usedt ohel p
mesoIdeci dedt ocar ryi tandl eavei tatt he
hospital.ThenZur iwasbor nandIpl annedmyr un
awaybutt henanur sepr acticallyforcedmet o
breastfeedsi nceZur iwoul dn'tstopcr ying.She
openedt hosehugebl ackeyesassoonasmyni pple
wasi nhermout handf orasecondi twasl i
keshe
wassayi ngthankyouf orf i
nal l
yf eedi ngme"she
l
aughedsof t
ly" Inthatmomentmyr unawaypl an
gotdel ayedandi t'sbeendel ayedfort hepast
elevenyear s"shel aughedl ouder."Iknowshe' snot
Pat '
sbecauseIst il
lrememberhi sfri
endswel l.Zuri
i
saspi tti
ngi mageoft hemanf r
om whoseseedshe
wasf or med.I twas. .
.i
twashar datf i
rst.Ohmy
goodnessi twassohar datf i
rstbutIl ovedher ..
.I
l
oveher .SoIgotal lthehelpIcoul dgat her.Wentt o
asuppor tgroupf orwomeni nsimilarsituationsand
Ibudget edf orat her apist.Tooki tadayatat i
me
unt i
lIstoppedseei ngmydaught erasacur sebut
asani nnocentchi l
dwhodoesn' tknowhowshe
cameaboutandsheneverwi l
l.She'l
lcont i
nuet o
thinkthatherf atherandhi sent i
refami l
ydiedwhen
asever est orm sweptt heirhomesawayi nt
oar iver
.
It'
stoogr aphicf orachi ldbuti t'
sbetterment all
y
thant otellhert het ruth"
Poppy:"
Isaylet'
sgoburnhisdamnhousedown
wit
hthem i
nside"shesai
dthefir
stt
hingt
hat
poppedinmind.
Zuko:"Don'tyouthinkIconsi
deredkil
li
ngthem or
hiri
ngsomeone, fr
iend?IdidbutthenIremembered
thatIwouldn'tbeabletoli
vewit
hmysel fbecause
I'
m notlikethem"shesai dhonestly"
Andneitherare
youladies"shelookedatt hem "
AllIwantist
omove
for
war df orZur
i.Idon'
twantmyf amil
ytoknowI '
m
back.IdonotwantZur ianywherenearthoseevil
people.I'
m star
tingoveragain"
Othu:"Andthi
sti
meyou'
l
lneverhavet
obealone
again"shewentt
ohugZuko.Zukosmi
ledand
nodded.
Yandi:"
NowonderyouthoughtBabi
niwasa
pedophil
e.Youarenott
rust
ingmenagai
n.I
'
m sor
ry
thatIputupdef
enceli
kethat"
Zuko:" Youhadever yri
ghttodef endyourhusband
asIhadnor i
ghttoaccusehi m ofsuch.Youguys
arenowt heonl yfamil
yZur iandIhaveandyouar e
allenough.IknowIshoul dhavest ayedbutIwas
notmysel fandbef or
eIknewi ttimepassedqui ckl
y
butI '
mf arbetternow.Ihaven' tr
uni ntoanyof
them"t heyheldhands." Youknowbyour eadand
wat chthenewsaboutsucht hingsbutyounever
thinkit'
llhappentoyou.Pl easedon' teverrepeat
thisbecauseIdon' twanti
tt oreachZur i'
sears.My
babymi ghtnothavemuchbutshe' shappy.Idi dn'
t
tel
lthetrut
hwhenIarrivedt
opr
otecther.She'
s
mine,Igavebirt
htoherandIwanthertoconti
nue
beli
evingthatIl
ovedsomemanansconcei vedher
"
Poppy:"Ofcour
sewe'l
lkeepquietabouti
t.I
'
m
manythingsbutI'
dneverdest
royachild'
sli
fe,
never
"theother
snoddedinagreement.
Zuko:"Ifeelsomuchbett
ernow.ImeanIhavea
communi t
yaroundmeagain.Ifearedyouguys
wouldn'tbeli
evemebecauseifmyf ami
lydidn'
t
whatwer ethechancesofmyf r
iendsbelievi
ngme
butIwaswr ong"
Othu:"Webel
ieveyou.Idon'
tknowwhenbutthey
wil
lhavethei
rday.Everydogdoes"shesai
dwit
h
cert
aint
y.
Luci
a:"Nowtel
lust
het
rut
haboutyourl
ivi
ng
si
tuat
ion.Ar
eyoutwor
eal
lyf
ine?
"
Zuko:"Iguessso.Weareinanemptyfl
atsonoone
wil
lbreakintosteal
anyt
hing"shel
aughed.
Luci
a:"
WellyouknowI'
mi nproper
tynow, r
ight
?"
shesmil
ed"Ihaveavacantt
wobedr oom apart
ment
i
nanareawher ebr
eakinsar
en'tathingsoyou
guyscanmovei
ntoni
ghti
fyouwant
"sheof
fer
ed.
Zuko:"
Ist
il
lneedtoworkformoneysoIdonot
haveadeposi
tletal
onerentandi
fther
ear
eno
breaki
nsIimaginei
tbei
ngexpensi
ve"
Luci
a:"
You'l
lpayr
entwhenyougetpai
d.I
'
mt he
owneraf
teral
lsoIsayyou'
l
lpaywhenyoucan"
Yandi:"
AndmyhusbandandIhavefurni
tur
ein
stor
age.Sayt
hewordandit
'satyournew
apart
menttomor
row"
Poppy:"
Igott
hetransportmoneyt
oandf
rom wor
k
cover
edunti
lyoucanaffordi
t"
Othu:"I
'
vegotthegr
ocer
iescovet
edandIhappent o
bemar ri
edt
oamanwhohast opnotchsecuri
ty
systemssohecancomeandi nst
allonejusti
n
case"Zukost
artedt
ocryandtheyallhuggedher
.
Zuko:"
WhydidIeverdoubtyouguys?If
eell
ikeI
don'
tdeser
vethi
s"
Othu:"
Zur
isur
edoessodon'
tyoudar
esayno"t
hey
l
aughed.
Zuko:"
Iaccept
..
.Isoacceptsot
hankyousomuch
guys.Il
oveyou.Mylit
tl
efamily"shebrokedown
againbutoutofj
oy.Shewishedthatsheretur
ned
earl
ierf
orZuri
.
Poppy:"Youaresuchawar r
iorwoman,Nozuko
Hans.Pleasenevershutusoutagai
n"Zuko
promised.Someone'sst
omachmadeanoi seand
theyalll
aughed.
Zuko:" I
'
m sor r
y"shef eltembar r
assed.Othuwentt o
heatupt heirpizzaandser veitoutsidewithwi nefor
allexceptYandi .Whent heysuspect edthatZuko
washi dingsomet hingtheyt houghtshewashi ding
amananddi dn'tknowhowt oexplainthesudden
changei nsexual i
tybutt ohearthattheirf
ri
endwent
throughsomucht orethem allbuttheycouldsee
thatitdidn'
tgetZukodown.Notmanycanr aisea
childthatwasconcei veddotpai nfull
yandt beysaw
thatZuko'slovef orherdaught erwasr eal
.
Zuko:" Mytherapi
st.
..
wellwhenIstillcoul
dafford
onesai dthatheal
ingisalif
elongthings.TonightI
feelanotherwoundclosesot hankyousomuch.
Forthej ob,t
heapartment,l
ivi
ngexpensecover age
andj ustforbei
ngyou.ZuriandIar eblessed"she
smi
led.
Othu:"
Iremembermomentswhenyoul
adi
esdi
d
t
hesamef orChul
uandI"
Poppy:"
IrememberyouZukodoi
ngthesamewhen
youtookmeinaft
erIgaveKumkaniaki
dney"
Luci
a:"
Iremembert
hesamewhenIhadNatali
eand
fi
ndi
ngoutNatewascheat
ingsot
hankyou"
Yandi:"
ThoughZukowasnotwithusIremember
thesuppor
tyouladi
esgavemewhenIgotdivorced
andIknowZukowoul dhavedonej
ustasmucht o
supportme"
Othu:"Maywer ai
sest rongyoungwomenand
youngmenwhowi l
lknowr i
ghtfrom wrong.May
thisci
rcleneverbeshor tonememberagai nand
maywef oreversuppor teachot her
"sheraisedher
glassast heytoasted.Zukol ookedatZurithrough
theglassoft hesli
dingdoorandsmi l
ed.Theperson
sheoncesawasacur sewast heonewhof il
ledher
l
ifewithmeani ng.Itwasnoteasyatal lbecause
she'dhitalowsomedaysbutnot hi
ngwoul dmake
hergiveupespeci all
ysi ncetheyhadsuppor t
aroundt hem forthefi
rstti
mesincetherape.Zuko
l
ookedatt heladi
eswhower el
aughingwhiletal
king
aboutthegoodol ddaysandshewasgl adthey
wouldendt henightl
aughingbecauseshehadcr ied
foryearssot olaughwi t
hherpeoplewaswhatshe
andZur iwouldbedoi ng.
Patandhistwof r
iendswokeupnotbei ngablet o
moveasi ngl
emuscl e.BabiniandCr ai
gtracked
them downafterCrai
gsuggest edtheyhaveal it
tl
e
mant omanwi ththemenwhohur tZuko.Craig
knewZukosoi thithomet ohimt ohaveawoman
heknewwel lenduresomuchatt hehandsofweak
men.
Pat
:"Heyvoet
sekl etusgo, doyouknowwhoyou
ar
edealingwi
th?"hel ookedatCrai
gandBabi
ni
wholaughedoutloud.
Crai
g:"Imissedthi
s.Getti
ngsomejust
icet
othose
thesystem f
ail
s"helookedatBabi
niwi
th
exci
tement.
Babi
ni:"
Iknewt
hisonewoul
dexci
teyoubr
other
"he
smil
ed.
Cr
aig:"I
ntroducemet ot
hem agai
n"Babi
nist
oodt
o
wal
kt otheirpr
isoner
s.
Babini
:"Theyaren'
tevenworthyofbei
ngnamed
becausetheyarenothumanbutIwi l
lsaythi
s.
Thesearethetypeofmenyouwoul dn'twantChul
u
orOthuoranywomant orunintowhil
ealone
becausetheyrape"Crai
gactedshocked.
Craig:"
Sothesefuckersarepartofthereasonmen
l
ikeyouandIar eseenat r
ash?Menwhoar eabl
eto
respectanoar egui
ltybyassociat
ionbecauseof
suchweakf uckers?
"hekickedPati nt
hef ace
beforedoi
ngt hesamet oother
s.
Pat
:"Youhadbetterki
llusbecausemyunclewil
l
makesurethatyouarearrest
ed"hesai
dinanger
andCrai
gandBabi nil
augheduntilt
ear
sfor
med.
Babini:"Kil
lyou?Yout hi
nkwe' dl
etyoujustdi
e?
Imaginet hat,br ot
her.
Tbeythinkwe'
llki
llt
hem and
that'
sit"Craigl aughedbeforehewenttotakeouta
shinyswor dfr om itshol
der.
Craig:"
Igotthi
sfr
om amanatt
heagencyt
hatI
respected.I
'
m agunmansoIdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo
withthisbutIkeptitandwhenyout oldmeabout
this,
Ithoughtitwoul dbetheperfectopport
unit
yto
testit
"heranthebl adeoverhisf i
ngers.Pat
's
fri
endshadgagger si ntheirmouthssonoone
couldhearwhatt heywer esayingbutitwasclearl
y
begging.Crai
gslicedaf ullwater
meloni nhal
fwith
easebef or
ewipingt hebladewi t
haclot hwhi
le
wear i
ngasmi rkonhi sface.
Pat:"Pleasedon'tdot hi
s.Wedonotknowwhatyou
aretalkingaboutaswehaveneverr apedanyone.
Wewer eneverar r
estedsoyougotthewrong
people"hesai dinashakyvoiceandhisbuddies
noddedqui ckl
y.Crai
gputtheswordagainstPat
's
neckandcuthi sneckbutitwasjustascrat
chbut
Patwascr yingandbeggingwhenhef el
tthebur
nof
theli
ttlescratch.
Babini
:"Damnmanthat
'sshar
p.Youhar
dlyused
for
ce"themencri
edwhentheysawCrai
gwipethe
l
itt
lebl
oodstai
noff.
Pat:"
Pleasedon'
tki
llus.Wear en'
trapi
sts.Wear
e
husbandsandhavef amil
ies"
Babini:"Yeahandyour apedoneoft hoseFami ly
member sandyoul etyourbuddiesinont hef untoo.
Thef actthatyou'r
eahusbandwi l
lmaket he
experienceevensweet er.Wewon'tgol aychar ges
againstyoubecauseweknowt heywon' tsti
ckeven
i
fyouconf ess.Wewon' tkil
lyoubecauset here'
sno
suff
er i
ngi ndeath"Patcriedwhenher eali
sedt hati
t
wasconnect edtoNozuko.Het houghthehad
gott
enawaywi thi
t.Nozukowasnott hef i
rst
woment heyr apedandgot t
enawayscot tfree.
Crai
g:"
Man,myhandsar
eit
chi
ngsol
et'
sgett
his
overwi
th"
Babini:"
OhIgotmysel fagif
ttocompl i
mentyour
s"
hewentt owheretheshredderhegotwasandt hey
bothhaveasneakyl augh.Babi
nithrewrubber
gl
ovesatCr ai
gandt heybothworethem.Pat's
mout hwasalsostuffedwit
hsomet hingtost
ophis
beggingandcriesbuttheykeptbegging.
Babini
:"Si
nceyouarenotwort
hyofyourfucki
ng
sucksli
kerealmenare,
wewi l
lmakesureyounever
usethem agai
n"Patandhisf
ri
endsreal
lycri
ed
whenthepantswerepull
edoff.Babi
nit
ookastick
toputt heirmanhoodsoverawoodenpl at
form and
sincetheywer etiedtheycoul dn'tevenmove
backwar d.EvenCr ai
gposi ti
onedhi sswor dover
oneofPat '
sfri
end'smanhoodt hethreemenwent
crazybeggi ngasbestt heycoul dbutCr ai
g
mer ci
lesslyloweredthebl adecut t
ingoffthefi
rst
penis.Thepai nwasexcr uciatingandt heothertwo
wer ecryingmor ewhent heysawwhathadj ust
happened.Babi nitookthemut il
atedpieceoffl
esh
andwi thoutfli
nchingletthem wat chhismachi ne
shredit.Allthr
eegott hatsamef ate.
.
3daysl
ater
SinceBabinihadknowl edgeofmedi calprocedures
withoutevergoingtoneedschoolhewasabl eto
stopthemenf rom bleedingtodeath.Heevendi da
proceduresotheywoul dur i
nat
e.Theyknewnoone
wouldlookforthemenbecauset heywer eont heir
wayhomet osur pr
isetheirf
amil
iesaftertheygot
backf r
om adeliveryinZimbabwe.Thei rcompany
thoughttheywer eathomeandt heirfami l
ies
thoughttheywer eatwor ksonoalarm wasr aised.
Allt
hreewokeupt
ofi
ndCr
aigandBabi
nist
andi
ng
overthem.
Babi ni:"
Yourmedi calcoveragehasexpi r
edsoget
thef uckupandgohome.Thesear ef orthepai n.
Youdon' tdeservet hem butIdon'twantyou
passi ngoutduet opai n.Keepthestitchescl eanbut
they'lldesolveont heirown.Itwasf unbutyougot ta
go"hegavet hepill
s."Andoh, i
twasn' tadr eam by
theway.Youdonothaveducksf ucker ssoatl east
l
adiesoutt heredon' thavetowor r
yaboutyout hree
rapingt hem.Idi dthisf ormydaught er,niecesand
allwomenoutt here.Ifonepartisresponsi blef or
badt hencuti t
"hel aughed.
Crai
g:"Wearewat chingyousoi fyouhurtany
i
nnocentpersoninanyway, wewi l
lfi
ndyouandwe
wil
lcutyouagain.Wewi lldosount i
lnothi
ngisl
eft
ofyou.Tel
lyourwi vesyourrapistdi
ckswere
confi
scat
edbyt heunder groundjust
icesyst
em.We
don'
twanttofuckwi t
hus"hepr omised.
Babini
:"St
andingthefuckupandgo.Onewor dt
o
theauthor
it
iesaboutyourli
tt
leprocedur
eandwe
wil
lchopupever yoneinyourfamil
y"hedidn'
tmean
t
hatbutt
heybel
ievedhi
m.Nozukowasnott hefi
rst
womantheyr
apedbuttheyknewitwasnevergoi
ng
t
ohappenagai
nsincetheygotmuti
lat
ed.
Craig:"
Ohwhi leyou'
reheal
ingwewil
lgat
herthat
evidenceforthepoli
ce.Wewillt
henseei
fyoulike
beingrapevicti
msi nj
ail
"
Pat:"
Whathappenedtobr
otherhood?Wewere
fi
xingthem,t
heyshoul
dn'
tbelike.
..
"Cr
aigpunched
hi
m bef or
ehecoul
devenfi
nish.
Crai
g:"
Youcanbehappythatwenolongersi
lence
peopl
ebutdon'
tyoudar
etestme"hepoint
edathim.
Pat
:"Youtookmymanhood,howwi
llIbeaman
wit
houtt
heonethi
ngthatmademeone?"hecr
ied.
Babini:"Youdidn'tfuckingdeser veitnowgobef or
e
Igetangr yanddosomet hingIwi l
ldef i
nitelynot
regret
"Theywat chedt hef ri
endsweart heirpants
slowlyast hepainwasst i
llraw.Babi nigavet hem
thei
rpi l
lsli
kea" good"doct orandwat chedt hem
walkwi thpart
edl egoutoft heisol
atedar eathey
keptthem in.Theyneededmor eti
mei namedi cal
centerbutBabi nididn'
tf eel theydeser vedi t
.He
wantedthem t
ofeelasmuchpai
nandshameas
t
heirvi
cti
msdi d.
Cr
aig:"
Areyousur
eit
'senough?
"
Babini
:"Si
nceIcan'
tki
llt
hem.It
'l
lhavetobebutI'
l
l
watchthem.OnemistakeandIthr
owt hem i
nto
upcomingtraf
fi
c"
Craig:"Let'
scl eanup.Damncanyoui magi nebeing
withoutadi ck? "theybot hhel dt heirf rontcr i
nging
beforelaughi ng.Zukoandt heot hervi cti
mswi ll
neverknowt heygotj usti
cei nawaybutBabi niand
Craigknewt hatt her e'
srapist swer et akencar eof
andi nsomewayj ust i
ceorr evengegotser vedon
behalfoft heinnocentwoment heyscar r
ed.The
menhadnoi nt entionofgoi ngt ot hepol i
ceandl et
anyoneknowt hatt heywer ewi t
houtmanhoods.
Theydi dn'tknowwhatt heywoul dsayt ot heirwives
whent heygethomebutt heyhadnoi ntent i
onof
crossingCr aigandBabi niaf terwhatt hetwomen
haddonet ot hem.I twasgoi ngt obet heirli
ttl
e
secretbutt heyf eltlikenothi ngsast heywal ked
awkwar dl
ywhi l
epeopl estar ed.Thephysi calpain
wasnot hi
ngcompar edtot heemot ionalpai nthey
f
eltandt
hepsychol
ogi
calt
raumat
heywer
egoi
ng
t
hrough.
S2-
INSERT42
Zukodi dn'twanttol eavethecomf or tablebedt hat
Yandigavet hem butshehadt obeatwor kinaf ew
hour s.Zur iwassleepi ngnextt oherbecauset hey
hadn' tgottenherbedr oom readyj ustyetbutZur i
didn'tmi nd.Theapar tmentt hatLuciagott hem was
greatandZukowasgl aditwaswi thinherbudget .
Soont hechaosbeganasshegother selfandZur i
readyf ortheday.Zur iwant edt osleepl onger
sayingshe' dshoweratYandi '
sbutZukowoul dn't
haveanyofi tsoZur iwassul kingunt ilt
heyf i
nished.
Othugott hem somuchf oodZukowascer tai
ni t
woul datl eastlastthem twomont hs.Zukopacked
l
unchf orthebot hoft hem becausesheknewYandi
woul dbet oobusypr epari
ngmeal sf orheror ders.I
t
feltgreattowakeupt ogoear nherlivingsoZuko
wasj ustfloati
ngaroundwi thasmi le.
Zuko:"
Come,comeZur iwehavetocatchat axiand
thenmommyhast ocatchanothert
owor k.Ineed
tofi
ndasol
utionbecausetr
aveli
ngli
kethisisnot
goodlongter
m"shesai
dwhil
eputt
ingZur
i'
s
backpackwit
hherl
unchonZuri
'
sback.
Zuri:"
Wecangetoneoft hosesmallcar s.Yousee
thosethatonlyfitf
ortwopeople?Thosever yti
ny
ones?Youar enotgoingtohaveanot herbabyso
i
t'l
lbeperfectforus"shesaidwhil
est andingbehi
nd
Zukowhi l
eshel ockedthedoor.
Zuko:"Howsureareyoumommywon'thave
anotherbaby?
"shelaughedast
heywal
keddown
thestai
rs.
Zuri:"
Yousaidit
.Youalll
lwayssayi t
"sheshookher
headinadr amati
cmannerandZukol aughed
"MommyI '
mreall
yhappy"sheconf essedwitha
smileandZukofeltherheartwarm up" I
n
Mozambi queyoudidn'
thavef r
iendsbuthereyou
doandt heycamewi t
hfri
endsf ormet oo"she
hoppednexttoZukot okeepupwi ththewide
str
ideshermothertook.
Zuko:"Mommyshouldneverhavelef
t"she
whisperedt
oher
sel
f"ButI'
m happytoo"shel
ooked
atZuriandt
heysmi
led.Shewasn'tsurehowlong
t
hathappymomentwoul
dlastbutshet
ooki
nal
lof
i
t.
Zuri:"
IthinkauntYandiwant st
ohomeschoolme.
Shesai dsoonshe'llhaveschoolst
ufff
ormetodo.
Ireall
ylikeher.
..Il
ikealloft
hem.Ili
kemyuncl
es
too"
Zuko:"
Uncl
eCr
aiganduncl
eBabi
ni?
"Zur
inodded.
Zur
i:"
Anduncl
eMzut
oo.Wi
l
lyougetmar
ri
edt
oo?
"
Zuko:"Idon'
tknow"shehasnott oldZurithatt
hey
wil
lneverhaveamani ntheirli
ves.Whent hetime
wasrightshe'
dsitherdaughterdownt otalkabout
i
t.
Zuri:"I
tdoesn'tmat t
erokay.Wear efinealone"she
sai
dbef oreZukolif
tedherintoataxi.Shewas
actuallyconsideri
ngthatli
ttl
etwoseatcarZur i
suggest ed.Anythi
ngt omaket hemor ni
ngr outi
ne
shor t
erandeasi er
.Yandi'
sgat ewasopenal r
eady
sotheymadet hei
rwaytot hedoor.Zuriranahead.
Zuko:"
Knockf
ir
st,
Zur
ipl
ease"shecal
ledout
.
Zur
i:"
Butt
heysai
dit
'smysecondhome"she
l
ookedback.
Zuko:"
Knock"shesai
dinaster
nwhisperbutZur
i
st
oodonhert oest
ori
ngthebelli
nst
ead.
Zuri
:"Wemustgetoneofthesewhenyougetpai
d"
shepoint
edt
othewhitebutton.
Zuko:"
Holdyourhorses,
Mi ssy.We'renotri
chso
keepwithi
nourbudgetsreach"theylaughedand
Yandiopenedj
ustasZukof inal
lyreachedthedoor
.
Yandi
:"Youl
ookt
ir
edal
ready"shel
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"
Thislit
tl
etripisgoingtobethedeathofme
butnotyet.Soonshe'llbeinschool
.Thankyou
onceagain,Yandisa.Areyousurethatyoudon'
t
wantmet opayf oryourtime?"
Zuri
:"Yousai
dwemustnotturngi
ft
sawaywhen
theyarefr
om t
heheart
"shel
ookedathermot
her
andYandipoi
ntedatZuri
.
Yandi:"
Whatshesai
d.Continueyourmar at
hon
befor
eyougetyourf
irstver
balwarning.Ihear
d
Othurunsati
ghtshi
p"theybothlaughed.
Zuko:"
Iloveyoubot
h.Ipackedl
unchf
orher
.Bye"
sheki
ssedZur
i'
scheeks.Yandihel
dherhand.
Yandi:"
I'
m pr
oudofyou"shesmi
ledandZukodi
d
too.
Zuko:"
Thankyou,
fri
end"shesmi
ledbef
orer
unni
ng
off
.
Yandi :"
Whoknewyourmom coul druninaheelli
ke
that
? "theylaughedwhilewat
chingZukodisappear
from theirsi
ght"SoI'
m busyprepari
ngthemeals
forlunch.Canyoupl easepl
aywi t
hthosethr
eewho
wakeupear lyasift
heyhavesomewher etobe"Zuri
l
aughed.
Zur
i:"
Theyreal
lyl
iket
hattoyt
hatmakesnoi
se"t
hey
cl
osedthedoorbehi
ndthem.
Yandi:"Oh?"Zurinodded"
Idi
dn'
tknow.Uncle
Babinialsogotyoubookssoheisgoingtohel
pyou
wit
ht hatassoonast hebabi
esf
allasl
eep"Zuri
huggedYandi .
Zuri
:"Ireal
lyl
ikei
ther
e,auntYandi
.Yourhouseis
beauti
fulanditsmel
ll
ikebabystuf
f"Yandil
aughed.
Yandi
:"It
houghti
tsmel
ll
ikef
lower
s"Zur
ishookher
head."Aslongasit
'snotbabypoopI
'
m okaywi
thi
t
then"Zur
ilaughed.
Zuri
:"I
tsmell
sli
kebabyhappiness"Yanditri
edt
o
i
maginewhatthatwouldsoundlike.Babi
nimade
hi
swayt otheki
tchenbutnotbeforegett
ingahug
fr
om Zuri
.
Yandi:"
Baby,whatdoesbabyhappi
nesssmel
lli
ke?
"
shelookedathi
m.
Babi
ni:"
Likebabyoilmixedwit
hot
herni
cesmel
l
ing
babyproduct
s"Zurinodded.
Zur
i:"
See?Everyoneknowshowitsmell
s"Yandi
wat
chedthem bothnodandshesuddenlyf
eltdumb.
Babini
:"Wi
llyouplayassi
stdel
iver
erwhenItake
auntYandi
'
sf oodtoyourmommy' swork?Wecan
evenhavemat chi
ngcapstolookallpr
ofessi
onal
"
Zurij
umpedi nexcit
ement.
Zuri
:"Pi
nk..
.pi
nki
sthecol
our
"Babi
ni'
seyes
widened.
Babi
ni:"
Iwast
hinki
ngbl
ack"Zur
ishookherhead.
Zur
i:"
Pinkwi
llsui
tus,
uncl
e.I
t'
sbr
ight
"
Babi ni
:"That'
swhatI '
m scaredof.Wemustdi scuss
thi
spr operly,
partnerbutfi
rstgogr eett
hekids.
Lookatt hem nothappyyougr eetedusfir
st"Zuri
tookherbagof fherbackandwentt owherethe
tri
pletssatont hei
rrotat
ingchairs.
Yandi
:"You'
resuchasof
ty"shest
art
edherwor
k.
Babini:"
Youandthechil
dreninourli
vesar ethe
onlyoneswhoknowsoshhh"heputhi sfingerover
hisli
ps"I'
m act
uall
ygoi
ngt omakeusbr eakfast
today"Yandil
ookedathi
m" I'
m notgoingtokillyou,
Mama"hel aughedandtookouthisingredients.
Yandi
:"Muesl
iandyogur
t,r
eal
ly?
"theyl
aughed.
Babini
:"Begratef
ul,
AvethandwaZweni "hespanked
herbehindseducti
velyandshegiggled"Sowho'l
l
beyourf r
iendwhenthefamilygathers?Ot
huhas
herowni nlawstogoi mpr
ess"Yandimadeasad
face.
Yandi:"
Wewillallbebackher
eforthenewyearst
il
l
ri
ght?Toenj
oyt hebeach"shesmil
ed.
Babi
ni:"
Dur
banhasabeacht
oo"hel
aughed.
Yandi
:"Butweal
waysspendNewYeart
oget
her
.I'
m
sur
etheBhengu'
swil
lunder
stand"
Babi ni
:"Welloneofthem hasbeeni nthestr
eetsof
LosAngel esf oryear
ssoI'm suretheywon'tmind"
hel aughed."OkayI'l
lst
opjokingaboutKnight'
sdad.
Haveyoul eftusenoughmilk?"Yandinodded"It
's
sti
llinandoutr ight
?"shenoddedonceagai n.
Yandi:"Poppypromisedt
ocomepopi ntocheck
thatyou'r
esti
llal
ive.MaRadebewil
lbesleepi
ngi
n
andyouhavequi teababysi
tt
erinZuri
"
Babini
:"Don'
tworryaboutit
.Justcomeback
al
ready"hekissedherbeforef
eedingherwhileshe
wasbusy.Hegothi mselfbusywit
hwhat everhe
wascapableofdoinginthekit
chen.
Othufeltt
hatshehadt oper
sonal
lyi
ntr
oduceZuko
tothestaf
fbecauseZukowasaseniorand
deservedtherespect
.
Othu:"Thi
sisMissZukoHansandf r
om t oday
onwar dsshei
sgoingt obeheadoft
hel egal
departmentofKC.Pleasehel
pmewel comeherto
theteam"sheclappedhandsandtherestofthe
staffdi
dtoowhil
econgr
atul
ati
ngZuko.Zukosmi
led
shlywhilewavi
ng.
Zuko:"Thankyousomuch, MrsKni
ghtandto
everyoneelsef
orthewar m wel
come.Ican'
twaitt
o
star
t"shegaveherbriefspeechner
vousl
y.Othu
dismissedthest
affonceallwassaidanddone.
Othu:"Fer
rel
"Othucal
ledoutbefor
eraisi
ngher
handandwat chedherPAwalktowardsthem
"Pl
easeshowMi ssHanswher eheroff
iceis"she
smiled.
Fer
rell
:"Yes,
Mam"shesmi
led"
Pleasef
oll
owme"
shelookedatZuko.
Zuko:"
MrsJonididinduct
iononFri
day,MrsKni
ght
soIknowwhereitis"shel
ookedatOthu.
Othu:"Ohokay"t heylookedatherbecauseshe
l
ookedl ikeshehadmor etosay"Ferr
ellisavery
niceladybyt heway"shehi nt
ed.Itwasnosecr et
thatFerrelwasal esbi
ansoOt huwast ryingtol
et
Zukoknowt hatshouldsheber eadytogi vel
ovea
chanceagai n.Othumovedherbr owsaf ewtimes
whilelookingatthem butneit
hercaughton.
Zuko:"
Ohhhhh"shefi
nal
lygott
hehi
ntandl
aughed
soft
ly"
Letmegot omyoffi
ce"
Ot
hu:"
Haveagr eatday,
MissHansandyoutoo
Mi
ssWill
iams"sheparadedof
ftoherof
fi
ce.
Ferr
el:"
Didourbossjusttrytohookusup?"she
l
ookedatZukowi t
hasmi leandZukosmi l
edand
nodded.Lovewouldbegr eatandift
heri
ghtwoman
cameZukowoul dgiveitachance.
Zuko:"NozukoHans"sheshookFer
rel
l'
shandt
o
i
ntroducehersel
ftoFer
rel
li
nherownway.
Ferrel
l:"FerrellWi ll
iams.Sinceshe' smybossandI
wasaskedt oshowyout oyourof fi
ce,pleasef oll
ow
me"shewal kedahead.Fer r
ellwasabeaut if
ul
woman.Wi thapi xi
ecut ,honeysmoot hskinanda
beauti
f ulslenderbodysoZukowasgl adthatOt hu
thoughtshe' dl ookgoodnextt oherbutshe' df ocus
onpossi bl
eof ficeromanceonceshe' sset tl
ed.
Ferrel
lr eachedt heof f
iceandl etZukowal kinfirst.
"Welcomet oKC.Ourpr evi
ousl egalheadhadaPA
butsher esi
gnedwi thhim soi fyouneedanyt hing
j
ustaskunt ilyougetyourown.Mywor kstationi s
closetoMrsKnight'
soff
icesoyouwon'tmi ssi
t"
shesmi l
ed.Fer
rellf
oundhersel
fal
readytakenby
theladyinfr
ontofhersoshehopedZukowoul d
pressonherbuttonsmoreoftensotheycouldt
alk
mor e.
Zuko:" Thankyou,Mi ssWi l
li
ams.I '
m sur eI'
llneed
yourhel pforawhi le"Ferr
ell
smi l
ed" I'
llseeyou"
Fer rel
lsmiledbef
or ewalkingout.Zukor anher
fingersont hesurfaceofherof fi
cef urnit
urewi t
ha
smi lebeforesi
nkingi nt
oherchai r.Shef el
tshe's
takingbackherl i
feagai naft
ersheal l
owedPatt ake
i
tf rom her.Sheknewshemi ghtrandoml yruni nto
them butshewasnotgoi ngtorunagai n.
Othu:"
Igotyouapl ant,i
t'
sali
vesopl easewat erit
"
shesaidfrom behi
ndZuko" Youwer eneveronet o
whowasabl etokeept hi
ngsalive.Yourpuppydi ed
aweekaf t
eryougoti t
.Yourplantslookedmor e
brownthangreen.I'
m shockedZur ii
sbr eat
hing"
Zukolaughed.
Zuko:"
I'
m shockedtoo"shetookthepotplantsand
puti
tatafarcorner"Wowyouj usthadtogetone
wit
hinstr
ucti
onsonhowt ocarefori
t"shereadthe
tagandOthust uckhertongueoutbef orel
aughi
ng
"Thankyou,bosslady"shesmi led"
Thatwasver y
subtl
ebytheway"shesai dsar cast
icall
yandOthu
putaheapoff i
ledonherdeskl ookingconfused
"ThatFer
rel
lthi
ng"sher emindedherf ri
end.
Othu:"Idon'
tknowwhatyouar etal
kingabout.Si
t,
downsoIcanbr i
efyouonthese"shepoint
edatthe
fi
les.SheknewexactlywhatZukowast al
kingabout
andshewasgl adt
oseethatcharmingsmileof
Zuko'sagain.
Zuko:"Yes, mam"shesai dwi thexcitementbef or
e
si
nkingi ntoherof f
icechair
.Ot hugotherfami l
iar
withwhatneededl egalatt
entionandZukocoul d
notbelievet hatacompanyasbi gasKCdel ayedso
manyl egalmat tersthatmightcomeandbi tethem
i
fnotdeal twi th.Shegott owor kassoonas
possibl
et of ami l
iari
zeherselfwitheveryt
hing.Othu
stoodatt hedooronherwayoutl ookingatZuko
whowasf ocusedonwhatwasi nfr
ontofherand
shesmi ledandnoddedatt heirchoice.
Othu:"Yandi
,Cr
aigandIar
eleavi
ngtomorrowand
shouldbebackbytheendoftheweek.Ihope
you'
recomfor
tabl
ewithBabinibei
ngatthehouse
wit
hMaRadebewhi l
eZur iwil
lbether
e.I
fnotwe
canasksisNonit
ohelpandChul uwil
lbehome
mostti
mes.YoucanbringZuritomyhouseuntil
Yandii
sback"sheof
fered.
Zuko:"Zurireal
lyenj
oysbeingwiththetri
plet
s.I
actuall
ytrustyourbrot
hersoit
'l
lbefine"shesai
d
tr
uthfull
y"NowIr eal
lyneedtogetbackt owork.
Thisisamess"shewhi sper
edwhilepointi
ngatthe
fi
lesandOt husmi l
edandnoddedi nagreement.
Othu:"Iwonderhowt heymanagedt okeept he
doorsopensol ong? "shewhi speredbackbef or e
goingandZukol aughed.Hour swentbyandZur i
evendel i
ver
edl unchf orthest af
fforci
ngBabi nito
wearpi nkcapuni form.Zukof eltgoodaboutBabi ni
beingwi t
hherchi l
d.andwashappyZur iwasnot
stuckathomeal ldayl ong.Zukof orsomer eason
fel
tshehadt oint r
oduceFer r
elltoZuriasher
daughter.Perhapsapar tofherf el
tshewoul dwant
toexplorewhatevervi bewasbet weenher selfand
Ferrel
lsoshewant edhertoknowZur iwasher s.
Zur
i:"
Thankyouf
orchoosi
ngYandi
'
ski
tchen"she
sai
di nasweetvoiceandt hest
affwhoor dered
l
aughed.Babinididn'
tknowwher ethatcamef rom
butitwascutesohef oundhimselflaughi
ngt oo.
Thet woofthem highf
ivedonasuccessf uldeli
very
beforegoi
ngbackhome.
Babi
ni:"
Sowehaveanamet
oo?
"
Zur
i:"
Yes,uncl
e.It'
sabrandsoi
tmustbetreat
ed
assuch"Babi
nilaughedatt
heat
tit
udeshesaiditi
n.
Babi
ni:"
Okaymi
ssPubl
icRel
ati
ons"
Zur
i:"
What
'st
hat
?"
Babi
ni:"
Someonewhomakessuret
hata
busi
ness'
simagei
sgood"Zur
ismil
edandnodded.
Zur i
:"SoI
'm apubli
cr elationi
st?"Babi
ni:"
Apubli
c
relati
onspracti
ti
oner"Zur ismiledandnodded
clearl
yshelikedthetit
le..SuddenlyBabinicoul
dn'
t
wai tf
orZozot obethatage.
Zuri
:"Wi
llyoupl
easewrit
eitdownf orme?"Babi
ni
nodded"
I '
m apubl
icr
elat
ionpract
ice"shesmil
ed.
Babini
:"Pr
acti
ti
oner
"hecorr
ect
edherandshe
noddedwhilel
aughi
ng.Babi
nicoul
dseethatshe
l
ookedli
keoneofPat'
sf r
iendsandhecoul
dn'
t
i
maginehowdiff
icul
titmustbeforZukoto
someti
meslookatZuri.
Othuwenthomeear l
ybecauseshewant edtohave
enought i
met opackf orher sel
fandCr ai
g.Thetwo
ofthem satdownwi t
ht heboyst oexpl ai
n
everythingtothem.TheyknewCr aigwasgoi ngto
gethisf ather'
sspir
itbutt heydidn'tknowwher ethe
spir
itwoul dgosot heyhadt oexplai
n.Craigstart
ed
totellthem theenti
rest oryandt heirfaci
al
expressionschangedaf tereachsent encemaki ngit
dif
ficulttoreadtheirreaction.
Phawu:"Sowewon' tbet
ightl
ikeKni
ghts
anymore?"hel
ookedatQhawewhof r
owned.
"LuphawuBhengu?"heshookhishead.
Qhawe:" I
tsoundslikeasoapiechar
acter
"he
scratchedhishead"LiqhaweBhengu?"helookedat
hisbrother
."Crai
gBhengusoundsevenwor se"he
wor ealookofdisapprovalwhi
lel
ooki
ngathi s
father.
Cr
aig:"
Noonesai
dthatwe'
l
lchangeournamebut
whent
het
imei
sri
ght
,wemi
ght
"
Phawu:"ButTamkhuluwasNightsowhycan'
twe
cont
inuehislegacybybei
ngKnight
s?"
Chul
u:"
Becausethatnothowi
twor
ks.Wearea
par
tofali
neagenowandwecan'tr
unfrom i
t"
Othu:"
Let
'sdi
scusst
hiswhenwe'
rebackbecause
i
t'
llt
akeawhil
e"
Qhawe:"
Sowi l
lyoubookaseatf
oryourdadon
yourwayback?"
Chul
u:"
Real
ly?Forsuchasmar tguyt
hatwasa
st
upi
dquest
ion"shelookedathim.
Phawu:" It
'snotst upi
d.Wej ustdonotunderstand.
Willthespiri
tflywi t
hyouandi fsowher ewil
lhesi t
?
Alsowhat '
shebeendoi ngonthehighwayal lthese
years?Coul dMal umekazi getali
tt
lei
ntervi
ewsf or
comi cbookr easons? "Qhawewast heonlyone
noddi ngashef oundhi sbrother
squestionsvalid
whileChulur ol
ledhereyes.
Crai
g:"Idoubti
tworksli
ket
hatbutdadwillcome
tel
lyoueveryt
hingaft
erwe'
reback"hepr
omi sed
andt
heynodded.
Qhawe:"Soyou'releavi
nguswithChul
umanco?Do
youeventrusther?
"Chuluhithi
sback"Yousee?
"
helookedathisparents.
Chul
u:"
Don'tbedramat
ic.I
'
velookedafteryouguys
manyti
mesbef or
eandsisNoniwillhel
p.Youguys
j
ustwantt
ogowi th"
Phawu:"Wellyeahbecauseyou'
vej
ustcomef
rom a
hol
iday"headmi t
ted.
Othu:"Itwasn'tahol
iday.Wecan'tallgo,Phawu
boybecausei t'
salotofmoneyandt herewil
lbeno
ti
met osightseeeit
her"theboysdidn'tl
ooktoo
pleased.
Crai
g:"
Wecancheckifwecangoonar oadt
rip
duri
ngtheSept
emberschoolhol
iday"t
hei
rfacesl
it
up.
Qhawe:"We'
llkeepr
emindingyou.Al
soleti
tbea
guysthi
ng.I
fyouseecelebsther
easktotake
sel
fi
es"Othuwasnotabouttohavehersel
ftackl
ed
bysecuri
tyf
oraself
iewithBeyoncé.
Othu:"Onwowletmeleaveyout
hensinceI'
m not
i
nvolvedint
heplanni
ngofthemaleroadt
ri
p"Chulu
t
hrewast uf
fedtoyatt
hem andf
oll
owedhermot her.
Chulu:"MamasoQhayi yabitmynippl
ethis
morning"Othucoul dn'thelpbutlaughattheway
shesaidit
.Shemadei tsoundl i
keshe'
stelli
ngon
herl
itt
lesi
ster"Ifshedoesnotwantmenearher ,
shemustj ustsayso"shesul ked.Shefel
tsadt hat
shegotbitandQhayi yaseemst owantever yonein
thehousebuther .Itfeltli
kethebabyhadf orgott
en
heri
nt heshorttimeshe' sbeenaway.
Othu:"Theygr owupqui ckl
yandl earntoshowus
whattheywantandwhatnot .Clearl
yshedoesn't
wanttobebr east -f
edanymor esoexpressand
bottl
efeeditt
oher .Shehasn'tseenyoui nawhi l
e
soit'
snor mal"shesai dtryi
ngt oreassureChulu'
s
sadhear t"
Pleasekeepyour sanddad' scarkeyson
youatal lt
imes, Chulu.Idon'tknowwhydadt aught
youguyshowt odr i
vesoyoungandwi t
hPhawu
havingthatpeerpr essuremomentIj ustwanttobe
safe.Nextthingt heytakeacart olookcool"Chulu
nodded.
Chul
u:"
Whenwi llyougetyour
sel
fone?ThoughtI
'd
fi
ndaMercedesBenzpar kedatt
heair
por
ttopick
meup"Othulaughedout.
Othu:"I
'
llspoi
lmyselfwi
thsuchwhenyouareall
outofmyhouse.DadandIwi lldownscal
eby
gett
ingasmal l
erhousesowecanupscalecars"
Chulu:"You'
llneversel
lthishouse.You'
rewaytoo
sentimental
.Thegarageisf i
ll
edwithyourol
dstuf
f,
notoursbutyour "Othulaughedwhilepacki
ng."
You
sti
llhavemypr imaryschoolunifor
m.Whodoes
that?"
Othu:"
Othunyi
weyoKni
ghtBhengu"t
heybot
h
l
aughed.
Chul
u:"Shakar
eveal
edhei
sfost
eredbyt
heBhengu
fami
ly"
Othu:"I
t'
sst i
llanof orromance.InAfri
cant erms,
he'
syouruncl e"Chulumadeadi sgustedf ace.
"I
mangeaskedt ohaveQhayi'
spar tyhere.DadandI
don'tmindasl ongasyouguysl eaveourhouse
cl
eanaf ter
war ds.Willyouguysdot hatent i
recake
smashingt hi
ng? "
Chulu:"I
'l
lhearwhatherfatherwant
ssinceit'
shi
s
i
dea.Per sonal
lyIf
eelshe'stoosmallbutsi
ncehe
i
nsists"sheputherarmsup.
Othu:"Isawwi thFeliciahowdi f
ficultco-parent
ing
canbesopl easedon' tforgettoal waysbeki ndto
eachot her
.Youar ebot hst il
ltr
yingt ofindyourf eet.
Atleasthe'spresent.Hecameher ealmost
everydayafterwor kjustt ocomeki ssthosecute
cheeks"shesai d.Theywer eimpr essedbyI mange' s
commi tmentt ohisbaby.Theyshoul dn'thavetobe
sinceQhayiyai shisandi t
'shisdut ytobei nherl i
fe
butwi t
hsomanyyoungmenr unni ngfrom thei
r
responsibi
li
tyOt hufoundher sel
fi mpressedby
thosewhost aytoco-par ent.
HourswentbyandBabi
nioff
eredt
obr i
ngZur
ito
KCeveryaf
ter
noontosaveZukoatri
pbackand
four
th.
Zuri
:"Howwasyourf
ir
stdayatwor
k?Didyoumake
anynewfri
ends?
"sheaskedopt
imi
sti
cal
ly.
Zuko:"
Wel
lwor
kisn'
treal
lyt
omakef
ri
ends,
Zu"
Zur
i:"
ThenIdon'
teverwantt
owor
k"
Zuko:"
Ithoughtthatyouar
ealreadybei
ngassi
stant
fooddel
iver
er"Zurismil
edproudly.
Zuri:"
I'
m nolongerthat
.I'
m apubl
icr
elat
ions
practi
ti
oner"Zukolaughedsof
tl
yandhowper fect
ly
shesaidit.
Zuko:"
Wow,l
uckyyou.Neverhear
dofsomeone
whogotpr
omotedonthefir
stday"
Zur
i:"
Sometimesyoumustpr
omot
eyour
sel
f"she
sai
dcasual
ly.
Zuko:"
Andwher
edi
dyouheart
hat
?"
Zur
i:"
Uncl
eBabinisai
dImustbemyownbossthat
wayIcanpromotemysel
fandnotsl
avear
oundt
o
makesomeoneelseri
ch"
Zuko:"WellI
'm gl
adtoknowI '
l
lbewel l
lookedaf
ter
fi
nancial
lyinmyol dage.Youwil
llookaft
erme
ri
ght?"Zuril
aughedandsuddenlyZukohaddoubt s.
Zuri
:"You'
l
lli
vef
orever
"shesaidwithcer
taint
yand
Zukowasnotgoingtoburstherl
it
tl
ebubble.
Someone:"
Nozuko!
"someonesai
dbehi
ndthe
l
adi
esandZukoturnedbackt
oseewhoitwas.
Nomandla,Zuko'
scousinjumpedonZukobef ore
shecouldevenknowwhatwaswhat .Shestart
edto
crymakingpeoplear
oundt hem st
are.Zukogentl
y
pushedNomandl aaway."Ican'
tbeli
eveiti
syou,
mntase"shewipedhertearsoff
Zuko:"
It
'smeandIhavet
ogethome.Goodbye"she
tur
nedtoleave.
Mandla:"
Haibo,Nozuko.Ihaven'
tseenyoui
nyear
s
andnowyouar ejustgoi
ngt obecold?
"sher
anto
standi
nfrontofthem.
Zuko:"Getoutofmyway, Nomandla.I
'vegot
nothi
ngtosayt oyoupeople.Pr
etendyoudidn'
tsee
me, man"shegotangry.
Mandla:"
Iheardwhatt
hef
ami
lydi
d..
."Zukohel
d
herar
m aggressi
vel
y.
Zuko:"Don'
tyoubringt
hatup,youhearme? "she
warned.Thelastt
hingshewantedwasf orZuri
's
curi
ousearstohearsomethi
ngt heyshoul
dn't
.
Mandla:"
Heconfessed"shesaidinawhisperand
Zukol
oosenedhergrip.Shelookedathercousin
foral
ongwhil
e"Hewr ot
ehisconfessi
ononal ett
er
beforetaki
nghi sownl if
e"shewhisperedi nZuko' s
ear."Aft
erthef amilytoldmewhatyousupposedl y
"accused"them of ,Idist
ancedmysel fcompl etel
y.
Stoppedgoi ngt ofami l
ygatheri
ngsbutnowmydad
draggedmeher ebecauset hecowar dtookhi sli
fe.
Hesai dinthel ett
erhewassor egretf
ulthathecut
offhisownpeni s"shecont i
nuedtowhi speredasi t
wasnotneedf orli
ttl
eears.Zukofeltnumb.Deep
downshef eltshewassupposedt obehappybut
shef el
tnothing.Shenevergotanapol ogyf r
om hi m
andt heotherssoshedi dn'
tfeelanybet t
erabout
hisdeath."Pleasegi vemeyournumber ,mnt ase.
I'
vemi ssedyousomuch"sheaddedandi tonl y
madeZuko' sbl oodboi l.
Zuko:" Youarealldeadt ome,Nomandl a.Don't
comet othi
splacehopi ngtorunint
omebecauseI
wi l
lignor eal
lofyou.YourDabscangodi eforallI
care, shecangobewi t
hherbelovedsoni nhell.In
factal lofyoucanf oll
owhim, Idonotcar e"shesaid
i
nacol dwhisperandMandl a'
stear
sjustr andown
freely.ZukopushedNomandl aoutofthewayand
madeherwayt ot hetaxiwit
hherchild.
Zur
i:"
Mommy,
didshemakeyousad?
"
Zuko:"Mommyhadt oogreatofadaytoall
ow
anyonetomakehersad"sheheldZuricl
oseast
he
taxist
art
edtomove"Whatdidyoudoataunt
Yandi'
s?"Zur
ili
ft
edherheadandsmiled.
Zur
i:"
Ihadcl
assf
ort
wohourt
ost
imu.
..
sti
mu.
..
"
Zuko:"
Sti
mul
ateyourmi
nd?
"Zur
inoddedqui
ckl
y
Zuri
:"Tomor rowandallthedayswhileauntYandz
i
sgoneI '
llstaywithMaRadebe.Shel ikesmever y
much.Uncl eBabinihastoworksohewon' tbeabl
e
tol
ookaft ermebutI '
m abiggir
lsoIjustneed
someonet osupervisemer i
ght?"sherepeatedwhat
hermom t oldherawhi l
ebackandZukonodded.
Zuko:"Doyouknowthatyou'
remyeveryt
hing?That
Iwouldn'
tbeablet
oli
vewi t
houtyou?
"
Zuri
:"I
'
m notoxygen,
mommy"Zukol etoutal
oud
l
aughmakingeveryonest
are.Cl
ear
lyshewas
spendi
ngwayt oomuchti
mewi t
hBabini.
Zuko:"
Sincewhenhaveyoubecomesuchasmart
mouth?"Zurishr
ugged."
Ohwel
lsor
rytobur
styour
bubblebutyou'
rel
ikeai
rtomebecauseIl
oveyou"
Zurigi
ggled.
Zuri
:"Let
'smakepast
atoni
ghtwi
thmeat
bal
lsand
cheesespri
nkl
edoveri
t"
Zuko:"
I'
mti
redandt
hatsoundseasyenoughso
okay"
Zur
i:"
Whowast
hatl
adyj
ustnow?
"
Zuko:"
Noone"
Zur
i:"
Nobodyi
sanoone"Zukoshookherhead.
Zuko:"
Wellshe'
ssomeonet
oot
her
sbutt
ousshe'
s
noone"Zurinodded
Zuri
:"Ihavehomewor k"shet ookoutanexer cise
bookandZukocoul dn'tbeli
evet hatYandiwent
thr
oughsomucht ogetherchi ldlearni
ng
something"Uncl
eBabi nisaidmyspel l
ingisgood
andifIconti
nuelearni
ngnewwor dsImi ghtenter
competiti
ons.Wil
lyouhel pwi t
hhomewor kbefore
yousleep?"Zukonodded.
Zuko:"Ihopeyouatet
helunchIgaveyouanddidn'
t
botheranyonether
ewit
hfood.Theyal
readyar
e
doi
ngt
oomuchf
orus,
Zu"
Zuri:"
Youareactual
lytheonlyonewhothi
nksI'
m
bothersome.Theyli
kehavingmearoundbecause
I'
m ani ceki
dandIli
sten"Zukowaslef
tspeechl
ess.
Zuko:"Wel
lI'
m sor
ryf
orinsi
nuati
ngyou'
re
bother
some.Imeantstayoutoft
hei
rway"
Zuri
:"Ican'
t.I
'm assi
stantfoodtaker,assist
ant
babysit
ter,
publi
cr el
ati
onspr act
it
ionerandlearner.I
can'
tbeunseen"shesai dwhi lepagingherbook
andZukol aughedwonder i
ngwhatYandiandBabi ni
dotoboostZur i
'sconfi
dencesomucht hatshe'
d
bel
ievetheyneededhert ohel pr
unt hei
rdailyl
ives.
Zuko:"
Yousoundl
ikeyouar
ebusi
ert
hanme"
Zur
i:"
It
'swhatbosspr
incessesdo"
Zuko:"
Whot
eachesyout
heset
hings?
"
Zuri:"Uncl
eBabini"shesmiled"Thebabysi
tt
ingand
fooddel i
ver
yisvolunteer
ythough,li
kehobbies"she
saidcasually"
Myf ocusislearni
ngandbeingpubl i
c
rel
ationspract
it
ioner"
Zuko:"
Yourvocabul
aryhasi
mpr
ovedt
hat
'sf
or
sure"Zur inodded" Iguessi t'sbosspr incess
thi
ngs? "Zur inoddedonceagai nwhi lewr itinginher
book.ZukoandZur idi dsomeofherhomewor kin
thet axiandi ttookZuko' smi ndof fal ot.Zur iby
herselfandhernewbossment alityt ookZuko' s
mindof ft heNomandl aandPat ri
ckt hing.They
fi
nal l
ygotof fandmadet heshor twal ktot heir
apar tment .Theybot hlovedgoi nghomesi ncet hey
moved.Zukoki ckedhershoesof fandwentt owear
somet hingcomf or t
ablet ocookt hemeat bal l
sfor
thepr incess.Hermi ndcoul dn'thel pbutgot owhat
Nomandl asai d.Par tofherwasdyi ngt or eadt he
suicidenot e.Sheal socoul dn'tbel ievehecuthi s
peni sof fbecauset heywer enotr emor sefulaf t
er
theydi di twhi chmadeZukowonderwhyhewoul d
dosuch.Shest i
lldidn'tfeelsadnorhappyabouthi s
deat h.Suddenl yshewonder edwher et heot hers
wer e.Oneoft hem bei ngf athert oZur i
.Shenever
evenl ear nedt heirnamesandshewasokaywi th
notknowi ngt hem.I tmadei teasi erf orhert osee
them asnot hingt hatway.
Zur
i:"
Mommyt
hepoti
sover
fl
owi
ng"sheshout
ed
maki ngZukisnapoutofherdeept houghtstoopen
thespaghettipot."
Pl easehel
pmewi ththesolut
ion
tothismathspr oblem"sheplacedherbookont he
tabl
e.Zukodi dn'tt
ellherwhattheanswerwasbut
explainedt
oherhowshegotasol uti
on"Thankyou"
shesai dwhensheandhercal cul
atorgotthe
answer .
Zuko:"
Yandimustj
usthaveherownschool
"she
j
okedandlaughed.
Zuri
:"WhoooI'
dgot here.I
sittr
uesheandaunt
Othuwereteacher
s"Zukonoddedwhi l
er ol
li
ng
minceinherhands"I'
m suretheki
dslovedthem.
Theymustgobackt oschool"
Zuko:"Butmommyl ovesauntOt
huasabusi
ness
l
ady.Itsuit
sherbet
ter"
.
Zuri
:"Theymustopenagi r
lsschooll
iketheone
backhome.SoZozo, Thandani
,Thandiwe,Natal
ie
andIcanallgother
e.Howol disChulu?"
Zuko:"Toool
dforyoutoj
ustcallherbynameli
ke
that
.It
'ssi
sChulumancookay"Zurinodded.
Zur
i:"
Whydoesnooneher
eknowmyname?
"
Zuko:"
It
'sSwahi
liandnotXhosat
hat
'swhy.Doyou
wishyouhadaXhosaname? "
Zur i
:"Idon'tmi ndexpl ainingi ttot hem t hati tmeans
beaut i
fuli
nSwahi li"Zukor emember edhowshe
wasnotcopi ngwi thZur iinherl if
ef orthef irstthree
yearsofZur i'
slif
e.Moment sshef elthatred
towar dsherowndaught erandshef eltli
keki cking
herselfforwast i
ngt hosemoment s.Shedi dn' t
nameZur i,thedoct orwhodel iveredherdi d.For
threeyear sZukosawZur iasa" thing"t hatshe
neededt okeepal ivejustsoshe' dst ayoutofj ailbut
allofthatwasgone.Sheknewt hatherj our neyi n
l
ifehadt ohavet hathappensoZur iwoul dcomet o
bebecauseshehadnoi ntent i
onofevenadopt i
nga
childletalonegi vebi r
tht ooneyetl ifehadot her
plans.Theyhadar oofovert heirheads, foodand
mosti mpor tantlyfami lywhi chwasal lZukowant ed
forZur if
rom t hemomentshegavemot her hooda
chance.Suddenl yl i
fewi thoutherdaught erwas
unimagi nable.Shecoul dn'tpi cturewaki ngupand
beingt ol
dt hatZur ineverexi stedf orwhat ever
reason.Sheal sowant edt ogi veloveachance
again.El evenyear swithoutsomeonet oshar e
certai
nmemor iesshecan' tmakewi thZuributwith
apar t
nerwasnotal wayseasy.Shemi ssedt he
dates,thecuddl i
ngandki ssingandf el
tshecoul d
giveher selfachanceatl oveagain.Shewasnot
surewhatt hedat i
ngpol i
cyatKCwasbutsi ncethe
CEOi nawayt ri
edt ohookherupshef eltshecould
askFer relloutj ustnotsoon.Shewant edtoenj oy
thegoodl if
ewi ththeoneper sonwhoendur edthe
badl i
fewi t
hherf i
rst.Somet i
mesZukowoul d
wonderi fZur iremember edt heyearsherown
mot herdi dn'tloveher .
Zuko:"
That
'snothowyouspel
lhippopot
amus"she
sai
dandwat chedZur
ier
aseherwrit
ing.
Zur
i:"
H.i
.p.
o.p.
o.t
.a.
m.u.
s?"shespel
ledoutl
oud.
Zuko:"
That
'sr
eal
lygoodbuti
thast
wop'
saf
tert
he
i
"
Zuri
:"Yes!
"sheshouted"Thankyou,mommyyou' r
e
sosmar t
"shefixedhermist
ake.Zukothankedher
fort
hecompl i
mentbeforeconti
nuingwit
hher
cooki
ng.Shealsobroughtworkhomesoshehoped
she'dlookatitbef
orepassingout.Shewasgoi
ng
totellherf
ri
endsaboutPatrick'
ssuici
dewhenshe
sawt hem allf
acetoface.
Nomandl awasneverapar tofthefamilyshiel
ding
Patri
ck'sdi
rt.Shewast heonewhol ookedforZuko
i
nal lpl
acesshet houghtZukowouldrunt o
i
ncludingherf ather'
sfamil
ybutwhenshecoul dn'
t
fi
ndZuko, shemar ri
edandneverwentt ofamil
y
gatheri
ngsagai nwher etherapi
stwouldsitand
l
aughl i
kenot hinghappened.
MaHans:" HowcouldPat r
ickdothistomy
daught
er?"shestart
edtocr y"
Andt henconfessina
l
ousylet
terbefor
ekill
inghimselfli
keacowar d?
Whoisgoingt ol
ookaf t
erhiswifeandchil
dren?"
Zuko'
smot hercr
ied.
Nomandl a:"
Don'tj
ustblamePatri
ck,Dabs.Andit
hi
youenabledhim?Woul dn'
tevenletNozukotel
lher
sideproperl
y.Soyourson'sdeat
hisnotsomet hi
ng
thatIwil
lcryfor
"shesaidinacoldtone.
MaTontsi:"
Hey"shepoi
ntedherf
ingerat
Nomandla"Thi
sisyourauntwhoi
sanel derso
don'
tdi
srespecther.Shelostherson"sai
dZuko'
s
aunt
.Nomandl afel
tdisgusted.
Nomandl a:"Shedoesn' tevenknowi fherdaught er
i
sal i
ve.Meanwhi l
eshe' scryingforther apistthat
droveherdaught eraway.Youmustal lbeashamed
ofyour selves"shepoi ntedatt heeldersi nmour ning
"Mour ningar api stwhenyourdaught er,cousinand
niecehasnotbeenhomei novert enyear s.Youwi l
l
seehowyouwi llburyyourpeni s-l
essr apistofa
sonbecauseIknowyoucal ledmeher esoIcanpay.
Gobur nthatt hi
ng, manbecausehewasnever
wor t
hyofadi gni fi
edf uneral"herwor dsl eftMa
Hanswi thabi tt
ercr y" Tat
uXol i
sanimustbet ur
ning
i
nhi sgr avebecausehi sbabygi r
llef
thomewhi l
e
youhar bour edar apist.Nowondert heJi mf amily
callyouawi tch, Dabs.Youdon' tgot owi tchdoctor
butyourhear tist hatofawi t
ch.Tot urnyour
daught erwhowasr apedbyyourl over'schi l
daway
l
iket hat?Sies, man"shespatont hefloor .
Laml
a:"Youmi
ghtbeold,NomandlabutIcanst
il
l
gi
veyouagoodhi
ding"herfat
herwarned.
Nomandl
a:"
Asi
fthatwoul
dshockme.I
fyoucan
hidearapi
standmour nf
orhimlikehewas
someoneimportantt
henassaul
tisclearl
ynothi
ng,
Tata"shel
ookedathim.I
twasn'tthefi
rstshehad
spokenupbutherwordsalwaysfellondeafear
s.
MaHans:"
Pleasehelpmefi
ndNozukobef
oreIdi
e.
Iwantt
oapologi
zetoher
"shesai
dinashakyvoi
ce.
Mandl a:"Mxm asi fyourapol ogywi llf
ixthi
ngs.
LeaveNozukoal one.Youdonotdeser veheratall
.
Shecar ri
edt hisfami l
ywhenyoursongavehi s
moneyt opr ost i
tutes"shest art
edt ocr y"Ontheday
her apedhershebr oughtgr oceriessoyou
ungr at
efulwi tchescoul deatwhi l
eyoursonsat
havingbeerwi thhisf riends.Apol ogy'smoerman! "
sheshout edandherf atherstood" TheJi mfami l
y
l
astsawt hei rdaught erwhenshewasachi ld
becauseaf t
erherf at her'sdeathyouDabawodi dn't
wanthert ogot herebecauseyouwer ebusy
enjoyingTat uXol sani '
spol i
cymoneywi thother
men.Zuko' sf athert ookyourbast ardinnotknowi ng
thathewi lltur ntor apehi sdaught ersomeday.Al l
ofyouyourmoerman"shebr okedowni ntears"I
am sogl adt hatIdonotcar rytheHanssur name
anymor e.Ihopet hatwheneverNozukoi s,sher i
d
herselfofittooandt ookherfather'
sname.I fyou
didn'twanther,Dabawoyoushoul dhavelether
father'
sfami l
yhaveher .Therewillcomeat ime
wher etoxicmot herswil
lbespokenaboutandIwi l
l
makesur etoshoutyournamet heloudest,Dabawo.
Wegoar oundcal li
ngfathersdeadbeatsbutwe
neverspeakaboutt hetoxicmotherwhoi skill
ing
theirchil
drenemot ional
lyandment all
y.Phu"she
spatagai n"Burythatthi
ngofyour sandst aythe
hellawayf rom anybusinessinvolvingl
ookingf or
Nozuko"shewentt othebedroom togetherbag
shehadn' tbotheredunpacking.
Lamla:"
Nomandl
a!"heshout
edbehi
ndheri
na
ster
nvoice.
Mandla:"Don'tNomandl ame.Asaf at
herofa
daughteryoushoul dhaveprotectedyourniece.I
hopeyoual lburninhell,
Tata.Nevercallmy
husbandandbeghi mt ospeaktomeagai n
becauseI'm neversett
ingfoothereagain.Didyou
real
lyt
hinkI '
dburythatthingwhenIwant ed
nothi
ngt odowi t
hhi m aft
erIfoundoutwhathedi d?
Throwaci dati tandwat chi tdesol vef orallIcare
butI'm notbur yi ngit
"shepul ledhersui t
caseoutt o
hercaranddr oveof f.Shear r
ivedt hatdaybut
couldn'tevenspendt heni ghtt here.Shewas
planningongoi ngtot hear eawher eshesawZuko
everydaywi thhopeofseei ngheragai n.Sheknew
Patri
ck'sf r
iendssosheknewf rom thesecondshe
l
aideyesonZur ithatshewasoneoft heirdaughter
whichmadeherhat eherf ami lyjustasmuchasshe
didyear sago.WhatZukodoesn' tknowi st hatt
he
yearshel ef twast heyearNomandl al eft
.
Nomandl a'sfathermanagedt ogetherhusband' s
numberandpl eadedwi thhi mt ot alkt oNomandl a
totellhertovi sitast heyneededt ot alk.Atf i
rst
Mandl athoughtZukohadr eturnedsot hef amil
y
wouldapol ogizebutshecoul dn' tbelievet hey
want edhert obur yPat r
ick.Shedi dn'tr egretcoming
thoughbecauseshesawZukowaswel landi twas
asecr etthatshewoul dkeepf rom t hef ami l
y
becauset heydi dn'tdeserveheratal l.
S2-
INSERT43(
UNEDI
TED)
Nomandl
asatanxi
ousl
ywai
ti
ngf
orNozukot
o
possibl
ypassheragai n.Shemadesur et ocheckall
l
adieswhowor eprofessi
onalat t
ir
eoutbecause
Zukohadasui tont helastt i
meNomandl aranint
o
her.Shestoodwhenshesawal adywalkinghandi n
handwi t
hal i
tt
legirlandcr ossedtheroadtogeta
cl
oserlookandi ndeeditwasZukoandZur iwho
seemedt obehavingagr eatconversati
on.
Nomandl adidalit
tl
er unandshecoul dseet he
disgust
edlookonZuko' sf acewhenshespot tedher.
Zuko:"WhatpartofIwantnot hi
ngtodowi t
hyou
di
dn'tyougetNomandl a?"sheaskedqui et
lywith
gri
tt
edteeth.Nomandl acouldn'
thelpbutsmi l
e
whenshesawhowgr eathercousinlooked.She
l
ookeddownandf oundZur il
ookingathercuriousl
y.
Nomandla:"
Pleasemntase,weneedtotal
k"she
pleaded"
Thereissomethi
ngthatyouneedtoknow"
sheadded.
Nozuko:"I
'm notgoingtoseethem"shesai
dwhil
e
point
ingatMandl a"Idon'
tcarei
fyourDavsi
sdead
too"shesai
df rom aplaceofdeeppai
n.
Mandl
a:"
Idon'
tcar
eei
ther
,Nozuko.Mnt
asebef
ore
theotherday,Ihadn'
tseenthem i
ntenyears"
Zuko'seyesshotopenbutshemanagedt okeepher
str
aightfaceonceagaintoshowNomandl athat
shedidn'tcar
e.
Zuko:"
Don'
ttel
lmet hathehur tyout
oo? "shegot
cl
osertoMandlasoZur iwouldnothere.That'
sthe
onl
yotherr
easonZukot houghofwhenshehur t
whatMandlasaid.
Mandl
a:"Hedidbutnott
hewayt hathehur
tyou.
WhenIheard.
..
yhoNozuko"shesaidinashaky
voi
cewhil
ebli
nkingthet
earsaway.
Zuko:"Noti
nfrontofmydaught
erplease"she
whispered"
Weneedt ocat
chataxi
,pleaseexcuse
us"shewatchedNomandlawipehertearsoff
.
Nomandl a:"I
'm par
kedacrosst heroad.Icantake
yout wohome"Zukol ookedatZur iwhowaswai t
ing
forhermot hertoanswer"PleaseNozuko.Iwon' t
comet oyourhouseunl essyoui nvi
teme.Ididn't
tel
lthem t hatIsawyouei t
herandI '
m notint
ending
toeither"shesai dqui
etl
y.
Zuko:"
We'
l
lbeget
ti
ngar
idehomewi
tht
hisl
ady"
shel
ookedatZur
iwhoshotherbi
geyesat
Nomandla.
Zuri
:"I
ssheyourfri
endt oo?"sheaskedina
whisperandZukolookedatNomandl awhowas
smili
ngwhilel
ooki
ngatZur ibefor
eshenodded
"OkayIdon'
tmindthen"Zuriaddedwi t
hasmile
'
Hello,I
'
m Zuri
"sheintr
oducedherselftoNomandl
a.
Mandl
a:"
Zuri
?"shel
ookedatZuko"
Hell
o,Zur
iI'
m
Nomandl
a"shehel
dZuri
'sl
it
tl
ehand.
Zuko:"
It
'sSwahi
li
"Nomandl
anodded.
Mandl a:"
Youneverusedt ofoll
owr ul
es"Zuko
actuall
ygaveaf ai
ntsmi le."Wecango.I t
'sthered
carcarparkedrightthere"shepoi ntedacrossthe
roadandt hethr
eeoft hem st ar
tedwalki
ngt othe
car.Zukomadesur eZur iwassaf eintheback
beforeopeningthef rontpassengerseat.Thedr ive
wasver yquiet
.Onl yZur ikeptaskingquesti
ons
wantingtoknowi fNomandl ahadanychildren.
Zukowasshockedt oheart hatyoungNomandl a
hadf ourki
dsbutt henagai nshewasn'tyoung
anymor e.Nomandl alikeZukochoset ostudylaw
soshewasast at
epr osecutorandZukocoul dn'
t
helpbutfeelproudoft heoncever yshyyoungl ady
whowasnowki cki
ngassi ncourt.Nomandl akept
glancingoveratherr olemodel.Thel astti
meshe
sawZukoshewasst udyingpsychologybut
changedcar eerswhenshel earnedaboutZuko' s
case.Heraim nowi st osendasmanyPat ri
ck'sto
j
ailbecausei nsomewayshef eltshe'sgett
ing
j
ust i
ceforhercousint oot hr
oughhel pingother
womenbui l
dst r
ongcases.Zukoonl yspoket otell
Nomandl awhi chturnst otakeuntilt
heyf i
nall
y
reachedtheirapartmentbl ock.
Zuri
:"Homesweethome"shesaidwit
hexci
tement
butshesatwai
ti
ngforhermothert
oopenthedoor
.
Zuko:"
Thankyouforbr
ingi
ngushome"shesai
d
aft
eralongwhil
eandNomandlasmil
edand
nodded.
Nomandla:"Myhusbandgotat r
ansfertoCape
Towntwomont hsago.He'dvisi
tuseverysecond
weekendbutmytransfergotapprovedsoI'
l
lbethis
si
deagain"shewantedZukot oknowshe'l
lbeclose.
Zuko:"
Wher
ear
eyouguysbased?
"
Nozuko:"Knysna"Zukonoddedbutfr
om next
monthwe' l
lmovetheenti
refamil
ybecausethi
s
l
ongdistancemar r
iagei
sjustnotf
orme"she
l
aughedsof tl
y.
Zuri:"
Mommypl easemayIhavet
hekey.My
favouri
tecar
toonstar
tswhenwe'
reback"she
l
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"Youwannacomei nf orcoffee?"Nomandl a
smiledandnoddedquickly."Goaheadandopenso
l
ong, Zur
i"shegaveZurithekeyandZur iwasoutof
thecarinnotime.ZukoandNomandl aalso
steppedoutofthecar"Walkupt hest ai
rsplease,
Zu"sheshoutedandwat chedZur islowdown.
Nomandl a:"
Rememberwhenweusedt odr eam
abouthavingkidsandyou'dlookdisgustedbyus"
theybothlaughedsoftl
ybeforemaki ngtheirwayto
thedoor.Zukoremember edthosemoment swel l
andhadshenotbeenvi ol
atedshe'
dst il
lhavemade
thatdi
sgustedface.Theymadet heirwayi nsideand
Nomandl awasnotsur pri
sedathowcl eanand
beaut
if
ult
hepl
acewasasZukowasal
waysal
ady.
Zuko:"Thisismyhome.I '
m onl yinvit
ingyou
becauseyoupr omi sedt onevert ellt
hem andI '
m
curi
ousabouthowmycousi nwhocoul dn'teven
keepeyecont actisnotapr osi
cut or"shet ookher
shoesofi nthekit
chenandwal kedbar efoot.The
kett
lewasputonandZukost i
llremember edhow
Mandlalikehercof fee.Str
ongwi thlotsofmi l
kand
i
tmustbeputi nthemi cr
owavet oheati tupagai n.
Somet hingsdon'tseem t ochange.
Nomandl a:"Becauseofyouact ual
ly"Zukosmi l
ed
beforetakingthever yhotcoffeeoutoft he
microwaveandput ti
ngi ti
nf r
ontofhercousi n."You
rememberIwasi nmyt hir
dyeardoi ngpsychol ogy
theyearyoul eftright?"Zukonodded" SowhenI
heardwhatPatdi dIjustnewt hatIhadt obea
voiceforvicti
mi zedwomensoIst udiedl aw.with
aim ofbeingapr osicutorsoIam one"shesmi led
"Evenwhent heysayt hatther
e'snoevi dence,Idig"
Zukosmi ledpr oudly.
Zuko:"Youknowyourf
atherst
olemycasef
il
e
ri
ght?"Nomandl
atookadeepbreath.
Nomandla:"Il
earnedthatonlyyear
safterhehad
ret
ir
ed,mntase.Inevercontact
edhim again
becausehepaidformyf ees,Ihadtostayincontact
butaft
erwardsIcutallt
iesandneverregret
tedit
."
Zuko:"
Youdi
dn'
thavet
odot
hat
"
Mandla:"Iactuall
yhadt o.Wecan' tkeepthesedir
ty
famil
ysecr et
s, mntase.Ihavetwodaught ersandI
don'
twantt hem believi
ngt hatI'
dhidesuchshould
i
thappent ot hem.I'mraisi
ngyoungmenandIwant
them t
oknowt hatIwi l
lputthem injai
lmyself
shouldtheydosuch.Thi swhatwi l
lpeoplesay
nonsensemustst op"Zukonodded." I'
m sohappyto
seeyou.Apar tofmeact uall
yfearedtheykil
ledyou
andburiedyoui nsomeshal lowgrave"sheblewher
coff
eebef oretakingasip.
Zuko:" Fort
hef ir
stfiveyear saft
erithappenedI
wishedt heydidt hatinst
ead"Mandl aheldher
hands" Theybr okememnt aseandal lbecauseI
preferwomenr atherthanmen.Atl easthadthey
j
ustt oldmet heydon' tagreewi t
hhomosexual li
tyI
'
d
haver espect
edt hat.YouknowI 'vealways
respectedhowPatf eltaboutt hehomosexual
communi t
ybutforhi
mt odothatwit
hhopeof
"cor
rect
ing"me"sheshookherhead.
Mandl a:"IwishIhadcomehomet hatmont h.I
woul dhavet oldyout hatIbelieveyou.Idi df rom the
momentIhear dabouti t.Theydi dn'tevent ellus
kids.Ieavesdr oppedandIpackedmybagst ogo
backt oPor tElizabethimmedi atelyunt iluni versit
y
reopened.Myf at herletmesi twi thPatknowi ng
whathehaddone"shewi pedhert earsof f" Ileft
whenyoul eft,mnt ase.Tat aonlyhear df rom me
becauseIneededhi smoneybutIst oppedgoi ng
homef orthehol idaysandwhenIgr aduat edand
gotaj obIcutmysel ffrom thencompl etely.They
onlysawmewhenmyhusbandwant edt opay
l
obol abutaf terthatIwasgoneagai n.I '
mf ortunate
enought ohavemar riedasuppor t
ivemansohe
neverpushedmet ot al
kt othem.Tat acal ledaf ew
daysagoandvaguel yment i
onedyournamesoI
fl
ewher ethinkingyou' dcomehomeonl ytohear
them askmemoneyt obur yhim.It oldt hem t hey
mustbur nhim.Nomoneyofmi newi llbewast edon
Patri
ck"
Zuko:"
Myfri
endssayyouwer
ewor
kingwi
tht
hem
tofi
ndme"shesmil
ed.
Mandla:"
Didtheytel
lyouthatdevilnear
lyburnt
t
hem withwaterforgoi
ngtolookf oryouatyour
mom's?"Zukonodded" Wherewereyou?Di dyou
r
econnectwit
hyourf at
her'
sfamily?".
Zuko:"Mntase,i
fthef amil
ywhor ai
sedmecoul ddo
melikethatther
ewasnowayI '
dtrustt
hefamily
whoar estr
angerst ome.Iwentt oMozambi que"
shetoldNomandl aeverything.Usuall
yZukogot
fr
ustrat
edwi t
hZur irai
singthevolumet oi
tshighest
butthatdaysheallowedi t.Shesatcloset
oMandl a
sotheycouldheareachot herwell.
Nomandl
a:"
Youaresuchastrongwoman.Most
l
adi
eswit
hsimi
larcasesabor
t"
Zuko:"Thatwastheplan,mntasebutsomet hi
ng
j
ustkeptcomi ngupuntilIwastoofaral
ongf or
eventheill
egall
adytowantt odoit
.Itri
edleavi
ng
heratthehospit
albutthatdi
dn'tworkei
thersohere
weare.Ineverwanthert ofi
ndout".
Nomandl
a:"
TaZakes,
oneoft
he.
..
".
Zuko:"Menwhor aisedme"shef ini
shedher
sentence"Youcansayi tmntase.Ijustdidn'twant
toknowt hei
rnamesbuti t'
sokay.Iguessi t'
st he
oneZur il
ooksl
ike.Pl easedon'taskmet or aisethe
caseandbr i
ngmydaught eri
nasevi dencet hatit
happened.Idon'twantt oseethem againandIdon' t
wantsomel awyer ssur r
oundi
ngmychi ldtreating
herli
keat hi
ngtoseal acaseofwi t
h"shemade
hersel
fclear
.
Nomandl a:"Iheartheywenttol ookforhim but
couldn'tfindhim sohej ustl
eft.Tookhisclothes
andlef thisfamily"Zukonodded.Shewasgl adshe
wouldn' thavetor unint
ohi m"Canwepl easekeep
i
nt ouch?Imi ssyouandI 'dli
kef oryoutomeetmy
family.I'm aDubenow"shesmi led.
Zuko:"Ican'
tbeli
eveyou'vegrownsomuchand
havefourchil
dren,mntase"shelaughed.
Nomandla:"
Wewantedtof
ini
shsotheywouldgo
outi
ntheworldsowecant
ravelt
heworl
d"they
l
aughed.
Zuko:'
Zur
iisnumberoneandnumberl
ast
.She
knowsitt
oo"shel
ookedatZur
iwhowaswat
chi
ng
TVatt
enti
vel
y.
Mandla:"
I'
m anenti
reMakazi.Youtwoaretheonly
fami
lythatIneedonmyfather'
sside"shef
eltso
cont
entandhappy."Ar
eyouper hapsmarri
ed?"she
l
ookedaroundhopingt
ospotal adysomewher e
andZukolaughed.
Zuko:"No,fornowI'mfocusi
ngonwork.I'
ve
recent
lystart
edwor ki
ngatKumkaniConst
ruct
ion
andIheadt heirl
egalt
eam"Nomandlastoodtohug
hercousin.
Nomandl a:"You'
vealwaysbeenmyr olemodeland
rightnowyouar etheulti
matesuperwomani nmy
eyes.You' l
lcomet ooneofmycour tcaseswhen
I'
vest ar
tedwor ki
ngt hissi
deright
?You' l
lseehowI
teardownt hosecri
mi nal
s"Zukolaughedathow
shesai dit.
Zuko:"
Iwi
llcome,
mnt
ase.
Zur
i:"
Mommy,I'
m hungr
y"shesul
kedbef
oresi
tt
ing
onhermot
her
'sl
ap.
Nomandl
a:"
Wecoul
dgot
othatnewpl
acear
ound
t
hecor
ner
"Zur
ismi
l
edandnodded.
Zuri
:"Letmegowearmyshoes"sher
anof
fbef
ore
Zukocouldsayyesorno.
Nomandl
a:"
She'
ssoador
abl
e"Zukosmi
led.
Zuko:"Ahandf ultooact uall
y.Letmegowear
somet hingmor ecomf ortabl
e"shestoodtowalkbut
turnedbackar ound" Thankyouf orbel
ievi
ngme,
mnt ase.I'
m sorryforthewayt hatItr
eatedyou"she
kissedMandl a'
scheek.
Nomandla:"Thankyouforal
lowi
ngmebackint
o
yourl
if
e.Wewi llbef
inewit
houtt
hem j
ustaswe'
ve
beenallt
heseyears"
Zuko:"
YouknowIactual
lywaitedforanapol
ogy
butnowIreal
izet
hatI
'l
lnevergoingtogeti
t"
Mandl a:"Hebastar
di nsteadapologizedtothe
familybutsomet i
meswemustf indclosurewit
hout
anapol ogy.Theyclearlythoughtwhattheydidwas
ri
ghtbutt heywil
laccountf orit
,maybenoti nthis
l
ifeti
mebutIbel i
evet heywi l
l.I
'
mj ustgladyouare
sti
llstandingandgoingst rongwithyourbeautif
ul
daught er
.Iknowyouj ustsaidyouhavef amil
yin
yourfri
endsbuti
fpossibl
epl
easeincl
udemeinthe
ci
rclesomeday.Theysoundgr
eatandIdon'
thave
fr
iends".
Zuko:
Youneverhadf
ri
ends"t
heylaughed
"Nomandl
alet
'sgopl
ay"shesai
dinasoftvoi
ce.
Nomandla:"
No,I'
m watchi
ngtheFel
ici
aMabuza
show"theyl
aughedafterr
ememberi
ngoneofthei
r
chi
ldhoodmemories.
Zuko:"
Ineverunder
stoodwhyyoulovedt
hatgrown
upshowandt hatot
herone"shet
houghtback.
Mandl a:"RickyLake"Zukonoddedandl aughedout
l
oud" Iwantt ogookaywi thotherkidsnow"she
sulked"Sopl easeaskiftheyacceptmember s.I
swearmyhusbandhasbeent ryingtohelpmeget
fr
iends"theyl aughed"Heoncei nvit
edhisbossover
butItoldt hewomant hatsheisst uckupf ornot
eatingumphokoqhowhenshe' sabl ackwoman"
Zukol aughedout .
Zuko:"Lucki
lymyfri
endsareniceandsupport
ive.
I
'llI
ntr
oduceyou"shepromised.Nomandlaknew
theladi
esbutnotthatwel
lsoshewasl ooki
ng
f
orwardtoget
ti
ngtoknowt hem andhopeful
ly
t
hey'
dwelcomehert othecircl
e.Zuriwassoexci
ted
t
obetakenoutfordinnersheaskedhermot hert
o
t
akepict
uresofhereati
ng.
Zur
i:"
CanIhavedeser
ttoo?
"shel
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"
Wehavei
cecr
eam athome.We'
l
lhavet
hat
"
Mandla:"
Iact
uall
ywouldliketotr
ythispeppermint
deser
tsoIdon'tminddm desert
"Zuridi
dal i
tt
le
happydance.
Zuko:"Sodidyoucallyourhusbandtotel
lthem
you'
llbehomel at
e?"Mandlanodded"Whoar ethe
ki
dsl ef
twit
hwhenbot hofyouar ehere?"
Nomandl a:"Iactuall
ytookaf ewdayst ogot othis
familygat heri
ngt hatturnedouttobeawast eof
ti
me.Pl annedt osl eeptheretoosinceIthought
you'rehomebutt hatdidn'
thappen.Mymot herI.
l
awl i
veswi thussoshe' slooki
ngaftert
hem but
FridayI'
llbegoi ngbackandcomebackwi t
hal lof
them"Zukonodded.
Zuko:"
WhatdoesSbalido?
"Nomandla'
sfacel
itup
whenthet
opicwenttoherhusband.
Mandl
a:"He'
saj
udge"Zukonoddedcl
ear
ly
i
mpressed.
Zuko:"
Rememberyousayi
ngt hatyou'
dnever
marryamanwhoearnedacertainamountof
money?Nomandlal
aughed"Ihopehissal
arymeet
s
yourst
andar
ds"t
heybothl
aughed.
Nomandla:"Mntase,IswearI'
dhavewashedand
cl
eanedthisoneupifhewasahobbot hewayIlove
hi
m"Zukol aughed"ButIwon'tli
e,I'
m gladhe'
sno
hobbo.Weaf f
ordourchildr
enal i
feyouandIdidn't
have"ZukolookedatZuriandnodded.
Zuko:"
Wel
ivef
ort
hem r
ight
?"shebr
ushedZur
i'
s
hai
r.
Zuri
:"Idon'tknowwhatt opi ck"shewhisperedt
o
hermom whi l
epoi ntingatt hemenu" Idon't
understandwhati swr i
ttenon"Nomandl aalways
l
ovedt hefancyt hingsi nl i
feevenwhent hey
coul
dn'taffordit
, she'ddr eam aboutitsoZukowas
notshockedbyhert akingt hem toaplacethey
coul
dn'tunder st
andt hef ancymenul anguage.Zur
i
wantedabur garsoNomandl aorder
edthreeof
t
hose.
Mandl
a:"
Whatgr
adear
eyoui
n,Zur
i?"
Zuko:"She'
l
lbeingradesi
xnextyear
.Ihaveal
ready
st
artedtoappl
yattheschoolsweli
ke.Shepr
efers
gi
rl
sschoolssincei
t'sal
lsheknows"
Zuri:"
ButI'm homeschoolnow.Myt eacherhas
gonet oAmer icatomeetDi sneyprincesses"t
he
orderslaughed" Igot16outof20i nmymat hs
homewor k,mommy.Uncl eBabinicall
edmea
genius"shesai dproudly.Zukoexplainedthe
si
tuationtoNomandl a.
Nomandl
a:"
You'vegotsuchast
rongsuppor
t
syst
em,mnt
ase"Zukonodded.
Zuko:"I'm honestlyblessedmnt ase.Theyhave
beensoamazi ng.Itdoesn'
tfeelli
kewe'vebeen
apartforyear sandevenyounowIl iket
hisvery
much.We' llt
alkproperlywhenwear ealonebutI'
m
gl
adIl istenedt oyou.Ireal
lylookforwardto
meetingyourf amily"
Nomandl
a:"
TheyallknowyoumntaseandwhenI
t
oldmyhusbandIsawyouitwasasthoughhe
knewyout hat
'showhappyheis.Heusedt owipe
myt ear
ssoheknowshowmuchhavi ngyouinmy
l
ifemeans.Myki dsknowyou,we'vegotapict
ureof
youinourlounge.YhoIcan'
twaitforyoutomeet
them butwhenyou'r
eready"
Zuko:"Yeslet'
sreconnectfi
rstandthenwewi l
ldo
i
ntroducti
ons"Mandl anodded.Theiror
dercame
andZukof i
rstinspectedZur
i'sforanytr
acesof
pi
neapplebutwhenshef oundnont heydugin.
Eventhesilencewascomf ortable.
Zur
i:"
Thankyouf
ort
hef
ood,
auntNomandl
a"
Nomandla:"Callmemakazi ,mybabyandyou'r
e
welcome"sheki ssedZur i
'
sf or
ehead"
Thankyoufor
putt
ingasmi l
eonmyf ace.Youhavenoideahow
happyIam tobesi tt
ingwi t
hyouguysrightnow"
sheaddedwi t
hasmi le.
Neli
:"Nozuko"Zukohear dsomeonesayfrom
behi
nd.Herbei ngcall
edatrandom momentsmade
Capetownf eelsmallbutshetur
nedtol
ookwhoi t
was.Forsomeoddr easonshejumpedupandf el
t
herheartbeatfastasshelookedatNel
iswaLudwe,
theonl
ywomanshet
houghtwashersoul
mat
eat
somepoint
.
Zuko:"Hi
,Neli
"shehel dherhandoutandNel i
rai
sedabrowl ooki
ngati tbeforecomingforwardto
hugher.Zukofir
stfrozebutherar msbrief
ly
wrappedaroundNeliandf orasecondshecl osed
hereyestogetthefami l
iarscentofherexbefore
l
etti
nggo.
Nel
iswa:"St
illasbeauti
fulast
helasttimeIsawyou.
Youjust
..
.disappeared.Wherehaveyoubeen? "she
smil
edbeforel ooki
ngbehindZuko"I'
m sor
ry"she
l
ookedatZur iandNomandl a"Hel
lo"shewavedand
smil
ed.
Zuri:"
Hell
o,uncl
e"shesmiledandZukolaughed
subtlywhebshesawNeliswa'sexpr
essi
onchange
tothatofsomeonewhodi dn'
thaveanyt
hingelset
o
say.
Zuko:"
Thisi
snotanuncle,Zu.si
sNeli
swaisa
woman"Zuril
ookedatNomandl aal
mostasthough
shewantedconf
ir
mation.
Zur
i:"
Whyar
eyoudr
essedl
ikeaboy?
"
Nel
i:"
BecauseIl
ikei
tandit'
scomf
ort
abl
e"shesai
d
wit
hasmi l
eandZurinodded.
Zuko:"MntaseandZurithisi
sNeliswaLudwean
ol
df r
iend"shelookedattheseat
edl adies"
Nelithi
s
i
smycousi nNomandla"shemadei ntroduct
ions.
Nel
i:"
Irememberyoutal
kingaboutheral
ot.
Pl
easedtomeetyou,man"sheheldMandla'
shand.
Nomandl
a:"Cal
lmeNomandl
apl
ease"shesmi
led
andNel
inodded.
Zuko:"
Thisismydaught
erZuri
"Zur
iheldherhand
outbecauseshesawNomandladoitandNeli
shooktheli
tt
lehandwhi
lel
ooki
ngatZukoconfused.
Zur
i:"
Cal
lmeZuripl
ease"t
heyl
aughed.The
momentbecameawakward.
Nomandl a:"Uhm. .
.Zur
ipleasecomewi thmet o
washthosest i
ckyhands, nana"shehel
pedZur iof
f
herchair"Pleaseexcuseus"shehadaf eelingthat
thetwoladieshadsomet hingtosaywithouther
andZuristar r
ingatthem awkwar dl
ysot heywentt o
thel
adies.Nel iaskedZukoi fshecoul
dsi tandZuko
noddedbef oresitt
ingdownt onotdr
awat tenti
onto
t
hem.
Neli
:"Youadopted?
"Zukoshookherhead.She
hopedthatNelimovedandwouldn'
truni
ntoher..
Zuko:"She'
smine.Icar
riedherforninemonthsand
gavebirt
htoher"shesaidbefor
et aki
ngadeep
breat
handNelikeptquietforal
ongwhi l
eclear
ly
shocked.
Neli
:"Waswhatwehadaphase?Iseemanyl
adi
es
cl
aimingtobel
esbi
anwhentheyarej
ust
exper
imenti
ng"
Zuko:"
Nope"shesai
dqui
etl
y"I
t'
sal
ongst
ory"she
l
ookedatNeli
.
Nel
i:"
Areyouback?Iact
uall
ylookedforyouaft
er
webrokeupbecauseImissedyouli
kehellbutI
f
oundnothi
ng.Evenyouronli
neprofi
lewasgone"
Zuko:"
Kingst
ory,
Nel
iswa"shesai
dinanal
most
fr
ustr
atedway.
Nel
i:"
Onethatmakesyouangr yt
oo.WherecanI
f
indyounowt hatyourback?
"Zukoshookherhead.
Zuko:"
Youwer
equi
ckt
ogett
ir
edofmyangerl
ast
ti
meanddumpedmesodon' tbot
heryour
selfeven
now"shelookedtocheckifNomandlaandZuri
wereontheirwaybecauseshewantedtoleave.
Suddenl
yshef el
tangryatNeli
swa.
Neli:"Canwet alk?Notnowobvi ouslybutwhenwe
cant alkal one"Zukoshookherhead" Thi
sismy
number .Istillwor katthehospit
alIusedtoback
then"shewr otehernumberdownbutZukodi dn't
takeit.Zukol ookedatNel iwhosecutf i
therface
perfectly.Shest il
lhadstyl
etooandZukocoul dn'
t
blameZur iforbel ievi
ngshewasaman.Zuko
alwayst houghtNel iwasahandsomewomanand
thethoughtofi talwaysmadeherl augh.Zukof el
t
coolhandonhercheeksbef orethesmellofsoap
hithernose.
Zuko:"
Let
'sgo"shel
ookedatZur
i.
Zur
i:"
ButIhaven'
tfi
nishedmydeser
t,mommy"she
sul
ked.
Zuko:"I
'l
lmakeyouanenti
repepperminttar
t,Zur
i"
sheputZuri
'sthi
ckj
acketbackonsinceit
'scoldout.
Nelist
oodnotwanti
ngtoforcethesi
tuati
onand
Nomandlacouldn'
thelpbutfeelsorr
yforher
.
Nomandlawalkedaheadwi t
hZur iwhowasnot
happyatal
ltoletZukosaygoodbye.
Nel
i:"
Soyou'
reangr
yatme?
"
Zuko:"
OfcourseI'
m angr
yatyou"sheblurt
edout
"Afewargumentsandyoucal
leditqui
ts,Nel
iswa"
Nel i:"
Itwasmor ethanj ustaf ewar gument sand
youknowi t.Youdi dn' twantmeanywher enearyou,
Nozuko.Youevenwentasf arassleepi ngi nthe
guest room.Youj ustchangedandIhavebeen
wonder ingwhatImi ghthavedonet obr ingt haton.
Dammi tIboughtar ingwant i
ngtopr oposet oyou
thatdayyouwr eckedmyr omant icsetting"
Nozuko' svi sionbecamebl urrybecauset hatwas
thedayt her apehappened.Sher emember edt hat
nightper fectly.Neligr eet
ingherner vousl ybutal l
shewant edwast oshowersoshe' dtakeof fany
tracesoft hei ncident .Howshebecamesoangr yat
Nel iforaski ngherwhatwaswr ongt hatshet hrew
l
itcandl esal mostbur ningtheirapar t
mentbutshe
neverknewt hatNel ihadpl annedt opr oposet hat
day.
Zuko:"
Got t
ago"shesaidinasadwhi
speravoi
ding
eyecontactwhi
leri
dingtoherf
eet
.
Neli:"
Nozuko"shehel dherhandbutZukopul led
herhandback.Zukost art
edt owal ktowardsthe
door"Sinceyoudon' twantt ot akemynumberI '
l
lbe
atthehospi t
alallweek.Ist i
lll
iveintheapar t
ment
weshar ed"Zukodi dn'tlookbackandwi pedher
tearsoffwhilewal kingt othecar .Shedidn'tknow
whyshesuddenl yfeltsad.Nomandl aknewbet t
er
thantotalkwhenZukowasnother self
.She'd
alwaysbeenonet oshutpeopl eoutwhendeal i
ng
withsomet hingsoNomandl awoul dgiveherher
space.Nomandl akeptZur icompanyunt i
lthey
reachedtheirhome.Sheexchangednumber swith
Zukobef or
ewat chingt hem wal ktotheirapartment
.
Clearl
yNelist r
uckachor dsoNomandl aknewshe' s
mor ethanjustanol dfriend.
Zuri
:"Mommy, I'
m notsadaboutt
hedesser
t
anymore,okay"shesai
dwhenshesawhermother
wasn'ther
self
.
Zuko:"
Mommyjusthasaheadache.I
'm notupset.I
thi
nkwemustgotobedear
lytoni
ght"Zurinodded.
Shewastir
edtoososhedi
dn'tmind."
Iloveyouand
thi
sweekendwe'l
ldosomebaking"
Zuri:"Il
oveyout oo"shewentt ogetherbooksso
Zukocoul dhelpherbef or
egoi ngtobed.Oneofher
favour i
temoviescameonsoZukosnuggl edont he
couchwi t
hherunt i
lZurif
ellasleep.Thepicki
ngup
offthecouchwer enolongereasybecauseshehad
grownbutZukomanagedt ogethert obedbefor
e
maki ngsur et
hedoorwasl ockedandswi t
chingthe
TVof f.
Craigandt heladieshadami norissuewhent he
air
por tst
affthoughtYandi
'sher bsweredr ugged
butitgotsor t
edbyCr ai
gsoonenough.Theyonl y
hadaf ewhour sofsl
eepbutt heyallwantedtoget
tothebusi nessofthedaysot beywoul dheadback
home.Yandimi ssedherchil
dr enandhusbandl ike
noot her.
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,pleaseputonaheadscar fand
somethi
ngoveryourshoul ders"shelookedatOthu
whentheymetatt heloungear eaofthetwo
bedr
oom suitetheymanagedt oget"
It'
syourfat
her
i
nlawsoi t
'stoshowr espect"Yandiaddedwitha
smi
le.
Othu:"
Thankyou, fr
iend.I'veneverhadt odomakot i
thi
ngssoI '
m cluel
ess.Am Idr essedokay? "she
tur
nedar oundandYandinodded.Yandiwat ched
Othudisappeari nt
ot heirbedroom.Yandiwentt o
l
ookatt het al
lskyscrapersandsmi led.Shehad
neverbeenonani nternationalt
ri
pandf eltsadt hat
shecoul dn'
tevenenj oyherf i
rstonewi t
hher
husband.Shewonder edifBabiniwalkedthest reet
s
shewasseei ngbutremember edthatthepl acewas
neverkindt oherhusband.
Craig:"
I'
mr eadyt
ogo.Imanagedtogetusacarso
wewon' thavetogetacab"hesai
dwhil
estandi
ng
atthedoor.
Othu:"
Am Iokaynow?"shesai
dwhi
let
yingher
headscar
fandYandinodded.
Yandi:"Letmegoandgetmyst
uffsowecango"
sheleftthem.
Ot
hu:"
Areyouokay?
"shewal
kedovert
ohol
dhi
m.
Crai
g:"
Iguess,
baby"heshr
ugged."
Ijustwantt
odo
thi
sandhaveusoutbytomorr
ow"hesaiditas
thoughitwasadeadline.YandicameoutandCr ai
g
l
etthewomenwal koutfir
stashef ol
lowedbehi
nd.
Hewasnotokayatal l.Suddenlyhefeltsi
ckt
oodue
tonervesbuthecouldn'tunder
standwhy."Crai
g?"
someonesai dandCraigshuthiseyesnotwanting
tolookback.Ever
ythi
ngher ewasl i
nkedtohi
spast
sohedi dn'
twantit
.
Othu:"Someoneiscal
li
ngyou"shelookedback"Oh
andhe'srunningt
owardsus"Crai
gturnedandthe
personstoppedqui
ckl
y.Crai
gcouldn'
trecogni
ze
thefaceatall
.
"Hey,manyouCr ai
gright
?"t
hegentl
emansai dwit
h
asmi l
e"Youdon'tr
ememberme? "helooked
disappoi
nted"I
'
m Kelvinmanusedtomakesur e
yourstayheregood"headdedwit
hasmi le.
Crai
g:"
Hi,Kel
vin.Wegotsomewher
ewegot
tabe"
hesoundedannoyed.
Kelvi
n:"
Iseeyousti
lll
iketotakemorethanone
honeytoyourroom"heletoutasneakylaugh.Ot
hu
cl
earedherthr
oatwhil
elookingatCrai
g.
Cr
aig:"
Havesomer
espect
,man.Thi
sismywi
fe
Ot
hunyi
weyoandsi
steri
nlawYandi
sa"
Kelvi
n:"Mybad.Ni
cetomeetyouOt huthuand
Yandre"hesmil
edwhilelicki
nghisli
pst r
yingtobe
charming"SoyoubeeninAf ri
ca?"helookedat
CraigandCrai
gnodded" Thoughttheywor eani
mal
skinther
eandhavetheirboobiesout"
Crai
g:"
Let
'sgo"hetookOthu'
shandhavi
ngnotime
towast
ehisenergyongett
ingangr
yatsomet
hing
someonehecouldn'
tremembersai
d.
Kel
vin:"
Sodoyouguysreal
lyhavel
ionsaspet
s?"
heshoutedbehi
ndt
hem andYandicoul
dn'
thel
pbut
l
augh.
Yandi
:"Sot
hat
'
swhatt
heyt
hinkaboutusher
e?"
Craig:"You'
dbesurprisedathowuni nformedsome
ofthem areaboutAfri
ca.Someevent hankful
slaveryhappenedbecauset heyaregratefult
hat
theyaren'ti
nprimi
ti
veAf ri
ca.Bunchofi gnorant
people"heshookhishead." Youokay?"hel ookedat
Othuandseenodded.Cr ai
gmadet hedrivetothe
accidentscene.Aplacethathehadbeenavoi ding
asbesthecoul dsi
ncet heaccidenthappened.Cr ai
g
couldn'tbelievet hathi sfathermadehi mf lyal
lthe
wayf orar itual.Thewhi tecrossest hatheputt here
weresur prisinglyst i
llstanding.Ot huwat chedCraig
wallbackt ot her oadt ogetawayf rom thegrassy
areawhent heyst oodatt heexactspothi sparents
tooktheirlastbr eath.Hewentt okneelononeknee
andcoul dn'thel pbutbr eakdown.Hehat ednothing
thancr yi
ngbuthecoul dn'thelpitashi stearscame
i
nanupr oar .Suddenl yhewasat eenageboy
standingnextt ot hewr eckageoft hecart oputa
crossesatt hescene.Adeepemot ionalpainwhich
wascl earlyst i
llrawwasal lthatCraigfelt
.Othu
knelti
nf rontofhi m andf elthim shakei nherarms.
She'dneverseenhi ml i
ket hatsoi thitdeeptoher
aswel l.
Craig:"
Imi..
.mi
ssthem somuch, O"Othuheldhi
s
faceinherhandssohe'dlookedather.Toseeher
stronghusbandcr
ybrokeheral i
ttl
einsi
de.
Othu:"
Iknow, babyIknow"shehuggedhi m agai
n.
Shehadnoot herwordsbutwasgl adthatshewas
withhi
mi nthatmoment .Yandiwasri
ght,she
wouldn'
thavebeenabl etocomforthi
m soshe
pat
ient
lywai
tedf
orCr
aigt
ocal
m down.
Craig:"
Let'
sdot hi
s"hewi pedhistearsoff.Othu
tookoutti
ssuesandhel pedhi m beforeki
ssinghim.
"Thankyouf orbeinghere.Iknowt heyweren't
happywi t
hyoul eaving"hekissedhi swif
e.
Othu:"Idon'
tcareaboutposi
ti
ons.Iwoul dn'
thave
beenanywher ebuthere.Ar
eyour eady?"Crai
g
noddedandst oodbeforehel
pinghiswifeup.They
foundYandibur ni
ngimpephoandcommuni cati
ons
withthelonglostBhengusonalready.
Yandi:"
Bhengu:Ngcol osi
!Wena
wakwaDl abazane,
KaNgwane, KaNephukaLamul a,
Nyawozi gezwangamazol o, Ninaeni vukanixubhe
ngelal
a,Shongolol
o,Wat hiuyal i
thintalahwaqabala,
Ngabesiyakudlasesab’imilenzelenze, Nyawo
zeshongololokazi
phumul i
, Sigampu, i
ngwani
ngwadi,Abayibonengesond’ ukuthiiwel i
le,
Jali,
Nina
enil
alanomunwe, Nivukeni khwif’i
langa,Mmemezi
kaHlangabeza,Ngcolosi!
"shesai dwhi l
eput t
ingher
handstogether"Sakhil
eNi ghtBhengu, youhave
pleadedwithmet oshowyout hewaybackhome.
I'
m herewithyoursonCr aigKni ghtandyour
daughterinl
awOt hunyi
weyoKni ght.Wehavecome
tofetchyou,Bab'
Bhenguandf inall
ytakeyouback
home"Cr ai
gandOt huhadtheirheadsbowedi n
respectwhil
eYandiworked.Shet ol
dCr ai
gtospeak
andhedi dn'
tknowwhatt osay.
Craig:"
Uhm...dadhi"hesaidawkwar dly"It
'sme
Craigyourson.I'
veheardyourcallandI '
vecome
foryou.I'
m wit
hmywi feOthunyi
weyoandwehave
bothcomesoyou' df i
nall
ygoandr est"histalki
ng
wasi nt
err
uptedbypol i
cesirensandtwoof ficers
steppedoutoftheircarheadingdir
ectl
yatt hem
withthei
rhandsont heirgunsreadytodr awt hem
outshouldtheneedar i
se.
Offi
cer
:"Whatyoufol
ksupt o?
"hel ookedbehi
nd
Crai
g"Wehadwi l
dfir
esnotsol ongagoyetyou
thi
nkit
'swi
setomakef i
re"helookedatCraig.
Cr
aig:"
It
'snotaf
ir
e.I
t'
ssaf
epl
acedonacl
aybowl
"
Of
fice2:"
Theycameher etodovoodoo"sai
dthe
ot
herwhil
egivingYandiadisgust
edl
ook"You
wi
tchdoct
or?"heputatoot
hpi cki
nhi
smouth.
Yandi
:"No,
I'
m not
"shesai
dconf
ident
ly.
Off
icer:"
Youfr
om Afr
ica?Soyouf
olkscameall
the
wayfrom thej
ungl
etocometovoodoohere?
"
Crai
g:"I
t'
snotourfaultthatwearecult
uredpeopl
e.
Myf at
herdiedher
esowear eheretopaytri
bute.
Lastti
meIcheckedt hatwasnotanof f
ence"he
wenttostandnexttoYandisti
llhol
dingOthu'
shand.
Othucouldseetheofficert
akeouthisgun.
Othu:"Wedon'twantanytroubl
e.Wewon' tst
art
wil
dfir
esbutthisi
simportanttoussoletusfini
sh
andwe'llgo"shesai
dcalmlybecauseshecoul dsee
Crai
gwoul dn'
thumblehimself.
Off
icer:"Gott
atakeyoufol
kstot
hestat
ion.Wit
hso
manyi l
legali
mmi gr
antsgot
tamakesureyou'
vegot
papers"
Crai
g:"I
'
m aciti
zenf
orgodsake!
"guncameoutand
hewasor der
edtoputhi
shandwheretheycoul
d
seethem.
Othu:"Pl
easedon'tdothis.We'r
ejustvisi
ti
nghere
andalloutpapersare..
."Suddenl
ytherewasawi nd
thatcamefrom absolutel
ynowher e.Thecar'
s
sir
ensstart
edtogoof fyetnoonesati nthecarand
t
heof
fi
cer
slookedateachot
herswal
lowi
nghar
d.
Off
icer
:"Tel
lhert
ost
opt
hatvoodooshi
t"hel
ooked
atYandi
.
Crai
g:"Al
lowhert
ofinishandshewi l
lgo"oneofthe
car'
swindowsshat
teredwhiletheoff
icerswere
makingupthei
rmindmaki ngthem putthei
rguns
away.
Officer
:"Youfolksbettert akeyouvoodooand
witchdoctorwit
hyoubackt oAfri
ca.Thisroadis
cursedasi swiththenumberofacci dentsthathave
happenedher e"hepoi ntedt othecrossesont he
othersideofther oadthatCr ai
gandt heladies
hadn'tevennoticed."Finishup! "heoffer
ed.
Yandi:" He'
snotamanwhol i
kesbeingor dered"she
saidbef orecontinuing.Cr ai
gknewYandiwas
refer
ringt ohi
sf ather .Suddenl yhefeltSakhilewas
reall
yt herebecausehewasnotamanwhot ook
orders.Yandifinallyf inishedandwhenshe' dpass
theofficerswoul dst epbacknotabl etolookheri n
theeyes.I twasmor ef earthanrespectbutYandi
didn'
tmi ndatall
.Cr aigl earnedtorecitet
heirfamily
namesohedi
dsoallt
hewaytothecar
.Hethought
i
twoul
dbeanalldayl
ongt
hingbuti
twasn'
t.
Cr
aig:"
Whatabouthi
sbody?
"
Yandi:"Thebodyisbutadecayingthi
ngbutthe
spir
itisinfi
nit
esoit'
senough.Hewantstobe
reunit
edwi thhisf
orefat
her
sinthespi
ritr
ealm and
cert
ainr i
tual
smustbeper f
ormedtoachievethat"
Cr
aig:"
Isheher
e?"hef
elthi
shear
trat
egoup.
Yandi:"
Ican'
tseehim butIfeelhispresencesoyou
couldsayso"OthulookedatCraigfeeli
ngabi t
afr
aid"Hedidn'
tcauseanyacci dent
sbyt heway.If
anythi
nganotherspiri
tcausedtheir
s.Manyr est
less
bei
ngshere.TheyareheavybutIcan' tfeelyour
mothersodon'tworry"
Cr
aig:"
Soshei
ssaf
elyont
heot
hersi
de!
"
Yandi:"Orherspir
itandbodydidn'
tpar
there"Crai
g
couldn'
tunderstandwhatshemeantbyi tbutit
unsettl
edhim.SuddenlyCraig'
smindwasf il
ledwi
th
alotofquestionsthathehopedtheanswerswould
berevealedtoYandiwhiletheywerest
il
lthere.
Itwasl at
eandBabi nicouldn'
tsleepfeel
ingworried
aboutYandiandt heot her
s.Hesuddenl yheardthe
doorbellandwonder edwhoi tmightbesol at
e.
Whathedi dn'
texpectwast ofi
ndLeratoonhi s
doorsteplookingallki
ndsofsexy.
Babini
:"CanIhel
pyou?Youknowi
t'
sti
meof
wit
chesr i
ght
?"shel
aughed.
Ler
ato:"
Ohplease.Aren'
tyouevengoi
ngt
oletme
comein"shesai
di nasexytone.
Babi
ni:"
Ther
e'sact
ual
lysomet
hingt
hatIwantt
o
gi
veyousopleasecomein"
Ler
ato:"
Wil
litmakemehappy?
"shest
eppedi
nsi
de.
Babi
ni:"I
twil
ldef
ini
telysol
vet
hehor
nyphase
you'
rein"Ler
atosmiled.
Lerato:'
Showme"shesai dcur i
ouslyinaseduct ive
voi
cebef orewatchinghi
m disappearfrom hersight.
Hecamebackaf terawhil
ewear ingnoshi r
tand
Leratofelther
sel
fgetexci
tedandt hemanbef ore
her.Shet ookadeepbreathwaiti
ngf orhimtor each
herandt akeherinhisar
mst hatwer eclear
lystrong.
Babi ni:"Thesear epill
sthatshoul dhel pyour
husbandper form"hegavehert hewhi t
econt ai
ner
"Alsot ellhimt oexercisethemandoesn' tevenfit
throughadoor .Sinceyoudon' tmindsweat i
ng,go
j
oinhi m atthegym.Idon' tknowhowyouknewI '
m
alonebutI 'mt oostressedt odealwi t
ht hisri
ght
now.Getyourmanonaheal t
hyl i
festylebutinthe
meant imet hi
sshoul dhelp.Cl earl
yyou' renot
gettinganyt hingathomesoIassumet heprobl
em
i
st her e"Leratolookedathi mf eel
inglikeithadjust
rainedonher" Iwasn'tgoingt ooffermysel ftoyou.
Mysonpukedonmeandt hat'
swhyIcan' tdealwith
thissopl ease"hel edhertot hedoor ."Goodnight"
hewat chedhergot ohercarspeechl ess.The
phoner angandwhenhehear dYandi '
svoi cehe
breat hed.
Yandi:"
Whyar
en'
tyousl
eepi
ng?
"hel
ookedatt
he
door.
Babini
:"Iwaswai t
ingforyourcall
.Dideveryt
hing
gowell?"shetoldhim ever
ythingandhewasgl ad
thati
twentwel l"
Sother er
eallyi
saspiri
tualworl
d
wenor malpeopleknownot hingabouthuh?"
Yandi:"
That'
swhyyougotpeopl eli
keus.Imi ssyou
guyssomuch.Ij ustwantt obei nyourarmsand
haveyourbesthughol dmeal lni
ght"Babini
l
aughed.Hewant edtodot hattoosohegothi mself
comf or
tabl
etospeakt oherandt ellhert
het hi
ngs
thathewantedtodot oher.Hewasnotbl ind,he
couldseethatLeratowasasexywomanbutnoone
madehi sheartbeatasf astasYandi.Theyspoke
forhoursandBabi niwasgl adtohearthattheygot
afli
ghthomef ortomor rownight.
S2-
INSERT44(
UNEDI
TED)
”MeetmeatDest iny'
s"wast het extthatmadeCr ai
g
walkintooneofhi soldhangoutspot s.Aft
erthe
i
nfluxofoldf li
ngst heyrani nto,fl
ingsheusest o
meetatDest iny'sCr ai
gdi dn'
twantt ogot othe
gentl
emencl ubanonymoussummonedhi mtoyet
hiscuriosi
tygott hebet t
erofhi m.Het ol
dOthuhe
wasgoi ngtobuyexcl usivecomi cbooksf orthe
twinsanditwasn' tenti
relyaliebuthedi dn't
ment i
onhe'dbel ookingatwomenwhowor e
nothi
ngbutt hongsdanceonpol esashemadehi s
wayt oabar .Hisgutf eelingtoldhi mthatitwasnot
anol ddoi ngwhot oldhi mt omeettherebut
somet hingmor eserious.Desti
ny'swast heclubhe
andNat etogetherwi thhisbuddiesusedt ogo
celebrateaf t
erasuccessf ul missi
onsohewas
certai
nt hatwhoeversentt hatmessageknewhi m
welloratl easttheyknewt heoldCraigbecausehad
theyknowt henewhi mt hey'dneverhaveaskedhi m
tomeetatapl acewher emar ri
edmengotl ap
dancesf rom st r
angewomenyoungenought obe
theirowndaught ers.Asaf atherCraigcouldn'tsee
girl
swhower eChul u'
sageassexy, hefeltmor e
sorryfort hem becauseheknewsomewer e
desper ateformoneysohemadehi swayt othebar
withoutal l
owinghi seyest ofallontheyoung
breasts.
Bart
ender:"MrSni
pe?"t
hegentl
emanbehi
ndt
he
counteraskedbef
oreCr
aigcoul
devensi
t.
Craig:"Yeah?
"heyoungmanpoi nt
edtoasecluded
ar
eaandCr aigknewthepersonhe'dcomet omeet
wast here.Adrinkwasoffer
edtohim buthehadno
i
ntentionofdrinki
ngit
.Thebartendercal
ledhim
Snipesoi twasclear
lyconnect
edt ohispast
.He
f
oundhimsel
fthinki
ngofBabini
'swordsofhow
t
hei
rpastswouldalwayshauntthem.Crai
gfi
nal
ly
madei
ttothecornerbefor
esit
ti
ngdownont hered
l
eat
herchai
r.
Crai
g:"
Chief?"heaskedsoundingsurpri
sedashe
l
ookedattheol dgent
lemanwithgreyhairand
bear
dlookingdapperinhisnavysuit.
Astri
pper
madeherwayt othet
ablebutChiefdi
smissedget
.
Chief
:"Iseeyoulostyoursenseofst
yle"hepoint
ed
toCrai
g'scasualwearbeforegi
vingasarcast
ic
l
augh.
Crai
g:"Surel
yyoudidn'
tsummonmeher etogive
mywar drobearevamp"Craig'
seyesborei
ntothe
manopposi t
ehim bef
oretheywentaroundthedim
room t
hathadill
uminat
ingli
ghts.
Chief:"HadIwant edyout opayforwhatyoudi dto
theagencyI '
dhavest artedbyintr
oducingmyselfto
thatgorgeouswi feandador abl
echil
drenofyours"
Craig'
sf i
stst
ightened"Relax,Sni
pe.Iheardyou
werei ntownandIwant edtogreetoneofmyl ong
l
ostboys.Ist i
llkeeptabsonyouboys.Tel lNateto
comef r
om hi
ding, t
hatf ell
owi snotlookingforhim"
hetookasipofhi swhi skey" Followme"heledt he
wayandCr ai
gf oll
owedt ofindoutwhatwhatgoi ng
on.Hewasvigi l
antast heywal kedbecausehe
didn'
twantOthut oheart hatshewoul dhavet ogo
homeawi dower .Theymadet heirwaytoapr i
vate
room,oneofwhi chCr aighadsomewi l
dnightswi t
h
women.Thevi beoft hepl acef el
tthesamebutt he
décorhadchanged.
Craig:"Noonej ustkeepst absonpeopleunless
theywantsomet hi
ngf rom them"Crai
gclosedthe
doorbehindhi m.Ot huandYandihadnopl ansto
l
eavet hehot elsoCraigwasnott ooworri
edbut
he'dgost rai
ghtthereafterthatl
it
tl
emeeting.Chief
offeredCraigacigarbuthedecl i
ned.Everythi
ng
wasapossi bleweaponandCr ai
gdidn'
twantt o
smokeal acedcigar.
Chief:"You'
veneverbeent oot
rust
ing"theol dman
l
ithiscigarbeforesit
ti
ngdown" Quit
eal if
eyou
havebui l
tforyoursel
f"thesmokeexist
edf rom hi
s
nose" Str
ongyoungmenyou' r
erai
singtoo.They
wouldmakef i
neagent s"hel
ookedatCr ai
gwho
wascl earlynotliki
ngwher et
heconversat
ionwas
heading" Sitdown, Sni
peyou'dwanttobeseated
forwhatI 'm abouttorevealt
oyou.Yourplane
l
eavest onightsoIdon' twantyoutowastemoney
bymi ssingi t
"Craighadstart
edtobreathl
oudlyas
hisangerst artedtobuil
dupbuthesatdown.He
knewChi efwasnotal one.
Cr
aig:"
Sot
hisi
saboutyout
aki
ngr
evenge?
"
Chief
:"Iwasadoubl eagentwhenf oraver ylong
ti
mewai ti
ngf ortheri
ghtmomentt oleaveour sso
youdidmeaf avourbytakingitdown.Hadi ts
downfallsaddenedmeyou' dhaveknownt hatsame
dayyoubet rayedit
.Iknowyouwentt odosome
voodoobusi nesssupposedlytogetyourfather'
s
spir
it
.ThisAf ri
canwomanhasyoudoi ngal lt
ypes
ofthi
ngs.Youneverusedt ol etawhoretellyou
whattodo"
Crai
g:"
Wellgoodthi
ngI'm notmarr
iedtoonet
hen.I
seeyousti
lll
iket
obeataroundthebushli
kea
gossi
pingwoman"Chieflaughedout.
Chi
ef:"
Ital
waysgotunderpeopl
e'
sski
nasi
tis
doingt oyour ightnow"Hei nhaledt hesmokeand
l
etitl ongeri nhi smout ht oenjoyt heci garbef orehe
exhal edwhi l
ecl osinghiseyescl earlythesmokehi t
allther ightpl aces.Cr aigfeltli
kepunchi nghi m but
withYandiandOt hual one, Chiefwoul dt eachhi ma
l
essont hrought hem bef oreCr ai
g'sf i
steven
touchedhi swr inkledface" Ikeept absonyouboys
becauseI 'm cur i
ousandsof arNat eistheonl yone
keepi ngt ruet owhoher eallyis.Youont heot her
handwentf rom hi ghendagentt osecur ityguar d
butever ymanhasachoi ce"hel iftedhisshoul ders
"I'
m her et otel lyouaboutagentK7andagentL2"
Craigwai tedf orhi mt ofinishbecauset heynever
usedt ohavesuchcodenames" You'remi st
probabl yt hinki nghowt heyar eanyofyourconcer n
butt heyar ebecauset heywer eyourpar ent s"Crai
g
quickl ystraight edt ogivehi sundi videdat tenti
on.
Cr
aig:"
Mypar
ent
swer
enotagent
s"Chi
efl
aughed.
Chi
ef:"Wewererecrui
tedt
hesameyearactuall
y.
Howdoyout hi
nkabl ackmanfr
om apar
theidSouth
Afr
icaendedupinLondon?Theagencywasj ust
st
arti
ngoutbackthenandtheywer
erecrui
ti
ngno
matt
erwherethepotent
ialagentwasbased.They
hel
pedNightgetoutofSouthAfri
catoLondon
wheret
heyoungagentL2akaaLor enyourmot her
waswait
ingtowelcomehi m.Thatwasthe
begi
nni
ngofthingswhichledtoyouexist
ingtoday"
Craig:"Mymotherwasahousewi
fe,
notanagent
"
Chieflaughed.
Chief:"Womenandmul tit
asking"heshookhi shead
smi l
ing" Oht r
ustmeshewasoneoft hebest
femal eones"hesmi l
edashet houghtbackt othose
days." Yourar r
ivalhowevermadet hem wantt opul l
outsot heycoul dhaveaf amilybutyouknowonce
you'reinyoudon' texistthat'
swhyyoudest royed
theagency.K7yourf at
herbecamepr edict
abl eafter
hebecameaf ami l
yman, muchl i
keyounow.Such
awast eofr awhunt inginsti
nct"hef rownedshaki ng
hishead" Sohewentbackt oAf ri
cat akinghi s
familyt her eandget tingyoui nthatChr isti
anschool
l
edbymi ssionariesbuthej ustknewwayt omuch
sowet racedhi m withease.Heuppedandr eturned
tothest atesusi nghi str
ustednet wor ksbuthest i
ll
refusedt odoj obsf orus"Cr ai
gdidn'tmovea
muscl
eli
steningt
oeverythi
nghi
sformerment
or
sai
d"Sowet amperedwit
hhiscarandhecr
ashed"
Craig:"Youkill
edmypar ents?"
"hehadt heol dman
againstawal lbef
oreheevenknewi tbutfeltagun
heldtohi shead.HeletgoofChi efandtheexpected
gunmanbackedof fandt hat'
swhenCr ai
gt urnedt
o
quicklygetthegunfrom themanandpoi nteditat
them.
Chief:"SeewhatImeanwhenIsayyourf ami l
yl i
fe
hasyouwast ingyourt ruetalents?"shesai dwi t
ha
smileandsoonmor egunswer eaimedatCr aig"I
getthatyouar eangrybutyouknowhowt hings
work, Snipe.Ithadtobedonesoputt hegundown
beforeIhavesomeonevi sityourwi feandsi sterin
l
awi nr oom 45"Cr aigthrewt hegunasi dest il
l
feel
inghi srager i
se.Heknewexact l
yhowt hings
workedbutbecausei twerehi sparents,i
tcut
deeper .Hehimsel fhadsi l
encedagent swhoknew
toomuchandwant edtogetoutsohewasnobet t
er
thanChi ef.Chiefwasf oll
owingt hesameor der she
hadt okeepTheDi screetasecr et."Good,man
Snipe"Chi efadded" Nowl eaveus"hesai dt ot he
menwhol ookedhesit
antbuttheyl
eft"
Iknowyou'
re
angryatmesonbutyoual soknowitwasnothi
ng
personal
"Cr
aig'
smi ndknewthatbuthi
sheart
ref
usedtounderst
and.
Cr
aig:"WhywasInevertol
dthatmyf
atherwasa
Di
screet?
"hi
sjawti
ghtened.
Chief
:"Becauseitdidn'
tmatt
er.Youwereachi
ld
wit
houtpar ent
swhohappenedt obetheoff
spri
ng
oftwoofourbestagent ssowesawanoppor t
unit
y
asthosebef or
eussawanoppor t
uni
tyi
nusafter
ourparentswerelynched"
Crai
g:"
Isthatallyouwantedtot
ellme?"hewant
ed
togooutandbr eathsomethi
ngel
seotherthant
he
smokewhichlingeredint
heroom.
Chief:"Apul sewasf oundinagentL2whent heir
bodiesar ri
vedatt hemor gue"hethrewaf i
leont he
tablewhi chsepar at
edthem andCr aigwalked
closertoopeni t.Tbefir
stthinghesawwast he
beaut i
fulpictur
eofhi smot herwi
thallherdetail
s.
Herr ealname, eyecolorandeverythingelse.
Usual l
ywhenanagentwasdeadahuger edst amp
wri
tten"
deceased"wouldbeonthef
rontoft
hef
il
e
buthismother
'sdidn'
thaveany.
Cr
aig:"
Didyouf
ini
shherof
f?"
Chi ef
:"Atf
irsttheytookhert ohospitalwi
thout
tell
ingussowedi dn'tknowwehadt o.Whenwe
finall
yfoundherandwentt ohospi t
alwer eal
ized
shewasnot hr
eat.Shecan' tspeak,
she's
wheel chai
rboundandal lshedoesi sstar
einto
blankspace"Cr aigfelthi
shandsst arttoshake.
Cr
aig:"
Youfuckenkeptt
hef
actt
hatmymot
herwas
al
ivefr
om me?"
Chief:"
Whatusewoul dithavebeenf ort
heagency?
You'dhavewant edtocareforyourvegit
ablemot
her
andnotwor kforus.Wemadesur ethatshe'
swell
l
ookedaf t
er!
"hesaidast houghhedi dLorena
favour.
Cr
aig:"
She'
smymot
herf
orgodsake!
"heshout
edi
n
ashakyvoi
ce.
Chi
ef:"
Shest
oodi
nthewayofusadopt
ingyou"he
shr
ugged.
Cr
aig:"
Andaf
ter
war
ds?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
"
Chief:"
Itsli
ppedmymi nd.Ionl
yrememberedher
whenIhear dyou'dlanded"hesai
dcasual
lymaki
ng
Craigmor eangry.
Chi
ef:"
Yetyouhaveti
met
okeept
absonNat
eand
I
?"hepoint
edatChief
.
Chief:"Don'tthinkIsitandstal
kyouallday.
Inf
or mationaboutyour andomlypopsup.Youcan
begl adTheDi screeti
snomor eortheywouldhave
gottentheirhandsont hatdaught
erofyourswho
l
ikeyour selfcomesf r
om thei
rbestagent
s.You
shoul dbethanki ngmef orrememberingagentL2"
Craig:"Fuckyou! "hetookt hedet ail
edfileand
walkedoutl eavingChi efgrinning.ChiefknewCr ai
g
hadnomanpowert ot akehi m onsohedi dn'tworry
aboutr eveng.Cr aigtooki nt hefreshairbefore
runningt othehot el
.Whenhegott herethel adi
es
weren'tthereandpani ckedst art
edtocr eepin.He
wentt oaskKel vinbuthedi dn'tknowei t
her.The
groundf loorwaspr actical
lyempt yevent hecafe
theyhadt hereandt het hreer ecepti
onistsdidn't
knowwheretheyeit
her.Bebreat
hedasi ghofr
eli
ef
whenhesawt hem out
sidetaki
ngpict
uresinfr
ont
ofayell
owcab."O,
"her antohugherandshecould
sensehewasnothimsel f
.
Othu:"
Yougood?"shesaidi
nherbestAmer
ican
accentandYandil
aughed.
Craig:"Icouldalr
eadyseeBabiniskinni
ngmeal i
ve
forlosingtwooft hemostimportantwomeni nhis
l
ife"theylaughed" Canwepleasegoandt al
kinside.
Yandi ,
Iknowwhyyoucoul dn'
tfeelmymot her'
s
spiri
tyesterday"Yandi'
seyeswidened.
Yandi:"Weweretalki
ngaboutthatactually.
Wouldn'ti
tbeweirdifshewasst il
lal
ive?"Craigled
them topri
vacyandt ol
dthem everyt
hing.Afterthe
Vivi
caissuehedidn'twanttokeepanyt hi
ngel se
from hi
spastsecret.
Othu:"Sowhereisshe?"shel
ookedatMrsKni
ght'
s
pict
ureandshewasasbeaut if
ulasOthu
remembered" Whyareourfamil
ymemberscoming
backfrom death?
"sheshookherhead.
Cr
aig:"
Becauseyouhavepeopl
einyourl
iveswi
th
shadypasts.Sodon'
tworr
y,Langawon'
tshowup
atyourdoorbecausehewasagoodman"
Yandi
:"Howcansuchabeaut
if
ulpl
acehi
deso
muchdirt
?"
Crai
g:"Youdon'tknowhalfofit
.Sowillyouladies
gowithmet othiscent
er?
"Ot hunoddedquickly.
Ot
hu:"
Youdidn'
tevenhavet
oask,
baby"shehel
d
hi
shandsandhekissedt
hem.
Crai
g:"
YandiIwon'
tbecomf or
tableleavi
ngyou
al
onesopleasecomewi t
hus"hepl eaded"Thi
s
coul
dallbeasuchjokebutIgott
achecki tout
"
Yandi:"
Wedi
dsayonepi ecetoBabinisolet
'sgo
becausewewantourdoubledat
e"theylaughed.
Crai
g:"Thankyou"t
heystoodupandgr abbedacab
togotothecenteri
nthefi
le.Cr
aigf
eltanxiousand
Othuheldhishandti
ght
lyashekeptmovi nghis
fi
ngers.
Othu:"
What everwe'
regr
eetedwithwe'l
ldealwi
thit
t
ogether"hmshewhisperedtohim andherli
ps
t
ouchedhi s.I
tfel
tcr
azyhowf amil
ymember sjust
cameintotheirl
ivesinthemostbizarremoment s.
Somedayt heirf
ami l
iesshoul
dwr i
teabookabouti t
al
l.Aft
erabouthal fanhourtheyarr
ivedandOt hu
heldCrai
g'sshakinghands.Theywentt orecepti
on
andaskedf orLorenKnights.
Recepti
onist
:"She'
sneverhadanyvi si
tor
sbefor
e"
shelookedatallofthem "
MindifIaskwhoyouall
are?
"shelookedsuspi ci
ous.Thefactt
hathi
s
mothernevergotvisit
orshurtCr
aigsomuch.
Craig:"
Crai
gKnight
s,herson"t
her
ecept
ioni
st
actuall
ygaveCrai
galookonewouldgi
vesomeone
theyrecogni
sed.
Receptionist
:"Wewer etol
dt hatyou'
dpossibl
y
come, sir
.Comewi t
hmepl ease"theyfoll
owed
behindtheshi r
tlady.Shetookthem tothecent
er
managerandt hereCrai
ggothi smother'
smedical
hist
ory.
Manager:"Shecan'tdoanythingforher
self.An
anonymousdonorhasbeenpayi ngforherstay
herebutabsolut
elynoonevi sit
edherallt
hese
years"Ot
hu'sheartsank"She'stot
all
yunresponsi
ve
andit
'
sbeenthatwayforyear
s.Wedon'teven
knowwhathervoi
ceisli
ke"Cr
aigrubbedhishead
andOthubr
ushedhisbackgentl
y.
Ot
hu:"
Mayweseeherpl
ease?
"sheasked.
Manager :"
Yes,mam.Weal sogotherpar entsready
shouldyouwi shtoflyoutwi thher,wel
lthedonor
didasitseemst heywer eexpect i
ngyout ocome"
Craigknewi twasChief"Pleasef ol
lowme"t heyall
stoodandYandiwasbr okenbyt hesi
ghtbef or
eher,
theyallwere.Theywerei nt
r oducedtoacar erwho
tookthem furt
herin.Thecent erwasclearlyoneof
thebest.
Carer
:"Lori
,youhavehavesomevi si
tor
s"shesai
d
whenshegott oanelderl
yladysit
ti
ngona
wheelchai
r.Crai
ghatedthetoneshespokein
al
mostast houghshewast alki
ngtoachil
d"You'
re
sonishere,Lori
"thecat
eradded.
Craig:"
Woul dyoust optal
kingtoherl
ikeshe'sa
dam.chi l
d?"heblurtedout"Pleasel
eaveus!"he
orderedandt hecarerapologi
zedtabslef
t.Crai
g
kneltdownt oseeiftheelderl
ywomanwasi ndeed
hi
smot her.Shelookedatthepalewal landwould
bl
inkoccasional
lybutitwasast houghshewasnot
awareofhim.Craigranhisfi
nger soverhergrey
hairwhi
chwast iedinabunbef orehisshaking
fi
ngersgli
dedoverherwr i
nkledface.
Othu:"I
t'
sher
,Crai
g"shesai
dbehindhim befor
e
kneeli
ngwit
hhim"It'
sher
,baby"sherepeat
ed.
Crai
gputhisheadonLoren'
slapbeforehestar
ted
tocry.
Craig:" Mama"hehel dont oherl egswhi l
ecrying
andOt hubr ushedhisbackf orcomf ort
.Thet r
iphas
madeherseeanot hersidet oCraig.Oneofr aw
emot ionalpai nheclearlykeptcagedal ltheseyears.
Hewasl ikealitt
leboywhi leholdingLorenwho
didn'tevenhol dhi m back.Allshedi dwasst ateat
thewal lnotmovi ngani nch.Yandigavet hem
privacyasshewentar oundt ogreettheother
pat i
entsandgi vehugst othosewhowant ed."
We
got t
at akeherhome, O"Ot hunodded.
Othu:"
Iagr
ee,baby.We'
llsortal
lel
sewhenwe
arr
ivehomebutwecan'tleaveherher
ealone
again.
"
Craig:"Mama, it
'sCraig"hef acedhersoshe' dsee
himi nsteadoft hewal lshewasl ookingat"I'm
goingt ot akeyouanddadbot hhome, youhear ?I'
m
goingt ot akeyouhome"her epeatedwhi lebrushing
herhands" You'llbesur r
oundedbyf amilywhol ove
youf rom nowon.You' llneverbeal oneagai n"his
handsst artedt oshakeashebegant ocryagai n
"You'llneverbeal oneagai n,Mamanever "he
promi sed" Dadmadesur ethathef i
ndawayt oget
meher e.I'mt akingyoubot hhome"heki ssedher
forehead" Iloveyouyou"hewi pedhisnose.The
factthatshewasn' trespondi ngatallmadehi m sad
buthe' dgetusedt oit"Thisis,Othunyiweyoyou
rememberher ?"heheldOt hucl oseandshehel dher
mot herinl aw' shand.
Othu:"
Hi,MrsKnight"shesmiledwhil
ewipi
ngher
t
ears"You'
resti
llasregalandbeauti
fulasI
remember"shelaughedsoftl
ywhilecryi
ng.
Crai
g:"
Youheardthat?You'
vesti
llt
heclassyl
ady
weknow"healsolaughed"Youhavegrandchi
ldr
en
andagreatgr
andchil
d.We'l
lgohomet oSouth
Afri
ca,
Iknowyouwer en'
tbornt
herebutIknowyou
hadnooneel sesoi t'
l
lbeyourhome.I 'm sorr
ythatI
tooksolongtocome.Idi dn'tknowyouwer esti
ll
ali
vebutwe'r
eher e"hekissedherfragil
ehands.
Suddenlyhefeltajoywi t
hin."
Yandi,canyout ry
helpi
nghertr
adi t
ionall
ysincetheycan'ti
nt he
westernway?"hel ookedatYandisawhowasbusy
plai
ti
ngapatient'
shai r
.
Yandi:"
Haditbeensomethinginvol
vingwit
chcr
aft
,I
wouldhavebeencertai
nthatI'
dbeabl et
ohelpbut
nowI'm notsur
e"shewalkedtothem.
Crai
g:"
Butwecant
ry.Let
'sj
ustt
ry"hesai
d
desper
atel
y.
Othu:"
Crai
gevenifwecan'tdoanyt
hing,we'
llt
ake
careofheri
nhercurr
entst
ate.Fornowlet'
sjust
getherhome"Cr
aignodded.
Crai
g:"Youheart
hat,Mama?Homenomor ebei
ng
spokentoli
keachil
d.I'
l
lgomakear r
angements
ri
ghtnow"hestoodandrushedtothedi
rect
ionthe
manager'sof
fi
cewas.Yandiknel
tnextt
oOthu.
Yandi
:"I
'
dbej ustashappyhadIbeenhi
m.Hello,
MakaCraig"shesmil
ed"Iact
ual
lyseealotofChul
u
i
nher
"sheadded.
Othu:"Right?"shesmi l
ed"I'
vealwayst oldCraigthat
buthesai dhecan' tseeit
"shelaughed" This
womanusedt opackal i
ttl
ebagf i
ll
edwi thfoodf or
CraigandI "shelaughed"Ionlysawheraf ewt imes
butallwer egreat
.Ican'tbeli
eveshe'sbeenal one
forover20year s,fri
end.Suchcruelt
yj ustbecause
theydidn'twantCraigdistr
actedandt hensayt hey
forgottotellhi
m"sheshookherhead.
Yandi
:"She'
sgoi
ngt
orequi
re.l
otcar
e,f
ri
end"
Othu:"Lucki
lywehaveaspar er oom.Theboysar e
happyshar i
ngbuteveni fwel i
vedi nalit
tleroom
we'dtakeher, f
ri
end.Thisisthewomanwhogave
bir
thtomyhusband.Wi thoutherIwoul dn'tbe
happilymarri
ed.Ihopeit'sthelastofit,
friend"she
buriedherfaceinherhandsandcr i
edandYandi
huggedher" Whydoesi tseem likethisplaceisa
cursetoourf amil
y?Ifi
t'
snotBabi nii
t'
sCr aig'
s
parents"shesobbed.
Yandi
:"Ihaveafeel
ingi
t'
sthel
astofi
t,f
ri
end"she
hel
dhertight
er.
Othu:" Idon' tknowanymor e.Fl i
nchandt hisagency
ofCr aigseemsl i
ket heywi llalwayscont rolourlives
somehowevenaf teritsbeendest royed.Whowi ll
j
ustcomebackt olifenext? "sheshookherhead
whilewi pinghert ears.Yandihopedt hatitwast he
endoft hechapt eroft hepastl ives.Craigmanaged
togetaspeci alfli
ghtsf orsomeonei nhismot her's
condi ti
on.I tcostedhi m al otofmoneywhi chwoul d
possi blyfor cethem t ocutt heirli
vingexpensesunt i
l
her ecover edi tbutatl easthehadOt hu'sblessi
ng
unli
kewhenhet ri
edt obuyVi vi
ca'ssi l
ence.He
didn'tknowhowhewoul ddealwi ththewhol e
sit
uat ionofChi efhintingathi schi l
drenbei ng
agent sandsi nceBabi niwasf r
eshoutoft hegame
unli
kehi m whohadl osthist ouch, heknewhe
neededhi sbr other'shelp.
Chulumancocoul dnotsl eepbecauseQhayiya
wouldnotst opcrying.ItwaswhenChul unoti
ced
theredr ashonQhayi ya'schestandsendt hatshe
star
tedt opanic.Shewoket het wi
nsupandcoul dn'
t
understandhowt heycoul dsleepthr
oughQhayiya's
hyster
icalscreams.For tunatelyCbukucoulddri
ve
sotheywerei
nthecaront
hewaytothehospit
al
whi
lePhawutri
edtokeepQhayi
yaf
rom cr
ying
her
selfi
ntoacoma.
Qhawe:"I
t'
sthebabycer eal youfeedher,
Chulumanco"hescoldedast houghChuluwasa
chi
ld"Mom tol
dyouQhayi ya'sbodydoesn'tl
ikei
t
butnoyouaretoolazytomaket hehomemade
babyfoodnowyouhaveourchi ldsi
ck"helooked
behi
ndtocheckonQhayi ya.
Phawu:"Andwedidsaynodi ngivei
ttoher.Now
poorQhayiyai
sinpain"Chul
ustart
edtocrybut
wipedhertear
soffquickl
y.
Chul
u:"
I'
m abadmot
herIgeti
t!
"sheshout
es.
Qhawe:"No,
you'
rej
ustnotal
ist
eni
ngmot
her
"he
cor
rect
edher.
Chulu:"
Pleasecal
l,
Imange"shegavePhawuher
phoneandhear dI
mangespeak.Theygottothe
hospit
alandChuluwentinwit
hherdaughterwhi
le
theboyswai t
edatt
hewaiti
ngarea.
Phawu:"Dadisgoingt
oskinusallal
iveforget
ti
ng
hi
sfavouri
tepersonsi
ck"hecoul
dalreadyimagine
i
t.
Qhawe:"Let
'shopei
t'
sjustal
ler
gies,
bra.Qhayiyai
s
thel
ightoft
hehousesoshecan'tgetsick"he
shookhishead.
Phawu:"
Whyar
eyousomushy?
"
Qhawu:"
I'
m anuncl
e.Idr
eam aboutnegot
iat
ing
l
obolaf
orQhayi
ya"PhawulaughedoutandPhawu
di
dtoo.
Phawu:" Shecan' tevenwalkproper l
yyet .Mom was
ri
ght,whenshe' sawayt hingsfallapar t
.Wehave
Qhayiyat hefoodmom sai dweshoul dn't"theybot
h
shookt heirheads.Imangear r
ivedaf terawhi l
e
sweatingcl earl
yhehadbeenr unningandt heboys
tol
dthem t hedirecti
onChul uwenti n.Her andown
thehospi t
alpassagesl i
keamadmanunt i
lhe
fi
nall
yf oundt hem.
Imange:"Manco"Chul
urantohughim whenshe
sawhim andstart
edtocry."
Whathappened?
"he
l
ookedatQhayiyawhohadbeensl eepi
nginacot
.
Hebreathedwhenshewasst il
lbr
eathi
ng.
Chul
u:"
Theysayshehadanal
ler
gicr
eact
iont
o
something.I
t'
stheporr
idgemymot
herwar
nedme
agai
nst"shelookedatQhayi
ya.
Imange:"Hai
bo,Chul
uhowmanyt imesmustyour
motherwarnyouaboutthatporri
dge?Fi
rstitupset
hertummyandnowt hi
s?!"hel
ookedather."Even
usathomewe' veaskedforyourmother
'srecipe!
"
heshouted.
Chulu:"
I'
m at
err
ibl
emot
her
"shebr
ushedQhayi
ya'
s
cheeks.
Imange:"
You'
renotbutwecan'taff
ordtotakeri
sks
whenitcomestochil
dren.Yourmotherhaddone
thi
sbefor
esolet'
sli
stentothei
radvi
ces"healso
hel
dhisdaughter
'shand.
Chul
u:"
Howdi
dyougether
e?ThoughtI
'
donl
ysee
yout
omorr
ow"
Imange:"
Irantothepeopl
ewithcarsandbanged
thei
rdoorsandwindowstogetaride.Ipromisedt
o
bewithyoueverystepasf
araspar ent
ingis
concer
ned"
Doct
or:"
Baby,isperf
ect
lyfi
nebutpl
easedon'
tever
gi
veherthatporr
idgesi
nceyoususpecti
t.Wewil
l
monit
orherf
orawhi
lebutever
ythi
ngshoul
dbe
f
ine"
Babini:"Chul
umanco? "hecalledoutandf inal
ly
foundt hem "
Theboyscal ledme.I sever yt
hing
okay?"hewentt ocheckonQhayi ya" IknewI
shouldn'thaveletyouchildr
enconvi ncemet oleave
youalone.Youar eallgoingbackhomewi t
hme"i t
wasanor derandsoChul ujustnodded." What
happened? "theyexpl
ainedtohim andChul ust
arted
cryi
ngbuthewentt ohugheri nsteadofscol dather.
Doctor
:"Shei
sfi
ne,
perf
ectf
ine"sheassur
edt
hem
bef
orechecki
ngonQhayi
ya.
Babini:"YhoInearl
ydiedforr
ealthi
stimewhenI
heardt hi
s"hebreathed"Wewillgohome,you
chi
ldrenwi l
lgetcl
othesandwe' l
lgotomyhouse.
Letmegot el
ltheboys"helef
tthem.
Imange:"
Iwasholdingmybr eat
hthi
nki
nghe'd
remindmeI'
m notyourhusbandsoIcan'tj
ust
comeandgoaspl easeasifIpaidl
obol
a"Chulu
l
aughedfort
hefir
stt i
mesincethescar
e.
Chul
u:"
Thankyouf
orcomi
ng,
Mange.Iknowyou
mostcer
tai
nlyst
ruggl
edt
ranspor
tbutt
hanks"she
smi
led.
Qhawe:"
ManxinxikaMalume"hewentst
rai
ghtto
Qhayi
ya"I'
mtooyoungforhear
tat
tacksQhayi
ya
don'
tdothatagai
n"hepl
eaded.
Phawu:"
Wearethr
owi
ngoutanyst
orebought
st
uff
"heorder
ed.
Babini:"
Iam notkeepingthi
sfrom yourpar
entsso
don'tdareaskmet o"helookedatalloft
hem and
theynodded.
Doctor
:"Don'
tbesohardonyourself
,mommy.You
don'
tknowhowmanymi st
akesI'
vemadet hat
l
andedmyki dsher
ebutwel ear
nokay?"Chulu
nodded"I'
l
lbebackagai
n"shesmiledandleftt
hem.
Mat o:"Qhayiya"shepushedeveryoneoutofthe
wayt ogot ot hecottofeeli
fQhayiyawassti
llwar
m
"IknewIshoul dn'
thaveall
owedchi l
drent
olook
afterachild.MakhulusaidImustcomegetyoual l
"
shel ookedatt hem.
Phawu:"
Wear
egoi
ngwi
thMal
ume,
Makhul
u"
Chul
u:"
Whoel
sedi
dyouguyscal
l?
"
Qhawe:"
Don'
tjudgeus"hepoi
ntedather
.
Imange:"Letmecallmymothert
otel
lherthatshe'
s
perf
ectl
yf i
ne.I
'
m sureshe'
sworr
iedsi
ck"he
excusedhimself
.
Chulu:"I'
m sorry,
mybaby"shesai dtoQhayi ya"I
l
oveyousomuch.I 'dneverdel
iberatelyhurtyoubut
Ireall
ythoughtMamawasexagger ati
ngbutnowI
seeshe' snot"sheadded.Babiniwoul dn'
teven
alwaysanyoneel set oholdQhayiyawhenshegot
discharged..Forsomer easonhef earedthey'ddr
op
her.Hedr ovebehindChul umancoandwai tedfor
them topackbef orefol
lowinghert ohishouse.He
offer
edI mangear idehomeandI mangewas
hesitantbuthegoti n.
Babi
ni:"
Soyou'
reamanwhoi scomfor
tabl
ewith
anot
hermanhelpi
ngChul
ubeingpri
marycaret
aker
ofQhayi
yasomeday.
"hesai
dandImangelookedat
hi
m.
I
mange:"
Shedoesn'
twantme,
Mal
ume"
Babi
ni:"
I'
m notyourMal
umebecauseIdonot
r
ecogni
zeyouasf
ami
ly.Cal
lmesi
r"
I
mange:"
Yes,
sir
"henoddedner
vousl
y.
Babini
:"Youcomewhenyourdaughterneedsyou
soforthatI
'l
lgi
veyousomecredi
t"
I
mange:"
Thankyou,
sir
"ImangeknewthatBabini
wasnoCrai
gsosothelessbespoket
hebetter
.
Babini:"
Ifyouwantal adytoknowt hatyouar e
seri
ousyoumustshowher .Womenar et i
redof
empt ypromi sessoacti
onsspeaklouderthan
words.Thebestapol ogyischangedbehavi ourso
showChul umancoyou'vematured.Ihonestlydon'
t
getthistrendofyoungmenmaki ngbabiesand
l
eavingthemot her
s.What'
schangedaf terbabyis
born?"hel ookedatImange.
I
mange:"
Ijustf
eltnegl
ect
ed,
sir
"
Babi
ni:"
Wel lyoucan' tgethusbandbenefi
tswhen
you'
renotone.I fyoul i
vedinthesamehouseasher
you'
dhavegot tenat t
entionbutyoucomeandgoso
i
t'
sunderstandabl e.AlsoChuluisyoungsoit
makessenset hatshe' donlyfocusonherbabyso
she'
ddot hi
ngsr ight.Youboysar emakinglame
excusesandcr ywhenanupst andingyoungman
showsupanddowhatyouf ai
ledtodo.Tal king
aboutnegl ectwhenyouhadnobusi nessmaki ng
herPr egnanti nt hefirstpl ace.It'
seasyf oryou,you
seet hebaby, giveheraf ewkissesandgohome.I f
youwer emar ri
edt oChul uyou'dknowhowmuch
thesewomenputupwi thwi t
hourki ds.Idon'tdo
near l
yasmuchasmywi febutnowt hatshe' sgone
I'
llstepupmygamemor ebecausei t'sfuckinghar d,
man.Sodon' tcr ynegl ectwheni t
'snotyourni pples
beingbi t
tenon, wheni t'
snotyourbodyt hat'
sfullof
strectmarks, wheni t
'snotyout hebabywakesup
andkeepsupal lnight.Chul uhadal lofthatwhi l
e
yougaveoccasi onalkissesandmadesur eshe
doesn'trunoutofdi aper s.Thesoonerwemenget
offthedamnpedast ilessoci etyandcul t
ureput sus
i
nt hebet terwewi l
lfeel howmuchwomengo
through.Sof uckyourf uckingnegl ect,Imangef uck
i
t"Imangef el
thi mselfgetscar ed.
I
mange:"
Yes,
sir
"
Babi
ni:"
Ibel
ievethi
sisyourhome"Imangenodded
"Wel
lgoodni
ghtthen.Sayhitoever
yone"headded.
I
mange:" Thankyouf
ortheri
desir
.I'
l
lgreett
hem.
Thankyou"hesaidashesteppedoutofthecar
.He
fel
toffendedinawaybutBabi
ni'
swordswerestuck
i
nhi shead.
S2-
INSERT45(
Shor
t)
CraigandOt huwereinar ushtogetLorenback
home.Yandihandl edeachandever ysinglethi
ng
thatneededt obedonef ort
hespiri
tualri
tual
togetherwit
haheal erMncedisigoestoregularl
y.
Othudi dn'
tmindbathingLorenbutsheknewt hat
they'
dneedt ogetsomeonet ohelponaper manent
basisbecauseshe'dhavet oretur
ntowor knext
week.
Mncedisi
:"Thankyousomuchf orspendi
ngyour
moneyanddoi ngthi
s,ndodana"heshookCr
aig'
s
hand.
Craig:"Igotalotmor einret
urn,bab'
omncane"he
l
ookedathi smot herandhehopedbei ngapartof
thetraditi
onalri
tualswouldbringaboutchangein
Lorenbutshewasst i
llt
hesame.
Mcedi
si:"
Makot
i,youmustr
etur
nwi
tht
hechi
ldr
en.
IknowChul umancobutI
'dl
iketomeett
hepeopl
e
whowi l
ltakefor
wardBhengufamil
yname"hehel
d
Othu'
shand.
Othu:"Iwi l
ldefi
nit
elybringthem, Tat'omnci nci
.
Thankyousomuchf oraccommodat ingusandi t
wasapl easuretomeetyoual l"Ot hudi dal i
ttl
ebow
whilelookingdownt ryi
ngt ofigur eouthowa
makot ii
ssupposedt obehave" Itisjustapi tythat
wecan' tstaylonger"sheaddedsof t
ly.Theyr eall
y
welcomedherwi thopenar ms.Ot hust il
lwasnot
sureifitwasbecauset heysti
lltriedtogeti nto
Crai
g'sgoodbooksorbecauset heywer egenui nel
y
goodpeopl e.Onlytimewoul dt ellbutf orthedays
theywer ethereitwasamazi ng.
MaMvelase:"Weunderstandthatyouar
emodern
womenwhohaveof fi
ces.Nextti
meyoucomewe
wil
ldoeverythi
ngthatneedstobedonetowelcome
youal
lint
ot heBhengufamily"Mncedi
si'
swi
fesaid
wit
hasmi l
e.
Shaka:"
Areyoureadyt
ogototheai
rpor
t?"Shaka
peekedi
nlooki
ngatCrai
gwhil
espeaki
ng.
Craig:"Yesourchi ldrenhavebeenal onef ort
oo
l
ongsowedon' twantt omi ssourfl
ight.Thankyou
somuchandf ort hei nt
roducti
ontotheancest ors.I
can'twaittoreturnt odot herestoftheneeded
ri
tuals"heshookhi suncl e'
shand.Shaka' sbrothers
werebot hwor kingi nJobur gandcouldnotgett i
me
offbutdur i
ngt hehol idayseasonthef amilywoul d
gathertodoever ything.
Mncedisi
:"ThankyoutoyouMaZwenif ormaking
suret
hatitallwentwel
l.Mynephewisfort
unatet
o
havesomeonel i
keyoursel
fcl
ose"Yandismil
ed.
Yandi
:"Iam gl
adthati
tal
lwentwel
l,Bab'
Bhengu.I
gowhereI'
ml edbymyancestor
s"Yandihel
dhis
hand.
Mncedisi
:"Youmustseektr
adit
ionalhel
pforyour
mother,ndodana"hel
ookedatLoren.
Crai
g:"Fornowwej ustneedtoensurethatshei s
comfortabl
eandt henwe'llseekhelp,
anyhel pthat
wecanget "helookedatYandi ."
I'
m gladthatyou
gaveMrNgcoboandhi sfamilyt
imetot el
lSakhil
e
abouthispater
nity.Wewanthi mt ocomehome
whentheti
mei sr
ightnotwheni
t'
sforced.He'
sone
ofussohe'
llr
etur
nhomewhent hetimei sr
ight
"he
l
ookedathisuncl
e.
MaMvel ase:"
Andeventhen,wemustnott akehim
awayf r
om thefamil
ythatrai
sedhim.Shakai snota
Bhengubybl oodbutheisoursonineveryother
sense.IwouldneverwantSakhil
etobeupr ooted
andforcedtochoosesidesbecauseIwouldn't
expectShakatodothat"shelookedatherhusband.
Mncedisi:"It
akeallt
hecr edi
tformypat i
encebut
actual
lyit
'smywi fewhomademeseer eason"he
l
ookedatMaMvel ase"Allofyouwillgr
avitate
towardshomeevent uall
y.Iam justhappyt hat
Sakhil
e'sspir
iti
shome.Idowi shwecoul dgethis
bodytoobutIwoul dn'
texpectyout ocarrysuch
costsalone"
Yandi:"I
tisnotsomet hi
ngthatbotheredhim,Baba.
Ifhewant edhisremainsdugoutI '
dhaveknown.I
thi
nkhi sotheri
ntent
ionwasf ormet ofeelt
hathis
wifewasnotwi t
hhim soCrai
gcoul dknowshewas
sti
llal
ive"shelookedatMncedisi.Thelastthi
ng
shewant edwasf orOthuandCr aigtofeel
pressuredtobringMi ke'sremai nswhi chwi l
lcost
them moneyt heydon' thaveespeci allysinceLoren
willrequi
reacar er.Crai g'
sextendedf ami lywas
near l
ynonexistentduet othebuscr asht hat
claimedmostoft heirlivesbutOt huf eltMaMvelase
andMncedi siwoul dst epi nandbepar entst
oher
husbandandgr andpar ent stotheirchildrensoshe
feltgrat
eful
.
MaMvelase:" MyhusbandandIwer etalkingabout
theyounggener at
ionofmengoi ngbackt ohow
thei
rfor
efathersweredoingthingsbyt akingmor e
thanonewife"shesmi l
edandOt huraisedabr ow.
"Wehavegoodyoungwomenher e,Craig.Youcan
haveawi f
eher eandinthecity"shesuggest edand
Crai
gcouldf eelOt
hu'seyesonhi m.
Cr
aig:"
Iam aonewomanman, Ma"helookedat
Ot
huwhowasnoddi ngherheadi
nagreement.
MaMvelase:"Itisuptoyouandyourcousin
brot
herstotakef or
wardtheBhengunameand
makeourf amilybigagai
n.Themor ewivesther
e
are,
themor echildr
enareborn"shebrushedCrai
g's
upperarm.YandicouldseethatOthuhaddiffi
cult
y
notsayingsomet
hingasherhusbandwasof
fer
ed
anotherwomeninherpresence.
Crai
g:"
Iwil
lleavethatt
oyoungmenlikeShaka"he
l
aughedawkwar dl
y"Iam cont
entwi
thmylif
e"he
smil
edatOthu.
Mncedisi:"Nooneaskedyout owel comeanother
womani nt hefamil
y,MaMvelasesol etusrespect
thatnotallmenarepolygamists.Myf at
herwast he
l
astmani nourfamil
ytopracti
ceit"hesaidwhen
hefeltt
hemomentbecomet oointense.
MaMvel ase:"
Ifyoubringonenowwhowi llhave
chi
ldrenthenIwillnotstandi
ntheway"shelooked
atherhusband.
Shaka:" Baf
o,ifyouwantt omaket hatfl
ightwehad
bettergetgoing.Traffi
ccanbecr azyatt hishour"
hel ookedatCraigwhi l
epoi nt
ingtohi swatchand
Craigwasgr atefultoShakaf ori
nterrupt
ing.Hugs,
kissesandhandshakeswer esharedbef or
et he
KnightsandYandil ef
tforhome.Yandicoul dn'
twait
tohugherpeopl eandsl eeponherbed.Ot hucould
seesomesi milari
ti
esinShakaandI mangeasf aras
appearancewasconcer nandshewonder edif
Chulujustwant edar ebound.Cr aighadawor dwi t
h
Shakaaboutt heChul ui ssueandasdi f
f i
cultasit
wasShakaaccept edt hathi sfeel i
ngswer e
forbi
ddenandhedeci dedt onotcompl icateChul u'
s
l
ifebybeingper sistent.Theykepti nt ouchandhe
knewaboutQhayi ya'sal l
ergyr eactionbecauset hey
areopent oeachot heraboutal mostever ythi
ng.
Theyf i
nall
ymadei ttot heai r
por tandsai dgoodbye
toMncedi siwhol ookedsadt oseet hem goonce
againbeforetheyboar dedt hepl ane.Ot huhat ed
thattheyhadt otakeLor enwi thbecauseshe
i
magi nedhowuncomf ortableitwasf ortheel der
whowasnoti ngoodheal th.Asidef rom t hegr ey
hairLorenlookedpr ettygoodf orawomanherage.
Crai
g:"
I'
m notgoingtobringyouasi st
erwif
eokay"
hewhisper
edt oOthubeforelaughi
ngsoftl
y"Ican'
t
i
maginerotat
ingbeds"hel ookedatherandshe
smil
edbeforekissi
nghim.
Othu:"I
fsheent er
sthroughthefr
ontdoor ,I
'
llbe
exci
tingthr
ought hebackandyou'llneverseeme
again"shelookedathim.Craighel
dherchi nand
ki
ssedherf
orehead.Yandisatsmil
ingatt
hesight
oft
hem andcouldn'
twaitt
odoi twi
thBabini
.
Craig:"
Thankyousomuchf oreveryt
hing.Iknow
thatsomewomenwoul dhavewant edtheir
husbandstoleavehisunresponsi vemotherata
centerbutyoudidn'
t"hekissedherhand" Iknow
thatit
'l
lbeabigadjustmentbutwecandoi t"he
saidwithcert
aint
yandOt hunodded.
Othu:"Youwer ebymysi dewhenKumkaniwasi na
si
mi l
arstate.You'vebeenbymysi deineveryt
hing,
baby.I'
m gl adthatIgettohel
pyoul ookafter
someonef rom yoursideoft
hef amil
y.Yes,we'l
l
havetor eadjustourli
vesandbudgetbutwe' ll
manage"shel etherthumbglideoverhischeekand
hekissedt heinsideofherfl
owerscent edhand.
Craig:"
Yandi,Idon'tknowhowt ot hankyou
enough"Yandi smi l
ed" Hadyounothadt hatdr eam
I'
dneverhaver eturnedt her
e.Ifeelli
keI'
vef i
nal l
y
gotclosurenowt hatIknowhowt heylandedt here
i
nt hefir
stplace.IalsoknowChi efwouldn'thave
"r
emember ed"mymot herhadInotgone.Sot hank
yousomuch"her eachedhi shandoutt oYandiand
shehel
ditwhi
lesmi
li
ng.
Yandi:"
Ican'
ttakecreditf
orit
,Crai
g.It
'swhatI
agreedtowhenIheadedt hecall
ing.I
'
m gladthat
you'l
lcl
osethatchapterandthatourj
ourneyturned
outtobri
ngbothyourpar ent
sback"Othualsoheld
Yandi'
shandandsmi l
ed.
Crai
g:"Pl
easesendmeyouri
nvoi
ce"Yandil
aughed
soft
ly.
Yandi
:"We'r
efami
lysolet
'snotconcer
nour
sel
ves
wit
hthat.Ir
eal
lyl
ovedhel
ping"
Othu:"Andweknowhowdi f
fi
cul
titwasforyout
o
l
eaveyourfamil
ybutreal
lyt
hankyou,f
ri
end"Yandi
smiledandnodded.
Craig:"
Areyoucomf or
table,
Mama? "hemadesur e
she'sreal
lystr
appedi nproperlybef
orefixi
ngthe
blanketoverherlegs"Ifeell
ikeI'
m dreaming"he
smi l
ed"Iguesswemustexpectmor efamilysoon
si
nceour sisjustscatt
eredthroughoutthewor l
d"
Othunodded.
Othu:"
Baby,t
hischiefmanhowsureareyouthat
he'
lll
eaveyoualone?"shewasconcer
nedabouther
f
ami
ly"
Areourki
dssaf
e?"sheadded.
Craig:"Don'tconcernyour selfwit
hthat.Our
chil
dr enaresafe"hel ookedather .Hehopedt hat
hisnodangersensi ngi nst
inctwasr i
ghtbuthe
knewhecoul dn'tr
elaxbuthedi dn'
twanttowor ry
Othuwi ththat.Whent heylandedtheyfoundBabi ni
waitingforthem andYandiwentaheadt ogogr eet
herhusband.Thosef ami li
arbearhugst hathadher
beingl i
ft
edupi ntheai rwer eexactl
ywhatshe
needed.Hi slipscol
lidedwi thhersandYandif el
t
herselfmelt.
Yandi:"
I'
m mi
ssedyousomuch"shelookedathim
"I
tseemsyouhaven'
tgot
tent
hin"Babi
nilaughed.
Babi
ni:"
OnemoredayandI
'
vehaddi
ed,
Ntl
izi
yo
yam"hehel
dheragai
n.
Cr
aig:"
Backi
nonepiecejustasIpr
omised"the
menshookhandsandOthuhuggedherbrother
.
Babini:"
I'
m guessi
ngthatthisi
sMrsKnightsnr
"he
knel
tdownbef oreLoren.Heheardever
ythi
ngfr
om
Yandi.Babinii
nspect
edLor enast
houghthey
weren'ti
npublic.
Othu:"Bhut,
whatareyoudoi ng?"shelookedathim
curiousl
ywhenhel ookedatLoren'spalmsbefore
checkinghereyes.Babinisi
ghedloudlybefor
e
standing.
Babini:"I'
mj ustmakingacquai ntance"hel ookedat
Othubef orest udyi
ngLor enagai nespeci all
yt he
eyes"Let '
sgohome, yourchi ldrenar ewithmeso
you'l
lallgohomet oget her"Ot huaskedwhyhet ook
them whent heyblatantlyr efusedt ogosayi ngt hey
weren'tchildrenandt hepar entswer enothappyt o
hearthatQhayi yahadbeeni nhospi tal"
Ididn'twant
towor ryyouoversomet hingwemanagedt osor t
out.HadIt oldyou, you'dhavewant edtocome
homeandyou' dhavet oaskmywi f
et oret
ur nwi t
h
youagai n.Qhayi yaisper fectlyfine,she'slaughing
andeat ing"heassur edt hem butt heywant edt osee
forthemsel ves.
Yandi
:"Ar
eourkidsokay?
"sheaskedwhi
lewal
king
besi
dehimtotheparki
ngarea.
Babini
:"Iwassuperdaddy,Ntliziyoyam.I'm now
thei
rfavour
it
e"Yandilaughed" I'
vemi ssedyouso
much"hehel dhercl
oseunt i
ltheyr eachedthecar.
Theircarwasasevenseat ersother
ewasenough
spaceforeveryoneandoncet heyal
lgoti
nsi
de
Babinidrovet
ohi shouse.
Babini
:"SeewhatImeantbyourpastalways
haunti
ngus?"Crai
glookedattheladi
eswhower e
checki
ngoutthepict
urestheytookwhil
elaughi
ng.
Craig:"Hesaidmyboyswoul dmakef i
neagent s.He
mightnotbewi t
htheoldagencybuthe' sdefi
nitel
y
notretir
ed.Thinkit
'sti
met oteacht hechil
drensel f
defense,hardcoresel
fdefense"Babi ninoddedi n
agreement"I'l
lfi
ndawayt ot
agt hem wi t
houtthem
knowi ngsoI'dknowwher etheyareatal lti
mes,
evenl i
tt
leQhayiya"helookedatOt hu.
Babini
:"Good,man"heagreed"Soisyourmother
permanentl
ythatway?"helookedatt
hemi r
rorto
checkLorenbefor
efixi
nghiseyesbackontheroad.
Crai
g:"
I'
m hopingbei
ngsurroundedbyfamilywil
l
haveherr
eturntome.Sil
encingherwouldhave
beenbest
,Ifai
ltounder
standwhyChiefwoul dkeep
herwhenhercareateathi
spocket"helookedathis
mother
.
Babini
:"Maybeitwasmoneyduet oherfr
om her
l
astmission.Someofthesebastar
dsareact
uall
y
"f
air
"heshookhi sheadashecouldn'
tthi
nkofa
bett
erword"Didyoucheckherforbugs?"
Crai
g:"
It
'st
hefir
stt
hingt
hatIdi
dandshe'
scl
ean"
Babi
ninodded.
Yandi
:"So,
ZweniI'
m backinonepiecesoIkeptmy
endofthedeal
"shesaidatthebackandBabini
l
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Iwon'
tbackdown,
Madl
omo"hepr
omi
sed.
Othu:"
Whycanyout wogoonyourli
ttl
eacti
vit
ies
andsometimeseventakebabi
eswit
hbutwedar e
suggestwejoi
nyouwehearexcuses"themen
l
aughed.
Craig:"
It'
saguyt hing"hegavehi svaguereason.
Theydi dn'twanttoment i
onthattheywouldn'tbe
abletodot henaught ythi
ngstheyusuallydidwhen
outwi t
ht heirl
adi
esl ikesli
ptheirhandsseductivel
y
upthosesmoot hl egs.Theyf i
nall
yarri
vedhome
andt heboyswentt ohugt hei
rmot herfi
rst
.
Phawu:"
Don'
tleaveusagai
n,Mom.Youwer
eri
ght
,
whenyougoeveryt
hingfal
lsapar
t"Othufel
tall
warm wi
thi
ntoheartheyst
il
lwantedherfussi
ng
overt
hem t
houghtheypret
endedtheydon't
.
Qhawe:"
We'vemissedyourcooki
ngt
oo"hecl
osed
hi
seyestoenjoyt
heaffect
ion.
Chul
u:"
I'
m suret
hatMalumet
oldyou.I
'
m sor
ry,
Mama"shealsowentt
ohughermother.
Othu:"It
'sokay,
welearnfr
om ourmist
akesandbad
choices.I'
mjustgl
adthatyouareal
lwell
"shehel
d
herkidsclose.
Crai
g:"
Sodadwasn'tmissed?
"theyalll
etgotolook
athi
m.Whatcaughtthei
reyeswasthewomanwho
sati
nthewheel
chai
r."Thi
sisyourgrandmother
,my
mother
"PhawuandQhawel ookedateach.
Qhawe:"
Issher
eal
?"hehadt
omakesur
e.
Chul
u:"
Wecanal
lcl
ear
lyseet
hatshe'
sreal
,
Li
qhawe"
Phawu:"
Weknowdadt obeanorphanandt
heyl
eft
her
etogogetspiri
ts,i
sitsobadt
owanttobe
sur
e?"helookedatChulu.
Craig:"
She'sasrealasweal lare.Comel etusgo
i
nsidef orawhil
esodadcanexpl ain"theyal lwent
i
nside.Cr ai
gwenttocheckont hesl eepingQhayi ya
fi
rstasYandididwithherchild.Shest ayedi ntheir
nursaryforawhilehopi
ngt hey'
dwakeupsoshe
couldkissthosecheeksproperly.Babiniwal kedin.
Yandi:"
Doyouknowthatyouareanamazi
ng
husbandandfat
her
?"shelookedathi
m.
Babini:"
Itrytobe, Nt
li
ziyoyam"heki ssedher
"We'vemi ssedyousomuch.Al lIwantt odor i
ght
nowi skissyouandmakel ovet oyou"heki ssedher
deeplyandwi thasenseofur gency.Babi nil i
ft
ed
Yandioffherf eetandplacedheront heirbed.Yandi
missedhi mj ustasmuchsoshet ooki nallt hel
ove
thatheclear l
ywasdesper atetoshowher .Itwas
supposedt obeaqui ckyetsat i
sf actorymoment .
WhileBabi niandYandienj oyedt heirreunion
i
ntimacyCr ai
gandOt husatexpl ainingt ot heir
chil
drenasbestaspossi bl
ewhyt heyr eturnedwi t
h
thegrandmot hertheyhadal waysbeent oldwas
dead.
Cr
aig:"
Iknowt
hati
t'
sal
ott
otakei
nandal
lofus
wi
llhavet
owor
ktoget
hert
omakehercomf
ort
abl
e"
Chulu:"Wouldn'
tshebemorecomfort
abl
einacar e
cent
er ,
dad?Whati fwedosomet
hingwit
hintent
ion
ofhelpingandenduphurti
ngher
?"theboys
nodded.
Othu:"Therearemanyqual if
iedcarer
soutthereso
we'l
lhirehelp.Wecan'tletgrandmastayatsome
homeal oneagain,guys.She'sbeenaloneallt
hese
years.Shemi ghtseem l
ikeitdoesn'
tbotherherbut
wedonotknowt hatf
orsure.Forallweknowshe
wonder edwhynoonecamet ovisi
ther"
Qhawe:"That
'ssosad.Ican'
tbel
ievet
hehospi
tal
nevertol
dyoushe'
sstil
lali
ve,
dad"heshookhi
s
headlooki
ngsad.
Crai
g:"Theydi
dn'
tknowhowt oreachmeandshe
can'
tspeaksoitwasnotint
ent
ional"hesai
dashe
tr
iedtomakethestor
ytheyspunthekidsmore
underst
andabl
e.
Phawu:"Weliveinadigi
talt
imesothat
'salame
excuse.We'
regladthatyouhavef
amilytoonow,
dad.Fir
stt
heBhengusandnowyourmom.Wi l
lshe
everbeal
ri
ghtagai
n?"Cr
aigshookhi
sheadandt
he
ki
dsnodded.
Chulu:"Wemustdoasmuchr esear
chabouther
condit
ionaspossi
ble"shelookedateveryone
"You'
vegotaprett
ymom, dad"shesmiled.
Phawu:"
Youl
ookl
ikeher
"QhawegavePhawua
si
deeye.
Qhawe:"No,shedoesn'
t"heshookhisheadbef
ore
l
ookingatLorenagai
nandt henatChul
u"No"he
added.
Chul
u:"
Idon'
tmi
ndbecauseshe'
sbeaut
if
ul"she
smil
ed.
Othu:"Thi
sishowIal wayswantustobe"sheheld
Crai
g'shandandal lofthem hel
dhands"Aunited
familybot
hbehi ndcloseddoorsandout.We'l
l
cert
ainlyf
ightbutmaynonofourownbel eftout
,
ever"shelookedatherchildr
en..
Them:"Tightl
ikeKni
ghts"t
hechil
drenallsai
d
si
multaneousl
yandCr ai
gandOthusmi ledproudl
y.
Babi
niandYandishowedupl ooki
nglikenothing
hadjusthappened.
Crai
g:"Thankyoufortr
usti
ngmewithyourwif
e,
Zweni"heshookBabini
'shand"
Ift
here'
snothi
ng
el
sethenwe'dliket
ogethome"headded.
Babini
:"We'
l
ltal
kagain,
Knight.Pl
ent
ythatweneed
total
kabout"hesai
dsti
llshaki
ngCrai
g'shand
fi
rmly.
Othu:"Fri
end,t
hankyouonceagai
n.Wereal
ly
appreciat
eitsomuch"shehuggedYandi
.
Yandi
:"I
twasal
lapl
easur
e"shesmi
led.
Othu:"Letmegoki ssthosesl
eepyheads"she
quickl
yr antothenursar
ytokisshernephewsand
ni
eceandshesmi ledwhenshesawhowwel lt
hey
weregr owing.
Chul
u:"
Mal umekazi
,Ifoundthi
sandsi nceIknow
howmuchal adyvaluesheraccessori
es,Ikepti
t
saf
eforyou"shegaveYandianear i
ng.
Yandi:"Uhm...
thankyou,Chulu"shefakedasmile.
Shedi dn'
tknowwhoseear r
ingitwasbutitwas
certai
nlynothers.Chul
ur anouttomeetherparents
i
nt hecar.Itwouldbeanawkwar dtr
ipasOthu'
sold
carwasnott hemostspaci ousbuttheygoton
hopingtheywoul dn'
tbestoppedbyt r
affi
c.Chul u
hadt obepassengerinherowncarbutshedi dn't
mind.Thebabi eswereupandYandif inallygota
chancetoholdt hem.Afteral ongwhi leBabi niwent
tothedoortogett hefoodthatt heyor deredand
wentt ot
hekitchenwher eYandiwas.Shet urned
theothercheekwhenhet ri
edt oki ssher.The
earri
ngbotheredhersoshet ooki toutoft hepocket
andshowedi ttohim.
Yandi
:"Whoseisthi
s,Babi
ni?
"shel
ookedathi
m
andheshrugged.
Babi
ni:"
Ifnotyour
sthenChul
u's"shel
ookedatt
he
gol
dpiece.
Yandi:"
Igotitfr
om Chulumancobecauseshe
thoughtthati
twasmi ne"sher
aisedhervoi
ce.
Babi
ni:"
Itsoundsli
keyouareaccusi
ngmeof
somethi
ng,Yandisa"hel
ookedather
.
Yandi:"Idon'
twearsuchearri
ngsandyouknow
Chulumancol i
kesbeadssopleaseexplai
ntome
whyt here'
sanunfamil
iarearr
ingi
nourhouse.Ma
Radebedoesn'twearjelwer
y"Babi
niclosedhi
seyes
whenhet
houghtaboutLer
ato.
Babi
ni:"
Ler
atowasher
etheot
her
..
."
Yandi
:"Soyouwer eherealonewithLerat
o?The
sameLeratothatbraggedaboutshowingyousome
ski
n,Babi
ni?"shelookedathim.Howdi dthis
womanevenknowt hatyou'r
ealone,Zweni?Didyou
i
nvit
eher?"shebombar dedhim wit
hquestions.
Babini
:"Avet
handwa,youaregett
ingupsetand
wit
houtevenall
owingmet ofi
nishspeaki
ng"
Yandi
:"Sothatyoucanspinmesomest or
yabout
whythesamewomanwhowant stosl
eepwit
hyou
wasinourhousewhi l
eIwasaway?Sheevenleft
evi
denceofhervisi
tsoI'
dfindi
t"
Babini
:"Iseethatyouaret
ooworkeduptoeven
all
owmet oexplai
n.I
'l
lgi
veyousomespace"he
tookhi
skeyst oavoidanargument
.
Yandi:"
Takeherheruglyear
ri
ng"sheputiti
nfr
ont
ofhim buthewalkedaway"Soyou'
renoteven
goingtotryanddenyit
,Babi
ni?
"sheshouted
behindhim.
Babini:"Denywhat ,Avet handwa? "het ur
nedt olook
atherandababycr iedashegotst artledbyt he
deepvoi ceshout i
ng" Leratocameher ebutIchased
herrightout "heexplained" Sowhatdoyouwantme
todenyhuh?Youcl earlythinkyouknowwhat
happenedandIdon' thavet imet oent ert
ainyour
wil
di magi nat i
onrightnow.Iwasr eallylooki ng
for
war dt oj ustenjoyingyouhomebutnotwhen
you'rebei ngl i
kethis.Idonotknowvwhi cht ruth
youwantt ohearbutIt oldyoumi nesowhi leI '
m out
thi
nkaboutwhatyouwantt odowi t
hi t"hel ookedat
herandYandil ookedatt heear ri
ng.Shewasabout
toapol ogizebuthewasoutoft hedoorbef oreshe
could.Yandiwentt ocomf ortthecr yingI mi.She
knewt hatBabi niwast ell
ingt het r
ut haboutwhat
happenedandshef eltli
keki ckingher selffornot
l
istening.Shewast oot i
redt oevenr unaf t
erhi m
butsher egrettedthewaysher egretted.
Nozukowasbusycooki
ngwhileZuriwashelpi
ng
herwit
hchi
ldf
riendl
yki
tchenduti
es.Zur
ijumped
uptogoopenthedoorwhentheyheardaknock.
Zur
i:"
Askwho'
satt
hedoorf
ir
st"sheor
der
ed.
Zur
i:"
Whoi
sit
?"sheasked.
Poppy:"
AuntPoppy"Zur
iqui
ckl
yopenedt
hedoor
tohugPoppy.
Zuri
:"Wher
ear
emyf
ri
ends?
"shel
ookedbehi
nd
Poopy.
Poppy:"Theywentt
othei
rgr
andmot
her
'spl
ace"
Zuril
ookeddown.
Zur
i:"
Okay"shesai
dsof
tl
y.
Poppy:"You'
l
lseethem soon"sheassur
edZur
i"Hi
,
fr
iend"shegreet
edZuko.
Zuko:"Hey,wi
llyoustayf
ordi
nner
?It
'sal
most
ready"sheaskedwithasmil
e.
Zuri
:"Mommy, youneverspeakaboutyourmommy.
Iwannavisi
tmygr annytoo"shesai
dafterthi
nki
ng
aboutwhereThandiweandThandaniwer e.
Zuko:"
Idon'
thaveamot
her
"shel
ookedatPoppy.
Zuri
:"That
'sver
ysad"shesaidsof
tl
y"Iwi
shyou
hadamommybecausehavi ngamommyi sni
ce"
shewenttohugZuko.
Zuko:" IwishIhadonet oobutit'
sl i
fe,mybaby"she
kissedZur i'
shead" Goandf i
nishyourhomewor k.
Tomor rowIwantust obakesoIdon' twant
i
nt erruptions"Zurinoddedandsmi l
edbef ore
l
eavi ngt heelders"Iwasact uall
yt hinki
ngof
planni ngasur pri
sebi rt
hdaypartyf orher"shesaid
i
nanexci tedwhisper" Mydaught erhasneverhad
one, Poppyandi tdoesn'thavetobebi gjustspecial
formypr i
ncess.Iwi shIcouldtakehert o
Disneyl andbutIcan' tsoI'dli
ketobr i
ngDi sneyto
her "sheadded.
Poppy:"That'
samazing,fr
iend.Pl
easetalkt
oYandi
aboutthatbecauseshe'
stheonewhoi sabl
et o
pl
anpar ti
esandI'dl
iketostayfordi
nnermyf amil
y
i
sStthei nlaws.Thewomandoesn' treal
lyl
ikeme
soIchoset onotgo"Zukolaughed.
Zuko:"
Thethi
ngsyou'vegott
oputupwithfort
he
l
oveofyourli
fe"shel
aughed"Deal
ingwi
thhis
mommy"Poppyshookherhead.
Poppy:"
Talki
ngaboutlove.Nel
iswasentmean
i
nboxaskingaboutyou"
Zuko:"Ihopeyoudi dn'
tsayanythi
ng,Poppy.Idon't
wantNel ii
nmyl i
fe.Iactual
lyt
houghtIwasr eadyto
dateagainbutafterseei
ngherIknowI '
m not.I
don'twantherrockingupatmypl aceli
kenothing
happened"
Poppy:"Idi dn'
ttel
lheranyt
hing.Shekeptaski
ng
aboutZur ibutIsaidshemustaskyoubecauseI
won'ttel
l"Zukowasact ual
lysur
pri
sedthatPoppy
kepthermout hshutasshewasknownt ospeak
withoutt
hi nking.
Zuko:"Good"shewenttosti
rherpot
s"Nel
iswahas
nobusinessaskingaboutmychil
dli
kesheisst
il
la
partofmylif
e"
Poppy:"
Ithi
nkyoumustgobackt
other
apy,
Zuko"
Zuko:"Mycousinactuall
yhassomepsychol ogy
knowledgesoI '
vebeenspeakingt oherandI'm
comfortabl
e.Sheaskedmet ointr
oducehertoyou
l
adiesbecauseshedoesn' thavefriendst
hisside"
shelookedatPoppy" RememberNomandl a?"
Poppynodded.Zukoexpl ainedthatsheand
Nomandl apatchedthi
ngsupandhowNomandl a
st
oodupf
orher
.
Poppy:"
Irememberherwell
.Sheusedtocal
lusto
askifwe'
veseenyou.I'
m gl
adyouhavearel
ati
ve
agai
nwhobelievesyou"
Zuko:"
She'
samazingsowhenwe'real
lfr
eepl
ease
gi
veherachance"Poppynodded.
Poppy:"Zuko, Iknowt hatyousayt hatt
her ei s
nothi
nggoi ngonwi thyouandNel i
swabutI 'vegot
toconfesssomet hi
ngbef orei
tcomesoutandi t
messesourf riendshipup"shest ood"Nel iandIhad
aoneni ghtstandbuti twasafteryou'dlef t
.Iwas
angryatMzubutwewer en'
tdati
ngexcl usivelyat
theti
meandheknows"shespokequi ckly.Zuko
noddedaf ewt imes.
Zuko:"Ican'
treall
ysayI'
m shocked.Youwereone
whol i
kedexperimenti
ngandyoucoul dn'
tst
op
tal
kingaboutwhatasnackNel iwasevenbackthen.
Thankyouf ortel
li
ngme"shet ookadeepbreat
h.
Poppy:"
It
'snottorubyourfaceinitbutsi
nceNeli
poppedupagain,.f
iguredI'
drat
hertel
lyoumyself
.
I'
m st
rai
ghtbutthatnightIwascuri
ousanditnearl
y
costedmethemanIeventual
lymar
r i
edbecauseI
tol
dhim Iwasdonewi t
hmyimpul
sivebehaviour
"
shehandedZukoaspoonsheaskedf or"
I'
m sorr
y"
sheaddedsincer
ely.
Zuko:"
Friend,
it'
sokay.Onceagai nt
hankyouf or
yourhonestybutNeliandIarenotgoingt
ohappen"
shesaidbeforetast
ingherstew"Doyouthinkthat
wecanhaveet hepartyatYandi
's?If
eell
ikeI'
m
aski
ngsomuchofhert houghsononever
mi nd"she
added.
Poppy:"
Myhouseisnotasfancyasher
sbutyou
canhaveitatmypl
ace"Zukosmil
ed.
Zuko:"
Thankyousomuch, fr
iend"shehugged
Poppy"I
'l
lpayforever
ythi
ng.It'
sinthreemonthsso
wehavesomet imeandI '
l
lcleanupr i
ghtaf
ter
.Are
yousurebhutMzuwon' tmind?"
Poppy:"Nothi
ngafewbribingkisseswon'tfix"t
hey
l
aughed.Poppywasgl adthatthepastdidn'tcause
tent
ionbetweenherandZuko.Theexper iencewith
Beli
evewasnewt oherbutsheenj oyedtheonceof f
experi
mentbutitwasnotsomet hingshewant ed.
Zukowant edtokeephermi ndbusywi t
hherplans
forapar tyandawayf r
om Nel ij
umpi ngoneofher
bestfri
endssoonaf tertheybrokeup.Poppy' spast
acti
onsdi dn'tshockZukoonebi tbutZukocoul d
seethatt hePoppyi nfrontofherhadbeent amed
andtohol dagrudgeoversomet hingthathappened
overtenyear sagowasnotwor thit.Thewayshe
fel
tafterpartingwithNel iwasnotni cesoZuko
wantedt ostayasf arawayf rom negat i
veemotions
aspossi ble.
S2-
INSERT46(
UNEDI
TED)
AweekpassedandOt huandCr ai
gf inallyfounda
carerbyt henameOni kawhowor kedf oroneoft he
bestcar ecentersint heWest ernCapebef oregoing
i
nt oprivatecare.Itwasaf ir
stforOt hut ocar efor
someonewhocoul dnotdoanyt hi
ngf orher sel
fbut
sinceLor enwasawomanshehadt ot akecar eof
thebathi ngdutiesbutshedi dn'
tmi ndatal l
.Craig
wouldgohomedur i
ngt hedaytogochecki f
everyt
hi ngwasst i
llwell.Theystil
lneededt oadj ust
tohavinganext raper sonbutever yonewasset tl
ing
i
nwel l.Ther ul
ewasf orthechil
drent oneverspeak
totheirgrandmot herast houghshewer eachi ld
andt heyrespectedt hat
.Yandidi dherfooddel i
ver
y
herselfbecauseshewant edtocatchupwi thher
fr
iendswhowor kedatKC.SheandBabi nispoke
aboutt heentir
eLer atoissueandYandibel ieved
him.Apar tofherwoul dper hapsalwayshaveher
guardupbecauseVuyo' scheat i
ngmadehert hat
way.
Poppy:"Othu,
Iadvisethatevenyoudi st
ance
yoursel
ffr
om LeratobecauseIknowsuchwomen.I
wassuchawomanr emember ?"shelookedather
si
steraft
erYanditoldt
hem aboutt heordeal
.
Othu:"ButIdidsaythatI
'm keepingherfor
businesspurposes"shetookaf ewsecondsto
chewherf oodandswal l
ow" Wecan'targuewit
hthe
factthatt
hewomani sabeastinbusiness"she
added.
Zuko:"Shouldamar ri
edpersongiveintotemptati
on,
wecan' tblamet heli
kesofLeratobecauset hey
don'tstealourpartner
s"shewi pedhermout hwitha
ti
ssue" Ourpartnersareadult
swhowi l
li
nglygo
entert
ainthepeopl ewhotemptt hem"theot her
l
adi
esnodded.
Lucia:"Zukz,hasapoi ntt
here"shepointedatZuko
withaf orkbeforet
akinganotherbiteofherf ood
"ThelikesofLeratooweusabsol ut
elynothingso
theydon'thavet oconsiderourfeel
ings.It
'sthose
wear einr el
ati
onshipswithwhoneedt ostopand
thi
nk"
Yandi:"
Ievenwant edtogoconf rontthewoman"
herfr
iendsallraisedtheirbrowslookingather" I
knowi t
'ssounlikeme.Wi thVuyoIneverdi ditand
heusedt ocheatopenl ybutwhenIt houghtthat
Lerat
ohadsomet hi
nggoi ngonwi thmyhusbandi n
myhousewhi l
eIwasgone, Iwantedtogogi veher
apieceofmymi nd.Iguessi tjustshowshowaf rai
d
Iam toactuall
yloset hi
smanbecauseI '
vefound
mysoul mate"shesmi l
ed.
Zuko:" SeewhatImean?Babi nidi
dn'tgivei
nto
tempt ati
onthatwhyyoudi dn'thavetogof i
ght
anotherwoman.Ourpar t
ner sdon'tgetstol
enguys,
theychooset ocheat,si
mpl e"shesaidwhi l
e
pouringherselfj
uice.
Poppy:"
WhydoIhaveaf eel
ingthi
sisaboutwhatI
conf
essed?
"theotherl
adi
eslookedatPoppyand
Zukoatt
ent
ivel
y.
Zuko:"Fri
end,t
hat'
syourpersonalguil
ttalki
ng.We
aretal
kingaboutthel
ikesofLeratowhot hrow
themselvesatpeopl
ewhoar ealreadytaken.Nel
i
wasasi nglewomenwhent hathappened"
Luci
a:"
Yout ol
dherthatyousl
eptwi
thNel
i?
"Ot
hu
andYandinearl
ychoked.
Ot
hu:"
Zuko'
sNel
i?
"shel
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"Nel
iswaLudwe"shecorr
ect
edOthubecause
shedidn'
tlikeNel
iswabei
ngref
err
edt
oasher s.
Poppy:"I
twasnotpl
annedandZukoandIsor tedit
outsoIdon'
twanttogetint
oit"shepoi
ntedatallof
them "
Inear
lyl
ostmyfuturehusbandbecauseof
that
"shesai
dinawhisper.
Zuko:"
Wel
lyouwon'tloseme"shet
ookapi
eceof
meatfr
om Poppy'
stakeawayandatei
t.
Yandi
:"Sosi
nceNel
ihasbeensendi
ngus
messeges,
doesi
tmeanyougaveherhopet
hatyou
guyswoul
dtr
y?"shel
ookedatZuko.
Zuko:"
Ihavehernothi
ng.Al
lthatshewant
stohear
i
showZur icameaboutandit
'sreall
ynonofher
damnbusiness"shegotwor
kedup.
Lucia:"
That'
str
ueandIthi
nkItal
kforeveryoneifI
saywet ol
dherthat
?"shel
ookedattheladiesand
theynodded.
Othu:"Takeyourt
ime,f
riend.Iknowitgetslonel
y
buttakeyourti
me.I'
m sorryfortheFer
relthi
ng"
Poppy:"Ther
ei snowayZukowoul
dgoforFerr
el.
Zukoalwayslikedherwomenmanl
y"t
heyall
l
aughed.
Zuko:"That
'sverytr
ueandI'm notupset
,Othuso
don'
twor r
y.Soshesaysshewant edtoproposet
o
met hatni
ghtithappened"
Yandi
:"I
fshe'
sseri
ousaboutt
hissecondchance
shemustbepati
entunti
lyouf
eelsheiswort
hyof
yourt
ime"Zukonodded.
Zuko:"
I'
m st
il
langr
ythatshedumpedme, l
adi
es"
sheshookherhead"Iwasatot
alpai
n,Iknowbut
whenyouwanttospendtherestofyourli
fewith
someone,
yougottabepati
entwiththem r
ight
?"she
l
ookedattheot
hershopi
ngforconfirmat
ionthat
shewasnotunfai
r.
Yandi
:"True.HadImetBabi
nir
ightaf
tert
hedi
vor
ce,
I'
dhaveaskedhimtobepati
entwithmebutl
ucki
ly
hecamei ntomyli
fewhenIwasinagoodspace"
shesmiled.
Zuko:"Exactl
y!"shelookedatYandi" I
'
mi nagood
spacebutIknowIhaven' thealed.I
t'
sadai l
y
process"theyallnodded" Li
ciawhenar eyouget
ti
ng
mar r
ied?"
Poppy:" Thisonewillnevergetmarri
edwhi l
eshe
sti
llgetweakwhenNat e'saround"shepointedat
Li
cia" Iswearhe'sl
ikeherspi r
it
ualhusbandor
somet hing"theyal
llaughed.
Lucia:"
Idon'
tknowwhatiti
saboutthatman,
fr
iends.Hecamet oseeusafewdaysagoandI
gavein"shewhisper
edthel
astpar
twhilel
ooki
ng
down.
Yandi
:"Youcan'
tkeepgi
vinghi
m boyf
ri
endbenef
it
s,
f
ri
end.Whathappenedt
otheEr
icguys?
"Li
ciat
ook
adeepbr
eath.
Li
cia:"
Hel ackedthatthi
ng.
..
thatexci
tement
.I
swearIgetwetj ustbyNatel
ookingatme"the
l
adieslaughedout .
Othu:"
Toomuchinfor
mat
ion"shet
hrewast
rawat
Luciawhi
lel
aughi
ng.
Luci
a:"Hegavemeanadorabledaught
er.Act
ual
ly
Yandiwil
lunder
standmost
.Myexcouldn'tgi
veme
anyandNategavemeagi f
t"
Yandi:"
Yeahyourlovef
ort hem j
ustrunsdeeperso
Iunderst
and"Li
cianodded" ButNatedoesn'
t
deser
veallthet
imeyougi vehim becausehesti
ll
wantstobeaf r
eemanwi t
hnor ealcommitments
socuthimlose"al
ltheladiesnoddedinagreement.
Lucia:"Let'
stalkaboutsomet hi
ngelse.Ihearyou,
l
adiesandmymi ndagreeswithyoufull
ybutmy
heartandbodynotsomuch.Hej ustknowshowt o
tal
kandt ouchmesoIt hinkImightneed
prof
essi onalhelp"theyalll
aughed"How'sschool
huntingf orZuri
?"sheaskedt hefi
rstthi
ngthat
poppedinmi ndtonotheartheladi
estel
lhert
ostay
awayfrom Natef orherowngood.Hewasagood
fat
herbutterri
bleboyfri
endandtheyhopedLi
cia
wouldstoptakinghim back.
Zuko:"
SoZur
ihasanint
ervi
ewwi
tht
woschool
s
soon"t
heyal
lsmi
led.
Yandi:"Iwon'ttellBabini
.He' l
lgi
vehertipsandi t'
l
l
takeawayt he"Zuri-
nessdur ingt
heinterview.They
usuall
ywantaut hentici
tyandZur idoesn'tlackany
ofthat"theyalllaughed" Ihopesheget sinat
Rustenbur gGirl
st houghsi nceshereall
yl ovesgir
ls
schools"
Zuko:"Ihopesotoo,fr
iend.Ican'
twaitf
orher
bi
rthdayeither
.Iknowshe'lll
ovethesur
pri
separ
ty"
Poppy:"Youknow, l
adieswear en'
tdobadatthi
s
mot her
hoodthing"shesai
dpr oudly"Someofus
plannedourkidsandsomeofusnotbutwear enot
toobadatall
.Isaluteus"theytoasted.
Zuko:"
Whil
ewe'reonpatt
ingour
selvesontheback,
Ihavesomethi
ngtoask.Nomandlahasretur
nedto
CapeTownandshe'dli
ketoknowyoul adi
esbett
er
i
fyoudon'
tmi
nd"
Othu:"Idon'
tmi
ndatall
.Awomanwhoi sn'
taf
rai
d
tostandupforot
herseveni
fitmeansst
andi
ng
aloneismykindofwoman"theyal
lagr
eed.
Yandi
:"Fr
iend,howdidshegetherki
dsi
nschool
s
thi
sti
meoft heyear
?
Zuko:"I'
m guessi
ngconnecti
ons"shel
if
tedher
shoulders"ButIwantt
odot hi
ngsbythebookfor
Zuriandnotoweanyonef avours"
Yandi:"Yeah,you'vegotapoi
ntther e.Si
nceit
's
Friday,Idonotmi ndmeeti
ngherl ateronbecause
I'
l
lbebusyovert heweekend"shel ookedatt
he
others.TheyallagreedtoadinnerandZuko
promi sedtol
etNomandl aknow.
Luci
a:"Othu,how'
sli
fe,
fri
end?Wi
thyourdi
sabl
ed
motherinlawbeingher
e?"
Ot
hu:"Act
ual
lynotbadatal
l.Wepr
aythatshe'
l
lbe
wel
lbutshe'
snotaburdenasmostassume"
Poppy:"
Soyoucleanher?Asinever
ythi
ng?
"she
gaveasli
ghtl
ookofdisgust
.
Othu:"
Wehaveacar ernowbutyesIdoiftheneed
ari
se.Ican'
texpectCrai
g,amant odoi
tandChul u
wouldn'
tdarewanttodoIdo.I'
m noteasil
ygrossed
out"
Zuko:"
Marr
iedl
if
eisnotal
wayseasyhey?"she
l
ookedathermarr
iedf
ri
endsandtheyagr
eed.
Poppy:"I
t'
samazi ngbutwit
hMzuandIit'
salways
fi
nances.I'
m aslenderandhe'
sasaverwhi
chresul
t
i
nsomear guments"
Yandi:"GuysI'
m notsayingmymar r
iageisper
fect
buti
t'sbeengreatsof ar.Ihaveanopenhusband,
mostt i
mesIknowwhathet hi
nkswhi chmakesit
easi
er.Wi t
hBabinii
t'
st heusualmanst uf
fof
l
eavingt hi
ngsjustl
yingar ound"theyalll
aughed.
Othu:"
Craigthrowshisl
aundryontopoft
hebusket
,
fri
endsneverinsi
de.PoorOthuhastomakesure
theyendupinside.I
t'
stheli
ttl
ethi
ngs,
guys"she
shookherhead.
Poppy:"
Andtheinl
aws"sheclosedhereyes
thi
nki
ngabouthowdif
fi
cultt
heycanbesomet i
mes.
Yandi
:"Yho,
fri
endmyf
ir
stoneswer
emonst
ersbut
Igotl
uckyf
ir
stt
imear
ound"
Othu:"
Mi nehint
edatget
ti
ngCr
aigavi
ll
agewi
fe"
t
heyalllaughedout.
Zuko:"
Cheer
stonothavi
ngt
hatst
ress,
Fel
ici
a"t
hey
l
etthei
rgl
assescol
li
de.
Yandi
:"Fel
ici
a,l
etusl
eavet
hem.Thei
rlunchi
s
al
mostover "
Poppy:"Yeesss"shecli
ckedhert
humbwi that
tit
ude
whilesmil
ing"Sosayst hewomenwhoar enot
boundbyof fi
cewalls.Onedaywe'l
lli
vesuchl
ives
too"theyl
aughed.
Zuko:"Thefoodwasgreat
,Yandit
hankyou.The
staf
fwasnothappythatyoulef
tafterj
usthavi
ng
soldthem onemeal
"
Yandi
:"Igotmoreorder
sandfr
om ot
herof
fi
cesbut
It
hinkI
'llj
ustst
ickt
oyoursf
ornow"
Lucia:"Babyst
eps,l
adybabysteps"Yandinodded
"Pleasesendmet hedetai
lsoft
hevenueforthe
dinner"Zukonodded"Yandipl
easegivemear i
de.
I'
m headingyourdir
ecti
on.You'
regoi
nghome
r
ight
?"
Yandi
:"Yeahl
et'
sgo"theyallst
oodandhugged
promi
singtoseeeachotherlat
eront
ogettoknow
Nomandla.
Itwasexam t imeandt hetwinswer ehomeast hey
wer enotwr i
ti
ng.Becauset heirmi ndscoul dabsor b
i
nf ormat i
oneasi lyandqui ckl
yt heydi dn'thavet o
spendt wiceasmucht i
mest udyi ngsot heysat
playinggameswi thheadphonesonl oud.Oni kawas
aroundt otakecar eofLor enwhi leChul uand
Qhayi yawentt obuyaf ewthingsatt hemal l.Ther e
wasf i
ddlingsoundatt helockedsl i
dingdoorwhi ch
l
edt ot hepat i
obutbecauset hetwi nscoul dn'thear
anythingandOni kawasi nthebat hroom Lor enwas
theonewhocoul dheart hatsomeonewast ryingt o
entert hehousef or
cefullybecauseal ldoor swer e
l
ocked.Shewassi tt
ingbyt hedi ningar eaandhada
clearvi ewoft heintr
uderandhereyesf ellonher
grandsonswhower eaggr essivelypr essingt he
gamecont r
oll
er sunawar eoft hemanbehi ndt hem.
Hegl ancedoveratLor entoseei fshewasnot hreat
butwhenhesawshe' swheel chairboundandbar ely
blinking,hegr innedbef or eheadi ngf ort het wins
slowl y.Thei nt
r uderf eltat aponhi sshoul derand
whenhet urnedal egf lewupi nt heai randast rong
kickhi thisjaw.Thevol umeoft hegamewasso
l
oudt hatPhawuandQhawet houghtt hesoundsof
thef i
ghtact ionbehi ndt hem camef rom t hegame
unawar ethatthei rgr andmot herwaski cki nga
youngman' sasst ryingt osavet hem.Lor engoton
topoft hemanandshechokedhi m bywr appi ngher
l
egsar oundhi snecksi nceshesatonhi sshoul ders.
Herf ingerswer epr essinghi scl osedeyeswi t
hai m
tomakeasmuchdamaget ot hem aspossi ble.She
hithim sobadt hathehadal r eadyst artedt obl eed.
Lor enf el
therbackl andpai nf ull
yagai nstt hewal las
themanshewasf i
ght ingt riedt ogetherof fhi m
bef oreshecoul dsucceedi nmaki ngherbl i
nd.
Chul umancogoti nwi t
hQhayi yaonherbackj ustas
Makhul uHl etaughther .Shewasr eadyt otellthe
fami l
yal laboutt hei rmal ldat ebutsawher
grandmot herfight i
ngamanwhowasmuch
youngert hanherandt wi cehersi ze.Chul umanco
knewshehadt odosomet hingqui cklysoshet ook
herabatwhi chbel ongedt ot heboysandhi tthe
man' skneeshar d.Lorencoul dfeelhervicti
m
buckl eallowinghert oti
ghtenhergr i
poneagai n
feelinghisst rengthweakenaf t
ereachpassi ng
momentunt ilhel ostconciousness.Sheski l
lf
ull
y
sunkt ot hef l
oorwi thhim andl etgoonl ywhenshe
felthewasnol ongerat hreat .Sheinhaleddeeply
andl ookedatChul umancowhohadl onggoneand
alertthet winsofwhathadbeenhappeni ng.Allof
them wat chedinshockast heirgrandmot herwho
wasnotevenbl eedingstandup.Lor enpushedback
thest randsofhai rthatf
elloverherf aceandl ooked
att hentryingt ocat chherbr eath.Herbackwas
sor ebutnot hingshehadn' thandl edbefore.
Loren:"
Yal
lal
ri
ght
?"shel
ookedatthem andt
heyal
l
noddedqui
ckl
yandsimul
taneousl
y.
Phawu:"I
she.
..
?"hecoul
dnotbr
inghi
msel
fto
fi
nisht
hequest
ion.
Lor
en:"He'snotdead,grandmajustslowedhi m
down.I
'm shockedyouki dscansti
llhear.Those
damnthingst ooloudi
fyoucan'tevenhear
someonebr eakin"shel
ookedatthet wins.
Chul
u:"
I'
vetoldyouaboutt
hosethi
ngs,
Luphawu
andLi
qhawe!"shescol
dedatthem.
Qhawe:"Sorry"hesai dquietl
ywhi l
el ookingdown
"We'l
lneverdoitagain...promise"theor deal
shockedhim andPhawunoddedi nagr eement
promisi
ngnevert odoi tagain.BabiniandCr ai
g
camef r
om theirlongdiscussionand
i
mpl ementat
ionpr ocessofkeepi ngt heirfamil
ies
safebutCraigfrozewhenhesawhi smot her
standi
nginfrontofhi m.
Cr
aig:"
Mama? "heaskedwhi
lel
ookingatherbef
ore
hi
seyeswenttothemanonthefloor"What?
"he
wal
kedcloser
.
Chulu:"
Hebrokeinandthesetwocoul dn'
teven
heariti
nti
met opresst
hesecur i
tysystem because
ofthosest
upidgames!"shepointedatherbrothers.
Babini
:"Wel
lhe'
ssti
llali
vesowecant akehi
mt o
thepoli
cest
ati
on"heliedtopr
otectt
hekidsfr
om
fur
thertr
auma.
Qhawe:"
GrandmadidsomeBruceLee,
JackieChan,
ChuckNorr
isthi
ngs"hesai
dwhi
lemakingsome
karatemoveshe'
dseenonTV..Craigcouldn'
teven
speakbecausehecoul
dn'
tst
opl ookingathis
mot her
.
Babini
:"Letusgot omyhouse"helookedt oseeif
Qhayiyawasf i
neonChul u'
sback"Knightgoget
yourwifeatwor k"hel
ookedatCrai
g.Othuwal kedi
t
justaf
terherbrothert
oldCrai
gtofet
chher .
Othu:"MrsKnight?"hereyescaughtLorenfi
rst
becauseshewasshockedbef oreshelookedatthe
manont hefl
oor."
Cr ai
g,what
'sgoingon?"shewent
toinspectherchil
drentoseeiftheywerehurtbut
theyweref i
ne.
Crai
g:"Someonebr
okei
n,O.Iwasjustaboutt
o
fet
chyouatwork.WemustgototheZwenihouse"
helookedint
oherf
ri
ght
enedeyes.
Ot
hu:"
Ishedead?
"sheaskedi
nashakywhi
sper
.
Babini
:"Noandit
'sgoodbecausewe'
llt
akehimto
thecops"hespokeinastr
angetonewhil
elooki
ng
attheki
dsandOt huknewitwasacoverup.
Othu:"Comelet
'sgot
oMalume's"shelookedather
chil
dren"DadandMalumewi
lldealwit
ht hi
sbreak
i
n"t
heki
dsnodded.
Chulu:"
Letmegopacksomestuff
"Othustopped
her.Shewant
edtogett
hem awayfrom what
ever
thatwassoCrai
gcoul
ddealwit
hitandthenexpl
ain.
Othu:"We'l
lcomeback,Chul
umanco.Wej
ustneed
t
ogi vethecopsspace"
Phawu:"Weneedtogi
vestat
ement
sbecausewe'
re
wit
nesses"hel
ookedatt
hegrownups"
Themovies
doit
"
Babini:"
Thesearen'
tmovies.St at
ement scanbe
donesomeot hertime.Ot
huI '
lldrivebehindyouand
comebackher ewhenyou' r
et here.Youguyswi l
lbe
safethere"Ot
hunoddedqui ckly.
Loren:"I
'
llexpl
ainmysi tuat
ionlaterontoo"she
promised.Othuwentt ocheckf orOnikaandfound
thecarerfastasleep.Theydismissedherbecause
shewasonshi ftandsleepi
ngwasnotal l
owedbut
they'
ddealwi t
ht hatsomeot herti
me.Thekidswent
aheadofOt hubecauseapar tofherdidn'
twantto
l
eaveCr aigbehind.
Cr
aig:"
Taket
his"hegaveherhi
sgunandshe
shookherhands"Baby,
ofallofyouthere,
you'r
e
theonl
yonewhocanusei t.Nothi
ngwi l
lhappenat
Babini
'
sbutjusti
ncase"Othutookthegunandout
i
tinherbagquickl
y.
Ot
hu:"
What
'sgoi
ngon,
Crai
g?"shef
eltl
ikecr
ying.
Craig:"I'
lltellyoulat eronwhenIseeyou"heki ssed
herandshenoddedbef orerunningoutt ohercar .
Thecar sgotmovi ngandt hekidsbel ievedt hatit
wasj ustar andom br eaki nbutOt huknewCr aig
woul dn'treactt hatwayhadi tbeenandt hent here
wast heLor ensuddenl ycomi ngtol i
fe.Cr ai
gf ound
hismot herempt yi
ngt heman' spocket s.Loren
checkedt hecal lhistorybuti twasempt ybutshe
foundmessegesont hebur nerphone" Compl et e
missi on,a.s.a.p"at extr ead."missioni nterr
upt ed,
willcompl etesoon"Lor ent ypedqui cklybef orethe
personwhosentt hemancamel ooking.Cr aigwent
tofeelt heman' spul se, i
twast herebutver yfaint.
Cr
aig:"
Wil
lyoutel
lmewhat'
sgoi
ngon,Mama?"he
wasn'
tsur
eifheevenwant
edtohugheri
nthat
moment.
Lor
en:"
Youknowexact
lywhat'
sgoi
ngon"shesai
d
whi
lest
il
lchecki
ngt
hepocket
s.
Crai
g:"
DoIlookl
ikeIknowwhat
'sgoi
ngon,
Lor
en?
"
heshouted.
Loren:"
Icanstil
lwhipthatasssodon'
ttal
ktome
l
ikethat"shesai
dinast er
ntone"Si
ncewhenam I
Lorentoyou?"shelookedathim.
Crai
g:"Si
nceIdonotknowt hi
swomani nfr
ontof
me"hescannedherbefor
elookingatherf
ace
"What'
sgoingon?
"Lorenstoodandsodidhe.
Loren:"
Chiefishappeni
ng.Themanwasaf oolt
o
bel
ievethatI,
LorenKnightwouldnotavengemy
husband'sdeath"shepul
ledoutagunf r
om no
whereandCr aigfel
thewaslookingatastranger.
Crai
g:"
Soyou'l
lavengedadwithwhatar
my?"he
askedqui
ckl
y"Whatthefuck,
Mama? "
Loren:"
Wat chyourmouth,youngman"shegave
him awar ni
nglook"YoubestbelieveI'vegotan
armyandI '
mthecommanderofi tt oo.Amanl i
ke
LesleyakaChiefplanssl
owr evengeandt otake
Mike'sgrandchi
ldr
enwi l
lberevengenotonl yonus
butonyouaswel l
"shestoodinfr
ontofhim" That
mancameher etotakeyourboysbecausehe
thoughttheywerelef
twithalazycareranda
disabledol
dwoman"hereyesbor eintohisandshe
couldseet hem t
urnfr
om theshockedlooktothe
coldlook.
Int
ruder
:"Ahhh"hesaidinalowgroanofpainand
Lorenki
ckedhim unconsci
ousonceagain.
Craig:"
Youdoknowpeopleyouragear ein
ret
irementhomesright
?Notki
cki
ngmen"hewas
sti
llshocked.Her
ememberedhertobet he
housewifewhobakedcooki
esforhim notagentL2
Lor en:" Aft
erIbri
ngthatdamnbast ar
ddown, I
'l
lgo
playbi ngowi thmymat esbutf ornowIgotascor e
toset t
le"shepull
edaphonef rom herwheel chair.
Crai gwant edtoaskquestionsbuthegotst opped
byaf ingerbeingli
ft
edinhisfacet otellhimtokeep
quiet .Hef el
tli
keachildagainandhehat edit.
Beingkepti nthedarkabout"grownup"t hi
ngs.
Babi nir et
urnedandcamewi t
habagf ullof
equi pmentt hathethoughtthey'dneedst oget
i
nf ormat i
onoutofthemanwhobr okeinshouldhe
notgi
vei
tvol
unt
eer
ly.
Cr
aig:"
Soyou'
vebeenpret
endi
ngallt
hist
ime?
"he
bl
urt
edoutwhenLorengotof
fthephone.
Loren:"
Atfi
rstIwasr eall
yinbadshapebutI '
ve
neverbeenknownt ogi veupsoIf orcedmydamn
bodytocooperate.Chiefthi
nkst hathei stheonly
onewhohadpat i
entsbuthecl ear l
yf or
gotwhoI
am."shelookedatCr aig"I
'm sorry,honey.Hi"she
smiledatCrai
gsawhi smot heri
nt hoseeyesagai n
andhecouldn'thelpbutsmi le.
Crai
g:"Hi,
Mama"hegaveheratighthugand
feel
ingherar
msaroundhi
mf el
tamazing."
Damn,
sothisi
swhoyouare?"
Loren:"It
'swhowear ebutI '
m gladthatyou
managedt ogetoutandl ive,Cr
aig"shelookedat
him" I
ttookyourfathert ohaveyoucomef rom his
gravetoo"theylaughed" You'vealwaysobeyedhi m
mor esoIdonotknowwhyI '
m surprisedbutIwish
bedidn'tgiveyouthisinstructi
onbecauseIwant ed
younowher enearthere.Icouldn'tdecli
necoming
hereeitherbecauseChi efwouldhavewonder ed
whyIdidi
t.Mypl anwast ocomeupwi thanexit
pl
anthatwouldn'tbehardonyouandI '
dbeonmy
waytoavengemyhusbandwi thoutbr
inging
byi
ubi
ntoitbutthisfoolf
orcedmet oblowmy
damncover"sheki ckedt
heintr
udermul t
ipl
eti
mes.
Crai
g:"
I'
vemissedyousomuch"hi
seyeswel
ledup
buthebli
nkedthet
earsaway.
Lor
en:"
I'
vemi
ssedyout
oo"
Babini:"
Iwaswonder ingwhenyou'lltellt
hem you'
re
pretendi
ng.I'vebeenaroundpeoplear ound
conditi
onsyousupposedl yhadsoIknewt hat
somet hi
ngwasof f
"hestoodcloser"AgentLoren
Knight"helookedatLorenimpressed" Thebestspy
thediscreeteverhad"hegaveacompl iment.
Loren:"Thankyou.Whoareyou?"Babinii
ntr
oduced
hi
msel fandhisabil
it
ies"
Impr
essive"sherai
seda
browlookingatCrai
g.
Cr
aig:"
Sowhat'
syourpl
ant
ogetChi
efback?
"he
l
ookedather
.
Loren:"
I'
vegott
hemanpowerandammuni t
ion
coveredsodon'
twor
ryabouti
t.Myagent
swi l
ltake
youal lt
oaplaceofsaf etywithyourfamil
iesuntilI
tel
lthem it
'sokayforyout oretur
n.Yourmot her
mi ghtbeoldbutyoubestbel i
evethatI'
m asactive
asIwaswheni twasst i
llyouandyourf at
her.
Thosewer ethegoodol ddays"shesmi ledwhile
staringi
ntoblankspacet hi
nkingaboutherhusband.
Craig:"I
'
m notlet
ti
ngmymot hergoouttofi
ghtfor
myf amily'
ssafet
ywhi l
eIhideinsomehole.Letme
i
nont hi
sanofyour s"heinsi
stedandhecouldsee
thatshewant edt
osaysomet hi
ng"No,MamaI '
m
notallowingyoutodoi tal
one"hemadeitclear
.
Babini
:"I
'
dli
ketooff
ermyski
ll
stoo.Iknowwe
gott
agot ot
hestat
essoI
'l
lusethemethodsIused
to"
Crai
g:"
No"helookedatBabi
ni"
You'
vegotanew
fami
lysono"headded.
Babi
ni:"Wellyouaregoingt ohaveyourmother'
s
backandI'm goingtohaveyour sbecauseIdon'
t
wantmysi stertobeawi ndoweitherandtowork
al
ongsideal egendwil
lwi l
lbeanhonor "
Cr
aig:"
Ohwoul
dyoul
ikeanaut
ogr
apht
oo?
"he
askedsar
cast
ical
ly.
Babi
ni:"
I'
llt
akei
t"hesai
dwi
thasmi
rk.
Lor en:"I'
dlovetochatbutIdon' thavet i
me.My
agent sar ewait
ingformej ointhem butIwantt o
haveachatwi t
hmyf riendher ef i
rst
"shel ooked
backatt heint
ruderwhowascomi ngt o.Abi tof
forcewasneededt omakehi m speakbuthedi d
conf ir
mt hatChiefwasbehi ndtheat t
ack.Cr aigst i
ll
hadt ogetusedt othehar dcorewomanwhowas
alsohi smot her.Lorencl earlyfoundwayst ost ayfit
andCr aigwasact uall
yi mpr essed.WhenCr ai g
hear dthatChiefwasr esponsi bleforhispar ent's
acci denthewant edt ohaver evengebuthedi dn'
t
knowhowt otakeChi efon.Toheart hatLor enhad
herownagencycameasashockandi twascl earto
Crai gthathehadt ober eintroducedt ohismot her
onceal lwasdone.Suddenl yLoren'sagent swal ked
throught hedoort otakecar eoft hemanwho
attackedt hem.
Cr
aig:"
Whatt
he.
..
?"Cr
aigl
ookedatt
hem.
Lor
en:"
Thesear
emyagent
s.Agent65andagent
32"t heyoungmanandwomannoddedbef ore
takingtheint
ruder
."I
'm di
sabl
edduri
ngtheday,
chiefagentduri
ngthenight
"shel
ookedatCrai
g.
Cr
aig:"
What
?"hewasst
il
lconf
used.
Babini
:"Legends,
man"hewasr ar
elyimpressedbut
Lorenimpressedhim"Justt
akenotesandshutthe
fuckup"helaughed.
Cr
aug:"
Youhaveanagency?
"
Babi
ni:"
Knightyouhear
dhersayshedoes,man.
Don'
tembar r
assus"helookedatt
heot
heragent
s
andthenatCraig.
Crai
g:"Thisismymom okaysoshootmef orbei
ng
shocked.Whatwoul dyoudoifUnat
hir
ockedup
tel
li
ngyout hatshe'
sanagentwhohasherown
secretagency"
Babini
:"I
'
dsitdownandt
akef
ucki
ngnot
es"Lor
en
walkedbackin.
Loren:"
DadandIstart
edtheagency,Cr
aigand
that'
swhytheywantedusdead.Wewer ethebest
.
Youknowhowabeecol onycan'
tli
vewit
houtthei
r
Queen?"Crai
gnodded" TheDiscreett
houghtthat
ouragencywoul
ddi eshouldwedi ebuttheywere
wrong.Mamawi l
ltellyoueveryt
hingindueti
mebut
fornowgoandexpl aintoyourwife"
Cr
aig"You'
recomi
ngwi
thme.Ican'
tri
skyougoi
ng
wi
thoutme"
Loren:"We'
veal
readybeguntotakeoutChi
ef'
s
agents.Al
lwegottadoisdest
royitf
orgood"
Babi
ni:"
Howpower
fular
eyou?
"
Loren:"Rightnow,powerf
ulenoughtot
akedown
almostever ysecr
etsoci
etyandcri
mecartelinthe
world"shesuddenlyhadBabini'
satt
ent
ioneven
mor e"Tookyearsofhardworkbutmyagent sare
farcapable.Iwishmyhusbandwasher etowi t
ness
ourbrainchil
dallgrownup"
Crai
g:"Soyouknewwher
eIwasbutdi
dn'
tsay
anyt
hing?"
Loren:"
Chiefwasf arpowerfult
hanwewer eback
then,Cr
aig.Iknowhe' sbeenwatchingyoubutso
haveI.Ididn'twanttorui
nyourlif
ebydr aggi
ngyou
backintothisli
fe"sheheldhischeek"Youarethe
onlyproofthereisl
eftofthel oveyourfatherandI
shared.Youl ooksomuchl ikehi m"sheblinkedher
tear
saway" Youhaveitgoodher e,Crai
g.Stayand
conti
nuet obeaf at
herandhusband.Youhavet he
l
ifeyourfatherandIhopedf or.Pleaseall
owmet o
handlethis.Ihavehi
ghlytrainedagent ssoIwi l
l
mostpr obablynothavetobecl osetotheaction"
shelookedathi m.
Crai
g:"ButIdon'
twanttoloseyouagain"hesai
din
awhisper"Mykidsknowyouar ewell
,howdoI
expl
ainit
?"helookedather.
Lor en:"Idon'
twantOt hunyiweyotofeelthepainI
feltafterlosi
ngyourfather.I'
m ol
dandIcanpr otect
youandyourf amil
y.Chiefisthel
astmemberoft he
discreetsoaf terI
'
vedeal twit
hhim,you'l
lbefreef or
good"shehel dhishands" Yourchi
ldrenandtheir
childrenwi l
lbesafeforgood"shesai dinawhi sper.
Crai
g:"Butt
hepainofl
osingyouwasj ust.
..
"he
star
tedtocr
yandBabinigavethem pr
ivacy"Ican'
t
l
oseyouagain,Mama.Ibrokealit
tl
einsidewhen
youdied"moret
earscameandLor enhuggedher
son.
Lor
en:"Iknowbutyouar
ethefut
ure,Crai
g.Idonot
wantyoumi xedupi
nthi
ssecr
etjust
iceli
fe"
Crai
g:"
I'
m amannow, notdoneboysoletmeinon
thepl
an"hepl
eaded.Lorenshookherheadsl
owl
y.
Loren:"Thereisnotime.Myjeti
swai t
ingsoImust
go.Thismi ssi
onismi net
ocompl et
e.Myhusband
waski l
ledandnowmygr andsonsaretarget
s.
We'vedealtwithmuchwor sesothiswillbeaoyece
ofcake"hepr omised.
Cr
aig:"
Invol
vingmeshoul
dn'
tbeapr
obl
em t
hen"
Lor
en:"Myagentswi
llt
akeyout
oaplaceofsaf
ety.
Onceit
'smi
ssioncomplet
eyou'
l
lknow"
Cr
aig:"
I'
m notl
ett
ingyougo"hehel
don.
Loren:"Don'
tforcemet opinyoudown, Crai
g.I'
m
notgoingwithyouont hismission"Crai
g'sgri
p
didn'
tloosenatallandLorendidn'thavethe
couragetofighthim.Babiniwal
kedi n.
Babini
:"I
'm of
fer
ingmyser vicesinexchangefor
yourhelpinbri
ngingdownt hesystem thatIam
fr
om"shegaveLor endet
ail
soft hesystem andshe
l
ookedatCr
aig.
Loren:"It
'sabunchofscient
ist
ssur
roundedby
bodyguar dswhousemor emusclet
hanbrain.I
don'tneedyourhelpbutyoucanaskustotakeon
themi ssi
on"helookedatBabini
.
Babini
:"I
'
m of
fer
ingmyser
vicesbecauseIknowI
wil
lnotbeabl
etopayyou"
Loren:"Youmydaught erinlaw'sbrother?"Babini
nodded" I
'l
lhavemyf inestont hemi ssionatnocost .
IfItakeyouf r
om yourf amili
es,Ihurtmy
grandchil
drenandIdon' twantthat.Letgo,Knight.
Thisismymi ssi
on.Youknowt hatonceanagenti s
assignedtoami ssi
onanot hercannotf orcetobea
partofitortherewillbecoconsequences"she
warned.
Crai
g:"
Yournoagent
!heshout
ed"
You'
remymom"
heremindedher
.
Lor
en:"Hasmom notalwaysprot
ectedyou, Cr
aig?
henodded"Al
lowhertodoitonelastti
met hen"she
pl
eadedbutCrai
gshookhishead"Cr ai
g,i
t'
sonlya
matt
erofti
mebeforeChiefsendothersandmy
coverwi llbeblown.Hedoesn' tknowt hatI'm well
andt hatI'veestabli
shedmyownagencybuthewi ll
whenhi sagentdoesn' tcomebackt ot ellhimt hat
hegotyourboysandi t
'l
lrui
nourambush"she
expl ainedqui etl
y.Sheknewshedi dn'thavemuch
ti
me" Il
oveyousomuch"sheki ssedhi m ont he
cheek" You'vegotagoodwoman.Awomanwhoi s
ablet ocl eanyourmot herupwi thoutoncei nsulti
ng
heri sakeeper .Don'thurther"Cr aigst artedt ocry.
Babi nicoul dnseehowanxi oust heagent swho
wai tedf ortheirbosswassohewentt oCr ai
gt o
pleadwi thhimt oletgobef oreher uinedLor en'
s
mi ssion." Whenal li
swel lagainI'llcont actyou"
Lor enadded.
Agent
:"Man,
wemustgo"avoicesaidatthedoor
wit
hasenseofur
gency.Lor
enkissedCrai
g'scheek.
Loren:"
Got oyourfamilyandgowi thmyagent s
unti
ltheti
mei sri
ght"shewant edtotakeherarm
backfrom Crai
gbuther efused.Babinihadtohelp
LorengetoutofCraig'
sgr i
pandhef inall
y
succeeded.LorencouldhearCr ai
gfightBabini
behindher.Shetur
nedar oundandbl ewhi m aki
ss
fi
ghtingherownt ear
sbutitwasnecessary.Babi
ni
hadtogeti ntoaphysi
calfi
ghtwithCraigt
ostop
himf rom keepi
nghismotherandCraigbrokedown
whenhehear dthecar'
soutsi
despeedingoff.
Babininotbeingacomf or
tert
riedhi
sbesttohandle
thesituat
ion.
Crai
g:"
Ican'tbel
ievet
hatyouf
uckenst
oppedme"
heshouted.
Babi
ni:"Didyour eall
yt hi
nkthatI'
dl etvanol
d
womangoandf i
ghtal one?That '
saf uckenagent
,
anexperiencedspywhoovert heyear spret
endedto
benothingwhileshewasoper at i
nganagencyt hat
canfuckensinkcr iminalsyndicatesyouandIcan
onl
ydream oft akingdown, man"
Cr
aig:"
It
'smymom,
man"hewi
pedhi
stear
soft
o
l
ookatBabini
.
Babini
:"Wecanf
oll
ow.IknowthatIsaidIdon'
t
havethemanpowertot
akethesystem downbut
shedoesandIwanttobether
etoseeitcrumble
wit
hmyowneyes"
Cr
aig:"
Iwantt
hemanwhoki
ll
edmyf
athert
opay.
Let'
sgetourfamili
estosafetyandt
hengoanddo
whatmendo.Ican' texpectmymothert
odowhat
I'
m supposedto.Othuandt heki
dsaremy
responsi
bil
it
y.Myboyssaf etyi
smybusiness,
not
thei
rgrandmother"hestood.
Babini:"
Let'
sgotomyhouseandt akecareofi t
.I'
m
atrackersoIcant r
ackyourmotherandI'm sure
theywi l
lgooverthei
rmissi
onplanbeforeacting.
Wegetourwomenandki dstosaf
etyandwego
helpyourmot her
"heheldouthishandandCr aig
shooki t
.
Craig:"Let
'sdot his"theyshookhands.Babi nimight
notbeabl et otakehugesyst emsdownonhi sown
buthecoul dt rackanyoft hem witheasesohe
knewhe' dbeaval uableassett oLoren.Gr eat
sniperswer elimi tedaddi t
ionsoCr aigfeltthathe'
d
beneededt oo.Lor endidn'tli
keleavi
ngCr aigbehind
butshecoul dn'tlethim comewi thherbecausehe
hadaf ami l
y.Babi niwasnott hefi
rsttoputat ar
get
ont hesystem heusedt owor kforsoLor enwas
goingtoacceptt hatmi ssiontootothankOt hufor
l
ooki ngafterhersowel l.Crai
gandBabi niknew
wher ethey'dhidetheirfami l
iesandalsohowt hey'
d
smuggl et hemselvesintot hestatessincetheyboth
woul draisealarm shouldt heydoi tt
henor malway.
Allthattheyneededt odowast oconvi ncethe
l
adiest ogoandhopet hatLor enwouldl etheri
non
theexactdet ail
soft hemi ssion.Theybot hfel
tthat
theyhadt odothiseveni fitmeantgoi ngagainst
Loren'swi shesandput ti
ngt heirl
ivesindanger
S2-
INSERT47(
UNEDI
TED)
Othukeptpeeki ngi nsideherhandbagt ochecki f
thegunt hatCraiggaveherwasst illint
her e.She
knewt hatithadtodowi t
hChi efsomehowandt hat
worriedhersomuch.Thechi l
drenseemst obef ine
butOt huplannedont akingthem foraf ewt her apy
sessionsjusttobesur e.Thelastt hingshewant ed
wasf orthet wi
nst ofailthei
rexam butt heybr ought
thei
rbookswi t
htost udyf ortheoner emai ning
subjecttheystil
lneededt owrite.TheLor ent hing
shewasst i
llconfusedaboutsoshe' dwai tforCr aig
tobet heonet otellher .
Othu:"
Didyouseeanyt
hing?"sheaskedYandias
shecamefrom communicat
ingwiththeancest
ors
butYandishookherhead"
Whynot
?"sheadded
wit
hfrust
rati
on.
Yandi:"IfIcouldseeever yt hi
ngthenIwoul dhave
preventedsomanyt ragedies,Othu.Theyshowme
whatt heywantt oshowme"Yandisai dbef ore
si
tti
ngnextt oOthuandOt hunodded" Butmy
i
nstinctstellmet hatsomet hi
ngthatwewon' tli
keis
aboutt ohappen"shel ookedatt hewindow" Ican'
t
seethem butIf eellikewear ebeingwatchedby
someone"Ot huqui cklystoodt ogotothelarge
windowupf rontt
opeek.
Othu:"IthoughtIwasbeingparanoidbutIfeelittoo.
Li
ket hehousei sundersomesur vei
ll
ance"Yandi
nodded" Keepawayf rom wi
ndows"shesai dasshe
herselfwasst i
llgl
uedtoone."
Whatdi dLorenbr i
ng
with,Ave?Youshoul dhaveseenherf r
iend,t
hat'sa
personwhohasbeenwel lforalongtimesocl early
she'sbeenpr etendi
ng"
Yandi:"
Babinimenti
onsomet
hingli
kethatbutI
didn'
tbeli
evehim.Butwhywouldsomeoneallow
anothert
ocleanherupwhentheyareful
lyaware?"
shelookedatOthu.
Othu:"Cl
earl
yshehadanagendabecauseI 'dnever
all
owsuchunl esst herewardswi l
lbewor t
hi tatt
he
end"shesawBabi ni'
scarpullinafterthegat e
openedbutshest oodt omakesur eit'
shim.When
shesawt hem bothsher ant
ot hedoort ogoopeni t
.
Eachwomangaveherhusbandahug.Cr aigcould
seetheconfusionandf eari
nOt hu'seyes.Fearof
whatwhathappensandhowi twoul dimpactt hei
r
chil
dren"Baby,someonei swatchingthehouse"she
saidtoCrai
gwhi leleadinghim deeperinsidet he
housebutCr ai
gknewi twasLor en'
sagent s.
Craig:"Iknowbuti t'
snotat hr
eatatall.It
'smy
mom' sagent s"Ot hul ookedathi m"She'sbeen
pretendingtodi sabl edf oracoupl eofyear sandhas
beenpl anningonavengi ngmyf ather'
sdeat h.They
establi
shedt hei rownagencywhent heydi dn'tl
ike
thepoliciesoft hei roldoneandt hat'
sther eason
whyahi twasputoutf orthem.Becauset heywer e
sogood, Lesleyt hemanwhom youknowaschi ef
wasputont hemi ssionsi ncetheytrustedhim sohe
temper edwi ththei rcarinsteadofshoot i
ngt hem t
o
makei tlookl ikeanacci dent"
Yandi
:"Revengeaf
tersomanyyear
s?"
Babi ni:"Inthatl i
neofwor k,gr udgesar eforever ,
Ntliziyoyam.That '
swhyChi efwant stheboyst o
getbackatKni ghtfordest royingt hei roldagency"
Othu' seyesf el
lonCr aigagai n"Al sot oplanr evenge
cant akeyear ssoyoucandoi trightt hef i
rsttime.It
seemsLor en'sagencywasi ni t
scr awlingstage
aftert heacci dentsot herewasnowayshecoul d
haveact ed.Sheknewt hatthischi efmanwas
wat chi ngheroccasi onallysoshehadt omakesur e
thatshei satt hecent erdur ingt hedaysohe' s
i
nf ormant swoul dn'tgivehi m headsup.Idon' tknow
howshemanagedt odoi tbutatni ghtshe' dwor k
onst r engtheningheragencyandt odayshesaysi t
's
strongenought otakedownanysecr etcri
mi nal
cartel.Idon' tknowhowbutI '
m honest lyimpr essed
byKni ghtsmot herwhoi stwi ceourage"hewas
reallyi mpressedandwoul dhavel ovedt ositdown
withLor en.
Crai
g:"Lor
ensaidthatshe'
l
ltakecareofitand
that
'swhyshe'
llneedourhelpinachievi
ngit"he
l
ied.
Yandi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean,
Zweni
?"shel
ookedat
Babi
ni.
Babini
:"I
tmeansKnightandIaregoi
ngtotheUSto
hel
phismotherbringdownthesebast
ards"hesai
d
asthoughLorenaskedthem t
o.
Othu:"No,no,no.Thelasttimeyouwentonsuch
younearlydied,Crai
g"shesaidinashakyvoice
"Thatwassupposedt obet helastt
ime.You
promiseditwouldbet helastt
ime"shecri
edand
Craigwenttoholdher .
Babini
:"There'
sneverreal
lyalastt
ime,sis"she
l
ookedatYandi ."
Ibeli
eveyou'dhavebeenshownif
anythi
ngwasgoi ngtohappent ous,Ntl
izi
yoyam"
helookedatYandiwhoal solookedli
keshewas
cl
osetot ear
s.
Yandi
:"Youknowt
hati
t'
snotal
wayst
hecase"she
sai
dquietl
y.
Babini
:"Iknowitwoul
dhavebeenthecasei
nthi
s
si
tuati
on.It'
l
lbeinandout
"hepromised.
Yandi
:"You'
rel
yingtome,Zweni
"Icanfeelit
'snot
j
ustgoingtobeinandout
.Icanfeelt
heintensi
tyof
thesi
tuat
ionbyyourenergyandt
hatofCr
aig'
s.You
guysareafr
aid"shel
ookedatbot
hofthem.
Crai
g:"
Afr
aidf
oryou.That
'swhywear et
aki
ngyou
guysawaytoapl
acewebel i
eveyou'
l
lbesaf
e"
Othu:"
No!Ijustt ookdayst
ogowi t
hyou.I
'm not
goinganywhere, Crai
gno.Doyouknowhow
i
ncompet enti
t'
llmakemel ook?"sheaskedhim
"Theboyshaveanexam andChul uhadthat
i
mpor t
antmeet ingwithagal
lar
ist"sher
eminded
him.
Craig:"
Lor
enmadearrangement
sforthem t
ori
ght
theexam i
nanhoursowecangetgoing"helooked
atthewoodencl
ickagai
nstthewal
l.
Ot
hu:"
No"shepr
otest
edi
nast
ern.voi
ce.
Cr
aig:"Theyarewrit
ingEngl
ish,
O.Theycoul
ddoi
t
i
ntheirsleep"hel
ookedather.
Phawu:"Wecan, Mom"Phawuappear edf
rom hi
s
hidi
ngplaceandsodidChul
uandQhawe.Zur iwas
taki
nganafter
noonnapwiththebabiesandYandi
wasalsoconcernedwhatwouldhappentoher
shouldt
heyleave.
Babini
:"Howlonghaveyoubeenst andi
ngthere?"
heaskedtheinasternvoi
ceandt heyalll
ooked
downclearl
ylongenoughforthem tohearthi
ngs
thatwerenotmeantfort
heirears.
Chulu:"
We'vejustbeenworri
ed,Mal
ume.Pl
ease
for
giveus"shelookedatherbrot
her
s.
Qhawe:"Soi
twasn'tar
andom br
eakin?helooked
athi
suncleanddad"Wefigur
edmuchmor ewas
goi
ngonwhengr andmajustf
oughtl
iket
hat"he
added.
Phawu:"Sograndmai saspeci
alagentofsome
sort
?"helookedatthegrownups.Allofthem t
ooka
deepbreathknowingtheyhadt
ot el
lthekidssome
tr
uthbecausetheyclearl
ydi
dn'
tbuyi nt
ot hei
ll
usi
on
anymore.
Crai
g:"Grandmawasaspybacki nherdays, wel
l
she'
sstil
lanacti
veagentbutnotdoingfiel
dwork.
Shehasherownsecr etagencywhichhelpstake
downcr i
minalswhocopsstruggl
etobr i
ngtobook"
QhaweandPhawuputt hei
rhandont hei
rheads
whil
elookingateachother
.
Qhawe:"
Ohwow. .
.t
hati
ssocool
"hesai
dand
Phawunodded.
Crai
g:"
It
'snotcool
,i
t'
sdanger
ous.I
'
m onlyt
ell
ing
youbecauseIdonothavet
imetocoverupali
e"
Phawu:"Takeustoschoolt
hen.We'rereadyt
ogo
writ
eandgoi nt
owit
nessprotect
ion"hesaidwit
h
exci
tement.
Othu:"Ihatethi
ssomuch.Ihat ethattheyknow"
shelookedatCr aig"
Youhadbet t
erwi pethose
smilesofyourfacesbecausethisisnoTVshowor
Iwil
lwi pethem offf
oryou"shepointedattheboys
andwat chedthem putthei
rli
psbetweent heirt
eet
h
tomaskt eesmi l
ing.
Chul
u:"Wait.
..
dadandmal umehowexactlywil
lyou
gohelp?Grandmaseemst ohavealloft
hisunder
cont
rolsowhynotstay?"shelookedatt
hemenand
sodidtheotherl
adi
es.
Crai
g:"Diditsoundr
ighttoyouwhenyouj ustsai
d
yourgrandmahasever ythi
ngsor t
ed?Thisisnot
somechur chcakesale,Chulumanco.Grannies
havethosekindsofthingssortedalonebutthi
sis
di
ff
erent.Ican'
tletmymotherdot
hisal
onewhen
i
t'
smyf ami l
yshe'spr
otect
ing"
Babini
:"Ialsocan'
tlethertakeonthesystem by
hersel
f.I
t'
llbequickerwhenI '
m hel
pingbecauseI'
l
l
knowthesecr et
s"hel ookedatYandi.
Chulu:"Butsti
llyouguysar
e..
.nothi
ngsnotinthi
s
typeofthinganyway"shelookedatthem "
I'
m sor
ry
butit'
strue"sheaddednotwantingt
osound
offensi
ve.
Othu:"No"shesaidwhenshesawCrai
gwas
temptedtotel
ltheki
dsthathewasnotexact
lya
nothi
nginthegame.
Craig:"
IfIdon'
ttel
lthem,theywil
lworr
y"Ot
hu
shookherhead" Dadwasanagentbacki nt
heday
too"helookedathischil
dren'
sjawdroptot
hefl
oor
.
Qhawe:"Whatki
nd?
"hehadwat
chedmoviesbefor
e
butf
oritt
obehappeni
nghispr
esencewasstr
ange.
Crai
g:"Asni
per"thetwi
nslostitbecauset
heynew
howspecial
izedthosepeopl
ear eandtoheart
heir
fat
herwasonewascoolt othem.Ot huwassadand
angry.Thel
astthi
ngshewant edwasf ort
hem t
o
fol
lowinthefoot
stepsoft
hei
rfat
her
,uncl
eand
grandpar
ents.
Babini
:"I
'
m anal lr
ounderthat'
sallI
'
llsay"hedidn'
t
wanttotellt
hem thathe'
sat r
acker,anassassin,
a
hackerandsomuchmor e"Exceptasni per
,Ican'
t
doitfort
helifeofme"helookedatCr ai
g.
Yandi
:"Theseki
dsaretooyoungtobehearingt
his.
Nextt
hingtheywil
lwanttodoit
.Theyal
readylook
soimpressedbyit
"sherai
sedhersof
tvoice.
Phawu:"Notbecausewewantt odoit,Malumekazi
butbecauseweareexcitedaboutmateri
alforour
book"hesaidhonestl
y"Dad,getustoschool.Were
readytowrit
etheexam soyoucangoaboutyour
agentstuf
f"hesmil
edbef or
erunni
ngtogr abthei
r
bags.
Crai
g:"I'
m sorry"hesaidsoft
lybefor
ekissing
Othu'sforehead.Theboyswentt ogettheir
stat
ionaryandCr ai
gdr ovet
hem toschoolt owri
tea
papertheywer esupposedtowr i
teinthreedays.
Othusatdownf eel
ingaheadachecomeal ong.
Yandigaveheri cecoldwaterwhileChuluhugged
hermot
her
.
Othu:"
Ican'tbel
ievet
hathe'
sputt
ingmet
hrough
t
hisagain"shetookadeepbreat
h
Babi
ni:"
Yougott
ounder
stand.
..
"
Othu:"Idonotunderst
andwhymychi l
drenwere
toldaboutthi
s,Bhut
"hesnapped"Idon'
t
understandwhyyouandCr aigwoul
dwanttogo
playherowhenhi smothersai
dshe'
sgotitunder
control
"sheadded.
Babi
ni:"
Woul
dyouletUnat
higoanddosomet
hing
al
onewhenyoucouldhel
pher?
"
Othu:"
Unat
hiisnotaspyorwhateverMr
sKni
ght
i
s"sheshoutedherf
rust
rat
ion.
Chulu:"
Mama, weheardever
ythi
ngwhenwewere
eavesdroppingsowhatdadsaidwealr
eadyhear
d.
I'
m sorr
yt hatweeavesdr
opped"
Yandi:"
CanIpleasetalktoyouprivat
ely,
Zweni?"
shelookedathim andhef ol
lowedhertotheir
bedr
oom leadi
nghi m bythehandt othenursar
y
wherethebabiesslept"Youaregoingtojustri
sk
yourlif
eandpossibl
ynotretur
ntous?"shelooked
athim.Babinil
eanedoveroneofthecotsl
ookingat
hissleepi
ngchil
drenbef
orelooki
ngatYandi.
Babi
ni:"
I'
llcomeback,
Ntl
izi
yoyam"heassur
edher
.
Yandi
:"Youdonotknowt hat,
Zweni.Baby,I
'
m
scar
ed.IknoweverythingaboutyourpastsoI'
m
scar
edforyou.I'
m withOt huonthi
sone.Please
don'
tgo"shepleaded.
Babini
:"Iunderstandyourconcerns,
Avebutthi
s
mightbemyonl ychance.IfIhel
pLoren,shemight
beabletohel pmef ightmydemons"Yandiwentto
hol
dhim" Idon'
tlikethi
stoobutitmustbedone.I
wil
lcomebackt oyouf our"hepr
omised.
Yandi:"
Othunyi weyoisnotcopi ngwi t
ht hi
s,Baby.
ShenearlylostCraigthel astt
imesot hi
sistoo
muchf orallofusbutherespeci al
ly.Youwer enot
theonewhogotacal lsayingyourhusbandi son
l
ifesupportandt heywant edtoswi tchthe
machinesof f"Babiniinhaleddeeply.
Babi
ni:"
Hewasalonethel
astt
imebutnow,hehas
meandhi smot
her.Al
lweaski
sthatyoutogotoa
placeasafetywhil
eyouwaitf
or.
..
"ther
ewasan
urgentknockthati
nter
rupt
edt
hem andBabi
niwent
tothedoor.
Chulu:"Mama..
.Mamai snotbreathi
ng"Babi
niran
towher et
heyleftOt
huandf oundLoren'
speople
wit
ht hem r
eadyt ot
akethem tosafet
ybutOthuhad
str
ugglebreat
hing.
Babini:"
Othunyiweyo,breath"hepl
eadedbef
ore
gi
vingherbr eathingexer
cisesandwatchedherf
il
l
herlungswi t
hai ragai
nbef or
eshebrokedown"I
'l
l
bri
nghi m back"headded.
Agent99:" Wegot tago"shesaidwhi l
ewat chi
ngthe
clock.Hermissionwast otakeal lt
hosewhower e
supposedt obet akentosafetytosafety.Aphone
rangandt heagentanswer editbeforegivi
ngitto
Othu" I
t'
sforyou"t heyoungladysaidinar oboti
c
tone.Othu'sshakinghandsr eachedforthephone.
Ot
hu:"Lo"that
'st
heonl
yhel
l
oshemanagedt
o
whi
lesnif
fi
ng.
Lor
en:"Othu,
it'
smesweet
y,Loren.Iknowt
hatt
hey
di
dn'tl
ist
entomebecauseIhaveearsever
ywher
e.
I'
llgett
hem bothsafel
yhereandI '
llmakesurethat
theyarenowher enearbull
etsandbombs"shesai d
calmly"Wil
lthateaset
hatfri
ghtenedheartof
yours?"sheaskedandOt hujustshookherquickl
y.
Othu:"
No"shesaidinawhisperandChul
usat
downtocomforthermother.
Loren:"I '
l
levent iethem upusingchai nsbutI
promi sehei sgoi ngtocomebackt oyouandyour
brothert oo.It ookhi m awayf r
om youonceandI
stil
lrememberhowmi serablehewaswhenMi ke
andImovedhi m awayf r
om you.Iwoul dn'tdarebe
responsi bleforbr eakingyouupagai n.Iloveyou.I
l
ovehowki ndandwar m youar e.Youdi dn'teven
knowI '
m pr etendingandsoal lIsawi nyouwhen
youhel pedmewasgenui nesoI '
dneverhur tyou
butunder standwhyhemustdot hi
s.Hef eelsit'
s
hisdut yt oprot ectyourboysandt omaket heman
whoki l
ledhi sdadpaybutI 'vegotthatcover edall
I'
llhavehi m doi ssitandwat ch"shepr omi sed.
Ot
hu:"
Okay"shesai
dqui
etl
y.
Lor
en:"
Ajeti
swai
ti
ngt
ofl
yyout
oZanzi
bar
.You,
yoursi
sterinlawandt hechil
drenwillf
eelli
keyou
areonvacation.I'
vespokentoMr sRaveleandI
arr
angedar eplacementforyou.I
'vegoteveryt
hing
sort
ed"sheadded.Ot huwasshockedt hatLoren
evenknewKCboar dmember sandwasabl eto
movet her
eexam f ort
heboys.Itprovedjusthow
connectedshewas.
Othu:"
Youpr omise?
"sheaskedsoftl
y"Idon'
tcar
e
aboutthejobbutdoyoupromisethatmyhusband
andbrotherwil
lbehomesafe?"sheadded.
Loren:"Ipromi
se,sweet
y"shesaid"
Pleasegi
ve
yoursisterinl
awthephone"Othuhandedthe
phonet oYandi.
Yandi
:"Hel
lo"shel
ookedatBabi
ni.
.
Lor en:"MrsZweni,I'
vej ustpromisedOt hut
hatI'
d
bringt hemenhomesaf e.Iknowt heyplant
ocome
tot hestatesinawayt hathasmanyr i
skssoI'd
ratherusemymet hods.I '
lldomybestt ohelpyour
husbanddealwi t
hhi spastbuti t
'l
ltakeawhile"
Yandil ookedatBabiniwhowascr adli
ngoneoft he
tri
pl et
s"Ifyoudon'tgivehim blessingtogonow, he
mightnevergetachanceagainandinafewyears
thepeopl
eher anfrom wil
lcomeforhi
m because
nothi
ngstayshiddenforever
"Lor
enadded.
Yandi
:"Wi
llhebesaf
e?"
Loren:"Yesbecausehe'llhaveanent ir
eteam
behindhim.Hei snottheonl yonewhowant sthi
s
system shutdownsoIwi l
lcont actt
hosewhowant
todot hesameandwe' llworkt ogether
.It
'l
ltakea
whilebecauseIhadnoi ntentionofdoingthis
missionbutI'
llt
akeitonbecausehe' sfamil
ynow"
Yandi
:"Okayandthankyou"that
'sal
lshecoul
dsay
bef
orethecal
lgotended.Othustoodupandshe
andYandimadepr ol
ongedeyecontact
.
Othu:"
Whataboutt
heot
herf
ami
lymember
s?"she
l
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babini:"
Theywon'tevenseemecomi ngsot hey
won'thavet i
metocomef ormyf amil
yast hey'l
lbe
toobusyt r
yingtosurvivebutshouldtheycomef or
myfami lytheywil
ltargetmyweaknesswhi chis
Yandisa,youandthechi l
drenbutyou'llbesafe"he
l
ookedather .Anhourandf ewmi nut
eswentbyand
Cr
aigr
etur
nedwi
tht
het
wins.
Chulu:"
Dad,Mamahadapani cattackand
str
uggledtobreat
h"ChulusaidthemomentCr ai
g
walkedin.HefoundOthudrinki
ngwat erandwhen
sheclosedthefri
dget
heireyesmet .
Craig:"Youhadapani
cat
tack?heki
ssedher
forehead.
Othu:"
Youmaygo, Craig"shef el
tastinginher
chest"Ifeelli
kei t
'shistoryrepeati
ngitsel
fonlythi
s
ti
meyouget t
inghur twon'tjustaff
ectmebutt he
ki
dsbutyourmom pr omisedt okeepyousaf e"
Crai
ghat eddoi ngt hattoheragainandi ndeedto
himitalsof eltl
ikehistoryrepeati
ngitself
.
Agent13:"
Sir
,weneedt ogetgoing"amal
eagent
sai
dandCr ai
g'seyesdi
dn'
tleaveOthu'
s.
Ot
hu:"
Go"shesai
dsof
tl
y.
Crai
g:"Il
oveyousomuch.I'
m notchoosi
ngdanger
overfamil
ybutImustdot
histokeepourboyssafe"
Agent13:"
Sir
"heremindedCrai
gthatt
heyneeded
t
ogetgoing"Themissi
onwillbecompromi
sedif
wedon'
tmovenow"headded.
Othu:"Il
oveyout oo"shekissedhi
m.Parti
ngways
wasnoteasybutOt huandYandihadnochoi ce
si
ncet hei
rmenwoul dn'
tbackdownfrom bei
nga
partofthemi ssi
on.Themengavet hei
rchil
dren
hugsandki sses.
Babini
:"Il
oveyou"hewhi sper
edtoYandi"You
makemef eelsoal
ive,
thankyouforthat,
Ntl
izi
yo
yam"hekissedherandi tsoundedl
ikeitwas
goodbye.
Yandi:"Iloveyoutoo"shewhisperedbackbef ore
theywat chedthement al
ktotheagentwhowi llbe
i
nchar geoft aki
ngthefamil
ytosaf et
y.Craigand
Babini'
sgavemor ehugsandkissestotheirfamily
beforeleavingwit
haheavyhear t.
Agent:"
I'
m agent99,
I'
m putinchargeofkeepi
ng
youladi
esandyourchildr
ensafe.I
fyouneed
anyt
hing,I
'mtheagentthatyouask"ayounglady
wit
hbeautif
ulcaramelski
nsaid.
Yandi
:"What
'syourname?
"
Agent
:"Justcal
lme99,
Mam"shel
ookedatt
hem
"Let
'sgetgoing,t
hej etiswai t
ingforus"sheadded.
Thedoorbellrangandi twasZuko.Foramoment
YandiforgotaboutZur iandhadZukonotar ri
ved
theywouldmostpr obablyhavel ef
twithZurithat
's
howconf usedsheandOt hufelt
.Theydidn'tknow
whatwaswhatexact lybutt heychosetotrustthei
r
husbands.Zukocoul df eelthetensi
oninthehouse
butYandiwasabl et ocomeupwi t
hacover upstory
aboutanunexpect edvacat i
on.Yandiwentt ospeak
toMakeRadebewhi l
eOt huwentt ogetZuriso
she'dgohomewi t
hhermot her .
Yandi
:"MaRadebewi l
lgotoyourhousetolook
aft
erZurither
e.Ial
readysort
edthedetai
lsoutso
don'
twor r
y"shesaidasshewalkedbackt othe
l
ounge.
Zuko:"
Thankyoubutar
eyouguysokay?
"she
l
ookedatOthu.
Othu:"Yeah"shesaidsoftl
yandZukol ooked
aroundbeforetel
li
ngthem toenjoytheirvacation
butZukoknewt heywer erunni
ngfrom somet ing.
Shedi dn'
twanttoletbutshehopedt hattheywoul d
retur
nhomesoon.Ot humadecal l
st othef amily
andshet oldMakhuluthetr
uthbecausesheknew
aboutCraig'spastbutt
otherestofthefamil
yshe
sai
dshe'dbegoi ngonanunpl annedvacati
onwit
h
YandiandBabi ni.
Agent99:"
I'
llneedt
otakeyourcel
lphonest
oofor
tr
acki
ngreason.Youaregoi
ngtousemy
communicationmet
hodsandincont r
oll
edt
imes"
Yandi
:"Idon'
tli
ket
hisatal
l.Doweatl
eastgett
o
pack?
"agent99shookherhead.
Qhawe:"
Wear
ereadyt
ogo"hel
ookedatever
yone.
Agent99:" You' l
lfindever ythi
ngt hatyouneedon
thejetandonar r i
valbutpl easenowwemustgoor
elseI'
llgetintobi gtrouble.Yourhomeswi l
lbe
watchedsodon' twor r
yaboutt hateit
her"Othu
neverleftwithst rangerst oadest inati
onthatshe
didn'
tknowandnei t
herhasYandibutbot hofthem
gottheirchildrenandf oll
owedbehi ndtheroboti
c
specialagentt ot hecar .Agent99spokeovert he
phoneandOt huknewt hati twasLor en.Theysoon
arri
vedandwer eboar dedont heluxurypri
vatejet
thathadever yt
hingt oaccomodat eabiggroupand
babi
es.
Phawu:"
Ohhht
hisi
ssocool
"hesai
dashebuckl
ed
hi
mselfi
n.
Qhawe:"If
eelli
keJamesBond"helaughedand
Othugl
ancedatt hem.Bot
hboyswipedtheexci
ted
smil
esontheirfaceswhenthei
rmothergavet
hem
thecol
dlook.
Othu:"
Chulu,i
sQhayiyacomf
ort
abl
e?"shel
ooked
overatChulumanco.
Chul
u:"
Yes,
Mama"shesmi
led.
Yandi:"
Lorenplannedeveryt
hing,
friend"shelooked
around"ButI'
m gladIgotsomeoft hetri
plet
st hi
ngs
j
ustforrouti
nereasons.Areyouokaynow? "she
l
ookedatOt hu.
Othu:" No,fri
end.Ican'
tbel
ievet
hatCr ai
gand
Babi nijustuppedandleftl
eavi
ngt hei
rwivesand
childreninthehandsofst r
angers"shesaidinasad
voice.
Yandi:"
Wemar r
iedthem knowingthatt
hismight
happensoon.Youtoldmet hatyou'
reworri
edthat
someonemi ghtsomedaysnat chyourki dsandi t
nearl
yhappenedbutf ort
unatel
yLor enwast here.I
haven'
tgott
enanywar ni
ngsoIf eelLorenwillkeep
herword.Idon'
tlikethiseit
herbutt her
ewasno
waywecoul dstopt hem.Yousai dyourselftheyar e
al
phamal eswhosemai nai
mi sprotect
ingtheir
l
ovedones"sher emi ndedOthu.
Phawu:" Mom,Ibeli
evethatdadandMal umeare
goingtocomebackhome.Ij ustwantyout oknow
thatwedon'tfi
ndthisenti
resituati
oncoolbecause
wewantt odoitsomedaybutbecausewel ove
acti
onbutnottobepar tofit
.Maywepl easebow
ourheadsandpr ayandMal umekazi canaskthe
ancestorst
oprotectthem t
oosot hey'
dbedouble
covered"Othucl
osedhereyesf eel
ingexhaust
ed
suddenlybutshenodded.
Qhawe:" Pleasecloseyoureyes"helookedat
ever
yoneandwat chedthem cl
osetheireyesand
nowt heirheads"Dear,Lordinthi
stimeof
confusionandf earIaskthatyoupleaseeaseour
hearts.Pleasehideandshielddad,grandma,
malumeandal ltheagents"agent99fli
nchedabit
becausesheneverheardsomeoneincl
udeherin
prayer"
Prot
ectt
hem undertheshadowofyour
wingssotheymayr et
urntous.Amen"theyal
lsai
d
amen.
Othu:"
Thankyou,
boy"shel
ookedatQhaweandhe
noddedwhil
esmil
ing.
Qhawe:"
Man,t
hismeanswemustchangeal
oti
n
t
hebook"hewhisper
edt
oPhawu.
Phawu:"Ourfatheri
sasni
per,br
a"hewhisper
ed
back."
IjusthopeMom wil
lunderst
andwhyhehad
todothi
s"Qhawenodded.
Qhawe:"
Wecomef r
om alongli
neofspeci
al
agent
s"t
heyf
istbumpedastheyfel
tthej
ettakeof
f.
Yandi
:"We'
llbef
ine,
fri
end"shewhisper
edt oOt
hu
wholookedli
keshewascomi ngdownwi t
h
somethi
ng.
Poppywasshockedt oheartheboar
dappointher
acti
ngCEOr i
ghtaft
erOthuandYandisaidthey'
dbe
goingonvacati
on.Afewmont hsbackshe'
dhave
beenhappytofinal
lyberecogni
zedbutshefound
hersel
fgenui
nelyconcer
nedaboutOthu,Yandiand
t
hei
rfami
li
es.ShedrovetoMakhul
u'shomeand
f
oundMakhulunotl
ookingwel
latal
l.
Poppy:"I
thassomet hi
ngt odowithCr
aigand
Babini
'
spastr i
ght?Othulovesherwor
kandt ojust
upandgowi thoutevenhavingameetingwit
hthe
staf
f?Somethingisdefi
nitel
ynotri
ght
"shelooked
atMatoandMakhul u.
Makhulu:"
Icannothandl
et hi
s.Iwasworri
ed
enoughwhenCr ai
ghadtogot hefi
rstt
imebutnow
al
lofthem..
.Ican'
ttaket
his"
Mat o:"
Sis,
pleasedonotmakeyoursel
fsi
ck.The
l
astt hi
ngthatOthuneedstohearwhenshecal
lsi
s
thatyouarehospit
ali
zed.Ihavef
ait
hinCrai
gand
Babini"
Poppy:"Wear
etalki
ngdangerher
e,Mat
onotsome
pi
cnic.Whati
f.
."
Mat o:"Hey!shepoint
edatPoppy" Youcomeallthe
wayf rom whereverandyoucomewi t
hyourworst
conclusions.OthuandYandiwillnotbepar
tofthe
gunssodon' t
"sheheldherf
ingerupinPoppy'
s
face.
Makhulu:"
I'
m goi
ngtoli
edown"shestoodbutjust
asshewasaboutt omovethedoor
bel
lrang.Poppy
j
umpedupf rom t
hecouchandheadedtothedoor
andwasshockedtofindNokul
ungast
andingin
fr
ontofher.
Poppy:"
Dabawo"Poppyhuggedherauntt
ightl
y.
Makhuluwal
kedtothedoorandhermoodlight
ened
upwhenshesawherdaughter.
Mato:"
YhoLunga,
youhar
dlyvi
sit
.Whatbr
ingsyou
her
e?"
Nokulunga:"IknowIdon't
,MakaziandI'
m honest
ly
ashamed.Mymot herhasn'
tbeenwellandheronl
y
daughteri
snotevencomi ngtoseeher"shepushed
herbaginsidebeforehuggi
ngthem al
l..
Makhulu:"
Thatdoesn'
tmat
ter
"Makhul
usmi
ledand
huggedheragai
n.
Nokubonga:"
Itdoes,
Ma.Aft
erKumkani
'
sdeat
hI
shoul
dhavecomet osuppor
tyou"
Mato:"Lungswil
lcomeandbeal lemot
ionalonus.
Youareher esodon'tworr
yaboutal
lel
se.Withal
l
that
'sbeenhappening,I
'm gl
adt
hatyouwereable
tobr
ingussomejoy.YouandIwi l
lshar
earoom
butI
'l
lbemovingoutsoon"shesai
dasshewheeled
Nokulunga'
sbagt
otheroom sheslepti
n.
Poppy:"
Makhul
u,Iwil
lcomebacklateron.Ihave
somanyquesti
onstoanswerbecauseOthujust
uppedandl
eftwit
houtwarni
ng"
Makhul u:"
Poppy,thisi
stimetosupportyoursist
er.
Pleasedon'tusethischancetogetOthuont he
sidewalkinthecompany.Alsodon'tmentionthe
realreasonwhyshel eft
.Justsayshehadf ati
gue
andt hedoctorbookedheroff"shel
ookedatPoppy.
Poppy:"Ipr
omiseI'
l
lkeepquietandI'm aswor
ried
aboutthem asyouareMakhulu.IknowyouIcanbe
aterr
ibl
epersonbutpleaset
rustmet hi
stime"
Mat o:"
Youcanbeapet t
ymonsterbutthi
stimeI
actuall
ybelieveyou.Allt
hebestwithyournew
positi
on"shehuggedPoppyandPoppygotshocked
bytheaf f
ect i
onfrom Matosomuchsoshedi dn'
t
havear eply.Poppyleftt
heladi
esandMakhul u
suddenlydi dn'
tneedanapanymor e.
Nokul
unga:"
Letmemaket
eaf
orus"
Mato:"Fornowyou'llbeaguestsogoandsitdown.
I'
l
lgomaket hetea"Mat oputtheket
tl
eon.Makhul
u
heldLunga'
shandl eadinghertot
helounge.
Nokulunga:"
Mama, wher eisdeacon"Mat oand
Makhulugaveeachot heralook.Deaconhadnot
beenatthehouseforthepastweekbecausehe
waswi t
hhisdaughterbutMat oandMakhul ukepti
t
secr
et"NowIknowt hatt her
eissomet hing"she
l
ookedatbothofthem andMakhul usighedloudly.
Makhulusuddenl
yst art
edt ocryandNokul unga
wasnotexpecti
ngawel comeoft ear
s.
Makhul u:"
Idon'tthinkthatIam goingtobealivefor
l
ong"herwor dsstungNokul ungaandMat o"
I
survivedmyf ir
sthusbandt henmychi ldand
perhapssoonI 'l
lsurvivemyf ir
sthusband"she
wipedhert earsoff"NowIdonotknowwher emy
son's,daughtersandgr andchil
drenare.Iam not
goingt osurvi
vethis"shebr okedown.
Nokul
unga:"Makazi
?"shel
ookedatMat
ohopi
ng
she'
dexpl
ain.
Mat
o:"
Thedeacon.
..
thedeaconwasdi
agnosed
withpr ostat
ecancer "Nokul ungaputherhandover
hermout hexpressinghershockbef oreshehel dher
sobbingel derl
ymot her"Hei swi thhisdaught erin
Jobur gtogoseeaspeci alistbutt heysayhe' stoo
oldandi thasspr eadsot heycan' tdoanythingfor
him"Makhul u'
shear tcoul dn'ttakei t
.Thesecr et
washeavyenoughandOt hu' ssituationjustadded
totheemot i
onalbur den.Nokul ungagaveher
mot herthebestwor dsofencour agementshecoul d
getbutt herewasonl ysomuchshecoul dsay.
Makhulu:"Younevercome"shel ookedat
Nokulunga"Apartofmeevent houghtt hatyouare
angryatme"Nokulungashookherheadqui ckly"
I'
m
happytoseeyoubutsi nceyourar el
ycomeIcan' t
hel
pbutt hi
nkyouhavesomet hingt otel
lus.Ihope
youarenotsick,
ntombam"Nokul ungashookher
head.
Nokulunga:"I
'm sorr
yfornotvisi
ti
ng,Ma.I'm not
angryatallbutIadmitI'
vebeengoingtomy
fat
her'
sf amil
yal otmorethanhere"shelooked
down" Bandil
eisgetyigmar r
ied,
hisgir
lf
riendis
heresoIhavecomeher etoseeyouandmeether
f
orweddi
ngcel
ebr
ati
onr
easons"
Mato:"Fi
nall
y!"shejumpedupandwenttothe
ki
tchen"Wewi llhavesomethingt
ocel
ebr
atet
his
you.Bandil
etookhi ssweetti
me.Whyist
hegir
l
herewhil
ehei sinNor t
hernCape?"
Nokul
unga:"
Theymetther
ebutthat
'snoti
mport
ant
now"shel
ookedathermother"
Ever
ythi
ngwil
lbe
okay,
mama"
Makhulu:"
Tellmeallaboutt
hisengagementof
Bandi
le.Iwanttohearhappynews"shesmiled.
Mat o:"Ihopeshei sbeauti
ful"Matosatdownand
servedt hetea.Makhuluwaskeepi ngast rong
appear ancesot heywouldn'tworr
ybutinsi deshe
wasf alli
ngapar t
.Withherhusbandhavi ngcancer
andOt huandt heother
sgoneshef el
therbody
sl
owl ygi vi
nguponherandshehopedt hatshould
shedi e,atleastOthuwouldbehomei ntimet obury
her.

Crai
gandBabi
nil
andedi
nt hei
rdest
inat
ionaday
ago.Lor
endi
dn'
timmedi
atelyhavet
hem takent
o
hersecr etheadquar tersbecauseshewasst il
l
decidingwhet heri ncludi ngt hem wasagoodi dea.
Babi niandCr aigdi dn'tjustsi tatthepl aceLor enput
them i nf i
ndingt hei rar ms, t
heygotdownt owor k
andcameupwi tht heirownpl anshoul dLor en' s
mi ssionpl annotwor k.Theybot hbelievedt hati t
wasgoodt ohavemul ti
pl eplansshoul dt he
previousonesf ail.Theyhadn' tseenLor ensince
theirar r
ivalandt heycoul dgooutei therast he
agent sar oundt henwoul dhavet hem downi n
chainsbef oret heycoul dr eacht hedoor .Apar tof
them event houghtt hatLor enwentaheadand
compl etedthemi ssionwi thoutt he.Babi niwas
gladt hatLor enar rangedawayf orthem t ocomei n
unnot icedbecausehi smet hodwasgoi ngt obe
l
onganddaunt i
ng.Bot hmenwer esil
entont heway
thinkingaboutnot hingbutt hei rf
ami l
ieswhi l
e
comi ngwi ththei rownmi ssionpl an.Lor enmet
them att hepar kingar eaoft hepl acetheywer eheld
atunderheri nstruct ion.Shewasshockedt hey
didn'ttryt oescapeandgl adt oobecauseher
agent swer etrainedt oki ll
.
Loren:"
HadInotbuggedyourhouse, youtwowoul d
nowbecr ossingAfricanboar
derstogetafli
ghtthat
wouldsmuggl eyouher e.Doyoureal
izetheri
sks
i
nvolvedinthat?"shelookedatbothandtheyfel
t
l
ikesmallboysal lt
hesudden.
Crai
g:"Youknewbet t
erthantobeli
evet
hatI'
l
llet
youdot hi
salone.I
'm notaboyanymorebutaman.
Ift
here'
ssomeonewhomustpr otectmyboys,i
t'
s
me"hesaidbef or
epassinghismothert
ogot ocar
sherodein.
Babi ni:"
AndIwantt obet heretoseethose
bast ardswhousechi l
drent oadvancetheir
agendasgodown.Theyhavet akenfartomuch
from mesot oseet hem godowni ssomet hingI
wantt owitnesswi t
hmyowneyes"hef ollowed
Cr aig.Lorentur nedandi fthemendi dn'
thavea
domest i
cl i
fe,shewoul dhavehi redthentowor kfor
her .Craigwasgoi ngtober ai
sedandt r
ainedasan
agentbutnott opushdi r
tyagendasbutt otake
downcr iminalssoci et
iesthepol i
cecan't
.Lor en
followedt hegent lemenandasshesatopposi t
e
Cr aigshef orasecondsawherhusbandandshe
coul
dnotbel
ieveherboyhadgrownsomuch.She'
d
seenhi
minpictur
esbuttohavehimri
ghti
nfr
ontof
herwasamazing.
Loren:"You'r
easst ubbornasyourfat
her"Craig
turnedhisfocusonher" Iknewyouwoul dn'
tli
sten
tomesoIpr epar
edf oryoutojoinmesomehowbut
I'
dr at
heritbeonmyt er
mssoyouwon' tgethurt
.I
promisedyourwi vesthatI'
dbringyoutwohome
andIi nt
endonkeepi ngthatpromise"
Babini
:"Wear edoi
ngthi
sfort
hem too"Loren
nodded"Pleasebri
efusonthemissionbecauseI
'
m
cer
tainthatyouaregoi
ngtoactsoon"headded.
Loren:"Myagent sar
eal readybusybutyes, since
you'l
lbejoini
ngusyouhaveever yri
ghttoknow.
Thiswi l
lbeaveryeasymi ssionbutitwillnotbe
withoutsurpr
ises"BabiniandCr aigl
ookedateach
otherwithasmi r
kast heyf el
ttheywerepr epared
forafewoft hosesurprises."Bothyoumenknow
whatt hi
sisli
ke.Youei t
hercomeoutal i
veordead
butyoubestcomeoutal i
veorIwi l
lwakeyouf r
om
deathandki l
lyoumysel f"Craigl
aughed.Hef ailed
toseeanagentbecauset ohimit'
sstil
ljusthi s
str
ictmot her.Lorenbriefthem ont hemi ssionand
i
ndeedi tsoundedsi mpl eenought othem,
especiall
yt oBabiniwhohaddeal twit
hmuchwor se.
"Yourmi ssion,MrZi swhati sgoi ngtokeepyou
twoher e.Ineverhadi ntenti
onont aki
ngt hat
system downbecausei twasneverat hornunder
myf ootbutwhenIdi dmor eresearchIf ound
myselfbei ngdisgustedbyhowt heytreatchildr
en
soIwi l
lhel pyoubutI '
l
lneedyourhel pbecauseyou
knowever ycornerofthatbui l
ding.Ifyoucan' tgo
onthemi ssionpersonallyforoneorot herr eason
tal
know"
Babi
ni:"
Uhm...
noreason"i
twast
het
imeCr
aig
hear
dBabinist
utt
er.
Lor
en:"
Areyoucer
tai
n?"shedi
dn'
tbel
ievehi
m atal
l.
Babini
:"Cer
tain,mam"headdedandhopedhe
soundedcertainbutCrai
gwassti
llnotbuyi
ng.The
l
astthi
ngCr aigwantedwasforBabinit
ohavea
weaknesstherethatwouldpr
eventhimfrom
completi
ngthemi ssi
on.
Cr
aig:"
Putmeont
hemi
ssi
on.Wepr
omi
sedt
he
f
ami
lywe'
dhaveeachot
her
'sbacks.
Loren:"Pi
tyyougent l
emenarecommi t
tedto
somet hi
ngelse.Besidesyourf
ather
,you'
rethe
otherbestsniperI'
veeverhadtoworkwit
h"she
l
ookedatCr aig.Inthatmomenthewasnotherson
butanagentshewasonami ssionwit
h.
Crai
g:"
ItseemsI
'
llneverbeabl
etoputt
hisl
if
e
behi
ndme"
Lor
en:"
Aft
ermi
ssi
onLez,
youwi
ll
"
Cr
aig:"
Whathappenst
oyouragencyshoul
dyou
di
e?"
Loren:"Ihavecapablemenandwomenwhowi ll
ensurejusti
ceisservedsodon'tdar
easkmet obe
i
nvolvedmor e,Sni
pe"itf
eltst
rangeforCr
aigt
ohear
hercallhimthat.
Craig:"
Iwouldn'
tdare, agentL2"anodwas
exchangedandCr aiglookedatBabi ni
."Youalri
ght,
man? "heaskedhisbr otherandhecouldn'tshake
thefeel
ingthatBabiniwashi dingsomething.He
neverhadtoavoideyecont actbef
orebutit'
sall
he'sbeendoingsincet heyarri
ved.SuddenlyCraig
sawBabi ni
'sbigconfidencefadewi theachpassi ng
moment .CraigheldhisfistoutandBabi nibrought
hist ohis.WhenCr aigandBabi nisawLor en'shigh
techheadof fi
cetheywer esoi mpr essedtheyhad
togocheckouteachgadgett herewasandwat ched
allofthebigscr eensthatwer emoni t
orsont heir
targetsandj ustrandom spotsint hest r
eets.An
agentt ookthem totheweaponsdepar t
mentand
thement ookaweaponeach.Cr aigt aki
ngt helatest
thatasni perwoul dneedt odot hejob.Theirhands
glidedovert hesteeloftheweaponsbef or
et hem.
Lor
en:"
Don'
tgett
ooexcit
ed,gentl
eman.Youdonot
wantt
ogett
ooattachedt
othis"
Crai
g:"
Can'
twej
ustt
akei
nthebeaut
iesi
nfr
ontof
us"
Loren:"No"shesai dcl
ear
ly"Youguyshavetrai
ning.
Iwantt oseeifyout woaresti
llf
ittogoona
mission.Onemi stakeandyouwi llsi
ther
ewi
ththe
off
icestaff"sheleftt
hem.
Crai
g:"
Ican'tgetusedt
othi
s.Idon'
tevenknowi
fI
shoul
dcallhermom"
Babini:"Don'tcallhermom becauseshe' snotitat
themoment .She' safel
lowagentsot reatherwi t
h
thesamer espectyouwoul dami ssionpartner.
Comel et'
sgoki ckassbecausesomet hi
ngt el
lsme
wear egoi ngtogof orchiefi
nafewhour sandI
don'ttrustyourf i
ghti
ng"theybot
hl aughedbef ore
goingt otheagent swhower eassignedt otesttheir
physicalstrength.
Agent34:"Mam, doyouthi
nkit'
swisetoinclude
them i
nthemission?.Wi
thallduer
espectthisisnot
yourson'spl
ayground"t
heagentsaidi
twi t
ha
beati
ngheartbecauseasmuchast heyrespected
Lorentheyal
sofearedher.
Loren:"He'sthebestsnipertoent erthisagency'
s
doors.He' shi
sfather'
ssonandyoubestbel ieve
Knightmenmakeever ythingtheirplaygroundwhi l
e
taki
ngcar eofbusiness"shesai dwhi lelooki
ngat
bothCr aigandBabiniexcel"Iworr yabouttheother
one.He' smoreskill
edthanSni pebutt hereis
somet hingheisnottell
ingme"shet ookadeep
breath.
Agent34:"
Yetyouwanthi
mtobei
ncl
udedi
nthe
mi
ssi
on?
"
Loren:"Missi
onLezwi l
lbefareasyonhi m butthe
missionclosetohisheartIdonotknow.Ifeelthat
theyhavesomet hingonhim butit'
snotsomething
onecanf indonrecordbutit'
swithinhi
m.Thel ast
thi
ngIwanti sforhimtostandint hewayof
compl et
ingthi
smi ssi
on"shefoldedherarmsand
l
ookedatBabi ni.
Agent34:" Doyout hinkhisl
oyalti
esstil
lli
ethere?
helookedatBabi nitoo" Weknowmanycr iminal
systemswoul ddoanyt hi
ngtofinal
lyseeus
crumbl e.Soifyouthinkheisadoubl eagent,tel
lus
nowsowecant akecar eofi
t.Wecan' tal
lowan
outsidertoruinal
lwe' veworkedfor"headded.
Loren:"Youf orgetthatyouwer eadoubleagent
whowasal mostexecut edbeforeIcameand
rescuedyousodon' tbequicktowanttosil
ence
otherswhenIgaveyouasecondchance.Li keI
'
ve
said,i
t'
snot hingthatcanbef oundonrecor
dbutit
's
i
nhi smi nd.Callitwoman' sinsti
nctbutwemust
keepacl oseeyeonhi m"
Agent34:"
Youcouldjustt
akethem of
fthesecond
missi
on"Lorenshookherhead.
Loren:"
I'
dnevertakeawaythatsati
sfacti
onof
fi
nall
ygetti
ngrevengefr
om him.He'l
ljustneedt o
bebackedmor ewhenwegoont hesecondmi ssi
on.
Fornowl et
'sf
ocusonmi ssi
onLez.Iwantt olook
thatbast
ardintheeyeswhenher eal
izesthatI'
ve
fi
nall
ycomet oavengemyhusband"
Agent34:"Thishasbeenyourbiggestgoal
.What'
s
tohappenwheni t'
smissioncomplete?
Reti
rement?"hewasLor en'
ssecondhandmanso
herreti
rementcouldmeanapr omoti
ont obechi
ef
forhim.
Lor
en:"
I'
m notyourf
ri
end,
34"shewar
ned.
Agent
:"Apol
ogi
es,mam.I
'
llgochecki
ftheagent
s
ar
ereadytoheadout
"
Loren:"
It
'sshowt i
me"shet ookhergunoutwhile
gri
nning"Ipromisedtofi
nall
yavengeyourdeath,
Mike.Thetimehasf i
nall
ycomeandyoursoni s
heretosolookaf t
erus,baby.Prepar
et omeetme
becauseI'
m goingtogivethislastmissi
onmyall"
heknockedont heglassthatseperat
edherf
rom
Crai
gandBabiniandcal l
edthem in.Anapwaslai
d
outandLorentoldthem wheretheywouldbe
st
ati
oned.Crai
gandBabi ni.
Loren:"I
fyouwishtopulloutt
hendoitnow.Chi
ef
willknowhisagentdi
dn'tgett
ocompletet
he
missionbykidnappi
ngtheboyshe'l
lhaveanot
her
thereandwe'lll
oseouradvant
age.I
fyoustepi
n
thosecars,youcan'
ttur
nback"
Crai
g:"
I'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
hissi
nceIhear
dwhat
hedid"
Babini:"Thisisf ormynephewsso"t heywentt o
chooset heirammuni t
ionsandt heyspendofftothe
l
ocat i
on.Chi ef'
ssecr ethideouthadt opsecurit
yand
soallagent shadt osticktot heplanasbestas
possible.Craigandt heothert wosniperstook
positi
onsi ndi f
ferentspot stotakedownt heguar ds
thatwer eheavi l
yar medont her oofandonthe
terr
ain.Craigt ookadeepbr eat hashesuddenl yfel
t
wayt ooner vous.I twascl earthatLorencoveredall
thegroundwor kmaki ngthei rworkveryeasyand
Craighopedt hathewoul dn'tdisappoi
nthismot her
andf at
her.Suddenl yknowi ngt hathi sf at herwas
oneoft hebestsni per smadeCr aigf eelt hathehad
bigshoest ofil
l.Hewasst ationedatt hear eawher e
mostguar dswer eatsoi tmeantt hathehadway
mor etodot hanhi scount erpar ts.Heai medhi s
ri
ffl
ewhi chheonl ygoti ntroducedt oaf ewmi nutes
agoatt hetarget.Hewentst illnearlyhol di nghi s
breathtonotr i
skt heshotbei ngami ss.Whenhe
wassat isf
iedheknewt hati twast henorneverso
hepul l
edthet ri
ggerandt het ar getwasdown.Mor e
guardswentdownandCr aigknewt hatt heot her
sniperswer eatwor k.Wheni tclearCr aigl eaped
overtheedgeoft hebui ldinghewasatandputon
thedevicewhi chf lashedar edl ighttot ellBabi ni
andLor enwhower eatt hegr oundr eadyt ogo
i
nsideasi gnal.Babi nisawt hesi gnf rom Cr ai
gup
aheadandheandLor enexchangedanodbef ore
theyputpr essedt hedet onat ort oact i
vat et he
bombswhi chwer epl acedont heent rances.The
bangcl ear
lyalertedt heenemyagent sthatwer e
i
nsideandani nfluxofbul letswer ef l
yingbutLor en,
Babiniandt heiragent swer epr epar edsot hey
chargedwi thasmuchpowerast heiropponent s.It
wasni ghtsot hechaoswasddoubl .Theyhadt o
replyont hei
rot hersensesbutLor encoul dseeher
ownagent sbei ngshotdownbr eaki ngherhear t.I
t
alwaysf eltl
ikeshe' slosingchi l
dr en.Apar tof
Babi nifeltali
vewhenhewasapar toft heact i
on
becausef ormostofhi slifeitwasal lthatheknew.
Grownmenwer egroaningi npai nast hebul lets
piercedt heirfleshandLor enwasnotsur eifitwer e
her sort heenemy' s.Babi ni'
ssi zeal lowedhi mt o
fi
ghtwi theaseandt hrowopponent si ntheopposi t
e
directi
oncr i
ppl ingthem.Usual l
yLor enwasnota
par toftheact i
onbutshewoul dn' tallowher sel fto
mi ssbei ngapar toftherevengeshespentyear s
planning.Shewat chedopponent sf allindef eatas
theymadet hei rwayt hrought hemazeofChi ef'
s
war ehouse.Lor enwasdi sappoi ntedt of i
ndt hat
chiefwasnoti nt hehear toft hebui l
di ngjustasher
i
nf ormantsai d.Aphoner angandoneoft heagent s
answer edbef or egivi
ngi ttoLor en.
Chi
ef:"Didyoureal
lythi
nkt hatIwouldn'
tseeyou
coming, L2?
"hesaidsarcasti
call
ybeforelet
ti
ngout
adeepl augh"Goodmovei nhidingyourson's
famil
ybecauseIwoul dhavemut ilat
edthem and
sentyout hefrozenpieces"Loren'sjawtightenedi
n
anger"Iwillhuntthem down, Iwillfi
ndthem andI
wil
lfil
mt hem soyou' l
lforeverhavememor yofyour
sonlosingever yt
hing"hepr omised.Eachagent
couldhearf r
om theirearpiecewhathewas
sayi
ng."Yout hi
nkIwoul dn'tnoti
ceyoucomi ngfor
me?"heasked.
Lor en:"Fuckyou"Chi efl aughedt hinkingt hathe
hadt helastlaugh.Lor ensawBabi niwr ite
somet hingdownqui ckly" Snipehasacl earshotof
him.Musthecompl et
emi ssion? "readt henot eand
Lor ensmi ledfeelinglikeapr oudmot her .Si
nce
Lor enwast heoneheadi ngthemi ssionBabi nihad
toaskf orpermissi onfirst.Lorenwor easmi rkand
heldherf i
ngerup" Youf orgett hatyouar edealing
witht hesonoft hesni peryouenvi edal lyour
fuckingl if
e.Enjoyhel l,oldfriend"shel aughedand
sigbal edforBabi nitogi veCr aigsignalt ocompl ete
mi ssion.Cr ai
gmovedt ot hebui l
dinghewas
stationedt ogett oanot herf oracl earshotofChi ef
whowashi di
ngi nabui ldingnotsof arf rom the
warehouse.Craigf i
rsthadt ot akedownChi efsown
sni
perforhimt onotbei nterrupt edandwhenhegot
si
gnalfrom Babinit hathismot hergavehi m go
aheadtoshoott het argetCraigt ooktheshotbef or
e
chi
efcouldevenhi deandCr aigwat chedt heman
whokill
edhisfat hergodownwi thhiscelebrat
ory
dri
nkinhandandheknewt hati twasmi ssion
complete.
Crai
g:"Foryou,dad"hesaidbefor
ehet ookcareof
theothermenwhower eshooti
ngathim andcould
seefrom adist
ancethatthei
ragentsweremovi ng
i
nt ofi
nishthejob.Cr
aigjoi
nedBabiniandLoren.
Cr
aig:"Scol
datmelat
er"hel
ookedatLor
enbutshe
i
nsteadwenttohughi
m.
Lor
en:"
How?
"shel
ookedt
hem.
Babini
:"WhenIsaidI '
m atracker
,Iwasnott al
king
i
nternshipl
evel.It
rackedhim andKnighttookhim
outathishidi
ngplace"Lorenlookedatthem
i
mpr essed.
Lor
en:"
Sothebast
ardhidinabui
ldi
ngrighther
e
andcl
aimstobegood.Iwoul
dhavelovedtolook
himintheeyeswhenIpul ledthetri
ggerbutifI
didn'
tgiveyougoaheadwe' dhavehaddi f
ficul
ty
l
ocatinghim again.Nott
herevengeIwantedasi t
wastooqui ckbutitwasnecessary"shewentinsi
de
tojoi
nheragent s.
Babini
:"She'
smodest .Shedidmostwor kway
aheadofourar r
ival
.Thatcouldn'
thavebeenthe
onlyagentsthemanhadsocl ear
lyshetookmost
out.Goodthingyoususpectedhewoul dn'
tbether
e"
hepattedCraig'
sshoulder
.
Crai
g:"Ilear
ntitfrom t
hetimeItookoutt
he
commanderyear ssgo.Hewasnotwher ewe
suspectedhe'dbeandsi ncetheybot
hwereagent
s
forDi
scr eet
,Iassumedt hey'
dbethesame"
Loren:"Comet hecl eanupt eam i
sheresol et'
sgo.
Youcancal lyourwi vesandtel
lthem youfinished
missiononewi t
heasebutt hesecondone..."she
j
ustlookedatBabi niandheknewhi swoul dbe
mor eintense" Iwil
lassi gnmybestagent sbutIwi l
l
notputmysel foni t.Youcangohomebutt heywi l
l
fi
ndoutaboutyouevent uall
ysoconfrontthe
demonnowbuti t'
l
l behellandbloodwillbespi l
t
andthat
'swhyI'
m notputti
ngyoutwoonthe
missi
on.I'
m awomanwhokeepsherpr omisesand
Idi
dsayI '
dkeepyousafe.Youguysar
egoodbut
you'
vebeenoutofthegamef ort
wolong,
therul
es
havechanged"
Babi
ni:"It
houghtt
herewer
enor ul
es"helookedat
Lor
en" AndI'
m put
ti
ngmyselfonthemission"
Craig:"
Hehel
pedmetrackChi
efsoI
'l
lhel
phim
fi
ght"hehel
dBabi
ni'
sshoul
derswhi
lel
ookingat
Loren.
Loren:"Thenyoubestt ellyourwi vesthattheyar e
for
cedt ostayonani slandbecauset hiswi l
ltakea
l
ongt ime.ThiswaseasybecauseIhadever ything
onChi efsonowwemustf i
rsttrackalltheheadsof
thesystem.Wemustcutof fthel impsoft he
system bytaki
ngoutt heiragent s.Thiscant ake
mont hsandthatmeansmont hsawayf rom your
famili
esandIcan' tpromi seyou' lll
iveafterwards"
shelookedatCr ai
gwi t
hpl eadi ngeyesHopigt hat
he'dbackdownf r
om t hemi ssionbutCr aigand
Babinibothseemeddet ermined." I
'l
laskagai n"she
l
ookedatBabi ni"I
st her eaweakspott heycan
cr
ippl
eyouwit
hotherthanyourfami
ly?
"Babi
ni
l
ookedatCr
aigandthenather.
Babi
ni:"
No,mam"bothCrai
gandLorensensed
di
shonestybutLor
enl
eftt
hem onceagai
n.
Cr
aig:"
Youwouldn'
tletyourpart
nergoinwit
hyou
wi
thoutgi
vinghi
m al
ltheinfor
mat i
onri
ght
?"he
st
oodinfr
ontofBabi
ni.
Babini
:"No"Babi
nisaidbef
orel
eavi
ngCr
aig.Lor
en
walkedovertoherson.
Loren:"
Ifsomethi
nghappensduringthemission,I
wil
lpullyououtevenifi
tmeansleavinghi
m behind
becauseIfeelheisnotgi
vingusallt
hedetai
ls"
Cr
aig:"He'
smuchst r
ongerandski
ll
edincombatat
al
llevel
sthanIam sohe'
salri
ght
.Thankyoufor
al
lowingmet ot
aketheshot"
Loren:"
I'
m notgoingtosayI'
m pr
oudofyou
becauseIdidn'
twantyouhereinthef
ir
stpl
ace.I
tol
dyouI '
vegotthiscover
ed"
Crai
g:"
IfIwasnother
ethenChiefwoul
dhave
gott
enawayandyoubestbel
ievehe'
dhavefound
myf amil
yandki
ll
edthem.I'm nolongerachil
dand
thesooneryour
emembert hatthebett
er.Ihope
you'
llr
eti
renowthati
t'
stakencareof"
Lor en:"I
'
lldooff
iceworkbutIwon'tr
etir
e.Let'
sgo
plant hi
smi ssi
onbecausethesepeoplearenot
somef ormersniperwhothoughtt
hatplayhouseof
hiswasaagency.Thesepeopl ear
eruthlessandI
mi ghtjustti
eyouupt opr
eventyoufrom going"
Crai
g"I'
m notlet
ti
nghim dothi
salone"helookedat
Babi
ni"He'sli
keabrot
hertomenowandi fhedies
mywi f
ewillbedevast
ated"headded.
Loren:"Youthinkyourdeathwon'tdevastateyour s,
Knight?Yout hi
nkitwon'tdevast
ateme?Thi sisallI
knowbecauseIwasst ri
ppedofthechancet obea
mot hertoyouandyouar egrownsoyoudon' tneed
meanymor e.Idonotwantyoubackt ot hisli
feand
Icertai
nlydon'twanttoburyyou"shepoi ntedtohi s
chest.
Crai
g:"
Thengiveusful
laccesstoyourt
echteam
andagent
s,we'l
ldot
her estandyoucangoreti
re.
YOgotstr
ippedofachancet obethemot
beryou
hopedt obebutyou' vegotgrandkidswhowantt o
knowyou.Idonotwantyoui nthisli
feeit
herbutI
haveaf eelingneitherofuswi l
lgetoutofit.I
actual
lywi shInevercamebecauset hatweakass
manwasawast eofmyt i
mebutI '
m gladI'
m her eto
helphim"hepoi ntedatBabinibeforewalki
ngt o
wherehest ood.Lor encoul
dclearlyseethel oyalt
y
betweent hem andshewi shedshedi dn'
thavet o
takeonawarsobi gbutsheknewCr ai
gwoul dbe
angryatherf ornotusingherresourcestohel p
Babiniwheni tcouldbetheonlychancehe' llgetto
freehisbrot her.
Agent34:"I
fonlytheyknewhowmanyyearswe
spendplanningthi
syettheythi
nkt
hatt
heycamet
o
saveus"Lorenlaughedsoft
ly.
Loren:"
Whenyouar eamot her,youcl apevenwhen
yourchil
ddoest hesimplestthing.Theycer tainl
y
didn'
tsaveusbutt heycompletedt hemi ssionand
youknowwegi veagentscreditwher edueandt hey
arenodiffer
ent"shelookedatagent34" Lett hem
havetheirmomentwhi lewegodot hegroundwor k
forournextmission.Ican'
taffordmi stakes.Thisis
thebi ggestonet heagencywi l
ldosol etusnot
mi ssasi ngledet ai l
"theagentnoddedbef or e
wal kingof f"Agent75, callagent99andt ellhert o
givet hewi vesoft hoset wogent l
ement hephone"
shel ookedatt hel adyshespoket o" Gentleman, tal
k
toyourf ami lies, thengor estbecauseyouwon' t
sleepf oraf ewweeksaswe' llbebusy, dayand
nightpl anni ngournextmi ssion"sheor der edCr aig
andBabi ni .Ot huandYandiwer ebot hhapoyt ohear
from t hei rhusbands.Theyt houghti twasoverbut
whent hemenspokeaboutmor eweeks.Theydi dn'
t
tellthel adi est hatchi efwast akencar eofbecause
theydi dn' twantt otellthem thatt heywer ewor king
onbr i
ngi ngBabi ni'
ssyst em down.Babi nihadl ong
plannedouthowhe' dgoaboutdest royi
ngt he
syst em hewor kedf orwi thouthar mingt hechi l
dren
theywer et ryingandal lhel ackedwasanar myt o
hel phim.Nowt hathehadhel p,
hef eltconf ident
thathe' df inallybeabl etoliveanor mall i
feandt ake
fami lypi ct uresi nf ami lyout i
ngs.Hewant edt o
travelanywher ewi t
hYandif ortheirhoneymoon
wi t
houtwor ryingaboutwhospot tedhi m andhow
he'dpr otecthi sf ami ly.Heknewt hati tmi ghthave
deadl
yconsequencesbuthewasr
eadyt
ogot
owar
forhi
sfr
eedom.
S2-
INSERT48(
notedi
ted)
"Thenumberyouhavedi aleddoesnotexist"said
themonotonevoi ceontheot herendofImange' s
l
ine.Hereceivedthetextandvoi cemessagesf rom
Chulumancobef oret
heyl eftbutallwer
esovague.
Whenhewentt otheKnight shouse,hefoundno
onehomeandi thasbeent woweekssi ncehel ast
saweitherofthem.
Jane:"It
hinkyourauntwasr ight,Chul
umancor an
awaywi thQhayiya"Imange' smot hersaidsoundi ng
concerned.Imangesatopposi t
eherandsi ghed
l
oudly.He'sthoughtofallpossi bl
ereasonsbuthad
notall
owedhi smi ndtogoasf arasassumi ngthat
Chuluranawaywi thQhayi ya.Hewasagoodf ather
sohecoul dn'
tthinkofar easonwhyhi sfami l
y
wouldthinkChuluwoul dt aket hatawayfrom
Qhayiya.Hisphoner angandI mangef oundhi mself
j
umpi ngupf rom hisseattoanswer .
I
mange:"
Hel
lo?
"hesai
dandwai
tedf
orwhoever
whocal
ledwi
thapr
ivat
eli
net
oanswer
.
Chulu:"Imange, I
'
vebeent ryi
ngt ogethol dofyou"
shespokequi cklybecauseagent99kepton
showi ngherthatshewasnotal l
owedt ot alklong" I
j
ustwant edtot el
lyout hatwear efineandwhen
everythi
ngisoverI '
llexpl
ain"Imangebr eathed
whenhehear dthatshe'dreturnandQhayi ya
maki ngnoiseinthebackgr oundassur edhi mt hat
hisdaughterwasokay" Therewasabr eaki natt he
housesowewer ef or
cedtogoawayf orourown
safety.I
'l
lbeback, Ipromise"Imangewal kedt ot he
door.Asmuchashemi ssedQhayi yahecoul dhear
thefearandt r
uthi nChulu'svoice.
Imange:"Howar eyouholdi
ngup? "hedecidedt
obe
emphat i
cinsteadofshoutatherf orj
usttaki
ngthei
r
daughterwithouthisconsent.Chulumancokept
qui
etforawhi l
e.
Chulu:"I'
m okay.Mymotheri
snotokaybutI
'
m
surpri
singokayandsoaretheboysandQhayiyaof
course"shesaidinarushonceagai
nwhenshe
wasr emindedbyt het
imeli
mit
.
I
mange:"
I'
llwai
tforyoutoexpl
ain,
Manco.Pl
ease
t
akecar
eofyourselfandQhayi
ya.Il
oveyouguys"
Chulu:"Wel oveyoutoo"Imangecoul
dhelpbut
smile.Thebeepingsoundatt heendoftheline
i
ndicatedt oImangethatChuluhadtogo.Hewent
backt othechairandsatdown.Imangetoldhis
motheraboutt hebreakinwhichledt
oChul u's
familyleaving
Jane:"
I'
vealwayswonderedhowt heymadeso
muchmoney.Not eachercanbet hatrich.I'
m sure
theyar
esell
ingdrugsandnowt heygotintotrouble"
Kanesaidwithcer
taint
yandImangeshookhi s
headslowl
ynotbelievi
ngthathismot herjustmade
suchabigaccusati
on"Don'tshakeyourheadt hese
ri
chpeoplearedeep.Whenyouhavemoneyyou
musttakeourchil
dsoshe'dlivewi t
hyou"she
added.
Imange:"ButChulumancoi sagreatmot hert
o
Qhayiyaandt heKnightsarenocriminal
s.Chulu
alsomentionedaki dnappi
nginavoi cemessageso
Ithi
nksomeonet riedtokidnapachildandaskfor
ransom si
nceyouandot hersbel
ievetheKnight
s
areri
ch.Weshouldbepr ayi
ngf ort
hem,
Nozalanot
makingaccusat
ions"Janelookeddownashamed
thatachi
ldwastheonet otel
lherwhataChri
sti
an
wouldhavedoneinsuchasi tuati
on.
Jane:"I'
m sor ryandyouar eright.Idon'thavea
ri
ghtt ojudget hem atal l
.Pleaseletuspr ayfor
them then"thet wooft hem cl osedtheireyesand
Janesai dal engthypr ayermost lyaskingfor
protecti
onf orQhayi yat hananyoneel se.Imange
checkedhi scal ll
ogaf tersayingamenbutt her
e
wasnowayhecoul dcal lChul ubackast hecall
waspr ivate.Heappr eciatedthef actthat
Chulumancoputhi sf earfulhearttorestbecause
partofhi mf earedChul uindeedr anwi t
hQhayiya.
Nelihadbeendesper atel
yt r
yingtofi
ndawayt o
reachZukoandsucceededbecauseZukof inally
cont act
edhersayingshewaswi l
li
ngtomeetf or
l
unch.Zukosatatt hecafédrinki
ngwaterand
wat chedNeliwalkinwear i
ngherbluescrubs.Zuko
forgothowNel il
ookedl i
keinherdoctoratt
ire.Neli
wasexpect i
ngahugf rom Zukobutwhenshesaw
thatZukowasgl uedt oherseatsheherselfgrabbed
achai
randsatdown.
Neli:"Thankyouf ormeet i
ngme"shesmi l
edwhile
l
ooki ngatherbeaut i
fulexgirl
fr
iend"Zuko,Iwantto
apologi zeforj
ustbreakingupwi thyouinst
eadof
tr
yingt of i
gureoutwhatcausedyourchangeof
behavi ourbackthen.Iregret
teddoingitbutI
couldn'tfindyoutotellyouthat"shereachedfor
Zuko'shandbutZukopul l
edback.
Zuko:"
I'
m her
ebecauseIwantt
ohearwhatyou
havetosaysi
nceyouarefl
oodi
ngmyf r
iendssoci
al
mediapageswit
hquesti
onsaboutme"shesaid
cal
mly.
Neli:"I
'
m sorryandpl
easeapologizetot
hem onmy
behalftoobutIwasdesperat
e.I'
vebeent hi
nki
ng
aboutyousi nceweranint
oeachot hert
hatdayand
Ireali
zedjusthowmuchIst i
llmissyou"Zukotook
abr eath.
Zuko:"Igotgangr apedandmydaughterisa
productofthat"shesaidsti
ll
inacal
mt oneandfor
thefi
rsttimeshedi dn'
tcr
ywhentell
ingsomeone
aboutit.Nel
ifeltl
ikeshewashiti
nthegutwitha
fi
stbecausei tfeltl
ikeai
rhadleftherbodymaki ng
herunabl etobreathorevenmove" That'
swhat
causedt hechangei nmybehavi or
,Neli
swa.I '
ma
survi
vorofcor recti
verape"sheaddedandwat ched
Neli'
seyest earupbef or
esheroughlyranher
fi
ngersthr oughhershorthair"
Sodoyoust i
llmiss
meandwi l
lgoonaboutt ryi
ngagainnowt hatyou
know? "sheasked.
Neli
:"Wh..
.whodi
dthstt
oyou?"Nel
i'
sfist
s
ti
ghtenedasshespokei
nashakyvoicefeel
ingr
ave
buil
dup.Zukotol
dherever
ythi
ng.
Zuko:"
He'
sdeadandIdon'
tknowwher
etheother
s
weresodon'
ttr
ytogopl
ayheroonmybehal
f"
Neli
:"I
'm sorr
y, Zuko"shelookedatZuko" Thatit
happenedt oyouandt hatIwasnott heretohel p
youdealwi t
hit"shequi ckl
ywi pedasi ngl
et earoff
"Whyareyoupuni shi
ngyour selfbykeepingt he
chil
d?"shelookedatZukoconf used.Zukowasnot
off
endedbyt hequest i
onbecausesheher self
askedherselfthatafterZuriwasbor n.
Zuko:"
Lovi
ngandr
aisi
ngmyi
nnocentchi
ldi
sno
punishment .Shedi dn'tchooset
obeconceivedas
resultofaviolentcr i
met hatwasmeetsupposedto
happen.I '
mf eel
ingf ulfi
ll
edandnotpuni
shed.You
hadbet ternevertellmychi l
dthi
sorsohelpme,
Neliswa"shepoi ntedatNel i.
Neli:"
Whyonear thwoul dIgotoaki dandt el
lthem
such?shef el
toffendedbyt hefactthatZuko
thoughtshe'scapableofsuch" I
'vealwayswant ed
kidswithyoubut...
butjustnot"
Zuko:"Notonewhoi saproductofr ape?"she
l
ookedatNel i"Wellgoodthingshe' smi neandmi ne
alonenotours.Ilovemychi ld.Youknowwhat
happenedsonowl eavemyf ri
endsal one.Iknow
youdon' twantt
oseemeaf terI '
vetoldyoual lof
thisbutthat
'sokaybecauseI 'vegotf artoomuch
onmyat etocare.Enjoyyourl unch"shest oodbut
Neliheldherwrist.
Neli:"
I'
m sorry"shesaidsoft
lywholelooki
ng
around" I
'
mj ustangrythati
thappenedt oyouand
thatyouhaveadai lyreminderofi
t"shesaidwit
h
grit
tedteeth.
Zuko:"We' l
lt al
kagai nwhenyouhearmewhenIsay
thatIdon'tseemychi ldassuch.GoodbyeNel iswa"
shetookherhandbagandl eft.Zukopi cturedhowi t
wouldgoandpar tofherhopedNel iwoul dseeZur i
asthebl essingi nadar ksituat i
onbutcl earlyall
she'deverseeZur iaswasar apeconsequence.
Zukodi dn'twantt obet akenbackt ot hattimewhen
shesawZur iassuch.Thet wooft hem wer ebest
fri
endsandZukol ovedherdaught erdear l
y.
Suddenl ysher egr et t
edtell
ingNel iaboutt heent ir
e
sit
uationbutasahomosexualwomanwi t
hachi l
d
shealwaysf eltsheneededt oexpl ainwhyshehad
akidthoughherf riendshavebeent el
li
nghert hat
sheneedednoexpl anati
on.Zukowentt owher e
PoppyandLuci asai dthey'
dmeett ojointhem f or
thelunchshesai dshecan' tjoinsinceshe' dbe
meet i
ngNel ibutsi nceNel ibroughtnegat i
vityZuko
neededt obear oundherf r
iendsShef oundt hem
alr
eadysi tti
ngwi tht hei
rlunch.Theyaskedwhat
happenedandsheexpl ainedever ything.
Poppy:"
It'
sshock,Zuko"shesi
ppedherj
uicewi
tha
st
raw"Giveherti
me"sheadded.
Zuko:"
That'
snoti
mportant
.Poppyhaveyouheard
fr
om OthuandYandil
atel
y?"Poppyshookherhead
andZukobecameworri
ed.
Li
cia:"
Imi
sst
hem somuch"shesai
dinawhi
sper
.
Poppy:"
They'
llbeba..
."herphoneinter
rupt
edher
"Makhul
u"shesaidtoMat oingreet
ing.
Mat
o:"
Comeovert
osi
sHl
e'
simmedi
atel
y"shesai
d
i
nasadvoi
ce.
Poppy:"
But
..
."
Mat o:"PoppyIwouldnothavesai
dcomei fitwas
nothing"Poppystoodbefor
eendingthecall
.She
tol
dherf ri
endsthatsheneededtogo.
Zuko:" You'
l
ltellusifi
t'
saboutOt huandYandi
right
?"Poppypr omi
sedthatshewoul dbefore
runningout.Thedr i
vetoMakhul uhadPoppy's
mi ndfil
ledwit
hquest i
onsandf earespeci
all
ysince
shehear dhowdownMat osoundedovert hephone.
Poppyknewt hatitwasamour ningtimeassoonas
shesawhowsadever yoneshef oundatMakhulu's
l
ooked.Theai rheavywi t
hsorrowandshewas
tempt edtoturnaroundasshewasnotr eadyto
heartheterr
iblenewssheknewawai t
edher .She
madeherwayt hrought hechurchgr oupt o
Makhulu'sroom andf oundhergr andmot her
weeping.Everyoneknewt hatOthuwasMakhul u's
favouri
tesoPoppycoul dn'thel
pbutt hinkOt huwas
hurtorevenwor se.Mat owentt oPoppyandt old
herthatdeaconFundapassedon.Poppydi dn't
meant obutshef oundher selfbreathi
ngi nrelief.As
muchasshecan' tstandOt husomet i
mes, she
couldn'
tpict
urelif
ewi thouthersister.Poppysay
nexttoMakhul utryi
ngt ocomf ortherasbestshe
could.
Makhulu:"Othunyiweyo? "shesaidi nalowwhi sper
.
Thedayswi thoutOt huwasdi ff
icultonMakhul u
becausesheknewt hatshewoul dn'tbeabl
et obury
hergir
lshoul dneedcomet hatOt huishurt
.She
hatedthatalloutl
ivedherleavingherwi thapain
thatt
akeslongt oheal .Sheknewt hatshewas
alr
eadyoldwhensheanddeacongotmar r
iedbut
shehopedt hatshewoul dnotbet heonegr i
eving.
Shehopedt hatGodwoul dtaket hem roundabout
thesamet i
mesonei t
herwillf
eelpai nPoppycr i
ed
softl
ywithhergrandmot herwhonotsol ongago
hadtobur yheronlyson" Iam r
eadyt ogot oo.I
haveaf eel
ingthatyouallhaveli
tt
letimelef twit
h
me"Mat o,NokulungaandPoppycoul dn'
thel pbut
pleadwithhertonotspeakl i
kethat."Tel
l
OthunyiweyoandBabi niandthechildrenthatIlove
them verymuch"sheadded.
Lungs:"
Ma, pl
easedonottal
kli
kethat.Youwi
llt
ell
Othuyoursel
f"shehel
dhermotherti
ghtly.
Makhulu:"No"shesaidwit
hcer t
aint
yleavi
ngthe
l
adiesaroundhernotonlycryingbecausetheyjust
l
ostamanwhohel dthef
ami l
ybutalsobecause
theymightlosethei
rmatri
archandthethoughtof
thatmadet hem wonderwhatthefamil
ywoul d
become.
Thesyst em wasawar ethatt
heywerebeing
targetedwhent hreeoftheirl
abswererai
dedand
empl oyeeskil
led.Thechi l
dchil
drent
hatwe'r
e
foundi nsomeoft hem werefr
eedandtakentoa
placeofsafety.
Lor
en:"
Wal
kingi
ntot
hiswi
llbesui
cidebutwe
alreadybegunsowemi ghtaswel lf
ini
shup.These
aret heentrancesandwewi l
lbecomi ngi nhere"
shepoi nt
edatt hear chi
tectureplanoft helastlab
theyneededt oshutdown" Secur i
tywillbet i
ghtso
weneedsni per
sher eandher e"sheshowedher
agent sont hepr esentat
ion" Wewi l
lneedt ofirst
takeoutt heirsnipersbef or
ewecanst at i
onour s"
Craig:"I
'vegotthatcover
ed"hesaidconfident
ly
"AndIwi l
ljoi
ninaft
erI'
vetakencareofthatpartof
themi ssion.Ican'
tbesit
ti
ngandwai ti
ngwhi l
eyou
allareinont heacti
on"Babinil
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Yougetbor
edatyoul
ocat
ionhuh"
Loren:"
Youmenmi ghtt
hinkthi
swillbeaseasyas
thefi
rstatt
acksbutyoudonotr eal
iset
hatthese
peoplearewait
ingforus.Thatmeansallt
he
soldi
ersatthei
rdi
sposalandotherspeci
alagents.
"
Agent34:"
Ithi
nktheymustbot
hsi
tthi
soneout.
Wearecapable.We'
vebeeninf
armorest
icky
si
tuat
ions"
Cr
aig:"
IfIdi
dn'
tknowanybet
terI
'
dsayt
hatyouar
e
i
nti
midated,
34"
Babini
:"No,34ist
heleader'
sadopt
edsonsoyou
bei
ngher el
essenshischancesofi
nherit
ingt
he
thr
one"helookedaroundandLorenlaughed.
Loren:"Her
ewear efamil
ysononeedf orthat.
Snipeisnevergoi ngt oi
nheri
tthis"shelookedat
thehightechhi deout"BecauseSni pehasa
weakness.Af t
ert hishe'
sboutforgood.Hangi ng
hisbadgeforgood"shel ookedatt hescreens
whichhadeyesont heplacethey'dbeattacking
"Getsomer est.Wedon' twantanysl eeping
beautiesl
ateronwhenwegocompl et
ethismi ssi
on.
It'
sbeenadaunt i
ngcoupl eofweeks"shel eftthe
men.
Craig:"34,howdidyouendupher e,man"t heagent
didn'texpectt
hatCraigwouldsoci al
izewithhim
"Relax,I'
m notgoingtosabotageyouoranyt hing.
Theot heragentsandIwer eli
kesi bl
ingsbackwhen
Iwasone"hecutapi eceofhi sappleandgavei tto
agent34whoi ndeedwasl i
keLoren'sheir.The
agentt ookthepieceandstuffedital
linhismout h.
Agent34:"Let
'sj
ustsaytheempr
esssavedmylif
e
andtaughtmewhatbr i
nganagentwi
thint
egr
it
yis"
helookedatBabi niandCrai
gashespokeabout
Lor
en" Pleaseexcuseme"hel eftt
hetwoalone.
Babini'
sbodywassor ef
rom allt
hefi
ght
ingbuthe
wasr eadyformor e.
Babini
:"He'srunni
ngaft
ermommy"hej okedand
theybothlaughed"ManImissmyfamily.Thi
s
occasi
onalcommuni cat
ioni
snotenough"Crai
g
noddedinagr eement
.
Crai
g:"
Onl
yonelocat
ionl
eftt
ogo"het
ri
edt
okeep
Babi
nimot
ivat
ed.
Babi
ni:"
Kni
ght"helookedatCr
aig"
StayStyour
l
ocati
onevenwiththisoneman.Mybodyfeelsli
ke
atr
ainhasrunoveritfr
om t
hefi
ght
ing"hepleaded.
Cr
aig:"
Iwasnotjustasniper,Zweni
.Iusedt
ofi
ght
mentwiceyoursize.I
'
m doingthi
sandnotyouor
mymot herwi
llst
opme"
Babini
:"Iwasthisclosetodyi
ngt helasttwotimes"
heshowedCr aighowcl oseusinghisfingers"I
'm
notsayi
ngyou'reasi ssy,I
'
mj ustsayi
ngIgott he
samet r
aini
ngast hesepeoplesoIknowwhatt o
expectwhenfighti
ngt hem"hesaidwhi leputt
inga
f
reshbandageovert
hewoundhesust
aineddur
ing
afi
ght
.
Cr
aig:"
Thent
eachme"hel
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"
Not
ime,
man"hel
aughedsof
tl
y.
Craig:"
Youguyswi l
lneedasmanymenandwomen
i
nt hereaspossi
ble.Youheardher,shesai
dthat
theyknowsomeonei sattacki
ngthem soit
'sonl
ya
mat t
erofti
mebeforetheyfindwho"
Babi
ni:"
We'l
lbebombingthem byt
heti
metheyfi
nd
out
.Comeletusgoandt r
aint
hen"hest
oodslowl
y
cl
earl
yindomepain.
Cr
aig:"
Yougood?
"hel
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babi
ni:"
Yeahj
ustdon'
tgot
oohar
d
I
'
m savi
ngmyener
gyf
ort
her
ealf
ight
"
Cr
aig:'
Yoiknowyoucoul
dlett
heot
heragent
sgo
wi
thoutyouright
?"
Babini:"
I'
llbeanasset.LookhowIwasabl etopoi
nt
outthesecr etexi
stssowe'dbeoutofthose
l
ocationsbef oreourbombswentoff.Justbe
l
enientwithme"hehel dhisri
bandledt heway.
Agent34mett
hem byt
heent
rance.
Agent34:" Wehavej ustgot t
ennewsf rom the
agentsl ookingafteryourfami li
es.Yourgr andfather
Deacondi ed"Craigfel
thimsel flosehisbal anceso
heleanedagai nstthedoor .Thedeaconhadpl ayed
avitalroleinthemant hathebecamesot helosshit
Crai
ghar d.BabinirespectedMrFundabuthewas
notasaf f
ectedasCr aigwas.Agent34addedi twas
cancerandnotmur derbutCr aigfeltnobet ter
.He
knewt hatMakhul uwantedOt huclosewhenshe
wassadsohecoul donlypr aytheel derl
ywoman
wasokay.
Crai
g:"Ineedt
ocallmywif
e"hesai
dt o34.Cal
lst
o
thefamil
ywereneverf
orsoci
alr
easonsbutfor
them t
oknowt hatt
hemenweresti
llal
ive.
Agent34:"Unf
ortunatel
ytomakeanothercal
lwould
beaskingfort
rouble.Whattheydon'
tknowwon't
hurtt
hem"hesaidcasual l
yandCraigandBabini
gotangry.
Loren:"
Hey,hey!
"shestoppedthepotent
ialf
ight
"Youcan'tmakeacallt
oOt hut
otellhert
hather
grandf atherdiedwhenagent99t el
lsmeshei s
alreadynotcopi ng"shepoi ntedatCr aig"Yout wo
want edtobeher esodealwi ththeconsequencesof
yourchoi ces!
"sheshout ed" Nocompr omi singcal l
willbemade"sheputherf ootdownl ookingat
Babi niandCr aig.Theot heragent shadst artedt o
gat hercur i
ouslybutwentbackt otheirstat i
ons
whent heirbossgavet hem acol dlook.Lor enwas
wear ingawhi t
epowersui twi t
hhel l
'
scl ear l
ynota
sightofat ypi
calgr andmot her."Yourwi fewi llwant
togohomewhenshehear st hathergr andmot her
diedandl ikeI'
vesai dthesyst em isont oussount il
wegoi nt
roduceour selvest othem, wedon' tr i
skit.I
willnotbr ingthisupagai n"shel ookedatCr aig.
Crai gbangedt hesi lverst eel doorbef orewal king
out .Hewasf rustratedwi tht hecont rolled
communi cati
onspol i
cy.
Babi
ni:"
I'
llt
alkt
ohi
m"hesai
d.
Loren:"
Ifeelli
keamot herofagrumpyteenageral
l
overagain"sheshookherheadandwal kedaway.
Lorenwasat ypicaloveraf
fect
ionat
emotherwhen
Craigwasachi ldbutshedidn'
tknowhowt odeal
withthegr
ownmant hr
owingt
ant
rums.Theybot h
neededtorei
ntr
oducethemsel
vestoeachotherbut
thatwasnottheti
me.Theywerecol
leguesi
nt hat
momentnotmot herandson.
Crai
g:"Imi
ssmyf amil
y"hesai
dwhenhesaw
Babiniwal
kinashelookedatt
hedarkmirr
or
windowwhichwasintheint
err
ogat
ionroom.
Babini:"Wet ookaconsciousdecisi
ontobeher e,
Knight.Yourmot herdidn'
tforceustobeherebut
wedef iedhersoi twasbestthatshetakesusor
ri
skusr uini
nghermi ssi
ons.Imissmyf amil
yli
ke
crazytooandcl earl
yyouandIhaveout gr
ownt hi
s
l
ifestyl
e.Youcangot oOt huandthechil
drenbutI
gottafinishthi
s.Threelocati
onsdownandonl yone
togo"
Craig:"ThereisnowayIcanr ockupwit
houtyou.
Theysawusl eavetogethersowewil
lgoback
together.Youhel pedmet rackChi
efwhenthese
agentscoul dn'tdoIwantt ohel
pyou"helookedat
BabiniandBabi ninodded.
Babi
ni:"
Onemor
elabandi
t'
smi
ssi
oncompl
ete"
t
heypattedeachot
herontheshoulder
sroughl
y
"
Nowl et
'sgogeti
ndomet r
aini
ngsoyoucanget
t
hatangerandgri
efoutt
herightway"headded.
Cr
aig:"
Whathappensaf
teri
tsmi
ssi
oncompl
ete?
"
Babini:"Itakemywi feonhoneymoonanywher eshe
wantswi t
houtf eari
ngt hatwemi ghtgetshotat.
That'
sj ustoneoft her easonsI 'm here"Crai
g
noddedast heywal keddownt hepassagepassi nga
fewagent s.Thosewhor oamedar oundwer enot
fi
ghtersbutanyt hi
ngf rom techgeni usestooffi
ce
staff
.Cr aighadt ot akecomf ortinthefactthatwhat
Othudoesn' tknowwon' tkil
lherjustasagent34
saidbutheknewandt hel ossoft hedeaconwas
onehe' dhavet owor kt hroughbecauset heman
wasaf atherandment ort ohim.Cr ai
ghopedt hat
theelder l
ydi edpeacef ul l
yinhishomeandnoti n
painatsomehospi tal.Af tert
hesessi onwi t
hthe
exhaust edBabi niCr aigwentt of i
ndLor en.He
apologizedt oherandshesmi led.
Lor
en:"
You'
rewor
ri
edaboutt
hem doIunder
stand"
Cr
aig:"
Soyounevert
oldmehowyouanddadmet
"
hesatdown.
Lor en:"
Iwasputinchargeofget ti
nghimf r
om t he
pickupspoti nLondonandIf elli
nloveinstantly"
shesmi led"Hedidn'
tthoughbecausehewascl ear
thathehadawomanhel oved"shel aughedout
"Weekspassedandhet oldmet hathewasf rom a
polygamousf amilysohecouldt aketwowi ves.I
wassoi nlovewi
thhimt hatIagreedactually.He
wentt otel
ltheotherwomanbutf oundhermar ried
alreadysoher et
urnedandsai dhewant stomar ry
meandonl yme"sheshookherhead.
Cr
aig:"
That
'snotver
yromant
ic"her
aisedabr
ow.
Loren:"
Hewasat radi
ti
onalZul
umansohewas
romanti
cinhisownway.Wewer eputonami ssi
on
toactasamar r
iedcoupleandsomewher et
herewe
stoppedact
ingandthekissi
ngbecamer eal
"
Crai
g:"Okaythat
'senough.Letmegor
est
.Il
ove
you"hekissedhercheek.
Lor
en:"Il
oveyoutoo,youngKni
ght"sheheldona
l
it
tl
elongert
akinginthemomentofaff
ectionbefor
e
watchi
nghim headout.Lor
enwasnotplanningon
ret
ir
ingbutshewascertai
nlygoingt
obepresentin
Crai
g'sli
feasbestshecoul
dwi t
houtcompr
omi si
ng
him andhisf
amily.
Lorenwasser i
ouswhenshesai dshemadet he
famil
y'shidi
ngfeelmorel i
keavacationthanhiding.
Thewhi tesandandbluebeachoft heislandwer e
breat
htakingandthechildrenweretheonlyones
whoenj oyedit
.Othujusthopedthatbyt hetime
schoolreopenedthey'
dbehomeandsaf elyso.The
chil
drenwer eoutscubadivinghavi
ngt hetimeof
thei
rli
vesbutOt hucouldseeYandiwasnotokay.
Yandi:"
Iwasgi venawarningofdeath.Idon'
tknow
whoit'l
lvi
sityetbutdeat
hisjustinourmistwaiti
ng
fort
het i
met otakewhoitcamef or"Ot
huf el
tachill
rundownherspi newhenshehear dYandi'
swor ds.
Othu:"
Doyouthinksomet
hinghappenedback
home?Whatiftheyhur
tsomeoneinthefamil
y?"
shesatnextt
oYandi.
Phawu:"Mom andMalumekazi ,youtwomustj
oin
us"hesaidwal
kinginclear
lycomi ngfr
om t
hewater
.
Howcouldtheyenjoythemselveswhendeath
l
inger
ed?
.
Qhawe:"
Wesawal lkindoffi
shes"hefol
lowed
behi
ndhisbr
other"Thisi
sthebestschoolshol
iday
ever
"hesai
dexciti
ngly.
Chulu:"
Ifinall
ygotovermyf ear"shejumpedabout
"Iwentdivingwit
hsharks"shecoul dn'
tbel
ievei
tat
all
."What'sfordi
nner,
Mama? "shelookedatOthu.
Othu:"
Sandwi
ches"shel
ookedhowt
heyal
l
fr
owned.
Phawu:"
Whydi
dyouchaset
hechefaway?
"
Othu:" Idonotmeant obur styourbubbl e,babies
butt hisisnovacat i
on.Idon' ttrustanyonebut
mysel fandMal umekazitohandl eourf oodsot he
sooneryougetovert hechefbei ngdi smi ssedthe
better.Thechi ldrenmumbl edt hingst hatOt hu
couldn' thearast heymadet heirwayt otheshower s.
OthuandChul uhadbeenhel pingOt husomuch
witht hebabi es.Qhayi yaandt het ripletsseem t o
haveset tl
edint hetempor aryset t
ingaf tertheladies
struggledatf irsttogetthem t oset tleatni ght.The
placewasper fectformedi t
at i
ngbutYandif ound
herselffeeli
ngherspi ri
tuali
tygettingweakerbut
shewasconf i
dentthatherancest or
swer ewithher.
Thef ami l
ywashavi ngt heirdinnerlateronwhilet
he
windsubt l
yblewinsidet hebeachcabi ntheywere
accomodat edin.Therewasanoi seoutsideandat
fi
rstOt huthoughnot hingofi tasshet houghtitwas
thei
rpr otector
sbutt henagunshotwentof f.
Agent99:"Gothroughthebackdoorandkeep
runni
ng.Iwillf
indyou!
"sheshout edandOt hu
madesur ethatal
lbabi
eswer esafelyinsomeone's
armsbef or
esheledherfamilyt
ot hebackdoor .
Othulookedbackandwat chedagent99st ruggl
eso
shetookhergunoutofherbag, theoneCr aiggot
forher"Go!
"agent99shoutedwhi leshooti
ng.
Othu:"
Friend,t
akecareofmykid.IIdon'
thel
pslow
thesepeopledowntheywil
lfi
ndyoual l
"shepushed
Yandiout.
Yandi:"
No,no!"sheprotested"Ot
hu!"shescreamed
butOthuclosedthedoorandl ockeditleavi
ngYandi
withnochoicebuttorunt osafet
ywi t
ht hechil
dren.
Thebabiesgotfri
ghtenedbyt heloudbangsbut
theyknewtheyhadt okeepr unni
ng.TheKni ght
kidsnotevenawar et hatt heirmot herwasni t
behi ndt hem.Ot hut ookcoverandwoul dt akeshot
knowi ngt hatnobul let scoul dbewast ed.I fthere
wasonegoodt hingFl inchdi dwast ogetOt hu
readyf oraphysi cal fightandagunf ightsoshe
knewexact lywhatshehadt obef i
net hough
trainingwasf ardi ffer entf rom ar ealsi t
uat ion.Her
fearwasi ntensebutshehadt odowhat everi ttook
tokeept heat tacker sf rom r unningatashor t
distancebehi ndherf ami l
y.Ther ewasnoshoot ing
i
nt heai rorwi ldshot si nt hedar k.Eachbangf r
om
Ot huandagent99wasdeat h,straighttot hehead,
nochancest omi ss.Lor en'sotheragent swer e
downsot het wowomenhadt owor ktoget herto
def eatasmanyoft heat tackersaspossi ble.Othu
feltsomeonegr abherbyt hesi nglepl ai
tt hatshe
hadandshescr eamedbecausei tfeltli
ket he
per sonwast ryingt or ipherhai rfrom herscal p.She
wasnoi mpul sef ight erl i
keagent99whocoul d
strikequi ckmovesbecauseshehadt or emember
whatFl incht aughther .Thepai nwasmot i
vat i
on
enoughf orhert ogetoutofherat t
acker sgr i
p.
Flinchal wayssai dt oOt huwheni tcamet ot hefight
there'snohonour ,nocode,nor ulesandsinceOt hu
wasi nthekit
chensher eachedf oraknif
eand
stabbedt hemant oweakenhi m abit.Al
lthat
mat terswast hewinandshei ntendedonwi nni
ng.
Apai nshott hroughOthu'sfacewhenshef elta
punchwhi chmadeherl oseherbal ancecomeat
her.
Agent99:" Mam! "sheshout edandt hrewagun.
Othuwasshockedt ohavecaughtt heweaponand
sheai medi tatheratt
acker sandt ooktheshot .
Ther ewassuddenl ynot hingbutcompl etesilence
andOt huwasbr eathi
ngl oudl ytr
yingtocat chher
breat h.Shecoul dfeelonesi deofherf acestartto
swel lbutshewasj ustgr atefultobealive.Agent99
madeacal lbutOthuwasouti nthedarkt r
yingto
fi
ndherf ami l
y.Shecalledt hem outbutt herewas
nor esponse.Ababycr ycamef r
om adi stanceand
Othur antowar dsthesoundwher eshef oundt hem
hidi
ngamongstt rees.
Chulu:"Mama!"shecri
edwhenshef el
tOt
hu'sarms
aroundher.Othudidaheadcountandwasglad
thattheywereallt
her
e.Fort
hefir
sttimeYandif
elt
herselfregr et
ti
ngbeingmar ri
edtoBabiniandshe
hatedi tbutshecoul dn'
thelpit
.Othuhat edthat
CraigandBabi nimadeachoi cetogoandl eave
thei
rf ami l
iesandnowt raumatizi
ngtheirchildr
enby
maki ngt hem wi t
nessviol
ence.Theyallstayed
theref orawhi leunti
lagent99wenttot hem.
Agent99:"Thecarisoutfr
ont.Wemustgetyoual
l
outofhere"shesaid.Thet
winsfort
hefi
rstt
ime
sawhowser iousthesit
uat
ionwasastheycl
ungto
thei
rmother.
Yandi
:'
Howsoweknowt
hati
t'
ssaf
e?"shel
osti
t.
Agent99:" Thosewer echief
speopl e.Heordered
them totr
ackyouandf indyoubuthe' sdeadnow
sohecan' tgiveanot herorderbutwemustmove
now"sheor dered.Othumadesur ethateveryone
gottothevehi cleast heymadei ttothejet
.The
chil
drenfi
nal l
yset t
ledandOt hudemandedt otal
k
toCraigmaki ngsuchascenet heyhadnochoi ce
buttogivehert hephone.Shet oldhim whatjust
happened.
Ot
hu:"
Ihat
eyou,
Crai
g"shest
art
edt
ocr
y"Ihat
e
howyoucouldchoosetostaywithusorgoandyou
chosetoj
ustupandleave.I
fwedi et
henit'
llbeon
youtwo"t
hosewerethelastwordsshesaidbefor
e
shesunktothef
loorcr
yingbutpri
vatel
y.
Agent99:" Nott obei nsensiti
ve, Mam butyou
chosehi m knowi ngthathehadenemi es.That '
s
whyi t'
sbestf oraagent ,whetheract i
veornotI '
d
notmar ried"Othuf el
tl i
keslappingherbutshe
didn't"Byt heway, youki ckedsomeassbackt here.
Iwoul dn'thavebeenst andingher ehadi tnotf or
youhavi ngmybacksot hankyou"shesai dinher
usualal mostr obot i
ct onebefor eleavingOt hui nthe
toil
etcr ying.Thet winswer egi vensomet hi
ngt o
calmt hem downandsl eepandaf terawhi lethe
babiesal soset tl
ed.Ot hucoul dn'tseeYandii nt he
oneeyet hatwasswol lenshut.
Yandi:"
Youcouldhavedi
ed,
Ot hunyiweyo"she
whisperedasshesoot
hesOthu'sfacewhichwas
swoll
enandblewononeside.
Othu:"
I'
dratherdi
ethanhavemychil
drendie.Ido
notknowifIcandothisanymor
e"sherefer
redto
beingmarr
iedtoCraig.
Yandi:"Pl
easedon'tletatempor arysituati
onl etyou
makeper manentchoi ces"Yandiknewexact lywhat
Othuwasf eeli
ngbutsheal socouldn'tpict
ur eal i
fe
withoutBabiniandshewascer t
ainthatOthu
couldn'
tpict
ureonewi t
houtCr ai
g.Theywer egr eat
menbutt heywer emenwi thmonst ersfoll
owi ng
them butl
ikeagent99sai d, t
heladiesmar ri
edt hem
knowingverywel lwhattheirmenwer ebefor ethey
diedtheknotandt heybot hwonder ediftheycoul d
turnbacktime,knowingwhatt heyknewatt hat
momentwoul dtheyhavemar ri
edt hei
rhusbands.
Ot
hu:"
Takeushome"sheor
der
ed.
Agent99:"
That
'snott
heor
dert
hst
..
."
Othu:"Isaidtakeushome!"sher epeatedher self"I
don'tcarewhatyourorderi
sbecauseLor enisnot
thebossofme.Iwantyout ot akemychi ldrenandI
home.What '
stheuseofbeingkeptsaf ewhent hey
couldfindus.Takeusthehel lhome"shepoi ntedat
99.Ifshehadt odie,
sheatleastwant edi ttobei na
herhomecount r
yandshedi dn'tcar
ewhatanyone
elsehadt osay.ShewasnotoneofLor en'sagent s
soOt huwasdet ermi
nedtofol l
owherownr ules.
S2-
INSERT49(
NotEdi
ted)
Theirblackbul l
etpr oofvest smat chedt heirdar k
atti
reast heymadet hei rwayi nsideofapl ace
Babiniswor etoneversetf ooti nagai n.Hishear t
nearlycagedbyf earbecauset hiswast hepl ace
wher ehewasst rippedofhi shumanessence.He
thoughtaboutOt hunyi weyoandhi sli
ttl
ef ami l
yand
heintendedonf ight i
ngf orthem andshoul dhef ail
,
hewi shedt hatt hey' dknowt hathewasf i
ght i
ngf or
them.Sohecoul dmovef reelywi thconst raints
anywher ei nthewor l
d.I fhedi edatl easthewoul d
goknowi ngt hathi sf ami lywoul dnotbef ollowedby
theghost sofhi spast .Heknewt hatYandi
consultedherancest orsf orsomeki ndofpr otecti
on
forthem andhecoul dn' twai tunt ili
twasmi ssion
compl etesohe' dr eturnt othem.Hi sf ocuswas
backt owhathewasdoi ngashewai t
edf orhi sturn
togoi ntothehi ghl ysecur ebui ldi
ng.Thel abwas
l
ikeamazebuti twasamazet hatBabi niknewwel l.
Amazet hathedr ewoutf orLor en'steam sot hey
woul dknoweachsecr etcor neroft hepl ace.They
werewai tingf orthesni perst ot akecar eoft he
enemyguar dsst ationedout sideast heydi dwi t
h
eachmi ssion.Lor enwasatherheadquar ters
pacingupanddownf eelingner vousbecauseshe
knewt hatCr ai
gwoul dgoi nsi det hebul l
etwarwhen
hewasdonedoi nghi spar toft hemi ssi on.She
rest
edherhandsont hetabl eandl eanedoveri tto
takeabr eath.Theagent sar oundherneverseenher
i
nsuchast atecoul dn'thelpbutst ar eandwor ry
aboutthei rboss.Shehadapl ant opul lCr aigoutof
themessshoul dsomet hinggowr ongbecausepar t
ofherf eltBabi niwasnott ell
ingt hem ever ything.
Anagentwi thaweaknesswasaneasyt ar getso
Lorenmadepr ovisionst okeepCr ai gsaf e.She
couldn'tlosehi m andwoul dgoi nher sel fifneedbe
i
nor dert osaveCr aig.Shedi dn' ttel lCr aigaboutt he
neardeat hexper iencehi sf ami l
yf acedbecausei t
wouldhavedi stractedhi m.Theagent spl ant ed
bombsatst rategicpl acessoBabi niknewt hatthey
hadl i
mi tedt i
met ogetoutoft hebui l
di ngbef oreit
blewup.He' dbeenonsi milarsi tuat ionshundr eds
oftimesbef orebutt hattimewasdi fferentbecause
hewant edt ocomeoutofi tal ive.I nt hepasthewas
l
ikeamachi newhodi dn'tfeardeat hbuthef earedit
becausei twoul dmakeYandiayoungwi dowand
theirchildr enf atherless.Hehel dhi sweaponand
mat chedf orwar daspl anned.Gunshot swer eso
l
oudt hati tfeltli
ket heywoul dcr ackhi sskul l.
Suddenl yever ythi ngaboutt hescenef el
t
over whlmi ngt oBabi nibecausei twasnol ongera
l
ifet hatthr il
ledhi m.Menandwomanf elltot he
fl
oori ndef eatbutBabi nicoul dn'
tstopbecausei fhe
didn'tkillthem, theywoul dkillhim.Cr aigr andown
towher eBabi niandt hei rcrewwer e.Thatmi ssi on
wasi mpor tantbecausei twoul dalsosavei nnocent
childrenf rom bei ngusedasexper i
ment sand
trainedt obechi ldsol di erslikeBabi niwas.Ot hu's
l
astwor dst oCr aigovert hephoneechoedi nhi s
mi ndbuthesnappedoutofi tbecausesuch
distracti
onsmi ghtki llhi m.Hewonder edwhyOt hu
saidshehat edhi m allt hesudden.Anopponent
distractedCr aigwi t
haki cki nt hegutbef or ehi t
ting
himi nthej aw.Cr aighi tthef loorgar dhist ongue
wassoakedi nt het ast eofbl oodandsuddenl yhe
under stoodwhatBabi nimeanthesai dthesyst em' s
agent swer enotr egul arf i
ght ers.Crai
ggr abbedt he
footofhi sopponentandpul ledhimt ot hegr ound.
Hischeekwaspoundi ng.Hebr oughtaf i
stt othe
opponent '
sface,snappinghi snosebef orehet ook
outakni f
et ostabtheopponent .Morecameso
Cr ai
gqui cklytookagunt oshootandwat chedt hem
falll
ikef l
ieswhohadpoi sonspr ayedatt hem.Li ke
Babi niCraigneverwant edt ofindhi msel finsucha
situati
on.Hespatt oridhi smout hofthemet alli
c
tasteofbl oodashemadehi swayf orwar dt owher e
heandBabi nipl
annedt omeet .Thankst oBabi ni,
Cr ai
gknewhi ssurroundi ngsl iket hebackofhi s
hand.Suddenl ytherewasat er r
iblenoisecomi ng
from thel oudspeakerswhi chwer eont hecor nerof
ther oof.Craigknewt hati twasadel i
ber ateat tempt
todi st
ractthem buthef oundt henoi seunbear able
butst oppingwasnotanopt i
on.Whathedi dn't
expectt of i
ndwasBabi nil ett
ingoutabeast l
yshout
thatcamef rom aplaceofpsychol ogicaltrauma
whi l
ehewasont hef l
oor .Cr aigandt heot her
agent saroundhi m notonl yhadt okeept hemsel ves
from dyingbutal soBabi niwhoseemedt ohave
compl etelylosthismind.
Cr
aig:"
Coverf
orme!
"hesai
dtoagent16bef
ore
kneel
i
ngi
nfr
ontofBabi
ni.
Agent:16:"
Wedon'thavemuchtime!
"heshout
ed
whil
ef i
ghti
ngof
fthreeopponent
s.
Craig:"
Zweni"heroughlyhel dBabi
ni'
snecksohe
woul dl
ookathim" Don'tlett
hem defeatyouusi
ng
thesamemet hodst hattheyusedto,man"he
tappedBabini'
scheeksaf ewti
me.
Agent16:" Theempresssai dhehadaweakness"
heshout edwhi l
eshooting"Wemustmovebecause
wehavenot i
meleft
!"headded" Ifwedon'tmove
thenwewi llbeblownt opiecesbyourownbombs"
Craigtookaf ewperfectl
yaimedshot sattheenemy
beforelookingatBabiniagain.Crai
g'sf
inger
sglided
overthescr eenofhi
sphonewhi chhadnosi gnal
buthisaim wasnott omakeacal l.
Crai
g:"Comebackt othem, Zweni
!"hesaidashe
showedBabi ni avi
deosofOt huandYandiholding
theZwenit ri
plet
s.Babini'
sheadkeptlooki
ngdown
andhiseyesl ookedast houghhewasi nanother
zone.Craighadnochoi cebuttoroughlyhold
Babini
'
st hicknecksohecoul dshowhi mt hevi
deo
"Youdi dn' tspendf ucki ng5mont hsint her uralarea
j
ustf oryout ogiveyourdemonscont r
olagai n,
Zweni !"Cr aigshout ed.Sweatr andowneachman' s
facebecauset hemomentwast ooshor ttobe
remi ndingBabi niwhathehadt or eturnt o.The
soundwasonet hatBabi niwoul dhearwhenever
he'dbet orturedwaybackasachi l
dr i
ghtt hrough
adulthoodsot oheari tagainbr oughtt erri
ble
memor ieswher ehewasachi ldwhof eltthesound
drivehi mi nsane.Hecoul dseet hevideobuti twas
whenhehear dYandi 'scont agiousl augh.Thel augh
heai medt ohearever ydaysi ncet hef i
rstdayt hey
met .Hisheadwaspoundi ngbuthef elthimsel f
returnt ohi msel fandt oprovej usthowmuchhe
grabbedhi sgunandshotanopponentt hatwas
aboutt oki llCraigf rom behi nd.Cr aiglaughedashe
l
ookedbehi ndhim bef orehest oodqui cklyto
cont i
nuet hef i
ght .Thebat t
lewentonawhi l
eunt il
theyr eachedt hepl acewher eal ltheexper i
ment s
wer ehappeni ng.Lor enwassur etosi l
enceal lthe
menandwomenwhower ef undingt hepl acesot o
shutt hel abwoul dmeant heendoft hesyst em and
allit
sdat abase.Agent swer eal readytranspor t
ing
theyoungchi ldrenoutoft hebuil
ding.PeterWalli
s
themanr esponsi bleforthetor
turi
ngpr ocessto
maket hechildreni nhumanwasaboutt oleavethe
buil
dingwithhi sassoci at
esbutCraigandBabi ni
gottherei
nt ime. .Peterheldagunt oachild'
shead
makingBabi niandCr ai
gbot hf
reeze.
Peter
:"Di
dyour eal
lyt hinkIwoul dn'
thave
i
nsurancewhenIf oundouti twasyou, number 2?"
helookedatCr aigbefor elet
tingoutanevi llaugh
"Putt
hegunsdown! "heor dered"CraigandBabi ni
l
ookedateachot herandputt heirweaponsdown" I
seemyl i
tt
lemusi cnol ongerdrivesyoui nsane"he
ref
erredt
ot hatterr
iblemi ndcont rolnoisewhi ch
nearl
ysentBabi niintoament alhospital
Babini
:"You'
vegotnowheret
ogosoj ustr
elease
thegir
landsurr
ender"Pet
erl
aughed.
Peter:"
IknowthatIam trappedbutyouwi l
lmake
surethatIgetout
.Your uinedmywor k!Year
sand
yearsofworkandyour uined.Myf r
iendsaredead
andmyot hersystemsar edest
royed!"heshouted.
"Tel
lyourfri
endstoleaveussoyoucanescor tme
tomychopper "helookedatCraigandagent16.
Babini
:"Go!"heorder
edbutCraigshookhishead.
"GetSnipeout"anordercamefrom Lor
eninagent
16'sear.Soontheagentwasfight
ingCrai
gwho
didn'
twantt ogoandmor ehadtocomet odrag
Craigout.
Craig:"Leavemet hefuckalone!
"hesai
dwhile
tr
yingt ofreehimsel
f.HeknewOt huwouldhatehi
m
mor eifher et
urnedwithoutBabi
ni.
Agent16:"
Theywon'tmakei touti
nt ime.The
bombsareabouttoblowandyourmot hersaidwe
mustgetyououtnomat terwhat"Craigletouta
deepshouttr
yingt
of r
eehimselfbuthewas
handcuf
fedandletout.Babi
niwasgl adt hatCrai
g
wouldbeoutbefor
ethebui l
dingexploded.
Peter:"
Bef oreyout hinkoftr
yinganyt hingfunny,l
et
mei ntr
oduceyout oyourseed.Youwer ethesperm
donort hatcreatedthisyoungt hing"Babini
'sshock
wasi ndescribable.IfwhatPetersai dwast r
uethen
hewasl ookingathi sdaughter"Ther ewasthreeof
them butwehadt olettheuselesst wogo"Babini'
s
j
awt ightenedbecauseheknewt hatitmeantthey
hadt okillt
hem " Di
dyour eall
yt hinkwewoul dn't
havemor eofyoumadewhenyouwer eourgr eatest
weapon"hel etoutal augh" Letusgobef oreweal l
die,I
'm notready"hepoi nt edthegunatt heyoung
teenagegirl
.Babi niwalkedwi t
hPet erast heywer e
hishostages.Pet erknewt hatLoren'sagent s
wouldn'tshootifoneoft hem waswi thhim.Pet er
madesur etot akeallofBabi ni
'sweaponsandone
movet oattackcoul dbet heendoft hel i
ttl
egirl
.
SuddenlyPet erfektexcruci ati
ngpaini nhisballsas
hisyounghost ageel bowedhi m beforeshef reeout
agunt hattazzedhi m.Babi niwatchedPet er'
sentire
bodygost if
fbef orehef elltothefloor.
Her:"It
'smyl at
estinvent
ionandIhaveal ways
want edtotestit
"saidtheyounggir
lwhi l
elookingat
Peter"Yup,itdoesexactl
ywhatIwant edittodo.
Testingwasasuccess"shedr ewani nvi
ncibl
er i
ght
mar kintheairli
keonewhowast i
ckingabox.
Babini:"
We'lltal
kaboutt hatlat
er.Come, wemust
getoutofher e"heheldherbyt hearm astheyran
throughthef amil
iarpassages.Cr ai
gfeltcoolai
rhi
t
hisfaceandheknewt hattheywer eoutsi
de.He
wasswear ingallthewayt ot hecars.Thelit
tl
e
gadgethehadi nhisbackpocketmadehim unlock
thehandcuf f
sandhequickl
yranbackbuttheent i
re
buildingwentupinfl
amesbeforehecouldreachit.
Theheatsoi ntenseCr
aigwonderedi
fhisfacewas
sti
llintact
.
Craig:"No! "heshout edbef or eri
dingt ohisf eet .
Howwoul dhet ellOthut hathel eftherbr othert obe
blownup?Cr aigl ookedatt hehugeor angef lames
knowi ngt hatther ewasnowayhecoul dr un
throught hem t osaveBabi ni.Henevert oldBabi ni
buthewasl i
keabr other.Thel ossoft hedeacon
wasst illrawsot oloseBabi niwasadoubl ebl ow
"Areyouhappy, Loren? "heshout edbecausehe
knewt hatoneoft heagent swer edef ini
telylet ti
ng
Loreni nont heact i
on" Ihavej ustlostabr other !"he
added" Ar eyouhappy? "heshout edwhi l
ewal king
aroundsot heagentwhohadaudi oconnect iont o
Lorenwoul dhear .Lorenr anherhandsoverher
sleekbl ackhai rasshel i
st enedt other awpai ni n
herson' svoi ce.Shet oldCr aigandBabi nithatt ogo
totbatl abwoul dr esultindeat handshenever
madet hepl ant okeepCr aigsaf esecr et.Sheshut
hereyeswhenCr aig'
sbittershoutechoedonal lthe
audiosoundsatt heagency.Event heotheragent s
couldfeelCr aig'sgr i
efandt heycouldn'
thelpbut
melttheirhar denedhear tabit.Therewas
somet hingaboutt hecriesofagr ownmant hey
couldn'tgetusedt o.Craigfelthischestti
ghten,no
tearscamef rom hi m butthepai nwasdeep.Soon
hewasf orcedi nsidethevehi cleastheymadet heir
waybackt ot heNi ghtwar ri
orsagencywher eLor en
stoodatt heent rancet owel comet hem.
Agent16:"
Missioncomplet
e,Mam"Lorengavea
si
nglenodasheragentsret
urnedandsomewhere
nowheretobeseensosheknewt heylostt
hem i
n
bat
tl
e.SgewantedtotouchCrai
gbutheyanked
hi
mselfoutofhergri
p.
Cr
aig:"
Idonotknowwhatt hi
sagencyi
saboutbut
mytrai
ningcl
earlyst
atedthatyoudonotl
eavea
br
otherorsi
sterbehi
nd!"hepoint
edather
.
Loren:"IbenttherulesbecauseIdonotwantt
o
outl
ivemyonl ychi
ld!"sheshout
edbackwhil
e
walkingbehindhim.Lor enshutt
hedoorforpr
ivacy
"It
oldyou, Craigt
hatI '
l
lpul
lbyouout
.Doyouknow
whatdelayed?Hi m havi
nganepisodecostedus
ti
me.Itoldyout hathehadaweaknesst hey'
duse
andItol
dyout hatI'
dpullyouout
.HatemebutIdo
notr
egretit"shepointedathim.
Craig:"
Ihopeyouwon' tregretyoursont urningi nto
apossibl edr unkaf terhi swif edivorceshi m"he
turnedtol ookather" Mymar ri
ageisal r
eadyont he
rocksbecausebutcameher e.Therear ej ustcer tain
thi
ngsaspousecan' tforgiveandahusbandl eavi ng
hisbrotheri nl awt odi eisoneoft hose"hesai dwi th
apai nthatst unghi shear t"Owast heonet hing, the
onet hi
ngt hatmademewantt ogetoutoft hislif
e! "
heshout ed"Youhavemademel osemyhome
becauseshewi l
lbr eakdownwhenshehear sthatI
l
etherbr otherdi e"hi svoi cest art
edt oshake" She's
myhome, Lor en.Idon' tfuckingcar ewher eI '
m at
butaslongassheandourchi l
drenar ether eI '
m
content.Youhavej ustmademehomel essandIwi ll
neverfor giveyouf ori t"bewi pedthesi nglet ear
awaybef orehi tt
ingast eeltable.Hewascer tain
thatOthuwoul ddi vor cehi m whenshef oundout
thathel eftBabi nitodi e.
Loren:" HisdeathisonmeandIwi l
ltel
lherthatbut
I'
llneverapologizeforkeepi ngyouali
ve"shesaid
softl
y" Iloveyou.Youar emyr emi
nderofyour
fathersoIcan' tloseyout oo"shewipedhert ear
s
"Stayi
ngawayf r
om youwashar denoughbutSt
l
eastIknewyouwer elovedandwasal ive"she
added.
Crai
g:"Wellyoumi
ghtaswellhaveletmebeblown
topi
ecesbecauseIwon'tf
eelal
ivewhent her
eason
forl
ivi
ngleavesme"Lor
en'
shear tsank.
Loren:"
LikeI
'vesai
d,putthebl
ameonme.Iwon'
t
evendenyitbecausethoseagent
swer
efol
lowi
ng
myor der
s"shewalkedtothedoor.
Crai
g:"Soit
'smissi
oncompl et
eandont othenext
missi
on?"heaskedbehindher" Thecleanupteam
i
snowgoi ngtodothei
rjobandwegetonwi thl
ife?
"
Mybr ot
her'
swidowwon' tevengethisbody
becauseyourbombsleftnothingofhim?"hisvoi
ce
shookonceagain.
Loren:"
WhenIt ol
dyoutwotost
ayawayIwas
prevent
ingt
his.Iknowyouar
etr
yingt
oblame
someonebutyouar eblamingthewrongperson.I
didasplannedwhenIpl annedthemissi
onwithyal
l
soyes,Crai
git'
smissi
oncompl eteandontot he
nextone"shesaidi
nacol dtonetryi
ngtost
ay
str
ong.Lorenopenedthedoorandanagentr ushed
toher.
Agent50:"Cleanupsentapackage"shesaidtoher
l
eaderandLor enr antot
heentr
ancewait
ingforthe
package.Craigslowlywal
kedbehi
ndbutwhenhe
sawBabi niapproachheranpassLor
enlaughing.
Babini
:"Thinkthatwasmyl astl
ife,mansoImust
l
ivecautiousl
yf r
om nowon"hesai dwhileholding
hisburntarm andCr ai
glaughed." Pleaseseetoher "
hepointedattheunconsciousl i
ttlegirl
.Medical
rushedtohersideandt ohi stotaket hem i
nsot hei
r
i
njuri
eswoul dbecar edfor.Crai
gdi dn'tl
eave
Babini
'ssidewhilethedoctorlookedathi sbur nt
arm.
Cr
aig:"
Whathappened?
"
Babi
ni:"
Shei
nvent
edabombresi
stantchamber
,
man.Shewasbusytel
li
ngmeaboutitwhent
his
mancameandpushedheragai nstawallheadf i
rst
whil
eIt ri
edtoopent heisolat
edroom.Foughtt he
bastardandcurriedherinsidebutshe'sbeen
unconscioussince"hesaidwhi l
etryi
ngt othi
nk
aboutanythingotherthanthestingi
ngpai ninhi
s
arm" HesaidI'
mt hesper m donorwhichwasused
tocreateher"Craig'
seyesshotopen.
Cr
aig:"
Soshe'
syourdaught
er?
"Babi
nishr
ugged.
Babini:"Pet
erdoesmindcont
rolandmindgames
soitmi ghthavebeenoneoft
hosebutit'
snot
i
mpossi bl
e.Hesaidt
heyki
ll
edtheothert
wo"Crai
g
couldn'tbeli
evei
t.
Cr
aig:"
Why?
"
Babini:"Igrasstheywer en'
tasvaluet
othem asher
.
Shei nventedat azzeegunthatseemedtohavea
volt
ageofi tsownandt hentoturnoneofthe
chamber '
sintobombr esist
antonewhichthe
system neverhadbyt heway.Iwonderwhatelse
shehas"
Loren:"Wellyoumi
ghtneverknowbecauseshe
doesn'tevenknowwhoshei s"Babi
nij
umpedup
from t
hebedt olookatLoren" Theheadi
njur
y
causedamnesi a.Whetherit'
spermanentor
temporary,
thedocsdon' tknow"sheadded.Babi
ni
rantothenextroom wher etheteenwasandfound
thedoctoraski
ngherquest ionsbutshegenui
nel
y
couldn'
tansweranyoft hem.
Her:"
Idon'
tknowwhoIam orwhoyouare"t
het
een
saidbef
oreshehur
dledher
sel
fint
hecor
ner
fr
ight
ened.
Babi
ni:"
It
'sokay"hesaidcal
ml y"I
'm sur
ethat
ever
ythi
ngwi l
lcomebackbutal lt
hatyouneedto
knowisthatyou'
resafe"heassuredher.
Her:"
Whoareyou?"shebackedagai
nstt
hewall
evenmor
e.Babinil
ookedatCrai
gandbackather
.
Babini
:"I
'm.
..I
'
m yourf
ather
"hest
utt
eredwi
tha
poundinghear
t.
Her:"
Whydidyoustutterwhensayingi
t?"Babi
ni
knewthatpart
sofherselfwasst
il
lther
ebecause
shenoti
cedthathesoundedunsure.
Babini:"
I'
mtr
yingnott
oscar
eyou"hesai
d
tr
uthfull
y.
Her:"
What'
smyname? "hereyeswell
edup.Forthe
f
ir
sttimeBabi
nisawtheinnocenceofachi
ldin
t
hem andnotsomeinventor
.
Babini
:"Owam"hesaidconf
ident
ly.Hecoul
dsee
himselfi
nherf
eatur
es.Hertopli
pwasanexact
repl
icaofhi
sandsowashernose.
Her
:"Whatdoesi
tmean?
"hert
ear
sfel
l.
Babini
:"Mine,it
'sXhosa.I'
llt
ellyoueveryt
hingwhen
theti
mei srightbutj
ustknowt hatyouaresafe.I
knowthatyoumustbeconf used.Wewer einan
acci
dentandyouhur tyourheadbutI '
m gladthat
youarealive.Yousavedmyl i
fe"hewalkedcloserto
herandhel dherhand.
Owam:"
How?
"shecr
iedwhenshef
elthi
mtouch
her
.
Babini:"Let'
sjustsayyouremindedmet oputmy
safetybel ton"hedidn'
twanttooverwhelm herwit
h
i
nformat ionaboutbombsandherbei nganagent
forthesyst em.Ifsheremember edital
lthenhe'
d
tel
lherbutwhi l
eshe'ssoter
ri
fiedhewasnotgoi ng
toscar ehermor e.Hedidn'
tcareifshewas
biologi
call
yhisornotshehadnooneandshe
savedhi sli
fesohe' dtakeherhome.Owam sat
l
ooki ngatthestrangef acesandf orsomer eason
feltmostateasear oundBabi nisomuchsot hat
sheaskedhi m nott ogo.Hehadt oexpl ainwhata
fatherwasbecauseshedi dnothaveknowl edgeof
such.Shewas16year soldandBabi niwasnever
toldthathissemenwast omakemor eki ds.
Sampl eswer etakenf r
om forDNAt esti
ngand
becauseLor enhadever yt
hingi nhouse, Babi
ni
knewi twouldn'ttakelong.Owam f ellasleepasthe
painmedi cati
onmadeherdr owsy.
Cr
aig:"
Whati
sshe'
snotyour
s?"heasked
Babini
:"IaskAveifwecanadopther.She'sgotno
whereelsetogoandshesavedmyl ife"helooked
atherl
ongl ashesthatwer
eli
keZoso's.
Cr
aig:"
Soal
lthatbr
il
li
antt
hinki
ngi
sgone?
"
Babi
ni:"
Itmightst
il
lbether
eeveni
fshedoesn'
t
remembertheli
fether
e"
Crai
g:"
Shouldweseei
tasabl
essi
ngi
ndi
sgui
se?
"
Babi
nirai
sedhi
sshoul
der
s.
Babini
:"Al
lIknowisthatshetrustsmeabitandI
wanttobethereforherasbestaspossibl
e"Crai
g
nodded"HadIknownt heyexist
ed, I
'
dhaveincl
uded
them i
nmyescapepl anyearsago.Idon'
teven
knowhowol dsheis"hegotangr y.
Cr
aig:"
Shel
ookscl
oset
otheboysagei
fnotayear
ol
der"
Babini:"
Fli
nchknewt hi
s.Thesystem gott
hei
r
chil
drenfrom Fl
inch.It
oldyouthatmanwasgood
fornothi
ngbutmaki ngbabiest
osellthem"hi
sfi
sts
ti
ghtened.
Crai
g:"Itol
dLor entogetusoutofhereassoonas
possibl
e.Wear egoinghomesowewi lldealwi
th
thi
swhenwe' ret her
e"helookedatOwam befor
e
l
eavingthem alonetogot ohismother
Loren:"
Ican'
tgowithyoubutIwillvisi
twheneverI
getachance.I
'l
lret
irej
ustnotnow, Iwanttotake
downasmanycr iminal
saspossiblewhi l
eNight
War r
ior
sisst
il
lastrongasiti
snow"
Cr
aig:"
Iunderstandbutpleasedovisi
tforyour
gr
andchil
dren"Lorennoddedwhilesmili
ng.
Loren:"
I'
m pr
oudofyou"sherubbedhi
sarms
beforehuggi
nghi
m."Yourfat
herwouldbesopr
oud
too"shesmil
ed.
Cr
aig:"
Iwi
shIhadmoret
imewi
thhi
mtoo.So
muchIwannaknow"
Loren:"Iknowbuti tallhappenedsowemustmove
forward.Goandapol ogizetoyourwif
e.I '
llarrange
therapysincet heyaren'tlikeus.I'
l
lvi
sitthechi ldr
en,
Ipromi se.Iloveyoual lsomuch"shehel dont i
ghtl
y
whi l
ecr yi
ng.Shecoul dnotjustupandl eavebut
she'dvisit.Hourswentbyandt heDNAconf ir
med
thattheyoungi nventorwasi ndeedaZweni .Babini
l
ookedatOwam f ort
hel ongestmomentbef or e
kissingherf orehead.
Babini
:"Idon'
tknowwhatwi l
lhappenbutIpr omise
tobethesamef atherIvowedt obet oyoursibl
ings
toyou.TataisnotperfectbutIwillalwayspr
otect
youguys.Clearl
yIwasl edheret ofindyou.I
'
m
sorr
yIwasnott heretopr ot
ecttheot her
sbutIwill
dosobyyou"hel ookedather .
Cr
aig:"
Owasr
ight
,wemustf
oreverkeepourdoor
s
opentowelcomingmor efami l
ytakenfrom usby
theli
nesofFli
nchandChi ef.Iwonderifit
'l
lever
end?"hesatoppositeBabinil
ookingatOwam
"She'
spret
tyandwemi ghtfaceal otwi
thherbut
OthuandIwillsupportyouguys"heshookBabi ni'
s
hand."I
'
m sorryIlef
t,man"
Babini
:"Br
other
snomatt
erwhat"t
heyf
istbumped
"I
fIwasevertodosuchagai
n,I
'
dwantnooneelse
butyouasmypar t
ner
"
Crai
g:"
Sameher
e,man.Damnyounearl
ydying
near
lymademeadivor
cedman"t
heylaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Imi
ghtnotsayitbutIdon'
twantanyot
her
manformysist
er"hesaidhonestl
y.
Craig:"Let'
sgohome"hel ookedatOwam "
There'
s
nothingf orusher
e.Atleastnowyoucanhave
vacationsherewithyourfamil
yandtakepi
ctur
es"
Babini
:"I
'
dr at
hertakeheranywhereel sebuthere
butIknowshe'llbehappyt oheart
hatshecanpost
meonsoci almedia"theylaughed"Ihopeshe's
wil
li
ngtotakeanot herchi
ldin.Thi
sonewi llneeda
l
otofwor kbutwecan' tt
hrowf ami
lyawayr ight"
Cr
aignodded.
Cr
aig:"
Hermot
her
?"
Babini
:"Whenyouar erai
sedinthesyst
em you
havenomot her '
sandfather'
s.You'
vegottrai
ners
andpuni shers.Wi t
husdest r
oyingt
hesystem, t
heir
dataislostwi thitsoI'
l
lneverknowhereggdonor
soI'
m hopi ngAvet handwawi l
lbewil
li
ngtostepi n
asmot her"hesai dquietl
y.Theyweregrat
efultobe
al
iveandcoul dn'twai
ttogohome.
Othuandthefamil
ysatinacaronthei
rwayhome.
ShefoundYandismil
ingal
one.ShetappedYandi
'
s
kneeandYandisnappedoutofhert
houghts.
Yandi
:"If
eelgood"Othurai
sedabr owconf
used
"Cr
azyIknowbutIcan'thel
pit.Igetsi
gnsi
nmany
waysandthisisoneofthem"sheadded.
Agent99:" Missi
oncompl et
e"shelookedat
everyonebeforelooki
ngaheadsayi ngnothi
ngelse.
Othuaskedt hem todropheroffathergranny'
s
becauseshe'dbeent hinki
ngalotaboutMakhulu.
Thecar '
sparkedoutsidethei
rhousehadOt hu
runninginsi
deandaskedwhatwashappeni ngon
herway.
Mour ner:"
Deathhasvisi
tedt
heFundshousehol d"
Othu'stearsr
andownhercheeksmaki ngherway
i
nsidet ofi
ndpeoplesi
ngingchurchsongs.She
madeherwayt othebedroom andshebrokedown
i
nt earswhenshesawhergr andmothersleepi
ngon
ami str
ess.
Mato:"Ot
hunyiweyo!Sisi
,Othuishere"shesai das
t
earsrandownhercheeks.Ot huwentt olienextto
Makhuluwhol etoutasil
entson.Ther estofthe
famil
yjoi
nedthem andMat oletoutacr yofjoy
whil
ehuggingallofthem.Makhulu'shandr anover
Othu'
sswollenface.
Makhulu:"
Whathavetheydonet
oyou?
"Ot
huwi
ped
hergr
andmother
'stear
s.
Othu:"Weareallokay,Ma"Makhul utol
dOthuwhat
happenedandOt hucouldn'tbel
ievet
hather
grandfat
herwasnomor e.Togethert
heycri
edand
cri
edunt i
lMakhulufel
lasleep"Dabawo?"shesai
d
toLungawhor eturnedfrom hel
pingwit
hfuner
al
arrangement
s.LungshuggedOt huandsodid
Poppy.
Poppy'
s:"
Ican'
tbeCEOsopl easereturn"she
huggedhersi
steragain.Thelastt
hingOt huwant
ed
wastobeatwor k.Shewenttoherchi l
dren.
Chul
u:"
Mama, wejustwantyoutoknowt
hatwe
appr
eci
ateyou"t
heyallhuggedher
.
Othu:"
I'
m sorr
ythatyouallhadt
ogothr
oughthat.
We'l
lgotofamilyt
herapyandworkonit
seff
ects"
t
heyallnodded.
Phawu:"
You'
reoursuper
her
o"behel
dont
ight
er.
Qhawe:" Pleasedonotbeangr yatdad"hepleaded.
"We'r
enotangr yathi
m becausehewasal soa
vict
imi nthis.Hadthosepeopl
enottriedt
oki l
lhi
s
parents,he'dneverhavehadtobeanagent "he
remindedOt huandshefel
therangergetless.
Chul
u:"Andnowhewentt oprot
ectus.Wearesorry
yougothurtbutpl
easedon'
tbeangry"shepl
eaded.
Othu:"
Shhh"shesaidtothem bef
oreki
ssi
ngeach
for
ehead.Yandij
oinedi
nont hehugbefor
etheki
ds
wentbackinsi
de.
Yandi
:"Wewi
llgett
hrought
his"shehel
dOt
hu'
s
hand.
Ot
hu:"
Howar
eyousost
rong,
Yandi
?"
Yandi:"
I'
m notbutIj
ustknowt hatmyancestor
s
werewithus.Myspiri
tuali
tywasabi tf
uzzydueto
fearandstr
essbutIfeltt
hem.We' l
lgetthr
oughthi
s,
Iknow.Wear eherewit
hourkidsallali
ve"
Ot
hu:"
Wher
eis99?Ihavet
oaskhersomet
hing"
Yandi :"Sheleftimmedi atel
ybutshetoldmet ogive
yout his"shepl acedoneofagent99' shonor
badges" Shesai dinanotherli
fet
imeshe'dhave
l
ovedt obepar toft heagencywithyou"Othu
l
aughedsof tly"AndIagr eewithher.Wouldthat
makeyouagent100? "theybothlaughed"See?
we'rel aughi
ngagai nandwe' l
ldosomor einfuture.
Ourhusbandsar enotdeadbecauseIdon' tfeelit
.
Theymi ghtbehur tbutnotdeadandIdon' tfeelthe
presenceofdeat hloomi ng"
Othu:"If
eelli
kethosesol
dierswifveswai
ti
ngto
hearifherhusbandmadei toutofthewarsaf
ely.
Youar eri
ghtthough,we'
l
lgetthroughthi
s.We'
re
strongwomenandwewi l
lhelpeachot herout .Ijust
hopemyki dswi llnotbeper manent lyscar red"she
huggedYandi .Justwhent heyt houghtt heir
fri
endshi pcoul dn'tbemor esol idtheyexper ienced
somet hingt hatwoul dhavet hem suppor teach
othermor e.Imanger anintot hef ateafterawhi l
e
andOt husawhi m hugChul uandQhayi yacl ear l
y
happyt hatt heywer einonepi ece.Ot huwentback
i
nsi det ogosi tnextt ohergr i
evi nggr andmot her.
Shewasn' tsur ehowl i
vingar rangement swoul dbe
nowt hatdeaconwasgonebutshewant edt ot ake
hergr andmot hert oherhousesoshe' dl ookaf ter
Makhul uj ustasMakhul ul ookedaf terherwhen
KumkaniandUnat hiweren'tpar ents.Shewasgl ad
thatshe' dbebyMakhul u'ssideont hedayoft he
funer albecauseshewoul dneverhavef orgiven
hersel fhadsher eturnedwhenal lwasdone.
Ever yonehopedt hatseeingOt huwoul dmake
Makhul ust opt alkingaboutdr yingbecauset heyall
fel
tt heyst i
llneededher .
S2-
INSERT50(
notedi
ted)
Whent
hemenar
ri
vedatMakhul
u'shousewher
e
theyknewt hey'df i
ndt heirfami li
estheKni ghtboys
wer ethef ir
sttor unt ogreett hen.Bot hCr aigand
Babi niheldont ot her el
ievedt eenager sfeeling
gratefulthattheygotanot herchancet obet oget her.
Chul u'stearsranoverhercheeksasshespedt o
alsohugherf ather .Shel etoutasof tsonofpur e
reli
efwhenshegothi sfami li
arscent .Craigallowed
them t otakeasmucht i
measpossi bl eashehel d
allt
hr eeI'm hisst r
onggr i
p.TheKni ght schil
dr en
didn'tevennot icet hattheyr eturnedwi t
hanext r
a
person.Babi nisi gnaledt oCraigt hathewas
headi nginsidebecausehewasanxi oust owr aphi s
armsar oundYandiandt heirchi l
dren.TheKni ght
chil
dr enf i
nall
yl etgoandi twast hent hatCraig
noticedt hattheboyswer ecr yi
ngt o.Hewasnott he
typeofdadt osaymendon' tcr ysohet ri
edt oglide
histhumbsovereachmoi stcheek.
Craig:"I
t'
sover,guys"heki
ssedeachhead"Dadis
homeandI '
m notgoingtodoanythi
ngli
kethi
s
anymor e"hepromised"Youhear?
"theyal
lnodded
quickly.
Qhawe:"
Wel
oveyou,
dad"hel
ookedathi
ssi
bli
ngs
whonoddedi
nagr
eementbef
oref
aci
ngoneofhi
s
her
os.
Crai
g:"Il
oveyouallsomuch.Wher
eismom and
Qhayiya?
"helookedaround.
Phawu:"Qhayi yai sonherbackandshe' si
nside.
Mom savedourl ivesnotsol ongagowhent hose
badpeoplef oundus"Cr aig'
shear trai
sedasitwas
thefi
rstt
imet hathehear dofit.Theyal lwal
ked
i
nsideandf ortunat el
yitwasonl yf amil
ythatwasat
thehouse.Cr aigfoundQhayi yaf astasleeponher
grandmother'sbackwhi leOthuwasbusymaki ng
tea.
Chul
u:"I'
l
ltakethetea,Mama"shesai
dbehindOt
hu
andreachedforthetryfi
ll
edwi
thwhit
ecups.
Qhawe:" Mom, dadishome"hesai dandOt hufel
t
herselff
rozenandunabl etoturnback.I
twaswhen
shefeltCraig'spresencebehindherandwhenher
nosegothi tbyhi sscentdidsheknowi twastrue.
Herfingersclenchedt hetablebecauseherhands
hadst ar
tedt oshake.Cr ai
gkissedQhayiya'
ssoft
cheeksbef orehislipstouchedOthu'sneck.
Craig:"Hey"hesai dsof tlyandOt hucl osedhereyes.
Usual l
yshe' dhavet urnedt ohugandki sshi m but
thebitofangershehadj ustr efusedt omakeher
give.Shef eltthosel ipsshewi shedt ojoi nwi thher s
l
andonherneckf ourmor et imes.TheKni ght skids
stoodwat chinghopi ngt hatt hei rmot herwoul dn't
sendt hei rfatherpacki ng.EvenChul ust oodi nher
formeraf tertakingt het eapl eadi ngi nternal l
ywi t
h
hermot hert ot alktoherf ather .Theywer e
mour ningal readysot hel astt hi ngt heywant edwas
tomour nt hebeaut i
fulmar ri
aget heyhadbeen
witnessi ngsi ncet heywer echi ldr en.Cr aighel d
Othu'supperar m gent lyf orcinghershaki nghands
toletgooft heirgripont het abl eandt ur nedherso
she'df acehi m.Ot huf el
tl ikecr yingbutshemade
suret obet hebossofhert ear sbydemandi ngt hat
theyst ayaway.Cr aig'shear tski ppedabeatbutnot
i
nagoodwaywhenhesawhowbr uisedherf ace
was.Hi st humbgent l
ysur veyi ngt hewoundt hat
hadhi swi fe'
sl efteyenear lyshut ."I'm sor ry"he
whisper edsof tlybeforesi t t
ingont heot hert able
holdingherbyherwai stsoshe' dcomecl oser .Othu
l
ookedathi mf orthef ir
stt imebuti twasbr ief
becauseshet houghthewoul dli
ketolookintoher
dreadfulfacebutCr aiglift
edherchinupsoshe' d
l
ookathi m.Hi seyesgl i
stenedasthepai nofhi
s
wi f
ebeinghur thitevenhar derwhenhegotabet ter
l
ookather ."
O, I'
m sorry,baby"herepeatedand
wat chedhercl enchherbot tom l
ipbetweenher
teeth.Chulugent l
yunwr appedt hetowelOthuused
towr apQhayi yaonherbackwi thtaki
ngt hebaby
from hermot her.
Ot
hu:"Idon'
teverwanttogot
hrought
hatagai
n,
Cr
aig"sheshookherhead.
Craig:"Neveragai n,baby"hepr omisedjustashe
didmanyyear sago" You'r
edobeaut iful
"he
wat chedherlaughsof tl
yandheknewshedi dnot
believehim.Hel eanedforwar danditwaswhen
thosewar nlipscol l
idedwi thhersdidOthufeelher
tearsoverpowerhersomuchsot hatshehadto
breakt heki
sst ojustbreath.Crai
gheldher
foreheadagai nhi sandf el
therf i
ngersanxi
ously
moveonhi st highssohet ookhershaki nghabd
andki ssedthem.
Ot
hu:"
Thought
..
.I'
d..
.getacal
lagai
nsayi
ngyou'
re
hur
t"shest
utt
eredt
hroughhert
ear
s.
Craig:"Ihadtoomucht oretur nt
obackt henandI
hadevenmor etor eturnbackt othistime.Babi ni
madet hissoeasysot herewasnowayI '
dgethur t
.
Ibreathf oryouguyssoI 'l
lmakesur et okeep
breathingasl ongaspossi ble"hefeltherar m wrap
aroundhi sshoul dersasshebur iedherf aceinhi s
neck.IfCr ai
gcoul ddr awheranycl oserthanhe
woul dhavebecausehef orsomer easonf eltfeel
ing
herear nbodywasnotenough.Asbadast he
sit
uationwas, hewi shedthathecoul dmakel oveto
hersohe' dbemuchcl osert oher"Mar ryme"he
whisper edinherear" Marrymeagai n,Opl ease"he
repeatedbuthadt owai tforhertost opcr ying.Othu
noddedacoupl eoft i
mesbutst i
llheldonsohe
pealedherof fhim whi lekissingherf aceunt i
lshe
l
ookedathi m.
Othu:"Il
oveyou,Crai
g.Baby.
..It
houghtyou'
dwant
tostaywithyourmom anddowhatshedoes"she
confessedherfear
s.
Craig:"I
'm amanandonewi
thafami
ly.Idon'
twant
thatli
fe.IknowImessupal
ot,
ObutIwi l
lal
ways
apologizebecauseIdon'twantanyot hergir
l.I'
ve
neverwant edanyothergirlsi
ncewaybacki n
school"Othusmi l
ed"Ilovedthatnerdwhowas
easi
lyof f
endedbackt henandIsur eashelllovethe
beauti
fulwomanwhoi sresi
li
entandstrong"
Ot
hu:"
Ifor
giveyou"herwor
dsmakingthechi
ldr
en
br
eat
hagain."
I'
llmarr
yyou"Cr
aigki
ssedheragai
n.
Craig:"Weneverr eall
yhadhoneymoon.Iwas
thinki
ngaboutaf amilyone.Takeourchi l
dren
somewher ebeautif
ulandj ustenjoyourreal
honeymoonwi ththem"t heKnightschil
drenwalked
closertohugt heirparents.Theideaofwitnessi
ng
theirparentsl
ovewasgr eatandt heycouldn'
twait
tobeapar tofit
.
Babinihel
dOwam' sshakinghandsast heteenhad
herhoodyoverherheadtryingtohidefrom t
he
str
angerswhower eoverwhlmingher.Hefinal
ly
foundYandiinoneofthebedr oomsasshehadj ust
putherchil
drendownforanaf ter
noonnap.
Yandi
:"Zweni"sher
ushedtothedooraf
tershe
hear
ditcloseandhuggedhim.Owam di
dn'tl
etgo
ofhishandsohel i
ftedYandiupwi thonearm and
closedhiseyest otakeinallofher,
herscent,her
war mthandhert ouch.Yandikissedherhusbandso
deeplywhilecryi
ng" ToldmyselfI'
m goingtobeso
madatyoubutnowI '
mjusthappyt oseeyou"she
heldont i
ghtl
yagai nbutthi
st i
mewi thopeneyes
andt hat
'showshef i
nall
ynoticedOwam " Whois
that?"YandiaskedandBabi niputherdownbef or
e
gentlypull
ingOwam cl oser
.Owam hel dontohis
thickarmfordearlife.
Babi ni
:"Thisismydaught er"Yandi'
seyesshot
openbef or et
heyf ellonOwam " Thoseareyour
brothersandsi st
er "hepointedtothesingl
ecotthe
tri
pletsslepti
n.Owam l etgoofhishandt ogoand
seewhatwhati nside.Shesmi l
edwhenshef ound
threebabi esperf
ect lyposi
ti
oned.Herhandgent l
y
touchingeachi nfant .Babi
nitooktheli
tt
lepri
vacyto
explaintoYandiwhathappened.
Yandi:"
Sotheyki
ll
edtheother
s?"shefel
therhear
t
breakwhen.Babi
ninodded"Sosheremembers
nothi
ng,baby?
"
Babi
ni:"
Absol
utel
ynot
hing,
Ntl
izi
yoyam andi
t
mi
ghtbeper
manentIdonotknow.Socanshest
ay
wi
thus?
"
Yandi:"
Yes,yesofcour se"shelookedatOwam
"She'
syourchild.Il
oveyousoIl oveyourchi l
dtoo.
Anotherchi
ld"shesmi l
ed" Wil
lyoui ntr
oduceme? "
shelookedathim.Babi nismiledandnodded.They
madet hei
rwayt oOwam whohadt ookof fher
hoodycapt ojustst
areatt hetri
plet
s.Somet hing
aboutthem fel
tfamil
iarbutshedi dn'tknowwhat .
Owam:"If
eell
ikeI'
m supposedt
oalsobeinthe
middl
eoftwoother
s"shesaidsoft
lyandYandi
l
ookedatBabi
ni.
Babini:"I'
dli
ketointroduceyout oyourot her
parent "hehel
dYandi sacl ose"Thisismywi f
e,
she'smot hertothoset hreeandt oyou"Owam
l
ookedatYandi sa.Eveni fshedidn'thavememory
l
ossshewoul dn'thaveknownwhatt odowi t
ha
mot herbecausesheneverhadone.Yandihadt he
teeni nherarmsbef oreOwam coul devenknow
whatwaswhat .Itwasherf ir
sthugandsomehow
herbodyknewt hatitwasf or
eignbecauseshe
didn'tknowhowt oreact.Thewar mt hshefel
twhen
Yandiheldhermadehersurethathuggi
ngwasa
goodthingsoshehuggedYandibackawkwardly.
Babi
niwat chedt
heteen'
seyesshutandsworehe
sawal i
ttl
eglowinhereyeswhensheopenedthem.
Yandi:"
I'
m sohappythatyou'rehome.Ialready
knowwhi chroom we'
llrenovat
ei nt
oacutegirl
y
one"shesaidwithexcit
ement" School
?"shelooked
atBabini
.
Babi
ni:"
I'
llhomeschoolhermysel
f"Yandinodded.
Owam:"SoIcal
lyouTat
aandyi
u?"shel
ookedat
Yandi
.
Yandi
:"Anyt
hingyou'
recomf
ort
abl
ewi
th"
Owam:" Whatdochildr
encallmothers?"theyt ol
d
her"ThenI
'l
lcallyouMama"Yandif el
ther selfsmile.
Shewasamot hertoateenager
."CouldIpl ease
haveapenandpaperbecauseIhavet hisideat hat
j
ustwouldn'
tleavemymi nd"shelookedatBabi ni.
Babini
:"Canyour
ememberanyt
hing?
"Owam shook
herhead..
Owam:"
Justsomet
hingt
hatIt
hinkIneedt
oopen
downbeforeIfor
get
"Yandiwentt
oherbagand
tookherdi
aryshewrot
eorder
sonandpenand
gaveitt
oher.
Babi
ni:"
Saythankyou.Whensomeonegivesyou
somethi
nggood,youthankt
hem"helookedather.
Owam:"
Thankyou"shel
ookedatYandi
.
Yandi
:"You'
rewel
come.Sowhatdoyou
remember?"
Owam:"
Howtospeakandwrit
ebutnothi
ngel
se
butt
hei
deai
nmymi ndthatj
ustwon'
tgoaway"
Yandi
:"I
'
m sur
eyoumustbef
eel
ingscar
ed"
Owam:" Fearismentalandallthat
'sinmymi ndis
whatIwantt oputont hi
spaper.Ifeelover
whelmed
becauseIdon'tknowwhoI 'm supposedtoknow
andwhonotbutI 'm notafr
aid"Babinismil
ed.
Babini
:"We'l
ltel
lyouwhowhoisandhowt heyfi
t
i
ntoyourlif
e.Fornowletmegogr eetmy
grandmother.Youremembert
hefami l
yrol
esI
explai
nedtoyour i
ght
?"Owam nodded..
Owam:"
Grandmot
heri
syourmot
her
'smot
her
meaningMama' smotherismygrandmother"she
saidasthoughshewasr eadi
ngfrom abook"CanI
pleasebealone?Icansi
therebecauseit
'squi
et"
.
Yandi :"
Pleasecomef i
ndmewhent heycry"she
poi
nt edtot hebabies.Thelastt
hingshewant ed
wasf orOwam t ofeelmoreoverwhelmedbycr yi
ng
babies.Thet wogr ownupsl ef
ttheroom slowlyand
beforetheycl osedthedoorthewatchedOwam si t
onthebedt owr it
e...
Babi
ni:"
Sheisaninventororwas"hesaidbefor
e
cl
osingthedoor"
Idon'tknowift
hatpartofheri
s
st
il
lther
e"
Yandi:"Shel ookssomuchl i
ketheZwenif amily,I
thi
nkOt hui npar tbutit'
sunderstandablesi nce
you'r
etwi ns.Iwi llst
il
lmakeal otofmi stakes
becauseshe' snobabybutIwantyout oknowt hatI
alr
eadyl oveher .Iknowhermemor ymi ghtr et
urn
andwe' dhavet odealwi t
hsomuchbutshe' sours
sowewi lldoitasdi ff
icultasIi
magi neitwoul dbe"
Babinikissedher .
Mat
o:"
Hey,
heyBabi
niAvewasnotki
ddi
nganyone
i
npassagesbeforethis"shejokedandBabini
l
aughedbeforehuggingher"I'
m sohappythatyou
al
lar
eback"shesaidsof tl
y"Pleasegoseeyour
gr
andmother.Shehear dyouareback..
."
Makhul u:"I
ftheydon' twantt ocomet omeI '
l
lgot o
them"shesai dwhi leslowl ywal ki
ngdownt he
passaget ohughergr andson" Yougavebecomeso
thin"shel ookedatBabi ni
.Cr aigandOt humade
theirwayt otheroom andOt huwashappyt osee
Makhul uupandabout" You'vegonet hi
nt oo, Clay"
shei nspect edhim" Mat opleaseheatupt hatbeef
stewandr i
ceforthem andgi vet hem sconeswi t
h
teaaf t
erwards"shel ookedatMat o.Babiniand
Crai gsmi l
edbef oretheybot hhuggedt heel derly
woman" Whati snew?Letusgosi tinthel iving
room.Onesecondont hatmat t
ressandI 'llsur ely
die"t heyledhert othelivingr oom.Babi nit old
ever yoneaboutOwam andt heywer em shocked.
Heaskedt hattheygivehert imet oprocessYandi '
s
placei nherl i
febeforet heycoul dmakemor e
i
nt roductions.
Dabs:"
LookwhoIf
oundout
side"shewal
kedi
nwi
th
AnathiandBandileandsuddenlyitf
eltl
ikeali
tt
le
famil
yreunion.Deathswerepainf
ulbuttheyal
so
alwaysbroughtfamili
est
ogether.
Bandil
e:"
Iwashopingt
hatdeaconwoul
dbetheone
tomarryVat
hiswaandI"het
ookhiscapof
fbef
ore
sit
ti
ng.
Makhul
u:"
Pleasedon'
tpostponeyourwedding,
mzukul
u.Weneedsomej oy"ever
yoneagreed.
Crai
g:"Wear
erenewi
ngourvowssoonsowe'l
l
havetwoweddi
ngbytheendoft
heyear"hehel
d
Othu'
shand.
Babi
ni:"
Wil
lyoupayl
obol
aagai
n?"
Mat
o:"
Hai
boBabi
niZweni
"ever
yonel
aughed.
Babini:"
Idothingstraditi
onall
yandtorenewvows
i
snotsomet hingthatisour s.I
'mtryi
ngto
understandhowi t
'l
lwor k"heheldYandi'
shand
aft
ersheservedever yonet ea"Wherear
edeacon's
chi
ldren'swi
ves?Thi sthingofmywi febeingbusy
herealonemustst op,thisisnotaZwenihouse"he
sai
dandever yonewonder edwhenhe'dbehi msel
f.
Yandi
:"Zweni"shesaidsof
tl
y"Yourgr
andmother
l
iveshereandOt huhasbeenhel
pingme"shefel
ta
butembarrassed
Mat o:"
Thei
rhusbandswantsSi
sitobur
yher
husbandwheretheywanttosotheyhar
dlycome
here"
Makhulu:"Hewant edt obebur i
edwher ehedi ed.He
sawt hi
sshet ranspor tingacor pset oanotherplace
asawast ebuthi schi ldr enwanthi mintheEast er
n
Cape.Itoldthem todoast heypl easeIwantnobad
bloodbetweenus.I ftheywantt ospendt housands
totakehisbodyi t
'st hei rmoneynotmi ne"shesaid
i
nashakyvoi ce."Iwasi tallt
obeoversoIcan
focusont heweddi ngs.Myhusbandwoul dn'thave
wantedmet obesadf orl ong"ever yonesmiledat
hishopefulshesounded.Mat obr oughtplat
esfill
ed
withfoodf ort
hesupposedl ythinmen.
Mato:"Goodbyesixpackshel
lopot
belli
es"everyone
l
aughed."OthuandAve, pl
easefor
givemef or
taki
ngthesexyfrom yourmen.wasj ustfol
lowing
order
s"shesaidbeforesit
ti
ngdown.
Cr
aig:"
Makhul
u,si
nceyou'
l
lbebyyour
sel
fher
e.
Maybeyoushoul
dconsi
dermovi
nginwit
hus"he
l
ookedatOt
huwhowasnodding.
Lunga:"I'
m act
uall
ygoi
ngt ost
ayherewit
hherfor
good.Ihavegrownchil
drensoIfeeli
t'
sri
ghtt
hatI
comet akecareofmymot her
"
Mato:"
Ial
sostoppedhousehunt
ingsoI
'
llal
sost
ay
her
e"shesai
d.
Babi
ni:"
Buti
sn'
tthi
sar
eti
rementvi
ll
age?Wi
llt
hey
al
lowit?
"
Makhulu:"
It
'sacompl exthat'
smost l
yoccupi edby
el
derl
ysomanyt hi
nkit'
sar et
irementvil
lage.They
canstaywit
hmebecauseIboughtt hi
shouse"she
sai
dandever yonenodded.
Ot
hu:"Canwejustt
akeamomenttomar vel
athow
st
rongourgr
anisthough"shesmi
led.
Makhulu:"
Havingal
lofyouheregi
vesmest r
ength
sothankyouforbei
nghere"shesmil
ed"Poppyhas
al
sobeengoodsopl easedon'
tfor
gettogi
vecredi
t
whereit
'sdue"
Mato:"
Noonegivesuscr
editforbei
ngdecent
humanbeingssoPoppywil
lnotgetpoi
ntsfor
fi
nal
lybei
ngone"
Poppy:"
Hawu,
Makhul
u"shel
ookedatMat
o.
Mato:"No,mygir
l.Lif
edoesn'
tworklikethat
"she
drankhertea"
Ican'tst
andthussi
lence.Iwishwe
couldputonmusicanddance"
Bandi
le:"
Andhavet heFundapeoplesaywear e
wit
cheswhoar ecel
ebrati
ngyetanothersuccessf
ul
sacr
if
ice?
"theyalll
aughed.
Anat
hi:"
Wher
ewi
llweal
lsl
eep?
"
Crai
g:"
TheKni
ght
shouseandIassumeZweni
housei
sopentot
hosewhoneedit
"
Babini
:"I
fyouhavesmell
yf eetstaythehel
laway
fr
om myhouse"eveyhonlaughedandYandigave
hi
m alook"What?Ican'
tstandt hose,Nt
li
ziyoyam"
helaughedsof
tl
y.
Thet
winswalkedinsi
det
heroom.wher
eOwam
wasi
nandshest oodqui
ckl
ytryi
ngt
oremember
whoBabi
nisaidtheywer
ewhenshesawthem at
t
hegatebutr
emember
edt
hatnoi
ntr
oduct
ionwas
made.
Qhawe:"
Heyyoucamewi t
houruncleri
ght
?"he
wentt
oher"Soyou'
reourcousi
n?"hesmil
ed.
Phawu:"Theysai
dwemustnotoverwhel
m her
"he
pul
ledQhaweback"Wejustcametoseeift
heyar
e
awake"hepoint
edatt
hecot.
Owam:" Idon'
tthinkso"shewenttothecotand
surelyenoughtheywer estil
lasl
eep.Phawuand
Qhawest oodnexttoherandshel ookedatbot
h
beforelookingatthetri
plet
s.Herarmsloopedwit
h
thei
rs."Wear ejustli
kethem"shelookedatthe
babies.
Qhawe:"No,wearet
winsandyouourcousi
n"he
cor
rect
edher"Theywerebor
nonthesamedayand
camefrom t
hesamemot her
,weweren'
t"
Phawu:"I
'm sur
esheknowsthatbutIcanseewhat
shemean"hesmi l
ed"Peopl
ewhodon' tknowus
wouldhavethoughtweweretr
ipl
ets.I
'
m Luphawu"
heint
roducedhimsel
f.
Owam:"
Lu.
..
"shehaddi
ff
icul
typr
onounci
ngt
hei
r
names.
Qhawe:"Cal
m meheroandhi
m mar
k"hesai
dashe
t
ransl
atedthei
rnames.
Owam:" HeroandMar ksoundeasyenough.I'mtold,
I'
m Owam"Babi nialreadytol
dtheboystonott el
l
Owam shehadn' talwaysbeenintbeurli
ves.
Usuall
yavicti
m ofamnesi awassupposedtobe
givenal
linf
ormat i
onaboutt hei
rli
fesothey'
dtryto
tr
iggermemorybutBabi niwant
edt opr
otectget
fr
om thatmemor y.
Qhawe:"
Yesyouare"henodded."
Soyoul
it
eral
ly
havenot
hingi
nyourmind?"
Owam:" Wel lIhavenamesnowandf acestogowi th
them andIhavet hi
s"sheshowedt hem adr awing
withwr i
ti
ngont hesi de" Tookabat ht heotherday
andIlikemywat erreallywar m butthelongerIsat,
thecolderthewat ergot .Hadt odrainsomeandf il
l
i
tagain.Sot hisudeaj ustcamet omi nd.Al i
tt
le
sensorydevi cethatwoul dkeept hewat erwar nunti
l
Ifi
nishmybat h.Isti
llhaven'twor kedeverythingout
yetbutthisishowi t'
lllook"theboysmout hsf el
l
open.
Phawu:"
Cool,oursi
steral
wayscomplai
nsabout
thesamethi
ngsoIknowmanywi l
lwantthi
s"
Qhawe:"
You'
llber
ichi
fyoucoul
dinventthi
sand
sel
lit
.WowI'
ve.ewemetaninvent
orbefore"
Owam:" Iwouldcallmysel
fthat"t
hetri
plet
sstar
ted
tocry"Youtaketheboys,I
'l
ltakethegi
rl.My
mot hersai
dwemustt akethem toherwhenthey
cry"shepickedZozoup.
Phawu:"Ar
eyounoti nt
hel
eastbutscar
edofus
andunfamil
iart
err
it
ory?
"
Owam:"Iwasatfi
rstbutmyf at
hert
oldmef eari
s
cri
ppl
ingandheisri
ght.Sofaryouhaven'
ttri
edto
kil
lmesowhymustIf earwhenIdon'tf
eel
thr
eat
ned?"shesmil
edatZozo.
Qhawe:"I
'dmostpr
obabl
ybeinamet
ake
i
nsti
tut
iongoi
ngnutsi
fIwokeupr
emember
ing
not
hing"
Owam:"
Goodthi
ngI '
m notyou,
Hero"shel
ookedat
hi
m"Markpl
easetakeyourbabybecauset
heyare
becomingrestl
ess"shelookedatPhawu"thetwins
didastol
dandf oll
owedbehi ndher
.Sgecarr
ied
Zozoawkwar dl
ybutsher eachedYandisoon
enough.YandithankedherandBabinitookt
heboys
fr
om thetwins.
Babini:"
Tatahadmissedyoual
lsomuch.Looka
sist
er"hefacedOwam.Othustoodt
ogoseet he
teen.
Craig:"
Spitt
ingimageofyouwhenyouwer
ea
teenager"helookedatOt
hu.
Makhul
u:"
Event
hosel
ongst
uckl
egs"shel
aughed
sof
tl
y.
Othu:"
She'ssobeautiful,
Bhut"sheshookOwan's
hand"I
'm youraunt,t
wi nsist
ertoyourf
ather
.Cal
l
meDabs"shesmi l
edandLeannodded.
Yandi:"
Areyoufeel
ingokay? "everyonecouldsee
Yandihasbecomemot hertoherstepdaughter.
Owam nodded."Don'toverdoit.Takeital
linone
dayatat i
me"shebrushedOwan' sback..
.
Phawu:"Shei
sbusycreat
ingt
histhingt
okeepbat
h
waterwarm.Youmustfi
ndher,Malume"hel
ooked
atBabi
ni.
Owam:"
It
snot
hingyet
"shesai
dqui
etl
y.
Mat o:"
You'
llwar
m upt
oussoon, mybaby.We
aren'tt
oobad"shesmi
led.Babi
nii
ntr
oduced
everyoneandtol
dOwam whattheyweretoher
.
Chulu:"
Canwepleasetakeaf ami
lypi
ctur
e?It
's
beenawhilesi
ncewe'veallbeent
ogether
"shetook
hercamerafr
om thecarandhertr
ipod.
Babini
:"Thegoodnewsi sthatIcanbeinal
lof
them now"helookedatYandiwhohadbeendyi ng
toshowhi m of
f.Chulusett
hecamer aandever
yone
tookaplace.Chulurantositi
nthefr
ontandthe
camer afl
ashed.
Nomal
i:"
Somybr ot
herisdeadbutyouar
eall
t
aki
ngpict
ures"t
heelder
lywomanwalkedin.
Makhul u:"
Ifyout hinkcryingal
ldayishowyour
brotherwoul dhavewant edtobehonored,you
cl
ear l
ydidn'tknowhi m.Youandhi schinhavebeen
tr
yingtomakemesadandkeepmedepr essedso
don'tdareseef aultinmychi l
drencheeri
ngmeup"
sheshotback" Ididn'tf
ightyouinwhereyouwant
hi
m buri
edsodonotfi
ghthowIchoosetocope
wi
thhispassi
ng"Mat
ocli
ckedherfi
nger
swith
at
ti
tude.
Mato:"Plusyouareoockstit
hepoli
cymoney, do
notthi
nkwedon' tknowthatbutuseit.Wel
lbury
ourbrotherandgrandf
atherashelovedtheZweni
famil
ydear l
y"
Crai
g:"Ist
il
lrememberwhenhet ri
edt owoo
Makhulu"everyonelaughed" Camewi ththeshini
est
vi
ntagecareverwear i
ngat hreepiecesuitwitha
pocketwatch"Makhul usmiled.Everyoneforgot
aboutNomal iastheysharedmemor iesaboutthe
deacon..
Noah:" YougaveTat aj oyaft
erourmot herdi ed,Ma"
helookedatMakhul u.Hewast heonlyonewho
didn'tt
rytostar
tconf li
ctwithMakhulu" Onbehal fof
theFundsf amil
y,wet hankyouf ormakinghi s
homeyear souretgol d.Idon'tknowwher et he
suddenhost i
li
tytowar dyoucomesf r
om because
you'vebeenamot hert ous.Irememberyougoi ng
allt
hewayt oKi mber l
ywhenmywi f
e'ssisterdied.
Thankyou, Ma"heknel tinfr
ontofMakhul u.
Makhulu:"
Thankyou,nyana.Gri
efmakessome
peopl
echangesothehost i
li
tywil
lgoawaysoon"
sheki
ssedhischeek.
Babini
:"Shameonyouforsayi
ngoutloudthatyou
haveawi feyetmywi
fehastobeinthekit
chenall
al
onewhent hi
shomehasmakoti
s"Yandifel
tli
ke
hi
ding.
.
Samkelwa:"
I'
m sorry,
bhuti
"shesaidqui
etl
yto
Babini"
Wehadsomet hi
ngstosortout
"sheadded
feel
ingembarassed.
Yandi:"
Weunder
stand,
sisi
"shel
ookedather
husband.
Babini
:"Makhulu,Ineedtogorestonmyownbed.
I'
l
lcomebackl ateron"Makhulunodded"Ave,let
's
go,baby.Owam needst obecomf or
tabl
ewi t
h
house"Yandinoddedbef or
eshewentt ohugt he
l
adiesgoodbye" I
t'
sourcarthatIsawoutright?"
Yandinodded.
Makhul
u:"Ot
hu,
takeyourf
ami
lyhomet
orestt
oo.
I
'l
lbefi
ne"Ot
hunodded.
Ot
hu:"
Iloveyou"shehuggedhergr
anny.
Crai
g:"Thanksf
orthef
ood,Makhulu.Imissed
homesomuch"t heyst
ood.Craigneverl
ett
inggoof
Qhayiyawhohadnewteethintheshortspacethey
wereapart.
Babini
:"I
'
llseeyoul
ater
"hesai
dtoCr
aigandCr
aig
nodded.
Crai
g:"Lat
er,
man.Ineedsl
eepdesper
atel
y"Babi
ni
nodded.
Othu:"Soyou'llj
ustmetthechil
dstaywi
thablank
canvasmi nd?Whynott rytogethel
psoshe'
d
remember ?"shelookedatOwam whoseemedt obe
gett
ingalongwi t
hthetwins.
Babini
:"Idon'tknowwhatt hosebastar
dssubjeced
herto.ForallIknowt heyl
etherwatchasthey
ki
ll
edt heotherstheyclai
m werebornwithherso
memor ylossisgr eatandIwishi
twouldbe
permanent"
Othu:"
Youdoknowshe' l
lhaveepisodesri
ght
?Thi
s
calmnesswon'
tbeanever ydayt
hing.Soonnot
rememberi
ngwilldr
iveherupthewal l
"
Yandi
:"Wewi
llpr
epar
efort
hosemoment
s,f
ri
end
asbestwecan".
Babini
:"She'
sclearl
ymentall
ystrongsoIdoubtbut
yesI'
vedoner esear
chsowe'lldealwi
thit
.Gett
hat
facecheckedout"hesaidtoOthu.Theysai
dthei
r
goodbyesandj umpedinthei
rcars.
Yandi :"IwanttoreadthisresearchShe'
s.teen,
Zwenisoshe' l
lhavethoset ypi
calteeni
ssuesbut
yesi ftheytort
uredherthenIhopehermemor yis
forevergone.Wecanf il
lhermi ndwithnew
memor ies.usbeingafami l
y.I'
m soscaredtomess
upbutIam happyt hatyoucamewi t
hher.She'sso
pretty"
Babi
ni:"
Iloveyou"hehel
dherhand.
Yandi:"Soitseemsshewi l
lsti
lli
nventt
houghshe
doesn'thavememor y"shelookedatOwam who
wasbusywr i
tingi
nherbook..
Babini:"
Naturali
ntell
igence"hesmi l
ed"Zozo,wil
l
bethesameIknowandf orthatr
easonIdon'twant
them atschool.Iwantt hem tobewithoutl
imi
ts
wheni tcomest olear
ningTheschoolsyst em i
s
l
imiti
ng"Yandinodded.Bot hfamil
iesfi
nall
yarri
ved
homeandt heydidn'tgot obedandrest.Alljust
tookti
met ositandcat chupandfeelgratefulfor
beingreuni
tedagain.Yanditookherfi
rstpictureof
herfamilywit
hBabi niincl
udedanduploadedi ton
oneofherpagesnotf eari
ngifhe'
dbehunt eddown.
Babi ni:"Iwantt hattombst oneofmi net obe
dest royed"Yandinoddedi nagr eement' Iactual
ly
mi ssZur i
.Maybeshewi llgetOwam t obel ess
afraidt osoci al
ize"Yandil aughed.Babi niwentt o
sleepandYandit ookt het i
met ofamili
ar i
zeOwam
tot hehouse.Shewasnotmuchofat alkerbutf or
thet imebei ngseemedcomf or t
able.Owam di dn't
feelaf raidbutsheknewshe' dhavet oadj usttot he
sur roundi ngandi t'
speopl e.Itwasf arbet t
erthan
thecol dwal lsofLor en'sagency.Sher eallywar med
upt oYandiasshedi dtoBabi ni
.Thoughconf used
sheknewt hatshewassaf eandf ornowi twas
enoughf orherwhi leshet ri
edt ofigureoutwhather
l
ifewasl i
kebef oreshel osthermemor y.
S2-
FINALI
NSERT
I
mangestoodinf
rontoft
heonceti
nyRDPhouse
t
hatwassurr
oundedbyrust
yshackst
omakemore
spacef orhisbigf ami l
yandhecoul dn'tbeli
evethat
hef i
nal l
ymanagedt oext endhismot her'
shouse.
Hesai dasi l
entpr ayeroft hanksashef acedthe
blueskybef oretheannoyi ngsoundofanol dcar
disturbedhi m.Het urnedar oundtof acethegat e
andcoul dseehi smot her'senti
rebodyst artto
trembl eassoonasshest eppedoutoft heir
neighbour scar ,cl
ear lyover whl
medbyt hesightthe
house.Janest ar t
edt oj umpupanddownbef ore
runningt owher eI mangest oodwi t
habr i
ghtsmi l
e
onhi sf ace.Sheknel tinfrontofhim assoonshe
reachedhi m andsobbedathi sfeet.Therewasa
ti
mewhenJanedi dn'tthinkshe'dcopewi t
hbeinga
singlemot heryett hereshewascr yingtearsjoy
becauseoft hegi ftImangegaveher .
I
mange:"
Nozal
a"heknel
tdownt
oherl
evel
bli
nki
ng
t
ear
saway.
Cathy:"
Sheisprocessi
ngt hej
oy,Imange.All
owher
tosoakint
hemoment .Youarethefir
sti
nour
famil
ytograduatefr
om univer
sit
y,getanicejob
andbeabletodot hi
sforhismother"Imange'
saunt
sai
dwi t
habr okenheartasshethoughtabouther
daughterwhodi dn'twanttodoanythingwi t
hher
l
ifeexceptgivemenchi ldr
enandhersonwhowas
adrugaddi ct.Shewashappyt hathersisterhada
chil
dlikeImangebutdeepdownshewasenvi ousof
the"perfect
"chi l
dJanehadi nImange." Sisi
,getup
andlookatt hehouseyourchi ldbuil
tf oryou"Cathy
addedandwat chedImangepullhismot herup.
Jane'sar mswr appedt i
ghtl
yaroundImange' ssli
m
waistasshecont inuedtosob.Shefinallywipedher
tear
sof fandl ookedathersonpr oudly.
Jane:"
Ididn'
tthi
nkt
hatyouwoul dfini
shsoquickl
y,
Ndoda.Ihopeyoudidn'tgetyour
sel
findebtt
o
fi
nisht
hehousequickly"Janesuddenl
yfel
t
concer
ned.
Imange:" I
t'snotf i
nished, Ma.Istil
lneedt ohaveit
painted,ceil
ingsneedt obeputi nandf urnitur
e"he
l
ookedatt hegr eyhouse.Heal sodi dn'texpectfor
constructi
ont ogosoqui ckl
ybutt hemoneyhewon
ataspor tbethel pedhim pusht hedeadl ine.Alot
sti
llneededt obedonebuthedi dn'tputhi mselfi
n
debtt ofundi t
."Letusgoi nsi
de"het ookhi s
mot her'
smoi sthandst hathadt racesofwi ped
tear
sinthem andledhertowar dst
hehouse.Atfi
rst
i
twasat inyhousethatwasopenspacewhi cht
hey
hadtoseparatewithcurt
ainsforpri
vacybutJane
walkedi
nsidehertwobedr oom housethathada
kit
chenandani ndoorsbathroom.
Cathy:"
Whenareyougoingtohavethecei
li
ng
done?"shel
ookedup"Itwi
llf
eelcol
dduri
ngwint
er
wit
houtone"sheadded.
Jane:" Wear einnor ush, Ndoda.Ihaveaf eeling
thatIwi llgetthatschoolf eedi
ngschemet ender
afterthatpr esentationyouhel pedmecompi l
eand
shoul dthathappen, Iwi llassistyou"Janesai d
whenshenot i
cedt hej oyonI mange'sfacef adea
bitafterCat hy'sunnecessar ycomment .Janedi dn'
t
tel
lImanget hathisf atherhadt hedeci dingfactor
onwhogott hetenderbecauseshedi dn'twant
Imanget ogot hr
oughal otofpai ntr
yingt ogethi s
fathert oaccepthi m.Chr isknewaboutI mangebut
hej ustdi dn'
tcare.Janet oldhimt oawar dhert he
tendert omakeupf oral ltheyear softur moilheput
hert hrough.Hedi dn'twanthi swifeknowi nghehad
anot herchi l
dsoJanewascer tai
nshe' dgett he
tenderinexchangef orherkeepi ngqui et.Tokeep
suchf rom I
mangewasar iskbutJanef el
titwas
bestI mangecont inuewi thlif
ewi thoutChr isashe'd
beendoi ngallhisl i
fe"OhI mange"Janesmi l
ed
whi leherhandswer eoverhermout hasshel ooked
ar ound.Thehousest i
llsmel l
edlikecementbuti t
wasper f
ecttoher .Imangehadt hem goawayf or
thef est
iveseasont ot heruralareassot hewor kers
coul dworkwithouti nterr
uptionandt hehouse
l
ookedbet t
erthansheexpect edevenwi thoutthe
finishi
ngtouchesCat hybr oughtup.Janei nspected
theent i
renewst ructurebef oreanupr oaroftearsof
j
oycameonceagai n.
Imange:" SomedayI 'l
lbuyyouahouseinasaf e
neighborhood"hisdr eam hasal
waysbeentotake
hismot herfrom thecrimefil
l
ednei
ghborhoodbutit
wasal ongt erm dream heknewitwoul
dn'thappen
anyti
mesoon.
Jane:"Idonotwanttomovet oaplacewhereIdon't
knowmynei ghbors.Il
ovethi
sneighborhoodvery
much"shemeanteachwor dshesaid.I
mangef el
t
rel
ievedwhenhisauntlef
thim andhismother
alone." Shei sj ustabitjealoust hatherchildren
didn'ttur noutasshehopedt heywoul dthat'
swhy
she' sfindingf aultswiththehouse"Janewhi spered
whi lelooki ngatt hedoor" Irememberat i
mewhen
Cat hydi dn'twantherchi l
drent obedi scipl
inedand
I'
dt akeashoeandspankt hatbum ofyour swhen
you' r
enaught y.Ibeli
evethat '
swhyherchi ldrenar e
l
iket his"sheaddedi nanot herwhi spermaki ng
Imangel aughsof tywhenhet houghtaboutal lt
he
spanki ngshegotf rom hismot her.Atimewhenhe
andhi scousi nswoul dbegui ltyofthesamet hi
ng
buthewast heonl yonewho' dbecal ledinline
becausehi sauntwoul dmakeascenewhenher
childrenwer ebei ngdisciplined.Apar tofImange
feltgrat efulforhismot her'sst ri
ctnature.Hewas
notper fectandwasasnaught yastheaver age
childbuthewasdi scipli
nedwhi chhet hankedhi s
mot herf or
Imange:"Iam goingt
omar ryChulumanco,Nozal
a"
heblurt
edoutunexpect edl
ymakingJaneturnher
bodyquicklyt
of acehim.Alookofshockwashed
overherfacebeforeImangesawhermout hcurve
upi
nasmi
le.
Jane:"Thatwoul dbeagoodt hingespeciall
yfor
QhayiyabutIt houghtshewantednot hingtodo
withbeingr omanti
call
yinvol
vedwi thyou"Jane
saidtobr i
ngImangebackt oreali
ty.Itwasno
secretthatChulumancohadbeent urni
nghis
requestatasecondchancedownsoJanecoul dn'
t
helpbutwonderhowI mangewoul dgetChul uto
mar r
yhi m whenshedi dn'
tevenwantt otrydati
ng
again.
Imange:"
Wehavebeenspendi ngal otoftime
toget
her,
wellmostl
ybecauseofQhayi yabutIfeel
shesti
lll
ovesme,Ma.Iobviouslywillnotpropose
hernowbutIhaveaf eel
ingthatshe'
llwanttogi ve
measecondchance"hesai doptimisti
call
y.Jane
tookadeepbreat
hwhi l
ewalkingtowar dshim.
Jane:"Youar eeveryt
hingthatIwishedyourfat
her
wasaf terIf
oundoutI '
m pregnant.Iknowyoumade
mistakesafterQhayiya'sbi
rthbutIam proudofyou
fort
ryingtocorrectthem.Ireall
yhopet hat
Chulumancoi sgoingt oseethatbutevenifshe
doesn'tandyouf i
ndanot hergi
rl,
youhavemy
blessingtogoandf inallyli
veyourl i
fecompl et
ely
i
ndependent l
y.Iam proudofyou, I
mangewam.I 'm
sureeveni fyoudon'tgetbackt oget
herwi t
hChul u
Qhayiyai sgoingtohavest abi
li
tyinherlif
ebecause
youbot har egoodparent s"shesaidwi thasmi l
e
beforehuggi nghim"Andwhenyoudogetmar ri
ed
youmustl etgoofthement ali
tyoftakingcareof
meatal ltimes.Wedonotwantyourf utur
ewi f
e
feeli
nglikeshehasasi sterwife"shejokedandt hey
bothlaughed.
Imange:"Iwil
lnotstoplookingafteryou,Nozal a
andanywomanwhomar ri
edmehast oacceptt hat
.
WhatIlikeisthatChulumancoknowsi tandshe
neverhadapr oblem wit
hitbecausesheknows
yoursit
uati
onandt hatofherpar entsaren'tt
he
sameandyouknowhowIf eelabout"monst erin
l
aws"soIknowyouwon' tbeone"t heyboth
l
aughed.Someoft heneighborscameovert o
congrat
ulateJaneonherhouseandI manget ook
theti
met ogoandseeChul umancoandQhayi yaat
theparkasplanned.Het ookapi ctur
eoft hehouse
toshowi tt
oChul uwhohadbeenanxi oust oseei t
sincethewallswentup.Qhayi yawaswal king
alreadyinherimperf
ectwayt hatmadei tl ookas
thoughshewasaboutt ofal
lflatonherf aceeach
ti
meshet ookastep.Imangepi ckedQhayi yaupbut
shewi ggledi
nhisgriplet
ti
ngoutar est
lesscr y.
Chulu:"Thisonenol ongerwantstobeinourar
ms.
Hernewmobi l
it
yhasherannoyedwi t
hanythi
ng
thatdoesn'trequir
ehertowalk"shesaidand
Imangel aughedbef or
eplant
ingakissonQhayiya'
s
cheek.
Imange:"Iknowitissti
llearlydaysbutIam pr oud
ofus.Notsol ongagowewer efr
ightenedpeopl e
withanunexpectedbabyont hewayyetl ookatus
now"heputQhayi yadownandwat chedher
stumbleont hegreengrass.Chulusmi l
edasshe
thoughtaboutthatfr
ighteningmomentoff indi
ng
outthatshewasgoi ngtobeamot her.Shelooked
atImangewhohadhi sar msst r
etchedoutbehi nd
thefastQhayiyaashef earedshe'dfall.
Chul
u:"Fal
li
ngisgoodyouknow.Shemustst umble
bef
oreshecanbeabletowalkproperl
y.Youwon't
al
waysbet her
etocat
chher"shelookedatImange
andhet
urnedhi
sheadt
ofaceher
.
Imange:" I'
llal wayscat chher ,Manconomat ter
whatt hesi tuat i
oni sbutmymot heropenedmy
eyest oday.Iwon' tspoilherbutshewi l
lalways
knowt hatTat ahasgother "hesai dwithgr eat
certainty.Thet hreeoft hem final l
ysatdownwhen
Qhayi yahadherj uice.Herf acialfeaturesl ooking
mor eandmor elikethatofI mangeandhewasgl ad
heneverent ertai
nedZukiwhenshei mpl i
edQhayi ya
wasnothi s.I mangel ookedatChul uwhi l
eshewas
busyf ixingQhayi ya'sstrawandgotdi stractedby
Qhayi yal ettinggoofherj uicet otoclimbont oher
mot her .Imangehel dhi schildwhenshel ost
balanceandChul udi dthesamemaki ngcausi ng
theirfor eheadst ocol l
idegent lybef oretheybot hlet
outal augh.I manger ubbedChul u'sforeheadas
theymadepr olongedeyecont actandChul uf elther
cheekswar m up.I mangel eaningf orwardhad
Chul u'
shear tnear lybeatingoutofherchest .She
hadal waysl ovedhi m notjustast hefatherofher
chil
dbutt heoneguywhounder stoodhermost .The
thi
ngt hatf adedwast hespar kbutshef eltitget
str
ongerashisli
psdr
ewclosertoher.Qhayiya
unknowlybroket
hepotent
ialki
ssbyplaci
ngher
headbetweenherpar
entscausingeachofthem t
o
ki
sshercheeks.
I
mange:"Yourt
iming,nana"hesai
dwithasmi l
e
whi
let
ickl
ingQhayiyawhoselaugherf
il
lednearl
y
t
heent
irepark.
Chul
u:"Sheneverhadperfectt
imi
ng.Inot
icedthat
whenshechoset oarr
iveonmyuncle'swedding
dayfor
cingmet ohaveahomebi r
th"t
heyboth
l
aughed.
I
mange:"
Iwi
shIwast
her
e"hesai
dsof
tl
y.
Chulu:"
Mygr andmotherisst
il
lsomeonewho
beli
evesmenar en'
tsupposedtobei nthedeliver
y
room soIdoubtshe'dhaveapproved"theylaughed
againbefor
etherewascomf ort
ablesilence"The
houselooksbeauti
ful,
Mange.I'
m sur ethatyour
motherisoverthemoon"
I
mange:" Makazikeptcomment i
ngaboutt
hefact
t
hati
t'snotpainted,hasnoceil
ingandnew
f
urni
ture.Itki
ndamademef eelli
keIdi
dn'
tdo
anyt
hing"heexpr
essedhi
sfeel
ingsf
ort
hef
ir
stt
ime.
Chulu:"Romewasn'
tbui
lti
naday.Thewall
sand
roofisupsothel
it
tl
edetai
lswi
llf
oll
ow.Iam
personall
ypr
oudofyou"shesmil
ed.
Imange:"
Thanks"hebl
ushed"
Iwanttofi
nishitso
thatt
hedayIhavemyownf amil
y,Iwon'
thaveto
buil
dtwohomes"
Chulu:"
Thatsgreatthinki
ngandI 'm sur
eyourfut
ure
wif
ei sgoingt
oappr eciat
ei t
.I'
m str
uggli
ngtoget
mywor koutthere.Theof f
erIthoughtwouldputme
onthemapdi dn'tcomet hrough"shesaidinasad
whisper.
Imange:"
Ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
owor
kout
,Manco"he
assur
edher.
Chulu:"
Whent hough?IhearpeoplesayIshoul dbe
grat
efulbecauseIhavef i
nancial
lystableparents
whocanst il
ltakecareofmebutIwantt obe
i
ndependent.Maybedoi ngartwasami stake.I
shouldhavedoneaccount ingorsomet hing"
Imangereachedf orherhand.
I
mange:"
Youar
etal
ent
edandt
hesedaysyoudon'
t
havetowai tf
oragal
ler
ytoshowyourpi
ecesi
n
orderforthem t
osel
l
.Takeadvant
ageoft
he
i
nternet"Chul
unoddedashespoke.
Chul
u:"I
'vebeenthinki
ng"shel
ookedathi
m"About
us.
..
thi
s"shepointedbetweent
hem.
Imange:"
Youdonotwantt
otr
yagai
n"hesai
d
qui
etl
y.
Chulu:"Iactuall
ydo.You'
vebeenpr ovi
ngtomet hat
youar eseriousaboutthi
sandIseeyou.Soi fyou
stil
lwanttol etustr
yagainandseewher eitgoes"
Imange'slipswer eonhersbeforeChul
ucouldeven
fi
nishspeaki ngandshemi ssedthepassi
onf i
ll
ed
famili
ari
ty.ChulufeltI
mangesmi lebet
weent he
kissi
ngmaki ngherownlipscurveup.
Imange:"Imissedthis"hepl ant
edasof tpeckon
Chulu'
slips"Missedus...you"hesaidinafli
rt
ytone
whichmadeChul u'
sbodyr eact
.Shehadbeen
abstai
ningsincetheirbreakuppar t
lybecauseshe
fear
edget t
ingpregnantagai n.
Chulu:"Imi
ssedital
ltoobutt
herear
econcer
ns
thatIneedt
obringup, I
mange"I
mangenodded
quickl
ytoindicat
ethathewasl i
steni
ng" Nomor e
givi
ngupeasi l
ywhent hingsaren'tgoi
ngyourway
Imange.Af t
erQhayi
yawasbor nmysel fest eem
tookaknockbecauseIdi dn'
tknowwhatt odowi th
thechangest omybody.EvennowI '
m sti
ll
recoveri
ngfrom t
hebirthandi fyoucan'taccept
thatI'
m notthesamewomanIwasbef oreour
daughterthenwemi ghtaswel lendthisrighthere"
sheadded.
Imange:" Iwaschil
dishbutIseet hi
ngsdi f
fer
ently
now.Iexpect edyout obet hesameandi twas
unfairofme.Iwantt ospendt herestofmyl i
fewith
you,Mancoandt hatmeansyourbodyi syettogo
thr
oughal otofchanceshoul dwehavemor e
chi
ldrenbutIpr omiset oneveragaindemand
att
ent i
onwhenIshoul dbet akingyourloadoff.I
'm
seri
oust histi
mear oundaboutbui l
dingafuture
whereourdaught erwi l
lfeelthewar mthofboth
parents"
Chulu:"
ButIdon'
twantyoutowantmebackj
ust
becauseofQhayi
ya"shelookeddown.
I
mange:"
IloveyouandI
'
minl
ovewi
thyouandI
'
ve
al
waysbeen.Ijustl
etmychil
dishbehavi
ourj ust
getthebett
erofme.Eveni
fQhayiyawasn'thereI'
d
sti
llbet
alki
ngthesamethi
ng"hesaidhonestlyand
Chulunodded.
Chulu:"Nomor esl ayqueens? "I
mangeswor ethat
hewasdonedat inggi r
lswhoonl yrecogni sedhim
whenhehadmoney.Heki ssedheragai n" Andno
mor ebabi esunt ilweact uallyplanit"theybot h
l
aughed.Thet wooft hem st oodupt opl aywi tht hei
r
energizeddaught er.They'dst ealaf ewki sses
betweent heswi ngi ngandt heybot hfeltl i
ket hey
hadr etur
nedbackhomeaf t
ermont hsofwander ing
i
nt hecoldst reets.Imangewast hankfulf orthe
momentoff ool i
shnesst hathewentt hrough
becausei tmadehi m certainofwhathewant edi n
l
ifeandt hatwasChul umancoandQhayi ya.Hi s
goalwast or aiseQhayi yawi thChulumancounder
oner oofashewi shedhi spar entscoul dhave.
Chulumancodi dn' tknowwhatt omor r
owhadi n
storeforal lsheknewI mangewoul dchoose
anothergi rloverheragai ni nf ut
urebutshewasnot
aboutt olett hewor ri
esoft omor r
owt ost andi nher
wayofsoaki ngupt hehappi nessshef eltwhole
playi
ngwi thherboyfriendandchild.Shei sagai nst
parentsstayi
ngt ogetherforthesakeoft hechi l
d
butshef el
tthatwasnott hecasewi t
ht hem.She
l
ovedI mangeandhel ovedherandChul uwasgl ad
thattheycouldpotent i
all
ygiveQhayiyaast abl
e
familyasshehad.Shakawasst il
lincont actwith
herbutsher eal
izedthatwhatshef el
tforhi m was
nothingcompar edtowhatshef el
twhenshewas
withImange.Shecar edabouthim butshewasnot
i
nl ovewithhim.Lucki lyShakafoundhi msel fa
socialworkergirl
fr
iendwhom heseemedmadl yin
l
ovewi thandChul uwashappyf orhim.
.
Zukoandherf el
lowfemalewarri
orsstoodinfront
ofthefamil
iargatewhichZukousedforallherli
fe.
Mandlaheldhercousin'shandmakingZukosnap
outofherdeepthoughts.
Yandi:"
Fri
end,
ifi
tdoesn'
tfeelri
ghtt
hendonotdo
i
t"shewhisper
edandallt
hel adi
esnoddedi
n
agreement.
Mandl
a:"
Theydonotevendeser
veyourf
orgi
ven"
Zuko:" ButIdeser
vetobef r
ee,mnt ase.Thi
sisnot
forthem, l
adi
esbutf
ormysel fandmydaught er.
Thel asttimeIwashereIleftcryi
ngandnot
believi
ngt hatmyownmot herwoul dsayI'mlyi
ng
aftertell
ingherIwasrapedinthissamehouse"she
tookadeepbr eat
h.
Othu:"Wear ereadywhenyouar e,fri
end"shesai d
assheunder stoodt heimportanceoft histoZuko.
Sheher sel
fhadt oforgiveherpar ents.Their
sit
uationwerenowher eneart hesamebutOt hu
remember edhowl iberati
ngfor gi
vingthem feltand
i
fitcoulddot hesamef orZuko, shewasnotabout
tostandinherf r
iend'sway.Zuko' sshoul der
sr ose
andf el
lagainasshet ookadeepbr eath.
Zuko:"Iwanttodot his"afterr
eturni
ngtother
apy
theytouchedonf orgivenessandZukowasgl ad
thatshefinal
lyreachedt hatpointwhereshewas
readytogoconf ronthermot her.Adeepemotional
painsuddenlyrippedt hr
oughZukoasshewal ked
tothedoor .I
twasanunexpect edvisi
tsoZuko's
mot hernearl
yfellbackwar dswhenshesawher
daughter
.Zukowasabouttotur
nbackbutwhen
shefel
tthewarm handsofherf
ri
endsonherback
shebravedupagain.
Zuko:" Mamf ene"shecall
edhermot herbyherclan
namei nsteadofsaying"Mama" .Zukostil
lfel
ther
mot herwasn' twort
hyofthet i
tl
e.Shewas
unbotbet edwhent hestr
eam oft ear
sf el
loverher
mot her'scheeks.Nomandl aaskedherauntt ogo
i
nsideasZukohadsomet hi
ngtosay.When
Mamf enecamecl osertohugZukoNomandl a
stoppedheraunt .
Mandl
a:"
She'
djustl
iket
otal
kfornow,
Dabs"t
he
ot
herl
adi
esnodded.
Mamf ene:"
Cant hosewhoarenotfami
lyst
ay
out
side"shelookedattheot
herladi
es.
Zuko:"Theyhavebeenmorefamil
ythanyouhave
soifyouwantthem togothenIwi
llt
oo"Zuko
watchedhermothernodandsheknewt hatt
he
l
adiescouldcomeinwithher.
Nomandl
a:"
Aft
eral
lthathadhappened.Dabsst
il
l
t
ri
estomakesuret
hatthosewhoaren'tf
amil
ydon't
geti
nvolved"sheclappedoncebef or
egoi nginsi
de.
Aft
erdecliningdri
nkstheladiesallsatdownf aci
ng
Zuko'
smot hermakingtheolderwomanf eelli
keshe
wasbeingj udged.Zukoli
stenedtohermot her
pl
eadforfor gi
venesswhileendlesstearscameout .
Zuko:"
Iforgi
veyou"shesai
dloudl
yandbody
enoughforhermothert
ostoptal
king.
Mamfene:"Thankyousomuch"shewasaboutt
o
st
andandgi veZukoahugbutZukobl
ockedt
he
af
fect
ion.
Zuko:"JustbecauseIhavef orgivenyou, itdoesnot
meant hatIwantyout obeapar tofmyl i
feagain,
Mamf ene.Ist il
lwantnot hingtodowi t
hyoubutI '
ve
comet ol etyouknowt hatI'mfreeingmysel fby
forgi
vingyou.Idon' tcarewhatyoudowi thmy
forgi
venessbutIf reeyou.Thegr udgeIhol d
towardsyoui snotgoodf orme.Thoughi ttook
years,Icanf inal
lysayt hatIhavef or gi
venyou"she
saidsof t
lyast earsstartedtoform" Youbr okeme,
Ma.Youmi ghtaswel lhavewat chedwhi lethey
rapedmeandl aughedt hroughouti tallbecauseby
notbelievingmeIi ndir
ectlypl
aceyouont hescene"
Zukoaddedbutshehadt otakeamomentt ocollect
herselfbetweent hesobbi ng"Iputmypi ecesback
together.I
mper fect
lysobutIam whol eagai nandI
am pr oudofmysel f"theladiesstar
tedtocr ytoo
"ThatisallthatIcamet osay.Youar estil
lnothi
ng
tome.Tel lMalu...
"Nomandl a'
sfatherenteredjust
asZukowasaboutt ospeakabouthi m.
Laml
a:"
Nozuko"hetookhi
shatoffbef
oresi
tt
ing
downwi
thabrightsmil
eonherf
ace.
Zuko:"Iforgi
veyoutoo,Malumef orsteal
ingmy
casefil
emaki ngsur
et heli
tt
leevidenceIhad
disappeared"Laml
aact edcl
ueless.
Nomandl
a:"
Don'
tlookl
ikei
twasyourevi
ltwi
nwho
di
dit
,Tat
a"shel
ookedatherf
ather
.
Mamf ene:"Iwastheonewhoaskedhi mt o.Iknow
i
tistoolateasyoual r
eadyforgavemewithout
get
tinganapol ogybutIam sorr
yforever
ything,my
chi
ld"shebr okedownagain.
Zuko:"
Ial
readydi
d.Thattal
kingisyourgui
lt
y
conci
ousanditi
snonofmybusi ness.Ihave
concl
udedthebusi
nessthatIhavecomeher ef
or"
shestoodupandsodi dherf r
iends.Zuko
deli
beratelychoset oexitthrought hekitchenwher e
theinci
denthappened.Al umpbl ockedhert hroat
whenshewasbackt hereagai nafteryearsofnot
seeingit"Renovatingtheki t
chenwi l
lnoteraset he
badener gylefti
nt hi
ski t
chen.Youhaveseenme
andyoucanseet hatyourgol denboydi dn't
succeedi nbreakingme.Don' tdaretrytocont act
meagai n"shesai dbef or
ewal kingout .Zukocr i
ed
whent hedoor sofNomandl a'scarshutand
l
aughedsof t
ly"Iknowt hatheal i
ngi sanever yday
thi
ngbutdoi ngt hatclosedawound.Thankyouso
muchf orthesuppor tladies"shel ookedatherbest
fri
ends.
Poppy:"Youaresi
mplyamazi
ng.Il
ovet
hewoman
thatyou'
vebecome"
Luci
a:"Met oo"theyallsmiledandnodded.
Nomandl adroveof fandshef i
tsowel l
inthecir
cle
offr
iendsshef eltshehadbeenoneoft hem si
nce
for
ever.Shehadal wayst
oldpeopl eshedoesn'
t
havefri
endsbutacquai ntancesbutshef ort
hefirst
ti
mef el
tli
keapar tofafr
iendship.Herhusbandhad
notset
tl
edwellwit
hCraigandtheothermenasshe
hadwithOt
huandt heladi
esbutshedecidedt
onot
for
cehimtobefri
endthem.
Nomandl a:"Ihaveaf eeli
ngthatt
henewyearis
goi
ngt obeagr eatone.I'
donceagainli
ketot
hank
youladiesforsuppor t
ingmysi st
erandfor
welcomingmet othegr oup"shesmil
ed.
Zuko:"Havingapr osicut
orasaf r
iendmightbean
advantagesoyeah"shej okedandt heyal
llaughed
"SoFelici
awillyoutelluswhat '
swi tht
heringyou
havebeenwear i
ngasaneckl ace?"Zukoaddedto
takethefocusof fheavytopics.
Luci
a:"Youladiessawi t
?"sheaskedandthey
nodded"WellIdidn'twantt
otel
lyouguysbecauseI
fear
edyou'dsayi t
'stoosoonbutGunterandIare
gett
ingmarri
ed"sheshuthereyeswai ti
ngforthem
togiveheralectur
ebutshegotcheersinstead.
Yandi :"
Iper
sonal
lyknowt hathowl ongyou'vebeen
datingsomeonedoesn'tdetermineifthemar r
iage
willbeasuccessornot.Ifyouar ehappythengo
forit"shesmil
edmakingLuci abreath.
Poppy:"Takethedamnr i
ngof fyourneckandputi t
wherethemanputi twhenhegavei ttoyou"she
unbuckledLi
cia'
sneckl acewhi l
elaughi ng.They
watchedast hediamondf i
tperf
ect l
yont hepal e
fi
ngersoftheirf
riendbeforetheyl etoutanot her
cheer.Theywerehappyt hatLuciawasgoi ngtobe
wit
hsomeoneot herthanNat eWhof ear
ed
commi tment.
Othu:"
Isthereanyot hersur
pr i
singyetexci
ti
ng
newsanyofyouwantt osharebef or
ewegoi nto
thenewyear ?"shelookedaroundandever yone
shooktheirheadslaughing,everyoneexceptPoppy.
Poppy:"
I'
m pr
egnant"shebl
urt
edoutcausi
ng
mouthstohangopen.
Yandi:"
Yes!"shesaidexcit
ingly"
nowI '
m notthe
onlyonewho' sgoi
ngtobehomewi thayoungchi l
d
whilemyf r
iendsgoouttraveli
ngaftert
heirki
dsare
outofthehouse"theladi
esal ll
aughedbefore
congrat
ulati
ngPoppy.
Zuko:"
Thisisexact
lywhatIneededaf
terthat
moment .Youl
adiesar
ethebesthonestl
y"she
smi
ledbef
orer
eachi
ngf
ort
hei
rhands.
Othu:"I'
mj ustgladthatwe' l
lbeendi ngt hi
syear
toget
herandwi thanewaddi t
ionwhodoesn' tf
eel
newatal l.Youf eelfamil
iar,Mandl aandIl ovesuch
connect ionssomuch"Nomandl asmiled.Ofallthe
l
adiesi twasOt hushef eltclosesttooandt ohear
Othusayt hatwarnedherhear t.Theladieswentt o
Yandi'shousewher etheyearendpar tywasgoi ng
tobehost ed.Eachonef eeli
nggoodabout
themsel vesandt hei
rfami l
iesandt heycoul dn'
twait
tocelebr atewithf amil
yandf r
iends.
.
TheKni ghttwinsandOwam hadgr owncl oserwi t
h
eachpassi ngday.Shechal l
engedtheirthinki
ngand
i
tmadet hem dr awnt oherastheywant edt ohear
mor eaboutwhat '
sint hatmindofhers.Owam had
hadaf ewmaj orsetbacksasexpect edofat een
chil
dwhodi dn'trememberanyt hi
ngf rom herpast
l
ifebutYandiandBabi nihavebeenremar kable
supportsystemst otheirdaught
erandsamegoes
fortheextendedf amil
y.Zurist
ayedwi ththe
teenagerswai ti
ngf orPoppy'sdaughterstoarrive.
Zuri
:"Absolut
elynothi
ngthatyousaymakessense.
Youguysusesuchbi gwords"sheputherhand
overherfacebeforeshaki
ngherhead.
Owam:"Becausewearenotpl
ayi
nghousebut
doi
ngrealst
uffher
e"shel
ookedatt
hefr
ustr
ated
Zur
i.
Phawu:"Her
eisyourdol
l,
Zur
i.
Goandpl
ay"he
di
smissedZuri
.
Zuri:"
Whydon'
tyouguyseverwantt
oplaywithme?
Doyounotli
keme? "shesai
dinasadwhisper
"EvenwhenIbr
oughtyoucakeyoudidn'
teati
t,
Owam"sheadded.
Qhawe:"Wel oveyouverymuch,Zuributwear efar
oldersowepl aydif
fer
entl
y"hesai
dtocomf or
ther
"Owam doesn'teatanyt
hingsweetactuall
ysoit'
s
notonlyyourcakeokay?"heheldZuricloseand
shenodded.
Owam:"Ili
keyoubutIjustl
ikemyspacemor
e.I
don'
tevenspendmucht i
mewi t
htheset
wo"t
he
twi
nsnoddedinagreement.
Phawu:"
It
'sj
ustt
hatnowwear
epl
anni
ngour
shar
eddr
eam andput
ti
ngi
tonpaper
"heexpl
ained.
Zuri
:"Icanhel p"shesaidexci ti
nglybeforegoingto
herbagt ogethercr ayonsandot herdecorati
ve
materialtoputapi eceofher selfonthevisionboard
ofthet eenager s.Nonoft hegr ownkidswer einthe
moodt ostophersowhi let heyplannedtheirfut
ure
companyZur iwasdr awinghear tswithaglitt
erpen.
Whenal lwasdonet hefouroft hem wentt othe
backyar dandPhawuandQhawedugahol einthe
soi
lwhi l
eOwam secur edt hefoldedpaperinabag
soitwoul dn'tgetwet .
Owam:" Isweartodoal lwit
hinmyabil
it
ytochoose
thi
ngswhi chwil
laddt othereal
it
yofourdream to
est
ablishi
ngthelargesttechnol
ogyandinnovat
ion
businessinAfr
ica"sheputherhandoutandt he
boysmadeasi mi l
arvow.
Phawu:"
Wai t
,weact ual
lyplannedeveryt
hingbut
wedidn'
tsaywhowoul dtakeonwhi chrol
es"he
l
ookedathissibl
ings.
Owam:"
Idon'twanttol
ead"shesai
dqui
ckl
y"Iwant
t
obeheadinvent
or"sheadded.
Qhawe:"Iactuall
ydon'twantt oleaditei
ther.As
i
ntr
overtedasyouar e,youact uall
ypossessgr eat
l
eadershipskil
ls,
bra"hel ookedathisbrother"Iwil
l
beinchargeofeverythingt hathastodowi t
hsal es
andgetti
ngabi gandst rongcl i
entbase"
Phawu:"Idonotmindheadingthecompanybutit
doesn'tmeanI'
l
ldoallthework.Ialsowantt
obe
i
nvolvedinthei
nventi
onofourpr oduct
sasI'
m sur
e
Qhawewoul dbetoo"Qhawenodded.
Owam:"Idon'tmindatal
l.Sof
arwe'vecomeup
wi
thgreati
deasandoncewegetf undingwe'
l
ldo
gr
eatt
hings,Itel
lyou"
Qhawe:"Wecanact
uall
yoff
erani
nvest
ment
oppor
tuni
tyt
oourparent
s"
Phawu:"YesbecauseIhaveafeeli
ngwe'l
lbe
bil
li
onair
esandwemustputonpaperhowi t'
l
l
benefi
tthem pl
uswemustout l
inewhatwouldbe
expectedoft
hem becausewedonotwantt hem
parent
ingusinourownbusiness"t
heothers
nodded.
Zur
i:"
Iwi
llbet
hepubl
icr
elat
ionspr
act
it
ioner
"the
ol
derki
dsl
ookedatherwi
thr
aisedbr
ows.
Owam:"Idonott
hinkwewi
ll
needt
hat
"shesai
d
pol
it
ely.
Zuri:"
Lookhowcol orfulImadeyourbi gpaperl ook
withmydr awings.Icandot hesamef oryour
businesswhenIam bi g"shel ookedupatt hem
"Youwi l
lneedsomeonet omakesur ethatthe
i
mageofyourbusi nessisgoodandIknowhowt o
maket hingspret
ty"shesai dconfident
ly"Ieven
helpmymot herputonnai lpoli
sh"sheadded.
Phawu:"OkayZuriwil
lbePRPracti
ti
oner"hesaid
notmeaningitbuthewantedZur
itofeeli
ncluded
andZurismil
ed.
Owam:"Wewi l
lcomebackheret
odi
gthi
soutwhen
wehavestart
edourbusi
nesstor
ememberwher
e
webegan"theother
snodded.
Qhawe:"
Iknowwemi ghtgetdi
str
act
edbutmaywe
pusht
ohaveallt
hatwesaidwewould"
Phawu:"
Ithi
nkt
het
hreeofuswi
llachi
evei
t"
Zur
i:"
Andme"shesai
d.
Phawu:" Thef ourofus"hesai ddoubt full
y.Poppy' s
daught ersarrivedbutZur istayedwi tht hegr own
kidsunt i
ltheybur i
edt heirvisionhopi ngt ounear th
i
ti naf ewyear st oseehowf art heyhavecome.Zur i
wasnotapar toft hepl anbutshewasexci ted
abouti tnont hel ess.Thechi l
drendi dn' tknowwhat
thef utur
ehadi nst or ebutt heiryounghear ts
believedinthei rideawi thever ythingt hathadwhi ch
wasenoughi nt hatmoment .Theywer edeter mined
tost udyi
ngt hingst hatwoul dbr i
ngt hem cl osert o
theirshareddr eam ofbei ngoneofaf ewi nnovat i
on
andt echnologycompani esi nAf rica.Theywant ed
topr oducedevi cest hatwoul dmaket hel ivesof
theirfamili
esandt hewor ldeasi er.Oncet hepaper
wasbur i
edt heyshar edanodt osealt heagr eement
betweent hem bef or eZur iwentont opl aywi thkids
herage.Shef ort hef i
rsttimef eltwel comedby
Owam whi chmadeherexci ted.Sheal socoul dn't
wai tforschool stoopensoshe' df i
nallygot o
school .
.
Thegent
lemensatont
heot
hersi
deoft
heyar
dwi
th
acl
earvi
ewoft
heki
dsf
rom af
ar.
Crai
g:"
Iwonderwhattheyar
eupto?
!"hepl
acedhi
s
handoverhisbr
owtoblockt
hesunashewantedt
o
getaproperl
ookatt
hem.
Mzu:"
Probablykil
ledafr
ogandopenedi tt
osee
whati
tlookedli
keontheinside.Youknowhowkids
ar
e"Babinil
ookedatthekids.
Babini
:"Someofuswer eki
ll
ingmorethanf r
ogs
duetoourcondi
ti
oning"hesaidsoft
ly"Idon'tknow
whattheymademygi rldobutIam gl
adt hatshe
doesn'
tremember"helookedattheki
dswhower e
patt
ingthegr
ound.
Crai
g:"
It'
sbeenquiteayear ,gentsbutwe'vemade
i
t.Welostthedeaconbutwest il
lhaveourrock
Makhuluandmymot heratleastvisi
tssecret
ly.Our
fami
lyi
sheal t
hyandgr owing"
Mzu:"Speakingaboutgrowing.I
'
m goingt
obea
fat
heragain"Babi
niandCr ai
glookedathi
m" Iwas
j
ustasshockedbutnowIact ual
lycan'
twai
t.
Prayi
ngforaboyt hi
stime"theothermen
congrat
ulatedhi
m.
Craig:"
Youtwobechangingdiaper
sinyouroldage.
Soonour swil
lbeoutoft
hehouseandIcanr elax
withmywi f
e"hesatbackwit
hapl easedsmi
le.
Babini
:"Unti
lOthusaysshemi
ssedherperi
od.May
thepregnancybusmakeastopatyourhousetoo"
MzuandBabi nilaughed.
Crai
g:"Gocheckifwehaveenoughcharcoaland
stoptal
kingrubbi
sh"heraisedabr
ow"Doyouknow
howpower fult
hetongueis?Takei
tback"Babi
ni
shookhisheadwhi l
elaughing.
Babi
ni:"You'
reevenafr
aidofhavi
nganewbor
n"he
st
oodt ogotothebraaiar
ea.
Mzu:"Somybossissell
ingthefact
oryandI'
m
t
hinki
ngaboutbuyi
ng"helookedathisbrot
heri
n
l
aws.
Babini
:"Youwouldn'twanttoi
fther
easonhesol
dit
i
slinkedtoitnotgenerat
ingmoneyfr
om i
t"
Crai
g:"Iwasbouttosayt
hesamet
hing.Whyi
she
sell
ing?
"hesippedhi
sbeer.
Mzu:"
Iact
ual
lydon'
tthi
nki
t'
smoneyi
ssues.Hi
s
wif
ewashij
ackedsotheywantt omoveoverseas
wherei
ts"
safer
"butIaskthatyoutwocheckifit
'
s
r
eall
ynotmoneyrel
ated.Iam notgoodati
t"
Crai
g:"
Relax,I
'm oni
t,man.Sodoyouhave
capi
tal
?"helookedatMzu.
Mzu:" I
'
llusemysavingsandPoppysai
dshe'd
contr
ibutebutwedon'twantt
oriski
tal
lsoIwas
thi
nkingaboutaski
ngmycol l
eaguesi
ftheywantt
o
part
nerwi t
hme"
Babi
ni:"
I'
mlooki
ngf
oranewchal
lengesoIcan
chi
pin"
Craig:"Dudeyouar etaki
ngwordsfrom mymouth
today.Countmei n,man.Iam looki
ngfora
challengetoo.Myempl oyeescanbasi
call
yrunt
he
currentbusinesswithoutmesoIneedtokeepon
myt oes"Mzusmi led.
Mzu:"Thankyousomuch,brot
hers"hestoodto
shakethei
rhands"Pl
ushesaidhe'
dsellbelow
marketval
ueifoneofhi
semployeesareinter
est
ed"
Babini
:"Let'
sfi
rstdor
esear
chonitbef
oret
alki
ng
aboutthat.I
fal
lelsei
saboveboar
dandifwe'l
l
makemoneyf
rom i
tthenwegett
hebal
lrol
li
ng"
Crai
g:"Newyear
,newus.That '
swhatt
hel
adi
es
usual
lysayr
ight
?"theyal
llaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Yett
heyrar
elychangebutwel ovet
hem.
Soonmybabieswil
lbeturningone.Iact
ual
lyt
hink
wearefi
newitht
hesethree"Crai
glaughed.
Mzu:"Sothejudge"helookedatthetwomen"do
wecallandinvi
tehim?"herefer
redtoNomandla'
s
husband.
Babi
ni:"Wewon'tf
orcesomegrownassmant o
comechi l
lwi
thus.Hiswif
ewil
lbeherewit
hthei
r
ki
dslateronsoheknowshe'swelcome"
Craig:"Tr
uethat,
man.Let'
sgett
hatf
ir
estar
ted
beforetheladi
escomeandhavesomethi
ngtosay"
hest oodandsodi dMzu.
Mato:"
Happpppppy!
!!
!"shesaidasshewal
kedover
towheret
hemenwer e."Whydoyouboyslookl
ike
youwil
lcar
rythebur
densoft hi
syearwi
thyout
o
thenewone?"shel
aughed.
Babi
ni:"
Timei
sani
l
lusi
on,
Makhul
u.Whatmakes
oneyeardi
ff
erentf
rom t
heot
herist
hechoicest
hat
wemakediffer
entl
ywhichwi
l
lreapdi
ff
erent
resul
ts"
Mato:"Youmi ghtaswellgotochurcht oat
tendthe
newyear sservi
cetherewithyourboredom,Babini
"
shesippedherwi ne"Happppyyy!
"sheshout ed
onceagainandt hechil
drencameoutshout ing
happyaswel lgett
ingMatomor einthemood" It
seemsl i
keIhavechosent hewronggr ouptobe
happywi t
h"shelookedatthemen.
Craig:"We'l
lgetinthemoodsoon, Mato.Our
excitementissti
llloading"t
hemenl aughed.Mato
wenti nsi
dewi t
hheryoungent our
ageandst ar
tedto
playsomemusi ctheycoul ddanceto.Shewas
askedt ostartmakingt hesaladst
hatwouldgowi t
h
themeatbutshei nsteadhiredcat
eri
ng.
Zuko:"
Happy,
happy,Happpppppy!
"shesai
dwhi
le
danci
ngherwayinsi
dethehouse.
Mato:"
Ohmyper sonalprai
sepoet
.Youstil
lhave
notl
ostyourt
ouchatall.Youknowjustwhattodo
tol
if
tmyspiri
ts"shedancednextt
oZukoand
everyonelaughed.ThefoodordersMat oorder
ed
arr
ivedandYandiandOt hurai
sedtheirbr
ows
"Don'tdar
elookatmel ikethat
.Therewasnoway
I'
dbechoppi ngstufft
omakesal adstoday"she
added.
Makhul
u:"
Ial
readystart
edwit
hthecarr
otsbutt
his
onesai
dImustleaveit
"shepoi
ntedt
oMat o.
Nokul
unga:"Wedon'tevenknowwhomadet hese
sal
ads.Didt
heyevenwasht hei
rhands"shelooked
att
hesaladsastheyputthem i
nthefr
idge.
Mato:"
Youonl
yli
veonce.
..
YOLO"sher
aisedher
gl
ass.
MaDudumashe:"
Soyouarel
ivi
ngoncewi
thout
me?
"Matoscreamedwhenshehear
dherf
riend'
s
f
amil
arvoi
ce.
Mat o:"
Icoulddowit
houtthem allbutnotyou,
my
fri
endship.Myri
binfri
endshipform"thetwoof
them huggedbefor
eMat oletMaDudumashet akea
sipofherwine.
MaDudumashe:"
Iplayedmakotiatt
heDudumashe
homest
eadbutIt
oldYandi
'sf
atherthatIwantt
obe
wi
thmychi
ldandgr
andbabi
es"
Mato:"Justl
ookhowf r
eeandhappywomenwho
marri
edunderstandingmenar e"shepoi
ntedatMa
Dudumashewi t
hasmi le.MrDudumashewalkedi
n
pushi
ngt wosui
t casesandYandirantohugher
fat
her.
MaDudumashe:" Youcarrythem andbr eastfeed
them andt
heyr unpastyout ohugt hefatherf i
rst
"
everyonel
aughedatt hejoke.Babini
'ssmi l
e
becamewiderwhenhesawhi sinlawsatt heir
house.Hefir
sthuggedMaDudumashe" Atl eastmy
sonsawmef i
rst"shejokedandt heyalllaughed.
Babi
ni:"
Tat
a"hesai
dbef
oregi
vinghi
sfat
heri
nlaw
ati
ghthug.
MrDudumashe:" Nyana"hesaidwi
thasmile"We
thoughtwe'
dsurpri
seyouwi t
havisi
t.Idohopet
hat
youdonotmi nd"headded.
Babini
:"Tohaveyouherewi t
husisanhonor,
Mdlomo.Ther eisal
otofmeatsoyouarewel come"
themenl aughed.Ahandsomewellt
onedelderly
manwi thaneatwhitebeardandf
reshhai
rcut
wal
kedi
n.
MrDudumashe:"Thisismycousi n,Vusi
khaya.He
hasbeenhelpi
ngmedr ivesoIdohopeanext ra
personwon'
tbeapr obl
em, Mpinga"MatogaveMa
Dudumashea" l
ook"beforeherfocuswentbackon
thehandsomeelderyouclearl
ywasar egularatthe
gym.Hisshir
tcli
ngingtohistonedbodyandMat o
fel
therbodyshudderbutinagoodway.
Babini
:"Ir
ememberTat'Vusif
rom t
heweddi
ng.
Welcomet oourhouse,
Tata"heshookVusi
'
shand.
Vusi:"Youhavegotabeauti
fulhome, bat
shana"
Yandiwenttohugheruncleandt heythankedhi
m
forthecompliment
.Matofeeli
ngast houghwater
hadent er
edherkneesf
eastedhereyesont heman
withthedeepandneatvoice.
Mato:"HowdidImi
ssTamci Vusiatt
heweddi
ng?
"
shelookedatMaDudumashe.
Makhulu:"
Thosecolor
f uldri
nksyouhadmadeyou
bli
ndbecausehecameaf teryouhadoneortwoof
those"Makhul
usaidinasar cast
icwhi
sper
.The
menwentoutt ot
hebr aaiareabutVusigaveMato
aprol
ongedgl
ancebef
oredi
sappear
ingf
rom her
si
ght.
MaDudumashe:" Hewasmar r
iedandhadfour
chil
drenbuthelaterf
oundoutthatheisst
eri
leso
thekidsar
en'this"Matopl
acedherhandoverher
mouthexpressinghershock.
Mato:"
Whowoul dleavesuchasnackofaman?
"
sheshookherhead.
MaDudumashe:" Hewasnotal wayslikethis.After
fi
ndi ngoutthatthekidsher aisedwerenothi she
startedtodrink.Yandi'
sfatherhadt olethim stay
withusf orayearanddur i
ngt hatti
mehegot
i
nt roducedtof i
tnessandgym andheneverl ooked
back.Gi r
lsyoungenought obehi sgrandkidsdr ool
afterhim soIthoughtI'dbringhimt omyf r
iendship
whoi sal
soagei ngli
kefinewi ne"shewhi speredto
Mat o.
Mat
o:"Myri
binfr
iendshi
pform"theydidasubt
le
l
owfivewhi
lel
ooki
ngoutintothebraaiar
ea.
Unathi
:"I
sthi
sthenewyearpar
tyt
hatwegotcal
led
for
?"sheappear
edholdi
ngtwobot
tl
esof
champagne"
Wher
eist
hemusi
c?"shel
ooked
around.
MaDudumashe:"Thegogoslower
edthevolume"
shelookedatt
heyoungerl
adi
eswhowereinthe
ki
tchen.
Unathi:"Irememberat i
mewhenIwasyoungand
thoughtamar r
iedyoungwomanhadt obeatt he
potswhi lether estofthefamilyhadf un.Letmego
andsavet hem f r
om that"sheleftMatoandMa
Dudumashe" Happpppppy! "shepoppedoneoft he
bottl
esandt heyoungl adieslaughed" Youladies
aretooyoungt obest iff
"shepour edthebubbl y.
"Avethandwat onightyouar eYandisa.Iwantyout o
enjoyyour selfasPoppyandOt huthedaught ersof
thi
shomewi ll
"shegavet hem eachagl ass.
Yandi
:"Iwi
llt
ry,
Ma"shesmi
led.
Mato:"
Trybyt
aki
ngof
fthathotdoekf
ir
st"she
shout
ed.
MaDudumashe:"No,youwanttheZwenipeopl
eto
t
hinkIr
aisedanuncul
tur
edchil
d?"
Mat
o:"
Thi
sisourmakot
iandwesayshemustt
ake
i
tof
f"t
hel
adi
esl
aughed.
Unat hi:"Thisi syourhouse, Aveandnott heZweni
homest eadsopl easet akeof fthatt hingandgo
wearyourpar tyjeanandr el
ax"shehel pedYandi
unwr apt heheadscar f.Everyonecoul dseeUnat hi'
s
glowandt heywonder edifthef reshECai rwast o
thankorsomet hingel se.Themusi cst artedandt he
chil
dr enj oinedt heseasonedl adiesi nt hepr esence
partywhi l
et her estgott hef oodsor ted.Hour swent
byandZur iandot heryoungchi l
dr enwentt obed
butaskedt heel derst owaket hem upatmi dnight
sot heycoul dseet hef i
rewor ks.For tunat el
yt here
wer enof ri
ght enedpet sinthehouseandt he
neighbor shadal socomeovert ocel ebratewi tht he
Zwenif ami ly.Theel dersf i
nal l
yhadt hei rdinnerand
everyonewast hankf ulforthef actt hatt heywer e
surroundedbyl ovedones.Ot huandCr aigspent
Christmaswi t
hCr aig'
sf amilyinKZNandi twasnot
badexpectf orthepar twhent het opicofasecond
wifef orCr aigwoul dpopup.Makhul ulooked
aroundt het ableandever yonef el
tt hedeacon' s
absenceasmemor iesofhi m andKumkanidur i
ng
thatti
meofyearpoppedt omind.Themusi cstar
ted
tosoundatapr opervolumeandt heelder
swho
prefer
redstrongerdr i
nkshadsomeasever yone
enjoyedthemsel vestothefull
est.Makhulu
requestedthatapr ayerbesaidbef or
emi dnightt
o
thankGodf orkeepi ngthem saf
e.
Ever
yone:"10,
9,8,7,6,5,4,3,
,1HAPPYNEW
YEAR!!
!"t
heyallshoutedsimult
aneousl
ybef
oret
he
skygotli
tupwithfi
reworks.
Babini:"
I'
djustli
ketothankeveryoneforwarming
upourhousewi t
hyourpresence.Happynewyear "
hesaidoutloudandever yonecheered."Il
oveyou
twoandt hethreesleepyheadssomuch"hehel d
Owam i nonear m andYandii
ntheot herbef
ore
plant
ingasof tpeckoneachoftheircheeks.
Owam:" Iknowt hatIam notaneasychil
dbutt
hank
youf orl
ovingmeandbei ngpati
ent"shesai
dsoft
ly.
NeitherBabiniandYandiheardOwam speakabout
herfeeli
ngsandt heyfel
ttheyweremakingsome
progress.
Yandi
:"Youar
enotadi
ff
icul
tchi
ld.Yourar
eachi
ld
whosebeent hroughdi f
fi
cul tthi
ngs.Tat
aandIlove
yousomuchandwear epr oudofyou"shehugged
herdaught er
.Theirrelati
onshi pwasnotalways
smoot hsaili
ngbutYandil ovedhavingthe
myst er
iousteenar oundthehouse.Owam was
greatwithheryoungersi blings.Sheknewthat
therewasmor etoherpastt hanwhatherparents
toldherbutsheal sofeltshehadneveretgot tenthe
l
oveshewasgi venandt hatmadeherwantt otr
yby
allmeanst obet hechildBabi niandYandiwouldbe
proudof .
Cr
aig:"
Iknowthatl
astyearwasdi
ff
icul
tbecauseof
mebutthankyouforst
andingbyme"hegaveOthu
apassi
onateki
ss.
Othu:"
Tomanymor
eoft
hesebeaut
if
ulmoment
s"
shesmiled.
Qhawe:"
Wel oveyousuperwomanandchamp"he
sai
dtohisparent
sbefor
ehuggingt
hem.
Phawu:"
Yeahwedo"hehuggedt
hem t
oo.
Chul
u:"
Ihaveaf
eel
ingi
t'
llbeagoodyear
"she
smil
ed.
Zuri
:"Mommy, we'veneverhadsuchagoodnew
yearpar
ty.Ir
eall
yl ovei
thereandIhopewenever
evermove"shewrappedherar msaroundZuko'
s
neck.
Zuko:"
Happynewyear,
Zu"shekissedher
daught
er'
scheekwhi
letheywat
chedt hef
ir
ewor
ks
"Il
oveyousomuch"shesaidi
nawhi sper
.
Zuri
:"Il
oveyoutoo"shewhisper
edback."SoonI '
l
l
begoingtoschoolandIam soexcitedIwishthe
dayscouldgobyquickl
y"Zukolaughedsoftl
y.Mzu
hel
dPoppy' sl
it
tl
ebumpwhi l
etheirdaught
ersstood
nextt
ot hem.
Mzu:"
IknowIdidn'
tlooktoohappywhenyoutold
methenewsandI '
m sor
ry.Ican'
twai
ttomeetthe
l
it
tl
epersonact
uall
y"hesmi l
ed.
Poppy:"
Iwasabouttopackmybagsandgo"Mzu
l
aughed"Il
oveyou"sheplacedherhandont
opof
hi
sandsmiled.
Makhulu:"
WhereisMat o?Iam sur
et hatsheisin
t
hatwineroom again.Avet
handwapl easethi
syear
t
urniti
ntosomethingelsebecausethatonewi t
h
dri
nkherselfi
nacoma"Yandil aughed.Mat oheld
herchestasshewast ryingtogetherbr eathing
normalagainaft
erthelit
tleexerciseofrunningfrom
onepointofthehousetor eacht hepatiowher et
he
famil
ystood.Shewassadt ohavemi ssedthe
countdownbutherf eel
ingnauseousmadeherst ay
i
nt hebathr
oom longerthanexpect ed.
Mato:"
10,9,8.
..
"shedidthecountdownagai
nand
thef
amilyj
oinedherunti
ltheyal
lscr
eamed"Happy"
agai
n.
MaDudumashe:"It
houghtthatyouwer
ewi
thmy
br
otheri
nlaw"shewhi
speredtoMato.
Mato:"Idon'
tknowwhyI '
mf eeli
ngsosick,
fr
iendshipbutdon'
tworryI
'm yettogett
othatf
or
nowl etusdri
nkandbemer ry"sheshouted
excit
ingl
yandwentt ogetaglass.
Unathicouldn'
tbeli
evethatshewaslyingnextt
oa
manshehadj ustmetwithoutanyr
egret.Kumkani
hadbeent heonlymanshe' dbeenwithandtobe
i
ntimatewithanothermanwasexci t
ing.Sheranher
fi
ngersoverVusi'sti
ghtbodywithasmi l
e.
Vusi
:"Wehavetogetbackbef
oretheycome
l
ooki
ngforus"hesai
dinagentlewhisper
.
Unathi
:"Thatwasthebestwaytobegi
nayearaf t
er
suchalongt i
meofsleepi
nginacoldbedbutyes
l
etusgobef oret
heyfindusher
e.Mysonwoul dn'
t
l
ikefi
ndinghismothernakedi
nhishousewit
h
anot
herman"
Vusi
:"I
'
dli
ket
oseeyouagai
n"
Unathi
:"I
fyouthi
nkI'
m oneofthosef
ri
endswi
th
benefi
tst
ypethenyou'
rewrong"
Vusi :"Iwashopi ngyou'dbemor ethant hat.You've
healedf r
om t helossofyourhusbandandsohaveI
from mydi vor cesowecant akethingssl ow"Unat hi
feltbadbecauseshehear dMat ospeakabouthow
muchshel ikedVusibutshecoul dn'thelpi t
.To
haveamangi veherattenti
onagainaf tersol ong
wasi ntoxicat i
ngandshehopedt hatwhat everMat o
wasf eeli
ngwoul dpasssoon.Unat hileftther oom
fi
rstt onotr aisesuspiciounaf t
erpromi singVusi
theycoul dseeeachot heragain.Shef eltaliveagain
andshedi dn' twanttogi veitup.Havingcasualsex
wasnothert hingbutshewascur ioust oknowwhat
anothergent l
emanwoul dofferint i
mat elyandas
shewaswal kingoncl oudni neshef el
tnor egrets
whatsoever .Vusif ol
lowedbehi ndaf terawhi l
eand
heandUnat hiactedast houghnot hingwasgoi ng
onbetweent hem butwhenevert heyl ookedateach
othertheyfeltSpar ksf l
yandi twasnott hespar ks
from t
hef i
rewor ksabove.Anot heryearbehi ndt hem
andwi thsomucht hathappenedt heycoul donly
hopethattheyearaheadwoul dbeki ndandt hatit
wouldpasswi thoutclaimi ngaf ami lymember .So
manydr eamsst il
lhadt obef ulfi
lledandt heyall
l
ookedf orwar dtoachi evingthem wi ththestrong
famil
yst r
uctur etheyhadbui l
t.TheEnd.