WI

CKEDME
PdfbyMadam Dee
WI
CKEDMEcomi
ngsoon.
..
..

Thef ollowingbookcont ai
nsexpl ici
t
violenceandsexual contentwi th
strongdi stur
bingt hemest hatsome
reader smayf i
ndof fensive.Reader
discretionisadv i
sedandi fy ou'r
e
l
ooki ngf orsomet hingsoot hingt he
Hol yBiblewoul dbeagoodpl acet o
startbecauseWI CKEDMEi sa
steroid..Notethatchar acters
port r
ayedher earepur elyfictional
andanysi milari
ti
est or ealityis
r
egr
ett
abl
yconsequent
ial
.

Tagaf ri
end,grabati
ssueand
connectyourphoneont hecharger
becausewear eabouttotakeyet
anotheremotional
l
ydraini
ngjourney.
[
9/3,
11:
25PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴1

Iputapageov ermyf or
eheadt o
blockthemorningsunasi walked
alongtheroadwithmyf l
ip-
fl
ops
sl
appingagainstthesol
esofmyf oot
.
IcouldseeBayangapproachinginhis
Calt
exunifor
m, hehadbeenpur suing
mef orawhileandiavoidedhim but
nowt hathewascomi ngfrom t
he
di
rectioniwasgoingihadnochoi ce
buttokeepwalking.
..

Hewasn'tbadlooki
ngandhisbody
wasokaybuthewasaf uelat
tendant
andiknewi woul
dbesomebody
someday,iwassavi
ngmy sel
ffora
bet
terman..

Hesmi l
edtaki
ngof
fhisheadset
s
andgrabbedmyhandasi sl
owly
pul
ledbackandsmil
edsighi
ng..
.
Bay
ang:
(sof
tl
y)Hi
..
..
Me:
Hi.
..
Bay
ang:
Otswakae?
Me: Iwasqueui
ngformy
grandmotheri
nthepostof
fi
cesoI
havetogogether
Bayang:Didn'
tihearyoudi
dwelli
n
yourfi
nalexams?Whenar eyou
goingtotheuniver
sit
y?
Me:I'
m goingt
omor r
ow,
Iwas
wait
ingformygrandmot
hert
oget
herpensi
onsoshecangivemet
he
busfee
Bayang:Pent
ionwon'
tbeenough,
Gaboroneisver
yexpensiv
e.Doyou
haveaccommodationthere?
Me: Nobutt
heysaidwewi
ll
begi
ven
accommodationi
ncampus
Bayang:
Thingsusual
l
ygetdelayed,
i
washomelessforaweekbeforewe
coul
dbegivenrooms.
Me:
Youwentt
oauni
ver
sit
y?
Bayang:Yeah..
..
Ist
udiedLaborator
y
technol
ogy,whatcoursedidyoupick?
Somet i
mesy ouhavetolookatthe
avail
abi
li
tyofjobswheny oupicka
courseother
wiseyou'l
lendupl i
ke
mebuti fyouchosethewr ongone
y
oucanal
way
sswi
tchespeci
-
Me:Um.
..Bay
angi
hav
etogol
aenee
si
amme
Bayang:
Canihaveyournumber
?Or
youcanhavemineandcall
melater
kegoneelemadisoyoucanbuy
somethi
ngonthewa-
Me:NoI'
mfi
ne.Idon'
twanty
our
money

Hesadl ylookeddownandi fel

tabit
ofguil
t,itwashar denoughhavi
ngto
cuthim offbecausehewasal ways
softandgent l
ebuti ki
ndofhadto
maket hingsclearforhi
m sohecould
st
opt
alki
ngt
ome.
..
.

Bayang:Okay
..
.Ifyouchangeyour
mindiknockoffat10pm oryoucan
checkmeatmyhouse, Ist
ayinroom
8ha-
Me:
Iknowbuti
won'
t,
I'
m busy
..
.by
e

Isighedandt urnedar oundroll

ingmy
eyes, iwal
kedawayf orashor t
distanceandt urnedar oundbecausei
feltawkwardlikehewaswat ching
me. ..hewasindeedl ookingatme
thenhesmi ledsof t
lysl i
ght
ly
revealinghi
swel larr
angedt eethas
hi
scur
vyey
esshr
unk.
..

Me:
what
?
Bayang:
(smi
l
edadmi r
abl
yandshook
hi
shead)Not
hing.
..

Het urnedaroundandwal kedaway

puttinghi
sheadset sinhisearsasi
watchedhim, i
sn'titawkwar dhow
sexysomeguy swal k?Hewal kedi
na
certainwayi couldn'tdescr
ibe.I
l
aughedawkwar dlyandwal kedaway
bit
ingmypi nkienai l.
..
AtAl
one'
shome.
..
.

Alonecoll
ectedherdaught er'
s
clot
hesfrom t helineandwal kedpast
thechil
drenast heywer eplayi
ng,her
sist
er'
s7y earol dboypunchedher2
yearolddaught eront hestomach
andgothi saer oplane,shefel
lont he
groundholdingherst omacht i
ghtl
y
cryi
nghyst er
icallyassher anov er
andlif
tedherupshushi ngher.
..

Al
one:(car
essi
ngher)It
'sokayl
ove.
..
.
I
tsokaymyl ov
e..
.(t
ohim)Why
woul
dy oupunchherli
kethi
s?Can't
y
ouseeshei
syoungert
hany
ou?

Heburst
edint
otear
sandhi
smot
her
st
ormedover.
..

Gobona:
(angr
il
y)Whydi
dyouhitmy
son?Lol
oweeoi t
eel
aengngwanake?
Lol
o:Heel
aGobona?Whendidihi
t
hi
m kakeeneatebet
sengngwanake
kafei
simompeng..
.
Gobona:(
toherson)Papat
ell
me
whathappened?
Hi
m:May
agotmyt
oy
Gobona:
Andy
ouhav
ethet
endency
totakemyson'stoysgivi
ngthem to
yourdaught
er,i
t'
snotmyf aultshe
doesn'
thaveafather.I
'
mt ir
edofy our
chi
ldcryi
ngformyson'stoys
Lolo:(soft
ly)Gobonaakerehehasa
l
otoft oys,whycan'theshar eand
howdoi stopa2y earoldfrom cryi
ng
forhistoyswhent hey'
reallover.
Besidesev enifhedoesn'twantto
shareheshoul dn'
tbeather,sheis2
andhei s7

Thei
rmotherwal
kedoutoft
hehouse
wonderi
ngwhatt
heargumentwasal
l
about
..
.
Her
:what
'
sgoi
ngon?
Gobona:Lol
oistaki
ngmyson'st oy
s
gi
vingthem t
oherdaught
er,l
eraa
gorekegoneMmegor eLoloaiteel
e
ngwanakeditoyadir
eket
sweke
rr
ragwe?
Her: (
rubbedhergrandson' shead)
Loloapologi
set oDiboy s,
you
shouldn'
tdot hat
..
.Youcan' ttakehis
toysbecausey ounev erbuyany t
hing
foryourchil
dakerey ouhadherwi th
atree.Whatdoy ouwantust odo?

Lol
o'
sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sasshe
l
ookedatthem putt
ingherdaughter
onherl
eftwaistwit
hherlit
tl
elaundry
onhershoul
der..
.

Lol
o: (
tear
ful
l
y)MmeDiboyspunched
May aandyouknowheal
waysdoes
thi
s..
.Why-
Her:Lol
owai t
sehaelegoreot hogo
ethatajaanagakeboneket aago
sal
elalengwanaoy akotoropong.I
can'
tremainwi t
hyourdaughteri
fthi
s
i
showy outhankme,you'
lltakeher
toUBwi thyou.

Lol
osi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
yand
apologet
ical
l
yrubbedhernephew'
s
head..
.

Lol
o:Sorryautwa?(henodded)
Sorr
y..
.Goandpl aywit
hyourtoys,
shewon'ttouchthem..
.

Hesmi ledandgothisbicycl
etoo
theneveryoneleft
,Lol
oquietl
y
walkedinthehousewi t
hher
daughterandlaidheronthemattr
ess
i
nspectingherstomach...

Lol
o:Ar
eyouokayMay
a?
May
a:I
thur
tsal
i
ttl
e..
.

Shenoticedabur
nonherar
m and
touchedher.
.

Lol
o:Whathappenedher
e?
Maya:
Diboysbentt
hewiremany
t
imesunti
li
twashotthenheputon
me
Lolo:(t
earf
ull
y)Babydon'
tplaywi
th
hi
m okay ?Justst
ayinthehouse.
Please..
May
a:Okay
..
.
Lol
o:I
'
m goi
ngt
ogetmyshoesatt
he
f
encej
ustl
ayt
her
e..
.

Shewal kedoutofthehut
approachingthefencethenDiboys
walkedov ereati
ngabananasl owly
,
hehummedasongpassi ngbyt he
doorthenMay agotupandlookedat
thebanana, sheswall
owedand
slowlygotup...

May
a:Nngat
hel
ahoo.
.
Diboy
s:Kagana,
mamasay
si
shoul
dn'
tgi
veyou..
.
Maya:Ngat
helaket
agothusago
gel
elamabotel
eafr
idgey
alonaandi
won'
tcr
yify
oubeatme,iwon'
ttel
l
mamaandiwon'
ttouchy
ourtoys
Di
boy
s:Kagana.
..You'
regoi
ngt
ocr
y
May
a:Iwon'
tcr
y
Di
boy
s:Nope.
..

Shewatchedhi
m eat
ingt
hebanana
sl
owlyasLolowal
kedoverand
cl
osedthedoort
hensheputher
machesadownandsatonthe
matt
ress.
..

Lol
o:Doy
ouwantmot
ogo?
May
a:i
wantpanana
Lololookedatthe5l
it
terbot
tl
eof
softporri
dgeandswal
lowed
tearf
ull
y..
.

Lol
o:I
'l
lputmor
esugari
fyoudr
ink
onecup
May
a:Iwantpanana
Lol
o:Ther
eisnobanana
Maya:
Tel
lDi
boy
stogi
vemeal
i
ttl
e
bi
t
Lol
o:(
sighedandsmil
edtear
ful
l
y)Let
meshowy ousomethi
ng.
..
Shegotherphoneandpl ayedCl ean
Bandi
t'sRockabye,thelyri
csoft he
songalwaysbroughtt earstoher
eyes,
toheritwast heonlysongt hat
l
ift
edasinglemot hertothef ul
lest
andshehadbeensi ngingMay at hat
songeachtimeshewasf eel
ing
down..
.

Lol
o:(
smi
l
edsi
ngi
ngal
ong)
Ooh,l
ove,noone'
sev
ergonnahur
t
you,
love.
I
'
m gonnagi
vey
oual
lofmyl
ove.
Nobodymat
ter
sli
key
ou.
"
Shetel
lsher,
"Yourl
i
feai
n'
tgon'
be
not
hingli
kemylif
e.
"
You'
regonnagr
owandhav
eagood
l
i
fe.
I
'
m gonnadowhatI
'
vegott
odo.
"

So,
rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y
Somebody
'sgoty
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e

Shedancedmaki
ngfunnysi
ll
yfaces
asMayaslowl
yfor
gotaboutt
he
bananaandst
art
edl
aughi
ng.
..
.

May
a:Iknowhowt
osi
ngi
t.
.
Lol
o:(
pausedandlaughed)Real
l
y?
Comeshowme. .
.

Mayastoodupandsmi ledfluent
ly
si
ngingasLolosmiledsi ngi
ngalong,
sheheldbothofherhandsand
dancedwithherunt
iltheywer eti
red.
..

Maya:(si
ghedwipi
ngsweatof
fher
f
orehead)Iwantmotogo.
..
Shedraggedthecontai
nerov
erand
fi
ll
edacupf orhert
henshefi
nished
andaskedforsomemor e.

Lolo:Wowgoodgi rl
!Twocups..
.I'
m
getti
ngpaidfort
helaundryidi
dat
theneighbour
sandI '
m goi
ngtobuy
yousomet hi
ngnice.
May
a:Panana?
Lol
o:(sadl
y)Yesbaby
..
.(l
aughed)
panana.
..

May al
aidonthemattr
essplayi
ng
whil
eshefoldedhercl
othesand
packedherbigbag.Whensheturned
aroundMayawasal
readyasl
eepand
shepausedl
ooki
ngather.
.

Asenseofgui l
tandheartbr
eak
engulfedher,goingtoGaboronewas
abittersweetmomentf orher.
..She
knewshehadt ogot ogetadegr ee
butleav i
ngherbehindwithher
motherandsi sterwasthetoughest
deci
si onsheev erhadtomakeand
shest il
lwasn'
tsureifshewant edto
go..
.

Shefi
nishedpackingandputher
bagsasidethenshepull
edthedoor
hal
fwayandwal
kedout
..
.

Shepassedbyhermot
hersi
tt
ing
undert
hetree.
..

Lolo:
I'm goingt
ocollectthemoney
overthere,Mayaisasleepinsi
de.
..
Her
:Okay
..
.

Shewalkedawayashersi
sterl
ooked
atherf
rom headt
otoe.
..

Her:
Mxm y
ou'r
ejustty
ingyoursel
f
downwi
thherchi
ld,
sheisgoingto
haveanotherbabyatGaboroneand
dropoutofschoolagai
n.Iknowgir
ls
l
ikeher
Mother:I
t'
snotli
keIwanttohel
pher
,
I
'mjustafrai
dofwhatpeopl
ewil
lsay
i
fIdon'thelpher
.
Her:I
fshet hinksI '
m goingtosupport
herbabywi thmybaby 'smoneyshei s
wasti
nghert i
me, mybabydaddyand
iar
esav ingformar r
iage.Lolothi
nks
sheisbet t
erthanmej ustbecausei
fai
l
edf ormt hree.It
'snotlikeIdon'
t
seeit
,youshoul dn'
thelpherbecause
shewillhaveanot herfatherl
ess
baby.
..
Mother:Kegoikgolol
ahela,
odi
reo
ny
alwekapel aiwanttobuyasewi
ng
machinewiththatbogadi
.
Her :(
smiledblushi
ng)Heisget
ti
ng
prepared,hesaidhewill
tal
ktohis
fathersoon..
.

Meanwhil
eLolosmil
edreceivi
ngher
paymentandcount
editthenshe
fr
ownedlooki
ngattheneighbour
..
..

Lol
o:I
t'
sP300,
you'
resupposedt
o
gi
vemeP150
Neighbour
:(smi
led)Iknow.
..Iknow
you'r
eworkingf
oryourbusfeesoi
gaveyouanextr
asoy oucanbuy
somethi
ngonthewaybesidesyou
al
wayshelpmef orf
ree.Kegoroma
hel
ajaakaekar
eongwanake

Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshelookedat
hernei
ghbourthensherubbedher
eyes.
..

Neighbour:It
'sokaynnaka..
.Ionce
wasasi nglemom, noonecan
understand.Wheny ougettothecit
y
youmustwor kextr
ahar dandpass.
Oncey ougety ourall
owanceyoucan
rentahouseandgety ourbaby,
studentall
owancei senoughtopay
forpreschoolandrentifyouuseit
wisely.TherestGodwi l
lprovi
de
becauseMay aisnotsafeony our
absence.(Lolorubbedhertears)
Don'tbreakdown, you'
realmost
there.
..All
owanceesapot il
ebanaba
l
ebant sigasewenawant ha..
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
.

Shehuggedthenei
ghbourandwi
ped
hert
ears.
..

Neighbour
:Mascom gavemea
bonusairt
ime,
shoul
di t
ransf
erabi
t
f
ory
ou?
Lol
o:Eemma
Nei
ghbour
:Okaynana,
bye
Lol
o:(
emot
ional
l
y)Thanky
ou.
..

Shewal
kedashor
tdi
stancet
henshe
tur
nedt
oher
..
.

Lol
o:Iwi
shy
ouwer
emymot
her
..
Neighbour:
(smil
edemot i
onall
y)My
daughterwoul
dbey ourageifshe
wasst i
ll
ali
ve.
.
Lol
o:Sor
ryabouther
Nei
ghbour
:It
'sokay
..
.
Shewalkedawayast
heai
rt
ime
repor
ted.
..

Atmygr
andmot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Iar
rivedhomeandsi ghed,
wehad
onl
yoner oom t
hatmygr andmother
bui
ltwithherl
atehusband'
slast
cat
tle..
.

Shesl
owlysatupont hebedand
remov
edherpursefrom herbr
awith
herwr
inkl
yshakyhandsasi st
epped
i
n..
..

Her
:Di
diakool ebegor
eaOmang
wameotee(Didint
lepl
easechecki
f
myIDi
sinhere)

Iopenedherpur seandchecked,
grannydidn'thav ethedayshewas
bornonherI Dsheonl yhadthe
mont handy earbecauseapparent
ly
duri
ngt heirtimesomebabi eswere
deli
veredathome, sheherselfwas
deli
veredatt hecattlepostandonl
y
gotregisteredlater
...
.
Me:
It'
shere..
.(l
aughed)howdoyou
f
eelnotknowingwheny ouwer
eborn?
Her:(
laughedfi
xi
ngyourglassesand
doek)Didiket
agongapa,abooka
si
mololakana
Me:(l
aughed)Let
'sgo,
thequeuei
s
cl
ose.
..

Igrabbedthebroomsti
ckandgave
hertheotherendaswewalkedoutof
theyardandwalkedbythesi
deof
theroadheadingtot
hepostoff
ice.
..
.

Me:Letmeknowwhenyouar
eti
red
sot
hatIcanstopandwer
est
Her:
I'
m good,
i
t'
snott
oofar.
..Di
diar
e
yousur
eP200will
beenough?
Me:I
twillbeenoughmmeakerebus
i
sP150,I'
lluset
heother50t
obuy
ot
herthi
ngs
Her:I
'
mv eryworri
ed,
idon'twantyou
togetlostintheci
tywit
houtanythi
ng
toeat.I
'm goi
ngtoasky ouruncl
esto
hel
pme
Me:Wewillbegivenaroom andfood
atUB.Mmepl easestopwor
rying
aboutme,
I'
llbefine.

Iknewineededmor
ebutwhenyou
grewuppoorli
kemeyoul
earnt
o
thi
nkf ory ourparenttoobecausey ou
knowt hatt houghshei sworried
abouty ourneedsshedoesn' thave
anythi
ngt ogi veandi didn'
twanther
beggingpeopl e.Shehaddonet hatso
muchwheni wasachi l
di di
dn'twant
herbeggi ngany more...

Me:I
'l
lpassbyKedibonye'
sHouse
andaskformore,don'
tworry.I
ts
monthendsoshewi ll
defi
nit
elygiv
e
meatleastP500.
Her:Don'
trai
seyourhopesup
ngwanaka,okay
?I fshesaysshe
doesn'
thavedon'tbehurt,
I'
m sur
eI'
l
l
f
indaway
Me:(
laughed)Mmet heKedibony
eis
mymot her
,sheknowsit
'simport
ant
.
Don'
tworry.
..

AtAl
one'
shome.
..

LateronLol oconf i
dentlywalked
throught hegatewi t
hasmal l pl
asti
c
ofbananasandmi l
kf orherdaughter
andl ookedatDi boyssitti
ngont he
plasticbath,hewasl aughing
knocki ngont hebathandseemedt o
bet alkingt
osomeoneunder neat h
whi l
ehermot herandsisterwere
chat
ti
ngundert
heot
hert
ree.
..

Shewant edt oignorehim asshe

approachedbutMay a'sdist
antcry
al
armedher ,shelookedatt hebath
againasDi boyssatoni tpressingi
t
downandherdaught er'
scrybecame
mor eaudibleassheappr oached.She
droppedherpl asti
candr anov er
pushingDiboy s.

Sheli
ftedthebat
handMay acaught
herbreat
hsweati
ngwithsoil
onher
nostr
il
sshakingi
nfear
.
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)OhGod.
..
.

May a'
slit
tl
eheartpoundedasshe
ti
ghtlyhuggedhermothercryi
ng
tearsandmucusf l
owingonherlit
tl
e
chin.Hercryshr
eddedherheartas
sheshushedhershakinghersel
f.
..
..

Lolo:
Sor
ryMaya.
..(
angri
lyt
urnedto
him)Howcoul
dyoudot hi
s?Can't
youseeshewassuff
ocati
ng?

Hi
smot
herangr
il
ywal
kedov
er.
..
Her
:Whati
sitnow?
Lolo:(angril
y)Don'
t!Don'
tstartwit
h
me. .
.Kant eelegoreokgonagonna
helaoi tshel
amor i
tiotsi
didingwana
wagagoahupet sangwanakeka
sekotele?
Her:Aker
etheywereplayi
ngkante
Mayakeengalestetej
aana?Sheis
suchacrybabycan'
tsheplay
wit
houtcryi
ng.
..Di
boyslet
'sgo.
..
Let'
sgo..
..

Shegrabbedherson'
shandand
walkedawaythenLol
oburst
edint
o
tear
sholdi
ngherdaught
eronher
chest
..
.

Maya:(
hear
tbeat
ing)MamaI
'
m
scar
ed.
..
Lol
o:IknowbabyI '
m sor
ry.
..I
'
mr eal
l
y
sor
ry.
..Iboughty
oubananas...
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)panana

Mayawipedhermucusandl ookedat
t
heplast
icasLolopickeditand
wal
kedinherpoorl
yt hat
chedhut .
..
.

Shegav
eherabananaandwat ched
asshei
nnocent
lyenj
oyedi
t,shesti
l
l
couldn'
tbarethethoughtofwhat
woul dhav
ehappenedhadshe
delayedatthemall.Tear
sfil
l
edher
eyesandshegr abbedherphone
di
alingherfri
end.
..
.

Atmymot
her
'sy
ard.
..
..

Ont hesameaf t
ernoonIstoodatthe
gatelookingatmymot her'
sbeauti
ful
yar
d. .
..Shewasli
v i
nginabigthree
bedroom housewi t
hherhusband
andt heirt
wochil
dren.
..
itwastheli
fe
Iwishedt obepartof,
aschildi
shasit
wasi wonder
edhowi tfel
tli
keto
havebot
hparentsunderoner
oofnot
needi
ngany
thing.

Myphoner
ang.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lolo:(
crying)Didi
I'
m notgoingto
school,ican'
tleavemychildhere.
Thereisnopoi nti
ngetti
ngadegr ee
andlosingmychi l
dbecause
every
thingI'm doi
ngisforher.
Me:NoLol
o,youcan'
tsayt
hat
..
.We
needt
hosedegr
ees,y
ouknowthat
..
.
Don'
tgi
veupnow
Lolo:(
cryi
ng)Didimydaughterisnot
safehere.
..WaitseIwishsheatleast
shehadaf ather,maybeher
grandmotherwoul dhelpmegongwe
tengnkabogol ebotokakanaha
mamaol opeladij
okogonkgonne
nnagaanasepekanna.
Me:Youdon'thaveachoicebecause
hedoesn'
twantany t
hingtodowith
thebaby,
I'
m surpr
isedyou'
rethi
nki
ng
abouthi
m mothoasabol ogoreyou
shoul
dabortoryou'r
eony ourown.
Lol
o:Ket
aarengmma,I'
mtor
n
bet
weengoi
ngandnotgoi
ng.
..
Me:
Alonest
opcr
ying,
wear
ethi
s
cl
ose.Don'
tgi
veuponmenow
Lol
o:(
wipedhert
ear
s)Okay
,I'
mfi
ne.
Me:Thanky
ou,
I'
ll
passbyl
atersowe
cantal
k.
Lol
o:By
e..
.

IhungupasIwal kedpastthefamil
y
whiteNissanpar
kedundert hetr
ee
andknockedont hedoortheni
steppedback.

Arianaopenedthedoorinherbum
shortschewinggum pr
essingher
pinkphone..
.
Ar
iana:
(si
ghed)Hi
Me:
Hi,
cani
tal
ktoKedi
bony
e?
Ariana:
(sighed)Sheisnothere.She
wentoutwi thPapaandcany oust op
calli
ngmymot herwi
thherfi
rstname?
It
'sdisr
espectful
.Ify
oucan'tcallher
mamat hencallherMmagweAr i
ana
orMr sMor apedi

Iknewshedidn'
tunderstandwhyi
call
edherbyhernameandcal ledmy
grandmammei nsteadbutithurtme
thatsheact
ual
lythoughtitwasa
choiceimade.
..
Me:Canyout
ellhert
ocallme?I
don'
thav
eair
ti
mebuti needt
otal
kto
her.
Ari
ana:(r
oll
edhereyesandgaveme
thehandbefor
eclosi
ng)Yeah
whatever
..
.
Me:
Bye

Itur
nedaroundandwal kedaway
thenheryoungestsi
sterr anoutof
thehouseandsmi l
edr unningaft
er
me...
Her
:(pant
ing)Hi
.
.
Me:
HiBl
essi
ng
Blessi
ng:(
div
idedherorangeint
otwo
andgav emeanotherhalf
)Areyou
l
ookingformama?Shel eftwi
thpapa
Me:(eat
ingtheorange)Thanks.
..
Yeah,pl
easetel
lhertocallme.
Bl
essi
ng:
Oht
her
eshei
s..

Awhitecorol
ladrovethrought he
gatethenBlessi
ngandi stoodunder
theshadow,herfat
herpar kednextto
usandsteppedoutwal ki
ngt owards
thehouse.
..
Hi
m:Hel
l
o
Me:
Dumel
ang.
..
Bl
essi
ng:(r
unningaft
erherf
ather
)
Papankemelahoo..
.

Sher anaf
terherfat
herasherbr aids
bouncedonherback, fora12y ear
ol
dshewasqui t
emat ure.Mymot her
steppedoutofthecarandt hrew
awayt hemangopeelschewi ng..
.

Me:
(uncomf
ort
abl
y)Dumel
ang.
..
Her
:Hi
Didi
Me:Igotacceptedatt heUniver
sit
y
ofBotswanali
kei toldy oumonths
ago,wehavetor egisteronMonday
butthemoneymmegav emeisnot
enough.

Sheopenedherpur seandpi ckedP50

amongstsev er
alP100not est hen
shestretchedherar m andhandedi t
over
,tearsf i
ll
edmyey esandi
wantedt orefusebutiknewi needed
ever
ybi tofitsoItookadeepbr eat
h
andgoti t.
..

Me:
Thanky
ou
Her :
Iwantt ogi veyoumor ebuti
havet oaskmyhusbandf i
rst,
this
moneyi sf orthewi ndowf ramesI '
m
supposedt obuyt oext endt hehouse
andI '
my ettopayAr iana'sschool
fees,theydon'thav emopakoaswel l
soi can'tgiveitawaywi thout
discussingitwi t
hhi m.I fheagr eesI'
l
l
giveyouP200.
Me:
Okay
.
Her
:Howi
sMme?
Me:
Shei
sfi
ne
Her:I
'
llcheckonherdur
ingt
he
weekend
Me:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Wher
ecani
findmy
f
ather
?Iwantt
oaskhimformoney
t
oo.IneedasmuchasIcanget
Her:Hedeniedyoubef
oreyouwere
evenborn,whatmakesyouthi
nkhe
wil
lgiv
ey oumoneynow?
Me:I
'mj
usttaki
ngachance,i
sti
ll
r
ememberhisnamesbutIdon'
tknow
wher
ehestaysorwor
ks
Her
:Hei
sadr
iveratWat
erAf
fai
rs
Me:
Okay
,by
e
Her
:By
e

Iwal
kedaway
..
..
AtWat
erAf
fai
rs.
..
..

Lateroni waitedbyt her ecept i

on,i
hadonl yseenhi mf rom adi stance
andi twasy earsearlier.My
grandmot heralway sdi scouragedt he
i
deaofappr oachingmyf at
her
becauseshedi dn'twantmet o"get
hurt"butpartofbel i
ev edhedeni ed
mebecausemay behewasaf rai
d,my
mot herwasat eenagerbyt henand
may behet houghthewoul dgeti n
tr
oubl e.
..

Awhi
l
elat
erhewal
kedi
nhol
dingcar
key
s..
.

Recept
ioni
st:
Youhav
eav
isi
tor
..
.

Hetur
nedar
oundandl
ookedatme
t
henhesmil
edandwal
kedover.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o
Me:
Dumel
ang.
..
Him:(smil
edseductiv
ely
)Howcani
hel
pabeaut i
fulwomanlikeyou?It
's
notever
ydayi getbeaut
iful
visi
tor
s,i
t
wil
lrai
napples
Clear
lyhedidn'
tknowmebutitwas
si
ckeninghowheseducti
vel
y
squeezedmyhandandscratchedmy
palm wit
hhisfi
nger.
..

Me:(pul
ledback)Mynamei sDi
dint
le,
iam Kedibony
e'sdaught
er.
.

Thesmileonhisfacedi
sappearedas
heletgoofmyhandandcl ear
edhis
thr
oatshameful
ly
...

Him:(
sighed)Okay
..
.Sohowcani
hel
pyou?
Me: Ihavebeenadmi t
tedatUBandi
havet obeinGaboronebyMonday
forregist
rat
ionbutIdon'thave
enoughmoneyf ort
ransportand
toi
letr
ies.
.
Hi
m:Idon'
thav
emoney
.
Me:
Oh.
..
Him: AndI'
m amar r
iedman, mywi f
e
doesn'tknowanythi
ngabout
Kedibonye'
saccusationsaboutme
i
mpr egnati
ngher.I'
m notsur ei
f
you'r
emi ne,y
oudon'tevenl ookli
ke
mychi l
drensoihopet hi
sdoesn' t
spreadaroundbecausei tcould
destroymyfamil
y .
..
Me:(swall
owedt
ear
ful
l
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
I
..
.I.
..I
'
llgo

Iwal kedoutt hatof f

icewi thapainon
myt hr oatandnomat terhowhar di
tri
edt oswal l
owi twoul dn'tgoaway
untiltearsrandownmycheeksasi
crossedt heroad, carsski ddedand
blewt heirhornsasdr iversst uckthei
r
headsoutangr il
yi nsultingme.I
rubbedmyt earspani ckedst anding
ont hemi ddleoft her oadascar s
passedbot hsidest heni eventuall
y
crossedt heroadcr yi
ng. ..
...
Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..
.

Afterwalkingfr
om themalltoBoseja
foraboutanhouri passedbyt he
fi
ll
ingstati
onandcr ossedatthe
zebracrossingdusti
ngmyf eettheni
heardBay ang.
..

Bay
ang:(
runni
ngov
er)Hey
..
..
.Di
di?
Hel
lo?

Itur
nedaroundandlookedathim as
heranoverinhisCal
texunif
orm, i
di
dn'twanttotal
ktohim andthis
ti
mei twasonl
ybecausei di
dn'twant
hi
mtoseemecr
ying.
..

Iconti
nuedwal
ki
nghopinghewould
gobackbuthecaughtupwit
hme
andtouchedmyshoul
dertur
ningme
around.

Bay
ang:
Hey
..
.
Me:(
shakyv
oice)Ican'
ttal
kri
ght
now.
..
Bay
ang:
Arey
oucr
ying?

Hepull
edmecloserf
orati
ghthugas
icl
osedmyey
escr yi
ngoutl
oud
huggi
nghi
m..
..

Bay
ang:
(sof
tl
y)What
'swr
ong?
Me:
(cr
ying)Not
hing.
..
Bayang:Youcan'
tsaynot
hingwhen
youarecryi
ng.
..
Me: Mymot hergavemeP50t ogoto
Gabor oneandmyf at herjusttol
dme
thatI'm nothi
schi l
dandt hati
shouldn'tgoaroundt ell
i
ngpeopl eI'
m
hisbecauseI '
lldestroyhisf amil
y.I
don'twantt ostressMmebyt ell
ing
heri needmor emoneybecauseshe
alr
eadygav emeherpensi onandshe
i
sgoi ngt obeleftalonesoi can'
t
affor
df orhertoknowI '
minneed
becausei fherBPgoesuponmy
absencenoonei sgoingtobet her
e
forher.Howcanmymot hersleepat
nightknowingshel ef
tanotherchil
d
behind?Am i notgoodenough?
Bay ang:(cuppedmyf aceandl if
tedit
upt ohisey es)Lookatme. .
..Foras
alongasi havestalkedyout hatold
womanhasbeent heonl ypersonin
yourl i
feandIdon' tknowwhyy ou
suddenl yexpectany thi
ngfrom
anyone.You' retoooldt obecr yi
ng
formommy ..
..You'r
ecloset ovictor
y
becausef rom nowony ou'll
be
gettingstudentallowance...
.(he
smiled)Youshoul dbecelebr
ating.
..
.
Thef i
rstall
owanceusuallydoubles.
..
.
You'redoneneedi ngpar
entsif
somet hi
ngy ou'regoi
ngtobuyy our
grandmot herfruit
sandwhateverold
peoplelike,bosgogobarateeng?
kanamenoi thelaaseo
Me:(smi
ledandev ent
ual
lylaughed)
You'
redi
srespect
fulBay.
..
Bay
ang:
May
bewat
ermel
on
Me:
(laughed)St
opi
t,comeon
Bayang:
(laughed)Onaseri
ousnote.
..
Howcany oubecr yi
ngwhenanother
gi
rli
scryi
ngbecauseshefail
edform
fi
veanddoesn'tknowwhat'
snext?
Youknowforsureyou'
regoi
ngtobe
aunver
sit
ystudent
,whatmoredo
youwant?
Me:Okay.
..(
Iwipedmyt ear
s
embarr
assed)IguessIshoul
dn'
t
compl
ain.
..I
'
mf inenow..
.

Webot hsmil
edashel ookedatmy
l
ipsandsuckedhis,i
swal l
owedand
l
ookeddownt henheletgoofmeand
steppedbacktaki
ngadeepbr eat
h..
.

Bayang:
(si
ghed)AnywayIhav
etogo
backtoworkbefor
emybossthrows
afit
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)By
e
Bayang:
Cani hav
eyournumberand
cal
lyoulat
er?
Me:
(Bl
ushedandsmi
l
edr
eluct
ant
ly)
Um-
Bayang:(smil
edandpi
nchedmychi
n)
I
t'sokay.
..Hav
easafej
ourney
tomorrow.
Me:
Thanks,
bye.
..

Itur
nedaroundandwal kedaway
heavi
ngahugesi gh.Ihadnoidea
whyi di
dn'
tgivehim mynumber
becauseireal
l
ywant edhimtohave
i
t..
.
AtCal
texf
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..
.

Awhileaft
erBayangknockedonhis
boss'
soffi
ceandwal kedi
n,t
he
managersippedj
uiceandstopped
ty
pingtur
ningtohim...
.

Bayang:Bosskenalele
si
tuati
onnyanakol
apengandi need
advanceonmypay ,iknowyoudon'
t
dothatbutmymot herisver
ysi
ck-
Boss:
Adv
ancey
abokae?
Bay
ang:
P800
Boss:Ican'
tgi
vey
ouov
erhal
fofy
our
sal
ary
Bayang:
Sixhundredwon'
tbe
enough.
..
.IneedP800,
Boss:
Thatmeansmont
hendy
ou'
l
l
onl
ygetP400
Bayang:Iknow,
pleasebosskeago
kopa.YouknowI'dneverabandonmy
j
ob
Boss:Noit
'snotaboutt
hat
,youknow
itr
ustyoubuttogetpai
dP400atthe
endofthemonthis-
Bayang:
Bosspl
ease,
I'
m beggi
ng
you.
.
Boss:
Okay
..
.Seemewheny
ouknock
of
fandgeti
t.
Bay
ang:
Thanky
ou.
..
.

Athome.
..
.

Laterthatev
eni ngmygrandmot her
l
istenedtoDitatol
oprogram onher
blackOmegar adi
owhil
ei packedmy
bag...
.

Her
:Takemynewbl
anket
..
.

Ipausedspeechl
ess,shehadkept
thatbl
anketunt
ouchedforyear
s
af
terusi
ngsomeofgr
andpa'
slast
moneyonit
..
.

Me:Butthat
'st
heonl
ynewbl
anket
youhave.
.
Her:Iknow, it
smygi fttoyou.Ikeptit
becausei knewy ouwer egoi ngto
passandi don'
twanty out ogot othe
ci
tywi t
hugl yvil
l
agebl ankets..
.(we
bothlaughed)Youhav etogowi t
han
expensiveblanket.
..
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..

Igott
hebr
andnewbl
anketandputi
t
i
nmybag..
.
Her
:Gofet
chmesomewaterineed
t
odrinkmypi
l
ls,
Dit
atol
odi
hedil
e..
.
Me:
Okay
.

IgrabbedthebigbucketandIwal ked
towardsthetap,thoughitwasnight
therewasn'tmuchdar kness,
the
moonandt hebri
ghtstarsli
tsomuch
icouldseemyshadowasachi l
l
y
windbreezed..
..
..

Iputthebucketontopofthebrickby
thetapandturnedi
taswat erf
lowed
i
nt hebuckettheni
mov edback
l
ookingup, ashoot
ingstarr
anacross
theskyrightbef
oremyey esthen
somet hi
ngmov edbythehedges
star
tl
ingme. .
.

Myhear tski
ppedasahumanf i
gur
e
bentovercrossi
ngt hefence,i
couldn'
ttel
lwhoi twasuntilhepul
l
ed
offhisCalt
exjackethoodie.
.

Me:
(si
ghed)Jesus.
..Youscar
edme.
..

Bayangsmi
ledandhandedmea
heavypl
ast
icofsnacks.
..
Bayang:Sor
ry,i
havebeenpassingby
overandoverhopi
ngtoseey ou
akereoganagomphanumber ,
i
wouldhavecall
edandyouwouldn't
havealmosthadaheartat
tack
Me:(smil
edbl
ushi
ng)Soy
ou'
re
puni
shingme?
Bayang:Yes.
..Thisi
sy ourfoodf
or
tomorrowont hebus.
..(handedmea
bundleofmoney )Andy ou'
regoi
ngt
o
needthis.

Iremovedt
hemoneycl
i
pand
count
edthenot
es.
..
Bayang:
It'
s750t
houghi
tlooksal
ot.
I
t'
sP20'andP50'
s

Ididn'
tknowwhatt
osayasi l
ooked
backathim,hesmi
ledandgaveme
theplast
icwhi
chIt
ookandputdown
sti
llst
ari
ngathi
m..
.

Bayang:(softl
y)I'
m notbuyi
ngy ouor
anyt
hing.Ijust.
..Idi
dn'tl
i
keseeing
youcryfortheP50y ourmothergave
you.
Ij
uststaredathi
m asthebucket
overf
lowedthenhetookhi
shandout
ofthepocketandcl
osedthetap.He
walkedbacktomewi t
halit
tl
esmi l
e.

Bay ang:
(snappedhi
sfi
nger
sonmy
face)Areyoudead?Kanagatwe
bathobabangwebaswabaemeka
dinao
Me:
(laughed)St
opi
t.
..

Anawkwar dmomentpassedaswe
stoodtherel
ookingatoneanother
thenihuggedhim gr
ateful
l
y,he
mov edhishandsoutofthepocket
s
andhuggedmysl
i
m wai
st.

Forafuelattendanthesmel ledr eal

ly
goodbutt henBay anghadal way s
beencleanact ual
lyihadnev erseen
hi
m untidy.Heal wayshadashar p
hai
rcutandv erynicemust ache...
Nowt hatiwasonhi schesti could
smellhisbreathandhishear t
poundedrightonmycheek. ..

Hesighedlett
inggoofmeaswe
bothlookedatoneanotherunderthe
l
ightofthemoont henheleanedov er
andbabykissedme, hi
sli
pswer e
softandthewayheleanedov
erf
ora
kissmademef eel
li
keIwasina
romanti
cmov i
e.

Hesof t
lypull
edmychinupand
Frenchkissedmethenhepaused
andlookedatmewi thal
it
tl
esmile.
..

Bay
ang:
Don'
tyouknowhowt
oki
ss?

Ichuckl
ednotsur
ehowt
orespond.
.

Bay
ang:It
'sokay,
don'
tbe
embar
rassed.
..I
t'
sact
ual
lycut
e..
.
(l
aughed)I
naf unnyway..
.(weboth
chuckl
ed)Justrel
ax,
takeabreath
anddoexactl
ywhatI'm doi
ngokay
Me:
Okay
..
.

Hesof tl
yt ouchedmyneckand
l
eanedov ertil
ti
nghisheadt henhe
gent l
yki ssedmeasi kissedback
reluctantly,igotwetashemov ed
closerr eallyki
ssingme, ever y
thing
goti ntenseashebr eathedheav i
ly
andsl idhi shandupmyt -
shirtgently
squeezi ngmyni ppl
et heni pushed
him back.
Heswall
owedbr
eat
hingheav
il
yand
exhal
ed.
..
..
..

Bayang:I
'
m sorry.
..Igotal
i
ttl
e
car
riedaway.
..And...
Me: I
t'
sokay..
..I
'
mj ustnotreadyfor
sex.I
'm sav
ingmy sel
ffortheright
ti
me-
Bayang:Iunderst
and..
.Iwasn'tgoing
tohavesexwi t
hy oustandi
ngbyt he
fencenexttoyourgrandmother'
stap-
Me:
(laughed)Iknow.
.
Bayang:(
laughed)I
'
llwai
tasl
ongasI
hav
et o.
Me:(smi
l
ed)Whendi
dyoust
art
bei
ngmyboyf
ri
end?
Bayang:(
smil
edandbabykissedme
holdi
ngmywaist
)Wheny ouallowed
met oki
ssyouunlessy
ouallowall
theguystoki
ssyou.
Me:(l
aughedblushi
ng)Idon'
t.
..
You'
rethefi
rst
Bayang:Ther
ey ougo..
.(helooked
backatthehouse)Alr
ight.
..
wehav e
beenstandi
ngherefortoolong.Go
backinsi
debeforeyourgrandmother
getsworri
ed.
Me:(
smil
ed)Thanky
ouf
or
ev
ery
thi
ng.
..
Bay
ang:
Sur
e

Hetil
tedthebucketr educi
ngthe
waterandputiti
nfr ontmet henwe
huggedandbabyki ssed...

Bayang:(
smiled)Nowcani pl
ease
haveyournumbersoi canseeyouin
themorningatthebusrank?

Ilaughedshy
lyandgav
eittohi
m
thenhebabykissedmeagai
nand
walkedaway..
.
Bay
ang:
Goodni
ght
Me:
Goodni
ght
..
.
Bay
ang:
Goi
nsi
de.
.

Igotthebucketandwalkedi
nsi
de
thenhewalkedaway..
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
shome.
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngar ound5am Lol
o
tookherbagsoutsideandwalked
backinsidet
hehousewher eher
daughterwassleeping.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshegentl
y
touchedhercheekandki
ssedher.
..
.

Lolo:
(whisper
edsi
ngi
ngtheirsong)
Ooh,lov
e,noone'
severgonnahurt
you,l
ove.
I
'
m gonnagi
vey
oual
lofmyl
ove.
Nobodymat
ter
sli
key
ou.
"
So,
rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y

Shesmiledtear
ful
l
yandki
ssedher
thensheli
ft
edherupandknockedon
hermot
her
'sdoor
.

Sheopenedt
hedoory
awni
ng.
..

Lol
o:Ket
isi
tseMay
a..
Her:Aowhycoul
dn'ty
ouj
ustleave
herther
ekaneketaamohi
thelagake
tsoga?
Lolo:Thathousedoesn'
tlock
properl
y,ij
ustthoughty
ou'l
lsl
eep
withher.
Her
:Idon'
twantpeeonmysheet
s
Lol
o:Mayadoesn'
twett
hebed,
she
wakesatni
ght
Her:Yeahbuty ouknowIdon'tl
ike
shari
ngbl anket
swithchi
l
dren,bri
ng
herblanketsandspreadt
hem ont he
fl
oornextt omybed...
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Shelaidheronthecoldf
loorand
fi
xedherblanketst
henshedusted
herandlaidherdown,Mayarubbed
hereyesandgotup...

May
a:Mama?
Lol
o:(emot i
onall
y)HeyMaya.
..Ihave
togouh...Ihavetogofi
ndanew
housethenI'l
lcomegetyoubuty ou'
l
l
bewi
thmamaunt
ili
getback.
May
a:(
cry
ing)Iwantt
ogowi
thy
ou.
.
Lol
o:Ican'
tgowi
thy
ou.Li
edown,
I'
m
coming.
..

May abur
stedint
otearsasLolo
walkedoutrubbi
nghertear
s,she
stoodbythedoorcry
inghyster
ical
l
y
l
ookingathermothercarr
yingabig
bagwalki
ngaway .

Maya:
(cr
ying)Mama.
..(
runni
ngaf
ter
her
)Mama?I '
ll
dri
nkmotogo.
..
Lolotooksev er
alstepsandtur
ned
aroundwonder i
ngwhyhermot her
wasn'tatleastgett
ingher,
sheput
herbagdownandl ift
edMay at
hen
hermot herangri
lywalkedover
..
.

Her:
(angri
l
y)Mayakeepqui
et!
!
You'
resuchacr
ybaby..
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)I
'
llcomebackl
ove
aut
wa..
.Mamaoet a
Maya:
(cr
yingki
cki
ngspr
eadi
ngher
ar
msforLolo)MAMA?MAMA? ?
MAMAWEE?MAMAWEE. ..
HAAAAAAA!
Sheturnedandwal kedawayasMay a
cri
edev enl
ouderthenher
grandmotherangr
ilyslappedheron
theheadseveralt
imes. .
.

Her:(
slappi
ngherrhyt
hmical
ly
)
Didi
mala..
.Di-
dimal
a-monna-
o-r
ata-
botet
e

Lolotear
ful
l
ygrabbedherbagand
walkedawaywithoutl
ooki
ngbackas
tear
sr ol
l
eddownhercheeks.
..

Att
hebusr
ank.
..
.
Ont hesamemor ningisteppedout
ofthet axiwit
habi gbagandmy
backpackappr oachi ngthebus,
Bay angpulledhi shoodi ebackand
ranov errubbinghi scol
dhands
togetherthenhegr abbedmybagand
helpedmeputi nt hebus...

Bayang:Goi
nsi
de,ir
eser
vedaseat
foryou,
number43
Me:
Okay
..
.

Iwal
kedi
nthebus,
itwasmyfir
st
ti
metogeti
nsuchabigbusandboy
wasitspacious.Icoul
dtellbythe
scentofniceperfumesinsidethati
wasindeedheadedt othecapitalcit
y.
Ihadwaitedyearstoseet hecityand
i
twasaboutt obecomear eali
ty..
.

Imov edal
ongholdingmybackpack
l
ookingforseatnumber43andsat
down, mi
nuteslat
erBayangwalkedi
n
hol
dingahandfulofsweetsandsat
nexttomeput t
ingthem onmyhand.
..

Bayang:(si
ghed)Okay
..
.(lookedat
hi
swat ch)Haveasafejourney,
pl
easecal l
mei fy
ouneedany thi
ng
ther
e.Someofmyfriendsareal
ready
worki
ngandI'
m sur
ei cangetoneof
them t
oassi
styoui
fy ouneed
anyt
hing.
Me:
Okay
.

Helookedinmyeyesandsmil
ed
emotional
l
ythenhehel
dbothofmy
hands..
.

Bayang:Ican'
tbeli
eveifoll
owedyou
aroundfor2fully
earsandt heni
ghti
gettoki
ssy ouforthef
irsttime
becomesourl ast
.Iam goingtobe
l
onely.
..
(ismil
edthenheki ssedme)
Pleaset
akecar
eofy
our
sel
f,i
lov
e
you.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
ovey
out
oo
Bayang:(
chuckl
ed)Youdon'
tknow
whatlov
eis..
.Whati
slov
eDidi?
Me:
(bl
ushi
ng)I
'
m ser
iousi
lov
eyou.
Bayang: WhenIsayi l
oveyoui mean
icareabouty ou,evenifyoudon't
wantmeI '
dstil
lhelpyouwith
what everyouwant .Myhel pisn'
t
condi ti
onal.
..
.forthepastfewy ears
thati havebeenaf teryouihaven't
beensl eepingatnightandi couldn'
t
evenl ookatot herwomenbecausei
fantasisedaboutl i
vinginabighouse
wit
hy ou..
.(l
aughed)Iknowt hiswil
l
soundcor nybutIactuallyt
hinkabout
ushav i
ngaf amil
ytoget herandevery
ti
mei passedbyy oury ardandsaw
yourakingipict
uredy oudoingiton
ouryard.
Me: (
laughed)Ididn'
tknowyouf
elt
thatway,ijustt
houghtyouwant
ed
sex..
.
Bay ang:No,idon't
..
.Imeani do-
obv i
ouslybutitsnotatthet opofmy
priori
ti
esandI '
llwai
tuntil
y ou'r
e
readyt ol
osey ourvir
gini
ty.Don't
wor ryaboutme.
Me:
Thanks
Thebusdri
verhi
tthehor
nthenwe
huggedf
orlongt
imeandkissed.
..
.

Me:
Bye
Bay
ang:
Cal
lme

Hewal kedoutofthebust heni pull

ed
thecur tai
nsoffwatchinghi m ashe
pulledthehoodieofhi sjacketov er
hisheadandr ant othet axi.
..Ismi l
ed
bit
ingmyl i
p,inev
erthoughtI '
df eel
thatwayabouthi m andpar tofme
gotl onelyast
hetaxi droveof f.The
effecthehadonmewasasi fhehad
beenpar
tofmyl
i
fesi
ncet
hev
ery
begi
nni
ng..
.

Lolosatnextt
omer ubbingoffher
tear
sandput t
ingherbackpackon
herlap.
..

Lol
o:(shakyvoi
ce)IhopeI'
m not
makingami st
akeI'
ll
regr
ettherest
ofmyl i
fe.
.
Me:
You'
renot
,st
opi
t.
..You'
renot
..
.

Wehuggedandsi
ghedleani
ngback
l
ooki
ngoutsi
det
hewindowasthe
busl
eftMaun.
..
.

AtGabor
one(
Uni
ver
sit
yofBot
swana)
..
..

Laterthataft
ernoonWef oll
owed
otherstudentsint
ot heschool,
i
couldn'tt
akemyey esoffthe
beautif
ulbuil
dingsandhowsmar tl
y
dressedpeoplewer e.

Weapproachedacr owdofst udent

s
andpassedthroughasal adyholdi
ng
apieceofpaperaddressedthem...
Her
:That
'st
hesit
uat
ionwehavenow
sowearecl
osedunt
ilt
omor
row.
Student:Heel
asowherearewegoi
ng
tosleep?Someofusretswaasf
aras
Maun
St
udent
2:Wenaobotokar
onaret
swa
Et
shaandwedon'
tknowanyoneher
e.
Her:Totather
eisnot hingwecando. ..
Lookatthequeue, evenifwet ri
edto
assisty
ouwewoul dn'tfi
nishmme
wecan'tspendani ghthere, we
shouldhaveclosedtheof ficeathal
f
fourbutit
snowi tsalmostsi xmme
gasegorer et
aaduel elwaov ert
ime.
I
'
m sorr
y..
.Weapologisef
orany
i
nconv
enience.Seeyoutomorr
ow.
..
.

Studentsfrom surr
oundingar easlef
t
whileotherscal
ledtheirf
ami l
yand
fri
endstopi ckt
hem, afewofusf r
om
farpart
soft hecountrydraggedour
bagstot hestai
rswher ewecamped
wonderingwher ewewoul dsleep.

Anothergi
rll
ookedatusaswe
chatt
edthenshewalkedoverandsat
nexttous.
..
..

Her
:Hi
mynamei
sTi
angbut
ev
ery
bodycal
l
smeTi
a
Me:
I'
m Di
dint
le.
..
Lol
o:I
'
m Al
one
Tia:I
'
mfr
om Gumar
e,youraccent
tel
lsmey
ou'
refr
om Maun
Me:
(laughed)Uhuohomegi
rl

Webot hlaughedasLoloabsent
mindedlysmiled.Myphonerangthen
iwalkedoutanswering.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Mme:
HiDi
di,
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne,
ijustar
ri
ved.Myr
oom i
s
v
eryni
ceandwe'
reont
hequeuef
or
f
oodnow.
Mme: (r
eli
eved)Oht hankGod..
.Ihad
tocal
ltheneighbour'
sdaughterto
hel
pmecal l
youi nolongerseethe
l
etter
sont hi
sphone.
Me:(l
aughed)I
'
mf i
ne,don'
tworr
y
aboutme.Haveyouhadsomethi
ng
toeat?
Mme:Yes,icookedonthef
ir
e.You
knowIdon'
tli
kecooki
nggas.
Me: (
laughed)Ir
eall
yhav
etofi
nish
schoolandhireyouamaidf
oryou
Mme:(l
aughed)Het
saskwel
ekapel
a
i
sekeswengwanaka.
Me:(
laughed)Lewenaoskaswapele
mme, haoutwalesony
anankar
elago
r
atel
aot soge
Mme: (l
aughed)Ketaatsoga
ngwanaketshwantsegoreket egoja
madiaopelekegont shelebeloabe
el
egorekeswang( laughed)O
mpheletsadiuni
tsimonnaby ebye
Me:
(laughed)By
eby
e

Ihungupanddi
aledBay
ang.
..

Bay
ang:
Heybabe
Me:
Hi.
..I
'
m atUBbutwehav
en'
t
beengiv
enaccommodation.We
arr
ivedl
atesotheof
fi
cehadtoclose
usoutsi
deunti
ltomor
row.
Bayang:
Uhl
etcal
laf
ri
endt
opi
ck
you.
Me:Bayno,
idon'
tknowy
ourf
ri
end,
whati
f-
Bayang:Lovetr
ustme.
..I
t'
sagood
fri
endofmine,wewenttochurch
toget
her.Heisagoodguy,t
rustme
Me:
OkaybutI
'
m wi
thmyf
ri
endLol
o
Bay
ang:
It'
sokay
,by
e

Ihungupandwal
kedbacki
nsi
de.
..
.
Me: Lol
oBaysay
shewil
lfi
ndme
accommodati
onwewil
lgotoget
her
.
Tia:ThemmaDi dihel
pmeoutl enna?
Ihaveaboy fr
iendherebuthehasn't
repli
edmey et.Itwasalongdist
ance
relat
ionshi
pmay behehassomeone
Me:Wewil
lsee,
I'
ll
tal
ktot
heguyand
i
fheagr
eesweallgo.
.

AtTl
okweng.
..
.

Lat
eronAati
l
edrovethr
oughhi
sgat
e
andst
oppedthecart
henweall
got
outwit
hourbagsandf
oll
owedhi
min
thehouse.
..

Heopenedabedroom wi
thachil
d'
s
beddi
ngandremovedthesheet
s
thr
owingt
hem i
nthebabycot.

Aati
le:
Excusemefort
his.Thi
sismy
daughter
'sr
oom,
sheis5
Me: Noprobl
em.
.Ihav
emyown
sheets.
Aati
l
e:Perfect,anywayI'
m dr
ivi
ngto
j
wanengt ocheckonmydaught erso
you'
l
lbeony ourownthewhole
weekend.Ialreadytol
dBayangthati
won'tbear
oundthewholeweekend
butther
eisfoodi
nthepant
ryand
fr
idge.
Me:
Thanks
Aati
le:
(looki
ngatme)Takecar
eof
thehouse..
.
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
.Thanks
Aat
il
e:Sur
e,(
tot
hegi
rl
s)Ni
ce
meeti
ngyoul
adi
es
Lol
o:Thanky
ouf
ory
ourhel
p
Tia:
Thanksboo.
..You'
resuch
darl
ing.
..

Hewal
kedout
..
.
Tia:(si
ghedfanni
nghersel
f)OhGod
thisguyishot.
..I
'
m goi
ngtofuckhi
m
whenget sback
Me:Tiahehasakidandababy
mamaobv iousl
ybecausebabi
es
don'
tfal
lfr
om thesky
Tia:
Ididn'
tsayI
'mtaki
nghi
m,i
just
l
ikehim andwantt
ofuckhi
m.

Shetookof
fherclot
hesremaini
ng
wit
hherti
ghtsandbrawalki
ngtothe
ki
tchenaswefoll
owedher…
Lolo:
Tiakeepyourcl
otheson,whati
f
hecomesbackwi t
hhisgirl
fr
iend,
thenwhat?Otarepat
iki
samma
Me:
Tiaputony
ourcl
othes

Sheopenedt
hefri
dgeandgr
abbeda
bot
tl
eofHunter
sGold.
..

Ti
a:Wow.
..
.
Me:
Tiaputony
ourcl
othes.
..
Ti
a:Didi
don'tbeababy,
it'
sjustus.
..
Thedudesaidhewasgoingto
Jwanengthewholedamnweekend.
Sheopenedthebott
lewithherteet
h
andsippedasherphonerangthen
shewalkedoutasLoloandIstared
atthedoubl
edoorfri
dgefull
of
food.
..
..

Lol
o:Ist
il
lhav
esnackf
rom t
hebus
Me:
Met
oo.
..

Threecoldbot t
lesofHuntersGol
d
caughtmyat tenti
on,theyl
ooked
moistli
ketheywer esweatingandi
couldonlyi
magi nehowt hi
rst
quenchi
ngt heywer e.
..
Me:
Doyouev
erwonderhowbeer
t
ast
esl
i
ke?
Lol
o:Noandy
oushoul
dn'
tei
ther
..
.

Ilookedatt hebot t
leofAmarul
awith
thatbeautif
ul str
ingaroundi
t'
sneck
theni openedt hebottl
eandsnif
fed
i
nside, t
hecr eamysweetsmel l
had
meswal l
ow. .
.

Me: Amarulamustbereal
l
ynice,
it
smellsdeli
ciousl
i
kesomekindof
yoghurtorsomethi
ng
Ti
a:(
laughedwalki
ngov
er)Yeah
Amarul
aisnicewit
hmil
k..
.Doyou
wantt
otast
e?
Me:
Yeah.
..
Lol
o:Di
dikanagankeot
olwai
j
a..
.

Tiagrabbedt hebott
leandtwo
gl
assest henshepour edhal
feach
andfil
ledwi t
hmi l
k,shemixedher
s
withherfingerandsuckedit.
.

Ti
a:Mmh.
..
.(sl
i
dmi
neov
er)Her
e

Ishooktheglassrel
uctant
lyand
sipped.
..
.Sur
prisi
ngl
yitwasn'tbad..I
t
tastedcr
eamyandsweetwi t
hal i
tt
le
bi
tt
erness.
..

Me:
It'
sni
ce.
..

Ti
agrabbedanotheroneandhopped
onthecount
eropeningthebot
tl
e
wit
hherteet
h..
..

Lolo:Guyscanyoubothgrowup,
Aatil
elef
tusinhishouse.He
shouldn'
tcomebacktoanempt y
fr
idge.Di
disincewhendoy oudr
ink?
Tia:
I'
llr
epl
acethem,myBFwil
lbuy
them t
omorrow.(smi
l
edandpoi
nted
atuswithabott
leofHuntersGol
d)
Guysihaveabrighti
dea.
..
Canwe
fi
ndahouseandr entassoonas
al
lowanceetsena?Idon'
twantto
stayoncampusbecauseit'
sli
mit
ing
Lol
o:Ipr
efert
obecl
osert
omy
cl
asses,
I'
m st
ayi
ngoncampus.
Me:I'
m wi
thLol
oont
his..
.Idon'
t
wanttobel
atef
ormylessons
Ti
a:Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
..
.

Herphoner
angt
henshest
eppedout
agai
n..
.
Lol
o:(shegotmygl
ass)Di
dicanwe
tal
k?
Me:
(gotitback)Yesbutdon'
ttake
t
heglasswhat'
sup?
Lol
o:St
opdr
inki
ng,
itdoesn'
tsui
tyou
Me:I
t'
sjustadri
nkcomeon..
.We
madeit
,lookar
oundyou.I
sn'
tit
wor
thcelebr
ati
ng?

Shepi ckedt hebottl

esandcl eaned
thekitchenasi madeanot hermi x,i
sti
llcouldn'
tbel i
evei actuallymadei t
totheci t
y..
..Strai
ghtf r
om r agst o
ri
ches...Iwasdef ini
telyint hecity
andf orthef i
rstti
mei nmyl ifeiwas
i
nabi ghousewi
thl
i
ght
sand
ever
ythi
ng.

Igrabbedmygl assandst
oodont
he
counterhol
dingithi
gh.
..

Me: (screaming)Cheer stome. .

.I
madei ttoGaborone,allmyl at
eni ght
readingf i
nall
ypaidoff.Allthe
embar r
assingmoment sihad
becausemyshoeswer etornormy
uniform hadlostcolor..
.Mymot her
i
gnor ingmeandmysi sterthi
nking
l
owofme. .
..Wellsuckersi madei t
toot houghi wasreadingf ormy
examsusingapar af
fin
l
amp..
..(
singingl
oudly)Cheer
st ot
he
fr
eaki
ngweekendI 'l
ldri
nktothat
yeahyeah..
.

Ti
awalkedbacki
nwi
thahugesmi
l
e
onherf
ace.
..

Tia:(l
aughedandr aisedherbott
le
highsingingal ongwi t
hme)Puty our
glassesov eranddr i
nkt othaty
eah
yeah..
.(excitedly)Guysmyboy fr
iend
i
scomi ngtopi ckme, let
'sgoparty
ing.
Lol
o:Arey
oucrazy
?Wejustar
ri
ved
andyouwantt
oparty
?
Me:
I'
min.
..Countmei
n
Lolo:Di
diyou'
renotgoi
nganywhere
wastedli
kethat,
you'
redrunkandyou
knowy ouwouldnevergotoapart
y.
Tia:
Shelooksfi
netome,sheiseven
bett
ert
hanwheni metherear
li
er.
Shewasuptight
Lolo:(
angr i
l
y)Youdon'tevenknow
her!Li
stenTiangorwhoev eryour
namei s,youshouldgetyourbags
andgost aywiththi
sboy f
ri
endof
yoursbecauseot i
legorepati
kisa.
Tia:
Thelastti
mei checkedthis
housewasn'tyour
s,you'
rejustli
ke
me.
Me: (l
aughedst aringatthebul b)God
thi
sisbeaut i
ful.
..(tearf
ull
y)Imean
youguy s..
.I'
m anobodyandI '
mi n
thecity
, I
'
m gonnaf ini
shschool and
haveev eryt
hingi everwant ed.
..
(cr
ying)IloveGod. .
..
.I'
m goingto
haveagoodj obandmar r
yBay ang..
.
Thatguyi scuteandhei ssocool ..
.I
l
ov ehim
Lolo:(l
ooki
ngupatmeont he
counter)Di
digetdownfrom ther
e
beforeyoubreakyourt
eeth..
..
you'
re
drunk.
Me:(si
tt
ingdowncr
ying)Il
oveGod
youguys..
.
Tia:
(scr
eaming)Yeah,
braG.O.Di
s
theshi
tbabe
Lol
o:Ti
ajustgoal
one,
shecan'
tgo.
..
Tia:(
pul
l
ingmyar
m)Ohcomeon
Lola
Lol
o:I
t'
sLolo.
..
.LO-LO.
..Fr
om A-
LOH-
NEH..
.Leav
eheralone
Me:LoloI
'mfine.
..Iwanttoseet
he
ci
ty.
..
.Let
'sgotogether
..
.

Il
eanedov erandkissedLoloonthe
cheekst aggering,
iwasunbeliev
ably
exci
tedandf orthefi
rstt
imeinmy
l
ifeicouldn'trememberany t
hingbad
i
nmyl ife,allicoul
dthinkaboutwas
cel
ebr
ati
ngar
ri
vi
ngi
ntheci
ty.
..

Tiagrabbedmywr istaswebot h
staggeredandfel
lont hecouchthen
Lolosighedannoyed..
.

Lolo:
Koore1stofallwedon' tknow
yourboy
friendorhisfr
iends-
andDi di
i
snotgoing.Nnagakedi redilotsa
bongwanagakeat el
agot shameka
moGabor one.
Tia:Well
thankGodshei snoty
our
daughter
,shemadeadeci si
onand
sheisgoing.
..(
ther
ewasahoot er
thenshesmiled)Ooops!Ti
meup...
Let
'sgoDidi
,Let'
schangeinto
somethi
ngshortandnice,y
ourjeans
haveMaunwr i
tt
enallovert
hem. .
.

WegotchangedasLolosatonthe
bedwat
chingusthenwewalkedout
asshef
oll
owedusout...

Lol
o:Didi
ntl
ecany oustopthis?
You'
redrunk,
I'
m sureyou'
regoingto
j
ustcoll
apsewit
hinafewmi nut
es.
Whatifyougetraped?
Ti
a:(
rol
l
edherey
es)Gr
eat
!
Me:
Bye
Lol
o: (sigheddisappoi
ntedl
y )Ican'
t
bel
ievey ouaredraggi
ngmei nt
o
thi
s..
.( point
edatTiaannoy ed)the
onl
yr easonI '
m goingistomakesur e
sheissaf ebecauseshewoul dnever
dothisi fshewassober ,t
omor row
youandmear edone!DONE. ..
Ti
a:Bedoneont hewayr
eemi
sit
se
mothokonte.
..

Shelockedthehouseandfoll
owed
ustothecarwhereTiagotinthe
fr
ontseatandreceiv
edakissfrom
herboyfri
endwhoseagewas
defi
nit
elytwi
cehers.Wegotinthe
backandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..

Me:
Ohi
lov
ethi
ssong
Ti
a:NoDi
diIl
ovet
hissong
Lol
o:Si
ncewhendoy oul
iket
hiski
nd
ofmusic?(
elbowedme)Gapeodige
l
entswewaagwasa
Boyfr
iend:
(tur
nedar
oundandsmi
l
ed
atus)Mynamei sObakeng.
.
Me:I'
m Didi.
..(
putmyar m ar
ound
Lol
o)Andt hi
sisAl oneakaLol o,
Lonza,
Lonzit
ah...
Ml enzos
Lol
o:(
sighedannoy
edandpushedof
f
myarm asthesmellofbeer
nauseat
edher
)Hi
Obakeng
Obakeng:
Ladi
esar
ewer
eady
?
Ti
a:(
tur
ningupt
hev
olume)Yeah.
..

Heturnedthest
eeri
ngwheel
asTi
a
andinoddedourheadssi
ngi
ng
al
ong..
..
.

Bot
h:(
singi
ng)Mugwant
iwaPi
tor
ia
BoMar
thal
eboMar
ia
Baski
mil
eboPol
ena
BoDor
ahl
eboRosi
nah.
..
..
..
.
Att
hepar
ty.
..

Minuteslaterwewal kedthroughthe
crowdandt hesamesongwas
pl
ay i
ng,icouldfeelmymoodr isi
ng
upalloveragainasmyphone
vi
brated,it
ooki toutandchecked, i
t
wasBay angt heniputitbackinthe
pocket.

Thepartypl
acewasbeauti
ful
wit
ha
l
it
tlepooli
nthebackyar
dwhere
every
onewasdancing.

Ti
a'
sboy
fri
endi
ntr
oducedust
ohi
s
fri
endswhower echil
li
nginthepool
holdingbeer
,oneofthem st
opped
smi l
i
ngwhenhesetey esonme.He
tookadeepbr eat
handsmi l
edthen
hehoppedoutoft hepooland
approached.
..

Hi
m:(
shoul
derbumped)Sur
eOBK.
.
OBK:
Sur
eboy
..

Het ur
nedtomewi t
hacutesmi l
e
andgentl
ytouchedmyhandt henput
myhandonhi schestandputhisar
m
aroundmywaist.
..
Hi
m:(Leanedandspokei
ntomyear
)
Mynamei sBr
andon.
..
Me:
I'
m Di
di.
..

Brandonhuggedmesof t
lyandgave
measof tki
ssonmyneck, hisl
ips
werecoldfrom t
hebeerandthat
neckkissgavemegoosebumps. .
..

Oneofthei
rfr
iendsspl
asheduswi
th
wat
er.
..

Hi
m:Br
anmonnagetar
oom
Br
an:
(laughedandt
urnedar
ound
givi
nghimthemi
ddl
efi
nger
)Kgosi
fuckyou!
Obakeng:Guyswait
..Wait
..
..Thi
s
songthebanna!Ei
sheish.
..

Branputhi
sarm ar
oundhi
m ast
hey
sangtoget
her
..
..

Both:(poi
nti
ngtothesky)Please
mugwant imybabe..
.Sgwejegweje
Mugwant i
..
..pl
easemugwant ishaker
sbejebej
e..
.

Theysmi
l
edandl
ookedatusTi
aand
il
aughedandsangal
ongwi
tht
he
song.
..

Us:(
Singi
ngl
oudl
y)Mugwant
iwa
Pi
tor
ia
BoMar
thal
eboMar
ia
Baski
mil
eboPol
ena
BoDor
ahl
eboRosi
nah.
.

Thebeatbangedandweal l
went
downdancingwhil
eLolosatonthe
cor
nerwatchi
ngus,Brandongrabbed
mywaistandjumpedinthepoolwith
me..
..
.
Me: (
spatwaterholdingont
ohis
neck)Brandonican'tswim.
..
.
Br
andon:
Igoty
oubaby
..
..

Heleanedoverandki
ssedmet
hen
hewhisper
edinmyear..
.

Brandon:
It'
sget
ti
ngal
i
ttl
ecoldher
e,
canwegosomewherepri
vat
e?
Me:(smil
ednaughti
ly)Sur
ebutwe
hav
et ododgeher.
..
Br
andon:
(lookedatLol
oandsmil
ed
ki
ssi
ngme)Al r
ight
..
.Mycari
sthi
s
si
de.
..
Me:
(gi
ggl
ed)Okay
..

Hehoppedoutoft hepool andtook

myhandt henhegrabbedhi stowel
andcarkeysbeforeanyonecoul dsee
him,weranthroughthecrowdand
passedtotheparki
ngar ealaughing
l
ikeacoupleofsil
lyteenagers.

Hepushedmeagai nstthecarand
ki
ssedmepassionatelythenhe
unlockedt
hecar,i
gotinandhe
start
edtheengi
ne.
..
Br
andon:
Comeher
e..
.

Hekissedmeanddroveoffasi
took
offmywetcl
othesandshookmywet
phone..
.

Me:
Ohnomyphoneet
seny
weke
met
si.
..I
tsof
f.
..

Iputitdownandt ookof
fmywetv est
thenheglancedatmyf i
rm breast
s
andalmostranthrougharedl i
ghtas
thecarsblewthei
rhornsthenhe
stoppedandlookedatme. .
.
Brandon:Shi
t.
..Aret
hesereal?(
he
touchedthem)Fuckt
hey'
rereal
,how
oldareyou?
Me:
(gi
ggl
ed)Ol
denough.
..
Br
andon:
Comeher
e,ki
ssme.
.

Ileanedov erashemetmehalfway
andki ssedmet henhest
eppedon
theaccel erat
oranddr
oveoffi
ntot
he
night.
...
..
...
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
25PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴2

Att
hepar
ty.
..

Loloquietl
ysatonthepavementi
n
fr
ontoft hepar
tyyardanddial
edher
mot her
..
.

Her
:(peopl
etal
ki
ngi
nthe
backgr
ound)Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Himama,
okaeMay
a?Cani
tal
ktoher
?
Her
:Iwenttoaweddi
ngpreparat
ion
meeti
ng,
ilef
therwi
thyoursi
ster
.
Lol
o:Okay
,letmecal
her
..
.

Shehungupanddi
aledhersi
ster
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o
Lol
o:Hi
,May
aokae?
Her
:Icametogetsomet
hingat
Di
boy'
sfat
her'
s
Lol
o:I
sshewi
thDi
boy
's?
Her:
NoDi boy
'sfatherwant
edtosee
hi
m, shewassleepingwhenil
eft
.I
won'
tbelong.
Lol
o:Aommahowcany ouleavemy
daught
eral
oneatthist
ime?It
's
al
most11pm kana.
..Whati
fsheget
s
ki
dnapped?
Her:Uhmmaaker ekeaemel el
a
j
aanaAl one?I'
m notyournannyand
yourchil
dwon'tstopmef rom doi
ng
whatIhav etodo.Icamet omy
husbandshouse, shoul
dihav e
broughtherwithme?Kanakeseka
karatanakennelengwanawagago?
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)Kant
ekeengont
say
a
ekaregakemonnao?Howcomey ou
feelnot
hingf
ormydaughter
?It
's
11pm andmydaughteri
shome
alone?
Her
:I'
m notherf
ather
-

Shehungupt henLoloburstinto
tear
s,shegotupandwal kedt hrough
thecrowdl ooki
ngforDidibutshe
wasnowayt obefound.Shet ri
ed
call
i
ngbuthernumberwasn' t
avail
abl
et henshespottedTi awi t
h
herboyfr
iendandwal kedov er..
.

Lol
o:Wher
eisDi
di?
Ti
a:Idon'
tknow.
..
Lol
o:Whowasshewi
th?
Ti
a:Idi
dn'
tcheck
Lol
o: Aomma. .(f
rustr
atedly
)Didile
eneissuchachi l
dwai t
se..
.(walki
ng
away)Thi sonesi dedfr
iendshi
pi s
weighingonme. .
.Ihaveadaught er
towor ryabout,notanadultwhocan' t
thi
nkf orhersel
f.Howdoi evenget
homef r
om here?

Shesearchedt
hrought
hecrowdunt
il
shewast i
redt
henshewenttosi
t
out
side.
..
Lol
o:(
worr
iedl
ylooki
ngatthemoon)
Mayaarey
ousaf emylov
e?

AtMay
a'sgr
andmot
her
's.
..

Meanwhi l
eMay acriedwonderi
ng
aroundt heyardalone,amanpassing
byt heyardstoppedandobservedas
l
itt
leMay acri
edsitt
inginfr
ontofher
mot her
'shutthenhewal kedin
throught hesmallgate.
..

Mayastoodupandl ookedathi
m as
heapproachedt
hroughthemild
dar
k..
.
Man:(smi
l
ed)Aomot
ogol
o?Bat
ho
bakae?
May
a:Idon'
tknow
Man:
Noonei
shome?

Heknockedont hecl
oseddoorsand
fi
nal
lypushedthedoortoLolo'
shut,
i
tsli
dopent henhegrabbedherwri
st
andwalkedinsi
dewithher.
..

Man:Comeinsi
de.
..Wewi
l
lwai
tfor
yourmot
herher
eokay?
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Mamai
scomi
ng?
Man:
Yes.
..

Helookedout
sideagainand
unzi
ppedhist
rouser
sthenhegent
ly
pushedMayadown...

Man: Laydown..
.Iwanttocheck
somet hingi
nyourpanti
esokay?I
f
you'
reagoodgi rl
andkeepquietI
'l
l
showy ouwher
ey ourmotheri
s
hidi
ng
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)You'
l
lshowmemama?
Man:Yes,
justlaydownandspr
ead
yourl
egsl
ikethis.
..
Hetookoffherpanti
esandspread
her2yearoldl
egsapartthenhetook
outhi
sDr ubbi
ngthetiponher
i
nnocenceand..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

AtGabor
one.
..
.

Meanwhil
eLolo'
smooddr oppedto
Zeroasacabstoppedbyherfeet
thenshegoti
nandclosedthedoor.

Shesatther
ewi t
houtsay
ingany
thi
ng
asthecabdriv
erdroveoff
..
.
Dr
iver
:Uh?
Lol
o:(
snappedoutofi
t)Raa?God,
di
disayhi?
Dri
ver:(l
aughed)No,youdidn'tandi
askedy ouaquesti
onthreetimes..
.
Am itakingyoutotheaddressy ou
sentviatextmessage?
Lolo:Yes..
.Ei
shsor ry.Lif
ey amea
thata,I
'
m walkingar oundhel aj
aana
butI'm dyi
nginside..
.Ilef
tmy2y ear
oldwithmymot herbutshedoesn' t
reall
yli
kemebecauseshet hinkslow
ofme, herfav
our it
edaught erismy
oldersist
erwhoi sdat i
nga
busi nessman.Mynephewbeat smy
daught erlikeshei sapunchi ngbag
andi wonderhowwor seitwillbeon
myabsence.Ri ghtnowmymot her
l
ef tmydaught erwi t
hmysi st
erand
mysi stertookhersont oherbaby
daddy '
shousel eavingmydaught er
aloneathome.Idon' tevenknowhow
l
ongagoshewasl eftal
one, idon't
knowi fsheat e.
..Iwishi could
school i
nMaunsoi canbecl oset o
her .Idon'tknowwhatt odowi t
hmy
l
ife
Dr
iver
:Whataboutherf
ather
?
Lol
o:Thatmanl
ongtol
dmet oabort
orI
'
m onmyown, i
thoughthewas
kiddi
ngwhenMay awasbor nisent
him apict
ureandhecamet ome
angry.Hethreat
enedmeandt oldme
ishouldnevermenti
onhi snamei fi
wantmydaught eral
ive.Sincetheni
focusedonmydaught er.
..
Dri
v er
:Mysisteryoursi
tuat
ioni
s
hard..
.Can'
tyoucallthenei
ghbour
s
tocheckonher ?
Lol
o:(
smiledt
hankf
ull
y)Thankyou.
..
Mybrai
nhadjammed,stressse
maswe..
.

Shedi
aledt
heneighbourbuther
numberwasn'
tav
ailabl
ethenshe
si
ghed.
..

Att
henei
ghbour
'shouse.
..

MeanwhileLolo'
sneighbourstepped
outandthrewleft
overfoodi nthebi
n
thenshefrownedli
steningcareful
ly
,
sheheardMay acryi
ngandherhear t
sunk."Di
boy'
smusthav et akenhis
toysagai
n"shethoughtbr ushi
ngit
off.
..

Sheknewwhatasharpmout hLol
o's
motherhadandshedidn'
twantto
cr
osshersoshewalkedbackinsi
de
thehouseandcont inuedwashingthe
dishesbutnomat terhowhardshe
tri
edt oputaheartofstoneshe
couldn'tt
henshest eppedoutand
l
istenedagain,Mayawasst i
llcr
ying
andt hist
imeshesoundedt obe
approachingthegatethensheputon
hershoesandwal kedoutintothe
dark.

ShemetMay abythegatecryi
ng
walki
ngbar
efootwit
hjustat-shi
rt
andnopanti
esthenshepickedher
up.
..
Her
:Wher
eisev
ery
one?
May
a:(
cry
ing)Idon'
tknow.
.
Her:
Ao,ngwanay
ookanaot
ogel
wa
al
eone?

ShecouldfeelMay
ahadpeedon
her
selfassheputheronherwaist
andshecouldn'
tst
opcryi
ng,the
nei
ghbourwentbacktoherhouse
car
ryi
ngher .

Shet
ookof
fhershoesandstepped
i
nwit
hMayaonherleftwai
st.
..
Neighbour:Okay.
..I
'
m goingtobath
youandt henyou'
regoingt oeatl
ots
andlotsoffood..
.st
opcryingbaby
aut
wa. .

Sheputherdownandsawadr opof
bl
oodont hewhitetil
e,shepaused
andstr
etchedhert-shi
rtwhereshe
hadputMay a.
..I
thadal argest
ainof
bl
oodshef el
tearl
ierandthoughtit
waspee.

Nei
ghbour:OhGodnono.
..May
a
whathappened?
May
a:Themanputhi
sseseher
e..
Theneighbourcov eredhermouth
tearf
ull
yandrant othebedroom
whereshegrabbedhert owel
and
phonethenshenot i
cedherphone
wasof f
,sheputitont hechargerand
grabbedMay arushingtothepolice
stat
ion.
..
..

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmorningasoftkissonthe
for
eheadwokeme, ist
retchedmy sel
f
andgotupholdingt
hesheetupmy
chestasBr
andonstoodbybut t
oning
hisshi
rtanditwasatthatmoment
thathi
ssil
verri
ngshinedonmy
face.
..

Br
andon:
Mor
ning.
..
.
Me:
Mor
ning.
..You'
remar
ri
ed?
Br
andon:
Yeah.
..Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
Ihav
eal
i
ttl
eheadache
Brandon: I
t'
spr
obabl
ythehangover
..
.
I'
l
lhavet hemaidf
ixyouamix.It
shouldtakecar
eofthethat.
..

Iqui
cklygotupandranoutwi
thmy
pant
iesashefoll
owedmeand
dir
ectedmetothebat
hroom wher
ei
kneltdownandthr
ewup.

Hewalkedinwi
thagl
assofwat
er
andhandedme.
...

Br
andon:
Her
e..
.

Icl
eanedmy
sel
fupandashewal
ked
out
.

Minutesl
ateri
goti
nashewas
standi
ngbythemir
rorput
ti
ngonhis
ti
eandassoonashesawmeont he
mir
rorbehindhi
m, hestoppedand
t
urnedaroundlookingatme..
.

Hewassmar tandfrom hisdressi

coul dtel
lhehadav erygoodj ob,he
wal kedoverandcuppedmybr east
admi ri
ngmyni pplesthenhesof tl
y
touchedmycheekandki ssedmy
forehead..
.

Br
andon:
You'
rev
erybeaut
if
ul.
..
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..
Brandon:
Werey
out el
l
ingt
het
rut
h
aboutbei
ngavi
rgi
n?
Me:
Yeah.
..
Brandon:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?Di
di
hurtyou?
Me:
No.
..I
'mfi
ne..
.Ij
ustwishIcoul
d
r
emembermoreabouti
t.
..
Br
andon:
(laughed)Wer
eyout
hat
dr
unk?
Me:Itwasmyfi
rstt
odr
inkso.
..
Anywayihav
etogobef
oreyourwi
fe
fi
ndsmehere.
Br
andon:
Shei
sov
erseasschool
i
ng
Me:Yeahbuty
ou'r
eher sandihave
tor
espectt
hat
.Lastnightidi
dn'
t
not
iceyouwer
emar r
ied
Hel eanedov erandFrenchkissedme
thenhegr abbedhisrobeandputi t
aroundmel eadi
ngmet othekit
chen
wher ehismai dwaspr epari
ng
breakfast.
..

Br
andon:(t
oher)Youcant
akeaday
of
f.
..I
nfactcomebackonMonday.
Her:
Ihaven'
tdonet
helaundr
yandI
di
dn'tcl
eant
hehouse.
Br
andon:I
t'
scool
you'l
ldoiton
Monday.
.Didy
oufixherbr
eakfast
?
Her
:Yessi
r.
.
Br
andon:
Thanks.
.
Me:
(toher
)Hi
.
..
Her
:Hel
l
o..
.

Shelef
tthenhelif
tedmeupandput
meont hecounter
,hehandedmet he
waterwit
hasl i
ceoflemonhangi
ng
ontheglass.
..

Br
andon:
Hav
ethat
..
.

Iputt
heglassdownandtear
ful
l
y
cl
osedtherobeasmyknuckl
esmet
..
.
Me:
Iwantt
ogohome.
..
Br
andon:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me: (t
earf
ully)Yeah. .
.I.
..Thisisnot
me...(r
ubbedmyt ears)Ididn'
tthi
nk
I'
dlosemyv i
rginitytoamar r
iedman.
Iwasn'tmy selflastnightandI '
m
embar r
assedr ightnow.

Icoveredmyfacecr
yingt
henhe
huggedmebuti movedbackand
headedtothebedr
oom whereigot
dressed.
..

Brandon:
Ihopeyou'
renotgoi
ngto
accusemeofrapebecauseyouwere
wil
li
ng,youact
ual
l
ypl
ayedonmy
chestaf
ter.
.
Me:
No,youdi
dn'
trapeme.It
smy
f
aul
t.
.Di
dweusepr ot
ect
ion?
Brandon:Ofcour
sewedi dDi
diicar
e
aboutmyhealthtoo.
.Therei
sabox
ofMoodsont heheadboardi
fyou
don'tbel
i
eveme.
Me:
It'
sokay
..
Brandon:canyouatl
easthave
breakf
astbefor
eyougo?I'l
ltakey
ou
home..
Me:
Thanks.
..
Igotdressedandwal
kedoutthenhe
fol
lowedmehol di
ngaphone.
..
..
.

Brandon:Bythewayi wasusi ngthis

phoneuntili
boughttheoneI 'm
curr
entl
yusing,i
tsperfectl
yfine..
.If
youli
keityoucanhav eitsincei
thr
ewy oursint
hewat er..
.Ori can
buyanewone. .

Isatdowneati
ngandslowlygotthe
phone,i
twasclear
lyexpensi
veandi
hadneverusedsuchasmar t
phone
befor
e..
.
Me:
Thi
sonei
sfi
ne.
..
Brandon:
(looki
ngatme)I '
mr eal
ly
sorr
yaboutlastnight
..
.If
eelverybad
ri
ghtnow,ifeell
ikeI'
m apaedophil
e
Me: It
'sokay,
don'tworr
yaboutitbut
therewon'tbeus..
.Ihaveaboyfri
end
andhei sagoodguy .Idon'
twantto
breakhisheart.
..
Brandon:Iunder
stand,i
t'
sokay.
..You
don'towemeanexpl anati
on.
Me:
Let
'sgo.
..

Wegotupandlef
tasimovedmysi
m
car
dtothenewphone.
..
AtLol
o'
shome.
..
.

Latert
hatmorningLolo'
smother
knockedfrom doortodoorl
ooki
ng
forMaya,anothernei
ghbourwal
ked
over.
..

Neighbour
:Iheardhercry
ingal
ot
l
astnightbutit
houghtitwas
becausehermotherlef
t.
Her:Ist
eppedoutf
oraminute,
justa
minuteandshewal
ksaway..
.
Diboy'
sfatherpar
kedatthegat
ethen
Lolo'
ssist
ersteppedout
...

Her
:Youst
il
lhav
en'
tfoundher
?
Mother
:No,wher
ecoul
dshebe?I
t
hinkweshoul
dcall
thepol
i
ce
Her:Poli
ce?Comeon. ..Sheis
probabl
yaroundheresomewher eor
may beshewenttoDi dint
le'
shouse
becauseLoloal
way sgoest her
ewith
her.Chi
ldr
enareclever..
Mot
her:Pr
obabl
y,cany out
ell
your
mantodri
veusthere?
Her
:Ofcour
se.
..
Lol
o'scal
lcamethroughthenher
mothersi
ghedbeforeshecoul
dpick.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
mama,
cani
tal
ktoMay
a?
Her
:Mayai
ssti
l
lsleepi
ng.
..They
wat
chedTVunt
ill
ate.
.
Lol
o:(
sighedi
nrel
i
ef)Okay
..
.Send
meamessagewhenshewakesup.
Her:Okay.
..Sheisf
ineibi
l
esheis
eat
ingjaakaoitsegorekemot
hole
motogowasekupu
Lol
o:(
laughedt
ouchi
ngherchesti
n
r
eli
ef)Okay
,idi
dn'
tsl
eepl
astni
ght
..
Her:
Don'
tworry
,il
lsendamessage
whensheget
sup.
Lol
o:ok,
bye.
..

Shehungupandshookherhead
get
ti
nginthecar
..
.

Her
:Wehav
etof
indher
..
..

AtTl
okweng.
..
..
..

Lol
ocl
eanedthehousehummingina
goodmood,shecoul
dn'
twai
tfor
Mayatogetupsot heycouldtalkand
maybeshewaswr ongabouther
mothermaybeshef i
nal
lyreal
ised
t
hatMayawashergr andchil
dt oo.

Thedoormaindooropenedthenshe
pausedcl
eani
nglooki
ngatthe
entr
ancet
henAatil
ewalkedinwit
h
hi
sdaughtert
alki
ngtothephone.
..

Aati
le:
( angril
yt al
ki
ngt othephone)I
don'
tknow. ..Ijustdon'twantmy
daughterlockedi nthehouseev er
y
ti
meshef eelslikeattendi
ngaparty.
Tsogagot weI '
mv i
olentbecausethe
nextti
mesomet hingl
ikethi
s
happensI'
m goingtobeathergakena
sepelegoremangot aarengbecause
thi
sistot
aldisr
espect.

Hepassedt othebedr oom angr

il
y
tal
ki
ngt othephonet henhis
daughterwalkedinthekit
chenand
pausedlookingatLolomoppi ngthe
fl
oor.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o
Lol
o:Hi
..
Her
:Mynamei
sMay
a
Lol
osmil
edemot i
onal
l
ylooki
ngat
herandl
aughed.
..

Lolo:Mydaughter
'snamei sal
so
May abutsheisabityoungert
han
you.Howol dareyou?
May
a:5.
..
Lol
o:MyMay
ais2
May
a:(
laughed)Shest
olemyname.
..
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iguessshedi
d..
.

Theylaughedchat
ti
ngasAatil
e
fr
ustr
atedlywal
kedinandopenedt
he
fr
idgehopi
ngt
ogrababot
tleofbeer
butther
ewasnot
hingt
her
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Ihadbeeri
nher
e..
Lol
o:(
rel
uctant
ly)Um.
..Good
morni
ng.
..
Aat
il
e:Doy
ougi
rl
sdr
ink?
Lol
o:Idon'
t,
ItwasDi
diandTi
a..I
'
m
sor
ry.
Aati
le:
(si
ghed)Ei
sh..
.SoBayangi
s
dati
ngagirlwhodr
inkswhi
lehe
doesn'
tdri
nk?
Lol
o:Lastni
ghtwasherf
ir
st
Aat
il
e:Okae?
Lol
o:Theywentt
oapar
ty.
.
Aati
le:(
laughedi
ndisbel
ief
)Okay
seri
ousl
yi ssheBayang'
sgir
lf
ri
end?I
don'
tseeBaydat i
ngsomeonel i
ke
that
Lol
o:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed.
..
Aati
le:(dr
ankwaterandcl
osedt
he
fr
idge)Bythewaythi
sismydaught
er
May a,
Babythi
sisaunti
eLoli
May
a:(
laughed)I
t'
sLol
o..
.
Aati
le:
(smi
l
ed)Okayi
seey
ou
al
readymet
..
.

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhegr
abbedt
he
tr
ashpl
asti
candwal
kedout
answer
ing.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Bayang:At
ymosadi wameokaene
monna?What '
syourlandl
i
nekeletse
becauseherphonei
snotav ai
l
able.
Aty
:Sheisnothomey et
,ij
ustgot
her
e.Appar
entl
yt heywenttoaparty,
shedr
inkstoo.
..Didyouknowt hat
?
Bayang:Dr
inki
ng?Li
kedr
inki
ng
al
cohol?
At
y:Yeah,
theyempt
iedmybig
Amarul
abottl
eandacoupl
eof
Hunt
er'
sGolds.
Bay
ang:
Waakat
hemonna!
At
y:I
'
m ser
ious.
..

Hethrewthetr
ashi
nthebinandsaw
acarstoppi
ngafewfeetawayf
rom
hi
m...

At
y:Shej
ustpul
l
edov
er
Bay
ang:
Whoi
sshewi
th?
At
y:SomecheeseboywaJeep
Bayang:
(sighed)Themonnadon'
t
pl
aymei lovethatgi
rl
,ar
eyousur
e
i
t'
sher?
At
y:DudeI
'
mlooki
ngr
ightather
,you
knowwhatl
etmehav
eat
alkwi
th
thi
smoron.
.
Bayang:
Atydon'
thar
asst
heguy
wenawaapekakana
At
y:Wai
ponal
ait
ee.
..

Hehungupandwal
kedt
owar
dst
he
car
..
.

*
**

Meanwhi
leIst
eppedoutandcl
osed
t
hedoor.
..
Br
an:
Cani
hav
eyournumber
?
Me:
No,
i.
..Thi
swasami
stake.By
e..

Atyl
eanedonthedriv
er'
ssi
deand
smil
edatBrandon.
..

At
y:(l
ooki
ngathi
sri
ng)Kant
eibi
l
eo
ny
etse?
Br
an:
Exeh.
..
At
y:I
ssomethi
ngwr
ongwi
thy
our
wi
fe'
spussy
?
Br
an:
(laughed)Ser
iousl
y?
Aty:
(leanedbackglar
ingathim)Next
ti
mehaomodr opawany el
asaan.
..
Br
an:(
smil
edandr
oll
edupthe
wi
ndow)Enemmekemoj el
eaker
e..
.

Hereversedthecaranddr ov
eoffas
Aat
il
et urnedandlookedatmethen
hequi
et l
ywalkedinside.
..

Me:(f
oll
owedhi
m)I
t'
snotwhaty
ou
t
hink.
Aty:
(turnedandl ookedatme)What ?
Thatyougotdr unkandhada
ni
ghtstandwithamar ri
edmanwho
j
ustdroppedy ouof f?You'r
epatheti
c
anditswomenl i
key outhattur
nus
i
ntokill
ers.
..OlakiodiraboBay ang,
onedayyou'll
meetaguyl i
kemewho
wil
lpuni
shy ouforbeingslaty,
i
wouldn'
tevenleaveyouI'djustfi
x
youonce..
.Ot al
elaBayang..
.

Hewal kedinthehouseandi
fol
lowedhimt henwehear dLol
o
screamingandbothr anint
othe
bedroom whereshewashol di
ngthe
phonet oherearcr
ying..
..

Lol
o:(scr
eami ngcryi
ngj
umpingup
anddown)GODNOOOOOO!( cryi
ng
hol
dingherchestasapainstruckher
bel
owt hebreast)Godpl
easeno...
.
Whatdoy oumeanshei sgoingtoget
sti
tched?Pleaset
ellmeI'
m
dreaming.
..Godpleasewhatsi
ndidi
do?
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Lol
owhat
'sgoi
ngon?

Shehungupandsatdowncr yi
ng
thenihuggedherasshecried
screaming,Mayastoodatt
hedoor
concernedthenherfat
her
approachedher.
..

Aati
le:Babepleasewaitoutsi
de.
..
Auntieisnotf
eelingwell
,gowatch
TV..
.
Heclosedthedoorthenhesaton
Lol
o'
sot hersi
derubbingherback.
..

Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoingon?Oneminut
e
wewerel
aughi
ngandnowthi
s?
gat
weng?
Lol
o: My2y earolddaughterhas
beenraped..
.Andmynei ghboursay s
sheisbadlyinj
ured.Mysisterlef
ther
homealoneandwentt osleepoverat
herbabydaddy '
shouse..
.Koor ei
l
eavemychi ldonedayandt hi
s?I'
m
l
eavingschool.
..
Webot hsatt
herei
nshockasshe
packedherbagcry
ingt
henAatil
egot
upholdi
ngherhandandfacedher.
..

Aat
il
e:I
'
lldr
ivey
oubackhome.
..
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)I
'
mfr
om Maun
Aati
le:Iknow, putyourbagint
hecar,
wewi l
lbewi t
hy ourdaughteri
nless
than8hour s.
..Ipromise
Me:
Lol
oI'
m sor
ry.
.
Lolo:(
tur
nedtome)Di dint
lewear e
donennalewena,you'renotaf r
iend.
Iri
skedmylif
etolookoutf oryou
thenyoudodgeme, ompona
bohemaakere?Idon'twanty outo
thi
nkI'
m disturbingyoukat selaepe
butIwon'tletyouputmeatr iskli
ke
youdidlastnight.Iwassurrounded
bymat agwat r
yingtoprotecty oubut-
(shookherhead)Idon'tneedt hi
s..
.
Thereisnouseany waybecauseI 'm
droppi
ngoutofschool .I'
m goi ngto
takecareofmychi l
d.

Shewal
kedoutwit
hherbagtheni
fol
l
owedherbutAat
il
est
oppedme...

Aati
le:Notnow.
..Shedoesn'
tneed
thi
s..
Me:
(regr
ett
abl
yscr
eami
ng)Lol
oI'
m
sor
ryaboutlastni
ght
,kennake
di
ri
lengphosogobuanneteandI
won't
-

Shesl
ammedt
hedoort
heni
rubbed
mytear
s..
.

Aatil
e:(l
ookingatme)Ireal
l
yhope
youwi l
lbegonebyMonday ..
.and
pleasedon'tsetmyhouseonf i
re
whileI'
m gone..
.

Hewal
kedout
..
.
*
**

Minuteslat
eriapproachedt
hecaras
Aati
lestr
appedhisdaughteronthe
carseatandclosedthebootthenhe
gotinthecar.
..

Me:LoloI
'm sor
ryf
ordodgi
ngy
ou,
i
wasdrunkand-
Lol
o:By
eDi
dint
le.
..

Sherol
l
edupthewi
ndowthenAat
il
e
drov
eoff,
myphoner
ang.
..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Hi.
..
Me:
Hi.
..
Bayang:
Yourphonewasof
fal
lni
ght
,
whathappened?
Me:
(st
ammer
ing)I
tfel
lbut
..
.Itf
ell
Bay
ang:
Olet
sekaeDi
di?
Me:
Iwashome.
.
Bayang:Youdon' thav et
of or
ce
yoursel
ftolovemej ustbecausei
l
ovey ou,mel ovi
ngy oudoesn't
necessari
lymeany oushouldloveme
back.Iwasn'tbuyingy ouwiththat
money ,i
wasj ustbei nghel
pful
becauseIl ov ey ou.Ireal
lydon' twant
tohatey ouorhur tmy selfsol et'sjust
stopthiswhol ethingbecausewheni
l
ov eilov ehar d.Ihopey ouf indaguy
worthy ourf aithf
ulnessandt hewor st
thi
ngkegor eomaaka.Youcoul d
haveatl eastadmi tt
edgor eol etseko
monnengy oony etsengand
apologised.Yousav edy our selfall
thesey earsj usttosleepwi thanot her
woman' shusband, I
'm disappoi nted
i
ny ou.Ihopehewaswor t
hi t.
Me:
(cr
ying)Bay
ang?I
-

Hehungupt
heni
dial
edhi
snumber
buti
twasn'
tav
ail
abl
e..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
25PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴3

AtLet
shol
athebe.
..
Lolo'
smotherwalkedi
nt hepr
ivat
e
room ast
heneighbourlai
donthe
bednextt
oMay a'scot.
..
.

Her:(angr
il
y)Soyoufoundmy
granddaught
erandhidher?Why
couldn'
tyoutel
lmethis?
Neighbour:Howwoul
ditel
lyou?You
weren'thomebutMayaneededto
seeadoct or!
Her: Andt henwhataboutearl
ythis
mor ning?Whydi dn'
tyoucall
?You
j
ustwant edmet oseethepoli
ce
goingt hroughthehouselooki
ngfor
thepl acewherethecrimetookplace?
Neighbour:IfoundMay acryingat
midnightbyt hegate,youwer en'
t
ther
esoi broughtherher ewit ht
he
poli
ce.Theydon' tadmitlitt
lechil
dren
bythemsel vessoi gotadmi ttedwith
her.
..Whatdi dyouwantmet odo
becausei couldn'
tjustleaveherwi th
thepoli
cei hadt obewi thher
Her:I
sthiswhyy oudon'thave
chi
ldr
enofy ourown?Soy oucanplay
goodmot hertoourchi
ldren?Please
l
eave..
.I'
l
lbewi t
hher.
Neighbour:Haokakewadi r
abot hodi
j
oo...Lol
obeggedmenott olether
daughteroutofmysightunti
l she
getshere,andthat
'sexact
lywhatI'm
doi
ng
Her
:You'
reunbel
i
evabl
e
Neighbour:
Noy ou'
reunbel
iev
able,
you'r
econcernedaboutwhatpeople
wil
lsaysomucht hatyouhaven'
t
evenaskedhowMay ai
s,youhaven't
eventouchedher,i
sn'
tsheimportant
?
Her
:(r
egret
tabl
ylooki
ngatMay
a)
Howisshe?
Neighbour
:"Howisshe"Godisgoing
topunishyouforhavi
ngfav
ori
tes
amongstyourchil
dren.
..
Her
:Howi
sshe?I
sitbad?
Nei
ghbour:
Youcanseehowsheis
l
ayi
ng.
..Theinj
uri
esar
ever
ybad.She
i
sstill
medi cat
edomosedi dingmme
hatsogahaot abeal
emobot hokong
becauseshehasbeenstitched,
doctorsoperat
edherear
lythis
morning..
Her
:(t
earf
ull
ytouchedMay
a'shand)
Maya?Baby.
.?
Neighbour:
Youneedt ol
eav
eLolo
askedmenott olety
ouorhersi
ster
nearher.Pl
easego,don'
tmakeme
cal
l t
henurses.
.
Her
:Soshebl
amesmef
ort
his?
Nei
ghbour
:Pl
easego.
..
Her
:Fine,oipi
l
etsadikgabaene
Lol
o..
..Gaanagorobalel
wake
di
thokwa,nothi
ngofherwill
evergo
well
.Never.Shejustcur
sedhersel
f.
..
Youdon'tt
reatyourmotherl
ikethi
s..

Shewal
kedout
..
.

AtCal
texf
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Bayangsi
ghedqui
etl
yashi
sboss
l
eanedback.
..

Boss:
That
'
sal
lical
l
edy
ouf
or.
..
Bay
ang:
ButI
'
mfi
ne.
.
Boss:
You'
renotf
ine,
gohomeand
getsomesl eep..Acust omersai dyou
shouldpumpP40buty oupumped
P400whi cht akesy ourpaymeani ng
you'r
enotget t
ingany thingmont h
end,whyar eyoumaki ngmeabad
manager ?am i nottr y
ing?Cl earl
y
somet hingi seat i
ngy oubecausey ou
arenev ert hisabsentmi ndedmo
ti
rong, ibeenwat chingy ousi ncelast
night.
..Gohomebef orey oust art
l
osingnextmont h'
ssal ary.Pol i
cyke
gorecust omer sarenotr esponsible
foryourmi stakes,youf uel thewr ong
amounty ouarehel daccount ablefor
i
t.Goandr est,tomor r
owcomewi tha
smi l
i
ngf ace...
Bayang:(
sighed)Okay
..
.(st
ood)
Thankyou..

Hequi
etl
ywal
kedout
..
.

*
**

Minuteslat
erhewal kedpast
Didi
ntle'
shomeandsawher
grandmotherexhaustedl
ysit
ti
ngon
themiddleoftheyardwithabucket
ofwaterthenhewal kedthr
oughthe
smallgateandapproachedher.
..
Bayang:Mmama?Cani
hel
pyou
car
rythebucket
?.
Her:
(shakyvoice)Yespleasemyson,
mayGodr i
chlyblessyou..
.Otswa
kaeha?
Bayang:Iwaspassi
ngbyandsaw
yousit
ti
ngont hegr
ound,i
t'
shot.
.t
he
soil
ishot.Let
'sgoI
'
llcomebackfor
thebucket.
.

Hegr abbedherbroomstickand
hel
pedheri nt
ot hehousethenhe
wentbackandf ill
edal
lthewater
container
swhilewhistl
i
ngwi t
h
headsetson.
Minut
eslat
erhewal
kedov
erdust
ing
hi
shands..
.

Bayang:If
ill
edall
thecontainer
swi t
h
water,
don'tgotothetap,
whenev er
youneedwat eroanapedikupu,diho
khonengyalaapa.
Her:
(emoti
onal
lyrubbedherhands
t
ogether
)Thankyouson..
.Godbless
you.
..
Bayang:(smil
ed)Thanky ou..
.(l
ooked
atthefi
rearea)Wher eisyouraxe?
Yourwoodi sfi
nished..
.
Her
:Byt
het
reet
her
e..
.
Bayangchoppedthewoodandpi
led
i
tforherthenhegrabbedt
hemet
al
tr
aywithashesandwenttoempt
yit.
.

Theoldwomanemot i
onall
ywatched
him ashemadethefi
reandputthe
thr
eeleggedpotonatri
podforher
..
.

Her
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Whati
syourname?
Bayang:Bayang,
ist
aythi
sside
wheretherearer
ent
alhouses.
Her:
(tear
ful
l
yshookherhead)Thank
yousomuch,iwast
ir
edmowao
hel
ela.You'
rebl
essed.
..Bl
essingswi
l
l
fol
l
owy out
herestofy
ourlif
e.
Bayang:(
smiled)Tankimmama. .
..
.
(si
ghed)It
hinkI'
m done..
.I'
m goi
ng
Her
:By
e

Hewal kedawayput t
ingonhis
headsetsast heol
dwomanadj ust
ed
herglasseslooki
ngathimfrom t
he
backandr estedherj
awonherpalm
thoughtful
l
y..
..

Her:
Mshimaneol
aegi
lej
aarur
i,
koor
eateemakol
waneadir
aajang?
AtTl
okweng.
..
..

Idi
dn'tknowi l
ovedBayanguntilt
he
dayhebr okeupwi t
hme, ihadcr
ied
si
ncemor ni
ngtr
yingtoreachoutto
hi
m buthewasn' tansweri
ngmycal l
s
orrepl
yingme...

Isatonthecouchtryi
ngtocal
lLolo
butshewasn'tansweri
ngei
thert
hen
Tiaknockedonthedoorandwalked
i
n...
.
Ti
a:Heyboo.
..
Me:(
lowv
oice)Hi
Ti
a:What
'swr
ong?
Me: Theguywhogaveus
accommodationsay
swearet
oo
manyandoneofusshouldmoveout
.
Tia:Ohthat
'scoolboo,iwasonly
heretocoll
ectmybagsany way,I'
llbe
theonemov ingout.
..
.I'
m goi
ngt o
staywit
hmyman.Hei swai t
ing
outsi
de
Me:
Okay
..
.

Shegr
abbedherbagsandwal
ked
out
..
.

Ti
a:Seey
ouonMonday
Me:
Monday
..
.

Idi
aledBayangagainandt
hist
ime
heansweredme...

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Me:Cani j
usttal
kandy
oul
i
sten?
Pl
easejustonce.
Bay
ang:
Goon.
..
Me:I'
m sorr
yfornotansweri
ngyour
cal
l
sbuti swearil
oveyou..
.Igot
drunkanddi dsill
ythi
ngs,ir
egr
et
whathappenedandi wantustotr
y
again.
..Please.
..I
'l
lnevert
ouch
al
cohol again.
..
Bayang:
Didy ousleepwi
thhim?(
i
keptqui
et)Don'tl
i
et ome.
..Di
dyou?
Me:
Yes.
..
Bayang:( si
ghed)Soy oucouldn'
tgive
met hatoppor tunit
yaker e?Youjust
hadt ogiveittoanot herman...Aman
thatlov
eshi swi fe!(
shookhi shead)
Youdon' tlovemeDi di,
don'tfor
ce
yoursel
f.Whaty ouar egoingthr
ough
ri
ghtnowi sjustguil
tgasel ove
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Let
'st
ryagai
n
Bayang: Ican't
..
.Ican'tgetovert
he
factthatyour efusedtogivemet he
oppor t
unitytobr eakyourvi
rgi
nit
y
andeasi l
ygav eitt oanot
herman, I
'
m
sorrybuti can't
.
Me:
Soy
oudon'
tfor
giv
e?
Bayang: Icanf orgiv
ey oubuti just
don'tthi
nki twoul dbet helasttime,
thi
si snothing..6mont hsf rom now
you'l
lbegl owingget ti
ngal l
owance
eachmont handmenwi l
lcome
fl
ockingbuti doubty ouaret hetype
torejectthem.Idon' twantt ogo
crazywi t
ht hi
ngshappeni nginthe
cit
ywhi l
eI '
m st uckhere.Iknowi
can'tgiveyout helifeyouwantbutI
l
ov eyou..Andlov
econquer sall
Didi,
I'
dnev erletmygi
rlhustl
elikeaman
keletengnomat terhowl i
ttl
eImake,
Iwasgoi ngtodothebesti coul
dt o
makey ouhappybut.
..(
sighed)ican'
t
dot hi
s...
Me:
Iunder
stand,
it'
sal
lmyf
aul
t.By
e

Hehungupandr
ubbedmyt
ear
s..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Laterthataf
ter
noonAati
lepar
kedt
he
carthenLolorushedout
..
.
Aatil
e:(
roll
eddownt hewindows)I
'm
comingokay ,
AuntieLoloi
sv er
ysad
thatherdaughteri
ssick.
..
May
a:(
sadl
y)I
ssheokay
?
Aati
l
e:Shei
sreal
l
ysi
ck.
..I
'
llbeback,
don'
tmove.
..

Her anaf t
erherandcaughtupwi th
herassheanxi ousl
ypressedthe
el
ev atorbuttonseveral
timesthen
shei mpatientl
ytookthestair
sas
Aatil
er anafterherandturnedher
around...
Aat
il
e:Lol
owai
t.
..Lol
o?Li
sten.
..

Shetearf
ull
ylookedathi
m ashehel
d
bothofherhandslooki
nginher
eyes.
..

Aati
le:Ican'
tleaveMay aoutt here
buttheydon'tall
owy oungchildrenin
thewar dssoI'
m goingt owaitat
Bayang'sHousebutany t
imey ou
needany thi
ngpleaseletmeknow, i
cameher etosupporty ou,okay?
Lolo:(
cry
ing)Hehehe.
..
.Whatam i
goingtotel
lmydaughterwhensheis
grownup?
Aatile:(tearfull
yswal l
owed)Wedon' t
havet ot ellanyonet hatwaynoone
willknow. .
.(heemot ionallytouched
herbot hhercheeksashi sey esgot
reddish)Shewi l
lrecover .
..Just
watch. ..
.Don' twalkint herelooking
l
iket hisbecausey ou'regoi ngto
scareher ..
..
..Youcancr yonmy
shoul derbutshedoesn' thav etosee
yourt ears.( herubbedhert earsand
snif
f edemot i
onall
y)Wal ki nthere
withabr av efaceandonl ycryonme. .
.
Don'tl etherseey oucry ,nochi l
d
deser vest oseehermot her'stears.
Arewecl ear?(shenoddedbr avel
y )
Goodgi rl.
..Goi nthereandshowour
gi
rlt
hatshewi
l
lbef
inebecausewe
gother
..
.

Hepull
edheroverforahugasshe
huggedhi
mt i
ghtl
ythenheletgo.
..

Aati
le:I
'
m goi
ngt
opassbythemal l
,
I'
l
lcall
youwhenI
'mi
nsidetheshop
soyoucantel
lmewhattobuy,okay?
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Aat
il
e:Go!

Shewipedherf
aceandrantowar
ds
thewardal
mostbumpingonthe
nur
sewalki
ngoutthenshest
opped
att
hedoorandtookadeepbreat
h
l
ookingatMay
apeacefull
ysl
eepi
ng
onthebed.

Sheslowlywal kedinandnot i
cedhow
shewasl ai
ddownwi t
hherlegswide
apartthenshegent l
ypeeledthe
sheetsandcov eredhermout h
tearf
ull
ystari
ngatherdaught er'
stor
n
sti
tchedswollenprivates.
..
.

Shecoul
dn'thol
dhertearsasshefel
l
onherkneesholdi
ngherstomach
ti
ght
lycry
ingwit
hanugl ygri
nonher
f
ace.
..
.

Lol
o:(curvedhermout hcr y
ing)
Aaaaaaaaah..
..(shaki
ngherhead)
Heeeeeeeee..
..Why ?Whycoul dn'
tit
bemei nsteadofmydaught er?Koore
thi
smanpenet r
atedmydaught er
for
ceful
lyabonagor egoaganaand
tor
eherlikethisandI'm supposedto
bel
ieveGodi sfair
?

Theneighbourt
earful
l
ygotoft hebed
andhelpedherstandasshe
stagger
edcryi
nghelplessl
y.
..
Lolo: (
wipinghermucus)Howdoi
explainthistoher?"Babymy
educat i
onwasmor eimpor t
antthan
you? "Whatkindofamot heram i?I
sacrifi
cedmydaught er
sv i
rgi
nit
yf or
school .
..Ial
wayssingherasong
sayingnot hi
ngisimpor t
antthanher
buti didotherwi
se..
.
Neighbour:(
tearf
ull
y)Youdi
dwhat
youhadt odo..
.Pleasedon'
tbl
ame
yoursel
fli
kethis.
..
Lol
o:Shemi
ghthav
ecaughtdi
seas-
Neighbour
:They'
regivi
ngher
tr
eatmentfort
hat,shewil
lbetaki
ng
ARVs-
ThewordARVsentheri
ntoanot
her
cr
yingf
it
..
..
.

Lolo:Gompi enongwanakeonosi wa
diARVmmeasat shol
wakamogar e,
whati fitdoesn'twor
k?(shaki
ngher
headsl appingherhead)Kantewhyi s
thi
sdr eam takingsolong?Thiscan't
ber eal.
..
.Itmustbeadr eam..
.

Lolocri
edev
enmoretouchi
ngher
ti
nyhandasshel
aidpeacef
ull
yinher
cot.
..
Lolo:Ishouldn'thavegonet oschool..
.
Mygutf eelingtoldmeandi ignored
i
t..
.Shecr i
edf ormebutal liwant ed
wasadegr ee..
.(lookedather
nei
ghbour )MmaOar abi
lewhywoul d
Godal l
owamant orapea2y earol
d?
IsthereGodorhehasf avouri
t est
oo?

MmaOhuggedLol oput
tingherhead
onherchestasshecri
edonher
shoulderl
i
kealit
tl
ebaby,shecri
ed
unti
lhereyeswereswol
len..
.

MmaO: (
rubbedhertearsandkissed
herhead)Lel
a..
.Justcrybecause
whenMay awakesupsheshoul dfind
yourt ear sgone...Mother sdon't
breakdowni nf r
ontoft heirkids.Lela
ngwanakaot hubepelo...Lelamme
helamodi moeneot eng. .
.Hei s
watchi ngandonedayhewi llanswer
foryou.Cr yandhel pherbat ht hen
dressherup, myf ri
endboughthera
fewcl ot hesbecauseshecameher e
naked. ..Lelaot heogele, omot sadi.
..
Haobonahel aongakal alako
sepat elengot i
sangwanamo
l
ehat shengor ayagoreot aaemel a
tsothet sedi taatangletsedi bosula..
Lelangwanaka. .
.
AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..

LateronBayangopenedt hedoor
rubbinghi
snosewithreddisheyes,
theybumpedshouldersthenAatil
e
walkedinhol
dinghisdaughter
's
hand...

At
y:(
smi
l
ed)Wal
elamonna?
Bay
ang:(f
akedasmi l
eandsnif
fed)
NoI'
m notcr
yingi
justhav
eflu.
..
At
y:Okay
..
Bay
ang:(squat
tedandsmil
edpicki
ng
Maya)SheissogrownAtythe
monnaontshi
akatema.
..Shel
ooks
l
ikey
ou.
..HiMaya
May
a:(
shy
ly)Hel
l
o..
.
Bayang:(t
ohi
m)War
eng?What
happened?
At
y:(satonthebed)Ei
shLol
ois
br
eakingdown,wait
seidon'
tknow
whattodototakeherpai
naway..
.
Bay
ang:It
'sgoi
ngt
obet
ough.
..
ican
i
magine
Aty:
Enoughaboutmeol
dboyhow
youhol
dup?
Bay
ang:Ican'tfi
ndaj obandno
womanwant saf uelatt
endant
,I'
m
l
osi
nghope...Idon'tevenknowwhyi
wentt
oschool
.
Aty:Rememberi gotmyj oblasty ear
,
yourt urnwi llcomeandwheni tdoes
you'llforgett hatyouwer eev er
unempl oyed.…st opstressingkaDi di
,
personal lyI'
dunder standi fyou
forgiveherbecausey ouknowi
forgav eMay a'smot hercount l
ess
ti
messt art
inghel awithherdr inki
ng
alcohol whi l
eshewascar ryi
ngmy
daught er ,
youknowal laboutour
fi
ght ssoi fy ouwantt of orgi
vei ts
okay .
.
Bayang:(sighed)Uhno, I
'
m goodI
'l
l
pass.Idon'tthinkshelov
esme,she
feel
sobligedt obecauseihel
pedher
andt
hat'
snotwhatiwant
.Iwant
somet
hingser
ious.
..
.
Aty:
Howar et
hingsbet
weeny
ouand
herri
ghtnow?
Bayang:Webrokeup...Sheistoo
i
mmat ureforme,t
herear egir
lswho
bel
ieveinwhori
ngbecauset heythi
nk
i
tsaphasebutnowaday sgo
malwetse,
STDsand...Uh...Keshap
kaene
Aty:Ei
sh..
.Yeah..
.(checkedthet
ime)
I
'm goi
ngt obuyLoloandher
daughtersomething,wanttocome?
Bayang:UhnoI'mfi
ne..
.ineedtorest
,
I
'm ali
tt
lest
ressedoutkaDi di
..
Aty:
Alr
ight
..
.Wewi
l
ltal
k..Don'
tki
l
l
your
sel
f
Bay
ang:
(laughed)NahI
'
m good.
At
y:(
fi
stbumped)Sur
e..

Hest
eppedout
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronMayaopenedherey
esand
smiledsur
pri
sedt
oseehermother
thenLolosmi
ledwit
hswoll
eneyes.
..

Lol
o:Hi
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Mama!

Lol
ocaref
ull
ytookheroutofthecot
andsatonthechai
rputti
ngheron
herl
apandkissedherhead.
..

Lol
o:Tel
lmewhathappened?
May a:Thatman-hesai dhewil
lshow
mewher eyou'
rehidingifi
keepquiet
buthissesehurtmeandi sai
ditwas
pai
nf ulbuthecoveredmymout hlike
thi
s..

Sheputherl
i
ttl
ehandonLol
o'
s
mout
hasshet
ear
ful
l
yli
stened.
..

Maya:Icoul
dn'
tcal
lyoubecausehe
cov
eredmymout handputhissese
onm-
Lol
o:(sighedtear
ful
l
y)Ok-Ok.
..I
under
st and.
..
.Il
oveyouandI'
m sor
ry
iwasn'tther
e..
.
May
a:Don'
tgoaway
Lolo:(
tear
ful
l
y)Iwon'
tev
erl
eav
e
you..
.

ThedooropenedthenAat
il
est
uck
hi
sheadinsi
de..
Aat
il
e:(
whi
sper
ing)Hi
..
Lol
o:Hi
Aati
l
e:(
whi
speri
ng)Ibeggedt
he
nur
sestol
etmegetinwithMaya,
canwecomein?
Lol
o:(
smiledandwhi
sper
ed)Whyar
e
wewhisperi
ng?

Het houghtaboutitandsmi l
ed
feeli
ngsi l
l
yt henhewalkedinhol
ding
aplast i
candasmal lTeddybear,
May ast r
uggledtowalkinwitha
cloudofbal l
oonsaslit
tleMaya'
sface
l
itupl ookingatthebal
loons.
..
Li
tt
leMay
a:Cani
hav
eone
May a:
(smil
edandgaveherthest
ri
ng
t
y i
ngallt
hebal
loons)Theyar
eall
yours.
.

Lit
tleMay agotdownandsmiled
excitedl
yhit
ti
ngtheball
oonsasLol
o
uncomf ort
ablyf
rownedwitht
he
sti
tchesinmind.

Lol
o:Becar
eful
May
a..
.
Bi
gMay
a:Maa?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Imeanther
BigMaya:
Oh. .
.Wereal
l
yhavetofi
nd
hername,t
hingsar
egetti
ngawkward
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Isweart
herei
san
adul
tinher
..
.Whatchil
dtalksl
i
ket
his
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Shei
sfi
ne.
..Il
i
keher
,
keradi
oonnaabuahela..
.
Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngather
)Howi
sshe?
Lolo:Idon'tknowhowsheisableto
walkbutt heinj
uri
esar
eseri
ous..
.I'
ll
neverletheroutofmysight
.Nev er
,
haelekasekol osekatsamaelakoo
I'
l
lnev erf
or gi
vemysel
ffort
his.
..
Aati
l
e:Don'
tmakedecisionsbased
onemoti
ons..You'
rest
il
l hur
ti
ngand
noti
naconditi
onstobet aki
ngany
deci
sions.Don'
tthi
nkaboutany
thi
ng
el
sebesidesher.
..

Theybothlookedatthechil
dren
l
aughingandchatti
ngthenthey
l
ookedatoneanot her.
..
.Aat
il
etook
herhandandkissedit.
..

Aati
l
e:Idon'tcarewhaty
out
hinkof
your
sel
frightnowbuttomeyou'r
ea
goodmother .
..
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..

Hef
lashedal
i
ttl
esmi
l
elooki
ngi
nher
eyesandsi
ghed,
shet ookadeep
br
eathandexhal
edlookingawayas
anawkwardmomentpassedt hent
he
ol
destMayaranover.
..

Maya:
Daddylook!Daddyl
ook.
..Thi
s
bal
l
oonisshr
inki
ng..
.

Li
tt
leMayaalsowal
kedov
erwi
thher
bi
gball
oon.
..

May
a:Daddyl
ook.
..Mybal
l
ooni
s..
.Is
Ol
derMay
a:(
laughed)Shr
inki
ng.
..
May
a:Shr
inki
ng
Lol
o:(smi
ledembar
rassed)May
ahe
i
snotdadd-
Aat i
l
e: (
pointedather)Lolowee, ska
tsenelel
adi kgangtsarona...Thi
sis
noneofy ourbusiness.IfI
'
m not
mi st
akenshewast al
kingtome, ri
ght
?
Lol
o:(smi
l
edandputherhandsup)
Okay.
..

AtTl
okweng.
..
..

Therewasaknockont hedoort
heni
opened,
twomeni noveral
l
sholdi
ng
tool
ssmiledatme.
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Man:Hi,
istheownerofthehouse
her
e?Wear efr
om BotswanaPower
cor
porat
ionandwewoul dli
ketol
ook
att
hemai nswi
tches
Me:Ohum. .
.HeisatMaun,I
'mjusta
vi
sit
or.
..(
openedthedoorwi
der
)
comein..
.

Thetwomenwalkedintaki
ngof
f
thei
ryel
l
owhel
met s.
..

Me:
I'
ll
bei
nthebedr
oom i
fyouneed
me
ManbNopr oblem.
..Eish,
these
powercutsareaproblem.Wewant
tof
ixyourpowerbox .
.
Me:
Okay
..
..

Iwalkedintot hebedr oom andcl osed

thedoort heni grabbedapi l
eof
Aatil
e'
sBonamagazi nesandsaton
thebedr eadingt hestoriesineach
edit
ion.Readingal way sseemedt o
takemymi ndof feverythingand
beforeiknewi tt
hehousewas
getti
ngdar ktheni closedt hewindow
andswi t
chedt heli
ghtson. ..
Iremember edt
hemenf r
om BPCand
walkedoutwonder i
ngift
heywer e
sti
llworki
ngont hepowerboxbuti
wassur pr
isedt
oseeAat il
e's
bedroom dooropen,iwalkedinand
founditempty.
..Thewallwardrobe
wasempt yandt hebedwasgone. .

Me:
What
?

Irantotheli
vi
ngr oom andthebig
fl
atscreenwasgone. .
..Act
uall
y
every
thingwasgonet henirantothe
ki
tchenandslippedfall
ingatt
hedoor,
igotuptoanempt ykitchen.
..The
doubledoorf
ridgewasal sogone,the
stov
esandev eryt
hingwasgone.The
shel
veswereempt y..
.

Me:
Jesusno.
..No.
..
..
..

Iknowal otofr
eadersweremi sl
ed
byourannouncementthatthebook
star
tsnextweekandmostar en't
awarewear eposti
ngbutdon'tfor
get
toLike,
tagthem andcomment .
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
26PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴4

AtTl
okweng.
..
..

Istoodoutsi
deasthepoli
ceoff
icer
s
walkedaroundthehousewhi
lethe
for
ensicteam dust
edfor
fi
ngerpr
ints.
..
Of
ficer
:Soy
oudi
dn'
thearany
thi
ngat
al
l
?
Me: No...
imeani hear
dt hem tal
ki
ng
butididn'tt
hinkofanythingbecause
iknewt heywereoutther e.
Offi
cer
:Andt
heywereweari
ngy
ell
ow
helmet
syety
oubel
ievedt
heywork
forBPC?
Me: Ihonestlydon'tknowwhatBPC
worker swearbutt heywereclean
andt heyseemedgenui ne,
theywere
matur emenandt heotheroneeven
hadar i
ng..
.Whowoul dbe
suspiciousaboutt hef
twhent al
ki
ng
toaf amilyman?
Off
icer:It
'sj
ustthatyourstory
doesn'tmakesense, i
fy ouwere
sl
eepingI'dunderst
andbuty oumean
adoubl edoorfr
idgeleftthehouse
andyoudi dn'
thearanything?
Me: Iheardthem talki
ngandl aughing
buti t
houghtt heyweref i
xingthe
powerandev enwheni heardli
tt
le
soundsi didn'
tgetsuspi ci
ous
becauset heywer esupposedt obe
fi
xi
ngt hepower .
Off
icer
:Theneighbourssaythey
camewi t
hatruckthatparkedatthe
gat
e,didyouseeit?
Me:
No,
idi
dn'
tl
ookout
side.
.
Offi
cer:Idon'
tbel
i
eveyou.
..You'
re
nottell
i
ngmesomet hi
ng..
..
.Wait
overthere.
..

Thepol
iceoff
icerwalkedawayasi
fol
dedmyarmsst ar
ingatthem,my
phoner
ang..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Isawami
ssedcal
l
Me:
Oh.
..Um.
..Thepol
i
cear
eher
e..
Aat
il
e:Whathappened?
Me:Twomem cameheredr
essedi
n
ov
eral
lsandpr
etendedt
obefr
om
BPC...Theysai
dtheyarechecki
ng
thepowerboxtheni wentt
ot he
bedroom wheniwalkedout
ever
y thi
ngwasgone.
Aat
il
e:Whatdoy
oumeanev
ery
thi
ng?
Me:Ever
ythi
ng,
yourbed,
TV, couch
andev
erythi
ngel
seevenfood.
Aat
il
e:Di
dint
ledon'
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hat
Me:
I'
m ser
ious.
..
Aati
le:Youseri
ouslyexpectmeto
beli
eveyouwentt othebedroom and
peopletookthewhol ehouseandon
topofthatyoudidn'
thearanythi
ng?
Andev enift
hatistruewhywould
youletstr
angersinmyhouse?
Me: Ididn'
tthinktheywerethiev
es,
theywer ecleanandt heysounded
convincing.
.Ididn'tst
ealyour
furni
ture
Aatil
e:Ifyoudidn'tyouknowwhodi d,
oryouadv ert
isedi ttoy ourdrinking
buddieslastnight.(angr i
ly)Didintl
ei
wantmyf ur
niture,allofit.Ibought
thosethings6mont hsagowi t ha
hugeloanandI '
m stil
l payingit.
Thwaagal aotogel etshamekoeo. .
.
Nx l
a..
.Gaoser iouswai tse.
Me:
(cr
ying)Idi
dn'
tgett
hem.
..
Aat
il
e:(
angri
l
y)Thenfindoutwhodid,
wher
eisyourot
herfr
iendtheoneyou
dr
inkwi
th?
Me:
Shel
efti
nthemor
ning,
itol
dher
t
omoveout.
Aati
le: Mphangdilotsamebanyana
kelona, l
eskabat agontshamekadi
gamel ebanakemot onamogol ona.
Tellyourfri
endthattomorrowI'
l
lbe
i
nGabsandi expectmyhousetobe
exactlyhowIl ef
tit
.
Me:
Okay
..
Aati
l
e:Letmet
alkt
otheof
fi
ceri
n
char
ge
Me:
Okay
Iwalkedtot
hepoli
ceof
fi
cerand
handedthephone.
.

Me:It
'st
heowneroft
hehouse.
.O
kopagobual
ewena..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Bayangst eppedoutshirt
lesswi th
sweat pantsandcoll
ectedwat erby
thestandpipe,hi
sroom wast helast
ont helefti
nablockof10r oomsand
thei
rtapwassur roundedbygr een
grassanddecor ati
vestones.
Hecl osedt hetapandgr abbedhi s
bucketashi sveinserected,t
he
curtai
nsinanot herr
oom mov edthen
thetenantwal kedoutwr appi
ng
herselfwithat owelandl eaned
againstthedoor f
rameadmi r
inghim
ashewal kedov ercarryi
ngaf ull
bucketofwat er..
.

Her
:(smi
led)Hey
..
.Othot
semo
l
wapeng,
areyouokay
?
Bayang:
I'mfi
ne,
itookadayof
fke
bat
agor est
er
Her
:Okay
..Cani
comegetmov
ieska
har
ddr
ivener
ra?I
'
m sobor
ed.
.
Bayang:I
t'
st hesamemoviesyougot
l
asttime,ihaven'
tdownl
oaded
any
thingnew. .
Her:I
t'
sokayletmegett
hem agai
n
becauseidel
etedsome.
.
Bay
ang:
Alr
ight
..
.

Hegoti nthehouseandplacedthe
bucketont opofthesmallgas
cyl
inderthenhecov er
edthewater
andsatont hebedswit
chi
ngthe
l
aptopon. .
Shelefthershoesatthest
oopand
walkedinbar ef
ootonthet
il
eas
Bayangmov edasi
deandenteredthe
passwor dt
henshesatdown
ti
ghteni
nghert owelandcr
ossedher
l
egsr eveal
inghersmooththi
ghs..
.

Bayangglancedathert
highsand
conti
nuedpressi
ngthelaptopt
hen
hepushedittoher.
..

Bay
ang:
Her
eyougo.
..
Her
:Thanks.
..
Shepressedhislapt
opashegrabbed
thei
ronandironedhisuni
for
m..
.

Her
:Bay
ang?
Bay
ang:
(ir
oni
ng)Mm?
Her
:Doy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
Bayang:
(laughedi
roni
ng)Whyo
bot
sa?
Her
:Inev
erseegi
rl
svi
sit
ingy
ou
Bayang:(
laughed)Whatifshe
doesn'
tstayaroundher
e?
Her
:That
'swhykebot
sa
Bay
ang:
Idon'
t.
..
Her
:Whynot
?
Bay
ang:
It'
scompl
i
cat
ed.
..
Her
:Ehe.
..

Hef i
nishedironingandsatonthe
bedpr essinghisphoneasshe
pressedt helaptopthensheputthe
l
aptopont hetableandslowl
yclosed
thedoorasBay angpausedpressing
l
ookingather .
..

Sheremovedthetowelandhel
dher
waistashebi
thislowerl
ipl
ooki
ngat
hersexybody
..
Her:
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
osay
somethi
ng?
Bayang:(swal
l
owed)Uh.
..Whatar
e
youdoing?
Her:
(smi
l
edwal
ki
ngov
er)f
ucki
ng
you.
..

Hest ar
edatherasshesatonhi slap
facinghim andleanedoverFrench
kissinghim.Hegent l
yheldherwaist
withabot hhandsassheki ssedhim
andpushedhi m ont hebedashe
reluctantl
yki
ssedback...

Bay
ang:
(sof
tl
y)Aone?
Aone:
Mmh?

Shepausedandst
aredathi
m ashe
l
ickedhisl
i
psandswall
owedtaki
nga
deepbreat
h..
.

Bay
ang:
(satup)Ican'
t.
..
Aone:
Arey
ougay
?
Bay
ang:
(laughedandf
rowned)What
?
No.
.
Aone:(
laughedsi
tt
ingonhi
slapwit
h
herar
msar oundhi
sneck)I
'
m sorr
y..
Bayang:(
laughed)I
t'
sokay.
..Um..
.I
brokeupwithmygirl
fri
endyest
erday
andI'
m st
il
linabadspace.
..Idon'
t
wanttohurtyou
Aone:
How?Aker
eyou'
resi
ngl
e?
Bay
ang:
Yeahbut
-
Aone: Il
ovey ou.
..Il
ovey our
character.
.Wehav ebeent enantsfor
3yearsandy ou'
retheonlyguyher e
whoact uall
yuseshi sbraintothi
nk.I
waitedforyougor eompat ebuti
noti
cedt hatmay beyouar eafrai
dto
approachwomenandt hat'
sokay
withme. .
.Ilovehowni cey ou'
re,
you'r
esmar tand...
.Youar e
handsome.Iwanty ou.
...
Heswal l
owedst ari
ngatherand
uncomfortablyl
ickedhi
slipsasshe
star
edatt hem,toherhewasev en
moreattracti
vewhenhewas
uncomfortablethensheFrench
ki
ssedhim put t
ingherhandinhis
pants.
..
.

Bayang:(
clear
edhi
sthr
oatand
grabbedherhandl
ooki
nginherey
es)
Areyousureyouwantt
his?
Aone:Yes.
..Ihavewantedi
tfor3
yearshopi
ngy ou'
dsaysomethingso
todayIgat
heredmystrengt
ht oget
you..
Bay
ang:
(laughed)"
Getme"okay
..
.
Aone:Buti
fyoudon'
tfeel
thesame
wayica-

Hepul l
edheroverandki
ssedher
fl
ippingheront
hebedandspreadi
ng
herlegswithhi
sknees.

Hegotbet weenherlegski
ssi
ngher
andrubbinghishardboneronher
pubi
csasshecar essedhisbackwit
h
hermanicurednail
s..
.

Bay
ang:
(pausedki
ssi
ngher
)Doy
ou
hav
econdoms?
Aone:
No.
..
Bay
ang:
Shi
t.
..
Aone:(
huggedhim withherlegsand
smil
edbiti
ngherli
p)It'
sokay..We
don'
thavetodoittoday.
..
.may beit
's
fort
hebest-sowecangett oknow
eachotheronper
sonal l
evelfi
rst.
.

Bayangl
eanedoverandkissedheras
hi
sphoner angt
henhepickedsti
ll
l
yingbet
weenAone'slegswhil
eshe
pl
ayedwithhisf
unnyears.
..
Bay
ang:
Yeah?
Aati
le:Didisayssomeguy swalkedin
thehousepr etendingt obeBPC
workersandst oleev eryt
hingwhile
shewasi nt hebedr oom, themonna
gatwebat sereev erythi
ngdi LCDl edi
couch..Andt hewor stthingisthat
I'
m stil
lpayi
ngf orthem, itookal oan
forthem kana..
Bay
ang:
Arey
ouser
ious?
Aati
le:Bruhbual
eenei
fshesol
d
them diboe
Bay
ang:
Shewoul
dn'
tdot
hat
..
Aat
il
e:Howwel
ldoy
ouknowher
?
Bay
ang:
Shewoul
dn'
t
-
Aat
il
e:Howl
onghav
eyoudat
edher
?
Bayang:wedi
dn'
texactl
ydat
e,o
nt
umet segol
egompienokamoso
ayaGaborone
Aati
le:Soyoudi dn'
tevendat
e?She
couldbeat hief
!Bayangwhywould
youdot hi
st ome?Youdi dn'
teven
knowshedr inks,whynneontir
a
yaananerra?
Bay ang:(si
ghedandsatontheedge
ofthebed)Ei sh..
.Sor
ryt
helai
taka.
..I
reall
ythoughti knewher
,howmuch
i
st hef ur
nit
ure?
Aat
il
e:Tot
alcostke76K
Bay
ang:
Eish.
..Kedi
rej
ang?
Aatil
e:Ican'
tmakey oupaybecausei
agreedtoaccommodat eher,
it'
smy
faul
tbutI'm di
sappoint
edthatyou
mademel eaveastrangerinmy
house.
Bayang: I
'm sorry,
ihonestlydi
dn't
knowshewasl ikethi
s...Nnale
bojal
want sekesai t
segor ewaanwa,
idi
dn'tknowshepar t
ies..
.Iguessi
misjudgedher.Ireall
ythoughtshe
wasagoodgi rl
,int
shwar al
elai
taka.
..
76Ki salotmoney
Aatil
e:(sadl
y)Idon'tknowwhatI'
m
goingtodo...Kooreloanyamewas
fornothingbecausef r
om her
eI'
l
lbe
buyingonebur nerstovel
i
kea1st
y
earst
udent
..

Heputonhi sshoesandkissedAone
thenhesteppedouttal
ki
ngt othe
phone.
..

Bayang:Youcanpassbyandgetmy
thi
ngswheny ouleavef
orGabs,
i
real
lyf
eelbad..
.Idon'
tknowwhatt
o
say
Aatil
e:Nodon'twor r
yabouti
t,i
underst
andbany anabar
enokabut .
..
(si
ghed)Sheruinedmyplanswaitse.
..
ihadthi
scrazyideaaboutget
ting
LoloandMay a-
kooreleeneLolowill
wondergor ekemoi sakaet oan
empt yhouseifisayr etsamaer ot
he.
Shewant stoquitschool andI'm
thi
nkingifshebringsherdaught er
overthingswouldbebet t
erforher
becauseboMay acangot othesame
preschool,I
'
ddropt hem atschool
andheratUBbef oredrivi
ngtowor k.
She'dhelpmet akecar eofMay a
becauseshei sawomanandI 'dhelp
hertakecareofherdaught er
fi
nanciall
y.
..
Bayang:
(laughed)Ar
eyouf
all
i
ngf
or
her
?
Aati
le:
(laughed)Dudeli
sten,
I'
m
tal
ki
ngaboutherhel pi
ngmewi t
hmy
chil
dandmehel pingherwit
hher
s.
50-50.
..(
laughednaught
il
y)l
ovee
tsenakae?
Bay
ang:(
laughed)Way
akat
he
monna
Aatil
e: (l
aughed)Al rightfi
ne..
..Iwant
herbuti can'tshowherhowi feel
untilalltheseisov erbecausei twill
beliket akingadv antageofher ,you
knowhowwomenar ewhent hey '
re
goingt hroughshi t.
..Idon'twantt o
messt hingsupgapegongweshe
doesn'tev enseemel i
kethatandt he
minut ei tell
hershewi l
lhateme
thi
nkingIwantt ouseher .
Bayang:I'dsaygoforitwithful
lforce
becausegoodguy sfinishl
ast,l
ook
howcar efuliwaswit
hDi dianother
guygott hesamechanceandusedi t
wisely
.Nnagompi enogakebona
chancey akukukeemamol adi
tsebe
tseibi
legakedirebobar ij
waboI 'l
l
wait.
..
Aati
le:
( l
aughed)Igetwhereyou'
re
comingf r
om butIstandtolosealot
i
fimessup, i
t'
snotjustmemy
daughterli
kesherandherdaughter.
Bay
ang:
Iunder
stand.
..
Aat
il
e:Yeah,
any
wayshap
Bay
ang:
Shapmonnay
ou'
re
di
sturbi
ngmeI '
mtr
yingt
omov
eon
andforgetDi
di.
Aat
il
e:Mov
eonhow?
Bayang:(
laughed)Wewil
ltal
kletme
getbackinsi
de,it
'sr
udet
okeepa
l
adywaiti
ng...
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)shap

Hehungupanddial
edDidibutshe
di
dn'
tanswert
henhetypeda
message.
.

Bayang:Drunkar
d,Li
ar,
Loose,Home
wreckerandnowThief/dumb.I
ndeed
notallt
hatgli
tt
ersi
sgold.Getoutof
Aati
le'
shouseimmediatel
y ,
thef
avor
idi
df oryouendedwheny ousol
dhis
thi
ngsorbecamedumbenought olet
thi
evesinthehouse,
fuck.
Di
di:
Fuckor
ayannaBay
ang?
Bay
ang:Kar
efuckgotswagor
ewena
omoint
erpr
etaj
ang.Fuck
Di
di:
Ilov
eyou
Bay
ang:
Fuck
Di
di:
Goodni
ght
.I'
m att
hepol
i
ce
st
ati
on.

Heputhi
sphonei
nthepocketand
walkedbacki
nsi
dewher
ehel
eaned
overki
ssi
ngAone..
.

Att
heguest
house.
..
.

May asatonthebedi nherpyj

amas
andchangedt hechannelsasher
fatherj
oinedheronthebedlyi
ngon
histummyhol di
nghisphone.

Aati
le:
Reducethev
olume..
.I'
m
tal
ki
ngt oMaya'
smom...

May
aswi
tchedt
heTVof
fandl
aid
nex
ttoherfatherpi
nni
ngherel
bow
onthebed.
..

Maya:Putonl
ouderspeakerIwantt
o
hearMaya
Aat
il
e:(
putonl
oudspeaker
)Okay
..
Lol
o:Hey
..
Aat
il
e:Hi
..Justchecki
ngony
ouguy
s
Lol
o:Wearegood,it
hinkshewil
lbe
di
schar
gedtomorr
owmor ning
Aat
il
e:That
'
sgreat,
isshest
il
lup?
Mayawantstot
alktoher
Lolo:Shei
ssl
eepi
ng,
themedi
cat
ions
aretoostr
ong
Aat
il
e:Okay
Maya:(l
eanedov
er)Canyout
ellher
tocal
lmewhenshewakesup?Or
shecansendamessageandI'
ll
call
herwit
hmydad'sphone.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Kaai
rt
imey aga
mang?You'r
etalki
ngasify
ou'r
e
wor
king
Lolo:
(laughed)YesMay
a,I
'
lll
ether
know..

Mayagrabbedt her
emoteand
swi
tchedtheTVont henAati
le
wal
kedtot hebathr
oom asher
car
toonsir
rit
atedhim.
Hesatont
hetoil
etseatt
ell
i
ngher
aboutt
hef
urni
tur
e..
.

Lol
o:What
?Howisi
tpossibl
efor
peopl
etomov
efur
nit
ureasautwe?
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Idon'
tknow.
.
Lol
o:Nerrawenaoserious?Thatbi
g
TVledoubledoorf
ri
dge?
Aat
il
e:Suchbi
gfurnit
ure,
shehear
d
not
hing.
..Doy
outhinkshesol
dthem?
Lolo:
Ifyouaskedmethisbefor
ew
wenttoGabsI'dsaynobutthecit
y
changedhersoican'
tbetonher,i
r
eallydon'
tknow..
.ButTi
aisabad
i
nfluenceandDidikebaba
t
siediwangkapela.
Aati
le:Theonl yt hi
ngIdon' tregret
aboutaccommodat ingheri sthati
mety ouot herwiseIr egr
etknowi ng
her,
shecan' tev enpaymebecause
gaabar eke.Ifthepol i
cedon' tfi
ndmy
fur
nitur
ekanai fshesol dthem ke
l
usit
sej ustlikethat.
..
Lolo:
I'
m sor
ry,
ifeel
gui
l
tyi
don'
t
knowwhy
Aati
le:
It'
sokay
..Iwanttogoback
tomorrowmorning,
I'
ll
passbytosay
goodbye
Lol
o:Okay
..
Aat
il
e:(sof
tl
y)Ihopey
ou'
renot
sl
eepy.
..
Lolo:(
smil
ed)No, I'
mf ul
l
yup...Maya
keepsjumpi
ng, sheishaving
night
mareafternightmaresoIhave
toshakehereverytimeshest ar
ts
grunt
ing.
Aati
l
e:Mustbehar
dforher.
.Soare
youguy
sgoinghomefrom t
here?
Lolo:Ihat
ethati havet
ogosleepon
thesamemat tressmydaughterwas
rapedonbuti don'thav
eachoice.
Aat
il
e:(
Hethoughtabouthisideabut
hecoul
dn'
ttaket
herisk)Yeah,it
's
goi
ngt
obet
ough.
.
Lol
o:Shei
sup,
let
'st
alkl
ater
Aat
il
e:Shap.
..

Hehungupandwentt obedwhi
l
e
Mayawatchedcar
toons.
..
.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Laterthatni
ghti
rubbedmycol d
armssi t
ti
ngonthechairasapoli
ce
off
icerwalkedoverandsatdown..
.

Of
fi
cer
:Wewer
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
our
f
ri
end.Shej
ustar
ri
ved.
..

Tiawalkedi
nwi
thherboy
fri
endand
satdown..
.

Obakeng:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Off
icer
:Iwantt
otal
ktohernoty
ou,
youshoul
dn'
tevenbeher
e.
Obakeng:Icanst
opherf rom
answeri
nganyofy ourquesti
onsifI
want.
.Iam alawyerbyprofessi
on.

Theoffi
certol
dthem whathad
happened.
..
Ti
a:Iwasn'
teveninTl
okweng.
..We
wereatPhakal
ane.
Obakeng: Whywoul dshesteal
fur
nit
ure?Andwher ewouldsheget
dit
sompel otsagoor gani
sersucha
successfultheftoperati
on?You
peopleneverdoy ourjob.Wewereat
abar..
.I'
m sur eithasCCTV
cameras...
Offi
cer:
Wearenotaccusingyoubut
weneededtoaskquesti
onsto
underst
andt
hiswhol
esituati
on
Ti
a:Idon'
tknowanyt
hingandDidi
woul
dneversteal
fur
nit
urebat
hong..
.
Wherewoul dshetakeit
?Mondaywe
aregoingtoschoolandwewil
lbe
stay
ingoncampus, wecan'
tuse
doubledoorfr
idgesther
e

Theytalkedforawhi
leunt
ilt
he
off
icersighedcl
osi
ngthebook.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Youcango.
.
Ti
a:Thanky
ou.
..
Obakeng:
Thanky
ouof
fi
cer
..
Ti
a:(
rubbedmyshoul
der
)Kamoso
Me:
Shap.
.
Theywalkedoutastheof
fi
cer
suspi
ciousl
yst
aredatme..
.

Officer:Ther
ei snowaysuchl arge
furnitur
ecanl eavethehousewi t
hout
yourknowl edge,wheredidyour
fri
endst akeit?Whataretheirnames?
Ifyounamet hem...I
twil
lreducey our
sent ence
Me:(
tear
ful
ly)Whatsentence?Ididn'
t
t
akethem..
.Whydon'tyoubeliev
eme?
Offi
cer:(
hitt
het abl
e)Becauseyou'
re
l
ying!Therei
snowaysuchf urni
tur
e
canleavewithoutyouri
nput.
..You
weretheinsi
deman.Wher eisit
?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Off
icer:(stoodup)Osiame. .
.You're
notgoinghomeunt ilyoutellme
wherey out ookt
hatfurnit
ure.
..Oitse
kodilwanat seodii
lengteng..They
wil
ltakey out ot
heholdingcells.
..

Hewal kedoutasi quietl

ysatther
e
waiti
ngf ort
hem t ocuf fme,ihad
acceptedwhat everwascomi ngandi
knewi wasonmyown.Theonl y
thi
ngi waspr ayi
ngf orwast hati
couldber el
easedatl eastbyMonday
morningsoi couldgot oschool.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngAatil
eandMaya
walkedinthewardasLolofol
dedher
daughter
'scl
othes.
..

Aat
il
e:Mor
ning.
.
Lol
o:Hey
..
Maya:Ohman.
..Shei
ssl
eepi
ng
agai
n?
Lolo:
(laughed)Yes.
..Shei
staki
nga
l
otofmedi cati
on,i
tknocksherdown
alot.
.
Aat
il
e:(
sighedl
ooki
ngather
)Ar
eyou
done?
Lol
o:Yes.
..
.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llt
aket
hist
othecar
..

Lol
ohandedhi mthebagthenshe
carr
iedMay a,theol
destgotthe
bal
loonsast heywalkedoutofthe
hospit
al.
..

AtLol
o'
shome.
..
.

Lateronhepar
kedt
hecari
nfrontof
thehutandsi
ghedi
ndi
sbel
ief
..
.
Aat
il
e:Thi
sisy
ourhouse?
Lol
o:(
embar
rassed)Yes.
..

Hel
ookedathermot
her
'st
wo
r
oomedhouse..

Aat
il
e:Whost
ayst
her
e?
Lol
o:Mama.
.
Aati
le:
(poi
ntedatawel
lpai
nted1
room)kwa?
Lol
o:I
t'
smysi
ster
'shouse.
..
Aatil
e:Thishutwi
ll
coll
apseonthe
fi
rstrai
nfall
event
hewindcantopple
i
tany ti
me..Whycan'
tyourmother
st
aywi
thy
ou?
Lolo:Shedoesn'tl
ikeshar
ing.
..I
t'
s
compl i
cated.
..(
gotout)Pl
easedon't
askany t
hingelse.
..Gasemakgakga
kooregakebat egoakanyadil
otse
dingwe..
.

Shewal kedi nthehutcar r

yingMay a
onhershoul derandst aredatthe
mattresses..Ther ewer estil
lblood
stai
nsonsomeoft hesheet sas
Aati
lest oodbehi ndherl ookingather
hut'
st hatchedr oof.
..

Shehadputpi
ecesofcl
othst
ofi
l
lthe
cracksoft
hewal
landshedidn'
thav
e
muchexceptmat
tressandasmall
table.
..

Lol
o:(gav
eherMay a)Hol
dhersoi
candustthebl
ankets.
.

Aati
lequi
etl
ygotMayaandwat
ched
asLolodust
edthebl
anket
sandlai
d
herdownthenshest
eppedout
..
.

Lol
o:Let
'
sgo.
.

Aat
il
equi
etl
ywal
kedbehi
ndher
hol
dingt
hecarkey
s..
.

Aat
il
e:Idon'
tl
ikey
ourmot
her
..
.
Lol
o:Howam i
supposedt
orespond
tot
hat?
Aatile:Eveny oursister,
theydon' t
l
ov ey ouory ourdaught erandt hereis
nor easonwhyy oushouldbest ay i
ng
withpeopl eliket hi
s.Howdot hey
feelsleepi ngi ngoodhouseswhi l
e
you'resleepi nginacol l
apsinghouse
l
iket his?Andwi t hababy .
..
theyev en
haveel ectr i
citybuty oudon'thav eit
thi
ssi de...You' r
ecomi ngf rom the
hospi t
al withy ourdaught erandnot
oneper
soni
shometowelcomey
ou
andseei
fMayai
sokay
..
.
Lolo:(
tearfull
y)Aat
il
eitol
dy outhere
arecertainthi
ngsican'
ttal
kabout ,
mymot herandsist
erareoneof
thosethings.Gakebatestr
ess,my
daughterisrecover
ingandthat'
sall
thatmat t
ers..
.
Aat
il
e:Whati
sMayagoi
ngt
oeat
whensheget
sup?
Lolo:(
tear
full
yangry
)GakeitseAati
l
e!
(t
urnedaroundlooki
ngathim)Idon't
know...Whatdoyouwantmet osay?
Isavedthefoodyoubroughther
yester
day,shewil
leatt
hat.
..Asto
whatshewil
leatt
omor r
owI'l
lcr
oss
t
hatbri
dgewheni gett
here.
(she
r
ubbedhertear
s)Ihavechangefrom
t
hebusy agakeyaGaboronemaloba..
Aat i
le:(swal l
owedt earf
ully
)Andf ora
beaut if
ulgirl youmadeababywi tha
pieceofshi t!Idon' tli
key ourex
boy fri
endt oo. .
.Inf actIdon'tli
ke
every oneiny ourlifebecausenoneof
them ar edoi ngany thingtohelpyou,
j
ustbecausey ouf ellpregnantasa
teenagerdoesn' tmeany oushouldbe
rejectedliket his,whatki ndofa
fami l
yi sthis?Myuncl ewoul dkil
lfor
meandI '
m nott alkingaboutmy
fatherormot her..Myaunt i
e'sand
uncl eswouldnev erl
etusstar
veli
ke
thiswhenwewer eyoung,l
etal
onea
sick2y earoldsleepingi
na
collapsi
nghut .
.
Lolo:(
sni
ffedtear
full
y)Notevery
famil
yisl
ikethat.
..Pl
easeleave,
you'r
estr
essingme.Go. .
.

Hegoti
nthecarthenLol
owavedat
Mayafr
om adi
stanceashedr
oveoff
.

Shewalkedbackinherhutandsat
onthebrokenbucketcr
ying.
..
I
nAat
il
e'
scar
..
.

Aati
le'
sey eswelledupashedr ov e
outofMaun, helookedatthemi rror
ashisdaught ersnoredonhercar
seatthenhef rowneddr oppi
ngt ears.
Hecoul dn'
tunder st
andhowshe
survi
vedallthatthroughoutthey ears.

Ov er
whelmedhepulledoverand
steppedoutofthecartear
ful
ly
rubbinghi
srunningnosethenhe
l
eanedagainstthecartaki
ngadeep.
..

Aat
il
e:(
exhal
ed)Fucki
t.
..
Hegotbackint
hecarandmadea
ut
urndri
nki
nganenti
rebot
tl
eof
watert
ocal
m down.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eLolopickedthetwi
gsand
plast
icsaroundtheyardandstar
ted
asmal lfi
rei
nf r
ontofherhutt
hen
sheboiledbathi
ngwat er
..
.

Mayasl
owlywalkedoutoft
hehut
andhel
dLolo'
sshoul
derasshe
l
eanedoverbl
owingt
hel
it
tl
esmokey
f
ir
eunti
laflamecameon.
..

Maya:
(rubbi
ngherey
es)I
'
m hungr
y
mama
Lol
o:Iknowbaby
..
.Let
'sgo.
.

Shegotherhandandt urnedtothe
housebutAati
le'
scardr ovei
nand
parkedri
ghti
nf r
ontofthehutthen
hesteppedoutandwal kedover
...

Aat
il
e:Lol
oican'tl
eaveyouher
e..
.
Mayacan'
tbesleepi
nginahouseli
ke
thi
sandy ouknowwhat -nowt hati
knowwher eyoucomef r
om y ouneed
thatdegreeandy ouhav etogeti n.
Droppingoutisnotanopt i
on...Let'
s
gotogether,preschoolecheap. ..I
don'tmakemuchbutnkasepal elwe
kegosapot abanabal e2. .
.school
feeskeP600permont handmopako
forabout400,you'l
lusey our
all
owanceher eandt herebutI '
llcover
themai nbil
ls.

Meanwhi
lei
nthecarMayawokeup
andsmil
edl
ooki
ngatli
tt
leMaya.
..
Maya:(
exci
tedl
y)Hey.
..
..May
a??
Daddyt
akethebeltof
f.
..

Lit
tleMay ali
mpedov erexci
tedl
y
tal
kingtoherf r
iendthenAat i
le
careful
lyl
ift
edherandputheri nthe
car,heremov edMay af r
om thebaby
carseatandgav ethem sweetsthen
hewal kedbackt oLolowhowas
fol
dingherar mst earf
ull
ystuckina
dil
emma. .

Aat
il
e:Whatdoy
ousay
?
Lol
o:Ican'
t,
I'
m sor
ry
Aat
il
e:Whynot
?
Lol
o:Whywoul
dy oudothatforme?
Whatdoyouwantinr
eturn?Ican'
t
pay
-
Aat
il
e:It
houghtwear
efr
iendswhat
doyoumean?
Lol
o:Wear
enotf
ri
endsy
ouf
eel
sor
ryf
orme
Aatil
e:You' reright..
.Wear enot
fr
iendst hef eeli
ngsIhav ef oryouare
diff
erent, i
don'tj ustfeelsor ryf
or
you..
.(staringather )Ilovey ouandi
l
ov eMay a..
.Iknowi t'
scr azybutIdo..
I'
m surprisedatmy selfbecausei
didn'
tknowi couldf eelthewayIdo
abouty ouconsi deri
ngwej ustmet
.
Lolo:(
stari
ngathim)Idon' tt
rustmen
aroundmydaught er,I
'
m sor r
y.Ican'
t
gowi t
hy ou..
.Shecan'
tgot hrough
thi
sagain...I
'
llf
indanotherwayt o
survi
ve

Aat
il
eswallowedst
ari
ngatheri
n
di
sbel
ief
..
.

Aat
il
e:Yout
hinkI
'
drapeher
?

Shekeptquietandr
ubbedatear
runni
ngdownhercheekthenhe
grabbedherhandandputi
tonhis
chest.
..
Aatil
e:Cany oufeelthat
?(shekept
quietashisheartthrobbedonher
palm)Youj ustbrokemyheart.
..I
'm
reall
yhurt
.
Lol
o:(sni
ff
edpul
l
ingbackherhand)
Bye.
..

Het ookaf
ewstepswalki
ngaway
thenhetur
nedaroundandlookedat
her.
..

Aat
il
e:Doesthatmeanyoudon'
tfeel
any
thi
ngforme?Lookinmyey esand
l
iet
ome, tel
lmeyoudon'tf
eelt
he
wayi
feel
abouty
ou
Lolo:Mydaught ercomesf i
rstand
I'
m notgoi ngtobeinar elati
onship
untilsheis18y ear
sol d.I
'm sorr
yifi
misledy ou..I
'
m sorr
yi fyoudroveall
thewayt oMaunhopi ngy ou'
dbewi th
me, afterwhathappenedt omy
daught erican'
tbecloset oanyman.
Aati
le:
(shookhisheadt earf
ull
y)I
don'
tevenknowwhyi l
oveyou,idon't
knowwheni tstart
edalliknowisI
don'
tfuckingloveyourfamil
yandi t
s
notsafeforyoutobesl eepi
ngina
housethatdoesn'tgetl
ocked..
.You
can'
tputheront hesamemat t
ress
shewasr ap-i
thoughtyousaidy ou
don'
thaveachoi
ce.Ijustgav
eyou
anot
herchoi
ce.
.Let'
sgo...
Lol
o:Aati
lepl
easel
eav
e..
..Kekopa
gor
eot samae.
..

Shewentt
othecarandgotMay
a..
.

Bi
gMay
a:Aunt
iewear
est
il
lpl
ayi
ng
May
a:Mamawai
t.
..
Lol
o:Youhav
etobat
h..

Shewalkedi
nthehutandcl
osedthe
doorasAati
l
estar
edatthedoor
tear
ful
l
y..
.
Aati
le:(
shakyv oice)Lolocanyou
stopthi
s!Iknowy ouarescaredbut
youcant r
ustme. ..Ihaveadaughter
,
adaughteri havebeenwi thsi
nceshe
was8mont hs..
.Opent hedoor.
..
Lolo:(
speaki
ngf r
om i
nside)Aat
il
e
pleasego,l
esagodiradramao
tshosabana.
..Idon'
twantmy
daughtert
oseeanyki ndofdrama,
shehasseenenough.

Aat
il
esni
ffedr
ubbi
nghi
snoseand
dr
oveoff
..
.
Maya:
Daddydi
didosomet
hing
wr
ongtoMaya?
Aat
il
e:Nobaby
..
May
a:Whydi
dshet
akeher
?
Aat
il
e:(
handedherhi
sphone)Pl
ay
gameswit
hmyphone...

Shesmil
edandgotthephoneas
Aati
l
etur
nedupthemusi candj
oined
ther
oadleav
ingMaun..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
..
[
9/3,
11:
27PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
me
✴5

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Thenei
ghbourapproachedwit
ha
pl
ateoffoodasLolodidher
daught
er'
slaundr
y..
.

Neighbour
:Wherei
sMay
a?Ibr
ought
hersomethingt
oeat
Lol
o:Ohshei
ssl
eepi
ng.
..
Nei
ghbour:(
laughed)Sheisalways
sl
eepi
ng.
..Shewi l
lgrowtoofast.
..

Lolosmi l
edabi tandgott hefood
thenshewal kedi nsideasMmaO
l
ookedi nsi
det hehut ,
May awasl yi
ng
ont hemat t r
essasf li
essatont he
cornersofherpar tlyopenl i
ps,she
shookherheadst illasleepand
turnedar oundki ckingt hesmalltowel
shehadonexposi ngherbut tunder
herlitt
leski r
t,f
li
esl andedonherbut t
thenLol ofannedt hem awayand
nicelyputt hetowel aroundher.
..
MmaO:
Canwet
alk?
Lol
o:Maa?
MmaO:
let
'shav
easeatandt
alk.
..
.

Shebr
oughtanol
dbucketasast
ool
..

MmaO: I
t'
sokay
,I'
l
lseatont
he
gr
ound.
.
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Theysatont
hegr
oundasLol
o
l
ookedather
..
.
MmaO: Thishousei snoti ngood
condit
ion.
...thi
sisnotl i
fe.(l
ookedat
thel
ockeddoor s)Idon'tunder stand
whyy ourmot herlocksherhouse
knowingthest oveisint herebut
that
'snotwhati wantedt otalkt oyou
about..
.Oarabil
e'sroom i savailable
andIwanty outomov einwi t
hme, if
youcan'tstaywi t
hmef oral ongt i
me
bogolohelaunt i
lMay ahasheal ed,
ther
ear esomanyf li
esar oundher e,
bugsandi nsects..
.
Lol
o:MmaOy ouhavehel
pedmeso
muchalready,idon'
twantt
obea
bur
den..
.Ican'tgostayi
nyourhouse
wit
houtbuyingfoodorpayi
ng
anythi
ngkoorekel
eexpensehel
a
becauseI
'm ofnouset
oy ou.
MmaO: Lolokemot sadi ngwanaka,
tomey ou'rest i
llachi l
d..Youmay
thinkyou'reawomanj ustbecause
youhav eachi ldbuti tdoesn'ttake
awayt hef actt hatyouar ey oung..In
otherhomest eenager sar echil
dren
whoar ef ed...Oarabilewasonce
strandedi nZi mbabweandI 'l
lnever
forgetthewomanwhohel pedher
andt hepai nful t
hingi sthatican'tsay
thanky oubecausei don'tknowher
contactinfor mat i
on...Youknowhow
sickOar abilegotwhi leshewas
schoolingt here,thatwomanhel ped
herandgotnothinginreturn.Al
l
ow
met oshowmygr at
it
udet oGod.I
don'
texpectpaymentf rom you,
I
expectyoutolookafteryourchi
ldi
n
agoodenv i
ronment.
Lolo:Thanky
ousomuch.
..Thank
you..
.
MmaO: Thefir
stt
hingyoushoul
ddo
wheny ougetther
eistobathher
becausefli
esareall
overherwounds,
theywil
llayeggsonherandcause
i
nfecti
ons..
Lol
o:Letmef
ini
sht
hist
henI
'
llmov
e
mythings
MmaO:
You'
rel
eav
ingot
hert
orn
thi
ngs,justtakeaf ewt hatl
ookokay.
Godwi l
l seeust hroughfrom
here.
..
(gotup)I nfactletmegowi th
herwhiley ou'
refixingyourt
hings
Lol
o:Okay
..
.I
'
llbet
her
ever
ysoon.
..

MmaOsl owlypi
ckedMay aand
wal
kedoutasGobonadr ovet
hrough
t
hegatewithhermotherandsonin
t
heback.

Theyevi
leyedMmaOasshecar r
ied
Mayabutsheav oi
dedeyecontact
andwalkedoutthegat
elikeacar
di
dn'tj
ustpassby.
..
Gobonaparkedherbabydaddy'scar
andsteppedoutwit
hhermot her.
..

Gobona:Oj
abotsalal
eMaO?
(l
aughedmocki
ngly
)Hohohoi
j
a..
.

Loloignoredherandwal kedinsi
de
thehousewher eshepackedaf ewof
herthingsandputthem out si
deas
hermot herwalkedoverdrinki
ngfrom
aCoca- Colaki
ngcan...
.

Her
:Wher
eisshet
aki
ngher
?
Lolokeptqui etandt hr
ewsomeof
thebloodyt hingsandol dcl
othesina
metal bucket,shepouredpar af
fin
overthem andl i
tthem onfi
re..
.

Her
:(angr
il
y)I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou.
..

Lolol
ookedatthem ast
heybot
hhel
d
thei
rwai
stlooki
ngather.
..

Lolo:(tear
ful
l
y)Mamai f
orgi
vey
ou
forleavingmydaught
erwit
hher
knowi nghowshefeel
saboutme,
mostofal lIfor givey ouforlov i
ngmy
sist
ermor ethany oul ov
eme, imi ght
nothav emoneyoraboy fr
iendwi th
moneybuti respect edyouandi loved
you.Gobonai don'tknowwhyy ou
hatemebuti mi ssmybi gsister.
..
(r
ubbedhert ear s)Imi ssthoseday s
whenweusedt opl ayhideandseek,
bosaf elediket o.Iwon' ttalkabout
whaty oudidt oMay abecauseI '
l
l cry.
..
Yourhat r
edf ormet ookmy
daughter'
sinnocenceandshewi l
l l
i
ve
withthescar st her estofherl if
e.I'm
l
eav i
ng,notbecauseIhat ey outwo
butbecauset hishouser emi ndsme
ofwhathappenedt oherandi tsnot
i
ngoodcondi t
ion.I'
m goi ngt olook
forabet t
erli
feoutt her ebutMamai f
youev erneedhel pI'
llalway sbe
will
i
ngt ohelpifican.Gobonadon' t
rai
sey oursontobeabusi ve,itstar
ts
withMay aandendswi thyoubei ng
beaten..
.Ataanol eagobet saar e
omoneel emadi ay egonwa. .Ihave
seenithappen.I'm notcur singhi m...
It
snothi sfaul
tbecausehei s
supposedt obet aught .Gosi ame. .

Shethrewawaythebucketandgot
herbagsastheywat
chedherwalk
away..
.
Gobona:Wai i
ii
..
..Shewi l
lcomeback,
Doessher eall
ythinkpeoplewil
lhel
p
herwhenshehasnot hingtooff
er
them,Loloisnaive..
.Thisnewl
y
formedrelat
ionshipbetweenherand
MaOwon' tendwel l
..
.

Hermotherl
ostappet
it
eforherdr
ink
andqui
etl
ywalkedint
hehouse..
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Thenextmor
ningi
wal
kedoutoft
he
poli
cestat
ionhungryandexhausted,i
couldn'
tsl
eeponthesmellyblanket
andoptedtositt
hewholenightand
mybodywasachi ng.

Idi
aledLol
o..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
howi
sMay
a?
Lol
o:Shei
sfi
ne.
.Ar
eyouOK?
Me:Theyj
ustr
eleasedmebutI
'
m
f
ine.
Lol
o:Ol
etsekosel
eng?
Me:
Yeah.
.Howbadl
yinj
uredi
sshe?
Lol
o:I
'l
lsendyouthepi
ctur
esbut
pl
easedelet
ethem i
mmediatel
y.
Me:
Okay
.By
e
Lol
o:Wait
..
.Di
dyoust
eal
Aat
il
e'
s
thi
ngs?

Herquestionbroughttear
st omy
eyesandi pausedforami nuteand
rubbedmyt earbutmor ecamer ol
l
ing
andi bur
stedintotear
s..
.

Lol
o:Di
di?Ar
eyoucr
ying?
Me:Ican'
tbel
ieveyouaskedmethat
,
youofall
people.Theonl
yper
sonI
tr
ustbutidon'
tbl
amey ou.I
'
m not
answeri
ngyoubecauseyouknowthe
answer.
Lol
o:I'
m sorr
yforasking,
iknowyou
canneverdothat.
..Sowhat'
sgoi
ng
on?What'snext
?
Me:
I'
m goi
ngtogetmybagsandgo
t
oUB,I
'l
lsl
eeponthest
air
sunti
l
t
omorr
owmor ni
ngkaMonday.
Lol
o:Ti
a?
Me:
Wear
edone,
igotr
idofher
.
Lol
o:(smil
ed)Okay.
..Andpl
ease
don'
teverdri
nk,obonyegor
eoilwa
keboj
alwaakere?
Me:
(laughed)Nev
er
Lolo:(
laughed)Mmakehaol el
a
kganteleokuatal
kingaboutyoulove
thatsongy aMogwantiwapitor
ia.
..I
didn'
tev enknowyoucansing.
Me:
(laughed)St
opr
emi
ndi
ngme
Lolo:Thewayy ouar eafr
aidofmen
natural
ly-
butnonott hatni
ght.
.That
manwasal loveryouandy oudidn'
t
caredanci ngwai t
sekehake
hutsagetsemmekesabat egogo
togelalemat agwaker emmekanai fi
got heywi l
lrapemyf ri
endandI'm
goingtof eelsorryforherandblame
my self
.
Me:
(laughed)keagor
ataLol
owaa
i
tse?

Shepausedl
aughi
ngandanawkwar
d
momentpassed.
..

Me:
Ilov
eyou.
..
Lolo:(smi
l
edemot i
onall
y)Il
ovey ou
too..
.AndI'
m sor
ryforoverr
eact
ing,
youmadeonemi stake.
..
Me: Ami st
aket hatcostmemy
vi
rgini
tybuti can'
tcryov ert
hat
becausei hadachoi ce,atfi
rstiwas
hurtbutafterwhathappenedt oMaya
I
'm perfect
lyfinewithwhathappened
tome.
Lol
o:Imov
edi
nwi
thMaO
Me: Ilov
ethatwomanshem. .
Rememberweusedt oeather
mangoesandshewoul dmakeus
rakeunderthetr
eesayi
ngsincei
ts
ourtreeweshouldr
akeit?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iknow.
..
Me: Aboutschool,
ithinkweshould
fi
ndahouseandshar e,you'l
lfi
nd
May aapreschoolandi canbuy
mopakowhi leyoupayf ortheschool
feeswaabona?I tcanwor k..
.We
wouldevensav eourbook
all
owancesandpayahead.
Lol
o:Di
dimmay
ou'
renott
hei
diot
whohadunpr otectedsexatJuni or
school ,youkepty ourv i
rgini
tyandi
shoul dn'tmaket haty ourbur den.You
won' tenjoyy oural lowancebecauseo
thusamot hoai ti
ril
ekabomo, di
loke
di i
ti
rilemma. .
.I '
l
lgot oauni versi
ty
whenshei ssixdoi ngst andar d1ata
gov ernmentschool ,theschool wil
lbe
freeandt hefoodi sheal thyandf ree
atthesamet ime.Li fewillbegood,
shei s2goi ngont hreesoI '
ml eft
wi t
hj ust3y ear s,I
'l
l beiny ear1wena
olekof ourthy ear.
..
Me:(
laughed)Okay.
.Iunder
stand..
.I
t
houghtotogelasekol
oallt
ogether.
Lol
o:No,
ihav
etogett
hatdegr
ee
onewayoranot herbutitwon'
tbe
soonergapeI'
m goi ngt
of i
ndyousti
l
l
l
ookingforajob...(
webot hl
aughed)
Akerepeoplehavebeenj ob
sear
chingfor7y ears
Me:(l
aughed)Mmekanagaoyake.
..
Aker
eBay angl
onggr
aduat
edandhe
i
ssti
llj
obhunti
ng.
Lol
o:Yeah.
..I
'
llcatchy
ouont
heway
mylove.
.Justmakemeproudand
passsoyoucanaccommodateme
whenIcomet here.
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
..
.
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Byt
heway..
.
Kgmmmmm...
.At
ti
etol
dmehel
oves
melikehewast
ear
ful
andst
affgol
e
i
ntense
Me:(smiledsurpri
sed)Noooo.
..Shut
up!Areyouser i
ous?Aati
lel
ooks
scar
yi di
dn'tthi
nkhecouldget
emotional.
..Osure?
Lolo:(
laughed)Mmany anaheasked
met omov einwi t
hhim andhe
off
eredt osuppor tMay abutihadto
saynobecausey ouknowwhatt hey
sayaboutr el
ationshipsthatstar
t
wit
hanot herper sondownwhi le
anotherissavingt hem.Iwantust o
dateasenaany thingtoholdagainst
meandi don'
tt rustmen. .
.Wehav e
heardofstepfat hersrapi
ng..
.May a
can'
tgot
hrought
hat
Me:Wel
l.
..Youknowt
hatnotal
lmen
ar
erapi
stsri
ght
?
Lol
o:Iknowbuttheproblem i
sther
e
i
snowayoft el
l
ing,bett
ersafethan
sor
ryri
ght?
Me: Idon'
tknowf ri
endos,whatifhe
i
sy ouronlychanceatlovegape
Aati
lehast hatt
hingwabona?( we
bothlaughed)Koorehelooksst r
ict
butthenhehast hissi
deofl ov
ing
ki
ds, t
hemmadon' tl
ethim go..
.
Lol
o:I
'
mtooscar
ed,Il
ovehi
m but
ei
shMayacomesfi
rst
.
Me:
Iunder
standbabes.
..I
t'
sokay
Lolo:
Yeah,l
etmegohel
pMaOcl
ean
thehouse
Me:
Bye.
..
.

Ihungupanddi
aledBay
ang.
..

Femal
evoi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Me:Um..
.(l
ookedatthescr
een)Is
t
hisBay
ang'sphone?Iwastr
ying-
Her
:Hei
sst
il
lasl
eep.
Me:
Oh
Her
:Any
thi
ngel
se?
Me:
Not
hing.
Her:St
opcal
l
ingmyman,
you'
re
hi
story
.
Bayang:(
sleepy
)Obual
emang?(
got
thephone)Hell
o?
Me:Hi.
..I
'
m sor
ryi
didn'
tknowy
ou
hadcompany.
Bayang:(
steppedoutr
ubbi
nghi
s
eyes)Howar eyou?
Me:I'
mfi
ne,
theyr
eleasedmesoI
'
m
goi
ngtoUB.
Bayang:Alr
ight
,li
stenI
'
m sor
ryabout
whatisaidyester
day.I
twasoutof
l
ine.
.
Me:Youwereangr
y,i
tsokay
.
Ev
eryonei
sangryatmeandi
understand.(
therewasashor
t
si
lenceasbot hranoutofwor
ds)At
l
easty ou'
remov i
ngon..
.
Bay
ang:
(swal
l
owed)Yeah.
.
Me: Youdeser
vebetter
..
.Shehasa
ni
cev oi
cesheisprobablybeaut
if
ul,
I
'm happyfory
ou.
Bayang:(
shookhi
sheadandbi
thi
s
l
ip)Yeah.
..
Me: (
tearful
l
y)Okay..
..So..
.From her
e
I'
m deleti
ngyournumber .
..(
ifrowned
astearsfell
)Iwouldn'twanttokeep
dist
urbingyoutwoy ouknow...
Bay
ang:
(sadl
y)Yeah
Me:
(Ipausedandf
rownedcr
ying
si
lent
lyt
heni
tookadeepbr
eat
h)I
l
ov ey
ou..
.
Bay
ang:
Didi
..
.
Me: Iknowy oudon'
twantmeback,
i
tsokay .Ij
ustwantyoutoknowthati
l
ov eyouandI '
m goi
ngtoregr
et
everythi
ngIdidther
estofmylif
e.
Bye
Bay
ang:
(sadl
y)Shap

Ihungupandwal
kedal
ongt
her
oad
thought
ful
l
y.…

AtMmaOar
abi
l
e..
.
LaterthatdayMmaOsatont he
couchf eedi
ngMay aasshewat ched
cartoonswithfullconcentr
ation..
.
Shehadnev err
eallyhadachancet o
seecar t
oonsassheal waysst oodat
heraunt i
e'
sdoor stepwatchingwhi l
e
Diboy'swaswat chingsit
ti
ngont he
sofa..
.

MmaO:
(laughed)May
aeat
..
.

Sheopenedhermouthsl
owlywhil
e
herey
esweresetonthescreent
hen
MmaOl aughedfeedi
ngher
...
MmaO: Lol
o?Taobonedi
l
otsa
ngwanawagago.
..

Lol
owipedherhandsandst
epped
outoft
hekit
chenwatchi
ngasMma
Otookthespoon.
..

MmaO:
EatMay
a..
.

Sheslowlyopenedhermouthst ar
ing
att
hescr eenandslowl
ysearchedf or
MmaO' shandt henshepul
leditover
eat
ingfrom thespoonst
il
lstar
ingat
t
heTVt
hent
heybur
sti
ntol
augher
..
.

Lol
o:MmaOy ou'
redi
stur
bingmy
daught
er.
..
MmaO:
Hahahaompol
aat
ota.
..

Lol
owentbackt othekit
chenand
cl
eaned,minuteslaterMmaO
walkedi
nandst oodbyt hefr
idge
l
ookingatLolo..
.

MmaO:
Whoi
sthaty
oungman?
Lol
o:(
laughedshy
ly)Aat
il
e?
MmaO:
(laughed)You'
rebl
ushi
ng.
..
Lol
o:Ican'tdate.
..Heisagoodguy
butI
'm notready,I'
l
lseehi
m when
Mayais18
MmaO: Theser i
ousoneswi l
ltake
him..
.Goodmendon' tlastlongi nthe
market.May awillbeasadadul tto
knowt haty ousacr i
fi
cedy our
happinessf orher,chil
drenalsoneed
happypar entsbecauset heypar ent
bett
erthandepr essedpar ent
s.Ilike
him..
.Ilovehowcl osehei stois
daughter..
.Asy ourelderswemade
ourownmi stakesandwhenwe
advi
cey ouwej ustdon'twanty out o
belonely.Itwasn'tmyi ntenti
ont obe
thi
slonelyatmyage. ..
Lol
o:I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
.
MmaO: Let
'st
alkaboutyourschool
.
Whenareyougoingback?Late
r
egi
str
ati
onedirwaleng?
Lol
o:Ican'
tgo.
.
MmaO: You'
regoing.
..AndI 'm going
tol
ookaf t
erherwhiley ou'r
eaway .I
f
youdon'tgotoschool sheisgoi ngto
suff
erevenmor ebecauseatsome
poi
ntyouwi l
lgobackt ot hatfall
ing
house.
..Doyourdaught eraf avour
andgot oschool
..
Lol
o:Idon'
twantt
obur
deny
ouwi
th
myrespo-
MmaO:
Bur
denme?Hav
eyouseen
howl onel
yIam?Doy ouev erseeme
tal
kingtoany onesi ncei r
etir
ed?
May aisgoingt okeepmecompany .
..
.
Shei ssaf
eher e, Idon' thave
boyfri
endsnnammaket habanale
menopause( Lolol aughedt henMaO
j
oinedinlaughi ng)Kemot hohela..
.
Noonewi ll r
apey ourdaught erhere
andi don'
twor k,mypensi onfund
doesn'tgi
v ememuchbutMay a
doesn'teveneataf ullpl
ate,herbei
ng
heremakesnodi fference.
Lolo:Ar
ey ousur
e?It
rustyouwith
herbecauseyouhel
pedmewi t
hher
sinceshewasbornbutifeel
guilt
y
for-
MmaO: Idon'
thavechil
drenMaya
mightaswel
leatmyf oodinst
eadof
t
hem goingi
ntothedustbi
n.
Lolo:
(huggedher
)Thankyou.
..
.I
thi
nkyouwer emymotheri
nthe
previ
ousli
fe
MmaO:
(laughed)Kannet
e..
..

AtUB.
..
..

Lateroniwonderedar oundUBwit
ha
bi
gbagt ryi
ngtofindagoodspotto
si
tthensomeonecov eredmyeyes
fr
om behind,f
rom thesizeoft
he
handsitwasagirl..
.
Me:
Tia?

Sheletgoofmeandlaughedt
hen
myjawsdropped.
..

Me:Let
ty?Youhav
ebeenadmi
tt
ed
her
e?
Lett
y:Yesgi
rl
,didyouguysseeme
keepi
ngtomy sel
fandthi
nkI'
m dumb?
Me:(l
aughedandhuggedher
)I'
m so
happytoseeyou.
..
Let
ty:
Whichroom doyoust
ayin?I'
m
goi
ngtochur
chgaketswatengI'
ll
passby
Me:Idon'
thavearoom,
theydi
dn'
t
hel
pusonFr i
day
Let
ty:
Idon'
thavearoommat
eyet
,
l
et'
sgotomyr oom.
.
Me:
(rel
i
eved)Thanky
ousomuch.
..
Let
ty:
Don'
twor
ry.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatafter
noonAat
il
ereached
forthelett
eront het
abl
eandsat
downr eading..
.
{
{To:
Aat
il
e

I'
m sorryforbeingcarelessabout
yourhousehol dsbutthisisacont r
act
,
I'
m goingtopayy ouP500each
monthassoonasIst artgetti
ngmy
all
owance.Af t
ergraduati
ongake
bonatiroI'
m goi ngtogetal oanand
payyou.Pl easecontactmesot hat
wecangosi gnanaf fi
dav i
tto
l
egiti
mi sethis.

Si
gnat
ure:
§}}

Heshookhi
sheadandt
oret
hepaper
t
henhet
ookouthi
sphone.
..

AtLet
lhogonol
o'
sroom.
..

Lat
eronLet
tyhandedmeapil
l
owas
Hil
l
songspl
ayedonherl
apt
op..
.

Let
ty:
Her
e..
.
Me:
Thanks

Ifi
xedmybedandsatdowntaki
ng
offmyshoesasshepowder
edher
facesi
ngi
ngalong.
..
Lett
y:(gent
lyt
appi
ngt
hef
loorwi
th
herfoot)
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmysor
rows
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmyshame
I'
mlayi
ngi
tdownf
ort
hej
oyoft
he
Lord

I'
l
ladmitt
hesongmademewantt
o
si
ngalongwi
thher
..
.

Let
ty:
( si
ngi
ng)wesayy
esLor
dyes
Lor
dy esyesLord
YesLor
dyesLor
dyesy
esLor
d
YesLor
dyesLor
dyesy
esLor
dAmen
Me:
sendmet
hissong.
..Il
i
kei
t.
.
Let
ty:
Okay..
.EishI'
mlat
e..
.y
ou'
l
lget
i
tfr
om ther
e,sharp.
..

Shewalkedouttheni
hur
ri
edtot
he
doorandstuckmyheadout
..
.

Me:
Cani
gowi
thy
ou?
Let
ty:
Sur
e,putonaski
rt
..
.

Ichangedmyclot
hesandwal
kedout
answeri
ngthephone.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:Hey ..
igoty ourlett
er,that
won'tbenecessar y.I'
m sorryifi
scaredy ou..
.Tobehonesti t
's
commonf orthi
ev estodot his,my
mistakewast oassumey ouknow
aboutit.Theset hingsnev erhappen
i
nMaunsoi don'tblamey ouf or
tr
ustingev eryone..Iwasj ustthi
nking
aboutitkebony egor elewenay ou
wereatr iskbecauset hoseguy s
couldhav erapedy ou.I'
m sorry.
..
i
heardyouspentani ghtintheholding
cel
ls,howar eyou?
Me:I
'mfine,
thanksf
oraccept
ingmy
apol
ogy
.
Aat
il
e:Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
..You
didn'
thavetoleave,
oil
ekaebecause
youdon'thaveaccommodati
on?
Me:
Imetacl
assmat
e
Aat
il
e:If
eel
gui
l
tyf
ornotbel
i
evi
ng
you
Me:
Youdon'
tknowmesoi
t'
sokay
..
Aat
il
e:Cal
lmewhenev
ery
ouneed
hel
p
Me:Um...No,Whenyou'
rewit
hLoloi
can'
tj
ustcall
youforhel
p,I
'
drather
askhersoshecanaskyou.
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Gi
rlcode,
okay
..
Me:
(laughed)Yes,
gir
lcode.
..
Aat
il
e:Ir
espectt
hat
,shap
Me:
Shap.
..

Ihungupandj
oinedLet
ty.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Hemov edMaya'sbedtohis
bedr
oom andfi
xedthesheetsthen
hepull
edherbabycotnexttohi
s
bed.
..

Aati
le:Comegeti n,l
et'
sseeify
ou
sti
ll
fitbecauseidon'twantt
oshar
e
thebedwi thyou,
y oukickme
May
a:(
laughed)Idon'
tki
cky
ou.
.
Aat
il
e:Noway
..
.Idon'
ttr
usty
ou.
..

Heputheri
nsi
det
henshel
aiddown
smi
li
ng..
.

May
a:Icanf
it
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)andst
ayt
her
e..
..
May
a:Iwantt
ojumponmybed
Aat
il
e:It
oldy
ouI
'
m usi
ngy
ourbed.
.
May
a:You'
renotusi
ngi
tnow.
.
Aat
il
e:Youj
umponce,
justonce.
..
Shejumpedonthebedashest
epped
outpicki
ngacal
l
...
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hey
..
.I'
m comi
ngt
oGabson
Fri
day
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)I
sMay
aexci
ted?
Lol
o:I
'
m notcomi
ngwi
thher
Aat
il
e:(
disappoi
nted)Oh.
..Thenwhy
ar
eyoutell
ingme?
Lol
o:It
houghtwecoul
d-
Aat
il
e:Lol
otherei
snouswi thout
Maya,i
fyoutr
ulybel
ieveI
'm abad
manwhocanr apeyourdaughtery
ou
shouldn'
tbewi
thme.What
'st
he
point
?
Lol
o:I
thasnot
hingt
odowi
thy
ou,
it'
s
-
Aatil
e: Li
sten..
.Ican'tbewi thy ou
knowi ngthatther ei
spar tofy outhat
beli
ev esicanr apechildren.Thaton
i
tsowni sgoingt omaket hewhol e
thi
ngbor ingformeandI '
m notgoi ng
tobet hebadguywhosepar ateda
mot herfrom herdaught erwhenno
onesepar atedmef rom mi ne.Its
eit
herwear edoingt hi
st ogether
bri
ngingourchi l
drenonboar dor
nothing,thereisnoi nbet ween.I'm
notgoi ngtolety ouuseMay aasan
excusebecauseev enaftersucha
traumat i
cexperi
enceshest i
llhasthe
strengt
ht osmile,
shest i
l
llaughsand
you'regoingtosuckthehappiness
outoft hatchi
ldwithyourunreali
sti
c
fears.
Lol
o:I
fyoudon'twanttounder
stand
mysit
uati
onthenyouarenotthe
manithoughtyouwere.
Aatil
e:Thenit
'sset
tl
edbecausei f
youdon'ttr
ustmewi t
hy ourdaughter
you'r
enotthewomani t
houghty ou
were,whyshouldyousleepwitha
many oufeelcanrapeyourchil
d
anyti
me?gof indamany ou'l
ltr
ust
withherlennaketaabonaawoman
whowi
l
lnotseear
api
sti
nme.
Lol
o:By
e

Hehungupanddel etedhernumber
thenheswal l
owedt earfull
y,heshook
hisheadandl eanedov erthekitchen
sinkdri
nkingwat erthenhepul l
ed
himselftoget
herandj oinedhis
daughterwithasmi leasshej umped
ont hebed..
..

4Year
sLat
er.
..
..
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
27PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴6

AtMmaOar
abi
l
e'shome.
..
.

MaOcoughedov erandovert
hen
shereachedf orati
ssueandspaton
i
t,shefoldedthebloodyparti
nsi
de
andflasheditasMay aranint
he
bathr
oom. ..
Maya:Mama?Thej
umpingcast
leis
her
e..
.(j
umpi
ngupanddownpull
ing
her
)Comeandsee.
..
.Come
MaO: (
draggingherf
eet
)May
a
bathong..
.ItoldyouI
'
mtoool
dto
run.
..
May
a:(
pul
l
ingher
)Come.
..
.Come.
..

Abi
gt r
uckpulledoverast hey oung
menjumpedof fanderectedthebi g
j
umpingcastl
eandawat erslideat
t
hecorneroftheyardnotf arfrom
t
hesmal l
webt entwherethedeco
l
adywasdoingt hefi
nishi
ngt ouches
ofMaya'sGr
eenandPi
nkt
heme
col
ors.
..

Maya:(j
umpedclappi
nghands)
Wow...I
sthatt
hepool?..
..Ohmy
Gooooooooodit
'spool
MaO:(l
aughed)Mayammake
bi
l
edi
tswetrakahel
a..
.

MmaOarabi
le'
sni
ecewal
kedover
wi
thamakeupbagandl
if
tedMaya.
..

Her:Youshoul
dn'
tbelooki
ngatt
he
decorat
ingcompany
,thewhol
ethi
ng
i
ssupposedt
obeasur
pri
sest
upi
d!
MaO: (l
aughed)Pl
easet
akeher
,thi
s
gi
rlcantal
k..
..
Maya:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oputmakeup
onme?
Ni
ece:(
smil
ed)Yes.
..You'
regoi
ngt
o
l
ookli
kepr
incessCi
nderel
l
a..

Theywalkedi
nsi
deasMaO'
sphone
rang.
..

MaO: (
coughi
ng)Hell
o..
.(sheputthe
phoneawaycoughi
ngforaf ew
minut
esandfi
nall
ycaughtherbreath)
Lol
o?
Lol
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
MaO:
I'
mfi
nei
t'
sjustf
ever
..
.
Lol
o:Di
dyougot
othecl
i
nic?
MaO: Idi
d,t
heygavemetabl
ets,
I'
ll
bef
ine.Howisever
ythi
ngdownthere?
Lol
o:I
t'
sfi
ne,
canital
ktoMaya?I
wantt
owishherahappybi
rt
hday
MaO: They
'r
eput
ti
ngmakeupon
her
..
.
Lol
o:Ohkanayousai
dyouwant
edto
i
nvi
tehercl
assmat
esoverf
ordr
inks
MaO: Yes.
..I
tsnot
hingbig..
.Just
nei
ghboursandschoolmates..
.Idon'
t
wanty
outothi
nkaboutusher
e,get
r
eadyfort
hati
nter
view
Lol
o:(l
aughed)I
'
mf ocusing.
..
.Di
d
yougetmoneyforherpresent
?
MaO: Idi
d,iaskedoneofmychur ch
mate'
ssontocomet akepi
ctur
esof
t
hiscakeshari
ngthing,hewil
lsend
t
hem toyou.
Lolo:Thankyou.
.I'
m st
il
lrunni
ng
aroundlooki
ngfortheri
ghtshowsf
or
mygr aduati
ongown..
MaO: Ij
aaIshoul
dn'tfor
gettosave
tr
ansportmoneyforthegraduat
ion
ceremony.
..
Lol
o:(
laughed)Don'
tfor
get
..
.
MaO: Di
dyouappl
yfort
henewj
ob
post
sinTheDai
ll
ynews?
Lol
o: Yes,
idroppedof
fthe
appl
icati
onsanhouraft
eryout
old
meabouti t
.
MaO: Okay.
..Letmerecei
veMaya's
guestst
heyhav est
art
edarri
vi
ng.
Thesepeopl
eannoymewi t
hEngl
ish..
.
MyJawsgett ir
edofspeaki
ng
Engli
sh
Lol
o:(
laughed)Howcany
ousayt
hat
?
MaO: Uhit
hel
akelapatotakeetake
t
senyabonnenyanemot engl
ike
wher
ei st
hatnneny
ane
Lol
o:(
laughed)GoandspeakEngl
i
sh
mma.
.by
e
MaO:
Bye

Shehungupandsmil
edasoneoft
he
par
entspul
l
edover
..
..

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

MeanwhileGobonast eppedoutof
thepitl
atri
netoil
etandwalked
towardsthetreeasherbigmaterni
ty
dresswav edontheair.
..

Hermot
herr
est
edherj
awonher
palm sadlywatchingascarsfi
ll
edMa
O'syarddroppingoffchi
ldr
enwho
werecarryinggif
ts.TheDJplayed
musicf r
om bigspeakerssending
every
onei ntoapar t
ymood...
.

Gobona:(curvedherlipslookingat
thepart
y)Mxm. ..ShameonLol o,
whatwillshetel
l peoplewhowi l
lask
herwhyshei sthrowingherdaught er
apartyi
nt heneighbour'syard?How
canshebeembar r
assedbywher e
shecomesf rom...Kooreobony e
motsewammagweol emasweabea
dir
elangwanapar t
ykobahumi ng.
Mother:I'
mj ustsadt hatMay a
doesn'
tknowme, sheisintent
ionall
y
keepi
ngMay aindoor ssoshecan
for
getus, i
fshet hinksshecanf il
lan
emptyholeinherhear twit
hmy
daughtershei sl
y i
ngt ohersel
f.Lolo
i
snother snomat terwhatshedoes. .
.
Evenifshethrowspar ti
esforMay a
shestil
ldon'thaveachi ld.
..

Theybothr anoutoft hingstochat

aboutandqui etl
ywat chedast he
fr
ontyardgotf il
l
edwi thcarsthena
Rangerdrov ethroughtheirgat
eand
parkedundert heothert r
ee,awhite
manst eppedoutwi t
hhi scol
ored
daught
ersandappr
oachedt
hem.
..

Man:
(Engl
i
shaccent
)Dmel
ama!
Mot
her
:Hel
l
o
Gobona:
Goodaf
ter
noon
Man:Ther
ei snoparki
ngthatside
andiwaswonderingifi
tsokayto
par
khereforaminutewhileIdropoff
mygir
lsattheparty
..
.i
twon'tbelong.

Lolo'smotherdi
dnothearasingle
wor doftheUnit
edKingdom Engl
ish
steamingoutofhissharpnosethen
shet ur
nedtoherdaughter
..
..
Mot
her
:Gat
wee?
Gobona:Heistalki
ngt oofast
..
.(t
o
t
heman)Ar eyousay ingthatyou
wanttobor
rowt hetreeforparki
ng
t
hecar?
Ma:Yes,somethi
ngl
i
ket
hat
..Iguess
youcoul
dsay..
.
Gobona:Ar
eokopagophekahao
tat
aatsaakol
oihapar
tyehel
a
kgant
ele
Mother
:(Setswanaaccent
)No
pr
oblem sir
..
.Noprobl
em,youshoul
d
befr
eeal ot.
..bef
reetoomuch,
I'
ma
l
ovi
ngpeopl e.
Man:
Thanky
ou.
..

Hewalkedtowardsthecarwithhi
s
daught
ersandopenedt heback
taki
ngoutapinkbicycl
e..
.

Gir
l:Weshoul
dgett
heswi
mmi
ng
costumes
Gi
rl
2:Andt
het
owel
stoodaddy
..
.

Diboysandhisli
tt
lebrot
herstood
behindthesmell
ypitl
atri
netoil
et
watchingwit
hEnv yasmorechildr
en
gatheredandchart
edloudlyi
nthe
webtent,heturnedaroundandsaw
thewhit
emanandhi schildr
en
walki
ngoutwi t
habi cycl
eandtowels
thenhewalkedt owardshismother
baref
ootholdi
ngawi r
e..
.

Di
boy
s:Iwantt
ogot
othepar
ty
Br
other
:Met
oo.
..
Gobona:(barked)Ketagoshimega
hankautwaor eoyakwa,doyou
knowthem?Hee?I fyougothereI'
ll
beatyou.
..Idon'tevenknowwhyy ou
arest
andingbyt hefencewatching
them.
..
Di
boy
s:Nnakebat
agobona
makgoa.
..
Mother
:MaOgavet
hem aninv
itat
ion
car
dwhydon'
tyoul
ett
hem go
Gobona: Mamanaar eobonagor ego
nal emakgoalemaI ndi
agoha?
everyoneseemst obewear i
ngnew
cl
ot hes.
.Theydon'thaveclothesand
idon'thavemoneyf orthepresent,
RrragweDi boy
skanahakgwedi e
helawai ngadi
sagorent eat samae
abagoboamadi ahedi l
e..
Mother:Justbat
hthem andlett
hem
gokanabat swapelo,
kehaneele
goreenemohumi y
oot sent
sestop
nonsense..
.
Gobona:No,
theywi
llmockmy
chi
ldr
en.Di
boyssi
t.
..
Diboys:(pout
ing)I
'
m going.
..I
'
m
going.
..Iwanttoseethewhite
people

Hewalkedtowardsthegat
eas8
monthspregnantGobonaf
oll
owed
hi
m holdi
ngast i
ck.
..

Gobona:
Comebackher
e..
.
Diboys:(
cry
ingl
oudl
y)I
'm goi
ng.
..I
'
m
goingtoseewhi
tepeopl
e
Neighboursstar
edatherasshe
angri
lyscoldedhi
m..
..

Diboy
s:(
cry
ing)Kei
tat
sammunna
haoganaketsamaa
Gobona:
Getbackher
e..
.

Diboysdi
vedonthesandroll
ing
aroundashi
sbodygotwhi t
elydust
ry
thenGobonawal
kedov erwit
hast i
ck
butheranawayandroll
edont hesoil
unti
lhewaswhit
e..
.

Li
tt
lebr
other
:(l
aughed)Di
boy
slooks
l
i
keaghost
!
Gobona:
(tohi
m)Shutupwena,
ke
t
hwaagetsegol
oha.
.

Neighbourswatchedt heirdrama
fr
om theirhouses,embar rassed
Gobonast oppedfollowinghim and
satdown.Di boy
sst oodbyt hefence
star
ingattheparty.…

AtMai
nmal
l(Gabor
one)
..
..

Isteppedoutoft
heshopt
alki
ngt
o
thephone..
.
Me:
ThankGodi
justboughtmyhai
r.
..
Lol
o:I'
m st
il
lstuckontheshoes.
..I
hat
eheelsbuti knowever
yonewill
be
weari
ngheels
Me:
Ialr
eadyboughtt
hoseandhoney
t
hey
'r
esexy.
..
Lolo:
Iknowhowmuchy ouloveheel
s
anditbeatsmehowy oumanaget o
walkont hose,
toni
ghtIhaveto
pract
ice.
..Andihaveaninter
viewin
twoday skebatagogamol el
a.
Me:Luckyyou,aft
erallt
he
appl
i
cationsisentnobodycal
l
ed.
..
Lol
o:You'
l
lgety
ourchance,
don'
t
wor
ry.
..

Iwal
kedpastabri
dalshopand
bumpedonapregnantladywal
ki
ng
out
..
.

Her:
(qui
ckl
ypr
otect
edherbi
gbump)
Themmawant hul
a..
.
Me:(
hungupt
hephone)I
'
m sor
ryi
di
dn'
tseey
ou.
.
Her
:(si
ghed)Noi
t'
sfi
ne.
.Youdi
dn'
t
hur
tme...

Myhear
tski
ppedasBay
angst
epped
outcar
ryi
ngt
heweddi
nggownand
pausedl
ooki
ngi
nmyey es.
..

Bay
ang:
(awkwar
dly
)Hi
..
.
Me:
Hi.
.

Shel ookedathi
mforint
roducti
ons
andf oramomentheappear ed
panickedashepressedhisl
ips
together.
..

Bay
ang:
Babet
hisi
sDi
di.
..
.Di
dit
his
i
sAone
Aone:
(shookmyhand)Hi
sfi
ancé
andy
ou'
re?
Me:Weusedt
obenei
ghbour
sin
Maun.
.
Aone:
Isee.
..Babedi
dyoui
nvi
teher
?
Bayang:
No..
.Wel
ostcont
actal
ong
ti
meago..
Aone: (
openedherbag)That'
snota
problem..
.Ihav
eanext racar
d..
.
(handedmet heinv
itat
ioncar
d)Her
e
yougo...
Me:ThankbutIwon'tmakei
t,I
'
m
busy
..
.Congrat
ulat
ionst
hough
Aone:
Thanky
ou.
..
Me:
Bye
Bay
angunl
ockedhisphoneasi
wal
kedawaythenhefol
lowedme.
.

Bay
ang:
Cani
hav
eyournumber
?
Me: (
tur
nedar oundandanswered
walki
ngbackwar ds)No..
.And
congrat
ulat
ionsont hebaby.
..
Bay
ang:
Didi
?

It
urnedandwal
kedaway
..
.

I
nBay
ang'
scar
..
.
Minut
eslaterAonegl
aredathi
m as
hejoi
nedtheroad.
..

Aone:
Ist
hather
?Yourex?
Bay
ang:
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t.
..
Aone:
Whywer
eyouaski
ngf
orher
number?
Bayang:(angri
ly)Soicangiveher
di
recti
onst othewedding,whyelse
wouldIwanthernumber ?You'
rethe
onewhoi nvit
edher..
.(l
ookedather)
Whyt hehelldidyoui
nv i
teher?
Aone:Whatdi
ff
erencedoesi
tmake
shedecl
i
ned?
Bayang:I
tmakesadiff
erencet
ome,
okay?Youknewwhoshewasand
youdidthatdel
i
ber
atel
y.
Aone:
Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'
reangr
yat
meaboutsuchasmall
issue
Bayang:Youstartedt
hiswholething,
youcouldn'
tjustsayhiandwalk
away.Youhadt ocreat
eal i
tt
ledrama
asalways.Youcanbeabor e..
Aone:Icanbeabor e?Isawt heway
youwerelookingather,canyou
blamemef ort
hat?Youwer e
stammeringandy ouintr
oducedme
withmyfirstnameBay ang.
..I
'm not
j
ustAoneI '
my ourfi
ancé,yougav e
myparentst
hebr
ide'
spr
iceandi
di
dn'
tforcey
ou.
Bay
ang:
Youdi
dn'
tfor
cemedi
rect
ly
Aone:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
Bayang:(sighed)Youknowwhat-
nevermind. .
.I'
m exhaust
ed,
Ibeen
dri
vingal
l dayi j
ustwanttor
est.
Aone:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Bayang:cany
oust
opbei
ngadr
ama
queen?
Aone:
(tear
ful
ly
)Cany
oust
opcal
l
ing
menames? !

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hhol
dingher
bumpthenhekeptqui
etand
apol
oget
ical
l
yrubbedherbump.
.

Bay
ang:
Arey
ouokay
?
Aone:(
pushedhi
shandaway
)Don'
t
touchme.
..

Hesi
ghedandkeptdr
ivi
ng.
.

Att
heapar
tment
..
..

Minutesl
aterhepar
kedthecarthen
Aonegrabbedherhandbagand
angri
l
ywalkedinsi
de.
Bayangl
eanedbacksi
ghi
ngand
di
aledAat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Yeah?I
'
m get
ti
ngt
hesui
tsas
wespeak
Bayang:Yeah-
yeah.
..Um.
.Doy
ou
hav
eDi di
'snumber?
Aatil
e:Di
digapeBayang?Ithought
wet al
kedaboutthi
smalobahao
ntshamagadi.Yousai
dy ou'
reover
her
Bayang:
Dudeiknow..
.Ijustwantt
o
makesureshei
sfine.
..
isawher
ear
li
erand-
Aatil
e:Andwhat?Theol
dfeel
ings
cameback?Ar eyouhav
ingsecond
thoughtsaboutt
his?
Bayang:
Youknowi can'
tbackdown
nowandwiththebabyonthewayit
wil
lbeabigri
sk.
.Ij
ustwanttotal
kto
her
.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llcheckhernumberandsend
i
t.
..
Bay
ang:
thanks

Aat
ilesentitthenBayangdialedt
he
numberbuti twasn'
tavai
lable.He
cal
ledhim again.
..
Aat
il
e:Yeah?
Bay
ang:
Gaet
sene
Aati
l
e:Shemusthavechangedher
number,i
tsbeenl
i
ke2y ear
skesa
bueleene
Bayang:
Don'
tyouknowwher
eshe
st
ays?
Aat
il
e:I
twas2y
ear
sagomay
beshe
moved
Bay
ang:
Sendt
headdr
ess
Aat
il
e:Bay
angyou'
reget
ti
ngmarr
ied
i
ntwoweeks.
..Opegi
lemaina
Bayang:Ot
aasenderpl
otnumber
akere?
Aat
il
e:Kebual
ewenakana
Bay ang:Iknowall
thatakerekenna
kent shi
tsemagadi,youdon'thav
eto
remi ndme.Aoneodi ri
l
emat akal
a
throwingoneofhertantrumsmogo
Didi,ij
ustwanttomakesur esheis
fi
ne. .
Aat
il
e:I
'
llsendi
t.
..

Hehungupandt ookthegowninsi
de
wher eAonewasly
ingonthebed
cry
ingthenhegotonthebedandlai
d
behindherki
ssi
ngherneckand
caressi
ngherbump..
.
Bayang:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Stopcr
ying.
..I
don'
twantyoutostressmyboy..

Hisphoner
ecei
vedamessagethen
hegotupandchangedhi
st-
shi
rt.
..

Bay
ang:
Keet
a..
Aone:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Bayang:
Aati
l
eneedsanextr
ahand
wit
hsomethi
ng.
.I'
l
lbeback.
Aone:(
tear
ful
l
y)You'
regoi
ngt
osee
herar
en'ty
ou?
Bay
ang:
Getsomer
est
..
.
Heleanedoverandki
ssedherasshe
f
rownedcryi
ng..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Icurl
edmy sel
font
hecouchwi
tha
sheetwatchi
ngamovi
ethenmy
phonerang..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Isawyourmessageabout
Bayang,I
'
m sor
rmy.
..Iknowyoubeen
tal
ki
ngabouthi
mlately.
.
Me:
Ikeptmy
sel
fforhi
m 4y
ear
s
t
hinkinghewillwai
tandhedoes
t
his.
..Itookavowy asecondar
y
v
irgi
nityforhi
m andnow-
Lolo:Butreal
ist
icall
y4y earsisalot
pl
usy ouguy sstoppedt al
ki
ng, the
poorguypr obablytookwhat everGod
presentedandsai dfuckit
Me:Anywayi havetomov eon.Its
fi
ne,atl
eastIwon'thav
et oreject
guysanymor e-
(t
herewasaknock)
Someoneisknocking,I
'l
lcal
l y
ou
back
Lol
o:shap

Ihungupandcov
eredmy
sel
fwi
tha
wholesheett
heni openedt hedoor
sli
ghtl
ypeeki
ngoutside,Bay ang
smiledwi
thhisfootonmyst oop.His
shoecaughtmyat t
ention..
.Act uall
yit
tookmybreathaway ,helookedv er
y
good..

Me:
Whatdoy
ouwantdaddy
?
Bayang:(
smiledr
elaxedl
ooki
ngi
nmy
eyes)Canicomein?
Me:No,you'
reget
ti
ngmarr
iedand
youhav
eachi l
dontheway.
.

Hepushedthedooropenandwalked
i
nasistagger
edbackholdi
ngthe
sheet
st henheclosedt
hedoorand
tookoffhisj
acket.
..

Me:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Heki ssedmedominantlyandpull
ed
downt hesheetsl
eavi
ngmenude
thenhel ai
dmeont hefl
oor..
.Iknew
i
twaswr ongandiwantedtostop
him becausehewasn'tmineanymore.

Icouldn'
tunder
standwhyhewanted
tofuckmeandgoont omarr
y
anotherwomanbutmay beideser
ved
i
tforplayi
ngwithmychancewhenI
hadit,
ifel
tlowerthanany thingandi
knewAonewast her espectabl
eone..
.
Iontheotherhandwashi sslut,t
he
condemnedandi knewhewant edto
tast
emebef oretakinghisv ows..
.

Despiteknowingallt
heseisti
ll
couldn'
tstophim becausehewas
goodwi t
hawoman' sbody,heki
ssed
myneckandwentdownt omy
breaststhenmyv j
ay..
.

Igaspedashelookedinmyey esand
slowl
yinser
tedtwofi
ngers,
ifr
owned
thenhepressedmycheekstogether
wit
hhisj
uicyfinger
sandkissedme,
i
knewhewoul dleav
eassoonashe
wasdonewi t
hmeandy etidi
dn'
t
havet
hestrengthtoresi
st.
..

Igaveinandsubmi tt
edmybodyt o
him asherol
ledthecondom on
stari
ngatmeandl eanedov er
rubbingmyjewelswiththethet i
pof
hisweapon.Tearsfellatt
hecor ner
s
ofmyey esashisgoodt hing
squeezedit
selfal
ltheway ..
.Nowi
knewwhyAonewasdef ensiveearl
ier
.
Hehadmagi cbetweenhi slegs..
..
Me:
Doy
oul
oveher
?
Bay
ang:
Yes.
..Shei
smywi
fe.
..
Me:
Thenar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
Bay ang:(st
ari
nginmyey es)Because
Iknowy ouwon'tstopme, youlove
me. ..
.Isawitinyoureyeswhenwe
metatt hebr i
dalshop.Iknowt hat
feeli
ng,howdoesi tfeell
ov i
ng
someonewhosehear ti
ssomewher e
else?

Islappedhi
m acr
ossthef
acethenhe
pinnedbothofmyhandsdownand
ki
ssedme. .
.
Me:
(cr
ying)Idon'
tl
ovey
ou.
.
Bay
ang:(sof
tl
yonmyear
)Sayi
t
l
ouder
..
.

Hemovedhiswai
staimingf
ormy
vj
ayand#r
emoved..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
27PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴7
Atmyhouse.
..

Hemademekneel ont hefloorand

pushedmyheaddownl eavingmy
buttupthenhesl i
din,thedoor
openedt henLol
owal kedin, herj
aws
droppedasBay angslidhist hi
ngout
thenIreachedforthesheet sand
coveredmy sel
fasBay angbl ocked
hisbonerwithhisTshirt.
..
.

Lol
o:(di
sappoi
ntedl
y)You'r
e
unbel
i
evableDi
di wai
tse.
..

Shecl
osedt
hedoorandwal
ked
out
sidetheni
handedhi
m hi
s
cl
othes.
..

Me:
Youhav
etogo.
..

Hequiet
lyputonhi
sclot
hesand
l
ookedatmeemot i
onall
ythenhe
l
eanedoverforaki
ssbutimoved
backf
oldingmyarms.
..

Me:
Justgo.
.
Bayang:Imissedy ou.
..Ij
ustcoul
dn'
t
fi
gureouttherightapproach?
Me:
Andwheny
ouf
inal
l
ydi
ditwast
o
havesexandgomar
ryy
ourpr
egnant
gi
rl
fri
end?
Bayang:
andili
ed,i
lov
eyoui
just
wantedtohur
tyou.
Me:
Youdon'
tl
oveme.
.
Bay
ang:
Youdon'
tknowwhatl
ovei
s..
.

Hewal kedouttheni satonthecouch

sti
l
l wrappedupwi ththesheets,
Lol
o
walkedinlooki
ngbackwar dsat
Bayangashedr ov eoffthenshesat
nexttomeandst aredatme. .
.

Lol
o:Ar
eyoui
nsane?
Me:
Don'
tj
udgeme.
..
Lol
o:Judgeyou?Youjudgedyour
sel
f
al
ready
..
.Heisgett
ingmarri
ed.What
i
sitwit
hy ouandmarri
edmen?
Me:
almosti
sn'
tmar
ri
ednowi
sn'
ti
t
Lol
o:Excuseme?
Me: Notthatidon'
trespectwhatyou
sai
dbuthecameov erhereanddid
thi
stome.I '
m nottheoneget t
ing
married
Lol
o:It'
snotabouthi
m,it
'saboutyou
sl
eepingwit
hmenwhodon' tcare
aboutyouonlytobesadaboutit
aft
erwardsandonthefl
oor?Reall
y?
Me:
Stopj
udgi
ngme.
..
Imadea
mi
stake
Lolo:Onceagain..
.(
sighedgrabbed
herplast
ic)Iwantedt oshowy oumy
graduati
onthings.
..
Me:
Letmegogetdr
essed.
.

Iwal
kedaway
..
..

Att
heappoi
ntment
..
..
.

Aonesatont
hebeddi
ali
ngAat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Aone:
Cani
tal
ktoBay
ang?
Aat
il
e:Sur
ehol
don.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Aat
il
ehungupanddi
aledBay
ang.
..

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Seewhatyou'
redoi
ng?Aone
j
ustaskedt
otalktoyouonmyphone
Bay
ang:
Uhhey
,tel
lheri
lef
t.
..
Aat
il
e:Di
dyout
alkt
oDi
di?
Bay
ang:
Yeahbuti
goti
nter
rupt
ed,
I
'
m notl
eav
ingt
omor
row
Aat
il
e:Goti
nter
rupt
ed?
Bayang:
Iwanttogetherpregnant
befor
eigetmarri
ed.
.Ever
ythingwas
goi
ngwellunt
ilherf
ri
endwal ked
thr
oughthedoor
Aati
le:Wohholdonami nut
e-you
wanttodowhat ?Ithoughtyousaid
youjustwanttotal
k,whendidt hat
change?Whywoul dyoudot hatto
herknowingyouaregoingtomar r
y
Aone?
Bayang:Idon'
texpecty
out o
underst
and,you'
l
lunderst
andone
day
Aat
il
e:Kant
eoi t
segoregonnasi
ngl
e
par
entgodingal
ojangtot
a?
Bay
ang:
Youwon'
tunder
stand.Shap.
.

Hehungupt henAati
lehungup,
Aone
cal
ledoverandoverbuthedi
dn'
tpi
ck
hercal
ls.
.

Atmyuncl
e'
shouse.
..
.

Myuncle'
swi f
ehungmy
grandmother
'sblanketsontheli
neas
hernei
ghbourwal kedoverandhung
herchi
ldr
en'slaundryonthefence.
..
Nei
ghbour
:Juni
orwetst
hebed?
Mosi
maney ooomotonaomoshape
Her:(si
ghed)It'
snothi m..
.Heimma
akeredaysagowhenhubbysai dhe
wantedtov isi
thisauntwhenwegot
ther
ewef oundtheoldlady
surr
oundedbypeopl ebecauseshe
coll
apsedont hemi ddleoftheyard,
whenwet ookhertot hehospit
althe
doctorstoldustherewasnot hi
ng
wrongwi thhershewasj usthungry
sothenephewdeci dedweshoul dget
her.
..
Nei
ghbour
:Wi
thoutconsul
ti
ngy
ou?
Her: I
magi net hewena!Hej ustsai d
wehav etogetherbecauseshei st he
onlyelder l
yleftint hefamily.Iso
want edt otellhimt hatididn'tmar ry
thi
sdi r
tyol dwomani marri
edy ou. .
Ker ayagor ei didn'tknowt heseki nd
ofmar riagesexi stedunt i
lhei nsisted
wet akeher ..
.Thi soldwomancan' t
seesoshecal lsmet odoev er y
t hi
ng
forher,ifidon' ttakehert othet oilet
shepeesont hebl ankets..
.Ke
tshwarisiwamer otoy abasadi bagol o
mmennammeasant hotele,ny aloke
dil
odiselehel a.
Nei
ghbour:
Soshedoesn'
thav
ea
f
amily
?Likechi
l
dren
Her :Shehasadaught erwhoni s
happi l
ymar ri
edlivingina4bedr oom
housewi thherhusbandandt heirtwo
daught ersy etI'
m supposedt o
toleratethesmel lofpeecomi ng
from theot herbedr oom, whycan't
mmagweDi ditakehert oherhouse?I
under standDi diisschool i
ngbutwhat
aboutt hisol dwoman' sdaught er
?I
can'tdot his..Thisol dwomani s
disturbingmef rom hav ingmyper fect
fami l
ybecauseshei salways
screami ngf orsomet hing.
..
..

Meanwhi
let
heol
dwoman'sstomach
r
umbledasshel
aidont
hefl
oorina
cl
osedbedr
oom.
..

Granny:(scr
eami ngweakl y
)Ma
I
srael?
...MaIsrael?.
..Ineedthe
t
oilet
..
..Toil
etplease..
.

Out
side,
MrsIsrael
lookedbackand
i
gnoredher
..
..

Her: Akerewaut wa?Thi

siswhatIdo
all
day ..
.Sheissoannoy i
ng,evenmy
mot herdoesn'tmakemewor klike
thi
s...Am wickedfornotwantingher
here?Imean, sheisnotevenmy
mot herinlaw..
.I'
dunderst
andi fshe
wasmymot
heri
nlaw.
.
Neighbour:Herdaught ershoul
dtake
her,i
tcanbedi sturbi
ngt ohaveyour
i
n-lawsstayingwi t
hy oukanayou
neverhavefami l
yt i
me...Mmagwe
Didishoul
dgethermot her
,bat
hoba
bangwegabany alwabal ebal
abo
mmaabo. ..

Theol dwomancont i
nuedtoscr eam
unti
lshekeptquietbutshewas
pressedandshedidn'twantt orel
ief
hersel
finhercl
othesshecr awledt o
thedoorwithherimpair
edv isi
onto
opent hedoor
,itwaslocked.Tears
fi
l
ledhereyesasmuscl
es
over
poweredher.
..
..

AnhourlaterMrsIsraelwalkedoutof
thekit
chenholdingaplateoffood
andsatont hecouchholdinga
remote,t
hestrongodourf r
om the
bedroom gotheratt
enti
onasshe
angri
lyputherfooddownandheaded
toherbedroom...

MaI
srael
:(angr
il
y)Oi
ny*
let
segape?
Granny
:(tear
ful
l
y)Mygranddaught
er
doesn'
ttalkt
omeliket
hat
MaI
srael
:Whydon'
tyout
ell
hert
o
getyouthen?Ican'
twipeyourshit
mma. .
.Tell
yournephewthatyou
wanttogobackt oyourhouse,
i
di
dn'
tgetmar r
iedint
othisfamil
yto
beyourmaid
Granny:Helpmetalktoherthen,i
toldyoui l
ostmyphone.Bokang
won'tli
stentomewhenIsayi want
togetbackbecausehesay sican't
stayalone..
.
MaI sr
ael:You'r
enotser i
ous.
..
.Ema
mmaoy egot hapa,mychildr
enbath
wi
thy ourshitandI '
m sur
eit'
sonl
ya
matteroftimebef oreyougiv
ethem
i
nfecti
ons.
Shedr aggedhertothebathroom
wher esheputplasti
csonherhands
andpul l
edoutherclothesthenshe
pushedheri ntheful
ltub,ataphither
ont hebackofherheadasshe
grabbedt hehandl
essuppor t
ing
herself
,MaI sr
aelgrabbedthebroom
andbr ushedherbackandpr ivat
esas
shecr i
ed...
.

Granny:
(cr
ying)Kanawampolaaa.
..
..
Totakeenglesampusetsekogame?
Why ?I
'
mf i
neatmyhousebecausei
knowwheret hetoi
l
eti
s,whyshoul
di
suf
ferl
ikethi
s?Mygranddaught
er
wouldneverdot
histome..
.Mphang
mogalakebueleDidi
..
.
MaI srael:Itoldyoutotel
lyour
nephewt hatyouwanty ourhouse
nnamegal ay agaDidikeetsayakae
kaol athi
lephone. .
.Thapamma, I'
m
notgoi ngtot ouchyourshi
t,gake
tshwerem* sepaabasadibagolobasa
nkgodisa..

Shepushedthetubstopperwiththe
broomsti
ckasthewat erdr
ainedthen
shegrabbedtheshowerheadand
point
edathersplashi
ngherwi t
h
wat
erunt
ilshewascl
ean.
..
.

MaIsrael
:(openedthewindow)The
wholehousesmellsbat
hongke
t
iki
l
wekamosadi mogolokiyo.
..

Shechangedherbeddi ngand
draggedhertothemat tr
esst henshe
wentbacktocleant hebathroom and
sprayedwit
hAirfreshenerthenher
husbandwalkedin..
.

Hepausedatt
hedoorandsmi
l
ed
gr
atef
ull
y.
..
Bokang:
Thanky
ou.
..

Shejumpedtur
ningar
oundand
l
ookedathim..

Her
:For
?
Bokang:Forhel
pingmet akecareof
myaunt,sherai
sedmymot hersoit
s
thel
eastIcandof orher
..
Her
:(smi
l
ed)Any
time.
..
Bokang:Notmanywivescangi
ve
thi
skindofhel
p,y
ou'r
eoneina
mil
li
onandi l
oveyou.
.
Her
:Il
oveyout
oo.
..Yourf
oodi
son
t
hecount
er

Heleanedoverandkissedherthen
hewenttoeat,MaIsraelgavetheol
d
womanabodyl oti
onandnew
cl
othesthenshecl
eanedt heroom
andopenedthewindows...

Minut
esl
atert
henephewwalkedin
wit
hherf
oodandsatonthechair
handi
ngi
tover
..
.

Nephew:
Yourf
oodi
sher
emmama.
..
Granny:Thanky
ou.
..Cani
pleaset
alk
t
oDi di
?Iwanttogohome
Nephew:Butyoucan'
tstayal
one,my
mother'
ssoulwoul
dneverresti
n
peaceknowingI
'mignor
ingyou.
..
Granny:Idon'twanttocomebet ween
youandy ourwi f
e,youloveherand
shelovesy ou..
.Mypr esencehere
mightbringconf l
i
cts.I'
m sureshe
wantstoenj oyti
mewi t
hy ou.
Nephew: Mmamal esagoakany et
sa
mosadi wamedil
ot sagonnajalo,
sheishappytohavey ouhereand
sheistaki
nggoodcar eofyou.
..It
s
bestyoustayher
einsteadof
col
l
apsingal
oneony
ourwayt
ofet
ch
water
.
Granny
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Pl
easet
akeme
home..
.
Nephew:Ican'
tl
ety
ousuf
ferwhenI
canhel
p
Gr
anny
:Letmet
alkt
oDi
di.
.
Nephew: I
'l
lbuyair
ti
meandcal lher
foryou..
.Pleasehav eyourf oodand
getsomer est,
I'
ll
bringbat t
eriesfor
yourradiosoy oucanl i
stent o
somet hi
ng.Youmustbel onelyor
may bey oucansitoutsidewi thmy
wife,she'dli
keyourcompany ..
Gr
anny
:Br
ingt
hebat
ter
ies.
..
Hewal
kedout
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Lat
eronLol
oquiet
lywat
chedmeasi
cl
eanedt
hehouse.
..

Lol
o:Ont
homol
apel
o
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Lol
o:If
eel
li
keguysaregoi
ngt ouse
youtot
hei
radv
antage,asawoman
youhav
etohaveabackbone.
..Don'
t
l
etamangetwhathewantsfrom you
i
fy oudon'tgetwhatyouwant,
rememberwhatAat il
ewast r
yingt
o
dot ome?Hedi dn'
twantto
understandmysituat
ionbecausehe
wasj ustl
ookingathi
mself
Me:Ormay beyoudidn'
twantt
o
under
standhissi
tuati
on
Lolo:That'
swhatI '
mt alki
ngabout
ri
ghtt her
e,youmustputy ourfoot
down.Dowhat '
sbestf oryou...Li
fe
shoul dbeeasyfory oubecausey ou
don'thaveachi l
d..
.Bayangcannot
j
ustshowupaf ter2t o3year sand
dropy ourpanti
es,that'
sdisrespectf
ul
andi tshowsexactlyhowhef eels
abouty ou.Accordi
ngt ohim Aonei s
goodenought obeawi f
ebutwena
you'rethesnack, t
hei l
lusionhel ives
i
nt empor ari
lytoescaper eali
tyof
mar ri
age.I fyoul ethim dot hisy ou
wil
l nev erstophi m becausey ou' l
l
dependonhi m eitherf i
nanci allyor
emot ionally,ihatet hatkindof
sit
uat i
onwhi chi swhyi refusedt o
mov ei nwi thAat il
ey earsago. .Ididn't
wantt obedependantonhi m andf eel
l
ikeIowehi m sohecansomet hing
tohol dagai nstme. ..Itwasn' tj ust
aboutnott rustinghi m, i
di dn'twanta
pit
yr elati
onshi p..
Me:Ist
il
lfeell
ikey
oumadea
mi
stakeleavi
nghim..
Lolo:It'
sthepastany way s, iwasjust
tr
y i
ngt ohelpyoubecausey oueasily
dropy ourpanties.
..Lookatwhat
Brandondi dtoy ou..Hetooky ou
homeandsl eptwi thyou,nowBay ang
comesher eandsl eepswi thy ou.
May bei t
'sbecausey oudon' thavea
chil
dbecausei knowi wasnai veli
ke
you,rememberhowMay a'sdad
easil
ysl eptwit
hmeany t
imehe
want ed?Iknewhehadal otof
girl
fr
iendsy etIcouldn'
tst ophi m,
whet heroneabat abol ot
okanat satsi
l
eoai nkutwacondom hedi dashe
pleasedandatt heendoft hedayhe
dumpedme.Idon' twanty out ogo
t
hrought
hesamet
hing
Me:
Igety
ourpoi
nt.
..
Lol
o: (
sighed)Any
way.
..I
tsget
ti
ng
l
ateletmegetgoing
Me:t
hanksfordroppi
ngby
..You
cameattheri
ghtti
me
Lol
o:(
laughed)Sur
ebabes

Shegotherplasti
candwal kedout
thenisatdownthoughtful
lyand
dial
edmygr andmotherbuther
numberwasn'tavail
ableagain.Ithad
beenaweekandi wasbeginningt o
worry.Myuncle'
scallcamet hrough
andmyhear tski
pped...
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Uncl
e:Di
dihowar
eyou?
Me:I'
mf i
ne,
isev
ery
thi
ngOK?Ihav
e
beentr
yingt
ocal
lmygrandmot
her
but-
Uncle:Sheisfi
ne,afewday sagoshe
coll
apsedont hemiddl
eoft heyar
d
try
ingtocoll
ectwater,
wet ookherto
thehospit
alandthedoct or
ssaidshe
wasf i
neit'
shungersoi deci
dedit
wasbestshecomesher eunti
lyou'
re
donewi t
hschool.
Me:
Thanky
ousomuch
Uncl
e:Butl
i
key
ouknowol
dpeopl
e,
shealr
eadywant
stogobackt
oher
house.
.
Me: Especial
lyenemmama, she
doesn'tstayi
ngi npeople'
shomesf or
l
ong, evenv i
sit
ingfortoolongishard
forher..
.
Uncle:
I'
m walki
ngi
n,shewant
edt
o
tal
ktoy ou.
Me:
Okay
..

Hegaveherthephoneandwal
ked
outcl
osi
ngthedoor.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hihowar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Her:Youknowhowbei ngav isi
toris,
youruncle'swi fekeepsmei nthe
bedroom, idon' tknowi fiembar rass
herorwhat ..Iwantt ogobackt omy
housewher eIcansi tundert het r
ee
wheni t'
shot .Sher efusest otakeme
tothet oi
l
etunt i
lI'
mf orcedt oreli
ef
my selfwhereI '
m sitt
ingandt henshe
i
nsultsmecal li
ngmenames, she
bathsmewi tht hebroom. ..Iwantmy
housewher ei cantakemy selftothe
toi
let.Shedoesn' tfeedmebecause
shesay sshedoesn' twantmet ogo
tothet oi
l
ett imeandagai n...
Me:
Ihav
ebeenpl
anni
ngt
osel
lmy
househol
dst hisweekendandcome
homeaf t
ergr aduat
ionbutI
'
llst
art
sel
li
ngthem tonightsoicancome
i
mmedi atel
y.
Her:
Didyouhearf
rom t
hepeopl
eyou
appl
iedt
o?
Me:
No,
theyhav
en'
tsai
dany
thi
ng.
Her:You'l
lgetajobmygi rlanddon'
t
rushyoursel
f..
.Justtel
lyouruncl
eto
takemehomeanddon' ttellhi
m
abouthiswife.Idon'
twantt obethe
reasonforhisdivor
ce..
.
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
eveshedi
dthi
s..
.By
e
Her
:By
e
Ihungupandsighedl
ooki
ngatmy
househol
ds.
..
.

AtMmaOar
abi
l
e'shome.
..

Laterthataft
ernoonthedeco
companyl oadedtheirt
entsand
chair
sasMaOwal kedintheliv
ing
room whereMay aandherni ecewere
sit
ti
ngsor t
inghergift
s..
.

Shef el
ther
sel
flosingbreat
hand
rushedtothebedroom whereshesat
ont hebedanddialedLolo.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
MaO:Lol
onabi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
eyaga
May
aekae?
Lolo:
Inevercoll
ectedit
,ial
ways
usedhercli
niccardinst
ead.
..
does
theschoolneedit
?
MaO: No,i.
..(
exhaledexhaust
ed)I
wantedtosubmi ti
ttochange
ownershi
pof .
..
..

Hecoughedov
erandov
er.
..

Lol
o:Ny
aammay
ou'
renotf
eel
i
ng
wel
l
,that
'snotf
lu.
..
MaO:I'
mfine.
..
letmedr
inksome
wat
erandcall
youback.
..
Lol
o:Okay
,10mi
nut
eshel
apl
ease.
..

Sheputthephonedownandsl
owl
y
l
aidonthebed..
..
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
..

Lat
erthateveni
ngipackedsomeof
mythingsandhear
daknockont he
door
..
.
Iopenedt
hedoort
henAat
il
esmi
l
ed.
.

Aat
il
e:Hi
..
Me:
Hi.
..
Aat
il
e:Canwet
alk?
Me:
Um.
..Out
side.
.

Icl
osedthedoorfol
lowinghi
m out
whereweleanedagainstt
hecar
qui
etl
y.
..

Aati
le:Ther
eissomethingi
wantt
o
tel
lyouanditsgoi
ngtomakeme
l
ookl i
keabadperson..
.
Me:
Whati
sit
?
Aatil
e:Bayangwantst ogety ou
pregnantbefor
eheget smar ried,
i
sti
llhaven'
tgott
enagoodr easonbut
ithoughtyoumightneedt oknowso
youcanbecar eful
..
.Iwouldn'twant
anotherpersontobeasi ngleparent
becausei knowhowi tfeel
s.
Me:WealmosthadsexbutLol
o
i
nter
rupt
edus.
.
Aat
il
e:Doy
oul
ovehi
m?
Me:PartofmebutI'
l
lbefine.
..I
'
ll
moveon.Hecaughtmeof fguard.
Anywayihavebi
ggerthi
ngstowor r
y
aboutt
hanBayang.
..
Aat
il
e:Whati
sit
?
Me: IwanttogotoMaunASAPbuti
don'
tknowi fpeopl
ewil
lbuymy
thi
ngsquickly
.Mygrandmotheri
snot
feel
ingwell
..
..
Aati
le:
Youcanl
eavethem atmy
houseunt
ily
ouareabl
etogetthem.
Me:
Woul
dn'
ttheydi
stur
byouner
ra?
Aat
il
e:No,I
'
m stay
ingi
nat hr
eebed
nowsotheotherr
oom i
sempt y
.
Whendoyouwantt ol
eave?
Me: Kamosowoul
ddo, ke
sul
agalet
swekegraduati
on
ceremony.
..Mygr
andmot heri
sbeing
abusedbysomeonewhoi ssupposed
tobehercaret
aker
..I
thasbeen
happeni
ngforaweeknnakesaitse.
Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
Me:
It'
sokay
,thanksf
ory
ourhel
p..
.
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.

Thi
ngsgotali
tt
leawkwar
daswe
bot
hranoutofthi
ngstot
alkabout
..
.

Aat
il
e:Howi
sMay
a?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)shei
sfi
ne.
..
Aat
il
e: IoncesawherwithLoloatthe
mall
,itwasf r
om adi
stancethough..
.
Sheisgr own.
Me:
Yeah.
..
Aat
il
e:Doy
oust
il
ldr
ink?
Me:
(laughed)No.
..Nev
er
Aatil
e:(
laughed)May bey oushoul
d
j
ustpaymewi thyourhouseholds,
youowemekana. ..Waitseobari
ngwanyanakewena. .
.You'ret
he
stupi
destgirl
Ihaveev ercome
across
Me:
(laughed)Aat
il
egakebat
e
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Osesomonna.
..
Me:Kehaketshogi
l
egoreannako
yat
engolebogal
egore
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngatme)Amme
kebogal
e?
Me:
(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m)Yes.
..
Aatil
e:(
laughed)I
'm not
..
.(t
urnedand
facedme)Skant shabaautwa?
Me:
Okay
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
lookedatmeandl
aughed)
BPC.
..
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tst
art
..
..
Aati
le:KanaI'm supposedtobe
tr
ansferr
edt oMaun. .
.i
fyoudon'
t
mindthet r
uckthatwi l
lgetmythi
ngs
wil
lbri
ngy ours.
Me:Thatwoul
dbeni
ce,
Ihav
e
not
hingi
nMaun
Aat
il
e:Agot
weket
aat
alet
soneee.
..
Me:
Okay
..
.So.
.Ar
eyout
hebestman?
Aat
il
e:No,
hisbr
otheri
s..
Me:
Okay
..
.
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouseei
ngany
one?
Me:
No.
.You?
Aat
il
e:No.
..(
laughed)i
t'
stoughi
nthe
si
ngl
espool.
..
Me:
Yeah.
..

Ther
ewast
hatsi
l
enceagai
n..
.

Aat
il
e:CanIhav
eyournumbersoi
cancall
youinthemorni
ngabout
movingyourt
hings?
Me:
Sur
e..(
isav
edi
t)Thanks
Aat
il
e:Sure.
..Wantt
ogr
ab
somethi
ngtoeat?
Me:
(smil
edrel
uct
ant
ly)May
be
t
omorr
ow...
Aat
il
e:Iunder
stand.
..

Wehuggedt
henheletgol
ookingi
n
myeyesasi
lookedi
ntohi
s..
..

Aat
il
e:Takecar
e..
.
Me:
Iwi
l
l,t
hanks.
..
.
Hesmi l
edabitandpi
nchedmy
cheekthenhegotint
hecarand
droveout.
..

AtMmaOar
abi
l
e'shouse.
..
.

Lat
eronMay aranint
othebedr
oom
hol
dingabigdoll
andjumpedonthe
bedshaki
ngMmaO. .
.

Maya:(
smil
ed)Mamalook!Look
mama..
.Mama?Lookatmydol l
,i
can'
twai
ttoshowmommymynew
dol
l
...Mama?

MmaOr emainedsti
l
ltheMaya
openedherey
esplayf
ull
y.
..

Maya:Mama?Iknowy
ouar
e
pl
ayi
ng..
.Mama?

May alaughedandti
ckledherbutshe
remainedstil
landunresponsi
vethen
May astoppedsmili
ngandt hr
ewher
doll
away ..
.

May
a:(
wor
ryi
ngl
y)Mama?Mama?
Wakeupbeforeicry.
..
.(t
earf
ull
y)
Pl
easegetupyou'r
emaki ngmecry.
..
Mama?(screami
ng)MAMA?MAMA?

Theniecerushedinandpaused
checki
ngherpulseandtherewas
nothi
ng.Sheleanedoverandli
stened
toherheart
..
.

May
a:(
cry
ing)I
ssheokay
?
Her
:(pani
cked)GetoutMay
a..
.Go
wat
chTV...
May
a:(
shookMaO)Mama?Mama?
Theniecer
anoutmaki
ngaphone
cal
l.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Anhourlat
erherni
ecewal
kedi
nthe
doct
orsoff
iceandputMay
aonher
l
ap..
..

Dr
:Goodev
eni
ng.
..
Ni
ece:
Issheokay
?
Dr:
Ourrepor
tshowst hatt
heoldlady
l
ongpaston,I
'm sor
ryforyourl
oss..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
28PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴8

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hateveni
ngLolosteppedout
ofthebathr
oom wrappi
ngher sel
f
withatowelandsatonthebed
reachi
ngforherphoneonthechar ger
,
ther
ewer enoret
urncal
l
sfrom MaO
thenshedial
edherbuti
twasnot
avai
labl
e..
.

Shef
rownedanddi
aledt
hel
andl
i
ne.
..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,cani
tal
ktoMaO?
Voi
ce:
Whoi
sthi
s?
Lol
o:I
t'
sLol
o..
.
Voi
ce:Ohthemothert
othel
i
ttl
egi
rl
vi
sit
ingmysist
er?
Lol
o:Mayai
snotvi
sit
ing,shest
ays
wit
hher
-westaywi
thher.Canital
k
t
oher
?
Voice:Youcan't
,MaOi slateandyou
mustcomegety ourdaughter
becausewewoul dliketoholdfamil
y
meet i
ngsinthehouseandwho
knowswhatwewi ll
decidewiththe
house..
.
Lol
o:Cani
tal
ktoherni
eceRachel
?
Voice:Racheli
sbusymovingthi
ngs
wit
hheruncl estomakespacefor
guests
Lol
o:Guest
s?Thatf
ast
?Iwasj
ust
tal
ki
ngtoherar
ound6
Voice:Wehav
eourways,j
ust
becausey
ouwerechowi
ngmy
si
ster'
smoneythrowingpart
iesand
sendi
ngyourdaughtertoexpensi
ve
school
sdoesn'
tmeany ouarepar
tof
us.
Lol
o:Cani
tal
ktoMay
a?
Voi
ce:
Shei
ssomewher
eint
he
cr
owd..
.
Lolo:
Crowd?Crowdat10int
he
eveni
ng?Sheshoul
dbeinbed.
..
Ma'am pl
easecanit
alkt
oRachel
pl
easeorgivemehernumber
Voice:Idon'
tknowhernumber,mme
ketsamaesalekeemehof ouni
ng
togabarekeutswel
amoswi ai
rt
ime.
..
Shehungupt henLol o'sswall
owed
tear
full
ysli
ppingintoapani cmode,
thethoughtof"uncles"aroundher
daughtergavear unningstomach.

Shestooduppacingupanddown
thi
nki
ng..
.Shehadt obether
eas
soonaspossibl
e,May awasa
str
angertoever
yoneinMaO' sf
amily
andanyonecouldrapeherandget
awaywithit
..
.

Shereachedf
orherpurseand
count
edherchange.
..
Lol
o:No.
..

I
twasn'tevenhalfthebusfee,she
hadpaidforthegraduati
ongownand
boughtotherfancythi
ngswithher
money.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Ifi
nishedbrushingmyteethand
thr
ewt het
oothbrushi
ntheplast
ic
cupt henIswit
chedofftheli
ghtand
gotinbed.
Il
aidonmysi deandpressedmy
phone,Ihad1r ecei
vedmessageand
Idon'
tev enknowwhyi gotexcit
ed
andcuriousaboutitandit'
ssender
..
.

Coulditbeiwashopingitwasf rom
someonei npar
ti
cular
?Wel licl
icked
onitanditwasfrom Att
ie.
..Ismiled
bi
ti
ngmyl owerli
preadingit.
..

Aatil
e:(
text)I
twasniceseei
ngy ou
upclose,you'
renotasbeaut
iful
asi
thought
.Omasweny anawai
tse
Me:
( r
epli
ed)Lol
gladi
don'
thav
eto
f
eelguil
tyf
orsayi
ngdiWr
ongTurn
havenot
hingony
ou,
yout
aket
he
tr
ophy
Aati
le:Lol
youowet
hisWrongTur
na
fur
nitur
ewort
h76Kwaait
se?
Me: Pardonmymanner ssi
r,Imeant
tosayy ou'
rethespitt
ingimageof
thesehandsomewel lbuil
tmeni n
Amer icanmov i
es,waitseyour emi
nd
meofWi ll
Smith,boBar ackjaana
eishohot ogoreibi
lekeasha
tshutshu!
Aat
il
e:Lol
ohemi
l
etheDi
di
Me:Lolj
ustt
ryi
ngt
oav
oidpay
inga
76Kdebt
Aat
il
e:Mmekanaaki
sswi
l
lbemor
e
t
hanenough.
Me:
Lol
nicej
oke
Aat
il
e:Lol
yeah.Ijustwantedt
osay
hav
eagoodni ghtandgrannyi
s
goi
ngtobeokay .
Me:
Thanks,
hav
eagoodni
ght
Aati
l
e:Sur
ebutI '
m watchingthe
game,Madri
di spl
ayi
ngt onight
basi
manebat senamol ebaleng
j
aana..
.
Me: Ohyou'
rethefoot
ballt
ype?I
heardguyswhowat chfoot
ballar
e
l
essl i
kel
ytocheatbecausethey
spendhalft
het i
mestressi
ngabout
foot
ball.
Aati
le:Lol
Didiwee,
letmecal
lyou
text
ingyalapi
sa.
.
Me:
OK.
.

Iclear
edmyt hroatandt
ookadeep
breathwai
ti
ngt henhecal
led,
ismi
l
ed
softl
yandpicked..

Me:
Hey
..
Aatil
e:(
rel
axedont
hecouch)Wa
reng?
Me:(gi
ggl
ed)Kar
egat
wegal
echi
te
bannabagorat
abol
o
Aat
il
e:(
laughed-
(hi
slaught
erwas
suchat
urnon))Heheheno
comment.
..Ar
eyouinbed?
Me:
Yeah.
..
Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyouwear
ing?
Me:
Isl
eepnaked
Aat
il
e:Takebone
Me:(l
aughed)Hahahail
i
!Watsenwa
Aat
il
eobat adinudesmogonna?
Aatil
e:(
laughed)Ineversai
dt hat
,
you'r
etheonewhosai di
t..
(t
ooka
deepbreath)Sotellmeabouty our
dreams,whatdoesDi diwant?
Me:
(smi l
edpl
ayi
ngwithmyti
ts)
Wel
l.
..Iwantagoodj
obtheniwant
tobuil
tabeaut
iful
houseformy
grandmot
her,I
'
mf rom apoorf
ami
l
y
fi
rstandf
oremostautwa?
Aat
il
e:Eemma.
.
Me: Yeahsol ikeanychi ldfr
osuchi
wantt ochangemygr andmot her's
l
ifeabi ttheni want .
...Agoodman. .
.I
don'tcar eaboutt helooksort hesize
ofhi swal let
,ijustwantaguywho
wi l
llov emeandr espectmet hengi ve
met hreebeaut ifulkids,2girlsand1
boy ,ifhehasaki dorki dsiwoul dn'
t
mi ndhav i
ngthem aspar tofthe
fami ly.I'
dappr eciateitifthi
sguyi sa
traveller.
..Someonewhol oves
travelli
ngbecauseI '
dl i
ketosee
Afri
caandmay beotherconti
nent
sif
thebudgetal
l
owsi fnotI'
m goodtoo.
Whataboutyou?
Aat i
le:Iwantawomanwhowi l
l
respectme, lovemydaught erand
trustmewi thherl i
fe.Iwantalov er,
a
fri
endandmostofal lapart
ner...I'
d
l
iket ot hi
nkofwomenasbet t
er
partner sbecausey oupeoplehav ea
sixthsensewemendon' t
hav e..
.usuall
ywhenawomanhasa
badf eel i
ngitmeanssomet hingi snot
ri
ghtbutus. .Wej usttakeri
sks..(a
callcamet hrough)Someonei s
calli
ngme. .(hechecked)I t
'sLolo,
whatdoesshewant ?
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
whenl
astdi
dyou
t
wotal
k?
Aat
il
e:Year
sago
Me:
Moar
abeeeot
ant
elet
sa
Aat
il
e:Shap.
.

Hehungupandpi
ckedhercal
l
...

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lolo:Hiit
sLolo,
therr
aIhavean
emer gencywenakeadimamadiso
thatIcangetamor ni
ngbustoMaun.
Aat
il
e:I
'
m br
okeakenamadi
.
Lol
o:Aor
ra.
..Can'
tyoubor
rowf
rom
f
ri
ends?
Aati
le:Idoubttheyhav
eanythi
ngat
thi
stimewai t
se.WishIcoul
dhelp
youbutit'
stough..
Lol
o:Okay.
.Ei
sh.
..
theol
dladywho
wastaki
ngcar
eofMay apassed
away
Aati
l
e:Wait
-t
hatl
adywhowas
admitt
edwit
hMayawhenshewas2
year
s?
Lolo:Yessonowherr el
ati
vesare
arr
ivi
ng, i
hearther
eareunclesther
e..
.
(t
earful
ly)I'
m soscar
ed.
..IwishI
couldflyther
eandgether..
.
Aat
il
e:Howmuchdoy
ouwant
?
Lol
o:P200hel
a,hankaiponakel
eko
Mauuhelat
abekeleshap.
Aatil
e:(
satup)Alr
ightl
etmetr
ansfer
themoneyrightnow,havey
oucall
ed
totalkt
oMay a?
Lolo:Wr ongpeopl ekeepanswering
thelandlineandt hesepeopleseem
tothinkIwantt otakeMaO' sthi
ngs
orsomet hing,I'
m sur
eherbody
hasn'tfullyfrozenandthey'
rehaving
funnythought saboutherproper
ty
butthat'snotmyconcer n,ij
ustwant
tomakesur eMay aissafe.
Aat
ile:
I'
ll
senditassoonasihang
up.
..Ei
shlet
'shopesheisf
ine.Do
youev
ertal
ktoheraboutherbody
andst
uff
?
Lolo:Yeah,i
taughthert
hatnoone
shouldtouchherandifsomeone
toucheshersheshouldtel
lme.
Aati
le:
Okay ,
I'
llsendyouP300.Don't
ret
urnit
..I
tsforMay a.
.(l
aughed)she
wasalmostmydaught eryouknow
Lolo:(
laughed)Iknow..I
'l
lgi
veyoua
cal
l whenigetthere,
justtoupdat
e
you.
Aat
il
e:That
'
llbecool
.
Lol
o:Howi
sMay
a?
Aat
il
e:Shei
sabiggi
rlnow.
..She
makesmebreakf
ast
Lol
o:(
laughed)Amme?
Aat
il
e:Yepandshedoest
hedi
shes
sol
if
eisgood.
Lol
o:It
houghty
ou'
dbebackwi
tht
he
mother
Aati
l
e:Inevergobacktomyex'
s,i
don'
tgoaroundincir
cles.
Lol
o:Oh.
.Wel
l
,thanksf
ort
hemoney
.
Goodni
ght
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght

Hehungupanddi
aledDi
di.
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.
Meanwhi
lei
readLol
o'smessage
aboutMaOanddial
edher
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:Ijustsawy ourmessage,
sor
ry
forr
eplyi
nglateiwasfryi
ng
something.
..
Lol
o:I
t'
sokay
Me:Kanai
tmeansy ouhav
et obei
n
Maun,t
hosepeopl
esoundrudeand
whoknowswhereMay awi
llsl
eep
andwit
hwho.
Lol
o:Unf
ort
unat
elyi
can'
tgot
oni
ght
..
.
Myonlyopti
onisthemorni
ngbus,i
won'
tsleep.
..I
'
m stay
ingupal
lni
ght
...
Me:Letmetalkt
osomeoneandget
backtoyou.
Lol
o:OK

Ihungupanddi
aledAat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
Me: Hi.
.Wehav easit
uati
on,
Lolo
needstobei nMaunassoonas
possibl
ej aakaomoi t
sekaMaya,i
knowshewon' tsl
eep.Therr
atshel
a
fuelretsamae?I '
l
ltopwit
hmyP300
Aati
le:(l
aughed)Di
diweedoy ou
knowf uelcostyaMaun-Gaborone?
Lereturn?
Me:(giggl
ed)Iknow, iwoul
dn'
tbe
aski
ngi fi
twasn'timport
ant
..Pl
ease.
..
(whi
ning)Please.
..Pl
ease
Aat
il
e:DoesLol
ohav
eal
i
cense?
Me:
Yes,
sheusedt
odr
iveMaO'
scar
Aat
ile:
Okay
,I'
ll
doi
tifsheagr
eesto
dr
iveandwemustgi
v esomeonewi
th
ali
cenceari
desot
heycanhelpher
ontheway,
Me:
Okay
,letmet
ell
her
Aat
il
e:I
'l
lgetdr
essedgoray
agore
I
'mtaki
ngMay atomycousi
n'shouse,
shehas2daught
ersherage.
Me:
Tal
klat
er.

Ihungupanddi
aledLol
o..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:
IjustaskedAat
il
etot
akey
ou
t
her
e
Lol
o:Ther
easi
nMaun?
Me:
Yes.
.
Lol
o:El
egor
eledi
tsal
akanaj
ang?
Me:No,
hei
scl
oset
oBay
angaker
e
so.
..
Lol
o:Ehemoreeretsamaeee,
i
guesswewil
lfuel
witht
heP300he
j
ustsentme.
Me:Hesentyoumoney?El
egor
e
you'
rebackt
oget
hergape?
Lol
o:No,
ical
l
edhi
m aski
ngf
or
money
Me:
Andhej
ustgav
eitt
oyou?
Lol
o:Yes,
whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Me: I
'
mj ustaski
ng,yousaidyoudon'
t
wanthim manytimesandy oukeep
sayi
ngthatyoudon'twanta
rel
ati
onshipsoI'
mj ustwonderi
ngif
youarechangingyourmindkaene.
Lol
o:I
'
m notbutIdon'
tknow.
.
(si
ghedconf used)Hei s.
..Thisguy
hasasof tspotforkids,ithinkiwas
wrongabouthi m.Kanaher efusedat
fi
rstandassoonasi ment i
oned
May aheagreedi mmedi atel
y ,
heeven
toppedthemoney .Gongweket odi
sa
ngwanaker r
ragwewena. .
Me:Youshoul
djustt
rusty
ourfi
rst
i
nsti
nct
sakerewareyoudon'
ttr
ust
anyman
Lolo:(laughed)Inevert
houghtI
'
d
heary ousayt hat
..
.Youalwayst
ell
mehowmuchofami st
akeimade
l
ettinghi m go
Me:
(laughed)Thatwasanai
veme
tal
ki
ng,awomanmustputherf
oot
downright
?Heshouldhave
under
stoodyoursi
tuat
ion.
Lol
o: TruebutIdon'
tknowany
more,
kooreer i
l
erebuakgantel
ehemel
ted
myhear twit
hthewayhewas
concernedabouther.
Me:
Meani
ng?
Lolo:
Nothing.
..Any
wayletmeget
ready,
thanksforor
gani
singt
hisfor
me.I'
lll
etyouknowwhenwear ri
ved.
Me:I
'
m comingt
oo..
.Remember
Gr
annyneedsme.
Lol
o:Oh.
..
..
ok.
.
Me:
Yeah.
.
Anawkwar
dmomentpassed.
..
.

Lol
o:Al
ri
ghtt
hen,
let
'sgetr
eady
Me:
Shap.
..

AtTaungbusst
op.
..
..
..
..

About2hourslaterAati
lesl
owed
downandroll
edt hewindowtotalkt
o
peopl
ewaiti
ngf orthebusesand
ri
desforl
ongdistances.
..

Aat
il
e:Maun!i
needsomeonewi
tha
v
ali
dli
cencet
ohel
pusont
heway
..
.

Onemanpi ckedhisbackpackand
j
umpedi nthefrontseatt
henAat il
e
j
oinedtheroadast heygreetedone
anotherandexchangedintroduct
ions.

Aatil
eintr
oducedust ohim andwe
hadal i
ttl
echatunt
ilwer eachedthe
fi
ll
ingstati
onwhereAt t
ieparkedon
theotherpumpandst eppedoutas
thefuelatt
endantf
il
ledthet ank.
..

Aati
l
e:Lol
oladi
esf
ir
st.
..Tao
kgweet
se,Romanwil
lhel
pyouont
he
way ,
I'
m exhaustedineedtoget
somesl eepbeforeicangetbehi
nd
thewheel..
..Di
dikey okephasel
e
helaesenanglicensesoeneke
mopal amentehelawakgweetswa..
.
Me:(l
aughed)Aat
il
err
a,i
fonlyy
ou
knewhowmuchIwi shIcoul
ddri
ve
Aati
le:
(gotinthebacksmili
ngatme)
I
t'sembarrassi
ng,don'
ttel
lanyone
youdon'tknowhowt odriv
e..
.Infact
i
t'
sapi t
y

Wel aughedasLol
ogotinthefront
seatandadjust
edthemirr
orlooking
atus,awareofherAat
il
eleanedback
andadjustedhi
sseatallt
heway
downlayingbackwhil
ei i
nnocent
ly
l
ookedout si
dethewindow..
.

Mi nuteslaterLol
odr oveoutoft he
fi
ll
ingst ati
onandj oinedtheroad,She
turnedupt hemusi candf ocusedon
ther oadasAat il
etouchedmypi nkie,
Ipulledbackandpi nchedhishand
withani nnocentlooki ndispl
ay.He
snuckhi shandbehi ndmeandpul led
mybr ai
ddownhur ti
ngmet heni
pinchedhi sarm harder..
.

Aat
il
e:(
mimi
ng)Ouch.
..
.Fuck.
..
Ist
uckmyt ongueoutathim and
qui
ckl
ylookedawayt henhetickl
ed
mywaist.Myheartpoundedasi
l
ookedatLolot omakesureshe
wasn'
tawareasi keptbl
ocki
ng
Aat
il
e'
stickl
esandt ry
ingmybestt o
hol
dmyl aughteri
n..
.

Loloturnedandl
ookedbackcatchi
ng
Atti
e'shandonmywai st,
iswal
l
owed
panickedwhil
eAtt
iecalmywentfor
thenewspaperonmysi de..
.

Aat
il
e:(
Innocent
lyser
ious)MphaThe
Voicekeeokebalepaget
hree.
..
{Passmet heTheVoi
cenewspaper
soi canr
eadpagethr
ee}

Iti
l
tedmybut tthenhepull
editand
l
aidbackopeningthenewpaperup
tohisf
acehidinghisnaughtysmil
e,i
l
ookedatLoloandsi ghed.
..

Me:
Arey
ouokay
?
Lol
o:Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
..

Sheturnedbacktother
oadand
cont
inueddri
vingtheni
angr
il
ygl
ared
atAati
l
e.Hegr
abbedhi
sphoneand
text
edme.

Aati
le:
Eishgatwediponedihelal
eng?
kebatagotshwarakukuy agago
{whenthehell
dothest r
eetl
i
ghtsend?
Iwanttotouchyourcake}
Me:
Aati
l
eokaswaba,pl
easedon'
tdo
t
hat
.Thi
sli
tt
legamei
sover
Aatil
e:Ketshwer wekenopabona
borokgwe,tickl
i
ngy oudi
dt hatt
ome.
{I
'
m hor ny
,lookatmypant s}

Il
ookedathi
sbonerandr
oll
edmy
ey
esthenLol
osnatchedmyphone.
..
Lol
o:(holdi
ngt
hest
eer
ingwheelwit
h
onehand)Letmeseewhoaretal
ki
ng
to.
..
..
..
..

Alway
sremembertoLi
keand
comment,
goodni
ght.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
28PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴9

I
nAat
il
e'
scar
..
..

Sheranherfi
ngersonthescreen
tr
yingt
ounlockthescr
een..
.

Lol
o:(hol
dingt
hesteer
ingwheel
wit
h
onehand)Passwor
dkemang?
Me:
Ican'
tgi
vey
oumypasswor
d..
.
Aat
il
e:Youdor
eal
i
set
haty
ouar
e
dr
ivi
ngri
ght
?
Roman:
Icant
akeov
eri
f-
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..
.

Shepul
l
edov
ert
henshest
epped
out
..
.

Lol
o:Di
dicanwet
alk?

Iquiet
lyst
eppedoutoft
hecarand
walkedtothebackwher
eshewas
standi
ngholdi
ngmyphone.
..

Lol
o:(
star
ingatme)What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Lolo:Don'
tpl
ayme...(
angri
l
y)Ska
batagontwaelaDi
di.Isawhim
touchingy
ou,whatareyoudoing?
Me:Hewasn'
ttouchi
ngme,hewas
r
eachi
ngfort
henewspaper
..
.
Lol
o:(putthephoneonmyf ace)
Tsenyapassword..
.Iwantt
oseewhy
yourecei
vedamessagewhenAat i
l
e
waspressinghi
sphone.
Me: I
'm notunl
ockingmyphone, aft
er
seei
ngt hatiwasn'
tchat t
ingwi thhim
whatwi l
lyoudo?Wi ll
youapol ogise
andexpectmet obehappyy ou
accusedmeofsomet hingi didn'tdo.
Doy oureali
sethatthi
ngsar egoi ng
t
obeawkwar
dbet
weenusaf
tert
his?

Lol
otookadeepbr
eat
handtear
ful
l
y
putt
hephoneonmyhand.
..

Lolo:Il
ovehim Didi
..
..Iam torn
betweenmywhatIwantandwhatmy
daughterneeds.
..(t
earfull
y)tur
n
aroundandlookathi m...Lookat
Aatil
e..
.

Itur
nedaroundandlookedathim
si
tti
nginthebackseatreadinga
newspaperthenitur
nedbackt oher
ashereyesglit
ter
edwit
ht earsunt
il
oneoft
hem r
andown.
..

Lolo:(shakyvoi
ce)Il ov
ehim..
..When
yousai dheistakingmet oMauni
thoughty ouactuall
ywentahead
and..
.Youknow. .
.Becauseyou
alwayssai dImadeami st
aketo
l
eav ehim.Ineedhi m nowmor ethan
ever.
..MaOi sl
ateandhe. .
.
Me:(swal
lowedt
ear
ful
l
y)Soy
ou
wanttousehim?
Lolo:Usehim?Youknowi l
oveAat
il
e,
ineverstoppedl ov
inghi
m.Theonl
y
reasonicouldn'tbewit
hhimis
becausei di
dn'twanttobri
ngmy
daught eri ntother el
ati
onshi pandhe
wasof fendedt hinkingIdon' ttrust
him, andhei sr i
ght..
.Mor allyyou
shoul dn'tbesl eepingwi t
hamany ou
thi
nkcanr apey ourchild...Thingsare
diff
erent ,afterhear i
nghim askmei fi
evert al
kt oMay aaboutherbodyi
reali
sedhemeansbusi nessandhe
reall
ycar es,il
ov ehimf orwhohei s
andf orl ovingmedaught er..
.What
mot herwoul dn'tlovetheonl yman
whoget sconcer nedwheni tinvolv
es
yourchi ld?
Me: Lol
oompol el
aallt
hesegorenna
kerengjaanong?It
oldyouoverand
overtogivehi
m achancebutyou
rej
ect edhi m. .
.Youf oundaguywho
i
snotaf raiddr iveal lt
hewayf oryour
daught er'ssake, spendt imei nthe
hospi tal bringingy ourdaught erfood
andt oy s, letti
ngy oucl oset ohi sown
daught er...Your ej ectedt hatandnot
onlydi dy our ejecthi my ouof fended
him bygi v i
nghi mr easony agor ey ou
don'tt rusthi m ar oundy ourdaught er
,
youaccusedhi m ofbei ngcapabl et o
dot hatandhedi dn' tl
ikeit.IknowI
woul dn' tbehappyi famant oldmei
can'tbr ingy oucl oset omydaught er
becauseIdon' ttrusty ou..
.Youmi ght
poisonmydaught erorabuseher ..
.
Lol
o:Okayl
etmeaskonet
hingt
o
endallt
hese.
..Aati
lewagobata?Be
honestwit
hme. .
.Iknowit
'spossi
ble,
heisaguy..
.
Me:Hehasn'
tspeci
fi
cal
l
ysai
d
any
thi
ngtome
Lolo:
Okay,
hewasn'tspecif
ic.
..So
whatdoeshedo?Touchy ou?Tickl
e
you?
Me:Forthelastti
me, hedi
dn'
ttickle
me..
.Thereisnopoi nti
ntal
ki
ngt o
youbecausey oumadeupy ourmi nd
aboutme.Readi ega,Mayaneeds
you.
..
Lol
o:Di
dit
hemmaoskadumela
Aat
il
ehaakagobat
a,i
lov
ehi
m dear
ly
andi wanttofixthings.Weal lmake
mist akes,minewast oletgoofhi m..
.
Don' ttakeawayt hatchance.I '
m not
sur ewhati sawbuti canfeelthe
chemi strybetweeny out wo,mongwe
mogol onaobatay omongwe,
ditshamekony anat salonaand
teasingoneanot her .
..Juststopit,
youknowhei smi ne.Hael esengwe
tal
kt oBay ang..
Me: (l
aughed)Wow...Okay..
.soI
shouldsleepwit
hamar riedmenow
thatAati
leisi
nvolv
ed?(laughed)Thi
s
i
scr azy.
..
Lol
o:That
'
snotwhati
sai
d
Me:(
sighedexhaust
ed)Lol
oAt i
ega
i
seampat emmehaakampat a
nt
amogana, i
sthatgoodenough?
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..

West oodthereawkwar dl
ylooki ngat
oneanother..
.Icoul
df eelt
hef earin
herheartandherfacehad
desperat
ionwr i
tt
enalloverit.
.She
hadjustlostt
hewomanwhowasl i
ke
amot hertoherandi wassur eshe
di
dn'tknowwher eshewast aking
Mayabecausehomewasn' tthe
answer.Sheprobablycountedon
Aati
leseeingMay aandusingt hat
oppor
tuni
tyt
oaskf
ort
henext
fav
our.
..

Me: (i
heldbot hherhands)Okay ,I
'
ll
behonest .
..Wehav ebeenj oking
aroundleAat il
ebutthat'salli
twas.
Hemakesf unofmet hatpeopl estol
e
theentir
ehousewheni wast here,he
call
smest upidandallthosenames,
j
ustlit
tlethingsbuthedi dn'
tsay
anythi
ngaboutwant ingme.Whenwe
gettoMaunI 'l
lst
ayawayf r
om y ou
guyssoy oucanhav eachancet o
tal
k.
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ryf
oraccusi
ngy
ou,
nowi
feelbadl
i
keI
'm ki
ndofl
ooki
ngf
or
pit
yorsomet
hing
Me:
You'
renot
,iunder
standhowy
ou
f
eel
.

Wehuggedf orawhil
eandt ooka
deepbreat
hst i
l
lhol
dingoneanother
thenweexhaledandwalkedtowards
thecar
..
.

Lol
oquicklywalkedi
nfrontofme
andgotinthebacktheniquiet
lygot
i
nthefrontseatandpull
edmybel t
..
..
Roman:
Shal
lwe?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
..

Meanwhi l
eLololeanedbackand
sighedasAatil
equietl
yconnectedhis
headsetsandstuckthem onhisears
thenhelaidbackclosi
nghiseyes..
..

AtMmaOar
abi
l
e'shome.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngaround6am Aat i
le
parkedthecaratt
hegat eandlooked
Didiasl
eeponthefrontseatthenhe
steppedoutandopenedt hedoorfor
Lol
o..
.

Aat
il
e:(
whisper
edandgentl
yshook
her
)Hey.
.Wear ehome.
..
Lol
o:(sl
owlyopenedhereyesand
yawnedlooki
ngoutsi
de)Oh..
..

Shest
eppedoutsi
dethenhecaref
ull
y
cl
osedthedoorwit
houtasoundand
si
ghedlooki
ngather.
..

Aat
il
e:Sayhi
toMay
aforme
Lol
o:I'
l
ldot
hat.
..Thanksf
ordr
ivi
ng
al
lthewayj
ustf
orme.
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..

Hehuggedherbr
ief
lyandmov
ed
back.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Letmegodr
opof
fDi
diand
go.
.
Lol
o:Gowher
e?
Aat
il
e:Acheaperguest
house.
.Ineed
somesleep.
Lol
o:From herei don'thav
e
el
sewher etogo,isitokayifwecome
byunti
li canfi
gureoutwhat '
snext
?
MaO'sf amilydoesn'twantmesoi
can'
tstayher
e..
.Andthathouse
(poi
nted)Col
l
apsed.
.
Aati
le:
Whydon'
tyouf
indar
oom t
o
rent
?
Lolo:Idon'
thaveenoughmoneyand
evenifihadit
,I'
dsti
llneed
somewher etoli
edownwhi l
ewait
ing
foranyhouseavail
able.Idoubtt
here
arehousesforP300
Aati
le:
Okay,ket
aabatasomethi
ng
andaddont owhaty
ouhavethenwe
dri
vearoundtol
ookforahouset
o
rent
.

Shehuggedhi
m..
.
Lol
o:Thanks.
..
Aat
il
e:sur
e
Lolo:
(mov
edback)Letmet
alkt
o
Didi
Aat
il
e:Skamot
sosa.
..
.Seey
oul
ater
Lol
o:shap

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

I
nMay
a'sr
oom.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterLol
ogr
eet
edMaO'
s
si
sterandheadedt oMaya'sroom,
sheslowlyopenedthedoorand
si
ghedinr el
i
efasRachellaidbehi
nd
May awithherar
m aroundMay aboth
ofthem deepasleep.
..
.

Att
heguest
house.
..

IopenedmyeyesasAati
lesof
tl
y
touchedmyr
ighthandst
ari
ngatme.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.
Me:
(yawningandl
ookingback)
Mor
ning.
..Wherei
severyone?
Aat
il
e:RomandroppedoffatBuyand
Bui
l
dt heni
droppedLol
oathome. .
.
Me:Whydidn'tshewakeme?(
looked
out
side)Guesthouse?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)
Don'
tbeexci
ted,
We
ar
enotheretohavesex
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tfl
att
ery
our
sel
f.
..
Aati
le:Ithoughty
oushouldlaydown
forafewhour ssoyourunclecanget
upinsteadofknocki
ngont hei
rdoors
thi
sear l
y
Me:
True.
..
Aat
il
e:Comeon,
let
'sgo.
..
.
Igotmyhandbagandwal kedinthe
opendoorthenit
hrewmybagont he
chairandt
hrewmyselfinbed,he
walkedinandsl
owlyclosedthedoor
l
ookingatme..
.

Aat
il
e:Shoul
dimakey
out
ea?
Me:
(yawni
ng)No,
I'
mfi
ne.
..

Itookoffmycl ot
hesremainingwi th
mypant i
esandpul l
edaduv etov er
fi
xingmypillowashet ookof fhis
shoesandgoti nbedwi t
hhi st-shi
rt
andjeansthenhemov edcloserand
puthisarm aroundmebr eathing
downmyneck.
..

Aat
il
e:Nnaker
obal
akaJeanaut
wa?
Me:
(sl
eepy
)Okay
..
.

Icl
osedmyey esi
ntoxi
cat
edbysl
eep
ashegavemeasof tki
ssontheneck
andlai
dhisheadonthepi
ll
ownextto
mefall
ingasl
eep.
..
.

AtLol
o'
smom'
s.
..

Lat
ert
hatmorni
ngLoloandMaya
wal
kedthr
oughthegat
easher
motherr akedtheyar
dwhi
l
eGobona
pi
ckedt heleaveswit
ha
wheelbarrow..
.

Gobona:
(laughed)Bona,
bona

Hermot herst
rai
ghtenedherback
andlookedatLoloandMay a,t
hey
bot
hhadgai nedweightwi t
hagood
complexionandthoughshewasn' t
sur
ewhensheknewLol owas
completi
ngherstudiesthatyearand
shewoul dsoonfi
ndaj ob..
..

Gobona:
MaOi
sdeadandshe
remember sus, monateohelaka
bothokotot awheni t
hinkofthefact
thatexactlyy est
erdayitwasMay a'
s
partyrekgakahal el
wahoogoj ewadi
cakeledi drinkbuttodaymot hoo
sule.
..(
laughed)Deat hdoesn't
choose,richorpoorwheni t
'stimeit
's
ti
mel apha!
Her:Uh..
.Gobona..
.Youshoul
d
reducebeingsonegati
ve,MaOwas
ourneighbourandasmuchasI'd
hatetoadmi tt
hisshehel
pedmy
daughterrai
seherchil
d..
Gobona:I'
mj ustsayi
ng..
.Andibet
MaOl efteveryt
hingforherr
eal
fami
ly.
.
Lolosmil
edandrespect
ful
lygr
eeted
hermotherwhosmiledbackand
greet
edherwit
hahug. .
.

Lol
o:HI
Her
:Hell
omygi rl
(SherubbedMaya'
s
hai
rinagreet
ingmannner)HiMay
a
May
a:Hel
l
o
Her:
Comehav easeat
..
..Gobona
br
ingachai
r.
.
Lol
o:No,
I'
m notst
ayi
ng..
.Iwasj
ust
sayi
nghi
becausei
tsbeenawhil
e
si
ncewemet
Her
:Aohav easeatsoIcansee
Maya,howareyou?I'
m sor
ryabout
MaO..
.Iknowhowmuchshemeant
t
oyou.
Lol
o:I
'
minahur
ry,
sayby
eby
eMay
a
May
a:By
eby
e..

Shet urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
pressingherphone.
..

Att
heguest
house.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatmorni
ngIsl
owlygotup
andst
ret
chedmyback,Aat
il
ewas
si
tt
ingonthechai
rwi
thheadphones
onhisear
swatchi
ngamov i
e..
.

Sl
owlygotupandwr appedmy sel
f
wit
hat owelt
henirubbedhishead,
helookedatmeandr emovedthe
noi
syheadphonessmi l
i
ng..
.

Aat
il
e:Goodmor
ning.
..Br
eakf
asti
s
her
e..
.
Me:
Yeah,
letmet
akeabat
hfi
rst
Aati
le:
Sowhatwerey
out
wot
alki
ng
aboutlastni
ght
?
Me:
Um sheaskedmet
oleav
eyou
al
oneandassoonasiwal
koutof
her
eI'
m gonef
orgood.
Aat
il
e: (
stoodup)What
?Iregr
et
agr
eeingtohelpherwi
thr
ent.
.Why
wouldshesaythat?
Me:
Becauseshel
ovesy
ou.
..

Igoti
ntheshowerandtookof
fmy
towel
ashestoodbythedoor.
..

Aat
il
e:Lolohasnorightt
ocontrol
whoi t
alkto,
meandherhav e
not
hinggoingon.
..I
'
m call
ingher
Icl
osedt
hetapandst
eppedout
dri
ppi
ngwat
er.
..

Me: Pleasedon'tdothat
..
.Shej ust
l
osthermot herandsheisstranded,
don'tconfrontherwit
hthingsli
kethis
becausei twil
lalsomakemeabad
person.
Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngatme)Di
dii
lov
eyou.
..
Me:Youal
sohav
eaf
ri
endcal
l
ed
Bay
ang
Aati
le:(
laughed)Ifihavetochoose
I'
dchoosey ouandi canseey ou
chosemeov erLolobecauseyou
wouldn'
tbest andi
ngher ei
fyou
choseher ...Stoplyi
ngt oyourselfDi
di,
youcan' tmakeev er
yonehappyand
trustmei fany onewasf acedwi tha
dilemmal iket hi
sonet heywoul d
followt heirheartsandapol ogisefor
i
t...Noonecanchoosey our
happi nessov erthei
rexceptyour
mot her
.
Me:
Minedi
dbuti
gety
ourpoi
nt.
.
Aatil
e:(smiled)Wear enotcheat i
ng
onany one...Thelastt
imei checked
wewer edumpednott heotherway
around...Theychosenott obewi th
usbecausemay bewewer en'tgood
enoughorbei ngwithuswasn' ta
pri
orit
ybutI 'm her
eandI '
m asking
y
outopl
easegi
vemeachanceto
l
ovey
ouandseewher
eitgoes.
..

Helookedatmywetf aceand
swall
owedl ooki
ngatmyl ipsthenhe
l
eanedov erandkissedme, hejer
ked
meupandputmei ntheshowert hen
hepull
edouthi swhitevestand
pul
ledoverforasteamyki ss.
..
.

Heturnedmear oundasIfacedthe
mist
ymi rr
orthenherubbedthemist
of
faswel ookedatoursel
ves
st
andinginnudeintheshowerthen
hesl
owl yki
ssedmyneckpushedme
cl
osert
othemir
rorasisuppor
ted
mysel
fwit
hthesi
nk..
.

Aati
l
e:(whi
sper
ed)You'
remi
nenow
okay?
Me:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)Yes.
..
.
Aat
il
e:Sayi
t.
..
.(gr
abbedmyneck
pul
li
ngmetohisfaceforaki
ss)Say
i
t.
..
Me:
(bitmylower
)I'
m Aat
il
e'
sgi
rl
..
.
I
'myours.
..

Hel
i
ftedmybuttandteasedmewith
t
heti
pasihel
dthesinklooki
ngat
my
sel
font
hemi
rr
or.
..

Me:
Putonacondom.
..
Aat
il
e:Ofcour
se.
..Isawt
hem i
nthe
dr
awer.
..
.
Me:
Mhhhhhh.
..

Hepoli
shedhisv
einedpyt
honand
pl
ayeditar
oundmydr i
ppi
ngwet
pussy
..

Aatil
e:(hear
tpoundi
ng)Ohf
uck.
.Oh
fuck.
..Haaaa..
.
Me:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)Ah.
..
.Ah.
..
Igotdesper atewi t
hev eryrubandmy
pussyaut omat i
call
ymade
contracti
onssensi nghi m atthe
entranceashet easedmewi ththetip.
Atthispointi di
dn'tcareifhewas
wear i
ngacondom ornot ..
.Ihad
reachedanot herlevelicouldn't
explainandhi spythonwasal li
needed.STDscr ossedmymi ndbut
thenpeopl ewi t
hHI Vlookedf ine
anywayandweal lgoingt odieat
somepoi nt..
..Godi waswetwai ting
forhim...
Icouldtellfr
om hisgrant sandhow
hischestexpandedeacht i
mehe
tookabr eath,condomsseemedt oo
farbecausehecoul dn'tletofthe
pussyandabi ggerpartofhi m
wantedt ofeeltherealmeat ..
.He
wantedt ofeeltheheartbeatandsof t
tossesonhi sskin.Het houghtabout
STDsbut ..
..Hewasatt heent r
ance.
..
Soclose...
.

Aat
il
e:Fuckt
his.
..Iwanti
traw.
..

Hebitl
owerl
i
pputt
inghi
sarm
ar
oundmyneckput
tingmeonchoke
sl
am andsqueezedhi
msel
finasi
st
uckmybut toutf
orhi
m..
.

Bot
h:(
roar
ing)Uhhhhhh.
..
.Uhhhhhh

Hel etgoofmeandlookedatmei n
themi rr
orasil
ookedathi
mt henhe
grabbedmywai stwi
thbot
hhands
and#r emoved.
..
..

(expl
i
citcontentr
emov
edandpost
ed
atTWIMf oll
owers)
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
28PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 10

Att
heguest
house.
..
.

Aatil
eleanedagainstt
hewallwhil
ei
l
aidbetweenhi sl
egsaswewat ched
amov iethenhisphonerang,
he
reachedforitl
ookingatt
hescreen.
..
.
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sLol
o
Me: (si
ghed)I
t'
syourphone,y
ou
don'thavetot
ellmeeachtimeshe
cal
ls.
Aat
il
e:(
picked)Hel
l
o?
Lolo:Hey.
.um.
..
.I
'mjustwal
king
aroundthemallwit
hMay a.
Aat
il
e:Doy
ouneedsomet
hing?
Lolo:
Notreal
l
y,justl
ett
ingy
ouknow
becauseweagreedI'
dcomeover.
.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llcomegety
ou
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..

Hehungupandsi
ghed.
..
Aat
il
e:Shesay
ssheisst
randedko
mmolongkangwana
Me:
(gotup)Ok.
..

Iqui
etl
yputonmyclot
hesandshoes
ashesatonthebedwatchi
ngme..
.

Aat
il
e:Let
'
sgot
oget
her
Me:Ican'
t,Idon'
twanthert
oknow
whathappenedhere
Aati
l
e:Idon'tunder
standwhyihave
tohi
defrom Lolowhenshedumped
me4y earsago,howst upi
dist
his?
Sheisnotev enmyexbecausewe
di
dn'tdate.
..Wedidn'
tevenki
ss.
.
Nothinghappenedbetweenuswhy
doesshef eelshei
senti
tledt
ome?
Me: Womenthinkdi
ff
erent
,she
thi
nksyou'
rehersev
enifyouhave
neverki
ssedher
Aatil
e:Didicanwef ocusonusand
avoidtr
y i
ngt oimpr essfr
iends?A
fr
iendwhocan' tletyoubehappyi s
notaf r
iend...Whyshoul dyou
sacri
fi
cey ourhappi nessforherjust
because4y earsagoshet houghti
wasar apist?Ifshei ssuchaf r
iend
whycan' tsheleav eusaloneandf ind
amanwhowon' trapeherdaughter ?
Me:Womenar eal
otmore
compli
cat
edthant
hat.
..
.Byt
heway
howisyourHI
Vstat
us?
Aat
il
e:Idon'
tknow
Me:
Youdon'
tknow?
Aat
il
e:what
'sy
our
s?
Me:Ihav
enev
ert
est
edf
orHI
V
bef
ore
Aatil
e:It
ested9y earsagowith
May a'
smot herwhenshewas
pregnant
,thatwast helastt
ime.
Shouldwet est?
Me:
YesbutI
'
llcal
lyou.
..
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.Let
'sgo.
..
Igotmybagt
henwel
eft
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...
..

LateronMayalai
dherheadonLol o'
s
chestandfel
lasl
eepasshewaitedat
Debonair
soutdoorsi
tt
ingareat
hen
Aatil
epull
edover,
hesteppedoutand
walkedoverput
ti
nghiskeysinthe
pocket.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.
Lol
o:Hi
..
Aat
il
e:Di
dyoueatany
thi
ng?
Lol
o:No
Aat
il
e:Cani gethersoyoucanorder
something?Oryousti
lldon'
ttr
ustme?
MaybeI '
ll
rapeherwhil
eputti
ngher
onmyl ap?

Shestaredathi
m, hewasclearl
yst
il
l
angr
yaboutherst at
ementsormaybe
hewasangr ybecausehecaredwhat
shethoughtofhim..
.

Lol
o:I'
mverysadthatididn'
tthi
nk
twi
ceaboutwhatisai
d...I
t'
s
off
ensi
vetobethoughtofasachi l
d
mol est
erwheny ou'
renot .
..
.Butto
answery ou- Itrustyou.
..Andidon't
blamemy sel fbecausei wasgoing
throughav eryt r
aumaticexperi
ence..
.
Mydaught erhadnotev enhealed.
Althoughunr eali
sti
cmyf earswere
j
ust i
fi
ed..
.

Hesighedandgentl
ygotherwhi
le
t
alki
ngtohertoavoi
dstart
li
ngher
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
soft
ly)May a?
..
..Comeher
e..
.
Comehereprincess.
.

Shecomf
ort
abl
ylai
dherheadonhi
s
shoul
dersasl
eepasLolostoodt
hen
hehandedherthecarkey
s..
.

Aati
l
e:If
orgotmywal
leti
nthecar
..
.
Otarehi
thel
amoteng
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Lolorushedtot hecarwher eshe

openedandgothi swal letthenshe
sawhi sphone, shequi cklylookedat
Debonairsthrought hewi ndshield,
Aatil
ewassmi l
ingtalkingt oMay a
pointi
ngatthemenut henshe
pressedit,
luckilyhedidn'thav ea
passwordandshewentt hroughhis
messages.

Herhear
tshutt
eredassher eadhis
messagesthenshecheckedt he
gal
ler
ywhichhadoverhundr ed
pi
ctur
esofDidiasl
eepont hebed.

Lolo:(
tear
ful
ly)Godishoul
dn'
thav
e
touchedhisphone.
..

Shelockedthecarandsl owlywal
ked
towardsDebonair
swat chingas
Aati
leandMay alaughedar gui
ng
aboutsomethingonthemenu. .
Tearsf
ill
edhereyesbutshetooka
deepbreathandbrav
elywalkedi
n
wit
hasmi le.
..

Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Andmommyi
sher
e?
May a:
(laughed)Mommyhesay
s
cheeseisnoty el
l
ow
Lolo:
(laughed)I
tdependsonwhat
ty
peofacheesei tis.
..
Aati
le:Weordered,i
didn'tknowwhat
toorderforyou.
.(
hehandedhert he
moneyandputhi swalletinthe
pocket)Here
Lol
o:Okay
,I'
l
lor
derf
ormy
sel
f.
.

Shemadeanorderandqui
etl
ysat
downhol
dingt
herecei
pt.
..

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?
Lol
o:Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Aatil
e:Wecanwal
karoundthemal
l
topasstheti
meunti
lthepi
zzai
s
ready.
.
Mommy :Yei
..Il
i
key
ou,
what
'sy
our
nameagain?
Aat
il
e:(
laughedandl
if
tedherup
l
eadi
ngthem out)Myname..
..Um.
..
(smi
ledatLol
o)Shoul
dit
ell
herwhat
sheusedtocal
lme?
Lol
o:Don'
tdot hattoher,sheisolder
shemightactuallybeli
evey ouand
getdi
sappointedwhenshef i
ndsout
i
twasallajoket oy ou.
Aati
le:(
stoppedsmi
li
ng)What'
sthat
supposedtomean?Thiswas
supposedtobeajoke,kei
ri
leeng
yaanong?
Lol
o:Nev
ermi
nd,
I'
m sor
ry.
..
May
a:Mamaar
eyousad?
Lol
o:(
smi
ledandtouchedherar
m)
NobabyI
'
m notsad..
.
Theywal kedinPepandheputMay a
downt hensher ant owardsthetoy
sect
iont henher eachedinhisback
pocketforthephoneand
remember editwasi nt
hecarthenhe
l
ookedatLol o'sseriousface."
shit
"
hethoughtast heybot happroached
Maya..
.

Aat
il
e:Canwet
alk?
Lol
o:Aboutwhat
?
Aat
il
e:Whaty
ousawi
nmyphone.
..
Lol
o: (
tear
ful
ly
)Ididn'
tseeanyt
hing
i
ny ourphone.
..(
tear
schokedherand
shequickl
ywalkedoutsi
derubbi
ng
hert
ears)I
'
m goi
ngt
ocheckont
he
pi
zza.
..
.

Aati
l
eregret
tabl
ylookedatheras
shewalkedawaythenheturnedt
o
Maya..
.

Aat
il
e:Heypi
ckonethi
ngsowecan
go,
pizzai
sready
..
.
May
a:Okay
..
.

Shepickedoneandt
heyj
oinedt
he
queue..
..
Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..
.

Ifi
nishedraki
ngandwashedmy
handst henij
oinedmygrandmot
her
i
nt hehousewher eshewasappl
yi
ng
l
otiononherbody ..
..

Me:Imanagedtocl
eanthey
ard
ei
sh.
..I
tlookedl
i
keagoatkr
aal
Her:
I'mjusthappyt
obehome..
.when
ar
ey ougoingbackt
othegr
aduati
on?
Me:Idon'tthi
nkI'
ll
go,whowi l
l
remai
nwi thyou?It
'snoti
mport ant
anyway..
.Icompletedmystudies
anyway.I'
l
lcoll
ectmydegreelat er
Her:
I'
m prayi
ngf oryoutofi
ndajob
andiknowyouwi l
lwork,
iwon'
tdie
bef
oreitast
ey ourmoney
Me:(l
aughed)Don'
tdi
e..
.Sowhen
l
astdi
dy ouseeKedi
bonye?
Her:I
twasawhil
eago..
.Bay
angis
theonewhousuall
ycomesher
eto
help
Me:
Whoi
sBay
ang?
Her:
Hesai dy ouwerefr
iendsor
something.
..Healwayscomesby
andfetcheswaterforme,someti
mes
hebuysmef r
uits.
Me:Youmusthavefor
got
tento
menti
oni
t,i
didn'
tknowBayang
keepsdr
oppi
ngby
Her
:Imustbeget
ti
ngol
d
Me:Iwantt
ogowashy
ourcl
othes
andbl
anke-

Myphoner
angt
heni
wal
kedout
..
.

Me:
Hey
Lol
o:Ar
eyouhome?
Me:
Yes.
Lol
o:Okay
,I'
m comi
ngweneedt
o
tal
k.
Me:
Mindi
fIaskwhatt
hisi
sabout
?
Lol
o:Youandme.
Me:
Ok,
bye

Ihungupandcol
l
ect
edt
hedi
rt
y
l
aundry
..
.

AtDebonai
rs.
..

Aati
lepushedMayacl
osert
othe
tabl
eandtookaseatgr
abbi
ngafor
k..

Maya:Weprayf
ir
st!Weal
way
spr
ay
bef
oreeat
ing
Aat
il
eputt
hefor
kdownandheld
Lol
o'
shandandMayawi
ththeother
..
.

Aat
il
e:Pr
ayMay
a?
May
a:Godbl
essourf
oodAmen.
Bot
h:Amen.
..

Theyqui
etl
yat
easMay
aat
etal
ki
ng
tohert
oys.
.

Aat
il
e:(st
ari
nginLol
o'
sey
es)I
'
m
sor
ryforhur
ti
ngyou.
.
Lol
o:Youdidnot
hingwr
ong,
Ihav
eto
getovery
ou
Aat
il
e:Getoverme?(l
aughedi
n
di
sbel
ief
)You'r
etal
ki
ngasifyouev
er
l
ovedme
Lolo: Ilovey ouandI '
m sorrythatwe
i
nt erpretlovedi f
fer
entlyand
under standoneanot her'
sst ruggles
differentl
y.Youdon' tunderstandwhy
iwassoscar edtoseewheni hada
diamondandi di
dn'tunderstandwhy
i
twasof f
ensi veformet osayIdon' t
tr
usty ouwit hmydaught erbecause
youmi ght..
..Youknow
Aati
le:Ilov
edy ouLoloandi meant
everysingl
et hi
ngisai
dtoy ou.
..I
t
tookyou4y ear
stocontactmeandi t
wasonl ytoborrowmoneybecause
you'
rebr oke.Whatt y
peofl ovei sthat
?
I'
m beginningtothinkyouar eusi ng
me..Wheny ouhadt hatoldladyand
yourstudentall
owancey ounev er
tal
kedt omenotoncei n4y ear sbut
nowt hatsheisdeadandy oudon' t
haveal l
owancey ouwantme. ..Why
can'
ti behappywi thoutyou
remindingmeofwhati l
ost?Whati s
thepointofallthese?Ussi t
tingher e?
Can'tyouletmemov eoni npeace?
Lol
o:I'
m sor
ryyoufeel
li
keiwantt
o
useyoubutthat
'snott
hecase
Aat
il
e:Wecoul dhav
eachievedso
muchtogethergompienoyaanabo
Mayadon'tknoweachother,o
dr
awbackmobot
shel
ong.
Lolo:Drawbackisthinki
ngyou'r
e
mov i
ngonbysl eepingwithyour
fr
iend'sex
Aat
il
e:Bay
angandDi
dinev
erdat
ed
Lol
o:I'
m angryatyouyetwedi
dn't
ki
ss,canyouimaginehowangryhe
wil
lbesincehesleptwit
hher
?
Aat
il
e:Theyal
mosthadsex
Lolo:(
laughed)Shem..
.Bareal
most.
Theyhadsexandi wal
kedinonthem,
amokgonami seonthefl
oorandI
alsodon'tr
ememberseeinghim
removeacondom whi chcanonly
meanonet hi
ng..
.
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ohur
tme?
Lolo:No, whywoul di?I
'mj ust
showi ngyouwhoshei sbutt heny ou
knowher ,
wai tsegor eDidintl
eke
l
ebelet ebecauseshesl eepswi th
mar r
iedmen, dinightstandsgase
sepemogoene.Sexi sli
kegr eeting
peopleandIdon' twantt oimagi ne
theamountofSTDsshei scar rying.
..
(Aati
le'sheartskipped)Bannal enal e
tendencyt olookatawomanand
assumeshei sheal thy,
noHI V,no
STD....
Aati
le:
Canwej
usteat?Al
ltheseSTD
tal
kismaki
ngmelosemyappet i
te.
.
Lol
o:(
stoodup)I'
m goi
ngtobuy
somethi
ngfrom t
heshopbehi
ndKFC,
iwon'
tbelong.
.
Aat
il
e:Sur
e
May
a:By
emommy
..
.
Aati
l
e:(smi
l
edwatchi
nghergo)Thi
s
tr
usti
ngmeshi
tistur
ningmeon
Lolo:
(roll
edherey
es)You'
rel
osi
ng
yourmind..
May
a:Shi
tisabadwor
d
Aat
il
e:Ooopssor
ry.
..

Theyconti
nuedeat
ingwhi
l
ewai
ti
ng
forher
..
.
Atmygr
andmot
her
'shouse.
..

Lateronisatunderthetreedoingmy
grandmother'
slaundryasLolo
walkedthroughthegate,isatup
l
ookingatherandsmi ledbutshe
wasn'tsmili
ngandIcouldt el
lshe
wasangr y
...

Lol
o:(angri
l
y )Soy ousleptwit
hhim
thi
smor ni
ngaf t
erlyingtomeor eyou
weren'
tchatti
ngwi thhiminthecar?
Heshowedmeev erythi
nginhis
phoneandt oldmehewasj ust
passi
ngt
imej
ustl
i
keBay
angwas
passi
ngt
imet
hesamewayBr
andon
was.
Me:Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m,di
dhesay
isl
eptwi
thhi
m?
Lolo:Soyou'
regoi
ngt odenyit?
Didint
let
hemmaol ebel
ete.
..Isther
e
anymany ouhaven'
tsleptwith?You
mustbesol oosedownt her
e
Me:Ican'tbel oosethansomeone
whopushedababy '
sheadbecause
thesi
zeofadi ckandababyar eway
toodif
fer
ent .AndatleastI'
m havi
ng
sexattherightage,ofcoursewena
okarel
axeraker eokgot shesexsal
e
ojewakogof orm 1nnakel ebari,
ntogel
alennakejewe, losi
ngyour
vi
rgini
tyatater
ti
aryl
ev elisaseri
ous
delayandineedtocatchup, ke
ngwanammamogowenaosekawa
i
tekanyalenna.Youneedt oleave.
..
.
Lol
o:You'r
enot
hingbutabi
tch,
a
whore.
..
Me:Yousaidyoudon'
twanthim, he
wasn'
tevenyourex.I
ffall
ingi
nlove
wi
thAati
lemakesmewi ckedt
henI'
m
pr
oudofit
Lolo:
(gotonmyface)Themmagao
kakewar at
anal
eAatil
e..
.Youwon'
t
i
bil
eobuakamakgakga?
Sheslappedmeont hefaceand
touchedmyf acestari
ngatheri n
shockthenshekickedmeont he
stomachandpushedmeont he
soapywaterasi f
oughtt okeepmy
headupst ari
ngattheWashi ng
powderpar t
icl
esfl
oatingont he
water.
..

Me:(
pani
cki
ng)Lol
ont
esawa
mpol
aa.
..
Lol
o:(
angr
il
ykneedmyback)Ot
aa
swabamogonnaDidi
autwa?
Shest ompedonmyf i
ngersandmy
handssl i
ppedthenifel
li
nt hesoapy
waterstruggl
ingtogetupandshe
kneltonmybackwi thbothknees
pressingmyheadundert hewateras
Idrowned...
..
.

Li
ketheinser
ttogetaweekend
bonus.Goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[9/
3,11:
29PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 11

Undert
het
ree.
..
.

Ibegunlosingconsci ousnessas
watergotinmyl ungswi t
hev ery
breat
hi t
ri
edt aki
nandwat erfi
ll
ed
meupasi slowlylosttheener gyto
fi
ghtmywayoutoft hewat er.I
wishedicouldtalksoi could
apologi
seandpromiseherthethi
ngs
shewantedbecauseIcouldfeelmy
l
ifeslowl
yleav
ingbody.
..

Accordi
ngt omygr andmothershe
hadheardar guingandwonder edwho
iwastalkingandassheappr oached
support
ingher sel
fwi t
hthe
broomstick,fr
om herchall
enged
visi
onshecoul dseemebendi ngover
thebathwashi ng..
.

Gr
andma:(
frowned)Di
di?Di
dihear
ar
gui
ng?
Shenot i
ceditwasn'
tmeasshe
st
oodupandr ubbedherwethands
onhert -
shir
tthensheranoff
.My
grandmot herwalkedoverand
st
r uggledpulli
ngmyheadoutt he
wat erbutIkeptsli
ppi
ngbackinthe
wat erthenay oungboybentoverand
l
if
tedmeoutoft hebat
handont he
ground. .
..

Grandmot
her
:Thanky
ouson.
..I
sshe
okay?

Theboyleanedoverdoi
ngamout
hto
mouthresusci
tat
ion
*
**

Astrongchestpresssplashedthe
waterstr
aightoutofmymout hand
nostr
il
sasi gaspedforaircoughi
ng
andcryi
ng...

AJuni orschoolboykneel
i
ngonthe
groundqui et
lyst
oodupandreached
forhisbackpack..

Gr
andmot
her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Icoveredmyfacecr
yingloudl
ythen
theyoungboytur
nedaroundwal ki
ng
awaywheni t
urnedaroundtothank
him hewasnowaytobef ound.

Me:
Wher
eist
heboy
?
Grandmother
: Di
dheleavealr
eady?
Wecoul dhavegiv
enhim coi
ns..
.Was
t
hatLol or
unningaway?Tell
meI '
m
mistaken
Me:
It'
sher
..
.
Grandma: (
angr
ily
)Whatdi di say
aboutfr
iendsDidi
ntl
e?Obobony e
botsal
aakere?Ialwaystel
ly ouabout
fr
iendsbutnoyounev erli
stentome..
.
Iconti
nuedcryi
ngsitt
ingonthesoil
asmygr andmotherstoodinfr
ontof
mesuppor t
inghersel
fwitha
broomsti
ckangril
yscoldi
ngme. .
.

Grandmot her:Gakeratemony ana

yoor ataaditsalakagoredi maswe,
tsalaay aagobol aahelajaanaabee
didi
mal abat hobaithelaobodi l
e.Haa
ratajaanal ethabanelamonnagase
sepegapekemonnahel ajaana.
Me:
(cr
ying)Mmamakeut
ule
Grandmot
her
:(tappi
ngherf
ingeron
herpal
m)Koorehaesemothoa
tholaagokel
etseletor
okogongwel e
gongwekoay angtengt sal
akeye,le
aparagotshwanal ehapaanel
a
diapar
olelal
alotheleakanyago
tshwana.
.Tswamodi tsal
eeDidi
nte.

Evenasmygr andmotherscol
dedme
isti
ll
coul
dn'tbel
iev
eLolotri
edtokil
l
meandact ual
lyl
eftmeunconscious
withaweakoldwomanwhocoul dn'
t
evengetmeoutoft hewater.

Grandma: Womenwhoar ealways

wi
t hfr
iendsdon'
tsucceedinanyt
hing,
t
hydon' tbecomewivesbecause
rel
ationshi psneedat tentionandf ull
concent ration, howwi llyougi vey our
manat tentionwheny ou' r
eal way s
withfr i
ends?That 'swhyy ouhav en'
t
showedmeanymanasy our
boy f
riendbecausey ourboy friendi s
Lolo,shei st heoney ou'real way s
with.Thi sist hebestt imef ory out o
fi
ndagoodmanbecausei fy oupl ay
aroundunt ilyou'reoldy ou'llbe
forcedt opi ckany thi
ngt hatsay swi l
l
youmar ryme.Youcan' tt hinkofa
businesst ost artorsomet hingt o
keepy ourselfbusybecausey ou' re
alway swi tht hisgir
l,you'rewast ing
ti
meonusel ess.Asahumanbei ng
somet i
mesy ouneedt imealoneto
thi
nkaboutt hedi rectionyourli
feis
taki
ng,toev aluatey ourli
feandy ou
can'tdothatify ou'realwayswith
fri
ends.Alphaf emal esdon'trunin
packsDidintledoy ouhearme?
Me:
Whatdoest
hatmean?
Grandmother
:That
'sforyoutofi
nd
out.
..
.Tswamobot saleng
ngwanangwanake,
gasegor ehao
senatsal
aotaaswa. .
.Let'
sgo
i
nside.
..

Islowl
ygotupanddust
edt
hemud
offmyski
rtfol
l
owingmy
grandmot
heri
nsidewher
eshesat
downandinst
ructedmetosi
t.
..
.

Grandmother
:(exhal
edcal
mly
)What
happenedoutthere?
Me: Thereisamanwhowant edher4
yearsagobutsher ej
ectedhi m,they
didn'
tdoany thingt ogethernotev en
tokissorany thing.Thismanr ecentl
y
contactedme, wewer et al
kingabout
somet hi
ngel seandendedupbei ng
tooclose.Wef elli
nloveandhedi dn't
wantt ohideourr elati
onship,monna
wat engkemot hoy oelenggor ehe
want sstr
aightt hi
ngsandhei s
alway sclearaboutwhathewant s.
Hei sgoodatcommuni catingbutI
feltbadcauseLol otoldmeshe
want edhim backbecauseMaOi s
goneandshehasnoone. ..(t
earf
ully
)
Ijustfeelli
kesheisusi nghi mtofind
herdaught erthenextmeal because
monnawat engor at
abana.She
reali
sedt hateachtimeshesay s
somet hingaboutherdaught erhe
j
umpssoshei susingher .Yanongo
seny el
etsannabecausennakeamo
rata.I'
m disappoi
ntedthatwhenhe
metherheshowedherourmessages
andt oldherhewasusi ngme.
Gr
andmot
her
:Heseemsconf
used
l
eav ehimforher,you'
l
lfi
ndanother
onewhoi snotconnectedtoher.Cut
them bothoutofyourli
febecause
shewi l
lendupkill
i
ngy ouify
oukeep
goingbacktothisman.
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)ButIl
ovehi
m-
Grandmot her:Shewon'tstopf i
ghti
ng
youandy ouknowy oudon' tknow
howt ofight,t
hesekindsoff i
ghts
neverhandandwomenwhof i
ght
overamanar eneverhappy .Lethim
goandf ocusonsomet hingel se.A
goodmanwi l
lcomey ourwayandi f
i
tst hesameguyhewi llcomet oyou
withoutdrama.Lovei skindandi t
's
notpainful,amanwhol ovesy ouwi l
l
sweepy ouof fy ourfeetespecial
l
yat
thebeginning, t
hisonei snotyoursi
f
theloveisn'tburningfrom the
beginni
ng...
Pr omi semet hatyouwil
l
stayawayf rom t hisman
Me:
I'
ll
stayawayf
rom hi
m.

Il
eanedoverandcri
edasmy
gr
andmothercont
inuedt
alki
ngt
o
me..
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Meanwhi
l
eAat
il
ewonder
edar
ound
themal
ltoki
llt
imeashet
ri
edLol
o'
s
numberagai
n..
.

Lol
o:I
'
m comi
ng,
wher
ear
eyou?
Aati
l
e:Mayaisti
redorobet
seandI
beencar
ryi
ngherforal
mosttwo
hour
snow,kelapil
ewherearey
ou?
Lol
o:I
'
m comi
ng,
ohakae?
Aati
l
e:MrPr
ice.
..
gotot
hepar
kingl
ot,
I
'l
lmeety
outhere.
Lol
o:I
'
m comi
ng.
..

Hehungupandwal
kedtowardst
he
carwher
ehelai
dMayaontheback
andf ixedherskirtthenhet ookoff
hist-shirtandcoveredherl ower
torso...Hefixedhisv estandgoti
n
thefrontseatasLol ojumpedinthe
carhol dingasmal lplasti
c..

Lol
o:Done,
I'
m sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ou
wai
ti
ng..
.
Aati
le:
canwegofi
ndyouguy
sa
room?Iwantt
ogobackandwat
ch
thegame.
..
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Hedr
oveoutoft
hepar
kingl
ot.
..
Att
hecl
i
nic.
..

Lateroniwalkedoutofthe
consult
ati
onr oom wi
thmypi nk
medicalcardandqueuedatt he
di
spensaryformypi l
l
s,t
her ewastwo
l
adiesinfrontofmeexci
t edlyt
alki
ng
aboutaweddi ng.
..

Lady
:Aonesay sshewantsawhit
e
fr
eshflower
sforherbouquetwhi
ch
meansweal sohavetobuy
somethingl
i
ket hat
..
.
Lady
2:Fr
eshf
lower
sar
eexpensi
ve
doesAoneknowt hatnotal
loft
he
bri
desmaidsareworki
ng..
.Shecan'
t
expectaHoll
ywoodweddingin
Botswana
Lady:Herhusbandi
spay
ingt
he
fl
ori
st.
.
Lady2:WhatdoesBayangdoneh
wena,i
sheadoctor?Ioncesawhi
m
passi
ngwithIndi
andoctor
sbaapar
e
diwhit
ecoats.
Lady:Heisalabtechni
ciani
n
Letshol
athebehospi
tal
.
Lady2:BoAonebalakithe..
.Kana
bouquetisP350.
..
..
.Cany ouimagine
havi
ngt hosei
nchurchandatt he
t
ent
..
.
Me:(smil
ed)Hi
.
..Sor
ryfor
eav
esdroppi
nglar
ebouqueti
show
much?
Lady
:P350
Me:Rebuakaset
huny
asamony
adi
aker
e?

Theybothlaughedandi
joi
nedi
n
l
aughing.
..

Me:Ijustwantt
obesur
eweare
t
alki
ngaboutthesamet
hing
Lady
:yesP350,
thatf
lowert
hatt
he
bri
deholdsandthr
owsawaywi
thi
n5
hours.
..Weddi
ngswast
emoney
Me: Idi
dn'
tknowflower
sar
ethat
expensi
ve,dopeopleev
enbuyt
hem?
Lady2:Honeypeoplebuyflower
sf or
thei
rweddingswithoutl
ookingback
akeretheywanttoimpresspeople.
Kananowaday speoplecompetewi t
h
weddings
Me:(
thought
ful
l
y)Ibetsomeonecan
makealotofmoneyasaflor
ist
Lady
2:Aker
e!

Theygott
hei
rpi
ll
sandwalkedaway
ashandedmycar
dthoughtf
ull
y.
..
..
.
I
nAat
il
e'
scar
..
..

UB40hi tsplay
edasAat i
l
edrove
sl
owl ylooki
ngoutthewi ndowwhile
Lololookedoutonhersi deofthe
windowbot hsearchingforavacant
house.May astoodbet weenthei
r
seatssuckingsloll
ipop..
.

Aat
il
e:Thi
sisexhaust
ing,
ican'
tsee
any
thi
ng
Lolo:
Metoo..
.Let
'sgetabr
eak,
i
needtobat
hanyway.
Aati
le:
(tur
nedthest
eer
ingwheel
)
Let'
sgoback,l
ennagakeathapa
phakel
a..

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Sir
,wear
eaty
ourhouset
o
l
oadup
Aatile:Uhsof ast,managementdi
dn'
t
tell
met heywoul dsendatruckt
oday.
Icoul dhaveleftthekeysbutmy
sisterhasspar ekeys.Letmetal
kto
hershewi l
lthereshort
ly
Voi
ce:
Thanks.
.

Hehungupanddial
edDi
dibutshe
di
dn'
tpi
ckagai
n..
..

Aati
le:Didi
hasn'
tbeenpi
ckingmy
cal
lssincemorni
ng,Iwonderwhy.
Thetruckwassupposedtopickher
thi
ngstoo
Lol
o:Whatt
ruck?
Aati
l
e:Ohi hav
ebeent r
ansfer
redto
Maunsoi wasjustwait
ingfor
managementtofinal
i
seev er
ythi
ng
aker
egovernmenteslow.
Lol
o:(smil
ed)Idi
dn'
tknowy
our
movinghere,
Didi
thekemol
oiwhy
di
dn'
tshetellmethi
s..
Aatil
e:(t
houghtf
ullyt
alki
ngoutloud)I
remembert el
li
nghertoleavethe
keysunderthebrick,t
heseguyscan
j
ustloadupont heirownifshetalks
tothelandl
ord.
Lolo:Butifshehasn'
ttal
kedtothe
l
andlordy oucan'
t,t
heywil
laccuse
theguy softheftanddel
ay
every
thing.
Aatil
e:(t
ryi
ngDi
di'
snumberagai
n)
True..
.
Lol
o:Myt
hingsar
ether
etoo,
cani
t
alkt
omyl
andl
ordbat
elet
sone?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.

Shedialedherl
andlor
dandtal
kedt
o
herthenAati
legavethetr
uck
di
recti
onstoherhouse..
.

Lolo:
Soyouhaveahouselehao
robal
ainaguesthouse?
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sempt
ysoi
can'
tusei
t.
Lolo:
Ifiknewi woul
dhavel ong
askedyoutoaccommodat eMaya'
s
thi
ngs,MaO' srel
ati
vesaretaki
ngher
thi
ngsandt heymightst
arttaki
ng
Maya'sthi
ngsfort
hei
rchil
dren.Can
youtakethem t
oyourhouseuntil
i
f
indahouse?
Aat
il
e:Whati
sit
?
Lolo:I
t'
sthebed,
bicy
cles,
clot
hes,
studytabl
e..
.MaOboughtheralotof
thi
ngs.
Aat
il
e:Sur
e,wecandot
hat
.
Lol
o:I
'
llcal
lthemovi
ngtruck,sohow
bi
gisthehouseyoubeengiven?
Aati
l
e: I
t'
sa2bed,howmuchar
ethey
char
ging?Imi
ghtneedt
heATM
machine
Lolo:
P150.
..Imi
ssMay
a..
.Howi
s
she?
Aati
le:P150isokay(smiled)May ai
s
fi
ne,st
illt
alkat
ivebutnowi t
's
annoyi
ngbecausesheasksdi ff
icul
t
questi
onslikewhydoi havehairon
mychin
Lol
o:(
Laughed)Imi
ssmydaught
er
bat
ho.
..Shemustbetal
l
Aat
il
e:Shei
stal
lnodoubtbutshe
say
ssheisababy
Lol
o:(l
aughed)i
can'twai
ttoseeher
agai
n..
..
(t
ookoutherphone)l
etme
cal
lamov i
ngcar.
..

Shecal
l
edt
hecar
..
..
.
AtHome.
..
.

Lateratt wil
i
ghti choppedt hewood
andst artedthef i
reasgr annysaton
thestoopdr inkingtealisteningt
o
Tatedisoy adikgang.Adj ustingt
othe
useoff i
reandpar aff
inlampwas
diff
icultespeciall
yafterusing
electr
icit
yforsol ong...

Asishov edt
hepapersbetweenthe
woodi knewihadtogetajobsoon
ormyci t
ycomplexionwouldvar
nish
andthewholeideaofshari
ngone
room wit
hmygr andmotherwas
l
imiti
ng,isti
l
ldidn'
tknowwher
eiwas
goingtoputmyhouseholdswhen
theyarr
ived.
..

Me:Mmamadoesyourpl
oughi
ng
f
iel
dhav
epaper
s?
Her:
Yes,t
hey
'r
einy
ourgr
andf
ather
's
br
ief
case
Me:Iwonderi
fthatoldfencei
ssti
ll
i
ntact
,iwantt
ostartgrowingf
lower
s
Her
:Fl
ower
sforwhat
?
Me:Peoplebuythem f
orweddings,
par
ti
es,val
enti
nesdayandothers
Her
:Cany
oupl
easecomeupwi
th
somet hi
ngseri
ousli
kegrowing
vegetabl
es.Thatgar
denisbythe
ri
verandy oucansel
ltheveget
abl
es
tobiggershops
Me:Theydon'tbuyvegetabl
esfr
om
smallpeopl
eli
keus,peoplepass
Spi
nachsaP10out sideonlyt
obuyit
P15inChoppies.Iwouldn'
tmake
money
Her:Whoisgoingtobuyf lowers
whentherearebeaut i
ful
plasti
c
fl
owersforfuneral
s?Hav eyouseen
howbeautif
ul f
akeflowersare?Do
youremembery ourgrandfather
's
funer
al?
Me: Thati
sav eryi
mportantpointf
or
met oconsider
,ishoul
dwr i
tethat
downonmybusi nesspl
ankodi
str
engthandweaknesses
Her
:Howmuchwi
l
lyousel
laf
lower
?
P5
Me:(l
aughed)Aummama. .
.Di
thuny
a
di
aturammai j
oo..
.(pi
ckedapieceof
wood)abundlethi
ssizeisP350
Her
:(f
rownedshocked)Hee?
Me:(l
aughed)Yes.
..Abundlethesi
ze
ofSpi
nachtsaP15wheni tcomesto
fl
owersi
tsP350andt hat
'sthe
mini
mum price.
Her
:Sowhenar
eyoust
art
ingt
he
busi
ness?
Me: (
laughed)Idon' tknow. .
.Ihaveto
fi
ndmoneyt ogol ookatt hegarden
andseehowmuchwor kshouldbe
done,I'
m sur etreeshav egrownt her
e.
I'
l
lhavet of enceandf indawayof
wateri
ng. .Choosingt het ypeof
i
rri
gationsy stem I'l
luset henbuy
shades,flower sar esensitiveand
Mauni sv eryhot...I'
mv er
yst r
essed
becauseal ltheseneedsmoneybuti
havenot hing.Koor ei havet ostar
t
withsmal lerbusinessest orai
se
moneyt ost artthisbusi ness
Her:
Yes,pleasedoeveryt
hingyou
can.
..Thi
sbusinesssoundsli
kea
furt
uneandcheckt hegovernment
grantsandsponsorshi
p,ial
wayshear
somet hi
ngaboutitontheradi
o..
.

Iboiledbathi
ngwaterwi t
habig
met albucketont
hefireandwalked
i
nt hehousewherei l
itthepar
affi
n
l
amp. .
.

Me:Mmamay ousai
dyoudi
dn'
tuse
cooki
nggasaker
e?
Mmama: Idon'
tl
iket
hatt
hing,
the
stoveonit
sownisver
yscarywheni
t
catchesf
ir
e.
Me:
(laughed)Ot
husi
tsemma,
nkabo
keapaakai
iyaana?

Igotstartedondinnerandsatspread
acarpetshehadmadef rom Maize
meal sackstheniputablanketand
satdownt y
pingmyt odoli
stforthe
busi
nessandt hetot
alcostofthi
ngsi
needed.

Icheckedmyphoneandf ound
Aatil
e'
smissedcallsthenistepped
outoflel
wapat ogetawayf r
om my
grandmother,
shewoul dkil
lmei fshe
knewi wastalki
ngtohim...
Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o
Me:
Hi,
Isawy
ourmi
ssedcal
l
s.
Aati
le:Thetr
uckisloadi
ng
households,
tal
ktothelandl
ordso
theycangetyours.
Me:Okay
,I'
l
ldot
hatj
ustnow.Ar
e
youwi
thLol
o?
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
.
Me:
Weneedt
otal
k
Aatil
e:I'
llpassbyl aterbecauset
here
arethingsy ouhidf r
om mel iket
he
factthatyouact uall
yhadsexwi th
Bayang, didn'
tyousayy ougot
i
nterrupted?
Me:
We.
..
.Hedi
dn'
tcum.
..
.We.
.
Aati
le:Ser
iouslyDi
di,whoareyou?
Kooreonemi nuteyou'r
ethi
s
i
nnocentmi sunder
stoodpersonand
thenextyou'r
eexactl
ywhaty ouwere
mistakenfor
Me:Ist
hatwhyy
oushowedherour
conv
-
Aat
il
e:I
'
m di
sappoi
ntedi
nyou
Me:
Cany
oul
i
stent
om-
Aat
il
e:Di
dyouev
enusepr
otect
ion?
Me:
Weusedpr
otect
-
Aati
l
e:Andyou'
real
iar
.Whenicome
seeyouIwantt
ohearnot
hingbutt
he
t
rut
h,bet
ranspar
entwi
thme.
Me:
Okay

Hehungupt
heni
sighedandwal
ked
back.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Aati
lehungupandwal
kedint
he
housewhereLol
owaspacki
ngthi
ngs
i
nthesecondroom.
.

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.
Lol
o:Hey
..
.Wher
eisMay
a?
Aat
il
e:Shei
spl
ayi
ngont
hatswi
ng
Lolo:(
laughed)Ibett
hepeopl
ewho
stayedhereareintr
oubl
egobaitwa
swingMay aeneibil
eset
seaiti
ketse
mogoy one
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)andsheissi
ngi
ng
andswi
ngingli
keit'
sher
s..
.
Lolo:
Doy ouhav
eyourbat
hingseti
n
thecar?
Aati
le:Yeah,
idi
dn'
ttakei
tout
becausetheguest
househadi
tsset
Lol
o:I'
llgett
hebat
hroom r
eadyf
or
youthen..
Aat
il
e:Cool
..
.
Lol
o:Canwet
alk?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.

Hewal
kedoverandsatnextt
oher
f
aci
ngher
..
.

Lolo:Iknowt hati hav

edisappoi nt
ed
youbef oreandy oudon'ttr
ustme, i
t'
s
okayt hat'
swhatmakesushuman.
I'
m sor r
yf orhur t
ingyoubutt hatwas
4y earsago, l
et '
sputitbehindusand
tryagain..I'
m her ewithMay aready
todoexact l
ywhaty ouaskedf or.You
saidunt i
lI'mr eadytogetintot hi
s
relat
ionshipwi t
hmydaught erl i
ke
youareget ti
ngi nwi thyour syoucan't
bewi t
hme.Yousai dyouwon' tbe
withmei fidon' ttrustyouandnowi
do..Il
ovey ouandy ouknowy oulove
meot herwisey ouwoul dn'tbehurt,
youwoul dn'
tst i
ll bebitt
eraf t
erall
theseyears.Let '
sgi veourchi l
dren
thefamilytheydeser ve..
.Webot h
l
ov eourchildrenandt heyl ov
eone
another,
I'm sureboMay awoul dlove
tomeetagai nl i
ket heydi dbefore..
..
Thishousecanbey ourfreshstart.
Let'
sfil
litwithbeaut i
fulmemor ies.
.
Thisisourchi l
dr en'sroom andt hatis
ours..
.Thisy ardisour s..
.
Aati
l
eswal l
owedl ooki
nginherey
es
andtheol
df eeli
ngsburnedfr
om
deepwit
hin,thenewshewai t
ed4
year
stohearf i
nall
ycameoutofher
mouth.
..

Aat
il
e:Whydi
dyout
akesol
ong?
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
.
Aat
il
e:Isl
eptwi
thDi
dit
hismor
ning.
.
Lol
o:(
smiledtear
full
yandkissedhi
m)
Andyou'
rehonest,howsexyisthat
?
Aat
il
e:Howdoi ev
entel
lhert
his?I
t'
s
goi
ngtolookl
i
keIusedher.
Lol
o:Youdi
dn'
tuseherandshehas
otheropt
ions.
..
shel
ovesBay angand
youknowDi dii
snotaboutseri
ous
rel
ati
onships.
Aat
il
e:Yeahbut
-
Lol
o:Butnothing,j
usttell
herst
rai
ght
toherfaceli
key oueasil
ytol
dme
abouther.
Aati
l
e:(l
ookingatheruncer
tai
n)I
hopeyoureall
ylov
emeLol owait
se?
Lol
o:Whatshoul
dIdot
opr
ovei
t?
Aati
le:(
smi
l
ed)I
t'
sokay
..
.Il
ovey
ou
too.
..

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedherput
ti
ng
hi
shandunderherski
rtt
henshe
gr
abbedhi
shand...

Lol
o:Cani
swi
tchof
fthel
i
ght
s?
Aat
il
e:(
smi
ledandki
ssedher
)No.
..I
wantt
oseeyou.
..
Lol
o:(
rel
uct
ant
ly)Letmegocheckon
Maya.
.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..Whati
sit
?
Lol
o:Ket
shot
seMay
akaoper
ati
on.
.
Aat
il
e:So?
Lol
o:Theydi
dn'
tdopr
oper
ly
Aat
il
e:Sowhat
?Letmesee.
..
Lol
o:Howaboutnextt
ime?
Aati
le:
Alri
ght
..
.(st
ood)Letmego
tal
ktoDidi
..
.

Atmygr
andmot
her
'shouse.
..
..

Latert
hateveni
ngiapproachedthe
carandAati
ledeemedthelight
s,igot
i
namdcl osedthedoor.
..

Me:
Hi.
..
Aati
le:
Hey.
..
.whatdi
dyouwantt
o
tal
kabout
?
Me:
Youcangof
ir
st.
..
Aat
il
e:Ineedabr
eak.
..
Me:
What
?
Aati
l
e:Ever
ythi
ngisgoi
ngf
astandI
don'
twanttohurty
ou.
Me:Justbehonestokay
?Youdon'
t
hav
etosugarcoat-
Aati
le:Okayi t
'sov er.
..Andit'
snot
you,it
'sme. .
.IloveLol oandpar tof
mebel ievesshei smat ureenought o
handleaf ami ly.That'sthemost
i
mpor tantt hi
ngf ormei na
rel
ati
onshi p,awomanwhocanl ook
aft
erourchi l
drenr esponsibly
,a
womanwi t
hsoberhabi t
s..
.Maya's
motherdr inkst hat'swhykesar ate
mosadi y
oonwangboj al
wakanao
r
atangdi
part
y..
.Ineedawomanwho
i
sreadyt
otaketherol
eofawi
fe.
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Idr
ankoncei
nmyl
i
fe-
Aat i
l
e:I'm notdi
sputi
ngthatbutLol o
i
smuchmor ematur
e.I'
m 8y ear
s
olderthany ouguysI'
m notlooking
foragi rl
fr
iendIwantawi f
e, someone
whoknowsat hi
nkortwoaboutl i
fe
struggles.Loloogodil
ethalogany o
wenaomony enyane

Isteppedoutoft
hecarandsl
ammed
thedoor..
.

Me:
Bye
Iwal
kedawaycover
ingmymouth
ti
ght
lyast
ear
sblurr
edmyvi
sion.
..
..

AWEEKLATER.
..

Li
kef
oranot
herBONUS
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
29PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 12

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.

Iwatchedf r
om thecrowdasLol o
sobbedwhi l
stMaO' scof f
inwent
downt hegrave,shewasn't
acknowledgedorev engivena
chancetopayt helastrespectwi
th
famil
ybyt hrowi
ngabi tofthesoil
l
ikeMaO' ssocal l
edclosef ami
ly
member s..
.
Aal
:(sl
owl
y)Boi
tshwar
ejwamodi
mo
j
onakeabobat
la
Akebout
lwemopel
on
Eebol
elel
ang
Kemopoi
fongkemof
if
ing
Kemodi
tl
alel
ong

Theslowsongsandpeopl ecrying
gotmeemot i
onalsuddenlyireali
se
onedayi mightburymygr andmot her
andthethoughtoni t
sownsaddened
me, t
earsfi
l
ledmyey esasi l
ookedat
Lolocry
ing,if
eltali
ttlesor
ryforher
becauseiknewshenev erhadtimet o
mournMaOshehadt otakecar eof
herdaught
er'
sneedsf
ir
st.Ibetithad
j
ustsunkinthatMaOwasi ndeed
goneforgood..
.

Iwalkedthr
ought hecrowdandstood
nexttoherasshel ookeddown
cryi
ngtheniputmyar m ar
oundher
,
sheturnedaroundandl ookedatme
surpri
sedandsmi l
edgl adl
ywit
h
reddi
shswolleneyes..
.

Me:
Sor
ry.
.

Shehuggedmet
ight
lycr
yingasi
rubbedherbackthenwebot
hturned
aroundandli
stenedtot
hepast
or..
.

*
**

Lateronpeopledispersedgoingto
thei
rcarstoheadhomef orthelast
partoftheserv
icetheni wal
ked
towardsahalfempt yvanigotar ide
from earl
i
erbutLoloranbehindme. ..

Lol
o:Hey
..
.Cani
giv
eyouar
ide?
Me:
No,
itsokayi
gotar
ide.
.
Lol
o:Iknowbut
..
.Canwegot
oget
her
?
Me:
It'
snotnecessar
y
Lol
o:Pl
ease,
forol
dti
mesake.
..
Me:
(si
ghed)Okay
..
.

Ifol
lowedhertoAati
l
e'scar,
amongst
thecrowdwashermot herwalki
ng
towardsanot
hervan.
..

Me:
yourmot
heri
sov
ert
her
e?
Lol
o:Saythi
ngsl
iket
hatandy
ou'
l
lgo
backtot
hev ant
oo
Me:
(laughed)Uhu
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iknowy
ou'
ret
ell
i
ng
methattochall
engeme
Wel
aughedawkwar dlyasIgoton
t
hepassengerseatt
henshejoined
t
hel
ongqueueofcar s.

Therewassi lenceinthecarwi t
hthat
awkwar dnessy ougetafterhavi
nga
bigfi
ghtwi t
hy ourv er
ybestfri
end,
theoney oudeepl ymissbutwon' t
admitbecausei twi
llmakey outhe
stupi
done.Themostawkwar dpart
beingthatyoucanseeshewant sto
makeupwi thyoubutshedoesn' t
knowhowt ost art
..
.
Istil
lfel
tgui
ltyforsleepi
ngwith
Aatil
eknowingshewant edhim back,
iknewshewashur tandt hewayshe
keptsecretl
yglancingatmei could
tell
shewonder edifi hadbrui
ses
from herbeati
ng.

Weusedt ofightgr
owingupandwe
wouldbet oldtostayawayf r
om each
otherthenwewoul dmakeupand
secretl
ybef r
iendsagainunti
l
everyonegav eupbutthatone
parti
cularfi
ghtwast hefi
rstofour
adulthoodandt hi
ngswereext r
emely
awkwar d..
.
Lol
o:(br
oket hesi
l
ence)Il
i
key
our
ski
rt
..I
tlooksgoodonyou.
Me:
Yougav
eitt
ome
Lol
o:Iknowijustdi
dn'
tknowwhatto
say
,allt
heseawkwardnessi
smaking
menervous.
..

Shepull
edov
erandt
urnedt
ome
tear
ful
l
y..
.

Lol
o:(
swal
l
owed)Cani
seey
ourback?
Me:
Idon'
thav
ebr
uises
Lol
o:Letmesee.
..
Itur
nedaroundli
ft
ingmyt opthen
shetouchedmeandpr essed
somewher ewher
eithurt.
.

Me:
Ouch.
..
Lol
o:Youhavet
wobruises.
..It
hink
i
tsweremykneeswere..
..
.Didyougo
tot
hecli
nic?
Me: Yeahbutigotpainkil
ler
sonly.My
backwaspai nful
buti di
dn'twantto
explainmuchsoi didn'
tment i
onmy
backorneck, I
'
mf inethough.It
's
nothing.
..
Itur
nedar oundt
ohertearful
ly
putt
ingherhandstogetherli
keshe
wasprayingexceptcr
ying..
.

Lolo:(
shakyvoi
ce)I
'm sor
ry.
..I
ts
beeneatingmeinsi
debutiwas
afr
aidtocomebecausei t
hought
you'dbeatmebackorsomething..
Me:
Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
..I
tsf
ine
Lolo:NopleaseI'
m sor
ry.
..Ibetyour
grandmotherhatesme,ij
ustr an
away ,
idi
dn'tknowwhattosayt oher,
iwasashamed.
Me:Ipassedoutandshehadt
o
st
ruggl
etokeepoutofthewat
er,
someboyhelpedmebutdon'
twor
ry
aboutit
,shei
sanel
der
lyshewon'
t
underst
and.
Lol
o:Pl
easef
orgi
vemeforputt
ing
myhandsonyou.I
twaschi
ldi
sh
Me: Lolocomeon. .
.It
snotabi gdeal,
iforgiv
ey ou..(
smi l
ed)Butnotuntil
youf orgivemef orsl
eepingwi t
hyour
crushsl ashi
magi naryboyfr
iend.
Lol
o:(l
aughedandpoi
ntedatme)
Imagi
nary?Real
l
y?
Me:Wellyoudidn'twanthim andsai
d
youwereputt
ingy ourfootdown
hewehewestrongwomanandt hen
heissuddenl
yy ourClyde?
Lol
o:Itol
dy ouwhatchangedmy
mindthough,l
ovecomesi ndi
ff
erent
ways.
Me:Okayy esy oudi dandi
understandbuti gotal i
t t
lesel fi
sh
andforgotal laboutt hecodesoI '
m
sorr
y.IknowI '
dthr owaf itifiknew
yousleptwi t
hBay angt houghi don't
wanthim.I twoul dmakemequest ion
youandourf utureinr elevancet omy
boyfr
iends.I'm sorryf orcr ossingt he
l
ine,Aatil
ewasanogoar eai shoul d
havejustgot t
enr i
doft hat
temptation..
.Pleasef orgiv eme
Lol
o:(smi
l
ed)Youst
il
lhav
en'
t
for
giv
enmefir
st
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
,let
'sdoi
ttoget
her
?
Bot
h:(
hugged)If
orgi
vey
ou.
..

Wesighedbackawkwardlyt
henhe
drov
et hecarj
oini
ngt
helongqueue
ofcars..
..

Lol
o:Isawyouradver
tsaboutsel
l
ing
someofyourhousehol
ds
Me: Yeah,iwanttohaveasmall
tuckshopwhi l
esti
ll
searchi
ngfora
j
obsot hatIcanhavemoneyforthe
pads.
Lol
o:That
'
sabr
il
li
anti
dea,
I'
m sur
eit
wi
llmakemoney.(
laughed)You
al
waysli
kedsel
l
ingsweetsatschool
Me:Mxm andt
hentheteacherwould
makemepickal
lthepapersbecause
shesai
dashopmustbekeptclean
Lolo:
(laughed)andthenI
'dbefor
ced
tohelpyoubecausey ouwere
wasti
ngmyt i
mewhi chwasn'
tfai
r
becausey ouref
usedtogivemeon
credi
t
Me:Becausey
ouneverpai
dme,
i
al
wayshadtoaskf
ormymoneyover
andover
Lol
o:Youknowkenekebonamadi
kasewel
osohokeasetsengt
eng
f
iveshel
engt
abekebat
agoikut
usa
mabudul
awenaobatakegoduel
a
Me: (
laughed)
Neokai t
helapel
oya
gagoer i
l
eshiroko!Nkaregatwekene
kegokopi l
egokol ot
adi sweet
s
tsame

Wel aughedasshepar kedinMaO's

yardthenwej oinedthecr
owdasthe
speakersummer i
sedthel
astpar
tof
theburialser
vice..
..

Uncle:
(concl
uded)Andthedeceased
ret
ir
edf r
om t
hemi ni
str
yoftr
adeand
i
ndustry7yearsago.Shel
eaves
behindamot her,threesister s,
a
goddaught erandhergr andchi l
d
(r
elati
vesl ookedathi m withev i
leyes
andhecont inuedt alkinglikehe
couldn'
theart hem mur mur ing)
whom sheador edl i
keshewasher
bloodgr andchi l
d.I'm gladt hisli
ttl
e
girl
gav eMaObr ight erday sduring
herlastday s.Themedi cal r
ecords
showsshewasawar eshehadul cers
butliv
edl if
et othef ul l
est.Mayher
soulrestinpeace. ..

Me:(whispered)Di
dyouknowshe
hadulcers?
Lolo:(
whi
speredback)wei
rd,I
'
mj ust
heari
ngaboutitnow.
..Howcouldshe
nottel
lme?
Me:Shepr
obabl
ydi
dn'
twantt
owor
ry
you.
..
.

MC: (concludedt hevoteofthanks)

andt hanky ouv erymuchforyour
suppor tlekamoso, apulaelenele.
Pleaser emainseat edmetsi
ny anaa
tengkahabot sadi,t
hankyou..
.

Westoodupandwal kedtowardsthe
cart
hentheuncl
ef r
om earl
ierhur
ried
behi
ndusashisjacketwaved
ar
ound.
..

Uncl
e:Al
oner
ight
?
Lol
o:Eer
ra
Uncle:
Pleaseremai
nbehi
nd,wehav
e
afamilymeeti
ngandyoushoul
dbe
ther
e
Lol
o:No,
it'
sfi
ne.Idon'
twantt
o
i
ntr
udeor-
Uncl
e:Pl
easegetbackandwai
tfor
themeet
ing
Lol
o:No,
it'
so-
Me:(el
bowedherandsmi l
edatthe
uncl
e)Shewil
lwait
,thankyouvery
much.
..

Hetur
nedar
oundandwal kedaway
t
henLolomassagedherbreast
..

Lol
o:Ouch.
..Youhi
tmybr
east
Me: Ishoul
ddrowny ou,can'
tyousee
thereissomethi
ngimpor t
antyou
probablyhavetohear?
Lolo:MaO' ssistersar
eev i
lDi
di,
thereisabsolutelynot
hingwai
tse
tota?
Me:Theydi
dn'
ttrytodr
owny
ouso
t
heycan'
tbethatbad
Lol
o:Iknowyou'r
egoingtoholdthi
s
agai
nstmeforthenextyenyears.
.
Me:
Youknowi
t.
..
.

Wewai tedforhoursuntil
ev er
yone
wasgonet henwej oinedthefamily
i
nsidethehouse, r
elati
veslookedat
uswithev i
leyesandwewer en'
t
comfortabl
esitti
ngthereatall,
ifeyes
weregunst heywouldhav elongshot
us.
..

Amanwal kedinwithabri
efcase
andgreet
edev er
yonethenheopened
thecaseandtookoutsever
alpapers
out
..
..

Him: Thisist hel astwillofOnkar abi

l
e
Mot swer e,ifyou'rehear i
ngt hev oice
ofTinasheNcuber eadingt hist heni
am nomor eandpl easebeatease
foriam r estingwi ththeangel s...To
mybel ov edmot her ,
ili
vet hisv ery
house. .Theonewear eallsittedi n.
(everyonesmi ledawkwar dly)Thank
youf orraisingme.Tomybel ov ed
nieceRachel Mot swer ei l
eav emycar ,
youngl adyt hanky ouforal way s
beingav ailablewhenev eri needed
help.Uncl eJohnMot swerei knowi f
Alonei spresenti sbecausey ou
i
nsist edt ogetherwi ththel awy er,
that'showmuchi knowy ou.Il eave
toy oumyl atehusband' st ract orand
the8hact oresfiel
d, iknowy ouwi l
l
makeuseofi t.Tomybel ov edgr and
daught erMay aMowana, ileav e
behindmyhousei nSedi ewhi chwi l
l
bepr ot ectedbyAl oneMowanaunt i
l
May ai s18.Al oneI'dadv isey outolet
thoseUKt enant sremai nt her eand
uset hatmoneyt osur vive, i
tshoul d
beenought orenty ouagoodhouse
andpr ovidey ouwi thgr ocer iestoo,
pleaseal way srenov atethehousei f
youwantt ohav etenant sofhi gh
quality.Thanky ouf ory ourt ime, I
wishyougoodl uckandhappiness,
i
am atmyr est
ingplace.Si
gned,
Onkarabi
l
eMot swere.

Thelawy
erfol
dedi
tasMaO' ssi
ster
s
l
ookedatoneanot
hersur
pri
sed.
.

Sister
1:I
sthatpaperr
eal?Whatifi
ts
fake?Whywoul dMaOl eav
esucha
bighouseatthepri
mespotf oragi
rl
shedoesn'tknow?
Uncle:Youdon'
tknowt hegir
l
becauseyoudon'tknowMaO, I
'
m so
gl
adshemadet hi
ngseasierwit
ha
wil
l,shesavedmet heenergyof
fi
ght i
ngy outomakesur ethatlitt
le
girlgotsomet hingfrom her
grandmot her.(stoodup)Lawy ere
wedi tsetirobet sho,wewillseehi m
tocol lectourcer ti
fi
catesandneeded
l
egal paper st
ocl aim ouri
nheritance.
Apol ogiest othosewhonev erloved
theirfami lyandt henget
disappoi ntedwhent heydon'tget
nothing. .
.

Lol
oandIl ookedatoneanotherin
shockwithalit
tl
esmilebutwe
coul
dn'thugbecausewedidn'twant
tobeinsensi
ti
vetoMaO' smot her
..
.
Lawyer:(
toLol
o)Pleasesignher
e
andhere.
..Thi
swil
lhelpyouchange
ownershi
pofthepropert
y.

Si
ster:(
gaspedremembering)She
di
dn'twri
teanyt
hingaboutthesal
oon?
I
'mtakingmysister
'ssal
oon
Sist
er2:
Whyshoul
ditbet
akenby
you?
Si
ster
3:Kanakehoo
Lawyer
:Ladies.
..
ali
tt
lesi
l
encewoul
d
do,I
'
mt r
yingtogetpeopl
etosi
gn.
.
Si
ster
:(wal
ki
ngaway
)Mxm
Mzimbakwey owahet
elel
ayaanong
nxl
a..Fakel
awyer
..

TheywalkedoutasLol
oandthe
otherf
amilymemberssi
ghed.
..
.

Nearmygr
andmot
her
'shome.
..

Latert
hatmorningLol
oparkedt
he
carashortdi
stancefr
om home.
..

Lolo:
(sighed)It
hinkyou'
reokayher
e,
yourgrandmothermightki
llme
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..
Sheopenedherpur
seandgav
eme
P100.
..

Lolo:Pl
easegetanoi
nt mentf
ory
our
back,it
'sal
it
tl
edark.
..Ekar
ego
kgalet
semadi..
Me:Lolocomeon..Youdon'
thaveto
dothat.
.Iknowy
ouf eel
badthat
's
enough.
Lol
o:Idon'
tknowwhatgot
teni
nto
me
Me: Canwejustnott
alkaboutt
hat
r
ightnow,gi
rlyouhaveabighouse
whichgiv
esyouP6500permont h,
I
didn'tevenknowtherearehouses
thatexpensive.
..I
tsl
ikeyou'
re
wor king.Mayawil
lnevergohungr
y..
.
(smi l
ed)I'
m sohappyforyou.
..

Shetear
ful
l
ythoughtabouti
tand
l
ookedatme..
.

Lol
o:I'
m sol
ucky
,idi
dn'
tseet
hisone
Iswear.
..
Me:(l
aughed)Metoo,goand
cel
ebr
atewithyourl
i
ttl
efami
ly.
..
Lol
o:(
stoppedsmil
ing)Aboutt
hat
..
.
CanwetalkaboutAati
le?
Me:
Sur
e..
Lolo:
Wear efri
endsbuthei smyman
andthatmeansy oudon' tt
alktohim
orcallhi
m oranythi
nglikethat.
..I
t'
s
alr
eadyawkwar dthatyoudidwhat
youdidbutyou'r
emybestf ri
endand
heismyman.Idon' ttr
ustmenbuti
tr
ustyou..
.Shoulditr
usty ou?
Me: Yes..
.I'
ll
nev ertal
kt ohim agai
n
butleenet al
kt ohimj usttomake
surehedoesn' tinnocentlycal
lme
andt hi
ngsgetawkwar df ormeand
youagain.
Lolo:
Weal readyt
alked,
hedel
eted
youryournumberandmademe
pr
omi
senott
otel
lBay
angany
thi
ng.
Me:
Okay
,iunder
stand.
..
Lolo:(ser
iousl
ystar
ingatme)I '
m
seri
ousaboutt hi
s,idon'
tknowwhat
I'
ll
dot oprotectmyfamil
ybuti know
I'
m preparedtosell
mysoul tothe
devil
hi mselfj
ustt
okeepmyf amil
y
together.
Me:(swal
lowed)Youdon'thaveto
t
hreatenme,iwon'tdoanyt
hing.
..I
t
houghtyoutrust
edme
Lol
o:Ilovey oubutidon'
tknowifI
ful
l
ytrusty oubutthegoodthi
ng
abouttrustisthati
tcanbeearned.
Me:
Youcant
rustme.
..
Wesmil
edandhuggedt
henIst
epped
out
..
.

Me:
Bye
Lol
o:By
elov
e..
.

Ourl
astconv er
sati
onmademe
r
eali
sejusthowmuchIf earedher ,
t
hewayshel ookedintomyey es
r
emindedmeoft hedayshedr owned
mebuti knewitwouldeventuall
y
wearof
faf t
eriprovi
ngmy selftoher.
..
AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eBayangandAat i
lewelded
thechi
ldren'
splaygr
ound,Bayang
support
edt hemetalbarasAti
e
weldedthenhesteppedbackputting
downthemachi ne..
.

Bay
ang:
Per
fect
..
.
Aat
il
e:Def
ini
tel
y.
..Goset
sepai
nti
ng
hel
a..
.
Bay
ang:
Howi
sDi
di?
Aat
il
e:Whyar
eyouaski
ngme?
Bay
ang:
Shei
sLol
o'
sfr
iendobv
iousl
y
y
ouseeorhearhowshei
shol
dingup
Aati
le:
Ohokay..
.It
hinkshei
sfi
ne.
..
.
Sti
ll
wanttoknockherupori
t'
s
al
readydone?
Bay ang:Ididn'
tdoi tandmay beit
'sa
goodt hing..
.Ithoughtaboutwhat
yousai d.Abouthowi twouldaffect
herandt hebaby ,idon'twantt odo
thattomychi l
dandDi dial
readyhas
ahol einherhear tbecauseher
mot herleftandhadahappi lyever
afterwithherlitt
lefami l
y.Ibetshe
doesn'twantt hatforherchi l
d..
.
Aat
il
e:Real
l
y?It
houghtshei
san
or
phan
Bayang: Hermot herl
eftherwiththe
oldladyandgotmar r
ied,hadkids
andenj oyedli
fe.SkabonaDi dia
sotegai aanahermotherhas2car s
andst aysinathreebedroom house
withherhusbandandt wochildren.
Aat
il
e:Thatmusthar
dIdi
dn'
tknow.
..
Bayang:
Hergrandmot hertr
ustsme
l
eenesouh..
.Itooky ouradviceand
j
ustdeci
dedtolethergoi npeace.
Aat
il
e:Isee.
..

Aat
il
egrabbedabigbrickandthrew
i
tawayfrom t
hechil
dren's
pl
aygr
oundthenasmal lsli
m snake
cur
ledhi
sboot
..
.

Aatil
e:(
stompi
nghi
sfoot
)Whatt
he
fuck!Heel
ang.
..

Hestompedmov i
ngbackandt
he
l
itt
lesnakeranoffasBay
ang
squasheditwit
hastone.
..

Bayang:Kemosi
nini
themonna,
doesn'
tbit
e..
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Shi
t.
..Thefuck!I
t
al
mostgavemeahear tat
tack.
..
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Kanay
ougr
ewup
i
nthecit
yronakomor
akengr
e
t
shi
dil
eletsone.
.
Aati
l
e:I'
ll
lookfortheexterminat
or
cont
acts,gakerat
editshidi
nyana
nna.
..

Theycar
eful
l
yroll
edthebri
cksand
cl
earedt
hechil
dren'
splay
ground.
..

Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..
.

Lat
eronirakedundert
het
reeand
l
aidther
agdownt henabl
anketand
apil
l
ow..
.
Itwasahotdaybuttheshadowwas
thi
ckandt hewasasoftwindthat
call
edfornudi
ty,
Itookoffmyt -
shi
rt
andputitonmychestt henili
ft
edmy
feetupthemophanetreetrunkand
readMill
sandBoon...
.

Icouldnevergetoverthepowerof
l
iter
atureandtheflowofwor ds,I
smiledemot i
onall
yreadi
nga
romanticsceneandev enblushed,a
l
izardfel
lonmychestandi ts
soft
nessasi trandownmyst omach
mademyski ncrawlasijumpedand
dust
edi
tawayscr
eami
ng.
..

I
tr anof
fasi t
ookadeepbr eath
pi
ckingmynov elfrom t
heground,my
grandmotherwalkedoutsupport
ing
hersel
fwithabroomst i
ck.
..

Her
:Di
di?Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Her
:What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Me:Al
izar
dfellonme,
ithoughti
t
wasasnake.
..

Mygr
andmot
herqui
etl
ylookedatme
andwal kedbackinsi
dewi t
houta
wor d,i
twasr eal
l
yawkwar dbuti
fi
gur editmustbethatshethoughti
washav i
nganotherfi
ghtagai
nwi t
h
Lolo...

Igotmybookandl aiddownreadi
ng
thenacarstoppednexttome,Aone
steppedoutandstoodnextt
ome
holdi
ngherbigbump...

Aone:Stayawayfr
om myhusband
doyouhearme?Al l
owhim cl
oseto
youagainandyouwill
wonderifGod
exi
sts.I
'
llfi
ghtf
ormymarri
agewi t
h
everyfibreinmybodyandI 'l
ldo
everythingtopr otectmyf amilyfrom
vult
uresl i
key ou.Ot herwomenar e
buil
dingf amiliesandpeopl elikey ou
thi
nky oucanj ustmesst hatupand
l
eav eScot tfree?Notwi thme. ..I
'm
warningy ou...TrustmeI '
m civ i
l
becauseI 'm pregnant ,
don'tdoubl e
crossme. .
..
iknowy ousleptwi th
Bayangsot hati cancalloffthe
weddingorsot hathecanchangehi s
mind, you'r
esi ck!(l
ookedar ound)
Andgetaj ob, thi
spov ert
yisnot
funny..

Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasi
satt
her
elooki
ngather
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..

LaterthateveningLol
oservedthe
familywithdinnert
hentheyhel
d
handsandbowedt hei
rheads..
.

Aat i
le:
Fatherthanky ouforourdaily
bread,blessthehandst hatprepared
thi
smeal andpr ot
ectusf rom evi
l,
giveourchildrenlovingheart
sand
strengthentheirsi
sterhood,gi
v emy
partnerthewisdom t ohelpmel ead
thi
sf amilyi
nt herightdir
ecti
onand
mostofallf
athergivemet he
str
engthtodostandagainstthetest
ofti
meandcomeoutst rong.Giv
e
met hepowertolove,r
espectand
pampermyot herhalft
herightway.
Amen..
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Amen.
..
Ki
ds:
Amen.
..
.
Lol
o:(si
ghed)Thereissomet
hingyou
shoul
dsee..
.(handedhimthe
envel
ope)Igotthataf
tert
heburi
al.
..

Hegott
heenvel
opeandreadthr
ough
t
henhesmil
edandkissedher
..
.
Aati
le:Whydogoodpeopl
edieear
ly?
Thiswomanwasanangelsent
specif
ical
l
yforMay
awaabona?
Lol
o:i
sti
l
lcan'
tbel
i
evei
t.
..
Aat
il
e:Let
'
seat
..
.

Everyonesmi l
ednaught i
l
ywai t
ingfor
herLolot oopenthelidofherplate,
sheinnocentlyl
ift
edt hel
idreadyto
eatandf oundringthenshelookedat
Aati
le..
.Thechildrenbustedint
o
l
aughert henshelaughed...

Lol
o:what
'
sthi
s?
Li
tt
leMay
a:Mamawi
l
l.
..Wi
l
l.
..
Maya:(l
aughed)Wepract
isedt
his
yest
erdayyoufor
got
?
Both:
(loudl
y)Mamawi
l
lyoumar
ry
daddy?

Aati
legott
heringandgotonhi
s
kneethenLol
osmi l
edemoti
onal
ly
giv
ingoutherhand.
..

Lolo:
OfcourseI'
l
lmarrydaddy.
..
(l
aughed)Youtwoarecrazy,
you
connivedwi
thyourdaught
erstodo
thi
s,youthr
eecankil
l.
..
Aat
il
e:Il
ovey
ou.
..

Heputitonherfi
ngerandkissedher
ast
hechildr
enlaughedcoveri
ngthei
r
mouths.
..

Lol
o: (
laughedandwhisper
ed)Oh
shi
t,di
dy ounot i
cewedidt
henosex
bef
oremar riageshi
t?
Aati
l
e: (
laughedandkissedher
)Ena
ke6y earsesajewekukuyame,ntse
keabala..
.Ketil
egoedirel
amathata
onourweddi ngnight
Lol
o:(
giggl
ed)St
opscar
ingme.
..
Theylaughedandki ssedthenthey
satandhadtheirdinnerasthey
chatt
edloudl
ywi t
ht heirgi
rl
s
l
aughingandpointi
ngwi t
hforksas
theytal
ked.
..

4MONTHSLATER.
..
.

Moreli
kesf
oranot
herweekend
bonus!
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
30PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 13

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Alargesnakecur l
editsel
fbyt he
cornerofthebedroom, solargeit
wast hesizeofat r
actort
yre,itsl
owly
curdl
editselfl
ikeablackmi l
l
ipede
thendeli
veredbabysnakeswhi chran
acrossthefloorli
ke3Dsper m
demonstrati
on,theyallgotont he
bedandonAat i
lehissi
ngonhi s
chestmakinghisski ncrawl ashe
str
uggl
edt omov eandnomat terhow
muchhet ri
edt oscream hehadno
voi
ce,i
twasasi fsomet hingwith
speci
alpower swashol dinghim
down..
..
.

Lol
o:(
shaki
nghi
m)At
il
e?At
ti
e?

Heleapedupfr
om thesleepand
l
ookedatthecornerofthehousebut
t
herewasnosnake, t
henhesaton
t
heedgeofthebedr ubbinghi
sface
asLolost
oodi
nf r
ontofhim andput
hi
sheadonhertummyr ubbi
nghis
back.
..
.

Lol
o:Wer
eyouhav
ingani
ght
mar
e?
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..(
stood)Whatt
imei
sit
?
Lol
o:I
t'
sal
most
,got
akeabat
h..
...
Aat
il
e:Thanks.
..

Hewal kedacr ossthepassageand

sawt hegirl
ssi t
ti
ngatthedining
tabl
ef ul
lydressedinthei
ridenti
cal
unif
orm andsamecol orofri
bbon..
Aat
il
e:Mor
ningguy
s
Bot
h:Mor
ningdaddy
!

Hewal kedinthebathroom and

l
eanedov erstandi
ngi nfr
ontofthe
mirrorl
ookingathimself,
hehad
thosekindsofdreamssev eral
times
nowandhewasbegi nni
ngtofear
goingtosleep..
.

MeanwhileLolofi
xedlunchboxesfor
hetdaughter
sandsor t
edthei
rbags
thenshewalkedbehindthem put
ti
ng
them onthei
rbags..
.
May
a:Somom i
hav
eani
dea.
..
.
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Can'
twai
ttoheart
his
one.
..
Maya:It
hinkweshoul
dcall
May a
Babybecauseshei
stheonl
ybaby
ar
oundhere,shei
sthel
astbor
nright
?
Lolo:(
laughedandkissedMayaon
thecheek)Ithi
nkthatmightwor
k,
you'r
ebril
li
antt
hat'
swhyy ou'
ret
he
oldest
"Baby": SoifI
'mthebabyidon'tdo
thedishesr i
ght?(smil
ednaughtil
y)I
thinkIl
ikethatidea.
..Weshouldtell
daddyt oosohedoesn' tmakeme
pickthet oy
s,babiesdon'
tpicktoys
r
ight
?
Maya:You'r
eabi gbaby
,you'
llpi
ck
thetoy
sunlessyoustopplay
ingand
dri
nkmi l
kallday
Lol
o:(
laughed)Yougi
rl
s..
..

Minut
eslaterAati
l
esteppedoutof
t
hebathroom inhi
sshortswal
kingt
o
t
hebedroom. .
.

"Baby"
: Heydad.
..Mayasay sishould
becalledBabybecauseitsconfusing
withbothofusbeingMay a'ssosince
I
'mt hebabyofthefamilyitmeans
youwon' tmakemepi ckthetoys
r
ight
?

Atil
esmi l
edandwalkedbackqui
etl
y
thenheleanedoverandki
ssedBaby
ont hecheekt
henhepointedatt
he
toys..
.

Ati
le:Il
oveyouBaby,assoonasyou
fi
nisheati
ngpi
ckthosetoysokay
?

Hewal kedawayandev ery

one
burst
edi nt
ol aught
erasBabyshook
herheaddef eated.
..
Baby
:(shesl
appedherf
orehead)Oh
man!

Theschool
bushonkedout
side.
..

Lol
o:Al
ri
ghtt
heschool
busi
sher
e..
..

Theybothgotdownf r
om thedinner
chair
sandeachdroppedaki sson
hercheekastheyranoutthenshe
stoodatthedoorwatchi
ngthem,
theywavedatherwithcut
esmi les
andshewav edbackthensheclosed
thedoor.
..
Inthebedr oom Atil
eputonhi svest
andf ormal cl
othesthenhewal ked
out,hepausedbyt hepassageashe
heardt hewat err
unninginthe
bathroom thenheopenedandst uck
hisheadi n,Alonequickl
yblockedher
Csect i
onar eaandsmi l
ed..
.

Hewalkedi
nandkissedherasshe
ki
ssedbackr
eluct
antl
y.
..

Lolo:
(giggl
ing)Babekeat
hapa
tsamaya..
.
Helif
tedheroutoft
hetubandput
herdownasshekeptthewashi
ng
ragonherscar.
..

Lol
o:At
ti
est
op.
..
.

Hefor
ceful
lykissedherasshet
ri
ed
pul
l
ingback..
.

Lol
o:(
ser
iousl
y)Pl
easest
op!

Hel
etgoofherandgl
aredather
..
.

At
il
e:Whenar
ewehav
ingsex?
Lol
o:It
houghtwearegoi
ngto
weddi
ngforaft
ert
hewedding
At
il
e:Weddi
ngpr
epar
ati
onst
akea
l
ongti
me..
Lolo:
Don'tbeaspoi
ltbrati
giv
eyou
theworl
d'
sbestblowjobs
Ati
le:Kebatakukuaker e...Gapenna
nkasegorogekol enyalong, kehel a
peoplebecauseyou'resexy ...
(t
ouchingher)You'retempt ingandi f
wear egoi
ngt ogetmar r
iedy oureal
ly
needtoshowmet hi
sscarofy ours.
..
I
'mf at
herandaf t
erwhaty out ol
dme
iwentont heInt
ernetandGoogl ed
pi
csofCsect i
onsgonebad. ..Iknow
i
tcaneatawayy oursel fconfi
dence
butyouhav etotrustme. .Nnagake
hevelesexmohi hing...Iknowy ou
havest ret
chmar ks, iknowy ou
breastfedourdaught erandIdon't
expecty outobeabar bi
edoll,you'r
e
amot her.
..(
walkedcl osertoherand
ki
ssedhermur muringonherl ips)
Andy ou'remywi fe...Iworkina
hospital,iam awareofal otofthings
andt hatoperati
oni sgoi ngtobe
fi
xedwhenwehav eourson, okay ?

Hekissedherasshekissedback
emotional
lyt
henhestoppedand
smi
led...
Ati
l
e:(
smiledandwinkedather
)
Thi
nkaboutit
..
.Il
oveyou.
..

Heclosedthedoorbeforeshecould
answerthenshesmil
edput t
ingher
handsonherchestblushing..
.

Lol
o:Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Minutesl
atershewalkedouttyi
ng
herrobeasAt i
l
egrabbedhiswhit
e
coatandwalletonthetabl
ethenhe
walkedoverandkissed.
..
Ati
le:Ihavetogo, ohbyt hewayiwas
tal
kingtomydad.Hewant syour
mot her
'scontactdetail
ssotheycan
sendpeopletost artthenegot
iat
ions.
Lolo:Okay,I
'l
lfor
wardthem.So
they'
rereadytostar
tpato?
At
il
e:Yeah
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Shef
ixedhi
sti
eandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Lol
o:Hav
eagoodday
At
il
e:Yout
oo.
..
Hesteppedoutandgoti
nthecaras
Lol
osmi l
edleani
ngagai
nstt
he
door
frame..
.

At
il
e:Il
oveyoursmil
e,i
tsf
unny
..I
t
makesmelaugh..
Lolo:(l
aughedblushing)Akoo
tsamaekwa. .
.Andy oumustbor r
ow
met hecarintheafternoon,Iwantto
goseemymot herandt ellhershe
willr
eceiv
eacall
Ati
le:
Youcandr opkeatworkand
ret
urnwit
ht hecar
,Bayangwil
ldr
op
meof faf
terwork.
.
Lol
o:Okay
,takekeapar
e
Aat
il
e:Therobei
sokayaker
eyou'
re
j
ustdroppi
ngmeoff
.
Lol
o:Al
ri
ght
..

Shejumpedinandhedr
oveof
fashi
s
fat
hercal
led.
..

At
ti
e:Hel
l
o?
Hi
m: Ati
leI'
m wit
hyourunclesher e
wearediscussi
ngthi
s,iwast ell
ing
t
hem thattheyoungwomany ou're
marr
yinghasaf i
veyearoldgirland
t
heywant edtoknowifyou'r
et aking
hert
ooorshehasaf
ather
?
At
ti
e:Oh,
I'
m al
sot
aki
ngher
..
Uncl e: Got sayakgomol enamane
goat uramot ogolo,oi
paakant
seko
pat eng?They 'r
egoingtochargey ou
8,000f orthedaught erandbogadi
mi ghtbe12, 000andt hosearejust
theot herchar ges,osure?
Aati
le:(
laughed)Mal omeI'
mr eady
,i
wouldn'
tjustbringmyelderstoget
her
i
fI'
m notpr epar
edt ohandle
si
tuati
onslikethis.Mpatel
ang
mosadi l
ent el
elengwanake.
Hi
sfat
her
:Wher
eisherf
ather
?
Aat
il
e:Hei
soutoft
hepi
ctur
e
Uncle:
Ehe,nnyaammer ehedi
tse
motogolonerebatahel
agoitsegore
rebaakanyemahokomol wapeng.
Aat
il
e:Er
ra.
..

Hehungupamdconti
nueddri
vi
ngas
Lol
ocuri
ousl
yst
aredathi
m bl
ushi
ng.
.

Lol
o:Tel
lme..
.Icant
ell
itwasy
our
dadanduncl
e..
Aat
il
e:Theyj
ustwant
edt
oknowi
f
I
'mtaki
ngMay a
Lol
o:Okay
..
AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
..

Aonef ixedherbell
ybeltt
ighteningit
andtuckedi nherAonCashLoans
embr oider
edshirtl
ookingather sel
f
onthemi r
rort
henBay ang
approachedf r
om behindfixi
nghi sti
e
andki ssedhersmoothpowder ed
cheek...

Bay
ang:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmum.
..
Aone:
(bl
ushed)Thanks.
..Youdon'
t
l
ookbadyoursel
f
Shesmil
edandgr abbedthebreast
pumpsit
ti
ngont heedgeoft hebed
pumpi
ngmi l
kfortheirboy,
Bayang
l
eanedovert
hebabycotandf i
xed
hi
sson'
sduvet.
.

Bay
ang:Ihear
dhi m cr
yingl
astni
ght
,
whywashecrying?
Aone:Heissuchacrybaby,i
thi
nkhe
wantstosl
eepwithusbutiwon'tdo
nosuch,hewil
lsl
eepinthecotunti
l
hegraduat
esforabed.
Bayang:
You'r
ehush,
what
'swrong
wit
hhim sl
eepi
ngwit
husyoucanput
hi
m ondiaper
Aone:
Hewon'tst
opsleepi
ngwi
thus
i
fhedoesn'
tpr
acti
cenow..
.
Bayang:(touchi
nghi
sti
nyfi
nger
s)I
sti
ll
can'tbeli
eveimadeababy.
..I
feell
ikeI'
m alit
tl
eGod
Aone:
(laughed)I
ja.
..

Aonef i
nishedpumpi ngandwalked
overastheybot hstoodbythebaby
cotadmir i
ngtheirl
i
ttleboy
,Bayang
puthisarmsar oundherandkissed
her.
..

Bay
ang:
I'
mlat
e,l
et'
sgo.
..
Aone:
Her
e,puthi
smi
l
kint
hef
ri
dge.
..

Hewal kedoutasAoneslowly
pushedt hei
rson'
scottothemaid'
s
room,sheknockedthenthehouse
helperopenedthedoorsmil
ingatt
he
boy..
.

Nanny: Heyt
hereboy...(t
oAone)Uh
thi
sguycansl eepbathong,o
mpolaisabodutu.
..I
t'
sl i
keispendt
he
dayalone.
Aone:Buthetroublesmeatnight
,o
ntenagoreit
helakeipotsagor
e
koorerr
ey ogaitsegorennakea
t
heogel
aphakel
a
Nanny:(
laughedandparkedhiscot
bythebed)Akereyoudon'twantme
tohel
pyouatni ght
,
Aone:
Youneedy
ourr
estt
oomma
Nanny:Idonothi
ngbecausehe
sl
eepsallday,
aft
ercleani
ngand
cooki
ngi j
ustl
ayaroundbecause
aft
ereati
nghesleeps
Aone:Butit
sokay,I
'm not
complai
ning.
..Youdeserv
eyourr
est
atni
ght,goodday
Nanny
:Hav
eagoodday
..
ShewalkedoutasBayanghonked
thehor
noutsidet
henshejumpedin
andpul
ledthebel
t.
..

Aone:
(si
ghed)Okay
..
.
Bay
ang:
Isheokay
?
Aone:
Yeahhei
sgood.
..

AtAonCashLoans.
..

5empl oyeeswai tedbyt hestai

rsas
Bayangpar kedont heparki
nglot,
theyturnedwat chingashel eaned
overKissingtheirboss,theyhada
l
it
tl
emomentchatti
ngandl aughed
asshest
eppedoutlaughi
ngt henhe
dr
oveoff
..
.

Aone: (
smi led)PeopleI'
m sosor r
yfor
keepingy ouwai t
ing,it
otall
yforgot
thatyesterdayafterworkinglat
ei
wenthomewi ththekeys,sorythe
bathong..

Wor
ker
1:I
t'
sokay
..
.
Mal
eworker
:Sobosskebony
eoj
adi
l
amza?
Ev
eryonel
aughedasshehandedt
he
ot
heronekeys.
.

Aone:
Mxm kooregat
weTshepoo
ri
l
eng?I'
m ol
dert
hanyoukana
Femaleworker
:Bossiaget
ti
ng
ki
ssesint
hemor ningempanna.
..
..
Empa..
.Nnaaaaa.
..Empanaaa.
..
.

Theyalll
aughedandwal
kedi
nthe
off
ice.
..
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
Lat erthatmor ni
ngBay angwalkedin
thel aborator
yputtingonhiswhite
coatandgr abbedapai rofl
atex
glov esbyt heshelfasAtti
estoodby
thet ablelooki
ngt hrougha
mi croscope...

Bay
ang:
Mor
ning.
..
At
ti
e:You'
rel
ate.
..

Aati
leturnedaroundandshookthe
samplesi nsmallt
estt
ubesthenhe
putthem inatr
ayandslidthem i
nthe
fr
idge..
..
Bay
ang:Aonewokemel
ate.
.Ourson
i
skeepi
ngherup
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)Shouldn'
tyoubethe
onewakingherupifsheisupall
ni
ghtwit
ht hebaby
Bayang:(l
eanedovert
hemi cr
oscope)
Ishouldtr
ythat,
she'
dprobably
appreci
ateit
..
Aat
il
e:Def
ini
tel
y.
..
Bayang:Doyouhaveanysuggesti
ons
forpl
acestovi
sitf
orahoneymoon?I
wanttotakemywifefora
honeymoonmonnakanashe
deli
ver
ed3daysaftertheweddi
ng
andshehadtohei confi
nementbut
nowi t
hinktheboyi
sol
denoughto
belef
twi t
hanannyormypar
ents
kanahers
Aati
le:I'
l
lmakey oual ist
,dibaya
monna. .
.Botswanaisbeaut i
ful,
you
don'tevenhavetocr osstheborder
becausey ou'
ll
feelli
key ou'
reina
di
fferentcountr
y..
Bay
ang:That
'swhatAoneneeds,
she
workst
oohard.
..

Hecheckedt
her
equestl
i
stof
r
esul
ts.
..

Bay
ang:
Monnawehav
eal
ott
odo,
wher
ear
etheot
her
s?
Aati
le:
Banightshi
ftl
eft
,boSparks
haven'
tar
ri
vedakerbonebataka
nakohagonal ebr
ief
inghel
a..
.

Theylaughedandbegunt
hemedi
cal
test
s..
..
.

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Gobonasl owlymovedthecurtai
ns
andl i
stenedasherl
it
tl
esisterand
mot hertal
kedaboutmagadi
preparati
ons,shef
rownedlookingat
herengagementr
ingwi
tht
hecor
ner
s
ofhereyes.
..
.

Mot
her
:Iseesohei
sal
sot
aki
ng
May
a?
Lol
o:Yes,
hewant
sher
..
.
Mother:That'
sreal
lygood,i
guesswe
wil
lhearfrom t
hem...Sowhenare
youtwoplanningtohavethewedding?
Lolo:Ifbothparentsar eokaywi ththe
datewewantt heweddi ngin4
mont hst i
me,i
tshoul dbeenoughf or
met opr epar
emy self.
..Heact ual
ly
proposed4mont hsago. .
.(showed
herther i
ng)buti didn'
twantt osay
any
thi
ngbef
orehecoul
dtal
ktohi
s
par
ent
s
Mother:
(laughed)You'r
ewi seakere
whentheygetexcitedtheysaywi ll
youmarrymet heny ouweart he
engagementringforyearsuntil
he
getsbor
edandl eaveswhi l
ehisring
wasblockingothermenwhocoul d
havemarriedyou.
Lol
o:(l
aughed)That
'swhati
was
thi
nki
ng..
.
Mother:OK,thi
sisasensit
ive
matter
..
.Iknowy ou'
reexci
tedbut
don'
tgoar oundtel
li
ngpeoplejusty
et
becausesomepeopl ehaveevil
i
nt enti
onsandwoul ddoany thingto
stopot herpeople'
sbl
essings, ny
alo
gaesi mologajaanawadidimal a
bat hobabangwegobat ababona
setsegodi rwadi mmit
inghel a.
Talkingtoomuchcanst opyour
blessings
Alone:
Oh...(
thoughtf
ull
y)Idi
dn'
t
thi
nkofthat.
..Thanks
Mother:Yesot
herpeopl
ecansmil
e
wit
hy ouwhil
ewishi
ngyoubadsobe
car
ful
, somewomencouldhavebeen
marri
edbutthei
rmouthhel
pedthe
devi
ldohiswork
Al
one:
I'
ll
becar
eful
..
..Any
wayi
hav
e
togoihav
eaninter
viewatt
hemal
l
.I
hopet
hisonegoeswell
Mot
her
:I'
l
lpr
ayf
ory
ou.
..
Lol
o:Thanks,
(st
ood)Letmeseet
he
baby.
..

Hermotherwal kedinandopenedthe
door,
Lololookedinsidet
he1r oom
asGobonal ai
dont hemattr
esswith
herbaby
...

Mot
her
:comei
n..
Lolo:Noi
t'
sf i
ne..
.I'
l
lseeherwhil
e
standi
nghere..
.(l
aughed)Ketogake
mookamakedinaodi
mol el
oke
t
sogi
l
eleRr
ragweMay a.
..

Sheshowedherthebabywrappedin
anol
dblankett
hathadlostcol
or.
..

Lol
o:Hi
Gee
Gobona:
Hi.
.
Mot her:
Giveyoursist
erP100the
Lolo,hersugarandsourmilki
s
fi
nished,wedon'tevenhavewashing
powder ,di
phatetsangwanaditet
se
kaemer egonkgagor ephu..
Gobona:
(smi
l
edembar
rassed)
RrragweDiboyshasn'
tbeenget
ti
ng
tenderssoheislow,assoonashe
getsoneallwil
lbewell
.Weshouldbe
getti
ngmar r
iedsoon.
Lol
o:(t
ookout400)Iwasgoi
ngtoget
hai
rextensi
onsbutyoucanuset
his.
..
Mot
her
:thanky
ousomuch
Gobona:GatweMaOgav eMay aa
housethatwhi
tepeopl
erentatSedi
e?
Lol
o:Whot
oldy
out
hat
?
Gobona:Ihear
d,aker
eherrel
atives
aretel
l
ingever
yoneyoubewitched
hersoshecandieandgiv
ey outhe
house.
Lol
o:I
joakenanakol
etshel
enna.
..
Mamaby
eby
e..
.
Mot
her
:tanki
thengwanaka
Lol
o:emma.
..

Shegotint
hecaranddr
oveof
fas
herphoner
ang.
..
.

Lol
o:MmaBay
ang?
Aone:
Hi,i
wantedtowishyoul
uck
wit
hyouri
nter
view.Obadi
l
emoghirl
?
Lol
o:(laughed)Mmawenai readall
ni
ght,ireall
yhavetopassthi
s
i
nter
view...Iwastel
li
ngmynei ghbour
maabanegor et
hisoneismine.
They
'r
egoi
ngt
ohi
reme.
..
Aone:Shehwher
eiat
hatmoron?She
l
ongpromisedmeshewoul
ddomy
nai
ls
Lolo:(l
aughed)Sheaskedmeabout
youy est
erday,I'
m havi
ngbreakf
ast
withherlatertodaytotal
kabout
start
ingmot shelo
Aone:
Iwanti
nthebat
hong
Lolo:Sheaskedmet oaskyouibi
l
e,i
guesswewi llmeetatt
heIt
ali
an
restaur
antka10
Aone:Alri
ghtlov
e,gonai
lthat
i
nterv
iewbyt hewaywasBay angwi
th
Att
ielastni
ghtkabo8?
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Yes,
theywer
e
watchi
ngthegame,why?
Aone:Justmaki
ngsur
ebannaba
tr
icky
Lol
o:(
laughed)Aker
e..
.Shap
Aone:
Shap

Shehungupandcont
inueddr
inki
ng.
..
.

Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..
.

Ont hesamemor ningIdippedmy

handsinthebakingflourandleaned
i
nt hebigbowlfull
ofdoughand
grabbedahandf ulasthecookingoi
l
boil
edont hebi
gt hreeleggedpot
thenidroppedthedoughi nf r
owni
ng
astheheatfrom thefir
ebur nedmy
face.
..
.

Ifi
l
ledthepotandgrabbedthe
cardboxfanni
ngthefi
retheni
coveredwithali
dandwashedmy
hands.

Igrabbedthebroom andheadedto
thetuckshopjustbythefencewhere
iopenedthedoorandt hehori
zont
al
doortothecustomer,havi
ngbeing
bui
ltwi
thcorr
ugatedir
oni
twas
al
wayshotinther
e..
.

Toav oi
dget ti
ngr obbedI'
dtakemy
stockinthehouseev er
ynightso
eachmor ningi hadtoloadthem to
thetuckshopagai n..
.Monthsbefore
i
twasn' texhaustingbutitwas
beginni
ngt oexhaustme. ..

Ipackedthebarofsoapsinlineand
thesmellnauseat
edme,irushed
behindt
hehouseandt hr
ewupasmy
grandmotherpassedt
othet oil
et
support
inghersel
fwit
habr oomstick
t
henshepausedandl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Grandmot
her:
It'
saboy..
.That
'swhy
you'
reget
ti
ngsosick.
..
Me:
I'
m notpr
egnantmmama.
.
Mmama: KanaDidi
ntl
ejaakaobona
ohit
hampaej aanaobatagoe
seny
a,ngwanalehaasenar r
ragwe
warati
wahelagagoresepe.
Me:I'
m notpregnant
,idon'
tknow
whyyou'r
ealway sonmycaseabout
bei
ngpregnant
Mmama: Youneedtoacceptthat
chi
ldbecauseihav
eacceptedhim,i
needagreatgr
andchi
l
dsohecan
keepmebusyandt akemet
ot he
toi
let.
..Someonetowarnmeifa
scorpionisheadedmywaybecausei
can'tseeanymore.
Me: MmamaIdon' thavet hemoney
tosuppor tachild,ican'tfindaj ob
andI'mt ryi
ngt omakemoneysoi
canstar tabusinessbutbusi nessis
slow.Iwakeupt omakef atcakes
andsel linthetuckshopandt hen
takemyf atcakesandsoupt osellat
thejuniorschool,ican'tdoal l t
hat
whenI 'm pregnant.Thismanwon' t
evenhel pmet akecar eoft hechil
d
becausehehasaf amilyand. ...
.
(coveredmymout hcrying)ev enifi
want edtot el
l him sohecansuppor t
hischildican' tbecausepeopl ear
e
goingt othinkI '
mj ealousandt hen.
..
YouknowhowLol ois,thi
st imeshe
willkil
lmef orr ealandIdon' twantto
l
oseourf ri
endshi pov erthi
s.Idon't
wantt odest royherf ami l
y,shehas
beent hroughal otwithMay aandshe
hasherhappi lyeveraf ter
,idon'twant
tobet her easoni t'
sdest r
oy ed.
Mmama: Youcansti
llsuppor
tthe
babybyyour
selfDi
di,
you'r
eahard
worker
..
.Youcandothismygirl
Me: Mmamasuppor tababywithP1's
forfatcakes?ican'
t.
.I'
m not
pregnantanywayi wasjustsay
ing.
..
iwal
kedtowardst
hecookingarea
andcheckedonmyfatcakes.
..

AtTsodi
l
oJuni
orsecondar
yschool
..
..
.

Latert
hatmorningij
oinedtheother
l
adiesbythefenceandputabox
downt heni
putmysweet s,snacks
andabucketofMagwi nyaand
soup..
..

afewminutesl
atert
hebreakfast
si
renwai
ledandthestudent
sst ood
byt
hef
encebuy
ing.
.

bytheendofbr eakti
mei hadsoldall
myf atcakesandhalfofthesnacks,
I
puteveryt
hinginthebucketand
walkedhomedi ali
nganumber .
..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Me: Hi
,igotyournumberon
Facebook,howmuchar eyourpi
l
ls?
Voi
ce:
It'
sP600
Me:
I'
minMaun
Voice:
Itwi
llbeP800thenunlesswe
sendthem bySpr
intCour
ier
st heni
t
wi
l
lbe700
Me:
Ionl
yhav
e240
Voi
ce:Gofi
ndt
her
est
,600i
sthe
l
owestpri
ce
Me:
Bye

AtTheI
tal
i
anr
est
aur
ant
..
..

Loloandhernei ghboursatont he
tabl
ef orfourhavi
ngseaf oodand
brai
nstormingont hebusinessidea
thenAoneappr oachedandl eaned
overtakingabiteoutofLolo'sfood
thenshesatchewi ng..
.
Aone:Mor
ningl
adies.
.(t
ouchedt
he
nei
ghbour
'shai
r)Il
oveyourweav
e
Lor
rai
ne
Lor
a:Thanks.
..
Lolo:
Kweogor ogahel
akagonjel
a,
I'
m goingt
otakeabit
eonyour
s
Lora:(l
aughed)Uhbat ho,
asmall
bite
hela.Aker
et heint
erv
iewwentwellso
you'l
lbetreati
ngusnextmonth
Aone:
Wowy
out
hinky
oupassed?
Lora:I
twasn'
tdif
fi
cult,ihopethey
cal
l me.
..
.Anywayladiesithi
nkwe
shoulddomotshelowabusi ness,
I
wanttostar
takiddiesdecorati
on
ser
viceski
ndoft
hing
Lol
o:Ihav
en'
tthoughtofany
thi
ngy
et
Aone:I
t'
sokay ,youcanthi
nkof
somethi
ngf orthenexttwomonths
aker
ewest artbygivi
ngherthenme
andbythetimey ourtur
ncamey ou'
l
l
havefi
guredsomet hi
ngout.
.
Lolo:Soundsperf
ect.
..(
herphone
rang)Oh..
.It
sDidi.
.
Aone:(
rol
ledherey
es)Whyar
eyou
st
il
ltal
ki
ngtoher?
Lor
a:(
laughed)Shesleptwi
thher
mannotyoursstayoutofit
Aone:Iknowyoualldon'tbel
i
eveme
butiknowthatbi
tchsleptwit
h
Bay
ang
Lolo:(
laughed)GuysstopI'
m
pi
cking..
.Justshushandlookatthe
fi
guresont helapt
op.(
picked)Hel
lo?

AtTsodi
l
oCJSS.
..

Iwal
kedbyt
heschool
fenceheadi
ng
home.
..

Me:
Hi.
..
Lol
o:Hey
..What
'sup?
Me:Justchecki
ngonyou,y
ouhar
dly
cal
lmeunlessical
lyou,
howareyou?
Lolo:I
'
mf ine,ihav
ebeenbusywi
th
othert
hings..
Me:Ther
eisaposti
nthenewspaper
,
di
dyouseeit
?
Lol
o:Yeah,
iappl
i
edf
ori
t.
Me:
Okay
,whencanwemeet
?
Lol
o:I
'
m notsur
e..
Me:Themmakeadi
maP500,
ihav
e
anemergency
.
Lol
o:I
'
m br
oker
ightnow
Me:Aothemmankadi
melaf
rom t
hat
gi
rli
alwaysseey
ouwi
thwaRav4
Lol
o:Lorr
ainedoesn'thavemoney
,
whatareyouusingitfor?
Me:Mmamai
ssi
ckandt
her
eisno
f
ood.
Lolo:Comegeti
tatTheI
tal
i
an
restaur
ant
Me:
Rightnow?
Lol
o:Yeah
Me:
Thanksl
ove
Lol
o:Shap.
.

Ihungupwi
thasmil
eandwal
ked
backtot
het
axist
op.
..

AtTheI
tal
i
anr
est
aur
ant
..
..
.
Lateroni steppedoutoft hetaxiwit
h
abucketanddust edmyf eetasi
crossedt her oadfacingtheItal
ian
restaurant,
i sloweddownl ooki
ngat
Lolo,AoneandLor r
ainechatti
ngand
l
aughi ngsippi ngj
uicesstraws.

Ilookedatmydust yfeetandt henmy

refl
ecti
onont herest
aurantglass,i
t
wasl i
keseeingashadowofmy sel
f.I
tookouttheheadwr api usedt o
protectmyselff
rom thehotbucket
whencar r
yingabucketonmyhead.

Aonesawmef
ir
standpokedLol
o
thenshesmi l
edwav edcall
i
ngme
over,
ididn'
twantt owalkovert
o
them l
ookingthewayi di
dsoi smil
ed
andwav edcall
ingheroverbutshe
i
nsist
edi goov er
..
.

Partofmewasal i
tt
erashamedtobe
gettingmoneyf rom herandIwould
hav eprefer
redshenothandmet he
moneyi nfr
ontoft hem butshe
clearlywasn'tgoingtomeetme
outsidesoi walkedi nthena
restaurantwaitr
essst oppedme..
.

Wai
tr
ess:
(looki
ngatt
hebucketwi
th
snacksandsweets)Sorr
y,wedon'
t
all
owpeopletocomei nsi
desel
li
ng
toourcustomer
s.Itcanbe
dist
ract
ing.
.
Me:I
'm notsel
l
ing,I
'
m goingtoget
somethi
ngfrom her
..
.(poi
nted)I
won'
tbelong
Wait
ress:Okay,pl
easedon'
tsel
lyour
sweetsinhere,
themanagerisver
y
st
ri
ct
Me:
Eemma

IwalkedoverasAonewhi sper
ed
somet hi
ng,
Lorr
ainequi
cklyleaned
overhidi
ngherfacehol
dinginher
l
aught erwhil
eLolopressedherli
ps
togethersuppressi
ngherlaught
erbut
Lorrai
nelaughedandcoughed
almostchokingonherdr i
nkthenLolo
l
aughed. .
.

Lolo:
(laughi
ng)ThatMov
iei
sver
y
funny.
..
Lorrai
ne:
(laughi
ng)Yeahneei
t'
sa
funnymov i
e
Aone:(l
aughedatthem)kant
ele
hapaanyejana.
..

It
ookadeepbr
eat
handsmi
l
ed
gr
eet
ingt
hem..
.
Me:
Mor
ning
Lor
rai
ne:
Mor
ning
Lol
o:(
tookoutP400)Guysbor
row
meP100I'l
lgi
veyoulat
er
Lor
rai
ne:
Idon'
thav
e
Aone:(
openedherpurse)Onkga
magwinyakaegapebathongisn'
tthi
s
anIt
ali
anrest
aurant
?
Lolo:(snatchedtheP200from her)
Justbr i
ng...(
sheputthemoney
togetherandhandedme)Her e,don'
t
returnit
..
.Yourgr andmot
herislikea
mot hertome.I fyouguysdon'thave
foodt heleasticandoistohelp.
Lorr
aineandAonelookedatone
anotherandsi
ppedthei
rjui
cesasi
gotthemoney..

Me:
Thanks
Lol
o:Sur
e

It
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
.

Aone:(
sippedjuice)Olebet
se
semausuhat ofolengl
ovekana
Lol
o:Aonecomeon.
..
Lor
rai
ne:
Aonebat
honggaaut
we.
..
Iwal kedbackandgotmybuckett hen
iwal kedout.Tearsfi
ll
edmyey esbut
thistimeIwasn'tgoingtocry
,i had
doneenoughoft hatinthemorning.I
dialedthewoman. ..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Ihav
ethemoney
Voice:Ispoket
osomeonei
nMaun,
theycanmeety ouatt
hemal
l
Me:I
'm att
hemal
lnow,
tel
lhert
o
meetmeatShopr
it
e
Voi
ce:
Okay
..
AtShopr
it
e..
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningal
adywal
kedov
er
tome.
..
.

Her
:Di
di?
Me:
Yes,
Del
ores?
Delor
es:Yes...(
handedmethepi
ll
s
wrappedintissue)chewt
hesmall
er
onefir
st,
afteranhourdri
nkthel
ast
two.
Me:(handedhert
hemoney)Thank
you.
..Howlongwil
li
ttaket
owork?
Del
ores:
Itcant
akeadayort
wo
Me:Okay
,wi
l
libl
eed?I
'
m 4mont
hs
pr
egnant
Del
ores:Uhdon'
tworr
y,youwon't
bl
eedthatmuch4mont hsis
not
hing.
..I
twil
lbel
i
key ournor
mal
per
iod.
Me:
Thanksal
ot.
..

Igotthepil
l
sandwal kedaway
chewingthefi
rstonethenigoti
nthe
taxi
wenthome. .
..

AtHome.
..
.
Anhourlat
erIsteppedoutofthe
tuckshopandhur r
iedtomyhandbag
whereigotthelasttwoand
swall
owedwi t
hwat er.
..
……

2DAYSLATER.
..

Thenexti
nser
tfol
lowsat11pm,l
i
ke
andcomment.Goodmorning.

*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
31PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 14

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..

Gobonasprayedhersel
fwi
thper
fume
andgrabbedherhandbag.
..

Gobona:
Mamawher
eist
hatmoney
?
Hermot
herhandedherP200.
..

Mother:Don'
tbet oolong,y
our
chi
ldr
enl i
kecr
y i
ngandi havetov i
sit
peopl
e'shomest oinvit
ethem forthe
meeti
ngwenakanaomot shamekong
gaobategony al
wa, kennetsegobaa
matsetseamant agalabobedi
..
.
Gobona:(angr
il
y)Howcanyoutal
k
l
ikethatknowi
ngwhat'
shappeni
ngto
me?
Mother:
I'
m notgoi
ngtoletyour
chi
ldr
entiemedown,Ihavetowor k
onmydaughter'
swedding.I
'
mt ir
ed
ofgoi
ngf r
om hometohomel ooki
ng
f
orf
oodsoy
oucaneat
..
.I'
mti
red
mma.

Gobonawalkedawaydi
ali
ng
someonebuthisnumberwasn'
t
avai
l
able.
..

Atabot
tl
est
ore.
.

AnhourlaterGobonawal kedinabar
asmenscr eamedwat chi
ngf oot
ball
onthescreenwhi ledri
nkingbeer,the
musicwasl oudandy oucoul dbarely
hearyour
selfthink,ci
garettes
poll
utedt
heai rassomedr unkar
ds
passedbysmoki
ng.
..

Onewomanhol dingabot tleof

Blacklabelraninsi deasongst art
ed,
shedancedandt hr ewher selfonthe
fl
oorl i
fti
ngherl eg, herdressf el
lon
herf aceleavi
ngherkukuoutont he
open, al
lment urnedar oundand
staredasshepul ledherdr essupand
shookherbut tnaked. .
.

Onemanl aughedwal
kingov
er
hol
dingabottl
eofbeerandtouched
herKuku.
..
Man:(hesmell
edhi
shandandfaked
asneeze)Nt
swakaeenkgakae?

Everyonel
aughedandGobona
walkedovert
ohim andpul
ledhi
s
shi
rt.
..

Gobona:
Canwet
alk?
Man:(
str
uggl
i
ngt
obal
ance)About
what
?
Gobona:
Let
'
stal
kout
side.
..

Hef
oll
owedherout
side.
..
Man:
Let
'sgot
omycar
..
.
Gobona:Zeror
raareyougoingt
o
dri
velooki
ngli
kethi
s?Koorewago
togel
abojal
wagor i
l
engnewena?

Theygoti
nhisblueTazzandsat
downthenheleanedovertr
yingt
o
ki
ssherbutshemov edback.
..

Gobona:Stopit
,aker
ey ouchoseLol
o
aft
errai
singmyhopesupf or
nothi
ng.
..Li
stentome,therei
s
somethi
ngi mport
antIhavetotel
l
you..
.
Zer
o:What
'
sup?
Gobona:Al
onei
sgetti
ngmar r
iedand
shewantstogi
veherhusbandyour
daught
er.
Zer
o:(
brushedi
tof
f)Uh.
..
Gobona: WareuhneZer o?y our
daughterhasabi ghouseshewas
giv
enbyourl ateneighbour .It'
sabi g
houset hatUKwhi t
epeopl er ent,i
hearithas5bedr oomsandascr een
wallwithanel ectr
icfenceandapool
i
nside.Herhusbandi sgoi ngt o
controlall
that..
.Youhav e50%r ight
s
tothathouseandi fyoudemandy our
chil
dy oucanf indawayt osel lthe
houseandbuyabet tercari nsteadof
thi
sskor okoroory oucanst ayint he
houseorsomething.Youcan'
tl
ether
gi
veawayy ourbaby
Zer
o:War
e5bedr
ooms?
Gobona:
Ee...
tel
lyourpar
ent
sgore
youwantyourchil
d,thel
awisbehi
nd
you.
Zero:whati
fshesaysIwasn'
tther
e
forthegi
rl
,what
'sthegi
rl
'
sname?
Gobona: Hernamei sMay aandthe
l
awi sony ourside,t
hatmanwon' t
takethatchil
difyoudon'twant.You
canev engot ocourt
,whent heysay
youwer en'
tthereyou'
ll
tellt
hem it
's
nevertoolatetorepent
,tell
them you
wanttobui l
dar el
ati
onshipwithyour
chi
l
d.Thecour
twil
lgi
veyout
hati
f
Lol
otr
iest
obestubbor
n.
Zero:Keshwel
egorekeipot
sagore
kealorakanaoser
iousngwanakeke
mohumi ?
Gobona:Ihav
etogo..
.(t
ookouther
phone)Takehernumberandcal
lher
Zero:(
tookouthi
s)Buanumber.
..(
he
savedit
)Sowar engj
aanong?Kana
keagor at
a?
Gobona: Don'
ttal
kli
kethatZer
o
becausey oubr
okemyhear t
choosingmysisteroverme
Zer
o:Idi
dn'
tknowy ouwer
esist
ers
andiwasyoung.
..Canwegiv
eitatr
y?
Gobona:NaarewatsenwaZer
o,I'
m
engaged.
..
I'
m get
ti
ngmarri
edsoon.
Bye
Zer
o:By
e

Shest
eppedoutoft
hecar
..
..

Att
het
uckshop.
..
.

Latert
hatafter
nooni putfourfat
cakesintheplasti
candhandedt he
customerthenIsatdownpr essing
myphone, asmal lvi
brat
ionbelowmy
bell
ygotmyat tent
ionandi fr
owned
quietl
y,i
heldmybr eat
handf el
ta
mor edefi
nit
emov ementtheni
touchedmyt ummyt houghtfull
y.
Perhapsthepil
lswerewor ki
ngand
shewaski cki
ngforherli
fe..
.

Myhear tpoundedlikeneverbefor
e,i
didn'
tev enthi
nkitwasaper sonat
thatstagebecausei wasn'
treal
ly
showing.Iclosedthetuckshopand
hurri
edt othehouse..
.

Me:
Thebabyi
ski
cki
ng.
.
Mmama: Howmanymont
hshas
beennow,4?
Me:
Yes.
..
Mmama:
Heshoul
dbemov
ing
Me: Mmamaiboughtpil
l
sanddrank,
it
hinkshei
sdyi
ng..
.I'
m scar
ed.
..
Mmama:
(shocked)Youwhat
?
Me:Idrankpil
ls.
..Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twas
apersonthatcanmov e
Mmama:
Arey
oui
npai
n?
Me:
No.
.
Mmama: Cany
ouhur
ryt
othe
hospi
tal
?
Me:Andgetint
roubl
e?Whatift
hey
cal
lthepol
i
ceonmef orabor
ti
on?
Mmama:
May
bet
heycanhel
pyou
welli
ntime,doct
orsar en'
tpoli
ce
offi
cer
s.Goplease..
.I'
m notscolding
you,ij
ustwantyoutogot othe
hospit
albefor
eyoust artbl
eeding
aroundhereanddie.
..

It
ookaqui
ckbat
handl
eft
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..

Lol
oputherhandsonthet
owel
as
Lor
rai
nedidhernai
l
s..
.

Lor
rai
ne:
Sowhat
'supwi
thAonemo
goDidi
?Whydoesshebeli
eveDi
di
sl
eptwit
hherhusband?
Lolo:Don'ttellherthisbutyesshe
did,BayangwasDi di
'sboyfr
iendki
nd
ofkoor eDidirejectedhim becauseby
thenhewaswor ki
ngasaf uel
attendantandy ouknowuswomen,
wel ovemoney ..
.Didimmakea
sokodisaguyamol edi
samma, i
remembernakonngweshewentt oa
partywher eshesl eptwithamar ri
ed
man, Bayangal elasammai yowa
darliasenasepebecausehedi dn'
t
hav emoney .Aonemethi m andloved
himl i
kethat,shewasschool ingby
thensoenel eBay angdatedand
aft
er4yearsheproposedbutguess
what?Theygotothecitytobuythe
gownsandheseesDi di
, sameni
ght
hefucksherwi
thoutacondom. .
.
Lor
a:No,seri
ous?Dopeoplesti
ll
haveunpr
otectedsext
hateasyne
wena?KanabonebaSTDr esist
ant?
Lolo: Yeah,
Apparentlywhenhel ef
t
Aoneshewasal readysuspici
ous
that'
swhyshehat esDidibecause
shesl eptwit
hhermanknowi ngshe
existedandshewaspr egnant..
.Le
nnammaDi diantir
elastor
y,thenext
mor ningshehadsexl eAatil
e...
Lor
a:IguessDi
dii
sn'
tasi
nnocentas
shel
ooks
Lolo:It ri
edt oforgiv eherbutev ery
ti
mei t hi
nkabouthowmuchi cr i
ed
andbeggedher ?Themmaandshe
easil
ysai difAat i
leampat ant amo
ganat henextt hingshesl eepswi t
h
him.Nowsheact slikeshef or got
whatshedi dtomeandf oll
owi ngme
aroundl i
keapuppy .Thewayi love
Aatil
eeacht i
mei thinkofhi m wi th
heri getmadandhat eDidi all over
again.Somet hingsar eunf or givable,
i
magi ney ourchi l
dhoodf ri
end
sl
eepi ngwi thamansheknowsy ou
l
ov eandar et r
yingt owor kt hi ngsout.
Iknowi shouldbef eeli
ngsor ryf or
herbecausesheissuff
eringbutonl
y
hal
fofmedoes. .
.Halfofmet hi
nks
i
tskarmaf orwhatshedidtome.
Lora:Butdon'
tyouthinkcut ti
ngher
offisbest
?Ifsheremi ndsy ouof
yourhusband'
smi st
akesdon' tyou
thi
nkit'
sbeststopbeingf r
iendswith
her?I'
m suret
hisstr
essesy outoo
Lolo:Howdoi ev enstopbei ng
fri
endswi thherwhenshei st heone
call
ingmeup?Ist oppedcallingher
andv i
sit
ingher ..
.Weoncet riedto
reconcil
ebutt hatonlylastedf ora
minute..
..Isti
l
l can'tbel
ieveshesl ept
withmymanandnowi hav et oli
ve
withthattherestofmyl if
e,friends
canbeev
il
Lor a:Justtellherst raightthaty ouno
l
ongerwantt obef ri
endswi t
hher ,
nowt histoxi
ct hingwi ll r
esultin
somet hingtr
agi c.Younev erknow
whatshei sthinki ng,whati fshei s
thinkingsomet hingnegat i
veabout
you?I t'
snormal tobej eal
ousabout
yourexbecauseI '
m sur eherf eeli
ngs
forAt il
edidn'tjustdi sappear .
..If
ind
yourr elati
onshipv er
yawkwar d,I'
d
nev erbef ri
endswi thsomeonewho
sleptwi thmymannomat terher
excuse. .It
sjustnotnor mal..
.
Lol
o:Idon'
tknowhowt otellherI
'
m
notoverwhathappenedbecauseshe
thi
nksitover.
..
.Uh..
..
shewill
seeI'
m
notfeel
ingherandstoptalki
ngto
me...Ir
eall
ythoughticoul
dgetover
thebetr
ayalbutit
'shard.
Lor
a:Iunder
standbutj
ustendt
hings
wit
hher
Lol
o:Okay
..
.(
sighed)Any
way
..
.Can
youbemybestlady?
Lor
a: (
smil
edsur
pri
sed)What
?Tel
l
mey ou'
rej
oki
ng
Lol
o:Nope.
..Pl
ease
Lora:Areyoukiddi
ngmey es!Of
course.
..Maybethiswil
lmoti
vat
emy
babydaddyt othi
nkaboutmarri
age,
i
don'twanttosayanythi
ngabout
mar
ri
ageunt
ilhesay
ssomet
hing.
.
Lol
o:t
hanky
ou.
..
Lora:Sohowdowedress?Iwantt
o
startsav
ingnow.
..
Lol
o:(openedaf
older)Okayt
hisi
s
whatIhaveinmi
nd...

Theylookedatt
heweddi
ngpi
ctur
es
thenherphoner
ang.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Hi,
ist
hisAl
oneMowana?
Lol
o:Emma
Voi
ce:
Pleasebr
ingy
ourI
Dtomor
row
atWi
l
li
amsHot
elandseet
heHR.
Lol
o:(
qui
etl
yjumped)Yesma'
am.
..

Shehungupandscr
eamedjumpi
ng
andrunni
ngar
oundasLor
rai
ne
l
aughedather
..
.

Lor
rai
ne:
You'
l
lbr
eakay
ourl
egi
j
a
Lolo:(
emot i
onally
)Lorammakana
youdon'tknowwher eI'
m coming
fr
om. .
.Godhasf i
nall
yopeneddoors
ofsuccessf orme, i
tsnotrai
ning
blessi
ngsitspouringblessi
ngs..
.
Imaginemeast hePRof fi
certhe
mmany ana...Ei
sh
Lora:
(laughed)Youshouldpr ay
aboutit,
justt
othankGod..I
cel
ebratedwheni boughtmy sel
fthat
Rav4becauseIalway swantedacar
ofmyownnotaman' scar
.
Lolo:Eishwow. .
.Can'
tbeli
eveI'
ll
be
wor ki
ng..
.I'
m goingtohavethebest
weddi ngever.Theweddingofthe
year..
.
Lor
a:Ohy
esbackt
otheweddi
ng.
..

Theyl
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
es.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Lat
eronIlaidonthebedasthe
off
icerr
anthescannerbel
owmy
bel
lywit
hthecoldgel.
..

Hi
m:Um...Ther
ewego.
..Ourl
i
ttle
mani
sjustswimmi
nginthewater.
.
Me:
It'
saboy
?
Him: Yes..
.okay,(
pressedthescan)
I
'm print
ingthisforthedoctor
,weare
done...(
gav emeal argeti
ssue)Wipe
yourself
.I'
llbri
ngtheresul
ts.Youcan
goaheadandseet hedoctor
Me:
Thanks
Iwalkedoutoft heultrasoundscan
room preciouslyholdingmybel lywit
h
anawkwar dsmi leandheadedt ot he
emer gencybeyi wasassi gnedto
earl
ier,minuteslateradoct oranda
nursepulledthecur tainsandgotin..
.

Doctor:Ourbl
oodt estsare
back.Therei
snot hi
ngt oxi
cinyour
bl
oodst r
eam,i don'
tknowwhaty ou
mighthav et
akent hatcouldhave
di
ssolvedsof ast,i
tmustbesome
ki
ndofv it
aminsorsomet hi
ngvery
weak..
Me:
Okay
..
.
Doct
or:I
'
m goi
ngtoadmity
ousoy
ou
canseeasoci
alwor
ker
-
Me: doctorpl
ease,youcan'tdothat
..
.
Mygr andmotherisbli
nd..
.Shecan't
stayaloneandIleftmythingsinthe
tuckshop..
.Iwon'tabor
tthisbaby
again.
..Heari
nghisheartbeatwas
enoughf orme,ij
ustacceptedhim.
Doct
or:Tomor
rowy
ou'
l
lbebackher
e
bl
eedi
ng-
Me:
No,
Nev
er.
..Pl
ease.
..
Doctor:
Fine.
..You'
regetti
ng
regi
ster
edimmedi atel
yandy ou
shouldbetakingyoursupplement
s
assoonaspossi
ble
Me:yesplease.
..Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
..
Thankyou..
.

Isi
ghedinr
eli
efashenot
ed
somethi
ngdown..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
gat
e..
.

Lateroni wai
tedforataxibythegate
thenanunf amil
iarf
ancycarstopped
i
nf rontofme,thewindowslowly
roll
eddownandBay angsmiledatme
withAatil
einthepassengerseat.
..
Bay
ang:
Hey
..
.CanIdr
opy
ouof
f?
Me:
No,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Bayang:
Comeon.
..Nohar
dfeel
i
ngs
ri
ght?
Me:Ther
earenohar
dfeel
ings,
I'
m
wai
ti
ngformyboyf
ri
end.
..

Hel ookeddownatthenew
pregnancycardandsmil
edtheni
quicklyhi
ditbehi
ndme..
.

Bayang:
Congrat
ulat
ions.
..
.I
fhei
sa
goodfat
herheshouldn'
tbemaki
ng
y
ouwai
tthi
slong,
comeonl
et'
sgo.
..

Isighedandgotint hebacksi
tt
ing
nex ttothebabycarseatashejoi
ned
ther oad..
.

Me:
Hi
Aat
il
e:(
avoi
dingmyey
es)Hi
..
Bay
ang:
So.
..
.Whoi
sthel
uckyguy
?
Me:You'
l
lseehi
m onmyweddi
ng
day
Aat
il
e:Gaakakeany
alaapal
elwake
mpa
Me:
what
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Aati
le:Wel
ljustt
oment i
ononet hi
ng,
heisnotherewithyou.I
tsjustt
he
begi
nningofthepregnancyandthe
i
diotshoul
dbeexcited.
Me:
Hewasbusy
Aatil
e:Exact
lymypoint
,hehasbet
ter
thi
ngst odothanbr
ingi
nghisbl
ood
tothehospit
al.
Me:
Onal egoakanyagoreobot
oka
mobathongbabangwe, koor
ewena
omrperfect
,ofl
awless
Aati
le:(l
aughed)Justtel
li
ngy out
he
tr
uth,iknowi woul
dn'tmiss
appointmentyaspatela,
shitcomes
onceinamont hgoit
sapisakaeng.I
diditwithMay a'
smot herandit
helpedmebecausei gottoknowshe
wasdr i
nkingwhilepregnant,igotto
knowMay awasn'tgrowingproper l
y
al
eunder weightandi hadtoforce
hermot hertodot hi
ngsproperly,
it'
s
apitybyt heti
meshedel iver
edour
daughterwebot hhatedeachot her
butatleastMay agotthebestcar e.
Me:Wel
lmyboy
fri
endknowsi
don'
t
dr
ink
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)Wai
t-
what
?Youl
i
ed
tohi
m?
Me:
Leav
emeal
one.
…
Bay
ang:
(dr
ivi
ng)Guy
scomeon.
.Ar
e
y
ouseri
ousl
ygoi
ngt
oar
gueov
ershi
t
l
i
kethat
?
Aat
il
e:Iwasj
ustsay
ing.
..

Aati
l
e'sfat
hercal
l
edt henheclosed
thewindowansweri
ngt hephone.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Him: Ineedthemoneyforfuel
,
tomor r
owI '
l
lbecol
lect
ingever
yone
aroundandI '
mlowont hefuel
At
il
e:Ohokay
,I'
l
ltr
ansf
ert
hemoney
.
Hi
m:By
e
At
il
e:E-
heepapawee?emapel
e..
.I
wantedtoaskyouearli
erandforgot
..
.
i
tseemswher everigoiseesnakes
andievendream aboutt
hem..It
bot
hersme, whatcouldi
tmean?
Hi
m:(
laughed)Oi
thwadi
sit
seAt
ti
e?
Aati
le:(
laughed)Wabooreng
yaanongpapa?Aennyaa.
..
Hi m:(laughed)I'mt el
li
ngy outhe
truth.
..Mesinini,dinogany anameans
youknockedsomeoneup. .Itusual
ly
torment syouunt ilsomeone
ment i
onspr egnancyl i
keI '
m saying
now, from thereitgoesaway
becausei twaski ndoflikeanal ert
.
Somet hi
ngsi mil
art obot hodi.
..Oit
se
bot
hodi
gor
ekehagor
engaker
?
Aatil
e:Yes..Whenthingshappenout
oftheor di
naryunt
ilatragi
c
occurrencetakespl
acey ouall
final
ly
gettoknowwhysomet hi
ngoddl i
ke
thathappened.
Him: Exact
ly,backi ntheday swhen
snakesbot heredy ounotamont h
wouldpassbef oreacer tai
nfamil
y
reportstoyourf atherthatyou
i
mpr egnatedthei rdaughter
Aatil
e: (
laughed)UhSet swanabel
ief
s,
aretheyev enreal
?Ibeli
evein
science...Ibeli
eveinsomethi
ngican
see,testinal abandhaveresul
ts.
Him: Iknowy oulov escienceand
exper i
mentsandmay bet heset hings
aren'taccurat
eany mor ebecausey ou
peopl ewatchmov i
eswi thsnakes
andendupdr eami ngaboutt hem but
duringourtimewebel i
ev edandi t
happened.Wheni knockedupy our
mot hersnakesbot heredmebecause
shet ookalongt imet ot ellme, she
wasscar edt otel
l mebecauseshe
thoughtI'ddenymychi ld...SoI'dr un
i
ntoasnakewheni walkedar ound
they ardortri
edtol i
ftany thingev en
dream aboutt hem andmyf athert old
mei t'saboy .
..
..
.y
ouknowwhat ?
Aat
il
e:What
?
Hi
m:Youwer
ebor
n
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Damn.
..
Hi
m:Hav
eyoudoneany
thi
ngl
eLol
o?
Aat
il
e:Noy
et
Him:Butt
henitcoul
dmeananythi
ng
r
eall
yornothi
ngatall
,j
ustpr
ayabout
i
t.I
twil
lgoaway.
Aat
il
e:By
e
Hi
m:By
e

Hehungandsi
ghed.
..

Bayang:(l
aughed)Br
uhgat
weo
i
misitse?
Aati
le:Uhdil
otsaSet
swana,j
ust
nonsense.Whocameupwi t
hshitl
ike
that
?Itdoesn'
tevenmakesense.
..

Minut
esl
aterBay
angdr
oppedAat
il
e
athi
sgat
e..

Aat
il
e:Cheer
s
Bay
ang:
Sur
e
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Shapopr
eggas
Me:
Skampi
tsadi
l
otseo

Bay
angrever
sedthecaranddropped
meoffbef
oreheadi
nghomef orthe
ni
ght
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Laterthateveni
ngLoloputthekids
tosleepandswi t
chedofftheli
ghts
thenshewal kedinthei
rroom and
switchedofftheli
ghtswhil
eAat i
l
e
l
aidont hebedstaringather
..

Aati
le:Swit
cht hem onandtakeoff
yourclot
hes..
.TonightI
'
m goingto
seey ounakedwi t
horwi t
houtyour
consent.
..
Shereluctantl
ytookoffherr
obethen
herpanties,Aati
l
estaredather
operati
onscarandt ookadeep
breath.
.

Aat
il
e:Whathappened?
Lolo:(
tearful
ly)Idon'
tknow..These
pi
ecesj ustbegunst i
cki
ngout,atfi
rst
Ithoughttheywi l
lshri
nkbutitj
ust
l
ooksl i
ket hi
s..
.
Aat
il
e:Comeher
e..
.

Shedr
aggedherf
eett
ohi
m andsat
onhisl
apt
henheki
ssedherandl
aid
heront
hebed.
..

Aat
il
e:Buti
t'
snott
hatbadandi
-

Herphoner
ang.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Zer
o:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(
hear
tski
pped)Whoi
sthi
s?
Zero:Iwantmydaught
er,
gat
weo
nyalwakangwanake?
Lol
o:Waat
senwaZer
o?Leav
eme
al
one.
Shehungup.
.

Aat
il
e:Whoi
sthat
?
Lol
o:May
a'sf
ather
Aat
il
e:What?Didn'
tyousayhei
sout
oft
hepict
ure?
Lol
o:Hei
s-

Hecal
l
edagainthensheanswer
ed
t
hephoneagai
n..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Zer
o:Seey
oui
ncour
t,I
'
mtaki
ngher
..
.

Hehungupandsheshookherhead.
..
.

Lol
o:Di
dipr
obablygavehim my
numbert
oruinmyweddi ng,
sheis
goi
ngtopayfort
his.Iknowshedid
thi
s.

Newr eadersthenexti
nser
tfol
l
ows
at11am, l
ikeandcomment .
Goodnight
*
*
*
*
*
..
.
[
9/3,
11:
31PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 15

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Aat
il
e:whydoy
out
hinki
t'
sDi
di?
Lol
o:Whoelsewoulddothis?And
nobodyknowsMaya'sf
ather,i
tsher
.
Aati
l
e:Idon'
tthi
nkDi
dicandothat
,
sheseemstohavepr
oblemsofher
own.Isawhertodayatt
hehospit
al
andidoubtshehastheener
gyfor
that
.
Lol
o:Youmether?Ithoughtwe
agr
eedyouwil
lnevertal
ktoDidi
Aati
le:It
'snotl
ikei
appr
oachedher
,
Bayanggav eherari
dewhi
leiwasin
thefrontseat
.
Lolo:Youknowwhaty oudi dt
ome
withher,i
haven'tcomplet
elyheal
ed.
Isittoomucht oaskthatyou
distanceyour
selffr
om her
?
Aati
le:Babehowmanyt i
mesdoi
havetosayIdon'twanther
?Ichose
youdidn'ti
?Thi
sweddinghasto
meansomething.
..AndBayangsti
l
l
l
ovesher
,ift
hereissomeonewho
shoul
dbeworriedisAonenotyou.
Lol
o:I
fyousayso.
..
Aati
le:
Whatweshouldbet
alki
ng
aboutist
hisZer
oguy,y
ouhaveto
meethim andki
ndl
yaskhi
mt ol
etus
haveMaya.
Lol
o:Excuseme?
Aati
le:
Youhavetoaskhim because
hehasthepowertostopt
hiswhol e
thi
ngwearetr
yingtoachi
eve
Lolo:Aat
il
ethi
smanneverbought
anythi
ngformydaught
er,
NOTHI NG!
(t
earful
ly
)Hetoldmetoabor
torI'm
onmyown, I'
m notgoingtoconsult
hi
m aboutanythi
ng.Hegav euphis
ri
ghtwhenheaskedf orabort
ion.
Aatil
e:I'mjustt el
li
ngy outhatabsent
parentshav er i
ghtsoverchildrentoo
andifhewi sheshecandest royall
thi
s.Iknowy ou'
reangryathi m and
yeahI '
m offendedt oobecauseMay a
hasbeent hroughal otwhilehedi d
nothingbutsomet imesy ouhav eto
actstupidt ogetwhaty ouwant .Put
asidey ourangerandgot alkto
him..
.forme, forMay aandBaby .
..
Don'tletyourangerdest r
oyus.Baby
deservesaf amily
..
.
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Okay
,I'
l
lmeethi
m
t
omor
row.
..

Shesmi
ledandgotont
opofhi
m
ki
ssi
nghim.
..

Lol
o:Il
ovey
oudoy
ouknowt
hat
?
Aat
il
e:Il
ovey
out
oo

Sheki
ssedhi
m andrubbedhi
sDbut
i
twasassoftadough..
.

Lol
o:Real
l
y?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)What
?
Lol
o:Wher
edi
ditgo?
Aati
l
e:I'
mf r
ustr
ated,
kelusit
se
i
nter
estakerenekebatakukuandwe
ar
etalki
ngaboutDidiandZero.
..Uh
Lol
o:(
smil
ed)Ohcomeon..
.Tellme
youdi
dn'
tundr
essmefornothi
ng..
.

Shekneltbetweenhislegsand
bl
owinghim ashi ssnakeslowly
j
erkedbuthegr abbedherwr i
stand
pul
ledherup, shelai
dnexttohim
l
ookingathimt henhekissedherand
puthisarm aroundher.
..

Aat
il
e:Let
'
sjustsl
eep.
..
Lol
o:I
sitt
heoper
ati
on?
Aatil
e:No,t
oldyouIdon'
tcareabout
that.I
'mfr
ustr
atedaboutsomethi
ng
else..
Lol
o:What
?
Aat
il
e:(
thought
ful
l
y)Zer
o..
Lol
o:I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
mtomor
row.
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
..
.

Heswitchedofft
helight
sandl ai
d
downthoughtf
ull
y,somethi
ngwasn't
addi
ngupabouttheev ent
st hat
tr
anspi
redduri
ngtheday .
..
.
AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..

Aroundmi dnightBayangt ossedand

turnedthenhesatupandsi ghed
rubbinghishead, hegrabbedhis
phoneandqui et
lywalkedout si
de
diali
ngDidi.
..

Di
di:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Hey
..
.Sor
ryt
owakey
ou.
.
Di
di:
What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Bayang:Nothi
ng,I'
mj ustt
hinki
ng
aboutyou.Idi
dn'twanttotalkt
oyou
i
nper sonbecauseithoughtyou
mightbeembar rassedbutireal
ly
wanttoaskt hi
s.Isyourbabydaddy
around?Pleasebehonestme.I
understandkgantel
eyouwer e
embar r
assedbecausei waswi t
hmy
fr
iendthat'
swhyIpl ayedal
ongbutit
s
eati
ngme. ..
.
Di
di:
Hei
snot
.
Bayang:
Canwemeettomor
rowand
tal
kabouti
t-t
hebaby
.
Di
di:
Bay
angy
ou'
remar
ri
edand-
Bay ang:
Iknowbuti justwanttohel
p
you.Iobv i
ouslycan'
tgiveyoualot
withoutitlooki
ngsuspici
oustomy
wifebuti knowP1000i snot
tr
aceabl
e.Itol
dyoumyhel
pisnev
er
condi
ti
onal.
Didi
: Aonewar nedmeper sonallyto
stayawayf rom y ousoI'
m sorry,i
can'tacceptyourhelpbutthanksa
l
otfory ouroffer.Youhavealway s
beenagoodper son, mygrandmot her
speaksonl ythebestabouty ou.I
shouldn'thaveplayedwithmy
chance, iwouldbeAonebynow.
Bay
ang:
Didi
-
Didi
:Goodni ghtBayang,gobackto
bed.Youcan' tsavemeeachtimei
needhelp,you'reahusbandnowand
si
ncei di
srespectedyoubeforet
he
besticandonowistorespectyour
famil
y.Goodni
ght,don'
tcal
lagain,
yourwifemi
ghtthi
nkit'
syourbaby.

Shehungupt henhesighedand
del
etedhernumberthenhewentto
bed.
..
.

AtZer
o'shouse.
..
.

ThenextmorningLol
osteppedoutof
thecarasZerofi
xedhi
sov er
all
sand
gotinthecar
..
.
Lol
o:canwet
alk?
Zero:Akebuenex?Retakopanako
court
,Iwantshar
edcustodyofour
daughter
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)Youdon'
tev
enknow
her
!
Zero:Iwanttoknowher,iwanther
eachholiday
sifnotshecanattend
schoolfr
om hereandyougetheron
holi
days.Fai
randsquare.
Lol
o:Kant
ewenay
agor
ekeany
alwa
oetsay
akae?

Herev
ersedthecaranddrov
eof f
l
eav
ingherinthemistofadarkgas
f
rom hi
scarexhaustpi
pe.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Laterthatmor ni
ngAatil
ethought f
ull
y
l
eanedov erthehospi
talbalconyand
pressedhi sphone.Hetri
edcal l
i
ng
butthenumberwasnotav ail
abl
e
thenhet ypedamessage. .

Aati
le:Di
diyou'
reabadliar,
wedi dn'
t
useacondom 4mont hsagoandi
doubtyouwereoncontracepti
ves
becauseyoudidn'
thaveaboy f
ri
end.
That'
smykidandy ouwer ewait
ing
forataxi
.WhenIknockof fI
'm
comingoverthereandy ou'r
egoingto
showmey ourboyfr
iendifyouwant
met obel
ieveit
'snotmyki d.Haese
wamewagont shupegetsarragwe.

Hesentt
hemessageandwal
ked
backt
othel
ab.
..
.

Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eihandedmyphonetoour
nei
ghbourwithachargerandwal
ked
backtothetuckshopwhereispr
ead
ablanketandsatdownholdi
ngacup
ofteawit
hfatcakes,at
axidr
ovein
theyar
dthenLetl
hogonolost
epped
outwit
hal i
tt
lepl
asti
c.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Let
ty!Hahaha
Let
ty:(
laughedwalki
ngover)Ihadto
vi
sity
ousi nceyoudon'
twanttovisi
t
meorcal l
me. .
.

Shehadgainedweightandshe
l
ookedclassi
cmeanwhi l
eismell
ed
smokefrom thef
ir
eandmyf eethad
thedust
.…
Ihatedmeetingmyf or
mer
classmatesl
ookingthewayi di
d..
..At
l
easti hadbathedandbrushedmy
teeth,Ist
oodupaswehugged
smi l
ing.
..

Me:
Nicet
oseey
ou
Let
ty:
Nicet
oseeyoutoo,etsamay
a
j
angunemploy
mentkakoo?
Me:(
laughed)unemploy
edmyf
oot,
l
ooki
ngthisbeauti
ful
?Arey
out
ryi
ng
t
omockme?
Lett
y:JesusDi
dili
fei
shard!(shook
herhead)Someti
mesi wonderwhyi
wenttoschool
..
.Ican'
tbel
ieveI'
m
doingint
ernshi
p,i
nternshi
p..
.My
degreeisjustawaste..
.
Me:
What
'sI
nter
nshi
p?
Let
ty:
Iboughtt
hisf
ory
ou
Me:(Il
ookedattheP30meat)Thank
you,
atleastt
odayseshaboseteng.
..
HaveaseatI'
m comingback.
..
Let
ty:
bri
ngt
het
ea.
..

Shegotmycupandt hefatcakethen
shesatdowneati
ng,minutesaft
eri
j
oinedherwit
hanothercupandmor e
fatcakes.
.
Let
ty:
Howmuchdoy oumakeper
monthwi
tht
hist
uckshop?
Me:Cl
oseto900,i
ncludi
ngthemoney
Imakesel
l
ingforstudent
satschool
Lett
y:Whydon'
tyouappl
yfor
i
nternshi
p?Atl
easti
tpay
smor et
han
that
,it
's1.
9K
Me: Tel
lmemor eabouti
tmathat
a
I
'm pregnant
..Woul
dtheyal
l
owme?
Lett
y:Pr
egnantmonyanamotal
eee
kanawenawai t
hwal
a?Isthe
condom i
tchi
ngyou?
Me:
Eishmmaandhedoesn'
thav
e
t
hefat
her
Let
ty:
Heel
ayou'
regoi
ngt
orepor
t
t
hatmanandhewi
l
lsuppor
tthebaby
Me:
It'
sal
ongcompl
i
cat
edst
ory
,
r
ememberAat
il
e?
Let
ty:
TheguyLol
orej
ect
ed?
Me: Yes, hewant edmeandhe
promi sedmeal lthesef ancythings,
truelovebl abla..
.Iknowi twaswr ong
togiv ehi m achancesi ncehewas
Lolo'scr ushbutIf i
gureduht hey
didn'tdoany t
hinglikeev enkissing.I
fellf
ori tandwehadsexbutt hen
appar entlyLoloaskedhi mi ft
hey
couldt ryagainandheagr eed
dumpi ngmei mmedi at
el y.Thenext
mor ningLol ofindsoutIhadt ri
edt o
moveonwi t
ht heguyanddrowned
meinthebat h,sheli
ter
all
ytriedtoki
ll
meandl ef
tmet odie.
..
.al
lthose
fi
ght
sandst ressmademef or getwe
hadunprotectedsexandpar tofme
wasthi
nkingwehadsexoncei
woul
dn'tbepr egnant
Letty
: Howmanyr oundsdidy outhi
nk
i
ttakesf orsomeonet obepregnant?
Idon'tunderstandpeoplewhot hink
l
ikethisandi havehear dsomany
ti
mes.Howmanyr oundsdoesittake
tobepr egnant?Thisishowt eensfall
pregnantkans
Me:Nowiknowittakesonebut
any
waynowt hey
'r
edatingandI
'
m
afr
aidtotel
ltheguybecausefunny
enoughLolotoldhi
mi had
unprot
ectedsexwithhisfr
iendsoi
bethewon'tevenbeli
eveit
shisbuti
di
dn'thaveunprot
ectedsexwith
Bayang.Heusedacondom andt ook
outwhenwegotdr essedbecausehe
di
dn'tevencum
Lett
y:Youguys,
yourstoryistwi
sted.
..
I'
m notsur
eievenunderstand.
.
Me:Basi
cal
lyican'
ttel
lany
onethat
t
hisi
sAatil
e'
sbaby,Lolowoul
dkil
l
me
Let
ty:t
hewayyoutwowerecl
ose
youshoul
dn'
tbefi
ght
ingl
i
kethi
s,i
rememberLol oprot ect i
ngy ouf r
om
bull
iesatschool ican'tpi ctureher
doingt hattoy oubuti kindof
under standherf rustrat i
on.Youhur t
her,themai nr easony oushoul dn't
datey ourfriend'sexi sbecauset hey
mightwantt of ixthingsoneday ,
bonawhathappened.Shewentback
tohim wenay oual r
eadyt ast edhi m.
Whaty oudidwaswr ongmyf r
iend
andIwon' tsugar -
coati t.
..You
betrayedy ourf ri
end. .
..Hav ey ouev er
takenami nutet owonderhowLol o
feelsknowi ngy ousl eptwi thhi m?( i
gott eary)Nodon' tcr y...Tell mehow
youwoul dfeel becausei remember
youusedt ot al
kabouthowgoodt his
mani sandhowy ouwi shshecoul d
givehim achance.Yout oldmeshe
wasaf raidt oevendat eaf terwhat
happenedt oherdaught erandwena
asaf rienddeci detot akeherman
whileshewasr ecovering,thesame
gir
lwhor iskedget t
ingst abbedwi t
h
knivesorr apedbydr unkardsj ustto
protecty oubecausey ouwer edrunk
anddi dn'tknowwhaty ouwer edoing,
thefri
endwhocl eanedt hehousey ou
messedwheny ouwer esupposedt o
heat idyguest .
..
Me:(cr
ying)Iwi
shi
coul
dtakeback
whatidi
d-
Lol
oparkednextt
ousandstepped
outoft
hecarwalki
ngt
owardsme...

Lol
o:Didii
havetri
edtobeyourf
ri
end
butidon'
tthi
nkicandothi
sanymore.
Whydidyoutell
ZerothatI
'
m get
ti
ng
marr
iedandtaki
nghisdaught
er?
Me:You'r
egett
ingmar
ri
ed?Idi
dn'
t
knowthatandwhywoul
dItel
lhi
m
that
?
Lolo:Thenwhodi d?Didint
enemma
whathav eIdonet oyou?Justtell
me
whatIdi dtodeserveall
thesefrom
you..
.Itseemslikeyouuseev ery
oppor
tuni
tyt
ohur
tme.
Me:(t
ear
ful
lystoodupl ooki
ngather
)
Lol
oI'
dneverdot hatyou,pl
ease
bel
i
eveme...Idon'tev
enknowwher e
Zer
ostays.
..
.
Lolo:(
tearfull
y)Thenwhot oldhim?
AllIwantformydaught erisaf amil
y
andZer otakingmet ocour tisgoing
tomessev erythi
ng.Youknowhow
thelawis,they '
regoingt ogranthim
sharedcust odyandt henI '
llhaveto
spendholiday swithouther ..
.
(dr
opped)Youknowi can'tgether
outofmysi ghtevenf orami nute
becauseofwhatshehasbeen
thr
ough...
Iwalkedoverandhuggedherasshe
cr
iedhyster
ical
ly
..
.

Me: Ididn'ttel
lhim, ididn'
tev enknow
you'r
eget t i
ngmar ri
ed.
Congr atulati
ons..
.I'
m happyf ory ou
andZer ocan' tbeser i
ous, hedoesn' t
evenlov echi l
dren..
.Hehaschi ldren
allover,whywoul dhewanty our s?
Rememberhowmanygi rl
shegot
pregnant ?Idoubthei sserious.

Let
tyst
ooduphol
dingacupoft
ea.
..
Let
ty:
Tel
lher
..
.
Me:(
heartpoundi
ng)Tel
lherwhat
?
Whatar
ey outal
ki
ngabout?
Letty
: Shesay sthey '
reget
ti
ng
mar r
ied,don'tyout hi
nkshedeserves
toknowt het rut
h?Whyar eyou
draggingthings?Sheshoul dheal
fr
om onet henj ustwhenshet ri
est o
behappyy earsfrom nowy ou'
l
ldrop
abombshel l
?Tel lherandgeti
tov er
with,sheisy ourfri
endorwas..
Lol
o:what
'
sLet
tyt
alki
ngabout
?
Didi
:Idon'
tknowwhatshei
stal
ki
ng
about
Let
ty:
Didi
youcan'
tdoi
tony
ourown,
thatchil
ddeservesafat
herandhis
fatherdeser
vestoknowhemadea
babysohecant aker
esponsi
bil
i
ty.
Thiswhol et
hingisati
cki
ngbomb
wai t
ingtoexpl
ode
Lol
o:What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:I
'm 4monthspr
egnantandi
t'
s
Aat
il
e'
sbaby.
.

Shetear
ful
lyrubbedherheadlosi
ng
herbal
ancethenshest agger
edand
l
eanedagainstthecarcryi
ng.
..

Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Lol
o:(pausedandl
ookedatme)Ar
e
youkeepingi
t?
Me:
What
?
Let
ty:
Arey
ouki
ddi
ngme?
Lolo:Youhav et oabort,youcan't
haveababywi thmyhusband.I fyou
regretwhaty oudi dandy ouwantitto
heat hi
ngoft hepasty ouhavetodo
thi
s...Icanpayf ortheprocedureand
wecandoi tatapr i
vatehospit
alwit
h
agy naecologist.IhaveAatil
e'
sATM
cardwi thme, let'
sgo..
.Please,I
'm
beggi ngyou..
.
Let
ty:
UseAat
il
e'
smoneyt
oki
l
lhi
s
ownson?Wow..
.
Lol
o:Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou
Let
ty:Iwastalki
ngtoy ou,
sheis4
months..
.It
slateforabort
ion
Me:
Let
typl
easego,
I'
ll
cal
lyoul
ater
..

Lett
ygotherhandbagandwalked
awaytheniturnedar
oundl
ookingat
Lol
owhoset earswerer
unni
ngdown
hercheeks.
..

Me:Whatabouti
fij
ustkeepqui
et
andnottel
lhi
m?Ican'
tki
llmybaby
,
heisal
readymov
ingLol
o
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)Di
dipl
easey
ouknow
howAat i
leiswithkids,you'
re
creat
ingunnecessarydrama. .
.Hei s
goingtowantt obet her
e,hewillbe
hereandwi t
hme. .Ican'tsur
vivethat,
pl
easeI '
m beggingyoujustgetr i
dof
i
t..
.Ilov
ehim. .
.

Shetear
ful
l
ygotonherkneesand
cover
edherfacecr
ying.
..

Lol
o:IknowwhatI
'
m aski
ngf
oristoo
muchbutI'
ll
doanyt
hingy
ouwant,
pl
ease.
…
Me:
Okay
,let
'sdoi
t.
..
Shest
oodupandhuggedmeaswe
bot
hsmil
edtear
ful
l
y..
.

Lol
o:Let
'
sgo.
.
Me:
Letmegetmyphonenextdoor
.
Lol
o:I
tdoesn'
ttakel
ong.
..Let
'sj
ust
go
Me:
Idi
dn'
tev
enbat
h-
Lolo:Let'
sjustgo..
.(pul
li
ngmyarm)
Please..
.Let'
shurrybefor
ethedoct
or
schedulesforotherthi
ngs..
.

Icl
osedt
hetuckshopandthr
ewt
he
key
sinsi
det
hehousewhilemy
grandmotherwasasl
eept
heni
goti
n
thecar.

Shestar
tedt
heengi
neanddr
ove
off
..
..

*
*
*
*
*
..
[
9/3,
11:
31PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 16
AtMmama'
shome.
..

Laterthatafter
noonAat i
l
epar kedthe
carundert hemophanet reeand
steppedlookingaroundthey ard,
it
wasqui etandthetuckshopwas
cl
osedbutt hedoortotheoner oom
wassl i
ghtlyopenthenhewal ked
overji
nglinghiskeys.

Henoticedtheol
dwomanwaslyi
ng
onthemat t
ressl
i
steni
ngt
other
adio
thenheknocked.
.
Aat
il
e:Ko-
ko?

Theoldl
adysatupandputheronher
gl
asses.
..

Her
:Tsena!

Aati
legent
lypushedt hedooropen
andwalkedinashisshi nyformal
shoesmadegent l
ef ootstepsonthe
fl
oorthenhesquattedgr eeti
ngher
wit
honehandwhi let heother
support
edtheelbow. .
.
Aat
il
e:Dumel
ang.
.
Her:
(fr
owni ngst
ari
ngathim wit
ha
bl
urr
edv i
sion)Dumelapapa.
..Oteng?
Aati
le:
Ehmma..
.(r
espect
fult
one)My
nameisAati
l
e,I
'
ml ooki
ngfor
Didi
ntl
e..
.
Her:Idon'
tknowwher eshewent,i
havebeencall
ingoutforherand
cal
li
ngherbutshenev eranswer
ed,i
s
hertuckshopclosed?
Aat
il
e:Ehmma.
..
it
'scl
osed
Her:(
poi
nted)Canyougivememy
bagovert
here.
..I
tshangi
ngona
scr
ew
Aat
il
e:(
taki
ngi
t)Icanseei
t.
..
(
handedi
t)Keenkuku.
..

Shefishedf
orapaperandcaught
somet hi
ngtoget
herwit
hanoldpen
thathadarubberbandti
edonit
..
.

Her:
Wr i
tedowny ourfat
her
'snames
andcontact
s,You'r
etheAati
lewhoi
s
seei
ngLoloakerepapa?
Aat
il
e:Ehmma.
.
Her
:Eenkwal
elahoopapa.
..

Heconf
usedl
ywrotehi
sfather
'sf
ull
namesandcont
actdet
ail
sthenhe
handedt
hem ov
er.
.

Aati
l
e:Al
etsey
e..
.(rel
uct
ant
ly)cani
askwhyyouwantthem?
Her:(handedhimthephone)Findme
Bokangi nthephone..
.Ican'
tsee
properl
yany more.
..Cal
lhim,i
tsDidi
'
s
uncle

Hesearchedthenumberanddi al
edit
thenheputiti
tonloudspeakerand
handedher.
..

Aat
il
e:Al
etsey
e..
.Eal
ela.Nkukul
e
i
sakaedi
nam-

Bokang:
Hel
l
o?
Her:Bokang?Li
stenhere.
..Igott
he
youngman'sdetail
s,Ihav
ehi s
f
ather'
snumber.
Bokang:Theoneyousai
d
i
mpr egnat
edDidi
?
Aat
il
e:(
hiseyeswi
denedashe
mimed)Fuck!
Her:Yes.
..Ihavebeenaski
ngDidif
or
hisdetai
l
sandshegav eexcuseaft
er
excusebutluckyenoughheisher
e.
Bokang:
Letmet
alkt
ohi
m..
Shehandedhimt hephoneashis
heartpoundedt
henhecl ear
edhis
thr
oatandanswer edst
il
lsquat
ti
ng..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Bokang:
War engmonna?Goreng
motogol
owameagohi thaj
aana
gasegoreobatagoi
tat
olampa?
Aat
il
e:(
laughedshy l
y)Nnyar
raha
gwannay al
o..
.Idon'
tknowwhyshe
del
ayed
Bokang: Ehe.
..I
'
m Didi
'
suncl
e, my
namei sBokangandI '
l
lbewri
ting
yourfatheralet
terkegobol
elelaka
bomogoreoikakany
egor
eot
a
i
tat
olaor
eng.
.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Ican'
tdot
hatt
omy
chi
l
d.
Bokang:
(laughed)Ker
ataj
alo
motogol
o...Bye
Aat
il
e:By
e

Hehungupandhandedhert
he
phoneback.
..

Her:Thanky ou,
Ihopeyouwil
l
supportyoursonbecausei
don't
havethestrengtht
ohelpmygreat
granddaughteranymore,shedoesn'
t
haveparents.I'
m al
lshehasandas
youcanseeI 'mjustashadowofwho
iusedtobe, I
'mjustwait
ingfordeat
h.
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Soi
t'
saboy
?
Her
:Yesthat
'swhatshet
oldmet
he
machi
nessai
datthehospi
tal
Aati
le:(l
aughedexci
tedl
y)Okay.
.
(sawherpregnancycardbythetabl
e)
Mayi takealookathercar
d?It'
son
thetable
Her
:Okay
..

Hegrabbedt
hecar
dandpul
leda
chai
rsi
tti
ngdownt
henhesmil
ed
l
ookingatherHIVstatusandother
thi
ngs,apict
ureoftheultr
asound
scanfel
l f
rom t
hecardthenhepi cked
i
tf r
om t
hef l
oorandstaredatit
,
thoughitwasn'
tver
yclearknowing
andseeinghewouldfinall
yhavea
boymeltedhisheart
.

Theyhearddogsbarki
ngoutsi
dethen
heclosedi
tandputont het
abl
eas
foot
stepsappr
oachedthehouse.
..

Gr
anny
:Isi
tDi
dicomi
ng?
Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngatt
hedoor
)Um.
..I
t'
s
not
..
.
Let
tyknockedandwal
kedi
n..
.

Let
ty:
(bentherbackandgr
eet
edher
)
Dumel
aa.
Gr
anny
:Dumel
angwanaka
Lett
y:(gr
eet
edtheunknown
gentl
emantoo)Dumelaa
Aat
il
e:Hi
..
Lett
y:I'
mlookingf orDidi
..
ifor
got
ai
rti
meont her eceiptoft
hemeati
broughtherearli
er
Granny
:Heenaar
engony
anay
oaba
i
lekae?
Let
ty:
Howl
ongagodi
dshel
eav
e?
Gr
anny
: Idon'
tknow,
iwassl
eepi
ng.
Whenigotupshewasgone
Lett
y: I
'
m notsureifthat'
swhereshe
wentbutLol oaskedhertoabortthe
baby,shesaidshehadher
boyfr
iend'sATM cardandi don'
t
knowhowt heyendedt he
conversati
onbutsheseemedt obe
consideri
ngit.
Gr
anny
:Lor
dJesus.
..
Aat
il
e:What
?Wher
edi
dtheygo?
Lett
y:Idon'
tknow, shesaidata
gynaecol
ogistbutIdon'
tknowwhi ch
one,maybeifyoucheckt heNiger
ian
onef
irst
..
.Iheardrumourshehel
ps
i
nsit
uati
onslikethati
fyouhavealot
ofmoney
Aati
l
e:AtNewmal l
,iknowthatf
ami
l
y
doct
or.
..(
stoodup)Ihavet
ogo..
Gr
anny
:Pl
easehur
ryup
Aat
il
e:(
toLett
y)Canwegot
oget
her
i
ncaseineedyourhel
p?
Let
ty:
(qui
ckl
y)Okay
..
.

Aati
legrabbedt
hescanpict
urefr
om
thecardandwalkedoutasLet
tyran
aft
erhim...
.
Att
hegy
naecol
ogi
st.
..
.

Meanwhil
emyhear tpoundedasilai
d
onthesl
im bedandli
ftedmydress,
DrEbi
kakiputonhisglovesand
l
oweredmypant i
esabi t
..
.

Doct
or:(
Niger
iaaccent)Al
ri
ght.
..I'
m
goi
ngtoputgelhere.
..I
tsgoi
ngt obe
col
dbutrel
ax.
..

Hedr oppedthecoldgelandmov ed
thescannerheadonmyl ower
abdomenwhi leLoloanxi
ouslyt
apped
herfootonthefloorl
ookingatthe
scr
een.
..

Lol
o:Whyar
eyouscanni
ngher
?
Dr:Ihavetomakesur et hatthe
pregnancyisindeed4mont hssot hat
icanaddressi tproperl
y, pr
ocedures
dif
feraccordi
ngt ot hethest agesof
pregnancy.
..(
hel ookedbackatt he
screenwhil
emov ingthescanner )
Okay .
.Mm thisboywasgr owingeh...
(l
aughed)Turnar oundandl ookat
thi
s..
.(poi
nted)Thi sisthehead. .
.

Icouldn'
tseeclear
lythr
oughthe
blackandwhitescreenbutIcoul
d
seemyson'
sheadt
heni
fel
ta
movement
..
.

Dr:Andhei
smov
ing,
cany
ouf
eel
that
?
Me:
(smi
l
edexci
tedl
y)Yes.
..

Heswi t
chedoffever
ythi
ngandwiped
thegelstar
ingatmeasi si
l
ent
ly
droppedtearsandcover
edmyface..
.

Dr
:Ar
eyouhav
ingsecondt
hought
s?
Me:
Yes.
Lol
o:Di
dipl
easedon'
tdot
his.
..You
haveami l
l
ionchancesofhav inga
babywi t
hamany ouwillmeet,why
shouldyourchi l
dbeast epchild?You
canseehowmuchI 'm suff
eri
ngwi t
h
Maya...Arey ousureyoucanhandl e
that
?Youknowy ou'
renotstrong
enoughf orthat.Waitf
ortheright
mant ohav eababynott his.
.
Me:Whati
fij
ustkeepqui
etandnot
t
ell
him?
Dr:(lookedatus)What'sgoi
ngon?
(l
ookedatme)Li stenyounglady,i
willnotdothisi
fyou'r
enotsure..
.I
wanty outobesur ebecauseI'
m
breakingthelawforyou.Idon'
twant
yout ogohomecr yingli
keikil
l
ed
yourbabyandI 'l
lbehonestwi t
h
you.…Aborti
oncanhaunty ou...
as
mont hsgoby eyou'l
lbecount ing,my
boywoul dbe2mont hsoldnow, next
yearyou'l
lbesayhewoul dbeay ear
old.
..Wheny ouseebabi esyou' l
lsay
hewoul dbehi sage.Isthi
st hekind
ofli
feyouwantt ol
ive?Ifyou'renot
surethat'
showy ouwill
liv
e,y oucan
onlyforgeti
tifyoureall
ydon' tcare
aboutthisbaby .
.
Me:
Cani
thi
nkabouti
tagai
n?
Lolo:Thi
nkaboutwhatDidiy
oudon't
evenhavefoodathome?Howwi ll
youfeedthebaby?Kanawenao
tsayagoregogodisangwanake
di
ket
o
Me:Godwillseemet hrough,akere
youmanagedkaMay aandy ouwer e
wayyoungerthanme..Youwer ea
t
eenagerandI'm anadult
.I'
m going
t
oapplyforInt
ernshi
p,1.9isenough
f
ormeandmyson. ..
Lolo:Akoodi r
emmaobat ago
ntshenyelet
sahela,wegrewup
togetherandyouknowwher eicome
from,whyspoilthisforme?
Me:you'
retal
kingasifI'
mf rom a
bett
erbackgr
ound,Ialsogrewup
poordependi
ngonmygr andmother
's
pensi
ontoeat..
.Iknowlifei
shard
andatl eastyou'reri
chnowbutI '
m
sti
lli
npov er
ty.Ichar
gemyphoneat
theneighbour sandi useaparaf
fin
l
ampt olight,
I'm sur
ey ouf
orgothow
thatfeels..
.
Dr:(sighed)Okay,
pleasegohome
andt hinkaboutt
hisbutaft
er
fi
nalisingdon'
tcomebackhere,goto
anotherdoctorbecauseicannotbe
partoft hi
s.
Lolo:PleaseDrEbikaki
,sheisjust
havingcoldf eet
..
.(t
ookoutthe
money )Icanpayahead. .
.(t
urnedto
me)Di dithemmaakoodi remmase
ntshulagalet
selenyal
o,aker
eot aa
tsholayomongwengwananemma?
Me:
Whati fkesat
shol
e?whati
fhei
s
t
helastone?

ThedooropenedandLol oquickl
yput
themoneyi nherbagasipul
ledmy
dressdownpanicked,t
hedoct or
's
assist
antwalkedovert
ohim and
whispered.
..

Her:Ther
eisapat
ientwhoneedsy
ou
r
ightaway
Dr:
Girl
spleaseexcuseme,
ihav
ean
emergency.
..
Lol
o:Canwehav et
hepi
ll
sincase
shechangeshermi
ndathome?We
wi
ll
comef orwombcl
eani
ngi
nthe
morni
ng.
.
Me:
Lol
o-
Lolo:I
'mjustbuy
ingincaseyou
decidetobeaconsider
atefr
iend
Dr
:(shookhishead)Whatdi
diget
myselfi
ntowit
hy out
wo,bri
ngP1000
Lol
o:(count
edandhandedt
hemoney
)
Thankyou..

Hewalkedbackwit
haboxof4pi
l
ls
andtwomorepil
lsi
nsepar
ate
sachet
s.
Dr:Okay ..Youhav et oputt hi
sone
undery ourt onguef orabout30
minut esandf eel f
reet oswal low
sali
va.Af ter30mi nutesy oucan
chewt her emai ns.Don' teatany thi
ng
forabout2hour sthenhav et hisone.
Afterthaty oucaneatany thingt hen
youputt hesefourundery ourt ongue
andlett hem mel tiny ourmout h.
Don'teatany t
hingagai nbecausei f
yout hrowupy ou'r
egoi ngt ohav ean
i
ncompl eteprocesswhi chcancause
compl icat i
ons.Ify out hrowupcal l
me.
Lol
o:(
gott
hem)Shewi
l
l
Dr
:Assoonasy
ougety
ourper
iods
l
etmeknow, soonaf t
ery ou'l
lhaveto
comeher esoi canchecki fthereis
anydir
tremaininginy ouruterus,
pl
easedon'tgodr i
nkingany thingyou
hearpeoplesayingitcleansthe
womby ou'l
ldieofinfections.
Me:
Okay
.
Dr
:Ihav
eanemer
gency
,any
thi
ng
el
se?
Me:I
sitpai
nful
whent
hepi
l
lst
art
s
wor
king?
Dr:You'
ll
probabl
yfeel
periodpains
becausethi
siski
ndoflikeinduci
ng
l
abour
Me:
Wil
liseet
hebabyf
all
i
ngout
?
Dr:
(smil
ed)That
'st
hewhol
epoi
nt
i
sn'
tit
?
Lol
o:Areyemmaot aabot
samo
gongwekamoso.
..Doct
oraonal
e
emergency

I
nBay
ang'
scar
..
.

Aatil
eskiddedint
otheparki
nglotand
steppedoutslammingthedooras
Lettyfol
l
owedhi mint
othecli
nic.
..

Hishear
tpoundedashebar
reled
acrosst
herecept
iont
aki
ngoffhist
ie
andl
eanedov
ert
othef
rontdesk.
..

Aati
le:Hi..
.I'
ml ookingfort wo
women. ..Theot heronei sveryshor
t
andlightskinnedwhi l
et heotheris
tal
landbr ownish...Di
dintleandAlone
Mowana
Recepti
onist:I
'm sorrywedon'tgiv
e
outcl
ientsinfor
mat i
on,i
t'
sagainst
ourpoli
cyar eyouf amil
y?
Aatil
e:(
glar
ed)I
'm onl
ygoi
ngt oask
youonet i
me,haosankarabentago
thubakampama.Wher earethey?
Her
:(hear
tpoundi
ng)Theyl
eft
..
.
Aat
il
e:You'
rel
yi
ng,
wher
eist
he
doct
or?
Her
: Room 3buthei
sat
tendi
nga
pat
ie-

Hepushedt hroughthedoorsr eadi

ng
eachofthem andbur st
edthrough
room thr
eewher ethedoctorwas
conducti
ngapel vi
cexamination,he
turnedaroundthenthepati
ent
cov er
edhersel
finshock..

Aati
le:Didint
leandLolo,
wher eare
they
?Di dy oudotheaborti
on?
Becausei fyoudidyoushouldpack
yourbagsandcat chthenextfli
ghtto
Lagosbef orethepoli
cegety ou,t
rust
meBot swanapol iceservicesisn'
t
rankednumber1i nAfricafor
nothing...NowIwanty out othink
verycar efull
yabouttheanswer s
you'r
egoi ngtogivemebecausei f
youdi dt his,
youjustki
lledmyonl y
sonandIwon' t
-

Thesecuri
tyguy
swal
kedinand
grabbedhi
m bot
hsi
des.
..

Aat
il
e:Tel
lthem t
oletmego.
..Now
DrEbikaki
:Lethi
m go.
..(t
heylethi
m
go)Let'
sgointotheof
fice.
..(
tookoff
theglovesandturnedt
othepatient
)
I'
m sorr
yma' am,I
'l
lberi
ghtback.I
apologi
seforallt
hese.

Aat
il
efol
l
owedhi
mtot
heof
fi
ce.
..

Aat
il
e:I
'
mli
steni
ng.
..
Ebikaki:Theywer ehereandt heshor t
onedi dn'tseem tobesur eabouti tso
itoldthem i couldn'tdoi tbutt hetall
onei nsi
st edtheybuyt hepi llssot hey
canuset hem ifshechangedher
mi nd.Theyl eftl
i
ke5mi nutesago. ..
.
Pleasedon' ttaket hisfurther,Iwas
onlytryi
ngt ohelpt hinkingt hey '
re
desperate.Ididn'twantthem t
odoi t
withsomeonewhodoesn' tknowand
endupki ll
ingthem. .Younggir
lsget
ri
ppedof fallthetime,theygetsold
fakepill
sandsomeoft hem di
e
duringthepr ocessbecauseitsjust
diff
erentpill
s
Aati
le:(
point
edathim)Youbett
er
hopeifindheringoodheal
th
becauseifIdon'
tyou'
regoi
ngtojai
l
...

Hewal kedoutandpassedbet
ween
thesecuri
tyguardswi
thaseri
ous
faceasLettyranbehi
ndhimli
kealap
dog..
..
..
I
nAat
il
e'
scar
..
..

Aft
eralongdri
veLol
omadeat
urnt
o
'
Thebeach'.
..

Me:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Lol
o:Weneedt
otal
kaboutt
his
Me:
Weal
readyt
alked,
ineedt
ime.
..

Shedrovethroughthewhit
esandby
ther
iverbanksandgotstuck,t
he
wheel
sspunendl essl
ysprayi
ngthe
sandbackandf ort
h..
..
Me:
(lookedout
side)Wear
est
uck.
..

Shesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.
..

Lolo:Didi pl
easet ell
me. .
.asa
womany oudon'tunder standwhat
I'
m goingt hrough?y ou'
remy
chil
dhoodf ri
end..Howam i
supposedt ofeelwheny ourchi
ldwith
myhusbandi solderthanmi ne?Why
shouldy ouhav ehi schi
ldwheny ou
cangetr idoft hi
sandhav eaf r
esh
startwithanot herman, whyobat ago
ntsenyast ress?Okgat hiwakeeng
mogot shol
engngwanawamonna
wamenemma?Koor edil
otsedinteo
batadibonelwamogowenahel a?
Aati
lejaakaalesmar
tjaanaobonaa
tshwanelawenagonal ennaakere?

Myhear tthrobbedthroughmychest
andmyt hr
oatdr i
edasIbegun
sweating,Iknewshehadat emper
andshehadast rongbodywi t
hthe
ri
ghtheighttobacki tup,i
onthe
othersidewast err
ibl
yshortand
skinny.
..

Lol
o:I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou,
whyar
eyou
tr
yingsohar dtomakemeabad
person?Ri ghtnowy ou'relookingat
mel ikeyou'reavicti
m wheny ou'r
e
not..
.Rememberwhenwewer e
comi ngfrom Gabsandy ouwer e
fl
ir
tingwithAt t
ie?Whatdi dyou
promi seme?Di dn'tyousayi fheev er
mademov esony ouy ou'drej
ecthim?
Me:
Idi
d
Lolo:(t
ear f
ully)Andy etyoudidt
he
opposite,notonl ydidyouspread
yourlegsf ormyhusbandy oudidso
withoutacondom, kantekagoreall
theguest housesandhot elr
ooms
haveatl eastsi xcondomswhydi dn'
t
youusepr otection?Why ?(
ikept
qui
et)Why?Skant
ir
asemat
akebua
kel
enosi,
why ?
Me:
Thedr
awerwast
oof
ar.
..
Lol o:(tearfullysweat ing)Whathav ei
ev erdonet oy out odeser v eall t
hese?
Wher ewasy ourlov eformeDi di?I
fi
canpr otecty ouf rom st r
anger s
becausey ou'redr unkwhycan' tyou
prot ectmebyst ay i
ngawayf r
om a
mani l
ov e?i sitsohar dtobel oy al
?
(tookoutapi ll)Hav et hi
spi l
l.
..You're
goi ngt odot his,it
'stheonl ythingI'm
aski ngy out odof ormeandmy
daught er,ilovet hisman. ..Iknowy ou
thoughti wasusi nghi m butno, ihave
moneyandaj ob...I'
m star t
ingnext
week.
..Il
ovehim andyou'
rebreaki
ng
myheartbywantingtobetheoneto
car
ryhisbaby,
kooreobatagonne
j
anghelakenyetswekeAat i
l
ewena
orwel
erwelengwanawagagweka
mpakaha..Kometsapil
isi
Me:I'
m notdoi
ngit
,it
'sababy
..
.Di
d
youseehim movi
ng?

Shepr
essedherphoneandl
ookedat
meagain.
..

Lol
o:Kar
ejapi
l
isi
..
.
Me:Iwon'
tevent
ell
him, Iwasn'
t
pl
anni
ngtoanyway.
..Iwantedto
rai
semysononmyown, y
oudidit
wit
hMay agompienosheis6years
wit
houtt hehelpofaman.Icanalso
doitkangwanake. .
.YouknowI'
m
j
ustalone,mmamacandi eany
time
becauseshei sanelder
lyt
henI'
ll
be
l
eftalone..
.Ineedcompany.
Lolo:Can'
tyougomakeababywi t
h
anotherman,anyman?(angri
ly)
Kantewhyam i ev
ennegoti
ati
ngwi t
h
youbecauseiknowyouwantAt il
e,
youlongwantedhim.
..Sal
eonnal e
crushmogoene. .
.Nwapili
si.
..

Shef
orcedt
hepi
l
lonmymout
handi
spatitt
henist
eppedoutofthecar,
shejumpedoutofthecarandran
aft
erme.

Ispri
ntedacr
osstheheavysandand
shetri
ppedmefrom behindt
hem she
fel
lonmybackput t
ingherar
m
aroundmyneckchokingme...

Lol
o:(pant
ing)Whydoy
ouwantme
tobegyou?

Icouldn'
tspeakwithherar
m around
myneckt henIsawacar
approachi
ng,itgav
emest rengt
hto
hol
donasIt r
iedtoshakeheroffbut
shehadmeonl ockdownandt wigs
werepr
icki
ngmybump. ..

Me:(choki
ngtearful
ly
)Lol
o
o.
.…nthabi
sa.
..
dikgongmompeng.
.

Thecarstoppedt henAonest epped

outandranov er,
Tear sfi
ll
edmyey es
asitr
iedpull
ingof fLolo'
sarm but
shewast oostrong.

Aonepul
ledmeupt henLol
oletme
goanddustedher
self
..
.
Aone:Let'sgotothecar.
..Re2wena
o1,you'l
lbestupi
difyouthinky
ou
canov er
powerusr el
e2ol e
mosesaneso. .
.

Theybothhel
deachofmywr i
stsasi
walkedbet
weenthem t
henwegoti n
thecar,
Lol
ohandedmet hepi
ll
s..

Aone:
(panti
ng)Jadi
pil
i
sit
hemma
waredia.
.
Lolo:
Kanait
'sei
therel
ewagaAt
ti
e
kanaBayang
Aone:Kehoo, nnat hemmamogo
nnangwany anaonwadi pil
isi
..
.Orwe
ti
eherandtakehert omyf ather'
s
farm,shewillstaythereandbleed
thereonherowni fshethi
nkst hi
sis
ajoke.Nwapi li
si
Me:Lolothi
sisnotyou,y
ou'
renot
l
iket
his,whathappenedtoy
ou?
Lolo:It
'sveryfunnyt hatpeopl eonly
noticethechangei ny ourbehav iour
butcan'tseet hei
rcont r
ibution,gake
tsenwe.Ididn'twakeuponemor ning
andt urni
ntot hi
s..
.youbet rayedme,
thereisnothingthatj ustif
ieswhat
youdi dwithAat i
l
eaf terIhav e
beggedy ounott o..
.Nwapi li
sigonna
bosi
gokey
ekobaneng.
..

Shef or
cedthepill
inmymouthas
Aonepi nnedbot
hofmyar msbehind
met henIspatit
,shesmackedme
acrossthefacethenshef
orcedthem
al
linmymout handcover
edwithher
hand.

Istr
uggledtomoveasAonepinned
medownf r
om t
hebackwhil
eLolo
coveredmymoutht i
ght
lywi
thallt
he
pil
l
sinmymout h..
.

Lol
o:(
pressi
ngherl
i
pst
oget
her
sweati
ng)Wear ej
ustgoi
ngtobeli
ke
thi
sunti
lthesepi
ll
smelti
nyour
mouthandy ouswall
owthem.Obata
gontwaelathemma
Aone:(
ti
ghtl
yhol
dingme)Mot
shwar
e
hel
ajal
o..
..

Tear
sr ol
l
edasi feltthepi
ll
smel
ti
ng
i
nmymout h,Itr
iedmybestnott
o
swal
lowbutsal i
vafil
ledmymouth
andbitbybitii
nv ol
untar
il
y
swal
lowed..
...

Thenexti
nser
tfol
l
owsat11am.
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
32PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 17

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Aati
ledesperat
elyst
aredatBay
ang
ashecalledhiswif
ebutther
ewasno
answer.
..
Bayang:
Sheisnotpi
cki
ng,doyou
mindtel
li
ngmewhat'
sgoingon?
Aati
l
e:Lorr
ainesaysshewaswi thher
whenLolotext
edhersot heycoul
d
meetbutLoloisnotpi
ckinghercal
ls,
ij
ustwanttoknowwher esheis.
Bayang:
Didyouguy
shaveafi
ghtor
somethi
ng?I
ssherunni
ngf
rom y
ou?
Aat
il
e:It
'scompli
cat
edandit
'sal
ong
st
ory,
letmejustdri
vear
ound-
Bayang:Ihav
eattachedtr
acker'
son
ourcarsandIcanlocat
ethem with
myphonebutI '
l
lneedtheInt
ernetto
l
ocateit.
Aat
il
e:Ihav
eInt
ernet
,letmeconnect
y
ou.
..Sear
cherWi
Fi.
..

Heconnect
edtot
heInter
netand
cl
i
ckedonthemapfoll
owingther
ed
bl
inki
ngdot
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
anxi
ousl
y)Anyl
uck?
Bayang:Yeah,Looksli
ket
hey'
reby
theri
verthi
sthingusesGoogl
emaps
soe-
Aati
l
e:(snat
chedt
hephone)Letme
see.
..
Bayang:Kesi
dey
aTheBeachgol
o
haakere?
Aat
il
e:Yeah

Hehandedhi mt hephoneandranto
thecarthenBayangfoll
owedhim and
gotinthebackasLet t
yquiet
lysati
n
thefrontseat
..
.

Aat
il
e:Um.
..Youdon'
thav
etogo
Bayang: Iknowwheny ouarehiding
somet hingfrom me.
..Besidesif
you'
rel ocati
ngmywi feimi ghtas
wellgof indoutwhatthisi
sal labout
.
What '
sr eal
lygoi
ngon?
Aat
il
e:(
steppedontheaccel
erator
dr
ivi
ngoutthegat
e)Ican'
texplain
r
ightnow.
..
Bay
ang:
Ist
hatf
air
?
Aatil
e:(sighed)I'
ml ookingf
orDi di,
Lolotookherf orabor t
ionbutDidi
changedhermi ndandLol oinsi
st ed
theybuypi ll
sincaseshechangesher
mind.Theydi dn'tgohomeaf t
er,i
tri
edcallingDidiherphoneisof fand
Loloisn'tansweringmycal l
s.
Bayang:(shocked)Areyouser
ious?
Whywoul dDidiabortaf
terr
egi
steri
ng
herpregnancy?Shecouldgotojail
fort
hat..
Aat
il
e:It
hinkLol
opr
essur
isedher
Bay
ang:
Yeahbutwhywoul
dshe
agreetothat?It'
snotl
ikesheowes
herany t
hingandwhywoul dLol
o
pressuri
sehert oabor
twhenshe
refusedtoabortherswhenshewasa
teenager?Itdoesn'
tmakesense

Aati
lekeptqui
etanddrov
eov
ert
aki
ng
fourcar
sallatonce.
..
.

Bayang:
Sowhatdoesthi
shavetodo
wit
hAone?Shedoesn'
tli
keDi
dikana,
eokesurekay
one..
Aati
l
e:Idon'
tknow,
Lorrainetol
dme
shewaswithAonewhenLol otext
ed
hert
omeetbutshedidn'tsaymuch..
.
AtTheBeach.
..
.

If
eltthebabymovi
ngandthis
motiv
atedme,Ibl
ockedmyt hr
oat
wi
thmyt ongueastheybot
hheldme.

Theyslowl
ygr
ewi
mpat
ientandgot
ti
red.
..

Aone:
Didsheswal
l
ow?
Lol
o:No
Aone:
Blockhernosetoothatwil
l
makeherswall
owev er
ythi
ng..
.
Itr
iedkicki
ngandmovingmyhead
butLoloheldmynecktight
lyand
mov edherhandovermynose
bl
ockingme.

Shecoveredmet i
ghtl
yandionl
y
managedt oholdmybreat
hfor
al
mostami nut
ebefor
eswall
owing
ever
ythi
ng..
.

Lol
o:It
hinksheswal
l
owed.
..Shoul
di
l
etgo?
Aone:
Wait,j
usthol
dhersoitcanget
i
nhersyst
em.Shemi ghti
nser
t
f
inger
sandt
hrowupaf
ter
Lolo:
Sheisnotbr eat
hingkanagape
i
thasmel tedremember ?It
'snotapi
l
l
evenifshetri
esitwon'tfal
lout
becauseit
'sli
quid
Aone:
Don'
tl
etgo
Lol
o:Asahemenewena?Shecoul
d
di
e?
Aone:Releaset henoseonly.
..We
havetowai tli
kethisforanhouror
so..
.Cytotectakes2hour st
ogetin
thesyst
em, af
terthatlehaakarei
n
themorningshewi l
lbeonher
peri
od..
.
Theyhel dmedownf orav erylong
ti
meunt i
lwewereall t
ired,Lolo
staredinmyeyesasi lookedi nher
s
tearful
l
y.Herconsciencef orcedher
toletgoofmet heni cov eredmy
facecryingl
oudl
y ,
Lol otearfull
y
mov edbackregrett
ablyl ookingat
me. .
.

Lolo:(r
ubbi ngmyback)I '
mr eal
ly
sorrythatIhadt odot hi
s..
.Ihope
onedayy ou'l
lunderst
andwhyi had
todot his.Iloveyoubutican'tl
etyou
destroymyf amil
y.I
'm sorr
y
Isteppedoutoft hecarbarefoot
cryingwi thmyar m aroundmy
foreheadl ikeachi ldtheni knel
ton
ther iv
erbankandpi ckedwat erwith
myhandsdr inkingasmuchasi coul
d
theni turnedi nsert
ing4f i
ngersdown
myt hroatandt hrewupont hesand...

Aonegav eheraropet henshet i

edto
herfourwheeldri
veandpul ledher
outofthesand,Lolothrewoutmy
bagandshoest hentheybot hgotin
thecarsandturnedthecarsar ound
butBayang'
scarblockedt heirway.
..
Aati
lesteppedoutandr ant
owards
measi threwupt henigotupandran
towardshim cr
ying..
.

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:(cry
ing)Pleaset akemetothe
hospi
tal
, sheforcedmet odr
inkthe
pi
ll
sAonewashol di
ngmedown,
pl
ease..
..Please..
..

Hepi ckedmyshoesandbagthenhe
grabbedmywr i
standrant
owards
thecarasLett
yopenedthedoorfor
me.
Igoti
nandhecl
osedthedoort
hen
hehurr
iedov
ert
oher.
..

Aati
le:(
poi nt
edather )Iwantyouat
thehospitalwheni getther
e..
.Ifnot
thendon'tletmef i
ndy ouinmy
housebecauseIwantanexpl anation
forthi
sandy ou'
regoingtogiveitto
me.

MeanwhileAonegotinthe
passenger
'ssi
dethenBayang
j
umpedi nthedri
ver
'sseatt
aki
ngt
he
l
ead..
.
Aati
lesl
ammedt hedoorandst
epped
ontheaccel
erat
orleav
ingawhi
te
dustbehi
nd.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Whathappenedoutt
her
e?
Me:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sor
ry.
..I
t'
syourbaby
Aati
l
e:(angri
l
y)Ifucki
ngknowt hat
,
okay?iknowaboutDrEbikaki
too
andthatyouboughtpil
ls,
whywould
youdothat?
Me: Atfi
rstit
houghti hadt odoit
becausei bet
rayedher...ButwhenI
sawt hebabymov ingi changedmy
mindandshei nsistedont hepil
l
s,I
tol
dheri neededtimebutshewant ed
metodoi t
,shemusthavecall
ed
Aonebecauseshecameandt hey
hel
dmedown. ..Isweari
didn'
twant
todothi
s..
.
Aatil
e: Youshoul dn'
thavebeent here
i
nt hef i
rstplaceandt hefactthatyou
hidthispr egnancyfrom mepi sses
meof ft hanev eryt
hingyoudid
becausei tmeanspar tofyouwas
planningt oexcludemef rom our
chil
d'slife.Youbet t
erhopehe
survi
vest hi
sbecausei fhedoesn't
you'r
egoi ngtopayf ori
t..
.

Myhandsandl
egsshookashedr
ove
thr
oughthehospi
tal
gat
edi
ali
ng
someone..
..

Aat
il
e:yeah.
..
.Whoisondutyko
Emergency?
..
.Okayshar
p..
.

Hehungupanddi
aledhi
m..
..

Aati
le: Hey, I
'
m br i
nginginmy ..
.My
gir
lf
riendshei spregnantand
i
ngest edi thi
nkcy totec,pl
easehelp
me...
* *.
..Iunderstandt hatbutIreal
l
y
needy out oleav ethatpatientanddo
thi
sonef orme.Idon' twantherto
wait.
..I'
m beggi ngy ou..
.**..
.
Pl
ease..
..
.Thanks,
moI
CU?
..
..Okay
.
I
'm out
side.
..

Hehungupandparkedthecart
hen
heopenedmydoorandgrabbedmy
wri
stl
eadingmei
nside.
..

Aat
il
e:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
Justscar
ed.
..
Aati
le:
You'
regoi
ngt
obeokay
..
.Don'
t
st
ress.
..

Let
tyl
ockedt
hecarandr
anbehi
nd
uswit
hmyhandbag.
OnceinsideAatil
epeakedthrough
theICUglassandf oundhi
scolleague
wrappinghisstet
hoscopearoundhis
neckthenhepushedt hedoorand
helpedmel ayonthebed..
.

Theybumpedshoul
der
sthenthe
doct
orappr
oachedmybed..
.

Dr
:Howmanypi
l
lsdi
dyout
ake?
Me:
4
Dr
: Doyouknowcy
tot
ec?Wer
ethey
ci
rcleor
-
Me:Hexagonkindofli
keshapewit
h
ahori
zont
alli
neacross,t
hey'
rewhi
te
Dr
:Al
ri
ght
..
.Howl
ongagowasi
t?
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
ithi
nk2hour
sor
mor
e..
.

Anursewal
kedinanddr
ewmybl
ood
ast
hedoctort
alkedt
ome..
.

Dr
:(totheothernur
se)Charcoal
pl
ease..
.(hefacedmeandputont he
st
ethoscopeon)Howar efeel
ingnow?
Me:
I'
mjustf
ine,
I'
mjustscar
ed
Dr
:Yeahi
canheary
ourhear
t
beat.
..
rel
ax,
wearegoi
ngtotakecar
e
ofyou..
.Whydi
dyoutaket
hepill
s?
Me:Af r
iendf
orcedmet
o,t
heywer
e
hol
dingmedown. .
.

Anursepiercedmeandhungthedri
p
abov
emet henshepull
edanot
her
medical
troll
eyover
..
.

Nurse:
( l
ubricat
ingat ube)I
'
m going
toputthi
st ubeiny ournost
ri
l,
itwil
l
godowny ourthroatto-
Me:
what
?Insi
demynose?
Myhear tpoundedasshel ift
ed,my
skincrawledandIturnedmyhead
pushingherhand,icouldn'
timagine
thepainofat ubegetti
nginmynose
downmyt hroatt
henAat i
lestepped
overandheldmyar ml eaningover.
..

Aati
le:Didiyouhavetor el
ax..
.Doy ou
wantt osaveourboyornot ?I'
m
beggingy oupleasest
opmov ingand
cry
ing...Theseguysaret r
yingtohelp
us.
..Themor eyoudelaythemor e
workt hesepill
saredoing..
.Ineedmy
boyplease...Pl
ease.
..
stayst i
l
l okay?
Tearsrol
leddownast henur se
i
nsertedthetubeinmynoseand
pusheditdownt omyt hroatandi
nto
myst omachtheni f
eltaliqui
dgoi
ng
thr
oughthetubeasAat i
l
ehel dmy
handandkissedit.
..

Aati
le:
I'
mri
ghthere.
..
wecandothis.
..
(ki
ssedmyhand)You'
rest
rong.
..

Minutesl
atert
henurseremovedt
he
tubeandwalkedoutthenAat
il
esat
onthebedlooki
ngatme. .
.

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?(i
nodded)I
'
m
goingtothelabokay ?(whispered)I
wantt omakesur etheguy sondut y
don'tputyoursamplesont hewai ti
ng
l
ist,iwantthem tot
esti t
i
mmedi at
ely.
..Okay
?( inodded)I'm
sorryforyel
li
ngatyouatear li
er..
.(he
kissedmyhandandst oodup) keeta..
.
Iwon'tbelong...

Hepushedt heI
CUdoor
sandwal ked
outasIlai
donthebedthenLet
ty
walkedovercar
ryi
ngmyhandbag..
.

Let
ty:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Idon'
tknowLet
ty.
..I
don'
twantt
olosemybaby
..
.Ican'
t.
..

Sheputthebagdownandsatonthe
hai
rhol
dingmyhandscareful
enough
nott
odistur
bthecannul
a..
.

Let
ty:
(si
ngi
ng)
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmysor
rows
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmyshame
I
'
mlayi
ngt
hem downf
ort
hej
oyof
t
heLor
d
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmysi
ckness
I
'
mtr
adi
ngmypai
n
I
'
mlay
ingt
hem downf
ort
hej
oyof
t
heLor
d

Ismi
ledt
earful
ly,Icoul
dn'
tbeli
eve
sher
emember edhowt hatsong
mademef eelyearsago.
..
.

Meandher:Wesayy
esLor
d,y
es
Lor
d,y
es,y
esLord
y
esLor
d,y
esLor
d,y
es,
yesLor
d
yesLor
d,y
esLor
d,y
es,
yesLor
d,
Amen

Wesangasicr
iedthenshecl
osed
herey
esandpr
ayed..
..
Att
heemer
gencypar
kingl
ot.
..

Bayangpar
kedt
hecarandt
urnedt
o
Aone..
.

Bayang:
Whathappened?Andi
hope
youdon'
tli
etome
Aone: Lolocal l
edmeupandt ol
dme
Didiwaspr egnantwit
hAatil
e'sbaby
andshewant edhertoabortbutshe
wasr efusing.Iwentther
et ostop
Lolofrom doi ngsuchanev i
lthi
ng..
..
i
meani di
dn' tevenunder
standhow
shewaspl anningtodoit.
Bayang:Wai-what?Didii
spregnant
wit
hAat i
le'
sbaby ?Howisthat
possi
ble?Hedi dn'
teven-
Aone: Apparentlyshewaspl anni
ngto
hideitunti
li
twasbi gt henshewoul d
extortmoneyf rom Aat il
eor
somet hi
ng,it'
sjustal oadof
nonsensebabe. ..Idon'tknowwhati s
wr ongwiththesegi r
ls,sleepingwit
h
thesamemenandbei ngf ri
ends.
..
Bay
ang:
Sowhathappened?
Aone: whenigott
hereLol
owas
chokingheronthesandwithpil
lsi
n
hermout h,
itr
iedtopul
lheroffbut
Didihadalr
eadyswall
owedt hem
Bayang:
Sowhywer ey
ouleav
ingher
bytheri
veral
onei
fyouwentt
hereto
hel
p?
Aone: LolotoldmetoleaveandDidi
watengr efusedtogetinmycar,
she
hasanat tit
udetowardsmeIdon't
knowwhysol ennaisaidsui
t
yourself
.
Bayang:(si
ghed)Ican'tbel
ieveAat
il
e
woulddot his.
..(
steppedout)wai
t
her
e...I
tsnotev enaboutDidi
any
mor e...

Hewal
kedi
nthehospi
tal
..
.
Att
hel
ab.
..
.

LateronAatil
eleanedov ert
he
comput erashi
scolleagueenter
ed
theresult
sonthebloodr esul
ts
for
m. …

Aati
le:
Thisi
sbad.
..Thebabymi
ght
notsurvi
vet
hesel
evels.
..
Coll
eague:Andthey
'r
egoingtoadmi
t
herbecauseshemightl
osethebaby
i
nthemor ning
Aat
il
e:EishMt
shepul
atheskar
ial
o
wantsosa
Col
league:
It'
stoomuch,thewor
k
hasbeendonealready
..
Aat
il
e:Ei
sh.
..

Hewor r
iedl
ywalkedout,
seconds
l
aterBayangsteppedi
nthelab
f
oldingthesl
eevesofhi
st -
shi
rt
..
.

Bay
ang:
Aat
il
eokae?
Coll
eague:Youmissedhim bya
second,hemustbeintheelevat
ori
f
heisgoingdownstair
s..
.

Hequi
ckl
ytur
nedandwal
ked
t
owar
dst
heel
evat
or.
..

I
nthet
oil
et.
..
.

Lett
ysupportedmydr
ipasi saton
thetoi
l
etandpoopedall
blackitchi
ng
l
ikechil
li
e..
.

Me:
OhmyGod.
..Whyi
sitbl
ack?
Lett
y:Maybeit'
sthet
hingt
hey
pouredi
ny ourst
omachwit
hat ube.
..
Areyoubleedi
ng?
Me:(
wipedwi
thaTPandchecked)
No.
..
Lett
y:Let'
shurry,
thenur sesaidyou
shouldn'
tbelong.Shewentt ocheck
i
fthescani sworking,apparentl
yit
hasn'
tbeenwor ki
ngf orhoursnow
Me:
Okay
..
.

West eppedoutoft
hetoi
letand
headedtoI CUwher
eIlai
dont hebed
thenanur sewal
kedinwi
thmy
recor
ds...

Nurse:Prepareyourself
,ihav
eto
takeyoutot hegynaecologywar
d.
Thedoctoradmi tt
edy oufor
observat
ion..
.
Out
side.
..

Aat
il
eapproachedt
heI
CUt
henLol
o
hur
ri
edoverandhel
dhi
sar
m..
.

Lol
o:I'
m sorr
yforl
ett
ingherdr
agme
i
ntothis,
shebeggedmet opayfor
herbecauseshedi
dn'thav
emoney .I
wantedtoref
usebutshe-
Aati
l
e:(pausedandl ookedather
handholdi
nghiswr ist
)Don'
ttouch
me..
.(sheslowlyl
etgoofhi m)I'
m
nottal
ki
ngtoy ourightnow..
.Ify
ou
wanttobehelpfulgositint
hecar
andwai
tformet
her
e.

Shequiet
lyt
urnedbacktot
hecar
thenhecont
inuedwalki
ng.
..

I
nICU.
..

Let
typutmyhandbagonthebedand
movedbackasthenur
seadjust
ed
mybedthenAati
lewal
kedin.
..

Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Nurse:OhheyAt
ti
e,shei
sbei
ng
admitt
ed.
..OyaGyna
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
..

Bayangwalkedthroughthedoor
fol
dinghi
sfistandpunchedAati
leon
themouth.
...
..
..
.

Bay
ang:Ot
aany
elakanaAat
il
e
wai
tse?

Fami l
ypleasetagthem,Li
kethe
i
nser tandleaveacommentquickl
y
soi canpostthenextonebefor
ewe
sleep.Goodt obeback,t
hankyoufor
yourpat i
ence.
*
*
*
*
*
..
[
9/3,
11:
32PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 18

I
nICU.
..

Nur
se:
Heel
aBay
angoi
rang?
Aatil
eremainedseatedont
hefl
oor
andrubbedhisbloodyli
pasBay
ang
stoodinfr
ontofhim...

Bayang:
(angr
il
y)Soy
ousl
eptwi
th
her
?
Nur se:(pull
edBay angback)Areyou
surey ou'r
er eadytoloseyourj
ob?
Becausei fy outhrowonemor e
punchI 'm call
ingsecuri
tyandguess
what ?You'llbeinfrontofa
discipl
inarycommi t
teeonMonday .

Heglar
edatAat
il
ewhoremai
ned
cal
m si
tti
ngont
hefl
oort
henhe
t
urnedwal
ki
ngoutst
ari
ngatme.
.

Me:
I'
m sor
ry-
Bay ang: (
frowned)Bi tchpl ease,that
punchhasnot hingtodowi t
hy ou,
don'tf l
att
ery oursel
f.I'm amar ri
ed
manandunl i
kesomeonei knowi
respectcommi tment.Ican' tbeli
evei
everf el
tsor r
yf oryou.Youhav en'
t
changednotonebi t,thesameol d
stupidbi t
chy ouwer e4y ear sago
wheny ouhandedy ourv i
r ginit
ytoa
totalstrangerinexchangef orabot t
le
ofbeer .
Hewal kedoutt
henAatil
egotup
dusti
nghispantsasthenur
se
pushedmybedt henLett
yquiet
ly
fol
lowed.

AtBay
ang'
shouse.
..
.

Awhilelat
erBayangstoodundert
he
showerbathi
ngthenAoneslowly
openedthedoorwithanaughtysmil
e
andwalkedin.

Shehunghert
owelont
herailandput
onashowercapt
henshestepped
i
n..
.
Bay angtur
nedar oundandheldher
arm supporti
nghert henshehugged
him asthewat erwashedcooled
them down, heli
ftedherchi
nand
kissedher.
..

Bay
ang:
Thanksf
ort
ryi
ngt
ohel
pDi
di
Aone:
(smi
l
ed)I
twast
hel
easti
coul
d
do.
.
Bayang:IunderstandwhyLol odi d
whatshedid, i
twaswr ongbuti
underst
andthel ogicbehindit.She
probabl
ylovesthatt r
aitoranddidn't
wanttodeal wit
hbabymamadr ama
oncethey'
remar ri
ed.Lol
ol ovesDidi
,i
knewthem sincetheywer eyoung
koorehel
abat hobanal egor aelaba
bangwe.Aatil
eandDi dishouldn'
t
haveevenentertai
nedtheirfeel
ings
foroneanother.
..
Aone:
True.
..
Bayang:Ifthatbabydoesn'
tmakeit
Lol
owon' tseet hel
ight,
Youhaveno
i
deawhatAat i
ledidtoMaya'smother
aft
erlockingMay ainthehouseal
one
togoclubbing
Aone:
Whatdi
dhedo?
Bayang:
(si
ghed)Nevermind.
..
let
's
tal
kaboutus(
kissedher
)Imissed
y
ou.
..
.Howar
eyou?
Aone:
(bl
ushi
ng)I
'
m good.
..

Hekissedherandturnedheraround
thenhespreadherbuttocksapar
t
andsli
dinasshemoanedwi thher
cheekagai
nstthewall.
...

I
nthecar
..
..

Lol
osatint
hebackseathol
dingt
he
phonet
oherearcr
ying.
..

Lor
a:Iknewt
her
ewassomet
hingi
didn'tl
ikeaboutAone,thatwomanis
vindict
iveandifyoukeepherclose
you'regoingtoendupi njai
l
.Fr
iends
l
ikeherbr eakthelawwi t
hyouandlie
theirwayoutleavingyoutoget
blamedf orevery
thing.
Lolo:(cr
ying)Lor
aI'
m soscared.
..I
wasn'tthi
nkingatal
lkoor
eneke
l
ebi l
ehelagorekeavoi
derstr
essand
forgotabouthowAatil
ewil
lfeeli
fhe
foundout .
Lora:Iunderst
andthemma, stress
andfearcanmakey oudosomet hi
ng
youwoul dn'
tnormall
ydo...i
t'
sokay
koorewhatIdon'tunderstandisa
fr
iendwhoseesherf r
iendtakinga
wrongt urnandhel pherdest royher
l
ife,totalewenaneomphi t
hellangall
these?Whywasi excludedf rom all
thesebecausennankaboonki dil
e
helammei wouldn' thaveallowed
yout odot hi s,notbecausei suppor t
whatt hatsocal ledf r
iendofy our sdi
d
toy oubutbecausekemol ato.You
hav eMay at ot hi
nkofandy ouhav ea
newj obtol ookf orwar dto..
.Didy ou
forgetallthat ?Kanat hepolicear e
goingt ogety ou, whaty oudidke
abduct i
on, assaul tandf orced
abor t
ion.
..thosear ejustwhati know
I'
m sur ether eismor e.May aenewa
rengkaene?Legonel empel egisa
banagorel
eyegobolay
angwana,
kweLolowhyodahlel
wakest
ress
j
aanawena?
Lol
o: (
cryi
ng)I'
m scaredLorr
aine.
..
WaitseI'
m scar
ed...Ican'
tgotojai
l
sothatMay acanber apedbypeople
Lora:
Anddon'tfor
getthatZer
o
wantsher
,sothatautomati
call
y
gi
veshimful
lcustodyyagaMay a
wenaopanti
teladimpatsatsal
aya
noga.
Lol
o:I
'
drat
herki
l
lMay
aandki
l
l
mysel
f
Lor
a:Lolowee?Waasi
molol
aakere?
Don'
tevental
kli
ket
hat
..
.Don'
t.
..
Don'
tenter
tai
nsucht
hought
sabout
Maya,shei
shappy
Lolo:Buti destroyedt hat.Aati
lei s
goingt osendmet ojailforthi
s, even
i
fhedoesn' tDidii
sst illgoingto
reportmeandMay awi llgotoZer o,
ZerosmokesMar ijuanaanddr i
nks
l
ikether eisnot omor rowgasey ooka
neelwangngwanaandmymot her
won'tcar ebecauseI '
l
l beinjaileven
i
fshet riessinceMay ahasahouse
boDi boy '
saregoingt oabuseherand
somet hingtell
smeGobona
contactedZer o,idon'tknowwhyi
thi
nkso. ..GaeseDi dikeeneand
nowI 'm sureit
'snotDi di,Gobonawi l
l
abusemydaught erit
'sbestiki
llher
andkil
lmy sel
f.Ican'
tgotojail
forso
manyof f
ences,whatifigofor6
yearsandfindMay aeleawreck
becausepeopleusedher?
Lor a:Ify ouconti
nuet al
kingl
ikethat
I'
llgoknockony ourdoorandget
May afr om themaid,stoptal
kingli
ke
that .
..Whydoy ouletfearcontroly
ou?
Goi nsidet hehospit
alanddrinkwater
thencal lmeagai nhaot swelel
ao
buanogakeagot sayaMay aobat a
gonkgol eganewena?I ja

Shehungupt
henLol
ost
eppedoutof
t
hecarandwal
kedi
nthehospi
tal
..
..

Atgy
naecol
ogywar
d..
..

Lat
eronthenursef
il
ledthe
admissi
onpaperworkandwal
ked
out
..
.

Nurse:
At t
iepl
easedon'tbelong,i
wantyoutoleavebeforeyoudist
urb
mypatientsbait
heedit
se
At
ti
e:(
smi
l
ed)Iwon'
tbel
ong.
..

Hecl
osedt
hecur
tai
nsandsatont
he
edgeoft
hebedhol
dingmyhand.
..

Aat
il
e:Di
dyouseey
ourbl
oodr
esul
ts?
Me:
Yes.
..
Aatil
e:Youhav ehighl
evelstsa
Cytotecmomadi ngbutI'
m sati
sfi
ed
withev er
ythi
ngtheyhavedoneso
far.
..(
lookingatthedri
p)Ibeli
eve
thesewi l
lhelpt
oobutifithappens
thatwel osethi
sba-
Me:Don'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
..
.I'
m goi
ngt
o
bef
ine.
.
Aatil
e:(gentl
yrubbedmyhands
togetherandsmi l
ed)IknowbutI'
m
j
ustsay ingbepreparedforany
thi
ng
andwehavet
otal
kaboutLol
o,ar
e
your
epor
ti
ngherorl
ett
ingi
tgo?
Me:I
fthebabysur
viv
esallt
heseI'
l
l
l
eti
tgoandstayoutofherway.
Aati
le:That'
syouropinionast he
motherbutnnahel a..
.(shookhis
headthoughtful
ly)Idon'tknowifi
cangetov ert
his.Iwantt otal
ktothe
doctorwhoat t
endedy ouandcal lt
he
poli
ce.
Me: ButthenI'
m alsogoi
ngtobehel
d
accountablebecauseiagr
eedtogo
seeDrEbi kaki
Aat
il
e:Andhi
sst
atementwil
lruleyou
out
,hetol
dmeevery
thi
ng.Het ol
d
mey
ouchangedy
ourmi
nd
Me:Butist
il
lfeelbad,
whatwi
l
l
happent
oMay a?
Aatil
e:Wehav eamai dandshewi l
l
l
ookaf tert
hegirl
s.Don'tworr
yabout
that.
..Don'
tworryaboutanyt
hingthat
Loloshouldhavewor r
iedabout
beforeshedecidedtofeedyou
poison.Idon'
tcareift
hebabyl i
ves
shehast oknowwhatshedi dwas
wrong..That'
smeast hedad
Me:
Iunder
stand.
.
Aati
le:
(si
ghed)Ihavetogo..
.I'
l
lbri
ng
youafewt hingsi
nthemorni
ng,is
ther
eanythingyou'
recr
avi
ng?
Me:
No,
any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne
Aatil
e:(smiledandt ouchedmybump)
Thanky oufort hi
s..
.Ican'twaitto
seehim. .
.Ihav ealwayswant edaboy .
Ifeell
ikejumpi ngrightnow..(we
bothlaughed)Tomor rowmor ningthe
docwi l
l t
akey outot hescan..Kabo
10..
.I
'l
ltrytobet here..
.Tabeke
theogetsekol ebongbutI '
ll
sneakout
andjoiny ou
Me:
Okay
..
.
Aatil
e:(l
aughed)Bythewayi spoke
toyouruncle,yourf
ami l
yis
adorable.
..Youwon'tbel
ievet
he
stuntyourgrandmotherpul
ledonme..
Me:
(laughed)Whathappened?

Thenur
sewal
kedi
n..
.

Nurse:At
ti
eweeakoot samaethe
rr
amolwetsewameai khut
sewena?
Shoul
dIstar
tusingthetimeschedul
e
onyouli
keallt
hevisi
tors?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)I
'
mleav
ing.
..
Nur
se:
(wal
ki
ngaway
)Thanky
ou

Webot hsmil
edlooki
ngatone
anothert
henhestoodupandpeeled
thesheet
soff,hel
eanedoverand
ki
ssedmybumpcar
essi
ngi
t.
..

Aatil
e:Howarey ouhol
dupinther
e
buddy?Iknowy ou'
reki
cki
ngass
becauseit
'si
ny ourbl
ood.Daddyi
s
proudofyou,seeyoutomorrow
mor ni
ng.
..

Hekissedmybell
ybut
tonandpull
ed
thesheet
sovermychestgentl
y
tucki
ngmeinthenheleanedover
andwhisper
edinmyear..
.

Aat
il
e:Hi
snamei
sGi
ovanni
Me:
(gi
ggl
ed)Meani
ng?
Aat
il
e:Godhasshownf
avour
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
ovei
t.
..

Hestr
aight
enedupandsi
ghedwi
tha
smi
lelooki
nginmyeyes.
..

Aati
le:
Giov
anni
'
sma.
..(
laughed)Wa
rengbabymama?
Me:(
laughedandslappedhi
shand)
Don'
tcal
lmet hat
,mx m..
Aat
il
e:(pinchedmycheekwit
ha
smi
le)Letmego...
I'
l
lcal
lyoubef
orei
gotobed
Me:
Don'
tcal
lme,
I'
mfi
ne
Aati
le:(
laughed)Alr eadydenyingme
myson, uh.
.babymamaey aar eng
ne.
..(webot hlaughed)Ser i
ouslyI'l
l
j
ustbecal l
ingtoseehowy ou'r
e
doi
ng, I
'
m wor ri
edt hatthesepills
di
ssolvediny ourbloodstream...I'
m
nothit
ti
ngony ou,youcanr el
axI '
m
j
usthappyaboutmyson.
Me:
Ok,
sor
ry
Aati
l
e:I
t'
scool..
.Getsomer est
.I'
l
l
passbyyourgrandmother
'shouse
andupdatehersoshecangot obed
i
npeace
Me:
Thanks.
.
Aat
il
e:By
e

Hewal
kedoutt
henisi
ghedr
ubbi
ng
mybumpwithasmi
l
e..
..

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
eronAat i
l
equietl
yparkedthecar
andsteppedoutasLolofoll
owedhim
i
nthehouse,hehadn'tsai
dawor d
si
ncetheylef
tthehospit
alandshe
wasdesperatetohearwhathehadto
say.
..
Lol
o:(l
ocki
ngthedoor)Arewegoi
ng
tot
alkaboutwhathappened?

Hepassedt ot
hechil
dren'
sbedroom
andpeakedinthenheclosedand
passedtothei
rbedr
oom takingof
f
hi
st -
shi
rt
..
.

Lol
o:Canwet
alk?
Aati
le:(
sighedandtur
nedtoher
exhaust
edly)Sure,
what'
sup?
Lol
o:(satonthebed)I
'
m sor
ryf
or
whathappened.
Aat
il
e:(
tur
nedawayandt
ookof
fhi
s
pant
s)Ehe.
..

Hewentt othebathr
oom andt
ooka
bathasLolowaitedsi
tt
ingont
he
edgeofthebed..
..

Minuteslaterhewalkedbacki n
dryi
nghimsel fwit
hat owelandstood
bythewar drobeapplyi
ngabi tof
l
otionthenhef li
ckedtheswitchand
gotundercov er
sleavi
nghersi t
ti
ngin
thedark.
..

Shet
ookoffhercl
othesandl
aid
downast
earswetthepil
low.
..
.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Thenextmorningit
urnedaroundhalf
asleepandf
eltmysheetsgetti
ngwet
theniputmyhandont hesheetand
l
ooked,myfinger
ti
pswer ebl
oody.

Thesleepinessi haddi sappear edas

myey eswi denedt heni leapedup
andkickedawayt hesheet s,t
here
wasal argest ai
nofbl oodont he
whit
esheet st heni gotdownt hebed
put
ti
ngmyf eetinmyf lip-fl
ops...
Somethingl
argeblockedmykuku
weighi
ngmypant i
esdownt heni
sl
owlypull
edthem down,thebaby
poppedandfell
ont hefl
oorwit
h
morebloodfl
owing...

Me:
(cr
ying)Noooo.
..
..

I
twasar ealbabywithli
tt
levisibl
e
bodypartsandhewast hesizeofa
mangot heni knel
tonthefloorand
pickedhim upwi t
hbothhandscr ying,
thepati
entnextt omybedwal ked
overandpr essedthenursealert
buttonasi cri
edholdi
ngGiovanni's
l
i
ttl
eli
fel
essbodyt
omychest
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
33PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 19

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningAat
il
ewal
kedout
ofthebedroom fi
xi
nghi st
ieasthe
chil
drenhadbreakfastsi
tt
ingatthe
dinnert
able.

TheoldestMayat
ookouther
homewor kwhi
l
echewi
ngandstood
up.
..

May
a:Mama?Mamawee?
Lolo:(i
ntheki
tchen)I
'
m sti
ll
worki
ng
ony ourcool
erboxes.
.I'
l
lberi
ght
there
Maya:(sawherdadcomingover)
Dadli
stentomyhomewor k,
ididit
al
oneyester
daybecauseyoudidn'
t
comehomeont
ime.
.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.Goon.
..

Hetookaf ewspoonsoutofBaby
May a'
sfoodandki
ssedheronthe
cheekthenhesatdown.
..

May
a:(
readi
ng)My
sel
f.
..

Mynamei sMay aJohnson,

iam 9
yearsol
dandi li
veinMaunwithmy
famil
y.MyfatherisAat
il
eJohnson
andmymot herisAloneMowana,my
l
itt
lesi
steri
sBabyMay aMowana
andv erysoonwewi llallbet he
Johnsonsbecausemyf atheri sgoing
tomar rymymot her .Mysi st erandi
willbetwinsatt heweddi ngand
dancingtogether .Mymot heri sthe
bestinthewhol ewi dewor ld, she
cooksf ormeanddoesmyhai r.Il
ove
mysi st
erbecauseshei stal kative,
shet al
ksallthet i
meunt i
lshef all
s
asleepandshel i
kessucki ngher
thumb.Ourf atherput schilisonher
fi
ngersoshest opssucki ngher
thumbbecausehesay sshewi llneed
bracesifshedon' tstop.It hankSant a
clauseandGodf ormaki ngmy
wishescomet rue, iwishedf ora
fami
lyonChr
ist
masandnowi
hav
e
one.

Therewassi
lenceasAat
il
eandLol
o
st
aredather
...

May
a:(
conf
used)What
?Isi
twr
ong?
Aatil
e:(snatchedthebook)Didyou
real
lywr i
tethat?Canastandard4
studentwr i
tethat
..

Hereadthr
oughhergrammat
ical
er
rorsandl
ookedather.
..
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)I
sitgood?
Aati
le:Youhavet
owor konyour
Punctuati
onandspel
l
ingbutit
's
okay..
.

Hehel
pedhercor
rectthehomewor
k
asLol
oser
vedhim wit
hhisplat
eof
br
eakf
ast
..
.

Baby
:Di
dyouputchi
l
isonmyf
inger
?

MayaandLolol
aughedt
henshe
angr
il
ylef
tthet
abl
epout
ing.
.
Aat
il
e:(stood)Guy
scomeon, why
ar
ey oulaughi
ng?let
ampol
aisa
motho..
.

Hef oll
owedhertothebedr oom
wher eshewassitt
ingont hebed
fol
dingherarms,Aat i
lesatont he
edgeoft hebedthenhel i
ftedherand
putheronhislap,heputhi sarms
aroundandsighedt houghtful
l
y...

Aati
le:
Letmet elly
ouastory..
.There
wasagi rl
whosuckedhert humb,she
suckeditunti
lherteet
hbentoutsi
de
somuchev enwhensheclosedher
mout hhert eethwoul dpoi ntat
everyoneandot herki dswoul dlaugh
ather,shedi dn'thav ef ri
endsand
becameav erysadl onel ychil
d
becauseofherscar yt eeth.Iputchi
l
i
ony ourfingersoy oucanst op
suckingy ourthumbbecausey ou
tookoffthepl ast erwhenIwr appedit
aroundy ourfinger .
..(sighed)Letme
showy ousomet hing..
.

HeGoogl
edef
fect
sofsucki
ngyour
t
humbandshowedhert
hepict
ures.
.

Aat
il
e:Doy
ouwantt
eet
hli
ket
his?
May
a:(
nodded)No
Aati
l
e:See?ButI'm sorr
yf orput
ti
ng
chi
li
sony ourfi
ngerandI'm happy
youhaven'
tsuckedy ourthumball
week.I
'
mr eal
l
yproudofy ouokay?
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Yes.
.
Aat
il
e:Wear
elat
e,l
et'
sgo.
..(
smi
l
ed)
Wherei
smyhug?

Babysmi l
edandhuggedhi mthenhe
stoodupcar r
yingheronhi
schest
andjoinedtheladi
esasLolofi
xed
May a'
shairandgaveherthebad.
..
TheschoolbushonkedandBaby
grabbedherbag,
May agotbot
hthei
r
cooler
sandranout.
..

May
a:By
e
Baby
:By
e

Theyclosedthedoorandleftan
awkwardsi l
enceinthehouseas
Aati
lesatthereeati
ngwhileLol
o
cl
eanedt hetabl
ewithakitchen
cl
oth..
.

Aat
il
e:Canwet
alk?
Shequi ckl
ysatdownuncomfort
abl
y
foldingandunfol
dingt
heki
tchen
cloth,Aati
l
eputthefor
kdownand
facedher .
..

Aati
le: Tel
l met hetr
ut h.
..Iwon't
j
udgey ou.Ididn'twantt otal
k
yesterdaybecausey ouwer eona
l
yingmodeandIwoul dhav edone
somet hingwewoul dbot hregret
,i
wast hiscloset obeat i
ngy oubutout
ofrespectf orthegirlsidecidedto
keepqui et.Nowi t'
sjustt hetwoofus,
I'
mr eadyf orwhat ev
ery ouar egoing
t
odi
shout
..
.
Lol
o:Doyour
ememberwhenwe
weredr
ivi
ngf
rom Gabor
onet
oMaun?
Aati
le:
Don'taskmequest
ions,
just
tel
lmet het
ruth.
Lolo:Thatni ghtiaskedDi diwhat
wasgoi ngonandshedeni ed
everythingbutshepr omisedme
nothingwoul dhappenbet weeny ou
twobecausei t
oldheri sti
lll
ovedyou
i
nf actsheknewIl oveyoubecause
theonl yreasoni wasn'twithyouis
becauseofwhatIwasgoi ngthrough.
Any wayf ast-
forwar dtonowi was
afr
aidt olosey ou..Shetoldmeshe
waspr egnantandi pani cked, iknow
youlovechi l
drenandi knowy ouar e
goingtobecl oset ohert ouchingher
stomachandbuy inghert hings. .
.I
couldn'tbar ethat
, Ithoughty ou
mightev enst optheweddi ng
preparationsandconsi derher
becauseshewascar r
y i
ngy ourson
andi hadnot hi
ngt oof fery ou.Iasked
hertoabor tandsher eluctant l
y
agreed, iknowI '
m ev ilforthi sandi
couldtell shedidn'twantt odoi tbut
youwer eal l
icouldt hinkof .She
changedhermi ndandi hadt of orce,
beingshor tandalliknewi fIhadan
extrahandt oholdherI '
dsucceedso
ital
kedtoAonebecausei knewshe
hatesDidi.Wehel dherandgav eher
thepil
lsthat'
swheny ouarri
ved.I'
m
sorry,
nowt hatI'mt hi
nkingaboutiti
shouldhav ejuststayedawayf r
om
Didiaft
erhear i
ngaboutt he
pregnancy,ishouldhav efocusedon
myweddi ngpr eparati
ons.

Aat
il
est
aredatherandsi
ghed.
..

Aati
le:Idon'
tknowwhattosayt o
you.
..Ican'
tbeli
eveyouwoulddot hi
s,
evenifsomeonet ol
dmey oudidthis
I'
dsaynonotmyLol o,
shelov
es
chi
ldrenandshei sv er
ysensiti
ve
aboutchildren.Shesacr i
fi
cedher
happinessfor4y earsj
ustsoshecan
besur eshei smaki ngtheright
decisi
onf orherdaught ersoshe
wouldnev erdot hatespeciall
ytomy
chi
ld,never.(sighed)That'
swhatI '
d
saybutnowt hatwaar ial
ogakena
kgang...
Lolo:Forgivemei fit
'snottoomuch
toaskf or.Iknowi havebrokeny our
heartandi under
standifyouare
angrybutwear efami l
y,wecannot
keepdoi ngt hi
stoourchi l
dren,
breakingupandmaki ngup. .
.It
's
confusing..Ialr
eadymadeami st
ake
4y ear
sagosepar at
ingt
hem now
they'
remat ur e,
youheardMay aand
Babylov esy ou,iknowyoul ov
eher
tooandI 'm surey ouwon'
tletany
one
hurther.Don' tl
etmymi stakes
changey ou, l
etmedeal withmy
i
nsecuritieskel e1.
Aati
le:I
'
m disappointediny ouand
youhavehurtmemor ethany ouwil
l
everknowandj ustbecauseI '
m not
cryi
ngdoesn'tmeanI 'm notinpain
becauseofwhaty oudi d.Youhav e
putmei nafixbecausei l
ovey ouand
iwantourchildr
ent obehappybut
thenpartofmei shurting.Idon't
underst
andhowy oucanl ovemeand
dothattome.
..(
tear
ful
l
y)I
tisaboy
,
di
dy ouknowt
hat?
Lol
o:Iknow,
I'
m sor
ry.Howi
she?
Aati
le:
Wedon' tknowifhewil
lmake
i
t,wewi l
lseehowitgoesthr
oughout
thecourseoftheday.

Sheputthekitchenclot
hont hetable
andgotundert hetabl
ecrawl ingover,
hesadlylookedatherasshepul l
ed
outhissnakef r
om thepantsand
gaggedoni twhilei
thardenedonher
pal
mt henhepushedherhai routof
herfaceandlickedhisl
ipsst ari
ngat
herasshepushedi tdownhert hroat
..
.
Hegr abbedherhai randpul l
edherup
thenheki ssedherandhel ai
dheron
thetablestandingbetweenherl egs,
hecalml ypoli
shedhi spythonand
l
ookedathert houghtful
l
yt henhe
wentt othebedr oom andwal ked
backr ol
li
ngonacondom.

Hegentl
ysqueezedhi
mselfi
nside
herasshemoanedsoft
lysti
cki
ngher
nai
lsonhisski
n..
.

Lol
o:Mhhhhhhhhh.
..
..
..
.
Att
heGy
naecol
ogywar
d..
.

LatermorningAatil
egreet
edthr
ee
otherpati
entsinthewardandwalked
i
nhol di
ngapl ast
icofSparanda
colorf
ulwatergun..
..

At
ti
e:Dumel
ang.
Pat
ient
s:Dumel
ang.
.

Hepassedt oDi di
'
sbedandputt he
plasti
conhershel ft
henhepoured
thejuicei
nt hegunandplacedi
ton
thebed.Af ewsecondspassedashe
wai
ted.
..
.

At
ti
e:I
ssheshower
ing?
Pat
ient
:No,
theyt
ookhert
otheat
re
At
ti
e:(
frowned)Theat
re?Why
?

Theyallkeptquiett
henhewal kedout
approachingthenursestati
onbut
therewasnot hereandturnedto
theatr
ewher ehepushedt hedoor
andwal kedin.

Hishear
tal
mostf
elloutofhi
schest
ashesawGiov
anni
'sli
fel
essbodyon
thetrayandDi di
lyi
ngunderthe
theatrel
ightscomplet
elyoutasthe
doctorcleanedher.
..

Thedoct
orandhi
sassist
antpaused
andl
ookedatAat
il
e..
.

Dr
:Youshoul
dn'
tbeher
e..
.
Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Dr:Shemi scar
ri
edearlythi
s
mor ni
ng..
.Everyt
hingmusthave
happenedov er
nightbecauseshe
saysitfel
loutwhenshegotup.
Aat
il
e:No.
..
.Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ng,
howi
sshe?
Dr:Shewascr
yingbutt
heshot
stook
outherout
Aat
il
e:Thi
snothappeni
ng.
..
Dr:Pl
easegetout
,you'
rej
ust
tr
aumatisi
ngyour
self
..
.
DrAssi
stant
:Let
'sgo.
..

Aatil
ewalkedoutandsatbyt
he
waiti
ngchair
stry
ingtopul
lhi
msel
f
together
.

Minut
eslaterhesteppedoutoft
he
bui
ldi
ngdiali
nghisfather
..
.
Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Igotagi
rlpr
egnant
Him:(l
aughed)Thesnakes,
doy
ou
bel
iev
emenow?
Aati
le:(
tearf
ull
y)Dadshehada
miscarr
iage,i
twasaboy..
.Isawhis.
..
.
Hisli
tt
lebody.(Hegoti
nthecarand
cl
osedt hedoor)shewas4months
pr
egnant
Him:I
'
m sorr
y..
.Iknowhowmuch
youwantason.
Aat
ile:
(tear
sfi
l
ledhi
sey
es)If
eel
li
ke
cr
ying
Hi
m:Don'
t,mendon'
tcr
y.What
's
wr
ongwit
hy ou?
Aati
le:(l
ickedhi sli
pstearful
lyand
swallowedt aki
ngabreath)Fuck. .
.
Shit
..
..(breat hi
ngheavi
lyandr ubbed
hiseyes)Isawi t,
itl
ookslikear at
exceptitlookshuman, hehad...He
hadbi gey esbuttheywer ediff
erent
youknowl ike-
Him:Stopt
hinkingaboutit,
y oucan
al
wayshaveanot herbabydon'tbea
woman.Yousoundl ikeyoursister
ri
ghtnow,whatkindofamandon' t
knowhowt otakepain.Willcry
ing
bri
ngthebabyback?Ol elaolehakae
j
aana?
Aati
l
e:(l
eanedoverthest
eer
ing
wheelastear
sdroppedonhi
swhit
e
coat
)Inthecar
Him: Howcany oucr yforababyy ou
haven'tmetandhowwi llyouconsol e
themot herifyou' r
ecr yi
ngmor ethan
hergaoboneel eboweakgol omoo?
(Aati
lekeptqui et)I'
veal wayst oldyou
abouty ourtearsandi t
's
disappoint
ingi fyoust i
llhavet hat
tendency,youmi ghtaswel lbegay
andgetaboy f
riendwhowi l
lconsole
youbecausecr y i
ngisf orwomen, we
takethatpainandl ocki taway .Get
ri
doft hoset earsgaker atemot ho
yoolelangindi ffi
cultti
mes, goout
ther
eandconsol et
hewomanl i
kea
man.Themi nutesheseesy oucry
ing
shewillbr
eakdownt henwhat?You
bothcryandwaket hewholehospital
?
Thwaahalamonnaol esebomata
j
oo...

Aatil
efinal
lymanagedtopullhi
mself
togetherandtookadeepbreath.
..

Aati
l
e:Lol
oforcedhert
otakethe
pi
ll
s,shehadafri
endhol
dthegir
l
downunti
lsheswall
owedthepil
l
.
Hi
m: What
?ThesameLol
oyouasked
meto-
Aat
il
e:Yes
Hi
m:Areyoustil
lgoi
ngaheadwi
th
t
henegot
iat
ions?
Aat
il
e:Yes,
wehav
eki
ds.
Him:
For
getthekids-
andwhatki
ds?
Shei
spr
egnanttoo?
Aat
il
e:ImeanboMay
a
Him:I'
m confused,howdot heseki
ds
for
ceyout ocommi ttoawoman
capabl
eofki l
l
ingy ourunbor
nbaby?
Youhavey ourownMay ashehas
herswhat'
sthepr oblem?
Aati
le:
Theki dshaveal
readybonded,
herdaughterlov
esusandshehas
beenthroughalotnobodyknows
about.Ifeell
ikesheismybl oodand
May alovesher.I'
m sureLolomadea
mistakejustli
keev er
yoneandshe
deservesasecondchance. ..Icaused
al
lthese.It'
smyf aultf
ortryi
ngt o
mov eonwi thsomeonesheknows.I
shouldhav efoundadi f
fer
entper son
Him:Whatmakesy ousosur eshe
wouldn'
thavedoneittothatver
y
womani fshecandoittosomeone
sheknowsandshoul dbefeeli
ngpi
ty
for
?
Aati
le:Carr
yonwiththenegoti
ati
ons,
idon'thav
eachoice.Ican'
tkeep
l
eavingeveryt
imewehav eaf i
ght.
.
I
'm sureI'
l
lbefi
neast i
megoeson, it
wi
llt
aketi
mebutonedayI
'
llpr
obabl
y
f
orgetev
eryt
hing.
Him:Idon'
tli
key ourgir
lf
ri
endalr
eady
andI'
m sureyourmot herwon'
tli
ke
herei
ther,
infactidoubtanyoneher
e
wil
lwelcomeherpr operl
y.
Aati
le:Idon'
twantthem t
oknow,
don'tt
ellany
one.Keepitbet
weenus.
..
I
'm beggingyou
Him:Mxm. .
.koorerethael
akabana
babasimanemot hoeneoba
tsenel
etsewabol aya,whata
daughteri
nl awy ou'
rebri
nging.
(si
ghed)Fine..
.Iwon'ttel
lthem..
Aat
il
e:Thanks.By
e
Hehungupandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h..
..

Att
heGy
naecol
ogywar
d..
..
..

Latert
hatmorningislowlywokeup
andtouchedmyf l
attummyt henil
aid
onmysi decry
ingastear swett
he
pi
ll
ow, myphonerangt heni
answered.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Letty
:(t
earf
ull
y)I
'
m sor
ry,
isawy
our
textmessage
Me:(cr
ying)Shedi
dit
,shemustbe
soexci
ted.
Let
ty:
Pleasedon'
tbreakdown,you'
l
l
befi
ne.I
'l
lpassby,
I'
m stil
latwork.
Me:
Okay
,by
e..

IpressedmyphoneandsentLol
o
fourpict
uresofGi
ovanni
'
sly
ingon
thehospital
sheet
.

Me:(caption)MayHi sSoulRestin
Peace,t
heboyi carri
edbutnevergot
achancet ohearhi scryj
ustbecause
hi
sex i
stedt hr
eatenedawomani
oncecalledaf r
iend.
Isentthemessaget
henshecall
ed
butirej
ect
edthecal
landbl
ockedher
.

Aati
l
ewalkedinandhuggedmeasi
cr
iedhyst
eri
call
ytry
ingt
otel
lhi
m
whathappened.
..

Aat
il
e:(
shakyvoi
ce)Iknow.
..I
wal
kedinolekot
heatre
Me:I
'm call
i
ngt
hepol
i
ce,
shehast
o
payf
orthis.
.
Aat
il
e:Iwantustotal
kaboutthat
,
get
ti
ngLoloarr
estedwon'
tchange
anyt
hing.
..I
twon'
tbri
ngGiovanni
backanditwon'
ttakeourpai
naway
Me: (tearfull
y)Pleasetel
lmeshe
didn'tconv i
ncey ouotherwi
se..
.Last
nighty ouwant edt ogetherar
rested..
.
Oneni ghtwi thherandy ou'
resayi
ng
this?Di dyouhav esex?(hekeptqui et
)
Ican'tbelievey ouwantmet oactl i
ke
shedi dn'tjustkil
lmyson
Aati
le:
(emotional
ly)Itwon'
tbring
hi
m back,what'sthepoint
?Two
wrongsdon'tmakear i
ght
..
.Shewas
wrongbutyoudon' thavetotakeher
awayfrom May a
Me:
(angr
il
ycr
ying)May
a?May
a?
WhataboutGi
ovanni
?Ishi
sli
fenot
i
mportant
?
Aati
le:
(heldmyhands)Please..
..
Don'
tdoit,ifnotformedoitfor
Giov
anni.
..Lethissoul
resti
npeace.
Pl
ease..
.
Me: (
pulledmyhandsoutofhi s)
Fine.
..GetoutandAat i
l
epl ease
delet
emynumber ,don'
tev ertal
kto
meandt hatgoesforLolo.You'r
e
bothdeadt ome...Goandbewi th
yourkids,go..
.

Hest
oodupt
ear
ful
l
ylooki
ngatme.
..
Aati
le:(
tear
ful
lybreaki
ngdown)I '
m
hurt
ingtooDidibutialsohav eto
thi
nkfortheotherremainingtwokids
aswell,Godknowsi don'tcondone
whatLolodidbutIhav etothinkwith
myheadnotmyf eeli
ngs...
I'
m sorr
y.
Me:
(scr
eami
ng)GETOUT!
!

Het urnedaroundandwal kedaway

theni ri
ppedoutthedr i
psplashi
nga
bitofmybl oodast heneedlesli
dout
ofmyv ei
ns,iangri
l
ypunchedt he
plasti
chebr oughtformeand
stompedont hebananasunt i
li
sli
ppeddownandf ellcry
inglyi
ngon
t
hef
loorl
i
keamadwoman.

Thepati
entnexttomybedwalked
overandhuggedmefrom behi
nd
cr
y i
ngwit
hme. .
.

Me:(cr
yingloudly)Gi
ovanni?
??Oh.
..
.I
wantmybaby ..
..Iwantmy
baby.
..
pleaseGod, br
ingbackmy
baby
Pati
ent:(
cryi
ng)Pleasest
op,il
ost
minetoo..
.Iwastryi
ngtogetoveri
t
nowy ou'
rebreaki
ngmyheart.
..
Thesecondpat
ientwalkedov
erand
huggedbot
hofuscr y
ing..
.

Pat
ient
2( cry
ing)Atleasty
oucan
hav
echildrenagain,myuterusi
s
goi
ngtober emov ednextweekand
myhusbandi mpregnatedmycousi
n..
.

Thelastpat
ientj
oinedusr
ubbi
ngher
tear
s..
.

Pati
ent3:Ihav ebeendi
agnosedwi
th
endometriosis,t
herei
sasecond
chancefory ou..
.
Weal lhuggedandcriedtogether
unti
litwasjustsni
ffsandbr eathes
thenev er
yonesatont hei
rbedsas
thecookwal kedi
npushi ngat r
olley
ofbreakfastandbegunser v
ingbeds.

Thepainonmychestwas
unbearabl
eandIcoul
dn'
tbr
eaththen
imyputonmyshoesandwal ked
out.
..

Iwalkedupt
hestai
rscry
ingtothe
hospit
alr
oof
topwhereIstood
l
ookingdownthepavementbythe
parki
nglotast
ear
srol
l
eddownmy
cheeks.

Icouldn'
tgetridofGiov anni'
simage
orthoughtoflivi
ngwi thouthim.I
walkedtotheedgeandspr eadmy
armswi t
houtthinkingt wicethenil
et
goofmy selfbutsomeonegr abbed
mef rom behi
ndandf ellbackholdi
ng
mywai stti
ghtlywithaci garett
e
betweenhisfingers..
.

Hi
m:Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
33PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 20

Ont
hehospi
tal
roof
top.
..

Itr
iedtopushhi
shandsoffmebut
heheldmet i
ght
lyandhi
scigar
ett
e
burnedme..
.

Me:
(angr
il
y)Letgoofme.
..
Heletgoandstoodupl
ookingathi
s
br
okencigar
ett
ethenhefi
xedhis
br
ownshades..
.

Him:Youbrokemycigar
ett
e,t
hati
s
goi
ngtocostyouP30,sowhyare
youtr
yingt
okill
your
self
?

Il
ookedupathi m andsatproperl
y
l
eaningagainstthewall
.Hewasdar k
brownincompl exi
onwiththe
tr
endingshortfadehai
rcutti
nted
bl
ackandat i
nygoldearr
ingonhis
l
eftear.
.
Ireal
lydi
dn'
tknowwhattosay
becauseiwassti
l
lshaki
ng,Icouldn'
t
beli
eveiact
ual
lyt
riedt
okil
lmy self
..

Hesatnextt omeandsi ghedpul l

ing
backt hesleevesofhisblackmuscl e
topthenhedust edhi
sblackj eans
andleanedbackgent lyfi
xinghi s
cigar
et t
e.Hiswat chwasbl acktoo
andasmal lpartofhi
stattoowas
visi
bleonhi sarm cover
edbyt he
sleeve..

Hi
m:What
'sy
ourname?
Me:
Didi
ntl
e
Hi
m: Uglyname.
..Whydi
dyour
mothercal
lyout
hat?
Me:
Mygr
andmot
hernamedme
Him:
Makessense.
..So.
..Whyar
e
yout
ryi
ngt
okil
lyoursel
f?

Heputt hecigar
ettebetweenhisdark
l
ipsandpr essedthelight
erburni
ngit
thenhehoof edonceandl ookedat
measi f annedmyf acewithafrown,
hesmiledandputoutt heci
garett
e..
.

Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry.
..Byt
hewaymyname
i
sKenshor
tforKenna
Me:(
laughed)Howi
sthatabeaut
if
ul
name?
Ken:Iam aman, ishouldn'
thavea
beauti
fulname..
.l
einalamonnakel e
l
egaohi (
looki
ngatmyhands)You
havesofthands.
..
youpr obabl
ygiv
e
perf
ectblowjobs..
.

Iuncomf or
tablyputthem between
myt hi
ghsandsi ghed,iwasn'tsure
howt orespondtothatbutitseemed
hewasn'taskingmeei ther,heplayed
wit
hhi sli
ghterswit
chingitonandof f
l
ookingatme. .
Ken:Yousti
l
l hav
en'
ttoldmewhyy ou
j
usttri
edtothrowyoursel
fdowna
fl
at.Ar
eyouHI Vposi
ti
v eordi
dyou
j
ustgetdi
agnosedwi t
hcancer?
Me:No,i
lostmyson,
iwas4mont
hs
pr
egnant
Ken:I
sn'
ti
tli
keamouseatthatst
age?
Iwoul
dn'
tcryforamouse
Me:I
t'
snotamouse,
it'
sababyt
he
si
zeofamango
Ken:St
il
l,
it'
snotli
keyoubought
cl
othesoranyt
hing,di
dyou?
Me:Nobutiwasexpecti
ngt
obewi
th
hi
m,if
eell
ikehrl
eftwit
hmy
happi
ness-
Ken: Happinessisachoi ce,doyou
knowt hat?Youcanchooset obe
happyorwast eti
mef eelingsorr
yf or
yourselfaboutsomet hi
ngy oucan't
change.What '
sthepointofwor r
ying
aboutsomet hi
ngy oucan'tchange?
Youcanonl yacceptitandf i
nd
somet hingpositi
veoutoft hewhol e
thi
ng
Me: Ican'
tmakemyself'unsad'
ifat
al
lthereissuchaword..
.Myhear ti
s
i
npai nandIcan'
tst
opt hinki
ngabout
myson
Ken:
Alr
ight
..
.Let
'sseei
ficant
ake
y
ourmi
ndof
fthatf
orasecond.
..

Het ookouthi
sphoneandplayed
DanceHal l
musicthenhetookof
fhi
s
shadesandputthem ontheedge
togetherwi
tht
hephone.

Hetookoutast ri
pofgum andthrew
i
nhismout hthenheslowlywalked
oversmil
ingnaughty
,heleanedover
andgrabbedmyhandt henhepul l
ed
meupasi shyl
ysmil
ed.

Me:
(laughed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken:I'
m danci
ngwi t
hyouonthe
rooft
op..
.Theviewisbeaut
if
ul,
tur
n
aroundandlook..
.

Heturnedmear oundandhel dwaist

asilookedatevery
t hi
ngfrom above,
thewindblewmyt -shir
tanditooka
deepbreathwit
hal itt
lesmil
e..
.

Het urnedmear oundandheldmy

handsl i
kewewer eabouttodoa
ball
room dancet henheconfidentl
y
tangoedashi sphoneplayedt he
musi c,ij
ustfol
lowedhisfootsteps
andwel aughedwheneverImi sseda
mov
eandst
eppedonhi
stoes.

Dancingont herooftopofat all

buil
dingwi t
hanat t
racti
vestranger
defi
nitel
ydist r
actedmeandf ora
secondi forgotaboutev er
ythingas
hetaughtmehowt odanceont he
l
argepav ement ..
.

Iheardchai
nsandt urnedaroundasa
pri
sonerescort
edby2j ai
lguar
ds
emergedfrom thestair
sthenhe
pauseddancing..
..

Ken:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)St
ayher
e..
.
Iwat chedconfusedashebumped
shoul der
switht heprisonerthenhe
handedhi m somet hing,thepr i
soner
quicklybentov erandshov editi
nhis
shoe.Thet woj ailguardslooked
aroundonal ertthenKent ookoutt wo
l
arger ol
l
sofmoneyandhandedeach
ofthej ai
lguardsast heyst aredat
me. .
.

Jai
lguard:
Whoisshe?You'
re
supposedtobeal
one
Ken:Don'
twor
ryabouther
,
okay
...
.Ar
ewegood?
Pr
isoner
:Thanks
Ken:
Sur
e

Theywalkedawaythenheturned
backandpickedhi
sphone,heputon
hi
sshadesandslidhisphoneinthe
pocket
..
.

Ken:(
grabbedmywr
ist
)Let
'sgetout
ofher
e..

Hegent
lysupport
edmeaswe
wal
keddownt hestai
rs.
..
Me:
Whatwast
hatal
labout
?
Ken:Mybr ot
heri
npri
sonandhe
neededcondoms,ihadt
ogivethem
tothatguysohecanpassthem t
o
him.
Me:
Isee.
..
Ken:Youmustbev
erybor
edwi
th
yourl
if
e
Me:
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?
Ken:Justaf
eel
i
ng.
.Doy
ouev
ergo
out?
Me:
No
Ken:
Dri
nk?
Me:
No,
meandbeerdon'
tgo
t
oget
her
Ken:
(laughed)Sowhatdoy
oudo?
Chur
ch?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y
Ken:I
nbet
ween,okay
..
.Whenar
eyou
get
ti
ngoutofher
e?
Me:Maybet
hisaf
ter
noon,
they
'r
e
donewi
thme..
Ken:Takemynumberandgi
vemea
cal
lwhenyouneedari
de
Me:Il
eftmyphoneont
hebed,
get
mi
ne..

Igav
ehi
m mynumberaswewal
ked
towardstheparki
nglotwherewe
stoodbyhiscar,iwasn'
tsurewhat
caritwasbutitwasdefi
nitel
ywort
h
af ewPul
a's.

Ken:Thisi
smor et
hant aking
someonehalf-
way..
.Gobacki nsi
de
andpleasedon'
tki
llyourself
,ther
eis
moretolif
ethanyouknow
Me:
Iwon'
t,
I'
mfi
nenow.
..
Thanks
Ken:
Takecar
e

Iwalkedbacki
nthehospi
tal
ashe
drov
eof f
..
..
AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthataft
ernoonther
ewasa
knockont hedoorthenLoloopened,
amansmi ledandhandedherthe
papers..
.

Hi
m:Youhavebeenser
ved,
please
si
gnher
e..

Loloreadt
hepaper
sandshookher
headthenshesi
gnedandgavehi
m
thepen.
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
.

Sheclosedthedoorandsatont
he
couchreadi
ng..

Lol
o: (
shookherhead)Ican'
tbel
i
eve
thi
s..
.

Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..

LateronIsteppedoutoft
hetaxi
wit
h
mybagandwal kedi
ntheyar
d
exhausted.
..
Ipushedt hroughthedoorasmy
grandmot herlai
donthebedfaci
ng
thewalltheni putmybagdownand
sighed.

Isti
l
lwasn'
tsur
ehowi wasgoi
ngto
tel
lhert
hebadnewsthenit
ooka
deepbreat
handshookher
..
.

Me:
Mmama?
..
.Mmama?

Shedidn'
trespondthenIt
urnedher
bodyandshest ar
edatmewi thout
bl
inking,
ipausedforafewmi nut
es
st
aringatherwaiti
ngforhert
oblink
ormakeanymov ementsbutshewas
st
ill
andherey esweren'
tmoving.
..

Me:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)Mmama?

Acoldchil
lrandownmyspi neasmy
handshooklikealeafwhil
eisl
owl
y
touchedhercoldcheek.
..

Me:
Mmamast
opscar
ingme.
..

Icoul
dhearmyhear
tbeat
ingasi
l
eanedov erput ti
ngmyearonher
mout hli
steningbutIcoul dn'
thear
anythi
ng.It ouchedherchestandf el
t
noheartbeatt henIt ookadeep
breathandgent lypulledhereyel
ids
downcl osingherey es.

Thef earinmedi sappear edasi

stoodbyt hebed, Ipulledt hesheet s
offtochecki fshewasdr essedand
sheonl yhadherhal fsleev eonsoi
tookof fmyshoesandgotont hebed
dressingherlif
elessbodyt heni wet
thefacecl ot
handcl eanedherf ace
onelastt i
mebef oresi tt
ingont he
stoopf orafewmi nutest odi gesti
t
al
ltheniphonedmyuncle.Iwasn'
t
cry
ingnorwasi scar
ed,
iwasjust
numb..
..
..

*
*
*
*
*
..
[9/3,11:
33PM]Madam Dee:
WickedMe
✴ 20

Ont
hehospi
tal
roof
top.
..
Itr
iedtopushhi
shandsoffmebut
heheldmet i
ght
lyandhi
scigar
ett
e
burnedme..
.

Me:
(angr
il
y)Letgoofme.
..

Heletgoandstoodupl
ookingathi
s
br
okencigar
ett
ethenhefi
xedhis
br
ownshades..
.

Him:Youbrokemycigar
ett
e,t
hati
s
goi
ngtocostyouP30,sowhyare
youtr
yingt
okill
your
self
?
Il
ookedupathi m andsatproperl
y
l
eaningagainstthewall
.Hewasdar k
brownincompl exi
onwiththe
tr
endingshortfadehai
rcutti
nted
bl
ackandat i
nygoldearr
ingonhis
l
eftear.
.

Ireal
lydi
dn'
tknowwhattosay
becauseiwassti
l
lshaki
ng,Icouldn'
t
beli
eveiact
ual
lyt
riedt
okil
lmy self
..

Hesatnextt omeandsighedpull
ing
backthesleevesofhi
sblackmuscle
topthenhedustedhisbl
ackjeans
andleanedbackgentl
yfi
xinghis
ci
garett
e.Hiswatchwasblackt
oo
andasmal l
partofhi
statt
oowas
vi
sibl
eonhisarm cover
edbythe
sl
eeve..

Hi
m:What
'sy
ourname?
Me:
Didi
ntl
e
Hi
m: Uglyname.
..Whydi
dyour
mothercal
lyout
hat?
Me:
Mygr
andmot
hernamedme
Him:
Makessense.
..So.
..Whyar
e
yout
ryi
ngt
okil
lyoursel
f?

Heputt
heci
gar
ett
ebet
weenhi
sdar
k
l
ipsandpressedthel
ight
erburni
ngit
thenhehoofedonceandlookedat
measi fannedmyfacewithafrown,
hesmiledandputouttheci
garett
e..
.

Hi
m:I'
m sorr
y..
.Bythewaymyname
i
sKenshortforKenna
Me:(
laughed)Howi
sthatabeaut
if
ul
name?
Ken:Iam aman, ishouldn'
thavea
beauti
fulname..
.l
einalamonnakel e
l
egaohi (
looki
ngatmyhands)You
havesofthands.
..
youpr obabl
ygiv
e
perf
ectblowjobs..
.
Iuncomf or
tablyputthem between
myt hi
ghsandsi ghed,iwasn'tsure
howt orespondtothatbutitseemed
hewasn'taskingmeei ther,heplayed
wit
hhi sli
ghterswit
chingitonandof f
l
ookingatme. .

Ken:Yousti
l
l hav
en'
ttoldmewhyy ou
j
usttri
edtothrowyoursel
fdowna
fl
at.Ar
eyouHI Vposi
ti
v eordi
dyou
j
ustgetdi
agnosedwi t
hcancer?
Me:No,i
lostmyson,
iwas4mont
hs
pr
egnant
Ken:I
sn'
ti
tli
keamouseatthatst
age?
Iwoul
dn'
tcryforamouse
Me:I
t'
snotamouse,
it'
sababyt
he
si
zeofamango
Ken:St
il
l,
it'
snotli
keyoubought
cl
othesoranyt
hing,di
dyou?
Me:Nobuti wasexpecti
ngt
obewi
th
hi
m, i
feell
i
kehrleftwit
hmy
happi
ness-
Ken: Happinessisachoi ce,doyou
knowt hat?Youcanchooset obe
happyorwast eti
mef eelingsorr
yf or
yourselfaboutsomet hi
ngy oucan't
change.What '
sthepointofwor r
ying
aboutsomet hi
ngy oucan'tchange?
Youcanonl yacceptitandf i
nd
somet hingpositi
veoutoft hewhol e
t
hing
Me: Ican'
tmakemyself'unsad'
ifat
al
lthereissuchaword..
.Myhear ti
s
i
npai nandIcan'
tst
opt hinki
ngabout
myson
Ken:Al
ri
ght
..
.Let'
sseei
ficantake
yourmi
ndoffthatf
orasecond.
..

Het ookouthi
sphoneandplayed
DanceHal l
musicthenhetookof
fhi
s
shadesandputthem ontheedge
togetherwi
tht
hephone.

Het
ookoutastr
ipofgum andt
hrew
i
nhi
smouththenheslowl
ywalked
oversmil
ingnaught
y,heleanedov
er
andgrabbedmyhandt henhepull
ed
meupasi shy
lysmil
ed.

Me:
(laughed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken:I'
m danci
ngwi t
hyouonthe
rooft
op..
.Theviewisbeaut
if
ul,
tur
n
aroundandlook..
.

Heturnedmear oundandhel dwaist

asilookedatevery
t hi
ngfrom above,
thewindblewmyt -shir
tanditooka
deepbreathwit
hal itt
lesmil
e..
.
Het urnedmear oundandheldmy
handsl i
kewewer eabouttodoa
ball
room dancet henheconfidentl
y
tangoedashi sphoneplayedt he
musi c,ij
ustfol
lowedhisfootsteps
andwel aughedwheneverImi sseda
mov eandst eppedonhistoes.

Dancingont herooftopofat all

buil
dingwi t
hanat t
racti
vestranger
defi
nitel
ydist r
actedmeandf ora
secondi forgotaboutev er
ythingas
hetaughtmehowt odanceont he
l
argepav ement ..
.
Iheardchai
nsandt urnedaroundasa
pri
sonerescort
edby2j ai
lguar
ds
emergedfrom thestair
sthenhe
pauseddancing..
..

Ken:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)St
ayher
e..
.

Iwat chedconfusedashebumped
shoul der
switht heprisonerthenhe
handedhi m somet hing,thepr i
soner
quicklybentov erandshov editi
nhis
shoe.Thet woj ailguardslooked
aroundonal ertthenKent ookoutt wo
l
arger ol
l
sofmoneyandhandedeach
ofthej ai
lguardsast heyst aredat
me.
..

Jai
lguard:
Whoisshe?You'
re
supposedtobeal
one
Ken:Don'
twor
ryabouther
,
okay
...
.Ar
ewegood?
Pr
isoner
:Thanks
Ken:
Sur
e

Theywalkedawaythenheturned
backandpickedhi
sphone,heputon
hi
sshadesandslidhisphoneinthe
pocket
..
.
Ken:(
grabbedmywr
ist
)Let
'sgetout
ofher
e..

Hegent
lysupport
edmeaswe
wal
keddownt hestai
rs.
..

Me:
Whatwast
hatal
labout
?
Ken:Mybr ot
heri
npri
sonandhe
neededcondoms,ihadt
ogivethem
tothatguysohecanpassthem t
o
him.
Me:
Isee.
..
Ken:Youmustbev
erybor
edwi
th
yourl
if
e
Me:
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?
Ken:Justaf
eel
i
ng.
.Doy
ouev
ergo
out?
Me:
No
Ken:
Dri
nk?
Me:No,meandbeerdon'
tgo
t
ogether
Ken:
(laughed)Sowhatdoy
oudo?
Chur
ch?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y
Ken:I
nbet
ween,okay
..
.Whenar
eyou
get
ti
ngoutofher
e?
Me:Maybet
hisaf
ter
noon,
they
'r
e
donewi
thme..
Ken:Takemynumberandgi
vemea
cal
lwhenyouneedari
de
Me:Il
eftmyphoneont
hebed,
get
mi
ne..

Igavehim mynumberaswewal ked

towardstheparki
nglotwherewe
stoodbyhiscar,iwasn'
tsurewhat
caritwasbutitwasdefi
nitel
yworth
af ewPul
a's.

Ken:Thisi
smor et
hant aking
someonehalf-
way..
.Gobacki nsi
de
andpleasedon'
tki
llyourself
,ther
eis
moretolif
ethanyouknow
Me:
Iwon'
t,
I'
mfi
nenow.
..
Thanks
Ken:
Takecar
e

Iwalkedbacki
nthehospi
tal
ashe
drov
eof f
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthataft
ernoonther
ewasa
knockont hedoorthenLoloopened,
amansmi ledandhandedherthe
papers..
.

Hi
m:Youhav
ebeenser
ved,
please
si
gnher
e..

Loloreadt
hepaper
sandshookher
headthenshesi
gnedandgavehi
m
thepen.

Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
.

Sheclosedthedoorandsatont
he
couchreadi
ng..

Lol
o: (
shookherhead)Ican'
tbel
i
eve
thi
s..
.
Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..

LateronIsteppedoutoft
hetaxi
wit
h
mybagandwal kedi
ntheyar
d
exhausted.
..

Ipushedt hroughthedoorasmy
grandmot herlai
donthebedfaci
ng
thewalltheni putmybagdownand
sighed.

Isti
l
lwasn'
tsur
ehowi wasgoi
ngto
tel
lhert
hebadnewsthenit
ooka
deepbreat
handshookher
..
.
Me:
Mmama?
..
.Mmama?

Shedi dn'
trespondt henItur
nedher
bodyandshest aredatmewi thout
bl
inking,ipausedf orafewmi nut
es
star
ingatherwai tingforhertobl
ink
ormakeanymov ement sbutshewas
sti
ll
andherey eswer en'
tmov i
ng.
..

Me:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)Mmama?

Acoldchi
llr
andownmyspineasmy
handshookli
keal
eafwhi
l
ei sl
owl
y
t
ouchedhercol
dcheek.
..

Me:
Mmamast
opscar
ingme.
..

Icouldhearmyhear tbeat i
ngasi
l
eanedov erput ti
ngmyearonher
mout hli
steningbutIcoul dn'
thear
anythi
ng.It ouchedherchestandf el
t
noheartbeatt henIt ookadeep
breathandgent lypulledhereyel
ids
downcl osingherey es.

Thefeari
nmedisappearedasi
st
oodbythebed,Ipul
ledthesheet
s
offt
ochecki
fshewasdr essedand
sheonlyhadherhal fsl
eeveonsoi
tookoffmyshoesandgotont hebed
dressi
ngherlif
elessbodyt heni wet
thefaceclot
handcl eanedherf ace
onelastti
mebef oresit
ti
ngont he
stoopforafewmi nutestodi gesti
t
allt
heniphonedmyuncl e.Iwasn't
cryi
ngnorwasi scared,iwasj ust
numb...
..
.

*
*
*
*
*
..
[
9/3,
11:
34PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 21

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.

Thef oll
owingweekIsatqui etlyunder
thegazebowat chingast hechur ch
sangf ormygr andmot her ,nexttome
wasmymot herwhosehusbandwas
rubbinghershoul der .Arianasecr et
ly
pressedherphonenotbot hor edand
smiledblushing,Bl essingont he
otherhandkeptgl ancingatmeasi
snif
fedandr ubbedmyt earswi tha
t
issue.
..

Shestoodupandsatnextt
ome
rubbi
ngmyarm..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
(whi
sper
ing)Sor
ryabout
gr
andma
Me:
(swal
l
owed)I
t'
sokay
..
.

Let
tywavedatmefrom t
hecrowdas
menfi
ll
edinmygrandmother
'sgr
ave,
myeyeswereswoll
enandidi
dn't
wantt
olookatpeopl
e.
Past
or:
Let
'
scl
osewi
thapr
ayer
..
.

Weal lbowedandpr ayedt henwe

headedt ot
hecar s,iawkwar dl
y
walkedbehindmymot herandher
famil
yapproachingthef uneral
parl
ourlimousi
net hensomeone
grabbedmyar mf rom behind.

Iturnedandf rownedsur pri

sed,Ken
wassmar tl
ydr essedwithablueshir
t
andanav ybluej acket
..
.Hehadev en
takenof fhisearringandlookedli
kea
gentlemant henhesmi l
edcurvi
nghis
darklips..
.
Me:
Hi.
.
Ken:Hey..
.Sorr
yabouty
our
grandmother
..
.(l
ooki
ngatthe
program)Shewasahotgrannie
Me:(l
aughed)Itookthatpi
ctur
eof
her
swithmyf i
rstphonethatIbought
wit
hstudental
lowance.
Ken:I
t'
scut
e..
.I'
m sur
eshegav
ea
coupl
eofol
dmenboner s
Me:(smi
l
ed)Hav
eyoubeensmoki
ng
agai
n?
Ken:Notthi
smor
ning.
..Comeonl
et'
s
gotoget
her
Me:
Ihav
etost
ickwi
thf
ami
l
y
Ken: Whatfamil
y?Youj
ustburi
ed
youronlyfamil
y,i
sn'
twhatyoutol
d
mel astni
ght?
Me:
Iguess.
..

Hegrabbedmywristandl
edmet o
thecarwher
eheopenedthedoorfor
me,igoti
nthenBayangunl
ockedhis
carnextt
ousandpausedlooki
ngat
me...

Bay
ang:
Hey
Me:
Hi.
.
Bayang:Mycondolences,shealways
spokeabouthowshecoul dn'twai
tto
tast
ey ourf
ir
stsal
aryit
'sunfort
unate
shediedbeforet
hatcouldhappen
Me:
Yeah.
..
Bayang:I
'
m sorr
yaboutwhati
saidat
thehospi
tal
,iwasangr
yandItook
outmypainony ou.
.
Me:
It'
sokay
..
.
Bay
ang:
Howi
sthebaby
?
Me:(t
ookadeepbr
eat
h)Ther
eisno
baby
,hedi
dn'
tmakeit
.
Bayang:Idi
dn'tknowLolowas
capabl
eofdoi ngthatt
oanunborn
babyandI'm sorr
yAonegotther
e
l
ate
Me:
(laughedsur
pri
sed)Excuseme?
Bayang:shet
oldmehowshet r
iedto
tal
kLolooutofitbutgott
herel
ate
andthatyourej
ectedherhel
p
Me: Shedi dn'
tgettherelate,
shei s
theonewhohel dmedownsot hat
Lolocanputpi ll
sinmymout h.They
didittogether,
infactifi
twasj ust
Lolomay bet hebabywoul dhav e
survi
vedbecauseshewant edtol et
gothemi nuteIswall
owedand
may bei wouldhavev omiteditbut
Aoneadv i
sedhertohol dmedown
foroveranhoursot hatthepill
scan
geti
ntomybl
ood.
Bay
ang:
Pleaset
ell
mey
ou'
rej
oki
ng
Me:Iwouldn'
tjokeaboutmyson' s
l
astmoment s,anywayihopethisis
thel
astti
meI '
m seeingyoubecausei
havedeci
dedtoputev er
y t
hing
behi
ndmeandst artmyli
feagain.
Bye

Iclosedthedoort
henKenrev
ersed
thecarmakingeyecont
actwit
h
Bay ang.
..

Ken:
Hel
i
kesy
ouandi
tpi
ssesmeof
f
Me:(si
ghedandlookedback)Wow.
..
Thewayy ousmokeIthoughty
our
carwouldbeamess
Ken:Justbecauseipoll
utemyair
doesn'
tmeani poll
uteevery
thi
ng.
.So
whoisthatguy?
Me:
Justsomeonei
usedt
oknow.
.
Ken:
Didy
ouguy
sfuck?
Me:(
laughed)No,Jesus!Ar
ey ou
al
waysthatstr
aightt
othepoint?
Ken:(smi
ledandlookedatme)Am i
supposedtobeataroundt
hebushes?
Me:
Iguessnot
..
.
Ken:
Wast
haty
ourmot
her
?
Me:Yeah,
idon'
twantt
otal
kabout
her
Ken:
Whoi
syourf
ather
?
Me:
Can'
ttal
kaboutt
hatei
ther
Ken:Soyouwil
lbest
ayi
ngal
lal
one
onceever
yonei
sgone?
Me:
Unf
ort
unat
ely
..
Ken:
Sad.
..You'
reasadhumanbei
ng
Me: (shookmyhead)Ther ei
s
somet hingaboutthewayyoutalk
thatmakesev er
ythi
ngsoundfunny.
..
May beit'sbecausepar
tofmet hi
nks
you'r
ehi ghonsomet hi
ng
Ken:
EvenwhenI
'
m dr
essedl
i
ket
his?
Me: (
smi l
edandl ookedathi m)Nah.
..
Todayy oulooksmar t,li
kear eal
gentl
emannott hethugi metatthe
hospit
al,youlookedlikeabodyguard
withshades,dressedi nblackand
thatl
it
tl
eact i
ony oudidgi vi
ngout
condoms. .
.

Helookedatmeandsmiledshaki
ng
hi
sheadt henhef
acedt
her oadand
si
ghed..
..

Ken:
You'r
esuchababy.
..
.(l
aughed)
I
t'
scute.
..
ihav
eali
tt
lesi
steryourage
Me:
Ibety
ou'
reagoodbi
gbr
other
Ken:
Nah.
..Shehidesherboy
fri
ends
fr
om mebecauseshesaysI'
m picky
.
Me:Youshoul
dfi
ndmeagood
boy
fri
end
Ken:
I'
ll
seewhatIcando.
..
Me:
(laughed)Cool
.
...

Minut
esl
aterhepar
kedt
hecart
heni
st
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Ken:
I'
ll
cal
lyoulat
eroryoucancal
l
mewheneveryouarebor
ed
Me:Okay
,bye.
..Andthanksf
or
comi
ngtotheburial
Ken:
That
'swhatf
ri
endsar
eforr
ight
?
Me:
Right
..
.

Iwal
kedint
heyar
dasthecr
owedgot
di
smissedt
henmyuncl
ecal
ledme
over
..
.

Bonang:
Didi
?Comeher
e..
.

Igr
eet
edhi
m andhi
swi
fe.
..

Bonang:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Bonang:
iwast
hinki
ngyoucould
moveinwit
husforawhil
ejustunt
il
you'
r-

Hiswi fe'sfaci
al expressionchanged,
myuncl ewasoneoft hoset hat
mar r
iedwomenwhodon' tmat ch
thei
rper sonaliti
es.Hewasl ov i
ngand
welcomi ngbuthi swifewast he
reasonr elati
vesdi dn'
tv i
sithi shouse
andhewasbl indedbyl ov esomuch
hecoul dn'tseet hroughher ,
par tof
mest illhatedherf orthet reat ment
shegav emygr andmot herandi
wantedt omov ei njusttomakeher
l
ifemi serablebutf orsomer easoni
deci
dedt
oputherl
astonmyhi
tli
st.
..

Me:(smil
ed)I
'
mf ineuncl
ebesi
desi
haveatonoffr
iendstokeepme
company
Hi
swife:
Shei
sri
ght,
sheneedsher
f
ri
endsmoret
hananyt
hingr
ightnow
Bonang:(smi
ledandputhisarm
ar
oundmyshoul der
)Alr
ight,
giveme
acallwhenev
eryouneedany t
hing
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
..
.
Bonang:Don'
tbetoofar
,ther
ewillbe
afamil
ymeet i
ngassoonasev er
yone
i
sdoneeat i
ng.
.
Me:
Okay
..

I
nMor
apedi
'
scar
..
..

Morapedisi
ghedandl
eanedback
l
ookingatAri
ana'
smother
..
.

Mor apedi
:Don'ty outhinky oushould
tal
ky ourunclesintowr it
ingy ou
l
ettersforchangeofowner shipso
wecansel lthisplot?Wecoul duse
themoneyt ost artthatbottlestore
businessyouwant edandwecoul d
payt hebank,ihav ebeenbl anklist
ed
andy ouknowt heymi ghttakeour
house.Wher
ewi
l
lwego?
Kedi
bonye:WhataboutDi
di?My
motherwoul
dwantherhousetobe
her
snottobesold.
Morapedi:
Didicancomest
aywi
thus,
sheisfamil
yanyway..
.
Kedi
bony
e:Yousai
dyoudon'
twant
her
Morapedi:Thatwasbef oreshel ost
heronlyparent,i
fyoudon' twantme
tobethereforyourdaught eryoucan
sti
ll
letmeknowbuti thoughtf or
oncey oucoulddosomet hingforour
famil
y.Isupportedthi
sf ami l
yforthe
past25y ear
s,theleastyoucoul ddo
i
ssav eusfrom t
hisdebt
s,t
hebankis
goingtotakeourhomeandy ou'
re
theonlyonewhocanhelpus.

Hesteppedoutandslammedt
he
doorasshefl
inched.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Laterthatmor
ningBayangwalkedin
thelabasAati
leandanotherworker
testedsomesamples.
..

Bay
ang:
Canwet
alk?
Ati
lei
gnoredhim andpackedthetr
ay
ofsamplesunderthel
ightthenhe
pul
ledhi
scoat..
.

Bay
ang:
canwet
alk?
At
il
e:(
angr
il
y)Don'
ttouchme!
Bayang:I
fy ou'rel
ookingforan
apologyf
rom mey ou'r
enotgonna
getit,
youdon' tdeser
veitbecause
youshouldn'thavesleptwithher
.You
knewhowi feelaboutherandwent
aheaddoingt hisandnotonlydidyou
knockherupy ouabandonedherwi t
h
yourbaby.
Ati
le:
(tur
nedt ohi
m)Idi
dn'
tknow
shewaspr egnant
Bayang:youhadunpr ot
ectedsex
withher,
whatdoy oumeany oudidn'
t
knowshewaspr egnant
?Don' tyou
knowwhathappenshaor otelamo
teng?Andcouldn'tyoufi
gureitout
theminuteyounot i
cedshewas
pregnant
?
At
il
e:What
'
syourpoi
nt?
Bayang:(
tookadeepbreath)What
real
l
yhappenedbackthere?Theday
shetookthepi
ll
s?
Ati
le:
AoneheldherdownandLolo
for
cedthepi
l
lsdownherthroat
.
Bayang:SoAonereal
l
yl i
edtome,
shesaidshecameafterandonl
yto
tal
kLolooutofi
t
Aati
le:Ibel
iev
eLolo'
sver
sionofthe
eventbecauseshegenui
nelywanted
met oforgi
veher.
Bay
ang:
Didy
ou?
Aat i
le:Yes..
.I'
m hur
tand
disappointedinherbutiloveherand
weal l
hav ethosemoment swear e
notpr oudof ,minei
ssleepingwit
h
Didi.Ihav ebetr
ayedyou, i
haveused
DidiandIpushedLol ointodoing
this.
..I'
mt hecauseofall t
heseand
Godpuni shedmebyt akingawaythe
onethi
ngi
woul
dlov
etohav
e,a
son.
..
.
Bayang:It
hinki
hat
eAone.
..
.Shei
sa
l
iarandkil
l
er.
Aati
le:Someti
mesiresentLol
ot oo
especial
lywheni
lookatGiovanni'
s
pict
ures.
..
Bay
ang:
Cani
seei
t?

Hehandedhimthephonethen
Bay
angsighedcompassi
onatel
y.
..

Bay
ang:
Sor
ryman
Aat
il
e:I
t'
scool
Bayang:Youshoulddel
etet
his
pi
cturesother
wiseyouwon'
tgetov
er
i
t
Aat
il
e:Ican't
..
.Someti
mesithi
nki
bet
rayedhisli
tt
lesoul
bypr
otecti
ng
Lol
o
Bayang:
It'
sjustaf
eel
i
ng,
I'
m sur
eit
wil
lgoaway .
Aati
l
e:Hopef
ull
y.
..Myfat
heri
spay
ing
Bogadi
nextweek,wi
ll
youbemybest
man?
Bay
ang:
(smi
l
ed)Ofcour
se

Theybumpedshoul
der
s..
..
AtZer
o'sHouse.
..
..

Lol
oknockedonthedoor,Zero
openedhol
dingabott
leofBlack
Labelast
heTVplayedloudl
y..
..

Lol
o:canwet
alk?
Zer
o:Keri
l
egakebuenex,
I'
ll
seey
ou
i
ncourt
Lol
o:WhydoyouwantMay
a?What
doyoureal
l
ywant
?Maybeicangi
ve
i
ttoyou
Zer
o:I
sitt
rueshehasabi
ghouse?
Lolo:(smiledandshookherhead)
Oh...
.Ev enify
ougethery ouwon' t
havet hehouse,shewill
onl yhaveit
whenshei s18unti
ltheni contr
olit
regardlessofwhereshespendsher
weekends.
Zer
o:Ij
ustwantmyshar
e,Ihear
dit
pays6.
5kthat
'sal
otofmoney.I
wantmyshare
Lol
o:I
figi
vey
ouhal
feachmont
hwi
l
l
youl
etmegowit
hher?
Zer
o:Yes
Lol
o:Wil
lyouwi
thdr
awy
ourcase
agai
nstme?
Zer
o:YesbutI
'
m notgoi
ngt
o
withdrawi tjustl
ikethat,
yougiveme
thi
smont h'srent.Al
lofitandwhen
wegot ocour twewi l
ltel
lthe
Magi str
atet hatwehav ereachedan
under st
andingandwi l
lsett
le
everythi
ngoutoft hecourt.
Lol
o:Okay,gi
vemey
ouraccount
number.
..

Theyexchangedt
hedet
ail
s..
.

Lol
o:Sowhot
oldy
ouaboutMay
a?
Zer
o:Yoursi
ster
,why
?
Lol
o:How?Wenaokopanakael
e
Gobona?
Zero:(l
aughed)AoGobonanki l
eka
j
olaleeneaker e?Themi nuteisaw
youi l
ostmymi nd.
..Ichoseyoubuti
honestl
ydidn'
tknowy ouweresist
ers.
Ifoundoutlaterongakegokhapa
Lol
o:What
?Whenwast
his?
Zer
o:Al
ongt
imeagobef
orewehad
Masa
Lol
o:May
a
Zer
o:Yeah,
that
..
.
Lol
o:(
sighed)Shap,
I'
ll
sendy
our
money.
..
Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f
di
ali
ngLorr
aine.
..

Lor
a:Hey
Lol
o:Hey
..
.Um whenarewemeet
ing
l
eAoneformot
shelo?
Lor
a:Iwasj
ustaboutt
ocal
lyou,
let
's
meetatt
heusuali
ntwohour
s
Lol
o:Al
ri
ght
..
.By
e

Shehungup.
..
.

Atmygr
andmot
her
's.
..
.
Lateronmymot heranduncl
eargued
thr
owi ngwor dsatoneanot
her
acrossther oom asther
estoft
he
familyli
stened.
..

Bonang:You'
renotgett
ingthi
sy ar
d,
myauntlefti
tforDi
di.Sheistheonly
onewhowast hereforher,
younev er
bot
heredtocheckonher
Kedibonye:sheismymot herandDidi
i
smydaught er
,shecani nheri
tfrom
mebutnotmymot her.I
'
mt heonly
chil
dsot hi
spl oti
smi neandi fyou
haveapr oblem signi
ngt hepapers
otherrel
ati
veswi l
l si
gnthem
Bonang:HowisDidisupposedto
i
nheri
tyourhusband'
spropert
ywhen
sheisnothi
sdaughter?AkereDidi
wasMmama' schild,
whyar eyou
sel
fi
sh?
Kedi
bonye:Di
dicancomest
aywi
th
usunti
lshefi
ndsajob
Bonang:St
aywithy ou?Idon'
t
rememberDidi
ev ersleepi
ngoveri
n
yourhous-
Me: Malomei t
'sokay..
.Pleasesign
overtheplotI'
m sureI'
llf
indaway .
I'
m sti
ll
y oungI'
ll
applyfortheplot
andI'm surebythetimei fi
ndajob
wewi l
lbeal l
ocatedplot
s.
Bonang:Whataboutt
hehouse?You
knowmangwanewant edyoutohav
e
thi
shouse
Me:ButKedibony esay sshewant s
hermother'
sthings,..
.(tearf
ull
y)
Mmamai snotmymot hersheisher
mothersoIdon' twantt ostopher
fr
om enjoyi
nghermot her'sthi
ngs
j
ustbecausei don'thav ethat
opport
unity
.I'
l
l befine..
.(stoodup)I'
l
l
getmythingsoutbyt heendoft he
week.
Kedi
bonye:
You'
l
lshar
ear
oom wi
th
Ari
ana-
Me:
Not
hanks,
Justgi
vemeaweek
t
ofi
gur
esomet
hingout
..
.

Iwalkedoutoft
hehouseoft
he
housetext
ingKen.
..
..
.

Att
heI
tal
i
anr
est
aur
ant
..
..
.

Latert
hataft
ernoonLol
ojoi
nedher
fr
iendsbythetabl
eandorder
eda
dri
nk..
.

Lor
rai
ne:
Final
l
y..
.
Lol
o:Sorr
yforbei
ngl
ate..
.Any
wayI
hav
efinal
lyf
oundabusinessiwant
t
odo,
iwantt
odof
lor
ist
ry.
Aone:
What
'
sthat
?
Lol
o:Sel
l
ingf
reshfl
ower
sto
weddi
ngsandevent
s
Lor
rai
ne:
Didn'
tyoument
iont
hatDi
di-
Lol
o:YeahbutI
'
m st
art
ingmi
ne.
.
Aone:
doest
hatev
enmakemoney
?
Lol
o:I
'
lldomor
eresear
chbutt
hat
's
whatI
'
m doi
ng
Aone:I
'm goi
ngt
othet
oil
et,
5
minut
es
Bot
h:Al
ri
ght

Shegoti
nthet
oil
ett
henLor
rai
ne
l
eanedov
erandwhi
sper
ed.
..

Lor
rai
ne:
Wehav
etogetr
idofher
Lol
o:Iknow.
..
Lor
rai
ne:
Thi
nkofsomet
hing
Lol
o:I
'
lldo.
..
.

Aonewalkedbackinandthey
i
nnocent
lysippedj
uices.
..

Atmygr
andmot
her
'shome.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngi
wal
kedi
nthe
t
oil
etpi
cki
ngacal
l
...

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:Isawyourmessage,
I'
m comi
ng
togetyou
Me:Iwasn'
ttell
i
ngyousot haty
ou
cangetme,iwasjustshar
ingwith
youwhat'
sgoingonhere
Ken:Letmer ephr
aset
hat
,I'
m
outsi
de,l
et'
sgo...

Isteppedoutsi
dethetoil
etand
l
ookedatt hegatethenheflashedthe
l
ights,ismil
edshakingmyheadi n
di
sbeli
efasi
wal
kedbackt
othe
house.
..

Me:
Arey
oual
way
sthi
simpul
siv
e?
Ken:
Youshoul
dtr
yit
,it
'sf
un.
..
Me:(
laughed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
re
maki
ngmedot his.
..
Ken:
Let
'sgo.
..
Me:
Giv
emeami
nut
e..
.

Idi
dn'tknowKent hatmuchandi
knewhewasn' taSaintbutididn'
t
carebecauseiwashomel essanyway.
Hewast hedistr
acti
oni neededandi
hadnot
hinghol
dingmeback.
..

Igotinthehouseandgr abbedmy
backpackwithmyvaluablestheni
walkedoutasmymot herwalkedin
holdi
ngapenandpaper sforrel
ati
ves
torel
easetheplott
oher ..
.

Kedibonye:
Wherearey
ougoing?I
thoughtwearegoi
nghometogether
Me:
Yourf
ami
l
ydoesn'
tl
ikeme.
.

Ij
oggedtowardst
hegatewit
hmy
backpackandasmil
eofexci
tement
,
Kenopenedthedoorformewhile
sit
ti
nginthecart
heni j
umpedinand
thr
ewmybagi nt
hebackseat.We
methalfwayandhuggedone
another
..
.

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Hey
Me:
Hey
..
.
Ken:
Ready
?
Me:
Yeah.

Thesmileonhisf
acemel t
edmy
hear
t,i
couldseeall
kindsofbadi
n
hi
sreddishey
esbutIcouldn'
twai
tto
seewhathewasal labout
.het ur
ned
upthevol
umet o"Barbi
egirl
"thenI
l
aughed,il
ovedthatsongandt hefun
partwasknowingithadhi
snameon
i
t..
.

Me:(si
ngi
ng)I
'
m aBar
biegi
rli
nthe
Bar
bieworl
d
Li
fei
npl
ast
ic,
it'
sfant
ast
ic!
!
Youcanbrushmyhai
r,undr
essme
ever
ywher
e
I
magi
nat
ion,
li
fei
syourcr
eat
ion

Ken:
(tur
nedsmi
l
ingt
alki
ngal
ong)Hi
Bar
bie!
Me:
(inBar
bie'
svoi
ce)Hi
Ken!
Ken:
Youwannagof
orar
ide?
Me:
Sur
e,Ken!
Ken:
Jumpi
n!ComeonBar
bie,
let
's
gopart
y

Hepl
ayedloudmusicandhisster
eo
hadaser
iousbase,ienj
oyedt
he
musi
cuntil
wearriv
edathishouse.

Heparkedthecarrighti
nfr
ontofthe
houseandsteppedoutcarr
yingmy
bagthenheunlockedthedoorand
pushedt
hedooropen.
..

Ken:Iknowit
'snotmuchbuti di
dn'
t
needalotofspace,wewil
lfi
nd
somethingbi
ggerthant
hismonth
end.
..

Ismiledwal ki
ngacrossthelounge
room, hisfl
oorwasglossedwood
withal argefl
atscr
eenont hewal l
theni passedtothekit
chenand
pull
edt hedoorsofthefri
dge, he
walkedupbehi ndmeandgr abbeda
bottl
eofwi ne..
.
Ken:Weshoul
dgoshoppi
ng,
idon'
t
havej
uice

Icl
osedt hedoorsandgrabbedthe
bot
tl
ef rom himthenisi
ppedwalki
ng
tot
hebat hroom whereipeakedi
n
andclosedt hedoor
.

Ken:
Isi
tokay
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
i
kei
t.
.

Heopenedthesecondbedr
oom got
t
hebottl
efr
om me...
Ken:(si
pping)Thisismybrot
her's
room.Hei sinSouthAfri
caatt
he
moment ,wet r
avelacr
osssouthern
Afri
cancountri
esal ot
,doyouhavea
passport
?
Me:
No
Ken:
YoumusthaveoneorI'
ll
be
l
eavi
ngyoubehi
ndwheneveritr
avel
Me:
Okay
..
.

Wewal kedi nt
ohi
sbedroom where
heputmybagont hebedand
changedhi st-
shi
rt
.Hehadperfectl
y
donetattoosonbotharmsandt he
waist
bandofhi sboxerbr
ief
swer e
pur
ewhi
te.
.

Ken:(
put
ti
ngonavest)You'
l
lgett
he
bedandI
'l
lgett
hecouch.
.
Me:
Thanks.
..

Hewalkedov
ertomeandsmi
l
ed
st
andi
nginfr
ontofme.
..

Ken:
Ithoughty
oudi
dn'
tdr
ink
Me:Ioncedi
dandi tdidn'tendwel
l
soiqui
tbecauseithasawayof
br
ingi
ngouttheratchetinme
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Wel
l
...
.Youdon'
thav
e
t
opretendwi
thme,
icanhandl
eyou
j
ustf
ine.
Me:
Alr
ight
..
.
Ken:Let'
sgoshoppi
ng.Idon'
thav
e
food.
..

Ist
eppedout
sideashel
ockedthe
doort
henhethrewmethecarkey
s..
.

Ken:
Dri
veout
,I'
l
lcl
oset
hegat
e
Me:
Ican'
tdr
ive
Ken:(
laughed)Real
l
y?Geti
n,I
'
llt
each
you
Me:
Kenno.
.
Ken:
Geti
n..
.

Igotinthedriv
er'sseatthenhegoti n
thepassenger'
ssi deandi nst
ructed
mef rom t
here,hi
sconf i
dencei nme
gavemest rengthandi slowlydrove
out,
yheartpoundedasi passedby
thegatewhichlookedal otsmal l
er
thanitwaswhenhewasdr i
vi
ng
earl
ier.

Ken:(laughed)Dri
vi
ngwit
hboth
hands, you'
resuchagi
rl
..
.Rel
ax
shoulders..
.Tal
ktome,don'
tbetoo
seri
ous
Me:
(dr
ivi
ng)I
fit
alkI
'
llhi
tsomet
hing
Ken:
(ti
ckl
edme)Real
l
y?
Me:(scr
eaming)Kennystop!
(
laughedandspankedhishand)Don'
t
t
ouchme. .
.

Iparkedonthesi
deoft
her
oadand
heavedahugesight
henwe
exchangedseat
s.

Me:
Sowhatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
Ken:(l
ookingi
nmyey
es)You'
reabi
g
gi
rlr
ight?
Me:
Ibel
i
evesoy
es,
why
?
Ken:Iselldrugstot our
istsandhigh
prof
il
epeopl e,idon'tsell
funnythings
l
ikemar i
juana..
.Ideal wit
hpowder s
andpil
ls.Idon'tdodr ugsi j
ustsel
l..
..
Ihopethatdoesn' tscareyou

Il
eanedov erandki
ssedhi
m onthe
cheekthenhesmi l
edandst
art
edthe
car.
..
..
..

Don'
tforgett
oLike,
therewil
lbe
bonusesovertheweekend.
Goodnight
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
34PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 22

AtSpar
..
..

Thecashierscannedourgrocer
yasI
putevery
thinginthebi
gtrol
leyt
hen
Kentookoutabundl eofmoneyand
countedlooki
ngatthetot
al.He
handedthecashiermoneyandput
ther estbackonhi sbackpocket,
Kennywasoneoft hosement hat
managet ogett heatt
ent
ionofladi
es
withoutev enknowingandi f
eltgood
beingwi thhim asladi
esonthequeue
staredatus.

Hesmi l
edatmeandhandedmea
j
uicet henhetookov erput t
ingour
groceryinthetrol
l
ey ,t
hecashi er
smiledandhandedhi mt hechange
andt herecei
ptthenhegr abbedmy
handandshov edi tinhisbackpocket
ashepushedt hetroll
eyout .
..
Ismil
edl
ooki
ngupathi
m whi
lehe
l
ookeddownatmeandsmil
ed..
.

Ken:Theyshouldinv
entkneesurger
y
forshor
tpeopleli
keyou,I'
m sur
e
peoplet
hinkyou'
reunderage
Me:Theyshoul
dmi
ndt
hei
r
busi
ness.
..

Wewal kedacrosst heparki

ngl otas
hepushedt hetrol
leywhileisipped
j
uicewithmyot herhandi nhisback
pocketthenheunl ockedthecarand
openedt heboot,il
eanedov erand
helpedhim packthem. .
.
Ken:Getinthecar,
I'
ll
unl
oadthem..
.
(hehandedmet heremai
ningr
oll
from hi
spocket)Doyouhaveabath
ropeandsli
ppers?
Me:No..(
count
ingt
hemoney
)How
muchisit
?
Ken:Justgetwhaty
ouneed,
I'
ll
topi
t
upifi
t'
snotenough.
..

Iactual
l
yaskedbecauset her
oll
was
toobigformeandi tseemedhe
wasn'tabi gfanofwal
let
s.Hi
s
dri
ver'
slicenseandcardswer
eina
cardholderandthemoneywas
alwaysrol
ledwi
thar
ubberbandor
foldedwit
hamoneycli
p.…

Iremov edtherubberbandar oundthe

roll
andt hrewitint hebinbefore
walkinginAcker man'swher ei
grabbedashoppi ngbasketand
updatedmyunder wearwar dr
obe.I
gotnewcol our
ful washingrags,
towels,socksforwal kingaroundthe
house. .
.Honeyi gotshor t
sandv est
s,
anythingtomakemy selfhoteven
whenI 'mjusthome.

Thatbasketgotf
il
ledbef
oreIcoul
d
putever
ythi
ngandiwentbacktot
he
entr
anceandpull
edatr
oll
ey..
.

Ibumpedi ntoanail carepackand

bentmyf ingerschecki ngoutmy
nails,witht hewayl adiespaid
attentiontoKennyohi hadto
upgr adeev erythi
ngaboutmy sel
fand
iknewf r
yingf atcakesmessedwi t
h
mycompl exion,ihadsomet hingof
highqual it
yi nmindf ort hat
.

Minut
eslaterIpaidforeveryt
hing
andheappr oachedfrom behi
ndwhi l
e
iwasput
tingmyt hi
ngsinthepl ast
ic..
Ken:
(hol
dingmywai
st)Ar
eyougood?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..

Hegr abbedt heplasti

csthenwe
walkedout ,aswest eppedouttwo
girl
slookedathi m andwav edathi
m
thenhenoddedgr eeti
ngthem.
Clearlyhedidn'tknowthem andthey
didn'
tknowhi m butt
hem getti
ng
fascinatedalmostmademer ollmy
eyes, idi
dn'
tknowwomencoul dbe
soupf ront.
.

Het
hrewev
ery
thi
ngi
nsi
det
hecaras
i
sati
nthefrontpul
li
ngaseatbelt
t
henhepouredthecoinshehadin
t
hedashboardpul
l-
out,bigasi
twas
i
twasalmostful
lofcoins.

Me:
Iwantt
obr
aidmyhai
r.
..
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Thi
sti
nyshor
thai
r?
Me:
It'
sact
ual
l
ylongenough.
.
Ken:
it'
sthel
engt
hofy
ourpi
nki
e
Me: Per
fectf
ortwistorbl
ocks,ke
batamogot elel
e,theonethat
reachesmytailbone
Ken:(
smil
edandevent
uall
ylaughed
outl
oud)t
ail
bone.
..Ul
alal
a..
..You
hav
emysuppor
tont
hat
..
.

Herever
sedthecarast
hemusi
c
pl
ayedthenirewi
ndedt
hepl
ayl
i
st
backt
oBar bi
egir
l.
..

Ken:
Ser
iousl
y?
Me:
Ilov
ethi
ssong
Ken:Ther
earenewsongsyouknow,
ther
eareover200songsi
nthi
sli
st.
..
Expl
ore
Me:I
'
llexpl
oreaf
terget
ti
ngbor
ed
wi
ththi
sone..
.
Ken:
AoBar
biei
mightaswel
l
downl
oadyouTinaTur
nerand
Madonna'
ssongs
Me:
Ver
yfunny

Herol
ledupt
hewi
ndowsanddr
ove
out
..
.

AtAone'
shouse.
..

Latert
hateveni
ngBayanggothi
sson
from t
hemaidandsatonthecouch
thenshegotherbagandputonher
shoes..
.
Mai
d:Yourf
oodi
sint
heki
tchen.
Bay
ang:
Thanks.
..
Maid:
Orshoul
dIpr
epar
eyourt
ub
bef
oregoi
ng?
Bayang:No,
it'
sfi
neI'
ll
doev er
ythi
ng
myself
.Goenjoyyourweekend
Mai
d:Thanky
ou.
.

Shewal kedoutandclosedthedoor
thenBay angsmiledathi
sboyand
kissedhisbigstomach,hi
suncle'
s
callcamet hr
oughthenheanswered.
..

Bay
ang:
hel
l
o?
Uncle:Isawy
ourmessage.
..
(l
aughed)Whatseemstobethe
problem?
Bayang: (
sighed)Idon' tthinki cando
thi
s..
.Inev erunder stoodwhypeopl e
gotdivorcedsoonaf terget ti
ng
marri
edandi t
houghtt heywer e
bei
ngchi ldishbutnowi t
ot al
ly
understandwhy .Ididn'tunderstand
howy oucanmar ryawomant oday
andnotwanthermont hsl aterafter
spendingsomucht omakehery our
wif
enowi couldwr it
eanessay .
Uncle:You'
rejustgoi
ngthrough
adjust
ments, i
tcanbehardgetti
ng
usedtostayingwithanot
herperson
especiall
ysinceyoudidn'
tdo
cohabitat
ionbeforemarriage..
.You
probablydidn'
tknowshewakesy ou
l
ateort hatsheactual
l
yf artsli
ke
everyone,yougettosmel lherbad
breathinthemor ni
ngandseeher
withoutmakeup, i
tcanbeal ot
Bay ang: No, i
t'
snotthat...Shei snot
whoi thoughtshewas.Ioncehear d
thatwomencanpr etendt obeangel s
whilet hey'regir
lf
ri
endsandoncey ou
mar rythem t heystartshowi ngt heir
truecol ors.Aoneisexact l
ythat...I
gotdecei v ed,sheisal i
arandshe
doesi tsoeasyy ou'dthinkot her
peopl earel yi
ng.Dowi vesl i
et ot hei
r
husbandsl ikethis?May beIdon't
knowwhatmar ri
agei sall
about ,she
l
iedt omeuncl e..
.Shehel pedf or
cea
pregnantwomant ot akeabor t
ion
pil
ls.Shefor cedsomeonet oabor t
herbabyandi don'tthinkican
forgiv
eherf orthat.Thatturnedme
off,I
'm boredandi fitwasn'tformy
sonI '
dsleepoutandcomei nt he
mor ning.
Uncl
e:You'r
ejustangry
,takey
our
ti
meandt al
ktoy ourwi
fe.
Bayang:I
'm di
vor
cing,idon'twantto
tor
tureherwit
hlackofsexorl ackof
romance,ij
ustwantt ofacethetr
uth
andletgobecausei can'
tdoit.I
knowherf r
iendsandfamil
ywon' t
understandandI '
m perf
ectl
yfinewith
thatbecausemenal way sgetblamed
whent hingsgosouth,iknowt heywil
l
sayallsortsofthi
ngsbuti dontcare.
Uncle:Motogol
ohaony et
segao
thal
emot hogohel
ajal
o,tr
yfor
giv
ing
herfir
st
Bayang:uncledon'tfor
cemet ol
ove
awomani can'
tlove,Ihateherfor
doingthi
stoDidi.Shehadno
businessbei
ngt hereinthefi
rstpl
ace
Uncle:Oh,sothevi
cti
misDi
di?That
probablychangest
hewhol
eequati
on
foryoudoesi t
?
Bay
ang:
Meani
ng?
Uncle:Iknowhowyoufeelabout
Kedibonye'
sdaught
er,
yourcousi
n
tol
dme-
Bayang:Idon'
tl
oveDidi
,ij
ustdon'
t
l
ikewhatAonedid.
..Sheisadif
fer
ent
person.
Uncle: Canyoudomeaf avourand
staywi thherforamonthwi t
hout
sayingany t
hingaboutdi
vorce?Ifyou
sti
llfeelstr
onglyabouti
tthenI'
llgi
ve
youmybl essi
ng.
Bay
ang:
Okay
,it
hinki
candot
hat
..

Aonewal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edather
boy slayi
ngont hecouchthenshe
tookof fhershoesandleanedover
kissingBayangont heli
psthenher
son...

Bay
ang:
Bye(
hungup)Hi
..
Aone:
Hi.
..

Shesatont hecouchandgotthei
r
son,
Bay angputhisfeetont
hetabl
e
andincr
easedtheTVv ol
ume.
..

Aone:
Iwasthi
nki
ngwecoul
dwat
ch
amoviet
oni
ght
Bayang:
I'
m goi
ngt
owat
cht
hegame
wit
hTshepo
Aone:
Tshepof
rom wor
k?
Bay
ang:
Yeah.
.
Aone:
Real
l
y?
Bay
ang:what
'st
hatsupposedt
o
mean?
Aone:Youhar
dlysayanyt
hingabout
hi
m andyoualwayswatchthegame
wit
hAatil
e
Bayang:(stoodup)Aat il
eandi
haven'
tfullyrecoveredsince
someoneki l
l
edhi sson..
.Andj ust
becausei don'ttel
lyouabouteach
conversati
oni havewi t
hot herguys
don'
tmeantheydon'
texi
st.(
wal
ki
ng
away)I
'
m goingt
obath..
.

Minut
eslaterhewalkedoutsmelli
ng
goodandput t
ingonhiswatchthen
hepassedbyt aki
ngthecarkey
s
fr
om thetabl
e...

Bay ang:Don'
twaitup,hagameehel a
relebelel
adi hi
ghl
ightslerepeaty
a
tenggape...Goodnight.
..

Hecl
osedt
hedooranddr
oveof
f.
..
..
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi leLol
ot uckedthekidsin
andswi t
chedof fthei
rli
ghtthenshe
closedthedoorandwal kedintheirs
wher eAatil
ewasl ayi
ngdownf acing
thewall,sheswitchedofftheli
ghts
andgoti nputt
ingherarm around
him..

Shemov edcloserandplayedwithhi
s
di
ckuntili
twashar dthenheturned
aroundandkissedher,hepull
edout
herpanti
esandgotbet weenherlegs
asshecaressedhisback..
.
Hepull
edthebott
om drawerand
gr
abbedaboxofcondomsbutt here
wasnothi
nginsi
de,hepull
edthe
ot
herdrawerandfoundnothi
ng.
..

Aat
il
e:Ar
ethecondomsf
ini
shed?
Lol
o:(
rubbi
nghi
sdi
ck)Iguessso.
.

Heki
ssedherandgotdownpul
l
ing
t
hesheet
soverthem.
.

Lol
o:What
?
Aat
il
e:Ther
ear
enocondoms
Lolo:
So?Youcanwit
hdrawbesi
des
evenify
oudon'
t,
thegi
rl
saretoool
d
Aat
il
e:I
'
m notr
eady
Lol
o:Whatdoy
oumean?
Aat
il
e:Af
tert
heweddi
ngt
hingsar
e
goi
ngtobetough
Lolo:
Ijuststar
tedworki
ngremember
?
Stopstressi
ng,wealr
eadytested
negati
velet'
sjustenj
oythi
s..
.

Sheslowl
ygotont opandleaned
overki
ssi
nghimt henshesli
ddown
onitasherel
uctantl
yhel
dherwai st
thenshebegungrindi
ngi
t.
..
AtKen'
shouse.
..
.

Lat erthatnightKenandIcuddl edon

thecouchwat chi
ngTVunt il
mi dnight
,
hewasasuckerf ordocument aries
i
nv olvingdrugsmuggl i
ngandcr i
me
fi
les, weev enwat chedBoarder
secur i
tyandhewoul dmenti
ont he
mi stakesdonedur ingt
he
conceal mentofdr ugsbef
oreitwas
evenshown. ..

Meanwhilemyheadwasalit
tl
e
pai
nful
from pl
ait
ingt
hebl
ocks,he
noti
cedimusthavebeeni
npai
nand
gentl
yranhi
sthumbonmychin.
..

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:(y
awnedcov
eri
ngmymout
h)
Yeah.
..

Her
educedt
hev
olumeandgotup.
..

Me:
(satup)Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Ken:(t
ookmyhandandpul
l
edmeup)
Standup.
..

Ist
oodont
hecoucht
henhet
urned
aroundandpi
ggy
backedmet
othe
bedroom..
.

Me:(
laughed)Ihav
enev
erbeen
pi
ggybacked.
..
Ken:
(laughed)Real
l
y?
Me:
Yeah
Ken:
Whatabouty
ourex?
Me:Ihaveneverr
eal
l
ybeeni
na
r
elat
ionshi
p.
Ken:It
'sunderst
andabl e,
you'r
esti
ll
young.
..Freshgraduate..
.Yousti
ll
haveal ott
oexperienceinli
feandi
hopeyougett oexperiencethatwi
th
me.

Hebentbackwar dsandputmedown
thenheremov edhissheetsand
grabbedthef r
eshonesinthe
wardrobethenhef i
xedthebedwhi le
iheldthepil
lows.Hegrabbedt hem
from meandchangedt hecasest hen
thethrewthem onthebedandgaz ed
atme.Isweart her
ewassomet hing
abouthiseyesandhi sdar
klips...He
alwaysmadeacer tainsmil
et hat
mademebl ushandlookaway .
..

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Oshy
?
Me:
(laughed)No.
..

Hel
ookedatmyhairgoi
ngdownmy
f
aceandgent
lyt
uckedabraidbehi
nd
myeart
henhetr
acedmyj awdown
t
omychinwit
hhisindexfi
nger
..
.

Ken: (soft
ly)You'reverybeauti
ful.
..
.I
l
iket hishairst
yleandt hewayy our
hairhasbeendi videdintotr
iangles.
..
.
(holdingonebr aid)thesebrown
woodenwhat eversarecutetoo..
.
Me:
(smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Thanky
ou.
..
Hestareddownatmylipsasil
ooked
upathimthenhecl
earedhist
hroat
andrubbedhi
snose.
..

Ken:
Geti
nbed.
..

Hepul
ledt
hesheetsthenigoti
n,he
t
uckedmeinli
keiwasal i
tt
legi
rl
t
henhesatontheedgeofthebed
l
ooki
nginmyeyes.
..

Ken:
Thanksf
orbei
ngher
e
Me:Youwelcome.
.Cani
ask
somethi
ng?
Ken:
Sur
e
Me:
Wher
eisy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Ken:Ihaven'
thadastabl
e
rel
ati
onshipi
nalmost2year
snow
Me:
Okay
,ki
ds?
Ken:No,I
'
m notreadyf
orkids.I
'
m
pl
anningt
ohavekidsonlywhenmy
l
if
ehasstabi
li
sed.
Me:
Good
Ken:(
stood)Letmegokananna
gankekeotsel
a..
.
Me:
(laughed)Goodni
ght
..
.

Hegr
abbedt
hedi
rt
ysheet
sand
thr
ewt hem int
helaundrybaskett
hen
hepull
edt hedooronhiswayout
putt
inghishandattheswitches.
..

Ken:
Goshapaker
e?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Shap.
..

Hesmiledandswi tchedthel
ightsof
f,
il
etafewmi nutespasswhi l
elyi
ng
t
hereasi r
esist
edt heurgetolookat
mysel
font hemi r
ror.

Hesai
diwasbeaut
if
ulandnobody
hadev
err
eal
lyt
oldmei wasbeaut
if
ul
especi
all
ywi
tht
het
oneheused.

Iquietlygotupandswi t
chedt he
l
ightsont henistoodinfrontoft he
mi r
ror,mybl ockswer eseri
ously
beautifulfall
i
ngper f
ectl
yonmywhi te
red-heartedpy j
amas,andi looked
kindofneatwi t
hpinksocks.Ismi l
ed
blushingonmyown, hewasr i
ght..
.I
wasbeaut if
ulanditmademef eel
good.

Isexi
l
ybitthesl
eevesofmypyj
amas
asiswit
chedoffthel
ight
sandl
aid
down..
..
AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor ningar
ound5Bayang
knockedont hedoor,
Aoneopened
thedoorandgl ar
edathi
m ashe
walkedin.
..

Aone:
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
Bay
ang:
Itol
dyouwher
eiwasgoi
ng.
Aone:Soyouwatchedthegamef
rom
9pm unt
ilnowphakel
akato6?
Bayang:
IsaidI'
dwat
cht
hehi
ghl
i
ght
s
andtherepeat
..
Hewentt othebedroom wherehe
tookof fhiscl
othesandgotinbed,
Aonej oinedhi
m assatleani
ng
againstthewallfol
dingherarms.
..

Aone:
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
Bayang:(cov
eredhimselfwi
tht
he
sheets)You'
redi
sturbi
ngme,kea
otsel
a..
.
Aone: Bayangkebual
ewena..(
he
keptquiet)Gaoswabehel
aogoroga
mol wapengka6...
.Jwagago
bobeleteboworse.
Bay
ang:
(st
il
lwi
thhi
sheadunder
)
Aonedon'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
Aone:
You'
rebit
ch,cominghomeat
6am?Wow...Olebel
etemo-

Hetur
nedaroundandsl
appedher
acr
ossthef
ace..
.

Bayang:
(angr
il
y)Ket
agobel
etsago
nt
hogaAone

Hepul l
edheroverandgrabbedher
throatpr
essi
ngheront hebedasshe
chokedholdi
nghiswristti
ghtl
y,he
slappedhert
wiceagainandreleased
her
..
.

Bayang: (
angrilyl
ooki
ngather)Ska
thol
aont hogawankut wa?(shecri
ed
rubbi
ngherey es)Kareoskatholao
nthoga..
.(pull
ingherhandsaway
from herface)Heelakebualewena..
.

Sheconti
nuedcryingthenhe
smackedheragain,shefel
lont
he
bedcry
ingloudl
y.
...

Bayang:
Obodipaaker
e?Kareoska
thol
aonthogawankutwa?
Aone:
(cr
ying)Yes.
..
.I'
m sor
ry
Bayang:
Nxla!di
dimalaothodi
a
ngwanaorobetse.
..Osekawaiti
disa
kesagobetsakagor ekegoomil
eka
cl
apa.

Shegotupquiet
lycryi
ngt
henhe
roughl
ypull
edherbackonthebedby
herpanti
es.
..

Bayang:Comebackher
e,oy
akae?
Akereneorobet
se?Hetaor
obal
e..
.

Shel
aiddownqui
etl
ycr
yingt
henhe
pulledthesheet
sov ert
hem and
closedhiseyesasshesnif
fed
rubbinghereyes.
..

Bay
ang:
Stopsni
ff
ing,
you'
rei
rr
it
ati
ng
me..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatmorningi walkedacr oss

thehouser ubbi
ngmyey esand
yawning,Kenwasst i
llasleepont he
couchwi ththeTVon, iswitcheditof
f
andpausedl ookingathi m.Hewas
l
ayingshirtl
esswi t
ht hesheet
coveri
ngonlyhi sunder
wearar eaand
iswearhistattoosmadehi ml ook
l
ikeoneoft hoseguy si
nmov i
es.I
couldstar
eathi sli
psforever,
i
wonderediftheywer enatural
lydark
oritwasther esult
sofcigaret
tes
whateveri
twasi tmadethem sexyas
fuck.
..

Itur
nedtothebat
hroom and
fr
eshenedupthenifr
iedhi
m
somethi
ngintheki
tchen.
..

Cardoor
sclosedoutsi
detheni
movedthecurt
ainsandpeaked,
the
headofdepar tmentfrom myformer
seniorschoolsteppedoutofthecar
wit
hmyf ormerclassmat eand
walkedov erchatt
ingloudly
.

Iqui
ckl
yshookhisshoul
derand
l
oweredmyv oi
ce.
..

Me:(whi
spered)Ken?Ken?Some
peopl
earecomi ng.
..

Heslowl
ygotuphidinghi sboner
witht
hesheet
sandgav emehi sback
asheputonhisgraysweat pants
thenhemovedthecurtains.
..
.
Ken:Oh.
..I
t'
smymot
herandl
i
ttl
e
si
ster
Me:(Jawsdropped)That
'sy
our
mother?Shewast heHODyahouse
yameatseniorschool
Ken:
Shei
sret
ir
ed
Me:
(pani
cked)That
'snott
hepoi
nt!
Ken:(l
aughed)Wer
eyouagoodgi
rl
atschool
?
Me:(
hear
tpoundi
ng)Idon'
tknow
howsheknowsme
Ken:
Bar
biewer
eyoudul
l
?
Me:
Ken,
real
l
y?That
'snotf
unny
Ken:(
laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng,
comeon.
..
Haveasenseofhumour
Me: (
walkingt
othebedr
oom)I'
m
goingtostayi
nthebedr
oom unt
il
theyleav
e

Hegr
abbedmypy
jamasandpul
l
ed
meback.
..

Ken:Rel
ax..
..
.i
t'
snotabigdeal.
..
.of
cour
sesheisgoi ngtochewyoubut
shewil
leventual
lyspi
tyou
Me: Chewme?Chewmehow?And
yoursist
erwasmycl
assmat
e-
Ken:(smil
edamused)Reall
y?
(l
aughed)Thi
sisfunny,
ican'
tbel
i
eve
I'
mfuckingwit
hmyl i
tt
lesi
ster
s
cl
assmat e
Me:You'r
enotfucki
ngme,
I'
m not
ev
eny ourgi
rl
fr
iend.
.
Ken:Yeahbuti neverbri
nggi r
lshere
sothey'r
egoingt oconcludethatthe
minutetheyseey ouinpy j
amas.You
mightaswel lpr
acticeyourbest
smil
ebecausey ou'
reabouttomeet
yourmot heri
nlawandf irst
i
mpr essi
onslastlonger.
..

Theyknockedt
henheopenedt
he
doorandsmi
l
ed.
..
.

Don'
tfor
gett
oLi
kesf
oranot
her
bonus
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
34PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 23

AtKenna'
sHouse.
.

Ipr
etendedtobescr
atchi
ngmyfoot
whi
lesitt
ingont
hecouchasthey
wal
kedin...

MmaDaniel
:Ofanabat
hong,
doy
ou
ev
eransweryo-

Shepausedl
ookingatmeinmy
pyj
amasandlookedathi
m shi
rt
less
asheawkwardl
ylookeddowntyi
ng
t
hest
ri
ngsofhi
ssweat
pant
s.

MmaDaniel:Uhukel
ethakodi
sit
se
bongwanaka?
Ken:
(embar
rassed)Macomeon.
..

Otl
hewal kedi
npressi
ngherphone
andsmiledsurpr
isedt
oseemet hen
shewalkedpassedhermotherand
huggedme. .
.

Ot
lhe:
Hi.
..
Me:
(shy
ly)Hi
.
..Longt
imenosee
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Youj
ustdi
sappear
ed
af
terf
ormf
ive,
whathappened?
Me:Iwasatschool
,ir
ecent
lymov
ed
backt
oMaun...
MmaDani
el:
Otl
hear
eemehant e
mogol
ooaaper
ekemothakodi
sit
se
Ken:(si
ghed)Fort
helastt
imeyou
di
dn'tandcanyoustopwitht
hat
word?Nnagawant hakodi
sasepe
gol
ohar enerelebi
leTV
Otl
he: (
st oodup)TheTVi soff,l
ear
n
howt olie...
(l
aughed)Ofanakanane
kekopel aDi digor
ehar ebalaform4
l
ef orm 5...Weshar edatable.Kemo
kopelatocomeni ce..
..Onetimei
copiedthewhol eofherpaper1y a
mathsandwegott hesamemar ks.
Alesematalegohit
hatestgor
e..
..
Shem..
..Il
ovedthi
sgir
l
MaDani
el:
Youcopi
ed?
Otl
he:Uhmamakedi
l
otsa
bogol
ogol
o..
Ken: (
tohismot her
)Howcany oube
surpri
sed,don'tyourememberhow
sheoncecopi edev er
ythi
ngand
copiedanotherstudent'
snamekogo
standard2?
Otl
he:(
punchedhi
m onthechest
)
Gakebate,
iwasachil
d..
.
Ken:
Copycathel
agol
omo
MaDani
el:
(laughed)Let
'sgot
othe
carsot heycangetdressedandopen
thewindows, i
t'
sali
tt
lestuff
yin
here.
..Icansmellal
lkindsoffl
avour
s
Ken:
(laughed)Whatf
lavour
s?Ther
e
ar
enof lav
oursi
nhere..
.
MaDaniel
:(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngatme)
Tshweu?
Me:
Ma?
MaDani
el:
I'
ll
greety
ouout
side
Me:
(laughedshamef
ull
y)Ehmma.
..

Sheclosedthedoort
henKenwal
ked
overandgrabbedhi
svest
..
.
Ken:
(exhal
ed)Thatwentwel
l
..
Me:
"Wel
l
"?
Ken:Tr
ustmeitcoul
dhavebeen
worse,t
hat'
smymotheratherbest
behavi
our.
..
Me:Shethi
nkswehadsex,
isn'
tthat
di
stur
bing?
Ken:Getdressedbefor
eshethinks
wear eget
tinganot
herround.
..
(wal
kingoutofthe)Hurr
yup,let'
s
go..
.

Iwentt
ot hebedr
oom ashestepped
outwal
kingtowar
dshismotherwho
wassit
ti
nginthecardri
nki
ngwater,
shet
urnedaroundandl
ookedather
sonwalki
ngover.
..
..

MaDaniel
:(smil
ed)Kegokapi
l
e
gompi
enoOf anaaker
e?
Ken:
(laughedshy
ly)Ei
shMa.
..Uh
MaDaniel
:(l
aughed)Iwasbeginni
ng
towor
ryaboutyou,doesyourf
ather
knowher?
Ken: Yesbuthehasn'
tmether .
..
We
recentl
ystar
tedthi
swhol et
hing,i
didn'
twanttorushit,
it'
ssti
l
lnew.
MaDaniel
:Iunderst
and.
..Anywayi
wantyout
ocheckmycarf orme,i
seeal
lki
ndsoflight
sont he
dashboardandidon'tknowwhatit
means,thehandbrakeisal
sohard,
i
t'
samess.
Ken:
Okay
..
.

Iwalkedoutwit
h2pl ast
icchai
rsand
handedhertheotheronethenwe
bothsatdownandwat chedKen
openingt
hebonnet..
.

Ken:Youdon'thav
eoil,
therei
sno
water,br
akefl
uidi
salsolow..
.Gaona
sepeseonal esone.
.Ihavetogivei
t
ali
ttl
eservi
ce
MaDani
el:
Ineedt
omeetmy
motshel
oladi
es,
whenwi
l
lyoube
done?
Ken:Atleast2hoursbecauseihav
e
tobuythem atanautoshop..
.You
canusemi neinthemeantime.
MaDani
el:
Ohthanky
ou.
..(
tur
nedt
o
me)Howarey
ou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
MaDani
el:
Howi
syourgr
andmot
her
?
Me:(sur
pri
sed)Um..
.Shei
slat
e,we
bur
iedheronSatur
day
MaDani el
: I
'
mv er
ysorry,
youmustbe
hurt
..
.Youseem surpri
sedthati
knowher ,Ir
emembery oubecause
yourgrandmothernev
ermi ssedany
PTAmeet i
ngs,asoldasshewasshe
wouldcomet omyof ficejustt
oask
andgetthi
ngsclearly
,t hat
'swhyi
neverf
orgotyourfaceandmany
othert
eachersknewheraswel l
.I
hopeyoumadeherpr oudandwent
toauniver
sit
y
Me:Idi
dbutunfor
tunatel
yshedi
ed
bef
oreicoul
dfi
ndaj ob
MaDani el:Unemploy edisevery
graduate'
sni ght
mar ebutmay be
you'r
enotmeantt obeanempl oyee
butratheranempl oyer.Haobonabo
Ofanabal wal edibusinessj
aanai t
s
becauseofunempl oyment.Don'tbe
scaredtost arty
ourownbusi ness
nowaday
sit
'shar
d..
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Iwon'
t.
..
MaDani
el:
(tohi
m)Mogol
ooar
eot
a
l
engne?
Ken:Heshoul
darri
vetomorr
ow
aft
ernoon,
appar
entl
yther
ewasa
del
ayattheboar
der
MaDani el:Thesebusi
nessofsell
ing
carswi l
lhaveyoutwokil
led,i
never
feelcomf or
tabl
eknowingthatyou
aredrivi
nginSouthAfri
caalonewith
atruckfullofnewcars,t
hatcall
sfor
hij
acking
Ken:
(laughed)Andther
earer
oads
weusuallyavoi
dbecauset
heytar
get
car
sfr
om Bot
swana.
MaDani
el:
Iwishther
ewasawayf or
yout
ogetyourst
ockwit
houtdr
ivi
ng
t
here
Ken:Buti
tsnott
hatbad,
itdoesn'
t
happenever
yday.
..

Hecl osedt
hebonnetthenOt
lhe
steppedoutwit
hthei
rbagsand
threwthem i
nhiscar
..
.

MaDani
el:(
shookmyhandand
smi
l
ed)Nicetomeety
ounana
Me:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.
..
Otl
he:(si
tt
ingi
nthecar
)Di
dicani
havey
ournumber?
Ken:Hel
lno..
.You'
renotbef
ri
endi
ng
mygirl
fr
iend,
whatarey out
wogoing
total
kabout?
MaDani
el:
Tswat
hemobaneng

Weall
laughedathi
m asi
gav
eher
mynumber..
.

Ken:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oudi
dthat
..
Me:(l
aughedandshruggedmy
shoul
ders)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Theydrov
eoffthenheputhi
sarm
aroundmewalkingt
othehouse.
.

Me:
(laughed)Suchali
ar,
soy our
mot
herthinksyou'
reacardealer
?
Ken:Therehastobeanexpl anati
on
ofwheret hemoneyiscomingf r
om
ri
ght?(webothlaughed)Bytheway
getdressed,i
gotsomet hi
ngtoshow
you.
..

Wegoti
nandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.
Aonebentoverputt
ingatr
ayoftea
onthet
ableasheruncleandaunti
n
l
awsatont hecouch..
.

Uncl
e:Wher
eishe?
Aone:
Hei
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng
Uncl
e:Mshaneobodi
pathe
bat
hong.
..Wakehi
m up,
tel
lhi
mI'
m
cal
li
nghi
m
Aone:
Ehr
ra.
.

Shewalkedi
nthebedroom andsat
ontheedgeofthebedthenshe
gent
lyshookhi
m..
..

Aone:
Babe?Uncl
eisout
side

Het
urnedar
oundandl
ookedather
..
.

Bayang:Onesl
apandyou'r
ecall
ing
theenti
refami
l
yandneighbour
hood?
Mxm

Heputonhispantsandwal kedout
putt
ingonhi
st-shi
rt
,heclearedhis
thr
oatandbentovershaki
ngt hei
r
hands.
Bay
ang:
dumel
ang.
.
Uncl
e:Iheary
ouwerewrest
li
ngyour
wif
elastni
ght,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Bay ang:Shecal
ledmelebeleteandi
toldhert ost
opbutshedidn'tsoi
discipl
inedherf
orthat
.
Aunt:Thatpar taboutdisci
pli
ne
doesn'tsuityou,thenephewi know
wouldnev erbeatawoman, whatare
youturninginto?
Bay
ang:
:Iwantadi
vor
ce
Uncle:Ithoughtwehadan
understandingconcer
ningthat
,didn'
t
it
ellyout hedayyouwebr oughther
here?Wet ol
dy oul ebomalomago
gorenowt haty ouaremarri
edyou
al
sot hi
nkfory ourson,t
hinkabout
howt hechoicesy ou'
remakingwil
l
aff
ectyourchild.
Auntie:Whaty ouneedt ost opi s
fi
ghtingthiswoman, shegav ey oua
chil
dandshei sy ourwife.Respect
herAonel ewenamonnagaar ogiwe,
i
fy ouhur thi
sfeel i
ngshewi llbeat
youy etyoucan' tbeathimf or
yourselfsoavoi dgetti
ngonhi sway ,
akolennengsent e.You'reanewl y
mar r
iedcouple, youshouldbei na
goodmoodenj oyingthi
smar riage
l
ifestyl
e.Thefirstt woyearsof
marr
iagearethesweet
est
,don'
thur
t
oneanother
..
.
Uncle:Bayangyoudi dn'tmarryan
angel,
y ouknowt hatri
ght ?Youknow
sheisahumanbei nglikey ouandme,
shewillmakemi stakesandy ou'
l
l
havetof orgi
veherjustlikeshewill
for
givey ou.
Bay
ang:
Yes
Uncle:cany oupl
easef aceone
anotherandapologise,icanbe
mediatinganewlymar riedssedir
eng
j
alobongwanaka.Tot anglenyal
ola
l
ona, nobodysaiditwoul dbeeasy,go
that
amol enyal
ong.Gasel abana..
.
Theytur
nedaroundfaci
ngone
anot
herthenBayangheldherhands
asshelookedathi
m...

Aone:I'm sorr
yf orcal
li
ngy ounames
andinsulti
ngy ou,mostofal l
I'
m
sorr
yf orhurti
ngy oubytaki ngparti
n
somet hi
ngi hadnobusi nessget t
ing
i
nvolvedin.Inowknowi shouldn'
t
ent
ertaincertainfri
ends,please
for
giveme
Bayang:If
orgiveyouandI'm sorr
yfor
hi
tt
ingyou,I'
m sorryf
orstayi
ngout
al
lnight
.Isleptatworki
nt helab,we
havecouchesther
ethatweusual l
y
sl
eepondur i
ngnightshi
fts.Idon'
t
cheatandI'
m sorr
yforeverythi
ng.
Pleasefor
giv
eme
Aone:
Ifor
giv
eyou

Theyhuggedast
hei
rpar
ent
ssmi
l
ed.

*
**

Almostanhourlat
erofchatt
ingthe
coupl
ewalkedthei
rparentstothecar
asBayangputhisarm ar
oundher
waist
,thepar
entsgotinthecarand
wav
edatt
hem ast
heydr
oveout
.

Bayangl
etgoofherandclosedt
he
gat
easshewaitedforhi
m...

Aone:TodayI
'
mt hi
nkingofcooki
ng
somethi
ngdif
fer
ent.
..Doyouhave
anyt
hinginmi
nd?
Bayang:
(cl
osi
ngt
hegat
e)Any
thi
ngi
s
fi
ne..
.

Thebabyst
art
edcr
ying.
..

Aone:
(hur
ri
edt
othehouse)Hei
s
cr
ying.
..

ShewalkedawaythenBayangtur
ned
aroundwalki
ngtowardst
hehouse
di
alinghi
scoll
eague.
..

Tshepo:
Yeah
Bayang:
Rememberthatf
axabout
someonewhoneededtoswapfrom
KasanetoMaun?
Tshepo:
Yeah
Bay
ang:
Didany
oneswapwi
thhi
m?
Tshepo:
Idon'
tthi
nkso,ihav
ethe
numberyatheguy.Doy
ouwantto
t
ransf
ert
her
e?
Bay
ang:
Yeah,
Mauni
sbor
ingme.
Tshepo:
I'
ll
sendi
t
Bay
ang:
sur
e

Hehungup,thenumbergoti
nthen
hedi
aledi
t.
..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Bayang:Hi t
hisi
sBayangfrom
Letshol
athebememor i
alhospi
tal
,i
sawy ournoteaboutswapping
stati
ons,howsooncanwedot hi
s?
Voi
ce:
(smi
l
edr
eli
eved)ThankGod,
thankyousomuch..
.I'
l
lhandov
ert
he
paperworkonMonday
Bay
ang:Okay,I
'
llpreparemine.Wai
t..
.
I
sthatabi
ghospi t
al?Idon'
twantto
worki
natinyhospital
Voice:I
t'
sabigbeautifulhospit
al,
al
mostashugeasLet sholathebe.
ThereisalsoanInter
national
Air
port.
..
.Kasaneisbeaut i
ful
,you'
re
goingtolovei
t.
..It
sat ouri
st
desti
nati
onjustli
keMaun.
Bayang:Alr
ight,l
et'
swor konthe
paperworkandsubmi tthem on
Monday,ican'twaitforthet
ransf
er
tobeapprov ed.
Voi
ce:
Cool
..
..

Hehungupandwalkedint
hehouse
asAonebreast
fedt
hei
rsonsi
tt
ingon
thecouch.
..

Bayang:(
satdown)Kanagat
wei
mightgettr
ansf
err
edtoKasane
Aone: What?Ithoughtthe
governmentdoesn'tmov emar r
ied
off
icersfr
om theirfamil
ies,
kanai
can'tgobecausei haveabusiness
here
Bayang:it
hinkbecausehospi
tal
sar
e
shortst
aff
edt hey
'r
eforcedt
opost
uswher
evert
heyf
orcedtobecause
sav
ingl
i
vescomesfi
rst
.
Aone:Mi
nist
ryofheal
thkenonsense,
when?
Bay
ang:
Ithi
nknextweek
Aone:I
t'
stoosoon.
.Ican'
tev
enmove
mybusinesst
oKasanebecausemy
cl
ient
sareinMaun
Bayang:Justremainher
eandI '
ll
checkony ou,ther
eisanair
portso
I'
m surei
twi l
lbea40mi nut
esfli
ght
i
fnot1hour ,Kasanekehahela..
Don'tworr
yabouti t
..
.
Aone:(
sadl
y)Thi
sisbad.
..Thi
sis
howthedevi
lki
ll
smarri
ages,who
knowswhat '
sgoingtohappeni n
Kasaneandi heardthereare
prosti
tutest
hereandnewHI V
i
nfectionsar
eont herisebecauseof
thetruckdri
ver
sbuy i
ngsexbyt he
boarder
Bayang:ThegoodthingisI'
m nota
tr
uckdriver
,iworki
nt hehospit
al,
i
don'
thavetimeforsex.Don'tworry
aboutus,wewill
survivet
his..
..

Hehuggedherandki
ssedhi
sson.
..

Bayang:
Comeher
eboy
,comeher
e
boy
...
Hel
ift
edhi
ssonandki
ssedhi
m
wal
ki
ngaway.
..
..
.

AtBosej
a..
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ternoonKenpul
l
edover
toabigboardwr i
tt
enKENMOTOR'S
wit
hasmar tlogoofcar
sandcont
act
det
ail
s..
.

Heparkedatthegatethenasecur
it
y
guardunl
ockedandopenedforus,he
drov
ethroughthegateandpassed
about20carssmartl
ypar
kedunder
thegreenshade.
..

Ken:
(st
eppedout
)Let
'sgo.
..

Isteppedoutadmi ri
ngthecarsashe
unlockedtheoffi
ceandwal kedin,
i
foll
owedhimr eadingthewrit
ingson
thesecti
onedof f
ices.
..
LoreDaniel-
Finance

Me:
Whoi
sLor
e?
Ken:
That
'smybi
gbr
other
..
Me:
Youbot
hownt
hecompany
?
Ken:Istar
teditsev
eralyear
sago,my
brot
herjoi
nedmebegi nningoft
his
yearaft
erlosi
nghisjob.
Me:
(laughed)Didn'
thefr
eakabout
t
hepowder sandpil
ls?
Ken:Istar
tedsell
ingt
hosein
uni
versi
tysohewasn' tsur
pri
sed.I
haveaf r
eakyfr
iendcall
edChinedu
hehelpedmewi thconnecti
ons.
Me:
Chi
nedu,
Ist
hatKal
anga?
Ken:
Niger
ian
Me:
Oh.
..
Ken:
Comei
n..
.
Iwalkedi
nhisoffi
ceandl ooked
aroundasheadjustedtheroom
temperat
ureandclosedthedoor..
.

Hehadabi gframedpict
ureofthe
presi
dentonthewallandthet
radi
ng
l
icensesonthesideswit
hother
fr
ameddocument s..
.

Ken:
Comehav
easeat
..
.

Hepull
edthechairf
ormetheni sat
down,hesatonthedeski
nfrontof
me..
.
Ken:
So.
..Whatdoy
out
hink?
Me: (
smil
ed)I
t'
sabeaut
iful
off
ice.
..I
l
ikeit,
howmanyemployeesdoyou
have?Kebonagonalet
womor e
off
ices
Ken: I
t'
sjustmybr otherandt hat
securit
yguard,healsowashest he
carsforextracash.Hisof f
iceisthat
housebyt hegate..
.Icouldn'thi
rean
offi
ceassistantbecausei don'tcome
towor kallt
hetime.Somet i
meswe
takeaweekort woinot hercountri
es,
besidesthisisj
ustadi sguiseso..
.
Me:
Buti
t'
sver
yni
ce.
..
it
sagood
busi
ness
Ken:
Wouldyoumindrunni
ngt
his?
You'
l
lmakeext
racash..
.
Me:
Uh?
Ken:Let'
ssayforexamplewesella
car45Ktheactualpri
cewegotitwit
h
fr
om SouthAfri
caisroughl
y30K.
Mostofthem comebyshi pfr
om
Japanthey'
repreowned.I
tmakesa
l
otofprofit
Me:
Arey
ouser
ious?
Ken:(smil
ed)Don'tworr
ythi
soneis
l
egit
imate,you'
renotanywherecl
ose
tomypowder s.
..byt
hetimethetr
uck
l
oadingcarsparksherethepowders
andpi
l
lsar
elonggone.
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.
Ken:Butyouhav
etogetadriv
er'
s
l
icenseandapasspor
t,dot
haton
Mondayokay?
Me:
Yeah.
..
Ken:
(gr
abbedmyar
m)Comeher
e..
.

Heledmeoutsi
deasismil
edl
ooking
att
hecar
s,icoul
dn'
twai
ttost
artmy
j
ob..
..

Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evei
foundaj
ob.
..
Hestoppedandst
oodbehi
ndme
holdi
ngmywaistt
henheki
ssedmy
neck.
..

Ken:Haokapasamat shwaoandget
adriv
er'
sli
censeyoucanpickacar
ofyourchoi
ceandkeepit
..
.

Ismiledlooki
ngatasi lv
er2door
Prado,awhi t
et wodoorMi t
subi
shi
Pajeroanda2doorr edJeepwitha
softt
optheni turnedtohim..
.

Me:
Iwantoneoft
hose.
..
Ken:(smi
led)Toobady oudon'teven
knowhowt odrive.
..
.Waveyour
l
icenceontheairandit'
syours.
..

Ismiledandjumpedonhisarmsas
helaughedwalki
ngtowardsthe
off
iceholdi
ngmet henheputme
downandwewal kedi
ntheoffi
ce.
..
.

Iexcit
edlyhoppedbehi
ndhim aswe
walkedalongthepassagetohis
off
icethenijumpedonhisbackand
hegrabbedmepr operl
ypiggy
backi
ng
measmyl onghairf
ellonbot
h
si
des...
Me:
Ken?
Ken:
Mmh?
Me:
Ilikebei
ngwi
thy
ou,
idon'
twant
t
opartwithy
ou.
..
Ken:
Why
?
Me:
Becausey
oumakemesmi
l
e

Hesmi ledandputmeonthedesk
thenhet ur
nedaroundf
aci
ngmeand
slowlypull
edupmychinforasimple
babykissthatl
eftmewanti
ngmor e.I
badlywantedtokisshi
sdarkl
i
ps..
.
Me:
Pleasedon'
tev
erl
eav
eme
Ken: Bei
ngwi t
hmei sdangerous
babe, doyouknowthat?Shitget
s
fuckedupsomet imes,
you'
reonly
seeingthenicerpar
tofitr
ightnow.
..
cany oureal
lyhandl
eit?
Me:
(nodded)Yes.
..
Ken:
(smil
edandpull
edmychinup)
Comehere.
..(
hebabyki
ssedme)I'
l
l
al
wayshaveyoubymyside.
.

Heletgoandslowlyl
eanedover
ki
ssingmethenhisphonerang.
..
..
Ken: Hello?....**..
.(f
rowned)What ?...
**..
.(swal l
owed)Lor e?Li sten...Rel ax
okay...(hear tpoundi ng)Please. ..I'
m
onmyway ,don' tcall t
hepol iceort he
ambul ance, youknowwhatwi l
l
happent othet r
ucki fyoudo.Just
waitunt iligett hereandmov et hose
packages, theycan' tspendani ghtat
apol i
cest at i
on.I fyoucal l
the
ambul ancet hemi nut etheygety ou
thetrucki st akenandwecan' ttake
thatrisk..
.**....
Holdon. .
.Howbadi s
thebleedi ng? ..
..
* *
…. don'tcall any one,
please...I'
m comi ng. ..

Hehungupandgr
abbedt
hekey
sto
anot
hercar
..
.

Ken: Ihavetogo...(pointed)Thekey s
tothecar sareovert here..
.(paused)
Shitkanay oucan'tdr i
ve..
.( handed
memoney )Getat axihome. .
..My
brotherhadanacci dentwit hthe
tr
uckbuti thasmor ethanj ustcars
andt hepolicecannotgett here
beforei do
Me:(hoppeddownf ol
l
owinghi
m)I'
m
comingwithyou,y
ousaidyouwon'
t
l
eavemebehi nd-
Ken:(
blockedme)No,
you'
rest
ayi
ng
behi
n-
Me:(
frownedwhi
ning)Nnakebat
a
got
samay al
ewen-
Ken:(Angr i
lyraisedhi
sv oi
ce)Isaid
noandy oudon' tgett
oquestionme
aboutit.You' r
enotgetti
ngany where
nearthepackages.Gohomeand
watchmov iesorgoshoppi ngor
somet hing.
...Andpleasebehome
wheni getback...
.

Heki
ssedmeandwal
kedoutl
i
ght
ing
aci
gar
ett
e..
..

Liketogetanotherbonuswhenwe
reach24KLikes..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
35PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 24
AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eroni steppedoutofthetaxi
hol
dingbigplasti
cbagsandputt hem
onthestoopast hetaxidr
iverhel
ped
meunloadt hem thenipai
dhim and
wal
kedtot hegate.

Hedroveouttheni closedt hegate

andexci
tedl
yhur r
iedbackt othe
houseli
keali
ttl
egi r
l,iunlockedthe
houseandthr
ewev erythi
ngont he
gl
ossedwoodf loortheni tookoffmy
cl
othesri
ghtthereandf it
ted
ever
ythi
ng.
Icouldn'texpressthehappinessifel
t
changingmyski nnyjeansand
fashi
onabl etops,ihadboughtthem
all
..
.Dr opshoulders,str
ingshoul
ders
andcr optops.

Eachcl othingi woreiputon

matchi ngheel sandcatwal kedtothe
mirr
orwher eI '
dturnl
ikeamodel
wavingmybr aidsandsmiled..
.Yeah
myski nwasr espondingwel lt
o
Garnierpr oductsandIlovedhowt he
beauticianatt hemalldidmy
eyebrows.Kennywast r
ansf or
ming
mei
ntoadi
vaandi
justl
ovedhi
m..
.

Myphoner angi nthel

oungearea
thenicaref
ullyraninmyheel
sand
bentoverpicking.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
,what
'sup?
Me:
Justhomef
it
ti
ngonmycl
othes.
Ken:
Alr
ight
,I'
m wasj
ustchecki
ngi
n.
Me:(
smiled)Awwt
hat
'ssosweet
,
Howishe?
Ken:Theambulancehadal
ready
pi
ckedhim byt
het i
meigotherebuti
managedtogetwhati
cameher
efor
bef
oreNunu'
sboysgother
e
Me:
Okayt
hat
'sar
eli
ef
Ken:(
laughed)Ist
il
lhavetopassthe
gat
esandy ouknowt heysear
chthe
car
s.
Me:
OhmyGod.
..
Ken:(smil
ed)Don'
tworryabouti
t,i
gotit
.Themostimportantthi
ngyou
candof ormeistost
aysafeand
beauti
ful.
Me:(smi
l
ed)I
'
lldot
hat
,Pl
easedr
ive
saf
ely
Ken:
Iwi
l
l,t
akecar
eal
ri
ght
?
Me:
Okay

Ihungupandl ai
dbackonthecouch
huggi
ngmyphonewi thahugesmi l
e,
il
ovedhisroughvoi
ceandtheway
hesoft
lytal
kedtomet ur
nedmeon.

Isowantedt osharemyr elat

ionship
withsomeone, mytonguewasi t
ching
butmygr andmother'
swor dsrangat
thebackofmyheadaboutshar i
ng
every
thi
ngwi thfr
iendssoi si
ghed
andgrabbedmy selfaglassofwi ne..
.

Hour
spassedwhi
l
eiwat
ched
moviesonl
inet
henacal
lcame
t
hrough.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
MaDani
el:
HiDi
di,
KeDi
diaker
e?
Me:(
fixedmyv oi
ceintoawell
mannereddaughteri
nlaw)Ehmma.
.
MaDani el
:Iwasj usttalki
ngt oKen
andhesay sheiswi ththetruckbuti
needhisbrother'
sclothes,I'
mi n
Letshol
athebe,wouldy oumi nd
bri
ngingthem over?
Me:
Whatshoul
dibr
ing?
MaDani
el:
ATshi
rt
,apai
rofpant
s
andatowel
,ev
enabathi
ngset
.You'
l
l
seewhatel
setoadd
Me:
I'
ll
bet
her
eshor
tl
y.

Ihungupanddi
aledKen.
..

Ken:
Hey
Me:
Isi
tokayi
figetaf
ri
endt
odr
ive
me?
Ken:
Doest
hisf
ri
endhav
eal
i
cence?
Me:
YesLet
tyhasal
i
cence
Ken:Okayt
hentell
Lett
ytosendyou
thesof
tcopyofthebookya
matshwaosoyoucanr ev
iseandget
ali
cense,
that
'swhenwewi
l
ldi
scuss
t
hecaragain
Me:
(si
ghed)By
e
Ken:
You'
rebeaut
if
ul
Me:
Uht
sal
amael
akoo

Hel
aughedasihungupandhur
ri
ed
t
oLore'
sroom.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebe.
..
.

LateronAati
lewalkedi
nthelaband
putontheglovesasBayangsatby
thecomputerenteri
ngr
esul
tsinthe
comput
er.
..

Bay
ang:
Exeeh.
..
Aat
ile:
(gr
abbedtheli
standhopped
onthecount
erreadi
ngit)Howzi
t
Bayang:I'
mt ransferr
ingtoKasaneso
thatIcanfreelydivor
cewi t
houtAone
call
ingmypar ents.Ijustwantt
oget
i
tov erwit
h
Aat
il
e:I
sitt
hatbad?
Bayang:Ican'
tpr
etendany mor e..
Thathouseisbori
ng.Stayingwi th
someoney ouhateisselfdestructi
ve
becauseyouendupdoi ngt hi
ngsout
ofcharact
er,r
elweleleAone, kea
mpotsagoreket
swakaephakel
a
andshecall
edmenameska
mmol ai
sadi
mpamagorel
ennake
fi
lebad.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Wenaobet
sa
mosadi
?Waay aka!
Bay
ang:
I'
m ser
ious
Aati
l
e:Wow...Okay..(si
ghed)Lol
o
andiaret
ryi
ngf orababy ,i
nacoupl
e
ofmonthsshewi l
lbegivingmea
babyboysoI'l
lbefine.
Bayang:Ofcourseyou'
ref
ine
becauseDidi'
sbabydyi
ngisarel
i
ef
tosomeext ent
.
Aat
il
e:(
stoppedsmi
l
ing)Ican'
t
beli
eveyout hi
nkl i
kethat,j
ust
becausei f
orgaveLolodoesn' tmean
icondonewhatshedi d.Younev er
l
ovedAoneandy outhoughtshewi l
l
helpyougetov erDidi
, behonestwith
yoursel
fforonce.Ifyoul ovea
womany ouhavet oputy ourpri
de
aside
Bayang:Andyety
ouwentaheadand
sl
eptwit
hher,
knowingal
lthese.
..
Aati
le:
I'
m notapologi
singfor
somethingyoualr
eadyf or
gaveme
for
,wear eovert
hat.
Bayang:You'
reov
ert
hat
..
.i
tseasyf
or
youtoforget
.
Aatil
e:Kant ewhydi dy ouleaveheri f
youlovedhert hatmuch?Andt o
makemat terswor sey ouactually
wentaheadandmar ri
edanot her
womant henhadachi ldandy ou
thi
nky oust andachancewi thDi di
?Is
thatwhyy ouar edivorcing?The
soonery our eali
sethatit'
stool ate
thebetter,wor kony ourmar r
iage.
Bayang: Soy ou'regoingtoactlike
youdi dn'
tjusthearmet ell
i
ngy oumy
reasonf ordivorcingher?Whydoes
everythi
nghav etobeaboutDi di?I
can'tbewi thawomancapabl eof
doingwhatAonedi d,ify
oucansl eep
withthesamewomanwhoki l
ledy our
songoodf
ory
oubutnotme.
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Canwestopt
his
bef
orei
tgetsoutofhand?
Bay
ang:
Youst
art
edi
t
Aat
il
e:YeskaDidisofr
om nowonI
'
ll
nev
ertal
kabouther.Deal
?
Bay
ang:
Deal
..

Theycont
inuedwor
kingi
nsi
l
ence.
..

AtEmer
gency
..
..
..

Me:Yes,
I'
m wal
ki
ngi
nthehospi
tal
now.
.
Ken:
Alr
ight
,thanksf
orhel
pingout
.
Me:
Anyt
ime.
.

Ihungupwal kingupthesmallstai
rs
i
nmybr andhi ghheelsandpasseda
groupofpeoplequeueingonthe
chair
s,i
couldf eelmysel
fslay
ingand
themensitt
ingt her
estari
ngatme
confi
rmeditforme. .
.

Igreetedever
yoneandheadedtothe
bedswher eibumpedonOtlhe
walkingoutwit
habottl
eofwater.
..
Me:
Hey
Ot
lhe:
Hi,
shei
sint
her
e..
.

Imov edthecurt
ainsandwal kedin,
i
coul
dn'tseehisbrother'
sfaceashe
hadat oweloverhisfacegrunti
ng
whil
ehi smotherwipedhisbloody
feet
..
..

Me:
Ket
se
MaDaniel
:Ohthanky
oumygi
rl
..
.Put
t
hem t
here.
..
Lore:(
grunt
edputt
inghi
shandsov er
thetowelonhi
sface)Uh.
..Shi
i
t..
.
Don'
tmov
emyf
oot
..
.
MaDaniel
:Loreaker
eI'
mtr
yingt
o
wi
pethebloodoff
Lor
e:Nnakeshap,
ntesekamadi
hel
a..
.
MaDaniel:
Kanawenaodi kgoka.
..
Nnasenterra.
..
They
'ret
aki
ngy out
o
t
heward,ican'tl
etyougoli
kethi
s..
.

Shecont
inuedwi
pinghi
m..
.

Me:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
se?
MaDaniel
:No..
.Oh..
.Tel
lOtl
heto
br
inghi
m hiswall
et,
itsi
nthecar
.
Me:
Wher
ewasshegoi
ng?
MaDani
el:
Tot
hecar
..
Me:
Okay
..
.

Iwalkedoutandheadingtot he
par
kinglotasiwalkedalongt helong
cor
ridor
,ibumpedi nt
oBay ang
walki
ngoutofoneoft hedoor sthen
hepausedandstaredatmei nshock.
Helookedatmef rom footgoingup
andswallowed.
..

Bay
ang:
Hi.
..
Me:
Hi.
.
Bay
ang:
Wow.
..Whathappened?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Whatdoy
oumean?
Bayang:Youlookcompletel
y
di
ff
erent.
..You'
rebeaut
iful
..
.I.
..
.I.
..
Wow. .
.Imean..
.Wow
Me:
Thanks
Bay
ang:
I'
m sor
ryabout
-
Me:( smil
ed)Youreal
l
yneedtost
op
apologisi
ngforsomethi
ngy
oudidn'
t
do..
.
Bayang:(t
ouchedmybraid)These
thi
ngslookextr
emelybeauti
fulon
you.
..Youlookcomplet
elydi
fferent
..
.
Me:
Thanks.
..Ihav
etogo-
Bayang:Wait..
.Canyougivemeyour
CV?I'm mov i
ngtoKasane,i
wantto
dropitoffonceIgetther
e,maybe
youcanf i
ndaj oband-

Asi l
ookedbehi ndBay angi sawKen
approachingholdi
ngasmal lpl
astic,
myhear tskippedjustfrom hisstare
andi l
ookeddownnotsur ehowt o
react
,hehadj ustcaughtmest andi ng
withamanonacor ri
dorandnotj ust
anyman, themanhehadt oldme
daysearli
erthathedi dn'tl
ike.

Bay
angt
urnedar
oundandl
ookedat
him put
t i
nghi
shandsinthecoatas
theyexchangedint
enselooks,my
heartpoundedasKenappr oached
andwal kedpastuswit
houtsay i
nga
word..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
35PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 25
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Him passi
ngbyleftust empor
ari
ly
par
alysed,howhewal ked,howhe
l
ookedatBay angandt hesoundof
hi
sfootstepsall
gotthingsint
ense.
..

Me:
Ihav
etogo,
that
'
smyboy
fri
end.
.
Bayang:
Helooksl
ikeathuganddi
d
youseehowhelookedatme?
Me:
Youdon'
tknowhi
m..
.
Bayang:Olebegabodi
paandhei
s
goi
ngt obeatyou.
.Hehasan
earri
ng.
..Si
ncewhendoyouhang
aroundpeoplel
i
kethi
s?
Me:
Bye.
..

Iwalkedawayandbumpedint
oOtl
he
thenwewentbacktothecar
..
..
.

Att
hel
ab.
..
.

Minut
eslat
erBayangst
uckhi
shead
i
nlooki
ngatAati
l
e...

Bay
ang:
Pxxxx!
!
Aatil
eturnedthenBayangwav edhi
m
over,hewalkedovert
akingoffhis
glovesthenBayangputhisarm
aroundhim astheywalkedtowards
theelevator
..
.

Bayang:
Taoboneboy
fri
endy
aga
Didi
Aat
il
e:Shehasaboy
fri
end?
Bay
ang:
Yeah.
..Okoemer
gency
Aat
il
e:Can'
twai
ttoseet
his.
..
Bay
ang:
Hel
ooksl
i
keat
hug
Aat
il
e:How?
Bay
ang:
Hei
sdr
essedi
nbl
ack,
he
hastattoosonhisbi
ceps,hehasan
earr
ingandi di
dn'
tli
kethewayhe
wasl ooki
ngatme.Lookathim and
tel
lmehei snotabusingher
,imean
thewayhej ustl
ookedatmeand
passedasabuasepegav emet he
chil
l
s...
Aat
il
e:Didi
isnotser
iousaboutl
i
fe
wai
tse.
..

Minut esl
atertheywal
kedpastthe
wait
ingar eainwhit
ecoatsand
tur
nedt othebeds,Kenwasl eani
ng
againstthewal l
wit
hhiskneebent
andt hesoleofhisbootonthewall
fol
dinghi
sar
msstandi
ngwit
hhi
s
fat
herwhowasweari
ngacowboy
hat.
..

Bayang:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)That
's
hi
m. .
.

Theybot hl ookedathim ashetur

ned
hi
sheadandl ookedatthem,they
walkedi ntothenextroom and
i
gnor edt hem conti
nui
ngat al
kwith
hi
sf ather..
.

Ken:Thet
ruckwasn'
tdamaged,
we
had12carsincar
ri
ageand4wer e
seri
ouslydamaged,other
scanbe
fi
xed,theother4wil
lneed
mechani cal
repai
randwewi ll
probablyhavetosel
lthem atalower
pri
ce..
Hi
m:It
hinkhedozedof
f.
..
Ken:Hedoesn'twanttoadmititbuti
thi
nksot oobecausehedidn'
thit
anyoneanditwasn'tev
enat yr
e
burst
..I
'm gl
adheisnotbadthough,
I'
m surehewill
beoutinaweek
Him:Helooksfi
ne,whenar
eyou
boyscomingtothefar
m?Ineedyour
hel
p
Ken:
I'
ll
hearf
rom hi
m ory
ouneed
hel
psooner
?
Hi
m: No,
inacoupl
eofweeks.Iwant
t
obrandthecal
ves
Ken:Okay
,ifLowi
sn'
tfeel
i
ngokay
,I'
l
l
doitonmyown
Him:Alri
ght
..
.(smil
ed)Byt
hewayi
heardyourmothersayi
ngy
ourgi
rli
s
here.
.
Ken:(l
aughed)Iknowsheprobabl
y
exaggerat
edeveryt
hing.
..
Hi
m:Shesay
sshei
sfr
om agood
f
amil
y
Ken:
Shei
snotr
ich
Hi
m:Goodhasnot
hingt
odowi
th
money
Ken: Ifyousaysol ikei saidwej ust
startedi wasj usttooqui ckt oshare
withy ouandi wasn' tplanningforma
toseehert hatf astbecauseshe
mi ghtnotshar eav i
sionwi thmeand
idon' twantt ofindmy selfi
nan
awkwar dsituati
on.
Him:It
rustyouandthefactt
hati
ts
beenawhilesi
nceyoutoldmeabout
agir
lgotmehopeful.
Ken:
Yeah.
..

BayangandAat
il
epassedbehi
ndt
he
ol
dmanagainlooki
ngatKenandhe
staredbackatthem r el
axedsti
ll
foldi
nghisarms, theysaidsomethi
ng
tooneanot herbuthet ur
nedback
andcontinuedtalkingtohisfat
her.
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..

Latert
hateveningLol
oswit
chedoff
theli
ghtsandlaiddownt
henshe
tookoutherphoneanddial
edAati
l
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,I
'm goi
ngt
obed
Aat
il
e:Okay
..Saygoodni
ghtt
othe
ki
ds
Lol
o:Theyar
eal
readydown.
..
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
,il
ovey
ou.
..
Lol
o:Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Shehungupandclosedhereyes,she
smil
edtouchi
ngherfl
att
ummyt hen
sherememberedGiov
anni
,thesmi l
e
onherfacedi
sappear
ed.

Shegotthephoneandlookedathi
s
pict
ure,
sheneverknewitwasareal
humanbeingatthatst
ageand
thoughshehear
daboutthe
movementsheneverbel
i
eveditwas
any
thi
ngbiggert
hanherthumb..
..

Shewonder edwhatherfr
iend
thoughtofherandwhereshewasor
whyshehasn' tsai
danyt
hingthen
shet r
iedcal
li
ngbutshewas
blocked..
.

Shetossedandturnedforawhi
l
e
unt
ilshedial
edherLorr
aine.
.

Lor
rai
ne:
(sl
eepy
)hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hey
..
.Wai
tseI
'
m begi
nni
ngt
o
feelgui
l
tyaboutwhathappenedka
ngwanawagaDi di
,ishouldhavel
et
thi
ngsbe.
Lorr
aine:Apol
ogi
set
oher
,shemi
ght
underst
and
Lol
o:Shedoesn'
tpi
ckmycal
l
s,she
bl
ockedmeinevery
thi
ng.
Lor
raine:Shewil
lunbl
ocky ouwhen
shefeelsbett
erkeepchecking.
Lol
o:Yeah,par
tofmef eel
sli
ket
he
babywouldhavesurvi
vedifi
was
al
one.Ir
egretcal
li
ngAonekanake
enewagorelet'
sholdherdownunt
il
aft
er2hours
Lor
rai
ne:
Yourf
ri
endi
sev
ilmma,
i
don'
twantherinourgr
oup.(
yawned)
Shedoesn'
tactli
keanewmot her
Lolo:Iknewshewoul dhelpmebut
l
y i
ngabouti tandpai ntinghersel
fas
theangel i
sdisturbing.Shewi ll
destroymymar ri
agei nt hel
ongr un,
anywaysor ryfordisturbingicant el
l
you'r
esleepy .
..Goodni ght
Lor
a:Iwasabouttosl
eepyoudi
dn'
t
di
dn'
twakeme...Goodni
ght
Lol
o:Goodni
ght
..
.

Shehungupandwentt
obed.
..
.
Att
hemal
ewar
d..
.

LaterthatnightOt l
heandi walkedin
thewar dwitht hewal l
et,iwait
edas
sheputqui cklyputint heshelfwhil
e
everyonewal kedout .Lorewasl yi
ng
onhissi defacingthewal lasshe
pull
edhi scurtainsandt urnedbackto
us..
..

Ishameful
lyavoidedlooki
nginKen's
eyesknowingwhathadhappened
earl
ier
,hehadn'tsai
dany t
hingabout
i
tandaswewal kedoutthedoor
behindhi
smot herandsisterheput
hi
sarm aroundmywai
standlooked
atmewithoutanyf
aci
alexpr
essi
ons.

Thatgav emet hechil

ls,hehad
alwaysflashedmewi thasmi l
ebut
thi
stimehewasn' tinthemoodf or
thatandev enwhenhi sf amilymade
j
okeshesmi ledbr i
efl
yandl ooked
away ,
Iwasbegi nni
ngt owor ry.
Ther
e
wasnoquest ioninmymi ndthathe
wasgoi ngtogi vemesev er
al sl
aps
andi wonderedhowf arhewoul d
takeit
..
.

Hi
sfat
hermetusacr
osst
hef
loor
andsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Ken:
(tohim)Thi
sisDi
di.
..Di
dit
hisi
s
myfather
..
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Dumel
ang
Hi
m:(smi
l
ed)Nicetomeety
ou.
..(
to
hi
m)Shei
sbeauti
ful
Ken: (
smil
edbri
efl
y)Thanks.
..
(si
ghed)
...I
'
m alit
tl
eexhaust
ed,wearegoing
tosleep

Weal l
exchangedhandshakesand
bidoneanothergoodnight
,theywent
totheemergencyparki
nglotwhil
e
wewalkedacr
ossthehospi
tal
tot
he
publ
i
cparki
nglot
..

Ont hewayheputhi shandsi nt

he
pocketsandqui etl
ywalkedoutasi
fol
lowedhi m,myhear tpoundedev en
l
ouderasweappr oachedt hecar,he
tookoutthekey sandunl ockedthe
doorsfrom adistancetheni gotin
thefrontseatbuthesatont he
bonnetandl i
tacigarett
e...

God,ihadnotseenhi
m behav
elike
thatandidi
dn'
tknowwhathewas
goingtodonext,
Ist
eppedoutand
cl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Me:
(sof
tl
y)Ar
eyouokay
?
Ken:Ar
eyouplay
ingt
obeasecond
handsmoker
?
Me:
No
Ken:
Thengetbacki
nthecarand
cl
osethedoor
..

Iwalkedbackinsideandclosedthe
doorsit
ti
nginside,minut
eslaterhe
droppedtheci
gar et
teonthe
pavementandst ompedoni t,
thenhe
tookoutastri
pofgum andat e.
Hegoti
nandcl osedthedoort
henhe
t
ookoffthet
-shir
thehadon
r
emaini
ngwiththev est
..
.

Ken:(
rev
ersi
ng)Putony
ourseat
bel
t.
..

Iputonmyseatbel
tandhedr
ove
off
..
.

AtKen'
sMot
ors.
..

Iwasev
enaf
rai
dtoaskwher
ehe
wasgoingorwhywewer et
her
e, he
honkedsever
alti
mesthent
hesleepy
guardopenedthegat
e..
.

Ken:
(rol
l
eddownt
hewi
ndow)Yah
Guar
d:(
rai
sedhi
shand)Si
r.
..

Itwasal i
tt
leaft
ermi dnightandthere
wasacol dbreezewhi ppingmyear s
asi st
eppedoutoft hecar ,
he
unlockedtheoffi
ceandopenedt he
doorformet henifearfull
ywalkedin
ashef ol
lowedme. .
.
Me:
Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?
Ken:
Iwantt
oshowy
ousomet
hing
Me:I'
m sorr
yaboutwhaty ousawat
t
hehospitalbuti
t'
snotwhatyou
t
hinkiti
s.Iwasjustt
alki
ngtohim.

Hepul
l
edt
hechai
rforme.
..

Ken:
Sit
..
.

Itookaseatthenhegentl
yremoved
thepresi
dent
'
sbi gpi
ctur
efrom t
he
wallandputi
tdown.Tomysur pri
se
therewasasafether
eandheent er
ed
acode,thel
it
tl
edoorpoppedthenhe
tookoutahandgun.Iwentf
orthe
doorthenheslammeditandpoint
ed
tothechai
rwithagun..
.

Ken:
(st
ari
ngatme)Si
t,now.
..
.

Isatdownthenhepul l
edachai rand
satontheothersideofthetabl
eand
puthisf
ootont hetabl
eleaningback
onthechai
rlookingatme...
.

Ken:
(cal
mly)Letmetel
lyou
somethi
ngaboutmeDidi
..
.Ify
ou'
re
l
ooki
ngforamanwi t
hat i
eanda
whit
ecoaty ouar ewitht hewrong
manbecausei don'
tf i
ndanyoft hat
i
nteresti
ng.That '
snotme, Iwentto
schoolbuti didsomet hingdif
fer
ent,
evenifi foundaj ob...I'dwearblue
overal
lsandahel mett owor ksoi
won'tappr eciateanot herman
undermi ningmyaut hor i
ty,doyou
understandme?
Me:Nobodyisundermini
ngy ouandI
don'
twanthi
m, not
hinghappened,we
werej
usttal
ki
ng.…
Ken:Youdon'tgeti
tdoy ou?Didii
don'
thaveagi r
lf
ri
endwhoget s
comfyli
kethatwithanotherman
especi
all
yanexboy f
ri
end.It
'seit
her
meorhi m,y oucan'
thav ei
tboth
way s,idon'thavebowewer edati
ng
butnowwear ej
ustfr
iendskindof
shitunlessy ouarefi
newi t
hme
getti
ngt hatcomf ywit
hmyex
gir
lfri
endsandt r
ustmemyl i
stisway
l
ongert hany our
sbecauseI'
m older
thany ouandi st
art
edhav i
ngsex
wheni was14.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry,
itwon'
thappenagai
n.
Ken:(si
ghed)It'
sokay,youdidn't
knowbutletmemakesomet hing
cl
earandgiv eyouafairchance..
.If
wear egoi
ngt odothisboy f
ri
end
gir
lf
ri
endthingtherei
sonl yonet hi
ng
iwantfrom you,j
ustone-Don'tcheat
onme, idon'twanty ouent ert
aining
menespeci all
ymeny ousl eptwith.I
don'twantt obecheat edbecausei
won'tcheatony ousoi fyouknow
deepdowni nyourhear tthatyou're
i
ncapabl eofbei ngfaithfulwehav eto
endt hisbeforei f
alli
nl ovewi t
hy ou
wayt oodeepbecausewhenIl ov ei
l
ovehar dandwi thev eryt
hingI'
v egot.
Ificatchy ouwi t
hamanbet ween
yourlegs, I
'l
lnothesitatet oputa
bull
ett hroughhisskul l
...
.

Hest oodupandwalkedovert
henhe
rol
l
edmychai rbackfaci
ngmeand
putthegunbetweenmyt hi
ghs
l
ooki
ngst
rai
ghti
nmyey
es.
..

Ken: WhenI'
m donekill
inghim,I'
l
lput
thegunbetweeny ourlegsli
kethis
andbl owyourpussythenI'
llhand
my sel
ftothepoli
ce.

Myheartpoundedashepoi
ntedat
mycli
tswithagunwhil
eihel
dhis
wr
istwit
hbothhands.
..

Ken:So..
.Areyousureyousti
llwant
todothis?Idon'
tcarehowmuchy ou
wantfrom me,I'
l
lgiv
eittoyouall
.
Youcanchopmymoneyal lyouwant
idon'tcareandI '
llbefai
thfuland
honestwi thyouaboutev erything.I
'l
l
evenf orgi
vey ouforanywr ongy ou'l
l
do..
..
I'
llprotectyouandr especty ou
unti
ly oucheatonmet henI '
l
l pullt
he
tr
iggerandbl owt hispussyup.
Me: (l
ookedathim shaki
ng)Ken
pleasetakei
toffmypant iesbefor
e
youdosomet hi
ngy ou'l
lregret
..
.

Hetookitoffandwalkedbacktohis
chai
rthenIsighedi
nr el
i
ef,hesat
downandlookedatme. ..
.

Ken:
Ify
oucan'
tbef
ait
hful
standup
andgohome, iwon' tt
roubl
ey ou.It
wil
lbeli
kewenev ermetandi fyou
tr
ustyoursel
ftoreservethatbodyf or
meandmeal onecomeki ssme, y
our
choi
ce..
..

Istoodupandwal kedoveri
nmy
heelsashequiet
lywatchedthenigot
thegunfrom hi
m andputitbacki
n
thesafe.

Iwalkedbacktohi
m andsatonhis
l
aptheni putmyarmsaroundhi
s
neckandkissedhi
m..
..
..
..
..
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Icandof
ait
hful
..
.

Hest oodupcar r
yingmeandswept
thetablewithhisarm dropping
thi
ngsont hefloorthenhel aidme
downandki ssedmepul l
ingoutmy
panti
es,heheldmyf ootadmi ri
ngit
onthebr andnewheel t
henheki ssed
i
tslowlyandbentov erki
ssingme. .
..

Me:(gasped)Wearacondom,
I'
m not
oncontracept
ives
Ken:Idon'thavecondomsint
he
off
ice.
..(smil
edandkissedme)Case
postponed
Me:(smi
l
ed)Wait
ingf
ormyment
ion
dat
emyLord.
..

Hel
aughedandli
ftedmeof
fthet
abl
e
t
henhewalkedoutsmil
i
ng.
..
..

AWEEKLATER.
..
.

20Kli
kesbef
ore6pm andi
posta
bonus.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
35PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 26

Att
hedr
ivi
ngschool
..
..

Theinstructorstoodafewfeetfr
om
theorangeconesqui et
lywatchi
ng
measi careful
lydidar
ever
separ ki
ng
thenhecl appedhandssmili
ng..
.
I
nst
ruct
or:
Wow.
..
.Ni
ceone.
..
.

Thepeoplesi
tt
ingont
hepl
ast
ic
chai
rsundert
hemophanet
ree
cheer
ed..
.

Woman: I'
mv er
yjeal
ous.
..Ibeenher
e
for23daysnowandshehasbeen
hereforonesecondi
bil
esheknows
reser
veparki
ng
Me: (
laughi
ngst i
ckingmyheadout)
Wenagaoser i
ousakerecl
assmate,
I
'm getti
ngtestednextweekgakena
pel
oy atshameko, Iwantmyli
cense
Woman: (
laughed)Chal
l
enge
accept
ed,wewi l
lseewhoget
sitf
ir
st
I
nstr
uctor
: (gotinthecar
)Al
ri
ghtl
et'
s
go,y
ou'r
et akingmeont hel
astt
our
toal
ltheroadsy ou'l
lbet
est
edon..
Me:
Okay
..
.

Drivi
ngamanual washonestlyt
he
hardestpartaboutlear
ningtodri
ve
butknowingt hatt
hoset hr
eecars
werewai t
ingformet ochoosefrom
them wasmot i
vat
ionenough.

Itookadeepbr
eat
hwaiti
ngbehi
nda
poli
cecarpr
ayi
ngandhopi
ngthe
enginewouldn'tswitchof f
.Bot hcops
l
ookedbackatt hedr i
vingschool car
withabigLi nfrontandsmi l
ed, i
knewt heywerel aughingatme
probablybecausei wasn'trelaxedbut
ij
ustsmi l
edandr ol
ledmyey es..
.

Thet raf
ficmov edaheadandi
carefull
ydrovet heniheardaloud
hooterandpani cked,theengi
ne
switchedof fandi l
ookedaround
wonder i
ngi ficausedanyaccidents.
Kenr oll
eddownt hewindowand
winkedatmel aughingashedr ove
pastme. ..
.
Ken:(honked)Stupi
dsl
owleaner
!
Tshabamot sel
engodi
atr
affi
c

Theinstruct
orlaughedlooki
ngatme
notoffer
inganyassistanceasthe
tr
affi
cjammedt henitookadeep
breathandforgototherdri
ver
s.I
start
edalloveragainanddrove
properl
y.
..

*
**

Al
mostanhourl
ateri
drov
ebackand
par
kedundert
hetr
eewhereLett
y
waswait
ingwi
thherbagonherl
ap.
..

Me:(st
eppedoutt
aki
ngmyphone)I
can'
tbel
iev
eKendidt
hattome,
he
mademepanicbyhonki
ngatme..
.
Instructor:
(laughed)Buty ou'
re
supposedt obepr eparedforsuch
thingswhendr iv
ing,ther
ear edri
vers
l
iket hatwhoputy ouunderpr essur
e
andy oushoul drel
axanddoy our
thing, wenay oupanickedkoloietima
gonnamar agaraga
Me:AeKenont shi
nsi
sit
sei
wasf
ine
bef
orehehonked..
.
Idi
aledKenandst
eppedawayf
rom
people.
..

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Babeswasl
owl
ear
ner
Me:That
'snotf
unny,
youmademe
pani
candcausetr
aff
ic
Ken:(l
aughed)Oborokomot seleng
babe,bethankf
ulyouhavethatli
ttl
e
guyforaninstr
uct
or.Iwoul
dn'tall
ow
suchslowness
Me:
Mxm You'
llcookf
ory
our
sel
f
t
oni
ghtobaki
l
e
Ken:
Heyt
hatr
emi
ndsme,
Lor
eis
comi
nghomet
hisev
eni
ng
Me:I
'l
lcookandonl
ybecauseofhi
m
noty
ou
Ken:
(laughed)Babeswusl
ow

Ismi
l
edandhungupr
oll
i
ngmyey
es.

Minutesaf
terLet
tyandIbideveryone
goodbyeandwalkedalongtheroad
headi
ngtotheclosebymall.
..

Lett
y:(smil
ed)Isti
ll
can'tbeli
evey
ou
keptKenawayf rom me...
.Whatare
fr
iendsfori
fwecan' tshare
ev
ery
thi
ng?
Me: (
laughed)Idi
dn'thav
eachance,
i
beensobusyandy ouknowsuch
thi
ngsmustbedi scussedin
person..
..
.
Let
ty:
I'
m sohappyf
ory
ou.
..Letme
seehi
spict
ure

Icli
ckedonmycamer afolderand
showedherapictureofKensteppi
ng
outoftheshowerinatowel t
henshe
tookadeepbreathandshookher
head..
.

Let
ty:
(smi
l
ed)Wow.
..Andhi
stat
s
wer eprofessi
onallydone...
.Didihe
i
s...OhmyGod. ..(shescroll
ed
throughlookingatal lhi
spictures)so
menl ikethisexist
?( shelaughedata
pictureofKenhol dinghisboner
abov ethetowel sexil
ybiti
nghisl i
ps
withsleepyey es)Wow. ..
.Jesus...I
s
her eal?Doesheexi stkanay ou
downl oadedthisfrom theInternet
Me:(smiledandsnat
chedthephone)
idi
dn'tknowtheyexi
stunti
licame
acr
osshi m..
.Let
tyil
ovethi
sguy
Let
ty:(l
aughed)Helooksnaughty
andstubborn,t
hatposeofhim
hol
dinghispackagebathung.
..
Hai
bo...
Me:Hemakesmehappyt
hemma
wenaei
sh.
..
Letty:Hei sgoalschomi ,andthen
hir
ingy ouast hemanagerj ustl
ike
that.
..You'relucky,nnammat he
onesi meetwheni askforamar e
P10ai rt
imet hey'r
egone...Askf or
hairmoneyhewi l
laskify ou'
resell
ing
yourself.You'resolucky.
..
Me: Thanks.
..I
'm pr
ayi
ngi passthe
cones.Isowantacarkapel oy ame
yotheandKeni ssostr
icthedoesn't
wantmet odri
veanyofthecarsuntil
ihaveal i
cenceompolaisamadi adi
special
Let
ty:
(smi
led)Hesoundscut
e,he
mustbenaught
y..
.
Me: Naughtyandscar ysomal obake
haant shupi l
ekat hobol omokukung
wenagot wenocheat ing..
.Hesai d
what ev
eri wantI '
llgetandhewi l
l
l
ov emeandr espectmeasl ongas
I'
mf ait
hful
, kehagot wei t
'syour
choice.
..Vay aifyoucan' tbef ai
thful
becauseI '
l
l shooty oui fyoucheat
Letty
:(Smil
ed)Wow. .
.Ithoughtili
ked
theguysatchurchbutIwantaman
l
ikethat.
.(l
aughed)doesn'tKenhave
abrotheraennakebat athobolo
bathong.Iwanttobethreatened
Me: (laughed)Lettydon'tmaket hisa
j
oke, i wasseriouslyshakingandhe
wasser i
ouswena.Iser i
ousl ypr ayi
ng
dayandni ghtthatGodgi v esmet he
strengthtobef ai
thfulbecauseKen
gasewabana, yoleokabol ayamot ho
engaat shameke.Kehaal eba
Bay angga1hel akoLet shol athebe
togelaBay angat senwekedi arrhea
l
ennammakehaket sidihallwake
l
etshogogapeahet ahat hokoga
ronakabodi pajobokaewena
Lett
y:(
laughed)Heiscute,
ilikehim
al
ready.
..
.nowonderyou'
regai ni
ng,i
canseey ourasspoppi
ngalready
Me:
(shookmybut
tnaught
il
y)Thi
sis
whatarel
ati
onshi
pwithar
eal
man
doest
oy oububunas.
..

Wel aughedwal ki
nginWimpyand
orderedmilkshakesthenwesatat
thecornerpressingourphones
enjoyi
ngtheWi Fi.

Myphoner
ang.
..

Me:
Heybabe
Ken:
Hey
,I'
m checki
ngi
n.
Me:(
smil
edbl
ushi
ng)Cute..
..Nnake
koWimpywi
thLet
ty,
from hereI'
m
goi
nghome
Ken:
Needar
ide?
Me:
Yespl
ease
Ken:Alr
ight
,wi
l
ltal
ktoy
oui
na
minute
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandconti
nuedbrowsing,
thewai
tr
essbroughtouror
dersand
webegundri
nking.
..

Me:Assoonasi getmycarI'
m goi
ng
t
omygr andmother'
sgardentosee
what
'sup,Kensaysishouldmakean
est
imati
onyathecostoffenci
ngand
hewil
lhelpmewithfenci
ng.Ther
est
hesaysimustwork,saveanddoit
bymyself
.
Lett
y:Keniswonder
ful
wait
semma,
Whatdoeshedokantebesi
dest
he
carthi
ng?
Me:Justcardeal
i
ng,
peopl
ebuycar
s
ev
erydayakeremma
Letty:Obolai
lemma.Theguyi
thoughtwil
lsaysomet
hingt
omeat
churchisgett
ingmar
ri
edtoanot
her
sist
er,mxm..
Me:
Hav
ehope.
..
Lol
oandLor rainewalkedinandsat
ontheothercor ner
,sheandimade
eyecontactasshespoket othe
waitr
essmaki nganor dert
henshe
walkedover.
..

Me: (
loweredmyv oi
ce)God,
whyis
shecomi ngoverher
e..
.Ir
eal
lywant
toforgetmypast.
Let
ty:Maybeshewant
stoapol
ogi
se,
benice.
..
Lol
o:(
satdown)Hi
.
..
Me:(
pushedmyblockstot
heback
andl
ookedather
)Hey..
.
Lol
o:Wow.
..
.Youl
ookgor
geous,
hav
eyouf
oundaj
ob?
Me:
Yeah,
howar
eyou?Howi
sMay
a?
Lol
o:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
shei
sfi
ne
Letty
:(sawKenwal
ki
ngi
n)Di
dii
s
thatKen.?
Me:
(smi
l
edandwav
ed)Hey
..
.

Lol
oturnedandl ookedathi
m ashe
l
eanedov erandkissedmethenhe
gent
lyshookt hei
rhandssmil
ing.
..

Ken:
Ladi
es.
..
Me:
Thati
sLol
oandLet
ty
Ken:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
..
Lol
o:(
flatvoi
ce)Ni
c..
.(cl
ear
edher
thr
oat
)Ni cet
omeety ou
Ken:Lett
y...Theonewit
htheli
cence
ri
ght?..
.t
ellDidit
obeseri
ousabout
gett
ingalicenceifshewant
sacar .I
won'tl
etyout woplaymebydrivi
ng
wit
houtal i
cence
Lett
y:(l
aughed)Mmekanashei
sthe
bestatthedri
vi
ngschool
..
.
Me:(st
ood)Lett
ylet
'sgo.
..(
toLol
o)
Lol
onicecatchi
ngupwithyoudar
li
ng
Lol
o:By
e

Wewalkedpassedherandwalked
outasKenputhi
sarm aroundme..
.
Ken:
I'
mjustgoi
ngtodr
opyouguys
homeandgocoll
ectmybr
other
Let
ty:Ihav
etobuyaf ewthi
ngsint
he
mall
..
.(wehugged)Thanksf
orthe
mil
kshakes
Me:
Youwel
come

ShehuggedKenandt ookadeep
breathashesteppedbackthenhe
grabbedmywai standwalked
towardsthecar.
..

Ken:
(laughed)Your
eal
l
ylooked
fooli
shhol
dingthest
eeri
ngwheel
withbothhands,i
coul
dn'
tresi
st
honking
Me:(
laughedandpunchedhi
schest
)
St
opitotogaontenamxm. .
..

AtHome.
..
..
.

Minutesl
aterhedroppedmeathome
andleftt
henicleanedthehouseand
cookedsomethingdeli
ciousand
wentforabath.
...

Bef
orei
knewi
thewasknocki
ngat
t
hedoor,
i wrappedmysel
fwit
ha
t
owelandrushedtothebedr
oom
wher
eiputonmyshor tsandvest
t
henrantothedoorandopened.

Kenwalkedinhangi ngabagont he
shoul
derthenhisbigbrotherst
epped
i
nandalmostmi ssedasteplooking
i
nmyey es.Ilookeddownandcl osed
thedoor
..
.

Nexti
nser
tat11pm.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
36PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 27

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Kenputthebagonthecouchand
grabbedmywaistwi
thali
ttl
esmil
e
putti
ngmeinfr
ontashisdi
ckrubbed
onmybut
tthenhepushedme
for
war
dki
ssingmyneck..
.

Ken:Thisi
stheladyofthehouse..
..
.
(hel
dmecl osertohischestaswe
bothfacedLore)Babethisismybi
g
brot
herLore.
..

Theylookedal otl
ikeexceptLor e'
s
l
ipsweren'tdarkandhedi dn'thave
anearri
ngort att
oos.Heal soseemed
muchmor ecal merthanthey oung
brot
her,helookedinmyey esonce
andquickl
ylookeddownshy lythen
heshookmyhandwi t
hal i
ttl
esmi le.
.
Lore:Ni
cetofinal
lymeety ou.
..I
heardalotaboutyou,ij
ustdidn'
t
thi
nkhewasr ightaboutyourbeaut
y
Me:
(laughedshy
ly)Thanky
ou

Hesmi l
edlookingathisli
ttl
ebrother
andKensmi l
edbackathim ast hey
bumpedshoul ders.Theywere
def
ini
telybrother
s,samehei ght
,
complexionandphy si
c..
..

Lore:Fort
hefir
stt
ime,
youwer
en'
t
exaggerat
ing.
.
Ken:
(laughed)Shehasmepr
ayi
ngat
ni
ght,
imaginethat.
..
Lor
e:(
laughed)I
'
drepenttoo.
..You
di
dgood,sheisbeaut
if
ul.
..
Ken:
Thanks.
..
(gott
hebag)Let
'sgo.
..
Me:
I'
ll
war
mthef
ood.
..

Theywal kedt ohisroom, partofme

sti
l
lwonder edwhyheal mostmi ssed
astepatt hedoorandwhyhe
couldn'
treal l
yl ookatmewhenhe
wast al
kingt omebuti busheditoff
andwentt ot hekitchen,iguessedhe
wasnat urallyshy .
..
.
AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..

Lettysl
owl ylai
ddownont hef ulltub
andclosedherey esseei ngshi rtl
ess
Ken'sveinedar m grabbinghi slog,
shecoul dalmostseeher sel font hat
chestandt hatarm pr obabl ygrabbi ng
herass.Sheknewi twoul dbest eamy
becausesheal mostlostherbr eath
whent heyhuggedear li
er,hesmel led
goodandhi sli
pswer euni que.She
hadnev erseenamanwi thdar kl i
ps
beforeandj ustthinki
ngaboutt hose
l
ipsonher sgotherwet .
..
Shecrossedherl egstogetherwith
hereyesclosedandgr abbedt he
showerhead, sheturnedthet apand
puti
tonherkukut henshebi therli
ps
cl
osingherey esasthewat er
spl
ashesdi dthei
rpar t
..
.

Minutesl atershesi
ghedinreli
efand
turnedthet apthenshesat
thoughtfull
y ,
abigcloudofguilt
rai
nedonherasshet ear
full
yleaned
backr ubbinghertearyeyes.
..
.

Shel
aterj
oinedherbi
gsi
steront
he
couchast
heywat
chedt
hesoapi
es.
..

Let
ty:
Canwet
alk?
Her
:Sure,
what'swr
ong?(movedov
er)
Wereyoucry
ing?What
'swrong?
Lett
y:Haveyouev
erhadacr
ushon
yourfr
iend'
sman?
Her
:Wow.
..Um.
..Wel
l
l
Lett
y:IsawDi di
'
sboy f
ri
endf orthe
fi
rstt
imet odayandhei s..
..
.He
i
nstantl
ystolemyhear t
.Nott hati
wanttobewi thhim orany t
hing,i
knowhei soffli
mi tsbut.
..
.Didi
showedmehi spicturegolebegaane
atswamoshawar engbecauseonea
kolobileaitshopi l
ekat aole, he
l
ookedr eall
ygoodandt her ewas
anotheronewher ehewasj ustbeing
naught yholdi nghi sdickwi t
ha
towel .
..Kooret hewayanenga
tshwer edickkat englegr i
py ateng
andt hev ei
nsonhi sarmskoor eeven
hisbellybuttonandt hetattooshe
has...Keiphit hetsekedul epel ohela
andI '
m soscar edbecausei fhe
makesmov esonmeI '
dfindi t
diff
icultgoganabecausei f
elt
power lessst aringathi spi ctures.
LateronhemetusatWi mpy ..
.
(fr
ownedt ear full
y )Heisv ery
attr
act i
veandi feel v
erybadf or
wonder ingabouthi m, shemade
thi
ngswor setelli
ngmeabouthow
muchhei sgiving...Koor ej ust
knowingt hatKeni st hekindofaman
thati
snotaf r
aidgobet chakakol oi
gaant shosa.Hesoundssosexyev en
l
ehababuaont hephoneket swa
pelo,hecal l
sev eryf ewhour s
checkingi n.Koor easenaany thing
i
mpor tantar ewai thipot ahel a..
.I
neverthoughti coul dbeoneoft hose
fri
ends.ThewayI '
mj udgment al
aboutt heseki ndsoft hi
ngsKenhi t
mel i
ke. .
..Idon'tev enhowt oexplain
i
t..
.Andi didsomet hingi feel bad
abouter il
ekekgaoganal eboneke
i
phithetsekemohuggil
eandcont act
l
esehubasagagwegay antsaya
sente.Iwishi
didn'
thavetotel
lyou
thi
sbuti wetmysel
f.
..WhenIwalked
awaymypant iesweresl
ippery
..
.I
feelsoba-
Her:(
handedheraglassofwater)
Dri
nkthi
sandt akeadeepbreat
h..
.
You'
renotbreathi
ng.
.

Shedrunkthewaterandsighed
l
ookingathersi
sterwholookedback
atherfeel
i
ngsorryforher
..
.

Her
:I'
m sor
ryt
haty
ouf
eel
thatway
,
t
hisi
sthemostembar
rassi
ng
f
eeli
ngsawomancanhave.
Let
ty:
Shoul
ditel
lDidi
?Thatwayi
won'
tdoanyt
hingand-
Her
:Thatwi
ll
bet
heendofy
our
f
ri
endshi
p,
Lett
y:Idon'twantourf r
iendshipto
end,that'
swhyI 'mtalki
ngtoy ou
abouthowi f
eel kaKenbecausei
don'
tev enthinkthepoorguyt hinks
aboutmel ikethatenelehugy at eng
oneasenasepehel aandhewas
bei
ngni cemaki ngjokesretshega
asaakany esepe.
Her
:Youcan'
ttel
lher
,justdeal
wit
h
yourfeel
ingsonyourownolwele
maikutoaounti
lyouwinthem l
eene
Kendon'ttel
lhi
m.Fightt
hose
feel
ings
Letty:Iam soscaredineverthought
I'
llf
eel t
hisway ,
.
.Andfight
ingmy
feel
ingsf orhi
m won'tworkbecause
Didiisopenaboutal otofthi
ngs.If
shekeepst el
l
ingmeabouthi m nna
kelekagoi phodisakaha
Her:Ehegood,t
hentel
lhertostop
shar
ingwithyoucer
tai
nthings..
.Just
fi
ndapolit
ewayoftell
i
ngher .She
wil
lstop.
.
Let
ty:
I'
ll
try
..
.
Her:(
laughed)Mxm nowI'
m cur
ious
kaguynyanaey al
ona,war
ehegav e
heracar?
Lett
y:Het ol
dhershecanchoose
whatevercarshewant si
ntheshop,
i
magi ne.
..(l
aughed)AndDidi
doesn'
t
knowhowt odri
ve..
Her:(
laughed)Sheshoul
dlear
nto
dr
ivefast
Letty
:Sheisaf astl
earner
,itrusther
togetitsoonerthanexpected.Ken
mmakemonna, heisevenof f
eringto
fencehergrandmother'
sgar denso
shecanhav eabusiness.Iwon' tst
op
prayi
ngforamanl i
kehim,nothi m
butsomeonewi
tht
hesamement
ali
ty
Her
:(l
aughed)Iunder
standwhaty
ou
mean.
..
.
Let
ty:
Letmegocl
eant
heki
tchen
bef
oreisl
eep
Her
:shap.
..

Shewal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

Loloswi
tchedofftheli
ghtsandl
aid
downholdingherphonethenshe
creat
edafakeaccountandwent
throughDidi'
spr of
il
e, shehadt wo
handsholdingoneanot herasher
profi
lepi
ctureandnot hingelsepublic
abouttherelati
onshi pthenshewent
throughherLikeschecki ngthe
profi
lest
ol ocateKensoshecan
checkhowser i
oust her elat
ionshi
pis.
Therewasnot raceofKenonherl i
st
ofpeoplewhor eact edt oherpicture
thenshesentaf ri
endr equesthoping
togetmor easaFacebookf ri
end..
..

Lor
rai
ne'
scal
lcamet
hrough.
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Lora:Hubbyi
sonni
ght
-shi
ftr
eka
chatt
er?
Lol
o:Yes.
.
Lora:Aboutthebusi
nessideayaDidi
,
don'tyouthi
nkshewillbeoff
ended
tofindoutthaty
ouarebuy i
ngshades
sothatyoucangr owfl
owersinyour
backy ar
d?
Lol
o:I'll
dropthewhol ethi
ngand
thi
nkofsomet hingelselegonego
l
emaandwat eringeverydayseems
l
ikeal otofwork.Didyouseeher
boyfr
iend?
Lor
a:(
laughed)obot
okany
anaaker
e?
Lol
o:Di
dikanagaaut
weenguyel
eo
l
ebegaahemi l
ekatswabatl
hanya
gor
e,I'
m missi
ngoutanditl
ooksl
ike
gaabetchekeenehela
Lor
a:Looksthatway,moghi
rlno
wonderari
letuujaana,
kemathata
Lol
o:Mxm i
misst
hegoodol
dti
mes,
Lor
a:Thi
ngswi
l
lwor
koutoneday
,
Goodni
ght
Lol
o:Goodni
ght
..
.

Shehungupandcl
osedherey
es.
..

AtKen'
shouse.
..
..
.
LaterthatnightLoresippedHunter
's
Dryquietlyl
y i
ngont herocki
ngchair
i
nhi sjeansandv estasweal l
watchedt hegame, Kenandi were
l
yingont hecouchwhi lehegentl
y
playedwithmyhai rmassagingmy
scalp.
...
.

Thegameendedt heni wenttothe

ki
tchenandcleanedt hedishesfrom
earl
ier
,Lorewalkedinandputt he
bott
leinthebi
nt henhest oodfar
fr
om met houghtful
lylooki
ngatthe
l
owershel v
esbymyl egs.
Me:
Obat
asengwekot
ase?
Lor
e:(
uncomf
ort
abl
y)Yes,
dil
emon.
..

Ibentov
erandgrabbedonetheni
rememberedmyshortski
rtandputa
handbehindmybuttcl
osi
ngtheshel
f.

Ihandedhi
mt helemonandhe
droppedi
ttr
yinggrabbedi
t,hebent
downandgoti t
.

Lor
e:Thanks.
..Cany
oupasst
he
gl
ass?
Iopenedt heaboveshelfandhanded
himthegl asswhichheal most
droppedandcaughtbef oreitcoul
d
hitt
hef l
oor ,i
star
tedfeel
ing
uncomf or
t abl
eknowingi madehim
uncomf or
t abl
ethenistoppeddoing
thedishesandl ef
ttogivehim some
space.

Ij
oinedKenonthecouchbuthel
ift
ed
meupandwal kedt
othebedroom
car
ryingme.
..

Ken:
Goodni
ghtmest
aah
Lor
e:(
leanedagai
nstt
heki
tchen
doorf
ramesippi
nghi
smi
xlooki
ngat
us)Goodni
ght

Kenwalkedinthebedroom and
cl
osedthedoorwi t
hhisfootthenhe
l
andedont hebedstil
lhol
dingme
andbet
weenmyl egsasigiggled,he
l
eanedoverandkissedmeunzi ppi
ng
hi
spants..
.

Me:(whi
sper
ing)Babeno,
your
br
otheri
shere
Ken:(
whi
speri
ng)Wearenot
post
poni
ngagain.
..(
smi
ledand
ki
ssedme)besi
deshewon'thear
any
thi
ng,i
won'
tthr
usthar
dandt
he
TVison
Me:
No.
..Hei
sup,
hewi
l
lhearus

Kenpul l
edmypant iesasi keptthem
on,Wef oughtformypant ies
whisperi
ngandgi ggli
ngthent heTV
switchedoff..
.Wepausedand
l
istened,minutesl
aterLore's
bedroom doorclosedthenhef l
i
cked
theswitches.Kenleanedov erkissi
ng
meandcar essedmybr eastsasi
tri
edtoresist.
..

Ken:
(whi
sper
ed)Babet
hemmaako
ol
esepant
ie
Me:(whi
sper
ed)Kenst
op,
your
br
otheri
ssti
l
lup
Ken:Hewon'thearany
thi
ngt
hedoor
i
sclosed.
..

Heslidhishandundert hepil
lowand
grabbedacondom whi chhet oreand
rol
ledonl ooki
ngi nmyey esasi
l
ookedasi detryi
ngt opushof fhis
heavychest ,
hetur nedmyheadback
tohisfaceandki ssedmehol dinghis
machineai mingatmykukt henhe
gentl
yfil
ledmeupasi gaspedf or
air
..
.
Me:
(sof
tl
y)Ohhhhhshi
tKeeeen.
..

I
nLor
e'sr
oom.
..
.

Meanwhil
eLoregrabbedapill
owand
sl
owlyputi
toverhisfacel
i
steningto
ev
erystr
okedeli
veredandrecei
v ed
wi
thahighnote.
..
.

I
nourr
oom.
..
..

Kensli
doutandsteppeddownthe
bedthenhrgr
abbedmyl egssl
i
ding
meovertheedgeofthebedand
smackedmyclit
swithhi
shead
l
ooki
nginmyey esand.
..
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
36PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 28

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
Thenextmor ni
ngi slowlytur
ned
aroundpull
i
ngapi llowcloserand
touchedKen'ssideofthebedt heni
l
ift
edmyheadl ookingforhim andhe
wasnowayt obef ound,ther
ewasa
softknockonthebedr oom door..
.

Me:
(sl
eepy
)Tsena.
..

Lorewal kedi nholdi

ngatrayof
breakfast,therewasawhi tepl
ateof
deli
cioushot el st
andar
dfood,aglass
ofmi l
k,2ser viett
esandsmallbottl
e
ofCirocwi thwat erandalongfr
esh
fl
oweri nside..
.
Lor
e:Goodmor
ning.
..
Me:
Mor
ning.
..
Lor
e:Havebr
eakfast
,isaglassof
mil
korokayorshoul
di br
ingJui
ce?
Me:
Um.
..I
t'
sfi
ne.
..

Iwasst i
llnudewi
thsheetsuptomy
chestjustabovemybreasts,
imoved
upandl eanedagai
nstthewall
holdi
ngupt hesheet
sthenheputthe
trayonmyl apandsatontheedgeof
thebed..
Lore:Kenfl
ewtothedel
ta,hewill
be
backinafewhours.Hedidn'
twantto
wakey ouandheaskedmet otake
careofyou.
.
Me:
Thanksf
ort
hebr
eakf
ast
Lor
e:(l
ookedatmeonceandl
ooked
down)Sur
e..
.

Hewalkedoutandstoppedatt
he
doorhol
dingt
helock.
..

Lor
e:Letmeknowi
fyouneed
any
thi
ng
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
..
.
Hecl osedthedoort hensmi led
l
ooki ngathisf ood,itseemedt hebi
g
brotherwasaf anoff ood
channel..
.Hi
spr esentat i
onski l
l
swer e
onanot herl
ev el wit
hv eggiesididn'
t
evenknowexi sted.TheTswana
breedinmef rownedl ookingatt he
broccoliandot hergreenl eavestheni
pickedthem wi thaf orkandsl owly
chewed, mostwer etast elessthenhe
knockedagai n...

Me:(
pausedchewinghol
dingupt
he
f
orkofl
eaves)Tsena.
.
Hewalkedinholdi
ngaglassofwat
er
wi
thaper f
ectl
ysli
cedLemonand
pl
aceditontheheadboar
dtoget
her
wi
thtoothpi
cks..
.

Lor
e:Ihadf
orgot
tent
hat
..
.

Hepausedlookingattheleav
eson
myforkandlaughed,i
twasoneof
thefewmoment sthatIhadreal
l
y
seenhim smi
le.

Hest
eppedbackandsatont
hebed
thenhegr abbedtheforkandpoked
somesmal lpi
ecesofthebacon
mixingwithotherthi
ngsintheplat
e
andf i
nal
lypickedthegreenst
henhe
smiledandbr oughtt
hespoontomy
mout h.
.

Lor
e:Openup.
..
.

Iopenedmymout handatetheni
smil
edandlaughedcoveri
ngmy
mouthenj
oyingthefood,
itact
ual
l
y
tast
edgoodwhenmi xed.
..

Me:
(swal
l
owed)Ow.
..I
tsdel
i
cious.
..
i
didn'
tknowi
wassupposedt
oeati
t
l
ikethat
Lor
e:(
smi
l
ed)I
t'
sokay
..
.

Hegotthepl
ateandtur
nedar
ound
feedi
ngmeasi pul
l
edmylegsupand
huggedmyfeetwit
hmychinrest
ing
onmyknees..
.

Me:So.
..Osi
aKenkahowmany
year
s?
Lor
e:I
'
m ol
dert
hanhi
m wi
th2y
ear
s
Me:
Okay
,whatdi
dyoust
udy
?
Lor
e:(
feedi
ngme)Idi
dfor
mfi
veand
theniworkedforaconst r
uct i
on
companyt hatsentmet oschool f
or
operat
ingheavymachi nery.Theywon
asubtenderatt hemineandi worked
ther
eforawhi le.Theminecl osed
andsodidt hecompany ..
.Nowher ei
am
Me:
(si
ghed)OkayLor
eDani
el
Lor
e:I
t'
sact
ual
l
yNt
sime
Me:
Mmh?
Lor
e:LoreNt
sime,
MrDani
eli
snot
myfather
.
Me:
Ohi
didn'
tknowt
hat
..
Lor
e:Appar
ent
lymymothermethim
whenIwasanbabyandhemarri
ed
withinacoupl eofmont hsbuti was
l
ef tbehindwit hmygr andmot her.We
struggledabi tbutmymot herand
stepf atherdi
dt heirbestt ot ryand
givemewhatt heywer egi vingt heir
mar it
alkidsbuty ouknowi tcannev er
bet hesamewhenanot herchi l
di s
seenonceamont h,i
tbecomeshar d
toseet hatchi l
d'sdailystruggl esand
eveni ftheyhav eproblemsl ike
l
ear ningdisabili
ti
esy oudon' tgetto
seet hatandi gnorantlylabel itas
beingdumborsomet hingl i
ket hat.
..
Me:(noddedtry
ingnott
othi
nkabout
i
tbutIcouldrel
ate)Sowher
eisyour
gr
andmot her
?
Lore:
Shedied,
itwasadi
ff
icul
tti
me
butifi
nal
l
ygotoveri
t.
Me: Howisyourr
elat
ionshipwi
th
yoursibl
i
ngsandyourmot herl
eher
husband.
Lore: Honestly,mymot herisokaybut
partofheri sdisappointedthati
didn'tgot oofarwi t
hschool .Mystep
fatherisokay ,wenev erreal
lygotto
knoweachot heruntil
Kenwentt o
school i
nGabor oneandheneeded
helpatt hefarm. .Iam notgiftedwit
h
booksandst uffbutIam ahar d
wor ker,ienj
oymanual laboursowe
gotof fonagoodst ar
tandgotcl ose.
Hei sact ual
lynotabadguy ...My
rel
ati
onshi pwi t
hKeni sper f
ect
becausehei sast r
aightf
or wardguy ,
i
fhedoesn' tl
ikesomet hi
nghet el
ls
youbef orehedoessomet hi
ngcr azy
soasl ongasy oudon'tpi
sshi m off
heisagood.Ot l
heisperfect,iguess
thewhol efami l
yisokaybutt hegap
ofyearsIspentwi t
hmygr andmot her
wil
lalway skindofmakemef eell
eft
outbecausei mett hem r
ecent l
y.
Me:
Ihadasi
mil
arsi
tuat
ion
Lor
e:Real
l
y?
Me:
Yeah,mymot herlef
tmebehind
t
oobutthedi
ffer
enceisunl
ikeyour
mot
herandstepfathert
heydidn'
t
helpmeandt hei rfi
rstbor nhat edme.
Shel ookeddownonmeandmade
mef eel wort
hless.I twasl ikeiwas
abandoned, mygr andmot herr aised
mewi t
hpensi onandl uckyenoughi
wentt oterti
ary.Ididn' tevengot omy
graduationbecausemygr andmot her
wasbei ngabusedbyr elati
v essoi
decidedt ocomebackbecausei was
donewi t
hschool any way s.Iappl i
ed
forjobsandupt onowi hav enev er
beent oaj obinterview, notone.My
grandmot herdiedanat ural death
whilei wasatt hehospi tal,bytheway
ifel
l pr
egnantandmi scarriedat4
mont hs,wheni gotr eleasedIf ound
herdead..
.(tearf
ull
y)Shedidn'tmove,
hereyeswer ejustopenandi hadto
dressherbecausei didn'
twant
peopletodisrespecther.
Lor
e:I
'
m sor
ry
Me: (smil
edt earfull
y)AnywayI
thoughtthatwast heworstt hi
ngt hat
canhappent omeunt i
lmyown
mot herarguedwi t
hfamilymember s
becauseshewant edtogett hehome
ibeenl i
vi
ngi nsinceIwasababy ,the
onlyplacei call
edhomeshewant ed
i
ti nhernames, rumorshasi tthey
wantt osellitandpayof floans.
(rubbedmyt ears)Kenismykni ght
andshi ni
ngar mour ,hesavedme
f
rom al
lthatandnowI
'
m her
e..
..
Lore:Lookatme..
.(i
lookedathi
m)
You'r
egoingtori
seandbemor ethan
whatpeoplethi
nkofyou.
Me:Gooddoesn'tpay,iwant
ever
yonewhomademyl i
fe
miser
abletopay
, onceigetst
art
ed
onthathi
tli
stal
lhelli
sgonnabreak
l
oose
Lor
e:I
sitwor
thi
t?
Me:
Yes

Hegrabbedtheservi
ett
eandgent l
y
wipedthesoupbelowmyl i
pthenhe
handedmeagl assofmilkandstood
up.
..

Lore:(
stari
ngatme)I t'
snotwor t
hit
becauseitwon'tfi
llthatholeiny our
heart
..
.Trustme...(ilookedathi m)
youcan'tchangethepast ,y oucan
onlychangeyourf utureandt hathit
l
istwon'thealyou.Itcanonl ymake
youwicked.…(smiledsof t
ly)fi
nish
yourmilkandcomet akeabat h.
..
Me:
Thanks.
..
.

Iheav
edasi
ghthi
nkingaboutwhat
hesai
dasidr
unkthemilk.
..
.
AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..

Latert
hatmorningLoloparkedt
he
carandjoi
nedhermot herand
Gobonaunderthetree.
..

Mother
:Giv
eyoursi
sterachai
rthe
Gobonaao.
..
Gobona:Uhi Lolocan'
tmakeme
standwhenI '
m oldert
hanhers,
why
shouldigiveherachairwhenshei
s
youngerthanme?

Lol
o'
smot
hergav
eherachai
rand
satonthegr
oundbutLol
osatont
he
bri
ck.
..

Lolo:I
t'
sokaymamay oucansi t
..
.I
j
ustwant edt
otel
lyouthatI
'm going
todomyweddi ngatagardennoti n
theyard.
Mot
her
:What
?
Gobona:(
laughed)Sheisashamedof
whereshecomesf rom
Lolo:GobonaIdon' thavet
imet o
arguewithyouf oraslongasy ouare
cryi
ngforZer ohel awaZero,ifI'
d
knownt hatZer ooncewant edy oui
wouldhav erejectedhim butstupidl
y
carr
iedthatgrudgeforyearswhil
ei
knewnot hi
ng.Iam notwithZeronow
soidon'tknowwhati sstoppi
ngy ou
becausennakeMmaAat il
e.
Gobona:Idon'
twantZero,r
rragwe
Di
boy'sissavi
ngforourweddingso
whyshouldicareaboutZer
o.Stop
dr
eami ng
Mother
:Whatar
eyout
wot
alki
ng
about
?
Lol
o:Not
hingt
owor
ryy
ou.
..
Mot her:Iwanttostartpai
ntingt
he
housesandmaket hi
sy ar
dlook
brandnew. .
.I'
mr eall
yhurtthaty
our
weddi ngwon'tbeher e
Lol
o:Ipref
eragar
den.
..(
stood)I
hav
et ogo
Mot
her
:Sof
ast
?Youj
ustgother
e
Lol
o:Ishoul
dbeatwor
kbuti
snuck
out
Mot
her
:okay

Shegoti
nt hecaranddr
oveof
f
di
ali
ngZero..
.

Zer
o:Hel
l
o?
Lolo:Thecaseisnextweekbutyou
knowi t
snotmont hendyet
,wil
lyou
tel
ltheMagistr
atethatwewil
lsett
le
outofcour
ttheni
payaf
ter
?
Zer
o:Whyshoul
di t
rusty
ou?Bor
row
money,
you'
l
lpaythem mont
hend
Lolo:Zerowherewil
liget6Knewena?
Ifi
tsacashl oanI
'l
lbepayingwit
h
i
nterest,whycan'
tyouunderst
andmy
sit
uation?
Zero: Ti
sazakapel eorel sewe
shouldst optalki
ngandhearf rom t
he
j
udgebecauseI '
m goingtot el
l
her/himt hatihavewor kedonmy sel
f
andI '
mr eadyt oreki
ndlemy
rel
ationshipwithmydaught er.The
courtisgoi ngtogivemet hatfai
r
chanceofhol i
dayv i
sit
s.
Shehungupanddi
aledAat
il
e..
..

Aat
il
e:Babe?
Lol
o: (t
earf
ull
y)Zer owantsmoney
beforethecasest art
sorelseheis
getti
ngher..
.Ithoughtiwasstrong
butican't
..
.Ireall
ycan't
..
.
Aatil
e:Gi
vemehisnumber,I
'
llt
alkt
o
him mantoman.Don'
tstr
ess,j
ust
focusontheweddi
ngprepar
ati
ons
Lol
o:Thanks,
I'
ll
sendi
t.
..
.
Aat
il
e:Il
ovey
ou
Lol
o:Il
ovey
out
oo.
..
Shehungupandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
..

AtKen'
shouse.
..
..

Lateroni oil
edmyblocksanddi dlast
touchesonmyf acetheni
wal kedout
i
nmymi ni
skir
tandstri
ngtop,Lore
wassi t
tingonthecouchwi t
hhisfoot
ont hetablewrappi
nghisfootwitha
bandage. .
.

Me:I
'
m goingtothedri
vi
ngschool
t
henI'
m goingt
owor k
Lore:Gi
vemeami
nut
e,I
'
lldr
ivey
ou
there
Me:OhnoI '
mf i
ne,i
don'
twantt
o
t
roubl
ey ou.You'
ret
ir
edandst
il
l
r
ecover
ing..
.
Lore:
I'm nott
aki
ngnoforananswer
,
mybr ot
heraskedmetotakecareof
you.
Me:
Fine.
..

Isatonthecouchandwai
tedashe
fi
xedhisbandage.
..

Me:
Soi
fyounev
erwentt
oschool
howcomeyoudot
hebusi
ness'
s
fi
nance?
Lore:
I'
m sur pri
singl
ygoodwi th
number sbesidesit'
snott hat
complicated,youdon'tneedtrai
ning
toknowt hatifyouboughtacar25K
andsellitfor35Ky ourprofi
tis10K
minusexpenses.
Me:(
laughed)Tr
ue,
excusemy
i
gnor
ance
Lore:
(lookedatmeandsmi l
ed)It
's
okay.
..Il
ikesomeonewhoasks
questi
onsbecausetheydon'
tdepend
onassumpt i
ons.
Me:
True.
..
sowher
eisy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Lor e:
(laughed)I t
'shardtohav ea
stablerelationshipwithourlineof
wor kbecausey ou'real
way sont he
road,iact uall
ytravelmoret hanKen
becausei deliv
erandhedi st r
ibut
es;
hei sgoodatmaki ngdealsand
negot i
atingwi ththesestubbor nwhi
te
folks.
Me:
Isee
Lore:(
laughed)Notthati
don'
t
occasi
onallyhavesex
Me:
(laughed)Iunder
stand
Lor
e:Let
'
sgo.
..
.

Wegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
.
Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
..

Lat
erthataf
ternoonKenwal
ked
downthestai
rstaki
ngouthi
scar
keysashisphonerang.
..
.

Ken: Yeah. .
..Yes,delivered.
..*
*….We
reall
yneedanewwayofget ti
ngy our
thi
ngst othedel tabecausesomeof
thepr iv
ateai rcr
aftsgetcheckedand
i
ft hepi l
otswhoknowaboutt his
aren'ttherewemi ghthav eapr obl
em.
Idon'twantt ofindmy sel fi
nbad
position..
..**….alr
ight,lookintoit.
Thanks.
..

Hehungupandjumpedint
hecar
dr
ivi
ngoutt
henhedial
edDi
di.
..

Di
di:
Hey
?
Ken:Hey.
..I
'
m checki
ngin.
..Just
l
andedattheair
portandI'
m headi
ng
tothebank.
Didi
:I'
m att
hedri
vi
ngschool
and
thenI'
m goi
ngtowork.
..
Ken:
IsLor
ehome?
Di
di:
Ithinkhewentt
owork,
hesai
d
hewantedtohaveal
ookatthe
damagedcarsandseehowmuch
fi
xi
ngtheyneed.
Ken:
Good,
I'
ll
seey
ouatwor
k
Di
di:
Ilov
eyou
Ken:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Hehungupandsighedtur
ningupt
he
musicashedrov
ebehindalong
queueoft
raf
fi
c.

Al adywavedstoppinghim andhe
l
ookedathi smirrortryi
ngto
recogniseherbuthecoul dn'
t,
he
pulledoverandreversedassheran
overhol
dingherhandbagand
umbrell
a..
..

Heshovedhi
sbagundertheseatand
r
oll
eddownthewindow.
..

Let
ty:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..Let
tyr
ight
?
Let
ty:
Yes.
.
Ken:(
mov edthecarpamphl
etsf
rom
thef
rontseat
)Getin..

Shegoti
nandpull
edtheseatbel
t
thenhej
oinedt
heroad.
.
Ken:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Let
ty:
Oldmal
l
Ken:I'
m get
ti
nginthebank,iguess
I
'l
ldropyouoverther
esoy oucanget
ataxi
Lett
y:(l
aughed)ThereasonI'
m
walki
ngisbecauseIdon'thave
moneyf orataxi
,can'
tyoudropme
offatOldmall?
Ken: Ihavetomakeadeposit
,ican'
t
driv
ear ound.I
'
llgi
vey
oucoinsforthe
taxi
Let
ty:
Thanks.
..
Shetri
edhar dnott onoti
cehi sarm
ashehel dthest eer
ingwheel driv
ing
butshewascur iousandshet urned
hereyes,hi
sv einsspokenot hingbut
str
engthandt hewat chwasacher ry
ontop,hehadf i
nesexysof thairs
andthezipperar eawassl i
ghtly
rai
sed,yeah..
..Exactlywhatshesaw
onthatpictur
e, gett
ingri
ppedapar t
byamanl i
kehi m mustbeheav en..
.

Minutesl
aterhestoppedandpul
l
ed
t
het r
ayslooki
ngforcoins.
..
Ken:Shi
t..
.Myli
tt
lesist
ercl
ear
edmy
coi
ns,iborr
owedthem mycarsdays
ago.Otlhekel
egotswanathebanna.
..

Her eachedf orhisbackpackunder

theseatandsl idhishandinsidethen
hepul l
edoutabundl eofUSdol l
ars,
Letty'
sey eswi denedasKenputi t
backandr eachedf oranotherrol
l,
thi
st i
mehecameoutwi t
ht he
pounds.Kenl ookedatherandshe
quicklylookedout sidepretendi
ng
shedi dn'tseeany t
hing..
.

Ken:
Justsol
dacar
..
.(
smi
l
ed)Cl
ose
y
ourey
es,
otogaomponel
a..

Shegiggl
edandcoveredhereyes
thenhepull
edoutabundleofPulas,
hecounteditl
ooki
ngfora20buti t
wasar ol
lof100'
sand200'sthenhe
pull
edherhandoutofherfaceand
gaveherP100.

Ken:It
'sy
ourl
uckyday
,idon'
thav
e
change
Let
ty:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
..
Ken:
Sur
e..
.
Shekissedhi
m asherel
uctantl
y
movedbackthenshegentl
yr ubbed
hi
sdickandhequickl
ygrabbedher
wri
st.
..

Ken:
(looki
ngi
nhereyes)St
op.
..
.
Whatareyoudoi
ng?
Letty
: (
sher ubbedof fherli
pstick
fr
om hi slips)I
'
m sor ry
...I
..
.Iguessi
didn'
tknowhowt othanky ou,I'
m
sorry.Pleasedon'ttellheraboutthi
s,
I'
m sorry.Itwon'thappenagai n..

Shest
eppedoutofthecarand
cl
osedthedoorasKenlookedather
sur
pri
sed.
..
..

Lett
y:I
'm sor
ry,
pleasedon'
ttel
lher
aboutthi
s.Ketaikgal
emela,
I'm
sorr
y..
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandwal
ked
away
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
36PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 29

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatafternoonKenwal kedin
thehousewithabagandshov editi
n
thewardrobethenhechangedhi s
clot
hesandwentt otheki
tchen
wherehepour edwi nei
nthegl ass
andsipped..
.
Abot tl
eofCi r
occaughthisattent
ion
ont hecounterthenhepull
edoutt he
fl
oweri nspecti
ngit
, i
twasindeeda
freshfl
ower .Hethrewthebottl
eitin
thebinandst eppedback.

Heslowl yinspect
edthekit
chenand
not
icedat rayhangingbehi
ndthe
si
nkt aps,heopenedt hef
ri
dgeand
l
ookedatt her emaini
ngveggi
esthen
heclosedt hefri
dgeandwalkedout.
..

Hewalkedinhisbrother'
sroom and
stoodatthedoorsuspici
ouslyst
ari
ng
atthebed,heli
ft
edthepill
owsand
themat t
ressthenheopenedthe
wardrobeandi nspect
edany
thingout
oftheordinar
y.

Hewentt ohisbedroom and

i
nspectedit
,heleftnopil
low
unt
urnedthenhewentt ot heki
tchen
andgrabbedtheblackplasti
cbag
walki
ngoutofthey ard.

Hescat teredthecontent
sont he
groundandki ckedeachandev ery
trashuntilhecouldn'
tfi
ndwhathe
wasl ookingforthenhesighedand
rubbedhi snosethoughtful
l
y.
Twoboy spassedbyandhecal
l
ed
them ov
er.
..

Ken:(
handedthem P10)Sel
ang
malel
eleaol
et i
kel
emobi ni
ng
Boy
s:(
exci
tedl
y)Thanky
ou.
..

Theybentoverpicki
ngitupashe
walkedbackintheyardhol
dinga
gl
assofbeer..
..

Atabar
..
..
.
Aatil
eparkedthecarandpagedZer o
thenhesteppedouthol di
ngat -
bone,
hesteppedoutandt ookoffhiscoat
asZer oappr
oachedt henhethrewit
i
nt hebackandshookhandswi th
him..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o
Zer
o:Hel
l
o
Aat
il
e:Ee.
..Ket
il
e..
.Let
'st
alk
numbersmantoman
Zer
o:It
houghty
ou'
l
lgi
vemeanof
fer
Aat
il
e:Iwantyoutotel
lmewhaty ou
wantt
henI'
llgi
vey ouadeposi
tand
gi
veyouthebalanceoncethe
adopt
ionhasbeenl
egal
i
sed.

Hegav
ehi
mthepaper
s..
.

Aatil
e:Thisisthepaperwork,i
t
doesn'thappenov erni
ghtandwe
havetof ol
lowallthenecessar
ysteps
forMay atobemydaught erl
egal
l
y .
Allyouhavet odoi stosi
gnoveryour
ri
ghtstomet henkeneelacuthel
ae
dulengdiata.
..
Zer
o:(
lookedathi
swhi
tecoat
)ODr
?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m notadoctor
,don'tchar
ge
meekareket
autona,I
'
mj ustanurse
Zer
o:Mpha15K
Aat
il
e:Deal,
I'
ll
transf
er7Kf
ir
stthi
ng
i
nthemor ni
ngwhenwemeett he
l
awyer,
isthatokay?
Zero:Nopr obl
em,can'
tthecourt
processthradopti
onfastersoican
getthemoneyal lt
ogether?Amosola
al
emant sinyanasothaticanfi
xmy
carandhouse.
Aati
l
e:Wewi
l
lhearf
rom t
hel
awy
er
tomorr
ow
Zer
o:Thanks
Aati
le:Sur
eandpleasedon'
ttal
kto
Lol
o, f
rom nowonI'
llbedoi
ngthe
tal
ki
ng
Zer
o:Thanks

Theyshookhandsandhedr
oveof
f.
..

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
.

Lateronj
ustbef oreknockoffIt
ook
outmypictur
ef rom theprint
erand
satonthechairframingittheni
gentl
yhungitont hewal l
andmov ed
backadmiri
ngt hewhol eoffi
ce.
..

Idi
dn'
thaveacomputery
etbuti
t
l
ookedbeaut
if
ul.
Lor
eknockedand
wal
kedi
n..
.

Lore:(t
hrewf i
lesonthedesk)
Arrangethose, i
t'
sthecar
document s.
..
iguessy ou'
l
lhav
eto
createfi
lesforthem
Me:
Thanks,
I'
ll
beoni
t
Lor
e:(
lookedatmypi
ctur
e)Ni
ce.
..

Kenwalkedinhol
dingthef
lower
fr
om t
heCi r
ocbott
le.
..

Ken:
(tohi
sbr
other
)Canwet
alk?
Lor
e:Sur
e
HewalkedoutthenKenclosedt
he
doorandwalkedaway.
..

I
nLor
e'sOf
fi
ce.
..
.

Loresatonhischai
r,Kenclosedthe
doorandslowlywalkedov
erwi t
ht he
fl
owerwhichhethrewont hedesk...

Ken:
What
'
sthi
s?
Lor
e:(
lookedati
t)I
t'
saf
lower
Ken:
Didy
oubuyt
hisf
orher
?
Lor
e:Ar
eyoucompl
aini
ngabouta
f
lower
?
Ken:
Howdi
dthatf
lowercomeabout
?
Lore:Imadeherbreakf
astand
thoughti
tmightbeokaytoputi
tin
there.
Ken:
Doy
ouwantDi
di?
Lor
e:(laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Ar
eyou
ser
ious?
Ken:(annoy
ed)I'
dpreferifyoudidn'
t
l
aughbecauseIdon'tfindanyof
theseamusing,
areyout r
y i
ngto
warmy ourwaybetweenherl egs?
Lore:I
'
m offendedthatyou'
dthink
l
ikethataboutme,may benexttime
youshouldbeal i
tt
lemor especif
ic
than"takecareofher "Ididwhaty ou
tol
dmet odo. .
.iknowy oudon'ttr
ust
womenbutmay beyoushoul dt r
ust
me.Yousoundcr azyf orthi
nkingthat
I'
dwanty ourgirl
fr
iend, you'
remyl i
tt
le
brother.
..Whywoul di wanttohurt
you?Your eal
lyneedt ogetov erthe
pastandl earnt otr
ustagai nifyou
wantDi ditostickaroundorel sethe
cir
clewi l
lcontinue..
.Didy ouseeher
facewheny oucal l
edmeout ?

Kensighedandsatonthechai
r
rubbi
nghisheadthought
ful
l
y..
.
Ken:
I'
m sor
ry,
idon'
tknowwhati
wasthi
nki
ng.
Lore:I
t'
sokay ,
iunder standwhere
youarecomi ngfrom buty oucanat
l
easttrustmeI '
my ourblood.Bl
ood
i
sthickerthanwat er
Ken:
You'
rer
ight
,nev
ermi
nd
Lor
e:May
beishoul
dmoveoutt
o
gi
veyout
wosomespace-
Ken:No, i
t'
stooear
lyfory
out
omov
e
out.
..You'
resti
ll
inj
ured
Lor
e:Ar
eyousur
e?
Ken:
Yeahf
orgetwhati
sai
d..
.
Lor
e:I
t'
sokay
Kenst
oodupandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Ken:Thanksfort
aki
ngcareofher
..
..
(st
ari
ngathim)Justdon'
tover
doit
..
.
Somet hi
ngscan'
tbeshared
Lor
e:(
smi
l
ed)
Not
ed
Ken:
Shap
Lor
e:Sur
e

Hewal
kedout
..
..
.

I
nmyof
fi
ce.
..
.
Meanwhi l
eiwipedmydeskt henKen
walkedupbehindmeandgr abbed
mywai stsl
owlypul
l
ingmecl oser
,he
ki
ssedmyneckandi t
urnedaround
ki
ssinghim..
..

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Imi
ssedy
ou
Me:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..

Helookedar
oundtheof
fi
ceand
ki
ssedmeagain.
..

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
..I
'
m
i
mpr
essed
Me:
Thanks.
..
Ken:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Canwet
alk?
Me:
Yeah

Hesatont hedeskandpul ledme

closerasIstoodbetweenhi slegs
facinghi
mt henhet ouchedbot hof
myhandsandki ssedmeagai n..

Ken:Imetyourfr
iendthismor ni
ngon
mywayf rom t
heairportandshe
askedforari
debuti couldn'
t
becauseihadcashwi t
hmet hatihad
todeposit
.Whenidr
oppedherof
f
shekissedmeandtouchedmydi
ck
Me:
Thenwhathappened?
Ken:Iaskedherwhatshewasdoi
ng
andshesaidshewassor r
y
Me:
Then?
Ken:That
'sit
,ij
ustdon'
twanty
ou
hangi
ngwi t
hheranymore-
Me:Howcomei feel
li
ket
hereis
moretothest
ory
?Didyouhavesex
wi
thher?
Ken:
Idi
dn'
thav
esexwi t
hher,
why
woul
dIt
ell
youthi
sifIdi
dthat
?
Me:
Ijustdon'
tthi
nkLet
tycandot
hat
i
don'
tbel
i
evey
ou
Ken:
Youdon'
tbel
i
eveme?
Me:YesKenIdon'
tbel
i
evey
ou,
Let
ty
canneverdot
hat

Idi
aledLet
tyandputheron
l
oudspeaker
..
.

Let
ty:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Kent
oldmey
ouki
ssedhi
m
Lett
y:Didi
youknowI
'
dnev
erhur
tyou
i
ntenti
onall
y-
Me:
Whathappened?
Let
ty:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)Heki
ssedme
andgav
ememoney
,iwasgoi
ngt
o-

Kengrabbedt
hephonefr
om my
handandhungupthenheputi
ton
thet
able.
..

Ken:Yourf
ri
endshi
pwi
thherends
today
-
Me:Saysaguywhogavemyfr
iend
money.
..(
angri
l
y)howmuchdi
dy ou
gi
veheranyway?
Ken:(
stoodup)I
twasP100andi
ts
beca-
Me:
Youmustt
hinkI
'
m st
upi
d..
.
Lor
eknockedandst
uckhi
sheadi
n..
.

Lore:
Guyswhat'
sgoingon?Ican
hearyouar
gui
ngfrom myoffi
ce

Igrabbedmybagandwal kedoutas
Kenquietl
ystaredatmesit
ti
ngon
thedesk..
..
..
..
..

Hal
fofbreadi
sbet
tert
hannot
hing.
Goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
37PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 30&31

AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..

Iwalkedinasshestoodont
he
middleofthehousewit
hbot
hhands
onherchinli
keshewaspray
ing.
..

Let
ty:
(shaki
ng)I
'
mreal
l
ysor
ry.
..I
wastooscaredtotel
lyouwhat
happenedandididn'
twantt
ospoi
l
thi
ngsforyou.
Me:Whathappened?Iwantt
he
t
rut
h..
.
Letty:Hegavemear i
deandt henhe
touchedmyt hi
gh, i
mov edhi shand
awayandhest artedof f
er i
ngme
money ..
.Hehaddol l
arsandi t
hink
Poundsmay be,heof fer
edmeal oad
ofcasht ohav esexwi thhim buti st
il
l
refusedthat'
swhenheki ssedme
andi gotoutofthecart henhet hrew
aP100ov ersayi
ngi tsfort hetaxi
.I'
m
reall
ysorry,idi
dn'twantt ospoi l
thi
ngsf oryou
Me:No,
it'
sokay
..
.Butyoushoul
d
hav
etol
dmei mmediat
ely
Lett
y:Idi
dn'
twanttospoi
lthi
ngsf or
youandididn'
twantt
ogetblamed, I
knowwomenal waysgetbl
amed
whenitcomestomen'smistakes.He
j
ustcameont omestrongandi
pani
cked
Me:
It'
sokay
,ihav
etogo
Let
ty:
Whatdi
dhesay
?
Me:
Uhnev
ermi
nd.
..Shap

Iwal
kedout
..
..
AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..

BayangandAonehuggedasshe
wipedhert
earsandfakedasmile,
he
wipedhert
earsandkissedhert
hen
hehuggedheragai
n..
.

Bay
ang:
Ilov
eyou.
.
Aone:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Bay
ang:
Pleaset
akecar
eofourson.
..

Hegothi
sboyandkissedhi
mthen
hebumpedshoul
der
swi t
hAati
l
e..
.
Aat
il
e:Hav
easafefli
ghtmonna,
cal
l
mewhenyougetther
e.
Bay
ang:
Sur
e..
.

HegaveAonethebabyandchecked
i
nastheywalkedout
..
..

AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..

Let
tysatont
hebedandcopi edKen'
s
numberfr
om thecarpamphl
etthen
shedi
aledhi
m withapri
vat
e
number.
..
.
Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Letty:Hi,itsLettypleasef orgiveme
forlying,I'
m sor r
y.Ididn'tknowhow
torespondt oher .Idon'twantt olose
myf riend, pl
easej ustapologiseand
endi tall,
lennakei kgalemet sei
won'tbet ouchingy ouinappr opri
atel
y
becausekebony egor egaobat e,
pleasej ustadmi titandapol ogise.
Shewon' tleavey ouorany thing.I
can'tloseher ,shei smyonl yf ri
end
Ken:
Soyout
urnedt
hingsar
oundand
mademeali
ar?
Let
ty:
I'
m sor
ry
Ken:
(hepr
essedt
her
ecor
dcal
l
butt
on)Sowhenareyougoi
ngt
otel
l
heryoul
iedaboutme

Shehungupt
henhesi
ghed.
..

AtKen'
shouse.
..
..

Hour
slat
eriwalkedinthehouseand
bumpedonLorewalkingoutwit
ha
bagonhi
sshoulder.
.

Me:
Hi.
..Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Lor
e:Hey.
..I
'
mj ustgi
vi
ngyouguys
somespaceforafewdays.I
'
llbe
backnextweek.I
t'
sdiff
icul
ttobe
withpeoplewhoaref
ighti
ng
constant
ly,i
don'
twanttoendup
taki
ngsides.
Me:
Bye.
..

Heclosedthedoortheniwalkedto
thebedroom t
akingoffmynecklace
andpausedatthedoorlooki
ngat
Kenpackinghisclot
hesinabag...

Me:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Ken:Sonowy ouwantt
otal
k?Aft
er
walki
ngawayf r
om mewhil
eiwas
st
il
l t
alki
ngt
oy ou?
Me:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Hezippedhi sbagandcheckedhis
passportthenheputthebagstrapon
hisshoulderandwalkedoutwhil
ei
fol
lowedhi mtothecarwherehe
threwiti
nt hebootandcl
osed..
.

Me:Passpor
t?Okay
..
.Sowher
ear
e
yougoi
ng?
Ken:Di
dy outal
ktot
hef
ri
endi
tol
d
younottotal
kto?
Me: Yes,t
hefr
iendyouhatebecause
sher ej
ect
edyou,nowthatyouare
ashamedy ouwanttochoosemy
fr
iends?Youdidn'tthi
nkshe'dr
eject
youisn'
tit
?Wel l
..
..Youforgott
o
mentionthatyoushowedherdol l
ars
andpoundsf r
om y ourdr
ugmoney
Ken:
Didi
mal
aot
ogaont
ena
Me:
Whatel
sear
eyouhi
dingf
rom
me?
Ken: (
pausedandl ookedatme)I
don'tknowwhaty ouwantf r
om me
butifyoukeepy appingonmyearl ike
thatyou'
llr
egretit
,you'r
enotachild.I
shouldn'
ttel
lyout oshutuptwice
withoutyougetti
ngwhatI '
m sayi
ng. .
.
Don'ttemptme.
Me:
Ify
oubeatmeI
'
llr
epor
tyouf
or
beat
ingmeandf
ort
hedr
ugs.
..

Hepausedl ooki
ngatmef oraminut
e
andt hentur
nedaroundwalki
ngto
thekitchenwher
ehegr abbeda
frozenbottl
eofwater.
..

Me:Whatr
eal
l
yhappenedbet
ween
yout
wo?
Ken:I'
m doneexplai
ningmysel
fto
you.Youalreadyknowwhat
happenedsowhatar eyouaski
ngme
for
?Yourf r
iendalr
eadytol
dyouwhat
happenedandi tol
dyouwhat
happened,youchosewhot obel
iev
e,
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
Me:Soyouwantmetobel
i
ev eshe
ki
ssedy
ouandy oudi
dnot
hing?
Ken:(l
ookingatme)Atthi
spointi
real
lydon'tcar
ewhatyoubel
i
ev e,
stoptal
kingtome
Me: You'
rel
iarandtheonlyreason
youtoldmei sbecauseyouwer e
afr
aidshewasgoi ngtotel
lmef ir
st
andi woul
dn'tbel
ieveyou.
Ken:(
tur
nedar
oundandl
ookedat
me)Isai
dst
optal
ki
ngtome
Me:
You'
reunbel
i
evabl
e
Ken:
Kar
edi
dimal
a
Me:
Orwhat
?

Hecl enchedhi sj
awsst ar
ingatme
asi shrunkmyey esdari
nghi mtodo
i
tthenhegr abbedmebyt hebackof
myneckanddr aggedmeout ,
ihel
d
ont hekitchendoorf r
amet henhe
turnedandl if
tedmeupasi ki
cked
try
ingt opullaway .
..
.

Heopenedt hewallwardrobedoor s
andpushedmei nsi
det henhel ocked
bothdoorsasifear
full
ybangedon
thedoorstandi
nginthedar k.
..
.
Me:(screaming)KenI'm
cl
austrophobic.
..Youcan'
tl
ockmei
n
her
e..
..
Ken:I
'm goingtoNami bia,
I'
llbeback
i
n2day s.Ihopethat'senoughf or
youtothinkaboutthewayy oujust
tal
kedtome.I '
mt r
yingmybestnot
tohurtyoubutmypat ienceis
weari
ngt hi
n..
.
Me: I
'
m sorr
y..
.Pl
easef or
giveme,
I
'm cl
austr
ophobi
cpleaseletmeout.
..

I
twasasmal l
closetwit
hout
wi
ndowsoranyv enti
l
ati
onanditwas
f
ull
ofcl
othes,il
ostmybr eat
h
bangi
ngont
hedoor
s..
.

Me:Pl
easel
etmeout
..
.Youcan'
t
l
ockmeinhere
Ken:Idon'thavetobeaty
out o
puni
shy ou,don'tpl
aymeliket
hat
.
Seeyoui n2day s.
..
Me:
Keni
hav
en'
teat
enany
thi
ng.
..
.

Iheardhisfoot
stepswal ki
ngoutand
thebedroom doorcl osi
ngandfinal
ly
thecardri
vingoff,
i tookdownthe
clot
hestryi
ngtomakeupsome
spacesoi coul
dbr eathbutitmade
nodiff
erence,ist
il
l coul
dn'
tbreath
pr
oper
lyandi
wassweat
ing.
..
.

Me:
(scr
eami
ng)KEN!
!KEN!
!?

Itr
iedpushi
ngandkicki
ngt
hedoor
s
butitonl
ymademeweakertheni
sl
iddowncrying.
..
..

2DAYSLATER.
..

Wi
ckedMe
*
31
AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Beingt r
appedi nadar ksmal lspace
hungryandt hir
stwor emeout ,i
suffer
edpani cat t
acksunt i
licouldn't
anymor eandt hepeeonmyf eet
smel l
edv er
ybadwheni twashotand
thatwast heonl ywayi couldtellit
wasdaybecauseni ghtswereabi t
cool..
.Iwassur e2ni ght
shadel apsed
adi wasn'tsurewhenhewoul dbe
back..
.

Ever
yti
mei t
ookabreat
hitfel
tli
keit
wasmylastbreat
handicoul
dtelli
wasdehy dratedbecausemyey eli
ds
gotheaviereachtimeIblinked,just
turni
ngaroundt olayonadi ff
erent
sidetookallmyener gyandi couldn'
t
turnanymor e.
.

Ibegunexperi
enci
ngblackout
fl
asheswheneveribli
nkedandeach
ti
mei openedmyey esiwouldn'
tbe
surei
fIwasblinki
ng,sl
eepingori
hadpassedoutorforhowl ongiwas
out.
..
.

Slowl
ybutsurel
yil
ost
consci
ousnessasmyhear
ing
di
mi ni
shedtheni
closedmyey
es
peaceful
ly
..
.

Thenextt hingabr ightli

ghtbounced
onmyf aceandi tr
iedtoopenmy
eyes,thebr i
ghtsunbl indedmeandi
closedmyey estur ni
ngmyhead
that'
swheni recognisedKen'sshoes
ashewal kedont hepav ement
carryi
ngmebutt heni passedout
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lol
ospreadatowelont
hefloorand
l
aiddownasthegir
lspl
ayedinfr
ont
oft
heTVwat
chi
ngcar
toons.
..

Sheturnedonherbacktouchi
ngher
bel
lyanddialedanumbershehad
savedfrom abusi
nesspage..
..

Voi
ce:
hel
l
o?
Lol
o:HiI
'm call
i
ngaboutt
heevent
gar
den.You'r
etalki
ngt
oLone
Voi
ce:HeyLone,yousoundli
kea
gor
geousbri
de..
.You'
retal
ki
ngto
Marshal
l
Lol
o:(l
aughed)I
ya.
..Howmuchi
sit
perday?
Mar
shal
l
:Si
xthousandny
anahel
a
Lol
o:Excuseme?Shehheel
ather
ra
Mar shall:Lonz aweewi ththisgar den
youdon' tneedanyoft hosef unny
l
ooki ngt entsokay ?Youj ustt ellyour
decol adyt odot het ablesunder
theset hickshadows. .
.i
nf actnt sha
deposi tsot hati cantalktoaf ewof
ourpar tnersher e.Wehav ereliable
servicepr oviderswet rust..
.Ihav ea
cateringcompanybyanexcel lent
chefbynameofKi mberlyandwe
haveadecocompanyt oobya
rel
iablecompany ,ther
eDai syf or
weddi ngcakesandphot ography ,
ntshapammagwewenaI '
mt heway
t
het
rut
handt
hel
i
ght
..
.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Thewayyou'
re
smoot
hokat swaolemaakagore
monnakewena?
Marshall
:Nna?Notme. .
.(t
heybot h
l
aughed)So...
.l
et'
stal
kbusiness.
..I
ts
abeauti
fulpl
acekana,shouldIsend
t
hepictures?
Lolo:Noihaveseenit,
i wasjust
beingsti
ngy.I
'
llcomebyl at
erto
maket hemoneyt r
ansferandgetthe
recei
pt.
Mar
shal
l
:I'
l
lbewai
ti
ng.
Lol
o:Shap
Mar
shal
l
:sur
e..
Shehungupanddial
edanot
her
numberast
hegir
lschat
tedwat
chi
ng
TV.
..

May
a:Mh.
..Shesay
sit
srape
Baby
:Whati
srape?

Lol
ohungupandt ur
nedherhead
l
ist
eni
ngtot
heirconver
sat
ion.
..

Maya:Rapeiswhenamanputhi s
peni
sinyourpr
ivat
es,t
heteacher
sayswehavetotel
lourpar
entsif
anyonedoesthat
..
.Evenift
heyt
ouch
yourbut
toryourchest.
Baby:Whydot
heyputapeni
siny
our
pri
vat
es?
May a:Idon'
tknowbutithi
nkit
'st
o
makebabi es,doyouseehowpeople
kissonTV?i thi
nktheyendupdoi
ng
thatbecauseinthatmovi
eawoman
hadababyi nherstomach.
Baby
:Isawawomanpoopi
ngababy
i
nthemovie
Maya:Ir
ememberi
t,shewascr
ying
andther
ewasl
otsofblood.

Lol
o:Whatar
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?
Theypausedandlookedather
fear
ful
l
yreali
singshemighthav
e
heardt
hem...
.

Lol
o:comeher
e..
..Comel
aynextt
o
me..
.

Theybot
hlai
doneachofher
shoul
der
sastheyal
lfacedup.
..

Lol
o:Il
ikewhatyousai
dMay a,no
oneshouldt
ouchyourpri
vat
es..
.
That
'swhyidon'
teventouchyou
t
hereandonlyaskyoutowash
your
self
..
.Nooneshouldtouchyou
t
hereandifanyonet
ouchesy ouyou
musttel
lme
May
a:That
'swhatt
het
eachersai
d..
.
Baby:Noonewill
touchmet
her
e
becauseI
'
llt
ell
you
Lolo:
YesandIwon' tbeangr yaty ou,
wewi l
lhighf i
veandt henI '
llfinda
waytomaket hatpersonst op.Iwon't
eventel
l theper sonthatyout oldme
soeveni ftheysaydon' ttellorthat
theywil
l kil
lyoui fy
out el
ljustknow
thatI
'm goodatkeepi ngsecr ets,
I'
ll
fi
ndaclev erwayofmaki ngt hem
st
op.
May
a:Okay
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Aatil
ewal kedi nthehouseandsmi l
ed
l
ooki ngatt hegir
lslyingont hefl
oor
chattingthenheputhi sbagont he
tableandknel tont heirheads,he
startedkissingwithBabyont he
foreheadandMay athenheki ssed
Loloont hel i
ps..
.

May
a:(
laughed)Ewwww
Baby
:(l
aughedandpushedherf
ather
of
f)Ewww.
..

Aati
l
e: What
'swrongwithy
out
wo?
Getoutofheredist
urbi
ngmef
rom
ki
ssingmywi f
e..
.

Hegrabbedherarm andhel
pedher
upasshestoodthenhehuggedher
andki
ssedher.
..

Aati
l
e:Alri
ght
,toni
ghtwear
egoi
ng
outtoeatandswim..
.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Whatar
ewe
cel
ebr
ating?
Aat
il
e:I
'
llt
ell
youatt
her
est
aur
ant
..
Lol
o:It
'snotev
enev
ening,
I'
ll
bedead
bytheti
meweeatsupper
Aat
il
e:f
ine.
..
.

Hegothisbagandledhert
othe
bedroom wher
ehesatonthebed
andhandedherthesi
ghedadopt
ion
papers.
.

Aati
le:Zerosi
gnedthose.
..The
paperworkisnotcomplet
ebecauseit
goesbyt hest
agesbutthi
si sagood
star
t.Youdon'thavetoworryabout
Babygoingtostrangehomes,sheis
saf
eforgood.
..

Lol
otear
ful
l
ystaredi
nhi
sey es
l
ookeddownthenhewor
riedlypul
l
ed
herf
aceup.
..

Aati
l
e:Babe?What
'swr
ong?It
hought
you'
l
lbehappy
Lolo:(l
ookedinhisey
esanddr opped
tearsemotional
l
y)Iam happy,
i j
ust
don'tunderst
andwhyy oucar
e...
..I
mean. .
.

Shewi
pedhert
ear
str
yingt
o
understandwhyshedeser vedsucha
goodf atherforahusband,knowing
shehadt akenawaytheonet hi
nghe
wouldhav elov
edtohavewas
enought omakehercr y.Shecov er
ed
herfaceandcr i
edonhisshoulderas
hehuggedherr ubbi
ngherback...

Aat
il
e:Babepl
easet
alkt
ome,
what
's
goi
ngon?
Lol
o:Ishoul
dn'
thav
egi
venDi
dit
hose
-

Aati
leshutherwi
thakissandl
aid
heronherbackgett
ingbet
weenher
l
egsasshecr
ied.
..

Aatil
e:(unzippi
nghi spants)Idon't
wanttohearaboutDi di
, youmadea
mistake..Imadeami stake..
.Atsome
pointweal lhavetomov eon..
.Itt
ook
ti
mef ormet oforgi
vey oubutiwon't
l
ety outortureyoursel
flikethi
s..
..

Hekissedherandsli
dinsideheras
shemoanedt henhequicklycovered
hermout hwi
thhishandsot hekids
don'
thearanythi
ngthenhe
hummer edhersti
l
linhi
st i
e..
..
AtKasanePr
imar
yHospi
tal
..
..

Bayangdroveoutofthehospi
taland
stoppedforayoungnursewal
kingby
theroad.
..

Shegotinandclosedt
hedoort
hen
hejoi
nedtheroad..
.

Her
:Hi
,thanksf
ort
her
ide
Bay
ang:
Sur
e..Mynamei
sBay
ang.
Her
:Iam Kel
one
Bay
ang:
(smi
l
ed)Kel
l
yorKel
l
s?
Her
:(l
aughed)Ei
ther
Bayang:(
laughed)Kel
lyi
sperform
especi
all
ybecauseofthatl
ovely
complexi
on, y
ouknowwhatt heysay
..
.
Thedarkerthewhat?
Kell
y:(l
aughed)Bayangnnagakeit
se
rr
a,tseokedikgangtsagagoolenosi
Bayang:Noseriousl
yyoutwokindof
l
ookal i
keexceptyou'
repr
ett
ier.
..I
di
dn'tknowKasanehasbeaut i
ful
l
adiesli
kethis
Kel
ly:
Ohkanagatweyou'
ref
rom
Maun,ihav
eheardsomuchabout
MaunmenandIdon'tt
hinkI
'
dwant
todat
eamanf r
om Maun
Bay
ang:
(laughed)What
'swr
ongwi
th
us?
Kell
y:(l
aughed)Iheardsomuch
aboutguysfrom ther
eandi cansee
someoft heguysi nt
hehospital
that
wewor kwith,t
heyhav econfi
rmed
myt heor
ies.
Bayang:(
laughed)Seri
ousl
ytel
lme,
whatarepeoplesayi
ngaboutus?
Youknowpeopl ecancreat
earumor
thati
scompl et
elyf
alseandmakeit
beli
evabl
e?
Kell
y:Iheardmenfrom t
hereare
charmers,t
heyknowhowt omake
youfalli
nlovewit
hthem andthen
theyrel
easethei
rdemons.You'l
lbe
t
rappedinarel
ati
onshi
pnotsur
eif
y
ou'rehappyorsad
Bay
ang:
Howi
sthatpossi
ble?
Kell
y:Ihear
dyou'
rechar
minghear
t
breaker
s
Bayang:(
laughed)That
'snot
tr
ue..
.whoeverstar
tedt
hatrumor
needsadick
Kell
y:Andthenyouhavebigdi
cks,
apparent
lyther
eisafr
uitt
hatyou
peopledri
nkanditmakesyourdi
cks
huge
Bayang:
(laughed)Wow.
..Doy
ou
bel
i
ev et
hatthough?
Kel
l
y:That
'
swhati
hear
d
Bay ang:I'
veheardofthatfr
uitwhenI
wasgr owi ngupbutidon'tknowhow
truethatis,aboutt
hedicksizeisn'
t
thisthinggeneti
cal
,Scienceyareng?
Kell
y:(
laughed)I
'mtel
l
ingyouwhati
heard.
..Maybeit
'sy
ourtr
ibei
fyou'
re
goingtoblamegenes
Bayang: Well
ther
earet
hreetr
ibesin
Maun, Batawana,
Bayei
and
Baherero..
.Keray
aifwearegoing
deepintogenes
Kel
l
y:Wenaomokae?
Bayang:KeMoyeit
houghI'm not
fl
uent,obat
agotesterkanna?
Kel
l
y:(
laughed)Ar
en'
twej
usthav
ing
aconv
ersat
iongol
oha?
Bayang:(
laughed)Wear e..
.Don't
beli
eveanythi
ngy ouhear .Peopleare
j
ustmakingupr umour saboutusso
womencanbeaf raidofusbutwear e
sweetlovi
ngguy s..
.Youcannev ergo
wrongwithamanf rom Maunandwe
arenotwhinerstoo,wear er ai
sedin
toughenvi
ronment sbeingt aughtto
provi
deforourwomenandchi ldren.
Kel
l
y:Aer
ral
esagoi
pokal
ebaga
l
ona
Bayang:(
laughed)I'
mtel
li
ngyouthe
tr
uth,whydoy outhi
nkeachhol
iday
s
everywomanwant stobeinMaun,
wear
esweetl
ovi
ngmen
Kel
ly:
(laughed)Fr
om y
oursmil
eke
bonamaakaachar merboyhel
a
Bayang:Mmekeser i
ouskanaandi
can'
twaitforyout ot ellmeabout
Kasane,i
t'smyf ir
sttimeher eandI
don'
thavef r
iends, gaket swa
spanengket senaonl ineformovies
that
'si
t,ibeendoi ngt hatfor2days
nowandI '
m bor ed.
Kell
y:(
lookedathi
sfi
nger
s)Wher
eis
yourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Bayang:
I'
m noti
narel
ati
onshi
pri
ght
nowbuti hav
eafi
vemonthsol
dson
Kel
l
y:Ot
hadi
l
emmagweal
emot
set
si
ner
ra?
Bayang: Itwasn'tme, wej ustgrew
apart.
..Inot i
cedthatshewasn' twho
ithoughtshewasand. ..Youknow
howt heset hingsare,itwasanast y
breakupt hat'
swhyi request eda
tr
ansf erbecausei didn'twantt obein
asituationwher eI'
mf ightingwi t
hthe
mot herofmychi l
dinhi spr esenceso
Idecidedt ocomehav eaf reshstar
t
here..
.
Kell
y :That'
sav er
ywisedeci
sion,not
theseguy swhoki l
lwomen..
.Hav e
your eali
sedthatthenumberof
mur dersofwomenhav ei
ncreased?
Bayang:Exactl
y,ididn'
twantt obe
partofthestat
isti
cs..
.So..
..(
looked
ather)Cany outakemeoutand
showmeKasane?Youpi cktheplace
andI'l
lpayforthemeal s
Kel
l
y:Whycan'
tipay
?
Bayang:
Ory
oucanpay
,I'
mfi
newi
th
that
Kel
l
y:I
'
llpay
Bayang:
That'
safir
st,
I'
m gonnalov
e
thi
s..
.Pl
easedon'
tdoahitandrunon
me
Kel
l
y:(
laughed)Ishoul
d
Bayang:
Gakegobonesent
e,women
nev
erpayfordat
es
Kel
l
y:Ther
ear
eaf
ewt
hatdo.
..
Bayang:
Ican'
twaitt
obeshower
ed
wit
hlovetoni
ght
..
.

Theyl
aughedashedr
oveof
f.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Iopenedmyey estobrightl
ight
sand
rai
sedmyhandt ry
ingt orubmyey es
butthepinkcannulaabov emyhand
hurt,
iturnedontheot hersi
de
fol
lowingat ubeuptot heIVhangi
ng
bymyheadt henilookedaroundthe
ent
ir
eroom.
..

Ther ewasaf l
atscr eenonthewalli
n
frontofmewi thaDSTVdecoder ,on
mysi dewasawi ndowwi t
hwhi t
e
folds.Isatupandl ookedattheblue
hospi t
algowni waswear i
ng,i
i
mmedi atel
yknewi twasapr i
vate
andf oramomentIwonder edhow
l
ongi hadbeenther e.
..
.

Isteppeddownandpushedt heIV
standtot hewi
ndowt heni
pull
edthe
foldsstr
ingandlookedatt
hetraf
fi
c..
.
Thedooropenedandit
urnedaround,
Kenwalkedoverwi
thaplast
icand
myhandbag..
.

Ken:
Hey
..
.

Ikeptquietasheputdownthe
plast
icandtookoutmyclot
hesfr
om
thebag..
.

Ken:Ihadt
orunbackhomeand
bri
ngyoucl
eancl
othes,di
dyou
shower?
Iturnedbackt othewindowand
tearfull
ywat chedoutside, par tofme
wasgl adi wasoutbutt hinkingabout
i
tbroughtt earstomyey es.He
walkedbehi ndmeandputhi sarms
aroundmywai stthenheki ssedme
asat earrandownmycheek.I
couldn' tbel
ieveheactual l
yt rapped
mei nt hereandcameont he3r dday.
..

Ken:
(sof
tl
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Yout
ri
edt
oki
l
lme
Ken:AndI
'
m sor
ry,
itwon'
thappen
agai
n..
.
Me:
Howl
onghav
eibeenher
e?
Ken:Lesst han30mi nutes,
the
doctorsaysy ou'
refi
ne..
.Youwer e
dehydratedandhungr ybutyou
respondedwel lassoonast heyput
thedripsony ou..
.

Hetur
nedmearoundandhuggedme
put
ti
ngmyheadonhischestt
henhe
ki
ssedmyfor
eheadasicr
ied.
..

Ken:I
'm sorr
ymyl ovebutify ouever
thr
eatenmeaboutt hedrugsI 'l
ldo
worsethanthisj
usttoti
ght enthat
l
oosescr ewinyourhead..
..(softl
y
pul
ledmychi nuplooki
nginmyey es)
I'
ddot hisagainjusttokil
lthatli
tt
le
spoil
tbratiny ourheadokay ?(smil
ed
andkissedme)Butt herewon' tbe
needf orthatbecausethatlitt
legi
rl
diedintheclosetnowr eset seka
Didihelaakeremybaby ?

Henoti
cedt
heIVt ubewasdrai
ning
bl
ooduptothebagandroll
edupt he
bl
ocki
ngbal
ltostopthefl
ow..
.

Ken:Comesitdown.
..I
'm goi
ngto
cal
lanursesoshecanremov ei
t,i
t'
s
pumpingyourbl
ood.
..Haveasit
..
.
Isl
owlysatonthebedthenrushed
out
side,
mi nut
eslat
erhecameback
wit
hanur se.
..

Nur
se:
(smi
l
ed)Heyf
ri
end
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..

Sheremovedthetubeandpresseda
cot
tonwoolonme, igr
abbeditfora
whil
easshecoll
ectedever
ythi
ng
whil
eKentookoutmyt owel
sand
bat
hingset
..
.

Ken:
Let
'sgo.
..
Hehelpedmei ntheshowerwherei
ti
edmyl onghairandbrushedmy
teet
hthenistart
edshower i
ngashe
satonthetoi
letseatl
ookingatme.

Minut
eslat
erist
eppedoutnudeand
hewrappedmewi t
hat owelt
henhe
l
if
tedmeupandt ookmet obed
wherehesatmeont heedge.
..

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Hisphoner angt henhewal kedout
answer i
ngi t,
Itwasnor mal forhi s
phonet ogetf requentcal lsfrom his
cli
entsandhedi dn'
twantmeget ti
ng
i
ni nvolvedinhisshadydeal sorask
questionsaboutt hedrugsunl esshe
tol
dmebutnowi wasi nsecur ewi t
ha
thousandquest i
ons...
whati fhewas
ri
ghtandLet tywasaf terhi m?She
wasagoodgi rl
, sheseemedsane
mostoft hetimeandi wasal way s
oneoft hosepeopl ewhoneeded
someone' sadv ice.Aatil
ehadt ol
dme
hel ef
tmebecausei wasn' tmat ure
enough...nowKenwast here,doi ng
themostdanger ousbusi nessaman
couldbei nvolv
edinandi washis
woman, i knewitwasabi g
responsibil
it
ytobeadr ugdealer'
s
girl
fr
iendanddef i
nit
elydangerous,i
didn'
tneedt oberemindedt hathe
couldbehear tl
essifipushedhimt o
i
t..

Isti
l
l di
dn'tknowwhot obeli
eve
becauseinmyey esLet tywasperf ect
andKenwasabadboy ,who'dbeton
adrugdeal ertorejecta
woman. ..
uhhhqui t
ef rustr
ati
ngbuti
hadal otoftimet othinkandmay be
mygr andmot herwasr i
ght,I
'
dnev er
real
lybuil
dar elat
ionshipiffri
ends
camef
ir
stespeci
all
ythef
ri
endsmy
mandi
dn'
twant..
.

Hewal kedbacki nsidehangingupt he

phoneandsl iditbacki nhi
spocket
thenhelift
edmychi nupt ohisface
andkissedme, from hi sbr
eathing
rateandthest r
engthofhi skissesi
couldtel
lhewant edmor ebutIwas
i
nahospi talbedsoi knewwe
couldn'
tthenhepausedandcl osed
thedoorturningthel ock.
..

Il
ookedinhi
sey
esashebacktome,
iwasn'
tsur
ewhatt
osay
,being
l
ockedi nthewar dr
obefor3day
s
wasenought oteachmeabout
keepingquietandknowingwhento
speakandhowt orespond
responsibl
y..
.

Hepulledmychi nupandki ssedme. ..

yeah.
..Myman' sbr eat
hwasuni que,
i
twasmi nt
ywi t
ht hatdeephi dden
aromaofci gar.
..
thekissi
ngbecame
i
ntenseasheputmyhandonhi s
bonerandr ubbedhi mselfsost r
ongi
thi
nkhef orgotihadacannul a.He
unbuttonedhisjeans,themet al
cli
cki
ngsoundofhi sbeltunhooki ng
wasadi ckalarmf orme...
Iunti
edmyhai randdroppeditdown
mybackt henislowl
ykneltdownand
wait
edashel ookedinmyey es
taki
ngitoutofhisboxerbri
efs.
..

(
Expl
i
citcont
entr
emov
ed)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
[9/
3,11:
37PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 32

Att
heHospi
tal
..
..

andleanedoverholdi
ngmet ight
lyas
hi
swhol ebodyvibrat
edonmi ne,he
hel
dmesot i
ghti t
houghthe'
dcrush
mylitt
leri
bsthenher el
easedmeand
ki
ssedmesl owlypull
ingoutaswe
bot
hl ookedatit
.

Honest
lyt
her
eisnot
hingi
nter
est
ing
l
ikewatchingthatbl
acktoolsl
ideout
ofyou.
..
.Assoonasi tdroppeddown
whippi
nghi st
highshelookedatme
wit
hasmi leandkissedmeaswe
bothsoakedinsweat..
.

Ken:
(panti
ng)Youweren'
tpeei
ng,
youweregushi
ng..
..t
hatwasgush..
..
Don'
teversaypee,
it'
sembarr
assing.
..
Squi
rt
ing

Ismi
ledembarrassedandcover
ed
myfacethenhelaughedandli
ft
ed
mychinupforanotherki
ss.
..
Ken:Ilov
edit.
..
.Eachtimeyoufeel
thatway,j
ustrel
axandenjoythose
moment sbecauseitdoesn'
tcome
everyday.
..
Me:Itwasr
eal
lygoodbutithought
I
'dpeeonyouorthehospi
talbed
Ken:It
'snev
eralotandit
'sbeauti
ful
whenawomanshower syouwi t
h
that
..
.Itmeansy
oumakei tr
ain.
..

Wel aughedthenhepickedmeup
andwal kedt
ot heshowerasmy
cannulafel
lont hef
loor
..
.

Me:
Mycannul
a
Ken:
Theywi
l
linser
tanot
herone
Me:(whi
ning)Anot
herpr
icki
ng?I
hat
eneedles.
..
.

Heputmei ntheshowerandt ookof

f
hi
scl ot
hesthenhej
oinedmei nfora
quickshower,mi
nuteslat
erwe
steppedoutandgotdressed.
..

Ipeacef ull
ylai
dont hebedand
sighed,i coul
dstil
lfeelmycake
throbbingf r
om hisstrokesand
l
ooki ngathi m ashepeel edabanana
formemademef alldeeperforhi
m.I
hadj ustreachedanot herlev
elof
respectforhim andt heni finall
y
understoodwhyt heysayawoman
shouldbepuni shedt hatway .
.Agood
cookiecr usherget smor er espect
j
ustbecausehehast hepowert o
sendy out oheav enandback. …i
sweari fheaskedmet oki sshi sf eeti
wouldhav egottendownt hathospi tal
bedanddonei twithouthesi t
ate.For
thatmanI '
ddenyknowi ngany thing
abouthi sdrugsev eni fthepol ice
tort
uredmeandI 'dki llj
ustsohecan
bemi neandmi neal one, i
lov edhi m
thatmuch.Hegotmehookedonhi m
l
ikeadr ug-iwasl ivingandbr eathing
Ken...
Ken:(l
aughedandhandedmea
banana)Here.
..Whatar
eyousmi
l
ing
about?
Me:(l
aughed)Nothing,
iwasj
ust
t
hinki
ng.
..
..Ir
eal
lyloveyou
Ken:Il
oveyout
oo.
..(
stood)Letme
cal
lanursesot
heycangiveyoua
newcannula

Herushedoutandwalkedbacki
n
wit
hadoct orandanurset
henisat
l
ist
ening.
..
Dr
:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Dr:Therewon'tbeneedf oranother
cannula,wearenotadmi tti
ngyou.
Youwer ejustdehydrat
edandwe
tookcareofthat..
.Allyouhaveto
wheny ougethomei st otakeyour
medicati
onasi nstr
uctedandy ou'
ll
begood
Me:
Thanks

Kenshookhandswi ththedoctorand
walkedoutwiththem asisl
owlygot
offthebedandputonmycl othes.
Myphoner ecei
vedamessagef r
om
FNBt
heni
cli
ckedoni
t.
..
.

FNB::
)Atr
ansf
erofP12,000has
beenmadetoy
ouraccoun-

Myjawsdroppedtoget
herwi
thmy
phonet
henKenwal kedi
nand
fr
ownedconfused.
..

Ken:What '
sup?(igavehi m my
phone)Oht hi
s,sokegoneba
sendang?Idepositedthemoneyi n
myaccountandt ransferreditt
oy ou
malobawheni camef rom t hedel
ta.
Thedayi supposedlysleptwithyour
f
ri
end
Me:
Whatam i
supposedt
odowi
thi
t?
Ken:
Yousai
dyouwanttofence
somegar
denorsomet
hing
Me:
OhmyGod.
..

Ihuggedhi
m agai
nandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Me:
Ilov
eyou
Ken:Dr
ugmoney.
..
.Repor
tmeand
you'
l
lki
sst
hisl
if
estyl
egoodby
e
Me:(l
aughed)Stopit
,youknowi
di
dn'
tmeant hatandevenifidi
digot
puni
shedforthatandalmostdi
ed,I
'
d
bef
ool
i
sht
oev
erment
iont
hatagai
n..
Ken:
(ki
ssedme)Let
'sgohome.
..
.

Ifi
nisheddr
essingupwhi
l
ehe
packedmyt hi
ngs..
..

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..

Laterthatev
eningAati
leswit
chedoff
thelight
sandjoinedLol
oont hebed,
heputhi sar
msar oundherand
kissedherassheabsentmindedly
sighed..
.
Aat
il
e:What
'
swr
ong?
Lol
o:I
t'
snot
hing.
..I
t'
sjustcr
azy
..
.
Aati
l
e:Wewil
lbehusbandandwi
fe
ver
ysoon.
.Youhavetotr
ustme.
..
Lol
o:Imi
ssmyf
ri
end,
imi
ssDi
di.
.
Aatil
e:Iunder
stand,whenyougrew
upplayingwit
hsomeoney ouconnect
l
ikeyou'resi
bli
ngs.TheweekBay ang
spentupsetwithmei wasn'
tmy sel
f.
..
Itr
iedtoactli
keutdidn'
tbotherme
butikindofunderst
andwhaty ou
mean.
Lol
o:Ifeel gui
l
tyforhur
ti
ngherbut
nowI'
mj ustwonderi
ngifit
'spossi
ble
tobur
yt hehatchetbecausewebot h
haverel
ati
onshi
ps.Woul
di tbe
awkwardforyouifi
befr
iendedher
agai
n?
Aati
le:Well
..
.Notr
eall
y,iwoul
dn'
tbe
hangingwit
hherbesidesit
snotl
ike
you'
llbespendi
ngeveryminut
ewith
her.
Lol
o:Doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
orher
?
Aat
il
e:Honest
lyno,
idon'
t.
..
Lolo:Iwanttoapologisef
or
everythi
ngandaskheri fwecoul
dtr
y
again,imissher.
..Therei
ssomuchi
wantt otel
lherandi f
eell
ikemy
weddingwoul dn'
tbecompl et
e
withouther.If
eelli
kesheismy
famil
y, babekanannaleDidir
etswa
kgakala..
.Wewoul dbehungry
j
umpi ngi nyar
dstosteal
mangoes
andor anges..
.Wehavedoneso
mucht ogetherli
kewearesibl
ings.
Aatil
e: I
t'
spossi bl
ef orhertof or
give
youbecausei forgavey ou,yesittook
ti
meandatt imesi hadt oforce
my selftosmileaty oubutev ent
uall
y
i
tbecameeasyandnowI '
m here
l
ovingy ou..
.(kissedher )becausei
knowy ou'
rehumanf ir
st..
.Iknowi f
youconf essedt ocheat i
ngandi f
eel
l
ikei canforgivey outhef i
rstthi
ngI'd
doi stohelpy ouabor tanotherman' s
chi
ldsowecanhav eourownand
havepeace, imeani thushbutt o
someext entiunderst andwhaty ou
didwhaty oudid..
.Ofcour sey ou
can'tr
easonlikethiswi thDidi
, i
twill
hurthersojustapol ogiseandl ether
knowy ouwer ethinkingabout
yoursel
fonly.May beshewi ll
understandmay beshewon' t.
..
Lolo:(
smi l
ed)Okay..
.I'
l
lcontacther
..
.
Timereallyheal
sbecausenow
l
ookingbacki feel
li
keitwouldn't
havebeent hatbadtoletherkeepthe
baby,ifeelbad
Aati
le:I
tiswhatiti
ssoliv
ewi t
hit,
whatifwon'tbr
ingbackGiovanniand
ihopeyoudeletedhi
spictur
e.Ihave
del
etedt
hem andi
thel
pedmemov
e
on.
..
Lol
o:I
'l
ldelet
ethem t
omor
row
morni
ng..
..Goodni
ght
Aat
il
e:Goodnight
..
.Herboyf
ri
end
l
ooksv eryt
oughl
ikeathugor
something
Lol
o:Isawhim atWi
mpymalobabut
it
hinkthey
'r
ehappyt
oget
her
Aati
le:Ihaven'
tseenhersi
ncethe
hospit
al t
hingbutBayangcoul
dn't
stoptalki
ngabouthowhotshei s,
apparentl
ysheisadivathatwears
hi
ghheel s.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Youdon'
tknow
anything,shehadblockslongenough
tohitherbum. .
.Shem thewayi miss
heriwi shwecouldjustcelebr
ate
maki ngitoutofpovert
y.Webeen
thr
oughhel landitwouldbeniceto
haveadr inkandtoast
Aati
le:Tal
ktoher
,may
beshewi
l
l
consider
..
.

Theysi
ghedandwentt
obed.
..
.

AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor
ningLet
tyst
oodbyt
he
mi r
rorsqueezingthelastofher
foundationthenshecutt heli
tt
le
containerwithapairofscissor
sand
swipedherf ingeri
nsi
det ogetital
l
thensheappl i
edonherfaceasher
sist
erwal kedin..
.

Sister
:I'
m goi
ngtocheckonJuni
or'
s
father
,wewi l
lbebackdur
ingt
he
weekend.
Let
ty:
Alr
ight
..
Sister:
Areyouokay
?Youbeenoff
ish
l
at el
y..
.Youdon'
tgotochur
chand
youspendal l
daysl
eepi
ng,t
odayyou
mi ssedwork
Let
ty:(
sighed)Thi
sint
ernshipt
hingi
s
j
ustthegov er
nmentexpl
oiti
ngus,
howcant heypayme1.9Kwheni
haveadegr ee
Sister: I
t'
sthegov ernment '
swayt o
keepy oubusywhi ley ou'r
esearchi
ng
foraj obandi fyouwor khardyou
mi ghtgethi r
edwher everyoubeen
stationedt owork.Si ncewhendi d
youbegi nfeel
inglikethis?Doy ou
knowt hatinothercount ri
espeople
can'tf i
ndjobsandy ou'rehere
compl aini
ngaboutbei ngputina
progr am thatgiv
esy oufree1.9per
mont h
Let
ty:
Free?Thoseof
fi
cer
ssendme
aroundli
keI '
mt heoff
iceslave
meanwhi leDidii
soutt her
ebuy i
ng
fancycarsandl i
vi
nglikesheisthe
presi
dent'sdaughter
,am i t
hatugly
?
Whycan' tif
indamanwhowi l
l
showermewi thmoney ?I'
mt i
redof
workinghardIwantt obespoiltonce
i
nmyl i
fe
Sister:
Menl i
kethatdon'texistsoit
's
eitheryouworkhar dorstar
v e
becausei fmenlikehersexistthey
'r
e
fewandv er
ytaken.
Let
ty:
Nnankasekgone.
..
Si
ster
:Sowhatdoy
ouwantt
odo?
Let
ty:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Sister
:Don'tev
enthi
nkaboutwhati
thinkyou'
rethi
nki
ngabout
..
.Bye

SheclosedthedoorthenLet
ty
sprayedher
selfwit
hperfumeand
grabbedherhandbagonherway
out..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Onthesamemor ningir ubbedmy

eyeshalf
-asleepasai feltagentl
e
sweetthrustonmywetshav ed
sweetnessbutitstoppedwhenI
mov ed,
idozedof fagai
nandf el
ta
sl
owthr
usttheni
openedmyeyesto
Kenhol
dingmywaistdoi
ngi
tgent
ly.
..

Hegotonmybackandkissedmy
neckasIlai
donmytummywi t
hmy
headonthepil
l
ow.
..

Ken:
(whi
sper
ed)Goodmor
ning.
..
Me:
Mor
ning.
..

Heshov edapi l
l
owundermyt ummy
andgrabbedmywai stst
eppi
ngon
thesheetsthenhehammer edmeasi
moanedl oudlygrabbi
ngthesheet
s..
.
Thestrokeswentonandonunti
li
orgasmedt henhetur
nedmearound
andhititunti
lhefi
l
ledmeup.
..
.

Ken:(
kissedmyneckandgentl
ybi
t
myearlobe)Thet
ubisready
,wear
e
l
ate.
..
Me: (smi l
ed)Mmh. .
..(
laughed)At
fi
rsti thoughtiwashav i
ngwet
dreamsandbabet hosegent l
enyana
strokeswheny ouusedjusttheti
pof
yourt hing.
..Wooooow...Negole
monat egore
Ken:
(laughed)Sal
ekesi
mol
olao
otsel
akana.
..
yabogoduemonat
e.ke
tshol
edit
sel
eragony
anakaut
wa
bothi
thowai
i.
..
Me:(l
aughed)That
'sr
ape,
idi
dn'
tsay
yes
Ken:
Youdi
dn'
tsaynoei
ther
Me:Becauseyoustol
eit
..Howdo
yousl
owlysexasleepi
ngperson?
Ken:Ijustloveit.
..I
tturnsmeon. ..I
canfucky ouiny oursleepandy ou'l
l
wakeupwi thcum insideosaitse
gorewhathappened, I'
mt hatgood
becausei don'thavetopenet r
atey ou
ij
ustenjoyt hewar mthy akonkong
hel
a..
.
Me:(l
aughed)You'
resi
ck,
let
'sgoand
bat
h..

Wewentt ot
hebat hr
oom wherewe
tookabat ht
heni satonthet
oilet
andr el
i
evedmy selfwhi
lehebrushed
histeethonthesink.
..
..

Me:
(wipingmyself
)Ican'
twai
ttoget
myl
icence,I
'
mt i
redofusi
ngtaxi
s
Ken:(spatont hesinkandwashed
hi
smout h)Buty ou'
redoi
nggood..
.I
di
dn'texpectyout opassthetest
aft
erreadingthebookf or2daysonly
,
somef ai
l sev
er alti
mesmmebar eba
badi
l
e
Me:
(fl
ushedt
hetoi
l
etandspr
ayed)
Ket
shosi
tswekedicone.
.

Wewalkedoutofbat
hroom ashe
pl
ayf
ulpul
ledmylongbrai
ds..
.

Ken:You'l
lmakeit,don'
twor
ry.
..I
neverdatedul
lwomenandy oumy
fr
iendareforkeeps..
..

Wegotdr essedandlef
tthenhe
droppedmeof fatt
hedrivi
ngschool
beforegoi
ngt owor
k.Kenwaseasy
togetalongwit
handi beginni
ngto
getmor ethanj
ustaboyfri
endfrom
him becausewewerenowbecomi ng
fr
iends..
.

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..

Laterthatmor ningKenandhis
brotherinspectedthecar
sthatthe
mechani cwaswor ki
ngon..
.

Ken:
Thi
sisgood.
.
Lor
e:Def
ini
tel
y.
..
Mechani
c:I
'
llbewor
kingont
he
damagedonesbutift
hey
'r
ebadwe
wil
lhav
etostr
ipthem
Ken:
Nopr
obl
em.
..

Themechani
clef
tthenthebrot
her
s
wal
kedtowar
dstheoffi
ce..
.

Lor
e:Howi
sDi
di?
Ken:Sheisf
ine,
itwasjust
dehydr
atedandali
ttl
epanic,
itt
urns
outsheiscl
aust
rophobic
Lor
e:Andy
oust
il
ll
ockedherup?
Ken:
Ididn'
tbel
ieveher
,It
houghtshe
wasbluf
fi
ng..
.Kindofmademef eel
badseei
ngheratt
hehospi
tal
butshe
i
sgood.
Lor
e:Al
ri
ghtbutIst
il
lwantt
omov
e
out
Ken:
Ifi
tsi
mpor
tantI
'
m cool
wit
hit
Lore:Yeah..I
'm goi
ngtoget
breakfastshoul
dIbringyou
somet hi
ng?
Ken:
What
every
ouar
ehav
ingi
sfi
ne
Lor
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Kenwenttot heoffi
cethenLore
droveoutthegate,minut
eslat
er
Lett
ywalkedinthroughthegate
t
alki
ngt
othephone.
..
.

Att
hedr
ivi
ngschool
..
..

Meanwhil
eIst
eppedoutoft
he
dri
vi
ngschool
cartal
ki
ngtothe
phone.
..

Me: Anditsnotthatibel i
eveyou'
re
tr
yingtogetmymani justdon'tf
eel
comf or
tablebei
ngf r
iendswi thyou
aft
erwhathappenedsoi thi
nkwe
shouldjustgi
veeachot hersome
space.
Let
ty:
Iunder
standl
ove,
bye
Me:
Bye.
..
.

Ihungupandgotmybagasanot
her
cal
lcamethr
ough.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Di
dyougetmymessage?
Me:
Isawi
t,Lol
oIdon'
tknowwhat
-
Lolo:
Canwemeetandtal
kabouti
t
facetof
ace?Whyar
eyouavoi
ding
me?
Me:
Fine.
..Wher
e?
Lol
o:Idon'
tknowKFC?
Me:
I'
ll
bet
her
ein20mi
nut
es
Lol
o:Thanks.
..
.

AtKFC.
..
.

Lateroniwalkedupstai
rshol
dingmy
bagandappr oachedLol
ositt
ingat
thecornerhavi
nglunch.
..

Iputmybagonthetabl
easshe
stoodupf
orahug,wehuggedbr
ief
ly
thenwesatdown.
.

Lol
o:Hav
eapi
ece.
..(
pusheda
St
rawber
ryKrusher
)Iknowy
oul
i
ke
St
rawber
ry.
..
Me:(gotthepieceshewaseati
ng)
Thanks,youcanhavemine.
..
.(pull
ed
herKrusheroverandgav
ehermi ne)
Howar eyou?
Lol
o:I
'
mf i
ne.
..Ir
eal
lymissyouDidi
,
wecan'
tl
etfi
ghtsaboutmenget
bet
weenus.Weareli
kefamil
y..
Me:Formei
t'
snotaboutamanbut
goon..
Lol
o: IknowIhavehurty
ou,wehave
hurteachotherbuti
knowy oumiss
me, iknowyouwanttosharecer
tai
n
thi
ngswi thmejustl
i
keIwishicoul
d
sharewit
hyou.Nomat terhowmuch
wefight
,wewillalwayslov eandmiss
eachother
..
.I'
m get t
ingmar ri
ed.
..
(smil
ed)Andimi ghtbepr egnant
,i
wishwecould-
Me:
You'
repr
egnant
?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)It
hinkso-
Me: (
smiled)Youknowwhaty ou'
re
ri
ght.
..Imeanwebot hdideachother
wrong,wemi ghtaswell
kissand
makeupbecauseal lt
hatpastmeant
nothi
ngright?
Lol
o:Exact
ly.
..
Me:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..Comeher
e..
.
West oodupsmili
ngandhugged
thenisatdownasmyphoner ecei
ved
av oi
cenotefr
om Ken.It
appedonit
andputtheheadsetonmyear..
.

Me:
Excusemef
orami
nut
e,kebae
Lol
o:(
smiledsi
ppi
ngt
heKr
usher
)
Sur
elove.
..

If
rownedl
i
steni
ngcar
eful
..
..

Ken:Igett
hatandI'mtotal
l
ycool
wit
hitbutidoubticantr
ustyou
becauseyouli
edtoDidiaboutme.
..
You'
rebeauti
fulandI
'
ddefi
nit
elyl
ove
tobewit
hy oubuthowcanibesure
youwon'tt
ellher?
Letty
: Iknowbutipanickedbecausei
didn'
texpectyoutotellher,i
twas
j
ustaki ssandthattouchwas
nothing..
.Iwasangrythatyou'd
reportmeaf t
eriapologisedtoyou.
Ken:Yahbutyoumademel
ookbad,
l
ikeIwasaliar
Lett
y :
I'
m sorry.
..Letmemakei tupto
you.
..Righthere..
.(
therewasa
mov ementsound) ..
.Ibrought
condoms. .
..(
amoanandaki ssing
sound)Relax..
Ken:
Didi
mightbeher
eanyt
ime
Lett
y:Shesaidshewasatthedr
ivi
ng
schoolIspoketoherket
samayaha
gati
ng
Ken:
Yeahbutmybr ot
her.Cani cal
l
youali
tt
lel
ateri
ntheevening?
Let
ty:
(ki
ssi
ngsound)Al
ri
ght
..
Ken:Sur
e,pl
easegobef
oremy
brot
hercomesback,
Idon'
twanthi
m
toknowaboutus.
Let
ty:
Bye

Thevoicenoteendedasmyheart
pounded,icl
enchedmyjawsand
shookmyheadbr eathi
ngli
kean
angrybuf
fal
o..
.You'dswearsmoke
wouldgushoutofmynoset hewayi
wasbreathi
ngasi pushedmychai
r
backandstoodup...

Lol
o:I
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Me:
Yes.
..I
'
llcal
lyou.Ihav
etogo.
..
.

Ihur
ri
eddownt
hest
air
scal
l
ingKen.
..

Ken:
Bel
i
evemenow?
Me:Yesibel
i
eveyoubutdidyoujust
si
tther
eandtakeherki
sseskana
gakeautwasent
e?bomxi
m-mxwa
eneelebaeng?
Ken:Ihadtol
etherdowhat evershe
wantedtososhecani ncr
iminat
e
her
self,
Iwasjustsi
tt
ingdownwhi le
shesatonmyl apdoi
ngal lt
hat
Me:WhenI
'
m donewi
thhery
ou'
re
nex
t
Ken:
You'
vegott
obeki
ddi
ngme,
i
di
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
Me:
Casepost
poned.
Ken:
(laughed)Jesus

Ihungupanddi
aledLet
tyt
heni
took
adeepbr
eat
htocal
m down.
..

Let
ty:
Heyl
ove
Me: Heybabes,I'
m doneatschool.
..
Wher eareyou?Iwantustotalk.I
ki
ndoff eel
badf orendi
ngour
fr
iendshi
pli
ket hi
s
Let
ty:
Ijustgothome
Me:
Isy
oursi
sterhome?
Lett
y:Shel
eftf
orafewday
s,y
ou
knowhowshei s.
.
Me:(
laughed)Iknow,
seey
oul
ater
l
ove
Let
ty:
Sur
echoma.
..
Ihungupandst
oppedt
henextt
axi
..
.

Me:
Kebat
aspeci
al
Taxi
dri
ver
:Let
'sgo.
..
.

AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..
.

Minuteslatermyhear tbeatrai
sedas
iapproachedt hedoor,icouldhear
myhear tbeatingandmybr eat
hing
gotlouder.Icouldn'
tbeli
eveshe
wantedtot astemyKen. ..I
twasKen
andhewasn' tjustyourtypical
man
hewasKen.

Ibraidedmybl ocksiti
ntoonelong
brai
dwhi chi f
oldedandt i
edtheni
bentmyf i
ngersknockingonthedoor
,
sheopenedandsmi ledmov i
ngback
soi couldgetin.
..
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
37PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 33

AtLet
ty'
sHouse.
..

Iwal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edhol
dingmy
bag.
..

Let
ty:
Hav
easeat
,howwasschool
?
Me:I
'mf i
nestandi
ng.
..Let
tyar
eyou
anhonestfr
iend?
Let
ty:
whatdoy
oumean?
Shelookedatmet ryi
ngt oreadmy
mindbutihidmyemot i
onswhi l
e
st
ari
ngatherbi t
ingmyi nnerli
pwit
h
asmileofdisbel
ief
..
.

Me: Justtel
lmei fyou'
reanhonest
person, y
ougotochur chandpray,
youpr eachtofr
iendsaboutmorali
ty
andloy al
ty,
etc.
..Areyouanyofthose
thi
ngs?
Lett
y:(smiledshakingherhead)So
whatdidKensayi didagai
n?Idon't
understandwomenandhowt hey
al
way sblameanot herwomanf ora
man'smi stake,
whatdidhesay ?
Itwasn'twhatshesai dbutthe
conf i
dencebehindherwor ds,i
fi
didn'thearvoi
cewi t
hmyownear sI'
d
trulydoubtKen'sv ersi
onoft he
ev entsandtothinkt hatj
ustdays
bef or
et hesamet hinghappenedjust
stunnedme.

Me:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngKensai
dtoy
ou?
Letty:KanannaKenont shetse
mor ago,hetextsmeandcal lsmebut
iprefertojustrej
ecthi
mi nsteadof
spoili
ngy ourrel
ati
onshi
p...
Me:
Showmet
hecal
l
sandt
ext
s
Let
ty:
Idel
etedt
hem,
theyannoy
ed
me.

Themor el i
esshegav etheangr ieri
gotandi justwantedt opunchheron
theface,sureiwasn' tthefi
ghting
typebutLet t
y?Wel licouldtakeher
downi fIwantedt obecauseshehad
abusyt i
nierthanmi nebutIpr essed
thephoneandi ncr
easedt hev olume
i
nstead...

Sheswall
owedlooki
ngatmeaswe
bot
hli
stenedt
oherconver
sati
onwith
Kenandbefor
eitcoul
dendsheran
tothebedroom,if
oll
owedherand
sheslammedt hedooronmyface
l
ockingit
..
.

Me:
(bangi
ngont
hedoor
)Youcan'
t
r
unfor
ever
..
.
Lett
y:Heonl
ycapturedt
hepartt
hat
fav
oredhi
m, t
her
ei smoreandhe
mademegi v
ehim ablowjob
Me:
Wai
tunt
ili
geti
nther
e..
..

Imovedbackandki
ckedt
hedoor
sev
eralt
imesbuti
tdi
dn'
tbreak.
..
..
Let
ty:
Stopki
cki
ngt
hedoor
,mysi
ster
i
s-
Me: (sl
appedthedoorscreaming
) Bit
chopenthedoor!You'r
eabad
bitchaker
e?Comeoutnow. .
..Come
talktome,comet ouchmel i
key ou
touchedmyKen. .
.Comeher e!
Letty
: Youneedt ol
eavebef oreical
l
thepol i
ce,shameony ouf orfi
ghti
ng
foraman. .
.Amant hathasn'teven
mar r
iedy ou..
.Youdon'tknowwhat
agreementhemadewi thme...He
saidishoul dsayal
lthatsoy oucan
forgi
vehi m
Me:
Bit
chi
didn'
tneedt
ofor
giv
ehi
m..
.
Let
ty:
Leav
e..
.
Me:
(looki
ngar
ound)Nxl
a!

Iwalkedinthebat hroom andputt he

stopperinthet ubtheni tur
nedbot h
tapstothef ul
lest,
i didthesamewi th
thebasinbyt hemi rrorandheadedt o
thekit
chenwer eiturnedbotht aps
andwat chedt hewat erfl
ooding..
.

Lett
y:(scr
eami ngfrom thebedr oom
heari
ngwat erfil
l
ingthet ub)Didi
whatar ey
oudoi ngwi t
hwat er
?Ifyou
soakmyt hings-
Shegavemeani deatheni l
ooked
around,herphoneandlaptopwereon
thetabl
e.Igotbothofthem andput
them i
nt heoverfl
owi
ngt ubtheni
wenttot hedoor.
..

Me:(tookadeepbr eat
h)Dar l
ing, your
l
aptopandphonear etakingabat h,in
casey outhinkaboutr eporti
ngme
knowt hatihav eanaudi ofrom Ken
andI'm suret hewor l
dwillbegl adt o
hearwhaty oudi dormay beididn't
soaky ourthings...Youcoul dn'ttake
therejectnowy ourt r
yingtomakeus
buyy ouanewl apt opbyl yi
ngsay i
ngi
didi
tbecauset hisonedi edt hey ear
yougraduat
ed,asforthephone..
.I
haveneverseeninfactiwasn'
there.
Iwaswi t
hmycuddlebearwhowi l
l
confi
rmthat,ci
ao.
..

Igrabbedmyhandbagandwal ked
acrosstheli
vingroom t
henshe
rushedoutandt ookt
hem outofthe
water,it
urnedaroundandlookedat
herasshet ri
edtodrythel
aptop..
.

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Tr
yri
ce

Shechargedatmefr
om behi
ndtheni
tr
ippedandfel
lonmytummy,shesat
onmybackpunchi ngmeont hehead
asitri
edtot urnaround, iusedal lmy
str
engthtot urnandgr abbedherhai r
asshesatonmyt ummy ,she
punchedmeont hefaceandi j
ust
rel
easedapunchnotsur ewher eit
wasgoing, i
tlandedonherbr east
andshef l
inched.Iusedt he
opport
unitytor ol
lherov erandsi ton
hertummypunchi ngheront hef ace
asshey ankedmyhai rpulli
ngme
downherchest

Me:(pant
ingsi
tt
ingonherst
omach)
Letgoofmyhair
Lett
y:I
'
lll
ety
ougoi fy
oustop
punchi
ngme,yourhurt
ingme.
..
Me:(punchedheront heeye)Letgo
ofmyhair..
.(bi
tmyl owerl
i
pand
punchedagain)Letgo..
Lett
y:(
cry
ingpul
li
ngmyhai
r)Di
di
you'
rehur
tingme.
..
Me:(
punchedagai
n)Kar
ent
ogel
a
monna!
Let
ty:(
cry
ing)Ifi
letgoy
ouhav
eto
go,I
'
m donefight
ing.
Me:(
punchedont
hemout
h)Nt
ese
monna!
Sheletgoofmyhai rt
heni st
ood
overhertyi
ngitasshelai
dont he
fl
oorcryi
ng,iwasn'
tgoingtotakeit
farbutseei
ngshewasweakert hani
thoughtist
ompedonherst omach
severalt
imesasshecur l
edup
helpl
essl
yont hefl
oor
.

Ihadnev erbeatenany oneinmylife

andi neverknewi tf
eltthatgoodto
takeouty ourangeronsomeone.I
kickedheront hefacewi thmy
Adidassneaker ssohar dshegrabbed
herbl oodymout hscreami ngli
kea
helplesschi l
d.
Ist
oodov erherboi
l
ingwonder i
ng
whatelseicoul
ddot ohertheni
wenttoherbedroom ty
ingmyhai ras
i
tslowl
yunt i
ed,t
hereigrabbedapair
ofsci
ssorsandwal kedbacktothe
l
ivi
ngroom.

Shewashol dinghermout hwit

h
bloodgushingouttheni gr
abbedher
pulledhai
rhairandcutitall
out
throwingi
tont hefl
oor.
..

Me:(angri
ly)Nextt
imeyouthink
abouttouchingKenknowthatI'
m
goingtodomor ethanthis,bi
tch
you'r
enotsupposedt othinkabout
Kenlikethatdoy ouhearme? ..
(sl
appedher )Andt hi
sisfortouching
hisdick,
youdon' ttouchthatdickdo
youhearme?

Ithr
ewthescissorsonthefl
oorand
ki
ckedheront hebackasshefel
l
downcryi
ngloudly.
.

Let
ty:(
scr
eaming)I
'
m notf
ight
ing,
youhavet
ostop
Me:Noyoushouldhavest
opped
t
ouchi
nghim,I
'l
lkil
lyoudoyouhear
me?Youdon' ttouchKen,y
oudon't
thi
nkabouthi m orhisdi
ck.
.(ki
cked
her)Andt hi
sisf orki
ssi
nghim.
..
Thoselipsaremi ney
ouheardme?..
.
(angri
l
yt appi
ngmychest )Myman!
Myl i
ps!mydi ck!mymoney !

Ipausedl ookingatherasshel
aid
herheadont hebloodli
keshewas
abouttopassout ,i
twasthent
hat
theveilofangerwor eofft
henmy
heartskipped.

Iknel
tdownshaki
ngherasshe
cl
osedherey
es..
.
Me:Lett
y??Don'tpr
etendyou'r
e
dyi
ngbecauseiknowy ou'
renot.
..
Let
ty?

Herfacewasbeggingtoswel land
shewasbl eedi
ngfr
om thenoset oo,
I
tookoutmyphoneanddi aledKen
thenichangedmymi nd.Ididn'
twant
himtoseemel iket
hat..
.

Iwasstuckforaminutewonder
ing
whocouldhelpbecauseIdi
dn'
twant
thehospi
tal
thenidial
edLol
o..
.
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:(pant
ing)Lol
o?Cany
oucomet
o
Let
ty'
sHousenow?
Lol
o:Now?
Me:Pl
easenowanddon'
tcomewi
th
any
one
Lol
o:Ihopey
out
woar
enott
ryi
ngt
o
ki
ll
me
Me: I
fireal
lywantedtotakerevenge
I'
dgot oMay a'
sschoolandmakeher
eatpoisonedfood.Sheknowsme
andshewoul dn'
trej
ectmyf ood..
.
Pleasecomehel pme
Lol
o:Fi
ne,
I'
m comi
ng.
..
Ihungupandpul l
edLet ty
's
unconsci ousbodyagai nstthewall
theni checkedherpul se,iwas
shakingwayt oomucht ofeel
anything...Wat ercarr
iedthebloodby
myshoesf lowingoutt henitur
ned
around, t
hewhol efloorwascov ered
withwat er ;
i r
ant othebat hr
oom and
kit
chent ocl oset hetaps..
.

Mi nuteslaterLoloknockedtheni
openedt hedoor ,
hereyeswidenedas
shel ookedatt hef l
oodedhouseand
bloodont hefloor.Icl
osedthedoor
andshecov er
edhermout hl
ooki
ngat
Lett
yunconsciousl
yleani
ngagai
nst
thewallwi
thherheaddownasbl ood
droppedfr
om theti
pofhernose.
.

Lol
o:(
shocked)What
'st
his?

Ipl
ayedthevoicenot
etoherwi
thout
say
inganythi
ng..
.

Lol
o:Wow.
..Di
dyoudoal
lthese
al
one?
Me:Yesandyouknowidon'
thav
e
anyf
ri
endbesidesy
ou.
..
Lol
ocheckedherpul
seand
undr
essedher
..
.

Lol
o:Ihav
et oputheri
nthet
uband
washherface.
..
.

Itr
iedtohelpherbutshel
if
tedher
ti
nybodyupbyher sel
fandputherin
theful
ltubspi
ll
ingmorewateronthe
fl
oor..
..

Lol
o:Wenamopant
uyabat
hobef
ore
dit
vdisha.
..
Shebat hedherandcar
ri
edhert
othe
bedroom whereshedri
edherwi
tha
towelthenhelpedmemoptheenti
re
house.

Wewor kedforalmostanhour
wit
houtsay inganythi
ngtoone
anotherasshet ookcareoft
he
ki
tchenwhi leidi
dtheliv
ingr
oom and
wemeti nthebedroomswhich
weren'tthatfl
ooded..
.

Mi
nutesl
aterweopenedthe
wi
ndowsandswitchedt
hefanont
o
drythefl
oorthenwewenttothe
bedroom whereLett
ywasl
yingon
thebedcryi
ngwi t
haswoll
enface.

Lol
o:Sheneedspai
nki
l
ler
s
Lett
y: (sl
i
ghtlyaudibl
ethrough
swollenlips)Ke-kopa-
lenkise
spateleng
Me:
Noway
..
.
Lolo:
Sheisnotgoingtothehospit
al,
imeany ouhavetobuyherpil
lsatthe
pharmacy,br
ingafrozenpackof
veggi
es..
.
Ibroughti
tthenLol
opressedi
ton
herfaceasshescreamedpushi
ng
offherhands.
..

Let
ty:
Stop
Lol
o: Sesohar
ekethusagor
eoska
rur
ugamxm oshinamisaengne
l
ebeletele
Let
ty:
(cr
ying)Cany
oupl
easel
eav
e?
Me:
Notwi
thy
oul
ooki
ngl
i
ket
hat
..
.
Lol
o:Wehavetotakehersomewhere
soshecanheal
orelsesheisgoing
tor
eporty
ouandy ou'
l
lbearr
ested
Let
ty:
Iwon'
trepor
tyou
Me:Shutup,
nothinggoodev er
comesoutofyourmouth..
.(slapped
her
)Ican'
tbel
ieveyouli
edtome
Lol
o:(pushedmeoff)Stopi
twena.
..
Skait
iraskonopampir
ikayo
mongwe
Me: Don't
,youweren'
tev
enhis
gir
lf
riend,i
nfactheismyexbecause
idatedhimf i
rst
Lol
o: Whatev
er..
.Givemet hattowel
andcalmthef uckdown, ifI'
m going
tobepartofthisitmustgo
unrepor
tedbecausei hav ekidswena
mmakanaosant seolel ekgarebe..
..
Let
'stakehertoy ourGrandmot her'
s
house,wewillkeepchecki
ngher
ever
ydayt ogiveherwaterandfood
unti
ltheswelldi
sappears,i
twi
ll
be
easytodenyitthatway,howisi
t?
Me: Perfect
,nooneev ergoesther
e.
Mymot heri
sst i
ll
wait
ingforthe
changeofnamesandi twillt
ake
mont hs.Let'
stakeherthere.
..
Lolo:(gr
abbedcl ot
hes)Dr essup
Lettyandpleaset r
ynottobl eedon
thecarseat ,
Hubbyi sverypar t
icul
ar
aboutacl eancar..
.(
stood)let'
scarry
hertogethersetsekelapil
ej aanong..
.
Me:Wehavet
otiehermout
hfi
rst
.
shewi
l
lscr
eam ontheway
Lol
ograbbedaheadscar fandti
ed
hermouth,minut
eslaterwestepped
outofthehousecarr
yinghertothe
caraswelookedaroundt omake
surenoonecouldseeus.

Apolicecardrovethoughthegate
thenLolodroppedherside,i
dropped
mineandwebot hmov edbackas
thepoli
ceoffi
cerssteppedoutofthe
car.
..
.

Off
icer:what
'sgoi
ngon?Nei
ghbour
s
sai
dt her
ewasabeatinggoi
ngon
her
e..
.

Oneoft heoffi
cersremov
edthe
headscarffr
om Lett
y '
smout
hasshe
burst
edi nt
otears.
..

Lett
y:Theywer
et r
yingt
oki
ll
me,they
weretaki
ngmet oahousenoone
uses.
..
Offi
cer
:(t
ous)What'
sgoingon?Gal
e
bue?Akereisawyoucar
ryi
ngher
i
ntothecarnowyou'
resuddenl
y
stat
ues?
Off
icer
2:Cufft
hem, l
ookwhatt
hey
havedonetoher.
..Whatki
ndof
womendot
hist
oanot
herwoman?
Lol
o:Cani pl
easet
alktomyhusband
tobe?Ineedtotel
lhi
m Iwon'
tbe
homeont i
mesohecanpi ckt
he
chi
ldr
en
Of
fi
cer
:Bef
astor
edi
elanako.
.

Shedi
aledAat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hey,t
hepol
i
cearetaki
ngme.I
don'
tknowwhenI'
ll
beout.
.
Aat
il
e:Forwhat
?
Lol
o:Ican'
texpl
ainnow,
justwant
ed
t
otel
lyoubythewaythey
'r
etaki
ng
metoget
herwit
hDidi
.Bye

Shehungupandt heyescor
tedherto
thecarasIwai
tedforKentopick.
.

Ken:
Babe
Me:
Thepol
i
cear
ear
rest
ingme
Ken:
Shi
t,i
sthi
saboutLet
ty?
Me:
Yes,
bye

Theotherr
oughof f
icerpushedme
andIalmostfel
lasi wal
kedtowards
thebackofthecarandgotinwith
ot
herof
fi
cer
s.

LoloandIwatchedfr
om t
hecaras
theyhel
pedLettyup.
..
.

AtMaunPol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Wewalkedint
othepoli
cestat
ionas
peopl
estar
edatusprobabl
y
wonderi
ngwhatwedid.

Theygotourstatement
sand
fi
nger
pri
ntsthenoneoffi
cerescor
ted
ustotheback..
..
Offi
cer:(
tohisjuni
or)Lockthem up,
santsereisavi
ctim kospatel
a..
.We
wil
ltalkt
ot hem onMonday ,wewant
toenjoyourweekendi npeace..
.
Lol
o:i
wantal
awy
er
Offi
cer:You'l
l getitonMonday ,
mxm
gatwelawy ers...
ihavethepowert o
holdyouher ef or48hoursjustfor
contr
ol,l
enal eat t
it
udenebany ana
kelona?Lai t
segor edi
cellt
sapol i
ce
dikgonagol ecl apamasigo?Don't
daretr
yt hatonme
Me:
(whi
sper
ed)Lol
okeepqui
et
Of
fi
cer
:What
'st
hat
?
Me:Iwasj
ustsay
ingsheshoul
dkeep
qui
et
Of
fi
cer
:Taket
hem away
..
.

Heescor tedust othecells,

icould
smel lal
lkindsofsmel lfr
om a
distancewi t
hal l
thelongwalls
withoutwindows, i
twasdarkand
therewasnot hi
nginsideexceptone
l
ightsmel lyblanket.
..

Lol
o:Shei
scl
austr
ophobi
c,shecan'
t
bel
ockedi
nhere
Const
able:Cat
ast
rophykegohe
j
aanong?lennel
angdirebel
eka
mal
wet
seny
ana
Me:Ican'
tbeher
e..
.Ther
ear
eno
wi
ndowsandit'
sdark
Const
able:YabolayaCatastr
ophy?
(wekeptquiet
)Ifi
tdoesn'tki
lly
ou'
ll
befi
ne,ethokasprayli
keAsthma?
(wekeptquiet
)bye

Wewal kedinthenhelockedus
i
nsideandwal kedawayasi stoodby
thebarstr
yingtobreat
hinandout ,
Lolosatdownf anni
ngherselfand
fi
nall
ybentoverthrowi
ngupont he
corner
.
Herv omitsplashedaroundandsome
ofitfel
lonmyf eet
;itsmel
ledli
ke
garl
icandi couldn'
tholdmy sel
f,i
bentoverandt hrewuponmycor ner
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
38PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 34

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

LateronAat i
l
est eppedoutoft
hecar
withthekidsandl ockedt
hecarthen
hewal kedinthepolicest
ati
onand
spoket otheoffi
cerondutywho
explai
nedwhathappened. .
..

Aat
il
e:(
shocked)Shedi
dwhat
?
Off
icer
:Yeahandt
heladyhasbeen
t
akentothehospi
tal
-
Aat
il
e:Soshewi
l
lbei
nthehol
ding
cel
lforhowl
ong?
Of
fi
cer
:HaeseMondayhel
a..
Aat
il
e:Cani
seeher
?
Of
fi
cer
:You'
renotal
l
owedt
oseeher
Aatil
e: I
t'
smor eofmeaski ngfora
favourthanademand.Keagokopa
boss...Ihave2kids9and5onmy
ownf orthewhol eweekendy etI'
l
lbe
ondut y.Iworkinahospitalr
eber eka
kadi shiftj
ustl
ikeyouhere..
.Please
understand..
.Evenifyouletmei nko
diselengsoi cantalktoherI'
llst
il
l
appreciateit
.
Off
icer
:(l
ooki
ngatMayaandBaby
si
tt
ingonthebenchesl
i
kelost
puppies)Okay,j
ustforaminut
e..
.Go
tothatdoor,I
'
llaskoneofthe
off
icerstobri
ngherov er
.
Aat
il
e:Thanks.
..

Theoffi
cerwal
kedawaythenhebent
overt
alki
ngtotheki
ds.
..

Aat
il
e:I
'
m goi
ngt
hatsi
de,
I'
ll
beback
May
a:Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m cer
ti
fyi
ngmyI
D
Baby
:Whati
scer
ti
fyi
ng?
Aat
il
e:Justsi
tther
eanddon'tgo
any
where..
.May awat
chyourli
tt
le
si
sterokay
?
May
a:(
hel
dBaby
'shand)Okay
..
.

Hewal kedtowar
dstheroom and
waitedwithhi
sheaddown,mi nut
es
l
aterthedooropenedandLolo
walkedin.
..

Aat
il
estoodupwi
thaser
iousand
l
ookedather
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
angr
il
y)What
'sgoi
ngon?
Lol
o:Di
dihadafi
ghtwithLet
tyand
shecal
l
edme,ihelpedhercl
eanup
butthepol
icefoundust
oget
herand
arr
estedus,ikn-
Aatil
e:I'
mj ustwonder i
ngi fI
'm
maki ngami stakemar ryi
ngy ouLolo
waitse,i
tseemsi keepget ti
ngone
redflagafteranot her..
.(angri
ly)I
don'tknowabouty oubutIhav ea
career!Adignifiedjobt hatdoesn't
needmehangi ngar oundpol i
ce
stati
onslikethis..
.I'm notaboutthat
kindoflif
estyle.
Lol
o:Babei
under
standy
ou'
reangr
y
but
-
Aatil
e:Andidon'
tknowifyou'
rer
eal
l
y
readyfort
hismarr
iage.Weare
get t
ingmar riedinafewmont hsbut
i
'm notseei ngachar act erofawi fei
n
you...Firsty oucallAonet ohel py ou
kil
l mysonandnowy ou' r
eher e
becausey ouhelpedsomeonet obeat
upanot herper son.Whyar ey ouso
ghet to?Can' tyouseet hatifweget
mar riedt hiscanaffectmycar eer?
Gonej aanaIhav etobeatt he
hospi talinanhourandy ou'reher e,
noonei sbaby si
tti
ngt heki dskedi re
j
ang?Shoul di misswor k?Just
yester dayi wast el
li
ngy out hatI '
m
swampedatwor kbecauseot her
techni ci
ansar eonleav et heny oudo
this?Ican' tmi ssworkbecauset he
hospit
alcan'tfuncti
onwithoutme,
doctorscan'thelppati
entsifI'
m not
ther
et ogivethem theresult
st hey
needforadi agnosisandy ouhav e
mest uckwithchi l
drenkadilodisel
e
tsedintsengjaana?

Shekeptquietasheangr i
lyscolded
herunti
lhecouldn'tsayanymore
thenhesighedfrustrat
edl
yandsat
down,shesatnextt ohim andrubbed
hisback.
..

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
pushedherhand)Don'
ttouch
me, youneedt ogr owup.Ican'tkeep
doingt hi
s..
.Whyshoul dther
ebe
dramaal lthetime?I fit
snotthi
sit'
s
that,can'
ty oujustthinkandactri
ght?
May beweshoul dpost ponethi
s
weddi ngthingandseei fweare
maki ngther i
ghtdecision.
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Aati
le:
(st
ood)Idon'tevenknowwhat
I'
m goi
ngtodowi t
ht hekidsbecause
boLorrai
near
en'thome. .
.Nannyle
enegaayomoMaun, waabor aAlone
Lolo:
Justl eav
et hem homeby
themselves,Mayai soldenought
o
l
ookaf t
erBaby .Theywi l
lbeokay
,i
usedt
obelefthomealonewhenI
waswayyoungerthant
hem
Aat
il
e:Gaobuesepe.
..

Hewalkedoutandt
heoff
icert
ook
Lol
obacktothecel
l
...

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Thepoliceof
ficer
swalkedinwith
Lett
ywhosef acewascompl et
ely
swoll
enenclosinghereyesasshe
str
uggledtokeephereyesopenwi t
h
anupperlipl
yingheavi
lyonherlower
l
i
p..
..

Thepoliceof
ficersgreetedt he
pati
entsqueuingthereandaskedt o
beexcusedforskippingt hequeue,
theyal
lnoddedandt heof f
icer
s
escort
edLettyinsidethenwai ted
outsi
de.

Thedoctor'
sattendedherforafew
mi nut
esthenshewalkedoutwi t
ha
pinkmedicalcardandthedoctors
report
,herphonerang.
..

Let
ty:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:Heybeauti
ful
,ihear
dwhat
happened.Whereareyou?
Let
ty:
(startedcr
ying)At
Let
sholathebe
Ken:
Ket
egogot
say
a?
Let
ty:
Why ?Ar
en'
tyout
heonewho
tol
dher?
Ken: Eh-
ehbeauti
fulemapele.
..Dil
o
tsedingwegadi bui
wemophone,
cani comegetyout henwerelaxand
youtellmewhathappened?Because
ialsohavemyv ersi
onofthestory.I
didn'
tknowDi di
woul ddothi
s,I'
m
equallydi
sappoi
nted.
Let
ty:
Howl
ongwi
l
litt
ake?
Ken:10minut
es,
I'
ll
bether
e.Just
waitbyt
hemainentr
ance.
Let
ty:
Okay
..
.

Shehungupandt
urnedt
othepol
i
ce
off
icer
..
.

Lett
y:Ihavetowai
tforsomeoneat
theentr
ancebutI'
l
lbeatthepoli
ce
stat
iontosubmitt
hedoctor
'srepor
t.
Offi
cer:
Aomma, wewastedthefuel
comingherekanteyouhavepeople
whocoul dhavebr
oughtyou?Thi
s
carcouldhavehel
pedsomeonewho
neededourhelpmorethanyou
Let
ty:
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry.
..
Offi
cer:Pl
easesubmi
tthosesoonas
possibl
e
Let
ty:
thanky
ou.
..

Shet
urnedar
oundandwal
ked
away
..
..

I
nKen'
scar
..
.

Minut
eslaterKendr
ovet
hrought
he
hospi
tal
..
.

Lor
e:Howbadi
sthegi
rlDi
dibeatup?
Ken:Idon'
tknowbutitcan'tbethat
badDidii
stoogentle,i
don'tthi
nk
shecanhurtafly
..Sheprobably
sl
appedhertwiceifnotthr
eet i
mes.
.
Lor
e:Sheseemsr
evengef
ult
ome
Ken:
(laughed)Real
l
y?Howso?
Lore:Shehasahi
tli
storsomet
hing
l
ikethat
Ken:(l
aughedoutl
oud)Mygi r
lhasa
hitl
i
st?(l
aughedandleanedback)
you'
vegottolovet
hisgir
l
Lor
e:Youshoul
dn'
tbeencour
agi
ng
her
Ken:
(laughed)I'
m not
,it
'sj
ustf
unny
..
.
What'
sshehi t
ti
ngfor?
Lor
e:Shesaidpeopl
ewhohur
ther
,
i
t'
schil
dish
Ken:
Wow.
..Whowoul
d'
vet
hought
Lor
e:Sheneedscounsel
l
ing
Ken:
(laughed)Pxxxcomeon.
..Don'
t
beawhi t
eperson..
.
Lor
e:I
t'
sal
i
ttl
edi
stur
bingt
ome
Ken:
Loosenup.
.

Herol
leddownt hewindowashe
tur
nedthesteeri
ngwheelonthe
hospi
taldr
op-offt
henLettyst
oodup
andapproachedthecar.
…..
Ken:
(whi
sper
edi
nshock)Hol
yshi
t!
WTF?
Lor
e:(
frowned)Jesus

Lett
ygotinthebackandclosedthe
doorthenbothbr
otherstur
nedtothe
backlooki
ngatherinshock..
.

Ken:
Whathappenedt
oyou?
Lett
y:Didibeatme,sheki
ckedmeon
thefaceseveral
times
Lor
e:Di
dihel
aDi
di?
Let
ty:
Yes
Ken:
Wow.
..
Kendroveoutoft hehospi
taland
l
aterparkednexttotheparkwhere
hesteppedoutfrom thefr
ontand
j
oinedherinthebackwhi l
eLore
j
umpedi nthefront.
..

Ken:I'
mr eall
ysorr
yforwhat
happened, i
fiknewshewoul ddot hi
s
Iwouldn'
thav esenti
ttoher.Alliwas
try
ingtodowaspr oveherwrong
becausey oudidn'
twanttotellher
thetr
uthandshewasnaggi ngme
aboutit
.Ijustthi
nkallt
helying
wasn'tnecessarybutanywaynowwe
haveaproblem,ineedy ourf
avour
.…i
needyoutodropt hecase.Didi
isnot
well
,shewasr el
easedf r
om the
hospi
taly
esterday,idon'
tthi
nksheis
fi
ttobeinthere.
Let
ty:
Aft
erwhatshedi
dtome?
Ken: Let'
sbereali
sti
c, i
fyoulether
spendaweekendi nt heholdingcell
,
shewi ll
beoutbyMondayandt hen
may beTuesdayshewi ll
bei ncourtor
may bemont hsafterwher eshewi l
l
getthreemont hsinjailt
henwhat
wouldy ougain?Att heendoft heday
yougott hebeati
ng, shegetsasl it
tl
e
as3mont hsandwemov eon. .
.
Somet imesthelawi sn'
tthebest
opti
onbecauseev enifsheget sfined
youwon' tgett
hemoney ,i
tgoesto
thestatebutI'
m giv
ingy ouachance
tosentenceher.Atleastthatwayy ou
wil
lbenef i
tsomethi
ngf r
om allthese.
..
Let
ty:
HowcanibesureI'
l
lev
enget
whatiwant
?Whatcanyouof
ferme?
Ken: You'r
eabeaut if
ulwomanwi th
needsandamanl ikemecant ake
careoft hoseneedswi thouta
compl ai
nt,thatiguaranteeyou...
.
(smiled)ThinkofmeasSant a
clause..
..I
t'
sChr i
stmas...Makea
wishbabygi r
landI'l
lmakei treal
it
y..
.
Let
ty:
Iwant2K
Ken:(t
ohisbrother)Dr
ivet
othe
pol
icestati
on.
..(t
ookouthisphone)
What'
sy ournumberketsenyemadi?

Sher el
uctantl
ygav ehimt henumber
andheewal l
etedheri mmedi atel
y,t
he
wayhequi cklytransferredthemoney
sheregrettedtheamountshe
charged,clearl
yheex pect edmore
thanshedemandedandhedi dn'
t
wantt owast eti
mebef oreshecould
changehermi nd..
..
.

Lett
y:(r
eceiv
edthemoney)2Kist
oo
l
itt
lefort
hisbeat
ingIwant5K
Ken: Iaskedf oranumber ;yousai d
2Kandnow5K?don' tevent hink
aboutpul li
ngaf unnyst untonme. ..I
f
youthi nky ou'r
egoi ngt oblackmai l
meandext ortmoneyf rom mey ou're
wrongandpl ayingadanger ousgame
becauseIshoul dn'tevenbebeggi ng
you,y oustar t
edal l t
hesebyt ouchi ng
mei nappr opriately..
.Thatwassexual
harassmentandi canr eporty ouf or
thatbecausei sti
llhavey ourv oice
noteadmi tti
ngt otouchi ngmeand
l
y i
ngabouti ttoherwhi chis
defamat ionofchar acter,don't
mistakenmygener osityforst upidity
.
Iwast ry
ingt osy mpat hisewi thy ou
wenayouwanttot
urnmei
ntoan
ATM machi
ne?
Let
ty:
(sadl
y)2Kosi
ameee.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Aboutanhourlat
erKenandLore
wait
edout si
dewhil
eLet
tyspoket
o
theoff
icerondut
y..
..

Offi
cer:Ihearyoubuttheoff
icerwho
assi
stedy ouistheonewhocanf il
li
n
thedismissalforyou,
wejust
changedt heshif
tsandheisnothere.
Comet omorr
owmor
ningandwewi
l
l
sor
titout.
.
Lett
y:Whataboutthepeopl
ethey
arr
ested?Can'
ttheyberel
eased?
Of
fi
cer:No,pl
easecometomor
row
morni
ng,t
heywill
assi
sty
ou.
Let
ty:
Thanks.
..

Shewalkedoutandexplainedi
tall
to
Kenwhowal kedinandrequest
edto
standasi
dewiththeoff
icerwherehe
tr
iedtonegoti
ate.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Iheary
oumymanbutt
her
e
i
snothi
ngicandonow,asy
oucan
seewearever
ybusy.
..
Ken:
Wecant
alkanot
herl
anguage
Offi
cer:Idon'
tspeakthatl
anguage,
i
doev er
ythi
ngbyt hebookandI'
m
tel
l
ingyoupeoplet ocometomorrow.
Ken:(
lookedaroundandputar oll
on
hi
shand)I'm surewit
ht heri
ght
i
ncenti
veyoucangot hroughal
l
tr
oubletofi
ndt hosef
ilesandassi
st
us.
..
.
Offi
cer:
(puthi
shandinthepocket
)I
canguesswhatIwasdoingcan
pauseforaminutewhi
leigolookfor
thatf
il
ebutI'
m notpr
omising
any
thi
ng.
Ken:
Thanky
ou.
..
.

I
nthehol
ding

Laterthataf
ter
noonapol i
ceoff
icer
approachedandunlockedthebars
thenheopenedf orus.
..

Const
abl
e:Let
'sgo.
..

Wefoll
owedhim out
sidewit
hout
say
inganyt
hingandtheminuteI
wal
kedintheoff
iceKensmiledatme
naught
il
ythenhest oodupandI
j
umpedi nt
ohis,heswungmeonce
andputmedownt henhegaveme
l
ongsoftkiss.
..

Constabl
e:Publ
icindecency
morena..
.Gagosunanwemoof i
sing
yapuso..
.
Ken:(
holdi
ngmywai st
)Kesect
ion
mangont heconst
it
uti
onketeke
i
palel
e?
Me:(smackedhi
schest)BehaveI
don'
twanttogobackinther
e..
Const
abl
e:(
tome)Comesignher
e..
.
Thi
swomansaysshei
sdroppi
ngthe
casesoyoucansettl
eyour
dif
fer
encesoutofcourt
.
Me:
Okay
..

Wesi gnedt
hepapersandl at
erall
walkedoutofthepol
icestati
onas
Kenhel dmyhandwhileLore,Lol
o
andLet t
ywal
kedbehindus.

Iact edlikeididn'tseeLett
ywasall
swol lenupbecausei knewshedidn'
t
releaseoutoft hegoodnessofher
hear t,myman' smoneyconv i
ncedher
-thev erythi
ngt hatmotivat
edherto
l
iei nt hefi
rstplace.
Aswest eppedoutoft hebui l
dingi
tookadeepbr eathenjoyingthefresh
airoffr
eedom t henKent ickl
edme
andi st
agger edawayf rom him but
hegrabbedmeupf r
om behindand
walkedoutt hegat ecarryi
ngmeas
webot hlaughedandgi ggledheading
tothecar..
.

Meanwhi
leLett
yturnedtothetaxi
s
t
henLoreandLoloquiet
lywalked
t
owardsthecar
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Kenpar kedt
hecar,Lol
oandi
steppedoutandwalkedintheyar
d
asAat i
l
egotinthecarholdi
nghis
coat.
..

Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Hey
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
str
aightf
ace)Hi
..
.

Hest art
edt hecarandt ur
nedaround
dri
vingtot hegat ewher eKenwas
parkingstandi ngout si
dehavi
nga
smoke.Aat i
lewai tedhopi
ngKen
wouldmov et hecarbuthedi dn'
tthen
hehonked, Kenl ookedathim once
andconti
nuedtosmokel
i
kehedi
dn'
t
hearany
thing.
..

Aatil
e:(
impat
ient
lystuckhi
sheadout
)
tshabahookelei
ti
le.
..

Kenwal kedoversmoki
ngandleaned
i
nt hecarholdi
nghisci
gar
ett
estari
ng
athimthenhepuf f
edthesmoke
over.
..
..

Ken:Athankyouforbr
ingi
ngmy
fi
ancéhomewoul dbemuch
bett
er.
..
whereisy
ourboyfr
iend?The
oneyouweregossipi
ngwithatthe
hospi
tal
?

Aatilekeptqui
et,Kentappedthe
cigarett
edroppingthehotblack
ashesonhi swhi t
ecoatastheyboth
staredatoneanot hert
henhet wist
ed
i
tont hecoatandthrewitonhis
face...

Ken:
Pieceofshi
t.
..

Hegotbacki
nthecarandhonkedas
Aat
il
eglar
edathi
m sti
l
lsi
tt
inginthe
car
.
Irushedoutoft
hehouseandgotin
thecarthenKenrev
ersedt
hecarand
droveoff.
..
..
.

4MONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
39PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 35

AtKasane.
..
..

Bayangopenedthedoort henKell
y
walkedin,
heclosedthedoorandput
hisarmsaroundherkissingher,t
hey
stagger
edacrossthefloorandended
upinthebedroom wheret heyf
ellon
thebedandthrewofftheirclot
hes,
Bayangspreadherlegsandgot
betweenherlegsasshemoaned
thenhecurvedhimselfi
nherasshe
huggedhim withherl
egs.Hestr
uck
hersever
alti
mesandcl osedhi
seyes
ti
ghtl
yashegr untedontopofher
..
.

Bay
ang:
Wow.
..
.Mmm
Kell
y:(
smi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m)Il
ove
you.
..

Hecoll
apsednexttoherandputher
headonhischestthenhetangl
ed
thei
rfi
nger
stogether.
..
Bayang:
(ki
ssedherf
orehead)Il
ove
youmore..
.
Kell
y:Ther
eissomet
hingi
hav
eto
tel
lyou
Bay
ang:
What
'sup?
Kel
l
y:I
'
m pr
egnant
..
.

Hetookadeepbr
eat
handki
ssedher
f
orehead.
..

Bayang:
Okay
..
.4mont
hspr
egnant
ri
ght?
Kell
y:Yes.
.(smi
l
edandli
ft
edher
headlooki
ngathim)Howdoyou
knowt
hat
?
Bayang:If
igur
edi fy
ou'r
enoton
contr
acepti
vesithappenedont
he
fi
rstf
ewweeks, whyaren'ty
ouon
contr
apti
on?
Kel
ly:(
smiled)Ididn'
thavea
boyf
ri
endbesi desili
kebabies,
iwant
ababy..
.(t
ouchedhi schi
nandki ssed
hi
m)Andonet hatlooksl
ikeyouwi l
l
beablessi
ng
Bayang:(l
aughed)Let
'shopei
t'
sa
boy
, il
ikeboys
Kel
ly
: Youal
readyhav
eaboy
..When
am igoingt
oseehim?
Bay
ang:
Thatr
emi
ndsme,
myboyi
s
havi
ngabachelorpar
tytomorr
ow
ni
ght,l
et'
stakearoadtri
ptoMaun,
maybey ou'
l
lseemysonandmeet
myfri
endsandf ami
ly.
..
Kell
y:I'
dlovethatibi
leIwon'
tbe
working.
..(
touchedherhair
)ohGodi
havetodomyhai rMaunpeoplewi
l
l
wonderwhi chcattl
eposticome
fr
om
Bayang:
(laughed)You'
rebeaut
if
ul
andthey'
regoingtolov
eyou..
.

Shegotupandstoodbythemirr
or
checki
ngoutherhai
rthenAone
cal
led,
hestoodupandwalked
out
sideput
ti
ngonhi
sshor
ts.
..

Bay
ang:
I'
m goi
ngt
otheki
tchen.
..
Kel
l
y:Okay
..
.

Hesteppedoutt
hroughtheki
tchen
backdoorandpi
cked..
.

Bay
ang:
yeah
Aone:
(lowv
oice)Hey
..
.
Bay
ang:
What
'swr
ong?
Aone:(
shakyvoi
ce)Ihavejustbeen
ser
vedwithsomedivorcepapers,
what'
sgoingon?
Bayang:(
glancedatthedoor)Babe
youknowwegr ewapart,
thatl
ast
ti
mewehadaf i
ghtwit
hoursonin
thehouseifel
tbad.Ithi
nkweshould
j
ustpartpeaceful
ly.
Aone: I
sthisaboutwhatididwith
Lolo?Becausei st
oppedallthat
,i
stoppedhangingwithLolo.My
mot hert
alkedtomeandal liwantis
towor konmymar r
iage.
Bayang:I
t'
snolongeraboutDi
dior
Lol
o,it
'saboutme.I'
m notf
eel
ing
thi
sanymoreandi wanttomoveon..

Kel
l
y:(
standi
ngatt
hedoor
)Babe?
Thegamei
sst
art
ing
Bay ang: (
blockedt hephoneand
smi l
edather )I'
m coming..
.(shewent
backi nsidet henheputthephone
backonhi sear )Idon'
twantadi rt
y
divor cesoy oucangetourcar
becausey ouhav eourson, I
'l
lkeep
thel oandebtofourweddi ng.Itwi
ll
take5y earst opayoffbutI'
m good.
Aone:Whowast
alki
ngi
nthe
backgr
ound?
Bayang:
I'
m shar
ingahouse,i
n
Kasanehospi
tal
stuf
fsharewit
h
other
s
Aone:
Isn'
tthatagov
ernment
hospi
tal
?Bay angi knowthat
gover
nmentof fi
cialswhoaremarr
ied
don'
tshare,you'
regi v
enahouseand
youstayalone.
Bayang:I
nKasaneit'
sdif
fer
ent
,you
knowthereisshor
tageof
accommodat i
onontheheal
thy
sector
.Anywayihavetogowatch
thegame
Aone:
Whencani
cal
l
?Weneedt
o
tal
k
Bay ang:
EishI'
mr eall
ynotsure
becauseI '
l
lbewat chi
ngthe
highli
ghtsaft
ergongwehar epeateka
tsenaketaelebel
la, j
ustwai
tformy
cal
l
.I'
l
lcal
lyou
Aone: I
'm goi
ngtofi
ghtf
ort
his
marriageBayang,i
lovey
ouandi
won'tloseyou.
Bay
ang:
bye

Hehungupandwal
kedbacki
nthe
house.
..
.

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..

Ist
eppedoutoftheof
fi
ceputti
nga
l
oll
i
popinmymout handlockedthen
Lor
esteppedoutandl
eanedagainst
hi
sdoorl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Lor
e:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:I
'm goingtobuymyfr
ienda
pr
esentforherbri
dal
shower.
..
Lor
e:Lol
o?
Me:
Yeah.
.
Lor
e:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul
Me:
(laughed)And?
Lor
e:(l
aughed)Andwhat
?Don'tbe
put
ti
ngwor dsi
nmymout h.
..
Me:
Okay
,by
e..
.
Lor
e:Wai
t.
..Um.
.wheni
sthepar
ty?
Me:
Thi
saf
ter
noon.
..
Lore:I
'l
lcal
lyou.
.Iwantt
obuyhera
present
Me:
Whatki
nd?
Lor
e:I'
ll
figur
eitoutlat
er,
I'
m notsur
e
yet
..
.Isshemat er
ial
i
sti
c?
Me:
What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Lore:wouldsheappreci
atet
obe
shower edwi
thgift
sorshewould
wantaspecial momentatacert
ain
placeli
keseeingOkavangoor
tr
av el
l
ing
Me:Wel l
,I
'm notsureabouttr
avell
ing
butI
'm sureeverywomanwoul dlov e
tobeshower edwithgif
tsevenifshe
makesherownmoney , besi
desLol
o
andigrewupwi thnothingsoweget
easi
lyimpressedbecausewenev er
experi
encedcertai
nthingsgrowi
ng
up
Lor
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.What
'sherf
avour
it
e
col
our
?
Me:Seri
ousl
yLorecomeon,it
hought
youandmear ecl
osebuddi
es,
what
areyoupl
anni
ng?
Lore:Agift
,thereisnothingtotel
l
.
I'
mj ustbr
ainstorming.
..Color
?
Me:It
'swhi
te,
shel
oveswhi t
eshe
canevenwearwhi
tesneakerstot
he
cat
tl
epost,
someti
messhel oves
br
own
Lor
e:okay
Me: (
smil
edpoi
nti
ngathi
m)You'
re
sneaky
Lore:(
smil
edandclosedhi
sof
fi
ce
door)You'
resi
ck.
..
.

Iunlockedmyr edJeepandf r
om a
dist
anceast heli
ghtsf l
ushedtheni
openedt hedoorandt hrewmy
handbagi ntheback,ireachedfort
he
sil
verstyli
shshadesont he
dashboar dandputthem ont heni
star
tedt hecaranddrov eoutwitha
redloll
ipopinmymout h.
Myphoner
angasiapproachedt
he
t
raf
fi
cri
ght
stheni
picked..
.

Me:
Heybabe
Ken:Heybabe,
I'
mleavi
ngLusakai
n
anhour.
..Howismybarbi
edoll
?
Me:
(smiled)I'
m good.
..Justl
eavi
ng
t
heoff
ice,I'
m goi
ngtot hemall
.
Ken:
Alr
ight
,seey
oul
ater
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandt
urnedtothemall
sucki
ngmylol
l
ipoptheniconnect
ed
myphonetothest
ereoandcl
i
cked
onmyplay
li
st.

Thereisnothingsoulfull
ikeli
steni
ng
tomusi cwhil
edr i
vi
ngal onenodding
yourheadenjoy i
ngthesweet nessof
somet hi
ngassi mpleasal oll
i
pop.…it
wast henthatiremember edhowi
tr
iedtocommi tsui
cide,iwouldhave
diedbeforedrivi
ngar edjeeplet
alonebeadr ugdealer'sbarbi
edoll.

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Mi
nut
esl
ateri
par
kednextt
o
Bayang'scarasAonesteppedback
car
ryingherson,i
lockedmineand
wal
kedawayasshewal kedbehi
nd
me...

Aone:
Hi.
..Di
di?

Ipausedandtur
nedaroundt aki
ng
outmyloll
i
popthenshesmi ledtry
ing
toshakemyhandbuti j
ustlookedat
i
tandsmi l
edatBayang'
sli
ttl
ecopy ,
heshowknewhowt omult
iply..
.

Aone:
Canwet
alk?
Me:Yesbutmakei
tfast
,ihav
eto
go.
..
Aone: Iknowt hatnoamountof
sorri
escanbr ingbacky oursonand
you'l
lprobablynev erforgivemebuti
j
usthav etosayi tbecausei teat sme.
I'
m sorrythatIgoti nvolvedinwhat
Lolowasdoi ng. .
.Ithinkbynowbot h
youandIknowt hati wasi nti
mi dat
ed
byy ourpresencei nBay ang'slif
e.
Partofmebel i
ev editwashi sandi f
thebabyl i
vedl ongenoughf orhi mto
knowhewoul dhav edivorcedme.
The4y ear
si wasdat i
ngBay ang
beforewegotmar ri
edy ouwer eallhe
couldtalkabout ,hewasbi tt
erandi
hatedy out
houghi di
dn'
tknowy
ou.I
knowmyapol ogymakesno
dif
ferencebutihadtosayit
.
Me:
Yeah,
itmakesnodi
ff
erence
Aone:Iunder standy ouranger ,
I'm
holdi
ngmybabyandy ouhav e
nothi
ng...Iwishy oucoul dseei nmy
heartandseet hatI'
mr eal
lysaying
thi
sfrom thebot tom ofmyhear t
.
Bayangobat adiv orce, every
thi
ngi sa
messandi t
hinkGodi spunishingme
forwhatIdi dtot hati nnocentbaby .I
wonderi fthereisasecondchance
forme...Pleasef orgiv eme
Me:
Youmadey
ourbednowl
i
eoni
t.
..
Iwalkedawayputti
ngt hekey
sinmy
handbag,If
eltsor
ryforherbutnot
enoughtoforgi
veher.….

Att
hehospi
tal
roof
top.
..
.

Tshepowalkedov erasAati
lequiet
ly
star
edattheneighbourhoodfrom t
he
topwit
hhishandsi nthepocketsof
hiswhi
tecoat.
.

Theybot
hstoodt
oget
herenj
oyi
ng
thevi
ew.
..
Tshepo:What'
sup?Youbeenv
ery
qui
etlat
ely
..
.
Aatile:(sadlylookeddownandsi ghed)
Ijustwi shlovehadmanual soi can
foll
owt hat ,Il
ov edLolosi ncet heday
imether ..
.LastweekBabyMay awas
l
egal lydeclaredmydaught er,I'
m
happyabouti tandI '
m excitedabout
buildingaf ami l
y .
..Havingawi fe,two
kidsandoneboyont heway .
..I
shoul dbehappybuti justhav et his
feelingthatLol odoesn' treall
yl ov e
met hewaysheshoul d.Shei s
hangi ngwi t
hDi di andtheydon' t
behav epr operlytogetherandt hen
Didi
'sboyfr
iendhatesme, l
ikethi
s
guyreal
lyhatesme. .
..Wheni t
alkto
Loloaboutcutti
ngDidi outofour
l
ivesshesay sishouldn'tchooseher
fr
iends,am ibei
ngunr easonable?
Tshepo:Ofcoursenot,i
fyouf
eel l
ike
someoneisthreattoyourmarr
iage
theyshoul
dbegonekanashei sy our
wife,
yabogirl
fri
endehedilet
heday
youpaidbogadiforher.
Aati
le:Ijustfeell
ikeI'mthebadguy
forwant i
ngDi di
andLol oapart,i
t
couldhav ebeenbet teri
ftheyhated
eachot her,wewer ehappybef or
e
theymadeupnowi t'
sDi dit
hisDidi
that
...Ij
usthopeaf terthewedding
shewi
l
lchange
Tshepo:
May
beshewi
l
lchange
Aati
le:
Tellmecanagroom buyt he
bri
deapresentonherbri
dalshower?
Lol
o'sbri
dalshoweri
stoni
ght..
Tshepo:It
hinksoaker
egot
shwana
l
epartykanajang?
Aatil
e: Assoonasweknockoffke
batagomochekel a
somet hingny
ana.
..Wecango
togetherwenaoitsedi
lot
se
Tshepo:
Sur
e,wi
l
ldef
ini
tel
yhel
p..
.

AtWi
l
li
amsHot
el.
..
.
Laterthataf t
ernoontherewasa
beautif
ulor angesunsetasi anda
groupofabout20l adiessatont he
fl
uffycarpeti nthebackyar
dgar den
oftheWi l
liamsHot el,afewfeetf r
om
uswasal argewat erpondwher e
duckswer eswi mmi ngwhilebir
ds
twit
tedont hebigangeli
cwat er
fountai
n..
.

Eachofusheldasmal lt
raywitha
l
ongglassofadrinkwithast r
aw
i
nsideandasmal lbowlfordeser
tas
wecheeredforLoloapproachi
ngin
herlongwhi t
edressandapi nk
ri
bbonacr osspr
inted"Bri
detobe" ,
shewaschubbyandy oucoul dn'
t
countthenumberoff oldsherneck
asherlit
tl
ebumpshowedont he
dress.
..

Hercousingotupandpressedplay
ontheradiot
henshemetherhal fway
andheldherhandsdancingwit
hher
asweal l
cheered.Br
enda'sI
t'
syour
weddingdayplayedasweallcheered
evenmor e

Hercousi
n:Yeeeeehl
et'
swel
come
MrsAat
il
etobe.
..
.Comegetup
l
adi
es.
..

Thedr esscodewasshor twhite

dressesandwedi dn'tdi
sappoint,
we
al
l gotupanddancedast he
photogr aphercaptur
edaf ewf un
moment sthenweal lsatdown
si
ppi ngourdr i
nks,ir
eachedinmy
bagandpour edal i
tt
lebitofvodkain
mydr i
nkasLor rai
neslappedmy
hand. .
.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.
Laterthatev
eningAati
lespoketothe
phoneashedr oppedtheredrose
paddlesonthef l
oor
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
smiled)Howi
syour
gr
andmother?
May
a:Shei
sfi
ne
Baby:
(exci
tedl
y)Shemademakgabe
forme
Aati
le:That
'sgood,y
oushouldtel
l
youraunttosendmey ourpi
ctur
es.
GuysI'
llcal
lyoutomorr
owokay ?
Baby
:By
e,i
lov
eyoudaddy
Aat
il
e:Il
ovey
out
oobut
ter
fl
y
May
a:Lov
eyou
Aat
il
e:Lov
eyoumor
ebabe

Hehungupandl ookedaroundt
he
romanti
cscenethenhegrabbedthe
bal
loonpumpandt i
edalotof
bal
loons,hi
sphonerang.
..

Aat
il
e:Yeah
Bayang:
(musi
cont
hebackgr
ound)
I
'm onmyway
Aatil
e:Waiimonnamat hakaako
ti
rongfai
ledtoorgani
set hebachel
or
party
Bay
ang:Yourbrot
herj
ustcal
ledme,
wehav
esomet hi
nginmind.
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
Bay
ang:
Shap.
.

Hehungupandmadet
helast
t
ouchest
henhedr
oveout
..
..
.

Att
heWi
l
li
amsHot
el.
..
..
.

Lat
erthateveningthecol
ourf
ul bul
bs
l
itt
hel awnareaaswecont i
nued
havi
ngdr i
nksjustchi
ll
i
ngont helawn
l
ist
eningtomusi c.
..
.
Lor
eappr
oachedthel
awnasthe
l
adi
estur
nedlooki
ngathi
m..
.

Woman:
Dickpr
intwee.
..Yooj
esos!
Woman2:
Kez
ipt
heng,
leav
ehi
mfor
me
Lorr
aine:
Haveyoueverl
ookedata
manandsaidyoenekebataa
mpalamehelagorekeut
wegore
l
ethekaolet
shi
kinyaj
ang
Me:(
weall
laughed)Lebuadil
o
t
heng,y
ou'
real
lgoingtohel
l
Lor
esmil
edgreet
ingusandsquat
ted
nex
ttoLol
o..
.

Lor
e:Hey
..
.
Lol
o:Hi
..
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Lor
e:Ihav
eapr
esentf
ory
ou.
..

Hehandedherasmal l
boxthenshe
smil
edconfusedandopenedit
,acar
keyf
ell
ont hegroundt
henhepicked
i
tandputitonherhand..
.

Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Lor
e..
..What
'st
his?
Hegrabbedherhandandledher
awayasweal l
fol
lowedthem tothe
parki
nglotwhi
let
hephotographer
tookmoreandmor epi
ctur
es..
..

Woman:
Isi
tacarkey
?
Me:
Ithi
nkso,
isawi
tfal
l
ing
Lor
rai
ne:
It'
snotpossi
ble.
.
Woman:
Keenegr
oom?
Lorr
aine:No, t
hebrothertoDidi
'
s
boyfr
iend.They'
renotevenclosehao
bonekesadumel eelekoloi.
..

Wegott
othepar
kingl
otasLor
e
blockedherey esandmadeherst and
nexttoaVW t henhemov edher
handsof fherface,Lol
ojumped
screaminglikeawoman. ..

Lol
o:I
sitmi
ne?
Lor
e:(smi
l
ed)Yes.
.Happy
..
.Um.
..
Bri
dal
shower
Lol
o: (
smiledwalki
ngaroundit
)Stop
j
oking..
.Whywoul dyoudothi
sf or
me?Wedon' tev
en-Wearenot
cl
ose..
.(i
twasshining)OhGod..
Lor
e:Geti
n..
.
Lologotinandstart
edtheengi
ne,
it
wasperfectthenshecover
edher
facecry
ing.

Lorehelpedheroutoft hecarand
huggedherasAat ileparkedtwocars
awayfrom usbutnoneofuscoul d
seehim atthatpointbecausewe
wereallcrowdedadmi ringthecar
whil
eLol ogotall
emot ionalcry
ing.
..

Shehuggedhimt i
ght
lyandher
ubbed
herbackgent
ly.
..

Lor
e:(
smi
l
ed)St
opcr
yingagai
n
y
ou'
rehur
ti
ngt
hebaby
..
…
Lol
o: (
cryingshy
lyfaci
ngus)You
guysgobackt othelawn,
photographerpl
easestoptaki
ng
pi
cturesofmecr yi
ng,go.
..Justgo.
..

Weal lhuggedherandwalkedback
tothegardenchatt
ingcomplet
ely
surpr
isedthenLorehandedhera
ti
ssueast heyst
oodbyt hecar
.

Sherubbedherey esandhuggedhim
emotionall
ythenheleanedoverand
sof
tl
yki ssedherasAatil
equi
etly
cl
osedhi scar.
Heapproachedastheybot hsof
tl
y
ki
ssedwiththei
reyesclosed,he
cl
earedhi
st hr
oatandtheystopped.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Babewhat
'st
his?
Lol
o:(herhear
tskippedandshe
cov
eredhermout h)OhGod
Lor
e:(
openedt
hedoor
)Geti
nthecar

Lol
ogotinthecarshaki
ngt
henLor
e
cl
osedthedoorandmetAati
le
hal
fway
...
Aati
l
e:(angr
il
y)Getoutofmyway
,I'
m
nottal
ki
ngtoyou
Lore:
(hel
dhim back)Shecan'
ttal
kto
youri
ghtnow
Aati
le:(
pushedhi
shands)Don'
tput
yourhandsonme,Iwanttotal
kto
mywi f
e
Lore:Nevercounty oureggsbef ore
theyhatch..
.(hel
dhi m back)Lolo
can'ttal
ktoy ouri
ghtnow, can'tyou
seeshei sscared..
.Shei sobvi
ously
afrai
dofy ou.Giveherami nute,ota
goi t
helakolapeng.
Aat
il
e:Want
wael
awai
tse
Lor
e:Wenakewenaont
wael
ang.
..
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
lyopeni
ngt
hedoor
)
Att
ieI
'
m sorr
y
Lor
e:Lol
ocl
oset
hatdoor
Aati
l
e:Lologetoutoft
hatcar,giv
e
himthekeystohiscar
.Don'tdothis
tome.Wegotki ds,
thr
eekids..
.
Lore:
Wow,real
l
y?You'
regoi
ngt
opul
l
theki
dscar
d?
Aat
il
e:I'
m nottal
kingtoyou.
..Babe
l
et'
sgo,givehim hi
skeysretsamae,
wecantalkaboutthisat
home..
..
please.
..

Shel
ookedatthekeyandbackat
Aat
il
eagai
n..
.
Lol
o:I
t'
smi
ne
Aat
il
e:(swall
owedt ear
ful
l
y)Fr
om
hi
m...
.Givehim hi
skeyssowecan
go.
..
Please
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
39PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 36

Att
heWi
l
li
amsHot
el.
..
.

Lolol
ockedthecarandwalked
towardsAat
il
eandLor easi
fshe
wouldhandoverthecarkeys.
..
..

Aat
il
e:Thanky
ou.
.

Sheputthem i
nherdresssecr
et
pocketandfol
dedherarmswalki
ng
pastthem.
..
Aat
il
e:(
fol
l
owedher
)Whatar
eyou
doi
ng?
Lol
o:(
angr
il
ytur
nedar
ound)Ican'
t
gi
veawaymycar
Aat
il
e:Lol
oyou'
renotdoi
ngt
hist
o
me
Lore:
(gr
abbedLolo'
shand)Hey
..
.
Canwet al
kforasecond?I
twon'
t
takel
ong,iwantt
ogo...
Aati
l
e:(pushedawayLor
e'shand)
Don'
ttouchher

Loreturnedaroundandpushedhi
m
hardersomuchhest agger
ed
backwar dsandalmostf
ell
onhis
backbutquickl
ygai
nedbalanceas
Lorewalkedtowar
dshim wit
han
angryf
ace.

Lore:
Don'tev
ert
ouchme,
doy
ou
underst
andme?
Lol
o:Canyoutwostopi
tbef
orewe
getki
ckedoutoft
hehot
elpl
ease

Thei
rfacetofaceconfrontati
on
pai
ntedabigdiff
erenceofhei ghtand
bodystr
engthasAat i
lelookedupat
hi
m.Loreturnedbackandhel dLol o'
s
handwalki
ngasidewi t
hher .
Aatil
e'
sthr
oatcr ackedashewai ted
l
ookingatthem thenhegotbacki n
hiscarandleanedt owardsthe
steer
ingastearsdr opped.He
rememberedhi sfather'
swor dsabout
cryi
ngandleanedbackl ooki
ngup
taki
ngadeepbr eathbl i
nkingsever
al
ti
mest ogetridofthet ears.
..

Meanwhil
eLoresof
tl
yputhi
shand
onLolo'
schestt
ocheckher
hear
tbeat
..
.

Lore:
Areyouokay
?You'
renot
supposedt
obescaredl
i
kethi
s
Lol
o:I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Lor
e:I
sthebabyokay
?
Lol
o:(
sher
ubbedhert
ummy
)Yeah.
..
Lore:Givemey ourphone...(
she
handedhi mthephone)I '
m savi
ngmy
numberasLor e, pl
easecallmeifyou
needhelp,idon'ttr
ustyourboyfr
iend.
Hel ooksangryandhemi ghtharass
youf r
om here.
Lol
o:Thanks.
..

Shehadnev erseenamanwi t
hsuch
gut
sandst ubbornness,
thewayhe
haddominatedAat i
lewasjust.
..I
t
wascrazy,
hewasamant hatknew
whathewant edandwasn'tgoingt
o
l
etageeki nawhi t
ecoatstophim.
Clearlyhewasabadbadbadboyand
perhapst hatki
sshadlef
taseedof
attracti
on..
.HewasKen'sbr ot
her
afterall
-i
traninthefami
ly.
..

Hecalmlysavedthenumberand
pagedhi
mselfthenhet ookouthi
sto
saveher
s,hegav ebackthephone
thenhehuggedherandwal kedher
backtothecar.
..

Meanwhi
leAat
il
etookadeepbreat
h
andl
ookeddowntohidehi
sreddi
sh
eyesasLoreopenedthedoorf orher
thenshegotinthepassengerside,
heclosedthedoorwhil
eAat i
le
quiet
lyl
ookedoutsi
dethewi ndow..
..

Lor
e:Puty
ourseatbel
t,Goodni
ght
..
Lol
o:Thanks

Loregl ancedatAat
il
ewi tha' dare
questionmebr uh'l
ook,Aatilequietl
y
start
edt hecaranddroveoutoft he
hotel
.Hi schestwasstil
lrecov eri
ng
fr
om thatmassi vepushont hechest
andheknewLor ewasl ookingf oran
opportunitytost
ri
ke,actual
lyhi m and
hisbrothercl
ear
lypr
ovokedhi
m wi
th
theintenti
ontor
etal
i
ate.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronLol ofoll
owedhi m ashe
unlockedthehouseandwal kedin,he
tookof fhi
st -
shir
tandwentf ora
showerasLol ostoodatt hedoor
l
ookingatt her omant i
cview-bal
loons
andr osepaddles...
.Itwasni ceyes
butitwasj usttooclichéandher
heartwasst il
lbackatt heVW. ..

I
twasar
ound7pm butshewent
strai
ghttobedandswit
chedofthe
l
ights,minut
eslat
erAat
il
esatonthe
edgeofthebedandsighed
thoughtf
ull
y.
..

Aat
il
e:Weneedt
otal
kaboutt
hatcar
Lolo:
I'
m notgi
vi
ngawaymycarj
ust
becauseyoudon'
ttr
ustme
Aatil
e:(angri
ly)Whatdoy oumeanI
don'ttr
ustyou?Wasn' thekissi
ngyou?
Hehadhi st
onguedowny ourthr
oat.
..
Whatdoy ouwantf rom t
hesethugs?
You'rechil
dishifyoufi
ndamanl i
ke
thatatt
racti
v e,whatdoyouwant
from me?
Sheignor
edhimthenhepeel
edthe
sheetsof
fandtur
nedherar
ound..
.

Aat
il
e:You'
renotkeepi
nganot
her
man'
scar!
Lol
o:Orwhat?what
'stheot
her
opt
ionsoicanpi
ckit?

Shesnatchedthesheet
sbackand
l
aiddownasAat il
esatont
hebed
l
ookingather.
..

Aat
il
e:(
tear
ful
l
ycal
m)Babepl
ease
don'tdot hi
s..
.You'r
egiv i
ngthisguy
theammuni t
iontodisrespectme,
pleaset el
lmey oudidn'tl
iketheway
het alkedme.Wear eengaged, y
ou're
supposedt orespectme.Icaughty ou
kissinganotherman...
(shakyv oi
ce)
Andy ouhaven'
tevenapol ogi
sedf or
that..
..Comeon. .
..

Tearsfi
ll
edhi seyesthenheturned
aroundandcov eredhisfacetr
yingto
gatheralit
tl
estrength,Lol
ogotup
andhuggedhi mf rom behi
nd,he
tearf
ull
yheldherhandsandt urned
aroundkissingher.
Hest i
ll
coul dn'
tgetr i
dofLor e'
sface
buthesol deredon, hisfat
hersaidt o
buryhispainandt akeitli
keaman.
Hedi djustthat-
kissinghersoftly
getti
ngbet weenherl egsashepul led
outhisboxerbr i
ef s,meanwhi l
eLol o
kissedbackr el
uctant l
ywor r
iedabout
hercarsitti
nginthepar ki
nglotall
alone.I
tcoul dgett ouredorreported
tothepol i
ce..
.

Lolo:(
pausedki
ssi
ng)Wai
t.
..Wai
t.
..I
can't
..
.
Shemov edbackandputonher
cl
othesasAatil
esatonthebed.
..

Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngather
)Wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?
Lol
o:Ifor
gotmybagwi t
hDidi
,iwas
j
ustgoingtoabandont
hebri
dal
showerbutij
ustremember
edmy
bag.
Aati
l
e:Youhav eyourphone,why
don'
twespendt i
met ogetherandget
i
ttomorrow?Weneedt otalkabout
whathappened.
Lolo:
Myf ol
i
caci
dandother
supplement
sar
eint
here,idon'
twant
t
ogetpoi
soned.
Aatil
e:Youcan'tgo...Weneedt o
tal
k..
.(angri
l
y)You'rebeginningto
annoyme!Whydoi hav
et obegyou
wheny oushouldbebeggi ngmefor
forgi
veness?Wear egetti
ngmarried
andy ou'
recheatingonme, youj
ust
recei
vedacarf rom hi-
Lol
o:Aati
ledoyouseri
ousl
yexpect
metogiveupmycarknowi ngver
y
wel
lthatyouwon'
tbuymeacar ?My
sal
arywil
lnotbeenoughtogetmea
car
-
Aati
le:I
fyoucan'
tgi
vebackt
hecar
thentheweddi
ngisoff
-
Lol
o:Youcanstoptheweddingifyou
want,i
t'
swhaty
oul ongwanted.I
t'
s
notl
ikeyour
eal
lyloveme..
.
Aati
l
e:You'r
epregnantf
orGodsake!
Thi
sthugcouldbecarry
ingal
lki
nds
ofdi
seases,Lol
o-

Shewalkedoutt
henhel
eanedov
er
rubbi
nghisf
ace.
..
.

AtGr
anny
'shouse.
..
.

Latert
hatni
ghtar
ound9pm just
aft
ergoingt
obedBabyhyst
erical
l
y
shookherheadont hebedcr
yingin
hersleep,Mayagotupandswitched
theli
ghtsonthensheshookherlit
tl
e
sist
er..
..
.

May
a:Baby
?Baby
?

Babygaspedforairandgotup
shaki
ngandcryingthenshet ouched
herpant
ieschecki
ngt hem out.
..

Maya:Whatareyoudoi
ng?Baby.
..
(gr
abbedhersti
l
l)St
opcry
ingyou'
re
scari
ngme..
.
Thei
rgrandmotheropenedthedoor
andstuckherheadinsi
de.
..

Gr
anny
:Gi
rl
sisai
dbedt
ime-

Shepausedandwal
kedinasBaby
cr
iedl
ookingar
oundther
oom..

Gr
anny
:What
'swr
ong?
Baby
:(cryi
ng)Amant ouchedme.
..I
wasbleedi
ng..
.Itwaspai
nful
..
.

Thegr
andmot
her
'shear
tski
ppedand
shelookedi
nthewar drobeandthe
windowsbutnothingwassuspici
ous
thensheputBabyont hebedand
tookadeepbreath..
.

Gr
anny
:Cani
seewhat
'swr
ong?
Baby:No,
mamasai
dnooneshoul
d
touchme
Granny:I
'm nott
ouchi
ng,
ijustwant
t
ol ook.Maybeyouweredreaming
Maya:(hel
dBaby'
shand)Youwere
dr
eamingbecauseidi
dn'tseet
he
man,idi
dn'
thearanyt
hing
Baby:
(cr
ying)Iwantt
ogohome.
..
.I
wantmymamaanddaddy
Granny:(l
i
ftedherupandgentl
y
rubbedherbackwal ki
ngtoher
bedroom)Okay ,
let
'scall
mama
okay..
..

TheysatonthebedasAati
le'
s
mothercall
edLol
obutherphone
rangunanswer
edthenshecall
edher
son..
.

Aat
il
e:(
sni
ff
les)Hel
l
o?
Her:(
Babycry
ingint
hebackground)
Att
ie?It
hinkMayahadanight
mar e
butnowshewon'tgobacktosleep-
shesaysshewantstocomehome
Aati
le:Whydon'ty
oumakeherwatch
TVorsomet hi
ng?Orshecansl
eep
wit
ht hel
ight
son
Her:
Shel ookst
err
if
ied,
shesay
sa
mantouchedherandshewas
bl
eedin-
Aat
il
e:(j
umpedandputonhi
scl
othes)
Di
dy outakeal
ookather
?Wher
eis
Maya?
Her:Ithi
nkshewasdr eami
ng, Maya
didn'
thearanythi
ngandshesay s
therewasbloodonherpant iesbut
therei
snothing,ichecked.
Aat
il
e:OK,
I'
ll
bet
her
einami
nut
e..
.
AtKen'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthatni
ghti t
iedmyhead
walkingaroundthehousei nmy
panti
esasi switchedofftheli
ghts
andwentt obed, iknewKen'sfl
ight
hadlandedhour sbeforebuthehad
anotherdeli
veryandi wasn'
tsure
whenhewoul dbeback...

Itookoffmypantiesandgym bra
theniswit
chedofftheli
ghtsandgot
i
nbed, wheneverKenarr
ivedfr
om
oneofhislongtri
pshehadt ofi
nd
menakedsohecaneasi l
ygetwhat'
s
hiswithoutast ruggle,mymi ndwas
sodirtyigothor nyjustknowinghe
wouldbehomel atethatnight,
i
couldn'twaitforhimt osweatall ov
er
meandmakemest andononet oe,
hedidal lsort
soft hingswithme
sexuall
yandi l
ov edthem all
..
..

Acarst
oppedoutsi
det henismil
ed
andmovedthecurt
ainsbutitl
ooked
l
iket
heVW Lorehadgiv enLol
o..
..

Iputonmygownandwal kedout
swit
chingtheli
ght
sonasLolo
hurr
iedover.
..
Lol
o:(
pant
ing)Hi
..
.Themmacani
l
eavemycarherewit
hyou?
Me:Youabandonedthepart
yand
di
dn'tanswery
ourphone,
what
happened?
Lol
o:It
'salongstory
...Aati
l
eisjust
bei
ngunreasonable,
hesay sit
's
ei
therigi
veupthecarort hewedding
endsbut.
..(
rel
uctant
ly)His
i
nsecuri
ti
esarejustturni
ngmeof f
Me: Hekindofhasapoi
ntdon'
tyou
thi
nk?Peoplearegoi
ngtomakehim
thetopi
cofthetownify
oudriv
e
anotherman'scar
Lol
o:KanaAati
lewon'
tbuymeacar
,
whyshoul
dIleavemycar?
Me: Yeahi under
standbutwei
haven'ttalkedtoKenandi don'tl
i
ke
cal
linghim whenhei sout,
idon't
wantt ointerrupt
.Can'ty
out al
kto
Lore?Hecanpar kitathishouse,he
has2par kingspacesunderthe
shadebutheonl yusesone.KenandI
usebot hourshades
Lol
o:Thatsoundsl
i
keapl
an.
.
Me:Loloihopeyou'
renotfal
l
ingfor
Lor
e,you'
reweeksawayfrom your
weddi
ng-
Lol
o:(
frownedandbr
ushedmeof
f)
What
?That'
schi
l
dish.
..Whywoul
di
dot
hat?Comeon..
.

Shedial
edLoreandwal kedaway
wrappi
ngherhairaroundherfi
nger
wit
hal i
tt
lesmil
e..
..

AtGr
anny
'shouse.
..

Laterthatni
ghtAat
il
esteppedoutof
thehousecarryi
ngBabyonhi s
shoulderwhil
stMayaheldhishand.
..

Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Hi
smother
:Goodni
ght
..
.IsLol
oin
t
hecar
?
Aati
le:Il
eftherathome,
shei
s
exhausted.
..
Hi
smot
her
:Goodni
ght
..
.

Aati
leputBabyonherpinkcarseat
andstrappedherasMayasatnextto
herputti
ngonherseatbel
tthenhe
droveout..
..

Aatil
e:(
looki
ngatheronthemirror
)
Baby?You'refi
ne.
..I
twasjusta
dream..
.
Baby
:(t
earful
ly
)No,
ther
ewasaman
andI
'mitchi
ng..
.
Aat
il
e:May
adi
dyouhearany
thi
ng?
May
a:No
Aatil
e:Stopcr y
ing,wearegoingto
seeadoct or.
..Okay?Ineedy outo
stopcr y
ingsot hatIcandri
ve
properly,
doy ouwantust odieina
caraccident?(sheshookherhead)
Thanky ousoy ouhav etocalm down
becauseI '
mt akingyoutothe
hospital
.

Hestoppedatthetr
aff
icl
i
ghtsand
si
ghedtryi
ngLolo'
snumberwhi
ch
r
angunanswer
ed.
..

AtLor
e'sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
ethephonerang
unanswer
edinthepassengerseat
whil
eLoreopenedhishouseshir
tl
ess
wit
hasoftsmile.
..

Lor
e:Hey
..
.
Lol
o:Hi
agai
n..
.

Heclosedt
hedoorandpl
ayful
l
yli
ft
ed
herupandputheront
hecouchas
shel
aughed.
..

Lol
o:(
laughed)St
opi
t.
..
Lore:(satonthecouchandsmi l
ed
l
ookingi nhereyes)I
'
m sorr
y..
.I'
m
tooplayful
..
.Areyouokay?Ihopehe
didn'
thityou
Lolo:No,I
'mfine.
..(
rel
uct
antl
y)Why
didyoubuymeacar ?Wearenot
seeingeachotherandI'
m get
ti
ng
mar ri
edi
naf ewweeks
Lore:Rememberwheny ougotlocked
upwithDidi?Iki
ndoflikedyouand
yourengagementringstoppedme
butwheni heardaboutyourbri
dal
showeri r
eali
seditwast heonly
chancei hadatshowi ngy ouhow
muchi careabouty ou.Notal l
mar r
iagescomef r
om Godandi f
may bey earsfrom nowy oudivor
ce
I'
dnev erforgivemy selfbecausei
heldmyf eel
ingsbackassumi ngyou
arehappy .
Lol
o:(
laughed)I
'
m pr
egnant
Lore:Sowhat ?Haven'tyouever
heardofguy swhof oundthe
pregnancyandmadeaf amil
youtof
that?Ilov
ey ouandi knowy outhi
nki
don'tknowy oubuti haveheardDi
di
tal
kabouty ourchi
ldhoodandt he
chall
engesy outwowentt hrough,
i
admi r
ey ourstrengt handy eahi know
i
tsselfisht owanty ouknowi ngAat il
e
wantsy oubutheynoneofusowns
you,it
'sy ourdecisiont omakegor e
whodoy ouwant, allineedr ightnow
i
sachancet oprov emy selftoyou.
Youcancar ryonwi t
ht heweddi ng
preparationswhileI '
m wor kingon
showingy oumyl ov eandI 'm sure
beforey ourweddi ngdayy ouwoul d
havereachedadeci si
on. .
..No
pressure
Lolo:Idi
dn'
tknowguy sl
ikeyou
exi
sted..
.(l
aughedandroll
edherey
es)
befor
eKengav eDidiacarihadnever
heardofaguygi v
ingawomana
brandnewcarj ustbecausewa
mmat ai
bil
egapeasadumel wa,it
s
unbeliev
able.
..Noti
nBot swana.
..
.I
'
m
sti
llshocked.
..

Hesmi l
edlookingatherl
ipsand
romanti
call
yli
ckedhisthenheleaned
overandsoftl
ykissedherwit
hhis
handcaressi
ngherhair.
..

Lore:
(leanedbackandsmil
ed)Ther
e
yougo-somethingt
oshockyou.
..
.

Shelaughedshyl
ythenhemoved
cl
oserandkissedherpul
l
ingouther
pant
ies.
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebe.
..
.

Aat
il
ewalkedinast
hedoct
orputon
hi
sglov
es..
..

Dr
:Idon'
tl
iket
hewayy
ou'
reusi
ng
me
Aati
le:(putBabyont hebed)I
understandbutijustneedthisone
l
it
tlefavour.Sheoncewentt hrougha
tr
aumat icchil
dhoodsoI '
mt hi
nkingi
t
wasj ustadream tri
ggeredbymy
mother'
sdarkhouse,sheswitches
offal
lherl
ightstosavepowerbutat
ourhouseweusual l
yleav
ethe
passageswithli
ghtsonsoitcanbe
easyfort
hekidstogot othetoil
etat
ni
ght..
.
Dr
:Iunder
stand.
..
Aati
le:CanyoucheckMayatoo?Isi
t
possibl
eforkidstobemol
ested
wit
houtfeeli
ngit?
Dr:Somet imes..
.Somekidsfall
asleepl i
ketheyaredead,t
hekindof
kidsy oucanscream atorshakebut
theynev erwakeup.Theycanbe
mol estedandtheywouldneverknow.
Aati
le:Nomanwashomet hough,i
t
wasj ustmymother
..
.Iwanttobe
surebecauseshecomplai
ningabout
i
tchiness
Dr
:Al
ri
ght
..
.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llwai
tout
side.
.
Dr:Youdon' thav
et ogooutside,j
ust
sitoverther
eandpul lthecurt
ainsif
you'r
eaf r
aidtoseey ourdaughter
sin
thatkindofpositi
on.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.

Hetookaseatasthedoctorchatted
wi
thBabymakingherlaughget t
ing
pr
eparedf
ortheexaminati
on..
..
Dr:I
'
m goi
ngtocheckifyou'
refi
ne
okay?(
shenodded)goodgir
l.
..
.

Afewmi nutespassedashe
examinedbothchil
drenand
i
nstr
uctedthem togetdressed.
..

Dr:Babyyou'
resuperfine,
noone
touchedyou.
..Butiknowwhyy ouar
e
i
tchingandil
lgivey
oumedi cat
ion
okay?
Baby
:Yes
Dr
:May
ayou'
resuperf
inet
oo.
..(
to
hi
m)t
ell
them t
owai
tout
side.
..

Thechil
drenwait
edforthei
rfat
herby
thechai
rsout
sidethenAati
lecl
osed
thedoor
..
.

Aat
il
e:You'
rescar
ingme.
..
Dr:No, they'
rer eall
yf i
ne..
.ButBaby
May a'scarsseem t obei rr
itat
ed,i
t
couldbef r
om ur ine,chil
drendon't
wipet hemsel vesaf t
erpeei ngand
may beshet ookal it
tlelongerwithout
bathingandt hesal t
sirri
tatedher
scarsbuti hav eaf eelingitmustbe
fr
om wear i
ngr oughcl othesl i
ke
weari
ngaJeanwi
thoutpanti
esso
whenshepl
aysar
ounditrubsonher
scar
s
Aati
le:Youmi ghtberi
ght,
Shel
ikes
taki
ngof fal
lherclot
heswhenshe
getsinthetoi
letandthenshef
orget
s
herpantiesi
nt hetoi
l
et.
Dr:Howev er
,I'
m goingt omoni t
orthi
s
l
itt
lei rr
it
ati
onandseei fit
'smore
thant hissofarshei sjustfi
neand
theni ghtmaresmi ghtbebecauseof
whathappened, abr ai
nisapower ful
tool.Herbodywast raumat i
sedsoof
cour seshewon' tunderstandwhyshe
dreamsl i
kethatbecausei fshewas2
goingon3i t
spossi bleshemi ghtnot
remembereverythi
ngvi
vidl
ybutwe
can'
tcont
roldreams.Psychol
ogyi s
notmyareaofspecial
it
ysoI '
llr
efer
youtoJackson,hecandefini
tel
y
shedsomel i
ghtonthatbutit
's
basi
cal
lytr
auma.
Aat
il
e:(
shookhands)Al
ri
ght
,thanks
Dr
:Sur
e,col
l
ecthermedi
cat
ion
Aat
il
e:sur
e..
.

Minuteslaterhewalkedoutandli
fted
BabyholdingMay a'
shandast hey
walkedoutoft hehospi
taland
headedhome. ..
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
..

Thenextmor ni
ngLoloquietl
yopened
thedoorandt i
ptoedtothebedroom
wher eshesl owlyopenedthedoor,
Aatil
eandhi sdaught erswere
asleep;Baby'
sf ootlai
daround
Aatil
e'sneckasshef acedthe
oppositedirectionwhil
eMay aputher
footonhi sst omachwi t
hallt
he
sheetsar oundher .
..
.

Sheswall
owedregr
ett
ablyand
cl
osedthedoor
,thi
swokeAat i
l
e.He
gent
lyputdownBaby'
sfootand
movedMayaaswellt
henhegent
ly
gotof
fthebedandwal
kedout
..
.

Hequiet
lywalkedinthebathr
oom
whereLol
owasf i
ll
ingt
hetubwit
h
water
,herheartski
ppedwhenshe
t
urnedtohim star
ingather
...

Lol
o:(gaspedandt
ouchedherchest
)
Hi.
..
.Youscaredme,i
didn'
tseeyou.
..
Aat
il
e:Wher
edi
dyousl
eep?

Sheli
ckedherdr
yli
psandwal
ked
overt
ohim ashest
oodatt
he
doorf
ramet
ear
ful
l
ylooki
ngi
nher
eyes.
..
.

Aat
il
e:(swal
lowed)Di
dheuse
pr
otect
ion?
Lol
o:Wheni
lef
t-
Aat
il
e:Di
dheusepr
otect
ion?
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)Yes.
..
.

24KLi
kesf
orabonusbef
ore6pm
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
39PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 37

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
..

Hetur
nedaroundandwalkedoutas
Lol
ofol
lowedhim andgr
abbedhis
wri
stt
earful
l
y..
..
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
rybuty
ouhav
etol
i
sten
tome.
..
.

Hewal kedoutoft hekitchenback

doorandsatont hestoodr ubbi
nghi
s
faceasLol ostoodinsidethekit
chen
holdi
ngt helock.
..

Lol
o:Aati
leiwasn'
tdonet
ell
ingy
ou
whathappened.
..
.Pl
easel
ist
entome,
hefor
cedhimselfonme
Aat
il
e:Don'
tl
iet
ome.
..
Lol
o:I
'
m notl
yi
ng
Aati
le:(angril
ystoodup)Whatki ndof
arapistusesacondom?Andwhydi d
youspendani ghtthere?I t
's6am and
you'
rejustget ti
nghome. .
.Youev en
wantedt obat hbeforei couldwake
up,doy outhinkI'm stupidenought o
fal
lforthis?Loloy oumademewai t
yearsclaimingtobeshyandt heny ou
tur
nar oundandgi vei
tt ohim so
easi
lyjustbecausehehasmoney ?
Doi meant hatlitt
letoy ou?Doy ou
thi
nkI'm stupidenought ofall
forthis?
Lolo:
Youdon'thavetofal
lfori
t
becausei
tsthetrut
h,it
houghtabout
whatyousai
danddeci dedtogive
backthecar
.Iwenttohishouseand
handeditbackthenhedr aggedme
i
nsideandrapedme, heuseda
condom becausehesay shedoesn' t
knowmyst atusthenhekeptme
overni
ghtandletmeoutt hismor ni
ng.
Hetoldmet hatifir
eport
edhi m he
wil
lkil
lme,that'
swhyi j
ustwant edto
actli
kenothi
nghappened. .
.(cryi
ng)It
wasmywayofcopi ngwitht hi
s..
.
Aati
le:(
shookhi
shead)Pl ayi
ng
gamesaboutrapeshouldbei ll
egal
,
howcany ousaysomethinglikethat
knowingwhatMayahasbeen
thr
ough,doyouthi
nkit
'sal l
justa
j
oke?
Lol
o:I
'
m notl
yi
ng,
whatshoul
didot
o
showI
'
mtel
l
ingt
het
rut
h..
.
Aati
le:
SwearwithMay aandthat
babyyou'
recar
ryi
ng.
..Lookmei nt
he
eyesandswearwit
hy ourchi
l
dr en.
..
.
Lol
o: (
tearful
ly
)Her apedme, iswear
wit
hMay aandt hisbabyher e..
.I'
d
neverli
eaboutsomet hinglikethat.
..I
j
ustdidn'twantt otellyoubecause
nobodyev erbeli
ev esthevicti
m andi
wenttohi shousepeopl ewouldsayi
wantedit..
..

Aat
il
estaredatherabitconfused,
par
tofhim wantedtobeli
eveher.
Lol
owouldneverlieaboutrapeor
swearaboutherchil
drenbutthenhe
sawt heguyki
ssi
ngher ,hebought
heracarandalmostassaul t
edhim. .
..
Perhapsshewastell
ingt hetr
uth,
he
wasr oughandhelookedl i
kethetype
todoi t
..
..
..

Aati
l
e:(si
ghed)Howcomei
don'
t
tr
ustyou?
Lolo:Becausey ousawmebet r
ayi
ng
yousoi don'tblameyou,iwoul
dn'
t
beli
evemy selfeit
herbuti
t'
sthe
tr
uth..
.
Aat
il
e:Canwer
epor
thi
m
Lol
o:NoI
'
m notgoi
ngt
hrought
hat
andify oudon'tbeli
evemewhat
makesy outhinkanyonewi l
lbeli
eve
me?Yourmot herandfatherandthe
enti
ref amil
ywon' tbel
ieveme...They
willt
hinkI'
m acheat erandnev er
respectme.I sthatwhaty ouwant?

Helookedatherconf
usedand
st
eppedinthehouse.
..

Aati
l
e:(
cal
mly)Areyoureal
l
ytel
l
ing
thet
rut
hherapedyou?
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)Yes.
..
.
Hehuggedherasshebur
stedi
nto
t
ear
s..
..

Aati
le:
Butwehav etodosomet hing
aboutit
,ican'
tjustsitaft
erheari
ng
somethingli
kethis.
..Whatifcondom
ebursti
leandhei nf
ectedthebaby ?
SomeSTDscausebl indnessand
manyot hert
hings..
.
Lol
o:I
tdi
dnotbur
st,
isawi
t.
.
Aat
il
e:Di
dhedoi
tonce?
Lolo:Yesandhemademebat h,
the
reasoniwastry
ingtobat
hnowisso
thatIcanwashoffhi
sshowergel
..
Aat
il
e:Icansmel
lony
ou.
..
Lolo:Yeah...AndI'm sorr
yaboutt hat
kiss,idi
dn'tmeant ohur tyou.He
kissedmewi thoutmyconsentand
yesi gottempt edbyt hecarbutilove
youandi l
ov eourkids..
.Idon'twant
tolosey ou..
.
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyewagot
hapa.
..
.

Theywentbackt othebathr
oom
whereshet ookabathashesaton
thetoi
letseatwatchi
ngher,i
twas
painf
ulenoughknowingshewas
washingoffanothermanbut
knowingthereareguyswhocan
easil
ybuyacarf orawomanwho
i
sn'
tev
ent
hei
rsst
unnedhi
m..
.

Aati
l
e:Babeify
oureal
lyneedthecar
youcanhavemine.
.You'
lldr
opmeat
workwhenI'
m havi
ngmorningshi
fts
andI'
ll
tal
ktoTsheposohecandrop
meofeachtime,I
'l
lgi
vehimfuel
money..
Lolo:
Noitsokay,somet
imesy
ou
knockof
fv er
ylat
e
Aati
le:I'
l
lbefine,al
ltheguy sIwork
wit
hatt helabhav ecars,
I'l
lcat
cha
ri
def r
om them each,don'tworry
aboutit.
..
Lol
o:Ok.
..
Shedr
iedher
sel
fwi
that
owel
thenhe
st
oodup..
.

Aati
l
e:Letmegomov etheki
dsand
pr
eparethebedforyou,wesl
eptver
y
l
atebalebel
etsecar
toons
Lol
o:Thanks.
..

Hemov edthechildr
entothei
rroom
anddustedthebed,shewalkedin
andsatonthebedt henhegrabbeda
contai
neroflot
ionandsatatthe
edge..
.
Aati
le:Laydown,
I'
ll
hel
pyouwi
th
thi
s..
.

Shelai
ddownguiltst
ri
ckenasAati
le
gentl
ymassagedherfeet
,hi
salar
m
buzzedthenhest
oppeditand
conti
nued..
.

Lol
o:I
t'
sokay,I
'
llappl
ythelot
ion
mysel
f.Getr
eadyforwork.
.
Aati
le:Ican'
tgotowor k,I
'
m notokay
andifigetinther
einthelabwiththe
stat
eI'minnowI '
llmixthe
specimens..
.Sometimeshaithel
a
gotwedisampledil
athegi
lei
s
becausemothootheogelakast
ress
thenyoumispl
acethem.
Lolo:Not
hepleasegotowork..
.Now
ifeel
badthatkegolof
isi
tsekoti
rong.
Aat
il
e:I
'
mf ine.
..I
'l
lbefi
ne.Don't
worr
yaboutme. .
.Idi
dn'tsl
eep
any
way,ionlydozedoffli
keminutes
bef
oreyougothere.Let'
ssleep
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Helai
dbehindherandkissedher
neck,
Lolotookadeepbreathand
si
ghedthoughtf
ull
y,shewondered
howshewasgoi ngtoenjoyher
brandcarwi
thoutany
oneseei
ng
her.
..
.

Att
heguest
house.
..
..

Laterthatmor ningKel
lywalkedout
ofthebat hroom wrappi
ngher sel
f
withat owel andsatonthebedas
Bayangputonhi ssocksthenhe
grabbedhi sphoneandcal l
edAat i
le'
s
brother.
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Yeah,
igoty
ourt
ext
.We
can'tuset heWil
li
amsHot elf
orthe
bachel orpart
ybecauseLol oworks
there..
.Weneedpr ivacy.
..Howabout
thatresort?It
sexpensivebutthe
servicesaretopqualit
y,theyeven
haveboat swecoul duset hem t
ofool
aroundi nthewater.
Hi
m:Alr
ight
,I'
l
ltal
ktot
hem.Di
dyou
t
alkt
oAtie?
Bayang:Yeahbutlastni
ghthedidn'
t
pickmycalls,
I'
ll
callhi
m kecheka
gorewhat'
supgongweoneal eko
spaneng
Hi
m:Al
ri
ghtshap
Bay
ang:
sur
e
Hehungupandcal
l
edAat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Yeah
Bay
ang:
Sleepi
ng?
Aati
le:
(wal
kedoutoft
hebedr
oom)
yeahwareng?
Bay
ang:
Iar
ri
vedl
astni
ghtwi
thKel
l
y
Aati
le:Ihopethi
sdoesn'
tblowupon
yourface,Aoneseemscrazy.
.
Bay
ang:I'
m divor
cing,ot
abea
i
mphethel
ay aanong..
.
Aat
il
e:Lol
ospentani
ghtoutwi
tht
he
br
othert
oDidi
'
sboyfr
iendol
ewadi
t
att
oowammona?
Bayang:
What?Kant
edi
dn'
tyousay
sheispr
egnant
?
Aat i
le:Shei
ssay s-nxehi
t'
salong
story..
.Waitselait
akakeimel
wake
stress.Idon'tknowwhattobeli
eve
I'
mj ustinbetween...
Bay
ang:
Shoul
dIpi
cky
ouup?
Aati
le:
Yeah,pickmeupLol
ogott
he
carandcheckedonhermot
her
.
Bay
ang:
alr
ightshap

Hehungupandputonhisshoes
whi
leKel
l
ygotdressed.
..
.
AtLor
e'sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatmorni
ngLol
oknockedand
wal
kedin.
..

Lol
o:Knock-
knock!

Shewalkedallthewaytothekitchen
andpausedlookingatabig
powderedsubstancethesizeofa
1kgsugar.Partofi
thadbeen
sel
lot
apedwi t
hadar kbrown
sel
lot
ape..
.
Onthecounterwassmal l
clear
pl
asti
csthebanksusuall
yusedf or
coi
nsexcepttheseoneswer equit
e
small
,al
mostt hequar
terofthe
usual
l
yplast
ics..
.

Therewasasmal l
calcul
atorli
ke
objectwit
hnumber sondisplayanda
tr
ayoni t
'sside,
nexttoitwasal arge
amountoft hewhitepowderont he
countersecti
onedbyanATM car d.
..

Lor
eopenedt
hekit
chenbackdoor
,
hi
shear
tski
ppedasthei
reyesmet
andf
ell
ont
hepowder
s.

Loloshookherheadandstormedout
thenheclosedthekit
chendoorand
ranaft
erhercatchi
ngonthemi ddl
e
oftheli
vi
ngr oom..
.

Lor
e:Lolohey.
..Hey .
..(
grabbedher
wri
st)Comeher e.
..Li
sten..
.It
snot
whatyouthi
nk..
.
Lol
o:Ar
ethosedr
ugsLor
e?
Lore:Babel i
sten..
.Iknowyou're
scared..
.It
'sreasonablebutthatri
ght
thereismoney ..
.Lyingonthat
counterisbundl esofmoney.Wi t
h
t
hati cangety ouwhat everyouwant
whenev eryouwant .
..That'
sallthat
matt
er st ome...Prov i
dingformy
woman.Youdon' thavet obeinvolved,
you'
renotsupposedt o.Allyouhav e
t
odoi srespectmeandI '
ll
lovey ou.
..
I
'l
lgi
vey ouwhat every ouwant..
.
Lol
o:Loreyoucoul
dgetcaughtand
gotojai
lfor
ever
.
Lore:Iknowbuti won'tgetcaught
becausey ouwon'ttel
lanyone,i
twil
l
beourl i
tt
lesecr
et..
.Right?
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Lor
e:(smil
edandkissedher)
Shi
t.
..
..
..
Idi
dn'
texpectanyonetov
isi
t
me
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Don'
tyouhav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iend?
Lore:(l
aughed)No...That
'swhyIwas
comf ort
ablebecausemybr otherand
Didiaretheonlyoneswhocanv isi
t
butiknewf orsuretheywouldn'tbe
here.
Lol
o:Dot
heyknow?
Lore:Noandt heyshouldn't
,you'
re
supposedtokeept hi
sasecr eteven
yourbestfr
iendshouldn'tknow..
.If
youtellDi
dishewillt
ellKenandI '
l
l
knowt henI'
l
lhavetrustissuesand
getparanoi
daboutgoi ngto
j
ail
..
.(
looki
nginherey
es)par
anoid
peopl
ecanbedangerousbabe,don'
t
putmei nt
hatstat
e
Lol
o:Don'
twor
ryabouti
t,i
won'tt
ell
any
one..
.Sowhatwerey
oudoing?
Lore:
I'
m packagi
ngthem..
.Someone
shoul
dcoll
ectanddeli
vert
hem.
Lol
o:(smi
l
ed)Let
'sgo,
I'
ll
hel
pyou
out
..
Lore:
(puthi
sar
m ar
oundherwai
st)
Thanks.
..

Theywalkedintheki
tchenandstood
bythecounterasLor
est oodbehi
nd
herhol
dingherwaist
..
.
Lore:(kissedherneck)Al right.
..Um...
(poi
nted)Thatt hingi sascal e.
..
.i
t
measur esi ngr ams. ..Ourcl i
entsare
touri
stsandt hist hingishar dtof i
nd
i
nAf ri
casoagr am i sli
ke60dol l
ars
ofwhicht othem i sli
keP60butt ous
i
tsbigmoney ..
.conv ertedtopul ait
s
l
ikeP642andbecauset heydon' t
wanttowast et imecal culati
ng
moneyt heydon' tunder st
andt hey
j
ustgiv eoutf lat650or700, mostof
them paywi t
ht hei rcurrencies.
Pounds, dol
larsandwhatnot ..
.
Lol
o:Wowsot
hisl
it
tl
eti
nythi
ngi
s
650?I
tsl
i
keat
easpoon.
..
Lor
e:Yeah.
..
.
Lol
o:Whichmakes1kg
wort
h..
..
(cal
cul
ati
ng)Um.
..
Lor e:
( smi led)65, 000andi natourist
buzzpl acel iket hi
si twi l
lbegoneby
theendoft heday ,y oucansel l5to
10kgi nl esst hanaweekandwhi t
e
peoplear et hesmar testpeopl
ey ou
canev ert radewi t
h, ti
psar ea
tradit
ionf ort hem. .
..TheseBr i
ti
sh
guy stipl i
kei t'
snothi ng,somedon' t
ev encountbecauset hey'
rehi
gh(they
bot hlaughed)I '
m ser ious..
.

Shet
urnedar
oundput
ti
ngherar
ms
ar
oundhi
sneckandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Lol
o:Sot
her
eis65,
000behi
ndme?
Lore:(smil
ed)Iguessy oucouldsay
that.
..Andwecoul dgot oSantonand
spentitormay beNami bi
a,ilove
Nami biabecauseit
'ssafe.
..I
tsmor e
l
ikeBot swana,thepeoplearefri
endl
y
andwel comingt of
orei
gners...
Lol
o:(laughed)Lor
ekanakenal
e
passport,don'
tpl
ayme
Lore:(
smi
l
ed)Shoul
dwebooka
fl
ight
?
Shekissedhi
mt hem heli
ft
edherand
putheronthecounterki
ssi
ngher.
..

Lor
e:Howf
aral
ongar
eyou?
Lol
o:4mont
hs.
.
Lore:(
stari
ngi
nherey
es)Hav
eyou
connectedwit
hit
?
Lolo:(smil
edshakingherhead)Not
reall
y.
..Youthi
nk-
Lore:Yeahbutonl yify
ouwant ..
.
Travel
lingthewor l
dneedsener gy.
..I
tr
avelal otandidon'twanttol eave
youbehi nd.
..i
wanttoseet hewor ld
andspendt hi
smoneywi thy ou.Ken
i
ssav ingforat r
iptoDubai,hewant s
t
osurpr
iseDi
diandi
wast
hinki
ng
may
be-
Lol
o:(smil
edexci
tedandj
umped)
YES!YES!IWANTTOSEEDUBAI .
..
YES..
.
Lore:
(smiled)Cool
.
..Wewil
lgot
oa
pri
vatedoctorandt
akecar
eofit
..
..

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
..
..

Nexti
nser
t11pm
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
40PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 38

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
.

Laterthatmorningil
azil
ywal
kedin
theofficeandthrewmyhandbagon
thetablethenitookoffmyheel
sand
l
eanedbackl ookingatmyphone..
.
Kenstil
lhadn'
tbeenhomeor
checkedin.
..

Iwasbegi
nningtowor r
ybuti didn't
wantt
ocallhim,iputi
tdownandl ai
d
myheadont hedeskthenitvibrated.
Ij
umpedandsatpr operl
ypickingup..

Me:
Hey
..
.
Ken:
Sweet
ness.
..
.I
'
m checki
ngi
n
Me:Kendon'tsweet
nessmewhat
happened?Iwasworri
edsi
ckabout
you
Ken:
I'
ll
behomei
naf
ewmi
nut
es,
i
j
ustl
eftt
hecli
nic.
..Ii
njur
edmyhand
andhadtogetsti
tchedup.
Me:
Bywhat
?
Ken: Thesaf
aricarwewer
eusi
ngt
o
thelodgeatthedelt
ahada
breakdown
Me:I
'm att
heof
fi
ce,
IguessI
'
llr
ush
st
rai
ghthome.
Ken:
Alr
ightseey
ou
Me:
Bye.
..

Iputonmyshoesandwal
kedout
bumpingonLor
eashewalkedi
nthe
off
ice.
..
Me:
Hey
..
Lore:
Hi.
..Iwon'
tbeintheoff
ice
today
.Ihaveafewthingtodo..
.
Me:(smi
l
ed)Soyoudeci
dedt
obuy
Lol
oacar?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Lor
e:(
laughedshy
ly)Iwasj
ustbei
ng
si
ll
y
Me: Noyou'
rewer
en'
t..
.Doyouli
ke
her?Dudeyoudon'
thavetohi
deit
fr
om mebecauseifyoutwodo
somethi
ngI'
llbet
hefir
stper
sonto
know
Lor
e: (
smil
ed)Idoubtt
hat
,you
wouldn'
tbesayi
ngthosewords
Isl
owlysmil
edl ookingathim ashe
tur
nedandwal kedintohisoffi
ce.I
fol
lowedhi
mi nsideandcl osedthe
door.
..
.

Me:(smi
li
ng)Noooo..
..(
hesmil
eda
bi
tandsatleani
ngback)Noyou
di
dn'
t!
Lore:(
smil
edandputhisf
ootonthe
desk)What?Cl
oseyourmouthbefor
e
fl
iesgeti
nther
e
Me: (
laughedandslappedhisfootof
f
thedesk)You'
resuchadi rt
yli
ttl
e
burst
ed!Sheispregnantforgodsake!
(heldmywai stshocked)Wow...Who
woul dhavethoughtLolocancheat
onAat il
e..
.Imean-shewouldki
llfor
him...Li
fehasaf unnywayofturning
thingsaroundisn'
tit.
..Sowhat
'sthe
planbetweeny outwo?
Lore:Therei
snoplanI'
mtaki
ngher
fr
om Aat i
l
e,hewi
ll
f i
ndanot
her
gi
rlfr
iendyol
ekewame
Me:
Thatwi
l
lnev
erhappen,
dream on
Lor
e:Whatmakesy
ousosur
e?
Me:Sheli
kesAatil
e..
.I
'
m notsur
e
aboutl
ovebutiknowf oraf
actAat
il
e
i
sagoodf at
herandshewi l
ldo
whatev
ershecantomakesur eher
daughterdoesn'
tl
osehim.Heis
everywoman'sdream st
epfat
her,
he
l
ov esherdaught
er
Lor
e:Kant
ethi
sguygasebabydaddy
yagagwe?
Me: Legal
lybutnotbiol
ogical
ly,
he
adoptedherdaughterandi havea
feeli
ngthem get
ti
ngmar r
iedwasan
addedadv ant
agetohi mincourtso
forgetLol
o..
.Andshei spregnanti
don'tthi
nkshewillwanthersecond
borntobeast epchil
dt oo.
Lor
e:I
sthatso?
Me:(
lookedathi
m)Loretherr
alesa
gont
imadikgangwena.
..It
hought
wear
efr
iends,
whati
sit
?
Lore:(
switchedthecomput eron)
Thereisnothingtotell
buticantel
l
youonething-itwil
lbeint
erest
ingto
haveherinmyl i
fe.
..
Me:
Doy
oul
oveher
?
Lor
e:It
hinkso,shei
sinter
est
ingand
iwantt
ogiveitatr
y.(
looki
ngatme)
Youdon'
tsoundhappyforme
Me:(f
akedasmil
e)I'
m happyij
ust
don'
tseethi
sworki
ngouttheway
youwant,
shehasafamily
.You'
re
goi
ngtogethur
t
Lor
e:Don'
twor
ryaboutme
Me:
Lol
oisunpr
edi
ctabl
e
Lor
e:Iacceptt
hechal
l
enge.
..
Me:
(laughed)God,
yousoundhi
gh.
..
Lor
e: (
laughed)I
'
m abi
gboyicoul
d
usealitt
ledrama.Myl
i
fehasbeen
bori
ng...
.
Me:
You'
recr
azy
..
.Ihav
etogo
Lore:
Bye,
bestfr
iendwhodoesn't
knowanyt
hingaboutherbestf
ri
end
Me: Sheisobviouslyembarr
assedto
tel
lmebecausei knowherasmi ss
perf
ectbutshewi llevent
ual
lyt
ellme,
wear ebestfr
iends
Lor
e:(
laughed)Ri
ght
Ifakedasmileandcl osedthedoor
walkingout
.Lorewasn' tsupposedto
fal
linlovewi
thherorhav ewhatever
feel
ingshehadf orher,mywhol el
ist
hadjustbeenrearrangedbyher
automatici
mmuni ty.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

LateronAat
il
eandBayangsatonthe
couchashefrust
rat
edl
yrubbedhi
s
handstoget
her.
..

Bayang:Shei
sly
ing.
..Fi
rstyoucat
ch
them ki
ssi
ng,
sheref
usest oret
urn
t
hecarandthenal
lofsuddenhe
r
apesherandshedoesn'twantto
r
eport
?Sheisfool
i
ngy ou..
.Dropthi
s
weddi
ngthi
ng
Aati
le:
Iwi shi couldbutil
oveher.
..
Youwoul dn'tunderstandwhatI
'm
sayi
ng,ican'tev ensharet
hiswit
hmy
fat
herorbr otherbecausetheywil
l
notunderstand.
Bayang:Loloistaki
ngadv ant
ageof
you,thi
siswhyal lyourex'
sused
you.
..May a'
smot herabandonedher
becauseshei s100%sur eyouwil
l
motherMay aandnowLol oisher
e
makingy ouamot her,sheisonl
ywit
h
youbecausey oulovekidsandshe
feelsherdaught erissaferwithyou.
Trustmeawomanwhol ov esyouwil
l
nev ergetagif
tf rom anotherman
especiall
yinfrontofy ou..
.That's
totaldisr
espect.Lolowagony atsa
andy oumustgi v eherchildbackso
shecanst oprunni ngaroundl i
keshe
doesn'thaveresponsi bi
li
ti
es
Aatil
e: Babyismydaught erlegal
lyso
ican'tjustdropherofft
hesi deofthe
roadjustbecauseLol odecidedto
spendani ghtoutwi
thmen. ..(si
ghed)
Lololiedt omeagainbecauseIcal led
hermot herandsheisnothome.She
l
iedaboutwher eshewasgoi ng.
…
Bay
ang:
Kant
egonewher
edot
hese
guy
sgetthemoneyt oshower
womenwi t
ht heseunreal
i
sti
cgif
ts
makinguslooksoi ncompet
ent
?Do
guy
sactuall
ydot hat?
Aati
le:Itseemsli
ket
heymakemoney
wit
ht hesecars
Bayang: No, i
hav eseenguy swho
sell
carst hey'r
enotl oadedlikethis
becausecar sar en'
tgroceri
es...Go
reki
sadi kol
oi gasegor eki
sanzamel a,
Peopledon' tj
ustf i
l
ltheofficeor
queuetobuyacar ,i
namont hy ou
canselloneort wocar sespecially
becauseal mostev eryoneissel l
ing
them andDi di'sboyfri
endeneke
bonadr ugdeal erhela.
Aatil
e:Drugscan'
tmakey our
ichl
e
tsoneakere,doyoueverseet
heboys
whosel l
ganjatota?
Bayang: Therearesophi sticated
drugssol dbycleanpeopl ef orr
ich
peopl e,doy outhinkwhi tepeopl ecan
buycocai nefrom ast r
eetguywhose
pantsar eaboutt of all
out ?These
guyssel l dr
ugs,thereisnowayt hey
canaf f
ordthatlav i
shlifestyleby
dependi ngoncar skanant šwat se
gadi berekesepeandi don' tthi
nk
they'
reeducat edeither,kebonabo
dullhelababot hibakabogal e.
Aat
il
e:Ij
ustdon'
tbel
i
ev edrugsexi
st
i
nBotswana,maybetheyinher
it
ed
somet
hingf
rom t
hei
rfat
her
..
Bayang:Keray
ahelagor
ewhatsor
t
ofamanbuy sawomanacar?
mathakany
anaabaiponabal
enosi
hel
amoMaun.Youshouldhave
punchedhi
m nnaokaswabaakadi
ra
matakal
aaokeleteng
Aat
il
e:Het
ookherfr
om mebaemel a
hal
ebabua,
gorayagoreoneabata
gor
ekebuasengweamphar aseha
pel
egagaLolobutikeptqui
et-

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(cr
ying)It
hinkI
'
mlosi
ngt
he
baby.
..
Aat
il
e:What
?Wher
ear
eyou?
Lolo:(
cryi
ng)I'
m atthepr
ivate
becausetheterr
ibl
epainsstart
ed
whileiwasinthemal l
Aat
il
e:I
'
llbether
e,howisthebaby
?
Di
dtheytakeyoutothescan?
Lol
o:I
'
m onmywayt
her
e,by
e
Aati
l
e:I
'
m onmyway ,pl
easebe
st
rongf
orourboy
,okay?
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Hehungup.
..
Aati
l
e: Shethi
nkssheisl
osi
ngt
he
baby.
..Ihav
et ogo.
..
Bay
ang:
Kel
l
yandi
wil
lfol
l
owy
ou.
.

Hewentt
othechi
l
dren'
sroom.
..

Aat
il
e:Guysl
et'
sgopassbygr
anny
's
House.
..
May
a:Okay
Baby:Wi
lly
oubuymei
cecr
eam on
theway?
Aat
il
e:y
es.
..Comeon,
hur
ry!
Theyal
lgoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Aati
lepushedthedoorandwal kedi
n
asLolosatonthebedapplying
l
ipst
ickthenheleanedoverkissi
ng
herandsatnexttoher.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Lol
o:(r
ubbedherli
pstoget
herand
cl
osedherhandbag)Theyal
ready
cl
eanedme..
.
Aat
il
e:What
?
Lolo:
(st
oodup)Iwasbleedi
ngand
thedoct
orsai
dthebabydidn'
tmake
i
t..
Aati
l
e:(f
rowned)What?(t
ouchedher
fl
attummy)Areyouseri
ous?
Lol
o:Yes.
..
Aat
il
e:Di
dhesaywhatcausedi
t?
Lol
o:I
t'
sinconcl
usi
ve
Aati
l
e:Wherei
sthedoct
orwho
at
tendedy
ou?Iwanttot
alkt
ohim
Lol
o:Aati
lepleasedon'
tdothi
s..
.I
under
standthatyouarehur
tbut-
Aati
le:I
sitbecauseoft
her
ape?I
ts
thecauseisn'
tit
?
Lol
o:Wel
l
-

Hest or
medoutandbumpedonhis
fr
iendwalki
ngint
henBayangt
urned
aroundandfol
l
owedhim.
..

Bay
ang:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Aati
le:
(gr
abbedhi
scarkey
s)Shel
ost
thebaby
Bayang:
Um...
.(pant
ingr
unni
ng
behi
ndhim)sowhereareweheaded?

Hequi
etl
ygoti
nthecarandst
art
ed
t
heengi
nethenBayangj
umpedin
befor
ehecouldtakeoff,
heclosed
thedoorasthecarj
oinedthemain
roadcutt
ingof
fotherdri
verswho
angri
l
yhonked..
..

Bay
ang:Aat
iewherear
ewegoi
ng?
Tal
ktome..
..
.Aat
il
e?

Minuteslaterhesl oweddownat
Ken'sMot or'
sgat ethenhehonkeda
thousandt i
mesast hesecurit
yman
opened,Lorest eppedoutoft he
offi
ceandst oodout sidet
r y
ingtosee
whowasmaki ngsuchnoi se.
Aatil
eglar
edathim onceand
steppedontheacceler
atorbi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerl i
paimingathim wit
hhi
s
bumperasBay angblockedwit
hhis
arms...

Bay
ang:
Aat
il
eno!No!St
op!St
opi
t
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
40PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 39

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s

Aatil
eglar
edathim onceand
steppedontheacceler
atorbi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerl i
paimingathim wit
hhi
s
bumperasBay angblockedwit
hhis
arms...

Bay
ang:
Aat
il
eno!No!St
op!St
opi
t
Bayangshookthesteer
ingwheeland
thecartur
nedfacingaBenz,Aat
il
e
steppedonthebreaksmissi
ngthe
carbyaninch.

Loreappr
oachedandst oodnextt
o
thecari
nspect
ingi
t,therewasno
damagethenheturnedt ot
heguys..
.

Lor
e:Di
dyouj
ustt
ryt
orunmeov
er?

Aat
il
est
eppedoutoft
hecarand
cl
osedt
hedoorst
ari
ngatLor
e..
.
Aati
le:
Iknowyourapedherand
causedthatmi
scar
ri
age.
..
Lor
e:Youcameher
ejustt
osayt
hat
?
Aat
il
e:I
'm goi
ngtomakesur
eyou
suf
fert
heconsequences
Lor
e:Thi
sisr
eal
l
ysad,
youneedt
o
l
eave

Bayangsteppedoutoft
hecarand
approachedthem.
.

Bay
ang:
Canwet
alkl
i
kegr
ownmen?
Lore:
Youmeanli
kewhathej
ustt
ri
ed
todominut
esago?
Bayang: No, obv i
ouslyouremot i
ons
arehighandwear ethinkingli
kea
bunchoft eenageboy sbuti fweall
calm downandt alkoutourpr oblems
wemi ghtact uallyshakehands
beforewalkingawayf rom one
another.Aat i
lepleasecal m downand
tal
k,Lorei apol ogisefort hatl
it
tl
e
squabblebutt hat'sover,kopaobue
l
eeneshapshaphel arel esegonna
emot i
onallikewear ewomen.

Theybot
hkeptquietappear
ingt
o
ki
ndofunder
standwhathewas
sayi
ng.
..
Bayang:I'
m getti
ngbacki nthecarso
youcantalkfreel
y, i
fistandher ei
t
mightmakeLor ef eell
ikewear e
ganginguponhi m andhewi ll
obvi
ouslygetdefensive...(l
ookedat
bothofthem)Leshapaker e?
Aat
il
e:Tsamaa.
..

Hewalkedbackint
othecarand
cl
osedthedoor.
..

Lor
e:Let
'
sgoi
nsi
de.
..
Aat i
lefoll
owedhi minsidewher ehe
offeredhi m achai ri
nhisof f
ice, Lor
e
satonhi sandl eanedbackl ooki ngat
Aat i
le,partofhim couldseet hepain
hewasgoi ngthrough,hehadseen
thatpai ninhisl i
tt
lebrothersey es
year sbeforeandcamecl oset o
l
osi nghimt othroughasui cide
attempt .Het ookadeepbr eat hand
exhal edtryinghardnott othinkabout
i
t..
.

Lor
e:Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Aat
il
elookedathi
mtr
yingt
ospeak
butsomet hinggotstuckonhi
sthroat
andhistear swereaboutto
disappoi
nthi m,hesadlybi
thi
slower
l
ipandblinkedsev eralt
imest
ryi
ngto
puthiswor dstogether
,hewasn'
t
surewhatt osaybutheknewhe
didn'
twantt oloseher.
..

Lorelookedathi m again,hehad
seent hatonhislit
tlebrotheryet
again..
.Wher ebyy oureallywantto
speakbuty oucan'tbecausethepain
i
st oomuchandy ouhav eemot i
ons
youcan' tsharebecausey ou'r
eaman
whoshoul dacttough,he'dseenall
onhi sli
ttl
ebrother'
sfsce.He
swall
owedr eachingf orabottl
eof
waterthenhedr unkhi sgui
ltaway
andhandedt heot herhalft
oAat i
l
e..
.

Hegrabbedt hebot
tl
eanddr unkallof
i
t,whateverwasonhisthroatpassed
andhet ookadeepbreathputti
ngthe
bott
ledown....

Ther
ewasst il
lsil
enceintheof
ficeas
thet
wooft hem satfaci
ngone
anot
herseparatedbythetabl
e..
.

Aati
l
e:Il
oveher
..
..Lol
oandi have
beenthr
oughal
otandi t
'snotj
ust
aboutmeandher ,it'
saboutt he
children.Mydaught eri sal most10
year s,hersisal most7y ear sold.
Bot hoft hesechi ldrenhav ebeen
throughal ot..
.I'm nott ryingtoget
pityf r
om y ouorany thi
ngbecausei f
youdon' thav echildr enyoumi ghtnot
under stand.Mydaught er'
smot her
wascar eless, shewoul dlockheri n
thehouseandgof or2day s,ihadto
takehert ocour tandbel ievemei t
washar dj ustbecauseI 'm amanbuti
wonf ullcustody .Lol ohasbeenal one
withherdaught ersi nceshewasbor n,
i
twashar df orher ,shewasa
teenagerandherf ami l
ydi dn'tli
keher.
Herdaught erwasabusedandt hat
l
eftLol owi thscar sinherhear t,i
t
tookhery earst otrustmeandat
somepoi nti gav euponherandt r
ied
tomov eonbutshef oughtf orus,she
didterri
blet hingsjustt okeepour
familytoget her.Thatmademyl ov e
forhergr owev enst rongerandnow
wear ecloset oget ti
ngourhappi ness,
herey ou'
reconf usingherwi thmoney
andgi ft
s.Idon' thav et hemoneyy ou
haveandi obviouslycan'tspoilher
thewayy oudobecausei evenuseda
l
oant odot hisweddi ng.Pleasestop
confusingher
Lor
el ookedathi
m andsi
ghed
l
ookingdown...

Aati
le: Ir
eall
ylov
ehery esbutour
chi
ldrenneedabr eak,
theydeser
vea
famil
y .Idon'
tknowi fyouknowwhat
needingbot hparentsdoesto
chi
ldren...

Heunderstoodthatwaymor ethan
Aati
lecouldeverunderstandandhe
tookanotherdeepbreath..
.

Aat
il
e:I'
m sorr
yforwhatij
usttr
iedto
dooutsi
de..
..I
'
m notr
eall
yafighter
,i
wasn' traisedl i
ket hatsoi can'tget
i
nv olvedi nv iolentconf rontationsbut
icanonl yr easonwi thy oumant o
manandl ety oumakey ourown
decisi on.I'm notsur ewhathappened
whenLol ocamebackt ogi vey out he
car,i canonl ybeliev ey ouf orced
your selfonherandt hatresul t
edi n
hermi scar ri
age...(tear f
ul l
y)Idon' t
knowmay beI 'mr eallyst upidbut
that'swhatI '
m choosi ngt obel i
ev e
i
nst eadofconsi der i
ngt hef actthat
may beshedoesn' tl ovemeany mor e
orthatshewant st oputher selffir
st
foroncei nherl i
fe...Shehasn' thad
ti
mef ort heki ds,i taket hem t ot he
hospi t
al andshar et hebedwi t
hthem
andal lthisst artedwheny ougaveher
thecar .
Any wayI 'm notbeggi ngfor
mer cyy oucanst illdecidetotakeher
i
t'sfinecl earlyy ouhav et
hepowerto
dothatbecausey ouhav emore
moneyt hani coul dev ermakeand
moneyi sabi gdeal towomenso
what every oudeci dei sfi
ne,j
ust
thoughty oumi ghtneedt oknowhow
muchshemeanst omeandmy
daught ersbef or ey oudecidetotake
her.
..(sighedr eliev ed)That'
s
i
t..
.(
st oodupandshookhi shand)
Thanksf orlisteni ng. .
Hewalkedoutt
henLor
efol
l
owed
hi
m..
.

Lore:(
sincer
ely
)I'
m sor
ryabouty
our
son..
..

Aat
il
etur
nedar
oundandl
ookedat
hi
m..
.

Aat
il
e:Thanks

Lorewalkedbackintheoffi
ceand
stoodbythewindowwat chi
ngas
Aatil
egotbackinthecar
, hi
m andhi
s
fr
iendspokeforawhilethenBayang
squeezedhisshoul
dersupport
ivel
y,
Aatil
enoddedencouragedthenthey
droveoff
.

Hetookadeepbr eat
handsatont
he
chai
rthought
ful
l
y...
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

LaterthatdayKenlif
tedmeupand
putmeont hecounterthenhestood
i
nf rontofmeasi replacedt
he
bandagehehadar oundhi shand..
.
Me:
Whathappened?
Ken:
Wewer
ewor
kingont
hecar
..
.
Me:(
ifi
nishedandkissedhim)Ihope
wearet
elli
ngthetr
uth..
.t
hislooks
l
ikey
ougoti nt
oafight.
..
Ken: Theyt r
iedt ogetthem without
paying...(
helif
tedmychi nupand
ki
ssedmesof tly)butIthoughtwe
agreedt hatev eryt
hingthathastodo
wit
ht hepowder si snoneofy our
concer n,you'r
esupposedt obeli
eve
al
lthel iesoratl eastactli
key ou
bel
iev eit.
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.
Hepi ckedmeupandwalkedtothe
bedroom andashuggedhi
swaist
wit
hmyl egsandki
ssedhi
m,helay
medownandgotont opofme
l
ookingi nmyeyes.
..
.

Ken:
Ilov
eyou.
..
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..

Myphonerangt
henir
eachedf
ori
t
andanswer
edasKenki
ssedmy
neck.
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Canwet
alk?Wher
ear
eyou?
Me:
I'
m home.What
'sup?
Lol
o:Il
ostt
hebaby
Me:
What
?
Lol
o:Theycl
eanedmeup
Me:(conf
usedbyherf
inev
oice)Ar
e
yousad?
Lolo:Yeahbutthesethi
ngshappen,
I'
m sadbutlif
ehast ogoonandits
notli
keev er
yoneknewi was
pregnant.
Me:
Howi
sAat
il
etaki
ngi
t?
Lol
o:Hest
ormedouthour
sagobuti
t
hinkhewi
l
lbef
ine.
Me:
Okay
.I'
m sor
ry.
Lol
o:It
'sokay ,
arey oufr
ee?Canwe
goshopping?( l
aughed)Iwanttouse
mycarbuti can'tdriv
eital
one..
.If
someoneseesmei twil
lbeanissue
andIwantt otakeal ookatanew
house,
Aat i
leandi arenotgett
ing
al
ongsoi thinkishouldmov eout
andgivehim alit
tl
espace.
Me:
Arey
out
aki
ngt
heki
ds?
Lolo:No,I'
ll
takeMay aonl
y .
..Shewil
l
vi
sitthem onweekends.Ijustreal
ly
needabr eakrightnowbecausei
can'tbefreetobemy sel
f,Aatil
eisa
contr
olf
reakandhemightget
abusi
veifidon'
tmov
eout.
Me:Aati
l
ewat
shoset
sahel
agagona
kabogal
e
Lol
o:Idon'
twantt
otakechances
Me:Buty
ou'r
egett
ingmarr
ied,
aren'
t
yout
wogoingtostayt
oget
herafter
t
hewedding?
Lol
o:Idon'
tev
enknowi
fI'
mreadyf
or
thi
s
Me:
Lol
oyouneedt
osl
owdown-
Lol
o:Slowdownonwhat ?Sowareng
kashopping?Iwanttobuycur
tai
ns
andstuffl
iket
hatforthenewhouse
Me:Okay,
givemet woorthr
eehours
t
otakecareofdaddythenI'
l
lbuzz
you
Lol
o:Shap

Ihungupandl
ookedatKen.
..

Ken:
What
?
Me:Lor
eisseei
ngLol
oandi
thi
nk
shewantst
odumbAatil
e
Ken:
Iknow
Me:
Andy
oudi
dn'
ttel
lme?
Ken:It
houghtshewi
l
ltel
lyousi
nce
you'
refr
iends
Me:Andi t
hinksheabor
tedherbaby
butshesaysshemiscar
ried
Ken: I
t'
ssadwhenpeopl ewhocan
hav ebabiesdot hatmeanwhi leother
peoplear ecryi
ngandpr ayi
ngfor
childr
en.Ihaveseenbabi esbeing
throwni nthetoi
letsandt rashcans
from therethesameki ller
sscream
outhowmenar etrash.What '
sthe
differ
encebetweenki ll
ingababyand
kill
i
ngagr ownwoman?
Me:Isti
ll
can'
tbel
i
eveshedi
dthat
..
.
Wow...
Ken:
Youremindedme..
.Ibeen
meaningt
oask..
..
Whenarewe
hav
ingababy
?
Me:
(laughed)Youwantababy
?
Ken:(smil
ed)Yeah..
.Ibeenexpect
ing
tohearsomet hi
ngfrom y
oubecause
wehav en'
tbeenusingcondoms,are
youoncont r
acepti
ves?
Me:
No.
.
Ken:
Arey
ousur
e?
Me:Ihaveneverusedt
hoseki
ndsof
t
hings,
justcondoms.
Ken:Whenl
astdi
dyougety
our
per
iod?
Me:
2weeksago
Ken:
Doy
out
hinkt
hati
nci
dentcoul
d
hav
eaf
fect
edy
oursy
stem?
Me:Iguessso, whenididn'
tmissmy
per
iodij
ustt houghtmaybeas
monthsgobyI 'l
lfal
lpr
egnant.Iwant
ababytoo..
.Itwouldbenicetohave
ali
tt
legi
rlthatigoshoppingwith
whil
eyou'r
eoutonbusi nesstri
ps
Ken:Maybeitwil
lhappenoverthe
months.
..Ther
eisnor ushanyway,
don'
tworryabouti
t

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedme.
..

Ken:I
nthemeanti
met i
meweshould
openasavi
ngsaccountfort
hebaby
,
whatdoy
out
hink?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
i
ke.
..

Heki
ssedme.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronAati
lesli
cedtheoni
onsas
thegir
lswashedthedishesint
he
sinkspi
ll
i
ngwat erar
ound..
.

Aat
il
e:Guy
slookatt
hef
loor
May
a:Wewi
l
lmopi
tlat
er
Baby
:(qui
ckl
ygotdown)I
'
llgett
he
mop..
.
Aat
il
e:Babydon'
trunt
hef
loori
ssl
i
pp
-

Babysl i
ppedandfell
onherface
bursti
ngal i
p,shecover
edhermout
h
cry
ingasbl oodgushedoutthen
Aatil
equicklypi
ckedherupand
shushedherwal ki
ngtothe
bathroom...
.

Aati
l
e:Mayabri
ngt
hef
ir
stai
dbox
andhert
owel.
..
.
Aatil
ewashedherfaceandwipedher
withatowelwal
kingtothel
ivi
ng
room asMayawor r
iedl
yfol
l
owed
him..
.

May
a:I
ssheokay
?
Aati
le:Shewi l
lbefi
ne.
..I
tsj
usta
smallcut.
..Ihavetost
opthe
bl
eedingandi twil
lbeokay.
..(toBaby)
Babesbitethiscott
onwoolf orme..
.
Keepithere,I'
l
lgetinafewmi nutes
Baby
:(cr
ying)I
thur
ts
Aat
il
e:Iknowbabe,
justdoi
t.
..
Shebi
titwhil
eAati
leopenedabottl
e
ofpar
acetamol,
thedooropenedand
Lol
owalkedin.
.

ShefrownedandpickedBabyl
ooki
ng
atherbloodyTshi
rtandr
ubbedher
back.
.

Lol
o:Whathappened?
Aatil
e:Shefel
l.
..(
hepoured
paracetamolonthespoonandstood
upmov ingthespooncloser
)Tur
nher
around...
Lolopushedawaythespoonspil
li
ng
themedicineonMaya'
sfacethenshe
walkedtothebedr
oom...

Lol
o:I'
l
ltakehert
ot hehospi
tal
,ibet
i
fitwasMay ayouwouldbeony our
waytothehospit
al.
..

Mayar
ubbedthemedi
cineonher
f
aceasAati
l
eclosedt
hebott
le.
..

Aati
le:(
hewipedhisdaught
er'
sface)
Gowashy ourfaceandgotothe
ki
tchen.
..
May
a:Okay
..
.

Aati
lefol
lowedhertot
hechil
dren'
s
room whereshewaspacki
ngher
daughter
'sthi
ngs.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lol
o:I
'm movi
ngout
,you'
reabusi
ve
andcont
rol
li
ng.
..
Aat
il
e:Shefell
,whydon'ty
ouaskher
whathappened?Babyismydaught
er
whywouldiabuseher?
Lol
o:Hernamei
sMay
a
Shewalkedt
ot hei
rbedr
oom and
packedhert
hingstooasAat
il
e
l
ookedather.
..

Aat
il
e:Lol
owhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lol
o:I
'
m mov
ingout
..
.
Aatil
e:Lolocanyounotdothisin
fr
ontoft heki
ds?Whyar eyou
draggingBabyint
othi
s?Can'twe
solveourprobl
emswi t
houtinvol
ving
her?
Lolo:Howdoidothatwhenyou'
re
punishi
ngherf
ormymi st
akes?Just
becausewehadanargumentyou
fi
ndway st
opunishmydaughter
?
MayaandBabyst oodatdoor
watchingi
nfearasthei
rpar
ents
shoutedandpoint
edatoneanother
..
.

Aati
l
e: (
angril
y)Di
dyoureal
l
yloset
he
babyoritsoneofyourf
avouri
te
abor
tionpil
ls?
Lolo:
(screaming)I
fyou'r
et al
ki
ng
aboutGiovannigotohell
,he
deservedeverybi
tofthat.That'
s
whathappenst oabastard.
Aat
il
e:Soyouabort
edourbabyfor
somethugwhosell
scars?(
tearf
ull
y)
Whydidyouevenki
llmymineifyou
knewy
ouwoul
ddot
his?
Lolo:
Ididn'
tknowI'df
eelthi
sway
becauseididn'
tknowther
earebet
ter
menoutt here.
Aati
l
e:(shookhi
shead)"Bet
termen"
andisupposeyou'
reabett
erwoman
Lolo:Atleastimakey oucum, what
doy oudowi thyourli
ttl
edick?Have
youev erheardmescr eam orcum?
Don'tdaretrytobeallmanl yonme
becausey oucouldn'
tev ensayawor d
whenLor ewast alki
ngtoy ou,you'
re
suchapat heti
cexcuseofaman. ..

Hekeptqui
etandt
urnedar
ound
l
ookingatthegir
lsthenhewal
ked
pastthem t
earf
ull
ypressi
nghi
slips
toget
herastearsbl
urredhi
svi
sion.

Lol
odr
aggedherbagsout
..
.

Lol
o:Mayal
et'
sgo.
..Hur
ryup,
goget
i
nthecar
..
..

Babyhurri
edtothecarastheoldest
May at
earful
lyf
oll
owedthem and
stoodatthedoorwatchi
ngasLolo
andMay adroveawayinaVW.
Tearsfel
ldownhercheeksasshe
rubbedhereyesl
ooki
ngaroundfor
herfat
her.
..
.

May
a:(
sni
ff
li
ng)Daddy
?Daddy
?

Shewentf r
om room t oroom l
ooking
forherf
atherandhewasn' tt
here
thensheranout sideandwalked
aroundthehousewher eshepaused
l
ookingatherfat hersi
tti
ngonthe
backdoorstoopwi thhisheaddown
cryi
ngandsni f
fl
ing.

May
awi
pedhert
ear
sandbr
avel
y
stoodinfrontofherfat
herashe
rubbedhisey eswithhi
sheaddown
thenshepul l
edhisheadovertoher
stomachandputherar msar oundhis
neckgivi
nghi m ahug,heputhisarm
aroundherwai standsi
ghedrubbing
hiseyes.
..
.

May
a:Il
ovey
oudaddy
..
..

Helaughedt
ear
ful
l
yandshookhi
s
head.
..

Aat
il
e:Il
ovey
out
ooangel
..
.
Hetookadeepbreat
handstoodup
t
henhebithi
sli
plif
ti
ngherupand
wal
kedbackint
hehouse..
..

Aati
l
e: I
'
m sor
ryy
ouhadt
oseeme
l
ikethat.
..
May a:
It'
sokay,icr
ywhenI 'm sadtoo.
Ifshedoesn'
tloveyoui wil
lloveyou
andwheni growupI '
m goingtobuy
youlotsandlotsofpresents.
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Ican'
twai
t.
..

Hewal
kedi
nthehouse.
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
41PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 40

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
LateratduskMay aclosedall
windowst henshemadeher self
noodlesandt ookabat h.Thehouse
wasqui etwi thoutBabyandev eryt
oy
wasbor ing.Herf atherhadbeen
asleepforhour sandshewasl onel
y,
sheswi tchedbet weent hechannel
s
buteachpr ogram madehermi ss
Babyev enmor ethenshef i
nall
ysat
al
oneatt hedi ningt abl
edoingher
homewor k.

Lateronshewar medtwopacksof
noodlesandpouredthem i
nacl ean
bowl,sheputthebowlinatraywi t
ha
gl
assofj ui
ceandwenttoherf ather'
s
doorwher
eshecareful
lyputt
het
ray
downasthej
uicesspil
l
edinthet
ray
..
.

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handknocked.
..

Aat
il
e:(
sleepy
)Whoi
sit
?
May
a:I
t'
sme.
..
Aat
il
e:(
rubbedhi
sey
es)Comei
n..
.

Hesatont heedgeofthebedrubbi
ng
hi
seyes,t
heheadachehehadcame
fr
om al
lsidesoftheheadandhewas
hungr
y,hehadnoteatenanythi
ng
si
ncetheVW.
Hewat chedasMay aopenedthe
doorthenshecareful
l
ypickedher
tr
ayfrom thef
loorandwalkedin
sl
owlybiti
ngherli
psstari
ngatthe
j
uiceshakingi
ntheglass.
..

May
a:Imadey
ounoodl
esandj
uice.
..

Hesmi l
edandgott hetr
ay,hedidn'
t
wanttoeatbutMay astoodthere
withasmilecur
iouslywonderi
ngif
shereal
lyknewhowt omakenoodles
theri
ghtway.Hedippedtheforkand
twist
editt
henheat eandsmi l
edat
her
..
.

Aat
il
e:Wow..
.It
sdel
i
cious.
..You'
re
anexcel
l
entcook

Herf
acel
i
tupasshesmi
l
edpr
oudl
y.
..

May
a:Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dli
kei
t.
..
Aat
il
e:Il
ovet
hem.Hav
easeat
..
..

Shesatnextt
ohi
m andsi
ghed.
..
.

Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ryaboutwhathappened
ear
li
er.
May
a:I
t'
sokay
.Wi
l
liev
erseeBaby
?
Aati
le:Idon'
tknowbutI '
m herdadso
thecourtwillal
lowhertovi
situsbut
i
twillt
akeav eryl
ongti
mebecauseI
wanttogivehermot herandi some
ti
met ocool downthenwecant al
k
aboutherv i
siti
ng.
Maya:Wait.
..
.(
smil
ed)Iremember
now.
..I
'
llseeheratschool
Aati
le:
(smiled)Good,you'
l
ltal
kto
eachotheratschool.
.Babydoyou
evermissyourrealmother
?
May
a:No,
shei
snotani
ceper
son.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.Iwasj
ustaski
ng
May
a:Cani
showy
oumyhomewor
k?
Aat
il
e:Yes.
..

Sher
anoutt
henhi
sphoner
ang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Voice:MrJohnson,youdidn'
tcome
toworkandi di
dn'thearf
rom you.
..I
s
everyt
hingokay
?
Aat
il
e:Hell
osi
r..
.Um..
.Ihadal
i
ttl
e
pr
oblem andf
orgott
ocommunicat
e.
Voi
ce:Pleasetr
ytobe
pr
ofessi
onal.
..
youknowthehospi
tal
i
sshortstuff
ed.
..Wehav
eal otof
patientsandyourabsenceisslowing
thedoct or
sbecausenowt helabis
delayingwithr
esult
s.Whenshoul di
expecty ouher
e?
Aati
le:(
lookedatt het
ime)I'
ll
be
ther
eont imef ormynightshi
ftandI
apologi
sef orgoingAWOL
Voi
ce:It
'sOK,nextt
imebe
pr
ofessi
onal
.
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ou.
..

Hehungupt
henMay
awal
kedi
n..
.

Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngatherwor
k)Good
wor
k,t
hey
'r
eal
lcor
rect
.
May
a:Okay
..
Aat
il
e:BabeI
'm goi
ngtoworkt
oni
ght
soyou'
regoi
ngtogranny
's
Maya:(
smil
ed)Yes..
.Iwasbored
nowI'
m goi
ngtoplaywit
hKaren
Aat
il
e:Whoi
sKar
en?
Maya:Ournei
ghbour,
shev
isi
tsus.
Sheismyclassmates
Aat
il
e:Cool
,gr
aby
ourt
hings

Shehurri
edtoherr
oom andpacked
hert
hingsfort
henight
..
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hateveningLol
opackedher
newcupsinthekit
chenshel
fas
Mayastoodatthedoor.
..

May
a:Whenar
ewegoi
nghome?
Lol
o:Thi
sisournewhome
Maya:(t
earful
ly
)Idon'
twantpeopl
e'
s
houses.
..IwanttogohometoMay a
andDaddy .
Lolo:
Hei snotyourfat
herandMaya
i
snoty oursi
ster.
..
whatiswrongwi
th
you?
Maya:Idon'
twantt
hishouse,
(cr
ying
andscreami
ng)Iwanttogohome!
Lol
o:(
impat
ient
ly)Qui
twini
ngand
bri
ngmethoseplasti
cs.
..
stopact
ing
l
ikewhi
teki
ds,I
'l
lwhopy ourbut
t.
..

Mayatearf
ull
ybroughtt
heplasti
c,
whenLoloturnedt
ogetthem she
pausedl
ookingatherastear
smet
onherchi
n...

Lolo:
(angr
il
y)Mayaket agoshapa
wankutwa?Don'ttr
ytodot hat
becauseI'
l
lwhipyousohar dkana
gankekegoshapaakere?Ngwana
y
oosenkeashapi
waodi
rahel
a
j
aakawenaj
aana.
..

Mayapoutedfol
dingherhandsand
rant
othebedroom scr
eaminglikea
madpersonthenLoloputever
ything
downandfoll
owedher.

Mayapickedherschool
bagandput
i
tonherbackt henshet
ri
edtowal
k
outasLolopushedheri
nsi
de.
..

Lol
o:Mayasi
tdown...Letmetel
lyou
somet
hingf
ir
st.
..Let
'ssitdown.
..
MayasatdownthenLolosatnextt
o
herandr
ubbedhertear
s..
..

Lol
o:(
calml
y)Letmeshowy
ou
somet
hing.
..
.

Shetookoutherphoneandshowed
herpi
ctur
esofDubai andt
he
ai
rpl
anes.
..

Lolo:
Wear egoingt
oDubai.
..Weare
notgoingbyacarorbus..Wewill
be
fl
yi
ng...Don'ty
ouwanttogetonan
ai
rpl
ane?
Maya:(smil
ed)I
sdaddyandMay
a
comingtoo?
Lol
o:(
sigheddi
sappoi
ntedl
y)Yes.
..
May a:(
punchedt heair
)Yes...Iwant
t
osi tonthewindowwi thMay a.
..
(
laughed)Isaiditfi
rstsoI'
llstayby
t
hewi ndow,youshoul dtel
lheri sai
d
i
tfir
stbecauseshewi l
lthi
nkI'm
l
ying..
Lol
o:(st
oodup)Yessostopbei
ng
sadandhelpmepack..
.Weonlyhav
e
tost
ayhereforal
it
tl
ewhile
May
a:(putt
ingdownherbag)Unt
il
t
hewedding?
Lol
o:(
rel
uct
ant
ly)Yesunt
ilt
he
weddi
ng
May
a:Okay
..
.

Therewasaknockonthewindow
thensheopened,
awomanwal kedi
n
withherbagandsmi
l
edgreeti
ng
them..
.

Lol
o:Hi
..
.Thi
sisMay
a..
.May
athi
sis
Pono
Pono:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
May
a
May
a:Hel
l
o
Lol
o:Wel
comehome.
..Comesee
y
ourr
oom.
..

Lol
ohel
dMaya'
shandandl
edPono
tot
hebedr
oom.
..

Lol
o:It
'satwobedroom housebutI
'
ll
beshari
ngwithMay asoyoucan
haveyourownroom...Howlonghav
e
youbeendoingthi
s?
Pono:Sincei wasyoung,Iworked
wit
hal otofchildr
enanddidav ery
good.Nkilekabelegabanabamonna
yomongwej aanawangakako
Let
sholathebe..
.Hehadal otof
chi
ldr
en, about10ifI
'm notmistaken
andit
ookgoodcar eoft
hem...They
l
ovedme..
..Thatdoct
ordidn'
teven
wantmetoleave,hewassosad
Lol
o:whydi
dyoul
eav
e?
Pono:Hef oundawi feandshewas
goingtobeahousewi fesotherewas
nomor ewor kforme, kemot hole
banannat ota.Ngwanaoot selahela
kemot shwer e..
.osekawa
tshwenyegeny annaka,keit
setiroe.
Lol
o:Okay..
.Wewi
l
lleav
eyout
o
unpack.
..
Pono:
Thanks.
..

Theywal
kedoutasshesmi
l
ed
admi
ri
ngt
her
oom.
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Latert
hatni
ghtAatil
ewalkedinthe
toi
l
etandjoinedtwoguysatthe
uri
nary,
helookeddownandsecr et
ly
l
ookedattheirdi
cks.
.Bothofthem
weresli
ghtl
ybiggert
hanhim.

Theywalkedoutt henanot herman

walkedinandpeednextt ohim,he
secret
lyglancedandal mostwidened
hiseyeslookingathisbigdick.
…the
guywasn'tev enerectbuthewasbi g.
Aati
leshookhi
sdi
ckandwashedhi
s
handsbythesi
nk.

Hewal kedoutt ucki

nghi sshir
tand
fi
xedhiscoatheadi ngtot helab, he
nevercaredabouthi ssizeuntilLolo
mentionedit.Hewonder edhow
manywoment houghtthatwayabout
hi
m butt henhecoul dn'
tev enask.He
pausedatt hedooranddi al
edDi di,
shewoul dprobablytell
hi mthet rut
h
buther emember edhert hug
boyfr
iendandhungup.

Hewal
kedi
nandsatbyt
hecomput
er
thenheGoogled..."Dowomenl ove
bigdi
cks?","
Howdoi knowi fmydick
i
ssmal l
?",
"howsmal listoosmal l
?",
"what'
sthenormal sizeofadi ck?"'
Doessizereall
ymat t
er?""mydi ckis
thesi
zeofacondom, isittoosmal l?
"
hesattherebrowsi ngforal mostan
hourunti
lacolleaguewal kedov er
thenhequickl
ycl osedt het abs.
..

Tshepo:Dudecany
ouhel
pme?What
areyoudoing?
Aati
l
e:(stoodup)Not
hing.
..Wher
e
canihelp?
Tshepo:
Ther
ear
enewspeci
mens
f
rom emer
gency

Aat i
leputont heglovesandgot
startedthenTshepocl ickedont he
historyopenedt heprevioustabs.The
topichithomet henhecl osedand
j
oi nedhimf orthetests..
...

Tshepo:Asl ongast hecondom

doesn'tf
alloffyou'refine,
somet i
mes
howbi gorsmal lyou'redependents
onthehole...Somehol eshavebeen
dugbyal l
kindsofspades, it
'snot
yourfaul
tshedi dn'ttakecareofher
body.
Aat
il
e:(l
aughedshy
ly)Idon'
tknow
whatyou'
retal
ki
ngabout.
..
Tshepo: Theyhav eat endencyto
startf uckingol dermenatay ounger
agel eav ingusbecausewecan' tbuy
them any t
hingandwhent heyhav e
beenusedbyov er50ment hey
fi
nallycomebackandcl ai
m wear e
ti
cklingt hem.Ev erhear dthem justi
fy
howadi ckcan' tst r
etchapussy
becauseappar entlyi
tsnotev enthe
sizeofababy 'shead?AndI '
m here
l
ikedot hesepeopl ewat chpornand
seewhatast retcheduppussyl ook
l
ike,theyf uckar oundandl oss
elasticitythenexpectust operform
miraclessot heycancum, hell
no.I
beenthrought hatshitandain'
tno
femalegonnabr eakmyspiri
t
becauseshef ai
ledtotakecareofher
body.IfI'
mI '
m smal li
t'
sbecause
you'r
est r
etchedup
Aatil
e:(
laughed)I
tmakessense
though
Tshepo:
(laughed)I
'
m ser
ious

Foramomenthef orgothispr
obl
ems
astheychat
tedworking.
..
.

AtGr
anny
'shouse.
..
.
Lat
erthatni
ghtAati
l
e'sf
atherdr
unk
wateri
nthekit
chenandfoundfood
onthecount
er.
..

Him:Fort
hefir
stti
meMay adi
dn'
t
f
ini
shherfood,i
twil
lrai
nappl
es
Gr
anny
:Shedi
dn'
t?

Mayawalkedoutoft
hebathr
oom
wi
thatoothbr
ushinhermouth.
..

Maya:
Idi
dn'
twanttofini
sh.Iwantt
o
sav
esomefordaddy.Hewillbe
hungr
ywhenhegetshomei
nthe
morni
ngf
rom wor
k
Granny:I
'm surey
ourmotherwi
l
l
cooksomet hingf
orhi
m,comefini
sh
yourfood.
.
May a:
Sheisgone,
sheisnotcoming
back.Shet
ookherthi
ngsandlef
t
wit
hBaby

Hergr andparentsst
aredatherin
shockt henAat i
l
e'sunclecal
l
ed,his
fatherpickedthephonef r
om the
tableandanswer ed..
..

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Uncle:
Alone'
sunclej
ustspoketome,
theywantanemergencymeeting
tomorrow.Weagreedon5pm
Him:Didtheysaywhati
t'
sabout
?We
havealr
eadysetthedat
enextweek
ragopegamaina
Uncle:
Theydidn'
tsaywhati
twas
aboutbutsomethingwasof
f,t
hatol
d
mansoundedl i
kehewasholdi
ng
somethingback,l
i
keheisaf
rai
dor
something.
Him:Ithi
nktheywanttocancelthe
wedding,
mygr anddaught
erjusttol
d
ussomethingint
erest
ingbutI'
ll
have
total
ktoAatil
e.
Uncl
e:Updat
emeaf
ter
Hi
m:Nopr
obl
em,
bye

Hehungupandl
ookedathi
sol
d
woman..
.

Him:NowI'
mr eal
l
ywor r
iedabout
Aati
l
e,hecanbesuici
dal
Granny:Idoubtt
hat
,sincehehad
May ahehasnevert
riedthatokalel
a
helaabopamabuthewon' thurt
hi
msel f
.
Hi
m:I
fyousayso.
..
AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

«««Kenheldmyhandasiscr
eamed
sweati
ngasmybodytorel
ett
ingout
thebaby.
..
.

Ken:
(ki
ssedmyf
orehead)Yes.
..We
di
dit
..
.

Isi
ghedinrel
i
efasthebabycri
ed,t
he
doct
orwipeditwi
tharecei
verand
smil
edreveal
i
ngthesex..
.

Doct
or:
Congr
atul
ati
ons,
It'
sboy
..
.
Ken:(
laughedpr
oudly
)It
oldi
tsa
boy.
..
.Comehere..
.

IlaughedasKengent lyheldhim al
l
stiffl
ikehewashol dingsomet hi
ng
del i
cate,
het ur
nedandhandedhi m
ov ertomet heni smil
edt ouchi
nghis
ti
nypi nkhands...Helookedsomuch
l
ikeKeni ev
engotj ealous..
.

Me:Howdarehelooksli
keyou,who
car
ri
edhim 9months,
ungrat
efulson
ofdog!
Ken:(
laughed)Youwerejustan
i
ncubator,
don'tf
lat
tery
ourself
Webothlaughedt
ouchinghi
sti
ny
fi
nger
s»»
»Iopenedmyey eswit
ha
hugemonkeysmil
e..
..

Suchami ndrelaxingdream anda

goodwayt ostarttheday ,
isatonthe
edgeofthebedy awning,t
henight
waslong,Kenandhi ssexdri
ve..
..
.

Awhiteenvel
opecaughtmyat t
enti
on
ontheheadboardt
henireachedforit
andopened,t
hreepi
ctur
esfellonthe
car
pet.
Ileanedov erandpi ckedt hem, the
fi
rstpi ct
ur ehadahugeai rplane
Emi ratest obespeci fi
ctheni tur ned
i
tar ound, hehadwr it
tensomet hing
withabl uepenandwhatshi ttyhand
wr i
ti
nghehad. ..
"FlyEmi r
at eswi th
me"i tsai d, it
ur nedt heot herpi cture
andsmi ledatahugebeaut iful white
yachtt heni turnedi taroundandr ead,
"Sail awaywi thme. ..
".Iqui ckl y
turnedt hel astpi ct ureandst ar edat
themostbeaut i
ful archit
ect ural
designsI 'dev erseen, ididn' tev en
knowwhatpl acei twasori fitwas
realtheni turnedt hepi ctur e, "St upid
peasant ,i knowy oudon' tknowwhat
pl
acethatis.It
'scal
l
edDUBAIandi
wantt
owi shy ouahappybi
rt
hday
somewherei nDubai.
.

Il
aughedandr anoutnudescr eaming
holdi
ngthepi ctur
es,Kent urnedthe
eggsandl oweredt hehi
tasi rani
n
andjumpedonhi sshirt
lesschest,he
grabbedmeandputmeont he
counter
,Ikissedhim puttingmyar ms
aroundhisneckashehel dmywai st.
..

Di
di menti
onKenlookedgoodin
j
eans?Ialwaysl
ovedseei
nghim
st
andingbythest
oveshir
tl
essi
nhis
j
eans.
..

Me:
(showedhi
mthepi
ctur
es)I
sthi
s
r
eal
?
Ken:Ar
ewegoi
ng?
Me: (smiledemot i
onall
y)Ken..
.Idon'
t
knowwhatt osay..
.Ihavenev ereven
crossedt heboarderandmyf irstt
ime
toleav ethecountr
yy outakemet o
Dubai ?areyoutryi
ngt ogivemea
heartat t
ack?
Ken:Bythewaywhenam i seei
ng
yourfamil
y?yfathertoldmenotto
takeyousof arwithoutmeet
ingany
ofyourparents
Me:Myuncleaskedmeabouty ou,i
wastal
kingt
ohim overt
heweekend
andiendeduptel
li
nghim aboutyou.
Ken:
Weshoul
dvi
sithi
m..
.

Hisphonerangt
henheki
ssedme
andpicked.
.

Ken:
Yeah?
Lor
e:Canwet
alk?
Ken:
(poi
ntedatt
hest
ove)Sur
e
what
'sup.
..

Icont
inuedwi
thbr
eakf
astashe
wal
kedoutt hekit
chenbackdoort
hen
imovedclosertothewindow
eav
esdropping.
..

Ken: Real l
y?...**.
..EneAat i
le?.
..**.
..
Sowhatdoy ouwantt odo? ..
.**.
..
Justt el
l her,lennangwany anay oo
phamol wanggakemor ate,what
guarant eedoy ouhav ethatshewon' t
l
eav ey ouf ort henex tguy ?.
..**..
.
Exactly...
.**(about20mi nutes
passedwhi lehel i
stenedt oLor e).
.
**Uhbanna. ..It'
ssadi beent hrough
thatshit, l
et'
shopehedoesn' t
commi tsuicide.Obui leshapl eene
akere? .
..**..
.Momot ogelleot aa
batay omongwe.( laughed)Oki l
ea
ntenalait
eeobutkamor at
ahael e
gorenear ewal ela.
..( t
heybot h
l
aughed)I '
m ser i
ous. ..
.Ifeelbadf or
hi
m buthewi ll
toughenup, nna
gompi enogaket shegel engwanawa
moset sana.I'
ll
nev ercr yfororbega
woman, il
ovewi thev erythi
ngand
gi
v eitmyal lwhenshef ucksitup, I
'm
bl
owi ngtheguy 'sbr ainandbl owing
herpussybef orei handmy sel
ftot he
poli
ce.Thisismyl astchanceatl ov e,
i
fi getcheatedgany ewagoneha.

Ishookmyheadt
henmyphone
rang.
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Heyy
ou.
.
Me:
Hey
,howi
sthenewhouse?
Lol
o:I
t'
sgr
eat..
.I'
m onmywayt
o
makeapassportf
orMaya
Me:
Arey
ouguy
str
avel
l
ing?
Lolo:
YesbutI
'l
ltel
lyouabouti
tonce
ihavesett
hedates
Me: Nnammakey aDubai,Kenis
takingmetoDubai.
..Ican'
teveneat
keexcit
ement.
..TonightIwon'
tsleep,
I'
llbeonGoogl
echecki ngoutDubai
Lol
o:(
laughed)Okay
,idi
dn'
twantt
o
r
uint
hesur
pri
se,
Lor
eisal
sot
aki
ng
mether
e
Me:
(sur
pri
sed)Wow,
real
l
y?Andl
e
t
say
aMay a?
Lol
o:Wehav en'
tdi
scussedity
etbuti
wanthertocome,idon'
tthi
nkLore
wil
lmind
Me:Won'
titbeexpensi
vet
obr
ingan
ext
raper
son?
Lol
o:Moneyi
snotapr
obl
em wi
th
Lor
e
Me:
Howso?
Lolo:Not
hing,
I'
mjustsaying..
.
(pausedandconti
nuedchatti
ng)
Oopsmybossi scall
ingagain,koor
ei
misswork2daysandthey'
real
ready
cal
lingmel
ikeIl
eftwi
ththehot
el
keys.
Me:
(laughed)Heel
awenat
heogel
ao
t
aasenyegelwaketi
roi
j
a
Lolo:
I'
m prepari
ngforDubaimma,i
mustgetmyt ravel
l
ingdocument
s
ready,
I'
ll
seeMrWi ll
iamswhenIget
back.
Me:
(laughed)Shap.
..

Ihungupandwal kedbackt othe

ki
tchen,Forsomer easoni was
beginni
ngtofeelsorryforLolo.I
guessourchil
dhoodbondwasst i
ll
theremaybethat'
swhyi al
way s
delayedtocar
ryonwi thmyhitl
ist
.
Shewasaboutt oselfdest
ructonher
ownandpar tofmedi dn'
twanttosee
hergot hr
oughthat
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

LaterthatdayLoloapproachedLore'
s
carhol di
ngMay a'
shandandgoti n.
Shel eanedoverandkissedLorewho
smiledbr i
efl
yandlookedatMay a'
s
chocol at
yhandsonhi scarseats.
..

Lol
o:Hey
..
.
Lore:Ngwanaasekaatshwar
adi
seat,
i j
ustgoti
tfr
om t
hecarwash.
..

Lol
owipedherhandswi
thwetwipes
andputt
hem i
nherhandbag.
..

Lol
o:Howar
eyou?
Lore:I
'm good,
youdidn'
ttel
lme
you'dcomewi t
hyourchi
ld
Lolo:
Iwantedtoi
ntr
oduceyouguys,
aren'
twegoingwi
thhertoDubai
?

May
asawamagazineandreached
f
ori
tlooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
es,Lor
e
worri
edlyt
il
tedt
hemi
rr
orandl
ooked
ather.
..

Lore:Ihavedibluebooktsabat
hoon
thosefil
es,asekaatshwaradi
envel
ope..

Lol
ogotev
ery
thi
ngandputi
taway
..
.

Lol
o:(annoy
ed)May
ast
opt
ouchi
ng
thi
ngs.
..

Shet
urnedbackandsi
ghed.
..
Lor
e:Weneedt
otal
k..
.
Lolo:About ?( hekeptqui et)Don't
wor r
yaboutMay a,shewi l
lremai n
behind.Iunder standt hatDubai i
sfar
andi tcanbef rustrati
ngt ot ravelwit
h
ami norpl usI'dhav et oseekAat il
e's
signaturet oleavet hecount ry
becausemi nor sdon' tleavet he
count r
ywi thoutt heot herpar ent'
s
affi
dav i
t.Ihav eananny ,shewi ll
remai nwithher .
..
Lore:(si
ghed)It
hinkwear
egoi
ngt
oo
fast.
..
Lolo:Lor
epl
easedon'
tdothi
s,i
just
cancell
edmyweddingandbr
okeup
withmyf i
ancéjusttobewithy ou,ke
buakadilotsamaabane.It oldmy
parentst
ocancel t
heweddi ng..
.You
can'tmakemel oseallandst ar
t
secondguessingyourdecisions..
.
Lore:(si
ghed)Finebutwearenot
taki
ngt hekid,i
t'
sexpensi
veandshe
willdi
stractus.
Lol
o:That'
ssor
ted.
..Don'
twor
ry
abouti
t.
..

Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedheras
May
astaredatthem.
..

DAYSLATER.
..
*
*
*
*
*
[9/
3,11:
41PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 41

AtKen'
smot
her
's

Otlheputt
hepl
atesonthecount
eras
Igrabbedt
hespoonandservedal
lof
them...
Otl
he:
(gr
abbedabi
gjar
)I'
l
lwor
kon
t
helemonade.
..
Me: Canbroughtabottl
eofwine,
he
saidsomethingli
keotil
egoenwal e
rr
ragwe..
.Gogeti ti
nthecar
..
.
Ot
lhe:
Alr
ight
..
.

Igotthebowl andanotherjarwalki
ng
outtotheshadeout si
dewher eKen
andLorewer efixi
ngsomet hi
nginthe
carwitht
heirfatherasthei
rmot her
rel
axedonthemat t
ress.
..

Ken:(
tur
nedaroundandsawme
appr
oachingwi
thajarandabowl
)Uh
shem l
ookatt
hisbeaut
if
ult
hing.
..

Theyt
urnedaroundandl
aughed
l
eavi
ngthetools.
..

Fat
her
:Akoony
aleOf
ana
Ken:
(laughed)Papakeany
alaj
aana
Lor
e:(
laughed)Batogabamot
say
a
abeai
kaletsagape
Ken:(
wipedhi
sgreasyhandsonhi
st-
shi
rt
)Raalwahel
agonej aana
Father
:(l
aughedr
ubbedsoaponhis
hands)Heseemstohaveashort
memor y,
garebat
egosianafour
four
tyhagapemot
hoar
ethomol
a
pelo
Ken:
(laughed)Papanoty
out
oo,
comeon...
.
Father
:Wearalongsleevet-shi
rt
wheny ougotomeetherf amily
,i
don'tl
i
keyourtatt
oos.I
'm surethey
gi
vepeopleawr ongimpression
aboutyou
Otl
he:Otar
emothokengwanakant
e
konteke2pac
Ken:
Waal
elaOt
he

Iwashedthefatherf
ir
stthenLore
andlast
lyKen,hesmiledlooki
ngi
n
myey esasshewashedhi shands
standingbehi
ndthecarthenhe
splashedthenai
lwateronmyf aceas
ifl
inchedandwipedmy sel
f.
..

Me:Ican'
tbeli
eveyoudidthat.
..Aft
er
eati
ngyou'l
lwashyourhandsinthe
housebothojwagagoboat haela
Ken:
(laughed)Sor
rybabesaut
wa.
..

Itur
nedaroundtohismothert
henhe
ti
ckledmeasi f
li
nchedal
most
droppingt
hejar
..
.
Me:
(annoy
ed)Kenny
..
..

Otlheservedthem withfoodasi
washedt hei
rmot her'
shands.Ot
lhe
broughtanothertraywit
hKenand
theirmother'
sfood...

Ken:
Nnakebat
agoser
viwamosadi
wame
Ot
lhe:
SheOf
anat
akey
ourf
ood
Me:
Ther
ragety
ourf
oodae
Ken:BusaOt
lhe,
mosadi
wameot
aa
dit
isa
Hi
smot
her
:Gat
wemosadi
wame?
wat hapelwatheOf ana..
.(t
ome)
Don'tsettl
eformosadi wamebagao
baitse..
.Hisfat
hermademewai ta
thousandy ear
sbef orehecould
mar r
ymeandi alway ssmiledwhen
hecalledmemosadi wame, don'
t
giveKent hesati
sfaction
Me:(
laughed)Iwon'
tevensmi
l
eat
hi
m whenhecallsmethat
Ken:(
laughed)Babedon'
tl
etthem
spoi
lourlovewit
hthei
ranci
ent
hi
stor
y..
.
Hi
sfat
her:(
laughed)MmagweLore
wabookar
eat housandy
ear
sao..
..
Iwentt
ocoll
ecthi
sfoodandser
ved
hi
m ashesatonthechai
r.
..

Ken:
Thanky
ou
Me:
What
ever
..
.

Ibroughtmyplateandjoi
ned
everyoneasweat et
henKendragged
hischaircl
osert
omi neandgav
eme
extr
ameat ..
.

Hisfat
her
:(chewi
ng)Thi
sisv
ery
good..
.
Hi
smot
her
:You'
reagoodcookDi
di
Otl
he:Sheshoul
dv i
sitev
erydaysoi
cangetabreak.
..
Ken:Aemosadi wamegaaapee
everydayOtlhe,
can'
tyouseeher
complexi
on?Gol omol ekgoamo
monna.Wenakewenao
tshwanetswengkepit
say aever
yday
Ot
lhe:Mamawamout
waOf
anawa
nt
shimol
ola?
Hismot her
:Lonakanal eal
apisa.
..
Didiihaveali
stofthingsiwantyou
tobringmef r
om Dubai,don'
tl
eave
withoutget
ti
ngthelist
Me:
Emma
Ot
lhe:
Ofanacany
oupl
easet
akeme
t
oDubai
?
Ken:You'r
emysist
ernotmy
gi
rlf
ri
end,want
waelanewena..
.bat
a
boyfr
iendegoi
seteng.Oki
lewa
utwamanggotweoi si
tsemonnawe
koDubai?

Weal
ll
aughed.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Laterthataf
ternoonAati
l
eparkedthe
carwithhisdaughteri
nthef
rontseat
thentheysteppedoutandwalked
t
owar
dst
hehouse.
..
.

Maya:
DaddyBabysay
smamai
s
goi
ngtoDubai
Aati
l
e:(laughed)Lol
oisgoi
ngt
o
Dubai?
May
a:That
'swhatshesai
d
Aat
il
e:May beyoudidn'
thearher
pr
operly
,Dubai isveryexpensi
ve.
..
Noteveryonegoest hereandmanyof
uswil
lnev erseeitexceptonTV..
Maya:Shesaidherf
ri
endwhokisses
heronthel
ipssaidt
hey'
regoi
ng.
Aat
il
e:They
'r
egoi
ngwi
thBaby
?
May
a:I
'
m notsur
e..
Aat
il
e:Maybeshedi
dn'
theart
hem
pr
operl
y.
..
May
a:May
be.
..

Mayawalkedint
hehouseasAat
il
e'
s
phoner
ang..
.

Aat
il
e:hel
l
o?
Hisf
ather
:Hi
,I
'm checki
ngony
ou,
howareyout
oday ?
Aat
il
e:I
'
mfi
ne.
.
Hisfat
her:
Nowthatherpar
ents
cancel
ledt
heweddi
ngy oucansue
herf
orwast
ingy
ourt
ime.
Aatil
e:Iknowbuti don'twanttodo
that,i
wantt oletafewmont hspass
withouttal
kingtohersoi canget
overthis.I
'
llsell
theotherthi
ngsihad
alr
eadyboughtf orthewedding
Hisf
ather
: Iknewt herewas
somethi
ngabouther ,
i j
ustknewi
t.
..
You'
l
lbefinet houghGodi sgood.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llbef
ine
Hi
sfat
her
:By
e
Aat
il
e:By
e

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nsi
de.
..
Aati
le:May
ayoudot
hedi
shesandi
cook..
Maya:
(changi
ngcl
othesi
nherr
oom)
Al
ri
ght
y!

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Herboss..
.sheglancedatt
hephone
andputitdownt henshecont
inued
packi
ngherbagasMay asadl
ysaton
thebedlookingather.
..

May
a:Iwantt
ogowi
thy
ou.
..
Lol
o:Wewi l
lgotoget
hernextt
ime
myloveokay?Ipromi
se
Maya:Idon'
twantt
ostaywit
hPono,
canigostaywi
thDaddyandMaya?
Lol
o:Youcan'
tdothat,you'
l
l
underst
andwhenyou'
regown.Iwon'
t
belongmyloveokay.
..

I
nPono'
sroom.

Shelai
dont
hebedandanswer
edher
phone.
..

Pono:
(lower
edherv
oice)
Hi..
.**…( l
aughed) .
..No, sheleaves
thi
saf ternoon,y ou'llcomei nthe
eveni ngwhenI '
m sur eshei sgone.
..
Heyt her eissomuchf oodbabewe
willenjoy ,wewi ll wat chNi ger
ian
mov i
esal lnight,t hereisachannel
thatpl ayst heniceonest sa
witchcr aft.
..Yest erdayi was
wat chingt heonewher eamanwas
puti nthebot t
lei j
ooi twassoni ce.
..
.
**.
..(laughed)Mmm ei sh. .
.Wewill
tastet hegoodl ife..
.Noshedoesn' t
havemanyf r
iends, sheonl yhasa7
yearol ddaught er.…* *(l
aughed)
Mmmh. .
.Lov eyoumor at i
wa..
.Bye
Shehungupandwentt
odot
he
di
shes.
..
..

Atmyuncl
e'
shouse.
..
.

Latert
hatnoonwepassedbymy
uncle'
shouseandfoundhiswife
l
y i
ngont hecouchnotf
eeli
ngwell,i
real
lydidn'
tcar
eaboutheror
bother
edt oaskwhatwaswr ong.
..

Uncle:Iknowy ourfat
herKenna,hei
s
ahardwor ker.I
fy out
ookaftery
our
fat
herthenI '
m proudofmydaughter
becausei knowshehasabr ight
f
utur
e
Ken:
Ibel
i
evei
hav
eabi
toft
hat
..
Uncl
e:(
laughed)Gaoi
pokehel
a?
Ken:
(laughed)No.
..

Hi
swifesl
owl
ygotupandsatup
gr
inni
ngi
npai
n..
.

Her
:Ishii
..
..Di
digi
vememyf
oodi
n
t
hekitchen..
.

Igotupandwalkedinthekit
chen
thenir
eachedforherpl
ateand
pausedthought
ful
ly
.Iputthem on
thecounterandblockedmyot her
noseblowingmymucusi nthepl ate
thenicareful
l
ymi xedwi t
hthesoup.I
coughedanddr aggedt hecoughout
myt hr
oatandnost ri
lstheni spatin
thefoodthenIgott heforkand
rubbedmyassunt i
liwassat isfi
ed,i
dippeditbackinthericeandwal ked
outwithli
kenothinghappened. .
.

Ismil
edinnocentl
yandhandedher
thepl
ateasshet hankful
l
yr ecei
vedi
t
andbeguneatingasi watchedher.
..

Her
:(chewi
ng)Br
ingOr
osi
nthe
f
ri
dge.
..

Iwalkedi nthekit
chenandl ooked
backt omakesur enoonewas
comingt henIpouredt heOrosona
bowl andputi tonthefloor
,igothalf
gl
assofwat erandwashedmykuku
i
nt heOr os,Kenhadf uckedmeal l
ni
ghtl eavi
ngmedr i
ppingwithsemen
andi washedi tal
linthere.

Iqui
cklygotdressedandfi
xedmy
pantyl
i
nerasKenandmyuncl e
conti
nuedchatti
ngtheniputabitof
concentr
atedOrosinthebowland
usedacleangl
asst
oser
veherwi
tha
smil
e..
..

Uncle:I
fitwasbacki
nthedaysgoing
asfarasDubaiwouldbeaproblem
especi
all
ybecauseyou'
renotmarri
ed
butiunderst
andti
ngshavechanged
sopleasebri
ngbackmydaughterin
peace.
Ken:
I'
ll
def
ini
tel
ydot
hat
..
.
Uncl
e:Iknowy
ourf
atherbuti
don'
t
havehi
snumber
Ken:
(gavehi
mt hephone)Her
eishis
number,
wealreadygavehi
my our
s
j
usti
ncaseweencounterany
pr
obl
emsont
heway
.
Uncl
e:That
'sgood,il
i
key our
tr
anspar
ency.
..Il
ovethat
...
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronataxi
stoppedout
sidet
hen
shedr
aggedherbagoutasMaya
fol
l
owedhercryi
ng.
..

May
a:Mamadon'
tgo.
..
Lolo:
I'
ll
bebackmygirlokay
..
.It
sjust
foraweekipr
omise.
..
PonograbbedMay a'
sarm asLol
o
goti
nthetaxiansweri
ngherphone.
..

Lol
o:Hi,
ithoughtyouguy
swi
l
lpi
ck
me..Whathappened?
Lore:KenandDi
didel
ayedather
uncle'
ssoigotat
axit
ot heai
rpor
t.
..
Lol
o:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e.
Lore:Hur
ryuppeopl
ear
eboar
ding
al
ready
Lol
o:Okay
..

Shehungupandsadl
ywavedat
Mayawhowascryi
nghyst
eri
cal
l
y,
Ponodraggedherbacki
nthehouse
asshecri
edholdi
ngthedoor
..
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
.

LateronOtl
hedr oppedusatthe
ai
rport,
Kendr aggedourbagasi
walkedbehindshim wit
hmy
backpack.
..

Ken:
what
'st
het
ime?
Me:(
lookedatt
het
ime)Wear
eon
t
ime.
..
Wewalkedi
nandsmi ledatLoloand
Lor
e,Lol
oexci
tedl
ywal kedovert
o
meandwehuggedf oral ongt
ime..
..

Lolo:Ihopethi
str
ipst
rengt
hensour
fr
iendshiptoo
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Ihopesot
oo.
..

Thebrother
sgotonthequeueaswe
wal
kedbehindthem wi
thli
tt
le
smil
es..
.

Me:
Dat
ingbr
other
smmh?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
edandputherar
m ar
ound
me)Dat
ingbr
other
sngwanaka.
.

OkayLol o'
sexcitementgotmeal l
exci
ted,trav
elli
ngwi thyourmani s
funbutaddabestf riendtothatand
yougott hewhol epackageof
happiness.Thef actthatshewasn' t
thi
nkingofmei nanegat i
velightkind
ofmademef orgetthewholer evenge
thi
ngandappr eciat
et hemoment .
..I
wasgoi ngtoDubai andthat
'salli
couldthinkabout .
..

Kent
urnedar
oundandsmil
edatme,
ismi
l
edandputmyarm ar
ound
Lol
o..
..

Me:
Ican'
twai
ttoseet
hewor
ld.
..
Lol
o:Ij
ustwantt
ogeti
nthepl
ane.
..
.
God!

Wecheckedi nandl aterwalked

towardsthepl ane,theexcitementof
beingclosertot heplaneoni t
'sown
wasov erwhelmi ng.Kenhel dmyhand
aswewal kedupt hest ai
rcaseand
i
ntot heplane,wesatonour
assignedseats.Ilookedout sidet
he
windowandemot ionall
ylookedat
Ken...
.
Ken:
what
?
Me:
Thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngmet
oDubai
Ken:You'
rewel
come,l
et'
shopeitwi
l
l
bri
ngusnothi
ngbutt
hebest.
..

Heleanedoverandkissedme.I
al
mostcr i
edasav oi
ceov ergavean
updateaboutt
hefli
ght,if
eltli
keI
wasinamov ieandicouldn'tbel
i
eve
i
t.

It
ear
full
yheldKen'
shandasthe
pl
anetooktherunwayandf
inal
l
y
t
ookof
f.
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hateveningaround9pm Pono
openedthedoorf orherboy f
ri
end,he
walkedinhol
dinghi sbuil
dingtool
s
andputthem behindthedoor .She
cl
osedandgr abbedhi shand..
..

Pono:
Comeandbat
hinat
ub.
..
Him:Atl
eastt
henextfewday sI'
l
lnot
useabucket
..
.(l
ooki
ngaround)This
housei
sniceni
cewaitse.
..Iwantthe
f
oodf
ir
st.
..
Pono:
Comeandsee.
..

Sheopenedt hefr
idgethenhe
grabbed1li
tterofTropi
capineand
drunkfr
om thebottl
east heywal
ked
tothebathr
oom. .
.

Hi
m:What
'si
nher
e?
Pono:It
'sherdaughter
,sheis
sl
eeping..
.Shewascr yi
ngforher
mother..
.Spoi
ltbr
ats..
.

Heopenedt
hedoorandl
ookedat
May al
yingonthebed,herskir
thad
sli
ghtl
ymov edupshowingherround
thi
ckbottom f
il
ledherpant
ies.
..

Hi
m:Of
itgor
ebanna.
..
Pono:
Shei
s7
Hi
m: Shelooks12keengal
emar
ago
matonajaana?
Pono:Kebanabadiy
oghurtakere,
sheevenhasdi
kol
amolor
akel antha
kebona
Hi
m:(
laughed)Kemosadi
nyana.
..
Pono:Areyeragot
ungar
ramo
di
baboleng.
..
Hecl
osedthedoort
hent
heywentt
o
t
hebathr
oom..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/3,
11:
41PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 42
AtKen'
spar
ent
s..
..

Ken'sfat
heranduncl
esati
nfr
ontof
thehousehavingt
eawit
hthei
rlegs
crossedwit
ha4shape..
.

Him:Ical
l
edy ouher ebecauseKenna
cametoseemet hismorning,hewas
wit
hhisgirl
fr
iend.
..Hernamei sDidi
.
Shewasraisedbyt hatol
dwoman
MmaKedi bonye,doy ouremember
her?
Uncle:Theonewi
tht
hebr
oomst
ick,
i
sn'tshelat
e?
Hi
m:Shei
slat
e..
.Myboywant
sto
mar r
y,hemadecashdeposi ts..
.It
sa
veryseri
ousamountofmoney ,my
phonealmostcrackedwheni sawt he
amounthedeposi t
ed.Hisrequestis
thatwedot henegoti
ati
onsandf i
nish
beforehecomesback.
Uncl
e:Banna!
Him:(
sippedt
ea)Okel
emi
l
ear
eo
batamosadi
Uncl
e:I
sthemoneyenough?
Him:I
t'
senough.
..Hesay
sweshoul
d
doubl
ethebri
de'
spri
ce
Uncl
e:Won'
ttheyt
hinki
tsr
ude?
Hi
m:I
thappens,
ihav
eatt
endeda
f
ewweddi
ngswherebyt
hegroom
deci
dest oaddonwhathewas
chargedbecauseheisgrateful,
bogadiisathankyout ot
hepar ent
s
forr
aisi
ngy ourwi
fe..
.soi
fy ou'
re
grat
efulandshowy ourgrat
itudeal
l
peoplecandoi sr
ejoi
ce
Uncl
e:Howmuchdowehav
e?
Him:Hegaveme80Kandi
tsf
orpat
o
onl
ynottheweddi
ng.
Uncl
e:Kenneverdressesli
keari
ch
manididn'
tknowhehadsuch
amountofmoney .
..I
'm sur
epat
oon
i
tsownwi l
lnotexceed40K
Him:That
'swhati
tol
dhi
m buthe
sai
dhedidn'
twantmecal
li
ngaski
ng
forextr
amoneywhi l
ehei sinDubai
.
Het ookthegir
lthereforaweekor
twomaxi mum, heseemst ohav ea
plantoproposetherey ouknowhow
theseyoungpeopleliketoexpress
thei
rlovepubli
cly.
..
Uncle:Will
t hefamil
yagreetoget
magadi withoutthegir
l'
sknowledge?
Tradit
ional
lythey'r
esupposedtoask
herbeforereceivi
ngthemoney .
..
Him: Kenmetheruncl ebefore
l
eavingandsecr et
lytol
dhi m about
thesur pr
ise.
..(l
aughed)Theuncl e
tol
dhi m hewoul dcarryonwi ththe
negotiati
onsbuthewi l
ltouchthe
moneyunt i
ltheygetbackandDi di
accepted,ar
egaabat egoikgol
ega.
Apparentlyi
ttookalotofconvi
nci
ng
buthef i
nall
yunder
stoodthatthi
s
wholethingisasurpri
se.
Uncle:Soundsgood, Ofanaisinlov
ei
see,
...(
laughed)Ibethef or
gotwhen
hewast r
yingtoki
llandhanghi mself
,
didhethinkthatgir
lwast helast
womanonear th
Him:(l
aughed)Thatwomanwas
cruel
,idon'
tbl
amemysonf orall
the
thi
ngshedidduri
ngt hatt
ime,any
manwoul dhavereachedabreaki
ng
point
.
Uncl
e:Tr
ue.
..(
sighed)Iheary
ou.
..I
guesswedon'thaveti
meandwe
shoulddothi
sfast
er.Canwecal
l
them andt
ellt
hem wewill
giv
ethem
av i
sit
?
Him:(
gav
ehimthephone)Yes.
..I
havet
heuncl
e'
snumber.
..

AtKedi
bony
e'shome.
..
.

Kedi
bonyehandedBokangachair
andsatdownasherhusbandfi
xed
hi
scarpretendi
nghecoul
dn'
tsee
Bonang.
..
Kedi
bony
e:Ar
iana?
?Ar
iana?

Shestoppedatthedoorbusy
pressi
ngherphone.
..

Ar
iana:
(bl
owi
ngagum)Yes
Kedi
bony
e:Maket
eaf
ory
ouruncl
e
Ari
ana:I
'm doi
ngresear
chonmy
phone,
I'
m doingmyassignment
Kedi
bony
e:I
tcanwai
t
Ari
ana:Itcan'
twai
tmama,ihav
ea
deadl
ine..
.Thi
sthi
ngmustbedone
bynextweek...
Shewal
kedawaymumbl
i
ng.
..

Kedi
bony
e:Bl
essi
ng?Bl
essi
ng?
Bl
essi
ng:
(wal
ki
ngov
er)Maa?

Shewalkedov
erandbentover
respect
ful
l
ygr
eet
ingtheol
dman..
.

Kedi
bony
e:Maket
eaf
ory
ouruncl
e
Bl
essi
ng:
(tohi
m)Cof
feeort
eabags?
Bonang:
Fiv
erosesorRooi
bos
Blessi
ng:I
'
llmakeRooi
bos,
wedon'
t
haveFiver
oses
Bonang:
Blessy
oumygi
rl

Shewal
kedbacki
nthehouse.
..

Bonang:
TheDani el
scal
led,
they
wanttovisi
tusandstar
ttheweddi
ng
pr
eparat
ions
Kedi
bonye:(
smil
ed)Didi
ismar
ryi
ng
i
ntotheDani
elf
amily
?
Bonang:
Yes

Morapedistoppedfi
xi
ngt
hecarand
walkedoverwipingt
heoi
l
soffhi
s
hands..
..
Mor
apedi
:Di
dii
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Kedi
bony
e:Yes
Morapedi
:(satdown)That'
s
wonderf
ul,
whowoul dhavethought
wewouldhostaweddi ngsosoon
Bokang:Thenegot
iat
ionswill
take
pl
aceinmyy ardsi
ncey ousol
dmy
aunt
'syard
Kedibonye:
Whywoul dyouheadmy
daughter
'sthi
ngswhenI'm al
i
ve?
Don'tyouhavedaughter
sofyourown?
Mor
apedi
:AndDi
dii
sourdaught
er
Bokang:
(si
ghed)Kedi
bony
e
obviousl
yy ou'
ret
heonewhohast he
fi
nal wor
dbecauseyou'
rethemother,
wher edoyouwantthenegot
iat
ions
totakeplace?
Kedibony
e:Ri
ghther
e...
.Andmy
husbandwil
ldoever
ythi
ng
Bokang:Dididoesn'
tknowt hi
sis
happeni
ngsoi agr
eedwi t
hthose
peopl
et hatiwil
lcarryonbutI'
l
lkeep
thebri
depr i
ceuntoucheduntil
Didi
hasoffi
cial
lyacceptedtheyoung
man'shandi nmarri
age.
Morapedi
:Ifshei
sdatingthi
sman
shewantstomarryhim andi
t'
sour
moneyastheparents,
bogadihas
not
hingt
odowi
thher
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatev
eningMay ajoi
nedAat
il
e
i
nherpajamasandgr abbedher
j
oysti
ckasherfatherhel
dhispl
ayi
ng
avi
deogame. .
.

Maya:
Putt
woplayers,
I'
m done
br
ushi
ngmyteet
h..
.

Hestar
tedthegameagai
nand
pl
ayedwit
hhisdaught
er.
..
May
a:Imi
ssBaby
,don'
tyoumi
ssher
?
Aat
il
e:Doy
ouwantt
ocal
lher
?
May
a:(
putdownt
hej
oyst
ick)Yes.
..

Theyswi
tchedoffthegameand
l
eanedbackdial
ingLolo'
snumber
buti
twasn'tav
ail
able.
..

Aati
l
e:Loloswi
tchedoffherphone,
you'
l
ltal
ktoheratschool
May
a:(
sighed)Okay
..
.

Theycont
inuedpl
ayi
ng.
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

LaterthatnightMay astoodbyt he
passagewat chingasPonoandher
boyfri
endwat chedTV, t
heyputabag
ofapplesont hetablewithhal
f
polonywhicht heyexchangedtaki
ng
bi
gbi t
es...

Shepassedt ot
hekit
chenandmade
hersel
fsomenoodlesandaglassof
dri
nkthenshewentbackt ot
he
bedroom asPono'
sboyfr
iendlooked
atherbottomsshaki
nginhershort
ski
rt,hecouldn'tbeli
evehowgr own
shewasl etalonehowLol o'
sli
fehad
i
mpr oved.Shewast hepoorest
per
soni ntheirneighbourhoodand
May awast i
nywi thabigheadbut
now...
.Shewasat r
ueimageofan
Afr
icany oungwoman. .
..
.

May aclosedt hebedroom doorand

atethenshel ai
ddown, t
helonel
iness
ofbeingl ockedinahouseshewasn' t
famil
iarwi thespeci
all
ywith
str
anger swhodi dn'
tevenallowher
towat cht hetel
evi
sionwas
overwhelmi ng.
Shestoodatthewindowwonder i
ng
wherehomewas, evenifshelef
tshe
woul
dn'tknowwher et
ogo.Tear sfel
l
downasshest oodatthewindow
hol
dingtheburgl
arbars.
..

Shewipedhertear
sandlaidonher
mothersbedthenshepull
edat eddy
bearherf
atherhadboughtherand
cl
osedhereyestryi
ngtosleep.

MeanwhilePonoandherboy f
ri
end
watchedmov i
esunti
lali
tt
leover
midnight
,Ponostr
etchedyawning
andst
oodup.
..
.

Pono:
Let
'sgosl
eep.
.

HechangedtoNati
onalGeogr
aphy
channelandsmi
l
edlooki
ngatthe
l
ions.
..
.

Him:Youcangoahead,I'
l
lcomet
o
bedwhenthi
sfi
nishes.
Pono:
OK.
..Di
dyout
akey
ourpi
l
ls?
Hi
m:Il
ostt
hem l
astweek
Pono:Howmanytimesmustif
orce
youtotakey
ourARVspr
operl
y,koor
e
wenahel ahaobonaosalwalekhwedi
tsepediwareHIVehodil
e?I t'
s
alwaysthesamethingwithyout hat
's
whyIr ef
usetohaveunprotectedsex
withyou,it
oldyouidon'
twant
rei
nfecti
on..
.
Him:I
'l
lgofi
ndt hem nextweekwhen
thewomanoft hishousecomes,
don'
tworr
y..
.(coughed)sorr
y
Pono:
Uhgoodni
ght
..
.
Hi
m:Goodni
ght
..
.

ShewalkedpastLolo'
sbedroom and
tuckedMay ai
nasshesnoredthen
sheswitchedofft
heli
ghtsandwent
t
obedwher
eshef
ell
deadasl
eep.
..
.

Meanwhiletheboyfr
iendwat
ched
NatGeoforalmost2hoursand
checkedtheti
me,itwasalmost2i
n
themorni
ngandt hehousewassil
ent
.

Heswi t
chedofftheTVandl i
ghts
thenhequietl
yopenedLolo's
bedroom doorandwalkedin,he
slowlyl
if
tedthesheet
sandgotunder
mov i
ngclosertoMaya..
.

Heslowlypul
l
edoutherpanti
esand
pusheddownhissoccerpant
s,he
mov edcloserandtouchedherchest
twist
inghernothings..
.May aj
umped
andt r
iedgett
ingupbuthequi ckl
y
coveredhermout handt rappedher
onhishai r
ychestasherl itt
lehear
t
pounded, t
earsfi
l
ledherey esasshe
remember edthedream shehadday s
beforebutsomehowt heman' sscent
wasf amili
arandshedi dn'tknowhow.
Itwasl i
kedejavúlikeithappened
before..
.

Him: (
whisper
ing)Shh. .
..Ifyou
scream I'
l
lki
llyou,doy ouunder stand
me?I '
l
lkil
lyouandt hrowy oui
nt he
tubsoy ourmot hercant hi
nkyou
drowned.Thi sisoursecr etand
whoev eryout ellI
'
ll ki
l
lthem. ..I
fyou
tel
lafriendatschool I'
llgokillher
,
eventhenei ghbour sI'l
lkil
l t
hem and
i
twi l
lbey ourfault..Doy ouwantme
tokil
lyourmot herorf ri
ends?( Maya
shookherheaddr oppingt ears)
Good...I'
ml et
tinggoandi fyou
scream I'
llchokey ou...

Helethermout
hgoandgotbet ween
herl
egsthenheki
ssedhermout has
shefr
ownedatthebadbreat
h..
.

Hi
m:Wecomef
rom f
armeandy
ou.
..
You'
remywomanandt hi
stimei
won'
tbet emptedtogoalltheway..
..
Okay?Itwil
lbeniceandverysoonI'l
l
beabletoputitall
insi
deandy ou'
l
l
enj
oyit.
..Il
oveyousomuch. ..
..

Hepushedt het
ipinandshef l
inched
butitwaswaytoogoodtost op,he
coveredhermouthand.
..
..
..
(9t)

MYSINCEREAPOLOGIESTOTHE
SENSI
TIVEREADERSFORTHE
CONTENTOFTHI SI
NSERT.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
42PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 43

Atschool
..
.

Thenextdayatschool
thebr
eakf
ast
si
renwail
ed..
..
Teacher
: Al
ri
ghtguysgrabyour
cool
ersandgo...Don'
ttakethebags
orpenci
ls..
.

Theyal
lrushedoutwiththei
rcool
ers
asusual
,theteachert
ookouther
phoneandleanedbackthenshesaw
BabyMay aasl
eeponherdesk...

*
**
Meanwhi l
eoutsidetheoldestMaya
approachedherlit
tl
esister
's
classmatesbutshecouldn'tseeher
thenshewentt otheclasswherethe
t
eacherwaswaki
ngher
..
.

Teacher:Maya?(t
ouchedher
for
ehead)Areyouokay?
Baby:(
rubbedherey
esandst
oodup)
Yes.
..
Teacher:
Ar eyousureyou'
reokay
?
Didn'
tyousleeplat
elastni
ght?Why
areyousleepi
ngatthisti
me?
Baby
:I'
m sor
ry.
..
Teacher:
It'
sokayl
ove,
gohav
eyour
breakf
ast.
..
May
a:Goodmor
ningma'
am
Teacher:
Mor
ningMay
a2
May
a:(
laughed)"
May
a2"
Teacher
:(l
aughed)I
ssheokay
?
Maya:(t
oherl
i
ttl
esi
ster
)Ar
eyou
okayBaby?
Baby
:Yes
Teacher:
Alri
ghtgi
rl
s,gof
ory
our
breakf
ast.
..

Mayacarri
edherli
tt
lesi
ster
'scooler
boxastheywalkedout,
shenoticed
shewaslimpi
ngandpausedl ooking
ather
..
.

May
a:Ar
eyouokay
?Ist
her
e
somet
hingi
nyourshoe?
Baby
:I'
mfi
ne.
.

Shebravelywalkedproperl
yast he
paini
ncreased,theyt
ookaseatat
theeati
ngareat henMay atookout
bothsnacksandsett hetableas
Babylookedatherconsideringtotel
l
herbutshedidn'twantthatmant o
kil
lMaya,shewast heonlysistershe
had.

Maya:Yoursnacki
ssoli
tt
le,
whydo
youonl
yhav eadri
nkandanappl
e?
Baby
:Ponopackedmysnack
May a:I
t'
sokay,I
'
llshar
eminewit
h
you.I'
l
lkeepbri
ngingyouext
ra
snacks,daddywon'tbemadatme.
Baby
:Okay
..
May
a:Let
'seat
..
.

MayabeguneatingasBabyt ook
smallt
inybi
tesunti
lthebellr
ang
agai
n,Mayaclosedev er
ythi
ngand
handedherbox.
..

Maya:AreyouokayBaby?Howcome
you'
retooqui
et.
..Today
'sbr
eakt
ime
i
sboring.
..
Baby
:I'
mfi
ne,
bye

Shegothercool
erboxandwentt
o
cl
ass.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebe.
..
.

Laterthataf t
ernoonOt lheparkedher
mot her'scarandwal kedi nthe
hospital busyreadi
nghermot her'
s
prescriptionthenshebumpedi ntoa
doctorandpausedwal king.
..

Ot
lhe:
I'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tseey
ou.
..
Doct
or:
It'
sokay
..
..
Otl
he:Doihav
etogetast
ampwheni
beensentt
ocoll
ectt
hepr
escr
ipt
ion?
Doctor:Idon'
tthi
nkso..
..Justqueue
overthere
Ot
lhe:
Thanky
ou.

Shewalkedawayashest ar
edather
,
shewasbeautif
ulandappearedwel
l
manneredbuthewasn'tr
eadytogo
downthatroadagai
n.

Otl
het
urnedaroundandlookedat
t
hegooddoctorandtheyexchanged
anadmi rabl
esmil
e.Shestoppedand
tur
nedar oundl
ookingathi
m, he
smiledwav i
ngatherandwalked
away .
..
.

Att
hepar
kingl
ot.
..
.

Minutesl aterAati
lej umpedinthecar
andrev ersedthinkingaboutay oung
womanhej ustrani nto,
shecaught
hiseyeandpar tofhi m wishedtodo
somet hingabouti tbuthewasn' t
readytost artanything.

Hepul
l
edhi
sseatbel
trev
ersi
ngl
ost
i
nt houghtandbumpedont hecar
behindhimt henhest eppedont he
breaksimmedi atel
yandt ookadeep
breath.Hejumpedoutandl ookedat
thescratchedcar ,
itwasaser i
ous
scratchandhel ookedaroundt he
parkinglothopingtoseet heowner
butnoonepassedby .

Hewentbackinthecarandwrot
ea
notethenheputi
tonthecarand
droveoff
..
..
.

Atschool
..
..
.
Babyquietl
ywrotehertestthenthe
teacher
'sphonerangandt heri
nging
tonebroughtherfl
ashbacks..
..

Shetell
shim,"
Ooh,l
ove,noone'
s
evergonnahur
tyou,
love.
I
'
m gonnagi
vey
oual
lofmyl
ove.
Nobodymat
ter
sli
key
ou.
"
Shetel
lshi
m,"
Yourli
feai
n'
tgon'
be
not
hingli
kemyli
fe.
"
"
You'
regonnagr
owandhav
eagood
l
i
fe.
I
'
m gonnadowhatI
'
vegott
odo.
"
So,
rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y
Somebody
'sgoty
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y
Rockaby
e,no

Tearsdroppedont hebookasshe
l
istenedtothesong,theteachercut
thecallandcont
inuedwriti
ngont he
board..
.

They
oungboysi
tt
ingnextt
oBaby
l
eanedov
err
ubbi
nghert
ear
s..
.

Hi
m:May
a?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Shecont
inuedcry
ingast
heot
hergi
rl
l
ookedather.
..

Gi
rl
:Ma'
am May
aiscr
ying.
.

Thet
eachertur
nedar
oundand
wal
kedover.
..
.

Teacher:
Guy
sconti
nuewri
ti
ng.
..(
she
grabbedMay
a'swr
ist
)Let
'sgof
ora
wal
k..
..

Sheputdownev eryt
hingandwalked
outwithMaya.Theywalkedalongthe
corr
idorunt
ilt
heyreachedthepool
areawheretheysatbythebenches..
.

Teacher
:whyar
eyoucr
ying?
May
a:Not
hing.
..
Teacher
:Ar
eyouscar
edofme?
May
a:No
Teacher
:(madeameanface)Maybe
I
'm ameanteacherandi
beatpeopl
e
May
a:(
laughed)Youdon'
t
Teacher:(
scar
yface)Iam scar
y,i
f
I
'm notscaryt
hentel
lme..
.
Maya:
Ijustwantt
ost
aywi
thmydad
andsi
sterwi
thmama
Teacher
:It
houghty
oust
ayt
oget
her
Maya:Mamat ookmet oanewhouse
butsheisDubaiandIdon'
tl
ikethe
nanny.Iwantmydadandsister
Teacher: Okay,youknowwhatI '
ll
do..
.?I'
l
l gotot heoff
iceandcontact
yourfathersinceyourmot heri
sin
Dubai
Maya:(
smil
ed)You'
l
ldot
hat
?Wi
l
l
youaskhi
mt ot
akeme?
Teacher
:Yesbutwewi
l
lhearf
rom
hi
m..
..Whydon'
tyoul
i
ket
henanny
?

Shelookedattheteacherfora
minute,shedi
dn'twantthemanto
ki
llhernicet
eacher.
..

May
a:Not
hing,
ijustdon'
tl
ikeher
Teacher:(
rubbedherey
es)Al
ri
ght
Baby.
..Let'
sgo
Maya:(laughed)Mydadandsist
er
cal
lmeBaby ,i
tsmynameandev en
ourneighbourscal
lmeBabybecause
wecoul dn'
thave2Maya'
sinthe
famil
y
Teacher
:(l
aughed)Il
i
key
ourf
ami
l
y..
..
Let
'sgo.
..

Theyst
oodupwal
kedaway
..
..
..
.

Att
hePr
inci
ple'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Lateraf
terschoolAatil
el eftMaya
outsi
dewithherlit
tl
esi sterand
walkedinwherethepr incipalwas
waiti
ngwithBaby'steacher .Babyput
herbagonherl apsit
tingal lt
ensed
up.
..
May
a:Ar
eyouokay
?
Baby
:Iwantt
ogohomewi
thy
ou
Maya:
Ithi
nkDaddyi
sgoi
ngt
oget
you
Baby:(
tear
ful
ly
)Whati
fhedoesn'
t
takeme?Orwhati
fmamasay si
muststaywit
hPono?
Maya:
(rubbedhertear
s)St
opcryi
ng
Babyy
ou'remakingmesad,daddyis
goi
ngtogetyou.
Baby:Idon'twanttoseePonoorher
boyfr
iend.
..(cr
ying)I
fdaddydoesn'
t
takemeI '
mr unningaway
Maya:Baby.
..You'
rescari
ngme,
peopl
ewill
stealyouifyourunaway
..
.
Daddywi
l
lgety
ou.

Babybeguncr
yingasMay
ahugged
her
.

I
nsi
det
heof
fi
ce.
..

Afterexchangi
ngpleasantr
ies,
the
teachernarr
atedwhathappened
earli
erduri
ngclassandher
conversati
onwithBaby..
..

Aat
il
e:Idi
dn'tev
enknowhermother
wasoutofthecount
ry,
ihear
dthe
chi
ldrental
ki
ngaboutDubai buti
guessi di
dn'
tbeli
eveshecouldleav
e
especial
lywi
thoutlet
ti
ngmeknow.I
knowherasav er
ycautiousper
son
Pr
inci
pal:
Welli
tseemst
obe
af
fect
ingher
Teacher
:Shedoesn'
tl
iket
henanny
Aat i
le:
Idon'tknowt hisnanny,idon'
t
evenknowwher et heystay.Honestl
y
wehav ebeenhav ingprobl
emsand
i
t'sobv i
ouslyaffecti
ngthechil
dren.
I'
llgetherbecauset heideaofher
stayingwithsomeoneshedoesn' t
knowdoesn' tsitwellwithme, I
'
m her
fatherandsheshoul dhavetol
dme
orl
eftheri
nmycar
e.
Teacher: Pl
easedosomet hingabout
i
t ,
Ihavenev erseenMay abehav eli
ke
thati
ncl ass,shehasbeendi ff
erent
thewhol eday .
..Shedoesn' tplay
aroundormakenoi sebuti knowshe
i
soneofmyt roubl emaker sinclass.
TheMay aiknowi st al
kativeand
playf
ul,ihavetoal wayst el
l hertosit
downorkeepqui etandshehasa
l
oudl aughterthatcanbeannoy ing.
..
Itwasawkwar dnothav i
ngt hat
today..
.Sheisol atesher selfandshe
appearst obeindeept hought s.
Aat
il
e:I
'l
lgether
,andthanky
ouso
muchforcal
li
ngme...
Pr
inci
pal
:You'
rewel
come.
..
.

Aatil
eandthestaf
fsteppedoutand
pausedlooki
ngatMay atear
ful
l
y
tr
yingtoshushBaby.
..

Baby:(
tear
ful
l
ywal
kedov
er)Ar
eyou
taki
ngme?
Aat
il
e:Yeswear
egoi
nghome.
..

Sheburstedi
ntotear
sandr ani
nto
herf
ather'
sarms.Aati
leli
ftedherup
andwalkedoutrubbi
ngherbackas
Mayawalkedbesideshim holdi
ng
t
hei
rbags.
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
worri
edl
y)Gori
l
engneBaby
?
Whyareyoucry
ing?
Baby:
Idon'
twantt
ost
aywi
tht
he
nanny
Aat
il
e:Why
?
Baby
:iwantt
ost
aywi
thy
ouand
Maya
Aati
l
e: Iwanty
out
oshowmewhere
youstaysowecangogety
ourbag
Baby:
Idon'
twantt
ogot
her
e,i
just
wanttogohome.
Aat
il
e:Wehav
etogety
ourbag
unlessy
oudon'
twantmetogety
ou
thenyoucanwai
tforat
axi
andgoto
Pono
Baby:(
cry
ingl
oudl
y)Okay
,I'
l
lshow
you.
..

Heputherinthecar,
May
ajumpedi
n
andwipedhertear
s..
.

Maya:Sorr
yokay?Wear egoing
home..
.Wewi l
lneversepar
ateever
agai
n,ri
ghtdaddy?
Aat
il
e:Ihopeso.
..
Hecl
osedt
hedoor
sanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Ponohandedherboyfr
iendtheplat
e
andsatnextt
ohim astheyatethen
theyhear
dacarstoppi
ngout si
de..
.

Hi
m:Whoi
sthat
?
Pono:I
t'
sprobabl
ythet
axi
droppi
ng
offMaya.
.
Hi
m:Okay.
..Di
dn'
tyousayy
ouwant
t
obuypads?
Pono:
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
orMay
asowe
cangot
oget
her
Hi
m:I
t'
sokay
,I'
l
lremai
nwi
thher
Pono:
Idon'
twantt
oputabur
denon
you
Hi
m: May
aisabi
ggi
rl
,shedoesn'
t
t
roubl
e
Pono:
Okay ,I
'
llf
ixmysel
fandgo
whenIfi
nisheati
ng.
..

Thedooropenedt henAatil
ewal
ked
i
n,thegir
lssteppedinthenMayahi
d
behindAati
l
ef ear
full
ylooki
ngat
Pono'sboyf
riend.
..
Pono:
Dumel
ang.
..
Aat
il
e:Hi
..
.Ar
eyout
henanny
?
Pono:
Yessi
r.
.
Aati
le:
Iam Maya'
sfat
her
,please
packherbagsf
orme.I
'mtakingher
wit
hme
Pono:
Ehr
ra.
.

Sheputtheplatedownandwal ked
away ,
theboyfr
iend'sheartpounded
asheputtheplatedown.Hedi dn't
knowMay ahadaf atherandthe
thoughtbr
oughtchi l
lstohisspine.
..
Aati
le:Lethel
phersowecanfini
sh
fast
er,imustgobacktowor
k..
.(t
o
thegir
ls)HaveaseatI
'
m coming..
.

Thegirl
ssatonthecouchthenAati
le
wenttothebedr
oom, Maya'
sheart
poundedasshelookedatherfeet
avoi
dingtheboy
fri
end.
..

Maya:
(gotdown)I
'
m goi
ngt
odr
ink
wat
er.
..

Theboyf
riendwat
chedasMayaran
i
nthekit
chenthenhequi
ckl
ychoked
Baby
..
.
Hi
m:(
whi
sper
ing)Di
dyout
ell
him?
Baby
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)No.
..

Hechokedherf oralmostami nute

thenhepushedher ,shehitthesof a
andfixedherski
rtthenhel ooked
aroundandquicklyputhishand
underherunif
orm, heslidhismi ddl
e
fi
ngerandthrustforaf ewseconds
thenhesatbacksmel l
i
nghi sfinger
i
ntri
gued.

Hi
m: I
fyousayany
thing,I
'
m goingto
ki
l
lyourfat
her
,motherandsi
ster.
..
Babyquicklyr
ubbedhert
ear
sas
Mayawal kedbacki
nwithagl
assof
water
..
.

May
a:Ibr
oughtsomef
ory
ou.
..

Babydrunkhal
fofitt
henshegav ei
t
back,assoonasMayat ur
nedtothe
ki
tchensheli
mpedov erhol
dingonto
hersist
er'
sshi
rt
..
.

May
a:(
paused)what
?
Baby
:(f
akedasmi
l
e)Not
hing,
iwant
t
ogoputt
hegl
asswi
thy
ou.
..

May aputdownt hegl assthenthey

walkedoutasBabyt ight
lyheldher
wrist,theysatont hecouchwai t
ing
fortheirfatherasMay api
ckeda
magazi neandr ead,theboy fr
iend
madeat hroatslashingsignby
runninghi sfingeracr osshisthroat
showi ngBabyhewasgoi ngtoki l
lher
i
fshesai dany thi
ng....

MeanwhileAati
l
egrabbedBaby
's
Teddybearandbagsthenhewalked
outi
ntotheli
vi
ngroom...
Aat
il
e:Let
'
sgo.
..
.

Babywasthefi
rstonetorunoutand
geti
nthecarasAatil
eputever
ythi
ng
i
nthebootanddroveoff.
..
..

Minutesl
aterheapproachedt
he
tr
affi
cli
ghtsandtookouthisphone
sendi
ngheramessageon
Facebook.
..

Aat
il
e:Katswakelebari
,soyoumade
mewaityearsbecauseyoudi
dn'
t
trustmewi thourdaught erand
suddenl ydumbherwi thast range
manwadi tatswat sedi khibidu?I
guessI '
mt oougl yify oucant rust
thatguywi thMay aandnott rustme.
Ididn'tactuallybelievey ou'dgot o
Dubai whenIhear ditbutsi ncey ou'
re
gone, iwanty outoknowt hatI 'm
takingyout ocour t,iwantcust odyy a
gaMay aandI 'm goingt ogethernt se
esesper m same, waitandsee.I
guessy oudi dn'tunder standwhat
thoseadopt i
onpaper sr eallymeant .
You'reawor sev ersionofMay a'
s
mot her,atleastshewentt ot henext
citywenay ouabandonedour
daughterforanot hercont i
nent.Yeah
nehmoneyi st herootofal l
ev i
l
.My
Lolowouldnev erdot hi
s,never!Not
thegirl
whousedt osingt oher
daughterstayinginacol l
apsing
tradi
ti
onalhut .Asoft odayI'm done,
youjustkil
ledt helit
tl
el oveihadf or
you.I'
m mov ingonwi thmyl i
fe,notto
proveapoi ntbutbecausey ou'renot
wor t
hmour ning.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
42PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 44

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatev eningPonof i
l
ledthetub
wit
hwat erandsawMay a'
spanties
behindthet oil
etseat,shepickeditup
andlookedatt hestai
ns.
Herheartski
ppedasshesatont he
toi
letseatt
ryi
ngtof
indotherway s
besideswhatshewasthinki
ngbut
shecouldn'
tfi
ndanyotherreason,
May awas7andamenst ruati
onwas
i
mpossi bl
e.

Shewalkedouttot hel
i
v i
ngroom
hol
dingitandputitonthetabl
eas
herboyf
riendwatchedTV...

Pono:IwonderwhyMayawantedt
o
movesof ast
,whatdoyout
hink
coul
dbether eason?
Hi
m:(
looki
ngatt
hepant
ies)Idon'
t
know,
whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?
Pono: Wheny oursisteraccusedy ou
ofrapingherdaught erwhilevisi
ti
ng
yourmot herisupportedy oubutnow
May a'
spant i
eshav ebloody etyou'r
e
theonlymani nthehouse, t
alktome
beforeicallt
herelevantpeopl e

Hestoodupandgent
lyhel
dher
hands.
.

Him:Okay ,
imayhavetouchedhera
l
it
tl
ebit.Icoul
dn'
thelpmyselfbuti
swearididn'
tgoal
ltheway
Pono:
I'
m goi
ngt
olosemyj
ob,
do
youknowt hat?(
angril
y)Andher
motherisgoingtotakemet ocourt
fornegl
i
gencebecausey oushouldn'
t
evenbeher e
Him:Let
'sj
ustl
eave,
shedoesn'
t
knowyouanyway.Di
dsheseeyour
ful
lnames?
Pono:
No,
wedi
dn'
tgoi
ntodet
ail
s.
Him:Grabwhatyouneedt
henwe
l
eave,shewon'
tknowwheret
ofi
nd
us.
Pono:Thi
siswhati di
dn'
twant
,thi
s
womanwaswi ll
ingtopaymelotsof
moneyandherdaughterwasn'
ta
spoi
lbrat
,isl
eptall
day..
.O
ntshenyedi
tseti
ror
ra.
..Coul
dn'
tyou
holdyoursel
ffor4dayswhil
eiwas
onmyper i
od?mxm..
.

Shepackedherbagsandgotaf ewof
Lolo'
scl ot
hesandsomeofMay a's
forherchildr
en,meanwhil
eher
boyfriendwenttotheki
tchenwhere
hegr abbedaMzi mbabwebag-t
he
biggestinthepantr
ythenhefi
ll
edit
withfoodandputout si
de..
.

Pono:
Cal
lthet
axi
Hi
m:Ok.
..
Minutesl
aterat
axi
cameandt
hey
l
eft.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Aati
lef
il
ledt
het ubwit
hwaterand
thr
ewthechil
dren'
swashingrags
i
nsidet
henhest oodatthedoor.
..

Aati
le:
Guy s?Timet
obath.
..Leav
e
theTVi wanttowat
chthegame

Theyr
anoverasMayat
ri
edhardnot
tol
impbutAati
l
efr
ownedlooki
ngat
herassheappr
oached.
..

Aat
il
e:I
syourf
ootokay
?

Hebentoverlif
tingherfootand
i
nspect
edt hesol eofherfoott
henhe
pr
esseditallover..
.

Aat
il
e:I
tispai
nful
?
Baby
:No
Aat
il
e:I
syourl
egpai
nful
?

Babythoughtaboutitf
oraminute
befor
eanswering,sheknewi
fthat
mankill
edherf
atherandMay ashe
wouldhavenochoicebuttogoback
toPonowhereshewi l
lbehurtal
l
nightl
i
ketheni
ghtbefore.
..

Baby
:Myankl
eispai
nful

Aati
lemassageditf
orafewmi
nut
es
thenheputherf
ootdown..
.

Aat
il
e:Remi
ndmetoputabandage
oni
twhenyouguy
sfi
nishbat
hing.
Baby
:Okay
..
.
Hestoodatthedoorast
hegi
rl
s
wal
kedinthebathr
oom..
.

Aatil
e:Remembertowashyour
panti
eswheny ou'
redonet
henyou
havet owasht
hetubandmopthe
bathroom.

May
a:Okay
Baby
:Yes.
..

Hecl
osedthedoorthem Mayatook
of
fhercl
othesandj
umpedi nthetub
wi
thherpanti
es,
Babytookoffher
clothesandpul l
eddownherpant ies,
l
ittl
est ai
nsgotherat t
enti
onthenshe
quicklytookthem offandthr
ewi tin
thet oil
etwhil
eMay awasholdingher
breat hunderthewater.

Sher
olledmoreTPandflashedthem
downthenshesteppedi
nthetub..
.

May
a:Wher
ear
eyourpant
ies?
Baby
:Idi
dn'
twearanypant
ies
Maya:Okay,l
ookatme.
..(
pressed
hernose)I
'
m holdi
ngmybreath.
.
ShesentunderwaterthenBaby
j
oinedherastheyenjoyedthewater
screamingandsi
nging.Itwasgood
tofinal
l
ybetogetheragain.
..
..

AtMr
sDani
el'
sHouse.
..

Ont hesameev eni

ngOtlhewalkedi
n
withhergym bagandpassedbyt he
sofas,hermotherwaslyi
ngherhead
onherf at
her'
slapastheywatched
thenews...

Mother
:Youscr
atchedmycar
,di
d
younot
ice?
Otl
he:Yes,
I'
m sorry
..
.Somedr iver
l
eftmeanot eaboutit
,if
oundt he
scrat
chwheni cameoutoft he
hospit
alwi
thyourprescr
ipt
ion.
Mother:Heisl
uckyKenhadgiven
memoneyf orf
ixi
ngmyitbecauseit
hadseveral
scr
atches
Otl
he:Oh.
..
ihadalr
eadysenthi
ma
messageaboutmeeti
ngtomorrow
buthehadn'
trepl
i
edyet.
Mother
:Tell
himi
t'
sokay
,I'
l
ltake
car
eofit.
Ot
lhe:
Okay
Father:Hav
eyouhear
dfr
om y
our
brother
s?
Otl
he:NobutDidichangedherprof
il
e
pi
ctureonFacebookwi t
hapict
ureof
herandKenont heplane.
..
Fat
her
:Okay

Sheheadedt oherroom andcl osed

thedoort henshet hr
ewher selfon
thebedandt ookoutherphone, she
i
mmedi atel
ynoticedthereckless
driv
erhadchangedhi sprofi
lepictur
e
from asoccerbal lt
oaf amili
arface,
sheclickedont hepictur
eandher
j
awsdr opped.….

Dammi
t!I
twast
hegooddoct
ori
nhi
s
coatwit
hacut ewi desmil
eashe
stoodi
nt helaborator
ywithallki
nds
ofapparatusesinthebackground.

Shecl
i
ckedont
hemessage.
.

Aati
le:Hey
,thanksf
orget
ti
ngin
contact
.Tomorrowhal
foneisokay
forme,wherecanwemeet?

Otl
heremovedherprofi
lepict
ureof
themakeupcomboshewassel li
ng
andputherbestpi
ctur
et henshe
smil
edandtypedthereply.
..
Otl
he:Hey
,nevermindaboutfi
xi
ng
thecar
.Mybrotheral
readyt
ookcar
e
ofit
.

Hehadbeenof f
li
nef orseveral
mi nutesthenshecl ickedonhi s
statusandl ayonherbackenj oyi
ng
hi
spi ctures,hehad2beaut i
ful
daught ersheador edandhet ook
pi
ct uresofal mostev eryt
hing-
daught erseating,wat chi
ngTVand
si
tt i
ngi nthecarwi t
hi cecreams,
doingt heirhairi
nthesal oonand
whent heywer ebothgi vi
nghi m
kissesoneachcheek.Hi spictur
es
wer efullofwidesmilesshef ound
herselfsmi l
i
nglikear et
ardespeciall
y
wheni twast hethreeofthem maki ng
funnyf aces.

Aat
il
e: IswearIsawt
hisf
ace
somewher
e
Ot
lhe: Wher
e?
Aati
l
e:Can'
tbeli
eveit
ri
edtoi
gnor
e
youandyoujusthadt
ohitmycar
j
ustsoIcangiveyoumynumber
Otl
he: y ouwish..
.Beaut
if
ul
daught
ersyougotther
ebuddy.
You'
reagreatdad
Aat
il
e:t
hanks,
they
'r
emywor
ld.
Otl
he:
Youremindmeofmydad,
he
wasaslov
ingasyou
Aati
l
e: Real
l
y?Youknowwhatthey
sayaboutdaught
ersandt
hei
rfather
s
ri
ght?
Ot
lhe:
What
?
Aat
il
e:t
heymar
ryt
hei
rfat
her
s
Otl
he:
Wowi sthatamarri
age
pr
oposal?
?YesI'
llmarr
yyou.Letme
goandtel
lmyparents
Aat
il
e:Lol
you'
recr
azy
Otl
he: butseri
ouslyyou'
reagreat
dad,
thei
rmom i
sblessedtohav
ea
manl
i
key
ou.
Aati
l
e:They'
refr
om di
ffer
entwomen
andI'
m notwit
heit
herofthem.Just
l
eftanastybr
eakup
Ot
lhe:
Didy
oucheatdoc?
Aat
il
e:It
'stheotherwayaround..
.
AndI'
m notadoct ororanurse,t
her
e
ar
eotherpeopleinthehospital
who
wearwhitecoat
sy ouknow
Ot
lhe:
Waapay
akoki
tcheni
ng?
Aati
l
e: (
laughedt
ypi
ng)Somet
hing
l
ikethat
Otl
he:Loliknowit'
srelatedto
experi
mentsbecausei sawal ab,
whateveri
tisIl
ikeit
.Itsuitsyou.
..Ke
l
anthakebonamonnaat
shwanel
wa
kecoatj
aakawena
Aat
il
e:Thanks
Ot
lhe:AndI'
m sor
ryabouty
our
br
eakup,hopeyourecov
er
Aati
le:
I'm overi
t,myfocusnowismy
daughters.Theybeenthr
oughhel
l
Otl
he:
Icanimagi
ne,any
wayi
fyou
needt
otal
kI'
m her
e
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,cani
videocal
lyou?
Ot
lhe:
Sur
e

Shequickl
ycheckedher
selfont
he
mir
rorandsexil
ysatonthebed
wai
ti
ngf
orthecal
l
,hecal
l
edsi
tt
ing
ont
hecouch.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hey
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)You'
rebeaut
if
ul
Otl
he:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)Don'
tsay
t
hatketogakeswaba
Aat
il
e:War
enghel
a?
Otl
he:(l
ookingathisl
ipsashe
r
elaxedlookingather
)Gakeresepe
Aati
l
e:Ij
ustwantedtoseey
ourf
ace
andhearyourchoi
ce.
Otl
he:I
'm happyyoucall
ed,
igotto
seeyouupcl oseandheary
oursexy
voi
ce.
..You'
dbeperfectf
orr
adi
oel
e
oneoftheseni
ghtshows
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Thanks
Ot
lhe:
Whydi
dshecheat
?
Aatil
e: (l
aughed)Shi t
..
.Wow. .
.That
wasonest r
aightquestion..Um. .
.It
s
several thi
ngsact ual
ly.
..Couldhav e
beenmoney ,idependonamont hly
salar
yandI '
mj ustadegr eehol der,
theguywhot ookherisabusi ness
man, ev erydayispaydayf orhim.He
shower edherwi t
hgiftsandsuddenl y
iwasn' tmanenough, allourdreams
andpl ansdownt hetoilet.
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Shem br
uisedego
bat
hong,
otaahol
apapaaukwa?
Aati
le:
(laughed)Don'
tdot
hat
,iwas
real
l
yhur t
Otlhe:(
laughed)Buty outooki tlikea
man, I'
ml ooki
nginy ourey esright
nowandI '
mt hi
nkingthisgi r
ljust
threwawayadi amondpi ckinga
stone.It
'ssadwhenot herwomendo
thatbecausesomeofushav ebeen
throughhellsowhenweseegood
menbei ngdamagedr eut wabot hoko.
Aat
il
e:Rel
ati
onshi
psarecompli
cat
ed,
sowhataboutdi
nnert
omorrow?
Otl
he:
Whataboutthegi
rls?Idon'
t
wantt
otakedaddy
'satt
ention,
I'
m
surethey
'regoingthr
oughthei
rown
str
esses,breakupsaff
ectki
dstoo.
Aat
il
e:Mymothercanwat
chthem f
or
anhourwhi
l
eichatwit
hyouover
di
nner
Ot
lhe:
Soundsf
airenough,
dinneri
tis.
Aati
l
e:it
'sbeenawhilesi
nceI
'
ve
chat
tedforthi
slong,
saler
ebuil
e
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Goodni
ghtee
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Goodni
ght

Shehungupandsighedput
ti
ngthe
phoneonherchestwi
thawide
smil
e..
.
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Hehungupandwenttotuckt
hegi
rl
s
i
nonthei
rbunkbeds.
..

Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
..
May
a:Goodni
ghtdaddy
.
Baby
:Goodni
ghtdaddy
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
..
.

Hewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoor
..
.
Baby:Don'
tswi
tchofft
heli
ghts,
i
don'
twanttosl
eepinthedar
k
Aat
il
e:Okayandify
ougetscaredcal
l
mynameandI '
l
lbeher
eokay ?
Baby
:Okay
Aatil
e:Haveyouhadt hatdream
again?(shenodded)i
t'sjustadr eam,
i
tsnotr eal
andifitev
erhappenst hat
someonedoest hattoy ouI'
llki
ck
them sohardtheygoingt ofall
inthe
otherpl
anet.
Baby
:Cany
ouf
ight
?

Aati
letur
nedbackandf
oldedhi
s
fi
stsinakar
atemanner
..
.
Aati
le:Kacha!Dushwa!.
...
.(t
hey
l
aughedsohar dpinningtheirelbows
onthebed)dush...
pha!……I'mt hebest
fi
ghtereverandineverlose.
..Ev er
Maya:
(laughed)Cany
oubeatTr
ippl
e
H?
Aat
il
e:Thatonei
sababy
..
.
Baby
:AndUnder
taker
?
Aat
il
e:Icanbeatt
hem al
lBabyokay
?
Baby
:(t
hought
ful
l
y)Okay
..
.
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ghtguy
s
Bot
h:Goodni
ght
..
..
Shet r
ust
edherdadt ofi
ghtt
hatman
butshewasn'tsurehowtostar
t,she
tossedandturnedforov
eranhour
thenshegotdownherbedandsl owly
openedherfather
'sdoor
.

Hewasal r
eadyasl
eepandshecoul
d
hearhi
m snori
ngasshestoodbyt
he
bedinthemil
ddarkness.
..

Baby
:(sof
tl
y)Daddy
?Daddy
?

Hewasdeadasl eepthenshe
draggedherblanketsandsleptont
he
carpetnextt
ot hebed,sheknewshe
wassaferwi
thherf
atheri
nthe
r
oom...
..

AtDubai
..
..
.

Ismil
edholdi
ngmybr eat
hwat chi
ng
Kenashepushedawayal lhi
scasino
chi
psforabet,hehadwonenough
andiwantedhimtotakewhathehad
sowecouldgobuthewasn' t
l
ist
eni
ng..
.

Ihel
dmybreathwat chi
nghim pl
ay
agai
nst2Arabiansand1Mexican
whoweresurroundedbygir
lsin
ski
mpydr essessor
eveal
i
ngIcoul
d
seethei
rtit
s..
.

Thegamewentonandonunt i
lthe
otheronewon,Kensi
ghed
disappoint
edl
yandgotupputt
inghis
arm aroundmeaswewal kedpast
thecasinogamestands.
..

Me:Ican'
tbel
i
eveyoul
ostal
lthat
money,whydi
dn'
tyougo?
Ken:
Iwantedtot
akeachance,can
youi
maginehowri
chwewoul dbe
hadiwon?
Me:
Buty
oudi
dn'
twi
n
Ken:Yesbutitwaswor t
ha
tr
y..
..
(t
urnedaround)comet
hissi
de.
..
Me:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Ken:
Justcome.
..

Ifol
l
owedhim aswewalkedar
ound
themall
,ev
eryt
hingt
ookmybreat
h
away,i
twasli
kewalki
ngint
oa
Holl
ywoodscene.

Ifel
tli
keadivawalki
nginmy
desi
gnercoatandhighheelswit
hmy
arm hungonKen'sarm asheheldme
l
ikethegent
lemanhewas. ..I
twasa
perf
ectromanti
cscene...
Ken:Weshoul
dpr
obabl
ygetbackt
o
thehot
el
Me:Mhh.
..I
'
m sur
eLor
eandLol
o
mi
ssus..
Ken:
(laughed)
Idoubtt
hat
..
..

Wewal kedi
ntoashopt henhewent
totheback,
ist oodatthesectionof
condomsstaringatthem, ihadnever
seensuchav ariet
yofcondoms. ..

Kenwal
kedbehi
ndmeandheldmy
wai
stwhi
sper
ingi
nmyear.
..
Ken:
PickESPcondoms.
.
Me:
(laughed)Why
?
Ken:
I'
ll
tel
lyoul
ater
,comeon.
..

Ihandedhimthepackandstoodat
theentr
ance,
minuteslat
erhe
grabbedmyarm andledmeout..
..

Me:Ihopeyouweren'
tbuy
ing
ci
garet
tesagai
n..
.
Ken:
(laughed)Idi
dn'
t.
..

Wewal
kedacr
osst
hemal
lchat
ti
ng
andpassingcrowdst
henhehel
dmy
arm andpaused.
..

Ken:Ther
eissomet
hingi
needt
oask
you.
..

Istoppedandlookedathim ashegot
ononekneeandt ookoutar i
ng,i
coveredmymout hsmili
ng
embar r
assedaspeoplewalkedby,
somesl oweddownasot hers
stoppedtaki
ngoutthei
rphones..
.

Me:KenIcan'
tbel
iev
eyoujustpul
led
t
hisst
untonmei nafor
eigncount
ry
l
i
ket
his.
..
Ken:Wil
lyoupl
easedomet hehonor
ofbecomingMrsKennaDaniel
?

Imustadmi t,t
hecr owdsur r
ounding
ushadmef eel
inggoodandf ora
momenti wast hecent reofattent
ion
asistoodtheresmi li
ngandbl ushi
ng,
wheni t
urnedar oundi not
icedLore
taki
ngav i
deowi thhisphone....

Lor
e:(
hol
dingthephone)Comeon
MrsDani
el.
..
Istoppedsmi l
ingandsi ghedlooki
ng
i
nhi sey esandthesmi leonhi sface
disappearedashel ickedhi sli
ps
realisi
nghewasn' taboutt ogetthe
answerhewant ed,thecr owd
wat chedquiet
lyandi finall
ylaughed
givi
nghi m myhand. ..

Me:
Yes,
I'
ll
mar
ryy
ou.
..
.

Hesmi l
edr
eli
evedandputitonmy
fi
ngerasev
eryoneclappedhands,he
ki
ssedmesoftlyandswungme
aroundast
heytookv i
deoswit
ht hei
r
phones.
.
Ken:
WTFy ouscar
edt
heshi
toutof
me,whatwasthat
?
Me:(l
aughed)Youdeservei
tfor
put
ti
ngmeont hespot
li
ghtl
ikethi
s..
.

Heki
ssedmeagai
nandwavedat
ev
ery
oneaswewalkedaway
..
.

Ken:
Shukr
anj
azi
i
lan.
..
..

Theysmil
edatusaswewal kedaway
andgotacabtothehot
el.
..
AtLeMér
idi
enDubai
Hot
el.
..
.

Heopenedthedoorandwewal ked
t
henheclosedandkissedme,Iput
myarm ar
oundhisneckashel i
ft
ed
meupandt ossedmeont hebed..
.

Hepul ledouthi stshi

rtandleaned
ov erkissi
ngmyneckasi gl
ancedat
mygl i
tter
ingengagementr i
ng,he
kissedmeagai nandsl i
dhishand
undert hepi l
lowasi car
essedhis
tattooedbi ceps.
..

Ken:
(whi
sper
ed)Wantt
otr
y
somet
hinguni
que?
Me:
Mmh.
..

Heputthecondom onmybelly
,i
smi
ledandlookedatit
..
.St
rawber
ry.
..
Myfavour
it
eflavour
.

Hesmi lednaughti
lyandpul
leddown
hisboxerbri
efsthenisatupand
rol
leditonhisDashepushedmy
hairof
fmyf ace..
.

Me:Itsmel
lsreall
ygood,i
tdoesn'
t
hav
et hi
sannoyingsmell
wadi
condom.
..
..
.
Ken:
Andt
hey
'r
eav
ail
abl
ebackhome
Me:
(smi
l
ed)No.
..
Ke:
Ser
ious.
..

Heleanedoverandki
ssedmet
hen
helaymeonmybackandgentl
y
#removed.
..

Li
keandcomment
,goodni
ght
.

ht
tps:
//www.
facebook.
com/
espcond
omsbw/
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
43PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 45

AtLeMér
idi
enDubai
Hot
el.
..
.
Hesl owl yslidoutast heuni que
text
ur eoft hecondom r ubbed
againstmewhi lewebot hlookedat
hissnaket rappedi nthet ornado
fl
avourcondom. ..Neverhadi fel
t
anythingl i
kei tbefore,assoonashe
poppedouti droppedmyheadback
breathinginr eli
ef.Hewi pedhi s
sweat yforeheadwi that owel and
smiledl ookingatmet henhel eaned
overandki ssedmeonel asttime...
.

Me:Mm. .
..Isweari
tssogoodwhen
you'
regentl
e..
..
Ken:
(gr
abbedat
issueandt
ookout
thecondom)Iwasr
aisedbya
gentl
eman..
.
Me:(l
aughed)Whodoesn'
tknow
whatyoudoforal
iv
ing.
..
Ken:Shutupmot hokewenael eng
goneoutwangcondom.Igott hem
j
usttogivei
tt r
ykgant
elekerema
bol
otohelajaakagal
e,okaipoka
Me:
(laughed)Mxm

Helaughedwal ki
ngt othebathroom
thenil
aidonmyt ummyadmi r
ingmy
engagementr i
ng,itwasgli
tt
eringand
icoul
dn'ttakemyey esoffit
.Icoul d
thesati
sfacti
onofl i
vi
ngagoodl i
fe,
somet
hingi
nev
erhadgr
owi
ngup.

Minut
esl
aterhewalkedbacki
nand
l
aidonmybackkissingmyneck.
..
.

Ken:Yourpar entschargedme12K
bri
de'spr i
cewithoutotherexpenses,
myf athersayshei splanningtogiv
e
them mor ethanthat,ket i
legoja
kukuny anayagagogor e!Tabeke
i
tuelakay one..
Me:(gasped)Youdi
dwhat
?Sowho
gotmybr i
de'
spri
ce?
Ken:
Yourmot
her
Me: I
'
m goingtodemandi tback,that
moneybel ongst
omygr andmot her.
Gakereket swamodi hi
tli
sting
peoplepokeme, howdaresheget s
mymoney ?Doessheevenknowhow
muchmyschool shoescostedwhenI
wasy oung?Sheisgoingtopayi t
back.
Ken:(l
aughed)Heycomeon.Don'tbe
sel
fi
sh,sheissti
l
lyourmot
her.
..She
del
iver
edy ou
Me:
No,
shei
sgoi
ngt
ogi
vei
tback.
..
Ken:Nowy ou'
respoi
li
ngthewhole
thi
ng.
..Canweatleasttal
kaboutt
he
wedding?
Me:
(si
ghed)Fi
ne.
..
Ken:Thankyou.
..(
putonhi
sclot
hes)
I
'm goi
ngforasmoke,I'
l
lbeback.
.
Me:
Don'
tbel
ong.
..

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

I
nLor
e'sr
oom.
..
.

MeanwhileLol
osteppedoutoft
he
showerwipi
nghersel
fasLore
chat
tedonhislapt
oplist
eni
ngto
music.
..
Shesatont hebedl ooki
ngathim as
hetypedmessagesandsentpi ctur
es
ofDubaiwithhisfatherthenshegot
upandsuspi ci
ouslywalkedbehind
him,hefel
therpresenceandcl osed
thelapt
opthenhet ookof ft
he
headphones...

Lol
o:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lor
e:Justchecki
ngmymessages,
whyareyoureadi
ngmymessages?
Lol
o:Iwascur
ious,
whowast
hat
?
Lore:Don'tdothat
..
.Idon'tli
ke
contr
olli
ngwomen, y oudon'tknow
myf r
iendsorrelat
ivessoy oucan'
t
bequesti
oni
ngmeaboutwhoI'
m
tal
ki
ngto,i
fidi
dthesametoy
ouI'
d
benamedacontrolf
reak
Lol
o:Andyoubeenbusysi
ncewegot
her
e..
.Wheredi
dyougohoursago?
Lor
e:Kenwaspr oposi
ng,
ihadtofi
lm
i
tforhi
m becausehewantedtopost
i
tonFacebook.
Lolo:Kenpr oposed?Whydi dn'
ty ou
takeme?Kant ewhatwast hepoi ntof
comingtoDubai ifI
'
m goingtobei n
thehotel24/ 7?Wehav ehotelsback
i
nBot swanakanahaneel ekaot ele
nkaboket seny ekoSediehotel.
..I
thoughtI
'l
l seethetowers,t
hebeach,
t
hecasi
nosandal
lthebi
gshops.
..
..
Lor
e:I
'm br
oke..
.Wedidn'
tflyher
e
wit
hbroom,itwascost
ly.
..
comingto
Dubai
isnotgoingt
oGabor onefr
om
Maun.
Lolo:Whathappenedbetweenus?I
thoughtwewer ef
eelingeachot
her?
Youhav en'
teventouchedmesince
wegother e.
Lor
e:Itol
dy ouweneededtot
alk.
..
Aat
il
esayshel ov
esyouandidon'
t
wanttohurtanot
herguy.
Lol
o:Howgener ousofyousowhat
am isupposedtodonow?Icancel
l
ed
myweddi ngkanaLore
Lor
e: Am isupposedtomarryyou?I
di
dn'
tt el
lyoutoleaveyourf
iancéfor
mey oudidthatonyourown.
Lol
o:whatar
eyousay
ing?
Lore:
Nothing...
.Whyarewetal
king
aboutthi
s?Ilikeyouandyouli
keme,
l
et'
sstopar guing.
..
Lol
o:(
sighed)Canyouatleast
bor
rowmey ourl
apt
opsoi canread
mymessages?Idon'tknowwher ei
l
ostmyphonei nbet
weent hefl
i
ghts.
Lor
e:Letmel
ogout
..
.

Hel
oggedoutandhandedherthe
l
apt
opthenshesatdownandlogged
i
n,hereyeswidenedassheread
Aati
l
e'smessaget henshest
oodup
pani
cking.
..

Lol
o:No.
..Ihav
etogoback.
..
Lor
e:Why
?
Lolo:Themaidbr
oughtherboyf
ri
end
over.Aati
l
etookmydaughter
..
.Ihav
e
togoback
Lor
e:Wecanonl
ygonextweek
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)Howmuchi
sitf
rom
her
e?Can'
tyoubor
rowmemoney?
Lor
e:Lol
oakerewarethef
athert
ook
her
?What'st
heprobl
em now?Can
youstopactingchildish?Doy outhi
nk
youcancomeandgoany time?We
budgedforthisandmyt i
cketsar
e
l
inkedtoKen'stickets.Whoi sgoing
topayforyout ogobef or
et i
me?
What'st
hehur ryifthef at
hertookher?
Lol
o:Iwantt
omakesureshei
sfi
ne,
i
di
dn'
tknowthiswomanwoul
dbri
nga
maninthehouse.
Lor
e:What'
swr
ongwi
thherhav
ing
vi
sit
ors?
Lol
o:It
'snotsaf
ef ormydaught
er,
shecouldgetmolested
Lor
e:Thatchi
l
distooyoungt
obe
molest
ed,i
sn'
tshe5?
Lol
o:Shei
sal
most7
Lore:Samething,noonecanbe
i
nterestedi
nthatunlessyou'
re
tal
kingabouthim beati
ngheror
somet hi
ng
Lol
o:Clear
lyy
oudon'tknowanythi
ng
aboutt
hedanger
sagi rlchi
l
dgoes
thr
oughonhermother'
sabsence.I
wanttogo
Lore:Thereisnoot herway ,
kenext
weekhel abecauset hat'sthe
discountwewer egi ven.Ican'tbuy
yout i
cketsgoreoy ekwai t'
s
expensive,youjusthav etowai t
Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)YouknowwhatLor
e
I'
mt alki
ngaboutmydaught erhere
doy ouunder standme?You' r
eadr ug
dealerandy ouhav emoney ,iknow
youwer egambl inganddrinki
ng
expensivewi neswi thyourbrother
,if
youdon' tgi
vemet hemoneyt henyou
mightaswel l stayherebecauseI '
d
reportyou.
Lore:Mxm otaipusetsakoBot swana,
I'
m goingtocancelyourt
icket.
..
.I
guessy oudon'
tknowwhatI 'm
capableof.
..

Hechangedt
hepasswor
dtohis
l
apt
opandwalkedoutsl
ammingthe
door
..
..

Lol
o:Idi
dn'
tev
enr
epl
ym.
..Lor
e?

Sheopenedthedoorandst uckher
headoutsi
delookingaroundbuthe
wasn'
tanywaycl oser
.Sheclosedthe
doorandsatonthebed. .
.

Atourr
oom.
..
..

Ipouredadr i
nki
nthegl
assand
si
ppedst andi
ngnudeonthemi
ddl
e
oftheroom, t
her
ewasaknockonthe
doortheni
walkedovertot
hedoor.
ForonceKenhadretur
nedfrom hi
s
smokingwalkonti
me,iopenedthe
doorandLorest
aredatme.

Iquicklyturnedandrantothechair
wher eigrabbedar obeandcovered
my selfashewal kedinandcl
osed
thedoor .
...

Lor
e:Hey
..
..
Me:
Hey
..
.

Hequi
ckl
yputhi
shandsi
nthe
pocket
slooki
ngi
nmyey
es.
..

Lor
e:Wher
eisKen?
Me:
Hewentf
orsmoke
Lor
e:Al
ri
ght
Me:
Wher
eisLol
o?
Lore:
Backi
nther
e,wear
ear
gui
ngas
usual
Me:
Sor
ry
Lore:(st
ari
ngatme)Shel osther
husband,probabl
yjobandnowi thi
nk
custodyofherdaughtert
oo..
.
Anythingel
sey ouneed?
Me:
(conf
used)Excuseme?
Lor
e:Ididn'
twantyout obewicked
soidi
ditallf
oryou..
..Idon'
tfal
lin
l
ovethateasy.
..
Me:
Lor
ewhatar
eyousay
ing?
Lore:Iknowshehur tyou,ir
eadyour
diar
yandy ourhi
tl
ist
..
.Iknowall
aboutit.I
fy ouwanticanmakesure
sheremai nsbehind.
..
Me:
OhmyGod.
..
.Lor
e?
Lor
e:I
'
lldoany
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
.
Me:Lor
eI'm engagedt
oyour
br
other
..
.Wecan' t
-
Lore:
Kenismyl i
t t
lebrot
her,
weeat
fr
om thesamepl ate.
.Idon'
tmind
bei
ngwi t
hhim andIknowhewas
hurtbyal
otofpeopl
einthepast
that'
swhyI
'l
lbever
ycareful
about
thi
s..
.
Me:
OhmyGod. ..Iknewy
ouwer
eup
t
osomet
hing.
..Lore!

Hewal kedoverandt ouchedmy

cheekthenhel eanedov erandkissed
mesof tl
yasi closedmyey es,he
surel
ywast hebi gbrother
.Hehad
mor eexper
iencewi thawoman' slips
andjusttheri
ghtt ouches..
.

Heunzi
ppedjeansandputmyhand
i
nhisshor
ts,
i al
mostchokedasi
mov
edbackl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Lore:(smil
ed)cany
ouhandl
etwo
brotherswhobothl
oveyou?
Me:
Lor
e..
.
Lore:Kenismyl i
ttl
ebr otherandi
wouldn'thur
thi m,trustme. .
.Leave
all
thistome. ..All
youhav etodoi s
l
ov ethebrothersandt heywi lll
ove
youback, pr
ot ectyouandmakeal l
yourwishescomet r
ue...Iwasn't
goingtoencour aget hehitli
stbutit
seemst obot heryousoIdi ditfor
you..
.
Hekissedmeagai nandgentl
y
touchedmybreastsundertherobe,
hishandwentdownasi staggered
backandgotblockedbythewal lt
hen
hefli
ckedmybeanandki ssedmeat
thesameti
me....

Lore:(whisper
ed)Cany
oul
ovet
he
brothers?
Me:
I'
ll
try
..
.

Hekissedmeandl i
ft
edmyleg
pol
ishi
nghi sweaponthenhepushed
i
tinasi gaspedstandi
ngonmyt oe.
..
Me:(
rol
li
ngmyeyesatt
hebackof
myhead)Uuuu
Lor
e:Icansmel
lmybr
otheri
nher
e..
Me:
Hewasi
nther
e
Lor
e:Wel
ovey
ou.
..

Heki
ssedmeandpushedi
tin.
..
.

AtMaun.
..
.

Thenextdayi
ntheaft
ernoonAat
il
e
di
aledhi
smotherashetookouthi
s
cl
othesfr
om t
hewardrobe.
..
Her
:Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:
Hi,I
'm goingtoseesomeone
foranhourortwo, I
'
llpassbyand
dropofft
hechildren
Her
:Yourf
atherandi
wentt
othe
f
arm,wewil
lbebackonWednesday
Aat
il
e:shi
t,whatam i
goi
ngt
odo?
Her
:Wel
efti
nthemor
ning.
.
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,by
e

Hehungupanddi
aledOt
lhe.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Hi
,ihav
eal
i
ttl
epr
obl
em.
..My
par
entswon'
tbeablet
obabysitf
or
me,canwepostponet
otomorrow?
I
'mreal
lysor
ry,
iknowthi
sissucha
l
atenoti
ce
Otl
he:
Whydon'tyoucomewi t
hthem?
I
t'
snothi
ngser
ious.
..j
ustdi
nner
Aat
il
e:Youwoul
dn'
tmi
nd?It
hought
-
Otl
he: Idon'
tmi
nd,br
ingthem.
..You'
l
l
tel
lthem I'
m af
ri
endfrom wor
kor
somet hi
ng.
Aati
l
e:Br
il
li
ant
,thanks.Seey
oui
na
hour
Ot
lhe:
Bye.
..
.
Hegotdressedandf
ixedt
he
chi
l
dren.
..

Att
her
est
aur
ant
..
..
..

Aat
il
ewalkedinhol
dinghisgi
rl
sbot
h
si
desthenOtl
hewavedf r
om t
he
cor
nerwit
hahugesmi le.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
Otl
he:Hi
..
.(hi
ghf
ivedt
heki
ds)Hi
gh
fi
veguys
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hi
Baby
:Hel
l
o
Theyt
ookaseatandmadeor
der
s..
.

Aatil
e:Guysthi
sisOt
lheshei
smy
fr
iendfrom work
Ot
lhe:
Heygi
rl
s..
.
May
a:Hi
Baby
:Hi
..
.
Aat
il
e:Sowhat
'sup?
Ot
lhe:
Notmuch.
..

Theychatt
edaboutgeneralt
hings
unti
lthewait
ressbr
oughtthefood.
..
Baby
:Iwantt
opee.
.
Aati
le:
May
atakehert
othel
adi
es
room..

Thegir
lsl
eftandt
hetwofr
iends
st
aredatoneanot
herwi
thshy
smil
es.
..

Ot
lhe:
They
'r
eador
abl
e
Aat
il
e:Thanks.
..Whatdoy
oudo?
Otl
he:Isel
lwhateveri
sindemandor
tr
ending,i
ordersomet hi
ngson
onli
neatcheappriceandsell
to
peopl
e.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.Boy
fri
end?
Otlhe:Itdi
dn'
tworkoutwiththelast
one, hewasabitcontr
oll
ingandmy
brotherski
ndofscaredhim away ,
he
dumbedmewi thoutareason.They
dot hattomyboy f
ri
ends.
Aati
le:Forbiddenrelati
onshi
psare
thesweet est,ngwanyanawat engka
monat e.
..(t
heybot hlaughed)Nnaba
kalelamogonna
Otl
he:(l
aughed)Obabetse.
..(
looked
atthedoor)Yourgi
rl
shavebeen
gonefortoolong.
..
Aat
il
e:They
'r
eint
hel
adi
es,
cany
ou
cal
lthem?
Ot
lhe:
Sur
e

Shewalkedtowar
dsthetoil
etas
Aat
ileadmir
edherback,sheknocked
onthedoorandwalkedinasMay a
waswr i
ti
ngonthemirr
orwithsali
va.
.

Ot
lhe:
Hey
..
.Wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?
May
a:Shei
sinsi
de

Otl
hebentoverl
ookingbelowthe
small
openingofthetoi
l
etshopingto
seeBaby'
sfeeti
noneoft hetoi
let
s
butherstai
nedpant
ieswerethefi
rst
thingshesawonherfeethangi
ng
from t
hetoil
et.

Shest
rai
ght
enedupandt
urnedt
o
Maya.
..

Ot
lhe:
Howol
disy
oursi
ster
?
May
a:6
Ot
lhe:
Okay..
.Goj
oiny
ourfat
her
,I'
l
l
wi
peher.
..Washy
ourhands

Mayawashedherhandsandranout
t
henOtl
heknockedonBaby'sdoor
..
.
Ot
lhe:
Nanaopent
hedoor
Baby:(
wipedher
sel
fandfl
ushedt
he
toi
l
et)Okay,
I'
mfini
shed

Shesteppedoutfi
xingherskir
tthen
Otl
hewalkedbacki nwithherand
cl
osedthetoi
letseatthenshesat
put
ti
ngheronherl ap.
...
.

Ot
lhe:
Cani
tel
lyouasecr
et?
Baby
:Yes
Otl
he:Iam amagici
an..
.Iknowwhen
peopl
earelyi
ng.
.Theirear
sturnr
ed.
.
Cani
testy
ou?
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Yes.
..
Ot
lhe:
Howol
dar
eyou?
Baby:
(smi
l
ed)6
Otl
he:Good.
..
.Ther
eisbl
oodi
nyour
pant
iesri
ght
?
Baby
:(bl
ockedherear
s)No.
.
Otlhe:Yourearsturnedr edbuty ou
blockedt hem..
.Whydoy ouhave
blood?Iwon' tt
ellanyone, i
twillbea
secret.
..Ipromisebuty oucan'tlie
becausei cant
ellwheny ouli
ethen
may bei cantel
l y
ourdadt hatyouare
l
ying,doeshel i
kel i
ars?
Baby
:No.
..
Otl
he:Ifsomeonet ouchedy ouy
ou
cantellme,whenIwasy oungmy
uncl
et ouchedmeandi tol
dmy
mother,hetoldmehewi l
lkil
lmebuti
tol
dandhenev ertouchedmeagain
becausethepol i
cetookhim away.
Baby:Will
thepol
i
cet
akeauntPono'
s
fr
iendtoo?
Ot
lhe:
Didhet
ouchy
ou?
Baby :
Yesanditwaspainful,he
coveredmymout hl
ikethis.
..(she
coveredOtl
he'
smout h)Andheput
hi
st hi
nginme..Healsoputhi sfi
nger
i
nme.Hesai dhewillkil
leveryone,
pleasedon'
ttel
lhi
mI'
mtheonewho
toldyou
Ot
lhe:
Iwon'
ttel
lhi
m,whoi
sPono?
Baby:Thenanny.
..Hesl
epti
nmy
room al
lni
ghtunti
lint
hemorni
ng
wheni wentt
oschool.
.

Otlhetearf
ull
ylookedather,she
thoughtitwasacl osedchapterbut
themor eBabyexpl ai
nedtheimages
becamemor efreshli
keithappened
minutesago, shepull
edhercloser
andhuggedherr ubbi
nghertears.
..

Baby
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Ot
lhe:
(sni
ff
led)I
'
mfi
ne,
let
'sgo.
..

Shegrabbedherwri
standwalkedout
whereshehelpedBabysi
tthenshe
qui
etl
ygrabbedAati
le'
swri
standled
hi
m outsi
de..
.

Aati
l
e:(conf
used)Um.
..I
sev
ery
thi
ng
okay?

Otl
heputherhandoverhermout
has
hert
ear
sfelldown.
..

Ot
lhe:
(lower
edherv
oice)Your
nanny'
sboy f
ri
endr
apedyour
daughter
,ther
eisl
i
ttl
ebl
oodonher
panti
es..
.

Aatile'
sheartski
ppedashelookedat
OtlheandbackatBabyt hr
oughthe
restaurantgl
assassheateher
order .
..

Aat
il
e:(
whi
sper
ed)Ar
eyousur
e?
Otl
he:Yes.
..Isawi t
,pl
easelet
'shurry
i
f2day shasn'tpassedmaybet hey
canhelppreventHIVinf
ecti
onifthe
manispositi
v e
Aat
il
e:Fuck.
..i
thi
nki
tpassed.
.
Ot
lhe:
Howdoy
ouknow?
Aati
le:Igothery
ester
day
..
.Thi
sis
thesecondnight
..
.
Ot
lhe:
Let
'
sgo.
..

Aati
lehurri
edinandwalkedoutwit
h
thekidsasOt l
heopenedthedoorf
or
them thentheydr
oveoff.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
ht
tps:
//www.
facebook.
com/
espcond
omsbw/
Wi
ckedMe
✴ 46

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Aati
lepacedaroundrubbi
nghisneck
asOtlhesatonthechairwi
thMay a
l
yingherheadonherlapasleep,Baby
satonthehospit
albedplayi
ng
gameswi t
hherfather
'sphone.
..
.
Ot
lhe:
Youneedt
orel
ax.
..
Aati
le:(
tookadeepbr
eat
h)Iam
rel
axed.
..

Thedoctorwalkedbackinand
handedthem t
her epor
tandBaby
's
medical
cards.
..

Doctor:ARTwor ksbetterwit
hinthe
fi
rst24hour sofgett
ingexposedt o
thevir
usaf t
erthateachhourcounts.
Technical
ly72hoursi snotbadbut
i
t'snot100%, wecannotsayf orsure
i
twi l
lworkespecial
lysinceshe
i
ndicatesithappenedatnight,t
hisis
thet hirdnightso..
.(Aati
leandOt lhe
sadlyl ookedatt hedoctor)wej ust
hav et opraythatthemani sn'
t
positiveort hatGoddoeshi s
wonder s,may bewehav e3t o5hour s
befor eitclocks72becausewedon' t
knowwhatt imeoft henightit
happened.Wej usthavetoputal lin
God' shandsandt rusthi
m wi thour
kids...I'
mr eall
ysorryAtt
ie
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokay
..
..So.
..Canwego?
Doct
or:Sure.
..
herearehermedsbutI
don'
tknowhowy ouwillkeepaneye
onhercuts,y
ouhav etomakesur eto
washesherpriv
atesjusttoavoi
d-
Aatil
e:I
st her
eanot herway ?Sheisa
gir
l-
I'
m aman. ..Idon'
twantt osee
thatpar
tofmydaught er,itwouldfeel
l
ikeI'
mv iolat
ingherprivacy..
.Ican'
t.
.
Ot
lhe:
I'
ll
doi
t.
..
Aati
le:(
grat
eful
l
ylooki
ngather
)
Thanks..
Doct
or:Al
right
..
.Wear edone.
.Ihope
you'
l
lgetnegati
veresul
tswheny ou
comefortheHIVtest
Aat
il
e:Ihopesot
oo.
..

HeputBabydownandhel dherhand
asOtlhewokeMay aandfol
l
owed
them hol
dinghands,
thef
ourgotin
thecaranddrov
eoutoft hehospi
tal
..
.
Thekidsfel
lasl
eepinthebackofthe
carwithi
nashortdr
ive.
..

Otl
he:I
'mreal
l
ysorr
yabouty our
daught
er,
ihopeshetestnegati
ve
Aati
le:Ihopesotoo. .
.Howcoul di
havenotnoticed?Imean. .
..Howdi di
missthis.
..
.Isawt hisguyandi knew
idi
dn'tli
kesomet hingabouthim...
Whycoul dn'
tIaskher ?
Otl
he:Becauseyou'
reamanandshe
i
sagi r
l,y
ouwouldn'tknow..
..Ev
en
somewomenwoul dn'
tnoti
ce
becauseweallhumans.Ifsomethi
ng
hasn'tcrossedy ourmi ndy ouwi ll
neversuspecti t.Manypar entsthink
they'
regoodmot her
sbutt heydon' t
knowt hatthemannextt ot hem is
probablymol estingtheirkidsand
mostoft heseki dsnev ertellanyone
unti
lthey'r
eadul ts.Chil
dmol estation
i
ssuchaf orbiddent opic,nobody
wantst ofacet hetruththatchi l
dren
areindanger .
..Don'tblamey oursel f
..
.
Somet i
mesi thappensr ightunder
yournose.
Aat
il
e:If
ail
edher
..
..If
ail
edher
..
.
Ot
lhe:
Don'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
..
.
Minuteslat
ertheyarri
vedhomeand
tuckedthechil
dreninandsatonthe
couch,Aati
le'
sheadwasst i
ll
down
andhecouldn'tstopthi
nki
ngabout
whathappened...
.

Aati
le:Ican'
tbeli
evethis.
..Andy ou
knowwhat 'sf
unny?IsentLol oa
messagebutshej ustlookedatit,no
repl
y..
..Whatkindofamot herdoes
that
?
Otl
he: Maybeherphoneswi t
chedoff
beforeshecoul
dr epl
y,idoubtany
mot herwoul
drelaxaft
erbeingtol
d
thi
saboutherli
ttl
egirl
.Shewi l
lbe
her
esoon.
..
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng.
..
Otlhe:Thankmeaf t
ershetests
negative,
unti
lthenidon'
tdeservei
t.
..
(stoodup)Ishouldgetgoi
ng,canyou
takemehome?
Aati
le:
Canyouspendani
ght?I
n
casesheneedst
ousethet
oil
et
Otl
he:(
laughed)Shei
sfi
ne.
..
I'
l
lcheck
onyouguy sear
lyint
hemorni
ng.
..

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Voice:Hi,wesear chedthehouseand
thereisnobody ,
wewi llwidenour
search.…Wewi llgethi
mt hatican
promisey ou.
..Evenifwedon' tknow
herfullnameswewi ll
stil
lfi
ndher
Aat
il
e:Thanksby
e
Voi
ce:
Bye

Hehungupandsi ghedasOtlhe
star
edathi
m sadlyputt
ingt
hephone
down,hewasclearl
ystr
essed..
.

Otl
he:(
smiled)Youknowwhat ..
.I
t
hinkI'
l
lspendanightjusttocheer
youup.Let
'swatchamov i
e,wewil
l
t
alkaboutev
ery
thi
ngel
set
omor
row.
..
.

Hetookadeepbreat
handexhal
ed
t
hentheyl
aybackwatchi
ngamov i
e..
.

AtLeMér
idi
enDubai
Hot
el.
..
.

Lorewal
kedinasLol
opackedher
bagscry
ing.
..

Lor
e:What
'
swr
ong?
Lolo:
I'
m goinghome..
.I'
m goingto
askDidiformoneyorevenKen, i
knowt heywon'
tref
use.
...Toobadif
youthoughty
ou'
dstopme,I'
l
lgeton
afl
ighttoMaunandwit
hin13hours
I
'l
lbeholdi
ngmydaughter
.
Lore:(si
ghed)Fine.
..
I'
m sorr
yabout
earl
ier.Di
diandKenwentt othe
casino,wewill
hav etotakeataxi
there.
..
Lol
o:Thanks.
..
Lor
e:Puty
ourt
hingsdownl
et'
sgo.
..
Lolo:Won'
ttheyneedmyI
Datt
he
casino?
Lore:
Noj ustl
eaveevery
thi
ng.
(pr
essinghisphone)I
'mtal
kingt
othe
cabdriver
..
.Comeon...
Hehel
dherhandandl
edheroutof
t
hehotel

I
nourr
oom.
..
.

Kenj oi
nedmeont hecouchwi tha
bowl ofaChi nesedi shandf edme
thenheki ssedmeasi chewed, God
theguiltifeltknowi ngi hadjustlet
hisbigbrot hertouchmewashor ri
ble,
eacht i
mehei nnocentlysmi l
edatme
I'
dfakeasmi leandt rytojusti
fy
my self
-atleasti twashi sbrother.
..I
t
wouldpr obabl ybewor seifididit
somer andom man. ..
.
Ken:
Wher
eisLol
o?
Me: Appar
ent
lyhernannybroughta
boyfri
endtot
hehousesoshe
changedhermindaboutstayi
ng,she
wantedtocat
chthenextfli
ghtto
Maun
Ken:Ok.
..Lor
emusthav
efor
got
ten
totel
lme
Me:
Mmh.
..

Imovedoverandl
aidmyheadon
Ken'
schestaswebothwat
chedthe
TV..
.
I
nthecab.
..
.

Lor
eandLol
ogotint
hecaband
cl
osedt
hedoor
s..
.

Dr
iver
:Hel
l
o
Lore:Hell
o..
.wespokeont hephone
earl
ierr
ight?(pooraccent
)Khadhani
'
ii
il
aaalkazinu
Dr
iver
:(l
aughed)Ray
ie
Lor
e:(puthi
sar
m ar
oundLol
o)Ana
abi
euha
Dr
iver
:(l
ookedatLol
o)Kam
al
thaman?
Lor
e:$100
Dr
iver
:Sa'
atsi
lbi
sadi
q
Lor
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Whatl
anguagei
sthi
s?
Lor
e: Ar
abic,il
earntthi
sl anguage
onl
ine,youshouldlearndi ff
erent
l
anguages.Atleasthav ethebasi cs
ofacountrywheny ouvisititsoyou
canstri
keaconv ersati
onwi tht
he
l
ocals.I
twill
helpy ousur viv
e.
Lol
o:Ok.
..Whatwer
eyousay
ing?
Lore:Hesai
dit
s$100f
rom her
eto
thecasi
noandiwaski
ndofshocked,
hesay
sDubai
isexpensi
ve.
..
Lol
o:Under
standabl
e..
.
Lore:
Stopont
henextshopI
'
m
thi
rst
y

Hedrov
eforquit
esomet imeand
st
oppedatarandom shop.
..
.

Lor
e:I
'
m goi
ngt
obuydr
inks,
want
some?
Lol
o:Anyj
uice.
..
Dr
iver
: (
gav
ehi
m $100)br
ingmea
dr
inktoo
Lor
e:Al
ri
ght
..
Dr
iver
:(poi
nted)I
'
m par
kingt
her
e..
Lor
e:Sur
e..
.

Lolorol
leddownt hewindowand
star
edatt hetallf
ancybuil
dingsas
thetaxi
t ookapar ki
ngspacea
dist
ancef rom t
heshop.

Meanwhi l
eLoreboughtaboxof
gumsandst eppedoutthenhe
stoppedapassingcab.Itqui
ckl
y
stoppedthenhehoppedi nand
cl
osedt hedoor.
Lor
e:GoingtoLeMér
idi
enDubai
Hotel
please
Dr
iver
:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Hedr
ovehi
m backt
othehot
el.
..
.

AWEEKANDDAYSLATER.
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[9/
3,11:
43PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 47

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
..

Aati
lehandedMayaherlunchboxas
shereluct
ant
lyl
ookedatherfather,
it
hadbeendayssinceshehasn'tbeen
abl
et ogotoschoolwi
thherli
ttl
e
si
ster.
..

May
a:Wi
l
lshebeokayt
omor
row?
Aati
le:Yeah,shewillbefi
ne..
.got
o
school
...
.It
'sjustt
hisfever
medicati
onshei staking
May
a:Okay
..
.

Theschoolbushonkedandshe
hurr
iedoutfi
xingherbackpackstr
ap.
Aati
lewenttot hekitchenwher
ehe
cookedsoftpor r
idge..
.

Meanwhi l
einthebedr
oom Baby
wokeupf eel
ingsi
ckasshesaton
thebedt henshefeltvomitcoming
up, sheranouttothebathroom buti
t
allgushedoutont hepassageasshe
hel
dherchestspl
ashi
ngont
hef
loor
..
.

Aati
l
ehur ri
edov erandliftedherf
rom
behi
ndt aki
nghert othet oil
etwhere
sheleanedinandt hrewup.He
l
eanedagai nstthedoorframesadly
l
ookingathert henhegr abbedthe
mopandcl eanedup. ..

Aat
il
e:Takeabat
hokay
?
Baby
:Ok.
..

Babywalkedoutofthebat
hroom and
qui
etl
ylookedatherfat
hercl
eani
ng
up.
..

Baby
:I'
m sor
ryf
ort
hrowi
ngupont
he
fl
oor
..
Aati
l
e:I
t'
sokay.
..
it
'st
hemedi cat
ion,
you'
l
lbefi
neinacoupleofdays
Baby
:Am i
goi
ngt
ohav
eHI
V?

Heturnedar
oundandl
ookedather
speechl
essl
y.
..

Aat
il
e:Whati
sHI
V?
Baby:I
t'
sthesicknessyougetwhen
yougetrapedortouchanother
per
son'
sbl
oodwi
thoutgl
oves.
Aati
le:
Um.
..Wow.
..Wher
edoy
ouget
that
?
Baby:
Ever
yoneknowsi
t,y
oudon'
t
know?
Aat
il
e:Takeabat
handthenwewi
l
l
si
tdownandtal
kabouti
t.
..
Baby
:Okay
..
..

Shewentbackinsideleavi
nghim
dumbfoundedholdingthemoplikea
stat
uethenhi
smot hercal
l
ed,he
washedhishandsandanswer ed..
.
Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Her
:HasLol
otakenherdaught
er?
Hi
m:No,
shei
snotbacky
et.
.
Her:Youshouldtakehertoher
grandmother
'shousethen,ican'
t
beli
eveyou'
regoingtocontinue
stayi
ngwithherchil
dafterwhatshe
didtoyou.Whatifsheaccusesof
rapi
ngherdaughter?
Aatil
e:Babyal r
eadyt oldthepoli
ce
whodi dthisandt hey'rel
ookingfor
him, i
adopt edBabyandsher eall
y
thi
nksI '
m herdad.…i don'
twantt o
betrayherlikethat.Stayi
ngwi t
hher
grandmot herisnotanopt i
on,t
hese
ar
et hesamepeopl
eshewas
molestedst
ayi
ngwit
h..
.
Her:Andhowi sthisyourproblem?
Don'tyouseehowf ooli
sht hi
s
womani smaki ngy oulook?Firstshe
cancelstheweddi ngandr unsofwi t
h
amechani candt henshedumpst he
babywi t
hy ou?Wher edidi gowr ong
wit
hy ouAat i
le?
Aati
le:Theproblem isyoudid
ever
y t
hingri
ght,mymot hert
aught
met ocareaboutot herpeopl
eand
ri
ghtnowi don'tknowwhoI '
mtalki
ng
tobutyoubetterbringbackmy
mother.
Her:I
'
m sorr
yforwhatI
'
m abouttodo.
Thi
sisgoingtohur
tmemor ethani
t
wil
lhurty
ou.

Shehungupthenhesi
ghedand
di
aledanumber.
..

Voi
ce:
Johnson
Aati
le:Si
r.
..Mydaughteri
snot
feel
i
ngwel l,
itl
ookstodayshei
sway
toolow,imightbelat
e.
Voice:Can'
tyoufindasoluti
onf or
thi
s?Becausey oubeenmi ssi
ngwor k
foralmostaweek, youknowv er
ywell
wear eshor
tstaff
ed, isy
mpathise
withyoubutIhaveajobtodoand
thatj
obistomakesur ethatpeopl
e
getthebestheal
thassist
anceinthi
s
hospit
al.
Aat
ile:
Iunder
stand,
I'
ll
seewhatto
do.
..Ij
ustt
houghtofsomet
hing.
.
Voice:Yespl
ease,
thi
nk.Seey
ou
l
ater..
.

Hehungupanddi
aledOt
lhe.
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Heybabe
Aat
il
e:Mor
ningAngel
..
.
Ot
lhe:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)Ihear
dyou
cal
li
ngyourdaught
ert
hat
,whydo
youcal
lmet hat
?
Aati
le:
You'
ll
knowoneday
..
.Ihav
ea
fav
ourtoask
Otlhe:Sur
e,what
'sup?Bytheway
howi sBaby?Shesoundedsi
ck
yester
day
Aati
le:Sheisstil
lnotfeeli
ngwellbut
mybosswon' tall
owmet omiss
anymor ework,I'
mf uckingter
ri
fi
edto
hir
eamai dandmymot herwon'thel
p,
hergrandmot herfr
om hermot her
's
si
dei sli
kethewor stgrannyeverso
I'
mj ustst
uck...
Ot
lhe:
Aor
rawhydi
dn'
tyoucal
lme?
Aati
le:Idi
dn'twanttobeaburden,
rel
ati
onshipgaesi molol
agagobate
okopat husothatabecausei
twil
l
tur
noffanotherperson.
Otl
he:(
laughedandgotoutofbed)
Yousoundcrazy,I
'
mt aki
ngabathke
et
akoo, l
etmetalktoBaby.
..
Aat
il
e:Hol
don.
..

Babysteppedoutofthebat
hroom
thenherfat
herhandedhert
hephone.
.

Aat
il
e:I
t'
sauntOt
lhe.
..
Babysmi
l
edandputt
hephoneonher
ear
..
.

Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Hel
l
o
Otlhe:Heybestf
ri
end,
howar
eyou
feeli
ng?
Baby
:It
hrewupont
hef
loor
Otl
he:It
'sthemedicat
ion,
ithrewup
l
ikethattoobuty
ouknowwhat ?
Aft
er2weeksi wassuperf i
ne..
.
Baby
:Okay
..
.
Otl
he:I'
m comingtospendtheday
wit
hy ousodaddycangot owork
okay?Hemi ssedworkwaytoomany
t
imeshewil
ll
osehi
sjobi
fhekeeps
missi
ngwor
k
Baby
:Thenwewon'
thav
emoney
?
Ot
lhe:
Exact
ly
Baby
:Seey
oul
ater
Ot
lhe:
Bye

Shehungupandhandedherf
ather
thephone.
..

Baby
:Shei
scomi
ngov
er
Aati
le:Okay,I
'm goingtogetr
eady
forwork,yourbreakfasti
sonthe
counter.
.
Baby:
Okay
..
..
.

*
**

Almostanhourl at
erOt lhewalkedin
thehousewi t
hapl asti
coff r
uitsand
othersweetthi
ngs, t
heheadedt othe
kit
chenscreamingt hei
rnamesas
sheputthingsinthef r
idge.
..

Ot
lhe:
Baby
?Andt
hebi
gbabe?

Aat
il
ewalkedi
nf i
xi
nghi
sti
eand
gr
abbedherbythewai
stki
ssi
ngher
thenheclosedt
hefri
dgeandkissed
hermorewi t
hherbackagai
nstthe
fri
dge.
..

Aat
il
e:Imi
ssedy
ou.
..
Otl
he: (
giggl
edpushinghim back)
St
op. .
.Babycouldwalkinany
minute..
.Ical
ledhernamewheni
walkedin..
.

Hekissedherpassionat
ely,
they
heardBabycoughingonthepassage
andquickl
ystopped.Otl
heopened
thefr
idgeasAatil
einnocentl
y
fet
chedwaterinthesinkwitha
gl
ass.
..

Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..

Ot
lhehuggedherasBabyputher
ar
msaroundherwaist
..
.

Otl
he:Howismybestf
ri
end?You
l
ookterr
ibl
e..
.
Baby
:Iwast
hrowi
ngup.
.
Ot
lhe:
Didy
oueatany
thi
ng?
Baby
:Daddymademot
ogo.
..
Otl
he:(smil
edandpinchedAati
le's
cheek)Ij
ustlov
eyourdad..
.(walki
ng
out
)let
'sgowat
chTV.
..

Aatil
esmil
edastheyexchanged
naughtygl
ancest
henheputt he
glassdownandwenttogethiscar
keys.

Thegirl
ssatont hecouchwat chi
ng
TVashepassedbyandl eanedover
givi
ngBabyahi ghf i
vethenhe
almostkissedOtlhebutquickl
y
remember ed,hepausedandgav eher
ahighfi
veasshel aughedathim.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hav
eani
ceday
..
.
Aatil
e:( cl
osedthedoor)Yout oo.
..
(openedt hedoorandst uckhishead
i
n)Byt hewaydon'tforgetto
adverti
set hoseweddinggownsand
suit
sf orme
Otl
he:Okay,somebodygotthecake
al
ready.
..Shesai
dshewil
lpayt odayi
gaveheryournumberf
orewallet.
Aati
le:(
closedt
hedoor
)Thanks,
cheers.
..
.

Hedr
oveof
f.
..
..
..
.

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
West eppeddownt hest ai
rsasmy
hairwav edbackwhi l
eKenhel dmy
hand, Lorepushedourbagsandput
them int hebootast heirfather
steppedoutoft hecart ogr eetus,
theyshoul derbumpedl aughi ngasi
wat ched.Thi swasacl oseneat
fami l
yandt heywayt heymadej okes
togetherwasj ustadorable,ifever
therewasahat edandbet rayal
comi ngitwoul dbet hroughme. .
.
Dest r
oy i
ngahappyUni t
edf ami l
yand
iwasn' taboutt olett
hathappen.My
grandmot herwaspr obably
disappoint edinmewher evershe
was.
..
.

Theirfat
hersmiledandtur
nedt
ome
respectf
ull
yshakingmyhandasi
smiledbackrespectf
ull
y.
..
.

Him:Bi
rthdaygi
rl
..
..
Youevenlook
l
ight
er,
Dubai mustbepar
adise
Me:(
laughed)Thanky
ou.
..
..
..I
twas
gr
eat
Hi
m:(
toLor
e)Wher
eist
heot
herone?
Lore:
Ohshehadt ocomeearly,
her
maidapparent
lybr
oughtvi
sit
orsto
thehouseandshefel
therdaughter
wasn'
tsaf
e.
Him:Under
standabl
e..
.Comeon,
let
's
go..
.

Weal lgotinthecar,Loreandt hei

r
fat
herint hebackwhi l
eKenandi got
i
nthebackwher ehecl osedthedoor
andkissedmebysur prise,i
glanced
athisfathertomakesur ehewas
l
ooking,hiseyeswereont heroadas
hechat t
edwi t
hLorewhowasl ooki
ng
atusont hemi rr
or.
..

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.
Laterthatmor ningAati
le'smother
drovethrought hegate,therewasa
groupofmensi tti
ngundert hetr
ee
havingtraditi
onalbeerwhi l
e
Gobona'sl astbornlai
dont heground
withhert ummyeat ingsoilasmucas
fl
oweddownherchi n.
..

Aatil
e'
smot herparkedunderthetree
andsteppedout ,Gobonasteppedout
withajarofmber ereandpouredfor
themensi tt
ingunderthetreeasthey
l
aughedl oudlychat
ting.
..

Her
:Dumel
ang.
..
Gobona:
dumel
ang.
..
Her
:Cani
tal
ktoy
ourmot
her
?
Gobona:Sheisinsi
deher
house.
..
(poi
nted)Thatone

Sheknockedont hedoor,Lolo's
mot herrespondedwithalowv oi
ce
thenshewal kedin,t
hewi ndowswer e
closedandi twasstuff
y,allki
ndsof
smel l
sthatcouldmakey out hrowup
wer etr
appedi nther
easshel ai
don
thebed...

MaAt y
:Ineedyout
ocallyour
daught
erfr
om wher
eversheissoshe
cancol l
ectherdaught erfrom my
son'shouse, shesai dshedoesn't
wantt omar ryhim.Aker ether
eare
bett
ermenoutt here?Lethertakeher
daughtertot hosemen.Mysoni s
al
readyst ruggli
ngwi thhisdaughter
,
hecan'thav eanot herburdenagainof
asickchild.Iwon' tall
owy our
daughtertot akeadv antageofmy
sonlikethat.
MaLol o:(weakv oice)Idon'
tknow
wher eLol
oi s...Iheardhersister
sayingsomet hi ngaboutBudai ,idon'
t
knowt hecol dcount ri
es..
.Ican'ttake
May alookingl i
ket hi
s..
.Ihaveal iver
diseasessoi can'tdoany t
hingfor
my
sel
fri
ghtnow.
MaAt y:Sowhyi st
hi smyson' s
problem?Pl easegetoneofy our
rel
at i
vestocol lecty our
granddaught erf rom myson' shouse
byt heendoft oday .Noonewi ll
t ake
advant ageofmysonasl ongasIl iv
e.
Kanabasadi banal egot sayamonna
yoosi amemgj aakasehema, koor e
Lolojaanaar eoi ponet sesembeket e
sesemmel egel angngwanaenea
beletakoboDubai ...I
sn'titsheleft
mysonbecausehedi dn'thavethe
moneyt oaffordher ,whydi dn'
tshe
tel
lhercart obaby sitherdaught er?
(angril
ypointingather )Getyour
granddaughterbef
oret heendof
todaydoy ouunderstandme?Gether
oryou'l
lpaybackmagadi ,
doyoust
il
l
havethe12Kwepai dy ou?
MaLolo:Iusedt
hemoney.
..I
r
enovatedmyhomebecausei
t
houghttheweddi
ngw-
MaLolo: Wel
lwehav etherightto
demandbackt hatmoneyf orbreach
ofthecontr
actandifthatgirli
snot
outofmyson'shousebyt heendof
todaywearegoingtodemandi t.Re
taabonagoreot aaatsaakae.I '
m
notabouttowatchmysonl osehis
j
obbecauseofanot herman'schi l
d.I
f
i
twashi schi
lditwouldbeokaybut
i
t'snotandt hemot heri sunt hankful.
..
Atl eastifshewasgr atef ulbutno..
.
Shegoesar oundi nsul tingmyson
tel
lingpeopl emysoni sn' tman
enoughi nbed. ..Ifeel i
nsul ted!Aatil
e
willnotlosehi sjobf oranunt hankful
bitchlikeyourdaught er.Ngwanawa
gagogaanamai tseo, shei st empting
allofusandl eadingusi nto
tempt ati
onnnaasmot herket aa
l
eohahel ahael esengweesengmo
gongwanake.Ket etsemogomaswe
olaki kagaoomaneket il
ekego
i
paakany edit
sekei kaelet segogo
kgwel agala...
MaLol
o:I
'
llgetherbef
oret
heendof
theday
,idon'thavethemoneyt opay
backmagadi becauseial
readyused
themoney.I'
mv erysorr
ythatmy
daught
erdidthat..
.
MaAt y:Ihopey ouunder standt hat
I
'mjustamot herprotecti
nghercub,
fort
hatboyI '
llj
umphi l
l
sand
mount ai
ns...Ididn'tr
aisehi mt obea
toyforwomen, hemightbeni cebuti
won'tletpeopl etakeadv antageof
that
.(walkingaway )Hav eani ce
day.
...

Sheclosedt
hedoorandwalked
passedthet
reewher
edrunkmen
wer
esi
tt
ingbeer
..
.

Man:(dr
unkandtongue-
ti
ed)Hey.
..
Mami?Dahli
?Takwanokegor ekel
e
kopi
yaMbererekanaobatapower?
Man2:Monnagaotshabemosadi
yoo
i
tseegokgweet
sa?
Man:
Lennakenal
ebi
cycl
eaker
e

Theylaughedl
oudlyasMmagwe
Aati
l
edr oveof
f.
..
..
.

AtMmaDani
el'
sHouse.
..
.
Weal lgr
eet
edKen'smotherand
exchangedhugsexci
tedl
y.
..

Ken:
Okaey
obar
engOt
lhe?
Her:Shewenttoherboyfr
iend'
s
house,hi
sdaught
erwasn'tfeel
ing
wellandhecoul
dn'tmisswork.Heis
si
ngleparent
Ken:Shedidn'
ttel
lmeshehasa
boyf
riend
Hi
sfat
her
:Doy
oubl
ameher
?
Lor
e:Idi
dn'
tknowei
ther
Her:
AndI'dappreci
atei
tifbot
hof
youkepty
ourdistancef
rom her
boyfr
iendt oo,Otl
heisnotababyand
you'
rewast inghertime.Thisman
soundsr eall
ygood,i haven'
tmethim
butil
ov ehi m soidon'twanttohear
hersayingy outal
kedt ohim orsai
d
anyt
hingt ohim.
Theirfather:Wear eseri
ousabout
thi
st oo,Otlhedoesn'tl
iketheway
youbot hinterf
ereonher
rel
ationshipswhileshenev erdoes
thattoy ouabouty ourgir
lf
riends.
Someofy ouhadcheat inggi r
lf
ri
ends
whom t heyalmostcommi tt
edsuicide
forbutwenev er-
Ken:
(laughedandwal
kedaway
)
Wow...
.Okay..
..
MaDavid:
Didicomei
nandseeaf
ew
t
hingsi
nhere.
..
.

Wewal kedi
nthehouseandshe
handedmev oucher
sforabr
idal
shop.
..

MaDav i
d:Thisismygi fttoy ou..
.
(si
ghed)I'mr eal
lyhappyt hatyou
broughtasmi l
eandhopet oKen' s
face.
..Hewasamessbef orehemet
you..
.Ididn'tl
ikethepersonhewas
becoming...Getti
ngtattoos,drinking
andsmoki ngheav il
y.
..Icanseet hat
roughmant urni
ngsof t
..
.Backt othe
boyir
aisedtolov
eandcare..
.Thank
youf
orr est
ori
nghim,
indeedtr
ue
l
oveexist.

Shehuggedmeandi huggedher
back,i
twasf i
nal
ly.
..I
'dnev erhurt
Kenagainnotaftergivi
ngmeso
muchl ov
eandagoodmot herwho
nevernotevenoncef el
ti wasn'tgood
enoughforherson.Tear sfil
ledmy
eyesasi l
ookedatthev oucherand
huggedheragain..
..

MaDavi
d:I
'm al
it
tleexcit
edabout
t
heweddi
ng..
.Idon'tknowhowit
feel
stohaveadaughterinlawbuti
can'
twaitt
obr agaboutitatour
famil
yweddingswheni showupwit
h
you.
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
..
MaDav i
d:Pleasego..Iknowy
ou
hav
eal otofplanningtodowi
thy
our
motherandfami l
y.
Me:
thanky
ousomuch.
.
Iwal
kedoutputt
ingiti
nthebagas
Kenstar
tedt
hecar ,
ishookmyfather
i
nlaw'
shandandj umpedintheback
asKenandLoresatinthefr
ont.
..

Ken:
Whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
Me:(laughedandwavedmyv oucher
)
Justamot heri
nlawdaught
erinlaw
convo..
.
Ken:(
laughed)Howcanshegi
vey
ou
andnotme?St opst
eal
ingmy
mother.
..

Lorequi
etl
ylookedoutsi
det
he
windowandsighed.
..

Lore:Ineedt
otemporari
lymov ei
n
wit
hy ouguyswhilel
ookingforanew
house,Lolomadefunnythreat
swhen
wewer einDubaiandidon'twant
sni
fferdogsgi
vingmet r
ouble.
Ken:
Alr
ightnopr
obl
em
Lor
e:Thanks.
..

Igl
aredatLor
eandsi
ghedangr
il
y.
..

Ken:
So.
..Shoul
didr
opy
ouof
fat
-
Lore:Atmyhouse,i
hav etopackand
callt
hemovingtr
uck..
.I'
ll
behomei n
theeveni
ng.
..
Ken:
Alr
ight
..
.

It
riedLol
o'snumberbuti
twasn'
t
avail
abl
etheniputmyphonedown.
..
AtLor
e'sHouse.
..
.

MinuteslaterKenparkedthecarthen
west eppedoutandwal kedint
he
house,iwaitedonthecouchast hey
checkedt hestash.

ItookoutmyphoneandGoogl ed
weddinggownst henLorewalkedin
andquicklycl
osedthedoorthenhe
mov edthecurt
ainspeaki
ngout si
de
asKent ookouthisbad.

Me:
You'
renotmov
ingi
nwi
thus
Lor
e:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Me: Loreithoughticoul
ddot hisbut
..
.
Ican'thurtKen..
.Notaft
erwhathe
wentt hr
oughandhi smotherloves
me, hissi
sterlovesme..
.Ever
y one
l
ovesme. .
.Ifeell
ikeGodgavemea
familyineverhad.Myownmot her
hasnev ergivenmeany t
hingbut-
Lor
e:Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Me:
What ev
erwewereaboutt
ostar
t
i
sover
..
.Ican'
tdoi
t,i
feel
guil
ty
Lor
e:Di
diil
oveyou..
.Youknowi
l
ovedyout
hev er
ymi nut
ei sawy
ou
wheniwal
kedinthathouse..
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Ihav
eaweddi
ngt
o
pr
epar
ef or,ican'tcheat.
..Idon't
wantt
omaket hesamemi stakeLol
o
madedest r
oyingherf amilyonthe
l
astminute.
Lor
e:Sowhatam i
supposedt
odo?
Me:
Findagi
rl
fr
iend
Lore:
IloveyouandI '
m notaboutto
giv
eupony ou,doyoureal
lythi
nki
wentthroughallt
hattr
oublejustt
o
thr
owi nthetowel?

Hepulledmeoverandfor
ceful
l
y
ki
ssedmet henisl
appedhi
m and
walkedout
..
Lor
e:Wear
enotov
er.
..
.

Kenwalkedoverholdi
nghisbrot
her
's
bagthenitookadeepbreathand
smil
edwalkingpasthi
m...

Me:
Don'
tbel
ong.
..I
'
m exhaust
ed
Ken:
Alr
ight
..
.

Iwait
edinthecarl
ookingatt
hedoor,
igotanxi
ousashet ookabi
tlonger
thenhewalkedoutandwedroveoff.
..

Me:
Babewhydi
dn'
tyouaskmei
fit
wasokayforyourbrothertomov ei
n
wit
hus?Wear epractical
lymarri
ed
andweshoulddiscussev er
ythi
ng,
i
sn'
tthatwhatmarriedcouplesdo?
Ken:Idi
dn'
tthinki
twasabigdeal
sincei
tsajustaweeknort
wo..
.Do
youmindifhemov esi
nwithus?
Me: Yes.
..I
'm sousedt owalking
aroundthehousehi m bei
ngt her
eis
j
ust..
.Andy outrav
elmor ethanhe
doeswhi chmeans-
Ken:Iunderst
and..
.I'
l
lmakesur ehe
fi
ndsahouset odayandmov ethere
i
nsteadofours,Ishouldhaveasked
you.
..I
'mjustusedtomaki ng
deci
sionsonmyown
Me:
It'
sokay
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronAati
l
eandTshepowalked
outofthehospi
tal
forabr
eak.
..

Tshepo:IsawBayang'
sgi
rl
fr
iendlast
week,thi
sguyoimisit
seobonye?
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Yeahandthe
di
vorcei
sn'
tfinal
,hi
swifewil
lki
l
lthat
l
it
tl
egirl
whenshef i
ndsout.
..
Tshepo:
Iwantt
omar
rymygi
rl
fr
iend
butigetcoldfeeteacht
imei
wantt
o
bri
ngupt hetopic
Aati
le:
Don'tbeme..
.I'
m soscar edt
o
havesexwithOtl
hebecausei knowif
idoitwil
lbethel
astti
meI'm seeing
her
Tshepo:
Justt
akeachancemar
wenaoragashaphel
a?
Aatil
e:It
houghtso..
..Imean...Ihave
hadsexwi t
hwomenbef oreherand
andtheyclaimedtobehur tand
moanl i
ketheywerecumi ngbutnow
I'
m wonderingi
fitwasallrealorthey
fakedall
thattoboostmyego.
Tshepo:
Womenf
akeor
gasmsal
lthe
ti
meandal lt
hatmoani ngcanbef ake
too,myexsaidshef akedal
lher
moanswhenal lshewast hi
nking
aboutwasherex. .
.Itbr
okemyhear t
formonthsbutuh...ThewomanI '
m
withseemsfine.
..Shecaneven
i
niti
atesexketsenahelaalehungry
evenwhenI'mt i
redshe'dj
umpont op
andrideme..
.Shei smywor l
d.
Aati
le:
I'm af
rai
dt odisappointOtlhe
wait
se,andI'm sti
ll
wonder ingii
i
real
l
yhav ealit
tledick.
..Iwanttosee
moredicks.NotgaI nternetli
kereal
menar oundhere
Tshepo:
Nobodyisgoi
ngtoshowy ou
hi
sdicksoit
hinkyoushoul
djustget
overitandf uckOt lheifyoulov eher ,
i
fshel eavesandnev ercomeback
fi
nei fshest i
cksar oundf i
net oo...
Loloint enti
onallybr ui
sedy ouregoso
youwon' tenjoysexbecausey ou'll
alway swonderi fy ou'
remanenough
andy ou' l
lcompet ewi t
hani magi nary
bigdick.Fuckt hatnnagakenasepe,
dikukul etsonedi naledisizekana,
youcan' twearsi ze10wheny ourfeet
i
ssi ze8l ehagokaandt hef actis
oncey oupi cksize8y ou'
reman
enough.You' regoi ngtoturnOt lheoff
i
fy out akeLol o'
swor dstohear t.
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
..
.
Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Didi
:Hey,ibeentry
ingLolo'
snumber
butit
'snotavai
labl
e,haveyouseen
her?
Aat
il
e:No,
whendi
dshegetback?
Di
di:
Lastweek
Aati
le:Ihaven'
tseenherandshe
hasn'tt
alkedtomesinceisenthera
message.
Didi
:Shel
eftbecauseshewas
concer
nedaboutMay abutany
way
shap
Aat
il
e:Shap(
hungup)That
'sodd.
..
Tshepo:
What
?
Aat
il
e:Gat
weLololeftDubaialone
l
astweekbutshehasn'tcont
acted
me
Tshepo:Maybesheischi
l
li
ngather
boyfr
iend'
shouse.
.
Aat
il
e:Idon'
tknowherany
mor
esoi
woul
dn'tbesur
pri
sed.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonZeropar
kedhi
s
noi
syTazzoutsi
dethenGobona
knockedonthedoor,Ot
lheopened
thedoorandthemberereodour
foundit
swayi nt
othehouseasshe
heldherbr
eath..
.

Ot
lhe:
Hi.
..
Gobona:
I'
m her
etot
akeMay
a
Ot
lhe:
Mynamei
sOt
lhe,
whoar
eyou?
Gobona:Gobona,I'
m heraunt
ie.
..My
mothersentmet ogether.Pl
ease
hur
ryupdi.Customertsamedi a
di
egakwa...
Otl
he:WhichMayaareyoutal
king
about
?Andy ou'
l
lhavetocal
lher
fat
her
,idon'
thavetheaut
hori
tyto
handherov
ert
oyoubecausei
don'
t
knowyou
Gobona: Heel
ammamphangwana, i
don'thaveair
ti
mef orpl
ayi
ng.
..
(l
eanedinandscr eamedal
most
spi
t t
ingonOtlhe)Maya?Maya?Het
a
reye.
..

Otl
hedi
aledAat
il
easGobonawal
ked
i
nthehouse…

Aat
il
e:Heybabe
Otl
he:
Thereisawomanhereher
nameisGobonaandshewant
sMaya,
act
ual
lyshei
staki
ngMaya
Aati
le:
Don'tl
ethert
akeher
,gi
veher
thephone.
.
Ot
lhe:
(gaveGobonathephone)
Pl
easetal
ktoherfat
her
Gobona:
Rrr
agweMay
aopheki
l
e
kont
ekwa..
.May
a?Maya?

Mayaslowl
ywal kedoverrubbingher
sl
eepyeyesthenGobonagr abbedher
wri
standdraggedherout,Otlhe
pushedGobona'shandsawayas
Mayabeguncryingconfused..
.

Otl
he:Don'
tdr
agherli
ket
hatshei
s
notfeel
i
ngwell
,keengogoga
ngwanahelaekar
eogogasakay
a
di
nawajaana
Gobona: (
pointedather)Oska
nkgomawankut wamony ana?Nxl
a
akerelekopat i
ki
le.
..Tshabakoo..
.
(draggedher)hetareyewenao
togelegolel
elamant uabahumi
nkaregawagol elel
amont ua
setswana,ki
i l
erataboskgowa
yaana..

Shepushedheri nthecarasZero
smokedinthefrontseatthenshegot
i
nt hef
rontdoorandclosed,Otl
heran
overwi
thhermedi cat
ionand
knockedonthewindowasMay
a
coughedcr
ying.
..

Ot
lhe:
Takehermedi
cat
ion.
..
.

Mayatri
edtoopenthedoorbuti
t
wasonlockthensheopenedthe
wi
ndowcr y
inghyst
eri
cal
lypul
li
ng
Otl
he'
sclot
hes..
.

Maya:(cr
ying)Aunti
e?Pleasetake
me..
.Idon'twanttogo..
.PleaseI'
m
sor
ryforbeingsi
ck,I'
ll
got oschool
..
..
Ot
lhe:
(tear
ful
l
y)Daddywi
l
lcomeget
y
ou
May a:
(screami
ngrubbi
nghertears)
Cal
l hi
m!Iknowhisnumberplease
cal
lhim..
.Idon'
twanttogoaway .
..I
'l
l
neverthr
owupont hefl
ooragain.
..
Gobona: (
tur
nedtothebackand
spankedher)Sit
!Si
t!Si
t!Getback
i
nside..
.Omot onamonnalesago
bokolel
ankareoutulel
eso..
.(
turned
andlookedathermeds)Nar eonwa
melemoy aaidsngwanawal ona?
Ot
lhe:
It'
snotf
orai
ds,
it'
sPep
Gobona:
Pepkeeng?Thi
sthi
ngl
ooks
l
ikeARVs
May
a:(
pausedcr
yingandl
ookedat
Ot
lhe)Aunt
iei
hav
eHI
V?
Otl
he:Youdon'
t,r
ememberwhati
tol
dyouearl
ier
?Thisi
sforpr
event
ion
soyoudon'
tgetHIV
Gobona:
Uhuobet
elet
sweel
egor
e?
Ot
lhe:
Can'
tyoubesensi
ti
ve?
Maya:(
stuckherheadoutcr
ying)I
don'
twanttogo
Gobona:Kar
eboelamotengmonna.
..
(bi
thermouthandsmackedher
bott
om)Sitdownandshutup!

Mayasatdownandcoveredher
mouthhol
dingherbr
eat
hast ear
sfel
l
downhercheeks.
..

Zero:(bl
ewthesmoke)Canwego?
You'l
lhavetogi
veme3mor ecupsof
beerfortaki
ngt
hisl
ong.
.
Gobona:
(cl
osedt
hewi
ndow)Let
's
go.
..
.

Hedrov eoffasOtl
hetear
ful
ly
coveredhermouthlooki
ngatMaya
asshet ur
nedhelpl
essl
ylooki
ngat
her
...
.

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.
Laterthataft
ernoonGobonaserved
thedrunkmensi tti
ngunderthet
ree
asMay al
aidsickont hegr
ound
undertheothertree,Gobonawal
ked
overtohrrandhandedherabi g
woodenspoon. ..

Gobona: Goandmi
xmberer
ethen
ser
vet hemanwear
ingt
heredtshi
rt
,
hepaid..

Mayasl
owlygotthespoonand
wal
kedinsi
dethehouseasZero
wat
ched,shewasclear
lyweakand
hungry
..
.helosthi
sappet
it
eandput
thecupofbeerdownthenhewalked
tothehouse.

Hesteppedi
nandwat chedst
andi
ng
byt
hedoorasMay ami xedt
hebeer
i
nalargecont
ainer
..
..

Zer
o:(
sof
ly)Hel
l
o
May
a:Hel
l
o
Zer
o:Wher
eisLol
o?
May
a:Shewentt
oDubai
..
.
Zero:I
sn'
tyourf
ather
'snameAat
il
e
Johnson?
May
a:That
'shi
sname
Zero:YouuseJohnsonatschool
on
yourpaper
s?
May
a:Yes
Zer
o:(t
ookouthi
sphone)Canyou
gi
vemehisnumber?Iwanttoask
hi
m somethi
ng.
.

May agav
ehi mthenumberthenhe
walkedawaysendingacal
lmeback,
minutesl
aterAati
l
ecall
edandhe
pi
ckedwalkingawayfr
om thecrowd.
..

Zer
o:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:(
angri
l
y)whatt
hehel
ldoy
ou
want
?I'
m notpay
ingy
ouagai
n
Zer
o:Cany
oupl
easet
akeMay
a?

Bonuscomingi
fwer
each24KLi
kes
bef
ore6pm
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
44PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 48

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Gobonabentov
ermi xi
ngTsabana
wit
hawoodenmi xeratthef
ir
eplace
asBabyhel
dtheplasti
cbagof
Tsabanaf
orher.
..

May
a:If
eel
dizzy
..
.
Gobona: You'
relazy.
..Herewecook
ont hefireyouthinkit'
swhereyou
crossy ourlegsandwai tfort
hemaid
tobr i
ngy ouchickenwi t
hspaghet
ti
andl eaves?
May
a:Ineedt
osi
tdown.
..

Diboyswalkedinandsmi l
ed
excit
edl
yrecognisinghiscousi
nbut
May acoul
dn'tquit
er ecogni
sehi
m
thenheranov erandhuggedher
taki
ngtheplasti
cfr om her
..
.

Diboy
s:Maya?Wow..
.Youlooksotal
l
andbeaut
if
ulandf
at.
..
.Yourhai
ris
beaut
if
ul
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hel
l
o
Diboys:
Don'ty
our
ememberme?I
'
m
yourcousi
nmynameisDi
boys
May
a:I
'
mfeel
i
ngsi
ck
Diboy
s:I
t'
shot,y
oucansi
tdown.
..I
'
ll
holdt
heTsabanafory
ou
Gobona:
(tohim)Goandpi ckt
he
twi
gsoutsi
def orthi
sfi
re,Mayawil
l
hol
dtheplast
ic,it
's2pm howhotcan
i
tbe
Diboy s:
Butshesayssheissi
ckand
shef eel
shot.
.(puthi
shandonher
forehead)Shefeel
sveryhot
Gobona:
Go!
Di
boys:(
gaveheraboxoffr
eshmi
l
k)
Putt
hatovery
ourhead.
..

May acoveredherheadwi t
hthebox
thenhercousinwalkedoutexcitedl
y.
Meanwhi l
eZerowal kedinthehouse
andsatont hechairfaci
ngLolo'
s
mot hert
henhegr eetedherand
i
ntroducedhimself.
..

Zero:(concl
uded)AndIwasj ust
tal
kingtoAatil
e,hedoesn'tknow
anythi
ngaboutt hi
sandhehasn' t
agreedtoanything.Legal
l
yhei sthe
f
athersohecantakey
outocour
tif
y
ouf or
cef
ull
ytakeMasaf
rom hi
m..
.
Her:(
angr i
l
ypinnedherelbowont he
sheetsandf r
owned)Hael ewenao
sekawal ekel
a...Di
dn'
tyouabandon
thi
schil
dbef oreshewasbor n?Now
youknowher ?Don'ttr
ymypat ience.
..
.
Don't
,youdon'tknowany t
hing.
Zero:I'
mj usttell
ingy ouwhati was
tol
d,Aatil
ei sthef atherandthereare
onlytwopeopl ewhohav ecustodyof
achildit
st hemot herandthef at
her,
i
nt hecaset hattheot herisnot
presentordi estheot herparent
automaticallyassumesf ul
lcustody
.
Youcan'tt akeMasaf rom herhome
andbr
inghert
oapl
acel
i
ket
his.
..
Her:Thisisnoneofy ourbusiness,
youshouldbeashamedofy oursel
f.
..
You'r
eausel essmanf oreven
all
owinganot hermantotakecar eof
yourresponsibil
i
ty.
Zero:Hei samor eofaf at
herthani
couldev erbe,I
'
m notaf at
herandi
can'tcallmysel
fafatherbutit
'snot
fai
rtot akeasickl
ychil
df r
om her
home, whyi sGobonatreati
ngherli
ke
thi
s?
Her:
May awi
llbef
ine,iknowthese
Engl
ishmedi
um chil
drenexpectt
obe
gi
venspeci
alt
reat
mentbutshewi ll
adj
ust
..
Zer
o:Gosi
ame.
.

Hest oodupandwal kedoutside, he

neverthoughthe' df
eelthewayhe
fel
taboutMay aandashewal ked
towardst hetreehepausedand
l
istened.Gobonascr eamedMay a's
namesev eral
t i
mesatthefi
r eplace
thenher anov erandli
ft
edherf rom
thehotsand. .
.

Zer
o:Whathappened?
Gobona:
Shejustcol
lapsed,
putheri
n
t
hehouseshewillwakeuplater
Zer
o:Letmet
akehert
othehospi
tal
Gobona:Mymotherdoesn'
tl
ikeyou,
shewil
lkil
lmei
fshehearsigaveyou
thechi
ld
Zero:(t
urnedtothecar)I
'm done
beggingyoupeoplenoneofusar e
herparentssowear eall
equal,no
onehast heauthor
it
ytochaset he
otherawayfrom her
.

Heputheri
nthecarandclosedt
he
doort
henhegoti
nt hecar
..

Gobona:
Oret
eleseshabo
Hedr
oveof
f.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Lateroniwal
kedtot
heki
tchen
tal
kingtot
hephone.
..

Me:
Okay
,di
dyout
alkt
oLor
e?
Ken:No,I'l
ltal
ktohi
m whenwemeet
l
ater,
ialreadyhear
daboutavacant
house..
.I'
m walki
ngint
heoff
ice
Me:
Okay
,by
e
Ihungupandopenedthefr
idge
doors,
i st
aredi
nsi
dewonderi
ngwhat
toeatthensomeonehel
dmywai st
fr
om behindandij
umpedstart
led.
..

Me:(pushinghi
shandsaway)Pl
ease
don'
tdot hat
..
.Youal
mostgavemea
hear
tattack.
..
Lor
e:Ibr
oughtmybags

Itur
nedar
oundandmov edback
agai
nstt
hekit
chencounter
..
.

Me:
KenandIagr
eedt
hati
twi
l
lbe
bestify
oudidn'
tmovein.
..Lore
whereisLol
o?Didyouactual
lyleav
e
herther
e?
Lor
e:Yousaidthatwoul
dbetoo
muchsoijustgavehermoneyand
shel
eft
.
Me:
Whydi
dn'
tshesayby
e?
Lore:
Idon'
tknow,
howam i
supposedt
oknow?
Me: Arabiansar
edangerousLore,
shecoul dbeusedasapr ost
it
uteora
drugmul e,woul
dyoureall
yforgi
ve
yourselffort
hat
?
Lore:
Whydon'tyouwantmeher
e?
Areyouaf
rai
dy ou'
l
lfal
li
nlov
ewit
h
me?
Me:(l
aughed)Likey
ou'
deverbehal
f
t
hemanKeni s,
whydoyouthi
nk
you'
reworki
ngforhimt
houghyou'
re
t
heoldest?

Hekeptquietandsadlyst
aredatme
thenirol
l
edmyey esandwalkedout
sippi
ngajuice.
..

Lore:(
fol
l
owingme)May beifihad
halft
heopportuni
ti
eshehadI '
dbe
whereheistoday,unfor
tunatel
yi
havetobehissidekicktherestofmy
l
ife-
Me:Anddon'tyouforgetit
,thecloser
you'
l
levercometobei nghalfthe
manhei swhenyou'r
emaki ngmor e
moneyforhim.Getoutofmyhouse,
t
hisisminenow..
..Kentsheditswe
magadisoiam Mr sDaniel
..
..i
decide
whostaysandwhogoes. ..
Ken:
(swall
owed)Can'
tyoujustbe
ni
cetome?HonestlyIwouldn'thur
t
mybrot
her,I
'dguar
dthissecretwit
h
myli
fe.
..
Me: I
'm donebeingsoftLore,i
fther
e
i
ssomet hi
nginoti
cedaboutmeni s
thatwheny ouarenicetheythi
nk
you'r
estupid,j
ustleav
ebef or
ei t
ell
Keny ou'
remakingmov esonme.We
bothknowhe'dkil
lyou.
..I
t'
dbea
tr
agicthi
ngforyourmotherandi
don'twantt
odot hatt
oherbecausei
i
ntendtoenjoyt
hisnewf amil
yKen
broughtme.

Hequi et
lypickedhisbagandwal
ked
outtheni l
ockedthedoorandwent
tothekitchen,Otl
hecall
ed.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o
Ot
lhe:
Ihear
dyou'
reback
Me:Yeah,wepassedbyandy
ou
wer
en'thome
Otlhe:(
smi l
ed)Iwasatmy
boy f
ri
end'shouse.Didiit
hinkGod
j
usthandedmear ealmanonasi l
v er
platt
er,hehaspr obl
emsbutheywe
allhaveproblemsr i
ght
?Ilovehim so
somuchandi canseehelov esme
tookoor eketypetsediboi t
se.
Me:(l
aughed)Aobestl
adyy
ame
bat
hong
Otl
he:Wait
-what
?I'
mthebestl
ady
?..
.
Yes.
..
.Ir
eceiv
engwadamme
Me:(l
aughed)Ican'
twai
ttoseethi
s
guyshem, i
cantel
lyou'
rei
nlov
e...
Congrat
ulat
ions
Ot
lhe:
Dipekepeket
segot
wengbo
Kengakebatebammonammany ana,
thewayheissofthewoul
dleaveif
anyofthem t
hreat
enedhi
m.Ilove
him
Me: (
laughed)Bakgalemetswe
kgantel
e,I'
m sur
et heywon'tspoi
lit
foryou..
youshouldpassbysowe
cangot otheshopsandbuyaf ew
thi
ngs.Kenaskedmet osetthe
weddingdatebutI'm notsurewhich
datetochoose
Otl
he:Wewillpl
antoget
herandsee
whenwewoul dbedoneakeregatwe
acakeissupposedtobedoneli
ke
t
hreetotwomont hsbef
orethe
weddi
ng?
Me:
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hat
Otlhe:
Yeah,iwashelpi
ngmycousi n
planherweddingandatfir
stwe
thoughti
twouldbeaf astt
hing,i
t
takesmonthstoplanaweddi ng.
Me:Youbett
erhelpme, atl
easty
ou
hav
ealit
tl
eex per
ience
Otl
he:Okay,I
'
llbetheresoon.Iwas
babysi
tngwanawababaej aanong
bamot ser
eandt heywerebeat i
ng
heryett
hefatherneverbeat
st hem
wait
sesomef amili
eswena.
Me:
Goai
tsesepe
Ot
lhe:
Bye
Me:
Bye
Ihungupandt
ookal
ongwar
m
bath.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronZerolai
dMay aonthebed
thenthenurseatt
endedherashe
steppedbackwatchi
ng..

Nur
se:
Wher
eishercar
d?
Zer
o:Idon'
tknow
Nur
se:
What
'shername?
Zer
o:MasaJohnson.
..Herf
atheri
sa
doct
ororsomethi
ng,heworksher
e..
.
HisnamesareAat
il
eJohnson.
Nurse:Ohi knowhim..
..Heison
secondfloor,I
'
llcal
lhi
m...(
toanother
nurse)Helpmet akehertoICU.
..
Wher ei
st hedoctor
?
Nur
se2:
Hei
scomi
ng.
..

Theypushedherbedi nI
CUasBaby
slowl
yopenedherey esl
ooki
ngas
thedoorsclosedZeroout,hestared
atherthroughtheglassasshe
weaklyandslowlywav edathi
m, he
l
ookedbehi ndhimjusttomakesur e
thewav ewashisthenhesmi l
edand
wav
edback.

Hetookadeepbr
eat
handwal
ked
away.
..
.

*
**

Minutesl
aterAat
il
ehurri
edinasthe
nursetal
kedtoBabythensheleaped
upandhuggedherf at
hercr
ying.
..
.

Meanwhil
eZerogotinthecarand
st
art
edtheenginet
henhesaw
Maya'
smedicati
on,hegrabbeditand
wentbackt
oICU.
..

Heapproachedt hedoorandpaused
l
ookingthr
ought heglassasMay a
cri
edonAat i
lethenhesatdownand
wipedhertears,hehadashort
conver
sati
onwi thherassur
ingheras
shenoddedhopef ul
ly.
..

Zeropushedthedoorandwal
kedi
n
sl
owly,Aati
l
estoodupandshookhi
s
hand.
..

Aati
le:Thanksf
orbr
ingi
nghert
othe
hospit
al
Zer
o: Noprobl
em...(
handedhimthe
medicat
ion)Gobonaforgother
medicat
ioninthecar
Aat
il
e:Thanks
Baby
:DaddyI
'
m hungr
y
Aat
il
e:Alr
ight
,I'
m goi
ngt
ogety
ou
somethi
ngtoeat
Baby
:Don'
tgot
oof
ar
Aat
il
e:I
'
mjustbuyi
ngatt
hegat
eand
noonei
staki
ngyouaway
Baby
:Ok

Bothoft
hem wal
kedoutoftheroom
andoutt
hebuil
dingwi
thoutsay
inga
word,onceout
sideZer
oshook
Aat
ile'
shandandtookouthi
sTazz
key
s. .
.

Zer
o:Masar
eal
l
ylov
esy
ou.
Aati
le:
(laughed)I
t'
sMay
abutwecal
l
herBaby
Zero:(
laughed)Inev
ergethername
ri
ght.
..
Aatil
e:I
t'
sokay,bythewayt hanksfor
thatcal
lear
li
erandI'm sor
ryfor
getti
ngangr
y,ididn'
tknowwhaty ou
wantedtosay
Zero:
I'
m amoneyl
overi
t'
s
under
standabl
e
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Thanks
Zer
o:(
laughed)Sur
e..

Theyshookhandsagainandpar t
ed
asAati
leboughtsnacksandadr i
nk
bythegate,
Zeropassedbyi nhis
noi
syTazzandhonkedatAat i
l
e,he
smil
edandgav ehim athumbsupas
hewalkedbackint
ot hehospit
al.
..
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Lat
eratduskOtl
heandi wal
kedinto
abri
dalshopasherphonerang.
..
Ot
lhe:
Heybabe
Aati
le:Hey,I'
m wi
thBabyatt
he
hospit
al.
..Shecol
lapsed
Ot
lhe:
Issheokay
?
Aati
le:
Sheisf
inebutt
heyjustwant
toobserv
eherforawhi
le.
Ot
lhe:
(lookedatthet
ime)I'
l
lpassby
wi
thmysi steri
nlaw,
ithi
nkwewill
makeitinti
me
Me:
(lookedatt
het
ime)Yeaht
her
eis
t
ime
Otl
he:Letmetal
ktoher
,may
beshe
wantssomethi
ngtoeat
..
.
Iwalkedar
oundtheshopasOtl
he
spoketoherboyf
ri
end'
sdaught
er
thenshewalkedovert
ohangi
ngup.
..

Me:
Howi
sthebaby
?
Ot
lhe:
Shei
sfi
ne
Me:
What
'shi
snameagai
n?
Otl
he:Hi
snameis-
(smi
l
edand
huggedanol
dcl
assmate)Hey
Me:
HeyCi
ndy
..
.

Wehuggedanol
dclassmat
eofour
s
andchat
tedf
orawhil
easwe
checkedoutwhatt
heshophad.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronKenst oodatther ooftop

smoki ngwi ththeotherhandi nthe
pocket ,
A pr i
soneremer gedfrom the
stair
swi thtwoj ai
lguardsthenhe
turnedar oundandmethi m half
way ,
theybumpedshoul dersexchangi ng
somet hingthent hepri
sonerbent
putti
ngsomet hinginhisshoe.

Guar
d:Cuty
aronaekae?Topi
twi
th
P150
Ken:Kant
ejaanongl
eokedi
tsacut
borr
a?
Guard:Weaddedri
skal
lowance
becauseyou'
redoi
ngt
hisfr
equent
ly
Ken:
Shap.
..

Hehandedt
hem t
hemoneyand
wal
keddownthestai
rs.
..

*
**

MeanwhileOtlheandIwal
kedi
nthe
hospi
talhol
dingaplast
icf
orhi
s
daughter
..
.
Otl
he:Ohyeahkanaiwasaboutto
t
ellyoukabf,
hisnameisAat
il
e..
.
Me:
(hear
tski
pped)Aat
il
e?
Otl
he:
Yeah,
thi
stimeicanf
eel
it.
..
.
Thi
sonekehusband.
..
Me:
What
'shi
sdaught
er'
sname?
Ot
lhe:
May
a..
.

WeturnedandbumpedintoKen,
he
smi
ledandkissedmeholdi
ngmy
wai
st.
..

Ken:
Whatar
eyout
wodoi
ngher
e?
Me:
Hi.
.
Ot
lhe:
Hey
..
.
Ken:
Whoi
ssi
ck?
Ot
lhe:Myboyfr
iend'
sdaught
er.
..
Wouldyoul
iketomeethim?Heisa
ni
ceguyyouwilll
ikehi
m
Me:No,
ithi
nki
shoul
djustgoback
wi
thKe-
Ken:
No,
it'
sokay
..
.Iwantt
oseehi
m
Me:
Babel
et'
sjustgo
Ken:
Ijustwantt
oseei
fhei
ssane
Ot
lhe:(
laughed)Hei
sdif
fer
ent
,hei
s
matur
eandy ouwil
ll
ovehim
Ken:
Let
'sgoseey
ourst
epdaught
er.
..
Ireal
l
yneedtost
arthi
tt
ingi
tboOt
lhe
havekidsnow
Otlhe:(
laughed)Mxm. .
.(herphone
rang)It
'shim cal
li
ng..
.Foll
owme, she
i
si nthepriv
aterooms, t
heyallow2
peopleatagobuti t
hinktheycan
makeanexcept i
onifweask.
Ken:(
puthi
sarm ar
oundmeaswe
wal
kedbehi
ndher)Good.
..

Myheartpoundedaswewalked
t
owardsthepriv
atewar
ds.

*
**
Otl
heopenedthedoorandwal kedin
aswefoll
owedher,Mayasmi l
ed
si
tt
ingandhuggedher.Ismiledat
Mayaandswallowedi
ndi sbeli
ef.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hel
l
oDi
di
Ken:
Sheev
enknowsy
ou?

Aatil
esteppedoutofthebathroom
holdinghisdaught
er'
stoweland
fr
ozel ooki
ngatKenandI ,Ot
lhe
smi l
edandputherarm aroundhis
wai
st.
..

Otl
he:(smi
led)Att
iethi
sismybig
br
otherKenandhisf i
ancéDi
di.
..
Guysthisi
sAatil
e..
.

Ther
ewassil
enceasweal
lst
aredat
oneanot
her
..
.

Ken:(
glancedatMay
a)Canweal
l
tal
koutsi
de?

KenledmeoutasAati
leandOtl
he
fol
l
owedusandclosedthedoor
..
.
Ken:
Thi
sisy
ourboy
fri
end?
Ot
lhe:
Yes.
.
Ken: (
stari
ngatAatil
e)Isthi
sa
revengethingorwhat?Arey outr
ying
toprov eapointbecauseLoretook
yourfiancé?
Ot
lhe:
What
?
Aat
ile:
Idi
dn'
tknowshewasy
our
si
ster
Ken:Nowy ouknowsothe
rel
ati
onshi
pendshere.
Aat
il
e:Toobadi
t'
snotupt
oyou
Ken:
Excuseme?
Me:
Babel
et'
sgo-
Ken: Otl
helet'
sgo, you'renotdat i
ng
thisguy..
.Heisusi ngy outoset t
lea
scorewi t
hus.Hi sfriendisDidi'
sex
boy f
ri
end,thatbabyshel ost-
itwas
hisfri
end'sandt heywer ewer e
performingformedur ingthattime.
(tohim)Yourgayassboy fri
endst i
ll
owesme. .
.(
turnedbackt oher)and
hei stheextoLor e'
sgi rl
fri
end.…tr
ust
me, hewant stohur tyou.Let'
sgo. .
Otl
he:No,hedidn'
tknowany t
hing.
..I
cantel
lhedidn'
tknow.I
'm notgoing
Ken:(angr
il
y)Otl
heI
'
m notgoingt
o
tel
lyouagain,
whenitur
naroundI
wanty
ouwal
ki
ngi
nfr
ontofme.
..

Otl
hetearful
l
yt ur
nedar oundand
walkedawayt henKenwal kedupto
Aat
ile'
sfaceandst eppedonhistoes
st
aringdowni nhiseyes..
.

Ken:Staythehellawayfrom myli
tt
le
si
ster.Takeagoodl ookather
becausethat'
sthelastti
mey ou'
re
seei
ngherorel se.

HepushedAat i
leagai
nstthewalland
turnedaroundwal
kingbymysi deasi
pretendedidi
dn'
tseethatpush,he
grabbedmywristandl
edmeout
l
ighti
ngacigar
etteaswewal
kedpast
asecuri
tyguar
d..
.

Securi
ty:
Excuseme,
don'
tsmokei
n
thehospit
al

Kenj
ustwalkedpasthi
mli
kehe
di
dn'
thearhimtal
king.

Onceatt
hepar
kingl
otheopenedt
he
doort
ohismot
her'
scar.
.

Ken:
Geti
nmycar
..
Otl
heshookherheadandgoti nhis
carthenhel ockeditandopenedf or
measi stoodthereconfused,igoti
n
thefrontseatt henhedrov eoutof
thepar kinglotandputhishandout
thr
owi ngaci garett
ebudont he
pavementt henhef i
xedthemi r
ror
andlookedather .
...

Ken:Ify
oucont i
nueseeinghi
m ke
ti
legogothubadi mpamakel e
kopanyalotheAat i
leny
anawagago. .
..
Givei
tat r
y ,
or atagolekel
aakere,be
myguest .
..(annoyedbyhersnif
fles
hegrabbedatissueandt
hrewi
tat
theback)Sut
hadi ot
seogao
ngwana..
.

Don'tf
orgettoLikeandleav
eusa
comment ,nexti
nsertcomesat11pm
toni
ght.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
44PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 49

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Latert
hatni
ghtAati
l
ewalkedoutof
thehospi
talf
orsomefr
eshairashe
tal
kedtothephonewal
ki
ngbehind
thebui
ldi
ng..
.

Aati
le:(
cal
mly
)It
'snotev
enabout
that
..
Bay
ang:
Why
?Wamot
shaba?I
understandhelooksint
imidat
ingbut
comeon. ..Real
l
y?Wher ei
smyguy
kanteLoloogodi r
il
engeng?Whereis
myf r
iendnebanna?
Aati
le:Per
sonall
yhel
akebona
vi
olenceesaarabesepe
Bay ang:Butobv i
ousl
ythisguyene
theonl ylanguageheunder standsi s
viol
ence, saleomoseny ahelako
nthengwhenhehi tyouont heface
withaci garetteandcalledyoua
pieceofshi tandnowheshov esy ou
ont hewal lsri
ghtinfrontofDidi.
..I
meandudedi srespectmer el
etwo
butnoti nfrontofawoman.Weal l
menanddeser veal i
tt
lerespect
regardl
essgoreofourwal
let
s,t
his
guywat el
la.Doesheknowabout
Giovanni
?
Aati
le:Noand...(
sighedand
fr
ustratedl
ysatont hestoop)He
doesn'tknowandi don'twanthi
mt o
knowbecausei tl
ooksl i
keifhefi
nds
outhewi ll
comeaf terme
Bayang:(shookhishead)Nowi want
tomov ebackt oMaunagai n,please
tel
lmey ou'r
enotgoi ngt oletthisguy
walkalloveryoul
iket his.
..(
sighed)
I'
m gett
ingangry,kantedi dn'
ty ousay
I'
mt oosoft?Moogodi rangmoke
eng?Nkar eothol
aoi pokaor ehewe
hewewenagagonaopey ookar eng.
..
Aati
le:Thisi
sdiff
erentandbesides
ther
ei snousetotalkabouti
tnow
becausei wi
llj
uststayawayfrom hi
s
sist
er.Idon'
twanttodealwiththem
anyway .
Bayang:You'r
enotl eavi
nghissist
er
unf
ucked, haelesengwef uckherthe
wholenightandletoutthenext
morning,hecan'tassaul
ty ouf
or
not
hing
Aat
il
e: (
laughed)Bayangwaat hol
a
wai
tse,iloveherandmay beoneday
wecangi veitatry
.Ineedti
met o
sor
toutmyl i
feanyway.MaybeonceI
hav
ef oughtforBabyandI'm sett
led
i
nicanst arttal
ki
ngtoher
Bay
ang:
Waabor
alai
taka
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Goshap
Bayang:
I'
m comi
ngkaweekendot
oo
nyel
aKennedywalona
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)Gat
weyou'
remygay
assboy
fri
end..
.Hahahawai
tsel
ait
ee
gaampone
Bayang:(l
aughed)Obatagobetswa
kaseiponesakoloiomophat
alatsa
l
ecigarett
e
Aati
le:(
laughed)Ithel
aDidia
kobakobahamor agogagwese
gogiwakal etsogoekarentsanyana
wait
sebany anabarataseganka
Bay
ang:
Didi
enewaat
hol
a,t
sogaar
e
thomolapelo.Ant
ypet sabafanaba
arenotafr
aidtoki
ll
,ifhegetsangry
hekil
lsherandkil
l
shi mselfnext
thi
nggatweweal lt
rash.
Aat
il
e:Goshapmonnal
etmecheck
onMaya,
Bay
ang:
Shap

Hehungupanddi
aledhi
smot
her
's
number
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Mayi
tal
kyoMay
a?
Her
:Shei
ssl
eepi
ng,
whenwi
l
lyou
comeher eduri
ngtheday?Your
fatherandiwoul
dliket
otal
ktoyou
togetherwi
thyouruncl
esandaunt
's
Aat
il
e:Aboutwhat
?
Her
:Lol
o'
sdaught
er
Aat
il
e:Tomor
row
Her
:By
e
Aat
il
e:Ihear
dyouwentt
oseeLol
o'
s
mother
Her:andIheardyougotthatli
tt
legir
l
agai
n,youjustwanthertodieunder
yourcaresothatyoucanbeaccused
ofsomet hi
ngyoudidn'
tdo?Why
can'
tyouunderstandwhatI'
mt ryi
ng
tosay?
Aati
l
e:I'
l
lcal
lyoubacki
nami
nut
e,i
don'
thaveai
rt
ime.

Hehungupanddialedhi
sfat
her's
numberbuthecoul
dalmostpredi
ct
whathewouldsaysohehungupand
wal
kedbackinsi
dethehospi
tal
..
.

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..

Otl
hebentandhandedherpar
ent
s
t
hesnackthenshesatdownasher
fat
herwat
chedTV...
Hi
m:I'
llt
alkt
oKenaboutwhaty
ou
j
ustt
oldme
Otlhe:Ir eal
lydon'tappr eciatewhat
Keni sdoi ngt omebecausei fI'
m
suchababywhocan' tchooseaman
forher selfthenheshoul dn'tbe
sleepingwi thDi dibecausewear ethe
sameage, i
fDi dicanlaywi thhi mi
canl aywi thAat i
leandi don' tli
ke
howhel i
kest othreatenmel ikeI'
m
10y ear sold.
MaDani el
:Rr
ragweOfanaakoobue
l
eeneal esegotsamayaaharasa
batho,
Kenhast ost
opbull
yi
ngOtlhe,
I
'vehadenoughofhisbehavi
our
Him: ButOt l
hey ouofal lpeople
shouldunder standwhyOf anais
behav i
ngt hewayhei sbehav i
ng, I
'm
notjustif
yinghisbehav i
ourbuty ou
havet oadmi tthatyouhav en'treall
y
doneagoodj obatpi ckingboy fri
ends
thel
astf oury ears.Thelastthinghe
wantsi sforyout okeephi dingy our
brui
seswi thmakeupl ikeyouusedt o.
Otl
he:PapaOfanaodir
amakgakga
hel
ahecant el
lAat
il
eisnotthatki
nd
ofaman, t
hat'
swhyiwassosur ehe
wil
ll
ovehim andnowhewant sto
useLoreasanexcuse,i
tsnotfai
r.
Hi
m:I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
m
Otl
he: When?Youknowi fyoudon'
t
tal
ktohimi fheseesmewi thAati
l
e
hewi l
lhar
assusandi fAati
ler
eports
himi won'
taskhimt odropthe
charges
Him: Aatil
et abeaseser iousifhe
entersthisfami lywi
tht hatkindof
behav i
our,hemustknowt hatyou
havehistor y
.Youwer en'tj
ustbor n
andbecamehi sgirl
fri
end.Hehas
mot herl
esski dsandy ouhav eviol
ent
exboy fr
iendswhom woul dhav e
neverstoppedabusi ngy ouifitwasn'
t
foryourbr others.
Otl
he:(
stood)Ican'
tbel
ievePapai
s
j
usti
fyi
ngOfanawaitse.
..Maybei
shouldmoveoutot her
wiseI'
llal
way s
bethebabyoft hefamil
ywhilebo
Didiar
egetti
ngmar ri
edtreat
edlike
daughteri
nlawswhi l
eI'
mj ustababy
whoneedsherbi gbother
st oprotect
her.
..
.Goodnight.
..

Shewal
kedaway
..
.

AtKen'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatnightif
ixedmygownand
wal
kedoutsi
deast hecol
dbreeze
gav
emegoosebumps, i
tsmell
edli
ke
i
twasabouttorai
nandKenwas
si
tt
ingonthebackoft
heopenv
an
smoking.

Hesawmewal kingoverandputout
hi
sci garet
tethengrabbedathroat
sprayandspr ayedhismouthasi
stoodnextt ohim.Hegrabbedme
andhel pedmesi tupnexttohi
m as
ourfeethungf r
om thevandoor..
.

Ididn'
twanttosaymuchbecausehe
seemedangr ysi
ncet hehospi
tal
i
ncident,heheav
edasi ghandputhi
s
arm aroundmeasi putmyheadon
hischestthenheleanedoverand
ki
ssedmyf
orehead.
..

Ken:I'
m sor
ryaboutwhathappened
atthehospi
tal
Me:Itwasoutofl
i
ne..
.Aat
il
eisnot
whatyouthi
nkheis
Ken:Don'
ttheyal
lst
artl
i
ket
hat
?I
haveseenguysli
kehi
m
Me:Youmeant het
ypethatputagun
onyourcooki
eandthr
eatentoblowi
t
i
fyoucheat?
Ken:Ifguyswerethathonestwe
wouldn'thav
etroubl
ebutthenthey
pret
endt obesaint
s,atl
eastwithme
whaty ouseeiswhatyouget,yousee
theset att
oosbabei di dn'
tpretendI'
m
asai ntbutOtlhegetst hetypest hat
pretendi npubli
candabuseawoman
i
npr ivate.I
'm notgoingt otakemy
l
itt
lesistertoahospi talbecause
someguycan' trespecther.
Me: Aatil
eisani
ceguy,giv
ehima
chance...Wabonahedidn'
tsay
anythingtoyouwhenyoupushedhi
m?
That'sAtti
e..
.
Ken:(
sighed)Ihopeyou'r
eright.
..
Howist heweddingprepar
ations
goi
ng?
Me:Goi
nggood..
..BabekanaLol
ois
nowaytobefound.Ical
l
edevery
one
Ithoughtshe'
dtalkt
owhensheget
s
backbutthereisnosignofher
Ken:
Di dsher
eall
ygetontheplane?
Whatifshedi
dn'
tmakeit.
..Lor
e
di
dn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutt
his
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkhecar
es,di
dy ou
hearhi
m sayi
ngLol
othr
eatenedhim
Ken:That '
sonet hingyouneversay
toadeal er
, kanagobui wakabo5
yearsi
nj ai
l soLoloshouldn'
tjustsay
thi
ngsliket hatbecauseanyone
wouldpr otectthei
rsecrethowever
theycan.Di dyout el
lhermother?
Me:Yes,i
wonderwheresheis,
i
hopeshejustmetsomeguyand
deci
dedtost
ickar
oundbutshe
shoul
dcommunicate.
Ken:Let'
shopeherparent
swillr
eport
hermissing,
theai
rpor
thasrecords
ofpeoplewhocheckedinsoifshe
i
ndeedgoi nthepl
anetherecor
ds
wil
lshow.
Me:
Ihopeso.
..

Het ookoffhi
sjacketandputit
aroundmet henhegotdownand
stoodbetweenmyl egs,heli
ft
edmy
chinandkissedmeunzi ppi
nghis
j
eansasi rubbedhischest,
hekissed
meand. .
..
.
Me:
(sl
owl
ycl
osedmyey
es)
Mmmmhhh

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Justaftermi dnightcarli
ghts
bright
enedt her oom andhemov ed
thecurtains,Otlhejumpedoutofher
mot her
'scart henshewai tedasshe
knockedont hedoor .Aati
leputonat
-shir
tandapai roftrouserst
henhe
openedt hedoorandwav edather
mot her
.
Sheflushedtheli
ghtsanddroveoff
ashecl osedthedoorandl
ockedup
swit
chingont heli
ghts,
Otl
he'seyes
wereal i
ttl
eswoll
enandhecoul dtel
l
shebeencr yi
ng..
.

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?
Ot
lhe:
Yes.
..
.
Aati
le:
Babewhatar ey oudoing?I
don'
twantaf ightwi t
hy ourbrot
hers.
..
Whatiftheytakeitasf arasmy
daughter
's?Ican'ttakethatri
sk..
Can'
tweendt hi
sf oreveryoneto
havepeace?
Ot
lhe:
(tear
ful
l
y)Buti
lov
eyouandi
l
oveyourdaught ers.
..Il
oveBabyand
youknowy ouneedme, assoonas
shegetsdismissedwhathappens?
Yousti
llcan'
tmi sswor kandyour
motherdoesn'
twanther .

Hesi ghedandpacedaroundasshe
satont hecoucht
akingoffher
Jersey..
.

Aat
il
e:DoesKenknowy
ou'
reher
e?
Ot
lhe:
No
Aat
il
e:Ei
sh.
..
.Babe.
..
Ot
lhe:
Soy
ou'
regoi
ngt
oletmy
br
otherdeci
dewher
eourr
elat
ionshi
p
i
sgoing?
Aat i
le:It
'snotaboutt hat .
..
ihav ealot
onmypl ate,Babyhast ot estforHIV
afterhermedsandi st i
l
l hav etofi
nd
outwhat '
sgoi ngonwi thLol o..
..I
hav etof indahousehel peri cantr
ust
becausei don'
twantt obur deny ou
withki dsandi knowy ouhav ea
businessy ou'r
er unning...Ihav eso
mucht ot hinkoffbesi desy our
brother '
st antr
umsandmay behehas
hisr easons, ihaveahal fsisterandi
knowhowot herguy scanbeonour
si
st erssoi t
'sunderstandabl ewhena
brotherget sdefensive..
.
Hestoodbythewi ndowlooki
ngout
att
hedark,Otl
het ookoffal
lher
cl
othesandslowlywalkedupbehind
hi
m, sheputherarmsaroundhim
andputhishandonhercookie..
..

Hisheartski
ppedashetur
ned
aroundandlookeddownathernude
body..
.

Aat
il
e:(
tookadeepbr
eat
h)Ok.
..
Ot
lhe:
Makemepr
egnant
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)What
?
Otl
he:I
fI'
m pr
egnantever
yonewho
hasaprobl
em withuswon'thav
ea
choi
cebuttoacceptus
Aati
l
e:I'
m nothav
inganunpl
anned
baby,I
'
m alr
eadystr
uggl
i
ngwith2
ki
ds
Otl
he:
Sowhat'
syourpl
ant
hen?To
l
eaveme?I
sthatt
hebesty
ougot?
Aati
le:
(hecover
edherwi
thhergown
wit
houtlooki
ngather
)Getdr
essed
Otl
he:You'
reunbel
iev
abl
e,doyou
evenhaveadick?Whenarewegoing
tohavesex?
Aati
le:Pleasest
op,
don'
tgot
her
e..
..
getdressed
Hewal
kedtothebedr
oom andt
ook
of
fhi
sclot
hesthenhegoti
nbed.

Helaiddownforalmost20minutes
thenhewalkedbackinthel
i
ving
room i
nhisshor
tsandfoundOtlhe
cryi
ngonthecouch..
.

Hesatnexttoherandwi pedher
tear
swithhisthumbt henheslowly
l
eanedov erki
ssingherandcaressi
ng
herthi
ghsgoingupherbody ,
he
hookedhisthumbonherpant i
esand
pull
edthem outthenhelai
dherdown
andgotontopofherasshegasped
rubbi
nghi
sback..
..

AtLor
e'shouse.
..

Meanwhi leLoret ossedandturned

untilhegotupandopenedhi slaptop
thenhecl i
ckedont hecabdri
ver'
s
accountbuti thadbeendel et
ed,he
tri
edt ocall
thenumberheusedt o
callhimthef i
rsttimeanditwasn'tin
use.Onlythendi dhenot i
cehehad
nowayofknowi ngwhereshewasor
withwho. .
.
Lor
e:(whi
sper
ed)Shi
t.
..
.Lol
oI'
m
sor
ry.
..
.

Heclosedt
helaptopandcov
eredhi
s
mouthindi
sbel
iefashesati
nthe
dar
k..
..

2MONTHSLATER.
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
45PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 50

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Otlhest
eppedoutofthehousewitha
bucketofl
aundryandhungthem on
theli
neasMay aandBabyplayed
touchwit
haspongeball.
..
.
Maya:
(pausedhol
dingt
hebal
l
)Can
wehel
py ou?
Ot
lhe:(
laughed)Wi
thy
ourdi
rt
yhands?
Nothankyou..
.
Baby:
(laughed)Wewi
l
lwashour
hands
Otl
he:Nothankyou.
..
.Ohy oucando
t
hedishesifyouwanttohelp
May
a:Icl
eanedt
heki
tchenal
ready
Ot
lhe:
Okay
..
.

Theyconti
nuedplayi
ngasOt l
he
fi
nishedhangi
ngtheclot
hesand
walkedbackinthehousefeel
inga
l
itt
lesi
ck,hewal
kedinthet
oiletand
satbythetoi
l
etwait
ingtot
hrowup
asshegotnauseat
ed..
..

Hermot
her'
scallcamet hr
oughinthe
bedr
oom t
henshewal kedoverand
pi
ckedf
anninghersel
f.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hey
..
.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Ot
lhe:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Her:Yourfat
herwasaskingmeabout
you,heiscomplai
ningthatyouare
spendingtoomucht i
meov erther
e
Ot
lhe:
I'
ll
comebackhomet omor
row
morni
ng,wi
l
lthatbeokay
?
Her:Yeahit
'sokaybabydon'
tworr
y
aboutit
,heisjustbei
ngafat
her
Otl
he: Butmamaam i wr ongt o
spendal i
ttl
eti
mewi thmyboy fri
end?
Howwi l
ligetmarri
edifidon'thav e
enought i
mewi t
hthemani l
ove?I '
m
notunder21...
.Manyofmyage
matesar emarri
edwi t
hki ds,Didi
kanaismyagemat eexact l
yha
phatengandshei sgett
ingmar ri
ed
nextweek..
Her:Yourfat
heri
ssayingt
his
becausether
eisalotofworkat
home, wear eprepar i
ngf oryour
brother '
sweddi ng..
.Yourcousi nsare
herewor ki ngandhel pi
ngwi th
prepar ationssoi twoul dbeunf airt
o
maket hem wor kwhi l
ey ou'r
ejustout
there...Whydon' tyoubr i
ngAat il
e
homer emmonel eene?YouknowI
don'tlikesecr et
s..
.Amanwhoi s
hiddeni smostl ikelytoact
i
nappr opr iat
ely.
..
.Lethim comeher e
andseey ourfamilymay beleenehe
willfeel badwhenev eryout aketoo
l
ongt her e..Hewi l
levenr emindy ou
togobackhome. .
.
Otl
he:
Okay,i
wasplanni
ngto
i
ntr
oducehi
mt hi
sweekend
Her:Okay
,andcal
lyourdad.
..
.Tel
l
hi
m wheny ou'
l
lbehome,youknow
howheget swi
thmewhenoneofy ou
misbehav
es.
Ot
lhe:
Okaymoms.
..
Her
:By
e

Shehungupandcl
eanedt
he
house.
..
..

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..
.

Idr
ovet
hrought
hegat
easAri
ana
wal
kedi
nwi t
hanumbr
ell
aov
erher
headthenshesmiledandwavedat
me,ismiledbackandparkedunder
thet
ree..
..

Sheranoverandj
umpedinthefront
seatt
henshehuggedmeandt urned
upthevol
umesnappingherf
ingers.
..

Ar
iana:
Bigsi
sil
ovet
hissong.
..
.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Il
i
kei
ttoo.
..
.
Ar
iana:Don'
tswit
chofftheengi
ne,
I
wanttositi
nthecarandli
stent
o
music
Me:
Alr
ight
..
.
Isteppedoutandwal kedt owardst he
shadewher emanyofourr elati
ves
weresi tti
ng,iknewAr ianahadnev er
beenni cet omebef or
ebecausei
wasn' tgoodenoughf orher .They
nevert houghtI'dbeany thinginlif
e
andnowt hatihadar edJeepshe
l
ovedme. .
.Despiteallthesepar tof
mewashappyt hattheyf i
nallyl
oved
meandi guesst hatvoidwassl owly
getti
ngf ulfi
ll
edbecauseal liever
want edt obewaspar tofmy
mot her'sperfectfamilyandf eelwhat
i
t'
sl i
ket ohav eapr operfami ly.
Morapedi
sawmepassi ngtothe
houseandwav edatmeashesat
undert
heot hertr
eewi t
hhisfamil
y
dri
nki
ngtradit
ionalbeer.
..
.

Morapedi
:Ntl
enyane?Comeher
eand
gr
eetyourfami
lymygirl
..
.

Ishy
lywalkedov
erandgr
eet
edhi
s
fami
ly.
..

Morapedi
:(expl
aini
ngtohisfell
ow
r
eti
reemate)ThisisDidi
ntl
e,that'
s
myfir
stborn..
…sheisAri
ana'ssist
er
Him:(shookmyhand)Beaut i
ful
daughteryouhave.
..
.Nowi knowwhy
theDaniel
spaidsuchalotofmoney
Me:
Thanky
ou
Mor apedi:Andthat'
sy our
grandfather.
..Hecan'tseepr
operl
y
youmustal waysint
roduceyour
self
unti
l hegetsusedt oyourvoi
ce
Me:
Ehr
ra.
..

Ishookev er
yone'
shandsandwalked
towardsthehousethenmymot her
's
sist
erinl
awcal l
edmef rom t
he
cookingareaastheysl
iced
vegetabl
es..
.
Her:Monyadi
takwano!Comegr
eet
youruncl
e'
swife.
..
.

Itur
nedov ert
owherethel
adieswer
e
cookingandgreet
edthem.
..

Her:(sawboy spassing)Heela
banyana?( poi
ntedtotheboy
l
aughi ngloudl
y)Jheelathemonyana.
..
(heturned)Mphadi kotelet
seel
ehale
rebatagodi ramarekereke.
..

Theboy
sbr
oughtt
hebowl
sandmy
mot
herst
eppedout
..
.

Kedi
bonye:Didiyoushoul
dn'
tbe
st
andingatthefi
re..
.Comeinsi
dewe
ar
enur si
ngthatcomplexi
on
Me:(
smi
l
ed)Iwasj
ustgr
eet
ingt
he
el
der
s

Yeahitwasagr eatf eeli

ng,iwas
fi
nall
yfit
tingint heirwor l
dandt hat
l
it
tlegir
linsidemewashappy ,
itwas
al
lieverwant ed.Mymot herwasst i
ll
astrangertomeandcal l
i
ngher
mamawassodi f f
icult.
..I
twasunr eal
becauset heonlymot heriknewwas
mmamaandpar tofmemi ssedher.
..
Shewouldbeproudofmef orfi
nal
l
y
bui
ldi
ngafamil
yofmyown, l
ikemost
el
derl
ypeopl
eshebeli
evedina
womanbeingawi f
eandhav i
ng
chi
ldr
en.
..

Iwalkedi
nt hehouseandheadedto
myr oom whereit
ookoffmyshoes
andsatdownnextt omymot her
's
si
sterinl
awt henmyphonerang..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:Heybabe.
..Iknowwearenot
al
lowedtomeetbuti mi
ssyou,
can
wemeet
?
Me:(
laughedandwalkedtothet
oil
et
whi
speri
ng)Iknowyoujustwantsex
Ken:
Thattooei
sh.
..Nnanopay
a
nt
shwenyagore
Me:( l
aughed)Oitwaeditse
akere..
.andnoI'
m notmeet ingyou.
I'
mf oll
owingtheeldersint
roducti
ons
kebeilwemont unggat wepeople
shouldn'tseemei l
it
erall
yhadt obeg
mymot hertol
etmegot othe
pharmacy .

Itor
ethepr
egnancyt
estki
twit
hmy
teet
handputi
tunderpeei
ngonthe
t
est
ingst
ick.
..

Ken:
Arey
oupeei
ng?
Me:(l
aughed)OhmyGody
oucan
heart
hat?
Ken:Youpeeli
keadonkeywho
wouldn'
theart
hat
..
.Ital
wayswoke
meupont hemiddl
eofthenightibet
youdigaholewhenyoupeeont he
ground
Me: (l
aughed)Kennystopabusi
ng
me...(putt
hestickonthefl
oor
watchingit
)I'
ml ooki
ngatthe
pr
egnancyt eststi
ck.
..
Ken:
Doy
out
hinky
oumi
ghtbe
pr
egnant
?
Me: Yeah,it
'sbeen2mont hskesa
boneper i
od...Myexpectat
ionsaren'
t
hi
ghbecausei beendi
sappointed
beforebuti j
ustwanttobesur e
becausei nev ermissmyperiod.
Ken:IwasabouttohangupbutI
'
ll
wait
..
..Whatdoesitsay
?
Me:
It
'snotshowi
ngy
et.
.
Ken:
(ther
ewassi
l
encef
orami
nut
e)
And?
Me:
(laughed)You'
rescar
ingme.
..
.
Ken:
Babycomeon.
.
Me:
Icancl
ear
lyseeonel
i
ke.
..
.Um.
..
Okay.
..
.Anotheroneisshowing.
..
Yeahther
eistwol i
nesbutanother
oneisfai
nt
Ken:
Hisnamei
sPoko
Me:(
laughed)Youdon'
tev
enknowi
f
i
t'
saboy
Ken:Ial
way
swant edaboy
,Godwil
l
gi
vemeaboy .
..
I'
m goi
ngtocel
ebr
ate
bye

Hehunguptheni
laughedandpi
cked
t
hesti
ck.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Meanwhil
eKenwalkeddownt he
st
air
sandwalkedtowardsthelab
whereheknockedonthedoor.
..

Tshepost
eppedoutput
ti
ngonhi
s
gl
ovesandpausedl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Tshepo:Hi
,mayi hel
pyou?Thisar
ea
i
sstri
ctl
yforhospit
alst
affonl
y
Ken:
Cani
tal
ktoAat
il
e?
Tshepo:
Wai
tther
e..
.

Hewal
kedbacki
nsi
det
henKen
wait
edaf ewmi nutes,
Aati
l
ewal
ked
outdryi
nghiswethandsonhiscoat
andstoppedlookingatKen
completel
ysurpri
sed..
.

Ken:
Hi.
..Cani
seey
ouf
orami
nut
e?
Aat
il
e:Whatdoy ouwant?I
ncaseyou
hav
en'tnot
icedthisi
smyplaceof
workandidon'tneeddr
amahere,
Ken:Iunder
standthat.
..(
het
ookout
aweddinginvi
tat
ionandhandedhi
m)
Iwantedtogiveyouthi
s..
.

Aat
il
ereadtheweddi
ngi
nvi
tat
ionand
si
ghedthenhel
edthewayasKen
qui
etl
ywal
kedal
ong.
..

Ken: Iknowt hatwegotof ft

oabad
startbutt hat '
sonl ybecausemy
sist
erhasbeent hroughal otwith
abusiv eboy f
r i
ends.Idi dn'
tli
key ou
buti alsoknowt hatshehasbeen
seeingy oui nsecr etandshel ov
es
you, ialsoknowt hatmymot her
approv esofy out wo. .
.Itrusther
j
udgement .Il ovemyl i
ttl
esister
...
Shei slikemydaught er..
.Ifihada
daught erI '
dpr obabl yprotectherlike
that.Didi toldmey ou'
renotabad
person. ..Ireallyhav enor easont o
hatey ouori nt er
f ereiny our
rel
ati
onshi p..
.Iknowmysisterwill
be
boredifyoudon' tcomeandmay be
wecoul dst ar
tgetti
ngtoknoweach
otherandwor konthesebrot
herin
l
awshi t.
..You'regoingt
omar ryher
onedayr ight?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Yes.
..
.
Ken:(
laughed)Justchecki
ng.
..I
'
ma
guyandi knowwhatwear ecapabl
e
off
Aatil
e:Youhavenothingtowor
ry
aboutandi under
standyour
reacti
on.
..
Ken:
(gav
ehi
m ahand)Fr
eshst
art
?
Aat
il
e:(
shookhi
shand)Fr
eshst
art
..
.
Theyshookhandsandbumped
shoul
ders.
..

Ken:Bythewayi thi
nkyou'
reagood
dad..
.Iti
nspi
resme.Iseemy sel
fas
theguywho'dprefert
oremainwith
mychildshouldthemotherabandon
us..
.
Aat
il
e:Thanks.
.

TheyshookhandsthenKenwal
ked
outofthehospi
tal
answeri
nghi
s
fat
her'
scall
..
.
Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Him:Wherear
eyou?You'r
enot
supposedt
ogotoofarbecausewe
needyoucl
oser
Ken:
I'
ll
bet
her
esoon
Him:Lor
eandy ourcousi
nshav
e
beenwait
ing.
..Weneedtofi
x
somethi
ng
Ken:BythewayI'
m goi
ngt
obea
dad.
..Di
diispr
egnant
Him:Didii
spregnant?That
'sgood
news.
..You'r
egetti
ngdouble
bl
essi
ngst hi
syear
Ken:
Exact
ly
Lor
e:(i
nthebackgr
ound)Canital
kto
hi
m?(gotthephone)Congr
atul
ati
ons,
howfaral
ongisshe?
Ken:Twomont
hs.
..Am i
onl
oud
speaker
?
Lor
e:No
Ken:(l
aughed)Iwantt
ost opdeal
i
ng,
ihavetochangeafewthingsnow
thatI
'm goi
ngtobeafather,i
magine
i
fi wenttoj
ailf
or10yearsandcame
backwhenmyboyi sold..
Lor
e:Wehav
e5.5KGthat
'sneedst
o
becol
l
ect
edinSout
hAfri
ca-
Ken:
I'
ll
tal
ktoChi
neduaboutt
hat
..
.
Manican'
tbel
iev
ei madeababy,t
his
wasj
ustabigsurpr
ise,
Didi
leene
di
dn'
tseei
tcoming
Lore:Youcan'tmaker ushdecisions
l
ikethatknowi ngwear einthi
s
together,
whataboutme?Ipl anned
toraiseastartupcapitalformy
business.Ican'twor
kf oryouuntili
growgr ayhair
Ken:What'sstoppingy
oufrom
fi
ndi
ngaj obifistopdeal
i
ng?Weren'
t
yousupposedt osaveandstar
ta
busi
nessy ear
sago?
Lor
e:Howcouldi
hav
edonethat
whenyoupai
dmepeanut
s?
Ken:Peanut
sLor e?Youtookmycars
obechetsabanyanakatsone,what
di
disayt oyou?It'
snotmyfaulty
ou
don'
tknowhowt osav emoney
Lore:You'r
ethemostselfi
shpersonI
haveev ermetanditmakessense
becausey ouhavealway
shad
every
thinghandedouttoyou,ineed
thatmoney
Ken:what
'sstoppingy ouf
rom
star
ti
ngyourowndeal ingbusiness
andnegoti
atewithChineduy oursel
f?
BecausewhatI'
mt el
l
ingyouist hati
don'
twanttocontinuedeali
ng
knowingihaveakidont heway ?
Lore:Wear epartners,howdoy ou
thi
nky ourdeci
sioni saffect
ingme?
Keny ouboughtapl otandy ouhavea
businesswhatdoi have?
Ken:Bonamest aiwaspay i
ngy ou
andy ougav eyourmoneyt oyourex..
.
Youhandedhermoneyl i
keshewas
Godsonowy ouwanttokeepme
tradi
ngbecausey oucouldn'tmanage
yourfinances?I'
m gett
ingmar r
ied
andi haveaki donthewaydoesn' t
thattelly
oui havearesponsibi
li
ty
Lor
e:I
sitev
eny
our
s?
Ken:
Whatt
hef
uckdoest
hatmean.
Lor
e:Whatt
hef
uckdoy
out
hinki
t
means?
Ken:
Fucky
ou!
Lore:Howsurear
eyou?Ar
en'
tyou
ti
redofsuppor
ti
ngot
hermen'
s
pregnanci
es
Ken:(
tookadeepbreath)Can'
tyou
j
ustbehappyforme?Whydoy ou
havetomenti
onmypastj ustt
ospoil
mymoment ?Notal
l womenar e
cheat
ers
Lor
e:Real
ly?Howsur
ear
eyout
hat
i
t'
syours?
Ken:
Doy
ouknowsomet
hingi
don'
t?
Lor
e:Ij
ustdon'
ttr
ustwomen,
that
's
al
l.
LorehunguponhimthenKengoti
n
thecarandsatdownl
eani
ngback.
..
..

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..

Ifol
dedmylegssit
ti
ngonthe
mattr
esswit
hami rr
oronmyhandas
iworemakeupthenmyphonerang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lor
e:I
t'
smi
ne
Me:
Excuseme
Lor
e:You'
renotgi
vi
ngKenmychi
l
d.
Doy oureal
l
ythinkatmyageI'
dlet
youusemyki dtocompletey
ourfake
happil
yeveraf
ter?myblood?
Me:
(lower
edmyv
oice)I
t'
snoty
our
s..
Lore:Iknowy ouhav ebeent ryingto
haveababyandi tneverhappened
andtheny ouconsequent l
yfall
pregnant2mont hsaf t
eroursexi n
Dubai ?Iguesst hepr obl em i
sn'tthe
abortiony ouhad. ..May besomeone
el
sei sshoot i
ngbl anksandhe
doesn' tknowit..
.Yout houghtt he
problem wasy ouanddi dn'ttakepil
ls-
guesswhat .
..(sl
owl y)Iscor ed-
Ihunguponhi
m andbl
ockedhis
numberasmymotherwal
kedin.
..

Her:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
.

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
.

Lolowalkedoutoft
hegateand
approachedthet
uckshopsbythe
fence.
..

Lol
o:Hi
..
.mayipl
easeusey
our
phonet
ocal
lsomeone?Hewil
l
r
efundy
ouonceheget
sher
e..

Theyoungladyl
ookedinhersunken
eyesandhandedhert
hephone, she
di
aledAat
il
e'snumberandsatdown...

Lol
o:Mayi
sit
?If
eel
dizzy
Her
:pl
easesi
t.
..
.

Shesatdownwai
ti
ngast
hephone
rang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)
Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(
cry
ing)Youwon'
tbel
i
evewhati
hav
ebeenthrough
Aat
il
e:Lol
o?Wher
ear
eyou?
Lolo:
(cry
ing)Cometakeme..
.I'
m at
theair
port
..
.Keduel
etswet
icketke
embassy
Aat
il
e:I
'
m comi
ng.

Shehungupandr
ubbedhernose
sni
ff
li
ng.

*
**
Minut eslat erheparkedthecarand
steppedoutcl osingthedoorasLolo
stoodup, shewassoboneyshe
couldf al
lof fi
fthewindblew.Aat
il
e'
s
j
awsdr oppedashewat chedher
runningov erandjumponhi sarms
cryi
ng. .
..

Lolo:
(cryi
ng)God..
..Ican'
tbel
iev
eI'
m
home, Lor
eabandonedmei nDubai
andthecabdriverhandedmet othe
Arabi
ans..
..WhereisMay a?Wherei
s
Baby?Itri
edtoget-
Aati
l
e:(sadl
y)Babywasmolest
ed
andthepepdidn'
twork,
sheisHIV
posi
ti
ve
Lol
o:(
cov
eredhermout
h)No.
..
.No.
..
.
Aat
il
e:Shewi
l
lbest
art
ingherARVs
i
ntwoweeks
Lolo:Aat
il
eno...
.Pl
easetel
lme
you'r
ejustsay
ingtohurtme
Aat
il
e:YouknowI'
dnev
erl
i
eabout
somethi
ngl
iket
hat
Lol
o:Takemehome.
..Iwantt
osee
her

Heputherbagi
nthecarandqui
etl
y
dr
oveoff.
..
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Otlhewal kedoutofthekitchenwit
h
platesoff oodandservedt heki
ds
thenshemov edov erandtiedBaby'
s
hairintoapony t
ailsoitwouldn'
t
disturbher..
.Thedooropenedand
Lolowal kedinwithAatil
e..
.

Otl
het
urnedaroundandlookedat
t
hem t
henBabysmi l
edexcit
edlyand
j
umpedonLolo'sarms.
..

Baby
:(scr
eami
ng)Mama?
mama!
Ot
lhest
oodtherewatchi
ngasAat
il
e
dr
aggedherbaginsi
de..
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
[9/
3,11:
45PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 51
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Otlhestoodt her
ewat chingasAat il
e
draggedherbagi nsideandcl osed
thedoort henhewal kedacr osst he
room andputhi sarm aroundOt lhe'
s
waistbringingherforward.They
wat chedasaLol otearfull
ygr eeted
Baby ,Aati
legentl
ykissedOt lhe's
neckandsi ghed..
.

Maya:Daddywhosebagisthatand
whyisitcomi
nginsi
deourhouse?

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasLol
opaused
andwalkedovert
othecouchwhere
shetri
edtohugMayabutshepushed
herback.

May
a:(
angr
il
y)Don'
ttouchme.
..
Aat
il
e:(
angr
il
y)May
abehav
e
May a:(st
oodup)Shel eftus,shesaid
shedoesn'tloveyou..
.Idon'tli
keher
andI '
ll
neverli
keherbecauseshe
madey oucryandinsult
edy ouin
frontofus.Iwastherewat chingher.
..
(toLolo)You'r
enotstayinginmy
father'
shouse..
.Babycanst aybut
you'remeanandy out al
ktomyf at
her
l
ikehei syourchil
d.Ilovehim and
youwon'thurthim again.
..
shameon
youandy oudidn'
tev ensaysorr
yto
meforrunningabagov ermytoes
t
hedayy ouleft.

Shewalkedoutcry
ingleav
ing
ever
yoneinshock,Aat
il
ehadnev
er
hear
dhertalkl
ikethat
..
.

Otl
he:
I'
ll
got
alkt
oherandgi
vey
ou
t
wosomepri
vacy-
Aati
le:(pull
edherback)Nogivehera
minute..
..Lolot
hisi
sOt l
he,sheismy
gi
rl
friend..
.Babethi
sisLolo..
.Baby
's
mother .
..
Lol
oswal lowedlookingatOt lhe,she
wasact uall
ybeauti
ful..
.Wayt oo
beauti
fulforaguyofhi sl ooksand
perhapspockets..
..
alitt
lej eal
ousy
pounded.Meanwhi leOt l
hel ooked
thr
oughherey esandsawi tall.
..
she
couldevensmel lt
hej ealousybutshe
smiledandshookherhand. ..

Ot
lhe:
Hi
Lol
o:Hi
..
.
Aat
il
e:Babecanwet
alki
ntheki
tchen?
Ot
lhe:
Sur
e..
Aat
il
e:Lol
ohav
easeatkeet
a..
Lol
o:t
hanks.
..

Shesatdownandki ssedBabyMaya
againi
ndisbel
ieft
earsfi
ll
edhereyes
burni
ngwithcuri
osi
tyofwhatreal
l
y
happened.
..

*
**

Meanwhil
eintheki
tchenAati
le
cl
osedthedoorandsighedhol
ding
bothofOt
lhe'
shandslooki
nginher
eyes.
..
Aatil
e:Yourbrot
herabandonedheri n
Dubai butt
hat'
snotwhati wantedto
tal
kabout ,
shesay sshedoesn'twant
totakeBabyawayf r
om thecomfort
shehasher eespecial
lyaft
erwhat
happenedwi t
hBabybei ngtaken
awayov erandov ersosheaskedif
shecoul dj
uststayforafewday sj
ust
to-
Ot
lhe:
No
Aat
il
e:But
-
Otl
he:
No...Howexact
lydoyousee
t
hisworki
ngoutwitht
wowomeni n
t
hehouse?Doi wakeupandmake
herbreakf
astordowetaketurns?
Youcan'thel
pyourexli
kethatif
you'
reseri
ousaboutus.
Aat
il
e:Ikindoffeelbadf orherbabe.
..
Sheprobablybeenthroughhelltoget
her
e,sheisusuall
ynott hatthi
n-
Otlhe:Itdoesn'tmat ter,
from
everythingyout oldmeabouty our
pastshedoesn' tevendeser vear i
de
i
ny ourcar ,stopletti
ngpeopl euse
you.May asaidsomet hi
ngoutt here
andy oubet terconsiderittoo..
.That
l
ittl
egi r
l l
ovesyouandsheobv iousl
y
resentsy ourbabymamaf or
what everreason, howwi llshestay
withawomanshedoesn' tli
ke?
Aatil
e:Idi
dn'
texpectherto
rememberwhathappened, banaga
balebaleandsheshehasnev er
arguedwithmelikethat
-
Otlhe:I
'
ddot hesameaboutmy
fatheri
fawomanev erdidthat
,let
hergot oherhouse.Ifshewas
renti
ngmay bethelandlor
dlockedher
thi
ngsinside.Shrwil
lpayandgett he
key s
Aati
le:
Ithinkhermothergother
thi
ngsbecausethelandl
ordwanted
moneyf r
om them t
hemi nut
eshe
heardLolowasreport
edmi ssi
ng.
Ot
lhe:
That
'
smyopi
nionbuti
fyou
wanttoaccommodat
eheri
t'
ssti
l
l
okay
,I'
ll
takemybagandgohome.
Aat
il
e:Noi
tsokay
,il
lexpl
aini
ttoher
Otlhe:
Butnowshewillhat
eme
becausesheknowsit
'smeaker
eyou
broughtherbagi
nthehouse
Aatil
e:Shewi l
lhavetounderst
and
thatirespectyouropi
nion.
Ot
lhe:
Okay
..
.

TheywalkedoutasLoloandBaby
chatt
edsit
ti
ngont hecouch,t
hey
tookaseatandfacedher.
..
.
Aati
le:
Loloidi
dn'
tconsiderthat
gagonaspacewheni br
oughty our
baggapenowwehav eanissuewi t
h
Mayasoy oucan'
tevensharewi t
h
them
Lol
o:It
'sokay
,I'
llgobacktomy
mother'
shouse.Ididn'
tknowy ouhad
acompanionherei wouldhaveasked
youtotakemehomeandbr ingBaby
l
ater
.
Aat
il
e:(
stoodup)Okay
..
.Let
'sgo.
..
Lol
o:(st
ooduppul
l
ingBaby
'sar
m)
Let
'sgoBaby
Baby:
(pul
ledherar
m back)Idon'
t
wanttogo..
.Whydon'
tyoustayhere
wi
thus?
Lol
o:Ican'
tstayherebecausether
e
i
snospace,comewi t
hme. .
.I'
l
lbri
ng
youbackintheaft
ernoon
Baby:Idon'
twantt
ogo, I
'
llst
aywit
h
daddyandyoucanvisi
tmeher e
Lol
o: (t
earful
lyhel
dbot hherhands
andlookedi nhereyes)Babylookat
me...IpromiseI'
ll
br i
ngy ouback
beforenightti
mei justwanttobe
wit
hy oubecausei mi ssedyou..
.
Thereissomuchi wantt otal
ktoyou
about
Baby:
(angr
il
y)No,
idon'
twantto
l
eavemyhomeandy ouwanttoleav
e
meouttherewit
hPono'
sboyf
riend
soyoucangetonthepl
aneagain.(
to
Aati
l
e)Daddyidon'
twantt
ogo...
(t
earf
ull
y)Yousai
diwon'
tl
eave
home
Aat
il
e:Youwon'
tl
eavei
fyoudon'
t
wantt
oleav
e,gotoy
ourroom.
..

Sheranoutt
henLolograbbedher
bagandtear
ful
l
ydraggeditout
side

Aat
il
e:I
'
m comi
ng
Ot
lhe:
Okay
..
.
Hefoll
owedheroutsi
deandgotin
thecarwi
thherasshecri
edthenhe
droveout
..
.

Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Lolo:(
criedr
ubbi
nghert ear
s)It'
s
okay,i
t'smyfaul
t.
..Shecan'tt
rustme
andshehasar eason..
.Iputherat
ri
sk,doessheknowshei sHI V
posit
ive?
Aat
il
e:No,
idi
dn'
tknowhowt
otel
l
her
.
Lol
o:Canwepassbymyhouse,have
youhear
danythi
ngabouti
t?What
hasbeenhappeni
ngsi
nceiwent
mi
ssi
ng?
Aati
le:Atf i
rstwedidn'
tthi
nky ou'
re
missingbutwhenDi di
start
edasking
questionswer eal
i
sedt hatyoumight
bemi ssingbecauseshesaidLor e
sai
dy oul ef
tthem t
ocomeher e
Lolo:Ican'
tbel
i
evehel
i
edt
o
every
one
Aati
le: Yourmot herr
eportedyou
missingandt hepoli
cerel
easedy our
photoonTV, t
heyspoketot he
Arabianpol i
ceandwor kedtogether
tohelpf indyou,Didi
,KenandLor e
werei ntervi
ewedandt heyallsai
dthe
samet hing.
..WellDi
dileKensaid
theydidn'tseey ouleavebutLor etol
d
them becausehet ooky out othe
air
porthimsel f.Lorewasi ntervi
ewed
overandov eruntilt
heyr eleasedhim
becauset herewasnot hi
ng
suspicious.Peopl ethoughty ou
probablymetar ichmananddeci ded
tosti
ckar ound.Any wayy ourlandlor
d
wantedhermoneyandy ourmot her
askedmet ogi veherP200f ora
mov i
ngt ruck.Ihelpedherandt hey
tooky ourthings
Lol
o:Sot
hey
'r
eatmymot
her
'shouse?
Aati
le:
YesandtheUKt enant
smoved
out2weeksagobecauseapparent
ly
ther
eisanel
ect
rical
faulti
nthe
house.Theywant edtohav eitfi
xed
buttheleasest
atest hatallmajor
repai
rsaretobeaut hori
sedbyy ou
andy ouweren'
ttheresot heyleft.
Lol
o:No..
.Howcansomuchhappen
i
njust2months.
..I
sDi
dimar
ri
ed
al
ready
?
Aat
il
e:I
t'
snextweek.
.
Lol
o:(l
ooki
ngathi
m)Ot
lhei
s
beaut
if
ul.
..
Aati
le:Iknow,
sheisdef
ini
tel
ythe
beauti
fulwomanihaveevermetbot
h
i
nandout
Lol
o:(
lookedoutsi
dethewindow)
Youhavealwaysbeenthekindt
hat
mov
esont
ooqui
ck
Aati
le:I
st her
eat i
melimit
?WasI
supposedt owaitfory
outoenjoy
yoursel
f,getusedbyrichguy
sand
takeyouback?
Lol
o:I
fyoulov
edmeyouwoul
dn'
t
hav
emov edonsoqui
ck
Aatil
e:Youwoul dn'tknowl oveeveni
f
i
thityouont hef ace,ilov
edy ou
Lolo.
..Icriedfory ou..
.Andmy
daught erhadtowi t
nessy ou
harassingmel ikei wasaweakman,
doesitsur pri
sey out hatigotover
thatkindofaper son?
Lol
o:Aat
il
eidi
dyouwr
ongandi
won'tblamey ouformov i
ngon, i
t'
sall
myf aultbutiftherei
sonet hingi
don'tregreti
schoosi ngamanl ike
yout obemydaught er'
sfather.
..
(shookherheadt ear
full
y)I
'm going
toregretlett
ingyougo. .
.

Ther
ewassi
l
enceashedr
ove.
..
.

AtGobona'
sHouse.
..
.

GobonaputonLol o'
spyjamasand
walkedoutscr
atchingherit
chyscalp
asshegrabbedanaxeandwal ked
towardsherol
dbedbyt hetrashpit
t
henshest
eppedoni
tandaxed.
..
.

Oneofhercustomersjumpedt
he
fencewit
hcoinsandaanempty
bottl
eofmayonnaise.
..

Hi
m:Met
siny
anaat
eng?
Gobona:
Yes.
..Cany
ouhel
pmeaxe
t
his?
Hi
m:Okay
..

Themandismantl
edherent
irebed
andpi
ledt
hepinesonthesi
dethen
hedi
smantl
edtheoldZezur
owooden
t
abl
etoo.
..

Man:
Whyar ey
oudest
roy
ingsuch
newf
urni
tur
e?
Gobona:Igotnewfurni
ture,
Ihavea
queenbedsolargeitfi
l
ledmyr oom.
..
Man:Youmostgi
vemet
hingsy
ou'
re
notusi
ng
Gobona:I'
m sel
l
ingmyfri
dgef
or
P500wehav ealargef
ri
dgeya
Hisense
Man:
I'
ll
buyi
tnextweek

Theywal
kedt
owar
dst
hef
ir
epl
ace
andthr
ewdownt hepil
ethenacar
drovet
hroughthegat
eandparked
undert
hetree.
..

Gobonafr
ownedasLolosteppedout
wit
hherbagandwalkedt
oher
mother
'shouset
henAati
l
edr oveof
f.

Gobona:
Sitov
ert
her
e,I
'
llbr
ingt
he
beer

Shedustedherhandsandwalkedt
o
hermother'
shousewhereLolowas
l
ookingatherpi
nkfluf
fycar
petwit
h
stai
nsofdir
t.
..
Lol
o:Whyar
eyouev
enusi
ngmy
thi
ngs?
Hermother
:Wherewouldwestore
them?Andyoursi
ster
'schi
l
dren
neededt
ositonthemat
Lolo:Doesn'
tGobona'schil
drenhav e
afather?Ican'
tbeli
evemyt hings
havebeenscatteredlikeI
'
m adead
person,l
ekanjaboswaket shela?
(t
urnedtoGobonai nshock)Whyar e
youwear i
ngmycl othes?
Gobona:Il
ookedaft
eryourt
hingst
he
l
eastyoucouldsayi
sthankyou
Lol
o:Wher
eismybed?
ShewalkedintoGobonahouseand
peel
edoffhersheets,t
herewer
e
l
argepeestainsonthewhite
mattr
essast hewholehousesmel
l
ed
l
ikepeethenshewentbackt ot
hem..

Lol
o:Thesefurni
turehasn' tbeenful
l
y
pai
dforigotitoncr edi
t.
..andy oudi
d
thi
stoit
?Whati ftheywantt hem
backbecauseican'tpayt hem Idon'
t
havemoney !

ShepausedandlookedatBaby
's
brokebi
cycl
ely
ingonthemiddleof
t
heyardt
hensheshookherheadand
wal
kedout.
..

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
.

Loresighedsit
ti
ngatthegatewit
h
thesecuri
tyguardwhodidn'
tknow
howt orespondtohi
sv ent
s..
.

Lore:AndDidiispregnantwithmy
chi
ld,notonlydidihavetogrowup
watchingKenl i
vemyl i
fenowi have
towatchhimf athermychildtoo.
..I
sti
l
l wonderifmymot herhatesme.I
wasnev erpartofthei
rfamil
y,iwas
raisedbymygr andpar ent swhi l
ethey
l
ivedagoodsuperl ife...Mymot her
wasaheadt eacherandmyst ep
fatherwasasol dier,Kenwentt o
privateschool sandhadbi cy cles,
mot or bi
kesandhewasaboughta
carwhenhewasatat er t
iary..My
mot herknewi hadal ear ning
disabilit
ywhi chi nagov ernment
school andbacki ntheday swashar d
todi agnose, teachersbeatmeandi
wast heschool 'slaught er .
..Ev eryone
calledmest upidbecausei couldn't
readorwr i
tepr oper l
y, itwashor ri
ble
andmymot herwasl ivingagoodl i
fe
nowt hatI'
m gr ownt heyactl ikewe
aref amilyknowi ngv erywel l
i wasn't
par tofit
.Kenmakesmewor klikea
slav eandpay smepeanut s.I'
mt he
onedoi ngt hedi r
tyjobandI '
mt he
oneatr i
skofget ti
ngcaughtwi th
drugs.Icr ossthebor derf
rom Sout h
Afr i
catoBot swanaandal l hedoesi s
smi lewithwhit epeopl ebecausehe
thinkshei ssmar t
erthanme. ..Itook
twocar s, mineandt heonei had
givent osomegi rlandhecal lst hat
car syetKenobechagomphet a.
Ev erywomanhedat edhegav ehera
carofherchoi ce..
.
Guar
d:(
speechl
ess)Yeahneh.
..
Lor
e:Hedoesn'
tev
enwantt
o
consi
derme
Guard:(
stoodup)I
'm goi
ngtoread
thecheckinbookandseetheplat
e
numbers..

Hequickl
ygoti ntheguardhouseand
pret
endedt obebusy,knowinghi
s
bosswasadr ugdeal
eralmostgave
hi
m adiarrheaandthethoughtof
gett
ingcaughtguardi
ngdr ugsdi
dn'
t
si
twellwit
hhi m..
..

Lore:(
goti
nhiscar
)Shar
pthanksf
or
thecompany.
..
Theguar
dwav
edt
henhedr
oveof
f.
..

AtLor
e'sHouse.
..

Minuteslat
erhegothomet hrewthe
keysonthet ableandwal kedtothe
kit
chentaki
ngof fhi
sjacketthenhe
grabbedacont ainerofsugarand
tookoutacokegr am..
.

Hespill
editonthetabl
eandst ar
ed
atiff
oraf ewminutest
henhet ook
outhisATM cardandsecti
onedit
thenheleanedoverandsni
ffed..
..
Att
heWi
l
li
am'
sHot
el.
..

Lol
oknockedonMrWill
i
am'sdoor
andwalkedi
nashespoket
othe
phone.
..

Will
iams:(tal
kingtothephone)I
t'
s
notagooddat eforher
,welostour
thr
eechi l
dreninahousef i
reonthat
ver
ydat e.Weusual l
ystayhomeand
l
ookatt heirpict
uressouseanother
datethatwillall
owhertoshowup. .
.
Bye.
HehungupandsmiledatLol
o
shaki
nghandswi
thhr.

Wil
l
iams:
IhopeDubai
treat
edy
ou
wel
l
Lol
o:(shameful
l
y)I'
m sor
ryf
orgoing
wit
houtlet
ti
ngyouknowbutI'dli
ket
o
getbacktoworkifi
t'
spossi
ble
Will
iams: I
t'
simpossibl
e,wehave
hir
edar eplacementandwear esui
ng
youf ornotgivi
ngusanotice.
Lol
o:Buti
don'
thav
emoney
-
Wil
li
ams: Missihaveabusi
nessto
r
un,youdon'tjustcomeandgoas
youplease.Pl
easeleav
emyof f
ice.
SeeHRf oryourdocument
s.Thanks
fordroppingby,ihaveameeti
ngto
preparefor

Shest
oodupandwal
kedout
.

Atmymot
her
'shome.
..
.

Mymotherhandedmeaplat
eoffood
andwal
kedoutthenmyphoner
ang..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hi.
..Canwet
alk?
Me:
Yes,
yousoundser
ious.What
's
goi
ngon?
Ken:I
sther
eanychancet
hatbaby
i
sn'tmi
ne?
Me:
Excuseme?
Ken:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Ij
ust
-
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouaskedmet
hat
..
Ken:
Nev
ermi
nd,
I'
mjustbei
ngcr
azy
.

Hehungupt heni angr

ilyputonmy
shoesandgrabbedt hekeys.Minut
es
l
ateripassedtheeldersoutsi
deand
droveoffbef
oretheycouldaskme
anyt
hing..
.
AtLor
e'shouse.
..
.

Iangri
l
yknockedonthedoor,Lore
openedthedoorshi
rt
lessi
nhisboxer
bri
efstheni
walkedinandclosedthe
door.
..

Me:(angr
il
y)Canyoustoply
ingto
Ken?Howcany oubesoconv i
nced
i
t'
syours?Can'
tyoujustl
eaveme
al
one?
Lore:I
fKenissuchamanl ethi
m
makehi sownbaby.
..I
fy oudon't
startr
espect
ingmeI'l
ltel
lhim and
theweddingwill
beoff,you'
lll
ose
ev
ery
thi
ng.
..I
sthatwhaty
ouwant
?
Me:Nobutwecan'
tj
ustassumei
t'
s
your
s
Lore:Behav
e...Don'ttr
ytomakeme
feell
essbecauseI '
llmessupthis
wholeweddingt hi
ng, i
havenothi
ng
toloseanyt
hing...

Ilookedont het ableatt

hewhi te
powderandl ookedathim, herubbed
offthel i
tt
lepowderonhi snostri
ls
andl eanedov erkissi
ngme, i
reluctantl
ymov edbuthel eanedover
pulli
ngmecl oser .
..
Lore:
(whisper
ed)Remember
..
..
Behave.
..

Heslowl
yunzippedmydressatthe
backandleti
tdroponthef
loort
hen
heunhookedmybr a.
..

Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Idon'
twantt
odot
his

Het ouchedmybreast
sandkissed
met henhelai
dmeont hecouchand
gotbetweenmylegs.Acarstopped
outsideandhepausedast
hedoor
cl
osed. .
.
Ken:
Low?

Hejumpedof fmeandr anar oundthe

houset r
yingt
of i
ndhistshir
ttheni
coveredmybr east
sandsl i
ghtly
mov edthecurtai
ns.Myjointsgot
col
dandweakasKenwal kedpast
mycarf rowni
ngandgr abbedt he
knobt oopenthedoor..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
45PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 52

AtLor
e'sHouse.
..
.

Iquicklyl
ockedt hedoorbeforehe
couldpushi topenthenipickedmy
dressandputi ton,Loreranback
i
nsidehoppi ngononel egandzipped
hi
sj eansthenhepi ckedmybr afr
om
t
hef
loorandt
hrewi
tov
er.
..

Lor
e:(
whisper
ed)Putonyourclot
hes
andgotothebedr
oom,I'
l
ldist
ract
hi
m
Me: (
whisper
edback)Mycaris
outsi
de!Anddon'
teventr
ytomake
thisl
ookli
keiwantedt
hisbecausei
didn'
t
Lore:Nobodydraggedyouher
e,you
cameal l
thewayt oseduceme.
..I
didn'
tcal
lyou.
..

Meanwhil
eKenstoppedatt
hedoor
qui
etl
ytr
yingt
oli
stentowhatwas
happeni
ngi
nsi
det
henheknocked
agai
n..
..

Ken:
Didi
?Lor
e?Opent
hedoor
!

Isatont hecouchcoveri
ngmymout h
tearful
l
y,myhandsandl egswer e
shakingasi st
rai
nedmybr aintryi
ng
tothinkofmywayout .Ijumpedas
heangr i
lybangedonthedoorand
kickedital
mostbreakingthelock..
..

Ken:
(angr
il
y)Lor
ehankabulal
ebati
l
eotsil
egoregakenamai
tseowai
tse?
Lore:Whyareyouki
cki
ngthedoor?
akerekeabul
a?Emapelekebuleee..
.

Lor
etookadeepbr eat
hholdi
ngt
he
key
sasi t
earf
ull
ylookedathi
m
si
tt
ingonthecouch..
.

Ken:(
impati
ent
lybangedt
hedoor
)
Openthedoor!

Hekickedthedoorhit
ti
ngLore'
sface
asthescrewsscatt
eredonthefl
oor
wit
hhim, KencameformebutLor e
qui
cklygotupandgrabbedhisarm
tur
ninghi
m around.
..
.
Lor
e:Keni
tsnotwhaty
out
hinkt
rust
me..
.
Ken:
(pushedhi
m)Don'
ttouchme!
Lore:(
puthishandsup)Ok.
..Ok..
.I'
m
nottouchi
ngyou..
..Canwetalk?
Ken:
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?
Me:Icamet oaskhim aboutLol
o,he
l
eftheratDubaiandheisusingthe
dr
ugs.

Kenlookedatthepowderonthe
tabl
eandlookedbackatLoreashe
tookadeepbreathhol
dinghi
swaist
..
.
Ken:
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
?
Lore:Shejusttoldyouwhat
happened...Il
eftLolokoDubai
becauseshet hreatenedt or
eportme
forsmugglingdrugsi ntothecountr
y.
BythenIhadn' tmov edthestashsoi
waspar anoidabouti t
..
.nowican't
fi
ndher .
Ken:Butwhyi sthedoorl ocked?
Whatki ndofdiscussioni
sdone
behi
ndcl oseddoor s?andi hear
d
foot
stepsofy outwor unningupand
down...What'
sgoi ngon?
Lor
e:(
rubbedhi
ssweat
yfor
ehead)
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Ken:(
walki
ngtowar
dshi
m)Whyar
e
yousweati
ng?
Lore:
Kendon'tdot
hisbasedony
our
assumpt
ions
Me:
(cr
ying)Cani
gohome?
Ken:(walki
nguptohisf
ace)Kar
e
whyarey ousweat
inggapeo
i
totel
etsemontungleDidi
?
Lore:(
mov ingbackwar ds)Soy ou'r
e
goingtomakeassumpt i
onsbecause
youthinkI'
m doi ngsomethingwi t
h
her?Ofcour sei l
ockedthedoort he
minuteirealisedyouwer eoutside
becausei knewwhaty ou'dthink,you
alway saccusemesoam i
uncomf ortabl
erightnow?Yes. ..am i
fuckingsweating?Yes, becauseIam
uncomf ortabl
ewi ththewayy ouj ust
kickedthedoor .
..becausei cansee
ri
ghtt hr
oughy ouandmay bei
under st
andwhybutknowi ngt hatyou
mi ghtdosomet hingbadf orwr ong
assumpt ionssureashel lmakesme
uncomf ortabl
e..
.
Ken:Doy oureal
lyt
hinkI'
m goingto
beli
evethat?Thecarisoutsi
deso
youlockedthedoorforanother
reason,youweregett
ingdressed
Loregakesesokana
Lor
e:Can'
twecal
lourf
atherandt
alk
abouti
trenal
eeneeebecausey
ou
don'
tbel
iev
eme?
Ken:Doyout
hinkI'
mt hatst
upidor
doyouthi
nkyou'
retoointel
l
igent
?
Lore:
(impati
ent
ly)Canyouj
ustl
eave
theni
fthat'
showwear egoi
ngtotal
k

Kenpunchedhi m onthemout hand

hereturnedthepunch,ist
oodup
confusedwonderingwhattodoas
theyexchangedblowsuntilLore
backedaway ..
.

Lore:
That'
senoughI'
m notf
ight
ing
youodir
adilodi
sel
ebecausegaoit
se
goregodiragetseng..
.Mpetseeebut
I
'm notfi
ghtingyou, t
hisi
sstupi
d.I
'
m
toogrownf orshitl
ikethi
s

Kenturnedaroundandki
ckedhisTV,
i
tcrackedthenhepull
editoutand
whippeditonthefl
oorasit
'spi
eces
scatt
ered.
..
.

Ken:(angr
il
y)Ipai
dforall
thi
s..
.All
theseismineandicantakei
tall
away...
.Imadeyouwhoy ou'
retoday
andy ousl
eepwithmywoman?
Lore:Don'
teversayy oumademe
becauseyoudon'tknowme, unl
i
ke
youev er
ythingi haveiworkedfor..
.
Everythi
ngy ougav emewasa
paymentnotabr ot
herl
ylove,
unlike
youmyl ifeisn'
tawal kinthepark.
Youl ookstupid,"mywoman"y our
shitsheiscar r
yingmybaby .Howi s
that?
Me:
It'
snoty
our
sLor
e!

Kenpausedandlookedatme
breat
hingheav
il
y.
..

Ken:
Yousl
eptwi
thmybr
other
?
Me:
(tear
ful
l
yshookmyhead)Ngng
Heturnedaroundandwalkedt
othe
ki
tchenthenLorestoodupand
handedmemykey s..

Lor
e:Pl
easegohome-

Igrabbedthekeysandhet ur
ned
aroundasKenwal kedoverholdi
nga
knifet
heni cov
eredmymout h
screamingasheswungi tbackand
stabbedLoreonthechest.
..

Me:
OHMYGOD!
Lor
e:(
gasped)Di
dipl
easego.
..r
un

Loreturnedhi
seyeslookingatKen
formercyasthewholekni f
estuck
betweenhisri
bsmakingithar dto
breath,
Kenpull
editoutandbi thi
s
l
owerl i
pstabbi
nghim overandov er
againasbloodspl
att
eredal lover
.

Me:
Kenst
opi
t.
..Pl
easest
op

Hewasn'tstoppingandbloodbegun
fl
owingont hefl
oor,It
ri
edrunni
ng
outbutisl
ippedont hebl
oodandf el
l
down.Keny ankedmyhairand
pushedmeagai nstt
hewall,
ilost
bal
anceandt emporari
l
ylost
consci
ousness.

Igotupashesquat tedandstabbed
hi
m ont heheartleavingthekni
fe
stuckonhischestt henhedragged
mebymyhai rasi criedki
cki
ng
sl
idingonthefloor..
..

Ken: Youthoughtiwaslyi
ngDidi
akere?I'
m goingtoshootyourpussy
andki l
lmyself
.(igr
abbedthedoor
screamingandhesl appedmeacr oss
theface)Shutup!
Me:(cr
ying)Kenit
'syourbaby
..
..
you'
regoingtohur
tthebaby
Ken:
Shutup.
.

Hegr abbedanotherknifei
nthe
ki
tchenandpoi nteditatmeputti
ng
mei nthecarandgoti nthedri
ver'
s
si
de.Het urnedthekeyanddr oveoff
asicriedwithaknifeonmyneck
whil
ehehel dthesteeringwheelwit
h
onehand.

Hal
fofbr
eadfami
ly,
Likeand
comment
.Goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
46PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 53

AtLor
e'sHouse.
..
.
Loreslowlydraggedhimsel ft
othe
glasstableandreachedf orhi
sphone
thenhedi al
edhismot hertaki
ng
weakbr eathasblooddr i
ppedonthe
cornerofhismout h.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Lor
e:(
coughedbl
ood)Kenst
abbed
mewithaknif
e
Her
:What
?
Lor
e:Het
ookDi
d-

Thephonesl
i
ddownashi
sey
es
cl
osed.
..
.

Her:Hel
l
o?Hell
o?Lor
e?Wher
ear
e
you?Lor
e?Heeel
ang.
..
..

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
..

MinuteslaterKenloweredthekni
fe
aswer eachedt hegat
ewher ethe
unawaresecur i
tyguar
dwav edand
openedforust henhedr ov
einand
parkedclosertotheoff
ice..
.

Ist
il
lcoul
dn'
tgett
hepi
ctur
eoft
hat
knif
estuckonLore'schest
,ital
l
seemedt oohardtobeli
evei
twas
real
lyhappeni
ng..
.

Me: KenLoreisly
ing.
..Howcanyou
beli
evehim whenwehav en'
teven
doneaDNAt estj
usttoconf
ir
m his
stor
y ?
Ken:I
'
llst
abyouwi
tht
hiskni
fei
fyou
don'
tshutup

Heslicedmyt hi
ghandi pressedi
t
downwi thbothhandsasbl ood
droppedont heseatthenhestepped
outandpulledmeal ongwithmyhair.
Heunl ockedtheof f
icewi tht
heot her
handandpushedmei nsidewit
ht he
other,
i f
ellonthecar petcryi
ngand
hepulledmyhai rdraggingmet othe
offi
cewhi l
ei cri
edbeggi ngandt r
y i
ng
toconv i
ncehi m..
.

Hepushedmeont hefl
oorand
l
ockedtheof f
iceputti
ngkeysinhis
pocketthenunlockedthesafeand
tookoutagun.Thesecur i
tyguard
knockedatthemai ndoor.
..

Hi
m:(
knocki
ngatt
hemai
ndoor
)
Mor
ena?
..
..Si
r?I
sev
ery
thi
ngokayi
n
t
her
e?
Me:(screaming)Cal
lthepol
i
cehei
s
t
ryi
ngt oki-

Hesl appedmewi tht

hebackofhis
handandi fell
onmybackt henhe
steppedonmyneckchoki ngmewi t
h
hisfootasmyey espoppedoutofthe
socketswhileitr
iedt
opushoffhi
s
foot.
..

Ken:Mzolaweeboelakot i
rong,your
j
obistoguardthosecars..
..That
's
whatipayyoufor.
..Getbacktowor k
Him:(tr
yingtoopenthedoor)Ken
youdon'twanttogotopri
sonj ust
becausey oucoul
dn'
tcontr
olyour
emotions..
.
Ken:(
screamedangr
il
y)Kar
e
tsamaya!

Therewassi l
enceasisti
ll
str
uggled
tobreathwit
hhisfootonmyt hr
oat
thenhemov edhisfootandibent
overslappi
ngmeont hefacethenhe
pickedmeupandt ossedmeont he
couch.

Ken:
Ket
aagobol
ayaDi
diaut
wa?
Heputtheammuni
ti
onandpoi
nted
atmyfacest
ari
ngr
ighti
nmyeyes.
..

Ken:
Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Me:
ifi
tel
lyout
het
rut
hwi
l
lyoul
et
mego?
Ken:Ifyoutel
lmet hetrut
hI'
llmakeit
fast
,youwon'tfeelthepainbutifyou
l
ietoI'l
lmakeitslow..
.I'
m goingto
shootyourli
mbsandpussyt hen
l
eavey outodiehere.
Me:Iwasn'
tthi
nki
ngaboutwhat
woul
dhappen..
.I'
m sor
ry.
..
Ken:
Igav
ey ouev
erythi
ngy
ou
want
edDidi
,di
dn'
ti?

Heputt hegundownandswal l
owed
tear
ful
lylooki
ngatmewi t
ha
shutt
eredlookthenhebackedupand
sli
ddownt hedoorsti
l
lholdi
ngthe
gun..
.

Ken:Didii
beent hroughsomuch...
Whycouldn'tyoujustleav
eme
i
nsteadofhurtingme?Iwoul dhave
underst
oodifyousai dyoudon'tl
ove
meany more..
.Whyhur tmewheni
washonestwi thyoufrom the
beginni
ng?Doyouhaveanyi
deahow
i
tfeelsl
iketobecheat
edonoverand
overagain?

Herubbedhi
stear
sandshookhi
s
headsi
tti
ngatt
hedoor
..
..

Ken: Mybestf r
iendsleptwithmy
gir
lf
riendandgotherpr egnant,my
chil
dhoodf ri
end...
.Ithoughtitwas
mine, l
ikeanidiotigotexcit
ed...I
wasn'twor ki
ngbuti didmybest .
..My
fr
iendwaswor kingandi guessshe
couldn'thandl
ebei ngwithabr oke
man, shedecidedt omov einwi thhim
andi hadt ofi
ndoutal lthisbymy self
becausenoneoft hem hadt he
decencyt oletmeknow, I'dv isi
thim
whil
eshewassl eepingi nt he
bedroom nnakesai tsegor eot eng
unti
lhest art
edbuy i
ngbabyf urni
ture.
Iaskedhi m andhet oldmehewas
expectingababy ...Itoldhi m about
whatwashappeni ngbet weenmeand
mygi rl
friend,icriedonhi sshoul der
andal l
t heset i
mehenev ert oldme
hewast heonemaki ngmecr yunt i
l
thedayi caughtt hem t oget her...
..

Hesmil
edandshookhi
sheadas
t
ear
sfell
downthenhel
ookedat
me.
..
.

Ken:Isworethatifieverfoundlove
againI
'dneverletherl
ackany thi
ng
becausepartofmebl amedmef or
nothavi
ngenough. .
.SonowI '
m her
e
wonderingwhati di
dwr ongwithyou,
wheredidIgowr ong?

Ir
ubbedmyt ear
sandst
oodupthen
hepoi
ntedatmewithagun.
..

Ken:
Sit
..
..Don'
tmov
e
Isatonthecouchandshookmy
headcry
ing.
..

Me: Youdidnot hi
ngwrong,ij
ustgot
tempted..
.I'
m sorrybutidon'
tl
ove
Loreandi don'tknowwhosebabyi t
i
s, I
'
m sorry,pl
easeforgi
veme...We
canstil
lfi
xthis..
.Wecangoback
thereandclaim wefoundhimlike
that.

Ther
ewasaknockatt
hemai
ndoor
..
.

Voice:
(bangi
ng)Kennaopent
hedoor
thi
sisthepol
ice!
Hestoodupandpoint
edatmewi
tha
gunshushi
ngme..
.

Ken:Don'tt
ouchthedoor
!Ifyou
touchthedooronemoreti
meI 'm
shooti
ngherandkil
li
ngmy sel
f.Ihav
e
a9mm
Pol
ice:
Okay .
..
.Iunder
standy
ou.
..
.
I
'm movingback.
..

Thepolicecarwai
ledoutsideand
Kendraggedmet othewi ndowwhere
hemov edthecurt
ainsandsawt wo
pol
icecarsparki
ngoutsi
dewi th
l
i
ghtsfl
ashingaround,
pol
i
ceoff
icer
s
r
oamedt heyar
daspeoplest
oodby
t
hefencewatchi
ng.

Theleadingdetect
ivewalkedbackto
thehighwaypatrolcarandgrabbed
themi cl
ookingatthewindow...

Detect
ive:(onthespeaker )
Kenna?..
..
letherwalkoutandnoone
will
behur t.Wearenother etofight
,
noneofusi sar
med.Justl ethergo..
.
Yourbrotherissafeatthehospi t
al
therei
snoneedt oover
r eact.
..
Ken:
Theyar
ely
ing,
hei
sdead.
..
Me:Whatifheisnot.
..Theydon'
t
hav
egunsbabel et
'sgobeforema
SSGgethere.
..
Ken:
No.
..

Hepushedmeonthef
loorand
poi
ntedatmewi
thagun..
.

Ken:Ican'
tbelieveial
lowedmy self
tofal
lforanothercheat.
..I
'
m not
goingtoprisonwhil
ey ouenjoyyour
l
ifewit
hot hermen...
Me:
Youdon'
twantt
oki
l
lme
becausey ou'r
est al
li
ng,y ou'r
enota
kil
lerandy ouknowt hisbabymi ght
bey ours,wehadunpr ot
ect edsexall
thetimeandweusedcondomsone
day ,
ther estoft heotherday sitwas
skintoski nwhati fthisisy ours?
Mapodi si bareompul el
eket swe
pleaselistentot hem befor etheyuse
forceidon' twantt olosey ou...
.Babe
peoplecheatoneachot heral lthe
ti
mebuti tsnev erthi
sdr amat icke
bakileI
'llneverdot hisagai n.
.
Let
'sgo

Det
ect
ive:
Kenna?I
'
m goi
ngt
ocount
uptofi
vefory
outoreleaseher
..
..We
candothi
stheeasywayorthehard
way.
..Whi
chonedoy ouwant?

Hemov edt hecurtai

nsagain,acar
stoppedout sideandt heagroupof
armedmendr essedinblackwi t
h
blackhel metsjumpedout
surroundingthebui l
ding,ihadnev er
seensuchauni form befor
eandi
didn'tknowwhatwashappeni ngbut
myhear twaspoundi ngbecauseKen
wasbegi nni
ngt opanicandi wasn't
surewhathewoul ddowi t
hme. ..
Detecti
ve:TheSWATt eam ishere..
.
You'r
esurrounded, Kennaputy our
weapondownandwal koutwi thyour
handsbehindy ourhead. ..
.Wedon' t
wanttohur tany one,wejustwantt o
makesur ethel adyy ou'
reholdingin
hostageisokay ...
.Yourbr ot
heris
doingfi
nedon' tdoany t
hingstupid.

Kenmov edtotheotherwindowand
mov edt
hecurtain,
twoof f
icersstuck
themsel
vesont hewallhol
dingguns
thenhequickl
ymov edbackst i
ll
holdi
ngmyhai rasibeguncr y
ing.
..
Ken'
sparent
sarri
vedand
appr
oachedthedetect
ive.
..

Me:
Babepl
ease.
..Let
'sj
ustwal
kout
Ken:TheSWATt
eam i
sgoi
ngt
o
shootmethemi
nut
eiwal
kout
.
Me:Putmeinfrontofy
out
heywon'
t
shootme,
let
'sgonnakeat
shoga
Hisfat
her:(onthespeaker)Ofana?
Akoot swelekonteaboobat ago
hulwalemapodi si
akere?Opent he
doorandwal koutthi
smi nut
e,I'
m not
goingt
ol osetwochil
dre-
Theygr
abbedthemi
cfrom hi
m and
Kenshookhi
sheadpani
cki
ng..
.

Ken:
Shi
t.
..Hei
sdead.
..
.

Hemov edthecurt
ainagainandisaw
Loloworri
edlyr
ubbingherhands
toget
herstandi
ngbyt hef
encewitha
fewotherpeopl
e..
.

Thewi ndowbr okeandt heythr

ew
somethingsmokeyi nside,thewhole
room becamewhi teasmyey esgot
i
tchy,icoughedandKendr aggedme
outholdingthegun,themanl y
ingon
t
opofthecarwit
habiggunpul
led
t
hetr
iggerandKenf
ell
facedown
l
ooki
ngatme...
.

Ken:(
tear
ful
l
ywhi
sper
ed)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Il
oveyou

Amani nblackquickl
yli
ft
edmeup
andrantowardstheambulance
car
ryi
ngmeonhi sshoul
derasthe
sni
perdisar
medhi sgunandjumped
downtakingoffhi
shelmet.

Isatupont
hestretcherl
ooki
ngat
Kenlyi
ngonthegroundasthepol
i
ce
surroundedhim gett
inghis9mm, a
paramedicr anoverputt
ingonhis
gloveskneltnexttohim checki
nghis
pulsethenhest oodupremov inghi
s
glovesandshookhi shead.

Theycov er
edhim wit
hawhi t
esheet
andhismot herr
anoutofthecrowd
screamingandkneltnextt
ohisbody
cry
ing..
.

Her
:(cr
ying)Of
ana?Of
ana?

Shetur
nedhisbodyaroundand
huggedhi
m ashisheadwaved
around,t
hepoli
cepull
edheroffand
coveredhim wi
thasheetasshecri
ed
helpl
essl
ythenherhusbandhurr
ied
overandtookher.
..

Her:(cryingl
ooki
ngatme)Youwi ll
neverfindpeace.
..
.Youki l
l
edmy
sons...
.youwil
lneverf
indpeace...
.I
don'teverwanttoseey ourface.
..

Par
amedi
c:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
I'
mfi
n-

Ot
lhecameoutofnowher
eandhi
t
meontheforeheadwit
hastoneand
bl
oodgushedoutasthepar
amedic
movedback.
..

Twoot heroffi
cersranov erand
pushedpulledherof fme, t
heyput
cuff
sonherasi putmyhandont he
cutfeel
ingdizzy.Theparamedicput
mei ntheambul anceandsl i
dme
i
nsideasi blackedout..
..
..

Bonusi
fwer
each24Kbef
ore6.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
46PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 54

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Thedoctorpul
leduphi
smaskand
putonhisglov
esasKen'sbedr
oll
ed
i
nwi t
hthenurses.
..
Dr
:Whatam i
looki
ngat
?
Nurse:A30+mal ewithagunshot
woundt othefr
ontofthechestjust
abovethediaphr
agm.Hi svit
alsare
undetect
ableandtheparamedics
pronouncedhim deadatthesceneso
-
Dr:
Veri
fi
cat
ion-
okay
..
.Pusht
het
he
bedov
erhere.
..

Theypushedt hebedandt hedoctor

fl
ickedhi
sf l
ashli
ghtopeninghiseyes,
thepupil
sslight
lyconstr
ictedandhe
frownputti
ngonhi sstet
hoscope
t
henhepl
acedi
tonhi
schest
.

Heheldhi sbreathcaref
ull
yli
steni
ng
thenhemov editbel
lowhisbeaststi
l
l
hopingforsomet hi
ng.Hesighedand
tookoffthestethoscopethenhe
examinedhisi nj
uryandmov edback.
..

Dr:Thebulletrupturedthroughhis
ri
bcageandpr obablydamagedhi s
l
ungt her
ebyt ensionpneumot horax
pullt
heECGmachi neov erandthe
oxygen,hookhi m...I
'l
lneeda
pneumot horaxneedl ewiththe
l
argestdiamet erplease.
..hurr
yev er
y
spl
i
tsecondi
scr
it
ical
..
..

Ev ery
onegotbusyast hedoctor
cleanedhi m wit
halcohol andthey
handedhi mtheneedlewhi chhe
i
nser tedonKen'schestj ustoverthe
thirdrib.Ther
ewasani mmedi ate
rushofexi ti
ngairf
rom theneedl e.

Thedoct orr
emov edt heneedleand
l
eftthecatheterintheplacelooki
ng
atKent henheheav edahugesi gh
gl
ancingatt heECGmachi neasKen's
heartbeatslowlyrecovered,he
properl
ydisposedoft heneedleand
secur
edt
hecat
het
erwi
that
ape.

Theyall
lookedatoneanot
herwi
th
smil
esofv i
ctor
yasthemachi
nes
beeped.
..

Dr'
sasst
:(laughed)Andtheythi
nkit
's
wit
chcr
aftwhenapat ientwakesup
att
hemor gue..
.
Dr:
(laughed)Aspl
itseconddel
ay
andI'dbesigni
ngadeathcert
if
icat
e..
.

Hewashedhishandsandwal
kedout
wi
thhi
sassist
antasthei
rwhi
tecoat
s
wav
edatt
heback.
..
.

AtMywar
d..
..

Lat
erthateveni
ngthenursesealed
mycannulaandhung1uni tofblood
onthestandasIlai
donthebed
qui
etl
ywat chi
ngherasshefixedthe
medicat
ion..
.

Nur
se:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Nurse:
Didtheytel
lyouthaty
ou'
re
pr
egnantatthescanroom?
Me:
Ial
readyknew,
ist
hebabyokay
?
Nur
se:
(laughed)Yes.
..
Me:
Otshegaengnemma?
Nurse:
Nothi
ngsowhoisthef
ather
bet
weenthetwobr
other
s?
Me:
Doesev
ery
oneknow?
Nurse: Youmadet heheadlines,
everyonei stalkingabouti t
..I
tsal
l
overthemedi aandsomeofusdi dn'
t
evenknowBot swanahasaSWAT
team, disrespectf ulasitsoundsi
thoughtt heonl ypol iceoffi
cerswe
havear especi al constableslebo
superintendenthel a,nowi knowwe
evenhav edetect ives..
Me:Caniborr
owy ourphoneandsee
whatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout?
Nurse:I
t'
sont hechar
ger,I
'
llbri
ngi
t
l
atersoisitt
rueaboutthedrugsand
t
het r
ipstoDubai?
Me:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Nur
se:
Ail
et'
sdr
opi
t
Me:Themmampol
elel
awena.
..
Gat
weng?
Nur
se:
Not
hingar
etswemogoy
one.
..

Afewpeoplesl
owl
ypassedbyt
he
doorl
ooki
ngatme.
..
Nur
se:Bagol
okekopal
esekal
a
t
samaelakwano
Me:
Whoar
ethey
?
Nurse:Theywerechasedt hatsi
de
theywanttoseey ouwesuspectt hey
heardfrom t
hemedi at hatyou'
rehere
sotheywantt oseewhat '
shappening,
thedoctorsuggestedy ougetmov ed
toaprivat
eroom, ithinktheywil
l
mov eyouont henex tshif
t.
Me:
Okay
..
.

Twodetect
iveswalkedinand
showedthenursethei
rident
if
icat
ion
andaskedhertoexcuseus,she
pushedouthermedi
cati
ont
rol
l
ey
andclosedt
hedoorbehi
ndher
..
..

Thedetect
ivespull
edt
hechai
rsand
satdownlookingatme.
..
.

Det
ect
ive:
Iam detect
iveSimba,t
his
i
sGabonakgosi
,howar eyoufeel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
.
Si
mba: Howlongdi
dyourtr
ipi
n
Dubail
astandmuchdidyouspend?
Roughl
yhela.
..
Me:Idon'
tknowKenandLor
ewer
e
pay
ingforever
ythi
ng
Si
mba:AndwhatdoesKendof
ora
l
iv
ing?
Me:Heisacardeal
er,
what
'st
his
about
?
Simba: I'
mj ustaskingyour out
ine
questions,givemest rai
ghtanswer s.
Keni sadr ugdealerandt hefactthat
youhav ebeenhelpinghim spend
thatdrugmoneyi sanof fence,i
fyou
cooper atewithussot hatjusti
cecan
beser vedy ouwillgetalesser
sentence.
Me:
IsKenal
i
ve?
Simba:Heisi
nacri
ti
cal
condi
ti
onat
thei
ntensi
vecar
euni
t
Me:
IsLor
eokay
?
Si
mba:Hehasbeencer
ti
fi
eddead.
Canwegetbackt
othequest
ions
pl
ease.
Me:AllKentol
dmewast hathi
sbig
brot
herisadrugdeal
erbuthedi
dn'
t
saymuch
Simba:Don'tl
iet
omebecausei t
showsy ou'
repar
tofthi
sgangandi t
extendsall
thewaytoacer t
aingr
oup
ofNigeri
ansinSout
hAfrica.
Me:Okay, I
'
lltel
lyouevery
thi
ngi
know..
.Kent oldmeLor ei
sadealer
andmont hsagohet ookhisgir
lf
ri
end
toDubai,
heof f
eredusafreetr
ipand
weagr eed.Whenwegott her eidon't
knowwhathappenedbuthi s
girl
fri
endsai dshewascomi ngback
andi t
houghtshedi dbutonl y
yesterdaydi dwef indouthewas
l
y i
ng.Hel efthert heresoi wentt ohis
houset oaskhi m aboutherbecause
shei smyf ri
endt hat'swhenhe
startedget ti
ngangr y,i
thinkhewas
highbecauset herewassomet hing
ont het able.Kencameov erandwe
continuedt oaskhi m aboutLol o
that'
swhenhegotangr yandf ought
withhi sbr other,Kendef ended
himsel fandst abbedhimt henhe
panickedsay i
ngi shouldn'ttellt
he
poli
cehest abbedhi m butibegged
himt el
linghim hewasn' twr ongto
defendhi mself.Ithinkhewas
sufferi
ngf rom shockorsomet hing
becausehewasn' thi mself,
hewas
tempor ari
lyinsaneandhet ookmet o
theof f
iceandt hat'swher ewe
continuedt al
kingabouti tuntil
the
poli
cecame
Simba:Thi
sguyhurtyou,whatabout
thecut
sandthebruises?
Me: I
twasLor e,Kenhadtoint
ervene
becauseLor ewasangryandgetti
ng
paranoid.Hedidn'
twanthi
sgirl
fri
end
tobef oundbecausehethoughtshe
wouldr epor
thim.
Theint
ervi
ewwentonandonf
or
hour
s..
..

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..

Laterni
ghtLol
oincr
easedt
hev
olume
stari
ngattheTV.
..

Thescreenshowedsmal lpacksof
drugsbeingpouredonthebr own
tabl
easof f
icer
spoint
edatt hem..
.

«
«««
«Newsr
epor
ter
'sv
oice:
An
al
legeddr ugdealeral mostl osthi s
l
ifeduringadr ugbur stoper ationin
Maun, thesuspecti sal l
egedt ohav e
beenwor kinghandi nhandwi th
someknowndr ugdeal ersi nSout h
Afri
cat osmuggl edr ugsinBot swana.
Thisbur stfoll
owedat i
pf rom an
unknowni ndivi
dual whol edt he
operati
ngsquadt othesuspect s
wher eanongoi ngfightwas
i
nterruptedbet weent hetwo
suspectswhoar ebrot hers,they oung
brotherisal l
egedt ohav est abbedhi s
brotherwi thaknifeaf tercat ching
hi
m wi thhi sfi
ancéwhom hewas
supposedt omar rythis
weekend»
»»»
»

Gobonawal kedinandstoppedatthe
doorli
steni
ngasLol o'
smother
pi
nnedherel bowont hebedstar
ing
atthescreen..
.

««Thestabwoundsuspectwas
confi
rmeddeadatt hehospit
alwhil
e
theothersuspectwasapprehended
athisoffi
cewherehewasal l
egedly
holdi
nghisfiancéhost
age.
» »
»»

Her
:Ist
hataboutDi
di?
Gobona:Ee,
ronarar
ebathoke
bahumikant
etheyaresel
li
ngdrugs.
Lolo:Theyshoul dn'
thav eshotKen,
whydopol i
ceof fi
cersalwaysdot hi
s?
Theyknewv erywel lt
hatLoreisthe
onedoingt his.Itol
dt hem ev
eryt
hing
andnowt heyarel i
nkinghimtohis
brother
..
..Ift
hisiswhatt heydowhen
theygettipsf r
om thepublicthey
won'tbeget t
inghel p.

««Moredrugswerepour edont he
tableandanoff
icerwithglov
es
placedthr
eegunsont hetable.Acli
p
ofKen' sMot
or'
sov er
viewshowed
t
hecrowdandthepoli
cecar
s
f
lashi
ngl
ight
soutsi
dethebui
ldi
ng.
..

Offi
cer:Eer r
a..
.Wehav ebeen
secretl
yont hisoper at
ionf orsev eral
weeksnowwor kingwithaspeci al
team becauset hesemenwer en'tjust
smuggl er
s, t
heyar earmedandv ery
dangerous.Whenpeopl ear e
apprehendedbyt hepolicet heyof ten
doev eryt
hingint hei
rpowert oget
awaywi thitsoi t
'sveryimpor t
antf or
usast hepol i
cetoal sopr otect
ourselv
esi noper ati
onsliket his.Tot a
bor r
ebasal er ebabat il
emmer esa
kgonegobat shwar abecauseba
bohithaandt heyknewhowt o
conceal t
hesedr ugs,whatwehav e
overtherearedr ugsworthhundr ed
andt wentythousand,youcanj ust
seetheser i
ousnessoft hiscri
me.
Theyar edangerousindividual
sjaaka
helaobonaont hedayoft heburst
wef oundthem al r
eadyfighti
ngand
keepingawomani nhostage.»»
»» »
»»

Lol
o:(t
hought ful
l
y)Iwonderi
fKen
wasinont his?Andifhedoesi
wonderifDidiknows..
.Mmeshe
wouldhavet ol
dme...Gakebonea
i
tse.
Gobona:(
turnedt
oher)Kantegone
whydidn'
ttheyar
resty
ouakereojel
e
drugmoney?Kanagamot hoajel
e
gaamolato?
Lolo:Don'
tstar
twithmewenagake
mommudi ng..
.Othat
swematerase
ameangwanawagagoar otet
seng..
(i
ncreasedthevol
ume)mxm...

««Newsr eport
er:( concl
uded)andthe
namesoft hedeceasedhav ebeen
withhel
dunt i
lfami lyandfr
iendshave
beennotifi
ed,KeitseMosadi -
Botswanat el
ev i
sion-Maun»»»»
Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Otlhewalkedoutofthepolicest
ati
on
rubbingherwrist
stearf
ull
yand
huggedAat i
leashekissedherneck
andwal kedheroutsi
de..
.

Aati
le:Iheardwhathappenedonthe
news,i st
il
lcan'
tbel
iev
eit.
..What
happened?
Otl
he:KencaughtLorewithDi
diand
st
abbedhim wit
hakni f
ebuthe
managedtocallmamaandwet ook
hi
mt othehospi
tal
..
.Het ol
dusthat
hehadbeensneakingaroundwith
Didi
,hediedatt hehospital bareke
i
nternalbl
eedi ng.Kent ookhert othe
offi
ceandi guesshewant edt oki l
l
herandkillhimsel fbutthepol i
cegot
ther
ei nti
memmeanongi don'tknow
whocal l
edt hepol icebecausebo
papabonet heyj ustwant edt ot al
k
him outofitbutt ooursur priser e
i
thelamapodi sit englebabont sho,
whoar ethey ?
Aat
il
e:Kanagat webaower eonthe
l
eadyadi drugs,SWATteam or
somethinglikethatandapparent
lyi
ts
anoperationelenggorehasbeen
goi
ngonf orawhi l
e,gat
weboKen
wereselli
ngdr ugs
Ot
lhe:Mybrot
her
sdidn'
tdodr
ugs,
i
wouldhav
eknown..
.
Aati
le:
Keni
scr
it
ical
koI
CUnotdead
yet
..
.
Otl
he:
(smi
led)What
?OhmyGod.
..
.I
wantt
oseehim..
Aat
il
e:Theywon'
tletany
oneseehim,
hei
sobv i
ousl
yunderpol
icecust
ody.
Otl
he:
(lookedupt
hesky
)Jesus
t
hankyou...

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

AtKen'
smot
her
's.
..
.
Ay ounggirl
wal kedinwithwaterand
handedMaDani elthenshesatup
anddr unkpainkil
l
ers..
.

Her:Whatpai nsmei showmuchi

welcomedt hatwickedgirli
ntomy
famil
y ,
Ili
kedheranddi dev er
ythinga
motherinlawi ssupposedt odoand
shepay smebyki l
l
ingoneofmy
sons,makingt hem fi
ghti
ngone
anotherli
kethis.Idon'
tcarewhat
everyonesaysaboutt hedrugs,the
poli
cear el
ying.Theyweren't
supposedt oshootKenbecausehe
didn'
tshootatanyonenowtheywant
toaddspicestothenewsaboutmy
sonsdoingdrugs?Theywantto
j
ust i
fyt
heirev
ilact
sofcarel
essness
bysay i
ngmyboy saredrugdeal
ers?
Aunt:Nny aay adidr ugskemaaka
helathoset hi
ngsdon' thappenin
Botswana, wedon' thavedrugshere.
Theyshoul djustapol ogisetothe
familyforshoot i
ngKenandi have
real
isedt hatr ecent l
ythepolicehave
beengunni ngdownpeopl eforminor
thi
ngsev enwhent heyarenotarmed.
Thiscount r
yist urninginto
somet hingel se.
Her
:Theybet
terpr
ayKenmakesi
t
outofICUandthatwi
tchofagir
lene
idon'tev
enwanttoseewhereshe
satfootatdsmael
ekgakal
alenna.
..

AtKen'
swar
d..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngKensl owlyt
urned
hi
sheadandopenedhi seyeswithan
oxygenmaskonhi sfaceanda
bandagearoundhischestthenhe
tr
iedtomov ehi
slegbuthewas
chainedt
othebed.

Anoff
icerguar
dinghim out
sidethe
doort
urnedandlookedathimt hen
helookedt
heot herwaysti
l
l
br
eathingt
hroughtheoxygenmask.
..

Atmywar
d..
..

Ont hesamemor ni
ngIwokeup
nauseousandhur ri
edt othe
bathroom wherei t
hrewupand
fl
ashedt het oi
l
et,isupport
edmy sel
f
onthet oil
etseatunti
lthedizzi
ness
wornof f.
..
.

Iwalkedoutf
eeli
ngli
ghtandlai
don
thebed,Iwashungr
yandi knew
whateverf
oodthehospi
talwas
ser
vingwoul
dnev
erbeenough.
..

Thecookopenedt hedoorand
pushedi
nthetrol
leythensheputt
he
bowlofsof
tporri
dgeonmyshel f
top.
..

Cook:
Goodmor
ning
Me:
Goodmor
ning.
.
Cook:
Putmil
kandsugarsoicango
tot
henextr
oom,howareyoufeel
i
ng?
Me:
(put
ti
ngmi
l
kandsugar
)I'
mfi
ne.
.
Cook:Ot
aasidi
legangwanaand
don'
twor
ryaboutthest
ori
esgoi
ng
onabouthowy ousleptwi
thwith
brother
sandgotinvol
vedindrugs.
..
Batswanaarethemostforget
ful
nati
oninAfri
ca..
.Nextweektheywil
l
begossipi
ngaboutsomeoneel se
Me:
Ehmma.
..

Shepushedhert rolleyoutandit
wasn'tunti
lilookedatt hesoft
porri
dgethati reali
sedi hadnothad
porri
dgesincei metKen.I twasn'
t
appeti
singfrom myusual fr
ied
whatnotorjuices, iknewmeal sli
ke
softporri
dgewoul dbemynew
l
ifest
yleandi forcedi tdownmy
t
hroat
.

Mymi ndwasall
ov erandi knewi
neededapl acet
ost aywheni got
dischargedfr
om thehospital,
My
mot herandherf
ami lyhadnot
checkedonmeandi kindof
expecteditnowthati hadlostKen..
.

Hourspassedasl ai
dont hehospit
al
bedwi t
houtaphoneorany t
hingt
o
keepmy selfent
ert
ained.
..Thenext
vi
sitti
met hedooropenedt henLol
o
walkedin.
...
.
Idon'tknowwhatgotmeemot ional,
knowingt hatshewast heonlyperson
whocar eddespi t
eourchildi
sh
constantfight
sorknowi ngthati
knewshewaspr obablyi
nDubai but
fail
edtoletthepoliceknowmy
suspici
on.What everitwasitbrought
tearstomyey esaswehugged. ..
.

Me: Lorehi
ntedhewantedtol
eav
e
youinDubai andIt
houghti
tal
ked
him outofi
tbut-
Lolo:I'
m her
enowandLorepai
dwit
h
hi
sl i
fe,whatmorecani
askfor
?How
areyouf eel
i
ng?
Me: Lol
oi wasn'
tther
etosleepwit
h
Lore,ij
ustwanttomaket hatcl
ear
withyou.Iwasn'
ttheref
orthatiwent
the-
Lolo:
Di diiknowy oul
oveKenandi
knowt hekindofamanLor eis,he
l
eftmei nDubaiandmenusedme-
mineisal ongstoryandi j
ustwanted
tocheckony ouandgiveyouf ood
becauseIknowy ouarejustmewhen
i
tcomest ofamilyandfr
iends
Me:Il
ostev
ery t
hing..
.Amanwho
l
ovesmewholehear tedl
y,t
hegood
l
if
eandeveryt
hing..
..Ihavenowhere
t
ogo..
.Gaket swamokey akae?
Lolo:Wheny ouf
indthatplacetake
mewi thyoubecauseIlostagood
man, il
ostmydaughterandj ob,il
ost
every
thingandidon'
thav eaplaceto
sl
eep...
Me: Theweddingwasnextweek,i
boughtever
ythingandI'm so
ashamedbecausei nv
itati
onswer
e
out,bat
hobagont ebajang?
Lolo:Wel cometomywor l
d..
..And
don'texpectanyonet ofeelsor ryf
or
youot aat swakazero,iam al r
eady
thereandnoonecar es.Instead
gatweket shameki
lekany aloand
they'
rerightmaybeOt lheisgoi ngto
keephi m.
Me: Lol
oI'
m pregnantandidon't
thi
nkKeni sgoi
ngt ohel
pmei fhe
survi
ves.I
t'
shisbabybuthedoesn't
bel
ieveme, howam igoingtofeed
babywithoutajob?
Lolo:Thesamewayi f
edMay awhen
iwasat eenager ,youhust l
e.May a's
housedoesn' thavet enantsandi twil
l
costme4. 2tohireanel ectricianto
fi
xt hewhol ehousebuti don' thave
themoneysomay bewesl eept here
withoutelectri
cit
y.I'
m sur ewewi ll
fi
ndj obsev enwaitressi
ngi sfineas
l
ongaswegetmoney .Oncey ou'
re
ony ourfeetyou'l
lrentahouseand
buybabyt hings,I'
llsaveforf ixing
thathouseandr entittosomeone
thenmay bei canstarttry
ingt o
reki
ndlemyr el
ati
onshipwi t
hMay a.
Shedoesn' twantmeDi di
..
.(tearf
ull
y)
Shegotmol est
edandshehasHI V..
.
Howam i goingtoexplaintomy
daughterthatshegoti tbecauseof
me?

Itear
ful
lyhuggedherassher
ubbed
hereyessnif
fl
ing.
..

Thenexti
nser
tcomesat11pm
toni
ght
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
47PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 55

Atmywar
d..
..
.
LaterintheeveningAat ileshookmy
shoulderandi sl
owl yturnedaround
yawning.Isatupandl ookedathim
ashel ookedatmef eelingsorryf
or
me, i
twasal loverhisface.Icould
neverunderstandhowamancoul d
besocompassi onatelikehim andi
thi
nkitswhatmadehi m mor e
att
ractiv
e-t
hef actthathecoul dfeel
anotherperson'spain..
.

Me:
Hey
Aat
il
e:Hi
..
.Ihear
dwhathappened,
ar
eyouOK?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
.
Aati
le:
(looki
ngatmyforehead)I
heardOtlhehi
tyou,
I'
m sorr
yabout
that
Me:(
smi
l
ed)Doy
ouwantt
omakei
t
upt
ome?
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Uh-whatisi
t?Don'
t
askmetokillherwenakanao
set
senwa
Me: (l
aughed)Iwish..
.Ineedyouto
checkonKenf orme.Hei sunder
poli
cecustodyandnoonei sall
owed
toseehim.Idon'tknowwhent hey
will
takehim awaybuti wantour
stat
ement stobet hesame.
Aat
il
e:Di
dino.
..Idon'
twantt
obeon
thewr
ongsideoft
helaw.Youknow
howifeel
aboutt
hingsl
iket
his
Me: IknowandI 'm sorr
yf oraski
ng
thisbutiwoul dn'taskifitwasn't
i
mpor tant.You'retheonlyper son
whocanhel pmeher e..
.Please,i
fyou
don'thelpmehewi ll
getadeat h
sentence.I'm pregnantAat t
ieandI
don'twantmybabyt ogrowup
withoutaf ather
, pl
ease..
.Iknow
doingthiswi l
lputy ouatr i
skbut
please.
..
Aati
l
e:(smil
edlooki
ngi
nmyey
es)
You'
repregnant
?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
.
Hehuggedmeandshookmeabi t
beforehesteppedbackandsmi
l
ed
putti
nghishandsinthecoat
pockets.
..

Aati
le:
Iwasal waysafr
aidyoumi ght
havedif
ficul
tyfal
li
ngpregnant,I
'm
happythataborti
ondi
dn'taffectyou
Me:
Thanks
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ghtI
'
lldot
hisf
ort
hebaby
Me:
Thanks.
.
Aat
il
e:(
lookedathi
swri
stwat
ch)So
whatdoitel
lhi
m?(Inar
rat
edt
he
samestatementigavethepol
i
ce)So
ij
ustt
ellwhatyoujustt
oldme?
Me:
Yes.
..
Aat
il
e:El
egor
ewhatr
eal
l
yhappened?
Me:(l
aughed)Justgobef
oret
he
pol
i
ceinter
viewhim
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,Shap.
..
.Takecar
e
Me:
You'
real
i
fesav
er.
..
Aati
l
e:(t
urnedandsmil
edatme)
don'
tyouforgeti
t.
..

Il
aughedashewalkedoutand
cl
osedthedoor
..
..
AtKen'
sroom.
..
.

Minutesl
aterAati
l
eapproachedthe
room asanoffi
cersatonthechai
r
pressi
nghisphone..
.

Aat
il
e:Hi
Hi
m:(
pressi
nghi
sphone)Hel
l
o
Aati
l
e:Ineedt
ocheckt
hisguy
's
vi
tal
s
Hi
m:(
ont
hephone)v
ital
?
Aati
l
e: (
laughed)Um.
..
.Howdoi
expl
ainit-
Hi
m:(
pressi
nghi
sphone)Knock
y
our
sel
fout
..
.

Hewal kedinther oom andmade

sureheclosedt hedoort henhe
approachedthebedasKenl ai
d
asleep,hepretendedt obewor ki
ng
onhi sdri
psasKensl owlyopenedhis
eyesandsmi ledwi t
ht heoxygen
mask. .
.

Aati
le:Hi
..
.Cany out
alk?Kentshe
oxygen?(henoddedthenAatt
ie
removedthemask)Hav eyougiven
thepoli
ceastatementyet
?
Ken:
No
Aatil
e: Iwanty outolistent omev er
y
carefully,t
hisiswhatDi ditoldmet o
tel
lyou, that'
sthestat ementshe
gavet hepol i
ceandshesay syours
hastomat chhersfory out ogeta
l
essersent ence.Idi
dn' twantt odo
thi
sbutbecauseshesai dshedoesn't
wanty ourbabyt ogrowupwi thouta
fat
heri hadto.

Henarr
atedthest
atementexact
lyas
hegoti
tandKenlookedathim
sur
pri
sed..
.

Ken:
(sl
owl
y)She.
..
.Sai
dal
lthese?
Aat
il
e:Yes
Ken:
Wast
her
eal
awy
er?
Aat
il
e:No,
itwasj
ustt
het
woofus.
Why?
Ken:I
'mimpressed,
thanksf
ordoi
ng
thi
sli
tt
lebr
o
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)hecall
edmehi s
l
it
tl
ebro..
.(t
heybothlaughed)Iam a
pi
eceofshitremember?
Ken:(l
aughed)Idon'
tev
enknowwhy
you'
renotinj
ecti
ngmydripwi
tha
deadl
ydrugthat'
swhatI'
ddo
Aati
l
e:That
'
swhyi haveyoursi
ster
andyouhavenot
hing.
.(smil
edand
poi
ntedonthesi
deofhishead)Iuse
mybr
aint
othi
nknotemot
ions
Ken:Youhav
enev
erbeencheat
ed
obvi
ousl
y
Aat i
l
e: Yourbrot
herdestroyedmy
relat
ionship,mayhissoul r
estin
peace.Hemadeherbr eakmyhear t
butIt hinki
twasabl essingin
disguisebecauseimetawomani
l
ov eandshel ovesmeasi am with
mybur dens.
Ken:
Luckyyou,i
hopeI
'l
lfi
nda
womanliket
hatwheni
getrel
eased
fr
om pr
ison.
Aat
il
e:I
sn'
tthatDi
di?
Ken:
No,
ineedaf
ait
hful
woman
becauseevennowi knowI'
dkilla
womanf orcheat
ingonmesoi t
's
bestitr
ywithsomeoneelse,anyone
exceptsomeonewhohashur tme
befor
e.
Aat
il
e:Soit'
str
ueshesl
eptwi
thy
our
bi
gbrother
?
Ken:Shedi
dn'
t.
..
.(si
ghed)Idon'
t
wanttotal
kabouther
.Ihopeyou
don'
tmind
Aati
le:I'
m cool,i
wasjustmaki
nga
conversati
onbutit'
scooli
understand.Letmegetbacktowor
k
Ken:
Thanks.
..Andpl
easet
akecar
e
ofmysi
ster.
Aat
il
e:I
'
lldot
hat
..

Hewalkedoutandclosedt
hedooras
Kenputtheoxygenmaskonagai
n..
..

Atmyr
oom.
..
..

Icir
cledjobsonTheadv er
ti
serand
heardthedooropening,i
twasn't
vi
siti
nghoursoi knewitwas
probablyoneofthenursesand
conti
nuedcircl
i
ngj obsiwantedto
applyfor.
Thef ootst
epsappr oachedt hebed
andi pausedlookingatt heblack
bootswor nbyt heforcesof f
icers
goinguphi sunifor
m ashesmi l
ed
l
ookingatmeandt ookof fhishat.I
remember edhimf rom theSWAT
team, hewast heonewhot ooka
shotatKenl yi
ngont opoftheirtruck
andjumpeddowndi sarmingi t
withoutremorse...

Hi
m:Hi
Me:
Hi.
.
Hi
m:Mynamei
sTao
Hesmi ledabi tandputt heSpar
pl
asticont heshel fthenheopened
hi
shandf orahandshake.Hewas
wearingabl ackrubber ywatchwi th
si
lvercornerswhi chmadehi sv eined
handqui t
eat t
ractiveandi r
eluctantl
y
putmyl it
tlehandonhi sandhe
gentl
yshooki tlookingi nmyey es
makingmeshy .
.

Tao:
Arey oual
way
sthi
squi
etkana
wantshaba?
Me:
Youalmostki
ll
edhim anddi
dn'
t
f
eelany
thi
ngaf
tert
hatshot
Tao:
Tir
oyaf
orceecompl
i
cat
ed,
we
l
eav eourhear tsathomewhenwe
putont heuni f
orm andonl yputon
ourhear t
swhenwet akeof fthe
unif
or ms..
..
..Itakeorder swithout
questionandy ouwer emypr i
ori
ty
nothingelse.Hadi r
esistedthatshot
andheshoty oui nst
eadI 'dbe
answer i
ngf oryourdeat h.I'
m sorr
yifi
scaredy ou.
Me:Iunder
stand.
..Howcani
hel
p
you?
Tao: Ijustcametoseei fyou'
reokay
,
therewast oomuchactiongoingon
yesterdaywi t
hteargasesandgunsi
didn'
thav eenoughtimet oseeyou
upcl osebutwheni gothomeand
readthenews,igotcur
iousabout
youandsearchedyourpict
ureson
Facebook.
..
Me:
Youwer
est
alki
ngme?
Tao:(l
aughed)Iguessy
oucoul
dsay
that
Me:I
'm engagedTaoandI'
m2
monthspregnant
.I'
m notl
ooki
ngf
or
ar
elati
onship.
Tao:
Inev
ersai
diwanty
ou
Me:
Oyat
engaker
e
Tao:
(laughed)A-eemapel
e..
.So
howarey oufeel
i
ng?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne,
theyst
it
chedmyt
high
andf
orehead.
..
Tao:Icheckedy
ournumbermo
syst
emingbutit
'snotgoi
ngthr
ough,
whatnumberareyouusing?
Me:Ilostmyphonedur
ing
yest
erday'
sdr
amaticev
ents

Hetookouthisphoneand
deact
ivat
edthesecur
it
ylockst
hen
hehandeditover
..
.

Tao:Usemi
nef
ornow.Ar
en'
tyou
bored?
Me:
I'
m bor
edbutno
Tao:Whynot?(
Ikeptquiet)youdon'
t
evenhaveaTVhere,don'tyouneed
total
ktoany
one?Wecangety oua
goodphonewhenyougetdi schar
ged
Me: Idon'tneedtocal
lanyone,
thankst houghbesi
desI'
m gett
ing
dischargedtomorrowso..
.

Heputitbackint
hepocketand
l
ookedatmeasi si
ghedandlai
d
downthenhegent l
ypul
ledupmy
sheet
sfixi
ngthem..

Tao:
Feel
bet
terokay
Me:
Thanks
Tao:
Bye.
..

Hewal
kedawayandt
urnedar
oundat
t
hedoorl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Tao:You'
rebeaut
if
ul,
doy
ouknow
that
?
Me:Kentell
smethatev
eryt
ime.
..I
guessheisri
ght
Tao:Let'
shopehedoesn'
tgetl
ocked
upforlong
Me:
Hewon'
t.
.
Tao:AndI'
m sor
ryf
ort
hatshot
,it
wasn'tper
sonal
.
Me: Iunder
stand,
youwer
ejustdoi
ng
yourjob.
Tao:
Bye

Hewal kedoutandcl osedthedoor

thenisighedinrel
iefwi t
halit
tl
e
smile,
thepleasureofr ej
ect
inga
goodlookingman. .
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor
ningIwalkedoutofthe
hospi
tal
asLol
ocarri
edmypl ast
ic
andhandedmethekeys..
Me:
Noy
oudr
ive,
I'
m notf
eel
i
ngwel
l
...

Wegotinthecaranddrov
etoBaby '
s
housewhereLol
oparkedbythe
emptypool
,westeppedoutl
ooking
upatthebi
ghouse...

Me: Shi
t,t
hishousei
sgoi
ngtobe
scaryatnight
..
.Ahouset
hisbi
g
withoutpowerwena?
Lol
o:Ijusthopeidon'
tget
ni
ghtmar esaboutahaunt
edhouse
andstaffli
kethat
Me:Bythewaykehakebat
iwake
hunkyaleSWAT
Lol
o:(
laughed)Ul
ala
Me:(l
aughed)Ny aather
eisnoulala
keganne,heisfi
nebuti needabreak
gapemonnay olewaahul aasena
l
ehaeleletswal
o, y
olekepaper2y a
gaKennot hanks.
Lolo:I
fit'
stheonewhowasshoot i
ng
l
y i
ngont opofthei
rtruckhemeans
businessthemmay olegasewabana,
hasenagohul ahalekanakearotha
kogodi mogakoloiakgaonyamalaa
thobololi
keit
'snot
hing
Me:
Ijustwantt
ofocusonmybaby
gi
rl.
..
(r
ubbingmyt ummy )Ihav
eto
fi
ndaj obASAP...Idon'tknowwhen
Kenwi l
lgetoutofprisonandheis
angrywithmesoI 'm onmyown,
si
ngleparenti
ng.
Lol
o:Youcandoit..
.Howl
ongdoy
ou
thi
nkhewil
ltake?
Me:Idon'tknow,itdependson
whethertheythi
nkit'
sselfdefenseor
murderandasf ordrugsgonei don'
t
knoweitherbutihopeGodt akes
cont
rol.
..
Lol
o:Let
'
shopeso.
..Comeonl
et'
s
go.
..
Wewalkedint
hehouseandcl
osed
t
hedoor.
..

2MONTHSLATER.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
47PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 56

Att
hecour
t.
..

TherewassilenceasKensati nt he
dockli
steni
ngt oprosecuti
oninaf ull
cour
troom ofhisfami l
yandf r
iends
wit
haf ewmedi arepresentat
ives..
.

Procecutor
:(fi
xedhistie)Your
Wor shi
pmayi presentcourtthe
accused'sphonerecordsinwhi chwe
foundsomeconsi stentconversion
betweenhi m andt helatesuspects
whichl eadsust obelievehei s
actuall
yt helead.MyLor dt hese
conversat i
onst alkaboutt hedropoff
andev enway stoel udet hepoli
ce
andMrDani el hereist heonegi v
ing
thefinalwor dclear l
yshowi ngthathe
i
st hedr uglord.
Magi
str
ate:
Mayi
hav
eal
ook?

Thecour
troom off
icergotthephone
recor
dsf
rom t
hepr osecutorand
handedt
hem t
ot heMagi str
ate.
.

Magi
str
ate:
Goon.
..
Prosecut or:Thetruckthatwasused
tocrosst heboar derwitht hedr ugs
belongst ot hedefendantandso
doest hewhol ecompanyi tself
.We
gotthedef endant'
sbankr ecordsand
Ken'sMot or'
sgotadeposi tofat
l
eastt ent housandsev eral daysand
onweekl ybasi sconsistentwi t
hhis
Air
por tcheck- i
nsshowi ngeacht i
me
hecamebackhedeposi t
edt he
moneyi nt ot hecompany '
sbank
account sy etthether
ei snopr oofof
anycar sbei ngsold.Ken'sMot or'
s
haveonl ysol dabout8car sdur i
ng
thetimei nquest i
onandt her estof
themoneycannotbeaccount edfor
.
Theproceedi
ngswentonf
orawhi
l
e
astheexhibi
tpi
l
ed.
..

Prosecut
ion:YourWor shi
pmayi now
call
thestate'
switnesstothest
and?
Magi
str
ate:
Grant
ed.
..

Ken'
sMot
or'
ssecur
it
yguar
dwalked
i
nasasKenshookhi
shead.
..
.

Thecourtpr
oceedi
ngscar
ri
edon
until
themagi
str
atecal
l
edfor
recess.
..
.
*
**

Aft
errecessthedefendant'
slawyer
,
NonofoWel l
i
osl owlyst
oodup
conf
identl
yfixi
ngherblazerand
cl
earedherthroat.
..

Nonofo:Yourwor shipmyclientdoes
notdenyhi sknowl edgeofthe
off
encebr oughtfor war
d.Kenna
Danieli
sal egit
imat ecardealerwho
hi
redhisbigbr othertoassisthim.He
i
sgui l
tyofknowi ngaboutthedr ugs
andkeepingt hi
sasecr etbutmy
cli
enti snotadr ugdeal erandno
wher eint heevidencepr esentedby
thepr osecutiondoi seeany t
hingt hat
say shei stheonewhocameupwi th
theidea.Thedr ugst hatwer e
conf i
scat edwer einpossessi onof
thedeceased, hishospi talrepor there
showst racesoft hedr ugsonhi s
bloodandmycl ientont heotherhand
i
sascl eanast heyget .Not hi
ngt i
es
himt ot hedrugsexceptwi tnesses
whom st atement sarequest i
onabl e
andnot hingbutci r
cumst anti
al
evidence.Mayi alsonot ethatt hereis
nopr oofbey ondr easonabl edoubt
thatthosedeposi tsarear esultoft he
drugdeal ing,mycl i
entwassav i
ng,
gettingmoneyf r
om f amil
yand
fr
iendst oki ckstartanewpr oj
ect.I
am f ai
li
ngt ounder st
andhowmy
cl
ientist heonedeal ingdrugshere
whenhewasn' tcaughtwithany
drugs.Thest at
eshoul dnottrytopin
al
l thechar gesont hesecond
accusedbecauset hefi
rstaccusedis
nomor e.MyLor dmayi callmyfir
st
witnesst ot hestand?

Lol
owalkedinandt
ookanoat
hthen
shesatdown.
..
.
Nonof
o:Howar
eyour
elat
edt
oLor
e?
Lol
o:Hewasmyboy
fri
end
Nonofo:
Doy ourecal
lwhathappened
ontheaft
ernoonof(dat
edstated)
?

Lol
onarratedherv
isi
ttoLor
e'shouse
andever
y t
hinghetol
dherabout
sel
li
ngdrugs..
.

Nonofo:Thankyou,t
ell
meabout
yourt
riptoDubai?

Lol
o:Wehadanargumentandit
old
hi
mi wasgoi
ngt
or epor
thi
m wheni
gothomei nBotswanat hat'
swhenhe
soldmet othecabdriverandi wasn't
awareatthetimebecauset heywere
speakingArabi
c.Ispent7weeks
beingusedasapr osti
tuteunt i
liwas
rescuedbytheArabicpolice,ididn'
t
havemyi denti
fi
cati
onsbutt hey
managedt ogetmyr ecordsandi was
senthome.Thepol i
cequest ionedme
andi t
oldthem ever
ythi
ng.
Nonof o:Yourworshipthewitnes'
s
travel
li
ngdocument swer ealsofound
i
nt hedeceased'spossession
togetherwiththedrugsandi am here
againbaf f
ledbythestate'
sinabil
it
y
touset heseasev i
dence.
Thel
ongexhaust
ingt
ri
alpr
oceeded.
..
.

Nonofo:
Yourworshipmayical
lmy
secondwit
nesst
ot hest
and?

Out
sidet
hecour
troom.
..

Meanwhi lemyhear tpoundedasi

waitedmyt urnthenthepoli
ceoff
icer
call
edmei n,thecourtwasfull
and
sil
ent.
..
.Itwasmyf ir
stti
mei nacourt
room andi tlookedexactl
yli
kethe
onesonTVwi ththemagistr
ateon
hi
sblackgown, thepoli
ceoff
icer
s
andt
heot hercourtstaf
fwit
h
computer
sj ustbefor
ethe
magi
strat
es.

Icoul
dhearmyhear
tbeat
ingasi
tookt
hestandandt
ookanoathwi
th
ashakyvoi
ce.
..
.

Thehat r
edonKen' sfamilywasn't
hardtoseeandi tmademepani c
evenmor e,ihadn'
tseenanyoft hem
sincetheinci
dentandi didn'
tbother
toattendLore'
sburialbecauseiknew
I'
dbeat t
acked..
..
Ken'slawy erwasonehel lofa
womanandt heconfidenceinher
voicewasl ikear epresentat
ionfor
theent i
rewomenr ace.Shewas
cleanandsmar t
,herv oi
ceandwor ds
wer einti
midat i
ng..
.Anal phafemale
camet omi ndasi lookedather
holdingapi eceofpapergi vi
ngmea
mi nutetobr eathbeforeshecould
quest i
onme. .
..

Nonof
o:Cany out
akemebackt
o
whatt
ranspi
redonthe(
dat
edst
ated)
Me:
Iwentt
oLor
e'shousewi
tht
he
i
ntenti
ontoconfronthi
m about
l
eavingLoloinDubaiandhestarted
gett
ingangry,myfi
ancésoonarrived
andweaskedhi m morequesti
ons,
hewasget t
ingir
rati
onalandi
rri
tated
that
'swhenhepunchedmyf i
ancé
and-

Al
mostanhour spassedast
het
ri
al
pr
oceeded.
..
..

Magist
rat
e:(
concl
uded)andthet
rial
shal
lcommenceonthe(datedst
ated)

Hecl
osedt
hef
il
esandputonhi
s
gl
asses.
..

Of
fi
cer
:(t
othecour
t)Al
lri
se.
..
..

Thewholecourtroom stoodast he
magistr
atewalkedout,t
hejailguards
escort
edKenbackt otheholding
cel
lsasevery
onewal kedout..
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Otl
heparkedAatil
e'scarandstepped
outofthehousewi t
hherhandbag
andpregnancycard,shewalked
acr
ossthehousereadi
ngt
hecar
d
andsatonthebed.
..

Hermothercal
l
edasshel
ooked
t
hroughthewardr
obef
orhergown.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?
Her:Wejustcamebackf rom the
court
,wait
seI'
m gett
ingtiredoft hi
s..
.
Iwantthem t
ofini
shthisdr ugcase
sowecanhearaboutt hemur der
case.Kencan'
tbeinprisonf orthis
l
ong
Ot
lhe:They
'r
est
il
lref
usi
ngt
ogr
ant
hi
m bail
?
Her:Theyhavehim acashbailof35K
wit
ht wosureti
espaying10Keach
meanwhiletheyknowt heyf
rozeall
hi
sbankaccount sthesepeoplear
e
ri
dicul
ous,wherewill
wegetsuch
amountofmoney ?
Otlhe:Allthisisthatwi t
chLol o'sfaul
t,
haneakgot semadi agaLor enkabo
amot hadi l
ehel aandt hiswoman
runsaftermoney .Nowshet hi
nkswe
arestupidpr etendingtohel pKenso
theytheycanmi l
kmor emoneyf rom
him.LeeneDi dishedoesn' tmov e
mewi thherl iest osaveKen, i
know
shewant smoneybecauseKen' s
mot or
si sn'tallowedtot radey et,
she
i
sbrokesoobataKenat
swe.I
'
ll
nev
erfor
giv
ethesewi
ckedwomen.
Never

Shecont inuedt alkingtohermot her

andl andedonAat il
e'
sf i
l
e,she
grabbedi tandsatont hebedpaging
throughunt ilshel andedonBaby 's
adopt i
onpaper sthenshef rowned
andsatpr operly.
..

Ot
lhe:
Mamaket
agol
l
etsaaut
wa

Shehungupandtookthem outt
hen
sher
eadinshock,
shegrabbedher
phoneanddi
aledAat
il
e..
..

Aat
il
e:Babe
Ot
lhe:Hey.
..Kant
eisBabyy
our
bi
ologi
cal
child?
Aat
il
e:No,
iadopt
edher
Otl
he:Uhubutwhydi dn'
tyoutel
lme
sheisnotyourdaughter
?Kananna
all
alongntsekar
ekengwanawa
gagosoy ouwereadoptingherpr
ior
tothewedding?
Aati
le:
Yesbutbabeshei smy
daughteraker
eiadoptedherandi
t
hasnothingtodowiththeweddi
ng.I
di
dn'tmar r
yhermotherbutshei
s
l
egall
ymi neandi musttakecareof
herorelsekeisi
wacour tforchi
ld
maintenanceasifsheismybl ood.
Otl
he: IunderstandbutLolocan'
t
l
eav eyouwi thherdaughterkanai
t'
s
dif
ferent,sheistaki
ngadv ant
ageof
you
Aatil
e:Lol
owant sBabybutt henwe
bothdecidedthatBabyshoul d
choosewher eshewant stostay,she
deservesitbecauseshehasbeen
thr
oughsomuch.Wemadet hat
decisi
onlookingatwhat '
sbestfor
Babynotr onatheparents,i
tpains
Lolobutshemadet hatdeci
sionfor
Baby ,
besi
desshei ssti
llput
ti
ng
her
sel
ftoget
herandwedon'twant
MayaandBabytosepar
ate.
Otlhe:
Ehe,ntsekesai
tsegor
eBaby
gasengwanawagagogobuannet e,i
thoughtLol
oi sy
ourbabymama.
..
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)BabeBabyMay
ais
mydaughterKantewareng?
Otl
he:(
laughed)t
heol
destenei
s
yourbl
oodkana?
Aat i
le:Sheismybl ood,hermot heri
s
from Jwanengwemetwheni was
wor kinginGaboronebef or
ei coming
towor khomebutwel ongstopped
talki
ngwheni wonMay a'
scust ody
yearsago.
Otl
he:
Ok,Iunder
stand.
..Letme
cl
eanupandcook.
Aati
le:Bythewaymyfathert
oldme
yourfamil
ygavehi
m alett
erabout
thepregnancy
Otl
he:(
laughed)y
es.
..Don'
tdenyt
he
baby
Aatil
e:(l
aughed)I'
m wai
ti
ngforthat
boywi t
hopenar ms.Isweari
fyou
gi
v emeaboychi ldI'
l
lworshi
pthe
groundy ouwalkon
Ot
lhe:
Scansar
eit
'saboyaker
e
Aati
l
e:Iknowbutit'
stooearl
yandhi
s
nameisGiovanni
kegobol el
etse
aker
e?
Otl
he:(
smil
ed)Yes.
..Youal
way
ssay
t
hat.
..
.Il
oveit
,kennammagweMaya
l
eGiovanni
Aati
le:
(laughed)Al
ri
ghtl
etmeget
backtowor k.
..

Shehungupsmi
l
ingandputaway
thef
il
e..
.

*
**

Lateronthegir
lsr
aninthehouse
withthei
rcool
erboxandputthem on
thecounter
..
.
May
a:Todayy
oudi
dn'
tcook?
Otl
he:Ij
ustcamefr
om t
hecli
nic,
the
babyandiwentf
oracheckup
Baby:Ican'
twai
ttohav
eal
i
ttl
e
brot
her
Otl
he:whenarey
ougoi
ngt
ovi
sit
yourmother
?
Baby:ican'
tgot
hisweekend
becausesheandauntDidiar
esell
ing
somethingataf
ami l
yfundaybut
daddysaidhemightdropusther
e
Otl
he:Ok..
.Comedothesedi
shes
andcall
mewheny ouaredone
Baby
:It
sMay
a'st
urn
Maya:Ohyeah,
letmegochanget
he
uni
for
m andcomedothem
Ot
lhe:ButI
'
m aski
ngyoutodothe
di
shesBaby,comeanddothem..
.
Baby
:No,
itsMay
a'st
urn
Maya:Youmixedt
het
imei
t'
smyt
urn,
I
'l
lwashthem

Theyr
anoutandchangedthe
uni
for
m,Mayamadet wobowl of
cer
eal
sandgaveherli
tt
lesi
ster.
..

May
a:I
'
lleatmi
newhenIf
ini
sht
he
di
shes
Baby
:Al
ri
ght
y..
.

Shej
oinedOtlheint
heki
tchenand
di
dthedishes..
.

Otl
he:Babyisnotyourr
eal
sist
erdo
youknowthat?Sheisnoty
our
fat
her'
sdaughter
Maya: Yeah,
iknowshewasadopted.
It
scool ri
ght
?Myt eacher
ssaywe
evenlookali
ke,il
oveitwhent
heysay
that
Ot
lhe:
Ok
Shewal kedoutandpassedbyt he
couchwher eBabywaseat ing
watchingTVt hensheshookherhead
andwentt othebedroom wher eshe
staredatBaby'sARVmedi cine
thoughtful
lyt
henshegr abbedthe
containerandwenttothesink..
.

AtMaunpr
ison.
..
..
.

Lat
ert
hataf t
ernooniwait
edasKen
wal
kedov erandsatsatdownl
ooki
ng
i
nmyey es..
.
Ken:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Me:
Ijustwant
edt
oseey
ou
Ken:
Why
?
Me:
Imissyou,iwi
shy ouwerewi
th
meoutt
here.Thebabystar
ted
movi
ng.
..
Ken:It
snotmybabysowhatar eyou
tel
li
ngmef or?Whydoyoueven
comeher e?Togetmyhopesupand
fuckothermenwhil
eI'
minprison?
Me:
Iwi
l
lnotsl
eepwi
thany
one
Ken:Youcoul
dn'
tbef ait
hfulwheni
wasoutther
egivi
ngy oumoneyand
fucki
ngyouever
ynight,itsti
l
lwasn'
t
enough.Whatmakesy out hi
nkyou
canbef aithfultomewhenI '
m not
givingy ouany thingandl ockedupi n
here?I '
m goi ngt obechar gedf or
deal i
ngdr ugsandf orthatI 'llget
year sinher e,ifyourst atementabout
mur dersav esmyassi sti
ll have
almost10y earsf ort hedr ugs.You' re
notcapabl eofst ayingf aithf ulfora
threemont hs, 10y ear swi l
l toomuch.
Gof i
ndamanandmov eonwi thyour
l
ife, f
indsomeonewhowi lllov eyour
childbecausei won' tli
et oy ou,i
won' tloveLor e'sbaby ,nev ersowe
can'tbet oget her.Mov eonwi thyour
l
ifeandst opv isi
tingme. ..You' re
maki ngi thardf ormet omov eon...
Hestoodupandwal
kedawayt
heni
wal
kedout.

*
**

Atthegat
eisignedoutandt
heguard
handedmemyt hingst
heniwalked
towardst
hecarasmyphoner ang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:High,i
tsme..
.Myfiancéandi
j
ustfi
nishedtal
ki
ng,canweseey ou?
Me:
Yesma'
am,
I'
ll
behomei
n20
mi
nut
es
Voi
ce:
Bye

Igoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

AtLol
o'
shouse.
..
.

Lateroni
shookhandswit
hacoupl
e
thathadj
ustboughtmyweddi
ng
gownanddecosl ot
..
.

Me:
thanky
ousomuch
Her
:You'
rewel
come
Hi
m:t
hanks

Theydroveawayandr aniinsi
det
he
householdi
ngtheFNBmessagehi gh
asLolocl
eanedtheice-cr
eam
machine.
..

Lolo:(
annoyed)Howt hehel
lar
ewe
goingtosel
licecream i
fwedon't
knowhowt hisstupi
dmachineworks
Me: Isol
dt hegownandt heypai
dme
fort
hedecosot heycangetthe
packagei hadpaidfor
..
.
Lol
o:What
?Decowashowmuch?
Me:Itwas18Kandt heypai
dme
16K,i
hadtolowerthepri
cesothey
canagreethedecocompanyagreed
topushtheti
met othei
rdat
e.I'
m so
happy,t
hegownwas4. 8so..
.

Lol
oscreamedandhuggedmeaswe
cel
ebr
ated.
..

Me: Youcanhiretheelect
ri
cianso
youcanputt hetenant
sandI '
llgi
ve
you3mont hsrentwhileyou'
re
hustli
ng.
..(
smiledandsnappingmy
fi
ngers)minababeskebat aahouse
torentli
kenownowandt heni have
t
obuybabyt
hings
Lol
o:Il
ovey
our
ightnow

Wehuggedandclosedt
heice-
cream
machi
nethenwegotinthej
eepand
dr
oveoffl
ist
eni
ngtomusic.
..
.

Me:Wahambanati
,ohwahamba
nat
i,wahambanat
i.
..
.Si
yabonga
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Youdon'tknowhow
tosi
ng..
.Li
stentothi
s..
.

Shesangal
ongandij
oinedherwi
th
thewrongt
oneaswelaughedand
sangl
oudl
y.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

LaterthateveningMayaandBabyate
thei
rf oodwatchingcar
toonst
henthe
TVal arm buzzed.
.

May
a:Ti
mef
ory
oumeds!

Babyputherpl at
edownandr anto
herfather
'sbedroom whereshe
steppedont hechai
randreachedfor
hermedsbutOt l
hewalkedinand
gr
abbedi
tforher
..

Ot
lhe:
Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat
..
.

Shepour edtheusualamountandf ed
herwi t
hasmi lethenBabyinnocent
ly
ranoutswal l
owingandj oi
nedherbig
sisteronthecouchast heywatched
tv..
.

Baby:(
conti
nuedeati
ng)This
medici
netastedi
ff
erent
,it
'snot
sweet.
..
May
a:May
bei
t'
sbecausey
ouat
e
f
ood.
.
Baby
:(eat
ing)May
be.
..

Theychangedt
hechannel
andl
eaned
backwatchi
ng.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
47PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴57

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

LaterthateveningAtiewalkedi nand
tookof fhi
sshirtwalki
ngacr osst he
l
ivingroom, heopenedt hechildren'
s
room andf l
ickedthelight
s.They
wer epeacefull
ysleepi
ngt henhe
swi t
cheditoffandwal kedintheir
bedroom wher eOt l
hewassl eeping..
.
Hetookashowerandgr abbedhis
foodt
henhesatont heedgeofthe
bedandkissedheronthecheekas
shesl
owlyopenedherey esand
smil
ed.
.

Ot
lhe:
Hey
..
..
Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.Howwasy
ourday
?
Ot
lhe:
itwasgr
eat

Shesl
owlygotupandmassagedhi
s
shoul
der
sasheatehisf
ood..
.

Ot
lhe:
Babedon'
tyout
hinki
tsbest
y
ougi
veLol
oherdaught
er?

Hepausedeati
ngandputthef
oodon
t
heheadboardthenhetur
nedand
l
ookedatherangri
l
y..
.

Aatil
e:Whathasgot
teni
ntoyou
today?What'
swrongwit
hyou?

Shefearf
ull
ymovedbackand
grabbedapil
lowl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Aat
il
e:Doyouhav
eapr
obl
em wi
th
mydaught
er?
Ot
lhe:
No.
..I
'
mjust
Aati
le:Justwhat
?Soy out hi
nkshe
i
sn'tmydaughterjustbecausei
adoptedher?
Ot
lhe:
Iwasj
ustaski
ng
Aat i
l
e: Ifyouhav eapr oblem wi thmy
kidsletmeknownowsoi canmake
af ewt hingscl earfory ou.Theonl y
reasonI '
mt hiscloset oy oui s
becauset hosel it
tl
egi r
lsl ov eyou,i
don'tjustpickawomani pi cktheone
thatlov esmyki dsandi fherl ovefor
myki dsr educessodoesmi neforher
,
i
t'sjustl i
ket hat.Iheardt hatr emark
youmadeaboutbei ngMay aand
Gi
o'
smot
herr
uli
ngBabyout
..
.
Otlhe:(tearful
l
y)Stopget ti
ngangryat
meI 'm sorry,I
'm notthatkindofa
personI '
mj usthav i
ngadi f
f i
cul
tti
me
getti
ngov erwhatLolodi dtomy
brother
Aati
le: Yourbrothersoldhert ot he
Arabianswhatcanbewor set han
that
?Asf orKenbei ngi njai
l i
shi s
faul
tf ordoingdrugsandI 'm gladhe
outofev eryoneiny ourfami lyadmi t
s
hiswr ongsanddoesn' tshiftthe
blame.Lol odidn'tdoany thingt oyour
brothersandi fyour eall
yhat eLolo
theni shouldstartquest i
oningi fmy
daught eri
ssaf ewi t
hy oubecauseo
t
il
egomoi
l
a
Ot
lhe:
Shei
ssaf
e,pl
easel
eti
tgo
Aat i
le:Otl
hennakanahagoka
diragalagoreot shweny eoneoft he
kidsev enafteroursoni sbornI '
m
goingt oleavey ou.Ihav ebeenhur t
wayt oodeept ol etmy sel
fgodown
thatr oadsot rustmewheni sayit
won' tbehardt owal kawaybecause
i
t'ssomet hingI '
m expect i
ngto
happenandi hav epreparedmyhear t
enoughbynotal lowingmy selfgo
ratamosadi gabomat amoel eng
gor ehaagout usabot hokowal el
a,
nnat histi
mear oundgakel leleope,
kegokobahel aandmov eon.
Ot
lhe:Don'tt
alkl
i
ket
hat,
I'
m sor
ry
pl
ease..
.f
orgi
veme,I
'
m sorr
y
Aati
le:Ihopeiwon'tgetany
complaintsf
rom Babybecausei
fshe
doesyoumi ghthavetostopvi
sit
ing
meandmay bewecanmeetont he
str
eetorrestaur
antssomewherefar
fr
om them.
Otl
he:Aati
lebat
hongker
il
esor
ry.
..
I
'm sor
ry.
..

Heangr
il
ygrabbedhi
spl
ateand
wal
kedout.
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..
..
Iputupthecurt
ainsandmoppedthe
newhouselist
eningtomusicinmy
phone,Lol
ocall
edandi paused
moppingandanswered..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lolo:Heyy ou,ispoket
othe
electr
icianheisfixi
ngt
hehouse
tomor rowsoi t
hinknnaketaabat
aa
smal lroom t
orenttomorr
ow
mor ni
ng.
Me:
Ohgood,
I'
m al
readycl
eani
ng.
Lol
o:okgoodni
ght
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandputitdownthenitr
ang
agai
n,Ipi
ckedwi
thoutlooki
ng.
.

Me:
Yeah
Voi
ce:
Hi.
.
Me:
Whoi
sthi
s?
Voi
ce:Tao.
..Wemetacoupl
eof
monthsagoatth-
Me:
TheSWATguy
,whatdoy
ouwant
?
Tao:
(laughed)I
'
m checki
ngony
ou
Me:Taoidon'
twantamanwhokill
s
peopl
eforali
vi
ng,
Idon'
tneeddr
ama
i
nmyl i
feandI
'
m notr
eadyt
obe
ki
l
ledbyaman
Tao: (laughed)Elegor et abeodi ra
engseset aadi r
anggor ekegobol ae?
Andi t'snotlikeeachmor ningwego
shootpeopl e,weareasquadt hat
onlyget scal l
edtov iol
entar med
criminalswhom i t'
sbel ievedt he
policecannothandl et hat'swhyy ou'l
l
nev ermeetaSWATont hest r
eet,
uniform eoy ot
hey adi helmetkanadi
ox ygenmaskkey acombatandi t
s
veryr aregor eoreboner eat t
ender
mot ho, rebil
etswagosol ver
dikebekwat sedipaletsengmasol e
Me:
IthoughtmaSSGar
efort
hat
Tao:Haobonahelababeel
akwama
SSGabogobi t
swaSWAToi t
segor
e
goseri
ousny
ana.
Me: Exact l
ymypoi nt,
meaningy ou'
re
extr
av i
ol entbecauseall
myl if
ei
beenaf raidofSSGt hi
nki
ngt hey'
re
thewor stspecialfor
cesdiv
ision
Tao:Wear etrainedtodeal wit
h
vi
olentcri
minalsDidi youwouldn'
t
underst
andbecauset hefir
stti
me
yousawmei shotsomeoneandi
underst
andhowscar yi tmustbebut
comeoni di
dn'tkil
ltheguy,thebul
let
j
ustpassedt hrough
Me:
Idon'
twanty
oui
bil
ennawa
nt
shosahel
a
Tao:
ijustwantt
obey
ourf
ri
end
Me:
No
Tao:
(laughed)Di
diwee?
Me:Oskampi
tsat
her
rapl
easedr
opa
ony
elele
Tao:
Howi
sthebaby
?
Me:
It'
sfi
ne
Tao:Iwantt
ogowi
thy
out
othenext
appoint
ment
Me:Shehtherrawenagakenagogo
dumelawena,kanayouwanttouse
metoinvest
igateKen?
Tao:
(laughed)You'
reacr
imi
nal
'
sex
gir
lf
riendt otakorey ou' r
eal way son
guardanddon' ttrustany onebecause
yout hi
nkt hey'r
eoutt ogety ou,nna
keagoi thatelamot howamodi mo,
whent hatKenguyst eppedoutoft he
buil
dingy oumygunbi nocular swere
ony ourfacekeadmi rery ourf ace
andwhenIai medathi m keneel wadi
orderstof ir
ei knewi didn'twantt o
missmyshotbecausei didn'twant
himt ohur tyou.Somet hingt oldme
you'r
emywi f
e.
Me:
(laughed)Bar
ewi
fe,
boyby
e

Ihungup.
.
AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngamov ingtruck
drovethroughthegateandpar ked
nexttoagr oupofmendr inkingbeer
underthetreethenLolojumped
downandwal kedinhermot her'
s
house,hermot hergothermadi l
a
fr
om thef r
idgeandsatont hecouch
watchingTV...

Her:Hel
lo.
..You'
reher
etogety
our
t
hings?
Lol
o:Yes
Her:
I'
ll
takeoutmyf
ood.
..Howar
e
you?
Lol
o:I
'
mfi
ne.
..

Shequietl
ywat chedhermot her
taki
ngoutherlittl
efoodfrom the
fri
dgeandputi tintheboxthenshe
call
edthetruckboy swholoaded
everyt
hingunti
l hermother'
shouse
wasempt y.
..

Lol
ograbbedthebroom t
osweepthe
dust
..
.Don'
tkeepthetr
uckwait
ing
Her
:Don'
twor
ry,
I'
ll
sweept
hat
..
.
Lol
o:Ok

Shewalkedoutfeel
ingguil
tyt
henshe
wenttothedr
iver'
ssideandspoketo
thedr
iver
..
.

Lolo:
Canyoutel
lthem toputt
hem
backint
hehouse?I'
llpayyout
he
mov i
ngf
eebutidon'twanttot
ake
them
Dr
iver
:Nopr
obl
em.
..

Loloswepthermot
her
'shouseand
theboysunl
oadedt
hem assheher
mot
herst
oodatt
hedoorconf
used.
..

Her
:Di
aboa?
Lolo:Yourhouseistooempty
besidesyouwerealreadyusi
ngthem
andy ou'
reusedtowat chi
ngTV,the
nei
ghbour swil
ll
aughaty oui
fthey
comeher eandfindthatyoudon'
t
haveany t
hingagai
n
Her
:AoLolot
akey
ourt
hings,
iknew
t
hey'
renotmi
ne
Lolo:
I'
m givi
ngthem t
oy ou,I
'
llpay
thebalanceandbuymy sel
f
householdswhenifi
ndaj ob.
Her
:Thanky
ousomuch,
(smi
l
ed)Do
yourememberpr
omisingmeaTV
whenyouwereyoung?(t
heybot
h
l
aughed)Thanky
ou..
Lol
o:You'
rewel
come.
..
Her
:Hav
easeat
..
.

Theysatont
hecouchashermot
her
l
ookedather
..
..

Her:Iam notov erwhathappenedt o

Mayabecausei tsmyf ault
,ishould
haveneverleftherandapologising
won'tchangeany thi
ngbutI'm sorry
forwhatididtoy ourdaughter
, ihave
beenafrai
dt otouchthattopic
becauseiknowitwil
lscr
atcht
he
scarsbutI
'm sor
ry.
Lolo:(
smil
edtear
full
y)Anapologyis
all
i ev
erwant
ed,thankyou.
..Ifor
giv
e
you
Her:
I'mreall
ysor
ry..
..I
sMay
ast
il
l
st
ayingwithherf
ather?
Lol
o:Yesandhi
sdaught
erdoesn'
t
l
ikeme
Her:Chi l
drenareinnocent..
.Lookat
howy oueasi l
yforgaveme. .
.t
hatli
tt
le
girl
canf or
giveyoui fyouapologi
se.
Everyy ounghasi nnocence...
What evermadey ouf eelbadfor
taki
ngy ourthi
ngsandmadey ou
forgivemei sthesamet hingt hatwi l
l
makeherf orgi
v eyou..
.(smi led)I'm
wher ei am becausei hadt oomuch
prideasay oungwoman. ..Don' tbe
me. .
.Ify ousti
llwantAatilebacky ou
canhav ehim..
.Youj usthav et o
thi
nk...Awayt oaman' shear tisno
l
ongerhi sstomachbecauset hereare
restaurantsnowsoasky our selfwhat
yourmanr eall
yloves,what 'st hatone
thi
ngcl osetohishear tthenuset hat
togety ourmanandbui l
dy ourf ami l
y.
Weal l makemi stakes,don'tbe
ashamedt ocor r
ectyoursel f
..
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Lol
osmi
l
edandhuggedhermot
her
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
shouse.
..
.

OnthesamemorningAat i
l
egrabbed
aspadeandcutt
hegr assbehi
ndthe
housewhi
let
hechildr
encleanedthe
housei
nsi
de.

Otl
hesl owl
ygotupandy awned
str
etchingherselft
hensheputonher
gownandpausedl ooki
ngatBaby '
s
meds, sheswallowedregret
tabl
yand
satont hebedthenBabywal kedin
holdi
ngat rayofbreakf
ast..
..
Baby:
Goodmor ning.
..Mayaandi
madey oubreakfastbecauseyou
cookallweekandwewantt ogiv
e
youabr eak.

Shesmi l
edguil
tstr
ickenandgotthe
tr
aythenBabycrawledont hebed
andsatnexttohersmi l
ing,Maya
walkedinandjoi
nedt hem onthebed
asOt l
hestar
tedeati
ng...

Baby
:Doy
oul
i
kei
t?
May
a:Wecanbr
ingt
hesal
t
Shegotemot i
onall
ooki
ngattheir
i
nnocentfacesandwell
edupthena
qui
cktearrandownhercheek..
.

May
a:Ar
eyouokay
?
Baby
:Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Sheputtheplat
edownandcovered
herfacecr
yingthent
hegi
rl
srushed
outtothei
rfat
herashecl
eanedthe
yar
d..

May
a:Daddyaunti
scr
ying!
Baby:Hur
ryupmay
bet
hebabyi
s
hurt
ingi
nsi
de

Aat
il
edroppedthespadeandwalked
i
nthehousedusti
nghishands.
..
.

Aati
le:I
t'
sokayguy
s,got
othe
ki
tchen.
..

Hecl
osedthedoorandst
oodt
her
e
l
ooki
ngather.
..

Aat
il
e:I
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Ot
lhe:
I'
mfi
ne.
..I
'
mjust
..
..
..I
'
llbef
ine
Aatil
e:Doyout
hinkmaybeyou
shouldgohomebewi t
hyourmom
foracoupl
eofdays,maybethat
'l
l
helpwitht
hehormonesorsomething
Ot
lhe:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
.

Hisphonerangont heheadboard
thensheglancedatthescreenand
handedit
..

Aat
il
e:Hi
Lol
o:Hey.
..Cani
seetheki
ds?Iwant
tot
alkt
oMay aaboutt
hatl
i
ttl
eissue
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
ltal
ktoy
ou
Lol
o:Don'
ttel
lhershei
scomingt
o
seeme,ij
ustwanttoambushher
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Ev
ilwoman!
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iknow
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Seey
ou

Hehungupandputt
hephonei
nhi
s
pocket
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Arey
ouseei
ngher
?
Aati
le:
Don'tdothat,don'
taccuseme
ofsomethi
ngI '
m notdoing.Iknow
i
t'
shardtobelievebutthereareguys
whodon'tcheat.
Hewal
kedoutt
henshedi
aledLol
o..
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Ot
lhe:
Stayawayf
rom myman
Lol
o:whoi
smyman?
Otl
he:Stayawayf rom us,
your anof
f
withanothermanandabandoned
yourchi
ld, i
pickedupthepiecesof
whatyoubr okeandmendedi t
.i
won'tl
ety oudestroymyfamily.
Lol
o:Tal
ktoyourmanandl
eaveme
al
onelegonedel
etemynumber,
why
doyouhavemynumber?Obelwake
mpanemmakanagoeng?Haol ela
olemo1stt ri
mesterhawagogor oga
kogo8mont hstabeolel
agolekae
tota?Skaipori
samonnaka
tontokwanethemma, oitsegor
ei bi
le
mpaebabor agal
e..
.Nxl
a
Ot
lhe:
Isai
d-

Shehunguponhert
henAat
il
est
uck
hi
sheadin.
..

Aat
il
e:I
'
m dr
oppi
ngof
ftheki
ds
Ot
lhe:
(st
ood)I
'
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
..
.
Shegotdr
essedandl
eftwi
tht
hem.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Isteppedoutoft
hehouset
alki
ngt
o
thephone..
.

Me:Yes.
..Taket
heri
ghtt
urnandgo
st
rai
ght.
..
.Icanseey
ou

Ihungupandwav ed,t
hewoman
drovethroughthegateandpar ked
nexttothejeep.Herdaughterjumped
outandadmi redthei
nteri
or..
.
Her
:Wow,cani
hav
ethekey
sand
t
estdr
ivei
t?
Me:
Yes

Igavehert
hekey sandshookhands
wit
hhermot her
..
.

Me:
thanksf
orbuy
ingi
t
Her
:Sowhyar
eyousel
l
ingi
t?
Me:Iwanttof enceav er
ylar
gef i
eld
andstartmyfloralbusi
nesssoi have
tobuythefence,paylabourandthe
i
rri
gat
ionsystem andshades, so
manyt hingsjusttostar
tabusi ness.
..
I'
m pregnantsoI '
m workingunder
pressure,kebatagorehakey a
botsetsengabokel emil
esot hat
wheni comeouti canstartsell
ing
andsuppor tmybaby
Her:Iunder
stand.
..Mydaughterhas
beenbother
ingmeaboutthiscar
Me:
(laughed)I
t'
sani
cecar
..
.

Thedaughterexcit
edlydroveoutasi
handedhermot herthepapersand
myID..
.

Her
:Ni
ce,
itsanewcar
Me:
Yesi
t'
snew.
..

Somewher
ebyt
her
oad.
..
.

LateronAati
l
el dr
ovealongthe
secludedr
oadasthegirl
swav ed
thei
rhandsoutsi
desingi
ng..
.

Ot
lhe:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Aat
il
e:I
'mjustt
aki
ngt
heki
dswher
ei
wastol
dto..
.

Fr
om adist
ancehecoul
dseef
our
bi
cycl
esundert
hetr
eeandLol
o
wav
ed,thegi
rlsexci
tedl
ylookedat
t
hebicy
clesandscreamed..
..

May
a:I
'
mtaki
ngt
hepi
nkone!
Baby:Iwantred.
..Red.
..
.Daddyst
op
thecar.
..St
op!

Assoonasheparkedthecarthey
j
umpedoutandont othebi
cycles
wit
houtgr
eet
ingLoloasshelaughed
att
hem.…

Lol
o:Hel
l
otoy
out
oo.
..
Otl
heremai
nedinthecarasAat
ile
st
eppedoutandhuggedLolobr
iefl
y.
..

Aat
il
e:Hi
..
.
Lol
o:Hi
Aat
il
e:What
'
sthi
s?
Lol
o:Idi
dn'tknowyou'
dbringOt l
hei
wouldhavehiredabi
cycl
ef orher
..
Aati
le:(
laughed)Wai
tsoI'
m
supposedtor i
deabi
cycl
etoo?
Lol
o:Yes.
..

Shegrabbedt
hehel
metsandwalked
towar
dstheki
dswheresheputone
onMay
a'shead.
..

Lolo:May aiknowyou'
reangr
yatme
andi t
'sokaytobeangr
ybutyoucan
sti
l
l havealit
tl
efunandhatemelat
er
ri
ght?
Maya:(l
aughed)YesI
'
llbeangr
yat
youl
ater
Lolo:(smil
edandhighf
ivedher
)Att
ar
girl
!(putoneonBaby'
shead)Arey
ou
readyf orf
un?
Baby
:Yes!

Meanwhi
l
eAat
il
ewal
kedt
owar
dst
he
cartaki
ngouthi
sphoneandwall
et
thenheputthem i
nthecar
..
..

Aat
il
e:I
'
llbeback,ihavetomake
sur
enoonebr eaksthei
rlegs
Otl
he:You'
regoi
ngtoleav
emei
nthe
carandgorideabi
cycl
e?
Aatil
e:I
'mjustdoi
ngt hi
sfort
hekids,
they'
rehappyandidon'twanttospoi
l
i
t.Itwil
lbefunifi
joininyouknow
theyli
keplayi
ngwithme. .
.

Heleanedinandki
ssedheronthe
l
ipsthenheputonacapandwal ked
t
owar dsLol
oandtheki
dsastheygot
ont
hebi
cycl
es.

Hegr
abbedhi
sandgotont
hel
i
ne.
..

Aat
il
e:Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Idi
dn'
tpl
ant
hatf
ar.
..
Maya:(l
aughedandpoi
nted)We
shoul
dgov eryf
ar
Baby
:Orwecangot
othemal
l
Aati
le:(smil
ed)Alright
,I'
llmakei t
fun.
..Wear eri
dingt oUBr esearch
cent
r e,
y ouguysrideont hefront..
.
Mamaandi wil
lfoll
owy ouandy ou
don'
tcrosst heyell
owl i
ne..Infactwe
usethedir
troadnott
hemai nroad,i
f
weal l
arr
ivet
herewit
houtanyone
givi
ngupbothofyoumakesawi sh
thenyourmom andiful
fi
ll
it,
howi s
that
?

Thegi
rl
slookedatoneanot
herand
gi
ggl
edthentheygaveoneanot
hera
hi
ghfi
ve.
..

May
a:Wear
eon
Baby
:Wear
esoon.
..
Aat
il
e:Getaheadst
art
..
.
Theybothrodeoffchatti
ngont hei
r
colour
ful
bicycl
esasAat i
lesmiled
l
ookingatthem,ithadbeenawhi l
e
si
ncehe'dseenthatmuch
excit
ementontheirfacesthenhe
l
ookedatLol owhowasst ruggl
ingto
ti
eherhair.

Hegotoffhisbikeandti
edherhai
r
thenheputhiscaponherheadand
smiledpi
tchi
nghercheek.
..

Aatil
e:Thanksf
ordoingt
his,
itwas
thoughtf
ulandtheyl
ovei
t
Lol
o:I
t'
snot
hing.
..
Aati
le:
Let
'
sgobef
oret
heygot
oo
far
..
.

Theybot hgotont hebicycl

esand
calmlyrodetogethercatchi
ngup
whilethei
rchil
drenr odeinfr
ontof
them chatt
ingandl aughi
ng..
.

Afewmi nut
esl atertheyranintoa
f
ewpeopl ecarryingbowl sof
moretol
ogafruits,Aatil
easkedf ora
f
ewandgav ehi sdaught erswho
weren'
tfamil
iarwi t
ht hefrui
ts.
..

Aat
il
e:Laoi
tsemor
etol
oga?
May
a:I
tsgood.
.
Baby:
Ili
kei
t.
..

Hegav ethem 2eachandfedLolo

thelastonethenheaskedthepeople
howcl osethetr
eeswere,i
twasn't
thatfarandtheyrodei
ntothebushes.

Itwasn'tlongunt i
ltheysawt he
orangef r
uitshangingont het reesall
over,t
hegi rlsjumpedof fthebi cy
cles
andrant owar dsthet r
eesscr eaming
excit
edlyasLol oandAat i
l
el aughed
atthem par kingunderat r
ee
watchingt hem ast heyfi
ll
edt heir
bi
cycl
ecar
ri
ers.
..

Aat
il
e:Kooredi
sot
sediitumel
ela
moret
ologahel
amoret
ologa?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)I
magi
ne.
..

Hegotof fhisbi
cycl
eandgott hree
redonest henhehelpedLol
oof fher
bicy
cleandhuggedherf oravery
l
ongt imeandev enchangedsi
des
huggingagain.
..

Aat
il
e:Thanks
Lol
o:No,
thanky
ouf
orbei
ngagood
f
ather.Nooneisper
fectbutwena
y
ou'regoodthoughyou'
renotl
uckyi
n
l
ove..
.(hel
aughed)Obatil
ebasadi
Aati
l
e: (
laughed)Kebati
themma
mpatisey ootaarat
angbongwanake
asathaole..
.Wil
lyouhel
pmefinda
womanl ikethat
?
Lol
o:(l
aughed)St
ocksat
engse
hel
etsekannawaitse

Theybot
hlaughedandl
etgoofone
anot
her.
..

Aat
il
e:Noway
Lol
o:(
laughed)Ot
aabakamme
Aati
l
e:Idon'
twantanugl
ywoman
l
ikeyou

Shepi ckedmor etologaandhi thim

thenhet urnedaroundandhi theras
theyranar oundthet reeduckingand
hit
tingoneanot her,thekidsjoinedin
andt heyallhuntedoneanot her
throwingmor etologaateachot her
untilt
heywer etired..
..

Soonaft
ertheyal
lrest
edont he
whit
esandunderthetree,Lol
olai
d
onherbackwithherhaironthesoi
l
thenMayalai
dnextt
oherfaci
ngup,
BabyandAati
lel
aidt
heretooasthey
alll
aidf
aceupwit
hthei
rkneesup..
.

Maya:
(si
ghed)Weshoul
ddot
his
ev
eryweekend
Baby
:Yeah,
ilov
ethesegr
apest
oo
Maya:
Especi
all
ytheredones(to
Lol
o)Mamaaretheseourbicy
cles?
Lolo:
Irentedthem butwecoul
dbuy
i
fyouguy sreall
ywantustodoit
eachweekend
Baby
:Daddycanwebuyt
hem?
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)I
fwecompl
etet
his
r
ace.
.
Bot
h:Yi
pi!
!

Theystoodupandgotont hei
r
bicycl
esthenAatil
egotupandpulled
Loloupbuthemi ssedastepandf el
l
backasLol of
ellonhi
schest ,
they
facedoneanotherawkwardlyand
l
ookedatoneanot her'
sli
psasAat i
le
heldherwaist
..
.

Lol
oleanedovert
okisshim butshe
fel
tgui
lt
ylooki
nginhi
sinnocent
l
ovingeyes,
shehadhurthi
m so
muchandshecouldn'
tgetov ert
he
toneofhi
sbeggi ngv oi
ceandhow
tear
yhegotwhenshet alkedabout
howlit
tl
ehisdickwas.She
swall
owedtearfull
yandqui ckl
ygot
offhi
m dust
ingher self
...
.

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.

Heawkwardl
ygotupandqui
etl
y
dust
edhi
mself.
..

Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokay
..
.
Lolo:Iknowyoumovedon,
I'
m sor
ry
fortr
yingtoki
ssyou.
Aati
l
e:Lolopleasecomeon..
..St
op
apol
ogi
sing..
.Youdidn'
tki
ssme, st
op
sayi
ngsorry
..
.

Thegirlsscreamedcr awl
ingunder
thetr
eet henAati
leandLol opani
cked
andranov erwonderingifoneof
them hadbeenbittenbyasnakeor
somet hi
ng..
.

Aat
il
e:Getoutoft
here,whatar
eyou
doi
ngcrawli
ngunderthetr
ee?
Lol
o:What
'swr
ong?
Thegir
lseachcrawl
edouthol
ding
newbornrabbi
ts.
.

Maya:I
t'
sthebunnyr
abbi
ts,
canwe
keept
hem?
Aat
il
e:Thei
rmotheri
sprobablyout
l
ooki
ngforfood,
putthem back
Baby
:Wewi l
lgiv
ethem f
ood.
..
Pl
eaaaaase.
..
.

Theysur
roundedLol
ohuggingher
wit
hguil
ttr
appingsmil
es.
..

May
a:Mamay
ouknowy
ouoweme
ri
ght?I
fyougetdaddyt
oletuskeep
thebunnyr
abbi
tswearefri
ends
agai
n
Baby
:Andwecanv
isi
tyou
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Li
stent
othese
wit
ches.
..
Bot
h:(gri
nnedwit
hasmi
l
e)
Pl
eeeeeease.
..

Sherol
l
edhereyesandlookedat
Aat
il
ewithpuppyey
es..
.

Lolo:
(smil
ed)Pleasedaddy
..
..I
'
llbuy
them r
abbi
tfood..
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)Soi
fIsaynoI
'
mthe
badguyri
ght?
Al
l
:Yes!
Aat
il
e:Al
lwomenar ethesame,why
ar
eyouganginguponme?( they
l
ookedathi
m quiet
ly)Fi
ne!

Theybot
hjumpedexci
tedl
y.
..
…

LI
KETOGETABONUSI
NSERT
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
48PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✳58

AtAat
il
e'
scar
..
.

Otlhefannedherselfwi
thherhand
sit
tinginthecarthenshereachedf
or
theignit
iontotur
nt heai
rcononbut
hel ef
twi
ththecarkey
s.Sheopened
thedoorandwenttostandundert
he
tree..
.

Shewaitedunti
lnight
fal
landstarted
consi
deringt
owal kbacktothemai n
roadbutthebusheswereabi tt
hick
anditwasalongwayt otheroad...

Mat i
ngdonkey schargedoutoft he
busheswi thheavyfootstepschasing
oneanot herasthefemal eranaround
thetreesfart
ingandkickingthemal e
thatalongdickhangingout .Her
heartpoundedasshehi dbehindthe
treebutt
hefemaledonkeyr
an
towardsherandsherantot
hecar
cryi
ng.

Herfl
ip-
flopsgotstuckonthelogand
shetookt hem of
fandranbarefoott
o
thecar.
.

Sheslammedthedoorandcovered
hermouthshaki
ng.Shetookouther
phoneanddial
edAatil
ebuthi
sphone
rangnextt
oher,shesi
ghedandput
herphonedown..
.

Af
tercr
yingf
oraf
ewmi
nut
esshe
di
aledLol
o'snumberbutshedidn't
answerherphonethensheangril
y
ty
ped"aninser
t"foratextmessage.
..
.

Behi
ndUBcent
er.
..
..

Meanwhi l
eAati
leandt heladies
parkedt hebi
cyclesbyt heriver
side
ont hesandandl ookedatt heyellow
sunsetbouncingont hewav esof
Thamal akaneRiver.
..

Maya:(
sit
ti
ngonherbi
cycl
e)I
t'
s
get
ti
ngdark
Baby
:I'
mti
red.
..
Aati
le:Ihavetogogett hecar
,can
youtakeat axif
rom hereandgo
home?I '
llpi
ckyouguy supina
minute
May
a:ok
Lol
o:Guysmyhouseisugl
y,i
just
wantyoutoknowbef
oreyougother
e
Aati
le:(
laughed)Can'
twai
ttosee
thi
s..
.
May
a:Whataboutt
hebi
cycl
es?
Lolo:Theypi
ckthem upwherev
er
you'r
e,ij
usthav
et ocal
lthem.
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,let
'sgo.
..
.You'
l
lgett
he
t
axi
andI
'
llwai
tfort
hem t
obepi
cked
Lol
o:Her
eismyphone,
cal
lthem.
..
Thenumberi
sther
e
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Theyr
odetheirbicycl
estotheroad,
a
fewminut
eslaterthetaxist
opped
andheopenedt hedoorforthem.

Theki
dsjumpedi
nthenLol
oand
Aat
il
ehuggedsmi
li
ng..
.

Aat
il
e:Takecar
eoft
heki
ds
Lol
o:I
'
lldot
hat
,don'
tbel
ong.
..Idon'
t
wanttodealwi
thquest
ionsl
i
ke
whereisdaddy
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)ok
Lol
o:(ty
ping)Letmewrit
edownt he
di
rect
ionsakeretabkesenaphone
Aat
il
e:t
hanks

Shegoti
nandt
het
axi
drov
eof
f.

Aat
il
ecall
edthebi
kercompanyand
wai
tedther
eboredthenhepressed
Lol
o'
sphoneandfoundunread
messagesfr
om Olt
he.
Hef
rownedandcl
i
ckedoni
t.
..

Otlhe:Idon' tknowwhaty outhi

nk
you'redoi ngbutt hemmaokgot hil
e
dimomomar agong.Aatil
eismyman
andmi neal one.Wear eexpecti
nga
babyandt hat'swhatmakesme
dif
ferentf rom y ou,i
t'
sthatI'
m
actuall
yhi sbabymamaandmychi l
d
i
shi sbiol ogicall
yesengga
maxapar aset sogaboBaby .Conti
nue
tr
ickinghi m andwewi llseewhowi l
l
l
oseatt heend, oneofusi sgoi
ngto
l
oseal ov edoneandi t
snotme.I '
m
sorryfory ourloss.Youshouldbe
busywor ry i
ngabouty ourAidschi
ld
buty ou'r
esteal i
ngmymanand
expectingmet otakecar eofyour
diseasedchi l
d, otsey egol omoga
gagomogoy egoswel akgakalakwa
beforeshei nfectst hewhol efamil
y
withAi ds.I
t'
snotourf aultshe
attr
actsadul tlovers.Themmaket i
le
godi l
al ewena, I'
m nott hekindyou
wantt omesswi t
h.Youki l
l
edmy
brotherandj ail
edt her emai ni
ngone
sowat chmet hemma, justwatch
andseey ourkar ma.Thekar mathat
i
scomi ngfory ouist aki ngpressups
somewher eandi tst artedwi t
hAids.
Mxm
Aatil
efrownedandputt hephone
downt henher er
eadt hemessage
againandcheckedt henumberj ustt
o
confi
rm hiseyeswer en'
tdeceiv
ing
him.Hecheckedt hel ogandreali
sed
thatOtl
hehadcal l
edLol obefore
probablyhar
assingher .
..

Aat
il
e:Wow.
..
.

Itwasstil
lhardtobeliev
ethose
wor dswereOtlhe'
shandwr i
ti
ng.The
bikercompanygott hebicycl
esthen
heaskedt hem todrophim offbyhis
carsandtheycompl ied.
..
.
*
**

Minuteslaterhegotint
hecarand
switchedthelight
sonashedr ov
e
behindthebikercompany.Otl
he
quietl
ysatthereboil
i
ngwhileAati
le
drovehome. ..

Theywalkedi
nthehouseandhetook
ashowerthenshest
oodbythedoor
andfol
dedherarms.
..

Ot
lhe:
Youl
eftmeoutt
her
eunt
ili
t
wasdark,mosquit
oesbitmeandi
wasscaredoutofmymi ndsi
tti
ngi
n
t
hebushbymy sel
f,howcoul
dyoudo
t
hat?
Aati
l
e:Ididn'
taskyoutocomewith
meandt hekidswantedt
oseethe
ri
ver
,whatdidyouwantmet osay
?
Otl
he:Aatil
ewhatareyout r
yingt
o
say?Soy ou'
renotgoi
ngtosaysor r
y?
Ampor ekegatiwakedit
onkidi
l
elekanaandy oudon'
tcare?Iwas
hungryandthirst
y!
Aati
l
e:Idon'
twanttot
alktoyour
ight
,
youareatwoheadedsnake
Ot
lhe:
OhI
'
m at
woheadedsnake?
You'
reat
wof
acedl
i
ar
Aat
il
e:I
'
m notdoi
ngt
his.
..

Hesteppedoutoftheshowerand
wenttothebedroom wher
ehegot
dr
essedasOt l
hestoodbythedoor
watchi
nghim..
.

Otl
he:Sothat
'swhoy ouare?Lol
o
showsupandev ery
thingel
sedoesn'
t
matter
?Justl
ikethat?
Aati
le:Don'tbl
ameherforanyt
hing
becauseshedoesn'tneedtodestroy
ourrel
at i
onshi
p,youdi
dav er
ygood
j
obbyy oursel
fandwearedone..Thi
s
rel
ati
onshipisov er
,I'
m di
sappoi
nted
becausei actuallyt
houghtyouofall
peoplewoul dunder st
andandlove
Babybutno. ..You'r
ejustl
ikemany
womenoutt her ewhocan'tl
ove
anotherwoman' schil
dandstil
lcl
aim
tolovethefat her.
Otl
he:You'
renotleavi
ngme,you
can'
tsaythataf
teragreei
ngt
ohavea
chi
ldwit
hme
Aati
le:Wel
lIdi
dn'
tknowthatby
havi
ngachildwit
hyouI'
dbe
repl
aci
ngBabyandI'
m seri
ous.
..
.We
areover
Ot
he:
Why
?Why
?
Aat
il
e:You'
reev
il
,that
'swhy
Otlhe:I
'm notl
eav
ingy
ou,you'
re
goingtolovemeandlovethi
schil
d.
I
'm goingtostayi
nthi
shouseunti
li
feelli
keleavi
ng
Aat i
le:Sui
tyoursel
f.
..(hi
sphone
alarm buzzedandheopenedt he
war drobe)Mydaught erneedsher
medi cati
on..
.Mydaught erwhoy ou
thinkwi l
li
nfectyou
Otl
he:OhsoLololi
edtoyou?Wow
okay,
didshetel
lyouwhatshesai
dto
meformet osaythat
?
Aat
il
e:Shedi
dn'
thav
eto.
..By
e
Heputaf ewthi
ngsinthebagand
walkedoutasshefoll
owedhim and
j
umpedi nthecarashestar
tedthe
carthenhepausedlooki
ngather.
..

Aat
il
e:Getout
Otl
he:I
'
m goi
ngwi
thy
ou,
wher
ear
e
yougoi
ng?

Hesighedandst
eppedont
he
accel
erat
or.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
Minuteslat
erhest
eppedoutandgot
ever
ythingasshesati
nthecart
hen
hehandedherthekeys.
..

Aati
le:I
fyou'
retiredofwai t
inggo
homeandsl eepakenaener gyy ago
omanal ewena.Ir eal
lywi shwecould
j
ustpartwayswi thoutar guingbut
thenifyoui
nsistondoi ngthisican'
t
dragyououtoft hecar .Totat obe
honestnnawambor awi thyourhate
speechlesti
gmasakabomo.I '
m
donewithyou.
Otl
he:Youdon'
tgettowal
kaway
fr
om meafterget
ti
ngmepregnant
,
youdest
roy
edmyl if
e..
.ngwanawa
gagokemor eng?
Aati
le:Vomi thi
mi fyoucanI '
lltake
careofhi m obatagor ekereng?why
oganel el
ai nmyhousebecause
you'
resay ingmydaught erwilli
nf ect
you?Thi scarwil
l i
nfectyou,why
don'tyouleaveandkeepawayf rom
ouraidsbecausei don'thavea
choice,Lolodoesn'thaveachoi ce
andMay adoesn'thaveachoi ce,
wenay oucanst ayaway ,soleav e
Ot
lhe:
Aat
il
edon'
tdot
hist
ome

Shecr
iedwat
chi
nghi
m wal
ktowar
ds
t
hehouseandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

I
nthehouse.
..
.

Hewalkedi
nthehouseandhanded
Lol
othemedici
neandshesatdown
tof
eedBaby.
..

Aati
l
e:Howlatei
sshe?Idon'
twant
hert
otakehermedi
cati
onlat
e
Lolo:
It'
snotbad, 15minutes,
havea
seatI'
l
lbringyourfood.
..Wecooked
something..
..
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
..
.
Lolof
edBabyandsheswal
l
owed
fr
owning.
..

Baby:(
tohersi
ster
)May
aitst
il
l
tast
esdif
fer
ent
Lol
o:What
?
May
a:Shesay
sit
'sdi
ff
erent
-

Lol
ocareful
l
ylookedatt
he
medicat
ionbutaknockont
hedoor
di
str
actedher.
..
.

Aat
il
e:I
'
llgeti
t
Heopenedt
hedoorthenOtl
hepulled
hi
m outbyt
hecoll
arsasheresi
sted
hol
dingt
hedoor
frame..
.

Otlhe:(t
earf
ull
yangry)Let'
sgohome,
you'renotstay
ingheretonight
..
.
You'renotimpregnati
ngmeand
l
eav ingmewi t
hababy ,l
eitwaedit
se
got shamekakadi l
otsedisa
tshamekeng
Aat
il
e:(
pushedher
)Letgoof
fme.
.

Lol
oandtheki
dsheardconfr
ont
ati
on
andrant
othedoorwatchi
ngasOtl
he
pull
edhimthenLoloqui
ckl
ypul
led
thechi
ldr
enbackinsi
deandcl
osed
thedoor.
..

Meanwhi l
eOtl
hecri
edloudl
yont he
middleofthey
ardpull
ingAati
l
eashe
tr
iedtounhookherf
ingersf
rom his
coll
ars.
.

Aat
il
e:Ot
lhent
ogel
a..
.kant
eoi
rang?

Shebitherl
owerl
i
pandpunchedhi m
onthefaceasheblockedherheav
y
punches.
.
Aat
il
e:Nt
ogel
a
Ot
lhe:
(cr
ying)You'
regoi
nghome!
Aati
l
e:Letgo.
..Idon'
twantt
obeat
youolepr
egnant..
.

Shepickedhal
fabrickfr
om the
groundandgrabbedhim bycol
l
ars
withonehandreadytosmashhis
head..
.

Otlhe:Hetaretsamaekolapengor
elsekegot hubathogo.I
tsei
ther
you'rewit
hmekanai fi
ndawaytokil
l
you,I
'l
lburnyouwithhotoili
fy ou
testme..
.I'
m nothavingafatherl
ess
baby.Kegot hubathogokaset enaha
okalekel
a..
.Hetaretsamae..
..

Shepul
l
edhi
m unt
ilt
heyr
eachedt
he
car
..

Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Fi
ne,
letgoI
'
llgeti
n..
.

Sheletgoofhiscol
larsthenhegoti
n
thecarandrever
sedwi pi
nghisnose
bleedthenOtl
heputthehalfbri
ckon
herlapandfol
dedherar ms..
..
Li
kef
oranot
herbonus!
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
49PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
me
✴59
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Hewashedhi sfaceinthebathroom
andcamet obedwher eOtlhewas
l
yingnakedwithherassstuckout ,
he
j
umpedov erherandsleptont he
othersi
defaci
ngt hewall
.

Sheknewwhatshedi dear l
ierwasn'
t
l
adylikebutshewasgl adt obewi t
h
him,sheknewv erywel lhowshe
wouldfeelhadhesl eptov erather
houseandi twasn'tthepai nshewas
readytodealwith.Lyingnextt ohim
gotherwanti
nghim...Herhormones
andemotionswantedhim ontopof
herandshemov edcloserthenshe
putherar
m aroundhimt ouchi
nghis
chestgoi
ngdownhi sshorts.
..

Ot
lhe:
Canwet
alk?
Aatil
e:Idon'
tfeell
iket
alki
ng,
iwant
togetsomesl eep.Canyouatleast
respectthat
?
Otl
he:(calml
y)Tur
naround..
.Pl
ease.
..
I
'm beggingy
oujustt
urnaround

Hesighedmeandt ur
nedar
oundthen
shepinnedherel
bowonthebedand
putherhandonhi
schestcar
essi
ng
hi
m...
.

Ot l
he: Pleasef orgivemef orst eal
i
ng
Lolo'snumberf rom yourphoneand
calli
ngher ,thefirstti
mei calledto
tellhert oleav eyoual oneand. .
.
(tearfully)Iknowi twaswr ongbuti
wasdesper ate,ispentmont hs
buildi
ngt hisandy esifeel
threatened. ..Threatenedbecausei
feltpar tofy oulov esher.Iknowi
i
nv adedy ourpr i
v acyandI'm sorry,
on
Baby '
si ssue. .
..Iknowi twill
behar d
tobel ievet hisbasedonmymessage
buti act uallydon'thateBabyi j
ust
blamehermot herforKenbei ngi njai
l
becausei don' tt
hinki twas
necessar yf orLolot or eportthedr ugs.
Iam human, i
makemi stakesandy es
fi
ndingoutshewasn' ty ourskindof
baffl
edmeonwhyy oucar esomuch
butnowi thinkilovey oumor efori t
becausey ou' r
efullofl ove.Some
mencan' tev enlovet heirownand
herey ou're,anexampl et oallman. ..
(t
earfull
y )Howcani losesuchaman
andt oawomanwhohur tshim...It
soundsbadcomi ngf rom mebutLol o
hurtyouandembar rassedy oubut
youcan' tev enseei tbecausey ou
l
ov eherandy ouwanthert owi t
ht he
kids.Igetal lthesebutwhatabout
me?Theonewhowast herewhen
shehur tyou?Doi justpickmybags
andl eav ewithmybabybecause
madam deci dedshewant st ocome
back?I t'snotf air
..
.(rubbedhert ears)
It
'snotf ai
r,yougotmyhopesupand
ilovey ou, I
'm sorryaboutt he
messagei sentLol o,itwasal labout
hurtinghernott hatit'
showi feel.I
coul dnev ersayt hattoBabywheni
sufferedt hesamemi sfort
une. ..I
wokeupwi tht hatli
ttl
eont hemi ddle
oftheni ghtandhuggedherunt i
l she
fellasleep?Why ?BecauseI '
mt he
onlyper sonher ewhounder stands
her.
..Iseemy selfi
nherandihat
e
thatsheisLolo'sdaught
erofal
l
womenl i
kehowsmal lcanMaunbe
butI'
m sorry
..
.

Shewai t
edf orhisresponseand
noti
cedhewassl eepingfrom hi
s
breathi
ngthensheswi t
chedont he
l
ights,Aati
lefrownedblockinghis
eyesast heli
ghtwokehi m. .
.

Ot
lhe:
Orobet
sener
ra?
Aat
il
e:Keagout
wa
Ot
lhe:
Whatdi
disay
?
Aatil
e:You'
resorryforst eal
i
ngLolo'
s
numberandcal l
ingher ,Ifor
giv
eyou
canwesl eep?Ibeenbi kingandI'
m
ti
red,i
t'
salmostmi dnight
Ot
lhe:
Iunder
standbut
-
Aati
le:
Ijustwantt
osl
eep,
canwedo
thi
stomorrow?
Ot
lhe:
Okay
..

Shel eanedoverandki ssedhimt hen

shesl i
dherhandi nhisshortsand
massagedhi ssof tpackage,hepulled
outherhandandt urnedaround
facingthewall.Sheleanedov erand
kissedhisneckashet ookadeep
br
eat
hget
ti
ngi
rr
it
atedbyherl
i
ps.
..

Aat
il
e:St
op
Otl
he: Pl
ease..
..Iwantone,it
sbeena
l
ongt i
mewi thoutgetti
nganyi miss
you,youknowt hispregnancyis
makingfeelthi
swayal l
theti
me.
Aat
il
e:Iwantt
osl
eep

Shegotupandl ai
dont heotherside
pul
lingouthi
sdickandsuckedt he
softmeatthenhebegunt ohardened
buthegrabbedhisdickandputit
backintheshort
s..
Aat
il
e:Isai
dst
opi
t,i
don'
tfeel
thi
s
Ot
lhe:
Youwer
eget
ti
nghar
d
Aati
l
e:Becausei f
eltsomethingsof
t
andwarm notthatiloveyouband
wanttohavesexwi thyou
Otl
he:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Canyoupleasestop
tor
tur
ingme,whyareyoudoingt
his?
Shoul
dIbegyouforsex?
Aati
l
e: Idon'
twanttohav
esexwith
you,whatdoy ouwantmetosay
?I
can'
tforcemy sel
f
Otl
he:I'
l
lgetont
opanddoi
taker
e
gakenachoi
ce
Aat
il
e:Knocky
our
sel
fout
..
.

Shesuckedhim untilhewaser ect

thenshegotont opandhumpedon
him ashereachedforhisphoneand
playedgamesasshesl owl yhumped
thenhedial
edLol o,
theringingtone
discour
agedherasshesl owl y
humpedwi thherhandsonhi schest
..
.

Lol
o:Hey
,ar
eyouokay
?
Aati
l
e:I'
mf i
ne,
howar etheki
ds?I
hopethatdi
dn'
tscar
et hem
Lol
o:Iexpl
ainedt
othem,
they
'r
efi
ne.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
Lol
o:Ar
eyoual
one?
Aat
il
e:No
Lol
o:I
yogoshapoket
shabago
bet
swa-

Otl
hemeltedonhischestandburst
i
ntotear
swithhisdi
ckinsi
deher
t
hensheslowlygotoffandgrabbed
t
hephonef r
om him.
..
.

Otl
he:Canyoujuststopthi
s?(cr
ying)
Whyareyoudoingthistome?Why ?
Yousaidyoudon'twanthim,y
ou
brokehisheartandabandonedthe
chil
dren,ihel
pedhim copeand
helpedyourchil
dren,
don'ti
deserv
ea
l
itt
lerespect?
Lol
o:By
e

Sheangrilysmashedhisphoneon
thewallandsli
ddownt hedoorcry
ing
naked,Aatil
esatontheedgeofthe
bedlookingather.
..

Aati
le:I'
m sor
ry.
..Babedon'tyou
thi
nky oushouldgohomei nthe
morning?Thisconstantfi
ghti
ngand
cry
ingisnotgoodf orthebabyand
I'
m beginningtolosemytemperwi
th
allt
hesel i
ttl
etantr
ums,
I'
m human
andi canonlytakeasmuch..
.Obona
goreot hubil
ephoneyame?That'
s
goingtocostmemoneyandwear e
expectingababy .
..
Otl
he:I
'm notgoi
nganywhere
especi
all
ywhenI'
m pregnant
,ify
ou
wanttocheatonmegoandcheat
Aati
le: I
t'snotcheati
ngwheni t
old
youit'
sov er
, wearedone.Can'
tyou
beintelli
gentenough.Obat adr
ama
hel
aaker e?Gor ekegobetseabo
gotwegakeasi amammekegol esa
oit
irelela,fi
rstyouhitmeanddrag
meher enowy oubrokemyphone,o
bat
akereng?You'
rest
art
ingt
opi
ss
meoff
..
..

Heswit
chedofft
heli
ght
sandlaid
downasshesatatt
hedoorcr
ying.
..
.

Otl
he:Il
oveyou,
whycan'
tyou
under
standmypain?

Hepull
edt
heduv
etov
erandwentt
o
bed.
..

AtKasanehospi
tal
.
...
Thenextmor ni
ngBayanglockedthe
carandwalkedint
hehospi t
alfi
xi
ng
hist
ieashiscoworkerwalked
towardshi
m andgreetedhim..
.

Hi
m:Congr
atul
ati
onsdaddy
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Thanks

Hewalkedpast2ot
hernur
seswho
smi
ledathi
m. .
.

Nur
se1:
Daddy
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Thanks
Nur
se2:
Congr
atsbi
gdaddy
Bayang:Guyskanammet hi
sisnot
myf i
rstbor
n..
.ihav
eson,
hestays
wit
hmyexwi f
e.
Nurse2:Akerewedon'tknowhimre
taareng,t
ellhi
m congr
atul
ati
onson
havi
ngal i
ttl
esist
er
Bay
ang:
I'
ll
lethi
m know.
..

Hewal
kedi
nsi
deashi
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:
Otlhewantapeawait
seI'
m
abouttol
osemytemper ,
kantehow
doyouleavesomeonepeaceful
l
y?
Bay
ang:
Whathappened?
Aat i
le:Sheisal l
over,
everythingi
s
bor i
ngandshei scontr
olli
ngme, she
want stocont rolmyli
feandhowi do
things.Thiswomandoesn' tlovemy
daught erandexpectmet obewi t
h
her ,
howdoi loveawomanwho
doesn'tlovemychi ldr
en?Andnow
shei smaki ngitseem li
keshei sthe
victi
m andI '
ml eavi
ngherf orLolo
Bayang:(
laughed)Mov
etot
henext
town,i
tworkedforme
Aatil
e:Ican'
tmove,t
hechil
drenare
doingokayatschoolandgett
ing
them int
oanewschool wi
llbe
frustr
ati
ng.Thischickwat senwashe
blamesev ery
onef orherbr other'
s
arrestandsheisv i
olent,nowIknow
whysheneedsherbr otherst odeal
wi t
hherboy f
ri
ends.Shepr ovokes
menandexpectt ober espect ed.I
brusheditoffwhenshehi tDidi
thinki
ngitwasemot i
onsget tingthe
bestofherbutshegr abbedabr i
ck
formet oo,howdr amat i
ccana
womanbe?
Bayang:Somewomenonl y
underst
andasl apandi fyoukeep
l
etti
ngherwal kal
l overyoushewill
spi
tony ourfaceandabusey our
chi
ldrenri
ghtinfrontofyou..
.Howis
Di
di?
Aat
il
e:It
hinkshei
sokay
,shei
s
pr
egnant
Bayang:Didi
onnaaimisi
tswehel
a
kanteene,mphenumberyagagweke
mokgal emele.
..
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)I
'
llsendi
tmmea
skankgol
ega,howisthebaby
?
Bayang:Sheisfine,ihav
en'
tseen
heryet.Theywon'tl
etmeseeher
Aati
le:
Ther
ear
est
il
lpeopl
ewhodo
that
?
Bayang:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
herearethi
ngs
l
ikethat
,hergr
andmotherr
efusedto
l
etmeseet hebabyevenfr
om a
dist
ance,appar
ent
lyket
aatseny
a
ngwanakokamokanagatwengdilo
tsateng.
Aat
il
e:Wow.
.
Bayang: Yeah, what'
sthepointof
havingababyi syoucan'tseeit,ke
togetsebat aampi tsahababat ake
bonangwanaandt hisgir
lagrees
withhermot herbecauseshei snot
doingany t
hingabouti tbecause" we
arenotmar ried"ididn'
tknowt hat
mar ri
ageandf at
herhoodar e
i
ntertwined.Kasanei sboringme, i
wantt ocomeback
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Boamonna,
I'
m
boredwithouty
oubyt hewayKeni
s
notthatbadwat shoset
sa
Bayang:Isti
ll
don'tli
kehim.He
i
mpr egnatedDidiknowingheathug
andnowshei sgoi ngtohaveachil
d
byherself
.Het ookadvantageofDi
di
becauseshegr ewupwi thout
anythi
ng,ihatehim.
Aati
le:(
laughed)Wenawaal
wa
yaanong
Bay
ang:I'
l
lneverl
i
kehim.
..Letme
workandcal
lyoulat
er
Aat
il
e:Shap

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nthel
ab.
..
.
Atmyhouse.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
nooniwal
kedoutof
thehardwar
estor
eanddi
aledt
he
fenceman..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o
Me:Iboughtt
hef
enceandev
eryt
hing.
Theyarel
oadi
ngt
hem i
nthetr
uck
Him:Okay,
I'
llmeety
outher
ewit
h
youmy2f r
iendssowecanget
star
ted.
Me:
Okay
..
.By
Ihungupanddial
edLol
oasami
l
d
pai
nstruckmyabdomen.
..

Lol
o:(
laughedwi
tht
hechi
l
dren)
Hel
lo?
Me: Hi
,I'
m goingt omeett heman
whodoest hef ence,doy oumind
comingwi t
hme?I '
m afraidtomeet
str
angersinthemi ddleoft heBush
bymy sel
f,thetruckwill
of fl
oadand
l
eavemet oexplainwhatt heymust
dobutI'm afr
aidtobeal onewi t
hmen
Lol
o:I
'm wi
ththeki
dsAati
l
eisat
workandOtl
hebeingdr
amati
cjaaka
kel
etsekegoj
elast
ory
Me:(
smiled)Ohy eahoperati
onbond
wi
ththegirl
sisinprogresskana.
..I'
m
pr
oudofy ou.
..Daddyleeneisont he
way
Lolo:(
laughed)Don'tgetmeexci t
ed
fornothi
ng,ijustwanttofocuson
mygi r
lsandnot hi
ngmor e.Idon'
t
wanttomesswi thhishappiness
Me:Happi nesseneOt lhe?Thatgir
lis
toovi
olentI'm surei
fKenwasout
shewouldbel y i
ngtogetKent ohit
Aati
l
e,thisgirliswit
chbutwhen
you'
rel
ooki ngatherf aceyou'
llt
hink
sheisanangel
Lol
o:Shewasdr aggi
nghi
m kadi
col
l
arsthatgi
rlkechobol
ohel
a
Me: Lethergotohellandherfamil
y,
theyrefusedtoletmet akemythi
ngs
from Ken'shousesoi hatet
hem al
l.
Anywayl etmeseei ficanget
someonet ohel
pme. .
..
Lol
o:By
e

Ihungandthoughtofanybodywho
couldhel
p,t
herewasnoonei could
thi
nkexceptTao.IknewifIasked
himtohelphewon'tsayno..Idi
aled
hisnumber.
..
Tao:
Hel
l
o
Me:
Hi,
itsDi
di
Tao:Cal
l
erIDi
sther
eforareason,
of
cour
seIknowit
syou.What
'sup?
Me: Ineedyourhel
pkebataompat e
kotshimong,ihavetogotel
lthe
fencingguy
showt odoitbuti don'
t
wantt ogoalone.
..
Tao:
Nopr
obl
em,
whatt
ime?
Me:
Now
Tao:Wher
eshoul
dIpi
cky
ouupkana
you'
l
lpi
ckmeup?
Me:
Idon'
thav
eacar,
pickmeatt he
mal
ll
etmetal
ktot
hetruckdr
iver
f
ir
st,
I'
ll
cal
lyou
Tao:
Ok

Ismi l
edandhungupbutmysmil
e
disappearedasigotgr
ampsonmy
abdomi nals.
..

AtPr
ison.
..
..
.

Kenwateredhispl
otandwashedhi
s
handsasanotheri
nmatewalkedov
er
tohim.
..

Hi
m:Let
'sgot
ochur
ch,
ther
eisa
chur
chv
isi
ti
ngt
oday
..
.
Ken:
Notme
Him:Whynot ?ThereasonI'
mt el
li
ng
youisbecauseofwhaty outol
dme
aboutyourbrot
her,
youhav etoseek
for
givenesst
osleepatnight
Ken:Yeahbuti di
dn'tstealaphoneor
l
ivestock,suchthingsy oucanbe
forgi
venf ornotthis.
..Idon'
twantto
feelmor eguil
tthanI'mf eel
ingnow.
Him:Godisf or
givi
ngandr
ightnow
heistheonlyonethatmat
ters,
let
's
go,pl
ease.
..Let'
sgogetdr
essedand
si
gnup
Ken:
Okay
..
.
Him: I
findeedthatgirlf
riendofy our
s
i
spr egnantwitheitheryourchi l
dor
brother'
schil
dit'
sst i
llyour
responsibi
li
ty,i
fiwasy ouI 'dfor
give
thi
sgi r
lbecausethewayy oualways
tal
kabouthert ell
smey oul oveher
andy ouwanther ,you'r
ej ustafr
aid
shewi l
lhurtyouagai nespeciall
y
wheny ou'r
einjail
.
Ken:
Am i
wrong?
Him:Shemightsheproveyouwr ong
butyou'
l
lneverknowunti
lyoulether
knowthatyousti
lll
oveherandwant
hert
owai tf
oryou.
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Iguess,
ihav
enot
hing
t
oloseany
way
Hi
m:Exact
ly.
..
..

Theywal
kedi
ntot
hebl
ock.
..
.

Att
hegar
den.
..

Taohel
dmyhandaswewal ked
thr
ought
het
all
grasses.
..

Tao:
Letmecarr
yyou,
thi
sgrassis
toot
all
you'
l
lst
eponsnakesher
e
Me:
No,
I'
mfi
ne
Tao:I'
m act
ual
lymor ewor r
iedabout
thebabythanyou,I
'm surey oucan
handleasnakebit
ebutt hatbaby
won'tandyoukeeprubbingi t,
doesit
hurt
?
Me:
Yessi
ncemor
ning
Tao:Weshoul dpassbyt
hehospi
tal
,
don'
ttakecertai
nthi
ngssi
mplewhen
you'
repregnant
Me:
Doy
ouhav
eachi
l
d?
Tao:
Ihav
enephews
Me:
Ok.
..

Al
i
zar
dranacr
ossandIpausedt
o
makesur
eitwasn'
tasnake.
..

Tao:
Letmecar
ryy
ou
Me:
Fine

Hebentov ert
heni gotonhi
sbackas
hecarri
edmewal kingonthesmal
l
passagetothegarden..
.

Tao:Theseguysshoul
dalsomakea
cardri
vewaysowedon'thavet
o
l
eavecarsthatf
ar
Me:Mmh.
..Mokwatawagagoo
monat
egore.
..(
lai
dmyheadonhi
s
back)nkar
enkar
obal
ait
'ssocomf
y..
Tao:(l
aughed)I
fyousl
eepI
'
m
droppi
ngyou..
Me:Walkfasternowiwantt
he
hospi
talontshosi
tseor
eimustt
ake
ever
ythi
ngserious
Tao:(
increasedhispace)Al
ri
ghtbut
maybeitsnothing.
..

Wemetthef
encingguy
sand
di
rect
edt
hem onwhattodo.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Laterthataft
ernoonipul
leddownmy
t-
shirtandthrewtheti
ssueinthebi
n
asthedoct orscri
bbl
edsomethingon
mycar d..
.

Dr:Thisi
sahi ghri
skpregnancyand
you'
regoingtoneedal otofrestif
youwantt oreachyourthir
dtrimester
orelseyou'
llhavecomplicati
ons
duri
ngdeliver
y..
.

Taoheldmyhandasi
satont
he
chai
rnextt
ohim.
..

Tao:
Whatki
ndofcompl
i
cat
ions?I
sit
somet
hingi
canhel
pwi
th?
Dr:Wellalotofrestmeansnot
workingtoohard,ver
yli
tt
lestr
ess
andal otofheal
thymealsthatI
'l
ll
ist
foryouinabit.
.
Me:
Wil
lthebabybeokayt
hough?
Dr:
Yesandi
t'
saboy
,Ial
mostf
orgot
toment
ioni
t
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Wow
Tao:(smil
edandpinchedmycheek)
Atleastwecanfi
ndapr opername
Me:
(laughed)AndI
'
m sobl
ank
Tao:
Ther
eist
ime.
..
Heputhisarm ar
oundmeandwe
l
ist
enedtothedoctorexpl
aini
ngmy
condi
ti
on..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatSundayaf t
ernoonLol oand
thegir
lswalkedbackint heyardfrom
thei
rshortwalk,
anunf amili
arcar
waspar ki
nginfrontofthehouseand
therewereawoman' sfeetont he
dashboard.
..

May
a:AuntOt
lhei
sher
e
Lol
o:That
'
sher
,whosecari
sthat
?
May
a:I
t'
shermot
her
'scar
Lol
o:I
jookay
..
.
Baby
:(hur
ri
ed)Ineedt
het
oil
et
Lol
o:Youhavebeengoi
nginandout
ofthet
oil
etalotsi
ncemor
ning,
are
youokay?
Baby
:It
hinki
hav
edi
arr
hea
Lol
o:(
laughed)y
ouknowdi
arr
hoea?
Maya:
Theteachersaysi
fwedr i
nk
di
rt
ywaterwewillhav
ediar
rhoea
Lol
o:Wowok.
..

Shet
ookoutt
hehousekey
sand
unlockedt
hehouset
henshepushed
thedooropen.
..

Lol
o:Goi
nsi
deI
'
m comi
ng.
..

Thegi
rl
ssmi l
edandwav edatOtl
he
asshesmiledbackandsteppedout
oft
hecar,Lolocl
osedthedoorand
wal
kedtowardsher.
..
.

Lol
o:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
Ot
lhe:
Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou
Lol
o:(angr
il
y)Youneedtost
op
comingtomyhouselikeI
'myour
f
ri
end,
whatdoy
ouwant
?
Otl
he:Youhavetost
opwhatevery
ou
aredoing,
howmanyt i
mesdoIhave
totel
lyoutost
opfol
lowingmyman.
Lolo:Yourman?Youmeant heone
whopai dmagadi f
orme?Thefather
ofmychi l
drenkanagonaleyo
mongwegape?Aat i
lei
sagrownman
andhecanmakehi schoi
ces.
..
(point
edout)leav
e..
.
Otl
he:Youthi
nkhi
ghl
yofy
our
sel
f
don'
tyou?
Lol
o:Idon'
thavet
imef
orthi
s,can
youpl
easeleav
emyhouse?
Shetookoutherphoneanddi
aled
Aat
il
e..
.

Lolo:Iseeyou'
reoneofthosecrazy
pregnantpeopl
ewhot hi
nkt heycan
usetheirpr
egnancytopunishother
people
Otl
he:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?I
'
m not
fi
ghti
ngyou
Lol
o:I
'
m cal
l
ingAat
il
e
Otl
he:
Hangupt hephoneandI
'
ll
l
eavehedoesn'
t
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Otl
hej
umpedonherf
rom t
hebackas
t
heybothf
oughtf
ort
hephone.
.

Lol
o:Letgoofmyphoneandy
ou'
re
choki
ngme

Shescr at
chedLolo'sfaceand
snatchedthephoneasLol oangri
ly
bitherlowerl
ipandel bowedheron
thestomachtwi cethenshedr opped
thephoneandf ellonthegr ound
gaspingforai
r,Lolocov eredher
mout handmov edbackl ooki
ngat
her..
.
Lol
o:OhmyGod.
..
.I'
m sor
ry
Otl
he:(cr
yingholdingherst
omach
t
ight
ly)No, no.
..No..
.

Shetri
edtostandbutt hepai
nwas
toomucht henshesatont heground
cryi
ngthenshet ookoutherphone
andcall
edAat i
l
e...

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Otl
he:(cr
ying)Lol
oelbowedmetwice
onthestomach, i
can'tbr
eat
horget
up,pl
easehelpme. .
..
Aat
il
e:Wher
ear
eyou?
Otl
he:
Herhouse,i
cametopl
ead
wi
thherbutshehi
tmeonthe
st
omach
Aat
il
e:Cany
oudr
ivet
othehospi
tal
?
Ot
lhe:
Ican'
tgetup,
hel
pme.
..I
thur
ts
Aat
il
e:Okaybabe,
I'
m comi
ng.
..

ShehungupasLolotear
ful
l
yst
ood
ther
elooki
ngather
..
.

Lolo:
Areyouokay
?Cani
dri
vey
out
o
thehospi
tal
?
Ot
lhe:
Leav
emeal
one.
..
Lolopacedupanddownput t
ingher
handst oget herwor ri
edlyunti
l Aatil
e
drov ethrought hegat eandpar ked
nex ttothem t henhest eppedoutand
pickedOt lhe,hel ai
dheri ntheback
seatandcl osedt hedoort henhegot
i
nt hecarandr ever
sedwi thout
sayingany thingt oLolowhot ear ful
ly
rant othedr iver'
ssideandhel dt he
door .
..
.

Lolo:Iswearididn'
tmeantodothat,
shescr at
chedmyf aceandi
respondedkelebetsegoreshei
s
pregnant,ionl
yrememberedaft
er.
.
Aatil
e:Thisisthet hirdbabyI'm
l
osingbecauseofy ou,youbet ter
prayshei sfi
neorel seitwouldbe
l
astt i
mey ouandmear et al
king
becausei cannotkeepdoi ngthe
samet hingoverandov eragai n,what
doy ouhav eagainst4mont hs
pregnancies?Isity ourluckynumber ?
Ifshescratchedy ouwhydi dn'tyou
walkaway ?Justwheni thi
nky ou'r
e
diff
erentyouprov emeot herwise,
whobeat sapr egnantwoman?
Lol
o:(
angri
lyast
ear
sfel
l
)She
j
umpedonme!Askherwhatshei
s
doi
nghere?
Aat
il
e:Soy
oupuni
shedherf
or
comi
ngher
e?Youhav
en'
tchangeda
bi
t
Ot
lhe:
(cr
ying)Babepl
easehur
ry.
..
.

Herol
ledupt
hewi
ndowsanddr
ove
of
f.
..
..

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
49PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴60

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Aati
leparkedthecarthenLolo
openedthedoorforthechi l
drenand
gavethem thei
rbags,theyrantothe
carasAat i
l
ewalkedpastt hem tothe
door,Lol
oclosedandl ocked.
..
Aat
il
e:(
knocked)Comeon.
..
openup.
..

Shesighedexhaustedl
yandopened
thedoordoorlooki
nginhisey
es..

Lol
o:What
?
Aat
il
e:Wheni
sthi
sgoi
ngt
oend?
Lol
o:What
?
Aat
il
e:Gi
vi
ngmeacol
dshoul
der
Lol
o:Youblamemef ory
our
gi
rl
fr
iend'
smiscar
ri
age
Aati
le:Exgirl
fri
end..
..Ex.
..Thereisa
bigdif
ferencethereandi don'tbl
ame
youforany t
hing,am iwrongf or
beingangr yaty oukav iolencet oa
pregnantwoman?Babey oucoul d
hav ecl osedherout sideorsomet hing,
hit
tinghercoul dhav elandedy oui n
pri
son, andt henwhatam i goingt o
dowi ththegi rl
s?Weal readyl osty ou
oncei don'twantt olosey ouagai n..
.
Youcan' tkeepmaki ngdeci sionst hat
affecty ourl ovedones, idon'tl ove
Otlhebutt hatdi dn'
tmeani didn' t
careaboutt hebabysoofcour sei
wasal ittl
edi sappointedt haty ouhad
tobei mplicatedi nallthatbutcome
on, youcan' tbeangr yatmef ort hree
mont hs.Thegi r
lsareal readypi cking
upont hist ensionbecausey ouwon' t
ev
engooutwi
thus,
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Lol
o:Justf
ini
shyourbusi
nesswi
th
Otl
hebefor
etalki
ngtome
Aat
il
e:Babefi
nishwhat
?Wear
eov
er,
welongended
Lolo:
Youneedtimetogetoveri
t,a
l
itt
lebreakf
oryoutobr
eathandthi
nk
aboutyourf
utur
e,whenyou'
redone
I'
l
lknow
Aati
l
e:You'
reanenemyofpr
ogr
ess
aker
e
Lol
o:By
eAat
il
e
Aati
le:Ourbosshasapartyathi
s
houseandI '
dli
ketopassbywithyou,
cani pi
ckyouup?Idon'twantt
o
showupal
one
Lolo:
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
tandl
ety
ou
know

Hesmi l
edandt r
iedtotouchherkuku
butsheslappedhishandandclosed
thedoor.
..

Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

AtMyhouse.
..
Il
aidonthebedwitht
hephone
di
rect
oryanddi
aledanumber.
..

Voi
ce:Mini
str
yofyouthspor
tand
cul
tur
e,mayihel
py ou
Me: Hi,whocani t
alktoabout
fundingabusinessthati
sdonehal
f
way ?Ihadlit
tl
emoneysomy
businessishalf
wayandi need
moneyt ofini
shit.
Voi
ce:
Pleasehol
d..
..

Idesperat
elywai
tedastheminutes
passedconsumingmylastai
rti
me
unti
ltheli
negotcutof
fthenisi
ghed
tear
ful
ly
.Iguessiwashavi
ngabad
dayanditwashot,myoneroom
madeitwor sewi
thi
tssmall
windows..
.

Theonl yfoodi hadonmyst andwas

ri
cewi thoutthesour cesorev en
cookingoilmeanwhi l
ei wascr avi
ng
al
lsor tsofthings.Therewasaknock
ont hedoorandi sl
owl ygotof ft
he
bedandwentt othedoorf anning
my selfwit
habox ..
.

Lol
owal kedi
nwit
haplast
icoff
ood
andlaughedl
ooki
ngatme..
.
Lolo:Borengbol ot
omongwaneng. .
.
(l
aughed)Gi r
lyou'r
etheweakest
womani haveevermet .7months
pregnantandy ou'r
elooki
ngthi
sti
red
walkingaroundthehousenude?
Me:
(lookedi
nthepl
ast
ic)What
'st
his?
Lolo:Youbeencrav
ingwat er
melon
thewholeweeksot odaykehakere
keisetsaset
senwaselelegapu.
.

Igrabbedi
tandsatont hebedeati
ng
thenshesatonthebedandl ookedat
myempt yfoodstandbutshedidn'
t
sayanythi
ngthoughtheconcerned
l
ookonherf
acesai
dital
l
.

Lol
o:whatareyoudoi
ngwi
tha
phonedi
rect
ory
?
Me: Wait
sennaLol oi wasn'tmeant
tobehappy...(
tear full
y)Iregrettr
ying
toopenabusi nessbecausenowI '
m
notbenefi
ti
ngany thing,Itookallmy
moneyandusedi tont heuseless
gardennowIdon' thav eawayt o
watermyf l
ower sorev enbuyt he
seeds,wheni tr
yt ogetassi stancein
theoffi
cestheyt ellmecome
tomorrow,icallheadquar terslebone
theymakemehol dunt il
myai rti
mei s
f
ini
shed.
Lolo:Busi
nessi
sli
ket
hat
,it
'shar
dto
start
Me: Ishoul dhav
ebroughtataxinow
ke7mont hsandihav
en'tbought
any
t hingf ort
hebaby,I
'm goi
ngtobe
adisgr ace.
Lolo:(t
ookoutP200)Thetenant
s
paidtoday,
gobuyfood..
.Youneedto
eatbecauseify
oudon'tthebabywi
l
l
starv
e
Me:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Wheni r
ememberhow
muchmoneyIusedtospendperday
kegonekel
emoganggor ekenekel
e
ngwanamothogong,
ididn'
tsave
any t
hingandy ouknowwhat '
spai nf
ul
i
st hatKenoncegav ekemoneyf or
thisbusinessandi justspentitaj
d
blewi toff.Iboughtcl ot
hsandhi gh
heelswhi chi don'tevenhav e
becauseKen' smot herwon'topent he
doorf orme.I '
mj ustadest i
tute.
.
Lolo:Di
distopcryi
ng,you're
pregnant
..
.Lif
eisnev erfair
,it
'snot
l
ikeI'
ml i
vinganybetter.
..Theonly
thi
ngsavingmei sthathousey aBaby
andthatAatil
esuppor t
she.
Me: Atleasty
ouhavesomethi
ng.
..I
neverthoughtatmyageI
'dhavea
fat
herlessbaby
Lolo:Wai
tsennakemakat swake
Keni meansuspicionscanbet here
buttotot
all
yrejectyourson?Wowhe
shockedme.Inev erthoughthecould
denyhischi
ld.Cany ouLeSWATa
chance?Imeant heguyal ways
j
umpswheny out el
lhimy ou'
re
cravi
ngsomet hi
ngandhenev ersays
nowheny ouaskhi mf ormoney .
Me:Idon'
tl
ikehisj
ob,i
t'
sjustli
ke
dat
ingKenexceptt
hisi
sisallowedt
o
car
ryagunorshootatpeople
Lolo:Yousoundchildi
sh,Didiyou
hav ewchi l
dtothi
nkof.
..Ibeendoing
thisparenti
ngthi
ngforyearsnow,
trustmet heguywholovesy ourchi
ld
i
st heyou'llalway slov e.Doy ouknow
thepainofbei ngwi thamanwho
doesn'tl
ikey ourchi ld?Wheny our
daughtertouchessomet hinghesay s
putitdown, wheny ourchi l
dgetsi n
thecargat wedon' ttouchseat sijust
tookitoutofcarwasht hemmal eha
okaisiwaDubai itwillbebor i
ng.If
Kensay sit'snothi schi ldthenwhen
heisdoneser v i
nghi s6y ear
sentencehest il
l won'tbel i
eveit
shi s
andwenay ou'repassi nggoodguy s.
I'
m notinfluenci ngy out odatele
SWATbuther emi ndsmeofAat i
le,i
don'tknowhi m obv iouslybutbased
onwhaty out oldmeabouthi m hei s
agentleman.Gaabatesexandhei s
readytoacceptyourpregnancy,
why
shouldyouli
veli
kethiswheny oucan
gethelpandsupportfr
om him.I
thoughtyouli
kedhim
Me:Idoandhei sfinetota,
eneo
si
amebutnnaI '
mtoool dtoli
ve
danger
ously
, Kentaughtmeal esson
andI'
m notready.I
'mtooscaredt o
tr
y
Lolo:Justknowt hatl
eSWATl ele
l
onegal eagoemel a,ifhefindsa
gir
lfr
iendhewi l
lmov eonandt hen
you'r
egoingtocr ythatit
'shardto
fi
ndaboy f
ri
endwheny ouhav ea
baby, I
'
mt el
li
ngy oufrom experi
ence.
It
houghtguysl
i
keAat i
l
ewer
ekant
e
hewasar ar
ebreed.
Me:
You'
rescar
ingmel
ewenagape
Lol
o: Askany onewi thachi ldtheywi l
l
tel
lyout hatbeforey oucancal l
someoney ourboy fr
iendtheyf ir
st
mustl oveyourchildbecausei fthey
don'
ty ouwon' tenjoywr elationship
wit
ht hem butt henhowmanypeopl e
canlov echil
drenwhoar en'ttheir
s..
.

Sheopenedthepl
ast
icandgav
eme
aplat
eoffood.
..

Lol
o:Eatsomet
hingbef
oret
hatboy
becomesunder
wei
ght
..
.
Me:
Howi
sBaby
?
Lolo:
Shewi ll
befine..
.Sheis
recover
ingbutIdon'tunder
standwhy
shegetssickwhenshet akesher
medicationonti
me.
Me:Can'
tyoutal
ktot
hedoct
orso
t
heycanchangethemedi
cat
ionkana
i
t'
sthesamekindofmedi
cat
ionhela?
Lol
o:I
'
llt
ryt
hatmay
bei
twi
l
lwor
k
Me:
Okay
Lolo:
I'
m goi
ngt
ogetreadyt
o
accompanyAat
il
eathi
sboss'
spar
ty
Me:
Doi
sensebackl
ove?
Lol
o:NobackloveAati
l
ewaat ena,
i
don'
twanttobeexci
tedandcrythe
nextmi
nute,wesrej
ustfr
iends
Me:Buty
ousoundsojealouseach
ti
meyoutal
kabouthowhel i
ftedher
fr
om t
hegroundandputherinthe
car
Lol
o:(
laughed)I
'
m notj
eal
ous
Me:
Right

Shelaughedandwal
kedoutasmy
phonerang.
..

Me:
hel
l
o?
Bl
essi
ng:
Heysi
ster
Me:
Mxm
Bl
essi
ng:(l
aughed)Iknowial
way
s
di
sappearbutmeratayout
hemma
Me:OnlywhenIhav
eacarl
i
ke
Ar
ianna
Blessi
ng:Ohcomeony ouknowI'
m
schooli
nginGabs,ihav
en'
tbeeni
n
Maunsi ncethatdr
ama.Howismy
nephewdoi ng?
Me:
Hei
sgood
Blessi
ng:I'
m comingwit
ht heni
ght
bus,iboughthim somet
hingspeci
al
Me:
(laughed)You'
ret
hebestl
i
ttl
e
si
steronecanhav
e
Blessi
ng:Nnat hemmat heydon'tcal
l
meBl essi
ngfornothing,ifyou'
re
l
uckyenought odeliv
erwhi leI'
m ona
shortschoolvacat
ionket il
egogo
bayabotsetsi
nnaMabl esos
Me: (
laughed)I
'l
lprayso,yourmot her
i
ssoqui etaboutitbutIwon'task
anyoneforhelpket ai
payabot set
si,
ngwanakegaanagoswaaker e
Bl
essi
ng:
MmeyourDDisaroundmy
br
eaksowewi
l
lseehowitgoes
Me:
Thanksbabysi
ster
Bl
essi
ng:
Bye.
..
Att
hepar
ty.
..
.

Latert
hateveningAatil
eapproached
hiscol
leagueswithhishandar ound
Lolo'
swaistandgr eet
edev er
yoneas
theyexchangedpleasantr
ies.
..

Aat
il
e:Guy
sthi
sisAl
one.
.
Boss:(shookherhand)OhMr s
Johnson..
.Nicetomeety ou,i
was
l
ookingforwardtoseeingyouinyour
weddinggownbuty oucancel
led,
shouldwestartprepari
ngforthe
weddingagain?
Aat
il
e:Goodquest
ion
Shelaughedshamefull
yastheguy
s
wait
edf orherr
esponse.
..

Lolo:(l
aughed)Iguessy
oucoul
d
start
Boss: (l
aughed)Thanky ouf or
comi ng, heyguysI'
m notlaughing..
.
Relationshipsgothroughhel l
and
peoplewhodon' tknowany thi
ng
aboutl ov ewil
lj
udgey oubutI'm not
oneoft hem.Ifaheartwant swhoi t
want sitdoesandy oucan' tdo
anythingabouti t
..
.
Aat
il
e:That
'
str
ue.
..
Atmyhouse.
..
..

Onthesameev eni
ngtherewasa
knockont hedoorandiopened, my
l
andlorddidn'
tl
ookhappyandmy
heartski
ppedbecausei knewi was
l
ateonmypay mentandi didn'
teven
haveagoodexcuse. .
.

Me:
Dumel
ang
Her:Hi,
I'
ll
needy outomoveout
befor
etheendoft heweeksot hati
canputat enantwhocanpay ,
I'
m not
runni
ngachar it
yorgani
sat
ion.
Me:
EhmmaI
'
llmov
e

Sheturnedaroundandwalkedaway
asiclosedthedoorandsatonthe
bedthoughtful
l
y,iwasnowhomeless
andmymot her'shousewasn'
tan
opt
ion.

Isatont hebedanddi al
edLolo's
numberbutshedi dn'
tanswertheni
call
edmymot her
,shedi
dn'
tanswer
eit
herandf orherithadbeen
happeningf orweek,sheprobabl
y
thoughti wasaskingformoneyor
wantedt oaskhert ohel
pmewi t
hthe
baby
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
..

Latert
hateveni
ngOtl
heknockedon
thedoorandMay asl
i
dtheglasson
thedoor.
.

May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..
Ot
lhe:
Hey
,wher
eisy
ourf
ather
?
May
a:Hei
soutt
oapar
tywi
thmama
Otl
he:Opent
hedoor
,iwantt
odr
ink
water
May
a:Hesai
dnott
oopenf
orany
one
Otl
he:(l
aughed)ButI'
m notany
one,
I
'dneverhurtyouyouknowthat,
whereisBaby?
Maya:
Wat chi
ngTV,daddysai
difi
wantt
oopeni mustcal
lhimfi
rst
,let
mecallhi
m
Otl
he:Mayajustopenthedoor,
he
meanttootherpeopl
ey oudon'
tknow
notme

Mayaunl
ockedthedoort
henOtl
he
wal
kedinandheadedtot
heki
tchen
wi
thherhandbag.

Shegl
ancedatt
heki
dswat
chi
ngTV
andgr abbedthechi
ldr
en'
sschool
waterbot t
lesandputt
hem onthe
counter.

Shetookoutabottl
eofanti
freeze
fr
om herhandbagandpouredineach
bott
lethensheshookthebottl
esand
putthem backi
nthefr
idge.

Shewipedthekit
chencounterand
l
eftherhandbagonthecouchonher
waytothebedroom..
.

Ot
lhe:
Goi
ngt
othet
oil
et.
..
Gi
rl
s:(
wat
chi
ngt
v)Okay

Shegoti
nandr
eachedf
orBaby
's
meds.

Meanwhi
leAati
l
estoppedt
hecarand
t
heygotoutl
aughi
ngandknockedon
t
hedoor.

I
ttookawhi l
ebefor
eMay acoul
d
hearthei
rknockt
hroughthel
oud
vol
umeoft hecar
toonsthenshe
openedthedoor.
Lolowalkedinwi
thAatil
e'sjacket
s
aroundhershoul
dersashecl osed
thedoor,bot
hofthem staredatthe
unfamil
i
arbagont hecouchand
l
ookedatoneanot her
..
.

Lol
o:Whosebagi
sthat
?
Maya:AuntOt
lhe,
shewentt
othe
t
oil
et

Lol
oturnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m
di
sappoint
edl
y.
..

Aat
il
e:Isweari
didn'
ti
nvi
teher
,she
cal
ledmeaski
ngi
fwecouldmeet
andIsaidnoi
wasbusyatsome
par
ty..
.
Lol
o:Sheshouldn'tbeinhereonour
absence.
..(
tookoffhisjacketandput
i
tont hecouch)youknowwhatI '
l
l
gi
veherapi eceofmymi nd.
..

Sheshookherheadwal ki
ngacr oss
theli
vingroom headingtothe
bedroomst henAatil
efoll
owedher
andtheybumpedonOt l
heholding
Baby'smedicati
on.Shef r
ozestaring
atthem asherheartpoundedt hen
sheswal l
owedandputi tbehi
ndher ..
.
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
lycov
eredhermout
h)
OhmyGod. .
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[9/
3,11:
49PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 61
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ot
lhe:
Iwast
ryi
ngt
ohel
phert
akeher
meds?
Lolo:
(angr
il
y)Don'tt
rythatbecause
I'
l
lcallt
hepoli
ceforyou,sothi
sis
whymydaught erhasbeensick?Do
youchangethem orwhat?
Otl
he:Call
thepol
i
ceandI'
l
ltel
lthem
youcausedmymiscar
ri
age
Lol
o:That
'
sit
..
.

Lol
otookoutherphoneandwal
ked
out
..
.

Lol
o:Don'
tletherwal
kouther
e,I
'
m
cal
l
ingthepoli
ce..
.

Thechil
drenstaredatOtl
hebi
ti
ng
thei
rnai
lsconfusedbythe
confr
ontati
on.
.

Aat
il
e:Hav
easeat
,wear
ecal
l
ingt
he
pol
i
ce..
.
Otl
he:Iwantt
ogohome,
iwasj
ust
passi
ngby
Aat
il
e:It
oldy
oui
wasn'
thome,
why
didy
oucome?Youknewi washere
andwearenott oget
hersowhatar e
youdoi
ngholdinghermeds?Andi ts
waypastherbuzz,you'r
enotserious.
Haveaseatandwai tforthepol
ice

Shesatont
hecouchasLolowalked
backint
hehouseandcl
osedthe
door.
.

Lolo:Guy
sgotobed,t
omor
row
you'r
egoingt
oschool
..
.
May
a:I
sBabygoi
ngt
obeokay
?
Lol
o:Shewi
l
lbef
ine
Baby
:Am i
goi
ngt
odi
e?
Aatil
e:(
li
ftedherupandwal kedto
thebedroom holdi
ngMay a'
shand)
Youwon' tdi
ebutatleastyou'r
e
goingtobeokayf r
om nowon
becausenoonei sgoingtotouch
yourmeds
Baby
:Okay

Hetuckedthem inwhil
eLoloand
Otl
hesatont hecouchstar
ingatone
anot
her,Ot
lhe'seyeswell
edupas
shestar
edatLolo...

Ot
lhe:
Iwi
shy
ouunder
stoodt
hepai
n
I'
mf eeli
ngrightnowbuti t
'sokay
becausey ou'r
etheonehel oves,
you'l
lneverknowhowmuchi thurt
s
toloveamanandt hinkhei stheone
onlyforhimt ogetbacktogetherwith
hisbabymama.Iam hur tandLoloi
scratchedyourfaceyoushoul dhave
donet hesamenott oelbowme,
you'r
eawomanandy ouknewv ery
wellthatitmightaf
fectthebaby .
Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)Not
hingj
usti
fi
eswhat
youj
ustdi
dtomydaughter
,not
hing!
Otl
he: (
cryi
ng)Nothi
ngjust i
fi
es
every
thingihavedone..
..Tryi
ngt o
separateherfr
om Aatil
e,changing
herpil
lsorevensendingy outhose
hushmessages,nothi
ngcanj ust
if
y
thatandiadmitt
hatiwaswr ong,
whataboutyou?Don'tyouthi
nk
you'r
ehur
tingme?Ilovehim!
Lolo: I
'm nottheonewhoaskedy ou
outhedi d, I
'
m nothur ti
ngy ou, he
did..
.Andt hel asttimeIcheckedy ou
twohadar gument swaybef orei he
startedshowi ngi nteresti
nme.He
say shisproblem wi t
hy ouwast hat
youdi dn'taccepthi sdaught erandi t
turnedhim of f,al
l t
heot herv iol
ent
tantrumsaddedt ohim notwant ing
you, icameaf ter.
..I'm notev en
datinghim andy ou'recryi
ng, what
willyoudowhenhef inall
ymar ri
es
mebecausethatmanlov
esmeandi
knowi
t,whatareyougoi
ngt
odo?
Hangyour
self
?
Otl
he:Andy ouhaven'
teven
apol
ogisedforthemiscar
ri
age,
sor
ry
hel
awoul dhavebeenenough
Lolo:Youshoul dn'thavejumpedon
mei nthefir
stpl ace,thatwillt
each
yout oactli
keanadul tandnot
everyonewillpampery ouli
keAat i
l
e
doeswheny ouhar asshi m someof
usr agorupulahaor ephaphel agare
bommagoaker e
Ot
lhe:
Soy
oust
il
lwon'
tsaysor
ry
Lol
o:No,
I'
dsaysor
ryi
fif
ell
ony
ou
butyouj umpedonmeandgotwhat
youwant ed.Ifyou'
relookingforpi
ty
youwon' tgetitfr
om me, what
happenedwasanacci dentbecausei
didn'
tplantohur tyoubutself
defensei sverymuchj ust
ifi
abl
e.

ShelookedinhereyesasAati
le
walkedinandsatnexttoher
..

Otlhe:Cl
earl
yyou'r
enotsorryandi
shouldn'
texpectanapologyfr
om you,
iforgi
veyouLoloforkil
l
ingmychil
d
andAat i
l
ei f
orgiv
ey oufor
disappoi
nti
ngmeandi wantyouto
knowt
hatyou'
l
lneverf
indawoman
whowi
lll
oveyouthewayidi
d
Lol
o:Idon'
tneedyourfor
giv
eness
Otl
he,Idi
dn'
tdoanythi
ngwrong.
Otlhe:Ipouredanti
fr
eezeinthe
childr
en'sbott
les,
pleasedi
spose
them
Aat
il
e:Ant
if
reezeki
l
ls
Otl
he:
IknowandI'
m sor
rybuti
didn'
t
putal
ethal
dose
Aat
il
e:(
angr
il
y)You'
renotasci
enti
st,
howdoyouknowwhat'snotl
ethal
?

Lol
ogr
abbedt
hebot
tl
esandput
them onthet
abl
e,minut
eslat
ert
her
e
wasaknockont hedoort
henshe
openedthedoor
.

Thetwopoli
ceoff
icer
swal
ksi
n,
Otl
hestoodupandgavet
hem her
wri
sts.
..

Ot
lhe:
I'
mtheoney
ou'
rel
ooki
ngf
or.
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
.

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningacal
lwoke
meup..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Hey
Me:
Mot
set
siwar
eng
Bayang:
(laughed)I
'
m good,
howar
e
you?
Me:I'
m okay
, kanai don'
tknowbot
h
ofyourki
ds.
..Firstbornkebony
ea
set
sealemonny e
Bayang:Kenfananyanayaanongand
helooksli
keme, I'
l
lvi
sityounext
weekkaenesoy oucanseehim.The
oneinKasanelennahai seke
mmone, ihav
eaonl yseenher
pi
ctures.
Me:
Ok
Bay
ang:
Wher
edoy
ouwor
k?
Me:
I'
m notwor
king
Bayang:sohowar ey
ougoi
ngt
o
supportyourbaby
?
Me:Ihav
ebusi
nesses,
idon'
tl
ack
any
thi
ng
Bay
ang:That
'swhatiwasint
erest
ed
i
n,iwasali
tt
leconcer
ned
Me:(l
aughed)I
'
m gooddon'
twor
ry
aboutme
Bayang:Waitsegoremyhel
pi sn'
t
condit
ional
wheni tcomest
oy ou
akere?Don'
tmi st
akenmyofferfora
l
ov ebackrequestorsomethi
ng,I
'l
l
alwaysbeav ai
labl
etohelpandnot
expectanythi
nginretur
njust
because.
Me:
Iknow

Tao'
scal
lbeeped.
..

Me:
Cani
cal
youback?
Bay
ang:
Okay
,shar
p
Me:
(hungupandpi
cked)Hel
l
o
Tao:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Tao:
Rememberwheni
sai
diwas
l
ooki
ngf
orsomeonet
oset
tl
edown?
Me:
yeah
Tao:It
hinkifoundonesoi j
ust
want
edt oletyouknowjusti
ncase
i
t'
simportanttotel
lyou.

Iswal
l
owedandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h..
.

Me:Congrat
ulat
ions,
iguessy
ou
wer
eseriousaboutit
Tao:I'
mt oooldtobesendinggood
morningst hr
oughFacebookli
kea20
yearold,
i needtoki
sssomeoneand
whispergiidmorni
nginthei
rears
eachmor
ning.
Me:
Shei
sluckygi
rl
Tao:Ithi
nkI'
mtheluckyone,sheisa
churchgi
rlandsheischil
l
ed.Leene
golebegasaleasokotsetofi
nda
man, r
ekopanyerel
edesperatef
or
l
ove.
Me:
Luckyher
Tao: (smil
ed)Yeah...Hernamei s
Litt
o..AnywaysI'm deletingyour
numberbecausei woul dn'tknow
whatt otel
lherifsheaskedmewho
you'r
eorwhyI 'm sti
lltalkingtoyou
sincemysear chisov er.
Me:
Iunder
stand,
bye
Tao:Takecar
eofthatl
it
tleboy
,
rememberyouneedalotofbedrest
andshortwal
ksintheeveni
ng.
Me:
iknow
Tao:
Bye

Ihungupandsi ghed,Lol
owasr ight.
..
Playi
nghardtogethadmel osea
potent
ial
husband.Ididn'tknowi
l
ikedhim unt
ilt
henandi tbother
ed
mewaymor ethani t
houghtitwould.
..

Myboyki ckedandismil
edhopeful
ly
car
essingmybi gbump,iguesshe
wouldbet heonl
ypersonI'
dcounton
andf
indhappi
nessi
n..
.

Me:HeyZane.
..Mommycan'
twai
tto
seeyoubuddy
...

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

MrandMr sDani
elwalkedinand
respect
full
yshookLoloandAat i
le'
s
handswhi l
etheoff
icerexpl
ainedthe
chargesthatOtl
hewasf aci
ng..
.

MrsDani
el:
Canwrtal
kforami
nut
e?
I
twon'
ttakelong
Off
icer
:(di
str
acted)Bot
sadi
what
's
goi
ngon?I'm worki
ng
Mr sDaniel
:Wrjustwant edtotalkt
o
them, can'
tyouforgi
veherandnot
presscharges?Please..
.I'
ll
take
responsibi
li
tyf
orheractionsfrom
nowon, wethi
nkshei sdepressedso
wear egoingtotakeherf or
evaluati
onatSabrana.
MrDaniel
:TheARVonescaresmet o
deat
hbecausethatchi
l
dcouldhav
e
beensi
ck
Lol
o:ShehasbeensickbutOtl
he
nev
ersaidanythi
ng,
sheclear
ly
wantedt
okill
mydaughter
MrDani el
:Mmet hengwanakakea
gor apel
a,i
ntshwarele.Please.
..I
'
ll
makesur eshest aysawayf rom you
andy ourboyfr
iend,Otlhekengwana
helay okemoemel angkat hupahela.
Please

Hegotonhiskneesandhel
dLolo'
s
handsdesper
atel
ylooki
ngi
nhereyes.

MrDani el
:I'
m beggingyoumy
daughter.
..Pl
ease,iunder
standy our
angerandy ou'
rejusti
fi
edbutplease
Lolo:
Okay,I
'l
ldr
opt hechar
geson
thecondi
ti
onthatshestaysaway
f
rom mydaught
ers.
MrsDani
el:
Thanky
ou,
Godbl
ess
you.
..

Afewmi nut
eslat
erAati
leandLol
o
walkedoutoft
hepoli
ceholdi
ng
handsandgotinthecar
..
.

Lol
o:Didimaket
her
ightdeci
sionby
for
giv
ingher
?
Aatil
e:(l
eanedov erandkissedher )
Yesandi loveyouf ort
hat,
forgi
venessalway sopensdoor sfor
blessi
ngs.It
'snotourjobt ojudge,as
l
ongasourki dsareokayI'm happy.
Atl
eastnowwecanfocuson
our
sel
vesandourki
ds
Lol
o:Okay

Heki
ssedheragai
nrev
ersedt
hecar
t
hendrov
eoff.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..

Laterthatev
eningi f
ini
shedcl
eani
ng
thehouseandsatont hebed
l
isteningtomusicnoddingmyhead
asi wentthr
ought hebaby'
sti
ny
clothes,i
don'
tthinkther
ewas
anythi
ngi everf el
tcur i
ousaboutt han
meetZane, comet ot hinkofiti
couldn'tdecidebet weenZeeand
Evanbecauset heybot hhadt he
meani ngi couldr el
at etobuti l
oved
Zanemor e..
.He' dpr obablybeacut e
l
itt
leboyandi couldj ustsmileonmy
ownt hinkofal lhaircutst y
lesI'
ddo
onhi mt obeat inyli
ttlemr
handsome. .
.

Me:(
singi
ngal
ongwit
hheadset
son
myears)Comeon,
comeon,tur
nthe
r
adi
oon
I
t'
sFr
idayni
ghtandIwon'
tbel
ong
Gott
adomyhai
r,Iputmymakeup
on
I
t'
sFr
idayni
ghtandIwon'
tbel
ong
'
Til
Ihi
tthedancef
loor
Hi
tthedancef
loor
Igotal
lIneed
NoIai
n'
tgotcash
Iai
n'
tgotcash
ButIgoty
oubaby
..
.

Isl
owlydancedstandingnexttothe
bedlooki
ngathisniceclot
hes,part
ofmewasi ndenial
..
.Mehav inga
baby?Nahitwashar dtobeli
eveeven
ashegav emesuperki cks,al
li
wantedwast oholdhi minmyar ms
andkisshi m andy esi di
dn'thavea
housenorj obbuti knewi wasgoi ng
toevery t
hingi nmypowert omake
sureheget stheli
fehedeser ved, how
ihadnoi dea.
...Ij
ustknewZanehad
j
ustgiv enmeanewmeani ngtol ife
andI'dputbr eadont hetabl
ewi thout
hisfatherort hehelpofmypar ents..
..

5YEARSLATER.
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
50PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴62

Att
hesal
on.
..

Thesal onwasal waysbusyon

Fridaysespecial
l
ydur i
ngt heendof
themont h,itwafull
..Dryerswere
blowingwhi l
ehaircuti
ngmachi nes
wer ebuzzingasthehai r
dressers
chatted,iwassitt
ingatthecor nerof
t
hesaloononmynailsect
ion
i
nst
all
i
ngFrenchnai
l
sonacl ient
..
..

MaDani elwalkedi nthesaloont o

colorherhairdar k,iheardher
conv ersat
ionwi t
ht hehairdresserasi
wor kedonmycl ient.
.Shesatdown
andgotherhai rdonet henshel ooked
ont hemi r
rorandsmi ledatal i
tt
le
boywhowasget t i
ngahai rcutfrom
theot herbarber.
..

MaDaniel
:Thi
sboyremindsmeof
mysonwhenhewasal i
ttl
eboy.
..
Ngwanayoonkgaol
elaengpel
o..
.
Hai
rdr
esser
:Amme?Maybeit
'shi
so
molat
hil
ekanabat
samayabaimisa
mobalatha
MaDaniel
:(l
aughed)Hei
sinpr
ison,
i
tcan'
tbehis.
..
Hair
dresser:
Gongwehei shis
nephew,Gongwet heirf
atherhad
anotherboyoutt
her ewhof at
hered
thi
sone...Di
diwhereisZane'sfather
?

Ikeptmyheaddownanddidthenail
s
l
ikeIcoul
dn'
theart
hei
rconver
sati
on..

Hai
rdr
esser:
HeeDi
di?
Me:Myson'sf
atherdeni
edhi
m,
gaanar
raagwe

MaDani elkeptqui
et,
oncedonewit
h
nail
sIaskedf orapi
ctur
essoicoul
d
advert
iseonFacebooktogetmore
cl
ientsthenshepaidandlef
t.

Igotthebroom andsweptmycor ner

asthebarberwalkedoutoft hewash
room carr
yingZanewit
hamar ron
toweloverhisshoul
ders.MaDaniel
star
edathim asshepai dthenshe
walkedoverandlif
tedhim...
MaDaniel
:Hi
ther
e..
..What
'sy
our
name?
Zane:
Zeef
orZane
MaDaniel
:I
t'sabeaut
if
ulname.
..I
l
ovei
t,y
ou'reahandsomeboyokay?
Zane:
OK

Sheputhim downandthebarberput
aclotharoundhi
m doi
ngthelast
touches,
MaDani el
walkedov
erto
measIsweptt hefl
oor.
..
.

MaDani
el:
Thi
sisOf
ana'
sson
Me:
Hei
snot
MaDaniel:Gakegobotsekeago
bol
elel
a,t
hat'
shisson.
Me:I
t'sLor
e'ssonandhei
sdeadso
I
'mtheonlyonewitht
heri
ght
sover
hi
m,leavemealone.
MaDani el
:ThatboyisnotLore'
sson,
i
t'
sOf ana'
ssonandy ouknowi t
,
anyonewhoknowshi m wil
ltell
you
si
ncey ou'
retoobl
indtoseeit.
Me:wi
thal
lduerespectpl
easeleave
meandmysonal one,i
str
uggledfor
t
hepast5year
swi t
hthisboyandI'l
l
wor
khardunti
lheisagrownman.
MaDaniel
:Youwon'
tgetawaywi
th
t
his.
..
Shewalkedaway
,ifi
nishedsweepi
ng
andpackedmybags..
.

Bar
ber
:Knocki
ngof
f?
Me:
Yeah,
it'
sgett
ingl
ateandIwant
t
ogocookfort
hebar.
.

Ihungmybagst rapov ermyshoulder

andsmi l
edlooki
ngatZaneont he
mirrorasheplayedgameswhi l
ethe
barbermadethel asttouchesand
grabbedthespray .
..
Bar
ber
:Zeecl
osey
ourey
es

Heclosedhiseyesast hebarber
spray
edhimt henher emovedthe
towelandputhim down,ipaidhi
m
andwalkedoutholdinghishand.
...

Me:
Goodni
ghtguy
s
Hai
rdr
esser
s:Ni
ght
..
.

Westeppedoutofthesal
onasa
coupl
ewalki
ngbysmi l
edatZaneand
eventur
nedthei
rneckssmil
i
ngafter
passi
ng.Healwaysmanagedtoturn
eyeseachti
mei walkedaroundwith
him andhewasmypr ide.Thefeel
i
ng
ofalwaysbei
ngwithhim wasenough
togivemestrengt
hdur i
ngmylow
days..
.

Iglancedatt heti
me, Shopri
tewas
abouttocl oseinafewmi nutessoI
l
ift
edhi m upandwal kedacrossthe
roadasheheav ybagwei ghedmy
shoulderdown.

Zane:
MamaI
'
m hungr
y
Me:Iknowbaby,wearegoi
ngt
obuy
afewthingst
henI'
l
lcook.
Zane:
Cani
playt
hegames?
Me:Peopl
ewil
lst
ealthephone,
its
dar
k..
.You'
l
lpl
ayathome.
Zane:HowcomeIdon'
thav
eadad
l
ikeJuni
or?
Me:(laughed)Whatmakesy out
hink
youdon'thaveadad?Ev eryonehasa
dadit'
sjustthatsome..
..Someare
dead,othersaretoobusyandothers
i
npr i
sonsbutev ery
onehasadad.
Zane:
Wher
eismi
ne?
Me: (
puthim down)Weareher e.
..
.
(bentoverlooki
nginhi
seyes)Zeewe
aregoinginsidet
heshoptobuyf ood
only,notoysordri
nkorsweets.We
don'thavemoney,weonl
yhaveP300
andI '
l
lbeproudofyoui
fyoudon'
tcr
y
foranythi
ng.
Zane:
OK.
..

Iheldhiswr istandwal kedi npicking

smal l
gr oceri
est henwequeued
behindacoupl ewi t
haf ulltr
oll
eyand
asonar oundZane' sagewhowas
sit
ti
ngont het r
olleyholdi
ngabi g
remotecarandot herfancyt oy
son
topoft hetroll
eywhi lehedr unkthe
j
uice.Zanel ookedathi m andqui etl
y
l
ookedatme, myboydi dn'tsay
anythingbutt helookonhi sface
br
okemei
ntopi
eces.

Icouldtel
lheenviedhi
m andwanted
thosecarsbuthekeptquietandhel
d
myf i
ngerstandi
ngnexttomeunt i
l
wepai dandwalkedout.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Lolowal kedi
nt hehousehol di
ngher
handbagandcarkey sasAatil
eand
Juniorlaidonthecouchwi t
hthe
j
oysticksnexttot hem, shequi
etl
y
passedt othebedr oom whereshe
changedherclot hesandcheckedon
thegir
ls,
theywereasl
eept
oothen
shetookashowerandwenttothe
kit
chenwr appedi
natowel
..
.

Aatilewokeupasshewalkedbacki
n
takingabit
e,shel
eanedoverand
kissedhim..
.

Aat
il
e:Hey
Lol
o:Hi
..
.t
hef
oodi
sdel
i
cious
Aati
le:
Mayaisthewhocooked..
.
(gr
abbedJuni
or)Ngwanakeotaa
bol
awakev i
deo-game
Lol
o:Leav
ehi
m ket
amor
obat
sa
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokayandhei
sheav
y..
.

Hel i
ft
edJuniorupandwal kedtot
he
bedroom asLolofi
nishedeati
ngand
recei
vedacall.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Didi
:Hi,didn'
tyouknockoffthene
mmasoy oucandropmeof fatthe
bar?Ihav en'
tpai
dthetaxit
hismonth
sokepal elwakegommi tsa
Lol
o:Noprobl
em,wewi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f
gakehet
sagoja
Di
di:
Bye
ShehungupasAat il
ewalkedbacki
n
taki
ngoffhisvestthenheleaned
overki
ssingher.
..

Aat
il
e:Ihatei
twhenyou'
rewor
king
ni
ghtshi
ftsandcomi
nghomelate.
Lol
o:Wait
ressi
ngisbett
ert
han
si
tt
inghomedoingnothi
ng
Aati
le:Buti
t'
snotlikey
ou
desperat
elyneedthatj
obespeci
all
y
becauseitdoesn'
tpayasmuchasa
realj
obwouldpay .
Lol
o:(
rubbedhi
sheadandkissed
hi
m)Don'tst
art
..
.Let
'sgodr
opof f
Di
di'
shot
dogst
andatt
hebar
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght

Heki
ssedherandputonhi
st-
shi
rt
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Latert
hatnighti
pushedtheboxof
foodasideandputt
hechakalakapot
i
nsideasZanesatont hebedeati
ng.
..

Zane:
I'
mful
lmama
Me:
Thanksbabyputi
tov
ert
her
e..
.
Heputont het ableandl ai
ddown
cl
osinghiseyes, meanwhi leifol
deda
pol
arfleeceblanketf orhim andputi
t
i
nthebagt hendr essedhi m ashe
wassleeping,iputhi minjeansand
har
dboot sthenaj ackeasLol o
par
kedout si
de. .
.

Shewal kedinandcar
ri
edmybagas
Aati
lel i
ft
edthebi
gheavyboxandt
he
gasst ovewhil
eicar
ri
edZaneonmy
shoulders..
.

Att
hebar
..
..
.
Minuteslatertheydroppedmeof f
anddr ov
eof f,
If ol
dedabl anketand
l
aidZanenextt omychai rtheni
swit
chedt hest oveonandl aidsteaks
andt-bonesont hehotpl
at e.
..

I
twaspur edarkandi hadtol
i
ght
wit
hmyphonef orpeoplet
osee
whichpieceofmeattheywanted.
Therewerrthr
eeofussel l
i
ngfood
outsi
dethebarbutthequeueswere
l
ongerthananythi
ng..
.

Dr
unkar
d:(
hol
dingbl
ackl
abel
)
MmagweZane?Whyareyousol
ate?
Youknowi
onlyeaty
ourf
ood
Me:Sor
ryihaddel
ays.I
bil
eyou
f
orgoty
ourchangeyest
erday
Drunkard:
Keepitiwast
oodr
unk..
.
(handedoutP50)Giv
emeaplat
e
Man2:
Okaemf
anany
ana?
Me:
Orobet
seha
Man2:Gi
vemepapal etbone,
omphe
morogoesengchakal
aka
Me:
Okay
..
.

Iputthephoneonmymout hand
serv
ed,hourspassedasi
stoodther
e
sell
ingtomyl ovel
ylouddr unk
customers,iwasexhaust edbutt he
moneymot i
vatedme, Iwaspl anning
tofindZaneapr eschoolbecausehe
wast oooldtobehomeandhewas
suffer
ingthemostspendi nghour sat
thesalonbreathi
ngdirtyhairand
l
y i
ngundermychai rwhi l
eIsol dfood
atbars..
.

Mygoal f
orthatmont hwasP1, 400,
600forschoolfees,300forhi
slunch
boxsnackandhi r
ingataxitodrop
hi
m offatschool.
..
Thewomansel l
ingnextt
omebent
overget
ti
ngdisposabl
esandfr
owned
thensheli
tunderthemychai
r.
..

Her
:Heel
aDi
diZeeokae?

Ihandedt
hecustomerhi
splateand
l
ookedaroundbuthewasn'
tther
e..
.

Me:
{pani
cki
ng)Zane?

Ipacedaroundli
ghtingwit
hat orch
andcall
inghim,othercompassionate
peoplestoppedbuyingandand
j
oinedmecal
l
inghi
m..
..

Man: Justcal
lthepoli
cesotheycan
helpuslookforhim kol
oiyamaSSG
elebonel el
ebogalegore,
theywil
l
fi
ndhi m qui
cker.
.

Itookoutmyphoneandcal
l
edt
he
poli
ce.
..

Voi
ce:
MaunPol
i
cest
ati
on-
Me:Hi,il
ostmysonatt
hebar
..
.I
was.
..Iwassel
li
ng-
Voi
ce:
Ma'
am t
akeadeepbr
eat
hand
t
alksl
owl
y.
..I
shi
snameZane?
Me:
Yes,
why
?
Voice:
Someonebroughtali
ttl
eboy
herebecausehewascrossi
ngthe
roadandhealmosthi
thim.

Ihungupandr
ant
owar
dsat
axi
..
.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Minutesl
aterIpai
dthetaxiandran
i
ntothepoli
cestati
on,Zanewas
si
tti
ngonapol i
ceoffi
cer'
slapplay
ing
gameswithhisphone,tear
sfil
l
edmy
ey
esasi
appr
oached.

Zanesli
ddownandr antowardsme
theniwentdownononekneeand
huggedhim ast
ear
sf el
ldown..
.

Me: Zanewher
edidy ougo?Whydi d
youleave?(
shaki
nglyinspect
inghi
m
all
ov er
)Whathappened?
Zane:
Iwentt
opeeandi
coul
dn'
tfi
nd
you

Iki
ssedhim andstoodupcarry
ing
him ast
hepoliceoff
icerwal
kedover
andqui
etl
ylookedatmef
ora
moment.
.

Him: Whywouldyougot oabarwith

a4y earol
d?Howi rresponsi
bleis
that?Chi
ldnegl
igenceisaser i
ous
offencet
hatcanlandy ouinjai
l,do
youknowt hat
?
Me:
Youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand
Hi
m:Tr
yme
Me:Ihavet omakemoneyandno
onecanbaby sithi
m buti
can'tlock
hi
mi nthehouseandgowor k,Ialso
can'
tstayhomeandgoar ound
beggi
ngf orfoodwhenGodgav eme
hands.I'
mt ry
ingt omakeenough
moneyt osendhi mt oschoolandits
noteasy..
.iam asi ngleparent
,hehas
beencomi ngwi thmef oral
mosta
yearnowandInev erlosthi
m, i
tsonly
nowt hatheaftergoi ngtopeehe
couldn'
tfi
ndhi swaybackt othe
standanditspr obablybecausecars
l
ithim orsomet hing
Him:Ihearyoubutt
herehast
obe
anot
heropti
onordoanother
busi
nessthatcanbedoneduri
ngt
he
daywhereit
ssafeforhi
m.
Me:Thisiswhathel
psmepaythe
r
ent,sel
li
ngfoodmakesenough
money .
Hi
m:Let
'sgeti
nsi
de.
..
.

Ifol
l
owedt heoff
iceri
nsideandsat
downrubbingZane'sheadashe
pl
ayedwiththeoffi
cer'
sphone.

Heopenedabookandscri
bbled
somethi
ngt
henheleanedbackand
l
ookedatme..
.

Him: I
'm sor
rythatyou'r
edoingital
l
alone,mymot herdiditwit
hmy
sibl
ingsandi.Rightnowshei sli
vi
ng
l
ikear i
chwomanbecauseweal l
sendhermoneyeachmont h,sheis
ourhero.Iwasoncel ostinthebush
becausemymot herwasget ti
ng
moretwawhi chshesol datthebus
rankjustt
of eedus.Iunderstand
whaty ouaregoingthrough
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Thanky
ou.
..
Hi
m:Wher
eishi
sfat
her
?
Me:He..(
ibl
ockedZane'
sear
s)Hei
s
dead.
..
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry.
.
Me:
It'
sokay
Him:(si
ghed)Um...Wedon'
thave
cars,
they'
real
loutonni
ghtpatr
ol,
we
shouldbetaki
ngyouhome.
Me:
I'
ll
wai
tforat
axi
out
side.
Hi
m:Pl
easet
akecar
eofhi
m OK
Me:
I'
ll
dot
hat
..

Igotupandwal kedoutintothedar
k,
Itwasalmostmi dni
ghtandi di
dn'
t
feelsaf
ewaiti
ngont hesideofthe
roadwithZaneonmyshoul der
.

Therewasnomov ementofcarsand
Isighedwait
ingthentheoff
icer
walkedover,
i not
icedZanewas
playi
ngwithhisphone..
.
Me:Gi
vebackt
hephonebabe,
gape
ot
ampolai
samagodu.
.

Iwal
kedbackmeeti
nghi
m hal
fway
andhandedi
tback.
..

Me:
Sor
ry,
ifor
gott
ogi
vei
tback
Him:Iact
uall
ydi
dn'tcomef orit,i
tot
all
yfor
gotaboutitijustaskedmy
bosstoexcusemef ortheni ght.Can
idri
veyouhome?It'
sr eall
ydar kout
here.
.
Me:
Thanks
Wegoti
nthecarandt
henhehanded
hi
mthephoneagai
nanddr
oveoff.

Hi
m:Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
Me:
Ihav
etogetmyf
oodst
andf
ir
st
Hi
m:Ohy
eah,
OK.
..

Wepassedbyt
hebarandgotmy
t
hingst
henwedrov
ehome..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Hehel
pedmeputthi
ngsonthest
oop
asist
ruggl
edt
ofi
ndthekeyi
nmy
handbag.
.

Him:It
'sdark,getinthecarand
sear
chy ourbagr el
axed,I
'm noti
na
hurr
y..
.

Webot hgotbacki
nsi
de,hesati
nt he
backandputZaneonhislapasthey
bothpl
ayedthegameanddidhigh
fi
ves.
..

Zane:
Iwon
Hi
m:(
laughed)It
hinky
oucheat
ed
me
Zane:Letmepl
ayagai
nandshow
you.
..

Hel aidbackont heoff

icer
'schest
holdingupt hephoneandputhi sfeet
upont heseatput t
ingdustont he
seats,i quickl
ymov edhisfeetand
thoroughl ydustedtheseat.
..

Me:
Don'
tst
epont
heseat
s..
.
Him: Ahlesangwanathe..
.(he
remov edZane'
sshoesandputhi s
feetbackuptheseat)Nicemov e.
..
Getthenewar mour
Zane:
Igoti
t!
Hi
m:Ni
cccce!

Ifi
nal
l
yf oundt
hekey
sandsi
ghedi
n
rel
i
ef.
..

Me:
Ifoundt
hem.
.
Him:Emapel
eahet
segamey
a
gagwe
Me:
Ok

Isighedlooki
ngatthem l
aughi
ng
facingthescr
een.
..

Me:
Howmanyki
dsdoy
ouhav
e?
Hi
m:None,
Ihav
enephews
Me:
You'
regoodwi
thki
ds
Hi
m:Thanks,
byt
hewaymynamei
s
Ar
ona
Me:
(shookhands)Ni
cet
omeety
ou
Arona:(smiledlooki
nginmyey es)
Nicetomeety outoo.
..(
putZaneon
hi
sshoul dercomeonbuddy ,ti
met o
getinsi
de...

Wewalkedt owar
dsthedoorasa
col
dbreezewhippedus,iwalkedin
wit
hbagst henAronaputZaneont he
bedandhelpedmeputt herestoft
he
thi
ngsi
nside.
Arona:(l
aughed)Thewayyou'
re
beauti
fulonewouldnev
ersuspect
youstayina1r oom
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tst
artwi
thme
Ar
ona:
Lif
egaenamai
tseoehumbl
er
l
ebobeaut
if
ult
ota
Me:(l
aughed)That
'senough,
you
needtol
eave..
Ar
ona:(l
aughed)Buti
t'
sabeaut
if
ul
l
arger
oom, il
oveit
.
Me:
Thanks.
..

Hesl
owl
ygothi
sphonef
rom Zane
andsmil
edathi
m ast
heyf
ist
bumped.
..

Arona:
I'
ll
bor
rowy
out
hephone
tomorr
owokay
Zane:Okay..
.canmymamaandme
comet othepoliceandsothati
can
pl
aythatgameandeatt hepi
zzayou
bought?
Arona:Defi
nit
ely
,anyt
imeyouwant
pizzaorthegameletmommyknow
andcomegett hem.Tell
mommyt o
askforRon
Zane:
Okay
,seey
out
omor
row
Me:
Ledi
radi
appoi
ntmentl
esa
mpot
sai
j
ag
Arona:(l
aughed)Akereoneodiil
we
kemadi ronarebonder,orat
amadi
mothokewenakanasal eZaneat i
le
andhesai dhi
smot her'
snameis
mama. .(
webot hlaughed)Wehav ea
l
ottowor konmeandhi m,at4he
shouldknowhisfullnamesandy ours
by5heshoul dknowy ourcel
lnumber .
Me:
Ithoughthei
stooy
oung
Ar
ona:Hei
sabi
gboy
,chal
l
enge
hi
m..
.

Iwal
kedhi
mt ot
hedoorandsmiled
l
ooki
nginhi
seyes,
ihadneverhada
chancet oadmi reamant hroughout
myst r
uggl esandhust l
ingbuthewas
adorable.Icouldtellhefelt
somet hingtowardsmebuthewasn' t
theforwar dtypethoughhi ssmile
andtheconst antey econtacthegave
mesai di tal
l.
..

Me:
Thanksf
orev
ery
thi
ng
Al
one:
Sur
e,any
time.
..

Wehuggedt henheslowlyletgoas
welookedatoneanot her
,heleaned
overandbabykissedmeont hel
ips
asIswall
owedshy ly
,hestepped
backandsi
ghedt
aki
ngouthi
scar
keys.

Al
one:
Lockt
hedoor
Me:
Bye.
..

Hegotinthecart
henilockedthe
doorandwavedstandi
ngatthe
windowashehonkedanddr ov
eof f
.

It
urnedar
oundandsighedwi t
habig
monkeysmilewhi
chdisappeared
wheninot
icedZaneforgothi
sshoes
i
nthecarordidhei
ntenti
onall
yleav
e
Zane'sshoessohecouldhavean
excusetocallmeinthemorni
ng,
whicheveri
twasihadbutter
fl
iesi
n
myst omachjustt
hinki
ngabout
him..
..
..

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ket
hei
nser
ts.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
50PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴63

Atmyhouse.
..

Thenextmor ningifedZanesof t
por
ridgeaswewat chedNinjaTurtl
es,
havi
ngaboyt aughtmet olove
car
toonsinev erthoughtI'
l
lever
watchandi kneweachcar toons'
s
name.Iwatcheddi nosaursand
monstertr
ucksbecauset hat'swhat
heloved.
Mymot hercalledandst aredatthe
screensur pri
sed, i
thadbeenal most
ay earsincewet al
kedandonl y
becausei gotti
redofcal l
ingwhil
ei
wasnev ercal l
edbacky eteacht i
me
Blessingv i
sit
edshewoul dget
unnecessar ycallsfrom herjust
checkingonher .

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Her:
Hellomygirl
.(ialr
eadyknewshe
wantedsomethi
ngfrom mebutI
wonderedwhatexactlybecausei
had
nomoney )Howarey ou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Her:
Howi sZane?Hi sgrandmother
wasjusther
e.(iknewit)Sheissuch
alov
elywoman, sheevengav eus
madiaseshaboandgav emeP1, 500
f
orZane'snecessit
ies.
Me:
Idon'
twanthermoney
,ret
urni
t
Her:
Ret
urni
thow?Ial
readyspent
P900
Me: (
angri
l
y)Wenaelegoremadia
ngwanaoneoaneet swekemang?
Wasi ty
oursorhis?Whydi
dyou
spenditwit
houtaski
ngme?
Her:Whydoy
oucar
e?Aker
ewar
eke
abuse?
Me: Idon' twanti tbutyoushoul dn'
t
hav espenti tbecausei want edhert o
getbackhermoneyandseet hatI
wantnot hingtodowi t
hher .The
ent i
ref ami lyhatedmeandbl amed
mef orLor e'
sdeat handnowI '
m
start i
ngt obel i
eveLor ethathewas
nev erlov edenough, al
lalonghi s
mot herknewt hati waswi thLor e's
sonbutnev erbothered,nowt hatshe
thinksZanel ookslikeKenhecomes
withal l t
hemoneyi nthewor ld?No.
Ret urnt hemoneyandt ellheri didn'
t
touchhermoney .
Her:
Theywantt
otakehim,ieven
t
oldthem t
owai
tforourr
esponse
Me:
Takehi
m wher
e?
Her
:Hehast
oknowhi
sfami
l
y
Me:
Hrdoesn'
thaveaf
amil
y,t
ell
t
hem i
ref
usedwit
hmyson.
Her
:Di
dikana-
Me:
Mxm

IhungupandleanedbackasZane
watchedTVthenitr
angagai
n..
.

Me:It
oldyouidon'
twantany
thi
ngt
o
dowit
hthosepeopl
e!
Ar
ona:
Whi
chpeopl
e?
Me:
God.
..I
'
m sor
ry,
ithoughty
ou
wer
esomeel
se
Arona:Zeeokae?i br
oughthi
s
shoes..
..I
'
m out
side,t
ell
himtocome
getthem...
Me:(movedt
hecurt
ains)Sheehhae
bonang,
soyouj
ustshowup?
Arona:
(laughed)Ket
il
ekogoZee
esengwenakanaakei t
secompl
ainer
engbecausegakeagobitsa.
Me:
(laughed)Mxm

Ihungupandputmyphonedown.
..

Me:
Let
'sgogety
ourshoesf
rom t
hat
cop
Zane:(
gotup)Theoneswi
tht
he
phone?
Me:
Yes

Heopenedt hedoorandr antowar

ds
thecarwher eRonwasl eani
ng
againstthecarhol
dinghisshoes,
he
l
ift
edhi m upandsmi l
ed..
.

Arona:
Heybuddy,what
'sup?You
for
gotyourshoes
Zane:t
hanks,
cani
bor
rowy
our
phone??
Arona:Nopr
oblem,idownl
oadedyou
moregameslastni
ght,doyouwant
togoforadri
vewhil
eplayi
ngwit
h
thephonei
nthebackseat?
Zane:
Yes
Ar
ona:
(puthi
m down)Got
ell
mama.
..

Ismil
edathim aswehuggedbr i
efl
y
andsteppedback,hesmellednice
andlookedabitdif
ferentf
rom when
hewasi nhi
sunifor
m.Hel ookedway
bet
terthantheprevi
ousnight.
..

Me:Uhuobotokajangtsalaame
shem,l
astni
ghtididn'
ttakeagood
l
ookaty
ou
Arona:Nnathemmakemont eke
gorebathobantebabaithaganetse,
i
fy oureal
lyt
akeyourti
mey ou'l
l
reali
sethatI
'
m actual
l
ygoodl ooking
Me:(webothl
aughed)Idi
dn'
tsayy
ou
shoul
dboast
Zane:
Mamacanwegofora.
..(
to
hi
m)Whatdi
dyousayi
shoul
dsay ?
Ar
ona:(
laughed)Me?(smil
edand
l
ookedatme)Ididn'
tsayanyt
hing.
.
Hewantedtogoforadriv
e
Me:(laughed)Ronnyweemyson
doesn'tknowany t
hingaboutgoi
ng
foradr i
vebecausewedon'thavea
car
Arona:(smil
ed).
.t
hisguyisnotloy
al,
I'
mt ry
ingtostr
ikeadeal wi
thhimto
tri
ckhismom andhel et'
soutthe
secret.
..
.(webothsmiled)Canwego
foradrive?
Me:I
'l
lneedaf
ewmi
nut
est
oputon
make-
upand-
Arona:Youl
ookv
erybeaut
if
ull
i
ke
that
..
Me:
Letmel
ockt
hedoort
hen.
.

Il
ockedthedoorandj
umpedi
nthen
hedrov
eof f
..
.
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Lol
of ini
shedputt
ingonmake-upand
sprayedhersel
fwithperf
umeas
Juniorwalkedi
nandt ri
edtogeton
herlap..
.

Lol
o:Aetherr
ay ou'
l
lmessmydr
ess
wena.
..Gotodaddy.
..

Juniorj
umpedont hebedand
crawledont
hebedt ohisf
ather
's
chestasheleanedagai
nstthewall
andputt
hei
rboyont
hel
apl
ooki
ngat
her
..
..

Aat
il
e:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Lolo: I
'
vejustbeencal l
edinbyt he
manager ,Idon'
tknowwhy .Ihopei t
's
forthepostIappl i
edf or
.Wheni f
ir
st
appl i
edforthepostofawai tressI
didn'tputmydegr eebecauset hey
rejectdegreeholderssayingwear e
overqual i
fi
edsowhenani nternal
postcameouti appliedwithmy
degr eeandeveryonewasshocked.I
hopehei snotcal l
ingmet of ireme..
Aat
il
e:Ok.
..
Heobservedherasshepul
leddown
hershor
tdressandputonher
shoes.
..

Aati
l
e:Thatdr
essi
stooshor
tdon'
t
youthi
nk?
Lol
o:Real
l
y?Buti
li
kei
t.
.
Aat
il
e:Hemi
ghtgetani
dea
Lol
o:Heshouldchangehismi ndset.
Peopl
eli
kehim arethereasonweget
undr
essedatthemal l
forapparentl
y
weari
ngshortski
rt
s.
Aat
il
e:Butbabel
ennahel
aIdon'
t
wantotherment
oseemywi
fe'
s
t
highs.
Lol
o:Buti
can'
twearmagubut
ha
key
atir
ong
Aati
le:I'
m notsayingy oushoul dwear
l
ongski rt
sbutabov ethekneesi s
okaykanawi ththi
sski rty oucan't
benddownbecausey ourpant i
eswi l
l
showy ou'reamar ri
edwomant hat
shouldcounttoo.Al i
ttledi gnit
y
wouldn'thurt
..
.Thisski rtonlycov er
s
butt
,ihav eneverseeny oudr essed
l
ikethisbeforeandy ouknowv ery
wellinevercarewhaty ouwearbut
thi
sonei swayt ooshor t .Takeitoff
Lol
o:Thi
sski
rti
snewandIl
ovei
t
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Tsamaaee.
..

Sher oll
edal ipst
ickonhersel
fand
rubbedherl ipstogethert
henshe
smiledabi tcheckingoutherenti
re
prett
yf aceasAat il
elookedather
,
somehowi ttookhim backtothe
hospitalscenewhenshewor e
l
ipsti
ckaf terthesupposed
miscar r
iage.

Aat
il
e:Babewee?
Lol
o:(
tur
nedaroundl
ookingather
but
tonthemir
rorandfi
xedherski
rt
pr
oper
ly)Mmh?
Aati
le:Don'thurtme..
.(shelookedat
hi
m)Ir eall
ylovey ouandI'
m happy
wit
hus, idon'twantust ogothrough
anyt
hingdr amatic.

Shewalkedoverandsatont
heedge
ofthebedlooki
ngathi
m ashehel
d
thei
rson.
..

Lolo:
Ilovey oubabeokay,I'
dnev
er
hurtyou,ever.I
'
mj ustgoi
ngtowork
thenI'
llbeback.
Sheleanedoverandkissedhim, she
rubbedJunior
'sheadanfgrabbedher
handbagonherwayout .Thedoor
shutandheclosedhiseyestakinga
deepbr eat
htr
yingtoconvi
nce
himselftobel
i
ev eherst
ory.
.

Minut
eslat
erthegir
lsknocked,
he
r
espondedandtheywalkedinholdi
ng
abowlofdough..
.

Maya:Wher
eismama?Babyi
s
ar
guingwi
thmeagai
n
Baby
:Weonl
yuse2eggs,
askher
Aat
il
e:Shei
sout
,whatdoy
ouwant
?
May
bei
canGoogl
eitf
ory
ou
Maya:wowokay
,fi
ndusareci
pef
or
makingyel
l
owcupcakes

Hesearcheditandhandedt hem hi
s
phonethenJuniorfoll
owedthem out,
helai
dbackdownr ubbinghi
shead
fr
ustr
atedl
yandsi ghed.

Att
hehot
el.
..
.

Lol
o'
sheelsechoeddownthe
cor
ri
dorassheknockedontheoff
ice
andwal
kedin,TheCEOsmiledand
shookherhand.
..

CEO:Ididn'tknowwehadan
employeeoft hi
sface,
ishoul
dgo
downther estaur
antmoreoft
en,
how
arey
ou?
Lol
o:I
'
mfi
nesi
r,t
hanky
ou
CEO:Pleasecal
lmeFri
day,
Siri
stoo
for
mal..
.I'
dsayGapebutmywife
wouldkil
lme
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iunder
stand.
.
Gape: (
satdownandsl i
doveran
envelope)I
'
llneedyout ohavealook
atthatcontr
act,perhapsgiv
eitt
oa
fr
iendandwheny ou'r
ereadytosi
gn,
dosoandsubmi
titwi
thi
n3day
s.
Lol
o:Thanky
ouv
erymuch
Gape:
That
'
sal
l
,thanks
Lol
o:Thanksal
ot.
.

Shewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoor
wit
habi gsmil
eassheopenedthe
envel
ope..
.

Lol
o:(scr
eamedandqui
ckl
ylower
ed
hervoi
ce)Awwwww..
..
.Wow...
.

Shefannedhersel
fwi
thanenvel
ope
assheapproachedanunknown
i
ndivi
dualwhom shehuggedand
showedthepapersto,
theindi
vi
dual
smil
edatherproudl
yandhugged
her.
..

Unknown:
congr
atul
ati
ons
Lolo:I
tsbeeny ear
skesabonea
properj
ob..
.(tearf
ull
y)i
nevert
hought
thi
swouldev erhappen.
..
Unknown:
Wantt
ocel
ebr
atebef
ore
goi
nghome?
Lol
o:Yesdef
ini
tel
y,andi
can'
tbe
l
ong.HewaskindofedgywhenIl
eft
Unknown:Don'
twor
ryabouti
t,we
won'tbel
ong..
Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatafternoonif
oll
owedArona
aswewal kedupt hest
air
stohis
houseont hesecondfl
oorwhil
ehe
carri
edZane. ..

Me:Iwoul
dn'
tsur
viv
eher
e,st
air
s
ev
eryday?No
Arona:
It'
sjustt
hesecondf
loorcome
on..
.
Heunl ockedt
hedoorasi heldmy
kneest aki
ngdeepbreaths,Zane
smileduponhi schestandl aughed
atme...

Zane:Mamalooksti
red.
..It
hink
you'
reaboutt
odragyourtongueon
thefl
oorl
ikeTom whenJerrychased
him.
..
Me:
ZaneI
'
m goi
ngt
opi
nchy
ou

Wealll
aughedandwalkedi
nhis
house,
heclosedt
hedoorandput
Zanedowntheniappr
oachedt
he
pi
cturesont hef r
ames.Ther ewasa
bl
ackandwhi tepict
ureofhi m with
hi
stwosi bl
i
ngs, motherandf ather.
Hewast hemi ddl
echild..
.Ont he
ot
herpi ctur
ewashi sbi gbrotherand
hi
swi fetogetherwiththeirchil
dren,
hi
slit
tlesisterwasalsomar r
iedwi t
h
ki
ds.

Me:
You'
ret
heonl
yonewhoi
sn'
t
mar
ri
ed,
why?
Arona:Iwasthefi
rstonetomarr
y
butigotdiv
orcedafter7y
earsofhel
l
i
nmymar ri
age.
Me:
Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
emar
ri
ed,
whydi
dyoudi
vor
ce?
Ar
ona:Um.
..(
tookadeepbr
eat
h)Can
wehav
easeat?
Me:
Ok.
..

HeswitchedtheTVonandput
cart
onsthenhegr abbedmyhand
andledmet othebedroom wherewe
satonthebedf aci
ngoneanother.

Arona: Iwasdi agnosedwi t

h
Test i
cularcanceray earaft
ergett
ing
mar ri
edandi wast reated,iwent
throught heoper at
ionofwhi chthe
testeswer eremov ed, Iwentthr
ough
radiationamdf i
nallytook
chemot her apywhi chpr ett
ymuch
endedmyj ourneywi thcancerbuti t
broughti nferti
l
ity,
i will
nev erhav e
childrenofmyown, itwasn' teasy
andwhenmywi f
emy steri
ousl yfel
l
pregnantIt houghti couldhandl eit.I
forgav eherandwewentf or
counsel li
ng.Wewer rokayandi
suppor tedt hebabybutt hefather
starteddemandi ngt hebaby ,itwas
stressf ulandi pleadedwi t
hhi mt o
distancehi mselffrom myf ami ly
,
whi l
ebusyt ryi
ngtoputmyf ami ly
togethermywi f
efell pr
egnantagai n
from t hesamemanandhedi dn't
respectme.Ir eali
sedt hatI'deit
her
kil
l my selfwi thahear tattackorhang
my selfifi didn'tl
eav ethatmar ri
age.I
fi
ledf ordi vorceandi twasgr anted,3
mont hsl at ershemar r
iedher
childr
en' sf ather,
itwasl ikehellfor
me.Iwashur tbey ondexpl anati
on
butasy ear swentbyi accept edmy
conditionandkeptt ell
ingwomeni
dat eabouti t
.Mostoft hem leaveso
I'
m goi ngt ogi veyouachancet o
l
eav et oobef oreifalltoodeep
becausei knowi tshar dtost aywi t
ha
manl ikemewhocan' tdot hemai n
thingar eal manshoul dbedoi ng.I
l
ov echi ldrenandandt hereisnot hi
ng
nothi
ngIwantmorethantoheara
chi
ldcall
mepapaordaddy ,.
..(
smil
ed
shaki
nghisheadandsighed)Itwoul
d
benice
Me: I'
m sorryaboutwhaty ouwent
through, i
don'tevenknowwhata
testi
cularcancerisbutiknowi won't
l
eav ey oujustbecauseyoucan' thave
kids,you'r
eagoodf at
her.
..
.You' r
ea
natural,Zanedoesn'tj
ustplaywi th
strangersbutwenahehasn' tbeen
withy ouforlongibi
leheisal l
ov er
you.
Arona:(
smiledl
ookinginmyeyes)I
l
ov eyouandyourson,canwebe
toget
her?Iknowrai
singachi
ldisn'
t
easybutiwantt olear
nhowt obea
dad,iwantyouandhi m..
..Thewhol
e
package..
.Iknowforhimi twi
ll
take
adjust
ingbutialr
eadyloveour
fr
iendshi
p.Hei smyboy .
..
Me:Iguesswecangi
vei
tat
ry,
cani
conf
esssomethi
ng?
Ar
ona:
Yeah
Me:Ihav
en'
tbeeninar
elat
ionshi
p
si
ncemysonwasbornsoi don'
t
knowwhatf
ather
sdoeit
her
Arona:Iguesswewi l
lseehowit
goes,i
lovehowhonesty ou'r
e.I
fwe
star
tourrelat
ionshi
pwiththi
s
amountofhonest ywearenotgoing
t
obef i
ghtorbr
eakupf
orchi
l
dish
t
hings.
Me: You'
regoi
ngtobeagoodf
ather
,
Iwishihadmety ouwheni
was
pregnant
.Itwashardf
orme
Arona:Therei
sar easonGodkeptus
apartunt
ilnow.
..Iloveyou
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..

Heleanedov
erandki
ssedmet
hen
hepull
edmeup..
.

Arona:Let
'sgocooksomet
hing,
I'
m
sureZeeishungr
yhehasbeen
eat
ingsnacksal
lday
Me:
true.
..
..

Wewentt
otheki
tchen.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
..

Laterthataft
ernoonMaDaniel
parkedinfrontoftheyar
dthenKen
steppedouthol di
ngZane'
sblur
ry
pi
c...

MaDaniel
:Canyouatl
eastgohome
andwashbefor
eyouseehim?
Ken:Ihavetoseehi m...Idon'
t
bel
ievethi
spicture.
..Ihavetoseeit
wit
hmyowney es.I'l
lcomebat h,
i
thi
nkicanstil
lfindmywayhome. .
.
MaDani
el:
Ok

Shedr oveof
fthenKenwalkedi
nand
satont hest
oopsti
llst
ari
ngatZane'
s
pict
ure..
..

Lat
eronAronadrovethr
oughthe
gat
eandparkedinfr
ontofthehouse
asKensl
owlystoodup..
.
Ar
ona:
Whoi
sthat
?
Me:Mylat
ebabydaddy'
sbrot
her
,he
hasbeeni
npri
soniguesshei
sout.
Ar
ona:
Okay
..
.

West eppedoutthenAronalif
ted
Zanef r
om thebackandclosedt he
doorasi gotourphonesandlocked
thedoors.Kenswallowedlookingat
Zaneindisbeli
ef.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o,cani
hel
pyou?

Hel
ookedatAr
onaandZaneast
hey
l
aughedpr essingthephonethen
Aronagreetedhim andwalkedinsi
de
thehouse,Iclosedthedoorand
fol
dedmyar msangr i
l
ylooki
ngat
him..
.

Me:
Whatdowant
?
Ken:Hei
ssogr
own.
.Ican'
tbel
i
evei
haveaki
d
Me: Youdon'
thaveaki dwi t
hme. ..
I'
m donewithyouKen, you'
rea
cl
osedchapterinmyl i
fe,youwer e
sureitwasn'
tyourchil
dandi
suff
eredforfi
veyears,FIVE..
..You
don'tgett
owalkbacki nmyl ifeand
clai
m apr iceyounev erwon.Pl ease
l
eav emyhouse, thegentl
emanwho
j
ustwal kedi nher eisapoli
ceof fi
cer
andi fyout r
oublemehewi llmake
surey ouunder standwhocal lst he
shotar oundher e, i
tsnot6year sy et
soi assumey ou'reonsomeki ndof
paroleorwhat ev ertheycal
litdon' t
makemer eporty ouforsomet hing
thatwi l
l sendy oubackt ojai
l.By e
please...

Kenst
aredi
nmyeyesandqui
etl
y
wal
kedaway.
..
..
LI
KEandCOMMENt
.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
50PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴64

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.

Thenextmor
ningKenf
oll
owedhi
s
usualrout
ine,
hecleanedhisroom
andmadehi sbed,hefixedi
texactl
y
howhedi dinpri
sonthenhewent
outsi
deandcleanedthey ar
d..
.

After2hoursofraki ngandbur ni
ng
garbageher et
urnedt othehouseand
everyonewasst i
llasleep,hecouldn'
t
understandwhyt heywoul dsleepfor
solongt henhegr abbedhishouse
keysandknockedonhi sparent'
s
room.

Her
:Kemang?
Ken:
KeOf
ana,
I'
m goi
ngt
omyhouse
Hi
sfat
her
:Wai
tforme.

Hewait
edoutsidel
eani
ngagainstt
he
wal
lasthesweetmorni
ngsunshine
war
medhi sski
nthenhi
sf at
her
wal
kedoverfi
xi
nghisJersey.
.

Hi
m:Let
'sgo,
I'
ll
dropy
ouhome

Hequietl
yjoinedhisfatherinthecar
andtheydroveof fashet houghtf
ull
y
l
ookedoutsidet hewindowobser vi
ng
al
lthenewdev el
opment sthattook
pl
aceforthepast5y earshewasi n
pri
son.
Dani
el:
(handedhi
m aci
gar
ett
e)Do
youwantone?
Ken:
(shookhishead)No.
..Ihav
en'
t
smokedinfi
veyears.
Dani
el:That
'sv
erygood,nowonder
yougainedsomuchweightand
muscle.
Ken:
Canwet
alkaboutZane?
Dani
el:
whatabouthi
m?
Ken:Wheni f
oundoutthatDidi
cheat
edi washur
tandLor e
emphasisedi
twashis,wit
hwhati
wentthr
oughbeforeidi
dn'twantt
o
behurtbysuppor
ti
nganotherman's
chil
dsoi toldDi ditostopv i
sit
ingme
andal sobecauseDi dikeamoi tse,
i
knewshewoul dn'
tbef ait
hfulfor6
years.Imadeal lt
hesebadchoi ces
becausei washur t.Shechoset o
cheatonmewi thmybr ot
herofal l
people..
.(swallowedandbi thi
sl ipf
or
amomentbef orecont i
nuingtospeak)
Ididn'
tthinkhewasmi nebutnowi
canseehei s..
.Iwantmyson, i want
tobet her
ef orhim.Wi l
libewr ongto
wantt obewi thhim?Iacceptt hat
Dididoesn'tlovemeandnowt hati
won'tbesel l
ingdr ugsshewon' twant
mebecauseI 'm brokebutcan' tihave
myson?
Daniel
:You'renotwrongtowanty our
sonbutifshewon' tal
lowyout osee
himtakeittocourt,t
heywil
lordera
DNAt estifshesaysit
snoty ours
thenyou'l
lgetequalvi
sit
ati
ons.
Ken:Idon'twanttot akehertocour t
,
i
twi l
lseem li
keI'm harassi
ngher.I
respectthatshediditalonefor5
yearsandi wanthert oletmesee
himinpeace, idon'
twantZanei nt he
middleofacust odybat t
lekanake
l
esehel aDidiatsweleleleboyfr
iend
yagagwebecauseZanedoesn' t
knowmeandhei shappy ?MaybeI'm
beingselfi
sh..
Dani
el:
Didi
doesn'
tseehowshe
contri
butedt ot hisandshedoesn' t
evenbel i
ev eyou' r
eav ict
im ofher
acti
ons, hadshenotsl eptwi th
brother
swewoul dn'tbeher e.That
sheshoul dadmi tandgi vey oua
chancet oseey ourson.( handedhi m
hiswallet)Yourmot heraskedmet o
giveyout his..
.Yourbankcar dsare
upt odatebuty ourdr iver'
sl i
cense
hasexpi redwhi chmeansy ouhav eto
getanewl i
cense.Wesol dy ourcars
becauset heywer ebei ngst olen,all
themoneyhasbeendeposi tedi n
youraccount .Theonl ycarwel ef
t
wasy oursandi parkedi tiny our
garage.Ihadt odr i
vei tatleastonce
i
nawhilejustt
okeepi
tal
i
ve,
takei
t
f
orser
vice.
Ken:
Thanks.
..
.

Minuteslat
erhi
sfatherdroppedhi
m
offandroll
eddownt hewindow
l
ookingatKen,hewascl earl
y
depressedandheknewl if
ewasn't
goingtobeeasyforhissonbuthe
wasgl adhewasfinall
youtofpri
son.

Daniel
:Gobuyacellphoneandcall
meev eryt
imeyouneedtotalkto
someone,itwon'
tbeeasygetti
ng
yourli
febacki
ntrackbutI
'm her
efor
y
ou.
Ken:
Thanks

Hedr ov
eof ft
henKenwalkedi
nhis
houseforthefi
rstt
imesi
ncethe
i
ncident.

((
(((
(((
(Lore:I
'
dnev erdothattoyou
knowingwhaty oubeenthrough.
Bloodisthi
ckerthanwater
Lore:Sheiscar
ryi
ngmychi
l
d,howi
s
that?
)))
)))

Hest
il
lcoul
dn'
tunder
standwhathe
didwrongt
hatdrovehert
ocheatand
knowingwhatandwheretheycoul
d
bedrovehi
mi nsane.
…

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Aatil
ewal kedinthebedroom wi
tha
tr
ayofbr eakfastinbedandhanded
Loloasshegotupandsmi l
edsi
tti
ng
properl
y.
..

Lol
o:Thanky
ou
Aat
il
e:congrat
ulat
ions.
..Whenarewe
hi
ri
ngamai d?I'
mt i
redofbeingst
uck
homewi
tht
hechi
l
dren.
Lol
o:I
'
llst
artl
ooki
ng
Aati
l
e:Atleastnowyou'
llbehomeat
5,
iwasbeginningtoworr
yaboutus.
You'
rehappywi t
hmeright?
Lol
o:YesI
'
m happy
,why
?
Aati
le:
Ijustwanttomakesur
ethat
I
'm doi
ngev er
ythi
ngri
ght
.
Lolo:You'
re.
..(
smi
l
ed)Cani
enj
oymy
breakfast
?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.

Hel
ookedatherf
orami nut
eand
wal
kedout
.Hecouldn'
tputhisf
inger
onitbutheknewsomet hingwas
get
tingherat
tenti
onandt hi
stimehe
wasn'tgoi
ngtocry,hej
ustwant edto
besureabouthissuspi
cionsbefore
hecoulddoanythi
ngabouti t
..
..

Att
hesal
on.
..
.

Itwasaneasymor ni
ngatt hesalon,
veryfewladi
esweredoingt hei
rhair
andmostbar ber
swer ej
ustsi t
ti
ng
watchingthegameupont hescr een
whileidi
dmycl i
ent'
snail
s..
.

Zanegotdownt
hechai
randputmy
phoneont
hechar
ger
..

Me:
Isi
tof
f?
Zane:
Yeah

Hegr abbedhi
st oycaranddr
ovei
t
aroundthenifaceddownand
conti
nueddoingnailsasanot
her
cl
ientwalkedi
n.

Hisvoi
cecaughtmyat tent
ionashe
spoketothebarber
,itwasKenandI
wonderedifmaybehismot hertold
hi
m Iworkedtherebutfrom thetone
ofhi
sv oi
cehepr
obabl
yturnedtot
he
sal
onbecausei
twasclosertot
he
par
kinglot
.

Thebarberputtheclothar oundhi m
andbegunshav i
nghi m ast hey
chatt
ed,wellt
hebar berdidt he
tal
ki
ngwhi l
ehej ustli
stenedl ai
dback.
Iwantedtostandupandl eav ebefore
hecouldseemebuti knewi fIstood
hewouldseemesoi lai
dlow. ..

Zanewal kedinandreachedfort
he
othercarjusti
nfrontofKenandhe
l
ookedathi m,itwashisboynodoubt
.
Kent ur
nedaroundwonderi
ngwhohe
waswi ththenZanesuppor
ted
hi
msel fwithhi
sthi
ghandgotthe
othercar.
..

Barber:Zeegetawayf r
om t
hehair
..
.
KanteDi dineesegoreommatela
preschool?Ngwanay oojameri
ri
everydaygagohealthy
Me:
Zanecomeher
e..
.Gosi
tov
er
t
her
e

HesatdownthenKenlookedatme
andf
acedthemirr
orquiet
ly.
Assoonashewasdonehewal
ked
overt
ome..
.

Ken:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)Canwet
alk?
Me:
I'
m busy
Ken:
Please

Ifol
lowedhim out
sideasZaneran
behindmeandgr abbedmyf i
nger
thenwest oodontheothersi
deof
thebuil
dingasKenstaredinmyeyes.

Hewasgoodl
ooki
ngwi
thaf
reshcut
andhi
sli
pswerel
i
ghtbr
own,
hisson
cameoutj
ustl
i
kehim.

Ken:
Hi.
..
Me:
Hi
Ken: I
'
m sor ryfordoubt i
ngyou,i
guessi wasst il
lhurtaboutwhaty ou
andmybr otherdidtome.Par tofme
actuall
ybelievedIwasi nf
ert
il
e.Ilove
youandf indingoutt hatmybr other
sleptwithyouhur tme, itst
il
lhurtsto
thisday.Ithoughti dideveryt
hing
ri
ghtandi t
houghty ouwer ehappy
withme, ididn'tt
hinky ou'
dlustfor
mybr other.Iwasl ookingforwardt o
thewedding,everyoneknewi was
abouttogetmar riedev ennowIst i
ll
feell
ikepeoplearet hinkingI'
m stupid.
Iwalkaroundwi thmyheaddown
becauseofev er
y t
hingt hathappened
betweeny outwo.Iadmi tthatmy
responsetothewhol ethingwas
wrongandi r
egretstabbi ngLor e,
i
shouldhav ewal
kedawayandl etyou
twobehappybutnowi justwantmy
son.Iwanthimt oknowhi sfather,he
i
saDani el.

Iswall
owedlooki
ngathi
mthen
Aronaappr
oached..
.
Ar
ona:
Hey
..
.Theysai
dyoucamet
his
si
de

Zanesmil
edandrantohimthenhe
handedhi
mt hephoneasheli
ft
ed
hi
m andputhisar
m aroundme,he
l
ookedatKenandkissedme..
.

Ar
ona:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Me:
Yes.
..
Ar
ona:
(tohi
m)Goodaf
ter
noon
Ken:
Hel
l
o..
.
Therewasanawkwardmomentas
theyl
ookedatoneanot
herandback
tome..
..

Me:
(toRon)Gi
vemeami
nut
e..

HewalkedawaywithZanethenKen
st
aredinmyeyes,hi
sAdam'sapple
movedasheswallowedhardand
l
eanedagai
nstthewallf
oldi
nghi
s
ar
ms...

Ken:
Doy
oul
ovehi
m?
Me:
Yes
Ken:
Doi
standachance?
Me:NoandI'
dappr
eci
atei
tify
ou
st
ayedawayfr
om meandZane.
Ken: Ihavechanged,idon'tsmoke
andI '
m goingtomakeanhonest
l
iving.Nomor egunsandpowder s,I
'l
l
bet hebestfatherZanecanev erhave.
Kekopagor eregodisengwanawa
ronammogoandi fI'
m slacki
ng
somewher eyou'
lll
etmeknowandI 'l
l
fi
xmy sel
f.Ihaveastartupcapit
al
andi don'twanttotoucht hi
smoney
alone.Iwanty outoandZanet obe
there.I'
m sorr
ythat.
..I
'm sorr
ythati
wast oobusy ,maybethat '
swhat
madey ouseekcomf ortinmybr ot
her
andi takef ullblamef ort
hat.Ifi
wasn' toutt heremay beyouwoul dn't
hav ehadar easont olookelsewher e,
i
fy ougi vemeanot herchancei won' t
stopgi vingy oumyf ullat
tenti
on.
(heldmyhandandl ickedhislips)I'
m
sor ryf orev er y
thing, I
'
m sorryfor
scar ingy ouI '
m sor rythatyouhadt o
doi tony ourownbecausei wasi n
prison.For giveme. ..(hefr
ownedand
anat earr andownhi snose)I'm sorry
youhav et odonai l
sandsel lf
oodj ust
tof eedmysonbecausei di
dn'ttake
responsi bilityformyact i
ons.I'
m
sor ryt haty ouhadt ol oveanother
manbecausei wasn' tmanenough.
Heslowlykneltandhuggedme
kneel
ingwit
hhi sforeheadonmy
tummyandi lookedar oundt
oseei
f
anyonewaspassi ngby .
..

Ken: Pleasetakemeback, idon't

wantt oseey ouloveanothermanI 'd
ratherdiethanseey ouinanother'
s
arms.Pl easedon'tbreakmyhear t,
i
l
ov ey ou..
.Webot hmademi stakes
butoutoft hosecameoutZane, for
hissakel et'
stryagai
nandseewher e
i
tgoes.
Aronawalkedbackaloneandpaused
l
ookingatKenonhi sknees,Ken
stoodupandsecretl
yrubbedhis
eyesgivi
nghim hi
sbackt henArona
walkedoverandhuggedmef r
om
behind.
..

Ar
ona:
HeyBbe.
..
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:
Iwas.
..
Ken:
I'
ll
tal
ktoy
oul
ater
.

Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
.

Ar
ona:
Canwet
alk?
Ken:
Sur
e

KenstoppedthenAr onaappr oached

hi
m andtheyt al
kedbr ief
ly,
Ken
punchedhim onthef aceandhef ell
onhisbackthenhest ompedonhi s
chesttwi
ceandwal kedaway .
..
*
*
*
*
*
Tomor r
owi won'
tbepunct
ual
becausetherei
ssomethi
ngI'
l
lbe
doi
ngt hatneedsmyfullat
tenti
on,
barewithmedur i
ngthatti
me.
Thanksforyoursupport
,don'tf
orget
toLikeandleaveusacomment
bel
low.
.
[
9/3,
11:
51PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴65

Att
hesal
oon.
..

Ir
anoverasAr
onagotupanddusted
hi
msel
fthenhetookouthi
sphone
anddi
aledhi
swor
kmat
e..
.

Me:
arey
ouok?Whathappened?
Arona:(
tal
ki
ngtothephone)Yeah,
le
patr
olkae?Canyoudri
vebythemall
Me:Hangupt hephone.
..(
he
cont
inuedt
alking)Ar
ona?

Isnat
chedt
hephoneandhungup.
..

Me:
Whathappened?
Arona:
Hepunchedme,
didn'
tyousee
that
?
Me:
Iknowwhati
sawbutKeni
snot
thatki
nd,he'
dneverhi
tsomeone
unlesshewasprovoked.
Arona:Isthathowy ouj ust
if
ythescar
ony ourthi
gh?Thatitwasy our
faul
t?..
.It
sf unnyhowwomenal ways
fi
ndway st ojusti
fyvi
olentmen.
What '
sgoingonbet weeny outwo?
Me: Canyoupleasecal
m down
becauseyoudon'tknowhowi got
thi
sscar..
.(i
glancedatpeopl
eas
theypassedby)canwegot al
kinthe
car?
Ar
ona:
Zanei
sint
hesal
on
Me:I'
l
lgethim,gowaiti
nthecarand
pl
easedon'tmakeanycall
s
Igav
ehi
mthephoneandwepar
ted.
..

I
nKen'
scar
..
..

Meanwhi l
ehecl osedt hedoorand
l
eanedbackr ubbinghi sf acethenhe
grabbedabot t
leofwat eranddr unk
tocalm down, ithappenedsof asthe
couldn'tbeli
evehej ustdidthatand
nowhebadl ywi shedhecoul dhav e
j
ustwal kedaway .
..hehadj ust
viol
atedoneofhi spar oleconditions
andt hatwasapol iceof f
icer.
..with
thepowert omakesur et heysenthim
backtojai
l
.Hewouldsurel
ylosehi
s
sonandanychanceofseei
nghis
gi
rl.
..
..

Hetookadeepbreathandst
epped
outoft
hethecar
...
..

I
nAr
ona'
scar
..
..

Igoti
nwit
hZaneandcl
osedthedoor
ashedust
edKen'
sshoepri
ntonhi
s
shi
rt.
..

Me:
whatwer
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?
Arona:
Iaskedhi
mtostayawayfrom
youandhetoldmeZaneishi
s,how
tr
ueisthat
?
Me:
Sowhydi
dhepunchy
ou?
Ar
ona:
IsheZane'
sfat
her
?
Me: Soyou'
renotgoi
ngtotel
lme
exactl
ywhatyousaidtohi
m?
Ar
ona:
Ishet
hef
ather
?
Me:
whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?

Therewasasoftknockonthe
dri
ver'
swindowandRonroll
eddown
thewindowasKensincer
elyst
ood
outsi
de..
.
Ken:Icamebackt oapol
ogise,I
'm
sor
ryforthatpunchandthekick.
Ar
ona:
Kicks
Ken:Ki
cks,
Iam onparoleandI'
d
appr
eci
ateity
oucouldletthi
ssl
ide.I
apol
ogi
se,I
'm sor
ry
Ar
ona:
It'
sfi
ne
Ken:(sincer
elyl
ookingatme)I'
m
sorr
yy ouhadt oseethat
..
.It
happenedsof astan-
Ar
ona:Isai
dit
'sf
ineunl
essy
ouwant
metochangemymi nd?
Ken:
(gav
ehi
m ahandf
orashake)
Thanky
oul
ett
ingi
tsl
i
de

Aronaignoredhishandt henKen
rubbedhishandst ogetherl
ookingat
Zaneandqui etl
ywal kedaway.Itil
ted
themirrorandwatchedhi m getinthe
carthendriveoff
..
..

Me:
Whatdi
dyousayt
ohi
m?
Arona:Ial
readytol
dyou,
whenare
yougoingt
ot el
lmeaboutthi
sguy
?
Me:
Hei
sthef
ather
Ar
ona:
Doy
ouwanthi
m back?
Me:
Nobuthewant
stobecl
oset
o
hi
sson.
Arona:I
sheagoodper son?Ishebt
he
fat
herfigureyouwantforZane?I'
m
goingtoopenallhiscasefi
lesand
seewhathei sall
about,howcome
youhidt hi
sfr
om me?
Me:Becausei
tsal
ongst
ory
,ijust
want
edt omoveonwi
thmyli
fe.
Arona:Ir
eall
ythoughtwewouldhave
abitofhonesty
,howam isupposed
totr
ustyou?
Me:
I'
m sor
ry
Ar
ona:
Doy oul
ovehi
m?Behonest
wi
thme,i
wouldn'
tbesur
pri
sed
Me:
Wel
ovedeachot
herbef
orehe
t
ri
edt
oki
l
lme
Arona:Doyouwanthi
m orme?Just
l
etmeknowwhat '
snexthael
ego
i
thobogakeit
hoboge.
Me:Idon'
twanthi
m,canwestop
di
scussi
ngthi
sandtal
kabout
somethi
ngfun

Hesi
ghedandj
oinedt
her
oad.
..

AtMrFr
iday
'sOf
fi
ce.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonKenknocked
andwal
kedi
nasFridayst
oodupand
shookhi
shandt
hent
heyshoul
der
bumped.
..

Fr
iday
:Cheeseboy
Ken:(l
aughed)Waswabal
ait
eaka,
warengGape?
Gape: I
'm good.
..(
smackedhis
biceps)Oj ej
i
lemonnakeeitsekee
tshephapr i
son,
oneojamang?
Ken:
(laughed)Osi
mol
otseaker
e
Gape:(
satonhischai
randl
eaned
backcr
ossinghi
slegs)War
eng
l
ait
eaka
Ken:
(satdownandl
eanedback
sl
ight
lyswi
ngi
nghischai
r)Kebat
a
advi
cethemonna.
..
Gape:
Yaeng?
Ken:Di t
woact ual
ly
,Idon'tknowif
youreadt hewholestoryont he
newspaperbutmybi gbrothersl
ept
withmyf iancéeandifoundouta
weekbef orethewedding,iwas
crushedandshewaspr egnant,he
saidit
shis
Gape:(l
aughed)Gokany
elwamogo
nna.
..
tabebantwael
a
Ken: Il
osti
tandtookcareoft
he
brotherandwhenitcametoherka
pelelwakegobolayangwanaole.
..I
wsbreaki
ngdownbecausedeep
downididn'
twantt
oshootherbuti
wasangry.
Gape:Nnammemosadi keamo
shapahel
ant sekemorata,
nkaboke
bedit
segolonyanamookago
thot
horabofebekadi
mpama
Ken: Icouldn'tki
ll
herbutherei sthe
catch,istil
lloveheranditturnedout
thekidi smine.5y earskelemo
pri
sonadaybef oreketswamy
mot hershowsmehi spi
ctureandi
canseei t
smi ne..
.Koorekelebilega
onrhel akaremol ekemor otowame
str
aight, t
hatismybl oodibi
legake
ngangel eope, shetri
edbeaut i
fular
e
warekarethat
'smysonso..
.Iwant
herbutshedoesn'twantmeandshe
hasapoliceboyfr
iendpl
usI
'm on
parol
e,I
'm wal
kingoneggsshell
s
Gape:I
fyouwanthermov
eonwi
th
yourl
i
fe
Ken:
What
?
Gape: Gof i
ndabeautif
ulwoman,
evenifyoudon'tl
oveherit'
stotal
l
y
fi
ne.Findthatandfuckherevery
chancey ougetbutdon'
timpregnate
her.Yourbabymamawi l
lcomeback
toyou
Ken:Dudeareyouli
steni
ngt
o
your
selfr
ightnow?
Gape: I
'mtalki
ngf rom exper ience,
womendon' twantamannowoman
wants..Begawomanandy ou'llnev er
getrespected.I
fy oubegheronce
anditsnotenough, gofindawoman
beauti
fulandintell
igentt hanher .
..
.
Someoneshewi llbei nt
imat edby
thenfuckthat,tr
eatherl ikeaf ucking
queenanddoev ery t
hingar eal man
i
ssupposedt odo, showherwhatshe
l
ostiny ou.Iguarant eeyouy ourbaby
mamawi llbebackwi t
hy ourson, pay
magadi andmar ryy ourgi r
l.
..Ther e
yougo!Happi ness
Ken:
No,
whati
fsheal
somov
eson?
Gape:
Shecanonl
ymov
eoni
fshe
doesn' tlov ey oukar eleboy fri
endy a
gommor a,babymamashav ean
allergyf orbabydaddy '
sgi r
lfri
ends,
trustmeont hatbutnomat terwhat
don' timpr egnatet henewgi rl
becausei fy oudoi twill
beal ove
tri
angl e,you'regoi ngt ofallforthe
newgi rlandl ovet hem bot h.Andi f
youl ov ebot hoft hem y ouwon' tbe
happybecausey ou' r
egoi ngt owant
them t obey oursandeacht i
meone
oft hem t ri
est omov eonwagopeka,
you'regoi ngt oenduphur tingthem
andy ourki dssopr otecti
onl ait
eaka.
Ken:(
sighed)Idon'
tknowhowt
o
cheat
Gape:
Ain'
tyousi
ngl
e?
Ken:AndI'm goi
ngtofeelbadfor
hurt
ingtheothergi
rlonceigetback
wit
hDi di
Gape: I
fyoupickast r
ongfemal
eshe
will
bet heonetoleaveyouonceshe
start
sfeeli
ngli
key ou'
recr
ushi
ngon
thebabymama.
Ken:I'
ll
thi
nkabouti tandtheother
oneisaboutinvesting, i
wanttomake
cl
eanmoney ..
.Howdi dyouand
Khumost optrading?Kanal e
ntogel
etsebusinessmonnakasal a
kebolawakemadi kesaconsidere
otheropti
onsofmaki ngmoney
Gape:
Bul
acompany,
howmuch
moneydoyouhav
e?
Ken:
Ihav
eenough
Gape: (openedhi sshel
f)Hereisalist
ofallpossiblebusinessonecanr un
i
nBot swanabuti nMaunonecan
nevergowr ongwi t
haccommodat i
on
becauseoft ouri
sm.Accommodat i
on
ortravell
ingandt ourserv
ices..
.But
themosti mpor t
antthi
nginbusiness
i
st odowhaty ou'
recomfortabl
ewith,
dowhaty oul ove
Ken:
Isee.
..
Gape:
(st
oodup)Let
'st
akeawal
kby
t
heRiver
side.
..
Ken:(f
ollowedhim)Iwonderi
fthi
s
fi
ndinganotherwomanwi l
lwor
k
becausei don'
tthi
nkicanbe
att
ractedtoanotherwoman
Gape: Aslongasshei sbeautiful,
i
ntell
igentandhasanact ualhol eshe
i
sf i
ne, f
uckherr eall
ygoodandwai t
foryourbabymamat of
uckital lup,
pret
endt obeangr yandfinal
lyget
herback, marryherandl i
vehappi ly
everafter,t
heend.I fyoushowa
womanj usthowmuchshehas
controlofyourhear tshewill
fucki t
up,whoi r
eall
ylov eismybusi ness
andsecr etevent hewomani l
ov e
don'tnecessaril
yhav etoknowI '
dkill
myselff
orher.Gapemonnadon't
showawomany ou'
recomplet
ely
fai
thf
ulotagonyat
sabli
nd,
Ken:(
laughed)Wenaohear
tl
ess
kana
Gape: (l
aughed)Don' tbegt hatlady,i
t
makesy oulookweakandt rustme
theydon'tfallforweak,otagogana
mosadi oteomor apele.Mov eono
taabonaai pui sal
ewena, haosa
mmat egoat enaennababymama
dramabuti fy ouwantoj amogopoo
tetse.Gofucksomebodybutdon' t
fal
l i
nlove
Ken:
Okay
,wewi
l
lseehowi
tgoes
Theywal kedalongt heriv
erside
chatti
ngandst oppedbyt hegolf
coursefencewat chingaf ewwhi t
e
peopleplay i
ng...Awai t
ress
approachedt hem f r om behindwitha
tr
ayofJackDani elle'sandtwo
glasses,
t heytur nedar oundand
grabbedt heglassesasshesmi l
ed..

Her
:Goodaf
ter
noonsi
r
Gape:
Hel
l
o
Ken:
Hi.
.
Her
:Hi
..Any
thi
ngel
se?
Gape:
Wegood

Shewalkedawayast
heybot
hst
ared
atherbutt
..
.

Gape:
(si
pped)What
?
Ken:
(laughedandsi
pped)What
?
Gape:(
turnedar
oundandfacedt
he
gol
fcourse)Sohowyoubeen?
Ken:
(tur
nedt
oo)Beenal
ri
ght
Gape:Ifyoureall
ywanttopullthisoff
t
hef i
rstthi
ngistoestabli
shyourself
fi
nancial
ly,
befinanci
all
ystabl
et hen
for
m ar el
ati
onshipwit
hy ourson,
oncey ouhav eyoursonshear tfinda
beauti
fulintel
li
gentwomanwhom
you'
llparadewi t
h,that'
sy ourbaitf
or
thecatch.Thef i
shwi ll
come
swimmi ng,waitandst ri
keatther i
ght
ti
me,bef oreyouknowi tyou'
llbea
marri
edman. .
.Andboydoesi tfeel
awesomet obemar r
ied..
Ken:
(laughed)I
'
llseehowi
tgoes.
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

LateronAati
lesatont
hechairand
pl
ay f
ull
ythr
ewpaperball
sinthebin,
TshepoandBay angal
soaimedfrom
t
hei
rseat
sandscor
edi
nthebi
n..
.

Tshepo:
Didy
ouguy
sfi
ndamai
d?
Aat
il
e:Yeahbutshei
snothomey
et
Bayang:Ihopesheisbeauti
ful
soy
ou
canfucktheshitoutofher
Tshepo:
Witchcr
aftBay
,At
ti
edon'
t
l
ist
entothi
sfool
Aatil
e:(
laughed)Omaswemai
dwa
teng.
..

Theyl
aughedasher
ecei
veda
message.
..
Lol
o:I'
mleavingt
heoff
ice,
can'
twai
t
toseeyou.Loveyou

Hepausedandr
ereadt
hemessage.
..

Aati
le:
Thismessagei
sn'tmi
ne.
..
(gav
et heguy
s)I
sitmine?
Bayang:Youguy
snev
erev
enmeet
dur
inglunch
Tshepo:(
laughed)Can'
twaittosee
youkeenemat hatal
ait
eaka,aker
ele
tsogi
l
elothe?

Aat
il
egr
abbedTshepo'
scarkey
sand
t
hephonet
henher
ushedout
..
.

Aat
il
e:Keet
a,l
etmeseei
ficant
ail
her
Tshepo:
(loudl
y)Themonnadon'
t
scrat
chmycarket shwar
abanaka
yone
Bayang:Akoomor eshashakacl
apa
thi
stimearound.
.

Thedoorsl
ammed.
..

Tshepo:
Weakass
Bay
ang:
Tel
lmeabouti
t,hei
sgoi
ng
tocryandbeghert ostopseeingt
he
otherguy
,whateverloveport
ionshe
gavehimi sal
utethatwit
chdoctor.
..

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
.

Kenlaterwalkedintheempt yyar d
andwal kedt
owar dstheof
fice, some
windowswer ebrokenbutthebur gl
ar
barskepteveryt
hingsafei
nsi de.

Heunl ockedandwal
kedtowardshi
s
offi
cewher ehesi
ghedl
ooking
around,thepl
acehadalotofgood
andbadmemor i
esoneofwhichwas
hi
slastoff
reedom 5y
ear
sbef
ore.
..

Hepulledt
hedust ychairanddust
ed
i
tashesneez edthenhesatand
l
ookedataround,hecoul dsee
himsel
finanewr enovatedoffi
ce
runni
ngatotall
ydiff
erentcompany..
.

Ken:(
stood)Zanet
hisonei
sfory
ou
son.
..

Hewalkedoutanddr
ovet
oRegi
str
y
ofcompani
es..
.
AtLol
o'
swor
kpl
ace.
..
.

Awhi l
elaterTshepo'
scarrol
ledin
j
ustasLol odroveoutwit
hAat i
l
e's
cardist
ractedbyherphone,hemade
auturnandf ol
lowedherasshe
dial
edunknown' snumberwitha
smile.
..

Unknown:
Babewam
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Hey
,di
dyougetmy
message?
Unknown:
No,ibeenbusy
.Idi
dn'
t
checkmymessages.
Lol
o:I
'
mleav
ingt
heof
fi
ce
Unknown:
Met
oo,
theusual
spot
?
Lol
o:Yeah.
.
Unknown:
KFC,
Wimpy,Nandos,
bi
mboskanamamcheshos?
Lol
o:Mamcheshosl
oveandput
morogo
Unknown:
Alr
ight
..
.

Shehungupandjoinedtheroad
tur
ningupthemusi
cv olume.Her
phonerangandshepicked.
..

Lol
o:Lov
elov
e?
Didi
:Hiy
oudon'tbel
i
evet
his,Keni
s
outonparol
eandhecantel
lZanei
s
hi
s
Lol
o:Ouch
Didi
:Hewantsustocarr
yonandI
'
m
temptedbutLol
oKeniscrazy
Lolo:(l
aughed)I '
veseent hatsideof
himt hattime,t
hatmancanki l
lbut
akerewar enothinghappened
betweeny ouandLoresowhyar eyou
scaredtot akehim back?Imeany ou
convincedmey ounev ersleptwith
myboy f
riendorwhat everLorewast o
me. .
.Whyar eyouwor ri
edbecause
youdon' tcheat?
Me: Ar
ewebackt othi
s?Isthiswhy
you'
regiv
ingmeqcol dshoulder
becauseyouhearthi
ngsont hestr
eet
?
Lolo: You'
renotanhonestper son
dearbuti t
'sokay ,t
herearethingsI'
d
nev eradmi taswell.Ifor
giv
ey ou
thoughi twillbelongbeforeIcan
trusty oul
ikebefore,I'
m seeinga
patterniny ourbehaviour
Me:Youmeanli
ket
hepat
ter
nofy
ou
hur
ti
ngAtt
ie?
Lol
o:Sant
seomor
atakant
e?
Me:Notreal
lyno,
iloveyouandi
don'
twanttoseeyougoingthr
ough
whatiwentthr
ough.Iknowcheat
ing
i
ssweet .…theforbi
ddensexi ssweet
andguyegochi t
iwangkay oneithel
a
ebetsalethekagogai sapermanent
l
ekissy agagwei thelaegodirawet
gohetay agabae, ibeenther
ebuti t
neverendswel l
.
Lol
o:I
sthataconf
essi
on?
Me:No,ididn'tsl
eepwithLor
ebut
youcanbelievewhatyouwant.It
shoul
dn'
tev enbotheryouaft
erso
manyyears, y
oushouldbewor ki
ng
onyourmar ri
age.
Lol
o:Mymarri
ageisf
ineandy ou
shoul
dn'
tdi
scussmarr
iagemat t
ers
whenyou'
renotev
enmar r
ied,
that'
s
l
ikeastandar
dsev
enpupi
ltr
yingt
o
debat
ewi t
haPhDhol
der
Me: Kooreokar i
aloochatil
enemma,
gawal ai
wakana. .
.Gawabopel etswa
l
ehannal ewenar ekayalenyalo
rotheragokgotetsamolel
obasadi ba
dit
salebat senamomer erongy a
l
eny al
o.MaJohnsondoesn' tev en
knowy ou'r
eherdaughterinlawi n
factnoneoft heJohnsonsknows
theyhaveanaddi ti
onalf
ami l
y
member
Lolo:(l
aughedcal
mly)Gosellf
oodat
thebaranddonai l
shoney,y
ousound
frust
rated.Si
ngl
eparent
inggasej
oke
kana
Me:(
laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Kant
erea
omananemma?
Lol
o:(cal
mly
)Kemangaomanang?
Aker
eekarerebuar
eiket
il
ehel
agol
o
ha
Me:Sowhydoyouhavet
oment
ion
whatIdol
egor
ekesingl
e?
Lolo:Ididn'
tthinkyouwere
embar rassed,youdon'
thavet
obe.
Any wayi gothiredast
heassi
stant
HR, I'
m start
ingonMonday.Ke
neetsweof fi
ce...
Me:Congr
atul
ati
ons,
ompat
iset
ir
ole
nnathemma
Lol
o:Yeahi
beent
hinki
ngabouti
t,I
'
ll
beonei fthefir
sttoknowabout
comi nguppost sgapeit'
sal ar
ge
company ,theyhavetheairl
i
neand
resortandthisone..
.I'
l
lletyouknow
i
fsomet hingcomesup, kemo
traf
fi
cking,I'
l
lcall
youback
Me:
Shap

Shehungupandmadeat
urni
ntot
he
bi
gtree.
..
..

AtPepst
ore.
..

Iwal
kedi
nhangi
ngupt
hephoneas
AronaqueuedwithZanewhowas
holdi
ngaP20t oycarwhi
l
ehehel
d
shavi
ngblades.
..

Me: Hey.
..Remainonthequeuewhi
le
igethim auni
form.Nextmonthke
hustl
erschoolfees.
Ar
ona:
Okay
..

Iheadedtotheunif
orm sect
ionand
pickedaful
lschooluni
formtoget
her
withthebagandlunchboxestheni
j
oinedthem..
.
Af ewminut eslaterhemov edcloser
andpaidfort hecarandhi sblades
theniputtheuni form and
desperat
elywat chedt hetot
al
amounthol dingapai rofsocks.Ihad
P200andt het otalwaswasP289. .
.

Me:Jesus.
..(
toAr
ona)Don'
tyou
hav
eP90?
Arona:
No,
leav
ethem I
'
llseewhati
cando.
Me:Okay.
..(t
oher)takeoutt
he
shoesandthelunchbox

Shet
ookt
hem outt
heni
pai
dand
f
oll
owedAr
ona.
..
.

Att
hebi
gtr
ee.
..
.

Aat i
l
eparkedbytheroadandl ocked
thecarthenhewalkeddownt hedirt
roadbendingunderthet hi
cktrees
maki nghiswaydownt heriver
,he
passedaf ewcarsparkingunderthe
thickshadowsandf i
nall
yspottedthe
trunkofhiscarpar
kedwayundert he
thicktr
eenexttoaNav arathatwas
alsoparkedunderthetree.
..

Hi
shear
tpoundedashehi
dwal
ked
t
owardsthecar
shidingbehi
ndt
he
t
reet
runksunti
lhereachedt
hecar
s..
.

Histhr
oatdriedasheheardmoaning
andnoticedthecarwasshaki
ng,he
bentdownhi di
ngundert
hewindow
asmov edcloserandsl
owlygotup
l
ookinginthecar..
..

Themansl i
douthi sanacondaand
whippedLolo'sbutt,
itwassohuge
hi
sf i
nger
sdi dn'
ttouchont hegri
p..
.
Helif
tedLolo'sbuttandblockedher
asshefli
nchedandgr ant
ed..
Lol
o:(
sweat
ing)Ohhh.
..
.
Him:(
pull
edherover
)Br
ingt
hatl
i
ttl
e
pussoverher
e..
.

Hegr abbedherneckwi thhisleft

handashi sgold-f
ingershinedonher
neckandf il
ledherupwi thhis
anacondat henAatil
egent l
yknocked
ont hewindow,het ur
nedand
recognisedherthenhel etgoofher
andsl i
doutputti
ngonhi sshort
s,
Loloturnedaroundandcov er
edher
mout hshaking.
..
..
.

Aat
il
e:Mor
enabul
afenst
ere,
gake
l
wekukuoej
elegagonasenkase
l
wel
angoesentsegal
e.
Hi
m: (
shakyvoi
ce)I
'
m amar
ri
edman,
t
hiswasjus-
Aati
le:Savetheexpl
anat
ionsfory
our
wif
e...Idon'
tneedonefr
om you.

Themanputonhisjeansandzipped
upthenherol
l
eddownt hewindow
whil
eLoloqui
ckl
yputonherclothes
sweati
ngandshaki
ngwithouta
word.
..
..

Aati
l
e:(cal
mlyt
oher)You
acci
dental
l
ysentmehismessagebut
i
t'
sokay ,
atleastIknowi wasn'
tcr
azy
andIwon'thavetof eel
badforwhat
I'
m abouttodo.

Het
urnedandwal
kedaway
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
51PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴66
AtThebi
gtr
ee.
..
.

Lol
opul
ledupherpant
iesandgotout
oft
hecar.
..

Unknown:
Doesheknowmywi
fe?
Lol
o:Idon'
tthi
nkso
Unknown: Idon'twantmywi feto
knowaboutt his,don'
tmentionmy
nameiny ourar gumentsbecauseI'
m
notabouttolosemyf amil
yov ert
his.
Lol
o:Really
?That'
swhatyou'
regoing
tosay
?( angri
l
y)Myhusbandcaught
mehav i
ngsexwithyouandyou'
re
wor
ri
edabouty
ourwi
fe?Real
l
y?
Unknown: I
twaspur elysexuall
yf or
meandy eahI '
m wor r
iedabouther
becauseyou'recarel
ess, howthe
fuckdoyousendy ourhusbandmy
messageanddi dn'twet alkabout
textmessagesmal obawheni told
youmywi feknowsmypasswor d?
Howam i goingtoexpl ai
nsuchf unny
messageswheni savedy ournumber
asmyf ri
end?Doy ouwanthert o
thinkI
'
m gayandf uckingmyf r
iend?I
meanWTFLol ocomeon!
Lol
o:Don'tscream atmeanddon't
usethatki
ndofl anguagear
oundme,
asmat t
eroffactdeletemynumber.
.
Unknown:Done.
..(angr
il
yst
art
edt
he
car
)mov eawayfrom mycar.
..

Shemov edbackasher oughlydrove

off
,shedustedherfeetandgoti nher
husband'
scarwhereshecheckedher
phonehopingforl
ongemot ional
messagesfrom Aat
ileasusual but
thi
stimetherewasnonenotev ena
cal
landshewasaf rai
dtogohome. ..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Awhil
elaterAat
il
eparkedt
hecar
andheavedahugesighwit
hhi
seyes
closed,
hewashurtbutforsome
reasonhewasn'
tsurpr
ised.

Heputonhi scoatandlockedthecar
thenhewalkedtowardstheentrance
asyoungBoitekanel
ocollagei
ntern
walkedi
nfrontofhim,herwidehips
fi
ll
edhernavybluehealt
hov er
alland
defi
nedhersli
m waistgoingup..
..

Heincreasedhispaceandcaughtup
toherasshet ur
nedherheadand
l
ookedathi m wit
haninnocentf
ace,
shehadt i
nypimplescarsonherface
andshewasanat ur
albeautywi
thout
makeup.Shehadashortdar
k
nat
uralhai
randi
twasshinyt
oo.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hi
Her
:Dumel
ang.
..

Herv oi
cewasf ul
lofrespect,
she
waspr obablyoneofthelat
e
boomer sthenheremember ed,he
waswear inghiscoatanditseemed
toti
cklewomeni nalltheri
ghtspots
butthisonewasnotj ustayoung
womanshewasal soastudentand
hewassomeki ndofaf i
guretoher.
..
.
Aat
il
e:Howcomei hav
en'
tseeny
ou
ar
oundthehospi
tal
?
Her:
(smi
l
edshy
lyandl
ookeddown)
Raa?

Theinnocencei
nher"raa"boost
ed
hi
sconfidence,
heknewhest ooda
chanceandhewasn'tabouttoplay
wit
hit.
..

Aat
il
e:Ihav
en'
tseeny
ouar
ound
Her
:(l
ooki
ngdown)Ihav
ebeenher
e
f
or4daysonl
y
Aat
il
e:Mynamei
sAat
il
e
Her
:Sedi
Aat
il
e:Sedi
omont
eoai
tse?

Shel
aughedshyl
yandtur
nedt
othe
emer
gencysect
ion.
..

Sedi
:Thanky
ou
Aati
l
e:(
turnedfoll
owingher)Have
youwal
kedar oundthehospit
al?Let
metakeyouonat our
..
Sedi:Ihav
etoassi
statthe
emergency,mysuper
visori
sov
er
ther
e.
Aat
il
e:I
sitMrKay
Sedi
:Yes
Aat
il
e:I
'
llt
alkt
ohi
m,l
et'
sgo.
..
.

Sher el
uct antl
yturnedandt heygotin
theli
ftthenhepr essedthebutton
andsmi ledatherassheshy l
ysmiled
andwal kedi nsi
de, hegotinand
pressedt hebut t
onl ooki
nginher
eyes...

Sheavoi
dedeyecontactnomatter
howmuchhest ar
edatherthenhe
movedoverandpull
edherchinup.
..
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Don'
tbeaf
rai
dtol
ook
atme
Sedi
:(l
ookeddownagai
n)Okay
..
.
Aat
il
e:(
smil
edstar
ingather
)Kekopa
gor
eontebeSedi

Sheswal
l
owedandgl ancedathi
m
oncet
henshelookedaway.Hewas
cl
eanashel
landhesmel l
edgood..
.

Aati
le:
(laughed)Gawantebakana
mmel i
ftet ogaebula,
ntebaf
ora
minute
Sedilaughedandl ookedathim but
onlyforasecondt hentheylaughed
astheliftslidopen,hegrabbedher
handandt ookadi ff
erentt
urnasshe
heavedasi gh,herfr
iendhadjoked
aboutherf indi
ngadoct orboy f
ri
end
atthehospi talanditseemedt obe
tur
ningintoar ealit
y..
..

Aati
le:Weshoul
dgooutf
ordri
nks
l
atertoni
ght
,whatdoy
outhi
nk?
Sedi
:Idon'
tdr
ink
Aat
il
e:Menei
therbuty
oudancer
ight
?
Sedi
:Nev
erbeent
obar
sorcl
ubs
Aat
il
e:Cani
takey
ou?Ipr
omi
sewe
wi
l
lbehomebef
ore10.
Sedi
:Cani
thi
nkabouti
t?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.Sav
emynumberandl
et
meknowwheny ouhav
edeci
ded

Shesavedhi
snumberandhet ook
heronashor
ttourbeforer
etur
ning
herbackt
oherstat
ion..
.

Att
heOf
fi
ce.
..

Minuteslat
erAati
lewal
kedi
nandput
thekeysont het
ablet
henhetookof
f
hiscoatandsatdownastheguys
cur
iousl
ylookedathi
m..
.

Tshepo:
And?
Aatile:
I'
mt aki
ngsomegir
loutlat
er
tonight,doesany
onewanttotag
along?
Bay
ang:Countmei
n,i
needact
ioni
n
myli
fe
Tshepo: Dude?Youlef
ther
eforthe
sol
er easonoftai
li
ngyourwif
e..
.How
di
dt hatgo?
Aati
le:Shewashav i
ngsexwit
hsome
guyinaNav ar
aunderthetr
ee,
i
magi nethat..
.butI
'
m good,
shecan
fuckhowev ershewantsunti
lour
di
vorceisfi
nal
.(si
ghed)Onabri
ght
er
not
e...
.Ij
ustmetSedikelei
nter
n
Tshepo:Mogoboi
nyanagamat
hoa
masesane?
Aat
il
e:Di
dyouhi
tthat
?
Tshepo:
No,
iwasaf
rai
dtoappr
oach
her
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Toobad.
..
Aat
il
e:Shei
sof
fthel
i
mit
snow
Tshepo:
(laughed)Icanseet
hat
..
.
Aat
il
e:Tomorr
owI'
m goi
ngtoseemy
l
awyer,Lol
owahet
ell
ayanong.
..

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
.
Lat
erthatdaywewal
kedinthehouse
asAronaspoket
othephone..
.

Arona:
(laughed)Yeah.
..Canyou
borr
owmeP200?Yeah. ..*
*..
.Shap

Hehungupandputthephonedown,
Zanesatont
hecouchandplay
ed
gamesasiheadedt
othekit
chen.
..

Me:Shoul
dicooksomet
hing?Ar
e
youhungr
y?
Ar
ona:
any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
..I
'
m goi
ngt
o
bat
h
Me:
OK.
..

Ibeguncooki
ngwhi lehebathedthen
iwenttothebedroom hopi
ngt ofi
nd
oneofhist-
shir
tsoi coul
dtakeoff
myt i
ghtt
op,Icheckedthewar dr
obe
andspott
edhispay sl
ipsonthetop
shel
f.

Iglancedatthedoorandopenedt he
recentone,hisnetsal
arywasP980
andi coul
dn'tbel
ievei
t,iopenedthe
otheroneandi twassti
llthesame
thi
ngt henhewal kedi
nandl ookedat
me.

Iputbackthepay
sli
psandgr
abbed
thet-
shir
t.
..

Arona:Pay i
ngformymedi cal
proceduresandot herminor
operati
onsf or
cedmet otakeextr
a
l
oanswhenmyi nsurancedelayi
ngor
cl
aimingt heycouldn'
tcovercert
ain
expenses.
Me:Youdon'
thav
efood,
howdoy
ou
sur
viv
e?
Arona:
Ieatatworkandonlyf
ryeggs
ormakeadrinkbefor
egoingt
obed.
Me:
(si
ghed)Wow
Arona:Imaynotaffordtohel
py ou
fi
nanci
all
yf ornowbutZanewon' t
needuniform kel
etengandy oudon't
havetohireacarbecauseI'
ll
drop
hi
m offatschoolandpickhim each
ti
me.
Me:Thanksfort
hat,i
tmeansalot
anddon'twor
ryaboutbei
ngbroke,i
hust
leformysel
fandZane,whatev
er
yougiv
emewi ll
beanadditi
on.
Arona:Acoll
eaguewi
llsendmeP200,
you'
llbuyev
erythi
ngr
emai ni
ng.
Me:
Thanks
Iputonhi
st-
shi
rtandwal
kedoutas
myphonerang.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lolo:
Hi.
..I
'
m scaredt
ogohome,
can
ipassbyyourhouse?
Me:I'
m outgonej
aana,
what
'sgoi
ng
on?
Lolo:
Aati
l
ecaughtmewi t
ht hi
sother
guyandhedidn'
tsayanyt
hingbut
thi
stimeithi
nkheisgoi
ngtokill
me.
Ican'
tgohome
Me:
Hee?
Lol
o:Cani
bor
rowy
ourkey
sandl
ay
down?I
'
m soscar
edr
ightnow
Me:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Lol
o:Hei
scal
l
ing,
letmeanswer
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandwentt
otheki
tchen.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

MeanwhileAati
lewalkedinthehouse
wit
ht hemaidasLolo'sphonerang
unanswered.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Aati
l
e:Hi,
ineedt
hecart
oni
ght
,what
ti
mewill
youbehome?
Lolo:(
rel
uctant
ly)KanaI
'
mtoo
scaredto-
Aati
l
e:Emphel ekommol ongeeina
publ
icplace.Ireal
lyneedthecaror
gi
veittoDidi.Ineedit
.
Lol
o:Okso-

Hehungupbefor
eshecouldsay
much,MayaandBabywalkedi
nwit
h
t
hei
rbrot
herandsatdown..
.
Aat il
e:Guy st hisisourhel per
Ret habil
e, Thabi thisisMay a, Baby
andJuni or.Sant hahel aIwanty out
o
knowt haty oudon' tbeatmyson
theseonesar eol denought oknow
ri
ghtf rom wr ongandi fyouget
abusi vethey 'l
ldefinit
elytellme.I
don' twantanabusi vemai dbecause
i
fy ougetabusi vey ouwon' tli
kewhat
I'
lldot oy ou, iworki nalabwi thso
manychemi calsthatcanki llandgo
undet ectabledur inganaut opsy.
May
a:Dad!
Thabi:
(laughed)Heemmai
bil
eke
tshogi
le
Baby
:(l
aughed)Thr
eatt
oki
l
l
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Ihav
etosayi
t.
.

Hesmil
edandwalkedinthebedroom
ashi
sphonerangthenhesmiledand
cl
osedt
hedooranswering.
.

Aat
il
e:hel
l
o?
Sedi
:Ar
eyoumar
ri
ed?
Aati
l
e:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed,
gobat
are
buarel
emmogo.
Sedi
:(smi
l
ed)Seey
oul
ater
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)
Thanks.
..I
'
llcal
lyou
Sedi
:By
e
Hehungupandsi
ghedwi
thasmi
l
e
ofpr
ide.
..
..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
..

Lateroni passedbyKen'shousewi th
Zaneandknocked, het
ookawhi l
eto
respondbuti coul
dheart hemusic
playi
ngt henheopenedi nhisshort
s.
Heki ndoffrownedsurprisedtosee
meandqui ckl
yclosedthedoor
steppingout..
.
Ken:
Hey
..
.

HelookedatZaneandsmiledt
hen
hesquatt
edandfistbumpedwit
h
hi
m.…

Ken:
HeyZane,
doy
ouknowme?
Zane:
No
Ken:
(smil
edandr ubbedhishead)
Mommywi llt
ellyouwhoIam when
shei
sready.
..
Idon' twanttoconfuse
you(
stoodupandl ookedatme)
What'
sup.?Ididn'
texpecty ouhere
Me:
Iwant
edt
oknowwhatAr
ona
saidtoy
ouf
ory
out
oki
ckhi
mli
ke
that
Ken:Idon'
tremember,
it'
snotabi
g
deal
.Anythi
ngelse?
Me:
I'
m sor
ryi
didn'
tknowy
ou'
rebusy
Ken:
Yeah,
canwet
alkanot
hert
ime?
Me: Youhavebeenoutforl
ikea
secondandy oual
readyhav
ea
gir
lf
riend?
Ken: Idon'
thaveagirlfr
iendelegore
tabekemot serekaekapel a,
ot saya
goregobat angwany anagomot hoho
helay al
o.I
'm busytr
yingt ost
arta
businessforusan-
Iopenedthedoorandwal kedinall
thewaytot hebedroom wherei
pushedthedooropenanddr opped
myj awsthenquickl
yclosedit
coveri
ngmymout hregret
tably
..
.

Me:
OhmyGod,
I'
m sor
ry.
..I
..
..I
..
..
Ken:(l
ookeddownembar
rassed)I
s
ther
eanythi
ngelsey
ouwant?
Me:KenI'
m sorr
y,i
didn'
t-whyar
e
youdoi
ngthat?

Helookedinmyeyesandsi
ghed
embarrassed.
..
.
LI
KEFORAWEEKENDBONUS!
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
51PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴67
AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Ken:
Youshoul
dn'
ti
nvademypr
ivacy
l
iket
hat
..
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry
Ken:Doest hatmeanI '
m notal
lowed
tohaveagi rl
fr
iendwhileyouhavea
boyf
riend?Sowhati fitwassomeone?
whatdiffer
encewoul dithavemade?
Me:Idon'
tcarei
fyouhavea
gi
rl
fr
iendornot,
iwasjustaski
ng.
..

Heturnedar
oundandl
if
tedZane,
cl
osertheyl
ookedmor
eident
ical
ev
enthewaytheymov edthei
r
ey
ebrowsandthei
rli
psalmostmade
melaugh.
..

Ken:
What
?
Me: (
laughed)Nothi
ng,leatshwana..
.
Idi
dn'tknowZanegott hiseyebrow
thi
ngf r
om you.Inevernoti
cediton
youbefore.
Ken:
Oganakangwanakeaker
e
Me:
(laughed)Cany
oubl
ameme?
Ken:(
grabbedt
hekey
s)Zanecani
showyousomethi
ng?
Zane:
Okay
..
.
Kenwal kedoutcarryi
nghim and
openedt hebootthenhegrabbeda
fullbagandhungt hestr
apov erhi
s
shoulderashisbackmuscl es
maneuv ered,
hehadsuchasexy
backandhi stat
swer evisi
bleonhis
biceps..
..

Ken: Iwasn'tsurehowi wasgoi ngt

o
givethistohim butiboughtthem
any way,don'tknowiftheywill
fit
though...
.t
het el
lert
oldmenott o
throwawayt herecei
ptssoy oucan
gochanget hem incasetheydon't
f
it
..
.
Me:
Ohok.
..

Heputt hebagdownandsatont he
couchwi thZane,isatontheother
si
deandwat chedashet ookoutalot
ofclothesthenZane'seyespopped
whenhesawal ar
geboxofar emot e
carhehadbeendy ingtohave,
he
pickeditandranov ert
omewi tha
hugesmi le.
.

Zane:
Mamalook!Thecar
!Igott
he
car
!Hegotmethecar!
Me:
It'
sbeaut
if
ul.
..
Hesatont heti
l
eandst ruggl
edto
openitthenKent orei
topenandput
thebatt
eriesasZanest oodthere
holdi
ngKen' sheaddesperatel
y
waiti
ngtopl aywit
hit.
..

Zane:
(bentoverandl
ookedatKen)
What'
syourname?
Ken:
Uh.
..Mynamei
sdad
Zane:
That
'sy
ourname?
Ken:
Yeah
Zane:Thankyoudad,iwon'
tdest
roy
thi
scarIpromise.I
'
llt
akecar
eofit
andonlypl
aywi thiti
nsidethehouse.
Youwon'ttakeitbackifilookafteri
t
ri
ght?I
sitreal
lymine?Iwon' tplay
wit
hittoomuchsoi tdoesn'tget
dest
royed.
..

Ken'shear
tsunkasZanespoket
o
himthenheputthecardownand
facedhim.
..

Ken: I
tsyourcar,i
tmeansi gaveitto
youandi won'ttakeitback...Youcan
playwithitasmuchasy ouwant ..
.
Evenifyouplaywi t
hitalldayi t
sfine.
I
fi tst
opsmov ingitmeanst he
bat
ter
iesaredeadandI
'
llbuymor
e
bat
ter
ies.
Zane:
Thanky
ou

HehandedZanet hecarandhe
al
mostsl i
ppeddownpl ayi
ngwi t
hit
,i
hadneverseenhim sohappy .Hewas
al
loverthehousetalki
ngtohi msel
f
ashedrovethecarandl aughed.
..

Itookoutt
heclothesonebyone,he
hadboughttheri
ghtsizesf
orcl
othes
butshoesweresmall.
Me:Thesearenicecl
othes,
wer
eyou
al
onebuyingthem?
Ken:Yeah,
itol
dthel
adyint
heshop
thathei
sturni
ng5andsheassi
sted
me.
Me:Wow, hedi
dn'
thavecl
othes.
..I
wasalwaysembar
rassedwhenever
Lol
ogav emesomeofJunior'
s
cl
othes
Ken:
Zanewor
esecondhandcl
othes?
Me:Theoneshei sweari
ngnowwer e
Juni
or'
scl ot
hes,Lolot
hrewaway
goodclothesbecauseshebuy s
cl
otheseachmont hsoiaskedhert
o
l
etmet akethem forZane.
Heshookhisheadandr ubbedhis
facewi
thoutsayingawor d,
icoul
d
tel
lhewashurtashel ookedathi
s
boyandsighed.Itouchedaboxat
thebot
tom ofthebagandl i
ftedi
tup,
i
twasawhi tesmar tphonetheni
l
ookedbackatKen. ..

Me:
What
'st
his?
Ken:Iboughtitf
orhi
m, Inoticedhe
l
ikesplay
inggames.Iinstal
ledalot
ofgamesi nther
eforhimt ochoose
fr
om
Me:
(smi
l
edandt
ooki
tout
)I'
m
keepi
ngi
t,I
'
llgi
vehi
m mi
ne
Ken:
Heel
ababymama,
war
eng?
Me:
(laughed)Don'
tcal
lmet
hat
Ken:Thatphonebel
ongstomyson
yourpol
icemancanbuyyouaphone
Me:(l
aughed)Aether
ramyphone'
s
scr
eeniscracked
Ken:Neel
aZanephoneyagagwe..
.i
f
youwantaphoneaskforaphone
andstopsteal
i
ngf
rom myson
Me:
(laughed)Fi
ne.
..
(t
urned)Zee?

Heranoverandthenismil
edand
handedhi
mt hephone.
..
Me:Dadboughty
ouaphonet
ooso
youcanpl
aygames
Zane:
(smi
l
ed)I
t'
smi
ne?
Ken:
Yes

Zanejumpedonhi
m andKenhugged
hi
m...

Zane:
Cani
bey
ourf
ri
end?
Ken:(l
aughed)Sur
e,wecanbe
fr
iends.
.

Zanej
umpedont
hecouchand
playedgameswit
hthecaronhi
slap
thenKenstoodupandsi
ghed.
..

Ken:
I'
m goi
ngt
ocl
eanup
Me:
Washt
hosesheet
sthr
eet
imes

Hesmiledatmeaswest ar
edatone
anot
herthenil
aughed.
..

Ken:
You'
reenj
oyi
ngt
hisar
en'
tyou?
Me:(smil
edandshookmyhead)I
j
ustneverthoughty
oucoul
ddothat

Het
urnedandwal
kedawayasIput
backZane'
scl
othesbacki
nthebag.
.

AtSedi
'
shome.
..
.

LateronAat i
lesloweddown
Bayang'scarashespot tedSediand
anotherattr
acti
vey oungl adywalki
ng
over,hepull
edov erthenSedi gotin
thefrontseatwhi l
etheot hergi
rlgot
i
nt hebackandt ookof fherhat,she
l
ookedexact lyl
ikeSedi exceptshe
didn'
thavepimpl es.

Sedi
:Hi
Aat
il
e:Hey
Lookal
i
ke:
Hi
Aatil
e:(
adj
ustedt
hemir
rorl
ooki
ng
back)Hey.
..Whydoy
oulookmy
fr
iend?
Sedi
:Hernamei
sLame,
shei
smy
twi
n
Aat
il
e:Nodoubt
..
.

Heturnedaroundandsmil
edlooki
ng
i
nherey esasheshookhersoft
hand.
.

Aat
il
e:Ni
cet
omeety
ou
Lame:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo
Sedi
:Canwegiveherari
de?Sheis
goi
ngtobuymeatatthebutcher
y.
Wewilldr
opherof
foverthere
Lame:Uhwhyshoul
dsher emain
behi
ndandcookwhil
eweor derfood?
Let'
sal
lgot
ogether
,shar
ingiscari
ng
Sedi
:Mamasenther
Aat
il
e:(
smil
edatLame)Wecanbuy
i
tanddropi
tof
fkanajangLame?
Lame:(
laughed)Sedimmaor
eeei
don'
twanttocooktoday
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Gaeseochanger
di
aparoeesoy oucanl
ookgoodtoo
Lame:
YeahI
'
llchange.
.
Aati
le:
(joinedt
heroad)Al
ri
ghtsowe
dropoffthemeatandwaitforLame
tofr
eshenupt henwegoright?
Sedi
:Yeah

HeglancedatLameagainandkept
hiseyesontheroadt
henhisphone
rang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
..
.Ibr
oughtt
hecar
.
Aat
il
e:Gi
vei
ttoBay
ang.Cal
lhi
m
Lol
o:Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dmeetand
t
alk.Iwantt
ocomebackhome
Aati
l
e: Jaanongokobi
lwekemang?
Eyalapenghaobata..
.
Lol
o:Iwantust
otal
kwi
thsomeone
Aati
l
e:Idon'
thavetimef
orthat
,ke
busyny
anatota.Canwetal
klat
er?
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
-

Hehungupandputt
hephoneon
si
l
ence.
..
..

AtBut
cher
y..

Ar
onast
eppedoutoft
hecarand
shookhandswi
thhi
sfat
her
..
.

Hi
m:Howar
eyou?
Ar
ona:
I'
mfi
ne
Him:Ical
l
edy
ourmot
heryester
day
buty
ouknowhowsheiswit
hme
Arona:
Doyoublameher
?I'
dnev
er
tal
ktoyoui
fiwasher
Him:Iunderstandher,i
justt
hought
i
t'
sbeeny earsandmay bewecould
moveonandl eavet
hepastbehind
us.Howar eyoudoing?( t
ookout
P800)Howar ey oufeel
ing
Ar
ona:
I'
m good.
..
thanks
Hi
m:Ihopet
hisgi
rli
swor
thi
t
Arona:Shei sI
'mj ustashamedi can'
t
affor
dlitt
lethi
ngs.Iknowt hatonly
veryfewwomenar eabletodat ea
brokeman.I '
mj ustcrossingmy
fi
ngersunt i
l4mont hsfrom now
whent heotherloanclearsof fi
t
takes3,2Ksomynetwon' tbethat
bad.
Him:Let'
shopeshedoesn'thur
tyou,
womendon' tr
espectbrokemenso
don'
tjustf
allf
orherli
keanidi
ot,
guar
dy ourhear
t.
Arona:
Butsheisdi
ff
erent
,she
doesn'
tseem t
omind.Sheisahar
d
workingwomanandi l
ovethatshe
andi canshar et hecarsinceshehas
abusi ness.Iknowi tst
oosoont osay
thi
sbuti t
hinksomet hi
ngseriouswill
comeoutoft his..
.(smil
ed)Iloveher
son.Wear ecl oseandi thi
nkhel ov
es
met oo...Iprayt hi
sgoeswel l.Il
ove
them, may bet hisismysecond
chanceatl ov e
Hi
m:I
'
m happyf
ory
ou
Ar ona:
Thanks, Ihadbor r
owedP200
from afriendbutI 'l
lret
urnitanduse
thisonZane' sschool f
ees.I'
m sure
Didi wi
llbehappyt hatheisstart
ing
i
mmedi atelyinsteadofnextmont h
l
ikeshepl anned.
Him:(t
ookoutP200)Don' tborrow
moneybecausey ou'
llgetwaydeeper
i
nt odebts,j
ustpassbyany t
imey ou
needhelp.Iwasn'ttherewheny ou
guyswer egrowingthisist heleasti
candof oryou.Yoursiblingshat eme
andiunderstandbutsi ncewet al
k
meandy oufeelfr
eewi thme.
Arona:Thanks,thi
smeansal ot.If
elt
l
ikeaf ail
urewhensheaskedmet o
giveherP90andi hadnothing..
.You
knowhowhar diti
stofai
lawoman
duringthefir
stt
imesofar elati
onship.
Him: Basadi
bat hobogamonnay oo
l
atolangkapelakeai t
seket swahoo,
imightnotberichbutI'l
ltr
yt oassi
st
y
ouwhenev
eryouneedhel
p.Iowe
y
out
hatmuch
Arona:Letmegobuysomet
hing
befor
et heycl
ose
Hi
m:By
e

Ar
onagotbackinhi
scaranddr
ove
of
fexci
tedl
y.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..

Latert
hateveni
ngwesteppedoutof
thecarasKenpickedt
hebagand
l
ockedit.
..
Ken:Whendoy ouwantZanetost
art
school?Iwasthinki
ngwecoulddr
ive
aroundtomorrowandf i
ndhi
ma
goodschool,hecan'tbei
nthesal
oon
l
ikethatit
'sunhealt
hy
Me:
Wecandoi
tint
hemor
ning.

Iswit
chedtheli
ghtsonandopened
thewindowsthenIputt
heWimpy
paperbagonthetabl
eandsatonthe
bedtakingof
fmyshoes.

Zanelaidonhi
sli
tt
lebedbyt
he
cornerandpl
ayedgamesonhis
phoneasKenslowl
yputt
hebagon
topofmychestofdr
awer
s..
..

Hel
ookedaroundthespaciousone
r
oom andsatonthebed..
.

Ken:I
tsabeauti
ful
house,can'
t
bel
ievei
taccommodatedevery
thi
ng
andther
eissti
ll
enoughspace
Me:
Thanks.
..

IgotupandpackedZane'snew
clot
hesint
hechestofdrawers
toget
herwi
thhisnewshoesasKen
l
aidonthebedpressi
nghisphone
wi
thhisfeetont
hef l
oor
..
.

Ken:
Wher
eisy
ourcar
?
Me:Isol
ditandt
ri
edtoopena
busi
nessbuti
twasn'
tenough.
Ken:Besidesbeingaspenderyou
haveabusi nessladyinyoukegor
e
helaoncey ou'
recomf or
tabl
eyou
stopthi
nking,iremembergivi
ngyou
moneyf orthatflor
albusi
nessbut
youboughtusel essthi
ngsand
expensi
v ehair.
Me:(l
aughed)Ihonest
lydi
dn'
tthi
nk
I
'dbethi
sbroke..
.
Iboil
edthewaterandgr
abbeda
bucketwalki
ngout.
..

Me:
Keet
akagogamet
si
Ken:
Alr
ight
..
.

Iwenttofet
chwateroutsideand
camebacktohi mtaki
ngZane's
shoesoffwhil
ehewasdeadasl eep
huggi
nghiscarandholdingthe
phone.
.

Me:
Heemot
hookangapar
eladi
l
o
j
aana
Ken:
Kootenghaakatsogaabor
erei
t
wasjustadr
eam hewil
lcry

Heputhi
sthingsasideandpeel
ed
offhi
sbl
anketsthenhelai
dhim
downandtuckedhimin..
.

Hesighedsmil
i
nglooki
ngatZane
peacef
ull
yasl
eep.
..
.

Ken:Di
dit
anki
themmaforthi
s?I
don'
tknowhowtot
hankyou
Me:
Compensat
eme,
mphaback
chi
l
dsuppor
t
Ken:
Kanammet
hat
'snotabadi
dea
Me:
(laughed)Keni
wasj
oki
ng
Ken:
Buti
t'
snotabadi
dea.
..

Iputthebucketi
nt hebathand
pouredhotwatertheni gr
abbedmy
bathi
ngsetandputi tbesi
desthe
bath.
..
.

Me:Kent
samay
arr
akebat
ago
t
hapa

Het
ookof
fhi
sshoesr
emai
ningwi
th
socksanddraggedhimsel
fupthe
bedleani
ngagainstt
hewallwat
ching
mehol di
nghisphone.
..

Ken:
Don'
tmi
ndme.
..
Me:Shehtherr
awenatsamaya,Zane
i
ssleepi
ngther
eisnoneedfory
out o
behere
Ken: Thereisnot
hingihaven'
tseen
before,thapannakesantseke
i
ti
sitse.I'
llgol
ate
Me:
Don'
tl
ookatme

It
ookof
fmyt
-shi
rtandt
hrewi
tov
er
hisfacet henhesni f
fedi
tandsmi led
putt
ingi tasi
de,it
ookof ftherestof
mycl othesandst eppedinthebath
theni begunwashi ngmyf aceashe
sattherewat chi
ngme. .

Ken:Yobonangmothakayol
ewa
l
epodisi
agokokor
etse.
..
mxm
Me:(laughed)Wehaven'
thadsexy
et,
ihaven'thadsexsi
nceZanewas
born
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Youl
i
e
Me:
I'
mtel
l
ingy
out
het
rut
h
Ken:
(laughed)Kot
enget
ightgor
e
Me:
(laughed)WaswabaKen.
..

Igrabbedthesackofor angesand
l
athereditwit
hsoapt henIstoodup
andscrubbedmy sel
fasKenhel dhis
phoneabi thi
gher.
..

Me:(pausedandlookedathim)Keni
hopeyou'r
enottaki
ngapictureor
vi
deoofme
Ken:
(laughednaught
il
y)I
'
m not
,why
woul
di ?

If
ini
shedbat
hingandsatont
heedge
ofthebedwithatowelt
henigr
abbed
thelot
ionandappli
edonmybodyas
Kenkeptonglanci
ngatmeholdi
ng
thephoneupaimingme..
..

Ken:
(whi
stl
edwatchingsomet
hing
onhi
sphone)Heebanna!
Me:What?(l
aughedandtr
iedt
o
snat
chthephone)Letmesee,
are
youtaki
ngpi
ctur
es?
Ken:
(laughed)I
'
m not
..

Hemovedhishandhigherasisaton
hisl
apr
eachingupforthephoneand
thet
owelunwrappedonhisface,
the
dooropenedandAr onawal
kedi
n
wit
hapl ast
icofPep..

Iquickl
ygotoffKen'slapandfi
xed
myt owelashefixedhisjeanswhi
ch
seemedt obehurtinghisboner
,
Aronaputtheplasticdownand
walkedtowardsthebed...

Ar
ona:
(angr
il
y)What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:(shakyvoi
ce)Hej
ustdr
oppedof
f
Zane,iwasbathi
ng
Arona:Iwasn'tt
alki
ngt
oyou.
..(
to
hi
m)It houghtwehadan
underst
anding
Ken:
Wenal
emang?
Ar
ona:
Otaal
alakosel
engwai
tse?
Ken:Eemmeosenagonyel
a,ska
bat
agonti
rel
amakgakgaal
astti
me
Arona:(
wal
kedover
)Sot
hat
'swhat
youaregoi
ngtosay
?
Ken:(
stoodup)Whatdoy
ouwantme
tosay
?
Me:Ar
onastopi
t.
..Hei
sleav
ing.
..
Kenpl
easego

Kenbentoverputt
ingonhi
sshoesas
Aronastoodbyhimthenhestoodup
andididn'
tevenseewhothr
ewt he
fi
rstpunchbutt
heyf
ellonthebat
h
andbrokeitast
hewaterfl
owedli
ke
ariver
..
.

Zanegotst ar
tl
edandsatupas
punchesflewaround,ili
ftedhim up
andputhim onmyshoul derheading
foroutbuttheybumpedont hedoor
tri
ppi
ngthef oodstandandspi l
li
ng
every
thi
ngasZanegr abbedme
ti
ghtl
ycryi
ng...
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
52PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴68

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Me:(scr
eaming)Aronast
op!Ken
you'
rescar
ingZane!
Kengl ancedatmeandst agger
ed
backletti
nggoofAr onabuthe
grabbedKen'scoll
arsbackinghi
m up
againstthewall
..
.

Ken:(
puthi
shandsup)Backup,
I'
m
nott
ouchi
ngyou
Arona:
(angr
il
ysmackedhischest
)
Youpushedmeinthewater!
Ken:(angr
il
ybithi
slowerli
pand
pushedhim down)Isaidbackup!
don'
ttouchme!Puty ourhandson
meonemor eti
meandseewhat
happens
Kenpickedhi
skeysfr
om thetabl
e
andopenedthedoort
henheputhis
handaroundmywaistgui
dingme
out.
..

Ken:(gav
emet hecarkey
s)Takehi
m
tothecar.
..
..

Iquickl
ywal
kedoutwit
hZanecryi
ng
onmyshouldertheni
sati
ntheback
seatandputhi
m onmylapwipi
nghis
tear
s...
Me:Zanekeepquiet
..
.Li
sten.
..
(
looki
ngathim)keepqui
et

Minut
eslat
erKengotinthebackwi
th
usandhandedhi
mt hetoycar.
..

Ken:
(looki
ngatme)Ar
eyouOK?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Ken:
(gothi
m)Buddycomeher
e..
.

Heputhim onhi
slapandhugged
hi
mr ubbi
nghisbackasZanegot
bur
iedbetweenhi
sbigarms.
..
.
Ken:I'
m sorryforwhathappenedout
ther
e,didiscareyou?(henodded)
I
'm sorr
y..
..
..I
'l
lneverf
ighti
nfrontof
you,canyouf orgi
veme?
Zane:
Yes.
.

Kenr
ubbedhisbackandputhi
shead
onhi
schest
..
.

Ken:
Arey
ousur
eyou'
l
lbef
inewi
th
hi
m?
Me:
Yeah,
wewi
l
lbef
ine.
..
Ken:ButI
t'
samessinther
eandyou
don'
tknowwhatdi
rect
ionyour
conf
rontat
ionfrom herewil
ltake,l
et
megethi mforthenightsoyout wo
cansortoutyouri
ssues.
Me:
Okay
,letmegethi
sthi
ngs.
..

Isteppedoutoft hecarf
ixi
ngmyhai
r
andwal kedinthehouseasArona
wasqui etl
ycleaningt
hemesstheni
putaf ewthingsinZane'
sbagand
grabbedhisphonewal ki
ngout.
..

Arona:(
stoodupl
ooki
ngatme)Ar
e
youleav
ingwit
hhim?
Me:
No,
Zanei
s
Icouldtel
lhewasal it
tl
e
disappoi
ntedbutheknewhehadno
power sovert
hatthenhebentdown
andcont i
nuedcl
eaningup.

Iputhisbagi
nthecarandhanded
him hi
sphonethenikissedhi
m on
thefor
eheadandsighed...
.

Me:Babyyouhav et ogowithDad,
OK?
Justf
orthenight.
..I'
ll
getyou
tomor
rowmor ning..Youcanwatch
TVallni
ghtorplaygamest oget
her,
doyouli
kedad?
HelookedatKenandsmi
l
ed
noddi
ng..

Zane:
Yeahi
li
kehi
m

Kensighedinrel
i
efadkissedhim on
theforeheadt
henheleanedoverand
kissedmycheek..
.

Ken:(whispered)Myboyisbol
d,
thanksforrai
singhi
ml i
keaboyand
notalit
tl
egi r
l
Ismil
edandleanedbackr
ubbi
ng
Zane'
sheadthenipi
nchedKenhard
ontheear
lobewithasmil
etofool
Zane.
..

Me: (clenchedmyteet
hwithasmil
e
pinching)Youneedtokeepthat
temperi ncheck.
.
Ken:
(gr
inni
ng)Yesma'
am.
.

Ismil
edagainandsl
appedhim hard
onthecheekasheclosedhi
sey es
andtur
nedhisheadkissi
ngmyhand. .
.
Ken:(
pret
endgent
lev
oice)Vi
olence
babes
Me:
(wi
degr
in)Youdi
ditf
ir
st
Ken:
(gr
inni
ng)For
giv
enessbaby
mama

Istoppedgr
inni
ngandr
oll
edmy
eyes..
.

Me:
Cany
oust
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
..
.

HelaughedandstrappedZaneonthe
backwithaseatbeltt
henhegotin
thedri
ver'
ssi
de..
.
Ken:Carseateemakabokae?Looks
l
ikehecanjustgetout
Me:
Isn'
ti
tsi
xyear
s?I
'
m notsur
e
Ken:(t
urnedthesteer
ingwheel
l
ookingback)alr
ightZanesay
goodnightt
omommy
Zane:
(smi
l
edandwav
ed)Goodni
ght
Me:(smil
edandblewhi
m akiss)
Goodni
ghtbaby,
tell
dadtocal
lmeif
youmissme
Zane:
Ok,
bye
Me:(wal
ki
ngbackwar
ds)Al
ri
ght
,you
boy
sbegood..
.
Kenhonkedanddroveofft
heni
wal
kedbackinthehouse.

I
twascompl etel
ycleanandArona
wassit
ti
ngont hebed.Ididn'
teven
r
eal
iseitooktoolong..
.

Iclosedthedoorandsatontheedge
ofthebedqui et
lyt
henArona
swallowedlooki
ngdownashesaton
theedgeoft hebed.
..

Ar
ona:
I'
m goi
ngt
olosey
oui
sn'
ti
t?
Atthatpoi ntiwasn'treal
lysure
anymor e,Ididn'
tknowwhati wanted
becausei knewhewasagoodman
andhel ovedZanebutKenwasoutof
pri
sonandi knewKen, hewasn't
goingtost opunt i
lhewasf ucki
ngme
againstthewal l
.Ithadbeen5y ear
s
si
ncei gushed, Kenhadt hepowert o
destroymypussyandmakei tf
eel
goodatt hesamet ime.Iknewt he
minutehegr absmyneckand
punishedmef orsleepingwithhis
brotherI'
dbebacki nthepalm ofhis
handbehav i
nglikeasanewomanso
Iwasn'tsur ewheret hatwouldleave
Arona.Healreadylookedl ikehe
wouldcryifiadmi t
tedKenwashome
andthatitchangedev er
ything..
.
Daddywashome. ..Hewashomeand
iknewhewant edhispussyt oo.
..He
didn'
tshootitthatnightandi tcould
onlymeanonet hi
ng, hewasn' tdone
withi
t..
.

Ar
ona:(l
ookedatme)Tal
ktome
pl
ease.
..
Me:You'
renotgoi
ngt
oloseme, i
l
oveyouandnothi
nghappened
Ar
ona:Butbabecomeon. .
.Bat
hing
wi
thyourexinthehouse?Whatkind
ofbehav i
ouristhat
?You' r
egivi
ng
thi
sguyf alsesi
gnalsandhewon' tlet
yougoi fyoukeepdoi ngthat
..
.hehas
beeni npri
sonfor5y earsandand
yousitonhi sl
apnakedt henexpect
himt oletyougo..
.Whatwer ey ou
doing?
Me:
Iwastr
yingtogetthephone
t
aol
eaboetsopologa
Ar
ona:(si
ghedshakinghi
shead)
Pl
easedon'thurtmekeagokopa
Di
di,
ibeent hr
oughsomuchalready
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry
Arona:
(si
ghed)I
t'
sfi
ne,
for
geti
t.
..
lay
down..
.
Igotinbedthenheswi t
chedoffthe
l
ightsanddroppedhispants,
he
threwthem onthecouchandcrawled
onmynoi sybedthenheputhisar m
aroundmeandki ssedmyneck...

Arona:
I'
m sor
ryf
orthefightear
li
er
andIshoul
dhaveknocked.
Me:I
t'
sokay
..
.I'
m sor
ryf
orbr
ingi
ng
hi
m over
Ar
ona:
It'
sfi
ne,
don'
tapol
ogi
se.
..

Het
urnedmear
oundandki
ssedme
getti
ngbetweenmyl egsasi
rel
uctantl
yrubbedhisskinnyback,
he
l
eanedov erandkissedmebuti could
hardl
ybreathwithhistongueinmy
mout h.

Ialr
eadyf el
tbadf orhurti
nghim
earl
iersoi forcedmy sel
ftokisshim,
icouldsmel lhissali
vaandhis
toucheswer en'tmakingmeanywet
i
nf actthereIwaswonder i
nghow
muchhewei ghedbecausewi thKeni
couldfeelhim engulfi
ngmywhol e
bodyr i
ghtunderhi schest.
..
Aronawaswayt ooslowandgent le
formyl i
ki
ng,hefi
nal
lyst opped
kissi
ngmyl i
psandwentf ormyneck
thenisecret
lyr
ubbedmyl ipsand
mout hwithasheet
.Her ubbed
himselfonmeasi caressedhi sback
andtinybutt
sthenIreachedf orhis
dickanditwasn'
tevent hathard.
..

Ar
ona:(r
eachedf
oracondom near
by
)Ilov
ey ou.
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Hegrabbedt
hatmeatandr
oll
edt
he
condom ont
henhegotont
opofme
andhitaroundt ryi
ngtofindthe
entr
ance...Icouldn'
tbeli
eveathi s
agehedi dn'tknowwher etofindt he
entr
ance.Kenai medoncei nt hedark
andtorehi swayupi ntherebutt her
e
iwaswai ti
ngf orhim ashetryingto
penetr
atet hecli
ts,pusscheekst hen
theass..
.

Me:
(si
ghed)St
op.
..Getof
fme.
..

Ipushedhi
m offandsatontheedge
ofthebedtheniputonmythong,he
satontheedgeofthebedst
illwit
h
thecondom onhisdi
ckandlooked
downdi
sappoi
ntedi
nhi
msel
f.

Arona:Sometimesican'tkeepan
erecti
onforl
ong,idon'tknowifit
's
stressorwhatbutonceI '
minthere
andt hr
ustonceortwicethenitgets
hard.
Me:Yeahbutmay
bewecoul
dtr
y
agai
ntomorr
ow,I
'
mti
redany
ways
Arona:
Didipl
easedon'
tdot
hiske
agokopa..
Me:
Idon'
twantt
ohav
esex,
I'
m sor
ry.

Iputonmyshor
tsandt
-shi
rtt
heni
gotbackinbedashesatnudeont
he
edgeofthebed.

Arona:Didi
?Didi
?(sof
tl
y)Di
di?(
ikept
quiet)Di
di?Themmakeagokopa
nkarabe.
..Di
di?

Ikeptquietandev enpull
edupthe
sheetscov er
ingmy sel
fthenhe
tear
full
yremov edt
hecondom and
wrappedi twithaTP.

Ar
ona:
Arey
ousl
eepi
ng?Di
di?
Mi nutespassedashesatt here
quietl
yt henhereachedforhispants
andi washappyt hinki
nghewas
aboutt oleavebuthewasonl ytaki
ng
hisphonet henhelaidnexttomeand
texted.

IcouldheartheWhat sApp
notif
icat
ionsashewasconv ersing
withsomeonet henhel ower
edthe
volume,thatwasmyexcuset oleave
him.Igotup,switchedtheli
ghtson
andhandedhi m hisclot
hes.
..

Me:
Pleasego,
ican'
tsl
eepwi
thy
ou
i
fyou'
regoingtobechatti
ngwit
h
womenallnight
.I'
m notst
upi
d
Ar
ona:
I'
mtal
ki
ngt
omybr
other
Me:Att
hist
ime?Doyout
hinkI
'
m
st
upi
dArona?Getout
Arona:Don'tscr
eam atme. .
.(stood
upandt earf
ull
ylookedi nmyey es)
Can'tyouseehowmuchi l
ovey ou?
(swall
owedandf r
ownedwi t
ht earsi
n
hiseyes)Iam sorrythatt hi
s-
whateveriti
sleftmewi thsomuch
damaget hatican'tpleasey oubuti
l
ov eyouandi wantt omakey ou
happy.Icanneverdi srespecty ou,i
j
ustwantt oloveyou. .Whywoul di
tal
ktoawomanl yingonyourbed
Didi
?Ifyouwanttokickmeoutjust
doitwit
houtaccusingmeof
somethi
ngIdidn'
tdo.

Het hrewhisphoneont hebedand

walkedoutbar efootholdi
nghi s
breaththeni sighedandsatont he
edgeoft hebed.Thescr eenofhi s
phonehadn' tlockedt henigrabbedit
andscr ol
ledthr oughhisconv er
sati
on.

Arona: Ifi
losethi
soneI'm
goingtoki
llmyself
,what'
sthepoi
nt
ofliv
ingi
fican'
tbehappy?
Bro:Ronwebeenov
ert
his?What
happened?
Arona:Ihavedebt sandi can'teven
getitup,thetwomosti mpor tant
thi
ngsawomanneedsnnagakena
tsoneandnowIhav etocompet e
withanexconv ictwhoobv iouslyhas
moneyf rom hispr eviouslyfrozen
bankaccount s.Thi sguyt hrowsa
punchonmyf aceev erychancehe
getsnomat terhowmuchi t
hr eaten
him kahisparolecondi t
ions.
Bro:
Arey
ouhome?I
'
m comi
ngt
oget
you.
Ar
ona:
NoI
'
m notandI
'
mfi
ne.
Bro:You'
ret
alki
ngcrazy
,I'
m not
l
osingmybr ot
herf
orawomanwho
doesn'
tcare
Arona:Shecar es,I'
mt heproblem..
Shej ustpull
edupherpant i
esand
pushedmeof flikeiwasani diot
,i
can'tl
i
vewi ththispain.It
'stoomuch,
ihavenot hi
ngt oliv
efor.Sheisgoing
toleavemeandi canfeelit
.He
dri
vesDi scovery4
Bro:Hesolddr
ugsofcoursehehas
money .I
'
dbeproudofmyHondaFi t
becauseigoti
tthr
oughhardwork.
Wareokae?Iwantt ogetyou
Br
o:Ron?
Br
o:Ronny
?

Hisbrothercal
ledt
henIsteppedout
withthephone,hewassitt
ingonthe
stoopwithhisheaddownt heni
handedhimt hephone.
..

Arona:
(pi
cked)Yeah,
I'
ll
cal
lyoui
n
themorni
ng.

Hehungupandsi ghedtheniknel
ton
thest
oopbehindhim putt
ingmy
armsaroundhisneck.
..
Me:(ki
ssedhi
sneck)Canwegot
o
bed?
Arona:(
ti
lt
edhisheadandkissedmy
arm ar
oundhisneck)Gotobed,ke
tagohi
thel
a..
.Ij
ustneedsomeai r
Me:Ican'
tsl
eepknowingyou'
reout
her
ealone,l
et'
sgo.
..Pl
ease.
..

Hestoodupandlockedthedoort
hen
hef
ixedthebedagain.
..

Ar
ona:
Laydown.
..

Igoti
nbedt
henheswi
tchedof
fthe
l
i
ght
sandl
aidbehi
ndme.
.

Ar
ona:
Goodni
ght
Me:
Goodni
ght

Icl
osedmyeyesanddozedof
fashe
sof
tl
yranhi
sfi
ngert
ipsonmyski
n
makingmesl
eepy.
..
..

AtaRiverf
rontr
esor
t(Execut
ive
room)
..
.

Ont
hesameeveningAati
lesaton
t
heedgeoft
hejacuzzi
text
ingThabi
asthetwi
nsplay
edintheJacuzzi
wit
hident
ical
swimwear.
..

Thabi
:Eer
rat
hey
'r
esl
eepi
ng.
Aat
il
e:I
sLol
ohome?
Thabi:Yes,
shei
scooki
ngsomet
hing
foryou.
Aati
le:Wenaor
obal
alengne
beauti
ful
?
Thabi
:I'
minbed
Aat
il
e:Naked?
Thabi
:Shehbossl
arengj
aanong?
Aat
il
e:Hehehe
Thabi
:Eenaked.
Aati
le:Ihaveapr obl
em ofsleep
walking,kebuelarur
iincaseIwalki
n
yourroom atnight
Thabi
:Idon'
twanttolosemyjob,
yourwi
fespeci
fi
call
ytoldmenotto
putmyhandsony ou.
Aatil
e:Andyouwouldn'
tbeput t
ing
yourhandsonme, I
'
llbeput
tingmy
handsony ouandshehasn'
tt ol
dme
anythi
ngaboutnotputt
ingmyhands
ony oubesi
desI'
dneverdothat
unlessmaybeI'
m sl
eepwalking.
Thabi
:Lol
yessi
r
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Thabi
:Yout
oo
Heputhisphoneont hetableand
movedclosert
oSedi whowas
shi
veri
ngthenheli
ftedherchinand
ki
ssedherasLamequi etl
ywat ched
si
tt
ingontheothersideofjacuzzi
..
.

Aat
il
e:You'
reget
ti
ngcol
d,l
et'
sgo
i
nsi
de..
.

Hest eppedoutandgr
abbedat owel
helpi
ngSedi outt
henhewrappedit
aroundher..
.
Aat
il
e:Goi
nsi
de,
I'
ll
bri
ngt
hegl
asses
Sedi
:Ar
eyeLame.
..

Sheraninsidether
oom asLame
wrappedher sel
fwi
that owelt
hen
Aati
legrabbedtheglassesand
walkedbehindherholdi
nghistowel
..
.

Aat
il
e:Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulbody
..
Lame:(
poppedherbiki
nibot
tom out
herr
oundbutt
)Thanks
Aati
l
e:Whoi
stheol
destbet
weeny
ou
two?
Lame:
I'
mtheol
destwi
th3mi
nut
es
Aat
il
e:Boy
fri
end?
Lame:
Webr
okeup
Aat
il
e:When?
Lame:(t
urnedandsmiledbi
ti
ngher
l
ip)Theminuteyouaskedme
Aati
le:
(gl
ancedatt
hedoor
)Soy
ou'
re
thebadtwi
n?
Lame:(
smi
l
ed)I
sthatadi
agnosi
s
doc?
Aati
l
e: I
'
llhav
etodoamor
ethor
ough
examinati
on.
.
Lame:
Any
time.
..

Shet
urnedar
oundandwal
kedi
n
frontofhim astheyinnocentl
y
wal kedintheroom,Sedi sl
i
cedt he
pizzaandgr abbedaslicesit
ti
ngon
thebedt henLamesatont hechai r
wi pingher
selfwhil
eAat i
l
eclosedt he
slidingdoorandclosedthecurtains..
..

Lame:
(lookedatt
het
ime)I
t'
slat
e,
wehavetogo
Sedi
:Mamai satuncle'
shousefor
weddingpr
eparat
ions,shewon't
noti
cewedidn'
tspendani ghtat
home
Aat
il
e:You'
reatt
erti
ary
,yourmot
her
st
il
lgi
vesyoucurf
ew?
Lame:Yeahandshedoesn'
tl
ikeit
whenwecomehomel at
eandknock
onthedoorwaki
ngherup,if
orgotto
taket
hekit
chenkeys
Aat
il
e:Wecanspendani
ghtandgo
i
nthemorni
ng
Sedi
:Butt
her
eisonl
yonebed
Aat
il
e:I
'
m sur
ethr
eeofuscanf
it
..
.
Sedi
:Butshesleepsbehi
ndme,
you'
renotsl
eepingint
hemiddl
e
Aat
il
e:Cool
..
.

Thegi
rl
satepizzawatchi
ngTVas
Aat
il
epull
edthedrawersand
checkedhowmanycondomst he
resortput,
therewasoneboxwhi ch
normallyhadthreecondomsthenhe
glancedatthem andtookoutone
whichhepassedbyt hem andlef
tin
thebathroom shel
fthenhewalked
outandj oi
nedthem...
.

Halfwayint
ot hemovieSedibegan
dozingof
fonAat i
le'
schestandhe
ki
ssedherforehead.
..

Aat
il
e:Babe?Let
'sgosl
eep.
..

Hel
edhert
othebedandswi
tched
offtheli
ghtsasLamewat chedTV
thenhepeeledoffthesheets,
shegot
i
nt henhelaidnexttoherandleaned
overkissi
nghergetti
ngbetweenher
l
egs...

Sedi:(
whisperi
ng)Wai
t.
..Um.
..Ihav
e
neverdoneitbefor
e
Aat
il
e:I
'
llbegent
le.
..

Hekissedherandmov edcl
oser
put
ti
ngherhandi nhi
sbrief
sthenshe
swal
lowedandr el
uct
antl
yclosedher
l
egs..
.
Sedi
:Thi
sisgoi
ngtobepainf
ul.
..I
t'
s
bi
ggagonnabothokogobatakele
fr
ee
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
edi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Sedi
come
on.
..
Sedi:Andwejustmet,whycan'twe
dateaf ewmonthsbeforeyoudothis
tome?Idon'twanttolosemy
vir
gini
tywit
hmysi st
ersit
ti
ngov er
there,
I'
m notf
ree.
Aati
le:
( smil
edandkissed)It
'sokay.
..
Iunderstand.I
'
llwai
t.
..Goodnight
Sedi
:Goodni
ght
..
.

Heputhi
sar
m ar
oundherandl
aid
downwait
ingf
orhertofal
lasl
eepas
heandLameglancedatoneanot
her
..
.

Aboutanhourlat
erLamewal kedt
o
thebathr
oom i
nherbikinit
henAat
il
e
i
nnocentl
ygotoffthebedasSedi
tur
nedaroundandpull
edasheet
overherheaddeadasleep.
…

Hequiet
lypul
ledthedrawersandgot
theboxthenhesippedwateronhis
waytothebathr
oom beforeturni
ng
uptheTVv ol
umeabi thi
gher..

Hewal
kedi
nandcl
osedt
hedooras
Lamewashedhermout hst andingi
n
fr
ontofthemirrort
henhest ood
behi
ndher,shelookedathimi nthe
mirr
orandlookeddown...

Aat
il
e:(ki
ssedt
hebackofherneck)
Hey.
..

Hepul leddownt hestr

apsofherbr a
andt urnedheraroundasitfelldown
thenhet onguedherbuttonsand
untiedherbikini
bottom st
rapsont he
sides.Itfel
ldownthenhegr abbed
herf atkukuandgroanedkissingher.
..
Hemov edbackandt urnedher
aroundt ofacethemi r
rorasheroll
ed
ont hecondom.Lamedesper at
elybit
herlowerl i
pashegr abbedherwaist
withonehandandsqueezedhi mself
i
nt here,shegrabbedthesinkti
ghtl
y
andgr aspedforairwit
hhermout h
open...

Lame:
(loudl
y)Mmmm.
..
.

Aat
ilequi
ckl
ygrabbedhermouthand
pul
ledherhai
rbackwhisper
ingi
nher
ear
...
Aati
l
e:Shhh.
..
.Don'
twaket
hebaby
okay?

Shenoddedwit
hafrownonherf ace
ashepull
edherhai
rbackst
ickingher
but
toutthenhecur
vedhimselfin
and#removed.
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngar
ound6Aat i
le
parkedoutsi
deandwalkedinasLol
o
mov edthebedr
oom curt
ains
peaking.
..
Heclosedthedoorandt hr
ewt he
keysonthet ableheadi
ngtot he
bedroom buthecaughtagl impseof
Thabicookingsoftporri
dget henhe
tur
nedandwal kedoverbehindher.

Thabi'
sheartpoundedherboss'
husbandstoodbehindherwit
hhis
chi
ndownhersensi ti
veneck,heput
hi
shandunderherski r
tandrubbed
herpanti
esgetti
ngherwet.

Shehadneverbeent
ouchedbya
manthatcl
eanandofthatst
andar
d..
.
Aat
il
e:(
sof
tl
y)War
eng?
Thabi
:(swal
l
owed)Sepe.
..

Heputhishandi nherpant
iesand
touchedherpupunasandi tssli
mes
thenhegentlyrubbedherclit
sasshe
helpl
essl
yvibratedholdi
ngthe
woodenmi xer.

Shemoanedandacci dent
all
y
droppedthemixerasAati
le
i
ncreasedthespeedthenhehear
d
footst
epsandlethergo.
..
Thabicaughtherbreathand
hel
plessl
ycurledhertoesholdingon
tothestoveandthecount er
spasmingasAat i
lecalmlywalked
pastLolobythedoor..
.

Lol
osuspiciouslystaredatThabi
whowascl earl
yr ecoveri
ngfr
om
somethi
ngasshebr eat
hedquickl
y
wit
hreli
evedey es..
.

Lol
o:What
'sgoi
ngon?
Thabi
:(hear
tpoundi
ng)not
hing.
.
Lolo:(
lookedatherfrom headtotoe)
Cleanthishouse,goanddol aundr
y
thenraketheyard..
..
Thabi
:Eemmanekesetseke
apeet
seJuni
ormot
ogo

Lolowalkedoutandst oodatthe
showerdoorasAat il
esteppedoutall
wetanddr iedhi
mselfwithatowel
thenhewr appeditar
oundhiswaist
andwalkedt othebedroom asLolo
foll
owedher .

Heputonhi
sboxerbri
efsand
gr
abbedhi
sfor
mal wearfr
om the
war
drobet
oget
herwi
thhi
scoat
..
.

Lol
o:Wher
edi
dyousl
eepl
astni
ght
?
Aatil
e: Haobat agor
ekegobet seo
mpot sedipotso,l
etthi
sbethelast
ti
mey ou'
reaskingmequestions.
(openedt hedoor)Thabi?
?
Thabi
:(f
rom t
heki
tchen)Raa?
Aatil
e:(
gaveherthecl
othes)Ir
on
thosecl
oths,hurr
yup.
..Ihavetobe
atthehospit
alin30minutes
Thabi
:Eer
ra.
.

Hecl
osedt
hedoorasshesatont
he
edgeofthebedcr
yingt
henhe
grabbedhi
sphoneanddial
edSedi
whilehebr
ushedhi
sneathair
cut
..
.

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:(
sof t
ly)Hey
..
.Kehet
ekawena
kegophike?
Sedi
:(spr
ay edher
sel
fwi
thper
fume)
Yeah,
I'm done.
.
Aat
il
e:(
wit
har omant
icv
oice)Ar
ight
,
um moway..

Hehungupandthr
ewitonthebed
t
henhegrabbedhi
svestandputi
ton.
Lologothisphonecr
yingandtri
edt
o
checkthenumberbutithada
fi
ngerpr
intandfacer
ecognit
ionl
ock
on..
.

Lol
o:(
rubbedherey
es)Whyareyou
doi
ngthi
s?Legoneorwel
ering.
..
Aat
il
e:(
walki
ngout
)Cleanyoursel
f
up,
youlookl
ikeawi
tchwiththat
mascar
asmudgeony oureyes.
..

Hewenttobr
ushhisteet
hthenThabi
br
oughthi
sclot
hesandquickl
y
wal
kedoutasLolocr
iedonthebed.
Aat
il
egotdressedandl
eftf
orwork
l
eavi
nghercryi
ngonthebed..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
52PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴69(
Repost
ed)

Atmyhouse.
..

Thesamemor ni
ngisl
owl
ygotup
andcheckedt
hetimet
henishook
Arona.
..

Me:
Arona?Ar
ona?You'
rel
ate.
..

Hegotupandglancedatt
hetime
t
henhequickl
yputonhiscl
othes.
..
Ar
ona:
Goodmor
ning
Me:
Mor
ning.
..
.

Isatt
herewatchi
nghim getdressed
andgethiskeysthenhewalkedov er
andki
ssedme. .
.

Ar
ona:
Ilov
eyou.
..
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..

Heopenedhi
swal
l
etandhandedme
P700

Ar
ona:
Pleasebuyf
oodandot
her
t
hingst
hatspi
l
ledher
e
Me:
Thanks.
..
Arona:(
touchédmycheekandsmi l
ed
admiral
i
ngly)I'
l
lcal
lyou,
pleaset
ryto
answeryourphone
Me:
Iwi
l
l,by
e

Hekissedmeagainandlef
ttheni
exhal
edandfel
lback.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse

Lat
erthatmor
ningKenplay
edloud
musicandmadebreakf
astshi
rt
less
whil
eZanesatshi
rt
lessonthe
count
erhol
dingaglassofmil
kwi
tha
whit
eli
neabovehi
sl i
p..
.

Zane:
What
'st
hatony
ourar
ms?
Ken:
Thi
s?I
t'
sat
att
oo
Zane:
Cani
getonet
oo?
Ken:
No,
it'
snotgood.
.
Zane:
Whydoyouhav
eiti
fit
sbad?I
wanttobel
i
keyou
Ken:Igoti
twheni wasn'
tagood
per
sonbutI'm goi
ngtotakei
touti
n
Gabcity
Zane:
Wher
eist
hat
?
Ken:
Itsthecit
y..
.Hav
eyouev
erbeen
onatri
pwi t
hmama?
Zane:
Yes,
wewentt
othemal
l
Ken:(laughed)Imean. .
.Nev ermi nd..
.
Wewi llgoonat r
iptogethermay be
withmama, Gaboroneist hecapi tal
cit
yofBot swanaandi thasal otof
thi
ngsl i
ketoy sandeverythi
ngy ou
l
ike,wecanv i
sitLi
onPar kithasa
beacheandy oucanwal kbar efoot
there
Zane:
Ithasl
i
ons?
Ken:
Yeah,
thatt
oo
Zane:
weshoul
dgo
Ken:
I'
ll
tal
ktomom abouti
t
Heturnedar oundandf r
iedmor e
eggs,hehadpl ayedMar oon5'sGir
ls
l
ikeyouonr epeatsomuchZane
coul
dsi ngalongashenoddedwi tha
smil
et henKent urnedaroundholdi
ng
theeggt ur
nerlikeitwasami c.
..

Ken:
(si
ngi
ngal
ongpoi
nti
ngatZane)
Spent24hour
s
Ineedmor
ehour
swi
thy
ou
Youspentt
heweekend
Get
ti
ngev
en
Zane:
(pout
edhi
smout
hwi
thmi
l
k
abov
ehi
sli
ps)oohooh

Ken:
(laughedandcont
inuedsi
ngi
ng)
Wespentt hel
ateni
ght
s
Maki
ngt
hingsr
ight
,bet
weenus
Butnowi
t'
sal
lgoodbaby
Rol
lthatBackwoodbaby
Andpl
aymecl
ose'
Causegi
rl
sli
ke
you
Runar
oundwi
thguy
sli
keme
'
Til
sundown,
whenIcomet
hrough
Ineedagi
rll
i
key
ou,
yeahy
eah
Gi
rl
sli
key
ou
Lov
efun,
yeahmet
oo
WhatIwantwhenIcomet
hrough

Zane:
(louderhol
dingt
hegl
assof
mil
k)Ineedagi r
lli
key
ou,y
eahyeah
Yeahy
eahy
eah
Yeahy
eahy
eah

Theysangt hechor usleaningcloser

tooneanot herastheirforeheads
touchedthenhel if
tedherand
dancedwi t
hhi m si
tti
ngonhi s
shoulder
sast heysangal ong...
.
*
**

Meanwhileiknockedsev eralti
mes
butther
ewasnor esponset heni
walkedaroundthehouseand
knockedont hekit
chenwi ndowas
KenandZanesangi nthekitchen,he
pausedandputZaneont hecount er
thenheopenedt hekit
chendoor ..
.

Zane:
(gaspedashi
sey
eswi
dened)
MAMA! !

Ismi
ledandpickedhi
m uppl
ant
inga
ki
ssonhischeek..
.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ou
Zane:
(smil
ed)Imi
ssedy
out
oobut
j
ustali
tt
lebi
t
Ken:(
laughed)Hesai
dal
i
ttl
ebi
t,di
d
youhearthat?
Me:
(laughed)St
opi
t.
..

Iputhim backont hecouchand

kissedhim onthecheek,hesmelled
l
ikeKen' sshowergelandhewas
clean,hishai
rcuthadbeenbrushed
properlyandhet wi
stedhi
safrojusta
bitintop..
.
Me:
Let
hapi
l
egor
e
Ken:
Kewenaol eswehelagoneha
si
nceyouuseabuckettobathand
i
t'
sbrokensoobvi
ousl
yoi t
shut
hil
e
Me: (
laughed)Iboughtanot
her
bucket
Ken:Chi
neseshopsar
enotopenj
ust
goandbath,pr
idewi
ll
kil
lyou
Me:
Mxm

Iwentt
othebat
hroom and
shower
ed.
..
.
AtMaunPol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Lat
erdur
inglunchhourAr
onagoti
n
hi
sbrot
her'
scarandtheydrov
eoff
..
.

Him:Whenlastdi
dyouat
tendy
our
counsel
l
ingsessi
on?
Ar
ona:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Him: Youknowwhati mean,you'
re
notreadyf orrel
ationshipsRonny .
Thisgirlisgoingtobr eakyou
becausey ou'
resti
llrecover
ing.How
wil
lyougai nweightwhenshei s
cheatinglegoneshedoesi tphal
ae
l
elahel a.You'
renotr eadyfora
rel
ati
onshipheal t
hwi seand
fi
nanciall
y,basadibabat aobecha
especiall
ybonebabar atangmadi
basaiphesepeba.I fshewas
workingmaki nghermoneyshe
wouldn'tneedtodependony ou, nna
kanaOt l
heokgonagont shelel
af uel
.
Shebuy smecl othes,whenev ershe
comest omyhousesher eplacesmy
sheetsarediamot enadi maswe.
Suchwomenar erareandI '
mf i
ne
fi
nanciall
yimaginerwenagor ey ou're
downandouty ety ouwantagi rl li
ke
thi
s.Thischickdat edadr ugdeal er,
shewasspoi l
taisiwaDubai and
giv
enaJeepf orapr esent,doy ou
thi
nky oucanaf fordherkanetpayy a
P800.Yoursituat i
onneedsaGodl y
womanwhowant snot hingbutlove
aleunderst
andi ngandwi ll
ingtohelp
yourecoverfrom thisillnessbefore
shecanexpectany thi
ngf r
om you.
Chemot her
apyesant seel etengin
yourbloodandy oucan' texpectyour
sexdrivebacksosoongape
emotionall
yonal estressRonny ,gao
readyfordil
ot samar at o.
Arona:It
'sbeeny earssi
nceihav
e
beeninar el
ationshi
p,ial
sowantto
belovedammeket aakgonagonna
l
onelynemi ster?Lewenagaobat e
gothaloganyawhyker eineeda
companionwenakanaonal e
gir
lf
ri
end.Whyshouldibeslaveto
thi
scancer?I
tsenoughthatican'
t
havemyownchi l
drenbutnowi have
tobelonel
ytoo?Whatsindidi
commi t
?

Hisbrot
herpul
ledoverj
ustaft
ert
he
bri
dgeandparkedunderthe
Mochabatreethenheadj
ustedhi
s
chai
randfacedhim..
.

Him:Iunder
standt
haty ouwantlov
e
andyouhaveneedsjustlikeany
one
butobonaifyoudat
et hiswoman,
you'reeithergoi ngt ocommi tsuicide
ordieofhear tcompl i
cati
onsgoga
bedi hela.YoubeatcancerAr ona...
That'swhaty oushouldbet hankf ul
forandv erysoony ourinsurance
claimt abeet sena,bepat i
ent .Let
thiswomangosoy oucanr ecov er
proper l
y,i l
ikedherbef oreIf oundout
whoshei s,thiswomansl eptwi th
brothersandmadet hem fightasi f
that'
snotenoughoneoft hem ki l
led
theot herandt heycookedupast ory
forhimt obeacqui ttedincour tgotwe
kesel fdef encebuthi ssisterand
familyknowv erywel l
thatthisguy
kil
ledhi sbi gbrotherforsleepi ngwi th
hi
sf i
ancéeandifyoudon'
tstayaway
fr
om hisBabymamaandsonhewi ll
ki
llyoutooorworseframeyouwith
drugs.Akoontheetse
Arona: (
shookhishead)Wenagao
thal
ogany egapegonej aanait'
stoo
l
atebecausei al
readyl oveher..
.Do
youknowwhati t'
sliket olove
anotherperson?( t
ear f
ull
y )Il
oveher
,I
wishi didn'
tbutido...Idon'tknow
howi thappedsoqui cklennake
i
phithetsekemor atahel a.
Him:Andy ourmainpr
oblem i
stofal
l
i
nlovet ooquick,onalego
i
tshologetsadil
okapelaandbeli
eve
whateverawomant el
l
sy ou,
basadi
bamaakakana
Arona:Gonejaanat ot
ai t
'stoolateto
tal
kaboutmenotf all
i
ngf orher
becauseI'
m alreadyi nthepi tofl
ove
i
bilegagonagor enkadi rajang,i
wanttohaveaf ami l
y..
.Iloveher..
.I
'
ll
stayawayfrom hi ssonbuti can'
t
l
eav eherl
eenet otashel ovesme, i
canseeitinherey esjustthatthi
s
guyistaki
ngadv antageofherneeds
l
ennaI '
m uselessbecauseI 'm not
manningupf i
nanci all
y.Allineedis
money
Him:(l
eanedbacklooki
ngathim)Do
youknowt hatt
hisl
adywil
lreacha
poi
ntofwant i
ngasecondborn?Are
yougoingtogi
veherababy
?
Becausesheisgoi
ngtomakeababy
wit
hherbabydaddy
Arona:Youdon' thavetodothat.
..
Cany oujuststopbeingnegati
ve,why
osadumel egor enkarati
wake
mosadi j
ustlikeOtlhel
ovesyou?
Aren'
tyout heonewhosai dyouwant
tomar r
y?
Him:Ibeendati
ngOt lhefory earsand
howlonghavey oudat edDi di
?A
week?Youcan'tall
owy ourselft
ofall
i
nlovesoquick,iunder st
andt hat
you'
reanxi
ousbutbr uhcomeonnow
Ar
ona:
Youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand.Just
dr
ivet
hecar
..
.

Hej
oinedt
her
oadanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Aatil
ewaitedi
nthecarwit
h
takeawaysasSediappr
oachedand
gotinthecar,
shesatdownand
closedthedoorasAati
l
eleanedov
er
andkissedher.
..

Sheshyl
ylookedaroundwonder
ingi
f
peopl
ewerepassingby,hi
sri
ng
madethewhol ear
rangement
uncomfor
tableandeachtimeshe
l
ookedatitshefel
tguil
ty.
..

Aati
le:
(handedhert
hef
ood)Goty
our
fav
ourit
e
Sedi
:Canwet
alk?
Aat
il
e:(
looki
ngather
)Sur
ebabe
what
'sup?
Sedi:Mydadl eftmymom and
start
edanewl i
feleavi
ngusbehind
so...
.Idon'twantyourkidstogo
throughwhati wentthroughgrowi
ng
upwi thoutmydad.Iknowy ousai
d
youdon' tl
oveyourwifebutsheis
sti
llyourwifeandy ouhav ethr ee
chil
dren.Idon'twantt obet her eason
they'
rewonder ingwher ethei rfather
i
s.Alsogar egol amamannaar e
bolel
lakabannababany etsenggor e
they'
reanogoar ea,apparent lyit
's
badluckt osleepwi t
hamar riedman
andi don'twantt o-endupnot
mar r
iedkennal ehetwakanahav inga
husbandbutel eacheat i
nghusband
becausei wasonceacat alysti nthe
breakingdownofahappyf ami ly.I
feelguil
tyaboutt hiswholet hing

Aati
lelookedi
nherey esandleaned
backthoughtf
ull
ylookingout
sidethe
wi
ndow.
..

Sedi: I'
m sorry..
.Ijust...
.I'
m not
comf ort
able..
.Andi don'twanty our
wifet osueme, I
'
mj ustacol l
ege
student ,ican'tpayal lthemoney
homewr eckerskeepget ti
ngchar ged
i
ncour tandmymot herdoesn' thav e
money .Shei sexpect ingmet obet he
fami lybreadwi nner, shewi l
lhavea
hear tattackifshehear di sl
eptwi tha
mar riedmanbecauseshehashi gh
hopesi nme.Icanpaybackt he
drinksy ouboughtf ormeassoonasi
getmyst udentall
owance.
Aatile:(f
acedherandsof tl
yhel dher
l
ittl
ehand)Iunder standwhaty ouare
sayingbutI '
mt ell
ingy out het rut
h
whenIsayI '
m done, moi snot
mar ri
ageitsjustajoke, therei sno
respectorlove,wedi dn'tev enhav ea
weddi ngceremony .Itwasj ustusand
2f r
iendsthenwehaddi nnert hat'
sit
,
gakenamogot wengweddi ng
picturesbecausether ewasnev era
weddi ng.I
fshesuesy ouI '
ll payfor
thelawsui t
Sedi:
Nnakeat shabaandpeopl
ehere
knowy ou'
reamar r
iedman,whatwi
ll
theythi
nkofmeknowi ngI
'm sl
eepi
ng
withamarriedman?
Aat i
le:Sedi you'
renotl eav i
ngme,
thatonei soutofquest ion.Wear e
notdi scussingthat .Wecant alk
aboutbei ngdiscreet,I'
llkeepmy
distanceandI '
llwor konspeedi ngup
thedi vorcecasebuti twi l
ltakeav er
y
l
ongt i
me.Si xmont hsi sthe
mi ni
mum becausedi vorceisgr anted
athighcour tandt heyhav eallkinds
ofcasespi li
ng.I'
m goi ngt oneedy ou
tobeunder standingandpat i
entwi th
me
Sedi:
Okaybuti al
sohavesomething
toask,promisemethatyouwon't
havesexwi t
hmeunt i
lyouhave
div
orced.Iwanttokeepmyv i
rgi
nit
y
unti
lyou'
renotamar ri
edmanandi
don'
twanty outopickmeupordr op
meof f,
Idon'twanttobeseenwith
youinpubli
cbecausei don'
tknow
whatyourwifewill
doifshecatches
me.
Aat
il
e:OK,done.
..(
smiledandki
ssed
her
)Relaxcomeon...
Sedi
:So.
..Doest
hatmeany
ouwon'
t
behavi
ngsexwithany
onet
oo?
Aati
le:(
laughed)It
'seasyfory ou
becausey ouarevir
gin,
youcan' t
misssomet hi
ngy ouhaven'ttast
ed..
.
You'r
egoingt ohavetofindway sto
pl
easemebecausesi xmont hsis
waytoomuchf ormeespeci al
lywi
th
theshi
tI'
m goi
ngt hroughathome,i
needtogettheurgeof f
.Haveyou
evergi
venablowj ob?
Sedi
:Nobuti
wat
chedbl
uemov
ies

Aat
il
elaughedandl
eanedback
l
ookingathert
henhelaughedev
en
more..
.

Aati
le:(l
aughed)Barebl
uemovi
e,
sal
ekeut ulelehokobl
uemovi
e
bogologolosantserel
ebel
l
aka
cassett
emoVCR
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Mxm t
swat
he,
i
meantt
osaysexv
ideo
Aat
il
e:Keengosar
epor
nel
egor
e?
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Por
nee

Aati
l
el aughedandkissedhert
henhe
si
ghedandl eanedbackassheate
herfood.Hetookouthisphoneand
ewall
etedherP500..
.

Aatil
e:(
layingonhisback)Isenty
ou
500,hir
eat axit
hatpi
cksyouupand
dropsyouof ff
rom wor
kwareo
tshabaringy ameakere
Sedi
:Thanky
ou
Shefi
nishedherfoodandgotherbag
asAati
lelookedatheradmir
abl
y,she
bl
ushedandshy l
yrubbedhernose
l
ooki
ngout si
de..

Sedi:
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
i
ke
that
?
Aati
le:(smil
edstari
ngadmiri
ngher)
Nothing..
.I'
m sor
ryaboutwhat
happenedt oyourfami
ly,y
ourdad
walkingoutandall.
Sedi
:It
'sokay
,I'
m gr
own
Aati
l
e: Yety
ou'r
esti
l
lhur
t,i
cansee.
That'
swhyy ouwanttol
eaveme
becausey oudon'twantmyki dsto
feelthepainyoufeltwheny ourdad
l
eftbutmycasei sdiff
erent.Iwas
goingtoleavewithorwi thoutyou..
.
Mywi f
eisacheat erandshedoesn' t
respectmet hat
'swhyIl ostrespect
ourmar ri
agetoo.
Sedi
:Sti
l
lihavet
or espectherand
theri
ngonyourf
ingeruntil
itsoff
ici
al
out.
Aati
le:
Iunder
stand,
ili
key
our
honesty
.
Sedi
:Ihav
etogo,
it'
sti
meup.
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
..
Hel eanedoverandki
ssedher
sneakinghishandinhert
opbutshe
grabbedhisarm andopenedt
he
door .
..

Sedi
:(l
ooki
ngathi
sboner
)Ammeo
taagor
ogakogosixmont
hsner
ra?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Sent
ehel
a
Sedi
:Kennahel
akagosi
i
sapent
i
yame
Aat
il
e:Ket
ait
shwar
a,skawar
a..

Shest
eppedoutandwal
kedaway
.
Hewait
edforhi
sbonert
owearof
f
t
henhewalkedi
nthebuil
ding
meet
inghi
scoll
eagues.
..

Tshepo:
Isawt
hat
..
.
Bay
ang:
Met
oo
Aat
il
e:(smi
l
edspr
eadi
nghi
sar
ms)
What?
Tshepo:Wepassedbywheny
ou
werekissi
ngheri
nthecar
Aat
il
e:(r
aisedhi
sey
ebrows)I
twasn't
aki
ss,shehadsomethi
nginherey
es
Bot
h:(
laughed)Ri
ght

Theyal
ll
aughedwal
ki
ngi
nand
t
urnedlooki
ngatanewnur
se
walki
ngout.
..

Aat
il
e:Iwantt
otapt
hat
..
.
Tshepo:
What
'swr
ongwi
thy
out
hese
days?
Aati
l
e: I
'
mj ustsayi
ng,
shehasahuge
ass,iwanttotast
eafatgi
rl
Bayang:(pat
tedhi
sshoulder)That'
s
myboy !f
uckthem i
ftheyl
ety ou.
..
Hababuladir
opeobaj ent
ates
Tshepo:Wenakanaobadi
nfl
uence
thesedays.
..
Lamecall
edhim andheignor
edher
call
sashebeendoingsincemor
ning
thenshesentamessage..
.

Lame:
Soi
twasj
ustsex?
Aat
il
e:Whatarey
outal
ki
ngabout
?I
di
dn'
thavesexwit
hyou
Lame:
What
?

Hebor
rowedBay
ang'
sphoneand
cal
l
edher.
..

Lame:
Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Messagesl
i
kewhaty
ouj
ust
sentmegi vemeafit
,Idon'
twant
Sedisuspecti
ngany
thingbet
ween
youandme.
Lame:Soyou'
regoi
ngt
ocont
inue
wit
hher?
Aat
il
e:Whatdoest
hatmean?
Lame: Ithought
..
..
.(si
ghed)Sedi
won'thav esexwit
hy ou,
shesaysshe
doesn'twanttohavesexbefore
marriage.
Aat
il
e:I
'm noti
nahurr
ytosexher
.I
bor
rowedmyboss'sphone,
Shap
Lame:
Shap
HehungupandhandedBay
angt
he
phone.
..

Aati
le:Di
str
actt
hatgir
latswemogo
nna,sheisSedi
'
stwin..
.Ialr
eadysai
d
you'
remyboss,thatshouldromance
her.
..
Bayang:(
savi
ngthenumber
)Thanks,
ar
et heyi
dent
ical
?
Aati
l
e:Yeahbutthisoneisafreak,
Sedii
snotyetsexual
lyacti
ve
Tshepo:Moneelengnna,
I'
mtheone
wholikedSedi
fir
st
Aat
il
e:Raat
haamana,
war
eng?
Bayang:(
looki
ngatherDP)Shei
s
beauti
ful
..
.Eneokajega
Tshepo:
Letmesee..
.(
looki
ngatt
he
pi
c)Passherov
ertomewheny ou'
re
donewit
hher
Bayang:Okay.
..I
'
llt
ellhery
ou'
remy
superv
isorgakehedi
tse
Tshepo:
Sur
e

Theywalkedint
helabandgr
abbed
thei
rcoatsandgl
oves.
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...
Laterthatafternooniwal
kedoutof
theshopsi ppingjui
ceasZane
pushedar edbi cycl
ewhil
eKen
carri
edhisboost erseat
..
.

Sanepassedaf ewpeopl et
henhe
j
umpedoni tandstr
uggledwitht
he
paddles,Kenheldt
heseatwi t
hthe
otherarm andpushedhim wit
hthe
otherfrom behi
ndastheypasseda
fewpeopl ewhosmiledatthem..
.

Myphoner
angaswear
ri
vedatt
he
car
..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Voice:Hi
,thi
sisAr
ona'
sbr
other
.Isi
t
possibl
etomeetyou?
Me:
What
'st
hisabout
?
Voice:
Gobat arekopana,i
t'
snot
somethingIcandiscussovert
he
phone.
Me:
Doesheknow?
Voi
ce:
Nobuti
tsi
mpor
tant
Me: Theni
t'
snotoryou'
dtel
lmeov
thephonebecausei
can'tmeeta
str
anger.
Hi
m:Okay..
.Iwast
alki
ngt
oAr
ona
t
hismor
ning.Nemmawhyosamo
t
hal
ekagor
egaomor
ate?

IglancedatKenashest rapped
Zane' sseatinthecarandloadedhis
bicycletheni wal
kedawayl oweri
ng
myv oice.
..

Me:
Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?
Him: I
'mjustaskingyout obehonest
wi t
hyourselfandhim aswell.From
whati heardy oudon'
tlovehim andi
don'tblamey ou.Heisrecoveri
ng
from cancer,heismoreofabur den
thanasuper heroboyfri
endmost
womenwant .Heisobviousl
ybroke
andtoosensi t
ivebutt hegoodt hing
aboutAronaisi fyoudumbhi m, he
won'tharassyou.Hewi llbegandcr y
buteventual
lyhewi llstayawayf rom
youleenehewi ll
recov erwellwithout
str
ess.Santser elwal etheside
eff
ectstsatreatmenty agagwedon' t
addstresstohiscondi tion.Naturall
y
Aronagaakanahehast orecover
andhedoesn' tneedst ress.Het hinks
youlovehim soy ou'r
et heonly
personwhocanendal lthese
becausegaar ataor atagabomat a
mookai potsanggor eammeot etse
sentemot haloganyong.
Me:
I'
m of
fendedbyy
ourwor
ds,
o
buaekarekemothowabannaba
bant
siandI'
mincapabl
eofl
ovi
ng
Him:Nomysi stert
hat'
snotwhatI
'm
sayi
ng.KareRonnycan'taf
for
dyou,i
havereadaboutyouinanewspaper
andhecan'taff
ordyou-
Me:I'
m goi
ngtopretendi
didn'
tgeta
cal
lfr
om you,
ikgal
emele.

Ihungupandwalkedtowardsthecar
butKenandZaneweren'
tthere,I
crossedt
her
oaddiali
nghim...

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?
Ken:
Debonai
r'
s
Me:
Okay
..

Ihungupandcr ossedther
oad
walki
ngintoDebonair
swhereKen
andZanewer esit
ti
ngintheback
eati
ng,Ismil
edandpulledachair
sit
ti
ngdown.Zanel i
ft
edasliceand
fedme...

Zane:
Mamat
ast
emi
ne.
..
Me:
Itsdel
i
cious.
.
Kengl ancedatmeandqui etl
yatehis
sl
icethenhel eanedbackandpul l
ed
hi
sdr inkov er
,icoul
dtel
lthatphone
calldi
dn'tleavehimtoowellbuti
pret
endedi di
dnot i
cehi
smoodwas
dif
ferent.
..

Ken:Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
otal
kabout
us?
Me:
Whataboutus?
Zane:
Mamacani
gogett
hebal
l
oon?
Me:
Yesbaby

Kenwi
pedZane'
shandsandputhi
m
downt henherant
owardsthe
bal
loons.Myphonerangagainthen
Kentookadeepbreathgrabbi
nga
gl
assofdr i
nk.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ar
ona:
Hibabe
Me:
(uncomf
ort
abl
y)Hey
Arona: I
'
mj ustthi
nki
ngabouty ou, I
'm
sorr
yt hatthi
ngsareal i
ttl
eboring
wheni t'
sjustthebegi
nningbuti just
needal it
tl
etimetof i
xthings.Be
pati
entwi t
hmeandy ouwon' tregret
i
t,ipromise.IswearI'
m goi ngtolove
youandr espectyou..
.Ijustneed
ti
me.I
nt hreemonthskehet
sal
oan
andI
'm expect
ingclai
m-
Me:
Ronnyi
t'
snotaboutt
hat
..
.

Ist
oodupandwalkedi
nthet
oil
et
whereicl
osedmy
selfi
nandsat
down..
.

Me: I
t'
snotaboutthemoney ,
I'
m not
withyoubecauseofmoney .Icare
aboutyouandI'm notgoi
ngt ohurt
you.I'
m heref
oryouandI '
m goingto
l
ovey oufai
thf
ull
y,I'
ll
behereunt i
l
you'r
eingoodhealth..
.Wewi l
lseeba
man'scli
nicaboutthatpr
oblem, don'
t
begmesomuch.Iknowyouthi
nkI
'
m
goi
ngt
oleav
eyoubutiwon't
.
Arona:(
sighedrel
i
eved)Thanks,
that'
sal
lineededyohear.Youhave
noideahowhappyIam t oheart
hat.I
l
ov eyou
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo,
bye

Ihungupandwalkedbacktotabl
e
whereKenwasleaningbackonhis
chai
rpl
ayi
ngsocceront hephone
whil
eZaneranaroundwithsome
whit
eboys.
..

Ken:
Didi
atsomepoi
nty
ouhav
eto
makeadeci si
onbecauseI'
m not
gonnabegy outobewi t
hme,it
's
ei
theryouwantthi
sguyorme
becauseyou'r
enotgoingtohave
bothofus.Gakesesogakethakanel
e
mosadi.
Me:Soyouthi
nky
oucanjustcome
backandpi
ckupwher
eyouleftof
f?
Ken:(star
ingatme)Don' ttalktome
withthatkindofat ti
tude, wear ehere
becausey oucoul dn'tcrossy ourlegs
l
ikeotherwomen.I 'mf uckingtiredof
youactinglikeyou'reav i
cti
m when
wear eallyourvicti
ms.Youhav et o
makeadeci si
on, areyoust icki
ngt o
him orcomi ngbacksowecanr ai
se
ourboyasapr operfami ly
?Idi dn'
t
spend5y earsinprisononl yt obea
sidenigga,iwantawomani canwi fe
andbui ldafami l
ywi th..
.(point edat
Zane)Thatboydeser vesthel ovehe
hasn'treceiv
edi nthel astfivey ears,
heshoul dn'
tbet hatski nnyi hav eto
bringfoodsohecaneatandl ooklike
hisage.Hehast ogot oapr eschool
andknowwher ehecomesf rom.You
deser veabreakf r
om cooki ngat
nightanddoi ngnai l
sal lday....
.I'
m
her etodomypar t.
..I'
m her et o
prov i
deforyout wo...Iwanty out o
takeabr eakf r
om wor ki
ngsodamn
har dandlovey ourself.Getabody
massageorj ustlaydownandr el
ax..
.
Eatandgainwei ght, youbeendoingit
alonethepastfivey earsI'
m her
enow,
takeabreakandr est.Youdeserveit
babe..
.

Hereachedforbothofmyhandsand
ki
ssedthem thenhelookedi
nmy
ey
es..
.

Ken: Let
'spr et
endLor enever
happened, thispoli
cemannev er
happened...Let'sassumewest opped
attheweddi ngpr eparat
ionsand
carryonwi t
ht hebiggerplan.Pl
ease
MrsDaniel.
...Wear ealr
eadydone
witht
hetradi t
ional
part,wenev er
evencancelledanythi
ng...Allwehav e
todoistalktoourpar entskago
pegamainaandgetmar ri
edt hen
tr
avelwit
hourboy .
..Wedeser veit
,
webeent hroughsomuch. ..Please
sayyes
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Iwantt
obut
..
..
Ken:
Butwhat
?
Me: Ican'
t.
..
.IloveyouandIwantto
beyourwi f
e,IwantZanet ohavea
familybutIcan't
,I'
m sor
ry.I
'
m with
Aronanowandi havetorespecthi
m.
Ken:
(si
ghed)Soy
ou'
rechoosi
nghi
m?
Me:Idon'thav
eachoi
ce,
youdon'
t
under
stand.
Ken:AndI
'
llnev
erunder
standbutat
l
eastnowIcanmoveon.

Aronacal
ledagai
nt henKengrabbed
thephoneandputitinthef
ullgl
ass
ofCokethenhewalkedaway .
..

Ken:(t
urned)I'
m stayi
ngwi t
hZane,
hewillvi
sityouonweekends
becauseididn'tdest
roythi
sfamil
y ,
youdid!Don'tcomet omyhouse
unannouncedanddon' tthi
nkabout
causi
ngdr amawheni fi
ndagir
lfr
iend,
I
'
m donewi
tht
hisshi
t.
..

Helift
edZaneandwal kedawayasi
putmyf ingersintheglassandtook
outmyphonet heni openeditand
wipedit.Irubbedmyt earsand
walkedout .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Al
waysr
emembertoLI
KEANDl
eav
e
usaCOMMENT.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
53PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴70

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
.

Herformersuperv
isorknockedand
walkedinasLoloabsentmindedl
y
st
aredatthewall,
shejumpedand
di
splayedasmileastheladysat
down.
..

Lol
o:Hi
..
Her:Hi.
..Congratulationsonceagai n,
youknowi neverthoughty ouwentt o
auniversit
y.Nott haty oul ook
academi cal
lyungifted( theybot h
l
aughed)Butbecausey ounev ersaid
anythi
ngabouty ourdegr eewheny ou
wereser vi
ngdrinksi nt her est
aurant.
Youwer ehumbl eandy our espected
me
Lol
o:Thanky
ou
Her
:Andnowyou'
remyboss.
..
Wonder
sshal
lnev
erend
Lol
o:(smi
l
ed)No,
you'
l
lal
way
sbemy
boss.
Her :Idon'
tknowi fI'
mi nvadingyour
privacymygirlbuty ou'
relikemyl i
tt
le
sistersoifI
'm wor ri
edabout
somet hingI
'l
lletyouknow.I tseems
l
iket hepast2day sy oubeencomi ng
towor kshabby .
..Andy ouseem
stressed,i
ssomet hi
ngbot heri
ngyou?
Lol
o:I
t'
sjustsmal
lthi
ngs,
I'
ll
bef
ine
Her
:Learnt
oaskf orhel
p..
.It
's
not
hingembar
rassing
Lolo:
(si
ghedl
ooki
ngdown)Icheated
onmyhusbandandinresponsehe
tookitt
oanot
herl
evel
,idi
ditwit
ha
mar r
iedmanbecausei wasj ust
l
ookingf ort hatt
hr i
ll.
..Iwant edto
feell
ikeal itt
legir
l..
.Inev erhadt ime
tobeat eenageranddoal lthese
crazythi
ngsbecausei wasbusy
rai
singmydaught eral oneandt heni
gotmar ri
ed.Myhusbandi sagood
man. .
.Wasagoodman.Henev erdid
thecrazyt hingsonewoul dwantt o
feelbecausehehadpr obl emsofhi s
ownt oo.Hehadachi ldtor aise.We
neverhadt i
met of ool aroundandour
sexdidn'thav ethatt hing...Itwasas
i
fwewer e65y earsol d.Ionl y
cheatedf orsexbuthei st akingitto
anotherlev elandi thinkhei sgetti
ng
addictedt ocheat i
ngandmay behe
will
leaveme.Icaughthi mf inger ing
ourmai di ntheki t
chenandi thinkhe
wasgoi ngt osexheri fi hadn' t
walkedi n,ialsosawar eceiptt hathe
paidforanexecut iveroom. .
.Those
roomsar eexpensi veandhenev er
hadsuchat astebef ore.Hecur rently
doesn'thav edebt ssoi knowhei s
l
oadedbecausewhenwemethehad
debtssohecoul dn'tspoi l
me.I
checkedhi sbankst atement
yesterday,hisloanl ongpai dof fandi
knowwomenl ovemoney ,I
'm af raid
thetimei gotspoi ledbyanot herman
hetookpoi nter
sandI '
m af raidhei s
goingt ospoilgirl
st oo..
..Heis
changi nghiswar drobeandhei s
cut t
inghishairmogosmar tmo
esengbochi sel,
hei supgr adi
ngand
becomi ngthi
ssexymani nev
erknew
existed.I'
mi nsecure,imadehuge
mi stakesbuti l
ov emyhusband.I
can'taskf orhelpbecauseIst ar
tedi
t,
weal sodidn'
tmar ryther i
ghtwaysoi
can'taskhi sparentst ohel pI
'
mj ust
alone.
Her:I
'dadv i
seyoutostayhome, don'
t
askhim anythi
ngandjustdoy our
duti
es,lethi
mv ent
.Lethim sati
sfy
himselfandwhenhei sdoney ou'
ll
seeitthat'
swhenyou'l
ltal
ktohi m.
Lolo:It
'shardknowinghehast his
crazysideofhimi neverknew,nowi
wantt otastehimtoobecausehei s
l
ikeanewmanbuthewon' tgiv
eme
achance.( r
ubbedhert ear
s)Whati f
heisdonewi t
hme?Iwassosur ehe
willnevercheatonme, hewast he
softkindbutnowhei st ur
ningintoa
badboy ..
Her
:Gi
vehimti
meandinthe
meant
imeshowhi
m howsorr
yyou'
re
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Her:Lookingshabbywon'thelpeit
her
,
l
ookgoodt oobutdon'
tactslatt
yit
mightjustproveyou'
renotwor t
h
mar
ryi
ng.
Lol
o:OK

Shesighedthought
ful
l
yandshook
herhead..
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Aronast eppedoutofthepharmacy
andwal kedt owar
dshiscarasa
blackshinycarsloweddownnextto
him, hewaitedforthecart
opassbut
i
tst oppedandt hedri
verol
leddown
thewi ndow..
Hesmiledlooki
ngatAronawhowas
shor
tandtinywithabeauti
ful
smoothfaceli
keateen..
.

Hi
m:Hi
Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o
Hi
m:Of
fi
ceri
needy
ourhel
p,um.
..
.

Thecarbehi
ndhi
m honked.
..

Ar
ona:
Pul
lov
er,
you'
recausi
ngt
raf
fi
c.
Thedriv
ermadeat ur
nandparked
nexttoArona'
scarasheunlocked
hi
sandt hrewhissuppli
menetsi
nthe
backseatthentheymethalf
way
betweenthecarsandshookhands..
..

Thestr
angemanwasmarriedandhe
appear
edtobequi
teasmil
erashe
coul
dn'
tstopsmi
li
ngathi
m. .

Him:Hi
..
.MynameisLef
okoZambo.
..
Buty
oucanjustcal
lmeWord
Arona:
Ar ona,
cani hel
pyou?I
'
m ki
nd
ofbusy,kedoji
tsekoti
rong
Lef
oko:
Iwasgi
venchar
gesf
orsome
tr
affi
cv i
olat
ionsandI'dli
ketoknow
i
fy oucouldassistmewi th
somet hi
ng,iwonderiftheyhav
ean
expir
ydatemay bey oucangetoneof
yourcoll
eaguest oexplai
nit
Ar
ona:
Ok,
cani
hav
eal
ookatt
hem?
Lef
oko:Idon'
thavethem her
ewi
th
me,canIhaveyournumber?
Ar
ona:
Sur
e

Lef
okot
ookouthi
ssmar
tphoneand
sav
edhi
snumber.
.

Lef
oko:
I'
ll
giv
eyouacal
l
Ar
ona:
Sur
ebr
uh

Aronaturnedandwalkedawayas
Lefokostaredathi
sli
tt
lebut
tandgot
i
nhi scardriv
ingof
f.
..
.

AtKen'
sMot
or'
s.
..
.

Kenandhisfat
herwal
kedaroundthe
yardasZanesati
nthecarwit
hall
thewindowsopenpl
ayi
nggameson
hisphone.
..

Ken:
(concl
uded)Soi
don'
tknowi
f
I'
m makingtheri
ghtdeci
sion,I
'm new
tothi
sfather
ingthi
ngandi don'
t
wanttomakemi stakest
hatwi l
l
aff
ectmyson.
Him: Chi
ldrenar
emuchhappi erwit
h
thei
rmot her'
sandremembery ousti
ll
needt ogetyourbusi
nessoffthe
ground.Stayi
ngwithachil
disalotof
work..
Ken: Buti
don'
twanttodeal withDidi
everydaybecauseimightjustlose
myt emperwithher
,want enaandi
hatehowsheal way
splaysv ict
im.
Hi
m:Isn'
tsheav
ict
im?Shesawyou
ki
l
laperson,
asmuchasyouwantt
o
actl
ikenot
hinghappenedshest
il
l
remembersitandmaybesheis
scar
edofyou.
Ken: GagonaDidiyoontshabang,she
mustbegl adididn'
tshoother
becausethatwast heori
ginalpl
an.I
gavehermyhear tandshesl i
cedit
withaknife,
howmuchofav i
cti
m
couldshebe?Eitherwayi have
acceptedherdecisi
onandI '
mf i
ne,
I'
mj ustworr
iedaboutmyson.
Him: Giv
ehim backandtakeitone
stepatat i
me,Zanecall
sy oudad
becausehet hi
nksit
'syourname,
that
'snotgood.YouneedDi dif
oryou
tohav eahealt
hyrel
ati
onshipwith
y
ourson.Respecther
Ken:
IguessIunder
stand
Him: Thebestgi f
taf athercangive
hischil
dist olov
eandr espectthe
mot herevenifyou'r
enott ogether
,it
's
alessont oZanet hathemust
respectthatwomanj ustbecauseshe
i
shi smot hernotthatshei sanangel.
Ken:
Okay
..
.
Him:Havey
ouhandedi
nyourt
ender
appl
i
cati
on?
Ken:Yes,
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
he
conf
irmat
ion.
Him:Good,f
ocusonthebusiness
andgiv
eDiditi
metosortoutherli
fe,
shedidn'tevenknowy ou'dbeout
soon.Iknowy ourmot herandsister
hateherbutIunder standherf r
om
theperspectiveofaman, iknowwe
canbeper suasive.Loretook
advantage,Didiisnotthatbadand
thi
swhol ethingonlyexploded
becauseofhowy ouandLor ereacted.
Youcoul dhav ebothdumpedheror
Lorecouldhav ekepthi smout hshut
oryoucoul dhav efor
givenherand
mov ed,somanyopt i
onsbuty ou
choset ofi
ght...
Ken:
(si
ghed)Yeah.
..
Theycont
inuedwal
kedar
oundt
he
yar
d..
..

AtMaunpol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Lat
eronAr onawal
kedi
ntheof
fi
ce
andrecei
vedacall
..
.

Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Hi,
keLef
oko.
..Canwet
alk?
Ar
ona:
Sur
e
Lef
oko:
Arey
oust
rai
ght
?
Arona:(
off
ended)Whatarey
outr
ying
tosay?Ist
hatwhyyoutookmy
number
?DoIl
ookgayt
oyou?
Lefoko:Ronlist
en..
.I'
m notsayi
ng
you'r
egaybuti haveabusiness
proposalforyou.Howwoul dyouli
ke
tomake6Ki nanhour?
Ar
ona:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Lef
oko:
Woul
dyoubei
nter
est
ed?
Arona:
Yesbut .
..I
tdepends,
I'
ma
poli
ceoff
icer
Lef
oko:
Iwanttoki
ssyouketsay
a
gor
ewantshwaragor
ekareng
Ar
ona:
I'
m notgay
Lef
oko:Youdon'thav
etobegay,
you
j
usthav
et ohavethemindofa
busi
nessman.Whowi l
lknow?And
thi
sisajustaonceoft
hing
Arona:Di
dn'
tiseear
ingony
our
fi
nger?Ar
eyougay?
Lef
oko:I
'm amarr
iedmanandi have
ki
dsbut.
..Theset
hingshappen.
..So
wareng?6Kinanhourornot?
Ar
ona:
Gakegay
,got
rysomewher
e
el
se
Lef
oko:Nnakenekebatasomeone
ofyourbodysi
zebuti
t'
scool
,Shap
Ar
ona:
Shap

Hehungupandsi
ghedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
..
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonAtt
iewal
kedi
n
thehouseasBabysweptt
hefl
oor
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hey
Baby
:Hi
daddy
Aat
il
e:I
syourmom home?
Baby
:Noty
et
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.Wher
eisev
ery
one?
Baby
:Thabii
sbathi
ngJuniorand
Mayaisoutwi
thherfr
iend
Aat
il
e:Whatf
ri
end?
Baby:Shegoest
oschool
wit
hhi
m
butheisinf
ormthr
ee
Aat
il
e:Wher
edoeshest
ay?
Baby:Twoy
ardsaf
terMaEdmund'
s
House.
Aat
il
e:Howl
onghasshebeenout
?
Baby
:30mi
nut
es
Aat
il
e:Okay

Hewalkedi
nthebedr
oom di
ali
ng
Maya.
..

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:Boel
amol wapengMaya,
I'
m
giv
ingy ou5minut
estobehereandi
f
you'
renotyouwon'tl
ikethe
consequences.

Hehungupandt hrewthephone
downthenhechangedhisclothes
andknockedonThabi'
sdoor,she
wassit
tingonthebedapply
ingloti
on
onJuniorthenAat
il
eputhi
m down.

Aat
il
e:(
handedhim hi
sclot
hes)Go
gi
veyoursi
stert
ohelpyou

Juni
orr
anout
sidet
henhel
eaned
overandki ssedThabi whojustsat
therereceivingi
twithherhandson
herlap, shewasn'tcomfort
able
enought otouchhim butever
ytouch
hegav eherwetherandl ef
ther
throbbing..
.

Aatil
eletgoofherandlockedthe
doorthenhewal kedoverand
unzippi
nghistrouser
sasThabi
respectf
ull
yremainedseatedonthe
bedwi t
hherhandsonherl ap.
..

Hepull
edheroverasshesatonher
kneest
henhefedherandthrust
.
*
**

Meanwhi leLol
owalkedinthehouse
holdingherhandbagandwalkedpast
theBabyasshedr essedherli
tt
le
brother,
sheglancedattheki
tchen
andnot i
cedThabiwasn'tt
herethen
sheheadedt othebathr
oom knowing
Aatil
ewashome.

Therewasnoonei nt
hebathr oom
thensheclosedthedoorandwal ked
outbumpingintoAati
lewalkingout
ofherroom zippi
nghispants,she
di
dn'tsayawordandwalkedi
nto
Thabi'
sroom i
nst
ead.
..

Shepausedatthedoorandl
ookedat
Thabiasshewipedhermout
hand
fol
dedJunior
'scl
othes.
..

Lol
o:Thabiar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thmy
husband?
Thabi
:No
Lol
o:Whatwashedoi
ngi
nher
e?
Thabi
:Hewasl
ooki
ngf
orMay
a
Lol
o:Ihopeso.
..I
'
m watchingyou
anddon'
tthi
nkforaminutethati
don'
tknowhef
inger
edy
ou.
Thabi
:Henev
erdi
dthat
..
Lol
o:Ri
ght
..
.

Shewalkedbackt
ot heirbedr
oom
andsatonthebedtakingoffher
cl
othesasAati
lel
aidont hebed
chatt
ingonhi
sphone.

Shef r
ownedfeel
ingnauseousand
rushedtothebat
hroom whereshe
threwupandsighedthoughtf
ull
y.
..

Shesi
l
ent
lycount
edandwi
denedher
eyescov er
inghermouth,shehadn'
t
gottenherinj
ecti
ontheprevi
ous
mont h.Shewashedhermout hand
walkedbackt othebedr
oom. .
.

Lol
o:It
hinkI
'
m pr
egnant
Aati
le:(
pressi
nghi
sphone)Di
dyou
tel
lthefat
her?
Lol
o: Whatdoyoumean?Wehav e
beenhavingunprotectedsexandi
neverhadunprotectedsexwith
anyoneelseexcepty ou.
Aati
le:(
smiledandsenthisrepl
yt hen
heturnedtoherwit
haser i
ousf ace)
I
'm notthefat
herofyourchi
ld,ska
bat
agontenaI
'
m hav
ingagoodday
gol
oha.
..

Hechangedhi
sclothesandspr
ayed
per
fumeonhimselfthenhewal
ked
out
..
.

Aat
il
e:I'
m goingtoBayangwear e
goi
ngtowat chthegame,repeatl
edi
hi
ghli
ghtstsatengsoIdon'tknow
whenI'
llbeback,l
ockup

HewalkedpastMay
awhof
ear
ful
l
y
wal
kedin.
..
Aati
le:
(toher
)Nakoekego
shapel
anggosannamol wapeng
wenaot i
legoray
abat
hooregake
rr
ago..
..

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Latert
hateveni
ngAronawalkedin
thehouseandfoundmel ayi
ngonthe
bedwat chi
ngTV,hesatnexttome
andkissedmycheek..
.
Arona:Hey,whydidn'
tyouanswer
yourphone?Ithoughtweagreed
you'
llansweryourphoneal
ltheti
me.
..

Tearsfi
l
ledmyey eswhenItr
iedt
o
expl
ain,
iwasstil
lhur
tandihadnot
tal
kedtoanyoneabouti
t.
..

Me:Kensoakedmyphone,
itdoesn'
t
wor
k..
Ar
ona:
Why
?
Me:
Becausei
rej
ect
edhi
m..
Ar
ona:
Doy
ouwantt
orepor
thi
m?
Me: No, idon'twantdr ama.I'm going
tomakehi m buymeaphone. ..He
willbuymyphonebecausei tsnota
cheapphonekei kwinetsephoneeo
koMascom kwaandt her easoni
couldn'taf fordtofixit
scr acked
screeni sbecausei t'
saser i
ous
phonet henhesoaksi tincokel ike
i
t'snot hinghel akagor eirejected
him.Hecan' tdothatandgetaway
withit.Hei sgoi ngtobuyi tandke
batay oney akoMascom y a5.5
Arona:
Don'tmakehim buyit
,he
mightwantsomethi
nginreturnor
j
ustuseitt
olureyou.I
'
llgetyoua
phone.
.
Me:
No,you'
reindebt
s.Idon'
twant
t
odothatt
oy ou.
.
Arona:
(smiledandki
ssedme)
Li
sten.
..
..
.I'
m goi
ngtogety
outhat
phone,okay?
Me:
Okay
Arona:Stopcryi
ng..
.Okay,don'
tbeg
thi
sguy .I
'l
lgetyouaphoneanwago
thabi
wakedi thongabonaot shwere
phoneeesi amengel enchabecause
hewant syoutobeghi m..
.Okay
Me:
Ok
Arona:(
stoodup)Ihavetodropoff
somethi
ngatmymot her'
shouse,I
'l
l
seeyouinanhourort wo,i
sthatokay?
Me:
Yeah.
..

Heki
ssedmeandwal
kedout
..
..
.

AtZambo'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..

LateronLefokopull
edthebl
indf
olds
ofhiswindowtalki
ngtothe
tel
ephone..
.

Lefoko:
(laughed)AeBl ueyoucan
notsaythat,Fenkeai majang
becausey ouspeci
ficall
ytoldmet
hat
youwantedt omar r
yherf i
rst?
Hi
scel
lphonevi
brat
edont
hedesk
t
henhesmiledl
ooki
ngatt
hescr
een.
..

Lef
oko:I
'l
lcallyoubackandpl ease
comehomet onightsoyourmother
andIcantalkabouti t
.Bye(
hehung
upandpickedt hecell
phone)Hell
o?
Ar
ona:
Canwet
alk?
Lef
oko:
Aboutt
he6K?
Ar
ona:
Yes,
whatexact
lydoy
oudo?
Lef
oko:
Whydon'tibookar
oom and
wecantal
kther
e?
Ar
ona:
Ok
Hehungupanddi al
edhi
sassi
stant
f
orreser
vat
ions.
..
.

Att
heguesthouse.
..
..

Aboutanhourlat
erAr onaparkedi
n
fr
ontoftheroom andst eppedout
l
ookingatthedoorthenhet ooka
deepbreat
handknocked.

Wordopenedthedoorandlethi
mi n
t
henhelockedupandlickedhi
sli
ps
l
ooki
ngatArona,hi
sheightandti
ny
bodyplushisli
ghtcompl
exi
onhad
hi
m drooli
ng..
..
..

Arona:
Cany
out
ell
mewhathappens
fi
rst
?
Lef
oko:
Thi
s..
..

Heslowlyleanedov erandkissedhim
thenhepulledoutAr ona'
st-shir
tand
squeezedhistinybutt,Ar
onat ooka
deepbreathast earsfi
ll
edhisey es,
hecouldn'
tbeli
ev ethatwast heroad
hisfi
nanceshadl eadhimt o..
.
Lef
okol ookedinhist
earyey
esthen
heleanedov erandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Lef
oko:Iwon'
thur
tyou.
..
tur
nar
ound
andtoucht
hebed.
..

Aronadroppedhispantsturni
ng
aroundandbentoverasLef oko
i
nspectedhishol
e,heinserthis
middlefi
ngerandsmackedhi sbutt
thenheturnedhi
m aroundandki ssed
hum unzi
ppinghisj
eans..
.

Hi
sDfel
ldownwhippi
nghisthi
ghs
t
henAr
onatri
ppedandfel
lonthebed
wi
thhi
smout
hopen.
..

Ar
ona:
Shi
t.
..
Lef
oko:
Rel
ax.
..

Lef
okograbbedt
hel
ubandoi
l
ed
hi
mself
..
.

Ar
ona:
aren'
tyouwear
ingacondom?
Lefoko:(smil
ed)Why?Doyouthi
nk
you'l
lfal
lpregnant
?Don'
tbeababy

Ar
onar
eluct
ant
lyst
oodup.
..
Arona:
Ican'
t,
ithoughtodi
ri
sa
condom
Lefoko:Soy oubr
oughtmeouthere
forjokes?Ipaidf
orthi
sroom kana
Arona:Gapennatot
ait
houghtI'
dbe
gi
v i
ngyouahandjoborsomethi
ng,
I
'm notgay.I
'
m sorr
y

Hegr abbedhist
-shir
tbutLefoko
grabbedhisarm andpushedhim
backont hebed,Aronapushedhim
offtr
y i
ngtogetupbutheangr i
ly
sl
appedhi m ontheface.
..
Lef
oko:
(angri
ly
)Ot ogaoswabathe
monnaodiraeng?skampusher
Arona:
Wampolaat
her
ra,
siaha
godimogame
Lefoko:(
chokedhi
m down)Nna
sente,obatagont
hayaoregawa
j
ewamat ay
olaol
emontejaana.
..Nna
sente

Aronapushedhi m offandr an
towardsthedoorbutLef okogr abbed
him andpushedhi m againstt
hewal l
putt
inghisarm aroundhi sneckt hen
hepolishedhi
sDand#r emov ed.
...
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[9/
3,11:
53PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 71

Att
heguesthouse.
..

Lefokopoundedhim onel
astt
ime
grunti
ngholdi
nghisphonehi
gheras
Aronapull
edapil
lowandputitover
hisface,Lefokopulledi
tawayand
l
ower edthephonet ohisf acebut
Aronat urnedhisheaddownbur ying
i
tont hesheetsthenLefokomov ed
thecamer at
ohi sti
nysmoot hbutt
andr ecordedashesl owlysli
dout..
..

Lef
oko:(
spankedandsqueezedhi
m)
F#ck!

Hegrabbedatowelandwi ped
hi
mselfasAronaquickl
ygotupand
hur
ri
edtothetoi
letcover
inghisf
ace.

*
**
Minut
eslat
erLefokoknockedont he
toi
l
etdoorhol
dingArona'
sringing
phoneandwalkedinhandi
ngi tover
.

AronalookedatDi di
'scall
andhung
upthenheputt hephonedownand
cover
edhi sfacewhi l
eLefokost
ood
nexttohimr ubbinghisbackashe
satonthet oi
letseatholdi
ngarol
lof
TP..
.

Lefoko:
Let'
sgoshower.
..(
he
fl
ashedthetoi
l
et)St
andup.
..
Ar
ona:
I'
ll
showeral
one.
..(
lookedup
athim)kantejaanongwhydi
dyou
takeavideo?
Lefoko:Itdoesn'tev
enshowy our
face,youhav enothi
ngtoworryabout.
Iwasj ustrecordi
ngpenet
rat
ion..
.It
s
noteverydayt hatimeetavi
rgin.
Ar
ona:
Aesut
hat
her
ra.
.
Lef
oko:
Wasimoll
aaker
e?Obat ar
e
l
wagape?(
hekeptqui
et)Hee?

Aronawipedhimselfandstoodup
l
ookingathim,hi
shei ghtwasashigh
asLefoko'
sbreastandhi sl
ight
weightdi
dn'
thelpeither.Healr
eady
knewLefokowasr oughandhedi dn'
t
haveaprobl
em beat
inghim sohe
di
dn'twantt
oarguewithhi
mf or
l
ong...

Lefoko: (ki
ssedhi m)Iunder stand
thaty ouarenotcomf or tablebecause
i
t'syourf ir
stti
mebutnoonecansee
you..Itsjustmeandy ou. .
.Ilovey ou
andi fyouwer ecomf ortablewi tht hi
s
I'
dtakegoodcar eofy ou. .
.Ifyou
need6Kenought odot hi sforme
theny ouneedmeal ltoget her.Al ot
ofguy sar edoingt hi
s, whatmat ters
i
st haty oukeepi tasecr et.
..I'
ma
mar r
iedman, doy out hinkpeopl esee
i
twheni walkaroundwi thmywi fe?
No,
soi
t'
ssor
elax.
..
Ar
ona:
Sowhendoy
oupayme?
Lefoko:
Ial
readyt
ransf
err
edi
t,check
yourbal
ance.
..

Aronapi
ckedhi
sphoneandl
ookedat
the8Knoti
fi
cat
ion.
..

Lef
oko:
Happy
?
Arona:Therraakoosuthevi
deoeo
keagokopa, I'
m apoli
ceof
fi
cerand
thi
scannotleak.Noneofmythi
ngs
aregoingwellatt
hemomentkeago
kopajustdel
etethevi
deo.
Lefoko:It
oldy ouI
'm nott
alki
ng
aboutthatvideobecauseitdoesn'
t
showy ourface
Arona:(tearf
ull
y)Therrakeagokopa
suthavideo,whatdoy ouwantmeto
dof ory
out odeletei
t?Shouldwedo
thi
sagai nthenyoudeletei
t?
Lefoko:Anhourhasn'
tpassedsoi
haven'texhaust
edmyti
me, kego
duelet
seawar a.
Ar
ona:
I'
m goi
ngt
orepor
tyou
Lef
oko:
(angri
l
y)Ket
aagobet
sakana
l
ait
akawait
se
Arona:
(lookingathi
sdogtag)I'
m
goingt
or eportyoukomi
li
tarypol
ice
Lef
oko:
(laughedandki
ssedhim)I
l
onggotdismissedf
rom t
heforce,
comehere..
.

Hegr
abbedArona'
sar
mleadi
nghi
m
t
othebedr
oom...

Arona:
Therr
aakoosuthevideokea
gokopa,i
haveagi
rl
fr
iend.
Lef
oko:
Shewon'
tseei
t
Arona:Whatifyourwif
eseesit
?Can
youjustt
hinkaboutthi
sforasecond

Lef
okowentt
otheheadboar
dand
gr
abbedalubr
icantt
henArona
gr
abbedhi
sphoneandwr apped
hi
mselfwi
thasheetrunni
ngoutsi
de.

Lefokoputonhisshort
sandchased
hi
m allt
hewayt othecarwher e
Aronaslammedt hedoorand
manuall
ylocked,i
twasal i
ttl
eafter
9pm andnoonewasout si
de..
..

Lef
oko:(
knockedonthewindow)
Ronnyobatagonnokakanajang?I
pai
dforanhour,
oiran?
Arona:(hol
dingthest
eer
ingwheel
)
Cany oudeletet
hatvi
deobef
orei
l
aunchacaseofassaul
tandr
ape?
Lefoko: Ifyoudot hatI'm post i
ngi t
onFacebook, legonehowar ey ou
goingt opr ovei t
sr apewheni paid
you?Aker ey oudr ovey ourselfhere?
Andwhatwi llyougai nf r
om r eporti
ng
me?Yout hinkwomenwi l
leverwant
youi ftheyheary ouar emybi tch?
Bit
chi fuckingowny ou,doy ou
under standme?Sot hi
sgoest wo
way s,eithery ougetbacki nther eand
doasweagr eedandi don'tpostt his
vi
deoooory oudr iveof fandImake
youf amous. .
..Wewi ll
seewhaty our
gir
lfri
endandcol l
eagueswi l
l thi
nk
seeingmydi ckgoi nginandoutof
y
ourass.Nxl
ast
upi
dassbi
tch.
..
Ar
ona:(t
ear
full
y)Gonemmewhyo
di
rayal
onerra?
Lefoko:(
movedback)Gapelegone
youlefty
ourpant
sintherewit
hy our
carkeyskanayagagoekgwet swaka
l
erete.
..

Het ur
nedandwal kedbacki nt he
room thenheclosedthedoor .Ar ona
putbothhandsov erhisfacecr ying
sit
ti
ngi nthecart
henhel ooked
aroundt omakesurenoonecoul d
seehim andsteppedout .Hi
sar se
wasst i
llit
chi
ngfrom all
thecr acking
hegot
..
..

Heclosedthedoorandwalkedover
tothebedwhereLefokowaslyi
ngon
hisbackst
roki
nghisbonerwit
ha
l
ub...

Lef
oko:
Comebl
owi
t.
..
.

Ar
onadroppedthesheet
sand
cr
awledonthebedbetweenhi
s
l
egs.
..
..

AtMaDani
el'
sHouse.
..
.
MaDani
elgotZanefr
om Kenand
smi
l
edlooki
ngathim..
.

MaDani
el:
Whyi sGoddoi
ngthi
sto
me?Thi
sboylooksl
ikeOf
anawhen
hewasababy
...MyGod
Otl
he:(
smil
edandt
ouchedhi
scheek)
Heihel
ooksli
keOf
anaautwa
MaDaniel
:(t
ear
ful
lysmi
l
edatZane)
Papa?Howareyou?
Zane:
Fine
Ken:I
'
mleav
inghi
mforanhour,
i
havet
omeetabusi
nesspar
tner
,I'
l
l
comegethi
m whenI
'
m done.
MaDani
el:
Nopr
obl
em.
..
Ken:
ZaneI
'
llcomegety
ouokay
?
Zane:
Iwantt
ogowi
thy
ou
Ken:I
'
m goi
ngtodi
scusssomet
hing
wit
hsomeone,
itwon'
ttakel
ong
Zane:
Iwantmama
Ken:
Okaycomeher
e

Hegothi
m andputhi
m onhi
schest
..
.

Ken:LetmetakehimtoDidi'
shouse,
sheisn'
tanswer
ingherphonesoI
thoughtmaybeshei
soutwor ki
ng.
MaDani
el:
Okay
..
.Goodni
ghtZane
Zane:
Bye

Kenwal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatni
ghtj
ustaft
erli
ghtsout
May aknockedthebedroom,Lol
o
respondedthenshewalkedinand
satont hebed.
..

Lol
o:(
peel
edt
heduv
et)Comei
n..
.
May
agotinandworet
heduv
et
f
aci
nghermother
..
.

Lol
o:Howar
eyou?
May
a:Fi
ne.
..
Lol
o:You'
rer
ubbi
ngyourf
athert
he
wrongwaywit
hthi
sboy
Maya:Butididn'
tevenstayoutt
hat
l
ongandwedon' tdoany
t hi
ngwhen
wearetogether.
Lolo:
Itdoesn'
tmatt
er,
youshoul
dn'
t
spendsomucht i
mewi t
haboy.Ver
y
soonhewi l
lbeaski
ngforaki
ss
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Weal
readyki
ssed
Lolo:(
laughed)Pl
easet
ell
mey
ou'
re
sti
l
l aVirgi
n
May
a:Uhmama?Ofcour
sei
am.
..

Babyslowl
yopenedthedoorand
walkedint
henshesmiledand
j
umpedont heothersi
deofthebed.
..

Lolo:
Inourcul
turenooneis
supposedtosl
eeponamar ri
ed
couple'
sbedexceptt
hatcoupl
e,i
t'
sa
taboo
Maya:
Ial
soknowagi
rlshoul
dn'
t
bat
hatni
ght
Baby
:(l
aughed)Ol
dpeopl
e!
May a:Anywaysmom i won'tl
osemy
vi
rginit
yunti
limeettheri
ghtguy .
Don'tworryaboutme.…andhei sa
ni
ceguyf rom anicefami
ly.Webot h
agreedwewon' thavesexbefore
mar r
iage.
Lol
o:Il
i
ket
hat
May
a:Don'
ttel
ldadi
kissedaboy
..

Babykeptqui
etandgotof
fthebed.
..

Lol
o:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Baby
:I'
m sl
eepy
Maya:You'
renotsl
eepy
..
.I'
m sor
ryi
t
alkedaboutvi
rgi
nit
y
Baby:(
angri
l
y)Whosai
dthat
'swhat
bother
ingme?Ar
eyoushowingof
f?
Lol
o:Babydon'
ttal
ktoy
oursi
ster
l
iket
hat
Baby:
(tearf
ull
y)Nowhyisshe
j
umpingt oconcl
usi
ons?I
'm goi
ngt
o
sl
eep.
..
Maya:
Babypleasecomeback,daddy
i
sonanight
shirtwegett
osleepwith
mama
Baby
:I'
l
lsl
eepwi
thJuni
or
Sheslammedt hedooronherway
outandlef
tthem i
nsil
ence.
..

Maya:(
gotup)I
'
llgokeepher
company
Lol
o:I
t'
sokay,l
aydown.
..Gi
veher
somespace,
let
'ssl
eep.
..

I
nthegi
rl
'
sroom.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eBabygotinbedand
grabbedherphoneastearswether
pi
llow,shecl
ickedonherWhatsApp
andupdatedherstat
us..
."Ihat
e
my
sel
f"
.

Sherubbedhereyesandbrowsed
thr
oughthenetthensherecei
veda
messagefrom herAat
il
e..
.

Dad:
Ididn'
tknowy
ouhave
WhatsApp,
whendi
dthi
shappen?
Baby
:Ij
ustdownl
oadedi
t
Dad:
Whydoy
ouhat
eyour
sel
f?
Baby
:Just
Dad:Yourmom andIl
ovey
ou,May
a
andJuniorl
oveyouev
enmore.
Baby
:Noonei
sgoi
ngt
olov
eme
whenIgr
owup.
Dad:
Why
?
Baby:BecauseIwasr
apedandihav
e
HIV,
imi ghtaswel
lki
l
lmysel
fnow.
Dad:
You'
rebr
eaki
ngmyhear
t
Baby
:Mi
nei
sal
readybr
oken
Dad:Cany
ougowatchHouse?What
epi
sodear
eweon?
Baby
:8
Dad:Goandwatchi
t,I
'
llbehomei
na
coupl
eofminut
esandwecanwatch
i
ttoget
her
.IsMayasti
ll
up?
Baby
:Idon'
tknow
Dad:
Itdoesn'
tmat
ter
,shewi
l
lcat
ch
uplat
er.Makepopcor
nI'
m comi
ng
home
Baby
:(smi
l
edt
ypi
ng)Ok
Dad:Delet
ethatstatus,
y oushouldn'
t
cryi
npublicbecauseboy swil
ltake
advant
ageofy ou.Talktomom i f
you'
redown
Baby:I
t'
sherf aultihav
eHI V,
I'
dbe
OKifshedidn'tlovemoneyandevery
dayshepretendsshel ovesme.
Dad:Weallmakemistakes,
gomake
popcor
nI'
m coming.
Baby
:Ok
Shedeletedherstatusandwalked
outpassingbyt hebedr
oom, t
here
wassilencethensheslowlyopened
thedoorandl ookedatMayasleepi
ng
onLolo'sshoulder.

Sheclosedthedoorandwenttothe
kit
chenwher eshemadepopcorn,
minuteslat
erAati
legothomeand
theysatonthecouchwatchi
ng
episodesofHouse..
.

Baby
:(chewi
ng)
Ilov
ethi
sguy
Dad:(
laughed)Heisascumbag.
..He
makesthehospit
alincompet
ent
Baby:(
laughed)Hegi
vest
hest
ory
vavum..
.
Dad:
Nah
Baby:Iwanttobealabtechnici
an
l
ikeyou,Idon'
twanttobeadoct or
becauseI'
m notgoodattal
king.Il
ack
confi
dence
Dad: Youdon'tlackconf i
dence, you'
re
j
ustaf raidtochall
engey ourselfbuti
f
youwantt helabit
'sstil
lcool.You'l
l
stil
ltechnical
l
ybeadoct oryouj ust
don'tmeett hepatients,youpasst he
diagnosi stot
heot herdoctorto
deli
vert henews.
Baby
:Il
i
ket
hat
.(r
eluct
ant
ly)Ihear
d
y
ouandmamaargui
ng,
arey
ougoi
ng
t
ogetadi
vor
ce?

Lol
owal kedoverandpausedatt
he
passagelist
eni
ng..
.

Dad:Probably
,yourmom andidon'
t
l
ov eeachotheranymor
e.Wefightal
l
theti
mesoi t'
sbestwepartways
Baby:I
fyoudivor
ceI
'm st
ayi
ngwi
th
you,
doi gett
ochoose?
Dad:
Yeah,
you'
reol
denough.
Baby
:Iwanty
ou,idon'
tthi
nkmama
l
ovesmebecauseshegavemetoa
mansohecanr apeme.I '
l
lnever
f
orgiv
eherforthatandiknowshe
t
hinkssor
ryisenoughbutitwon't
t
akeawayHI Vandmyni ghtmares.
Dad:
Doy oucounsell
i
ngwill
hel
pif
wegivei
tatryonelastt
ime?
Baby
:No,
itwon'
tmakemel
oveher
Dad:
Butshel
ovesy
ouknowt
hat
Baby:
Shedoesn'tandhersi
stertol
d
methatiwasalsorapedwheni was
2yearsol
d.I
sthattrue?
Dad:
You'
l
lhav
etoaskhert
hat
Baby:Iknowit
'st
rue,ihearpeople
gossi
pingabouti
t.Thisothergi
rlat
schooloncesai
di hav
eAi dsbecause
iwasr apedandsi ncethenot hers
don'twanttotouchme, theykeepa
dist
anceandi don'thavefri
endsat
school ev
enMay aisalway swithher
fr
iendbuti knowshel i
kesmeshei s
j
ustt oobusy.
Dad:(
putmor epopcorninhismouth)
Weallhaveproblems,you'
l
lbefine
onceyoulearnnottoexpectanythi
ng
fr
om anyone.Idon'
texpectanyoneto
makemehappyexceptmy self
.

Loloquiet
lywalkedbacktothe
bedroom andlaiddownastearswet
thepil
lowwhil
eMay asnor
ednextto
her
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..

Ont hesamedayj ustbef oremi dni

ght
iti
edmyol dphonewi t
har ubber
bandandswi tchediton, eacht i
me
thebandgotloosei tswitchedof fsoi
hadt ohol
dittightwiththeot her
handwhi l
ediali
ngwi t
ht heot her.
..

Ar
ona'
sphonerangunanswer
edf
ora
whi
leunt
ilhepi
cked.
..
Ar
ona:
(lowv
oice)Hel
l
o?
Me:Hi,what
'sgoi
ngon?Youhaven'
t
beenansweri
ngyourphonef
orhour
s
Ar
ona:
Um.
..I
'
m notf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.
Me:
Cani
comeov
er?
Arona:No,
pleasedon't.
..Ij
ustneed
ti
meonmyownt osortmy sel
fout.
May beaweek.I'
l
lcall
y ouwhenI '
m
ready.
Me: Wowsophonehel ay amma
phoneischasi
ngy ouaway ?Heelarr
a
youdidn'
thavetopromisemea
phonebecauseiknowy oucan't
aff
ordonethat'
swhyi neverasked
youforone,i
sthatwhyy ouhaven't
beenpicki
ngmycall
sbecauseyou
thi
nkIwantaphone?You'
renota
manAr ona.
..Gaomonnasepe
gothel
ele
Ar
ona:
Didi
pleas-
Me: No,wear
edoneAr ona.Don'
t
evercall
me,I
'm si
ckandtiredofyou
needingti
meandthisandthat,y
ou'r
e
tooneedyandit
'sexhaust
ing.
Arona:(soft
ly)Ihavet hemoneyfor
yourphonennakennakesai kut
weng
sente,I
'm sendingyout hemoney
now.Tsay amadi at engbecauseI
don'tneedit,notthatIwantyouto
takemeback.Justt hat.
..I
twas
yourstobegi nwith.Goandgett he
moneyt hendeletemynumber ,i
ts
okay .I
'
m notamanany mor eandi
can'tevenl ookyouintheey es,l
ifei
s
goinghar donmeandt hereare
thi
ngsi needt oacceptaboutmy sel
f,
forthati needti
meonmyownunder
thepr i
vacyofmyownhouset odeal
withmydemons.I '
m sorryiwasn't
enough.By e
Me:
Wai
t-
Ar
ona:
It'
sokayDi
di,
goodni
ght

Hehunguptheni
sighedt
hought
ful
l
y,
minut
esl
atert
hemoneyrepor
ted
theni t
ri
edt
ocal
lhi
m buthehad
blockedme.

Isatthereforseveralminut
es
wonderingwhattodot henIsaw
l
ights,ipeakedoutsideandnoticedi
t
wasKenwal ki
ngov ercarr
yingZane.

Iopenedt
hedoort
henhewal
kedi
n..
.

Ken:Hehasbeencry
ingaski
ngf
or
you,
hedozedoffontheway
Me:
Okay
,layhi
m onhi
smat
tr
ess.
..
Kenl ai
dhi m downandt ookoffhis
shoest henheputt het
oycaronhi s
handsandt uckedhi mi
n.Itwas
beaut i
fulwatchinghim doitsoeasy
l
ikehehadbeenadadf oryears,
Zane
evenhadTi mber l
andshoesidenti
cal
tohis.

Ifol
dedmyarmsandsmi l
edathi
m
ashegotupandhandedmeZane's
phonewi
ththechar
ger.
..

Ken:
Hisphone
Me:
Thanks.
.
Ken:
Goodni
ght
,cal
lmei
fyouneedt
o
gosomewher
e,I
'
m homemostoft
he
ti
me.
Me:
Thanksf
orbr
ingi
nghi
m back
Ken:
Justdoi
ngwhat
'sbestf
orhi
m.
Goodni
ght.
..

Het ur
nedaroundwalkingoutt
heni
grabbedhi
sar m bef
orehecould
reachfort
helock..
.

Me:
Wai
t.
..

Hetur
nedbackandlookedatme
t
henislowl
ytookof
fmyni ghtdr
ess
andmov edovertohim put
ti
ngmy
armsaroundhisneckandkissedhim
ashereluct
antl
ykissedmebr i
efl
y
andst
oppedme. ..

Me:
It'
slate.
..Don'
tgo,
you'
l
lgoi
nthe
mor
ning..
.
Ken:
(tookmyarmsoffhi
sneck)I
meantwhatIsai
d..
.
Me:Ohcomeondaddyi
knowy
ou'
re
dy
ingt
osmashthi
s..
.

Iunhookedhi
sbel tandunbuttoned
hi
sjeansputt
ingmyhandi nsidehis
j
eansbuthegr abbedmywr istand
pul
l
edoutmyhand.
.

Ken: Ay.
..
.Ay .
..Stop.
..Lookatme..(i
l
ookedi nhi seyes),I'
m notaside
nigga,don'tevertouchmydi ckli
ke
thatagain.Wear eco- par
ent
ingnot
fuckbuddies..
Me:
Ibr
okeupwi
thAr
ona-
Ken:Idon'
tcareanymore.
..(
looked
downatmycl eavage)Cov
erup!(i
pul
ledupmyni ghtgownandcov er
ed
myself
)Foroncebehav el
i
kengwana
waMot swana.WTF!You'r
ebehav i
ng
l
ikeaslut.
..
Hewalkedoutfixi
nghisbeltand
drov
eof ft
heniclosedthedoorand
shamefull
ysatonthebedcl osi
ngmy
l
egstogether
..
.

6MONTHSLATER.
..
..

Pl
easeber
emi
ndedt
oLi
ket
he
i
nser
ts,
9t
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
53PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 72

AtZane'
sChal
ets.
..
..
.

Ataxidr
oppedatthegatetheni
walkedi
npassi
ngabi gboardwr i
tten
ZANE'SCHALETS,Kenhadr edone
theoldmot
oryardwit
hsmal lchalets,
ther
ewas8ofthem wi
thasmal
l
offi
cenotf
arf
rom t
hegat
e..
.

Hehadnotof f
ici
all
yopenedt hem as
theplumber sweredoingthelast
touches,iknockedont heoff
icedoor
andwal kedinasKenwast al
kingto
oneoft heplumbers..
.

Me:
Hi.
..
Ken:Hi
..
.(t
ohim)I
t'sZane'
s
mother
..
.(
tome)It
'sthemanagerwa
thepl
umbingcompany
Wesmi l
edandshookhandst henhe
walkedout ,
Kensignaledmeachai r
andi satdownlookingathim ashe
putbackt hefi
l
esandf acedme. .
.

Ken:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:I'
m good,ineedyourhel
p..
.I
boughtawaterpumpandnowi need
tr
ansportwi
thtakeitt
othegarden.
Doyoumi nddropitof
fforme?
Ken:
I'
ll
doi
tlat
eri
ntheaf
ter
noon
Me:
That
'sgoodenough,
thanks

Ther
ewasanawkwar
dmomentt
hen
i
stoodup.
..

Me:Ihavet
ogogetr
eadyf
ort
he
i
nter
view
Ken:
Whati
nter
view?
Me: Igotcall
edforaninter
viewat
thi
sot hercompany,i
tstomor r
owat
9am.
Ken:(
smi l
ed)Wowcongratulat
ions.
..
You'
regoingtopasst
hatinterv
iewi
tr
ustthatl
it
tl
ebrai
nofyours.
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..By
e
Ken:
(st
ood)Letmewal
kout
..
.
Wequietl
ywal kedoutandtowards
thegateasilookedatthebeauti
ful
newlybuil
tchaletswi
thyel
lowish
that
chedgrass...

Me:
Thi
sisr
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul,
it'
sst
yli
sh
Ken:Yeah..
.I'
m planni
ngtopav ethe
areaandputgr assovert
hereanda
perf
ectlandscapingdecothatside.
Me:
Itwi
l
lbebeaut
if
ul
Ken:
Atleastmyboywil
lhav
e
somethi
ngtoinher
it
Me:
True.
..
Hewalkedmet otheroadandwait
ed
wit
hmeunt i
lataxist
oppedthenhe
openedthedoorforme..
.

Ken:
I'
ll
cal
lyouwhenI
'
m done
Me:
OK,
bye.
.

Hecl
osedthedoort
hent
het
axi
dr
oveoff
..
.

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Gobonaser
vedagroupofmen
mberer
ewithabi
gjarandt
urned
cal
l
inghersonf
oranot
herj
ar.
..

Gobona:
(scr
eami
ng)Di
boy
s??Di
bee?

Meanwhil
eDiboyspret
endedhe
coul
dn'
thearherashesatbehi
ndthe
houser
eadingaGoosebumpsnovel.

Gobona:
Set
sana?Ti
saj
eke!

Her8y earol
ddaughtersteppedout
ofthehousewithherpantiesholdi
ng
ajarofmberereandservedt heman
andassoonasshet urnedar ound
shenoti
cedoneofthemant
ouchi
ng
herdaught
er'
sbut
t.

Gobona:
(angr
il
y)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Customer:
(laughed)Iwasj
ustf
ixi
ng
herpant
y,edakile.
.
Gobona:Ramdhobai fyouwantmeto
banyoufrom drinkingheret
ouchmy
daught
erlikethat,youmustnever
everdothat,doy ouhearme?
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry

Gobonawalkedawayast
hel
i
ttl
egirl
wentfr
om mantomanwhodrooled
atherthi
ckthi
ghsanddev
elopi
ng
ti
nybreast
s..
.

Man:
Howol
dar
eyou?
Set
sana:
8
Man:
I'
m goi
ngt
omar
ryy
ouokay
?
Set
sana:
Yes
Man:You'
regoi
ngtobemywi
fe.
..
(
handedherP10)Her
e..
.
Set
sana:
Thanky
ou

Gobonawal
kedbackandser
ved
ot
hers.
..
Man:(
"j
okingly
")Gobonakebeel
etsa
mosadi
,Setsanaismywife
Gobona:(
laughed)Bogadi
jwagagwe
botsi
legoturagore
Man: (
laughed)Athi
ckwif
eis
expensive,
igaveherP10I
'm al
ready
star
ti
ngt opay
Gobona:(
laughedgenui
nel
yjoki
ng)
Beel
etsamosadimothowetsho

Setsanagavehermot hert
hemoney
andwentt othehouse,thr
ought he
windowshehear dherbigbrother
sneezingandwalkedoutthehouse
tohim, Di
boyspausedreadingand
l
ookedatheri
nherpanti
esandone
t
inybr
eastpoi
nti
ngthenhedropped
t
hebookandgrabbedastick.

Shequickl
yrememberedhowhe
al
way stel
l
shertoputonhercl
othes
andranoffscr
eamingasDiboy
s
chasedherwit
hastick.
..

Di
boys:Kegorei
l
eker
engkagonna
kaphent
i?Eh
Setsana:
(cr
yingr
unni
ngtowar
dst
he
house)keaaparaDi
boys,MAMA?
Sheraninthehouseandgrabbeda
dressasDiboyswalkedi
nandstar
ed
atherassheputonherdress
shakingandpant
ing..
.

Diboy s:
(angr
il
y )Itol
dyouI'
l
lbeaty
ou
i
fi seey ouwalkingaroundi
nyour
pantiesdidn'
ti
?
Setsana:
(tur
nedar
ound)Zi
pmy
dress
Diboys:(
zippedi
t)Mxm nextti
meI'
m
goingtobeatyou..
.Gor
ianajaanai
forgotwhatpageiwasreadi
ngon
Set
sana:
I'
ll
guessf
ory
ou
Theywalkedoutoft hehouseand
walkedpastt
het r
eewher eGobona
wasservi
ngbeerwhi l
ethei
r4year
ol
dchubbysisterstoodnakedbehind
hersucki
ngherthumb. ..

Mostoft hement herecoul dn'tt

ake
theireyesof fherfatpupunaswi t
ha
W shape...Shehadwhatmostadul t
s
didn'thave,thecamel toest heysaw
ont hestreethadnot hingonher
that'
swhyi twasal waysbet tert
o
drinkatGobona' sspot .Therewas
mor ethanj ustbeer..
..
Man:Nxeh-
xeh-
xeh.
..
..Ngwanany
ana
yoonaleborot
ho

Othermenwhodi dn'
tnoti
ceanythi
ng
otheraninnocentchi
ldtur
nedand
l
ookedathert henGobonal i
ft
edher
upandwal kedawaywi t
hherf i
xi
ng
hersetenge.
..

Gobona:Set
sana?Takey
oursi
ster
shei
sdistur
bingme

Setsanagotherfrom Gobonaand
walkedbehi
ndt hehousethenshe
rememberedhowunr easonabl
e
Diboyscoul
dbeandtur
nedbackto
thehousewhereshedr
essedherand
j
oinedherbrot
her
..
.

Shesatbehi
ndthehouseandputher
si
steronherl
ap.
..

Diboy
s:Shouldir
eadoutl
oudsoy
ou
canhearthestor
y?
Set
sana:
Yeah
Di
boy
s:Cal
lKat
o..
.(scr
eamed)Kat
o?

Histwootherbr
other
sranov erand
surr
oundedhimthenheleaned
againstthewallandreadthem a
storytr
anslat
ingfortheli
tt
leonesi
n
Setswanaast heylaughedenjoy
ing
thestory.

Di
boy
s:(
closedt
hebook)Theend!
Set
sana:
Uhr
eadanot
herone
Kat
o:Yes,
please
Diboys:(
laughed)Youguy scameat
theendoft hebook,tomorrowI'
ll
borrowanot herbookatschooland
readforyou.
Set
sana:
OK
Di
boy
s:(
stoodup)Ar
eyouguy
s
hungry?Gopi
ckthet
wigsI
'
llmake
thefi
reandcook

Theyall
excitedl
yranaroundthe
nei
ghbourhoodpickingtwi
gswhilehe
madethef i
reandwashedt hepot,a
beaut
if
ulgirlfr
om hi
sschoolwalked
pastt
hef enceholdi
ngaChoppies
pl
asti
candwav edathim.

Hesmi ledabitembarrassedbythe
Rumbamusi catthet
reeandt he
wholesetupt henhecont i
nued
washingt hepotbutt
hegi r
lwaved
hi
m ov er.Hewashedhishandsand
wal
kedovertr
yingt
opract
icewhat
hewasgoingtosaytoher
..
.

Thisgirlal
waysgr
eetedhim buthe
neverreall
yknewwhatt osaytoher
besideshi.
.Hearr
ivedasshesmi l
ed
athim,shewasbeaut i
fulwit
hbraces
onhert eet
handalonghai r
..
.

Her
:Hi
Cal
vi
n
Cal
vi
n:(
swal
l
owed)Hi
Tina
Tina:I
'
m donewit
hUnderThe
BasementyaGoosebumps,canwe
exchangekanay
ou'r
esti
l
lreadi
ng
Cal
vi
n:Ij
ustf
ini
shedi
tact
ual
l
y
Ti
na:Cani hav
eit?Mymom anddad
wenttothefar
m soI'mj
usthome
al
one.Ihatewatchi
ngTVandther
eis
noWi-Fi
Cal
vi
n:Okay
,I'
l
lgeti
tfory
ou.
.

HeranbacktothehousethenTi
na
smil
edathissi
bli
ngsastheywalked
pastherwi
thabundleofwood..

Set
sana:
Hel
l
o?
Tina:
Hi Guy
s..
.Um her
e,t
ake.
..Ihav
e
twodrinksy
oucansharese2-
2
Shehandedthem dri
nksthenthey
walkedawaywhisperi
ngabouthow
beauti
ful
sheisandhowbi gthe
houseshestaysati
s..
.

3rdbor
n:(
whisperi
ng)I
'mtel
li
ngyou,
i
thasatoi
leti
nsideandyoupoopon
thewat
er
Setsana:Il
ikeherwhit
eti
nydogwit
h
hai
rsallover,i
tlooksl
i
keatoybuti
t'
s
arealdog.
4t
hbor
n:Di
dyouseeherhai
r?
Meanwhil
eDi boy
sbrushedhist
eet
h
andsprayedhisl
astper
fumeonhist-
shi
rtt
henhewal kedoutput
ti
ngona
capholdi
nganov el
..
.

Diboys:Set
sanakeetaautwa?
Thategaketatakehaga.
..
Setsana:
Ok,
look.
..Ti
nagav
eus
dri
nks
Di
boy
s:Di
dyousayt
hanks
Kat
o:y
eah.
.

Hewalkedoutt
hesmallgat
eand
j
oinedTi
naastheywal
kedbetween
t
hey
ardspassage.
..
.

Ti
na:
Doy
oumi
ssschool
?
Calvi
n:(
smiledandshookhi
shead)
Justali
tt
le,
I'm enj
oyi
ngt
hehol
iday
s.
Tina:
(laughedlooki
ngathi
s
handsomef ace)Enj
oyi
ngthem how
younev erevengoout
Calvi
n:Um.
.Justrest
ingf
rom
readi
ngandstaf
f
Tina:Byt
hewaycongratul
ati
onson
getti
ngpr
esentsf
orallt
hesubject
s,
thatwasreal
l
ycool.
Cal
vi
n:Thanks
Minutesl at
ertheyar riv
edbutDi boys
refusedt ogetinsidenomat terhow
muchTi naconv i
ncedhi mt henshe
raninsideandl aterwal kedoutwi t
h
hernov el,t
heyexchangednov el
s
stari
ngatoneanot herthenTi na
extendedherhi ghtst andingonher
toesandki ssedhi m ont hecheek.

Histeenager
aginghormonesfi
red
andheputhishandsinthepocket
holdi
nghisbonerdown..
.

Cal
vi
n:Ihav
etogo,
bye
Ti
na:(
wav
edsmi
l
ingwi
thbr
aces)By
e
Car
l.
..
.

Hewal kedashor tdist

anceand
turnedaroundlookingatherasshe
playedwithherli
ttl
edog, headmi r
ed
herforawhi l
eandt urnedwalking
awaywi thahugesmi l
eonhi sface.
Het ouchedhischeekonemor etime
andal mostfel
therwonder full
i
ps...
.

AtLol
o'
shouse.
..
.

Lolopausedvacuumi
ngthecarand
answeredherphoner
ubbingherbi
g
bump.
..

Lol
o:Mmh
Di
di:
Itwasai
rt
ime,
ihadt
orechar
ge
Lolo:Eemmakar ei st
il
lcan'tbel
ieve
Aatileisseriousaboutthisdi
v or
ce
kanagaasat holeannamol wapeng
themmaandwhenhecomeshe
comesf orthechil
dren,somet i
mes
het akesthem outleavingmebehi nd
andhehasal r
eadytoldthem wear e
gettingdivorcedwithouteven
consul t
ingme.
Di
di:Ei
shwait
sennagakeit
se
j
aanong,whenar
eyougoingtohi
gh
cour
t?It
hinkishoul
dcomewit
hyou
maybeyou'l
lneedsuppor
t.
Lol
o:No,
I'
ll
bel
eav
ingwi
thhi
m.
Didi
:Didheagreet
othat?Whatifhe
hasotherpl
ansbecauseyouguys
don'
tdoany t
hingt
ogether
?Idon'
t
thi
nkhewi l
lgowit
hyou.
Lolo:
(tearf
ull
y)Di
diwhathav
eidone?
Evenmydaught erhat
esme,howdoi
fi
xmymi st
akesnemma.
Didi:Lolodon'tbeatyourselfup,we
hav eallmadememi stakes.Iknow
I
'm notanangel ,ihavedonesomany
wickedt hingstohurtmyf ri
endsand
l
ov ers,start
inghel
akaBay ang.He
wasani ceguyuntilicheatedonhi m
andhebecamewhathei snow, ihear
hehasaki dkoKasaneont se
l
ebel et
ebecausei madehi m believe
gagonat r
uelove.BonaKen
gompi enohel ovesmeandi lov
ehi m
buthedoesn' ttr
ustmebecausehe
feelsitakehimf orgranted.Asf or
Aronagakei tselekoal egat angteng,
wel astspokegosemonat eandy ou
knowwhatI '
m goingt obreakdown.I
hav eacceptedthatI'
m notl uckyin
l
ov e.
Lol
o:(t
ear
ful
l
y)ButAat
il
eiscruel
,to
di
vorcemekele8monthspregnant
nemma?
Di
di:
(sighedshaki
ngherhead)Hey
mma, wait
sekemat hat
atot
a
Lolo:
Ker apet
se,ir
epent
edand
att
endedchurchandaskedfor
speci
alprayer
sfrom t
hechurchbut
hestil
lhasn'
tchangedhi
smind.
Di
di:
Eneor
atanal
emangne?
Lol
o:Idon'tknow,heissosecreti
ve
abouti
t.Atfor3it
houghtkeThabi but
i
t'
snother.Isweari fi
catchthat
womanDi diI'
m goingtopri
son,i
swear
Didi
:NoLolodon'tt
alkli
kethat,
go
buadi hor
monesjaanong.Myairti
me
i
sf i
nishi
ng,Kenandiaregoingtothe
gardenlat
er.Wait
seiprayhetouches
meLol oI'
m dyi
ngofnopammai t
's
beenalmostsixyear
sleraagoreke
taakgonanebathong,whyisKen
punishi
ngmel i
kethi
s?
Lol
o:Whydon'
tyouj
ustt
ouchhi
m?
Didi:Kenodi ngal
omma, l
astti
mei
didthathesai dimustbehavelikea
Mot swanawomankaswabamogo
bothokomma, si
ncethenitr
yto
behav eproperl
yaroundandact
respectf
ul.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Kenenekest
oryhel
a
Didi
:(l
aughed)Mma,t
hewayi want
thi
sman...Heist
heonlyman
capabl
eofmaki ngmesquirtandi
wanthim sobad,Imi
sssex...Not
j
ustsexbutsexebay angpelomoo
kgonanggolel
akadikeledi
oi pot
sa
gorekeengdickelemonatejaana.
Lolo:(
laughed)TsenaKen!I'
venev
er
heardyout al
kli
kethataboutaman,
hegoty oubabe
Didi
:Il
ovet hismanandev eryt
imeI
seehimi undresshi m andimagine
mynailsonhi swi debackont i
radil
o
mma, nakot sedingwekekgona
gomol or
aant heng!Ij
ustwanthi m
tousemeunt ilif
eelsousedand
sati
sfi
ed
Lol
o:St
opitont
shwari
sanopamma
Aat
il
edoesn'
twantme.
Di
di:
Aat
il
eenemma

Theai r
ti
mef i
nishedandt
hecallgot
disconnect
edthenLolocont
inuedto
vacuum thecarseats.

Shef oundsomepaper sintheback,

shesatont hedri
ver'
sseatandwent
thr
ought hem.Theywer enotesfrom
Boit
ekanelocoll
egewi thnamesSedi
Kanjooscribbl
edwithapencilthen
shefoldedthem andkeptthem.
Shetri
edtoswi tchthest
ereoonand
noti
cedamemor ycar
dont hesl
ot
thensheremov editandpulledi
tout
ofthecar
dr eader.

Shegotherphoneandi nser
tedi t
thenshewentt hrought hecard,her
heartpoundedasshel ookedat
Sedi'
syoungnat uralbeautif
ul f
ace,
shehadt heri
ghtbodywi thhipsand
theroundbum...

Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshestar
edat
apictur
eofAatil
ewi t
hSedi
onhisl
ap
bothofthem smil
ing.
..
Herhandsshookasshel ookedatt
he
romanti
cpictur
esofthei
rpicni
cwit
h
ball
oonsandf l
owerpaddl
esthena
bir
thdaycakewith20ontop..
.

Lolo:
20y ear
sol
d?Real
l
yAat
il
e?A20
yearold.
..

Shewentt hroughthepict
uresand
stoppedatthebigboxwr appedwith
mickeymousecar t
oons,shescrol
led
throughhopingtoseewhati twasbut
i
twasj ustpictur
esofSedi t
earf
ull
y
rubbinghereyesholdi
ngt heheavy
gi
ftboxandr
ecei
vi
ngki
ssesf
rom her
husband.

Shecov er
edherf acecryi
nginthecar
thenshesni f
fl
edandgr abbedthe
notes,t
herewasacel l
numberunder
thenamet henshedi al
editbutshe
cutthecallandtookami nutetocal
m
down...
.

Sherubbedhert
ear
sanddi
aled
Didi
..
..

AtSedi
'
shome.
..
.
Lamewal kedintheroom looki
ng
aroundasSedi putonhernewdr ess,
shelookedinsi
det hegi
ftboxand
foundnothing.
..

Lame:Kar
egaabechewaamogedi
sa
Aat
il
e,whatwasi
nhere?
Sedi
:(l
aughedput
ti
ngonher
pumps)Orayaj
ang
Lame: Andyoudidn'
tevenbr
ingmea
sli
ceofthecakeheboughtforyou
yester
dayforourbir
thday
Sedi
:Lamewewereont
hemiddleof
thepar
k,het
ookmetoMor
emi game
reserv
eandi hadtoleaveal
otof
foodther
e.Ididn'
teveneatthecake
my sel
fbecauseihadeatenalot,y
ou
knowhowheal waysfeedsmelike
I'
m ababy.
Lame:Soyouj
ustl
eftawhol
ecakei
n
thepar
k?
Sedi:
No, therei
saCampsiteand
wait
ressest her
e,t
heycl
eanedup
aft
erwel eft.
Lame: You'
rebehavi
ngl
ikeyou'r
e
from ari
chfamil
y,whycoul
dn'tyou
takeitwit
hyou?
Sedi:
UhLamemmankasekgonego
pakapakakenal
emonna,
gagonne
sent
e.
Lame:Ar
en'
tweshar
ingyourgi
ft
s,
whatdi
dhebuyf
oryou?
Sedi:Hegotmecl othesandy ou
knowIdon' tmindsharingclothes
withyou,canIpleasef i
nishprepari
ng
my sel
f?Hedoesn' tl
ikeitwheni keep
him wait
ing.Ihavetogetr eady
tomorrowwear egoingtoFt ownfor
hisdivor
ce,hewant smet ocome
along.
Lame:What
ever
..
.Aati
l
eseemsl
i
kea
pl
ayert
ome,idon'
tl
ikehi
m
Sedi
:Well
ilov
ehi
m andt
hat
'sal
lthat
matt
ers
Lame:
Whati
fIsai
dhesl
eptwi
thme?
Sedi:(gr
abbedherhandbagand
walkedout )Youneedtostopact
ing
chil
dish,don'
tjokeaboutt
hingsl
i
ke
that
..

Shewalkedoutandrecei
vedacal
l
fr
om anunfamil
iarnumber.
..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?
Voice:Hi,
isthi
sSedi
?You'
retal
ki
ng
toMarelediIpi
ckedy
ournotesonthe
sideoftheroad
Sedi
:OhmyGod,
ibeenl
ooki
ngf
or
t
hem.Idi
dn'tknowwher
etheyare,
wher
eareyounemma?Thanky ou
f
orcont
act
ingme
Voi
ce:
I'
m att
hebi
gtr
ee
Sedi:I
'
llcal
lyouwheni
gett
her
e,
thanksalot
Voi
ce:
Bye

Shehungupanddi
aledAat
il
e..
.

Aati
le:(
looki
ngt
hroughami croscope)
Heybabe...I
'
mjustaboutt
ol eavethe
hospit
al.
Sedi
:Ok,
I'
m goi
ngt
omeetsomegi
rl
atBigt
ree,
shefoundmynotestsa
malobakegorayaker
eimispl
aced
them.
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,lov
eyou
Sedi
:Lov
eyout
oo

Shehungupandwal
kedaway
..
.

Att
hebi
gtr
ee.
..
.

Lateronbi
rdstwi
tt
edonthetr
ees
aboveusasLoloanxi
ousl
ypaced
aroundwhi
leIsatont
hebigl
og..
..
Aboatf
ullofwhi
tepeopl
epassedon
t
heri
verandtheywavedatus,Lol
o
i
gnor
edthem andfol
dedherarms
t
henismil
edandwav edback.
…

Me:
Youneedt
orel
ax
Lol
o:(
angril
y)Whatdoest
hisgi
rl
thi
nkther
ingonmyhusband'sf
inger
means?
Me: Lolowee?You'repr egnant!Stop
l
ettingyourangercontrol youand
whent hisl
it
tlegir
lgetsher ewear e
goingtositdownandt alklikeadult
s,
(l
ookingather )Ri
ght?(shef ol
dedher
armsandr aisedhereyebr ows
l
ooki
ngatme)RI
GHT?
Lolo:(
impat
ient
lysi
ghedlooki
ng
around)Wherethehel
li
ssheleene
kante?

Iopenedabot tl
eofwat ert
odrinkbut
Lolosnatcheditanddrunkthenshe
handeditbackandpacedar ound,
shebentov erandpickedamet alr
od
support
ingherselfwit
hitaswe
waited.
..
.

Lol
o:Shei
s20!cany oubeliev
eit
?
20.
..Hei
sgoingtobedi v
orcemef or
agi
r l
whois5yearsolderthanhi
s
daughter
?Wow. .
..Ican'tbel
ievethi
s,
andhowdoesa20y earoldsleep
wit
hamar r
iedmanespeci al
lyof
Aati
le'
sage?Thisgirlhasnerves.
...
Me:(si
ghedandfol
dedmyar ms
l
ookingatt
heri
ver)Justr
elax,
ijust
wantyoutwototal
kthenicanleave.
Ihav
eanAPwi thKenkeisawat er
pum-

Sediwalkedov ersmil
ingi
nnocent
ly
i
nherlitt
ledressandpumpswi tha
l
it
tlehandbagacr osshershoul
der
s,i
t
hadcolourf
ul f
ringesandaTeddy
bearzi
pper..
HerPeruvi
anf ront
al lacehadper fect
babyhair
swhi chhehadni celycurled
wit
hgel,shewast hespit t
ingimage
oftheyoungChi naMccl ainandf ora
momenti fel
tsor r
yf ormyf r
iend,not
onlywasshebeaut i
fulshehadani ce
bodyeveni f
eltint
imi datedbyher
beauty
..
.

Sedi:
(fl
ushedabeauti
ful
smileand
spokewithasweetli
tt
levoi
ce)Himy
namei sSedi
,I
'mlooki
ngforMarel
edi

Lol
oangr
il
ywal
kedt
owar
dsherandI
putmybot
tl
edownr
unni
ngov
er.
..

Lol
o:Whyar eyousl
eepingwi
thmy
husband?Ringeemomonwaneng
wagaAat i
legaebonalemma?
Sedi
:(f
earf
ullydr
oppedherj
awsher
hear
tpounding)OhmyGod
Lol
o:(
angr
il
ysl
appedher
)Kebual
e
wena!
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
54PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 73and74

Att
hebi
gtr
ee.
..

Iqui
ckl
ygotbetweent
hem and
bl
ockedLol
o..
.

Me:Loloyou'
repr
egnantandhitt
ing
hercer
tai
nlywon'
tst
opAat i
l
ef r
om
di
vorci
ngyou.Canyoujustt
alktoher
pr
operl
y?I
'
m nother
etobeapar
tner
i
ncri
me

Sediqui
etl
ysatonthel
ogpressi
ng
herphonethenLol
osnat
cheditf
rom
her.
..

Lol
o:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Sedi
:It
ext
edhi
m,I
'
m scar
ed
Lolo:(l
aughedindisbel
i
ef)Shei
s
scared!(l
eanedoverscreami
ngather)
YOU'RESLEEPI NGWI THAMARRI ED
MAN!Ofcour sey
ouhav etobe
scared
Sedi
:I'
m aVi
rgi
n
Lolo:(
laughedevenmore)Sheisa
vi
rgin,
av ir
gint
hatsi
tsonmen' sl
ap,
menol denoughtobeherfather.
Me:Loloyou'
renotdiscussi
ng
anyt
hingseri
ous,canwet al
kproper
ly?
(t
oSedi)Sedihowlonghav eyou
beenwithAati
le?
Sedi
:6mont
hs
Lolo:
Sixmonths!Youneedt oleave
myhusbandal one.Youwon'tbe
happydestr
oyinganotherwoman's
famil
y.Ihav
echi l
dren,
thereason
whymyst omachi ssobigisbecause
hegotmepr egnantsoifhereall
y
l
ovesyouhewoul
dn'
thav
e
i
mpregnat
edme

Sedi'
sphonerangthensheanswer
ed
onloudspeaker
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:I
fyout ouchhery ou'
rewalki
ng
outofthismar r
iagewi t
hnothi
ngand
forherI
'l
lbeawomanbeat ertoo
evenifyou'r
epr egnantIdon'
tcare.
Letmet alktoDi di
,onaleeneakere?
Iknowshei sther ekanakeAone?
Shehandedmet
hephone.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Aat i
le:IfLolol aysaf ingeront hatgir
l
i
ny ourpresencei pr
omi sey ouka
Giov anni,ipromi sey ouy ou'regoing
topayf orit
.I'm onmywayt here.Ke
hitheleSedi al elaletilego
nthalogany asent e.I
'm sickofy our
childishbehav i
our ,l
ehael eeneSadi
gaadi r
edilot seLol oadi dir
ang.And
clearlywenaDi diyou'restil
limmat ur
e
i
fy ouganguponot herwomen.
Me:
Idi
dn'
tc-
Aat
il
e:Gi
veSedi
herphone,
now
Hewassoangr yi
gottonguet
ied
tr
yingt
orespondthenigav
eSedithe
phone.
..

Shetuckedherhai
rbehi
ndherear
andansweredlower
ingherv
oice.
..
..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o
Aati
l
e:(
turni
ngthest
eeri
ngwheelat
ther
oundabout
)Areyouokaybabe?
Sedi
:Yeah
Aat
il
e:I
'
m comi
ng,
ilov
eyou
Sedi
:(av
oidi
ngt
her
esponsei
nLol
o'
s
pr
esence)Ok
Aat
il
e:Isai
dil
ovey
ou
Sedi
:Il
ovey
out
oo

Loloshookherheadtear
ful
lyand
rubbedhertear
sasSedihungupand
putherphonebackinthehandbag.

IhuggedLoloandshecriedonmy
shoulderaswestoodtherewhi
le
SedisatonthelogthenLolot
urned
toherwipinghert
ears.
..

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ryf
orsl
appi
ngy
ou,
iwas
angr
yand.
..I
'
m sor
ry.
Me: Iunderstandthatwemi ghthave
scaredy oubutr ekopagor eore
i
tshwar elekgangehel e,Aatil
esays
heisgoi ngtobeatheri fhefindsout
anythi
nghappenedt oy oubutsheis
pregnant,isitpossi
bletofor gi
veher?
Sedi
:It'
sokay
,iwon'
ttel
lhi
m
anyt
hing.
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..

Minut
eslat
erAatil
epar
kedafewf eet
fr
om usandsteppedout
,hewalked
overt
oSediandhuggedhert
ightl
y..
.
Aat
il
e:(
sti
l
lhuggi
ng)Ar
eyouokay
?
Di
dshetouchyou
Sedi
:(r
eluct
ant
lypushi
nghi
m of
f)No,
I
'mfi
ne
Aat
il
e:Geti
nthecar
..
.

Shewenttot
hecarthenAat
il
e
walkedt
owar
dsLolo..
.

Aati
le:Yougav emeonemor ereason
tobegladf orwalkingoutofthisjoke
ofamar ri
age.Thenextt i
mey oupull
astuntlikethisI'
l
lcommuni catewith
youusingt helanguagey ou
understandbet t
er,I
'm capabl
eof
bei
ngv i
olentLoloandjustbecausei
haveneverraisedmyhandaty ou
doesn'
tmeani don'
tknowhowt o
sl
ap.Ennel abohelpolekel
amogo
Sedi

Hegotint
hecaranddroveoffthen
wesatonthel
ogasLolocried.I
wasn'
tsur
ewhattosaytohersoi
j
ustmovedoverandhuggedher..
..

Lolo:(pausedandtouchedherbump)
IthinkI'
m goingi
ntolabour
Me:What
?Warelaborkamosor
eya
hi
ghcour
tnewena?Whathappens
wheny
oudon'
tshowupi
ncour
t
Lol
o: I
fmyl awyerpresentsprooft
hey
wil
lpostponeitithi
nk..
.(gotup
gri
nning)Let'
sgoDidi,ihavetogo
getthebaby '
sbag.
Me:
Oh,
let
'
sgo.
..

Wehur
ri
edt
othecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Aati
legotbackinthecarhol
ding
dri
nksandhandedSedi anot
herone
butsherej
ecteditandfol
dedher
ar
msangri
lyl
ooki
ngout
sidet
he
wi
ndow.
..

Aat
il
e:What
?
Sedi
:thi
si swhyidi
dn'
twantt
obe
wit
hyou, nowI'
m get
ti
ngcur
sed.
Whatifyourwif
egoestomy
mother'
shouse?
Aatil
e: Babycomeon, y oucan'tbe
angryatmef orsomet hingyoucan
clearl
yseei snotmyf aul t
.I'
m
divorcingherandi ev
enaskedy outo
tagal ong.Isn'tt
hathonest y?Itold
youev er
ythingthereisabout
my self..
.y
oushoul dn'
tbemeet ing
st
ranger
stobegi
nwi
th
Sedi
:takemehome.
.
Aati
le:
I'
m not,you'
reangry
..
.You
needtocalm down..
.(ki
ssedher
hand)I'
m sor
ry,shewill
nevert
alkt
o
youagain
Sedi
:Ihopeso.
..
Aat
il
e:Thanks

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronMay
aappr
oachedt
hei
rol
d
swingasBabyt houghtful
l
yswung
sl
owlylostinmemor y,shegot
star
tl
edturningar oundandsighed
onceshenot iceditwasher .
..

May
asmi
l
edandgent
lyswungher
..
.

Maya:
Youjustdisappear
edwhi
lewe
wer
ewatchi
ngTV, whydoyoul
i
ke
i
sol
ati
ngyoursel
f?
Baby:(
sadl
y)I
'
mjustt
hinki
ngabout
thi
ngs.
.
Maya:Doyouknowthaty
ouhurtmy
feel
i
ngseachti
meyouaccusemeof
somethi
ngbad?
Baby
:Whatdoy
oumean?
May a:Youli
kesay ingI'
m showingoff
myv ir
gini
tyorthingsalongthose
l
ines.I'
m hurtaboutwhaty ouwent
thr
oughandI 'l
lnev erev
eruseit
againstyoueveni fyouhurtmer eal
l
y
bad.NowI '
mt ooscar edtosmilewith
youbecausey ousnapatmeal lthe
ti
me
Baby:I'
m sorry
..
.Ididn'
tnoti
ceI'
m
l
ikethat,I
'
llobser
vemy selfbuty
ou'
re
nolongermyf ri
end.Howcome?
Maya:(l
aughed)I
'myourfr
iendbut
l
adyihaveaboy f
ri
end,i
gottachat
youknow
Baby:
(laughed)I
'm goi
ngtot
ell
dad,
hesaysthedayhebeat sy
ouyou'l
l
wonderifheisyourfat
her
Maya:Waii
thatonecan'thita
womanshem, j
ustthreats.Gatwe
di
vorcei
sthedayaftertomor r
ow
Baby
:I'
m st
ayi
ngwi
thdad
Maya:I'
mf i
neeitherwaybutmama
i
sbetterbecausei cangooutmore
whil
esheisatwor k.Sheisnotst
ri
ct
l
ikedad,I
'l
laskdadi ficangowit
h
mamawi ththeexcuseofhelpi
ng
wit
hthebaby .
.
Baby
:(laughed)Badgi
rlkewena,
nna
l
eJuniorrasala.
..
Juni
orranoverthenBabygotupfor
hi
mt ositandtheybegunswi
nging
hi
m backandfor t
h..
..

*
**

Minuteslat
erLol
oparkedthecarand
walkedinthehouseasthekidsl
eft
t
heswi ngandfoll
owedherinsi
de.
..
.

Myphoner
ang.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
,ar
ewest
il
lon?
Me:
Yeah,
wher
ear
eyou?
Ken:
Dri
vi
ngt
owar
dst
heshop
Me:
OK,
I'
m comi
ng.
..

Ihungupandwal
kedi
ntot
hehouse.
..

Att
hegar
den.
..

Hoursl
aterIunlockedt
hegarden
t
henKendr oveinandparkedunder
t
hebigtree,Iunl
ockedthedoorand
t
henheputev erythi
ngi
nsideand
l
ocked.
Het hrewoverthekeysasistoodby
thecardri
nkingwaterfrom t
hebott
le
andputhishandsi nt
hepockets
walkingar
oundt hegarden.

Iclosedthebottl
eandt i
edmy
sneakerlacestheniranaft
erhim,he
grabbedmywr i
standwewal ked
alongthefence.Thewholegarden
hadbeendebushedandal lt
heshade
ihadputwer estil
li
ntact
..
..

Ken:Thisgar
denisbi
g,i
fyouwor
k
har
dy ou'l
lmakemoney.
.
Me:
Ihopei
makeser
iousmoney

Hel edmet othecarwherehe

openedt hedoorforme,igotinand
closedthedoor.Partofmecame
thinki
ngwewoul dhav ewil
dsexin
thebushawayf rom ever
ythi
ngbuthe
j
ustdr oveoutli
kewewer en'
talonei
n
thebush...
.

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..

I
nt heeveningAr
onawalkedinthe
houseabi tdi
sor
ient
edandleftt
he
dooropenashepassedt othe
bedr
oom wher
ehel ai
donthebed
anddozedof
fthroughan
excr
uci
ati
ngheadache.
..

Hisphonerangandheanswer ed
wit
houtlookingatt
hescreenashe
l
aidpowerlessl
yonthebedwithhis
shoeson..
.

Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Lef
oko:
Hi,
war
eng?
Ar
ona:
CanIasky
ousomet
hing?
Lef
oko:
Yeahwhat
'sup?
Ar
ona:
Oicheki
l
eHI
V?
Lef
oko:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Ar
ona:
BecauseI
'
m si
ck
Lefoko:
Ev eni
fitwasHI
Vwouldy
ou
besickthatqui
ck?HIVt
akesy
ear
sto
att
ackbodycells
Ar
ona:
You'
renotanswer
ingme
Lef
oko:
I'
m comi
ngov
er
Ar
ona:
Ont
eleGr
andpakanaCompr
al
Lef
oko:
Ok,
Shap

Hehungupandcl
osedhi
sey
es
dozi
ngof
f.

Mi
nut
esl
aterLef
okowal
kedi
nand
cl
osedthedoorthenhet
ookoff
Arona'
sshoesandlai
dhi
m pr
operl
y
onthebed.
.

Lef
oko:
Hey
Ar
ona:
Hi,
Wher
ear
ethepai
nki
l
ler
s?
Lefoko:
Emapel ekegoapol
ewa
huhulaI
'm sur
ewaasha..

Lef
okounbut
tonedhi
sshi
rtandputi
t
awayt
henhehandedhimfood.
..

Lef
oko:
Eatbef
oret
aki
ngpi
l
ls
Aronasatonthebedeatingas
Lefokosati
nfrontofhi
m holdi
nghi
s
feetonthesocks.
..

Lef
oko:(massagi
ngRon'
sfeet
)I'
m
HIVposi
ti
vebut-
Ar
ona:
(st
oppedeat
ing)What
?
Lef
oko:ButIj
ustdon'tt
hinkthi
sri
ght
nowit
'sHIV,i
t'
sjustaheadache
Arona:(t
ear
full
y)Lefokono..
.Please
tel
lmey ou'
rekiddi
ngme. .
.Ij
ust
recover
edfrom cancer,
ican'
tdeal
withacompr i
sedimmunesy stem
again
Lef
oko:
Youcanst
artARVs
i
mmedi at
ely
,nowadaystheyputyou
onmedicati
ontheminut
ey outest
posi
ti
ve.

Heputt hefooddownandcov er
ed
hisfaceasLefokomov edcloserand
huggedhimt henhepulleduphis
faceandkissedhim asArona'stear
s
fel
l.
..

Lef
oko:I'
m sorry
..
.Butwecandeal
wit
hthi
stogether
Arona:Together
?Wor dy
ouhavea
wifeandyouwon' tl
etmehav
ea
rel
ati
onship
Lefoko:Don'
tst
art
,waasi
mol
ola
akere?
Arona:Howlongarey
ougoi
ngto
holdthatv
ideoov
ermyhead?
Lef oko:Ronnydon'tbeababy ,
it'
snot
ev enaboutt hatvi
deo..
.Whywoul dI
blackmai lyouwhenwear eina
relati
onship?Ilongdeleteditandwe
hav ebiggerthingstodealwiththana
videoclip.Canwegof ortesti
ngas
soonasy ourheadf eel
sbetter?
Ar
ona:
Okay
..
Lef
oko:(handedhimt
hef
ood)Hav
e
somethi
ngt oeat
Aronacont
inuedeat
ingt
henLef
oko
tookouthi
sphoneandshowedhim
somethi
ng..
.

Lefoko:Lefi
kagav emeoneoft hese
off
ers,i
t'soneoft hepackagesheis
gi
vinghisempl oyeesbutwecanuse
oursseparatel
y,whatdoy outhi
nk?
Arona:
(gott
hephone)Youwantus
togotoSouthAf
ri
ca?
Lefoko:Yeahwhynot..
..Youneeda
breakandIwantyout obuyacouple
ofthingsabov
eallgaker at
ephone
yagago.
Ar
ona:
(laughed)What
'swr
ongwi
th
myphone?
Lef
oko:(
laughedandshookhishead)
Dudeno,that
'snotaphone.

Aronadr unkpillsandputt hewat er

downt hent heylaidont hebed
chatti
ngf oralmostanhourasWor d
massagedhi shead.Theheadache
woreof fandAr onabegunchat t
ing
withmor eener gy,Lefokoroll
edon
topofhi m andsmi ledkissinghi
m
softl
y.
..

Lef
oko:
Canwego?
Ar
ona:
(puthi
sar
msar
oundhi
sneck)
Iguessso
Lefoko(ki
ssedhissof
tli
ps)Iseethe
headacheisgone,wabonaneel e
thogohelanott
hatyou'
resick?
Arona:I
twasaseriousheadache,i
couldn'
tseewher
ei waswalking
Lef
oko:
Butoshapoy
aanongaker
e?
Arona:yeah.
..Letmetakeof
fmy
pants,
diankhupetsa

Aronachangedi ntoboxerbri
efsas
Lefokowatchedhi m, hewasthe
mostsweet estgentlelov
ingguyhe'd
everhadtoconv ertanditdi
dn'ttake
mucht odoi tbecausehewasn' ta
fi
ghterandseemedt ohavebeen
emot i
onall
ygoingthroughar ough
patchthatmadehi m breakeasil
y,
partofhimf el
tbadthathehadt obe
ali
ttl
eruthlessbuttheresul
tswer e
worthit.
..
.

Lefoko:
(smi
l
ed)You'
reani
ceguyoa
i
tse?
Arona:(
laughedandhithim onthe
facewit
hhi sshi
rt
)Mxm...Becauseke
aiti
dimalel
agaontshweny a
Lefoko:Kerayahelai
ngener al
and
thattoo,someti
mesifeelbadf or
hit
ti
ngy ouorusingpr
ofanit
ies
t
hough

Aronatur
nedaroundlooki
ngat
Lefokoandsi
ghed..
..

Arona:Butifyoust
ophit
ti
ngmeeach
ti
mey ougetangryaboutsomet
hingi
mightreal
lyli
keyou
Lef
oko:
(smil
edbi
ti
ngl
owerl
i
p)
Comehere.
..

Aronacrawledovert
hebedthen
Lefokokissedhi
m andf
li
ppedhim
over.
..
.
Lefoko:I'
m sorryforbeingtoor ough,
I'
l
lwor koni t
.That'
swhyear l
ierne
kereyou'r
enotsi ckbecausewehad
afightyesterdayandi thoughtmay be
i
t'
sbecauseofi tsinceipushedy our
headagainstt hewal l
.
Arona:
(smil
edbur
yinghi
ssadness)
Justgoeasyonme..
Lef
oko:(
pul
l
edoverhi
schinand
ki
ssedhi
m)Consi
deri
tdone.
..

Lefokoki
ssedhim andsqueezedhi
s
ti
nybuttgett
inghard,
Aronaknew
whatthatsqueezemeantand
reachedforthelubthenheoiled
himself
.Lefokokissedhim andsli
din
astheybothgr unt
ed..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
Wi
ckedMe
✴ 74

Att
hei
nter
view.
..
.
Thenextmorningisatforan
i
ntervi
ewwithabout30peopl ef orthe
postofanHR.Mosthadatl east
workedastemporaryHR'sbuti had
neverwor
kedinmyl if
eandpar tof
meknewi twouldbeadi sadvant age.
..

Theinvigi
lat
orshandedust he
questi
onpapersandt heansweri
ng
sheetthentheyhungtheclock,i
tfel
t
l
iketakinganexam backinschool.

Invi
gil
ator:Goodmor ni
ng,it'
snow
fiv
emi nutestonine,i
nter
viewstar
ts
atexactlynineo'
clocandendsat
ni
net
hir
ty.

Thiswasmyv eryfi
rstinterviewandi
wast r
embli
ng, amongstot herswere
adult
soldenought obemymot her
andforsuretheyhady earsof
experi
enceandmout hwat ering
ref
erenceswhileicamewi th
ref
erencesfr
om myl ecturers.Idi
dn't
knowwhatquest i
onstheynor mall
y
askedinint
erviewsandt hi
sgav eme
afri
ght.

I
nvi
gil
ator:
Youmayst
art
Itookashor
tpr
ayerandt
urnedt
he
page..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
,
..
.

Lol
osmi ledl
yi
ngont hehospit
albed
hol
dingherboy,shesmiledandtook
api
ct ur
eofhimt henshesentAati
le.
.

Lol
o: RanaanJohnson,Ranaani s
Hebrewi tmeansneworf r
eshstart
.
Heisy oursonbutifyoudon'tbeli
eve
meit'
sokay .I
'l
lsupporthim wit
hmy
moneyandoncehei sgrownl ooki
ng
l
ikeyouandJuni oryou'
llexpl
ainto
him whyy oudeniedhi m.Iwon' tbad
namey ou.Byt hewayI '
m sor ryfor
harassingy ourgirlf
ri
endandi t
hink
hor monespl ayedar ole,I'm now
seeingy oursideoft hest ory.Iguess
youdeser veabeaut i
ful youngVi rgin
foraf reshstart,
youhav emy
blessingsandi wishy ougoodl uck
andhappi ness.Iwillalwaysl ovey ou
buti willt
rytomov eon, idon' tknow
whatdat ethemagi stratewi l
l setbut
I'
llbether eassoonasI '
veheal ed.

Aati
l
er eadthemessageandi
gnored
i
twithoutarepl
ythenLol
otooka
deepbreathanddial
edhermother
..
.
Her
:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)I
t'
saboy
Her:
(smi
led)Congr
atul
ati
ons,
God
bl
essyou
Lol
o:ButI
'l
lneedy ourhel
pwi
ththe
baby,
I'
m movingintoanewhouse
andI'
l
lbewithJunioronly
.
Her:(
emot i
onal
ly)Mygi
rldoyout
rust
mewi t
hy ourki
dsaft
erwhat
happened?
Lolo:You'remymotherandi
ftherei
s
ami stakey ouev
ermadeinthepast
thi
sisy ourchancet
oredeem
yourselfandshowmewhyy ouwent
t
hroughl
abourpai
nsandrai
sedme
t
obeawomani am t
oday
.
Her :(smi
l
ed)I'
llbewai t
ingfory outo
collectme.Ican'
twai tt
or econnect
withmygr andchil
dren,ifeelli
keI'
m
dyingsoonandi fidieknowi ngallmy
grandchil
drenI'
lll
ayinpeace.
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)By
e
Her:
Bye

Shehungupandsentherdaught
ers
thepi
ctur
e..
..
..
.

AtTebel
opel
etest
ingcent
re.
..
.
LaterthatmorningAronaheldhi
s
breathastheassistantr
eveal
edhis
statusthenhejumpedandpunched
theairinvi
ctor
y...

Arona:OhmyGod. ..
.(l
ookedup)
Thanky ouJesus.
..
.Wow...Thank
you..
..
Assi
stant
:(smi
l
ed)Whatdoesone
l
inemean?
Arona:(
tearful
ly
)ThatI'
m negati
ve,
i
yot heI
'm sohappy..
.I'
mrecoveri
ng
fr
om atesticul
arcancersoheigake
batesepatelakapel
oy ameyothe
Minuteslat
erhest eppedoutas
Lefokostoodbyt hecart alki
ngtothe
phone,heturnedandsawAr ona
walkingoverthenheopenedt hedoor
forhim.Aronalookedar oundt o
makesur enoonesawt hi sthenhe
gotinthecarandcl osedt hedoor,
Lefokohungupandr eversedoutof
thegate.
..

Ar
ona:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
m negat
ive!
Lef
oko:
Real
l
y?Letmesee.
.

Hel
ookedatt
her
esul
tsandt
hrew
backt
hecar
d..
.

Ar
ona:
Aren'
tyouhappyf
orme?
Lef
oko:
whatdi
ff
erencedoesi
tmake?
Ar ona: whatdoy oumean?Iwas
hopi ngwecoul dusepr otect
ionall
thet ime, ipr
omiseI'
llmakei tworthi
t
i
fy oumakeanef for
tnott oi
nfectme.
Honest l
yI'mrecoveri
ngf r
om
somet hingseri
ous,iwantabr eak
from bei ngsicksoicangai nweight.
..
Woul dn'tyouwantabut tthi
ckerthan
i
nof feri
ngnow?
Lef
oko:
Idon'
tli
kecondoms,
gake
mothol
edicondom
Ar
ona:Nnammemogonnaot ae
di
ri
saeebecauseI
'
m noty
ourwi
fe
Lef
oko:
(angr
il
y)Or
ayaj
ang?
Arona:I
'm notgoi
ngtohave
unprot
ectedsexwithyouWord,y
ou
havetobeconsiderat
ebecausei
t'
s
notkeagana
Lefoko:Sowantaol
elagor
ekedir
a
j
ang, kant
ewhoisthemanofhis
rel
ati
onship?Ar
onawee?Arona

Heangr i
l
ysighedandpul l
edover
parki
ngunderthetr
eet henArona
shakingl
ytri
edtoopent hedoorbut
Lefokograbbedhi
sthroatand
sl
ammedhi m backi nside,
he
punchedhim onthest omachand
Aronabentdownhol dinghis
stomachthenhesl appedhim sever
al
ti
mesashet riedtoblocktheslaps.
..

Arona:Wordst
op,you'
rehur
ti
ngme.
..
Lefoko?Babel
ist
en..
.

Lefokograbbedhi sneckwithboth
handsandchokedhi m star
ingi
nhis
eyesasAr onahel pl
essl
ychoked,
vei
nsonhi sf or
eheader ect
edashis
eyeswidened. .
..Ther
ewasnoai r
passingt
hr oughandhecoul df
eelhi
s
l
ifesl
ippi
ngt
hrough.Tear
sdropped
atthecor
ner
sofhiseyesashe
askedGodtoconvi
nceLefokotolet
go..
.

Lefoko:You'
remybch!Thi sassis
mineandmi nealoneorelseI'l
lki
ll
you.Thinkaboutreport
ingandwat ch
memakey oudissappearormake
youaf amouslit
tl
ebitch,igot100s
vi
deosofy ou.

Ar
ona'
shandsgotweakandhe
sl
owl
yletgothenLef
okorel
eased
hi
m,hegaspedandcoughedcryi
ng
huggi
ngLef
oko.
..

Ar
ona:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
..I
'
m sor
ry

HekissedLef
okowit
htearsrunni
ng
downhischeekandhuggedhim
agai
n..
.

Ar
ona:
I'
m sor
ry
Lef
oko:(
puthi
sarm ar
oundhisback)
Youli
keget
ti
ngmeangr ydon'
tyou,
doyouenj
oythemakeupsex?
Ar
ona:
(rubbedhi
stear
s)Iapol
ogi
sed
Lef
oko:
Naht
her
emustbe
somethi
ngy
oul
i
keaboutt
hemakeup
sex.
.
Ar
ona:I
'
m sorr
y,canwef or
getabout
ev
ery
thi
ngisai
d?I'm sor
ry.
..

LefokodrovetoArona'shousewher e
heorderedhim out
,theywalkedpast
aneighbourwhowasbegi nni ngto
suspectAronaisgayasLef okoheld
hi
shandwal kingupthestaircase.

Hel ockedthedoorand#Remov ed.

Lefokolif
tedhi
m upwal ki
ngtothe
showerbot hofthem sweati
ng.
..
Lef
oko:(
kissedhi
m)You'
l
lki
l
lmeka
monatewena..
Ar
ona:
(smil
ed)Icam t
ooobony
e?.
..
I
twassogood
Lefoko:Aman'sgspoti
sdownt
her
e
don'tyouknowthat
..
.
Ar
ona:
(laughed)Idon'
tdoubtt
hat
..
.

Lefokoputhi
minandt
hey
showered.
..
.

AtGobona'
shome.
..
.

Gobonawal
kedi
nthehouseas
Diboysputonhi
sshoesandspr
ayed
perfumeonhimsel
f.
..

Gobona:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Di
boy
s:Outwi
thf
ri
ends.
.

Hewalkedoutt
henhewalkedback
l
ooki
nginhismother
'sey
es..
.

Di
boy s:
Cany oupleasefi
ndabet t
er
wayofmaki ngmoneyt hansel
l
ing
al
cohol?Yourcustomersaregoingto
molestthechil
dren,gi
venourf
ami l
y
hi
storyihadhopedy ou'
dconsi
der
thi
sbyyour
sel
fbutobvi
ousl
yyou
needsomeonetopoi
nti
tout.

Heclosedthedoorandlef
tthen
Gobonasighedthought
ful
l
ysitt
ingon
t
hebed...
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonMayastepped
outofthehouseandjoi
nedBaby
outsi
de..
.

May
a:Cany
oucomewi
thme?Iwant
t
obuyai
rt
ime
Baby
:Uhno,
thatt
uckshopi
stoof
ar
May
a:Please,
I'
m beggi
ngy ou.
..
(
smil
ed)I'
ll
buyyouicecream
Baby
:Yacup?
May
a:Yes
Baby
:Good.
..

Thegi r
lswal kedoutthegat echatti
ng
until
theyar ri
vedatthet uckshop
wher etheyboughtai r
ti
meandi ce
cream.Ast heywalkedbackwal king
pastacer tainyar
d,thet axist
opped
atthegat eandPonost eppedout
carryi
nga2y earboy,sheputhim
downandhehappi l
yrantowardsthe
gateashis5y earol
dsi st
erran
towardshi
m.Pono' shusband
steppedoutholdi
ngabi gplasti
cof
frozenchi
ckenfeetanda12. 5kg
sackofmai zemeal.

Babysloweddownasherhear t
pounded,sheswallowedand
observ
edt hem get
tingi
nthesecond
oneroom astheirsonplay
edinfront
ofthehousewithtins.

Meanwhi
l
eunawar
eMay
acont
inued
wal
kingasshefacedherphone
di
ali
ngthescr
atchcar
dnumber s.
..

Maya:(handedoutthecard)Hold
t
his.
..(
therewasnoonebesi desher
t
henshet urnedl
ookingback)Uhu..
.

Babywaswaybehi ndl
ookingatthe
Pono'
shouset henMayawalkedback
andstoodnexttoherl
ookingatthe
samedirect
iontryi
ngt
ofigureout
whatshewasl ooki
ngat.
..

May
a:What
?
Baby
:(si
ghed)Not
hing.
.
May
a:Ohcomeont
ell
me
Baby
:It
'snot
hing,
let
'sgo.
..

Theywalkedashortdi
stancet
hen
Babysmiledonherownandputher
arm ar
oundhersi
ster.
..

Baby
:Il
ovey
oudoy
ouknowt
hat
?
May
a:(
frownedconf
used)Ok-
and?
Baby:(
laughed)Andnot hi
ng.
..
Thanksfortheicecream..
.(l
ooked
upandspr eadherarms)Ilovel
if
e..
.I
feel
soalivetoday.
.
May
a:Ar
eyouhi
gh?
Baby
:(screamedli
keRi
ckFl
air)
Wuuuuu..
..Wuuuuu!
Maya:
(laughed)You'
l
lgomad.
..Why
ar
eyousohappy ?
Baby:Becausewehaveanewbr
other
,
I
'mjusthappyaboutRan
May
a:Ican'
twaitt
oseehi
m,I
'
m
movi
ngoutwit
hmama
Baby:(smiledthoughtf
ull
y)On
secondt houghtithi
nkI'
ll
gostaywi
th
mamaf orawhi l
e,whenarewe
l
eaving?
Maya:Shefoundahousesot
he
househol
dshavetobemoved
t
omorr
owsot hatshecangost
rai
ght
t
her
efrom t
hehospit
al.
Baby
:Per
fect
..
.

Theywalkedintheyardandwenton
wit
ht hei
rnormalact
ivi
ti
esfort
he
aft
ernoon..
.

AtPono'
sHouse.
..
.

LateratduskPonosteppedoutwi
th
abucketofbathingwat
erandputi
t
behindthehouse..
.
Pono:Ndhoo?Shumba?Comeand
bat
h..
.

Theboyranoverandshetur
ned
aroundl
ooki
ngforNdho..
.

Pono:
Wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?
Shumba:
Idon'
tknow
Pono:
Ndho?

Shewal kedaroundtheyardcal
li
ng
outforhernamebutt herewasno
response.Shetoldherhusbandand
theyletafewhour spassthi
nki
ng
she'
dbebackbutshedidn'
tandi
t
wasnowalit
tl
eafter9pm

Ponowentf rom doortodooraski

ng
neighboursandnoneofthem had
seenany t
hingsuspici
ousthenshe
wentbackt oherhusband..
.

Pono:Wehav etocallt
hepolice,
wit
h
theel
ecti
onscloserpol
it
ici
ansmight
haveabduct
edherf orr
it
uals.
Him:Youknowwecan'tcal
lthe
pol
ice,
let
'sj
ustl
ookforher
.May be
shewil
lcomebackinthemorning.
Pono:
Ican'
tsl
eepwhenIdon'
tknow
wheremydaughterispl
easebesi
des
i
t'
sbeeny ear
s,nooneremembers
any
thing.
Hi
m:(
gav
ehert
hephone)Ok.
..

Theycal ledt hepoli

cewhohel ped
sear chforherf orhoursbutnothing
turnedupandt heywentbackt othe
stationwi thapr omisetomakei ta
mi ssingper son'sr
eportifshedidn'
t
showupt henextmor ning.
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.
Thenextmor ningBabyknockedon
herfather
'sbedroom doorand
walkedinasAat i
leyawnedpinni
ng
hi
sel bowont hesheets.
..

Aat
il
e:Goodmor
ning.
.

Sheslowl
ywalkedinawkwardly
hol
dingherhandstoget
herandstood
i
nfrontofhi
m withherheaddown..
.

Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoi
ngon?Ar
eyouokay
?
Baby:(
swal
l
owedlookingathi
m)
Ther
eissomet
hingihavetotel
lyou.
..
Aat
il
e:Sur
e,what
'sup?

Sheswal
lowedf
ear
ful
l
yandl
ooked
athi
m..
.

Baby
:I.
..
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
54PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 75

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse

Herv
oicet
rai
l
edof
fasshespoke.
..

Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Baby
:Ther
eisagi
rli
nmyr
oom
Aat
il
e:What
?

Aati
legotupinhisshortsandheaded
toherroom buttherewasnooneand
foramomenthewonder edifhi
s
daughterwaslosinghermind,
per
hapst
hest
resshadt
akeni
tst
oll
onher
.

Aat
il
e:Babyt
her
eisnooneher
e
Baby
: (
point
edt
othewar
drobe)She
i
sinthere.
..

Aatil
eopenedt hewardrobeand
foundal i
tt
legir
lcurl
edupatt he
corner,
shet ur
nedfearful
lysatup
andlookingatAatil
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Whoi
sshe?
Baby
:RememberPonoandher
boyfr
iend?They '
reherpar
ent sand
theystaynexttotheCoca-Colat uck
shop.Ikidnappedheryesterdayand
tol
dhert okeepquietorI'
l
l ki
llher
andi meantit,l
ucki
lyshedidn'tmake
anoise.
Aat
il
e:Wow.
.

Theli
ttl
egir
lquiet
lylookedatthem
andstart
eddroppingtearssi
lentl
y
thenAati
lecl
osedt hedoorsand
l
ockedit.

Aat
il
e:Howcany
oudot
his?
Baby
:Iwant
edt
ost
abherbuti
fel
t
badf orhert houghi knowshe
deservest odi ebecauseshei sgoing
tobewor set hanherpar entsand
theymustf eel t
hepai nI 'mf eeli
ng
eacht i
mei swal lowabi gpi l
lowto
stayhealthy ,thestigmai getat
school.Idon' thav eaf r
iendbecause
noonewant st obef riendswi t
hHI V
andwhenI '
m gr ownpeopl earegoing
tothinkigotHI Vbecausei was
havingsex, myboy friendwon' ttr
ust
mei fatallI'l
l fi
ndaboy fr i
end.
Aat
il
e:(sighed)Canwet akeoutthe
boyf
ri
endpar t?Ever
yti
mey ousay
boyf
ri
endmyski ncr
awls,goeat
somethingI'
m makingaf ewcall
s
Baby
:Ar
eyoucal
l
ingt
hepol
i
ce?
Aat
il
e:No,
go.
.

Aat
ilecl
osedhi
sbedr
oom doorand
di
aledLol
osit
ti
ngonthebed.
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Hi
,wehaveali
tt
leprobl
em. .
.
RememberPonoandherboyfr
iend?
Lol
o:(
alar
med)Yes?
Aati
l
e: Wel
ltheyst
aycl
oset
othe
Coca-Col
atuckshop
Lolo:
Hav
ey oucal
ledthepol
ice?You
knowwhatdon'
tcallt
hepoli
ce,iwant
Ponomy sel
f.
..(
satupandhur ther
sti
tches)Ouch..
..(
grinni
ng)Cany ou
getoneofy ourfri
endstoi nj
ectme
wit
hsomet hi
ngtonumbt hestit
ches?
Ineedtobet here
Aati
le:(
laughed)Lolowee,r
eetsa
ther
eismor e..
.Theyhavea5y ear
olddaughterandBabykidnappedher
yest
erday,shesleptint
hewardrobe.
Lol
o:That
'
smygi
rl
,sowher
eist
hat
l
it
t-
Aat
il
e:Il
eftheri
nther
e-
Lol
o:Aat
il
ekil
lthatgi
rl
!St
abherwit
h
akni
feandthr
owheront hest
reet
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Iknowt
hisi
snot
f
unnybutLol
ocomeon.
..
Lol
o:Nnakeet
a,cany
oucome
col
l
ectme?
Aati
le:Soyoucanmesst hingsup?
Hell
no. .
.Ihav
etofigureoutwhatt
o
donextwi t
houtget
tingBabyint
o
tr
ouble.
Lol
o: Troubl
e?Didyousaytroubl
e?
Aati
lethosepeoplearet
hereason
mydaught erandihavearocky
rel
ati
onship,shewil
lal
waysdoubtmy
l
ovef orherbecauseoft
hem.
Aati
le:
Iknowand..
.Iunder
standy ou
butwedon'thav
etobeemot ional
aboutthi
s,t
hankGodyou'r
eint he
hospi
tal,
igett
odeci
dewhat
happens.
Lol
o:Aat
il
edon'
trel
easet
hatchi
l
d
Aati
le:
(laughed)Lol
oweegoshapo,
orebel
et hengwanakewena.
..Wena
gakeabolaamogowena
Lol
o:St
opmakingj
okesaboutt
his,
i
t'
snotfunny
..
Aati
l
e:By
e,war
engwanawagagoke
enemangkant
e?
Lol
o:Ranaan
Aat
il
e:I
yoogoshapo
Lol
o:Oser
iousol
athangwanaAat
il
e?
Aat
il
e:Skabat
agonkgol
ega,
wai
tse
gor
enekesenosi whychooseme?
GakesematarayamonnawaNav ar
a
asapotengwana.Shap

Hehungupandwal kedt
oBaby'
s
room whereheopenedt
hedoor
sfor
theli
tt
leandcar
ri
edhertot
he
kit
chen..
.

Aati
le:(
putherdown)Gi veherf ood,i
thi
nkshei shungr y.
.Wehav etof eed
herbeforei cantakehert ot
hepol i
ce.
Wewi l
lwai tther
ef orherparentst o
col
lectherthent heywillbearrested.
Babyhandedhert
hefoodandmov ed
backshaki
ngherheadthenAat
il
e
smil
edather.
..

Aati
le:
I'
m proudofyoufornot
rev
enging.You'
reagoodgirl
Baby:
Iwi
shbei
nggoodcouldtake
awaymypai
nbuti
tdoesn'
t.
..

ShewalkedoutasMay
awal
kedi
n
andpaused.
..

May a:
Uhu..
.Isn'
tthi
sthegi
rlIsawon
Facebookgotweshei smi
ssi
ng?
Aati
l
e:I
t'
sher,shei
sPono'
sdaught
er.
Babyki
dnappedher
Maya:Mxm..
.Keengneasampol el
e
ramoepelaatshel
a.Wewouldn'
t
event
ell
you,Babythewabaesa.
..

Shet
urnedandwal
kedout
..
.

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..

Aronayawnedwalki
ngdownt he
passagesmell
i
ngbreakf
astand
stoodatt
hekit
chendoorlookingat
Lefokoi
nhisshor
ts.
..
Lefoko:(ki
ssedhi
m)Hey.
..Was
prepari
ngy oubr
eakf
asti
nbed.
.
Arona:
(laughedandwalked
backwards)Fine,
stayt
here.I
'
m goi
ng
tobed
Lef
oko:
(laughed)Gaout
we.
..

Minuteslat
erLefokowalkedinas
Aronalai
dont hebedandser vedhim
thenheleanedov erf
orasoftkiss.

Lef
oko:
Iwant
edt
oapol
ogi
sef
o-
Ar
ona:
Ther
eisnopoi
nti
n
apol
ogisi
ngifyou'
regoi
ngt
odoi
t
agai
nlet'
sjustmoveon
Lef
oko:
Pleasedon'
tputi
tli
ket
hat
..
.I
car
eaboutyou
Ar
ona:
Unt
ilIupsety
ou
Lef
oko:
Pleasef
orgi
veme.
.
Ar
ona:If
orgi
vey
ouWor
d,any
thi
ng
el
se?
Lef
oko:
Not
hing.
..

HeateasLefokosatonthebed
feel
i
ngguil
tythent
herewasaknock
onthedoor
..
Ar
ona:
(gotup)Whocoul
dthatbe?
Lef
oko:It
'smytwi
nbrother,Iasked
hi
mt obri
ngmeasuitsoi cangot o
workfr
om her
e,mywifethinksI'
m on
atr
ip.
Ar
ona:
Okay
..

Theybot hwalkedtothel
ivi
ngroom
Aronainhisblackboxerbri
efs
defi
ninghissl
im peti
tearseand
Lefokoingraymen'skneelength
shorts.
.

Herubbedhi
snoseandopenedt
he
doort
henhisbr
otherwal
kedi
n
l
ookingatArona,Aronalookeddown
andshylyat
ehi sfoodasthebrot
her
s
exchangedgreeti
ngs..
.

Hi
m:Hi
Ar
ona:
Hi
Lef
oko:Fi
ckst
hisRonni
e,Babet
hisi
s
Lef
ika
Lef
ika:
(nodded)Hey
Ron:
Hi.
.

Lefokoputhi
sarm ar
oundhi
s
brothersmi
li
ng.
Lef
oko:
Dowel
ookal
i
ke?
Lefi
ka:(
tookoffhi
sar
m andmoved
back)Don'
tputassar
m ar
oundme..

LefokoandAronalaughedasLef
ika
dustedhi
st-
shirt
..
.

Lef
oko:
(laughed)Real
l
y?Phobo?
Lef
ika:Idon'
tknowwherei
thasbeen,
whatifyoudidn'
twashy
ourhands
Arona:
(laughed)Idon'
tev
ent
hinkhe
tookabath
Lef
ika:
(laughed)Kanakeabona
Lef
oko:
(laughed)Babel
ewena?
Lef
ikanot
icedabrui
seonRon'
swr
ist
asheatefrom t
hepl
ate.
..

Lef
ika:
Wor
dnt
shi
elamet
sihoo

Lefokowal
kedintheki
tchent
henhe
tur
nedatArona.
..

Lef
ika:
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
Ar
ona:
Why
?
Lef
ika:
Ist
hatabr
uise?
Arona:(l
ookedattheki
tchendoor
)I
don'twanttoupsethi
m, pl
easest
op
aski
ngmeunnecessar
yquest
ions.
Lef
ika:
Iwantt
ohel
pyou,
arey
ouOK?
Ar
ona:
I'
mfi
ne.

Hewalkedbackt
othebedr
oom as
Lef
okohandedLefi
kat
hewater
..
.

Lefi
ka:
Whydoeshehav
eabr
uise?
Areyoubeat
ing?
Lef
oko:
Ist
hatwhathesai
d?
Lefi
ka:No,hedidn'
tsayanyt
hing
becauseheisobv i
ousl
yscaredof
you.It
houghtthisendedwit
hGee,
can'
tyoudot hi
sshitwit
houthurt
ing
t
heseguy
s?Whydoy
ouhav
etobe
v
iol
ent
?
Lef
oko:
Wehadanar
gument
Lefi
ka:Anditsf unnyhowt helit
tl
e
guysarealway stheoneswi t
hthe
brui
ses,you'
l
l got ojai
lforthi
s.This
guyisacop, i
fheconf idesin
someoney ou'
r egone.

Lefi
kawal
kedtothebedr
oom where
Aronawassi
tt
ingonthebedeat
ing.
..
.

Lef
ika:
I'
mtry
ingt
ohelpyouhaele
goreWordwagotshweny
akebuele
enennamogonnawaswabal eene
wai
tse
Lef
oko:
(laughedandsatont
heedge
oft
hebed)Hahahaok..
.
Ron:
Wear
efi
ne,
ifel
l
Lefi
ka:Honest l
yWor dgaodiresente.
Imagineifsomeonedi dthistoBlue
ormyson, howwoul dy oufeel
becausey ouwoul dnev erevenknow
hel
aakaobonaRonal at
olammeke
bonagor ewammet sa.It
shard
enoughkeepi ngthissecretloveaff
air
buthavingt ohi
deabusei stoomuch..
Lefoko:(
headdown)Gonewabua,
i
underst
andyou
Lef
ika:
Thi
sishowy
oul
ostGee
r
emember
?
Lef
oko:Iapol
ogi
sedt
oRonf
orl
ast
ni
ght'
sfi
ght
Lef
ika:
War
eoshapoRon?
Ron:(tear
ful
lyshookhead)Hegav e
menochoi ce,i di
dn'twanttodot hi
s.
I
'm notgay..
.Itsjustthatican'
ttel
l
peopleI'
m goingt hr
ought hi
sthey
wouldmockmesoi acceptedmy
fat
eandl ear
ntt osmi l
ethroughmy
pai
n.
Lef
ika:
Apar
amrr
etsamae
Ron:Hehasav
ideoofushav
ingsex
an-
Lef
ika:
Hewon'
tposti
ttr
ustmeon
t
hatone,
iwon'
tl
ethi
m.Sowar
egao
mmateaker
e?
Ron:
Ee
Lefi
ka:Let'sgo, I
'
m helpingy ou.
..
(r
oughlypushedLef oko)Het areye
mr,I'
m notgoi ngtolety ou
embarrassy ourfami l
ylikethis,can
youimaginet heshamey ourwifeand
ki
dswi l
lfacegot wey our apedaguy .
..
Let'
sgo..Takeagoodl ookathim
becausey ouwon' tseehi m again..
..
(t
oRon)Andi fhecont act syoulet
meknow. ..I'
l
l dealwithit.

Lef
okogotdr
essedashi
sbr
other
t
hrewhim hi
scl
othes1by1t
hen
t
heylef
t.

Thehousegotsil
entandAr ona
l
ockedthedoorthenheknel tonthe
fl
oorcr
yingi
nreli
ef.Minut
esaf terhe
gotupanddial
edacolleague...

Hi
m:Yeah
Ron:Hi
,canweswaphouses?You
sai
dyoudon'
tmindaker
e?
Hi
m:Yeahany
time.
Ron:Ok,
thanks.I
'
llpassbysowecan
tal
k
Hi
m:sur
e

Hehungupanddi
aledhi
sbr
other
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o
Ron:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Hi
m:AtOt
lhe'
shouse,
why
?
Ron:Igav
esomeone
accommodat
ionnowineed
somewheret
osleept
oni
ght,j
ust
toni
ght
Hi
m:Ok,
comegett
hekey
s.
Ron:
Thanks
Hehungupandqui cklypackedhis
thi
ngs,heknewhedi dn'
thavemuch
ti
meandhewasn' tgoingtoface
Lefokonotaft
ert
ell
ingonhi m..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Kendr ovethrought hegatewi thZane

ont heboost erchairplayi
ngwi thhis
phoneast henewmai dsatinthe
fr
ontseatwi tht heseatbeltcrossi
ng
hert hickcl
eav age,sheglancedat
Ken'sar msashemani pulatedthe
steeringwheel andparkedt hecar.
..
Therewasnot hinggivi
ngherpeace
thanknowi ngshewouldbewor ki
ng
forasingl
eman, worki
ngforwomen
hadalway sproventobediff
icul
tand
thi
swasaj obshe'dcheri
shwith
every
thingshehad.

Ken:
(si
ghed)Thi
sisi
t.
..
.

Shelookedatthebeaut i
fulbi
ghouse
andsteppedoutasKengothi sson
andwalkedtowardst hedoor.Ken's
backwasappet i
singespeciall
ywhen
hewasl i
ft
ingsomet hingheavyli
ke
hi
sboywhi chmadehi m evensexi
er.
..
Shetookadeepbreathandstepped
i
nherheelsandshortski
rtt
henKen
puthisboydownandmov edthe
curt
ainsapar
t.
..

Ken:
Thi
sist
hehouse.
..

Hel
ookedi
nherey
esandsmi
l
ed.
..

Ken:Ibeendoi
ngal
lthet
alki
ngOuna,
tal
ktome
Ouna:
(smiledshy
ly)I
t'sabeaut
if
ul
pl
ace.
..AndIhear
dev ery
thi
ngyou
sai
d,youdon'
twantmehitti
ngyour
son.Icl
eanandcook.
..
Igotital
l
.
Wheredoeshismotherst
ay?
Ken:
Shehasherownhouse, i
t'
sjust
meandmysonbuthewi ll
bewi t
hher
mostofthet
imeIjustdon'twantto
doalotwhenheishereandi need
someonetocookpropermealsfor
meanddoalltheotherhousechores.
Ouna:
Per
fect
Ken:Wareonal
edegree,
Wai
tsel
e
bonaponobonnaka
Ouna:Wenarra,t
hev er
yf i
rstt
imei
workedasamai dlastyearicr
iedi
n
t
hebathroom thi
nkingaboutmy
degreebuticounsell
edmysel
fand
tol
dmy sel
fthatworkingwasbet
ter
thanbeggi
ngmenf ormoney.
Ken:that
'struebutyou'
rebeaut
if
ul,
youshouldbemar ri
ed.Whyhasn't
yourboyfr
iendmar r
iedyou?
Ouna: (
laughed)Idon'thavea
boyfr
iend,it
'shardtohav east
able
rel
ati
onshipwheny ou'
reunemploy
ed,
mennowaday swantwor kingwomen
whoar enotabur den.
Ken:
Someofusjustwantafai
thf
ul
womanther
esti
sjustbonuses
Ouna:
Lef
ewbal
ent
sengj
alo
Ken:
Letmeshowy
ouy
ourr
oom.
..
Shef
oll
owedhi
mtot
hebedr
oom.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngItookal ongbath
andsatbef orethemirrorwit
hat owel
toworkonmymake- up,ihadjust
changedmyhai rst
yleandi was
feel
ingmy self
..
.

Myphoner
angandianswer
edwhi
l
e
maki
ngaperf
ectey
ebrow.
..
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Ponoandherboy
fri
endhav
e
beenar
rest
ed
Me:
Wow,
that
'sgoodnews
Lolo:They'
reluckyI'
m stucki
nthe
hospital
,Iwouldhavet ur
nedMaun
upsidedownandwhi ppedthem on
thetreeli
kethey'r
erats,Godlov
es
them.
Me: I
'
mj usthappyBabywill
have
peace,I
'
m sur eshewasalways
l
ookingov erhershoul
der
s.
Lol
o:That
'
str
ue
Me:
(Kencal
l
ed)Babydaddycal
l
ing
Lol
o:By
e
Me:
(hungupandpi
cked)Hey
Ken:
it'
sli
ke9pm,
Zanewal
ala?
Me:Yeahunl
essy
ouhav
esome
pl
acetobe
Ken:
No,
I'
m get
ti
ngr
eadyt
osl
eep
Me:
Great
,seey
out
omor
row
Ken:
Goodni
ght
Me:
Goodni
ght
..

Ihungupandfini
shedmymakeup
thenir
eachedformyr edl
i
ngeri
eon
thebedandputitonthenmyheels
andanightgown.Isatonthebed
andcal
l
edacab, needi
ngacarhad
i
tsdi
sadvant
ages.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatnightiknockedont hedoor
andputonal it
tl
esmi l
east hedoor
openedbutitquicklydisappearedas
awomanopenedt hedooral l
wet ,
shehadwr appedher selfwit
hat owel
andputonKen' sshowerf li
p-fl
ops.

Her
:Hi
..
Me:
Hi,
um.
..I
sZaneup?
Her
:No
Me:I'
l
lgethi
mtomor
row,
tel
lKeni
sai
dhi,by
e

Itur
nedar oundandwalkedaway.I
wasn'tabouttofi
ghtforamanwho
di
dn'twantt obewit
hme, iwas
done..
..
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
54PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 76

Att
hemal
l
...

Thefoll
owingweekiwal
kedoutof
theshoptalki
ngt
othephone.
..

Me:
Yes.
…thej
obdescr
ipt
ioni
son
t
hepost
,di
dyour
eadit
?
Lady:Yes,il
ovefl
ower s.TrustmeI'
m
thebest,i
havemyr eferenceswit
h
meoboneIwor kedforal odgeas
t
hei
rgar
dener
.
Me:
Okay
,sendmey
ourappl
i
cat
ion.
Lady:I
'm anadul t
,mydaught er
showedmey ourpost.Can'
twemeet
sothatyoucanseemypaper s?I
don'
twanty outohiresomeoneelse
becausei needthatjob.
Me:Okay,I
'
llcal
lyouduri
ngthe
cour
seofthedayt henwecantakei
t
fr
om ther
e.
Lady
:Thanky
ou
Me:
Thanks

Ihungupandcr
ossedt
her
oad
put
tingonmyshadesasacar
sl
oweddown, iwavedapologi
sing
andranacrosstheroadi
nmyheel s
asthedri
verrol
l
eddownt hewindow.

Hewaspr obablycutebuticouldn'
t
seehim properl
ythr
oughthebr own
shades.Iwalkedtowardst
het axi
stopandsawt hesamecarmaki nga
turnanddrivi
ngbymyf eet
...

Dr
iver
:Hey
Me:
Hi
Dr
iver
:Cani
giv
eyouar
ide?
Me:(
lookingathi
sri
ng)I
syourwi
fe
comi
ngt oo?
Dr
iver
:(l
aughed)No,
shal
lwe?
Me:
(smi
l
edsi
l
ly)Weshal
lnot
Dr
iver
:Mywi
fei
sdead
Me:(l
aughed)Ni
cet
ry.
..Goaway
shuu.
..
Dr
iver
:(l
aughed)Heel
angwany
anake
wenaorayannashuu?
Me: (
laughed)Kerengyaanong?
Kanawai mbarasapeoplearelooki
ng
atmegor ekeaphoshiwa,bonabo
taxi
man
Dr
iver
:(l
aughed)Wenaobal
ebel
a
eng?Ar
eye
Me:
No
Dri
ver
:(handedmehi sbusi
nesscar
d)
Cal
lmewheny ou'
rebored.
Me:(goti
tandr eaditoutloud)
RubenBalang.
..Gatwekar at
etrai
ner
?
Doweev enhav esuchthingshere
Ruben:
(laughed)Omakgakgawai
tse

Thepassengerl
eaneddownl
ooki
ng
atme..
.

Hi
m:Hi
..
Ifr
ownedl ooki
ngathim andwi dened
myey es,
theywerecompl etel
y
i
denti
calandi hadneveri
nmyl i
fe
seenpeoplesoidenti
calevenwi t
h
voi
ces..

Me:
Wow.
..
Him:MynameisRobby,hecopi
ed
myface.
..Cl
oseyourmout
htherear
e
beesar
oundhere
Me:(
laughed)Idi
dn'
tev
enopenmy
mout
h
Robby
:Oganar
egoi
sal
apeng?
Me:(l
ooki
ngathi
sri
ng)I
syourwi
fe
deadtoo?
Robby
:(t
hought
ful
l
y)Uh.
..
Me:
(laughed)Yout
woar
ebadl
i
ars
Robby
:(l
aughed)Okayj
okesasi
de,
canwetakeyouhome?
Me:
No
Robby:(
handedmehis)I
'm ahandy
man,cal
lmei fy
ouhappentohavea
l
eakageinyourhouse
Me: (goti
t)Sowhosecardi
dyou
stealbecausewi
thyourj
obsyou
can'taff
ordit
?
Robby
:It
'sanei
ghbour
'scar
Me:
(laughed)Okay
Rubs:
Cal
lme,
thi
sonei
sat
hief
Me:
Bye

Theylaughedanddr ov eawayt heni

si
ghedandst eppedbackput ti
ngt he
cardsinmybagasaf ewpeopl e
l
ookedatme, icoul dnever
understandpeoplewhost areaty ou
whenmenhi tony ou,they'deven
makey ouf eell
ikeapr osti
tute.Iso
wantedt ohopont hatcarbuti didn'
t
wantpeopl etothinkI'm easy..
.

Minutespassedwhil
etaxi
spassed
ful
lthenAronadr
oveby ,
ishout
edhis
nameandr anoverasheslowed
downandpul
l
edov
er.

Hesmil
edandopenedt hedoorf or
measiranoverandgoti nthecar,
wesmil
edatoneanot herandhugged.
Hesmell
edgoodwi t
habr ownscar f
ar
oundhisneck.
..

Me:
Hey
,longt
ime
Ar
ona:
Iknow.
..Howhav
eyoubeen?
Me:
Ibeengood,
you?
Ar
ona:
Great
..
.

Hej
oinedt
her
oadandcheckedhi
s
phonepr
obablyf
oramessagebut
bit
seemedhedidn'
tgetany
..
.

Me:Youj
ustdi
sappear
edand
bl
ockedme
Arona:(
laughed)Iunbl
ockedyou,I
'
m
sorr
y.Iwasgoingthroughalotbut
I'
m goodnow
Me:
Okay

Hi
sphonerangandhequi
ckl
y
pi
cked.
..

Ar
ona:
Hi
Malevoi
ce:Hi,
igoty
ourmessage,i
t
i
smi neordi
dyoumeantosenditt
o
somebodyel
se?
Arona:It
'syour
s,Iwasjustchecki
ng
ony ou,i
t'
sbeenaweekwi thout
hearingfr
om youso..
..
Mal
ev oi
ce:Oh,
ok.Doy
ouwantust
o
meetandtal
k?
Ar
ona:
Sur
e
Malevoice:
Alr
ight,
thanksf
or
checki
ngonme.I treal
l
ymeansal
ot.
Ar
ona:
Yeah,
bye

Hehungupwi
thal
i
ttl
esmi
l
eandput
thephonedown, idoubtheknewhi s
phone'svolumewast hatl
oud
becausei couldheartheguyont he
otherendoft heli
ne.Istar
tedget t
ing
somewei r
dv i
besjustsecretl
y
l
ookingathi m,hehadast y l
i
sh
woodenbr aceletonhiswristandt he
scarfaroundhisneckr eal
l
ybot hered
me...

Me:(cl
ear
edmyt
hroat
)Sohowy
ou
been?
Ar
ona:
Beenokay
..
.Eyhowi
sZane?
Me:
Hei
sgood
Ar
ona:
Hemakesmewantt
oadopta
chi
l
d
Me: Youcanadopti
fyouwantwena
i
bil
ey ou'
reapol
iceoff
icermathat
a
kegoreosingl
ekanaoadopt erwit
h
yourgir
lf
ri
end?
Ar
ona:(l
aughed)Basadi
bat seny
a
st
ress,
Idon'
thaveagirl
fr
iend.
Me:
Lennat
ota?
Ar
ona:
Wenaol
ekopel
e,okaeKen?
Me:
Mxm ot
eng
Arona:
Monnawagagokent
wa
dumela
Me:Youst
il
lhaven'
ttol
dmewhaty
ou
sai
dtohi
mf ort
hosekicks
Ar
ona:
(laughed)Mxm don'
tst
art
Me:
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
oear
li
er?
Ar
ona:
Justsomegi
rl
Me:It'
saguy,i
hear
dhi
sv oi
ce.
(
smi l
ed)I
sther
esomet
hingI'
m
missi
ng
Ar
ona:
Don'
tst
art
Me:Ihav
eawi
l
dimagi
nat
ion,
arey
ou
gay
?
Ar
ona:(
laughed)Ohwow,I
'm notgay
ot
her
wisei woul
dn'
thav
elovedyou
Me:
Lov
ed?
Arona:Youbr
okemyheartdoy
ou
expectmetosti
l
llov
eyou?
Me: Nobutt hatcall
?Nonono. ..
Thereissomet hingandyou'r
e
dif
ferent
..
.(pulledhi
sscarf
)What 's
thi
s?Younev erwearascarfaround
yourneck..
.

Hel
aughedandsl
appedmyhand.
..

Ar
ona:
Ihonest
lydon'
tknowi
fI'
m gay
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Arona:Thisguyforcedhi
msel fi
nto
me, t
hefir
stti
mei twasterri
bleandi
nevertol
dany onebecauseiwas
embarrassed,youknowhowpeopl e
areaboutmenbei ngtough.Inever
toldasoul you'rethef i
rstper sonke
mmol ela...Mont hswentbyashe
blackmai ledmewi t
hav i
deo,
somet imeswel aughedandpl ay ed
andi thinkwebecamecl ose.Idi dn'
t
knowhowat tachedIwasunt ilhis
twinbr ot hert ol
dhi mt ostop.He
scoldedhi m andt ol
dhi mt ost op, it
s
beenaweekasal et
seorany thi ng,i
kindofr ant hef i
rstni ghtthinki nghe
willcomebackt hesameni ghtand
thesecondni ghtimi ssedhi m.The
thir
dni ghtdayIst artedt hinking
aboutal l thesi l
lythingshedoesand
say, t
hef ourthdayi wasf eeli
ng
terr
iblelikei hadbeendumpedandi
missedhim kesat hol
esenteko
ti
rong.Heisar oughguynat ur
all
ybut
it
hinkitcanbef i
xedifthi
st i
mewe
approachittheri
ghtwaybecause
l
anthaneel entwahelaandt hi
sguy
waabet saDidi
.Ilovehim butgake
i
tsehowt ogoaboutt his
Me: (
tookadeepbreathandexhaled
i
nshock)Waaaao...
..Waitt
wins?
Ident
ical
twinsj
usthitonmemi nutes
ago,aretheymar
ri
ed?
Ar
ona:
Yes
Me:OhGod,i
tsthem.
..Ba
bant
shony
anaekaremakwer
ekwer
e?
Ar
ona:
No,
Lef
ikai
sabi
tli
ght
ert
han
Lef
oko,
Lefokoomuscul
arny
anahe
wasasoldi
erwhi
l
eLefi
kaisjust
nor
mal.
Me: May
begasebone,bal
eekare
makwerekwereanywayf
orgett
hat.
..
(smil
ednaughti
l
y)sooseri
ousyou'
re
gay?Ial
wayswantedtohaveagay
fri
end
Ar
ona:
Thi
sisnotf
unny
Me:
(laughed)Sowhatdoy
ouwant
?
Arona:Iwanthi
mt ostopbei
ngrough
sowecangi veitatr
ykebonegore
am igaykanajang
Me:You'
regayi
fyou'
reat
tr
act
edt
o
hi
m
Arona:It
hinkil
ovehim,t
hehouse
seemssol onel
ywit
houthimi
t'
sli
ke
heleftwi
thapartofme.
Me:
Bit
sabael
ebueee
Arona:
Enel
eenemmaor
oughguy
yateng
Me:It
hinki
fyoutal
kandgiveitatr
y
hemaychangeifhedoesn'
tyoucan
al
waysdumphim.
Ar
ona:
(si
ghed)Ok.
..

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhepar
kedatt
hegat
e
andsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Ar
ona:
Ismysecr
etsaf
ewi
thy
ou?
Me:(smi
led)Ver
ysafe,
it'
stheleasti
candoforyouaft
erwhatidid
Ar
ona:
(smi
l
ed)Fr
iends?
Me:
(huggedhi
m)Fr
iends.

Wehuggedandsmi l
edatone
anotherasKenparkednextt
ot hecar
androll
eddownt hewindowlooki
ng
atusthenhethrewbananapeelsin
thebackseatofArona'
scar.
..
Me:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Arona:(t
ome)Ignor
ehi
m..
.l
etme
go..
.I'
l
lcall
you
Me:
Bye

Isteppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
thenAronadroveof
f.
..

Ken:
Yourl
i
fei
srunni
ngi
nci
rcl
es
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Ken:IneedZane'
sphone,
hef
orgoti
t
yest
erday
Me:
Wai
tther
e..
..
Iwalkedthroughthegateand
unl
ockedt hehouseasKenst epped
outofthecarandl eanedagai
nstthe
car
.

Iputmyt hi
ngsonthebedand
searchedforZane'
sphonet
heni
steppedoutandbumpedonKen.
..

Me:
Her
e
Ken:Whyar
eyougi
vi
ngmeacol
d
shoul
der
?
Me:
Howam i
doi
ngt
hat
?
Ken:
Doy
out
hinkI
'
m sl
eepi
ngwi
th
t
hemaid?Thisst
art
edl
astweek
whenIhi
redOuna.
Me: Keny oucanhirewhoev ery ou
wantandsl eepwithwhoev ery ou
want ,ialsohavethesamechoi ces
okay ?Imeany oudidn'tcar
et oev en
tellmet hatyou'r
ehiringoursona
nanny ,someoft hesepeopl eabuse
chil
drenandy oucouldusemy
j
udgementbutno, i
fshehasabi g
cleavageandwi dehipsshei sgood
enoughf oryousogoodsheev en
putsony ourshoesandwal ksar ound
thehousewi thatowel li
keshei sMr s
Daniel,don'tmindme.
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Doesshei
nti
midat
e
y
ou?
Me:
(of
fended)Real
l
y?
Ken:(l
aughed)Idi
dn'
tevennoti
ce
shehadacl eav
ageorhi
ps,fr
om her
e
I'
m goi
ngtocheckitout
.
Me:
Getout
Ken:
Soy
ou'
rebackt
othi
sguy
?
Me:
No,
wear
ejustf
ri
ends
Ken:
Wit
hyourex?
Me:
What
'si
ttoy
ou?
Ken:Not
hing,
itmeansabsol
utel
y
nothi
ngt
ome.
Me:
Good.
..
Hegr abbedthephoneandwal
ked
outtheni satont
hebedandsi
ghed
thoughtful
ly.

Icoul
dn'
ttaket hest ressofhopi
ng
Kenandi couldtalkt hi
ngsoutandbe
famil
yagain.Iunder stoodthati
madeami st
aket hedayheaskedme
togiv
eusachancebutIal sofel
ti
hadserv
edmysent encealready
.

It
ookoutthetwin'
snumber sand
di
aledRobbythenitrangt
wiceand
Kenwalkedbackin.Ihungupand
l
ookedathim..
..
Ken:I
'm sorr
y,ihi
redOuna
i
ntenti
onall
yandi pl
annedtohave
sexwithhertohurtyoubutican'
tdo
i
t,il
ovey ouandiwantustogiveita
tr
y.
Me:(si
ghedandgav ehi
mt he
busi
nesscards)iwasabouttocr
yon
somestranger'
sshoul
der

Heslowlytor
ethebusi
nesscar
ds
andwehuggedt i
ght
lyst
andi
ngby
thebed.
..
.

Ken:
I'
m sor
ry
Me:
It'
sokay
,I'
m sor
ryt
oo

Hepull
edmychi nupkissingmeas
welayonthebedt henheunzipped
hi
sjeansrubbi
nghi msel
fagai
nstme,
hehookedhisthumbonmypant ies
andpull
edthem downbuti gr
abbed
hi
swr i
st.
..

Me:
No,
I'
m notr
eady
Ken:
(caughthi
sbr
eat
h)What
?
Me: I
'm notemoti
onall
yready
, Iwant
thatgi
rloutofyourhouseandIwant
ustotalkaboutourcommuni cati
on-
Ken:
BabyI
'
m har
d!Ihav
en'
thadsex
i
na-
Me:Metoobutwedon'
tev
enhav
ea
condom-
Ken:Condom f
orwhat?Hav
eyou
beensleepi
ngaround?
Me:
No,
wer
eyou?
Ken:
Yout
hinki
fuckedassi
npr
ison?
Me:Didyou?5year
sisaveryl
ong
t
ime..
.Iwantustot
estbef
orewe-
Ken:(
rubbingonmypant i
es)Oklet
mejustfeelitt
hen,
Ijustwantt
of eel
i
twit
hmyt ipgaket
senye
Me:
Kenwai
t.
..
Hekissedmer eal
l
ygoodput t
inghi
s
heavychestonmeasi helpl
essl
y
caughtmybreathtr
appedunderthen
hepushedmypant i
esasideandfil
l
ed
meup. .
..
.

Me:
(whi
mper
ing)Awwwwww
Ken:(
whisper
edpushi
ngi
tal
li
nsi
de)
Ther
ey ougo

Heki
ssedmeand#r
emov
ed.
..
..
.

24KLi
kesf
orabonusi
nser
tbef
ore
6pm.
..
.
*
*
*
*
DonateaLiket
othi
supcoming
tal
entedf
emaleDJ,Maun'
sver
y
best.
..

ht
tps:
//m.
facebook.
com/
DJTRVPP/
[
9/3,
11:
55PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 77
Atmyhouse.
..
.

#removedpost
edatt
hegr
oupTWI
M
fol
lower
s

Heshiver
edonceandgav emet he
l
aststr
okebeforepul
li
ngoutt henhe
tur
nedmear oundandlif
tedmeup
l
ikeakidput
tingmeuponhi schest
asihuggedhimtight
lycryi
ng..
.

Me:(cr
ying)Imissedyou.
..
.Pl
ease
don'
tgoaway .
..Don'
tl
eaveme
Ken:
Daddyi
shomeandhei
shome
t
ost
ay.
..

Hi
sdeepvoiceassuredmeashe
ki
ssedmeandhuggedmeagai n
walki
ngt
othebathroom car
ryi
ngme.

Iwassoexci tedi coul

dn'
thi demy
giggl
esandl aughst hr
ought he
bathroom echoasKen' sv oicebased
thescene.Ihadn'tforgot
tent heway
hegent l
ytappedmyassl ikeapr o
though,hediditsowel lididn'teven
feelpainandinsteadenjoy edi tal
lthe
way .
…
Me: (
rubbedthewat
eroffmyf
ace)
Sowhydi dyoudothat
..
.Ther
earend
thi
ng
Ken:Cur
iosity
,butjusttobecleari
coul
dnevert r
ythatonaman.Ij ust
wantedt
oknowhowi tfeel
sli
ke,it
s
goodtotrythesethingsandknow
whatyoulikeanddon' tl
i
ke.
Me:
And?
Ken:Iwastensethroughoutbecause
idi
dn'twanttohurtyou.Idon'tknow
i
fI'
ddoi tagai
nespeciall
yifyoudon't
wantit,
whatdoy outhinkaboutit?
Me:I
twasweir
datf
ir
stbecausei
t
houghti
twoul
dhur
tbutthenwhen
youf l
ickedmycl itsifel
tgoodandi
didn'
tnot i
cey ouwer eupinther e
until
y ouwer ein,youalsodidn'ttake
l
ongi nt hereformet osayitwas
painfulbutitwassodamnwei rdi fel
t
l
ikei wasf eaturi
nginapor nvideoke
l
eoneoft hosegirl
syerr
Ken:(l
aughed)Thoughti wastheonl
y
onewhof eltl
ikeiwasMandi ngo
di
ppinginthereampor ekegoga
phoneker ecordermassi
ve
dest
ructi
on
Me:(l
aughed)St
opit
..
.uhy
ou'
reso
di
rt
ymi nded,
Jesus.
..
Wetookawar m showerasitr
ained
out
sidet
henwegoti nbedandl ai
d
downforalmostanhourchatt
ing
whil
eitr
ainedevenmore..
.

Layingonhi schestashepl ay edwit

h
myf ingerswasl ikeheav entome, i
hadspenty earsfantasisi
ngabout
thi
smanandt her eiwasonhi sarms
undersuchagoodweat her.Knowing
Zanewashi sgr andparentsgav eme
peace, perhapshewoul dbet heonly
reasonKen' spar ent
swoul daccept
mebacki nt hefamilyafterhurti
ng
them.
Ken:Ther
eissomet
hingi
wantt
otel
l
you.
..

Hesaidcalmlyandlif
tedhisheada
bitki
ssi
ngmyf orehead,isi
lent
ly
prayedhedidn'
tfuckthatgood
l
ookingmaid.Thoughi knewI '
d
forgi
vehi
mi twouldhurtmesobad...

Ken:Idon'tmeantobecontroll
ing
buttherearecer
tai
nthi
ngsi expect
from youifwearegoi
ngtobe
together
.Iwantyoutogrowupand
actli
keawomanwhoi sreadyto
haveaf ami ly.
..Tohav eahusband
andchi ldr en,Zaneis5y earsoldand
heneedst oseewhatl ov eis.Ihave
torespecty ousohecanl earnhowt o
respecty ouandot herlittl
egi r
ls.I
don'twantt orai
seaj erk.NnaDi dike
agor ataandI '
m notembar rassedt o
showi t
,i beenbadbutI 'mr eadyt o
l
ov ey ouwi thallmyhear t,iknowt hat
meansl isteningtoy ouandnotact i
ng
outofanger ..
.Totannakel apileke
thi
sr unni ngar ound,myagedoesn' t
all
owmet obehav i
ngv isit
sor
beggingf orsex.Ther eisacer tai
n
agei naman' sli
fewher ehi s
decisionsar ebasedonwhathe
wantsforthefut
ure...Ij
ustwantt o
knowifthesearethet hingsyouwant
Didi
,ar
ey oudonef uckingupr e
tswel
elekanatherewi llbeanother
Loregape?
Me: I'
m sorrythatI'
vehurtyouand
putust hroughsomuchdr amat ota
tobehonesti causedallt
hedr ama
andI '
m sorrythatiputyouinjailbut
herey ou'
reagaint r
yingt
ogi v
eme
anotherchance, isweariwon't
disappointyou.I'
mr eadytotaket hi
s
stepwi t
hy ou.

Hi
sphonev
ibr
atedt
henher
eached
forhismot
her
'scal
landanswer
ed
caressi
ngmythi
ghs.
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Zanear
eobat
amama
Ken:I'
l
lcomegethi
minanhourako
alebel
leTV
Her:Thisboyi sgoingtobeant i
soci
al
becausehei sal waysonhi sphone.
Nowt hatit'
snother ehehast oface
peopleandmakeconv ersati
ons
whichissomet hi
nghei snotusedt o.
Lemohokol etsephonesot hathe
canmakef r
iends,thenextdoorki ds
vi
sithim andhej ustgetsbor edand
wat
chesTV.
Ken:Zaneisnotusedtoplayi
ngwit
h
otherki
dsheistheonlychil
d.Ot
aa
twaelaasheint
eract
s.
Her
:Andbr
inghi
m aJer
sey
Ken:
OKby
e

Hehungupandputt
hephonedown.
..

Ken:(smil
ed)Gat
weZanegaatwael
e
banababangwemay beheneedsa
l
it
tlebrot
hertopl
aywit
h
Me:
Orasi
stert
opr
otect
..
.
Ken:
Ort
hatt
oo
Hesmil
edandki
ssedmeget
ti
ngon
t
op.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

May apouredthesmoot
hsoft
porri
dgeinthebigbowl
thenBaby
grabbedaspoonandat r
ay.
..
.

Baby
:Kei
se?
Maya:Yes.
..Don'
tfor
getmadil
ale
ngondi
vi
,sheli
kesitonthepor
ri
dge.
Baby
:OK
Babygrabbedthetrayandwalkedout
thekit
chencaref
ull
ymaki ngherway
tothebedroom wher eher
grandmotherwasdr essi
ngthebaby
..
.

Granny
:Baahoongwanangwanaka.
..
Sheissti
l
lbat
hing.

Lol
osl owl
ywal kedi
ncaref
ulnotto
hurthersti
tchesandlai
ddownt hen
Babyhandedhert hetummybelt,she
appli
edbodyl oti
onandputi
tont hen
shelaiddownandhadherpor r
idge..
..
Granny:Thi
sboyisgoi
ngt
obev
ery
shortl
i
kehisfat
her
Baby:(
laughed)Atl
eastJuniorwi
ll
havesomeonewhounder standshi
m
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Basadibataakgona
bannababamaf ondhanenyana

Mayal
aughedwalki
nginwit
hher
gr
andmother
'spor
ri
dge.
..

Maya:Jaanongmafondhanekeeng
ekar
emor oganoj
aana?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Gaseenemosi
mane
yo
May
a:(
bendi
ngov
er)Mmamaher
eis
t
hepor
ri
dge.
..

Sheputt
hebabydownandgother
por
ri
dge.
..

Granny:Cl
earl
ythereisnousef orme
here,t
hesegirl
sarewomen. .
.I'
ve
neverseenyounggirl
sdohouse
choreseff
ici
entl
ywithoutsupervisi
on.
WaitseLol
oy ouknowhowt oraise
gir
ls
Lol
o:ThankyoubutIcouldn'
thave
donei
twithoutt
hei
rfather'
shel
p
May
a:Nny
aabat
hopapaor
atago
t
shoset
sa
Baby:Aker
eonnamonageng, andhe
saysthedayhebeat
sy ouy
ou'l
lask
foraDNAt estt
oseeifhei
sreal
ly
yourf
ather
May a:GrannymmakanaIcame
homel ateoncehelaandhecan't
stopthreateningme,thatmani
s
havi
ngmi d-l
i
fecri
sis
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Becar
eful
that
'sy
our
fat
hernow
Granny:Mencanbetoomuch
sometimesbutyouseey
ourfat
her
?
Heisthebest,
evenatmyageihav
e
neverseenamandowhathedoes.
Heisthebest
,youl
adi
eshav
eto
appr
eciat
ehim.
Baby:
Wedobutwedon'
twanthi
mto
knowwel
ovehi
mtoomuch
May
a:Okat
samay
aai
pokamo
Lol
o:Koor
elaar
engmonnawame
mxm
Granny
:Bat
habol
ogel
amomogweng
wamemakobaa..

Theyl
aughed.
..
.

AtSedi
'
sHome.
..
.
Latert
hateveni
ngSediwal kedout
thegateheadi
ngt oAat
il
e'sdeem
l
ightsashortdi
stancef
rom t hegate,
shegotinthecarandglancedatt he
backwhereJuniorwassitt
ingonhi s
carseat.
..

Aat i
lel
ookedatherli
pswanti
ngto
kissherbutheglancedathi
ssonand
relaxedsmil
ing.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.
Sedi
:Hi
..
.(
smi
l
edatJuni
or)Hi
Juni
or
Juni
or:
Hel
l
o
Aati
lejoi
nedtheroadclosi
ngthe
windowsandswi tchi
ngtheai
r
condit
ioneron.
..

Sedi:
Sotheypost
ponedt
hecaset
o
nextmonth?
Aat
il
e:Yeah
Sedi
:Isee.
..
Aat
il
e:Youdon'
tsoundhappyabout
i
t
Sedi:
I'
mti
redofhangi
ngwitha
marri
edman.I
twouldbenicei
fy ou
askedmetocookforyouol
esingle
notf
ormetocookatahousey
ou'
re
shar
ingwi
thy
ourwif
e
Aati
le:I
t'
sjustacoupleofweeksunti
l
thediv
orceisfi
nali
sedandI'
m not
shari
ngwithher,i
toldyoushemov ed
outakere
Sedi
:Soi
sthebabyy
our
s?
Aati
l
e:Babei t
oldyouihonest
lydon'
t
know,idon'tknow.Andifit
'smine
whatdif
ferencewoulditmake?He
wouldbejustlikeJuni
orandthegir
ls
Sedi
:Ify
ousayso.
..

Minutesl
aterhedr
ovethroughthe
gateandparkedi
nfrontofthehouse.
HegotJuni
orandshegotaSpar
pl
asti
csasheunl
ockedthehouse
andgoti
n..
.

Sedifol
dedherar mslooki
ngatt he
famil
ypict
uresont hewallandthe
toysonthefl
oort henshefoll
owed
himtothekitchen..
.

Aat
il
e:Thepot
sar
eint
here,t
hefood
i
sinhereandt
her
esti
sinthefr
idge
Sedi
:Doest
hebl
enderwor
k?
Aat
il
e:Idon'
tknow,i
t'
sbeenawhi le
si
nceibeenintheki
tchenbutifi
t
wasbrokentheywouldhavetol
dme.
Sedi
:OK
Juni
or:
Daddyi
wantmama
Aati
le:
Justami nut
eJuni
orI
'
m
tal
ki
ngt oaunt
ie
Sedi
:aunt
ie?
Aat
il
e:I
sitwr
ong?
Sedi
:Aunt
iebat
hongnkar
eke
mmeidior
eSedibogol
o
Aat
il
e:I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
sey
ouneed?
Juni
or:(
whining)Daddyi
wantMaya
andBaby,iwantmama, iwantt
ogo
seethel
itt
lebaby
Aat
il
e:Jaycomeonshush.
..
Sedi
:It
hinkI
'
m sor
ted.
..
Aati
le:
I'
mtaki
nghimtohi
ssi
ster
s,
wil
lyoubeokayal
one?
Sedi
:Won'
tany
oneknock?
Aat
il
e:No,
andi
won'
tbel
ong.
Sedi
:Okay
.
Aati
le:
I'
dkissy
oubutJuni
ori
sol
d
enoughto-
Sedi
:(t
urnedaway
)Yeahi
know.
.

Aatil
ewalkedoutandcl osedthedoor
thenSedisighedlooki
ngatt he
kit
chen,t
her ewasacoupl eofrecipe
sti
ckynotesont hefri
dgeanda
wholeofotherthingsthatreminded
herofhowmuchofav
isi
torshewas.

Shewal keddownt hepassageand

peakedi nMaya'
sr oom,shehad
wall
paper sofHi
ghschool mov i
e
star
sandacoust i
cbandar ti
ststhen
shecloseditandmov edont oBaby '
s
room,shehadbi gteddybearsont he
bedandherdr awingsonthe
wardrobedoors.

Junior'
sroom di
dn'
thavemuch
exceptthebabycotandhist
oys,she
tookamomentbef oreopeni
ngthe
mast erbedr
oom andsl
owlywalked
i
nfol
dingherar
ms.

Therewasst i
ll
aframedpi ctureof
Aati
leandLoloont heleftsi deofthe
headboardandanot heroft hewhol e
famil
ysmi l
i
ngatthecamer aont he
ri
ghtsideoftheheadboar d...

Sheswall
oweddisappoi
ntedlyand
cl
osedthedoorwalki
ngout.….

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterAat
il
eandJuni
orst
ood
att
hedoorstar
ingatt
hebabyas
Lol
obreast
fedl
y i
ngonhersi
de.
..

Lolo:
Comeher
eJay
,comepl
aywi
th
thebaby

Juni
ortookoffhi
sshoesandcrawl
ed
onthebedasAatil
elookedatt
he
babyandlookedatLol
o'sf
ace.
..

Aat
il
e:Cani
hol
dhi
m?
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em,
hav
easeat
..
.

Aat
il
esatdownt
henLol
opl
acedt
he
babyonhi sar
ms, wrappedinafl
uffy
blanketthebabykickedandsucked
hisfistsasJuniorexci
tedl
ystood
nextt ohisfat
herputti
nghisfi
ngeron
thebaby '
snose...

Aat
il
e:(
pushedhi
shand)Heel
amro
di
raeng
Juni
or:
(poki
ngt
heey
es)Hehasey
es
Aati
l
e:(
laughedgr
abbedhi
shand)
Heel
asutel
lakoother
raao.
..
Lolo:
(smil
ed)MayaareBabynkaboa
supegedi
tseenengwanawaboPono
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Banabagagobaev i
l
,
fr
om nowonIwon' tbet
rust
ingany
ofthem.Theyfeltnothi
ngforthat
l
itt
legir
landhereIwast hi
nkingmy
daughtersar
eangelskantethey'r
e
worsethantheirmother.I
'
m
surr
oundedwi t
hev i
lkanaMay akeha
l
ebilengwanakal ei
tholel
emaswi
arengwanawamol oikemolotsana

TheyburstedintolaugherasAatil
e
blockedJunior'
shandf r
om touchi
ng
thebaby'
sf ace.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Gol
omol
ebal
oihel
a
Lol
o:I
'mjustgl
adthatmanhasbeen
arr
est
ed,
i hopeBabywil
lsur
viv
ethe
cour
tcase.Si
tt
ingt
her
etest
if
ying
won'
tbeeasy
Aati
le:
Sheisastrong.Shewil
lbe
fi
ne.Wejusthav
et oencour
ageher
Lol
o:Yeah

HelookedatbabyRanandsi
ghedas
Juni
orjoi
nedevery
oneint
heli
vi
ng
room..
..

Aat
il
e:Iwantt
ogethi
sbl
oodsampl
e
i
fyoudon'
tmind
Lolo:
Dowhateveryoucantosati
sfy
yoursuspi
ci
ons,y
ou'r
ejust
if
ied.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.

Herecei
vedamessagef
rom Sedi
andreadi
t.
..

Sedi
:Done
Aat
il
e:OK,wi
thaf
ri
end.Wi
l
lbet
her
e
i
nami nut
e.

Heputthephonebackinthepocket
asLoloquiet
lyf
oldedt
hebaby'
s
cl
othesthenMayawalkedinwit
ha
tr
ayoffood..
.
Maya:Daddydi
joketse,
Juni
orat
e
l
ikehehasn'
teateni
ndaysit
hought
youmightbehungry
.
Aat
il
e:Thanks

Babywalkedinwit
haj arandabowl
asLologotthebaby,hewashedhis
handsandgottheplateoffood.
..

Aat
il
e:Thanksgi
rl
s

Theywalkedoutandclosedthedoor
asAatil
eemptiedtheplat
eandhad
thej
uice.
..
AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
..

HeopenedthedoorthenLef oko
walkedi
nwithasincerelookand
l
ickedhi
sli
pasAr onaclosedthe
doorandsi
ghedlookingathim...

Ar
ona:
Hey
Lef
oko:
Hi

Theyawkwar dl
yhuggedbumpingon
eachot
herlikeit
'ssomethi
ngt
hey
hadneverdonebefore,
theydi
dn'
t
knowhowt oplacethei
rheads
properl
yorevenheadsunti
lthey
steppedbackandsmi l
edawkwardl
y.
..

Ar
ona:
(shy
ly)Um.
..
.
Lef
oko:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)Kgm.
..

Theystoodthereawkwar dl
ynotsur
e
what'snext
,Aronalookeddownas
Lefokorubbedhisneck..
.

Lef
oko:
Greatweat
her
Ar
ona:(
laughedawkwardl
y)Baby
maki
ngweat herf
ort
hosewhocan
Lefoko:I
'mreal
lysorr
yaboutwhat
thi
scancerdidtoyou,ican'
ti
magi ne
whatit'
sli
kebeingyou..
.You'
re
str
ongerthanyouknow.It'
sapi t
yy ou
metaj er
kli
kemewhomakei tal
l
worse
Arona:Final
l
y,weagr
eeon
something

Theybothsmi l
edcutelyandl aughed
thenLefoko'
seyesshrunkashe
seducti
velybi
thisl
iplookingathi s.
AronaputhisarmsupLef oko'sneck
andkissedhimthenLef okoputhi s
armsaroundhim andliftedhim upas
Ar
onahoppedup.

Theykissedsof tl
yasLefokotookoff
hi
sshoesr emainingwi
ththesocks
andwal kedt othebedr
oom wher ehe
l
aidAronadownandhel dhischeek
ki
ssingt henhepausedandl ookedin
Arona'
sey es.
..

Lefoko:
Ar eyousurey
ouwanttodo
thi
s?(Aronanoddedli
cki
nghisli
ps)
Tel
l metostopifyouwantabreakor
i
fwantmet ostop.
.
Arona:(
sighedimpat
ient
ly)Wor
d
bathongjustf
uckmeal r
eady
Lef
oko:(
chuckl
edandki
ssedhi
m)I
l
oveyou.
..

Hepull
edouthi
sshor
tsandmade
l
ovetohim.
..
.

AtMaDani
el'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthatcol
dev eni
ngKenandI
steppedoutoft hecarasi zi
ppedmy
j
acketandcl osedthedoort henKen
grabbedmyhandandl edmet othe
doorholdingZane'sjacketonhis
hand..
Me:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Ishoul
djustwai
tin
t
hecar

Heturnedaroundandhel
dmywaist
l
ookinginmyey esasiwor
ri
edl
y
f
rowned...

Ken:Wear edoingthi
sokay?You
havenothi
ngt oworryabout
,I'
m her
e
okay?
..
..(i
sighed)Igotyou.
..Doyou
tr
ustme?
Me:
Yesbuti
kil
l
edherson-
Ken:
Lookatme.
..Lett
hisbel
ast
t
imeI
'
m hear
ingt
his.
..St
opi
t.
..

Hekissedmeandt urnedaround
knockingonthedoorthenhe
checkedifi
twaslocked,i
twasn'tand
wewal kedi
n.

Zanejumpedfrom t
hecouchandr
an
overscr
eaming..
.

Zane:
Mama!

Ismil
edandli
ft
edhi
m upgi
vi
nghim
akissasMrandMrsDani
elt
urned
l
ookingatus,Kenputhisar
m ar
ound
meandmov edthecushi
onsasi
deso
icouldsi
tthenhesatnextt
omeand
crossedhi
slegs..
..

Me:
Dumel
ang.
..
Them:
Dumel
ang.
..

Therewasanawkwardsil
enceaswe
all
satther
eeachofusnotsurewhat
tosaythenKenst
oodup..
.

Ken:Papakopaont
husesengweko
kol
oing
Hi
m:(
stood)Okay
..
.

TheybothwalkedoutandZaneslid
downmyl aprunningaft
erKen.
Thingsgotev
enawkwar dwithme
andhismotheraloneinthel
ivi
ng
room..
.

Her
:Mmeoat
soga?
Me:
Ehmma.
..
Her
:Howi
sev
ery
thi
nggoi
ng?
Me:I
t'
sfine,
Ifoundaj
obasanHRat
someorgani
sati
on.
Her
:OhGodf
inal
l
yanswer
edy
our
pr
ayer
s,congr
atul
ati
ons
Me:
Thanky
ou
Her:Thanky ouforthegrandson,
Zaneremi ndsmesomuchofhi s
fat
her.I
tsni cehavi
ngachi l
dar ound.
Iknowwehav eabadhistorybut
yearshavegoneby ,wecr i
edandhad
ti
met oheal...Weareadultsandwe
havetomov eonsowhenev eryou'r
e
busyandneedababy sit
terplease
don'
tbeaf raidtoaskforhelport o
comeher e.
Me:ThankyouandI'
m sor
ryf
orwhat
happened,
idi
dn'
tknow-
Her
:Don'
texpl
ainy
our
sel
f,i
fLor
e
l
ov edhisl i
tt
lebrotherhewoul dn'
t
hav elookedaty outhatwaybuthe
didandt ri
ggeredamonst eroutofhis
brother,you'r
ejustawomanl ike
many .Wehav eallmadeami stakeor
twoi noury outhsthat'
swhyi hav e
decidednott oletthisaffecthowI 'm
goingt oli
vewi thmygr andson.
Me: Thanky ousomuch. .
.Itreal
ly
meansal otcomingf r
om you..
.I
knowi disappointedandiknow
thi
ngswi llneverbethesameagai n
butthanky ou.
Her:I
t'
sokaybutunderonecondi
ti
on
-Youcleant
hekit
chen.Myanklesare
ki
ll
ingme
Me:(
laughedandst
oodup)I
'
lldo
t
hatr
ightaway..
.

Ipi
ckedthet
rayandwal
kedi
nthe
ki
tchen.
..
.

Out
side.
..
.

MeanwhileKenandhisfat
her
chatt
edtaki
ngashortwalkoutt
he
gateasKencarr
iedZane..
..

Ken:Yesbutdoy
out hi
nkthey
'l
l
char
gememagadi again?Imeanwe
di
dn'
tcancel
theweddi
ngwej
ust
..
.
Him:Boor ramosadi badi ngalo
Ofana,mor all
yt heyshouldn'tcharge
you,t
herer eall
yi snoreasonwhy
theyshouldchar geyoubutj usttobe
safemakesur ey ouhavebogadi
savedasidesowedon' tgett oargue
erebaabat arebaneelebagoneel e
mosadi.Kanaj aanonggongwebat aa
bataletsheny okagor eot shotse
ngwanamol apenglaboneosany al
a
ngwanawabone.
Ken:Noy atshenyogakengange,ke
shapokay oneIwasjustwondering
kabogadibuty eahI
'l
lsavefori
tjust
thatIdon'
thavemoney .Thesavi
ngsI
hadichannel
l
edt
hem t
othe
busi
ness.
Hi
m:Howmuchdoy
ouhav
e?
Ken: Didi
andi agreedonasmal l
weddi ngbecausewewantt ostart
businesseswiththeot hermoney ,
the
chaletsneedwi r
ingandpl umbing,
Didi'
sgardenneedst heir
ri
gat
ion
system tostar
toper ati
ngsowecan' t
affordalavi
shweddi ng.
Hi
m:Okay
,isee
Ken:Wear ecount
ingonherpar
ent
s
notchangi
ngmet henwecanput
whateverwehavetowardst
hesmall
wedding.
Hi
m:It
'ssti
l
lawi sedecisi
on,I'
ll
tal
k
t
oyouruncl
esandwecant al
ktoher
f
amil
yandst ar
tthepreparati
ons..
.

Theymetanei
ghbourandst
opped
foral
i
ttl
echat
..
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

Hoursl
aterAat i
lewalkedinasSedi
l
aidasl
eepont hecouchwi t
hal i
tt
le
bl
anketoverherf eet
,heputthekey s
ontheglasstableandt ookoffhi
s
j
acketasSedi gotuplookingathim...
Sedi
:Whathappened?
Aat
il
e:Bay
angdel
ayedme.
..
Sedi
:Aorrammeor ayagor
eforover
3hours?Kanaanongdi
jodit
sidi
di.
.

Sediwenttotheki
tchenashe
checkedhi
sphoneandcl i
ckedont
he
message..
..

Lol
o:Yourwall
etf
ell
offont
hechai
r
youweresi
tt
ingon.
Aati
l
e:(repl
i
ed)Putitsaf
ely
,I'
l
lgeti
t
tomorr
owgaket say
aJunior
Lol
o:Ok
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Lol
o:Goodni
ght

Sedi
snatchedhi
sphoneandhanded
hi
m aplateoff
ood.
..

Sedi
:Herei
sthefood,youj
ustar
ri
ved
andyou'
reonyourphone

Sheputthephonedownandsat
downasAatil
elookedatherdul
l
mealandputthefoodonthetabl
e..
.
Aat
il
e:Di
thi
beketaajakgant
ele,
Bay
angboughtt
akeaways
Sedi:
Andy
ouatet
hem knowi
ngy
ou
askedmet
ocookfory
ou?
Aati
le:
Heoffer
edi
coul
dn'trefuse
besi
desI'
m goi
ngt
oeatthatlater
toni
ght
Sedi
:Nnaakei
tsej
aanongwai
tse

Hegotupandwal
kedtot
hebedr
oom
t
aki
ngoffhi
st-
shi
rt
..
..

Aati
l
e:I
'
mtaki
ngashower
,wantt
o
j
oinme?
Sedi
:No,
idon'
twantt
otempty
ou.
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Yeahy
eahv
irgi
nit
y
bl
abla.
..
iknow

Shefol
l
owedhimtot
hebat
hroom as
hefi
l
ledthet
ub.
..
.

Sedi:
Elegorekeagobor
aner
raka
kgangyavir
gini
ty?
Aati
le:It'
snotthat
,ithi
nkmay beI'
m
toooldf ort
hesevir
ginit
ythi
ng.It
wouldhav emeantmuchbackwhenI
wasay oungmanbutnownowi
j
ust.
...Idon'
tknowi ficanbepati
ent
enoughl eyonesexy atengican
i
magi nehowi t'
sgoi ngtobekaboI 'l
l
becar eful,
heei twon'thurt
...I
'
m
j
ust.
..
.( sighed)Gapehel aI'
mj ust
wonder inghowl ongitwil
ltakeforus
toevendoi t.
..

Hewenttothebedr
oom andthr
ew
hi
st-
shi
rtonthebedasshefoll
owed
hi
m..
.

Sedi
:Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouf
eltt
hatway
Aatil
e:YeahbutI
'm notsayingyou
shouldrushI
'mjustshari
ngmy
thoughtshel
agorewecan' tevenact
ri
ght,whenIsaythi
s-vi
rgi
nity,v
irgi
nit
y
t
hisv
irgi
nit
yt hat.
..I
'
mtoooldf
orthat
i
tmeansnot hingtomehonest
lyso.
..

Het ookoffhisclot
hesandwentfora
showerleavingherstandingt
her
e
thenshetookof fherclot
hesandlai
d
onthebed.

*
**

Minutesl at
erAatil
ewalkedbackinal
l
wetdryinghi msel
fwithat owel
and
pausedl ookingatSedil
yingnudeon
thebed...
Sedi
:Takei
tthen.
.

Aati
leputthetoweldownandgoton
topofherkissi
ngher,herhear
t
poundedashespr eadherlegswi t
h
hiskneeandgotbetweenherl egs..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatnightKendr ovethr
ough
thegateasthewi ndshiel
dwipers
rubbedofft
her aindr
opsont heglass
thenheparkedt hecarandsmi l
ed
l
ooki
ngatme.
..

Ken:
Whoi
staki
ngZane?
Me:Cer
tai
nlynotme,
Idon'
twantr
ain
onmyhair
Ken:
Thatmeansy
ougethi
sbag
Me:
fine.
..

Hepul l
edhi
shoodieov erhi
shead
andleanedoverki
ssingmet henhe
steppedoutontherainandcovered
Zanewi t
hasmal l
towel.

Ken:
Arey
our
eadybuddy
?
Zane:
Yeah

Hegothim andrantothedooras
Zanelaughedt
ryingt
ocatchtherai
n
drops.

Ismiledaf
rai
dtogetwetasthey
stoodinfr
ontoft
hehouselaughi
ng
atme. .
.

Ken:
(loudl
y)Ar
eyoucomi
ng?

Isteppedoutandsl
ammedt hedoor
runningt
owardsthedoorbuti
sl
ippedandf ell
backont hemudas
KenlaughedatmeandputZane
downt henhewal kedov erandhelped
meup, mi nut
esdownt her eandwe
werealreadydrippingwetbuti di
dn't
careaboutmyhai rany
mor e..
.

Ken:(
laughed)Damnt
hatwasqui
tea
fal
l
Me:
(laughed)St
opi
t

WithKenbesi
desmenot hi
ngwas
everembar
rassi
ng,
ilovedthelookhe
hadinhi
seyeseachtimehelooked
atmebecauseitmademebl ush.He
l
eaneddownput ti
nghisforeheadon
mineaswest oodonther ai
ngetti
ng
washeddownt henhepulledmychin
upandt i
l
tedhisheadgiv
ingmea
softki
ssi
ngundertherai
n.

Goodnessitfel
tli
keadr eam come
tr
ue,daddywashomeandhewas
homet ostay
.Iputmyar msar ound
hisneckandhoppedonhi m ashe
support
edmybot tom andl aughed
swingi
ngmear oundbef orewal ki
ng
tothedoorwhereheknocked. .

Ounaopenedi
nat
owel
andf
rowned
l
ookingatKencar r
yingme, Zaneran
i
nsi
deandj umpedont hecouchas
Kenwal kedinsi
dethehousest i
l
l
car
ryingmeandl ockedthedoor .
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o
Ouna:
Hi

Shamet hejeal
ousyand
disappoi
ntmentonthatgirl
'sf
ace
wasn'thardtonoti
ceasshequi et
ly
walkedtoherroom, Kenheadedto
thebedroom whereputmedown, we
tookoffourwetclothesthenhe
switchedtheli
ght
sof fandgotinbed.
Ipul
ledt
heduvetov
erashegoton
topofmewit
hasof tki
ss.
..
.

Ken:
Sowhoi
sfi
ri
nghert
omor
row?
Me:
(laughed)Whoev
erhi
redher
,ij
a
Ken:
Nny
aaaker
ewear
eonenow
Me: (
laughed)PapiI
'm notMr
sDani
el,
akenaring.Fi
reyourmaidonket
she
mot eng..
.

Hekissedmeagai
nrubbi
nghimsel
f
onmeandt hewhol
ehousebecame
dar
k,wemov edt
hecurt
ainsl
ooki
ng
outside.
..
thewholeneighbourhood
wasdar k,yeahther
ewasapowercut
thenZanewal kedincalm wit
ht he
torchonhi sphone.
..

Ken:(l
aughed)Wai
tsengwanakeo
brav
e
Me:(l
aughed)Gol
omonegol ai
tel
wa
kacandlekegoneabonang
motakasemalobahel
ajaana
Ken:(
laughedandpickedZane)
Comeher emyboy,don'tl
i
stentot
his
one.
..

HeputZanei
nthemi
ddl
easwe
pul
ledt
heduv
etoverandcov
ered
hi
m bot
hofuski
ssinghi
scheeks.
..

Me:
Zanerememberwheny
ouasked
meabouty
ourf
ather
?
Zane:(smil
ed)Hei
smyf at
her,
he
wasn'tther
ewheniwasli
tt
le
becausehewasinpri
sonforfi
ght
ing.
Me:
(smi
l
edsur
pri
sed)Yout
oldhi
m?
Ken: Heaskedmei fiwashi
sreal
father,
idi
dn'tknowwhatli
etosayso
Itoldhimthetruth.
Me:
Doy
oul
i
kehi
m Zane?
Zame:
(smi
l
edandputhi
sar
m
ar
oundKen)Uhm hei
sal
ri
ght
!!

Wealll
aughedasKenheldZane's
handandputmineontopthenhe
ki
ssedbothourhandsandsighed.
..
.

Ken:I'
mr eall
ysorr
ythatwasn'tther
e
foryoutwoandy ousuf f
eredbutI'
m
herenow, idon'
thaveallt
hemoney
i
nt heworldbutI'
lldi
ebeforeyou
bothsleeponanempt ystomach.
Daddyishome. .
.

HekissedZane'sfor
eheadand
movedov erki
ssingmeasthe
thundershowerpouredoutsi
de,Zane
dozedof fandweputhi m onmyside
asKent urnedandputhisarm around
meki ssingmyneckt heniputmy
arm aroundZane..
.

Ken:
Goodni
ghtbabe
Me:
Goodni
ght

Yeahitwasaglori
ousnightandfor
thefi
rstt
imeiaskedGodt okeepmy
l
itt
lefami
lyt
ogether.Il
oveddaddy
andGodknowshi schestwasalli
neededtohaveapeacefulni
ght,i
wouldbelyi
ngifIsaidir
emember ed
whenexactl
yisl
eptbecausei
just
wentoutl
ikeabulb.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
LIKEANDSHARETOGETBONUS
INSERTSOVERTHEFORAWEEKEND!
GOODNIGHT.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
55PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 78

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor ningIst r
etchedmy
backyawningandr eal
iseditwas
morningt
heni reachedf ormyphone
andcheckedt het i
me, i
twasal i
tt
le
over10andi jumpedof fthebed
putt
ingonmycl othesandal mostf
ell
asKenwal kedin...

Me:
Whydi
dn'
tyouwakeme?
Ken:
What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Me:
I'
mlat
eforwor
k,i
t'
spast
-
Ken:
It'
sSat
urday
!Rel
ax

Ipausedt
houghtful
l
yand
rememberedthenisighedi
nr el
i
ef
andsatontheedgeoft hebed.

Ken:
(laughed)Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
(laughed)Yeah,
I'
m good.
..

I
'dbeenunempl oy
edf ortoolongj
ust
thethoughtofgettingf i
redscared
meandi t
hinkhef eltsorryformeas
heleanedov erandki ssedme.Zane
raninsi
defol
l
owedbyapuppyt hen
hejumpedont hebedasthepuppy
putitsl
it
tl
epawsont hebedwit
hit
s
tonguehangi
ngout..
.

Zane:
(snappi
nghi
sfi
nger
s)Youcan'
t
cat
chmenow
Me:
Hehasapuppy
?
Zane:Wejustboughtitfrom the
nei
ghbour
, hesawmer akingoutside
qndtol
dmeabouti t.ItookZane
downther
eandhadhi m chooset he
oneheli
kes.Ithi
nkitshoul dkeep
hi
m busysohedoesn' tspendt oo
muchtimeont hephone.
Me:That
'sgood,
it'
sabeaut
if
ulf
it
puppy

Theli
ttl
epuppyj
umpedonme
scr
atchi
ngmeandifli
nchedpushi
ng
i
tdown...

Me:Zaneaer
ragoout
sidewi
thy
our
puppy

Zanelaughedandhoppeddownon
theot
hersideofthebedrunni
ngout
asthepuppybarkedandchasedaf
ter
him.
Kent ookdownt hesl eevesofthe
ov erallhewaswear ingandt iedit
aroundhi swaistleav ingouthis
i
ncr ediblegoodl ookingbi cepsout
throught hewhi t
ev estthenheof fhi
s
wor kinggl ov
esandl eanedov er
kissingmeaswel aidbackont he
bed

Me:
Whyar
eyoui
nov
eral
l
s?
Ken:I
'
mt r
immingt
het
rees.
..Idi
dn'
t
wanttowakey
ou

Myphoner
angandi
pickedashe
mov
edcl
oser
..
..

Me:
(heki
ssedmyneck)Hel
l
o?
Robby:
Hey
,looksI
'
mthel
uckyt
win.
NiceDP
Me:Pleasedon'
tevercal
lmeagai
n,
del
etemynumber .

Ihungupandputt hephonedownas
Kenl ookedinmyey es,iswearfrom
thelooki nhisey eshesaid"stri
ke1"
andki ssedmet henhewal kedout.
Myski ncr awledasi r
eachedf orhi
s
bigt-shir
tandputi tall
foll
owinghim..
.
Hedi dn'
tsayany t
hi ngbutt hatl
ook
wasaser iouswar ning,iknewt hecall
meantnot hingtomebuti didn'
twant
him upsetorwor r
iedbecausei
neededhismi ndfreeofst resssohe
couldworkont heweddi ngandot her
thi
ngsbesi desbyt heniunder stood
whathewascapabl eof.
...
.

Ihur
ri
edbehi
ndandgr
abbedhi
swrist
ashewasaboutt
oputonhi
sglov
es..
.

Me:
Babe?comeher
eli
sten.
..
Hetur
nedaroundasil
ookedupi nhis
ey
esnotsurehowtostar
tthenhe
si
ghedlooki
nginmyeyeswait
ing..
.

Me:Ithinkipagedthenumberbef
ore
youtorethatbusi
nesscar
d,idon'
t
evenknowt heguy.
Ken:
(pul
ledmychi
nupandkissed
me)Keepyourl
egscr
ossed

Heleanedoverandkissedmethen
hewalkedoutputt
ingonhisworki
ng
gl
ovesandturnedaroundatt
hedoor
l
ookingatme..
.
Ken:
Ifi
redt
hemai
d,shel
eft.
..
Me:
Thanks.
..

Hecl osedthedoorthenIsi
ghed
tur
ningar oundwithasmil
easmy
hairspreadlikei
twasblownbythe
wind...
..

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
.

Lefokobutt
onedhisshir
tasArona
sadlysatonthebedlooki
ngathim.
..
.

Ar
ona:
Whenam i
goi
ngt
oseey
ou
agai
n?
Lef
oko:I
n2daysmywi
fei
sst
art
ing
tomakenoi
se
Arona:Whydon'
tyouj
ustsayy
ou'
re
goingonatr
ip
Lefoko:(
laughed)Howmanyt rips
canonegooni nonemont hne
babe?(l
eanedov erandkissedhi m)
Wat chmov i
esorsomet hingtokeep
busyuntilicangetback..
.May bewe
shouldgety ouadogtokeepy ou
company
Ar
ona:
Idon'
twantadog,
Iwanty
ou.
..
Lefoko:Ok,
fine.I
'
llmakeupanother
storycomespendt heweekendwit
h
y
ou

Aronasmi l
edandjumpedonhi m as
theyfellonthebedlaughi
ngthenhe
satonLef oko'
schestandleaned
overkissinghi
m...

Ar
ona:Thishouseget
ssoqui
etand
l
onel
ywithoutyou
Lef
oko:
Comeher
e

Hekissedhim agai
nandtheypaused
l
ooki
ngatoneanot herandlaughed
bl
ushing.
..
Ar
ona:
(sof
tl
y)What
?
Lef
oko:
Not
hingkeagor
ata
Ar
ona:
Lennakeagor
ata
Lef
oko:Iwantt
oteachy
ouhowt
o
ki
ssokay?
Ar
ona:
Iknowhowt
oki
ss
Lefoko:(
smi l
ed)Youdon't.
..I
'
m going
tokissyoubuti wantyoutoobserve
whatI'm doi
ngtoy ou.Don'
tkissback
j
utobserv e

Hekissedhim sof
tl
yastheybot
hgot
bonersthenhepausedandsmil
ed
l
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Lefoko:NowIwanty out
odothe
samet ome,exactsamethi
ngwit
h
thetongue
Ar
ona:
(shy
ly)Okay

Hecl osedhiseyesandperf
ectl
y
kissedhim asLefokogotar
oused
thenhepausedandsmi l
edproudl
y.
..

Ar
ona:
And?
Lef
oko:Per
fect
..
.You'
reafast
l
earner
..
.Ti
saphonerebi
tsePizza
I
'
m hungr
y

Aronaj
umpedof ft
hebedand
br
oughtthephonethenLefokorol
l
ed
ontopofhim asheorder
edPizza.
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Ont hesamemor ningMay aandBaby

steppedoutofthet axihol
dingempt y
l
aundr ybasket
sandt r
iedtoopent he
doorbutitwasl ocked,May areached
forherkeysinthebackpackand
unlockedthentheywal kedin
chatti
ng..
..
Theywentt otheirr
oomsandgot
theirdi
rtycl
othestoget
herwit
hthei
r
brother'
sthenknockedonthei
r
father'
sdoor.
...

*
**

Meanwhi
l
eSedi
leapedupandshook
Aat
il
ewhowasdeadasl
eep

Sedi
:(whi
sper
ed)At
i?At
i?
At
i:(
groani
ng)Mmh?
Heli
ftedhisheadandjumped
hear
inghisdaught
er'
sknocki
ngt
hen
hequickl
yputonhisshort
sandv
est
..
.

Aat
il
e:(
runni
ngaround)Heyguy
s..
.
Whatar
ey oudoi
nghere?
Maya:
Iwantyourcl
othes,wear
e
goi
ngtodol
aundryandironkogo
mama,canicomein?
Aat
il
e:Justami
nut
e..
.

Heturnedaroundandsignall
edSedi
tokeepquietandgetinthewardr
obe,
Sediranoverandwhisperedtohi
m..
.
Sedi:
Sheisgoi
ngtofi
ndmei nher
e
becauseshewant
slaundr
y..
Aat
il
e:f
uck!

Theybothlookedaroundt ry
ingto
fi
gureoutwher et
ohi det henhelif
ted
thesheetsandpointedundert hebed,
shequickl
yslidunderthenAat il
e
fi
xedthesheetsproper l
yandt ooka
deepbreathbeforeopeni ngthedoor
l
ookingcalm andcollected..
.

Aat
il
e:Mor
ning
May
a:Mor
ningcani
?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
.Comei
n

Aatil
ewenttot hebat hroom asMaya
openedthewindowsoft hebethr
oom
toletoutt
hest uff
inesst henBaby
j
oinedherast heyfil
ledt hei
rbasket
s
wit
hdi r
tycl
otheschat t
ing..
..

May a: (checkedthedoorandlowered
herv oice)Ithinkdadwantsmama
back, didy ouhearthem l
aughi
ngand
gi
ggl i
ngateachot hersbori
ngjokes?
Baby:(l
aughed)Theyj
ustlaughat
nothi
ng,iwasli
keWTFj ustgeta
r
oom
Maya:
(laughed)Idon'
tthi
nkt
her
e
wi
ll
beanydi vor
cehere
Baby
:Met
ooandi
lov
eit
Maya:Akere!I
bil
ef r
om nowonwe
di
shforhim overthereandcal
lhi
m
ov
er,r
ekalapa

Theywalkedoutgi
ggli
ngcarr
ying
basket
sandstoppedtalki
ngasthey
passedbytheki
tchenwherethei
r
fat
herwaslooki
ngatSedi'
sdullmeal
wonderi
ngwhathecouldaddt o
spi
ceitup..
.
Maya:
Daddyshoul
dwedi
sh
br
eakf
astf
oryou?
Aati
le:
(emptiedt
heplat
eint
hebi
n)
Yeah,I
'l
lpassbylat
er

Thegi r
lsgiggl
ednaughti
lyandput
thelaundryinthet
axi
,justbef
ore
theycouldleaveMayastoppedand
l
ookedback. ..
..
.

Maya:Wefor
getdaddy
'ssocknet
andthel
abcoat
Baby
:(r
anback)I
'
llgett
hem
May
a:Makesur
eyoucheckal
lhi
s
shoesforsocksandputt
hem i
nthe
bet,Si
anarediataxi
mmamot hoo
batagoyagor enka

Babyranbackinthehouseand
passedherfat
herint
hekitchen
sl
idi
nginthebedroom whereshe
pausedgrabbi
ngthelockl
ookingat
Sedicr
awlingout
..
.

Baby :
(fr
ownedandI nt
ernat
ional
ly
screamedwi t
hahighpitchvoice
alarminghersi
ster
)Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Shescr
eamedsol
oudsheal
most
burstedSedi
'seardrumsasAat i
le
rushedinandsighedshamef ul
l
y,
May aranbackandst atuedatt
he
doorlooki
ngatSedi...

Aat
il
e:Areguy
sdoneget
ti
ngt
he
l
aundry
?
Baby
:(shocked)Wow.
..
May
a:Gir
lwhatar
eyoudoi
ngonmy
mot
her
'sbed?
Aati
le:May abehav
ei di
dn'
trai
sey ou
l
ikethat.Leaveandyourmother
doesn'
tneedt oknowaboutthis,
we
areseparated.
May
a:(
tur
nedt
oSedi
)Gi
rlwhatar
e
youdoingonmymot her
'sbed?
(cl
appingrhy
thmi
cal
ly)What-
are-
you-
doing-
on-my-mot
her
sbed?
Aati
l
e:(angri
l
y)I'
m notgoi
ngt
otel
l
youagaintostop
Baby
:(pul
l
ingherback)May
alet
'sgo
May a:(pushedBaby '
shandof f)Let
goofme. .
.(toSedi)Whatarey ou
doinginourhouse?Don' tyouseemy
mot heront hatpi
ctur
e?(shegr abbed
thepictureandwav editonherf ace)
Doest hislookli
kephotoshop?Don' t
youseemymot her?Whatar eyou
doingonmymot her'
ssheets?Why
couldn'tyoudestroyourfamilyfrom
yourhouse?Nowyouwantmy
mother'
shouse?
Aati
le:
(angr
il
y)MayaI'
m notgoi
ngt
o
tel
lyouagai
n,getout
May a: Youcanbeatmei fy ouwant ,
buty oucan' tbr
ingawomani nour
house.Thi smama' shouset oo..
..It
's
enought hatyouchasedheroutwi t
h
anewbor nbaby ,t
hisi
saf amily
house.Iwashy oursheet sdaddyand
icleant hisroom al
lbecausei know
mamai sn'
theretodoitbutnowt hi
s?
Andshel ookslikeshecanbemy
classmat e.Icouldgetinther i
ngwi th
thisgirlandknockherf rontteethout
witht hef i
rstbl
ow.Iknowmamahur t
youwit
hwhat everyouguysdon't
wantustoknowbutt his?(
tur
nedy o
Sedi
)Golddiggerwhatareyoudoing
i
nmymot her
'shouse,don'
tactdeaf
anddumbnow.
Baby:(pull
i
ngher)Maya??May
ast
op
runni
ngy ourmouthal
ready
!
May a:
(point
edatBaby)Letgoofme
wena,touchmeandI '
llsl
apyou!
(t
urnedtoSedi andhi
therwit
hthe
photoframe)Iaskedyouaquesti
on!
Whatar eyoudoingonmymot her
's
bed!Thisisourhousebit
ch

Aat
il
elosti
tandr
eachedf
orhi
sbel
t
bythechairasMayaf ear
full
ytri
edto
runbuthegrabbedherbyt hearm
andwhippedherlegsasshe
screamedjumping,Babytearf
ull
y
screamedstandi
ngatt hedoorasthe
beltmetal
headhitMay a'
skneeand
fel
loff
..
.

Baby
:(cr
ying)Daddyst
op!St
op!

Boi
lingwithangerAati
lewhippedher
wit
hal lhi
sstr
engthasBabycr i
ed
j
umpi ngandbegging,Seditear
ful
l
y
coveredhermouthlookingatthe
Aati
lesheneverknewexi st
ed..
Aatil
e: Oskant hokelamai tseoMay a,
gakemonkanewagago. .
..
wheni tell
yout odosomet hingyoudoi t
becausei sayso, neveriny ourlifelet
profani t
iescomeouty ourmout hi n
mypr esence!Ev er!Thisismyhouse
andi fther eissomeoneIwr onged
herei smywi f
enoty ou,yousi t
there...
doy ourhomeandhome
choresunt ilyou'reoldenought o
havey ourownhouse.Anddon' tthink
Iforami nutethatIdon' tknowt hat
youseei ngt heboynextdoor !I
'
ll
mur dery oubef oreyoui nsultme. .
.
Hewhippedheral l
ov erasshecr i
ed
l
oudly
,Babyr anoverandhugged
Aat
il
ecryi
ngasMay acur ledonthe
cor
nercryi
ngt henAat i
ledroppedthe
bel
tandputhi sarm aroundBaby
whi
leshecriedbegginghi m.

Babyletgoandr anovertoMay a
rubbi
nghert earsandhuggi ngher,
thetaxidr
iverraninthebedr oom
doorandrespect iv
elyrubbedhis
handslookingatAat i
le..
.

Taxi
dri
ver
:Mor
ena!
Aat
il
e:Taket
hem home.
..
Babygrabbedherf ather
'ssocknet
andhelpedMay ast andassheli
mped
cry
ingthentheywal kedoutbutMaya
tur
nedwi t
htearsrunningdownher
cheeksfaci
ngSedi...

May
a:Ar
eyouhappynow?

Aatil
eangri
lypi
ckedthebeltagain
butthedri
verbl
ockedhim and
grabbedthebel
tfrom hi
m begging
hi
mt ostop..
.
Taxi
dr i
ver:
Aomor enagagodi
rwe
j
alothe,kengwanaoutule
Aati
le:
(angr
il
ypoi
ntedatMayawi
tha
fol
dedbelt
)Ketaabolaagol
omo
kana
May a:(tearf
ullyscreami ng)Whydon' t
youjustki l
lmet hen?Thi smar ri
ageis
notjustabouty out woithasust oo,
wher edowegowheny out woget
div
or ced?Whatar ey outeachi ngus?
Thatweshoul dwal kawayf r
om our
husbandsatt hef i
rstmist ake?
Aati
l
e:Thatyoushoul
dwal kaway
fr
om anyonewhodoesn'tappr
eci
ate
youandwr i
tei
tdownincaseyou
f
orgeti
t.
May a:Howabouty oul etGodi nyour
mar ri
ageandl ethimt eachy our
partnertoappr eciatey ou.I
tst r
uea
mar ri
agewi thoutGodi sdestinedto
fai
l,ihopeGodgi vesmeahusband
whowi l
ltakemyhandandl eadus
i
ntoapr ayerwhenev erwehav e
problemsi nsteadofr unni
ngt ocourt
.
Aati
le:You'r
eobv i
ousl
ytooyoungt
o
understandtheseandidon'
toweyou
anexplanati
on.Getoutofhere

Theywal
kedoutast
hetaxi
dri
ver
fol
l
owedthem t
henAat
il
esatont
he
bedandl ookedatt hebelthewas
holding,hethrewitont hef l
oorand
rubbedhi sfacefrustrat
ed,Sedi
quicklycrawledacr ossandputon
herclothesinside-outshakingand
putonhershoes. .
.

Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Sedi:I
'
ml eavi
ng,ithoughti
was
readyforrel
ati
onshipsbutI
'm not
,I'
m
sorryf
orwast i
ngyourtime.
Aati
le:
(st
oodup)Sedieycomeon.
..
(gr
abbedherwri
st)l
ookatme
Sedi:(t
earful
l
y)Don'
ttouchme!
Please..
..
Shepi
ckedherphoneandbagt
hen
sher
anout.
..

Sedi
:Delet
emynumber,i
fyoucal
l
meI'
mt ell
i
ngmyuncl
e..

Sheclosedthedoorandlef
tAatil
e
standi
ngthere,
hetri
edtofoll
owher
butsheranout.Hewalkedback
i
nsideandcleanedthehouse.
..
.

AtSedi
'
sHome.
..
.
Hourslat
erAati
lepar
kedthecarnot
farf
rom Sedi
'shomeanddial
edher
numberbutitwasn'
tavai
l
ablethen
hedial
edLame.

Lame:
Hel
l
o
Aat
il
e:Hey
,themmakekopagobua
l
eSedi
Lame:
Ohsonowy
ouwantt
otal
kto
me?
Aat
il
e:Lamenotnow,t
hisis
i
mportant
.Canipl
easetal
ktoher
?
Lame:Sheleft
,shegotherbagand
sai
dshewasgoi ngtoaunti
e'
sto
cl
earherhead.
Aat
il
e:Aunt
iewal
onaonnakae?
Lame:Shewor
ksi
nOr
apa,
youwon'
t
gett
here
Aati
le:
Sootsenyemobasengya
nakomang?Icancat
chthatbusand
getherof
f
Lame:
Itl
eftanhourago.
..
Aat
il
e:Thanks

Hehungupanddr oveoffjoi
ningt
he
mainroad,
minutesalongthewayhe
r
eceiv
edacallfr
om apr i
vatenumber
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o
Sedi :Lamej ustt oldmey ou'r
e
l
ooki ngf orme, pl easeleavemeal one.
Kant ekegobol el
elegakaegor e
gakebat eAat ile?Whyar ey ou
followi ngme?I 'm sorrythaty ou'
re
goi ngt hroughwhaty ouar egoing
throughbutIdon' twantt obepar tof
i
t.Leav emeal oneandf i
ndanot her
girlfr
iend.I '
mt ooy oungt odeal wit
h
yourdr amaandangr ykids.Ididn't
ev enknowy ou'rev iol
ent,nnagake
bat egobet swa.Tswahel amogo
nnaoel seI '
lltellmyuncl ethataman
hisagei sf ollowi ngme.Myuncl eisa
traditional doct orandy oudon' twant
tocr ossme, l
eav emeal one..
Shehungupt
henher
ecei
vedanot
her
cal
l.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Howcouldyoudothi
s?Koor
e
haokaratanahel
aosahar
asebana
gokareng?
Aati
le:Lol
oket agokopanyaleMay a
becausei haveaf eeli
ngshegetsthi
s
att
it
udef r
om y ou.Gakegodise
ngwanaaboant hoga,Mayahasno
manner sandi fsheconti
nueswithan
att
it
udel i
kethatshewon' tget
nowher ei
nl i
fe.
Lol
o:Soyoubruiseherl
i
kethis?Have
youseenherknee?Youinj
uredher
..
.
Doyouevencare?
Aati
le:WhatMay adidwas
disr
espectfulandiexpectanapology
fr
om herwhenshei sdonecryi
ngand
suckinguppityfrom ever
yone,
gake
tegot shamekisi
wakengwanakemo
godisit
se.Areyouusingthechil
dren
tosettleascoreandmakemet he
badpar ent
?
Lolo:I
'm notar
guingaboutthesame
thi
ngov erandoveragai
n,ifthatl
i
ttl
e
gir
lmakesy ouhappythengof orit
andleavemei npeacewithmy
chil
dren.
Aat i
le:Wi t
hpl easur
e,I'
drat
herl ose
allofy outhanl ivewit
habunchof
disrespect ful
peoplewhodon' tsee
meast heheadoft hef ami
ly.I'mvery
disappoi ntedthatyoufindnot hi
ng
wr ongi nwhatMay adid.Ir
eal l
ywon't
feelgui l
tyforwal ki
ngoutoft his
mar riage.

Hehunguponheranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

MONTHSLATER.
..
..
LI
KETOGETTHENEXTI
NSERT.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
56PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 79

AtaBachel
orpad.
..
.

Tsheposl
owl
yrev
ersedt
othedoor
asAatil
eandBayangwhi stl
ed
di
rect
inghim unt
ilt
heyraisedt
hei
r
handsstoppi
nghim...

Bay
ang:
Hoohooshap!

Heswi t
chedof
ftheengi
neand
hoppeddownthentheyunti
edthe
ropetyi
ngthef
urni
tur
eandbegun
offl
oadi
ngwhil
echatt
ingloudl
y.
..
.

Tshepo:Mar
aguysthelawof
Botswanaal
waysfavourswomen
whenitcomest
odi v
orcei t
'snotev
en
funny,
whenBay
angdi vorcedAone
shepracti
cal
lytookevery
thi
ngand
nowLol ot
ookthehouseandgotthe
custodyyabana.ThesameLolowho
l
eftyouwiththekidsajol
alema
Arabia
Bayang:Atleasthewasgi venacar
nnakanaAonewasgi v
enthecar.
Legalekawedi dn'thaveahouse,
the
carwastheonl ythingwehad.Di
househol
dsnnanakoy at
engne
setsekerekil
ekoKasane.
Aati
le:ButI'
mf i
newithherhav i
ng
custodyyabana,thegirl
saregrown
yaanongrennar ecrossanehela,
May aisdisr
espectf
ul.Babyene
santsealengwanaenel eJunior
Tshepo:
Teenager
shav
eissues
Bayang: Thepr oblem ist hatwenao
monnaandLol oi sawomansoshe
getstot ellherst oryandwi nMay a'
s
suppor tov eryour egar dlessofwhoi s
wrong.Ther easonMay af eelsli
ke
youwal kedoutoft hef ami lyis
becauseshedoesn' tknowwhat
happened, shepr obabl yt hinksyou
div
orcedhermom f orat extmessage,
whydon' tyoujustt ellhery oucaught
hermot herwi t
hamonst erdi cki
nher
pussy ?Andi ndet ai
l gorewi t
ha
mar r
iedman, t
hesamet hingshef el
t
earnedSedi ani nsult
Aat
il
e:Idon'
twantt
opai
ntLol
obad
i
nfr
ontoft
heki
ds
Tshepo: Kids?KidseneMay a?That '
s
agrownasswoman, i
fshewasn' t
yourdaught erI
'd-(theguysturned
andl ookedathim offendedthenhe
thoughtabouthi ssentenceand
smiled)Nev ermindbuti meancome
on,shei soldenought ounderstand,
obviouslythist
hingsagor eMay a
misbehav edinfrontofyoubother s
you.
Aati
l
e: Sheshoul
djustknowgood
fr
om badbecausei di
dn'tr
aiseher
l
ikethat
Bay
ang:
Buthonest
lyshewentt
oo
far
,theseEnglishmedi um kidsjust
speakwithoutt hi
nki
ng.AMot swana
chi
ldwouldnev ert
alkli
ket hatt
oan
adult
,weusedt obebeat enforbeing
moodyandy ourmot herwi l
laskyou
whyy ouwokeupmoodyt henbeat
youupgot wekeengot sogelwaole
ngwana.

Thechatti
ngcontinuedasthey
fi
nishedoff
loadi
ngandleftint
he
van..
.

AtTi
na'
sHouse.
..
Tinawalkedoutofthehousewit
h2
Bibl
esandpouredwat erf
orherdog
thenshewalkedoutthegatedi
ali
ng
Calvi
n'snumber..
..

Cal
vi
n:Hel
l
o?
Ti
na:
Ijustl
eft
,let
'sgo
Cal
vi
n:Al
ri
ght
,by
e

Shehungupandputherphonei
nthe
pocket
.

AtGobona'
sHouse.
..
.
MeanwhileDiboyswal kedbehi ndthe
householdingat oothbrushanda
cuptobrushhi steethandf oundone
ofhermot her
'sregularsstanding
wit
hSetsanabyt hef ence.Theman
pani
ckedandsmi led,t
heydi dn'
t
under
standDi boysashenev er
smil
edwi t
hanyoft hem. .
.

Diboys:
Setswanawhatar
eyoudoi
ng
behindthehouse?
Setswana:
(showedhi
m P10)Hesai
d
ishoul
dgobuysweet
Di
boys:
Ti sa,
goi nsi
de.
..I
'
llbeatyou
i
fyoustandwi t
hmenbyt hef ence.
.
Hesnat chedthemoneyandhi
sli
tt
le
si
sterranbackinsidet
henhewal
ked
overandf acedtheman..
.

Man:
Iwasjustgiv
inghermoneyfor
t
hesweet
s,thesekidsar
eli
kemine
Diboys:Reetsaha, t
henextt i
mei see
youinthisyardorar ounditI'
llpunch
yousohar dy ouwon' tseeyour selfgo
down.Ifyout ouchanyofmysi stersI
will
sneakiny ourhouseandcutout
yourint
esti
nes, wrapt hem around
yourneckandchokey ouwitht hem
unti
lyoutakey oustopbr eathing, do
y
ouunder
standme?

Hedidn'
twaitf
orananswerand
i
nsteadspl
ashedhi
m witht
hewater
hehadinthecupandtheman
wal
kedaway .
..
..

Man: I
'm goingtotely
ourmother
aboutthis!Youneedmymoneyt o
survi
ve..
..i
am yourmealboy,you
thi
nkjustbecausey ouhav
ea
mustachey ou'r
eaman?If eedyou!

Di
boyswalkedbacki
nthehouseand
st
aredatt
hetwobigcont
ainer
swith
mberer
easitfermentedanddr i
pped
onthefl
oormakingthewhol eri
d
housesmellt
henheki ckedthe
bi
ggestcont
ainerspi
ll
ingitonthe
fl
oorasitmadeitswayoutt hedoor
..
.

Hissibl
ingsallst
oodatt
hedoor
bit
ingtheirnai
lsasheki
ckedt
he
secondcont ai
ner.
..

MeanwhileGobonawalkedthrough
thegatewit
halogonherheadand
wonderedwhythechil
drenwer e
standi
nginfr
ontoflel
wapana.As
shecamecloserthesmellofher
preci
oust
radi
ti
onalbeerr
eachedher
noseandshedroppedthel
og.

Hereyespoppedasshesawher
mbererefl
owingonthefl
oorandran
overhol
dingherheadi
ndisbel
ief
..
..

Gobona:
Nooooo.
..
.

Di
boy swalkedoutandcareful
l
y
st
eppedont hestonestoavoid
st
eppingont hebeerandfi
nall
y
j
umpedmaki nghi
swayt othe
gr
andmot her'
sHouse.Gobona
walkedi
nandnot icedbot
hofher
contai
ner
swereempty,
tear
sfil
l
ed
hereyesandshef
oll
owedDiboys.
..
.

Gobona: Di
boyskoor
egaobone
bothat
aj okelengmogojone
ngwanaka?Howam i goi
ngtofeed
thechi
ldren?Hee?Doyouknowhow
mucht hatbeerwaswort
h?
Diboys:(t
urnedar ound)I fyoureall
y
needt osellbeerfindapl otandgo
sellt
herebecausei don'tli
key our
customers,Idon'tlikethewayt hey
l
ookatt hechi l
drenandi fy oudon't
fi
nditdistur
bingi can'tconv i
ncey ou.
You'renotselli
ngbeerher eagain.
Nev
er.
..
Gobona:(cr
ying)Doyouknowhow
har
ditistomaket hatbeerandy
ou
j
ustspil
li
t?
Diboys:Makeitagai
nandwat chme
spil
lit
,you'
renotsel
lingbeerhere
andifanyonewalksinher etobuy
beerI'
m goingtochaset hem outl
i
ke
dogs.Nomani swalkinginthr
ough
thatgateexceptme.I'm done

Hewalkedi
nhisgrandmot
her'
s
houseandgotwaterwi
thacupas
shelai
donthebed..
.
Di
boys:Mmamamayi bor
rowaThe
Hol
yBibl
e?I
'm goi
ngt
ochurch
Her:I
t'
sint
her
e,I
t'
saSet
swana
ver
sion
Diboy
s:Thatwasishar
dto
underst
and,
it'
sSet
swanai
stoodeep

Hewalkedouttobr
ushhisteethas
Gobonasatwit
hhermothertell
ing
herwhatwashappeni
ngoutside..
.

MeanwhileTinasi
ghedstandingby
thetreeafewfeetfr
om thefence.It
seemedt her
ewasal way
ssomet hing
goingonatCalvi
n'shome,ifi
twasn't
l
oudr umbamusicbangingi
twashis
motherloudl
yargui
ngorscol
dingt
he
chi
ldren.NowCalvi
nhadspil
l
edthe
beerandit'
sfr
agrancewasonthe
ai
r..
.

Minutesl at
erhewal kedov erasshe
l
ookedathi m, helookedsmar tand
helookednot hingli
kehi s
background.Hewast her easonshe
bel
ieveddi amondswer efoundi n
di
rtyplacesandshewasn' tgoingto
l
etallhispr oblemsdi scour ageher,
Calvi
nwasherdi amond. .
.Hi shome
washermi neandshewasgoi ngto
poli
sht hatdiamondandweari twit
h
pri
de,
afteral
ldi
amondsar
eagi
rl
'
s
bestf
ri
end..
.

Cal
vi
n:Hey
Ti
na:
Hi
Cal
vi
n:Sor
ryf
ort
aki
ngsol
ong
Ti
na:
It'
sokay
..
.
Calvi
n:Howl
ongdoest
hechur
ch
take?
Ti
na:
wewi
l
lbebackby11:
30
Cal
vi
n:Okay
..

Theywai
tedf
orat
axi
andl
aterl
eft
..
..
.
AtChur
ch.
..
.

Lologent l
ywipedbabyRan' snose
whowaswr appedinabeaut if
ulsoft
fl
uffyblanketassheandt hegirl
ssat
onthesecondr owoft he
congregation,shehadl ostqui
tealot
ofweightandev encutherhairwhich
iwast otal
lyagainstbutshewent
aheadandcuti tanywaydespiteher
daughtersopi ni
onstoo.

KenandIsatonthebackr
owashe
puthi
sarm ar
oundmychairand
stoleacheekkisswhi l
ewesang
alongwiththepraiseandwor ship
l
eadsi ngerst
andinginfrontholdi
ng
themicast heinstrumentsbl
essed
theSundaymor ning..
.

Zanewalkedi nwi
thadrawingf r
om
theSundayschoolandsatonKen' s
l
apast hemusi cf
adedandt he
past
orwal kedtot
hepull
pitholdi
ng
themic..
.

Pastor:Goodmorni
ngbr
other
sand
si
sters,
Godisgood.
..
Congr
egat
ion:
All
thet
ime.
..
Pastor:Amen. .
.(walkingar oundwi th
alitt
lesmi le)Iwanty out oseet he
powerofGod, I
'm goingt ot el
lyoua
story..
.Mywi feandi gotmar ri
edata
youngageandwedi dn'treal l
yknow
Godt houghwecamet ochur chso
yearsdownt helinewest arted
fi
ghtingandf ightingreallyhar d..
.(t
he
wifesmi ledshi lyandshookherhead)
Therewasat hi
rdpar tyandi brought
her..
..Mywi f
edi dn'tknowhowt o
handlet his.Shehadj usthadababy
andshewasf eeli
ngi nsecur eabout
herbody .Iont heot herhandf elt
sincewehadababyoursexchanged
becauseshewasal way signoringme.
Mywi fepr ayedf ormeandourf ami ly
until
shef eltshehadl ostenough
weightandt i
mewai tingf ormet o
manup.Shef il
edf ordi vorceandi
gotser vedatwor k.Ev eryonewas
surpri
sedbecausemywi feisoneof
akind, throughoutal ltheseshenev er
toldpeopl ei wascheat i
ngonherand
soev eryaskedquest i
ons, most
blamedhersay inghowcoul dshe
walkawayf rom suchagoodman.
Shedi dn'tsayany thingi nresponse,
shejustwant edmeoutofherl i
fe.I
didn'
tsi gnt hedi vorcepaper sandi t
hitme. .
.Wowmywi fei sactuall
y
doingt his.Inev erthoughtshe' dl eave
mesot heregoesmyego. .
.Ibegged
herbutshesai dno, askedpast or
Mot samaiandt heot herpast or sto
helpandshesai dno.Ir efusedt o
signthepaper sandmyl awy ertold
met hatrefusingwon' tstopt hecour t
fr
om gr unt
inghert hedi vorce...
.atthi
s
pointwewer esepar at ed.Ilost
weightandIdi dn'twantanywoman
butmywi f
e.Ilookedt er r
iblyskinny
andmywi feslowl ygai nedwei ght,
shef oundaj obandev enst art
eda
business..
.Islippedi nt oaser i
ous
depressionwhi chbr oughtmecl oser
toGod.Shoul dIcont inue?
Congr
egat
ion:
Amen!
Pastor :Oneni ghtiwentt omywi fe'
s
houseandaskedher ,
beggedand
cri
edandy ouknowwhat .
..Shesai d
fi
ne.I '
llcomebackbutt her eis
somet hi ngIhav ebeenf eelinggui l
ty
aboutt oo.Oursoni snotr eall
yy our
son,i hadanaf f
airwithournei ghbour.
Mywhol ewor l
dcrushed, iwentback
tomyhouseandl ookedf orwar dt o
thedi vorce,thenerveoft hatwoman.
Ievenst oppedcomi ngt ochur chbut
asday swentbyIr eal
isedIact uall
y
want edt oforgiveherandt heni ce
thi
ngwast hattheneighbourdi dn't
knowaboutt hebabyandt hebaby
i
tselfknewmeasdaddysoIt oldher
thatIforgiveherandwant edt ohav e
myf ami l
yback.Iaskedhert otake
myhandandcomet oGodwi thme
sowecoul dsav eourmar ri
age, she
saidarey ousur eaboutt his?Isaid
yeahbabeI 'm sureandshesai d
thanky ouf oryourf orgiveness.Six
mont hslateri camehomet oa
candlelitdinner...
.Iwonder edwhat
theoccasi onwasal laboutandshe
tol
dmet hatshehadmadeupast or
y
aboutheraf f
air,noneofwast rueand
mysonwasact ual l
ymi ne,shesai di
neverhadey esf orany onebuty ou.I
j
ustwant edy out ofeel whatittakes
toforgivesuchmi stakesandt he
sacrif
icesbehi ndwaki ngupev er y
mor ni
ngknowi ngy ourspousel aid
withanot herper son.(theyl aughed
andhel aughedt oo)Iwasgl adi twas
aliebuti wasv er ysadt hatmi newas
actuallytrue,ihadhur therandI
couldnev ert akebackt heshamei
broughther .Imadeav owt hatni ght,
i
promisedGodt hatI '
dappr eciatet he
wifehegav eme.Idedi cated
everythingt oherandsi ncet heni
haven'tlookedatanywomanbuther .
Itwasexact l
y19y earsagoandt oday
wear est rongert hanany onei
know. .
.Ittakest wopeopl etomakea
mar ri
agewor k, youmustpr ayf or
yourmarriagest ogether.GiveGoda
roundofappl ause...(
theyclapped)
Let'
sturnourBi blestoHebr ews13:
4.…i
treads..
.Letmar ri
agebehel din
honoramongal l,andletthemar r
iage
bedbeundef iled,Godwi llj
udgethe
sexual
lyimmor alandadul t
erous.
Let'
sbowourheadsandpr ay..
.

Weal
lboweddownandpr
ayed.
..

Att
heRi
ver
frontr
esor
t.
..

Blessi
ngtuckedherweavebehi
ndher
earwalki
nginhighheel
sholdi
ngher
i
Padlooki
ngatweddi
nggar
den
set
upsasthedecol
adyf
oll
owed
her
..
..

Theywalkedonthegreengol
fcourse
andstoppedbyther
iverl
ooki
ngat
thebeauti
ful
lar
gefi
eldofnot
hingbut
green.
..

Blessi
ng:Weareexpectingabout100
guests,t
hey'
redoi
ngasmal lwedding
butweneedi tt
obeper fect
..
.So...
(t
urnedaroundpoint
ingattheriver)
Wewantt hegazebot hi
ssidegore
banyadibaemehanokengandt he
chai
rsli
nedthissi
de..
.Thewalkway
shoul
dlaybetweenthechair
sfrom
thi
ssidebecausethebri
dewillbe
comingfrom t
hisdir
ecti
on.
..
Decol
ady
:Sonot
ent
?
Blessi
ng:Not ent ,
itwi
llbedonein
themor ni
ngbef orethesungetshot
abogoi wadi nepengthenlunchi
n
theconferencer oom t
henbagolowil
l
takeoverkadi l
ot sabonetsabo
kgoroso.
Deco:(notedonherbook)Okay
..
.We
haven'
tdiscussedt
heflower
s
Blessi
ng:Don'
tworryaboutf
resh
fl
owers,wegotthatcover
ed.Ireal
l
y
hopeyou'r
enotgoingt
odisappoi
nt
meont helastmi
nute,
ist
hatdecoon
Facebookreal
lyy
ours?
Deco:Yes,youcantal
ktomycl
ient
s
too.Don'
tworry,
theweddi
ngi
snext
weekSaturdayaker
e?
Bl
essi
ng:Yes.
..Wear
edoneijust
want
edtoshowy out
hevenue
Deco:
Thanks,
bye

Theypart
edway
sasBl
essi
ngdi
aled
hersi
ster
..
.

Di
di:
(noi
sybackgr
ound)Hel
l
o?
Bl
essing:Hi,
whenarewemeet
ing?
Thetail
orisdone,
wehavet
ofi
tthe
cl
othes
Didi:
I'
mi nchur
ch,
wear
eaboutt
o
fi
nishthough
Bl
essi
ng:
Alr
ight
,by
e

Shehungupandr ecei
vedacallf
rom
Ken'scousi
nthensherol
ledhereyes
beforepi
cki
ng..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
YesRet
sil
e
Ret
sil
e:(sof
tl
y)Koor
ehaokar
eRat
s
gotaarengnemma?
Bl
essi
ng:
Whatdoy
ouwantRat
s?
Rat
s: Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
ofi
tthe
cl
othesbabe?
Blessi
ng:Youknowthet
ail
oryou
don'thavet
ogowi t
hme,you'
re
di
st ur
bingmeI'
m pl
anni
ngmy
si
ster'
swedding.
Rat
s: BuzzBeeyou'
rethebestlady
andI'
mt hebestman,wear el
ikethe
nextbestthi
ngaft
erthem so-
Bl
essi
ng:
OhGod,
I'
m hangi
ngup
Rats:
(laughed)Wai
t.
..I
'
m sor
rybut
canIpickyouupandsowecanf i
t?
Bl
essi
ng:
Fine,
I'
ll
lety
ouknow
Shehungupandtookataxihome
wher
eshewalkedinandputherbag
andbookdownthenAri
annawalked
i
nasshewaschangingherclot
hes.
..

Ar
ianna:Wher
earey
ougoi
ng?Kar
e
obusylemogol
oo
Bl
essi
ng:
Ari
annanotnow
Ari
anna:
Sojaanongshewant
syou
onl
ynnagaketsenngwemo
l
enyal
onglal
ona?
Bl
essing:
Dididoesn'
thave
br
idesmaids,
sheisusingsi
xfl
ower
gi
rl
s.
Arianna:Doyouthi
nkit
'sf
airt
hat
you'rethebestl
adywhenI'
m ol
der
thany ou?
Blessi
ng:Di
diaskedme, whydon'
t
youaskherwhyshechoseme?You
havebeenpesteri
ngmeaboutt hi
s
forweeksandI'
mt ir
ed.Justgoand
askher

Shewal
kedout
..
.

AtChur
ch.
..
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningweal
lwal
kedout
ofchurchandexchangedhugsand
greet
ings.
..

Lol
o:Ispoket
oBlessi
ngt
hismorni
ng,
shetol
dmet oremi
ndyouaboutt
he
tai
l
or
Me:
(laughed)Beeenewal
api
sa
Lolo:
(laughed)Energyyangwanay
o,
kanaenesal eagorati
le
Me: (
laughed)Sheismylove..
.So
howhav ey oubeen?Youl
ooked
absentmi ndedi
nchurchtoday
Lolo:
Ur hit
'snothi
ng,I
'm st
il
lget
ti
ng
usedtot helookspeopl
egiveme
whent heyreali
seI'
m notweari
nga
r
ingy
etI
'
m hol
dingal
i
ttl
ebaby
Me:Youwon'tbel
ieveIactual
l
y
t
houghtAt
ti
ewi l
lreconci
leaft
er
f
indi
ngoutRanaanishisson
Lolo:(sadly)Ihav eaccept edt hatwe
arenol ongert ogetherbutt hel ov eis
thereandpeopl edon'tunder st and
gorecheat ingony ourpar t
nerhas
nothingtodowi thy ourlovef ort hem.
Ronagar eagol asent eandy est otait
tookmeawhi letor eali
set hatkea
senyabutweal lhavef antasies,kana
Aatil
ebel i
ev eshedoesn' tsatisfyme
allbecausei saidt hi
ngsoutofanger
andt hisfantasyi havey adi bigdi cks
gothimt hinki nghei snotenoughf or
mewhi chisnotfai
r,i
famanev er
suggestedtotr
yanalsexwoul dyou
feel
yourcookiedoesn'tsati
sfyhi
m?
Ormay behim wanti
ngabl owjob,
doesthatmeany ourmout his
sweeterthant
hev j
ay?
Me: Obvi
ouslynotbuti tcanmake
yourpartneri
nsecure,Iknowmyl i
ttle
bodymakesmei nsecurewhenisee
womenwi thhi
psandr oundbot
tom, i
didn'
tli
keKen'smai dbecauseshe
wassexyandr oundwhi l
eI'
m peti
te,
hadhesl eptwithherIwouldhavef el
t
may beiwasn'tenough
Lol
o:Yeahi
getthatandit
'shar
dto
makepeopl
eunderstandt
hat
cheati
nghasnothi
ngtodowi t
ha
personcheat
edbutanywayI'
mj ust
prayi
ngforGodtotakeawaymyl ove
forhim.That
'smydail
ypray
er
Me:Andy ou'
llgetoverhi
m,don'
t
wor
ry.Justfocusy our
sel
f.

Kenwalkedovercar
ryi
ngZaneand
puthi
sarm ar
oundmesmi l
ingat
Lol
o..
.

Ken:
Cani
bor
rowherf
orami
nut
e?
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em.
..
Wewal kedtowardsoneofthe
church'
spastor
sandshookhands,i
sti
lldi
dn'
tknowev er
yoneatchur
ch
thoughalotofthem knewKen.
..
.

Ken:BabethisisPast orJack,heis
thel
eadingpast orofmen'smi nist
ry
underthePrisoner'
sunit.Thisman
mademyy earsinprisonfly,
hecame
j
ustattherighttimebef or
ei could
engageinthepr i
sonswor stgroupies.
Me:(shookhandsagai
n)I
t'
sa
pl
easuretomeetyou
Past
or:Li
kewise,congr
atulat
ionson
theweddi
ng.Thismanl ovesy ouand
i
hopey
ouknowt
hat
Me:
Thanky
ou,
ilov
ehi
mtoo
Ken:Hewil
lbeof
fi
ciat
ingour
weddingv
owsaswel l
Me:
Ili
kei
t,t
hanky
oupast
or
Past
or:
You'
rewel
come.
..

Anothermarr
iedcoupl
ejoi
nedusas
thehusbandandKenbumped
shoulder
sexcit
edl
y.
..

Ken:Meetmywifemonna,
babethi
s
i
sNkabo..
.Weusedtobefri
ends
thenhedi
tchedmeandwent
ov
erseas
Nkabo:
(laughed)Youdit
chedmemr
epapamatsehela.
..(
shookmyhand)
Ni
cetomeety ouMr sDan
Me:
Thanky
ou
Nkabo:
Thi
sismywi
feBaone

Shesmi l
edandhuggedmeaswe
exchangedpl
easant
ri
esthent
he
guyslef
twit
hthepastor
..
..

Baone:Il
i
key
ournai
l
s,whodoes
them?
Me:
Idot
hem athome
Baone:Gi
vemey ournumbermmao
nti
rekanagat
wenner el
ebegake
sonesebohusbandbasianglema
14
Me:(l
aughedt
y pedmynumber)Ee
gat
wenner ei
tsosa

Herdaughterranoverandsheli
ft
ed
her
,theli
tt
legirl
shairwasbeaut
iful
wit
habowar oundherhair
..
.

Me: Iwantadaught
ert
heng,
ketswa
peloeveryt
imeiseewomenwit
h
thei
rdaughter
s
Baone:
Reci
pey
adaught
err
ever
se
cowgi
rl
Me:
(laughed)HaoBaone!
Baone:
(laughed)Nxust
ru
Me: (
laughed)Aethemmakemi si
tse
didatetsepediseri
alokananneese
rever
secowgi r
lyoowatengyoo
Baone:
Uhwai
ithobogakeboy

Welaughedwal
ki
ngt
owar
dst
he
par
kingl
ot.
..
.

*
**

Meanwhi
l
eMay
aandBaby
approachedTinaandCal
vi
nandt
hey
exchangedgreeti
ngs.
.

Maya:Chosmaybenextweeki
shoul
dbri
ngbaetoo
Tina:(
laughed)Andwhatwil
lyour
parent
ssay ?Nnabomamabai tse
gorewear estudybuddi
es,
babony e
Calvi
nt aki
ngallt
hepri
cesatschool
andthinkheisagoodcompany
May
a:Li
tt
ledot
heyknow
Calv
in:
(laughed)May
ali
tt
ledot
hey
knowwhat ?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Obat
agogogol
ega
Cal
vi
n:Exact
ly.
.
Ti
na:Alr
ightihavetogoseet he
Sundayschoolteacher
,Car
llet'
sgo
Cal
vi
n:By
eguy
s
Baby
:Shapcousi
e

Theywal
kedawayasMayaandBaby
headedt
othepl
aygr
oundt
ocoll
ect
theki
ds.
..

Maya:Wai t
segoreCalvinis
unbeli
evabl
ycute,keipotsawago
nnajanghaj aal
lowance
Baby
:Hei
syourcousi
ntoo
r
emembert
hat
May a:(
laughed)Andmyf r
iend'
s
boyfri
endcomeon, I'
m notsayi
ngit
i
nt hatway .
..Anywaycany oucal
ldad
sowecangocl eanhishouse?I
heardhei smov ingoutfr
om uncle
Bayang'shouse
Baby:Whydon'ty
oucallhi
m andj
ust
apologi
sealr
eady,
you'
reobvi
ousl
y
sti
l
lfeel
ingbad
May a:I
'mtooscaredtocal l
him and
thingshavebeenoddbet weenus
sincethatgi
rl
'
sincident.Cal
lhi
m and
askhimi fwecouldcleanandsetup
hishouse
Baby
:Fi
ne.
.
May
a:Bay
aonl
oudspeaker
.

Shedial
edthei
rfat
herandputon
speaker
phone.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Baby
:Hi
,canwecomecl
eanf
ory
ou?
Wehear
dy ouwer
emovi
ng
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokay
,I'
l
lhi
resomeonet
o
cl
ean.
Baby
:Youcan'thi
repeopl
etocl
ean
whenyouhaveus
Aat
il
e:Usasi
nyouandwho?Idon'
t
haveaprobl
em let
tingyoui nmy
housemygirlbutt
hepr oblem ist
he
companyyou'
llbri
ng,ifJunioror
RanaanwereoldenoughI '
dsaycome
butIdon'
twanttost r
ainyou.

Mayatearful
lysi
ghedandrubbedher
handstogetherl
i
steni
ng.
..

Baby
:May
awi
l
lhel
pme
Aatil
e:Mayaisagr ownwomanwho
reactshowevershewantswhenever
shewant s,
whatifshecomeshere
andfindsmycol l
eaguesandstar
ts
cursi
ngthem?LetMay ast
aywit
hher
mother
, t
hat'
stheonlypersonshe
r
espects.That
'sherparent,
ihave
t
hreechil
dren.

Maya'
seyeswel
ledupthent
ear
s
dr
oppedasshebli
nked.
..

Baby
:OK,
bye
Aat
il
e:By
e

Shehungupt henMay aburstedi

nto
tear
ssitt
ingonthegroundasher
sist
erhel
pedherupandwal kedt
o
thecarwheretheysatwhil
eshet r
ied
tal
kingt
oherbutshedi
dn'
tst
op
cry
ing.

Babyl
eftheri
nthecarandcal
l
ed
Lol
owhohandedherthebabyand
goti
nthecarwit
hMay a.
..

Lol
o:May
awhat
'swr
ong?
May a:
(cryi
ng)Kantewhyi
spapa
di
sowni ngmewhenhewhi ppedme?
I
t'
snotf ai
r,hebeatmeandheshoul
d
l
etitgo.
Lol
o:Butyoumustalsoapologi
se,
youwerenotsupposedtoharasshis
guestandcal
lherabit
chespecial
ly
whenhekeptt
ell
i
ngy
out
ost
op.
Maya:Buthepuni
shedme!I
sn'
tthat
enough?
Lolo: Notf orapar ent,especiall
ya
fatherwhor aisedy ouwi thal otof
challenges.Thatmansacr i
f i
cedso
muchf ory ou, forusandhedeser ves
respect .Hel eftmebecausei
cheat edhi m, heist hev i
ct i
m nott he
otherwayar ound.Hewasj usttr
ying
toheal himsel fbysl eepingwi ththat
girl
,youmadet hingswor seforhim.
Notonl ywashedeal i
ngwi tha
cheat i
ngwi f
ehehadt odeal withan
ungrat efuldisrespect fulteenage
daught er.
May a:Heneverevenanswersmy
cal
ls,it
'sl
i
kei don'
texi
st.Hecall
sme
Baby '
scompanyasi fI
'
m nothis.He
saysheonlyhast hr
eechil
dren
Lolo:Justapproachhi
m and
apologisefr
om thebott
om ofy
our
heart,y
ouwr ongedhim.
May
a:I
'
m scar
edofhi
m
Lol
o:Youj
usthav
etof
acehi
m..
.

Shehuggedherandsi
ghed.
..

Lol
o:Henol
ongerf
orgi
veseasi
l
ybut
i
t'
swort
hatr
y..
.
May
a:(
wipedhert
ear
s)Okay
..
.

AtMr
'sDani
el'
shouse.
..
..

I
nt heafternoonOt lhefi
ll
edabi gt
ray
wit
hgl assesandwentt othet ree
whereal otofel derswererelaxing
underthet hickshadowoft he
mophanet r eewhi l
eotherslaidonthe
mat t
ressesenj oyi
ngpapawi t
h
Seswa. .

Otl
heputt hetr
aydownt henher
cousi
nbr oughtbot
tl
esoff i
zzydr
inks
whichtheyservedever
yone,Ken
drov
ethr
oughthegateandst
epped
downashisf
athersi
ppedadri
nk.
..
.

Daniel
:Todayisthelastdayyou'
re
seei
ngDi diunt
ilt
heweddi ngday,
kanayounev erl
ist
entoy ourel
ders.
Therearereasonsbehindthese
thi
ngsyouknow
Uncl
e:Enet
otawhydoeshekeep
meeti
ngher
?
Ken:Ijustwentt
ochurch,
wedidn'
t
eventalkforl
onger
il
ekerekeet
swa
aborekgaogana.
MrsDaniel
:Theweddingdayis
Sat
urday
, y
ou'r
enotsupposedto
meetherunt
ilt
het
hen
Ken:
Iunder
stand,
I'
m sor
ry.
Dani
el:
It'
sokay
,youcango.
.

Kenjoi
nedhiscousi
nsundert
he
othert
ree.
..
.

Atmymot
her
'shouse.
..

Laterthatev eningiputonmydr
ess
thenBlessinggotbehi ndmeand
struggl
edzi ppingit
...

Bl
essi
ng:
Ushumony
adi
wal
onant
se
anona?
Me:What?(
Ifi
xedi
tandst
ood
pr
oper
ly)Tr
yagai
n

Shestruggledandfinal
lyzippedit
ti
ghteningmyst omachsomuchi
coul
dn'tbreaththeniwalkedtothe
l
ivi
ngr oom wheremymot herand
auntswer esi
tti
ngwai t
ingtoseeifi
goteverythi
ngfortheweddi ngday.
..

Aunt:
No,
itst
oot
ight
Blessi
ng:
Buti
twasl
ooseweeks
back
Kedi
bony
e:Or
atany
alomoanonang
mogo2months?
Aunt
ie:
Gongweamoithwadi
sit
se
ngwanawagaTani
ele
Me:(
laughed)Uhbathor
akgadi
oka
nt
haaithwal
abathong
Blessi
ng:(l
aughed)nkar
emor
ogano
hela"i
thwadisi
tse"

Wealll
aughedasiturnedar
ound
showi
ngthedress.
..

Aunt
ie2:
Thet
ail
orwi
l
lhav
etoadj
ust
i
t
Me:
Wewi
l
ltel
lher
Blessi
ng:
Takeof
frechekeweddi
ng
gown..

Oneofthedr
unkrel
ati
veswal
kedi
n
hol
dingagl
assofbeersi
ngi
ng
l
oudly.
..

Her:Rejaangwaaaana.
..
..(
ulul
ati
ng)
I
li
li
l
il
ili
l
i.
..
..Rej
angwanar ejaDidi
ntl
e
Aunt
ie:
Ijakanaabedibutswako
i
songbathobataaikopedisa
Kedi
bonye:(
laughed)Ler
etshol
ele
montung..
.Kanajaakabadikol
ogi
le
l
eisojaanabagoinol
asebet
eny
ana
seel
elehaelesepe
Aunti
e:(
stoodup)
Mothoaemer r
a,
kanagoneelet
sagomaswel eene
yootewaagotwei
sadij
okont ungo
kgonagohapogamotseleagodi
tenet
sa.
..

Theylaughedassomewal kedout,
meanwhi l
eIcont
inuedchangingmy
cl
othesandmodel l
edforthem.

Outsi
deUncl
eBonangarri
vedwith
t
hebigspeakerwhi
chtheyputin
fr
ontoft
hehouseplay
ingjazz.
..
Ihadnev erli
stenedtoJazzbef or
e
andi twasonl ythatdayt hati r
eal
ised
il
ov edit.Imov edt hecurtai
ns
l
ooki ngout si
deaspeopl edanced
cal
ml ysnappingt hei
rfi
nger s.The
weddi ngmoodwasbui ldingand
Saturdayseemedt oofar.
..

Att
heDani
el'
shome.
..
.

Relati
vesfr
om outsi
deMaunhad
arr
ivedandmor econti
nuedt
oarr
ive
occupyingal
ltheroomsandmaki
ng
thehomemor eliv
ely.
Thateveningoneuncl ebentov erand
putmor ewoodasel der
ssur r
ounded
thefi
reareahav i
ngt eawhil
eot hers
hadtradit
ionalbeer.Mosthadnot
seeneachot herinawhi l
esot he
l
augherandchat saboutt heold
ti
mesmadet hef amilyr
eunion
worthwhil
e...

MeanwhilebehindthehousewasKen
andhiscousinsskinni
ngagoat
undertheli
ghtofthebackbulb,not
farf
rom them wasacarplayi
ng
housemusi cloudl
ywithacoolerbox
ofdr
inksandbeeri
ntheboot
..
.

Oneauntiesteppedoutthekit
chen
backdoorwithabowl tocol
lectmeat
andwalkedbacki nsi
dealmost
bumpingintoOtlhe.
..

Ot
lhe:
Ken?

Kenpausedsl
i
cingandt
urned.
..

Ot
lhe:
waabat
iwa
Ken:
Kemang?
Ot
lhe:
Amant
e
Theguys'eyespoppedwi tha"here
comestrouble"l
ookast heylookedat
oneanotherandlaughed..
..

Rat
s:(
laughed)Shi
t
Cousi
n:(l
aughed)Youcansayt
hat
agai
n..
.

Ken'sf aci
alexpressionchangedas
heswal l
owedandhandedoneofhi s
cousinst heknif
et henhewal kedin
thekitchenwher ehequi etl
ywashed
hishandsandf oll
owedOt lheout
dryi
nghi shandsont heblueov er
all
s
hewaswear
ing.
..

Ken:
Wher
eisshe?
Otl
he:Att
hegate,i
nawhi
teBMW.
..
(
point
ed)Thoseli
ghts
Ken:
Ok

Hewal kedpasttheeldersal
ltheway
tothegateandappr oachedawhite
BMW wher eheopenedt hedoorand
gotin.Heleanedbackandsi ghed
l
ookingatthedashboar dwit
hout
l
ookingatherf ace.
..
Ken:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Amantl
e:Cany
ouatl
eastl
ookat
me.
..

Heexhal
edandturnedl
ooki
nginher
ey
esasshelookedbackinhi
s..
.

Amantle:
(smil
ed)You'
rest
il
l
handsome..
.
Ken:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Amantle:Thereissomethi
ngihav e
totel
lyou,ihavebeenscaredt
ot el
l
youbutwheni sawyournameont he
l
istofpeoplegetti
ngmarri
edatthe
DCof f
iceIthoughty
oudeservedto
knowbef or
ey oucantaket
hisstep
because-
Ken:Amant
lecanyoust
opbeat
ing
ar
oundthebushesandt
ell
me,what
i
sit?
Amant
le:
Okayher
eist
het
hing,
um.
..
.

Alwaysremembert
oLi
ket
hei
nser
ts,
goodnight
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
56PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 80

I
ntheBMW.
..
.

Kenshookhisheadandl ookedi nher

eyesasshecont i
nuedexplaini
ng
hersel
f.Shepushedherhairoffher
faceandmov edcloserput
tingher
sof
thandsonhi
sar
m..
.

Ken:Whatmakesy
out
hinki
bel
i
eve
you?
Amantle:(
mov edbackl
ookingi
nhi
s
eyes)Becauseit
'st
hetrut
handyou
canproveittoyour
sel
f.
Ken:
Sowher
eisDal
e?
Amantle:Itdidn'
tworkoutbetween
us,if
eltreall
yguil
tyaft
erheari
ng
about.
..Yoursuici
deattempt,I
'm
real
l
ysor ryforhurt
ingyoul
ikethat
.
Ken:
Itdoesn'
tmat
ter
,imov
edon
Amant
le:
AndI
'
m pr
oudofy
oubuti
t
doesn'
tchanget
hef
actt
haty
ou-
Ken:
(si
ghed)Iknowt
hat
,Ist
hatal
l
?
Amant
le:
Yes.
.

Ther
ewasanawkwardsi
lent
momentast
heysati
nthecar.
..

Ken:Gonemmehowdoy ouwal
kout
ofsomeone'sli
fethewayyoudi
dand
comebacky earsl
aterwi
th
somethingl
ikethi
s?Whatam i
supposedtodo?
Amant
leI
'
m sor
ry.
..
Ken:
I'
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
edonSat
urday
andthenyoudr opt
hisbombshel l
on
me?( si
ghed)Ican'
tdealwit
ht hi
s
now.…ican'
t.
..Canwet al
kaftert
he
wedding?
Amant
le:
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lher
?
Ken:(snapped)No,I
'
m notgonnatel
l
herandnoonei stel
li
ngherei
theri
s
thatcl
ear?
Amantle:(rol
l
edherey esandleaned
backli
fti
ngherhands)Don' tbi
temy
headoff!I
'mj ustsay
ing,t
heysay
marri
agef oundedonl i
esalwaysend
i
ndivorce
Ken:Iam notl
osi
ngawomani l
ove
becauseyoucan'
tthi
nkst
rai
ght
,I'
m
notspoil
ingmyweddi ngdaywith
nonsense.I'
m gett
ingmarr
iedon
Satur
dayany t
hingelsewi
llhav
et o
wait

Ther
ewasanot
herawkwar
dsi
l
ence.
..

Amant l
e:Okay..
.Iunderstand,it
's
okay...Obviousl
yy oualsoneedt i
me
toletitsinkanddi gesti
tintoyour
system beforey oucanshar eitwith
therestoft hefami l
yandt hat
gir
lfr
iendofy ours.
Ken:
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
Amant
le:
Iwor
kedi
nMaf
ikengf
ora
coupl
eofy ear
sanddecidedt
ocome
home,foundajobinGabsCit
yand
nowI'
m here.Iar
ri
vedi
nMauna
coupl
eofweeksago
Ken:
Arey
ouwor
king?
Amantle:
I'
m goingtoj
ointhefami
l
y
busi
ness,I
'm st
art
ingnextweek
Tuesday.
Ken:
Whi
chone?
Amant le:
(chuckl
edrai
singher
eyebrows)Defini
tel
ynotconst
ruct
ion,
mydadcancont i
nuehatingmefor
that.I
'
mj oini
ngmymot heratt
he
organisat
ion.
Ken:
Yourmot
herhasanor
gani
sat
ion?
Amant le:
Yeahshehasbeenr unning
i
tf oracoupleofy ear
snow, it
'sa
charit
yorganisati
onthathelpsst reet
kidsandchi l
drenfrom vul
nerable
famili
es,kidswithall
kindsofi ssues.
Ken:
Starki
ds?
Amant
le:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah,
doy
ouknow
i
t?
Ken:(l
eanedbackwardscover
inghi
s
faceandsighedopeni
ngthedoor)
Ookay..
.Ihav
etogo..
Amantl
e:(
grabbedhisbi
cep)Wai
t.
..
.
Canihugyou?It'
sbeenyear
ssi
nce
wesaweachot her
Ken:
I'
m nothuggi
ngy
ou
Amant
le:Ar
eyouaf
rai
ditwi
l
ltr
igger
somet
hing?
Ken:
You'
ref
ull
ofy
our
sel
f
Amantl
e:(gr
abbedhi
sfacewit
hbot
h
handsandpull
edhi
m over
)Just
comehere

Shekissedhim andslowlymov ed
backlookinginhiseyesashe
swall
owedr ecoveri
ngfrom herki
ss
thenheopenedt hedoorand
slammedi twalki
ngaway .Sherol
led
downt hewindowandsmi l
ed
naughtil
ybit
ti
ngherlowerlip.
..
Amantl
e:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
rer
unni
ng
away
Ken:(
tur
nedaround)Youneedt
o
growup,You'
rest
il
labrat

Hecl
osedthegat
eandwalkedback
i
nsi
dethenshedr
oveof
f.
..
...

*
**

BehindthehouseKen'scousi
nst
ook
offt
hedi r
tycl
othesandwashedthei
r
handsinthebucketthenhe
approached.
..
Ken:Guy
snnakeagor
obal
a,go
shap

Therewasashortsi
lenceasthey
l
ookedathim,t
heydidn'tknowwhat
tomakeofhissuddenmoodswi ng
butthenAmantl
ealwayshadt hat
eff
ectonhim.
..

Ret
s:Wai
t.
.

Hehur
ri
edov
erasKent
urned.
..
Ret
s:Ar
eyouokay
?
Ken:Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.I
'
mjustal
i
ttl
e
ti
red.
Ret
s:Whatdoesshewant
?
Ken:I
t'
salongstor
y,idon'
twantto
tal
kabouti
t.Ij
ustwanttofocuson
theweddi
ng.
Ret
s:Okay
,goodi
dea

Theot
hercousi
nwal
kedov
er.
..

Hi
m:I
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Ret
s:(pathi
m andwal
kedaway
)Let
megrabadr i
nk
Retsi
l
ewal
kedawayasKenandot
her
cousi
nwal
kedi
nsi
de..
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay
?
Ken:Sam I
'
mf i
ne,
whyar
eyouguy
s
act
ingal
lweir
dnow?
Sam:May bebecausewewerefi
ne
havi
ngdri
nksbeforeAmantl
e
showedupandnowy ouwantt
o
sl
eepatthist
ime.
Ken:
I'
mf i
ne,
ijustneedt
imet
oli
sten
tomysel
f.
Sam:
Okay
,goodni
ght
..
Ken:
yeah

Hegotint
hebat
hroom andt
ooka
bat
h..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

ThenextmorningAat
il
ewal
kedi
nthe
hospi
talpi
cki
ngacall
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
May
a:Goodmor
ning
Aat
il
e:Yes?
Maya:
Cani
meety
oudur
ingl
unch
t
ime?
Aati
le:Whati
sthi
sabout?Ifyouneed
anyt
hinglety
ourmotherknow,igave
herenoughmoney.
Maya:Noitsnott
hat
.Itsaboutme
andyou,
pleasedon'
tsayno.
Aat
il
e:OK,
wher
e?
May
a:HowaboutWi
mpy
?
Aat
il
e:Ok,
Wimpyat1
May
a:t
hanky
ou,
bye

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nthe
hospi
tal
..
..
AtMaunpol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Aronawalkedoutoft
hegat
etal
ki
ng
tothephone.
.

Arona:Ican'
tseey
ou.
..Ohi
seey
ou,
keCoroll
a?
Voi
ce:
yes,
icanseey
ou.
..

Aronahungupandsmi l
edhugging
theladyt
henshereachedinthecar
andhandedhim asl
im st
yli
shsuit
.
Arona:
Thanks,wowitactual
lyl
ooks
bett
erthanonFacebook.Thankyou
somuch
Lady
:you'
rewel
come

Aronacountedthenotesandhanded
herthentheypart
edway sashe
walkedtowardshiscarwhereheput
them i
nthecarandcalledbae.
..

Lef
oko:
Hey
Arona:Ij
ustgott
hesuit
, i
tssocute.I
can'
twaitfort
herecept
iondinner
.
Therrawenatayawena
Lefoko:
(laughed)Babecomeon,y
ou
knowwecan' tjustshowupi
npubli
c
l
ikethat
Arona:Whynot ?Noonewi llsuspect
anythi
ngitsnotli
kei putonli
pstick
andwal karoundinheelsli
keI'm
crazy,
wear ejustbuddiesatthe
wedding.
Lefoko:
Thisgir
lf
ri
endofyour
swi
l
l
probabl
ytel
lherfr
iends
Ar
ona:Dididoesn'
thav
efr
iends.
Pl
eeeease
Lefoko:Yeah,alr
ight.Wewil
lgo
togetherbutonlyforanhourorso
notany t
hinglonger
Arona:
Goodenoughf
orme.Il
ove
you
Lef
oko:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Hehungupandl
ockedt
hecart hen
hewal
kedbackt
otheof
fice.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
.

Aati
le'
sphonerangashet y
ped
somethingont
hecomput erthenhe
pausedandanswered.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Sedi
:Hi
Aat
il
e:(smi
led)Hey
..
.Thanksf
or
cal
l
ing.Howareyou?
Sedi
:Canwemeetandtalk?Ther
eis
somethi
ngi
hav
etot el
lyou.
Aat
il
e:Sur
ewher
eandwhatt
ime?
Sedi
:Idon'
tknowI
'
mjusthome
Aat
il
e:I
'l
lpi
ckyouupduring
l
uncht
ime,i
sthatgood?
Sedi
:Iguess,
bye
Aat
il
e:By
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedl
eani
ngback
wi
thasmil
e..
..
.
AtSedi
'
sHome.
..

Laterduri
nglunchAati
leparkedthe
carandleanedbackwai t
ingforher
,
minuteslat
ershewalkedov erand
gotinthenhedr ov
eoff.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
Sedi
:Hi
Aat
il
e:What
'
sup?
Sedi
:I'
m pr
egnant
..
.
Aat
il
e:Ok,
hav
eyour
egi
ster
ed.
Sedi
:No,
iwantt
oter
minat
e.Gat
we
pi
ll
skeP1000,
sof
ari
hav
eP600i
need4
Aati
l
e:Soy
ouwantmet
ohel
pyou
abor
tmykid?
Sedi
:Wedidn'
tpl
anitandi
don'
twant
tosuf
ferwi
thababy
.
Aat
il
e: Suf
ferhow?Kelebegajaaka
monnay ookal at
hangngwana?
What'syourexcusenowthatI
'm even
di
vorced?
Sedi
:Idon'
tthi
nkr
elat
ionshi
pst
hat
aregl
uedbyababyaregood
Aati
le:Howso?Becauset hel
astt
ime
icheckedwewer edati
ngandyouran
offbecauseapparent
lyyoudi
dn'
t
knowI'm abigdi sci
pli
nari
an.My
daughterdisrespectsyou,hi
tsyou
andcallsyounamest henwheni
reacty
ougetscar ed.Iknowyou'r
e
notapar entbutthat'
swhathappens
whenki dsmisbehav e.
Sedi:I'
vehadt i
met othinkandcalm
down, iunderstandthatpartbutI
'
m
j
ustsay ingthatwehav en'
tbeen
togetherlongenoughf ormet oknow
i
fy oulov emeornot .
Aati
l
e: Theonl
ywaytofi
ndoutist
o
l
etmeshowy ouhowmuchIloveyou.
Don'
tkillmybaby
,nnakanakebat
ile
banyanababasenyangdimpa
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Ammenkaseny
ao
ganne?
Aat
il
e:Okgonagonsur
pri
seraker
Sedi
:Iwon'
taborti
tify
oudon'twant
andi
fyoupromisemei twon'
tst
rai
n
mybudgets
Aat
il
e: I
twon'
t,
I'
m debtf
reeand
di
vorced.I
'
m al
lyour
sjustasagr
eed.
.
Sedi
:Okay
..
.
Aati
le:(checkedthet
ime)Iwantto
checksomet hinginWimpy,
itwon'
t
takelong
Sedi
:Ok
Minuteslaterhepar kedinf r
ontof
Li
quor amaandst eppedoutl eavi
ng
Sedi i
nthecart henhepushedt he
doorast heairconditionercooled
hi
m down.Hesmi ledatthewai tr
ess
bythecount erandheadedt othe
backwher eMay awassi tt
ingsitt
inga
milkshakeandpr essingherphone.

Hesatdownandl eanedbackputti
ng
hishandstoget
herthenMay aqui
ckl
y
putherphoneawayandf acedher
father
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o
May
a:Hi
..
.

Sheswallowedthought f
ull
y,t
he
speechshehadr ehearsedhad
sl
ippedoutofhermi ndandt he
disappoi
ntedl
ookonherf at
her'
sface
madeheruncomf or
table.
..
.

May a:Iwant edtoapol ogiseforwhat

idi
dt hemor ni
ngi foundav i
sit
orin
yourroom.Il etmyf earsofaspl i
t
familytakecont r
ol ofmeandI
misdirectedmyanger .Ishouldn't
haveinv olvedmy selfinthefi
ghts
betweeny ouandmama.Shet ol
dme
whathappenedanfI '
m di sappoi nted
thatunlikethef i
rstt i
mei thappened
thi
st i
mei di
dn'tsuppor ty ou.Iwasn' t
theretohugy oulikebef oreandi t
musthav ebrokeny ourhear t.I'
m
sorry,iwantmyf at herback, idon't
wanty ouhi r
ingcl eaner swhenI 'm
here.Iwantt odoy ourl aundr yeach
weekendbecausey oudeser v ethat.I
wantt odishf oryouev eryday
becausey oudeser v eagoodmeal for
rai
singchi l
dren.Il ovecooki ngand
may beonedayI 'l
l beachefi noneof
thebighot elsormay beI 'llhavea
businessbutI 'l
lalway swanty out o
bemybi ggestsuppor terandcl ient.I
wi
shicouldapol
ogisetoyourfr
iend
t
oo,l
etherknowthatI'
m sorr
y.
Aati
l
e:Thanky ouforapologi
sing,
it
meansal ottome.I'
m notgoingto
apol
ogiseforwhippi
ngy oubecause
youdeservedeverybeat
ing..
.
Maya:(
laughed)Iknow,
idon'
texpect
anapol
ogyf r
om you.
Aatil
e:(smiledandt ookherhand
l
ookingi nherey es)Buti should
apologisefordisrespectingour
familyhome.Thathousewasf orthe
wholefami l
yandIshoul dn'thave
broughtwoment here.Regardlessof
whatwashappeni ngbetweeny our
motherandi y
ouasthechi
ldrenwer
e
notsupposedtoseesuchdir
ty
behavi
ourfrom me.I
'
m sor
ry
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)I
t'
sokay
..
.

Hekissedherhandsasawait
ress
bentoverput
ti
ngthei
rpl
atesdown..
.

Aati
le:
(toher
)Um..
.I'
m sorr
yiwon'
t
behereforl
ongdoyoumi ndput
ti
ng
them i
natakeaway
?
Wai
tr
ess:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
lldot
hat
Aat
il
e:Thanks,
andbr
ingt
hecheck
Wai
tr
ess:
Okay
..
Shewal kedawayast heychattedand
l
aterwal kedbackwi theveryt
hing,
Aatil
epai dandt heywalked
out..
May agrabbedabal loonbyt he
standbef or
er unningbehindhim as
heturnedsur pri
sed...
.

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouser
ious?
Maya:(
laughedembar
rassed)Dad
i
t'
sforJunior
,comeon
Aat
il
e:Thenwhyi
sitpi
nk?
May
a:Juni
orappr
eci
atesal
lcol
our
s
Aat
il
e:Sad.
..
.Real
l
ysad.
..
.
Unawar eMayawalkedal
ltheway
aroundthecarandopenedthefr
ont
seatlaughi
ngthenshepaused
l
ookingatSedi.
..

May
a:Sor
ry
Sedi
:It
'sokay
..(
remov
edt
hebel
t)I
'
ll
gotothe+
Maya:(
blockedher
)No,
it'
sokay
.I'
l
l
si
tint
heback...

ShegotinthebackthenAat
il
e
rev
ersedthecaranddrov
etowar
ds
ol
dmal
l
..
..

Maya:SediI
'
m sor
ryf
orharassi
ng
youthatt
ime,I
'
mreal
lysor
ry.
Sedi
:It
'sokay,
iunder
standwhaty
ou
weregoingthr
ough.
May
a:Thanky
ou.
.
Aat
il
e:Shei
spr
egnant
May a:Shi
t!Imeam Jesus.
..I
'
m sor
ry
forcursi
ng..Ididn'
tmeanyoudador
herzitj
ustcameoutIdon'teven
knowwher ei twasgoi
ng,i
ts

Theybot
hlaughedasshest
ammer
ed
t
ryi
ngt
ofi
ndway
stoj
ust
if
yher"
shi
t"

Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokay
,iunder
stand.
..
Maya:(
laughed)Iwon'
tsayi
tagai
n..
.
Congr
atulat
ions
Sedi
:Thanky
ou
May a:
Soar eyougoingtobel
ikeour
stepmother?It
'ssoawkward
becauseifeell
ikeyou'
remyage
mate,howol dareyou?
Aat
il
e:Br
ikagomehoo
May
a:ButI
'
m genui
nel
ycur
ious
Sedi
:I'
m wayol
dert
hany
ou,
I'
mjust
shor
t.
May
a:Okaydoy
ouwor
k
Sedi
:Igot
oschool
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Juni
ororSeni
or?
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Nowy
ou'
repul
l
ingmy
l
eg,st
opit
May a:(
laughed)Honestl
yI'
m happy
foryou,andmy sel
f.
..If
ounda
play
buddywewi l
lpl
ayt ogetherwhen
daddyisn'thome.You'l
lbetheadult
whenhecomeshome.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)wher
eismybel
t
Maya:(l
aughed)Sor
ry.
.Ar
eyou
comingtotheweddi
ng?
Aat
il
e:Uhno.
..
idon'
tthi
nkso
May
a:OK
Sedi:
Wehaveaweddingatchurch
thi
sweekendandwearesupposedto
att
endandhel
poutwithusher
ing.
Aati
l
e:Uhwaii
Didii
sn'
tthechur
ch
ty
pegakeboneeleene
Sedi
:youshouldcomewith,
I'
ll
just
hel
poutforfor30minut
esandleave.
Aat
il
e:Ok.
..

Het
urnedi
ntot
hemal
l
...
.

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.
Otl
hesmiledwal
kingbehi
ndthe
houseandlower
edhervoice.
..

Otl
he:
Soarey
oucomi
ngt
othe
weddi
ng?
Amantle:
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
togake
tsenwakestr
essny
ana
Otl
he:Aet
hemmatay
angplease,
I'
ll
r
eserv
easitf
ory
oukofr
ontrow.
Amant l
e:(
laughed)Fi
ne,
I'l
lhaveto
orderanoutfi
tandhopeitarr
ives
beforeSat
urday.
Otl
he:Thanks.
..Themmamphi
re
wena
Amant l
e:Ar
en'
tyouwor
king?I
thoughtwaaber
eka.
Otl
he: YesbutuhIwor kinashop,i
heardy oument i
oni
ngy ourmotheri
s
handingov ert
oy ousoy oucanrun
theorganisati
on.
Amant l
e:Emailmeyourresumesoi
canseewher etopl
acey oubutit
won'tbesoonerbecauseifi
rsthave
toadjustandseewhoi don'
tneed
ther
e.
Ot
lhe:
Nopr
obl
em.
Amantl
e:Alr
ight
,letmef
inda
sui
tabl
edress.
Ot
lhe:
Alr
ight
Shehungupandwal
kedback
i
nside.
..
.

Att
heRi
ver
frontResor
tGol
fcour
se.
..

OnSat urdaymorni
ngapl easant
breezerustl
edcool
ingfami l
yand
fr
iendsast heyt
ooktheirseatson
ei
thersideofthewalkleadingtothe
fl
oweredgazebo.

Thegol
fcoursewasbr
ightgr
een
compl
imentedbywel
larr
angedpur
e
whit
echairs,bal
loonsandstreamers
fl
utt
eredaroundt herai
li
ngand
bani
sterswit
hf l
ower sofamixtur
eof
red,
li
me, andwhi te.

Otl
hespottedAmant l
eapproaching
i
nherelegantdressthatt
urned
headsofadmirati
on,shesmiledand
hurr
iedoverwheretheyexchanged
hugsandkisses..
.

Amant
le:
Hey
Otl
he:
Hi.
.Thi
sisdef
ini
tel
yJani
ce,
hi
Jan
Jan:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
Otl
he:Yourseat
sar
eov
ert
her
e,l
et'
s
go.
..
.

Onceev er
y onehadt akenthei
rseata
smar t
lydr
essedy oungmanf rom the
groom'sfami l
ywalkeddownt hered
carpetwit
hagui tarandsatonl if
ted
chairt
henhef ixedthemi cstand
adjust
ingittohisheightashesat
there.

Amantl
e:(whimper
ed)I
t'
sabor i
ng
weddi
ng,galenathatt
hing.I
t'
sasif
someonedied.
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Iknow.
.
Thegr oom andhi sbestmanwal ked
downt her edcar petandt ooktheir
place,Kenwor eabl ack,singl
e-
breasted, satint uxedowi thawhi te-
wingcol l
arshi r twhi l
ehiscousi n
wor eapl ainbl ackt uxedo.They
l
ookedhandsomewi t
hcleancut sas
theywhi sper edsomet hi
ngt oone
anotherandf l
ushedhandsome
smi l
esasBl essi ngjoinedt hem
l
ooki ngangel i
c...

Ther
ewassi
lenceasthepastort
ook
hi
sposi
ti
onholdi
ngtheHoll
yBibl
e
andnoddedgreet
ingev
eryone,t
he
guit
armanplayedEdSheeran'
s
Perf
ectandf
ixedthemiconelast
ti
me...

Everyoneturnedar
oundasfl
ower
gir
lswalkeddownt her
edcarpet
droppingthepaddl
esandtookthei
r
seats.

Amant l
esighedleani
ngbackand
tookoutherfan,assoonasshe
spreaditKentur
nedandalmost
droppedhisjawslooki
ngather
..
..
Att
heDr
essi
ngr
oom.
..
.

Meanwhil
ethebeaut
ici
anpuff
edmy
f
aceonemor eti
measAr i
annapul
l
ed
myarm up.
..

Ar
ianna:
Ther
eisnot
ime.
..
Aunt
ie:
Canwepl
easego.
..

Myphonev i
bratedonthetabl
eandi
reachedforitasshetookofft
he
protect
iveclot
haroundmyneck,i
cli
ckedont hemessage..
.
Unknownnumber
:Ken'
sdaught
er
andmother

Api ct
urepoppedandicl
i
ckedoni
t
thenmyauntsnatchedmyphoneand
helpedmeup.

Aunti
e:Let'
sgo,
youruncl
eis
wait
ing.
..

Themot herwasbeautif
ulialmost
di
dn'tbeli
eveitwasrealbutthel
it
tl
e
gi
rlhadZane'slookandsomuchof
Ken.Iwasn'tsurewhattodoandi
di
dn'twanttobedr amati
c..
.
Myuncl etookmyar m andledme
downt heredcarpetasev eryone
staredwi t
hsmi l
esr ecordi
ngwi t
h
thei
rphones.Icoul dn'tunderst
and
whyKenwoul dkeepsomet hingli
ke
thatfrom mef orsomanyy ears.

Theli
tt
leexcitementihadv ani
shed
thewholeceremonybecameabor e
forme,partofmewant edt otur
n
backbutthatwoul dbetoodramati
c
l
ikeascenef r
om t hemoviesand
ever
yonerecor di
ngwouldmakemea
j
okeonFacebook.
Befor
eiknewi
tmyuncleputmy
handonKen'
shands,
theybumped
shoul
der
sandmyuncletookaseat
.

Tearsfi
ll
edmyey esbuti wasn'
t
goingtocrythoughi wasn'tsur
ei
wasmaki ngtherightdecisi
on
anymore.Kensqueez edmyhands
andmov edcloserasi r
aisedmyhead
tearf
ull
ylooki
nginhisey es.

Me:(l
oweredmyv
oice)Youhav
ea
daught
er?
Ken:
(leanedov
erwhi
sper
ing)Idi
dn'
t
know, pl
easedon'tr
eact.Ipromise
youI'
llmakey ouunderstand
every
thingonceallt
hisisdone.Look
atallt
hesepeoplelookingatus, I
'
m
beggingyoudon'tcry.Youknowi
l
ov eyouandI '
dnevercheatony ou.
Wear ealreadymarri
ed,let'
smakei t
off
ici
al.Youcan'tl
etpeopler ui
nour
day.
Past
or:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?

Hest eppedbackandclear
edhis
throatwit
halitt
lesmil
eassuri
ngthe
pastorthenir
ubbedmyt earsand
tookadeepbr eath.
Pastor
:Dear
lybeloved,wear
e
gather
edher
et odaytodayt
owit
ness
theuni
onofthismanandwomani n
theHolymatr
imony...
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[9/
3,11:
56PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 81

Att
heGol
fcour
se.
..
..
.

Kenlookedmeint
heeyeshol
ding
bothofmyhandsandt
ookadeep
breat
h..
.

Ken: Wheni mety ouont her oofof

Letsholathebei didn'
tknowt hat
todayI'dbemar ryi
ngy ou,I'
dbel yi
ng
i
fi sai
di twasl oveatf i
rstsightbut
themor et imei spentwi t
hyout he
mor eifellinlovewi t
hy ou.Todayi
wantt opr omisey oubef or
eGodand
everyoneher ethatIwi lllov ey ouand
respecty ou,iwillhonoury ouand
spentther estofmyl i
fewi thy ou.I
knowt haty ouhadadr eam aboutt hi
s
daybutsomeonedeci dedt oputa
shadowofdoubtaboutmyl ovef or
youbutIwanty out oknowt hatIl ove
youandnot hingisev ergoi ngt o
changet hat.Day sagomyexshowed
upandt oldmet hatI '
mt hef atherof
herchild,theexi t
oldy ouaboutwhen
wemet .Theext hatlef tmef ormy
fri
endbecauseIwasn' twor kingat
thetimeandmyf r
ienddi d.Af t
eral l
theseyear sshedeci dest ot ellme
thi
sday sbef oremyweddi ngday .I
refusedt ol etthatr uinourdaybut
somehowi tgott oy ou.I fanyonei s
goingt obr eakusapar ttheywill
confusey ounotme.I fihav ea
daught ery ouandi wi llwor ktogether
andsuppor therbecausei tchanges
nothing.Iam sogl adi t'sagr ownup
gir
l i
fatal lit'
smi ne, thatwayt hings
won' tgetawkwar df ory ouandme.
I'
m sor r
yt hati didn'tt ellyouthis
i
mmedi atel ybuti wasscar edy ou'd
doubtmyl ov ef ory ouandst opt his.I
sti
lldon'tknowwhoi nv i
tedhert othe
weddi ngandev engav eherthef ront
seatbutal l iknowi st houpr eparesta
tablebefor emei nt hepr esenceof
myenemi es:
thouanointestmyhead
wit
hoil;mycuprunnethov er.Surel
y
goodnessandmer cyshallfol
lowour
marri
ageallt
heday sofourl i
ves.

Ever y
oneclappedhandsassome
ulul
at edfr
om theback,Amant l
e'
s
facialexpr
essionchangedaspeopl e
l
ookedatoneanot herwonderingwho
theshamel esswomanwast henthey
begunwhi speringt
oanother,Lolo
andBaonewhi sper
edandsmi led
pointingather.
..

Past
or:
Didi
ntl
epl
easet
aket
hishand
andt
akeyourv
owsput
ti
ngar
ingon
hi
sfi
nger
..
..

Zanehandedmet her inghol

der
cushionandtooki toutrubbi
ngmy
tearsasisnif
fledandr ubbedmy
eyes.Ihonestl
ydidn'texpecthimto
saythatinfr
ontofev er y
oneandany
l
ittl
edoubtIhadv arnishedasi t
ook
hishandandl ookedinhi seyes.
..

Peoplemummer dandwet urned

ar
oundl ookingasAmant l
ewal ked
awayhol dingherdaught
er,atf
irsti
di
dn'tnoticewhatthenoisewasal l
aboutunt i
lIlookedatherlegs.She
coul
dn'tqui tebalanceherheelsand
shekeptf alli
ngoneachsi deast he
heelkeptdi ppingintot
hegrass.She
al
mostf ellbutsuppor t
edher sel
fwit
h
herdaught erthenshet ookthem off
andwal kedbar ef
ootaseveryone
l
aughed. .
.

Past
or:
(smi
ledhol
dingi
nhis
l
augher
)Mayweproceedpl
ease.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasi
sli
dKen'
sri
ng.
..

Me:
Yougav
emeasecondchancei
n
l
ifeandi meani tli
terall
ybecausethe
fi
rsttimeIsawy ouIhaddeci dedto
kil
lmy selfbuty oucaughtmeand
restoredme, y out ookcar eofmeand
taughtmeat hingort woaboutlove
andf ait
hfulness.Todayi gi
vemy sel
f
toyouasy ourwi fe,Ipromiseto
respecty ouandl ovey ouaccordingl
y.

Past
or:Withthatbei
ngsaid,bythe
powervestedinmei nowpronounce
youhusbandandwi fe.Godblessyou,
youmaykisst hebri
de..
.

Kenl
ookedathi
sfat
herandt
hey
smilethenhestoodupandt heyf
ist
bumpedasev eryonel aughed.He
steppedbackandf ixedhistuxedo
smili
ng..
.Hisnaught ysmilesmade
mebl ushandeveryone'slaugherjust
madet hewholethingf unny.

Het ookadeepbr eathandr ubbedhis

handst oget
herthenhesl owlyli
fted
thev ei
landsoftl
ykissedmeast he
crowedawwwedandcl apped.We
turnedaroundandwav edourringsas
everyonecheered.
..

Past
or:
Ladi
esandgent
lemen,
mayI
r
epr
esentt
oyouMrandMr
sDani
el.
..
.

Therewasmor echeerast herowsof

carsglit
ter
ingint hesunwi th
bal
loonsl i
nedupatt hepar king.A
str
etchedLi ncolnrev
er sedaswe
walkedt othepav ementf ol
lowedby
asingingcrowd, dancing,ulul
ating
andwhi stl
i
ng. .
..

Crowd:(
singi
ng)Reset sere
segony
ana,samet sisegonyana..
.Ra
resaametsisegonyana,samet si
weee
Base:
Sameeet
si!
Crowd:(
singi
ng)Reset sere
segony
ana,samet sisegonyana..
.Ra
resaametsisegonyana,samet si
weee
Base:
Sameet
si

Thecr owedblockedourway
stoppingusfrom getti
nginthecaras
theybentsingingevenlouderwhil
e
Kenhel dmyhandandBl essi
ng
carry
ingmyl ongveilattheback.
..
..

Cr
owd: (singi
ng)Hamatsal
agoabua
okhutseor etuu,
Didi
weeomamel e
molao,Didiwee..
.Hamatsal
agoa
buaokhut
seoretuu,Di
diweeo
mamelemolao,
Didiwee.
..

Ladiesul ul
at edandwav edthei
r
disti
nctiveshawl smakingwayf orus
togeti nthecar .I
thadadeckedout
i
nr ibbons, ball
oonsonthelightsand
twistedcoi l
sofst r
eamer swit
ha
"JustMar r
ied'pai
ntedacrossthe
darkr earwi ndow..
…..

Wewav edateveryoneonelastti
me
andgoti nthecarwhileot
hercars
l
inedupr eadytofoll
owusf orthe
photoshoot,t
hedriversmil
edand
rol
l
edupthewindowsdri
vi
ngoutas
wetur
nedlooki
ngatalongqueueof
car
sfol
lowi
ngus..
.

Everyt
hingseemedt obegoingso
fastandbeforei knewitwerehavi
ng
l
unchi ntheresortconfer
enceroom
wheret hecater
ingcompanyhad
preparedtheeverybestmeal sf
orour
guests..
…

AtAmant
le'
sHouse.
..
.

Amantlewal
keddownthest
air
sin
hersi
l
kpinkgowntal
ki
ngtothe
phonewi
thabandageonherankl
e
asshesl
i
ghtl
yli
mped..

Amant l
e:(
boil
ing)Noway ..
.Kencan
notembarrassmel i
kethatinfrontof
every
one,andt hoselowl i
veshadt he
audacit
ytolaughatmekal enyal
ola
bathobale10nkar ebabyshower .
Kenissofullofhi mself
,hecan
for
getmydaught erforal
licare.
Fr
iend:
Butthenhebr
okeashell
,why
doyoucar
e?Hehasalwaysbeen
br
okeanyways.
Amantl
e:Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtogi
vehi
m
achancetost
epupl egonei
t'
snot
l
ikeii
ntendedt obreakhisli
tt
le
wedding,di
dy ouseehi swif
e?So
shor
tandl i
tt
legothael adi
kotany
ana
l
eJanwamohet a.Imeankoor eKen
okakokakangwany anayoomaswe
j
aana.
Fr
iend:
Sendmeherpi
ctur
eskebone
Amat l
e:Ihav enev erseensucha
bori
ngandqui ckweddi nginmyl i
fe.
Thatwasl owev enf orKen, t
hey
shouldhav easkedmet odonat e
them somet hingsot heycanhav ea
properweddi ng,thatwas
embar r
assingi woul dn'twishiteven
onmywor stenemy .Mol ethemma
keenesol ankakel eMmaDani el
Fr
iend:(l
aughed)Pl
easesendt
he
pi
ctures
Amantl
e:UhKenthemmaaska
mpori
saMaunelegonekegor
ogang.
Fr
iend:
Tisanepemmannar
etshege!
Amantle:
Hisl
i
ttl
esisterhasbeen
sendi
ngthem,I
'l
lfor
war dtoyou.
Fr
iend:
Okay
,by
e

Shehungupandgr abbedt heremote

adj
ustingt
heairconditi
onerthenshe
headedtothekit
chenwal ki
ng
baref
ootonherspotlesstil
e..
.
Att
her
esor
t.
..
.

LaterduringlunchLolosteppedout
togobr eastf
eedt hebabyand
pausedl ooki
ngatAat i
leashepulled
overandKi ssedSedithenhedr ov
e
offwithoutseeingher.

Lolol
ookedatherbabyand
swall
owedtear
ful
lythenshewalked
towardst
hecarasSedi wal
kedpast
her.
..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o
Shejusti
gnoredherandgoti
nthe
carthenSedi
walkedbackandleaned
i
nt hecar
..
.

Sedi
:Ahell
owouldhav
ebeennice,
kamosotsogaor
egakegobuise
Lolo:Whyshouldi t
alktoyou?Le
gonewhywoul di complaint
opeople
goregaompui se,nnakanao
i
rrelevantinmyli
feSedil
ameo
tshwanahel al
eyonephoney a
Sedilamegaosepehel a.Keengke
yoneapol ogyy
agaMay aeego
belangnenna?It ol
dmygi rl
to
apol
ogiseandbenicet
oy oui
fshe
hasjusttokeept
hepeacedon'
tbe
tooexcit
ed.
Sedi
:NnyaammaIwasjustgr
eet
ing
you,
youcoul
dhav
esaidhi
Lolo:
(angri
ly)Heelammalesago
mpatelet
samadumeagago, di
dyour
tr
adit
ionaldoctorasky
outoget
greet
ingsfrom me?Leavemealone.

Sediturnedaroundandwal
kedin
thenLoloputthebabyonthecarseat
anddr oveoffdi
ali
ngMaya.

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Takecar
eofJunior,
I'
m goi
ng
home.Ihaveaheadache
May
a:Okayby
e

Shehungupupanddr oveoff
, ashor
t
dri
veawayshesl oweddownl ooki
ng
atAat
ileparki
ngont hesi
deoft he
roadt
alkingtosomeshyy ounggirl
.
Shesighedanddr ov
eoff.
..
.

*
**

Meanwhil
eAat
il
esmil
edhandedt
he
gi
rlhi
sphonet
henshesav
edher
numberandgav
eitback.
..

Aat
il
e:Geti
n,I
'
lldr
opy
ouof
fatt
he
mal
l

Shelookedaroundtoseei
fanyone
couldseehergett
ingi
nagrown
man'scarandquickl
ygoti
nthen
Aati
lejoi
nedtheroadcl
osi
ngthe
windows..
.

Aat
il
e:Howol
dar
eyou?
Her
:16
Aat
il
e:AmmeI
Det
eng?
Her
:Itur
nedl
astmont
h,I
'
m st
il
l
wai
ti
ngtocol
l
ectit
.
Aat
il
e:Isee.
..

Hegl
ancedatherdustyf
eetinold
t
ornf
li
p-f
lopsandtookoutP50..
..

Aati
le:
(handedher
)Gety
our
sel
f
shoes
Her
:Thanky
ou
Aat
il
e:Boy
fri
endy
agagoekae?
Her
:(shy
ly)Rr
a?
Aat
il
e:Boy
fri
endy
agagoekae?
Her
:Gakenaene,
keengl
empot
sa?
Aati
le:
Nnyaakeabotsabecausei
wanttobeyourboy
fri
end.Waa
minder?
Her
:Idon'
tknow

Hereachedf orherl
it
tl
ethi
ghand
gent
lycaresseditgoi
ngupher
pant
iesasshequi et
lyremai
nedst
il
l.
..

Aati
l
e:Whatdoyoumeany oudon'
t
know?Il
oveyou,don'
tyoul
oveme?
Her
:Iguessi
lov
eyou

Hegotherhandandputi
tonhi
s
bonert
eachi
ngherhowt ocar
essas
sheuncomfor
tabl
ylookedaway.
..

Aat
il
e:(
smil
ed)ar
eyouscar
edt
o
l
ookati
t?
Her
:Ee

Helethergoandhel
dthest
eer
ing
wheel.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Mynamei
sDanwhat
'sy
our
name?
Her
:Kamo.
..
Aat
il
e:Ni
ce.
..
Hesl
oweddownatt
het
raf
fi
cli
ght
s..
.

Att
heDani
el'
shouse.
..
.

Laterthataft
ernoonIslowlysat
downhol dingav ei
ltomyf aceasmy
familymember sgreetedthe
Daniel'
s..
..

Auntie:
Retajaanarerumi
lweker
re
Bonanggor eret
isengwet
si,
mmeo
ri
lengwanawagagweomonny ea
ruti
wediti
rotsamolwapeng.
Shewentonandondel iv
eri
ng
messagesf r
om eachmemberoft he
familyastheDaniel'
slist
ened
careful
ly
.Atthi
spoi ntIcouldn'
tsee
howmanypeopl ewer ether
esi nce
myf acewascov eredbyi couldtel
l
therewasal ot
..
.

Uncl
eDaniel:Eemma, ngwet
siree
bonye.Bol
elel
arreBonanggoreny
alo
eit
siwekemodi mo.
Aunt
ie:
Rekopat
sel
a
Uncl
eDani
el:
Tsel
atshweu.
..
Iheardthei
rfootst
epsdi
sappear
ing
unti
ltherewasnomov ement,men
whisperedandleft
.

*
**

Wewai tedforal
mostanhourforthe
elderstocounselKenthenihear
d
theirfootst
eps.

Uncl
e:Keny ouaskedust
obri
ngyou
awif
e, t
heresheisshowusi
fwegot
ther
ightone..
.
Hesquat tedbeforemeandsl owly
tookoffmyv ei
lthenhel eanedov er
andkissedmeast hewhol efamil
y
andfri
endsul ul
ated, i
didn'tr
eali
se
j
usthowmanypeopl ewer ethere
unti
lIlookedandf eltsoembar rassed
tobeki ssedinfr
ontoft hestrangers
especi
al l
yelder
s...
.

Uncle: (
smi l
ednaught il
y)Youraunti
e
i
sst i
llfixi
ngy ourbed, f
rom her
e
you'r
et akingherinsideandmaki ng
usproudwhi l
ewewai t,wewantt o
seey out wosmi li
nglikemonkey s
wheny oustepout .
.Ourj obisdone
withy ou.
Ken:
(laughed)Uhmal
ome
Daniel
:(l
aughed)Keyoootshaba
mosadi ditoga,
monnatheakoskar
e
thabi
sadithong

Every
onel aughedashesatnextt
o
meandki ssedmycheekhol
dingmy
hand,thi
ngscouldn'
thavebeenany
weir
der .
..
.

Latert
hateveni
nghisaunti
estepped
outandhelpedmeupt henifol
lowed
hertotheroom wher
eshehadf ixed
ourbedwiththenewsheetsand
pi
ll
ows...
Aunt
ie:Takeof
fyourcl
othesandgo
bat
h..
.

Itookabathandl at
erwentbackto
thebedroom whereIsatontheedge
ofthebedappl y
ingl
oti
onanf
admiri
ngmyr ing.

Kenwal kedi
nandcl osedthedoor
thenheunbuttonedhisshirtand
l
eanedov erki
ssingme.It houghti
t
wouldbeshor tbutheactuall
ygot
arousedandlaidmedownget ti
ng
betweenmyl egsandkissingmy
neck,i
til
tedmyheadandr
eluct
ant
ly
pull
edhim of
f.
.

Me:
(whi
sper
ing)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Me:I'
m nothavi
ngsexbagol
oba
kot
amemol wapeng
Ken:
You'
resupposedt
o
Me:
Theywer
ejoki
ng
Ken:
Theywer
en'
t
Me:(imovedthecurt
ainslooki
ng
out
sideastheychatt
eddr i
nki
ngtea)
Noway ,wecanjustl
aydownand
wat
cht heweddi
ngpicturesunti
l
ever
yonegoestobed.Ift
hiswas
real
l
ygoingtohappenmypar ents
wouldhavetol
dmegakel ai
wamme
gabaabuasepe,you'
retaki
ngt hei
r
j
okesli
teral
l
y.
Ken: BabeiknowwhatI'
mt al
ki
ng
about ,
it'
snotaj
oke.
..workwit
hme.
.
Please

Heki
ssedmesoftl
yandpul
ledout
mypanti
esandal
lIcoul
dhearwas
el
der
stalki
ngout
sidet
henigotup.
..

Me:Kenno,
they
'r
egoi
ngtohearus
andiknowt
heywerej
oki
ngbecause
banebabuabasmi
l
erbabangweba
tshega.
Ken:Seri
ousl
ycanyounotdot hi
s,
ar
en'
ty ouhappywefinall
ydi
dthi
s?
Besi
desthey'
renotl
isteni
ng.
..
Me:I'
m happybutnotwi
thy
our
par
entsoutsi
de
Ken:(si
ghedandst ood)Great,
I'
m
goingtogetsomeai r.
..(
looki
ngat
me)andI '
mleavingthroughthe
backdoorbecausei wouldn'
twant
anyonethi
nkingI'
m weak. .
.
Goodnight
..
.

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
eftasi
si
ghedsi
tt
ingt
her
e..
….

Remembert
oLi
ke,
goodni
ght
!
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
57PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 82
Att
heDani
el'
shouse.
..
.

Kenswitchedoffthebackl
ightand
walkedouttowardsthescr
eenwall
wherehekickeddownawat erdrum
andsatoni tt
aki
ngouthisphone..
.

Ken:Mywi f
ewasv erybeautifult
oday,
I'
dneverseenherlooki
ngsopr et
ty.
Hersmi l
ewasamazi ngandIl ove
howshekepthercool despitethe
chal
lengeswefaced.Ithought
weddingswerefunandsmi leslit
tl
e
didiknow,i
twastoughbutwemade
i
t.Il
ovey
ou

Hesentthemessagebutt herewas
noreply
,heleanedbackagainstt he
wal
l get
ti
ngal i
tt
lebor
edandl istened
tot
hemusi cthenhetypedanot her
message.

Ken:Letmeknowi
fneedme,
I'
m
si
tt
ingoutsi
de.

Hewait
edforarepl
yashi
sfat
her
wal
kedbehi
ndthehousef
orasmoke,
hesawKenandwalkedov
ertohi
m.
Him:Ididn'
tthi
nkt
her
ewasany
one
here.
..

Het
ookt helastpuffandstompedon
t
hecigar
ettebuttbeforesit
ti
ngnext
t
ohissont henhepr oudl
ypathim on
t
heshoulderastheybot hsmil
ed..
.

Hi
m:I
'
m pr
oudofy
ou
Ken:
Thanks
Him:Shouldn'
tyoubeinbedrel
axi
ng
wit
hy ourwif
e?Youhadal ongday
,
I
'm sureyou'
reexhaust
ed.
Ken:Yeah.
.Shewasali
tt
lemoody
,
shedidn'
tfeel
li
kei
t.
Hi
m:Moody
?
Ken:It
hinkshei
spregnantsoi
didn'
t
wanttoarguewi
thher.
Hi
m: Pr
egnancymoodswi ngsar
ethe
wor
st,ihopeyoudon'
tgettempt
ed
t
ocheat.
Ken:
(laughed)No,
I'
m nott
hatt
ype
Hi
m:Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
otal
kabout
Amant
le?
Ken:Idon'
twanttotal
kabout
anyt
hingunti
lIhav
edoneaDNAtest
Hi
m:Isawt
hel
i
ttl
egi
rl
,shei
syour
s
andI
sn'
tDNAt
est
ingi
texpensi
ve?
Ken:It
'snotexpensi v
ej ustthat
peopleassumei t'
sexpensi ve.It
doesn'teventakelongandi t
'snota
l
ongpr ocess.ItestedZaneonmy
ownwi thouttel
li
ngDi di.Idon'twant
togoar oundsay i
ngi haveadaught er
whent herei
sapossi bi
lit
ythatit'
snot
mine.
Him: That '
sagoodideat hen.
..Go
backi nsideandspendti
mewi thDidi
,
thisarrangementdoesn'tsitwell
with
me.Yout woj
ustgotmar ri
ed,you
shouldn'tbeseparat
ed,youshoul dbe
giggl
ingandf ooli
ngaround.
Ken:(l
aughedandst
ood)Ij
ust
neededair
..
.Goodni
ght
Hi
m:Goodni
ght
.

Hewalkedashortdist
ancethenhe
t
urnedaroundl
ookingathisfat
her
..

Ken:
Ismar
ri
agesexbor
ing?
Him:(l
aughed)Well..
..I
tdependson
yourwif
e'spercept
ionandhowy ou
r
espondt oit
.Whyar eyouasking?
Ken:
just
..
..

Het
urnedar
oundandwal
ked
i
nsi
de.
..
..

I
nourr
oom.
..
..

Laterthateveni
ngiwokeupt oKen's
softtouchonmycol dar m,ihadlong
dozedof fonthebedandhegent ly
puthisar msbeneathandl i
ft
edme
upasi putmyarmsar oundhisneck
yawningt henhepull
edt hesheet
s
andlaymedown. .
.

Ken:
Exhaust
ed?
Me:
Yeah
Hetookof
fhi
scl
othesandj
oinedme
l
ayi
ngbehi
ndmewi t
hhisar
m around
me.
...
..

Ken:
Arey
oupr
egnant
?
Me:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Ken:
Just
,youbeenmoodyl
atel
y.
..
Me:
2mont
hs
Ken:
Wowwehav
eal
ongwayt
ogo
Me: I
'
m sorr
yaboutearli
er,
iwasn'
t
comfort
ablebecausepeoplewere
sti
l
luphavingteaoutsi
debutnowwe
candoit.I
t'
squitout
sidepeopl
e
wentt
obed.
Ken:Don'tworr
yaboutit
..
.Ify
ou'r
e
notcomfortabl
edoingi
tinmy
parent
'shouseit
'sokay
.Thereisthe
honeymoon...
Me:
Butt
hat
'si
naf
ewweeks.
Ken:Iknow, I
'l
lbefine.Don'twor r
y
aboutit
.You'repregnantsoy ouwon' t
beupt oev er
ythi
ngandI 'mt otally
fi
newitht hat
.Iwasn'ttheret hrough
Zane'
spr egnancybutI '
m herenowi
mightaswel lexper
iencewhyi t'sli
ke
bei
ngpr egnant.
Me:
Ok.
..
Thenightdi dn'tgoaswehadhoped
forandther ewast hatsil
enceof
boredom, ifeltguil
tyaboutear l
ier
andwant edt omakei tupt ohim but
hehadalr eadyl ostinter
est..
..
..

AtKamo'
sHome.
..
.

Latert
hatni
ghtAati
lepar
kedashort
dist
ancefr
om herhomewhil
etal
king
toheronthephone.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Yeah,icanseeayardwith2
hut
sandat heotheroneyalet
haka.
..
Kamo:I
'm comi
ng.Whyar
eyou
hi
dingy
ournumber?
Aatile:
Isit
?Iwascall
ingsomeone
hidingmyI Dear
li
er,
imusthave
forgottent
oremoveit.
Kamo:
Ok,
idon'
thav
eyour
Aati
le:
I'
m wai
ti
ngi
nthecar
,I'
l
lfi
xthe
phone.
Kamo:
Ok,
bye

Hehungupandl eanedbackwaiti
ng,
minut
eslat
erKamogoti nthecarand
cl
osedthedoorthenheleanedover
andki
ssedher,i
twasherf i
rstki
ss
andhecoul
dtellfr
om themov ement
ofhert
ongueanduncer
tai
nty
..
.

Aati
le:
Haveyouev
ersl
epti
naguest
housebef
ore?
Kamo:
(smi
l
ed)No
Aat
il
e:Doy
ouwantt
o?
Kamo:I
fyoubri
ngmebackbefor
e
myfat
herget
sup,hei
scri
ppl
edsoi
hav
etobetheret
ohel
phim.
Aat
il
e:Wher
eisy
ourmot
her
?
Kamo:
Shepassedaway
..
Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
..
..

Hej
oinedt
her
oadanddr
oveof
f.Par
t
ofhi
m want edtofeelsor
ryforher
buthewasn' tpl
ayi
ngheroanymor e,
it
wasaboutwhatheneededandno
womanwasgoi ngtofoolhi
m with
sadstori
esbecauseheknewonce
outofpovertythey
'dbevici
ousthan
ali
onitsel
f.
...

Att
heguesthouse.
..
.

Minuteslat
ertheywalkedinandhe
putthekeysont hetabl
etaki ngof
f
hi
st-shir
tasthey ounggir
l satonthe
beduncomf or
tably.Shestaredatthe
TVhopinghewoul dswit
chi tonso
shecoul
dwat ch,t
hesewer et
hings
sheonl
ysawi nthenextdoor
nei
ghbour
sandsheknewshewasn' t
goi
ngtosleepthatnight
.Shewas
goi
ngtowat cheverymovieonthat
TV..
.

Aati
lecheckedhi
sti
meandsaton
thebed.
..

Aat
il
e:Comesi
tonmyl
ap.
..

Kamosl
owlygotupandsatonhi
s
l
apasheputhi
shandunderhert
op
pl
ayi
ngwit
hherti
nyti
tsunt
ilt
hey
werehardthenhesl
idhishandinher
panti
esandplayedwi
thherbeanunti
l
i
twaserectthenhefl
ippedherdown
taki
ngouthisD..
.

Kamo:
Dan?
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..
Kamo:Idon'
twantt
ogetpr
egnant
,
useacondom.
Aati
l
e:I
'
llpul
loutonceI
'
m cl
ose,
don'
tworr
y
Kamo:
But
..
.WhataboutSTDs
Aati
l
e:Areyousay
ingihav
eSTDor
youhaveSTDs?Whichi
sit?
Kamo:i
don'
thav
eSTDsbutwhati
f
you-
Aat
il
e:i
don'
thav
eSTDs
Kamo:
Ist
il
lwantacondom
Aati
le:Ar
ey oureal
lyavi
rgi
n?The
wayy ou'
reargui
ngwithmegotme
thi
nkingmay beyou'
rel
yi
ngabout
bei
ngav irgi
n.
Kamo:
(tear
ful
l
y)Iam av
irgi
n
Aat i
l
e:(annoy
ed)Thenwhyar eyou
talki
ngback?Stopcry
ing.
..I
'
m sorr
y,I
didn'tmeantoshout
,I'
m sor
ry.

Her
ubbedhert
ear
sandt
ookouthi
s
weaponassheblockedherf
acewit
h
bothhands,
herubbedonthewet
sl
ipper
ycheeksand#removedher
..

*
**

Her ubbedhimselfwit
hatoweland
threwhert hetowel
,shewi
pedhis
j
uicedr opsonhertummyandwi ped
herv j
aycomi ngoutwit
hti
nybi
tsof
bloodst ai
ns.

Aati
leputonhiscl
othesastheyoung
gi
rlgotinbedstar
ingatt
heTV
hopingheswit
chesitonbuthe
gr
abbedherclot
hesandt
hrewt
hem
onthebed.
..

Aati
l
e:Putony
ourcl
othes.Wehav
e
togo
Kamo:Wearenotsl
eepi
ngov
erand
watchi
ngmovi
es?
Aat
il
e:Ipai
dforanhourandi
ts
al
mosttimeup.Getup

Shequickl
yputonhercl
othesand
qui
etl
yfoll
owedhimtothecar.
..
.

AtKamo'
sHouse.
..
Mi nuteslaterhepar
kedadi st
ance
from homeandswi t
chedof ft
he
l
ights.Kamost i
ll
couldn'
tkeepaneye
cont actaft
erthesexasherstomach
rumbl ed..
.

Aat
il
e:Di
dyoueatany
thi
ng?
Kamo:
Ionlyateatlunch,wedi
dn'
t
hav
esupperidranktea.
Aati
l
e:I'
ll
buyy
ousomet
hing
tomorr
ow
Kamo:
(smi
l
ed)Thanks
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Shesteppedoutandwal kedback
homeashewat chedhersafel
y
get
ti
ngi nthehousethenhedroveof
f
del
eti
nghernumber ..
..
..

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.

ThenextmorningKen'sphonewoke
usandhereachedf ori
twithhi
seyes
cl
osedashemov edcloserand
ki
ssedmebef orepicki
ng..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?.
..Hey
..
..Youcan'
tsay
thataf
terwhatyoudi
dyest
erday
..
.i
embarrassedyou?

Ikeptmyeyescl
osedasheglanced
atmeandputonhisshort
stal
kingto
thephonet
henhewalkedout.
..
.

Ken:No,you'
renotgoi
ngtomake
thi
swholethi
ngaboutyoubecause
i
t'snot
.

Hegoti nt
het oil
etandclosedthe
doorthenitipt
oedov erandstoodby
thedoorli
steningwithapounding
hearthopi
ngnoonecat chesme
eav
esdr
oppi
ng.
..
.

Ken: No, l
isten....I'
m notfall
ingfor
that,yousai dshei sminesowear e
doingt het est.Ifshei smi neI'
ll
suppor ther -
youdon' tneedmymoney ?
(helistened)Andspendi ngt i
mewi t
h
herincludeswhat ?Youknowwhat
Amant l
ey ou'rest illt
hesamespoi lt
braty ouwer ey earsago.Whyt he
fuckdoy oukeepsay i
ngi
embar r
assedy ou?Youwer en'
t
supposedt obet hereinthefir
st
place.Ididn'tinv iteyout othe
weddi ngandy oushoul dn'thave
exposedt hatlittlegirlt
osuchan
embarrassment.You'reluckysheis
notateenagerorshewoul dhave
hatedyouforit
.( heli
stened)Idon'
t.
..
Idon't
..
.Don'tf
latteryoursel
fnobody
l
ovesy ou,t
hat'
swhyy ou'resi
ngleat
yourage.Yeahf uckyout oo.

Heprobabl
yhunguponherast here
wassil
encetheni
turnedaround
wal
ki
ngawaybuthi srangagain..
..

Ken:Hello?(t
herewassil
encefora
whil
et henherespondedcalmly
)
Don'tapologi
se.
..
.NoI'm sor
ryfor
shouti
ngaty ou.
..
Lookwear eboth
fr
ust r
atedsof orgeti t..
..
.Whatt ime?
I'
m comi ngwi thDi di .
..(l
aughed)
Don' tbel iket hat .
..Ofcour sey ou
didn'thav eababywi thherbutshei s
par tofme. .
..( sighed)Okayf i
ne,I'
ll
comeal one....No, wecan' tleavef ora
honey moonr ightwaybecauseshe
hast oupdat eI DsandPasspor t
sso
wet hinkingmay bei nacoupl eof
weeksunl essshedeci deswego
l
ocal becauseshebeenf eeli
ngsi ck
l
at ely.(l
aughed)Ar ey ouser iously
aski ngmet hat ?I'
m notgoi ngt o
answert hat .Bonagoshapnnal e
wenar ediscussert hatlit
tl
egi r
lo
bat agonkgol egaaker ?(helaughed)
Al
ri
ghtseey
oul
ater
.

Iheardfootst
epsintheli
vingroom
andhur ri
edbackt
omyr oom wherei
pretendedtobeasleepasmyaunt i
e
i
nl awknockedandwal ki
nginonmy
response..
.

Her
:Goodmor
ning.
.
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Her
:Br
eakf
astwi
ll
bereadysoon,
I'
m
goi
ngt
orunyouabat
h..
.
Me:
Thanky
ou
Her
:Wher
eisOf
ana?
Me:It
hinkt
het
oil
et,
idi
dn'
thearhi
m
get
ti
ngup.
Her
:Ok

Sheclosedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
thenKenwalkedi
n.Heputt
hephone
downandkissedmeonthecheek.
.

Ken:
Mor
ning
Me:
Mor
ning
Ken:I'
m goi
ngtomeetAmant l
e,i
wantedyoutocomebutshesai dshe
doesn'
tfeel
comfort
abl
ewi t
hy ou
ther
eandwouldli
ketodiscussthi
s
i
ssuewi thmesi ncewear et
heonl y
parents,
ididn'
twantt ogobackand
fourthwit
hhersoi agr
eedbesidesI
don'twanttofrustr
ateyouwithher
nonsensesoI '
l
l updateyouwheni
getback.
Me:
(sadl
y)Ok
Ken:
Arey
ouOK?
Me: Justdon'
tbetoocomf ortabl
e
withherbecauseI'
m notplanningto
hav eabadpregnancy,Ialr
eadywent
throughthatwit
hZaneI '
m notgoing
tobest r
essedwiththi
sbabyaswel l
andI '
l
ldoanythi
nginmypowert o
protectwhat'
smineincludi
ngdoing
al
lki
ndsofwi
ckedt
hings.
Ken: ( l
aughedandki ssedme)You
actual l
ysoundser ious....Any wayI'
m
noti ntoherany mor e.Youhav e
not hingt oworryaboutbutt her
eis
somet hingIhavetot el
ly ou.
Amant le'
sparentsar ethef ounder
s
ofSt arki dsandshei stakingov er
from hermot hernextweekTuesdayi
think.
Me:
What
?
Ken:
Yeah
Me:
Doessheknowi
wor
kther
e?
Ken:
Idoubt,
idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing
whenshetol
dmeaboutit
.When
doesy
ourl
eav
eel
apse?
Me:Wednesday
,doy
out
hinkshe
woul
dfi
reme?
Ken: No,yousigneda3y earcontract
,
thatwillbeabreachoft hecontract
unlessyougenui nelydi
dsomet hing
wrongandhermot heri
snasweet
l
ady ,shewon'tletherbullyyou.
Me:
Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
..
Ken:
Let'
sgoandbat
h,weagr
eedt
o
meetat8o'
cl
ock.

Hehel
pedmeupandweheadedt
o
t
hebathr
oom.
..
.
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatmorni
ngt
herewasaknock
ont hedoort
henAati
leopenedi
nhi
s
shor t
s..
.

Aat
il
e:Hi
Sedi
:Hi,
ihavebeencall
i
ngyoual
l
ni
ghtandyoudidn'
tanswer
.
Aati
le:
Soy ouj
ustshowup
unannounced?
Sedi
:Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dmi
nd,
doy
ou
mind?
Aatil
e:Nobutnextti
mel etmeknow,
youcan'tj
ustshowup.Myphone
wasonsi l
entbecauseineedsome
sleepketsenaonnightduty
,ifIdon'
t
sleepnowi won'
tworkatnight.
Sedi
:I'
m conf
usedsoshoul
digo
backorwhat?
Aat
il
e:Comei
n,kerayahel
agor
e
nex
tti
medon'
tjustshowup.

Shewalkedinandputherbagdown
thenheheadedtothebathr
oom, she
l
aidonthebedandquicklyfi
l
ledtri
ed
tosear
chhisphonebutitwaslocked.
Att
heDani
el'
sHome.
..

Laterthataf
ter
noonKen' sfami l
yand
imov edfrom t
hehouset othet r
eeas
thedaygotwar mer,iwasst i
llonbig
dresses,adoekandt heshawl onmy
shouldersandiwasn'tal
lowedt o
l
eav enordoany t
hingformy self
.

Iwouldn'
tsayi wasbor edbutIwas
wit
hpeopl eIdidn'
tknowandt heonly
personiknewhadl eftsincemor ni
ng.
Forsomeonewhoal way scalledt o
checkinitwasst r
essful.Itr
ied
cal
lingagainandhedi dn'tanswer
t
heni
sentamessage.

Me: Ireal
lydon'tappr eci
atey ou
l
eav ingmewi t
hy ourfamilyknowi ng
verywel lIdon'
tknowt hem,i been
sitt
ingont hematsi ncemor ningand
you'renowayt obef ound.Ifthisis
howwear egoingtol i
vethenI 'm
disappointed.Kootengoneo
thwaagalet seAmant leyowagago.

Isentitbutt
herewasnor epl
y.There
wassomuchangerbui l
dingupinsi
de
butIcouldn'
tdoany thi
ngaboutit
excepttowait.
..Igotupandwal ked
i
nsi
det hehousecl
osingmy sel
fint
he
bat
hroom thenidi
aledLol
o...

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:
(cr
ying)
..
.
Lol
o:Di
di?
Me:
Keni
sgone
Lol
o:Wher
e?
Me: KogoAmant l
eandI '
m notev en
all
owedt ol
eavetheyard,koorei
havetowaitunti
lhedecidest ocome
backofwhichIdon'tknowl eng.
(cr
ying)Lol
oI'
m hurti
ng,I
'm scared.
..
Didyouseehowbeaut if
ulshei s?He
di
dn'tevenleav
ehershedidandhe
tr
iedtokil
lhimsel
f.It
hinki
madea
mistake
Lol
o:Youdon'
tevenknowwhat '
s
hol
dinghi
m,whatifyou'
recr
yingfor
not
hingeneal
egosele?Don'
tlett
hat
womaninti
midat
ey ou
Me: (
crying)That'sjustthehalfofit
,
sheisgoi ngt obemybossandI '
m
pregnantLol o,whatifshefir
esme?
Theni hav etowait10y earstofind
anotherjob.Isufferedterr
ibl
ybef or
e
fi
nall
yget ti
ngt hi
sjobandi fil
osei t
what'snex t?
Lol
o:Atl
eastKenwi
l
lsuppor
tthe
baby
Me: Andbeahousewi fe?Doy ou
knowt hat80%off ail
edmar r
iages
most l
yinv ol
veshousewi ves?Mostof
thewomensuf feringthrough
mar r
iagesar estayathomesmom' s
andi don'twantt obet hatki
ndofa
wife.Monnaodi ramakgakgahaosa
bereke..
.Ididn'
tgot oschooltobea
housewi fe.
Lolo:
Well
thingsnevertur
noutthe
waywewant ,goray
agor eol
opele
ti
roeekakehoommabosoobat a
monnawagagobuty oushej
ust
cal
m downbecausey oudon'
tknow
wherehei
s,Kenkei t
seelemothowa
golet
sachecki
nginsohewi l
lcal
l.
Hehasnevercheatedsoyoudon'
t
haveanexcuseforbei
ngsoafrai
dto
gethur
t.
Me:
Okay
..
.(r
ubbedmyt
ear
s)Thanks
Lolo:Yeah,bestrongmyl ov
e.Fight
foryourmar r
iage,nnakepalet
swe..
.
Wecan' tbothfailbogol
owenakgona.
Me: Nowi understandwhyy oudidn'
t
wanttodeal wit
hAat il
ehav i
ngachild
withanotherwoman, ihat
ethisbaby
mamat hing.Ialreadyknowt hedri
ll
,
argumentsev er
yday .Igetangryhe
goesandspendsani ghtinherhouse
thenifi
ghtthebabymama, she
i
nsultsmeii
nsultherandthecir
cle
goesonunti
ligethighbl
ood
pressur
eanddie.Idon'
twantthat
.
Lolo:
(si
ghed)Hagonat hogoe
senangbobokoaker e,ther ei
sno
headwithoutabrain..
..
.thinkand
thi
nkaboutprotecti
ngy ourt er
rit
ory.
Wheny ou'
redoneknowt hatli
feisal
l
aboutsurvi
valofthefit
test .Hushas
i
tiskelif
emos.
Me:
(thought
ful
l
y)t
hat
'st
rue.
..
Lol
o:I
'
llcal
lyoubackRani
scr
ying
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandwal
kedoutt
he
bathroom r
ubbingmyey esthenIsat
ont hebedinourroom.Kenwal kedi
n
holdingaplast
icofsparandleaned
overkissi
ngme.

Ken:
Heybabe
Me:
Hi

Ipi
ckedafragranceI'
dnev
erever
smeltbef
oreashet ookof
fhi
sshirt
andputonat -
shirt
..
.

Me:Whathappened?Youlef
tat8
andnowit
'sl
ike6pm,youweren'
t
answer
ingmycal
l
sorr
epl
yi
ngme
Ken:
Iforgotmyphoneatt
heoffi
ce
andispentthewhol
edaywonder
ing
wher
ei twas.
Me:Butyoudidn'
tev encal
ltoletme
knowyoucan'tfi
ndy ourphone,why
doyousmelldif
ferent?
Ken:
Real
l
yDi
di?Wow
Me:Don'
tmakemet hi
nkI'
m cr
azy
whenI'
m not
,iknowwhatI
'm
smel
li
ngandit'
sawoman'sperf
ume

Igr
abbedtheshi
rtandsmel l
edit,
nowi wassur
eitsmelledfemini
ne
andthrewi
tonhisface..
..
Me:
Soy
ouwer
eal
lov
erher
?
Ken:(t
hrewt
heshi
rtaway
)Don'
tdo
that
Me:
Kenwherear
eyoucomi ngfr
om?
Soy
ou'
regoi
ngtocheatsoearl
y?
Ken:Youneedt ostoptalkingtome
l
ikethat
,don'tr
aiseyourv oiceatme
especi
all
ywithmyf amilyout si
de
becauseI'
l
lshuty oubeforey ousay
thenextword.I
'm notcheat i
ngon
youandifyouhadn'tcheat edbefor
e
you'
dbeli
eveme.
Me:(t
ear
full
y)Butam icrazy?Can
yousmel
lthisshi
rtandtellmeyou
don'
tsmel
li
t.
..(
gav
eitt
ohi
m)Smel
l
i
t

Het
hrewi
tont
hebedandsatdown.
.

Ken:
Wehugged,
may
bet
hat
'showi
t
gott
her
e
Me:Andi
tst
ayedt
her
efr
om 8t
o
6pm?
Ken: Di
diwhatdoy ouwantmet osay
becauset omet hat'st
heonlylogical
explanati
on,gakeitselennawhymy
shir
tsmel l
slikethatgapennagake
utwesepe.Youneedt ounderstand
thatpregnancyhormoneshav eaway
ofmakingtheset hingswor
sethan
theyseem.(sighed)Lookbabeyou
haveyourfrustr
ationsandigotmi
ne,
canwenotov er
reacteachti
methere
aresuspi
cions?
Me:Soy oudidn'
tdri
vethecarfrom 8
to6?Becauseifinbetweenthose
hoursgonalepointwhereyougotin
thecaryoucouldhaveseenmy
missedcall
sandmessages.Meani ng
whereveryouwere-
Ken:Di
diI
'
m doneexpl
aini
ngmy
sel
f
toyou

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
thenicov
er edmyfacecr
ying.Il
aid
ther
ehopinghe'dcomebackt o
checkonmebuthegotbusywi t
hthe
homechor es.

Ilaiddownf oral
mostanhourthen
Kenwal kedinandsatontheedgeof
thebedr ubbingmyback,
hemov ed
upt hebedlyingbehi
ndmeand
kissedmyneck. .
.

Ken:(sof
tl
y)I'
m sor r
y,idi
dn'tmeanto
berudeijustwishy oucouldbeli
eve
mesowewoul dn'thavetoar gue
becauseI'
m notlying.
Me:
It'
sfi
ne,
for
geti
t.
.

Heturnedmearoundandki
ssedme
asicri
edput
ti
ngmyar msaroundhi
s
neck.
..

Me:Pleasedon'
thur
tme.I
'
m beggi
ng
you.
..
Ken:Icannev
erdot
hat
,st
opcr
ying.
Trustme..
.

Hekissedmeandlai
donhisback
f
li
ppingmeontopthenheheldhi
sD
i
nplaceandhel
pedmeslidedownas
ifr
ownedputti
ngmyhandsonhis
chestt
henhegrabbedmywaistwi
th
bothhandsandbi
thisl
owerl
i
p
#removed

Myey esturnedtothebackofmy
headasi sli
ppedintoast at
eI
couldn'texplai
nandev er
ystrokehe
gavemesentmeof fasmymuscl es
becamest if
fandi stuckmynai l
sint
o
hi
sski ngr unti
ng.Thenextt hi
ngI
openedmyey estoKensof tly
sl
appi ngmycheeksweat i
nginpanic
onhi sboxerbr i
efs.
Ken:
Babe?Babepl
easegetup
Auntie:
Moveback,
tisangf
ana
tsenwekephef
o
Uncl
e:(
laughed)Of
anael
egoreone
omodir
aengsesekanaot aa
i
kgol
ega?

Iswallowedasthepanickedelders
stoodaroundthehouse,hismot her
hurri
edintheroom andputawet
washr agonmyneckandf or
ehead...

MaDani
el:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
Yes
MaDaniel:
(t
oever
yone)Gasegor
ele
emehantebaapar
e?

Kensi
ghedinreli
efandgotdressed
asit
uckedthesheetundermy
ar
mpitscover
ingmybr east
s
embarr
assed.
...
..
..
.

WEEKSLATER
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
57PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 83

AtGobona'
sHouse.
..
.

Diboysapproachedabucketofwat er
hehadputundert hesunf oral
itt
le
warmt h,
hecheckedt het emperature
withhisfi
ngersandpi ckeditwalking
towardsthebathingar ea.
..

I
twasanar
eathesizeofabedandi
t
wasbui
l
twi
thwaterreeds,
hepl
aced
thebucketonthechairandreached
forhi
swashingr agontheli
nethen
hepausedlookingathisli
tt
lesi
ster
's
panti
es.

Theyhadwashedt hem cl
eanbut
theyweretor
nwi t
hlit
tl
eholesand
thi
sbroughttear
stohiseyes..
.

Theysaideducat
ionist hekeyto
successbuthecouldn'tfi
gureout
howhecoul dhel
phi ssibl
ingswhil
e
waiti
ngtogrowwhi chwast aki
ng
for
ever,f
orsomer easonheknewi f
hecouldski
pt of
or mfivehe'dsti
l
l
hummert hosefi
nalexamsandhe
wonderedifitwaspossibl
etoskip
grat
es.He'daskhisteacherwhenthe
schoolsopenbutheneededhelp
ri
ghtther
e..
.

Forthef i
rstt
imehequestionedif
stoppingthesel
li
ngofalcoholwasa
goodi deabuthi
ssubconscious
reassuredhimthathewascor rect
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Latert
hataf
ter
noonLolograbbedher
handbagandwalkedoutoftheoff
ice
pressi
ngherphone,shebumpedi nt
o
Mr sFr
idayandsmi l
edast hey
exchangedsincer
egr eet
ings.
..

Mr
sFr
iday
:Isheupt
her
e?
Lol
o:I'
m notr
eal
lysur
emyof
fi
cei
n
onthesecondfl
oor
Mr
sFr
iday
:Thanks

Lol
ol ookedatheradmir i
nglyand
tur
nedar oundwalki
ngt owardsher
car,
herboss'swifedressedt o
i
mpr ess,thet
ypeofladiesthatmake
youwantt obuyanewmakeup
pal
etteandgetanewhai rdo.I
twas
al
way
samot
ivat
iont
oruni
ntoher
.

Sherev er
sedhershi
nycarandjoi
ned
themai nroadassherecei
vedacal
l
from hernephew.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Diboys:Hello,
auntiemayi haveP200
fortoi
let
ri
es?Ial sowantt obuybo
Setsanadipenci l
,theschoolsare
openingnextweekbutt heydon't
haveany t
hing.Teacherswhipthem
eachtimet heydon' tgotoschool
withpencil
s.
Lol
o:Howmuchdoy
ouneed?
Diboys:Whatev ery
oucanaf fordis
fi
ne,theydon'thaveany t
hinglenna
myschool shirtist
ornespeciall
ythe
coll
ar.Icancomecutt hegrassor
helpyouwi t
hsomet hinginexchange
Lolo:No,youdon'thavetodothat,
tel
lyouwhat .Tell
thoseki
dstobath
andI'
llpassbyi nanhourtopi
ck
them thenwecangobuywhat ev er
theyneed.
Di
boy
s:(
emot
ional
l
y)Thanky
ou.
..
Lol
o:Br
ingy
ourI
Dwi
thy
ou
Di
boy
s:Okay
..
.

Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..
.
AtSt
arKi
ds.
..
.

Icheckedthetimeandclosedt he
fi
lestheniswit
chedof ft
hecomput er
andwal kedoutoftheoff
iceand
bumpedi ntoAmant l
egett
ingoutof
heroffi
ce,shewalkedbehindme
j
ingli
nghercarkeysandmaki ng
noisewiththeheel
sofherst i
l
et t
os.

Ihadmanagedt oavoi
dhersincemy
l
eaveofabsenceelapsedandi had
heardshekeptaski
ngquesti
ons
aboutmebuttherewewer ewal ki
ng
downthecor
ri
dort
ogetheryetnone
ofuswassayi
nganyt
hing.
..

Iwasn'twear
ingheel
sthatdayandi
betshefel
tsobiginheel
sandat i
ght
dress.
..
.

Amantle:
You'
resupposedt
ogreet
yourbosswhenyoumeetheryou
know,don'
tbi
tethehandst
hatfeeds
you
Me:(ikeptwal
ki
ngwithlooki
ngback
ather
)Goodafter
noon..
.
Amantl
e:IheardKengavey
oua
bl
ackout
,ithappenedt
omet wi
ce
andthepani
conhisfacewheni
fai
ntedt
hough(
laughed)whata
shame

Iturnedaroundandf acedherasshe
stoppedwi t
hanat t
it
udet ucki
ngher
hairbehindherearandsighed
l
ooki ngdownonme. .
.

Me:Idon'tknowwhaty ou'
regoingto
benefi
tfr
om beingfriendswithOt l
he
butall
iknowi sthatIdon'tcarewhat
l
iesshekeepsgiv i
ngy ou.Idon't
real
l
ycarebecauseI '
m mar ri
edtoher
brot
hernother.
Amantl
e:I
'mjustmaki
ng
conv
ersat
ion.
Me:Don'tmakeconver
sati
onswi
th
meunlessithassomethi
ngtodo
wi
thwork.
Amant l
e:Mmekanawegonnahav e
tobefri
endsakereKensl
eptwithus
andmadeki dswit
hus?JanandZane
needmot her
swhoareemotional
ly
stabl
e..
.Itwoul
dn'
thur
t
Me:I'
m notj
ustawomanhehada
babywit
hI'm hi
swi
fe,
youwi
tnessed
i
t.
Amantl
e:Eit
herwayhefuckedboth
ofusandlef
thissper
msint her
eto
makebabi
es,
babi
eswhol
ookal
i
ke.
Me:(t
urnedaroundandwalkedaway
)
Idon'
thaveti
mef ort
his.
..
Amant le:(foll
owedme)Yeahbutwe
reall
yhav et ocomeupwi t
hagood
arrangementy amot herhood.Wewi l
l
bewor kingt oget herforthenext3
yearsandwewi llbeparenting
togetherunt i
l thekidsar eatl east18.
Ker ayaifwear egoingt othinklike
adultswhi chi ncludesconsi dering
Ken'sfeelingsi nt hi
s, astr
essedman
i
sunpr oduct iveandy oudon' twantt o
bear guingwi thy ourhusbandabout
hischilddoy ou?I nsteadofus
arguingwecoul dmaket hi
seasi er
hel
awaabonakooregonneeasy
peasyl
ebanaennemamakaha
mamakaha.
Me:
Mysonwi
l
lnev
ercal
lyoumama
Amant l
e:Wait
segorehao
nkgakgagal
akekgonagor obalaKen
wheneverhepickshisdaught
eror
bri
ngshersomet hi
ng?
Me:Iwon'tbecall
ingherhisunti
lI
haveseentheresult
s.Clear
lyyou
enj
oytort
uri
ngpeopl eandusingyour
posi
ti
ontoy ouradvant
age.
Amant l
e:Butihav
en'tevenstart
ed,
you'r
ecryi
ngtooearly.
..Kesiame
helabecauseihaven'
tharassedyou
butIcantakeKenifir
eal
lywant
.He
wasreadytodieforme.

Shegoti
nthecarandputonher
cl
assypi
nkshadeswhichdef
inedher
eyebr
ows.
..

Amantle:(start
edthecar)Bytheway
thebestwayt oloweryourchances
offai
ntingistorunaway .
..
Sii
sakuku
dickesomogeokgonegohema
phehof orasecondorelsey ou'
ll
star
t
hyper
vent i
lati
ngfr
om thosequick
breat
hsbecauseKennev erstops
poundingandhedoessokapower .
(
smi
l
ed)
You'
l
lthankmel
ater

Sheturnedupt
hevol
umeofher
Dancehall
musi
canddrov
eof f
cl
osingherBMW t
int
edwindows.

Mymoodf el
ldownmyf eetasiused
thesmallthesmal l
gateapproachi
ng
theroad,shedrovearoundand
honkedatmesl owingdownatt he
zebracrossi
ngthenIcrossedthe
roadandsher oll
eddownt he
window...

Amant
le:
Seey
out
omor
row
Ir
oll
edmyeyesandsighedtaki
ngout
myphonewhil
ewait
ingforataxi
..
.

Ken:
Babe
Me:
Iwantt
obuyacar
Ken:Ithoughtyousai
dyouwanta
l
oant oimprovethegar
densi
ncet
he
fl
owersaredoingsogood
Me:
Yeahbuti
needacar
Ken:
Okay,canIcomepi
cky
ouup?I
j
ustl
eftt
hemeet i
ng.
Me:
Okay
Ken:
(laughed)GuesswhatsongI
'
m
pl
ayi
ng
Me:(l
aughed)Don'
tst
artwi
thme,
gakebat
e
Ken:
(tur
nedupthevol
umetoKind
Monada'
ssong)Wautwa?(si
nging)
Kenalebol
etswejwagoi
dibal
aaaa
eheh
Me:
(laughed)I
'
m hangi
ngup!

Welaughedasi
hungupandwai
ted
f
orhim..
..

Att
hemal
l
...
Lateronthebackseatwasful
landa
bi
tstuff
yasLoloparkedthecarwi
th
Diboysinthef
rontseat
..
.

Lol
o:Let
'
sgo.
..

Theystruggledtoopent hedoorthen
Loloopenedf orthem, t
heydropped
outasshel ookedatt hem.The
excit
ementont heirli
ttl
efaces
broughttearstoherey esasthey
point
edatt heflatsasiftheywere
fr
om ar emot evil
l
age.

4t
hbor
n:(
poi
ntedatKFC)Lookat
t
hatol
dman,l
ookatt
hei
cecr
eam on
t
hewindow
3r
dbor
n:chi
cken!
Diboy
s:(
embarr
assed)Keepqui
et,
peopl
earel
ooki
ngatyou
Setsana:(putherar
msar
oundt
he
others)Shh
Di
boy
s:(
hel
dtheot
her
s)Let
'sgo.
..

Lolofol
lowedthem toPepst orebut
theyoungonescoul dn'
tstoplooking
atthemout hwateri
ngfoodont he
advert
s,thei
rshoeswer etornand
other
swer ewearingtheolderone's
clot
hesbutitwasasi ftheycouldn't
seehowbadt heylookedbecause
theyhadbathedandappl ied
Vaseli
ne.
..Allthei
rforeheadswer e
shinyandtheirKhoisanl i
kehairhad
beenproperl
ycombedt houghthey
hadbumps.I twast heirfi
rstti
meat
themallandt heycouldn'tstop
l
ookingaround. .
..

Lol
o:Let
'
sgobacktoKFCsot
hey
canbuyi
ce-
cream
4t
h:(
jumped)Gat
weI
ce-
cream!
Al
l
:(l
aughedexci
tedl
y)i
ce-
cream!
Diboy
s:Whydon'
twebuyi
mpor
tant
thi
ngsandbuymeatwi
tht
hemoney
f
ori
ce-
creams?
Setsana:
Orwecanbuysoupand
mor ogot
ocookathome,t
hey'
re
cheaperandt
heywil
ll
astl
onger
4th:(
tearf
ull
y)Idon'
twantfood,
I'
ll
notbehungrytoday.Ij
ustwanti
ce-
cream..Iwon'
twantfood
5t
h:Met
oo,
I'
ll
dri
nkwat
erandsl
eep
Lolo:(
tear
ful
ly)I'
l
lbuyfood.
..(
gav
e
Diboys300)Pleasebuythem a
bucketandice-cr
eams..
Diboy
s:(
lookedatt
hemoney)ican'
t
spendsomuchmoneyontakeaways,
wecanbuyCombo
Set
sana:
Yespl
easeaunt
ie,
Ial
so
needpant
iesandphat
aphat
a.
Lol
o:(tearf
ullyangri
ly
)Canyouj
ust
buyfood!I'
llbuyyouwhatev
eryou
want.
.I'l
lbuyev er
ythi
ng

Thelit
tl
eonesr aninsi
deasDi boys
andSetsanareluctant
lylookedatt he
moneyt henshecov er
edhermout h
astearsblur
redherey es,t
heyr oll
ed
downhercheeksandshequi ckly
rubbedthem off.
..

Lolo:IpromiseI'l
lbuyever
ythi
ng..
.
I'
m sorrythatihaven'
tbeenhelpi
ng
you.Mysi sterandihateeachother
somuchIforgott
hatIhav
eni
eces
andnephews.

Shesniff
ledandopenedherpur
se
showingthem t
hemoneyandher
card.
..

Lol
o:Yousee.
..

Theybothsighedi
nreli
efandhugged
herthentheyrani
nsi
de,sheturned
andgotinthecarwheresheleaned
overcryi
ng.
Lolo:Godpl easeforgi
veme, ican'
t
beli
evei punishedtheseinnocent
soulswheni wastheironlyhope.I
ref
uset obemysi ster
,irefuseto
scarmynephewsandni ecest heway
Gobonadi dmydaught er
.

Sheleanedbackandfreshenedher
facethenshest
eppedoutandj oi
ned
them i
nsideast
heymadenoi se
eati
ngandclear
ingthebucketof
KFC..
.

Themanagersmil
edatt
hem and
wal
kedoverwit
hadri
nkandputiton
t
het
abl
e..
.

Manager
:(smi
l
ed)Thi
sonei
sfr
ee

Theyclappedwit
hhugesmi l
esand
fi
nisheditt
henDiboysandSetsana
handedthem i
ce-
creams.

Lolo:Let'
sgo,wehav etobuyclot
hes
fi
rstandthenwear egoingtothepay
toi
let
st ochangebeforewecango
aroundthemal l
buyingimport
ant
thi
ngs.
Set
sana:
Combor
e-
Lolo:(smi l
edandputherar m around
her)Combokey oney abohelo
Setsanaao!( handedDi boysP50)Go
andr egisterf
ororangemoneyov er
thereandmakeav isacard,itcomes
outimmedi at
elythenI'l
ltr
ansfer
P800i ny ouraccountsoy oucanbuy
yourselfsomet hi
ng.
Di
boy
s:Af
ter
-
Lol
o: Nopl easejustgo, don'
tbuy
anythingforyoursiblings.Buy
somet hingforyourself.Afewt-shir
ts
andahai r
cutnyana.(smi l
ed)I
fthe
gi
rlIsawy ouwithatchur chisyour
gi
rlf
riendy oumi ghtwantt osurpr
ise
herwi thagift.I
'
m sur eyouneverbuy
herany
thi
ng.
Diboys:(
asmil
egr
ewl
argeronhi
s
face)Thanky
ou
Lol
o:Go,
I'
ll
takecar
eoft
heseones.

Hehuggedherandcrossedtheroad
exci
tedl
ythenLol
owalkedinto
Ackerman'
switht
hem..

Lol
o:Ar
etsey
engt
rol
l
ey.
..

Theywalkedrowbyr owpicki
ng
cl
othesandexcit
edlystoodatthe
ent
ranceblocki
ngthewayasLol o
swi
pedthei
rclot
heswi
thher
chi
l
dren'
scard.

Thewal kfrom Ackerman'stothepay

toil
etsseemedl i
keal ongwalkto
freedom andoncet hereeachoneof
them couldn'
tstoplookingat
themselvesont helargemirr
or.

Theyheadedtothesal
oonwherethe
boyscutthei
rhai
rwhil
ethegir
ls
plai
tedst
yli
shcornr
owswi t
hbeads
fordecor
ati
on.

I
twasal
mostduskast
heywal
ked
i
ntoShopr it
epushi ngal argetrol
l
ey,
theyhadnev erbeeninshopr it
e
beforeandboywasi tbi g.They
couldn'
tstopt urni
ngt heirheads
pointi
ngatt oysandl otsofnew
thi
ngst heywer esurprisedtosee.

Atfir
stLologotalitt
leembarrassed
aspeoplestaredatchildr
enwhoar e
fasci
natedbyShopr i
tebutshedidn'
t
wanttomaket hechil
dren
uncomfortabl
esoshej oinedi
nand
point
edshowingt hem othert
hings.

Set
sanast
aredatagi
rl
ishpenci
l
casewithHannahMontana,shehad
seenitf
rom t
herichgi
rlshesit
snext
toatschoolt
henLolowalkedbehi
nd
her.
.

Lolo:
(whi
sper
ed)Takei
tify
ouwant
i
t..

Shesmi ledandgr abbedit,

Lolo
pi
ckedt hey oungestchildandput
hi
m ont het roll
eyashesmi l
ed
amazed, ther estofthesibli
ngs
pushedt hetrolleyasLoloand
Setsanaputf ood. .
.
Setsana:
Thanky ousomuchwheni
growupI '
m goi
ngtotakecar
eofyou
tothankyou
Lolo:(l
aughedput
ti
ngthingsi
nthe
tr
olley
)Thatwouldbenice
Setsana:
AndI
'
llt
akecar
eofMay
a
too
Lolo:May ahasabrotherandanother
sist
ercalledMay at
oowecal lMaya
Babyathome.I '
llpi
ckyouup
tomor r
owsot hatyouguyscanmeet
May a'
ssibli
ngsandalsoseewhereI
stay.Thatwayy ouknowwher et
o
fi
ndmei fyouneedsomet hi
ngtoeat.
.
Set
sana:
Okay
,ionl
yknowMay
a.
Theypaidfort
hefoodandl oaded
them i
nthebootthentheydroveout
asLolodial
edDiboys.

Di
boy
s:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Rei
l
err
aot
aat
say
ataxi
aker
e?
Di
boy
s:EeI
'
m cut
ti
ngmyhai
r.
Lol
o:Shap

Shehungupanddr ov eoffast heki

ds
coul
dn'tstoptal
king, t
heymadeso
muchnoi sethedriversparkingnext
toheratthetraf
fi
cl ightsstaredand
event
uall
ysmil
e.She'
dlaughatthem
astheydi
scussedwhattheysawat
themall
..
.

AtmmaLol
o'
shome.
..
.

MeanwhileGobonat i
edherst omach
wit
hascar fsoshewoul dn'tfeelthe
hungerandwal kedtothefirearea
whereshemadef i
rewiththet wigs
andboil
edwat erforphaleche..
.

Shesti
lldi
dn'
tknowwherethe
chi
ldr
enwentbutsheassumedt hey
wereplayi
ngi
nthenei
ghbourhood,at
l
eastthey
'deatther
eiftheydon'
tget
chasedoutoncethefoodisserv
ed.

Shewalkedbehindthetoil
etwit
ha
bowlandpickedtheleavesofLeket
a
andfi
ll
edthebowl t
henshewashedi t
andputiti
nthepot..
.

Shewal
kedtothemiddl
ethey
ard
l
ooki
ngatthenei
ghbour
s..
.

Gobona:(scr
eaming)Set
sana?Ndho?
Shobena?(toher
self
)Koorebany
ana
bail
ekae..
Shewalkedbacktot hefi
replaceand
fannedt
hesmokeunt i
lfi
recameout
thenshestooduprubbingheritchy
eyesasLolodrov
et hroughthegate.

Theki
dswav edthei
rball
oonsout
scr
eamingatherwithexci
tement
bef
oretheyevengotoutofthecar
..
.

Shefixedherset engeandhel
dher
waistwatchingast hecarr
ever
sed
andstopped, t
heki dsj
umpedout
eachholdingat oyandshecouldn'
t
evenrecognisethem.Theylooked
l
i
kechi
l
drenf
rom t
hesubur
bs.
..

Lol
o:Nt
huser
ehol
osedi
j
otsabana.
..

SpeechlessshehelpedLoloand
Setsanaoffl
oadthebiggrocery,
ther
e
wasn'tmucht osayasthekidsran
aroundtheyardplayi
ngwiththei
r
toys.

Lol
oclosedthebootanddust
edher
handsthenshehandedGobonaP800.

Lol
o:Buycooki
nggaset
ona.
Sher ecei
vedt
hemoneyemot i
onall
y
stari
ngatherli
tt
lesist
erasshe
turnedandgotinthecar,
shewav ed
atthekidsanddroveout.
.

Lol
o:(
smil
ed)By
ebye.
.(poi
nted)
wenakewenamangkana?
Ndho:
Ndho!
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Wabal
abal
awena,
seeyoutomorrow

Theyexci
tedlyranaft
ert
hecar
wavi
ngunt i
lthecardi
sappear
ed
whil
eGobonastoodi
nfr
ontoft
he
houset
earf
ull
y.

Shewal kedbacki nt hehouseand

closedt hedoort henshesl i
ddown
asherf aceugl i
fiedwi thtearsrunning
down.2y earol
dMay awasal l
she
coul dseenott hepr esentMay abut
theMay awhodr ankMaxhupudayi n
dayoutwhi l
eDiboysat ebananas.
TheMay awouldbet rappedundera
bathandcr yhelplessly,theoneshe
wal kedawayf r
om leav ingheroutin
thedar kcr yi
ngasshecr i
edrunning
afterherbutshesl appedherandt old
hert ositbecauseshewasgoi ngt o
herbabydaddy'
shouse,t
he2y ear
ol
dMay awhowasr apedandfound
byaneighbour
,mayhersoulr
estin
peaceMaO. .
.

Sheshookherheadcryi
nglookingat
theP800onherhandsthenshe
pickedherphoneanddi
aledherli
tt
le
sisterwi
ththel
astP1shehad..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Gobona:(burstedintotears)Nnaka
themmai ntshwarelekegodi r
etse
phoso.Yourdaught erwasr aped
becauseileftheralone,thatni
ght
May acriedrunningaf termeaboi ha
golelehihibutIslappedherandl ef
t
hersitt
ingthere.Shewasscar edof
thedarkbuti didn'tfeelanythi
ngf or
herevenwhenshebeggedmet o
takeher.Shegotr apedbecauseof
me, (
cryingloudly)Iwantt odier i
ght
now.Ihav etoki l
lmy selfforallt
he
wickedi di
d.Pleaseasky ourlitt
legir
l
toforgi
v eme...AskGodt of or
give
me.Askmychi l
drent oforgivemebe
-

Theair
ti
mef i
nishedandt
hecallgot
di
sconnect
edthenshestoodupand
l
ookedforacor dar
oundthehouse
asshecr
ied.

Thereitwasundert
hetable,she
grabbeditandst
eppedont hechai
r
tyi
ngitontheraf
ter
sthenshet i
edit
aroundherneckandki
ckedt hechai
r
asherbodyherhangedfrom the
raft
ers.
..
.

I
nLol
o'
scar
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eLolowi
pedhert
ear
sand
madeautur
n..
.
Lolo:Gobonadon'tdot
histome,i
forgi
veyoupleaseBobo.
...God
pleasedon'
tletherdot
his..
..

Sheaccel
erat
edandov ert
ookseveral
car
shonkingandflashi
ngtheli
ghts
sotheycoul
dcleartheway..
.

Lolo:
Godpl easethesechil
dren
deservehappiness,t
heyhadagood
daydon'tl
ettheirmotherdieandrui
n
suchagoodday .
..Godplease.
..

Shesni
ff
edrubbi
nghertear
sand
drov
ethr
oughthegat
e..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
57PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 84
AtMmaLol
o'
shouse.
..
.

Setsanasmi l
edlookingathernew6
packpant i
esandr aninsi
dethe
housewi thahugesmi letoshowher
mot herbuthermout hdroppedas
sher anintohermother'
sbody
hangingf r
om theraft
ersasherlar
ge
eyesst ar
edrightather.

Herheartpoundedasshedropped
herpanti
esandscreamedrunning
outsi
de,theyoungonessi
tti
ngonthe
groundloudl
yplayi
ngwit
htheirnew
toyspausedandlookedather.
..
Loloparkedthecarandst eppedout
runni
ngt owardsthehouseas
Setsanacriedhyster
ical
l
y...

Set
sana:(cr
ying)Mamai
shangi
ng
ontheroof
Lolo:
Whereist
heknif
e?Hur
rywi
th
theknif
eSet
sana.
..
.Thi
pa

Setsana'sshoessli
ppedof fasshe
rantohergr andmother
'shouse,
meanwhi leLoloraninthehouseand
sli
ppedont hepeedr i
ppingdown.
Sher ubbedherhandsonherski r
t
andsteppedonthechai
rtr
yingt
o
unt
ieasherhandsshook..
.

Lolo:BobopleaseI 'm beggi

ngy ou
hangint her
e..
.Nol ovewehav eto
reconcil
eandwat chourchildren
grow...Wehavet ot eachthem about
sist
erhood..
.Youmadeami stakeso
what?Yourapol ogyi senough,
Pleasedon'tdothi stothekids.They
hadagoodday ,itcan'tendlikethi
s..
.

Setsanawalkedinandhandedher
theknifet
henthe3rdbornrani
nside
andf r
ozelooki
ngathismother
's
poppedoutey
es.
..
.

Lol
o:Setsanataket
hem outpl
ease.
..
.
Don'
tletthem i
nher
e,gogetmy
phoneinthecar!

Setsanaclosedthedoorandranto
thecarwher eshegrabbedthephone
andr anbacktothehouse.The
concernedchil
drendroppedthei
r
toysandstoodl i
kel
ostpuppiesin
confusion.
..

3rd:
( cr
ying)Isawmamahangi
ngon
theroof
Set
sana:Aunti
eiscut
ti
ngherdown.
..
Shewil
lbefine

Aneighbourwalkedoverwonderi
ng
whatthechil
drenwerescreaming
aboutandSetsanadir
ectedhertothe
house.

Wi t
hinafewmi nutestheneighbours
roamedt heyard,otherpeaked
throughthewindowswhi l
emor e
blockedthedoorwat chingasLolo
andt he1stnei
ghbourl aidherdown.
..

Lol
o:(
cry
ingf
ixi
ngherey
es)Iknow
y
ou'
regoi
ngt
omakei
t.Hol
don.
..

Lol
ot ookoffhershoesandl i
ft
edher
si
sterup,heavyasshewassher an
acr
osst heyardwithherandputher
i
nthecarast heneighbourfoll
owed
her
...
.

Nei
ghbour
:Shesoi
l
edt
hatcanonl
y
mean-
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)No,
shepassedout
!

Set
sanaranov
erhol
dingher
mother
'smedi
cal
car
dandI Dthen
shejumpedinthebackwit
hheras
peoplecover
edthei
rmouths,t
he
concernednei
ghbourgoti
ntheback
andclosedthedoorasLol
odrove
out.
..

Lol
o:Mphangphone!

Theyhandedhert
hephoneandshe
di
aledMaya..
..

May
a:Mams
Lol
o:(
pant
ing)Mayal
i
stent
ome,ask
Babyt
odir
ectthet
axit
omymother'
s
houset
henIwanty
ouguy st
ogetthe
ki
dsandgohomewi t
hthem pl
ease
i
t'
simport
ant
.
Maya:
Iknowthepl
ace,
oray
akogo
boCal
vinaker
e?
Lol
o:Yest
hanksbaby
..
.
Maya:
Wewi
l
lgett
hem,
what
'sgoi
ng
on?
Lol
o: Thei
rmothertri
edtocommit
sui
cidesoy ouhavetokeepthem
cal
m becausei t
hinkthey
'r
eworri
ed
now.
May
a:Done.
Shehungupandcont inueddrivi
ng,
meanwhi l
eSetsanahel dherbreath
stari
ngathermot hersuspici
ously
tr
y i
ngt ofigur
esomet hingout,she
couldt ell
somet hi
ngwasn'tri
ghtas
shesl owlyputherhandonher
mot her'schestandleanedov er
l
isteningt oherchest,
thewor ri
ed
neighbourpul l
edherhandof fand
blockedGobona' schest..
.

Setsana:(
tear
ful
l
y)Sheisnot
breathi
ng.
..
.Herhear
tisnotbeati
ng.
..
(l
ookedatLoloastear
sfelldownher
cheeks)whyisshenotbreathi
ng?
Lolo:(t
earful
l
y)Shecoll
apsed,peopl
e
don'tbreat
hwhent heyhave
coll
apsed..(t
ear
full
ytothenei
ghbour)
Right?Theydon'tbr
eathri
ght?
Nei
ghbour
:Keepdr
ivi
ng
Setsana:(growinganxi
ousasshe
shookGobona' sbodyandleaned
overli
steningtohernoseand
openingherey eli
ds)MAMA!?MAMA!
?
MMA? !
Lolo:
( adj
ustedthemir
ror
)Bobo??(t
o
theneighbour)Canyoukeepshaki
ng
herpleaseincaseshewantstogiv
e
up,BOBO?BOBO?
Setsanabr okedowncr yi
ngshaking
heruntilt
heypar kedthecar,t
he
nei
ghbourr anwithawheelchairbut
Lol
or anpasthercar ryi
ngGobona
andal mostsl i
ppedrunni
ngintothe
emer gencydoorasSet sanaran
behindherwi ththesameener gyand
fai
thholdinghermedi calcar
dand
ID.
..
.

AtWi
mpy
..
..

Meanwhil
eCalv
inanxiousl
ywait
edin
i
nsi
dehidi
ngapr esentonhi
slapas
Ti
napushedthr
ought hedoor
,her
hai
rblewawayf r
om herface
rev
ealingherbeauti
fulf
aceasshe
smiledimpressed.

Sheshy
lywalkedoverandsati
nfront
ofhi
m,goodnesshelookedcut
eso
cut
eshedidn'
tknowwhattosay..
.

Cal
vi
n:(
smi
l
ed)Hey
Ti
na:
Hi
Cal
vi
n:Thanksforcomingt
houghi
t
wassuchshortnot
ice
Ti
na:
Iwouldn'
tmi
ssi
tfort
hewor
ld.
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Calvin:Not hi
ng...Todaymyauntdi d
themostbeaut i
ful t
hing, shebought
foodandcl othesf ormysi bli
ngs.I
meanChr istmascameear ly.
..(he
touchedherhandandki ssedi t
)You
tookmet ochur chandGodst ar t
s
performingmi r
acles...Ihav eyout o
thankf or.
..Iknowi can' tgiveyou
anythingnowbutwheni becomea
doctory ou'regoingt obet hedoct or'
s
wifeandwear egoi ngt ohav e
beaut i
fulkidsbecausey ou'ret he
mostbeaut ifull
adyi nt hewor ld.Ifwe
mat e..Isweart oGodt heof f
spr i
ngs
aregoi ngtobecut ewi thyourlitt
le
eyesandcut enose, t
hatsmi le..
.
Tina:(chuckl
edbl
ushi
ng)Car
lstop
you'r
egoi ngtomakemecry.
..
Calvin:Andbabef orlovi
ngmenow
wheni havenothi
ng,forallt
hemoney
youst ealf
rom yourfather'
swallet
j
ustt ogivemysi ster
si swearI'
m
goingt opaythatoldman.Thedayi
paydoubl eortri
plemagadi I'
l
ltell
my
unclest ot
ellhi
mt hatyouusedt o
stealP10'stogivemysi ster
s.
Tina:(
blushedt earf
ull
y)Carl
..
..
(l
aughedwi thtearsinhereyes)and
I'
m notat hi
efokay ,I
'mjustpi
cking
coinsonthef l
oor .
Cal
vi
n:(
laughedandki
ssedherhand)
AndI'm notaski
ngforsexbecause
I
'm goi
ngt obreakyourvi
rgi
nit
yinUK,
that
'swherewear egoingtohavesex
fort
hef i
rstt
ime.
Tina:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)ButI
'
m so
horny
Calv
in:
(laughedandimit
atedpast
ors)
Fi
reontheJezebel!..
.
Shabar
ababa...
fi
re.
..
.
Tina:
(laughedandbi
therl
owerl
i
p)
ForUKI '
llwai
tandwai
t

Awai
tresswal
kedoverwit
hmenus
t
hentheyor
deredandshelef
t,Cal
vin
t
ookoutathegif
tandputi
tont he
tabl
e,Ti
nagaspedwit
hagorgeous
smil
eandputherhandonherchest
..
.

Cal
vi
n:Openi
t.
.

Sheopenedt heli
tt
leboxandsmil
ed
att
woneckl acesshari
ngaheartt
hen
Carl
gotitandsepar at
edthem.
..

Tina:
OhmyGod, eachneckl
acehas
halft
hehear
t.
..
.
Calvi
n:Yes,t
hisi
smypr omiset
oyou,
thatI
'l
lal
waysloveyou.You'
ret
he
one..
.Getyourhai
rforme..
.
Shel i
ft
edherhairasheputt he
necklacearoundherneckthenshe
puttheotheraroundhisneck.He
smiledcutelyandleanedover
steali
ngakissf r
om herassheshyl
y
l
ookedar ound..
.

Cal
vin:
Haebonang,
kanteoshy
j
aana?gasewenaothol
ango
nt
shumamar amamo
Tina:
(laughed)ket
shababagol
o
aker.
..

Thewai
tr
essser
vedt
hem and
walkedawaythentheygr
abbedt
he
f
orksbuthisphonerang,
heputt
he
f
orkdownandanswer ed.
..

Cal
vi
n: Hel
lo?
..
..(f
rowned)What
?
Whereisshe?.
..
..I
ssheokay?.
..
.I'
m
coming!

HehungupandstoodupasTi
na
pausedchewi
ngl
ooki
ngupathi
m..
.

Cal
vin:Mymot
hert
ri
edt
ocommi
t
sui
cide
Ti
na:
(st
oodup)Let
'sgo!
Calvi
npassedbyt
het
il
landpai
dthen
theyranout
..
..

AtMmaLol
o'
shome.
..
.

MaLol of rownedasapol i
cecar
drovepasther ,shewonder edwhere
i
twascomi ngf rom becausei t
couldn'thav ebeenhery ard.Gobona
hadlongst oppedsel l
ingbeer ,
she
brushedi toffandappr oachedthe
gate,shenot i
cedal otofpeopl e
standingar oundpoi nti
ngandt alki
ng
aboutsomet hingclearlyshocking.
..
Shepacedov
ert
oGobona'
sroom
whichwaswi
deopen.
..

Her
:What'
sgoingon?Gobona?
Di
boys?Peopl
ewhat'
sgoingon?Why
i
severy
onestandi
ngaround?

Theyalll
ookedathernotsurewhat
tosaythenoneofthemat ur
eladi
es
walkedovertoherandtookher
asi
de..
.

Lady
:Let
'shav
easeat
Her:Cany oupleasewhat
'sgoi
ngon?
Whyi severyoneinmyyardandnot
answeringme?Wher earethe
chi
ldren?Setsana?
Lady:Gobonacommi ttedsuici
de,she
hungher self
.Shewascutf rom the
raf
ter
s...Herexcretesareont hefl
oor
butLolost ubbor
nlytoo-
Her
:What
?

Lolo'
smot hergr
innedtouchi
ngher
breastassheslowlysatonthe
groundandmel t
edf al
l
ingdown..
.

Lady
:(scr
eami
ng)Thusang!Heel
a??
Theyr
anov
erandcheckedherpul
se.
..

Man:
Whathappened?
Lady
: It
oldheraboutGobonaand
shetouchedherchestt
henfel
ldown
Man:Shei
shavi
ngahear
tat
tack..
.
Any
onewithacar
?Hel
pthebathong.
.

Noneoft
hem hadcarsandt
heyhad
tomakecal
l
sast heyl
aidmmaLolo'
s
bodyi
nsi
dethehouse.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
.
Meanwhi l
et heneighbourr emai ned
calm sitt
ingont hechai rasSet sana
stoodbyst ari
ngatthedoorher
auntiehadbeeni nforawhi l
e,she
neededt oheari fhermot herwas
okayt henshesawDi boysandTi na
walkingin, sheburstedintotear sand
ranintohi sarmscr yi
ngl oudly.
..

Setsana:(cryi
nghysteri
call
y)Mama
washangi ngfrom t
her oofwithher
eyeswi de,shewasn'tbreat
hingbut
auntiesaysshewillbef i
ne,wil
lshe
befine?
Cal
vi
n:Ihopeso,
wher
eisshe?

Theyt urnedar oundandlookedat

Loloasshewal kedoverhol
dingher
tearsin,thenei ghbourl
adystoodup
andl ookedatherandnoddedf orher
toletthem knowbutshecoul dn'
t
evensayi tbecauseshewasi n
denial.
..

Cal
vi
n:Aunt
ie?
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
ynodded)Shei
sgone.
..
Set
sana:
Dead?
Lol
o:Yes
Calvi
nfrozeaseachpartofhi
sbody
gotcold,Set
sanaputherarm onher
facecryi
ngloudl
yasLolohuggedher
ti
ghtl
y.

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.

Lol
opausedandt urnedasoneofthe
nei
ghbourspushedthebedwi t
hher
motherl
yi
ngoni tthensheranaft
er
her
..
.

Lol
o:Whathappened?
Nei
ghbour:Theyt
oldherabout
Gobona.
..

Sheranwit
hthebedgent
lysl
appi
ng
hermother
'scheek.
..

Lol
o:Mme?Mme?Mmewee?Mme?

Shecheckedherpul seandstopped
cover
inghermout hinshockast he
bedsli
di noneofthecurtai
nswhere
thenursesrushedin.

Lol
o:Thi
sisnothappeni
ng.
..
.It
snot
happeni
ng.
..

LI
KETHEI
NSERT.
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/3,
11:
58PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 85

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.
ThesadnessonLol o'sface,her
swolleneyeswi t
hendl esstears
brokemyhear taswal kedt owards
thegraves, shegotweakerst anding
byhermot her'
sandmel tedcryingas
herauntsuppor t
edher ,shef i
nall
y
gainedstrengt hbravelypicki
nga
handfulsoil f
rom thespadeand
droppeditont opofhermot her'
s
casketthenmov edont ohersister'
s.
..

Behi
ndherwalkedtear
fulCal
vin
hol
dinghi
sli
tt
lesist
er'
shandasshe
putherar
m ar
oundherf or
ehead
cryi
ngoutl oudhidi
ngherf acelett
ing
outahear twrenchingmour nfulcr
y,
shecr i
edsosadherl it
tlevoice
echoedt hr
ought heheartsof
everyonesurroundi
ngt hetwo
graveyardsandwesangev enmor e
rai
singourhandsuponont hesky
cryi
ngt oJesus..
.

Al
l
:Jokoy
ahaoebobebe
Enkgat
hol
olapel
o
Tumel
ohonnaket
hebe
Et
lamphemi
sal
efu
Ny
akal
l
okeef
umane
Tsel
engy
ahaoMor
ena
Di
rahonnadi
qhal
ane
Kehl
olet
swekewena

Setsanarefusedt omoveawayf r
om
hermot her'
sgr av
easCalvintr
iedto
pullherhandt henheli
ft
edherupand
walkedtowar dsthegazeboasweal l
cri
ed,icri
edsomuchi stopped
si
ngingandcov eredmyfacewitha
cl
othbuti knewi hadtosingformy
fr
iend.Iblewmynoseandsang
al
ong. .
..

Al
l
:Ket
laopakadi
atl
a
Ket
lar
e:Hal
eluy
a
Hal
l
eluy
ahosenat
la
Senkeny
anghoJehov
a..
..
.

AtMmaLol
o'
shouse.
..
.

MeanwhileMayawalkedbehindthe
housewherethebi
gt hr
eelegged
potswereonthefi
rewithpaleche
andseswang.
..

Shegrabbedabowl f
rom thet
able
whereafewladi
eswer ewashi
ng
cupsthenshebentoveroneofthe
pot
sanddishedmot ogof
or
Gobona'
syoungestandJuni
or.
..

Asshegri
nneddi
shi
ngbli
ndedbythe
smokeshehear
dthesewords.
..

Woman: It'
sveryshameful
,sheliv
ed
ahighli
festyl
eanddrovenicecars
whil
ehermot herstay
edinahouse
l
ikethi
s,thewayhersist
er'
schildren
werestarvi
ng..
.
Woman2: Shethinksburyi
ngthem
withnicecoff
inswi ll
changehow
sel
f i
shsheis,typical
lyoutofpov
ert
y
gir
ls.
Shitfor
medatt het i
pofhertongue
andshet urnedr eadytospitbutshe
remember edhowmuchherf ather
whippedherf orbeingdisrespectf
ul
thenshegl ancedatt hem andpassed
by..
.

Woman: What'sthepointofgivi
nga
goodburialwheny ouhatedthem?
Shejustwantedlif
einsurancemoney
wit
ht hem..
.Thisgirl
hasnoshame...
Woman2:
Watchassheabandons
t
heki
dsandgoesbackt
oherriches
Thatwasenoughtot
urnherar
ound
asshewalkedbackt
othem..
.

May a: Fir
stofal lyoudon' tknowmy
mot herorwhathappenedher esot he
bestt hingy oucandoi st oshuty our
trapandst opspi tt
ingy oursali
vaon
theplat esy ou'
regoi ngt ofeedpeopl e
wi t
h,Shameony ou..
..Suchol der
peoplegossi pi
ngaboutsomeoneas
youngerasmymot her.Toobadshe
i
nsur edhermot herandsi sternow
youhav enot hi
ngt ogossi pabout
becausenobodycont ri
but edshitto
any t
hingher e.
..
Shestoppedlookingatthem wai
ti
ng
andreadyforthei
rresponsesbut
theykeptqui
et..
.

May a:It'
struepoorpeopl etalkabout
peopleandt her i
chdiscussi deas,
whileyou'reher ewast i
ngt i
me
gossipingaboutmymot hermont h
endsheget sagoodpaybecauseshe
wentt oschool andshef ucking
dri
vesacart haty oucanonl ydr i
vein
yourdreams.Seehowshef ed
everyoneher e?That '
showshei s
goingtof eedt hosechildrenbecause
that'swhosheis,shehasloveinher
hear tandyoucan'tt
akethataway
from herbutheygoonandgossi pif
i
tmakesy ouforgetaboutyour
mi serabl
epoorli
ves..
.Peasant
s!

Sheturnedaroundandwal kedpasta
rel
ati
vewhohadbeenget t
ing
i
rri
tat
edbyt heirgossi
psaswel l
,she
chuckl
edandputabowl ont hetabl
e
walki
ngpastt hem wit
hajokersmi l
e..
.

Her
:Bataalebolel
elababasale
t
shabeng,banabadisubur
bsgaba
t
shabefokoloaker
ebone,gaba
tshabenixbakgwashitgosalagol
e
fokonbastet
e..
..
..
(l
aughedand
clappedonce)HehehetlekeMaun!

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.

Carsli
nedupf oll
owingthefuneral
parl
orcarasKent urnedthesteeri
ng
wheel j
oini
ngin.Iwi
pedmyt ear
y
eyesandf i
xedmyheadwr apasKen
touchedmyt highl
ookingatme. .
..

Ken:
Arey
ouokaybabe?
Me:
(sni
ff
ledandwi
pedmynose)I
'
m
fi
ne..
.Gobona'schil
drenhurtmethe
most .Li
fewon'tbeeasyforthem,
Lolowagoi melwa.Shealreadyhas4
thenweadd5t othatmakingita
total
of9.
Ken: ButLoloisbrave,
ifshedidit
whenshewasat eenagershecan
defini
tel
ydoi tasanempl oyedwell
paidHR.Shej ustneedsaf r
iend
braveenought oholdherhand
throughit,
allafri
endwhowon' t
breakdownwhenshei sdown.
Me:
OK
Ken:
You'
reheronlysuppor
tyouhav
e
tomakei
tseem l
ikenothi
ng,t
ell
her
y
oubel
ieveinherandshewi l
lbef i
ne,
t
hemoreyousayi tt
hemor esheis
l
i
kel
ytobeliev
eandy ouknowf ai
this
t
heonl
ythingthatwil
lnev
erfail.

Hi
sphonerangt
henhegl
ancedat
t
hephoneandcutt
hecal
l
...

Me:
Kemang?
Ken:
Amant
le
Me:
Whatdoesshewant
?
Ken:
Idon'
tknow

Myphoner
angandi
picked.
..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o
Amant
le:
Letmet
alkt
oKen
Me:
Whydon'
tyoucal
lhi
snumber
?
Amantle:Hecutthecal
landi t
s
obvi
ouslybecauseheiswithy ou
si
ncehenev ercutsmycalls.Giv
e
hi
mt hephone,you'r
efi
nishingmy
ai
rt
ime

Isighedandgavehimthephonethen
het ookadeepbreat
handputiton
hisearwhil
edri
ving.
..
.
Ken: Whatisit
...-.
..
Isai
dI'
llcall
back
aker? .
..
.-…aenoAmant lesedire
j
alo...You'
renotsupposedtocal lmy
wife.I'
m hangingupandy ou'l
lnot
cal
l herunti
lically
ouback.

Hehungupandgav
emet
hephone.
..

Ken:
Blockher
Me:No,Icanhandl
ehersowhatar
e
youcal
l
ingherabout?
Ken:
Sheaskedmet
ofi
xhercar
Me:
Idon'
tgeti
t,ar
eyouamechani
c?
Ken:
Sheaskedmet
ogether
someonetoworkonhercarbecause
shedoesn'
tknowany
one.
Me:Andyouagr
eed,
whycoul
dn'
tyou
j
ustno?
Ken:
Itwasj
ustaspuroft
hemoment
Me:
Honestl
yKendoy
oust
il
lhav
e
f
eel
i
ngsforher
?
Ken:(sighed)Di
didon'
tdothi
s..
..I'
m
notarguingwithyou,
I'
m si
ckofy ou
accusingmeabouther

Ikeptqui
etandleanedbackt
henshe
call
edhim agai
n..
.
Ken:
Hel
l
o?.
.-.
.OK.

Hehungupandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
.

*
**

Minuteslat
erwepar kedunderthe
tr
eeandwal kedpasttheothercars
gett
ingintheyar
d,het ri
edtoholdmy
handbuti moveditaside.
..

Ken:
Whatdi
didonow?
Me:
Justdon'
ttouchmeokay
Ken:
Ok.
..
Wesati nthebackast heuncle
i
ntroducedthedeceased'schil
dren,
Lol
owal kedov erf
oll
owedbyher
chi
ldrenandGobona' schi
ldr
enast he
unclenamedt hem...
.

Uncle:andGobonaleavesbehindfi
ve
chi
ldren,Cal
vin,
Agatha,Kat
lo,
Setso
andKgot so.
..

Kenreceivedamessageandt apped
onitthenhesl i
ppedthephoneback
i
nhisj acketandli
stenedfora
secondort wothenhet ur
nedtome. .
Ken:Il
ockedsomef i
lesi
nmyof fice
butt
heyneedthem attherecept
ion
tomakebookings.I
'
llbebackina
fewminutes

Ididn'trespondashel eanedov er
andki ssedmet henhewal kedaway
takingoutt hecarkey s.Iwasawar e
thatpr egnancyhor monesmi ghthav e
beenwor kingonmebutIcoul df eel
somet hingwasn' tright
,Iwent
throught hefir
stpr egnancyaloneand
iwashopi ngthesecondonewoul d
beagr eatexperiencesinceiwasa
wi
febutiwasn'tsur
eifi
wastheonl
y
t
hingonhi
smi ndanymore.

Uncle:
( cl
osinghi
sspeech)andt hank
youallforyoursupportduri
ngthis
dif
fi
cultti
me.Iseet hey'
reservi
ng
foodalready,l
ekamosot he
bagaetsho.Tiroyaronaewet se.
..

Peopleateandlefttheni
walkedin
thehousewer eLolowaslyi
ngwith
heraunti
es,shesteppedoutand
smil
edgl adtoseemeaswehugged
ti
ghtl
y..
..
Me:Wearegoi
ngtogothrought
his,
i
fyouneedany
thi
ngI'
m here.
Lol
o:IknowandI
'
m goi
ngt
oneed
you
Me:
I'
mready
..
.

Iki
ssedheront
hecheekandhugged
heragai
nasshesni
ff
edandrubbed
hernose.
.

Lolo:(pi
nchedmycheek)Andy ou'
re
defini
tel
ypregnant
,you'
reget
ti
ng
chubbyalready.
Me:
(laughed)May
bet
hat
'swhyKen
i
srepel
l
ing
Lol
o:Whatdoy
oumean?
Me: Nothi
ng,nevermind.Youhave
enoughproblemsalready..
.Wewil
l
tal
kwhenal l
t hesei
sov er
..
.Canyou
borr
owmey ourcar?I'
llbebacki
nan
hour.IwanttocheckonKen
Lol
o:Ofcour
se,
letmegett
hekey
s..
.

Itookadeepbreat
handsi
ghedas
shewalkedback.
..

Lolo:
Wehaveameetinganditwil
l
takeawhi
l
e.Rel
ati
veswanttotake
them kebabol eletsegor
egagona
yootsay angbanabagankgonne
goreay egobar uwa.Theydon' tev en
knowt hem andal readyt
hey'r
e
choosingandf unnyenought hey '
re
picki
ngt heolderonessot heycan
usethem l i
kemai ds.Myunclehel a
yonear eshapelagobapal amor ogo
wadi nawasay shewant sDiboy s..
Me:
Ohkanahehasaf
arm,
hewant
s
t
ousehi
m.
Lolo:Themmagagonay oophakaa
banaba, Godall
owedthistohappen
becauseheknewIcoul dhandleit,
i
don'tknowhowI '
m goingtodoitbut
thesechil
drenarenotseparat
ing.I
'm
taki
ngthem tomyhouseatt
heend
ofthi
smeet i
nggababatagobona
gorekegolet
sekoganongbangange
l
ennakabanaba.
Me:
I'
m sur
esomewi
l
lbacky
ouup
Lol
o:Yesot
her
sar egoodhear
ted.
Letmegobackinsi
de
Me:
Shap

Iturnedaroundandwal kedt
owards
thecarasSet sanasatonthechai
r
withMay aandBabyf i
xedherbeads.
..

AtZane'
sChal
ets.
..
Lateronipar
kednexttoKen'scar
andwalkedtowardshisoffi
ce,
itwas
l
ockedandi wenttotherecept
ion
area.

Therecept
ionistsmil
edandtur
ned
overt
omeasi l
eanedovert
he
count
ersmi l
i
ng...

Me:HiNancy
..Um.
..Hav
eyouseen
MrDaniel
?

Sheseemedt
opani
cnotsur
ewhat
t
osay
..
.

Nancy:Hewasher
ebutI
'
m notsur
e
wherehewent
..
.

From hereyesandunusual
stammer i
ngi knewsomet hingwas
upbutIkindofunder stoodher
positi
on,i
fKenwasdoi ngsomethi
ng
wrongwhi chwasalreadyobv i
ousto
meshewoul dbeputtingherjobi
n
j
eopar dybysayingi
ncr i
minati
ng
thingsaboutherboss.

Me:
Handmet
her
egi
ster
..
Sheslidthebookov erandiranmy
fi
ngeronal l
thebookedr oomst heni
l
ookedupatt hekeyboar djustabove
therecepti
on, chal
et3wasn' t
occupiedont hebookbutt herewer e
nokey sontheboar d...
.

Me:
Thanks

Isl
i
dbackthecheck-
inr
egi
sterand
wal
kedout
.

Ont
hewaymyhear
tpoundedandi
al
mostchokedswal
l
owi
ngsal
i
va
tr
yingt
ocal
m down.

Ireachedthedoorandsteppedon
thematwr itt
enWELCOMEandi
wasn'tsur
ewhet hert
oknockorj ust
openbuti tookachancequiet
ly
turni
ngthehandleandpushingthe
doorin.

Tomysur pr
iseitopenedt heni
steppedin,Kenjumpedof fherand
bl
ockedhi sdickwithat owelasshe
grabbedapi l
lowandcl osedherlegs
putti
ngitonherchest .
..
.
Ken:(
swal
l
owed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?
Me:
Ken.
..
Amant
le:
Tel
lher
Ken:
(toher
)Shutup
Me:
Tel
lmewhat
?
Amant le:Hewantsadi vorcebuthe
fel
tsorr yf
oryoubecausey ou'
re
pregnantsoweagr eedtokeept hi
sa
secretuntil
thebabyi sbornbutsince
youcoul dn'
tst
ayathomeandwai t
foryourhusbandlikeotherwi v
es
thereisnopointhi
di ngit
.
Me:
Isi
ttr
ue?

Hesatontheedgeoft
hebed
shi
rtl
essandr
ubbedhi
sfacet
ryi
ngt
o
thi
nk.
..
.

Me:
Isi
ttr
ue?
Ken:
It'
snot
,shei
sly
ing
Amant l
e:ShouldIshowhert
he
messages?Kendon' tmakemeal i
ar,
l
ist
enwef uckedadayaft
eryour
wedding.Remembercalli
ngand
cal
li
ngt exti
ngheweeheweehowcan
youleavemewi t
hyourf
amil
yblabl
a
hewassweat i
ngontopofme.
Ken:
Shei
sly
ing.
.

Amant leputonherpantiesand
handedmet hephonebutKen
snatcheditfrom herandsmashedit
onthewal lthenhegrabbedherneck
andt ossedheront hebed.

Ken:(
angr
il
y)St
ayoutoft
his,
I'
m not
gonnawar
my ouagai
n

Iturnedaroundandwalkedoutashe
ranaf t
ermezippinghi
sfal
li
ngpants
barefootandgrabbedmyarm pul
li
ng
meback. ..
Ken:Babecanwegobacki nsi
deand
tal
k?Iknowthingsarel
ooki
ngbad
ri
ghtnowbut.
..Ineededsexand
you'
remoodyal lt
heti
meand...
Me:
Soi
t'
smyf
aul
t?
Ken:Noi t
snot,for
getthat.
..
I'
m sor
ry.
Ever
ythingItol
dherwasal i
e.Isai
d
whateverihadtosayt ogetsexand
yesihadt ogiv
ear easonableti
me
peri
odformet okeepget ti
ngitunt
il
thebabyisbornbutIswear -
Me:(
tear
ful
l
y)Don'
ttouchme,
letgo
ofmyarm
Ken:
I'
m notl
ett
ingy
ou,
I'
m sor
ry.
..I
fuckedupbigtimeI'
m sorry.Idi
dn'
t
knowhowf rustr
ati
ngapr egnant
womancanbe, andI'
m notblaming
you..
.Iknowi madeami stakeand
I'
m sorr
y.Let'
sgobackinsideand
tal
k..
.
Me:Yousleptwit
hheradayaft
ert
he
weddingandallt
heset
imeyouhav
e
beenpret
endingtobet
hisl
ovi
ng
husband
Ken:Tobehonestwi thy ouididn't
plantosleepwithhert hatday, she
temptedmeandi f
ellforitbecauseit
cameatabadt i
me, youknowt hat
thenightbefor
ei sleptwi t
h..
.(shook
hishead)Gaaadf uck!I'm sorr
y .
..
Me:
Justgot
oher
,I'
l
lbef
ine.
..

Itur
nedaroundandwal kedaway
thenhel
ift
edmef rom behi ndandran
backwit
hmeasi bitmyl owerlip
hit
ti
nghim onthefacewi thelbows
buthekeptgoi
nganddr oppedmeon
thebedasAmant l
eputonhershoes.

Hepickedherj
acketandt
hrewi
ton
herf
ace..

Ken:
(toher
)Getout
!
Isl
idofft
hebedtryingt
oleav ebuthe
pushedmeont hebedandpi nnedme
down,iboil
edhel
plessl
ytr
yingto
pushhim offme.
..

Me:
Getof
fme!
Ken:(puthisfor
eheadonmi ne)I'
m
sorr
y,ifuckedupI'm sorr
y..
.Ididn'
t
wanttobot heryoubydemandi ngtoo
muchsexbecausey ouar epregnant
,i
knowi waswr ong.IfuckedupI '
m
sorr
y
Amant
le:Wherei
smywat ch?it
'sa
Rol
ex.
.Itwasontheheadboar
d
Ken:
(angr
il
ytur
nedt
oherst
il
l
pi
nni
ngmedown)GETOUT!

Sheli
ftedeverythi
ngt r
yingtofindit
thenhegotof fmeandgr abbedher
armimpat i
entl
ydraggingheroutas
sheheldherbelongingstoherchest .
Iusedt het
imet ogetoffthebedbut
hequicklycl
osedheroutandbl ocked
mywayasi rubbedmyt ear s
punchinghim...

Me:
Cany
oupl
easel
etmeout
,Iwant
t
ogo
Ken:You'
renotleav
ing,I
'
m sorr
y..
..I
knowI'
vehurtyoutrustme.
..I
'
m
sor
ry(t
ouchedmytummy
)IknowI
'
m
hur
ti
ngy out
wo.
..
Me:(
slappedhi
shand)
Don'
t,
don'
t
ev
entryit
..
.

Ipi
ckedthefl
owervaseonthet
abl
e
andpul
ledoutthef
lower
s..
.

Me:
Mov
e..
.
Ken:Hitme,
isthatwhaty
ouwant?I
f
that
'swhati
ttakest
ofixt
hist
hendo
i
t

Ir
eachedf
ort
hel
ockbuthepushed
myhandandt ookoutt hekeyt henI
turnedhi t
tinghi m buthebl ockedt he
vasewi t
hhi swr istandi tshutt
ered
ont hef l
oor .Hej erkedmeup
steppingont hebr okengl assesand
het ossedmeont hebedashef ell
stagger i
ngt henhet urnedand
remov edt hepi eceofgl assonhi s
sole.Ireachedf orhi sphoneont he
headboar dandsmashedonhi sf ace,
hecov eredhi sey eandsl i
dsitti
ngon
thef l
oortry ingt ogai nstrengthbuti
hoov eredar oundt her oom shakingi n
angercl i
ngi ngmyt eethlookingfor
somet hingt ohi thim wi th.
Igr
abbedtheplast
icchairandhithi
m
ontheheadbuthequicklystoodup
hol
dingi
tontheotherside..
.

Ken:
Babest
op,
you'
rehur
ti
ngme
Di
di:
Opent
hedoor
,iwantt
ogetout
Ken:
No

Ipushedt hechairpokinghim wi
th
thelegsthenhepushedi tasi
deand
grabbedmywai stpushingmeont he
bed,ifel
lonmyt ummyashel ai
don
topofmebr eat
hingdownmyneck
hiswholebodypi nningmedown.
Helpl
essandunabl etomov eIbroke
downcryingandhet earf
ull
ykissed
myhairaswebot hbr eat
hedheav i
ly
fr
om all
thefight
ing..
.

Ken:(
shaki
ngvoice)Imessedup,
i
messedup,Imessedup
Me:
(cr
ying)Iwor
kforher
Ken:
Youcanqui
tyourj
oband.
.
Me:(
cry
ing)I
ttookmey ear
stof
ind
t
hatj
obandyoudot hi
s?
Ken:Wecanf
ixt
his,
youcancome
workher
ewit
hmeandy ou'
l
lhav
e
t
imeforthefl
owershoptoo.Iswear
i
fyoufor
givemeI'
llnev
ercrossthat
l
i
neagain..
.
Me:
Getof
fme,
ican'
tbr
eat
h..
.

Hemov edbacksit
ti
ngont heedgeof
thebedlooki
ngatmeasi sli
dupt he
bedandleanedagai
nstthewalland
cover
edmyf acecryi
ng.

Ifi
nall
ygotmy sel
ftoget
herand
rubbedmyt ear
soffashesatonthe
bedwithhi
sheadr egret
tabl
yburi
ed
betweenhishands..
.
Me:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)If
orgi
vey
ou
Ken:
(lookedatmesuspi
ciousl
y)Just
l
iket
hat?
Me: Yeah,justl
ikethathaokakewa
thol
aonkut wakegor ayasepeka
Amant leandI'm notquit
ti
ngmyjob
eit
her.(gotoffthebed)Mphakeyke
i
sekol oiyagaLol o.

Hehandedmethekeyandi unlocked
t
henhestoodatthedoorwatching
measi wal
kedaway.

Igoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
58PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 86
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

Intheaft
ernoonMay at ookoutal
lher
clot
hesfrom thewardrobeandbooks
outoftheshelfandpiledthem onthe
bedthenshemov edthem toBaby'
s
room whowasal sobusymaki ng
room f
orher..
.

Maya:
Lif
eisgoingt
obesoeasi
er
wi
thCarl
around
Baby
:Why
?
May
a:Hecanhel
pmedomy
homewor kandst uff,Tinasayshei s
bri
ll
i
ant .Appar entlyheget sallt
he
pri
cesf ortoppi ngsubj ectsandy ou
knowt hesy l
labust heyusei n
governmentschool sissot ough.Ifhe
canhammert hathecandef i
nit
ely
makemepassatschool .
Baby
:Ok.
..

Theypackedthei
rroom andhear
d
thecarparki
ngoutsi
de,
theymoved
tothecurt
ainst
henMay asmil
ed..
.

Maya:Ok,
her
ewego..
.(l
ookedather
shor
tski
rt
)Doil
ookok?
Baby
:(conf
used)Whatdoy
oumean?
May
a:(
shookherhead)Nev
ermi
nd.
..

Shechangedi ntoherbum shor

tsand
tookoutherbr awhil
eBabyhurri
ed
outtohelpthekidswitht
hebagsas
theywalkedin..
..

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Set
sana:
Hi.
..
Lolo:Wait
sei don'
tknowhowwear e
goingtosortouttheroomsbecause
therear
eonlyt hr
eeroomsand9of
you.
May a:
Calvi
ncanmi nesinceheis
oldert
hanallofusandcan'tshar
e,I
'
ll
sharewit
hBabyandSet sanacan
sharewit
hhersibl
ings.
Lol
o:(
tot
hem)Whatdoy
out
hink?
Cal
vi
n:Thankyou,anyt
hingi
sfi
ne.
Weareusedtosharing
Set
sana:
I'
mfi
newi
thany
thi
ngt
oo
Lol
o: I
t'
ssettledt
hen..
..Set
sanadoes
Kgotsowett hebed?Iwanttosleep
wit
hhi m andJunior
Set
sana:
Hewet
sthebed
Lol
o:Hewi
ll
conti
nueshar
ingwi
th
youguy
sunt
ilhest
ops
Shel
edt
hem t
other
ooms.
..

Lolo:Her
eisCalvi
n'
sroom,t
hisone
i
sf orMayaandBabythenwehave
yourroom guy
s..
.

Calvi
ngotinhiswi thhisbagandsat
onthebedl ookingatthecleanroom,
he'
dnev erbeenunderar oofti
le
exceptatschool andthebeddidn't
evenmakeasound.Hehada
wardrobetoputhi scl
othesinand
aboutfiv
eshelv esint
hewal l
wardrobejustforhisbooks.
May awalkedi
nandsmi l
edsi
tt
ing
nexttohimthenshenoti
cedhehad
oneearpieceofheadset
sonthe
othersi
de..
.

May
a:whatar
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
o?
Calvi
n:I
t'
sHill
songsTi
nasentt
hem,
they
'r
ereall
ycool
May a:(t
ouchedhist
highmoving
closerandgottheot
herpiece
l
isteni
ng)Yeah,il
ovethi
sone...

Cal
vi
ngav
ehert
hephoneandst
art
ed
unpacki
ng.
..
..

*
**

Meanwhi l
einthechi
ldren'
sroom
Loloputthei
rbagsdownandpushed
Junior
'sbigbabycotininsi
deasthey
all
uncomf or
tabl
ystoodatthecor ner
l
ookingatthe"cl
eanniceEnglish
thi
ngs"they'
dneverseenbefore.
..
.

Lol
o: Okay.
..
..Kgotsowil
luseJuni
or'
s
babycotbecausefrom nowonI'l
l
sl
eepwi thJunior
,Kgotso?
Kgot
so:
(suckinghi
stwof
inger
s
l
ooki
ngather)Maa?
Lol
o:Thi
sisyourbedandI'
m goi
ng
toal
waysleav
ethelight
sonsoyou
cangotothetoi
l
etifyouwantt
opee
Kgot
so:
Bymy
sel
f?
Lol
o:Yes
Setsana:Ther
eisatoi
leti
nsi
det
he
house,notoutsi
dei
nthedark
Kgot
so:
Ok
Set
so:
Iwantt
oseei
t,doesi
thav
e
wat
ertoo?
Lolo:Yesbutlet
'sf
ixther
ooms
fi
rst.
..
.(poi
nti
ngatthebunkbed)I
guessKat ocantaket
hetoppart
sinceit
'ssmall
erandiknowboys
l
ikingcli
mbing(hesmil
edexci
tedl
y)
thenSetsanaandSetsocanusethe
l
ar gebott
om part.
Gi
rl
s:Yes.
..
Lol
o:Per
fect
..
.
I
'm goingt ogetstart
edont hedinner
,
unpacky ourbagsandgobat h.
..Uh..
.
(t
urnedar ound)Anotherthi
ng..
.
Everyonehast otakeabat hinthe
mor ni
ngbef oregoingtoschool or
before9ifit'
saweekendandt helast
bathhast obet akenby6pm ev ery
day.
Set
sana:
Whydowebat
hsomuch?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Twi
cei
stoomuch?
Set
sana:Webat
honcei
ntwodays,
someti
meswecanski
paweek.
Lol
o:Godforbi
d,newrul
esyoubath
andbrushyourt
eetht
wiceadaytoo.
Setso:Ihat
ebathi
ngbecauset
he
bucketisheav
y
Lol
o:Thatr
emi
ndsmecomeher
e..
..

Theyfoll
owedhertothebathroom
wheresheshowedthem howt ouse
thebathr
oom andbathi
ngsuddenly
becameanurgencyforthem asthey
f
oll
owedhert
othet
oil
et.
..
.

Lolo:Thi
sisthet oi
let,
pleasealways
fl
ushandspr ay.
..Ifyoucoloredthe
toi
letyoubrushlikesoandf l
ush
again.
Al
l
:Okay
..
.
Lol
o:Ihavemyownbat hroom i
nthe
masterbedr
oom sothi
sonei sfor
youall
.Anythi
ngelseyouaskMay a
andBaby,gounpackandcome
bat
h..
..
..
.
Al
l
:OK
Shewentt
oherbedr
oom asher
phoner
ang.
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Hey
Lol
o:Hi
Aat
il
e:Howar
etheki
dsadj
ust
ing?
Lolo:(smi l
ed)Well..
..Babyf ounda
fr
iend, sheandSet sanaaboutt he
sameage, Junioralsof oundplay
buddies, Setsoisaboutt hatageand
Kgotsoi sslight
lyyoungert hant hem
butli
key ouknowki dsf rom atough
backgr oundhebehav esmat ur
et han
Junior.Setsanaenet hinksl
ikeMay a
atheragewaitseli
festr
uggleswill
forceyoutogrow.KanaCalvinleene
i
sn'tthatol
dbecauseithinkheis
olderthanMayaka2y earsbutthei
r
behaviouri
stotal
l
ydiff
erentfr
om bo
May a.
Aati
le:
Lifecanberough, i
want edto
dropbyandsayhel l
ospendt imewith
theboysandseehowt hey'
reholdi
ng
upbutit'
slat
esoi thi
nkI'l
ldropby
tomorrowifthat
'sOK
Lol
o:That
'
llbef
ine
Aat
il
e:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Lol
o:I
'
m scaredabi
t.
..Idon'
tknow
howI'
m goi
ngtohandleall
ofthem,I
hav et
osendKgot sotoJunior'
s
school i
mmedi atel
yandi knowi twi
ll
behar dforhim becausehecan' t
utterasingl
ewor dinEnglishbutthei
r
teacherJunior'
steacheri
swhi te.
Aat
il
e:Ki
dsl
ear
nfast
er.
Lol
o:Ihopeheadj
ust
s
Aati
le:Don'tworrytoomuch, youcan
dothisandt hegoodt hi
ngisthatthey
haveacar dfrom thecouncil
whi ch
theycanuset oswipecl
othesand
food,don'
tor phanshavethat?
Lolo:(smil
ed)Godi f
orgot,
yesthey
do...Theygettobuyanythi
ngthey
needwi ththatcar
d.
Aati
l
e:(smi
l
ed)See?St
opwor
ryi
ng,
youcandothi
s.
Lolo:Thanks. ..(anawkwar dmoment
passed)Aat il
edon' tsleepwith
under agegi rl
s,you'll
got oprison..
.
You'renotsupposedt obeat tract
ed
togi r
lsy oungert hany ourdaughters.
Ngwanany anawamal obaommat a
hat hokogat selaomonny ehel a
thata...(
hesi ghedshamef ull
y)Did
yousl eepwi thher ?(hesighed)
pleaset ellmey ouusedaCondom?
(hekeptqui et)Howol disshe?
Aat
il
e:16
Lol
o:Someki
dswer
ebor
nwi
tht
he
vi
rusotaatsenwakedi
STDlewena
otaatseny
abanadiSTD,j
aanong
gawamoi misa?
Aat
il
e:Idon'
tthi
nkso,
ipul
l
edout
Lol
o:Cany
ougoandconf
ir
m?
Aat
il
e:Eeket
ayagocheka
Lolo:Letthisbethelastt
imeyou
sl
eepwi that eenagerkeagokopa,i
sti
l
l needy outohelpmer ai
seyour
ki
ds.
Aati
le:Iknowiwaswr ong,ithas
beeneat i
ngmeandi feell
ikei sl
ept
wit
honeofmydaught ers,
shedi dn'
t
knowany thi
ngaboutsex.Ihad
cont
r olofev
ery
thi
ngandi wasn' t
reall
ycareful
, i
wasr oughandsome
pointshecr i
ed.Itwasaboutme
havingpowerov erawomanand
therewasnot hingshecoul ddo
exceptfollowmyor ders.Kgangya
tengeanj a,idon'tknowhowI '
m
goingtolookatmydaught ers
kamosobecausegapeol eo
monny evl
ekammel e
Lolo:It
houghtsheiswas14,that
's
whykenekebot sa.Emisabeforeyou
startsl
eepi
ngwithbaba12t aboele
rape.Emisawhil
eyoustil
lcan
Aati
l
e:Keutul
e,keikgal
emet
sei
feel
ver
ybadalr
eady..
Lol
o:Okay
,by
e
Aat
il
e:By
e

Shehungupandt
hrewherphoneon
thebed.
..
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

LaterthateveningIwipedmyt ears
l
yingunder cover,
isti
llcoul
dn't
beli
eveKensl eptthatwomanandi
couldn'ti
maginehowawkwar dt hi
ngs
wouldbeatwor kbuttheni t
ooka
deepbr eat
handgotoutofbed.
Suddenlyallthet hingsi wast ol
d
aboutcamet r ue,whent heelders
weregi vi
ngmesecr etstomaki ng
mar r
iageworkev ent hroughdi f
fi
cult
ti
mesi wasli
st eningbecausei knew
myKenwoul dnev erlookatany
womant hanmebutt her eiwast r
y i
ng
torememberbi tsandpi ecesofwhat
wassai dbefor eiwassentt omyi n-
l
aws. .
.

Iprepareddinnerforhim..
..Thebest
meal ieverpreparedforhi
m andi
didn'
twantt obutt hent
hoseold
l
adiessaidnev erpunishyour
husbandbydepr i
vinghi
mf oodorsex
becauseheneededthosetof unct
ion
wellsoispenthour
sstandinginthe
ki
tchen,choppi
ngveget
ablesand
makingsaladsformycheating
husband.

Ikeptchecki
ngthet i
mejusttoseei
f
hewouldbehomel atert
hanhe
shouldthenidi
all
edmymot heri
n
l
aw...
.

Her
:Mr
sDani
el

Imustadmi
tital
wayst
ickl
edme
whenhismot
hercal
l
edmet hat
,ihad
wrongedt hatwomani nthepastbut
shehadcompl etelyrubbeditoffthe
books, theki
ndofmot herineverhad,
bythewayi didn'thav etheint
entions
oftelli
ngany onemyhusbandwas
cheatingjusty et.Theeldershadal so
saidthatawi fedeal swi t
hher
husbandi npr i
v atebeforeseekingthe
outsidehelpandy esiwasdef i
nit
ely
readyt odeal withmyhusband' s
i
nfideli
ty.

Me: (
smil
ed)Dumelang,
iwasj
ust
checki
ngifKengotZane
Her
:Hei
sher
e,cani
giv
ehi
mthe
phone?
Me:
Ohnoi
tsokay
.
Her
:Al
ri
ghtmygi
rl
,by
e
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandsett het abletheni

wentf orabathift hereissomet hi
ng
annoy i
ngaboutbei ngcheat edwhen
you'r
epr egnantisbecauset hereis
l
essf earony ourman' ssideandmen
alwaysknowwi vesgi vethem t he
"si
lenttreat
ment "whi chpr ett
y
doesn'tmaket hem payf orwhatt hey
didbecauseev ent ual
lyhemakesy ou
smi l
eandy oufor getallabouthi s
nast
ybehav
iour
.

Aftertaki ngabat hi satbyt he

dressingt abl
eputtingonmymakeup,
yesi twasi ntheeveni ngbuti wanted
himt oseemet hatway .Ithengotmy
l
apt opandwai t
edf ort hem byt ypi
ng
afewt hingsi coulddot ogetmy
fl
owershopr unning, seei fAmant l
e
wasgoi ngt ofir
emei neededa
backuppl an.

Afewmi nuteslat
eriheardt
hecar
parki
ngandt heycl
osedthedoor
s
chatt
ing,
itookadeepbr eat
hbur
ying
mypainasZaneranthrought
hedoor
andj
umpedonme, ipickedhi
m up
andki
ssedhi
m...

Me:
Heybuddy
,imi
ssedy
ou
Zane:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo
Me:
Hav
easeatandeat
..
.

Iputhim onhisseatandclosedthe
l
apt opasKenwal kedoverwitht
hea
guil
tylook,hel
eanedov erandki
ssed
meexpect i
ngmet otur
nmyheadbut
ireachedforhi
sjawandki ssedhim
back...
Ken:
Hey
Me:Hey
,hav
easeat
..
.t
hef
oodi
sst
il
l
war
m

Hepul l
edachairanduncover
edhis
foodthenhelookedatme
suspici
ousl
yitookhisfoodandgave
him mine.
..

Ken:(
chuckl
ed)Idi
dn'
tev
ensay
anyt
hing
Me:
Youdi
dn'
thav
eto
Zane:
Wedi
dn'
tpr
ay
Me:
Yourt
urnt
opr
ayZane.

Wejoi
nedourhandsandcl
osedour
ey
es..
.

Zane:
Godbl
essourf
oodAmen
Bot
h:Amen

Weal lbegunasweexchangedl ooks

atthetable,ist
il
lcoul
dn'
tbel
iev
ehe
sleptwit
hherandhekeptpausingt o
eatandr ubbi
nghisfacebuthe
wasn'tsurewhatt osaysohewould
thencont i
nuetoeat.
Il
at erbathedZanebef or elayi
nghi m
onhi sbedt henist eppedoutt o
cleant hebathtub,wheni gotbackhe
wasal r
eadyasleepsoi pull
edhi s
blanket soverandswi t
chedof fthe
l
ight s.I
twasal i
tt
leafter8...

Iwalkedbackt ot
heki t
chent odot he
dishesbutKenwasal readycl eaning,
hecleanedsomuchev ent hef ri
dge
wasspar kl
i
ng.Iwentbackt ot he
l
ivingroom andpickedthet oys,the
wholehousewasawkwar d,wedi dn't
knowhowt otal
ktooneanot her
wi
thoutt
ri
gger
inganar
gument
.

Iswit
chedof ftheli
ghtsandwentto
bed,Minuteslaterhewalkedi
n
smelli
ngfreshf r
om theshowert
hen
hesatont heedgeoft hebedburi
ed
hisheadont hewhi t
etowelhewas
holdi
ng..

Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Babecanwet
alk?
Me:
AboutwhatKen?
Ken:
whathappenedt
hismor
ning.
Me:
Ithoughtwet
alkedabouti
t.
Ken:
Ther
eissomet
hingi
wantt
o
say
..
.
Me:
Okay
,sayi
t
Ken:
Tur
nar
oundandf
aceme.
..
Me:
I'
m comf
ort
abl
ethi
sway
..
.

Hestoodupandwalkedal
ltheway
ar
oundthebedandsquatt
edonmy
si
deofthebedput
ti
nghishandon
mycheeklooki
ngi
nmyey esasi
l
ookedathis.
..
.

Ken:
Whydi
dyouf
orgi
vemesoeasy
?
Me:
Whatdi
dyouwantmet
odo?
Ken:
idon'
tknow,
puni
shmeor
somethi
ng.
..Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ng
todo?
Me:I'
m notplanni
ngany thi
ngKen,
whatcani do?I'
m pregnantandmy
husbandisn'
tattr
actedtome
anymore,whatdoy ouexpectmeto
do?
Ken:Whatcani
dot
omakei
tupt
o
you?
Me:Let '
snottalkaboutit,t
hatwayi
canconv i
ncemy sel
fididn'
tseeyou
sl
eepingwithanot herwomanbutj ust
knowt hatI
'm notgoingt ohavesex
wit
hy ouuntil
y ouhav egoneforan
HIVtestwhichi suselessbecauseit
doesn'
tgiv
etheSTDresul
tssowe
arenotgoi
ngtohavesexatal
lunt
ili
gi
v ebi
rt
hunlessweuseprot
ect
becausewenaomonnawabasadi
bothemoMaun.
Ken:Buti
usedprot
ecti
on,
iev
en
removedi
til
eotsena
Me:
Idi
dn'
tseet
hat
Ken:Becausey ouwereangr
ybutit
wasthere,ourchal
etshavecondoms
youknowt hat!
Me:
Kennai
don'
ttr
usty
ou
Ken:
(chuckl
ed)Somynamei
sKenna
now?
Me:
Isn'
tthatwhaty
ourpar
ent
s
cal
ledyoukanagakeabal
asent
eID
yagago?
Ken:(
chuckl
ed)Iknewy ouweresti
l
l
angr
yatme, i
knewi twastoogood
tobetr
uesowhatar eyougoingto
do?
Me: Cani pl
easegetsomesl
eep?I
'
m
exhausted.
Ken:
Ilov
eyou
Me:
Youhav
en'
tpr
ovedi
t.
Ken:(si
ghed)Thi
swi
l
lnev
erend,
goodnight

Hegotupandswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
s
thenhegoti
nbedandf
acedt
he
otherway
..
..

Ken:Whatevershityou'replanni
ngto
doasr ev
engekeepy ourlegscrossed
becauseifyoufuckar oundandi nf
ect
mychildbecauseI'dpuni shyou..
.

Iturnedaroundandpunchedhim on
thefacethenhet ur
nedaround
grabbingbothofmyhandsasi
kickedhim onthestomach,hefel
loff
thebedandswi tchedontheli
ghts.
..

Ken:
Youpunchedmeont
heey
e
Me:(
angr
il
y)Don'
tthreat
enmeo
r
obet
seAmantleautwa?Hael
enna
l
ewenayoochit
il
engkemang?
Ken:Maybeiwouldn'
thavehady ou
donewhatyouwer esupposedtodo,
whatdi
dy ouexpectmet odo?

Tearsfil
l
edmyey esandIsli
doverto
ki
ckhi m ont
hest omach,hegrabbed
myf ootandturnedmear ound
l
ockinghisarmsar oundmy
shoulder
sandbehi ndmyneckasi
cri
edwi t
hmyf aceont hepil
low.
..

Ken:
Babei
fyoucont
inuepunchi
ng
meI 'm goingtosl apyouandI '
m not
ki
ddi ng,don'
tev erputyourhandson
meorel seI'
llpunishyouforthat,I
'
ll
closey ouinthecl osetf
or3day swa
l
ebal aakere?Lett hisbethelastti
me
youhi tmeespeci allyonmyf ace,I
knowy ou'
reangr yandI'm sorr
ybut
hitti
ngmewon' tmakey oufeelbet
ter
,
i
fi tworkedy ouwoul dbeokayby
now.
Me:
Kenwampol
aant
ogel
a
Ken:I'
mr el
easi
ngyoubutifyouhit
mekeagobet saontseolepregnant
becausekeai t
sekongwanakea
l
engt engall
ihavet
odoi stoav oi
d
that
,don'tmakemedot hi
sbecause
I
'm alreadyfeeli
ngbadf orcheati
ng
ony ou.Iknowy ouwon'tbeli
eveme
wheni sayijustwantedsexf r
om her
becausel onalehav ersexwith
peopley ouhav efeeli
ngsforbutidi
d
i
tbecausei knewshewoul dn'
tsayno
Me:
Kar
ewampol
aant
ese!

HereleasedmeandIsatonthebed
cry
ingthenhegrabbedapi
ll
owand
openedthewardrobel
ooki
ngfora
duvet
...
.

Ken:I
'm goi
ngtosl
eeponthecouch,
i
can'
tdealwit
hyourt
ant
rums.Had
anyonetoldmethisisthenonsensei
havetoputupwithi wouldn'
thave
i
mpr egnatedy
ou,you'r
echildi
shand
yourtantr
umsaren'tmakingyouany
cuter
Me:(cry
ing)YouthinkI'
mthrowing
tant
rums?Didn'
ti t
ellyout
oleavethe
i
ssuealoneandy oukeptpokingme
unti
lyougotareaction
Ken:(tur
nedaround)I
siti
mpossible
foryoutotal
kwi t
houthi
tt
ingmeor
cryi
ng?Wouldy oubeokayifi
hityou
forcheati
ng?
Me:You'
reluckyididn'
tslashyou
wi
thaknife,haveyouforgott
enhowi
gotthescaronmyt hi
gh?Youtri
edto
ki
llmeandy ou'
recomplai
ningabout
awoman' spunch?
Ken:Soshoul dihandy outhekni fe
too?Whatdoy ouwantf rom me?I
am amanDi di,
you'reawomanget
thatstr
aight, i
fyouf uckupI'm kil
li
ng
youthistime.Isl eptwithAmant leso
what?Idon' tloveherandi don'twant
her,il
ovey ouandy ou'r
emywi fe.I
'm
real
lygetti
ngsof tnowadaysand
you'r
etakingadv antageofthat
Me:Thequesti
oniswhatdoyou
wantfr
om meKennabecauseisai
di
f
orgaveyou,
whatelsedoyouwant
f
rom me?What ?Shoul
dIsucky
our
dickt oo?Whatdoy ouwantf r
om me?
Ididn' twantt hi
s?Ar guingont he
mi ddleoft heni ghtl ikethis.
..
.Thiais
whati wasav oi
di ng, idon'twantto
cryliket hisatnightbecause
tomor rowI '
m goingt owor kandy our
girl
friendi sgoingt or ej
oiceseeing
mewi thswolleney esi sthatwhat
youwant ?Bonat samay a..
.Takethe
duv etandapi ll
ow, gosl eepont he
couch.Iguesst hat 'swhati getfor
get t
ingpr egnant .I'l
l dealwiththi
s
pregnancyal one, i didwi t
hZanei can
doi tagai nwithher .Goandsl eep
alonesoy oucanchatwi t
hy our
girl
friend.Ijustwi shy oucoul dhav e
stoppedt
heweddinginst
eadof
getti
ngmeintothi
sknowingverywel
l
thatyouwanttosl
eepwithher.

Heputt heduvetbackandcl osedt he

doorsthenhesi ghedandcr awledon
thebed,hehuggedmewhi l
ei cri
ed
try
ingtopushhi m offbutheheldme
ti
ghtl
yunt i
lil
aidtherecryi
ngonhi s
shoulder.
..

Me:
Goandsl
eep
Ken:Thatwasami st
ake,I
'
m sorry.I
j
ustwishwecouldcommuni cate
becauseidon'
tbuythi
sforgi
veness
Me:
Soi
shoul
dn'
tfor
giv
eyou?
Ken: That'
snotwhatI '
m say i
ng,
may bethepr oblem i
smei di
dn't
knowi twaspossi bletof or
give
cheatingthateasybecauseI '
dki l
lyou
i
fy oucheatonme, ishouldbe
gratefulandi am..
..I
'm sorry.
..(he
rubbedmyt earsagainandki ssedme
beforehuggi ngmeagai n.I
'm sorry
...
.

Afewminutespassedwhi
lei
lai
don
hi
schestandhemassagedmyscal
p
l
eani
ngagainstt
hewall
..
.

Ken:
Canwepl
ayMonopol
y?
Me:
Ineedt
ogetsomesleep,
t
omorr
owI'
m goi
ngtowork.
..
Ken:
Canimassagey
ourf
eetunt
il
youf
all
asl
eep?
Me:
Okay
..
.

Hegotthelot
ionandsatatt
heend
ofthebedmassagingmyfeetunt
ili
dozedoff
..
..

AtLol
o'
shouse.
..
.

Lat
erthatni
ghtj
ustafterl
i
ghtsout
Cal
vinswit
chedhi
slightonandlai
d
onhi
sbackt
ext
ingwi
thTi
na.
..

Tina:
I'
mr eal
l
ysor
ryabouty
ourmom
andgranny.
Calvi
n:It
'sli
fe,assoont heschools
openI'
m goingt oaskmyt eacheri
fi
cansitforfi
nal examswi ththefi
nal
yearstudents.I
'llgetal
lthe
necessarynotesf rom t
hem and
catchup
Tina:
Itrusty
outopassandev
enif
youfail
itwouldbewi
thB'
swhichi
s
enoughr i
ght
?
Calv
in:No,i
wantA'sbecausei hav
e
tobeinthetopar
chiv
erssoi cango
st
udyabr
oad.
Ti
na:Ist
il
ltrusty
ou. I'
m sol
onel
y
wi
thoutyou.Imissy
ou
Cal
vin:
Imissy
outoo,nowwear e
goi
ngtohaveapr
oblem ofdi
stance.
Ti
na:Butwear
enott
hatf
arapar
tit
's
ataxi
away.
Calv
in:Iknowbutiwasusedto
gett
ingagoodnightki
ssbyt
hefence
ever
ynight.
Ti
na:
LOLi
know.
Cal
vi
n:Goodni
ght
Ti
na:
Goodni
ght
Heputhisphoneont heheadboard
andreachedforhisnov el
thenhe
openedtothefoldedpageand
conti
nuedreadi
ng, t
hedooropened
sl
owl yt
henMay awal kedinhershort
pyjamasandloosev estshowingher
ti
ts.

Calv
inclosedhisnovelandf r
owned
l
ookingatherasshequi et
lyclosed
thedoorandwal kedoverthenshe
gotundermov i
ngcloserly
ingnextto
him,hegotupandcl osedthebook...

Cal
vi
n:(
whi
sper
ed)Whatar
eyou
doi
ng?
May a:(sl
owlyt
ouchi
nghisdick)Ij
ust
thoughtyoumightneedsupportaf
ter
buryingyourmom andbei
ng
displ
acedandstuff
.
Cal
vi
n:(gr
abbedherhand)St
op,
You'
remycousi
n
May
a:Notbi
ologi
cal
l
y
Cal
vi
n:Cany ougetoutbef
oreaunt
ie
comesinhereandblamesmef ort
he
whol
ething,
pleasego.
May
a:Car
lcomeon.
..Don'
tbeababy
Calvi
n:(
angri
lywhi
speredst
andi
ng
up)May ast
op,st
op..
.Tinai
syour
fr
iend!
May
a:Shedoesn'
thav
etoknow
Cal
vi
n:Ar
en'
tyouav
irgi
n?
May
a:No.
..

Shepulledouthervestandr
emained
withherbreast
spointi
ngatathi
m
thenhet ur
nedaround.
..

Cal
vin:OhmyGod,
I'
m goi
ngt
othe
l
ivi
ngroom
May
a:I
fwal
koutI
'
m scr
eami
ng

Hepausedandl
ookedather
..
.
May a: Iknowy ouneedmymom t o
helpy oursibl
ingsandy oudon'thave
achoi ce,it
'seithermymom ort hey
starvet odeathormay berel
atives
takeeachoft hem andtheygrow
apart.Iknowy oudon'
twantthatf or
them
Calv
in:(
swall
owedlooki
ngather
)So
you'
regoingt
ofor
ceme?
May a:
I'm notforcing,I'
m askingyou
tochoosebet weenmymom hel pi
ng
yoursibli
ngsormov i
ngbackt othat
yardwher etherear enolocksorf ood.
Youknowt hesituationmymom
foundy ouguysi n.Mymom washed
allofy
ou, youhav et hi
shaircut
becauseofmymother'
smoney,
theseboxer
s,ev
ery
thi
ngyouownis
ourmoney
Calv
in:ButI
fwegetcaughtshe
mightchasemeout,wher
eam i
goi
ngtogo?
Maya:Howwoul
dwegetcaught
?
Whoisgoi
ngtoknow?

Hesighedf r
ustratedl
ythenMaya
knel
tbef or
ehim andt ookouthi
sD
str
okingit,
Calvi
npul l
edherupand
ki
ssedhert ouchingeggsizetí
tsthen
hefli
ppedherdownandgotont opof
herpull
ingouthershor t
s..
.
Cal
vi
n:(
whi
sper
ed)Condom ekae?
May
a:Idon'
thav
eCondom
Calv
in:
(gotoffher
)I'
m nothav
ing
sexwit
hy ougosenaCondom
May
a:I
'
llgetpi
l
lst
omor
row
Cal
vi
n:Whatpi
l
ls?
Maya:Emergencypr
event
ionpi
l
lske
P45atthepharmacy
Cal
vi
n:Idon'
tknowy
ourHI
Vst
atus
May
a:I
'
m negat
ive
Calvi
n:I
'm nothavi
ngunpr otect
ed
sexwithyoukesai t
sey ourHIV
stat
us,ki
dsy oungerthanyouhav e
HIVI'
m notstupi
dandyou'
resexual
l
y
act
ivewhatifyouhav
eSTD, I
'
m not
havi
ngsexwi thy
ougosenaCondom
Maya:
Sokidsy
oungerthanmeyou
meanBaby
?Soy out
hinkever
ygi
rl
hasHI
V?
Cal
vin:Thi
sisnotaboutBaby,don'
t
i
nvolveheri
nthi
s,I'
m nothav
ingsex
wit
hy ou.

I
nLol
o'
sroom.
..
.

Meanwhil
eLololai
donherback
readi
ngaFacebookdi
aryt
earf
ull
y,
shewentthr
oughthecommentsand
l
aughedatsomecomment st
henshe
pausedasshet
houghtshehear
d
argui
ng.

Sheputt hephonedownandgotof f
thebedput ti
ngonherni ghtdress
thenshequi etlyappr oachedt hedoor,
shecoul dn'tqui t
eunder standwhat
wasbei ngsai dbutCal vi
nwascl earl
y
gett
ingangr yandt heot hervoice
soundedl ikeMay a's.Sheopenedt he
doorandwal kedinCal vi
nont opof
herdaught er, shecov eredhermout h
ashej umpedof fMay a.Panickedshe
coveredherf acecr yi
ngasLol o
hurr
iedinandsl appedDi boyswho
t
urnedar
oundbl
ocki
ng.
..

Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Diboys'
shear
tpoundedsohar dit
chokedhimfail
i
ngt ospeakasMay a
conti
nuedcry
ing,Lolohandedher
cl
othesandhuggedher .
..

Lol
o:What
'sgoi
ngon?
Maya:(
cryi
ng)Heaskedmet ocome
i
nforachatandthenextthinghe
wasundressi
ngmeandf orcing
hi
mselfonme
Calvi
n'
sey est
earedupashest oodat
thecornerput
ti
ngonhi sshort
s,Baby
andSetsanarushedi
nt heroom and
stoodatthedoorwatching.
..

Lol
o:(angr
il
y)Ibri
ngyouinmyhouse
andyoumol estmydaught
ers?Do
youal
sodot hesetoyourl
it
tl
esist
ers?
Setsana:
(tear
ful
l
y)Di
boy
snev
er
touchesus
Lol
o:Gotoy
ourroomsrightnow,
I'
m
cal
l
ingt
hepoli
ce.
..Go!
Setsanatear
ful
l
yhuggedDi
boy
s
cry
ing..
.

Setsana:Don'tcal
lthepolicewewi l
l
l
eav eandgobackhome. ..(cry
ing)
Pleaseaunti
e.Wewi l
lret
ur nyour
cl
othesandt oys,don'
tcall t
hepoli
ce.
I'
m sorryt
hathet ouched
her..
.(
tear
ful
lylookedupathi m)
Diboysapologise!
Cal
vi
n:(
shakyv
oice)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Lolo:Ican'
tbel
iev
et hi
swait
se..
..I'
m
call
ingthepoli
ce,y
ou'l
lexpl
aint
o
them whatyouwer edoingt
oher .
Shesteppedouttoherroom as
Calv
inslowlysatatthecornersi
l
ent
ly
pray
ing,Setsanasatonthebednext
toMay a.
..

Setsana:(
cryi
ngputt i
ngherl i
tt
learm
aroundher)May apleaseI'm sorry
,
tel
lyourmom tof or
givehi m.I'
lldo
thedishesunti
lI'
m grown, I'
l
lclean
theroomsanddoal lyourchores.
PleaseI'
m beggi
ngy ou.Ialreadylost
mymamal emmamai can'
tlosehim
too.
Cal
vin:
(sni
ff
edcr
yingsil
ent
ly)
Set
sanamphaphoney amekot ase
gamosamo

Set
sanahandedi
tov
ert
henhedi
aled
Ti
na..
.

Ti
na:
Hey
Calvi
n:TinaI '
m goi ngtogetarrested
butididn'tdowhatt hey'
reaccusing
meofdoi ng.I'
mj ustsorrybecauseI
knowit'sgoingt ohur tyouwheny ou
hearwhati t'
saboutandmay bey ou
won'tbelievemebuti l
oveyouand
I'
venev erloveany oneelseexcept
you.Iguessi won' tbeadoct or
anymor eandI '
llunderstandifiwal k
outofpr
ison7year
slat
erandfi
nd
youmarri
edwit
hkids.I
'
m sor
ry.

Hehungupandswi tchedoffhis
phonethenhedroppeditonthefloor
andputonhisclot
hesasLol owalked
i
ntheroom tal
ki
ngt othepoli
ce.
..

Cal
vin:
Setsanaagot
sosamoKat
o
kebuelebone
Lolo:(angri
ly)Whatarey out
alki
ngto
them about?Wai tseDiboysinever
thoughty oucouldrapemychi l
dren
aftereveryt
hingi di
dforyouamd
yoursibli
ngs...I
'
m shocked
Cal
vi
n:Mayaistheonewhocamein
andundr
essedhersel
f,i
didn'
t-
Lolo:(
angri
lyslappedhi
m)Don'tyou
tr
yt obl
ameher ,whatdidyoudo
whenshedi dthat?Assumingby
somemi racl
ei beli
eveyou?
Set
sana: Aunt
iepl easefor
givehim,
j
ustchaseusout .Wewi l
ll
eav eand
nevercomeher e, don'
tcal
lthepoli
ce
pl
ease,I'
m sorr
y .Forgi
vehimf orus.
Wewi l
lleaveyourhouse.I'm sorr
y.
Baby:(tear
ful
ly)Mamai don'
tthi
nk
Calvi
nwoul drapeher.
..
.Hedidn'tdo
i
t..
.(l
ookinginhereyes)Mayadidhe
real
lyrapeyou?(tear
ful
ly)Ir
eall
y
hopey
ouar enotl
yi
ngbecauser
ape
i
snotajoke,di
dherapeyou?

May acont
inuedcr yi
ngasSet sana
walkedoutcrying,Babyfollowedher
outasCalvinputonhi sshoesand
satatthecorner,hissi
blingswal ked
i
nr ubbi
ngtheirsleepyeyesas
Setsanawalkedbehi ndthem. ..

Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)Whydi
dyouwaket
he
ki
ds?
Calv
in:
Iwanttotal
ktothem bef
orei
l
eavesothatwhentheywakeupt hey
don'
twonderwhereiam.
Lolo:
(poi
nted)Gotobed,howcan
youdist
urbthechil
drenbecauseof
yourani
mal behav
iour
Cal
vi
n:Kat
otangkwano.
..

Theywalkedovertohi
m nowaf rai
d
ofangryLol
owhoangr i
lywalkedpast
them t
ogowai tf
orthepol
icecar
outsi
deasthelastbor
nsaton
Calvi
n'
slap.
..

Calvi
n:(swal
lowedandf akedasmi le
playi
ngwiththey oungestlit
tl
e
fi
ngers)Guysthepol i
cear egoingto
takemeaway .
..(
tearsfi
lledhiseyes)
Andi don'tknowwhenI '
llbebackbut
iwanty out obenicetoaunti
e..
.
(t
earsblurredhiseyes)youknowshe
wil
lbuyy ouclothesandfood,you
havetobehav e.Wheny ouwakeup
youcleant hehouseandout si
detoo.
Don'
tmakeamessandy ouhav et
o
l
ookoutf oreachot her
..
Setsana:(
cry
ing)Di
boysno.
..
please
youcan'tl
eavemewi t
htheki
ds..

SheranovertoMayawhowassitt
ing
onthebedandknel
tbefor
eher
rubbi
ngherhandst
oget
hercr
ying.
..
Setsana: PleaseI '
m sorry,canyou
pleasetelly ourmum y ouf orgi
vehi
m.
Wewi lll
eav ey ourhouseandgoback
toourhouseandy ou'
llneverseeus
again.Pleasehecan' tgot opri
son
thenhewon' tbecomeadoct orand
helpus.Pl easeMay a,Diboysandi
hadapl an.Pl easetal
kt oyourmom. .
.

Mayawal kedoutcryingandcl osed

thedoorasBabyst oodt herestari
ng
atDiboy
ssur roundedbyhi ssibl
ings
andthelostlooksont heirf
acest hen
shewalkedoutandcl osedt hedoor .
Kat
o:Di
dyoust
eal
?
Diboy s:No, May aki ssedmeandher
mot hert hinksikissedherbutguy s
that'
snotwhatIwantt ot alkabout,
cany oupr omisemet haty ou'
regoing
towor khar dsoshedoesn' tgiveyou
away ?Don' tf
ightJuni or,ifhecr i
es
forsomet hinggivei ttohi m and
makesur ehedoesn' tcrywhenhei s
playingwi thyou.Al sodon' tbreak
things.Al wayssiti nonepl aceandi f
youwantt oplayy oudoi toutside
theny ougoandbat hbef oresitti
ngin
thehouse.Set sanay ouhav etoclean
thehouse, ift
heyt eachy out ocook
doy ourbestanddon' tbest ubborn,
j
ustsayyesma'am eachtime.That
's
al
lyouneedt
odount ilyou'
reold
enoughormaybeuntili
getoutof
pri
son.
Setsana:(
cryi
ng)Diboyspleasego
andbegaunt i
e,admiteveryt
hingand
tel
lheryou'
ll
takeusandl eave.
Diboys:AndSet sanay
ouhav etost
op
cryi
ng,wedon' thavemamaandI '
m
l
eav i
ngtoot hatmeansall
threeof
them ar
ecount ingonyou,your
s
makingt hem cry.
.

Sherubbedherey
esandthedoor
openedastheyal
ltur
nedt
earf
ull
y.
..
Baby:
(emot
ional
l
y)Theyar
ecal
l
ing
you
Di
boy
s:Ok.
.

Hef akedasmil
eandki ssedt
heli
ttl
e
oneandanotherthentheygavehima
grouphugashet ear
ful
lysmil
ed..
.

Diboy
s:Don'tdi
sappoi
ntaunti
e,cl
ean
herhouseandbehaveorelseshe
mightsendyouawayokay?
Al
l
:Okay
..
.
Di
boy
s:Il
ovey
ou
Hestoodupandsi
ghedr
ubbi
ngt
hei
r
heads.
..

Di
boy
s:Got
obed.
..

Katotookt
hem tobedt henSet
sana
huggedhimtight
lycryi
ngashe
huggedhertearf
all
ing.
..

Diboy
s:Whyareyoumaki
ngmecr
y?
(r
ubbinghi
stear
s)Why
?
Set
sana:
(cr
ying)If
eelsoalone,
we
bur
iedmamat hi
smorningandnow
you'releavingmeal onewi ththe
children.I'
m scar ed.Idon' tknow
thesepeopl e.Di boys:Don' tbescar ed,
allyouhav et odoi simpr essaunt ie,
wor khar dar oundher eandy ou'
ll
alway shav ear oofov ery ourhead,
clothesandf ood.Don' twor ryabout
me.I 'l
lbefine.Ev enifi l
eav eprison
after10y ear s,I'
llsti
llwr i
temyexams
andI 'm goingt obeadoct or,
I'
m
goingt ogiv ey ouguy sagoodl i
v i
ng.
Youj usthav et osuf feraf ewmor e
year sthanwet hought .Ihav etogo,
they '
rewaiting...

Hehandedherhi
sphoneandwal
ked
outasshef ol
lowedhim outwher e
threepoliceoffi
cer
swer etal
kingto
May aandLol owhileBaby
suspiciousl
yleanedagainstthe
doorframef ol
dingherarms,Diboys
greetedthem andof f
eredhiswrists
forthecuf f
s..
..

Of
fi
cer:Nny
aat
senahel
akomor
ago
mel
ait
e..
.

Hepul l
edhisjeansandjumpedi
nthe
backoft hepoli
cecarasBabyand
Setsanawatchedstandi
ngatthe
stoop,heheldthebarsl
ooki
ngathis
l
itt
lesi
sterandfakedasmil
easif
shecouldseeitthenhemoved
cl
osertothewindow...

Di
boy
s:Rememberwhati
sai
d
Set
sana:
(smi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
y)Ok

Theothertwooff
icer
sjoinedDi
boys
att
hebackwhi l
etheotherdrov
eof f
,
Lol
oinstr
uctedBabytolockupthen
shefol
lowedthepoli
cewi t
hMay a.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
..
Hoursl at
erLoloandMay aar
ri
ved
from thehospit
alwit
hthedoctor
's
reportandhandedittothepol
ice
offi
cerinchargeasDiboysqui
etl
ysat
onthebench. .
..

Aat
il
ewalkedi
nandsatnexttothem
l
ooki
ngatCalvi
nthenhesuspi
ciousl
y
l
ookedatMaya..
.

Aat
il
e:May
acani
tal
ktoy
ou?

Theysteppedasi
deastheoff
icer
s
at
tachedthedoct
orsrepor
t.
..
Aatil
e:Didthisboyr eall
yr apey ou?I
meanhehasal ottoloseandi don't
knowhi m buti knowhewoul dn'tr
isk
somuchf orthis,areyoul yi
ng?
Becausei fyou'
r eI'
m notgoi ngt o
tol
eratethatkindofshame.Iknowa
l
otofst ori
esofgi rl
sgettingcaught
withboy sthent ur
naroundand
accuset heboyofusi ngf orce.Ar e
youlying?
May
a:(
noddedl
ooki
ngdown)No.
..
Aati
le:
Ihopesobecausey ou'r
e
abouttochangethedi
rect
ionofhi
s
l
ifeanditwouldn'
tbef
airi
fy ou
turnedaround5y earsl
atersayi
ng
youwer elyi
ng.Iactual
l
yr eadastory
aboutawomanwhowentt ojai
lfor
l
y i
ngaboutr ape,
sheev enhadababy
i
npr ison.
May
a:I
'
m notl
yi
ng.
Aat
il
e:l
et'
sgo.
..

Theywal
kedbacki
nsi
de.
..
.

Off
icer:
(toDi
boys)Eepapa.
..
.Eh
Cal
v i
n.Wearegoingtoputy
outhis
si
dewhi l
ewearedoingour
i
nvesti
gati
onsautwapapa?
Cal
vi
n:Ehr
ra
Offi
cer:Thedoct or'
srepor
tshows
penetrat
ionhappenedl ehagosupa
eselanthasengwesoneosedi r
il
eka
l
egogany etsagaogany et
se.(t
o
anotheroffi
cer)Zibo?Mot seny
eko
hantwanal ehit
shwanakahar eta
mmonakamoso. ..
.

Theoffi
cerescort
edCal
vi
ntot
he
hol
dingcell
s..
..
.

AtSt
arKi
ds.
..
.
Thenextmor ni
ngi tookadeep
breat
hwal ki
ngacrosst herecepti
on
astherecepti
oni
stl eanedtogether
whisper
ingandgiggl edbutikept
walki
nglikeiwasn'taware.

It
riedtounl
ockthedoorbuti twas
al
readyopensoi walkedinandfound
Amant l
esmartl
ydressedsitti
ngon
mychai rwi
thherl
egscr ossedasshe
smiledatme.

Amant
le:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Me:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Amant
le:
(sl
i
dov
ert
heenv
elope)I
t
houghtI
'
ddoy
out
hehonour
s

Iopenedthelet
terandreaditt
heni
l
ookedatherasshepr essedher
smartphone.
..

Me:You'
regi
vi
ngmenot
ice?Whyar
e
youf
ir
ingme?
Amant
le:
Youal
way
scamet
owor
k
l
ate
Me:
Inev
ercomet
owor
klat
e
Amantl
e: Li
stenhereidon'
thavet
ime
toexpl
ainmy sel
ftoyou,i
fiwasyou
I
'dusethisopport
unit
ytofind
anotherjobbecausey
ourday
son
thi
sof f
icearenumber
ed.

Herphoner
angthenshepickedand
puti
tonspeaker
phone.
..

Amant
le:
Babe
Ken:
War
eng?
Amant
le:
Notmuch
Ken:Li
sten..
.(cl
ear
edhisthroat
)Can
wepauset hiswhol
et hi
ngandlett
he
dustset
tle?Sheispregnantandi
don'
twantt olosemybaby .
Amant
le:
(looki
ngatme)Iknowbabe
Ken: Anddon'tactupinfr
ontofher
,i
don'tneeddrama.Ineedherto
deli
vermybabyandt henwecanbe
together
,Il
ovey ouokay?
Amant
le:
Ilov
eyout
oo,
arewehav
ing
l
uncht
oday?
Ken:
Def
ini
tel
y,comeJan.
..
Amantle:
Youwer
esogr
eat
yest
erday
Ken: (
laughed)Ihaven'
thadapussy
thatgoodi nawhilethat'
swhyi
couldn'tdel
aythefir
stround.Wena
monnagaochenj e
Amantl
e:(l
aughed)Wat
senwat
he
Kennyi
ja,
shap
Ken:(l
aughed)Themmaoska
mbreakerpelogape,
totaAmant
le
wait
segorekeagor ata?
Amantle:
Iknowbabe,don'
tworry
aboutt
hat.Wearegrownthatstage.
Youalmostgavemeahear tat
tackat
thewedding,
wait
sepeloyamekeha
elebot
hoko
Ken:(
laughed)Iwasst
il
lpi
ssed,
sor
ry
aut
wa?
Amant
le:
(laughed)Mm.
..By
e
Ken:
Bye

Shehungupandsmil
edatmeasi
swal
lowedl
ooki
ngather
..
.
Amant
le:
Keamot say
aKennnana
aut
wa?Otaabat
ay omongwe,
yoke
wame.

Shewal kedpastmeandcl osedthe

doortheni satdownrubbedoffmy
tear
s,iadjustedmyweddingr i
ngand
conti
nuedwor ki
ng.
..
..

SEVENMONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
[
9/3,
11:
59PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 87
AtMaunmagi
str
ateCour
t.
..
..

Thesunnymor ni
ngseemedt obe
goingslowf orTi
naassheanxi ousl
y
waitedoutsidewithherschoolmates
all
sitt
ingont hepavementintheir
school uni
form..
.

Ti
na:
(stoodup)They
'r
etaki
ngt
oo
l
ong.
..
Fr
iend:
Rel
ax.
..

Thedoor
sfi
nal
l
yopenedandt
he
social workerwalkedoutwithCal
vi
n
behindher ,assoonashel ookedon
theot hersidehisfacel
itupasTina
chattedwi thherfri
endsinthei
r
pri
vateschool uniform,t
herewas5
ofthem.OneChi nese,I
ndianandtwo
Batswana.

TheChinesegi rltappedTina's
shoul
derandshej umped,they
l
aughedathert akingavideoofas
sherantowar dsCal vi
nandj umped
onhimtearfullyalmosttrippi
nghim
downbuthebal ancedhimsel fand
l
ift
edherupl aughi ng.
..
.
Cal
vin:
(smi
l
ed)Thi suni
for
mlooks
sosexyonyou..
.Whatareyoudoi
ng
her
e?Shoul
dn'tyoubeincl
ass?
Tina:
Pleasetellmewhatt heysaid,
wewant edtogeti nbuttheysai
d
si
ncey ou'
rebothunder18noone
wasallowedtogeti nexceptparent
s
andsocialworkers.Whathappened?
Calvin:Ihavebeenacquitt
ed..
.They
dismi ssedthecasebecausethe
semenf oundinherrapekiti
sn'
tmine,
themagi st
rat
esaidther
ewasl ackof
evidenceandMay adoesn'
tsound
conv i
ncing.
Ti
na:
(kissedhim al
lov
er)Il
ovey
ou,
i
l
oveyou,Il
ove

Helaughedsti
l
lcarr
yingherasaf
ew
peopl
esteppedoutofcourt
..
.

Cal
vi
n:Areyougoi
ngt
ogetdownor
j
ustremai
ninmyarmsunt
ilI
'
mtir
ed.
..

Shehoppeddownsmi l
ingl
ikeal i
tt
le
gi
rlandjumpedsi
gnall
i
ngherf r
iends
whocameov erst
il
lhol
dingthei
r
phonerecor
dingt
hem...
Chinese:(tuckedherhairbehindher
ear)Um. .
..Soherewear eguy s,the
conv i
ctisoutofprisonandthe
mor onwhohasbeenf ail
ingis
smiling,may behermarkswi l
lpick.
..
.
Uhki sssmosadi
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Di
dshej
ustcal
lyou
mosadi
?
Chinese:(t
heyalll
aughed)Um not
mosadi ,
chery.
..
.Calv
inkisscher
i
yago
Calvi
n:Don'tbepr
oud,t
hey'
re
teachi
ngy oubadl
anguage,
you
soundlikeyou'
ref
rom t
hestr
eet
s
Chi
nese:
Sur
elai
teka
Theyal
lburstedintolaugherast
he
soci
alworkerapproached..
.

Soci
alwor
ker
:Carl
y ou'
resupposed
tosi
gnsomepapersoverther
e,let
'
s
go.
..
Cal
vi
n:(huggedTi
naonel
astt
ime)I
'
ll
ber
ightback.
..
.

Hewal kedawaywiththesocial
workerasTinajumpedwithawi de
smil
eonherf acethenherfr
iends
gav
eherahug.
Aat
il
eangr
il
ywalkedoutf
oll
owedby
MayaandLol
o..
..
.

Lol
o:Aat
il
ecany
ounotdot
his
Aatil
e:(
angri
ly
)Didn'
tit
ell
youshei
s
l
y i
ng?(t
oher)Whosesemenwas
foundinyourvagi
na?
Lol
o: (
stoodinfrontofMaya)ican'
t
bel
ievey oucall
edhervagi
na,what'
s
wrongwi thyou?Iwalkedi
nbeforehe
couldejacul
atesoofcourseitwo-
Aat
il
e:You'rewhat'
swrongwit
hme,
bot
hofy ou.Don'ty
oufindi
t
si
ckeni
ngt hatshehadsexbef
ore
thisal l
egedrape?Unpr otectedsex
fort hatmatter.
..
.Mayai cannot
believey ousatincourtandl ied,
almostsendi ngani nnocentboyt o
prison.Iftherewasn'tanyDNA
testingdonehewoul dhav ebeeni n
j
ail.Hespentt i
mei npri
sonandev en
whenhewasoutonbai lyoustil
l
didn'tsayohdaddyi l
ied.Ican't
believei wastedsomuchener gyand
moneyt oraisetrash.

Therewassil
enceasheturnedand
walkedaway,Ti
naandherfri
end'
s
fol
dedthei
rarmswithat
tit
udes
l
ookingatherasshefol
l
owedher
mot
hercr
ying.
..
.

Minutesl
aterCal
vi
nwalkedout
fol
dingadocumentandsmil
ed
huggingTi
na..
.

Socialworker
:I'
m goingtocally
ou
tomor r
owsowecant alkaboutthe
boardmast er
'sr
esponse,the
magi st
rat
eorderedthatyoube
placedinboardi
ngschool.
Cal
vi
n:Thanky
ou.
Soci
alworker
:I'
ll
talkt
oyouraunt
,
shedoesn'
tseem happywit
hthe
magist
rat
e'sdeci
sionmaybeshewil
l
t
roubl
-
Calv
in:
That
'snotnecessar
y,icango
home.Mymotherhasaoner oom
andmygrandmotherhad2rooms.
Therei
sel
ectr
ici
tyandwater.I
'l
lbe
fi
ne.
Social
worker:Okay
,anddon'
tmi
ss
yourcounsel
l
ingsessi
on.
Calv
in:Iwon't
,ij
ustwanttogohome
andfixmybedt hengetstar
tedon
mybooksbecausei managedto
regi
stersoI'
m si
tti
ngforthefi
nal
examst hi
syear.
Soci
alWor
ker
:Aboutt
hat
,ar
en'
tyou
behi
nd?
Calvi
n: No,Tinabroughtmethe
syll
abusesandnot esfr
om al
lmy
teacherssoi hadal l
theti
metoread
j
uv i
,itwasn'tthatbad.Idi
dn'
ti
nter
act,
iwasal waysst udyi
ng.
Soci
alWor
ker:(
smil
ed)Il
oveyou
wenadon'
tdi
sappoi
ntwaimisaTi
na
owagago.
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Shei
sav
irgi
n
Ti
na:(
laughed)Pr
egnancyme?Nah,
i
wantt
ot r
ysexinUK
Social
Wor ker:(
laughed)ify
ouneed
bi
rthcontr
ol youknowt hecli
nicor
myof f
ice,
Idon'tbuyt hi
sUK
nonsense(theybothlaughed)
Teenager
sli
eal
ot.
..
Bot
h:(
laughed)Aoma'
am.
..
.
Soci
alworker
:(l
aughed)Don'
t
cel
ebrat
ewithsextoni
ght,
goreada
bookorsomethi
ng
Bot
h:(
laughed)Eemma

Theytur
nedaroundwal
ki
ngt
owar
ds
Ti
na'sfr
iends.
..

Ti
na:Il
ovey
oursoci
alwor
ker
,shei
s
socool
Calv
in:Sheknowshershit
,you
shouldhaveseenherpr
esenti
ngmy
thi
ngsincour
t.Il
ov edher
,it
hinkI
'
m
crushi
ngonher..
..Shecoul
dbemy
sugarmama
Tina:
(laughedandpunchedhi
m)
Nowy ou'reaboutt
obeadmitt
edi
n
thehospital
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng
Tina:
Iknow,ir
eal
l
yli
keher.
..It
hinkI
shouldt
rybei
ngasoci
alworker
Calvi
n:Itwil
l suityou,I'
m sti
l
la
doctor,
i haven'tdecidedwhatt o
special
iseinbutI '
m adoct or.
..

Chi
nese:
Yoguysl
et'
sgoweski
pped
l
essonsMrCamer
onisgoi
ngt
oput
usi
ndet
ent
ion
Tina:
Carlwehav
etogo,ij
ustwant
ed
tohearwhatt
hemagi
str
atesai
d
Carl
:(huggedher
)Al
ri
ght
,seey
ou
l
ater

Heli
ft
edherchinupandki
ssedher
asherfr
iendssmi
ledandwooed.
..

Ti
na:(
laughedandhuggedhi
m)Shut
upyouguys..
.
Car
l:Il
ovey
ou.
..
Ti
na:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Al
l
:By
eCar
l
Cal
vi
n:By
eguy
s

Theywal kedawayashor tdi

stance
thensher ememberedandr anback
foranot
herhugsecr et
lysli
ppi
ng
somethinginhisj
acketpocketand
ranback...

Chi
nese:
Wewi
l
lnev
erl
eav
e
Tina:
Itwasthel
asthugy
ouguy
s
comeon...

Meanwhi
l
eCalvi
nwalkedalongt
he
r
oadandtookoutwhat
evershewas
put
ti
nginthere,heopenedhi
shand
andunfol
dedt henotet
henP200fel
l
down,hepickeditandreadt
henote
smil
ing.
..

Tina: Dudei don'tknowwhyy ou're

goingt hroughshi tbutI '
m going
throughi twithyou, whatever
happensf r
om her eI'm wit
hy ou.
You' remyl i
fe,iknowi t
scr azyt obe
thinkingaboutf ami lyatmyagebuti
actual l
yhadadr eam abouty ou
play i
ngwi t
hourdaught eront he
swi ng.Ican'twai tuntili
tsar eality
.If
youneedasof tpi l
lowt oresty our
achi ngheadcal lmeandI '
l
l puty our
headonmylapandmassagey
our
nerv
es.Il
ovey
ou..
.

Hesmil
edandtookadeepbr
eat
h
wal
ki
ngalongt
heroad.
..

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatmor ningAati
leparkednext
tohispar ent'
sHi l
uxandwalked
towardst hehouseast heelders
chattedloudly,hebentoverand
greetedev ery
onet henhetookaseat
nexttohisf atherwhowashol di
ng
thebabygi rl
..
..
Hi
m:Her
eyougo.
..KeMay
ahel
a,o
madi
abogal
etot
a
Aati
le:
(smil
edatthebaby
)Hey
babes.
..I
tsdaddy
...

Hisfat
herhandedSedi
'
smot
her
P600..
.

Hi
m: You'
l
lbuythemot
hersomet
hing
i
fther
eisanyt
hingwef
orgott
obri
ng.
Her:Thankyousomuch,youbr
ought
enoughalr
eady.Thanky
ou..
.
Aat
il
e:Sedi
okae?
Hermot
her:Sheist
aki
ngabat
h,she
want
stoweanthebabyandst
art
l
ooki
ngforajob
Aatil
e:Shecan'tdothat
,thebabyis
toosmal l
andwor ki
ngdoesn'taf
fect
breastf
eedinginanyway.Sheshould
haveconsultedmet oo,
it'
smybaby
too
Hermother:Shedidn'
tdecide,
she
wasconsideri
ngitI'
m sur
eshewill
t
alkt
oy ou
Hismot her
:Shegav eusabeautif
ul
granddaughter,i
can'
twaittokeep
borrowi
ngherkanaMay aistooold.
Shei sj
ustat r
oublemakerwemi ss
gr
andchi
l
dren
Hermother:
Feelfreet
ogetheronce
shei
smat ur
eenought obeoutther
e,
wehavenopr obl
em whatsoev
er.
..
..

AtZane'
sChal
ets.
..
.

Kent y
pedabusi nesspr oposaland
l
eanedbackt houghtful
lystaringat
thescreent henAmant lewal kedin
andsmi ledasKensmi ledrotati
nghis
chair
,shesatonhi slapandl eaned
overkissinghim asheputhi sarms
aroundherwai sts..
.
Amant
le:
Imi
ssedy
ou
Ken:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..
.

Shesliddownandknel tbef
orehi
s
chai
runzippinghispantsashe
smil
edcar essi
ngherbeauti
ful
fl
awlessface..
..

Ken:
Shi
t.
..
Amant
le:
Youl
i
ket
hat
..
.?

Shel
eanedoverandgaggedoni
tas
Kenbi
thisl
i
pslookingup.
..
.
Ken:
Fuccccck.
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Meanwhi leilai donmysi decalli

ng
Ken'sforthe100t htimeast heot her
newmot hersl eftonebyonebei ng
pickedbyf ami lymember s.Itri
edmy
mot heragainandshedi dn'tanswer ,
shehadbeenav oidi
ngmycal l
sf or
mont hsbecausesheknewshehad
tohelpmewi t hmyf irstchil
daf t
er
getti
ngmar r
iedandi tfrust
ratedme
becausei wasal readydealingwi th
Kennev erbei nghomeoranswer ing
hi
sphone.

Idial
edmymot heri
nlawand
tearf
ull
ylookedatmylit
tl
egirl
peaceful
lysleepi
nginherpi
nk
recei
ver.
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Me: (
shakyvoice)i
wasdischar
gedi
n
themorningandKenisnot
answeri
nghisphone.Iwantedhi
mto
dropmeof fathome
Her
: Icandropyouof
fatyour
mother'
splace,
don'
tworr
y.I'
l
lbe
t
heresoon
Me:Mymot
heri
sn'
thel
ping,
I'
m
goi
ngt
omyhouse
Her:Andy ounev ersai
dany t
hing
aboutthisDidi
?Howwi ll
peoplelook
atmekel ekanangwanakakego
l
esaoi paabot setsi
?I'
m alr
eadywith
Zane,howwoul ditbei
mpossi bl
eto
hel
pwi ththisone?
Me: Idi
dn'
twanttobotheryou
becauseiknowy ou'
resupposedt
o
hel
pont hesecondbaby
Her:
No,I'
l
lgetr
ragweOfanatohelp
memov ethi
ngsasi
desoi cankeep
youher
efortwomonthsbogolo.
Me:
Ok,
I'
ll
wai
t.
..
.
Icont
inuedcal
l
ingKenunt
ilhe
answered.
..

Ken:
hel
l
o?
Me: Aorra,i
longtol
dy oui been
dischar
gedinthemor ning,it
'snow
pastfourintheaft
ernoonandy ou
don'tbot
hercall
ingmej usttotellme
youchangedy ourmindaboutpi cki
ng
me?
Ken:Shit
,iforgot.
..(al
adygiggl
edin
thebackgroundandhequi cklypl
ayed
music)Soshoul di pi
ckyouor?
Me:
Whoar
eyouwi
th?
Ken:
I'
m al
one
Me:
Soy
ou'
rest
il
lseei
ngher
?
Ken:BonaDidiweeIaskedyouifI
shoul
dpickyouornotbutifyouwant
total
kaboutthesepoi
ntl
essthi
ngs
l
etmeknowsoi cansavemyai r
ti
me,
i
bil
eer i
pot
il
egoshapo
Me:I
'mt
heonewhocal
l
edy
oubutok,
by
e..

Hehungupbef oreicouldevenhang
upanditbrokemyhear ttopieces,
l
ookingatthebabymadet hetears
worseandthemot heronthenext
bedlookedatmesadl y
...
Her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
(rubbedmyt
ear
s)I
'
mfi
ne.
..

Iwantedtoshar ewit
hsomeonewhat
Kenhadbeenupt obuttheniwas
af
raidmay beitwoulddestr
oymy
marri
agebecauseappar ent
lyagood
wif
edoesn' tt
alkaboutherhusband
wit
hany one.

I
nsteadit
ookpict
uresofhis
daught
erandsentthem hoping
maybewewouldhav esomet hi
ng
posi
ti
vetodi
scussbuther epli
ed.
Ken:(t
ext)Thanks,
imakebeaut
if
ul
daughter
s.
Me: Imissy
oubabe,Iwi
shyouwer
e
heresowecanenjoythi
smoment
together
Ken:Yeah,I
'm st
il
lbusywi
tht
henew
const
ructi
on
Me:SoyoutookAmantl
e'
smoney
andpar
tner
edwithher
?
Ken:
It'
sjustabusi
nessmove,t
her
e
i
snothi
nggoingonbetweenus.
Me:Buti
sai
diwasn'
tcomf
ort
abl
e
wi
thit
Ken:Yeahbutyou'r
enotwor ki
ngor
payi
nganybill
s,yourf
lowersdiedso
whil
eoneofusi sspendinganother
hastoprovi
de.Ican'
tsital
ltodayke
golebil
emomat hongDi di
.Ihaveto
provi
deformykids.
Me:Ok,iunderst
and.Ihopenot
hing
happensbetweenyoutwo
Ken:
Yeah,
igott
ogo.Meet
ing
Me:
Bye.
..

Isi
ghedandputmyphonedown.
..

AtMr
sDani
el'
sHouse.
..
.
Latert hatev eningmymot herinlaw
bathedt hebabywhi l
ei l
aidmyhead
ont hepi ll
owf acingthewal l
,Ken
hadn' tcalledmesi ncei call
edhim at
thehospi t
al.Iknewhewaswi thher
andbei ngst uckinthehousewi t
h
stit
chesandababywast hewor st
feeli
ngev er.Ifeltl
i
kei wasi npri
son
andhi sresponsesshowedher eall
y
didn'tcar eaboutmyf eeli
ngs..
.

Her
:Di
di?Di
di?
Me:
(faci
ngt
hewal
ltear
ful
l
y)Maa?
Her
:Ar
eyoucr
ying?
Me:
(swal
l
owed)No
Her:
(sheputthebabydown)
Br
eastfeedher.
..Youneedt
otel
lme
whatisgoingon

Irubbedmyeyesandl
aidonmyside
feedi
ngthebabyt
henacarst
opped
outsi
de.

Hi
smothercheckedt
hrought
he
wi
ndowandfrowned.
..

Her
:Uhu.
..Kenokgweet
saehee?
Di
dyouguysbuyanewcar?
Me:
No,
what
'shedr
ivi
ng?
Her:BMW ewhiteoh..
.
(di
sappoint
edl
y)heiswit
hsomeone,
nevermind.
..

Shesatdownandcont
inuedt
idy
ing
ther
oom...

Me:
Whoi
shewi
th?
Her:Thisevi
lwomanofhi s,
nnatot
a
gakeitsegor
egatweOf anaarea
tweng.Thisi
sthesamewomanhe
tr
iedtokil
lhi
mselfforasenasepea
sialet
salayagagwe.Tsalayagagwe
helaDaleyoogol
etsengmomat hong
ame.
..

Weheardthem wal
ki
nginand
chat
ti
ngthenheknockedonOtl
he'
s
door
..
.

Ken:
Otl
he?Gat
weompheAv
onpack
Ot
lhe:
Comi
ng!

*
**
Hiat
usmother
:Doesheev
enknow
you'
reher
e?
Me:
No, wehav
en'
ttal
kedsi
ncei
lef
t
t
hehospit
al
Her:
Gakei
tsegoregat
wej aanong
haati
sammey ohaareronarereng.
..
Me:Otlhesawmecomi ngandshe
coul
dhav etol
dhim nottocomewith
herbutshedoesn'
tseeanywr ong
wit
hit.Ican'
tsayanythi
ngbecause
hedidn'
tevenbri
nghert oour
house..
..
.

Islowlygotupgri
nningasmy
sti
tchesti
ghtenedhurti
ngme,the
i
njecti
onwassl owlyweari
ngoffand
thepainofdeli
veri
ngwasnowachi ng
outthewholeofmyv ul
vaasIslowl
y
walkedout..
.
Her:
cany oupl
easesitdownotswe
mogoKenl ebasadibagagwe, l
e
wenajaanongoipi
let
sastress.
.
Me:(
hear
tpoundi
ng)Ij
ustwantt
o
t
alkt
ohim..
.

Asi walkedoutt hepassageandKen

wasl eani
ngov erherwhileshesaton
thecouchr eceiv
ingakissf r
om him,
Otl
hebumpedonmehol dingher
Avonpr oductsandt hepainwas
unbearable,i
tfeltasifmywhol e
vulv
awasf all
i
ngdownasi tthr
obbed
massi vel
y..
.
Ot
lhe:
Sor
ryhoomma.
..

Isupportedmysel
fwitht
hewal
las
Kenturnedandlookedatmeabi
t
surpr
ised..
.

Ken:
Hey
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Me:
Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?

Amantl
eandOtl
helaughedand
par
tedt
henshegrabbedhisar
m..
.

Amant
le:
Arey
ebabeI
'
m donewi
th
whatIcamef
or
Me:
Kenwhat
'sgoi
ngon?
Ken:
I'
ll
cal
lyou
Me:
Gaobat
elegobonangwana?
Ken:Ialr
eadysawheronthepict
ures
aker
egapeI '
ll
cometomorrow,we
aredoingbusi
nessi
t'
snotpersonal
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Cany
ounotdot
his?
Ken:Tsamayakongwanengker
il
eke
taal
etsa,
I'
m busy

Hewal kedawayandifol
lowedhim
thi
st i
meunawareiwasst r
essi
ngmy
sti
tches,Amant
lepushedmebackas
soonasi
grabbedhi
st-
shi
rt
..
.

Me: Amantl
edon'
ttouchmebecause
I
'm nott
alki
ngtoyou,I
'm hol
dinghi
m
notyou
Ken:(pushi
ngmyhandasi grabbed
hist
-shir
t)Di
di nt
ogel
a..
.(annoyed)
kant
ewar eobat aeng?Didn'
tItell
youI'
m working?
Amantle:Real
l
ygirlbuysome
confi
dence,pr
ideorsomethi
ngifyou
weren'
tbornwithany.Doyouthi
nk
for
cinghim wi
llwork?
Me:(t
earful
l
ytoher
)Hei
smar
ri
edf
or
Chr
istsake
Amantl
e:(
sigheddi
smi
ssi
vel
y)Go
backt
othebaby
Ken:
Amantlethat
'senough,
gowai
t
i
nthecar
.I'
m comingup

Shewalkedoutandicover
edmyf
ace
cr
yingashefixedhi
st-
shir
t.
..

Ken:
Ihav
etogo.
..
Me:(cr
ying)Kenpl easedon'tdot
his,
babewear emar r
ied..
.Wehav ea
newbaby ,don'
tl
etheri nf
luencey
ou
l
ikethi
s..
.
Ken:
I'
m notwi
thherandy
ou'
rest
il
l
mywi fe,
youjustneedtoactlikea
wi
feandst opdoingallthesechil
dish
t
hings,youdon'thavetobedr aggi
ng
mear oundli
kethis.I
'
m wor ki
ng.

Hi
smot
herwal
kedi
n..
.

Her:(
angri
ly)Ofanawaboodira
mogot wengengmo?Shoul dit
ell
yourf
atherwhenheget shomewith
Zanegoreol at
hil
elaapaosi
ale
mmey ole?
Ken:Whatdididonow?Amant
leis
mybusinesspart
ner
,Di
dii
shavi
ng
babi
esandsomeonehastosupport
them si
nceshei
sdoi
ngnothingto
bringmoneyhomeorshoul
dIalso
stayhome?
Her
:Kegor
eot
senwekeeng?
Ken:
(si
ghed)Ihav
etogo.
.

Heopenedt hedoorandwal kedout

asi burstedint
ot ear
spul l
i
nghi st
-
shi
rtbuthepushedmyhandand
walkedoutany way,hismotherpull
ed
met oherchestcl osingthedoorasi
cri
edl oudly.
..
..

Me:
(scr
eami
ng)Ken?
?Ken?
?
Icouldfeel myselflosingit,i
wasn' t
evenaf r
aidtocr yinfrontofhi s
mot herasIscr eamedsol oudmy
headachedandwhent heydroveoff
i
twasl ikehewast akingev erybreath
withhim; icri
edsobadi couldn'
t
breathandcoughedal mostv omiti
ng
ont hefloor.
..
.

MaDaniel
:Thebabyi
scrying,
arey
e
wagoamusangwana.
...
..
..
..
.

Don'tf
orgett
oLi
ke,nexti
nser
t
fol
l
owsat11pm toni
ght..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
59PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 88
AtAmant
le'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
erthatnightAmantl
epour
edwine
i
ntwogl assesandanswer
edher
vi
brat
ingphone...

Amant
le:
Himama?
Her:
Jansay
sshemi ssesyou,
ke
gor
ewenawateonnel engwanahel
a
gi
vi
ngherat
tent
ion?
Amantle:Mamabathong,Janisol
d
enought obreat
honherown.Give
hermyl apt
opsoshecanwat ch
vi
deosonYouTube.I
'
llcal
ltomor
row.
Bye
Her
:(si
ghed)Hae.
..
.By
e

Shepickedthetwoglassesand
walkedtowardsthecouchinhersexy
sty
lishl
ingeri
esexi
lyswingi
nghipto
hi
pt henshehandedhimt heot
her
andsatont hecouchkissi
nghi
m. .
..
.

Amantl
e: Comeon...
.Stopfeel
ingbad
al
ready
,yousaidshecheatedony ou
sowhyar eyoufeel
ingguil
ty?She
sl
eptwithyourbrot
herandactuall
y
madeyouki l
lhi
m.That'salotof
bur
dent
ocar
ry
Ken:(
sighed)IknowbutI'
venev er
seenhercryli
kethatbef
ore.
..Fuck!

Hesi
ppedthewineandputi
tdown
t
henhestoodup..
.

Ken:Ineedasmoke,
let
'sgot
othe
bal
cony..
Amant
le:
Thoughty
ouqui
t
Ken:
YeahbutI
'
m edgy
..
.

Hereachedf
orhi
sjacketand
gr
abbedhisnewpackandalight
er
thenshefoll
owedhimt othebalcony
wheresheputt hegl
assesont he
edgeandleanedagainstthewal l
stari
ngathim asheli
tthecigarett
e
withali
ghterandputitoutblowing
somesmoke. ..

Amant
le:
Doy
oul
oveher
?
Ken:
Notr
eal
l
ynobutshewasal
i
ttl
e-
Amantl
e:Dramati
cthat'
swhatshe
was,what'
sshedoingatyour
mother
'shouseanyway?
Ken:Idon'
tknow..
.Canwenottal
k
abouther?I
t'
sfucki
ngdepr
essi
ng..
.
Hedr oppedt hecigaret
teand
stompedoni tthenhepul l
edher
waistov erandkissedherlifti
ngher
asshehoppedonhi mt henhewal ked
i
nsidehol di
ngherr oundbot tom,he
sli
dthegl assdoorandt ossedheron
thebedt henhel ayonherki ssingher
assheki ssedhi sneckcaressinghis
body...
.

Ken:
(mut
ter
ed)Fucki
missedt
his.
..
.
Amant
le:
(moani
ng)Iknowbabet
ake
i
t.
..

Hemov
eddownherbodyandspr
ead
herlegsapartthenheleanedover
l
ickinguponesi deofherli
psand
downt heotherdri
vinghercrazy
l
isteni
ngtohermoans.

Amant
le:
(tur
nedherey
es)Ohhhh

Hemov edhistonguetot heopening

ofherkukusl i
dinghistongueinas
farashecoul dgo,sli
dingitinand
outwhileli
steni
ngt oherer ot
ic
moans, shegrabbedhishead
pushinghim deeperandcl osedher
eyesbiti
ngherl i
p..
..
Amantle:
(softl
y)OhI'
m keepi
ngyou,
you'
renotgoingbacktoher.
..
.You'
re
mine.
..
.Doy ouhearme?
Ken:
Yeah.
..

Hecrawledupandkissedherwit
h
t
hesweetsmellofherjui
cesand
f
il
ledherupastheybothwentupin
f
lamesofasteamyhotr omance.
..
.

AtMaDani
el'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eilai
dont
hemat t
resswi
th
t
hekidseachonmysideasthey
peacef ul
lyslept,i
twasabi tlat
e
around10pm andt hel
ightswereout
buti couldstil
lhearmyi n-l
aws
tal
kingi ntheirbedroom,thoughit
wasn' taudibl
eIcoul dtel
lshewas
l
etti
nghi m knowaboutwhathi sson
hadbeenupt o..
..

Iwascur i
ousaboutwhatKenwas
doingthoughiknewitwouldhurtme
andi di
dn'twantt
olovehim butidi
d,
icouldn'
tbebraveenoughtosayI'm
donebecausehewasal liwanted..
.

It
appedonWhat
sAppandst
aredat
Amant l
e'
sdispl
aypi
ctur
e,itwasa
pictureofherandKenatthebeach.I
didn'tevenknowhehadbeenoutof
thecount r
y..
.

Icli
ckedonherst atusandwat cheda
sl
ideofKen' spi
ctureswithher.They
werer eall
yenj
oyingthemselvesand
heseemedhappy ,knowinghewas
capableofmakingawomanf eelli
ke
shewasi naromant i
cmov i
eblurred
mysi ghtastearsdroppedont he
phone. .
.

Idi
dn'
tknowwher
eiwentwr
ongor
whati hadtodotofixmymarri
age,
hehardlyansweredmycall
sor
repl
i
edmebuti wasstucki
nthe
housewi t
hmyi n-
lawswhil
ehewas
outthere.

Idi
aledhisnumberjusttaki
ng
chancesknowinghemi ghtnot
answer.
..

Amant
le:
Yes
Me:(
tear
ful
ly
)Whyareyouanswer
ing
myhusband'
sphone?
Amantl
e:Hebat
hing,
whatdoy
ou
want
?
Me:
cani
pleaset
alkt
ohi
m?
Amant le:Shouldi bl
ocky ournumber
orswi t
chof ft
hephone?Whatwoul d
bemor eef fici
entforyou?Hedoesn' t
wanty ou.You' rebori
nghi m and
you'r
er eall
ynothi stype,deepdown
youknowy ouruglyassai n'
tgood
enoughf orhi m.Nowt hatyoujust
poppeda4. 6kgbabyi betthatpuss
reachedi t
sel asti
cli
mi t,y
ou're
fi
nishedphuma.If eelsor r
yfory ou
reall
y,you'reoneoft hesesadwi ves
whowi llwearar i
ngwhoseowner
l
ov esanot herwoment heni t
sjust
sad.Stopbeggi ngbecausehei snot
comi ngba-
Ken:
Hell
o?(toher
)St
opanswer
ing
myphone.
..
(t
ome)Hello?
Me:Cany
oucomeov
ersowecan
t
alk?
Ken:
It'
slat
e,I
'
llcomet
omor
row
Me:
Doy
our
eal
l
ylov
eme?
Ken:(helaughedandwhi sper
ed)
Stopit.
..
waswaba, (
laughedrunning
outandslammedt hedoort henhe
cl
earedhisthroati
nanechor oom)
hell
o?
Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Ken.
..What
'sgoi
ngon?
Ken:(
inaudi
ble)Ther
eissomet
hingi
havet
ot el
l
Me:Thereistoomuchecho,i
can
har
dlyhearyou.Ar
eyouinthe
bat
hroom?
Ken:I
'
m get
ti
ngout
..
.(audi
ble)can
youhearme?
Me:
Yes.
.
Ken:(hewal
kedint
hegar
ageandsat
i
nthecar)Ther
eissomet
hingi
have
totel
lyou
Me:
Ok
Ken:Ilostinter
estinyou,I
'm not
att
ract
edt oy ouandI '
vebeent r
ying
tokeept hi
sgoi ngforawhilejust
becausei didn'
twanty outohav ea
miscarri
ageso. ..
Me:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Ken:Iwantadivorceandever
yonei s
l
eavi
ngwi thwhattheycamewith.My
busi
ness,houseandcarareminel e
wenahelajal
osoi tshoul
dbeaf ast
di
vorcebecausethereisnopr
oper t
y
cont
ending.
Me:
(at
earr
andownmychi
ck)Ken
Ken:(
sighedfr
ust
rat
edlyandl
eaned
hi
sheadont hest
eeri
ngwheel
)I'
m
sor
ry.
..
Me:(r
ubbedmyt ears)Didido
somethi
ngwrongori sitt
heweight
?I
don'
tunder
stand,i
sn'ti
tsomethi
ng
wecouldfi
x?
Ken: Honest lyil
ovedyoubecause
therewasnoAmant le,
y ouwer ethe
closestthingi coul
dgett oremind
my selfofherbutshei sher enowand
i
...
(sighedr eluct
antl
y)If eelnot
hing
foryou.Kekopahel agor eoskareo
batasepef rom mebecausey ou
camewi t
hnot hi
ng,I
'm keeping
what '
smi nel ewenakeepy our
garden.
Me: Idon'
tknowwhatt osaybecause
iloveyouandi di
dn'
texpectt
his.You
haven'tev
engivenmeachancet o
l
ov eyoumay beyou'
l
llovememor e
thanyouloveher.
Ken:
Idon'
twantt
obeoneoft
hese
guyswhodr agsal
ongawomanf or
nothing,i
t'
senoughthatil
iedand
pretendedtoloveyoufort
hepast
sevenmont hsbutnowi wantyouto
gooutt hereanddowhatyougotto
do
Me:Gooutther
ewithwhat?I'
m
unempl
oyedwitha1dayoldbaby
anda5yearoldandagardenthat
's
notf
unct
ioni
ng.
Ken:
I'
mj ustt
ryi
ngtohel
pyoucome
upwit
hideas,canwetal
ktomor
row?
Me:(t
earf
ull
yrubbedmyner
ves)Ken
war
ey oudon'
tlovemenerr
a?What
doyoumean?
Ken:
Goodni
ght
..

Hehungupandit
ri
edcall
i
ngbuthis
phonewasof
fsocal
ledAmant
le.
.

Amant
le:
hel
l
o?
Me:Hi..
.Themmakekopagobuale
Ken,i
twon'tt
akel
ong.Keagokopa
kabotho
Amantle:Mxm,
othokakooka
tshamekel
angt
eng.

Shehungupanditr
iedhernumber
agai
nasthebabybeguncryi
ng
suckli
ngherf
ist
s,i
mov edtothe
othersi
deofthematt
ressand
conti
nuedcal
li
ngAmant l
e..
.

Amant
le:
(si
ghed)Hal
ooh?
Me: (tookadeepbr eath)Hi ,
I'm sorr
y
forcal l
i
ngy oul i
kethis,okay.I
under standt haty ou'
reprobabl ybusy
butIneedt otalktohim ev enifit'
s
j
ustami nute.Kemokopakogo
wena, iknowy oucansaynoandi t
will
r eallyhurtme.I 'minabadspace
ri
ghtnow, kelekagor eot haloganye.
Youoncehadababywanna
mot setsi waai tseseemosat eng.
Nti
rel
afavouromoneelephone, y
ou
andishouldn'
tevenbearguing
becauseakerehechooseswho
wantsandnowi t
'syou,i
respectthat
butI'
m(swall
owed)I'
m..Pleaseke
kopagobual eene
Amantl
e:Bi
tchleav
emephoneal one,
cal
lmeagainandI'
llr
epor
tyoufor
har
assment
.Desperatemuch!

Shehungupandi t
riedKenagain,i
t
wasof fandt
hebaby'scr
iesir
ri
tat
ed
meev enmore.I
twashardenough
rai
singZaneonmyownandi knew
rai
singtwoki
dswithoutajobwas
i
mpossi bl
ebutt
hatdidn'
tcomparet
o
thepainofwant
ingKenandknowing
helovessomeoneelseandwanted
nothi
ngt odowi
thme. .
..
.

Icover
edmyfacecryi
ngandfora
momentibel
ievedi
fipray
edhard
enoughmi
racleswoul
dhappen.
..

Me: (
chantingandcryi
ng)Kenplease
il
ovey ou,Godpleasebri
nghim
back..
..Godpleasehel
pme, God
pl
easebr i
nghim back,Godplease.
..

Ichant
edunt
ilsal
i
vaf
ormedatt
he
cor
nersofmylipsandIcoul
dn'tcr
y
anymorebutt
hepainwasstil
lthe
same.

Iswitchedt heli
ghtsonandr ubbed
mymout handey est
heni satonthe
mat t
resslookingatZanepeacef ul
ly
sleepingwhi l
ethebabykickedand
hungrilysuckedherfist
stheni
grabbedt hepill
owandknel tbetween
them....
.

Iwasn'tgoi
ngtol
eavethem behi
nd
sotheycouldbeabused,
i hadt
otake
them wit
hme.Icountedto10
bet
weenthem andwhoev
ergot10
wouldgofi
rst
.

Tearsr andownasi count

edand
fi
nall
yputt hepil
lowoverZane'sface
smot heri
nghim ashehelplessl
y
ki
ckedandscr at
chedunti
lhe
stoppedt henimovedont othebaby
andsmot her
edher..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/3,
11:
59PM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 89

Atmymot
heri
n-l
aw'
s.
..
.

Iexer
tedallmybodyweightonthe
babyastearsdroppedonthepil
low
whil
eshestruggledsuf
focati
ngthen
thedooropened.Mymot heri
nlaw's
eyespoppedinf
earassheranov er
andcrawledont
hemattresstowards
theki
dsthenimovedbackcrying
wipi
ngoffmucuswithmyar m.…

Her
:(scr
eami
ng)ZANE?
?ZANE?
?

Shepickedt hebabywhosehead
wavedaiml essl
yli
keafl
agthenshe
tear
ful
lylookedatmeincompl et
e
shock.
..
.

Her:Di
di?(
tur
nedscr
eami
ng)Rr
agwe
Ofana?
??
Hehurri
edi nandlookedatt hekids
thenhelookedatmeasi backedi nt
o
acornerstil
lhol
dingthepil
lowas
tear
sfelldowntheni ranpasthim
andunlockedthemai ndoorr unni
ng
out.

Iknewi di
dn'
thav et i
meandmyhear t
wasst il
laching,ineverexpectedmy
marriagetoendl i
kethatandknowi ng
Amant lewasoutt hereinbedwith
him wasmor epainfulthananythi
ng.I
wasj ustgladmychi l
drenwerein
heavenandi didn'
tcar ewhereI'
dgo
aslongast
hepai
ninmyhear
tcoul
d
st
op...

Icouldn'tfi
ndanyr opebuti
remember edmyf atherinlawal ways
hadacont ainerofpet rolf
orhis
generatoratt hefarm soi checked
thevan.Undert hecov erofdar knessi
pull
edoutt he5lit
ercont ai
nerand
l
ift
edi tupt omychestput tingthe
openingonmycl eav agestheni
pouredi tovermybodyandt heback
asitwasheddownonme.

Idi
dn'
thav
ethemat
chessoi
ran
backinsi
det hehousebumpi
ngint
o
them car
ryingthechi
ldr
enast
heir
headswav eddown...

MrDaniel
:Whatarey
oudoi
ng?Shei
s
bur
ninghersel
f!

Igott hematchesi
nt heki
tchenand
wal kedoutt
hebackdoorasher an
aftermescreaming.Iwasshakingso
mucht hematchst
ickskeptbreaki
ng
orputoutbyt hemindchil
lywind
breezingout
side.
..
.

Mr
sDani
el:
(shakyv
oice)Rr
agwe
Ofanacany oupl
easecomehereso
wecant aketheki
dstothehospi
tal
?
Whatifoneofthem i
sali
ve?Leave
t
hatgirl
,let
'
sgo!

Ifi
nall
ymanagedt olightamat chand
Icaughtinf
lamesbef orei couldeven
putthematchst i
ckonmy self,
it
happenedsofastev eni gotscared.
Myski nbur
nedsobadi wantedto
putoutthefi
rebutmywhol ebody
wasi nfl
amesandi coul dhardlysee
anythi
ngthr
ought hebigf l
ameasi
ranaroundscreamingf orhelp.
Iranaftereveryoneandt heyr an
awayaf rai
dt ocatchf i
re,i
screamed
unti
l i
couldn'tasi beguntosl ow
downweakl yt hensomeonecov er
ed
mewi thabl anketfrom behindand
wef el
ltothegr oundt heniblacked
out.
...
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
..

Iwokelookingatthewhiteceili
ng,
i
coul
dn'tmov eanypartofmybody
andiwascov er
edinwhitebandages
andfrom t
hesmel loftheroom and
di
stantbeepingmachinesi knewi
wasi
nahospi
tal
bed.

Ilookedabov emewher eahalfIV

washangi ng,asi thoughtback
reli
vi
ngev erythi
ngt hathappenedt he
nightbef or e,Zaneki ckingand
scratchingf i
ghtingf orhisli
fewhi l
ei
pressedt hatpi l
l
owonhi sface..
Tearsf i
lledmyey esandi tr
iedt o
wipemyey esbuti coul dn'
tmov emy
arm.Icoul dn'tgetov erbabyFai t
h's
l
ittl
ecriesbef orei putt hatpil
lowov er
herlit
tleinnocentbodyandi could
sweari hear dbonescr ushing...
.
Iwasn'tsur
ehowl ongi hadbeen
ther
ebutmyar mswer eit
chi
ngandi
coul
dn'tscratchmy selfandicoul
dn'
t
feel
thelowerpar tofmybodywhi ch
wascompl etelycoveredwith
bandages..
..

ThedooropenedandKenwal kedin
dressedi
nformal wear
,hi
sblack
shoeswereshinyasheslowly
walkedoverandstoodbymybed
glar
ingatmet henunbut
tonedhi
stux
andputbothhandsi nt
hepocket
s..
..

Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Wher
ear
etheki
ds?
Ar
etheyokay
?
Ken:(shookhishead)You' r
ethe
mostwi ckedpersoni haveevercome
across,howdidy oufeeli
ngtaki
ngthe
l
ivesofy ourchi
l
dr en?
Me:
(tear
ful
ly)Pleaset
ell
meoneof
t
hem sur
viv
ed...
.
Ken:Youki l
ledthem andi hopey ou'
ll
l
ivewithy oursel
fknowingy oukill
ed
twoinnocentchi l
drenwhodepended
onyouf orsaf et
yandpr otecti
on.I
wantyout olookaty ourselfonthe
mirr
orev erydaylookingatt hi
s
char
redr emai nsofan
embarrassmentandr emindy oursel
f
howwor thlessy ouare.Youcoul dn't
bewi f
eandf ai
ledtobeamot her
too..
.Whatar ey ougoodat ?Ihope
youhav ef ingersfrom these3r d
degreebur nsbecausei needy outo
signthedi v or
cepaper sandf astsoi
canmov eonwi thmyl if
e.Si gnt hem
beforegoi ngt oSbranapshy chi ati
c
hospitalbecauseI 'm notgoi ngt olet
youdel aymyl i
febypr etendingt obe
i
nsanewheni knowy ou'reper fectly
normal .
..
.
Me:(cry
ing)Howlonghaveibeen
her
e?Wher earet
hey?Didyouhavea
bur
ialal
ready?
Amant l
estuckherheadi nand
signaledhim ov ert
henhegl ancedat
mei ndisgustandputhi sr
ingont he
shelfthenwal kedoutasi slowly
closedmyey escr y
ing.Whenheshut
thedoormywhol ewor l
dshutteredal
l
ov eragain..
..
..
.

Hect
icday.
..
.Halfofbr
eadf
ami
l
y,
don'
tfor
gettol
ike.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
00AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 90

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Calvi
nwalkedpastthefencesev
eral
ti
meshopingt oseeoneofthekids
outsi
debutitwasacolddayand
noneofthekidswereplayi
ngoutsi
de.
Aboutanhourl
aterBabysteppedout
wit
hat owel
andhungi tontheli
ne.
..

Cal
vi
n:Hey
Baby:(
smiledandrantothef
ence)
Hi.
..
.Ihear
dt heydi
dn'
tfi
ndyougui
lt
y
Calv
in:Yeah,
isyourmom home?I
wanttoseethekidsbuti
don'
twant
hertoseeme.
Baby :Sheisatwork,shewi l
lcome
verylateintheaft
ernoon.Comei n.
..
Hei Setsanacan'
tstoptalki
ngabout
you, t
heyallmissyou.Pleasegetin
Calv
in:
Nojustcal
lthem t
othefence,
Idon'
twantaunt
ietothi
nkother
wise
aboutme
Baby:Iwon'ttel
lher
,whyshoul
dy ou
seethem standi
ngont hef
encel
ike
you'
reacriminal?pl
easecomein
Cal
vi
n:Pl
ease.
..
Baby
:(si
ghed)OK.
..

Shesadlywentbacktot hehouse
andthekidsrushedoutwithhuge
smil
esrunningtothefence.He
l
aughedemot ional
l
y,t
heywer ecl
ean
andthi
ckerthaneverbefore.
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Youf
atpi
gs!

Theyl aughedput t
ingthei rli
tt
lehands
outt hediamondmashf encet ohol d
hishandt henhesquattedhol di
ng
theirhandsast heyhadal i
ttl
ehappy
reuniont henSetsanaslowl ywalked
ov erlookingatherbrotherst anding
ont heot hersi
deoft hef ence.Cal v
in
slowl ystoodupandsmi ledather .
Shewassobeaut if
ulandwel l
nour i
shedhesi ghedinr elief.
..

Butt
hat
'snotwhatshesawlooki
ng
i
nhisey
es,thef
encefel
tli
kepri
son
andshedi dn'twantthegoodl i
feif
herbi
gbr otherwasn'tpartofit.
Seei
nghi mt hroughaf encefel
tli
ke
hewasst il
linprisonandshewas
begi
nningt ohateherauntf ornot
seei
ngt hr
oughherwi ckeddaughter.

Cal
vi
n:(
smi
l
ed)Comeher
e..
.

Shewalkedov erandputherhands
ont hef
encethenhesmi l
edandput
hishandsonher swit
hasmi l
e,he
wasnowateaseseei nghowwel l
takencareoftheywere.He'
dforev
er
remainthankf
ul t
ohisauntaft
eral
l
shedidn'
tknowwhathappenedand
heguessedanyparentwoul
dbeli
eve
thei
rchil
doveranot
her.

Set
sana:
Ihat
either
e,Iwantt
ocome
home
Calvin:
Idon'thavef
oodt her
e
besidesit
'sonlyamatterofti
me
beforeigotoaboardingschoolso
youhav etostayher
e.
Set
sana:
Buti
hat
eMay
a
Cal
vi
n:I
sshet
reat
ingy
oubad?
Setsana:No,sheisactual
l
ynicet
o
us.
..Toonice,it
hinkshefeel
sguil
ty
butihateherformakingpeoplet
hink
y
ou'
rear
api
st
Calvi
n:Goodthingscomeatapr i
ce,i
f
that'
swhatihadt opayforyouguy s
toli
vethi
sgoodt hensobei t,
I'
m so
happyyouguy sareli
vi
nggood. .
..
Lookatyou!(smiledproudl
ylooking
atthem)Thi
si sgood..
.
Setsana:Wehav eourswipecard
whichlet'
susgetfreefoodfrom
shopsandwebuycl ot
heswithitt
oo.
Wecanst il
lstaybyoursel
ves.We
don'tneedthesepeopl
e
Calv
in:
No, y
ou'resaf
erhere.I'
min
seni
orschool,
iknockoffverylat
e
andyoucomehomeear l
ier,
Idon't
wantpeopleknowi
ngyouguysstay
al
one.You'r
esafeher
e,y
ou'
ll
v i
sitme
onweekendshowi st
hat
?Each
weekendwegohomeandspend
ti
metogether.
.
Set
sana:
(smi
l
ed)That
'sbet
ter
..
.

Meanwhi l
einsidethehouseMay a
mov edthecurtai
nslooki
ngatCalv i
n
smili
ngandl aughingwit
hhissi
blings
rest
rict
edbyt hefence,
she
swallowedandr ubbedoffhert
ears
thensheturnedasBabywal kedin..
..

Baby
:Ar
eyoupr
oudofy
our
sel
f?
That
'stheli
fehehastoli
vebecause
youcouldn'
tj
ustkeepyourcr
ushto
your
self.
Maya:Papaisgoi
ngt
obeatmei
fhe
f
indsoutil
ied
Baby :Trustmeheal r
eadyknows
that'
swhyhewant snothingtodo
withy ou,you'r
eslowlymaki nghim
l
ov ey ouless.Theonlyper sonwho
beli
ev esyoui smamaandy ou'
re
maki nghert hebadper sonbecause
shehast ochoosebet weeny ouand
Carl.Ourcousi nsaregoingt ohate
herwhenal lshewant sistohelp
them.Youdest royedahappyf amily,
thoseor phanswer ehappyt heyfound
afami l
ybutyoujusthadt ot
akethe
onlypersonwhomeanst heworldto
them.Ihopei neverf
inditdi
ffi
cultt
o
apologi
sewhenev erI
'm wrong,i
real
lyhopeso.

Babywalkedoutandcl osedthedoor
thensheturnedandwat chedasCarl
walkedawaywhi lehissi
bli
ngswaved
athim al
readyfeeli
nglonel
yaft
era
shortr
eunion..
.

Shesighedandgrabbedher
not
ebookt henshewrot
eafull
page
andfoldedit
.
Almostanhourl at
erLolowalkedin
holdi
ngapl ast
icofgroceri
esand
walkedacrosstheli
vingroom where
thechil
drenweresitt
ingwithweir
d
guil
tyl
ooks...

Lol
o:(
pausedlooki
ngatt
hem)What
?
Whyareyoulooki
ngatmeli
ket
hat
?
Junior
:Theysai
dhi
toCal
vi
nbyt
he
fence
Lol
o:(walkedtothekit
chen)Oh..
.I'
m
notangrywithyou,y
oucansayhi to
hi
m becausehei ssti
ll
yourbrot
her.
Hejustcan'tst
ayherebecausehe
di
dsomet
hingbad.
..

Setsana'
shatefortheserichpeople
burnedasshebegunt oplan
escapingwi
thhersibli
ngs.May a
walkedpastherwithherletterand
wenttoputiti
nt hecarthenshe
walkedbackinbumpi ngintoLolo.

Lol
o:I
'
m goi
ngt
ocheckonDi
di
Maya:Oh,
ihear
dshet
ri
edt
ocommi
t
sui
cide
Lol
o:Yeah,
bye
ShewalkedawaythenMay aclosed
thedoorl
ookingatSetsana,she
knewthatl
it
tl
egirlhat
edherandi t
ateher
..
.

Maya:
(smil
ed)Guyscani
ser
vei
ce
cr
eam f
orever
yone?
Al
l
:(scr
eamed)Yeah!
Setsana: (
walkedtoherr oom witha
magazi ne)Not hanks.
..Iwouldn't
wanty out otel
launti
ei stol
eitifshe
askswhoat etheicecream.Imi ss
mypov ert
yli
festyl
e,atleastwedi dn'
t
l
iveinf earofbeingaccusedof
somet hing.
Babyfol
l
owedherint
hebedr
oom
andsatwit
hher
..
.

Baby
:I'
m notsuppor
ti
ngherokay
?
Setsana:Iknow,ijustwantt ogo
home.Idon' twantrichesifihav
eto
havethem wi t
houtCar l.Hehasbeen
chasedoutl i
keacr i
mi nalandweare
expectedtobehappy .
.
Baby
:Sor
ry.
..
.

Theysatt
hereawkwar
dlywi
thout
sayi
nganyt
hing.
..
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Aatil
ewal kedinthelabwhereBay ang
wassi tt
ingbythecomput er
researchingabout3rddegreeburns,
Aatil
equi et
lystoodbehi
ndhi m
watchingandwhenhenot icedhehad
companyhecl osedthetabandput
hiselbowsont hedeskswal lowi
nga
biglump. .
.

Aat
il
e:(
sighedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Wow.
..
Bay
ang:
What
?
Aati
le:Ican'
tbel
ievey
oust i
l
llov
ethi
s
womanaf t
ersomanyy ear
s,ist
hat
whyy ouhav egi
venupin
rel
ati
onships?
Bay
ang:
Idon'
tl
oveher
..
.

Heswall
owedtearful
l
yandgr abbed
hi
scoattr
yingtowalkoutbutAatil
e
gr
abbedhisarm andfacedhi
m. .
.

Aati
l
e: Mrthi
sismey ou'r
etal
kingto.
..
Youlookli
key ouswal l
owedabi t
ch
bal
l,iknowyoudidn'tli
kewhaty ou
saw..
.Ifel
tbadhearingherskinwas
peel
ingoff.I
'
mj ustdisappoi
ntedi
nev
erknewthi
slov
enev
erdi
edaf
ter
solong.
..
Bay ang:(t
ookadeepbr eathand
bli
nkedsev eraltimesashi sey es
reddened)Ijustdon' tthinkshe
knowswhatshedi dt oher self
.1st
degr eeburnsheal butt hat?Herski n
willneverbet hesameagai nandshe
i
sgoi ngt
odeal wit
hmor et hanj usta
divorceforausel esst hug, sheis
goingt odealwithpeopl est ar
ingat
herandmaki ngf unofhert hatshe
burnedher selff
oraman, i don'tthi
nk
sheknowshowhar dlifeisgoi ngt o
bef orher.
Aat
il
e:Shewi
l
lsur
viv
e,whatdoesn'
t
ki
l
lyouonl
ymakesy
oust
ronger
Bay
ang:
It'
sir
oni
cthaty
ou'
dsayt
hat
Aati
le:
Uh-uhwearenotgoi
ngt
her
e,
thi
sisaboutDi
dinotme.
Bayang:Buthonestl
ywhywoul
dy ou
wanttoburnyourselff
oramanwho
doesn'
tgiveashitkanagat
weareo
batadiv
orce
Aatil
e:I
t'
shardtoacceptt
hatanot
her
persondoesn'
tl
ovey ounnakamo
thal
oganya
Bayang:
Didihasbeendumped
bef
oreandshenev erdi
dthi
s,what'
s
sospeci
alabouthi
m?Shedi sf
igur
ed
her
selff
orli
feandhewon'tevenbe
ther
etohel
pherrecov
er.Di
dikanao
kagobori
sali
fekabomatajwa
gagwe
Aati
le:
Iheardanot
hernursesaying
sheisup,youcangotal
kt oherakere
ntseomochekaalesedated
Bayang:
Aeno,
keshapo.
..
I'
m goi
ng
forl
unch

Theybothwalkedoutandr
andown
thest
air
s..
..

Aat i
l
e: Dudusaysshehasbeen
referr
edt oth3psychi
atr
ichospit
al
forev al
uati
onassoonasshef i
ne
Bayang:Iguessit
samatterof3
weeksbecausethoseburnsare
seri
ousespecial
l
yherchestand
thi
ghs..
.
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..

Lolosteppedoutofthecarjusti
n
fr
ontoft hem ast
heyapproachedthe
parki
nglot..

Bay
ang:
Kant
eleemej
angha?
Aati
le:If
inal
lymanagedt ogetover
her,wearefri
endsandt houghwe
di
fferhereandtherekaparenti
ngI'
m
happywithourarrangementsofar.I
believewrwi l
lalwaysfightaboutt he
kidsbecausemenandwomenr eact
different
ly,kedumel agor eMay awa
yakahagonaCal vinomodi ril
eng
sepebecauseshebeenhav i
ngsex .
Kanangwany anaoki l
eabat ago
nkgol egakei legokukuna, thisgirl
was15andi was19.Sheopenedt he
windowf ormeandi goti n,
we
fuckedal lnightanddozedof f,her
fathercaughtusandshecr iedr ape
untilherpar entscall
edt hepolice
that'swhenshet oldthem shewas
tooashamedt oadmi tsheinv i
tedme.
Bayang:
(laughed)Mar
ia,
thatgi
rlwas
nut
s
Aatil
e: IseemyselfinCalvi
nandt hat
boyi swi sehecannotriskgivi
nghis
si
blingsf oracoupleofsecondsmo
bothithongespecial
lyanal e
gi
rlf
riendbutLolodoesn' twantto
under stand.
Bayang:Loloisjustfeel
inggui l
ty
aboutBabysoshedoesn' twantto
maket hesecondmi st
ake, i
maginei t
i
fwasact uall
ytrueandt hisboy
molestedalltheli
ttl
egirl
si nthe
houseandI '
m say i
ngifbecausei
wantyout oseet hi
ngsf r
om hersi de..
.
Sheisalsotraumat i
sedand
obvi
ouslytoocar ef
ul whichblursher
j
udgement .
..
Aat
il
e:Iguess.
..

Theyloweredthei rvoi
cesasshe
steppedcloserwi thaplast
icoff
ood
andsmi l
edatt hem, sheandAati
le
walkedonast raightli
neandhugged
putti
ngtheirar
msar oundone
anotherwithsoftsmi l
esandlaughs.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
Lol
o:Hi
..
.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ogetoutof
myway?
Aati
l
e:(
laughedhol
dingherwai
st)I
beenwalki
ngonastrai
ghtli
ne
Lolo:(l
aughedhol dinghi
swai st
facingBay ang)Rayathemot set
seyo
oreot ogelegot shwarabasadika
dinokaot aagatangwana
Bayang:(l
aughed)Wenaommagwe
akere,
tabolemot i
i
samokwat
a
Lol
o:(
laughedandpushedhim of
f)
Mxm kwekelehaapanye.
..I
ja
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Lewenawaai
tse
gor
eobeilebotset
siaker
e
Lolo:(laughed)Mxm ibi
leiboughta
steril
i
sat i
onpackyester
day ,i
thought
ofy ouandboughti tker
eI '
l
lgivei
tto
youbutt hatnoi
seoverthereandthe
casemademef orget
Aat
il
e:I
'
llpassbyandpi
cki
t
Lolo:Yourdaught erwr ot
emeal ett
er
wehav etoreadtoget her
,Waitsenna
I'
llneverunderst
andt eenagers.Iam
aof fi
cial
l
yabadmot herandi accept
thatthereisnothinggoodi cando
andbeargoodf ruit
s.
Aat
il
e:Whatar
etal
ki
ngabout
?
Lol
o:I
'
llcal
lyoulat
er,
weactual
l
y
hav
etositherdownandt
alk.
Aat
il
e:Okay
.
Lol
o:Howi
sDi
di?
Aati
le:Ihaven'
tcheckedher,
apparentl
ysheisreall
ybad.Bay
ang
sawherl astni
ghtthoughshewas
sedat
ed.
Bay ang:(
si ghed)Sheisbad,
physicall
y...I
'm notsureemot ional
l
y
becauseshewasmedi cat
edwheni
wentt herebuty ouhav etobet here
forher,whent hosebandagescome
outshei sgoi ngtoneedaf r
iendand
i
fy oudon' tgiveherattent
ionshe
mightact uallycommi tsui
cideand
succeedt hist i
me.
Lol
o:Hav
etheyt
oldheraboutt
he
ki
ds?
Bayang:
Idon'
tknowany
thi
ngabout
that
Aat
il
e:Dudusai
dshewasn'
t
supposedtobet ol
daboutt
he
chi
ldr
enunt i
lshehasbeenatt
ended
byapsy chol
ogist
Bay
ang:
Waity
oumeant
hey
'r
egoi
ng
tol
i
etoher
?
Lolo:Kanathat
'swhatI'
mt ryi
ngt o
understand,
whatkindoftortureis
that?Sheneedstoknowt het r
uth.
..
Whyar etheymakingconclusions
thatsheisadanger
Aati
le:
Isn'tshe?( t
heybot hlookedat
herwit
hunf airlooks)I'
mj usttr
ying
toseethingsf r
om thedoct or'
spoi nt
ofvi
ew.Het ookcar eofthephy sical
i
njur
iesandwant stherightdoctort o
takecar
eofthepsy chologi
cal
i
njuri
esorwhat ev
er.
..That'
showi t
's
doneandi t
hinkyouguy sshoul
dn't
betempted,iknowy oucareabout
herbutsomeonehast ot hi
nkoutsi
de
thebox.
Bay
ang:(
sighed)I
fyouputi
tthat
way.
..
Lol
o:Welll
etmegoupher
ebef
ore
vi
sit
orsf
il
lherr
oom
Bot
h:By
e

Shepar
tedwit
htheguy
sandwal
ked
i
nthehospi
tal
..
..
..
.
AtKen'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..

Amantlewalkedi
nherheelshangi
ng
herhandbagonherarm andholdi
ng
anenvelopeasKentur
nedwitha
smil
e..
.

Ken:Hey
,youl
ookl
i
key
ouj
ustwona
l
otto
Amant
le:
(smi
l
ed)Becausei
justdi
d..
.

Sheputherhandbagonthedeskand
pul
leduphershortski
rtt
henshesat
onhisl
ipputt
ingherarmsaroundhi
s
neckandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Ken:
Ok,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Amantle:Ij
ustgothi
redatBankof
Botswana!Canyouimagine!Imean.
..
.
BankofBotswana
Ken:(
smil
edworri
edly)Wow..
..That
's
hugesowhatdoesthatmean?Does
i
thaveabranchi
nMaun?
Amantle:I
'
llbeworki
nginGabor
one
butI'
m notaccept
ingi
tify
oucan'
t
comewi t
hme, iwantustogo
toget
her.
Ken:
Babe,
ihav
eabusi
nesst
orun
Amant le:Andi tsagoodthingkeya
accommodat ion.Themoneycomes
i
nwhi ley ou'
ret her
e.Youcaneven
expandandbuypl otsi
nGaboroneor
surroundingar easthenopena
branch, t
hinkout si
dethebox!
Ken:Yeahbuti
hav
etot
akecar
eof
the-
Amant l
e:(si
ghed)Ifwear egoingto
mov eony ouneedt ostartt
hinki
ng
aboutmet oo,arewedoi ngthisor
not?It
'sverysi
mpl e.
..KenI'
m not
gonnabegy oulikeDidi,i
tsei
theryou
l
ovemeornot ,whichisit?
Hetookadeepbreat
handsmiled
pul
l
ingherdownforaki
ssthenhe
l
ookedinherey
esandsmil
edabi t
..
.

Ken:BankofBot
swanai
tis.
..You,
me
andJanallt
heway.
..
Amantl
e:(
smi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m)I
l
oveyou
Ken:
Ilov
eyoumor
e..
.
Amant
le:
Didy
out
alkt
oyourl
awy
er?
Ken:Yes,
hei
sworki
ngonit
.She
shoul
dbeser
vedv
erysoon
Amantl
e:Good,
ineeddr
amaoutof
ourl
i
ves..
.
Ken:
Tellmeabouti
t.
..
.(st
oodup)
Wanttograbsomel
unch?
Amant
le:
Yeah.
..

Hegrabbedherhandbagandwal
ked
output
ti
nghisarm ar
oundherwai
st.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Lyi
ngont hehospi t
albedunablet
o
mov egavemet i
met othi
nk,iwas
sti
ll
havingfl
ashyi magesofthefi
re
eachti
mei t
riedtogetsometime
sl
eepandi fitwasn'tt
hefir
eitwas
mybaby '
sr ibscr ackingwhi lei
exertedmybodywei ghtont hepill
ow
aboveherbody .Zane' sinnocent
giggl
esandt he" ILOVEYOU
MAMA" ….all myhar dt i
meswi thmy
boy,himly ingundert hechairwhi l
ei
soldfoodatbar sandcl ubs,doing
nail
swhi l
ehepl ayedatt hecornerof
thesalon...Icoul dn'tunder st
andwhy
ithoughtitwasi mpossi bletoraise
mychi l
dren. ..

Itwassti
ll
painfulandithur
tlosi
ng
myhusbandt hateasybutnowt he
painofl
osingmychi l
drenwas
sinki
ngandireali
sedididn'
teven
needKen..
.Icoul
dn'ti
maginehowI'
d
l
ookoncet heburnshadheal
edthat
's
whenireal
isedihaddestr
oyedmy
fut
uref
orthepresentpai
n..
..

ThedooropenedandLol owalkedin,
shepausedatdoorandcov eredher
mout hastearsroll
eddownher
cheeks,shehardlycri
edsoi knewi
l
ookedbadandi tmademecr y,i
had
noonet oblamebutmy self.Ihad
burnedthelit
tl
ebeautyi hadand
remainedwithburntskinwhi ch
wouldprobablyscareev ery
oneeach
ti
met heylookedatme.
Shesatdownandtri
edtol
eanover
forahugbutsher
ememberedthe
burnswer
efresht
henshel
eaned
back..
.

Lol
o:Lov
ewhathappened?
Me: (
tear
full
y)Ilostev erything..
.I
kil
ledmychi ldrenLol o,ikil
ledt hem
andnowi wantt hem back.They '
reall
iwant ,i
ficoul dhav ethem backI '
d
nev eraskGodf orany t
hingel se.Not
tof i
xmymar riageorhav eani cejobs,
ijustwantt ohugt hem andnev erlet
them go...Ididn'tevenseewher e
they'
reburi
ed,havet
heybeenbur
ied
orthey'
resti
ll
inthemorgue?
Lolo:(
rel
uctantl
y)Okayican'
tli
eto
you,Yourchil
drensurv
ived,t
hey'
re
notdead..
.

Myjawsdroppedast
ear
sofjoyran
downthecorner
sofmyeyes.
..

Me:
OhGod.
..Real
l
y?
Lolo:(
sadl
y)Buttheybot hsuff
ereda
Traumati
cbrai
ninjuri
es,yourmot her
i
nl awhasbeenreferr
edt oMar i
na
hospit
alwit
hbothoft hem.Theymay
notbethenormal ev
eni ftheysurvi
ve
t
het
reat
ment
.
*
*
*
*
*

Wi
ckedMe
✴ 90

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Cal
vi
nwal
kedpastt
hef
encesev
eral
ti
meshopingt oseeoneofthekids
outsi
debutitwasacol ddayand
noneofthekidswer epl
ayi
ngoutsi
de
thenBabysteppedoutwithatowel
andhungitont hel
ine.
..

Cal
vi
n:Hey
Baby:(
smiledandrantothef
ence)
Hi.
..
.Ihear
dt heydi
dn'
tfi
ndyougui
lt
y
Calv
in:Yeah,
isyourmom home?I
wanttoseethekidsbuti
don'
twant
hertoseeme.
Baby:Sheisatwork,shewillcome
ver
ylateintheaf
ternoon.Comei n.
..
HeiSetsanacan'
tstoptalki
ngabout
y
ou,
theyal
lmi
ssy
ou.Pl
easegeti
n
Calv
in:
Nojustcal
lthem t
othefence,
Idon'
twantaunt
ietothi
nkother
wise
aboutme
Baby:Aotherr
aIwon' ttel
lher,why
shouldyouseethem standi
ngont he
fenceli
keyou'
reacri
mi nal,
please
comei n
Cal
vi
n:Pl
ease.
..
Baby
:(si
ghed)OK.
..

Shesadl
ywentbacktot hehouse
andtheki
dsrushedoutwithhuge
smil
esrunni
ngtothefence.He
l
aughedemotional
l
y,t
heywer ecl
ean
andthi
ckert
hanhehadev
erseen
them.

Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Youf
atpi
gs!

Theyl aughedput t
ingtheirli
tt
lehands
outt hediamondmashf encet ohold
hishand, hesquatt
edandhol ding
theirhandsast heyhadal i
ttl
ehappy
reuniont henSetsanaslowl ywal ked
overl ookingatherbrotherbehi ndthe
fence, Calvi
nslowlystoodupand
smi l
edather .Shewassobeaut i
ful
andwel lnouri
shedhesi ghedi n
rel
ief...
Butthat
'snotwhatshesawl ooki
ng
i
nhisey es,thefencef el
tli
kepri
son
andshedi dn'twantthegoodl i
feif
herbigbrotherwasn'tpartofit.
Seei
nghi mt hroughaf encefel
tli
ke
hewasst ill
inprisonandshewas
begi
nningt ohateherauntf ornot
seei
ngt hroughherwi ckeddaughter.

Cal
vi
n:(
smi
l
ed)Comeher
e..
.

Shewal
kedoverandputherhands
onthef
encet
henhesmi ledandput
hi
sonherswi
thasmi l
e,hewasnow
ateaseseeinghowwel l
takencareof
theywere.He'df
oreverremai n
thankful
tohisauntafteral
lshedidn'
t
knowwhathappenedandi guessany
parentwouldbel
ievetheirchil
dover
another.

Set
sana:
Ihat
either
e,Iwantt
ocome
home
Calvin:
Idon'thavef
oodt her
e
besidesit
'sonlyamatterofti
me
beforeigotoaboardingschoolso
youhav etostayher
e.
Set
sana:
Buti
hat
eMay
a
Cal
vi
n:I
sshet
reat
ingy
oubad?
Setsana:No, sheisactual
l
ynicet
o
us..
.Tooni ce,it
hinkshefeel
sguil
ty
butihateherf ormakingpeoplet
hink
you'r
ear apist
Calvi
n:Goodthingscomeatapr ice,
if
that
'swhatihadt opayforyouguys
toli
vethisgoodthensobei t,
I'
m so
happyy ouguysareclean.
..
.Lookat
you!(smil
edproudlyl
ookingatthem)
Thisisgood..
.
Setsana:
Wrhav eourswipecard
whichlet
'susgetfr
eefoodf r
om
shopsandwebuycl ot
heswi thi
ttoo.
Wecanst il
lst
aybyourselv
es.
Cal
vi
n:No,
you'
resaf
erher
e.I
'
min
seni
orschool,
iknockoffverylate
andyoucomehomeear l
ier
,Idon' t
wantpeopleknowingyouguy sstay
al
one.You'r
esafehere,y
ou'l
lv i
sitme
onweekendshowi sthat
?Each
weekendwegohomeandspend
ti
metogether.
.
Set
sana:
(smi
l
ed)That
'sbet
ter
..
.

Meanwhi l
einsidethehouseMay a
mov edthecurtai
nslooki
ngatCalv i
n
smili
ngandl aughingwit
hhissi
blings
rest
rict
edbyt hefence,
she
swallowedandr ubbedoffhert
ears
thensheturnedasBabywal kedin..
..
Baby:Areyouproudofyoursel
f?
That
'stheli
fehehastoliv
ebecause
youcouldn'
tj
ustkeepyourcrushto
your
self.
Maya:Papaisgoi
ngt
obeatmei
fhe
f
indsoutil
ied
Baby :Trustmeheal readyknows
that'
swhyhewant snothingtodo
withy ou,you'r
eslowlymaki nghim
l
ov ey ouless.Theonlyper sonwho
beli
ev esyoui smamaandy ou'
re
maki nghert hebadper sonbecause
shehast ochoosebet weeny ouand
Carl.Ourcousi nsaregoingt ohat
e
herwhenal l
shewant sistohel p
them.Youdest r
oy edahappyf amily,
thoseorphanswer ehappytheyf ound
afami l
ybutyouj usthadt otakethe
onlypersonwhomeanst hewor ldto
him.Ihopei neverf i
nditdif
ficul
tto
apologi
sewhenev erI'
m wrong, i
real
lyhopeso.

Shewal kedoutandcl osedthedoor

thenshet urnedandwat chedasCarl
walkedawaywhi lehissi
bli
ngswaved
athim alr
eadyf eeli
nglonel
yaft
era
shortr
euni on..
.
Shesi ghedandgr abbedher
notebookt henshewr oteaf ul
lpage
andf oldedit
.MinuteslaterLolo
wal kedinholdi
ngapl asti
cof
groceriesandwal kedacrossthe
l
ivingroom wher ethechildr
enwer e
si
ttingwi t
hweiredlooks...

Lol
o: What?Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngat
melikethat?
Junior
:Theysai
dhi
toCal
vi
nbyt
he
fence
Lol
o:Oh...I
'
m notangrywithyou,he
i
sstil
lyourbrot
her.Hejustcan'
tstay
her
ebecausehedi dsomet hi
ngbad..
.
Setsana'
shatefortheseri
chpeople
burnedasshebegunt oplan
escapingwithhersibl
i
ngs.May a
walkedpastherwithherlet
terand
putiti
nt hecart
henshewal kedback
i
nbumpi ngintoLolo.

Lol
o:I
'
m goi
ngt
ocheckonauntDi
di
Maya:Oh,
ihear
dshet
ri
edt
ocommi
t
sui
cide
Lol
o:Yeah,
bye

Shewal
kedawayt
henMay
acl
osed
thedoorl
ookingatSetsana,
she
knewthatl
it
tl
egirlhat
edherandit
ateher
..
.

Maya:
(smil
ed)Guyscani
ser
vei
ce
cr
eam f
orever
yone?
Al
l
:(scr
eamed)Yeah!
Setsana: (
walkedtoherr oom witha
magazi ne)Not hanks.
..Iwouldn't
wanty out otel
launti
ei stol
eitifshe
askswhoat etheicecream.Imi ss
mypov ert
yli
festyl
e,atleastwedi dn'
t
l
iveinf earofbeingaccusedof
somet hing.
Babyfol
l
owedherint
hebedr
oom
andsatwit
hher
..
.

Baby
:I'
m notsuppor
ti
ngherokay
?
Setsana:
Iknow,ijustwantt ogo
home.Idon'twantrichesifihav
eto
havethem wit
houtCar l.Hehasbeen
cussedoutli
keacr i
mi nal.
.
Baby
:Sor
ry.
..
.

Theysatt
hereawkwar
dlywi
thout
sayi
nganyt
hing.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Aatil
ewal kedinthelabwhereBay ang
wassi tt
ingbyt hecomputer
researchingabout3rddegreeburns,
Aatil
equi et
lystoodbehi
ndhi m and
whenhenot icedhehadcompanyhe
closedthet abandputhiselbowson
thedeskswal l
owingabiglump...

Aat
il
e:(
sighedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Wow.
..
Bay
ang:
What
?
Aati
le:Ican'
tbel
ievey
oust i
l
llov
ethi
s
womanaf t
ersomanyy ear
s,ist
hat
whyy ouhav egi
venupin
rel
ati
onships?
Bay
ang:
Idon'
tl
oveher
..
.

Heswall
owedtearful
l
yandgr abbed
hi
scoattr
yingtowalkoutbutAatil
e
gr
abbedhisarm andfacedhi
m. .
.

Aati
le:Mrt hi
sismey ou'retalki
ngt o.
..
Youlooklikeyouswal lowedabi tch
ball
,iknowy oudidn'tlikewhaty ou
saw...If
eltbadseeingherski npeel
offl
ikethat.I
'mjustdi sappointedi
neverknewt hisl
ovenev erdiedaf t
er
solong..
.
Bayang:(
tookadeepbr
eat
hand
bl
inkedsever
alt
imesashi
seyes
reddened)Ijustdon' tthinkshe
knowswhatshedi dt oher self
.1st
degr eeburnsheal butt hat?Herski n
willneverbet hesameagai nandshe
i
sgoi ngt
odeal wit
hmor et hanj usta
divorceforausel esst hug, sheis
goingt odealwithpeopl est ar
ingat
herandmaki ngf unofhert hatshe
burnedher selff
oraman, i don'tthi
nk
sheknowshowhar dlifeisgoi ngt o
bef orher.
Aati
le:
Shewil
lsur
viv
e,whatdoesn'
t
ki
ll
youonlymakesyoustr
onger
Bay
ang:
It'
sir
oni
cthaty
ou'
dsayt
hat
Aat
il
e:Uh-
uhwear
enotgoi
ngt
her
e,
t
hisi
saboutDi
dinotme.
Bayang:Buthonestl
ywhywoul
dy ou
wanttoburnyourselff
oramanwho
doesn'
tgiveashitkanagat
weareo
batadiv
orce
Aatil
e:I
t'
shardtoacceptt
hatanot
her
persondoesn'
tl
ovey ounnakamo
thal
oganya
Bayang:Didihasbeendumped
beforeandshenev erdidthis,what'
s
sospecialabouthim?Shedi sfi
gur
ed
hersel
fforli
feandhewon' tevenbe
theretohelpherrecover.Didikanao
kagobor i
salif
ekabomat aj wa
gagwe
Aati
le:
Iheardanot
hernursesaying
sheisup,youcangotal
kt oherakere
ntseomochekaalesedated
Bayang:
Aeno,
keshapo.
..
I'
m goi
ng
forl
unch

Theybothwalkedoutandr
andown
thest
air
s..
..

Aat i
l
e: Dudusaysshehasbeen
referr
edt othepsy
chiat
ri
chospi
tal
forev al
uati
on
Bayang:
Iguessitsamatterof3
weeksbecausethoseburnsare
ser
iousespeci
all
yherchestand
t
highs.
..
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..

Lolosteppedoutofthecarjusti
n
fr
ontoft hem ast
heyapproachedthe
parki
nglot..

Bay
ang:
Kant
eleemej
angha?
Aati
le:If
inal
lymanagedt ogetov er
her,wearefri
endsandt houghwe
di
fferhereandtherekaparenti
ngI '
m
happywithourarrangementsof ar.I
bel
ievewewi ll
alwaysfi
ghtaboutt he
ki
dsbecausemenandwomenr eact
di
fferent
ly,
kedumel agoreMay awa
yakahagonaCal vi
nomodi ril
eng
sepebecauseshebeenhav i
ngsex .
Kanangwany anaokileabat ago
nkgolegakeilegokukuna, thisgirl
was15andi was19.Sheopenedt he
windowf ormeandi gotin,
we
fuckedallni
ghtanddozedof f,her
fathercaughtusandshecr iedr ape
untilherpar
entscall
edt hepolice
that'
swhenshet ol
dthem shewas
tooashamedt oadmitsheinv i
tedme.
Bayang:
(laughed)Mar
ia,
thatgi
rlwas
nut
s
Aati
l
e:Iseemyselfi
nCalvi
nandthat
boyiswisehecannotr
iskgiv
inghi
s
si
bli
ngsagoodlif
eforacoupleof
secondsmobot hit
hongespecial
l
ya
nalegir
lfr
iendbutLol
odoesn'twant
tounderst
and.
Bayang:Loloisjustfeel
inggui l
ty
aboutBabysoshedoesn' twantto
maket hesecondmi st
ake, i
maginei t
i
fwasact uall
ytrueandt hisboy
molestedalltheli
ttl
egirl
si nthe
houseandI '
m say i
ngifbecausei
wantyout oseet hi
ngsf r
om hersi de..
.
Sheisalsotraumat i
sedand
obvi
ouslytoocar ef
ul whichblursher
j
udgement .
..
Aat
il
e:Iguess.
..
Theyloweredtheirvoi
cesasshe
walkedcloserwithaplast
icoffood
andsmi l
edatthem, sheandAatil
e
walkedonast rai
ghtli
neandhugged
putt
ingtheirar
msar oundone
anotherwithsoftsmil
esandlaughs.
..

Aat
il
e:Hey
Lol
o:Hi
..
.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ogetoutof
myway?
Aati
l
e:(
laughedhol
dingherwai
st)I
beenwalki
ngonastrai
ghtli
ne
Lolo:(l
aughedholdinghi
swai st
facingBayang)Rayathemot set
seyo
oreot ogel
egot shwarabasadika
di
nokaot
aagat
angwana
Bay
ang:(
laughed)Lewenant
seo
mmagweaker e,
tabol
emot i
i
sa
mokwat
a
Lol
o:(
laughedandpushedhim of
f)
Mxm kwekeenglehaapanye.
..I
ja
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Lewenawaai
tse
gor
eobeilebotset
siaker
e
Lolo:(laughed)Mxm ibi
leiboughta
steril
i
sat i
onpackyester
day ,i
thought
ofy ouandboughti tker
eI '
l
lgivei
tto
youbutt hatnoi
seoverthereandthe
casemademef orget
Aat
il
e:I
'
llpassbyandpi
cki
t
Lol
o:Yourdaught
erwr
otemeal
ett
er
wehav etoreadt ogether
,Waitsenna
I
'llneverunderstandteenagers.Iam
aof fi
cial
l
yabadmot herandi accept
thatthereisnothinggoodi candot o
beargoodf ruit
s.
Aat
il
e:Whatar
etal
ki
ngabout
?
Lol
o:I
'
llcal
lyoulat
er,
weactual
l
y
hav
etositherdownandt
alk.
Aat
il
e:Okay
.
Lol
o:Howi
sDi
di?
Aati
le:Ihaven'
tcheckedher,
apparentl
ysheisreall
ybad.Bay
ang
sawherl astni
ghtthoughshewas
sedated.
Bay
ang:
(si
ghed)Shei
sbad,
physical
ly.
..I
'm notsureka
psychologi
cal l
ystat
ebecauseshe
wasmedi catedwheni wenttherebut
youhav etobet hereforher
,when
thosebandagescomeoutshei s
goingtoneedaf r
iendandifyoudon't
giveherattenti
onshemi ghtactual
ly
commi tsuicideandsucceedt hi
s
ti
me.
Lol
o:Hav
etheyt
oldheraboutt
he
ki
ds?
Bayang:
Idon'
tknowany
thi
ngabout
that
Aati
le:Dudusai
dshewasn'
t
supposedtobetol
daboutt
he
chi
l
drenunti
lshehasbeenat
tended
byapsychol
ogist
Bay
ang:
Wait,
youmeant
hey
'r
egoi
ng
tol
i
etoher
?
Lolo:Kanathat
'swhatI'
mt ryi
ngt o
understand,
whatkindoftortureis
that?Sheneedstoknowt het r
uth.
..
Whyar etheymakingconclusions
thatsheisadanger
Aati
le:Isn'tshe?( t
heybot hlookedat
herwi t
hunf airlooks)I'
mj usttr
ying
toseet hingsf r
om thedoct or'
spoi nt
ofview.Het ookcar eofthephy sical
i
njuriesandwant stherightdoctort o
takecar eoft hepsychological
i
njuri
esorwhatever..
.That'
showi t
's
doneandi t
hinkyouguy sshouldn'
t
betemptedtotel
l herjusty
et,i
know
youcareaboutherbutsomeonehas
tothi
nkoutsi
dethebox.
Bay
ang:(
sighed)I
fyouputi
tthat
way.
..
Lol
o:Welll
etmegoupher
ebef
ore
vi
sit
orsf
il
lherr
oom
Bot
h:By
e

Shepar
tedwit
htheguy
sandwal
ked
i
nthehospi
tal
..
..
..
.
AtKen'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..

Amantlewalkedi
nherheelshangi
ng
herhandbagonherarm andholdi
ng
anenvelopeasKentur
nedwitha
smil
e..
.

Ken:Hey
,youl
ookl
i
key
ouj
ustwona
l
otto
Amant
le:
(smi
l
ed)Becausei
justdi
d..
.

Sheputherhandbagonthedeskand
pul
leduphershortski
rtt
henshesat
onhisl
ipputt
ingherarmsaroundhi
s
neckandki
ssedhi
m..
.

Ken:
Ok,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
Amantle:Ij
ustgothi
redatBankof
Botswana!Canyouimagine!Imean.
..
.
BankofBotswana
Ken:(
smil
edworri
edly)Wow..
..That
's
hugesowhatdoesthatmean?Does
i
thaveabranchi
nMaun?
Amantle:I
'
llbeworki
nginGabor
one
butI'
m notaccept
ingi
tify
oucan'
t
comewi t
hme, iwantustogo
toget
her.
Ken:
Babe,
ihav
eabusi
nesst
orun
Amant le:Andi tsagoodthingkeya
accommodat ion.Themoneycomes
i
nwhi ley ou'
ret her
e.Youcaneven
expandandbuypl otsi
nGaboroneor
surroundingar easthenopena
branch, t
hinkout si
dethebox!
Ken:Yeahbuti
hav
etot
akecar
eof
the-
Amant l
e:(si
ghed)Ifwear egoingto
mov eony ouneedt ostartt
hinki
ng
aboutmet oo,arewedoi ngthisor
not?It
'sverysi
mpl e.
..KenI'
m not
gonnabegy oulikeDidi,i
tsei
theryou
l
ovemeornot ,whichisit?
Hetookadeepbreat
handsmiled
pul
l
ingherdownforaki
ssthenhe
l
ookedinherey
esandsmil
edabi t
..
.

Ken:BankofBot
swanai
tis.
..You,
me
andJanallt
heway.
..
Amantl
e:(
smi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m)I
l
oveyou
Ken:
Ilov
eyoumor
e..
.
Amant
le:
Didy
out
alkt
oyourl
awy
er?
Ken:Yes,
hei
sworki
ngonit
.She
shoul
dbeser
vedv
erysoon
Amantl
e:Good,
ineeddr
amaoutof
ourl
i
ves..
.
Ken:
Tellmeabouti
t.
..
.(st
oodup)
Wanttograbsomel
unch?
Amant
le:
Yeah.
..

Hegrabbedherhandbagandwal
ked
output
ti
nghisarm ar
oundherwai
st.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Lyi
ngont hehospi t
albedunablet
o
mov egavemet i
met othi
nk,iwas
sti
ll
havingfl
ashyi magesofthefi
re
eachti
mei t
riedtogetsometime
sl
eepandi fitwasn'tt
hefir
eitwas
mybaby '
sr ibscr ackingwhi lei
exertedmybodywei ghtont hepill
ow
aboveherbody .Zane' sinnocent
giggl
esandt he" ILOVEYOU
MAMA" ….all myhar dt i
meswi thmy
boy,himly ingundert hechairwhi l
ei
soldfoodatbar sandcl ubs,doing
nail
swhi l
ehepl ayedatt hecornerof
thesalon...Icoul dn'tunder st
andwhy
ithoughtitwasi mpossi bletoraise
them bymy self. .
.

Itwassti
ll
painfulandithur
tlosi
ng
myhusbandt hateasybutnowt he
painofl
osingmychi l
drenwas
sinki
ngandireali
sedididn'
teven
needKen.
..

Icouldn'
ti
maginehowI '
dlookonce
theburnshadhealedthat'
swheni
real
isedihaddestr
oyedmyf utur
e
becauseofthepresentpain.
..
.

ThedooropenedandLolowalkedin,
shepausedatdoorandcoveredher
mouthastearsroll
eddownher
cheeks,
shehardlycri
edsoiknewi
l
ookedbadandi tmademecr y.

Ihadnoonetoblamebutmysel
f.I
hadbur
nedtheli
ttl
ebeaut
yihadand
r
emainedwit
hburntski
nwhich
woul
dprobabl
yscareever
yoneeach
t
imetheyl
ookedatme.

Shesatdownandtri
edtol
eanover
forahugbutsher
ememberedthe
burnswer
efresht
henshel
eaned
back..
.

Lol
o:Lov
ewhathappened?
Me:(t
earf
ully)Ilostevery
thing..
.I
ki
ll
edmychi ldrenLoloandnowi
wantthem back.They '
reall
i want,
ifi
coul
dhavet hem backI '
dnev erask
Godforanythingelse.Nottof i
xmy
marri
ageorhav eanicejob,ij
ust
wanttohugt hem andneverl
etthem
go.
..Idi
dn'
tev engetachancet osee
wherethey'
reburi
ed,havetheybeen
bur
iedorthey'r
estil
li
nthemor gue?
Lolo:(
rel
uctantl
y)Okayican'
tli
eto
you,Yourchil
drensurv
ived,t
hey'
re
notdead..
.

Myjawsdroppedast
ear
sofjoyran
downthecorner
sofmyeyes.
..

Me:
OhGod.
..Real
l
y?
Lolo:
(sadl
y)Buttheybot
hsuffer
ed
tr
aumaticbrai
ninj
uri
es.Yourmother
i
nl awhasbeenrefer
redtoPri
ncess
Mar i
nahospi
talwi
thbothofthem,
theymightnotbenormalevenift
hey
survi
vethetr
eatment.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
01AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 91

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Me:Canyoucal
lhersot
hatIcant
alk
t
othem?Braint
raumameanswhat?
Hecan'
ttal
k?
Lolo:I'
m notsurewhati tmeans
becauset heywerereferredasan
emer gencybutican'
tcal lbecause
you'r
enotsupposedt oknow
anythingaboutthestatusoft he
chi
ldren.Apparent
lyyou'readanger
tothem andy ouwon'tbei ncontact
withthem unti
lyouhav
ebeen
evaluat
ed.Thingswon'
tjustgoback
tonormal,fornowyouhav etof
ocus
onget t
ingbett
er
Me:Butij
ustwanttohearhow
t
hey'
redoi
ng,can'
tyoucallf
or
your
sel
fandputonloudspeaker
?
Lol
o:(si
ghedandt
ookoutherphone)
Okay

ShedialedMr sDaniel'
snumberbut
Ken'
sf atherwal
kedi nsoshehung
upandsmi l
edrespectful
lyshaki
ng
hi
shandwi thasmile..
..
Hi
m:Hel
l
o
Lolo:
Hel
lo.
..
.Iwasjustaboutt
ogo
backtowor
k,I'
l
lcheckony oul
ater
Didi
Me:
Bye.
..

Shegotherkeysandwalkedoutas
Ken'
sfat
hertookaseatandopened
adri
nkformet henhemov edover
andputthrst
rawinmymout h..
..

Hi
m:Hav
eyouhadany
thi
ngt
oeat
?
Me:
No.
..Wher
ear
ethechi
l
dren?
Hi
m:You'
renoti
nast
atet
oknow
aboutt
hem,
getwel
lfi
rstt
henwewi
l
l
tal
k
Me:
Kensay
sthey
'r
egone
Him:Don'tli
stentoKen, heiswayt
oo
i
ntoxicat
edbyt hatAmant l
egirl
he
doesn'tl
i
stent oanyone.Focuson
you.
..Haveadr ink

Isi
ppedthej
uiceacoupleofti
mes
andtookabreakasheleanedback
l
ookingatme..
..

Him:(
sighed)Ihopeyou'
l
lhealand
under
standthatyou'
reabeaut
if
ul
womandespi t
ewhatorhowy ou'
ll
l
ook.What'si
mport
anti
nli
fei
s
becausecont
ent
Me:
Ihopeso.
..

AtAmant
le'
shouse.
..
..

Laterthataf
ter
noonKenwalkedin
tal
kingtothephoneasAmantle
stoodnakedbyt hest
ovecr
acki
ng
eggsintoapan...

Ken:Iheary
oubutIdon'tthinky
ou
underst
andmemot her.
..(
kissed
Amant l
e'
sneck)Idon'
thavemoney
Her:Of anaI'
m starvi
nghere,theli
tt
le
moneyi hadi usedtobuyli
ttl
ethings
forthechildrenandy ourf
atheris
helpingDidithere,whenareyou
goingtochi pinbecausethisisyour
family?
Ken:Kantewhydidyoutakethem
ther
e?Theonlyreasonyouwent
ther
eisbecauseyouwantedtosee
thecit
y.Theywerefi
nehere
Her:(angri
ly)Fi
nehow?Youhav en'
t
evenseent hem andy oudon'tknow
whatishappeni ngbecausey ou'retoo
busy.Ididn'tbr
ingthem here,they
werer ef
erredtoabi ggerhospital
thanwhatwehav ethere.I'
mt aki ng
careofanewbor nand5y earol
dka
tal
a,weneedtobuyt oil
etr
iesand
theyneedtoeatli
ttl
ethi
ngsbecause
theyl
ostappeti
te.Ineedmoney
Ken: Idon'
thavemoneykant eka
gorey ouanddadar egett
ing
reti
rementbenefi
tswhyar ey ouso
broke?It'
syourgrandchi
ldrentoo,
whydoIhav et
ost r
ainmybudget s
j
ustbecauseDi di
want edat t
enti
on?
Her:Ihavebeenusi
ngmymoneyand
idi
dn'tknowthiswouldhappen,l
ook
att
het i
meoft hemonth.I'
m hungry,
i
haven'
teatenanyt
hingsincemorning
Ken:
Buti
thoughtt
heygav
efr
eef
ood
i
ngov
ernmenthospi
tal
s
Her:Youknowt
hatf
oodi
snev
er
enough
Ken:Idon'
thav
emoney
,I
sZane
respondi
ng?
Her
:No,hest
il
lhasmemor
ylossand
hecan'
t-
Ken:(angri
ly
)LeboleleDidigor e
thoseretar
dedchil
drenareher s,i
wantmi nebasiame.Sheshoul dbe
theonepay i
ngforallt
heset r
ipsand
expensesbecauseshedidt hatt o
them.Whycouldn'tshekill
her sel
f
andleavethem al
onenowi hav eto
havenot1buttwodi sabl
edchi l
dren?
Whatam igoi
ngt
odowi
thbr
ain
deadchi
l
dren?
Her:(tearfull
y)Thiswomanhas
alwayshadt hiseffectony ou, it
helao
senamai t
seogaor atanal eAmant e
kanakey onekhumo?Idon' tli
ket he
wayt alkaboutt hi
schi l
dr enort he
wayy out alktome, aboobat agor e
thomol adipelo.Kemal obahel aha
regokgaol amoset hareng.I ft hereis
someonewhoshoul dunder stand
whatt hiswomani sgoi ngt hroughi s
youbecauseshet r
iedt okill herself
foryoumeani ngshel ov esy ou.Ver y
soony ou'llber unningoutofi deast o
keepupwi thy ourgi r
lfr
iend's
expensivelifesty
leandy ou'l
lgoback
tosell
ingdr ugs.Thist i
mey ourfather
andi wil
l notbet here,you'l
lsiti
n
courtalonewhi leshei soutt here
dini
ngwi t
hthenextr i
chman.I '
l
lstop
askingy ouformoneyi fy oufeelli
ke
i
t'snoty ourresponsi bi
li
tybecause
youdidn'tputt hekidsinher e.
Ken:(si
ghed)Okay ,I
'
m sor ryforthat,
idi
dn'tmeant osounddi srespectful
butDidishouldgetupandt akecar e
ofthem, Iwon'
tletherrulemyl if
e.
Youshoul dn'
tbethere,
sheshoul d
Her:
Sheissi
ck,someonehast
obe
her
efort
hechil
dren
Ken: Iunderst
andt hatbuti don't
thinkIshouldlosesomuchont hem
whent heymightevendi e,i
ft hey
sur v
ivethey'
regoingtobement al
ly
disturbed.Whatkindofl if
eist hat?
Theyshoul dbet akenoutoft hose
machi nesandl ai
dt orest,Didi
alreadykill
edthem.
Her:
MayGodf or
giv
eyoubecause
youdon'
tknowwhatyou'
redoi
ng,
bye

Shehungupt
henhesighed,Amant
le
putherar
msaroundhi
m ki
ssing
hi
m...
Amant le:Thisi sthefi
rsttimeIhear
youstandupf oryourselfandI '
m
proudofy ou,thesepeopl ewanty ou
tostopl i
vingjustbecauseof
decisi
onsmadebyDi di.Shelikesthe
attent
iont hey'
r egivi
ngher ,l
ether
enjoyit.Isti
llsayy oushoul djustput
yourfootdownaboutt heseki ds
beingputoutoft hemachi nesifther
e
i
sany
Ken:
Thel
i
ttl
eonei
sont
hemachi
nes
Amant l
e:Askthedoctorstotakeher
offthemachines,what'
sthepoi ntof
keepingheri
fsheisgoingtobe
ret
arded?Havey ouseenretarded
people?Wehadonei nthef amily,she
wouldgetpr egnantfrom unknown
menbecausemenusedherand
somet imesshewoul ddi sappear
whiletakenbymeni nthef armst obe
usedf orsext henshewoul dappear
pregnantnotknowi ngwho
i
mpr egnat edher .I
sthatwhaty ou
want?Zanewi l
lprobablygetv i
olent
andst artbeat i
ngeveryoneuponce
heisgr own, hemi ghtevenr apehis
si
ster.Don' ttakethi
sl i
ghtly.
Ken:IhearyoubutI
'
lll
etDi
dideal
wit
hit,shecausedi
totaabonagore
odir
ajangkabone.
Amantl
e:Takeoffy
ourcl
othesand
takeashowerboDidi
baka
tsenyetsamothommudi,I
'mina
celebrati
ngmoodsolet
'sfor
get
everythi
ngandfocusonus..
.
Ken:
(ki
ssedher
)Lov
eyou.
..

Hewal
kedoutt
aki
ngof
fhi
sshi
rt
..
..

AtCal
vi
n'
sHouse.
..
..
.

Latert
hateveni
ngTinaknockedthen
heopenedthedoorsmi l
i
ng,sheput
herarmsaroundhim asheclosed
thedoorandlocked.
..
Calvi
n:Youneedtobecareful,
whati
f
yourparent
slookforyoui
ny our
room andyou'
rether
e?
Ti
na:(l
aughed)They
'r
esl
eepi
ng,
trust
me..
.

Shetookof fhergownandjumpedon
thebedinherv estandshor
tsthen
Calv
inlayont opofhersoft
lyki
ssi
ng
heri
nhi sshorts.
…

Cal
vi
n:Il
ovey
ou,
doy
ouknowt
hat
?
Ti
na:
Iknow.
..
Tinapushedhi
m downandsatonhi
s
chestgri
ndi
ngonhisboner
..
.

Ti
na:(gi
ggled)Iwaswat
chi
ngpor
n
onl
ineearl
i
er..
.
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Youdi
dwhat
?
Ti
na:
Idownl
oadedi
t,i
t'
s2v
ideos
Cal
vi
n:(
snat
chedherphone)Let
's
wat
chit
,ar
etsenemodikobong.
..

Theygotinbedandquietl
ywatched
thevi
deosastheybegunsweating
andbreathi
ngheav
il
y,Tinasmi
led
andtouchedhi
shardrockbonerthen
shebur
stedi
ntol
augher
..
..

Ti
na:
Ser
iousl
y
Calvi
n:(l
aughed)Don'
tev
entryi
t
becauseiknowyou'r
ewettoo
Ti
na:
I'
m not
Cal
vi
n:Letmecheck.
.

Heki
ssedherandsl
owlysl
idi
shand
i
nhersoaki
ngwetundi
es..

Ti
na:
(sof
tl
y)Mmh.
..
Calvi
n:(
rubbi
nghi
msel
fov
erher
)
Fuck.
.
Hisphonerangt
henhepausedand
answered.
..

Cal
vi
n:Hel
l
o?
Aunti
e: HiCar l
,youruncl
eandi j
ust
hadat alkwithMay aandshet ol
dus
every
thingthathappened.Idon't
wanttoapol ogiseoverthephonebut
i
tslatesoi wanty outocomeov er
tomorrowsowecanal lsi
tdownand
tal
kaboutt his.WhatMay adidis
beyondout rageous.
Calv
in:Eemma,
I'
ll
comeby
tomorr
owmorni
ng.
Aunt
ie:
Thanksmyboy
,goodni
ght
Cal
vi
n:Goodni
ght

Hehungupandsmi
l
edki
ssi
ngher
..
.

Cal
vi
n:Looksl
i
keev
ery
thi
ngi
sfal
l
ing
i
ntopl
ace
Ti
na:
Icanseet
hat
..
.

Heki
ssedherandr
ubbedonher
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Lat
ert
hatni
ghtAronawal
kedinwi
th
asmil
eandsatnextt
ome...

Arona:Gasegorewaret
holel
awena?
Whot hehel
lam igoi
ngtochatwit
hif
youkil
lyour
self
?You'
retheonly
personwhoknowsmet hatdeep
Me:(l
aughed)You'
rethefi
rstper
son
t
omakemel augh,
what'swrongwit
h
you?Soit
'saboutyou
Arona:Yesi
t'
saboutAroci
ous.
..
.Can
ii
ntroducey
outoWor d?
Me:Pl
easedon'
t,hecan'
tseeme
l
ooki
ngli
kethi
s..
..
Ar
ona:
I'
m sogonnal
ovehav
inga
fr
iedfr
iendkanadol
oloka
competit
ion,
keti
legogogat
elel
a
gore
Me:(
laughed)Ar
onast
opi
tinpai
n
youmoron,myri
bshur
t
Ar
ona:I
'm goi
ngt
olov
ey oumor
enxu
st
rukekarmakammer ur
i
Me:(l
aughed)I'
m goingt
obeaty
ou
assoonasi heal
,Iswear
..
.

Webot hl
aughedashecal
ledLefoko
thenhewalkedi
nandputhisar
m
aroundhi
m astheysmi
l
edatme. ..
Lefoko:Ni
cet
omeety
out
houghi
don'tseey
ou
Arona:(
laughed)Babey
ou'
l
l
recogni
sethenose
Me:
(laughed)Ronnyst
opi
t
Lefoko:(
laughed)Babesbeni
cet
o
thefri
edchip
Me:
(laughed)Okaygetout
..
..

Therewassomet hingfunnyabout
thewayt heyt al
kedt ome, t
hey
weren'tf
eelingsor ryformebut
neit
herwer etheymocki ngme,itwas
allj
ustabigj oket othem andfora
minuteIforgotmypr oblemsthen
Kenwal
kedi
n..
.

Ar
ona:
Wewi
l
lseel
ater
..
Me:
Bye,
nicemeet
ingy
ouagai
n
Wor
d
Lef
oko:
Nicemeet
ingy
out
oo

TheywalkedoutasKenlookedat
them andbackatme.
..
.

Ken:Weneedtotal
kabout
eut
hanasi
a,i
fth-
Me:
No,
getout
.
Ken:
Youdi
dn'
tev
e-
Me:(angri
l
y )Isai
dno,shameony ou.
Didyouforgetwhatyoutoldmet his
morningordidtheysuddenlywake
fr
om thedead?
Ken:I
fyoudon'tdothisI
'
m notgoi
ng
tobepartofi
tgapennakeahuduga
moMaunandI '
m changi
ngmy
numberbecauseyouwanttocontr
ol
myli
fe.
Me:It
'sokay
,iexpect
edthatandi
won'
tevenfil
eforchi
ldmaint
enance.
Bye

Hetur
nedar
oundandwalkedout
pr
essi
nghi
sphone.
..
..
..
6MONTHSLATER.
..
..

Don'
tfor
gettoLikeanddr
opusa
comment,goodnight
.
*
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
01AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 92

Att
heDani
el'
sHouse.
..
..

Themor ningalar
m buzzedandi
swit
chedi tof
fasZaneandFai t
h
bothsleptoneachsidethenigotup
yawning.

Ipreparedt hetubforZaneand
i
ronedhi suni f
ormt heniwokehi m up
andbat hedhi m.Nomat terhowmany
ti
mesi triedtor emindmy selfofwhat
thedoct orsaidaboutPost natal
depressioni sti
llf
eltgui
l
tyf ortr
ying
t
ot aket
hatinnocentl
if
e,i
thaunt
ed
mebuti wasthankful
fort
he
t
reatmentwebot hgot.

Myboywasbackt onormal,cli
mbing
onthingsanfaski
ngat housand
questi
onssomeofwhi chi di
dn'thav
e
theanswersto.
..
.

Zane:
(pl
ayi
ngwi
thabarofsoap)
Mama?
Me:
Yes
Zane:
Wher
eisdaddy
?
Me:
Hei
swor
kingi
nGabor
one
Zane:
Cani
cal
lhi
m?
Me:Hedoesn'
thaveacel
lphonebut
hewil
lcall
usassoonashegetsa
cel
lphone.
Zane:
Imi
sshi
m,whenar
ewegoi
ng
home?
Me: Um..
.Thewi ndtookourr
oof
that'
swhywehav et
ost aywi
th
grannyunti
ligetenoughmoneyto
rentusahouse.
Zane:
Ok.
..

Ifi
nishedprepar
inghi
mf orschool
andhandedhi m abowlofsoft
porr
idgethenhesatont hecouch
andat e,i
twasali
tt
letoughandmy
fi
nanceswer el
owbutmyboywasn' t
choosy .Hef
ini
shedeatingand
pickedhisbagasipickedthebowl
..
..

Zane:What
?Idon'
thav
emopako
agai
n..
.

Heopenedhi
sbagandl
ookedatt
he
empt
ylunchbox
...

Zane:
Ican'
tgotoschool
without
mopakoagai
n,y
oupr omi
sedme
Me:
Iknowbabebuti
didn'
tfi
ndt
he
moneyi
washopi
ngt
oget
.
Zane:(t
earf
ull
y)Buteveryonecomes
wit
hsnacksandt heteachertol
dme
tostopaski
ngthem toshar ewi
thme.
Me:Don'taskt
hem j
usteatschool
foodandgetbacki
ntheclass,idon'
t
havemoney
Zane:Canical
ldaddyandaskhi
m
formoney?Iknowhewillgi
veus
money.
Me:It
oldyouhedoesn'
thav
ea
cel
l
phone
Zane:
(cr
ying)Mamat heywon'
tshar
e
wit
hmeandi don'
twanttobet
he
onl
yonewi t
houtsnack
Me:Thingsarediff
erentnow,you're
atadif
ferentschoolbecausewe
don'
thaveenoughmoneyandy ou'l
l
havetobeat oughguy .Comeher e.
..
.

Ihel
dhisarm andwalkedtot
he
bedroom wher
eitookoutP100and
satonthebedshowinghim..
.

Me: ThisisallihavebutFai t
hdoesn'
t
havemi lkanddi aper
sbuti fyout
hink
youreallyneedsnack, icanputon
myshoesandgobuyy ousnackr i
ght
nowt heny oucangowi thlot
sof
snackswhi leFaithdoesn'thavemil
k.
Shoul
diputonmyshoes?
Zane: (
helookedatFai t
hasleepand
smi l
edatme)No, ithinkI'
ll
eat
school f
oodandI'l
lsitwiththeones
whonev ercomewi thsnack.I'
llstop
hangingwithCli
ntonbecausehe
won'tsharewithmet houghhesay s
wear efri
ends.I
'l
lpi
ckanewf ri
end
withoutsnackandalway ssitwith
him
Me:(t
earful
l
ysmi l
ed)Thankyou.
..
You'
reagoodbi gbrot
her,
I'
m sur
e
Fai
thlov
esy ou
Zane:
(laughed)t
houghshebi
tesme
Me:
(laughed)Shebi
tesev
ery
one.
..
Comeonl
et'
sgo,
you'
l
lbel
ate.
..

Wewal kedoutsmi li
ngashehunghis
bagonhi sshouldershol
dingapenci
l
thenitookhim half
wayjusttomake
surehecrossedt hemainroad
safel
y.
..

Me:
Bye
Zane:
(Runni
ng)By
e..
.

Hejoi
nedagroupofstudent
s
wal
kingt
oschoolthenitur
nedback
home.
*
**

Laterthatmorni
ngi bathedFai
thand
gotreadyforthecli
nic,i
twasthe
hardestti
meoft hemont hforme
becausei hadtodeal wi
thstar
es
fr
om ev ery
one.

Isatbyt hemi r
rorappl yi
ng
foundation,iappreciatedthatmy
facewasn' tf
ullyburnedbecausei
hadn'tpouredt hepet r
olonmyf ace
butthef l
amesf r
om mybodyhad
sli
ghtlyburnedmet hought hemarks
wereslowlydisappeari
ngandeasyt
o
coverwithafoundation.Mybi
ggest
problem wasmyhandsbecausei
couldn'
thidet
hem. .
.

Iputonl ongsleevetopsandjeans
thensneakers,Fait
hlaidonthebed
playingwithbodyloti
oncrawli
ngas
shepushedi taround,ij
umpedand
grabbedherasshesatont heedge
withoutlooki
ng.That'sFai
th,
always
fall
ingoffthebed..
..
.

Therewasaknockonthedoortheni
responded,
myfat
heri
nlawstuckhis
headi
nandsmi
l
ed.
..

Hi
m:Goodmor
ning
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Him:Letmeknowwheny
ou'
reready
sothatIcant
akey
outot
hecl
ini
c
Me:Youdidn'
thav
etogetupsoear
ly,
icanwal
kt ot
hecli
nic
Hi
m:Ihav
eal
i
ttl
efuel
,l
etmeknow.
Me:Ok..I
smot herst
il
lsl
eepi
ng?I
cookedsoftporr
idge
Hi
m: Sheisst
il
lasl
eep,
thi
scoughi
s
weakeni
ngher.
Me:
I'
ll
checkonher
Him:Ok,l
etmegoandwar
mthe
engi
ne.
..

Hest eppedoutasi walkedintothei

r
bedroom andbentov ershakingher
shoulder,sheweakl
yt urnedaround
coughingwi t
hagrinonherf ace..
..

Me:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Her:
Hei sehubasengwanakasetil
e
gompolaa, i
havebeencoughingal
l
ni
ghtmychesti spai
nful.Thi
s
medicat
ionisdoingnothingt
ohel
p
Me:Letmebri
ngyoumot ogosoyou
candri
nkst
hepil
l
s,I
'm goingt
othe
cl
i
nic
Her
:Thanksmygi
rl
..
.

Ibroughthersoftporr
idgeandlater
pickedFait
hwal ki
ngout ,
myfatheri
n
l
aw' scarhadtroubl
estarti
ngandhe
hadbeent ry
ingforwhile.
..

Me:I
'l
lj
ustwal
ktot
hecl
i
nicpapa,
it'
s
nott
oofar
Him:ButTsabanai
sver
yheav
ypl
us
Fai
th
Me:Thecarwon'
tstar
t,t
her
eis
not
hingwecando..
Hi
m:(
sadl
y)Ok

Iwalkedoutt
hegateashecont
inued
tr
yingandgaveup.
..
..

AtOkav
angoDel
ta.
..
..

LaterthatmorningAronaapplied
sunscreenalloverhisbodyand
grabbedanov elwalkingoutin
sl
eepershoesandboxershor tst
hen
helaidont hehammockbyt hedeck
andputt hebookov erhisf
ace
creati
ngal i
tt
leshadowundert he
sweetwar m mor ni
ngsunandt ooka
j
our
neyofagaycoupl
e..
..

Lefokolaterpull
edthecurtai
nsaside
andwal kedoutholdingabottl
eof
beershirt
lessinhisjeansandleaned
overkissi
nghim. .
.

Lef
oko:
Mor
ning.
..
Ar
ona:Morni
ng.
..(
closedt
hebook)
Dr
inki
ngagai
n?
Lefoko:I
'
m gett
ingr
idoft
he
hangover,comeher
e..
.

Hel
i
ftedhi
m upandwal
kedi
nsi
de
ki
ssi
nghi
m..
..

Lefoko:hav
ei tol
dy ouhowmuchi
l
ov eyourweight?Fucki
ngmakesme
feell
ikeHulkHorgan..
.
Arona:
(laughedwit
hhisarmsaround
hi
m)Andi l
oveitwhenyougetal
l
Hulkonme. .
.

Heputt hebeeront heheadboar d

andtossedhi m downt henhel ai
don
topkissinghi
m.Ar onacouldt ell
somet hi
ngwasbot her
inghim andhe
wastr yi
ngtoohar dtomedi cate
himselfwithbeerandsex. .
.
Ar
ona:
Babe?Tal
ktome.
..
Lefoko:
(annoyed)Ij
ustwanttomake
l
ovet oyouist
hattoomucht oask
for
?

Yeahthattemperwaaboutt oshow
andheknewi twasamat t
eroft i
me
befor
ehel osti
tbutunli
kebef or
ehe
knewhowt okeepthatbeastunder
contr
olsoher eachedforhischeek
andkissedhim...

Ar
ona:
(sof
tl
y)Ofcour
senotbabe.
..
.
Aronafli
ppedhim downandsaton
hischestki
ssinghim,heknewthe
bestti
met otalkt
oamanwasaf ter
servi
nghim agoodoneandhedi d
j
ustthatasWor dlai
donhisback
gett
ingthebestblowofhisli
fe.
..

Aronagotont opr i
dinghim unt
il
Wor dtookcontrolpressi
nghim
againstthewallandr avi
shi
nghim
andlefthim dr
ippi
ngsement henhe
droppedont hebedandputapi l
low
overhishead..
.
Aronastoodther
elooki
ngathi
mf or
amomentt henhesnatchedt
he
pil
lowoffhi
sfaceandsatonhis
chest.
..

Arona:Canyoutel
lmewhat'
seat
ing
you?I'
m notgoi
ngtobegyou
Lefoko:(
withreddishey es)Mywi f
eis
i
ll
,li
kereall
yill
..
.Bedridden...I'
m
scared,I
'
m notr eadytodeal wit
hthe
chil
drenbymy self.They'r
eol derand
havegirl
fr
iendsandboy fr
iends.I
don'twantto.
.
Ar
ona:I
'
m sorry.
..ButI
'
m her
eto
makeal
lthatpai
nhoaway ,y
ouhav
e
totalktomewheny ouhav e
problems.Angeri snotgoi ngt osolve
anything,dri
nkingwon' tsolve
anything,fucki
ngmei sokay( they
bothlaughed)i can'tcompl ainabout
thatiloveitwheny ouusemel i
ke
thatbecauseI 'm heret oser veyou
andmakeal lyoursexual desires
comet r
ue.Youdesi gnedmef or
that.
..Youconv ertedmet obey ours
sowhatwast hepoi ntifyoucan' t
ful
lyenjoyme?Letmebet her efor
youlikey ouhelpmewi thev eryt
hing.

Lef
okosmil
edandpul
ledhi
m ov
er
hi
schestt
henheki
ssedhis
f
orehead.
..

Lefoko:Idon'
tknowwhatI'dwithout
you,eachdayi l
ookfor
wardt obeing
withyoubecauseidon'tpr
etendwi t
h
youandy oualwaysknowwhatt osay .
Iloveyou..
.

Atschool
..
..

Thebel lr
angandt heteacherl
eft
pressingherphonet hentwo
studentsbroughtabucketofsoft
porri
dgewhi l
et heoneswithsnacks
atefrom thei
rlunchboxes.
Zaneandaf ewstudentsputt hei
r
pl
at esont hefloorastheol dest
studentser vedthei
rplatesandf il
l
ed
hi
s.Thesof tporri
dgefinishedbefore
otherpl at
escouldbeser v edand
other sgothebucketasZaneand
anot herboystoodt her
ewat chi
ng
quietly.

Zanegothi spl
ateandputitbackin
thebagt henhesatonhischair
watchingotherst
udent
seat i
ng,he
puthisheaddownanddozedof f.
Minutesl
atert
heteacherhi
thi
m on
t
heheadwi tharul
erandhegotup
r
ubbinghiseyes.

Teacher:
(angr
il
y)Whyareyou
sl
eepingincl
ass?Why?Tisaseat
a..
..

Zanequi
etl
yputouthi
shand.
..

Teacher
:Tur
nitdownl
i
ket
his.
..

Hetur
nedhishanddownthenthe
t
eacherbeathi
m wi
tharul
erthr
ee
t
imes,heshovedhi
shandbetween
hi
sthi
ghsast
ear
srol
l
eddown.
..

Teacher
:Gi
vemet
heanswer
..
..

Zanel ookedattheboar dast ear

s
blurr
edhi seyesthenher ubbedhis
eyesandl ookedatthemat hthen
calcul
atedwithhisfingers.
...
..

Zane:
1+3=4..
.(count
edwi
thhi
s
fi
nger
s)2+3=5
Teacher:
That'senough.
..Nextt
ime
I
'l
lcrackthatbi
gheadwi tharul
er,
gakenangwanay oorobalangmo
cl
assi
ngy
ame.

Zanemassagedhi sknucklesast
he
teachercont
inuedteachi
ng..
..

Att
hecl
i
nic.
..
.

Laterthatmorningwest oodbythe
storer
oom ast heycall
edoutthe
chil
dren'scar
dst ocoll
ectTsabana,i
ti
edFai t
hbehindmybackandmov ed
withthequeueassomewomen
whisperedandl ookedatmef unnyi
wasusedt opeoplealwaysturni
ng
thei
rheadsandt houghithur
ti
pr
etendedi
wasn'
tawar
e..

Assi
stant
:Fai
thDani
el?

Iwalkedi
nt i
ghteningthebabybehind
meandpi ckedthreebagsofTsabana,
beansandcooki ngoilthenshe
handedmet hecar d.It
ookoutabag
sackandputthem al li
nt heret
heni
ti
editanddraggedi toutside.

Iaskedoneoftheladiest
ohelpme
putitonmyheadthenIpickedthe
baby'sbagandwalkedoutthegat
e
j
ustasTi awasdri
vinginwit
hashiny
Madza3andababyst r
appedinthe
carseat
.Ir
ecognisedherandprayed
toGodshedidn'
trecognisemeasi
walkedawaybutshestoppedthecar
andhitt
hehornreversi
ng..
..

Itookadeepbreat
handturnedas
sheroll
eddownthewindowand
droppedherJaws.
..
.

Tia:MmeweeDi diwaabopamaj
aa?
Whyar eyousoskinny
?What
happenedtoyour.
..
.OhmyGod..
(shocked)OhmyGod
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
.
..Youhav
ea
beaut
if
ulbaby
Ti
a:Didi
mmaobopami si
wakeeng
nemma?Nki l
ewabonagorewaa
bopamajaa?
Me:
Ihav
etogot
hissacki
sheav
y
Tia:
(tookouthersmar
tphone)Cani
haveyournumber?
Me:
Idon'
thav
eaphone,
bye.
.

Iturnedandwalkedaway,thefoodi
wascar i
ngonmyheadwasheav y
buti di
dn'
tli
kethewayshet al
kedto
me, igott
hatalotandiwondered
howmanyoft hosepeopl
eactuall
y
stoppedandwonder edi
fitwas
i
nsensiti
v etosaythattoanother
person.Iwasn'tgoingtogivehermy
numbersi mplybecauseinthe3
minutesi hadbeenwi t
hhershehad
managedt omakemef eel
wor t
hless
andi di
dn'tneedthatkindof
negativ
ityinmylif
e.

Afterwal
kingashortdi
stancei
stoppedunderthet
reeandputt he
sackdownt otakeashortrest
..
..
.

Ilat
erwalkedpastt heschool
gateas
thelowerclassesknockedoff,
Zane
ranbehindmecal l
ingmeandi
st
oppedwai
ti
ngf
orhi
m..
.

Me:
Hi
Zane:
Hi,
letmehel
pyoucar
ryFai
th.
..
Me:Shei
sheav
yandwear
eal
most
home
Zane:
Icancar
ryher
,letmehel
pyou.
..

Iputthesackdownandunt i
edFait
h
asZanegav emehisbacktheni
walkedbehindasZanewalkedin
fr
ontcarr
yinghisl
it
tl
esi
ster.
..

Me:
Howwast
heschool
?
Zane:
Itwasf
ine

Myphonerangandipicked
suppor
ti
ngthesackofTsabana.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:Isawyourcal
lbacks,
kegoreha
okasendercall
backeleonegoka
reng?Doyouhavetosend10?
Me: Thekidsneedmoney ,can'tyou
atleastsendmeP300orl etmest ay
atourhouse?I '
m notcomf ortabl
e
stayi
ngwi t
hy ourparents,
mustt hey
feedthechildr
enandal sof eedme?
Kanawear esti
lll
egall
ymar r
ied
becauset
hedivor
ceisn'tf
inal
soi
haveasayaboutthathouse.
Ken:Justbecausethecourti
staki
ng
for
evertoprocessthi
ngsdoesn't
meani wantyouDidilegoneyou
knowI'm notworki
ng,Idon'
thave
money.
Me: Isawthatyou'
rebuil
ding9more
chal
et sandyousti
l
l can'
tsuppor
t
yourchil
dren?Kant
eker engnerraka
bana?
Ken:
Idon'
thav
emoney
Zane:
Ist
hatDaddy
?Cani
tal
ktohi
m?
Me:
Zanewant
stot
alkt
oyou
Ihandedhimthephonethenhe
stoppedandanswer
ed,igotFai
th
andputheronmywai st
..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?Daddy
?
Ken:
HiZane
Zane:Cany
oubuymemopako?And
super
manpenci
l
?
Ken:
I'
ll
buyt
hem
Zane:(
smil
ed)ok,i
missy
ou.When
areyoucoming?
Ken:I'
m comi
ngtomorrow,I
'
llsend
Didi
yourmoney.Ihav
et ogotowork
Zane:
Ilov
eyou
Hehungupast earsfi
lledmyey es, i
t
wasn'tt hati didn'twantZanet alki
ng
tohisf atheri twasknowi ngt hatKen
wasn'tgoi ngt odowhat everhe
promisedhi m andt hiskeptr aising
Zane'shopesf ornothing.Hehad
beenpr omi si
ngt osendmoneyf or
mont hsandi tnev erhappenedbut
Zanenev erst oppedbel ievingwhi ch
brokemyhear t,
iwasbegi nningt o
wonderi fcuttingcommuni cati
on
withhi m al lt
ogetherwast hebest
opti
onsoZanecangobackt o
knowi ngt hathedoesn' thav eaf ather
l
ikebef or e..
..
ZanegotFai
tht
henwestoppedby
ther
oadfort
hecarstopass,
asiput
myhandaroundZane.
.

Acarst oppedadi stancef r

om usbut
ididn'tt
hinkofany t
hingandcr ossed
theroadl ookingbothsidesasZane
hurri
edbef oreme.Thecart urned
andf oll
owedus, thedriverstoppedat
thetreeinf r
ontofusandst epped
out.

I
twasBayangandhewasthelast
per
sonineededseei
ngmeli
kethat
,i
di
dn'tevenknowhowi wasgoi
ngto
walkpasthim ashetearf
ull
yst
ared
atmel eani
ngagainstt
hecarwit
hhis
handsinthepockets.

Hesmi
l
edatZane.
..

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
oZane

Zanestoppedconf
usedthenBayang
walkedoverandsl
owlypi
ckedFait
h..
.

Bayang:
Ihopeshei
sn'
taf
rai
dof
st
ranger
s..
.
Hepi
ckedFait
handtear
ful
lysmi
led
l
ooki
ngatherthenhel
ookedatme..
.

Bay
ang:Thi
sonel
ooksl
i
key
ou,
Zane
l
ooksl
ikehi
sdad.
Me:
(shamef
ull
y)Hi
..
.
Bayang:(
sadly)Hey.
..(
toZane)Hey
buddygetinthecarwhilei
tal
kto
mom, getyoursi
ster
...

Zanegoti
nthecarwhereagrown
boywassi
tti
nginthef
ront,f
rom hi
s
facei
coul
dtell
itwashisson.Hehad
Aone'
acomplexi
ontoo.Bayangput
Fai
thonZane'
slapandclosedthe
doorashi
ssonoffer
edZanegr apes.
..

Bay angt ookdownt heheav ysack

from myheadandputi tdown
l
ooki ngatmeasi shamefull
ylooked
downt henhepul l
edmecl oserfora
hugashesni ffl
ed.Itri
edtoholdmy
tearsbutt heyjustcameoutandi
ev entual
lybrokedowncr yingholdi
ng
himt ightly
..
..

Bay
ang:
(shakyv
oice)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Me:
Youdi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
..
Bayang:Isawy ouatthehospi
tal
monthsagoandIwant edtosayhi
butidi
dn'tthinky
ou'dtal
ktome.Had
ikepti
ncont acti
..
Me:Don'tbl
amey
oursel
fforwhat
's
happeni
nginmyl
if
e.
Bayang:Di
diwedon'thavet obe
l
overstohelpeachother,it
oldyou
myhel pi
snevercondit
ionalwit
hyou.
Icanseeyou'r
esti
llwearingyour
weddingri
ngandi r
espectthatbuti
wanttohelpyouwiththelit
tl
eican.
Letme
Me:I
'm st
ayi
ngwit
hmyin-
laws,
what
wi
ll
theythi
nkofmeget
ti
nghelp
f
rom men?
Bayang:
Whathappenedt
oyour
gar
denkant
e?
Me:
Itdi
dn'
twor
kout
..
.
Bayang:
Whydon'
twet hi
nkof
somethi
ngel
sei
nstead..
.
Me:Iappli
edf
ortheyout
hfundsoi
canstar
tacampsit
e
Bayang:Wowt hat
'sbr
ill
i
ant,i
can
hel
py ouwit
hcontactsofpeoplei
knowwhowi ll
probablyhel
py ou.
Businessi
snetworki
ng
Me:
Okay
Bay
ang:
Let
'
sgeti
nthecar
..
.
Hepickedmysackandputi tinthe
bootthenhissongotinthebackand
cl
osedt hedoor.Igoti
nthefr
ontthen
Bayangdroveof f
..
.

Bayang:
That
'smyson,
doy
ou
rememberhi
m?
Me:Heissogrown,
thelastti
meI
sawhi
m hewasababy .(l
aughed)
HowisAone?
Bayang:
Shepassedaway
,di
dn'
tyou
know?
Me:
No,
Lol
odi
dn'
ttel
lme
Bay
ang:
May
beshedoesn'
tknow
Me:
Whenwast
his?
Bayang:Fi
vemonthsagosoi gotmy
sonbecausethegrandpar
ent
s
weren'
ttaki
ngcareofhimthewayi
wanted.
Me:You'r
eagoodf
ather
,Kenwon'
t
suppor
thiski
ds
Bayang:(l
aughed)Wai idon'tbequick
tocomplimentme, kelathil
engwana
koKasane,igottherekel est r
essed
andmadeababywi t
har ebound.As
soonasi movedbackt oMaunwe
aberelosercontactl
eratony anala
tenglehel
a,wewer ef r
iendson
Facebookandi sawsomeweddi ng
picturesgoreony et
swei guessshe
blockedmeaf terordel et
edher
account ,t
hat'
swast heendupt onow
gakei tsegorengwanaokaeot shela
j
angandAone' sdeat hgotme
thinkingmay bemydaught eri
sout
ther eabusedbyherst epdad.It
bot hersmeandi tri
edt otracethis
womansoi canatl eastsuppor tthe
babybuti tsli
keshev anished.
Me:Atl
eastonaleguil
tandy
ou'
re
t
ryi
ngtofi
xyourmist
akes.
Bayang:I'
m notgett
inganyyounger,
i
t'saboutti
meIst opplayi
ngand
thi
nk..
.Whyar eyousti
llwear
ingyour
weddi
ngr
ing?I
sn'
ti
tthi
sguyl
efty
ou?
Me:
Wear
est
il
lmar
ri
ed,
I'
m hi
swi
fe.
Bay
ang:
Isee.
.
Me:Youhavetodropusher
e,i
don'
t
wantmyin-
lawsseei
ngmendropme
of
f.
Bayang:(handedmehi scard)I
star
tedasmal lbusinessconsult
ancy
company ,givemeacal lsowecan
tal
kaboutt hatcampsi te.Sometimes
wheny oucan' tfi
ndaj obitsimply
meansy ou'renotmeantt oworkbut
havepeoplewor kforyou.
Me:
True
Hest
oppedthecarthenigotoutwit
h
t
heki
dsandgotmysack, heclosed
t
hebootandlookedatme..

Bay
ang:
You'
l
lbef
ineaut
wa?
Me:
(smi
l
ed)Iknow
Bay
ang:
Shap
Zane:
ByeJuj
u
Juj
u:By
e..
.Cat
ch

Hethrewoutabal
lthenZaner
an
backandpi
ckedit
..
.

Zane:
Thanks
Juj
u:Sur
e..
.

Zaneforgothisl
it
tl
esisterandki
cked
thebal
lrunningontheroadasI
l
aughedathim carry
ingitonmyhead
andFait
honmyl ef
twaist..
.

Minutesl
ateriwalkedthr
oughthe
gateandmyf at
herinlawmetme
hal
fwayandgott heheavybag.
..

Hi
m:I
t'
ssoheav
y..
.
Me:
Zanecar
ri
edFai
thont
heway
Hi
m:Icookedl
unchf
ory
ou,
arey
ou
hungr
y?
Me:YesandI
'
m exhaust
ed.Howi
s
mama?
Hi
m: Shef
eltbet
terandv
isi
tedher
si
ster
Me:
Atl
east
..
..

HehandedZanefoodandisatdown
taki
ngof
fmyshoesthenhegota
Fait
handhandedmethefood.
..
.

Hi
m:Her
eyougo.
..
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..
Hi
m:(
handedmehi
scar
d)Ohi
got
pai
dtoday,
thi
stimebuyyoursel
f
somethi
ngbefor
ebuyi
nggr ocer
ies.
Doyourhai
randlookyourage.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
..
Hi
m: IcareaboutyouDi
diand.
..I
fI'
l
l
makey ouhappyifyoul
etme
Me:
Idon'
tunder
stand.
.
Hi
m: You'
reoldenought
ounder
stand
whatI'
m say
ing.
..
Me:
You'
remyf
ather
..
.
Hi
m:Am i
?
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
01AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 93

Att
heDani
el'
shouse.
..

Me:
Idon'
tunder
stand.
..
Hi
m:(
looki
ngi
nmyey
es)Real
l
y?
Me: (
laughedandstoodup)Thisi
s
crazy
...I
'm sor
ryf
orlaughi
ngbuti
j
ustnev ert
houghtal
l t
heseni
ce
thi
ngsmeantt hat
Hi
m: (r
elaxed)Hav
easeatwear
e
st
il
ltal
king.
..

Ipausedlookingathi
m, t
hemanwas
actual
lyseri
ousandforamoment
thereithi
nkheseducedmewi t
hhis
eyes.HehadKenobv iousl
ybut
..
..

Isi
ghedandsatdownashel
ookedat
me..
.
Hi
m:Doy
out
hinkI
'
mtoool
dfory
ou?
Me:I
t'snotthat,you'
renott
hatol
d
buty
ou'remyf atheri
nlawandit'
s
notr
ightbutI'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
Hi
m:Takeal
ltheti
mey
ouneed,
we
ar
enoti
nahur r
y.
Me:
OK
Him:Andev enify our ej
ectmedon' t
worryaboutmet r eati
ngy ou
di
fferent
ly,
you'l
lst i
llbemydaught er
andmyl it
tl
egirli
t '
sjustthatli
tt
le
boysdon'talwayst akecar eofthei
r
peersthewayt heyar esupposedt o
anditsbecauset hey'reboys,t
hey
don'
tknowagoodthingwhenthey
havei
t.Youcanbedaddy'
sli
tt
legi
rl
andgetever
ythi
ngy
ouwant .
..
Me: Whatwoul
dbeaguarantee?
LookatwhatKendi
dtome, he
chasedmeoutofourhouseand-
Him: I
'
dputt hingsinyourname,
you'
remyl astchanceatl ivi
ngl i
feto
theful
lest.Idon' tneedallthose
catt
le,thefarm andal lthese..
..Ijust
wanttoenj oymyt imewi thyou...
I
wanty out omakemef eelyoung
agai
n.I twoul dbeadr eam comet r
ue
foraper sonmyaget oevenhav ea
chancewi thsomeoneofy ourage
andener gy..
.
Me:
Whatabouty
ourwi
fe?
Him: Shehascancerandshedoesn' t
wantt hechi l
drent oknow, she
ref
usedt ot aket hechemot herapy
becausedoct orssayi ti
satan
advancedst age.That'swhyshewas
quickt of or
gi vey ouandbringy ou
i
ntot hefami lybecauseshewas
hopi ngy ouandKencangi v eherthe
satisfactionofbei ngsurr
oundedby
fami ly.
Me:
What
?
Him: Yeahbutdon'tt
ellanyone,
it'
sa
personaldecisi
onandshehas
al
readywr i
ttenthem l
ett
erswhich
t
heywi
l
lrecei
veaf
terherf
uner
al.
Me:No.
..What
?Soshei
sjustgi
vi
ng
up?
Him:Pleasedon'ttr
ytobeaheroby
tel
l
ingany oneirt
ryi
ngtotal
kherout
ofit
,respectherwishesf
orall
she
hasdonef oryou.
Me:
Okay
,ir
espectherwi
shes.

Hetouchedmyhandsoftl
yand
ki
sseditthenhewal
kedout.
..

Hi
m:Takey
ourt
ime.
..
.west
il
lhav
e
t
ime
Me:
Ok.
..

Iheav edasi ghassoonast he

bedroom doorcl osed,t
he
awkwar dnessofourconv ersati
on
andt hetingli
ngofmyski nwhenhe
kissedmyhand. .
.Jesuswonder s
shallneverend.Istil
lcoul
dn'tbel
iev
e
theconv ersati
oni j
usthadwithmy
fatherinlaw...

IsentLol
oacall
backandst
epped
outasshecal
l
edme...
.

Me:
(lower
edmyv
oicewal
ki
ng
behi
ndt
hehouse)Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hey
Me:
(laughed)Youwon'
tbel
i
evet
his
Lol
o:(l
aughed)I
'
ml aughi
ngbuti
don'
tknowwhati won'
tbeli
eve
Me:
RragweKenwant
sme
Lol
o: (
cover
edhermout hand
l
aughed)Ifi
twasn'tforMaDanielI
'd
sayfuckhim andmakesurethatson
ofabitchfi
ndsoutforhur
ti
ngy ou.
Me:
(laughed)Omol
oit
he
Lolo:
Don'tpr
etendi
thasn'
tcr
ossed
yourmind
Me:
(laughed)Andhesay
shewoul
d
giv
emet hef arm,catt
leandt he
houseWai tsekoor eI'
dtake
i
nheritancey othey agaKenl eOt l
he?
Andt hismanhasal otofcat t
leska
bonaat samay akaHi luxjaana.He
hasabi gf arm wor thami l
li
on, kebua
kapol asi kana, hehashor ses, cattl
e,
sheepandpi gsj aanongjaakaoi tse
bagolohekeepst hem andl i
vesa
normal l
ifelikehei snotsitti
ngon
goldmi ne.( glancedbehindme)
Jaanongr eet saha, mmagweKenhas
ter
mi nal cancer ,apparentl
yshewon' t
l
ivelongandshehasbeenr eallysick
l
ately.(sighed)MmaweeLol ot he
witchinmei st hi
nkingfunnyt hings
(webot hl
aughed)Thedev i
li
susi ng
me, canyoui magi neKenwal ki
ngi n
withhisarm ar oundAmant l
et hi
nking
hehast heinher i
tancesi ncehei sthe
heironlyt
of indoutt hatmypussydi d
wonder sf
ormegapekanaI '
m
thi
nkingaboutZaneandFai t
h,ifKen
mar r
iesAmant l
ehewon' tevencar e
aboutmychi l
drensoi havetof i
nd
them somet hingtof al
l backon.
Lolo:
Eishwai tseit'
stempt i
ng,oh
Godforgiv
emef orgetti
ngtempt ed
ntsekereI
'm bor nagain.Ifeelli
ke
suchabadf riendWai tse.
..Uhmma
togel
ahelay ou'l
lsurvi
v eony ourown,
youknowi lovemoneyandt hehigh
l
ifesty
lekoor ejaanaabokeset seke
bonaopegi l
e20cat tl
eatBot swana
MeatCommi ssioncashi ng50Kand
buyingacar .Eishj esoweennakana
koloientseelat haloganyo.Thedayi
boughtthiscari di
dn'tsleepatnight
,
ikeptmov ingt hecur t
ainsjustto
makesur ei wasn' tdreaming
Me:(l
aughed)Ir
emembero
kgweet
saleyagaLorekabogodu
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Ilovecars,
that
'swhy
i
twast hef
irstt
hingiboughtaft
er
di
vorcekanonakamot sot
so.
Me:
(laughed)Lol
othemmast
opit,
a
f
ewcattl
ecangi v
emeaBenzorAudi,
ni
cecl
othesf
ormyki
ds
Lolo:Andoldpeoplewill
spoi
lyou
akeremogoeneol e14gapeoi t
se
goreoshel emma, t
hosescar
smay
behar dt
oexplainineachnew
rel
ati
onships.Nowadaysmenget
tur
nedof fbyevery
thi
ng.
Me: Ei
shnnakanakekokhumong
j
aanongl etsonedipadi gakemogo
tsone,aojeso.
..Whyt hiswhenmy
chil
drenaresufferi
ng?KanaZaneke
priv
ateschool,Fai
thpr eschoolandI'
d
startmybusinessabokegamol aKen
kerobalarragwegor ewena, andheis
soeasyhewi l
lhanghimsel f.
Lolo:(laughed)Okayser i
ousl
yclearly
you'regettingtempt edletmepr etend
nott obet emptedandactl i
kea
christi
anf r
iendbysay ingdon'tsleep
withy ourfatherinlawbecausei t'
s
wrongbut -
(wel aughed)uhnobut s
j
ustdon' t.
.Hai
Me:Mxm thi
soldmangavemeabig
assi
gnmentgat
weishoul
dtakemy
ti
me
Lol
o:Butgar ebuannetehei snotso
badbecausehei snotthatol
d,hehas
agoodphy sicandhei ssmart.He
l
ookscutet ooibil
eogai saKenka
Kenobatil
egot shwanal emmagwe
Me:
(laughed)Lol
owi
tchcr
aft
!
Lolo:
(laughed)Iwasj ustsay i
ngyou
knowi tol
dy outhatyoucan' tsl
eep
wit
hy ourfather
,isn'
titincest?
Me: (
laughed)Aewenakana,l
etme
gobacki nsi
deandusemyheadto
thi
nkifiusemyhear tI
'
llgoal
lwi
cked
andI'
m notwi cked.
Lolo:
Eemmawear
ebor
nagai
n
akere
Me:
Eemma

Wel
aughedasi hungupandwalked
t
owardsthehousetheni
sawmy
mot
herinlawwalki
nginthr
oughthe
gat
e.Shestoppedforami
nut
e
hol
dingherkneesr
esti
ngt
henshe
wal
kedov er
..

It
urnedbackwal
ki
ngt
owar
dsher
..
.

Me:
Arey
ouokay
?
Her
:I'
mfine,
it'
sjustt
hecough.
.Itwi
l
l
goaway
Me:
Okay
..
.

Wewalkedinsi
dethehouseandshe
l
aidonthebedthenibr
oughtthe
f
oodasherhusbandremovedher
shoesandsatontheedgeoft
hebed
rubbi
nghershoul
der.
..
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouokay
?
Her
:(coughedandsighed)Yes..
.I
madethingsworsebywalking

Ihur
ri
edi
nwi
thf
oodandbentov
er.
..

Me:
Her
eist
hef
ood.
..

Shesatontheedgeandhadherf
ood
asherhusbandl
ookedatme.
..
Her
:Wherear
emygr
andki
ds?Di
d
t
heyeat
?
Me:
Yes.
..They
'r
esl
eepi
ng.
.
Her:OK, MmagweAbal enggav eme
P200, geti
tinmypur seanddoy our
hairngwetsi y
ame..
.Youl onghad
thathairst
ylepeopl
ewillstar
t
gossiping
Me:
Thanky
ou

Igotthemoneyandwal kedoutguil
t
str
ickenthenigotBayang'
scardand
senthim acall
back.Hecalledwi
thin
afewmi nutesandisteppedout.
..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Ithoughti
tmi
ghtbey
ou
Me:
Real
l
y?Howdi
dyouknow?
Bayang:
Nobodyev
ersendsmecal
l
backs
Me: (
laughed)Mxm, l
i
sten..
.
(r
eluctant
ly)Ineedafavour
..
.Doy
ou
stayalone?
Bay
ang:
Yes,
why
?
Me:Canweshareunt
ilif
indajob?I'
l
l
hel
poutbyworki
ngaroundthehouse
an-
Bayang:Itoldy
oumyhelpisn'
t
condi
tional,
youdon'
thav
et opayme
oranythi
ng.I
'
mjustaf
riendhel
pinga
fr
iend.Whendoyouwanttomovein?
Me:
Wil
ltomor
rowbet
oosoon?
Bayang:I
t'
sokay
,itwi
l
lgi
vemet
ime
tocleanup.
Me:
thanksal
ot
Bay
ang:
Sur
e

Ihungupandwal kedbackinsi
deas
aP50ai r
ti
mer eported,if
rowned
confusedthenireceivedamessage.

Bayang:
(text
)Skant
ir
elacal
lback
gape
Me:
(repl
i
ed) Thanky
ou

Iputmyphonei nthepocketand
walkedtothei
rbedroom wherethe
doorwasst i
ll
wideopen,ipul
leda
chairandt
ookadeepbr eath.
..
.

Me: Mamai wanttomov eoutand

staywithafri
end,
itscl
osertothe
butcheriwanttoworkat
Her:Whoi sgoi
ngtohel
py ouwi t
h
thechil
dren?No,t
hewholefami l
y
cannotabandonyouwit
hchildren.
(coughed)Mphafi
lemowar dropung.
.
Ihandedherthefi
l
ethenshet
ook
outhercardocument
sandhanded
them t
ome. .
.

Her:Iwantyout otakemycar ,I
'mtoo
weakt odri
veany wayandt he
chi
ldrenaretoomuch.I tj
ustneedsa
newbat t
ery,yourf atherwil
l buyi
t
tomorrowandr eplaceitthenwecan
changethenames, iwanty outouse
i
tforthechil
dr en
Me:
You'
regi
vi
ngmey
ourcar
?
Her
:(coughed)I
'
m gi
vi
ngt
hechi
l
dren
mycar,youcanwal
k
Me:
(laughed)Thanky
ou
Hi
m:I
'
llf
ixi
tforhert
omor
row.
.
Me:
Buti
sti
l
lwantt
omov
eout
Her:I'
m gi
vi
ngy outhecarsot hatyou
cangot owor kwit
hitwhi
ley ou'
re
hereandwher ewil
lFai
thgowhen
you'
reatwor k?You'
renotreadyto
l
eave.Thisishomekanagar ego
tseyesent
ennana?
Me:
Yout
reatmef
ine,
itsnott
hat
Her:Thenwhat ?Whyleavehomet o
gobewi thafri
endwhowi llprobabl
y
beti
redofsupportingyou?Youhav e
afamilyhere,
thereasoni t
oldOtlhe
tomov eoutisbecauseshewas
tr
oubli
ngy ouandthisisyourhome
too,
thesechi
ldr
en'
shome..
.They
can'
tbestayi
ngwit
hfri
ends
Me:
(si
ghed)Ij
ustwantt
omov
e
Her
:why ?Istheresomethingt
hat
bot
her
sy ou?Ar ewemi str
eati
ngyou?
I
syourfathertroubl
ingyou?
Me:
No
Her:Howcany oul
eavemewheni
wascount i
ngony outokeepme
company ?Ij
ustwantedtospendmy
l
astdayswi t
hmygr andchi
ldr
en,i
f
ther
eissomewher eiwrongedyou
canyouf or
giveme?Idon't
underst
andwhatchangedsoqui ck,
(tohi
m)Hassomet hi
nghappened?
Hi
m:Nott
hati
knowof
fno
Me:I
t'
snothing,ij
ustwant.
..(
sighed)
I
'l
lst
ay,
ijustthoughtiwasabur den.
I
'l
lst
ay
Her
:You'
renotabur
den.
..You'
re
f
amily
..
..
Me: Thanky
ou,
I'
ll
gocl
eant
he
ki
tchen..
.

Iwalkedoutandputthecar
documentsinthebedroom bef
ore
headingt
othekitchen.
..

*
**
Minut
esl atermyfat
herinlawwalked
i
nasi wasdoi ngthedishesandi
t
urned,hehadagui lt
ylookonhis
f
aceandhewasbey ondsorryso
muchi feltsor
ryf
orhim.

Him:Pleasef orgi
veme..
.I'
mv er
y
sorr
y,ididn'tmeantoscareyouli
ke
that
.Ididn'tthi
nkyou'
devenmov e
out
Me: Don'tapologi
se,ithoughtabout
i
t.I'
l
l doitbutonlyifyouput
everythi
nginmyname. ..Li
ke
everythi
ngy ouown, i
can'ttakea
chanceaf
terwhaty
oursondi
d
Him:Idon'tmi
ndguar anteeingthati
won'tl
eaveyou..
.I'
l
ldowhat everyou
wantjustsowecangost ayatt he
far
m andbef r
eebyour selvesthere.
You'l
ldri
vetoMaun, doyour
shoppingandall
thenjoinmet here.
..
Me:
Okay
..
.(smi
l
ed)Agr
eed.
..

Hewalkedov erandhuggedmeasi
huggedhim backthenheleaned
backgiv
ingmeasi mpl
ekissonthe
l
ips.
..

MmagweKen:
(hear
tski
ppedasshe
putherhandonherchest
)Modi
mo
wame!!RragweOfana?

Webot htur
nedstart
ledandshe
meltedfal
li
ngonthef l
oort
henwe
bothrantowardsherandknel
tdown
shakingher
..
..

Don'
tfor
gett
oLi
ke,
goodni
ghtf
am
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
02AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 94

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
.

Iwai
tedinthecarhol
dingFai
thwhi
le
Zaneplay
edinthebackseatwit
hthe
bal
lhehadbeengivenbyBayang'
s
son.
..
Zane:Mamawhat
'st
hatboy
'sname
agai
n?Theonewhogavemethebal
l
Me:I
'm notsur
emaybei
t'
sJuni
or,
mostboysarecal
l
edJuni
or
Zane:
(smil
ed)Ohhhhhit
hinkhesai
d
somethi
ngli
kethat
..
.Whyishesofat
?
Me:
Idon'
tknowZanemay
beheeat
s
t
oomuch
Zane:Hi
sstomachi
sver
ybi
gandhe
breat
hesl
oudly
Me:(
laughedandturnedt
ohim)But
i
fwemeett hem agai
ndon'
ttel
lhi
m
hei
sfat,i
t'
snotnice
Zane:
Okay,
whydaddywon'
tl
etust
o
gohome?
Me:
Itol
dyout
hewi
ndt
ookt
her
oof
Zane:Ihear
dyoutal
ki
ngtothephone
yest
erdayandyousai
dhedoesn'
t
wanttosendusmoneytoo,
doesn't
helovemeanymore?
Me: (
sighed)Ok, um. .
.Zaneyour
fat
herandi don'tli
keeachot her
anymor e,hi
m andi ar
enotfamily
..
..
Butyou'resti
ll
hissonandFai t
hishis
daughterbutidon' tknowwhyhei s
ref
usingtosendy oumoney .
Zane:
Ok.
..Di
dimakehi
m angr
y?
Me:
No,
somet
imespeopl
ejust
changebyt hemselv esandi t'
snot
yourf aultandmay beonedaydaddy
willcomet oyouandexpl ai
nwhyhe
didn'ttakecar eofyoubutf ornowi
wanty outoknowt hatI '
m goingto
wor kv eryhardsoy oucanhav e
everythingy ouneed, iknowt hi
sweek
hasbeenhar dbecausey our
grandpar entshadnotbeenpai dbut
yourgr andfathergotpai dyester
day
sot omor rowwear egoi ngshoppi ng
andbef oregoinghomet onightI
'l
lbuy
youmopako.
Zane:
Ok
Myphonerangtheni
leanedback
answer
ingasFait
hdr
unkmi l
kfrom
thebot
tl
e..
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:(
author
it
ati
vel
y)Whathappened?
Papaisnotanswer
inghi
sphonebut
ear
li
erhesaidmamacollapsed
Me:Idon'
tknow,whydon'
tyoucal
l
hi
m gaanaphone?
Ken:Aker
ekar
egaaar
abewat
senwa
ne?
Me:Jaanongnnakeper
sonal
secr
etar
yyagagwe?Oskatwael
a
phoneameKenna
Ken:
Nxl
a

Hehungupandirol
ledmyeyes
goi
ngthr
oughcar
sI'
dbuyassoonas
hi
sfat
hergavemethecat
tl
ethenhe
cal
l
edagain.
..

Me:
(si
ghed)Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Whyompui
samakgakga?
Me:Kennalesagot
shamekel
amo
f
ouningyame
Ken:
Waaj
ewaaker
e?
Me:
Haker
eng?
Ken:
Obuwamar
etehel
a
Me: Hanekesehat hokogabana
nkabekegobol elel
agor ewenaobua
engsagaAmant l
e,Kennalesago
ntel
etsaharragoasaar abefouni
l
elet
sammagoot swemogonna
gakemmagoy et
Ken:
Otaany
elakanaDi
diwai
tse
Me:Godi
rawenapel
eyomot
ona,
nxl
a

Ihungupandcont
inuedbr
owsi
ng
thenhecal
l
edagai
n...

Me:
Gat
wegor
il
engne?
Ken:
Ismymot
herokay
?
Me:
Mmagoosul
ekwa,
mxm!

Ihungupandbl ockedhisnumber
theni cont
inuedbrowsingand
glancedatZanewhowasdi str
ust
ed
bythebal l
.

Minuteslatermyfatheri nl
awwalked
outofthehospitalholdingmmagwe
Ken'sbagandf rom thelookonhis
faceitl
ookedlikedoct orsmanaged
toresuscit
atehiswife.
Heopenedthedoorandgotint
hen
hest
art
edthecarandrever
sed.
..

Me:
Whatdi
dtheysay
?
RragweKen:Shepassedaway
..
.
(dri
vi
ngoutt
hegate)Passmethe
phonesoicaninf
ormt hef
amil
y
Me:
What
?Ar
eyouser
ious?
RragweKen:
Yes,iwanttopusht
hem
sowecanburryheronSatur
dayt
hat
waywecangot othefar
m by
Monday
Me: No,t
hat'
stoosoon.Peopl
ewill
besuspici
ousandpleaseworkon
yourgri
evi
ngfaceyoudon'tl
ookl
ike
agrievi
nghusbandobat
ago
nkgoleganerr
a
Rr
agweKen: (
thoughtbackand
l
ookedatme)Idon'tlookl
ikea
gr
iev
inghusband?
Me: Notatal l,you'
ret al
kingabout
goingt othef arm wehav eafuneral
toar r
angeandpeopl etocr yf
orand
conv i
ncet hatweact ual
lycare,i
honest l
ycar e..
..I
'm excitedaboutus
butI'm alitt
lesad, cany ouatleast
pretendtobesad.
Rr
agweKen:(madeasadf
unnyf
ace)
Howist
his?
Me:
(laughedandsmackedhi
sar
m)
St
op,
that
'snotf
unny
RragweKen: (
laughed)I'm actuall
y
sadbutt het houghtofbei ngwi thyou
i
sj ust.
..
..(tookadeepbr eath)Its
overwhel ming...It
snotlikei don'
t
carei knewshewasgoi ngt odie,i
beenexpect i
ngi tformonthsandI '
ve
hadt imet ogrieveorwhat ever.I
didn'texpectitt obeahear tattack
butIknewshewasgoi ngt odie
any wayandwewer en'
tevenhav ing
sex.Thel astwehadwasl asty ear
Me:Don'
tcoll
apseontopofment
se
obuabolastyearj
alo
Rr
agweKen:
(smi
l
ed)Youmeani
t'
s
t
hatgood?
Me:Justwai
t,Idoubty
oubeen
f
ucked
Rr
agweKen: (tookadeepbr
eat
h)
NowI '
m abouttohav
eaheart
at
tack.
..

Welaughedashet ookthephoneand
si
ncer
elyannouncedthesadnews..
..
..

AtGabor
one.
..
..
..

Thetelephoner
angthenKengotoff
thecouchandreachedfori
twhi
le
r
educi
ngt
hev
olume.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Voice:
Hi,
it'
sMmagweAmant
le,
cani
tal
ktoher?
Ken:Shei
snothome,
hav
eyout
ri
ed
cal
li
ngher
?
Voi
ce:
shei
snotpi
cki
ng
Ken:
Ibeencal
l
ingheral
ldayt
oo
Voice:
Whenisshetaki
ngher
daughter
?Koor
eAmant l
earekereng
kangwanawasugardiabet
es,kana
sheneedstobewit
hhermot her
Ken:
Kanannakel
eki
l
egobual
eene
gorewhyr esannel engwanaandshe
saysshedoesn' thaveenought i
me
anddoesn'tthinkicanhandl eachild
withsugardiabetesthoughi tol
dher
I'
m wil
li
ngt otr
yandl earnwhati t
's
aboutbecauseI '
veneverseen
anyonewithitbutsher efused.
Voice:Hei
wait
sekemat
hat
a,
gosiamerra
Ken:
Bye

Hehungupanddialedheragain,
the
dooropenedandherphonerangon
herhandasshewalkedintaki
ngoff
herheel
s..
.
Ken:
hey
Amant
le:
Hey
..
.

Sheheadedt
othebedr
oom asKen
fol
l
owedher.
..
.

Ken:Whathappened?Youwer
en'
t
answer
ingyourphone
Amant l
e:Iwasworki
nglat
e,wehad
tost aybehindandfi
gur
eoutafew
things.Thecooperat
eworl
disn'
ta
clockwor k.
Ken:
Yourmot
hercal
l
ed,
shewant
s
ust
ogetJan
Amant l
e:Mamashoul djuststaywi t
h
JanuntilI
'vesett
leddown,Idon'tget
thi
swomanandwhyshei ssoaf raid
tostaywithhergrandchi
ldli
keot her
oldpeople.Shejusthastocompl ain
abouteverythi
ng
Ken:Butshehasapoi
ntbecauseJan
i
sdiabeti
csoshe-
Amant l
e:Sheisdiabeti
ct oosoor ay
a
j
angkabaat shwanaenel eJan.Did
shecallyou?Idon'tappreciat
e
peoplegoingbehindmybackcal l
i
ng
mymanandpai nt
ingmebad, i
sshe
tr
yingtosayI '
m abadmot her
?
Ken:Baberel
ax,shei sy ourmother
.
Whywoul dshepai ntyoubad?And
shecall
edthelandline,shewasn't
evencall
i
ngmeshecal l
edy ou
becauseyouwer en'tansweringher
Amant
le:
Ehe.
.
Ken: Myfathercall
edmeanhourago,
mymot herpassedon.Appar entl
yhe
foundherinbedandt houghtshewas
asleepbutwhenhenot icedshe
wasn'tbreathi
ngher ushedhert othe
hospitalwheretheyconf i
rm herdead.
Amantle:
(si
ghedtaki
ngof
fher
cl
othes)I
'm sor
ry
Ken:
Cany
out
akeaf
ewday
sof
fso
wecangof
ort
hef
uner
al?
Amant l
e:I'
m worki
ngonapr ojectand
ijustgothir
edidon'thaveleaveday s.
Justgobyy oursel
fandI'l
lcomef or
theburialonweekend.I'
l
lfl
yi fihave
to
Ken:
Alr
ight

Sheheadedtothebathroom wher
e
shetookabathwhil
eKensatont he
stoolandsi
ghedfr
ustratedl
y.
..
.

Ken:Thereissomethingbot
her
ing
me,thelastti
mei t
alkedtomy
motherthingsdi
dn'
tgowel l
andher
wor
dswer
en'
texact
ly"
blessi
ve"
Amant l
e: (l
yinginthet ub)OhGod
pleaset ellmey oudon' tbelievein
super stitions,whati sitwi t
hpeopl e
whonev erwentt oschool ...(Ken
l
ookedatherandshesi ghed
regrettabl y)Ididn'tmeani tlikethat,i
meanl ike. .
.Peoplewhodon' tbel
ieve
i
nsci ence.Shei sdeadandshecan' t
doany thingt oy ou,herwor dsdon' t
meanany thi
ng, i
t'
sj ustwor dssai dby
adeadper sonandt heyar epoi nt
less
toev ent hinkabout .Onceaper son
diest hey 'regone.Ther eisnospi rit
s
orpower soranyoft hatshi t
, i
beli
ve
i
nsci ence.
Hepinchedthebr
idgeofhi
snose
andstoodup..
.

Ken:
Letmef
ini
shwat
chi
ngt
hat
game..
.
Amant
le:Okay.
..Whenisthecourt
dat
e?LikeIsai
dKeni won'tbeasi
de
chi
ckf
orlong.
Ken:In2weeks,ialr
eadytol
dyou
thi
s,arey
outhreateni
ngme?You
knowIdon'tr
espondt oowel
lto
those
Amantle:I
'
mr emindi
ngyouthatI
'm
notdesperat
eenoughtostaywit
ha
mar
ri
edmanf
ort
hisl
ong.
Ken:Whatdoyouwantmet
odoi
f
thecour
tissl
ow?
Amant
le:2weeks,
Okay
?I'
m gi
vi
ng
you2weeks

Hegl ancedatherandwal kedout

thenhel aidonthecouchst aringat
thescr eenbuthest il
lcouldn'tbel
iev
e
hismot herwasgone.Hi shear twas
breakingandhehadnoonet otal
k
to..
.Hesear chedtheguyaf rom
churchbuti thadbeenawhi lesince
hebeent ochurchandtheypr obably
heardaboutt hedivor
ce,thewi fe
set
ti
nghersel
fonf
ireandt
henewl
i
fe
hehadwit
hAmantle..
.

Heputthephonedownandreached
f
oracigaret
tethenhest
eppedout
f
orasmoke. .
..

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngBay angchanged
thebeddi
ngi
nthet hespar
er oom
thenhi
sphonerang..
.

Bay
ang:
hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Hey,hear
dyou'
renotf
eel
i
ng
wel
l,what
'
sup?
Bayang:AenoI '
m notsi ckiwasj ust
sayi
ngsot hebossdoesn' tt
roubl
e
me,I'
m cleani
ngupDi diismov i
ngi n
wit
ht hechil
drensoi hadt odoabi t
ofshoppingandcl eaningup,shehas
ali
ttl
ebabysoi wantedt omakesur e
i
t'
sclean.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Okay
Bay
ang:
What
?
Aat
il
e:Thi
ngsar
elooki
ngup
Bayang:Sheisgoingthroughalot
al
ready,
wehav eal ottodobeforei
caneventhinkaboutthat.
Aati
le:Isee,j
ustdon'tletherbreak
yourheartagain.I
'm nevercryi
ngf or
anotherwomanagai ni fsomethinga
womanwi l
lcryformenott heot her
wayr ound
Bayang:(sighed)Totadirel
ati
onship
keriskhelabutthewayt hisguy
brokeDidigakear at
a,omosut i
leand
ihavemegahat eforhi
m.Kemmei le
tr
ap
Aati
le:Wenagongweokamokgona,
nnaoneasamponekasepemay be
i
t'sbecauseI
'
m shor
tneanthaetsa
mathoampi t
sagaygoreoboyfr
iend
yame
Bayang:
Nxla,
kemmeil
etrepemme.
Letmecleanupr
etaabua
Aat
il
e:Sur
e..
..

Hehungupandcont
inuedcl
eani
ng.
..

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.

Laterthatdaymor efamilymember s
startedarri
vi
ngandf i
ll
edt her
ooms,
Otlhejoinedherauntsintheli
vi
ng
room asi walkedpastthem carr
ying
Faith..
..
Me:
Dumel
ang.
.
Al
l
:Hel
l
o..
..

Iwal
kedt
owardsmyfat
heri
nlaw
whowastal
ki
ngtooneofmyunclei
n
l
aws..
.

Me:
Cani
tal
ktoy
ou?
Hi
m:Yes.
.

West
oodasi
de.
..

Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
othemal
l
Him:TakemmagweOfana'
scar,i
boughtt
hebat
ter
ythi
smorning
Me:No,
itwi
l
lbewei
rd.
..Iwant
edto
knowi
fmmagweKenwr ot
eawi l
l
Hi
m:Awi
l
lforwhat
?Iownev
ery
thi
ng
Me:
Ohokay
Him: Cany oust opwor ryi
ng?I
woul dn'
tbetrayy ou.
..Iloveyouand
allIwantisf ortheburialtobeover
sowecanbel eftall
aloneandenj oy
eachot her,all
theseseemst obe
takingforever.
Me:
Justdon'
tfor
gett
ogr
iev
e
Hi
m:(
smi
l
ed)Iwon'
t.
..
Me:
Shap

Iwal
kedout
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ter
nooni
knockedonthe
doort
henheopenedwit
hasmi l
eand
movedback..
.

Bayang:
Hey .
..Ididn'
texpecty
ouso
ear
lyandithoughty ou'
l
lletmeknow
aoicanpicky ourbags
Me:
Canwet
alk
Bay
ang:
(conf
used)Sur
e,what
'sup?
Me: Mymotherinlawpassedaway
l
astnightsoican'
tmov eoutnow
andmay beimightnotneed
accommodat i
onbecausefrom her
e
theoldmanwi l
lbegoingbacktothe
far
m whileist
aytherewit
ht heki
ds.
Bay ang:Youneedtol eavethatfamil
y
andcl osethei
rchapterinyourlif
eor
elsey ou'
ll
notmov eforward,Kenna
divorcedyouwhatmor edoy ouneed
toremi ndyouthatthey'r
enoty our
fami l
yanymore?
Me:Ther
earecert
ainthi
ngsineedt
o
t
akecareofbef
oreicanspendtime
wit
hyouBayang.Ihav
eli
stofthi
ngsi
needdonebef
oreicanhavepeace
Bay
ang:
Likewhat
?
Me:
Justt
hings
Bayang:
Youthinky ou'l
linheri
t
somethi
ng?Ladyy oubet terstandup
andworkforyourchildren!Didiwhen
areyougoi
ngtogr owup?
Me: Iam grownBay angandnowI 'm
maki ngdecisi
onslikeabiggirl,i
actuall
yhav eaplanforeverythi
ng
andeachdeci sionimakei sonet hat
wascal cul
atedandpl annedfor.Trust
me.I n2weeksmydi vorcewillbe
fi
nal andthen.
..(si
ghed)Ijustneed
t
ime.
..
Bayang:
( si
ghed)Ican'
tbel
i
eveI'
m
di
sappointed,
doy ouhopetof
ixyour
marri
ageorwhat ?
Me:
No,
idon'
twantKen.
..
Bay
ang:Canil
ayherdown?She
l
ooksheavy

HeslowlygotFait
hf r
om measshe
snor
ed,thenhelaidheronthecouch
andsteppedoverfacingmeasi
si
ghedlookingathim...
.

Bay
ang:
(tookbot
hofmyhands)Can
youpleasemov eoutoft hose
people'
shouse?Somepeopl ear enot
meantt ost
ayiny ourl
ifeforever.
They'r
etheretoteachyousomet hi
ng,
ithoughtbynowy ou'l
lbeabl eto-

Iputmyar msar oundhisneckand

kissedhimthenher el
axedandput
hisarmsaroundmywai staswe
kissedsoft
lythenhelaidmedownon
thecarpetandgotont opofme
kissi
ngme. .
..

Me:
Stop.
..
.
Hepausedandsatl
ooki
ngatme.
..

Bayang:Iwi
shiknewwhatI
'
m
supposedtodotohel
p
Me: Idon'
twantt ohurtyouany more
thanI'
vehurtyoubef oresoihav eto
behonestwi t
hy ou.Iloveyoubut
l
ov eisnotwhatI'ml ooki
ngforright
now...
sopleasemov eonandf orget
everyt
hingIaskedf or.
Bay
ang:
Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
Me:Mypay,f
orgivi
ngsomeonetwo
chi
l
drenandiwanttosecur
emy
chi
l
dren'
sfut
ureevenifi
tmeans
doi
ngtheworstt
hingsahumanever
hastodoI'l
ldoitbecauseify
ouhav e
someonecalli
ngyoumamay oudon't
haveti
met obelovey-dov
ey,youneed
toputfoodonthetableandmake
sur
ethateventomor r
owy ou'
llbe
abl
eto.
Bayang:
Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ou'
re
say
ing.
Me:
Andy
ouwon'
tunder
stand.
.
Bay ang:Ok,bye.
..Justdon'thurt
your sel
finthepr
ocessofget t
ingthat
revengebecausei twil
lhurtmet o
seey oui
nthatconditi
on,I
'm already
havingat oughti
meaccept ingt hat
youdon' twantmyhel pwhenIcan
seeyouneeditthoughikeeptel
li
ng
youitdoesn'
thavetobeexchanged
wit
hsexorr el
ati
onshi
p.I'
m nott
ryi
ng
touseyou,yesilov
eyoubuti
wouldn'
tusemyhel ptol
ureyou.
Me:Iknowallt
hat.
..I
tsnotabouty
ou.
Youwouldn'
tunder
stand.
Bay
ang:
Okay
..
.Takecar
e,by
e

Hewalkedtothebedroom tyi
ngthe
st
ri
ngsofhissweatpantstheni
pi
ckedFait
handwal kedout..
.

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
..
.
Latert
hatafter
noonKenpar kedt
he
carandsighedthought
full
ylooki
ngat
Zaneplayi
ngont heswing,hehad
l
ostweightandhisheadnowseemed
bigger
.

Her emember edt hatrai

nydaywhen
heheldhi sli
ttl
ehandandmot her'
s
hand,kissedthem andpr omised
nevertol eav
eagai nbutther
ehewas
l
eavingf orawomanhewasn' tsur
e
wasev enwor thit.Hisboywasl i
vi
ng
l
ikeaf atherl
esschildagainonce
againandhi slatemot her
'swords
brokehisheart
,hewishedhecoul
d
turnbackthehandsoftimeand
showal i
tt
lerespectf
orherbuti
twas
toolat
e..
.

Zanet ur
nedandsawhi mthenher an
over,Kenswal
lowedandst eppedout
l
ift
inghim.Hedidn'
texpectthat
excit
ementafteral
ltheempty
promises..
.

Zane:
Imi
ssedy
ou,
Ken:
I'
m sor
ry
Zane:
Howcomey
oudon'
tl
oveus
anymore?
Ken:
Ilov
eyou
Zane:Thenwhydidyouchaseusout
ofthehouseandnotbuyusfood?
Fai
threal
lyl
ikesmil
k
Ken:
(swal
l
owed)I
'
llwor
kont
hat
Zane:Youalwayssaysomet hi
ngand
youdon'tdoit
,canyouhelpuswith
moneyandi swearwheni growupI'
ll
payyouback.Youcanwr it
eitdown
soyoudon'tfor
get.IswearI'
ll
payi
t
back.
..

Meanwhil
eiwalkedi
nthr
oughthe
gateandwal
kedpastKenthenhe
fol
l
owedme...
Ken:
Kekopagobonangwana.
..

Itur
nedandhandedhi
mt hebaby
theniwal
kedawaybuthegrabbed
mywr i
standt
urnedmeback..
.

Ken:I
'm sorryfort
urni
ngmybackon
you,
ididn'tknowitwasthi
sbadthe
ki
dslookbad
Me:Dearspendt i
mewi thyourkidsif
wantanddumpt hem any t
imeitsuit
s
you,
I'
m heretocatchthem eacht i
me
youdumpt hem.Don'tyouthinkfora
momentI'l
llety
ouf oolme,sleepwith
meandchangethemi nuteyousee
Amant
le.I
'
m notthatstupidany
more.

Iwalkedint
othehousethenhe
wal
kedbackt othecarwit
hthe
chi
ldren.
..

Ken:
Canwegof
ori
cecr
eam?
Zane:
Yeah.
.

Hegotint
hecarwi
tht
hem anddr
ove
of
f.
..
..
.

AWEEKLATER.
..
..
Ther
ewi l
lbei
nsert
spost
edovert
he
weekend,
don'
tfor
gett
oli
keand
comment.Goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
02AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 95

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..

Latert hatmorningaftertheburi
al
closef amilymember sgat her
edin
thel i
vingroom wherei wassi
tti
ng
nex ttoKenwhowassi tti
ngnextto
Ot l
heandt heirfat
her.Itwasn't
any thi
ngser i
ous,j
ustt heusual
traditi
onofdiscussinganymat t
ers
thatcoul dari
seafterthedeathofa
l
ov edone. .
..

El
der
sgav
ethei
rwor
dofadv
iceas
weal
ll
ist
ened.
..

Uncl e:(
concl uded)That'sallwecan
say .
..You'reoldenought oknowt hat
yourf atherisnowal onesoy ouhave
tokeepchecki ngonhi m.I t
s
disturbi
nghowwer aisey ouandy ou
endupl iv
ingl i
keminister'
sinciti
es
forgetti
ngus.Don' tforgety our
father..
.
Aunt
:(si
ghed)Theyhaveal
ready
gi
venadviceandiagr
eewit
ht hem.
Uncl
e2:
Anyquest
ions?
Al
l
:No.
.
Uncl
e:(
tor
ragweKen)Br
otherI
'
m
deepl
ysor
ryforyourlossandi hope
youfi
ndcomforti
ny ourchil
dren.
.
(Rr
agweKenlookedatmeand
l
ookeddown)salalebanankono,
maybeonedayGodwi l
lbri
ngalonga
compani
on.
RragweKen:
Thanky
oual
lfory
our
suppor
t.
Ken:Thanky ouallf
orevery
thing,my
wif
eandIt ogetherwit
hmysi sterwi
ll
makesuret okeepcheckingonhi m.
Ot
lhe:
Thanky
ou
Me: I
'
lltakecareofhi
m,heismor e
thanjustafathert
ome.It'
stheleasti
candof ormymot heri
nlawafterthe
wayshetookmeinandsuppor
ted
mewhenmyhusbandabandonedme.
(
Kenlookeddown)Thanky
ouallf
or
t
hesupport.

Thesenioruncledismissedthelit
tl
e
meetingandeldersbegunst andi
ng
supporti
ngthemselveswi t
hthef l
oor
astheirbumslift
ed,oldmengr abbed
thei
rknobkerr
ieswhileothersputon
thei
rhatsthenKenst oodupr ubbi
ng
hishandstogether.
..

Ken:Bagol
o?Ineedyourhel
p..
.(t
hey
al
lpaused)mayyouallsi
tdownfora
moment,I
'
dli
ketopresentmycase
bef
orey
ousoy oucanhelpme.

Theyallsatdownandi couldalready
seethedirect
ionhewast aking
becausehehadbeenact i
ng
remorsefulal
lweeksoi stoodupand
dustedmyski r
twalki
ngout .
..

Ken:Di
dipl
ease..
..I
t'
saboutus,i
knowyoudon'twantanyt
hingtodo
wit
hthi
sbut-
Me:Ihavesomethi
ngt
odooutsi
de,
youcanall
cont
inuewi
thoutme
Ken:
Didi
please
Senioruncl
e:Mydaughterwoulditbe
tookmucht oaski
fyoucoul dgi
ve
yourhusbandafewmi nutes
RragweKen: Hefil
edfordiv
orce
despiteevery
thi
nghismotherandi
tol
dhi m andheabandonedhis
chil
dren,hesawthem fort
hef i
rst
ti
mei nmont hsl
astweek.Whatmor e
couldy ouwantfr
om her?
Senioruncl
e:Nnyaaakeremot hoo
dir
adiphosommeat ogeaikage,
can'
ty ouatl
easthearhim out
?
Didi
:Wi t
hallduerespectmydear
parentsicannotli
stentothi
sman
andI'dbeoffendedifanyofyout
ri
ed
totalkmei ntoitbecausenoneofy ou
havehel pedmewhi l
ei wasint he
hospi talorwhenmysonwenthungr y
waitingf orhi sgr anniespent ionwhi l
e
thi
smanwast r
av ell
ingt oSout h
Afri
canbeachesandenj oyi
ng
Nami bi andeser tswit hhi sgi
rlf
riend.
Seehowski nnymychi ldrenare?I t'
s
becauseofhi m butI 'm donehopi ng
hewi ll comeandhel pt hem, ihav e
takent her esponsi bi
lityofmaki ng
suret hatt heyeatandeatgoodf ood.
I'
m donewi thy ouKennaandr i
ght
nowt heonl yt hingI '
ml ooking
forwar dt oisourcaseathi ghcour t
,i
can'twai ttobepr onouncedsi ngle
agai
n..
.(t
ookadeepbr eat
hand
smil
edwithrespect
)Thankyou,
pl
easeexcuseme. .
..

Iwal
kedout
..
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

Cal
vi
nwalkedint
hehouset aki
ngout
hi
sheadset
sasthechil
drenwatched
TVsit
ti
ngonthecouch.
..

Cal
vi
n:Heyguy
s..
.
Al
l
:Hel
l
o?
Cal
vin:
(wal
ki
ngt
otheki
tchen)Aunt
ie
okae?
Baby
:Shewentt
othebur
ial
..
Cal
vi
n:Al
ri
ght

Heopenedthef
ri
dgeandgrabbeda
f
rui
tthenBabywal
kedi
n..
.

Baby
:Yourf
oodi
sint
hemi
crowav
e
Cal
vi
n:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Helookedthefoodandtappedthe
but
tonsthenhelefti
tforwarmi
ngas
hewalkedout.
..
.
Cal
vi
n:May
aokae?
Baby
:Shewaswat chi
ngTVwi t
hus,
shel
eftwhenthegateopenedmaybe
shei
sinthetoi
let
..
.
Cal
vi
n:Okay
..

Hegothi swar
mf oodandwalked
pasttheroomsheadingt
oMay a'
s
room whereheknocked,
she
respondedandhestuckhisheadin.
..

Cal
vi
n:Cani
comei
n?
May
a:(
shamef
ull
y)Yeah.
..
Sheuncomfortablycl
osedher
magazineandputapi ll
owonherl egs
asshecrossedthem andl eaned
agai
nstthewall,Cal
vintookabite
outoft
hedr umstickandsatont he
edgeofthebed...

Cal
vi
n:What
'sup?
May
a:Not
hing
Cal
vi
n:Thi
sisy
ourcooki
ngr
ight
?
May
a:Yeah,
howdoy
ouknow?
Cal
vin:
You'
ret
hebestcookar
ound
her
e
May
a:Thanks
Calv
in:
(smil
ed)Butdon'
ttel
lmyaunt
Isai
dthat
May
a:(
gigged)Iwon'
t
Cal
vi
n:Sowhyar
eyouav
oidi
ngme?
May
a:Iwasn'
tav
oidi
ngy
ou,
icamet
o
r
ead
Calvi
n:Youhav etoforgi
vey oursel
fat
somepoi ntandifyoucontinuet o
avoidmet hi
ngswi l
lal
way sbe
awkwardbet weenus.Idon'thold
grudgesandy ou'
refamil
y,fami l
y
al
way shurtoneanotherbutt hey
al
way smakeupandl oveon...
May
a:That
'seasyf
ory
out
osay
,tr
y
beingthebl acksheepoft hef amil
y..
.
Myf atherhat esmeandmama
doesn'ttrustmeany mor e.Babyand
Setsanahat eme, sometimesIhear
them talkingaboutmei nt heirr
oom.
Mamal eenedoesn' tchatwi thme
l
ikebef ore,Tinaandherf ri
endshate
meandt ol deveryoneatschool what
ididsot hewhol eschool hatesme,
I
'mj ustalonebecauset hewor l
d
hatesme.
Calvin:(l
ooki
nginhereyes)Idon't
hatey ou,youmadeami stakeandit
didn'
tchangemyf utur
esowhyhang
ont othat?Wouldyourathertheyal
l
l
ikedy ouandi hat
edyou?
May a:(
smi l
ed)Iguessnot
,your
for
givenessmat ter
sthemost
becausey ou'
retheoneiwronged.
Cal
vi
n:Goodgirl
.
..(
fi
nishedthefood
andhandedhert
heplate)Thanks.
.
May
a:Sur
e..
.

Shesteppedoutwiththepl
ateasher
phonevibr
atedbythepil
lowthenhe
l
ookedatthescreen..
.

Bae: (
text)Bit
cht
oldy
out ost
op
text
ingme, i
movedon.You'
re
beginningtoannoyme
Shewal kedinwithagl
assofhome
madel emonadeandhandedhim
thenshesatont hebedgrabbi
ngher
phone.Sher eadthemessageand
sighedbravelyt
hensheputthe
phonedown.

Cal
vi
n:Hei
sapi
eceofshi
t
May
a:Who?
Calvi
n: Hi
mf orcal
li
ngyouabi t
ch.
Don'tbegany onetol
oveyou
especiall
yguys.Wealwaysknow
whowewantandwedon' tneed
guidancetodot heri
ghtt
hingorel
se
hewilluseyouandleavey
ou
heart
brokenthenyou'
ll
nevert
rust
menev enifagoodguycomesy ou'
ll
chasehim bynaggi
ngandbeingtoo
i
nsecure.
May
a:OK
Cal
vi
n:(
smiledl
ooki
ngatt
he
l
emonade)Didy
oumakethist
oo?
Maya:(smil
ed)Yeah,
Home
Economicspapi
Calv
in:Can'ti
maginewhatyou'
l
ldo
foryourhusband,
y ou'
reawi
feonthe
making..
..
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..
Shegott heglassfrom him ashe
l
ookedather ,shelookeddownand
walkedoutthenhet ookadeep
breathandclearedhi st
hroat
engaginghismor algear.Shewalked
backinandhandedhi m abowl of
somet hi
ngmout hwat er
inganda
teaspoon..
.

Cal
vi
n:What
'st
his?
Maya:
(smil
edandhel
dherwaist
st
andi
nginfr
ontofhi
m)Aft
ers
Cal
vin:
Peopl
eact
ual
l
yeataf
ter
eat
ing?
May
a:(
laughed)Yes.
..Somecal
li
t
desser
t,youeatitaf
teracoursemeal
tosett
lethingsdownandletdown
thataf
tertaste.
.
Cal
vi
n:Hebanna!

Shelaughedandgott hebowlfr
om
hi
mt henshef i
ll
edthespoonandfed
hi
m, sheli
ckedhissexyli
psand
shr
unkhisey eslooki
ngatherashe
swal
lowed...

Calv
in:I
ttast
esgood,whatthehel
li
s
that
?May adon'
tbeputt
inglove
port
ionsforme,i
don'
ttrustyou
May
a:(
laughed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou
saidthat
!Shoul
di t
ast
eandpr
ovei
didn'
tputanyt
hingi
nhere?
Calv
in:
(st
oodup)NahI
'
lldot
he
honour
s

Hest oodupandgotthebowlfrom
herthenhepickedhal
fthespoonand
fedherlooki
ngatherli
psasshe
shyl
yswal l
owedandrubbedher
mout h.
..

May
a:(
smi
l
edsof
tl
y)Happy
?

Hest
aredatherl
i
psandl
i
ckedhi
s,
herheartpoundedasshelookedi
n
hissleepyeyesthencl
ear
edhis
throatandtookadeepbreat
h
steppingback.
..

Cal
vi
n:Ineedt
o..
..(
ranoutofwor
ds)
Maya:(si
ghedinrel
i
ef)Ofcour
se.
..
Go.
..Thanksfor
..
.(r
anoutofwords)
Cal
vi
n:(
nodded)Ofcour
se.
..

Hewal kedoutandshedrewinal ot
ofairt
henshesi ghedabi
gsigh
fanni
ngherselfbuthest
uckhishead
backinstar
tli
ngherassheturned..
.
Calvi
n:Bythewayy ouneedtoblock
thatguyandst ar
tact i
ngli
keyou
haveaboy fr
iend,trustmethatbig
egowi l
lcr
ushbef or ehecansay
Amen.Thewor stthingyoucanever
doisbegaguyal ltheli
tt
lel
ovehe
hadturnsint
oabi gl oadofshi
ttyego.
May
a:(
laughed)Not
ed.
Cal
vin:Cool
,bythewayTinadoesn'
t
hat
ey oushejustdoesn'
ttr
usty
ou.
Maya:
Iunderst
and,j
ustt
obecl
earI
'
ll
nev
ertouchy
ouor -
Cal
vi
n:Iknow
Hewal kedouteat i
ngasAat i
le
walkedinwi thaplast
ic,t
hekids
stoodandsur r
oundedhim ashe
handedt hem toysandsnacksthen
theydi
sper sedandsatont hecouch
eati
ng,het hrewaboxofper fume
andCal vi
ncaughtitwithonehand..
.

Aati
l
e:Iboughtoneandgotanot
her
forf
ree
Calv
in:Thanks,
.
..(
looki
ngati
t)
BOSS...
.Oneofmyr oommateshadit
keharesatsogaaiponael
eenehela
mohost el
eng
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Lennankai
pona
kanagor
ayagor
ether estkebadi
perf
umetset
sapxxxpxx
Cal
vin:(l
aughed)Ify
ouwal kedi
nour
dom inthemor ni
ngwhenwespr ay
our
selvesyou'dswearwear e
spr
ay i
ngDoom elepxxxxxxxgongwe
l
egongwe
Aati
le:(
laughed)Akoref
ixerdibul
b
tsedikomor agogatwegadil
aite.
..
Cal
vi
n:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Hefi
nishedwithAfter
sandgav e
Set
sanathebowl thenhefoll
owed
Aat
il
eoutwher etheywalkedaround
l
ookingatthehighbulbandnoticed
t
heydi
dn'
tev
enhav
eal
adder
..
.

Calv
in:I
'l
lhavet
ost
epont
hewi
ndow
tochangeit,
Aat
il
e:Yout
hinky
oucandoi
t
Cal
vin:
Yeah.
..ButI
'
llhav
etost
epon
you

Aati
leputhishandstogethert
hen
Calvi
nsteppedonhi shandsandthe
windowt henhereachedthebulband
tookitout.
..

Cal
vi
n:(
droppedt
heol
done)Gi
veme
t
henewone

Theychangedt hebul
bsandlat
er
wenttohiscarwheretheywashedi
t
wit
habuckett henLolodr
ovein
tal
ki
ngtothephone. .
.

Lol
o:Okho!Kenomobony
ee
Di
di:
Themma,
cany
oui
magi
ne.
..
Lolo:
Hepr obabl
ythoughtseeing
youri
n-l
awswi ll
magicall
ymakey ou
wanthim backWaitsekana,ididn'
t
seeAmntleattheburial
arethey
fi
ghti
ng?
Didi:i
don'
tknowmmaandi
don'
t
care.Wewil
ltal
klat
er
Lol
o:By
e

Shehungupandwal kedt
owardsthe
guysastheyl
aughedchat
ting.
..

Lol
o:Cany
ouwashmi
net
oo?
Aat
il
e:I
fyoucook
Cal
vi
n:Shecoul
ddot
hedi
shesand
Mayawil
lcook
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Boyar
eyout
ryi
ngt
o
sayI
'm abadcook?
Cal
vi
n:Yousai
dit
Aati
le:
(laughed)Heissav
age,
idi
dn'
t
evensayany t
hing.
..
Calvi
n:(laughed)Butir
eal
l
ymeant
thatshei stheonewhosaidi
tnot
me...Unclenowy ou'
regoi
ngtoget
mei ntrouble
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Andhei
sgoodwi
th
wor
dstoo...

Mayawalkedoutwi
thCal
vin'
sri
ngi
ng
phoneandhandedi
ttohi
m. .
.

May
a:Cousi
ephone.
.
Hegrabbedi
tandwal
kedasi
de
pi
cki
ngasMay agr
eet
edherpar
ent
s..
.

Cal
vi
n:Heybabe
Ti
na:
Hey
,am i
seei
ngy
out
oday
?
Cal
vin:
def
ini
tel
ybutnotf
orl
ong,
I'
m
wri
ti
ngpaper3onMonday
Ti
na:
Okay
,il
ovey
ou
Cal
vi
n:Il
ovey
oumor
e.

Hehungupandj
oinedhi
sfami
l
y..
..

Lol
o:Mmet
hekeser
iousguy
swash
mycar
May
a:I
'
llwashi
t.
..
Aati
le:
(handedhert
hebucket
)fi
nish
thi
soneandgot her
e..
.Idi
dn'
tev
en
knowy ouwerehome.
Lol
o:Shehasbeenspendi ngti
me
homel at
ely,schoolandhome.(put
herarm aroundher)I'
m proudof
her.
..
.May beoneoft hedaysican
for
giveher
May
a:(
laughed)Thesef
ami
l
y
Calvi
n:(
laughed)Ev
ilst
epmother
usingmeasanexcuset ohat
eher
stepdaughter

May
abur
stedi
ntol
augherassheand
Cal
vi
ndi
dahi
ghf
ive.
..
.

Aat
ile:
(laughed)You'
rer
ight
,idi
dn'
t
not
icethat
Lol
o:(
laughed)mxm I
'
m walki
ngaway
andpr
etendingIdi
dn'
thearal
lthat
youev
ilpeople
Aati
le:(
foll
owedher)Sopar
enti
ng
part
ner,howaboutthatf
ood?
Pref
erablymeatbal
l
sand-
Lol
o:Wi
l
lyousl
i
cet
hev
eget
abl
es?
Aat
il
e:Yes
Lol
o:Fi
ne.
..
.
Theywal
kedi
nthehouseasMay a
andCal
vi
nchatt
edwashingcar
s..
.

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.

Laterthataf
ternoonKenbat hedthe
chil
drenandwr appedthem with
towelsheadingtothebedroom
whereheputt hem onthebed, Zane
begunj umpi
ngont hebedt oppli
ng
hisli
tt
lesist
ersasshef el
lbackwards,
shetriedgett
ingupandhej umped
evenmor easshegi ggl
ed.

Kenst
ruggl
edt
ofi
ndt
hei
rcl
othesi
n
t
hewar drobebutfi
nal
lydi
dthenhe
t
urnedlaughingatFai
thwhokept
f
all
ingonherf aceasZanej
umped..
.

Ken:(l
aughed)OkayZanet
hat
's
enough,it
hinksheist
ir
edof
l
aughing.
..

Helookedatthediaperwonderi
ng
whi
chsidewentt othefr
ontthenhe
cal
l
edhi scousi
n..

Ret
s:Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Mrkant
edi
popaedi
nnakopel
e
kanakomor
agomodi
pamper
s?
Ret
s:(l
aughed)I
nthef
rontithi
nknna
ngwanakeomotonaI'
m notsure,
why?
Ken:
(laughed)I
'
m dr
essi
ngFai
th.
.
Rets:Yourchil
drenarebadbr uh,
i
hopey ounoti
ced.Iwasr eal
ly
disappoint
edmal obameet i
ngZane
piggybacki
ngFaithgoingtothe
tuckshopbarefootandskinny.
Ken:(si
ghed)Ihonestl
ydi dn'
tthi
nkit
wast hi
sbadbecausei knewDi diwas
st
ayingwithmypar ent
s, booladyba
nalediresour
ces.Idon'tunderstand
whythekidsweresuf f
eringbaleteng
Ret s:Nol et'
snotshi
fttheblame,i
knewy ouwer egoingtofuck
ev eryt
hingt heminut
eAmant l
e
wal kedbacki nyourli
febutthenyou
l
ov eherlikethat
,badasshei syou'
l
l
alway sbeherpuppy .Atfir
stI
thoughti twasbecauseshecomes
from richesbutnowi justthi
nkyou
enj oybeingherlit
tl
eslave.
Ken:
AeRet
swasi
mol
l
aaker
e?
Rets:Nomrokat halaeebuty ou
havetosuppor tyourchil
dren,idon'
t
haveapr oblem wit
hsomeone
fucki
ngar oundasl ongasy ou
supportthebabiesy oumake.Gone
mmear ebuennet ewaaitsegoreo
l
athi
l
ebanaaker
e?
Ken:Okayy
esgonent
sekebalat
hil
e
eebutI'
mtryi
ngt
ocor
rectmy
self
Ret
s:That'
salli
want edy outoadmit
andIhopeyoucandoi tbecause
maybetheonlyreasony ou'
retry
ing
tor
ecti
fyyourmistakesisbecause
Amantl
edidn'
tcomet othefuneral
.
Onceyouleaveotsamaet seruri
Ken:
YouknowI
'
m notl
i
ket
hat
Rets:Whenyou'r
edat
ingAmant l
ei
tr
ulyhavenoideawhot hehel
lyou'
re
andidoubtyouknowy oursel
fei
ther
.
Ken:
Shapmrmpekeapesengwana
Ret
s:Shap
Hehungupandl ai
dFaithonherback
tr
yingtoputheront hediaperbutshe
kepttur
ningcrawli
ngov ertoZane
whowashumpi ngandsi ngingthen
Kenfoll
owedherput ti
ngt hediaper
fr
ontbacklosel
y..
.

Ken:
Fai
thcomeon.
..

Zanestoppedj umpingandlaidFai
th
onherbackt henhehandedhera
bott
leofmilk,sherelaxeddri
nki
ng
thenKenredonet hediaperanddidi
t
perf
ectl
ythi
st ime..
.
Ken:
Thanksbuddy
..
.

Hi
sphoner
ang.
….

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Amant l
e:Heybabe, youwon' tbeliev
e
whathappened. ...Doy ouseet he
Mol apocr ossi
ngt raf
f i
cl ights?Iwas
dri
v i
ngal ongwest ernby passhel a
l
isteningt omusicandunsuspect ing
thenst oppedfort her edl ight.
..Outof
nowher e,Booom!t hegl assshut ters
andt heseguy sranof fwi thmybag
whichhadmyphone.
Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Amant l
e: I
'
mt raumati
sedt hat
'swhyi
couldn'
tmakei ttothefuneral
,my
headwasbangi ngall
night,ij
ustgot
achancet obuyanewphoneand
cal
ledy ou.I'
m sosorryfornot
comi ng
Ken:I
t'
scool
,don'
twor
ryabouti
t.Ar
e
yousurey
ou'
reok?
Amant
le:
Yeah.
..I
'
mreal
l
ysor
ry
Ken:
It'
sokay
,
Amant
le:
Iwi
shi
hadbeent
her
e
Ken:
It'
sokaybabe,
don'
twor
ry
Amant
le:
I'
m headi
nghomenowt
o
sleepketswahaWestGat ehaev en
thewindowi sstil
lopen,idon'
tknow
whatI'
lldoifitrai
nsbutI'minabad
condit
ionsoI '
ll
takeitforfi
xi
ng
tomorrow.
Ken:
Shoul
dicomet
oday
?
Amantl
e:(bar
ked)No,no.
..Don'
t
pl
ease.
..
.Youneedtotakeyourti
me
wi
thyourfamil
y.I
'l
lbefi
ne.
Ken:
Okay
Amant
le:
Bye,
il
lcal
lwheni
gethome.
Ken:
Bye.
..

Hef
ini
sheddr
essi
ngt
heki
dsand
j
oinedhi
sfatheroutsi
dewhowas
l
oadinghi
sthingsintheHi
l
ux.
..
..

Ken:
Arey
ougoi
ngal
ready
?
Hi
m:Yes,i
can'
tst
ayher
e.I
'
llbe
l
onel
y.
..
Ken:Ok.
..
.(si
ghed)Doy
oureal
lyt
hink
i
t'
stoolat
et ofi
xmymarri
age?
Him:It'
stoolat
e,Didi
hasaboy f
ri
end.
Idi
dn'twanttobetheonet osayt hi
s
butsheseemst oreal
lylovehim.
Theyrecentl
ystar
teddatingandhe
wasconnectingwiththekids.You
don'
tstandachance
Ken:
What
'
shi
sname?
Him:I'
veneverseenhim orhear
dhis
namebuti hearhert
alki
ngtohim on
thephone.
Ken:
(sadl
y)I
tmakessensethough,
shei
stooaggressi
venow.
..
Him: Yeah,I
'dadv i
cey out oleave
todaybecauseI 'm goi ngandDi ditol
d
meshedoesn' twanty ouher e.She
saysifshecan' tbef reeofy ouhere
shewi l
lleav
esoofy our eall
ywantt o
rect
ifyyourissuesl eav e.Giv
eher
ti
met ocool downandcomeback
again..
.
Ken:Ok,iwasplanni
ngtobeher
e
unt
ilnextweekbutift
hat
'showshe
feel
sI'
ll
gobecauseI'
m nottr
yingt
o
fi
ghther.Iwantust
ostar
ttal
king
peacef
ully.
..
Hi
m: Thenleavetodaymyboy ,t
rust
meont hatandI'
llkeeptalkingt
oher
onyourbehalf
,sher espectsmeshe
wil
ll
ist
entome.
Ken: Thanks,
i r
eall
yappr eci
ateyour
help.Iknowi beendiff
icultbut
thanksforbeingthere.
Hi
m:Sur
e..
..

Kenwal kedbacki
nthehousedi
ali
ng
Didi
..
..
Att
hesal
on.
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eisatundert
hedryer
pr
essi
ngmyphonechatti
ngwit
ha
wi
desmil
eonmyf ace.
..

Bayang:Iwantt
hepi
ctur
ewhen
you'
redone
Me: Ok

Myphoner
angandsi
ghedbor
ed.
..

Me:
hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
,I'
mleav
ingso-
Me:
Ok,
bye
Ken:
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hat
?
Me:
What
?
Ken: cutti
ngmeof fallthet
ime,I'
m
try
ingher e..Cany oumeetme
halfway ?Youf uckedmybr otherandi
forgavey ou,nowy ou'
react
ingli
kei
kil
ledy ourmot her
Me: 1stofalli
fyoukil
ledmymot her
I
'dloveyouand2ndl yyoudidn't
f
orgiveme, youbeatmeupsobad
youcutmewi t
hakni f
eandont opof
t
haty oukil
ledyourbrother
,okay?
Ken:(
cal
mly)Ok,
you'
reri
ghtbutcan
youcutmesomeslack?Wehave
ki
dst otalkabout,yesibeengonebut
I'
m heretrying.AnywaysI'
mleav i
ng
mysav ingscar dbehi
ndsoy oucan
payschool feesandotherthings.I
gavethet enantsamont h'
snot i
ce
aft
erthaty oucangohome.
Me:
Kenseey
oui
ncour
t,by
e

Ihungupandwentt hroughLand-
roverstoMercedes-Benzcompletely
confusedbytheirbeauty,isowanted
kentoleavesoi couldgetevery
thing
start
edwiththeoldman. ..

AtGabor
one.
..
..
.
Latert
hataft
ernoonKenexhaust edly
j
oinedthecit
ycentert
r aff
icand
drunkwatert
henhedi aledAmant l
e
buthernumberwasn'tav ai
labl
ethen
herecei
vedacallfr
om hi ssist
er.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Ot
lhe:
Hav
eyour
eady
ourl
ett
er?
Ken:No,I
'mtooscar
edt
oopent
he
envel
ope.Di
dyou?
Otlhe:
Met oo,l
astwetalkedwe
arguedaboutmeandDi disowe
exchangedwords..
.Badwor dsshe
evencriedandaskedmet oleaveher
house.I
'
m scar
edt
oreadt
hel
ett
er.
Ken: Metoo..
.,
I'
llcal
lyoubackI'
m
dri
ving,
i j
ustarr
ivedinGabs,I
'
m so
exhausted
Otl
he:Idi
dn'
tknowy
oul
eftsosoon,
l
ater
Ken:
Yeah

Hehungupanddr
ovet
hrought
he
gr
eenli
ght
..
..

*
**

Mi
nut
esl
aterhepr
essedt
her
emot
e
andwai tedf orthegatetoopent hen
hedr ovet hroughandpar kedinfr
ont
ofthegar agewhi chwasopen, an
unfamili
arMer cedes-Benzwas
parkingal ongsideAmant l
e'sBMW
thenhest eppedoutandwal kedi
n
throught hegar agedoor.

Hisheartpoundedasheheadedt o
thebedroom whereheslowlyopened
thedoorandf oundnoone,hewalked
thr
ought heloungeroom t
otheback
wherehest eppeddowntheback
doorlookingatthepool
.
Amant l
ewashumpi ngonsomedark
chocolatemanwhowashol di
ngher
waisthelpi
ngherbumpasher
ponytail
wav edar
ound.

Kenqui
etl
ywalkedoverandpicked
oneoft
hewineglassesbythetabl
e
andspl
ashedi
tonAmant le'
sback.
..

Ken:
(angr
il
y)Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?

Amantlejumpedstart
ledbl
ocki
ngher
breast
sandf ell
int
hepool
backwardsthenKenpunchedthe
manwhoqui ckl
ygotupandret
urned
thepunch,
Kenfel
lbackt
henhe
grabbedhi
sshort
sandputt
hem.

Hi
m:(
angr
il
y)Di
dyouj
ustpunchme?

Het ookoffhiswat chwalkingoverto

Kenashegotupbuthepunchedhi m
down, Kenpul l
edhim downwi thand
theyfell
ont hegrasswithKenont op
ofhim grabbinghisneckt henhe
grabbedKen' scoll
arsandheaded
him ontheface.Bloodgushedout
hisnoseandt heguyturnedhishead
awayasbl ooddr oppedinhi sear
..
..
Amantlehoppedoutofthepool
nakedandputonherdressasthe
guysfoughtonthegr
eengrass.
..

Amant
le:
(scr
eamed)Mi
l
ler
?Mi
l
ler
st
op!

Theyr oll
edaroundandfel
li
nthepool
thenMi ll
erpushedKen'
shead
againstthepool'
sedge,Kenslowl
y
l
etgoofhi m andsunki
nthepoolas
Mill
erswal l
owedsnappingoutof
anger...

Mi
l
ler
:Ohshi
t.
..
.
Amantl
e:(
shaki
ng)Whathavey
ou
done?Pul
lhi
m outhewi
lldr
own..
.

Mill
erhoppedouthol di
ngKen'st
-
shir
tandev entual
l
ypulledhi
m out
,he
l
aidhim ont hepavementandpaced
aroundrubbinghishead..
.

Mi l
ler:(angri
lyt urnedt oher )Whot he
fucki sthis?It houghty ou' r
ef ucki
ng
singleAmant l
ewhatt hef uck!!What
i
ft hisleakstot hemedi a?( l
ookedup
andsi ghed)ohf uck..
..
!( pacingup
anddown)I '
m sof ucked, myf atheri
s
goingt ocast ratemei fi draghi s
namei
nt ot
henewspaper
swith
somet
hingf
uckedupli
kethi
s..
.

Amantl
e:(
checkedKen'
spul
seand
l
ookedupathim)Mil
lwehavet
o
takehi
mtothehospi
tal
..
.

Thenextinser
tfoll
owswhenwehav
e
reached25kLikes.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
03AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
me
✴ 96

AtAmant
le'
sHouse.
..

Mill
erputonhist-
shir
tandr eached
forhisphoneonthetabl
et henKen
groanedturni
nghisheadand
touchedthebumponhi sforehead.
Amantl
etouchedherchestt
hankf
ull
y
andsi
ghedinrel
ief
..
.

Amant
le:
Arey
ouokay
?Youscar
ed
me!
Ken:(
pushedherhand)Don'
ttouch
me..
.

Mi l
lerpickedthewinebottl
eand
sippedt henhewal kedovert
othem
hangi ngupasKenst oodupand
turnedar oundwalkingtowar
dshim..
..

Mi
l
ler
:Don'
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t,I
'
ll
br
eakt
hisbot
tl
eony
ourhead
Amant l
e:(
pul
ledKen)Canyouplease
stopthi
s,l
et'
sgoinsi
deandtal
k
aboutit
..
.
Mill
er:(
angri
ly
)Youst i
l
l haven'tt
old
mewhot hehel
lthi
sis,am i gett
ing
cheatedoram it
hesideni ggake
tsamae?
Amant
le:
Justwai
tami
nut
e..
.
Ken:(
tur
nedtoher
)"Wai
t"
?Didyou
j
ustsaythat
?Whothehel
li
sthi
s?
Amant
le:
Canwepl
easet
alki
nsi
de?

Mi
l
lergr
abbedhi
scl
othesandwal
ked
i
nsidewi
thhiswi
debr
oadmuscul
ar
shoul
der
s..
.

Mil
ler
:I'
m goi
ngt
otakeashower
,he
bet
terbegonewhenif
ini
sh.

Kent
urnedandl
ookedatAmant
le.
..
.

Ken:Soy
ou'r
egoingt
ocheatonme
wit
habodybuil
der
?Seri
ousl
y?
Amantl
e:Heisanagentandabody
guar
dforthevi
cepresi
dent
Ken:
(chuckl
edi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Wow.
..
.
Amant
le:
Hei
sal
sot
heMP'
ssonso
thi
scan'
tbeanymoredramat
icthani
t
alr
eadyi
s.Idon'
twantt
ogetfi
red
Ken:Canyout
ellt
hisguytoleav
e,
whatdoeshemeani shoul
dbegone
whenhegetsoutoftheshower?
Amantl
e:Ken.
..I.
..
.Il
i
edt ohi
m
sayi
ngI'
m si
nglesoIhavetokeep
thel
iegoi
ngorelseI'
lll
osemyjob
Ken:
Amant
leI
'
m notst
upi
dok?
Amantl
e:Can'
tyougospendani
ght
atahot
eland-

Helostitandslappedherwit
hthe
backofhishandt henshefel
ldown
cover
ingherface..
Ken:
(angr
il
y)Obat
agontwael
ane
Amantl
e?Whatdi
dyousay?

Her emov edhi

sbeltt
henshegotup
andr aninthehouseasherbr easts
shook,Kenchasedafterherbl ocked
thedoorbef or
eshecouldclosei t
thenhepushedi tsohardithi
theron
theforeheadandshefellbackwar ds
onthebed. .
.

Amantle:(
scr
eami
ng)MI
LLER?
!
MILLER!?
Kenpunchedherandchokedher
necksohardhereyespoppedasshe
passedgasthenMill
err
ushedinand
putKenonheadlockpul
li
nghim of
f.
..

Mi
l
ler
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken:
Letgoofme!

Amantl
egotupcryi
ngand
massagi
ngherneck.
..

Amantl
e:(
cryi
ng)Iwanty
ououtof
myhouse,doyouhearme?Iwant
youout
Kent ur
nedandpushedMi l
l
eragai
nst
thewall t
henhesli
ppeddownand
staggeredbackwar
ds..
..

Ken:(l
ookingatMill
er)I
fyouputy our
handsonmeagai nI
'l
lhurtyou.
..
Amantletell
him what'
sgoingon,
nowbef or
ey ouseetheothersi
deof
mey oudon'tknowexist.
Amant l
e:Kennai don'
tlovey ou,i
guesswheni gotinMauni wasbor ed
andneededt odosomet hingt okeep
myselfbusy,ican'tdothisany more.
Thisi
snotwhatIhadi nmi nd..
.Idon'
t
wantahousehusbandi
want
-
Ken:
A"househusband"Amantl
e?i
wasworki
ngandy outol
dmet oleav
e
mybusi
nessandof f
icetocomehere,
nowthi
s?
Mill
er:(
shookhisheadandgr abbed
hi
skey s)Callmewheny ou'
redone
breaki
ngup...(t
oKen)Iwanty ou
gonefirstt
hingtomorr
owmor ni
ng,
don'tmakemet hr
oughyouout
Ken:
(fr
ownedangr
il
y)Manf
ucky
ou!
Mill
er:(
smil
ed)Justknowt hatIam
author
isedt
ocarryafirearm, I
'm
al
way sarmed.
..
.You'r
el uckyy ou
caughtmeelekokoloing, nextti
me
waat samay aboy.Icanevenshoot
younowandmakei tlookl
ikesel
f
defense,ihavethepowertodoi t
especial
lywhenshehasbr uisesl
ike
that.
..(
Kenkeptqui et
)don'tf
uckwith
me!

Heleanedoverandslowlyki
ssed
AmantlethenhelookedinKen'
seyes
ashesteppedonhi stoeswal
king
out
..
.

Mil
l
er:I
'mintenti
onal
lyl
eavi
ngy ou
wi
thheralonewheny ou'
reangryl
ike
t
hatbecausei wanty
outof al
li
nto
myt
rap.Ot
eommet
se.
..
.

Heclosedthedoorandwal kedaway
asAmant l
ewi pedhertearsandput
onherclot
hes, Kensighedandsaton
thebedburyinghisfacebetweenhis
handsindisbeli
ef.
..

Ken:
Whatjusthappened?Amant
le
what
'sgoi
ngon?

Sheclosedt
hewar
drobeandf
ixed
herhair
..
.
Amantl
e:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouputy
our
handsonme
Ken:
Cany
oupl
easesi
tdownr
ebue?

Shesatdownandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Ken:Cany
oupl
easet
ell
mewhat
's
goi
ngon?
Amant l
e:Ilosti
nter
estinyou,iguess
iwaswi thyoubecausei wasbored
andunempl oyednowi just
..
..I
'
m
sor
ry,ithoughtyou'
llpi
ckthesignals
andleaveforgoodbut .
..
.
Ken:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
Amant
le:
Idon'
twantt
obewi
thy
ou
any
more
Ken:Amantl
eilef
tmyfamil
yforyou!
Lostal
lther
especti
hadforyou!
Amantle:Andiappr
eci
atethatbutit
's
notenoughtokeepthesparkgoing.

Heshookhisheadindisbel
i
ef
l
ookingather
,hehadranoutof
wordsandhedidn'
tevenknowwhat
t
othink.
..

Ken:
Amant l
e,comeon.
..
.Real
l
y?
You'
regoi
ngtodothi
stomeagain?
Amantle:
I'
m sor
rybutatl
eastwe
tr
iedr
ight?
Ken:(
si ghedandstoodup)Youknow
whatfine,isawitcomingwit
hy our
l
atenightmeet i
ngsandworkinglat
ei
j
ustdidn'tthi
nkitwasthi
sbadbutits
fi
ne.
..

Heopenedt hewardr
obeandt hr
ew
outallhi
sthingst
henhepul
ledouta
bri
efcaseandopenedit
,hetookouta
penandhandedhertheenvelope.
..

Ken:Si
gnovermyt
hingsandIwi
l
l l
et
yougo,t
her
eisnopointi
ndoi
ngthi
s.
Amant
le:
signwhat
?
Ken:
Mybusi
ness,
mypl
otandmycar
Amant
le:
Whatabouty
ourdaught
er?
Ken:
Whatabouther
?I'
l
lsuppor
ther
Amantle:
Youabandonedt wokidsfor
mewhatmakesy outhinkil
ltr
ustyou
can'
tabandononeespecial
lyoneyou
don'
thaveaconnect
ionwi t
h?Those
thi
ngsareformydaughter
Ken:Youwantt okeepeveryt
hingI
own?Ev erythi
ngieverworkedf or
?
Amantley ou'r
egoingtosignmy
thi
ngsov er,whataboutmyot herkids?
Amant l
e:Youwer
en'
tthi
nki
ngabout
them whenyouagr
eedtosi
gnthi
ngs
overtomesoy ourwi
fecanget
nothi
ngduri
ngthedivor
ce,
don'
tact
al
ldayoftheyearnow..
.
Ken:(
angri
ly)HeelaAmantledon'
ttr
y
methemma, whatmakesy outhi
nk
youcantakemybusi ness,
homeand
carj
ustl
ikethat?
Amant l
e:Fine,i
don' tneedt hem
anyway.Ihav emyownmoney ..
.Let
's
gogetthef ormst satransferko
Landboardandmakeaf fi
dav i
tsre
dir
e..
.I'
l
lsignov erthecompanyand
car,l
et'
sgo. .
.
Ken:
Mxm.
..
Shegrabbedt
heenvelopeandher
handbagasKengrabbedhiscarkey
s
andfoll
owedher
.

Herhear
tpoundedasshe
appr
oachedthegar
age.
..

Amant
le:
Areweusi
ngy
ourcarormy
car
?
Ken:Mi
ne.
.(t
ouchedhi
snose)Don'
t
youhav
eaplast
er?
Amant
le:
They
'r
eint
hef
ir
stdr
awer

Hewal
kedbackasshewat
chedhi
m
unti
lheturnedthenshet i
pt oedt
o
thegarageandcal cul
atedthespace
betweenhercarandhi s,i
twas
enoughf orhertosqueezeherBMW
outthenshej umpedinandr ever
sed
asKenr anoutoft hehouse.

Shemanagedtotur
nandf acet
he
gat
ewaiti
ngfori
ttosli
deopenas
Kenbangedonthewindow..
.

Ken:Amantl
eyouwon'tgetaway
wit
hthi
s,Ipr
omiseyou.Youwon't
Amantl
e:Ijustcamebacktogetmy
daught
er'
sshare,youcangobackt
o
yourburnedwi
feandkids.
..
.Byeand
pleaseleav
ebecauseI
'
m call
ingt
he
securi
tycompany.

Shedroveoutashewat chedthecar
di
sappearthenhewalkedbackinside
tr
yingt
omakeacal lbuthisphone
wasdead.Heopenedi tandwater
dri
ppeddownt henhesatonthe
couchdial
i
nghi sl
awyer.
..
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Ken:
(breat
hingheav
ily
)Therei
s
somethi
ngihavetotell
you
Hi
m:What
?Ar
eyouok?
Ken: Iwasn'thonestaboutmy
proper t
iesconcer ningt hedivorce,
mont hsagoi signedov ereverythingI
ownt omygi r
lfr
iendbecausei knew
thatthemagi stratewoul ddivi
deour
proper t
iesequallysi ncewear e
mar r
iedi ncommuni tyofproper t
y .I
want edt oownnot hingbyt hetimei
walki ncourtbutnowi don'tthinkmy
gir
lfr
iendwi l
lsignt hem backt ome,
i
st hereany t
hingi candot ogett hem
back?
Him:(
shocked)Hee.
..Whydidn'tyou
tel
lmeallt
hesefr
om thebeginning?
Whatareyoupayi
ngmef ori
fy ou
don'
ttr
ustme?
Ken:Ididn'twantyoutodiscour
age
meandi real
lythoughtiwasmaking
theri
ghtdeci si
on,shehadmef ool
ed
acti
ngromant i
candtouchingmeto
confuseme.
Hi
m:whatdi
dyougi
veher
?
Ken:Companyownershi
pyaZane'
s
chal
ets,
ourhomethathasathr
ee
bedr
oom houseandmycar.
Hi
m: Wai
t,y
ouneedDidi
'
ssi
gnat
ure
t
ogiveawaythepl
ot,
howdi
dyou
manage?
Ken:
Imadehersignthem whi
l
eshe
wasint
hehospi
talthi
nki
ngsheis
si
gni
ngdiv
orcepapers
Hi
m:Di
dn'
tsher
ead?
Ken:No, shewasi npai
n, herburns
werest i
ll fr
eshandi twasev ena
str
uggl ef orhertoholdthepen.She
wasal soonmedi cat
ion,shehad
postnatal depressionorwhat ever,
somet hingl i
kethatsoher
medicat i
onmadeherdr owsy .
Him:(
whistl
edshaki
nghishead)So
Amantl
elegi
timat
elygott
hosethi
ngs
l
ikef
orrealt
hey'
reall
inhernamesas
wespeak?
Ken:y
es..
.Howcanigett
hem backif
shedoesn'
twantt
ogiv
ethem back?
Canisue?
Him: (
sighed)Didy ousi gnapr omise
noteorcont r
act?Butev ent heny ou
wouldn'tsucceedi ncour tbecause
thelawsay syoucanonl yseek
j
usticeifyoucomewi thcl eanhands,
youcannotuset hejusticesy stem to
breakthelawbecausesi gningov er
thoseproperti
essoy ourspouse
doesn'tgetanythingwasi l
legal,it
's
wrongt otryandcont hest ate,you
couldgot ojai
lforthat ,
justf orthat.
Ken:
Soi
can'
thav
emyt
hingsback?
Him: No,t
hey'r
elegal
lyhers.Omo
neetseakereandt omakemat ter
s
worseDidi'
ssignatur
eistheresotot
a
l
emoneet se.Ican'
tbel
ieveyou'd
makedeci
sionsli
kethatwheny ou
haveal
awyer,sonnawagont uelaka
engosenamadi?Diaccountdi kae?
Ken:
Inhernames
Hi
m: Wait
sekemathat
ayaanongso
whydidn'
tDi
dicompl
ainwhenyou
wrot
edownthatyouownnothi
ng?
Ken:Didi
doesn'
twantt
ofi
ghtf
ort
he
proper
ty,
shegavei
n.
Hi
m: Thenwhyneosiisadi
losince
Di
diwasn'tev
enf
ight
ingforyour
pr
operty
?
Ken:Amant
leconvincedmet hati
t
doesn'
tmat
terifDi
di doesn'
twant
them,t
hemagistr
atewoul ddi
vide
them si
ncewearemarr
iedi
n
communi t
yofpr
oper
ty
Him: Mmekanai fbothpartieshave
agreedthejudgejustapprovesgaa
l
wel ebatho,wait
sekemat hata.
Kanay oulostyoulostgagonakaha
okadirangkateng...
.

Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
..
.

Ken:
I'
ll
cal
lyouback.
Hi
m:sur
e

Hehungupandopenedt
hedoort
o
twopoliceof
fi
cerswi
thAmantl
e
standi
ngatthebackl
eani
ngagainst
thecar.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Mor
ena
Ken:
Dumel
ang.
..
Offi
cer:Thisl
adywalkedintoour
off
iceswiththosebrui
sesand
accusedy ouofassaul
t,nowsheis
notlayi
ngcharges,shej
ustwantyou
totakeyourclot
hesandl eav
e.Do
youmi nd?
Ken:
(lookedatherasshef
oldedher
ar
ms)No
Of
fi
cer
:Thanky
ouf
ory
our
cooper
ati
on.
..Mayi
escor
tyouout
?
Ken:
Letmegetmybag.
.

Theywalkedinashepackedhisbags
andwalkedoutthroughthegar
age
doorandunlockedthecar.
..

Amant
le:I
t'
smycar
,don'
ttakemy
car
.Pl
easeleav
e
Ken:
Arey
our
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
his?
Off
icer:Whosecari
sit
?Letmesee
t
hebl uebook.
..

Amant
lehandedhi
mthecar
r
egi
str
ati
ondocument
s..
.

Of
fi
cer
:Gi
vemet
hecarkey
s

Kenhandedov ert
hecarkey sand
hungtheotherbagstrapabovehis
shoul
derwhilehol
dingtheheavyone
wit
htheotherhandandwal ked
away.
..

Of
ficer
:Canwegi
veyouari
deand
dr
opy ouof
fwher
eyou'
regoi
ng?
Ken:
Sur
e,anyATM machi
ne
Amant
le:
Ifr
ozemyaccount
s,j
ust
sayingincaseoikant
semadia
companyy ame.Icall
edanhourago
andr epor
tedmycardsstol
ensothey
blockedthecar
ds.

Hequietl
ylookedatherandgoti n
thecarwhil
ethepol i
ceoffi
cer
s
spoketoherbriefl
ytomakesur eshe
wasokayanddr ov
eof f
..
..
..
.

AtDani
el'
shouse.
..
..
.

Latert
hateveni
ngisatbythedi
nner
tabl
ewr i
ti
ngdownabudgetfora
campsiteandal
lthethi
ngsi
needed.
..
.Ici
rcledBayang'sname, he
hadfri
endsinthetourism i
ndustry
whohadexper i
enceandi knewt hey
wouldshedsomel ightconcerni
ng
that
..
..

Igr
abbedmyphoneanddi
aledLol
o..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Me:Kanteaf
terdi
vor
cehowl
ong
doesi
ttaket
ochangemyname?
Lolo:
Ihaven'
tchangedmyname,
you
haveachoiceofkeepi
ngt
henameor
changing
Me:
Ok,
ithi
nkI
'
llkeepi
t.
..
.
Lolo:
Ar ey
ougoi ngtomarrythe
fat
her?Becauseifyou'
rether
eisno
use,t
hemar ri
agecerti
fi
catewil
lbe
changingt
hef i
rstnameyahusband
hel
ay ouwill
remainMr sDani
el
Me:
(laughed)Aker
ebuti
hav
eaf
ar
mor
esi ni
sterpl
an.
.
Lol
o:whi
chi
s?
Me:It
'snotasecr
eti
fmor
ethanone
per
sonknows
Lol
o:What
ever
Me:Ijustwantevery
thi
nginmyname
f
ormychi l
dren'
ssake,aker
eI'
m
wal
kingempt yhandedfr
om ken.He
tookev erythingsoI 'mtakingwhat '
s
ri
ght full
yt heirsandkeepi ngi tf
or
them unt i
lthey 'r
eoldenough.I '
m
goingt obuyt hem sharesinbi g
compani esandbui l
drentalhousesor
somet hingt hatbr i
ngsinmoney
withoutmuchwor k.Themmaket i
le
gohat elabongwanake, Amant le
mi ghtbeabov emebutherdaught er
won' tbeabov emychi ldr
en, never.
Mychi ldrenwi l
lnevergohungr y,if
therei ssomet hi
ngi noti
cedi sthat
dignityandmor al
sdon'tputf oodon
thet able.Haokai ti
akabat hooka
swaket alant sebar eenemmao
siamegor ewenakahaoswaket ala
nnathemmai don'tcareaboutwhat
peopl
ewi l
lsay.Aslongasmy
chi
ldr
eneatandl ookf atwi
tha
bri
ghterf
utureakenat aba
Lol
o:TsenaDi
dlos!
Me:
(laughed)Shap

Ihungupandcont inuedwri
ti
ng,l
ater
onthedooropenedandr ragweKen
walkedinwithaplasti
cofSpar,
he
l
eanedov erandkissedmyneckas
hi
swhi tebeardti
ckledmyneck,i
smiledandlif
tedmyshouldercl
osing
hi
mi nashelaughed..
.
Rr
agweKen:
Heydaught
er
Me:
Hel
l
oPapa.
..
.

Heputmypendownandhel pedme
getupasishyl
yputmyarmsaround
hi
m butheputmyhandinsi
dehis
tr
ouser
sandhewashardasar ock.
..

RragweKen:Icoul
dn'
tst
opt
hinki
ng
aboutyou.
..
.

Hepul
ledmecl oserandki
ssed
me,
besidesthathewasmyf at
heri
n
l
awheact ual
lyknewwhathewas
doingandhewasdoi ngi
tri
ght
gettingmei ntheri
ghtmood.He
l
ift
edmyt opandleanedoverni
bbl
i
ng
onmybut tonasimoanedholdi
nghis
headt henhewentbackuponmyl ips
thi
st imeli
fti
ngmeupandl ayi
ngme
ont hedinnertabl
e.

Me: Wait
..
..(
sighedandsatup)Wait
..
.
Idon'twanttodoitbefor
eyousign
overeveryt
hing.YouknowwhatKen
did.
..
Rr
agweKen:(
smil
ed)ButI
'
mreadyt
o
si
gnov
erever
ythi
ng,
wecangonow..
.
Me:
No,
ithast
obeaf
tert
hedi
vor
ce.
.
Rragweken: Okaybutial
readysold
thecatt
le,
i gotthemoneyonFriday.
..
(hetookoutthephoneandshowed
met hebalance)Yousee?
Me:Writ
emeachequeorgivemet he
ATM car
dsothatwhenigetoutof
cour
tkoFtownicanbuyacar,idon't
wanttocomebackwit
habus.
RragweKen:(gav
emet hecard)Okay
,
l
et'sgogett
hecheckbook.
..Cani
comewi t
hyouandremaininthe
hotel
?
Me:Itwil
lbetoosuspici
ous,I
'
llgo
wi
tht heki
dssoicanbuyt hem thi
ngs
t
here.(smil
edandkissedhim)Be
pat
ient
..
.
Rr
agweKen:
Ican'
twai
t.
..

Wegotinthecarthenhewr ot
emea
checkof52Kasmyhear tpounded
l
ookingattheendl
essnumbers..
.

RragweKen:Youcanswi pewi
ththe
cardify
oudon'twanttoCashthe
checkbecauseit
'sr
isky
,youcan
havemypin..
.
Me:I'
l
ltaket
hem bothj
usti
ncase..
.
Andiwantyoursi
m car
dtoojustsoi
cankeepchecki
ngthebal
ance
Rr
agweKen:
Okay.
..
.I'
l
luset
he
Or
angesi
mfornow

Il
eanedov
erandkissedhi
m si
tti
ng
onhisl
apasimovedmywai st
gr
indi
ngonhi
sboner .
..

Me:Mhh..
.Ican'
twai
ttoridet
his.
..
.
Moneytur
nsmeon, r
ightnowijust
wantt
o..
..
.Mhhhhh

Heclosedhiseyesasiplayedwi
th
hi
swhi t
ebeardandhisbonertheni
gotoutofthecarandgrabbedhi
s
wri
stleadi
nghimintothehouse.
Iknewheneededal
it
tl
emotiv
ati
on
andi wasgoi
ngt
oserv
eitonasi
lver
plat
ter.
..
.

Iclosedthedoorandknel tdown
beforehim ashel ookedatme
holdingmyhai rtheni smiledand
unz i
ppedhispant s,Idroppedt hem
andt ookouthisD, heal mostlost
balancetomysof thandst heni Knel
t
upget ti
ngreadyf orsomeser i
ous
business.Knowi nghisHI Vstatus
didn'
tmakei tlessanygr ossbuthey
formychi l
drent oinheri
tapi eceof
l
andwort
hami
l
li
onI
'
dev
ensucka
dog.
..
.

Iopenedmymout h
and_ ___
___ _
______________
_ _
____ _
____
____from hisgrunt sandheav enly
responsei twaspr obabl ythefirst
ti
mehewasget t
ingi tandi i
ntended
tomakei tmemor ableasi sli
ght l
yput
handbehi ndhi m andsl i
dat ipofmy
thumbi nt here,
hef li
nchedal most
chokingmeandr oaredhav i
ng
seizures.From hisgr untshewas
aboutt oshootsoi mov edasi de
rubbingmymout handqui ckly
massagedashecl osedhisey es
t
ight
lywi
thshot
sfl
yi
ngont
heai
r.
..
.

Hi
m: I
miwii
i.
..
.
I
yoooooo.
….i
yoooooooooDi
diweee.
..
.
I
ii
i
yaweeeee.
..
..Di
di.
..
.

AtGabor
one.
..
..
.

Latert
hatnightKenwal kedintoa
guesthouseandputhi sbagsdown
thenhesatont hebedthought ful
ly
andsighed.Hesattheref oralmost
anhourandhest il
lcouldn'tfi
gureout
whattodosohesl iddownt hebed
andkneltdownput t
inghiselbowson
thebedthenhecl
osedhi
sey
esand
pray
ed..
..

Ken:DearGodi knowideserve
everyt
hingt
hat'
shappeningtome
nowbutf at
herGodgivemet he
str
engthtokeepgoingbecauseI'
m
gett
ingweakerandweaker..
.

Hepausedprayi
ngastear
srol
led
downthenherubbedt
hem andkept
goi
ng.
..
..

DAYSLATER.
..
..
.
Att
hehi
ghCour
t.
..
..

Kensteppedsteppedoutofthetaxi
andlookedatt
hebi gbui
ldi
ngthenhe
tookadeepbreathandwalkedin
answeri
nghissmal l
phone.
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Lawyer
:Wher
ear
eyou?Thecour
tis
about-
Ken:
I'
m wal
ki
ngi
nnow
Lawyer:
Andpleaseputy
ourphonei
n
si
lentmode.
Ken:
Okay
,by
e

Hehungupandwalkedi
nthr
ough
t
hemainent
rance.
..
.

Thenextinser
tfol
lowswhenwehav
e
reached24KLikes
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
04AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 97

AtFr
anci
stownHi
ghCour
t..
..
.

Mylawyerandiwal
kedoutasshe
putherf
il
esbacki
ntheback.
..
.
Lawy
er:
So.
..What
'snextf
rom her
e?
Me:(
smiled)Uhi
don'
tknow.
..
.Onl
y
Godknowsnow
Lawy
er:Yourexhusbanddoesn'
tl
ook,
what
'sgoi
ngonwi t
hhim?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Lawy er:Hewast ooqui et,it
hinkhe
regretsthi s.
..Thewayt hiscase
startedi thoughthewoul dbe
j
umpi ngont opoftanksandt rees
celebratinglikeahappygor i
ll
a
beatinguphi schestforwi nni
ng
every t
hingkanay oulethim haveital
l
andhesatt hereacti
ngl i
kehe
doesn' thav eacompanyorcar
Me: Lethi
m haveitall
,I'
l
lwalkoutof
thi
smar ri
agewithmychi ldr
enand
that
'sallt
hatmat t
ers.Thegoodt hi
ng
aboutmat er
ialt
hingsisthatthey
're
easytoacquiretoojustasit'
seasyto
l
ose
Lawy
er:
True.
..

Wehuggedandshet
urnedt
oher
car
..
.

Lawy
er:
Let
'
sgo
Me:Ohihaveaf ewt
hingstodo,I
'l
l
beher
eforafewhours,iwanttogo
ar
oundFranci
stownandseewhat's
goi
ngonar
oundher
e..
Lawyer
:Baj
hadaaboodi
ri
ler
ebound
i
bil
e?
Me:(l
aughed)Reboundyakwano?
nyaathee,
I'
mjustseei
ngthepl
ace
andit
'speopl
e
Lawy
er:
Alr
ight
,by
e
Me:
Bye.
..
.

Iwal
kedoutoft
hegat
edi
ali
ng
Bl
essi
ng.
..

Bl
essi
ng:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
I'
m done
Blessi
ng:I
'l
lbet her
einami nut
e,
Zanewasal readykil
li
ngmewi th
questi
ons.Hesay sifI'
mreall
yhis
aunthowcomehedoesn' tknowme
waitsekeswabi l
etotakagoreit
'sa
goodquestion.
Me:(
laughed)Tel
lhi
myouwor
kin
Ft
ownandMaungasehano
Bl
essi
ng:
(laughed)By
e
Me:
Bye.
..

Ihungupandcr
ossedt
her
oadt
hen
Kenranaf
terme.
.
Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Hey
..
.

Itur
nedar oundandlookedathi m,he
hadapl asteronthebri
dgeofhi s
noseandhel ookedhungry,hisli
ps
weredr yanditwasmyf i
rsttime
seei
nghi m withsuchdustyf eet
especiall
ywear i
ngmen'swhi te
sandals..
.Hehadn'tbotheredironing
hist-
shirtnordidhebrushhishai r.
..

Me:
What
?
Ken:
Ijustwant
edt
osayhi
Me:
Hi.
..
Icontinuedwalkingandhewalked
alongsidequiet
lythensomet
hing
funnyr ang,
itwashisphoneandit
ranglikeatoy..
.

Ken:Hell
o?...
.«
»Yes..
.«»…Yeah,
I'
m
fi
ne.
..
..
«»…YesI '
m sure,
youdidyour
j
ob..
.«»
..
I'
llseewhattodoaboutt he
bal
ance..
.«».Ok,bye.

Hehunguptheli
tt
lephoneandsl
i
dit
i
nhispocket
..
.
Me:I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se?I
'
m goi
ng
t
hisway
Ken:
Canwest
andov
ert
her
e?
Me:
sur
e..
.

I
twasdi ffi
culttosaynowi ththet
one
hewasusi ng, goodnessiwas
beginni
ngt ofeelconcernedabout
him becausenowt hatiwaslooki
ng
i
nhisey esi couldtel
lsomethingwas
real
lywrong.

Westoodasideandf acedone
anot
her.Thesadnessandempt i
ness
i
nhiseyeswast ouching.
..
Me:
Whati
sit
?

Hel ookedinmyey esandi sawtears

fi
ll
inghiseyesashet ri
edt ospeak
thenheswal l
owedbi gbit
inghisli
p
l
ikeachi l
dabouttocr yt
henhe
turnedaroundlooki
ngdownhi di
ng
hisfaceputti
nghispalmsont hewall.

Me:
Ken?

Hesecret
lyrubbedhi
seyesand
t
urnedaroundwalki
ngaway.
..
Ken:
Nev
ermi
nd.
..
.

Iwatchedhi
mt aki
ngafewstepsand
tur
nedaroundfaci
ngmewithreddi
sh
eyesashewalkedbackwar
ds..
.

Ken:I'
m sorr
yi didn'tkeepmy
promisesorrespectmyv ows,I
'm
sorr
yforhurti
ngy ouandt hekids.I
hopehet r
eatsy oubet terthanidi
d,
tel
lhimiwon'thav eissueswithhim.I
won'tbethatkindofababydaddy .
Het ur
nedandwal kedawayrubbing
hiseyes,okaysoclearl
yhedidn'
t
knowi twashisfatheriwasaboutto
screwsot hatwasgoodbutitwasa
l
itt
lesadt hathewaswi l
li
ngtoaccept
anotherman, sadasitwasiwasn't
abouttochangeany thi
ngaboutmy
i
ntenti
ons.

Att
hebusr
ank.
..
.

LateronKenwalkedacrosst
hebus
rankdial
i
ngthepastor
..
.

Past
or:
Hel
l
o?
Ken: Hell
o,hi
..
.PastorI'
m stucki n
Ftown, madiameabusat haela.Can
youl endmeP200?It ri
edcal l
ingmy
fatherbuthisnumberisn'tavailabl
e,
hemustbeatt hefarm
Past
or:
Ok,
shoul
disendi
ttot
his
number
?
Ken:
Yes,
thanky
ou.
.
Past
or:
Isev
ery
thi
ngOK?
Ken: I
'
dl i
ketoseey ouwheni get
there,nothi
ngisgoi ngwellforme
andI '
m beginni
ngt owonderwhatI '
m
l
ivingfor.Imadet hesamemi st
ake
twiceandt hewor stthi
ngist hatthi
s
ti
mear oundihurtmychi l
drent oo..
..
(swal l
owed)Idon' tevenknowwhat
happenedt ome, inevert houghtI'
d
beoneoft hesemenwhoabandon
theirchil
drenbutkei phit hetseke
l
at hi
lebanal emosadi ,lapal amele
thubegileandI 'mtoblame.Mywi fe
evenbur nedher selff
orme. ..
(fr
ownedast earsfi
ll
edhi seyes)I
didn'tseeal lt
hese,it
'slikei wasblind
thoughIcoul dsee..
.Idon' tknow,i
l
ookatDi di'
sey esandi t ryto
under st
andwhatkepthergoi ng,it
ry
tounder standhowshef eltdeali
ng
withmeandt heembar rassmenti
causedher .Pastoribroket his
woman, shewassost r
ongwhenI
walkedoutofpr i
sonandherdeci si
on
tobewi thmechangedherl i
fe.
..And
i
t'sall
becauseofme, whatItoldher
andtheempt ypromi sesimade.My
sonis6y earsoldandhe
understandstheset hings.Heev en
askedmet osuppor thim asaloan
thathewoul dpay .
..Ineverthought
I'
dbet hatkindofaf ather.
Pastor:(si
ghed)Weneedt ositdown
andt al
k,I'
m gladyoucamet othe
ri
ghtplace..
.Itwouldhav ebeen
wrongt odrinkordot heseother
thi
ngs.Youcannev ergowr ongwith
Godandi promiseyouev eryt
hingwil
l
befinemay bey ouwon' tgetwhatyou
wantbutwi
l
lgi
vey
ouwhaty
ouneed.
..
Ken:
Okay
..
Past
or:
Godbl
essy
ouson
Ken:
Amen.
..

Hehungupandwentt
otheATM
machi
nebef
orecat
chi
ngabus.
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronCalv i
ndrovethr
oughthe
gat
eandcar eful
l
yparkednextto
Lol
o'scarasAatil
eremovedhisseat
bel
tandsteppedout..
.
Loloranoutandcheckedouther
preci
ouscar.
..
.

Lolo:RragweMay abathong,y
ou'
ll
scratchmycar.
..Idon'
twantlear
ners
aroundmycarpl ease.
..Thi
sbabe
bruiseseasi
l
y
Calv
in:I
'm notal
eanerI'
m apr
o
koorehel
akekgweet sakaOmang
Aatil
e:(
laughed)Hei sagooddri
v er
,
thankmeatl eastyoudon'
thaveto
dri
veallthewayf orsmal
lgrocer
ies.
Hecandr ive
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Tabekent
sha
sj
abanakedi
rabany
anamponeng
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Car
lI'
l
lki
l
lyouokay
?
You'
reabouttodi
e.

Hel aughedandwal kedi nsi

dewher e
theki dswer equi
etl
ydoi ngtheir
homewor kasMayabentabov ethem
helpingt hem,hewalkedbehi ndher
andsecr etl
yti
ckl
edherwai st.She
j
umpedandgi ggl
edgr abbedhis
hand. ..

Maya:
(laughed)St
op!Theki
dsar
e
doi
ngtheirhomework.
..
Hewalkedpastt hem andrubbed
thei
rheadsheadingtot hekit
chen
whereMay afol
lowedhi m and
hoppedont hecounterwatchinghi
m
warmt hefoodthenhest oodnextto
hereati
ngasshet ookapi eceeati
ng
withhi
m. .
.

Cal
vi
n:Howi
sthebr
eakupgoi
ng?
May a:Goi
nggood, idecidedtostop
tal
ki
ngt ohim all
together.Hekeeps
postinghi
spictureswithanewgi rl
butthat'
sfi
ne.
Cal
vi
n:Comeher
e..
..
Heputherdownandst oodbehind
herkissi
ngherneckasshesmi l
ed
biti
ngherl owerl ipthenhecapt ur
eda
fewsexypi ctures.Heev entouched
hersmoot hcheekandl ookedinher
eyeswi t
hhi sli
pssl i
ghtpartedasif
hewasaboutt oki ssherandcaught
thatveryintensemomentwhenMay a
wasal solooki ngathi sli
psthenthey
l
aughedandcheckedoutt he
pictur
es..
.

May
a:Wow.
..
Carl
:I'
m sendi
ngthem,
youcan
changeyourDPtoo
Maya: (
laughedandchangedher
Prof
ilepict
ure)Thanksamill
i
on
ti
mesgongweegoy amothoetaa
hokotsegakaibil
ekegogobanahela
yooreagobonawenaTr aySongzabo
awakaskot a
Car
l:(
laughed)Tr
ayomaswegor
aa
kemaswet ota
Maya:(
laughed)Eewenaoneor
eo
montethat
aelegore?
Car
l:Br
ingbackmypi
ctur
es,
you'
re
unt
hankful
Maya:(
laughed)I'
m sorr
y,you'
ret
he
cut
estcousinever
,thanks
Car
l:That
'swhatcousi
nsar
eforr
ight
May
a:Ri
ght
..
.

Hi
sphonerangandhepicked
si
gnal
i
nghertoshush.
..

Car
l:heybabe
Ti
na:IjustsawMaya'spr
ofi
l
epi
ctur
e,
whatthehelli
sthat
?
Carl:(walki
ngtothebedr
oom)Babe
l
isten, i
twasjustapi
ctur
e..
.Her
boy fr
ienddumpedherandshewas
feeli
ngl owbecausehewasposti
ng
picturesofsomegirl
-
Ti
na:
Whatdoest
hathav
etodowi
th
you?Boyt ell
thatgi
rlt
odeleteyour
picturebefor
eihangup,iwantit
gone.I fy
oustil
lcar
eaboutthis
relati
onshipmakeitdi
sappear.
..

Hewal kedbackt otheki t

chenand
gotMay a'
sphonef rom herhandsas
Tinascoldedhim ov erthephonethen
hechangedt heprof il
epict
ureand
handedhert hephonesmi l
ingwithan
"I
'
mi ntroubl
e"smi le.May aquiet
ly
l
aughedandcov eredhermout hwi t
h
an"oops"smi l
e..
.

Car
l:I
'
m sor
ry,
itsgone.
.
Shehunguponhi
m andhesi
ghed
smil
i
ngatMaya.
..

Car
l:(
laughed)shi
t
Maya:
(laughed)I
'
m sor
ry.
..I
sshe
mad?
Carl:Sheisboi
l
ingbutshewi
l
lbe
fi
ne.Let'
sdothedishes.
..

Theyputthephonesdownand
cl
eanedthekitchenasMayasmi l
ed
andspri
nkledhim wi
thwaterfr
om
hernai
lshelaughedandti
ckledher
ast
heybot
hlaughed.
..
.

AtFr
anci
stown.
..
..

Laterthataf
ter
nooni walkedoutof
theofficewi
ththecarregistr
ati
on
document sandsmiledwal ki
ng
towardsBlessi
ngwhowascar r
ying
Fait
h..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
Arey
oudone?
Me:
Yes,
ican'
twai
ttohi
tther
oad.
..
Bl
essi
ng:
Didt
heyser
vicei
tgol
okwa?
Me:
YesbabeI
'
mreadyt
orol
l
...
Istr
appedFai
thonherbabycarseat
asZanegotinthebackandcl
osed
thedoor.
..

Blessi
ng:
Byeguy
s,I
'
m goi
ngtov
isi
t
youwhenIcometoMaun.
..
Zane:
Bye

Blessi
ngandi huggedaswesmiled
excit
edlyandbumpedcheeks.
..

Blessi
ng:Il
ovey
ourcar
,thi
sist
he
realmakoya
Me:
Hagotshamekel
wehat
he
mma..
..
Bl
essi
ng:(
checkedt
het
ime)Ihav
eto
gogetr
eadyforwor
k
Me:Icanneverbeanur
se,
I'
m af
rai
d
ofneedl
esandblood
Blessing:(l
aughed)Nursesare
specialpeoplethey'
rel
ikesoci
al
wor kerswepr i
deourselv
esinhel
ping
peopl eheal
Me:What
ever,
justgotowor
kwena
kanawadir
atadipoko
Blessi
ng:Gaoitsesepethemma,
i
thelakegatakegatogakamoseseo
shotiboDoctorbantebetsaso.
..(
we
l
aughed)Shapmma
Me:
Shap
Bl
essing:
Wait
seekar
egawat
ela
di
vorcekwano
Me:Kemonohel
athemot
ho.
..
Shap.
..
.

Igotinthecaranddroveoffputt
ing
myphonecor dont hest
ereotheni
turnedupthevolumeasthemusi c
played.

Ihadacool
erboxofdr
inksand
ever
ythi
ngf
reshwhi
leFait
hlai
don
herlar
gebeauti
fulbabyseat,
meanwhi l
eZanecouldn'
ttakehis
eyesoffthenewsmar t
phoneI'd
gott
enhim andloadedwithgames
earl
i
er..
..

Theexcit
ementofanewcarki cked
i
nasIl ef
tthetowncenterandthe
tr
affi
cwor eoff
,ther
oadbecame
moredefinedandstr
aightwit
h
bushesont hesi
desasthemusi c
l
ift
edme. .
.

Igl
ancedonthemi
rr
orandFai
thwas
al
readyupt
henZanesi
ghedput
ti
ng
hi
sphonedown.
..

Zane:(
smi
led)Iwonagain.
..Mama
canicomeseatatt
hefront?
Me:
Justf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
.

Hej umpedtothefrontandputonhis
seatbeltashesmiledwidel
ylooki
ng
atthelongroad.
..

Zane:Youcandr
ivet
oMaunby
your
self
?
Me:(
laughed)I'
m goi
ngt
otr
y..
.We
ar
efoll
owingthemaponthescreen
r
ighther
e..
.Thi
sreddoti
sourcar
Zane:
Wow.
..

Heopenedadrinkandsi
ppedl
ooki
ng
att
hescreen.
..

Zane:
Mamai
sthi
sreal
l
yourcar
?
Me:Yesbabe,
it'
sour
s.You,
fai
thand
i
..
.
Zane:
Ilov
eit
..
.

It
ookoutmyphoneanddi
aled.
..
.
AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
.

Bayang' sphonev i
brat
edi nhiscoat
ashedr oppedli
quidsinthet est
tubest henheshookeachoft hem
andsl ottedthem backont het r
ay
whichhepushedasi deandt ookof f
hisglov esansweringthephone
makinghi swayoutoft helab...
.

Bayang:
Divorceewareng?Mot
hoke
wenaopaletswengkenyalo
Didi
:(l
aughed)Ij
a..
.Kanaketsonet
se
keti
lenggodi t
ewat seowai
tse
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Howwasi
t?
Didi
:Itwasn'
tbad,
Isenty
oupi
ctur
es
ofmynewbabe
Bayang:Wer
eyouser
iousabout
buy
ingacar?Wher
edoy ougetthe
money ?
Didi
:It
'spar
toft
hedi
vor
ce
sett
lement
Bayang:Don'
tyouthi
nkyoushoul
d
i
nvestitf
ortheki
dsinst
eadofbuyi
ng
acar?Whatkindofacarisi
t?
Didi
:You'
ll
seeont hepict
ures,
it'
snot
expensi
veandthereismorewher e
thatcamefrom.Ineededacar
Bay
ang:Di
diyou'
resupposedt
odo
i
mport
antt
hingsfi
rstbef
orebuyi
nga
car
,howmuchdoy
ouhav
e?
Didi
:Sof
arke52K,
thecarcostme
30K
Bayang:
Andhowmuchdi
dyou
spendonshoppi
ng?
Di
di:
(ti
nyv
oice)5Kny
anahel
a
Bayang: Thoseki
dsaregoingtobe
expensiveastheygr
owsoy ouhave
toinvestthei
rmoney,ithoughtl
ast
wet al
kedaboutbusinessaboodi r
a
j
ang?
Di
di:
I'
m expect
ingcloseto500Ki
na
monthorso,I
'l
li
nvestthat
.
Bay
ang:Shi
t,soKennawasthatr
ich?
ManIshoul
dgoi nt
odrugst
sadilab
di
kant
ia
Di
di:
(laughed)Bayweei
j
a
Bayang:Okaybutift
hat'
showmuch
you'
reexpecti
ngacarisnotbadbut
keepwhat'sl
eftandinv
esti
tjusti
n
casealeadiega.
Didi:
TruebythewayI'm dr
ivi
ngfrom
FtowntoMauni don'
tknowgor eke
tsamayahakaebutI'
mt heri
ghttrack
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Waar
iskerwai
tse
Didi
:Mm assoonasmymoney
comesinIwanttogoforsur
geryin
SAretsamayarot
heakerefr
iend?I
'l
l
needsomeonetohel
pmewhenI '
m
si
ck
Bayang:sure,ofcour
sey
ouknowI
'
m
al
way shereforyou.
Di
di:
I'
ll
callyouwhenIgett
her
eke
gobontshakol
oi
Bayang:soy
oumov
edoutoft
he
house?
Di
di:
Noty etbutI
'
llbeal
onet
onight
,
myfatheri
nlawwenttothef
arm.
Bay
ang:
Alr
ight
,keepupdat
ingme.
Di
di:
Bye

Hehungupandwal
kedbacki
ntot
he
l
ab.
..
.
Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
..
.

Latert
hatni
ghtt
hepastorst
oppedat
thegatet
henKengotoutwit
hhis
bags..
.

Past
or:
(rol
leddownt
hewi
ndow)See
yout
omor r
owson
Ken:
(sadl
y)Thanks

Thepastordroveofft
henKenwal ked
towardsthedoorwhereheputhis
bagsdownandl ookedforthespare
key.Heunlockedandputthebags
i
nsidethenheshoweredandlai
d
downtryingt
odigestev
eryt
hingthat
happenedthatday.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Lateront osameni ghtBayang

yawnedl eaningbackont hechairand
checkedhi sphone,ithadbeenhour s
sinceDidigav ehi
m anupdat eand
sheshoul dhav ebeeninMaunby
thensohedi al
edherbuthernumber
wasn'tavailabl
e.

Tshepo:
Keeng?
Bayang:Di
di '
snumberisn'
t
avai
labl
e..
.ihopeshedidn'
thavean
acci
dentont heway,shehaskids
anditsanewcarmay betheydi
dn'
t
serv
iceitr
ight
Tshepo:
Eish.
.
Bayang:
I'
m ali
tt
lewor
ri
ed,shehas
beenupdat
ingmeunti
lafewhours
ago..
.

Hegr
abbedt
hekey
sandwal
kedout
..
.

Bayang:
Letmecheckherathome,
maybeit'
sthephoneet
imi
leor
somethi
ng
Tshepo:
Sur
e,I
'
llcov
erf
ory
ou

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Att
heDani
el'
s

LateronIputFait
honmyshoul der
andtri
edt ounl
ockthedoorbut
somet hi
ngwasblocki
ngi tt
henthe
dooropened,Kenswitchedonthe
l
ightsonandsteppedback...

Ken:
(sur
pri
sed)Hi
Me:
(sur
pri
sed)Hi
,whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
e?

Hegott
heFai
th.
..

Ken:I
'
lll
eav
etomor
row,
idi
dn'
thav
e
el
sewheret
ogo
Me:
Ohok

Zaneranacr
ossther
oom and
huggedhi
sfeet
..
.

Zane:
Daddy
?
Ken:(l
aughed)heyLi
tt
leman,i
missedyou..
.Letmelayherdown
andcomet oyou,
ihav
eanew
Play
Stat
ionigotf
orusday
sago.
Zane:
Okay
..
.

Hel ai
dFai t
honmybedandwentt o
hisroom thenhewal kedoutwit
ha
boxoft hePlayStat
ionwhilei
put
thi
ngsint hebedroom thenhestood
atthedoorl ooki
ngatthecar.
..

Ken:
Whosecari
sthat
?
Me:
It'
smi
ne,
iboughti
ttoday
.
Ken:
Wit
hwhat
?
Me:
Afr
iendgav
emesomecoi
ns,
happydivor
cedday'sgif
thesai
d..
.
(l
aughed)Crazyr
ight?
Ken:
Oh.
..

Hekeptquiet
,itpr
obablywasn'
ta
funnyj
oketohim ashesatonthe
couchplay
ingwithZane.

It
ookabathandwenttomyroom
wher
eIsatonthebedandpr
essed
myphone.

Tomysurpri
seitwasof
fsoiputi
t
ont
hechargerandhear
daknockon
t
hedoor
..
..

*
**

Kenpausedthegameandopened
thedoor
..
.hi
sheartski
ppedandhe
swall
owedlooki
ngatBayanginhi
s
whit
ecoat.

Bayangfrownedlookingathim and
puthishandinthepocketlooki
ngin
hi
sey eswithadarelook.
..

Bay
ang:
Cani
seeDi
di?
Ken:(
sincerel
y)OK.
..(
openedwider
)
Pl
easecomei n..
.Sheisi
nherroom
l
etmecal lher
..
.

Bayangst
eppedinandsmiledat
ZanewhosmiledbackthenKen
walkedt
othebedrooms..
.

*
**

Meanwhi
l
ei putonmyni
ghtgown
t
henKenknockedandst
uckhishead
i
n..
.
Ken:
(sadl
y)Youhav
eav
isi
tor
..
.
Me:
Kemang?
Ken:
Theonewhoboughty
ouacar
Me:
(conf
used)What
?

Isteppedoutandl edthewayt heni

smi l
edthemi nuteisawBay angand
ranintohisarmshuggi nghi
m ashe
puthisarm ar oundmywaistand
softl
ykissedmyneckwhi l
eKen
quietl
ywat chedleani
ngagainstthe
passagewal l.
..

Bay
ang:
Whathappened?
Me:
Myphonej
ustswi
tchedof
fkesa
l
emoga,
wer
eyouworr
ied?
Bayang:
Yeah..
.(l
ooki
ngatKen)
what'
sgoingon?
Me:
Let
'st
alkout
side.
..

Igrabbedhishandandledhim
outsi
dewher eweleanedagai
nstt
he
cartal
king.

Minutesl
aterKenwalkedoutwi
thhi
s
bagandwal kedpastusasZane
stoodatt
hedoorsadl yl
ooki
ngat
hi
m. .
.
Ken:(
shakyfl
atv
oice)I
'
llcal
ltheki
ds
tomor
row..
..

Don'
tfor
gettoli
keanddr
opa
comment,goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
04AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 98

Att
hepast
or.
..
.

Kenknockedont hedoorandsaton
thestoop,
minuteslat
erthepastor
openedthedoorandrecognisedKen
from t
hebackashesatwi thhishead
down.
Hegothi
sbagandputitinsi
dethen
hecl
osedthedoorandsatnextt
o
hi
m..
.

Past
or:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Kenswallowedl ooki
ngdownashe
wr ot
elet
tersont hesandwi t
hastick
thentear
sdr oppedont heground,he
pinchedhiseyesandcov eredhis
facesnuffl
ingthenhepastorleaned
overandhuggedhi m.
Aminutepassedandhet
ookadeep
br
eathleani
ngbackandr
ubbi
nghi
s
ey
es..
.

Past
or:
Whathappened?
Ken:
Not
hing.
..
Past or:Godlov esyouson,ifthe
wor ldrej
ectsyouj ustknowthatit
rejectedJesussowhoar ey
our eal
ly
?
Youmademi stakesandhur tt
he
peopl eyoulove, t
heonlythi
ngy ou
candoi sapologiseandlovethem
from adi st
ance.
Ken:Idon'
twantt
oherinthearmsof
anot
hermanandt hepai
nfult
hingi
s
thatithasalwaysbeent hisguy .He
hasal waysbeent herel
urkinginthe
shadowswai t
ingformet omakeone
mistakethenhebuy sheracar ,a
presentfordivor
cing.I'
m notsay i
ng
I'
m notwr ongbuti can'
t.
..
.I'm not
strongenough, ineedhelpor
somet hi
ng...
Past
or:Whatdoy
oumeany
ou'
renot
st
rong?
Ken: Ilostever
ything.
..Amantletook
everythingiownandhadt hepol i
ce
escor tmeoutofherhousel i
kei was
athief .(
tearsf
ellashet ur
nedf aci
ng
thepast or)Acompanyast art
edand
namedaf termyson. .
..Shetookit,
shet ookmycarandal lmysav ings..
..
Ihad40Ksav edforfuture
i
nv estment sbutshet ook,ilosta
mot herandshet oldmei twasn' t
goingt oendwel lwi t
hAmant l
e,i
didn'tli
stennowI 'm here.Themost
painful t
hingisthatican'ttell
any one
thati gotfool
ed.Ican' teventellmy
father,Iwon'ttel
l kyfather.
..
What '
s
theret oli
vefor?
Pastor
:Youwon' tknowunt i
lyouli
ve,
youwon'tknowwhatt henextchapt
er
ofyourli
fehasuntilyouturnthepage.
WhatifGodisshapi ngyoufor
somethingbiggerthannow?
Ken:
I'
mjustnotst
rong
Pastor :You'r
est r
ongbecausey ou
knowGodi stheonlyonewhocan
help,thef actthatyoukeepcomi ngto
memeansal otandGodwant smet o
tel
lyout hathelovesy ouson, you're
thepr odigalson.Wet ooky oufrom
pri
sont ohereandi per sonall
y
expect edaf ewmi stakesbef orey ou
canr eachacer t
ainst ageandy ou're
heremybr ot
her.Youdi dn'tfi
ghtor
kil
l
, y
ou' rehereseeki ngpowerbey ond
thewr athofy ourhand. .

Kenr el
axedandcal
meddownast he
pastorconti
nuedt
alki
ngt
ohim,
aboutanhourpassedasheconf
ided
i
nhim abouthi
sdeepestf
ear
sandhe
br
ushedthem downwithmot
ivat
ional
words.
..

Past
or:
(si
ghed)Let
'sgeti
nsi
de.
..
Ken:(smi
led)It
hinkI
'
m st
rong
enoughtoleave
Past
or:(
laughed)Atthi
sti
meoft
he
ni
ght?No,let
'sgoinsi
de.
..
Ken:Iwanttogost aywit
hmyf ather
atthefarmtoclearmyheadt henI'
ll
comef ortheki
ds,I'
m notworki
ngso
ishoul
duset heti
met oreconnect
withmykids.
Past
or:
Butt
hebusesar
efi
nished
kanaditeng?Pleasegetsomesleep
you'
lll
eavetomorrow.Mycouchcan
beadjustedi
ntoabed...(
stood)Let
's
go..
.

Kenst
oodupandf
oll
owedt
hepast
or
i
nsi
de.
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

Onthesameni ghttheoldmanlai
d
onthebedli
steningtotheradi
oand
di
aledDi
di'
snumberbutshedi dn'
t
answer
,hetri
edsev eral
timesunt
ilhe
gaveupandthought f
ull
ylai
ddown.
Hehopedt hatli
tt
legir
ldi
dnotmeeta
youngmanandt r
iedtodoublecross
him becausehe'ddot he
unthinkabl
e...
hereachedforhis
phoneagai nanddi al
edacertai
n
number ..
..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
Hi
m:Or
obet
semol
ekane?
Voi
ce:
wear
est
il
lup.
..
Hi
m:Doyouremembert
hat
Mal
awi
andoctor
?TheOkapi
doct
or
Voi
ce:
Theonewhomakesmenget
st
uckonyourwomani
ftheysl
eep
wi
thher
?
Hi
m:Yes,
ishest
il
lal
i
ve?
Voice:Yes,hestay
satthecatt
le
post,peopl
etrav
elther
etoseekhis
hel
p.Doy ouknowsomeonewho
needshim?
Him: Myfriendhasabeaut i
fuly
oung
gir
lhelovesandhegi vesher
everyt
hingshewant ssohewant st
o
makesur enoneoft heseboy st
ouch
her.Totaifit
'spossibl
ehewant sa
repel
lent,
koor ebashimanyanaba
sekabamol ebabatswehelamogo
ene
Voi
ce:
I'
ll
sendy
ouhi
snumber
Hi
m:Gonediaber
ekaaker
edit
har
e
t
samokwerekwer
ewateng?
Voice:That
a,don'
tyouremember
thatmanwhogotst uckoftopof
Tebelel
o'swif
e,t
hatdoctordi
ditf
or
him..
Him:Ir
emembert
hati
nci
denti
twas
seri
ous
Voi
ce:
Letmesendt
henumber
..
.
Hi
m:OK.
..

Hehungup.
..
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Ont hesameni ghtLoloandAat i

le
werelayingont hemat t
ressi
nf r
ont
ofthehouseundert hefr
ontli
ghtas
JuniorandKgot soplayedsit
ti
ngon
Aati
le'
sst omach...
.

Aatil
e:Kant
edi
twi
nst
set
sonedi
robal
anakomang?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Boy
sit
'st
imet
o
sl
eep.
..
Juni
or:
I'
m notsl
eepy
Kgot
so:
Met
oo
Aatil
e:Howcany ousleepwhen
you'r
eplayi
ng,comeonguy slet
'sgo.
..
Getupy ou'
rehurt
ingdaddyyoubeen
sit
ti
ngonhischestf orhour
s.Heis
notadonkey
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Guy
slaaut
wagor
e
keabuel
elwagoloha
Lolo:(
laughedandsmackedhi m)
Mxm gat wengne..
.(cl
apped)Guy
s
bye,goodnight
..
.

Theboyspickedthei
rtoysandran
i
nsidecl
osingthedoorthenAati
le
si
ghedlayi
ngonhi sst
omachf aci
ng
Lol
owhowasst i
lll
ayi
ngonherback
f
aceup.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Sohowi
sev
ery
thi
ngatwor
k?
Lol
o:uhi
tsokayi
guess,
you
Aati
l
e:I
'
m good.
..Bay
angleDi
dibaka
nnabaj
ananakonngwelenngwe
Lol
o:(
laughed)Waf
osa!
Aat
il
e:(l
aughed)St
rai
ghtomojel
e
gal
emshaneameandt hi
sti
meheis
comingstr
ong.
Lolo:(l
aughed)ButDidihasalways
l
ov edBayangandhel ovedhertooits
j
ustthattheywer ebothstubbor
nand
theythoughttheycouldfi
ndbetter
partners.Theydidn' tbeli
eveinfixi
ng
problems, kanaDi di cheat
edand
Bay angdumped, onceBay angwas
readytof orgi
veDi di kehael e
forkfor
ki bi
leamov eron.Bay angle
enehoomar r
yingt hatAoneDi dia
tolakaKenbaj amadi adidrugs.
Aatil
e:Ithinkfat
eispull
ingthem
together.
..(l
ooki
nginherey es)Ther
e
arepeopley oujustcan'
tli
vewi t
hout
nomat terwhaty oudo,evenifthey
hurtyouy ou'l
lal
wayswantt hem
Lolo:(
looki
nginhiseyes)Butpeopl
e
changeandgr ow,nobodyisper
fect
.
Thereisnosuchthingasaper f
ect
rel
ati
onship.Agoodmar ri
ageor
rel
ationshipisonet hathasbeen
thr
oughr oughpat chesandcameout
str
ongerwi t
hmat ur epeopl e.Andi
personallythi
nkweagecomes
mat uri
ty,seei
nghowunf airli
fecan
bewi llt
eachy out oappr eciatey our
l
ov edonesandr espectt hem.Lookat
Gobonaandi ,wespenthal fofour
l
iveshat i
ngeachot herandt heone
daywedeci detoputi tallbehi ndus,
thedaysheseeksf orgi venessf r
om
thebot t
om ofherhear trepent ing
wast hedayshel eftthiswor ld.Now
I'
ml eftwiththekidswhowi llforever
misst heirmother, woul dn'tithav e
beengr eatGobonav i
sitingmeand
droppi ngof fherkidsormev isi
ti
ng
droppi ngof fgroceriesf orher.Why
dowehur ttheoneswel ov
e?
Becauseatt heendi t'
suswhohur t
again.( touchedhi scheekl ookingin
hisey es)Idon' twantt owakeupone
dayandf i
ndoutI 'v
eat erminalil
l
ness
wheni spentti
mehur ti
ngt hemani
l
ov e.Ifi couldhav eonechancet odo
i
tal lov eragainI'
dr espectt hatman,
l
ov ehi m andwor shiphi m because
that'
swhathedeser ves.…

Hel eanedoverandsoft
lyki
ssedher
getti
ngont opofherastheykissed
breathingheav
il
yandtouchingone
anot
heral
lov
er.
..

Aat
il
e:(
paused)Ihav
eadaught
er.
..
Lol
o:Wehav
eadaught
er.
..

Heki
ssedherandunzi
ppedhisjeans
t
aki
ngouthisDasLologlancedat
t
hedoor.
..

Lolo:Whatifoneoft hekidsi
sn't
sleeping?Theycouldseeusunder
thelightoroneofthey oungonescan
opent hedoor.
.
Aat
il
e:(
zippedhi
sjeansandgr
abbed
herhand)Come.
..

Hel edheracrosstheemptylivi
ng
room andwal kedint
heirbedroom
wher eheclosedthedoorandki ssed
herast heystoodbythedoor,they
fell
ont hebedanddr oppedtheir
clothesonthef l
oorl
ikerai
ndrops..
..

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

Thenextdayearlyinthemorni
ngthe
oldmangotaknockont hedoorand
foramomenthet houghti
twasDidi
buthi
ssmiledisappearedwhenhe
l
ockedey eswit
hhisson.His
di
sappointmentwassohardtohi
de
evenKen'ssmil
edisappear
edashe
l
ookeddown. .
.

Ken:
Hi.
..
Hi
m:Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Ken:I.
.I'
m goingthr
oughaloti
thoughtspendingti
mewit
hy ouwi
l
l
help.
Hi
m:Comei
n..
..

Kenwalkedi
nanddr oppedhi
sbagby
thepl
asti
cchai
rthenhesatonthe
bedashi
sfat
hergotdr
essed.
..

Hi
m:It
houghty
ou'
rei
ntheci
ty
Ken:Afterthediv3i
decidedtocome
here,iwashomebutDi dihadher
boyfr
iendthereanditwashar dto
staywhileanothermanwaski ssi
ng
herinfrontofmesoi left
.
Hi
m:Di
dihasaboy
fri
end?
Ken:Didn'
tyoutel
lmeshehasa
boyf
riend?(l
aughed)You'
reget
ti
ng
ol
d
Him:(l
aughed)Ohy eahbutidi
dn'
t
thi
nkshewouldbringhimtomy
house,t
hat'
sdisr
espectf
ul.
Ken:Ij
ustlef
tbecausei
don'
twantto
fi
ghtwit
hher,maybeshewil
lfor
giv
e
meandt akemeback
Ken: Canyoustoptal
ki
ngabouther
taki
ngy ouback!Shewon'
ttakeyou
back, whyar
ey oudoi
ngthist
o
yourself
?WhereisAmantle?
Ken:It
sal ongstor ybutIwantmy
famil
yback, I
'm goingtofightforher
wit
hev ery
thingI'
v egot.Wehav etwo
chi
ldr
enandi won'tgiveuponher .I
mademi stakesy esbutI'mr eadyto
payforthem andmov eon.Ist i
llhave
achance
Theoldmanl ookedathi
sshotgun
andlookedatKenashecontinued
tal
ki
ng..
.

Ken:Ijustneedy ourhel
ppapa.
..I
knowy ounev erselly
ourcat
tl
ebut.
..
Cani haveatleast4?Ineedcashto
star
tasmal lbusiness
Him:Whathappenedt
oyour
busi
ness?
Ken:Afri
endstol
ei tt
hrough
paperwork,
imademi stakeswhil
e
signi
ngsomecontractsnowI '
m
brokebutIam abusinessman,iknow
icanstar
tsomethingi j
ustneed10K
mi
nimum
Him:Ican'
tgi
vey
ouany
thi
ngr
ight
now
Ken:
Buty
ousai
dal
lthesei
sforus
Him:BoyIwor kedhardforallt
hese,
i
t'
smi ne.Youdon' tgettomessup
yourl
ifeandcomecr y
ingtodaddy
f
orther escue,growup!Al l
theseis
mineandi cangiveittoanyoneI
want
Ken:Okay,iunderstandthat.Cani
proposesomet hi
ngel sebecauseI'
m
real
lydesperat
e..
.Cany oufireoneof
theherdboysandl etmewor k,
you'
ll
paymewi thcalveseacht i
meoneof
t
hecowsgi
vesbi
rt
h
Hi
m:Whydon'
tyougof
indaj
ob?
Ken: Ihaveacr iminalrecord,they
don'teasilyhir
epeopl ewi t
hr ecord.I
tr
iedbef oreandi tdidn'
twor k.I'
ll
take
careoft hefarm, tr
ustme. .
.Youknow
iknowev ery
thingthereisaboutt his
place.
Him:Fine,youcanstar
tri
ghtaway
butidon'twanttoseeyouinMaun
enj
oyingthecit
ylif
eleavi
ngmycattl
e
here
Ken:I
'l
lbeworki
nghardli
keevery
herdboyher
e,don'
tworr
yandi fi
needtogotoMauny ou'
l
lknow,I'
l
l
needSunday
sof
ftogot
ochur
ch
that
'si
t.
Him:Ok.
..ButihavetogotoMaun,
ther
eissomethingimustgetat
home.
Ken:ok,
Letmepassbyt
hesect
ions
andseewhat'
sgoi
ngon
Hi
m:Al
ri
ght
,you'
l
lfi
ndmegone.
..
Ken:
Bye.
..
.

Hest
eppedout
..
..

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.
Ar
ound7inthemorni
ngBay ang
wokeupandshookme,ial
mostf el
l
of
fthecoucht
ryi
ngtogetup..
.

Bayang:
(yawni
ng)Aker
ewaebona
ser
iesyaHouse.
..
Me:
(yawni
ng)Whendi
dwesl
eep?
Bayang:(
checkedtheti
me)Shit.
..E
chai
le,
iwoul
dbel eavi
ngthehospit
al
now.
Me:Sorr
y,doy
out
hinky
ou'
l
lgeti
n
t
roubl
e?
Bayang:No,Tshepocov er
edformeif
oursuperv
isoreverpassedbythel
ab.
Me:LetmegetZaner eadyforschool
,
youcanjustwaither
eretaathapa
l
aterochaisi
tseaker
egagona
mosola
Bayang:
Yeah..
.Andyouhavetof
ind
ahousetorent
,it
'swei
rdsi
tt
ingi
n
her
e
Me:(laughed)You'r
ef r
eefrom here
akerewewi l
ldrivearoundandlook
forahouset orentlennagakef r
ee
gapeket ogakeloradilogoneha

Iprepar
edZanef orschoolandlat
er
droppedhim of
fexplai
ninghis
reasonsforcominglat
e.Wheni got
backBayangwaslay
ingonthecouch
withFai
thl
ayi
ngonhischestdr
inking
milkashewatchedt
helapt
opont he
tabl
e..
.

Me:(
putthekeysdown)Hey.
..Shei
s
upal
ready?I
sthatmil
ksti
l
lfr
esh?
Bayang:Ir
eadtheinstr
ucti
onsand
madet hefor
mula.
..Therei
sdir
ty
di
aperinthebathr
oom, idi
dn'
tknow
wheretoputit.
Me:Ok,
letmecl
eanandprepareusa
bat
hbefor
emaki
ngbreakf
ast..
.
Bayang:
SoZane'
steacherdi
dn'
t
tr
oubleyou?
Me: No,shewaaf ri
endly
.Sheisnew
teacher
,apparentl
ytheoldoneso
stri
ctonchil
dren,sheisoneofthese
peoplewhobel i
veinbeatingchi
l
dren
Bayang:
Gover
nmentschool
teacher
s
ar
el i
ket
hat
..
.

Bayangbathedandi
lat
erbathedwith
Fait
hthenhewentbacktothecouch
withFait
hwhil
eimadebreakfasti
n
thekit
chen.
..

*
**
Meanwhi
letheol
dmanl ef
thi
scarat
t
hegateandwalkedt
hrought
hegate
ashisheartpoundedlooki
ngatthe
twocarshewasn' tf
amili
arwith,
he
knewoneoft hem wasDidi'
sandhe
coul
dn'twaitt
ofindoutwhot he
owneroftheothercarwas.

Heopenedt hedoorandwal kedinon

Bay angly i
ngont hecouchwi thFai
th
asleeponhi schestashepr essedhis
phone.Bay angsatupandl aidFait
h
downt henher espect
ful
lygotupand
greetedt heoldmangi vi
nghi ma
hand. .
.

Bay
ang:
Dumel
ang.
..
.
Theoldmanj ustglaredathi m andi
walkedoutoft hekit
cheni nmymi ni
dresshol
dingat rayforBay ang'
s
breakf
astthenmyhear tskippedasi
l
ookedatmyf atheri
nlaw. .
.

Papa:
What
'
sthi
s?
Me:Hei
sjustafr
iend,
wewere
wat
chi
ngmov i
esanddozedof
f
Papa:
InmyhouseDi
di?
Bayang:(pi
ckedhiscoatt
ogether
wit
ht hekeys)Mogolokeikopa
maotshwarelo,
retaaint
shwarel
a
l
ehagoner esadir
asepe.Wewer e
watchi
ngmov iesbutitsti
ll
doesn'
t
makeitri
ght.Iwasn'trai
sedli
kethat
.
I
'm sor
ryforbeinghere
Papa:
Getout
..
.

Bay
angwal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.

Me:
Not
hinghappened
Papa:I
'm di
sappoi
ntedi
nyou,so
you'
regoingtohur
tmebeforewe
evenstar
tthi
s?
Me:Hur
tyouhow?I
'
m notal
l
owedt
o
hav
efri
ends
Papa:
No!Notmen.
..Whatdoy
ou
wantfrom me?Ithoughtiwasdoi
ng
everyt
hingri
ghtt
hewayy ou
requested
Me: Wehav en'
tchangedthel
easeon
yourfarm andthebrandonyour
catt
le.IfI
'
m goingtogiveupmyli
feI
wantf ul
lassur
ity
.
Papa:Let
'sgo..
.Andnowwehav ea
probl
em Kenstaysatthefar
m sowe
havetostayherethat
'st
heonlyway
tobelesssuspi
cioustoever
yone.
Me:
Hewentt
her
e?
Papa:
YesbutDidil
ist
entome,idon'
t
wantt
obecheated.Youcan'
tdothat
whenihav
egivenyouevery
thi
ngi
own.
Me:
Iwon'
tpapa.
..

Iwal kedovertohim andkissedhi

m
playingwit
hhiswhi t
ebear dtheni
tookof fhi
shatandki ssedhim,he
relaxedandstartedsmi l
i
ngasi
playedonhi schest.
..

Me: Let
'sgot
olandboar
dandfi
lli
n
theformssowecanenjoyeach
other.
..
..
Papa:Let
'sgo,icamewith
ever
ythi
ng..
.Tellt
heseboyst
ost
ay
awayfrom you
Me:(
laughed)Don'
twor
rypapa,
they
won'
ttouchme...

Igotev
ery
thi
ngandl
eftwi
thhi
m..
..
..

Att
hedoct
or.
..
..
.

LaterthateveningRragweKen
knockedont heshortdilapi
dated
tr
aditi
onalhutandwal kedin,hesat
downandf ol
dedhislegsast heold
Malawi andoctornoddedhishead
l
ookingathi m...
Dr
:Hel
l
o?
Rr
agweKen:
hel
l
o,out
waSet
swana?
Dr
:(accent
)Eer
ra.
..
RragweKen: Kebataontshe
bashi
many anahathokogakgar ebe
yame, kenalemorobanagakebat e
goutwasepekaene.Idon' twantany
manar oundherandifanyonet r
iesI
wantthem tobestuckunti
l Icome
back,canyoudothat?
Dr:I
t'
seasybutit
'snoteff
ici
ent
becausewhentheyuseadi f
ferent
bedthatyoudi
dn'tputwhatI'
ll
give
younothi
ngwil
lhappen.
Rr
agweken:
Ial
sodon'
twantt
olose
myf arm,I
'
m putti
ngitinhername
butifshewantstostealitf
rom me
byselli
ngi
tIwantcrazyt hi
ngsto
happensoshedoesn' tbenefi
t
anyt
hingfrom i
t.
Dr:St r
engtheni
ngafarmisadi f
fi
cul
t
one, idoubtyoucangivemewhati
needbuti fyoubri
ngitthefar
m wil
l
bey oursuntily
oudiethat
'swhenshe
cani nheri
t
RragweKen:That
'swhatiwant,i
fI'
m
deadit
'sf
ineshecanhaveitbutnot
now
Dr:Andwhat
every
oubringwi
ll
also
chaseawaymenfrom y
ourwoman,
shewil
l f
oll
owy ouandl
oveyouonly.
Thist
hingwill
guardherandchaseal
l
theboysaway.
RragweKen:Nowy
ou'
ret
alki
ng,
what
shoul
dibri
ng?
Dr
:(cl
ear
edhist
hroat
)At
ongueand
pr
ivat
epart
s
Rr
agweken:
what
?
Dr:Andi
thastobey ourson,t
hat
's
themostef
fi
cientway..
..I
fyoudon'
t
haveasonanephewwi lldo.
RragweKen:Ihaveasonandheis
themainthr
eattothi
srel
ati
onshi
p,i
doubtmydaughterinl
awisover
him..
..
..
.Sohowmuchi si
t?
Thesinist
erconversat
ionwentonfor
aboutanotherhourthenhewalked
outofthehutandgoti nhi
scar
makingaphonecal l.

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?
RragweKen:Mol ekaneakorekopane
rer
ememeha, iwantthoseguyswho
gotyouyournephewst hi
ngsyouget
me?Ineedtheirhelp.
Voice:
Sucht
hingsar
enotf
ort
he
phone,
cometomyhouse.
Rr
agweken:
I'
m onmyway
,by
e
Hehungupandj
oinedt
hedi
rtr
oad.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*

ht
tps:
//www.
facebook.
com/
DJTRVP
P/
[
9/4,
12:
04AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 99
Att
hef
arm.
..
.

Sev eralday spassedwhi leKen

wor kedar oundt hefarm withtheher
d
boy s,wor ki
nghar dandbei ngaway
from ever yonehadf inal
lytookhis
mi ndoffev erythi
ngt hatwasgoing
onandhewasbr ai
nstormingona
fewi deasgoi ngt hr
oughhi scir
cleof
fri
endswonder i
ngwhathel pthey
coul doffer..
..
.

Thesunwasgoi
ngdownashe
cl
imbedonthel
ogsoft
hekr
aaland
watchedhi sfather'scattl
east hey
roaredwhileot herschasedone
anothercreatingadust ysmel l
ofthe
cowdung.Ther ewer esomanyof
them andhecoul dn'tunderstandwhy
hisfatherrefusedt ogivehimj ust
fouroutoft hosehundr eds,itwas
thenthather ev i
sit
edhi sci
rcleof
fri
endsandwhatt heyhadt oof f
er
him.

Oneoft heherdboy swal

kedbehi nd
hi
m andl eanedagainstt
hekr aal
put
tinghisarmsont hel
ogKenwas
si
tt
ingonast heybothwatchedthe
cat
tle.
..
Hi
m:Howar
eyou?
Ken:I'
m good.
..
Sundayt
ell
me
something,
ther
ewasawhi tebul
lya
brahmaekae?
Sunday
:Yourf
athersol
dcat
tl
elast
week,i
twasoneofthem
Ken:
Howmanydi
dhesel
l
?
Sunday:It
hink15?I
'
m notsur
e,i
wasn'tworki
ngXhoist
heonewho
waswor ki
ng.
Ken:Ok,
iguessheusedt hemoney
towar
dsmymot her
'sfuneral
.
Kenhoppeddowninhisover
all
sand
walkedtowar
dsthehousewi
ththe
otherher
dboy.

Ken:Iwantt
ogogetmysonsohe
cankeepmecompanythi
sweekend
wil
lyoubeokonyourown?
Sunday
:I'
l
l bef
ine,
I'
m usual
l
yalone
onweekendsbecausemywi f
eworks
wit
hthepigs
Ken:(l
aughed)Somet
imesif
orget
thaty
out woarenowanit
em
Sunday
:(l
aughed)Wor
kingher
egav
e
memor et
hanjustwor
k
Ken:
(laughed)I
'
llseey
out
omor
row
t
hen.
..

Theypart
edasKenwalkedinthe
houseandtookabatht
henhe
changedi
ntohiscl
eancl
othesand
l
eft.
..
.

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

Aatil
edrovethroughthegateand
parkedunderthetreewhereSedi
,her
mot herandsi
sterweresit
ti
ngwith
thebaby .
Aat
il
e:Let
'
sgo
Lol
o:I
'
llr
emai
nint
hecar
Aatil
e:Let'
sgo..
.Don'
tbeababy
,take
thatplast
ic.
..

Lolograbbedanot herpl
asti
cand
fol
lowedhi m outasSediturnedher
headlookingatthem withhertiti
n
thebaby'smout hasshef edher.

Aati
leandLolobentovergr
eet
ingher
motherandshegav ehi
m achairand
satonherstengewhil
ethetwi
ns
remainedr
elaxedonthei
rchai
rs..
.
Mot
her
:Pl
easebr
ingherachai
r
Lame:
gagonadi
ti
lomomot
see
Mother:
(angr
il
y)Cany
oupl
ease
br
ingthechai
r.
..
Aat
il
epull
edLolodownandshesat
onhi
slapasheputthebaby'
s
pl
asti
csnextt
othegrandmot
her
..
..

Aati
le:Isawthemessagewagor
e
thediapersar
efi
nished.
.
Lame:Arey ougoi
ngtobuyt
hatchai
r
i
fyoubreaki t
?Lekahar
anamo
sti
l
oosar ona
Aati
l
e:Ogannegot i
saset
il
oaker
e
oneobat
aker eng
Lame:El
egor
ekawenaot
elaengka
baengmomotsear
ona
Mot
her:Lamet hat'
snotawayt
otal
k
t
oyourniece'
sfather

Shestoodupandlef
tthenthe
mothermovedthechai
rover.
..

Mother:Pl
easesither
edear,don't
mindthatone.Shefel
lonthefloor
whenshewasanewbor n
Lolol
aughedandsatdownlookingat
Sediwholookeddownbreast
feedi
ng
thebaby.
..

Lol
o:Mayi
seet
hebaby
?

Sediputherbr
eastinthebr
aand
handedherthebabythenshesaton
thechai
randlookedatAati
le.
..

Lol
o:Sheisbeaut
if
ul,
shel
ooksl
i
ke
hersi
ster
Sedi
:Thanky
ou.
.
Aat
il
e:I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
seshe
needs?
Sedi
:No
Mother
:(t
oLolo)I
'
mthe
gr
andmother
..
.
Aat
il
e: (
smiledshamef ul
ly)OhI '
m
sor
ry,excuseme. .
.Lolothisis
MmagweSedi .
..Um...Thi
si sthe
motherofmychi ldr
en
Lol
o:(
shookherhand)ni
cet
otal
kto
you
Mot
her:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo
Aat
il
e:(
stood)Okay
,wehav
etogo

Lol
ohandedSedi
thebabyandst
ood
byAat
il
e..
.

Lol
o:Gosi
ame
Mot
her:
Gosi
ame.
..
Aat
il
e:Gosi
ame

Theywalkedtothecaranddr
oveof
f
asSedisignedashamedasher
motherl
ookedather..
.

Mother
:Isheget
ti
ngbackwi
thhi
s
wi
fe?
Sedi
:(t
earf
ull
y)Idon'tknow..
.Idi
dn'
t
evenknowthey'
recloseliket
hat
Mot her
:Isn'tthi
swhatihav
ebeen
tr
yingtot ell
youwhenhestart
ed
beingrare?Thi si
swhyhehasn't
beencomi ngtocheckonyou.
Sedi:Lemof ounengodi r
ahel ajal
o,
henev errepliesmeunl essit'
sabout
thebaby .Befor eitol
dhi m aboutt he
babyIsentt hr eemessagesandhe
didn'
treply,heonl yrepliedtheone
talki
ngaboutt hebabyandhecomes
withherwi t
houtmyper mi ssi
on.It'
s
fi
net hough...Atleasthei s
suppor t
inghi schil
dsoI '
llfi
nishmy
school i
npeaceandst artwor kingfor
my self
.
Mot
her
:That
'smygi
rl
,that
'showy
ou
respondt oamanact i
ngl i
ket his.O
tsayadi l
osesadi j
aanong, kear ata.
Don' tmisbehav et
hewayLamei s
doingbecausey ou'l
lchasehi m and
ruinhi srelati
onshipwi ththebabyso
fory ourbaby '
ssakekeept hepeace
byr espect i
ngt hefatherofy ourchild
andhi swife.Mar r
iedpeopl edot his,
somenev erreconcilelikey ourfather
andi butot hersactuall
ygobackaf ter
divorcingandr emar r
y,stupi dasit
sounds.I 'mj ustglady ou'r
eso
mat urey oudon' tcausedr ama
Sedi
:Idon'
thav
eachoi
ce.
..
..
I
nAat
il
e'
scar
..
..

Meanwhil
ehequiet
lydrov
et hecaras
Lol
olookedathi
mt henhelookedat
herandfr
owned.
..

Aat
il
e:what
?
Lolo:Yousleptwi
thhertwi
nsister
didn'
tyou?(heopenedhismoutht o
speakandshepointedathim smil
ing)
Rememberwhatwesai daboutl
y i
ng..
(hesighed)Goon
Aat
il
e:I
thappenedonce.
..
Lol
o:Icoul
dtel
l
...
thanksf
ory
our
honest
y
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..
.

Hecont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
.

AtMrFr
iday
'sof
fi
ce.
..

Latert
hateveningGapesi
ghedand
l
eanedbackl ooki
ngatKenaft
er
heari
nghisstory.
..

Gape:
Wagot waelangwananyanoo,
l
ewenaomol esit
selegal
elet
'smove
for
ward.
..Doyoureal
isehowmuch
ofar
iskI
'
llbet
aki
ngbydoi
ngt
his?
Ken:Iknow,I
'mtheonewhoknows
butiwouldn'
tbeaski
ngyoui
fit
wasn'ti
mportant
.Iowey
ouone
Gape:Idon'
tknowi ft
heboar dwil
l
per
mitbutI'
ll
presentyourproposal
tot
hem andtwistthei
rmi ndsalit
tl
e,
weneedatleast60%oft hev ot
es
andyou'r
eset.
Ken:
Okay
..I
'
llpr
ayoni
t
Gape:(si
ghed)I'
veneverbeenina
sit
uat
ionwhereI'm actual
lyan
under
dogbecausei r
efusedtobean
under
dogev enwhenIwasbutI '
l
lgi
ve
youanadv i
ce,don'
teverleta
woman' spr esencedef i
ney our
happiness, l
ety ourchildrendef ine
yourhappi nessandy ou'llnev erbe
depressed.Il ovemychi ldrent o
death,that'
swhocomes1sti nmy
l
ife.
..Allthese..
.I sforthem soi fy
ou
real
lywantt obehappyt aket hose
kidsandputt hem her e..(touchedhis
chest)Dot hatandy ou'reset ..
.Ift
hat
womanl ovesy oushewi ll
comeand
i
fshedoesn' tit
'sstill
okayagood
onewi l
l comeal ong.
Ken:Att
hispointI
'
m outofher
l
eaguesoI'mjustthi
nkingaboutmy
ki
dsbecauseiknowonceshehas
ki
dswithhernewboy fr
iendshewon'
t
bet
hinki
ngaboutmyki
ds
Gape:Exactly
..
.(sighed)Anyway.
..I
'l
l
takealootaty ourproposal
tomorrow,
brushitandpresentitbefor
ethem
thenI'
l
l l
etyouknow.
Ken:
Thanks.
..

Theyst
oodupandwalkedoutas
Gapehandedhi
m P400.
..

Ken:
What
'
sthi
s?
Gape:Gettheki
dsi
cecream..
.Ibeen
t
here,
i knowwhenever
ycoinmatter
s
Ken:
Thanks
Theyshookhandsandpar
ted.
..
.

Att
heDani
el'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatev eningIwal kedi nthe

bathroom andcl osedt hedoorbut
Ken'sf atherbl
ockedt hedoorand
walkedi nsmi l
ing, heseemedexci ted
bythewhol esneaki ngar oundt hi
ng
butev ersincehesi gnedov erhis
thi
ngst omeev erythi
nghedi dbored
met odeat hevenhi ssmi lewas
annoy i
ngi twasmor eli
keamonkey
gri
nt hanasmi le..
.
Papa:(
smil
ed)Hey
,theki
dsarebusy
watchi
ngTVcanwebathtoget
her?
Me:No,wecan'
tdoanyt
hingt
oget
her
unt
ilt
heleasei
sinmyname
Papa:Butwedidev
eryt
hing,weare
j
ustwaiti
ngfort
hem t
opr ocess
ever
ythi
ng.
Me:Exact
ly,
theappl
icat
ionmi
ghtor
mi
ghtnotbesuccessful
Papa:Canyoustopbei
ngdi
ff
icul
t
pl
ease,what'
sthi
snow?
Me:(
sighed)Okay..
.I'
mj ustworr
ied
t
hatyoumi ghtnotf
ulfi
lyourpromise.
.
Hepul l
edmecl oserandki ssedme
ashisbeardscr atchedme, heputmy
handonhi sbonerandmademe
massagehi m, irol
ledmyey es
secretl
yregrett
inglett
inghimt ast
ea
blowjob,hewant editmoret han
anyonei evercameacr oss..
.

Meanwhi l
eKenknockedont hedoor
thenZanemov edthecurt
ainsand
smiledexci
tedl
y,heopenedthedoor
andjumpedonhi sfat
her'
sarmsas
helift
edandhuggedhim...
Ken:
Af ewdaysawayandyoulook
sogrown.
..Wher
eisyourmot
her?Do
youwanttogotothef
arm wi
thme?
Zane:
shei
sbat
hing.
..
.

KennoticedFait
hwasasleepand
tookthebottl
eoutofhermouththen
heheadedt othebat
hroom wher
ehe
knocked..

Ken:
Didi
?Di
di?
Di
di:
yeah?
Ken:Wasthinki
ngIcoul
dtakeZane
tothef
arm sohecankeepme
companyfort
heweekend,
hewi
l
lbe
backonSunday
Di
di:Alri
ght
,I'
l
lpackhisbagi
na
whi
le..
.Areyouleavi
ngnoworint
he
morning?
Ken:Now,af
riendwil
ldr
opmeof
f.
Whereismyfather
?Hiscari
s
outsi
de
Di
di:
Ithi
nkheisnextdoor
,hesai
dhe
want
edtocheckonthatol
dman..
Ken:
OK.
..

Hewalkedoutoft
hehousecar
ryi
ng
Zaneandputhi
minthecarwhere
Gapefi
stbumpedwit
hhim..
.
Gape:Monnaweeotankgot
sa,
madi
amonnagareabonal
emo
ngwanemfmonna
Ken:
(laughed)Kecopy
Gape:
Kecopyandpast
e

*
**

Meanwhi l
eihurr
iedandfill
edZane'
s
bagwi thhi
sclot
hesandt oyst
heni
hurri
edoutsoKencanl eavebefor
e
thi
nkingaboutgoingi
ntothe
bathroom,ihel
dmybat hrobeand
walkedt
owar
dst
hecarast
hedr
iver
deemedthel
i
ght
s..
.

IhandedKent
hebagandhegrabbed
myhandlooki
ngi
nmyey es.
..

Ken:
Hey
Me:
Hi
Gape:
Mosunet
hemonna.
.

Webothlaughedshy
lyasileanedi
n
andsmil
edgreeti
nghim.
..

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Gape:KoorewarengKennemma?
Kanamot hoyowagorata.Skaisa
bohemajwaronakopeleeveryman
hashadthatmomentyagot seelwa
thal
oganyokekukubutwealway s
fi
ndourwaybackandafterthatraa
bakabli
ndrennadigoodhusband
gorr
Me: (
laughed)Gakeahet
sal
egomo
shapa
Gape:
that
'spr
omi
sing
Ken:
(laughed)andmot
ivat
ing.
.

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedaswe
smi
l
edatoneanot
herthenhegot
backi nandcl osedt hedoor .His
fri
endr eversedtjecarasi walkedi
n
throught hegatet heni heardZane
crying,thecarstoppedandher an
towar dsmeasi conf usedlywalked
back...

Hehuggedmylowert
orsot
ight
lyand
ir
ubbedhi
shead..
.

Me:
arey
ouokay
?
Zane:
Iwantedtosaybyebutdaddy
sai
dI'
llsayi
tov
erthephone
Me:
what
'swr
ongwi
tht
hephone?
Zane:
iwant
edt
ohugy
ougoodby
e
Me:Bye,butyou'
recomingbackon
Sunday,
you'r
enotgoingforgood
Zane:
Okay
..

Iki
ssedhim andlethi
m gothenhe
rantowar
dst hecarhol
dinghi
stoy
car.
..

Zane:
(smi
l
ed)Lov
eyoumama
Me:
Lov
eyout
oo

Hegoti
nthecarandt
heydrov
eof
f
asiwal
kedbacki
nrel
ief
..
.
Att
hef
arm.
..
..
.

Thenextmor ningKengaveZanea
bowlofbreakfastandbegunput
ti
ng
onhi
sov eral
ls..
.

Ken:
Eatf
astwehav
etogot
othe
kr
aal
Zane:
Ican'
twai
ttoseet
hecows
Ken:Youhavetoweart
heseshoes,
they
'r
etougher
..
.

Hedr
essedhi
m asheat
eand
fi
nishedthent
heywalkedoutoft
he
houseandwalkedtowardsthekr
aal
chatti
ng.
...

Ken:
Sohowi
sschool
?
Zane:I
t'sfineiguess,howcomewe
arenotaf amily
?Iwanty ouand
mamat oloveeachot heragai
nsowe
canallplaytogether
Ken:I
twi
ll
happen,
itmightt
aket
ime
butGodwi
llmakei
thappen.
..

Kenpickedhi
m upandputhi
m onthe
otherl
ogthenhegr
abbedabigst
ick.
..
Ken:I
'
m goi
ngtoopenfort
hecat
tl
e,
don'
tmovefr
om t
hereokay?
Zane:
Okay
Ken:
Justsi
tther
e..

Hewal kedtothegatewher ehelet

outt hecattl
euntilt
heywer eall
gone
thenhet ur
nedbackheadi ngtoZane
buthewasn' tt
here.Helooked
aroundcal l
ingforhim andhewasn't
there..
...

Ken:
ZANE?ZEE?
Hehurr
iedandranbet
weent
hecat
tl
e
cal
li
ngforhi
m butt
her
ewasnotr
ace
ofhi
m.

Hewal kedbacktowherehewasand
tr
iedtofoll
owhistr
acks,hi
stoycar
hadfall
endownaf ewfeetfr
om
wherehewasl ef
tandtherewerebi
g
tr
acksofsize10.

Hisheartpoundedasher an
fol
lowingt het
racksbutt
heyended
ont hegrassandhedidn'tknow
wher etolookashelookedinall
di
rect
ions.
..

Ken:
Zane?
?

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..
.

Ihadal azymor ni
ngt hatdayeven
whenFai thkepthitt
ingmewi thher
bottl
eont hefacei couldn'
tgetup,
i
turnedmyheadandt r
iedtogetsome
sleepbutrragweKenwal kedinand
gotinbedmov i
ngcl osertome
touchingmybut tthenmyphone
rang..
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ken: (
panicked)Di di
,you'
regoingt o
hatemef orthisbutihavetotellyou,
ibeensear chingforZaneandi can'
t
fi
ndhi m anywher e.I
t'
sbeenhour s
nowandI '
mf reakingoutbecausei
thi
nkhel eftwi t
hsomeoneorhewas
taken..
.
Me:
What
?Whot
ookhi
m..
.

It
urnedt
orr
agweKeni
nshock.
..

Me:
Zanei
smi
ssi
ng,
someonet
ook
hi
m
Rr
agweKen:
(hear
tski
pped)Ohno.
..

Hestoodupputti
nghi
shandonhi
s
chesti
npani
c..
.

RragweKen:No,no,no,,
thatcan'
t
be..
..Theydi
dn'
tunderst
and..
..

Het
ri
edtost
andandcol
l
apsedon
t
hebed.
..
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
05AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 100

AtLet
shol
athebeHospi
tal
..
..

Otl
heranacr
ossthehospi
tal
cor
ri
dor
worr
iedasmyauntinlawandi
wait
edbythechai
rs.
..
.

Otl
he:(pant
ing)Hel
l
o..
..
what
happened?
Aunt
ie:They'
resay
ingi
t'
s
hear
tache.
..
.
Ot
lhe:
(tear
ful
l
y)OhGod,
tel
lmeI
she
OK
Auntie:Wedon'tknow,t
hesecond
doctorwalkedinther
eandthey
haven'tupdat
edussincethen.
..

Ididn'tsayany thingt oherbecause

sheandi weren'tintalki
ngterms
sincehermot herki ckedheroutof
thehousef ordisrespect i
ngme, even
athermot her'sfuneral wedidn'
ttalk
sot omeshedi dn'texistnei
therdid
hertear smov emebutshesatnex t
tomeandl ookedatmegr eeti
ngme
andi tfeltgenuinesomuchi was
confused. ..
.
Ot
lhe:
HiDi
di.
.
Me:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Hi
Ot
lhe:
(wor
ri
ed)Whathappened?
Me: Assoonasi t
oldhim Zaneis
missinghesaidsomething,idi
dn'
t
understandwhathewassay ingand
beforeicoul
dunderst
andhe
col
lapsed.
Ot
lhe:
Wai
tZanei
smi
ssi
ng?
Me: Yes.
..(
stood)I
bil
emmekey
ego
l
etsa..
.

Igotupput
ti
ngFai
thonmywai
stand
gr
abbedmyphone.
..

Otl
he:
(spreadherar
ms)Letmeget
t
hebaby..
.Haaganebat
hoakere?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y..
.Thanks

Ihandedhert
hebabyandpacedout
dial
i
ngKenna..
..

Her
dboy:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Didy
ouf
indZane?
Herdboy:NoandOfanai
shavi
nga
panicat
tack,
welongcal
l
edthe
pol
ice
Me:
Pani
cattack?.
..
.Um..
..(
thi
nki
ng
f
ast
)Canyougivehimthephone?
Herdboy
:hecan'
ttal
k,hei
sgoi
ng
cr
azy
Me:(
tearf
ull
ycover
edmymout h)
Hav
ey oucheckedever
ywher
e?
Herdboy:Wecheckedthewhole
far
m, wear
ewait
ingforthepol
i
ceto
arr
ive
Me:
Okay
..
.

Ihungupandwal
kedbacki
nsi
de.
..

Me:
(tear
ful
l
y)Zanei
sst
il
lmi
ssi
ng
andKeni
slosi
nghi
smi
nd,
ihav
eto
go.
..

Bayanghur
ri
edoverandt
urnedme
ar
oundthenwehuggedasi t
ear
ful
l
y
l
ookedinhi
seyes.
..

Me:
I'
m sosacr
ed
Bayang:Igotyourmessage,
hav
e
theyfoundhim?
Me: No.
..(r
ubbedmytear
s)Please
takemet here,
iwantt
ogolookfor
him myself
..
.
Bay
ang:
Let
'
sgo.
.
Itur
nedaroundgett
ingthebabyas
BayanggotthebagthenOtl
hestood
up..
.

Ot
lhe:
Cani
goandhel
p?
Me:
No,
I'
mfi
ne
Ot
lhe:
(si
ncer
ely
)Pl
ease.
..
Me:
Ok.
..
Aunt i
e:Pleaseupdatemei
fyou
foundhi m,I'
ll
lety
ouknowhowy our
fatherisdoinghere
Ot
lhe:
Okay
..
.
Il
edthewaypaci ngcar
ryi
ngFai
thas
Bayangcaughtupandwalked
besi
desmecar ry
ingthebagwit
h
Otl
hebehindus..
.

Bay
ang:
Wewi
l
lfi
ndhi
m,don'
twor
ry
Otl
he:Yeah,iwasoncel ostatt
he
far
mt oobecauseitshuge...
Especi
all
ytheploughingarea,I
'
m
sureheislosti
nthere.
Me:Ihopesobecauseachi l
dcan'
t
j
ustdisappearfornoreasonandKen
sayshesawt rackswhichmeans
someonet ookhim.I'
ddieif
somethinghappenstohim...
.
Wegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

LateronBayangparkedasi
deandi
steppedoutwalki
ngtothekraal
wherethepoli
ce,Kenandtheher d
boyswer ewal
kingaroundpoint
ingto
theground.

Bay
ang:Letmecar
ryt
hebabywago
i
mela.
..
Ihandedhimt
hebabyandpacedto
thefr
ontwher
eKenwasinsanel
y
anxi
ous..
.

Me:
Kenwhathappened?
Ken:(
shakyvoi
ce)It
urnedar
oundf
or
aminuteandhewasgone
Off
icer
:(t
ot hecol
league)Butthese
t
racksdon'tlookl
i
ket heywereleftat
t
hesamet imewi t
hhiskanajang
mate?
Off
icer
2:Theseonesar
eol
d,hi
sar
e
new..
.
Ken:Iputhim uponthatl
og,
it'
sway
toohighforhi
mt ogetdown.
Someonehadt
ohav
eputhi
m down
Me:Buthecangetdownfrom t
her
e..
.
Di
dyoucheckeverywher
e?
Ken:
Someonet
ookhi
m down

Iwalkedt
owardsthegr
azi
ngfi
eld
shouti
ngforhi
snameasBayang
fol
lowedme.

Meanwhil
eOt l
hehuggedKenashe
si
ghedandlookedaround
dumbfounded.
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ken:Idon'
tgeti
t.
..Hewasj
usther
e,
ri
ghthere!
Otl
he:Let
'
sgoar
oundsear
chi
ng
agai
n..
.

Theywal
kedt
heot
herpat
h..
.

Ken:
So.
.(l
ooki
ngatBay
ang)You
camewi
ththem?
Ot
lhe:
Yeah.
..
Ken:
Ok
Ot
lhe:
Didy
our
eadmama'
slet
ter
?
Ken:No,Idon'
tev
enknowwher
eI
puti
t,y
ou?
Ot
lhe:
Yeah.
..
.

Shest
oppedandl
ookedi
nhi
sey
es.
.

Ot
lhe:I'
m sor
ryi
dest
roy
edy
our
marri
age
Ken:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Otl
he: Ifihadn'
tbefri
endedAmant l
e
andkeptpushi nghertowardsyouto
rev
engeonDi diI'
m sureyour
mar ri
agewoul dhavesurviv
ed,my
mot hertoldmesomet hingonthat
l
etter.
..
.ShesaidonedayI '
lll
ovea
manwhom I 'l
lwanttomar r
yandhis
parentsorsisterwil
lmakemyl if
ea
l
ivinghell andt houghweof tensayi t
doesn'tmat terbecauseI 'm not
mar r
y i
nghi sf ami lythet rut hiswhen
adaught eri nl awcomeshome, she
hast obewel comed.Shehast oat
l
eastbet olerat edfort hesakeof
whoev erbr oughther .Ifireallyl oved
youi shoul dhav erespect edy ourwi f
e
andmar ri
agebuti nst eadIbr oughtal l
theselit
tlet hingst hatendedcausi ng
problems.Ihav ebeendat ingRi cky
foryearsnowandhei stalkingabout
mar r
iagesol astweekhei ntroduced
met ohi sf ami ly,hisbr otherAr ona
doesn'tli
kemebutt hey '
rev er yclose,
I'
m scaredt hati tmi ghtbeapr oblem
i
nt hefutureandhi smot herdoesn'
t
seem tolikemet oo.Shekindof
greet
edmey esbutt henitwasli
kei
wasn'tthere.Pleasef or
giveme
Ken: Youonl ydi dthatbecausei
all
owedy out o, itsnoty ourfault.I
shoul dhav epr otect edherf rom all
thesebuti forgi veyoubecausey ou
shoul dhav er espect edmeandmy
wife.I'mjustdi sappointedt haty ou
l
ety ourunempl oy mentmakey oudo
thi
s, allt
hesej ustsoAmant lecan
hir
ey outhenf i
rey ouaf terusingme.
Shet ookev er ythingIown.She
tri
ckedmei ntobel ievi
ngt hatDi di
can'tbet rustedsoIsi gnedmyt hings
t
ohert
henshecal
l
edt
hepol
i
ceon
me.
Otl
he:What
?Shedi
dwhat
?(shocked)
Thatwi
tch!

Ken'
sphonerangt
henhetookitout
astheywal
kedacr
ossthegrass.
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Aunt
ie:
HiOf
ana,
hav
eyouf
oundy
our
son?
Ken:
Notyet
,wearesti
l
lsear
chi
ng.
..
Thepol
i
ceareher
e..
Aunt
ie:
Okay
,monnaookaepapa?
Ken:
Kenal
eene
Aunt
ie:
Ihavebadnewsf
ory
out
wo,
ar
eyousit
ti
ng?
Ken:
(wal
ki
ng)Yes.
..What
'sgoi
ngon?
Aunti
e:Yourf
atheri
snomor e,hear
t
att
ackepadil
ejaanonghael egoree
hetsamotsej
aana,kanamongwe
aboabuilemalobagorejaaka
monkanewagagweai tsamaetse
j
aanaleeneokannaamol atel
a
j
aanongkehoobi l
eoile.
Ken:
Arey
ousur
e?
Ot
lhe:
(al
armed)What
?
Ken:
Bye
Hehungupandl
ookedather.
..

Ken:
Papadi
dn'
tmakei
t
Otl
he:
(tear
ful
ly
)What
?No..
..Whati
s
goi
ngonwi t
hourf
amil
y?No..
..

Shecoveredherfacecr
yingasKen
huggedherthenherubbedhereyes
andfacedher.
..
.

Ken:Otl
heyoucangobackbutI
'vet
o
cont
inuesear
chi
ngforZane,
the
l
ongerwedelaythecl
oserwemight
comet
oget
ti
ngt
hewor
stnews.
..
Ot
lhe:
I'
ll
gowi
thy
ou.
..

Sherubbedherey
esandfol
lowed
hi
m ashescreamedZane'
sname...
.

*
**

Meanwhil
eBay angandimetwiththe
pol
iceandtheherdboysbythefence
andwecontinuedshout
ingforZane,
amani nahorsesloweddownand
tur
nedtous..
.
Hi
m:Dumel
ang?
Off
icer
:Dumel arr
a..
.Remopatong
yamosimany anaongwagadi
ka
t
shwarasix,gawabonasepeko
t
swangt engkaha?
Me:
(si
zed)Hei
saboutt
hist
all
..
.
Hi
m:Xhowhoistheonethatwas
wi
thy
ourchi
l
drenearl
iert
hismor
ning?
Xho:(
tohi
swif
e)BoKagower
ewi
th
someonei
nthemorni
ng?
Her
:Isentt
hem al
one.
.
Me:
Sentt
hem wher
e?
Her
:Tomymot her
'shouse,
igav
e
t
hem sourmi
l
kt ogogivemymother
.
It
oldt
hem t
ocomeintheaf
ter
noon
whent
heresuni
sn'
tsohot
Bay
ang:
Let
'
sgeti
nthecarandcheck
Off
icer
:Ma'
am l
et'
sgoinsi
de,
why
di
dn'ty
outel
lust
herearechi
l
dren
her
e?
Xho:
Wesentthem i
nthemorni
ng
waybef
oreOf
anasaidany
thi
ng..
.

Weal
lhur
ri
edt
othecar
sandl
eft
..
..

AtXho'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Aboutanhourl
aterBay
angpar
ked
undertheMogothotreenexttot
he
poli
cecarthenwewal kedtowar
ds
thetr
eewher eanoldwomanandan
oldmanwer esit
ti
nghav i
ngtea.
..

Thepol i
ceoff
icer
sgreet
edthem
togetherwi
ththeherdboyasi
walkedaroundtheyardscr
eaming
forZane..
..

Xho:MmeboKagogabaatahale
ngwanay
olesamoitseng?Bakae
bone
Her:They
'r
ewi
thal
itt
leboy
,Kago
sai
dhewasOfana'
sson
Ihear
dherresponsewhi
l
epassi
ng
andhurr
iedover
..
..

Me:(
tear
ful
l
ysi
ghed)Pl
easewher
e
ar
ethey?
Her
:Theywentt
ocol
l
ectsome-

Wet urnedaroundasthechil
dren
walkedinal i
neeachcarry
inga
bundleoffir
ewoodont hei
rarmsas
Zanewal kedamongstthem laughi
ng
whil
et heychatt
edandbur st
edinto
l
augher .
Ir ant owardsthechil
drenwhower e
clearlyconfusedtheni bentover
touchi ngZane'sfaceinspect
ingand
kissinghimt hankful
lyastheother
childrenlookedatus...

Me:Zane??Youscaredme!Whydi
d
youj
ustleav
e?Wet houghty
ouwer
e
ki
dnapped
Zane:Thecattl
ewer etoomanyand
daddywast aki
ngfor evert
ofinish
andisawt hem passing,iwantedto
playwit
hthem andt heysaidwe
shoul
dbr i
ngmi l
kfir
stsoi camewi t
h
t
hem.Di
dit
aket
ool
ong?
Me:Zane!Youdon'
tjustl
eav
e
wi
thoutsayi
nganyt
hing,wewer
e
worr
iedsi
ckaboutyou!
Zane:I
'
m sor
ry,
arey
ougoi
ngt
o
puni
shme?
Me:Idon'
tknow...(
huggedhimin
r
eli
ef)youknowy ou'
renotsupposed
t
oleavewithoutsayi
nganythi
ng.We
wereworri
ed..
.Il
ovey ou

Xho'swif
eangril
ywal
kedov
ert
oher
chi
ldrenandscol
dedt
hem..
.
Her:
Mercyhowcany ouleavewitha
l
it
tl
echil
dwit
houttel
l
ingany one?Hi
s
par
entswer
elooki
ngf orhi
m
Mercy:I
'
m sor
ry,
itol
dhimtoget
backandhegotsadtheni
toldhi
m
i
t'
sokaytocomebecauseiknewwe
wouldcomeback
Me: Don'tscoldthem,I
'
m sur
ethey
di
dn'tmeananyhar m.Oncechi
ldren
meett heygettooexcit
edandforget
al
ltheot herrul
es
Her:
Butsheis9,sheknowsbet
ter
.
Sheist
heoldest
Mer
cy:
I'
m sor
ry
Me:
(rubbedherhead)I
t'
sokaynana,
i
fevert
her
eisnextt
imej
ustmake
sur
ehesai
dgoodbye
Mer
cy:
Okay
..
.
Me:Tsamay
aley
egobaadi
kgong
Zane.
..

Theywalkedtothefi
rear
eaand
droppedthefi
rewoodasiwalked
towardstheel
dersandgr
eeted
them..
..

Me:
(smi
l
ed)Kenekedumedi
sit
se?
Ol
dlady:(l
aughed)
Nnyaammaore
hi
ti
lesekenokuakuegahagar
ega
j
arat
ayar
ona
Me:(
laughedandshookt
hei
rhands)
Dumelang
Oldman: (laughed)Achil
dgoing
missingist heworstt
hingaparent
canev erexperi
ence,wedidn'
tknow
thathisparentdidn'
tknowhewas
here.
Me:
It'
sokay
,theset
hingshappen.
..
Bayang:
(shookhands)Mmer
ra
l
ebogabatsad
Of
fi
cer
:Tanki
bagol
o
Oldwoman: Mmel
etengbo
ngwanaka?
Weal lt
ookaseatandchatt
edf ora
while,
theoldl
adyevenwentinthe
houseandgav eusMoret
wat hen
theywalkedustothecar
sandwe
l
eft.
..

Att
hef
arm.
..
..

Lateronaft
erpar t
ingwiththepol i
ce
offi
cersBayangpar kedthecaras
Kensatundert hetreewithhishead
downwhi l
eOt lhepathisshoulder
thenhestoodanddesper at
elylooked
atusaswest eppedwi t
hZane.
Zanef ear
ful
lyandslowlywalked
towardshim wit
hagui l
tylookbut
Kenhur ri
edoverandpickedhim up
putti
nghim onhischestthenhe
sighedinrel
ief
..
.

Ken:
Zeewhathappened?
Zane:(
lowv
oice)I
'
m sor
ry.
..Iwant
ed
topl
ay
Ken:Butyouwer
esupposedt
otel
l
me..
.(tome)Wheredi
dyoufi
ndhi
m?
Me:Helef
twit
hXho'schi
l
dren,cani
pl
easehavehi
sbag?Wear el
eaving
Ken:
Arey
ouser
ious?Why
?
Me:Becauseyoucan'
tkeepaneye
onhi
m, whati
fhewaskidnapped
Ken:Kidnappedbywho?You'
renot
taki
nghim, I
'
lll
eav
ewithhi
m because
I
'm al
readygoingtoMaun
Me:I'
m goi
ngwi
thhi
m andI
'
m not
aski
ngyou.
..

Kengl
ancedatBayanghol
dingFai
th
andl
ookedatme..
.

Ken:
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
Ot
lhe:
Zanepl
easegot
othecar
Ken:
Otl
hedon'
t
Otl
he:Ofanajustlethertakehim,
fi
ghti
nginfrontofhim won'tmake
thi
ngsanybet t
er.Wehav eaf uneral
now,youdon'tneedext r
astress..
Ken:
Canwet
alki
npr
ivat
e?
Me: I
'
m notdiscussi
ngany t
hingin
pri
vatewithyou,ourpr
ivacyendedin
court
.Pleasebri
nghisbag

Wegoti nthecarwiththechil
dren
thenOtlhegoti
nthehouseasKen
l
eanedov erawaterdrum f
rust
ratedl
y,
Otlheputthebaginthecarand
closedthedoor.
AssoonasBayangstar
tedthecar
Kenwalkedov
ertothedri
verssi
de.
..

Ken:Cani
haveami nut
einpri
vat
e
wit
hher?I
twon'
ttakeami nut
e

Bayangswi
tchedofftheengineand
st
eppedoutthenKengoti nand
l
ookedatmedesper atel
y.
..

Ken:Di
diI
'
m sorr
yi l
osthim buty
ou
knowdeepdownI'dneverputhimin
harmswayint
ent
ionall
y,il
ostmy
fatherandI '
m goi ngt hr
oughal ot
ri
ghtnow. ..(
tear fully)Ther eisno
amountofwor dst hatcanexpl ain
howmuchI '
m hur t
ingr ightnow, ifi
couldcr yIwoul d...(heswal l
owed
tearful)Please....Ilostev er
ythi
ngi na
shortper iodoft ime.Il ostmymot her,
myf at herandev er yinvest mentIev er
madebutI '
m notaski ngy outof eel
sorryf orme, ijustwantt obewi t
h
him....Please..
.Hei swi thyoudur ing
theweekend, i
tsaweekend.Pl ease. .
.
Me:
Yourf
atheri
slat
e?
Ken:
Myauntt
oldmehour
sago
Me:
Whatdoy
oui
nvest
ment
s?
Ken: Iwon'tl
i
etoy ou,I
'
venor eason
to.
..Iself
ishl
ywant edt
owal kaway
wit
hev er
ythi
ngandputt hem i
nher
namebutsheki ckedmeoutand
ref
usedt osignthem back..
.
Me: (l
aughedandl ookedathi m)
Wow. ...Imean. .
...wow...(l
aughed
evenl ouder)ilov ethisgir
l.
..Soall
thatwasanact ?Damni hav etol
earn
athingort wof rom her ,it
houghtI
hatedherbuty ouknowwhatshea
l
ifelesson, shei smymot i
vatorand
ment or,fuckthatbi tchisgood!..
..
(l
aughedandcl appedonce)andy ou
l
ov ethat ?That'
swhaty ouwant edto
kil
lyour sel
ffor?Thatbi tch!(angr
il
y
l
eanedov ershout i
ngonhi sf ace)
Well guesswhat ,youhav eat hingfor
golddi ggersandi happent obet he
mot herofal lgolddi ggers.
..Your
rej
ect i
ont aughtmet ofendfor
mysel fandi am farwor seI'mlikethe
rai
n...Seei cangi vey oulif
eKen, i
canbearf ruitsf oryouseehowi gave
youki ds?butl ikerainwheni getmad
ibri
ngat ornado, thisfarmi s
mine. .
.(smackedmychest )Your
parents'shousei smi ne,hi
scari s
mineandev eryanimal thatroams
thi
spl acey ar ennaKeny ouknow
why ?Becausey ou'r
et r
ulyyour
fat
her '
sson, getoutofmycar !
Ken:Whatdoy
oumeanal
lthesei
s
your
s?
Me:
Bay
angl
et'
sgo!

Bay
angopenedt
hedoorasOt
lhe
wal
kedover
..
.

Bayang:
Siakoomr
,it
sbeenmor
e
thanaminut
e
Ken:Di
diwhatareyousay
ing?What
doyoumeant hi
sfarmisyour
s?
Ot
lhe:
(hear
dandwal
kedov
er)What
?
Me:Yeshegaveitt
ome, heev
en
wr
oteawill
incaselebat
agolwale
nnakadit
sameandnooneshoul dki
l
l
anycowwithoutmyper
mi ssi
onl
eha
el
eyoneyaseshabokolesonge
kopi
wamogonna.Iwanty ououtof
mypropert
ybyendoftoday
Ken:
Didi
emapel
ewar
epol
asi
e-
Bayang:Let'
snotcausedr amaha
pelegabana, Idon'
twantt ohaveto
pully
ououti nfrontofyourson
becauseyou'rehishero,idef
init
ely
wouldn'
twantt obedi sr
espectedin
fr
ontofmi nesokopaot swehela
sentereberekeshapshap

Kenst
eppedoutt
henBay
angst
art
ed
theengineasKenl ookedatZane's
worri
edf aci
alexpressi
onwitnessi
ng
theargumentst henhefakedasmi l
e
andbentov erwav i
ngathim...

Ken:
I'
ll
seey
oul
aterbuddyokay
?
Zane:
(sadl
y)Youpr
omi
se?
Ken:Ipr
omi
sebud,
beagoodboy
okay
?
Zane:
Okay
..
.

Bayangdrov
eoffasi r
oll
edupthe
windowsandtur
nedwat chi
nghim on
themirr
orasherubbedhisface
l
ooki ngatthecarinshock.Ot
lhe
huggedhi mfrom behindandhe
turnedaroundhuggingherasshe
brokedowncr yi
ng...
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
05AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 101

Att
heDani
el'
s.
..

Several day
spassedasclosef amily
member swait
edandexpect edKen
andOt lhetobuyfoodforeveryone
andev ensaysomet hi
ngaboutt he
coff
inbutnoneoft hem weresay i
ng
anythingandthelookstheygotf r
om
everyonemadet hem uncomf or
table.

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningKenwal
ked
aroundwit
hhisheaddownashe
stoodbehi
ndt hehouseandmadea
phonecall
..
..

Gape:
hel
l
o?
Ken:Hi,havey
oupi
tchedmy
proposal?
Gape: Yesbutweonlygot4vot
es,i
t
hinktheproblem i
syourcr
imi
nal
recor
d
Ken:Butt
heywor
kwi
thy
ouwi
thy
our
recor
d
Gape:Youknowhowr ichpeoplear
e,
wit
hmet heyknewtheystoodalott
o
l
osebecauseihadestabl
ished
my selfalreadyandtheywer ebuying
myshar escheaplyknowingand
seeingi wasgoi ngtobesomet hi
ng
big,theyact ual
l
ytookadv antageof
me.Whi tepeoplearetr
asht rustme.
Ken:
Okay
,thanksf
ort
ryi
ng
Gape:
Ok,
I'
ll
keept
hinki
ngofway
sto
hel
p
Ken:
bye

Hehungupandsatont hebri
ck
thought
ful
lythenhedial
edDidibut
shedidn'
tanswerherphone.A
shadowapproachedashesetbehi nd
thehouseandt hepast
orappeared..
.
Pastor
:Theysai
dyoumi
ghtbesi
tt
ing
thi
sside
Ken:
Hel
l
opast
or
Pastor
:I'
m sor
ryf
ory
ourl
ossmy
brot
her
Ken:
Thanky
ou.
..
.
Past
or:
Areyoul
osi
ngwei
ghtori
ts
j
ustmyeyes?
Ken: Idon'
tknow...Wai t
sei have
problems, t
hisissoembar r
assing.
Peopl earealll
ookingatmeast he
fi
rstbor ntoburymyf at
herandf eed
thecr owdbutIdon' thaveany t
hingto
offerthem yettothem i have
busi
nessesandmyfatherhasafar
m
wort
hmi l
li
onswi
thl
i
v estocki
nit
.
Past
or:
Whycan'
ttheybur
yhi
m wi
th
hi
sthi
ngs?
Ken:Myfat
herwr ot
eawi l
lmaking
myexwifethesolebenefi
ciar
yofhis
wealt
handshewon' tanswerour
cal
ls,
wedon'tevenknowwher eshe
i
s
Pastor:Soshedoesn'
tevenproperl
y
burytheper
sonwhogav eherallhi
s
wealth?Godfor
giv
eher
Ken:Ithi
nkshewant
stoembarrass
mebecausesheknowsi hav
e
nothi
ngandpeopl
ewill
expectmeto
doev
ery
thi
ng.
..
Pastor:I
'
llt
alkt ot
heseniorpast
ors
sowecanchi pinsomething,
theway
youembar rassedthechurchidon'
t
wanttoraisemyhopesupabout
them doi
ngt hisbecauseitmademe
l
ookbad.
Ken:
Iknowi disappointedever
yone
whothoughtihadr epented.

Otl
hewalkedaroundthehouseand
appr
oachedthem...

Ot
lhe:
Waabi
tswa,
gonal
emeet
ing
moteng
Ken:
Ok

ShewalkedawaythenKenandt
he
past
orstoodup.
..

Ken:
Cany
oucomewi
thme?
Pastor:
Itsafami
lymeet
ing,
face
them onyourownson
Ken:(
sincer
ely
)Pl ease.
..Ifeelli
ke
ever
yoneisagainstme...ij
ustneed
onepersonsuppor t
ingme, please
Past
or:
Okay
..
.Let
'sgo.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
atert
heyj
oinedt
hef
ami
l
y
andhadadi scussionandj
ustasKen
thoughttheywantedfoodandthe
coffi
nforhisfat
herandhisresponse
aboutnothavinganythi
ngenraged
everyone.
..
.

Uncle:(angr
il
y)Howi sitpossiblefor
someoneofy ouragenott ohave
ensuredhisparents?Neor eba
hit
hwakemang?Hady ounot
abandonedy ourfamil
yandr anof f
witharichgir
l youwouldhav e
thoughtaboutthesethings.Mot ho
wal onakooreoakany akabor okgwe
Ofana,youabandonedy ourwifein
thehospital
wi t
ha2day soldbaby
andal i
tt
leboytheranofftothecity
whil
ey ourpar
entssupport
edy our
chi
ldrennowy ou'
rehereandy ou'
re
j
ustlookingatustoburyyourf at
her.
Yourmoneyi sonl
yf orAmantle?
Ken: (soft
lyav oidi
ngev eryone'sey es)
Unclei don'thav emoney ,I
'm broke.
(headdown)i wasembar rassedt o
sayt hisbuti seeingi hav etot ell
you
thetruthsoy oucanbel ievemewhen
isayI '
m broke, duringthedi vor ce
processi signedmyt hingsov erto
Amant l
eav oi
di ngt oshar ethem wi th
Didiincour tbutaf terthedi vorceshe
refusedt oreturnt hem
andchasedmeouti
nst
ead.
Therewassi
lenceasthewhol
e
famil
ywentspeechl
esssomewhat
feel
i
ngsorr
yforhim..
.

Ken: Iwishicouldhel pbutthereis

nothingi cando,I'
m sorryfor
groupingy ouall
her ewheny ou're
tr
yingtohel pmebur ymyf atherwhil
e
I
'mf ail
ingtoevenf eedy ou.
Uncl
e:(
sighed)Thankyouforl
ett
ing
usknowkanajaanongronaneresa
i
tsegor
emat hatakeeng.Nowthat
weknowwehav eaprobl
em wecan
nowthi
nktogetherandseehowwe
canbur
ytheol
dman
Aunti
e:Mayi asksomet hing,doesn't
anyonethinkit'swei r
dhowDi dintl
e
wasgivenev ery t
hingy etshef ai
lsto
evenattendthesemeet i
ngs?does
thatmeanshewi l
lonl yshowupf or
theburi
al?Thi sgirlknowst hi
sboy '
s
sit
uati
onandsher efusest oselleven
2cowst obuyacheapcof finforthe
manwhogav eherev eryt
hing?
Uncle:
Ispoket oheront hephone
andshesai dherinlawsgav eher
thosethingsbecausetheyarefor
thei
ronlygrandchil
dren.Wheni sai
d
somethingaboutthecof f
inshesaid
shewillbuyitbutshehasn'tbeen
pi
ckingmycall
ssi
ncethen.She
soundsangr
yandbit
tert
oosoI'm
notpinni
ngmyhopesonher
Ken:It'
snotev enaboutany oneshe
wantstopuni shandembar r
assme, i
respectmyf atherfordoi ngt hi
sfor
mychi l
drenatt hetimewhenIhad
abandonedt hem butcan' tanyofy ou
helpmeseekf orgivenessf r
om Didi
soshecanbur rymyf ather
properl
y?I'
m notaski nghert ogi
ve
meourf ather'
spr oper t
yi justwant
hertoburymyf atherwi thdignit
y.
Aunti
e:Thatgir
lisn'
tanswer
ingus
i
ntent
ional
ly.
..
Past
or:
Thechurchwi
l
lbuyt
heol
d
manacoff
in.
..
Uncle:
I'
ll
tal
ktomywifeandwewil
l
giv
eagoatformeatsopeopl
ecan
eat
Aunt
ie:
I'
ll
buycomboatChoppi
es
Uncl
e2:
I'
ll
giv
eoutacow
Aunti
e2:I'
ll
hir
eatentpeopl
ehave
beensleepi
ngoutonthespaceby
thef
ire.
..

Tearsfi
ll
edKen'sey
esaspeople
pl
edgeddonat i
onsf
orhi
sfather'
s
buri
alli
kehewasadesti
tute,t
he
pastornot
icedhewascr
yingastear
s
droppedonhi sthi
ghsthenhepul l
ed
him overforahug,thehugbrokehim
downashecr i
edhidinghi
sfaceon
thepastor'
sshoulder,hi
sparents'
heartsbrokeashisunclest
oodup
andsatnextt ohim pat
ti
nghim on
theback.

Otl
hel ookedatherbr other'sf
aceand
burst
edi ntot ear
s,shehadnev er
seenhi m breakdownl ikethatand
sheunder stoodhowusel esshemust
havefeltbecauset hat'
swhatshe
wasfeel i
ng, unemployedand
i
ncapabl eofbuy ingevensugarf or
hundredsofpeopl ewhowoul dcome
t
oof
fert
hei
rcondol
ences.
..

Thefamil
ytur
nedaroundand
consol
edthem ast
heyeachcri
ed.
..

Uncle: Ofanadi di
mal amot ogolo,
monnagaaweosekamahel a,
we
hav egonet hrought hattoo.Wehav e
beencheat edbywomenwhenwe
wer ey ourageandwegr ewst ronger,
i
tt aughtusal essonandt o
appr eciatethewomeni nourl i
v es
whower evict
imsbecausenowwe
reali
sedt heywer en'
thur ti
ngus
becauset heylovedusnott hatt hey
wer eincapabl e.I t
sapi tyyou
div
or cedy ourwi fe, l
ostbot hpar ents
andy ourbusi ness, onet hi
ngy ou
haven' tlostisy ourchi ldren.Lett hem
bey ouri nspirationt owakeupeach
mor ningbecauset heirloveis
uncondi t
ional.Papakepapahel ale
yoosenangmadi banabamor ata
hela.Fi ndy ourinnerst rength,
i know
youeasi l
ygi veupandi knowy ou' r
e
emot ional l
yweakbecausey out ri
ed
tocommi tsuicidebef orebuty ou
havechi l
drenandmay beoneday
you'l
l besohappyandal lt
hesewi l
l
beast oryt haty out ellanother
persont omot i
vat ethem.
Aunt ie:Ot
lhemogol ookey oo, we
womenar estrongerbutt heseones
wai i.
..Bestrong, behismot her
becausehei st heonl yfami lyy ou
hav e.Yourchi l
dr enaregoi ngt oneed
him. .
.Youbot hneedeachot her,
(turned)Of ana?Monnaokey oo
ngwanaka, shei stheonl yf ami lyyou
hav e.Stopcr yi
ngt haty ourf atheris
bei ngburiedwi thdonat ionsandbe
thankf ult
haty ouhav eaf ami lythatis
wi seenought ohel pyou.I twi l
lbeour
fami l
ysecr et,t
hepubl i
cdoesn' thave
toknowt hatweal lpopped
somet hi
ng, i
nf actpastorhol don
wi ththecof f
in.Wewi llbuyt hecof fi
n
becausewedon' twantany one
knowi ngthatOf anaandhi ssi st
er
couldn'tbur ytheirf atherort hatthis
witchofadaught erinlawr anof fwit
h
thef amil
yi nheritance.Iunder st
and
shehasbeenhur tandshehasscar s
toshowf oritbutt hiswasn' t
necessar y.Thel awy ersay st henew
wil
l stat
essheownsev erythingand
weunder stand, wewon' tf
ightherbut
shecoul dhav ebeent hankf ul enough
tobur yhim wi thdi gnity,.
.(sighed)
Any wayitsf ine.
..wewi llmanage
Uncl
e:Ok,I
'
m goi
ngtomyf arm and
ther
estofuscangosear
chwher ever
wecanandmeetintheaf
ternoonto
putevery
thingtoget
herandbuyt
he
coff
infortheburi
al.
Al
l
:Yes.
.
Uncl
e:Mor
uti
ret
swal
elekat
hapel
o..
.

Theyal
lbowedt
hei
rheadsand
pray
ed.
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
..

Laterthataft
ernoonBayangwarmed
Zane'sfoodwhi l
ehesatonthe
counterlooki
ngathim..
.
Zane:
Imi
ssmydad
Bayang:
Iunder
stand,
tel
lmom when
shecomesback
Zane:
Cani useyourphonet
ocal
l
hi
m?Pl easedon'
ttel
lmamaical
l
ed
hi
m
Bayang:Zaneican'
tmakedeci
sions
aboutyouwithoutr
unni
ngi
tbyyour
mother.Shewill
beangr
ywithme
Zane:Butshewon'
tknow,
iwon'
tsay
anyt
hing.
.
Bay
ang:Ok.
..(
Hetookouthi
sphone)
Doyouknowhisnumber?
Zane:
yes
Bayangdial
editforhi
m andputon
l
oudspeakerthenhehandedhimthe
phone.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Zane:
Daddy
Ken:
(pausedandsmil
edsur
pri
sed)
Heybuddy,what
'sup?
Zane:
Imi
ssy
ou,
cany
ougetme?
Ken:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Zane:
I'
m atuncl
eBay
ang'
shouse
Ken:
Ismommyar
ound?
Zane:
No,
shewentshoppi
ngwi
th
Fait
h.Don'
ttel
lmom i
cal
l
edy
ou,
itsa
secret
Ken:
Cany
ougi
veuncl
ethephone?
Zane:
Ok
Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hi,
thanksf
orl
ett
inghi
m cal
lme
Bay
ang:
Sur
e

Therewasanawkwar dsil
enceas
bothofthem hel
dthephonestot
hei
r
ear
s...

Bay
ang:
Mycondol
ences
Ken:
Thanks,
cani
askf
oraf
avour
?
Bay
ang:
Yeah
Ken: Cany outal
kDidi i
ntoburyi
ngmy
fatherwithdigni
tyforhersaket oo,
shei sinnocenti
nall t
heseandi fshe
reactsthewayshei sr eacti
ngpeople
mightnotseeherasav ict
im,she
won' tbeanydiff
erentfrom meor
any onewhohashur therinthepast.
Bayang:Ibeentr
yingtomakeher
underst
andthatbutit
'sdi
ffi
cultt
o
makeherunderstandbecauseshei s
angryandtheminuteIsayany t
hing
shegetsmadsoi t'
saf or
biddentopi
c.
Ken:Iunder
stand,t
hanksf
ortheki
nd
ofrel
ati
onshi
py ouhavewi
thZane,
i
appr
eci
atet
hat
Bay
ang:
Sur
e
Ken:
letmet
alkt
ohi
m..

Bayanggav ehimt hephoneandhe

continuedchatti
ngandlaughi
ngwit
h
hi
sf ather
,minuteslat
erthecar
stoppedoutside..
.

Bay
ang:
(whi
sper
ed)hangup!
Zane:
(whi
sper
ed)Mom i
shome,
bye
Ken:
(laughed)By
e

Hehungupandr
etur
nedt
hephone
thenBayanggrabbedhim hol
dinga
plat
ewiththeotherhandandputhim
down..
.

Bay
ang:
fini
shup

Zanesatont
hecouchandat
e..
..

*
**

Meanwhileiwalkedinholdi
ngFai th
andputherdownt henshecr awled
overtoherbrot
herasi j
oinedBay ang
i
nt heki
tchenwherehewascl eaning
thesink,
iputmyar
msaroundhim
andlaidmyheadonhi
sback.
..

Me: Ihav ebadnews, apparentl

yi
can'
tcr osst heboarderwiththe
chi
ldrenwi thoutthei
rfather'
s
si
gnat ure.
Bay
ang:
Youdi
dn'
tknow?
Me:
No,
iwonderi
fKenwi
l
lagr
ee
Bayang:Buyhi
sfat
heracasketand
foodforpeopl
eandhewil
lagree
Me: Tabekemoseny a,noonei s
taki
ngadi meofmymoney .LetKen
buryhisfatherwi
thabl
anketifhe
hast o.Iwassuff
eri
ngalonewiththe
chi
l
drenandhedi
dn'
tcar
e
Bayang:Thef
athergaveyouall
that,
doesn'
thedeservetobeburi
edwith-
Me: Hecan' tseeany thi
ngsoitwon't
makeanydi fferenceweatherheis
buriedinami l
li
ondol l
arcoff
inora
blanket,ipersonallydon'
tli
keitwhen
peopl ebuyexpensi vecoff
insonlyf
or
them t obebur ri
ed.Peopleshoul
dbe
cremat edtor educeexpensestsadi
coffin.
.
Bayang:
Babethemmay ou'
rejust
bei
ngcruel
,kanaoi
tsemasika?Ko
batengkwabajaKennakameno
Me:
Lett
hem eathi
m aker
eba
paletswekegomoj anakoenea
ntathil
ekelwalamospatel
awitha1
dayol dbaby.Andwhyarewetalki
ng
aboutt hi
s?You'r
espoi
li
ngmymood. .
Bay
ang:
Nev
ermi
nd,
what
'sup?
Me: (
tookadeepbreathandsmiled)I
spoketoacorrect
ivesur
geonandhe
sentmesomeamazi ngworkshehas
done,heevenworkedoncelebri
ti
es.
Comehav ealook.
..
.

Weleanedov
erandwentt
hrought
he
pi
ctur
es..
.

Bay
ang:
Thi
sisv
erygood
Me: Any wayI'
m wai t
ingforev erythi
ng
tosettledownt henI '
m buyingt his
propertyforeachoft hekids,i spoke
toar ealestateagent,shesay st he
farmi swor t
hwaymor ethani
thought.They '
regoingtoassesst he
farm andt el
lmei t
'svalue,what ever
i
sl ef
taf t
erbuy i
ngthesepr oper ti
es
I
'm goingt opaythesur geon.
Bay
ang:Wai
tsowhatar
ewegoi
ngt
o
donow?
Me:Examinat
ion,hewant
sto
examinemyburnsandseewher
ehe
wil
lbecorr
ecti
ngandhowdeep.
Bay
ang:
Oh.
..
arey
ougoi
ngt
othe
bur
ial
?
Me: Iwasn'tgoi
ngbutnowi haveto
sothatKencansi gnt
heaffi
dav i
t
all
owingmet ocr
osstheboarderwit
h
thechil
dren.

Iwalkedtot
hebedr oom reading
messagesfrom t
heDani el'
s,some
wereangrywhil
eotherspleadedwith
mebuti wasn'
tbothered..
.

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..

Ont
heSat
urdaymor
ningofmyex
fatherinlaw'sburi
alistoodamongst
thecr owdwi thmybrownshadesand
blackclothesasweal lsangwatchi
ng
thecasketgoi ngdown, Otl
hecri
ed
l
ikeal it
tleorphanwhileKennakept
onr ubbinghiseyeswithaf i
nger
undert hedarksunglasseshewas
puttingont ohidehi
spai n.
..

Honestlyi
twast hef i
rstburi
ali ever
att
endedandf eltdisconnect ed,wasi
gett
ingicecoldorj ustplainwicked?I
don'
tknowbutt heycr iedandf eltsad
whil
ei wasjustwor riedaboutt hesun
messingupmycompl exionandhow
bori
ngthepast or'slongpr ay
erwas. .
..
Isangalongwi t
h"Boit
shwar el
ojwa
modi mo"butitwasjustli
kesingi
ng
atchurchevenLolofeltsorr
yforKen
buti di
dn'
tevenfrom thedeepest
partofmyhear t
,onl
ymybodywas
theremyheartwasal r
eadythinki
ng
abouttheshoppingmal l
sinSouth
Afri
ca.

Minuteslaterweallheadedtoour
carstheni r
anbehindKenwi thheel
s
caref
ul enoughnottofall
..
..
.

Me:
Hi
Het
urnedar
oundandl
ookedatme.
.

Ken:
Hi
Me:Ineedyoursignat
ure,
I'
m goi
ng
toSout
hAf r
icatobuyclot
hessoi
cansel
lthem tomakemoney
Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Okay
..

Iwassur pr
isedhedidn'
targuethati
haddi sappearedwithhi
schildr
enor
thatihadn'tshowedupsi ncehis
fatherdied,iexpect
edhimt oaskfor
acer t
ainamountofmoneyi n
exchangef
orhi
ssignat
urebuthe
saidi
tsocalmihadtoconf
ir
mi t
..
.

Me:
You'
l
lsi
gn?
Ken:Yes,
letmeknowwheny
ouwant
tol
eave
Me:
OK
Ken:
Hav
efun.
..

Het ur
nedar oundandwal kedaway
theniranafterhi
m cleari
ngmyt hr
oat
guil
tstri
cken,heturnedagainand
l
ookedatmest il
lrel
axed..
Ken:
Yeah?
Me:
Arey
ouOK?
Ken: I'
llbef ine,what '
simpor tantis
thatI '
m br eathingandmychi ldr
enare
happy .Don' tbeaf r
aidtogetmy
signatur esinal lyourtravel
swi t
h
them, i traveledthosepl acesand
nevert ookt hem soi fyouhav ethe
powert oshowt hem thewor ldwhat
kindofaf atherwoul di betost and
ont heirway ?Asl ongy oualway s
remembert ot ellt
hem i exi
storgi ve
meami nuteort wowi ththem I '
ll
appr eciateit, I
'
m sur emypar ents
madet her i
ghtdeci si
ont oleav eyou
alltheirhar dear nedlif
esav ingsand
i
nvestment.Iappreci
atet
hatmyki
ds
wi
llbenef
itfrom i
t.Okay?
Me:
(sadl
y)Yeah

Hetookof
fthesunglassesand
l
ookedatmewithhisreddishey
es.
..

Ken: Don'tfeelbadaboutev erythi

ng
youdi dorar edoingbecausey ou'
re
angryandi t'sokay(touchedmy
cheekl ookinginmyey es)it'
sokayt o
beangr y,tohate,topuni shand
revengebutdon' tlosey ourselfonthe
process...You'r
emor et hanj usta
vict
im ofanunf aithf
ulhusband,
y
ou'
reagoodmot
her
..
..

HeleanedoverandFrenchkissedme
sof
tlyaspeoplepassedbythenhe
l
eanedbackst i
ll
looki
nginmyey es
andlickedhi
slowerli
p..
.

Ken: Bayangisagoodguy ,he

probablydeserv
esy oumor ethan
anyone.(smil
edbrav el
yandpi nched
mychi n)Takecarebabe,ifyouev er
missmegot ochurch,you'
llfi
ndme
therewaiti
ngforyou.

Heputonhi
sshadesandt
urned
aroundwalkingawayasi watched
hi
mt heni t
ookadeepbr eathand
walkedaway .Myheelsfel
tli
kethey
hadgrownani nchlongerasi al
most
tr
ippedtheni t
ookthem offand
walkedbarefoott
omycarwher eI
droveoff.
..
.

5YEARSLATER.
..
..
..
..

Alway
sremembertoLikeandl
eav
ea
comment,
happyholi
day!
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
06AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 102

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
Faithgotdownt heirbunkbed
dragginghert eddybearandr ubbi
ng
herey esasshecl imbedonKen' sbed.
Sheputherar m aroundhi mthenhe
openedhi seyestohercol dfi
ngerti
ps
andcov eredherwiththeduv et
rubbinghert owar m her,Zane
stretchedhi sbackbehindhim and
turnedwonder i
ngwhenhesnucki n
hisbedt henhelaidonhi sbackas
Zaneputhi sheavylegonhi s
stomachwhi l
eFait
hhungherar m on
histhroat .
..
Hecouldhar
dlybreat
hsqueezedup
betweent
hem asher eachedforhi
s
phoneandcheckedthetime..
.

Ken:
Jesus!

Hegotupandgotthet
ubr
eadyt
hen
hewoketheki
ds.
..

Ken:
Guysgetup,
hey
..
.!Zane?Getup,
wearel
ate

Heprepar
edbreakfastwithFai
th
st
andingont
hepl ast
icthenZane
wal
kedinwi
that
oot
hbr
ushi
nhi
s
mouth.
.

Zane:
I'
m done
Ken:Yourcl
othesareoverther
e..
.
(pi
ckedFait
h)Alr
ightl
i
ttl
eladytime
tobath.
.

Heputherinthet ubandbat hedher

thenhegrabbedat owelandwrapped
herwalki
ngout, Zaneheardthef ood
burni
ngandqui cklytur
nedthem wi t
h
aspoonandr educedt heheat..
.
Zane:(
screamed)Dad?Shoul
di
swit
chitoff?

Hepickedapi eceofmeatwi t
hafork
andblewitsev er
alti
meshopinghis
dadwouldn'twalkinthenhedropped
i
tinhismout handchewedwal ki
ng
outashisfatherwalkedin.
..

Ken:
Thanksbuddy
..
.
Zane:
(wi
pedhi
smout
h)Sur
edad.
..
Ken:
AndIsawt
hat
Zane:(
laughedandt
urnedchewi
ng)
What?It'
sagum
Ken:
Right
..
.

Heservedthepl
atesandleftthem to
cooloffwhi
lehewenttodressFaith,
theyl
aterat
eandleftf
orchurchas
hehungabackpackwi t
hFaith's
snackandheadedtothecombi
stop.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Bay angwalkedoutofthehospi
tal
try
ingDi di
'
snumberbutitwasn't
availabl
e,heunl
ockedhiscarand
threwhiscoatinthebackthenhegot
andr
ever
sedasAat
il
edr
ovei
n..
.

Aat
il
e:(r
oll
edthewi
ndow)Heel
aot
a
ret
hula.
.Wareng?
Bay
ang:
Eishpel
oyamegaeha
Aatil
e:(
laughed)Didii
sstil
lnot
around?Ithoughtyou'l
lcal
lmewit
h
thegoodnewsl astnight
Bay ang:
Iexpectedhert
oarri
velast
nightbutshedidn'
tsayany
thing,i
sentheramessageandshehasn' t
responded.
Aati
le:Goandwaitforyourladymy
boy,sheisdoi
ngthi
sf oryou..
.She
wil
lbebeautif
ulonherweddi ngday
Bay
ang:
Ihat
eal
lthesecheckups.
.
Aatil
e:ButherDrisreal
l
ygood,i
lov
e
thatheschedulescheckupsf
orher
Bayang:Hedi
dapret
tygoodj
obbut
thetr
avel
li
ngi
ski
ll
i
ngmeman
Aat
il
e:Don'
tbei
nsecur
emonna,
shap
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Shap.
..
Aat
il
e:Don'
tforgetwear
ehav
ing
br
aaii
ntheafternoon
Bayang:Ohy
eahkanaCal
vi
nis
ar
ri
v i
ng
Aat
il
e:Gaaexci
tedkeenehel
aar
eo
l
api
lekedif
latobatagohemapheho
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Icani
magi
ne.
..
Shap
Aat
il
e:Shap.
..

Hedr
oveoutoft
hehospi
tal
..
..

AtChur
ch.
..
.

Latert
hatmor ni
ngKenst eppedout
ofthecombi andpaidthedriv
erthen
hepickedFaithandhandedZanet he
bagast heywait
edforthecarsto
passthentheycrossedtheroadand
walkedinthechurchgate..
.
Zane:
They
'r
esi
ngi
ng,
wear
elat
e..
Ken:(
checkedthet
ime)Uhwear
e
nott
hatbad..
.

Theywalkedinandtookt hei
rseats
asthesongleadergrabbedthemi c,
Zaneputthebagdownandhur ri
edto
thefr
onttaki
ngaseatbehi ndthe
keyboar
dasusual andsmi l
edatthe
manbehindthedrums.

Thesongleaderl
ookedathim once
andhespreadhisfi
ngersonthekeys
blessi
ngt
hechurchwiththenotes
"Donotpassmeby "
..
..
Thesongl eaderclosedhiseyes
feel
i
ngt henot esandletouta
beauti
fulvoiceleadi
ngthechurch.

*
**

Afterpreachi
ngdiff
erentsi
ngersled
thewor shi
phouruntili
twasZane' s
turn,heremainedseatedbehi
ndt he
key boar
dastheyhungt hemicont he
standandputt hem i
nf r
ontofhim...

Zane:
I'
m dedi
cat
ingt
hissongt
omy
dadbecausehel
ovesit
..
.Hesi
ngsi
t
ever
ymor ni
ngi
ntheshower

Everyonelaughedasheloweredt
he
micst andandlookeddownthe
keyboardhitt
ingthenot
es.
..
.

Zane:
(si
ngi
ng)
Youunr
avel
me
wi
thamel
ody
Yousur
roundmewi
thasong
Ofdel
i
ver
ance
f
rom myenemi
es
Ti
lal
lmyf
ear
sar
egone.
(cl
osedhisey
esemotional
lyand
sang)I
'm nol
ongeraslav
etofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod
I
'
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod

Kensmi ledemot i
onall
ylooki
ngathis
boy,itwouldbegr eati
fhismother
couldseesuchat al
ent,i
twasn'tj
ust
hisangelicvoiceitwast hewayhe
perf
ectlyhitthenot esofthe
keyboardandt hewayhecl osedhis
eyeswhenhesangandt heemot i
ons
hesawonhi sf ace.Tearsfi
ll
edhis
eyeswonder ingwhyhi ssonl ov
ed
him somuchwhenheonce
abandonedhim, i
thadbeeny ears
agobuteacht i
mehi sboyshowed
himloveitall
camebackand
ref
reshedhisnewv owsofnev er
walkingawayfrom them again.He
swallowedasZanef rownedsi ngi
ng
harderasthewholechurchst oodin
onespiri
tthenhestoodr ai
singhis
handandemot i
onal
lysangal ong..
.

Ken:
(si
ngi
ng)
Iam sur
rounded
BysongsofDel
i
ver
ance
We'
vebeendel
i
ver
-ed
Fr
om ourbondage
We'
ret
hesonsandt
hedaught
ers
Letussi
ngourf
reedom
ohohohohohoh
ohohohohohoh
ohohohohohoh

Fait
hheldherf
ather'
sfi
ngerand
sangalong,
shealsoknewthewhol
e
songbyheadbecausehesangit
everymorni
ng.
.

I
twasindeedabeaut
if
ulSundayand
l
aterast
hechur
chgotoffevery
one
couldn'
tst
optal
kingaboutZane'
s
perf
ormanceandhowSundaywas
neverSundaywi
thoutasongfrom
Zane.

Apastorwal
kedov
ertoKenashe
wastalki
ngt
oanot
herbr
other
..
.

Past
or:
Brot
herKen?Maywe?

Kenshookhandswitht
hebr
other
sayi
nggoodbyeandtur
nedt
othe
past
orwit
hasmi l
e..
.
Pastor
:Theseni
orpast
or'
swouldl
i
ke
toseeyou,i
ntheconf
erencer
oom.
Ken:
Okay
..
.

*
**

Minuteslaterhewal kedi nthe

conferencer oom,therewasabout4
pastors,
treasurer,
Internati
onal
repr
esent ati
veandaf ewot her
member soft hecommi t
tee.

Hepull
edachairandsatdown
wonder
ingwhatitwasabout,
asf
ar
asher emember edhehadn'tdone
anythi
ngwr ong.Theseni
orpastor
askedthem al ltobowthei
rheads
andpray edt henhewashandeda
l
etterwhi chheopenedast hesenior
pastortalkedt ohi
m..
.

SeniorPast or:BrotherKennaI 'v

ehad
arev elationthaty ouaremeantt o
serve...Godi scal l
ingyou...Hewant s
yout opr eacht hewor dofGodt othe
youth, I'
vebeenseei ngy ouasy out
h
pastorf orsev eralmont hsandi
wasn' tsur ewhatGodwast r
yingto
tel
lmebutnowI '
m sure.Thishas
beendi scussedwi t
htheseni or
member softhechurchandnoneof
them di
sagreedinfactpast
orDavi
d
alsosharedwit
hushowhesawy ou
preachi
nginprisonbri
ngsoulscl
oser
toGod.
Pastor:I
nthatenvel
opeisa
scholar
shipforthebi
blest
udi
esand
pastori
nginOklahomaCity
Ken:
(Readi
ngt
hel
ett
er)I
ntheUS?
Pastor:Yes,you'l
lbestudyingand
taki
ngpar tinthejoi
ntbranchchurch
i
nOkl ahoma.Asy oucanseef rom
thoseyouraccommodat ion,l
ivi
ng
expensesandt hestudi
eswi l
lbepai
d
bythechur chandy ou'r
eexpectedto
act
ivel
ytakepar
tinthechur
chat
Okl
ahomaaspar tofyourpr
act
ical
s.

Her eadt heoff

eragai
nandsighed,
it
wast heopport
uni
tyhehadbeen
waitingforandchangeof
envi
r onmentwoulddohim goodbut
thenher emember edandl
ookedat
them sadl y
..
.

Ken:I'
dlovetogoandst udyandi
real
l
ydon' thaveapr oblem servi
ng
andsharingthewor dofGodbutas
youallknowt hatseveral year
sago
myexwi fehadaf i
reincidentsofor
thepastf ewy earsshest arted
getti
ngsur gerytot r
yandmake
herselfl
ookgood, becauseoft hat
shehadt ogi vemet hechi l
drenso
shecanr ecov erfrom alltheneedles
andsur geri
es.Thoughsher ecovered
shei snotreadyt otaket hekidssoI
currentl
yhav ethechi l
drenandi can'
t
l
eav ethem behi nd.
Seni
orpastor:Can'
tshetakethem?
I
t'
sjusta2y earper
iodandy ou'
ll
be
vi
sit
ingeachyear
Ken:Pastorshecan'
t,Ir
eall
ycan'
t
saymor ewithev
eryonearoundbut
I'
mtheonl yonewhocanl ookaf
ter
them now.
Therewassil
enceashesi
ghed
fr
ustrat
edl
ypinchi
ngt
hebri
dgeofhi
s
nose..
..

*
**

Minuteslaterhewalkedoutand
greetedaf ewsister
swhower e
si
tti
ngout sidechatt
ing,Fai
thran
behindhim andhel i
ftedherup
ki
ssinghert henoneoft heladi
es
walkedupt ohi
m...
Her:
Hi brot
herKen,howmuchwould
youchargemet ofi
xmyelect
ri
cit
y?
Ken:
(Fai
thpl
ayedwit
hhi
snose)
What'
swrongwit
hit
?
Her:Whenev eriplugtheadopt eri
t
makest hatsoundsofbur ningor
blowingup,idon'tknowhowt o
subscri
beitandt henthebul bscan
switchoffbythemselv esandgoon
bythemselves.
Ken:Okay,whatti
meshoul dIpassby?
(Fai
thplay
edwi t
hhisbrush-cutbear
d)
Fait
hstop..
.(t
oher)I'
dhavet ohavea
l
ookt oknowwhat '
swrong
Her:
Any
timei
sOK
Ken:
Alr
ight
,seey
oul
ater
..

Hewal kedawaycar r
yinghis
daught erandputhi sar m around
Zaneast heyalllookedathi m, none
ofthem hadt hef reedom t osay
anythingbuthewasmout hwat ering.
Hewasoneoft hosemeny ou'd
wonderhowi tfeel swhenheget son
topofy ou,every t
hingabouthi m
madet hem cur ious.Theyknewhe
wasonceabadboywhosol ddr ugs
andwentt opr i
son, hehadbeent here
andt heywer esur ehepr obablydidall
kindsofdev il
isht hingsinbed.He
l
ookedl ikeamanwhowoul d
defi
nit
elydominat
eifhewantedand
thelovehehadforhischi
ldr
enmade
him ev
enmor eatt
racti
ve.
..

Sist
er:
whatwer
eyout
wot
alki
ng
about?
Si
ster2:Ij
ustwantedhi
mtohel
pme
wi
thelectr
ici
tyf
ixi
ng
Si
ster3:
Hei
sanel
ect
ri
cian?
Sist
er2: yes,hehassmal lcompany
wellIdon'tifit
sacompanyofj usthi
s
partner
,theyputel ect
ri
cit
yandall
thosecompl i
catedthi
ngstoget
her.
Si
ster3:
Ididn'
tknowt
hatihav
ea
l
it
tl
eproblem wi
thmyswi
tches
Theycont
inuedtal
ki
ngashewal
ked
outt
hegate..
..

Zane:
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
ofi
xthe
car
?
Ken:Idon'tknow,Isubmitted
appli
cati
onsf oratenderandifi
win
thatonethingswil
l bemuchbetter
Fai
th:
Whydon'
tyoudr
ivemom'
scar
?
Ken:
(st
ammer
ed)Just
..
.
Zane:Becausemom won'
tshar
e
Fai
th
Ken:
Don'
ttel
lhert
hingsl
i
ket
hat
Zane:
It'
sthet
rut
h
Ken:Youdon'
tknowthat,
ihaven't
askedhert
oborrowmehercarsowe
can'
tsayshedoesn'
tshar
e,t
hat'snot
fai
r
Zane:
(si
ghed)Iguess.
..

Theygoti
nthecombi
andwent
home..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonBabyandMaya
madechakal
akaintheki
tchenwhi
l
e
Aat
il
eandtheboy
swashedt hebraai
st
andthenLol
owalkedoutdi
ali
ng
Ti
na.
..

Ti
na:
Hel
l
o.
Lolo:Hi,wearehav i
ngalitt
leget
togethertowelcomeCar lhomesi nce
i
t'sbeenawhi l
e, wouldy
oul i
ket o
come?Wehav en'ttol
dhim anything,
wej ustwanttosurpri
sehim
Ti
na:
I'
dlov
eto
Lol
o:Okay
,howhav
eyoubeen?
Tina:I
'
mf i
ne,iar
ri
vedi
nMaun
yester
day
,I'
m onmysemest
erbr
eak
Lol
o:Lov
ely
,seey
oui
nanhouror
two
Ti
na:
Bye.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
.

Laterthataft
ernooniwalkeddown
thestair
sdraggingmyluggagebad
asitroll
edont hefl
oorthensomeone
call
edmef r
om theback..
.

Cal
vi
n:Aunt
ie?

It
urnedandsmi
l
edhuggi
nghi
m as
het
ookof
fhi
sheadphones.
..
.

Me:
Hey
..
.
Cal
vi
n:Hi
Me:
Wer
ewei
nthesamef
li
ght
?
Cal
vi
n:Yeah,
isawy
ouwal
ki
ngout
..
.
Me:
Okay
..
..Howi
sschool
?
Calvi
n:I
t'
sgreat.
..
(grabbedmybag)
Letmehel pyouwiththat.
..
.soi
t
anyonepicki
ngyou?
Me:
Get
ti
ngat
axi
Calvi
n:Myaunti
spi
cki
ngmeup.
..Oh
ther
esheis.
..
Wewal
kedt
owardsLol
oasshe
smi
l
edandgav
emeahug...

Lol
o:OhGodwait
sethisdoctori
s
good,
oikgat
hakasurger
yjaanong.
..
Me:(l
aughed)Hedi
dn'
tev
endo
any
thi
ngtomet hi
sti
me
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Nahsweet
ness,
Ican
seethedi
ffer
ence
Me:
Okayt hi
sti
mehej
ustf
ocusedon
myfeet
..
.

Icat
walkedinhighheelsandst
yli
shl
y
bentonelegbackwards..
.
Lol
o:OhmyGod, y
ourtoes.
..Jesus
no.
..I
sthi
spossi
ble?
Me:
(laughed)Yes.
..
.Dar
li
ng
Carl
:Am i
goi
ngtogetahugor
shoul
dij
ustwai
t?

Lol
olaughedandhuggedhi
mr ubbi
ng
hi
shairl
ikehewassti
llal
it
tl
eboy..
.

Lol
o:You'
resot
all
Car
l:You'
remessi
ngupmyMohawk
Lolo:
Otaakamaakerei
bil
eaf
roy
a
tengedi
kgobeny
ana
Car
l:I
t'
sast
yle,
kedr
eadny
ana
Lolo:Boygeti
nthedamncar,
every
oneiswaiti
ngfory
ou.
..

Weall
laughedandgoti
nthecaras
myphonerang.
..

Me:
hel
l
o?
Bayang:
Hi,whyarey
ounot
communicati
ng?
Me: Sor
rybabe,if
orgottotel
lyou
thatmyfli
ghtgotdelay
ed.I'
mj ust
goingtorushhomeandt akea
showerthenmeetupatLol o'
shouse.
Shei
shav
ingbr
aai
ther
e..
.
Bayang:Iwashopingwecouldhave
ali
ttl
edinner
,candlel
i
ghtki
ndof
thi
ng..
.It
sbeenawhi l
eImissedyou.
Me:Wecandiscussthatatt
hebr
aai
orhav
eitaf
teranyt
hingisfi
ne
Bay
ang:
Okay

Ihungupandcal
l
edKen.
..

Ken:
hel
l
o?
Me:Hi
,I'
l
lpassbyandseet hekids,
j
ustt
osayhi I'
l
lgetthem pr
oper
ly
t
omorrowafterset
tl
ingdown.I'
m
sur
emyhousei
sdust
yandal
l
Ken:
(int
hebackground)Fai
th
mommyi scominglat
er
Fait
h:(
ranoverandsatonhi
slap
taki
ngthephone)Mommy ?
Me:OhGodi mi
ssedyoul
i
ttl
e
pumpki
n,howar
ey oumm
Fai
th:
I'
mfi
ne.
..Imi
ssedy
ou
Me:
Iknowl
ove,
I'
ll
bet
her
eshor
tl
y
Fai
th:
(gav
eZane)Tal
ktoZee
Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Me:
Thatv
oicei
sget
ti
ngdeeper
Zane:
(laughedembar
rassed)Mom!
Me:
(laughed)I
'
mjustsay
ing.
..How
ar
eyouguy
s?
Zane:
Wegood
Me:I'
m goi
ngtot
akeashowerand
passbyokay?
Zane:
yeah
Me:
Bye

Ihungupandputmyphonedown
theniopenedmybagandt hrewtwo
pil
lsi
nmymout hswallowi
ngwi th
water
,Carlgrabbedthebottl
efrom
meandl ookedatit.
..

Car
l:Thesear
eaddi
cti
ve,
howl
ong
hav
eyoubeent
aki
ngt
hem?
Me:
Ali
tt
lewhi
l
e
Carl:I
t '
sf orextr
emepai n,I'
d
understandi fyoujusthadsur ger
y
butnowy oushouldbeget t
ing
somet hingmi ld,
thesearef orser
ious
painslikecancerandser ioussurgical
procedur es
Me: (snatchedthebott
lef
rom him)I
start
edt hisaft
ermybigsurger
yand
you'r
enoty etadoct
orCarl
,Chill
you'l
l t
ellusaboutmedici
neafter
graduation
Carl
:(l
eanedbackandputonhis
headphones)Iwasj
ustsayi
ng.
..
Me: Lolommai won'
tbelongatthe
braai,
I'
llj
ustgr
eetev
eryone,
shake
handsandl eav
e,imi
ssedmykids
Lol
o:Itot
all
yunderst
andmylov
e,
don'
tworry.
..I
tsbeenawhi
l
eoba
bonye
Me:
Imi
sst
hem.
..

Shedr
oppedmeof
fatmyhouse.
..
.

Att
hesi
ster
'sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonKenst
epped
downt
heladderasSisDor
isl
ooked
athi
m andhandedhi
m aj
uice.
..

Her
:her
e..
.
Ken:
thanks.
..

Heswit
chedt
hel
i
ght
sonandsi
pped
t
hejui
ce..
.

Ken:t
hereyougo,i
twon'
tgiv
eyou
anyprobl
emsfrom nowon
Her
:Thanky
ou

Fr
om hersmil
ehecoul
dpi
ckt
he
si
gnal
swhichmadehim
uncomf
ort
abl
eashehandedhert
he
gl
assandpi
ckedt
het
oolbox.
..

Ken:Okay,
ihavetogo.
..Um.
..My
exwi
feissupposedt
oseethekidsi
n
ashortwhi
leso..
Her
:Ken,
canwet
alk?

Het
urnedar
oundandl
ookedather
..

Ken:
Yeah
Her:Ihavefeeli
ngsforyou,i
tri
edt
o
f
ightthem andpr ayagai
nsti
tbuti
f
eellikemay beifwegaveitatr
y-
Ken:I'
m notlookingf orarelati
onship,
I'
m notreadyfortheemot i
onal
consequencesofbei ngi na
rel
ati
onshipandi don'tseeyout hat
way .
.Don'tgetmewr ongy ou'r
ea
beauti
fulwomanwi thagood
personali
tybutijustdon'tthinkyou'
re
meantt obemi ne.

Shel
ookeddowncompletel
y
embarr
assedthenhesi
ghedand
st
eppedover.
..

Ken:Iwon'
ttel
lanyone,y
oudon't
havetobeembarrassed.
..Il
oveyou
butonl
yasasi
ster
..
.
Her
:I'
m sor
ry
Ken:
Don'
tbe,
iunder
stand
Her
:(handedhi
mthemoney
)Her
e
Ken:
Noit
sfi
ne,iwashelpi
ngy ouf
or
fr
eeandi
twasn'
talotofwork.Bye
Her
:By
e

Hewal
kedout
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronBay
angandacoupl
eof
otherguyssatonthecampchai r
sby
thecarssomehav i
ngf i
zzydri
nks
whileothershadwinesli
steni
ngto
l
oudmusi c.
..

Bayangtookouthi sphoneanddi
aled
Didibutshedidn'
tanswerthenhe
si
gheddi sappoi
ntedl
y..
.

Aat
il
e:Youokay
?
Bay
ang:
Yeah.
..

Hi
sf acel
itupashercardr
ove
t
hroughthegate.
..
.
*
**

Isteppedoutpushingmyhai rback
asi cl
osedthedoorandclickedthe
l
ockerholdi
ngabot tl
eofHunt er'
s
GoldthenBayangwal kedoverand
huggedmeasi putmyar msar ound
hisneckandkissedhim...

Bay
ang:
Heybabe.
..
Me:
Hey
..
.

Heki
ssedmedeepl
yagai
nstt
hecar
undert
hecoveroft
hemilddar
kness
andherubbedhi
sboneronme...

Me: (
giggl
ed)St
op,
peopl
ecansee
us.
..Comeon
Bayang:
Wearenott
aki
nglongr
ight
?
Idon'
twantt
obewit
hyou
Me:
yeah,
I'
mjustsay
inghi
..
.

Igreet
edt heguy
sandheadedtot
he
housewher eLol
oandt
hegirl
swere
ser
v i
ng..
.

Me:
Hey
..
..Thi
sisTi
nar
ight
?Car
lhas
at
ast
e
Tina:
(smil
edandhuggedme)Hel
l
o
aunti
e..
.
Maya:
(joki
ngl
y)Hi
aunt
ient
ekedi
se
hoo
Me:
(laughed)I
'
llki
l
lyou
Lol
o:Ihopey
ou'
renotdr
inki
ngMay
a
May
a:Uhmamaneket
shamekat
he

MyphonerangandIwal
kedout
side
pi
cki
ng.
..
.

Me:
Hel
l
o?
Ar
ona:
Heybabes,
whenwi
l
lyoube
her
e?
Me:
I'
m al
readyher
elove,I
'
llseey
ou
t
omorr
ow.Howi sever
ythi
ng?
Ar
ona:
Kegot
shwer
edat
achoma
Me:(si
ppedthebeerandl
aughed)i
can'
twait
..
.
Arona:Alr
ightl
oveletmegetbackt
o
thebedroom heebathungLef
okowa
l
apisawaitsewenagol omogo
l
ogeditswekamor obalo
Me:(l
aughed)Aker
ewifeissi
cksoo
nosi
olwal esexdr
iveol
enosi
Arona:
Wait
seekar
enkagomot hol
a
goreannebot
oka,
heebathungWord
ojagolomowenaketshogel
aler
ago
l
amewena
Me:
(laughed)Wai
tse.
..Seey
ou
t
omorrow
Ar
ona:
Tomor
rowboo

IhungandturnedaroundtoLolo
walki
ngoutofkitchenbackdoor
rubbi
ngherhandswi t
haki t
chen
clot
h..

Lol
o:Di
diar
eyoudr
unk?
Me:
No,
why
?
Lol
o:I
'
dappr
eci
ateiti
fyoudon'
t
comeher
ehol
dingbeer,
ihav
e
teenagedaughtersandI '
m nottalki
ng
aboutMay abecauseshei sold
enought houghIdon'tencourage
drinki
ng.BabyandAgat haare
teenagersandIdon'twantthem t o
thi
nkit'
sokayf orawomant odrink
Me: Lolowhat '
swrongwit
hawoman
dri
nking?I '
m notsayi
ngt
heyshoul
d
dri
nk,it'
stheirchoi
ceandift
heywant
todoi ttheycanstil
ldoi
twit
hout
yourknowl edge.
Lol
o:Iwishy oucouldtr
yand
underst
andwhatI '
m sayingkarei
don'
twantmydaught er
sexposedt o
al
cohol.Ift
heystartdri
nkingtheywi
ll
doitatthei
rhousesbalegr ownup
butf
ornowit'
smyhousemyr ul
es
andIdon'
twantt
hem cl
osert
obeer.
Me: (si
ghed)Okay,iunder
stand.I
'm
sorry..
..Ij
ustdi
dn'
tthi
nkitwasa
problem becausethei
rfat
hersareout
therehav i
ngwine.Unl
essit'
sokayfor
aboychi l
dtodri
nkandbadf oragir
l
chil
dt odrink
Lol
o:Canwenotgobackandf ort
h
wit
hthis,pl
easedon'tdr
inkar
ound
mychil
drenperiod!I
sthatcl
ear
enoughforyou?
Me:Cr
yst
alcl
earandI
'
m outofher
e
wi
thmybottl
e..
.
Iwalkedaroundthehouseand
walkedpasttheguy'
ssitt
ingont
he
campchairs..
.

Me:
Goodni
ght
..
..

Bayangfoll
owedmeandopenedt he
doorformet henhegotint
he
passengerseatanddrov
eout.
..
.

Bay
ang:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Me:
yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Bay
ang:
You'
renot
,tal
ktome.
..
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Isloweddownatt hetr
aff
icli
ghtsand
grabbedmyhandbagt henipopped
twopi l
lsanddr unkwi t
htheli
tt
le
wat erleftint
hebot t
lebytheholder
thenBay anggrabbedthebottl
eand
readi t
...

Bayang:Ithoughtit
oldy outost
op
taki
ngthesepainkil
l
ers,howdidyou
getthem becauseI'
m sur et
heDr
didn'
tpr
escr i
bethem foryou?
Me:Bayangpl
easenotnow,
You
don'
tknowwhatmyDrandi t
alk
about
Bayang:Ical
ledhim aboutt
hesepi
ll
s
andhesaidhel ongstopped
prescr
ibi
ngthem( angr
ily
)Didi
you'
re
notsupposedtot akethi
s!
Me: Bayangy ou'
renotmyhusband
andy oudon'thavetherightt
ocall
myDraboutmymedi cationl
eeneDr
wat engviol
atedmyr i
ghtt opr
ivacy
,
I'
m goingtotalktohim abouti
t
Bayang:Soit
'st
rueyou'renot
supposedtohavethis?Ican'
tbel
i
eve
you'
regoingtobestubbornabout
thi
s!
Me:I'
m buy
ingt
hem wit
hmymoney
soIdon'
tknowwhatyou'
re
complai
ningaboutasi
fI'
m usi
ng
yourmoney.

Heputt
hem downandsi
ghed
l
eani
ngback.
.

Me: I
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.
I
'm sorr
y
Bay
ang:
It'
sfi
ne.
..
.

Thegreenli
ghtbl
i
nkedandi
drov
e
thr
ough..
..

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.
Wewalkedinthehouseandhe
cl
osedthedoortheniputmyarms
ar
oundhisneckkissi
nghim.
..

Me:I
'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tmeant
obe
r
ude.
.
Bayang:
Youhav
etost
opdri
nki
ng.
..
Gakerat
emonkowaboj
alwa
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Hekissedmelayi
ngmeont hecouch
andpull
edoutmypanti
esgett
ing
bet
weenmyl egsasir
ubbedhis
back____
______
_ _
___
____
____
and
gruntedbreat
hingdownmyneckjust
asi wasabouttoenjoy
..
..

Bayang:
Uh..
..
.
Uh.
….uh.
….wow..
.(
kissedme)i
lov
e
you
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..

Hepul l
edoutandpi ckedhisboxer
br
iefsfrom thefloortheni grabbed
mypant iesandwi pedhisj ui
ceswith
hi
sv est,iputonmypant iesand
cl
othesasher estedont hecouch...
Bay
ang:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:Ihav
etogoseet
heki
ds,
it'
s
beenawhil
e
Bay
ang:(
putonhist
-shi
rt
)Al
ri
ght
,let
medri
veyou'
ret
ipsy
..
.

Hegrabbedt
hekey
sandl
edt
he
way
..
...

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhileafl
ylandedonKen'
snose
andherubbedshookhishead
rubbi
ngthenosethenhegotup,Fai
th
haddozedof fonhi schestwhi l
ethey
waitedforhermom t henhelif
tedher
upandheadedt othebedr oom where
helaidheront hel
owerpar tofthe
bunkbedwhi leZanehaddozedof f
pl
ayingagameont hephone, Kenput
i
tasideandt uckedt hem i
nt henhe
l
ockedupandl ai
donhi sbed.

Itwasabachel orpadandbyf arthe

smal l
esthouseheev erstayedi nbut
thisonepar t
icularhousewasmor e
thanjustspecial becausehehadbui l
t
thathousef r
om t hegroundwi thhis
ownhar dearnedmoneyf rom the
elect
ricalt
ender shegotoncei na
whi
l
e.Lif
ewasn'teasybuthehad
l
ear
nttobecontentwit
ht hemost
i
mport
antthi
ngsinhisli
fe..
.

Ashelaiddownst ar
ingint
hedarka
beam oflightf
lushedthehouseasa
carparkedinfrontofthehousethen
hegotupandwal kedtotheli
vi
ng
room..
...

*
**

Meanwhil
eisteppedoutofthecaras
Bayangadj
ust
edt heseatdownand
l
aiddown,Kenopenedthedoorandi
walkedinal
mosttri
ppingonmy
heels,
heheldmywai standi
bal
ancedmy sel
fthenheclosedt
he
door.

Hepr obabl
ysmell
edali
tt
lebi
tof
alcoholonmebecausehi
sfacial
expressi
onchangedwhenhelooked
i
nmyey es.
..

Ken:
Hey
Me:(
smil
ed)Hi
.
..(
scr
eamed)FAI
TH?
ZANE?
Ken:
Keepitdownbanabarobet
se
andyou'
renotget
ti
ngt
hem l
iket
his,
i
thoughtweagr
eedy
ou'
l
lst
op
dri
nking
Me:I'
m notdrunk,
whatmakesy
ou
t
hinkI'
m drunk?
Ken:
doy ouknowwhatt
imei
tis?
You'
rel
ate

Hewasi nshort
sandhewassexyor
wasitbecauseiusedtoBayang'
s
chubbybodythenisl
owlytouched
hi
schestandputmyhandi nhis
short
s.

Ken:
Stop!Don'
ttouchme.
.
Me:
Makemecum.
..
Ken:(
backedupandpushedmyhand
off
)Canyouevenseewhatyou'
re
doi
ng?You'r
eact
ingl
ike.
.
Me:(putmyhandsar oundhisneck
andkissedhim)Wej usthadsexandi
di
dn'
tf eelany
thi
ng.
..Beforeicoul
d
hecame. .
.

Hemov edbackandmov edthe

curtai
nslookingatthecarasBay ang
l
aidont heseattheni putmyar ms
aroundhimj ocki
nghim of fashe
turnedaroundandgent l
ypull
edback
ashegotaboner ,hefixeditand
mov
edbackasif
ollowedhi
m ar
ound
t
hehouset
aki
ngoffmyclot
hes.
..

Ken:ForGodsakeDidihei
swait
ing
foryoui
nthecar,
kidsarei
nthenext
room.What'
swrongwithyou?

Itookof fmybraandheswal l
owed
l
ickinghislowerli
p,hewasseeing
mynewi mplant
sf ort
hefir
stti
me
andi touchedhisboneragai
nashe
l
ookedatme. .
.

Ken:
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
Me:youknowy ouwantit
..
..Takei
t
whi
leI'
m onthemoodbecausey ou
maynevergetthi
schanceagain
Ken:
(swal
l
owed)Gakenadi
condom
Me:
Ket
samae?

Itur
nedar
oundandtooktwost
eps
andhedesper
atel
ypul
ledmeback.
..

Ken:
Okay
,I'
l
l-

Ipul
ledhisneckdownandkissed
hi
m ashel ai
dmeont hecouchand
pushedthepanti
esasi
desli
dingi
n
throughBayang'scum andisweari
almostscreamedhal l
eluj
ahashe
fi
ll
edmeupwi thhismanhoodand
rai
sedhismanl ychestlooki
ngi
nmy
eyeswi t
hthat"I
sthiswhatwant"
l
ookt henhebithislowerli
pand
fnckedtheshitoutof
me« ««««
««»»»
» »
»»andputmyar ms
aroundhisneckcryingholdi
nghi
m
ti
ght..
..

Me:(
cry
ing)OhGodil
ovehi
sdi
ck!
Hehasagoodone.
..
.

Thosewor
dsescapedmymout
hasi
spasmedonel astt
imewhi l
ehel aid
ontopofmef i
l
li
ngmeupwi thhis
armthickcr
eam.Ir ubbedmyey es
andpushedhim offashesatont he
couchlooki
ngatmeasi putonmy
panti
esandfixedmydr ess.
..
.

Ken:Sowhatdoest
hismean?I
'
m
conf
used.
..
Me:Itmeansnot
hingKen,i
just
wantedsexandnowI'
m goi
ngto
sl
eep.
Ken:
Wit
hhi
m?
Me:
Hei
smyboy
fri
end
Hekeptqui
etasIf
ixedmyhai
r.
..

Ken:
Soyou'r
ebasical
l
yusi
ngme?
Whatam i
supposedtodo?
Me: Idon'tknowandi don'
tcarewhat
youdo, idon'tneedyou.Therei
s
nothingyoucanof fermebesidesa
gooddi ck,nothi
ng!Youcan'tev
en
aff
ordme. .
.
Ken:(swall
owedtearf
ull
y)Okay,
clear
lyyou'
renotokaysoit
'sti
mefor
youtogo
Me:Wai
t,sowhatdi
dy ouexpect?
Yout
houghtsexwoul
df i
xthis?Ther
e
i
snousandt her
ewil
lneverbe.What
makesy out hinki gettohav e
l
eftover stsaboAmant le?Ifshe
hadn'tdumpedy ouyouwoul dn'tbe
hereact ingal lGodlybecausey ou're
nothing, you'renotaman. .Idon't
knowwhaty ou'r
ebutsomet hi
ngel se.
Yout hinky oucanaf f
ordme?Doy ou
real
lythinky oucanaf fordme?Go
fi
ndawomanwhodr inksmber er e
thosear ey ourt ypesbecausey ougo
aroundf ixingpeopl e'
sel ect
ri
cit
y .You
don'tgett ocomebackt omeol e
uselessaut wa?
Ken:
Sokemolatogobot
sagor
ewhy
ar
eyouhav
ingsexwit
hme?
Me:
Whyel
sewoul
dihav
esexwi
th
y
ouKen?Whyel
se?
Ken:Goshapeetsamaa,
yougot
whatyouwantedaker
e?Tsamaa
Me: Youcan'taff
ordmeKenna, I
'm
wayabov eyourleague,t
akingmy
chi
ldrenandmaki ngthem sleepin
thi
st i
nyl
itt
leholebecausey ou
couldn'
tusey ourhead,y
ou'restupi
d
anduseless..
.Gaomonnawasepe, o
sehema...
Ken:
(tear
ful
l
y)f
ucky
ougetout
!

Isl
appedhi
m andpushedhi
m of
f.
.
Me:Soy ou'
regoi
ngt
otel
lmef
uck
you?Reall
y?
Ken:(
openedthedoorforme)Ke
kopagor
eot samaeDidioiseont
ene
Me:Osenagont hoga?Buaseneose
buagape?Youthinkit
'sbackthen
wheniwasyourdoormat ?Begging
yousoyoucantakeresponsibi
li
ty.
..
Sayi
t,(
pushedhim)sayi t
!Sayfuck
yougape
Ken:
(tear
ful
l
ycal
m)Wow,
Goodni
ght
Me: I
nf actIwantmykids,gi
vingyou
twomi nuteswitht
hem youalready
thi
nky ou'r
etheworld'
sbestfather
giv
ememyki ds
Ken:
You'r
enotgetti
ngthem l
iket
his.
You'
l
lgetthem whenyou'
resober

Itookaf
ewstepst
othebedr
oom
andhepull
edmeback.
..
.

Ken:
Banabar
obet
se,
cany
oupl
ease
st
opthi
s?

Isl
appedhim acrossthefacet henhe
angri
lypi
ckedmeupandwal ked
outsi
deasi scr
eamedt hekids, he
putmedownandcov eredmymout h
ashewalkedbackwar dsdraggingme
tothecar
..
.
Ken:
Didi
othodi
abanabar
obet
se.
..

Ibi
thi
shandt
henhet
ookof
f.
..

Me:
Zane?Fai
th?
Ken:
Didi
stop.
..

Thechil
drenrant
othedoorand
watchedasKendraggedmet henhe
l
etgoassoonashesawt hem,
Bayangslammedthedoorand
hur
riedovert
henhepushedKenof f
..
Bayang:Whatareyoudoi
ng
draggi
ngherl
ikethat
?
Ken:Justtakeher
!Takeyour
gir
lfr
iendandgett
hehell
outofmy
yard!
Zane:
Whyar
eyoupushi
ngmom?
Ken:
Zanegobackinthehouse,
you
woul
dn'
tunder
stand.
..
Me:Zanegeti
nthecar!Fait
h?Go!(i
pushedhi
m)anddon'teverputy
our
handsonmeoryou'
llspendanighti
n
j
ail
..
.

Kenopenedt
hecardoorandl
ett
he
ki
dsout.
..
Ken:Zanet
akeyoursi
sterinsi
de,
yourmom i
sdrunkagai
n...Go
Me:
(angr
il
y)Zanegetbacki
nthecar

Zane'
seyeswell
edupashehel
d
Fai
th'
shand.
..

Zane:
(scr
eami
ngastear
sdropped)
Whatdoyouwantmetodo?What?
Me:
(angr
il
y)Geti
nthecar
!
Ken:(tear
ful
ly
)Babepleasedon'tdo
thesetothekids,
lookattheti
me,
shouldtheybeseeingthese?
Me:
you'
redoi
ngt
his!

Heswall
owedandopenedthedoor
f
orthem t
henhehuggedZaneand
r
ubbedhistear
s..
.

Ken:
Buddygoodni
ghtokay
Zane:
Iwantt
ost
ayher
e
Me:OsekawalekamogonnaZane
aut
wa?Irai
sedyoual
one!
Ken:
Goi
nsi
de.
..

Zanegoti
nt hecart
henhepicked
Fai
thandfakedasmi l
easshecri
ed.
..
Ken:Heydon'
tcry,I
'
m sorr
y..
.
Goodni
ght.
..I
'
llseeyouguys
tomorr
owokay ?

Heputheri
nsi
deandclosedt
hedoor
t
henhefakedasmil
e..
.

Ken:
Goodni
ght
,seey
out
omor
row.
..

Ir
oll
edmywi ndowsanddrov
eof fas
hesl
owl
ysquat t
edrubbi
nghisf
ace
l
ooki
ngatthecarandthechi
ldr
en
st
art
edcr
ying..
..
Me:
Zanedi
dimal
aol
edi
sangwana.
..
Bayang:
Youshoul
dhavel
ett
hem
sl
eepandyoushoul
dn'
tev
enbedr-
-
Me:(angr
il
y)Kantewhosesi deare
youon?YouknowwhatI '
mt ir
edof
havi
ngtoexplai
nmy sel
ftoy ou.I
don'
tneedyouBay ang.
..Getoutof
mycar,Inoti
nthemoodf orthi
s..
.

Ipul
l
edoverint
hemiddl
eofnowher
e
andtur
nedtohi
m..
.

Me:
Getout
!
Bay
ang:
Youknowi
lef
tmy
-
Me:Idon'
tcar
eshoul
dical
lthe
pol
i
ce?Getout!

Hegothisphoneandst
eppedout
t
henidroveoff
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
06AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 103

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Hesatonthebedanddi
aledLol
o'
s
number
..
.

Lol
o:(
sleepy
)Hel
l
o?
Ken:Hell
o,I
'
m sorryforcal
l
ingt
his
l
ate.Ineedyourhel
p.
Lol
o:(
gotup)Whati
sit
?
Ken: It
hinkDidi i
sdrunkbutshet ook
thekids,nereset ser el
wahapelega
boneandi decidedtol ethergowit
h
them tostopt hedrama.Cany ou
pleasetalktoherIdon' tevenknowif
myki dsaresaf ewithherbecause
Bay angleeneot si
didihelaopal
elwa
keDi di
Lolo:Wai
tseobuannetesheacted
funnyear
li
erandwedidn'tendi
n
goodterms,l
etmecallher
Ken:
No,don'
tcall
.Justgot
her
eand
makesur
ethekidsarefi
ne.
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Hehungupandr
ubbedhi
sface.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Minuteslat
erLoloshookAati
le'
s
shoul
derasshegr abbedhercarkey
s
thenhisphonerang,shewokehim
andhandedhimt hephone..
.

Aat
il
e:hel
l
o?
Bayang:Themonnataont seekemo
tsel
engyamatapanahelamo
sekgwengandit
shorri
blydark
Aat
il
e:What
?
Bayang:I
'm donewit
hDidi,i
can'tbe
di
srespect
edl i
ket
his.It
oler
atedher
behavi
ourforfart
oolong.
Aati
le:HebannaI
'
llbet
her
eina
minute.
..

Hehungupandl
ookedatLol
o..

Aat
il
e:Andt
hen?
Lolo:Goi
ngt
oDidi
'
shouse,
sheis
drunkanddr
oveof
fwit
htheki
ds
Aati
le:Shedr
oppedoffBay
angont
he
middleofnowher
e,t
hiswomanwaa
peka.
Lolo:
Iwonderwhat '
swrongwi thher
becauseshestart
edmont hsback
andsheisabor etobewithbecause
sheisnegati
veabouteveryt
hingand
i
t'
sexhausti
ng.I'
mt aki
ngMay awi t
h
meant husegokgweetsabosi gonna
keboi
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.

Lol
owokeMay
aandl
eftwi
thher
..
..

Atmyhouse.
..
..
Laterthatnightituckedthekidsi
nas
Zaneangr i
lylookedatmewi t
hout
sayinganythingtheni swit
chedoff
thelight
s..

Me:
Goodni
ght
Fai
th:Goodni
ghtmama,
am i
goi
ngt
o
seedaddytomorr
ow?
Me:Yes,goodnightZane.
..(
hekept
qui
etandi swi
tchedtheli
ghtson
l
ookingathim)Isaidgoodnight
Zane:
Night
..

Het
urnedar
oundf
aci
ngt
hewal
lthen
switchedof ftheli
ghtsandwal kedin
mybedr oom wher eit
ookadeep
breathandsatont hebedtakingoff
mycl othesasi lookedatmy selfon
themi r
ror.Ihad11sur geri
esint ot
al
andi sti
lldidn'
tlookli
kethewayi
l
ookedbef ore.

Therewasaknockonthedoortheni
putonmygownandopenedt hedoor
,
Lol
owalkedinandcl
osedthedooras
il
ookedather.
..

Lol
o:Canwet
alk?
Ishowedhert
hecouchthenwesat
downasicoveredmyscaredt
high.

Lol
o:Ihear
dwhathappened,
what
's
goi
ngon?
Me:
Wit
hwhat
?
Lolo:I'm notheretof
ightyou,Idon't
knowwhati sgoingonwi thyoubut
you'repushingpeopleawayf rom you
witht hatarr
oganceandt hisnew
dri
nki nghabitofyour
swon' tendwell.
You'ret oooldtobewalkingaround
holdingabot tl
eofbeer,I
'm not
sayingI '
m perf
ectbutwear etooold.
May aandl eboCal vi
ncandot hat
becauset hey '
reontheirearl
y20' sbut
rebagoloDi di,yourboyisalmost12
yearsoldandhei sseeingal lthese,
howi shegoi ngt otreathi
sgi rlf
ri
ends?
Fait
hmi ghtt hinkvi
olenceisl ove..
.
Whyar eyoudoi ngthistoKen?
Haven'tyoupuni shedhi m enough?
Can'tyouseegor eleeneoi neet se
mogowena?Howmuchdoy ouhav e
tohurthim bef oreyoucanbe
sati
sfi
ed,whyar eyousocol d?
Me:Loloidon'
texpecty
out
o
under
stand.
..

Ist
oodupandt
ookof
fmygown
standingnakedi
nfr
ontofhert
hen
shelookeddownasherskin
crawled..
.

Me: (tearfully)Lookatme. .
..LoloI
spental mostal lmymoneyt ry
ingt o
fi
xmy selfbutI 'm stil
l notme. …i hate
myhands. ..(tearfull
y )Myent i
rebody
i
sdi ff
er entandi tsal lbecausei
all
owedmy selftolov eanot her
humanbei ngmor et hani l
ov ed
my selfsomuchi waswi ll
i
ngt odi e
forhim whenhewasoutt her e
sleepingwi thanot herwoman.( tears
dropped)Ihat eKenandhewi llnever
fi
ndr estasl ongasIl ookliket his..
..
Nev
er

Lol
o'seyeswelledupandsher
ubbed
hereyeslooki
ngatme...

Lolo:Lovedon' thate,don' trevenge

becausei twi llonl
yhur ty oumor e..
.
Looky our selfsti
llcry
ing.Youhur t
him everydaybuti tdoesn' tchange
any t
hingitonl ymakesy oubad. ..I
spenty earswi thGobonahat i
ngher
forall
owi ngamant or apemy2y ear
oldandt hr oughoutal lthosey earsi
couldn'tl
ov ebutthedayi decidedt o
forgiv
ei lostasi sterandr i
ghtnowi
l
ivewi ththegreat estr egr etever..
.I
missBobosomuch. .
.Iwi shi could
hav eforgi
venheral ongt i
meagobut
ididn'tanditaffect edourchi l
dr en,
nowwehav efiveor phans.I fyou
don'tforgiv
eKenf orcheat i
ngony ou
you'll
notseet hathedi dn'tbur nyou,
youdi ditbyyour sel fjustl i
key ou'
re
doingnow.You' rehur t i
ngy ourself,
honeynoamountofmoneyor
surgerywi l
lheal t
hescar siny our
heart,youlookwaybet terandy ou'
re
beaut i
fulbutyouwon' tseei tbecause
thescar sareinside.For give,l
ethat e
outofy ourheartsoy oucanl ov e
again, y
ou'rehurtingBay ang..
.Hei s
hereandhel ov esy oubuty oucan' t
seeitbecausey ou'r
eonami ssi on,
doy ouev enl ov eBay angory ou' re
usinghi m becausehoneyi fyoudi dn'
t
l
ov eKeny ouwoul dn'
tinv estsomuch
energyi ntohur tinghim. ..Hewoul d
beirrelevantiny ourli
fe...Youneedt o
healfrom t hei nsidesoy ouaccept
whoy ou'r
e.You' renotanydi fferent
fr
om anacci dentsur vi
v erwhohas
scars.You' real i
v eandki cking, enjoy
l
ifeandst opdr inking.Seey ourki ds
growandwat cht hem per form at
church, comet ochur chandseey our
sonlifti
ngt hewhol echur chand
bri
ngingdownt hehol yspi ri
t.
..You' r
e
mi
ssi
ngout

Ir
ubbedmyey
esandsni
ff
ed.
..

Lolo:You'renotf
ittobewi t
ht hem
andKeni sdoi
ngfinewiththem, gi
ve
them backsoy oucanheal fast er.
Don'tmaket hem hateyou,Baby
hatedmebecausei madeselfish
decisionsandnowi wantyout obe
betterthanme...
pleaselov
e

Tearsdroppedandi
rubbedthem
thenshehuggedmeasi cr
ied.
..
.
Lol o:Pleaseallowmet ogiv eKenhi s
kidssoy oucanr ecover,don' tlet
them seey oudr unkandact ingbad
especi all
ywhent heirfatherist he
victim becausebel i
evey oumehewi ll
remai nt hei
rfavour i
tefor ever, iknow
whatI 'mt al
kingaboutbecause
ev eryt
hingt hathast odowi thBabyi
heari tfrom Aatile..
.Whenshegot
herper iodshesentherf athert he
messageandhef orwardedi tt ome,
thenshet oldmet henextday .Isthat
whaty ouwantf orFaith?
Me:
No
Lolo:Taket hem backanddon' tlet
them seey ouv icti
misingtheirfather
,
thisi
showchi ldrenchoose
favourit
esbet weenpar ent
s,you
didn'
tfightsohar dt oendl i
kethis.
Don'tlethateconsumey ou..
.(stood
up)I'
m calli
ngMay a,sheistaking
them backt oKen' shouse...
.

Shest
oodatt
hedoorandcal
l
ed
Maya.
..

Lol
o:Maya?Taotseebanaobai
se
kogorr
aabone.
..
Secondsl
aterZanewalkedout
foll
owedbyFait
hbefor
ewecoul dcal
l
them..
.

Zane:
Arewegoi
ng?
Me:Yesandy
oucanst
ayasl
ongas
youwant
..
.

Her
anov
erandhuggedme.
..

Zane:Il
ovey
ousomuch,
you'
ret
he
best
..
.
Fai
th:
Arey
oucomi
ngt
oo?
Me:
Nobaby
,il
lseey
out
omor
row
Fai
th:Let
'
sgoandsl
eepatdaddy
's
house.Wewi
ll
watchDSTVtoget
her
Me:
I'
ll
visi
ttomor
row.
.
Fai
th:
Ok

Shehel dMay a'

shandandsadl y
walkedout ,Lol
oclosedthedoorand
ibrokedowncov eri
ngmyf ace.Al
lI
want edwast ogobacktomynor mal
body ,i
twasn'thappeni
ngandi
couldn'taccepti
t..
.

Me:Ishoul
dn'
thaveburnedmyself
,I
l
ookli
keamonst er
!Peoplest
areat
me
Lolo:(
tearful
l
y )Didii
t'sall
iny our
head..
.Yourfacei sokay ,i
tdidn't
burnevenbef orey ouwentt here
foundati
onalway scov eredthel i
tt
le
burnedareas.Peopl elookaty ou
becausey ou'
rebeaut if
ul.
…thisdoctor
managedt of i
xy ourskinandy ou
l
ooksomuchbet ter,hedidagood
j
ob
Me:(cr
ying)Bycut
ti
ngonmyt
highs
Lol
o!
Lol
o:Andy ett
hereisamanwho
l
ovesyoulikethat
,Bayangishere
andnevercheatedfor5years,what
doyouwant ?Therearepeoplewho
don'
thavelimbsorsight
,appreci
ate
theli
ttleyouhav e.It'
sbeeny earsget
overit!Kendidn'tholdhispr i
son
sentenceov eryourheadbuty ou'r
e
thereasonheki lledhisbrother,why
shouldy ouholdt hesescarsov erhis
headwhenhedi dn' tsety
ouonf ir
e?
Stopbei ngav i
ctim, i
twasf unny
wheny oustart
ednowgagokgat he
gothelele.OkgerisaKenmot howa
modi mol eBayangot hol
aabol ell
a
Aatil
egor egatweosokodi saKenna,
emisamma. ..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
Minut
eslat
erhepi
ckedFai
thandl
et
ZaneinasMayast
oodatthedoor
..
.

May
a:Goodni
ght
Ken:
Goodni
ght
..

Heclosedthedoorandputthe
chil
drentobedandthenhesatonthe
edgeofhisbedlooki
ngatthem as
theypeacef
ull
ylai
dlooki
ngathim..
.

Ken:Mom i
sver
ysi
ck,youknowshe
hasbeent
ryi
ngtof
ixherski
nri
ght
?
Them:
Yes
Ken:So...Someofthemedication
shei
st akingistoost
rongandit
makesherangr ybutshesti
lll
ov es
youandshel ovesmet oo.
..
.il
oveher
aswell
, okay?
Bot
h:Okay
Ken:I'm sor
rythaty
ouhadt oseeme
draggingherli
kethatorhersl
appi
ng
me, wedon'twantyoutothink
fi
ghtingisOK.Getsomesl eep
Zane:
Ilov
eyoudad
Ken:(smil
ed)Il
ovey
out
oobuddy
,
goodnight
Fai
th:
Iwantmom t
ost
ayher
etoo
Ken:
(tookadeepbr
eat
handsmi
l
ed)
Sohelpmepr
ayabouti
tev
eryni
ght
okay
?
Fai
th:
Ok.
..

Heswi
tchedof
ftheli
ghtsandl
aid
downt
henhisphonerang.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Didy
ouhav
esexwi
thher
?
Ken:
(swal
l
owed)What
?
Bayang:I
'm outheretr
yingto
cooperat
ewi t
hy ouconcerni
ngyour
ki
dsandal l
,iwanttoknowi fwesti
ll
havethatcooperati
on.Didanyt
hing
happenwhi leIwasi nthecar?
BecauseI '
ml ay i
ngheretr
yingt
o
piecetogetherwhathappened, t
hose
ki
dswer ewaki ngupsowhathad
beenhappeni ngbef or
ethatbecause
shewasn' twitht hem?Tel
lmet he
tr
uthandI 'l
lwal kawayfr
om Didi
becausei willnotbecaughtup
betweenbabydaddyandbabymama
drama.I'mjustt ryi
ngtoendthi
ngs
peacefull
yresal we
Ken:(
swall
owed)Nothi
nghappened,
weweretal
kingaboutt
heki
dsand
endedupargui
ng.
Bay
ang:Goodthenyouwon'
thav
eto
worr
yabouty
ourstatus
Ken:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Bayang:
Nev
ermi
nd,
itdoesn'
taf
fect
youaker
e
Ken:
(pani
cked)Um.
..Yeah.
..Thanks

Hehungupandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h..
.

Ken:
(whi
sper
ed)Shi
t!

KindlyLi
ket
heinser
ts,
thenextone
foll
owsat11pm.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
06AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 104

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
Thenextmor ningBay angwal ked
towardst henur se'
sst ati
onand
bri
eflytalkedt ot henur seondut y,
theylaughedt henhet ookouthi s
phoneandshowedherapi cture.She
l
ookedati tcar eful
lyandnodded
agreeingt henhesmi ledatherand
walkedt owar dst hestai r
sdialinghis
coll
eague. ..
..

Tshepo:
Hel
l
o?
Bayang:Don'tyouknowany
oneat
Disanengcl
inic?
Tshepo:
Ther
eist
hisgi
rl
..
.Ei
sh
gat
wemangnebanna
Bayang:Good,
comedownst
air
sre
chi
ketengtherra
Tshepo:
Why
?
Bay
ang:
Just
,hur
ryup.
..
Tshepo:
Shap

Hehungupandwal kedtowardst
he
exi
t,minut
eslat
erTshepojoi
nedhi
m
andtheydrov
eout..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Ont
hesamemor
ningOt
lhewal
kedi
n
andsmi
l
edatFai
th.
..

Ot
lhe:Fai
thhey..
.Thi
sonelooksl
ike
Di
dithebathungwee..
.Comehere..
.

Shel
i
ftedherupandki
ssedher
..
.

Otl
he:IwishIcoul
dhav
eki
ds
wait
se..
.
Ken:
Oser
iousaboutnothav
ingki
ds?
Otlhe:
Ican'tfal
lpregnant
,webeen
tr
y i
ngandt r
ying.
..Maybethat
'swhy
Rickystoppedtalki
ngaboutmarri
age.
Ken:
Hav
eyouseent
hedoct
or?
Ot
lhe:
Noty
et,
I'
m pl
anni
ngt
ogo
Ken:
Okay
..
.Letmehur
ry
Otl
he:Whatdi
dyousayr
waswr
ong
agai
n?
Ken:
Toot
hacheei
sh.
..
Otl
he:Okay.
..
.(wal
kingtotheki
tchen)
Let
'sgofixy
ourbreakfast
..
.

Kenwalkedoutandhur
ri
edt
othe
taxi
stop.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce..
..
.

Lol
owal
kedpastt
her
ecept
ionand
smiledathersubordinatesasthey
greetedhert
henshewal kedpasta
cl
eanerholdi
ngaf urniturespr
ayand
somecl ot
hes..
.

Cl
eaner
:Mor
ningma'
am
Lol
o:Goodmor
ningmmagweRose.
..
Cl
eaner
:Sorr
ywecl
eanedl
atet
he
of
fi
cesti
ll
smell
s
Lol
o:I
t'
sfi
ne,
ilov
eli
l
ies.
..

Shetookherseatandswi
tchedon
thecomputert
henherphonerang.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Sedi
:Hi,iwast ry
ingtor eachAatil
e
butheisnotanswer ing.I'
m goingon
ashorttri
p,kemobi l
ecl i
nicandI'l
lbe
gonefor3day sbutLamei s
Gaboronev i
sit
ingfr
iendssoi was
wonderingifshecouldcomet here.
Lol
o:I
t'
stot
all
yfi
ne,
justdr
opherof
f
Sedi
:Okay
,thanks
Lol
o:By
e

Shehungupandl
eanedbackmaki
ng
acal
l.
..
Di
di:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Lolo:Goodmorni
ng,st
il
li
nbed?
Erengdrugaddi
cti
onmongwaneng
Di
di:
(laughed)Myheadi
ssoheav
y
Lol
o:Di
dyouf
lasht
hem?
Di
di:
I'
ll
doi
tassoonasIgetup.
Lol
o:By
e
Di
di:
Bye

Shehungupandst ar
tedwor
kingas
herassi
stantwal
kedin.
..

Her
:Bossl
adyhel
pher
e..
.
Shegr
abbedt
hepaperandr
eadi
t.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Laterthatmor ningKenj oi
nedthe
queuef orconsul t
ati
on,thenurse
sit
ti
ngatt hest ati
onli
ftedherphone
l
ikeshewast akingasel fi
e,sheeven
smiledandt ookapi ctureofKen..

Her
:(phot
o)Thi
s
Bay
ang:
Thanks,
whoi
sat
tendi
ng?
Her
:Pi
tso
Bay
ang:
Ok,
I'
ll
cal
lhi
m
Her:Del
etet
hesemessagespl
ease
gakebategolat
hegel
waketi
ro
Bay
ang:
thanks.
..

MinuteslaterKenwalkedinfor
consult
ationasthenursestopped
pressi
nghi sphoneandplaceditf
ace
downwhi leKentookaseat .
..

Nur
se:
Hel
l
o?Howcani
assi
sty
ou?
Ken:Um..
.Idon'tknowi fi
t'
spossi
ble,
I'
m..
.Ihadunprotectedsexwit
h
someonewhoIhav ereasonto
bel
iev
esheisHI
Vposit
ivebutIam
negat
ivesoI
'
m wonder
ingi
fyoucan
hel
pme.
Nur
se:
It'
spossi
ble.
..

Hegrabbedhisphoneandpr essedit
ashegrabbedtheboxoflatexgloves
andsatdownthenheputt hem on
andstar
tedhelpi
nghim.
.

Atmyhouse.
..
.

Iwokeuplatet
hatmorni
ngand
headedt
ot het
oil
etwher
eil
eaned
overthetoil
etthr
owingup,knowingi
wasoncont racepti
vesgavemeso
muchpeacewhenIt houghtofthe
chaosi gotmyselfi
ntothepr ev
ious
ni
ght ,i
didn'
tknowKen'scurrentHIV
statusbutknowingiwouldn'
tbe
pregnantfel
tmuchbet t
er.
..

Therewasaknockonthedoor,
i
washedmyfaceovert
hesinkand
ri
nsedmymouththeniwalkedout
fi
xi
ngmyhairandopenedthedoor
.

Bayangwalkedi
nwi t
hbothhandsin
thepocket
sasiclosedt
hedoor..
.
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Bay
ang:
Goodmor
ning
Me:Whydidn'
tyour
epl
ymy
messages
Bayang:Didy
ouhav
esexwi
thKenna
l
astnight?
Me:
No,
why
?
Bayang:
Lookatme,l
ooki
nmyey
es
andanswermeagai
n..
.

Isi
ghedandl
ookedi
nhi
sey
es.
..

Bay
ang:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thKenna
l
astni
ght
?
Me:
No.
..
Bay ang:Wantalel
aakere?Knowing
thati won'
tbeatyougi
vesy ouso
muchpeaceandknowi ngthatyou
don'tneedmeormymoneymakesi t
alleasytoli
eandhurtmei sn'
tit
?
Me:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Bayang:Knowingi can'tdoany thing
aboutyourcheati
ngi sni ceisn'
tit?
You'
renotscaredtocheatbecauseat
theendofthedayy oudon' tneedme
ormymoney ..
.IfifeellikeI'm not
happyIshouldwalkawayandi t
makesnodi f
ferencet oy ou
Me:Bayangi
don'tknowwhaty
ou
wantf
rom me,Kenisly
ing
Bay
ang:
Soy
oudi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m?
Me:
No
Bayang:I
'm goi
ngtoaskyouonel
ast
ti
me,didn'
tyouhaveunpr
otect
edsex
wit
hKennal astni
ght
?
Me:
No

Hetookouthi
sphoneanddialedKen
t
henheputhim onl
oudspeaker.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
I'
m wi
thDi
di,
iknowy
ouhad
unprotectedandi t'
sokay ,youcan
haveherbutj ustknowt hatthe
reasony ourmot herdiedisbecause
shesawDi diandy ourfatherkissi
ng
i
nt hekitchenandt heonl yreason
yourfatherlefthereverythi
ngi s
becauseshewassl eepi
ngwi t
hhim.
Hav efunget t
ingbackt ogetherwith
yourfather'
sexgi rl
fri
endorshoul dI
sayy ourmot her.Bye..
..
.

Hal
fabreadisbet
tert
hannot
hing,
Goodni
ghtf
amily
*
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
07AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 105

Atmyhouse.
..
.
Myjawsdroppedandi snat
chedhis
phonethenihungupandswallowed
l
ookinginhi
sey es.
..

Me:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Bayang: Ontirel
amakgakgaDi di and
I'
m notgoingt oletyouf ool meagai n
andgounpuni shed,yousl eptwi th
Kennat hatnightandy ou'regoi ngto
l
ookmei ntheey esandl ietome?
Can'tyouatleastapol ogise?You' re
pri
defulandunapol ogeticallyrude, I
spentthelast5y earst r
yingt obui l
d
you,tr
yingtor epai
ryoubutmay be
you'
retoobr okent obef ixed..
.Ican't
dothis,ican'tpl
aythesegames.I
thoughtyouwer edonewi ththi
sman
butclear
lyy ou'
renot,howdoy ou
thi
nkitfeelsbeinginar el
ati
onshi
p
withsomeonewhodoesn' tcare
weathery ou'r
ether
eornot ?

Myphoner angandi
glancedatt
he
screen,i
twasKenandi knewhe
wantedt oknowwhathappenedto
hisparents.
..
.

Me: Bayangididn'tsl
eepwit
hKen'
s
father
,hegav ethosethi
ngstohi
s
grandchil
drennotme, whatmakes
youthinkI'
ddot hatwithanoldman?
(hesmi l
edindisbeli
efandlaughed)
youthinkthisi
sf unny?Areyou
enjoy
ingthis?
Bayang:(sadly
)Act ual
lyI
'mverysad,
youlostyourselfhaven'
tyou?You
coul
dmeety ourselfdowntheroad
andy ousti
llwouldn'tr
ecogni
se
yoursel
f.
..

Het ookouthisphoneandplayeda
videoofmesi tt
ingont
hedinner
tablewit
hhim holdi
ngabottl
eof
beercryi
ng,irememberedt
hatday
thoughicouldn'
trememberevery
det
ail
andthev
ideocl
ear
edmy
memory.
.

((
((((
("Whatdi dy ousay ?",heasked
secretl
yr ecording..."Ifeelbadt hat
Ken'smot herdiedbecauseofme, i
somet imesdr eam aboutherandi n
al
l mydr eamsshei sjustst andingby
mybedwi thtearsr oll
ingdownher
eyesandshedoesn' tsayany thi
ng.
Somet imesi seeherput ti
ngherar ms
aroundKenandOt lheast heycr ied..
.
Ifeelbadt hati tookt heirpar ents
i
nher i
tanceandnev ergav et hem a
dime.What '
sscar yisthatbef or
eshe
diedshewant edtogi vemehercar
andt henshesawherhusband
kissingme, shehadahear tattack
andt henRr agweKenenei wasbi tter
andf eltideser vedsomet hing
becauseKenwasn' tgivi
ngme
any thing.Theol dmanst artedhi tt
ing
onmeandi agreed.Itol
dhi mt oput
ev erythingi nmynamebef orei could
doany thingwi t
hhi m."isaidcr yingas
tearsr olleddownmyey es."Howdi d
hedi e? ,"heaskedr ubbingmy
shoul der ."WhenZanewentmi ssing
hej ustst oodupandsai dsomet hi
ng
l
iket heydi dn'tunderstandor
somet hingt hent hat'
sit,hedi ed.I
hav enoi deawhyhedi edbutKen' s
motherhaunt
smeinmydr eams.I
t
hinksheiscry
ingf
orherki
ds..
.)
)))
)))
)

Thecli
pendedandhel
ookedi
nmy
eyesasicover
edmymouth
tear
ful
l
y..
..

Bayang:Ilovedy oudespi t
ewhaty ou
didandi di
dn'tjudgey ounordi dit
ell
anyonebuty out ookmef orgrant
ed,
remindedmeev erydayt hatyoudon't
needmeandi cangoany ti
mei want.
Whatkindofl oveist hat
?( l
eaned
over)Babei understoodwhyy ou
weredrinkingsomucht hat'swhyi
def endedy ouandt riedt ohelpy ou
butno, I
'
m st il
lthatpat rolattendant
youusedandr ejectedy earsago. ..
(tear sfil
ledhi sey es)You' l
lnev erfind
any onewhol ov esy out hewayi love
youDi di autwa?Nev er.
..
.Lehael e
eneKen, hewi llnev erlovey out he
wayi dobecauseev enasI '
m
standi ngher eangr yaty oui lovey ou,
ev enaf terfindingoutt hatyouhad
sexwi t
hKennai can' tbeatyou
becausei stil
llov eyou. .
.ij
ustl ove
youwi t
hy ourf l
awsandev erybad
thingy oudoi feel l
i
kecanbe
cor rected, ibeli
ev einy oubutt he
pai nful t
hingaboutl ov i
ngsomeonei s
thatther ei snoguar ant
eet hatthey
willl
ov eyouback.Youdon' tloveme
Didiy ouj ustf eelsafewi thme
becausei don' tbeatyou, idon't
scream aty ouandi don'tcheaton
you.You' rejustl i
kemanywomenout
there, youdon' twantanor mal man. .
.
Youwantamanwhoabusesy ou,
slapsy ouar oundandsl eepswi t
h
otherwomen.Kennai smor eman
thani am toy oubecausewomen
wanthi m, becausehei sbadandy ou
l
iket hatt hrill
..
.Youdon' twantt obe
safewi thageekl ikeme, youdon' t
needamant hatspends8hour sina
l
abor at ory.Youneedact i
onand
thesemov ieli
f estyl
eoff astmoney .
I'
mr eall
ygladi t
ri
edbecause5y ears
agoi l
ivedinfearandwonder s
thi
nkingwhati fDidiandi aremeant
foreachot her,whati fididn'
tfightfor
herandnowi knowt heanswersoI 'l
l
mov eonwi thmyl if
eandacceptt hat
youdon' tl
oveme, itsfi
net ooi j
ust
wishy oucouldhav etol
dmet hisa
l
ongt imeagoi nsteadofwast ing5
yearsofmyl i
fe...

Het
ookoutanengagementr
ing.
..

Bay
ang:
Ibeencar
ingt
hisf
oral
most
amont handnotasi ngl edayi nthis
mont hdidy ougi vemeachancet o
propose.Idon' tcareifKennahas
repent edatt heendoft hedayhehur t
youandmay beonedayhewi ll
backsl idefrom chur chanddoi tall
ov eragai n.May bey oul ovehimt he
wayi lovey ou,may behewant sy ou
becauseheknowshei ssaf ewi t
h
you. ..May bej ustmay bey ou'r
ehi s
Bay ang- t
hesaf estchoi cei nst
eadof
thel oveofhi slife.What everitisyou
hav emybl essingandt hanky ouf or
l
ist eningt omet alki
ngf orsol ong
becauset hisisthef ir
stt imeI'm
freel yt el
l
ingy oumyt ruef eeli
ngs
aboutt hiswhol ethi ng.You' vehur t
meal otbysl eepingwi t
hKennawhi le
iwaswai ti
ngf ory oui nthecarl i
kea
fool.
..( tearsfil
ledhi sey es)Youhav e
noideahowst upidanddegr adedi
feelri
ghtnow.Al l becausei wentout
theret okeepy ousaf efrom
accident ssincey ouwant edt odrive
drunkbuty ouhadsexi nst ead, y
ou're
heartlessandi knowy oudon' tcar e
butonedayy ou'l
lr ememberme,
you'l
lr ememberhowi wentoutofmy
wayt ohel py ouandy oucheat edon
met hendr oppedmeof font hesi de
ofther oaddi srespect i
ngmei nf ront
ofyourchi ldren.Thechi ldreni hav e
l
ovedandcar edfor5y earsyouj
ust
makemel ookst upidinfr
ontoft
hem.
Thanksforl
istening,i
feelmuch
bett
ernow..
.

Hewalkedt
ot hebedr
oom and
pi
ckedhist
-shir
tsasist
oodbythe
door
..
..

Me:
I'
m sor
ry,
canwet
ryagai
n?
Bayang:(l
aughedandlookedatme)
I'
m notthatst
upi
dokay ?I
'm not,i
knowy ouwantmet osayohy ahlet'
s
tr
yagainandgetmet odeletethe
vi
deothendumpme, I
'
m notst upi
d
andI'
m notdel
eti
ngt
hisv
ideount
ili
feel
li
keit
.
Me: I
'mverysor
rythati
didn'
t
appreci
ateyou,
ibeengoingthr
ough
alotlat
ely
Bayang:
(walki
ngout)Metoo,
ibeen
i
nlovewithawickedgi
rl
Me:Soyou'
renotgoi
ngt
odel
etet
hat
vi
deo?

Bayangturnedaroundandpr essed
hisphoneasi l
ookedathi m,iknew
he'dneverhur
tmel ikethatandiwas
thankf
ulhewasdel eti
ngt hevi
deo.
Me:
Arey
oudel
eti
ngi
t?
Bayang:No,ijustsenti
ttoKennain
casey ouwanttodenyitandmake
mel ookfool
ishforthesecondti
me.

Heshowedmet hesentvideoandmy
heartpoundedasibreat
hedheav i
ly.I
satontheedgeofthebedr ubbing
myf aceasmypalmssweat .
..
.

Bay
ang:
Bye

Heclosedt
hedooranddr
oveoff
whi
leIsatt
her
e,myphonerangover
andoveragai
nandiknewKenwas
goi
ngtokil
lmeandifhewasn'
tthe
worl
dwouldneverl
ookatmethe
sameagainsoicameupwitha
sol
uti
on.

«
«««
«««
«««
«»THEEND»
»»»
»»»
»»»

SI
DENOTE

Itt
ookme4hour stogobackt othe
dayimetBayangandhowki ndhe
was,mygoodheartedgr
andmot her
andal
ltheyear
sofmyy outhat
Gabor
onedownt omystrugglesin
Maunupunt
ilnowasiwri
tethis
concl
usi
ont
owhoeveri
sreadingit
..
.

Thatwast hej ourneytothewi cked

personiam t oday,iam guilt
yof
l
ov i
ngamanmor ethani l
oved
my sel
ftotheext entofbur ni
ng
my sel
fandnowi am justashadow
ofmy sel
f,ican'trecognisemy self
norwalkar oundwi thmyheadhi gh.
Wheni celebratedgoi ngtoa
univer
sit
ywi thmygr andmotheri
thoughtli
fewoul dbegoodf ormebut
iwaswr ong.I '
m over35y earsold
withadegr eeandI 'v
enev erwor ked
i
nanof fi
ce.Iwat chedmyf ri
endLol o
prosper ,sheisnowt hemanagerand
sheget ssal aryi canonl ydream of
yeti wentt oschool wi
thherand
graduat edwi thher .Shecheat edon
themanwhol ovedherandshe
cheat edmor ethant wicebuthest i
ll
can'tgetenoughofher .Hecal l
edme
askingf ort i
psonhowhecan
surpriseherwi t
habeaut if
ul weddi
ng
andi toldhi m exact lyhow.Iam not
j
ealousi justwantt hesamef ai
r
chancei nli
feev enwi t
hmyf laws.

Howdoiforgi
veKennawheni don'
t
knowwherewewouldbehad
Amant
lenotdumpedhim?Ifshe
decidest ocomebackwher edoes
thatleavemychi l
drenandi?Iam
angryandI '
m madt hatGodnev er
gavemeachancet obehappy
despitemyhor r
ibl
echildhood.How
cani ber ej
ectedbymyownpar ents
andst il
lnotfi
ndhappi nessasan
adult,am itooselfi
shtowantt oput
my selftopeace?

Idon'tknowwher emymot herwil

l
readthisfr
om buty ou'r
ethecauseof
allt
heseprobl
emsi nmyl i
fe,you
neverlovedmeal lbecausemyf ather
deniedmebuti am gladirai
sedZane
andlovedhimt houghhi sfat
herhad
deni
edhi
m.Idi
dn'
tknowamother
's
l
ovecoul
dbeuncondi
ti
onal
.

Tomychi ldrenpl easef orgivemef or

allmywrongs, ididwhati hadt odo
tosecurey ourf uture.Ifi hadtosel l
mysoul tot hedev i
lhimsel fjustso
youcaneatI '
dgl adlydosoandt hat'
s
whati di
dt hedayi deci dedt ocross
theli
newithy ourgr andf atherafter
whatheof feredme, becausey our
fat
herwasst il
llostint hewor l
di had
nootherchoi cebutt odot hisforyou.
Nowy ourfat herf oundhi swayback
buticannotundowhati did.
Kennai knowy ou' reangr ywi t
hme
andy ou'regoi ngt ohat emebutt hank
youf orlov ingmewhennoonedi d,
you'reawonder ful manbecause
thoughy ousol ddr ugsy ounev er
want edmeneart hem andy ouspoilt
mewi thev er ythingagi rlcandr eam
of.Ifail
edt oi nv est ,
hadi madebet ter
choicesIwoul dhav enev ersuf f
ered
i
nl i
fe.Youmadey ourmi stakesandI
appreciat et haty ouar eone
correctableman, amanwhocanown
upt ohismi stakesandwor khar dto
earnt hatf or giveness.Youear ned
yourchi l
dr en' sfor givenessand
respect,nowy ou'l
lneedtobe
strongerthanev erbefor
ebecause
notonlywi ll
youbeaf at
her
,you'
ll
be
amot hertoo.Ilovey ouandI'
l
l
alwayslov eyou.

Idon'thaveenought i
met oaddress
eachandev erypersoni li
kebuti am
veryhappyt ohav emetandl aughed
withy ouall
.Bay angy ou'
reagood
manandI '
m sor ryforbr eaki
ngy our
heart.Aronal oveI '
m sorryforhurti
ng
you,LoloI'm sor r
yf orallt
hehur tand
thanky ouforcar ingaboutmeev en
aftereverythingwehav ebeen
through.Ilov eyoual landplease
wheny our eadt hebookabov edown
tothedetailsofwhathappenedi nmy
l
ifejustknowt hatidi
di tformy
chil
drenbecausei knowt heymi ght
gotoauni versit
yandst il
lstr
uggle
l
ikei di
dandI '
m goingt oliedowni n
peaceknowi ngthattheyeachhav ea
propertywor thmydeat h.Knowi ng
thattheyhav esomet hingt ofal
lback
onwhent hingsgobadgi vesmea
peaceofmi nd.

Wi
thLov
e:Di
dint
e

I
nRet
sil
e'
scar
..
..
Kennapar kedt hecart henZane
openedt hegateandr ant othehouse.
Heswi tchedof ft
heengi neand
l
eanedbackt houghtfully.Hesti
ll
couldn'
tbelievehisfathert ook
advantageoft hesituationthewayhe
di
d...

Ken:
Fai
thl
et'
sgoi
nsi
debaby
..
.

Fait
hjumpedoutandr antothe
houseasKent ookanotherbr
eath
thought
ful
l
y..
.
Ken:Didi ihopeyou'l
lforgivemef or
putt
ingy ouinsuchadi f
ficultpositi
on.
Hadi notabandonedmychi l
dreny ou
wouldhav enev erdonet his.Ican't
beli
evey oulivedwithsomuchgui lt
forsolongandIwasn' ttheret oease
i
tup...(si
ghed)Gr eat,
nowI '
mt alking
tomy self.
..

Hesteppedoutandlockedthecar
walki
ngtowardsthedoorasZane
sl
owlywalkedoutwithtear
sinhis
ey
es,Kenpausedandl ookedathi
m..
.

Ken:
What
?
Zane:
(tear
srol
l
ed)Ma-
ma
Ken:
What
?
Zane:
(hi
sli
pstrembl
edhast
ear
s
metonhischeek)Ma-
ma

Hequi
cklywalkedpasthim and
r
ushedtothebedroom whereFait
h
waspul
li
ngDidi'sl
egsasshehungby
t
heneckfrom thechandel
iercor
d..
.

Fai
th:
Mama?Getdown.
.Mama?

Kenclosedhi
sey esi
ndi
sbel
iefand
openedthem agai
nasFai
thbegun
cr
ying.
..

Fai
th:(
cry
ing)Mamay
ou'
renot
tal
ki
ngtome. .
.
Ken:Di
dino.
..Babeno.
..
.Comeon.
..
Pl
ease.
..

Hegrabbedthechairandtri
edto
unti
eherbutther
opehadgot t
en
deepinherski
nhecoul dn'
tremoveit
thenhejumpedoffandhurriedout
withFai
th.

Hecamebackwi
thakni
feandcut
herdownasshemeltedonhi
s
shoul
dert
henhel
aidheronthebed
andremovedt
herope..
.

Ken:(
panicked)Didi
?Babe?No..
..We
gotki
ds,youknowI '
m notagood
fat
her
..
..Youcan'tdothi
s..
.

Hel eanedov eroverandbl

ewi nher
mout ht henshepr essedherchest
sev er
alt i
mesbutshewasn' t
respondi ng,hecheckedherpulseand
swal l
owedl ooki
nginherwideopen
eyest hent earsdroppedonher
foreheadashebr eathedshaki
ng..
.
Hetookouthisphoneandmadea
phonecal
lhuggi
ngherli
fel
essbody
..
.

Ken:(
cryi
ngasthephonerang)Di
di
pl
easegetup..
.You'
renotdyi
ng.
.I'
m
notl
osingyoubabeno..
..

ZaneandFait
hstoodatthedoor
st
ari
ngathim asheslowlyl
osti
t
whil
ehol
dingthephone..
.

Ken:(
cry
ingshaki
ngher
)Di
di?DI
DI?
FUCK!WHERETHEFUCKI SGOD..
.
WHATAM IGOI NGTOCHURCH
FOR...
.NOOOOOOOO. .
.(cryi
ngas
tearsmetonhi schi n)PleaseGod. .
..
Lethergetup. .
..(kissedher )Babei
wouldhav eneverjudgedy ou,who
am i t
oj udgeyou?di dn'
tyounot i
cedi
am achangedman? Pleasedon'tdie
beforeIcanl ovey ouandmakei tup
toyou...Wehav eki dst oraise.
..
.

Fait
hgotont hebedandhuggedKen
cryi
ngonhisbackasheknel t
huggingDi
di'
sbodyt henZanewalked
overandgrabbedthephonewhilethe
otherendwasstil
lconnect
ed..
.
Zane:
(rubbedhi
stear
s)Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Hel
lo?Maunpol
i
cest
ati
on
mayihel
py ou?
Zane:
Mymot
hercommi
tt
edsui
cide.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
07AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 106

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Thel ight
soft heambul ancegl
it
ter
ed
ast heparamedi cscarr
iedthe
stretcheroutsidethehousewhile
peopl ewatchedi nshocksomewi th
theirhandsont hemout h.

Ot
lheshushedFai
thasZanewal
ked
behindthehousethenAatil
edrove
thr
ought hegat
eandpar ked,Lol
o
j
umpedoutt ryi
ngtof i
ndoutwhat
wasgoingonasOt l
heranovertoher
andhandedherFaiththenshe
walkedaroundthehousecalli
ng
Zane..
.

Aati
lesl
owlygotoutofcarand
walkedt
owardstheambulance
whereKenjumpedinandkneltbyt
he
bedshaki
ngDidi.
..

Ken:Di
di?Babeiknowy oucanhear
me..
.(t
otheparamedics)Don'
tyou
hav
eanext rabl
anket
?Sheisget
ti
ng
col
d,herhandsarecol
d..
.
Par
amedic:Cansomeonegethim
pl
ease?Kantej
aanongbor r
eba
mapodisi
bonebakgabisi
tsehel
a..

Aat
ilej
umpedinandsatnextt oKen
asthedoorssl
idclosed,
heputhis
ar
m aroundhim andconsol
edhim as
hekeptchecki
ngherpulse.
..

Par
amedic:
Shei
snotr
espondi
ngt
o
any
thi
ng
Ken:Buty
oudon'
tknowt
hatshei
s
deadri
ght?
Paramedi
c:Icanpronounceherdead
butonl
yadoctorcancerti
fyherdead
Ken:Whatar
ey ousaying?I
sshe
deadoryoudon'tknow?
Paramedic:Wewi l
lhearf
rom t
he
doctor
,justr
elax.
..
Aat
il
e:Youneedt
obest
rongan-
Ken: (angri
l
yshookhi shandoff)
Dddddontputy ourhandsonme,
don'ttouchme. ..Youbot hdi
dthis?
Washebl ackmai l
inghertobewi th
himt heentireti
mebecausei don't
knowany onewhor ecor
dshis
gir
lf
riend'sbreakdownsohecanuse
i
tforr evengewhenhef indsouthe
beencheat
ed
Aati
le:
Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ou'
re
tal
ki
ngabout
Ken:
Don'
ttal
ktome.
..

Heheldherhandastheambul
ance
rushedt
hroughtheemer
gency
parki
ngspace.
..
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Lol
ofoll
owedOtl
hearoundthehouse
car
ryi
ngFai
thasshecri
ed..
.
Fai
th:
(cr
ying)Iwantmama.
..
Lol
o:Mamai scomi
ngback,
you'
l
l
seeherl
ater
..
..

Shestoppedandwat
chedasOtl
he
huggedZanewhowascryi
nghavi
ng
hi
ccups..
.

Zane:Andthen.
..(
hiccup)Andtheni
foundherhangi
ngont heroof
Otl
he:Shei sgoi
ngtobef
ine,
you
can'
tcryingwhenwedon'
tknowwhat
thedoctorswil
lsay
..
.Wehaveto
wait
..
..
Loloappr
oachedandr
ubbedhi
s
head..
.

Lolo:
Wehavetowaitandhearf
rom
them..
.(t
oOt
lhe)Yowaaotsel
aibi
l
e
Otl
he:(gother)It
hinkt
hecrowd
scar
edher ,t
hepoli
cecarsand
ever
ything.
..
Lol
o:Redi
rej
angr
eyespat
ela?
Otlhe:Idon'tknowwhatt henewswi
ll
be, i
wantt otakethem outofher
e.
Cany oudropusatmyhousekanaha
stopongandI '
l
lgetataxi
...
Lolo:I
'l
ltakey
ouhome,
bat
ser
eZane
statement?
Ot
lhe:
Yes,
they
'r
edone.
..

Minuteslat
erOt l
hegotint
he
backseatputti
ngFait
honherlap
thenLolodroveoutoftheyar
d.
Thingsgotawkwar dasLol
oquiet
ly
drovedownt heroad.
..

Ot
lhe:
Howar
ethegi
rl
sdoi
ng?
Lolo:They'
ref
ine,
Mayaisata
univer
sit
yandBabyisatasecondar
y
school
Ot
lhe:
I'
m sor
ryabo-
Lolo:Pl
easedon't,i
t'
sthepast.Idon'
t
holdgrudges.
..Webot hwronged
eachotherandy ear
shav epassed.
Nowaday sidon'
thav eti
met ohate
anyonebecausehat i
ngbearsno
goodf r
uit
s.
Otl
he:That'sver
ytrue,iprayDidi
survi
ves..
.Ioweheranapol ogyf or
wreckinghermarri
agewai tsekgang
eenjamogomaswe, ifeelli
keI'l
l
neverhavepeaceunt i
lIapologiseto
peopleiwronged.
Lol
o:(gl
ancedatZanewhohad
dozedoffbythecor
ner
)Shewon'
t
makei t
,ihav eseent hatlookbefore.
Mysisterdi dtheexactsamet hi
ng,
I
'm beginningtot hi
nkmay beihave
badluck..
.Di diandiwer eongood
ter
msr edumal anyegoreshewi ll
fl
ushthepi ll
sandr ecover..
.t
histook
mebysur pri
se...
.
Otl
he:Ist
il
lbel
iev
eshewil
lsur
viv
e..
..
Ihavethi
sstr
ongbel
iev
einmyheart.
..
Lol
o:Wewi
ll
seebutIhaveseenthat
l
ookandmysist
erdi
dn'
tmakeit.
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Kenwai
tedf
oral
mostanhourpaci
ng
upanddownasAat il
esatonthe
chair
sthenanursecall
edhiminsi
de.
Aati
lefol
lowedhi
m andclosedthe
doorastheDrtookoffhisgl
ovesand
tookadeepbreathl
ookingathim.
…

Dr:
Di di
ntl
ecouldn'
tmakeit,
shelong
di
edbef or
esher eachedt
hehospit
al.
I
'm sorr
yforyourloss

Kensmil
edandlaughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef
shaki
nghi
shead..
.

Ken:(
laughed)No,sheisnotdead.
..
Shecan'tbedead.
..
.(t
earf
ull
y)She
can'
tbedead..
.(t
earf
ull
ycl
enchedhi
s
fi
standhur
tful
lypunchedt
hebed)
SHECAN'TBEDEAD!
Dr
:Pl
easeexcuseme.
..

Thedoctorwal
kedoutasKenstood
bythewindowlooki
ngoutsi
det
ears
fal
l
ingdownhischeeks.
..

Ken:(smil
edt earf
ull
y)ShethoughtI '
d
beangryather .
..That'
swhyshedi d
thi
s..
.(t
urnedt oAatil
e)Andthef unny
thi
ngisidon'tblamehernotev ena
bit
,shewasj ustif
iedmyonlymi stake
wast owatchhert ryi
ngtofi
xher self
wheni knewt hescarswer einside..
.
Sheneededamant ohol dherandt ell
hershei sbeaut i
fulandi wasi n
chur chthinkingGodwi l
ldoi tf orme...
Ithoughtwheny oupr aythingswi ll
falli
ntopl acebutev ersincei start
ed
thi
schur cht hingmyl i
fehasbeen
fall
ingapar t,i
st her
eGod?Imean
really.
..
..
Doesher eall
yexi st?Whyhe
can'thej ustwakeheri fhei ssucha
forgivi
ngGod. ..Whatam i goingtodo
witht woki ds?Wher edoi start?

Aat
ileswal
lowedandhuggedhi
m as
hehidhisf
aceonhisshoul
der
cr
ying.
..
Aatil
e:(
tear
full
y)I'
m sor
ry.
..(
sighed
steppi
ngback)DudeIdon'tknow
howbutIknowy ou'
llmakeit
,irai
sed
May abymy sel
fandshewassot iny
,
nowshei sabiggirl
.

Bayangslowlyopenedthedooras
theguystur
nedar oundandeach
rubbedthei
rnoseslooki
ngathim.

Bay
ang:
(toAat
il
e)I
ssheokay
?
Ken:Shechoseyouandi tsti
llwasn'
t
enoughforyou.
..
.thi
showy ouended
herl
ife?Scar
inghertodeath?It
wasn'
tyourdamnpl acet
otel
lmeher
secr
ets,
shewoul dhavet
oldme
whenshewasr eady!
Bayang:
SoAati
l
eyou'
ref
ri
endswith
thi
sguynow?Il
ostmygi
rl
fr
iendand
you'
rewit
hhi
m?
Aat
il
e:Guyscanwenotdot
his?We
ar
enotli
tt
leboys
Bayang: Di
dyout el
lhimthebabyDidi
wastryingtokil
lhersel
fforyear
sago
wasy ours?You'r
easni t
ch,soyou
knewhewassl eepi
ngwi t
hherall
al
ong?
Aati
l
e:YouknowI
'
dnev
erdot
hatt
o
you!
Bayang:Youdi dwor sethant hi
s,
whatwoul dstopy ou?Tellhi
mt he
babyhet houghtwasmi neisact ual
ly
yours.
..Whataf r
iendy ou'
re!Butwhy
am isurpri
sed,youwer enev erreall
y
afri
endofmi ne!

Hewalkedoutandslammedthedoor
asAat
ilet
urnedlooki
ngatKen.
..

Ken:I
tdoesn'tmatteranymor e..
.It
makesnodi f
ferenceandi don'twant
tohearaboutit
.Youdon' towemean
expl
anati
onbecausei didn'teven
knowherwheny oudidthat..
.
Aat
il
e:Thanksf
orunder
standi
ng.
..

Aat
il
etookadeepbr
eathlooki
ngat
hi
m andshookhi
shand.
..

Aat
il
e:You'
l
lmakei
t
Ken:
Thanksf
orcomi
ng
Aat i
le:
Iknowbr okenwhenIseei t
becausei beent her
eandnoonewas
theretoconsolemeexceptmy
daught er
.You'renotlost
,Didi
liv
es
throughthosechi l
drenespeci
all
y
Faith.Thereisameani ngbehindthat
name. .
.Hav efait
h.
Ken:
Thanks

Aati
l
ewal kedoutt henKensatdown
andtookadeepbr eat
htry
ingtopul
l
hi
mselftogetherthoughhesti
ll
coul
dn'tbel
ieveit
...

I
nBay
ang'
scar
..
..

Bayanggoti
nthecarandslammed
thedoort
henheleanedback
cover
inghi
sfacecryi
ng.
..
.

Bay
ang:
OhmyGod,
Jesuswhy
?Why
di
di sendthatv i
deo.
..
.Didi
I'
m sorr
y
babe..
.(cr
ying)Godpleaseret
urnthe
ti
meandIwon' tevensayanyt
hing.
..

Aati
l
eknockedonthedoorthenhe
angr
il
yopenedthedoorandshout
ed
athi
m astear
sdropped.
..

Bayang:
(angr
il
y)Getawayf
rom my
car
!Don't
!
Aatil
e:Iknowy oudidn'
twanti
ttoend
l
ikethis,youdidn'
tknowshewould
kil
lhersel
f..
.YouloveDidi
andyou'
ll
alwaysloveher !
Bay
ang:
(si
ghedweakl
y)Idi
dn'
tknow
shewoul dbethatscar ed..
.Ikil
l
edher !
I'
llnev erseeheragai n.
..Al
liwant ed
wasf orKennat ohat ehersoshecan
comebackandcr yonmyshoul der
thenmay beI'
dbet heonlymani nher
heart.Idi dn'
twantt okil
lher.
..I
mean. ..Shehaski ds!Whycoul dn'ti
j
ustf or giveherandmov eon,why
revenge?Ist i
ll
lovehermay beshe
woul dhav eapologisedandwe
woul d....

Tearsbl
urr
edhissi
ghtasAat
il
e
huggedhimti
ghtl
ythenhebr
oke
downcryi
ng..
.
Bay
ang:
Iki
l
ledher
!!
!
Aati
le:
Youdidn'
t,
youl
ovedherand
madeadecisioni
naspl
itofasecond
wit
houtthi
nki
ng..
.

Bayangmovedbackandsquatted
hol
dinghi
schestast
earsdropped..
.

Bayang:Aat
il
ekebolail
emot ho..
..Oh
God,myheart.
..
.Myhear t
..
..(
losi
ng
hi
sbr eat
h)Myheart
..
..Shitit
hinkI'
m
havi
ngacardiacar
rest.
..
Aat
il
e:Bay
ang?(
pul
l
edhi
m up)Get
up!Comeher
e..
.Let
'sgoback
i
nside.
..
.

HeputBayang'
sarm ar
oundhim and
wal
kedbackinthehospi
tal
..
.

Bayang:(cr
ying)Sheprobabl
ydied
thi
nki
ngi hateher.
..Howdoi deal
wit
ht hi
s..
..
Aati
le:Bay
angy
ou'
rest
rongert
han
thi
s..
.

Theywalkedi
ntheconsul
tat
ion
room.
..
..
AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngKennawalkedin
thehouseandqui etl
ywal
kedtothe
bedroom, i
twasst i
l
lhar
dtobeli
eve
thatshewasgone.

Hesatont hebedandgr abbedher

nightgownt henhesl owlyputi tonhi
s
facesmel l
ingher ,i
twasasi fshe
wast here.
..Hecoul dsmel lherasa
fl
ashoft heirlaststeamysex
gleamedi nhismi ndt henhef rowned
ast ear
swett hegown, herphone
rangundert
hebedt henhesni
ff
led
andrubbedhisnosereachi
ngf
orit
...

Itwas" Aroci
ous"thenheletitri
ng
until
itstopped,hest i
l
lcoul
dn'tbri
ng
himselftobeli
eveshewasgoneor
tel
lanyoneabouti t.Thewri
ti
ngon
thescreencaughthi satt
enti
onashe
scroll
edupt oWi ckedMe✴ 1. …

Hereadt
heenti
refi
r st
-handstor
yall
t
otheendandsighedt ear
ful
lyaf
ter
r
eadingt
hesi
denot e..
.

Ken:
(shookhi
shead)Idi
dn'
tev
en
knowi i
mpressedyousexwiseDidi.
..
(tear
sf i
ll
edhiseyesagai
n)Theseare
thethingswecouldhave..
..
.(si
ghed)
Godpl easebri
ngmygi r
lback..
.

Hegrabbedthephoneandstoodby
t
hewindowl ookingout
sidet
henhe
r
ubbedat earrunni
ngdownhischeek.

Minuteslat
erhest eppedoutand
l
ookedathercar ,hehadt ogogethi
s
chi
ldrenbutheknewi ftheysawher
carthingswouldn'
tendwel l
sohe
walkedpastitandl ef
t..
..
AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngheknockedont
he
door
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Zanegett
hedoor
!

Zaneunlockedthedoorandsmi
l
ed
widel
ylookingathi
sfather
..
.

Zane:
(smi
l
ed)I
ssheokay
?

Fai
thst
oppedeat
ingmotogoandr
an
acr
ossther
oom exci
tedl
y.
..
Fai
th:
Ist
hatmama?

Kenlif
tedFaithandputhi sarm
aroundZane, Zanebegunt owor ryas
thei
rfatherquiet
lysatonthecouch
andputFai t
honhi slapthenhe
rubbedhisheadandsmi l
ed...I
twas
thesmilehesmi ledwhenev erhewas
hidi
ngsomet hinghurtf
ulfrom them..
.

Zane:Wher
eismama?Di
dthe
doctor
ssaveher
?
Ken:(
softl
y)Nobuddy,
mamais
gone.
..I
tsjusty
ouandmenow.
..(
to
Fai
th)Baby..
.Mamai sgoneandshe
i
snotcomi ngback,shei
swi t
hthe
angel
sandshewi ll
bewat chi
ngus
fr
om thesky
Fai
th:
Okay
,wi
l
liv
isi
ther
?
Ken:
Somedayi
guess.
..

Zane'
seyeswell
edupandhe
stor
medoutthenKenputFaithdown
andchasedaf
terhimjustashewas
aboutt
ostepoutthedoor.

Hepull
edhim backandhuggedhi
m
ashecri
edhysteri
cal
lyst
andi
ngon
thest
oop.
..
Zane:
(cry
ing)Shewantedtosleep
wit
husbutwer efused,
ist
hatwhy
sheki
ll
edhersel
f?Shethoughtidi
dn'
t
l
oveher.
..
.
Ken:(tear
sr ol
l
ingdown)No, no,
you'
renott hecauseoft
his.
..It
snot
yourfault
Zane:Ididn'
tsaygoodni ghtwhenshe
saidgoodnight,
IsaidnightandI
wasn'tabeingrespectful.
..Shedidn'
t
wanttobeal oneandwel efther
there.
..(
satdownscr eami ng)Mama
comeback!Il oveyouandI '
m sor
ry!
I'
m sorry.
..
Ken'stearscamebackal lov
eragain
ashesathuggi ngZanefrom the
backbot hofthem kneel
i
ngont he
groundashebr okedowncr yi
ng..
.

Ken:(
Lookingup)God!HowdoIdeal
wit
hthis?Didi
pleasehel
pmeout.
..
Babepleasedon'tbr
eakusl
i
kethi
s..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
08AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 107

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Sever
alday
spassedwhil
eKenand
theki
dsstr
uggl
edtoacceptt
henews,
l
atert
hatmorni
nghemadebr eakf
ast
fort
hechildr
enandpreparedt
hem a
warm bat
hbutbeforehecouldwake
them t
herewasaknockont hedoor,
herubbedhiswethandsandopened
thedoorthenAr
iannawalkedin.
..

Ar
ianna:
Goodmor
ning
Ken:
Mor
ning.
..
Ari
anna:Mymothersentmefort
he
housekeysandDi
di'
scarkey
s
Ken:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Ar
ianna:You'
renotmar
ri
edt
oDi
di
i
sn'
tit?
Ken:
Youst
il
lhav
en'
tanswer
edme
Ari
anna:Di
di'
sthi
ngsarecontr
oll
ed
byhermotherandthefamil
ysentme
tocol
lectt
hekeystothehouseand
car
.
Ken:Theset
hingsbel
ongt
oher
chi
ldr
en
Arianna:Andthefamil
ywill
keep
them saf
ef ort
hem,it
'snotfory
out
o
decide
Ken:I'
m notgi
vi
ngy
out
hekey
stoher
house,sor
ry.
Ari
anna:I
'l
ltel
lthefamil
ywhaty
ou
saidbutj
ustknowt haty
oudon'
thav
e
theri
ghtt
oany thi
ngsheowns.
Ken:
Getoutofmyhouseanddon'
t
comebackher
eagai
n,I
'
m notgi
vi
ng
youany
thi
ng.
..

Shewalkedbackt othecarwher
eshe
tal
kedtohermot herforafew
minutesthenshesteppedoutoft
he
carandroughlyknockedonthedoor
.

Kenopenedt hedoorandsi ghed

thi
nkingitwasAr i
annabuthisfaci
al
expressi
onquicklychangedashe
respectf
ull
yletherin.
..

Her:CanIpleasehav
ethekey
stomy
daughter
'shouse?
Ken:Mychi
ldr
en'
sthi
ngsarest
il
li
n
ther
eandit
'st
hei
rhouse.
Her:You'
renotDidi
'
shusbandsoyou
can'
tcontr
olwhatsheowns,pl
ease
handmet hekeysbefor
eical
lthe
poli
ce.Don'
tworkwithmeli
kethator
el
sey ouwon'tev
enwhereshewillbe
buri
ed.

Kenwentt othebedr oom andcame

backwi ththekey swhichhehanded
her,shedidn'tsayawor dandwal ked
outinstead.Kenl ookedatthem as
theydroveof fthenheclosedthe
doorandsatont hecouch
t
hought
ful
l
y.

Partofhi
m bl
amedBayangforDidi
'
s
deathbutheknewshewasclosert
o
hi
m attheti
meofherdeat
hsoshe
di
aledhisnumber.
..

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
It'
sKen,cany
ouassi
stmewi
th
somethi
ng?
Bay
ang:
What
?
Ken:DidDi
dit
alkaboutawi
l
lor
anyt
hingoft
hatsort
?
Bay
ang:
Idon'
tknowany
thi
ngabout
that
,shewasn'topenabouthow
muchshehadort hingslikethat
,i
j
ustknowsheboughtt wonice
housesforthechi
ldreninGaborone.I
don'
tknowwher eorf orhowmuch
butthey
'r
etwosepar atehomesand
ther
earetenantsineach.
Ken:Shetol
dmeaboutthatbutI
wonderift
hey'
rei
nhernamesorthe
chi
ldr
en'
snames.
Bayang:
Herfi
lei
sinthewar
drobe
youcanconf
ir
mt hat
Ken:
Thanks

Hehungupanddi
aledLol
o..
.
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Ken:Hi,doyouknowaboutthe
housesDidiboughtf
orthechi
l
dren?
Aretheyinhernames?
Lol
o:Idoubtshewr otet
hem wi
tht
he
chi
ldren'
sname, Didiwasn'
t
consciousaboutthingsl
iket
hat
.
Ken:
Canyougi
vemeBl
essi
ng'
s
number
?
Lol
o:Okay
Ken:
Thanks.
.

Hehungupandsi
ghedwai
ti
ng.
..
Att
hebank.
..

Laterthatmor
ningDidi
'
smot her
walkedoutofthebankputt
ingmoney
i
nherhandbagt henshegotinthecar
andAr i
annadr
ov eof
fasherphone
rang..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Blessing:Himama,I
'
llbeinMaun
tonight.Howisev
eryt
hing?
Her
:Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne,
wear
egood
Bl
essi
ng:
Kant
egat
weDi
dional
e
di
tshaort
hey
'r
einherchi
l
dren'
s
names?
Her:No,they'
reinhernames.I
'm
t
hinki
ngofsel l
ingoneofthem t
o
r
enov at
et hi
shome..
Ar
ianna:
IwantaVi
tsbat
ho
Blessing:Mamammekanat hose
housesar eforthechi
l
dren,nnaDidi
mpol elet
semalobagoreshei s
boughtt hem f
orherchil
dren.
Her:Thesechil
drenwi l
lshareanot
her
onebesidestheywillgrowupand
buil
dthemselveshousessi ncewhen
dochil
drenownhousesatsucha
youngagegaper raboot aabaagela.
Hewi l
lbui
l
df ort
hem.They'
reDani
els,
Didiwasdi
v or
cedsoherthi
ngs
cannotbetakenbytheDani
els.
Ari
anna: JaanongBlessi
ngeneha
ekaremot hoar umil
wejaana,
how
canhousesbef orchi
ldr
en?Wena
kananeor at
agocl ei
mabo
si
sterhoodnyana
Blessi
ng:
I'
mjustt
ell
i
ngy
ouwhatshe
toldme
Her:Gagonamolatobuttheset hi
ngs
arenowmi neasthemot her.Iwas
j
ustalonewhenideli
veredDi diso
nobodycansayanythi
ng.Af ter
bury
ingheriwantacarwi ththe
moneyshehasi
nthebank
Blessi
ng:Heemamakant el
arengka
banabagaDi di?KanaDi
dioswa
j
aanaat ogel
abanababannyemme
rr
abogaaber eke.
Ari
anna:MamaBlessi
ngt
heeneo
rat
agonnalear
ugi
,uhmmaor at
a
att
enti
on
Blessi
ng:Heelammagakebuel e
wenasel okewenaosaberekeeo
nnetsetandabal
ayagapapalego
nwelabannadi Sav
annabodi bar
eng
gotswahoosi a
Ari
anna:
(angr
il
y)Koor
eokakokor
oga
kabonneseoamogelaP2000
Blessi
ng:Kecurrentaf
fai
rshel
aya
palaoitsegonwabannahel aokioe
wabonakarnneseeamogel a2000,
bapalamalwetsekwaot i
serego
neelemekento
Ar
ianna:
Otaa-
Her:
St opar
gui
ngonmyphone,
Bl
essingI'
minthemal
l
.Let
'st
alk
l
ater
..
.

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
.

Her
:Bl
essi
ngr
uri
Ar
ianna:
Waphadi
moga,
nnaombor
a
l
abohel
o..
.

AtDi
di'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Laterononeoftheel
derswalkedin
thehouseandfoundKedibonye'
s
mat t
ressempt
y..
.

Her:
Whereisthedeceased'
smother
?
Koorej
aanonggori
bamemaaha
Kedi
bonyeabonwakodi mmoloo
j
aan?
Aunt:
Keoneareabonaao,shehas
beenshoppi
ngt
hewholeweek.I
ts
l
ikeChr
ist
mastoher
.I'
venev
erseen
amotherl
iket
his
Aunt2:Shelongthrewthisli
tt
legirl
awayakeregaasat hol
eamoi kut
wa
momadi ngherdeat hisli
keadead
dognextdoor .Andthepainf
ul t
hing
i
st hatt
hey'
respendinghermoney
l
ikethatwhenshel eavesbehindtwo
youngchil
dren.

Morapedi
walkedpastt
othe
bedr
oom...

Morapedi:
Peoplebet
terbecar
eful
whattheysayaboutmywifebefor
ei
chasethem al
laway,i
fyou'
reheret
o
gossi
py oumustleav
e..
.Wear e
mourni
ng...

Therewassilenceashewal
kedint
he
bedroom andlockedupt
henhi
s
phonerang..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Blessi
ng:Papakanamamais
spendingDidi
'
smoneyand-
Him:Blessingt alktoyourmother
aboutanythingt hatbother
syou,i
can'
tdiscusspr operti
es.Idon'
tknow
whytheset hingsar emakingso
muchnoi sewhenDi dii
sdivor
cedand
thosekidshaveafather.Heshoul
d
supportthem.Ihavetogo..
.Some
peoplearegett
ingreadytogoand
dressthedeceased..
Bl
essi
ng:
Bye.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonhesatnextt
o
Zaneandhandedhim aplat
eoff
ood
buthetookafewbit
esandputit
downasKen'sphonerang..
.
Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Blessing:Mot howamodi moDi dio
diri
l
ebl under, everythingisinher
nameandi don'twantt obadname
myf ami l
ybutdon' tpiny ourhopeson
anythingDidi ownedi fshedi dn'
t
writeawi l
l.Ihearshehadmoneyi n
thebankandt hey'
real readyspending
i
t.I'
m sorry.Idon' tknowhow
someonecanpl ant heirsuicideand
skipthemosti mpor tantpar tli
ke
thi
s...
Ken:
(sadl
y)Thanky
ouf
ory
ourhel
p
Bl
essi
ng:
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry
Ken:
It'
sokaymat
hat
atheywon'
tl
et
megetanyt
hingi
nthehousebut
ever
ythi
ngt
hechi
ldr
enownisin
ther
e
Blessi
ng:Idon'tknowhowt ohelp
youbutassoonasi getthereI'l
lsteal
thekeysandgi vey ouachancet o
takeasmuchasy oucan, keipotsa
gorentuy oneel otel
lwaengknowi ng
verywellthatshewasst ayi
ngwi th
herchil
drenandmyf at
herhas
temperissuesi can'thel
py ouwi th
anythi
ng.Steali
ngt hekey sisthelit
tle
icando.Onal ev an?
Ken:NobutI
'
llbor
rowf
rom someone
atchur
ch
Bl
essi
ng:
Ok,
bye
Ken:
Bye

Hehungupandsighedt
henhedi
aled
hi
sfor
merlawyer
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hi,
cani
asky
ousomet
hing?
Hi
m:Yes
Ken:Myexwi fediedleav
ing
everyt
hinginhernamebutwehav e
chil
drenandhermot herwon'
tletme
takeanythi
ng.Isther
eanythi
ngi can
do?AndDi diwrot
eabooki nher
phone.I twasn'tawi l
lbutshecl earl
y
statesshewasdoi ngev erythi
ngshe
didf ortheki ds.Thi sbooki scalled
Wi ckedMe, cani thelpmyki dsget
what 'srightfull
yt heirs?Kanake
ami wakegor eal lthesewasmy
father'sf arm andnowst ranger sar
e
enjoy i
ngmyf ather'sweal th.Ididn'
t
hav eapr oblem goj ewakeDi dibut
nowt his?Andi t slikenobodydi ed
peopl ear ejustshoppi ngand
enjoy i
ngt hemoneysomucht hey
can'tfakesadness.
Lawyer
:Hasthebookbeenpubl
ished?
Ist
hereanypr
oofshewrotei
t?
Ken:
Ipi
ckedherphoneatt
hehouse
andf
oundi
t,i
sti
l
lhav
eit
Lawyer:Theirl
awy ercansayyou
wrotethatbookbuty oucanst i
l
ltr
y
yourluckincourt.I
fit
snota
publi
shedbooki twillbedi
ff
icul
tto
proveit'
shers
Ken:Butsher
eferstohersel
fasme
andther
eisnowayIwoul dhave
knownaboutcert
ainthi
ngsinherl
i
fe
Lawy er
:Theycanst
il
lsayyouadded
thosepartst
oanexist
ingdraf
t.The
l
awi stri
ckytot
abuticantr
ytofight
foryou.
Ken:Butt
henifweloseiwoul
dn'
t
knowhowt opayyou,l
etmethi
nk
abouti
tfi
rst
Lawy
er:
Ok,
bye

Hesi
ghedandr
ubbedhi
shead.
..
.

AtDi
di'
smot
her
's.
..
.

LaterthateveningBlessingwalkedin
thehouseandgr eetedev er
yone,she
secretl
ysearchedf orthekey swhil
e
hermot herwasoutbat hi
ngbutshe
couldn'tf
indthem.

Shel
atersatbyhermot
her
's
matt
ressasshewasappl
yi
ngbody
l
oti
on..
.

Bl
essing:(whi
spered)Mamar ragwe
Zanesay sheneedsthechi
l
dr en's
cl
othes,canyouborrowmet hekey s?
Her:No,
I'
ll
goandgiv
ehi
mthe
cl
othesi
fhewants
Aunt:(
eavesdroppi
ng)Youcan'tl
eave,
ever
yonehasbeencompl ai
ningthat
you'
rewalki
ngi nandoutwaytoo
muchwheny oushoul
dbelyi
ngdown
mourning.
Her:
Ican'
tgiv
ey out
hekeys,
if
somethi
ngI'
l
lsendAri
anna
Bl
essi
ng:
Aomamadon'
tyout
rust
me?
Her:I
'
m notdi
scussi
ngt hekey
s
anymoreBl
essi
nghael egoreo
romil
weagolat
oladikeytseo

Shegotupandwal kedoutsi
de
j
oiningLol
oandaf ewotherladi
es
doingthedi
shes.
..
.

SATURDAYMORNI
NG.
..
..

Onthedayoftheburi
alKenandZane
ar
ri
vedaround5inthemorni
ngand
satatt
hebackasal
argecr
owdsang
sl
owly.
..

Preacher:Wemaygoi nforthebody
vi
ewing..
..Let
'
smakei tf
astsowe
cangot othegravey
ardbeforet
he
suncomesout ..
.

KenlookedatZanet
hentheystood
upandjoinedt
hequeuefort
hebody
vi
ewingasKenheldhisson'
shand.
..

Zane:I'
m scar
edt
oseeadead
person.
..
Ken:
Youcangowai
tov
ert
her
efor
me
Zane:No,
iwantt
oseeherf
ort
he
l
astti
me..
.

Theyapproachedthecasketand
stoppedstar
ingatDidi
'
sface,you'
d
swearshewassl eepi
ngthenZane
touchedhercheek.Kenquickl
ypul
led
hishandback..
.

Zane:
Shei
scol
d
Ken:You'
renotsupposedt
otouch
her
..
..
.
Kenlookedatherf orthelastt
ime
andputhisar m ar
oundhissonas
theywalkedout,herecognisedaf ew
member sfrom hischurchtogether
witht
hepast orandstoodbyt hem. .
..

Lateronthebodywasputinthecar
andpeoplegotindif
fer
entcars,
Ari
annagotDi di
'
scaranddroveoff
withherfr
iendswhil
eKenandZane
askedforar i
defr
om hi
schurch
member s.
...

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.
Ken'stearshaddri
edashe
swallowedtearf
ull
ywat chingthe
casketmakingit'
swayundergr ound,
Aronapulledthescarfonhi sneck
overhisfaceandcriedrubbinghis
eyesasWor dsecretlyheldhishand
standingamongstthecr owd.

Lolol
ookedatZane'sswol l
enr eddi
sh
eyesashecri
edhol di
nghi sfather'
s
arm..
.Shecoul
dn'tunderstandwhy
hewasl i
keavisi
torathismot her'
s
buri
al,
hewasn'tevensitt
ingint he
gazebowitht
hemour ningf amily
i
nst eaditwasf ullofpeopleshedi
dn'
t
knowamongstt hem Didi
'smother
andAr i
anna.Shel ookedatKenashe
quietlywatchedDi digoi
ngdownt he
groundandqui cklyputon
sunglassesr ubbinghisnose..
.

Aatil
epatBayang'
sshoulderashe
pi
nchedt hebri
dgeofnosetearf
ull
y
withablockednoseandreddish
eyes..
.

Al
l
:(singi
ngsl
owl
y)Boi
tshwar
eloj
wa
modimo
j
onakeabobat
la
ake
bout
lwemopel
ong
eebol
elel
ang
Kemo
poi
fongkemof
if
ing
kemodi
tl
alel
ong
Mor
enaut
lwakwabonnong
j
wagagogodi
mo….
.

LI
KEFORAWEEKENDBONUS
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
08AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 108

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
Latert hatmor ningaftert
hebur i
al
Kenst oodbyt hebedr oom window
wat chingasZanesadl yandqui etl
y
madeFai thaplayhousewi t
hbig
boxes, Fait
hinnocentlyandexcitedl
y
heldherdol leagerl
ywai t
ingforhim
tofinish.Hedi dn'tknowifhecoul d
handl et hechil
drenonhi sownor
wher et ost ar
tashesi ghedand
closedt hecurtai
nsthenhesatont he
edgeoft hebed...

Hecouldn'
tcryanymore,hejusthad
anemptyfeeli
nginsi
delikewhen
you'
rewait
ingforsomethingthough
hedidn'
tknowwhatexact l
y.Hewas
stil
lindenial,
act uallyi
twashar dto
beli
ev ehisfather'shar dwor kwoul d
beenj oyedbyast ranger .Hemov ed
thepi l
l
owasi deandgr abbedaboxof
cigarett
eandt hel ightert henhe
walkedoutbehi ndt hehouseandsat
ont hebr i
cktakingoutaci garett
e,he
putitbet weenhi slipsandst aredat
thelighter.

At houghtcrossedhi smi nd,hewas

theonlyparentf orhischildr
enand
couldn'
ttakeachanceofl ungcancer
orjustanaddi cti
on.Het ookoutt he
cigaret
teandsi ghedwal kingtothe
pitwherehet hrewt hem inand
walkedaroundt
hef
encet
henhi
s
phonerang..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Rets:Ij
ustheardwhathappened,
kantewhydidn'
tDidiwri
teawill?Thi
s
womani swickedWaitsesoshe
wantedherfamilyt
oenjoyuncle's
wealth?
Ken:Peopl
edon' tunderst
andDidi,
nnakeamot haloganyaandif
anyonecouldtakeami nuteandthink
you'
dseethatDi dii
snotasbad.Her
motherhasn'tbeeninherli
fefor5
yearsandthi
swomandoesn' teven
knowFai thbecausesher ef
usedgo
bay aDidi botset si,i
nt hebackof
Didi'
sheadsheknewshehadno
fami l
ysoofcour seawi l
l wasthelast
thingonhermi ndbecauseshewas
alone.Di dinev erhadany one,
everyonear oundei t
herr ejectedor
usedher .
..Andi trulybel i
eveshe
woul dhav emadeawi llhadshe
thoughtabouti t
, shedi dn'tplantodie
thatday .Itwasa2mi nutesdeci si
on
thinki
ngI 'dbeangr ywi t
hherandt he
shameoft hinkingI '
dt ellpeople.
Littl
edidsheknowt hati don'tblame
herbecausei putheri nt hatsit
uation,
I'
m sureal otofwomenwoul dt ake
thatdecisi
onaftersuf
feringf orso
l
ong.Myf at
hertookadv antageofher
andshewasexci t
edthinkingmoney
wouldfixherscarstoo.Al lt
hat
dri
nkingandar r
ogancewas
depressi
on.Itwasacr yf orhelpbut
wear etooquicktojudge, ishould
havesatherdownandt ol dhershe
wasf i
ne...
Ret
s:Shewast
ooangr
y,shehat
ed
you
Ken: Di
dil
ov edme, bei
ngangr yat
yourchil
ddoesn' tmeany oulove
them anyless.Shewasangr ythati
cheatedanddr oveherinsanetot he
extentofburninghersel
f.Itwashard
tol i
vewi ththescar sandshehadno
suppor t,herangerwasacr yf orhelp
andI 'm sadbecausei knowal otof
womenar egoingt hroughthesame
pai nandt hosemendon' tknowwhat
theycando.Nowi knowbutmygi rli
s
gone.Youshoul dhav ereadherbook.
Thewayshet alkedaboutme. ..
.
(tearfull
y)Shecal l
edmedaddy ...
.
(frownedandr ubbedhi stears)I
didn'tknowshel ovedmet hatdeep,
mant hewayshet alksaboutoursex. .
.
Ilov eher,readi
ngal lthatmademe
fallinlovewi t
hheral loveragai n.
..
.
Ret
s:Maybei
justdon'
tunder
stand
howshecanf
ightsohardonl
yto
l
osei
tal
l
Ken: Shedidn'tknowhermot her
woul dbeinterestedinanythingthat
hast odowi thher ,
I'
m sureitnever
crossedhermi ndthatthi
swoul d
happenl ennai ttookmebysur pri
se
tota.I'
m st
il
l shocked
Ret
s:Sowhat
'snext
?
Ken:Iwantt oaskthechurchi sican
gotoschool withthechil
drenand
fi
ndapar ttimejobtheretosuppor t
thekids.I'
m goi
ngt obegthose
pastorstheywon'tsaynoev enift hey
haveto,ican'tl
eavemyki dsbehi nd
butthenthiscourseisimportant.It'
s
t
heonl
yway
Rets:Let'
scrossourfi
nger
sandhope
theyagree,l
ewenamonnay ouhav
e
badluck.Thingsnevergowellf
oryou
Ken:ThistimeGodwi l
ldoitfort
he
chil
drenifnotforme.Ihavethem on
mysi de,somethi
nghastohappen.
I'
m goingtoprayunti
lsomething
happensorelseIwon'tstopbecause
gakenachoice.
Ret
s:Tr
ue
Ken:
Letmedot
hechi
l
dren'
slaundr
y..
Ret
s:Shar
p..
.
Hehungupandwal
kedi
nsi
de.
..
.

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
.

I
nt heafternoonLefokowal
kedinthe
houseandputhi scarkeysonthe
glasstablethenhewalkedtothe
bedroom wher eAronawaslyi
ngon
thebedwi pinghi
st ear
swit
hat owel
.

Lefoko:
Heybabe...(
hekeptquiet
)
Youwer en'
tansweri
ngyourphone.
..
.
AreyouOK?
Aronacontinuedsni
ffi
ngandcryi
ng
asLefokosatont hebedandlai
don
topofhim kissi
nghimthenhe
rubbedhi
scheekandl ookedi
nhis
eyes..
.

Lefoko:I
'
m sorry
..
.Iknowshewas
yourbestfr
iend.
..
Arona:Theonl ypersoni was
comfortablewi thenoughtotel
lI'
m
gay..
.Anddi dy ounoticehowthose
peopletreatedherkidsandex
husband?Hadsheknowni twould
tur
noutt hatwayshewoul dn'
thave
kil
l
edher sel
f .
Lefoko:Shewassel
fi
sh,y
oudon'
tki
l
l
yoursel
fwhenyouhaveki
ds
Arona:Didiwasdepr essedand
peopledon'tunderstandthatweall
wanttolivebutDidi hasbeenthrough
andshenev erreal
lyhadany onelove
her.Ofcourseshel ovedherkidsbut
may beshef el
tshewasusel essto
them andtheywer ebetteroffwit
hout
her.Depr
essedpeopl earenotsane..
.
Lefoko:Okay .
..Okay ...Iunderstand
thatbut
...(
leanedov erandki ssed
him)Whydon' tifixy ouawar m
bubblebathand. ..(kissedhim agai n)
wesoakour selvesf orawhi le?
(pul
ledouthi sunder wear )hhmmm
whatdoy
ousay
?
Arona:
Can'
tbel
i
eveyouwantt
otake
advant
ageofmewhenI'
m mour
ning.
..
Lefoko: (
kissedhi
mr ubbi
nghimsel
f
againsthim)Sexi st
hebest
medi cati
onf ormour
ning.
..Come
here...

Heturnedov erhisheadandkissed
himthenhef l
i
ppedhim downonhi s
tummyandl ai
donhi sbackki
ssing
hisneckfrom thebackaswhipped
hisl
it
tlebuttwiththeweapon.
...
.

Lef
oko:
(whi
sper
ed)Gaol
elako
mabit
engkgantel
ekehant
seker
emo
gonegagoseri
ouskeyagogoj
ako
l
epenggaretswaha
Ar
ona:(l
aughedpulli
ngapill
owunder
hi
scheek)Stop.
..You'
reheart
less.
..
.

Hekissedhi
m whil
eappl
yinglube
andsli
dinastheybot
hgrunted.
..

AtDi
di'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Laterthataf
ter
noont
herewasa
familymeeti
nginwhi
chseveral
rel
ati
v esnot
edafewthi
ngsthey
weren'
thappyaboutthoughMrand
MrsMor apedi
didn'
trecei
vet
hem
wel
l..
..

Uncle:( conti
nued)I t'
sunheardoff,
thechil
dr enwer en'tevenintr
oduced
asiftheydon' texist,weallknowthe
deceased' schil
drenar esupposedto
beacknowl edged,ronaler e
thabi
sitsedi t
honghapel ega
sechababecausepeopl earegoingto
saytheent i
reMor apedifamilyi
sli
ke
thi
swhenwear enot .
Kedi
:Idon'
tunderstandhowthati
s
ourpr
oblem,t
heirfatherdi
dnotbr
ing
t
hem
Blessing: Howwashesupposedt o
bringt hem whenhewassi delined?
Thosechi l
dr enwer evisi
torsandno
onegav ethem at tenti
ony etthey
wer emour ningandt hereisnouse
forust oargueaboutwhatal ready
happened.Nowi wantust ot alk
aboutDi di
'spr oper t
y.Bomal omeke
kopal ent husekgange, bomama
bar ebar ekisadi tshatsabana.Di di
toldmesheboughtt hosef orher
childrenandsheev enwr oteabook
whi chmymot herdoesn'tev enwant
tor eady etther eisapar taddr essed
toheri ni t
.Di dispecifi
callyment i
ons
thatsheboughtthoseforherchil
dren
anditwaswor t
hherdeat hkoorehela
nkoreerwelehelagaedupelelehad
sheknownhermot herwoulddothis
sjewouldhavedoneawi ll
Uncle: Canthef atherofthose
chil
drengethi schildren'
sshare
please?Andi rememberv erywell
hearingthatthesewast helate
Daniel'
swealth, havey ounoshame
spendinghismoneywhenhi sown
sonisst r
ugglingwi thtwoyoung
chil
dren?Wher eisourhumani ty?
Kedibonye:
I'
ll
givehi
m hercarthat
's
i
t,t
her estI
'
m keepi
ngthem forthe
chi
ldren
Blessi
ng:Whatchildr
en?Ifthey'
ref
or
thechil
drenputthem i
ntheirnames
andgiveKennat hecert
if
icates
becauseheistheonel ef
twi tht
he
chil
dren'
scustody.
Kedi
bony
e:I'
ll
keepthem f
orthem,
whati
fKennagiv
esthem toanot
her
womanagain?No..
.
Blessi
ng:Sincewhendoy oucare
aboutDidiorherchi
ldren?Youdon't
evenknowherdaught er'
snamel eha
ngwananyanay ol
eakat ahay ou
won'tknowi t
sherbecausey ounever
cared
Mor
apedi
:Don'
ttal
ktoy
ourmot
her
l
ikethat,i
fyout
hinkyou'
reold
enought oi
nsul
tyourmothery ou
shouldleavemyhouse.Beinganurse
doesn'tmeanyou'
reapresident,
I'
m
sti
l
ltheheadofthisfamil
y
Blessi
ng:Idi
dn'tknowthi
sfami
l
yhas
ahead, i
tmovesar oundl
i
kea
headlesschi
cken
Mor
apedi
:(angr
il
y)Ar
eyout
alki
ngt
o
me?

Hisfat
hergrabbedhi
sknobker
rythen
shequickl
yhidbehi
ndheruncl
ewho
stoodupgrabbingt
heknobker
ry.
..
Morapedi
:I'
l
lbeaty
ouBl
essi
ng,
do
youthi
nkyou'r
eawoman?
Blessi
ng:Di
dii
snotevenyour
daughter
,bot
hofyoudidn'
traiseher
andnowsuddenlysheisyours?
Uncle:Morapedi pl
easehav
easeat
nkgonne, i
ftheseishowyou'r
edoing
thi
ngsI '
m washingmyhandsof ft
his
family
.I'
m goinghome
Uncl
e2:
Met
oo
Aunt
:Met
oo
Blessi
ng:
Sothewholef
ami
l
yisj
ust
goingtol
eav
eallt
hese?
Kedi
bony
e:(gav
eherthecarkey
s)
Pl
easegoandgivet
hechil
drenacar
,
I
'
m keepi
ngt
her
estsaf
efort
hem.
Blessing:(gotthekey sandleft
)I
can'tbeli
ev ethi
s..
..I'
m goingtouncl
e
Bonang' shouset oaski fthi
sishowit
shouldbe.Di diwasn'tev ena
Mor apedi,shewasaBonangbef or
e
shebecameaDani el
.

Shefoll
owedot
herr
elat
ives
out
side.
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Aat
il
epar
kedt
hecart
henshe
st
eppedout
..
.

Aati
l
e:(
soft
ly)Iknowy ou'
resti
l
l
hur
ti
ngaboutDidibutI'
dli
ketogo
seemyparentswithyouthiseveni
ng
i
fyoudon'
tmi nd
Lolo:(si
ghedandclosedt hedoor)
Yourmot herdoesn'tl
i
keme, ialr
eady
havest r
esssaphithoyagaDi diandi
can'tdealwit
hyourmot her'
sremarks
aboutme
Aati
l
e:Thewhol epointistofi
nda
sol
uti
ontoital
l becausewehav e
beenavoi
dingthisforyears,
someti
mest oendapr oblem you
hav
etof
acei
t.
Lol
o:Okay
..
..
.Seey
oul
ater
..
.

Hedr oveofft
henshewal kedinthe
houseandpassedt hechi
ldreninthe
l
ivi
ngr oom cl
osedhersel
finher
bedroom.Shesatont hebedand
di
aledKen'snumber .
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hey
..
..Howar
eyouandt
heki
ds?
Ken:(
sighed)Wear
edoi
ngf
ine.
..We
wil
lgetther
e
Lol
o:Pl
easecal
lmeany
timey
ou
needt
otal
kok?
Ken:
Sur
e
Lol
o:Orify
ouneedababysi
tt
er,
you
candropofft
heki
dsher
eanyti
me
Ken:
Iknow,
thanksal
ot
Lolo:Iwi
shiknewhowtohel
pyou,
is
thereanyt
hingIcando?
Ken:Tell
mei
tdi
dn'
thappenandI
'
m
dreaming
Lol
o:Iwi
shi
coul
d..
..
Ken:(shookhi
shead)Lolowhatam i
goi
ngt odowit
hFaith?Sheisagi
rl
andiam aman, sheneedsamother
Lol
o:(
sof
tl
y)Ken.
..Youbeendoi
ngi
t
bef
oreal
lthesehappenedremember
?
Whyareyougetti
ngscarednow?
Ken:Wehadsex. ..
.Theni ghtbef ore.
..
.
(si
ghed)Idi
dn'tknowi twoul dbeour
l
astthenwehadabi gf i
ght .She
start
edsayi
ngall t
hesehur tf
ulthings
l
ikeI'
m notarealman. .
..(tearful
ly
rubbedhi
snose)t helasttimewe
tal
kedwewer efighti
ngandt hat'sour
l
astmomentt ogether..
..
Lol
o:ShewasdrunkKen,
youcan'
t
bl
amey our
sel
f.
..
Ken:Ijustwishsheknewi am a
di
fferentper
son,shethoughtI
'dbe
angryortell
peoplebutiwasn'
tgoi
ng
todot hat.Iwasgoingt oapologise
forputti
ngheri naposi ti
onwhere
shehadt ol etmyfathertake
advantageofherj ustsomyki ds
couldsurv i
ve.Iwasgoi ngtogeton
mykneesandaskhert ocomet o
churchwi thmesoshecanf or
give
hersel
fbecauseshebl amedher sel
f
formymot her'
sdeathwhi chwasn't
herfault.
..
Lolo:
True,shewasafrai
dbecause
shedidn'
tplant
hissui
cide.I
t
happenedsuddenl
yandshedi dn'
t
evenhavetimetothi
nkaboutWi l
l
s
andstuff
Ken:
(si
ghed)Theper
soni
was
bef
orei
swhatki
l
ledher
Lol
o:Cani
comeov
erandt
alkt
oyou?
Ken:
No,
I'
mfi
ne.Thanksf
orchecki
ng
uponme
Lol
o:Ok,
bye
Lol
o:By
e

Shehungupandsighedthi
nking
abouthi
mt henMayaknockedand
walkedi
n..
.

May
a:Ar
eyouok?
Lol
o:Yeah
May
a:Howi
suncl
eKenandt
heki
ds?
Lolo:
They'
recopi
ng.
..I
t'
ssad,
he
doesn'
tevenknowwhattodowit
h
theki
ds.
Maya:It
hinkhewill
manage. .
.Andhe
i
sahandsomemansoi doubthewil
l
needanyonetoconsol
ehim
Lolo:(f
rowned)Whywoul
dyousay
that?
Maya:(smil
edandshr uggedher
shoul
ders)Il
ikehim,heremindsme
ofmydady ouknow. .
.I
'm sur
ealotof
womenl i
kehimt oo
Lol
o:Di
dhesayany
thi
ngt
oyou?
Maya:Godno!I
'
mjustsay
ing,
he
doesn'
tev
enknowil
ikehi
m because
henev
ert
alkst
omef
orl
ong.
Lol
o:Likehi
m how?Heis3y
ear
s
ol
derthanyourfat
her
May a:(l
aughed)Mamast op
overreacti
ng,isai dili
kehi m asinlike
l
ike.
..Hei sast rongmant ohav e
dealtwithauntie'sproblemsf orthe
l
astf ewy earsandt hewayhei s
cryi
ngf orherisj ustcute.Inev er
seenamancr ylikethatexceptmy
fat
herandt helasttimei checkedmy
fat
herst i
lll
ovest hewomanhewas
cryi
ngf orwheni wasal itt
legi r
l.
Whichmeansuncl ereallylovedher
hejustdidn'tknowhowt ohel pher...I
thi
nkhehasal otoflovet oof fer
Lol
o:Meani
ng?
Maya:(si
ghed)That'
sall
..
.Ithinkhe'd
makeagoodhusbandbecauset he
pr
oblemshebeent hroughtalkhima
l
esson.
Lolo:
Husbandt
oot
herol
derpeopl
e
ri
ght?
May
a:Yesnotnecessar
il
yme
Lol
o:Notnecessar
il
y?
May
a:Notme
Lol
o:Mayadon'tseducehi
m OK?Do
youunder
standme?
May
a:Sheehmama
Lol
o:Idon'
tl
iket
hesoundofy
our
t
one,heisoldenoughtobeyour
f
atherandiknowy ou'
rei
mpulsi
ve
Maya:Ther
eyougoagai
n,t
alki
ng
aboutt
hemist
akeimadewhat6
year
sago?
Lolo:(
angril
y)Amist
akethatalmost
sentyourcousint
oprisonMay a!A
mistakethatmadememi st
reatmy
nephew!
Maya:Don'
tweal l
makemi st
akes?
Whyisminestil
li
ny ourheart
?Mama
youabandonedus..
.Youcheatedon
dadathousandti
meshedoesn' tsi
ng
i
tevery
day.Whycan'tyouforgetmy
mist
ake?Calvi
nforgavemeandwe
areclosert
hanever
,whycan' ty
ou
forgeti
t?Ormaybeit
'snotreall
y
aboutmeseducingamour ningman
i
t'saboutyouwanti
ngtobet heone
toconsolehim.
..
Lol
o:Don'
tev
ertal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
,
doyougetme?
Maya:(st
oodup)Ididn'tknowf eel
ing
sorr
yforhim wouldgetmei ntrouble,
iwasjustshari
ngwithmymot her
whoisclearl
yoverprotecti
veofthis
manandf unnyenoughy ou'r
e
prot
ecti
nghim andnotme, i
tsdon't
seduceamour ni
ngmant hanno
babehemi ghthurty
ouov ertimeor
whenher ecover
shemi ghtleaveyou..
I
'm notsayingI'
m goingtoseduce
hi
m buti expect
edy outodiscour
age
i
tfrom mysi de-
thi
nkingaboutme...
Lolo:May
ai can'tdealwit
hyour
debatesr
ightnow, canyoupleaseget
outofmyr oom soi cansl
eep?Thank
you..

Shewalkedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
thenLol
olai
ddown..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronZanesmi
l
edwat
chi
ngFai
th
asshecrawledinherpl ayhousewi t
h
doll
sthenDidi'
scardr ov ethrough
thegate,
Fai
thsmi ledt hrought he
windowholeandr anoutt owardsthe
carasZaner anaf
t erher .
..
.

Fai
th:
MAMA!MAMA!MAMA!
Zane:
Fai
thst
op!Thecarwi
l
lhi
tyou

Meanwhi l
eBlessi
ngsteppedont he
breaksandstoppedaninchf r
om
them asZanepushedFaithoutoft he
wayandt ri
ppedfal
li
nginfrontofthe
carblocki
ngthebumperwi thhis
wrist
..
.
Bl
essi
ngjumpedoutshakingand
l
if
tedFai
ththenshekneltonthe
gr
oundtouchingZane'
sfoot.

Bl
essi
ng:
arey
ouok?
Zane:
Yes
Fai
th:
wher
eisMama?

Kensteppedoutoft
hehouseandgot
Fai
th.
..

Ken:
whathappened?
Bl
essi
ng:
(pani
cked)sher
ant
owar
ds
t
hecar
..
..And.
..
Zane:
(st
oodup)I
'
mfi
ne
Ken:
Comei
n..
.

Theywalkedi
nthehouseandsaton
thecouchasKenputFai
thonhis
l
ap..
.

Blessi
ng:
Itri
edbutt
hiscari
sal
li
coulddo.
..
Ken:
Fai
gopl
ayout
sidebabyokay
?
Fai
th:
Wher
eismama?
Ken:Rememberi
saidshewentto
heav
enandsheli
vesintheskynow,
sheisl
ooki
ngdownatusmi
ssi
ngus
too
Fai
th:
OK

Sher
anoutsi
dethenKensighed
l
eani
ngfor
wardrest
inghi
sheadon
hi
sarmswhichwereonhi
sknees..
.

Ken:Ther
ehast
obesomet
hingi
can
do.
..
Blessi
ng:Icall
edaf ormercl
assmate
whowasdoi nglaw,shesaysthi
s
bookisenought ogetbackmosti f
notevery
thingDi di
ownedespecial
ly
thehousesbecausei tspeci
fi
cal
ly
ment i
onsthehousesar eforthe
chil
dreninotherwordsit'
sawi l
lin
theform ofabook.It'
sherlast
test
amentf orherpropert
iesandshe
i
swi ll
ingtodoitforfr
eebecausei
explai
nedy ourf
inanci
alstatus.
Ken:
Real
l
y?

Shedial
edthelawy
erandputheron
l
oudspeakert
henshehandedhim..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Blessi
ng:
Hi ,
I'
m wi
thmysisterex
husband,canyout
ell
him whatyou
toldme?
Her
:ok
Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Her :HiKen,listenthatbooki slikea
suicidenoteandi fthedeceased
tal
ksaboutanypr opertiesli
keshe
didwet akei tasawi l
lespeci al
l
y
whenshedi dn' thaveanyot her
document .It'
sgoodt hatshewr ot
eit
onherphoneandt hankst othe
technologywecant ell
whent helast
entrywasmadewhi chisdef ini
tel
y
hour sbeforeshewasf ound.Ican
definit
elynailthisincour t
,ijust
spoket omyhusbandaboutdoi ngit
forfreejusttoadcr edi
tst othe
company '
sref erenceabout
i
nherit
anceandwill
sbecausewe
haven'
tcover
edthosebeforeandwe
needpeopletoknowwecancov er
thosetoo
Ken:Thanky ousomuch, Idon'tknow
howtot hankyou.Ij
ustwantt hem to
gi
veeachofmyki dstheirhouse.
EvenifIdon'
tgetanythingI '
mf ine.
Her:Wewi llgetitforyoubecause
evenifshedi dn'
tleaveanywr i
ti
ng
thechil
drenwoul dst i
ll
getsomet hi
ng
i
ncour t
.It'
scommonf orrel
ati
vesto
dothiswiththedeceased' spropert
y
becauseBat swananev ergotocourt
they'
drathergiveupandmov eon.
Wewi ll
dot hisfory ou,i
t'
snota
diffi
cultcasel edisav i
ngsi ft hey'r
e
therebadi ril
edi wi
thdr awal st heywill
returnthem becausechi ldrenneedt o
sur v
iveandpayschool fees.I nf acti
f
themagi str
atecanr eadDi di'
sbook
andknowwhatki ndofaf ami lyshe
camef rom makingj udgementwon' t
besodi ffi
cult
.ThatWi ckedMebook
i
st hosechi ldr
en'slegacy ,it'
st heonly
thingthatwi ll
maket hi
ngseasi erand
i
twast hemostwi sestdeci siony our
exwi femade.Shewr oteher selfa
biographyandawi ll.
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou
Her
:By
e
Hehungupandhandedhert he
phonethenhecoveredhisfacewi
th
handsandswall
owedt earf
ull
y,
Blessi
ngmovedoverandhuggedhim
ashehuggedhertight
ly.
..

Ken:
Thankyousomuch,
Idon'
tknow
howtot
hankyou.
..
.

Sheleanedbackandcuppedhisface
l
ookinginhisey
esthenhekissed
hi
m asher el
uct
antl
ytur
nedhis
head..
.
Bl
essi
ng:
What
?
Ken:
Not
hing.
..

Shel ockedthedoorasKenl ookedat

her,hewasn' tr
eadytotouchany one
andhest i
l
lcouldn'
tgetoverwhat
happenedbutt hiswasthewoman
will
i
ngt ohelphischil
drenandhe
couldn'taff
ordalawyerorany t
hing
forthatmat t
er.Suddenl
yhef ound
himselfinDidi'
sshoes..
.

Hef akedasmi l
easBlessingsaton
hisl
apandl eanedov
erki ssi
nghim
thenheputhishandsaroundher
waistandkissedher
,hestoodup
carr
yingherandwalkedtothe
bedroom wherehetossedheront
he
bedandr i
ppedoffhi
st -
shi
rt
..
.

Blessi
ng:
(looki
ngathi
schest
)Oh
gad...
.

Heleanedov
erandki
ssedhert
hen
he.
..
..
.

AtKedi
bony
e'shouse.
..
..
..

Apol
i
cecardr
ovet
hrought
hegat
e
fol
lowedbyaf uner
alpar
lourand
anotherpr
ivat
ecar.
..

Kedibony eandaf ewot herrel

ati
ves
fr
ownedast hepoli
ceandt hefuneral
parlourmanagementgotoutoft he
car.Chil
dr enbroughtchairsandthe
off
icerst ookaseatwi t
ht hefamil
y
andexpl ainedthesit
uationathand
asev ery
onel ookedbackatt hem in
shock...

Poli
ceoffi
cer:
(si
ghedandconcl
uded)
That'
sthesit
uati
on.
..
.
Kedi
bony
e:That
'si
mpossi
ble.
..
.
Mor
apedi
:Idon'
tunder
stand.
..
Kedi
bony
e:Ther
emustbeami
stake.
..
Arianna:
Itwasher ,
eveni ftheysay
peoplechangewhent hey '
redead.I
sawherwhenwewer edr essinghera
nightbeforetheburi
al.Kennasaw
her,ever
y onesawherandy oumean
totellmeweal lmadeami stake?
Whatmi xupi sthat
?Andwher ewas
thatfamilywhenwepi ckedour
corpse?
Funeral
parlourmanagement:We
havebeenont hecasesincemorning
becausetheycamet ocoll
ectherand
youhadalreadypi
ckedherbutwe
couldn'
tfigur
eoutwhot ookher
becausewehadsev eralfuner
als
today.Thisoneisn'
tyour sandher
familywantsherbecauset heonein
themor gueisn'
tthei
rs..
.Itmustbe
yours.
Kedibony
e:Nonsense!Iknowmy
daughter
Aunti
e:It
'simpossi
ble..
.(handed
them t
hef uner
alpr
ogramme)Thi sis
thel
adywebur i
edthi
smor ni
ngkana,
moswi nt
eaepol ol
wet otantelebue
engbathobasesha. .
.

Twomenandawomanf
rom t
he
pri
vatecarsteppedoutandcl osed
thedoorswalkingtowardsev er
yone,
Kedibonye'
sheartskippedwhenshe
l
ookedatt heshortcaramel col
oured
manl eadi
ngthem andt heshortman
almosttri
ppedwhenhel ookedat
Kedibonye.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
08AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 109

AtMor
apedi
'
sHome.
..

Kedibonyel eanedovertot heother

womanandwhi speredt oherasthe
shortmanandhi sfami l
yhadaseat .
Theof f
icerf r
ownedl ookingatboth
funeralprogrammes. ..
Of
fi
cer
:Bosscany
oul
ookatt
his?
Off
icer
2:(f
rowned)I
'm conf
used.
..
I
sn'
titthesameperson?

Theoffi
cerpassedthefuner
al
progr
ammeast heshor
tman'sfami
l
y
cover
edtheirmouthinshock.
..

Woman:
Howi
sthi
spossi
ble?
Kedibony
e:(l
ooki
ngatthei
r
programme)Mogogi ar
eyougoi
ngto
explai
ntoyourwif
ewhywehav etwo
chil
drenwholookali
ke?
Woman:
Uhugat
weMogogi
?Soshe
knowsy
ou?
Mogogi:(
clearedhi
sthroatas
ever
yonecur i
ousl
ystar
edathim)
We..
.um..
.ithi
nkherdaughtermi
ght
havebeenmi ne
Woman: Thi
sDidi
ntl
eper
sonis
youngerthanKesegowit
h5months,
I
'
m conf used.
..Weweremar
ri
ed
Mogogi
:Yes.
..Um.
..
Offi
cer:(
sighed)Mogol ogasegor e
oegarelekabokhut shwaner e
thal
oganye?Becausewear eall
confusedhere..
.iam confused,have
wefoundt hebody ,
dowehav et wi
ns
andwhoi satthemor gue?Whowas
bur
ied?Youseem t
ohav
emor
ethan
us.
..
Mogogi
:(heldhiswife'
shand)When
youwer
epr egnantthiswomant old
meshewaspr egnant ,i
didn'
tbel
ieve
i
twasminesoIt ol
dhert ost
op
t
alki
ngt
ome
Her:
(pushedhishandsof
f)Soy
ou
hadachil
dallal
ong?
Kedibonye:Achi
l
dhenev
er
supported
Her:I
tsti
ll
doesn'
texcusethef
act
thatyousl
eptwit
hamar ri
edman,
whatdidyouexpecthi
mt odo?
Divor
ceandmar r
yyou?
Kedibonye:I
'm notgoi
ngt odiscuss
thi
ngsthathappenedy earsago, are
youpeoplegoingt oprovethatmy
daughterisyoursoryou'l
lj
ustwant
toexhumet hebodyonl ytosayit's
notyours?
Funeral
par
lourmanager :Wesuggest
thaty
ougot her
eandi denti
fythe
bodywehave, i
fit
'sy
our sthen-
Mogogi:Butt
henthatl
adylooks
not
hingli
kethesegi
rl
sunlessmyol
d
ageeyesaredecei
vi
ngme
Off
icer
:Lett
hem i
denti
fyher,i
fther
e
i
sanothermixupwewi l
lfol
l
owi tup
unt
ilwehavesol
vedthi
sissue.
Kedi
bonye:(
sighedandst
oodup)Ke
mathat
ajaanong..
..
Morapedi:Gi
veust
imetogetr
eady
andgoidenti
fyt
heoneatt
he
morgue..

TheMorapedifamil
ygotr
eadyand
fol
l
owedtheircar
s..
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Kenputonhisvestandsweatpants
asBlessi
ngdozedoffonthebed
thenhewalkedi
nthebathroom and
fl
ashedt hewr appedcondoms, he
washedhi sfacebythesinkand
l
ookedathi mselfonthemirror
,for
somer easonhef el
tli
kehejust
cheatedandt hegui
ltwasstuckon
hi
st hroatasheswal lowedwashing
hi
sf aceagai n..

Hewal kedoutofthehouseand
j
oinedhiskidsoutsi
deastheyt
hrew
aballbetweeneachother.

Meanwhil
eBlessing'
sphonev i
brat
ed
ontheheadboardthenshereached
fori
tandsatuppul l
i
ngthesheets
ov
erherbr
east
s..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
Hel
l
o?
Mother:
Wear eont hewaytot he
morgue,ther
eisaf ami
lyherethat
cl
aimswepi ckedthewrongcor pse
andthepersonlooksli
keDidi,
it'
sher
si
ster
.
Blessi
ng:Di
dihasasi
ster
?..Imean
besidesus?
Mother
:It
'salongst
ory
,wear
e
al
mostthere.
Bl
essi
ng:
I'
ll
bet
her
eshor
tl
y.
..
Shehungupandputonhercl ot
hes
thenshehear dFaith'
slaugherand
mov edt hecurt
ainsaside...Kenwas
ti
ckli
nghert ryi
ngtogett hebal l
from
herast heybothlaughed, Zane
snatchedi tf
rom herandr anof f
kicki
ngi tasFait
hranaf t
erhi m...
.

Shesmi ledslowlylooki
ngatKenas
hepl ay
edwi ththekidsthenshet ook
adeepbr eat
hwi t
hawi desmi l
e.A
manwhocoul dmakeawomanr each
orgasm andst il
lbeagoodf ather
-
Justwhatshehadbeenl ooki
ngfor
throughoutherlife.
Shesatont hebedbi ti
ngherl owerlip
thi
nkingaboutt hesexshej usthad
thenshesl owl ylai
dbacksmi li
ng
evenwi der,thedomi nanteyecont act
hegav eherwhenhesl i
din...Theway
hef l
ippedherar ound..
..Hisf l
exibl
e
backandt hedi r
ecti
onofhi s
strokes..
..Hiskissesandhowhel ai
d
onawoman. ..Hismesmer isingeyes
andhi svoicewhenhewhi sper ed
"don'tpushme" .
..

Bl
essi
ng:(smil
ednaught
il
y)I
'dbur
n
mysel
ftoo.You'
renotcr
azyaft
eral
l
si
s..
.Idi
dn'
tunder
stand.
..

Sheheardhim dust
inghi
sfeetatt
he
doorandquickl
ygotupfi
nishi
ngto
dressup.
..

Ken:
Hey
..
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Hey
..
.

Hesatont heedgeoft hebedwi t

ha
guil
tlookonhi sfaceheputhi s
handst ogetherandlookedatherand
l
ookeddown.Shecoul dn'
ttakea
chancebyt ell
inghim aboutwhatshe
heard,rai
singhi
shopesupfor
nothingwouldbeastepback.
..

Blessi
ng:Ihav
etogohome, I
'
llsee
youlater
..
.Canisl
eepov
er?
Ken: Um. .
.Zanei sol denought opi
ck
ont heset hingsand. .
..(si
ghed
pointi
ngatt heirbunkbed)Weshar e
aroom. .
.Abov eal lineedthistobe
pri
vate...
..Igot ochur chandnotonly
thatthey'reconsi deri
ngt osendme
overseast ost udy .I
fthingsgowell
andt hekidsgett heirhousesIwant
theirrentmoneyt ocov ertheir
expensest here.
Blessing:(
disappointedly)Oh. .
.Ican
sendmyCVi nall
thehospi talsand
cli
nicsinthesamear eaandcome
withy ou,
myqual if
icationallowsme
towor kanywhere..
.It hinkitwillbe
goodf orthechil
drent ohav e
someonet olookafterthem. ..My
salarywouldhelpust oo.
Ken:(raisedhi
sey ebrowsandsighed
rel
uctant l
y)Wow..Mmm. .
.Bl
essing
you'
relikemyl i
tt
lesister
,Zanewill
be
confused.
Blessi
ng:Theli
tt
lesist
eryoujust
pi
nnedt othewallandscrewed..
.
Zanewi l
lunder
standthatmommyi s
goneandy ouhaveneedst hatmust
betakencar
eof
.Iam hi
sauntand
Fai
thneedsawomaninherl
if
e
Ken:(
looki
ngather)Canithi
nkabout
i
t?Idi
dn'tconsi
derathi
rdpersoni
n
thi
spl
an
Blessi
ng:Sure,
anyt
hing
babe..
.(t
ouchedhi
scheeks)t
akey
our
ti
me. .
.

Sheleanedoverandki
ssedhi
mthen
shepickedherphone.
..

Bl
essing:
Cany
oudr
opmeatt
he
mall
?
Ken:
Sur
e..
Blessing:
Byt hewayweshoul dgo
coll
ectchil
dren'sthingsfr
om Di di
'
s
houset omorrowmor ni
ng,isaw
wher emymot heri
skeepingt hem,I'
l
l
stealthem t
oni ght
.
Ken:
Ok.
..

Theygott hekidsi nthecaranddrov

e
off.Blessi
nggl ancedathim ashe
drove.Clearlyheneededmor e
reasonst oletherinthroughhis
wal l
edheartbutwhatexact ly?

Ken:
(looki
ngatt
hemi
rr
or)Ar
eyou
guy
shungr
y?
Zane:
No,
I'
mfi
ne
Fai
th:
Iwantchi
ps
Ken:Ihav
ecoi
ns,
wewi
l
lbuyatt
he
mall
.

Thesmil
eonhisfaceeachti
mehe
spoket
ohischi
ldr
enshowedher
whatamist
akethatpr
otect
ionwas.
..

AtNewmal
l
...
.

Meanwhi
l
eBabywai t
edinWimpy
pr
essi
ngherphoneandshechecked
thetime,ithadbeenanhouranda
halfsinceshegotther
ethenshesent
amessage. ..
.

Baby
:Hi
Andr
ea,
ibeenwai
ti
ng

Hecal
l
ed.
..

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Andr
ea:
Hi.
..Cani
asky
ousomet
hing?
Baby:Yeah.
..Wher
ear eyou?Ibeen
wait
ing,idr
unk3milkshakesalr
eady
Andr
ea:
Isi
ttr
uet
haty
ouhav
eHI
V?
Baby'
sheartski
ppedandshetooka
deepbreat
h,shehadbeenhoping
thi
sonewouldbediff
erent
..
.

Baby:Iwasgoingtotel
lyou,
ijust
neverfoundt
herightti
me
Andrea:
(angril
y)Ikissedy ou,no
wondereveryonestoppedhangi ng
wit
hmeassoonasi star
teddating,
whywouldy oulietomel ikethat?
Baby :(
tearf
ull
y)Ididn'
tli
e..
.Andrea
wehav ebeendat i
ngf oramont hand
throughoutthist
imei havebeen
try
ingtot el
lyouijustneverfoundt
he
ri
ghtwor ds.
Andrea: "
Iam HIVposi
ti
ve"what
's
theretothinkabout
?We'rey
outr
ying
toinfectme?
Baby:(r
ubbedatearr
unni
ngdown
hercheek)Andr
ea!
Andrea:
No,fuckt
hisMaya!Iki
ssed
you!Wealmosthadsex
Baby:(cr
ying)That'
swhyi didn'
twant
to,
that'
swhyi refusedtohav esex
wit
hy ouwi t
houtprotect
ion.
Andrea:
Isthatsupposedt
omakeme
feel
bett
er?
Baby :
Soy ouweregoi
ngtomakeme
sitheref
orhourswit
houtt
ell
i
ngme
togohome?
Andr
ea:Ithoughty
ouwer
eav
irgi
n,
wasthatali
etoo?
Baby:
(cr
ying)Andr
ea.
..Ihav
enev
er
hadsexbefore
Andr
ea:
Sol
i
key
ouwer
ebor
nwi
thi
t?
Baby
:Yes
Andrea:Idon'tseehowwecandat e
wit
hdi f
ferentstat
uses,ican'tr
isk
gett
ingHIVwedon' thav
et hati
nmy
famil
y.
Baby
:Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmekn-

Hehungupbefor
eshecouldfi
nish
herwor
dsthenheleanedont
het abl
e
cr
ying.
..

*
**

Kenpushedthedoort
henFai
thran
towar
dstheball
oonst
andandpicked
twoball
oonsasKenorder
edheran
i
cecream..
..

Zane:(
poi
nted)Babykey
ole.
..I
sshe
cr
ying?
Ken:(t
urned)Maybeshei
sjust
rest
ingherheadwait
ingf
orsomeone
Zane:
No,
sher
ubbedherey
es.
..
Babyrubbedhertearyeyesand
walkedtowardsthem putt
ing
headset
si nherearsassheblewher
noseandwal kedpastthem wit
hout
evenseeingthem..
.

Ken:
(gav
eZanet
hecoi
ns)her
e..
..

Hef oll
owedherout si
decalli
ngher
butshecoul dn'
thearhimthroughthe
l
oudear spiecesthenhegr abbedher
arm, shest
oppedandt urnedaround
rubbinghertearyeyesandlookedat
him...
Ken:(
hetookof
fherearpi
ece)Ar
e
youokay
?

Shelookeddownnotsur ewhatto
saythenat earrandowndroppingon
thepavement ,sheswal
lowedquickl
y
rubbi
ngitthenKenpul l
edherchinup
l
ookinginherey es.
..

Ken:
What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Baby
:Not
hing.
..
Ken:Peopl
edon'
tj
ustcryonthe
middl
eofthemallf
ornothi
ng.
..
Baby
:Iam HI
Vposi
ti
ve
Ken:
Iknowt
hat
,so?
Baby : Peopledon' twantme. ..
(tearfully
)It'
shar dt omakef riends.I
knowmamaandev eryoneinmy
fami l
yt hinksIdon' tlikehaving
fri
endsbutt hat'
sjustsomet hingi t
ell
peopl e, t
het ruthisnoonewant st o
bemyf ri
endandt hel itt
let
hat
i
nt eractwi thmemakemef eel weird.
Theycandr inkf r
om eachot her s
bot t
lesbuti fi dri
nkf rom someone' s
bot t
let heywoul dsecr et
lyt
hr owi t
away .Thenextdayt heycomewi t
ha
newbot t
le.
ZaneandFait
hwalkedoutofWi
mpy
wit
hice-
cream..
.

Ken:
Let
'sgeti
nthecar
,I'
l
ldr
opy
ou
home
Baby
:Thanky
ou.
..

Babysmi
ledasFait
hputherar
m
ar
oundherwai
stlooki
ngupather
..
.

Fai
th:
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
Baby
:Iwasj
ustpassi
ng..
.(
gasped)
OhmyGod!Ifor
gottopayforthe
mi
l
kshakes
Zane:(
laughed)Iwoul
dn'
tremember
topayifIwascryi
ngtoo
Baby:
(laughedandhi
thim ont
he
headwithaball
oon)Sayi
tagai
n..
.
Ken:(
laughed)Goandpaybefore
peopl
ethinkwearethet
hief
'sfamil
y
Baby:(l
aughed)Fai
thcanwego
toget
her?
Fai
th:
Yes.
.

Thegir
lsranbackinsi
deastheKen
andZanegotinthecar.Theywai
ted
forawhil
ethentheywalkedoutwit
h
at
rayofmi
l
kshakesandat
akeaway
..
.

Ken:
Ist
hiswhywehadt
owai
tforso
l
ong?
Baby:(
laughed)Sorr
y..
.Zanegoto
thef
rontseat,I
'l
lsi
twithFai
th.
..
Zane:
Ok.
.

Hemov edandt hegi

rl
sclosedthe
doors,
Kenwat chedBabyhanding
Fai
ththemilkshakeandfi
xingher
hai
rthensheleanedbackand
handedthem..
Baby:Weboughtbananafl
avourf
or
youbecausewefi
guredguyscan'
t
l
ikechocol
ate
Ken:
Goodchoi
ce
Zane:
Thanks.
..
Fait
h:Mmh..
..Il
ovemi
ne.
..Cani
tast
eyour
s?

Fai
thtr
iedtodri
nkfrom herst
rawbut
shequi
cklyremoveditandsmiled.
..

Baby
:Usey
ourownst
raw
Fai
th:
OK.
..
Shesi
ppedandleanedbackthen
Babycont
inueddr
inki
ngwit
hhers..
.

Zane:
Daddi
dyouswi
tchof
fthe
st
ove?
Ken:
Whatst
ove?
Zane:
Iboi
l
edt
heNoodl
es
Ken:
Zane!Youdi
dn'
ttel
lme

Heaccel
erat
ed.
..

Baby:(strappedFait
h)Fait
hgo
Michael Schumacher-ny
ana
mmany anaareipaakanye
Ken:
(laughed)War
umol
anaaker
e?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Ket
aar
eng.
..

Minuteslat
erKenrushedoutofthe
car,
unlockedthedoorandwalkedin
astheywaitedint
hecar.

Baby:
Hehasn'
tst
ormedoutsoi
t'
s
saf
e
Zane:
(st
eppedout
)Pr
obabl
y.
.

ShepickedFait
handwalkedi
ngoing
tothekit
chenwherehewasopeni
ng
thewindows,BabyandFai
thf
rowned
fanni
ngthesmokeof
fasZanel
aid
onthecouchpl
ayi
ngaTVgame..
.

Baby
:Isi
tbad?
Ken:NobutIdoubtt
hepotwi
l
l
recov
er.
..

Fai
thsli
ddownandj oinedherbrother
asBabyopenedtheot herwindows,
Kenleanedagai
nstt
heki tchenunit
fol
dinghisar
mslookingather .
..

Ken:Youwer
et el
li
ngmesomethi
ng
befor
ewegotinter
rupt
edbyt
hekids
Shetur
nedaroundandfol
dedher
armsstandi
ngbythesi
nk.
..

Baby
:Uhf
orgeti
t,I
'
mfi
nenow
Ken:
Arey
ousur
e?
Baby:
Yeah,I'
m good.I
'm usedt
o
get
ti
ngdisappoi
nted.
Ken: Iunderstandifyou'
renotf r
eeto
talktomebecausey oudon'tknow
met hatmuchandy ou'
reclosetothe
kidst hroughDidibutyouhav eto
knowt hatsomet i
mesGodwor ksin
my steriousway s.I
fpeopl
ewal kout
ofy ourl i
fel
etthem gobecause
maybef orcingthem wi l
lhurtmor e.I
wouldn'tl
ikehav i
ngaf r
iendwho
constantl
ythinksofmeasa
dangerousdi sease..Imeant heleast
agoodf ri
endcandoi sresearchand
knowmor e,Everyoneknowsabout
HIVnowandi t
'sjuststupidfor
peopletowal karoundwi t
hsuch
i
gnorancemaki ngot herpeople'
slives
sodiffi
cul
t .
Baby
: Andpeopl
eassumei goti
t
fr
om havi
ngsex,doyouknowhowi
goti
t?
Ken:Yeah,
ihear
d..
.Youdon'
thav
eto
befri
endswit
hpeoplewhomakeyou
feel
badaboutyour
self
.Doyougoto
chur
ch?
Baby
: Notreal
l
y ,
idon'tthi
nkther
eis
God.
..Ift
hereisGodI'm angr
ywith
hi
m becausehenev erlovedme.
Ken:That'
snottrue,Godl ovesy ou
becausedespit
ewhaty ouwent
thr
oughy ou'
resti
llbeautiful
,fitand
haveasenseofhumour ...(t
hey
l
aughedlookingatoneanot her )I
don'
tknowabouty oubutt hel astfew
minuteshavebeenf unandj okesy et
wearenotr eal
l
yclose, ican't
i
magi nehowmuchy ourcl osestenj oy
yourcompany
Baby
:(l
aughed)Thanky
ou
Ken:(stoppedsmil
i
nglooki
ngather)
I
'm seri
ousandGodl ov
esyou,you
j
ustcan'tseeity
et.
..
youshoul
dcome
tochurch
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
..
Ken:Letmet akey
ouhomebef
ore
yourparent
sgetworr
ied.
..
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Theyal
ll
eft
..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronBabyandFai
thr
ani
ntot
he
houseasKenandZanewal ked
towardsthecarwhereAati
leand
Juniorwerecl
eaningthecar,Zane
andJuniorchatt
edandAat i
ledusted
hishandandshookhandswi thKen..
.

Ken:
cleani
ngup?
Aat
il
e:Yeahman.
..Howar
eyou
hol
dingup?
Ken:
I'
ll
gett
her
e
Aat
il
e:Def
ini
tel
y.
.
Ken:
Howi
syourf
ri
end?
Aati
le:
Heischeckingi
nkoSbranaon
Tuesday,
depr
essionyatengenna
ser
iousanong
Ken:Yeah..
.(si
ghed)AnywayI
broughtyourdaught
erhome,wemet
heratWimpy ..
.
Aat
il
e:Thanks.
..
Ken:sur
e,HeyZane?Cal
lyoursi
ster
retsamae.
.

Theboy
srantothehouseandAat
il
e
wal
kedhimtothecar
..
.

Ken:(st
oppedandlookedathi
m)
Thanksfor
..
.Thatday
Aat
il
e:Don'
tment
ioni
t.
..
Ken:Wehaveabadhist
orysofory
ou
tobethatci
vi
lmakesi
tvery-
Aat
ile:(
laughed)Youhav
eabad
hi
storynotme
Ken:(l
aughed)Youknowy
ou
prov
okedme
Aat
il
e:Ii
nti
midat
edy
ou
Ken:
(laughed)y
ou'
ref
ull
ofy
our
sel
f
Aat
il
e:Bul
l
iesar
eli
ket
hat
Ken:(
laughed)Okaymay
bej
usta
l
it
tl
ebit
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Iknewi
t.
..

Theki
dsgoti
nthecart
henKenand
Aat
il
eshookhandsandpar
tedashe
dr
oveoff
.

Meanwhi l
einthehouseMay aqui
ckly
changedherskirtandsteppedout
fi
xi
nghert opalmostbumpi ngint
o
Lolowalki
ngoutoft hebedroom...

Lol
o:Keut
ulegot
weFai
thgol
oha?
Baby:
(wal
ki
ngi
nherr
oom)Yest
hey
l
eft
May
a:(
fol
l
owedher
)Wi
thwho?
Baby
:Thei
rdad,
hedr
oppedmeof
f
Mayaclosedthebedroom dooras
Babychangedherclothes.
..
.

Maya:It
houghty
ouwer
eoutwi
th
Andr
ea
Baby:
Itdi
dn'twor
kout
..
.Myst
atus
tur
nedhim off
May
a:Whyar
en'
tyoucr
ying?
Baby:Ican'tf
orcepeopl
etobeinmy
l
if
emay beGodknowst heywould
st
ressmemor eifheall
owedthem t
o
beinmyl if
e.
Maya:Powerf
ul,
sowher
edoesuncl
e
Kengetin?
Baby:Pi
ckedmeonthesideoft
he
roadanddroppedmeher
e
May
a:Oh,
OK.
..

Shewal kedouthummi ngandgotin

hermot her'
sbedr
oom t henshethr
ew
herselfonthebedtappinginher
mot her'
spasswordandsav ed
somet hingi
nherphonet henshe
qui
ckl yputi
tbackasLol owalkedi
n..
.

Lol
o:(
pickedi
t)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
onmyphone?
Baby:Mamabatho!Iwassett
ingmy
phone,Iwasj
ustchecki
ngtheti
me.
..
Idon'
tev
enknowy
ourpasswor
d
Lolo:Youl
i
kestealingmyair
ti
me
that'
swhyIchangedi t
.Cl
eanmy
room kawaeratajaanacl
eanit
Baby
:(l
aughed)Mamamma
Lol
o:(
wal
ki
ngout
)Cl
eana.
..

Babyshookherheadandcl
eaned
ty
pingonherphone.
..
..

Att
hemor
gue.
..
..
.

Anhourpassedwhil
etheMorapedi
'
s
andMogogi'
sfamil
ywaitedi
nthe
r
ecepti
onthenthefuner
alparl
our
managerwalkedbackwitht
hethei
r
r
egist
rar
..
.

Kedibony
e:Sowhat'
snextnow?I
don'
tunderst
andhowcorpsesget
mixedup
Manager
:Ift
agsfal
l of
facor
psewe
t
endtohaveaproblem,weapol
ogi
se
f
orthi
smixupwer eall
ydo

Blessingwalkedinandj oi
nedthe
family,herauntexpl
ainedwhat
happenedasshecompar edt
he
funeralprogrammes..
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Didihasscar
sonhert
highs,
whowasdressi
ngher?
Aunt
ie:
Wher
ear
eherscar
s?
Ari
anna:
Ithoughtt
heyheal
ed,ionce
metheri
nt hemall
andshelooked
fi
ne
Blessing: Thefacewasf i
nebutshe
hadscar sonherar msandt highs,
bodyl ey oneithadscars.
..
.Rakgadi
mot hoy okanaoneashel eyou
woul dn'tmissthosescars.Thef aces
aresi milareethoughnnai cant el
l
they'
r enotexactlythesamej ustthat
wenev erlookatadeadper sonf or
l
ongsoicanunderst
andt
hemist
ake
butt
hebodycan'
tbemist
aken
Aunt i
e:I
'm oneofthepeopl
ewho
dressedherandi don'
tremember
anythingawkwardaboutherbodyor
may beit'
sbecausewewer en'
t
l
ooki ngforanyt
hingoutofthe
ordinary
Mogogi '
swi fe:Kesegodoesn'thave
scars,didyouordi dn'tyouseethe
scars?(sighedangr il
y)Kanathat'
s
whyt hebodymustmeexhumed
beforeitstartsrot
ting.Youjustwant
tomaket hi
ngsdi f
ficultbymakingus
gothrought hecour ttogetorders,
mxm!
Blessing:
(lookedathermot
herand
pointedwithherthumb)SoDidi
is
i
nside?
Kedibonye:Idon'tt
hinkit'
sDidi,
we
j
ustsawt hewomani nside..
..
ke
mosadi oselehelayoole,it
sbeen
yearssinceihaveseenDi dibutthat
i
sn'ther.Amot hercannev erfor
get
herchil
d
Bl
essing:
Yoursi
tuat
ioni
sal
i
ttl
ebi
t
di
ff
erent
Kedi
bony
e:Whati
sthatsupposedt
o
mean?
Manager
:Theprobl
em nowist
hatal
l
ofy
ouhaven'
tseenthi
sDidi
ntl
e
per
soninyear
sandyouare
menti
oni
ngshehaddonesurger
y.
Doesanyoner
eal
lyknowher?
Blessing:(
stoodup)I'l
lident
if
yher,i
hav ebeenincontactwithher
throughouttheyears.Lehagotweng
bathoDi di
didn'
tchangemuch, she
wasf ixi
ngaf ewthi
ngsher eand
therebutthebasicsaret hesame..

Shefoll
owedt hemanageri nsi
deas
thei
rfootstepsechoedacr ossthe
morgue,theassistantpul
ledthetray
outasBlessinglookedatthedead
bodywithat agont hefor
ehead...
Manager
:Isi
ther
?

Bl
essi
nglookedatheragai
nand
l
ookedatthemanager.
..

Bl
essi
ng:
(sadl
y)Um.
..
..
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
09AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 110

Att
hemor
gue.
..
.
Blessing:
(sadl
y)I
t'
sher
..
..Cany
ou
pullthetr
ayall
theway?

Theassi
stantpull
edthewholebody
outasBl
essinglookedati
tthenshe
si
ghedandshookherhead...

Bl
essi
ng:
It'
sdef
ini
tel
yher
Manager
:Thankyou,t
hei
rtagsmight
hav
ebeenaccident
all
yswi
tched.
Bl
essi
ng:
Iunder
stand.
..

Shewalkedoutandj
oinedt
hef
ami
l
y
i
ntherecept
ion.
..
Blessi
ng:
Itsher
,shehasscar
sonher
body
Kedibonye:
Gasegor
ekannakene
ketholakemmonaaitshasi
tsedi
l
ipst
ick
Bl
essing:
Ithinksotoobecausehal
e
oplai
nhela,shedoesn'
thave
makeup

Themanagerwalkedbacki
nas
ever
yonecont
inuedtal
ki
ng.
..

Ar
ianna:
Ijoi
thoughti
t'
snother
,go
ray
agoregakei
tsegolebabaswil
e
bonehowdotheymakemi st
akesl
ike
thi
s?Ekar
ebothodihel
adil
otsa
bone
Manager :Gonet ot
aithappens,
somet i
mesbodi esareswitchedat
themor guewhenat agfal
lsoffand
i
sputonadi ff
erentbodybecausethe
personputti
ngt hem doesn'
tknow
whoi swho.
Mogogi
:Thanky
ouf
orsol
vi
ngt
his
Arianna:
Whydon'tt
heyj
ustburr
y
thatonekay
oleleeneoepetswe
Mogogi'
swif
e:Iwantt
oburymy
daught
erel
egorehaketsay
aset
opo
seselegaketsenakomabi
tengke
l
elakerekelel
elamang?
Ari
anna:Auaker
egotshwanahela,o
taal
elaoit
segorey
oleoepetswe
kwa,r
etaakgonagoepereepolola?
Morapedi
:Canwej
ustf
ini
sht
hisof
f?
What'
snext?

Al
lthepart
iesr eachedadet ai
l
ed
ar
rangementandsi ghedthepapers,
minutesl
atertheMor apedi
famil
y
walkedout
...
.

Kedi
bonye:(
sighedi
nreli
ef)Iwas
pani
cki
ngthinki
ngsheisali
ve,wher
e
woul
digett
hemoneyt
opayher
?
Ari
anna:(l
aughed)Andi wasthi
nki
ng
aboutherhousekerekanai was
pl
anningtomov ein,
ifsheisali
veI
'
d
l
osemyhouse
Blessi
ng:(annoyed)Mxm t otalebua
j
ang, i
fthi
sishowy ouaregoi ngto
actwhenI'm deadi wanttobui l
d
my sel
fanewf ami l
yandst ayasf ar
awayf r
om youaspossi ble,howcan
youlaughaboutsomet hinglikethis?
Youshouldbeashamed
Morapedi
:Blessi
ngthengwanaka
youhavealwaysbeenamoodychild.
..
Bl
essi
ng:
(annoy
ed)Wewer
e
i
dent i
f yingabody ,
can'tweatl east
pretendt obesadi fnoneofusi ssad?
Ididn'tgr owupwi thDidibutthe
womanl eftt wol i
tt
lechil
drenwi t
ha
manwhoi spani ckingbecausehe
doesn' tknowwhat 'snext,can'twebe
sincere?Whyshoul dwebet his
heartless? ...(
t ur
nedtohermot her
andsi st er )AndKenhi redar eput able
l
awy erwhowant severyt
hingbackf or
thechi ldr en.I fIwasy ouI'dstop
spendi ngt hemoneyunt ilihearf rom
thecour t.I fthejudgeor dersy out o
returnt hemoneyandy oudon' ty ou'
ll
besummonsedandy ourhomewi ll
soldtor ef undal lthesavingsy ou
t
ook,
don'
tsayi
didn'
twar
nyou.

Ther
ewassi
l
enceast
heygoti
nthe
car
s..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert hateveningKengrabbedt
he
chi
ldren'sunif
orm andputitont
he
i
roningboar dthenherecei
veda
messagef rom anunknownnumber..
.

Number:Thanksforthemoti
vat
ion
ear
li
er,
istol
ey ournumberf
rom my
mom'sphone.Ihopey oudon'
tget
off
ended.Ij
ustcan'tstopthi
nki
ng
aboutwhatyousaid,itgavemea
di
ffer
entperspect
iveaboutpeople
whoareignorantaboutHIV.

Ken'sfacel
i
tupasher eadthe
messageslowlysmil
i
ngand
switchedof
fthepoweroftheir
on
thenhedial
edthenumberand
walkedout.
..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
..
.
Baby
:Hi
Ken:Don'tl
etanyonepul
lyoudown
becausetheycan'
texpandthei
rli
tt
le
knowledge.
Baby
:(l
aidont
hebedandputher
l
egsonuponthewall
)Yeah
Ken: (
leanedagai
nstt
hewall
and
tookadeepbr eat
h)Sowhatarey
ou
doing?
Baby:I
'
m get
ti
ngr
eadyf
orschool
,
you?
Ken:Gett
ingthekidsr
eadyf
or
school
..
.Ironi
ngthenhomewor
k
Baby
:Cani
comehel
pyou?
Ken:
(fr
ownedandsmil
ed)Att
his
ti
me?Nah.
..You'
l
lgeti
ntr
oubl
e..
.
Maybetomorrow,whatt
imedoy
ou
getof
fatschool?
Baby:At3: 45butt helessonsend
beforelunch,afterlunchkei ndividual
studyi
ngandwear eget ti
ngr eadyf or
thetestssoteacher sar emost l
yat
thestuffroom pr epari
ngt het est
papers.Andi readatni ghtsoi can
passbyatl unch
Ken:
Sweet
,can'
twai
ttoseey
ou
Baby:Metoo(
laughedsi
l
ly)Imeani
can'
twai
ttoseeyoutoo
Ken:
(laughed)Gor
ead
Baby
:By
e
Ken:
Baby
?
Baby
:Rr
a?
Ken: You'r
eav er ybeaut i
ful l
it
tl
el ady
andnooneshoul dmakey oudoubt
yourself,you'rebeaut i
ful,you'rea
forcet ober eckonedwi th..
.Youhav e
beent hroughhel landy ety oust i
l
l
hav elotsofl ovet ooffer.If i
nd
strengthiny ousomehow, ibeen
thi
nkingaboutear li
er.
..Allalongi
beenhopel essbutt heni
remember edy oursi t
uat i
onand
reali
sedI '
m bei ngsel f
ishf orfeeling
sorryformy self.Ishouldbest rong
andkeepsmi li
ngbecauset herear e
peoplel i
key ouwhost i
llmanaget o
smi l
eev enwi t
hsomuchhear t
ache
andr
eject
ion.
Baby:(smil
edandhuggedherpi l
low
putti
ngherlegar
oundi ttoo)Thank
you,idi
dn'
tknowI '
mt hatstrong,
i
thoughtI
'm whi
ning.
..
Ken:You'
renot
..(si
ghedandsmil
ed
shri
nki
nghiseyessexil
y)Byt
heway
youhavebeaut
ifuleyesandi
lov
e
yourhai
r,i
pref
erlonghair
Baby
:(l
aughed)f
orwhat
?
Ken:(
laughedbi
ti
nghi
sli
ps)Baby
agobalaautwa?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Ok,
goodni
ght
Ken:
Goodni
ght
..
.
Hehungupandexhal edwi thali
ttl
e
smi l
eofhopet henhet houghtabout
i
tf orasecandl osthi ssmi l
easa
l
it
t l
ecloudofgui ltcameov erhim.
Blessingcalledashewal kedinbut
heputt hephonedownandcont inued
i
roningf ort
heki dsast heyt ooka
bath.Hel at
erf edt hem anddidhome
wor kbeforegoi ngt obedthenhe
swi t
chedof fthel ightsandl ai
d
down. ..

Hetossedandtur
nedthi
nkingabout
herunt
ilhegr
abbedthephoneand
checkedherlastseen,shej
ust
uploadedastatusofthePhysi
cs
for
mul as.
..

Ken:
(text
ed)Got
osl
eep
Baby
:LOLy
esuncl
e
Ken:
Uncl
eisv
eryangr
yaty
ou
Baby
:Shoul
dibr
ingast
ick?
Ken:No,j
ustl
ayonmylapandI
'
ll
spankyourl
it
tl
ebut
t.
Baby: Ok.
..Her
ewego.…shoul
di
takeoffmypantiesorj
ustl
aydown
withthem
Ken:
Keept
hem onf
ornow.
..Mmh
suchsmal ll
i
ttl
ebut
ts.
..Ar
eyou
ready ?
..
.y
ou'
rea bad bad
girl
.
...Gotobed!
Baby
:Rubsmybut
t.
..Sor
ryuncl
e.
Ken:
Wantt
oki
ssuncl
egoodni
ght
?
Baby
:
Ken:

Heputt
hephonedownsmi
li
ngthen
her
ememberedandcal
l
edher.
..

Baby
:(sof
tl
y)Hel
l
o?
Ken:(
lowdeepvoice)Cl
eart
hat
conv
o, doesy
ourphonehavea
passwor
d?
Baby
:No
Ken:Del
eteourconver
sat
ionandput
apasswordthatnoonecanguess
Baby
:Ok
Ken:
Goodni
ght
Baby
:Goodni
ght
..
.

Meanwhi l
eshehungupandbl ushed
readi
ngtheirconv
ersati
ononceagai n,
sheloveditandshewant edtoreadit
againthenextdaysoshel ef
titon
andputapasswor dinst
ead.
Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..

Thenextmor ningaround11bot h
famili
esgatheredatthebur ialsit
eas
theothercoff
inwasexhumedand
takenawaybyt hefuneral parlourcar
,
anothercarparkedandt hecl ose
familymember scarri
edt hecof fi
nto
thegraveaathesmal lgroupofcl ose
familyandfri
endssangsl owly.
Blessingst
eppedoutoft hecr owd
dial
ingKen..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Bl
essi
ng:
Whyhav
en'
tyoubeen
answer
ingmycal
l
s?
Ken:I'
m sor
ry,
ibeenal
i
ttl
elow
l
ately
..
.Kemodumowaengoo
yaanong?
Blessing:Apparent l
ywebur i
edt he
wrongper son,itwasDi di'
ssi ster.I
j
ustf oundoutal l
t hese,ididn'teven
knowDi di
'
shalfsisterlookssomuch
l
ikeher .Wedifferentiat
edherf rom
thesisterwit
hherscar ssonow
they'
reswappi ngt hecoffins.
Ken:
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
his?
Blessi
ng:Youdi
dn'
tanswert
he
phonelastni
ght
Ken:
(si
ghed)I
'
llbet
her
einami
nut
e..
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Bye

Shehungupandj
oinedev
ery
one.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Kent ookaqui
ckshowerand
changedhiscl
othest
henhehopped
i
nt hecardi
ali
ngBabyashedrov
e
out..
.

Baby
:(whi
sper
ed)Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Sor
ry,
arey
oui
ncl
ass?
Baby
:Yeahbutt
het
eachergaat
a
l
essoneng
Ken:Ok,l
ist
eni..
..Idon'
tthinkI'
llbe
homedur i
nglunch.Somet hingcame
upapparentl
ywebur iedDidi'
ssister
sothey'
recorr
ectingthemi xup.
Baby:
OhmyGod,t
hat'
sali
ttl
ecr
eepy
.
Dothi
ngsl
i
ket
hathappen?
Ken:
Yeahbuti
t'
snotcommon
Baby
:Whatt
imedoesFai
thknockof
f?
Ken:
At1
Baby
:I'
l
lgowai
twi
thFai
thi
fthat
's
OK.
Ken:
It'
sfi
nebuti
didn'
tcook-
Baby
:(l
aughed)I
'
m notababy
,I'
l
l
cooklunchforthekids.Justgosor
t
your
selfoutyou'l
lfi
ndushome
wait
ing.
Ken:(smi
ledproudly
)Thanks.Ihope
thephonedoesn'tdi
str
actyouin
class
Baby:Notr
eal
l
y.Icarr
yiti
ncase
ther
eisanemergencyorsomet
hing.
Ennamogov i
brati
on.
Ken:
Okay
,lat
er

Hehungandl
eft
..
.

Att
hegr
avey
ard.
..
.
Minutesl at
erheappr oachedthe
crowdandj oi
nedt hem asthey
prayed,
t hecasketwasal readyint
he
graveandaf ewmenbegunf i
l
li
ngin
thegraveashel eanedoverand
whisperedt oBlessing.
.

Ken:
Whycoul
dn'
tyouatl
eastt
ext
me?
Blessi
ng:Ifiguredify
oucouldn'
t
answeryouwoul dn'
tseemy
messagesbecausei knewyou
weren'
tintentional
lyi
gnor
ingme.
Hel
ookedatheronceandsighedas
t
hefamil
yputt
helastt
opflowers.
..

Uncle:
Morut
iret
aabusetsat
ir
oya
ronakogowenagape.
..
Past
or:
Let
'
sbowourheadsandpr
ay.
.

Theybowedt heirheadsandprayed
thenthefamilyelderdi
smissedt
hem,
Kenwal kedtowardsthecaras
Blessi
ngf ol
l
owedhi m.…

Bl
essi
ng:
Arey
ouangr
ywi
thme?
Ken:
Ican'
ttal
ktoy
our
ightnow
Blessi
ng:Sowhoi swrong?Theone
whodidn'tanswerhisphoneort he
onewhodi dn'tsendamessageaf ter
tr
y i
ngtocallandgetti
ngignored.
Ken:(
turnedangril
y)Blessingy ou
weresupposedt otell
keaboutt hi
s
theminuteyouhear daboutit!You
werereadytosleepov erbutyou
coul
dn'tfi
ndtheurgencyi nthis?

Hegoti
nthecart
henshegoti
nand
cl
osedt
hedoor.
..

Ken:Anothert
hing.
..Idon'
tknowi
f
you'
retr
yingtousemeory ouj
ust
wanttobepai dwithsexf orhelpi
ng
yoursister
's.Whateveritisitends
todaynow. ..I
fyouwantt ohel pyour
nieceandnephewdosowi thout
expectingany t
hinginreturn.
Blessi
ng:Wher
eisallt
hesecomi
ng
fr
om?Iwast ry
ingtohelpy
oucope
withadif
fi
cul
tsit
uati
on
Ken:Idon'
tneedsext
odealwit
hmy
gri
ef,i
needgenui
nesuppor
t.
Blessi
ng:I
'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tknowy
ou
fel
tused.I
'mver
ysorr
y
Ken:(
tookadeepbreath)It
'sfi
ne
maybeI'
m over
react
ingbuty ou
shoul
dhavemadeanef f
orttol
etme
knowaboutt
his.
Bl
essi
ng:You'r
ecor
rect
,ididn'
tmake
aneff
ort
.Forgi
veme..
.I'
m sosorr
y
Ken:I
t'
sokay.
..(
checkedt
het
ime)I
havet
ogo...
Bl
essi
ng:
Cani
-
Ken:
Ihav
esev
eral
thi
ngst
odo.
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Isee.
..

Shedi
sappoi
ntedl
yst
eppedoutt
hen
Kendr
oveoff
...
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
LateronBabyf ini
shedfeedi
ngFaith
anddidt hedishesthenshetookher
tothebat hroom whereshe
shampoodherhai randsatonthe
carpetwithherplati
ngherhairunt
il
shefellasleep.
..
.

Zaneopenedthedoorandwalkedi
n
asBabysatonthecarpetdoi
ng
Fai
th'
shair
..
..

Zane:
Hi
Baby:Heyy
ou,
yourf
oodi
sint
he
ki
tchen
Zane:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?Di
dyoucook?
Baby
:Yeah
Zane:Dudey
oushoul
dvi
situsev
ery
day!
Baby
:(l
aughed)Notev
eryday

Hegrabbedtheplateandst
art
ed
eat
ingwhil
estanding.
..

Zane:
Soareyouli
keDad'sfr
iendor
myfri
endorFai
th'
sfr
iend?
Baby
:(l
aughed)I
'
m Fai
th'
sfr
iend
Zane:(
chewi
ng)Ohy
eah,
makes
sense.
..
.
Baby
:Yeah.
..(
laughedandwhi
sper
ed)
andyou'
remaki
ngnoise,shei
s
sl
eepi
ngandIwanttofini
shher
bef
oresheget
sup
Zane:
Alr
ightI
'
m goi
ngt
ochangeand
pl
aygames

Hewalkedtothebedr
oom andshe
cont
inuedf
ixi
ngherhairunti
lshe
wasdonethenshecarri
edhert ot
he
bedandwalkedbacktocleanup.

*
**

Lat
eronKenopenedt
hedoorandset
eyesonBabywal kingaroundinher
whiteschoolsockscleani
ngup, her
unif
orm wasstil
lonandshehadher
ti
eonwi thherhairinaponytai
l.

Heswal l
owedandslowl yclosedthe
door,shepausedpi
ckingt oysand
shyl
ylookeddown.Ther ewasan
awkwar dvi
beasKenputt hekeys
downandf acedher.
..Suddenlythe
confi
dencetosaywhat everthrougha
phonedisappear
ed,noneoft hem
knewwhatt osay.
..

Ken:
Hey
..
Baby
:Hey
..
Ken:
Aret
heki
dshome?
Baby:Yeah,theydozedof
f.It
hink
theyareexhausted.
.
Ken:
Yeah.
..

Helookedatherschoolsocksgoi
ng
uphersmartunif
orm andstoppedat
herl
ipsasshelookeddown.

Ken:(l
i
ckedhisli
pandswal
l
owed)
Thanksforcl
eani
ngup.
.
Baby
:Yeah.
..
Shegatheredal lherconfi
denceand
l
ookedupathi m ashewal kedover,
okaysoclearlyhewasv eryl
argebut
shefel
tsafet here,almostassafeas
shefel
tsafeinherf at
herbutthi
s
wasadi f
ferent,hewoul doffermor
e
thanj
ustfatherlylove..

Hesof tlycaressedherar m and

touchedhercheekt henhetil
tedhis
headl eaningov erandkissedherl i
tt
le
l
ipssof tl
yasshecl osedherey es
standingst i
l
l.Hemadei tsweetand
brieft
henheseal edi twi
thasof tki
ss
ont heforeheadassheswal lowed
hugginghi m putti
nghercheekbel l
ow
hi
sbreastast
heyst
oodont he
middl
eofther
oom huggedup.

Baby
:Hav easi
t,i
cooked
somethi
ng..
.
Ken:
Can'
twai
ttoseet
his.
.

Hetookaseatthenshet ookof
fher
ti
eandshirtbef
oreheadi
ngt ot
he
ki
tchenandbentovergiv
inghima
tr
ayoffood..
.

Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Wow,
thi
sisexcel
l
ent
..
.
Baby
:Thanks.
..
Acarparkedout
sidethenBaby
movedthecurt
ains.
..

Baby
:(gasped)bomama!
Ken:
(putt
het
raydown)What
?

Shepickedherschool bagandranto
thebedroom andt her
ewasaknock
onthedoorbutt henhesawher
phoneont hetable.Heswit
cheditof
f
andhur r
iedtothebedroom wherehe
thr
ewi toverandclosedthedoor.
Hetookadeepbreat
handopened
t
hedoorasLoloandAat
il
ewalked
i
n..
.

Lol
o:Hey
Aat
il
e:(
shookhands)Hel
l
o
Ken:Hi
..
.(
fl
atv
oice)Whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?
Lolo:Weheardwhathappenedabout
thebodymi xupany waythat
'snot
whywear ehere.Wespoket oa
l
awy eraboutyoursit
uati
on,ithi
nkI
owei tt
oDidi.
.Sheandi were
chil
dhoodfri
endssoi can'tj
ust
watchherfamilytakeadvantageof
y
oul
i
ket
hat
..
.

Kencl osedt hedoorlookingatt

hem
ast heysatdownandhi sheart
skippedashel aideyesonBaby's
shirtandt i
eont heothersofari
ghti
n
frontoft hem thenherTougheesby
thecar petandhernot ebookonthe
table..
..
..
...
..
..
.

I
'm havi
ngthebusiestweek,
bare
withmeaboutt heti
mechanges.
Alwaysremembert oLi
keandthanks
foryourpat
ience
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
09AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 111

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Kencl
osedt
hedoorl
ooki
ngatt
hem
ast heysatdownandhi sheart
skippedashel ai
deyesonBaby's
shirtandt i
eont heot
hersofari
ghti
n
frontoft hem t
henherTougheesby
thecar petandhernotebookonthe
table.

Ken:(cl
ear
edhist
hroat
)That
'sv
ery
thought
ful
ofyou.
..

Hetookadeepbreathandsat
l
eaningbackonBaby'
sshir
tandt
ie
hi
dingthem wi
thhi
sback..
.

Aat
il
e:Wespoket
oal
awy
erwhoi
s
wi
ll
i
ngtohel
pyouforamuchl
ower
f
eeandi
twil
lbeonus.
Lol
o:IknowDidiwoul
dnotthink
twi
ceabouthel
pingmychi
ldren.
Ken:
(hear
tpoundi
ngashest
aredat
Baby
'snot
ebook)Isee.
..

Aatil
et ookoutashi swalletand
remov edt hebusinesscardasKen
cal
ml ymov edthetrayont opofthe
notebookandi nnocentl
ypickedthe
dri
nkast heyturnedthei
rheads
handinghi mt hecard.

Hegott
hecar
danddr
unkhal
foft
he
j
uicetocalm himsel
fdown.Hishear
t
wasst i
ll
poundingandhiswhole
bodywashav inganenti
rebody
breakdownthoughheappeared
calm..
.

Hev er
ywel lknewhowst rictLolo
wasaboutBabyandAat i
lewoul d
defi
nit
elyshowhi m afather'
swr eath.
WithBaby '
shistor
yheknewt here
wouldbenoquest i
onsandt hat
wouldbemor ethanjustdefil
ement
butthev i
olati
onofhisparole
condit
ions.Hewassecondsaway
fr
om leav i
nghischil
drenv ul
nerable
andpar entl
essasLologlancedatt he
school
shoesandl
eanedback.
..

Aat
il
e:Thi
smanisqui
teeff
ici
entand
hei
sgoodincasessi
mil
artothi
s..
.
Ken:(clearedhi sthr
oat)Wel li
alr
eadyf oundal awyerbutthanky ou
somuch, itreall
ymeansal ot
..
.I'
ll
keephi scont actdetai
lsj
ustincasei
needsecondopi ni
onabout
somet hing..
.Idon'tknowhowt o
thanky ou...
Youbeennot hingbut
supportivethroughoutallthese..
.
Aat
il
e:Howar ethef
eesoft
hisot
her
l
awyerthough?
Ken:
(hi
svoi
cet
rai
l
edof
f)Shei
s
doi
ngi
tforf
ree.
..
Aat
il
e:(
smi l
ednaught
il
y)Al
ready
get
ti
ngfreebi
eshuh
Ken:
(laughed)I
t'
spr
ofessi
onal
but
whoknowsmay beoneday..
.
Lol
o:Howar
ethechi
l
dren?
Ken:
They
'r
edoi
nggood.
Lolo:I
fyouneedhelpbaby si
tt
ing
especi
all
ykaFaithletusknow, Baby
andAgathaarereall
ygoodwi thkids..
.
Babykemot hol
egot hol
aakuki le
banaobonegor elastbornekae
mmesant seabaj esamot ogoithela
ekaremosadimogolo.
Ken:
I'
ll
lety
ouknowbutsof
arso
good,myneighbour
skidsalsohel
p
me,theypl
aywi t
hthekids.
..
.
Lol
o:Gaori
alobecausei
was
wonder
ingwhoseshoesthosear
e..
.
Ken:(
lookingatBaby'
sshoes)Yeah,
i
t'
smynei ghbour'
sdaughtershe
l
ovesFaith..
.t
heytookheranhour
agoandoneoft hem for
gotthei
r
shoeshere.
Lol
o:Atleastshehasgir
lsshepl
ays
wit
hlonabor reyoumight
under
standherfull
y
Ken:
Exact
ly.
..
.

Theychat
tedf
oraf
ewmi
nut
esand
r
anoutoft
hingstot
alkaboutt
hen
t
heyst
oodup...

Lolo:
(si
ghed)Mmer eboemothowa
modimo,wejustwantedt
oletyou
knowaboutouroff
er

Theyturnedfacingthedoorandhe
quickl
ypushedBaby 'sshir
tandt
ie
overthecouchashest oodup
fol
lowingthem outsi
de...

Ken:
Thankyousomuch,
idon'
tknow
howtot
hankyou
Aat
il
e:Sur
e,don'
tment
ioni
t.
..
arey
ou
asoccerf
an?
Ken:Yeahandi
tshoul
dbeil
l
egal
not
tosuppor
tACMilan,
wearesoon
toni
ght
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)2-
0wi
l
ldof
orme.
..
.
Ken:
Remmogo

Hewalkedt hem outandputhi

s
handsinthepocketsastheyclosed
thedoorsandrolleddownthe
windows..
.

Aat
il
e:Shap
Ken:
Sur
e..
.
Lol
o:By
e
Ken:
Bye.
..

Heheav edahugesi ghastheydrove

offthenhewal kedinleavi
nghis
shoesbyt hest ooptaki
ngoffhist-
shirt
,Babywal kedinwithanaughty
smi l
ecoveringhermout hthenhe
l
aughedandshookhi sheadin
disbeli
ef.
..

Baby:
(gi
ggled)Thatwascl
ose.
..
..
Haveaseatandeat
Ken:(si
ghedandrubbedhisf
ace
paci
ngar ound)Myhear
tisst
il
l
pounding..
.

Shesatont hecouchandsmi led

wat chi
nghim ashepacedar ound
tr
y i
ngtocalm downt henhewal ked
overandpul ledherpony t
aildown
maki ngherf aceupwardsashe
plantedakissonherl ipsandsatnext
toherleaningback.Heputheronhi s
l
apasshef acedhi m putt
ingher
handsonhi schestsi t
tingonhi s
bonerwhichwassl owlyexpanding
betweenherl i
tt
lebut
t..
..
Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Angelt
herei
ssomet
hing
wehavetotal
kabout.
.
Baby
:What
?
Ken:Youknowwhatwearedoi
ngi
s
tot
all
ywrongi
never
ylev
elri
ght
?
Baby
:Iknow.
..
Ken:Angelyoucan'
ttel
lany
one
aboutthi
s..
.
Baby:Idon'
thav
efr
iendsnotev
en
one.
..
Ken:Yeahbutyouhav esi
ster
s..
.
(car
essinghert
highs)Iwantyouto
underst
andthemagni t
udeofthi
s..
.
Wecan' tr
iskitget
tingoutthere
becauseifitdoesI'm goi
ngtojail
and
theywon'tgoeasyonmebecause
I'
m notafirstt
imeof f
ender.You
knowi sol
ddr ugs,hadill
egal
fi
rear
msandal lki
ndsofbad...
Baby:Ihear
dmymom andauntDi
di
tal
ki
ngaboutit
Ken: YeahsoI fimakeonemi stake
everyoneisgoi ngtoturnagainstme
andi twil
lbet heendofmeandt he
kids.Thef ut
ur ei
slookinggoodso
farandIr eall
ywishi coul
dresistyou
soIwoul dn'ttakethi
shuger i
skbutI
don'tknowwhat '
shappeningt ome
becausei justwanttobewi thy ou
knowi
ngexact
lywhat
'satst
ake.
Baby:Iwon'ttel
lanyone,i
alsodon'
t
wanttolosey oubecauseyou
underst
andmeandi l
oveyourki
ds.
..
(smil
ed)IloveFait
h
Ken:(smil
edandtouchedherbreast
s)
You'r
etoomat ur
eforyourage,
i l
ove
thataboutyou.
Baby
:(shyl
y)Il
ovey
ourl
i
psandt
he
wayyoulookatme.
..
Ken:(smi
l
edf
rowni
ng)Howdoi
look
atyou?
Baby:(
laughedandleanedover
hi
dingherfaceonhisneck)Likey
ou
wanttoeatme...Youlookatmelike
I
'
m someki
ndoff
ood
Ken:(l
aughedandrubbedherbackas
shelai
donhi m)Bonebosteakjaana
botbone..
.(t
heybothl
aughedashe
play
edwithherhair
)Tswelel
a..
.
Baby :(l
eanedbackandl ookedathim
blushingbiti
ngherl ip)Wheny oukiss
mei getwet .
..Ithasneverhappened
tomebef ore...

Helif
tedherskir
tandsmiledlooki
ng
atherpant
iesthenhetoucheda
smallwetstai
nbythecli
ts.She
l
aughedpushingherskir
tdownand
sl
appedhishandsoff.
..
Baby
:(gi
ggl
ed)St
op!
Ken:
Comeher
e..
.Takwano.
..

Hisbrownlipspartedasheclosed
hi
sey eski
ssinghersoftl
ythenhe
l
ift
edherwhi t
ePepst orevestand
cuppedbothhertinybreastashis
bonerexpanded..
.

Baby:(
smiled)Mygoodness.
..
I'
m
si
tti
ngonsomet hi
ngandit'
sli
ft
ing
meup...I
tslyi
ngbetweenmybut t
cheeks
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Youcant
ouchi
t.
..
.
Baby
:(shy
ly)No.
..

Hemov edhert ohi sbellybuttont hen

hetooki toutbehi ndherandwhi pped
herbuttwi thitthenshest opped
smili
ngandswal l
owedl ooki ngi nhis
eyeswi t
hal i
ttl
epani candt ur nedher
headbuthepul ledherf aceov erto
hisandki ssedherbef or
eshecoul d
seeit.Sheki ssedbackr el
uct antly
andhepausedl ookinginherey es
fear
full
y...

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Baby
:(hear
tpoundi
ng)Yes.
.
Ken:(heputhi
shandonherchest
andfeltt
hethr
obbingofherhear
t)
Angelotshogi
le.
.why?
Baby
:Not
hing.
..
Ken:Otshabagompolel
la?(
she
l
ookeddownandhepul l
edherchi
n
outl
ookinginherey
es)Tal
ktome..
.

Hefi
xedhisbonerandpackedi
tthen
movedbackupont hecouchst
il
l
hol
dingheronhi
slap..
.

Ken:
(tookadeepbr
eat
h)Letmet
ell
yousomet hi
ng...Iwat chedy ougr ow
beforemeandt hereisnot hingIdon't
knowabouty ou...Not hing...(ki
ssed
herlookinginherey es)soy ouhav e
tobeli
evemewhenIsayi lov eyou
thewayy ouareandi fwehav esome
kindoftraumat odeal withI '
m going
tomakesur eithappenssoy oucan
enjoyever ypartofthisr elationship
i
ncludingt hesexbutf orthatt o
happeny ouhav etot r
ustmewi t
h
everyt
hing...
Baby:Okay
...
(si
ghed)I
'm scar
edof
sex.
..
.Ihaveneverhadsexifyou
knowwhatImean
Ken:
Iknow
Baby:Ial
wayspref
erredf
acel
ove
thi
ngbecauseI
'm afr
aidt
oevenl
ook
ata..
.Youknow
Ken: I
tmakessenseandi under stand.
Wedon' thav etodoany thi
ngy ou'
re
notcomf ortabl
ewi th,I
'm goi ngto
takethingsv er
yslowl y.I'
llgowi th
yourpacef ornowunt i
l you'vegotten
usedt oitthenmay beweunl easht he
beastsandseei ftheourl i
t t
lebeaut y
canhandl ethat.
.Ri ght
?( shenodded
blushi
ng)and. .
.(touchedherchi n
l
ookingi nherey eswi t
hasexysmi l
e)
Cani makey ouapr omi se?
Baby
:Yes
Ken:You'regoi
ngtoenjoyyourfi
rst
sexualexperi
ence,
it'
sapromise.
..I
won'thurtyouandyou'r
egoingtoask
menott ostop
Baby
:(bl
ushedandl
aughed)Real
l
y?
Ken:
(laughed)Real
l
y..
.

Fait
hsneezedwalki
nginandthey
j
umped, Babygr
abbedthi
ngsfrom
thefl
oorasKensatupthenhissmil
e
widenedashelookedatFai
th'
snew
hair
styl
e..
.

Ken:
Wow.
..
..Comeher
e!
Fai
thrubbedherey
esandjumpedon
Kenashekissedherandt
ouchedher
hai
r.
..
.

Ken:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..(
smi
l
edat
Baby
)Di
dyoudothi
s?
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..
.
Ken:I
sther
eany t
hingy
oudon'
tknow?
Thi
sisbeauti
ful
..
.

Shewalkedbackinhol
dingFai
th'
s
foodandfedherasZanewalkedin
rubbi
nghiseyes.
Baby
:Youdi
dn'
teat
..
Ken:
Ohy
eah.
..
.

Hegrabbedhi
splat
eandatewit
h
Zaneastheywat
chedthegame.
..

Ken:Youshoul
dhavecl
othesher
e
goreoskathol
akauni
for
m
Baby
:I'
l
lgetaf
ewt
omor
row.
..

Kenf i
nishedeat
ingandwenttot
he
bedroom wherehetookoffhi
s
cl
othesandl ai
ddowninhisshor
ts.
Minut
esl
aterBabywal
kedinandsat
nextt
ohi
m ashepressedhi
sphone.
..

Ken:Iwanttosell
thiscarsot heki
ds
cangetoverthi
swhol ethinggapeit
's
expensi
ve,Iwanttobuyacheaper
carkeipot
sakadi businessideas
gorewhatcanIstartwithsucha
smallamount..
.
Baby
:Howaboutacashl oan?Il
ove
i
deayacashloani
thel
aer ekedi
ra
commerceabokeakantseyone.
..
Ken:I
tsoundsl
ikeagoodi
deaandi
t
makesquickmoney.
..
Hegr abbedhisbusinessbookand
l
aidonhi sbackputtingtwopil
l
ows
behindhisneckthenBabysatonhi s
tummyandgr abbedt hebookf
rom
him holdi
ngthepen...

Baby
:Brai
nst
ormi
ngbusi
ness
names.
..
Ken:(l
aughedpl
ayi
ngwithher
breast
s)Baby'
sti
nyti
tsorBabyi
smy
gi
rl
Baby:(
laughedandsmackedhi
m)I'm
ser
iousgoloha.
..HowaboutBl
ended
CashLoan
Ken:
Why"
Blended"
?
Baby:
(smi
l
ed)That
'sf
ory
out
ofi
nd
out
Ken:
Byt
hewayhowi
syourheal
th?
Baby:
I'
m good,i
thasbeen
undet
ect
ablefor6monthsnow
Ken:
Whichmeansy
ou'
ret
aki
ngy
our
medspr
operl
y
Baby :l
eabsti
nencetoav oi
d
reinf
ecti
on.Don'tmessupmyheal th
kebat acondom allt
heway .Iwon't
fallf
orthatnonsenseyagor e0
transmissi
ongor ekeneelwedi STD
tsedingwe,poisonyameent ekane
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Waboor
engy
aanong?
Baby
:AndI
'
m notnegot
iat
ing
Ken:
(laughed)Iunder
stand,
it'
sokay
Baby:Wehavetowrit
edownthree
possi
blebusi
nessnameskana,
bua
thesecondname
Ken:(
holdi
ngherwaistandtouchi
ng
hert
it
s)Haot swahamabel eago
gol
aesengkeat shwer
ejaana,ver
y
soontabeoaparabra
Baby:(l
aughed)Kenst
op,
let
'sget
ser
ious..
.
Ken:(
laughedandsighed)
Okay.
..
..
Blendedsoundsperfect
,it
wil
lbeoption1,
2willbeFreshcash
l
oan..
.BabeIsuckwheni tcomest o
busi
nessnaming,
let'
sleav
eitt
oyou
nnakedir
eothert
hings
Baby
:Okay.
..Gonehowmuchar
ewe
l
ooki
ngat?
Ken:Ithi
nk40Kbecauset hecaris
wit
h70K. ..It
sbr andnew, shebought
i
tmont hsbef orethewhol edramaso
Idon'
twantt olowerthepr i
cestoo
l
ow, f
rom t hereI'
llbuyasmal lcar
worth30Korl essjusttogetbysoI
canmul t
iplytheot herchunk.
Baby:40Ki
smorethanenough,
don'
t
youhaveot
herbusi
nessi
deas?
Ken:
Ido,
infacttheot
herj
ustneeds
10Kmphefi
l
eel e..
.
Shestoodupandbr oughtt
hefi
le
thentheywentthroughhisbusi
ness
document spl
aningandsetti
nggoal
s
underdates.
..
.

AtMor
apedi
'
sHouse.
..

Laterthateveni
ngBlessinggoti nbed
dial
ingKen'snumberbuti twasbusy
thenshel ai
ddownf oraf ewmi nutes
andt r
iedagain,
itwasstillbusythen
hecalledanhourlater.
..
Bl
essi
ng:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:Hi
,sor
ry.
..Sawy
ourmi
ssed
cal
ls
Blessi
ng:Whyareyougi
vi
ngmea
coldshoul
dernerr
a?
Ken:
I'
m not
,whatdoy
oumean?
Bl
essi
ng:
Can'
twebef
ri
endsatl
east
?
Ken: You'r
emychi ldren'sauntand
you'l
lalwaysbet herefort hem
obviously,idon'
tunder stand. .
.I
thoughtwecl earedthisear l
ier.Ican'
t
beinar el
ati
onshipwi t
hy ou
Blessing..
.You'r
erelatedt oDi di andi
don'twantt oconfuset heki ds.
What everhappenedwasami stake
andi diditbecausei f
eltobl
igedto
butnowi justthi
nkI
'mr eadyfor
anything.Ifyourhel
pwascondi ti
onal
thenIcanexpl oreotheropti
ons
Bl
essi
ng:
Itwasn'
t,
iwasdoi
ngi
tfor
Di
di.
Ken:
Thanks,
goodni
ght
Blessi
ng:(
tearf
ull
y)Kantegoneo
ganelaengforustogiveitatr
y?
Don'tyoubel
ieveil
ovey ou?
Ken:It
'snott
hat,
let
'sj
ustsaynot
everdi
scussit
Blessi
ng:
Butnowi
fel
li
nlov
ewi
th
you
Ken:
andi
fwekeepadi
stanceand
tal
klessitwi
ll
wearof f.Youdon'
t
evenknowmeBl essing.I'
m notwho
youthinkIam,you'l
lfindagoodguy
j
ustnotme.Goodni ght
Bl
essi
ng:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Shehungandr
ubbedof
fhert
ear
s..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronMayat i
ptoedt
oBaby '
sdoor
asshewasgi ggl
ingtal
ki
ngt ot
he
phonethensheopenedt hedoorand
walkedin,
Babypausedt al
ki
ngand
pul
ledthesheet
sof
fherf
acel
ooki
ng
ather.
..
.

Baby
:Yes?

May agotinbedandpul
l
edt
he
sheetsover.
..

Maya:
I'
m bor
edi
nther
e..
..Semest
er
br
eaksesembor
agore.
Baby:(
sof
tl
ytothephone)Um.
..My
si
steri
shere,
goodni
ght

May
asnat
chedt
hephoneandputi
t
onherear
..
.

May
a:Hel
l
o?

Thecal
l
erhungup.
..

May
a:(
readi
ngt
heI
D)Whoi
sBear
?
Baby
:(t
ri
edt ogett
hephonebackbut
shemovedherhandback)Justsome
guyf
rom school
May a:
Youhav en'
tevengot
tenov
er
Andreaibil
eojolal
eBear?
(suspi
ciousl
y)WareBearkemang?
Shetri
edt
oreadhermessagesbut
herscr
eenhadapasswor
dpr ot
ect
or
andshesi
ghedgi
vingi
tback..
.

May
a:Bearkemang?
Baby:
Shehoser
ioushel
aoepa
di
kgang?Hei
soneofmyclassmat
es
Maya:Youcamehomel ateandyou
smell
edli
keaman'sshowergel.I
don'
tthi
nkther
eisanyclassmat
e
whohasahouse,wheredidyougo?
Baby:(
annoyed)Uhmmat swamogo
nna.
..Whyareyoufor
cingmetot
alk
kesabate?
May
a:Babydoy
ouknowt
hatgr
own
menhav ebigdicksandyouwer e
sti
tched?whatdoy outhi
nkisgoing
tohappeni fyouhav esexwithan
olderman?Doy outhinka16y earol
d
boy'sdickcanequal say.
..Um..
.A40
yearoldman' sdick?
Baby:
(swal
l
owed)I
'
m notsl
eepi
ng
wit
hmen
May a:ThemmaI 'v
ebeenat eenager
before,istartedthesethingskele
youngert hany ou,idi
dn'tsleepwi t
h
grownmeny esbuti datedandy ou're
datingagr ownman. .
.Thequest ionis
who?Andar ey ousureyouwantt o
godownt hatr oadinyourcondi t
ion?
Ot sayagor egat shamikiwahagot we
bannabakgonagocr
ackermosadi
nemma?Obat agogolahal
aaker
e?
Whoishe?
Baby
:Iwantt
osl
eep,
goodni
ght
..

Shetur
nedaroundandfacedthewall
asMayalaidbehi
ndherputt
ingher
handoverher
..
..

May a:Iwasjustadvi
singy ouasyour
si
ster,i
fyoudon'tli
stenot aabaka
becauseifthi
smancr acksyouyou
won'tevenbeabl et
oshar elemama.
Sexisnotassweetast hemov i
es
andpor nmakei t
,menar eactual
ly
roughinr eali
tyandtheyenj oytoput
i
tal li
ntheremmewenawai tseona
l
ebogol e.Whatifthosest i
tches
madey ousmal l
erthannor mal kana
younev erknowwi t
ht hesethings.I
wasj ustsay i
nglegalet swel
elaoj ol
e
mmehel abannababat onabar ata
sexgapeel esexeser iousesengbo
sukurusukur ubabadi rwangkedi
classmat etsalona..
.Goodni ght..
..

Babyswall
owedstar
ingi
nthedar
k
andkeptqui
et.
..
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
Laterthatnightafterpackingher
bel
ongi ngsandt akingal ongwarm
bathAr i
annast eppeddownt hest
air
s
i
nDi di'
spinksi l
kgownhol di
nga
gl
assofj uicewal ki
ngt owardsthe
maindoorandl ockedt henshe
switchedof ftheli
ghtsandwal ked
upstair
scal l
ingherf r
iend..
.

Fr
iend:
Hel
l
o?
Ari
anna:
Heyboolaa.
..Howi
sit
goi
ngwithmybi
rt
hdaybash?
Fri
end:I
t'
sgoi
nggood,
keemeka
venue.
Ari
anna: That'
swhatIwantedtot
alk
about
...Ihavemyownhouseandt he
backyardistopnotch..
.Thegr
ass
needswat eri
nghel
at henweareon.
.

Sheheardsomet hi
ngf alldownstai
rs
thenshepausedst andingont he
stai
rcaseandlookeddown, t
herewas
sil
encethenshesighedandwal ked
uptoherbedroom. ..

Ar
ianna:
Mmm. ..Onchekekamoso
l
oveoteoebone.
Fr
iend:
Alr
ightby
e
Shehungupandswi tchedofft
he
l
ight
st henshesli
dinthecomfybed
andswi t
chedtheheadlampoff
putt
ingherphoneont heheadboar
d..
.

Shecl osedherey
esandsi ghed
rel
axingont hewhit
epill
owt henshe
heardaknockont hebedr oom door,
shefrownedandl i
stenedproperl
y..
.

Itdi
dn'
tmakesensef oranyoneto
knockonthebedroom doorifshe
l
ockedthemai ndoor
s.Therewasa
secondknockandherheartpounded
assheswitchedtheheadlampon
andopenedt
hedoorbutt
her
ewas
noone.
..

Sheswallowedwett
ingherdrythr
oat
andwalkedtothest
airsthenshesaw
ashadowdashpastt hepassage.
..

Ar
ianna:(
shakyv
oice)Hel
l
o?O
motho?

Therewasnoanswerthenshe
swit
chedal
lthel
ight
sonandgoti
n
bed.
Shet ookadeepbreat
handlaidher
headdownt henthewholehousegot
dark.Herhear
tpoundedasshe
tappedthewholeheadboar
dlooki
ng
forherphoneanditwasnowhereto
befound.

Shejumpedtotheswitchesand
fl
i
ckedthem sever
alti
mesbutther
e
wasnopowersuppl y
..
.

Ar
ianna:
Hel
l
o?

Shel
ockedt
hebedroom doorand
j
umpedinbedt
ryi
ngtogetsome
sleepinthedark,acol
dchi
llr
an
downherspi neasacatmeowedi n
thewar dr
obe.Themeowgotcl oser
nowsoundi ngli
keitwast
wocat sas
theotherngaodwi t
hadeepertone…

Herhear tpoundedasshesl owly

snuckherhandoutt hesheetsquietl
y
try
ingtosear chforherphoneagain
ont heheadboar dthensomething
l
ickedherhandwi t
hacol dsli
my
tongue.Shescr eamedandj umped
offthebedshaki ngasshesatont he
cornerholdingherbr eat
haspee
rol
ledont hef l
oorwhi l
eshesatinthe
dark..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
09AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 112
AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ningar
ound6am
Ari
annasl owlypull
edthesheetoff
herfaceasshesatont hecorner
,it
wassl i
ghtlydarkbutshecouldsee
hersurroundingsasshet i
ptoedt
o
thebedandmov edthesheets
l
ookingf orherphone.Itwasno
wheretobef ound.

Herhear
tpoundedassheslowl
y
openedt
hedoorandquietl
ywal
ked
downthest
air
s,sheheardabowl
br
eakinthekit
chenandpaused
st
andingonthemiddl
eofthe
st
air
case.
..

Ar
iana:
(shakyv
oice)Omang?

Shet ookadeepbr eathstar

ingatthe
mai ndoorandcont i
nuedher
ti
ptoeingwi t
hherhandsspr ead
balancingher sel
f.Aphonesmashed
ont hedoorr ightinf r
ontofherand
shef l
inchedlookingback, t
herewas
ahumanf igureexcepti twascov er
ed
withawhi tesheett hatdr
aggedon
thef l
oorast hef i
gur esl
owlywalked
ov
er.
..

Ariana:(
shakyvoi
ce)Fi
re!Hol
yghost
fi
re!InJesusname..
.

Herkneesgotweakerasshet ri
pped
f
all
ingbyt hedoorandreachedfor
t
hel ocksupport
ingher
self,

Ar
iana:
(scr
eami
ng)Bat
hont
husaaaa!

Shecrawl
edandfi
nall
ymanagedto
getupbythest
oodthenshehel
dthe
ni
ghtgownuptoherwaistr
unni
ng
t
owar
dst
hegat
e..

Ar
iana:
Bat
hont
husaaaaa!

Sher eachedthesli
dinggateand
real
isedshedi dn'
tpressthebutton
nordidshehav et
her emotethenshe
bangedont hegat escreaming.The
gateslowlysli
dasshecr i
edlooking
backatt hehouse.

Shesqueezedhersel
foutasmall
spaceasthehousedoorsl ammed
thensheranacr
ossther oadwaving
atthepassi
ngcarsstandingonthe
mi
ddl
eoft
her
oad.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..
.

Ont hesamemor ni
ngBabygotup
andgr abbedhertowelsgogetready
forschool whil
eMay apr
etendedto
beasleep...Herphonevi
bratedt
hen
shesatont hebedandanswered..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Bear
:Goodmor
ningAngel
Baby
:(bl
ushi
ng)Goodmor
ning.
..
Bear
:Ij
ustwant
edt
owakey
ouupso
youcangotoschool,
ourki
dsneeda
smartmot
herandi wantasmar
twif
e.
Baby:(l
aughed)You'
renegati
veand
I
'm posi
ti
ve,wecan'
thavekids
Bear:(l
aughed)Uhi finall
yfound
somet hi
ngy oudon'tknow, wecan
sti
l
l havehealthybabiesandwe
goingtohav etwomor e.Iwantf
our
chi
ldrenintotal.
..
Baby
:(l
aughed)2mor
e?That
'st
oo
much
Bear:
Andit'
sonly2becauseIdon' t
tr
ustmyfinanci
alstatusi
fIsucceed
wit
hthesebusinessideaohwell.
..
.
Baby
:(l
aughed)You'
rescar
ingme
Bear
:(l
aughed)Fornowgot
oschool
ey
Baby
:(bl
ushi
ng)Aet
Bear
:Il
ovey
ou
Baby
:Il
ovet
oo

Shesighedwithabi gsmil
easshe
hungupandwal kedouthummi ng.As
soonast hedoorclosedMay a
reachedforherphoneandr emoved
thesim car
d,sheinsert
editonher
phoneandr ef
reshedherphone...

May
a:(
whi
sper
ing)Okay
..
..Bear
wher
ear
eyou?

Shecopi
edBear'
snumberandsav ed
i
tonherphonethensheputbackthe
si
m car
dandplacedthephoneback
wherei
twas.Herjawsdroppedwhen
shewenttoWhatsAppandv i
ewed
Bear
'sDP.
..

May
a:(
whi
sper
ed)Bi
tch!

Minuteslat
erLolowalkedoutofthe
bedroom fi
xi
ngherclothesand
peakedoutsideasthechil
drenhad
thei
rbreakf
astonthelargedinner
t
abl
e..
.

Lol
o:Heebat
hongCar
lisst
il
lnot
home?
Setsana:(
eat
ing)Nope,it
oldy
ounot
toborrowhimy ourcar
Lol
o:Ompolel
etsengwanakaabo
ker
egaoi
tsesepe
Kat
o:Hel
eftwi
thTi
na
Juni
or:
(naughtil
yki
ssedhispeach)
Andhewaski ssi
ngherli
kethi
s..
.

Aat
il
ewalkedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom f
ixi
ng
hi
sti
e..
.
Aati
le:That'
showheki
ssesher
?I
shouldteachhi
m howt
okissagir
l
Lol
o:Don'
tencour
aget
hem
Kat
o:Cany
out
eachmehowt
oki
ssa
gi
rl
Aati
le:
(highfiv
ed)Wheniknockof
f
toni
ghtI'
mt eachi
ngyouandJuni
or
Lol
o:That
'
snotf
unny
Aat
il
e:They
'r
eboy
scomeon!
Lolo:Whosedaughterar
etheygoi
ng
tokiss?(shewal
kedout)Wait
seCarl
omper ekil
egompienomosimaneyoo
thogoelekomiti
yo
Set
so:
Iwantt
oknowhowt
oki
ssa
boy
Aati
le:Don'teversayt
hat!Gi
rl
sdon'
t
ki
ss,ifanyonekissesyou'
re
supposedt otell
me
Setsana:
(mumbledwalki
ngtothe
ki
tchen)Thewi
tchcr
aftofthi
sfamil
y
Aat
il
e:What
'
sthatt
oot
hless?
Set
sana:(whi
ning)I
'
m nott
oothlessi
haveatoothgapandpeopl
ethinkit'
s
cut
e
Aati
le:Babythey'r
elyi
ngtoyou,I
'm
yourfathericanneverli
etoyou.
..
Youshoul dputagum thereeach
ti
mey ousmi le.
..
Sheshr
unkhereyesl
ookingathi
m
asever
yonel
aughedather.
..

Aat
il
e:Di
disayt
hatoutl
oud.
..
Lolo:(
walkedbackintheroom with
herhandbag)Yourgapisbeautif
ul
Agatha,don'
tl
ist
entoy ourf
ather.He
i
sjustjeal
ousbecauseaboyt oldyou
yourgapisbeauti
ful
Aatil
e: Andhewassay ingthattoget
closet oher
,(poi
ntedatSet sana)I
whipwi thabelt.
..
.Justremember
thateacht i
mey ouwantt osmi l
eata
boy .
..AskbothMay a'
st hey
'llt
ell
you.
..
Setsana:
Ishoul
dn'
thavetol
danyone
aboutwhatmyclassmatesai
dabout
mygapt oot
h..
.
Aati
le:
(poi
ntedfr
om hi
sey
est
oher
s)
I
'm watchi
ngyou.
.

Shesi
ghedandputtheplatei
nthe
si
nkasthehousehelpercl
eanedt
he
count
ert
henshepickedherbag..
.

Lol
o:Honeywil
lyoudr
opmeof fat
work?Car
loil
egokokorogakakol
oi
yamekomakgarebeng
Aati
l
e:(
laughed)Kanaobor at
agore
bokwet
e,it
helaalel
etsakogodimoa
nt
shi
tsesej
abana.
.
Lol
o:Hepl
aysl
oudmusi
cinmycar
?
Aat
il
e:(oops)No,ofcour
senot
..
..I
'
m
j
ustassuming.
..
Lolo:Si
ncehear
ri
vedinMauniask
forri
deskoor
eoiti
ri
legor
ekeene
mongaakoloi
Baby:
(walkedinl
aughi
ngfi
xi
ngher
ti
e)Oberekel
amot engj
aakapi
l
isi
Setsana:
(laughedandcl
appedwi
th
Baby)Tsenaha
Lol
o:(
annoyed)That
'snotf
unny,
Maabanekekopil
eli
ftl
egompieno
Baby
:(l
aughed)Heemama?Ti
naene
obeil
emaotoayel
lowboneonthe
dashboar
dbaj
anicebaethabaka
for
okowenaokopali
ftmogopapa
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Andiwaswonder
ing
whyshewassoni cet
ome
Lol
o:Peopl
emaki
ngf
unofmeCar
l
gaanabat
ho

Theylaughedatherasshewal ked
outthenAati
ledidhighf
iveswiththe
l
itt
lekidsandsteppedoutlooki
ngat
thegatewheretheschoolbuswas
packing.
..

Aat
il
e:(
stuckhi
sheadi
n)Ti
met
ogo,
gr
aby
ourbags.
..

Theyallgr
abbedt
heirt
hingsandr an
outasBabyandSetswanaf ol
lowed
them chat
ti
ngandeati
ngfruit
s..
.

AtTi
na'
sHouse.
..
..

Meanwhi leTi
na'
spar entspar
kedi
n
frontofthehousenextt oLol
o'
scar
andst eppedout.Theenginewas
runningandthedr i
ver'
sdoorwas
open...
Fat
her
:Whosecari
sthi
snow?
Mother
:Maybeitbel
ongst
oone'
sof
Cal
vinpar
ent
s..
..Ti
nasai
dhewould
becoming
Fat
her
:Ohokay
..
.

Tina'
sfat herpushedthedooropen
andwal kedi nwithhiswi
feasCarl
hammer edTinawi t
hherlegsoneach
ofhisshoul dersonthecouchwith
theloudmusi con..
.

Tina'smothercover
edhermouthand
herfatherf
li
ckedtheli
ght
s,Car
l
turnedandpulledout
..
.
Car
l:Shi
t!
Ti
na:
Oh

Shequickl
ypickedhercl ot
hesand
rantoherroom buttnakedthenCarl
shamefull
yputonhi sboxerbri
efsas
herpassedtotheirbedroom..
.

Ti
na'
smot
her
:Goodmor
ning.
..
Car
l:(
looki
ngdown)Mor
ning.
..

Ti
na'sf
atherandCarl
exchanged
fi
ercel
ooksasCarlpi
ckedhist-
shi
rt
andshamef
ull
ywal
kedi
nTi
na'
sroom.

Meanwhi
letheoldmanclosedthei
r
bedr
oom doorandshookhishead.
..

Him:Whywouldhesl
eepwithmy
daught
erl
i
kethat?Tr
eat
ingherl
i
kea
hooker
?
Her:Youmakei tsoundli
keitwoul
d
havebeenlessdisgusti
nghadthey
beendoingsomet hi
ngelse,GodI
wishineverseenhim naked.
..I
'
mthe
motherI'
m notsupposedt osee
cert
ainthi
ngs
Hi
m:Andhei
sso.
..(
closedhi
sey
es
andsighedtryi
ngtofor
getit
)Ican'
t
bel
iev
et hi
s..
.…Didyounot
icehe
wasn'
twear i
ngacondom?
Her
:RragweTinaplease..
.I'
mtr
ying
t
oforgetwhatIsaw..
.Please
Him: Heissofullofhi
mself
,how
doeshecomet omyhouseandhav e
sexwi thmydaughteronmycouchin
thatkindofposi
tionandnoteven
wearacondom, howdisr
espectf
ul
canonebe?Uh. ..

Hehear dt
hemai ndoorclosi
ngand
steppedoutput
tinghiscarkeysi
n
thepocket
.Carlclosedt
hedoorand
r
oll
eddownthewindowsast
heol
d
manwalkedov
er.
..

Car
l:(
whi
sper
ed)Shi
t.
..

Heleanedbythedoorandfoldedhi
s
ar
mst henCarlswit
chedoffthe
i
gnit
ionandleanedoverputt
inghi
s
ar
m aroundthesteeri
ngwheeland
l
ayi
nghi sheadonit.
..

RragweTina:
Iseey
oumadey
our
sel
f
athome..
.
Car
l:(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
speechl
essl
y).
..
.
RragweTina:
Nowt hatwebothknow
you'
rehavi
ngunprotect
edsexwith
mydaughterwhenshouldiexpect
yourpar
entsoverwithmagadi
?
Carl
:(l
ooki
ngdown)I
'
m st
il
li
n
school
..
.
RragweTi na:
Itdoesn'tstopyoufrom
havingsexwithmydaught eri
nmy
houseonmycoucht r
eatingherl
ike
shei shooker
.(Carlst
illwasn'
tsure
howt orespond)areyougoi ngto
marr yher
?
Car
l:Yes,
ilov
eher
Rr
agweTi
na:
Iwantmydaught
ert
o
fi
nishschool
doy
ouunder
standme
boy?
Car
l:Eer
ra
RragweTi na:You'
retrai
ningt
obea
doctorandi hopeinthebackofyour
heady ouremembert hatshehas
school t
oo.Shewon'tbehome
breastf
eedingwhil
ey ou'
reschool
ing
overseasdatingwhit
egi r
ls
Car
l:Shei
soncont
racept
ives
RragweTina:Ihopefory oursakeshe
fi
nishesschoolbecauseifshef al
l
s
pregnantIknowwher etofindyou,i
knowwher ebothofy ourparents
wor k.Doyouhearme?
Car
l:Eer
ra.
..
Rr
agweTina:Getthatcouchandgo
washi
t,nkasekot
amecouchel eswe
Car
l:I
'
llhav
etogogetav
an
Rr
agweTi
na:
Eei
thaganel
e..
.
Car
l:Eer
ra

Hewal
kedbackinsi
dethenCar
l
r
oll
edt
hewindowsdriv
ingout
..
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Latert
hatmorni
ngCarl
wavedathi
s
fat
herthr
oughthegl
assdoor
,Aat
il
e
removedhisf
acemaskandwal ked
towardst
hedoortaki
ngoffhi
s
glov
esandsteppi
ngout.
..

Aat
il
e:Mor
ning
Car
l:Mor
ning.
..Canwet
alk?
Aat
il
e:sur
e,l
et'
sgot
hissi
de.
..

Theywal
kedoutsi
deasCarl
puthi
s
handsi
nthepocket
str
yingt
ofi
ndthe
ri
ghtwor
ds.
..

Carl
:Ineedavan.
..Ti
na'
sfather
askedmet ocl
eanthecouchsoI'
ll
needP300soi
candr
opi
tatt
hecar
wash
Aati
le:Whyishemaki ngy
ouwash
thecouch?(Carll
ookedaway
)
Ohhhhh...
.Shi
t.
..
..Di
dhesee
ever
y t
hing?
Carl:
Prett
ymuch, t
hemusicwasa
l
itt
leloudandwewer en'
texpect
ing
them backforatl
eastaweek.
Aatil
e:(l
aughed)Wow.
..Howdi
dhe
react?
Carl:
(laughed)Hefreakedoutbutnot
thatbad,I'
dprobablyfr
eakoutifi
caughtaboyhav ingsexwithmy
sist
erso...
Aat
il
e:Kear
enghel
a?
Carl
:(laughed)Ekar eoami l
weke
posit
iont hata.
..(l
aughedev enmor e)
GatweI '
mt r
eatingTi nalikeahooker
andblabl ahewassay ingalotof
thi
ngsandi di
dn'thearmostbecause
iwasal sof r
eakingout .Theywalked
i
nf r
om t hebacksot heyprobably
sawmegoi ngint here.Idon'tt
hinkI'
l
l
everl
ookt hem int heey esagai
n
especiall
yhermot herei sh.
..
Aatil
e:(l
aughed)Lel onal
ekadi r
amo
si
tti
ngr oom..
.(handedhimt heATM
card)You'l
lwit
hdrawt hemoney ,Van
I'
l
lhav etoborr
owf rom Tshepo.I'
ll
callyouandgiveyouhi sresponse
becauseit
'sabusinesscargaa
theogel
ekay one.I
fnotyou'
llhav
eto
explai
nall
thattoyourauntsoshe
canborrowfrom anyonesheknows
Carl
:Okay
..
.Ihopeifi
nditf
rom
Tshepokeutsul
ekol
oiandidon't
wanttomeetaunti
eshewillgeti
t.
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Mmekanawaebat
a,
youcan'
tavoi
dherfor
ever
Car
l:(
laughed)I
maginaTi
naawal
ker
no,
letaunti
ewalkgapeotamopega.
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Shei
sgoi
ngt
ogeti
t
otaabaka
Carl
:Shewon't.
..Shewi
llf
eel
sor
ry
forme..
.I'
m anorphanr
emember?
Aat
il
e:(
laughedwal
ki
ngback)St
op
usi
ngmywi fe.
..

Theylaughedparti
ngwaysasCarl
randownt hehospit
alst
air
s..
..
.

AtMor
apedi
'
sHome.
..
.

Ariannawalkedint hehouse
breathi
ngheav i
lyandsatont he
couchasev eryonel ookedather
hav i
ngbreakfast.
..

Ar
ianna:
Ther
eisaghosti
nDi
di'
s
house,catsweregr
owli
ngand
somethingli
ckedmyhand...
Somethingwascoveredbyasheet
anditbrokemyphone..
.Itwas
chasi
ngme!
Kedi
bony
e:What
?
Morapedi:Ghostsdon'texi
st,
I'
m sure
i
t'
sallinyourhead...Bi
ghouses
seem scarywheny oreusedtoli
ving
i
nasmal l housethenyoumov eintoa
doubl
est oreyhouse
Bl
essi
ng:
It'
snotpossi
ble.
..
Ar
ianna:
(angri
l
y )Areyousayi
ngI'
m
l
yi
ng?Soi br
okemyownphoneand
mademy sel
fsitall
nighti
nthecol
d?
Herdeadspi
ritst
aysi
nther
e..
.Ican'
t
gobackther
e!
Blessi
ng: I
t'
si mpossi
ble,
you'r
ejust
i
magi ningthings.I
fyouthinkabout
somet hinglongenoughitcomest o
l
ife
Kedibonye: (stoodup)Canweallgo
andseewhat 'sgoingon?Maybe
thosecatsj uststart
edsl
eepi
ngther
e
afternoti
cingt hatnoonewasst
ay
thereforawhi le.
Bl
essi
ng:
Obv
iousl
y.
.
Ari
anna:Karei
sawaper son.
..
.Onea
i
khurumedit
sekasheetbutisawhim
orherwalki
ngslowl
ytowardsme..
.
Morapedi
:Let
'sgoseet
hebr
oken
phoneandthecat
s..
.

Theyal
lwal
kedoutasAr
ianna
fol
l
owedthem.
..
.

Ar
ianna:
Nnakagosal
amokol
oing.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatmor ni
ngkenbrushedhis
hairandfixedhisbushyeyebrows
thenhespr ayedhimselfwit
ha
perfumeandwal kedout.
..
.
Hel ockedthedoorandt ur
ned
aroundasMay awalkedinthr
ough
thegat e,hetookadeepbreathand
putt hekeysinhispocketashe
walkedt owardsthecarand
unlocked...
.

May
a:Goodmor
ning.
..
Ken:
Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyou?
May
a:I
'
mfi
nebear
Ken:
What
?
May
a:Isn'
tthatwhatBabycal
lsyou?
Mmh..
..
(poki
nguphischest)I
-know-
ever
ything.
..
.youshoul
dbeashamed
ofyourself
.Amanofy ourage
sl
eepingwi t
ha16y earol
d
Ken:
Shei
s17
Maya:Shehasn'ttur
ned17sosheis
16andevenifshewas17y ou'r
e
ol
derthanourfather
.Youshoul
dn'
t
beatt
ract
edtoher
Ken: Totel
l yout hetruthilovey our
sist
erandi understandy ourconcer n,
youhav egoodr easonst owor ryand
I'
dbewor r
iedt oobuti loveherandi
knowwear egoi ngsomewher e.We
can'tstayawayf rom eachot her,t
he
onlythi
ngwecandoi st olaylowunt i
l
atl
eastshef
ini
shesf
ormf
ive.
May
a:Justl
i
ket
hat
?
Ken:
(si
ghed)Okaysowhatdoy
ou
want
?
May a:Iwantyoutoleav
emysi ster
aloneorI'
mt el
li
ngourparentsand
trustmeont hi
smymot herwillnot
thinktwi
ceaboutreport
ingyou.
Ken:Maya.
..Iknowyoudon'
tbel
i
eve
mebutilovethatl
it
tl
egir
lwit
hal
lmy
hear
tandweunder st
andeachot
her
.
Il
oveher
...
.
May a:
Callherandendthi
sorI'
m
tel
l
ingourparentsandyoubet
ter
bel
ievethatI
'l
lknowify
oucontact
heragai
nandiwon'
tresi
sttel
l
ingmy
fat
herwhatki
ndofamany ou'
re.

Kentookouthi
sphoneanddi
aled
Baby
...
.

Baby
:(noi
sybackgr
ound)Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Heybabe,
omobr
eaki
ng?
Baby
: y
eah,havi
ngbreakf
ast
..
.
(smi
ledbl
ushing)Imissy
ou.
..
.
Ken:(l
ookingatMayawhowas
wait
ingholdi
ngherwai
st)Um
Angel.
..
..
Her anoutofwor dsandshepicked
ont hatt
one,shewasv erymuch
fami l
i
arwithi
tashersmi le
disappearedthensheclosedher
snackboxandst oppedchewing..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Ken:Babeican'
tdothi
s..
..It
hought
abouti
tand..
..I
twon'
twor kout
Baby:(
tear
ful
l
y)Wha-
whatar
eyou
sayi
ng?
Ken:Wehavetost opthi
s,y
ou'retoo
youngforme.I
'm sureyou'
l
l f
ind.
..
.
(hecl
osedhiseyesandsighed)
Delet
emynumber .Itwasnice
meet
ingy
ou.

Atschool
..
..

Meanwhi leMay athoughtful

lystar
ed
atherphoneasKenhungup. ..Her
sim cardslotwasn' tclosedinthe
phoneandt heonl ypersonwhowas
i
nherr oom wasMay a.Shehad
endlessl
yt alkedabouthowol der
menhav ebigdi cksandhowshe
wouldcr ack...Coulditbethatshe
tookouthersi m cardandgotBear '
s
number ?Becauseshedef i
nit
elyknew
ther
ewasBearandshewas
suspi
ciousofhi
sage.
..

Sheputhersnackboxi nthebagand
l
efttheschool di
ali
ngKen'snumber
buthehasbl ockedher.Tearsbl
urr
ed
hersightasshewal kedslowlyt
ypi
ng
amessage. .
..

Baby :KenpleaseI'
m beggingyou
don'tdot hi
stomei loveyou.Why
can'tijustbehappy?Whyshoul dmy
happinessbeshor tl
ived.I
fyouleav
e
meI 'm kil
li
ngmyselfbecauseican'
t
takethisany mor
e.Can' ty
ouseei
l
ov eyou?Whatdoi havetodo?
Becauseifi
t'
saboutsexI'llgi
vei
tto
you.Youcandowhat everyouwant
withmejustdon'
tl
iveme.Cani
comeov erandgi
veittoy ou?
Noti
fi
cat
ion:
Youcannotsendt
his
numberamessage.

Sheputthephonei
nherpocketand
rubbedhert
earswal
ki
ngoutthe
gate.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
atershewal
kedi
nthr
ough
thegateinherschooluni
form and
backpack,t
hecarwasn'tther
ebut
sheknockedont hedooranywayand
ther
ewasnoanswer .
..

Shel ookedont hegroundandsaw

May a'sshoetracks,fr
om theirtracks
shecoul dtel
lwher eshewas
standingandwher ehewasst anding
whiletalki
ng.Thecarpr obablyleft
fi
rstbecauseMay a'
sfootsteps
walkedal ongthetyretr
acks...
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Afewmi nuteslaterBabyopenedthe
doorandwal kedintaki
ngdownher
bagasMay ast eppedoutoft he
ki
tchenwithapl ateofsnacks..
.

Baby
:Di
dyout
alkt
oKen?
May
a:Soy
ou'
resl
eepi
ngwi
thuncl
e
Baby:I'
m sorr
ydidimisssomethi
ng
onthefamilytr
eebecauseI'
m not
rel
atedtoKen
Maya:Hei
sol
denought
obey
our
f
ather
Baby:
(angril
y)Hei
snotmyfatherso
whyshouldn'
thesl
eepwit
hme?Why
doyouhav etobei
ncont
rolof
everyt
hing?Whycan'ti
behappywit
h
mychoi ceofmanandwhyisityour
businesswhoisleepwit
h?Am I
usingyourvagi
na?
Maya:(chuckl
edmockingly)Ohtrust
mei wouldn'
twantyourvagina,
iam
qui
tehappywi t
hmine

Shebi therlowerli
pandhi theronthe
facewi thherbackpackthenshe
staggeredbackast heplate
shutteredont hefl
oor.Babypunched
heront hefaceandshegr abbedher
ponytailastheyfoughtuntilt
heygot
i
nt heki t
chenstandingnexttothe
bur
ningst
ovewit
hapanf ul
lof
boi
li
ngcooki
ngoilandFr
enchfr
ies.
..

Baby
:(punchedher)Whycan'
tyou
j
ustl
eavemeal one?
May a:(chokinghert r
yingt opushher
off)Babyletgoofmewanngapaka
dinala,
I'm goingtotellmama. ..
.Sese
salanggaonagor at
analeuncl eKen
becauseI '
m goi ngtotellbomama
goreont want shetsagogo
kgalemelelabannababat ona.
..
Baby:(cr
ying)Whydoyouhavetotel
l
them whenI '
mtel
l
ingy
oui l
ovehim?
May
a:I
'
m goi
ngt
otel
l
them..
.(
punchedher
)Letgoofmy
hair
Baby:(cry
ing)Whycan'
tyouj
ustst
ay
outofit
..
.

Babyscr eamedangr i
lybit
ingMay a'
s
armt henshepushedheragai nstthe
stovetippingoverthefr
y i
ngpanand
spil
li
ngev eryt
hingonBaby .Shef ell
downcr y
ingtryi
ngtotakeof fher
skir
tasMay aswitchedoffthestov e
andpour edherwi t
hwat er.
..
..

Baby:(cr
ying)I
'
m bur
ning..
..I
'
m
burni
ng,helpme,hel
p..
..
..
.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Fami
lyihave
beenreceivingyourcomplai
ntsabout
l
osingy ourtopfanbadgeswhi ch
alsost
opsy ournoti
fi
cat
ionwhent he
i
nsertispost ed,
badgesareregulat
ed
byFacebooknotussot okeepy our
badgey ouhav etoconti
nueli
kingand
comment i
ngont hepageorelse
Facebookgi vesitt
oamor eact i
ve
reader
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
10AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 113

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

MayahelpedBabyl
ayont hecouch
asshehungupthephoneand
br
oughtBaby'
smedicalcard.
..
May a:I
'mr eal
l
ysorry
,idi
dn'
tmeant
o
dot hat
..
.(Babyignor
edherand
pressedherphone)Whatarewe
goingtotellbomama?
Baby:Whydon'tyoutellt
hem what
youwant?Idon'tunderst
andwhyy ou
alwaysfi
ndway stomakey ourself
rel
evantevenwheny ouarenot.Tell
them whyyou'
reburningme,isn'tt
hat
whatyouwanted?
Maya:Weshouldjustsayweargued
aboutmesteal
i
ngy ourair
ti
me,idon'
t
wanttosayanyt
hingaboutKen
unl
essheconti
nuesseeingyou.
Baby
:Whydoy
oucar
e?
May a: Becausehei sbadnews, you'
re
tooy oungt ounder stand..
.Thisman
i
sbad, hehast emperissues, hesold
drugsandwentt oprison.Aunt ieDidi
couldn'thandl ehim andhecheat ed
onherwhi l
eshewaspr egnant ,he
abandonedhi schildrenandl efther
unti
l shewasdepr essed.Hedr ove
hert osui ci
de,youcannotaf fordto
bewi thhi m especial
lywithyour
status.Hei sgoi ngtostressy ouunt i
l
youar esi ckandhewon' tbet herefor
youy ouknowwhy ?Becausemama
willnev erall
owhi mt obewi thy ouno
mat terhowmuchy oubot hlov eeach
other.St opnowbecausel ateritwill
bemor epainf
ulandy ou'l
lbe
att
ached.Iunderst
andi fyoul
ovehi
m,
heisobviousl
yagoodl ookingman
andheseemst oknowaboutmaki ng
awomanhappybuthei stoool
dfor
youandy ouknowt hat
Baby:I
'm 17yearsoldI'
m not7,why
areyouacti
nglikeI'
m getti
ng
molest
ed?May bei shouldchangemy
namebecauseI '
llf
oreverbeababy
Maya:I'
m ser
iousaboutt
his,
ify
ou
cont
inueseei
nghimI '
l
lhavetot
ell
mamal epapa

Car
lwal
kedi
nandf
rownedl
ooki
ng
atBaby
'st
high.
..

Car
l:Whathappened?

Theybothstaredathi
m withoutan
answerthenhebentmov erpicki
ng
herandcarri
edhertothecaras
Mayalockedthehouseandgoti nthe
car.
..
.

Car
l:(
dri
vi
ng)Sowhathappened?
Baby
:Car
lifihadaboy
fri
endwoul
d
youf
indi
tbad?
Car
l:No
May
a:Ev
eni
fhewas40orol
der
?
Carl:
Woulda40y earoldwantBaby
though?Idoubtt
hat,what
'sthi
s
about?
Baby
:Not
hing,
hei
s18
Car
l:Ist
il
ldon'
tknowhowyougot
bur
ned,whathappened?
Maya:Istol
eherai
rti
meandweki nd
ofhust
ledoneanotherwit
hthe
phonestandi
ngnexttothest
ove.
..
Car
l:Youal
sogotbur
ned?
May
a:Yeah,
her
e..
.

Heshowedhi
m wher
eshegot
bur
nedandhecont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatafter
noonBlessi
ng
confi
dentl
ywalkedinastherestof
thefamil
yslowlygoti
n..
.

Ari
annafearf
ull
ypickedpi
ecesofher
phoneaseveryonewalkedaround
thehouse.
..

Morapedi:
(whi
stl
edlooki
ngupstai
rs)
Banna!Thi
shouseisbeauti
ful
..
.I
wonderhowmuchi
tcost
Kedi
bony
e:I
t'
sreal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
..

Blessi
ngwalkedintheki
tchenand
founditspot
less.
..

Blessi
ng:Thereisnot
hinghere,
no
brokenglassesoranyt
hing.
..
.Ari
anna
you'r
ejustimagi
ningi
t.
Ar
ianna:
Glassesbr
oket
wice!Twi
ce!

Shecheckedthebinandf
oundt
he
brokengl
asses.
..
Ari
anna:(
gaspedpoi
nti
ng)Her
e!
They'
reher
e!

Ever
yonelookedinthebi
nandl
ooked
athersuspi
ciousl
y.
..

Kedibony
e: Areyousur
eyoudi
dn'
t
for
getanything?
Ar
ianna:
whatar
eyousay
ing?
Morapedi:May beyoubrokeitand
cl
eanedi tupnowy outhinkaghost
di
dit.
..Thishouseisperfect
lyfi
ne.I
don'
tthinkaghostcanbr eakglasses
andthencl eanup
Ar
ianna:SoI'
mlyi
ng?Whydon'
tyou
sl
eepovert
hen?Huh?
Blessi
ng:I
'l
lsleepoverheret
oni
ght
..
.
Thereisnothi
ngi nher
e..
.l
etme
checkupstair
s...

Sher anupstai
rsandcheckedt
he
wardr obet
henshewalkeddown
st
airs...
.

Blessing:Ever
ythingi
sfinether
e,
Ariannamay bey ouwatchedahorr
or
fi
lm oraNi ger
ianmov i
ebeforegoi
ng
tobed. .
.
Ar
ianna:
Fir
stofal
lidon'
twat
ch
Afr
icanmagicmov i
esbecausei don't
bel
ievei
nwi t
chcraftandidi
dn't
watchnohorror.Iknowwhati saw
andI'
m notcrazy.Therei
ssomet hi
ng
i
nthishouse..
.Thereweretwocat s
andoneofthem lickedmyhand. .
Mor
apedi
:(si
ghedandwalkedout
)I
f
eel
stupi
dforcomingher
e...
Kedi
bony
e:(
fol
l
owedhi
m)I
ja.
..
Blessi
ng:Let'
sgoiftherei
saghostit
j
ustwantsy outogiv
ebackt hehouse
hankakewaj aboswaj wagaDidinne
l
ei l
ana.
..
Ar
ianna:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
dbet
hat
i
nsensit
ive.
.
Blessi
ngwal kedoutthenAri
anna
fearf
ull
yglancedaroundthehouse
beforerunni
ngout..
..

AtChur
ch.
..
.

Laterthataft
ernoonKenwalkedout
oftheof f
icefol
dinghi
sdocuments
walkingalongsidewit
hthesenior
pastor.
..
.

Past
or :
I'
mr eal
l
yhappyy
out
ookt
his
deci
sion..
Ken:
Thanky
ou
Past
or:youseem abi
tof
ftoday
,is
ever
ythi
ngOK?
Ken:Yes.
..Idon' tknowifI'l
lbe
makingabaddeci siontoasky outhi
s
butihaveto...I'
m newtot his
Chri
sti
anit
yt hingandi wantt odothe
ri
ghtthi
ngs...I'
m notperfectbutI
wanttobet her e.
.Idon'
tev enthi
nk
I
'm goodenought obeay outhpast
or
Pastor:
You'renot .
..Andi t
'sgoodthat
you'
renotpr et
ending.Ilikethatabout
you,youhaveal way sownedupt o
yourmistakesev ent hebadonest hat
evenI'
dhide...
Ken:
Ireal
l
yhopethi
sdoesn'
tchange
howyouseeme..
.
Past
or:
Let
'
shav
easeatov
erher
e..

Kentookadeepbr eat
handsatdown
witht
hepastorthenherubbedhis
facef
rust
rat
edlyandleanedback.
..
.

Ken:Afterl
osingthemot herofmy
chil
drenikindoffeltl
ikeirobbedmy
chil
drenamot herandapr operf amily
.
IknowI '
mt hereasonDidiisdead
andI'm st
il
ltr
yingtogetov erthatbut
hersist
erhasbeenof feri
ngahel pi
ng
hand.Sheshowedi nt
erestinmeand
icompl iedbutonl ybecausei fel
t
pressur edandi waswi lli
ngtogoal l
thewayj ustt ogett hehelpmyki ds
neededbutt henimett hisgirl
..
.Um. .
.
(tookadeepbr eath)Isweart oGodi
hav enev erhadf eelingsforher
befor eandi neverinmywi l
dest
dreamst houghtI '
dwantherl i
kethat
buti sawasi deofhert hatnobody
knows.Shehasaf amil
ybutt hey
don' tknowherorwhatshegoes
throughatschool orinherpr i
vate
l
ife...Idon' tknowhowi thappened
butwecl ickedjustl i
kethat.
..I'
m sti
l
l
surpr isedmy selfbecausei can't
believ ei l
ov eherandIam
embar rassedt hati l
oveher .Ifeel
guil
tyforf eeli
ngt hewayi feel
becausei t'swrongbuti can'tchange
i
t,idon'tknowwhyGodi smaki ngme
feelthewayi feelbecausei wantthis
girl
andi don'tjustwantheri want
herwi t
hmyki ds.Iloveherf orher
withherf laws.Shedoesn' thave
confidenceorsel f
-esteem butt hat
's
becauseshehasbeent hroughhell
andi knowi canbui l
di tupandshe
willwalkar oundwi thpr i
deand
dignit
y..
Past
or:Sowhat'
sthepr
obl
em?
What'
sstoppi
ngyou?
Ken:
Shei
s17y
ear
sol
dandher
fatheriskindofmyfriend.Her
parentsar egoodtomeandmyki ds.
Hermot herwasDidi
'sfri
endsoshe
feelsli
kemyki dsarehersandI 'm
suretheyexpectmet of eelli
kea
fathertowardsthei
rdaught erbut
herei am str
uggli
ngwi t
ht hese.
..
Past or:(
sighed)Okay..
.Thisi
s
disturbi
ng, ihavea19y earol
d
daught erandi sti
l
lgetangryknowing
shehasaphoneandmi ghtbetal
king
toboy s.Hav eyousleptwitht
hisli
ttl
e
girl
?
Ken:NobutIwantt
o..
.(t
hepastor
tur
nedlooki
ngathi
m)Ijustwantt
o
behonestwit
hyousoyoucanhelp
memaket heri
ghtdeci
sion,I
'm
t
rusti
ngyouwit
hthisandI'l
lgowi
th
youradv
iceonthi
s.
Pastor:(
sighed)Thisi
sverydi
ffi
cul
t,
howdoesshef eel
?Ihopeyou'
renot
putt
ingherunderpressur
e
Ken:Sheisnot,webot hwantthisso
badbutakit
semay besheistoo
youngtounderstandIjustdon'
tknow
butsheismatureandshewant sthi
s,
ouronlypr
oblem isherage.
Pastor
:Okay,let
'sdothis.
..17istoo
young.
.Idon'tknowifthedefil
ement
thi
ngyissti
ll
at16ori twasmov edt
o
18asi beenhearingbut,t
his
scholarshipisf or2y ears.That
meansshewi l
lbe19wheny ouget
backandi fshest il
lhasn'tmov edon
becausei knowby19mostgi rl
shave
boyfri
ends.I fshest i
llwantsy ouy ou
canmar ryherbutbef orehavingsex
withhermay bet hatwi l
leaseher
parents.Aski ngforherhandi n
mar r
iagebef oret ouchingher, what
doy out hink?
Ken:
2year
sisal
otbuti
candoi
t
Pastor:Ipersonal
l
ydon'thavea
probl
em wi t
hpeople'
sage
di
fferencesaslongasitdoesn'
t
i
nv ol
veami norsopleasestayaway
fr
om herunt i
lsheisol
denough.Pray
againstthosef eeli
ngsify ouhav et o,
i
knowhowhar ditcanbet ofight
beingattractedt oawomanbecause
i
tsapower ful forcebuty ouhav eto.
I'
m notgoi ngt ojudgey ouorr ebuke
you,that'
sf orGodt odeci de.Ican
onlyadvicey out ol ethergrowand
thenaskf orherhandi nmar riage
beforetouchi nghergongwebat sadi
bakar eetsal eeneshewi llr
eason
withthem.
Ken:
Okay
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Aati
lewalkedi
nasthenursewas
bandagi
ngBaby'st
highwhil
eshe
gri
nnedholdi
ngontothebedbar
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Nur
se:
Hi.
..
Baby
:(cr
ying)Papagobot
hoko.
..

Aati
lewal
kedaroundherandhugged
herfr
om behi
ndasthenursedi
dher
thi
gh..

Aat
il
e:Di
dyougi
veherashot
?
Nur
se:
I'
ll
giv
eitt
oheraf
ter
Aat
il
e:Moneel
epel
ethemma,
cl
eani
nganddr
essi
ngispai
nful
..
.

Thenursechangedherglovesand
reachedfortheinj
ect
ionasAati
l
e
rubbedhertearsandhuggedher.
..

Aat
il
e:Raahet
saaut
wa?
Baby
:(sni
ff
li
ng)Mmh.
..
Aati
le:May atoldmewhathappened,
ican'tbel
ieveyoutwost
il
lchaseone
anotherli
key ou'
ret
oddl
ers
Nur
se:
Rianapant
y..
.
Shesliddownandl i
ft
edherskirt
whilehol
dingont hebedt hent
he
nurseinj
ectedher,shesatdownand
fi
nisheddressingthentheywalked
out.Mayawal kedinwithhercard.
..

May
a:I
sitpai
nful
?
Baby:Obvi
ouslyyouwon'
tfeel
anyt
hingbecauseogasehetswehel
a
nnaontsholol
etsemahura.
.

Sheslowl
ysatdownasCar lhandeda
dri
nk.Lol
ohurri
edoverandbentover
l
ookingatherbandagedthi
gh.
..
Lol
o:Whathappened?
Baby
:Mayapushedmeagainstt
he
st
oveandt
hepant i
ppedov
erus
Lol
o:I
ssheokay
?
Aat
il
e:Eneosi
amegaabad
Lolo:
Whatkindofpl
ayi
ngisthat?
Kanannakarelebat
ona.
..Hadthat
panbeenful
lyouwouldhavebeenon
fi
re
Baby
:KeMay
aaker
emama
Lol
o:Hei
bat
ho,andwhatwer
eyou
doi
nghomeatt
histi
me?
Baby:
Iforgotmybookandcame
backfori
t.
..
Lol
o:(si
ghed)Youhavet
obecaref
ul
l
ebatona..
.Howareyoufeel
i
ng?
Baby
:It
'spai
nful
butgont
segonna
numb..
.I'
mfi
nethough
Lol
o:Socanigetbackt
owork?I
hav
eameet i
ngin30minut
es
Baby
:Youcango,
I'
mfi
ne
Lolo:I
'l
lpassbytheschool
todr
op
offyoursickl
eav
e
Baby
:Okay
,by
e

Lolotur
nedtoAat
il
east
heyki
ssed
thenshebumpedint
oMayat
ryi
ngto
checkonher.
.
Lol
o:Hey
May
a:Hi
..
.
Lolo:Letmeseekoor
egatwel
e
tshamekatshamekomangyabana
l
ona?

Shemov edherski
rtshowi
ngt
he
bandage.
..

May
a:I'
mfi
ne,
Babykeeneashel
eng
t
hat
a..
.
Lol
o:I
'
m goi
ngbackt
owor
k,t
ake
car
eofher
May
a:OKby
e

Shehurri
edoutasAat
il
e'
sphone
rang.
..

Aat
il
e:Yeah
Tshepo:
I'
m si
nki
ngt
hemonnaokae?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m onmyway
..
.

Hehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Maya:Wehav
etopassbyt
he
di
spensar
y
Aat
il
e:Car
lobai
sel
apeng.
..
Car
l:Okay
..
.

Hehurr
iedoutt
henCalv
inhel
pBaby
getupasMayacarr
iedt
hei
rcards.
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

LateronBabylaidonthecouchwhile
May acleanedt
hekitchent
henCalvi
n
walkedinandtickl
edherwaistasshe
fl
inchedandsmackedhi m.
..
.

May
a:(
laughed)Waasi
mll
aaker
?
Carl
:(openedthefr
idgeandhada
dri
nk)War eng?You'r
ealway
sinyour
bedroom nowadays
Maya:Saysaguywhospendst hr
ee
daysatagirl
fr
iend'shouse.
..Don'
t
youevert
hinkImi ssyou

Hi
sphoner
angthenhesi
gnaledher
t
okeepqui
etashepi
cked.
..

Carl:
Babe. .
..Yeah..
..(l
aughed)
Alr
ight..
.(hepeakedatt hecouchbut
Babywassl eepi
ng)I '
m comingwit
h
May agoreat eletsone..
.Alr
ight
,
Shap( hehungup)Let '
sgo
May
a:Wher
e?
Car
l:Tot
hemal
l
,comeon.
..

Hedr aggedheroutandtheydrove
offasBabygotup, shefr
owned
confusedandsmi l
edremember i
ng
somet hi
ngthenshegrabbedher
socksandsatont hecouchputti
ng
them onandhershoes.Shehadone
l
astlookathersel
font hemir
rorand
l
eft.
..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
OnthesameafternoonKenlaidFai
th
onthecouchandjoinedZaneoutsi
de
whowasbuildi
ngaci tybehi
ndthe
houseandputt
ingtoycarsonawel l
desi
gnedbri
dge..
.

Ken:Zanethi
si sbr
il
li
ant.
..I
tlooks
l
ikearealci
ty.
..Theroadsandt he
fl
ats.
..
Zane:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?
Ken:You'
regoi
ngt
obeaphy
sical
pl
anner
Zane:
What
'st
hat
?
Babyappear
edonthesideofthe
houseandsmil
edshyly
,Ken
swall
owedandtookadeepbreathas
Zanesmil
edather.
..

Zane:
Hey
..Comeandseet
his
Baby:I
'
llseei
tlat
er.
..(
toKen)Canwe
tal
k?

Theyquiet
lywalkedinthehouse,
BabytouchedFaith'
sheadwalking
pastherandint
ot hebedroom where
theysatontheedgeoft hebed.
Amomentpassedwhi
l
etheysat
t
her
equi
etl
y..
.

Baby:I
'm sor
ryf
orj
ustcomi
ng,
i
missedyou.
Ken:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..
Baby:I
'm sadthatyoucansmi l
e
wit
houtme, icouldn'
tsmileknowing
youdon'twantme. .
.Idon'tknow
whatididtodeser v
esomuch
rej
ect
ionfrom everyone.
Ken:Babyil
oveyousomuchbutI
thi
nkwehavetowait,I
'
m wil
li
ngto
wait
.I'
m goi
ngtoschoolov
erseasf
or
2yearssowhenigetback.
..
Shecoveredherfacecr
yingt
henhe
pausedtal
kingandswall
owed
touchi
ngherhand..
.

Ken: Thi
sdoesn'
thurtyouanymore
thanithurt
smebut .
..Wehavetobe
strong..
.

Sheconti
nuedcryi
ngandhel i
ft
edher
chi
nleani
ngov erf
orakiss,
sheput
herarmsaroundhisneckashelai
d
herdownkissi
ngher..
.
Baby
:Ouch.
..Myt
high.
.

Hest eppedbackandlockedthedoor
thenheopenedt hewardrobeand
grabbedaboxofcondomsasshe
l
aidont hebedinherunif
orm...

Hesquat t
edandr emov edher
Tougheesl eavi
nghersocksont hen
hecar eful
lypul
ledoutherpant i
es
av oi
dingherinj
uredthigh.…He
touchedhersmoot hthi
ckheav enand
kissedherunzippinghist r
ousers
thenheputherhandi nsidemaking
hertouchhi m..
.
Sheswal l
owedholdingi
tandst ar
ted
breat
hingheavil
ywonderingifi
t
wouldfiti
nthere.Hersi
ster
'swords
aboutbigguysraninhermi ndand
thenherhorri
fi
cchil
dhoodflashes
cameback. .
.

Shecouldal
mostfeelthetear
ingof
herski
nthatni
ghtthenshepushed
Ken'
sheavychestastearsrol
l
ed
downthecorner
sofherey esbutKen
l
ookedinhereyesandkissedherli
ps
goi
ngdownherneckwhi speri
ngin
herear
..
.
Ken:(whisperi
ng)I
t'
smeAngel okay
?
It
'sme...
.don'
tpush..
.(sof
tl
y)iwon't
hurtyou.
..Iknowit'
sscarybutyou
cantakeit..
.Rel
ax.
..
Baby:(
breat
hingheav
il
ycr
ying)I
'
m
scar
ed..
.Let
'sstop
Ken: Holdmet i
ghtandr
epeataft
er
me...(sheputherarmsaroundhi
s
neck)Kenl ov
esAngel
Baby
:Kenl
ovesAngel
Ken:
Hewon'
thur
tme
Baby
:(cr
ying)Hewon'
thur
tme
Hegr abbedhisdest
ruct
ionand
smackedi tonhersever
alti
mesas
herheartpoundedevenmor edueto
heavi
nesshi t
ti
nghersensi
ti
veskin
thenhesliddownpackingonherti
ny
hole.
..

Ken: (
looki
nginhereyes)Iwanty ou
tokissmeandwhat everyouf eel
don'tstopki
ssingme..Cany oudo
that
?( shenodded)i
fithurt
sbi t
emy
l
ipokay( shenoddedtearf
ull
yshaking)
Kissme. .
.

Sher
ubbedhert
ear
sandki
ssedhi
m
t
henhe#r
emov
ed.
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
10AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 114
AtKen'
sHouse

Toaccessf ul
l expli
citcontentcli
ck
TWI Mf oll
ower s* **
himselfpili
ng
hi
sj ui
cesonherl i
ttl
eholeast hey
fl
oweddr oppingont hesheets,she
tr
iedtocl oseherl egsbuthegr abbed
herthi
ghandst rokedhimselfonher
downt ot helastdr opthenheshook
i
tandsl idhismi ddl efi
ngerinher
ki
ttykissingher .
...

Ken:
I'
m sor
ryi
wasabi
thushony
ou
Baby
:ButI
fyoudi
dn'
tiwoul
dn'
tknow
sexissosweet,
ithi
nkI'
m goi
ngt o
keepcominghereever
ydayatlunch.
..
Ihopeyoucankeepupgrandpa
Ken:(l
aughedandki
ssedher
)Real
l
y?
Grandpa
Baby:Don'
thav
eahear
tat
tackon
me..
.

Theybothlaughedandoneoft he
kidsknocked,Babysmiledkeeping
quietasKenputonhi spantsand
winkedatherbeforesteppi
ngout
thenshesighedsmili
ngatt heroof
l
ikear et
ard.
..
.
Baby
:Can'
tbel
i
evei
don'
twantt
ogo
home..
.

SheputonKen' st-shi
rtandtooka
fewselfi
essitti
ngont hebedwithher
l
egscr ossedthenKenwal kedinand
openedt hedraweroft heotherhead
board.Shesmi ledbiti
ngherlowerli
p
andtookapi cturewi t
hKenpassing
atthebackshi r
tlessinhis
sweatpants.
..

Ken:Keetaaut
wa?I'
m goi
ngtobuy
bread,
banababat
aborotho.
..
Baby
:Okay
..
.Ar
eyougoi
ngwi
tht
hem?
Ken:
Zaneaskedmeket
sey
eFai
th?
Baby
:No,
tel
lhert
oc-

Fai
t hwal
kedinandjumpedont he
bedsupport
inghersel
fwithBaby'
s
thi
ghasshedr oppedthephoneand
screamedfl
inchi
ng..
.

Baby
:Ouch.
..
..
Fait
h:(
pani
cked)I
'
m sor
ry.
..Di
dihur
t
you?
Baby:I
t'
sokay..
.Comeher
e..
..Let
's
takepi
ctur
es.
..
Ken:
Cani
gonow?
Baby
:You'
rest
il
lher
e?

Hel aughedandcl osedthedooras

Fait
hsati nfrontofBabyandsmi l
ed
atthephone, theybothsmil
edand
tookapi ct
ure...

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Laterthateveni
ngMay acleanedthe
ki
tchenaf t
erservi
ngthechildr
enwith
supperwhi l
eAgathacleanedthe
bathroom andputthem alli
n
pajamasandsocks.
Theyallsatonthedi
nnert
abl
ewit
h
thei
rbooksanddidhomeworkwhi
le
Katl
ohelpedthem..
.

May
a:Agat
haNaar
eBabyokae?
Agatha:Shewasn'
thomewhenwe
gothere

May arubbedherhandsandt apped

onherWhat sApp, Babyhadchanged
herdpwi t
hapi ctureofherinanavy
bl
uebaggyt -
shir
t,
herlegswer e
crossedclearl
yshowi ngshehad
nothingunderneathifnotherpanti
es
andthighsshowi ngwit
ht hebandage
ontheot herthi
gh.Shecheckedher
stat
usandnot i
cedsheupl oaded4of
herpictureswit
hFaiththenshe
di
aledher ..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Maya:Soyouwenttohi
shouseand
obv
iousl
yhadsex?
Baby:Stayoutofmyl
i
fe,
I'
m noty
our
daughter.
Maya:Can'
tyouatleasthav
et he
i
ntel
li
gencetokeepyourshenanigans
f
rom soci
almedia?Mamal epapa
ver
ywellknowyoudon'townat -shi
rt
thatbigandj ustincasey oudidn't
noticeMrsKnowi tallyouuploaded
yourboy f
riend'sdaughter.(
rai
sedher
voice)Howt hehellareyougoingt o
explainbeinghalfnakedwi thher
whenshedi dn'tvi
situs?Don'tletdi
ck
overexcitey ou

BabyhungupthenMay ashookher
headandcheckedherstatusagai
n,i
t
wasn'
tther
ethenshecalledheragai
n.

Baby
:What
?
May
a:Ot
alengmol
wapeng?
Baby
:May
acany
ouj
ustl
eav
eme
al
one?
May a:Mamai sabouttoknockof f
andy ou'resupposedt obehomesi ck,
papal eenei snotonni ghtduty .Ifeel
sorryfory oubecauset sat
si l
epapa
agokapangkal ebanteyou'
llthinkits
becauseofbl oodlegaleyouwer e
therewhenhewhi ppedme.I fyou
wanty ourshar econtinuestayingout
l
atel i
ket hat.YolegatweMrAat ile
Johnson, onnasweetf rom Januar y
toNov ember ,
Decembergadi turnero
taeletsagonnangwanawal elapal e
seleandhedoesn' tforgi
ve.Hewi ll
whipy ouandy ouwi l
lconti
nuet o
servey ourpuni shmentunti
lhef eels
l
ikef
orgi
vingyou.Obatagoiti
gel
a
masoleammel eandI'
m notsayi
ng
t
hatbecauseofyourst
atus.Kekopa
orey
eKenagobuset semo
l
wapeng..
..

Mayapausedt alki
ngsuspecti
ngshe
wast al
ki
ngtoher sel
fandindeedshe
was.Babydidn'tsayanyt
hingthen
shelookedatthephoneandcar ef
ull
y
l
ist
enedagain,tohersurpr
iseBaby
wasbusychat t
ingwithFai
thteachi
ng
herhowt ocountthenshehungup...

May
a:Mxm!
Sheputherphoneont hecount
erand
conti
nuedcleaning.Minut
eslat
er
LoloandAatil
ear ri
vedhomeand
greetedt
hechildrenheadi
ngtothei
r
bedroom..
.

Agathapreparedthem abat
hand
knockedont hei
rdoor,
they
respondedthenshestuckherhead
i
n...

Agat
ha:
Thet
ubi
sready
..
.
Lol
o:Thanky
oubaby
Theygott
heirtowelsandwentfora
batht
hentheychangedintothei
r
paj
amasandj oinedever
yoneinthe
l
ivi
ngroom..
.

Mayawalkedinwit
hatrayofwarmed
foodandser
vedthem t
hensjewent
backfort
hedri
nks.
..

Lol
o:Babyokaenekeboneser
ope?I
hadalongday
..
.
Aati
l
e:(
eat
ing)Waet
shabant
hokeha
l
elanur
seamobandej
a
May
a:Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
s
Lol
o:Uhu
Kat
lo:
Wedi
dn'
tfi
ndherhome
Aat
il
e:That
'
swei
rd
Lol
o:Wher
ecoul
dshebe?Katmphe
phoney
amekemollet
se

Kat
lobroughtt
hephonet
henshe
di
aledher.
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Meanwhil
eKensteppedoutwi
th
pai
nki
ll
ersandj
umpedi nt
hecaras
Baby'
srang,shereachedforitwhil
e
Fai
thwassingingandclappingthen
Kenstoppedher.
.

Ken:
Fai
thkeepqui
et!Shhh

Shekeptqui
etthenBabypickedas
Kendroveoutofthemall
..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Wher
ear
eyou?
Baby
:Icheckedonaf
ri
end
Lol
o:Whatf
ri
end?Idi
dn'
tknowy
ou
hav
eafri
end
Baby
:Sheisnewatschool
,hername
i
sMar y
.I'
l
lbether
esoon-
Fait
h:(
clapped)Wowi
sawmy
schoolboard!
Ken:
Shh
Lol
o:Ok,
howf
ari
sit
?It
'sal
ready
dar
k
Baby
:Nott
oofarr
enalebo
monnawebampol
edi
sa
Lol
o:Okayby
e

Shehungupandsi
ghedasKen
handedhert
hepai
nki
l
ler
s..
.
Ken:
Keept
heseawayfr
om ev
ery
one,
howbadar
ethepai
ns?
Baby:
Notthatbad,i
t'
sli
keper
iod
pai
nsonl
yabi tst
ronger
Ken:
Updat
emekapai
nyat
engokay
?
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Minutesl
aterKenparkedashort
di
stanceawayf r
om thegat
ethenhe
deemedthelight
sandsmi l
edlooki
ng
atherassheblushed..

Ken:
arey
e
Baby
:Guy
sgoodni
ght
..
Zane:
Goodni
ght
Fai
th:
Arey
oucomi
ngt
omor
row?
Baby
:Yes,
I'
llbehomewhenyou
comefr
om school
.(l
eanedov
er)Ki
ss
ki
ss

Fai
thleanedoverkissi
ngheronthe
cheekthenshekissedheronthe
for
eheadandjumpedout .
..

Ken:
ZaneI
'
m comi
ng
Zane:
Ok.
.

Kenst
eppedoutandwal
kedhert
o
t
hegatewheret
heyhuggedst
andi
ng
i
nthedar
k..
.

Baby:I
tfeel
sli
kemyki
tt
eni
sabout
tofal
loff
Ken:
(laughed)You'
reawomannow.
..
.

Hetouchedhercheekandkissedher
l
eavingapinkXXXi nhermouththen
shesmil
edchewi ngit
..
.Hermeds
al
arm wentoffandshetookouther
phoneshutti
ngit
...

Baby
:Ihav
etogo,
Ken:
Goodni
ghtAngel
Baby
:Goodni
ght

Hekissedheronthefor
eheadand
spankedherbut
tasshewal kedaway,
shegiggl
edandwalkedinthegate
whil
ehewai t
edforhert
ogeti nand
droveoff
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Babywalkedi
nandshamef
ull
y
greet
edherpar
ent
s..
.
Aati
l
e:Howisyourthi
gh?Theway
youwerescr
eamingididn'
tthi
nk
you'
dvi
sitf
ri
ends
Baby
:Kei
thonkget
sekagowal
ker
Lol
o:Bai
l
eboMar
y
Baby
:Mar
ykemang.
Lol
o:Uhudi
dn'
tyousayMar
ywas-
Baby:(
remember
edandlaughed)Oh
hi
hihi
youmeanMari
lyn.
..I
jatheyl
eft
meatthegate
Lol
o:Ok.
..

Shepassedbytheki
tchengrabbi
nga
gl
assofwaterandheadedtoher
room wher
eshesatont
hebedand
hadherpil
l
sthenMayawalkedi
nand
closedt
hedoorl
ooki
ngather.
..

Baby
:Don'
tl
ookatmel
i
ket
hat
May a:Hetookyourvi
rgi
nit
ydidn'
the?
It
'swr i
tt
enall
overyourf
acele
atti
tudeyagagooikutwakareo
mamahel a
Baby
:(l
aughed)Kant
egat
wekeeng
Maya: Onaser i
ousnot eBabyi f
you'
regoi ngt ostartdatingatl
east
gowithy ouragemat ef orastar
t,
you'
l
l hitblessersatat erti
aryl
evel
.If
youstartwi thagr ownmany ou'
ll
nev
erenj
oyany
oney
oungert
hanhi
m
Baby:Mayabehonest
,doyouwant
Ken?Justbefr
eeiwon'tbe
off
ended.
..

May
alookedathert
henshesaton
t
heedgeofthebedandsi
ghed.
..

Maya: Therewasat i
mei hadacr ush
onhim, personall
yi t
hinkev er
yone
hasacr ushonhim andi didn'
t
seducehi m orshowhi m becausei
knewi twouldnev eramountt o
anything.Mamaol emogileaba
nkgalemel aampor ekethokamai t
seo
nakoy at engandi f
el tbadaboutt he
wayi t
alkedt omamaandt houghi
didn'tapologi sekei kgalemet sehela
kel eoneandl istenedt owhatshe
said.Shesai duncl ekenkemogol o
mogopapaka3y earsamongstot her
thingsnowt haty ou'resl eepingwi t
h
him myf eelingsf orhi m ar egone.
AndBabywemi ghtnotber elatedby
bloodbuty ou'remyl itt
lesisterand
you'renai ve,ibeenoutt her egape
nnadi lotsesal ekedi t
haleget se
becauseev enmyf i
rstboy f
riendke
nnakemmat i
lengt hr oughansms.
That '
sjusthowi am, i
fIwantaguyi
goandgethi m buty ou'r
enotl i
kethat.
Wenaor eservedandf r
agil
ey our
hear tcan' taffordahugehear tbr eak
butKeni sol dandt heseguy swhen
theybr eakawomant heyreallybr eak
herunt i
lall t
hat'sleftishershadow.I
don' tthi
nky ouknowwhatDi di went
throughbecauseoft hismanbutI 'l
l
refrainfrom di scour agingy ou
becausey oumi ghtthinkI '
mj ealous.I
j
ustwanty out obecar eful
.All iknow
i
si fy ouwanthi mi can'tstopy ouand
thel easti candoi sbeher etoof f
er
youadv icewheny ouneedi t.
.

Babytookadeepbreathandlooked
atherbi
gsist
er,
thesincer
etyinher
wordswasr i
ghti
nhereyesandf
or
thefi
rstt
imeshefel
tli
keshehad
someonet ot
alkt
o..
.

Baby
:Thanks
May a:
(smil
edandtouchedhercheek)
Ikindofl
ikehi
sper
sonalit
y,besi
des
theageheisonefi
nenegro
Baby
:(l
aughed)Hei
s..
.
May
a:Whendi
dyoust
arthav
ingsex?
Baby
:Today
..
Maya:Heusedprotecti
onakere?
Rememberthattut
orialwelist
enedto
aboutmentaki
ngadv antageofthe
0%t
ransmi
ssi
onwi
thpeopl
eonARV?
Baby:
Heusedacondom buthe
nut
tedonme
May
a:What
?Whydi
dn'
tyousayno
Baby
:Icoul
dn'
t,
hei
sdomi
nant
Maya: You'r
egoingtobepregnant
Maya!Doy ouwanttobreakoutof
theschool?Mamawi l
lki
lly
ouand
papawi l
ldisownyou,papaisnot
afr
aidtodisownadi sobedi
entchi
l
d
Waitsetota?
Baby
:Whatshoul
dIdo?
Maya:Tell
Kenyoudon'
twantababy
,
hewill
knowwheretobuyt
he
emergencypi
l
ls
Baby
:Okay
..
May a:OhBabyy ouhav etobecar ef
ul,
duringsexgaai puelelwaespeciall
y
wheny ouaredat i
ngsomeoneol der
becauset heywi l
lwantt omakei tal
l
aboutt hemselves.Kenhast oknow
hecan' toffl
oadony oubecauseit'
s
notjustaboutHI Vt hereareother
STDwi thboHPVandy ourimmune
system cannotaf fordany
carelessness.Youhav et ospeako
ganedi lotsedingwe
Baby
:Okay
,I'
l
lspeaknextweek
May
a:Oshapemme?
Baby
:Or
ayakuku?
May
a:Ee
Baby:Ithinki
haveacrackori
t'
sjust
anirri
tat
ionyaski
n,ihav
en'
tchecked.
I'
l
lletyouknowafter
May a:Atleasthedidn'
thurtyou..
.
(smilednaughtil
y)Wasitwhaty ou
alway spi
cturedaboutyourfi
rstti
me?
Baby:
(smil
ed)Ev
enbetter
,ididn'
t
knowsexissoni
ce.
..Idi
dn'tknow
whattodotomysel
fkebuedi l
o
wena
Maya:
(laughed)Welcometothe
womanhood...Di
ckissweeti
fyou
metaguywhoknowshowt ofuck
nnammaImetst upi
dmenupunt i
li
didi twithsomeguyI '
llprobabl
y
nev ertellyouhisnamebecausey ou'l
l
freakoutandev enwonderwhyi
j
udgedy ouwi t
huncleKenany way
thisguyi st heshit
.Heknowsev er
y
posi ti
ont hereisoutther eandithink
wewi llalwaysfuckev eni fhei
st o
mar ryhi sbelovedgir
lfriendandi
mar rymyman, wewill alwaysfuck.
Baby
:(l
aughed)Doi
knowhi
m?
May a:(laughed)Youdon' t
,thepoi
nt
i
si knowwhati tfeelsl
iket
ohav ea
goodf uckwi t
hamanwhoknowshi s
shi
tandt hey'
rerare.Mostmenar e
j
ustusel essmmei thel
abare
banyanababosul akantegobosula
bone.
.
Baby
:(l
aughed)Wai
tsekemat
hat
a..
.

AtMaunpol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
..

Aronawalkedoutoft
heot heroffi
ce
andpassedbythefaxmachi neas
someoffi
cersstoodther
echat t
ing
l
ookingatsomesketches..
.

Off
icer
:(l
aughed)Di
tsenwat
sa
Sbr
analetsone
Off
icer
2:Buthowdotheydothi
ngsi
n
t
hathospit
al?Whent
heyfir
st
admit
tedherwhodi
dtheyt
hinkt
hey
wereadmit
ti
ng?
Arona:(
paused)Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about?
Offi
cer:SbranaPsy chiat r
ichospi
tal
rel
easedaf axrequest ingt hepol
i
ce
tohelpthem locateany onewho
mightknowanyi nf
or mat ion
concerningoneoft heirf emale
pati
ents.
Ar
ona:
Doesn'
tsheknowher
sel
f?
Off
ice:They'
renotser
ious,amnesi
a
kedil
ot sadimovi
e..
.Doy ouwantto
seeher?
Ar
ona:
(wal
kedaway
)I'
m busy
..
.
May
bel
ater

Hewal
kedawayashi
sphoner
ang.
..

Ar
ona:
Gir
l
Her
:Yeah
Arona:(
laughed)Themmaomol oi
number1...
.Ievenmissmyfri
end
Didi
,mayhersoul r
esti
npeace
bathung
Her:
(laughed)
Heelawenasoy
ou
deci
dedt ospi
cethi
ngsup?
Arona:(
bur
stint
olaught
er)Wa
tshamekawena
Her:
(laughed)Sol
i
stent
hisi
swhatI
want.
...
.

Aronatookaseatandpunchedsome
papersli
steni
ngt
othecall
er.
..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngKenputthekidsto
sleepandlaidonthecouchwatching
football
thenherecei
vedacall
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Lawy
er:
MrDani
elhi
,I
'm sor
ryf
or
cal
li
ngatthisti
me, I
'
m st
udyingy
our
caseandijustr
emember ediwas
supposedtocally
ouearl
ier
Ken:
It'
sokay
Lawyer
:Iwantedtoschedul
eour
meeti
ngfortomorr
ow9am ist hat
good?Ineedtoseeyoubeforeican
fi
let
hesedocuments
Ken:
9am i
sper
fect
.
Lawyer
:thanky
ouv
erymuch,
goodni
ght
Ken:
Goodni
ght
..
..

Hehungupandwat
chedt
hegame
thenher emember edthatr ai
nyday
again,hefoundhi mselfsmi l
ingand
hecoul dal
mostsmel ltherain.He
remember edhowher ant othehouse
carryi
ngZaneandwai tedatt hedoor
forDiditocomet henshesl i
dandf el
l
onthemudundert herain.Howhe
hadt owalkov erandhel pherupas
theystoodundert herainandshar ed
thatfi
rstki
ssi nalongt ime.Itwasa
beautif
uleveningandt akingabat h
togetherwasawesome.Heheav eda
sighandhear dhiswor dsagai nashe
promisednev ertoleave,the
happinessonZanef acewhi l
el ay
ing
therewithbothpar ent
s...
.Hest opped
smili
ngasher ememberedAmantl
e'
s
fi
rstappear
ancedaysbefor
ethe
weddingthenheswall
owedand
shookhishead..
.

Het ookouthisphoneandstar
edat
herpict
ureast ear
sfi
ll
edhi
sey es
thenhecoveredhisfacewit
hboth
handsandt ookadeepbreath.
..
.

Herubbedhi
sey
esandt
urnedupt
he
vol
ume...
.

AtMor
apedi
'
sHouse.
..
.
Justbef or
emidnightAr i
anna
snappedoutofhersl eept hi
nki
ngshe
hear dsomethi
ngt hensheswi t
ched
thel i
ghtsonandsatont hebed
l
istening.Sj
esti
llcouldn'
tgetover
whathadhappenedt henightbefor
e
atDi di
'sHousethenshedi al
edher
sister.
..

Bl
essi
ng:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Ar
ianna:
Any
thi
ng?
Blessi
ng:Nothi
ng,I
'
m sl
eepi
ng
peaceful
lehaeledi
kat
sekeraa
Ar
ianna:
Ok,
letmesl
eep.Ke
phadi
mogi
l
egor
e
Bl
essi
ng:
Shap

Shehungupandswit
chedt
hel
i
ght
s
offt
henshesl
ept
..
.

*
**

Hourspassedast hehousegot
qui
eter
,Kedibonyeandherhusband
l
aidonthebedf acingoneanotheras
MorapedisnoredthenKedibonye
movedherhandoutoft hesheets
andputont opbutherhandlaidon
somethi
ngf
uryandsof
tthenshe
hear
dacatmeowing.
..

Theybot hjumpedandl ookedaround

onlytofindthattheircurt
ainwas
downandt herewassomeone
standingatthewi ndow.Theirheart
s
poundedast heyheldoneanother
stari
ngatt hefigure.
..

Mor
apedi
:(shakyv
oice)Omot
ho?

Anothercatjumpedont hebedand
ngaodwal ki
nguptheirfeetas
Kedibonyeshaki
nglyhidbehindher
husband.
..

Kedi
bony
e:f
osek!Fosek.
..

Voi
ce:(
creepymalevoi
ce)Buset
sa
madiaoaj el
engkobankeng

Meanwhi leAri
annaheardthecats
andt r
iedt oswitchtheli
ghtsonbut
therewasnopoweragai nt
henshe
heardt hem clearl
ycomingfrom her
parentsr oom andslowlyopenedthe
doortoaf igur
estandingbythe
window. .
Morapediknockedherdownashe
r
anoutt henshecoveredherbl
eedi
ng
mouthandr anoutasKedibony
e
f
oll
owedt hem i
nthedark..
..

Mor
apedi
:(scr
eami
ng)Thusang!

Het r
iedtoswit
cht helightsonbut
theywouldn'
tgoon, t
heyallstoodat
thedoorasAriannashookf ai
l
ingto
unlockthedoorthought hecats
ngaodcloserandcl oser.
..
Mor apedi hadashar ppainbel owt he
breastandmassagedhi msel fas
Ariannadr oppedt hekeys.Thef igure
wal kedcl oserandcl oserthenhe
mel tedont hef l
oorbytheirfeet.
Ariannaf i
nal l
ymanagedt ounl ock
andr unoutashermot herfoll
owed
herscr eami ngstandingont he
middl eoft heyardat1i nthe
mor ning.….
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
10AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 115

AtMor
apedi
'
sHouse.
..
..

LaterthatmorningBlessi
ngdr ove
throughthegateasherpar entsand
sisterwalkedi
nt al
ki
ngwitht he
neighbour..
.

Shechuckl
edandpar
kedt
hecart
hen
sheclear
edherthr
oati
nnocent
lyand
metthem hal
fwayacr
osstheyard.
..

Bl
essi
ng:
Whathappened?

Ari
annahurri
edoverandcl
apped
onceinshock.
..

Arianna: Hee..
..I'
m sogladtheysaw
i
ttoobecausey ouallt
houghtIwas
l
yingy esterdaywhenIsai dtherewas
somet hinginDi di
'shouse..
.
Kedi
bonye:
(shocked)I
tsai
d"r
etur
n
themoneyyouspentbackt
othe
bank"anditsoundedcr
eepyl
i
kea
deadperson..
.
Ari
anna:Andthecatst
oo.
..Kananna
kephadimosi
tswekegoutwadi kat
se
dingaolakei
potsagor
eakeal ora
kanajang
Neighbour :
(coveredhermout hin
shock)Andy ouknowt herei sa
rumort hatDidistoletheset hings
from herfatherinlaw?Youknowhow
oldpeopl el
iketopr ot
ectt heir
properti
es.Theghostwi lltorment
youunt i
lyour et
urnev erything,ver
y
soony ourthingswi l
lstarttobur n
Mor
apedi
:Thatwasonmymi
ndt
he
wholet i
me,that'
swhyi want
edt o
opent hedoorsot haticansavemy
famil
y..Iwasthinkingaboutthatfi
re
from Gumarer emember ?
Nei ghbour :Molel
owadi pher eawa
Gumar eokal ebalwakemot hotota,
appar ent l
yawi f
ekill
edherhusband
soshecanenj oyhismoneyexcept
shedi dn'tknowt hatthemanwas
strengt henedasal it
tl
eboy .Back
thenf at herswoul dtaketheirboysto
thet raditionaldoctorssowomen
woul dn' tfeedthem funnyt hi
ngsso
ri
ghtaf terthiswomanki ll
edher
husbandf ir
estartedburning
ever ythingt hemanownedand
ev
ery
thi
ngt
hewomanbought
..
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Ist
hisat
aleorar
eal
stor
y?
Neighbour:Heet hi
sisr eal,it
happenedst rai
ghtinGumar e..
.Nna
haomponakel ehajaanai don'twant
mysonst odategirl
sinGumar e..
..I
wast here,i
sawi thappen. .Thef i
re
fol
lowedt hewomanwher ev ershe
went.Ifyougi v
ehershel tert hefi
re
burnsy ourt
hingssoshewasst aying
i
nat entwi t
hherchildrenbecauseno
onewant edtol osethei
rt hings.
Ari
anna:Sothesethi
ngsact
uall
y
happen?Mamacanwepl easeretur
n
MrDaniel'
sthi
ngs?Idon'
twantfi
re.
..
.
Idon'
twantment obeafr
aidtomarry
me...
.Theminut
ethesegetsout
peoplear
egoingtocal
luswitches
Bl
essi
ng:Nny
aammekegonehel
a,
l
et'
sgo..
.
Kedibony
e:Butwecanbri
ngachur
ch
tochasethespi
ri
tsaway
Morapedi
:(shookhishead)No, i
don'
twantany thi
ngbel ongingtoDidi
i
nmyy ard.Please..
..Ican'tsl
eepthe
nextni
ghtwithherthingsar ound,you
heardt
hatthing!
Bl
essi
ng:(
walkedi
nthehouse)I
'
ll
br
ingDi
di'
sdocument
s..
.
Theyfearf
ullywaitedout
sideas
Bl
essingconf i
dentlywal
kedoutwi
th
Didi
'
sbriefcase..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatmorni
ngBabyt ur
ned
aroundandfel
therpant
ieswetthen
shecheckedhersel
fout
..
.

Baby
:(gasped)OhmyGod!

Shest
oodupandwrappedher
self
wit
hatowel
thenshesear
chedthe
war
drobeforherpadsbutthebl
ood
wasfl
owingdownt hethi
ghthenshe
r
ushedtothetoi
letandsetdown.
.

May
aknockedandst
uckherheadi
n..

May
a:y
ouok?
Baby:I
'
m bleedi
ng,
cany
oubr
ingme
pant
iesandapad
May
a:Ok.
.Ar
eyoui
npai
n?
Baby
:Notr
eal
l
y
Maya:Vagi
nalbl
eedi
ng,
gorayagor
e
hewastooroughorhewentt
oo
deep
Baby
:Thi
sisembar
rassi
ng
May a:
Atl
easti
tdi
dn'
thappenat
school
Baby
:Yeah,
omphel
ephone

May awalkedinandhandedher
thi
ngsthenshedi al
edKen'
snumber
buthedidn'tanswer.
..
..

Att
hel
awy
er'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

MeanwhileKenandthelawyershook
handsandpartedashegotinthecar
anddroveoff
,av i
deocal
lcame
thr
oughthenhepi nnedthephoneon
thedashboardholderandpi
cked
whil
edrivi
ng.Itwasthecontacthe
savedasOklahomahegotf rom the
pastor
..
.

Thecal
lerwasamat ur
eladywit
h
bl
ondehairsi
tt
ingonherof f
icet
abl
e
adj
usti
ngherglasses..
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hi
,br
otherDani
elr
ight
?
Ken:
Yesma'
am
Her
:Ihav
ejustbeeni
nfor
medt
hatI
'
ll
bey ourgodmot her,itookt hel
iber
ty
oflookingyouuponsoci almedia
andi j
ustcan'twai ttohav eyou
around.Ihavelistedaf ew
apartmentsiwanty outol ookat,I
'
ll
sendt hem abitlatertoday
Ken:Thanky ousomuch. .
.Um i don'
t
knowiftheyhav eal
readytoldyoubut
I'
m comingwi t
h2ki ds.I
'
llbe
homeschoolingthem foracoupleof
weekswhi l
eI'm set
tli
nginandonce
myf i
nanci
alsarebackont r
ackI'l
l
fi
ndthem schools.
Her
:Thepast
ormenti
onedthat
,i
f
oundafewschoolst
oo.
..Okl
ahoma
i
sasafepl
ace.Don'
tworr
yandyou'
l
l
bestay
inginaChr
ist
iancommuni
ty
soyou'
resafe
Ken:
Thanky
ousomuch
Her
:By
e

Hehungupandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Mi nuteslat
erheparkedthecarand
wal kedinthehousetaki
ngof fhi
st-
shirtthenhelai
dont hecouchand
dialedBabybutherphoner angbythe
passageasshewal kedoutinhist-
shi
rt
.Kensatupandheldherwai
st
asshesatonhi
slap.
..

Ken:
Hey
..
.
Baby
:Hey
Ken:It
houghtyou'
dbei nschool
,
babyyoucan'
tskipschool.
..
Baby:(
laughed)Iwasgi
ven2day
s
offf
ormybur ns.
Ken:
Oh
Baby
:I'
m onmyper
iod
Ken:
Wasi
tti
me?
Baby
:No
Ken:
I'
ll
bemor
ecar
eful
nextt
ime
Baby:Iwantustotal
kabout
contr
acepti
ves,
idon'
twantababyso
soon.
Ken:(si
ghed)Iwasjustexcit
edi
won'tdothatagai
n..
.Atleastyougot
yourperi
odright
Baby
:Yeah

Acarstoppedoutsi
dethenshe
j
umpedof fhi
m ashemov edthe
cur
tai
nspeakingoutsi
de..
.

Ken:
Shit
..
.It
sBl essi
ngandherf
ami
l
y.
Gotothebedroom. .
.Go,
go
Shehurr
iedbackt
henhetookadeep
breat
handopenedthedoorf
orher
..

Bl
essi
ng:
Hi.
..
Ken:
Hey
..
.
Blessing:
(smil
ed)Mypar
entswantt
o
seey ouconcer
ningmysi
ster
sthi
ngs
Ken:
Letmeputonmyt
-shi
rt
..
.

Heputonhist-
shir
tandwalkedto
thecarwher
eKedibonyequiet
ly
handedhimthedocumentstothree
houses,t
hebankaccountandallthe
othershar
esDidi
hadi
nsev
eral
companies.
..

Ken:
What
'
sthi
s?
Kedibonye:
It'
sev ery
thingDidil
eft
behind,wecert
if
iedourcopi esand
fi
ll
edinformsforev erythi
ng.I
fthere
i
sany thi
ngelseleftyou'l
lcal
lus
Ken:
(conf
used)Ooook
Mor
apedi
:Let
'sgoBl
essi
ng
Bl
essi
ng:
I'
ll
cat
chat
axi

Morapedidr
ov eoutasKenand
Bl
essingwalkedbackinthehouse
andsatont
hecouch.
..

Ken:(
sti
l
lholdi
ngthepapers)I
'
m
conf
used,whatj
usthappened?
Blessi
ng:(
smiled)It
oldyouI'
dhelp
yougetDidi
'sthi
ngstothei
rri
ghtf
ul
owners.It
hinknowDi di
canresti
n
peace..
.
Ken:Howdidyouconv
incet
hem?
They
'resost
ubborn
Blessi
ng:Afr
icanscanbestubbor
n
onlytoacertai
nlevel
..
.t
her
eare
thi
ngsy oucannevergowrongwith
Ken:
Isti
ll
don'tbel
i
evet
his.
..(
shook
hi
shead)Blessi
ngyouj
ustsol
vedmy
pr
obl
emsi
noneday
Blessi
ng:(l
aughed)I
twasn'tdonei
n
onedaybuty ou'
rewelcome,Iwas
doingitf
orthechil
dren

Hestoodupandpul
l
edherupt
hen
hehuggedher
..
.

Ken:
Thanky
ou
Bl
essi
ng:
You'
rewel
come

Therewasanawkwar dmomentas
theylookedatoneanotherthenKen
clear
edhi st
hroatandmov edback.
..
Ken:
Ify
oueverneedany
thi
ngj
ustl
et
meknow,Ioweyouone
Blessing: No, youdon' t.Consi derthis
myapol ogyf orusi ngy ou..
.Ir eall
y
didn'
tt hinky ouwer en'tf
eelingt hat
andi beenf eeli
ngv eryguil
ty
because. ...Menal way sdothatt ous
womenandi ki
ndofunder st andhow
youf eel.I'mr eal
lysor ryformaki ng
yout hinkI '
m helpingy ouwith
expect ationsmay bei wasj ustt ryi
ng
toohar d...iknowmostmenl ovesex
soi kindoft houghty ou'dbehappyt o
getitwi thoutahust le.
Ken:Thanks..
.You'r
ewonder f
uland
don'
tfeelbad..
.(l
aughed)Youdidn'
t
useme...Trustmeanymanwi l
l
appr
eciatesexhandedi nasil
ver
pl
att
erwi t
houtaskingfori
t.
..Iwas
j
ustgoingthroughhellt
hat'
swhyi t
wasabi thardformetoconcentrat
e.
Blessi
ng: Iunder
stand..
.(sighed)Go
changet hesepropert
iesandpl ease
takecareoft hem.Putthem i nthe
chil
dren'
snameandweshoul dwor k
onpubl i
shingWickedMe, whatdo
youthink?
Ken:Def
ini
tel
y,I
'
llkeepy
ouupdat
ed
onthat
.
Kenwal kedhertot
hegateandlat
er
walkedbacktoBabysitt
ingonthe
couch.Hesatdownandputheron
hi
sl aptouchi
ngherti
nybreast
l
ooki ngather
..

Ken:Weneedt
otal
k,I
'
mleav
ingv
ery
soonand.
..
Baby
:Can'
tyouschool
her
e?
Ken:No,
i can'
tandbabeyoucan'
t
j
ustshowupi nmyhousewithout
tel
l
ingme...Whati
ficamehomewi t
h
mycousin?Oryourdad?
Baby
:I'
m sor
ry,
ical
l
edandy
oudi
dn'
t
answer
Ken:I
fIdon'
tansweryouwai
tforme
tocal
lbackyoudon'
tcometomy
house
Baby
:OK,
I'
m sor
ry.
..Shoul
dil
eav
e?
Ken:(smil
edandkissedher
)No..
.
(l
aughed)You'
resuchachil
d,imeant
fornextt
imenotnow, comeher
e..
.

Shesatonhisl
apthenhepul
l
edher
overandki
ssedher
..
.

Baby
:Iwantt
osl
eepov
ert
oni
ght
Ken:
Won'
tyourmom getangr
y?
Baby
:I'
l
lmakeapl
an
Ken:
Okaynopr
obl
em.
..

Hel eanedov erandkissedherthen

hest oodupandpr esseddownhis
pantst aki
ngouthi sDwhi l
eshesat
onthecouch, hestrokedhimsel
f
rubbingitonherl i
psandsl i
dinher
mout hholdingherpony tai
l
...

Ken:
(gr
unt
ed)Lookatmebabe.
..
.

Shel
ookedupathi
m wi
thaD
st
ret
chi
ngherl
ipst
otheful
l
estt
hen
hesl
owlydri
ll
edherl
i
ttl
ethr
oatas
shegagged.
..

AtSbr
anapsy
chi
atr
ichospi
tal
..
..

Thesecurit
yof f
icersmi
ledata
certai
nwomanasshesmi ledback
walkingoutthenshewav edatacar
driv
ingoutofthehospit
al andit
stoppedforher.
..

Her
:Hi
..
.Wher
ear
eyouheaded?
Dr
iver
:Gabor
one
Her
:Thanky
ou,
I'
ll
cat
chabust
o
Maunf
rom t
her
e.
Dr
iver
:OK.
..

Shegotinandcl
osedt
hedoort
hen
thecart
ookoff
..
..

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthataf
ter
noonAr onawalkedin
thehouseandt ookoffhisuni
form as
acatjumpeddownmeowi ngand
rubbeditsel
fagai
nsthisfootthenhe
pickeditupandstrokedit
scleansoft
fur.
..
Ar
ona:(
sof
tl
y)Heyl
adysmoky
..
.
Wher
eisMrHohay?

Anotheronewalkedfr
om beneat
hthe
couchandcurledit
sel
far
oundhis
footthenheputSmokydown...
.

Ar
ona:
Arey
ouguy
shungr
y?

Hewal kedtothekit
chenandfi
ll
ed
thei
rbowl swit
hcatfoodthenheput
outsi
deandl eftt
hem t
oeatashis
phoner ang.
..
Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Idon'
tknowhowt
othanky
ou
wai
tse
Arona:Anyt
hingf
orDi
di'
ski
ds,
ilov
ed
thatl
unati
c
Voice:(l
aughed)Therei
sonemore
thi
ngi needtoni
ght,i
tst
heonl
ythi
ng
l
eftthenwewi ll
bedone
Ar
ona:
I'
mli
steni
ng.
..

Hethrewhimselfonthebedand
l
aughedli
steni
ngt oherthenLef
oko
ar
ri
vedhomeandcl osedthe
bedroom doorlookingathi
m smi
li
ng
talki
ngt othephone,hel
eanedov
er
andki ssedArona'
sneckashe
giggledtal
kingtothephone.
..
.

Ar
ona:
Alr
ight
,seey
out
oni
ght
..
.

Hehungupandr
oll
edontopof
Lef
okoashepul
l
edhim downand
ki
ssedhi
m..
.

Lef
oko:Icoul
dn'
tconcent
rat
eatwor
k,
imissedt
hist
ightl
i
ttl
eass.
Ar
ona:
(gi
ggl
ed)Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..
Hekissedhi
m andunzi
ppedhis
pant
sgoingdownhispantsashel
aid
onhisback.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
.

Lol
o'
sassi
stantst
uckherheadi
nas
shewasbusytypi
ngonthe
comput
er.
..

Her
:Seey
out
omor
row
Lolo:
(glancedatherwri
stwatch)I
t'
s
ti
meal r
eady .
..I
'
llhav
etoworkunti
l
l
ate
Her
:You'
real
way
swor
kingunt
ill
ate
Lol
o:(
laughed)By
e

SheclosedthedoorandLol
oburi
ed
hersel
finherworkforal
most2hour
s
thensheheardaknockonthedoor.
..

Lolo:(
grabbedabot
tl
eofwat
erand
drunk)Comein.
..

Thedooropenedasshetypedthe
l
astsent
enceandlookedupatthe
womanwal ki
ngint
henshescreamed
shaki
ngandmov
edt
othecor
ner
..
.

Lol
o:(
shaki
ng)OhmyGod.
..
.
Her
:(f
rowned)Lol
oar
eyouOK?

Theconf usedwomanst aredather

l
ookingar oundf orwhateverwas
scari
nghert henLol ograbbeda
bottl
eofwat erandsplashedher.She
fl
inchedblocki ngandshegr abbed
herflowervessel andsmashedi ton
thewoman, shef el
ldownandLol o
j
umpedov erheri nherheelsandran
outscreami ng...
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
10AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 116

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
.
Minuteslat
erthesecuri
tyoff
icerl
ed
thewayasLol oranbehindhi
m her
heelsmakingthekwakwakwaecho
acrosstherecept
ion.
..

Lol
o:Ihopeshedi
dn'
tdi
sappear
..
Secur
it
yman: maybeyoudi
dn'
tsee
herpr
oper
ly,
itcan'
tbeher
Lol
o:Soy
out
hinkI
'
m hal
l
uci
nat
ing
now?
Secur
it
yman:Ofcour
senot
,idi
dn'
t
meanitli
ket
hat
..
.
Loloremainedatt hedoorastheman
walkedin,
hef rownedl ooki
ngatthe
womant ryi
ngt ogetupasbl ood
droppedont hefloorthenhetouched
herontheshoul der.
..

Thewomant urnedandhecamef ace

tofacewit
hthedeadwoman' sface
andalmostfel
lbackwardsdroppi
ng
hiscaneandwalki
e-t
alki
e..

Secur
it
yman:
(scr
eamed)Uhhh.
..
.

Hesl
ippedandranoutalmost
bumpingi
ntoLol
owhor anofft
aki
ng
offherheel
sasthedeadwoman
fol
lowedthem wi
thbl
ooddroppi
ng
down...

Her
:Lol
o?

Theyranof fasshewal kedt owards

thegate,theot hersecur i
tyof fi
cer
s
whower erelaxingont hechai r
pressi
ngt heirphonesgotal ar medas
oneoft heirowncameoutr unning
andpoint i
ngatt heghostwhi chwas
staggeri
ngwi t
hbl oodoni tsf ace.
..

Theot
hert
wor
anwhohadseent
he
woman'sfuneral
programmeranof f
whi
lethenewoner emainedstandi
ng
l
ooki
ngatt heghostasitsl
owly
wal
kedoverandst oodinfr
ontof
hi
m...

Her:Canyoupleasehel
pme?Cani
havewatersoicanwashmyface?
I
'm bl
eedi
ng..

Thesecuri
tyoff
icersl
owlypokedher
andfi
nall
ytouchedherthensighedi
n
rel
i
ef.
..

Secur
it
yof
fi
cer
:Comei
n..
.
Hegrabbedherar m andhel
pedher
i
nsidewher eshewashedherface
overthesinkandwipedherfaceas
hewat chedher.
..

Securit
yman: Whoarey ou?Andwhy
i
sev eryonerunni
ngawayf r
om you?
Kanabossdr oveoutofhereli
kea
l
unatic,Ihopeshedi
dn'thavean
acci
dentont heway..
..

Thewomandrunkwat
erandsat
downtel
l
inghi
m..
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

LaterthateveningLolosl owlygoton
thebedi nherpaj amasandar obe
overherasshehel dabr uisepack
overherforeheadt henMay awalked
i
nwi thaglassofwat erandhanded
herthepainkil
lers..
.

May
a:Mamaar
eyousur
e?
Lol
o:Iam notcr
azy
May
a:Sowher
edi
dshego?
Lol
o:Idon'
tknow,
thesecur
it
yman
whowaswi t
hhersaysshel
eft.
May
a:Wow.
..Whatdi
dthepol
i
cesay
?
Lolo:(
sighedandr oll
edhereyes)You
won'tbeli
ev ethosef ool
sactuall
y
thi
nkI'm crazy,theysaywitchcraft
andspirit
sar ethingsthatdon'texi
st
withi
nthel aw.Theyt ookthecaseso
l
ightl
yi evenregr et
tedcall
i
ngt hem
aboutthatghost
Maya:Sotheot
hersecur
it
ymansay
s
shewasreal
?
Lol
o:Wecan'tr
elyonhim becausehe
doesn'
tknowherorthatsheisdead,
whywouldherspir
ithauntmeasifi
ki
ll
edher?
Aati
lewal
kedint
henLoloquickly
huggedhi
m andsighedtaki
ngrefuge
i
nhisarmsthentheysatdown..
.

Aat
il
e:Ar
eyousur
eitwasher
?
Lolo:Twoot herguardscant esti
fy
andt hepainfulthi
ngisthepolice
thoughtwecal ledthem fornonsense,
appar entl
ykomol aonggagona
dipokol edit
otwane
Aat
ile:
They'
reri
ght,youcan'
tcallt
he
pol
iceforaghostbecausetheydon't
exi
stasfarasthelawisconcerned.
Lol
o:Iam soscar
edr
ightnow.
..
.Ar
e
al
ltheki
dshome?
Maya:YeahbutBabyi
sn'
tandshe
i
sn'
tansweri
ngherphonetoo.
.
Lol
o:Gasegor eshewenttoMar
y's
houseagai
n, ishoul
dreal
l
ygett
his
Mary'
saddress...Gi
vememyphone
soicancal
l her..
.

Shecal
l
edhersever
alti
meswi
thout
get
ti
nganyanswer.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
..

Latert
hatni
ghtKensl
owlypushed
thechi
ldr
en'
sbunkbedtothesit
ti
ng
room andswi
tchedof
ftheli
ght
sthen
hejoi
nedBabyinthebedr
oom asshe
sweptwheret
hebedwas.

Kenopenedt
hewindowsandlif
ted
thecur
tai
nsf
orthedustl
eaveasa
waveoffr
eshai
rwhoopedtheroom.

Het ookoffhispantsandsockst hen

helaiddown, MinuteslaterBaby
walkedinwithabowl ofdesertand
j
oinedhim ont hebed, shesatonhis
tummyandf edhim ashel aiddown
holdingherwaist.
..
.
Hermedicat
ional
arm buzzedt
hen
sheswi
tcheditof
f.
..

Ken:
Didy
oubr
ingt
hem?
Baby
:If
orgot
,I'
l
ldri
nkt
omor
row.
..
Howist
hedesert?
Ken:
Ilov
eit
..
.

Sheputthebowl ontheheadboard
andleanedoverkissi
ng,hefl
ipped
herdownandki ssedherly
ingontop
ofher.

Sheputherar
msar
oundhi
sneck
andkissedhi
mthenshepaused
l
ookingatthewi
ndow.Herhear
t
ski
ppedasshefrozeey
etoeyewit
h
aghost..
.

Baby:(t
appedKenandpoi
nted
whisper
ing)Look!

Kenstoppedkissingherneckand
tur
nedt ot
hewi ndowbuttherewas
nothi
ng,Babygotof ft
hebedshaking
andalmostsli
ppeddownopeni ngthe
wardrobe.
..

Ken:
Whati
sit
?Whatdi
dyousee?I
'
m
conf
used.
..
.

Sheputonhercl
othescl
earl
yin
shockt
henhegrabbedherarmed
andtur
nedherar
ound..
.

Ken:
Whati
sit
?

Babyburstedi
ntot
ear
stel
li
nghi
m
whatshesawbutappear
edtodoubt
herst
ory..
.

Ken:Ar
eyoucrazy?Ar
eyouli
steni
ng
toyour
sel
fri
ghtnow?(si
ghed
shaki
nghishead)I
sthisbecausey
ou
ski
ppedyourmedicat
ion?
Baby:
(cry
ingoff
ended)Soyouthi
nk
I
'mlyi
ngorcrazy?(
angri
ly
)Iknow
whatisawandI'
m goinghome..
.

Heopenedthedoorandl ooked
outsi
debuttherewasnoonet henhe
walkedbackinsideandbumpedon
Babyful
lydressed..
.

Baby
:I'
mleav
ing
Ken:
Rel
ax
Baby
:No!I
'
m goi
nghome!
Ken:
It'
sal
most11pm
Baby:I
'l
lgetat
axi
akery
oudon'
t
bel
iev
eme
Ken:Babysheisdead.
..
.Webur
ied
her
,iwasthere!
Baby:(cr
ying)AndIsawherst
anding
atthewindowl ooki
ngatmeri
ghti
n
theeyes,shehadbandagesonthe
head..
.
Ken:
That
'si
mpossi
ble,
List
ent
ome.
..
Baby
:I'
m goi
ng.
..
.
Ken:Fi
ne,
I'
ll
dri
vey
ouhome.
..
I'
m
goi
ngtogetmykeys.
..
Babyst eppedoutbutt
hefearof
darknesspushedherbackinsi
deas
shewai tedforhi
mtofini
shthent
hey
l
eft..
..
..

AtMor
apedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
erthatnightthehousewasqui
et
andeveryonewasasl eepas
Morapedisnored..
.

Meanwhi leBl
essingcareful
l
y
unlockeddoorandopenedf orArona
whot ipt
oedinsideholdi
ngthecats,
Blessi
nggott heotheroneandthey
walkedtowardsthebedroomsinthei
r
l
ongwhi tegownsanddi r
ty
dreadl
ockswi gswithwhi
tebaby
powersont heirf
acesandredli
ps
acti
ngasbl ooddrippi
ng.
..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
(whi
sper
ed)Thi
sway
..
.
Arona:
(whisperedback)Whatdoi
sayagain?Kelebet
se
Blessi
ng: (whi
spered)Sayy ouknow
aboutt hemoneyshehi datt hecat
tle
post,youknowwher eshebur i
ed
Didi'
smoneyandsheshoul dret
urnit
backt ot hefatherofDidi'
schil
dren
beforet hingsstarthappening.
..
Ar
ona:
Bl
essi
ng: .
..

Meanwhi l
eMor apeditur
nedar ound
scratchinghisfaceandchewi ngsti
ll
asl
eepasheputhi sarm ar
ound
Kedibony e,shemov edhisheav y
handassheopenedherey est otwo
scaryfiguresstandingbythebed.

Herey eswidenedasshequi
etl
y
slappedherhusbandwhostopped
snoringandpausedlooki
ngatthe
twof i
gures.
..
Acatmeowedj umpingonthebed
andtheybot hrol
l
edbackfall
ingon
theothersideofthebedasthefi
gure
slowl
ywal kedbackwards.
..
.

Voice:(
creepymalevoi
ce)Kei t
seko
oepetsengteemadi..
.Abuse. .
..
.A
buse..
.Aaaboe..
..
.(
shakyv i
brat
ing
voi
ce)Mmmmmhhhh. .
..
..Mhhhhhhh

Theli
tt
lecatmeowedoncemor eas
thebi
ggeronengaodmakingthe
wholehouseev
encreepier
.Theli
ghts
cameonasAr i
annastoodatthedoor
shakinglikeal eafandthetwo
fi
guresgr innedatherwi t
hwhite
facesandbl ooddrippi
ng,sheran
downt hepassageast heyslowly
foll
owedherbutshesl ippeddown
comi ngfacet ofacewithDidi,
she
hadabl oodybandagear oundher
forehead...

Ari
anna:(ey
espopped)
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Shemel tedasBlessingandArona's
heartsskippedst
aringatDidi
,they
screamedt hrowi
ngawayt hecats
andbumpedonMor apediand
Kedibony
ewhoal sogottheshockof
thei
rli
vesrunni
ngbackinside.
..

Arona:(scr
eaming)Jesuslor
dplease
forgi
veme...
.OhLor dJesus.
..I
'
ll
repentandneverlookatanot
herman
again.
.
Blessing:(scr
eaming)Didi
I'
m sorry
forsleepingwithKenbutIhelped
yourkidssoy oursoulcanrestin
peace.I'm sorr
y
Kedi
bonye:(
tur
nedt
othe"
ghost
s")
Bol
esing?
Mor
apedi
:(poi
ntedatDi
di)Whoi
s
that
?Ist
hatoneofy
out oo?Why
doesshelookl
i
keDidi
?

Didiquietl
ystaredatthepil
edina
cornerast ear
sf i
l
ledhereyes,
she
swallowedandonet ear
srandown
hercheekasshest oodtherel
ooki
ng
atthem. .
..

Ari
annawalkedf
rom behi
ndherand
spr
inkl
edherwit
hsaltandhol
ywater.
.

Ar
ianna:
Fir
e!Fi
re!
Didir
ubbedherwetf acelooki
ng
downaswat erfl
owedont het
il
ethen
shecov eredherf acewithbothhands
andbur stintotears.Kedi
bonye's
i
nnersenseski ckedandshest epped
overtearfull
yandhuggedherasDi di
cri
edev enmor elyi
ngherheadonher
mother'sshoul der.
..
..
.

Didi:
(cry
ing)Mama. .
..Pleasedon'
tl
et
go..
.Justholdme...(
hiccup)Tellme
youlovemeandy ouwer ehappythe
dayy oudeli
ver
edme. ..Tellmeyou
l
ov emeev enifnobodyl ovesme.
Kedibonye'stearsrol
leddownasshe
rubbedDi di'
stearsandkissedher
foreheadt henshehuggedheragain
asev ery
onet earf
ull
ywatched..
..
..
.

Don'
tforgett
oclickonLikeanddr
op
acommentbel ow,goodnight
fami
ly
...
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
11AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 117

AtMor
apedi
'
sHome.
..
..

Everyonest
aredatDidi
quiet
ly
l
isteni
ngtoherstor
yinsil
ence.
..
Didi:Idon' trememberany thingelse
exceptwaki ngupi nMar ina,they
explainedt omet hatihadbr ain
traumabecauseofoxy gen
deprivationwhat everthatmeans.I
couldn'tremembermuch, ididn't
knowmynameandt heysai d
accor di
ngt omyhospi talrecor dsi
wasTany aradwaChi ndiyaurabut
theycoul dn'tunder standwhyi was
fl
uenti nSet swanai fthesewer emy
names, somesai dsomef oreigners
arefluentbuti didn'thaveapasspor t
orpaper sandt hepersonwho
appar entlybr oughtmet o
Letsholat hebehadnotsi ghed
any thingandt herepor tsaidi had
caughtf ireatwor korsomet hing
alongt hosel ines, i
twasn' tclearand
theper sonwhobr oughtjust
disappear edandt hepol icet hought
may bei twasbecausei wasani ll
egal
i
mmi grantandt hebosspr obably
knewt hathiringsomeonewi thout
paper sisanof f
ence.Icoul donl y
believ ewhatt heyt oldmebecausei
didn'tknowany thi
ngt heni was
referredt oSbr anaPsy chiatri
c
hospi tal wher ei stayedf orsev er
al
day sgoi ngforsessi onswhi le
doct orst r
iedt ohel pmer egainmy
memor y
.Ist artedr emember ingbit
s
andpi ecesunt ilir
emember ed
everythi
ngt hathadhappened.Iwas
i
nt earsbecausei coul dn'tbelievei
surviveddeat handt wi cenowandal l
icouldt hinkaboutwashowZaneand
Faithtookmydi sappear ance...When
iarri
vedi passedbyLol o'sof f
icebut
sheal mostki lledme, ever y
onekept
runningandi wasget tingscar ed
thi
nkingmay beI '
mr eal l
yTany aradwa
andnotDi dintle..
.Itwasabi t
confusingbuti convincedmy selfon
thewayt hatmay bet heyt houghti
wasdead.Iwentt omyhousebuti t
wasl ockedsoIwentt oKen' sHouse,
hecoul dn'tseemebuthi svisitorsaw
meandgotscar ed.Iwast oohurtto
facehim soi leftandcameher e
thi
nkingmay bemysupposeddeat h
wouldhav et r
igger edmymot her'
s
l
ov e,maybeaf terf i
ndingoutIwas
deadshehadr egretsandwi shedshe
couldhav elovedmebet t
er..
.May be
shesaidt oher selfifihadanother
chancewi thDi diI'
dl ovemyl i
tt
legirl
mor ebutinsteadi comei nhereand
fi
ndpeopl efightingov ermy
propert
ies.
Arona:
(turnedtoBlessing)You
for
gottoletmeknowy ousleptwit
h
Ken,whyam i hear
ingaboutt hi
snow?
Whichmeansy out
rickedmeand
usedmemaki ngmet hinkI'
m hel
ping
myf r
iend'schil
drenkantewenale
Kenar eplanni
ngt ogetthewealt
h.
Soyoui ntent
ionall
yli
edaboutthe
i
dentit
yoft hewomanwhowas
buri
ed?Kanagor ayagoreyouknew
i
twasn' therbutli
ed..
.
Blessing: Idi
dn'
tli
e,thatwomanhad
burns, shewasbur ned..
..Theface
wasconf usingatfi
rstbecauseshe
wasbur nedont hecheekandabi t
swollenbutonceIsawherbodyI
thoughti twasherbecauseDi dionce
gotbur nedt oo.
Ar
ona:Kantewhywasn'
tanybody
el
secal
led?AnyonewhoknewDidi
l
i
kemeorLolobecausei
don'
ttr
ust
t
hisKenmananymore
Blessing: AndDi di i
sweart oGod,
Kendi dn'tknowany thing.
..Hestil
l
thi
nksy ou' redeadandhewas
cryi
ng. .
.(tearfull
y)Thatmancr i
edfor
you,yourchi l
drencr i
edandKenwas
terr
ible.
..It houghtifigav ehim sex
hewoul df eelbetterbutbecausei
washel pinghi m gety ourthingsbo
mamabaganagoner laboZanehe
thoughti fhedi dn'tsleepwi thmeI '
d
nothel phi m.ilat
erf oundoutko
mor agowhenhewast ell
i
ngmewhat
wedi dwaswr ongandhewant ed
nothingt odowi thmei nthatmanner .
Isti
lltooki tuponmy selft omake
suret hechi l
drengetwhat '
stheirsso
iaskedAr onaandheagr eed...
wegot
hiscat sandi gavehi mt hekey sto
thehouses.Hedi dhi st hingandKen
gotthechi l
dren'spr oper tynowt oday
iwant edthet or eturnt hemoneyt hey
buri
edatt hecat tlepost .Ididitall f
or
thechi l
drenandy esmay bebecausei
fel
tgui l
tyf ordoingt hatt oKenbuti
promi sey out hatmanhasnof eeli
ngs
formeandi t
akef ullresponsi bil
ity
fortakingadv antageofhi sgr
ief.He
wasat otal messcr y i
ngl ikeal i
ttl
e
boy...Hel ovesy ouDi di.
Ar
ianna:
Andj
ustt
obehonesti
onl
y
t
ookyourhousebecausemamat
old
meto
Didi
:Arianna.
..Please.
..
.Pl
ease
don'
t.
...Younev erli
kedmeand
suddenlyyoustayi nmyhouse?
Don't
..
..Don't
Kedi:
Didi
..
.Iwaskeepi
ngt
hose
thi
ngsfor
-
Blessing:(angri
ly)Mamakoor eha
okaamogel aphosoy agagowai kopa
mai t
shwar elogokar eng?Di di j
ust
survi
veddeat handy ou'regoingtoli
e
toheri nst
eadofst artingafresh?Why
l
ie?What '
swr ongwi t
hadmi tt
ingyour
mistakesandapol ogising?What '
s
wrongwi thcorr
ectingy ourself
?Look
ather..
..Shehasbeent hroughhell
j
usttocomeandsaymamat ellme
youlovemenowy ou'resay i
ngthat?
Whenar eyouevergoingt oloveher?
Whydoy ouhatehersomuch.Igr ew
upinthisdisgusti
ngf amilynot
understandingwhyshewas
separatedfrom usliv
ingl i
kea
desti
tutewithgrandma.
Ari
anna:Olopel
afor
givenessne?I
f
you'
resuchalovi
ngsist
erwhydid
yousleepwit
hhermanhuh?
Blessi
ng:Atleastithoughtshewas
deadandi knewI '
dtakecareofthose
chil
drenbett
erthanany oneinher
presence.Itwaswr ongbutatt he
ti
mebecauseshewasdeadt omeit
feltl
ikeitwast heri
ghtdecisionand
thankGodher ej
ect
edmebecause
thingswoul dbecompl i
catedhadwe
starteddating.Thatmanlov esyou
Didi,hedoesn'twantanyonebuty ou
andhei sgoi ngtojumpforjoywhen
heseesy ou..
.
Di
di:
Hewon'
t,
Wher
eismyphone?
Bl
essi
ng:
Itswi
thhi
m
Didi
:(st
oodup)Mayi
hav
ethekey
s
tomyhouse?
Bl
essi
ng:
They
'r
ewi
thKen
Ar
ona:
Icamewi
thmycar
,Icant
ake
y
out
her
eandbackt
oyourhouse.
Di
di:
Thanks.
..

Sherubbedhert
earandstoodupas
Bl
essingfol
l
owedthem..
..

Bl
essi
ng:
Didi
I'
m sor
ryf
or-
Didi:
(turnedar ound)It'
sokay ,i
forgi
vey ou...Youdidn'tknowi was
ali
veandmay bey ou'
dt akecareof
mychi ldrenbetterthanev ery
one
becausei knowy ou'r
eagoodper son.
Ifiwasr eallydeaditwoul dn'
thave
beenwr ongbutI '
m notdeadandi t
changesev eryt
hing..
.Idon'thateyou
andi understandy ourreasonsbut
thi
ngswi llalwaysbeawkwar d
betweenusandi won'twantt osee
youagai nknowi ngy outastedthe
mani lov
e...Don'tgetmewr ong,I
don'thatey ouijustdon'twanty outo
remindmeofsomet hi
ngi wantto
forget.ThistimeIwantpeacei nmy
l
ifenot hi
ngmor e...
.Goodnight .
..
.

Shef
oll
owedAr
ona.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatni
ghtBabyknockedon
Maya'
swi ndowseveral
timesunt
il
shefi
nall
ygotup,meanwhileAat
il
e
andLologotandlookedatone
anot
her..
.

Aat
il
e:I
sthatBaby
?
Lol
o:Yesandi
don'
tthi
nkt
hisMar
yis
agi
rl
Aat
il
e:Cansher
eal
lyhavea
boy
fri
end?Shei
ssoyoung
Lol
o:Onl
yinyoureyes,
remember
anot
herman'
s16y earoldoncewas
ol
denoughforyoutosleepwit
h
Aati
le:
(off
ended)Thanksfort
he
fl
ashback,Dammit!Didyouhavet
o
sayt
hat?(put
ti
ngonhi
st-
shi
rt
)iam
achangedman
Lol
o:babeidi
dn'
tsayy
ou'
renot
..
.
Comehere,
kissmama
Aat
il
e:Don'
tdot
hatagai
n..
.

Hekissedherandwal kedoutasshe
fol
lowedhi
mt hent
heypaused
l
ookingatBabyandMay ati
ptoei
ng,
shewasinal arget
-shir
thol
dingher
shoesandclothest
oherchest .
..

Aat
il
e:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
Baby
:(swal
l
owed)Iwaswi
thmy
f
ri
endJul
i
a,i
tol
dmama
Lol
o:Jul
ia?Di
dn'
tyousayhername
i
sMar y
?
Baby
:Herot
hernamei
sMar
y
Aati
l
e:Gi
vemey
ourphone,
iwantt
o
seeMary

Babyquiet
lyputherphonebehi
ndher
backandwalkedinherroom ast
hey
fol
lowedher.
.

Lolo:
You'
redisr
espectf
ul,
howdo
youcomehomeatt histi
mewhen
yourownparent
sarsleepi
ng?What
ki
ndofachi
l
ddoest
hat
?
Aat
il
e:Kar
emphaphone
May
a:Babyakooi
sephone
Baby:Iam notgi
vingany
onemy
phone,i
tsmypr i
vacy.
Aati
le:
Whatdi
dyousay
?Kar
eti
sa
phoneeo
Baby
:No
Aat
il
e:Whoset
-shi
rti
sthi
s?
Baby
:Cani pleasegetsomesl eep?
Whyisever
y oneacti
nglikei ki
l
led
someone?Iwaswi thafriend!
Aat
il
e:Isai
dgivemet hatphoneand
unl
ockiti
fithasapassword,Iwon'
t
asky
ouagai
n.
Baby:I
'
m notgi
vi
ngyoumyphone
andyou'
renotmyfat
her,y
oucan'
t
for
cemet odosomethi
ngIdon'
t
wanttodo
Lol
o:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou
tal
kedtoy
ourfat
herl
iket
hat
Baby:Don'tevengetstart
edwi t
hme,
iam herebecauseofy ou.
..Iam HI
V
posit
ivebecausey oucoul
dn'tbe
sati
sfi
edwi t
hy ourman,youhadt o
gotoDubai andleavemebehi nd.
Don'tactli
kesuchagoodmot her
j
ustbecausenowi tsui
tsyou.You
gotker aped
Aati
le:
Don'
ttal
ktoy
ourmot
herl
i
ke
that
Baby:
Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou,
you'
re
notmyfat
her

Lolowal kedoutandbur
sti
ntotear
s
asshewal kedoutt
henMayaran
afterherasAat i
l
eremai
nedstandi
ng
therelookingather
..
.

Aatil
e: Inevert
houghtI'
dheary ou
sayt hatI'
m notyourf
ather.ThewayI
l
ov ey ou,il
oveyoumor ethan
everyonei nthi
shouse..
.(t
earfull
y)I
can'tev enbeatyoubutifi
twasMay a
orev enAgat haI'
dhav el ongwhi pped
them butbecausei tsyoui thurt
sso
much.I tbreaksmyhear tbecause
you'r
emydear estandi sweart oGod
i
fi fi
ndoutwher ey ousleptI'm going
tokillt
hatboy .Hei sgoingt oprison
becausehedoesn' tlovey ouifhecan
l
ety ousleepov erleavi
ngy our
medi cati
onbehi nd.Iam v erysadand
disappointediny oubaby ..
..I'
mv ery
sad.

Heclosedthedoorandwalkedi
n
thei
rbedr
oom whereLolowassit
ti
ng
onthebedwithMay a.
..
Aat
il
e:Mayai
t'
sokay
,I'
l
ltakei
tfr
om
her
e.Gotobed.
..
May
a:Goodni
ghtmama.
..

Shewalkedoutthenhehuggedher
asshecriedonhisshoul
der
..
..
.

Aati
le:I
'
m sor
ry.
..It
hinksheneeds
counsel
li
ng
Lolo:
Sheisj
ustdi
srespect
ful
,di
dyou
hearher
?
Aati
le:Iknow,i
hear
deverybi
tofthat
.
I
'l
ltalktoasoci
oworkerandhav
e
t
hissor
tedout
..
.Shei
sjustangr
y
Lolo:Babyhaelegor ekemosadi a
ntswelakaKgoro,Iwon' tl
ethertalk
tomeory oulikethat,doessheev en
knowmuchy oufoughtf orherand
didyourbesttoraiseherproperl
y?
Aati
l
e:Let'
stakeherforcounsel
l
ing,
noneofusisHIVpositi
vewemi ght
bemissi
ngsomet hi
ng.May bewe
don'
tunderst
and
Lolo:HI
Vposi
ti
vepeopl
edon'
tgo
aroundi
nsul
ti
ngpeopl
e
Aat
il
e:Shegother
sinthemost
hor
ri
fi
cway,sheisangr
yatyou,me,
her
sel
f,t
heworldandevenGod!Can
y
oubl
ameher
?
Lol
o:Iguessnot
..
.
Aati
l
e:I
'm hurtt
oobutl
et'
str
y
anot
herapproach
Lol
o:Okay
..
.

Theyki
ssedandhugged.
..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Ali
tt
leaf
termidni
ghtAronapar
kedi
n
f
rontoft
hehousebutthecarwasn'
t
t
hereanymore.
..
Didi
:Thecari
sgone,
gor
ayagor
eo
duoe
Ar
ona:
I'
m sor
rythathei
sdr
oppi
ng
of
fagi
rli
nyourcar
Di
di:
It'
sokay
..
.

Didi
lookedatArona'
swhitefaceand
redl
ipst
icklooki
ngli
kebloodthen
shesmiledandshookherhead
l
ookingoutsidet
hecar.
..
.

Ar
ona:
(laughed)What
?
Di
di:
(laughed)Youl
ookscar
y..
.
Ar
ona:
(laughed)Thet
hingswedof
or
ourgi
rl
fr
iends
Di
di:
Thanks,
itmeansal
ot

Thecurtainsmov edasZanel ooked

outsi
det hroughthewi ndowthen
Fait
hjoinedhi m,Didigasped
coveri
nghermout hthensheopened
thedoorbutAr onapul l
edherbackin
thecarandswi t
chedof fthel
i
ghtsi
n
thecar.
.

Arona:Ar
eyoutry
ingtogiveyour
chil
drenahear
tatt
ack?Theythink
you'
redead.
..
.Youcan'tj
ustshowup,
ther
ehastobeapr operway.Kenas
toexpl
aint
othem ever
ythi
ngt
hat
happenedbef
oreyoucanmeetthem
Di
di:
(sighedandl
eanedback)Okay
..
.
Okay.
..
..

Kendrovethr
ought hegateand
par
kednexttothecart henArona
adj
ustedtheseatlayi
ngDididown
andsteppedoutrubbingofft
hebaby
powderandli
psti
ck...

Arona: Hi
,i
tsmeit'
sArona..
..I
'
m
sorryaboutthi
swhitest
uffonmy
face..
.wewerepranki
ngsomeone.
..
Ken:
(lockedt
hecar
)Whatar
eyou
doi
ngatmyhouse?
Arona:Ther
eissomet
hingihav
eto
tel
lyoubutyouhavet
osit.
.
Ken:I'
m notl
ett
ingy
ouinmyhouse
l
ookingli
kethat
?Isthi
sanot
her
prank?
Arona:
Didii
sali
ve,t
heymixedupt
he
paperworkatLet
sholat
he
Ken:Al
ri
ght(poi
ntedt
othegat
e)get
thehel
lout
Ar
ona:
I'
m ser
ious
Ken:Areyoutheonewhowas
standi
ngbythewindowear
li
er
scari
ngmygirlf
ri
en-
Didi steppedoutoft hecarand
slammedt hedoorthenhest opped
talki
ngandst aredather ,
awhole
mi nutepassedashest ar
edather
thenheexhal edrubbinghisfaceand
pacedbackandf ourth.Hesquatted
andf i
nall
ysatagainstt hecarty
re..
..

Ken:
OhGod.
..
.
Arona:Theymi xedupthepaperwork
andshehasbeeni nSbranabecause
shehadadi ffi
cultt
imer ememberi
ng
thi
ngs.Shef i
nall
ygainedhermemor y
andgotreleased.Idon'tknowhow
theydi
dn'
tfi
ndoutshewascer
ti
fi
ed
deadbuther
esheis.
..
.

Hestoodupandt ookadeepbreath
l
ookingatherthenhet ur
nedback
andcoveredhisfacetearf
ull
yas
Aronanarrat
edthewhol ethi
ng.
..

Ken:Fuck!Ohshit
..
..Andi
slept
wit
h..
..
.(swal
lowed)OhGod, No.
..
..
Thi
sianothappening..
.

Heturnedaroundandfacedheras
shetearf
ull
ylookedathi
m...
Didi
:Ijustneedmyhousekey sand
phoner i
ghtnow, um. .
..Youhave
toni
ghtort hemor ningtoexplai
n
every
thingt otheki ds.I'
dli
ketomeet
them verysoon...I'm nolonger
dri
nkingoraddi ctedt opill
s.I
tsbeen
abitdiff
icultbutI'm good...
.

Kenslowlyknel
tbef
oreherandhel
d
herhands..
.

Ken:I'
m sor
ryt
haty
ouhadt
osee
that
..
..
Di
di:
It'
syourbusi
ness,
wewer
en'
t
togethersoyoudon'
towemean
explanati
on.
Ken:
Isl
eptwi
thBl
essi
ng
Didi
:Kenstop,youdidwhatyou
wantedanditsokay.Iwasn'
twi
thyou
befor
eallt
hese.Pleasegi
vemet he
keys.
..

Hest oodupandhuggedhert ight

ly
asshehuggedhi m cl
osi
ngherey es
thenhet urnedandsoftl
ykissedher,
sher el
uctantl
ymov edbackand
foldedherar ms.
..

Ken:
I'
m sor
ry
Di
di:
It'
sokay
..
.Mphadi
key

Hewalkedinthehouseandcameout
wit
hthekeys,Fai
thfol
lowedhim but
heret
urnedherandclosedthedoor.

Ken:
Youcanhav
ethecart
oo
Di
di:
No,
it'
sokay
.Ar
onawi
l
ldr
opme
of
f.
..
Ken:
Okay
..
.

Hehuggedheragainindi
sbel
i
efand
ki
ssedhercheekthenshepul
l
ed
backandsmiled.
..
Ar
ona:I
'm notgett
ingahug?I
mean.
..
.Ipract
ical
lyhel
pedyou
Ken:
Youwantahugf
rom me?
Ar
ona:
Yes
Di
di:
(laughed)Canwepl
easego?
Ken:
Arey
ougay
?
Ar
ona:
Uhdaa
Ken:(
angri
ly
)That'
sdi
sgust
ing,
don'
t
evert
alkt
ome...

Aronal
aughedandgoti
nthecart
hen
theydr
oveoff
..
.
Didi
:(l
aughed)Hehat
esgay
syou'
l
l
getpunched
Arona:(laughed)Icant ell
.…t
hat'
s
whyIsai ditandi di
dn'twanthim
thi
nkingI '
m sl
eepingwi thyou,hei
gakebat egobet swammaKeno
bogale.I'
dr at
herheknowsI '
m gay
thanthinkingI'
m chal
lenginghim ka
mosadi wagagwe
Di
di:
I'
m nothi
swoman
Arona:HoneyIt
oldyounott
o
pret
endwithme,iknowyoubet
ter
thanyouknowyoursel
f.
Didi
:Hemov edonandwi t
hay oung
beauti
ful
li
tt
legi
rl
.I'
m notgoi
ngt o
st
andont
hewayoft
hat
.
Arona:
Iunderst
and.
..Hemov
edon
tooqui
ckleene
Didi
:Hehasbeensi ngl
efor5y ears
now.I'm sureheneededsomeone. ..I
understandwhyhedi dwhathedi d
butIwishhehadf oundsomeone
ol
derbecauset hi
sonewi llgethimin
tr
oublebuti can'
tsayanything
becauseI '
l
lappeartobejealousso
I
'm notgetti
nginvolvedi
nhi spri
vate
l
ife.
Ar
ona:
That
'spr
obabl
yagoodi
dea.
..
..

Att
hesoci
alwor
ker
'sof
fi
ce.
..
.
Thenextmor ningLolopar kedthecar
j
ustast heot heryoungwomanwas
getti
ngoutoft hecarwi t
hababyon
boardstickeront heback.Shewas
dressedinf ormal wearandl ooked
quitesmar twithast r
aightweav e
thathadbeenper fect
lyblendedwi t
h
hernaturalhair,shegrabbedher
handbagandbot t
leofwat erthen
closedthedoorandcatwal kedtothe
offi
cesasLol of oll
owedher ..
.

Lol
o:Goodmor
ning.
..
Her
:(t
urnedandsmi
l
ed)Good
mor
ning.
..
Lol
o: I
'
ml ooki
ngforasoci
alworker
,
anyonewhocantalktoateenager
wit
hchi l
dhoodpr
oblemsandstuff
l
ikethat
Her
:Fol
l
owme.
..

Theywalkedi
nthensheunlockedher
off
iceandputev
eryt
hingdown...

Her
:Hav
easeat
..
.
Lol
o:(
sighedandsat
)Thanky
ou.
..
..
Her
:MynameisKamogelo,iam one
oft
hesoci
alwor
ker
shere..
.(smi
led)i
am newher e.
..I'
mf reshoutofschool
andIspeciali
sei ntroubl
edchil
dren
andchildr
enfrom v ulner
able
backgrounds,thesear echi
ldr
enwho
havebeensexual lyassault
ed,
molested,physicall
yabusedandall
those.
Lol
o:Soi
camet
other
ightper
son
Kamo: (l
aughed)Iguessy oucould
saythat,t
heresthavetheirfi
eldstoo
buttherearemoreexperienced
socialworker
sicouldalsoreferyou
tothoseifyouwish.
Lol
o:No,
ithi
nkIl
i
key
ou
Kamo:
(laughed)Thanky
ou,
tel
lme
abouty
ourt
eenager

Lololeanedbackandnar
rat
ed
every
t hi
ngasKamogelol
ist
ened.
..

Kamo: Ithi
nkIlikey ourdaughter, she
i
sbr aveandy ou'r
ebr aveforraising
herthroughsuchdi ffi
cult
ies.Iknow
howhar diti
st oraiseachi l
dwi thout
thei
rfather
'shelp.Ihav eadaught er
whohasnev erseenherf ather
Lol
o:Idon'
tknowwhymendot
hat
Kamo:Themostembar r
assingt
hing
aboutminei
st hati
didn'tknowhi
m, i
wasjustachi
ld.Idi
dn'tknowmuch.
Het ookmyv i
rgi
nit
yandgotme
pregnantallonthesamedaysot r
ust
mei under
standwher eyou'
recoming.
(t
ookoutherappoi ntmentbook)So
I
'l
l seeBabyMay arightaft
erlunch
Lol
o:Shei
sn'
tatschool
.Shegot
bur
nedandwasgivenatwoday
l
eave
Kamo: Perfectthenshecancomeat
10am,I'
dliketoseet hefathertoo.
Hereiswhatwear egoingt odo...I
needtoknowwhaty oudon'tli
ke, i
needtohearf rom theFathertooand
thenI'
ll
talktohert ohearhersideof
thestoryandhowsheseest hi
ngs.By
tal
kingtobot hparentsi
llbeablet o
t
ell
ify
oureall
yunder
standherbyt
he
t
imeshet
ellsmeherviews
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em atal
l
...

Kamo'
sphoner
ang.
..
.

Kamo:
(smi
l
ed)Mayi
?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Pl
ease
Kamo: Hell
o?..
..Howdi
dshefal
l?.
..
.
No..
..Okay,I
'l
lpassbyandpi
ckher.
Thanky ou.(
shehungupandsighed)
Haegatwengwanaool e
Lol
o:(
stood)I
'm sosorry
..
.Any
ways
l
etmegocol l
ectthatt
roubl
emaker
Kamo:
Seey
ouat10.
..
Lol
o:By
e..
.

Theybot
hwal
kedout
..
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngDidisl
owly
openedherwardrobeandfit
tedafew
ofhercl
othesasmanywer e
missi
ng.
..Mostofherelegantcl
othes
weremissing.
..
.

Shehear
dthedoor
bel
landqui
ckl
y
walkeddownst ai
rsanxi
oustosee
herchil
dren,
sheopenedthedoor
thenFait
hjumpedonherar msas
sheburstedint
otearsswingi
ngher
around.
..
.

Di
di:
OhGodI
'
m sor
ry
Fai
th:
Imi
ssedy
oumama

Zanestoodatthedoorl
ooki
ngather
thenshesmil
edandopenedherarm.
..

Di
di:
Zane?
Zane:
(tear
ful
l
y)Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Didi
:Ididsomethingwrongandi
thoughtyourf
atherandev er
yone
wouldbeangry,igotscared.I
'm sor
ry
Zane:Soi
twasn'
tbecausei
ref
used
tosl
eepov
er?
Di
di:
No,
ofcour
senot
..
.Nev
er

Her anov
erandhuggedhercr yi
ng
thenshekissedhisf
oreheadand
droppedtears.
..

Didi
:Ican'
tbeli
eveyouli
vedwit
h
suchguil
tforsolong.I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Kenwal kedov erandhuggedall of
them andki ssedDi di
'sfor
ehead
sighi
nginr eli
ef .Theyhuggedfora
fewmi nutest henhel etgoofthem
andmov edbackt houghtf
ull
ystari
ng
ather.
..

Ken:
OhmyGod.
..
..

Shetur
nedandlookedathim ashe
puthi
shandstoget
herlooki
ngather.
.

Di
di:
what
?
Ken:
Heanswer
edmypr
ayer
s..
.
(l
aughedi
ndisbel
ief)OhmyGod. .
..
i
pray
edcryi
ngaskingGodt obri
ngyou
backandyou'
rehere..
..Imeanl
ike
you'
reher
e..
..
Di
di:
Okay
Ken:
(lookeduppoi
nti
ngandsmi
led)
You'
reawesome..
..
.Thanky
ouGod!
Zane:
(laughedandlookedupt
henhe
scr
eamed)Thanky ouGod!
Di
di:
(laughed)Okayguy
sthi
sis
cr
eepy
Fai
th:
(scr
eamed)Thanky
ouGod!
Ken:
Thanky
ouGod
Zanerant
othest
air
sandsang
snappi
nghi
sfi
nger
s..

Zane:
(snappi
ng)
OurGodi
sanawesomeGodhe
r
eigns
From heav
enabov
ewi
thwi
sdom,
powerandlov
e
OurGodi
sanawesomeGod

OurGodi
sanawesomeGodhe
r
eigns
From heav
enabov
ewi
thwi
sdom,
powerandlov
e
OurGodi
sanawesomeGod

Kenputhisar
m aroundhisshoul
der
andjoi
nedinastheysangforher
whil
eshesmiledcarr
yingFai
th.
..

Ken: (
smi l
ed)Thankyou..
.Thereisa
churchser v
icetoni
ght,
willyoujoi
n
us?I'm notaski
ngy outotakeme
back,ijustwantyoutobet herewhen
ithankGod.
Zane:Pleasecome..
.(t
ear
ful
l
y)Iwant
tosi
ngaspeci alf
orGodandiwant
youtoclaphandsformewhenI'm
done.
..Don'tsayno
Didi
:(smi
l
edtear
ful
ly
)Howcanisay
no,ioweyouguy
s..
.I'
l
lbet
her
e..
.

Theyhuggedherasshesmi
l
edand
rubbedof
fhertear
s..
.

Didi:Keniwantyoutohaveyour
father'
sthi
ngsback,
they'
renotmine.
Ken:Cl
ear
lyy
oulostyourmi
nd,
I'
m
nott
aki
nganythi
ng.
Zane:(
laughed)Giv
eherabreak,she
j
ustwokef rom t
hedead.Shest
il
lhas
dusti
nt hehead
Di
di:
(laughedandsl
appedhi
m)Zane?
Keaswagapel
esal
alel
ela.
Ken:Canweal
lgof
oradr
ive?Justt
o
cel
ebrat
e..
Fai
th:
Yei
ilov
eadr
ive
Zane:
Let
'sgo.
..

Hel ateropenedt hedoorf

orher,
she
gotinandhecl osedthedoort
hen
theydr oveoffast heki
dschat
ted
excitedlyatt
heback.Meanwhi l
eKen
glancedatDi diandkeptdri
vi
ng..
.

Ken:
AboutBaby
Di
di:
It'
snoneofmybusi
ness
Ken:I'
m donewi
thher
,iwaswrong.I
gri
evedinthewor
stwaypossi
ble
Didi
:Pl
easestop,idon'
twanttohear
abouty
ourslatt
ishbehavi
our
Ken:Ther
eismygir
l!Iknewy
ouwer
e
i
ntheresomewher
e...
Didi:
(tookadeepbreat
h)I'
m not
doingthis,
theki
dsarehappyandI'
m
happy.
Ken:
Thesl
ati
shappyt
oo.
..
Di
di:
(laughed)Mxm

Hel
aughedandgrabbedherhand
t
henhekissedi
tandconti
nued
dr
ivi
ng.
..
.

Ken:I
'm goi
ngt
oschool
inOklahoma,
wil
lyoucomewithmeandthekids?
Di
di:
What
?
Ken:
Yesorno?Wi
l
lyoucomewi
th
me?

Didil
ookedinhisey
esandsighed
thenshelookedout
side.
..

Di
di:
Ican'
tbewi
thy
ouKen.Sor
ry

Heswal
l
owedandqui
etl
ydr
ovet
hen
pul
ledov erandsteppedout
,he
pacedar oundforawhil
eastheyal
l
waitedinthecarthenhegotbacki
n
andj oi
nedtheroad..
.

Zane:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ken:YeahbuddyI'm good.
..Don'
t
everf
alli
nlove.
..You'l
lbe
di
sappoint
edandhur t
Zane:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Ken:
Nev
ermi
nd.
..
.

Heturnedupthemusicand
cont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
..
AtKamogel
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
..

Lat
erthatmorninganothersoci
al
workerescor
tedBabyandher
par
entsintheoffi
ce.
..

Her
: Shewil
lbewithy ouinashor
t
whi
le,herdaught
erisn'twel
lso
maybeshewi l
lpostpone
Lol
o:Thanky
ou
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ou.
..

Theyal
ltookaseatasBabysi
ghed
withanatti
tudethenKamowal kedin
holdi
ngherdaught er
'shand.Aatil
e'
s
heartski
ppedashel ookedatKamo
thenhiseyesfel
lonherdaught er.
Shewast hespitt
ingimageofMay a
whenshewasl i
tt
le..
.

Lol
o:Hi
..
Kamo:Hi.
..Sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ou
wai
ti
ng..
.

Sheputherdaught
eronherchairand
pul
ledherappoi
ntmentbook.
..
Kamo:Mi
ght
yyoudidn'tsaygood
morni
ngt
opeople,
whatdowesay
whenwemeetpeople?

Shesmil
edscrat
chi
ngherbunsand
l
ookedatthem..
.

Mi
ght
y:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:(smil
ed)Hi.
..Bat
hohatshwana
l
eMay ajaanakanagaatshwanel
e
eneBaby?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Sheev
enhast
he
samechindi
mpleasMaya
Aat
ileswall
owedl ooki
ngatthel
i
ttl
e
gi
rlandlookedatKamowho
i
gnorantl
ywr otesomethi
ngdownli
ke
asi
fshedi dn'tknowhi
m...

Kamo:
Okay
,mynamei
sKamo
Lol
o:Weal
readymet
..
.
Baby
:Mynamei
sMay
aJohnson
Aat
il
e:(r
ubbedhisnosel
ooki
ngdown)
Iam Aat
il
eJohnson
Kamo: (st
ari
ngathim)Nicetomeet
youMrJohnsonandMay a,butijust
gotadayof fasyoucanseemy
daughterburst
edali
pandsoi have
totakeherhome.I'
llseeyou
t
omor
rowat9am,
wil
lthatbeokay
?
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em
Kamo:
Baby
?
Baby
:Maa?
Kamo: Retaabuakamosonnaka
autwa?Oskant shaba,i
havebeen
thr
oughal oti
nlif
e.Iam notj
usta
socialwor
kerformoneyIdoitwit
h
passionbecauseiknowwhatagirl
chi
ldgoest hr
oughatthehandsof
heartl
essmen.
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou
Kamo:
Kamosobagol
o..
Lol
o:Kamoso.
..
Theyallwalkedoutasshewal ked
behindthem withherdaught
er,thei
r
carswerepar kednextt
oeachot her
againassheopenedt hedoorforher
daughter.
..
.

Mi
ght
y:Mom cani
ridei
nthef
ront
?
Kamo:No,andi
twi
llal
way
sbeno.I
don'
twanttol
osey
ou..
Mighty
:Uhmanineedadadi
nmy
l
ifeyouknow,
maybehewoul
dsay
yes
Kamo:(
laughed)What
evergeti
nthe
car
..
.
Lol
o:(closi
ngt
hedoor
)Omo
mathatengha
Kamo:(
laughed)Heel
amma!Leha
molomoot hubegi
l
ehelagaahokot
se
gobua

Aati
leclosedhisdoorandsi
ghedas
Kamor eversedhershi
nycarand
drov
eof f.
.

Lol
o:ar
eyouokay
?Whyar
eyounot
dri
vi
ng?
Aat
il
e:(
clear
ed)Okay
..
.
Hedrov
eoutoft
hepar
kingl
otand
j
oinedt
her
oad.

Ont
her
oad.
..
.….

Minut
eslaterAati
leparkedparal
l
elto
Kenastheywaitedforthegreenli
ght,
herol
leddownt hewindowand
smil
ed..
.

Aat
il
e:Ei
ta
Ken:
(tur
ned)Ya.
..
.
Lol
ot urnedasDidil
eanedfor
ward
l
ookingatt hem,t
heirJawsdr
opped
andey espopped..
..

Baby:(screamed)OhmyGod. ..
.
(poi
nted)Theresheis.….sheis
l
ookingatme. ..
.Didii
slookingat
me...
.Kennai stheonewhosl ept
withme, i
tsnotmyf ault
.Youhav et
o
stopfoll
owingme. .
.

LoloandAati
leturnedandlookedat
herasKenli
ckedhi sli
psandst epped
ontheaccel
eratordri
vingt
hrought he
redli
ghtascarsbkewt hei
rhorns.
Di
di:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken:(
lookedi
nthemi
rr
or)Zanebel
t
up.
..

Her oll
edupthewi ndowsanddr ove
offasAat i
l
ebithislowerli
pandr an
throughtheredli
ghtfoll
owinghim,
heov ert
ookthetwocar sbetween
them asLoloquicklyputonherseat
belt.
..

Lol
o:Kenmolest
edyou?I
sthat
whereyouwerel
astni
ght
?
Baby:(cr
ying)Di
dany oneseeDidi
si
tti
ngont heotherseat?Shei
s
haunti
ngme.Shet hinksiwantKen..
..
Heistheonewhoki ssedmeand
sl
eptwi t
hme.
Lol
o:Shecamet
omyof
fi
ceand-

Aat
il
eswungt hecardr
ivingnextto
Kenasothercarsr
anoutoft heroad
al
mostcausingacci
dents..
.

Aati
le:(
angril
y)Pullov
erbef
oreihi
t
yourcar,gaketshabegogothul
ao
nalebanamot eng
Ken:
You'
rej
umpi
ngi
ntoconcl
usi
ons
Aat
il
e:Wasshei
nyourhousel
ast
ni
ght?
Di
di:
(angri
ly)Pullov
erbef
orey
ouget
mykidsinj
ured,now!
Lolo:(l
ookingatt heoncomingtruck)
Aat i
l
est opthis,hehaschil
drenin
there..
.getoutofthewayt herei
sa
truckcomi ng..
..Stopi
t,l
etthepoli
ce
deal withhim

Aatil
eglancedatt het
ruckandangril
y
swungt hesteeri
ngwheel hi
tt
ing
Ken'scaront hesideastheyboth
rol
ledoutofther oadanddrove
thr
oughascr eenwal lcr
ushi
ngont he
house.

Glassesshut
teredandtheairbagsof
bothcarsdefl
atedwit
hal i
tt
lesmoke
comingfrom t
hebonnetsasaf ew
bri
ckscoll
apsedonbothcar s..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
ht
tps:/
/www.
facebook.
com/
elegance
i
sastat
eof
mind/
[
9/4,
12:
11AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 118

AtAcci
dentscene.
..

Kenpushedtheairbagoffandt ri
ed
tostar
tthecarbutitcoul
dn'tstar
t
thenheshookDidi'
sshoulderand
l
ookedatthechil
dren,Zanet r
iedto
removetheseatbeltasKent ouched
Fai
th'
sface.
..

Ken:Fai
th?Fai
th?Zanecanyout
ryt
o
openyourdoorandgetout
?
Zane:
Okay
..
.

Zaneopenedthedoorandstepped
outsneezi
ngthenhetr
iedt
oopenf or
hi
sfatherbutt
hedoorwouldn'
topen.
.

Ken:
itsokay
,gowai
tov
ert
her
e..

Kenturnedandst ar
tedki
cki
ngt he
doorunti
litopenedthenhestepped
outwhi
l
eDidisl
owlygotupand
tur
nedl
ooki
ngback..
.

Di
di:
Fai
th?I
ssheokay
?

KengotFait
hoffthecarseatand
walkedawayfr
om thehousecarry
ing
herasshecoughedandstarted
cry
ing.
..

Zane:(
runni
ngbehi
ndhi
m)I
sshe
okay?
Ken:Shewi
l
lbef
ine,
comest
aywi
th
her
..
.
Nei
ghbour
swalkedov erasKenput
Fai
thdownandinspectedher
..
.

Ken:Fai
thcany
oushowmewher
eit
hurt
s?
Fai
th:
(poi
ntedatherneck)Her
e
Zane:
Minet
oo
Ken:
Staywi
thherokay
?
Zane:
Okay
..
.

Kenranbacktothecarandhelped
Didi
getoutthr
oughthedri
versside.
Byst
ander
sranov ert
oAatil
e'
ssmal l
car
,thewhol
efronthadshr
unkand
bot
hofthem appear
edtobebleedi
ng.

Kenopenedthebackdoorand
removedBaby'
sseatbel
tasmor e
peopl
ehelpedopenthef
rontdoors.
..
.

Babyopenedhereyesgri
nni
ngi n
Ken'sarmsashecarri
edheracross
theyardandlai
dherdownpull
ingher
skir
tdown..
.

Baby
:(cr
ying)Isawheragai
n..
.
Ken:
ShhhBabyl
i
stent
ome.Shei
s
notdeadanditsalongstor
y.You
needtostopacti
nglikeachi
ld.What
di
dy ousaytoAati
le?
Baby:
Idi
dn'tmeantosayi
t,
itjust
cameoutbecausei
wasscar ed..
.I
'
m
sor
ry
Ken: Youhavetochangeit.
..
.
Rememberwhati tol
dy ouaboutt
his
wholet hi
ng?Youcan'ttel
lpeopl
e
aboutt hi
s,Whatchangedforyouto
tel
lthem?
Baby
: I
'
m sorr
y..
.(gr
unt
ed)Uhmyar
m
i
spainful
.
..
Ken:(
grabbedhercheekr
oughl
y)
Babyl
istentomekareyouhaveto
changeyourst
ory
..
.wear
enot
toget
her
Baby
:I'
l
lchangei
t.
..

Helethergoandcar
eful
l
ylai
dher
headonthegroundt
henhe
i
nspectedher
..
.

Ken:
Isy
ourar
mtheonl
ypai
nful
thi
ng?
Baby
:Andmyneck.
..
.
Ken:Okay
,don'
tmovey
ourneckunt
il
theambul
anceget
sher
e.
Baby
:Okay
..
.(cr
ying)I'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
t
meantodi
sappoi
nty ou.
Ken:It
'sokayAngel
..
.Iunder
stand
I'
m notangrywit
hyou..
.(t
ouchedher
cheek)I'
m goi
ngbacktothekids
Baby
:Arewest
il
ltoget
her
?Ican'
t
l
oseyou
Ken:Wecan' ttal
kaboutt
hatnow,
stayhere.
..Icanheart
heambulance
approachi
ng...
Baby
:Okay
..
.Il
ovey
ou.
..
Ken:Il
oveyoutooangel,
you'l
lbe
fi
neokay?I'
dki
ssy oubutyour
parent
sareher
e..
.
Baby
:Okay
Ken:
I'l
lcheckony
ouagai
n,I
'
m
coming.
..
Standi
ngbetweenbot hki
dswi thher
armsaroundt hem Di
diwatchedhim
tal
kingtoBabyandaf f
ecti
onately
touchi
ngherf acet
henhewal ked
overtothem andcheckedthekids
again.
..
.

Ken:
Aret
heyokay
?
Di
di:Yeah.
..(
looki
ngathi
m)I
syour
gi
rl
fr
iendokay?
Ken:(
embarr
assedhelookeddown)
Yeah,
shei
sf i
ne.
..
(anawkward
momentpassed)I
'l
lbeback.
.
Hejoi nedt
hemenast heypull
edthe
doorsandf i
nall
yopenedl et
ti
ngthem
out,thepol
iceandt heambulance
arr
ivedwhileotherpeoplewalkedi
n
thehouset ocheckifanyonewas
home. ..
.

Man: Thesesmallfongkongcarsare
useless, seehowthebigonet ook
thi
s...Ifthebri
cksdidn'
tbreakthe
windshi eldi
twouldbeintactl
ike
nothinghappened
Man2: Thesesmal
lcarsar
ejusta
ri
sk..
..Ever
yonei
nthebigcari
sfi
ne
balebonetheyar
ebleedi
ng..
Man4:
Ist
her
eany
onei
nthehouse?
Man2:
itlooksl
i
ket
her
eisnoone
home.
..

Thepoli
cear
ri
vedandsecur
edt
he
scenewit
hatape.
..

Officer
:Gentlemenpleasegetoutof
thehousey ou'r
enotsupposedtobe
alloverthesceneli
kethatl
ebatang
kont ongjaanong?
Man:Wewerejustchecki
ngi
fmaybe
someonewashomeandgotinjur
ed
Of
fi
cer
:Pl
easest
epout
..
.
Theywalkedoutast heparamedi
cs
securedLoloonthestret
cherwhil
e
other
sattendedAati
lewhocould
barel
ytal
kt hr
oughtheexcruci
ati
ng
pain.
..

Lolo:
(gr
unt
ed)Babyokae?Babyo
kae?
Man: I
fy oumeany ourdaught ershe
i
sov erthereget
tingattended,she
doesn'thaveanyseriousinjur
ybut
thehospi t
alwi
ll
confirmt hatafter
moreexams
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Theyputall
thr
eeofthem inthe
ambulanceanddroveoffthen
anot
herpoli
cecardroveKenand
ever
yonetothehospit
al.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronMay aappl iedmakeupon

hersel
fandspr ay edasettingspray
onherfacecl osingherey esand
fannedherselfthenshest oodup
fi
xinghercroppedbowt iet op
showingherbeaut i
fulcl
eav e.She
swungherhi pspul l
ingdownhersexy
ski
rtandgrabbedhandbagasher
phonerang.
..

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Hit
hisi
sJasmi
nef
rom The
El
egantWoman.
Maya: (smiled)Oht hanky ouso
much, ireceivedt heclothesand
they
'rebeaut i
ful.
..(shetur nedaround
l
ookingathergor geousf i
gure)they
fi
tperfectly
.If orgottolety ouafter
gett
ingt hedelivery.Iwasj ustexcit
ed
andfitt
edt hem immedi ately.
..
Jasmi
ne:You'r
ewelcome,Pl
easefeel
fr
eetovi
sitourpageformor
eclot
hes
orsendusanydesi
redclot
hesand
wewi l
ldel
i
vert
hem ri
ghtonyour
doorst
ep.
May
a:Thanky
ousomuch.
Jasmi
ne:
Bye

Shehungupandcl osedt
hedooras
hersi
bli
ngsarr
ivedhomewit
htheir
bi
gbrother
..
.

Carl
:Wherear
eyougoi
ngl
ooki
ng
sexyl
iket
hat?
Maya:I
'm goi
ngt
ononeofy
our
busi
ness
Car
l:Howmuchdoesheear
n?
May
a:Who?
Carl
:theguywhobuy
syoucl
othes
l
ikethat
?
Maya:Uhwhatever
,inev
eraskyou
aboutt
hecouchesyouwashin
peopl
e'
shomes
Carl
:(l
aughed)Ihopeit
'snota
mini
stergatweledir
adil
ogoGabs
kwabanabat ert
iar
y

Shelaughedwal
ki
ngoutasher
phonerang.
..
.
May
a:Hel
l
o?
Voice:Babethereisbeenachangeof
pl
ans, iwasabouttoleavethe
hospit
al andthenyourfami
lyshows
upkoEmer gency,
theyhavebeen
i
nvolvedi nacaracci
dent.
May
a:Ohno,
what
?Ar
etheyokay
?
Voice:
Babyisf
ineandy ourmom but
yourdadEi
shidon'tknow,I'
l
lhaveto
askoneofourcol
leaguesbadi nur
se
Maya:Pl
easeaskt
hem, I
'l
lgetmy
br
othert
odriv
emet her
e
Voi
ce:
Bye
Shehungupandr
anbackt
othe
house.
.

May
a:(
pant
ing)Car
l?Car
l?

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronBabymov edthecur
tai
ns
andwal kedi
nholdi
nghercardasher
fat
herlaidonthebed.
..

Baby
:Papa?Ar
eyouokay
?

Aat
il
etur
nedhi
sheadandl
ookedat
her
..
.

Aati
l
e:I
'mf
ine.
..I
'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
he
doct
or.
Baby
:Canwetal
k?Ther
eis
somethi
ngi
havetot
ell
you.
..

Shepull
edthechai
randsatdown
thenshetookadeepbr
eath.
..

Baby
:IknowwhatIdidwit
huncle
Keni
swr ongbuti
lovehi
m andhe
l
ovesme.Weunder st
andeachot
her
Aat
il
e:Hedoesn'
tl
ovey
oubel
i
eveme
Baby :
It'
sstil
lokaybecausei lov
ehim.
Iwasgoi ngtol i
eandsaywenev er
didanythingbutIdon'tseethepoint.
Iam oldenought omakemyown
decisi
onsandI '
m sorr
yiwas
disr
espect f
ulbuti l
ovehim andwe
haveaf uturetogether
.
Aati
le:Afuture?Babyhedoesn' tlove
you.
..You'
re17whatdoy ouknow?
Heiswasdepr essedgoingt hr
ougha
phase.Menheal t
hemselv eswithsex
duri
ngthattimeandassoonast hey
snapoutofi ttheystar
tact i
ngright
l
ikeleavi
ngt hewhole'medi cat
ive'
rel
ati
onshipandconv i
nci
ng
themselv
est hattheynevermety ou.
Don'tdot his, iknowwhatI '
mt alki
ng
about .
..You' regoi ngt obenot hing
butcol lateral damagebecauseKen
wasgr ievingDi di butshei sher e,
whatdoy out hinkhewi lldecide?He
haski dst ot hinkf or..
..
Doy outhink
adultrel ati
onshi psarebasedon
sexual f eeli
ngs?I t
'smor et hanjust
that,i
t'saboutt hechildren, y
our
hist
or yandy ouruncondi t
ional l
ove
forthatper son.You' renotol d
enought ocompet ewithDi diand
whatshedi df orKen.Shegav ehim
kidsandbel ievemei t'
sav erybig
deal wheny ou'reourage.Wedon' t
runaf tersexandl itt
legirl
sany more.
..
Gof
ory
ouragemat
es
Baby: Iwasjustt
ell
ingyousot hat
youcant alktomamabecausei fshe
call
st hepoli
ceonKenI 'ml eavi
ng
andgoi ngtostaywithhim.I t
snot
evendef i
lement,t
hat18y earrage
hasn'tbeenpassedsoI 'm oldenough
tohav esex.IGoogleditont he
constitut
ion,
ihavear i
ghttohav esex
Aat
il
e:Keni
susi
ngy
ou.
.
Baby
:(stoodup)Pl
easet
alkt
o
mama...

Shewal
kedoutasanur
sewal
ked
i
n..
..
AtKamo'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronKamost eppedoutoft
he
bathroom andsatonthecouch
tal
kingtothephone..
.

Kamo:(l
aughed)Don'tevenaskfor
moneybecauseyoufailedtocome
heref
oryoursemesterbreak.
..
Might
yisfi
ne..
.Al
ri
ghtBy e

Shehungupandputherar
m around
herdaught
erast
heybothwat
cheda
Disneymov iethenshelookedather
thoughtful
lyandkissedher
forehand..
.

Kamo:Doy ouev
erwonderabout
yourf
ather
?
Mi
ght
y:Somet
imes
Kamo:
Howdoy
ouwanthi
mtobe?
Mighty
:Iwanthi
mt obeni
cebuti
knowheisnotaniceguybecausehe
doesn'
tli
keme.
Kamo:
Isee.
.
Mighty
:ButI'
dli
ket
oknowwhyhe
doesn'
tlov
eme
Kamo:
Ist
hatal
lyouwantt
oaskhi
m?
Mighty:
Yeah,ican'
tsaymoret
ohim
becauseidon'
tknowhim andmay
be
heisnotaniceguy.
Kamo:Idon'
tthi
nkheisaniceguy
toobuti
fIfi
ndoutwhoheisI'l
ll
et
youknowsoy oucanaskhi
m.
Mi
ght
y:Okay
..
.

Herphoner
angthenshel
eanedback
andanswer
ed.
..

Kamo:
Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
ou'
re
pregnant
?Howl
ongdidy
ouintendt
o
keepmydaught
erawayf
rom me?
Kamo: Wathapel
waneDan?( walked
tothebedr
oom)Neket aabonakae
Dannna?Listeni
fthat
'stheatt
it
ude
youwanttousetoapproachmet hen
don't
..
.
Aati
l
e:(
calml
y)I
'mint
hehospi
tal
,we
hadanacci
dent
..
.
Kamo:
IsBabyokay
?
Aati
le:YeahsheisfinebutIwon't
makei tt
otomor r
ow'sappoint
ment .
I
'vebeenadmi t
tedinthehospi
tal.
Ever
y oneel
seisfinebutican'
tfeel
mylegs.
Kamo:
Okso?
Aat
il
e:Iwantt
oseeher
Kamo:Wewerejustt
alki
ngabouty
ou
bef
oreyoucal
l
ed
Aat
il
e:Whatabout
?
Kamo:Shehassomet
hingshewant
s
toaskyou
Aatil
e:Cany oubri
ngherover?Not
nowt houghal i
tt
lelat
erwhenI'
ve
settl
eddown.Ist i
ll
havetotal
ktothe
poli
ceandt heownerofthehousewe
crushedon.
Kamo:
Okaybuty
ourwi
fe-
Aat
il
e:Don'
twor
ryabouther
,I'
l
ltel
l
heraboutMight
yassoonasiget
rel
easedfornowIwantt
oseeher.
Kamo:Okay
,I'
l
llety
ouknowwhenI
gett
her
e.
Aat
il
e:By
e..
..Wai
t.
..
Kamo:
What
?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ryabou-
Kamo: Don'ti
nvolv
emei nyour
relat
ionshipwithMightyokay ?Don't
.
Ijustwantmydaught ertoknow
wher eshecomesf rom,idon'tneeda
singlethebefrom yousodon' tcome
tomewi ththesobst or
iesbecause
I'
ml ongov erthat
.Youdi dwhaty ou
hadt odot oreli
efyourselfi
t'
s
unfor
tunateiwasthedustbi
nf oryour
semen.Youthr ewyourbabyinsi
de
meandabandonedmeknowi ng
whereIcamef rom butt
hat'
sfine,
it'
s
j
ustmypast ,you'
remypast
exper
ience.
Aat
il
e:Iwasgoi
ngt
hrough-
Kamo: DanIwasgoi ngt hroughhel l
too,iwasdeal ingwithmyl ate
father'
sdisabil
ityandmysi bli
ngs
needs...Iwas16!16y earsold.You
tookmet oaguesthouseandr aped
mebecauseIdi dn'
tevenwantt o
hav eunprotectedsexbuty ouforced
meandt heny oudisappear ed.Doy ou
knowwhatIwentt hrought obe
wher
eIam wi
thy
ourdaught
er?
Aati
le:KamoI '
m sorr
y ,
Ipromisey ou.
..
Iam alotofbadt hi
ngsbutI '
m nota
badfather.Itrul
ybelievedyou
wouldn'tf
al l
pregnantbecausei twas
yourfi
rstti
me.Iknowi tsounds
dumbbutt hat'
swhatIt hought,I
'm
sorr
y..
.
Kamo:ByeAatil
e,I
'
m bri
ngingy
our
daught
erl
aterbutdon'
ttal
ktome.
.
Aati
le:Thanky ou,you'
reagood
mother.Ididn'
texpecty outobet
hat
fl
exi
bleconsideringwhati madeyou
gothrough...
.
Kamo:
Myf
atherl
ovedmesoI
wouldn'
twanttostandi
nthewayof
Mighty'
srel
ati
onshi
pwithyou
becauseiknowi l
ovedmyfat
her
evenwhenhedi dn'
thav
eanythi
ng.
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ousomuch.
..

Shehungupandwal
kedbackt
oher
daught
er.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Meanwhi
leMayaandCalvi
nhurri
ed
i
nthehospi
tal
andwalkedpastt
he
st
air
swhereTshepowasstandi
ng
hol
dinghi
scoatandthephonet
hen
Mayasloweddown.
..

May
a:Um..
.Car
lI'
l
lcat
chupwi
thy
ou
i
naminut
e
Car
l:Okay
..
.(t
ohi
m)Hel
l
o
Tshepo:
War
engl
ait
aka?
Car
l:Gaker
esepe.
..
.

Hewal kedawaythenTshepo
grabbedMay a'
swristl
eadi
ngherto
theli
ftwherehepressedthebut
ton,
i
tslidopenandtheysteppedi
n.
Assoonasi tclosedhet urnedand
kissedher,t
heyki ssedandt ouched
untili
tsl
idopenandt heyst eppedout
takingextr
ast air
stother ooft op
wher eMayat ookadeepbr eat h
l
ooki ngateverythi
ngf r
om t het op.

Hest oodbehindherandhuggedher
putt
ingt hephonei
nf r
ontofher
showi ngherhismessages.
..

May a:
(readi
ngoutl
oud)"Ican'
tdo
thi
sany moreandI
'm sorr
yfordoi
ng
i
toverthephonebutitwasthe
easi
estwaybecauseev er
ytimeItel
l
youI'
m nothappyy oukeepmaki ng
thi
ngsdi f
ficultbycryingandacting
l
ikeI'
m wr ongt owantt owalkaway.I
havelostint eresti
nyouandi
changedmyl ockstoo.Thanksfor
every
thing, hopey oufindlov
eagain."
Tshepo:(
breathi
ngdownherneck)i
can'
tli
vewithoutyouany
more.
..
May a:Tshepo?OhmyGod, ididn'
t
expectthis.
..ImeanIwishedy ou
couldbutIcoul dn'
tdar
easky outo
andy oudidit..

Shetur
nedandhuggedhi
m ast
hey
ki
ssed.
..
.
*
**

MeanwhileLoloangri
l
yappr oached
KenandDi di,
readi
ngfrom herpace
andfaceDidistoodupandbl ocked
herwaybef or
eshecouldcomecl ose
toKen..
.

Lolo:(
tear
ful
l
y)Kennahowcoul
dyou
dot hi
stome?Afterev
ery
thi
ngIdi
d
foryou
Didi
:Lol
ostop,don'
tdothi
s
especi
all
yint
hehospit
alli
ket
his
Lolo:(
pushedDi di
asideandshef ell
down)Don' tt
ouchme. .
.Ican'
tbeli
eve
you'r
eprotecti
ngthispaedophil
e
Ken:(
pushedLol
o)Don'tputy our
handsonher,
whatarey outryi
ngt o
do?Youthi
nkyou'
llevertouchher
thewayyouusedtoforcingherto
dri
nkpil
l
s?Neverevertrytodot hat
..
.
Lol
o:(pushedhi
schest
)You'
regoi
ng
toj
ail
!
Baby :(
walkingov er
)Hei snotgoi
ng
tojail
.Wel oveeachot herandifyou
continuedoingt hi
sI'
m goingtostay
wit
hhi m.I'm notunder16, soi
t'
s
perfectl
ylegalforhim andmet obe
t
oget
her
.
Lol
o:Excuseme?
Baby
:Youhear
dme.
..

Babywal
kedoutasLol
ofoll
owedher
outsi
det
otheparki
ngl
ot.
..
.

Lol
o:Heel
aBabywar
eng?
Baby:(
tur
nedar
oundwi
thanat
ti
tude)
Isai
d-

Lolosmackedheronthefacewit
h
thebackofherhandandshefell
downthenshetookoffhershoeand
whi
ppedher
..
.

Lol
o:(angri
ly)Doy ouknowwhatI
wentthroughtor ai
seyouandyou
tal
ktomel ikethat?

ShewhippedheragainbutBaby
punchedheronthefaceandgotup
pushi
ngheraside.
..

Baby:Leav
emeal one!Youwentto
Dubaiundi
stur
bed,iwantwhatyou
wenttoDubaifort
oookay?Ijust
wanttogotoSedie,i
tsnoteven20
km f
rom home!Stopacti
ngdramati
c
becausewhenyouweremyageyou
alr
eadyhadachil
d.Ihav
efeel
i
ngs
too

Babypi ckedherphoneandwal
ked
awayasLol ocover
edhermout
h
tearf
ull
yandshookherheadin
disbel
ief..
..

Don'
tforgett
heLi
keandcomment
.
Goodnight
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
ht
tps:/
/www.
facebook.
com/
elegance
i
sastat
eof
mind/
[
9/4,
12:
12AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 119

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Lolowal
kedinAati
le'
sroom and
rubbi
nghert
ears.
.

Lolo:
Ihopeyou'r
ev eryhappywi t
h
whatyouhavedone, wealreadyhad
enoughprobl
emst sagaBabyand
hersuddenchangeofbehav iouryou
j
usthadtoaddpay ingthehousey ou
destr
oyed.Whatiswrongwi thyou?
Aati
le: Suddenchangeofbehav i
our?
Thischi l
dhasal waysbeenangryshe
j
ustdi dn'thavetheconfi
denceto
expressi tanddon'tt
alktomelike
that
, wewoul dn'
tbeherei
fitwasn'
t
foryoursel f
ishness.
..(
angr
il
y
pointing)Thatl it
tl
egi rli
sangr yaty ou
andshebl amesy ouf orherst atus.
Littl
egirlshav ereasonsf orwant ing
oldermenandsi ncewear eprov i
ding
forherandshei sn'
tlacki ngaf ather
fi
gur eI'
m sureherst atusl imit
sher
i
nt eracti
onwi thherpeer s.Kenna
knowst hatver ywellandt ook
adv antageofi t.Unti
l youst opand
thinkabouthowy ouract ionshav e
affectedt hi
sf amilywewi l
lnever
hav epeace.( slappedt hephoneof f
herhands)anddon' tev erscream at
me
Lol
o:Didy
oujustbreakmyphone?It
sur
viv
esyouracci
dentandyoubreak
i
t?
Aat
il
e:Getout
Lol
o:Ican'
tbel
iev
eyoui
ntent
ional
l
y
hi
tsomeone'scar
,Whoi
sgoingto
payfori
t?
Aatil
e:Wewi l
lpayf ori
t,justli
kewe
havebeenpay i
ngf oryour
unfai
thful
nessthroughoutt hey ears.
You'r
esuchabor eandy ou'reselfi
sh.
Whenar eyouev ergoingt ostopand
thi
nkaboutotherpeopl ef oronce?
Howy ouhurtme?Howy ouhurty our
daughter?Howt hisaffectedallofus?
Lol
o:(
tearf
ull
y)Ihavechanged!When
i
sever
y onegoingtonot
icethatIam
adifferentper
son,it
sbeeny earsfor
Christsake!whyshouldIpayf ort
he
mistakesi madeyearsago?I '
m
tr
ying..
.I'
mt ry
ing,
it'
sjusty
oupeopl e
won' tf
orgiveme..
Aati
le:Youhav en'tev enapol ogised.
..
Doy out hi
nkwear eov eryourshi t?
Wehav etoburyt hatpainev er y
day ,
i
understandBabymor ethany ou
becauseI '
vehadt opr etendy our
bull
shitdoesn'thurtme.Iam ol d
enought okeepf oolingmy self,sheis
ateenager !Shewi l
lfindsomet hingto
hel
pherdeal withthatpai n,some
chooseal coholandshechose
Kenna'sdick!
Mayasteppedi
nandhestopped
t
alki
ngbutshehadal
readypi
ckedon
t
hearguments.
..
.

Maya:
Ijustwantedtoseeify
ou'
re
bot
hokay,whereisBaby?
Lol
o:Shelef
t,coul
dyoupl
easecal
l
andtal
ktoher?
May
a:Emma.
..
Aat
il
e:I
'
llbef
ine,
myl egsareabi
t
numbandI'
m wait
ingfort
herepor
t.
Maya:
Okay.
..I
'
llgoandt
alkt
oher
..
Car
lokae?
Aati
l
e:Hewashere,
helef
ttogeta
fewofmythi
ngsathome.
May
a:Ok

Sheclosedthedoorandwalkedaway
astheylookedatoneanot
her..
..

Lol
o:Di
dyout
alkt
othesoci
alwor
ker
?
Aati
l
e:Yes,
shesai
dit
'sf
inebot
hof
youcango.
Lol
o:Ihav
etogo

Shewalkedoutandclosedthedoor
thenhesighedandl
aidback..
..
AtTshepo'
sHouse.
..

Tshepooar kee5thecarandleaned
overki
ssinghert henhepushed
downt hetopt aki
ngoutherbig
sensi
ti
v ebreastandnibbledonherti
t
butshef r
ownedandt ouchedhis
head..
.

May
a:I
t'
spai
nful
..
.Don'
ttoucht
hem
Tshepo:(
shookt
hebreast
)They
'r
e
darktoo,
comehere.
..
Heunl
ockedt
hedoorandpickedher
f
rom t
hecart
henhewalkedacross
t
hehousecar
ryi
ngherandlai
dheron
t
hebed..
.

May a:I'
mr eal
lywor riedaboutmy
dad. ..(t
earful
l
y)Somet imesi feelli
ke
mymot herisusinghi m, shehas
nev erbeensubmi ssiv etohi m and
yest erdayBabydi srespect edmy
fatheri nfr
ontofme.Idi dn'tli
keit,
i
wasof f
endedthatshe' dsaymy
fatheri snotherfat hernowaf ter
ever ythi
nghedi df orher .Hewas
theref orherwhenherownmot her
wasn' t
.Loloisroughandshecan' t
appr
eci
ateorr
espectmyf
ather
.
Tshepo: Yourdadloveshert oomuch,
evenwhenhecheat edhewasdoi ng
i
toutofspi tenotforfun.I
tspainful
tolovesomeonewhocheat swhen
yougetbor edbycheat i
ngbuti guess
hewi l
l getov ert
hatorshewi ll
changeunl essmay beyoudecidet o
standupf orhim.Tellherhowy ou
feelaboutt hewhol ethi
ngleene
Babyt ellherthatyoudon'tappreciat
e
herdisr especti
ngyourfatherli
kethat.
Maya:Ok, ikindofunder
standsheis
ateenager.Ioncewasal it
tl
etrouble
maker,comi nghomel at
eandst ayi
ng
outatnightwi t
hfri
endsbutinever
i
nsul
tedmyf ather
.Shei
sov
erdoi
ng
i
tandit
'snotfunny.
Tshepo:
Tal
ktoher
..
.
Maya:
(si
ghedsadl
y)Andtheni
hav
en'
tgott
enmyperiodbutmy-

Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedher
..
.

Tshepo:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?Howmany
months?
Maya:(l
aughed)Tshepono,
it'
stoo
earl
yandtherei
stoomuchgoi ngon
athome.
Tshepo:
Youwantt
oki
l
lourbaby
si
mplybecauseotherpeopl
ecan'
t
cont
rol
thei
rli
ves?WhataboutMaya?
Maya:Igrewupwithoutamom
Tshepi
,idon'
twanttobesepar
ated
fr
om mybaby .
Tshepo:Youcanst i
l
l school
wit
hhim,
I'
dpayforthenur seryandananny.I
'l
l
for
wardmyt ransferrequestsowe
canstaytogetherinGabs
May
a:Tshepo.
.
Tshepo:Comeon..
.Iwantababy.
..
I
'm 40andnokidspeoplear
e
beginni
ngtot
hinkI
'm shoot
ing
bl
anks
May
a:AndI
'
m onmyear
ly20'
sineed
t
ofocusonschool
Tshepo:You'
realr
eadypregnant
,i
don'
tsupportabort
ion,
it'
sunsaf
eand
i
ll
egal.
..
Maya:Myfat
heri
sgoi
ngt
ohav
ea
hear
tatt
ack
Tshepo:Hewi l
lunderst
andandwe
don'thavetodi
sclosetheinf
ormati
on
ri
ghtaway .
.Ohman, ican'
tbeli
eve
I
'm goingtobeaf at
her.
..

Hegotont
opofherki
ssi
ngher
..
..

Tshepo:
Wai
t.
..Whatwer
eyougoi
ng
t
odohadi
notbr
okenupwi
th-
Maya:Ihadalr
eadytal
kedtot
heguy
sel
l
ingabort
ionpil
l
sbutmymoney
wasn'
tenoughnekerekar
eontal
etse
Tshepo:Ket
aagoclapaMayaobat
a
gobolay
angwanakekesena
ngwana.
.
Maya:
(laughed)Iknewwedi
dn'
t
hav
eaf utur
e
Tshepo:
Wil
lyoumar
ryme?
May
a:What
?
Tshepo:Mar r
ymet henimov eto
Gabsandwest aytoget
herasa
famil
y.Ididn'
thavemuchgr owi
ngup
andthisisall
ieverwanted.
..Il
ove
youandy ouloveme. .
.(smi
l
edand
touchedhertummy )Nowwehavea
l
itt
leTshepocomi ngup..Wehav
e
howl ongtoprepare?
May
a:7mont
hs
Tshepo:Thatl eavesuswi t
hv er
ylit
tl
e
ti
me, Magadi negot i
ati
onsusual l
y
takeabout2t o3mont hsbecause
parent
swi l
lhav et ogather
themselveswndchoosedat esthat
bestsuit
sthem, theywillbeuhhhhhh
5mont hs,you'llbegetti
ngchubby
andthenanot her3mont hst oplan
thewhiteweddi ng
May
a:It
hinki
canpl
ani
tinamout
h
t
henwegetmar
ri
edwhenI
'
mroughl
y
6mont
hs
Tshepo:
Arewer
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
his?
May
a:Ar
ewe?
Tshepo:
Star
tplanni
ngandtel
lme
howmuchy ouneed.I'
l
lgi
veyouy
our
share
Maya: Tshepoarey ouserious?
(l
aughed)I'm notgoingtobeexcited
unti
lyourparentsvisitminegatwele
promisabathomany aloandrunaway
Tshepo:That'
swhyI'm notdoing
fool
ishnessyaengagementring,
engagementy amekemagadi r
ight
nowwear epl
anni
ng.
May
a:(
laughed)You'
resuchBBT

Shegi
ggl
edashegotbet
weenher
l
egski
ssi
ngher
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eBabypackedherbags
cr
yingandputherpi
ll
sinthebagas
Carlst
oodbythedoorlooki
ngather
..
.

Carl
:You'
rebei
ngst
upi
ddoy
ouknow
that
?
Baby
:Idon'
texpecty
out
o
under
stand
Carl
: Attheratey ou' r
egoinggivi
ng
yourselfunnecessar ystr
essyour
CD4counti sgoingt odrophorr
ibl
y
andt henyou'regoi ngt ogetsi
ck.I
knowy ou'
refrustratedbutleavi
ng
home?Real l
y?Whi ch17y earol
d
l
iveswi thherboy friend?
Baby :Which17yearoldwas
abandonedwi t
hamant orapeher
Carl?Which17y earoldi
staki
ngARV?
I'
mt heonlychi
ldtakingARVwith
adultswhoknowwhyt heygott
hat
disease.Don'
ttel
lmeaboutmor ali
ty
j
ustbecausenowi tsui
tsmom...
Shewal kedoutofthehousehanging
onestrapov erhershoul
derwhi
le
draggi
nganot herbagthenLol
o
walkedt hr
oughthegate..
.

Lol
o:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Baby
:I'
m goi
ngt
ost
aywi
thKen
Lolo:Otsamael eruriakereomosadi ?
LehaKenagony alaoneel emaeba
magadi agago.Imademi stakesbuti
l
ovedy ouMay a,ihavebeent hr
ough
alotjusttoraisey ou.I
fmyone
mistakecancel soutev er
ythingIdid
asamot herthenI'm notwor thyof
yourr espectmygi rl
.Goandst aywi t
h
Ken, youwon' tbehear i
ngf rom me.
LetKenpayy ourschool f
ees. .
.
Privateschool sareexpensi ve
anyway sandi hav efarmor egr atef
ul
chil
dr ent hatrespectmet houghi
didn'tevenbr eastfeedthem.Key ol
e
Diboy sy ou'll
nev erhearhi m say
anythingdi sr
espect fultomebuthe
hasbear dandhei shav i
ngsex, he
hasast abl eincome, st
udent
all
owancehel aedul engdi ataandhe
staysabr oadbutwhenhei sin
Botswanahehumbl eshi msel fjust
l
ikeanyot herchild.LeeneMay aleha
obonael espokoj aanashenev er
tal
kstoadult
slikethat.Wenayou' r
e
toomuch.Got oKenanddon' tev er
walkinhereagain.You'r
edeadt ome,
youdiedtheminutey oupunchedme
butiwasgoingt oforgi
venowt hat
youareleavi
ngbyy ourselfwai
koba
mol wapengtsamaangwanaka.

Shewal kedawayasLol ost

aredat
hertearful
l
yt henshetur
nedandgot
i
nt hehousepassi ngt
heother
chil
drenont heli
vingr
oom asshe
wipedhert ears.
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
Kamopushedt hedoorandwalkedin
wit
hherdaughterasAati
lesatonthe
bed,hetookadeepbreathl
ooking
andsighed.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Mi
ght
y:(
shy
ly)Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Comesi
tont
hechai
r.
..

Shegotont
hechai
randl
ookedat
hi
m..
.

Aat
il
e:Yourmom say
syouhav
e
somet
hingt
otel
lme
Mi
ght
y:Doy
ouhav
eot
herchi
l
dren?
Aat
il
e:Um.
..Sev
eral
..
Mi
ght
y:Howcomey
oudon'
tl
oveme?
Aatil
e:Idi
dn'tknowy ouwereout
therebutishouldhav echeckedon
yourmom t oseei fmay bewehad
you.I'
m sorr
yt haty ouhadtogrowup
withoutme,i f
eelv erybadbecause
i
tsnotf ai
rony ou.
Mi
ght
y:I
tsnot
Aati
l
e:(l
aughedandfacedKamo)
Doesshegot oapr
ivat
eschool
?
Kamo:
Yeah
Aati
le:I
'
mi ntroubl
e..
.AnywayI
'
m
real
l
ysor r
y,canyouforgi
vemesowe
canstartoveragai
n?
Mi
ght
y:Iguess
Aatil
e:Thankyou,
doy ouwanttotel
l
meabouty our
self
?Whaty ouli
keand
don'tl
ike?I
'dl
i
ketobuyy outheri
ght
presentwhenIsurpr
iseyou.
Mi
ght
y:(
smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.

Kamost oodbythewindowquiet
lyas
Might
yandAat i
l
echat t
ed,shest
il
l
wasn'
tsureshewasmaki ngtheri
ght
deci
sion.Thi
swasamanshehar dl
y
knewandonlydependedonwhatt he
wifesai
dhewaswhent heyraised
thei
rchi
ldrenbutshehadsomany
unansweredquesti
ons.Shelookedat
herdaughterl
aughingl
oudlywhi l
e
Aatil
epokedhernoselaughingwi t
h
her.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronDidiandt hechil
drensaton
thecouchwat chingamov ieasKen
walkedoverwi t
hapl ateofjunkfood
andputont hetable,theyalldugin
andquiet
lywat chedthenther ewasa
knockonthedoor .
..
.
Hewal kedtowardsthedoorchewi
ng
andopenedt hedoor,Babywas
standi
ngont hestoopcarryi
ngabag
withanotheronherfeet.
..

Ken:(
glancedinsi
deandl
ower
edhi
s
voi
ce)What '
sthi
s?
Baby
:Ican'
tst
ayathomeany
mor
e
Ken:
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
ost
ay?

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandst
eppedout
..
.

Ken:
Youcan'
tst
ayher
e,i
speci
fi
cal
l
y
tol
dyouaboutt
hisbei
ngasecret
.
Areyout
ryi
ngtodestr
oymyli
fe?
Whatdoyouwantpeoplet
othi
nk?
Baby
:Sowher
eshoul
digo?
Ken: Gobacktoy ourmother'
shouse
orelsewear edone.You'regoingto
haveev er
yonehat emewi thyour
chi
ldishbehavi
our .Howcany ou
l
eavehomeusi ngmyname?What
wil
lev er
yoneinchur cht
hinkofme?
Baby:
Youdidn'
thaveaprobl
em wi
th
mesleepi
ngoverandnowthatDi
dii
s
backyouwanttol
eaveme?
Ken:I'
mleavi
ngy oubecauseyou'
re
di
srespect
ingyourparent
s,Il
i
kedyou
wheny ouwereinnocentand
respect
fulnowy ou'r
ejustanother
bitt
erwomanl ookingforanexcuse
toblameamanf orherbehav i
our.I
f
youdon'tgobackhomewear edone.
Baby:Mymotherisangr
ywit
hme,
shesaidi
shouldn'
tcomeback
Ken: Findawayt ogoback, you'
renot
stayingher e.Ican'tlosemy
schol arshi
pbecausey ou'
refai
li
ngto
think.Asmat teroffactlet'
sjustend
thisjokeofar elati
onshipbecause
nowi t '
scausingunnecessar ydr ama.
Baby
:Soy
ou'
rej
ustchi
l
li
ngwi
thDi
di?
Ken:
Wear
etal
ki
ngaboutt
he
chi
l
dren
Baby
:Att
hist
ime?
Ken:
Arey
ouquest
ioni
ngme?
Baby:Yesyou'r
emyboy f
ri
end,
don'
t
eventrytoactal
ladul
tonmeweare
boyfr
iendgir
lf
ri
end
Ken:Youneededt oleaveandt hi
s
hasnothingtodowi t
hDi dit
rustme
onthat.
..It
sjustyoubeingunableto
keepasecr etandacti
ngcrazyt oget
meint r
ouble.Wewer edoingfine
unti
lyoutoldyourparents
Baby
:I'
m sor
ry
Ken:Youneedt
ogoandplease
del
etemynumber,
Yourf
atherj
ust
tr
iedtokil
lmychil
dren.Ican'
t
sacri
fi
cemychildr
en'sli
vesjustt
obe
withyou.I
t'
snotworthit,
bye

Hesteppedbacki
nthehouseand
cl
osedthedoor

AtZer
o'sHouse.
..
.

Babysl owl
ywal kedthroughthegate
asZer ocul
ti
vatedhisgar denand
wateredtheplots,heturnedaround
andlookedather .
..
Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Zero:(
droppedthehose)Hell
o,how
areyou?You'r
esogrown...
Baby
:Canwet
alk?
Zer
o:Ok.
.

Hedri
edhishandsontheoveral
l
s
andhandedhert
hechairt
henshe
nar
rat
edherfabr
icat
edstor
y..
.

Zero:
(si
ghed)Okay,youcanst
ayi
f
youwant.
..Let
'sgo.
..

Theywal
kedi
nthet
wobedr
oom
houseandheopenedabedroom for
her.Therewasal
oadofdir
tycl
othes
ont hebedasheopenedt
he
windows..

Zer
o:I
'
m sor
ryi
tsdi
rt
y..
Baby
:It
'sbet
tert
hanwhati
hadt
oput
upwit
h
Zer
o:Ok

Shesatont hebedthenhewalked
outofthehousewalkingtowar
dsthe
gateanddialedAat
il
e...
.
Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Zero:Yourdaughteri
sherebutshe
sayshermot heri
sabusingher,i
thoughtwehadanagr eement.Iknow
I'
m not-
Aati
le:
Sheislyi
ngmothoyoowa
rat
ana,kesonesebasel
welangbut
keepherther
eunti
lshewantst
o
l
eave
Zer
o:Youwoul
dn'
tmi
ndt
hat
?
Aati
l
e:Shei
sourdaught
er,
iknow
youlov
eher
.
Zero:
Thanksbutsheissobi
gIdon'
t
knowhowt ot
alktoher
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)I
tusual
l
ycomes
natural
l
y,j
ustgowit
hthef
low.
..She
takeshermedsat8pm
Zer
o:It
akemi
neat8t
oo
Aat
il
e:Idi
dn'
tknow
Zer
o:It
'sbeen5years,
I'
vehadtot
urn
myli
fearoundandli
veahealt
hy
l
if
esty
le.I
'mfatnow
Aat
il
e:(l
aughed)Youl
i
e!You?f
at?
HahahaI'
dli
ketoseethi
s
Zer
o:(
laughed)You'
l
lsee
Aat
il
e:Shar
p
Zer
o:Yeah.
..

Hehungupandwal
kedbacki
nthe
housewher
eBabywascl
eani
ng.
..

Zer
o:Letmegof
ini
sht
hegar
den
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Hewentt
othegar
den.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngDidiwalkedinthe
l
ivingroom carr
yingthechi
ldr
en's
clothesandpouredthem onthe
coucht henshesatdownandpacked
them inthebagwhi l
eKenlaidonhis
backasFai
thpl
ayedonhi
m..
.

Therewasaknockont hedoorthen
hepickedFai
thandopenedthedoor
carr
yingher
,Bayangswall
owed
anxi
ouslyandpeakedi
nside.
..

Bay
ang:
(shakyv
oice)I
sDi
diher
e?
Ken:
No,
gett
he-
Bay
ang:
Didi
?

Hesteppedinandsmil
edl ooki
ngat
hersi
tti
ngonthecouch,shesmi l
ed
surpr
isedandrant
owardshi m ashe
spreadhisarmsandhuggedher
swingingherar
oundandputher
downhuggi ngheragai
ntear
ful
l
yand
breathi
ngheavil
y.
..

Bay ang:
OhmyGod, babeI'
m sorr
y..
..
Ihadnoi deayou'
dbescar edli
kethat
,
pleaseforgi
veme..
..I'
m sorr
y
Didi
:I'
mt heonewhoi swrong,I
shoul
dn'thavecheatedony ou.
..
Aronakagaat olwekedikganghe
wasthef i
rstonetotel
lmehehear d
youcheckedi natt
hehospital
Bay
ang:
Iwasl
osi
ngmymi
nd
Di
di:
(laughedandt
ouchedhi
schest
)
Icanseet
hat
..
..
Bayang:
OhmyGod,
ist
hisami
racl
e
orwhat?

Het ouchedherfaceandsmiledin
disbel
iefbothofhishandsshaki
ng
thenhel eanedoverandki
ssedher
softl
yasshet ear
full
yhuggedhim..
.

Didi
:I'
m sorr
yforcheat
ing,
iwas
disr
espectf
ultoevendothatwhi
l
e
youwaitedformeinthecar.
..
Bayang:Pl
easedon'
tsayt
hat
..
..
Don't
..
..
Hehuggedheragai
nasKen
swall
owedwatchi
ngcarry
ingFai
th
thenhetur
nedandrubbedFai
th'
s
head.
..
.

Bay
ang:
HeyPr
incess
Fai
th:
(smil
ed)Hel
l
o?Cani
showy
ou
mynewt oy
?

Shesli
ddownandr ant
ot he
bedr
oom asBayanghuggedDidi
agai
nkissi
ngherneck.
..
.
Bayang:You'remymi racl
e..
..I
fever
ther
ewasar easonf ormet oworship
Gody ou'
re.
..(touchedbot hher
cheekstear
f ul
lylookinginhereyes)
Gadi l
oveyou. ..
.Don'teverdothatt
o
me
Didi
:(smil
edtear
full
y)Iwon't
,I'
m
cl
eannowandal lthatdi
srespecti
s
gonet oo.
..
Bayang:You'r
ehereatthist
imeso
wewi l
lexpandtherespect
vocabul
arybutyou'
redoinggood,
keepgoing
Di
di:
(theybot
hlaughedandhugged)
Mxm...
Fait
hranbackwi t
hhernewt oythen
Bayangli
ftedherupandlookedatit
asKenswal l
owedlookingatDidi
thenshelookeddown.Zanewal ked
i
nandsmi ledsurpr
isedtosee
Bayang.
..

Zane:
Uncl
e..
.
Bay
ang:
(laughed)Hey
..
..

Her
ubbedhi
sheadandsmi
l
ed.
..

Bay
ang:
Howar
eyou?
Zane:
I'
m good.
..
.

Bayangt
urnedandki
ssedDidi
ont
he
cheekst
il
lcar
ryi
ngFai
th.
..

Bay
ang:
Shal
lwe?
Di
di:
Yeah,
letmef
ini
shup.
..

Kensatonthecouchandputhi s
handstoget
herwatchi
ngasDi di
zi
ppedherbagthenBay angtookitt
o
hiscarasZanewentbackt othe
bedroom,Kenstoodupr ubbi
nghis
l
ipsandlookedather.
…
Ken:(
loweredhi
sshakyvoi
ce)Pl
ease
don'
tgo..
.Ican'
tl
oseyouagai
n
Didi
:Iwasnev eryours.
..Wearej
ust
parent
s.Wedon' tnecessari
l
yhavet
o
betogetheranditdoesn'tmeanwe
hateeachother.
Ken:
(tear
ful
l
y)Pl
ease.
..
.

Heheardthecardoorclosi
ngherand
pull
edhertot
hekitchenwherehe
stoodonthedoordesperat
ely
l
ookingather
..
.
Ken:Wecanst i
l
ldothis.
..
.Iknowy ou
don'
ttrustmebutIpromise.
..(
heput
herhandonhis)Li
stentothis.
..
.I
swearwi t
hmyparent'
sgraves.…

Heslowlyknel
tdownandl
ookedup
ather.
..

Ken:Giv
eusonel
astchance,i
fnot
formefort
heki
ds.Let
'sseehowit
will
end.
Didi:St
andup.
..(
hestoodand
huggedher)don'
ttouchmejust
l
isten..
.
Ken:
Please.
..
Bayang:
(knockedont
hedoor
)Babe
ar
ey ouokay?
Ken:
(annoy
ed)Shei
sfi
ne
Bayang:
I'
m nott al
ki
ngtoyoukar
e
babewar esponderobabeyame
wena?
Ken:
Waaswabasaan
Bay
ang:I
'm her
eformywomanbat
a
mosadi
olesegoiti
akawame
Ken:
(tur
nedt
oher
)Babel
ookatme.
..
Di
di:
Ihav
etogo.
..By
e

Sheopenedthedoorandwalkedout
asBayangputhi
sarm aroundher
car
ryi
ngFai
th.
..
.

Fai
th:
Byedaddy
,seey
out
omor
row
Ken:
Sur
ebabes
Zane:
(ranacr
osst
her
oom)By
edad
Ken:
sur
ebuddy
..
..

Heclosedt hedoorandmov edthe

curt
ainsslight
lyl
ookingatBay ang'
s
l
ightsdisappeari
ngintothedarkthen
heslowlysatdowncov er
inghiseyes
astearsdropped..
..

TWOMONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
.
Bonusinser
twi
l
lbepostedat6pm i
f
wereach24Kbefor
ethen.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
12AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 120

Att
hemal
l
...
.
At ouristcarst oppedandagr oupof
whi t
et ouristsjumpedof f
appr oachingZer o'
sAfr
icanpri
nted
clotheswhi chwer ehangingonthe
l
inebehi ndat ableofwoodenAf ri
can
animal sculptures.
..

Hecoughedandstoodupasthey
enqui
redaboutt
hepri
cesandpicked
sever
ali
temschecki
ngthei
rwall
ets.
..
.

Man:
Ohgoodnessme,
idon'
thav
e
t
hephul
athi
ng.
..
Woman:
Can'
thechangei
tlat
er?
Zer
o:Icanchangei
t
Man: Al
ri
ght
,ican'
tspl
i
titkeept
he
change
Zer
o:(
smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou

Theyal lpaidi
nf or
eigncur
rencyand
l
ef tashesatdowncount i
ngthe
money ,at axi
stoppedandBaby
steppedoutcar ryi
ngherbackpack.
Shedr oppedt hebaginthetuckshop
andst eppedout .
..

Zer
o:Tsay
awagor
ekamel
ora.
..
Baby'
seyespoppedasshesmil
ed
si
ll
yandcountedthenot
es.
..

Baby:Ohwow..
..Dol
l
ars?Doyou
haveanyi
deahowmucht hi
sis?I
l
oveyouri
ghtnow
Zero:Ibeenworkingwit
hfor
eign
curr
encyf ory
ears,howcaninot
knowhowmuchi ti
s?
Baby
:Ohman,
thi
sisj
ustawesome.
..
Zer
o:Hav
eyout
alkedt
oyourmot
her
?
Baby:shei
sstil
lnottal
ki
ngt
omebut
ispoketopapa,hesentmeP200
Zer
o:Agot
isamadi
amekant
eo
neet
swemadi
Baby:(
laughedandshov
edi
tint
he
pocket
)Ah-ah
Zero:
(smi
ledandpoi
ntedather
)
Babyyou'
renotmychi
ldkanawait
se
tot
a?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Leav
emymoney
al
one
Zero:
Kanahaobonanekegoi
tat
ola
nekesabat
etsonet
se,
bogol
ompha
P100ee
Baby:(
gavehim P50)50i
senough
fory
ou,you'
reanoldmanandy ou
don'
tneedtolookgoodforany
one.
Zer
o:I
bil
ewankgokol
olat
oni
ghti
won'
tbehome,
I'
m checki
ngonMa
Sar
a
Baby:Omont
emasar
a?Or
atagomo
cheka
Zer
o:Kel
ezot
ilel
engwej
aana?
Baby
:Or
wal
atuku?
Zer
o:Eekeengobot
sa?
Baby:Agopapabat
hol
ezot
ilaengl
a
tuku?
Zero:(
missedherwit
hacanofFanta)
Akerennakelezot
imogonnakante
engolemakgakgajaana,
othapel
wa
kemadi ameaoganaakaone
Baby
:Ibi
l
ekeagor
eka.
..Wat
chmy
bag.
..

Shewal kedtowar dstheshops

hummi nglisteningtomusicand
smiledasAgat hawalkedoutofthe
shopwi thplasticsandloadedt
hem
i
nt hecar..
.

Baby
:Hey
..
.
Agat
ha:
Hi.
..Nemmaoboal
eng?
Agat
ha:
Papai
sreal
l
ysi
ck
Baby
:What?Hedidn'tsayanythi
ng
whenwetal
kedov erthephone,we
al
wayst
alk,what
'swr ong?
Agat
ha:
Hisl
egs.
..
Baby
:Jesus.
..I
'
llcomecheckonhi
m,
howisever
yone?
Agatha:I
'
mr eall
yfeeli
ngt
hebur
den
ofbeingthefi
rstborn.
Baby:Ei
shkanaMayawentbackt
o
schoolgot
heleCar
l
Agat
ha:
Plusmamai
sal
way
sbusy
.
Baby:I'
ll
passby,I'
mjustalit
tl
e
happywher eIam..
.Myf at
herdoesn'
t
havemuchandi tsadiff
erentki
ndof
l
ifest
ylethanwhatI'
m usedtobutI'
m
happy.
Agat
ha:
YeahbutPapai
ssi
ck
Baby:Kanamamagaampui sewai
tse?
Whenev erIsendheramessageshe
j
ustlooksatitinfactthelastoneI
sentshedidn'tbotheropeningi
t
Agat
ha:shei
sangrythatyouchose
tost
aywithamanthatdidn'
trai
se
youandmadehergot hr
oughhell
.
Shefeel
sbet
ray
ed
Baby :Heisst i
llmyf at
herandnna
personallyhelahenev erhurtme
besidesabandoni ngmebutwi tht
he
l
itt
lememor i
esi haveofhi
m hewas
j
ustpoorbutl ovewast her
e.She
shouldn'tuseherpr oblemswithmy
fat
hert olimitme.Iam happywher eI
am andt henei ghbourhoodisjust
perfect,notrichbuthappy .Akere
waitseshedi dn'
twantt opaymy
school feesandpapamov edmet oa
governmentschool ,monat ewat eng?
Shemst heyal ll
ovemeandt hink
highlyofmebecauseappar entlyI
speakbet terEnglish..
.Imagineme
havingf ri
endswhoact uall
ysayhi
Baby .
..Thet eacherslovemet ooand
I'
mf uckingpassi ngtoo, it
houghtI'l
l
fail
becauseBGCSEi sappar entl
y
harderthanI GCSEsy l
labusbutkeng
kedi gagolahel a.I'
l
lcallpapakebua
l
eene
Agat
ha:
Shap.
..
Shegotinthecarandfi
xedthepi
l
low
shewassitti
ngontoincr
easeher
hei
ghtthenshedroveoff
..
..
..

AtDi
di'
sbout
ique.
..
.

Didiwal
kedintheempt yr
oom and
walkedal
lthewayt otheof f
iceinthe
backthensheturnedbacksmi l
i
ngat
Aronawhot ookoffthescarfaround
hi
sneckandadmi r
edt heplace.
..

Ar
ona:
BabesohmyGod
Di
di:
Sayt
hatagai
n..
.OhmyGod.
..I
l
ovethi
splace.
..Icanseemy
sel
f
si
tt
ingovert
here
Arona:Andmy sel
fov
erther
ekego
cheki
lakalunch(t
heybothl
aughed)
I'
l
lbehere24/7
Di
di:
You'
l
lwor
khal
ft
ime.
..
.

Herphoner
ang.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:(
lowvoi
ce)Aommaoganneke
bonabongwanakehel
aibi
l
efl
i
ght
yameeaemella?
Di
di:
(gasped)OhmyGod!(
lookedat
t
het
ime)Jesus!

Shehungupandr
anacr
osst
he
room.
..

Di
di:
Aroci
ouskeet
alov
e,mme
wee.
..
.

Sheal
mostsl
i
ppedr
unni
ngout
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Agathagott
hebatht
ubreadyand
knockedonthebedr
oom,Aati
le
r
espondedt
henshewal
kedi
n..
.

Agatha:Papametsi
ar eady
.Shoul
dI
pushy oui
nther
esoy oucanbath?
Aatil
e:I
t'
sokay
,I'
l
ljustwi
pemy
sel
f
today.
Agat
ha:
Bat hinghel
psandKatl
otol
d
meyoudidn'texer
ciset
oday
Aat
il
e:I
'
mjustexhaust
ed.
..
.

Helookedattheti
meandtr i
ed
cal
li
ngLolobutherphonerang
unansweredagai
nthenhesighed
andputitdown,Babywal
kedi nand
putherhandbagdown.
..

Baby:Papa?Di
dn'
tyoutel
lmey
ou'
re
outofthewheel
chai
r?
Aati
le:
Idi
dn'
twanty
out
owor
ry
aboutme.
..
Agat
ha:
Hei
sref
usi
ngt
obat
h..
Baby
:I'
l
ltakehi
mtot
hebat
hroom
Aat
il
e:Babypl
ease,
I'
m noti
nthe
mood..
Baby
:Ni
cet
ry.
..

Shepushedthewheelchai
rov
erand
hel
pedhim getoni
tthenshepushed
himtothebat
hroom andhel
pedhi
m
takeof
fthet-
shi
rt.
..

Aat
il
e:Al
ri
ght
,getout
Baby:Letmehel
py ouwitht
he
tr
ousers,y
oumightfal
l
...
iwon'
tl
ook
Aati
l
e:Aegetoutobat
agof
eil
afor
m
fi
veaker
e?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Uhpapa
Aati
le:
(laughedandpushedherout
)
Justgo..
.

Shelaughedandcl
osedthedoort
hen
shehelpedAgat
hatocleant
hehouse
whi
leKat
lohel
pedt
hey
oungones
wi
thhomework.
.

MinuteslaterAat
ilepushedhi msel
f
outandheadedt ot hebedr oom
whereshechangedcl othesandlai
d
down, Babywalkedi nwiththemat
andspr eaditonthef l
oor..
.

Aatil
e:Pl
easedon'
t,I
'
mtir
edand
theseexer
cisesar
eusel
ess.
..
.
Baby
:I'
m notl
i
steni
ngt
oyou.
..
.
Come..
.
Babyhelpedhim si
tonthematand
begunexerci
singhi
sfeetand
str
etchi
ngthem ashegrinned.
..
.

Baby
:(massagi
nghi
ssol
es)Papa?
Aat
il
e:Maa?
Baby
:(l
ooki
ngathi
m)Il
ovey
ou.
..
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Ar
eyouondr
ugs?
Baby: (
laughed)Af r
icanparents!I
j
ust..
..I'
m sorrythati sai
dyou'r
enot
myf ather,i
teatsme. ..AndI'
m sad
thatyoubeensuf f
eringneedingme
wheni wasouttherenotknowi ng.
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sbeenmont
hs,
wear
eov
er
thatandI'
m sureyouneededt ime
withyourfat
her,iwasn'
ttryi
ngt o
repl
acehim anddur i
ngtheti
mei
tookyouhewasn' tagoodguyl egale
neadi r
wakeboj alwaeneosi ame..
.
Hewi l
lalwaysbey ourf
ather
Baby:Buty ou'
remyr ealf
ather.
..
.I
feely
oui nmybl oodandi maynotbe
themostgr atefuldaughterbutiknow
thehandt hatfedme. .Mamadoesn' t
tal
ktomeorat t
endmycounsel l
ing
sessi
onsbuti wantt ocomeback
j
usttol ookafteryoubecausei doubt
youwillexerci
sewi thoutforce
especiall
ymamael emot hoy oo
nnanghel aalebusyl eti
rojaana,
pl
easeal
l
owmet
ocomeback.
..
Aati
le:Ofcourse,comehome. .
.By
thewayi wanttomar ryyourmother
butihavebeenaf rai
dtoask.I'
m
afr
aidshemi ghtsaynoespeciall
y
nowt hatI
'm onawheel chai
r.What
doyout hi
nk?
Babby:
That'
sahardone.
..Um.
..I
'
ll
thi
nkofsomethi
ng.
..

Shecont
inuedt
ost
ret
chherf
ather
's
l
egs.
..

Aat
il
e:Whenl
astdi
dyout
alkt
oKen?
Baby:(l
aughed)Lastmont h?Yeah
l
astmont h..
.Ithinkiwasjust
depressedandgoi ngthr
ougha
breakup..
.Idon'tblamehim because
hewasgoi ngthr oughhi
sproblems
andwehel pedeachot hercryina
wrongway ..
.
Aat
ile:Howwoul dy
oufeel
ifi
sai
di
di
dt hesamet hi
nghedi
dandgota
gi
rlpregnant
?
Baby:
(laughed)I
'dsaynobutthen
maybey oucan..
.(l
aughed)Sedi
is
ver
yyoungso
Aat
il
e:Thi
sonewas16andy
ouknow
her
Baby
:Isi
toneofmyf
ri
ends?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)No,
yoursoci
al
wor
ker
Baby:If
ucki
ngknewit!(coveredher
mouth)Oopsimeani knewi t
...
Mightyl
ooksli
keyou.
..Itf
inal
ly
makessense..
.Wowandy ou
abandonedt
hebabythatlooksl i
ke
you?
Aatil
e:Idi
dn'
tknowbuti was
car
elessandthereisnoexcuse.
..I
seeherinpri
vatebecauseI'
m af
rai
d
totel
lyourmother.
Baby:Shewill
fli
pbuti
twil
lbe
unnecessar
ybecausesheonce
wr
ongedy
ou
Aat
il
e:Twowr
ongsdon'
tmakear
ight
Baby:WellTwowr ongsinMaun
makear ight
,isn'
tshehatesme
becausei madeami st
akeinst
eadof
for
givi
ngme?Sheofal lpeoplewi
ll
underst
and
Aati
l
e:Yourmot
heri
sjustangr
yat
you.
..
Baby:
Shewon'
tat
tendcounsel
l
ing
wit
hme
Aat
il
e:Appr
oachherandt
alkt
oher
Baby
:Okay
..
Shest
ret
chedhi
slegs.
..

Att
heAi
rpor
t.
..
..

Sit
tingi nt hepl aneKensadlylooked
outsidet hewi ndowast heVOmade
theint r
oduct ions, hehadhopedt o
seet hechi l
drenf orthel
astti
mebut
asal way sDi di hadanexcusef ornot
bri
ngi ngt hem, actual
lyt
hist
imet here
wasnoexcuse. ..Shegaspedwhi ch
probabl ymeantshecl ai
medtobe
havef orgot ten...
.

Hehadn'
tfor
got
tenwhathi
smot
her
hadwr
itt
enonherl
astwor
dsi
nthat
l
ett
ert
houghl
if
ewasprovi
ngt
obe
har
der
..
..

Theplanefi
nall
yrol
ledonthe
runawayandtookoffashesighed
andleani
ngback..
.

*
**

Meanwhi
leDidi
rani
ntotheai
rport
wi
ththechi
l
drenastheypant
ed..
.

Zane:
(runni
ng)Wewai
tedand
wai
ted.
..Whydi
dn'
tyoucome?
Di
di:
Guy
sif
orgot

Theypausedatt hef r
ontdeskand
enquired,
theassistantpoint
edatt he
planetaki
ngoffthenZanegr abbed
Faith'
sarm andranupst ai
rswher e
theytouchedthewat chglassand
sadlystar
edatAi rBotswanat aki
ng
off.
..

Tearsf
il
ledZane'sey
esasthepl
ane
gotsmallerandsmal
leront
hesky.
..
Zane:
(bli
nkedandatearr
andownas
hewhisper
ed)Byedad..
.
Fai
th:
Ishecomi
ngback?
Zane:Hecomesaf
ter2y
ear
s..
.It
s2
Chri
stmases.
..

TheyheardDidi'
sfootstepsand
turnedar
oundsadlylookingather
thensheswallowedregrett
abl
y..
.

Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry,
ifor
got
..
Zane:Youj
usthat
ehim..
.(
tearf
ull
y)
butheismydad,il
ovehi
m andhe
l
ovesme.Ihadagiftf
orhim andI
knowhewant edtoseeus.I'mv er
y
sad..
..(
breathingheav i
lyt
ryi
ngnott o
tr
y)I'mveryv erysad..
.USissof ar
awayandy oucouldn'tdothisforme
atleast
,wecr iedforyoutogether
whenwet houghty ouweredead.Dad
cri
edwi t
ht earsbutyouhat ehi
m. .
Di
di:
(tear
ful
l
y)Zanei
lov
eyourdad.
Zane:
Buty outooksomet hi
ng
i
mportantfrom us,Ourgoodby
es
mama!(rubbedhi stear
s)Why?
Di
di:
OhGod
Fai
th:
Andy oudidn'
tseethesong
ZaneandDadsangf oryouatchur
ch
whenthechurchwassay i
ngfar
ewell
t
odad.
Didi
:Iwasaf raidtoatt
endt
hat,i
knewat t
endingi twoul
dmakeme
doubteveryt
hi ngaboutmyli
fe.I
'
m
sorr
y,ididn'
tev enknowyouhada
songforme.
Zane:(
sighedsadl
y)Youj
usthat
e
dad.
..

Hewalkedpastherandshegrabbed
hi
mt henheburst
edint
otears
huggi
ngherti
ghtl
y..
.

Zane:(
cry
ingasatearr
andownhis
noseanddroppedonDi
di'
scl
othes)I
mi
sshi
m al
ready
..
.
Di
di:
(tear
ful
l
y)Imi
sshi
mtoo.
..
Fai
th:(
sadlyl
ooki
ngupather
)When
i
safter2year
s?
Di
di:
It'
sal
i
t t
lel
ongert
hany
out
hink.
..
I
t'
squit
ealongti
me

ShepickedFai
thandputherar
m
aroundZaneastheywal
ked
downstair
swhil
eZanerubbedhi
s
tearswit
hhisar
m...

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.
Aat
il
e'sphonerangasBabyhanded
hi
mt hefood.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
May
a:Hi
papa
Aat
il
e:Hi
beaut
if
ul.
..Howi
sschool
?
Maya:I
t'
sfi
ne.
..Um.
..Papake
pr
egnant
Aati
le:
(sighed)Ithoughtyou'
llf
ini
sh
schoolfi
rstbefor
edoi ngall
these
thi
ngs
May
a:I
twasami
stake
Aat
il
e:Howf aralong?Won'tt
he
mater
nit
yleaveinterr
upty
ourstudi
es?
Maya:No,I'
l
ldel
i
verdur
ingt
he
semesterbr
eak
Aat
ile:Okay,whoisheandwhoar e
hi
spar ent
s?YouknowI '
m goingto
havetowr i
tehisfamil
yorcal l
them
sohecant akeresponsibi
li
tybefor
e
bot
hf amili
esakere?That'
st heway
i
t'
sdone.Doesheschool withyou?
May
a:Um.
..Hewor
kswi
thy
ou.
Aat
il
e:Kebai
nter
nshi
p?
May
a:Tshepo
Aat
il
e:Idon'
tknowany
onebyt
hat
name
May
a:Tshepo
Aat
il
e:Tshepoasi
nTshepomyf
ri
end?
May
a:Yes
Aat
il
e:(
frowned)War
eng?
May a:
Andhewant stomarr
yme, hi
s
parent
shavebeenmeet i
ngget
ti
ng
readysot
hey'r
eplanni
ngtotal
k
aboutmorethanj
ustthebaby-
Aati
l
e:You'
renotmarr
yingmyf
ri
end.
DoyouevenknowTshepoandall
the
badthi
ngshedid?Amanwhoshared
gi
rl
swithhi
sfri
ends,
amanwho-
May
a:Papamychi
l
dneeds-

Hehungandangr
il
ydi
aledhi
s
f
ri
end.
..
.

Tshepo:
Hel
l
o?

Tearsfil
ledhi
sey esasheheardhis
voicethenhehungupandcov ered
hisfacecryi
ng,Babyclosedt
he
bedroom doorandhuggedherf at
her
ashecr iedsi
tt
ingonthewheelchair
..
.

Thenexti
nser
tcomesat11pm,
don'
t
for
gettol
i
keanddropusacomment.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
12AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 121

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.
Laterthateveni
ngDi di
'
sphonerang
countlessti
mesont heheadboardas
sheandBay angwalkedinwit
h
towels.Bayanglai
dont hebedas
Didil
ef tt
ocheckont hechi
ldr
en..
.

Theywer easl
eepbutZane'sphone
screenwasonl i
ght
inghi
scheekt hen
shewalkedoverandslowlytookitoff
hishandashesnoredwithhismout h
sli
ghtl
yopen.Atearwasdry i
ngon
thebri
dgeofhisnosethenshe
rubbeditandcover
edhimt hesheets.

Hehadbeenl
ooki
ngathi
sfat
her
's
pictur
esandshestaredatapict
ure
ofZaneandFai t
hbothsitt
ingon
eachofKen'slapsal
l smil
i
ngwidel
y
withsimil
arsmil
es.Shepushedit
asidelooki
ngatthefoll
owing
pictur
es.

Shehadn'tseent hem befor

eandi t
wascleartheywer etakenwhent hey
sti
l
lthoughtshewasdead.Theywer e
quit
einter
estingandshesl owlysat
onthebedt appingont hesideshow
butt
on.

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshewat
ched
countlesspi ct
uresofKenandFai t
h
sleeping,
t hem cooking,playi
ng
togetherandpi cturesofhergrave.
Shepausedst aringatpictureofKen
wi t
htheki dswhi l
ehehel dher
framedpi ctureont hesi
de. .
.

Sheswal lowedandcl osedt he

pict
urest henshecameacr oss
vi
deosandwat ched.Shesmi l
ed
watchingZanepl aythekey board
whilesingingper
fectlyasKen
cheeredhi m.I
tmusthav ebeenata
practi
cebecauset heywer ealonein
church..
.
Ken:Yeah,
that
'smyboy
..
.You'
re
doi
nggood
Fai
th:
CanIsi
ngt
oo?
Ken:
Gosi
tnextt
ohi
m..

Fai
thsatnextt
oZaneandsang
al
ong.
..

Ken:
Ohwow...Imadethese.
..
.Thi
s
i
smybloodr
ighthere.
..

Thevi
deoendedandthenanot
her
onecameon,Zaner
ecodedKen
si
tt
ingont
hebedfaci
ngt
hewallwit
h
hi
sheaddownli
kehewascr
ying.
..

Ken:(wit
houtlooki
ngback)Guy
sget
out.
..(
snif
fed)I'
m comi
ng,gowaiton
thecouch..

Thevi
deobecameshakyast
hey
wal
kedaway..
.

Fai
th:
Whyi
shecr
ying?
Zane:
Becausemom i
sgone
Fai
th:
Cany
oubor
rowmet
hephone?
Thev i
deoended.Shesattherefor
al
mostanhourwat chi
ngmor ecl i
ps
andthedooropened,Bayangstuck
hi
sheadi nthenshequi
cklyrubbed
offhertear
sandstoodup..

Bay
ang:
Babear
eyouok?
Di
di:
yeah,
Iwaschecki
ngont
hem
Bay
ang:
Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng
Di
di:
Okay
..

Shenoti
cedZane'
sphonewason
fl
ightmodeandswit
cheditof
fthen
sheputitbyt
heheadboar
dand
walkedoutt
aki
ngbr
eat
hst
ocal
m
down..
.

Shegr
abbedthephoneandsatdown
l
ooki
ngatKen's8missedcal
l
s,3
vi
deomissedcal
lsand1message.

Ken:(t
ext )Idon'tunderst
andwhy
kesakgonegobual ebanawhenev er
Iwant.You' refr
ustrati
ngme
unnecessar i
lyandI'm suret
hekids
wanttot alktomeaswel lorei
metsa
dist
ancebyf ail
i
ngt oconnectus.I
wascooper ati
ngwi thyounakoene
oleaddictedt othepainki
ll
ersl
edi
surger
ybutwenaont i
mabana.I
alwayshavetobegy ouandwaitunt
il
youfeell
ikei
taboel egoneke
bonangbongwanake.Kekopagor eo
reyeZaneachekef li
ghtmode
becauseFait
htapsoni twhenev
er
sheplaysgames.Ineedt ot
alkt
o
them t
hroughtheirphonesi
nceya
gagoesenkeear abiwa.
Di
di:
Hey
,I'
m sor
ry.Iwasbat
hing.
Ken:
Cani
cal
l
?
Di
di:
Yes.

BayanggotupandkissedDi
di'
sneck
fr
om thebackasshesatontheedge
ofthebedpressi
ngherphonethena
vi
deocallcamethrough,
she
answeredasBayangfrownedatthe
screen.
..

Bay
ang:
Whyi
shemaki
ngav
ideo?
Di
di:
Idon'
tknow

Kenswall
owedqui etl
yst
aringat
them,
Bay anginshir
tl
essinshort
s
andDidi
wr appedwithatowel.
.

Ken:
Neel
abanaphone
Di
di:
Bar
obet
se
Ken:Sogaker
eakeletseabooreee
nneorekell
etsamang?Gapelegone
onkarabaonalemotholesaapara.
Di
di:
I'
m put
ti
ngonat
owel
.

Hehungupandl
etafewmi nut
es
t
henhesentamessage.
..

Ken:
Whyodi
raj
alo?
Di
di:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Ken:Showi
ngmey
ou'
rei
nbedwi
th
anot
herman
Didi
:Bay
angi
sanot
herman?Aker
e
youknowhei
smyman
Ken:Idon'thav etoseeit,Kekopa
goreobabal elemaikutoameDi di
.
Nnakesant sekegor atahelathata
andthingsli
ket hathurtme.Iknow
youarehappyandenj oyingthetime
ofyourlif
ebutj ustdon'
tdest r
oyme
l
ikethat.Don'tmakemeseet hat
Didi
:Mmekanamogasesepesome
peoplesawthei
rmensl
eepi
ngwi
th
anotherwoman.
Ken:ObonawenaDi digaonapel oy a
goitshwarel
a,wheni t
hinkofallthe
thi
ngsy oudidtomeandcompar e
them tomymi stakewagoj ol
ale
Amant l
eit'
snothing.Youf orgotthati
tookyoutoDubai andtherey ou
betrayedmebysl eepi
ngwi thmy
brother.Thatbr okemeandj ust
becausei f
orgav eyoudoesn' tmean
I
'm nothur t,Didiyousleptwi thmy
fatherandbr okemymot her'
shear t
thoughshel ov edy outohergr ave.
Babey ourmi stakesar ebiggert han
minebecauseI '
veonlycheat edwi t
h
oneper son.Youcheat edwi t
hmy
family.
..Thet womosti mpor tant
people,myf atherandmybr otherbut
youst i
llcan'
tfor giv
emef ormy
wrongs.
Di
di:
Ifor
gavey
oubuti
don'
thav
eto
bewit
hyou.
Ken:
Iacceptt
hatkei
thubet
se
l
elwapaandGodknowsI '
m prayi
ng
formyf amil
ybutdon'tdestr
oyme
withsuchi mages.Ifyou'r
einbed
withhi m don'
tanswermyv i
deocall
s,
youcoul dhav et
oldmet hey'r
e
sleepingbecausei wantedtoupdate
them aboutmyj ourneynowba
robetsekadi pel
otsedibothokojust
l
ikeI'm sleepi
ngwithsorehear t
.
Di
di:
Sor
ry
Ken:Tsamayaor obalal
eBay ang,go
si
ame.Ker apelahel
agoreatl easti
fi
can'
thaveyoumodi moamphe
str
engthsaamogel agoregaompat e.
Justsothaticanloveanother
womanbecauser ightnowi can't
t
hinkaboutany
onebuty
ou.

Meanwhil
eBayangsi
ght
edlooki
ngat
herasshety
pedonherphone.
..

Bayang:
Sohowl ongdoi havetowait
foryout
of i
nisht
alkingt
oKen?
You'
rebeingrudegaekakeyarerele
mmogoaboot obetsaphoneforthat
l
ong.Lebuakaeng?
Di
di:
Hewascompl
aini
ngaboutt
he
ki
ds
Bay
ang:(
Glanced)Suchl
ongtext
..
Whyareyouhidi
ng?Takebone
Di
di:
Whatdoy
ouwantt
osee?
Bayang:Warei
t'
sabouttheki
ds
akere?Letmesee.
..Ar
ewegoing
backtodoingt
hisagai
n?
Di
di:
Towhat
?
Bayang:
Youmaki ngmewai twhi l
e
you'
regi
vinghim att
ention?Can'tyou
seeyou'
rebeingdisrespectf
ul?
Di
di:
Byr
epl
yi
nghi
smessages?
Bayang:GonemmeDi diwanthata
kanaofeel ersaf
ewi thmebecause
wit
hKeny ounev erknowhowi twi
ll
end?Kanagaosar at
emothowa
mmol el
elagonal egomodira
semata.Ify oudon'tl
ovemeletme
know,I
'l
lcryandheal butatl
eastI'
d
knowthetruth.Li
vingli
kethi
sgago
monatebecausev erysoonI'
l
llook
l
ikeaninsecurenaggingboyf
riend
gapeontwaet saKenna.

Didiputherphonedownandsaton
thebedlookingathimthenshe
l
eanedov erandkissedhi
m...

Didi:
Myphonei
sdown,
I'
m sor
ryf
or
beingrude.

Kencal
l
edandhesi
ghedannoy
ed
pi
cki
ngit
..
.
Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Didi
okae?
Bay
ang:
It'
slat
e,whatdoy
ouwant
?
Ken:Kant
ewaremathat
aagagol
e
nnakeeng?Orobet
selebo
ngwanakegol
ohoo.

Hewal kedoutandclosedt
hedoor
l
eavingDidionthebedassheshook
herhead..
..

Bayang:
Rerobetse,banabagagoba
robet
sesowhateveryouwantcan
wai tbecausenowy ou'recut t
ingon
myt i
meandi won' tlety oudot hat .I
keept ell
i
ngy out ocooper atewi thme
andy oukeepov erlookingt hat
request,idon'tknowi fy ou're
i
gnor antorjustst upid...don' tthrow
stoneswheny ou'rel i
vingi nagl ass
house.Don' texpectmet owal kaway
from myr elati
onshi plikei didthe
fi
rsttime.I'
llhityouwher ei thurtst he
mostandy ou'l
l notev enhav ethe
strengthtof i
ghtbackbecausey ou'l
l
becr yi
ng.
Ken:
What
'
sthatsupposedt
omean?
Bayang:
Themonnadon'tpl
aydi
rt
y
wit
hmebecauseI'
l
ltakethi
sgameto
whol
ethingtoanewlevel
,ift
hereis
someoneyoumustrespectatthe
momentit'
sme,youknowwhy ?
Ken:(t
her
ewassil
enceascol
dchi
l
l
randownKen'
sspi
ne)Why?
Bayang: (smiled)I'l
l hityouwher eit
hurtsthemost ,respectmeandmy
rel
ationshipwi thDi di.Takemywor ds
toDidi anddoal lyoucant ocome
betweenus. ..j
ustt ryandwat chme
breaky ourhear tintoi nt
opi eces.I
canbecol d.
..Icecol dbr uh
Ken:(swallowedandrubbedhiscut
fr
ustratedl
y)Keagout wamr ,I
'
m
sorr
yf orcall
ingt
hisl
ate.Idon'
tknow
i
fyousawmymessagest oher,
I'
m
sor
ryforthatt
oo.Idi
dn'
tknowit
wouldigni
tesomethi
ngl
ikethi
s
Bayang:Youcall
heratni
ghtknowi
ng
sheiswithmeandexpectwhat?A
standi
ngovati
on?
Ken:Kanannagakeganegorekego
di
ret
sephoso,kanakarengner r
a?
Aker
ekaresorr
y?War engjaanong?
Bay
ang:
Youhear
dme.

Hehungupandwal kedint
he
bedroom cl
osingt
hedoorthenKen
cal
ledagain.HehandedDidit
he
phoneandshesatup. .
.
Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Letmet
alkt
oBay
ang

Didi
:(handi
ngt
hephone)Hewant
sto
tal
ktoy ou.
Bay
ang:
(get
ti
ngi
nbed)No

Di
di:
Hedoesn'
twantt
otal
k
Ken:
Pleasegi
vehimt
hephone,
it'
s
i
mportant
.Dir
ajal
opl
ease.
..

Shehandedhi
mt hephonet
henhe
si
ghedandputitonhi
searl
ayi
ngon
hi
sback.
..

Bay
ang:
Hel
l
o
Ken:Ker i
leoint
shwar ele,iwantus
tounderstandeachot her.Youcan'
t
saysomet hingl
ikethatandt hen
whenIr espondy ouhangup.I '
m
sorr
y,canwegetov erthat?
Bay
ang:
Yeah,
it'
sov
er.
Ken:Skadirajaakaoakany akeago
kopa,I
'm gi
vingyoumywor d.I
'
m
donetryi
ngtowi nherov er.Lewena
waabonagor eyouhavet heupper
handandI '
l
lbest upi
dtocr ossyou.
I'
l
ldother i
ghtthing,
justdon'tgo
downt
hatr
oad.
Bayang:What'
snexti
ssol
elyupt
o
you.
..
I'
m watchi
ngyou.
Ken: Yeahwat chmebutonnesur e
gor eit'
smebef oreyoujumpint
o
concl usi
onsandpuni shmefor
mel atoesey ameker ayahagoka
di
r egasengwe.I '
mt aki
ngmyselfout
oft hatpossibi
li
tybecausewetalked
andi under
standwher eweboth
stand.
Bay
ang:
Bye,
ineedt
ogetsomesl
eep.

Hehungandgav eherthephoneas
shecur
iousl
ylookedathim?
Didi
:Whatdi
dhesay
?Whatar
eyou
twotal
ki
ngabout
?
Bayang:Hewasjustapol
ogi
singf
or
cal
l
ingthisl
ateatni
ght.
Di
di:
Itsoundedabi
tser
ioust
hough,
ar
eng?
Bayang:
Arewegoi
ngt
otal
kabout
hi
m?
Di
di:
(smi
l
ed)Ofcour
senot
..

Heki
ssedherandr
oll
edoverget
ti
ng
ont
opofherandbetweenherl
egs.
..
..
AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatnightj
ustaft
er11pm the
carli
tther oomsasLoloparkedthe
carandst eppedwithsomefil
es,she
putthem ont hetabl
eandwalked
acrossthehouset aki
ngoffhershi
rt.
.

Shewalkedinthebedroom and
closedt
hedoort henshesatonthe
bedasAat i
l
elaidonthebedf aci
ng
thewall
..
.

Aat
il
e:It
ri
edcal
l
ingy
ou
Lol
o:Myphonewasonsilentmode
si
nce6pm gaket
senainthe
conf
erencer
oom.I'
m sor
ryfornot
cal
li
ng
Aat
il
e:Fr
om 6t
o11pm l
olemo
meeti
ng?
Lolo:
I'
m onadeadli
neAat
il
e,imi
ght
bepromotedsoican'
tbebehi
ndka
ti
ro
Aat
il
e:Ehe,
Babyi
shome.It
o-
Lol
o:Shecan'
tbehome.Whose
home?Didn'
tshesayshei
sbei
ng
abused?

Shest
oodupandwal
kedi
ntoher
r
oom swi
tchi
ngt
hel
i
ght
son.
..

Lol
o:Babytsogaot swemogame.
Now,yousaidyou'
rebeingabused
andyouhaveaf at
her..
.Tsamayako
goZeroMay a.
.
Baby
:Mama-
Lol
o:Eh-ehdon'tcal
lmethat,
you
punchedme...Obetsanna?Howcan
youforget
?Yousai dyouwantwhatI
wantedinDubai,goandfi
ndit.
..
Baby:
(tear
ful
l
y)Mamaatthi
stimeof
theni
ght?Whati
figetr
apedorki
l
led
Lolo:That
'
swhaty oushoul
dof
thoughtoff
,gasekommaper eko
hagoiter
elel
weha.Ophekil
ewa
tsamayasopl easel
eav
e..
.Now
befor
eont ena

Sheputonherclot
hesandgr
abbed
herbagasAati
l
epushedthechai
rin

Aat
il
e:Lol
ost
opit
,wher
edoy
ou
wanthert
ogo?
Lolo:shei
sawomanaker e?Shehas
feeli
ngsandshei sbei
ngabusedher e.
Lethergo..
..Tsamayamma. .
..Ona
l
esebet esagor obal
amogameo
senagompet sakadifei
si.
..Nxl
a..
..
Babyrubbedhertear
swalkingacr
oss
thel
iv
ingroom asLolofol
l
owedher
andopenedthedoorforher.

Baby:Mamathemmaint
shwarel
e
gankakekat
hol
aket
hokabotho.
..
Lol
o:Go.
.
Baby:I
'
mreal
l
yscar
edoft
hedar
k,
youknowt
hat
Lolo:
Idon'
tknowany
thi
ngabouty
ou,
tsamaya

Babyknel
tonthestoopcr
ying
hol
dingherbag.
..
Baby:
Mamat
hemmasor
ry.
..
Aat
il
e:Lol
o-
Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)Aat
il
edon'
t!Don'
t!
Baby
:Papa?Mamat
hemma-

Loloclosedt hedoorandswitched
offtheli
ghtst henshepushedAatil
e'
s
wheelchairtot hebedr
oom whereshe
cl
osedt hedoorandsatdownt aki
ng
offherclothes...
.

*
**
Meanwhi l
eBabywal kedoutofthe
gatepressingherphoneasit
report
edthebat t
ery,shedi
aledher
socialworkerbutthephoneshut
downbef oreshecoul dpi
ck.
.

Baby
:Ei
sh.
..

Shewalkedinoneoftheneighbours
andknocked,thenei
ghbour
'sfi
rst
bor
nopenedt hedoorandshewal ked
i
n..
.

Don'
tfor
gettoLi
keandcomment
,
goodni
ght.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
12AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 122
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor ningLolomadeaqui ck
Engli
shbreakf astinthekitchenas
Agathahelpedt hechil
drengetready
forschoolthenherphoner ang..
.

Lol
o:(
put
ti
ngev
ery
thi
ngi
nthet
ray
)
Hel
lo?
Assi
stant:Goodmorningma'am,I
'
m
j
ustcall
ingtoremindyouaboutt
he
boar
dmeet i
ngatseventhi
rt
y.
Lol
o:Thanks,
bye
Shehungupandhurri
edtothe
bedroom wher
esheputi
tonthe
headboar
dandgrabbedher
handbag.
..

Lol
o:I
'
m goi
ng,
breakf
astkej
oo
Aat
il
e:Whatt
imewi
l
lyoubehome?
Lolo:Ihaveal otofmeeti
ngstoday
andI '
m hel
pingmyassi st
ant
organiseawor kshop.Mybossesare
putti
ngpressur eonmesoi don't
knowbuti twon' tbeatni
ghtI
'
llnot
wor kl
atetonight.I'
l
lbehomeby5
Aati
l
e:Ihopey
ou'
renotcheat
ing
agai
n
Lolo:(sigheddiscouraged)Whyi sit
thateacht i
mei makeami stake
aroundher eeveryoner eferst omy
past?Whenl astdidi cheat ?Can' tibe
busydoi ngsomet hi
ngel sei nsteadof
cheating?Iam headi ngav er ybusy
departmentandi fyoucan' t
understandhowdemandi ngmyj obis
orwheni havetowor kl atet opush
andi mpr essmysuper i
or st heni can'
t
explainit.Iknowi wrongedy oubutif
thi
scont i
nuesthenI '
llquest i
onwhyI
am faithfulbecausey oudon' tseeit
,i
am faithfultoyouI '
mj ustwor ki
ng
harder.St opaccusingme,
Aat
il
e:Youdon'
tspendt
imewi
thme,
whatdoy
ouexpectmet
othi
nk?
Lol
o:ThatI
'
m wor
king?
Aatil
e:AndwhataboutBaby ?Kant
e
goneLol oakoompol eledoesmy
voicemat terhereastheman?Does
i
tmakesensef oryout ochaseBaby
outwheni saidshecancomehome?
Dopar enti
ngpar tner
sdot hat?The
othersayingthisandt heothersay
ing
that?
Lolo:Iknowy ouloveBabymor ethan
otherchil
drenandy oucan'tsaynot o
her,thatgi
rldi
srespectedyoui nt
he
wor stwaypossible.Sheutt
eredthe
wor dsyou'
renotmyf at
herafter
rai
singherupf orsomanyy ears,you
havebeenagoodf athermor et hani
havebeenamot hertoherandshe
tal
kst oy oulikethat?Shemustnev er
tal
kt oy ouli
ket hatnev er.Koor eke
batagor egakehet saleBabyaboa
i
tsesent egoremol wapengl e
mmagwekemang, r
ragwekemang
enekemang.I '
m choosi ngt o
overstepy ourposi t
ionjustt oteach
thi
slittl
egi r
lrespect.WhenI '
m done
shewon' tevertalktoy ouliket hat.
That'sjust1,2shepunchedme.Baby
mustknowt hatshei sanAf ri
can
chi
ldt hisisnotNanny 911wher e
whitekidspuncht heirmot her sand
thengetj ustif
iedgot wet hey'r
esad.
InBot swanay ounev ertalkbackat
yourmot herletalonepunchher ,
(clappedhandst ur ni
ngt hem upand
down)kel anthakebonaandi nev er
thoughtmyowndaught ercandot hat
i
bileaphut hasay ingshei sleav i
ng?
Babyi sy ettoseet heAf r
icannessi n
me, shemustgetdownf rom that
highhor seandbeont hesamel evel
asot herchi l
drenint hishouseher
HIVst atusdoesn' tmakeherspeci al
i
nanyway .May anev erdebateswi th
mel ikethat ,
Carl helawadi t
edu
nev erar gueswi thmesoi won'tlet
BabymakeAgat hat hinkit'
sokayt o
i
nsultpeopl e,never!AgathaandBaby
arealmostt hesameagebutt heway
Setsanai shumbl edy ou'
dthinkshe
hasn'tev enreachedpuber t
y,sheis
al
soat eenagersodon' ttel
lmeabout
hormonest oo.Babyi sacti
nglikea
spoil
tbr atayekogoZer oakerekoo
gatweonal emai tseo.
Aati
le:
(tookadeepbreath)Okaynow
iunder
standyourvi
ewandbabe
you'
reri
ghtbutsheapologised.
Lolo:Shecamet oy oubecauseshe
knewshewasf orgiven2seconds
aft
erinsult
ingyou,lethercometo
meandapol ogi
singdoesn't
guaranteeforgi
venesssheknows
thatakereshet hinksigaveherHI V
despitemyef fortstoshowhert hat
ngwanakai hiredanannyandhad
thatnannynotbr oughtherboy f
riend
whichwasnotanagr eementwe
wouldn'tbeher e.Enemogoene
ekarei hi
redt her api
standlefther
withhim.If eel badandev er
ynight
keaitshekisagor ekoorennako
Dubai abennekey akaebutforhert o
l
iveherwhol elifeangryatmel i
ke
thatwon'tbearheranyf rui
tskegone
goreampet sej aanongnnakana
fei
shy ameet ona.Nnahaamphai la
kesengar alatsahaal ekafei
sh..
Aati
l
estaredatherasshespoke
boi
li
ngpicturi
ngBabyi nthesenseof
"kesengar al
atsahaalekaf eish"
madehiml aughunexpect edlyashe
l
ookeddowncov er
inghismout h.
Lol
othoughtabouti tt
ooandj oined
i
nlaughi
ng...

Aat
il
e:(
laughed)You'
resoev
il
Lolo:(l
aughed)Youdon'tunder
stand
howangr ythi
slit
tl
egirlmakesme
feelandsheistakingadvant
ageof
thi
sspecialtr
eatmentshegetsfrom
you.Idon'tf
allf
orthat,
allt
he
chil
drenarethesamet ome..
Aat
il
e:Whil
eonthatt
opi
cMay
a
cal
l
edlastni
ght
Lol
o:Ok?
Aatil
e:Shei
spregnantwi
thTshepo'
s
baby,babewhywouldmyf r
ienddo
thattome?
Lol
o:Shet oldmeabouti tandasked
menott otellyousoshecanbet he
onetot ell
y ou.Iwasequally
surpr
isedgor eaoTshepohela
Tsheposoal lalongwhi
lecomi ng
herehewasdr ooli
ngoverourkids.
Aat
il
e:(t
earf
ull
y)Whathur
tsmethe
mostkegoreiknowthi
sguyinand
out
,Tshepoisnotst
abl
e..
.Henever
spentmor
ethanay
earwi
tht
hesame
woman
Lolo:Iknow,I'
mjustshockedbut
sincetheyhaveachil
dandhewant s
tomar ryherandset
tledownwehave
nochoi ce.
Aati
le:
No, heisnotmar r
yingmy
daughter.
..I'
m sti
l
laskingmy sel
f
wherei f
ailedasaf at
her.
Lolo:(
lookedatt hetime,themeet i
ng
hadstartedt hensheputdownher
bagandsat )Aat i
leIdon'twantto
everheary ousayt hatbecauseyou'r
e
agoodf ather .Youdi dn'
tfai
lbutwe
mustacknowl edgethatourchil
dren
wil
lmaket hei
rmistakesandl earn
fr
om them becausethey '
regrown.
Mayai sover18soshecanmakeher
deci
sionandmar rywhoev ershe
wants.Herchil
dneedsaf at
her..
..
Totaifther
eisachildinvolvedwe
canonlysupporttherelat
ionshi
p
Aati
le:
(swallowedlookingather )
Lovekesuppor teTshepotosl eep
wit
hmydaught er?Thisguyi
smyage
mate..
.Olderthanmewi t
hay ear,a
damnf ul
lyearandhedoest hatt o
me?Sleepingwi thmydaught erri
ght
undermynoseunt i
lsheispregnant?
Herphonerangandshepi
ckedon
l
oudspeaker
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Assi
stant:
Ma'am t
heCEOandCOO
woul
dl i
ketoseeyou
Lolo:
Tellthem ihadtot
akean
emergencyleave,it
'saf
amilymatt
er
andI'
llgetbacktothem assoonasi
can.
Assi
stant
:Hol
dforMrRams
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
MrRams:
Hel
l
oMi
ssJohnson
Lol
o:Goodmor
ningsi
r
MrRams: Iheardthet
eam hasbeen
worki
nglatethewholeofthi
sweek
wit
houtevenfil
li
ngtheovert
ime
sheet
s,howcome?
Lol
o:It
houghtbecausei
twasour
choi
ce-
MrRams: Letarebolai
saLabour
,and
toavoidworki
nglateyoucan
postponethi
sworkshoptoamor e
sui
tableti
me.
Lol
o:Ei
shthat
'
sbet
terwait
sene
set
sekesannemolwapeng
MrRams: Eewedon'
twantt
o
ensl
avepeopl
e,y
ouknowhowMr
CEOisall
aboutfami
l
y.
Lol
o:Thanky
ou,
Iwon'
tbeintoday
kenalefami
l
ymatt
erimustatt
end
yo
MtRams:
Seey
out
omor
row.

Shehungupandt
ookoffherf
ormal
weart
henshepul
l
edoutherwigand
si
ghedsit
ti
ngont
hebedlooki
ngat
Aat
il
e..
..

Lol
o:You'
reagoodf
atherandt
hati
canassur
e-
Aati
l
e:Wait..
..(
looki
ngather)I
'm
sor
ryforaccusingyouofcheati
ng
andmentioningyourmist
akes.I
di
dn'
tknowt
hingswer
ehar
dony
ou
atwor
k
Lolo:
Don'
twor
ryabout
,any
wayy
ou
areagood-
Aatile:No, I
'mreallysorry..
.I'
m stuck
ont hechai randexpect ingyout o
balancei tallwit
hwor kimeany ou'
re
thebossandobv iouslyy ouhavet o
showy oursubor dinateshowt owor k
yourwayup.I 'm sorry.Comet ot hi
nk
ofiti hardlyappreciatethesupper
womany ou'r
ewor ki
ngsohar dt o
feedal lthesechildrenandsav ings
forthem, al
lthesei shard
wor k..
.you'r
easuperwomanwho
neverget scompl i
ment edbecause
hermi
stakesar
eal
lthat
'sseen
Lol
o:(
swal
l
owedt
ear
ful
l
y)st
op,
you'
l
l
makemecry
Aati
le:I
'
m sorryfornott
ell
ingyou
you'
rebeauti
fulandhardworki
ng
becauseI'
m busygetti
ngjeal
ous.
..

Sheleanedoverandki
ssedhi
mthen
theyhugged.
..

Aati
le:I
'm notcont act
inghisf
ami l
y
aboutthispr egnancythatwaythey
won'tevent alktomeaboutmagadi .
Tshepowant waelamogomaswe
andhei sluckyI '
m onthewheelchair
Lol
o:Weneedt
othi
nkf
ort
hatchi
l
-

Therewasaknockont hedoorthen
Lologotdressedandsteppedout,
sheopenedt otwomenwho
respectf
ull
ygreet
edher.Therewas
somet hi
ngfamili
araboutt
heother
man.Shesor eshe'dseenhim
somewher e.
.

Man:
Iam Mor
eri
Zambo
Man2:
Andi
am Lef
okoZambo

Thenamecl
ari
fi
edi
tforher
,hewas
oneoftheboar
dmember
stwi
n
brot
her
...

Lol
o:Iam Al
oneJohnson
Lef
oko:Wehav
ebeensentbyRr
e
ZambotoMrJohnson,
maywesee
hi
m pl
ease?
Lol
o:Um.
..
.Okay
..
..

Shewentbacki
nsi
de.
..
.

*
**

Lol
ogr
abbedat
-shi
rtandhandedi
t
t
oAat
il
e..
.

Lol
o: t
herear et
womenoutsi
de
l
ookingfory ou,
oneoft
hem i
smy
boss'
sbot her
Aat
il
e:Whatdot
heywant
?
Lol
o:Idon'
tknow,theysai
dthey
beensentbyRreZambo
Aati
le:
Mxm, TshepoisaZambo, baa
thol
abar eebat samae.Baapeka
whatdot heywantbecauseihaven't
call
edthem.
Lol
o:Aat
il
epl
easedon'
tdot
his.
.
Aat
il
e:Hei
snotmar
ryi
ngmy
daught
er.
..
Lolo:Thi
sisnotabouty ouand
Tshepo,it'
saboutMay aandher
daughter'
shappiness..Iknowi t
'sa
harddecisionmyl ovebutplease,put
yourfeel
ingsasideanddoi t
.Re
godisi
tsekanaMay aomot ona,i
knowshewi ll
alwaysbeal it
tl
egi r
l t
o
youbutdoy ouwanthert obehav ing
chi
ldrenwithhim asamony ale?
Aat
il
e:No
Lolo:
Thendoi tifnotforMay afor
thebabysheiscar r
ying,l
etherteach
hersibl
ingsgorebanabat sholel
wa
konyalongboBabyl eAgat haba
bonegoremosadioany
alwaabeel
e
goneatshol
ang.
Aat
il
e:Fi
ne.
..

Minut
eslaterLolopushedhischair
i
ntotheli
vingroom wherethe
Zambo'sweresitti
ng.Theygreeted
oneanotherandshookhands. .
..

Lefoko:Retaj
aanarelebor r
a
Zambor etsil
egoi t
shuparele
batsadi
bagaTshepoZambo,
ngwanawar onaorebolel
etsehaa
bonyekgarebeebongMay aJohnson
yaanongrenerekopagonnabaeng
balonakal
abor
aroabor
ekopal
e
tsamai
so.
Aat
il
e:Eeborrakeautwamme
bat
sadibangwanagabayo,gaba
dumalaner
etaleneel
aphet
olo.
Lef
oko:
Eer
ra,
rekopat
sel
a.
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ou,
bye

Theystoodupandlef
tthenAat
il
e
shookhishead.
..

Aati
le:
Ican'
tbel
i
evehei
sreal
l
ydoi
ng
thi
s
Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Hetookouthi
sphoneanddi
aledhi
s
f
ather
..
..

Johnson:
hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouatt
hef
arm?
Hi
m:y
es,
why
?
Aati
le:I
'dliketoseey oubathobane
betsil
ebar ebabat aMay aandIdon't
evenknowi fir
espondedaccor di
ngly
becauseIhav en'tbeentoalotof
negoti
ations.Itoldthem I
'
dgivethem
areplyafterconsulti
ngtherestofthe
famil
y.
Him:Itwasper fect
,youdidgood.
Yourmot herandi wil
lcometoMaun
tomorrow.EneMay awagobatelwa
kaewenaot hadil
e?Kanangwanao
batel
wakogor r
agweesengko
mosading.
Aat
il
e:I
'
llseewhatIcando.

Hehungandl
ookedather
..
.

Aati
le:
Ngwanaobatel
wakoga
rr
agwesoitcan'
tbeher
ebecausewe
arenotmar
ri
ed
Lol
o:Buti
twasourhouse
Aati
l
e:Wearedi
vor
cedsonowi
t'
s
your
salone
Lol
o:Let
'
sgogetmar
ri
edatt
heDC
off
ice
Aat
il
e:What
?
Lolo:Besi
deswebeenl i
vi
ngli
kea
mar r
iedcoupl
efor5yearswhynot?I
knowy oudon'
twanttomar r
yme
becauseyoudon'tt
rustmebutI'
ve
changed
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)yout
hinkIdon'
t
wantt
omar ryyou?
Lol
o:Whywouldyoul
ivewit
hmef
or
5yearshav
ingsexwi
thmeand
eat
ingmymealskegodir
ela
ever
ythi
ngandyoudon'
tsayany
thi
ng
aboutmarr
iage.

Hepushedhischai
rtothewar
drobe
andtookoutari
ngthenhetur
ned
andopenedit
..
.

Aati
le:Wi
lly
oupleasedomet he
honerofbei
ngMr sJohnsonagai
n
thi
stimeforev
er
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Yes.
..

Heputtheri
ngonherf
ingert
henshe
huggedhi
m...
Aat
il
e:Whi
teweddi
ngort
radi
ti
onal
?
Lolo:(l
aughed)Tradit
ional mot
howa
modi mo,mmekel ai
wekeapeswe
tj
alekekgonegony adisangwanake
andwewi l
ldothewhi tewedding
wheny ougetoutofwheel chai
r
besidestogarediaMay a.
Aati
l
e:That
'str
ue..
..(
laughedand
ki
ssedherhand)Thanky ou,
idi
dn'
t
knowyouwantedtomar ryme
Lol
o:Iwasafr
aidt
oaskgor
eonyal
a
l
engakeregat
weresekar
abot
sa
Aat
il
e:Butwecoul
dhavelongbeen
marr
ied,
ther
eisnot
hingwrongwit
h
aski
ngbutt
hanksany
wayIl
ovey
ou
Lol
o:Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

AtDi
di'
sbout
ique.
..

Dididi
rectedt hedeli
ver
yguy swhere
toputthef urnit
ureastheyoffl
oaded
everyt
hingt henherphonerang,she
answeredwal ki
ngintheoff
iceand
closedthedoor ..
.

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
,ij
ustwokeup
Di
di:
(laughed)Okay
,ij
ustcamef
rom
hav
ingl
unch.Howdi
dyousl
eepi
na
newcont
inent
?
Ken:I
t'
sbeauti
fuldownhere.
..Imean
thi
spl
aceisjustperf
ect
..
.
Di
di:
Real
l
y?
Ken: Yeah..
.I'
m standingbyt he
wi ndowwat chi
ngt hecity..
.mynew
apar tmenti
sbeaut if
ulandf ull
y
furnished.I
thas2bedr ooms. .
.And
thev iewisexcell
ent..
.(laughed)The
traffi
cisnoisythough
Di
di:
Icani
magi
ne.
..
Ken:Um..
.I'
m get
tingr
eadyt
ogot
o
school
andregist
er.
Di
di:
Sendmepi
ctur
esoft
hear
easo
i
canshowt
heki
ds.
Ken: Okay,t
hekidswouldlovei
there,
i
t'sasaf enei
ghbourhoodandmost
tenantsarechri
sti
ans..
.Iwantthem
tovisit
,wouldyoumi ndbri
ngi
ng
them over?
Didi
:No,Iowet hem thatmuch,
they
weresosadt hatibroughtt
hem to
theair
portl
atewhent heybeen
wait
ingallmorning.
Ken:Okay,soum..
..
shoul
direal
l
y
budgetandplanf
orthei
rvi
sit
?
Didi
:Yes,j
ustfi
ndouthowmuchi t
wouldcostfort
heplanet
ickets,vi
sas
andmay befoodandwarm clothesi
f
i
t'sfreezi
ng.Ihadsav ingsthoughmy
mot herstol
esomegoset se
sengweny anaandi fitsli
tt
lewecan
sav emoneyf oracoupl eofmont hs
beforewecandeci dewhent ovisit
.
I'
llhavetogot obirthsanddeat hs
registr
ati
onof f
icetohav emyi dentity
anddocument sfunctionalagai
n
Ken:
(laughed)Uhukanayou'
re
l
egal
lydead..
.(t
heybothl
aughed)
Wenalif
ey agagokedifi
l
m hela
Di
di:
Gakebat
eKen
Ken:(smiled)OkaysoI'
ll
waitf
oryour
cal
l,
i don'
twantt ocal
ll
ateandget
youintrouble.
Di
di:
True
Ken:
Right
..Alr
ightt
hanksf
ort
alki
ng
tomecivi
lthi
stime
Didi:
(laughed)I
not
herwor
dskea
tsenwa?
Ken:
(laughed)Yousai
ditnotme
Di
di:
(laughed)Nxl
a,shap
Ken:
Shap.
.

Shehungupandwal
kedback
out
side.
..
..

AtKamo'
sof
fi
ce.
..
..
Kamoexhal edlookingatBabyasshe
rubbedthetears,shehandedhera
ti
ssueandagl assofwat ert
henshe
drunkandswi pedhertearsbl
owing
hernose..
..

Baby
:Iknowi wrongedmymother
andI
'm sor
rybutiwanttocome
home.
Kamo: Letmetel
ly ousomet hing
aboutasi ngl
emot her..
..Yourmot her
sufferedtorai
sey ouandi tsnoteasy.
Iknowbecausei wast hereandI'dbe
hurtifmydaughtert al
kst omet he
wayy out al
kedtoy ourmot her
.You're
admi ttingt opunchi ngher ,thatwas
thebi ggestmi stakeofy ourl if
eev en
bef oreGod, thekar maofat earf
ul
par entisbaddon' tev erdot hatno
mat t
erhowangr yyougetaty our
par ents.Leenet hef athery ouclaim
tol ove...
.Tot ay ou'vehur thi m sobad
nost epf at herdeser v est hatbecause
ev enbi ologi calfather sfailbutenehe
didi t
.Begr ateful t
oy ourpar ents.You
needt oaccepty ourHI Vst atusand
bepr ideful kaHI Vy agagobecause
trustmey oudi dn'tgetr apedbecause
shei sabadmot her.Shehi reda
nannyt ohel pher ,doy ouknowhow
manychi ldrenhav enanni es?Mi ll
ions
andmostoft htimewenev erknowi f
i
t'sabadorgoodnanny .Shedi dn't
l
eav ey ouwi ththenanny 'sboy fri
end
andt hatr apecouldhav ehappened
whi l
eshewasatwor k.Child
mol estati
oni snev erapar ent '
sf ault
unlesssheabandonedy ouwi thout
super v
isionbutshepai dtohav ey ou
l
ookedaf ter24/7, hermist akewast o
trustast rangerbuti fi
tswr ongt hen
allmot herswi t
hnanni eslebomai d
arejustasbad.Yourmot herl ov es
youandI '
m sureshei sbeat i
ng
herselfhar dforleavingyoudon' t
hav etomakei twor se.You' resel f
ish
forwant ingtobef orgi
venwheny ou
haven'tforgi
venher,doy ounow
understandhowshef eel
s?You
punchedherandy oucan'tchangei t
butyou'resorry
,sheconcl udedy ou'
re
abadchi l
dthesamewayy ou
concludedshei sabadmot her.The
angery oubothhav ewill
notgety ou
anywher e..
.
Baby:Nowiunderst
andandIwantto
fi
xthi
ngs,Iknowinwaswrong.
..I
missmymot herandfami
ly
.Howdoi
fi
xit
?
Kamo:I'
ll
cal
lherandsetupan
appoi
ntmentt
oseeher
Baby
:(smi
l
edt
hought
ful
l
y)Hol
don
wi
ththat
..
..Ihav
eapl
an,
I'
ll
cal
li
fit
f
ail
s..
.
Kamo:
Okay

Shegrabbedherbagandhur
ri
ed
out
..
….

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Shearri
vedtofi
ndnoonehomeand
putherbagdownt henshelookedat
thehouseandtookadeepbr eath
fol
dingthesl
eevesofhershir
t..
.
Baby:Okay
,her
ewegoMay
ayougot
thi
s..
.

Shecleanedt heent i
rehousegoi ng
fr
om room t oroom changingt heset
upsanddi dal lofherparent
sl aundr
y
worki
ngf astt oensureprogress
wouldbev isibleshouldt
heyshowup
anyt
ime...

Aft
er3hoursofcl
eani
ngshewent
out
sideandcutt
hegrassthenraked
andcamebacktothehousefora
qui
ckbath.
Shesatont hecouchandplayeda
cer
tainsongonr epeatmode,she
wasplanningtoplayitf
orhermother
butthely
ricsofthesongsunkinas
shesatthereli
steni
ngtoit
.

Whenshewassi ngi
ngi tasachil
d
shewasj ustscr
eami ngthewords
butnowshewasol dershecould
underst
andwhathermot herwas
sayi
ngtoher .
..

Sheincreasedthevolumeand
tear
ful
lyli
stenedtoitasaf ew
memor i
esoft hei
rstruggl
ecame
back.
..

Song:
Shet
ell
shi
m"oohl
ove"
Noone'
sev
ergonnahur
tyou,
lov
e
I
'
m gonnagi
vey
oual
lofmyl
ove
Nobodymat
ter
sli
key
ou
Shetel
lshi
m"yourl
if
eai
n'
tgonnabe
not
hingli
kemyli
fe
You'
regonnagr
owandhav
eagood
l
if
e
I
'
m gonnadowhatI
'
vegott
odo"
So,
rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y
Somebody
'sgoty
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,rockaby
e
I
'
m gonnar
ocky
ou
Rockaby
ebaby
,don'
tyoucr
y

Tearsbl ur
redtheremoteshewas
holding,shecouldn'
tunder st
andhow
hermot hermanagedt of eedherand
atsuchay oungage.Her
teenagehoodhadbeenr eplacedby
mot herhood..
..

ThedooropenedandLol
ost
eppedi
n
l
ooki ngathersi tti
ngont hecouch
withherhandsonherf acecr y
ing.
Sheangr il
ylookedatMay aasthe
songst art
edagai n,i
ttookherback
tothel itt
lehutshest ayedi nwithher
l
itt
legi rl
.Howshewoul dt ri
ckherinto
dri
nki ngmaxupuj ustaftershehad
seenDi boyshavingbananas.The
smel lofdustandt hethat chedroof
thatwasf all
ing.
..Shari
ngt or
n
mat tresswi t
hherdaught erwithfait
h
thatonedayshewoul dgi vehera
betterlife.
..

Yeahther
ewasherlit
tl
egir
l si
tt
ingi
n
abighousesur
roundedbylavi
sh
throughhardwor kbutwhatusewas
i
tifshewasn' tahappychi l
d.She
knewshepr omi sedhernoonewoul d
hurtherbutheroner eckl
essdecisi
on
changedallthatandspoiledher
promisetoherdaught er.
..
.

Shewoul dneverhaveunpr otect

ed
sexandshewoul dhavetol i
vewi t
h
sti
gmatisati
onfrom al
lthei gnorant
peopleinthecommuni ty.Tearsf i
ll
ed
hereyesasshewal kedov ertoher
l
itt
legir
l,Babystoodupandmether
half
wayhuggi ngastearsfell.
..
.
Lol
o:Iam sosorr
yt hatidi
dn'
tkeep
mypromise,Iam sorryt
hat-
May a:(tearfullyl
ookingather )Mama
thanky ouf orkeepi ngy ourpr omi se,
yougav emeagoodl i
fe..
.Iam oneof
therichkids.Iwentt oapr ivate
school andi don'tneedmoneyf r
om
men. .
.You' reonl yhumanandy ou
can'tbeatt wopl acesatt hesame
ti
me.Younev erhadf unasay oung
girl
becausey ouhadt oraisemeand
wheny ouf oundachancey out ookit.
Youwer en'twr ong..
.Youknowwhy ?
Becausey ouputar oofov ermyhead
andhi r
edsomeonespeci f
icallyto
takecar eofme. ..Iam thankf ul f
or
that.Ibeenangr yatt hewr ong
person.Evenmynannydi dn' tdothis,
thatmandi dandt odayi for givehi
m
formyownpeaceofmi nd.Iam sor ry
forpunishingy ouwhenIshoul dbe
enjoyingallthaty oupr omi sedme.I
shouldbeenj oy i
ngmymot her '
s
moneybecausev erysoonI 'l
l beold
andshewon' twantmear ound. ..
(theybothlaughedt earfully)Who
woul dwantast ubbornwomani nher
houseany way s?Iam sor ry ,please
forgivemeandl etmebackhomesoi
cangi veyouandpapat her espect
youdeser ve.Idon' tknowwhyi
disrespect
edpapal ikethat ,ithurt
s
meandIwi shIcouldtakeitback..
.
(l
ookedatthedoorwher eAatil
ewas
wait
ingont hewheel
chair)PapaI'
m
sorr
y,you'
reagoodf at
herandI '
l
l
al
way slov
ey ou.

Lolohuggedherast
heybot
hrubbed
thei
rtear
s..
.

Lolo:If
orgi
veyouandI '
m sor r
yfor
notunderst
andingyourpainsall
along.Mybiggestmist
aket hatday
wasnott ol
eavey ouwit
hy ourfather
thoughiknewitwasbet t
ert han
havingamaid.I'
m sorr
y..
.
Baby
:It
'sokay
..
.

Aat
il
erol
ledt
hechai
rov
erand
si
ghed.
..

Aati
l
e:Andnowt hatwehave
est
abli
shedyoucancleanthey
ard
andthehouse,
it'
syournewduty
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)
Noway
..What
?
Lol
o:Ar
eyout
alki
ngbackagai
n?
Baby:(smiled)Ofcoursenotmama, i
l
ov ecleani
ngwhodoesn' tli
kecut
ti
ng
grassev er
yday?Ijustlov
ecleani
ng,
i
t'
sl i
keahobby ..
.
Theyal
ll
aughed.
..

Baby
:Any whoI
'
m goi
ngtoGoogl
ea
ni
cedress,I
'mt
hebestl
ady
..
.

Aati
l
e'ssmiledisappearedt
henhe
wenttothebedr oom,Baby
rememberedandsmi l
edcover
ingher
mouthregrett
ably..
.

Lolo:
(whisper
ed)Actl
i
keme, hi
de
yourexci
tement.
..
Mayaisgoi
ngtobe
onegorgeousbri
deandIalr
eady
st
art
edsavi
ngformyki
ds,
tabegol
e
murrkol
enyal
oemahel
awena.
Baby:
(laughedandwhi
sper
ed)I
knowri
ght..
Lol
o:Daddyeneot
aahol
a

Theylaughednaughti
l
yasLolo
walkedtothebedroom andputon
thesadface.
..

Lolo:
("sadl
y")Tshepoi
ssucha
snaketota.
..
.

AtDi
di'
sbout
ique.
..
Lat
erthatdayDi dil
ockedtheshop
andgotinBay ang'
scarthenhe
l
eanedov erandkissedher.

Bay
ang:
hey
Di
di:
Hey
..
.

Hejoinedther
oadasshepul
l
edt
he
seatbelt
..
.

Di
di:
Kenwantsthechil
drentovisit
hi
minacoupleofweekswhi ch
meansihav
etotakethem ther
ej ust
t
omakesur
etheyt
rav
elsaf
ely
.
Bay
ang:Soy
ouwantt
ogot
o
Ameri
ca?
Didi
:Idon'
twantt
ogo,theki
dswant
togoseethei
rfat
herandasthe
motherIwanttomakesuret
heyget
ther
esafel
y.
Bay ang:No,y
ou'r
enotgoi
ng.Idon'
t
trusthim,hehasasi
ster
..
.LetOtl
he
taket hem
Didi
:Otl
hehasaj obandaboy f
ri
end
whom they'
retry
ingtobui
ldafamil
y,
shecan'tl
eaveherli
feandtakecar
e
ofmychi l
drenevenwhenI'
m ali
ve.
Bay
ang:
You'
renotgoi
ngDi
di,
you
can'tgoanddeepdowny ouknowi t
's
wr ong.You' renotgoi ngandI 'm not
negot iati
ngwi thyou.I '
mt ir
edofy ou
wal kingallov erme, thist i
meI '
m not
takinganyoft hatnonsensel eene
Kennai t
oldhi m Iwon' ttakehis
bullshit,I'
m sur pri
sedhewant stodo
thisaf terourconv ersat i
onl astnight
clearlygaant halogany akanaonea
tsay agor ekeashenama.Don' tplay
me, i
fy ou'r
einar elationshipwi thme
yououghtt orespectmet hesame
wayIr especty ouorel sewewi l
lhav e
apr obl em.You' r
enotgoi ngandwe
willnev erdiscussy oucr ossi ng
oceanst obei nKenna' shouse.
Didishookherheadandsadlylooked
outsidethewi
ndowashedr ove..
..

TWOMONTHSLATER.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
13AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 123

Att
hemal
l
...
.

MayaandBabywal
kedpastDi
di'
s
bout
ique.
.

Maya: Let
'spassby,
iwanttotal
kto
aunt
ie.Iheardshedoesn'
tat
tendmy
meetings
Baby
:Ican'
tgoi
nther
e,howwi
l
li
l
ookather
?Ican'
tfaceher
Maya:
Howlongwil
lyouav
oidher
?
Het
ather
etsene
Baby:I
'l
lwaitout
side.
..Shehasn'
t
sai
dany t
hingtomesi nceshefound
outaboutmeandKen, sheevensaw
usinbed..
.Ican'
tfaceher
May a:I
joonnammakeat samaya,i
can'
tbei nonyourbat
tl
esbecause
I'
m abouttohaveafamil
yofmyown
andi needadul
tsasmuchasIcan.
Baby
:I'
l
lwai
tout
side.
..

Mayawalkedintheshopj
ustasDidi
handedhercust
omerthechangeand
apl
asti
c,Mayasmi
l
edassheand
Di
dihugged.
..

Didi
:(smil
ed)Ohmy ,
congrat
ulat
ions.
..
.Isitaboyorgi
rl
?
May
a:(
laughed)Thanky
oui
t'
sagi
rl
Di
di:Andcongr atul
ati
onsonthe
weddingMr sZambo. .
.Bayangtol
d
meall abouti
tfrom yourf
ather
.
Maya:(l
aughed)Aunti
emmakea
swabaekarekeratadi
lotsabathoba
bat
onahela,kennahelakoclassi
ng
ketabongkenyetswe
Didi
:Akaaker
engwanay
oomo
rwel
engyokeenesi
gnetona.
..
o
motonahaobonaodiri
lengwana
(t
heybot
hlaughed)You'
regoi
ngto
bebeaut
if
ul
May a:Thank,ij
ustpassedbytosee
howy ouaredoing.Iheardyoudon'
t
att
endmyweddi ngmeet i
ngsandi
waswonder ingwhy
Didi
:Yourmot herhasn'tinvit
edme
soit'
shardformet ojustshowup
especi
all
ybecauseI 'm adivorcee,
somepeopl edon'twantdi vorceesin
thei
rchi
ldren'smagadi negotiati
ons
becauseit
'sbeliev
edy ouf ail
edto
keepamar riageandy oumi ghtbring
thatt
othenewwi fe.Divorceesare
j
ustli
kesinglepeopl e
May a:Ididn'
tknowbutwhywenale
mamal esabuisane?You'r
e
practi
call
ysister
sandf ormet
otai
t'
s
hard.Idon'tunderst
and
Didi
: May beit'
sbecauseoft heBaby
Kent hingorwhati don'tknow, ireall
y
don'tknowbecausewhenIf ir
st
arri
vedi visi
tedherof f
iceandy esshe
wasf reakedbutaf terhearingabout
thewr ongbur ialandt heZi mbabwean
l
adywhowwsbur i
edshehasn' t
tal
kedt omel ennai can'tapproach
herbecauset helastt i
mewet alked
shepushedmeont hegr oundwheni
wasaboutt ost opherf rom har assing
Ken.Iwaspr otectingherbecausei
knowifKengetsupsetal
lthat
Chri
sti
ani
tywouldfl
youtthewindow
butshepushedme
May a:
Italkedtoherthismor ningke
mokgal emelagoreronal ar
et siet
sa
becausewegr ewupr eitsegor e
you'
reoursecondmot herandi
expectyouatmyweddi ng
Didi
:Ialr
eadyboughtapr
esentand
I'
l
lbetherebutesengmerer
ogapeeo
ealal
etswagaoitel
ehel
aoreya
mmi t
ini
ng
May
a:Iunder
stand
Di
di:
Andyou'
refr
eetopickanythi
ng
i
ntheshopf
oryourwedding.
..
Shegaspedandwal
kedar
oundt
he
shopadmir
ingev
ery
thi
ng.
..

May
a:Cani
gett
hewhol
eshop?
Di
di:
(laughed)Bat
ho!

Theybothl
aughedasshechecked
moreit
ems..
.

AtZane'
sschool
..
.

Bayangpar
kedthecarandwaitedas
ZaneandFait
hwalkedovert
alkingt
o
oneofthei
rschoolmates,
hebl
ew
thehor
nandt heyhur
ri
edup.

Hestar
tedt
hecarastheyclosedthe
door
sandsecur
edtheirseatbel
ts.
..

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
Hi,
howwasschool
?
Fai
th:
Itwasf
ine.
..

Theyconti
nuedchat
ti
ngint
heback
asheli
stenedtomusic.

Hedr
ovehomef
ort
hem t
otakeof
f
thei
rschoolunif
ormsbef
orehecoul
d
dropthem offatt
hebout
ique.
..

Minuteslat
erhewai
tedi
nthecar
whil
et heyr
anint
hehousethenhe
l
eanedbackanddial
edhisuncl
e..
..

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Bayang:
dumelaa.
..I'
dli
ket
ovisi
tyou
thi
sweekend,
will
y oubehome?
Hi
m:Yes,
I'
mjusthome.
..
Bayang:
Thereissomet
hingi
wantt
o
tal
ktoyouabout.
Hi
m:Ok
Bay
ang:
Bye

Hehungupast hechil
drengoti
nthe
carhol
dingthephoneonav i
deocall
wit
htheirf
athert
henhedr ov
eoff.
..

Zane:
Whenar
ewecomi
ngt
her
e?
Ken:I
'
m sti
l
llooki
ngforsomebodyt
o
bri
ngyoubecauseaunti
eOtl
hecan'
t
Fai
th:Whycan'
tmamaj ustbr
ingus?
iwanttoseeyourhouse..
.
Ken:
Mamacan'
tbr
ingy
ouguy
s,i
t'
s
compli
cat
ed
Zane:
Whydon'
twej
ustcomeby
our
sel
ves?
Ken: Ther
eareconnecti
ngfli
ghtson
theway ,y
ou'dbeconfusedatthe
airport
s.I
fitwasonefli
ghtstr
aight
from Maunt oOkl
ahomaI '
dasky our
mom t osendyouthenwaitatthe
airport
.
Zane:(sadl
y)Ir
eal
lywanttocome
ther
e..
.What'st
hatonthe
backgr
ound?
Ken:(l
ookedbackgri
nni
ngast he
windblewmakinghushsoundson
thephone)Uhit
sthewater
..
..Iam at
thebeach
Fai
th:
Ohmani
wantt
oseet
hebeach
Zane: (
tear
ful
l
y )I
'
mr eal
ly
disappoint
edthatyoucan'
taskmom
tobringus.
Ken:Zaneit
'scompli
cat
ed,you
wouldn'
tunderst
and.Whatdi
dmama
say?
Zane:Thatshei snotf
itt
ot r
aveland
theothertimeshesaidsheisnot
all
owedt ogobecauseshedoesn' t
haveIDi foundherIDandaskedher
thenshesai dshehadtowaital i
tt
le
l
ongerbecausei twasn'
tfuncti
oning.
Ifeel
sodumbt hatyouboththinkI'
m
stupi
d.Ifyoudon'twantmet ov i
sit
youit
'sfine.
Ken:Zanebuddyy ou'
renotgett
ing
me, iwantyoutocomeandi fmama
agreesthenyou'
ll
beherewi t
h24
hours
Zane:
I'
ll
tal
ktoheragai
n
Ken: Tal
kt oherbecausei wanty ou
hereit'
sjustt hatnobodycanbri
ng
yout wo.Askhert otel
lyouthereal
reasonshecan' tcomemay beyou
willunderstandbecausey ou'
reold
enough.
Zane:
Okay
Ken:
Cany
ousendmepi
ctur
es?
Zane:
Okay.
..
.(l
aughed)Didyousee
mama'spi
ctur
es?(Bayangli
stened
car
eful
l
y)Theonesi
senty
est
erday
?
Ken:(
laughed)Isawthem,sheis
goi
ngt oki
llyouwhenshefindsout
yousentmepi ct
uresofherli
kethat
Zane:
(laughed)I
twassof
unny
,Fai
th
andil
aughedather
Ken:
(laughed)It
'smywal l
paper
,each
ti
mei t
apmyphonei seeherandfeel
l
ikel
aughingZaney ou'
renotagood
boyyou'l
lneverseeheaven
Zane:
Hahahahashewassof
unny
Ken:Al
ri
ghtguysletmego,I
'
llt
alkt
o
l
ater
.It
ssti
llmorningher
e
Zane:
Bye
Fai
th:
bye

TheyhungupthenBayangtur
ned
aroundtaki
ngt
hephonefrom Zane'
s
hand..
.

Bayang:Whyar
ey ousendi
ngy
our
fat
her'
sDidi
'
spict
ures?
Zane:
Giv
ememyphone.
..

Bayangwentt hroughhisgall
eryand
foundpict
uresofDi didozi
ngoffon
theshopcount erthenhehighl
ight
ed
them anddeletedthem.
Hewentont osear
chforallt
heother
pictureshehadofhismotherand
deletedthem asst
oodupandt ri
edto
snat chthephonef
rom hi
m cryi
ng..
..

Zane:
Stopdel
eti
ngmama'
spi
ctur
es
Bayang: (
pushedhim of
fandhefel
l
onFaith)Don'tt
ouchme!I'
m del
eti
ng
them becauseyou'
resendi
ngthem t
o
yourfather,
whyareyousendi
ng
them tohim?
Zane:(
cryi
ng)I
t'
smymom andi
can
takepi
ctur
esofheri
fIwant
Bay
ang:
Ist
hatwhaty
out
hink?
Heslowedthecarandcontinuedt
o
del
etebutthereweresomany
pi
cturesheimpati
entl
yfor
mat edt
he
memor ycardandthewhimt he
phone..
.

Bayang:Stopsendi
ngKennaDi di'
s
pict
ures,hei
snotDidi
'
sf atherandif
youwantt osendhi
m picturessend
himy ourpi
ctur
es.

Zanepickedhisphonefrom t
hemat
andcli
ckedoni t
,henoti
cedthatal
l
hi
spicturesandvideosweregone.
Eventheonesher
ecor
dedsi
ngi
ngat
chur
ch..
.

Zane:(t
ear
full
y)Youdel
eted
every
thi
ng?.
..Ihadvi
deosfr
om our
pract
ice
Bayang:
You'l
ltaketheot
her
snext
ti
medon'tt
akepi ct
urest
saDidi
Zane:(rubbedhi
stear
s)Ihad
pict
uresofmeandFai t
hwi t
hpapa,
j
ustthet hr
eeofusandy oudel
eted
them too?

Tear
sfi
ll
edhiseyesandl
eanedov
er
hi
skneescr
ying.
..
Fai
th:
(angr
il
y)Idon'
tl
ikey
ou
Bay
ang:
Idon'
tcar
e,i
don'
tneedy
ou
tol
i
keme
Fai
th:
Youar
enotmyf
ri
end
Zane:(
tearf
ull
yleanedback)Fai
th
keepquiet
,don'
ttalkback.
Fai
th:Heisnotni
ce.Hemadey
oucr
y
andI'
m goingt
otell
mama

Bayangpul
ledoverandturnedback
l
ookingatt
hem asFaithsadlywiped
Zane'
seyeswithherdoll
'
sdr ess.
..
Bay
ang:
Whatdi
dyousay
?
Fai
th:
I'
m goi
ngt
otel
lmamay
ou'
re
notni
ce
Bayang:TellherandseewhatI '
ll
do
toyou,I'
l
ltaket hisphoneandy ou'
ll
nevertal
ktoKenna.You' renot
supposedtodi scussDidiwithyour
fat
herorev ensendhi m pict
uresof
her,ar
ewecl ear ?(t
heyjuststar
edat
him)Arewecl ear ?
Zane:
Yes
Bay
ang:
Fai
thkar
ear
ewecl
ear
?
Fai
th:(
fol
dedherar
mspouti
ng)
You'
reugl
yandidon'tl
i
key
ou.
Heangril
yslappedhermout hthen
Zaneopenedt hedoorandgrabbed
herhandwalkingtowardstheroad,
Bayangsteppedoutandpul l
edhim
backbythet-shi
rtbef
oretheycould
stepontheroad..
.

Bayang:
(angr
il
y )Getbacki
nthecar
,
whatdoyouthinkyou'r
edoi
ng?
Zane:
Don'
ttouchme.
.
Bayang:Isai
dgetbacki
nthecar
,you
thi
nkyou'r
eamannow?
Zane:
I'
m notget
ti
ngi
nyourcar
,i
knowmywayhome
Bay
ang:
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oasky
ou
agai
n

Het ookanot
herstephol di
ngFaith
thenBayangpulledhim backand
slappedhim,Fai
thclosedherey es
cryi
ngashedr aggedherbackt othe
car.Hepushedthem inandcl osed
thedoorthenhegoti nandturned
backt ot
hem asFaithcried.
..

Bay
ang:
Shutup,
keepqui
et.
..

Sheconti
nuedcry
ingandhemov ed
overput
ti
nghishandoverhermouth
andnoseasshekickedand
scr
atchedt
ryi
ngt
obr
eat
h.

Zane'
sey eswel
ledupwi t
htear
sas
hestar
edathimi nt
errorhopi
nghe
wouldstopbuthedidn'
tandFait
h
suff
ocatedki
cki
ngthef r
ontseat
muffl
ed.
.

Zane:(
cry
ing)Pl
easest
op.
..
.St
op,
you'
rehur
ti
ngher!
Bay
ang:
Wil
lyoust
opt
alki
ngback?
Mmh?
Zane:
Pleasest
op
Fai
thnoddedtearful
lythenhelether
go,shecaughtherbreathcr
yingand
coughingasZanehuggedherhi di
ng
herfacewit
hhisjacket.
..

Zane:I
'
m sorry
,areyouok?(
she
noddedcr
ying)sorr
y..
..
Bayang:Givemethatphone,
youjust
destr
oyedyourl
astchanceofhavi
ng
aphonebecausey ouareusi
ngit
wrongful
ly
..
.

Zanequi
ckl
yhandedthephonet hen
Bayangr
emovedthesim car
d,broke
i
tandthr
ewthephonebyt heroadas
hej
oinedt
hehi
ghway
..
.

Bayang:Youl
osty
ourphone,
you
don'
tknowwhereiti
s.Doyou
underst
andme?
Zane:
Yes.
Bayang:I
fyougetanewphoneand
saythi
ngsyoushouldn'tsayorsend
thi
ngsyoushouldn'
tI'
lldothesame
thi
ngagainunt
ilyoulearnthatyour
motherandfat
herarenotf ri
ends.

HeclosedthewindowsasFait
htri
ed
tost
opcryingbutkepti
nvol
untar
il
y
snuf
fli
ng.
..
Bayang:Emisagosunyet
sawena
Fai
th,kesekakagorogako
di
robotongntseor
efwefwe.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
13AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 124

Att
hebout
ique.
..
.

Didi'
sshopassistantwalkedinwit
ha
plast
icoffatcakesandabowl of
war mtswi
i,Didisal
ivatedmoving
backmakingspacef orhert
oseatas
sheputeverythi
ngdown.

Theyeachtor
emangwi
nyai
ntotwo
anddippedi
tont
hebowlpi
cki
ng
t
swi
iandat
e..
.

Didi
:(chewi
ng)Mmht
hiswomano
i
tsetswiist
rai
ght
Assi
stant
:Aker
e..
.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
o
theweddi
ngnemma?
Di
di:
I'
ll
gof
orMay
a'ssake.
.

Herphoner
angthenshepicked
wal
kingout
sidepul
l
ingdownhert-
shi
rt
..
.

Di
di:
Hey
Ken:
Hey
,I'
mtr
yingt
ocal
ltheki
ds
butt
hey
'r
eof
f
Didi:Theyshouldbehereanyt
ime.
Bay angdropsthem of
feveryday
afterschool
Ken:Idon'
tl
ikethei
deaofBay
ang
bei
ngalonewithmykids
Didi
:Heispartoft
heirl
i
vesKencan
younotstar
twitht
hisbabydaddy
dramathi
ng
Ken:It
oldyouhesai
dhewouldhi
t
mewher ei
thurt
sthemostandi
tcan
onl
ymeanonet hi
ng
Didi
:Bayangwoul
dnev erdothatto
mykidsandyouneedt ostop
accusi
nghim oft
hingsli
kethat,
you'r
ethereasonhehasbeenact i
ng
upbecausey ou'
regetti
nghim angry.
Ifyoufeell
ikehewi ll
retal
i
at ethen
stopprovokinghim.Notal lstep
parentsarebad,lookatAat i
leandhe
i
sf ri
endswithBay ang
Ken: Don'tcompar eAati
letoBayang,
Aat i
l
edoesn' tpr et
endhei sperf
ect
andy ourboy fr
iendont heotherside
pretends.Doy ouknowt hathemade
met akeARVsf orawhol emonth
afterinsi
nuatingt hatyou'
reposit
ive
j
ustbecausehewant edtofindouti
f
wehadsex?Whodoest hat?
Di
di:Ihadcheat
edsoyeahhedid
whathehadt odo,
webothfor
gave
eachot
herandmov
edon.
Ken:Cany oubr i
ngmyki dsov erand
gobackt oy ourboy fri
endaf t
er ?They
canschool hereandi cansust ain
them,besidesmyr easonable
all
owancei hav eapar tt
imej ob,iget
paidfortnightl
yandI '
v esavedal lmy
money .Iunder standt hechildren's
housesal sohav ear easonabl ecash
fl
ow,theywi ll
school hereuntilI'
m
done,itwillgivey out i
mewi thy our
i
nsecur eboy fri
end.
Didi
:Bayangwaaganaandi
underst
andhi
sfrust
rat
ion.
Ken:
Any
wayIspoket
oPast
or
Richard,j
usttel
li
nghi m aboutmy
sit
uat i
onandhesai dhewoul dtalkto
hiswi f
esotheirdaughtercanbr i
ng
thekids.Ifi
tgoeswel lI
'dappreci
ate
i
tify ouworkedwithhert ohelpher
getreadyormay bef ornowy oucan
wor konthosetravel
lingdocument s
andst uff
.
Ken:Whi
chdaught
erofhi
s?Past
or
Ri
chardi
stheshor
tone?
Ken:I
fyouwentt ochurchwit
hme
youwouldn'tbestr
uggli
ngtoknow
peopl
e,Richardisoneoftheol
dones
andhehast hreedaughter
ssogake
i
tsetheonehewast al
ki
ngabouti
guesshewi l
lletmeknow.Hehas
respectf ormeandt heydon'tknow
anythingaboutt herecentBabysaga
soi believehewi l
lhel
pbesideshis
daught ersarejusthomei knowonly
oneoft hem i
swor ki
ng.They'd
defini
telyli
ketot r
avel
Di
di:Idon'
tknowificanhandmy
ki
dstoast r
angert
ot r
avelacr
osst
he
worl
dwi t
hthem
Ken:Kant
eDi di
obat agor ekereng?
Soyoucan'tbri
ngt hem andevenifI
fi
ndsomeoneIt rustyoustil
lwon't
gi
vethem up?

Fai
thhuggedherf
rom behi
ndcr
ying
thenshet
urnedar
oundandbi
ther
l
owerlipt
ryi
ngtol
if
therwi
thone
arm..
.

Di
di:
You'
resoheav
y..
.(putherdown)
What'
swr
ong?
Fai
th:
Unclei
snotni
ce,
hesl
apped
meandZaneandhethr
ewaway
Zane'
sphone
Zane:
That
'snott
rue,
Fai
thst
opl
yi
ng
Fai
th:
Isawhi
mthr
owi
ngi
toutt
he
car
Ken:(
onthephone)Hel
l
o?Di
dshe
j
usthesl
appedthem?
Di
di:
Zanewhathappened?
Zane:
Ilostmyphone
Fai
th:Uncl
esaidZaneshoul
dn'
tsend
daddyyourpi
ctur
es
Zane:
(tear
ful
l
y)Fai
thst
opl
yi
ng!
Keepquiet
Di
di:
What
'
sreal
l
ygoi
ngon?
Zane:
Ilostmyphone
Di
di:
Diduncl
esl
apher
?
Zane:
No
Ken:Gi
vehi
mthephone,
Giv
ehi
mthe
phone.
.

Di
str
act
edDi
diputt
hephonei
nher
pocketandli
ftedFai
thrubbi ngher
tearsasBayangwalkedov erholdi
ng
Street
wiseandalit
terofjuice..
.

Bay
ang:
Her
e..
.
Di
di:
Thanks,
Whyi
sshecr
ying?
Bayang:
Iscol
dedherandshedi
dn'
t
l
ikeit
.
Didi
:Shesay
syout
hrewawayZane'
s
phone
Bayang:
Ididn'
t,
didi
thr
owy
our
phoneZane?

Zanekeptqui
ett
henDi
diwal
ked
backi
ntheshopandputFai
thont
he
count
er.
..
.

Didi
:Tshi
dicany
ouknockof
fear
ly
today?
Tshi
di:
Okay

Mat shidi
sograbbedherhandbagand
touchedZane' sheadasshewal ked
outt henshewalkedbackand
carefull
ylookedathischeek.
..

Tshi
di:
Naar
egoi
thadi
l
ecl
apagol
o
ha?
Zane:
(tear
ful
l
y)No

Hehurri
edbacktotheoff
iceas
Tshi
diandDidi
lookedatone
anot
her.
..

Di
di:
Seey
out
omor
row
Tshi
di:
Bye

Shewal
kedoutt
henDidit
urnedt
he
CLOSEDsi
gnoverandcl
osedthe
door
s.

Di
di:
Zane?Zane?Comeher
eandt
ell
mewhathappened

Zanewalkedbackt
ot hecount
er
cr
yingandrubbi
nghiseyes.
..

Fai
th:Uncl
esaidweshoul
dn'
tsend
Daddypict
ures
Didi
:Bayangor ayagoreFait
hale5
yearscancr eatesuchast or
y ?And
wenaZanedon' tthi
nkforamomenti
can'
tseey ou'rely
ingtome, you'
ll
neverseeOkl ahomakagor ey ou
nevertel
lthet r
uth
Zanecov
eredhi
sfacecr
ying.
..

Di
di:
Bay
angwhathappened?
Bayang:IspoketoZaneaskinghim
somethi
ngabouthisphoneandhe
di
dn'tt
alktomewi t
hr espectgot
hele
Fai
thandy eahiki
ndofkemophai l
a
j
ustabitbutthatwasit

Di
didi
aledKen.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Di
di:
DidZanesendy
oumypi
ctur
es?
Ken:
Yesbut
-
Bayangsnat
chedt
hephonef
rom her
andhungup..
.

Bay ang:Howcomeev er
yti
mewear e
hav i
nganar gumentyouhaveto
i
nv olvehim?Yeahi di
sci
pli
nedt he
chil
dr enbecauseZanewasbei ng
disrespectf
ulandFait
hwast al
ki ng
back, am inotal
lowedgokgalemel a
bana?
Fai
th:
Zanedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngbad
Bayang:Youseet
hat?That
'swhat
shewasdoingandyouneedto
contr
olher
Di
di:Bayangdon'
teverl
ayyourhands
onmychi l
drendoyouunder
standme?
Never,
whereisZane'
sphone?
Bay
ang:
I'
ll
buyi
t
Didi:Youj
ustspoi
ltallt
hese,I'
m
done.I'mtaki
ngmyki dstotheir
fathercl
earl
yyou'
renotwill
ingto
provideasafeenv
ironmentf ort
hem.
Bayang:Ibety ouwer ewaitingf orme
tomakej ustonemi st
akeisn'tit?He
senthi
sf atheryourpictur
es, these
kidsar
ehy pocr i
tes.Zaneisol d
enoughtoknowy ouarenott ogether
,
hecan'tkeept akingyourpictures
andsendingt hem tocausef i
ghts
bet
weenus,
thisi
swhyit
'sdi
ff
icul
tto
bewit
hasecondhand
Didi
:Secondhandkeenenna?You
knowwhatj ustl
eav
e,I'
m notdoi
ng
thi
sinfrontofmychil
dren.
Bayang:DidiweeIwasn'tj
okingwhen
Isaidyou'
renotplayingmethist
ime,
you'
renotgoingany wher
eandnone
ofthesekidsisgoingtobeKenna's
advocatessendi
nghi myourpict
ures
oryouusingtheirphonetochatwith
him.
Di
di:I
'm st
il
lgoi
ng.I
'm done
pr
etendi
ngi l
oveyou,ionl
ychoset
o
bewithyoubecauseyouwereagood
personeventhesexi
sn'tgood
enoughIwaschoosingy our
personal
i
tybutnowthatithas
changeditsagoodbye.

Het urnedandslappedhert henshe

staggeredbackagai nstthecount er
pushingdownFai thwithherast hey
fell
down.Zaner anov erandhel ped
Faithupwhi leBayangy ankedDi di'
s
hairanddr aggedheracr osstheshop
totheof f
icewher ehepushedt he
offi
cedoorandsl appedheragai n..
.

Bay
ang:
Oneont
ir
isa?Sokesehema
sagago?

Zane'
shear tpoundedashewalked
towardst hedoorandst
oodatthe
doorli
steningashismotherr
eceiv
ed
thebeatingsthenhebangedonthe
door.
...

Zane:
Mama?Mama?
Didi
:(shaki
ngv
oice)GetFai
thandgo
home...

Zanet
urnedbackandgrabbedFai
th'
s
handt
henBayangopenedthedoor
andhur
ri
edtothemai
ndoorlocki
ng
i
tasbothki
dsstar
edathi
m shaki
ng.
..

Bayang:
(poi
nted)Si
tdown,
I'
m st
il
l
tal
ki
ngtoyourmother.
.

Hewal kedbacktotheoff
icewher e
Didiwassitt
ingonthechairwiping
hernosewi t
hat i
ssue,
hesawt he
passportsonthedeskandr eached
fort
hem. .
..

Bayang:I'
m notanidiotDidi
,you
cheatedonmet heveryfi
rstt
imeyou
wentt oGaboronedoy ouremember?
Aftersacrificingev erythingi hadf or
youy ougav ey ourv i
rginityt oa
str
anger .Ilov edy ouandcar edf or
you!Aftersomanyy earsi stil
l l
ove
youandwhatdoi get ?Yousl eepwi t
h
Kennai nsidet hehousewhi l
eI 'm
waiti
ngout sidel ikear etard....
(t
earfull
y)Can' ty ouseei lovey ou?
WhathasKennaev erdonef ory ou
besidesgi vey ouki dsandabandon
you?Youl ookl i
keabur nedpi eceof
meatbuti st i
ll l
ov ey ou,y ousl ept
withdisgust ingol dmen. ..Ilov ed
you..
.Youki ll
edani nnocentwoman
withahear tat tackandIst il
llove
you..
.Whatdoi hav etodot oshow
youilovey ou?Kennahur t
sy ouday
i
ndayoutandy ou'
reouther eact i
ng
l
ikeheisGod!Hedi vorcedy ouand
gaveevery t
hingheownedt oa
womanhel ov esandy oucal lt
hat
l
ove?Ilov edthesespoi lbr
at sand
nowtheywantt obet hebr i
dgeof
i
nformationbet weeny outwoand
makemeaf ool?Iwon' tal
lowt hat
Didi
:Pl
easeleave,youbeatmeup
andpai
dy oursel
f,go
Bay ang:I
'm notgoi
nganywhere,we
arewor ki
ngonourr el
ati
onshipand
fi
xingit,y
ouwantabuseaker e?A
whomanhandl esy
ouandput syouin
yourplaceuh?Aguywhoput shis
footdownl
ikeKenna?Ishoul
d
demandrespect
Didi:
Keni sj
ustnatural
lysuper
iorand
nomat t
erwhatyoudoy oucan'tbe
halfthemanhei s,you'
dhav et
ot ake
herbsormedicationsofsomesor tto
behal ft
hemanhei s.
.

Bayanggrabbedherthroatchoking
herandlai
dheront hetableashe
stoodbetweenherlegsandpulled
herski
rtupthenhepul l
edherpanties
downandunzi ppedhispants.
..

ZaneandFai
thst
oodatt
hedoor
tear
ful
lylookingthr
oughthespace
betweent hedoorandthefr
ameas
Didit
earfull
ylookedatt
hem whil
e
Bayangtightl
ychokedherand
penetr
atedher .
..

Me:Youwantt or apemei nf rontof

mykids?Whoev eryou'reyouneedt o
bri
ngBay angback...Thisisnott he
manmygr andmot herwant edmet o
marry.Hewouldnev erletchildren
seethisamountofv i
olence...Rape
me,let'
sseeifitwillmakey ouf eel
bett
er.
Helethergoandt
ear
ful
l
ylookedi
n
hereyes.
..

Bayang:(zippedhispant
s)Tel
lme
whatididwr ongBesides
overr
eactingaboutZane'
s
conversati
onwi t
hhisfat
herandnow
whatelsehav eidonetoyou?Where
di
di gowr ong?Whycouldn'ty
oulov
e
me?

Themai ndoorburstedandthey
heardheavybootsast hepoli
ce
hurr
iedinsi
de,ZanegrabbedFaith's
wri
stpulli
nghercloserastheyturned
Bayangaroundpushi
nghi
m agai
nst
thewall
..
.

Poli
ce:Gori
lengmor ena?Gatwesal
e
oketekamothomobanaba
kua.
..
.Don'
tmov e!Osekawa
si
kenyegakegot senyadihaka.
..

Theycuff
edhim asDi
disl
owlypul
led
downherskir
tandsatonthecor
ner
cover
ingherf
acecryi
ng.

Fait
hranintheoff
icepassinga
tr
affi
cofoff
icer
sandj umpedonher
asshehuggedhert ear
ful
l
yt henshe
t
ookoutherphoneandtypeda
messagewit
hshakyhands..
..

Didi
:I'
m br
ingi
ngthekidsbutI'
m not
gett
ingbackwithyouneit
heram i
vi
sit
ingyou.
Ken:
Iunder
stand

Shest
oodupandwalkedtowar
ds
Zaner
ubbi
nghi
seyes..
..

Didi
:I'
mt aki
ngy outoOkl
ahomabut
i
t'
snott omorrow,Ihavet
oprocess
your
-
Hehuggedhert
ight
lyandsi
ghedi
n
r
eli
ef.
..
.

Zane:
Thanky
ou.I
'
llmakei
tupt
oyou
whenIgr
owup.

Thepol
i
ceofficercal
l
edDidiandshe
wal
kedovercarryi
ngFai
th.
..
.

AMONTHLATER.
..
..

Apologi
esf
orthelat
edeli
ver
y,don'
t
for
gettoLi
ke.Thenexti
nser
tfol
lows
at11pm.Thanky
ouf
ory
ourpat
ience
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
14AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 125

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Tshepoparkedatt
hegat
eandl
eaned
overki
ssi
ngMay a.
..

Tshepo:
Cal
lmewheny
ou'
redone
May
a:Okay
,il
ovey
ou
Tshepo:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Shesteppedoutofthecarinher
bri
ghtmaterni
tydressandwalked
towar
dshermot her'
sthenhedrove
offhol
dingt
hesteer
ingwheelwi
th
onehandashissil
verri
ngshi
ned.

Hetookouthi
sphoneanddi
aled
Bay
ang'sson.
..
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Tshepo:
Hi,
thaemawagagookae?
Hi
m:Hei
soutandhel
efthi
sphone.
Tshepo:
Tel
lhi
mical
l
ed.I
'
llpassby
l
ater
Hi
m:Ok

Hehungup.
..
AtKamo'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Kamosort
edherf
il
esandhada
knockont
hedoor
..
.

Kamo:
tsena.
..

Bayangwal
kedi
nandgr
eet
edher
thenhet
ookaseat
..
.

Kamo:
Mayi
hel
pyou?
Bayang:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Ineedhel
p..
.I
feell
i
keI'
m dyi
ngaslowdeath.
Kamo:
Howcome?
Bay ang:(sighed)Ineedt oknow
wher etost artpicki
ngt hepiecesof
myl if
e.Iam outonbai l f
orassaul t
andat tempt edrape...
.(tookadeep
breath)idon' tknowwher emyl i
feis
goingandi twasal lbecausei l
ov ed
thewr ongwoman.It houghti was
strongbuti needhelpget ti
ngov er
heranddi scoveringmy selfal
lover
again..
Kamo:
Doyoumi ndt
ell
ingmeabout
i
tfr
om t
hest
artsoicanunder
stand?
Bay
ang:
Idon'
tmi
nd.
..
Kamogotherbookandregi
ster
ed
hi
mt henshecl
osedi
tandleaned
backli
steni
ngt
ohim.
..
.

AtWi
l
lRoger
sAi
rpor
t.
..

Didicarr
iedFait
handhel dZane' s
handast heywalkeddownwi t
hother
fl
ightpassengers,thepastcoupleof
hourshadbeenuncomf ortableand
knowingshewasi nadifferent
conti
nentmadet hewholet hi
ngev en
scari
er.

Shecar
eful
l
ywal
kedr
eadi
ngev
ery
signandj oi
nedt heimmi grati
on
queue.Whenshegotcl osergott o
thedeskherhear tpoundedshe
preparedherfluentEnglishbr ushing
offAfri
caabi t
, shehadnev erbeen
surroundedbysomanywhi tepeople
i
nherl if
ebeforeandi twasawkwar d.
Zanecoul dn'
tcont ai
nhisexci tement
ashekeptr eadingt heairportsigns
andandsmi l
edpoi nti
ng...

Zane:
I--
mmigr
ati
on.
..Whatar
ewe
doi
nghere?
Didi
:They'
regoi
ngt
ochecki
fwe
qual
ifyt
ostay
Zane:
Whati
fwedon'
t?
Di
di:
Theywi
l
ldepor
tusbackt
o
Af
ri
ca
Zane:
Shoul
dikeepqui
et?
Di
di:
(laughed)Yes.
..

Theyreachedthedeskandwaitedas
theof
fici
alscheckedt
heirt
rav
elli
ng
documents.

Off
ici
al:
Whati
sthenat
ureofy
our
vi
sit
?
Di
di:
Um...
.Justpl
easur
e,I
'mvisi
ti
ng
myexhusband.Hewantedtoseethe
chi
l
dren.
..

Thewhiteblondel adywithar ed
l
ipst
ickfl
ashedal i
tt
lesmi l
elooking
atZaneandl ookedbackatt he
documents.Shecont inuedtoask
questi
onsandf inall
ystampedt heir
papers,
Didisighedinr el
iefand
smil
edathert heladyasshedi r
ected
hertocustoms....

SheputFait
hdownandputherpi nk
j
acketonthenshezippedherand
grabbedherhandpull
i
ngherluggage
whileZanepul
ledt
heirsf
oll
owingher
taki
ngouthi
sphonet
osnapa
pict
ure.
..

Didi:
Zaneputitback,
y ou'
renot
supposedtouseacellphoneonthi
s
area.Puti
taway.
Zane:
Sor
ry
Di
di:
It'
sokay
..
.

Theywalkedpastmul
ti
plel
i
nesand
j
oinedthequeuewher
eshe
present
edhercust
omsdeclar
ati
on
form.
Zane:(si
ghedimpatient
ly)Whatar
e
wedoingnow?Ir eall
ywanttosee
dad.Thisist
akingtoolong
Di
di:They'
rej
ustchecki
ngifwear
e
br
inginganyt
hinghar
mful.
.
Fait
h:(
yawni
ngl
ayi
ngherheadon
Didi
)Iwantt
osl
eep

Minut
eslat
erthecust
omsof fi
cial
gavet
hem apassthenDidigrabbed
Fai
th'
shandanddraggedtheluggage
wit
htheotherasZanefol
lowed...

Zane:
Arewedone?
Di
di:
(laughed)Yes.
..Thi
sway
..
..

AbigLEDdi
git
alscr
eendispl
ay
showedt
hewordsWELCOMETO
OKLAHOMACITYslowly
..
..

Zane:
Wee-
lcomet
oOkl
ahomaci
ty.
..

Theywal
kedacrossthelobbyasDi di
begunworr
ying,
forsomer easonher
phonewasn'
tworkingandshedi dn'
t
knowwheretogonext.

Theywal
kedacr
ossat
raf
fi
cof
hundredsofpeoplewalki
ngfastand
whil
eot her
shuggedt hear
ri
ving
peopl
e.Zanescr eamedstar
tl
ingDidi
ashedr oppedthebagandran
thr
ought hecrowd...

Zane:
(loudl
y)DAD?DAD?

Fai
th'sey espoppedwhenshe
spottedherf at
herandshequi ckly
sl
iddownr unningtowardshim as
Kensmi ledandpi ckedZaneswi nging
hi
m ar oundwi t
hacut esmile.Fait
h
arr
ivedar ri
vedandhesweptherup
wit
ht heot herarm andl
ift
edt hem up
ast
heyal
ll
aughed.
..

Ken:
Ohman,ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouguy
s
ar
efinal
l
yher
e

Zaneburstedi
ntotear
shuggedhi
m
l
yinghi
sheadonhi sneckandKen
gotemotional
l
yteary.
..

Ken:(
tear
ful
l
y)Ohbuddycomeon
don'
tmakemecry.
.
Zane:
Ilov
eyoudad.
.

Tear
sfi
l
ledKen'
sey
esasheputhi
m
downt hentheyhuggedwhi leZane
rubbedhisrunni
ngnoseandt ears
snif
fl
ing,KenturnedgivingDidihis
backandsecr et
lyrubbedhist earas
hekissedhisboy '
sforehead.

Ken:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Zane:(
laughedandr
ubbedhist
ears)
Ihavet
ogopi ckmybag,Idr
oppedit
Ken:
(laughedandsni
ff
ed)Gogeti
t.
..

ZaneranoffasKent urnedhi
s
att
enti
ontohisli
tt
legirlandsmiled,
sheshylysmil
edholdingherteddy
bear.
..
Ken:
Whatwoul
dIdowi
thouty
ou?
Fai
th:
(gi
ggl
ed)Idon'
tknow
Ken:
Not
hingatal
l
...

Heraisedherupandhuggedher
againast heirj
acket
srubbedagainst
oneanot herthenhekissedherand
tur
nedt oDi diwhoshylystoodt
here
hol
dingt heluggagehandle.

Hewal kedoverandputhisarm
aroundherwai stsl
i
ght
lyputt
ingit
underherjacketsohecouldfeel
the
warmthofherski
nashehuggedher
gent
lyandki
ssedher
.

Hesmel l
edgoodandhehada
perf
ecthaircutwit
hwav esandan
excell
entbeardt
rim somuchthei
r
feelonherneckgavehercli
tsan
i
nstantspasm...

Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Hey
..
.
Di
di:
(shy
ly)Hey

Helookedi
nhereyest
henherl
i
ps
andli
ckedhi
sli
psswal
lowi
ngashe
mov
edback.
.

Ken:(
gotthebag)Letmegett
hat
..
.
Let
'sgo.
..

Hedr aggedthebagwhil
ecar
ryi
ng
Fait
hwi ththeot
herar
m asDidi
put
herarm aroundZaneandpul
l
edt he
otherbag..
..

Ken:Westayinaneighbour
hood
cal
ledCrownHeight
s,it
sasafe
nei
ghbourhood
Di
di:
Okay
Zane:(
looki
ngatthetal
lsparkl
ing
bui
ldi
ngsthroughthegl
ass)Ithink
I
'm dr
eaming..

Theysteppedoutoft heair
portand
headedtot heparkinglotasthecold
weatherwel comedt hem,Kenquickl
y
openeddoor sforthem andclosed
them i
nside.

Zanegrabbedagif
tboxshaki
ngit
cl
osert
ohi searwi
thawidesmileas
Fai
thgottheonewrappedi
npick..
.

Fai
th:
Wow
Zane:(
turned)Ar
eweal
l
owedt
o
toucht
his?
Ken:
(openi
ngt
het
runk)I
t'
syour
s

Theygiggledandi mmedi atel

ytore
thecoversasDi diblushedonher
ownchewi ngt hesl eevesofher
sweateradmi ringKent hroughthe
mirr
orasheputt hebagsi nthetrunk
andclosedit.What everthehell
he
hadbeeneat ingandbat hingwith
waswor ki
ngwonder s..
.Hewas
handsomeandt hest yl
eofdresswas
onanotherlev el.
.
Hebl ewwarm aironhi
spalmsand
rubbedhishandstoget
herglanci
ng
atherthenshequickl
ylookeddown,
hegotinandclosedthedoorstart
ing
thecarastheairconwarmedt hem
up..
.

Ken:
Arewer
eady
?
Zane:
Yes.
..Il
ovey
ourcar
Ken:
Ourcar
Fait
h:Ourcar
..
.It
sourcar.
..Daddy
thanksf
orWinniethepooh
Zane:
Ilov
ethi
sgame.
..Thanks
daddy
Di
di:
Nnagakear
ekel
wakagor
eng?
Ken:(
smil
ed)Aker
ewenaoti
sit
se
banahel
anothi
ngmorepl
usoril
e
tot
awenagaoanketel
a
Di
di:
(laughed)Kemat
hat
a..
.

Shelookedatthetal
l bui
ldi
ngsand
thebeauti
fulst
reet
sast hecar
movedt henshesmiledlookingat
him.
..

Di
di:
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul
Ken:
(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
)Iti
s..
.
Att
heapar
tment
..
..

Minut
eslaterherol
ledintheparki
ng
l
otandledthem int
ot hehugefl
at
wheretheygotinaliftwit
hthebags
andpressedthebutton..
.

Ken:
West
ayon5t
hfl
oor
Zane:
What
's5t
hfl
oor
?
Ken:Itmeansthel i
ftastopass4
l
evelsbefor
ewecanr eachour
apart
mentandi talsomeanswest ay
sohighyoucan'tjumpoutt he
windowbecausei fyoufall
you'
ll
die
Zane:
Okay
Di
di:
Ihopet
hewi
ndowsar
en'
ttoo
l
ow
Ken:
It'
schi
l
dfr
iendl
y.
..

Theelevatordingedandslidopen
thentheyfoll
owedKenashecar ri
ed
Fait
handdr aggedt hebag.Didi
and
Zanesighedwi thsmilesandwaited
asheunl ockedtheapartmentand
pull
edthebagi n.

I
twasclean,
spaciousandtotall
y
di
ffer
entf
rom whattheywereusedto
backinAf
ri
ca,Kenpulledt
hef ol
ds
l
etti
ngint hel
i
ghtandthroughthe
l
argewi ndowyoucouldseethenext
t
allfl
atsandthetr
aff
ic..
.

Fait
hr anacrossthelounger
oom and
j
umpedont hecouchtaki
ngoffher
bigjackett
henZaneputdownt he
gameandr anacrossthehouse
touchingeveryt
hing.

Didiquiet
lystoodatthedoor
emot i
onall
ylookingatthehappi
ness
i
nherchi l
dren'seyes.Kensl
owly
cl
osedt hedoorandl ockedi
tlooki
ng
atherbutsheav oidedhiseyesand
l
ookeddown.

Theki dslaughedandgi ggledasKen

l
edt hem tot heirroom wher eheput
theirbagincl osetandputhi shands
i
nt hepocket slookingatt hem as
theyjumpedont heirseparatesingl
e
bedsl oudlychat t
ing.Zanesmi led
andcol l
apsedonhi smoonandt he
spaceshipsbedcov erswhileFaith
j
umpedonherDi sneyPr i
ncess
bedding...

Didiwal
kedov erandl
eanedagai
nst
thedoorfol
dingherar
mswat chi
ng
emot
ionalasKensatonZane'
sbed
andt
ouchedhishead.
..

Ken:I
'm goi
ngtogiv
eyouguysan
hourortwotorestt
henwehaveto
bathandgograbsomethi
ngtoeat
Zane:
Okay

Hest oodupandl ockedey eswith

Didi andsmi l
edashecl osedthe
chil
dr en'
sdoorandgr abbedherar m.
Hel edhert othemai nbedr oom and
closedt hedoorlookingi nhereyesas
het ookof fhi
sjacketandhungi ton
thedoorhook.
Sheuncomf ortabl
ylookeddownas
hesteppedov erandunzippedher
s
peel
ingitdownandhangi ngitt
hen
heheldbothofherhandsl ooki
ngin
hereyesandputt hem bothupashe
ki
ssedthem. .
.

Ken:
Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngt
heki
ds.
Di
di:
You'
rewel
come.
..
.

Hewr appedherarmsar oundhis

waistpull
ingheroverandhuggedher
cl
osingheronhi schestandgaveher
aquick,casualki
ssont hecheekthen
camet heehug,anditwasthehug
thatalwaysmadeDi di
'
sheartmush.
Hedi ditwi
thaseriousgr
ipanda
l
itt
lesway ,
thi
smadeherf eelsaf
e
againnandsheclosedhereyes
rel
axingonhischest.

Ken:
(mut
ter
ed)Godshei
sher
e..
.

Hesof tl
yputhi shandunderherhair
touchinghercheekandpul l
editupto
hisfaceashel eanedoverandkissed
her.Het houghthe'dcontrolhi
mself
buthef oundhi mselfki
cki
ngof fhi
s
shoesandt ossedheront hebed
cr
awli
ngov erasshecaughther
br
eathpushingouthi
st-shi
rtand
ki
ssi
ngback.

Hepul ledouthi st-shir

tandt hr
ewit
offthenhel eanedov erkissi
ngheras
heunzi ppedhi spant s,i
thappenedso
fastshef eltherpant i
esmov easide
andhi mf i
lli
ngherupassheopened
hermout handcl osedherey es
frowningt akinghissuper i
orblackD.
..

Di
di:
Ohh.
..
..
..
Ken:(mutt
ered)Fuuuuck.
..
.(
pant
ing)
I
'm sorr
ynof or
eplay
,ican'
t.
..
Helookedi
nherey
espull
i
ngoutand
pol
i
sheditt
henhe#removed.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
14AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 126

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..

Justbefor
e9atnightBay angwal
ked
outofthebat
hroom andcheckedon
hi
sson, hewaslyi
ngont hebed
pl
ayinggamesonhi sphone...

Hi
m:Ohheydad
Bay
ang:
Heywhat
'sup
Hi
m:Justpl
ayi
ngagame.
..
howar
e
y
ouf
eel
i
ng?
Bay
ang:
I'
m good.
Hi
m: Imadesupper
,it
'si
nthe
mi
crowave.
Bay
ang:
Thanks

Hest
aredathi
ssonforamoment
andl
eanedagai
nstt
hedoor
frame.
..

Bay
ang:
Doy
ouev
ermi
ssmom?
Him: Yeah,I
'
mlonelyandidon'
thave
fr
iendsatschool.Theycal
lmefat
onewhodoesnotgodownand
duri
ngphy si
caleducat
ionthet
eacher
usedtosayi
shoul
dn'
tfal
lbecause
thegr
oundwoul
dcrack

Apainfull
umpblockedhist
hroatas
helookedathisboysayi
ngsuch
hurt
fulthi
ngsbutbusypl
ayi
ngwi t
h
thephone..
.

Bay
ang:
Real
l
y?At
eachersai
dthat
?
Him:
YeahbutI 'l
lbefine.Ichanged
myoptionalsubj
ectsfr om PEtoArt
nowijustdr
awandt het eacheri
s
ni
cer
.Hel i
kesmypot tery
Bay
ang:
What
'spot
ter
y?
Him:Maki
ngt
hingsl
i
kef
lowerpot
s
andst
uff
Bay
ang:I
'
dli
ket
oseeoneofy
our
works
Him:Ourt
eachersentourl
ast
pr
oject
stotheregi
onalcompet
it
ions,
hethi
nksI
'l
lwin.
Bayang:Juni
orwhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me
al
lthese?
Junior:
Youwer estayingwithaunt
Didiandherkids,idi
dn'twantto
dist
urby ouandyouwer ehappy
.
Whenshedi dn'twanty ouyousaid
youhadnot hi
ngt oli
vef or
..
.
Juniorr
ubbedhisey esandputthe
phonedownwal kingoutbutBayang
grabbedhisarm andturnedhi
m
aroundlooki
ngathim. .
.

Bayang:
I'
m sor
ryt
hati
abandoned
you
Junior:(tearf
ull
y)Ijustwantaparent
i
fi can'thaveaf ri
end.It
'sfi
neI'
mf at
andt heysayi breathtooloudi
shouldn'tsitnexttothem because
i
t'
sdi sgust i
ng.Whenmypant s
sl
ightlysliptheypointatmybackand
shoutcl eavage..
Bay
ang:Idi
dn'
tknowl
i
fewast
ough
onyou
Junior:(cryi
ng)Youwoul dn't,you
werebusypi cki
ngZaneandFai thbut
hi
redat axiforme.Yout ookZane
andFai thoutbutnev eroncet ookme
out,youmademest aywi thuncl ebut
hi
swi f
edon' tli
keme.Shemademe
workt i
relessly,
shesaidt hereasonI
am fatisbecauseIeatanddo
nothing,icutthegrassandr aked
wheny ouwer eatSbranaandi thurt
mebecausey ousenty ourselfther
e.
Youdi dn'thavetogo
Bayangtear
ful
l
yhuggedJuni
oras
tear
sgleamedinhi
sboy'
seyes.
..

Juni
or:
Iwishyoulovedmet heway
youl
ovedauntDidiandherkids.
Bayang:Jayj
ayI'
m sor
ry,I
'
mv ery
sorr
yforabandoningy
ouliket hat
..
.
I'
vebeenabadf at
herbutthat'
sabout
tochange.TomorrowI'
m goingt o
schoolt
ot al
kto-
Juni
or:
Theywi
l
lsayI
'
m acr
ybaby
,
don'
t
Bayang:Okayfi
ne,
ihaveabetter
i
dea..
.Howaboutwebot hgetagym
membershipcar
d?Ithi
nkit
'sP200
permonth..
.(smil
ed)Ineedto
exer
cisetooI'
m gett
ingold
Juni
or:(smi
ledt
ear
ful
l
y)OkayI
'dli
ke
that
..
.Doyouthi
nkI
'
dlosemyfat?
Bayang:
You'regoi
ngt
olosei
t,we
candoit.Deal
?
Juni
or:(
bithi
sli
psmi
l
ingdet
ermi
ned)
Deal
..
.
Bay
ang:
Goodni
ght
Juni
or:
Goodni
ght

Juni
orgoti
nbedandl
aiddownas
Bayangsl
owlypul
l
edt
hedoor.
.
Juni
or:
Papa?
Bayang:
(pausedhol
dingt
hedoor
)
Yeah?
Junior
:I'
m happyyou'
reback, i
missedyouandi wasverylonely.I
usedtocryatnightbef
oresleeping
becausemamai sgoneandy ouwere
notther
et oo.
Bayang:
(smil
edemoti
onal
ly
)I'm
backandI'
m nev
ergoi
ngtoleavey
ou
agai
n
Juni
or:
(smi
l
ed)Cool

Hesmil
edandcl
osedthedoor
wal
ki
ngint
ohisbedr
oom wher
ehe
satont
hebedl
oggi
ngonFacebook.

Apostcaughthi sat tention. .."Didint

le
DanielatCr ownHei ghts, Okl ahoma
Cit
y ,
USAwi t
hKennaDani el.Shehad
posted8pi ctur
esofher sel funder
Ken'sshouldertogetherwi t
ht hekids
i
nt heirbi
gwar mjacket sandt hermal
hatsappear i
ngtobeunderacol d
weatherast hewindbl ewherweav e
whiletheystoodinf rontt all big
buil
dings.Somepi cturesshowedKen
andZanewi tht
heirident ical smi les
eati
ngShr i
mpsandcr abswhi l
eFai t
h
fr
ownedaf raidtoev ent oucht hem.
Thepostwascapt ioned. ..
."Shani a
Twai nsai
dYou'
resti
llt
heone.
.. I
thinkshemeantthi
s."Shehad167
Likesand60comment samongst
them was;

Didi'
sFB Fri
end:"WhatGodputs
togethernomanshallsepar
ate,
kea
rata.
"Didir
epli
ed"Amen"
Didi
'sFBFriend2:" Fait
hthe
kemokobany anakwej aanongogana
gojadikhukhwane"Didirepl
ied"
y
oucant akeheroutofMaunbut
youcan'tMaunoutofher .Shesays
theywil
lbit
eher"
Ken'
sFBf
ri
end:
"Kenmybr
other
thokomel
amosadil
ebana,baakany
a
dil
omorena"Kenr
epl
ied"Yeahneeh"
Ken'
sFBfr
iend:
"Wowmypower
coupl
e"
Di
di'
sFBf
ri
end:
"Fami
l
ysi
ssy
"
May
a:Aunt
iet
hisi
scute,i
can'
twait
t
ohavemyperf
ectl
it
tl
efamil
ytoo.
Bl
essing:
Godblessyoutwo,
marr
iageisf
orgi
veness.I
'
minspi
red.
Rets: Kebel ael
akobedroom go
thuntsedithase,kenrepli
ed" Ke
mor uti
themonabuakabot hobana
baphut hegobar eedit
se".Ret
s
repli
ed kegoi t
sekego
tshepathebr ada"
Didi
'
sMaunnei ghbour
:Haibo
Tanyar
adwa,shamwar i
yangookoUS?
Didi
repl
ied" yesshamwariomo
US

Bay angLikedt hepostandcont i

nued
scrolli
ngthencamet heprofil
e
pictureofDidiandKensmi l
ingatthe
camer aashehel dherwai ststanding
behindher .Thef actthatheknew
thatwoul dhappeni fDi
diwentt here
didn'tmakei tanylesspai nful
,he
couldonlyi maginet hesexandt he
whol esetupofbei nginadi ff
erent
count r
yli
v i
ngamuchbet terli
fe.His
i
nf eri
ori
tycutthrought hehear tashe
l
ookedatKen' shandonherwaist
andateardroppedonthescreen.He
putdownt hephoneandcoveredhis
facecr
ying..
.

Bay
ang:
Fuuuck.
..
.

Hedi
aledTshepo.
..
.

Tshepo:
Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
(cr
yingsi
l
ent
ly)
..
.
Tshepo:
Makhay
a?
Bay
ang:
Ilov
eDi
di.
.
Tshepo:
Eish.
..It
houghty
ouwentf
or
counsel
l
ing
Bayang: Ididandshet alkedt ome
butitdoesn' tchangehowi feel .
Counsellinggaeber ekebecause
they'
reall sayi
ngt hesamet hi ng...
Mov eon, doot hert hi
ngsbuti l
ov e
her.Iknowi wrongedher .
..Iletmy
angerandhat eforKennat ocont rol
memoel enggor eIwentasf arast o
hurttheki dsbutGodknowsi love
thosekids.Iknowev eryonet hinks
I'
m anabuserbutt hosekidswer emy
world.Iabandonedmyownf ort hem
andonl ywhenKenst artedusi ng
them abokel osert emper.Let 'sbe
honest,wasKenr ightt oputDi di as
hi
sDPbasemmogo?
Tshepo:OfcoursenotbutDi di
doesn'
twantyou, shedoesn'tl
ove
yousoacceptherdeci si
onandf ocus
onyoursel
fandy ourkid.Keepyour
mindbusyuntil
y ou'r
eov erher
Bayang:I'
m goi
ngtowaitf
orher,
may besheneedsti
me.Someti
mes
l
ovingsomeonemeansl et
ti
ngthem
gosot heycanfi
ndthei
rwaybackto
you.
Tshepo:That
'str
uesoifDidii
s
meanttobey our
sshewi l
lcome
backfornowdoot hert
hingst
ostop
thi
nki
ngabouther.
Bay
ang:
Okay
,goshap
Tshepo:
Shap

Hehungupandl ai
donhi sback
thought
full
y,hewonderedhowol d
hisdaughterwasbutwhathe
couldn'
tunderst
andwaswhyKel l
y
changedthenumber swithoutl
ett
ing
herknow.Hesear chedforoneofthe
guyshewor kedwithinKasaneand
dial
edhim...

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Bay
ang:
YeahSt
ivav
owar
eng?
Hi
m:Al
lgood
Bayang:
Remembert
hatnur
sei
used
tohangwit
h?Kel
l
y?
Hi
m:Yeah?
Bayang:Okae?Iheardshe
tr
ansfer
redorsomethingoil
ekae?
Him: Di
dn'tthatchickdieacoupleof
mont hsafterdeli
veri
ng?Ihear dshe
hadacompl icat
eddelivery.I
twas
yearsagoi forgotthestorybecause
thegirliwasdat i
ngatt hetimewas
fri
endswi t
hherandi knowshel eft
ayaphithong.
Bay
ang:
Ae,
waakat
hemonna!
Hi
m:Keagobol
elel
a,eneo
t
hokahet
sekesure,gor
ewhatwas
t
hecauseIfor
gotbecausei
twas
y
earsago.
Bay
ang:
Ngwanaokae?
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
thearany
thi
ngabouther
Bayang:Kanat hischickitwasa2
minuterelati
onship.Iwasnewi n
Kasaneandwedat edbuti nev
ermet
herfamilyandaf terdel
iveri
ngher
motherwast hesupersti
tioustypes.
Sherefusedf ormet oseemy
daughteraboutt hreeti
mesandt hey
sai
dI '
dseeherwhenshei s6mont hs
buttheni tr
ansferredbackt oMaun
andwel ostcommuni cati
onnumber
esat shware.Igotdi
str
actedhel
aall
alongbutnowIwantt oworkon
my self.Someti
mesthingsgobadfor
usbecausewemadebabi esout
thereandabandonedt hem,thei
r
brokenhear t
sarewhatcausesallt
he
problemsweencount er.
Him:Skari
alot
hemonnakel at
hil
e
ngwanakobokalakakwa,
I'
m surehe
i
s13y ear
soldorso
Bay
ang:Mphenumbery
athatl
adyke
mmotsegor
ekogaboKell
ykekae
Him: nnammekanai knowwherehe
i
si candrivether
eandstar
t
communi cati
nggapebanabal
erat
o
gore,afterabandoningthem andyou
decidetost artt
akingresponsi
bil
it
y
theyforgiveyouandl oveyou.Theris
noexcusef ornottry
ingbecause
gabat shwanel edibabymamat sa
tengithelabalebit
terhaoreo
baakany adilolengwana.
Bayang:I
'm goi
ngtost
artsuppor
ti
ng
mine,Shapgakenaai
rt
imedon't
for
gettosendthenumber
Hi
m:Sur
e.

Hehungup,
minut
eslat
erher
ecei
ved
t
henumberanddi
aledt
hewoman..
..
.
AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Thenextmor ni
ngBabywal kedoutof
thedoct
or'soff
icewithhercardand
walkedpastaguywhohadbeen
waiti
ngforherleani
ngagainstthe
wall,
hehurri
edov erandj
oinedher
holdi
nghiscard..
.

Hi
m:Hi
Baby
:Hi

Hequiet
lywalkedwit
hhert
othe
di
spensaryandqueuedwi
thher
..
Hi
m:Mynamei
sAndr
ew
Baby
:Hi
Andy
Andy
:Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
otel
lmey
our
name?
Baby
:It
'sBaby
Andy:
(laughed)Real
l
y?Di
dyour
par
entsrunoutofnames?
Baby:
(laughed)I
'
m donet
alki
ngt
o
you
Andy
:Babe
Baby
:Ihopeyou'
resay
ingi
twi
tht
he
yandnotthee
Andy
:(l
aughed)You'
dnev
erknow
thoughr
ight,
sohowlonghav
eyou
beenonlif
esuppor
t?
Baby:
Ev ersi
ncei
wasal
i
ttl
egi
rl
,ar
e
youst
alkingme?
Andy:Weal
way
sseethedoct
orat
thesameti
meI
'mj
usttoougl
ytobe
noti
ced

Shelookedathiscutefaceand
bl
ushed,hishumblenessmadehim
evenmor eat
tract
ive.
..

Baby:
Tr ue,
you'
redamnugl y.
..(
they
l
aughed)Whatabouty ou?Andi di
dn'
t
knowitscall
edl
ifesupport
..(
they
bot
hlaughed)
Andy:Iwasbornwithi
t,mymother
wasn'
texactl
ytheli
ter
atet
ypesoi
wastestedwhenIwasal i
tt
leboy
andstart
edthetr
eatment.
Baby:
(pokedhisstrongbiceps)
Damn...Thi
sshitr
eallyworks,wit
ha
bodyl
ikethatyouwer ebornwithHIV?
Andy:(
laughed)Thewayyouare
al
waysqui eti
wouldhav
enev er
assumedy oualoudmouth.
Baby:Manno.…nowilov
emyli
fe
suppor
t,sohowisyourmom?
Andy
:Shedi
edwhenIwas3year
s
ol
dandiwasputi
nachi
ldr
en'
shome
forabout2y earsthenIwasadopt ed
byanHI Vposi t
ivecouplewhoar e
nowmygr eatestsupporter
s.Mydad
i
st heworld'
sgr eat
estfather.
..Li
ke
thatdudeisjustawesomeandmy
mot heri
sanangel
Baby: Wow.
..Ibetyouneverfel
tlef
t
out,I
'mtheonlypositi
vepersonat
homeandmycl assmat essomehow
foundoutandst ar
tedacti
ngweird.
Myl i
fewascrazythepastcoupleof
mont hs.
Andy:Bei
ngHIVposi tiv
eisnoteasyI
meanpeoplejustfreakoutwhenthey
fi
ndoutsoaftergetti
ngdumpeda
coupl
eoftimesi decidedfucki
tI'
l
l
watchPor
nhubandgi
vemy
sel
f
handj
obs

Babycoveredhermouthlaughingand
event
ual
lyburstedoutl
oudlythenhe
l
aughedcov er
inghermouthas
peopl
eturnedlooki
ngatthem...

Andy:
(laughed)Shutup!Babywa
swabadidimalamonna

Theycol
lect
edtheirpi
l
lsandwalked
outoft
hehospital
andeacht i
meshe
l
ookedathim shewouldlaugh.
..
Baby:Remi
ndmenev
ert
oshakey
our
hand
Andy:(l
aughed)WTFdi di
eventel
l
youthi
s,I
'l
lneverheart
heendofit
Baby:(
laughedonel
astti
meand
exhal
ed)nowonderyourbicepsar
e
sostr
ong
Andy:(
pushedher)Babyiregr
et
appr
oachi
ngy ou.It
houghtyouwer
e
adecenti
nnocentgir
lkant
egaoutwe
j
aana

Theywal
kedpastt
heparki
nglot
whil
ehetookoutt
hecarkeysand
pressedasthecarl
i
ght
sfl
ashed
unlocki
ng.
..

Andy
:Thi
sway
..
Baby
:Oh..
.Youdri
ve?It
houghtwe
ar
ecatchi
ngataxi
Andy
:May
benextt
ime.
..

Theywal kedov ertotheblackLexus

wit
hsil
v err i
msandgoti nasshesat
ontheleat herseatandlookedatthe
beaut
if
ul interi
or.
.

Baby
:Wowok.
..I
sity
ourdad'
s?
Andy:No,
igoti
tlasty
earwheni
tur
ned18
Baby
:(shocked)Yourfat
herbought
youacarforyour18thbi
rthday
?
Andy:Yes,
it'
sjustLexus.
..I
tsnot
expensi
ve.
..I
tsli
ke34K
Baby :(
laughedindi
sbel
ief
)Whi ch
sideofMaundoy oupeopl
elivein?
Theonl ythi
ngIgetonmybi r
thdays
i
sahappybi rt
hdaykeit
hel
ele
thatswitsedi
lwana.
Andy:Trustmemyf atheri
stoughon
met ooandtheywhippedme, t
heir
fr
iendswouldsaydon'tbeathi
mt hat
hardandmydadwoul dsayHI V
doesn'tgi
veyouspeci
alt
reat
ment
kaotrapagaonnamagoma
Baby :
(laughed)Nowt hatsoundsl
i
ke
mymot her,(
laughed)Shedidn'
t
care..
.mydadwoul dbesohurt
feel
ingsor r
yformeandmymom
wouldgetangr yboili
ngsaying
ntswelakakgor oBabyaker eo
mosadi (
theybothlaughed)Il
ovemy
parents
Andy:Yeah.
..Woul
dyoul
i
ket
ogof
or
adri
veonweekend?
Baby:
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
oaskmei
fI
haveaboyf
ri
end?
Andy
:Why
?Ishehungr
ytoo?
Baby;
(laughed)Mxm.
..
.I'
l
llety
ou
knowifI'
mf ree
Andy
:Cool
..
.LetpassbyWi mpyand
gr
abyouMil
kshakeisthatokay
?
Baby
:Yeah.
..

Hedrovet
othemal
landpar
kedin
fr
ontofLi
quor
amat
henhestepped
out.
.

Andy:
Str
awber
ryorchocol
ate?
Baby
:Sur
pri
seme
Andy
:cool
..
Shewat chedhim ashewal kedback
and" dammi t
",niggawascl eanand
thegr ayt i
ghtt-
shir
thehadon
revealedhi shealt
hysexybody ."
God
blesst hegov er
nmentofBot swana
forthef reeARV"ni ggawasbuf f
edup
andwal kingoutofWi mpywiththat
mi l
kshakeandbal l
oonhemel tedher
heart..
.

Baby:(whi
spered)Okaythisiscr
azy
nowi l
ovebeingposit
ive..
.(t
ooka
deepbreat
h)Okaybehav eBaby ,
go
sl
owbubu....Iknowheishotbut
breat
hinandbr eat
hout .
.
Shestoppedbr
eat
hingashegoti
n
andhandeditt
oher.
..

Andy
:Ar
eyouok?

Shewant edtorespondbut
somet hi
ngwasst uckonherthroat
thenshesippedthemi l
kshakeand
smiledbacklookingi
nhis
mesmer isi
ngeyes..
.

Baby
:(si
ghed)I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Andy
:Cool
..
Hestart
edthecarandrever
sed
handi
ngherthebal
loon.
..

Andy
:Babi
esgetbal
loonsf
orfreeat
Wimpy,
icoul
dn'
tdenyyouyourri
ght
Baby:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)Andyst
op
i
t.
..

Heplay
edmusi
casRockaby
e
pl
ayed.
..

Baby
:Il
ovet
hissong
Andy
:Mymot
herusedt
opl
ayi
ton
mybi r
thdayswhenIwasal i
ttl
eboy
,
apparentl
ywhentheyadoptedmei
wasaweakbabyanddoct ors
thoughtI'
dli
e.
Baby
:I'
m sor
ry
Andy:It
'sthepast ,Idon'
tev en
remember ..Ionlyremembert hem
l
ov i
ngmeandi didn'
tevenbel i
evei
wasadopt edbecausemymemor ies
atthechildren'
shomewer ev ague.I
thoughtitwasahospi t
al f
orkids,i
didn'
tknowi twasacent er.
Baby:
Uhshamebl
owj
obmast
er
bat
hong
Andy
:(l
aughedandbust
edher
bal
l
oon)I
'
m war
ningy
ou
Baby
:(l
aughedwhini
ng)Andyther
ra
wenaothubi
lebal
l
oony ame.
..

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..

Lol
ol oggedinFacebookandDi di'
s
postspoppedupt henshenoti
ced
Baby,May a,Carl
andAat i
leLi
kedher
postandmov edthecoursert
othe
Li
kebut tonbutshemov editt
ot he
messagesandst art
edtypi
ng.
..

Lol
o:Youguy
sar
egl
owi
ng,
congratulat
ionsonget tingy our
familybackt oget heragai n.Iknow
howhappyIam t ohav eAat ileback
soIi maginet hat '
st hesame
happiness.Iam sor rythatt hings
havebeenawkwar dbet weenusandi
takefullr
esponsi bi l
it
y.Ihav ebeen
angryatKennaandpar tofmewas
angryaty out oof ordef endi nghi m
againstme.If eltlikey ouwer en'
t
feel
ingmypai nasamot herbutI '
ve
hadt i
met ot hink.Babyi sol denough
tomakeherchoi cesandshet ol
dme
shemadet hef i
rstmov e.I '
m not
sayingit'
sherf aul tbutI '
m
acknowledgingherpar toft he
mistakewi tht hatbei ngsai dy ou're
notpartoft his.IstuckbyAat ile's
si
dewhenhei mpregnat edt hatl i
tt
le
gi
rlSedi andev ent odaySedi '
sbaby
vi
sitsusi tdoesn' tmeani agreewi t
h
whathedi d.I'mj ustaccept ingt hatit
happenedandwecan' tchangei t
.
Kennakemonnawagagoandodi r
il
e
melatohel aj aakal ennakedi ret se
Aatil
ediphosoandf orgivi
nghi m
doesn'tmeany oucondonehi s
mistakes.Ihopeonedaywecanbe
fr
iendsagai n,pleaset el
l Kennat hati
don'thatehi m.Ihear dthef ullst or
y
andi under standev eryt
hing.They
werebot hwr ongandi t'
sami st ake
wecanputbehindusandmov
eon.
Sor
ryf
orthelongmessage

Shesenti
tandwentbackt
othepost
wher
esher eact
edwi
thahear
tand
commented..
.

Lol
o:Godbl
essy
ourf
ami
l
y

Shewentbacktothemessages
agai
nandtyped.
.

Lol
o: Bal
akapel
aointshwar
ele
kebat
agogojel
adi
kgang,
lel
emelea
baba.

Shelaughedandcont
inued
worki
ng..
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eabeaut if
ulmor ningwas
start
inganewdayi nOklahomaas
Ken'salarmedwentof fthenhe
quicklyswitchedifoffwithhi schest
pressedagai nstDidi'
sback, helif
ted
hi
sheadl ookingatherasshel aid
deadasl eepthenhesl owlyki ssed
herneckl eavingat r
ailofkisses
downt
ohershoul
der
.

Hegentlyr
anhi sfi
ngersoverherski
n
andcuppedherbr east
sr el
easi
nga
l
it
tlemoanashegent l
yrubbed
hi
mselfagainstherbutt
,shepushed
hi
m offandsleptashepaused
l
ookingatherthenhegr abbedhisD
andsil
entl
ystrokedhimselfwit
hthe
ti
ppoint
edather .

Hest r
okedunti
lhebegunshaki
ng
gett
ingreadytoshootandgent
ly
l
ift
edherkukcheekslight
lyt
ouchi
ng
herentrowit
hthetipofhi
sDashe
r
eleasedonher
.

Shefel
tedhiswarmthwhil
elosti
n
hersl
eepbuteventual
l
yfel
lback
asl
eepagain.
..

Hismi l
kdri
ppeddownherashe
sl
owl ygotoffbedthebedwithout
wakingherandcov eredherwit
ha
sheetbeforehit
ti
ngtheshowerand
l
eavingforschool.
..
..

About2hourslaterDi
digroaned
tur
ninglyi
ngonherbackand
str
etchedherbackyawning..
.
Shepausedandpushedof fthe
sheetslooki
ngatherki
tt
yspitt
ing,
shegotupandputonhi srobethen
shejumpedont heshowerbefore
changingthebeddi
ng.

Shemadebr eakfastandsteppedout
tothebal
conywher esheputher
foodonthetableandsatdown
watchi
ngthecitytraff
icwhil
eeati
ng
thensheheardthet el
ephoneri
ngi
ng.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Goodmor
ningbeaut
if
ul
Di
di:(
laughedbl
ushi
ng)Good
morni
ng..
Ken:
I'
mjustchecki
ngi
n
Di
di:
Okay
Ken:Mylastl
ecturewil
l endin2
hour
s,ihopey ouguyswi ll
bereadyi
wanttotakethekidstot heparkand
maybehav easeri
oust alkaboutus
Di
di:Wewi
ll
beready.
..Jaanongo
nt
ir
il
eengwenaphakela?
Ken:
(laughed)Seey
oul
ater
Di
di:
(laughed)What
everby
e

Shehungupandsi
ghedwi
thahuge
smi
l
e..
.

*
**
Meanwhi l
eZanesl owlyturnedhalf
-
asleepandopenedhi sey eslooki
ng
attheunfamili
arroom...Well i
t
wasn'tunfamil
iarj
ustar oom he
thoughthewasdr eamingaboutbuti t
seemedi twasn'tadream thenhe
kickedofftheduvetandshookFai th.
..

Zane:
It'
snotadr
eam!Getup

Her
ant
othewi
ndowi
nhi
spy
jamas
andsocksashepulledthebli
ndf
olds
str
ingl
ett
ingint
hemor ningsunl
i
ght
l
ookingattheci
tyf
lats.
..

Zane:Yes!I
'm notdreami
ng.
..
.Iknew
Iwasn'tdr
eami ng.
..

Her anpastFait
hwhowasyawni
ng
rubbinghereyesandr
anacr
osst
he
apartment.
..

Zane:
I'
m notdr
eami
ng!

Het
hrewhi
msel
font
hecouchand
grabbedhisgameasDidiwalkedout
ofthekit
chenwithawarm cupof
coffeesmil
ingathi
m..
.

Di
di:
Goodmor
ning
Zane:
Mor
ning,
wher
eisdad?
Di
di:
Hei
satschool
,hewi
l
lbehome
i
nafewhour
s
Zane:Okay.
..Thanky ouforbringi
ng
meher e.WhenIwokeupi t
hought
maybey est
erdaydidn'thappenandit
wasalladream becausei dreamt
abouti
twayt oomanyt i
mes.
Didi
:Ohmay bey
ou'
resti
l
ldr
eami
ng
andhaven'
twokenupyet
Zane:
Real
l
y?
Di
di:(
laughed)Ofcour
senotbaby,
wearehereandwewi l
lbeherefora
whi
le.

Fai
thwalkedoverdr
aggi
ngher
Winni
ethepooh..
.

Fai
th:
Goodmor
ning.
..Wher
eis
Daddy?
Didi
:(l
aughed)Hewi
l
lbehomesoon,
comeher e.
..

Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoort
hen
shewalkedov erandl ookedthrough
thedoorhole,i
twasawhi t
eladywith
hersonaboutZane' sageandshe
washoldingsomet hingonherhands
cover
edwi thfoi
l.Shewasn' tsureif
sheshouldopent hedoorornotbut
thenthel
adyknockedoncemor e
withasmi l
e..

Her
:Mr
sDani
el?

Shepull
edoutthedoorchainand
openedlooki
ngatthewhitewoman
whosmi l
edwidel
yraisi
nghereyes
l
ayinghereyesonthekids.
..
Her:
Oh...
.theyhavesomuchof
br
otherDaniel
..Hel
loguy
s?
Zane:
Hel
l
o
Fai
th:
Hi.
.
Her:(l
ookedbackatDi diwi
thasmi l
e
andgr acef
ull
yshookherhand)Hi,i
am Mr sTaylorandi
staynextdoor.I
al
sogot oCrownHeightsChri
sti
an
Church.Myhusbandi soneofthe
preachersthere.
Di
di:
Iam Mi
ssDani
elandum my
..
.
MrsTaylor
:(l
aughedandf
ini
shedthe
sent
enceforher)Hei
sastudent
past
or,i
know
Didi
:(l
aughed)
Yes,
thi
sisZaneand
Fait
h
MrsTayl
or:Andthi
si sSet
h, hehas
ot
hersi
bli
ngs.2l
itt
legir
lstheyhada
sl
eepov
eratafri
end'shouse
Set
h:(
smi
l
edatZaneandFai
th)Hel
l
o
Zane:
Hi
Didi
:Um...
.Pleasecomei
n,I
'
m
sorr
y..
.wher
ear emymanner
s?
MrsTayl
or:OhnoI'm notstay
ing,i
hav
etogohel pcl
eant hechurch.I
j
ustbr
oughty out
hisl
asagneasa
wel
comet othenei
ghbourhood.
Di
di:
Thanky
ousomuch,
iappr
eci
ate
i
t
MrsTaylor
:You'
rewelcome,seeyou
atchur
chtoni
ght.You'
llmeetot
her
l
adiest
here
Didi
:Thankyou..
.(shedidn'
tknow
shehastoattendchurch)Seeyou
l
ater,
Godblessy ou
Mr
sTay
lor
:Godbl
essy
out
oo
Set
h:HeyZanecani
visi
tyoul
ater
?
Zane:
Sur
e,any
time

Shewal kedawayt henDi dicl

osed
andlockedt hedoorast heyall
headedt othekit
chenwher eshetook
asnapshotoft heperfectlydonedish
oflasagnethenshesl i
cedf orthe
chi
l
drenbef
oret
aki
nghershar
e..
.

Di
di:
(chewing)MmhIshouldhave
l
ongbroughtthi
snegr
ot ochur
ch,
it
woul
dhav espar
edmet hedrama.
..
.

Shegr
abbedt
hephoneanddi
aled
hi
m..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
Negr
oil
ovey
ourass.
Ken:(
laughed)
Pleasedon'
tsnor
t
cocai
neandgetusdepor t
ed
Di
di:
(laughed)Mxm Ij
ustmetMr
s
Tay
lor
Ken:
Sweet
Didi
:Andyoudidn'
ttel
lmet
her
eis
churcht
onight
Ken:
Iforgot,
att
endi
ngchur
chi
s
mandatory
.
Didi
:I'
m notcomplai
ning,iact
ually
can'
twaittomeetmor epeople.We
shoul
dhav elongdonethis.Mov i
ng
toanewpl aceandstart
ingafresh
candowonder s.
..
Ken:Weneededtomaket hose
mistakessowecanlearnf r
om them,
nowweknowbet terketsayagor e
evenifsomeoneheretr
iestotempt
usr
agomol
ebahel
aaker
e?
Di
di:(
laughed)RragweZanebat
ho,
segamogilethal
oganyo
Ken:(
laughed)Mxm I
'
m goi
ngback
tocl
ass
Di
di:
Bye

Shehungupandputt
hephonedown
wit
hasmile.
..
..

FOURMONTHSLATER.
..
..
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
15AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 127

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

I
nt hemorningLolomixedthesoft
porri
dgewithmilkandsugarunti
lit
wassmoot hthenshewalkedin
May a'
sroom whil
eshelaidonher
tummypr essi
ngherphoneasher
newbor nbabylai
dpeaceful
lynextto
her..
.
Lol
o:Hav
emot
ogo.
..
Maya:Ican'
teat,
I'
ll
havetogopoop
butt
hesesti
tchesarepai
nful
.
Lol
o:Youhav
etokeepeat
ing
May a:
(tearf
ully)I
'
m consti
pat
ed
mama, it'
sreall
ypainf
ul.
.I'
mtryi
ngto
GooglewhatIcando. ..Haveyouev
er
experi
encedt hat?
Lol
o:No,
mybowl
shav
eal
way
sbeen
sof
t

Shefel
tnat
urecal
l
ingagai
nbuther
st
it
cheswerenewandthepai
nki
ll
ers
seemedt obedoi
ngalousyj
ob.She
putherphonedownandslowl
y
walkedtothet
oil
etwher
eshesat.
..

Thebi ghardenedf aecesst r

etched
herstitchedperineum pul
lingthe
sti
tchesapar tandshequi cklyclosed
herlegscr yi
ng.Loloknocked
standingbehindt hedoor.
..

Lol
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
Maya:(
cryi
ng)Gakerekeakakadi
st
it
chediagogega..
.(herl
i
pscurved
asshecri
ed)I
t'
spainful
Lol
o:Buty
ouhav
etoj
ustcl
osey
our
ey
esandpusht
hoseout

Maya'
sphoner
angthenLolograbbed
i
tandhandedi
ttoherasshesaton
t
hetoi
let
..
.

May
a:(
snuf
fl
ing)Thanks.
..

SheclosedthedoorasMaya
answeredherhusband.
..

May
a:(
rubbedhert
ear
s)Hel
l
o?
Tshepo:Heybabe,i
gotyour
message..
.(Mayastar
tedcr
ying)
BabepleaseCLdon'
tcr
y..Li
sten.
..
.
Love?Lovewee?
May
a:(
cry
ing)Mmh?
Tshepo:I
'm goi
ngtogetyouMil
kof
magnesiaandthenI'
m goi
ngtofi
nda
waytostealaninj
ect
ionher
eto
numby ouforacoupl
eofhours
autwa?
Maya:(
cry
ing)Agat hawenttobuyi ti
sawonGoogl egotweitmighthelp.
Youneedtohurry,ineedt
or el
i
ef
mysel
fbutithurtsandibeenholding
i
tinsi
ncelastnight.
Tshepo:
I'
m comi
ng,
ilov
eyou
May
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.
.
Shehungupandsatt
her
erubbi
ngof
f
hert
ears.
..

May a:I
'
m nevergoi
ngtohave
anotherbabyaft
ert
his.
..Thi
sis
tor
ture.
..

Shesi
ghedandr est
edthef
orehead
onherar
msast hebowelspushed
downtheper
ineum...

Maya:
(cr
yingcov
eri
ngherf
ace)Oh
Godpl
easehelpme.
..
.
Att
hemal
l
...
.

Meanwhil
eSetsanawalkedoutof
Spart
alki
ngt
ot hephone..
.

Set
sana:
Yesi
boughti
t
Lol
o:Andt
hecot
tonwool
?
Set
sana:
Uhmamammasoi haveto
gobacki
nsi
deagai
n?You'
reget
ti
ng
ol
d
Lol
o:IjustrememberedthatMaya
boughtalit
tlepackanditf
ini
shedbut
i
tstheonlythingiusetodrop
sur
gical
spiri
tonthebabypag.Don'
t
for
getmilkofmagnesi
a
Set
sana:
Alr
ight
,any
thi
ngel
se?
Lol
o:Nope
Set
sana:
Bye

Shehungupandt urnedaroundasa
redFordExplorerparkednexttoher.
Whitetopsneakerswor nwithblack
ti
ghtjeanssteppedout ,
thedriv
er
droppeddownt hehoodi eofthe
sweaterandclosedt hedoorlooki
ng
atSetsana'
sassasshewal kedinthe
shop..
.
Whi l
ei ntheshopSet sanast oodby
theshel freadingseveralbottl
es
try
ingt ofindMi lkofmagnesi a,aguy
walkedpastherwhi leshel ookedat
himf rom theback. .
.From themanl y
colognehel ef
tbehindandhi swal k
nottoment ionhisdressing.Hewas
probabl ycute.Shebrushedi toffand
continuedr eadingbottl
es..
.

Sul
tr
yvoi
ce:
Cani
hel
pyou?

Shefrozeforamomentbecauseshe
couldsmellhi
scol
ognebehindher
thenshetookadeepbreat
hand
l
ookedatt
het
omboy
.

Set
sana:
Hi.
.
Voi
ce:
Hi.
..Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
Set
sana:
Mil
kofmagnesi
a

Shepickeditoutforherandsmil
ed
handi
ngi toverasSetsanagl
ancedat
herLGBTbr acketanduncomfort
abl
y
gotit
.

Set
sana:
Thanks
Voi
ce:
(st
ari
ngather
)Sur
e,myname
i
sJanbytheway
Set
sana:
Agat
ha
Jan:(stil
lst
ari
ngather)Beaut
if
ul.
..
(st
uttered)Imeanthename-notthat
youar enotbeauti
ful
-y
ou'r
ebeautif
ul
but-
(sighed)shi
t.
..

Set
sanasmil
edandev
ent
ual
l
y
l
aughed.
..

Agat
ha:
Iunder
stand.
.
Jan:
Um.
..Shal
lwe?
Agat
ha:
Sur
e..
.
Jan:
Unl
essy
ouwantadr
ink
Agat
ha:
Wil
lyoubepay
ingf
ori
t?
Jan:(smi
ledcutel
y)Iwoul
dn'
t
suggesti
tifIwasn'
twil
li
ngto
Agat
ha:(
laughedf
eel
i
ngsi
l
ly)Of
cour
se

Janf ollowedhert othedri

nkswher e
shepi ckedadr i
nkandachocol ate
thent heyj oi
nedt hequeueasJan
stoodbehi ndher.Af ewpeopl ekept
glancingatt hem pr obabl
yjumpi ngin
oneconcl usion.Janwast allwit
ha
shor tfadedMohawkhai r
cutandwi th
alit
t l
et at
toobehi ndherearandone
piercingatt hecor nerofhereyebrow
andAgat hawasshor twithlong
blocks,
ayell
owst r
ingtopandblue
shortswor
nwi t
hwhi t
ef l
i
p-f
lops
showingherwellar
rangedtoes.
..

Thecashiergl
ancedatthem as
Setsanahandedthebott
leandthe
dri
nkthenJanputherbottl
ewith
them andhandedherthecard.
..

Cashi
er:
Plast
ic?
Jan:
Nah,
wecool

Janpickedever
ythi
ngwhil
eSetsana
col
lectedherpl
asti
catt
heparcel
s
secti
on,shewait
edatthedoorand
admiredAgathaasshewalkedover
holdi
ngtheplast
ic.
..

Agathalookeddownav oi
dingJan'
s
eyes,shecouldn'tunder
standwhy
shewasf eel
ingt hewayshewas
feel
ingwhenev ershelookedatJan.
..

Jan:
Cani
dropy
ouhome?
Agat
ha:
Ok

Janopenedthedoorf
orherand
l
ookedatherthi
ghsasshesatt
hen
sheclosedthedoorandgotinthe
dri
ver'
sseat,sheputev
eryt
hinginthe
backandopenedt hedri
nkforher
thenshehandeditasAgathasmiled
abitsipped.

Janstart
edthecarandr
ev er
sedthe
carasthetaxi
almosthi
tthecar.
..

Jan:(
stuckherhead)Ol
ekagodi
ra
eng?elegor
egaoboneeng?
Taxidr
iver
:(angr
il
y)Whyar
eyou
rev
ersi
ngslowly?Someofusdon'
t
haveal
lday
Jan:
Nxl
aket
aaphekahaoemahoo
unti
lkedeci
dergot
swawar
ego
ri
l
engnemona?
Taxidri
ver:
Odi
rwakegoj
akukuo
thoka-
Jan:
(angr
il
y)Ot
aany
elasaanaut
wa?
Agat
ha:
Jancanwej
ustgo
Jan:
(rol
l
edt
hewi
ndow)I
'
m sor
ry.
..

Shedr oveoffasAgat haquiet

ly
fi
nishedherdr inkanddir
ectedher
home.Mi nut
esl at
erJanparkedthe
carinfrontoft hegateasAgatha
l
ookedatt hecigaret
tepackand
l
ighteront hedashboardandglanced
atherbr ownlips..
.
Agat
ha:
Ist
haty
our
s?
Jan:I
'mt r
yingtoquitbecauseit
complicat
esmyheal thandi wouldn'
t
smokewhenI '
m wit
hy ou,iknowits
rude.
Agatha:Ok.
..(
looki
ngather
)Your
eyeslooksofamili
ar
Jan:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?
Agatha:(l
aughed)MaybeI'
m wr
ong
I
'm sureifimetyoubefor
eI'
d
def
init
elyremember.
..I
tsnotev
ery
dayyoumeet -
Jan:(l
aughedadmir
ingherl
ips)
Butch,St
ud,l
esbi
an?I'
vegotno
pr
obl
em wi
thanyoft
hoset
erms.I
t'
s
whoIam.
Agatha:Okay
,ar
eyourpar
ent
sokay
wit
hi t
?
Jan:Idon'
thaveparent
si staywi
th
mygr anni
esandtheyreall
ydon't
havemuchchoice,I'
mt heonly
grandchi
ldso.
..
Agat
ha:
Okay
,howol
dar
eyou?
Jan:(l
aughed)Ihaveadr i
ver'
s
l
icense.
..(
theybothlaughed)Hav
e
youeverkissedagir
l bef
ore?
Agatha:
I'
venev erki
ssed
anyone.
..
.(
lookedatthehouseand
si
ghed)Jani havetogo,sal
eke
r
omi
lweandmymot
hermi
ghtt
hink
y
ou'
reaguy
Jan:(
laughed)Ok,wel
l.
..Um.
..CanI
haveyournumber?I'
dli
ketochat
wit
hyoui fyoudon'
tmind.
Agat
ha:
OK.
..

Shegavehert
henumberand
st
eppedoutcl
osi
ngthedoor
.

Agat
ha:
Bye
Jan:
Bye

Jandr
oveof
fgr
abbi
ngaci
gar
ett
e
f
rom t
hepackandsmokedj
oini
ng
t
heroad.
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHome.
..
.

BayangandJuniorpantedast hey
j
oggedtowardsthegat eandsl owed
downasJuniorli
ftedhist-shirt
rubbi
ngthesweatof fhi
sfor ehead,
thenei
ghbourwhowasr akingbyt he
fencel
aughedlookingatthem. ..

Her
:Kanaj
aanongJuni
orisnolonger
r
unni
ngtol
oseweightkeaddi
ti
on
Bayangtookseveralbr
eat
hsbendi
ng
downtouchinghisknees.
..

Bayang:(
panti
ng)Tel
lmeaboutit
,le
nnakesenyakagoi t
epat
epany
ale
ene.Iwantt
oquit
Junior:(
laughedl
ookingatthe
neighbour)Butwereducedthe
ki
lomet r
es,dadisj
ustbeinganol
die
Bay
ang:
Nextweeky
ou'
real
one.
..
Nei
ghbour:Mmeober
ekil
eJunior
,i
nev
erthoughty
ou'
dbethatf
it
Juni
or:
(fl
exedhi
sbi
cep)Ver
ysoon
I
'
llbemuscul
ar
Nei
ghbour
:(l
aughed)Don'
tbet
oo
ambi
ti
ousyou'
renotaman

Juniorl
aughedwalkinginsideashi
s
fat
herhadal i
tt
lechatwitht he
nei
ghbourbeforewalkingin.

Aft
erbathingtheymadebreakf
ast
andstart
edpackingthei
rthi
ngsfor
Let
lhakane..
.

Juni
or:(
foldi
nghist-
shi
rt
)Soyou
haveneverseenherbef
ore?
Bay
ang:
No
Juni
or:
Howi
ssheagai
n?
Bayang:Shei
sabout2y
ear
syounger
thanyou
Juni
or:Wow.
..Butitwi
l
lbepr
ett
y
coolt
ohaveasister
Bay
ang:
Yout
hink?
Juni
or:
Yeah.
.

Theyloadedtheirbagsandgotinthe
carasBay angreadthedir
ect
ions
agai
n...

Bay
ang:
(laughed)I
fthesepeopl
e
movedthenidon'
tknowthisisbyfar
t
hecrazi
estt
hingihaveeverdone
Junior
:(pul
l
edthebel
t)Thi
sismy
fi
rsttr
ipwit
hyouso..
Bay
ang:
Your
eady
?
Juni
or:
Yep.
..

Hedr
oveoutasJuni
ort
urnedupt
he
musi
c..
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

LateronTsheposi
ncer
elywal
kedi
n
thebedroom wher
eMayawaslyi
ng
onhertummycr yingasLol
oshushed
thebaby,heknel
tont hematt
ress
andshookt hei
njecti
onpr
epari
ngthe
needl
e..
..

Tshepo:
I'
m goingt
ogivey ouashot
tonumbtheareabecausemi l
kof
magnesi
aisalr
eadyworkingonyou
May
a:(
cry
ing)Okay
..
.
Tshepo:Layony ourback,ihaveto
i
njectyourperineum, ist
olethi
s
i
njecti
onatt hehospi t
aldon'
ttel
l
anyoneabouti t.I
'm notsupposedto
dothisijustcan'tstandseeingyou
cryli
kethat..
.
Lol
o:I
'
llwai
tout
side.
..

Lol
ost eppedoutwiththebabyas
Mayalaidonherbackandcov ered
hereyesspreadingherlegsas
Tshepogotr eadytoi
njecther
...

Tshepo:It
'sgoingt ohur talit
tl
ebi
t
butthepainwilldisappearin
seconds..
.(heinjectedherasshe
fr
ownedgr inni
ngandgr unting
holdi
nghishead)I 'm sorrybabe
okay..
.Justami nute...Aaaaandwe
aredone..
..
Heputt heinjecti
onbacki nthe
plast
icandl eanedov ersoft
lyki
ssi
ng
herandr ubbedof fhertear
swi t
hhis
thumb..
.

Tshepo:
Arey
ouf
eel
i
nganypai
n?
May
a:I
t'
ssl
owl
ydi
sappear
ing
Tshepo:(
kissedheragai
n)I
'
m sor
ry
you'
reinpain.
..
Maya:Thepai
nisgonel
etmegoand
push.
.
Tshepo:Andi j
ustcommi tt
edacr i
me,
don'
tletanyoneknowaboutt his.We
arenotall
owedt osteal
from the
hospi
tal.
May
a:DudeI'
m amarr
iedwoman,
my
f
amil
ysecr
etsdon'
tl
eave.
.
Tshepo:
(laughed)Thanky
ou

Hesmi l
edadmi r
ingherasshe
hurri
edoutthenhesi ghedpacki
ng
theinj
ecti
onplasti
c,Lolowalkedin
withthebabyandhandedherov er
..
.

Tshepo:
(smi
l
ed)Heybeaut
if
ul?
..
.

Hesatont hechairandpl
ayedwi
th
thebabywhileMay agoti
nthet
oil
et
andrel
iev
edher self
..
.
AtLet
lhakane.
..
.

LateronBay angsloweddowndr iv
ing
i
ntot hebusr ankast woteenagers
andoney oungerthanthem ran
towardst hebuswi thbowlsand
rai
sedt hem standingoutsi
de
screamingwhatt heywer esell
ing.
..

HeshookJuni orwhowasasleepand
handedhim P50togobuythem
dri
nksthenJuniorst
eppedoutand
rantowardsthestal
l
sbythebus
wherehepickedadr i
nki
nacooler
boxast
het
eensscr
eamed"
Guav
a
P5!
"

They oungestgi r
l'
sf l
i
pflopgotr i
pped
asshewal kedamongstt hecrowd
andherbowl f
lippedspi l
lingher
guavasont hepav ement .Juni
or
tur
nedar oundl ookingatherasshe
ranaroundt r
yingt opickasmuchas
shecoul dwhil
et hebuspassenger s
unawar el
ysquashedt hem.Tear s
fi
ll
edherey eswi theachsquash
becausesheknewshewasgoi ngto
whippedwi t
hanel ectri
ccor d.
..
Juniornoticedshewast r
yingher
besttopickev erythingbutt hefact
thatshewasshaki ngshedr opped
somewhi l
et r
yingt opickthenhe
walkedov erandhel pedherpi ck
some.Thateasedherf earandshe
pickedmor ecal mlyast heydr opped
them inthebowl t
henshepi ckedit
andstoodundert het r
eer ubbingher
eyes..

Teen:(angr i
l
y)Motheri
sgoingto
beatyou, you'
resoslowandalways
spi
ll
ingy ourbowl..
.Let
'sgeti
nthe
busandsel li
nsi
de.
..
Juniorwasn'tsurewhattosayasthe
l
ittl
egirl
rubbedherey esand
foll
owedt heotherst
ot hebus.The
olderonesmanagedt osqueeze
themselvesbetweent hecrowdand
selli
nthebuswhi leshestoodbythe
buswai t
ingforpeopletostop
passing.

Minuteslaterthebushonkedandt
he
othertwost eppedoutwi
thempty
bowlsast hebusdr ov
eoff.
..

Gi
rl
:Youdi
dn'
tsel
lagai
n?Osemat
a
t
heBor
ij
ete
Gi
rl
2:Andthenshewant
stoeat
whensheneversel
l
s

Juni
orlef
tthepl
ateoff oodhe
wantedtobuyandf ol
l
owedt hegir
l
asshewalkedbehindhersister
sthen
Bayanghonked.
..

Bay
ang:
(st
uckhisheadoutshout
ing)
Mrwakaeyanong?
Juni
or:
(shout
edback)Keet
a..

Thegi
rl
stur
nedl
ooki
ngathi
m ashe
pacedbehi
ndt
hem.
..

Juni
or:
Hey
,cani
hav
eguav
as?

Thegirlt
urnedasJuniort
ookof
fhi
s
sweaterandpouredthewhol
ebowl
onitandtiedi
tup..
.

Juni
or:
Howmuch?
Bor
ij
ete:
Idi
dn'
tcountt
hem
Juni
or:Howmuchwer eyou
supposedtomake?I fyouhadt
he
onesthatgotsquashed.
Bor
ij
ete:
P40
JuniorhandedherP30andsearched
himselffort
hechangehekeptearl
ier
thenhehandedheranotherP20..
..

Juni
or:YoucankeepP10andbuydi
chi
ps..
.

Thegirl
smiledt
ear
ful
l
yandputi
tin
herpocket
..
.

Juni
or:
Shap

Her
anbackt
othecarast
heol
dest
teenagergotBor
ij
ete'
sP20andgav
e
herP10..

Bori
jet
e:(cr
ying)That
'smymoney
,
Bri
ngitback
Gir
l1:
Wehav
etobuysomet
hingt
o
eat
..

Theywalkedawayasshef
oll
owed
them cr
ying.
..
.

I
nBay
ang'
scar
..
.

Juni
orputt
hesweat
erwi
thguav
asat
t
hebackandgav
ehi
sfat
heradr
ink.
.

Bayang:(
dri
ving)I'
ml ostnow,we
havetofi
ndat ucksshopcalled
mabogodi nku..
.What '
swiththe
sweater
?
Junior:Iboughtt hem f r
om somegirl
,
shewascr ying.Ithi
nkhermot heris
str
ictorsomet hingbecauseshewas
fr
eakingout .Sher emi ndedmeofme
whenev eraunt i
ear r
ivedhome.I'dbe
all
ov erthehouset r
yingt omakesure
ididevery t
hingbecauseshewoul d
beatmei fiforgottodoany thi
ng.
Bay
ang:
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ryt
haty
ouhad
t
ogot
hrought
hat
Junior:
It'
sokay,
atleastnowi
understandandI'
m sureihel
pedt
hat
gi
rl.Shewashappy
Bay
ang:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
m pr
oudofy
ou.
.

Afterashortdriv
eJuniorpoi
ntedat
thetuckshopandt heytur
nedov er
l
ookingf ordi
recti
ons.Agood
Samar i
tandir
ectedthem..
.

Minutesl
atertheydr
ovethrought
he
gateasthesamegi r
lwasjumping
gett
ingwhippedbyprobabl
yher
mother.
Her:(
whippi
ngher)Howcany ouspi
l
l
mymi l
k?Kantekeengoror
oma
di
ata?Omosadi mogol
o?Ketago
gat
akanaBor i
j
ete

Shest oppedbeat i
ngherandt hegi rl
quicklypi
ckedthecupofmi lkwhi l
e
rubbingherbruisedlegs.Bay ang' s
heartpoundedashel ookedatt hegirl
passingbythecarcr y
ingheadi ngt o
thetapwher eshewashedt hecup,
Juniorsswall
owedt err
if
iedlooki ngat
thecablemar ksonherl egs..
.
BayangcouldseeKell
yonher
i
mmedi atel
yandhishear
tpounded
evenmor easthewomansmiled
approachi
ngthecar.
..

Woman:
Dumel
ang.
..
.
Bay
ang:
Dumel
amma.
..

Juniorstoodbehi
ndBay angbutkept
glanci
ngatt hegi
rlasshewashedthe
cupov erandovercryi
ng..

Bay
ang:MynameisBay
ang,Iam
l
ooki
ng-
(t
heexpr
essi
ononherface
changedasshelookedatBori
jet
e
regr
ett
abl
y)Ist
hatKelly
'sdaught
er?
Woman:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)Um.
..Wel
l
...
.Yes.
Juni
or:(l
ooki
ngatBay
ang)I
sshe
Bri
dget
?

Bayang'
seyeswell
edupashetooka
deepbreat
handleanedov
ert
hecar
as.
..
.

Bayang:
No,no,thi
sisnot
happeni
ng.
..
..
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Ont hesameaf ter
noonAndyparked
hisf ather'
scaratthegateand
glancedatt hehouse,nobodywas
outsi desoheleanedov erandFr
ench
kissedhercuppi ngherbreast
sthen
hesmi ledandleanedbackasBaby
tookadeepbr eathandpickedher
revisionbooks...

Hewat chedherhopoutandputher
backpackbehindher
..
.

Baby:Thanksf
ort
hepi
cni
cand
hel
pingmewi t
hmyhomewor
k.
Andy
:Sur
e,seey
out
omor
row.
.
Baby
:(bl
ushi
ng)By
e

Sheclosedt hedoorjustasLol o
steppedoutwi ththebaby'
slaundry,
herheartskippedwhensher eadthe
numberpl at
eoft hecarasAndr ew
droveoff.Babyclosedthegat eand
walkedinwi thherbooksonherchest
asLoloputt helaundrybucketdown...

Lol
o:Whoi
sthat
?
Baby
:It
'sAndr
ew
Lol
o:(
angr
il
y)Soy
ou'
rel
i
aragai
n?
Youstart
edal
lov
eragai
n?Sleepi
ng
withgr
ownmen?Whatiswrongwith
you?
Baby:(
sadl
y)Mamakedi r
ileeng
j
aanong?Itol
dy ouaboutAndr ewand
wehaven'
tevendoneany thing.He
hasn'
tsai
danythingaboutsex
Lol
o:I
sn'
tthatMogapi
?
Baby:(si
ghedinrel
ief)That'
shis
fat
her.
..Hetookhiscarf orawash
andbor r
owedhisfather'
scar.His
parent
smetmet wice..
.
Lol
o:That
'
sMogapi
'
sson?
Baby
:Yes
Lol
o:Youcan'
tdat
ehi
m.
Baby
:Whynot
?
Lolo:
Youcan'tandpl
easedon'
tlet
yourfat
herknowanyt
hingabouthi
m.
Baby
:Why
?
Lolo:ForonceI'
dappreci
ateiti
fyou
stoppedaskingmequestionsanddo
whati say,
justoutofr
espect.

Lolopickedthebucketandwalkedto
theli
neasBabyt earful
l
ywatchedher,
shegoti nthehouseandclosed
hersel
fintheroom cryi
ngsit
ti
ngon
thebedt henshepickedherphone
andcalledAndrew..
.
Andy
:Hey
..
Baby:Ican'
tseey
ouany
mor
e.I
ts
okay
Andy
:What
?Why
?
Baby :I
t'
scompl i
cated,I
'
mr eall
y
tr
yingtobet hebestdaughteri can
bebecausei hav
ewr ongedmy
mot herinthepastandbecauseof
meshel ostafri
endand...(
rubbed
hertears)Iloveyoubut..
..I
t'
sov er
.

Shehungupandbl ockedhisnumber
thenshecover
edherf acecry
ingout
l
oud, Agat
haopenedthedoort o
sharethemostbizar
remoment sshe
wit
hhadatt hemallbutshefrowned
l
ookingatBabyhuggingapi l
l
ow
cry
ingbi
tti
ngitthenshesatnextto
herandtouchedhershoulder.
..

Agat
ha:
Baby
?What
'swr
ong?
Baby:(l
ookedatherwi thmessy
mascara)I'm notmeantt obehappy,i
shouldacceptthat..
.(rubbedher
nosesniffl
ing)I'
m goingtodieal
one,
imightaswel lki
llmyselfnowand
sparemy selft
hedisappoi nt
ments.
..

Thefoll
owingi
nser
twi l
lbepost
ed
aft
erreachi
ng24KLikes..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
15AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 128
AtLet
lhakane.
..

Thewoman' steensbroughtt
he
chair
sandev er
yonesatdownast hey
walkedbacki nthehousewhisperi
ng
andpoi nt
ing.MeanwhileBri
dget
walkedbehi ndthehouseand
col
lectedchoppedf i
rewood..
..

Woman: Iknowwheny ouarearri

vi
ng
fi
ndingascenelikethi
sit'
seasierto
assumet hechil
disbeingabusedbut
that
'snotthecasehere,Bori
jet
eke
motholegodi gadil
o,gaaromiwe
sepeasadigemmeomotona.Ke
l
ekahelagomokgal
emel
a
Bay ang: Wi
thanel ectr
iccord?
(sighed)Youknowwhatl et'
smake
thisv er
ysimple..
.Ididn'texpectthis.
Iexpect edtointr
oducemy selftothe
fami l
yandher sel
fsoi canst art
visit
ingher-andIam say ingthiswith
themostpossi bl
er espectonecoul d
givesomebodywhohel pedt hem
raiseachi l
dbutIdon' tknowi fthi
ngs
wi l
lgoaccor di
ngtohowIi magi ned
Woman:
Idon'
tunder
stand
Bayang:
Iam goi
ngt
orepor
tyouf
or
chi
l
dabuseiswhatI
'
m sayi
ngunl
ess
y
out
ell
mesomet
hingi
wantt
ohear
.
Woman: Whatdoy ouwanttohear?
I'
m conf
used.
..
You'ref
reetovi
sither
andI'
m notst
oppingyou.

Juni
orkeptgl
anci
ngatBr
idgetat
shovedpl
asti
csbet
weenthe
choppedwoodtomakefi
re.
..

Junior
:(t
ohisfat
her)Canihel
pher?I
thi
nkherwri
stispainf
ulorsomet
hing
sheisn'
thol
dingthewoodproper
ly.
Bay
ang:
No,
cal
lherov
er.
.Br
idget
?
Br
idget
:Raa?
Woman: Idon'
tunder st
andwhy
you'r
eact i
nglikey ouhavebeeninher
l
ife.Iraisedherl i
kesheismyown
andj ustbecausey ouwalkedinhere
andf oundherbei ngscoldedli
keany
otherchi lddoesn'tmeany ouhave
therightt otal
kt oherwithoutmy
permi ssion.
Bayang: Nowwear ebackt othepart
yousaidy oudidn'
tunderstand,y
ou
seei workinahospital
-handinhand
withsocialworker
swhocaneasi l
y
determinehowt hi
schildhasbeen
abusedandy eahi havedoctor
fr
iendstoowhocanexami neher
i
njuri
esandpr esentallt
heset oa
j
udgewhowi l
lsentenceyoutoa
reasonabl
eamountoft imeinpri
son.
Youknowhowst ri
ctourlawiswhen
i
tcomest ochildr
enespecial
ly
orphans.Don'
tgambl ewithy
our
freedom..
.

Bridgetwal
kedov errecogni
sing
Juniorfr
om earl
ierandsatont he
groundproperl
ytuckinginherskir
t.
..

Bay
ang:
HiBr
idget
Br
idget
:Dumel
ang.
.
Bayang:
MynameisBay
ang,
iam
fr
om Maunand-
Bri
dget'
seyesli
ftedandstunghi
m,i
t
wasasifshehadwai tedal
lherl
i
fet
o
putthefaceonthename...

Bay
ang:
Youl
ooksur
pri
sed,
why
?
Bri
dget
:(mutt
eredl
ooki
ngdown)I
sawyournameonmybi r
thcer
ti
fi
cat
e
Bayang: (smil
ed)Oh...Yeah.
..Your
mot herandi werewor ki
ngtogether
i
nKasane.Shewasanur seandi was
alabt echnici
an.Wewer etogetherup
unti
l youwer eborn,y
our
grandmot her-wherei
sshe?
Woman:
Shepassedon
Bay ang: Goodf orher..(backt o
Br i
dgett)Iwant edtoseey out he
weeky ouwer ebor nbuty ourgr anny
refused.Il etamont hpassandwent
toy ourmot her'
shouseagai nbutthey
stil
ldidn'tletmeseey oubecause
theybel i
ev edamani sn'tsupposedt o
seeanewbor n.Soonaf terI
transferredbackt oMaun, the
distancemadei ti
mpossi bletov i
sit
Kasaneagai n.(gavehert hephone)
Thosear et heonl ypi
ct uresofy oui
hav e.
..Af t
ert hatyourmot her'
s
numberwentof fandwenev erspoke.
Wheni askedt heysai dshet ook
transfer.Idi dn'
tknowwher e..
.These
arenotgoodexcusesnott ofi
ndyou
though,iam sor
rythatyouhadtobe
aloneforthepast13years
wonderingifieverl
ovedyouorwhere
iwas.

Bri
dgettsmi ledtear
full
ylooki
ngat
herlat
emot her'
spictur
e,shewasa
beauti
fulblackqueenwi thnatural
thi
ckhair.Nowsheknewwhyherhai r
washar dandf rom herpict
uresshe
knewshewoul dbebeaut if
ultoo..
.

Bri
dget
t:Iwi
shi
hadaphonesoi
coul
dgetmymother
'spi
ctur
es.She
wasbeaut
if
ul
Bayang:(smiled)Shewas.Youlook
j
ustlikeher.Areyouhappyhere?
(shelookedatherauntandlooked
down)Don'tbeaf rai
dbecauseif
you'
renoti wantyoutocomewi th
meandv i
sityourauntdur
ing
holi
days.
Aunti
e:I
t'
sfunnyhowy
out
hinky
ou
have-
Bayang:Wecandot hi
sher eoratthe
poli
cestati
onbecauseatt heendof
thedayifshewantst ocomewi thme
shewill
y ouknowwhy ?IfIreporty
ou
atthenowwi thherbodybr ui
sedli
ke
thi
sthepol i
cewon' tal
lowherbacki n
hereuntilajudgehasdet er
minedif
i
tssafef orher.Shouldical
lthe
pol
ice?( tohisdaughter)Bri
dgettI
'd
understandifyouwantt ostay,i
just
wanty outoknowt haty ouhavean
opti
onnowand-
Br
idget
:(st
ood)I
'
llgetmybag
Juni
or:(smil
edandpunchedtheai
r)
Yes,
dadcani hel
pherpacksowe
canfi
nishfaster
?
Bay
ang:
canhe?
Aunt
ie:
Eeaker
elai
ti
rel
elamogame.
.

Juni
orr
ant
otheoner
oom and
st
oppedatthedoorl
ooki
ngat
Br
idget
..
..
.

Juni
or:
Hi,
cani
hel
pyou?
Br
idget
:Okay
..
Junior
:br
ingt
hecl
othes,
I'
ll
pack
them..

Shepickedhercl
othesandthr
ew
them 1by1asJuniorpackedthem.
.

Bri
dget:
Isy
ourf
atherani
ceper
son
l
ikeyou?
Juni
or:
(laughed)Yes,
youcancal
l
hi
m dadt
oo.
Br
idget
:Doy
oust
ayi
nabi
ghouse?
Juni
or:(
laughed)Yeah,i
t'
sat hree
bedr
oom housebutt heotherroom
hasourgym machine.Ithinkdadwil
l
movethem outandf i
xitforyouif
youwanttostaywithus.
Bri
dgett
:Doyouhav
esi
ster
s?Iwant
tohaveafr
iend
Juni
or:Toobad, y
ou'r
etheonl
ygi
rl
butyoucanwat chTVandplaywi
th
thegir
lsnextdoor.
Br
idget
:(smi
l
ed)Ther
eisTVt
oo?
Juni
or:
(laughed)Lif
einMauni
sway
bett
ert
hanher e,y
oucandoaloti
f
youdon'thavefri
ends.TV,Swi
mmi ng
andothercoolstuff
.Ihavegameson
myphonemay bedadcangety oua
phoneandy oucanl oadgames.Ev
ery
ki
dhasasmar tphoneforgamesso..
Bridget
t:Chi
l
drenhav
ephones?Do
theyknowhowt ousethem?
Juni
or:(l
aughed)Almostal
lthekids
i
nprivateschool
sknowhowt ousea
phone,istar
tedpl
ayinggameson
dad'
sphonewhenIwasl i
ke5by8i
coul
ddownl oadgamesonPl ayst
ore.
Idi
dn'tknowhowt oreadI
downloadedlooki
ngatpict
ures.
WhenIt ur
ned10mydadgotmea
phone.
Bridget
t:(
smil
edandj
umped)Nowi
reall
ywanttogoseeMaun,
isi
tfar
?
Juni
or:
It'
sal
ongwayf
rom her
e..
Br
idget
t:Letmechangemycl
othes
Juni
or:
I'
ll
gowi
thy
ourbag.

Juniorst
eppedoutcarr
yingherbag
thenBayangopenedthedr unkand
l
oadedi t
,minut
eslat
erBridget
steppedoutwit
hherschool bag.
.

Bayang:Whereisherbir
thcer
ti
fi
cat
e?
They'
regoingtoneeditwhenI
regi
sterheratschool
Thewomanstoodupandwal kedout
withi
tasJuni
orandBr
idgetgotin
thecar
..

Bayang:Thanky ouforyour
cooperat
ion.MayIhav ey ournumber
sothatBridgetcancall
y ouifshe
wants?

Thewomangav
ehi
mthenumber
..

Bay
ang:
Thanky
ou,
bye
Shequietl
ywat
chedhim get
ti
ngin
thecaranddr
iveofft
hensheclapped
onceandshookherheadwalki
ngin
thehouseasherdaught
erswatched
i
nenv y.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

LateronBabywalkedi
nMay a'
sr oom
andlaidnexttoMayaasbr
eastfed
herdaughter.
..

Maya:Uhuyaanongkeamusaj
ang
mosadimogol
oampi t
agant
se?
Agat
halaughedwhi
l
epacki
ngt
he
baby
'st
hings.
..

May
a:Ar
eyouokay
?
Baby:
Mamasay sican'
tdat
eAndy
andshedi
dn'
ttel
lmewhy
Maya:Uhmamal
eenemmakanake
menopause
Agatha:(l
aughed)Guy
scomeonshe
hasn'tr
eachedmenopause,
be
respect
ful
May
a:May
besheknowshi
spar
ent
s
Baby
:It
hinksheknowshewas
adopt
edandmay
beshedoesn'
tl
ike
whohewasbuti
sthatf
air
?
Maya: If
oll
owmyhear tanddowhat's
bestforme, i
knewdadwoul dn't
approveofTshepobutherei am.He
doesn'tl
ikehi
m butheacceptedhe
can'
tchangeany t
hingaboutit.
Baby :Youknowmamal ikestofix,
shemi ghtchasemeout .Itwouldbe
easiertoconti
nuedatinghimi fdad
didn'
tlikehi
m becausehewoul dbe
ni
ceenought oaccepthimf orme.
Mamai stough
Agat
ha:Lethercalm downandthen
askherwhy,it
hinkmay beshegot
sur
pri
sedhel
a

Baby
'sphoner
ang.
..

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Andy
:I'
m out
side
Baby:Excuseme?Youcan'
tbe
outsi
de,doyouwantmymothert
o
ki
llme?
Andy:AndI
'
m get
ti
ngi
nsi
dei
fyou
don'
tcomeout
Baby :Iknowyourfamil
yismore
fl
exiblebuther
ewedot hi
ngs
di
fferent.Myparentsar
eold
fashionedandtheywouldbe
offendedifyouwalkedinhere
l
ooki ngforme.It
'sconsi
dered
disrespect
ful
.
Andy
:Iknow,t
hat
'swhyI'
m sayi
ng
comeoutsowecantal
k.Befastmy
dadwantst
hecar
Baby
:Andr
ewpl
easel
eav
e
Maya:(
rol
ledhereyes)Justgosee
t
hespoil
tbratbeforehewalksi
nhere,
t
hesesuburbskidsdon'tknowhow
t
herealworl
dwor ks.

Babyhungupandhur r
iedtoherr
oom
andchangedhercl
othes.Meanwhil
e
Aatil
edrovetowar
dsthegateand
stoppedbehi
ndaf ami
li
arcar.
..I
twas
yearsagobuthewouldneverfor
get
thatcarori
tsnumberpl
ate.
.

Hishear tpoundedashesl owed, he

couldn'tbelieveLolowasdoi ngit
againandt histi
mehewasn' tgoi
ng
tofight.Hewoul dsi
mpl ywalkoff
andnev erlookbackagai nbuta
youngmant urnedhisheadand
rai
sedhi shandapol ogeti
cal
lythenhe
reversedandpar kedaside.Aati
le
mov edf orwar dandstoppedr ol
li
ng
downt hewi ndow.
They oungmangotoutofthecarand
respectf
ull
yshookhi
shand..
.

Him:Goodaf t
ernoonMrJohnson. .
Mynamei sAndr ew.I'm sorr
yfor
bl
ockingyou,I
'mt ryi
ngt otal
ktoBaby
butIwasn'
tsurei fIshouldgoinor
j
ustwaitoutsi
de.Iapol ogi
seifit
off
endsyou
Aat
il
e:No,
it'
sokay
.Cani
seey
ourI
D?
Andy:
Ok

Het
ookouthi
swal
l
etandhandedi
t
overt
henAat
il
ehadal
ookandgav
e
i
tback.

Aat
il
e:Di
dyout
alkt
oher
?
Andy
:Yes
Aati
le:
Youcanpar
kinsi
deandwai
t
forher
.
Andy
:Thanky
ou

Aati
ledrovei
nthenAndrewf
ollowed
hi
mi nsi
deandparkedasAat
il
e
st
eppedoutofthecarandwalked
overtohim.
Aat
il
e:Caniunder
standsomet
hing
her
e..
.Arey
oudatingher?
Andy:Yes,weseethesamedoct
orat
thehospi
talt
hat'
swherewemet.
Aatil
e:Youseem l ikeav ery
respectfulyoungmanbuti don't
knowi fli
key oubecauseIdon' tli
ke
yourfather.Ifyoust i
l
lwantt ohang
aroundmydaught ery ouhav eal ott
o
dowheni tcomest oimpr essingme
andify oumakeonemi stakeI '
l
lhurt
youv erybad.Di dshet ellyouwhat
happenedt helastt i
meIf oundout
someonewast akingadv antageof
her?
Andy :
Notindetai
lbutiknowy ou
crushedthecarorsomething.I'm not
goingtohavesexwithhersosoon
andwest udywhenwear et ogether.
I'
m notinrus-
youknowmyf ather?
Aati
le:Tell
himy ou'
redat
ingAlone
andAat i
leJohnson'
sdaughterthat
shouldrefr
eshhismemor y.
Andy
:OK.
.

Babyquicklyst
eppedoutofthe
houseandwal kedoutavoi
dingher
fat
her'
sey esashelookedather.
..

Aat
il
e:Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmey
ouhav
ea
boy
fri
end
Baby:
Ididn'
twantyoutoki
ll
him,he
hel
psmewi thhomeworkandIthi
nk
I
'mreadyformyfi
nalexams
Aati
le:
(tur
nedandwalkedbackwards
faci
nghim)Don'
tfor
getwhatIsaid
Andrew
Andy
:Iwon'
t,
thanky
ou.

Aati
lewal
kedinthehousethenBaby
fol
dedherarmsandangri
lylower
ed
hervoi
ce.
..

Baby
:whatdoy
out
hinky
ou'
redoi
ng
walkinginhereli
kethis?Areyou
tr
yingt ohavemeki l
led?Thi
ngsaren'
t
asmoder nl
ikei
ny ourfamil
y.We
don'tjustbr
ingboyshome
Andy :
What'sthebi
gdeal?Yourdad
i
spr ett
ycoolandIli
kehi
m..Heis
reasonabl
e..
.Don'
tknowwhyhe
hatesmydadt houghbutil
ikehi
m
Baby:Mymot
hersayswecan'
tdate,
i
don'
tknowwhybutshewasangr
y.
Andy
:Sowhat
?Yourdadappr
ovesso
wegood
Baby:Mymot heristheal
phat
ypes,
whatevershesaysgoesnomatter
whatmydadsay str
ustme.Herword
i
sthef
inal
wor
d.
Andy:Yourdadsucksthatmuch?My
dadcall
stheshots,
whenhespeaks
every
onekeepsquieteventhe
ref
ri
gerat
orstopsthenoiseunt
ilhei
s
done.
Baby:(
laughed)Youneedtol
eav
e
whil
emymom i sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng
Andy
:Okay
,soar
ewest
il
ltoget
her
?
Baby
:Idon'
tknow,
justl
eav
e.
Andy
:Il
ovey
ou
Baby
:Il
ovey
out
oogopl
ease.
.

Her
ever
sedanddr
oveof
fasBaby
walkedinthehouseandwal kedpast
herparent
sr oom, shepausedand
l
ist
enedast heyt al
kedbutshe
couldn'
thearcl earlysoshepassed.
Agathawal kedoutoft hebat hr
oom
softl
ytal
kingt othephoneandcl osed
hersel
finbedr oom. .

Agatha:Idon'
tknowifi
canleaveat
thi
stime,myparentsar
estr
ict
Jan:Itwon'
ttakel
ong,wewillhang
outforaboutanhourortwo.You'l
lbe
backbefore6pm.j
ustsayyou'
re
goingnextdoororsomethi
ng.
Agat
ha:
Okay
,pi
ckmei
n20mi
nut
es
papai
shome.Heiseasyt
otal
ktoke
tai
kopamogoene.
Jan:
Alr
ight
,lat
er.
..

Shehungupandgotr eadythenshe
wait
edforanopportuni
tytotal
kto
herf
atherwi
thouthermother..
..
.

AtJan'
sgr
andpar
ent
s..
..

AlmostanhourlaterJanopenedt he
doortoherbachelorpadandsmiled
forhertogeti
nt henshewalkedin,
Janglancedatthemai nhouseand
quickl
ycl
osedt
hedoorcar
ryi
ng
takeaway
s.

Sheki ckedoffherbootsandwal ked

overinsocksasAgat haslowlysaton
thecouchl ooki
ngatthedar kscreen.
Afterputti
ngfoodont hetableshe
switchedtheTVonandsatnextt o
Agathaput ti
ngherarm onthecouch..

Jan:
Thanksf
orcomi
ng
Agat
ha:
Sur
e..
.

Jansl
owl
yletherar
m dr
opf
rom t
he
couchdownAgat ha'
ashoulderas
theybothwatchedTV,Agathatooka
deepbreathandcrossedherlegsas
Janlookedatherthi
ghsresist
ingto
touchher.
..

Jan:(shef
ail
edtocontrolher
selfand
touchedhert
highs)ar
ey oucold?
Agat
ha:
No,
I
'mf
ine

"Fuckshehassuchasmoot hskin
andwhydidshehav etowearhot
pantsagai
n?"shelookedupher
boobsandnot i
cedshewasn't
wearingabra."
ManJandon't..
.Don'
t
t
ouchher,shehast
obeini
ti
ated
f
ir
st".
.."
FuckitI
'mf
ucki
ngher".
..

Jansl owlytouchedhert hi
ghgoi ng
upherandt ouchedherbr eastthen
shet ur nedAgat ha'scheekand
l
eanedov erkissingherasAgat ha
reluctant l
ytouchedher .Shedi dn't
pushhersot hatwasgoodenough
forher ...
.Shepi ckedherupand
car r
iedhert obedwher eshet ossed
herandpul ledouthert -shir
t
remai ningwi thav estasshesof tl
y
kissedhersl owlypulli
ngouther
shor ts.Shewaswear i
ngat i
nypur pl
e
l
acyg- stri
ng...
Jan:
Ohshi
t.
..

Shekissedherl
ipsleav
ingatrai
lof
ki
ssesdownherbel l
yandkissedher
panti
eswhil
eholdingherhi
pswi t
h
bothhandskneeli
ngbetweenher
l
egs.Themai ndooropenedandshe
paused..

Jan:Fuck,i
tsmy
grandmother.
..
(t
hrewasheetoverher
bell
y)Don'
tmi ndwhatshewil
lsay,
ty
picalol
dpeoplestuf
f!
Thebedroom dooropenedasJansat
ontheedgeofthebedwhi l
eAgatha
hel
dasheetupherchest .
..

Jan:
I'
m onthemiddl
eofsomet
hing,
coul
dn'
tyouknock?
Her:
Itoldyout
ostopbr
inginggi
rl
sto
myhouseanddoingal
lthese
demonicthi
ngsar
oundhere.
Jan:
Arewegoingt
odot
hisi
nfr
ont
ofmygir
lf
ri
end?
Her: AndIsawacigarett
epacki nthe
car,areyoutry
ingt
oki l
lyour
self?
Diabeticsandsmoki
ng?Icalledy our
mot herandsheisnotanswering,I'
m
goingtocal
lyourf
ather
.Igothi
s
contact
s.
Jan: Ohy eahl et'
scallthemant hat
nev erl
ovedme, thatshouldhelp.
(stoodup)Idon' tneedanyoft hose
two, Ij
ustneedabr eakfrom you
tel
lingmeI '
m possessedj ust
becausei fi
ndwokenat t
racti
ve.I
thoughtweunder stoodeachot hergo
rayagor ey ouwer epret
ending
becausei didn'thaveagi rl
fri
endand
yout houghtI '
dchanged.
Her:
Stopbr
ingi
nggi
rl
stomyhouse
Jani
ce
Shewal kedoutthenJanfol
l
owedher
zi
ppingherjeansandstoodatthe
doorlookingathergr
andmotheras
shelookedbackather..
.

Her:Iknowy ouarehurti
ngandl onely
buty oudon'
thavetobesmoki ng,i
don'twantyoutodiey oung.Iknow
yourparentsdi
sappointedyoubutI '
m
herearen'
ti?
Jan:Youst il
lcan'
tacceptt hatI
'ma
l
esbian,itwon'tchange..Youknowi
start
edcr ushi
ngongi rl
sataJuni or
school.Don'tyouthinkIwoul dhave
stoppedifIwaspr etending?Ireal
ly
l
iket hisgirl andIdon' tknowi fshe
willstickar oundaf terwhaty ousai d
i
nt her e.Idon' twantt omov eout
becausey ouandgr andpaar ethe
onlyf ami l
yi have.Icanaf fordt orent
buti justwantt obewi t
hy out wo,doi
havet ol osey out oo?( t
earful
ly)I'
m
notpr etendi ng,ifeelnothingformen
andt hatgi rlinthereiswhatIneed.
Can'ty ouj ustpretendy ou'reokay
withit? ibeenl onelyforawhi le,
please
Her:Youneedt
ost
opsmoki
ngand
dr
inking
Jan:
Shei
sthedi
str
act
ioni
need.
.
Her
:Justst
opdr
inki
ngandsmoki
ng.
Jan:
Eemmaket
aaemi
sa

ShewalkedawaythenJanclosedthe
doorasAgathawalkedoutofthe
bedr
oom putti
ngonherhershort
s..
.

Agat
ha:
I'
m goi
nghome
Jan:Agathacomeon..
.Youknow
howoldpeoplear
e,shedidn'
tmean
anyofthat.
Agat
ha:OkbutI'
m goi
ng,t
hiswas
j
ustamist
ake.Sheisri
ght.
..Thi
sis
demoni
candi gotochur
chev er
y
Sunday
.It
swr
ong.
..
Jan:(grabbedherwr i
st)Agatha
comeon, don'
tdot his.
..OkayI'
m
sorr
yf orgoingtoof ast.
.Maybei
fr
eakedy ouout, canwet akeitslow?
Agat
ha:
No,
bye
Jan:
Caniatl
eastt
akey
ouhome?
Youdon'
tha-
Agat
ha:
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Shewal kedoutasJant earful

l
y
wat chedherthenshesatont he
stoopandsi ghedput
ti
ngher
foreheadonherarmswhi chwere
restingonherknees.
..
.
Meanwhi l
ehergr andmot herl
ooked
atthegirl
wal kingoutofgat eand
mov edthecur tai
nf urt
herlooki
ngat
Janasshel itaci garett
eandbl ew
outstyl
ishsev eralcloudofsmoke
thenfanningthem of f..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

KenwalkedinjustasZaneandSeth
we'
releavi
ngwear i
nghelmetsand
car
ryi
ngtheirskat
eboards.
..
Ken:
Becar
eful
Zane
Zane:
Sur
edad.
.

Zaneslammedt hedoorastheyr
an
offt
henKenputhi sl
aptoponthe
tabl
ewhileFai
thdozedoffonthe
couch.

Hegr abbedapl at
eoff oodand
headedt othebedroom wherehesat
onthebedwhi l
eDidilaidonbedthen
heleanedov erandkissedher.
..

Ken:
Hey
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?
Di
di:
Ithi
nkI
'
mfi
ne.
..

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Amant
le:
Hel
l
o
Ken:(
angr
il
y)Fucky
ou.Whot
hehel
l
gaveyoumynumber?
Amantl
e:Fuckyouoray
ammao, i
wantt
otalkabouty
ourdaught
er,
ke
ri
l
ekebatawena?
Ken:Ihav
enot
hingt
otal
ktoy
ou
about
Amant
le:
Mymot
herhasbeent
ryi
ng
tocall
mebuti avoidedhercal
ls
becauseican'
tdot hi
sanymore.Jan
needsyou,doy ouevert
hinkabout
herwheny ou'
rewithZaneandFaith?
Ken:
Likeyouev
ert
hinkabouther
bi
chplease

Hehungupandputt
hephonethen
hesi
ghedf
rust
rat
edasDi
dilookedat
hi
m..
.

Di
di:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ken:(
sighed)Don'twor
ryaboutme.
.I
don'
twantwor r
yingaboutany
thi
ng
el
seexcept-
Thephoner
angt
henhepi
cked.
..

Ken:
What
?
Gr
anny
:Hel
l
o?
Ken:
(cl
ear
edhi
svoi
ce)Dumel
ang
Granny
:KegoreKennaakoompolel
e
haontsejaanawat
eogopolegor
eo
nalengwanayomongwekontega
bao?
Ken:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngy
ouneed?
Granny:Ineedyoutot
ake
responsi
bil
it
y,f
oroncecal
lJanand
askherhowshei sdoi
ng.Janisa
l
esbian,sheissmoki
ng,
shei
s
dr
inking,she-
Ken:No,
noshecan'
tbeal esbian,tel
l
hert
ochanget
hatfastandv er
yf ast.
Granny:I
'
m walki
ngtowar dsher
room,canyoupleasetell
hertostop
smoking.(t
oher)Tal
kt oyourfat
her
Jan:
Idon'
thav
eaf
ather
Gr
anny
:St
opt
alki
ngt
omel
i
ket
hat
Jan:
(gott
hephone)Hel
l
o?
Ken:Icanunderstandsmokingand
dri
nki
ngwecanwor kont
hatbutif
youdareembar r
assmewi ththatgay
thi
ngI'
llhangyoudoy ouunderst
and
me?I'm goingt
obeapast or.Doyou
knowwhatt
hatmeans?
Jan: I
tmeansy ou' rethepastornot
me, icanf uckev erygi r
lIwantand
youcan' tdoany thingabouti t
becausey oudon' tevenknowme, you
couldwal kpastmedownt hest reet
andy ouwoul dn'tr ecogniseme
becausey ouhav en'tseenmei nwhat ?
4y ears?Gol ov ey ourki dsandl etme
fi
ndl ovewher everIcan.Younev er
l
ov edme, you'ret hef i
rstmant o
breakmyhear tandi tsti
ll
hurts..
.(
tearfully)atsomepoi nti
thoughty ou'datl easti ntr
oduceme
tomyl i
tt
lebr otherandsi st
er.(at ear
rol
leddownhercheek)Buti havet o
stal
ky ouonFacebookt oseet hem.
Dot heyevenknowi exist?Ifyou
don'tlovemeatl eastallowmy
sibl
ingsandi totry.You'renota
pastorandy ou'
ll
nev erbeapast or
untilyouacknowledgehowmuch
you'vepunishedmeandhat edme
becausemymot herf or
cedy outo
givemesomet hi
ngf rom y our
businesses.
Ken:
(si
ghed)Jani
t'
snotl
i
ket
hat
-

Shehungupt
henhesi
ghed.
..

Ken:
Cani
tal
ktoAmant
le?I
'
llputher
onloudspeaker
.Jani
ceobuil
e
somethingimport
antandshei
sri
ght
.
Didi
:No,i
fJani ceneedssomet hi
ng
shewil
ltalktoy ou.Sheisover18so
nomoret al
kingt oAmant l
e,i
t'
seit
her
herormet hereisnoi nbetween.

Thenexti
nser
tfol
l
owsaf
ter24K
Li
kes.
..
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/4,
12:
15AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 129

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

Kenl
ookedatherasshepi
nnedher
el
bowonthebedlyi
ngonhersi
de
l
ooki
ngathi
m...

Didi
: I
t'
sthatsi
mpleandthisti
mewe
don'thavetopret
endakerewear e
nothusbandandwi f
e?That'sthe
advantageofnotbei
ngmar ri
ed.You
canjustexchangepar tner
swi thout
anyoneholdingy ouresponsible
becauseyoudi dn'tt
akeav ow.Soha
elegorewadar lieotil
enkgol l
enna
keboeleMaun. ..Iwon'tevenhat e
youforit
.
Ken:Ir
eall
ywishyoucouldfor
giv
e
me,you'
retal
kingl
ikesomeonewho
doesn'
ttr
ustme
Didi
: Itr
ustyouonev er
ythingexcept
thatwi t
chAmantl
ebecausei know
youlov eher
,iam notsayingyou
don'tlovemekarey oulovehertoo.
Ken:
You'rewrong,i
usedtol
oveher
andthenshebrokeme.Youcame
andheal edmebuti neverreal l
ydealt
withher ,i j
ustmov edonsowhenshe
camei letmymemor i
esfool meand
i
tsagoodt hingtheydi dbecause
nowi knowbot hofy ouandi am now
ablet omakeabet terdecision.I
stayedwi thAmant leinGabsandi t
washor ribl
e, iwasl ikeaf oolish
zombi ebutwi t
hy ouI '
m different.I
'm
gladi madet hemi stakesi made
becauseatl eastnowIdon' thav ethe
may besorwhat 'sifs.Iknowi l
ove
Didiandi knowwhati wantf ormy
family.You' reright,Janiceisov er18,
asst ubbor nasshei sihav etof ace
herandgett oknowherf earsandal l
shebeenthr
ough.Ihavet
oexplai
nto
hermysideoft
hest or
ywit
hout
j
usti
fyi
ngwhyiwasabadf ather
.
Didi:(smil
ed)Spokenl i
keaf amily
man, andIam heretomakesur ethat
youandJani cegetthatchance.To
behonestwi thyouifeell
ikehadi
kindofmot i
vatedyoutobr i
ngher
homemay beI'dknowherandshe
woul dknowhersi bli
ngs.Ipl ayeda
par tandifshelet'
smeI '
lltrymybest
buti fshedoesn'tli
kemeI 'dalsogi ve
hert hespaceandnoti nterruptyour
relati
onshipwi t
hhermmehel ao
bonaAmant leene?Youshoul dn'ttal
k
toherunl essit'
simperati
vet haty ou
speakel
ematt
erofl
if
eanddeat
h.
That'
smyfi
nalor
der
.

Kensmi
l
edandl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ng
her
..
.

Ken:Keipakisi
tsegoremalat
siathe
rul
esareclearanditstakei
torleav
e
i
t
Didi
:(l
aughed)Akebat
egout
usi
wa
bothoko
Ken:Gonemmeoai tsegoreke
godil
eakere?I'
vehurtyouandthe
ki
ds,iembarrassedyouandchanged
yourl
ife,
youhav enoideahowbadi
feltwheni foundouty out riedto
commi tsuicide.Cutti
ngy oudown
from t hatropeandl ooki ngi ny our
ey eskebonadeat h, icheckedy our
hear tbeatandf el
tnot hing...You're
l
ivingmi raclewenaDi di andt heway
Zanecr ied,eishngwanakeol edil
e
thinkingy ouki ll
edy our selfbecause
theydi dn'tsleepov eraty ourhouse.
Fai t
heneoneal emohi hinghel abut
wai tsekeengt hosewer et hemost
dar kestday sofmyl ife.Iknowy ou
won' tbel i
evet hisbuti cr yfory ouin
secr et,I'
m af uckingcr ybaby
Di
di:
(laughed)Youdo?
Ken:
(laughed)Youhav
enoi
dea,
o
bonaZane?Ngwanakeonkgot sitse
keipotsagor eot il
egol edisiwake
ngwanawagamang.Hegott hat
cryi
ngf r
om me, evenasal i
ttl
eboyi
usetocr yli
ket hatbutmyf ather
hatedit,hebeatmef orthatandt old
meamani snotsupposedt ocr y.You
holdthepai ninsideandt akei tli
kea
man.Het ol
dmet onevercr yso
whenev erigothur tidrunkand
smokedorbeatt hepersonwhohur t
me.Takeoutmypai nont hem but
thenwheni t'ssomeoney oul oveand
havewr ongedi t'
scompl icatedkei t
se
helagoreI '
mt heonewhocheat edon
mywi fesoi can'tblameany one.I 'v
e
l
earntal otf rom all t
hese, I'
vealso
l
earntt hati canl osey ouhake
tshameka( theybot hlaughedl oudly)
EishBay angwasat oughr ival
.There
i
snot hi
ngt hathur tslikecompet i
ng
withaper f
ectmanwheny ouhav ea
hist
or y.Koor ethisguyhadagoodj ob
-l
abt echnicianandi wasunempl oyed.
Hehadnocr i
mi nal r
ecor dandwel li
wasdi r
ty.Drugsandi l
legal
possessi onofaf i
rear m...
.Hewas
patientandsof tspokenbuti l
ostmy
tempereacht i
met hingsdi dn'
tgomy
way .Ihadt opr etendt obeci v
ilwit
h
himj ustsoi canseey ou.Ir emember
abuakast atus..(theylaughed)Shi t
fi
rstthingint hemorni
ngkehakel e
koLet sholathebeandi hadtotake
Pepf or30day sonl
yforAat i
l
etotell
met hatBay angandDi diarenegat
ive,
hesai dthatt oconf
ir
mi fyouhadsex
withDi dibecauseDidideniedit
.
Di
di:
(laughed)Sheewai
tseBay
ang
Ken: (
laughed)Youmademego
throughhel l
,don'
tdot hatagain..
.
Let'sbui l
dourhomef rom scratch.
Let'sgetcl osertoJanandi ntroduce
hert heki ds.Iwanttoloveheri
realisedt hatAmant l
eliedtoher
aboutusandi tseasyforherto
believebecausewenev ertal
k.I'm
surei filoveherenoughshewi llstop
bei
ngalesbi
anandall
theot
her
thi
ngsi
hearsheisdoi
ng.
Di
di:Andwhati
fshecan'tstopbeing
al
esbian?Shemightbereal
ly
at
tract
edtowomen, t
histhi
ngisreal
.
Ken:Notformybl ooditsnot,t
hese
peoplearepret
ending.LookatArona,
di
dn'tthi
sguywanty ouatsome
point
?Andnowal lofsuddenheis
gayputti
ngonmakeupf ooli
ngpeople.
Imeant hatguylooksli
keagi r
leven
fr
om theback
Didi
:Ican'
texpl
aint
hatbutsome
peopleact
uall
yshowtrai
tsfr
om a
youngageandmay beAronawas
t
ryi
ngtoignoreitandhi
sboyfr
iend
t
ri
gger
edi tbecausenowicanbath
wi
thAronaandhewon' tbear
oused.
Ken:Well
i don'
tknowhi shistorybut
Janismydaught erandi knowi don'
t
havehomosexualityi
nmybl ood.She
i
sjustact
ingoutt ogetattenti
onand
I
'm goi
ngtogi v
eittoher.
Didi
:Justdon'tbedisappoi
ntedwhen
youfindoutthatshecan'tchange
that
Ken:Shewill
,wi
thGodeveryt
hingis
possi
ble.Yougai
nedconsci
ousness
aft
erbeingcutf
rom t
heroofandi.
..
Myself
,KennaIam act
uall
ystudyi
ng
thebibl
eandl eani
nghowt olivefor
God.Itwon'thappenovernightbutI
acknowledgehowmuchGodhas
changedme.I '
dbeoutt heresell
drugsandmaki ngthousandsof
moneybutI '
m herewithmywi feand
kidsandI'
m contentwiththat
.

Didismil
edadmi r
inghi
m ashedid
herthenheleanedoverandki
ssed
her.
.

Ken:Janostubbor
nIdon'
tknowhow
toapproachher
Di
di:
Shei
sherf
ather
'sdaught
er,
she
gotthatfrom y
ouandt hewayshe
cursesngngng. .
..Fr
uitdoesn'
tfal
l
toofarfrom t
hetree,I
'
m sureshe
l
ov eshardwhenitcomest oher
gir
lfr
iendsandmay betheyhurther
that'
swhyshedr i
nksandsmokes.
Ken:
Shehastost
opt
hatnonsense
yadil
esbi
an.
..

Hest
oodupandpull
edouthi
st-
shi
rt
t
henheheadedt
otheshower
..
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
MeanwhilebackinMaunitwas
al
mostmi dni
ghtasBayangparkedi
n
fr
ontofthehouseandsteppedoutt
o
unl
ockthedoorwhilet
hekidswere
sti
l
lsl
eepinginthecar
.

Hemov edever
ythi
ngthatwasinthe
sparer
oom andpushedhisbedin
ther
ethenhechangedthesheetsand
putamattr
essinhisr
oom inst
ead..
..

Juni
orandBri
dgetj
umpedstar
tl
edas
hebangedonthecarwi
ndows.
.

Bay
ang:
Wear
eher
e!Youguy
sar
e
usel
essket
sil
ekekgweet
sakel
e
nosi
..

Bri
dgetsmi
l
edlooki
ngatt
hehouse
andshyl
yst
eppedoutf
oll
owi
ng
Juni
or.
..

Junior:
Bri
dgetyoucanusemyroom,
I
'll
sleeponthecouchandmove
tomorrowwhendadhasf i
xedt
he
room
Bay
ang:
I'
vef
ixedi
t
Juni
or:
Okay
..
.
Bay
ang:
ComeBr
idget
..
.
Bayangescort
edhertoherroom
whereshesatonthebedwhi l
e
BayangsatontheedgewithJuni
or
st
andingatthedoor
..
.

Bayang: Thisi
sy ourr
oom, youhav e
tokeept hedoorclosedandi fanyone
wantst ocomei ntheywi l
lknock.
JuniorasmuchasBr idgetisyour
l
itt
lesistersheisagirlandy ou'
renot
supposedt oseehernakedsoy ou
mustknockonherdoorev enwhen
sheisbat hi
ngyouhav etost ayaway.
Juni
or:
(laughed)Whyar
eyout
alki
ng
tomel i
keI'
m ali
tt
lebaby
?Iknow
aboutpri
vacy,
wear et
aughtabouti
t
atschool.
Bay ang: Aboutt
hat ..
.I'
m Bri
dget
you'regoi ngtostartschoolnext
week.I 'l
lbuyevery t
hingandgety our
hairdonebuti t'
sgoi ngtobev ery
dif
ficultbecauset heyteachin
Engl i
shatt hepri
v ateschoolsand
youmi ghtfeell
eftout .
Bridget:
Ingov ernmentschool sthey
teachinEnglisht oo,onlythe
standard1sand2sar etaughtin
Setswanai thinkf r
om thereits
Englishall
theway .Idon'tspeak
goodEngl i
shl i
keJuni orbutthereis
not
hingi
don'
tknowi
nEngl
i
sh.

Shepul l
edherbackpackandgave
him herbooksandtheprev
ious
reportsthenBay
ang'sJawsdropped
ashel ookedattheA*oneach
subject.
..

Bayang: Goodness!Whyar eyou

bril
l
iant?(Bridgetlaughed)thi
sis
beautif
ul..
.(her ubbedherafro)I
'
m
reall
yproudofy ou
Junior:Hermotherwasanur seand
herfatheri
salabt echnici
an,sheisa
walkingexper
iment ,whatdidyou
expect
?Geneshel
l
o?
Bri
dget:(
laughed)Thankyou.
..I
'
m
thehypot
hesisandconclusi
on
Juni
or:
Bophot
osy
nthesi
sand
Br
idget
:Boger
minat
ion.

Bayanglaughedandhi
therwi
tht
he
book..
.

Bayang:It
hinkyou'
regoingtoshow
them f
lames,SoI'
mr ai
singsci
enti
sts
here?
Bot
h:(
laughed)Yes
Itwasaf termi dnightbutnoneof
them wassl eepyandeach
conv er
sationst ruckal oudlaughter
forallofthem, forthef i
rstt
imei nher
l
ifeBr i
dgetf eltathomeandev en
afterbathingandgoi ngt obedshe
sti
llcouldn'tfallasleep.Shewant ed
thesunt ocomeoutsoshecansee
thehousepr oper lyandseeherf ather
again,herbr otherwasj ustawesome
andhi sfatherhadsai dsomet hing
aboutschool .Shewasexci tedabout
that,aclassr oom hadal waysbeen
theonlypl aceshef eltali
veand
abov eevent her ichkidsbecauseshe
hadsomet hingmoneycoul dbuy .
..
.
AtAndr
ew'
sHouse.
..

Thefol
lowingSundaymor ni
ng
Andrewsteppedoutofhisquart
er
wit
hapi l
eofplatesandcupsheadi
ng
tothemainhousewher eahouse
hel
perwasdoi ngthedi
shes..
.

Andr
ew:
Mor
ning
Her
:Howar
eyou?
Andr
ew:
I'
m good.
..

Heopenedt
hef
ri
dgeandgr
abbedan
applethenhewalkedtowardshi
s
parent
'sbedroom wheret
herewere
funnynoisesasheknocked..
.

Andy
:Papawee?
Hi
m: (
caughthi
sbreat
h)Obat
aeng
makukujaanaAndy
?
Andy
:Ket
sene?
Hi
m:Rer
obet
se,
I'
ll
beouti
naf
ew
mi
nut
es
Andy
:Nnakeat
sena

Hi
sfatherqui
ckl
ygotdownand
gr
abbedaphonewhilehi
smother
pret
endedtobesleeping,
Andrew
headedtothewardrobeandpull
ed
outhisf
ather
'ssui
t.
..

Andy:Mamawee?Whichj
acketgoes
toget
herwi
thmypant
s?

Hi
smothert
urnedandl
ookedat
hi
m..
.

Andy:Babyl
ongi
nvi
tedmetochurch
weeksagosoIwanttosur
pri
seher
today
Hi
smot
her
:Pi
ckanav
ybl
ueone.
..I
ts
thel
astoney
ourfat
herusedtowear
i
tbefor
ehebecomefat,i
twil
lfi
tyou
perf
ect
ly
Hi
m:(
laughed)Don'
tst
artwi
thme
Hismot her
:Il
ovethi
sgi
rlwai
tse
bathong,ij
ustl
ovedher
Andy:
Makesbot hofus,
bytheway
daddoy ouknowherpar
ent
s?Aati
l
e
andAloneJohnson
Hi
m:Thosear
eherpar
ent
s?
Her
:Doweknowt
hem?
Him:Um...
.Um..
.(hecaughed)Mr
Johnsononcehel
pedmeatt he
hospi
tal
Her: Aot hat
'ssweet ,Andypl ease
don'tloseher .Whati loveabouther
kegor ey oushareast at
usandshei s
from agoodf amilybackgr ound.She
knowst hefamilyv al
uesandt he
i
mpor t
anceofbui l
dingaf ami l
yand
beingwi thonepar tner.I'
m sureher
parentswi ll
lovey outoobecausewe
havesetagoodexampl ef oryou.You
wat chedy ourfatherloveuswi t
hout
fail
uresoot abeodi rakabomoi f
youf ail
t omakeaf ami l
yofy ourown
andhav echil
dren, l
ovet hem andbe
happy .

Mogapi
'
sbr
eat
hedi
nandoutasAndy
l
ookedathi
mselfonthemi
rr
orand
cl
osedthewar
drobe.
..

Andy
:Seey
ouaf
terchur
ch

Hecl
osedt
hedooranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtChur
ch.
..
..
.

Laterdur
ingpreachi ngLoloandher
husbandquietlyli
stenedasAndr ew
walkedinandl ookedaround
confusedtryi
ngt olocat
eBaby
amongstt hecongregation,Lol
o'
s
bloodboil
edasshelookedatAndy
talki
ngtoanusherof
feri
nghima
chairatt
hebackbuthespotted
Aat i
l
eanddecli
ned.
..

Shefr
ownedput ti
ngaseriousface
wit
haboutthreelinesontheglabel
la
asAndyinnocentl
ysatnexttoAat i
l
e
andsmil
edgr eet
inghim,Aati
le
smil
edsurpri
sedt oseehi
m. .

Andy
:Goodmor
ning
Aat
il
e:Mor
ning.
..Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?
Andy
:Babyl
ongi
nvi
tedmeandt
oday
it
houghtI 'dsurpr
iseher..(l
eaned
overandshookLol o'
shandasshe
pretendedt obebusylisteningtothe
preciouswor dofGod)Hel loMr s
Johnson. .
.(shedidn'
trespondt hen
hetur nedtoAtil
e)Sowher eisBaby?
Aat
il
e:Shhhgagobui
wemokerekeng,
whi
chchurchdoyouusual
l
yat
tend?
Andy:Wedon'tdochurchathome,
i
t'
smyf i
rstt
imetobei nchur
ch
besi
destheChapelatschoolwhenI
wasataseniorschool
Lol
o:Shh.
..

Hekeptqui
etandf
oldedhi
sar
ms,
Aati
leglancedathi m asheleaned
backwat chingthepastorthenhe
handedhi mt hebibl
e.Andrewsmiled
andheldi tproperl
yandwhent he
pastorreferr
edt hem t
oabookhe
wasn'tsurehowt ogetther
e.

Helookedatthepersonbehi
ndhi m
forapagenumbert henhefl
ippedthe
pagesunti
lhegottherewhil
eAatil
e
watchedi
ndisbeli
efthenhechuckled
dumbfounded..
..

*
**
Aft
erpreachi
ngthepraiseand
worshi
pteam walkedtothefr
ontand
Andrew'
sfaceli
tupashespot ted
Babygetti
ngthemic..
.

Andy:(
smi
led)Wow..
.(t
urnedt
o
Aati
l
e)Am ial
lowedt
otakeavideo?
Aat
il
e: Yesbutwhenpeopl
eare
st
anding,nowyou'l
lj
ustl
ookli
kea
weir
dopl usnooneknowsyou,l
ay
l
ow.
Andy:Okay
,butt
hisi
scool
.It
hinkI
'
ll
keepcom-
Lol
o:(
annoy
ed)Shhh.
..
Andy
:(whi
sper
ed)Sor
ry
Lol
o:(whisper
edt
oAat
il
e)Whatar
e
youdoing?
Aat i
l
e:(whisper edback)Cany ougiv
e
theboyabr eak?It'
snothi sfaul
thi
s
fatherisa-j
ewakemel at
oy agago
olenosi andst oprecruit
ingmet oj
oin
you.Itsapityhi spresencerubsyour
guilt
yconsci encethewr ongway .

Heturnedandj
oinedt
hechur
chi
n
si
nging.
.…

*
**
Lateraft
erchur
chAgat
harantot
he
familycarandt
hrewi
nherJer
sey
i
nside..
.

Agatha:I
'
m ont
hecl
eani
ngr
ota
today.
Aat
il
e:Okay
Juni
or:Mamacani
ridewi
thBaby
andherfr
iend?
Lol
o:No,

Aat
il
edr
oveoutofchur
ch.
..

Lol
o:wai
tseAat
il
ethespeci
al
tr
eatmenty ougi
veBabygasey one.
GaseSet swanahel
angwanay oo
balangform 5i
nvit
esaboyfr
iendto
church.
Aatil
e:Babyi snotjustaf orm5
student.Sheendur edmor ethant han
anyonesoshedeser vest hatbreakto
helpherdeal wi
thherproblems.
Parentswhoar etoostri
ctar ethe
oneswhoendupdeal ingwi th
teenagepr egnancy.Andrewknows
whati expectf r
om him andt rustme
l
ehaakar aelesegahe'drathergobuy
protecti
ont hanmakeherdr opoutof
school andt hat
'ssomethingi want.
Wecan' tdenyt hatnowaday sha
ngwanaabal aformf iv eonal edi
feeli
ngsandi t'
sourr esponsi bilit
yto
makesur ethatt hosef eelingsdon' t
affectt heirfuturebyshowi ngthem
howt opr eventanypr oblem.Ipr efer
knowi ngAndr ewandt hreateninghi m
thanhi m notknowi ngmeai kantse
gorehewi l
ldenyi tandnoonewi l
l
backupBaby .Idon'tpar entlikemy
parents, ti
meshav echanged.That
ment alityisther easonmymot her
doesn' tli
key oubecausewenal eene
thi
nkt hesamewayandnotr eal l
y
whaty ourchi l
drenneeds.Yout hink
youknowwhat '
sbestf oryourchi ld
buty our eall
ywantt hem t odowhat
youwantnotwhat '
sgoodf orthem.
I'
dchooseAndr ewoverKenna
anyti
me, I
'dsuppor
tthei
rrelat
ionshi
p
j
usttoav oidol
dermantaking
advantageofBaby'
sstatus.Sheis
happysoI '
m happy,
li
vewithit.

AtChur
ch.
..

LateronAgathaandacoupl eof
otheryoungladiest
ogetherwit
hthe
guyssteppedoutaf t
ercl
eaningand
waitedfort
het axi
.

Mostmanagedt
ogett
axi
sunt
il
Agat
hawasleftwi
thanot
herbr
other
fr
om chur
ch.
..

Him:Let'
swalkbytheroad,
I'
mt i
red
ofst
anding.Sundayj
aanaditaxi
ke
mathatahela
Agat
ha:
True
Hi
m:Sohowar
eyou?
Agat
ha:
I'
mfi
ne
Him:Si
sterAgat
hai
wantt
omar
ry
you

"wi
thwhat
?"shet
houghtasshe
qui
etl
ywal
kedwit
hhim byther
oad
whi
l
ecar
spassed.
..

Him:Kegorat
amar atot
otakegore
hakegoakant
seithel
ankar
enkalel
a
hel
awaabona...

Jan'
scarpull
edoveronthesi
deas
sherol
leddownthewindowandput
herel
bowoutjeal
ouslyl
ooki
ngat
them..
.

Jan:
(or
der
ed)Geti
nthecar
Agat
ha:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Jan:
(annoy
ed)Geti
nthecar
Br
other
:Why
-
Jan:Fuckyou,stayt
hehell
away
fr
om herandst i
cktothebi
bleand
speaki
ngintongues.
Agatha:(smil
edatthebr ot
her
embarrassed)I'
m notalesbian,
she
i
smyf r
iendandshel i
kesdoingthat
toguys.I'
m achrist
ian.Bye

Agat hagotinthecarthenJanangril
y
steppedont heaccelerat
or
i
nt enti
onal
lyleavi
ngthebrotherint
he
mi stofdustashef anneditcoughi
ng
holdinghisbible.
MeanwhileinthecarAgat
hal
ooked
atherangri
l
y .
..

Agatha:Whatdoy outhi
nky ou'r
e
doi
ngt el
li
nghim somethi
ngl i
ket hat
?
Noteveryoneiscomfort
ablewi ththi
s
thi
ngy ouknow,I'
m notalesbian.I
am aChr i
sti
an

Janangri
lyparkedinfr
ontoftheFNB
machineandswi t
chedofftheengi
ne
l
eani
ngbackl ookingather
...

Jan:
Cani j
ustmakeonethingcl
ear
,
i
fyoufuckthi
supI'
l
lfuckyouupso
bady
ou'l
lhat
eallthel
esbi
ans.Idon'
t
pl
ayl
iket
hat,youdon'
tcheatonme
Agatha:Whyareyouj
eal
ous?I
haven'
tevendeci
dedi
fI'
m doi
ngt
his
ornot.
Jan:
Whatam Inotdoi
ngf
ory
ou?
Agatha:Wel i
teral
lymet2daysago,
whyar eyousor ough?Youcan'
tbe
thatpossessi
v eyoudon'
tevenknow
me
Jan:Whatdon'tiknow?Tel lme
aboutyoursel
f.Li
stenI'
mr eall
ynot
goodatbeggingpeopl etostayinmy
l
ifesolet
'smaket hissimple.Makea
deci
sionri
ghtnow. .
.Doy ouwantto
beJanice'
sgirl
ornot?IfnotI'
l
lleav
e
youalone.Youcansimplygetoutof
mycarandi won'tsayanythi
ng.
You'
refreetogobabe..
.

Sheleanedov erandopenedthedoor
forherbutAgathafol
dedherar ms
pouti
nglookingoutsi
de,Jan
seducti
vel
ytouchedhert hi
ghbutshe
pushedherhandof fthenJanleaned
overandkissedhersadf aceonthe
cheek..
.

Jan:
I'
m sor
ryf
orshout
ingaty
ou.
..
JanturnedAgatha'
scheekandsoftl
y
Frenchkissedhert
hensheleaned
backtakingoutherwal
letout.
..
.

Jan:
Let
'sgo

Shest eppedoutandcl osedherdoor

asAgat har emainedint hesti
l
lupset
thenJanwal kedaroundt hecarinher
ti
ghtjeansandwhi tecleansneakers
withabaggysweat erwhi chshe
pull
edsl eevesbackr eveali
ngher
watchandt heLGBTbr acel
etasshe
l
eanedi nt hecarputtingherpalmson
herkneessoshecoul dlookather
f
rom beneat
h..
.

Jan:(
smi l
ed)Ongadilegorenneke
goomany a?sorryt
hemma. .
.Idon't
wanttoqueueont heATM alone,let
's
go.(pressedhercheekstogether
)
Molomony ana?Sorr
yautwa?

ShekeptquietthenJanpul l
edher
outofthecarcar r
yingherandcl osed
thedoorpushingitwi thhersneaker,
peopl
equeui ngbyt heATM machi ne
l
ookedatt heelesbiancoupleacting
cosyandAgat haqui cklysl
i
ddown
embarrassed..
.
Agat
ha:
(mut
ter
ed)Don'
ttouchmei
n
publ
i
c
Jan:(
smil
ednaught
il
yandgr
opedher
ass)How?Li
kethi
s?
Agatha:
(giggl
edandsmackedher
hand)Stopitpeopl
ear
elooki
ng.
.

Theyjoi
nedt hequeueasJanst ood
behindhergirl
holdingherbythe
waistastheychattedandlaughed.
Peoplekeptglanci
ngasJankept
Agathacloseholdingherwaistand
ki
ssedherneckeacht i
met hey
l
aughedaboutsomet hi
ng.
Minuteslaterst
il
lholdi
ngAgathaby
thewaistJanmov edherinfrontof
themachi neandinsertt
hecardwhil
e
standi
ngbehi ndher.
.

Jan:
Tseny
api
n..2346

Agathaent
eredt
hepinandwai
tedt
o
betoldt
heamount.
.

Jan:Uh.
..Howmuchshoul
dwetake?
Inev
erkeepcashiswi
pemostofthe
ti
me.
Agathal
ookedattheGetmaxi
mum
cashP4500thensheenter
edP2000.
..

Jan:
Ohshi
twhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Agat
ha:
Youaskedme
Jan:whatar
eyougoi
ngtodowith
P2000?Wecould'
vej
ustswi
ped
Agat
ha:
(taki
ngthemoney)Myhai
r
andawholel
otofthi
ngs

Shegott hecardt
ooandtur
nedJan
aroundfoll
owingher
,Janst
epped
downt hepavementwit
hherbehi
nd
thenshejumpedonJan' sbackf ora
piggy
backing.Janheldherpr operly
andwalkedacr osstheparki
ngl otin
betweenthecar scarr
yingheronher
back.
..
.

Jan:
I'
m hungr
y,canwebuy
somethi
ngtoeatint
her
e?
Agat
ha:
(onJan'
sback)Kae?
Jan:
Wool
wor
ths
Agatha: Wool
worthssellsfood?Isn'
t
i
tacl othi
ngstor
e( Janjustlaughed)
,
ther
ei sfoodi
nther e?
Jan:
(laughed)Yesy
ou'
l
lsee
Agatha:(
lookedatpeopl
easJan
walkedpiggybacki
ngher
)OhmyGod
peoplear
el ooki
ngatus.
.
Jan:
Inol
ongernot
icet
hat
..
Agatha:
Putmedownkeaswaba
yanong

ShestoppedandAgat hasliddown
thenJanpulledupherjeansupand
grabbedAgat ha'
swri
stleadingheri
n
theshopast heyheadedtot hefood
secti
onpassingaf ewwhitepeople
andIndians.
..

Agat
ha:
Iwaswonder
ingwher
ethe
whitepeopleshop,soIndiansopena
famousshopf orusandt henturn
andcomeshopher e?Andt heir
shopshav ebranchesalloverbut
you'l
lneverseeoneIndianbuy i
ng
from t
here.
Jan:
Inev
erunder
stoodt
hatt
oo.
.

Janpi
ckedafewspeci
fi
cfoodsas
Agat
haobser
ved.
..

Agat
ha:Whydoyoukeepr
eadi
ng
whatyouwant
?
Jan:
OhI
'
m di
abet
ic,
for
gott
otel
lyou
Agatha:Andyousmoke?NowI
remembery ourgr
andmot
hersai
d
somethingabouti
t.Cany
oustop
smoking?
Jan:
(tur
nedandsmil
edather
)And
youwon'tev
erl
eav
eme?
Agatha:You'
reunbel
i
evable,
youdon'
t
car
ei fy
ouliv
eordiedoy ou?
Jan:Notr
eall
y,ij
ustl
iv
einamoment
.
Idon'
thaveanyonetol
iveforor
anyt
hingt
oliveforr
eal
lyso..
.

Agathasadl
ylookedatherasshel
ed
hertotheti
l
lwheretheypai
dand
walkedout,
awhilepassedwit
hout
hersayi
ngany t
hingasJanopened
thedoorforherandclosedheri
n
befor
edrivi
ngoff

Jan:
Arey
ouok?Whyar
eyouqui
et?
Agat
ha:
I'
mfi
ne.
..

Shesecret
lytookoutt
hemoneyand
puti
tinholderasJanglancedather

Jan:
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Agatha:Youneedi
tfory
ourdi
et,
i
can'
ttakeit
.
Jan:
Youcanhav
eit
,cany
ounotf
eel
sor
ryformerightnow?That'
sthe
l
astthi
ngIneedf r
om y
ou..
.Ok?

ShekeptquietthenJanpull
edover
par
kingunderat reeandt
urned
l
ookingather..

Jan:Inev erlackedany thinggrowi

ng
up,iwentt oprivat
eschool sandate
healthyfood.Ihadcl othesand
accessthet echnology.Ihad
everythi
ngexceptl ove.
..Mymot her
staysinGabor oneandmyf atheri
s
overseas, bothofthem f oundpeople
toloveandt heonlybi r
thdaywishi
gotwasfrom FNB. ..I
tshardt omake
fr
iendswheny ou'
realesbian
becausestraightwomenal waysfeel
l
ikeyouwi l
ltouchthem
i
nappropri
atelyorsomet hing.Some
j
usthatelesbianssoal l
Iwantf rom
youislov
eandf ai
thful
ness.Idon't
wantyoutocheatonme, ibeenhur t
bythepeoplei lov
eandi can'
ttake
anymore.
Agat
ha:I'
m sorry
..
.Ididn'tknowwho
youbutnowi haveani deaandI
won'
thurtyou..
.I'
m newt othisbuti
l
oveyoutherestwi l
lfoll
ow..
Agat haleanedov erandkissedheras
sheki ssedbackbr eathi
ngheavil
y
andsnuckherhandunderherdr ess.
Shehungr i
lykissedherandadjusted
herseatl ayingherdownt ry
ingtoget
ont opbutAgat hacaughthera
breathandt ur
nedherhead
rel
uct antl
y.
..

Agatha:Notinthecarbythesi
deof
theroad..
.(pul
ledupthechai
rand
smiled)You'r
eunbeli
evabl
e,y
ouwant
tofuckmeont hesi
deoftheroad?

Janl
eanedbacksmi
l
ingcut
ewi
tha
l
i
ttl
eembar
rassmentonherf
ace.
..

Jan:(exhal
ed)I'm sor
ry,
It'
sbeena
whil
eso. .
.(
pinchedthebridgeofher
nose)Sorry

Agat hasmi l
edadmi r
inghercute
embar rassedfaceasl ookedather
wi t
hey esfull
oflustandpassion
thenshegr abbedabot t
leofwater
from thebackandhandedi tt
oher.

Janopenedthebottl
eanddr unkas
shej
oinedtheroad,herhandswere
manlyandhonestl
ythesightofher
dri
vingdroveAgat hainsane.Shehad
beendr i
venbef orebyherf amilybut
seewhenJanwasdr i
vingandshe
wassi t
ti
ngi nthef r
ontseatwi ththe
musi conshef eltsomehow.Janhad
alookshegav eheral ookshe
couldn'
tevenexpl ainandJanhada
boyishsmile,onet hatstartedatthe
cornerofherlipsandspr eadacross
herhandsomef ace.

Agat
ha:
Jan?
Jan:(sheanswer
edlooki
ngaway
checkingthet
raf
fi
conthemirr
orand
overt
akingcar
s)Yeah?
Agat
ha:
Ilov
eyou.
..

Jansmiledlookingatherassheheld
thewheel wi
thonehandandt ouched
herwi
tht heother.
..

Jan:(
looki
ngi
nherey
es)Il
ovey
ou
too
Agatha: Butyoucan'tusev ulgar
l
anguagear oundpeopl eespeciall
y
whogot ochur ch.Youcan'tjust
fol
lowmeandpi ckmeupany ti
me
youmi ssme.I 'mi ntheclosetasfar
asmyf amilyandt hechurchis
concerned, wil
lyoukeepmet her
e
unt
ilI
'
m br
aveenought
ocomeout
?

Janl
ookedi nherbeauti
fuleyesand
smil
edt henshecheckedthet r
aff
ic
andleanedovergiv
ingheraqui ck
ki
ssbefor el
ooki
ngbackatt heroad..
.

Jan:
Ofcour
se,
I'
m sor
ry
Agat
ha:
It'
sokay
..
.
Jan:HeyIsawashopofl inger
ieat
Oldman, i
thadsomeoft hepanti
esI
sawy ouputti
ngont heotherday.Do
youwantt ocheckitout?Thatpurpl
e
l
acythinglookedreall
ygoodony ou.
ItwasallIcoul
dthinkaboutallni
ght
af
tery
oul
eft
..
Agat
ha:
(laughed)Okay
..
.

Mi nut
eslat
ersheparkedandwaited
i
nt hecareati
ngwhileAgat
hawalked
aroundtheshoppickingafewthi
ngs
thenshesawani ceman'swatchand
pickedit
.

MeanwhileJansteppedoutofthecar
andthrewthetr
ashinthecanas
Agathawalkedoutandgotinthe
car
..
.
Shejumpedinandstar
tedthecar
thenAgat
hagotherarm and
removedherol
dwatch..
.

Jan:
(l
aughed)Oi
raeng?

Agat hatookoutthenewwat chand

putitaroundherwr i
stthenshe
kissedherhandbef or
er et
urningi
t
backt othesteer
ingwheel asJan
smi l
edemot i
onall
yandqui etl
ydrove
thecar .
..

Jan:
(minutesaf
ter
)Idon'
tremember
thel
astti
meanyoneboughtme
any
thi
ng.Thanks
Agatha:
It'
syourmoneysoi
tdoesn'
t
countasagift
Jan:
Tomei
t'
sagi
ft
,thanks
Agat
ha:
You'
rewel
come.
..

Agathagr
abbedadr i
nkfr
om the
backandleanedbacksi
pping.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.

ThenextmorningDi
dit
urnedar
ound
toanir
ri
tat
ingtappi
ngonthe
bedr
oom windowandtouchedKen'
s
sideofthebed, hewasn' tthereso
shegrabbedhergownandputi ton
asshewal kedtot hewi ndowwher e
shepulledthefoldsupbef oresl
idi
ng
upthewi ndowandl ookingdownat
theparkinglot
.Kenputdownt hetoy
gunhewasusi ngt oshoott he
window.

ShefrownedasKenandt hekids
wavedtheirdustyhandsholding
whit
echalkwi thver
ybigwor dson
thepavement.."Wil
lyoumarryme"

Kensmi
l
edandspr
eadhi
shands
wai
ti
ngf
orhert
orespond.
..

TWOYEARSLATER.
..
..

Thefoll
owingi
nser
tfol
l
owsafter26K
Li
kes,haveabl
essedSunday
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
16AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 130

Att
hebusr
ank.
..
.

Earlyinthemor ni
ngaround6t hebus
pulledover,Babyremovedherneck
pil
lowandl eanedbacky awningas
peoplegotof fthebus.Shemov ed
thecur t
ainslooki
ngoutsideand
smil
edasAndr ewsmil
edathert
hen
shegrabbedherbagandshawl
makingherwayout.
..

Andrewbi thi
slipanxi
ouslyhas
peoplesteppeddownt hebus, f
inall
y
Babyst eppeddownandr antowar ds
hi
m ashehur r
iedoverandcaughther
swingingherasshebentherl egs
cl
ampi ngherar msaroundhim..

Heputherdownandl eanedover
ki
ssingherbefor
ehuggi ngheragai
n
astheylaughedexci
tedly.
..
.
Andr
ew:
Wher
eisy
ourbag?
Baby
:Thi
ssi
de.
.

Andrewpul l
edherbigbagandputi t
i
nt hebackoft hecarasshegoti n
thefrontseatandtookof fherjacket
remaininginherSRCt -shi
rt
,Andr ew
closedthedoorandl eanedov er
kissi
nghert henhedrov eout.
...

Andrew:I
'
llt
akeyouhomel
ater
,i
tookadayoffatwor
k.
Baby
:Okay
..
.
Hedr ov
ehomeandpar kedi nfrontof
thehousethentheywalkedin.
Andrewclosedthedoorandsmi l
ed
l
ookingatBabyassheshy l
ylooked
athimthenhethrewthekey sont he
couchandkissedherast hey
droppedthei
rclot
hesonebyoneand
fel
lonthebed..
.

Andyreachedf
oracondom but
pusheditaway
..
.

Baby:Don'
twearacondom,
iwanta
baby
Andy
:What
?
Baby
:May
bemymom wi
l
laccepty
ou
Andy: Babewedon' tneedher
appr oval,t
hisisourli
feandwedon' t
hav et omakesuchbi gdeci sions
becauseofot herpeople.Ijust
startedwor kingandyou' r
est i
lli
n
school .Iwantust ohaveababy
whenwear emar r
iedandst ayi
ng
toget hersothaticanbet hereforyou
andt hebaby .You'l
lneedsuppor tfor
ourbabyt ocomeoutnegat i
veand
strong.Ithoughtweagr eedt oignore
yourmot herfornow
Baby:(
tearf
ull
y)Ij
ustwantt
obeabl
e
tochataboutyoul
ikeMayaisf
reet
o
tal
kaboutherfamil
ywit
hus.
Andy :
Stopdoingthi
st oy ourself
may beshejustdoesn'tli
keme
becauseshet hi
nksI'
llbreaky our
heart,mot
hersareprot ecti
ve.Idon't
bl
ameherandi thi
nkshewi lll
ov eme
oncesheseest hatireallyl
ov eyou,
gi
vehert i
me.Shewi l
l comear ound.
..
.
Baby
:(smi
l
edhopef
ull
y)Yout
hink?
Andy
:Iknowso

Shesmiledthenhekissedherand
pul
ledoutherpant
ies..
..

Atschool
..
..
.
Lateri
nt hesamemor ningBayang
l
eaningbackcl appi
nghandssitt
ing
amongstt hecrowdasast udentand
hismotherwav edapresentinfr
ont
ofeveryone,itwasatpri
zegivi
ngday
thathadpulledalotofparent
sto
schoolthatmor ni
ng.

Teacher:(holdi
ngt hemi c)Andnow
wegett oFor m 2,wewi l
l st
artwit
h
theov er
allperf
ormanceandt he
studentwhogott hehighestgrades.
BridgetKobamel o..
..
.
Bay angpr oudlystoodupmaki nghis
wayt ot hefrontast hecrowd
cheer edthenBr idgetcamer unning
behindhi m wi t
hasmi l
east hey
shookt heheadmast er,
guestof
honourandf inall
ypausedf orthe
picturewhi l
ehol di
ngt hetr
ophyanda
giftbigbox...

Bayangproudl
ysmi l
edashewal ked
backtotheseatcarr
yinghisboxt hen
herecogni
sedKamof r
om thecrowd
asshewav edathim blushi
ng,unable
towaveashewascar ryi
ngthebox
hewinkedatherandshesmi l
edev en
widerasBri
dgetwavedather .
...
.
Minutespassedwhi l
ethesecond
posit
ionandthir
dgott hei
rgif
ts,
meanwhi l
eJuniorandBr i
dget
whisperedtoanother

Teacher: Andnowwegett othe

subject,
thebeststudenti
n
Mathemat ics.
..Rememberweare
sti
l
lf or
m 2..
Juni
or:
Dadst
andupi
tsBr
idget
Bayang:
Theyhaven'
tcall
edherand
howdoy ouknowmay be-
Teacher
:Br
idgetKobamel
o..
.
BayangandJuniorstoodupagai
n,
thesecont
inued5times..
..

Schoolhead:MrKobamelomay be
youshouldjustst
andther
e,seems
you'
regoingtogetal
lthegif
ts

Thecr
owdlaughedasBayangwal
ked
awaycar
ryi
ngthe6t
hpresent
..
.

Bayang:
(taki
ngaseat)Hav
inga
bri
l
li
antchil
dist
ir
ing
Par
ent
:(l
aughed)Rekgakel
etswake
mot
hobat
ho

Ever
yonel aughedasot herstudent
s
gotcall
ed.Thepr ogram conti
nuedas
morepar entsgottheirchi
ldr
en'sgi
fts.
Form 4studentsgott hei
rgif
tsas
Juni
oranxi ousl
ywaited...

Teacher:Andnowourv erybestart
student
,fort
hoseofy ouwhodon' t
knowhi m.Thi
sstudent '
swor kgot
ourschoolposi
ti
ononeatt he
regi
onalcompetit
ions,ladiesand
gentl
emenputy ourhandst oget
her
forBayangKobamel o,Jr.
EveryoneclappedhandsasBayang
andJuniorwal kedtot
hefr
ontand
coll
ectedthegi f
t.
..

Man:
Wenajaanongohet
sabanaba
r
onabai
sebat see
Bayang:
(laughedandshookhands
wit
hhim)Ny aaemapelemorena..
..

BayangandJuniorsatdownast
he
cer
emonycontinued..
.

*
**
Lateroni ntheparki
ngl otBayang
andhischi l
drenloadedt hegi
ftsi
n
thecarasKamoappr oachedcarr
ying
agiftwithMi ght
ywal ki
ngbesidesher.
Sheputi tinthecarandwal kedover
asBay angmetherhal f
wayand
shookherhand. ..

Bay
ang:
Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyou?
Kamo: I
'
m good,congratul
ati
onst
o
theki
dsandy oufordoingsucha
goodjob.
Bayang:
Thanks,
congr
atul
ati
onson
uh.
.
Kamo:
Might
y
Bay
ang:
Might
y..
.
Kamo: Um...Sowoul
dyoul
i
ketogo
outfordr
inkssometi
meswhenyou
arenotbusy ?
Bayang: (
smi l
ed)Yeahbut ...Youand
Aati
lehav eahi stor
yand. .
.Idon't
wanttost artthingswithsomeonei n
mycircle.Justt oavoiddramaandal l
that
..
.Don' tgetmewr ong,you'r
e
beauti
fulbutt hehistory
..
.
Kamo:(smi
ledembarrassed)Um.
..
Okay
,itwasniceseei
ngy ou.
Bay
ang: (
grabbedherarm and
smi
led)Heycomeon. .
.Don'tbe
embar
rassed.
..Nowi
feel
bad.
..
Kamo: Don'
tbe,it
sfi
ne.Iunderst
and.
You'r
eright
,itwoul
dcomplicat
e
thi
ngsoncehet el
lshi
sfamily.
Bay
ang:
Hehasn'
ttol
dany
oney
et?
Kamo:
Aren'
tyouguy
sfr
iends?
Bay
ang:
Ijustassumedhi
swi
feknew
Kamo:Ithi
nkhei
safr
aiditmight
causef
ight
sorsomet
hing,idon'
t
know
Bay
ang:
DoesheseeMi
ght
y?
Kamo:Yeah,hedoes..
.Hi
soldest
daught
ersknowtooandt hey
someti
mesgether,theonewhois
mar
ri
edal
way
sget
sMi
ght
y.
Bayang:That
'sbet
ter
,any
wayni
ce
cat
chinguphey.
Kamo:
Sur
e,by
e

Theybot
hpar
tedanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..

LaterthatmorningBabyknockedon
thedoorhol di
ngherjacketand
smiledashermot herraisedherhead
l
ooking, Lol
osmi l
edandl eaned
back..
.
Lol
o:Comei
n..
.

Babywalkedi
nandsatdownput
ti
ng
herj
acketonherl
ap.
..

Baby
:Goodmor
ning,
canwet
alk?
Lol
o:Yes,howwasy ourt
ri
p?Toropo
yagodumel atotaibi
leontsesl
ay
Queen.
..(
Babyf akedasmile)what
doyouwantt otalkabout
?
Baby:Thereissomethingbother
ing
me,idon'tunderst
andwhyy oudon't
l
ikeAndrewwhenhei ssuchagood
guy
.Whyosar
ateAndymama?

Lol
olookedatherandsi
ghed.
..

Lolo:Idon' tknowhowt oanswery ou

notthati don' tli
keAndr ew..
.(leaned
for
war dpl ay i
ngwi thherpen)Idon' t
hateAndr ewandi thi
nkhei sagood
youngmanbutmanyy earsagoi
madeami st ake,yourfatherandi had
anargumenti t
hinkit
'swhatl edto
ourdivorcej ustbef oreRanaanwas
born.Yourf athercaughtmecheat ing
andthemanIwaswi thisAndr ew's
fat
her.
Baby
:What
?
Lolo:Idon'thateAndr ewi j
ustthi
nkit
woul dbebesti fyoufoundsomeone
elsetoav oidanydrama.Cany ou
i
magi newhatAndr ew'smot herwil
l
thinkofyouwhenshef i
ndsout ?She
mi ghthatey ouandspoi l
the
relati
onshipwheny ou'redeepinlove
thenitwillbehardf oryou.
Baby:Sheisnott hatkindofawoman
andyou'renotbeingfair,you'
renot
afr
aidshewi l
lhatemey ou'r
eafrai
d
shemi ghtact
uallyconfrontyou
aboutitandmay beev eryonewill
knowy oursecretbutwhataboutmy
happinessmama?Am i supposedto
l
oseagoodmanbecausey oumade
ami st
akeal ongt i
meago?Papa
doesn'thav eapr oblem withhim, I
'
d
understandi fitwashim.Andr ew's
fat
heral soact sli
kenot hi
ng
happened, Iwouldhav enever
suspect edbecausehei sjustfi
neso
myguessi sy ou'
reaf r
aidofAndr ew's
motherf i
ndingoutbutdon' tyouthink
wagoi tshwar i
sakogoMmagwe
Andrewbecauseshewi ll
wonderwhy
youdon' tli
keherson?

Lol
olookedathert
hought
ful
l
y..
.
Baby :Youoncet oldmet hatparents
makemi stakestooandIshoul dn't
expecty outobeper f
ect.Yousai di
mustbeopensomamaI '
m sadt hati
can'tsharewi t
hy outhingsthatot her
gir
lsshar ewiththeirmot hers.Ican't
getintorelati
onshipswi t
houty ou
mamaputy ourfearsasideanddo
thi
sf orme. .

Lol
o'
seyesfi
ll
edwi t
htearsasshe
swal
lowedandlookedtheothersi
de.
..

Lol
o:I
'v
emadeal otofmi
stakesi
n
myli
fe,eacht
imeItr
ytof
ixthist
his
onecomesout .Ij
ustfeelli
keI'
ve
fai
l
edasamot her.(
rubbedhertears)
I
'm sor
rythatI
'm abadexampl e,I
wasafrai
dnoneofy ouwil
lrespect
meandt hedramat hatwouldfoll
ow
wouldcancelal
ltheprogressImade.
Baby:MamaI '
m awomannow, I'
m
not10y earsold.Iknowpeopl emake
mistakesinrel
ationshipsandI
alr
eadyknewwhyy ougotdivorcedin
thefir
stplaceIjustdidn'
tknowi twas
withwho.Youdon' thav et
obe
embar r
assedaboutt hepast.Gape
papagaanasepe
Lol
o:I
tdoesn'
tmeanI'm not
embar
rassed,
ithaunt
smebecausei
havet
oseehimtal
ki
ngt
oAndr
ew
knowi
ngwhatidi
d.
Baby :Forgivey our selfmama, weal l
for
gav ey ou...For givey ourselfand
seet hegoodi ny oubecauset hat's
whatweseei ny ou.Papai swi thy ou
becausehel ov esy ou.Hewoul dn't
havemar ri
edy ouagai nifhedi dn't
..
I'
m her e,
May ai sher eleboSet sana,
weal llovey ou.You' reasuper
mot herbuty oudon' tseeitbecause
you'relookingaty ourpast .You' renot
abadper son, stopbeat ingy our sel
f.
Ibi
leIdon' tthinkpapahasi ntent i
ons
oftelli
ngany onesot swahel amodi
past..
Lolo:
(smiled)You'
regoingt
obean
excel
lentPsychol
ogist
Baby
:(smi
l
ed)Iknow
Lolo: (
laughed)Andt hatpr
idengng
ng..
.( theyl
aughed)I'm sor
ryt hatI
madey ougothroughthat,
from now
onI '
llchange.It
struewhatt heysay
bothalej waphalabotswaphal aneng..
.
Ithinky oujustopenedmyey es.I
guessi t
'st
hebenef i
tsofhav i
ngabi g
gi
r l
f oradaught er
..
.
Baby:(
proudlydustedeachofher
shoul
ders)Mmh. .
.Anddon'tyou
for
getthat,
(point
edather)Butnext
ti
meI'm chargi
ngyouformyser v
ices,
i
can'
tbeshar
ingmywi
sdom f
orf
ree.
Lol
o:(l
aughedandst
ood)Mxm let
's
goforl
unchkwa,wenakanaganke
aboodidi
mala

Theywal
kedoutl
aughi
ng.
..

Lol
o:Koot
engAndr
ewntsear
e
mmagweBabykeSeganka
Baby:(
laughed)Heactuall
ythinks
you'
rebeingamot herandyoudon't
tr
usthi
m, hesaidIshouldgiv
ey ou
ti
me
Lol
o:Nxehi
bil
eket
homogapel
o,
Andyosi
amethe.
..(
putherar
m
ar
oundher
)heseesgoodinpeopl
e..
.
Baby
:(l
aughed)It
hinkGodis
compensat
ingmewi t
hhim

Theywal
keddownst
air
s..
..

AtMaunSeni
orsecondar
yschool
..
.

Janpul ledoverintheparki
ngloti
n
frontoft heschoolandadjust
edthe
seatl ay
ingdownasshepaged
Agat hat hensherecei
vedamessage
throughWhat sApp.
..
Di
di:
HiJan
Jan:
Hiaunt
ie,
howar
eyou?
Di
di:
I'
m good.Canwet
alk?
Jan:
Ifitsaboutt
hetalki
hadwi
th
dadlastni
ghtican'
t.
Didi
:I'
m notentir
elyinthesamepage
withyourfatheraboutthati
ssue.
(Shesentapi ct
ureofherandAr ona
pouti
ngatt hecamer a)That
'sArona,
heismyf ri
end.
Jan: i
guesshehat
esy
ourf
ri
end
Didi
: Yesbuty
ou'r
ehisdaught
er
andlov
esyou,
hewil
lgetover
himsel f.Don'tmi ndhim.Wewi l
lbein
Maunt hisaf t
er noonandthereisa
smal lwel comebackdi nneratchurch
fort het hreepast or
swhowentt o
dif
f erentschool sandI '
minviti
ngyou.
Ever yonei nKen' sli
fewil
lbethere
andi twoul dn'tbecompl eteifhi
sf i
rst
borni sn'tthere.Itstomorrowat6pm
aftert hatwecangohomesowecan
tal
ksomemor e..
..j
usttoint
roduce
yout ot hekidsandal lt
hat.
Jan:Butwhati
fdadchasesmeaway ?
Doesheknowy oui nv
itedme?He
wouldhaveinv
itedmel astni
ghti
fhe
real
l
ywantedmet ocome.
Di
di:
Wil
lyoucome?
Jan:Areyousur
eit
'sagoodidea?I
reall
ydon'
tli
kef
eel
ingl
ikeI
'
mf orci
ng
my sel
fint
osomeone.
Didi
:You'r
enotf orci
nganythi
ng,Ken
hasbeenr eachingouttoyoufora
whil
eandI 'm surehewould
appreci
ateitifyoushowedup.
Tomor r
ow, 6pm, i
sthatOK?
Jan:Okay,I
'
llbethere.Andt
hanksfor
underst
andi
ng.Itreall
ymeansalotto
me.
Di
di:
Don'
twor
ry

Agathaj
umpedinthecarandthew
herbagi
nthebackthenJanleaned
ov
erki
ssedher
..
.

Jan:
Hey
Agat
ha:
Heybabe

Sheadj
ustedherseatanddr
oveout
oft
heparkingl
ot.
..

Jan:(
smil
ed)Didi
justi
nvit
edmeto
dad'
swelcomehomedi nnerat
chur
ch,whatdoyouthi
nk?
Agatha:Hehatesl
esbi
ansandgays
plusit
'sachur
chsetup,ar
eyousure
that'
sagoodidea?
Jan:
Hecan'
tbet
hatbadcanhe?
Agatha:Idon'
tknowhimt hatmuch
butfrom whatihearheisastubbor
n
man.Idon'tknowmay bethepastor
schoolchangedhim butI'
mjustnot
comfortabl
e,ar
ey ougoingtoweara
dressforhi
m?
Jan:(
frowned)Whythehel
lwoul
dI
wearadress?I'
m goi
ngasmysel
f
Agat
ha:
Andy
out
hinki
t'
sagoodi
dea?
Jan:Idon'
tweardr
essesorski
rt
s.I
'
m
goingasJani
ce
Agat
ha:(si
ghed)Ij
ustdon'
twantto
seeyougetembarr
assedorhurt
.
Jan:
Ourconv
ersat
ionwasgoi
ng
goodlastnightunt i
lheaskedmei f
I'
m sti
l
lal esbi
ant henitoldhim not
toeveraskmet hat.Hedi dn'
trepl
y
aft
erthatsoi don'tknowi fheis
angryorjustdisappoint
ed.He
soundsli
keagoodguyt houghi real
l
y
wanttogo, itwouldbeni cetohav ea
fat
her.
..
.
Agat
ha:
I'
m notcomfor
tabl
ewithi
t
buty
oucandoitify
ouwant..
Jan:
(smi
l
ed)
Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
.

Theexcit
ementinJan'seyeshadher
feel
i
ngsor r
yforher
,shedidn'
thav
ea
goodfeel
ingabouttheideaofa
l
esbianshowi
ngupatachurchevent
butshedeci
dednottospoi
lher
moodwi t
hnegat
ivi
ty.
..

Agat
ha:Maybeit'
snotsuchabad
i
dea,heisapastoraft
eral
l
.I'
m sur
e
hewil
lunder
stand..
Jan:
Ithi
nksot
oo.
..

Hedr
ovewi
thali
tt
lesmil
etry
ingt
o
i
magi
nehowitwoul
dfeelt
obewitha
f
amil
y.
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
KencarriedHazel support
ingherwi t
h
hisarm ashedr aggedthel uggage,
Zanewai tedforFaithwhowas
picki
ngherscar ffrom t
hef l
oorand
ranovertakinghishandashe
draggedt hei
rbagwhi l
eDidi walked
behindthem. .
.

Kentur
nedandwait
edf orev
ery
one
ashesmil
edatHazel.
..

Ken:
Hazel
thi
sisBot
swana.
..Say
Maun
Hazelr
eluct
ant
lylookedathim and
smil
edasher2lowerf rontt
eeth
showedthenshegiggledasDidiand
theki
dscaughtup..
.

Ken:
Mot
hokey
oopal
elwakegor
e
Maun
Di
di:
(laughed)Hazel
wel
comehome
Zane:
(laughed)Shemskanakegone
abonangBot swana
Di
di:
Areweget
ti
ngat
axi
?
Ken:
No,iaskedafri
endf
rom church
topi
ckus,heshoul
dbehereanyti
me
Minut
eslateracarr
oll
edov
erand
Di
di'
sheartski
ppedasshesetey
es
onthefr
iend.

Thefr
iendsmiledashebumped
shoul
derswit
hKenandshookhands
wit
hDidili
kehedidn'
tknowher
..
.

Hi
m:Heyman,
final
l
y
Ken:Final
ly
..
.(t
oDidi)Babethi
s
Brandon,heispast
orMor emi'
sson.
..
Br
andon:
(smi
l
ed)Ni
cet
omeety
ou.
Di
di:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo
Br
andon:
Hel
l
oZane,
Fai
thand.
..
Ken:
Hazel
Br
andon:
Hazel
..
.Ot
aankgotsa
monnaodir
abanababatshwanang
l
ewena
Ken:
Gakemadi
masesany
ane

TheylaughedasBr
andongott
he
otherbagandledt
hem t
othecar
..
.

Br
andon:
SoHazel
kel
ekwer
ekwer
e
l
aleAmeri
ca?
Ken:(
laughed)Bransebi
tse
ngwanakemai naomomot her
land
gol
oha
Br
andon:
Sohowy
oubeen?
Ken:
Beenal
ri
ght

Everyonegoti nthecarthenKen
handedDi dithebabyandpul l
eda
seatbeltsit
ti
ngint hefront.Brandon
adjustedthemi r
rorlookingstrai
ght
i
ntoDi di
'seyesthenshel ookeddown
andpl ayedwithHazel'shairas
Brandonj oi
nedther oad...

Ken:
Howar
etheki
ds?
Br
andon:
Istayal
onenow,lastbor
n
i
sdoingf
orm 5ataboar
dingschool.
Ken:
Ober
eki
l
eaker
e?
Br
andon:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkI
'
dmakei
t
Ken:KanaIalmostdiedwhenDi di'
s
document swer
emi xedupandshe
wasmi st
akenforsomel adyfrom
Zim.Losingawomany ouloveishard
andrai
singchil
drenony ourownis
evenworse
Brandon:
Mdalaoratagobuaka
kgangyateng,
gatweneol el
ajaaka
ngwanabutminewaswor sebecause
ihadtowatchherdiesl
owly.She
wassickforawhil
ereokabo
ngwanakebannakast r
ess.
Ken:
Atl
eastbanabagodi
l
e
Br
andon:Yeah..
.l
ewenamonnao
emisegotshol
atogaodi
ra
mmongolo,onceawomanreaches
35theyshoul
dbedonewit
hbabies.
Ken:(
laughed)Thisi
smylastbor
n,
Zaneomot onajaanongt
ogakeutwa
gotweoimisit
se
Br
andon:
(laughed)Exact
ly.
..

Brandonforwardedsomesongsand
putDJMuj ava'
sMugwant i
wapit
ori
thenDidi
lookedathim ashel
ooked
atheronthemi rr
or.

Ken:
Thi
sisanol
dsong,
sant
seel
e
t
eng?
Brandon:Thi
ssonghasbeaut
if
ul
memor iesf
orme.Memoriest
hatwi
l
l
neverfadeaway.
..
Ken:
Whenthi
ssongwaspopul
arI
wassobr
oke
Brandon:Ihadjuststart
edworkin
Gaborone.Dil
ot sagonnangwana
wamor utiIcouldn'
tquit
eenjoymy
moneybecausesal ekeny adi
siwake
l
enf anabutthispart
icul
arsong..
.Ae,
neverkelebaladimemor ytsayone
Ken:
It'
sani
cesong.
.

Di
dit
ookadeepbr
eat
handpl
ayed
wit
hHazeltr
yingnott
oremember
anyt
hingt
hesongwasbr i
ngi
ngback.
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Minuteslat
erBrandonparkedthecar
andsteppedoutwi t
hKenast hey
carr
iedthebagsinside,
theki
dsran
i
nsideasDi di
closedthedoorand
acci
dentall
ydroppedHazel'
sdummy
whil
eBr anwalkedoutofthehouse.

Brandonpi
ckeditupandgl
ancedat
thedoorwhi
lehandingi
tov
er.
..
Brandon:
(whi
sper
ed)I'
mlooki
ng
forwar
dtothedi
nner
..
Di
di:
(whi
sper
edback)Br
andondon'
t
ev
enthi
nkabouti
t.
..

ThedooropenedthenBrandon
qui
cklytur
nedawayasKenst epped
outandgotHazelfr
om herwhil
eshe
walkedbacki
nsi
de...
.

Ken:
Thanksf
ory
ourhel
p
Br
andon:
Sur
ebr
uh,
kamosoaker
e?
Ken:
Sur
e,kamoso.
..
Hedr
oveoffthenKenwal
kedbacki
n
t
hehouse.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
16AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 131

Att
her
est
aur
ant
..
.

Laterthateveningawai tress
approachedt hef amilyt
ableasKen
andDidi satfacingoneanot herwit
h
Hazel'
shi ghchai rnextt
oherwhi l
e
ZaneandFai thf acedeachot her
wit
h...

Sheplacedt
heplacesinf
rontof
ever
yoneunti
lthel
argetr
aywas
empty..
.
Fai
th:
(swit
chedherpl
atewi
thZane'
s)
Ior
deredTarcos
Zane:
Youcanhavethem.
..Idon'
t
evenl
ikeTar
cos.
..

Kenwat chedDidiabsentmindedl
y
feedi
ngHazel andthenturni
ngback
toherplateandturnedherfoodwith
afork.
..

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Didi
:(smiled)I
'
mfi
ne,
I'
mjustal
i
ttl
e
exhausted..
.
Ken:Atleasty
oudidn'thav
etocook...
I
twoul dhavebeenalotofwork.
From herewearegoingtostr
aightt
o
bed.
.

Zanetookouthisphoneandchecked
hi
smessages.Hehadav i
deofr
om
oneofhiscl
assmatesthenhequickl
y
putaheadsetandcli
cked.

((
(Theblondegirl
tearf
ull
yhel
dher
phoneabov ehercry
ingashercheeks
gotreddi
sh..
.

Lei
l
a:HeyZane.
..
.(shef
rownedand
rubbedtears)I..
.missyouand.
..(
she
burstedint
ot ears)Sor
ry-
can'
tdo
thi
s))))

Shecutt
hevideoshortthenhetook
outt
heheadsetandfacedhisfather
..
.

Zane:
Dot
heyhav
eWi
Fiher
e?
Ken:
Idon'
tknow
Zane:
(st
oodup)Iwantt
ocal
lSet
h
Ken:
Gakei
tse,
babot
se.
.

Zanewalkedtothefr
ontdeskand
request
edthepasswordt
henhe
ent
eredi
tandst
eppedout
side
makingavi
deocal
l
...

Kai
l
a:(
rubbedhersl
eepyey
es)Hel
l
o?
Zane:
Hey
,what
'sgoi
ngon?
Kail
a: Icoul
dn'tgotoschooltoday.
I'
mf eelingali
ttl
esi
ck.(sheglanced
aroundandl oweredhervoicetucki
ng
herblondehairbehindherear)Zane
you'vegottocomebackher e
Zane:
Iwi
shIcoul
d.Imi
ssy
out
oo.
Kail
a:(t
earfull
y)Zaneyoudon'
t
underst
and...Imissedmy
peri
od.(
signaledwithfi
nger
s)Twi
ce.I
can'
tfacemymom al one
Zane:(
hear
tski
pped)Whatthef
uck
Kai
la!y
ousaidyou'
l
luseyourmom'
s
pi
ll
s
Kai
l
a:It
houghti
twor
ked
Zane:Andwhydidn'
tyout
ell
methis
thefi
rstt
imeyoumissedy
ourper
iod?
Kail
a:Ithoughti
twillcome,Iwasn'
t
surebutnowI '
m sure.Lunamanaged
togetmeaki tfrom Walmartandit
's
posit
ive
Zane:Kail
a!Myfat
heri
sgoingtokil
l
me.Hei sapast
or,hei
sstart
ing
soon.Ican'
tmakeamistakeli
kethat
.
Kail
a:(
cryi
ng)Andy
ou'r
ethinki
ng
aboutyour
self
?Whataboutmewho
i
scarry
ingyourbabywhenyouare
hal
fwayacr
osst hewor
ld?Whatdoi
saytomymom?
Zane:Shi
tKaila!Mydaddoesn'
t
knowI'm hav
ingsex,t
hiscan'
tbe
happeni
ng.
Kai l
a: You'
retalkingasifmymom
thinksI '
m havingsex ,whatar eyou
goingt odo?Ican' tf
acemymom
alone, shewil
l behear tbrokenand
every oneinchur chisgoingt o..
..
(crying)ZaneI '
m scared!
Zane:Alri
ghtl
ist
en.
..I
'
llf
igur
e
something.Doyouneedmoneyf
or
abort
ion?
Kail
a:(pausedcryi
ng)What?I '
m 15
whatdoct ori
sgoingtoabortmy
pregnancy?andhowwoul di even
st
ar t
?Whatam i evensayi
ngI '
m not
ki
lli
ngmybaby !
Zane:
Kai
l
aican'
tbeadad
Kail
a:Thenyoushouldn'
thav
ehad
unprot
ectedsexwit
hmeZane!
Zane:Gi
vemeami
nut
etot
hink,
I'
ll
cal
lyouback
Kaila:Thinkfastanddon'tthinkabout
tel
li
ngy ourfri
endSethbecausehe
runshi smout hlikeagir
l,assoonas
Mr sTay lorhearsthewholechurch
willknowandi twon'tbelongbefore
y
ourdadf
indsout
.
Zane:
Iknow,
bye

Hehungupandsi ghedfr
ustr
atedl
y
thenhewalkedbackinsi
deand
j
oinedthefamil
ybuthehaslost
appeti
teandtheworryonhi
sface
wasn'thar
dtonoti
ce..
.

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Zane:
(si
ppedadr
ink)YeahI
'
mfi
ne.
..
Ken:Ever
yoneishavingOklahoma
wit
hdrawalsexceptmeandHazel.If
anyoneshouldbedepressedisHazel
becauseshej ustl
efthercountr
y.She
i
saUSci t
izenbornandr aisedi
nthe
USsoil.
..Therestofyoucansucki t
upandlov eyourcountry.Vacat
ioni
s
over
Fai
th:(
laughedwithal
argegapof2
missi
ngf r
ontteet
h)Il
i
keither
e..
.
Didi
:(l
aughed)Youl
i
keanypl
acet
hat
hasfoodhoney
Ken:(
laughed)Leavemygi
rlal
one.
..
Hazeli
sthef oodl
over

Everyonel
aughedchatt
ingasZane
rubbedthe'
peachfuzz'
abovethel
ips.
Hisphonerangandheleanedback
l
ookingati tthought
ful
l
y.Kengl anced
atthescreenandsawbl ur
rypictur
e
ofablondet henhel
ookedathi m but
hestoodupandwal kedoutside
answeri
ngt hephonebeforehecould
askanything. .
..

Ken:
DoesZanehav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
Didi
:(l
aughed)At16?idon'
tev
en
thi
nkhethinksaboutgi
rl
sli
kethat
.
Ken:
Ist
art
edcr
ushi
ngongi
rl
sat14
Didi
:Zaneisasensi
ti
veki
d,ha
akanyejaakawena
Ken:
ButSet
hwar
atana,
hei
s17
Didi
:WhitekidsdothatZanei
snot
l
ikethat
.Blackboystaketi
me.Ifhe
wasagirlI'
dbewor ri
edbutuhnot
Zane.
Ken:
(si
ghedandat
e)You'
rer
ight
..
.
Didi
:Weneedtofi
nishandpassby
shopbef
oregoi
nghome.Ihavealot
todo.
Ken:
Okay

Theyfini
shedt
hei
rfoodandl
ater
l
eft.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
Latert
hateveni
ngaround10Baby
fi
xedhermakeupsit
tingonSetsana'
s
bedandgrabbedherhandbag.
..

Baby
:Goodni
ghtmma,
keagol
alako
goAndy
Set
sana:
Okay
Baby:Gakel
ael
ebomamaaker
eba
robet
se?
Set
sana:
Mhhnkar
ebar
obet
se.
..
Baby
:comel
ockt
hedoor
..
.

Set
sanaf
oll
owedhert
othemai
n
doorassher
epl
i
edhermessage.
..

Jan: Babyican'
tsl
eep. Cani
pi
ckyouup?
Set
sana: Shehr
obal
a
Jan:
I'
mtoohor
nynnakeet
akoo
Setsana:Jandon'
tdot
hatbagol
oba
teng.I
'l
lseeyoutomor
row.
Jan:
I'
m act
ual
l
yatt
hegat
esopl
ease
comeout
Set
sana: Waaa?
Jan:YeahAndyispicki
ngupBabyat
thegatennalegal
ekephekil
eko
moragonyana.Idi
dn'twantt
obe
seen
Setsana:It
houghtIt
oldy
out
hatyou
can'tj
ustshowupeachti
meyou
missme.
Jan:
Arey
oucomi
ng?
Set
sana:
5mi
nut
esonl
y
Jan: Sweet
. Thanky
ou

Shemov edthecurt
ainsobserv
ingas
Andydroveoffwit
hBabyt henshe
qui
etl
yclosedthedoorandwal ked
outt
hegat e.

Janf
lushedt
hel
i
ght
spar
kingatt
he
cornert
henshesmi
l
edandwal
ked
over.

Sheclosedthedoorinherf
luff
y
pyj
amast henJanleanedoverFrench
ki
ssingher.
..

Jan:Let'
sgohome,
I'
ll
ret
urnyoui
n2
hours.
..
iwantt
obecomfort
abl
eon
thebed
Agatha:
Ican'
tl
eav e,
whatifmama
cal
lsmeandI'm notther
e?Let
'sget
i
nside
Jan:
What
?
Agatha:Idon'tsharearoom wit
hkids,
ionlysharewithBabywhenshei son
hersemest erbreakbutshelef
t.
..
ke
batagoregakebi diwakearabe.
Jan:
Okay

Theygotsteppedoutasshelocked
thecarandwalkedintheyar
d
withoutsay
ingaword.

Agathaslowlyandquietl
yopenedt
he
maindoorandcl osedthenthey
ti
ptoedacrosstheliv
ingroom
wit
houtswi t
chi
ngt heli
ghtson.
Agathasmi l
edandgrabbedJan'
s
wri
stast heywal
kedalongthe
passaget ot
hebedroomsasshel ed
hertoherswheresheclosedthedoor
andsighedinrel
ief
..
.

Shehadabeaut i
fulcolor
ful
bedding
wit
hast udytabl
eatthecorneranda
beaut
if
ul pi
nkcarpet.
..

Jan:
Wowy
ourr
oom i
sbeaut
if
ul.
..
Agatha:Shhh.
..(
whisper
ed)Lower
yourvoi
ce,it
sdeep..
.Bomamaba
togabautwagor esomeoneelsei
sin
here.
..
Janpul l
edherwai stov erput
tingher
armsar oundherandl eanedov er
Frenchkissingsli
dingherhandi nher
pyjamaspant sthensheki ckedof f
herboot sstaggeri
nginhersocksand
fel
l ontopofher ,
Agat hapushedof f
thepill
owsmaki ngr oom forthem as
Jant ookoffhersweat erandleaned
overkissingherthent hedoor
opened...

Lol
o:Babynkadi
met
hehn-

Lol
o'
sey
eswi
denedasJanqui
ckl
y
gotoffSetsanawhoquickl
ypi
cked
hervestandcoveredherbr
east
s..
.

Lol
o:Set
sana?Ot
isamosimanemo
game?Aboyinmyhouse?Real
ly
?

Janreachedforhersweaterandput
i
tonwhi l
estil
lsit
ti
ngonthebedt hen
Lol
omov edoverandtookav er
y
goodlookather..
.

Lol
o:(f
rowned)Jani
ce?
..
.Ar
eyou
Ken'
sdaughter
?
Jan:
(pi
nchedt
hebr
idgeofhernose)
Yes.
..

Aati
leheardtheinaudi
ble
confr
ontati
onandwal kedinwi
tha
curi
ousfrown..

Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Lol
o: (
turneddef
eated)DiLesbi
an
mont ungy ame.
..
(poi
ntedwithan
openpal m)MolekegagaKen. .
.
Waitsennakealekiwa,l
eraagorego
normal gonenemo?
Aati
le:(
Looki
ngatJan)Ankeene,
o
tshwanaleKenna
Lolo:(angri
ly)Jani
cewai tsegor e
Setsanakengwana?Laer ata
defil
ementwenal erragoaker e?Anle
utwaletsebongwanakehel amo
Maun.Kot engkennasehemasa
mot sadi.Givemey ourmot her
's
numberkel etsebagokgal emelenow
becausegakebat edipuole
mat i
monemogamewenaSet sana
ketaadi lal
ewenakgant ele.
Jan:
Idon'
tl
ikebei
ngcal
l
ed
mati
mone
Lol
o:Excuseme?
Jan:
Don'
tcal
lmet hat
,ifyoucan'
t
fi
ndabet
tert
erm don'
tlabelmeatal
l
.
Lolo:Ar
ey oureal
l
ygoingt
otalkt
o
mel i
kethatinmyhouse?Giv
eme
yourmother'
snumber
Jan:
Mymot
heri
sinGabor
one
Lol
o:Youpr
obabl
ythi
nkI
'
mjoki
ng

Jantookoutherphoneanddi
aled
Didi
..
.

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?

ShehandedLol
othephonet
henshe
sawDidi
'sname.
..
Lol
o:Ker
engkaphone?
Jan:Yousai
dyouwantt
otalkt
omy
mother,
that
'smyot
hermother
Di
di:
Hel
l
o?Lol
o?Jan?
Lolo:
I'
m nottal
ki
ngtoher
,iwant
yourmotheragokgal
emel
-

Shehungupt
henDi
dical
l
edLol
o..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Lol
o: Jani
ceisinmyhouseodira
Setsanadil
otsedisannangsent
e,ke
kopaomokgal eme-
Di
di:UhLolotheorat
aattenti
on.Di
l
esbianketsonedi
kahuhutsang
mothomogokanaekar eJanoka
i
misaSetsana
Lol
o:Ohsothat
'showl
i
ght
lyy
ou'
re
goi
ngtotakei
t-
Didi
:Uhheibulel
angwanaat swe
mma.Or atatontokwaneLolo.You
didworsesostopt ry
ingtoenfor ce
therul
esyoucouldn'tfoll
owatt heir
age.Kanagasegor eot enwakeJan
kegorehelaobittergoreyou'
reno
l
ongertherichpersonweenv ied.
Lol
o:I
'
llr
epor
tthi
sgi
rlkanaDi
di-
Di
di:
Omor
ipot
agor
enghel
a?Or
ata
dramaakoolesengwanaene
Setsanawat
engoneadumelelaeng
Janaboamot i
sakoo-
Lolo:
Hael
egor ethat
'st
heat
ti
tude
thenwewi
llsee.

Shehungupandthr
ewJan'sphone
onherl
apthenshedi
aledt
hepoli
ce.
..

Voi
ce:Maunpol
i
ceser
vicesmayi
hel
pyou?

Janswal
l
owedsi
tt
ingonthebed
l
ooki
ngatLol
oasshespoketot
he
phone.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
17AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 132

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Aati
lequiet
lywat
chedLoloasshe
pacedupanddownhy per
v enti
lati
ng
andhavingatoughtimeev en
expl
aini
ngwhatshewasr eportingto
thepoli
cethenheputhisar m around
hertaki
ngheroutwhilepulli
ngt he
doorbehindhi
ml ooki
ngatt hegi r
ls.
..

Aat
il
e:(
atJan)Don'
tl
eav
e
Jan:
I'
m notgoi
ngt
orun
Aat
il
e:Idi
dn'
tsayy
ou'
drun
Jan:
Ok

Heshookhi
sheadandclosedthe
doort
henhepul
ledLol
ointheirr
oom
andgott
hephonefr
om her.
..

Aat
il
e:(
cal
mly
)Babewhatar
eyou
doi
ng?

Shetearf
ull
ylookedatAati
le,i
t
wasn'tj
usttheshocki
ngthingshe
hadjustseenaboutherdaughterbut
ther
esponseshegotf r
om someone
shethoughtwasaf ri
end.Nowi tal
l
madesensewhyshegotan" OK"
aft
ersendingalongtextreachi
ngout
toafriendandonlygotacold
shoulderbutt
hentheresponseshe
hadjustrecei
vedbrokeherheart.

Lolo:Di
dy ouhearhowDi ditalkedt o
me?Doesshef eelthatbigjust
becausei sentheramessage
apologi
singforsomet hingIshoul dn't
evenhaveapol ogi
sedf or?Andt hen
shesaysI '
m notri
chany more?Iwor k
hardformymoneyandshehadt o
sl
eepwi t
hanol dmant ober ich-then
shecompar esherselftome?Of
courseI 'm notrichihav e9chi l
dren
toraise..Ev eryt
hingIhav eIwor ked
for.Stayingi nAmer ica2y earshela
Didithinksshei sanAmer i
canand
doest hingst seai t
senghel agor emo
Setswanengngwanagaat shwanel a
godi dira?Am i wrongt owantt otalk
toanot herpar entsowecanscol d
thesegi rl
st ogether?(tear
full
y)
Pleaset ellmeI 'm wrong,tell
mei di
d
somet hingwr ongsoi cancor rect
my self,am i wrongtowantt otalkto
Jan'smot her?
Aat
il
e:You'renotwr
ong,notatallbut
wecan'tchangehowpeopletreatus.
I
fDidiwantstoactl
iket
hatlether
butdon'tlethernegat ivit
ychange
you.Youcan' tchangepeopl ebuty ou
canchangehowy oureact ,youdidn't
wantt ocal l
thepol i
ce, y
ouwant edt o
tal
kt oanadul tsobanaba
kgalemel wet hatwasgoodt henDi di
comeswi thherper sonal vendettat o
throwy ouof f,don'tlether .
..Let'
s
deal wit
hi tl
ikeJandoesn' thav e
parents,whatwoul dwedo?Iknow
thesear eGobona' schildrenbutt hey
callmepapa, i di
dn'taskt hem t obut
theyallcallmet hatev enCal vinsoi
don'thav eachoi cebutt obeaf ather
tothem, nowI '
dr eall
yappr eciateitif
youcoul dacknowl edgeme.Thi sis
themostpol i
tewayi canasky ouand
i
twi l
lbethelastti
mebecauset hese
aremychi l
drentooandIdon' tl
ikeit
eacht i
mey ouwanttoweart hepant s
aroundhere.Thereasony ou'
regoing
crazyisbecauseyou'retr
yingtobea
mot herandafatheratthesamet i
me,
thathastostop..
.

Lol
olookedathimt earfull
yand
humblysatdownwi thoutsayinga
word,shesti
ll
couldn'tbeli
eveDidi
wouldsaythataboutherwhenshe
wastryi
ngtofindabet tersol
uti
on.
.
Aatil
e:(satnextt oher)Andt hisis
notaboutDi di.Molesel emakgakga
agagwe.Wehav eat eenagerwhoi s
alesbian..Shewasn'tget t
ingraped.
Shebr oughtherboy f
riend/gir
lf
riend
home. .
.That'swhatwehav et
odeal
withnotDi diorthepolice.
Lol
o:(t
earf
ull
y)Kanakegor
eyou
don'
tunder
stand,Di
dif
eel
sbig
Aati
le:Ofcourseshedoes, sheis
fr
om Amer i
ca,mar ri
edtoapast or
andherchildr
enar eprobablythe
holi
estanoint
edwi thholyoilbutrona
honeywehav et eenagegir
lstor ai
se
andwehav etoal waysapproach
i
ssuesr el
ecal m becausethereis
sti
llmoregi rl
sgrowi ngup, Setsois
next,Pebblesisalsocomi ngup. .
..We
haveal otofchildren..
.Lookat
me...
(shet earf
ull
yl ookedatAat il
e
thenher ubbedof fhert ears)..
.Don't
maket hesamemi stakewagobi tsa
mapodi sikaCalv i
nonl ytof i
ndout
May ali
ed.Ourdaught ercal l
edJan
endoft hest or
y...
Lolo:(snuffl
i
ng)Fi r
stitwasKen
usingBabyt henTshepot akingMaya
andnowi tsthelesbianthing.Meof
all
par entshavet ohaveachi l
dwho
want stohav esexwi thwomen, we
rai
set hem tobewi vesandgood
mot hersbutno, Agathawant stobe
Jan'
swi f
e..
.WhathaveIdonetoGod?
Can'
tijustrai
senormalchi
l
drenl
ike
ever
yoneelse?Whendoi getabr
eak
andenjoymy sel
f?

Aatil
ehuggedherandshecr i
edon
hisshoulderf
orawhi l
eunti
lshewas
calmt hensheleanedbackand
rubbedhertears..
.

Lol
o:(
exhaled)I
'm sor
ryiover
reacted,
iwasscar
ed.IneverthoughtI
'dever
havet
odeal wit
hhomosexualit
yin
myfamil
y,canwest artov
er?
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
edandki
ssedher
)At
l
eastwear esur
eshewon'tbe
pregnant
,shewil
ldef
ini
tel
yfi
nish
schoolri
ght?
Lolo:
(smi
ledandl
aughedwith
reddi
shey
es)ThatIam sur
eoff
Aati
le:
Andl et
'sjustbewi ckedand
secr
etl
yhopeasshegr owsshewi ll
meetamant hatwillgi
vesherat aste
ofsomet hi
ngJancan' tgiveher,I
'
ve
seenalotofpeopl ewhot houghtthey
arel
esbiansturnnormal afterget
ti
ng
agoodf uck
Lol
o:(l
aughedandsl
appedhi
sar
m)
youcan'
tsaythat
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)I
'
m gi
vi
ngher2t
o3
years,j
ustwaitthere.Nothingcan
surpassthenatureoft hi
ngs.No
amountoff i
ngeringcanpl easea
woman.Ar eikgomot sekagor e
gaanagoi magapegaagol aotaa
batamonnal engwana.I '
mt el
l
ingyou
onceshei s30yearsol dshewi l
lwant
ahusbandandchi l
dren.
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Ok
Aati
le:Fornowlet
'spret
endwe
accepthersexualpr
efer
enceto
spareourselv
esdrama.Teenager
s
aredramatickana
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Togaaphut
haar
ewa
hudugajaakaBaby
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Exact
ly.
..
.

Shefinall
ycal
meddown,t
ookaver
y
deepbr eat
handexhal
edl
ooki
ngat
herhusband..
.

Lolo:Howdoy
oumanaget
oal
way
s
staysocal
m?
Aati
le:Iusemyheadt othinknot
emot i
ons.Wear eget ti
ngbacki n
ther
eandI '
m goingt oleadour
conversati
onwi t
ht hosef r
eaks-don'
t
tel
lhericallherthat.
..Isitmeor
doest hi
sJangi r
l haveherf at
her'
s
sti
nkingatti
tude?Shewasl i
ke"I
'
m
notgoi
ngtorun"
asifshewoul
dsay
ketaboket
shabaeng?
Lolo:Andifsheisl i
kethatsheowns
therelat
ionshi
pbecausei knowhow
KenownedDi diclosi
ngheri nt
he
wardrobeandt hreateni
ngherwi t
ha
gun.
Aati
le:
Whi chmeansy ouhavet
obe
cl
osetoAgat hasoy oucanhel
pher
dealwit
hit,r
elat
ionshi
psneedonet
o
haveav oi
ceofreason.
Lol
o:You'
rer
ight
..

Shestoodupandki
ssedhi
mt hen
shepull
edhi
m upashesmil
edand
puthi
sarm ar
oundherwai
stwal
ki
ng
toAgat
ha.
..

*
**

Meanwhi l
eSetsanaanxiousl
yrubbed
hertearsshaki
ngasJanpul l
edher
headonherchestandr ubbedher
back..
.

Setsana:(cr
y i
ng)Sheisgoingto
chasemeaway ,
thelastti
me
somet hi
nglikethishappenedmy
brotherwast hr
ownout .Idon'
twant
toseparatefrom mysi bl
i
ngs
Jan:IfshechasesyououtI'
l
l t
ake
youinbesidesI'
ll
apologi
sefor
every
thingandpromiseherI
'l
lnever
tal
ktoy outhenwewi l
lbemore
caref
ul.

Aati
leknockedandopenedthedoor
asJanletgoofherandputher
handstogether
.Aat
il
esatonthefar
endofthebedandpulledLol
otosit
nexttoher.
..

Aati
le:
(tookadeepbreat
h)Your
motherandital
ked,
shesaysshe
thi
nkssheoverr
eact
edsowear e
goingtotryapproachi
ngt
hisi
na
fr
iendlymanner,Janwearenot
call
ingthepoli
ce.
Agatha:MamaI'm sor
ryf
orbri
ngi
ng
herhere,
I'
ll
tal
ktoheragain
Janice:I
'm sor
ryf
orcomi
ngher
e,I
'
ll
nevertal
ktoheragai
n.
Lol
o:You'r
ebothly
ing,y
oudon'
thave
tol
ieI
'm notfr
eaki
ngoutany
more,I
act
uall
ywanttounderst
andwhat
's
goi
ngonher e.
Jan:
Ohcool ,
wewer en'
treal
ly
pl
anningtostopseei
ngeachwewer e
j
ustgoingtobemor esecret
iveabout
i
t.
Agat
ha:
Shh.
.
Aati
le:Agathawhatyoudidwas
wrong,youdon'tbr
ingyourpartner
hererel
etenghelaotsenyamot ho
mont ung.Youhavetober espectf
ul.
.

*
**
Meanwhileacarst
oppedoutsi
de
thenDidi
andKensteppedoutand
knockedonthedoorhol
dinghands.
..
.

Ken:(angr
il
y)You'r
enotsupposedt o
respondli
kethatwheny ourchil
d
getscaughti
nanot herperson'
s
houseinacompr omi si
ngposit
ion.I
f
thi
sishowy ou'
regoi ngtorespondto
Zanenakonngwegot wehehasbeen
caughtwi t
hagi rl
t heny ou'
regoingto
havemysonki l
led.Ronai l
eregola
neret shwarwalebany anamo
mant ungbutpapanneai kobaar e
omany ahapel egabat hobaoaboar e
kopelamai t
shwar elo.Youcan' t
answerl i
keaheadl esschickenwhen
someonei sholdingy ourchil
d
hostage.
Didi
:(mutt
ered)I'
m sorr
ybutLolole
eneli
kesmaki ngmountainsoutof
molehil
l
s,whatharm cananothergi
rl
dotoanotherandshewast al
ki
ngas
i
fSetsanaenekepar celgaana
mol
ato.
Ken:Don' tsayawor dwhenwegeti n
ther
ebecausey ourpersonal i
ssuesle
Lolomi ghtact uall
yaffectt hi
sfooli
sh
gir
lwhot hi
nksshei saboy .Sheis
nowspr eadingherdemonst heentir
e
townr ecruit
inglitt
legirl
st ofoll
ow
her,ihav eal ottodo.Jani cejust
wantsmet olooklikeani ncompet ent
pastorlegosi mololakeiseke
simolole.

ThedoorsopenedandLol ol
ookedat
Didiasshelookedri
ghtbackather
withthesameat t
it
ude.
..
Ken:Goodeveni
ng,
canwet
alk?I
s
Jansti
ll
here?
Lolo:Haveaseat,
wewer ejust
tal
kingtothem.I
'l
lcal
lthem i
nhere
becausetherei
snospacei nther
e.
Ken:
Thanks.
..

Theysatdownt henshewal kedback

withev eryone,Kenl ookedatJanas
shetookaseatandl eanedback
crossingherl egs,shehadashar p
hair
cutwi t
hapi ecingonherey ebrow
andt attoosonherknuckl esandthe
backofherneck.Herj eanswer e
ti
ghtl
yboy i
shwornwi thman' shi
gh
topsneakers.I
fyoudidn'tknowher
you'
dt hi
nkshewast rulyaman
becauseshedidn'tev
enhav eatr
ace
ofbreasts.

Ken:Ihear
dy oucal
ledandi am here
tooff
erpeace,iam notsureexactl
y
whathappenedandI '
dliket
o
underst
andbeforeisayanythi
ng
aboutJani
ce'sdemoni cbehavi
orin
yourhouse
Jan:(si
ghedandshookherhead)
Alr
ightI
'm out
!
ShestoodupthenKenangril
yst
ood
upandpulledherbackdownasshe
fel
lonthechairangr
il
ygl
ari
ngathi
m.
Didiqui
ckl
ystoodandpull
edKen
down...

Didi
:Ithoughtyouhadev
ery
thi
ng
undercontrol
,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Ken: (
angril
ypoi nt
edlooki
ngather )
Sitdown!Yousi tt
hereunt
ilI'
m done
tal
kingt oyou.Youdon'tbehavelike
thataftercomi ngtopeopl
e'shouses
anddoi ngalltheseshamelessthings.

Jant
ear
ful
l
ylookedathi
m ashe
boil
edl
ooki
ngathert
henshelooked
atAgat
hawhoshookherheadclear
ly
aski
nghert
obehave.
..

Aatil
e:Okaysocanwepr oceed?We
foundherki ssi
ngAgat ha,it
alkedt
o
them andaskedt hem what '
sgoing
on.Theyt ol
dmet heyloveeachand
sowear enottryi
ngt odieearl
ywe
j
ustdon'twantt oseet hese
behaviourthat'
sall.Agathaenewe
tol
dherwewanthermar ksupand
forhertobehav e.
Ken:Soyouj
ustgav
et hem a
per
mi ssi
ont
odoallt
hese?Whatki
nd
ofaf
ami
l
yist
his?
Aatil
e: (
angri
lylookinginhisey es)
Youdon' twantt ogodownt hatr oad
withme, you'r
ei nnoposi t
iont obe
j
udgingany one.2y earsinapast or
school doesn'tchangethef actthat
yousl eptwit
hal it
tl
egi r
landusedher
togetov eryourex.Enoughoft hat
ri
ghteousness, youthinkifthesegi r
ls
real
lywantt odot hisyoucanst op
them?Youcan' tdoany t
hingabouti t
!
Welcomet othewor ldofpar enti
nga
teenager.Iknowi t'
sabi t
terpillto
swallowbuty oucan' twatcht hem
24/7andI 'm notgoingtoki l
l myself
withahear tattacktryi
ngtocont rol
an18y earold; someonewhocan
vote?getadr i
ver'slicense?someone
whocanbeasol dierandev enget
mar ri
ed...
?I '
m nott hatstupidi have
otherchi l
drent or aiseI '
m donewi t
h
thi
sone.Icanonl yof fersuppor tand
mywi sdom t heresti supt othem so
"pastor"ifyourdaught erreall
ywant s
tolaywi thherI 'm sor rytobet he
bearerofbadnewsbutt hereisn't
muchy oucando, youcanev endo
fasti
ngandshewi ll wakeupt henext
mor ninglooki ngboy ishlikethis.I
'm
donet alking,gety ourdaught er/son
what everitisandl eav e.Wear edone,
thi
sconv ersationi sov er-tal
kt oyour
daught
erandI
'
llt
alkt
omi
ne.By
e..
.

Heopenedt hedoorandpoint
edthen
Didiopenedhermouthtospeakbut
Aati
legaveherthehandandpoint
ed
out.
..

Aat
il
e:Out
..
.

Theyall
walkedoutt
henhecl
osed
thedoor.
..
..

Out
side.
..
Janqui
etl
ywal
kedbehi
ndthem t
hen
Kentur
nedar
oundandl
ookedat
her
.…

Ken: (
angr
il
y)Areyoumaki ngmepay
fornotbei
ngthereforyoubydoi ng
this?Youevenchooset hepeopl
e
closetous,ar
eyout r
yingtorevenge?
Jan:(t
earfull
ylookingathim)Thisis
notabouty ou,i l
oveher..
.Andsheis
notthefir
stwomani fel
tthi
sway
about.Iwishi fel
tthewayot her
peopledobutIdon' tandIcan'tli
eto
myself.Whywoul dIrevengewhenall
Iwantisyourl ove?(t
ear f
ull
y)Al
li
everwant edsi nceIwasal itt l
egi rl
wasf ory out ohol dmei ny ourar ms
andpl aywi thme.Ial way swant edt o
knowhowi tfeel st osaydaddy
becauseal mostev eryoneinmycl ass
haddaddyev enst epf athersl oved
them butme. ..
i hadnoone.Wheni
camet oy ourweddi ngthev er yfir
st
ti
mei sawy ou,mymot herhadt old
met hati hadt owearadr essory ou
won'tlikeme. .
.(rubbedhert ear s)I
hadnotwor nadr essi ny ear s, l
itt
leas
Iwasi hateddr essesbuti wor ea
dressjustf ory ou.Ihadmyhai rdone
forthef i
rstt i
mej ustf oryouandy ou
didn'
tev enl ookatme. ..Iwal kedout
theredi sappoi ntedatmy selfblami ng
my selff ornotl ooki nggoodenough
fory ou.Thr oughoutt heyear si
pray edf ory ou,ev enwheny oust ayed
withmamaatGabor onei wished
bothofy oucoul dt akemesoi can
tastet hel ovei sawy ougi vingy our
childrenbuti t
'sli
kei didn'texist.I
sawt heDNAt estr esultsandi stil
l
don' tunder standwhyy oudon' tl ove
me.Ev ery onethinksy ou'reagood
fatherbecausey oursoci almedi a
account sar efulloft hreechi l
dren...
It'
sal way sZane, FaithorHazel never
oncehav ey ouev erment ionedme,
I'
m sur epeopl eaty ourchur chdon' t
knowy ouhav eanyot herchi
ld
besidesthisthree.Don'tyou
understandthatagi rl
'sfir
stlov
eis
herfather?Can'tyouseeI 'm
desperatejusttogetahugf rom you.
..
(shetookast epcl osertohim)justa
hugnot hi
ngel se.
.
Ken: Well.
...You'
llnevergetthatfr
om
meunt ilyouactr i
ght .Ihavea
daughtercal ledJanicenotason.
Tomor rowwehav edinnerat6pm, i
wanty out heredressedl i
keagirl
..
..
Wi t
hani cel ooki
nghai rthewaya
womani ssupposedt olookorelseI'
ll
disowny ou.You' l
lbedeadt omeunt il
thedayt hey oudeci detoactli
kea
womanwhohassenses. .
.( f
rowned
l
ookingi nhertearyey es)doy ou
under st
andme?Sogoandt hinkv ery
hardaboutev erythingy ousai dy ou
wantf rom meandknowt hatI'm
will
i
ngt ogiveittoy ouandmor e
underonecondi tion- youst opt his
nonsenseandl ookl ikeawomanwho
hassensesanddi gnity.Youshoul d
beashamedt oy our selfforwal king
aroundl ikethi
s,ify oudon' tshowup
l
ookingr i
ghtdon'tev ercal lme, don'
t
tel
lpeopl ey ouaremydaught erand
don'tev erlookatmychi ldrenev en
withy ourfakeaccount sdon' tstalk
mel ikey ouhav ebeendoi ng.Don' t
eventalktothem becauset helast
thi
ngi needisy ouinfect
ingFaithwith
thi
sdiseaseofy our
sorev enZane
makinghi mthinkhei sagirl.6pm
tomorrow,thatshoulddeci deour
fut
ure.

Heopenedt hedoorforDidithenshe
gotinclosedthedoorasJant ear
full
y
watchedt hecardisappeari
ngintothe
ni
ght..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
17AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 133

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eLol
osl
owl
ygotont
opof
Aatil
eseducti
velymov i
ngherwaist
rubbi
ngherselfonhisbonerashe
heldherwaistthensheleanedover
andkissedhimr eachi
ngbehindher
toholditi
nplaceandsl i
ddown
l
etti
ngoutasof tmoan...

Lol
o:Mmm.
..

Hecuppedherbigsaggybr
eastand
movedhishandsdownherwaistto
hel
phergri
ndlooki
ngupather..
.

Lol
o:Mmm.
..
Aati
le:Kamoisthe16y earol dihad
sexwithyearsagoandMi ghtyi
smy
daughter,
idi
dn'tknowunt ilwetook
Babythereandi beentr
yingt of
ind
theri
ghttimetotelly
ou..
.

Tearsfil
ledLolo'
sey esasshe
conti
nuedgr i
ndinglookinginAat
il
e'
s
eyesanddr oppedhert ear
sonhis
chestthenhepul l
edherheaddown
andheldhert i
ghtl
ypoundi ngher
fr
om thebot t
om. .
.

Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ry,
it'
sapastI
'
m not
pr
oudofyou
Sheheldhi mtightl
ycr yi
ngashe
i
ncreasedhisspeedanddept hthen
shemov edherwai stbumpi ngonhim
tooastheysmackedagai nsteach
otherunti
lshegr abbedhi mt i
ghtl
y
moaningcur l
inghert oesashe
smackedl ookingupatherf aceas
sheclosedherey esspasmi ng.
..

Lolo:(
holdi
ngherbreastsshaking)
Don'tst
op..
..
..Don'
tstop.
..
..Don't
stop.
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
.
Meanwhil
eKenf i
nishedbrushinghis
teet
handwal kedt othebedroom
wherehefl
ickedt helight
soffand
sli
dinbedputtinghishandsar ound
Didi
..
.

Ken:(
kissedherneck)Ar
eyou
sl
eepi
ng?
Didi
:(softl
y)Aboutt
o...Howdi
dyou
meetBr andon?Ineverhear
dofhi
m
befor
e
Ken:Imethim atchur
ch,heisagood
guy.Hehasbeent hr
oughal otand
hedealtwi
ththingsmaturel
y..
.His
fat
hert
reat
smelikeasontooandhe
giv
esgoodadv
ice.Hei
sreali
sti
c..
Di
di:Haveyouaskedhi
m aboutt
he
i
ssueofhomo's?
Ken: I
'
m nottalki
ngaboutJanDi di
,
don'tspoil
ourconversat
ion.Janis
mydaught ersheisnotArona.I'
m
sureifitwasFait
hdoingt hi
swe
wouldbei nthesamepage, iwant
what '
sbestforJanandifitmeans
bei
nghar donhersobei t.
Di
di:
(si
ghed)Sor
ry.
..Ij
ustdon'
tseei
t
asabigdeal
.
Ken:
It'
sabigdeal
tome,showme
anyf
athert
hatwouldl
ovet
oseehi
s
preci
ousdaught
erwithtattoosand
pi
erci
ngsonherface.Youknowhow
muchmyt att
oosbother
edmeunt il
I
hadthem r
emovedinOkl ahoma.At
somepointshewil
lwantt hem gone
Didi:Shewillr
emov ethem j ustli
ke
you,can'tweacceptherl ikethat?
May beifwespendmor et imewi th
hershewi ll
changewi l
linglyandt hen
shewon' tbeableresenty ouf or
maki ngherchooseort ell
inghery ou
l
ov eherconditi
onall
y.Whati fshe
doesn'tshowupt omor row, whatwi l
l
youdo?Shehasbeenf inewi thout
youandshecanbewi thouty ou.Are
youwi ll
i
ngtoloseheragai n?
Ken:
Shewi
l
lcome.
.
Di
di:
Ifnot
?
Ken:
Shewi
l
lcome-

Hisphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedt
he
phone.
..

Ken:What?I
t'
sav ideocal
lfr
om t
hat
bl
ondladywhat'shername?Theone
whosedaughterusedtopl
aywith
Zane
Di
di:
Lai
l
a'smot
her
?
Ken:
(pi
ckedl
ooki
ngather
)Hel
l
o?
Her
:Ohmyy
out
woar
einbed?
Ken:Yeahit
'sal
i
ttl
eaf
termi
dni
ghti
n
Botswana
Her:I
'
m sorryidi
dn'
tknowitwas
ni
ghtthere,
shoul
dicalli
nthe
morning?
Ken:
Nopl
ease,
wewer
eal
readyup
Her:Lailadidn'
tgot oschool
yesterdayandt odaybecauseshe
wasf eeli
ngal i
ttlesickwhenI
accidentall
ylookedi nthetrashcan
try
ingt othrowsomet hi
ngint her
eI
cameacr ossthis..(
showinga
positi
vest i
ck)andshesay sZanei s
thefather.
Di
di:
Zanei
snotsexual
l
yact
i-
Kengotoft hebedandcl osedDi
di
i
nsidet hebedroom asheheadedto
theki
tchenwher ehegrabbedaglass
ofwat erandleanedagai
nstthe
countercalmingdown..
.

Ken:Ibel
ieveher
, I
'
llaskZanewhat
happenedtomorrowbuti bel
ieveyou
andithi
nkheknowst oo.Kai
l
ai shi
s
wall
paperandhehasbeenact i
ngoff
si
ncewegother e.
Her:(
laughed)I
t'
sactuall
yLai
labut
yeahheknows,Isawt hei
rchatst
oo
andhesaidsomet hi
ngabout
aborti
on.LookingatLaila'
sagewe
real
lyneedtodot hi
s.Thereisnoway
I'
dsurviv
eev eryoneatchurchifword
getsoutthatshei spregnantather
agebesidesshewi l
lneverseeZane
andZanewi llneverseeheragain.
Ken:
Youwantabor
ti
on?Howmany
monthsi
sit
?

Didi
walkedi
nandqui
etl
ystoodi
n
fr
ontofhiml
ooki
ngather.
..

Her:
Sheis2mont hspregnantsowe
cansti
l
labor
tit
,it
'snotevenababy.
Ken:
Doesshewantt
o?
Her:No, that'swher ei needy ourhelp.
Conv i
nceZanet odumphersoshe
canabor titandwear eset t
led
otherwiseI'l
l havet oreportZanef or
defil
ementandt heUSembassyi n
Botswanawi l
ldoi t'
sbestt omake
surethatZanei sext radit
edbacki n
theUSsoi lt
ost andi ncour tand
answerf ort hecr i
meofdef il
ement
thenfacej ailherei ntheUSwhi chwi l
l
prett
ymuchl eavehi m scardf orl
if
e
becausei tsei t
herhecomesoutgay
orjustanot herthugi nt hemaki ng.
What '
sy ourdeci sion?
Didi
:Ican'
tbel
iev
ey outhr
eatenedmy
sonwhilesmil
i
ng,you'r
eevil
.How-
Her
:Areyougoi
ngtotal
ktoZaneor
not
?Ineedananswer
Ken:I
'
llt
alktohi
mtomor
row.I
'
llget
backtoyou
Her:
Wonder
ful
,ihopeAfr
ica
wel
comedyouwithopenarms.Good
ni
ght
Ken:
Bye

Hehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Ken:Iknewt her
ewassomet
hing
goi
ngon. .
..
Di
di:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
Ken:I'
ll
dealwithi
tafterdinner
, don'
t
sayanythi
ngtohimy etandi didn't
l
ikeyourresponseearli
er.Don'
t
alwaysbequicktodefendanddeny
foryourchi
ldwheny ouhav en'
tev en
questi
onedhim.
Didi
:Ok,it
'
sjustunbel
i
evabl
e.Zanei
s
notthatki
nd
Ken: Teenagersarecapabl
eof
anythingsoy oucan'
tbethatqui
ckt
o
defend.
Didi
:Uhwait
seineversawt
hisone
coming,
iwanttohearfr
om Zane.
..
.
It
sunbel
iev
able.
..
.
Ken:
Let
'sgot
obed,
I'
m exhaust
ed.
..
Theyheadedt
obed.
..
.

AtJani
ce'
sHouse.
..
.

Janarri
vedandsl owlyputt hekey s
onthetablethensheheadedt ot he
bedroom whereshest oodbef orethe
mirr
orlookingatherself
,shesl owly
tookoffhersweaterremai ninginher
t-
shir
twhichshepul l
edoutr emaining
shir
tl
esslookingatherflatchest...

Shesi
ghedandwal
kedoutdi
ali
ng
Agat
ha'
snumber
..
.

Agat
ha:
Hey
Jan:
Ineedani
cedr
essandshoes,
canyouhel
pmebuythem t
omorr
ow?
Agat
ha:
Jany
oudon'
thav
etodot
his
Jan:
Youdon'
tunder
stand
Agatha:Iunder
stand,y
ourf at
heris
beingarr
ogantaskingyoutodr ess
l
ikeawoman.I fhewast hroughout
yourli
fehewouldknowt hatasking
youtoputonadr essiswrong.
Jan:Hedoesn'
tknowmeandi t
smy
mother
'sfaul
thewasn'
tther
eatthe
beginningsohowcanheunder stand
mewhenhesawme5t i
mes?I'mthe
onewhoneedshi m,hehasother
chi
ldrenbuti onlyhaveonefather
anditshi m.Ij
ustwantt oknowhow
i
tfeelst obelovedbyy ourf
ather.I
wantt omakehi m happytoo
Agatha:Ihopemyf atherdoesn't
showuponedayandt el
lmet ostop
seeingyoubecauseI'l
lembar r
ass
him.May beforyouit
'seasybecause
youdidn'
tsuf f
erasformeI '
ma
bombwai t
ingtoexpl
odeshoul dhe
showup.Heshoul dremai ninhishel
l
holeforgood.
Jan:
Minei
sonl
ydi
ff
erentbecause
hedidn'
tknowaboutmesoi
can'
t
ent
ir
elyblamehi
m.
Agatha:Youl ovehim babei t'
sokay ,
you'
redesper ateforhimt hany our
motherbecausey ou'remoremal e
thanfemal e.Iunderstandbuthe
doesn'tunderstandy ousoi twill
neverwor k.Howl ongwi l
lyou
pret
endj usttowi nhislove?Itsnot
worthit.
Jan:
I'
mjustt
ryi
ng
Agatha:I
t'
snoty ourresponsi
bili
ty
anymore.Heknewy ouwer eoutther
e,
I'
m sorr
yifel
l i
nlovewi t
hJant heguy
andnotagi r
l.I
fyouchanget heni
guesswe'
l
lendt
hist
ooaker
ear
eo
togel
egot
he
Jan:Agat
hail
oveyou,
ican'
tl
osey
ou.
I
'mjustdoi
ngt
hisf
orhim
Agat ha:Hedoesn' tdeser veit.It
's
eit
herhi m orme.I '
m sor ryfordoing
thi
sbuti fwebot hweardr essesI'm
goingt oloseinterestbecausey ou'l
l
bechangi ngf r
om t heJani fell
inlove
with,Ihopey ouunder standwhatI 'm
saying.Thismanshoul dbe
apologisingfoll
owi ngy ouseeki ng
forgivenessnoty ouf oll
owi nghim
l
ikey ouowehi m.Wher eismy
stubbor nbutch?
Jan:
(laughed)Babe
Agat
ha:
(laughed)I
'
m ser
ious
Jan:(
laughed)Mxm y ou'
reri
ght,why
shoul
dIchangef orhim.Hedoesn't
seem tocarewhetherI'
m partofhi
s
l
ifeornotsoI'l
lgobutasJan.
Whateverhedecideswi t
hmeI '
llt
ake
i
tasthef i
naldeci
sionandmov eon
Agat
ha:
Thanky
oubut
ch
Jan:(l
aughedput
ti
ngherl
egsupon
thewall
)AndnowImissmyprett
y
l
itt
legi
rl.
..
Agat
ha:
(laughed)Imi
ssy
out
oo
Jan:(si
ghed)got
obed,
youhav
ea
testi
nthemorni
ng
Agat
ha:
Ilov
eyou
Jan:Il
oveyoutoo,
manil
ovey our
dad.I'
venev
erseenamanthatwise
Agatha:That'
smydad, hel i
stens
mor ethanhetal
ks.Hei samanof
fewwor dsandifyoudon'tknowhi m
wellyoumayt hi
nkhei sstupid
becauseheisalway scalmlylist
eni
ng
topeoplegoingcrazyandwhenhe
openshi smouthhebringsagood
soli
dsoluti
ontotheproblems.Il ov
e
him
Jan:
Ilovehimtoo,shi
tcoul
dhavehi
t
thef
anifitwasn'
tforhi
m ev
enmy
dadwantedtoactli
keyourmom
beforeheint
ervenedandwhendad
start
edthenonsensehekicked
everyoneoutofhishouse.
Agat
ha:(
laughed)Whatilov
eabout
hi
m kegoreehedil
ejaakareebui
le
j
alo.
Jan:
Goodni
ghtbabe
Agat
ha:
Night
..
.

Shehungupandheadedt obedbut
shecouldn'tsl
eepsoshegoton
Facebookandwat chedpeopl
e'
s
poststhenshesear chedhermother
.
Herprofil
epictur
ewasoneofherand
Mill
ertogetherwit
ht hei
r5yearol
d
sonandshehad224Likeswi
th96
commentsamongstt
hem bei
ng..

Fri
end1:Happyf
ami
l
yAmant
le
repl
ied" "
Mill
er'
sfr
iend:
TheMi
ll
er'
s,i
lov
ethi
s
famil
yandMi l
l
err
epl
i
ed"Thanks
bruh"
Amant l
e'
sfri
end:Leatshwanel
ana
andlookathowcut eMill
erJayi
s
l
ookinghandsomewi t
hVans,
Amant l
erepl
ied"OiponagoreLil
Mil
l
gal
eitsesepe"
Fri
end:Mil
l
sneedsasist
erAmant l
e
repl
iedI
'
m nothav
inganotherbaby
heisf i
nealone.Hedoesn'tneeda
sist
erhecanwat chTV."Fri
end
repli
ed" y oucan'thave1chil
d
mma, nnyaahaolehagot wego
tshabadithabi
,"andsherepli
ed"Mme
kanaMi ll
swillbeonehelajaana"

Janclosedthesearchandcont
inued
doi
ngot hert
hingsunti
lshef
ell
asl
eep..
..

AtChur
ch.
..
..
.

ThenextdayJani
cedrov
ethrough
thepar
kingl
otpassi
ngalotofcar
s
str
uggl
ingtofi
ndaparki
ngspace,
shehadnoideaitwassuchabig
thi
nganditseemedalmostev
eryone
hadcome...

I
twasal i
ttl
eaf t
ersi
xsot helights
wereon, shelookedatherselfont he
mirr
orforami nutet
henshest epped
outofthecarandwal kedtowar ds
thechurch..
..

*
**

Meanwhil
einsi
deeveryoneoccupi
ed
r
oundtabl
esof4,fi
l
lingthewhole
churcheachoft
hem hadabowl of
snacksandabigjarofwaterwit
h
smallgl
assesar
oundt hecent
er
fl
ower.

Dressedinsmar tcasualever
yone
cl
appedhandsasZanet ookthe
stageinhissli
mf i
tsuitandsmiledat
everyonesit
ti
ngbehi ndthe
keyboard.
..

Seniorpast
orsandotherVI
Pssmi
l
ed
proudlycl
appi
ngforZaneashe
adjust
edthemic..
..
Zane:(
fl
uentaccent)Ladiesand
Gentl
emen,thi
ssongwi l
lneverleav
e
myheartbecauseitcarri
esal otof
memor i
esfr
om mychi ldhood-

ThedooropenedandJanst eppedi
n
aspeopleatt
hebacklookedather,
Zaneli
ftedhi
seyesandlookedather
thenevery
onetur
nedandlookedat
her.

Itwasabi tconfusi
ng,hermuscul
ar
bicepsandf l
atcheststr
etchedt
he
stri
ngdressshehadonasshe
struggl
edwal ki
nginheelsand
almosttri
ppedbutshegai
nedher
balanceandfakedasmil
ewalki
ng
towardsKen'stabl
e.

Itwaslikelookingatoneofthose
femaleat hl
etesindresses,
every
thingaboutherbodysai d
other
wiseandherbl ondwi gdidn'
t
maket hingsanybetter..
.

ShepulledZane'schai
randsatdown
smili
ngatKenasherdr essst
rapfell
offhershoulderl
ett
ingoutherbreast,
Kenquicklypull
edupherst r
ap
hangingitonhershoulderandlooked
atever
yonethentheyfi
nal
lyl
ooked
awayasiftheyweren'
tawaret
hey
werestar
ing.
.

Ken:(
whispered)Howcomey
ou
don'
thav
ebr easts?
Jan:
Ihav
ebr
easthy
popl
asi
a..
.

Kent ookoffhi
sjacketandputi
t
aroundhershouldersthenhepi
nched
thebridgeofhi
snose...

Ken:
I'
m sor
ryf
orembarrassi
ngy
ou
l
iket
his,
idi
dn'
tknowyourbodyl
ooks
l
i
ket
his.

Hepushedbackhi schai
randwal ked
outheadingtot
heman' sroom where
heleanedoverandwashedhi sface
thenhelookedathimselfonthe
mirr
orandswallowedregrett
abl
y .

Hetookouthisphoneanddi
aledDidi
butherphonerangi
noneofthefour
toi
l
ets.
..

Ken:
What
?Babe?
Heturnedaroundandtri
edtoopen
thedoorbutitwasl
ockedthenhe
bentdownlookingt
hroughthel
ower
spaceandsawherheels..
.

Ken:
Didi
?
Di
di:
(shakyv
oice)Yah?
Ken:whatareyoudoingintheman's
toi
l
et?(pushi
ngthelock)Openthe
door
Di
di:
I'
m notf
ini
shed,
I'
ll
findy
out
her
e.
Ken:I'
l
lwaitf
ory
ou,
hav
eyouseen
Brandon?
Di
di:
No
Ken: Okay .
..
.Youwon'tbel
ievehow
Jan'sbodyl ooks.Thatcan'tbe
normal .Shedoesn'thave
breasts,t
hey '
rever
yli
ttl
e,what'
s
breasthy poplasi
a?

Hesi
ghedandfol
dedhi
sar
ms
wai
ti
ngforher

Ken:
Aren'
tyouf
ini
shed?
Di
di:It
hinkihaver
unni
ngst
omach,
doyoumi ndbri
ngi
ngmyhandbag?
Ken:
Sur
e
Br
andon'
sbrot
herwal
kedi
nand
l
ookedatKen.
..
.

Hi
m:Hav
eyouseenBr
an?
Ken:
No
Hi
m: It
houghtokwano,
okae
j
aanong.
..

Hetookouthi
sphoneanddialedhi
m
t
henhisphonerangint
hetoi
letas
t
heybothtur
nedlooki
ngback.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
17AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 134

I
nthemen'
sroom.
..
..
Brandonopenedt hedoorand
steppedouthangi nguphol dingDi
di'
s
purseasKengl aredathi mt henDi
di
fearf
ullywalkedoutoft heother
cubicleholdi
ngherl ongevening
dress.Bran'sbrot
herlif
tedhi s
eyebrowssur pr
isedasheput2and2
togetherandlookedatKen. ..

Randal
l
:(speechl
ess)Yooh.
..

Kendisappoint
edlylookedatDidiand
l
eanedbyt hesinkshakinghishead
ashereleasedthelastbutt
onofhi s
shi
rtandtie.
..
Brandon:
Keni
knowhowt
hisl
ooks
but-
Di
di:
Icameher
eto-
Ken: (l
ookingatDi
di)Shutup.Randal
l
doy oumi ndescor
ti
ngmywi f
e
outside?
Randal
l:
Nopr
obl
em,
Branar
eyou
good?
Br
an:
I'
m good,
go

Randal
lopenedthedoorf
orDidiand
shewalkedoutthenhegl
ancedat
bothofthem bef
orecl
osi
ngthedoor.
Kentooktwostepsfur
therandstood
i
nf r
ontofhi
mlookinginhiseyesas
Brandonl
ookedbackathim...

Ken:Idon'tthi
nky ouknowt heot her
sideofmebecausey ouonl ymetme
i
nchur chandi knowt hispast orthing
makespeopl elookabi tstupi d
becausey ouknowt heywi llalway s
forgi
veandwal kaway" handingi tall
toGod"buti don'tworkl i
ket hat.Iam
humanf ir
stsoi wanty out ogiveme
av er
ygoodr easonwhyi shoul dn't
drowny ourfaceinthet oil
etright
nowbecausei candoi
tifi
want.Gao
kakewampal el
alehakegolebi
le
helaj
aana.
..
wany el
ahel
asentegone
ha..

Bran'
shear
tpoundedashel
ookedat
Ken'spi
eci
ngeyes.
..

Brandon:
Iunder
standwhyy
ouar
e
angry
Ken:I'
m notangr
yy et
,I'
m wai
ti
ngf
or
youtopissmeof fbylyi
ngtome.I
'
m
wait
ing..
..Doi
t,l
i
et ome...
Brandon:Thisi
sthehonestt
rut
h,i
heardfootst
epswhil
eiwasinthe
toi
letandi thoughti twaspr obabl y
oneoft heguy susi ngtheur i
narybut
whenIwal kedoutoft het oil
eti
foundherst andi ngov ert heredoi ng
hermakeupbyt hemi rror.Sheki ndof
panickedandcl osedherpur set rying
toleav ebuti tol dhernott oleav e
becausei wasal readydonet henwe
heardhear dy ouhummi ngout side.I
havenoi deawhybutshepani cked
andr ani ntothenextt oilet,iwasf ine
withthatunt i
li sawherpur seont he
count erandr eal isedi woul dn'thav ea
goodr easonf orbei ngi nt het oi
let
withy ourwi fe'spur seandev eni fi
tol
dt het ruththenI '
dgetheri n
troubl
eforhidi
ng.Ididn'
twanttobe
partofthatsoigrabbeditandgoti
n
thenexttoil
et.
Ken:Andyouthi
nkI'
l
lbel
iev
ethi
s
bul
lshi
tcookedupst
ory?
Bran: I
t'
sthetruth,whywoul d
someonemyagehav eanaf fairi
nthe
toi
letwhenIcanhi reahot el r
oom?
I'
m not25andt herei snothing
hygienicabouttoilets.I
'dnev ergo
thatfarwithyourwi febutl ookingat
yourhistoryIdon'texpecty out otrust
me, ifyourownbr otherbet rayedyou
howhar dcanitbef orast rangerto
doit?Butt heonlydi ff
erencei si
haven'tdoneany thing,idon'tknow
whyshepanickedlikethatbutshe
mademepani ctooandi tall
happenedtooquick.Iknowitlooks
suspici
ousbutatoilet
?Comeon!
Andinchurchwit
hsomanypeopl e
outtheret
omakey ournight
?
Ken:
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou,
tryagai
n
Br
an:
Don'
tyout
rusty
ourwi
fe?

Kent ur
nedbackandlockedthedoor
thenBrandonwalkedbackwards
rai
singbothhi
shandsinsurrender
.

Br
an:That
'st
hetrut
h,idon'tknow
whatel
setosaybecausethat'
sthe
honestt
rut
h.

Kensnatchedhiswif
e'spurseand
whippedhim onthef
acewi thi
tas
Branlookeddownsti
llwit
hhands
up..
.

Ken:
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou.
..
Br
an:
I'
mtel
l
ingy
out
het
rut
h.
Ken:
Andi
don'
tfucki
ngbel
i
evey
ou.
..

Kensl appedhi
m andpushedhim
againstthewall
looki
nginhisey
esas
Brandonhav i
ngadiff
icul
tti
me
br
eat
hing.
..

Ken: Let '

stryagai n..
.St artfrom t he
beginni ng,Ispent5y ear sinpr ison..
.
(l
aughedandshookhi shead
clenchinghi st eeth)doy ouknow
whatwedi dtoguy swhot hought
theywer etheshi t..
.?Guy sli
key ou
whot hinktheyhav easmar tmout h?
Snitches. .
.Wemadet hem bi tches
andi canmakey oumybi tch,you
won' ttellanyoneabouti tbecause
theywi llasky ouwhyy oucoul dn't
fi
ghtf ory ourselfandy ou'lll
oset he
respectofal l womeni nt hischur ch
andy ourchildrent oo.Whatam i
say
ing-y
ouwon'
ttel
lany
one?

Hesl appedhim ontheheadand

Brandonslippedfal
li
ngdownand
si
tti
ngont hef l
oorsti
l
lwit
hhishands
spreadout...

Brandon:
Ialreadytol
dy ou(hi
svoi
ce
tr
ail
edoff)That'
sthetruth.
..

Kenpull
edhi m upbythecollarsand
pushedhisheadont hemirror
removi
ngBr andon'
sbeltashi shear
t
poundedgrabbingKen'shand...
Br
andon:
(shakyv
oice)Isweart
o
Godi
fyoutouchmeI'm scr
eaming,
l
etgoofme

Kenputhim onheadlockbendi
nghim
backwar
dsanddr oppedhispants
thenheunzi
ppedhis..

Br
andon:(
shaki
ng)Waitwait
..
..Let
metel
lyouthet
rut
h..
.I'
m sor
ry..
.
Ken:I'
m notlet
ti
ngyougo,
tel
lme
fi
rstandI'
ll
letyougo.
.
Br
andon:
(tappedKen'
sfi
rm ar
m on
hi
sneck)Ican'
tbr
eat
h.
Ken:
(angr
il
y)Tel
lme!
Brandon:ImetDi diinGabswhenshe
wasgoi ngtodoherf i
rsty earandwe
hadsext hatnight ,wenev ermet
againandunt i
l attheai rportbuti
swearwi t
hmymot her'sgravet oday
wasapur ecoi ncidenceandi think
thereasonshepani ckedi sbecause
wehav ehistory,that'swhyi panicked
toobecauseIt houghtshet oldy ou
aboutmeandt heny ou'dbe
suspici
ousifyouf oundmewi thher
purse.(t
earful
ly)Youdon' thav et odo
thi
s,I'
m sorry.
..
Not hing
happened...
Can' tyouj ustletthisgo..
.
? Callherov erandconfir
m ev er
ything.
Herst oryandmi newil
lmat chifshe
doesn'tlie,askusany t
hingt o
conf i
rm...(
tappedhi sarm and
coughedashi sfor
eheadv eins
erected)Pleasel etmego...Iwas
mol estedwheni was9i can'tgo
throught hatagain..
.(t
earf
ully)Please
KenI '
m sor ry,l
etmego. .
.

Hebrokedowncr y
ingthenKen
rel
easedhim,hesl
iddownt hewal
l
andputhisheaddowncr y
ing.
..
.

Br
andon:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
.
Kenpickedthepurseandrol
ledouta
ti
ssuethenhet hr
ewov er
,Br
andon
wipedhistearsandstoodup
shamefull
ypulli
nguphispantsand
tucki
nginthenleanedovert
hesink
washinghisfaceasKenlookedat
him..
.

Ken:
Whodi
dit
?
Brandon:I
tdoesn'
tmat t
erandplease
don'tt
ell
anyone,I
'
v enevert
old
anyoneaboutit
.Please
Ken:
Whodi
dit
?
Br
andon:
Myuncl
e.Myf
ather
's
youngestbr other
...Hetookhimin
andt r
eat edhimlikehewashi sson
butever ynighthedidthistomeand
thr
eatenedmenott otell
anyone.We
sharedt heroom andt herewasn'
t
muchi coulddo,hewas17andi was
9yearsol d.

Brandonleanedbackwipinghisface
andf i
xedhisti
ethenheglancedat
Kenashamedt omai nt
ainaney e
contactashedisposedtheti
ssue..

Brandon:
Thanksfornot
..
.Doi
ngi
t.
..
I
'l
lnevert
alkt
oDidiagai
n.
Randal
lknockedont
hedoorand
shookt
helock..
.

Randal
l:
Bran?I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ghti
n
ther
e?
Br
an:
Yeah.
..

Heopenedt hedoorandf l
asheda
fakesmil
etohisbrotherasKen
walkedbehindt
hem wat chi
nghim
fakeasmileandlaughli
kenot hi
ng
happened.
Kent ookadeepbr eathandexhaled
walkingtochurchentrancewherehe
si
gnal edDidioverwit
hhisband.Guil
t
stri
ckenshequi ckl
yhurri
edov er
holdi
ngherl ongelegantdressand
fl
ippingherhairontheothersideas
sheappr oachedKenandl ookedin
hi
sey esregr
ett
ably.
..

Di
di:
Keni
didn'
tdo-
Ken:
Shutup.
..

Hegrabbedherhandandl edhert
o
t
heparkinglot
,itwasabitchi
ll
iwi
th
acol
dbr eezewhirl
i
ngaroundashe
openedthedoorandpushedher
i
nsidethenhegotinthedriv
er'
sseat
andslammedt hedoorlooki
nginher
eyes.
..

Ken:
Star
ttal
ki
ng.
..
Didi:
(shakyv oice)Iwentt otheladi
es
room tof reshenupmymakeupbuti t
wasf ull
,thepr aiseandwor shi
pgirl
s
weret heresoi decidedtodashi nthe
men'sr oom.Iwal kedinanddi dmy
make- upt henBr andonf l
ushedt he
toi
letandst eppedout .Iapologi
sed
try
ingt oleav ebuthesai dhewas
done...Iknowi didn'tt
ellyouthi
sbut
ioncemetBr andony earsagowhenI
wasnewi nGabor oneandwehooked
up,itwasachi ldisht hing.Iwas
drunkandi don'tr ememberhal fofit
sof i
ndinghimt her emadet hings
awkwar dbutwedi dn'tevenhav ea
chancet otalkbecausei heardy ou
hummi ngwal ki ngov ersoi grabbed
myphoneandcl osedmy selfi
nt he
toi
letbecausei didn'tknowhowI '
d
explai
nbei ngt her ewi thhim.I'm
sorry,i
knowi tlooksbadbutI 'dnev er
havesexi nachur cht oil
et.
..I'
m way
toooldf orthat...
Ken:
Sowhydidn'
tyout
ell
meabout
hi
mt hef
ir
stt
imeyousawhim?
Didi
:Ididn'
twanttocompli
cate
thi
ngsgapehel ai
tcaughtmeof f
guard.Iwasprobabl
ygoingtotel
l
youhadhet roubl
edmebuti t
hought
-
Ken:(angri
ly)Yout houghtwhatDi di?
Enghela?Soy ouwat chmebef r
iend
aguywhof uckedy ou?I'
llsl
am y our
faceonthedashboar dkanaDi di.
..
Areyout r
yingt otakeadvantageof
thi
swhol epast orthi
ng?
Didi
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)No,
ipani
ckedI
'
m
sorr
y..
.
Ken:Whyont i
rabariont
ebelel
ake
shenamaleexy agago?(t
urned
l
ookingatherreadytosl
apheras
shel
ookedathi
shandt
ear
ful
l
y)Ke
engonti
rabar
i?

Shetearf
ull
yglancedathi
sangry
faceandfearf
ull
yputherhandonhi
s
thenthehuggedhim..
.

Didi
: KenI'm sorry.
...(si
ghedshaking)
I'
m sorry.
..Pleasef orgiveme. .
.You
madesomuchpr ogr essbabey ou
can'tgoback. ..Youdon' thitmeor
hurtme...
i haven'tdoneany thi
ng,you
j
usthav etot rustme. .(sti
l
lhugging
him shekissedhi sneck)Myhusband
i
sonegi ftedmanwhatmor ecouldi
want ,iwentoutt her
eandt hereis
nothingabov ey
ou.Iwor shipyour
dicklikeani dolandI'
dnev erspread
myl egsf oranothermanagai n.I
knowwhaty ouarecapableofdoi ng
shouldi crossthatli
ne..
.

Kenputhisarmsaroundherwaist
huggi
ngherandkissedherneckthen
sherubbedhert
earsandlai
dher
headonhischest
..
.

Ken:
Arey
oucr
ying?
Di
di:It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngtobeat
me..Imean,youf
oundmei
nthe
t
oil
etwi
thanotherman.Who
woul
dn'
tbel
iev
ei cheat
ed?
Ken:(
touchedhercheeki
nherey
es)I
bel
iev
ey ou.
..

Herubbedherey esandleanedover
ki
ssingherthenheadjustedtheseat
andgotbetweenherlegspulli
ngup
herdressandmov edherpanties
asi
def i
ll
i
ngherupasshef r
owned
putt
ingherhandsonhischest
l
imit
inghisdepth..
.

Di
di:
(moani
ng)Shi
t.
..Ooohman
Hemovedherhandsoffhi
schest
andl
ookedi
nhereyessli
dingal
lthe
wayasshegr
asped..
..
.

*
**

Mi nuteslat
erhesteppedoutand
slammedt hedoormaki nghi
sway
backi nchurchashet uckedhisshir
t
i
nandsmi l
edataf ewpeopleashe
tookaseatnextt oJanwhowas
holdingHazel asshewav edherfoot
ont heairenjoyi
nghermi l
kfrom the
bot t
le..
.
Meanwhilei
nthecarDidiputapant
y
l
ineronherpant
iesandsli
dthem up
thenshefi
xedherdressandhair
befor
esteppi
ngoutandjoini
ngher
husbandbythetabl
e..
.

Theyli
stenedt
oaf ewshortcausal
speechesandclappedhands.
..

Mc: Ladi
esandgentl
emenpl ease
welcomeont hepul
pitournewy out
h
pastorDani
el.
..

Kensmiledst
andi
ngupasever
yone
appl
auded,hewal
kedupt
othemic
andsmil
edlooki
ngataful
lchur
chas
hehel
dthemi cwit
honehandand
puthi
sotheronthest
and.
.

Ken: Thanky ouv erymuch. .

.(laughed)
WhenIl eftOklahomaci tyiwassur ei
wasr eadyt opast orbutthepast2
dayshav eprovent omet hatbei nga
youthpast orisn'tawal kinthepar k
andi t
'sdiffer
entf rom worki
ngwi t
h
adults.
..(mov ehi shandsmi li
ngat
Janice)Letmef irstint
roducemy
daught erJanice.Shei smyf ir
stbor n,
iknowal otthinkZanei sthef i
rst
bornbuthei sonl ythefir
stboy .
..
Jani
cesmiledandwav edatever
yone
wit
hKen'sjacketar
oundhershoulder
astheycl
appedhands...

Ken: Janiceandi weren'tclosewhen

shewasgr owi ngup, actuallyinever
knewany thingaboutherunt i
labout
10or11y earsagosobondi ng
becamedi fficultbecausewedi dn'
t
staytoget her .Tocutt hest oryshort
wheni f
oundoutshei sal esbiani
hadaf i
t.
.( t
heyal llaughedt hen
Janicelaughed)Asy ouall can
i
magi neapast orhav ingtodeal wi
th
that,ipr acticall
ylosti t.
..Iwasangr y
andev enl astnightwehadan
argumentabouti t
.Igav ehera
choice. .Toei therdr essl i
keawoman
andcomet ochur chorgetdi sowned.
Likeanywel l
behav eddaught er
desper at ef orherfat her'
slov eshe
putonadr essforthef ir
sttimei n
manyy ear sandwal kedi nher ejustto
winmyl ove.Ihav en' treall
ylookedat
herbef or eunt il
tonight .Ididn'tknow
herbodywasdi fferentl i
ket hat..
.I
noticedmanyofy ouwer estar i
ngat
herpr obabl ywonder i
ngwhyshe
doesn' thav ebreastsorwhyshei s
wear i
ngcol orf
ulhairt ochur ch.She
actual
lyhasashor thai runder neat h
thatwig, (t
oJan)t akei tof fsot hey
cansee. ..
.(shepul l
edt hewi gof fand
smiledlooki ngdownast heycl apped
hands)It hinkshegr abbedwhat ever
shecoul df i
ndbecausei toldheri
neededherl ooki ngbeaut i
ful li
kea
gir
lbutnowi feel guilt
yf orpl aying
God, f
orj udgi ng,lov i
ngwi th
conditi
onsandenf orcingchange.
Duringmyst udyoft heol ogyand
counsellingi thoughti under stood
everyt
hingunt i
l t
hepr actical
presentedi tsel fthroughmydaught er
.
Iaskedmy sel fhoweasyi twoul dbe
forthey outht owor kwi thmei fI 'm
sojudgment al,
inall honest yal li
can
doasay outhpast ori stoshar ethe
wordofGodandpr ayt henwai tforan
i
ndiv i
dual tor eceivet hel i
ghtandbe
bornagai n...Toni ghtI 'dli
ket o
apologiset omydaught er.Ishoul dn'
t
havef orcedhert odr esshowIwant
orcomet ochur chbybl ackmai li
ng
herbecauset hisiswhatf il
lsthe
churchwi t
hf akeChr i
st i
ansandi
don'twantt hat.Idon' twantpeopl eto
pretendi nor dert obeaccept ed...
Chur cheswer ebui ltforsi nnersand
peopl ewithbur densandt hey outh
ministryinpar t
icularf acesal otof
problems, t
heyf acepr oblemsof
rejection, consi der ingsuici de,
subst anceabuse, alcoholism,
por nogr aphyaddi ction,sexual abuse
andot herst ronghol dsthathav ingan
under st andi ngpast orwhoi seasyt o
appr oachcaneasi lysolve.Iwantt he
chur cht oknowt hatanewmi nist
ryis
starting, ami nistryt hataccept s
ever yoneandsay scomey ouwhoar e
wear y ,bringal l y
ourbur dens.So
chur cht oni ghtIwantt oasky outhis-
donotj udgemymi nist
rybecausei t
s
oneofaki nd. .
..
wewi l
lbegoi ng
aroundpr eachi ngandbr i
ngi ngal l
kindsoft roubl edpeopl ejustt oshar e
thewor dofGodandshar esongsof
worshipnot hingmor e!Godwi l
ltake
careofther est.Donotj udgethis
newmi nistr
y ,wear esonsand
daughtersofGodwi t
ht r
oublesand
onedaywhent hetimei sri
ghtthe
l
ightwill
shi ne..
.Donotst areat
peopleyout hinkaremor esi
nners
thanyou, donotj udge,donotlook
downont hem.Lov ethem andleave
thejudgmentt oGod.

Ther
ewassi lenceinchurchas
Jani
celookedar ound,
theseni
or
past
orstart
edasl owclapfrom t
he
VIPtabl
eandev eryonejoi
nedin
cl
appingandr ej
oici
ng.
..
Ken:(smi l
ed)They outhmi nistryis
oneofaki nd, weacceptal l kindsof
peoplewi t
houtj udgi ngorcast i
ng
stonesandwewi l
l l
aunchourv ery
fi
rstservi
cei nthr eeweeks, mor e
announcement swi l
lbemadedur i
ng
churchserv i
ces.( wav edandsmi led)
thankstoev eryonewhomadet his
eveningwonder ful.Mayi gi
v ea
specialt
hanky out omygor geous
wifeforthisbeaut i
fulsuitandmy
chil
drenforcompl eti
ngthis
wonder f
ul evening, whatawonder f
ul
dayitis,Blessy oual l.
..
Theyapplaudedasheputdownthe
micandj oi
nedhi
sfamil
yatthe
tabl
e..
..
.

Mc: Zanet hepastorshaveaspecial

request,apparent
lyitsbeenawhile
sincetheyhear dyoursong..
..Chi
l
dof
God...

Everyoneappl audedashesmi led

standingupt henhel eanedover
whisperingt oJanbutshedecl i
ned
thenhewal kedtothef r
ontand
grabbedt hemi cast hebandtook
thei
rposi t
ionandpl ayedthe
i
nstr
umental
swhil
ehesmi
l
edcut
e
hol
dingt
hemic.
..

Zane:(si
ngi
ng)Youunr
avel
me,
wit
h
amelody
Yousur
roundmewi
thasong
Ofdel
i
ver
ance,
from myenemi
es
Ti
l
lal
lmyf
ear
sar
egone

Heslowlygotdownt hepodi
um as
theli
ghtcontr
oll
erl
i
thim makinghis
waytoJaniceandhandedhert he
mic,sheli
ckedherl
ipsandsang
sit
ti
ng..
.
Jan:
I’
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod
I
’
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod

Zaneputhi sarm aroundherl eani

ng
overastheybot hsangont hemi c
withsoulf
ul v
oices.Everyone'shair
stood,t
heirskincrawledast heir
voicesbl
essedt heentir
eev ening..
.

JanandZane:
From mymot
her
s
womb
Youhav
echosenme
Lov
ehascal
l
edmyname
I
’
vebeenbor
nagai
n,i
ntoaf
ami
l
y
Yourbl
oodf
lowst
hroughmyv
eins

Kensmil
edproudlyandgotthemic
fr
om t
hem conti
nuingtosingwi
tha
si
mil
arbutdeepervoice.
..

Ken:
I’
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod
Ken,
JanandZane:
I’
m nol
ongera
sl
avetof
ear
Iam achi
l
dofGod
Zanesmiledandgotthemicsinging
hi
swaybackt othepodium wherehe
sanghishear
toutaseveryone
cheer
ed..

Ken:(
leanedovert
oJan)Idi
dn'
t
knowy ouknowhowtosing
Jan:(
smil
ed)It
hinki
t'
sabl
oodt
hang
youknow
Ken:(
laughed)Thatwasr
eal
l
y
beaut
iful
Jan:(
laughed)Zaneandi st
art
ed
chat
ti
ngl astyearandheusedt o
sendmev i
deossoI '
djustsi
ng.I
knowhel
i
kest
hissong
Ken:
(laughed)Noi
lov
ethesong.
.

Theylaughedandleanedback
watchingZaneasKenheldDidi
's
handandkissedit
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erni
ghtAgat
ha'
sphoner
ang.
..

Agat
ha:
Hel
l
o?
Jan:
(scr
eamed)Uuuuuu.
.
Agat
ha:(l
aughedandsatup)Iguess
youdeci
dedtogo
Jan:(l
aughed)Ididandidon'
tregret
i
t..
.They'
rehavingahousewarmi ng
part
yonweekendandmyf athertold
meIcouldbr i
ngy ou,
doyouwantt o
come?
Agat
ha:
Yes
Jan:
Ilov
eyou,
goodni
ght
Agat
ha:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Shel
aughedandl
aiddown.
..

AtSchool
..
..
Thenextmor ni
ngatZaneandaFai t
h
walkedoutoftheoff
icewi tha
teacherwhoshowedt hem tothei
r
classeswhi
leDidi
remai nedinthe
offi
cemakingpayment s..
..

Thebr eakfastsi
renwailedj
ustbefor
e
Zanecoul dentertheclassand
studentsrushedout,alotofthem
recognisedhim andjumpedgi vi
ng
him hugsandshoul derbumps...
.

Hej
oinedt
woot herboysheadingt
o
t
heeati
ngareaasJuniorwalkedover
toBr
idgetwhowaseat
ingwi
th
anot
hergir
l.
..

Zane:
Shoul
dn'
tJuni
orbedoneher
e?
Boy:(
laughed)Nobutheshoul dbein
formfivej
ustthathewasfail
ingand
thent
heymadehi mrepeat
.
Apparentl
yhisfat
herabandonedhim
andhewashav i
ngissuesor
something
Zane:
Ist
hathi
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
Boy
:It
'shi
sli
tt
lesi
ster
Zane:
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul
Boy
:Andi
ntel
l
igentt
oo,
ogai
saskol
o
sot
he
Zane:Real
l
y ?Sosisterfr
om the
mother'
ssideorfather'
sside?
Boy:Fat
her
's,
shei
shotbutshei
s
br
il
li
antso.
.
Zane:Brai
nshavenothi
ngtodowi t
h
i
t,besi
desbri
ll
iantgi
rl
sarealways
st
upidwhenitcomest orel
ati
onshi
ps.

Hewat chedJuni
orwal kingawayand
putdownhi sbagthenhewal kedover
asBridgetandherfri
endat e,
Zane
satnexttotheherandl ookedinher
eyessmi l
i
ng..
.
Zane:
Hey

"OhGod,hehassexyey esandt he
l
ipsareso...
"shequickl
yr ebuked
hersel
fandlookeddownatherpl at
e
asherbraidsfel
lonherf acethen
Zanetuckedthem behindherearand
pier
cedherwi t
hhiseyes...

Zane:Areyoushy?(smiled)Myname
i
sZaneDani el,i
justmov edher
e
fr
om theUS, i
wasschool i
ngat
Capit
olHil
lHighinOklahomacity
Br
idget
:(bl
ushed)Hi
Zane:
What
'sy
ourname?
Br
idget
:Br
idget
Zane:Beaut
if
ulname,il
ovei
t.Can
wetakeaselfi
etoget
her?
Bri
dget
:(f
li
ppedherhai
rbackand
smil
ed)Um...Okay

Zaneputhisarm aroundherli
ft
ing
thephoneaboveast heybothsmil
ed
thenhetookapicture,het
ook
anotheroneseducti
velybi
ti
nghis
l
owerl i
pwhil
eBr i
dgetputherhead
onhischest.
..

Zane:(
lookedatthem)Wow.
..
They'
rebeauti
ful
..
.
Br
idget
:(bl
ushed)Yeah.
..

Heclosedthecamer aandBridget
l
aidhereyesonapi ctur
eofZaneand
Lai
lasit
ti
ngont hesandatthebeach,
shewasi nherbiki
niwit
hherblond
hai
rwav i
ngbackast heybothputon
sungl
asses..
.

Br
idget
:Ist
haty
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Zane:
Yeah,
howol
dar
eyou?
Br
idget:
15
Zane:
ToobadI'
l
lgety
ournumber
whenyout
urn16
Br
idget
:Um.
.Idon'
tmi
ndnow
Zane:(t
urnedt
othef
ri
end)Howol
d
areyou?
Fr
iend:
(smi
l
ed)16
Zane:Yeahi
coul
ddoy
ou,
what
's
yournumber
?

ShetappedhernumberthenZanelef
t
secr
etl
ydeleti
ngitasBr
idgetl
ooked
atherfr
iend.
..

Bri
dget
:Whatareyoudoi
ng?How
coul
dyoudothat?
Fr
iend:
Hewant
edmynumber
,what
shoul
dihav
edone?

Shesighedi
ndi
sbeli
efandgrabbed
herl
unchboxwalki
ngaway..
.

*
**

Meanwhi
leZanesatdownt
alki
ngt
o
hi
smother.
..

Didi
:Idon'
tknowi
fIhavei
twri
tt
en
somewher ei
nmyoldcont
act
sI'
ll
check,ey
akae?
Zane:
Ineedt
oaskhi
m somet
hing
Di
di:
Okay
..

Hehungup,minut
eslat
erDidisenti
t
t
henZanesenthim api
ctur
e..
.

Zane:It'
sfunnyhowy ouchokedmy
l
ittl
esist
erandact edlikeitnev er
happened.Inev ertoldany onebutI'
ll
neverforgetthelookonFai t
h'sface
becauset herewasnot hingi coulddo
forherwheni washerl asthope.I
l
ov emyl i
ttl
esisterandt hememor y
ofhergaggi ngandki cki ngstil
l
hauntsmet oday.Any wayI 'm back
from t
heUS andI'm goi ngtoget
closur et hroughy ourinnocentl i
ttle
girl .I '
m notst upidei t
hersof or
nowI '
m goi ngt odot hingswi thout
commi ttingdef i
lement don' task
mehowbecauseIwon' ttellyouand
whent het imecomesandshei s
l
egal lyreadyf ordi ck.I
'm goingf uck
theshi toutofherandshei sgoi ngt o
l
ov ei t
.I'm goi ngt oownherhear tand
thenI '
llshowy ousomet hingonl yi
sawt hedayy ouchokedmybaby
sister.Lett hi sbeoursecr etjustlike
whaty oudi dt oFai t
hisasecr et.
Repor tt hisandy ou'reincriminating
your selfaswel l
.Seehowsmar tiam
now? Rev engei ssweetwhen
servedcol
d.Mmmh Onal ighter
noteitwoul
dbenicet
otast
ebl ack
pussyforachange .

Hesentt
hemessageandputhi
s
phonei
nthepocket
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
..
.

Meanwhil
eBay angtookof
fhis
glov
esanddisposedthem ashetook
outhisasmartphoneandcli
ckedon
themessage.
..
Hishear
talmoststoppedashe
l
ookedatBr i
dgetonZane'
schest,hi
s
kneejoi
ntsgotcoldashesl
owlysat
downandr eadi
ngZane'smessage..
..
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
18AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 135

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..
Kendr
oveint
hrought
hegat
etal
ki
ng
tot
hephone.
..

Ken:(
laughed)Mmegasemadi
a
sepej
ustthatil
ikesav
ing
Ret
s:Notev
enf
iveny
anahel
a
Ken:Mrjustf i
ndmeanof f
icespace
otogel
egobat acut,otaaj acut
whenist artget
tingtenders.I'
m
unemploy ed,Di
di i
scurrentl
y
suppor
tingt hefamilyandi don'tl
i
ke
thei
deaofmebei ngThebel ess
Rets:(
laughed)I
t'
syourf
ather
's
moneymos, wheni
sshegivi
ngOtl
he
hershare?
Ken:Idon'
tknowbutwehav ebeen
tal
ki
ngaboutit,f
ornowwear etr
ying
tosett
ledownandi needt
ostart
makingmoney .
Ret
s:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lhel
pyou.
Ken:
Thanksshap

Hehungupandst eppedoutofthe
carwalki
ngpastBran'
scarand
knockedonthedoor.Therewasno
answerandhecall
edhim onthe
phonebutther
ewasst i
llnoanswer
thenhecall
edRandall
..
.

Randal
l
:hel
l
o?
Ken:
Yeah,
okaeBr
an?
Randal
l:
Isn'
thehome?Iwasathi
s
houseaboutanhourago
Ken:
OkayShap

Hepressedhi
sphoneandf
oundhi
m
onl
i
ne...

Ken:
Cani
seey
ou?Opent
hedoor
Br
andon:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Ken:Canwet
alk?Thi
sischi
l
dishwhy
osabule?
Br
andon:
Idon'
tfeel
li
ket
alki
ng
Ken:
Iwasn'
treal
l
ygoi
ngt
odoi
t,I
haveneverint
eractedwithanother
manl i
kethatidon'
tev enknowwhat
mademet hi
nkoft hr
eateni
ngy oui
n
thatmanner.Iregr
etdoingit.
Brandon:Ihavenoideawhaty
ou'
re
tal
kingabout,
pleaseleav
e.
Ken:I
fyou'
rereadytot al
kabouti
t
youknowwher etofindmeandf or
whatit
'swort
hI'm sorr
y .
Brandon:I
'm notreadytofaceyou,
cany ouatleastr
espectthat?You'
re
makingthingsawkwar d.
Ken:
Ok,
I'
m sor
ryf
orcomi
ng.

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fthen.
..
.
Att
heBout
ique.
..
.

Aati
leknockedontheof
fi
cedoor
thenDidil
ookedupathi
m and
smiled.
..

Di
di:
Heycomei
n..

Hewal kedinandsatdownl ookingat

her,shewaschubbywi thabeaut i
ful
faceandherey esshrunkasshe
smiledwidelyl
ookingathim.Ithad
beenawhi l
esinceshe'dseenhim
andnothi
ngmuchhadchanged
abouthi
m...

Aat
il
e:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Di
di:
Thanks,
howar
eyou?
Aati
l
e:I'
m good.
..
howi
smar
ri
agel
i
fe
tr
eati
ngyou?
Didi
:It
'sbeen2year
sandwear e
happy,ican'
tcompl
ain.Whatabout
you?
Aatil
e:I
t'
scomingtoget
her.
..Wehad
roughpatchesher
eandtherebutwe
aregett
ingther
e.
Di
di:
Kant
eakoompol
elennet
ehel
a
j
ustbetweenyouandme, areyou
happywithLol
o?(helookedather
andlaughed)Whyareyoul aughi
ng?
Aati
le:Loloi scompl i
catedandshe
needssomeonewhounder standsher.
Ican'tsayI '
m alwayshappy ,i
t
doesn'thappenl ikethatinreal
it
y,
ther
ear ehappyday sandsadday s
mol enyalongbesi desI'mtoooldto
bethinkingaboutweat herI
'm happy
ornot ,
asl ongast hechildr
enar e
happyi shoul dbehappy .Ri
ght?
Di
di:
Idon'
tknowAt
ti
eyout
ell
me.
.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Wenakana
Di
di:
(laughed)Ar
eyouhappy
?
Aat
il
e:(l
aughed)Emapel
emmeke
gobotsesengweibi
l
eonkgakol
otse,
onnehonestautwa?
Di
di:
Ok
Aati
l
e:Rat
emysexgameont
he
scal
eof0to10
Di
di:
Honest
ly?
Aati
l
e:Yeah,
behonestkebat
ago
i
tsesengwe
Di
di:
You'
rea9/
10.
..
Aat
il
e:Beser
ious
Di
di:
I'
m ser
ious,
whyosadumel
e?
Aat
il
e:Behonest
Di
di:
Besi
desmyhusbandy
ou'
ret
he
onl
ymanI'
vereall
yenjoy
edhav ing
sexwi
thiwasreadytostar
tmyl i
fe
wit
hyoubecauseyouhaveit,y
ou'rea
goodmankegoreLolodestroyedy ou.
Aat
il
e:Andhowi
smysi
ze?
Didi
:Idon'tjudgeagood
perf
ormancebyt hesize,ij
udgea
manbyhi sconfidenceandabi l
it
yto
makeawomanr eachcl i
maxbutt o
answery ousizey agagoi sexcell
ent.
..
It
sper f
ectandy ou'regoodi nbedbut
theproblem istheper sonyou'r
e
havi
ngsexwi th,i
fshei snotsati
sfied
you'
llneverfeelli
key ou'r
egood
enough.
Aat i
le:That'str
uegonet otahel awi t
h
Lolokegor ehelakamar riagei snot
allaboutsexany way sthanksf oryour
honest y(sighed)Nowbackt ot he
reasoni cameher e...Lol
or eally
mi ssesy ouandi thinkshei s
frustrat
edabouty out wo.Ist herea
possi bi
li
tyofy outwomeet i
ngand
sor t
ingouty ourissues?I tbot hers
herhowy ouguysr elateandi can'
t
i
gnor eitbecausei thoughty ouguy s
aref ri
ends.
Didi
:Lolowasthefi
rstpersonicame
towheni ar
ri
vedfr
om thedeadand
shehitmewi t
haglassandt hat'
sfi
ne,
shedidn'
tknowbutafterknowing
whathappenedshenev erbotheredt o
checkonmey eti wasst i
tchedand
shenev erev enapol ogisedf oritke
i
pot sagor ewasshet r
yingtoki l
l me
forrealkanaj ang.I nsteadshewas
pushingmeasi delikeI '
m not hi
ng
busywi thherl if
ecur si
ngKen, nev er
oncepausedandsai dwel comeback,
imissedy ou..Let'
sgooutor
somet hing.Theonl yt i
meshesent
meamessagei swhenshenot i
cedi
wentt oAmer ica.Idon' tli
keaf riend
thatonlylikesmewhenI '
m
progressingandwhenI 'm suffering
shedi sappear s.Whatki ndof
fri
endshipi sthat ?
Aatil
e:Can'
tyoutwositandtal
k?I
'
m
tr
yingtohelpyoutwo,
y ou'
re
practi
cal
lysi
ster
s
Didi
:I'
m donewi t
hthatki
ndof
fr
iendship.I
'm alonernow.Nomore
fr
iends.Loloor atagorapel
wasonna
nkasekgonegomoobamel a,i
knowi
usedgomoobamel abutnot
anymor e.
Aat
il
e:Atl
eastIt
ri
ed
Di
di:
True.
.
Aat
il
e:(
stoodup)Ihav
etogo
Di
di:
Bye
Aat
il
e:Andt
hanksf
ort
hechat
Didi:Sureany t
ime,thinkabouty our
sexual needsandsat isfacti
on
i
nsteadoft hi
sfri
endshi p.Youhav e
optionsy oujustdon'twantt oseeit,
youneedt obeappr eciatedand
respected.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Wenakana
Didi
: don'tbeusedt othei deaof
maki ngot herpeoplehappyev en
whent hey'
renotmaki ngy ouhappy.I
remembermeet i
ngy ouf orthefi
rst
ti
mei nGabsol ehothotandoursex
whenwegother ebannawee( t
hey
bothl aughed)don'tlethersex
addictionaf f
ecthowy ouv iew
yourself.I'
mr eal
lysadt hatyou
settl
edforsomethingthatdoesn't
makey ouhappyjustbecausey ouar e
thi
nkingaboutthechil
drenandal lbut
thenmostwomengetst uckin
unhappymar r
iagesjustforchi
ldr
eni
guessitwouldn'
thurtifoneman
takesawoman' snonsensef oronce.
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)by
e
Di
di:
Bye

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Atschool
..
.
Intheaft
ernoonZaneappr
oachedthe
busketbal
lcourtwi
thoneofwhit
e
classmateNashandanother
Nigeri
anDayo..
.

Nash:
Manl
ookatt
hatgi
rl
Dayo:(
laughedbouncingthebal
l)I
don'
tknowwhyy oulikedarkski
nned
gi
rl
s
Nash:Darkgirl
sturnmeonand
they
'r
esweet .Il
ikehowshythey
'r
e
andtheyalwaysdowhaty ouwant
duri
ngsex.I'
vehadsexwi t
h3sof ar
andnoneoft hem di
sappoi
ntedme.
Zane:
Ihadsexwi
th4gi
rl
s2wer
e
blond,theotherwasabr unett
eand
theotherwasChi nese.It
sreall
ycool
watchingmybl ackdickteari
ngthat
whiteskin,i
tgivesmet hesensethat
I
'm oneoft hosepornlegends.
Day o:Idon'tcar eaboutt he
compl exioni justwantat hickni ce
one...Fatgirlsar ethesweet est,You
canact uallyfeel hermeatwi thy our
dickandshe' l
l squeezey ourdi ck..
.
Don'tev engetmest art
edont heir
ti
dies...
.you'v
egott olovet hickgi r
ls.
(pointedataf atstudentpassi ngby )
Seet hat?Shepr obablylet'sski nny
girl
sintimidateheranddoesn' tknow
herpussyi ssweet erthant heirs
Theylaughedandj oi
nedtheteam f
or
awarm upasBr idgetwal
kedt owar
ds
thecourtcarr
yingherbackpack
holdi
ngherbookst oherchest.A
groupofothergi rl
ssatbythechair
s
giggl
i
ngandpoi nti
ngwatchingthe
boyswar mingup. .
.

Minuteslat
erthecoachblewthe
whist
le,Dayopassedtheball
and
Zanejumpedmaki ngabusketasthe
team cl
appedhandswhi l
ethegi
rl
s
sit
ti
ngingroupscheered.
..
Bridgetsatal onewat chi
nghim
play i
ng, hehadasex yegotisti
c
l
aught erandthepeachf uzzabov e
hisl i
psmadehi m evenmor ecute.He
l
ookedgoodi nhiskitandhescor ed
mor ethanalltheotherplay
er s.
Act uallyheseemedmuchmor e
exper ienced,thecoachwas
i
mpr essedandhi steam mat esli
ked
him. ..

Shehadneverfel
tthewayshedi d
aboutaboybefor
e,sheglancedat
herwri
stwatchandsighed.Sheknew
herfat
herwasprobablywait
ingatthe
pi
ckupspotbutshejusthadt o
watchZaneonemoreti
me,hewas
sweati
ngalotandhedomi
natedt
he
wholegame..
.

Thecoachblewt hewhist
lefor
anot
hergroupasZaneandt heothers
gotoutofthecourtt
akingofft
heir
vest
sandgr abbedbott
lesofwater
.

Zanemetacert
aingir
lhal
fwayand
tal
kedt
oherholdi
ngabottl
eofwat er
asshegiggl
edt
akingoutherphone..
..

Cl
earl
yhewasaladi
esmanbutshe
st
il
lwant
edhershar
e,shel
ookedat
thegi
rlt
alki
ngtohi m andshewas
waytoobeautif
ul.
..Comet othi
nkof
i
thisAmer i
cangir
lfri
endwas
beaut
if
ultoothenshewonder edif
shewasbeautiful
enough.

Shepickedherbooksandwalked
awaythenZanerecognisedherand
tur
nedsmi l
i
ngather..
.

Zane:
Bri
dgethey
..
.

Dammit
,thewayhepr onouncedher
namewasbeauti
ful
,hepr onouncedit
wit
hanAmericanaccentanditleft
herbutt
erfl
iesi
nherst omach, she
didn'
tknowhernamewasbeaut i
ful
until
Zanesaidit
..
.Itwasf unnyhow
shewentf r
om Borij
eteto(Brij
it)
whichshethoughtwasani cetone
onlytohearabetterpronunciati
on
fr
om Zanehi msel
fcalli
ngherf luent
ly
i
nEngl i
shaccent(Bri
dge+i d)

Her anovert
oherrubbi
nghi
s
foreheadwit
hatowelhehadar
ound
hisneck..
.

Zane:
Hey
..
.
Br
idget
:Hi
Helookedi nhereyesandl ipsasshe
smiledshowinghert inytoothgap
betweenhert eeth,
shewasact ual
l
y
mor ebeauti
fulthanhet hought.
Meanwhi l
eshecur iouslywaited
l
ookingathi m ashegotl ostinher
eyes..
..
..
..
.

Br
idget
:What
?

Hesighedandli
ckedhi sli
pstr
yingto
thi
nkofsomething,hedidn'
teven
knowwhyhecal ledherandforthe
fi
rstt
imehisheartski
ppedashe
t
ri
edt
ofi
gur
eoutwhatt
osay
..
.

Zane:
Doy
oul
i
kebusketbal
l
?
Bri
dget:No,
justsawyouplayi
ngand
tur
ned.Inev
ertakeparti
nthese
thi
ngs

Helookedathert
estpaper
sandsl
i
d
outthemathemat
icsone.
..

Zane:
96%,
thi
sisgood
Br
idget
:Thanks
Zane:Bythewayi di
dn'
tsaveyour
fr
iend'
snumber,Idon'
tevenknow
whyIdi
dthat
.
Bri
dget:
Idon'tneedaf
ri
endli
kethat
,
youdon'tknowmeandy oudon'
tcar
e
butsheshouldknowbet
ter
Zane:
Wow.
..Yout
alkl
i
keanadul
t.
Bri
dget:(
smiled)Thanks, youmust
havebeenreall
ygoodi nbusketball
backinyourcountry,idon'tknow
howit'
splayedbuti cantellyouare
goodandev eryoneli
kesy ou.
Botswanaisalreadywelcomi ngyou
wit
hopenar ms
Zane:(l
aughed)Thanks,
(changed
accent
)keMot swanamme.Ij ust
wenttherebecausemybecausemy
dadwasschool
i
ng.
Bri
dget
:(l
aughed)Uhshehsoo
mpolai
sagocleanerEngl
i
shaccent
ker
eomoAmer ica
Zane:(
laughed)I
'
m sorr
y..
.Idi
dn'
t
thi
nkyou'dthi
nkI'
m Ameri
canke
Motswana
Bri
dget :
(laughedbl ushing)Like
seri
ouslyIwoul dhav enev erknown,
youhav eanAmer icanaccentand
yourhaircut,yourskinisallsmooth
andev erythi
ngabouty ouisjust
Amer i
ca...

Thei
rli
tt
lebondi
ngl
aught
ergot
i
nterr
uptedbyt
hecoach'
sangr
y
whist
le.
..

Coach:
Zane?

Heturnedbackt
oBridgetl
ookingin
herey
eswi t
hacutesmileof"oops".
..

Zane:
(smi
l
edcut
e)Shi
t,i
thi
nkI
'
min
tr
oubl
e
Br
idget
:(smi
l
ed)By
e
Zame: (wal
kingbackwardslooki
ngat
her)Youhav eabeauti
fulsmil
e,il
ike
yourteeth.
..
Bri
dget:
(smiledhuggi
ngherbooks)
Thanks.
..Il
i
ket hewayyousaymy
name

Heturnedaroundandrantowar
ds
thecoachasheswitchedonthe
humbleface.
..

Coach:
Zane?Whyar ey
out
alki
ngt
o
gi
rl
sduringpr
act
ice?
Zane:I'
m sor
ry,
ithoughti
wason
break
Coach:Doy ouseeanyonet
alki
ngt o
gir
ls?Ever
yoneisonthebench
seatedbutyou'
retal
ki
ngthi
sgirland
thatone,I'
m notgoi
ngt
otol
erat
ethat
behaviouri
nmyt eam
Zane:I'
m sorry,
backinHill
Highwe
hadcheerleadersandther
ewas
nothi
ngwr ongwi t
htal
kingtothem i
f
you'r
eon5
Coach:Wedon' thav
echeerl
eader
s
andy oudon'
tjustgost
andwithagir
l
l
eavingyourteam.Take6rounds

Het hr
ewNashhi stowelandran
aroundthecourtastheassi
stant
coachapproachedwithwaterfort
he
team..
.
Assi
stant:
Ournewcomerisal
ready
onpunishmentkanakewar
m up?
Coach:Ithi
nkwehav eourselvesa
tr
oublemaker,heisexcel
l
entont he
courtbuthegetseasi
lydi
stractedby
gi
rls
Assi
stant
:Eneolebegaarat
a
bany
anairi
lekebonahel
aat samay
a
l
eDay okarewai
ikanaDayor at
a
bany
ana.
Coach:Nashleeneor atabanyana,i
hopetheydon'tt
roublemebutI '
m
exci
tedabouthim.Hei sexcel
lent
tot
a.Hewilldefi
nit
elygetusthrough
theseason.Tr
ophykey
aronat
his
season.
.

Theypausedt alkinglookingatZane
runningpastagr oupofgi rl
sast hey
burstedint
olaugherchant i
nghi
s
nameashel aughedt akingthelast
roundandst oodbyt hel i
ne
stret
chingbeforej oi
ningNashand
Day oastheytalkedlookingatthe
groupofgirl
ssittingont hebenches...

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
..

Bay
angpar
kedt
hecarandJuni
or
steppedoutt
henBr
idgetst
epped
out..
.

Bay
ang:
Bri
canwet
alk?

Shegotbackinsi
deandclosedthe
doorthenBayanghandedhert
he
phoneshowingherthepi
cZane
sent
..
.

Bayang: Zane' smot herwasmy

gir
lf
ri
endy ear sagoandt her
ewasa
ti
mei wasdepr essedandnot
thi
nkingstr aight,idon'
tremember
whati wast alki
ngt oFai
thaboutbuti
madet hemistakeofpi nningher
downwi t
hmyhandcov eringher
mout handnose.If eel ver
ybadf or
doingitandnooneknowst his
exceptZaneandhei susi ngy outo
hurtme.Idon' tknowi fFaithtol
dher
otherbutwej ustnevert al
kedaboutit
.
Stayawayf r
om hi m...Lookatt he
messagehesent ,hei snoty our
fr
iendandhedoesn' thav egood
i
ntentionsabouty ou.

Bri
dgetr
eadthroughthemessageas
herhear
tshut
tered.
...
Br
idget
:I'
l
lst
ayawayf
rom hi
m
Bay
ang:
You'
renotconv
inci
ng
Br
idget
:I'
l
lst
ayawayf
rom hi
m.
Bayang:
Letmeknowi
fhet
roubl
es
youokay?
Bri
dget:Okay,i
onl
yagreedtotakea
pi
cturebecausehewasnicebutI'
ll
neverdoitagai
n.
Bayang:
Okay,youcangoi nsi
de.I'
m
goi
ngbacktowor k.I
'
mf il
li
nginfor
Tshepohiswi
feisinlabour

Bri
dgetgotherbookswalkedi
nside
thehousewheresheclosedher
self
i
ntheroom andbur
iedherf
aceon
t
hepil
l
owcr yi
ng.

AtKamo'
shouse.
..
.

Therewasaknockonthedoorand
sheopenedt
hedoorwi t
hpuff
yeyes
thenAat
il
ewalkedinl
ookingi
nher
eyesasheputthekey
sinhispocket
..
.

Aat
il
e:Hey
..
.
Kamo:
Hey
..
.Mi
ght
yissl
eepi
ng
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?
Kamo:
Yeah
Aat
il
e:Wecant
alki
fyoudon'
tmi
nd
Kamo: I'
mj ustlonel
yy ouknow, i
don'tunderstandwhyi can'
tfi
nda
man.I stheresomet hingwrongwith
meorI 'mjustnotmeantt obehappy?
Imeanmydaught ermakesmehappy
butIneedacompani on,someoneto
stayupal lni
ghtwi t
handchat .
Aat
il
e:I'
m sur
eGodi splanning
somethi
ngforyou,goodthingscome
tot
hosewhowai t.
Kamo: I
'
mt i
redofwait
ing,i
t'
sbeen
year swithouthavi
ngsex,canyou
believethat?Ihaven'
thadsexinover
4y ears,somethingassimpleassex
i
srar
etome
Aat
il
e:Wowt
hat
'sal
ot
Kamo: Iwonderiftherearewomen
l
ikemeoutt her
e.Keipotsagoreake
maswet hat
aorwhat ?(t
earf
ull
y)
kooreotherpeoplearegetti
ng
att
enti
onbannahappybutnnake
oneallthetime

Shetearful
l
yrubbedhereyesas
Aati
lehuggedherandrubbedher
back..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..
Lat
erthataft
ernoonZanewalkedin
andpausedatthedoorlooki
ngat
KenandDi di
sitt
ingonthecouch
wait
ingforhi
m. .
.

Ken:
Sitdown

Zanesi
ghedandsatdown.
..

Ken:Lail
a'
smothercall
ed,Lai
l
ais
pregnant
,whydi
dn'tyoutel
lmeyou
gotsomebodypregnant?
Zane:
Idi
dn'
tknowhowt
ost
art
,I'
m
sor
ry
Ken:Shewant sherdaughtert
oabort
becauseshecan'taff
orditandwe
can'
taffordtosupportababyyou
knowI '
m notworki
ngsoi syour
mother.Unlessyouhaveabet t
erpl
an
foryourki
d
Zane:isuggest
edi
tandsheref
used.
Wet al
kedanhouragoandshe
ref
used.
Didi
:Hermothert
hinksi
fyoul
eav
e
hershemightagr
ee.
Ken:
Doy
oul
oveher
?
Zane:
Yes,
iloveherbutidon'
tthi
nk
i
t'
sagoodideatokeepthebabybut
shedoesn'
twantt
oheari
t.
Ken:Iwoul dn'thav eapr oblem wi t
h
herifshewasn' tunder agebutnow
youmi ghtf acej ailti
me, idon'twant
youtoev ergot oj ailbecausei t
'snot
easyi st
il
l havet oexpl ainmy sel f
eachtimei tr
av el andi getsear ched
andquest ionedf orhour sinairports.
Youseey ou'renowput ti
ngmei na
dif
fi
cultsituationwher emyr eli
gion
anddecisionsgodi fferentdirecti
ons.
Aborti
oni swr ongbuti fwedon' tdoit
youwon' tgoscot -
free
Zane:I'
l
ltryl
eavi
ngherbecausewe
won'tevermeetany
waysoi guess
wewer egoingtobr
eakupatsome
poi
nt
Didi
:Ifeel
sorryf
orher,i
knowt he
painofhavingababyony ourown.
Let'
shopet hepr
essur
epusheshert o
doit.
Zane:
OK
Ken:
(si
ghed)Go,
I'
ll
tal
ktoy
oul
ater

Zanegothisbagandheadedt ohi
s
room changinghisDpf r
om Lai
lat
o
him wit
hBridget.Thenheupdated
hisstat
us..
."Blackisbeaut
if
ul,
my
queen"
Atschool
..
..
.

ThenextmorningDi
di parkedthecar
andsteppedoutcar
ryi
ngHazel wi
th
herbagasFait
hclosedt hedoorand
ranaft
eroneofherfr
iends...
.

Fai
th:
Byemama
Di
di:
Bye.
.

Zanesteppedoutofthecarand
walkedtowardstheseni
orclassesas
Bri
dgetsteppedoutofherfather
's
carthenhestoppedandstaredather
assheheadedt
othej
uni
orcl
asses.

Het ur
neddashedbehindthecl
asses
andsurpri
sedherappeari
nginfr
ont
ofherwithali
tt
lesmil
ebutshedidn'
t
smile,
inst
eadshewalkedpasthim
thenhegrabbedherarm..
.

Zane:
Didi
dosomet
hingwr
ong
Bri
dget
:(pushedhi
shand)No,you'
re
notwhoi t
houghty
ouwere.Isaw
yourmessage,l
eavemealone.
Zane:Idi
dn'
tmeant hat,i
mean..
..
Okayatfi
rstimeantitbuttheni
kind
ofl
ikedyou.I
'
m sorry.
Br
idget
:Leav
emeal
one
Zane:Ohcomeonpleasetel
lme
you'
renott
heemot
ionalty
pes
Br
idget
:Mxm
Zane:
Bri
dget
?

Hel ookedbehindcheckingfor
teachersandgr abbedherarmturni
ng
heraroundt henhekissedheras
otherstudentswalkedpastthem.It
wassof tandbri
efthenhestepped
backl ookingi
nherey es.
..

Zane:
I'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tpl
ant
oli
ke
you..
.(walki
ngbackwardslooki
ngat
her)I
tjusthappenedanditchanged
upmypl anstoo.I'
m sor
ry

Het ur
nedandwal kedawaythenshe
headedtoclasssecret
lyt
ouchingher
l
ipswithali
ttl
esmi l
eandabitof
pri
deasshewal kedpasttheother
gir
lsshever
ywel lknewwantedhim
too.
..

*
**

Meanwhil
eDididr
oveoutoft
he
school
tur
ningupthemusicv
olume
l
ist
eningtoprai
seasthecarbehi
nd
herfl
ashedtheli
ght
s.

Shef r
ownedl ookingattheunf ami
li
ar
carandpulledov erthenthecar
stoppedbehindher ,thedri
ver
steppedoutassheadj ust
edt he
mi r
rorfi
xi
ngherl ipst
ick;Bayanggot
i
nt hepassengersi deandclosedthe
door..
.

Bay
ang:
Weneedt
otal
k,
Di
di:
Getoutofmycar
,now
Bayang:Ther
eissomethi
ngi
hav
eto
tel
lyouaboutFai
th.
..
Di
di:
What
?

Bayanghandedherthepaperwhich
sheunfol
dedandreadthenlooked
backathi
m..…

Di
di:
You'
rel
yi
ng

Sheshreddedt
hepaperandthr
ewi
t
out
sidethenst
art
edthecar
..
.

Di
di:
Getout
Bayang:Iwasn'
tdone.Zanei
s
thr
eateni
ngmy -
Di
di:
Justgetout
Bayang:Angerdoesn'
tchange
any
thing-
Di
di:
(angr
il
y)Getout
..

Hesteppedoutt
henshedr
ove
of
f.
..
..
..
.

Idozedoffbeforeposti
nglast
ni
ght'
sinser
tsot heschedule
cont
inuesasnormal 2mor einser
ts
comingtoday.Don'tfor
gettoLike
andcomment ,goodmor ni
ng.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
19AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 137

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
Mr sMogapi :Idon'tunderst andwhy
you'r
ecr y
ingbecausei fyouwer e
sorryyoucoul dhav ejustputony our
shoesandcamet omyhouse, l
ook
mei ntheey esandapol ogiset hentel
l
met hatthegi rlmysoni sdat ingis
yourdaught er.Justforthesakeof
ourchildr
ensowecanputal lthese
dramabehi ndusbutno, youj usthad
toenjoymaki ngmeaf ool.
Lolo:(
tearful
l
y )Whathurt
smet he
mostist hatyouthi
nkitsthateasy ,
i
didn'
tevenknowt hat'
showy ou'd
respond.Howdoy oufaceanot her
wifeandsayI '
m sorr
yi sl
eptwi th
yourhusband?
Mr sMogapi:I
fyoucanbebrave
enoughtosleepwit
hamar ri
edman
whilewear
ingyourhusband'
sri
ng
thenyoucandoany t
hing
Lolo:Somet i
meswedon' tapologi
se
becausewear eproudofwhatwedi d
butbecausewedon' twantt ohurt
peoplebyr emindi
ngt hem ofthepain
wecausedt hem.Ididn'tknowhow
you'drespond
Mr sMogapi:Howel sewoul
di have
responded?Youalreadyenj
oyedmy
husbandandev er
yt imehecame
homehewast i
red,hehadallkindsof
excusesfornothavingsexwithme.
I'
dgof orweeksataaot sel
ahel a,I
'
d
fi
ndcondomsi nt hecarandy ou
didn'
tcareaboutmebecausey ou
didn'
tcleanaf tery ourself
.Ipicked
condomsf oryou.Idon' tunderst and
howonecanagr eet omakeav ideo
withsomeonet hey '
renotmar r
iedt o
butit'
sokay .Godwi llanswerf orme,
I'
mv erydisappoi ntedt hatyou, your
husbandandmyv eryownhusband
knewaboutt hiswhol ethingbut
decidedtokeepmei ndar k.Iwast he
fooli
shonebutI t
'sfine.I'
m gladIsaw
you,that'
sall i
want ed.Igott he
closureineeded, I
'll
heal .
Lol
o:I
'
m sorr
yfordest
roy
ingyour
home,Iwon'
tgi
veyouanyexcuses.I
hadnor ightandwhat ever
punishmentGodbr i
ngsI'llt
akei t
l
yingdownandst il
llooky ouinthe
eyestell
ingyouI '
m sorr
y .I'
vehurta
l
otofpeopl einthepastandi t
'sokay
tohateme, it
sokaybutdon' tletmy
mistakestakey ourhappinessaway .
I'
m sorryandi t
hinki di
dn'twantt o
knowy oubecausei twoul dhav e
beenhar dtocarryonknowi nghis
wife.
Mr sMogapi:I
tsokay ,
thewaymyson
l
ov esyourdaughterIpraytoGody ou
rai
sedherwel l
becauset helastt
hing
ineedishim gett
inghurt.Hecan't
stoptal
kingabouther,mysonhas
beenthroughal otbecauseofhi
s
stat
ussowhenhet ol
dmeaboutt hi
s
beauti
fulposit
ivegirl
igotemoti
onal.
I'
vemetMay aandshei swonder
ful,
i
hopeshedoesn' thurtmysonthe
wayy ouhurtherfather.
Lol
o:Mayai
snotme, shel
oves
Andr
ewandi canassur
eyouthatshe
i
snothi
ngli
keme.
MrsMogapi:
(looki
ngather
)Thank
youf
oryourti
me
Lol
o:Howdi
dyouf
indout
?
MrsMogapi
:Idon'
tbur
nbr
idges.
.
Haveagoodday
Shestoodupandl
eftasLol
oleaned
back.
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Aatil
ecli
ckedonthevi
deoagai
nand
fi
nishedwatchi
ngit

((
(((t
hemanr emovedthecondom
anddr oppedhismilkyj
uiceson
Lolo'
sf l
attummy .
.

Lol
o:(
moaning)OhGod...
you'
reso
good.
..I
'
veneverf
eltt
hisgood.
Mogapi
:(ki
ssedherandl
aughed)
Youmarr
iedthewrongone
Lol
o:(l
aughedwipi
nghert
ummy )I
marr
iedthewrongonenxust
ruu)
)))
)

Hisheartbeati ncreasedrapidlyashe
supportedhi mselfwi tht
hewal l
l
osingbr eath,thewhol ebui
lding
appearedt obeshaki ngasi
ft her
e
wasanear thquaket henhelosthis
balanceslidingdown.

Tshepost
eppedoutcarr
yingAdel
e
andranovertouchi
nghi
sface
checki
nghispupil
s..
.
Tshepo:
HeyAt t
ie?(
mil
dlysl
appi
ng
hi
m)Gor il
eng?

Herantot
henur
sest
ati
oncar
ryi
ng
Adel
e..

Tshepo:
(pant
ing)Guys!Aat
il
eis
fai
nti
ngovert
here,hur
ry!

Heranbackast heothernursepulled
thechai
randfoll
owed, Tshepo
handedhert
hebabyandputAat il
e
onthewheelchairt
henhepi ckedthe
phoneandpushedhi
mtot
he
emergency
..
.

Tshepo:
Aat
il
legor
il
eng?Bual
enna
Aati
le:(
handsshaking)Ican'
tbel
iev
e
thi
s..
..(
touchedhischest
)Ihave
chestpainsithi
nkI'
m havi
ngaheart
att
ack..
.

Minuteslat
erTshepodrovei
ntothe
emergencyroom,whereadoct or
examinedhim andhookedhi
m ont he
ECGmachi neashechantedinaudi
ble
words..
..
Doct or: (mutteredwr i
ti
ngdownon
thecar d)Sel ectiveserotonin
reupt akei nhi
bitors.
..
.(clearedhi
s
throatl ookingatt henur se)Heis
hav ingapani cattack.Isthe
psy chot herapistaround?
Nur
se:
I'
ll
conf
ir
m

Thenursehurr
iedoutasTshepo
cl
ickedonthevideoandsi
ghedin
di
sbeli
ef.
..

Tshepo:
Ohno.
..
Heremember edhisdaughterand
hurr
iedoutt
ogethert henhewent
backtoMaya'sroom..
.

AtMay
a'sr
oom.
..

Mi nut
eslaterMay a'
sey esf
il
ledwith
tearsasshewat chedt heexpli
cit
videowhi l
eholdinghersonwi ththe
otherarm breast
feeding.

Tshepostoodnexttohercar
rying
Adelet
henMay arubbedhertears
andputthephonedown...
May
a:I
sheokay
?
Tshepo:
Hei
shav
ingapani
cat
tack
May a:Thiswomani sgoingt oki ll
my
father,ir
ememberonet i
meat hala
papai nfrontofmeandst eppi ngon
myt oesagogadi beke.Ar eket swe
koloikeherboy f
riend.Iwasy oung
buti understoodwhatwas
happening. .
.Thatwast hefirstt i
mei
sawmyf ather'stears.Hecr iedonmy
stomachkemodi dimatsaandwhat 's
painfuli
st hatshesai dev erythingin
frontofmekel emonny e.(rubbeda
tear)Idon'tunderstandwhymy
fathercan'
tfi
ndl ovelegor ewhy
doeshekeepgoi ngbackt oher.Now
thatI'
m oldidon'tunderstandwhy
shekeepsdoi ngt hi
s.Kantegonna
fai
thfulgothatamobat hongba
bangwekanaj ang?haony et
swe
santseobat aengandhowdar eshe
sayshemar r
iedthewr ongone.She
madeherboy fri
enddisrespectmy
father
Tshepo:
(si
ghed)Idon'
tknowwhatt
o
say.
..
May a:Idon'
tthinkI
'
llev
erloveher,
i
didn'
tunderstandbackthenbutnow
thatI'
m oldIcanseeherforwhoshe
reall
yis.
.
Mayarubbedhert
ear
sandl
aidher
babydown..
..

Att
hebout
ique.
..
.

Didi
'sphonevibratedonthedesk
thensheleanedov er"Angel
dust
call
i
ng"shegr abbeditandanswered
l
eaningback..
.

Voi
ce:
Hal
l
o?
Di
di:
Hi
Voi
ce:
Wher
edoi
meety
ou?
Di
di:
Comet oPumafi
ll
i
ngstat
ion
l
ove,whatar
eyouwear
ing?
Voi
ce:Ihavel
ongdreadlocksandI'
m
weari
ngablackRastafar
ianther
mal
hat
,I'
mtall
andcoloured.
Voi
ce:
Okay
,5mi
nut
es.

Shehungupandpul l
edthef
ir
st
drawerofhershel
fandwether
thumbbeforecounti
ngt
hehundreds.

Didi
:(droppingthenotes)1,
2,3,
4,
5,6,
7,8..ngng( r
etur
nedtheother
hundred)7day sisenough.
ShefoldedP700andshov edi
tinher
backpocketandlockedherof
fice
walki
ngacrosstheshopheadingto
theexi
t..
.

Di
di:
Tshi
dikeet
aaut
wa
Her
:Okay
..

Shewalkedoutoft
heshopand
headedtoPumadial
ingLol
o'
s
number.
..

Lol
o:(
lowv
oice)Hel
l
o?
Didi
:Arey
ouatt
heoff
ice?Iwas
thi
nki
ngwecoul
dtal
k
Lol
o:I'
minabadmoodt oday
..
.
Nothi
ngisgoi
ngr
ightf
orme.
Di
di:I
'mfeeli
ngthesamewayhere,
mybusinessisl
owandZanei sgoi
ng
af
tergi
rl
slikeadoginheat
..
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Teenagerswill
humbleyou,comemay bei canhel
p
kannasetsebankatisi
tseboMay ale
Agat
ha
Di
di:
(laughed)Okl
oveby
e

Shehungupandcr
ossedt
her
oad.
..
AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..
..

Minut
esl
aterLol
o'sphoner
angand
shest
oppedtypi
ngpicki
ngthecal
l
...

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
May a: MayGodf orgivemef orwhat
I
'm aboutt osaybuty ou'rethemost
ungrat ef
ulwomanI '
veev ermet .My
fathermety ouwi thBabyMay aasena
l
ehael esepeseanangl esone, he
paidf orMaya'sschool feesand
boughthercl othes,l
ov edherand
treatedherli
kehi sowndaught erthen
yout alkabouthi
mlikethisonyour
sexv ideos?Ihopemyf at
hergetsout
ofthehospi t
alandgetsthestr
ength
toleav eyouandneverlookatyou
again.

Mayahungupt henLol
opickedher
handbagandleapedupasBaby'
scall
camet hr
ough.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Baby:
Uhmamammal ehagot we
papagasebiol
ogi
calf
atheryameo
ray
agor el
ehagont
sejaanakego
tot
ehela?Whyodirapapajaana?
Andy
ouwer
ebusyj
udgi
ngus.Mxm

ShehungandLolobumpedonDi
di
walki
ngi
nholdi
ngabottl
eofwat
er.
..

Lol
o:(tear
ful
l
y)Ihav
etogot
othe
hospi
tal
Di
di:
Whathappened?Cani
come?

Theyr andownstair
stot hecarwhere
Lolojumpedi nt
hedr i
ver
ssidewhile
Didigotinthepassengerseat.
.

Di
di:
Letmedr
ive,
yourshaki
ng.
..
Theyswitchedt
heseatsthenDidi
openedthebott
leofwaterand
handedher..
.

Didi
:Hav
esomewat
erandcal
m
down

Shestar
tedthecarasLolodrunkhal
f
oft
hebot t
leandpul
ledtheseat
bel
t.
..
..

Di
di:
Whathappened?
Lol
o:(
fi
nishedt
hewat
er)Ican'
t
bel
i
evet
his.
..
..

Appreci
atet
heinsertswit
haLike
anddropacomment ,thenexti
nser
t
fol
l
owsat11pm tonight.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
19AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 138

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Tshepost oodbyt hewi ndowcar r

ying
Adelewhi l
eBabyandAgat haboth
stoodont heot hercor nerall
watchingast henur sechecked
Aatil
e'
sbl oodpr essur et henshe
pull
edt henoisyi nfl
at ablecuffaround
hi
sar m andpi ckedt he
sphygmomanomet erf rom thebed...
Nurse:
Yourbl
oodpr
essur
eisst
il
l
hi
gh
Aat
il
e:(
sighed)Thanks.
.
Nurse:I
'
m goi
ngtogetsomefor
ms
t
hissidesowecanfi
nishup
Aat
il
e:Ok

Shepushedhert
rol
l
eyontheother
si
deasthegir
lsmovedov
er.
..

Baby
:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Aati
l
e:I'
ll
befineguys,gohome.
Agathagohomey ou'r
ewrit
ingt
est
s,
youshouldbereadi
ng.
Agat
ha:Wej ustwant
edt
oseei
f
you'
reokay
.
Aatil
e:I
'
mf i
ne,I
'm suret
omorrow
theywil
ldischar
geme.I tsj
usthi
gh
bloodpressure,
itwill
godown.
Baby:I
'l
lcomebylatert
odropoff
yourbat
hingsetandevery
thi
ng.
Aat
il
e:Okay
..
.

BabyandAgathaeachl i
ft
edAdele
bi
ddinghergoodbyesbeforewalki
ng
outasTshepo'
ssisterwalkedi
n...

Her
:May
awentt
othecar
,wear
e
waiti
ngforyou.Mmel
eeneareo
ntshengwanamospatel
aotogaa
tsaamalwetse
Tshepo:
Alr
ight
,I'
m comi
ng.
.

Shewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoor
asTshepomov edcl
oser
..
.

Tshepo:I
'
m goi
ng,
cal
lmei
fyouneed
anyt
hing.
Aat
il
e:Di
dthechi
l
drenseet
hev
ideo?
Tshepo:
Idon'
tknow,
ishowedMay
a.
Aat
il
e:I
twasn'
tnecessar
ytodot
hat
Tshepo:
Igety
ourpoi
ntbutnnakana
May aismywi f
eandwedon' tkeep
anythi
ngfrom oneanothergapewhat
reasonwouldi gi
veherforhi
ding
somethingthatmadey oufai
nt?
Aati
le:
It'
sokay
,iunder
stand.Thanks
forhel
ping
Tshepo: Shap,Mayahasbeen
dischargedandmymot heri
salr
eady
athomewai t
ingforherandthe
chil
dren.
Aat
il
e:Shap

HewalkedoutandbumpedonLol
o
andDi
di wal
ki
nginasAati
l
elai
don
hi
sback..
.
Lol
o:Hi
Aat
il
e:Di
dicany
ougi
veusami
nut
e?
Di
di:
Ohokay
..

Shepushedt hedoorandwalkedout
thenLolosatont heedgeofbed
touchi
ngAatile'
shand..
.

Lol
o:At
ti
e
Aatil
e:(
pushedherhands)Don'
t
touchme,ithoughtweareovert
his
cheati
ngphase
Lol
o:Can'
tyouseei
t'
sanol
dvi
deo?
Koor ewenaoi sit
segoboulel
ako
pelehela?Youal r
eadyf
orgavemefor
sleepingwithhim.Don'
ttel
lmeyou
thinkit'
srecent
Aatil
e:Ei
therwayLolocomeon, I
didn'
tknowy out
hinky oumarr
iedme
bymi st
akeandallthosethi
ngsyou
said?
Lol
o:Ij
ustsai
dthatbuti
didn'
tmean
i
t.I
'
m sorr
y
Aati
le:
(angri
ly)Howdoy oudot hi
s?
Makingav i
deo?Howst upidcanone
be?Idon'tt
hinkI'
l
lnevergetoverthi
s.
Areyousurethereisn'
tonewithyour
faceonit
?Youcoul dloseyourjob
ov
erst
upi
dthi
ngsl
i
ket
his
Lol
o:(
stoodup)What
ever
Aatil
e:(
frowned)"Whatev
er"?You
hurtmetalkingbadaboutmewi t
h
yourboyfri
endandsaywhat ev
erto
me?
Lolo:(angri
ly)Idon'tknowwhaty ou
wantmet osayany more,okayy eshe
fuckedmeandi l
ikeditsowhat ?It
's
notmyf aul
ty ou'
reslowinbed.Di d
yout hi
nkI '
djustlaydownanddi eof
boredom wi thyou?Iwast iredofy our
boringsexandbor ingrel
ationship,do
youev ertakemeout ?No, everbuy
meany t
hing?Noy ou'r
ejustazombi e
wal
kingaroundcar
ingforchi
ldr
en,
chi
l
drenthis,
chi
ldr
enthat.
..
Aati
l
e:I
'm donet
alki
ngt
oyou,
bye.
Getout
Lol
o:Yeahwhatever
,ionl
ymarr i
ed
youbecauseI
'
m safewithyou,bett
er
saf
ethansorr
yright
?Waabor ale
wenawai t
se,
mxm.
Aati
le:
I'
m notgoingt
ofor
giv
eyouf
or
thi
sone,otwaetse
Lolo:
Idon'
tcar
eify
ouwal
kaway
fr
om thi
s..
..

Aat
il
etear
ful
l
ylookedatherasshe
wal
kedtowar
dsthedoorandtookoff
herri
ngt henshet urnedhitt
inghim
withi
t,hebl ockedhidinghisfaceas
theri
nghi thisarm andf el
lonthe
sheet
st henshesl ammedt hedoor
onherwayout ..
.

Meanwhil
eoutsi
deDidist
oodup
r
unningbehi
ndLolo.
..

Di
di:
Arey
ouokay
?
Lol
o: I
'mfinegakeratenonsenseke
gore,nonsensehelajaana.
.(angr
il
y
scr
eamed)Nonsense!Ican' tbeli
evei
l
efttheofficef
orthisrubbi
shonlyto
betoldnonsense.I'
m goingbackto
wor
k.
Di
di:
Okay
,let
'sgo.

Theygotinthecaranddrov
eoffas
Lol
o'sphonerangoverandover
..
.

Di
di:
Aren'
tyouget
ti
ngt
hat
?
Lol
o:It'
sfr
om MrFr i
day '
sassistant
,
thi
smancanbeannoy ing.Hei sso
bossy.I
fianswerhimI '
llt
ell
himt o
shovehisdickwherethesundoesn' t
shi
nebecausehei stoobossy ,him
andtherestofthoseboardmember s,
boZamboandot herstupi
dinv est
ors.
Iwasgoingt oatt
endthemeet ing
anddot hepr esentationbutI '
llpass.
Aatil
espoi ltmymoodkanonsense
yabogol ogolo, andy ouseeMogapi '
s
wifedeser vesasl apacr ossthef ace
forbeingal i
ar.Whydi dshesendt he
damnv i
deot omyhusband?Obat a
gony edisiwa, obabol el
elegorenna
keashi mega.Fr om her eI'
m calli
ng
Baby,shei sgi vingmeAndr ewsohe
cangiv emehi smot her '
snumbersoi
cantellher60.Kebat agommol ela
kemot atsekagor eodi ri
l
ebol oi
sendingmyhusbandsuchav ideo
andthencomi ngt omyof fi
cewi tha
sobst ory.
..Nxl a
Minutesl
aterDi
diparkedthecarand
grabbedtheemptybottl
eofwateras
Lologotherbagandwal kedi
nsi
de..
.

Lol
o:By
e
Di
di:
Bye.
..

Di
didr
oveof
f.
..
.

Atconf
erencer
oom.
..
.

Themeeti
nggotdismissedast
he
whit
ecol
larshookhandsand
l
aughedchatt
ingwhil
ewalki
ngoutof
theconfer
enceroom,Lolowal
ked
pastthem wi
thoutaword..
.

MrFr
iday
:(smi
l
ed)Mr
sJohnson-
Lol
o:(
gavehi
mthehand)Pl
i
s..
.Ska
mphaphel
atu

Theyal
llookedatoneanot
herasMr
Fri
dayl
ookeddownabi t
embarr
assed..
.

MrFr
iday
:Mr
sJohnson-
Lol
o:(wal
ki
ngaway)Iknew10
minut
eswouldnotpassbef
orey
ou
cal
lmyname.Ibetnel
ethul
athul
ana
hel
akeseokafi
leyame,l
egamogile
kegonegor
ataboboso.
MrZambo: (
angr
il
y)Fi
reher!I
'
m not
havi
ngsuchbehavi
ouri
nfrontoft
he
i
nvestor
s.
MrFriday
:I'
ll
writ
eanoff
ici
alwar
ning,
sheisaloyalwor
ker
.Shedeser
ves
that
MrSefo:Idon'
texpectt
hiski
ndof
behav
iourfr
om her.
MrFr
iday
:Weal
lhav
eourbadday
s
Mr sFri
day:(suspi
ciousl
ylooki
ngat
him)Iguessshehast hefi
rstwarni
ng,
that'
sstri
keone.
..
.I'
veneverseen
anyonetalkyouliket
hatandI'm
surpr
isedbyy ourcal
mness.(sl
owly
)
Str
ike1,ifshedoesthisagai
nI'm
fi
ri
nghermy sel
f.
..

MrsFr i
daycatwalkedawayswinging
herhipsasMrFridayrubbedhisli
ps
tur
ningbacktohisbusinesspart
ners.
.

MrFriday: Gentl
emanI 'm sur
eitwon'
t
happen, iapologiseonherbehalf
.I
knowi t'
sannoy ingtopaysomeone
andthenhav ethem mi ssan
i
mpor tantpresent at
ionthendothi
s
butI'
l
ldeal withi t
.
MrZambo: Asecondpromot
ionand
shedoesthi
s?Wow, whowouldhav
e
thought
..
.
MrSefo:Pleasemakesur eidon't
l
osemoneybecauseofy ourpoor
j
udgement ,employ
eesstartl
ikethi
s.
Thenextthingshesteal
sfrom the
company..
MrFr i
day :
Ifshedoesthi
sagainI'
m
sendingherpacking,
let'
sjustf
oll
ow
therules.Ourpart
ner
shiphas
guideli
nes.Let'
snotl
etangerand
frust
rati
ongetthebestofus.

Theyal
lwal
kedoutandheadedt
o
theparki
nglotwher
eLolowal
ked
pastthem humminganddr
oveof
f..
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Minutesl
atershewalkedinthe
householdingherbagandsatonthe
bedsearchingforsomet
hingthen
Setsowalkedinwithaplat
eoffood.
.

Set
so:
(smi
l
ed)Cani
comei
n?
Lol
o:Come
Set
so:
Her
eisy
ourf
ood.
.
Whenshel ookedint heplateshe
noti
cedit
swasn' tfoodasasnake
uncurl
editsel
fandcr awledont he
bedthenshegr abbedherbagand
swungitsheaddown.Bef oreshe
coul
dunder st
anditturnedi nt
oSetso
asshelaidonthebedf earful
l
y
l
ookingatherblockingwi thherli
tt
le
handshakingthenshedr oppedthe
bag..
.

Lol
o:Set
so?Ar
eyouokay
..
?
Set
so:
(fear
ful
l
y)Whydi
dyouhi
tme?
Lolo:I
'
m sorr
y,go.
..Don'tt
ell
any
one.
I'
m sorr
y.I
fyoutel
l any
oneI'm
chasi
ngy
ouout
.

Setsor ubbedt
hebumponher
foreheadandsadlywal
kedout
closingthedoor.
..
.

DAYSLATER.
..
.
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
19AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 139

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Fri
daymor ningJuniorandKatlofi
xed
breakfastint heki
tchenwhileRanaan
andKgot sobathedplayi
nginthe
bathroom t henSetsoknockedont he
doorf ol
lowedbySedi 'sdaughter
..
.
Setso:
Guysf
ini
shup,
youdon'
thav
e
enoughti
me

Setsopassedt
othekit
chenand
handedBashal
ehershare.
..

Setso:
Doyouev
erhav
eRussi
anat
yourmom'
s?
Bashal
e:Yeah
Setso:
Okay..Hereyougo,iwas
afr
aidtogi
vey ouchil
l
ist
uff.(
laughed)
Doesn'
tyourgapgetchil
li
?
Bashal
e:(
laughedwi
thami
ssi
ng
toot
h)Nooooo
SetsoandBashal
elaughedasthe
guysmadehugeslicesofbreadwhi
l
e
chatt
ingwi
ththei
rvoicesdown..
.

Juni
or:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)I
'
mtel
l
ing
youmansheissexyAF
Kat
lo:(
laughed)Ij
ustdon'
tl
ikegi
rl
s
whotal
kt oomuch
Junior
:Talkat
ivegi
rlsar
ethebest
though.
..Shepromisedmeablowjob
Setso:(
walki
ngoutwit
hBasha)
Talki
ngaboutLi
saisgoingt
ogett
o
schooll
ate.
.
Juni
or:Notsol
oudmamaot
aa
utwa.
..
Kat
lo:
Aft
erschool
I'
m goi
ngt
ocheck
ondad
Junior
:Thi
shighbloodpr
essure
thi
ngisannoy
ing,whycan'
ttheyjust
rel
easehim
Setso:Apparent
lyhemi ghthavea
heartatt
ackororganf ai
lur
eifhei
s
notunderobservati
onCar lt
ri
edto
explai
nittomeov erthephonebutuh,
I'
m confusedevenmor e.

Theypausedt
alki
ngasLol
o'sloud
scol
dechoedfr
om thebat
hroom
thentheyallwal
kedt othebat hr
oom
holdi
ngcupsoft eaandbr eadwher e
theywatchedLolopushKgot sowho
sli
ppedaroundwi thfoamyf eettr
ying
tobalancehimselfbutfi
nall
yf el
lon
hisbuttnaked.

Lolo:
(imitat
ed)Nywe-ny
weinthe
bathr
oom makukuaakanaker ekea
robal
ay ourshi
t!Wenawaregolomo
kentuy agammago?

I
nAgat
ha'
sroom.
..

Meanwhi
l
eAgat
haputherr
evi
sion
testpaperont hemiddleofher
biol
ogyt extbookandclosedit
maki ngherwayt othebathroom
wher eKgotsowascr yi
ngasLol o
smackedhi m onthehead.Juniorand
Ranaanhel pedKgotsogetupashe
shylyblockedhisli
tt
ledick.

Agat
ha:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Lol
o:(knockedKgot soonthehead
wit
hherknuckl es)Andmopt hi
s
bat
hroom, I
'm sickandti
redofhav
ing
youpeoplearoundher e.
Agatha:(angr
il
y)Kantemamaka
ekar
er egolapi
sit
sejaanamal
atsi
a
whyosabuehela?Thepastfewday
s
youbeenvi
olentonmybrother
sand
sist
er,
why
?
Lolo:Setsanai fy out hi
nky ouar eol
d
enoughj ustbecausey oul i
ckanother
woman' sv aginay oucangety our
sibl
ingsandl eav e, i don'
thav etime
toexplainmy selftosomeonewho
can'taff
ordat hing. ..Havey ou
suddenlyforgot tenhowy oustayedat
thember erespot ?( pointed)Bona
tswanglet samaekospot onghael e
gorekeal el apisa, kennaker i
leng
mmaal onaai kalet se?Aker eneol e
tengkwaSet sanahakekgaol a
Gobonaai nyeletsemor otoo
tshol
ogakogodi
mo?Nekel ekaenna?
Haneosashenamel
adi l
otsamadi
ameakeregongwenkaboommony e,
mxm haekarel
etantapajaana.
..

Setsana'
seyeswell
edupasshe
pict
uredwhathappenedthenatear
randownhercheek,Juni
orlookedat
hiscousi
n'st
earyeyesandlooked
backathismother.
..

Juni
or:
Mamahowcoul
dyousayt
hat
?
Ranaan:
Mamat
hat
'snotni
ce
Lolo:
(mi
ssedthem wi
thasl
ap)Hey
shutupl
ona!
Bashal
est
art
edsnif
fl
inghidi
ng
behi
ndSet
sobit
ingherthumb..

Lolo:(tur
nedt oher)Janokiwena?
(shakingshesni f
fl
ed)Shutup, oseka
waref wekefwekekesagor aya
sepe.…ket aatsaaLuxelekeehel et
sa
momokhi nongwagagoo. .(walki
ng
away )bastard!
Bashale:
(hi
dherf
acebehi
ndSet
so
cry
ing)Iwantmama,i
wanttogo
home.

Lol
otur
nedandpi
nchedhermout
h
thenwait
edforhertosnif
fl
eagain
butsheheldherbreat
hfearf
ull
y
l
ookinginhereyesthenshe
strai
ght
enedupwal ki
ngaway..
.

Lol
o:Wheni getbackfr
om workI
wantal
lofy ougone, mongwele
mongwekogammagwe.Gakekot a
masiel
anmahammagoasul el
apha!
komabiteng...

Shewal
kedinherbedroom and
sl
ammedt hedoorthenAgatha
l
ookedathersi
bli
ngsspeechlessl
y.
Shetur
nedbackinherr
oom and
cl
osedthedoordi
ali
ngJan.
..

Jan:
(smi
l
ed)Babes?
Agatha:(
crying)Ican'
ttaket
his
anymore.
...Ican't
..
.Thi
sishardfor
me.Cany oupl easesendmeairt
ime
kebueleCal vi
n
Jan:Okay
,I'
l
lsendnow.I
sev
ery
thi
ng
okay
?
Agatha:Mamai
schasingus,shehas
beentell
i
ngust
oleavefor3days
nowandshebeatsboKgotso.What
shouldIdo?
Jan:
Cani
comegety
ou?Ar
en'
tyou
wr
it
ingpaper2l
ater
?
Agatha:
Iam wri
ti
ngbuthowcani
concent
rat
ekanatheki
dsarenow
cry
ing.
Jan: Justtalktot hekidsandpromise
them y ou'
llf
indawayt ogetthem out
oft here.I
'
lldefini
telyfi
ndaway ,i
hav echaletssowecanf i
gure
somet hingout .Calmt hem downand
sendt hem toschool ,
lewenaill
send
theai r
time,P200oshapke
Internati
onal call
akere?
Agat
ha:
Yeahi
t'
senough
Jan:
Cal
lyourbr
otherandt
alkt
ohim
maybet
alktoMayatooandgetback
tome,intheendyouhavetogoto
school
.Youcan'tmi
ssyourexam
Agat
ha:
Ok
Jan:Andbabeigoty
ou,
cal
lmei
fyou
needanyt
hing
Agat
ha:
Iknow,
ilov
eyou
Jan:Il
ovey
out
oo,
letmesendt
he
ai
rti
me

Shehungupandr
ubbedherey
es.
..
.

AtAndr
ew'
sHouse.
..

Andr
ewdr
il
ledwhi
l
ehol
dingbot
hof
Baby'sbutcheeksapartassheheld
theshowerwal lmoaningwi
thevery
deepstrokethenheleanedover
kissi
ngherneckpulledout
decorat
ingherbutt,
Babykneltdown
andgotitfrom hi
mt henshesucked
i
tandhi sball
s..
.

Andr
ew:
Fuuuck.
..
..

Het urnedthewaterasitsl
i
ddown
Baby '
sface,shesl
owlygotuplet
ti
ng
theshowerwat ercl
eansehermouth
thenAndr ewpull
edherneckoverand
kissedher..
..
Minut
esl
atert
heywalkedoutwit
h
t
owelsasBaby'
sphonerang.
..

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Agat
ha:
I'
mleav
ing
Baby:
What ?Why?Didmamabeat
oneofthekidsagai
n?
Agatha:Yesandwenaonnahel a
kogoAndr ew,otshabetsemamakoo.
Sinceican'tj
ustgotoJan'shouse
l
eav i
ngmysi bli
ngsI'
ll
takethem
becauseshei snotabusingJuni
or
andRannan
Baby
:Aobat
hoSet
sanat
hemma
mmekagobual
epapa
Agatha:Therei
snouse,don'
ttel
lhi
m
becausethenhewon'tl
eavethe
hospit
al.Eachti
mewetellhi
m what
's
happeninghisBPgoeshigh.
Baby
:I'
m comi
ngni
w
Agatha:
I'
m atschool,
I'
m aboutt
o
wri
teexam.I'
ll
callyouwhenI'
m done.
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Baby
:Ift
hisi
swhatmenopausedoes
toadult
stheni
wantt
obemyage
unti
lidi
e
Andr
ew:
Whathappened?
Baby
:Mamai
shar
assi
ngev
ery
one
Andr ew: Idon'
tknowwhyshei s
actingr udebecauseev er
yone
forgav eher,myparentsarguedfora
coupl eofhour sandmadeupandas
farasi knowy ourf
atherdidn'
thav
ea
problem wi thherunti
lshestart
ed
i
nsul ti
nghi m.
Baby:
It'
sprobabl
ymenopause,
appar
entl
yitmakespeopl
emoody.I
havet
ogo.
Babyputonhert
henAndr
ewdr
ove
herout
..
..

AtMay
a'shouse.
..
.

May a'
smot heri
nlawf i
nished
massagi ngthebabywithoiland
herbst henshepl
acedheront he
mat t
ressasMay alai
donhert ummy
pressingherphone..
.

Her:St
oppressi
ngthatphoneand
eatmotogoabootogaor et
hodiaha
oredist
it
che
Maya:(
laughedandstart
edeat
ing)
Aomamammakel edi
legaonehel
a
j
aanongekarekeselomodir
o
Her:(
laughed)Wenaoboi mma,
Tshepohasnomer cyifhecanget
someonel i
keyoupregnant
.
Maya:Butt
hisi
sthelastone,
thi
sboy
washugeiwasscreamingand
i
nsul
ti
ngeventhemosquitoes
Her:(
laughed)Oboi
mma,
howi
s
yourf
ather?
Maya:
Ithi
nkhewi l
lbefi
ne,BPy
a
t
engntseeyakotase.Maybe
t
omorrowhewill
beout .
Her
:Okay
May a:Iwi
shi wasn'
tstucki
nthe
house,apparent
lymamai sharassing
herniecesandnephewssot heywant
toleavebuttheyhavenowhereel se
togobuti wanttotal
kt omamaand
reasonwithhersoshecant el
lthem
tostay.
Her:
Ifshesuppor
tedthem forso
l
ongwi t
houtcomplai
ningwhywould
shestar
tnowwhent heyaregrown?
May a:Idon'tunderstandtoo..
.
Nothingmakessensekamamabut
thenshenev ermadesensef rom the
beginning.Ihopei don'that
eher,she
doesn'thaver emorseov ert
hev i
deo.
Shesay sit'
sanol dv i
deobutshest i
ll
goesonandsaythesamethi
ng
i
nsulti
ngmyfat
her.I
'
m sodonewi
th
her.
..
Her:Youmustpr ayforher ,par
ents
getdepressedtoo.Wheny ouhav e
healedtakeheroutandgoeatata
rest
aurantthentalkmay beshewi l
l
tel
lyouwhat '
sbot heringherbecause,
idon'tknowherbuti knowonl yfew
peoplewillr
aise9chi ldrenby
themselves,l
ovingthem andt r
eati
ng
them equall
y.
May a:Enetotashelovedusequal
ly.
.
(l
aughed)Ibil
eekarei washer
favour
ite.
.Sheev entookusoutof
pri
vateschoolsandputallofusin
gover
nmentschool sonoonecoul d
beaboveanot her.Weal lgotthe
sameshar eofmopakoi nthe
morningandcl eanedaccor di
ngt oa
ti
metable.Shehasbeenaper fect
mother,ijustdon' tunder
standwhy
shewoul dr ui
nt hatwhenwear e
grown.
Her:Sheneedspray
ers,
call
y our
si
bli
ngstochurchandprayforher.
May
a:May
bei
shoul
ddot
hat
..
.

Att
hebout
ique.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningKenpar
kedt
he
carthenDi
digr
abbedherthi
ngsfr
om
thebackandki
ssedhim bef
ore
pushingt
hedooropenandsteppi
ng
out.
..

Ken:Ispoket
oJanear l
iergatweLol
o
i
sabusingthekidsbasisterya
gagwe,what'
sthatal
labout ?
Didi
:WaitseLolohasbeenact i
ng
wickedandIdon'tunderstandbut
thenshehasal waysbeenl i
kethat
,
rememberhowsheusedt obeatme
upandfor ceabort
ions?justcr
azy
thi
ngs.
Ken:
Yeahbut
..
..(
shookhi
shead
puzzled)It
'sunli
keher
,idon'tknow
herthatmuchbuti knowshel oves
chi
ldren.It
'sonethi
ngtobeacheat er
andit'sanothert
obeachi l
dabuser.
Didi
:Seemsli
keyouknowhermor
e
thaniknowhert
houghigr
ewupwith
her
Ken:Idon'tknowmay beI '
m wr ong
butit
'sstupidtor ai
sechi l
drenwi t
h
l
ov ewhent hey'reyoungand
annoyingonlytoabuset hem when
theyareold.Itdoesn'tmakesense.
Youshoul dtalktoher,Jansounded
worri
edaboutt hem.Shewant sto
givet
hem t empor aryaccommodat ion
Didi
: Sheshoul
ddefini
tel
ydothat
,
may beLoloist
iredofsuppor
ti
ng
them.
Ken:Buttal
ktohertheseki
dsareher
i
nvestment,shehasdoneherjob
alr
eadyandsheshouldbeenjoyi
ng
thefr
uit
sofherlabour.
Di
di:
I'
ll
tal
ktoher
,by
e

Sheclosedthedoorandwal ked
towardstheshopt akingouther
phoneandr esearchi
ngmor eabout
AngelDustthenshecount edt he
hourswithherfingers..
.
Di
di:
(mut
ter
ed)hei
..

Shecl
osedt
het
abanddi
aledLol
o..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
heyl
ovekegochekei
nyour
of
fi
ce?
Lol
o:Ij
ustgother
e
Di
di:
What ?Otheogel
amot
shegar
e
j
ang?It
'salmost11am
Lolo:
(si
ghed)Huhij
ustdidn'
tfeel
l
ikecominggapemx m.
..Idon'
tli
ke
mybosses.Theythi
nkhighl
yof
themsel
ves.
Di
di:
Ok, I
'
m coming.I
'
m buy
ing
br
eakfast
,shoul
dibri
nganyt
hing?
Lol
o:Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne
Di
di:
Sur
elov
e

Shehungupandwal
kedi
nher
off
ice.
..

Atschool
..
..

Duri
nglunchhourZaneappr oached
theArtl
ab,thr
ought hewindowhe
couldseeJuniorsharpeni
ngapencil
thenhewalkedin..
Zane:
HeyJaysap?
Juni
or:
Hi.
.

Juniorsatdownandcont
inued
drawingasZanepull
edanotherchai
r
andlookedathim.
..
.

Zane:Bri
dgetisnott
alki
ngt
ome,
any
part
icul
arreason?
Juni
or:(
drawi
ng)Idon'
tknow,
why
don'
tyouaskher?

Zanet
ookhi
spenci
landhungi
t
abovehi
searl
ooki
ngathi
m wi
tha
seri
ousf
ace.
..
.

Juni
or:You'
redi
stur
bing,
bri
ngmy
penci
l
Zane:
Whyi
syoursi
sternott
alki
ngt
o
me?
Juni
or:Idon'
tknow,
shedi
dn'
tsay
anyt
hing.

Zanegothi
sdr
awi
ngboar
dand
st
oodup..
.

Zane:
Askhert
obr
ingy
ourt
hingsso
y
oucanf
ini
shy
ourwor
k.
Juni
or:
That
'
smypr
oject
Zane:So?Iwon'
ttear.
..Justt
ell
her
tocomegetit
..
.(walki
ngaway )
Cheer
s!

Juni
orglancedatt
het
imeand
hurr
iedout.
..
.

Att
heSeni
orcl
asses.
..
.

Minut
eslaterwi
thwhi
teheadset
sin
hi
searsZaneputJuni
or'
sboardin
hi
slockerandcl
osedi
tthenhesaw
Bridgetwalkingover,Shehadanew
hairdoandt hatskir
twasabi tshor
ter
thanusual becausehecoul dseeher
kneesandboydi dshortskir
tslook
goodwi thlongsocks.hesmi led
biti
nghislowerl i
pasBr ist
oppedin
frontofhim...

Zane:
Andshecame.
..HeyBr
i
Bri
dget:
Cany out
akemybr
otherout
ofthi
splease
Zane:Outofwhat
?Whyarey
ou
gi
vingmeacoldshoul
der
?
Br
idget
:Ij
ustdon'
tfeel
li
ket
alki
ng
Zane:
Notgoodenough,
giv
eme
anot
herr
eason.
Bri
dget:(sighed)Li
sten.
..Idon'twant
tohangar oundwi t
hsexual l
yacti
ve
boy,idon'twanttogetpr egnant
Zane:Idi
dn'
tev enasky ouforsex,
whydoy outhinki want-ohthat.
..
(l
aughed)Iwasj ustthreateni
nghim
forwhathedid.Ididn'tmeani tI
'm
sorr
y
Bri
dget
:Ei
therwayy
oucan'
tbot
her
Juni
or
Zane:
Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng,ij
ustt
ook
thedr
awi
ngsoyoucantal
ktome
Br
idget
:Gi
vei
tback.
..
Heopenedt helockerandhandedit
toherthenheleanedov erandki
ssed
herfor
ehead..
.

Zane:Youlookbeaut
if
ulwi
tht
his
newthing
Bri
dget
:(bl
ushedabi
tandwal
ked
away)Thanks.
..
Zane:
Wil
lyouansweri
fical
lyou?
Bri
dget:
(tur
nedar
oundwalking
backwardswit
hasmil
e)Ifyouscore
5goalsformeonyourpr
acticel
ater
..
.
Zane:(l
aughedcute)I
nbasketbal
lwe
cal
lthem basket
sbabedon't
embarrassme..
Br
idget
:(l
aughedbl
ushi
ng)What
ever
Zane:I
'
llgi
vey
out
hoset
hree-
poi
nter
sokay?

Shegorgeouslyst
uckhertongueout
andturnedaroundwal
kingawayas
Zanelaughedandtur
nedbackt ohi
s
l
ocker.
...

Nash:
(cl
osedhi
slocker
)Shei
spr
ett
y
Dayo:(
laughed)It
hinkshecuther
ski
rtt
oo
Zane:(smackedatthebackofthei
r
heads)Don'
tadmireher.
..Tur
n
ar
ound,
what
'swr
ongy
ou

TheywalkedawayasZane
suspendedhimsel
fbetweenthem,
Dayopushedhim awayandthey
play
ful
lypunchedeachother
..

AtLol
o'
sOf
fi
ce.
..

Lolowalkedi
nheroff
iceholdi
ngthe
l
etterandsatdowncrossi
ngherl
egs
chewinggum assheunfol
dedthe
l
etter.
..
[

Mr
sAl
oneJohnson

TERMI
NATI
ONOFTHECONTRACT

Thisl
ett
eristoi
nfor
my outhatyour
employmentwit
hFri
dayFli
ght
Scenar
ioswil
lendasof(datest
ated)
ter
minati
oniseff
ect
ive.

Youhavebeentermi
nat
edf
ort
he
fol
l
owingreason(
s):
1.Incompetence,
incl
udi
nglackof
producti
vi
tyorpoorqual
it
yofwork
2.I
nsubor
dinat
ion
3.Att
endancei
ssues(
frequent
absences)
4.Physi
calthr
eat
sagai
nstot
her
employees

Thi
sdeci
sioni
snotr
ever
sibl
e.

Youwil
lreceiv
eyourpayforunused
l
eave,
sev er
ancepayandsalar
yowed.

Youar
erequest
edt
oret
urnal
l
companypr operti
esreleasedt
oyou
uponarri
val.Also,pl
easekeepin
mindthatyouhav esigned
confi
denti
alit
ypolicyandanon-
sol
ici
tat
ionagr eementwi t
hthe
company .

I
fy ouhavequest i
onsaboutpolici
es
youhav esigned,yourcompensati
on,
benefi
ts,orretur
ningcompany
proper
ty,pleasecontactMaitumelo
Pil
lowatt heHumanr esour
ceoffi
ce].

Si
ncer
ely
,
Mai
tumel
oPi
l
low

Lolo'
seyesfil
ledwithtear
sasshe
readthel
etteragai
nt henDidi
walked
i
nholdingtwobot t
lesofjui
cesand
satdown..
.

Di
di:
Arey
ouokay
?
Lolo:(handedherthel
ett
er)Ijustl
ost
myj ob, Di
dihowam igoi
ngt o
suppor tmykids?Howam i goingt
o
suppor t6chil
dren?
Didi
:Thi
si sbadandthey
'r
esay
ing
thedeci
sionisfi
nal
Lol
orubbedherey
esasDidiopent
he
bot
tl
eofjui
ceandhandedher.
..

Didi
:Haveadri
nk,
haveyoueat
en
anyt
hingsi
ncemorni
ng?
Lol
o:No.
.

Sherubbedhert
earsanddr
unkhal
f
thej
uicewhi
lecr
ying.
..

Lol
o:Ican'
tl
osemyj
ob.
..
.

Shef
ini
shedt
hej
uiceandt
hrewt
he
bot
tl
einthebinasDidi
sadlyl
ooked
att
helett
erofter
minat
ionof
employ
ment..
.

Didi
:Thi
sisnotgoodwai
tse,
howcan
theydothi
stoyou?
Lolo:(
sighed)Gapeallt
hese,idon'
t
rememberdoi ngal
lth-
(gasped)Oh
no,Atti
e!Ihadanargumentwi th
Aatil
eakere?Orwasi dreaming?It
'
s
ali
ttl
econf usi
ng.
..
Didi
:Aati
ledoesn'
twanty
ouanymore,
youdisr
espectedhi
m omorogako
spat
eleng
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)No,
I'
dnev
erdot
hat
..
.
Somethi
ngiswr ongwi t
hmeDi di
,i
keepseei
ngthings.Iseesnakesand
someti
mesi seecreaturest
hatdon'
t
makesense,ihearvoicesandican'
t
sl
eepatnight

Didi
glancedattheti
meonherphone
andcontinuedl
i
steni
ngt
oher.
..

Lol
o:Am i
crazy
?
Di
di:
No,you'
renot
..
.Ofcour
senot.
..
Don'
tyouseebabi
esorsomethi
ng?
Lol
o:No
Di
di:
Unbor
nbabi
esorsomet
hing?
Lol
o:No,
why
?
Di
di:
Justaski
ng

Lol
osighedandleanedbacklooki
ng
att
helett
eragai
nt henshet
oreiti
nto
hal
fandstoodup..
.

Lol
o:Mxm...
..Fokofabafot
sekel
e
kookati
ronyanayabone.Okaeene
MrFri
daywat eng?Akereibeenf
ired
sogakel
opelenix

Shegrabbedherhandbagandwalked
outasDidipi
ckedthejui
cebot
tl
eand
putiti
nherhandbagfol
l
owingher
outsi
deasshescreamedacrosst
he
passage.
..

Lol
o:(putherhandsaroundher
mouthscreaming)FRIDAY?FRI
DAY
YOSWAEN!DON' TTHI NKIDON'T
KNOW YOU' REFIRI
NGMEBECAUSEI
REFUSEDTOSUCKYOURBI GDICK6
MONTHSAGO. ..
.(l
aughed)YOU
HAVEANI CEONETHOUGHSHEM. .
.
TELLZAMBOTHATIKNOW HI S
TWIM BROTHERPOKESTHE
DRAINS..
.IKNOW HETAPSASS
Di
di:
Heywenashhh.
..
.Wher
edi
dyou
gett
hat
?Shh

MrFridayopenedtheoffi
cedoorand
l
ookedatherasot heremploy
ees
st
uckt hei
rheadsoutthei
roff
ices
l
ookingatherthenheturnedtohis
PA..
.

MrFriday
: Cal
lsecur
it
yandgether
outofhere..
.

ThePAi mmedi
atelygr
abbedthe
tel
ephoneandcal
ledsecur
it
y..
..
Meanwhil
eDidi
support
edLol oas
t
heywalkeddownthestairswher
e
t
heyfound2secur
ityof
ficeswait
ing
f
orthem..
.

Lol
o:Don'tyoudaret
ouchmekoore
maschurit
yleri
l
eng,j
aanaabole
i
ponalemapodi si
dil
otsedi
amogelangfaef
ehandret
etse
Di
di:
(smi
l
edatt
hem)Pl
easedon'
t
mi
ndher
Securit
yman: Ammecowor ker
s
gadiatsenyasomethinginherdri
nk?
Thisladynevertal
kstouslikethi
s,
never!Lehantsegotweng.Koreado
y
oubeli
eveMr
sJowoul
dtal
ktous
l
i
ket
his?
Korea:I
t'
sunlikeher.
.Letmesee
something.Ihadabrotherwhodi
d
drugssomet i
meshewoul dactr
ude
fornoreason..Letme

Hesteppedovert
ryi
ngtolooki
n
Lol
o'seyesbutDi
dipushedhi
m
back.
..

Didi
:Don'
ttouchher,
that
'ssexual
abuse,ar
eyoutryi
ngto-
Kor
ea:
No,
iwasj
ust
-
Di
di:
Don'
ttouchher
..
Lol
o:(pushedhi
m back)Near
eo
nti
raeng?
Di
di:
Nnaket
ait
se,
ij
a

Theygotinthecaranddroveoffas
thesecur
it
yguardsbrushedthem of
f
andwentonwi t
htheirday.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

Laterthataf
ternoonJanr
eversedon
thedoorandj umpedoutopeningt
he
trunkasAgathaandhersibl
ings
l
oadedthei
rthi
ngsasJuniorand
Ranaansadl
ywatched.
..

Agat
ha'
sphoner
ang.
..

Agat
ha:
Hel
l
o?
Car
l:Hey
Agat
ha:Hi
,wear
eleav
ing.Janf
ound
ahouse
Car
l:Cani
tal
ktoher
?
Jan:
Hel
l
o?
Car
l:Heymant
hanksf
orev
ery
thi
ng
Jan:
Sur
e,don'
twor
ryabouti
t
Carl
:Ijustar ri
vedinSirSeret
se
KhamaAi rportandI '
dgetthenext
onetoMaunbuti havetogetmy
papersatmi ni
stryofhealt
handsee
whereI'vebeenpl acedbecauset her
e
i
sconf usionast owhet herkeMaun
orFrancistown
Carl
:Alri
ght
,noproblem.Don'
tworry
abouttheki
ds,Agathaandiwil
ltake
careofthem f
ornow.
Car
l:Sur
e,t
hanks.
..

Minut
eslat
ertheygoti
nthecarand
l
eftasJuni
orandRanaansatonthe
st
ooplonel
y..
..
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Sediangri
lystor
medi ntheroom as
Babypickedherfather
'sbagwi t
h
Aati
l
eput ti
ngonhisshoeshol di
ng
hi
spr escr
ipt
ion.
..

Sedi
:(angr i
lypoi
nted)Youknowwhat?
Thanky ou!Thanky ouverymuchf
or
l
etti
ngy ourwifeabusemydaughter.
I
fyout hinkshewillevervi
sity
ouy
ou
mustfor getit
.It
rustedyou
Aati
le:
Idi
dn'tknowshewoul
ddo
that
.Youknowshehasnever
touchedherbef
oreandshehas
spentweeksinourhousecount
less
ti
mes
Sedi
:Nowy ouknowsonextt i
meyou
wanttoseeheryou'
l
lsitinf
rontof
myhouseandseehert henl
eave.
Andtel
l mosadi
mogolowagagogor e
mogongwanakegakebat e,
gase
nakoeleampetsadimpamakoBi g
tr
ee.Alekemogongwanakewa
swaba..
.

ThedooropenedthenLolowalkedin
wit
hDi di
,Sedi
chargedatherand
punchedheronthefaceasshef el
l
down.
..

Sedi:(
angr
il
yst
ompedonher)Nev
er
touchmydaught
erbi
tchdoy
ouhear
me? ,
never
!

BabyandAatil
epul
l
edherbackas
Didi
helpedLol
otogetup.
..
.

Sedi
:I'
l
lki
l
lyoui
ftouchmydaught
er
Lolo:
Megoneenekemoshi
megi
l
e
akere
Aat
il
e:Lol
owee?Di
dimal
a
Sediboi
ledt
ryi
ngtopassbetween
Aati
leandBabywhoblockedhert
hen
Didipul
l
edLoloout
sideandlef
twit
h
her.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
20AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 140

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..

Bay angfixedtheleakageunderthe
sinkwhi l
eBr i
dgetmadeher sel
fa
sandwi chbyt hecountert
henJunior
wal kedinandst oodnexttohis
father'
sfeet..
..

Bay
ang:
Don'
ttur
nthet
aps
Juni
or:
(leanedagai
nstthecounter
)
Papawer eyouoneofthetoughest
guy
sinschool
ort
hequi
teones?
Bri
dget:(
putti
ngthel
ett
ucei nthe
fr
idge)Hewasoneofqui etones
becausetoughsexyguysare
general
l
ystupid.
Bayang:(
laughed)Anddon'
tyou
for
getit
Junior
:Butgi
rl
sst
il
lwantt
hem l
i
ke
thatri
ght
?
Br
idget
:Yes
Bayang:Brist
ayoutofit
...Thelast
ti
mei checkediwaspapa. .(
frowned
l
ookingatherinhotpants)Whendi d
youbuythose?
Br
idget
:Lastweek
Bayang:
Ihopeyouneverl
eav
ethe
housewitht
hose,
they
'ret
ooshor
t
Juni
or:
Papay
oudi
dn'
tanswerme
Bay ang:Iwasjustanor mal st
udent.
Ingov er
nmentschool sallthe
studentsbehavewel l
,thereisno
toughguy sandwhatnot .
..Andifyou
misbehav enoonehangswi t
hyou.I
don'tknowaboutt heseday sbutit
wasj ustli
kethatandgi r
lslovedguys
whopassed.Iwasdoi ngpur e
sciencesanditwasav erybigdeal
backi nthedays.
Juni
or:okay,iguesst
hisdoesn'
t
appl
ythere.Tellmeaboutuniv
ersi
ty.
..
Wer
eyout
ough?
Bay
ang:
What
'st
hisr
eal
l
yabout
?
Junior:
(sighedf rustr
atedl
y)Idon'
t
understandwhyot herpeopleare
roughandmean, Zaneharassedme
atschool todayandhei syounger
thanmewhi chmakesmel ook
retar
dedbuti can'tbr
ingmy sel
ftobe
rude.Howdoy ouhandl et
hat?
Bri
dget
:Zaneisnotr
ough,heisjust
toopl
ayful
andhedoesstupi
dt hi
ngs
buthei
sactual
lyani
ceperson.
Juni
or:
Iwast
alki
ngt
oPapa
Bay
ang:
Bri
gowat
chTV.
..
Bri
dgetgrabbedhersandwichand
dri
nkthenshewalkedoutasBay ang
sl
idoutoftheshelfandleaned
agai
nstitl
ookingupatJunior'
s
worri
edface..
..

Bay
ang:
Whathappened?
Junior:Iwasdoingmypr oj
ectatthe
l
abandt henZanecamei n,
heasked
mewhyBr i
wasn'ttal
kingtohim.I
didn'tknowwhyandi guesshedidn't
l
ikemyanswert henhet ookmy
penci l
putbehindhisearlooki
ngat
mel ikehewast hreat
eningmet hen
het ookmydr awingboardsay i
ngifi
wantitimustt ellBritogogetit.I
didn'
tl
ikei
tbecausei nevertr
ouble
anyonebutot herstudent sal
way s
fi
ndway stoembar rassme.Fi r
stit
wasmywei ght,itookcar eofthatbut
nowi j
ustfeel l
ikeI'
m st upi
dall
toget
her.
Bay
ang:
Arey
ouscar
edofZane?
Juni
or:
Ican'
tfi
ght
,idon'
tknowhow
tofi
ght
Bayang:Youdon'thav
etofi
ght
.You
canjustfacehi
m andtel
lhi
myou
don'
tlikesomethi
ng.
Juni
or:Youdon'
tunderst
andhowiti
s,
hethi
nksheownst heschool
andhe
hangswithbadkids.NashandDay o
arealwaysondetenti
onforeit
her
sayingi
nappropr
iat
ethingstoother
student
sorjustanyt
hing.
Bayang: I
tdoesn'
tmat ter,
youhaveto
beseriousandst andupf ory
oursel
f
Junior
.You'vegott ogrowup
becausei can'
tprotectyoufr
om li
tt
le
thi
ngslikethissoy ouhavetobe
tough
Juni
or:
Okay
Bayang:AndifZanei
stalkingtoBri
youhavet obeinaposi
tiontoprot
ect
hershouldhestar
tacti
ngcr azy
.You
wantedasi bl
i
ngandyouhav ei
tso
youmusttoughenup.Woul
dyou
wantt
ojoi
nKar at
eatthegym?Seo
hasakar
ateclubther
e
Juni
or:
I'
dli
ket
hat
..
.
Bayang:I'
l
ltal
ktohim soyoucan
star
t.
..Anddon'tcompareyour
sel
fto
me,ili
vedinadi f
fer
entpl
aceand
ti
me.Bet oughokay?
Juni
or:
Okay
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Babyandhersi
bli
ngssatinthel
i
ving
room ont
hecouchwit
ht heTVoff
l
isteningasthei
rparent
sargued
l
oudl yatthebedr
oom thenJunior
stoodupandgr abbedhisphone..
.

Juni
or:
I'
m goi
ngout
,thi
siscr
azy
Baby:
Juni
oryoucan'
tl
eave,
iwantt
o
goseeAndr
ewsalaleRan
Juni
or:
Aennakeat
samaa.

Hewal kedoutthenAat i
l
ewal kedout
ofthebedr oom car
ryi
nghisbagand
putiti
nt hecarasLolofoldedher
armsatt hemaindoor .
BabyandRanaanwat
chedasAati
l
e
walkedbackf
orhi
scoatandl
apt
op..
.

Lol
o:You'
rebei
ngacowar
d..
Aatile:(wal
kedpasther
)Defi
nit
ely
,I'
d
nev erbebraveenoughtomakea
video.(totheki
ds)GuysI'
l
lseeyou
tomor row..
Ranaan:
Daddycani
comewi
thy
ou?
Pl
ease
Aat
il
e:Let
'
sgo.
..

Ranranbehindhi
m asheput
ever
ythi
nginthecarandopenedt
he
fr
ontdoorf
orhi
mthenLol
owal
ked
over
..
.

Lol
o:Babepl
easedon'
tgo,
wemade
somuchprogr
ess.
Aat i
l
e:Idon'tknowwhaty ouwant
from me,onemi nuteyou'
resayi
ng
thisandthenexty ou'
resayi
ngthat.I
can'tdothisandit'
sbestimoveout
becausei don'twantt
of i
ghti
nfront
ofthekids.
Lolo:(t
earf
ull
y)Babeplease..
..
(rubbedherhandstogether)Don'tgo,
Idon'tremembersayingthat.Idon't
remembersomeoft hethingsyou're
say
ingIsai
dbutI
'
m sor
ry.
Aat
il
e:Wow,
soy
oudon'
tremember
?
Lol
o:Iremembersomeofthet
hings
butIdon'
trememberot
her
s.
Aat
il
e:You'
vegotquit
easel
ect
ive
memory,muchrespect
.

Hestar
tedthecaranddr
oveoutt
hen
shewalkedbacki
nthehouseand
cl
osedthedoor.

Sheknockedonthebedroom door
andwalkedinasBabychangedher
cl
othesandsatonthemirrorf
ixi
ng
herhai
r.
..

Lol
o:Babyar
eyousur
eit
oldchi
l
dren
tol
eave?
Baby:Youdidn'
tjusttel
lthem y
ou
beatt
hem.I '
m disappoi
ntedmama
butIwon'tsaymuchbecausey ou
al
waysgetangr yandv i
olent
.
Lolo:
Likebeati
ngyou?(Babyturned
andlookedather)I
'
mj ustaski
ng
becauseI'
mt r
yingt
ounderstand
Baby:(
sighedandstoodup)Nna
keyakogoAndr ew.
..
Shespray
edhersel
fandgotherbag
walki
ngoutasLolofol
l
owedher.
..

Lol
o:Whatel
sedidido?Tel
lme
aboutt
odayhel
a..
Baby :Youdon' thavepr etendt hatyou
don' trememberany t
hingmama. .
(turnedl ooki ngather)You'ret eari
ng
thisf ami lyapart,
wewer esupposed
tobecel ebrati
ngCarl'
sar ri
v al
but
nowy ouchasedev er
y oneaway .I
hopey ou'reproudofy ourself,
may be
you'rer i
ghtr egotsosetsamodumo
andy ouwantpeace.Toni ghty ou'
ll
sleepont hishousebyy oursel
fin
peace.It
'syourhouseany way.I
've
gotmyownhousei canmov eout
anyti
mei want,
icanaf f
ordtoleave
thi
splacemamabecauset hehouse
MaOl eftformegivesmeenough, i
neverthoughtmysemest erbreak
wouldbet hi
sdramat i
c.Goodnight.
..

Shewalkedoutandclosedthedoor
asLolosatonthecouch,t
hehouse
wasextremel
yquiett
henshepul l
eda
cushi
onunderherheadandl ai
d
downthoughtf
ull
y.

Ev
ery
thi
ngwasconf
usi
ngandshe
wonderedwhatshewasl i
vi
ngfor,
shegotupandwal kedint
hekit
chen
whereshelookedatthekni
ves.
..

Perhapstheywouldn'
tki
llhert
hen
sheturnedlooki
ngatthecooki
nggas
cyl
inder.
..
..
.

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

Lateronthatni
ghtAat
il
eknockedon
thedoorholdi
ngRanaan'
swristthen
Sediopenedthedoori
nherpy j
amas..
Sedi
:Whatnow?
Aat
il
e:Weneedapl
acet
osl
eep?
Sedi
:Myboy
fri
endi
shome
Aat
il
e:(
wal
kedi
n)Ri
ght
..
.

Shesighedandcl
osedt
hedoort
hen
sheheldherwai
st.
..

Sedi
:Idon'thav
espace,
Ranist
he
onl
yonei canaccommodat
e
Aat
il
e:I
'l
lj
ustst
andher
eunt
il
morni
ngthen
Sedi
: (
rol
l
edhereyes)Mxm...(
puther
arm ar
oundRanaan)let
'sgotobed
papa.
..Di
dheeat
?
Aat
il
e:Wehadsomet
hingont
heway
Sedi
:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Sediledhimt oBashal
e'
sroom where
shegr abbedherpyj
amasandhanded
him whileheandBashalaughedat
thepinkpy j
amas..
.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Youdon'
thav
ea
choi
ce.
..

Helaughedandworethem t
henshe
peel
edtheduvetandcover
edthem
whi
l
eAati
lequi
etl
ywat
chedherf
rom
t
hedoor
..
.

Sedi
:Okay
,let
'scl
oseourey
esand
pray
..
Beel
eadus
Basha:Dearheavil
yfather,
thanky ou
forawonderfulday.Thanky oufor
givi
ngmeani cemom andani cedad
andanicefamilyandani cehouse.I
thanky
oui nthenameofourl ord
JesusChri
stAmen
Al
l
:(wi
thAat
il
e)Amen

Theyal
ltur
nedandlookedathi
m as
hesmil
edlooki
ngatthem..
.
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Bot
h:Goodni
ght
..
.
Sedi
:Ni
ghtguy
s

Shegotupandwal kedov erasAatil

e
l
ookedatherwi dehi psandnicelegs
thensheplayf
ullyslappedhis
foreheadandfl
ickedt hechil
dren'
s
switches.
..

Sedi
:Ol
ebi
l
eeng?I
ja
Aati
le:
(laughed)Il
i
ket
hecol
orof
yourpyj
amas. .
.
Sedi
:Mxm.
..Di
dyoubat
h?
Aat
il
e:Yeah
Sedi:
Iwanttomaket
eaar
eye
ki
tcheneng

Hefoll
owedherandhoppedont
he
count
erwatchi
nghermaketeai
ntwo
cups.
..

Sedi
:So,
iguessy
ourdi
scussi
on
di
dn'
tendwell
Aat
il
e: No,
I'
m mov i
ngout.Iwanta
di
vorce.Marr
iageneverl
ovedme
Sedi
:Okho!wena?Kamosot
abeel
e
I
'm goi
ngbackt
omywife,
nnat
her
ra
gakegorutwekemot
ho.
Aatil
e:Notthistime,I
'
mt i
redof
runni
ngar oundincir
cleskesamoveh
forward.I
'
dr athergi
veitatr
ywith
someoneel seandseewher eital
l
goesbecausewi t
hLoloit
's
predi
ctabl
e.
Sedi
:(handedhi
mthecup)Waii
sayi
t
tosomeonewhowill
beli
evey
ou

Helaughedget t
ingdownandputit
onthecounterlookingi
nhereyesas
sheavoidedlookingathi
m and
tur
nedwal ki
ngawayt henhesl
owly
pul
ledherar
mturni
ngheraroundand
shelookedi
nhi
seyessmil
ing..
.

Sedi
:Youj
ustwanttohurtmeaker
e?
Keabonnekerekeanonawa
si
molol
aRragweViv

Heuntiedherr obeandpushedi t
downlookinginherey esasshe
swal
lowedl ookingathislips,she
knewhewasj ustfr
ustratedand
wantedtot akeouthisfrustrat
ionon
something.Sheknewhemi ghtsay
somethingdiffer
entinthemor ni
ng,i
t
wasViv'sdadandsheknewhi m but
sti
l
lshelethi
m dropt
hegownpul
l
hercheekoverashecl
osedhi
sey
es
ki
ssingher.
..

Heki ssedherandt urnedherar ound

faci
ngt hecount erasheki ssedher
neckst andingbehi ndher ,hi
sboner
pokedherbut tthensher ubbedit
abov ethejeansashesl owly
unzippedt hem anddr oppedt hem
thenheki ssedherneckagai n
poli
shinghi sblackv einedDandsl i
d
thetipasSedi f
linchedandmov ed
herbut taway.
Hesquatt
edbehindherandbur
ied
hi
sfacebetweenherbehi
ndeat
ing
her asshet urnedherey
es
moaning.
..

Sedi
:(moani
ngsof
tl
y)Oh
God.
..
mmmmmmmm

___
____
_____
_andst ooduppolishi
ng
hi
sweapont henhesqueezedhi msel
f
i
nherasshesl owlymov edawaybut
heputhisarm ar
oundherwai st
pul
li
ngheroverandsl i
dallt
heway
i
n..
.
Sedi
:Shi
t.
..
.Ok.
.Ok.
..
OK.
..

Hespankedherr oundbuttsand
squeezedhertt
sbef or
edril
li
ngas
sheinstant
lyoi
l
edhi m..
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouseHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatnightZaneslowl
ygotup
andputonhi scl
othesandsneaker
s
thenheti
ptoedoutandquietl
y
passedhisparent'
sroom t
hen
walkedoutthekit
chendoorand
l
ocked..
.
Hewal
kedoutt
hegat
edi
ali
ngDay
o..
.

Day
o:Hel
l
o?
Zane:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Dayo:Mai
nroad,
shoul
dIf
lasht
he
l
ight
s?
Zane:
RunX?Iseey
ou
Day
o:Al
ri
ght
..
.

Minuteslat
erhej
umpedinthe
backseatasNashsati
nthefr
ont
..
Zane:
Doy
ouhav
eal
i
cence?
Day
o:No,
you?
Zane:
Yeahbuti
doubti
twor
ksher
e,
i
t'
saclassD.
Nash:Getbehindthewheel
,i
t'sbet
ter
thannothi
ng.Atleastwewi
llsaywe
didn'
tknow.

ZaneandDay
oswitchedseat
sand
hejoi
nedt
heroad.
..

Nash:Let
'spi
ckSuzi
efi
rst
,ar
eyou
pi
ckingBri
?
Zane:
Ihav
etocal
lherf
ir
st,
ithi
nk
herdadi
sonthenightshi
ft
.It
shoul
dn'
tbedi
ff
icul
t..

Zane'
sphoner
ang.
..

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Juni
or:
Hey
,sap?KeJuni
or
Zane:Whi
chone?Therei
sthousands
ofJuni
or'
satschool
Juni
or:
Aati
l
eJr
.WTFy
oudel
etedmy
number?
Zane:(l
aughed)OhJay
,what
'sup?I
changedphonesman
Juni
or:
I'
m bor
ed,
ther
eissomuch
goi
ngonathome.Wher
ear
ey ou?I
wantt
opl
aygamesorsomethi
ng
Zane:
Wher
ear
eyou?I
'
llpi
cky
ouup
Junior:
I'
m passi
ngSedi
ehot
el,
just
walking
Zane:
Cool
I'
m comi
ng

Hehungupandmadeat ur
nasNash
putthememor ysti
ckandturnedt
he
vol
ume, Dayopull
edthebott
lesof
beerbehindtheseat
..
.

Dayo:Guysdon'
tspi
l
lbeeronthe
seat
s,thi
scarisf
orsal
eIstol
eit
fr
om mydad'
sgar
ageear
li
erbef
ore
cl
osi
ngti
me.

Nashopenedt
hebeerandsi
ppedas
Zanegl
ancedatt
hem..
.

Zane:Ican'
tdr
inkanddr
ive,
giv
eme
ajui
ce
Day
o:Ther
eisnoj
uice
Zane:
thecoi
nsihav
eareforBr
i'
s
si
mbachips,
gal
enaP10?
Nash:
Nah
Zane:
Bri
ng.
Theyhandedhim abott
leofbeer
thenhesippedandconti
nued
dri
ving.
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Alitt
leaf
termidni
ghtunabl
etosleep
Lologotupandsatont heedgeof
thebedthoughtf
ull
yandabitof
soberedthenshetookherphoneand
tappedonGoogle..
.

Sear
chi
ng.
..
.
"Howdoiknowi
fcowor
ker
sar
e
dr
uggi
ngme?"
"I
'
m confused,
Memor
yloss,
viol
ent
,
hearv
oices"
"Idon'
trememberar
easonabl
e
numberofhour
sduri
ngtheday"
"
Drugst
hatmakeonehal
l
uci
nat
e"

Af
terreadi
ngsever
alar
ti
clesshe
di
aledCalv
in.
..
.

Car
l:(
sleepy
)Hel
l
o?.
..
..
..
..
.

LI
KETOGETAWEEKENDBONUS,
Goodni
ght
..
..
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[9/
4,12:
21AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 141

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
Lol
o:Hi
Car
l,howar
eyou?
Car
l:I
'
mfi
ne.
Lol
o:Ithi
nksomeoneisdruggi
ngme
atworkwithsomet
hing,
ihavebeen
behav
ingoddly.
Car
l:Sot
hatv
ideoi
sfake?
Lol
o:(sigheddi
sappoi
ntedl
y)You
sawittoo?
Car l
:Mamay oudon'thav
et ocreat
e
allki
ndsofst ori
estojust
ifyyour
ti
redness,it
'sokayifyoucan't
suppor tusanymore.Iunderstand
thatteensareexpensivebutit'
snot
l
iket heyeatyourfoodandt akeout
yourpocketthatmuchbecauset he
governmenti sal
readydoi ngthatfor
us.Youwer edone, Ijustdon't
underst
andhowy oucanbei mpatient
onthelastmi nut
ebutei t
herway
you'
llal
way sbemymot herandI '
llbe
grat
efulforthegoodl ifeyougav eme
andmysi bli
ngs.I'
mv erysadt hatyou
physi
call
yabusedt hem atl eastifit
wasemot i
onalabuseunt iligetthere
butit
'sfi
nemama, y oudidy ourbest.
I'
m hangi
ngup
Lolo:Don'thangupt hephone,l
ist
en
tome.Someonei sdr uggi
ngmeat
wor kbecauseIwasaboutt obe
promot edagain.Thev i
deoistr
ue
andi t'
sol dbutI 'm seeingt hingsand
hearingv oices.Someoft het hi
ngsI
don'tev enr ememberdoi ngt hem.
Carly ou'r
emyl asthope, ifyoudon' t
beli
ev emei twi llbetheendofme.
Please, you'remysonandy ouknow
mev erywel l,Iam strictbutphy sical
ly
abuseachi ld?
Carl
: (
sighedwi ththebenefitofthe
doubt)I'
llbeinMaunar oundLunch
ti
met omor row, i
fit
'sr
eallydrugs
thenyourbloodsampl esmustbe
coll
ectedbef oreitwashesof fyour
system.Cany outalkt
odadsohe
cangety oursampl es?Askhi mt odo
adrugt est,
hecandoi tbyhi mselfi
n
thelabwithoutconsul
ti
nganyone
becausehei stheonewhodoest he
testi
ngibi
lennakeuselessbecausei
don'tevenknowwher eI'
vebeen
placed.Bualepapa
Lol
o:Hel
eft
Car
l:Gofindhim,
ar eyouabl
eto
dr
ive?Aren'
tyoufeeli
ngwoozyorany
ot
herfeeli
ng?
Lolo:
(shel
ookedaroundasimages
becamedist
ort
ed)Ithi
nkI'
l
lbeokay.
..
Carl
:Ok,go.
.Hecandot hetextnow
whil
eit'
satnightbef
oremor e
hospi
talst
uffbatheogelaandstart
bl
ubberi
ng.keepupdatingme.
Lol
o:By
e

Shehungupandgotdr
essed.
..

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

Hourslat
erSediandAat i
lecuddl
ed
onthecouchchat t
ingandcatchi
ng
upthenaknocki nt
errupt
edtheir
l
augher,Sedipi
ckedAat i
l
e'st-
shi
rt
andputitonthenshewal ked
bar
efoottothedoorandopened.

Lol
olookedathermesseduphai
r
andherhusband'
st-shi
rtt
henshe
l
ookedbehindherandsawAat i
l
e
l
ayingshir
tl
essonthecouchinhis
short
s..
.

Sedi
:Cani
hel
pyou?
Lol
o:Canwet
alk?Out
side.
..Pl
ease.
.

Shesl
idherfeetinhersl
eepershoes
andcl
osedthedoorf ol
dingherar
ms
l
eani
ngagainstthedoor.
..

Sedi
:Ihopet
hisi
sabouty
oupi
nchi
ng
daught
er
Lolo:Iknowwehav ehadourfightsin
thepastbutIpr omi seyouI'
dnev er
hurtAat i
le'
schi ldrenbecausehe' d
neverhur tachi ld.Youknowdeep
downi ny ourhear tthatI'
veneverhurt
herbef ore.Ithinksomeonei s
messi ngwi thmeatwor kdrugging
mebecauseIcan' texplai
nsomeof
mybehav i
or.I'
m notmaki ngexcuses
butI'm suret herei sabetter
explanationt hanmebei nganev il
stepmot her.Let '
sjustbehonest .
..
Do
your eall
yt hi
nkI 'v
ehur tyour
daught erbef ore?
Sedi
:(si
ghedcal
mingdown)No..
.
(l
ooki
ngather)Andyoul
ook.
..
Um(
mov
edov
er)Cani
?
Lolo:(
desperatel
ymov edcloserto
Sedi)Yesplease,check..
.If
orgot
you'r
eamedi calthi
ng...Dowhatever
youhav et
odo.Wecangeti nsideso
youcanseecl earl
y
Sedi
:Yeahyou'
redef
ini
tel
yonto
somethi
ng,
howdi dyoudri
veher
e?
Lolo:I
twashar dbutihadt ocont
r ol
mymi ndandconcentr
ate,
somet imestheroadkindofgot
distor
tedbutI'
dpulloffandtake
breakbeforedri
vingagain.Canitalk
toAatile?
Sedi
:Okay
..
.
Lol
o:(t
ear
full
yrubbedherey
eshi
ding
herj
eal
ousy)Thankyou

Sedi turnedandt houghtabout

somet hingf orami nute,shenoti
ced
shewasi nhi st-shirtanditexpl
ained
whyhert earswer erunningthough
shewasn' tsayingany t
hingthenshe
turnedandl ookedi nherey es
tearfully
...

Sedi
:Andnot
hinghappenedbet
ween
Aati
l
eandi
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)Youdon'thav
etol
ie,
hei
smyhusbandandi knowhim.
Sedi:(t
earf
ull
y)I
'm notahome
breakerandiknowhel ov
esyou
Lol
o:Idon'tj
udgeot herwomen
anymore,heisthef atherofyourchi
ld
andheleftyouosant seomor ata.I
under
standthat,isleptwitha
marri
edmanbef oreandi underst
and
whyyou'r
esleepingwi t
hmi ne.
Sedi :(rubbedhert ear
)AndI'
mr eall
y
glady oudi dn'
tabusemydaught er
i
nt entionallybecausei l
i
kedhowy ou
want edhert oknowherf amil
yand
tookheronweekends.Notmany
wiv esdot hataboutthei
rhusband's
children.Ihopet hisdrugdoesn't
hav eanyl ongt erm ef
fectsonyou
Lol
o:Soy
oubel
i
eveme?
Sedi
:Yes,
youhav
ebeendr
ugged

Lol
osighedinrel
i
efandt
ear
ful
l
y
huggedher.
..

Lol
o:Someonebel
i
evesme,
someonebel
iev
esme..
.

Sedirel
uctantlyhuggedherbackand
secr
etlyrubbedhert ear
s.Though
shelethi
mt ake3roundsonhershe
knewhewoul dleavethenext
morningafterblowingoffsome
steam butshedi
dn'
tthi
nki
twoul
d
hurtt
hewayi tdi
d.

Sedi
:Takemmi
tse.
.
Lol
o:Thanks

Theyletgoofoneanot hert henSedi

walkedbackinsideclosingthedoor,
Loloimmediatel
ycov eredhermout h
cryi
ngsil
entl
y,shecouldsmel lhi
m al
l
overherandthet houghtofwhat
happenedbrokeherhear tatt
ack.

Lol
o:(
whi
sper
ing)Godpl
easegi
ve
thestr
engt
h..
.Please..
.Ilovemy
husband.I
'
m sor r
yforhurti
nghim.I
knowthetearshecriedformecanf i
l
l
abucketbutpleasedon'ttakehim
awaybecauseofmyy outhmi st
akes.
..

Thedooropenedt henshequickl
y
rubbedoffhertearsandt
ookadeep
breathasAati
lezippedhi
ssweater
l
ookingatherwi t
houtanyfaci
al
expressi
on.
..

Aat
il
e:Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Lol
o:Um.
..
.Sedi
didn'
tsayany
thi
ng?
Aat
il
e:Nowhatdoy
ouwant
?Ar
eyou
her
etofight
?Harassme,har
assSedi
andbeatever
yoneli
key
oualwaysdo?

Lol
oshookherheadt
ear
ful
l
ylooki
ng
i
nhiscol
deyes.
..

Lolo:Nobabe,I
'
m notf i
ght
ing.
..I
thi
nksomeoneisdr uggi
ngme.
Pleasetestmybloodsample
Aati
l
e:Gotothehospit
ali
fyout
hink
youneedhel
p,I
'm notadoct
or
Lol
o:Butdoctorscometoy
ouf or
bl
oodtests,
pleaseSedi
bel
iev
esme.
Don'
tyoubeli
eveme?
Aati
le:Lol
oidon'
tknowwhatt o
bel
ieve,maybeyou'r
etakingdrugs
andnowy ouwantapi t
ypar t
y.Idon'
t
knowwhyy ouarecomi ngtomenow
becauseaccordi
ngtoy ourown
wordsYOUMARRI EDTHEWRONG
ONEsonowy ouseemeasusef ul?
Lolo:Ishouldn'
thavesai
dthat,
it'
s
beeny earsbutishoul
dn'
thave.
Pleasehelp
Aati
le:Gotothehospi tal,
theywil
l
hel
py ou.I
tslate,I'
m sleepingandi
wantadi v
orce.I'm notdivorci
ng
becauseoftheol dv i
deo,I'
m
di
vorcingbecauseI '
m nothappy .
Throughoutall
t heseyearsi
suppressedmysel
fhopi
ngt
hings
wouldchangebut.
.
Lol
o:Butt
hingschangedbabe,
we
madeprogr
ess
Aati
le:Wedi dn't
, y
ou'r
esti
lli
nchar ge
ofthathousehol d.Youmaket he
rul
esandi followjusttobewithy ou
becauseilov eyoumor ethany ou
l
oveme.Ican' tdoitanymore.
Lolo:Justbecauseidon'tknowhow
tobesubmi ssiv
edoesn'tmeanIdon' t
l
ov eyouorrespectyou.Igr ewupi na
homewi t
houtafathersoi don'tknow
whatf at
hersaresupposedt odo
that'
swhyi doev er
ythi
ngbuty ou
knoweacht imey outellmewhatI
shoulddo,i doitandi appreciatei
t.I
fel
tsogoodmal obawheny ousolved
ourchildr
en'sissues.Forthef ir
st
ti
mei enjoyedbei ngawi feand
watchingmyhusbandt akecar eof
thi
ngs.Iwantt hat.Someonei s
druggi
ngmesav eme. .
.Justone
mor eti
meandI '
llsubmi tmy sel
f
wholeheartedly.
Aatil
e:Ican't,
I'
m sorry
.I'm deci
ding
totaket heeasywayoutbecauseI '
m
ti
redofbei ngapuppet .Iwanttobe
whereI '
m appreciat
edandt reat
ed
l
ikei deserveto.Iam agoodman
andi knowi t
,theonlymi st
akeimade
wast obewi t
hawomanwhodoesn' t
seet hati
nmeandi al
mostbel i
eved
I'
m notmanenoughbutnotany more.
Iwantmysonst oknowt hatthey
deser v
eawomanwhor espectsthem
ortheymustwal kawayf rom i
t.Same
asmydaught er
s,i
ftheymeetaman
whodoesn' tr
espectthem.Theymust
l
eav e.I'
m sor
ryift
hatmakesmebad.

Lolotear
ful
lyl
ookedi
nhi
sey
esand
rubbedtear
s..
.

Lol
o:(l
aughedasherheartbroke)
Thefunnythi
ngi
sidon'tblamey ou,
I
don'tblameSedi forhav i
ngsexwi th
youjustnow.Yout riedsomany
ti
mesandy esy oudeser ver espect
theonlypai nfulthingisi changed
wheni twasl ateandwhoev er
druggedmedest roy edmymar ri
age.
Shehur tmyhusbandbecausei can
seey ou'r
ehur ti
ng, youcan' tcrybut
I'
dbehur tifIsawy oudoingwhati
wasdoi ng.You' reagoodmanf ornot
kil
li
ngme, otherswoul dhav elong
kil
ledmef ort hatI'llal
way sr espect
you.Yout riedyourbest ,
i f
ai l
ed...
You'rethest r
ongestmani know.

Aat
il
elookeddownasLol
ost
epped
overandhuggedhimthenhehugged
herti
ghtl
yandkissedherhai
r.
..
.

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry
Aat
il
e:I
'
m sor
ryt
oo.
..
Lol
o:Wi
l
lthehospi
tal
hel
pme?
Aat
il
e:They
'l
lhel
pyou.Letmewhat
dr
ugitis
Lolo:
Okay ,doyoumindnottell
i
ng
thechil
drenaboutthedi
vorceunti
l
wehav edealtwit
htherecentdr
ama?
Aati
l
e:Iwon'
tsayanyt
hingandI
'
ll
fi
ndahousetomorr
owandmov eout
.
Lol
o:Cani
bet
heonet
oexpl
ainwhy
y
ou'
remov
ingout
?
Aat
il
e:Sur
e,nopr
obl
em.
Lol
o:Goodni
ght
Aatil
e:Night ,
youshouldtakethose
resul
tstot hepolicesotheycanopen
aninvesti
gat i
on.May beitwi
llexpl
ain
yourbehav iourtoyouremployerand
theycanr eversethei
rdecisi
onmay be
evenfir
ewhoev erdidthi
s.
Lol
o:OhmyGod,thanksIdi
dn'
tthi
nk
aboutt
hat
..
.(smi
l
ed)thanks
Aat
il
e:Ni
ght
..
.

Shef
oundherwayt
othecarand
car
eful
l
ydr
ovet
othehospi
tal
..
..

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

LaterthatnightJuni
orhear dt hedoor
closingandcar ef
ull
yli
st enedt henhe
gotupandl ookedoutside,through
thefrontwindowhecoul dsee
Bridgetrunningoffwit
hZanet henhe
wentf orthedoorandr anaf terthem.
..

Juni
or:
Hey
!Hey
?

Theypausedbef
oreopeni
ngt
hegat
e
t
henJuni
orwal
kedov
er.
..

Juni
or:
Bri
dgetwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Bri
:(st
ammeri
ng)I'
m..
.I'
m..
.Wear
e
chi
ll
ingint
hecar
Juni
or:
Wear
ingsuchashor
tski
rt
?
Zane:
Shei
snotl
eav
ing,
wear
eint
he
car
Junior
:Iwasn'
ttal
kingtoyou..
.(t
ohis
l
it
tlesi
ster
)Brigetbackinthehouse.
..
Zane:
Bri
let
'sgo.
.

Zanest
eppedov
erl
ooki
ngatJuni
or.
..
Zane:
Arey
ouchal
l
engi
ngme?
Junior:Ketaagobet saZaneaut
wa?
Nxla..
.(angri
l
y)BridgetIsai
dget
backint hehouse!It
'slat
e

Bri
dgettearf
ulwalkedbehi
ndt hen
Zanetri
edtoholdherarm,Juni orbi
t
hi
slowerlipandpunchedhim ont he
j
aw, Zanefel
lbackthenhekicked
hi
m ont hechest
..
.

Meanwhil
eint
hecarDayotur
nedand
sawsomekindofconf
ront
ati
onat
thegat
easBri
dgetscr
eamed..
.
Day
o:Br
i'
sdadcaughtt
hem
Nash:
Shi
t.
..Let
'sgo.
..
Juni
or:
Andl
eav
ehi
m?
Nash:Ican'
tbecaughther
e,mydad
wouldkil
lme
Juni
or:(
steppedout
)Mxm I
'
m get
ti
ng
out.
..

Juni
orsteppedoutthenNashj
umped
behi
ndthewheel anddrov
eoff
..
..

Meanwhil
eBr i
dgetpul
ledJuni
orback
buthepushedheroffasshefel
lon
thesandthenhestompedonZane's
stomach,Zanegr
abbedhi
sfootand
tr
ippedhi
m downthenhecrawled
overandpunchedhi
m ont
hef ace.

Bri
dget
:Juni
orst
op!Zane?Zane?
(j
umpedrubbi
ngherhandstoget
her
pani
cked)St
opit
!

JuniorgrabbedZanebyt hecoll
ars
andheadedhi mimmediatel
y
splashingbloodasZanemel ted
l
ay i
nghi sheaddownasAat il
eJrran
throught hegateandr
estri
ctedJr
blockinghim...
Aat
il
ejr:Stop!HeySuper
st
op..
..
.You'l
lki
ll
him..
.
Junior
:(movi
ngback)Nxla.
..
.Zaneo
batagontwael
aelennake..
Aat
il
ejr:Butt
hat
'senough,
hei
s
dr
unk..
.

Juniordust
edhispantsandspaton
thesideasBri
dgetkneltnextt
oZane
holdi
nghisheadashebl edonher
thi
gh...
.

Br
idget
:Zane?Cany
ouhearme?
Aat
il
eJr
:Yourf
ri
endsr
anof
f
Junior
:That'swhatcouldhave
happenedhady ouranintoany
tr
oublewi t
hthatcar,
l
othekabot hree
j
aanay ou'danswerfori
t.(pushedhis
si
steraside)Don'
ttouchhiml i
kethat
heisnotababy ..
.

TheguyshelpedZaneupandwal ked
i
nthehouseheadingtothebathr
oom
whereZaneleanedovert
hesink
washinghi
sface..
.

Bri
dget
:Juni
ori
can'
tbel
i
evey
oudi
d
thi
s
Juni
or:
Getout
!
Aati
l
ejrandBr idgetsteppedbackas
Juni
orclosedthedoorandf oldedhis
armslookingatZaneashel if
tedhis
headandgl ar
edathi m onthemi rr
or.
..

Junior
:Doy ourememberwal king
fr
om school pi
ggybacki ngFaithwith
yourmothercarryi
ngasackof
Tsabana?Howhungr yy oulooked
andhowf astyouat ethegr apesi
gaveyou,howi neacht wogr apesi
gaveyouy ougaveFait h?How
grat
efuly
ouwer ef orthebal ligave
you?
Hewast ipsybutthei
mageswere
cl
earerthanHD, i
twast hememori
es
hetri
edt orepl
acethr
oughouthi
sli
fe
becauset heybr
oughttearst
ohi
s
eyes.
..

Junior:
That '
stheJunioriknow,
Hangingwi t
ht hoser
ichkidswon' t
takeawayt hosememor iesandt he
samet hingthatmadey ousharet he
grapeswi t
hFai t
histhesamet hing
thatmademebeaty ouupf ort
rying
totakemysi steratmidnightwhen
you'r
edrunkanddr iv
ing.Thisisnot
whoy ouwer ebef or
ey oul eftandi t
doesn'tsuityou.Youmi ghthav e
gainedwei ghtandmuscl ebuty ou'r
e
stil
lmyl i
ttl
ebr otherandy oushoul d
respectme.I 'm notrudebecausei
don'twantt ohur totherpeopl e'
s
feeli
ngsnotbecausei don' thav e
hands.Ijustr espectot herpeopl eand
i
twoul dbeni cei fyout ryittoo.Ev ery
girlwholikesy ouatschool l
ikesy ou
forhowy oul ookandt hewayy ou
playbasket ballnotbecausey ou'r
e
rude.You'regoi ngtofai landgoback
toeatingTsabanaasnaadul t,you'l
l
behav ingchildrenjustsoy oucanget
freeTsabana.Ourpar ent swon' tlive
f
orev
er.
..

Zaneclosedt
hetapandsatonthe
edgeofthebatht
ubstar
ingatt
he
wall
..
.

Junior:You' rethepastor'
sson, you
standbef orethousandsofpeopl e
everySundaysi ngingsongsofpr ai
se
andwor ship.Mot her'
sandf athers
envyy ouandgi rl
swanty oubecause
theythinky ou'rewise.Nobodyhas
noticedt hisnewbehav i
our,stop
beforeev eryonel osesrespectforyou.
Stopbef or eyouembar rassy our
fat
her.You'redestr
oyi
ngy ourimage.
Youdon' thavetoruninpackstobe
theit
, y
oucanbepower f
ul byyour
self
andy ou'
v ebui
ltt
hatimageal r
eady.
Don'tdestroyi
t..
.

Zanepinchedthebri
dgeofhi
snose
andrubbedhistear
s..
.

Juni
or:ImagineifIwasat hug,t
hese
guyswouldhav ejustranofl eav
ing
youwithBriatthisti
meoft henight
andthat'
sthefriendshipyouwant ?
Youcandobet terthant hat.
..
Juni
orsteppedoutandcl osedthe
doorwalki
ngi ntothel
ivi
ngroom
whereAatil
eJrwassi tt
ingfaci
ng
Bri
dget
,Juni orputacushionon
Bri
dget
'sthighsandsatdown. .
.

Juni
or:Soyou'
repar
tofacr
ewt
oo?
Alothaschanged
Aatil
eJunior
:I'
m not
,wehav en'
tbeen
togetheri
nawhi l
ejustl
i
kei haven'
t
beenseeingyou.Wemett odayandi
didn'
tknowtheyweredri
nking..
.

Zanewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom
wipi
nghi
msel
fandsatont
hecouch
l
ooki
ngatJuni
or.
..

Zane:
Canimakeacal
lsomydad
canpi
ckme?
Juni
or:
Howar ey
ougoi
ngt
oexpl
ain
bei
ngdrunk?
Br
i:Youcansl
eepov
erandgoi
nthe
morning
Zane:
(si
ghed)Ok
Juni
or:
ButI
'
m sl
eepi
ngwithal
lthe
guysi
nmyroom orI
'
m sl
eepi
ngwith
Bri
Zane:
Iwon'
ttouchher
,comeon
Juni
or:
Arewedoi
ngt
hisagai
n?
Zane:
I'
mjustsay
ing,
nev
ermi
nd.
Juni
or:
AndZanesl
eepsbehi
ndme,
l
et'
sgo..
.

Theguy
slaughedandf
oll
owedhi
m
tot
hebedroom..
..
.

Juni
or:
Andsl
eepBr
i,goodni
ght
Br
idget
:Goodni
ght
..
..

AttheCri
minalI
nvest
igat
ion
Depart
ment.
..

Adet
ect
ivewal
kedi
nwhi
stl
i
ngand
pul
ledachai
rlooki
ngatLologoi
ng
thr
oughLol
o'
sst at
ement.
..
..

Him:Okay .
..Soatt hispointever
yone
i
ny ourl
ifeisasuspect ssowehav e
toeli
minateev ery
onef rom theli
st,i
am notaccusingy ourhusbandbut
thespousei salway sthefir
stsuspect.
Isyourhusbandcapabl eofdoingthis?
Lol
o:No,hehasbeeni
nthehospi
tal
,
whenall
thi
sstar
tedhewasn'
thome.
Him:Okay..
.I'
l
lconfir
mthatl
ater
,is
hehavinganaffai
r?Couldhi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendbedoi ngthi
stoper
haps-
Lol
o:No,
it'
ssomeoneatwor
k.Idon'
t
haveenemi
es.Ihav
ebeenmaki ngso
muchprogr
essatworkandi was
aboutt
obepromotedyetagain.
Hi
m: Lol
o,don'
tdir
ectme.
..The
ev
idencewil
ldi
rectmeokay?
Lolo:Okaykanakegor ey ou'r
e
waistingtimesuspect i
ngboAat il
e,i
don'thav eenemi es.Cany ouj ust
i
nv esti
gateev eryoneatwor k?
Especi al
lyMaitumel oPill
ow, shewas
myj uniorandIbel ieveshewi l
lbe
takingmypost .Shenev erlikedme.
ItsherbecauseIusual l
ygotwor seat
wor kandt henatni ghtgor ayagor e
thesedr ugswoul dbewear ingof f
,
from thereitstartsagain.Justt hat
I
'
vel
ostmemor
iesofsomanyt
hings.
Hi
m: Ihearyou,whataboutfr
iends?
Haveyouhadanyf i
ghtswithanyone
whomi ghtwanttodrugyouwi t
hPCP?
Lolo:No,ihav
en'thadanyf i
ghtswith
anyone.I'
m al
way satworkt henigo
homet omyhusband.That '
sit.
(i
mpat i
entl
ysighed)Cany ouplease
i
nvestigat
emycowor ker
s!
Him:(sighed)Fi
ne,I'
llstartatwor k
thenI'
l
l beworkingthroughy our
rel
ati
onssopl easekeept his
i
nformat i
onpriv
ate.Don' ttel
l your
husbandt hatwefoundanydr ugsin
yourblood.Don'tt
ellany oneev enthe
chi
ldr
enbecauseheyyouhavestep
chi
ldr
enandniecesandnephews,al
l
oft
hesepeoplestandal
ottogainif
somethi
nghappenstoyou.
Lol
o:Okay
Him:IfI'
m goi ngt onai
lthis
i
nvestigati
oni needyour
understanding.Youcannott ell
anyonet hattheCI Disinvesti
gati
ng
thi
s,doy ougetme?
Lolo:Yes,Iwon'
ttel
lany
one.I
promise.Star
tworki
ngsoicanget
myj obback
Hi
m:I
'
lldot
hat
,hav
eagoodday
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..
.
Shegotherhandbagandwal
kedout
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Ont hesameSat urdaymor ningBr i

ti
ptoedt oJunior'sroom wher et he
guyswer elyingdeadasl eept henshe
stoodont heot hersideofthebed
l
ooki ngatZaneashehandsomel y
sl
eptwi thacutont hebridgeofhi s
noset henshesl owlyleanedov erand
ki
ssedhi m, Zaneopenedhi sey es
andgl ancedatt heguy '
swithout
maki ngamov ement .Theywer e
asl
eepthenheFrenchki
ssedBriand
sl
owlytouchedherbr
east
swithone
hand.
..

BayangJrt ur
nedshakingthebedand
theypausedfrozenst
ar i
ngathi
m as
hecontinuedsnori
ng,Bril
eanedover
andkissedhim agai
nthensheheard
herfat
herparkingout
sideandtipt
oed
out.
..

Zanelai
dbackli
ckinghi
sli
psand
smil
ed..
.."
Bri
,Br
i,Bri
ohBri
..
..
..
"

Bay
angwal
kedacr
osst
hehouse
Cal
l
ingev
ery
one.
..

Bayang:Jay?What
'shappeningt
o
thegate?Lelet
sel
esatswala?

Juniorgotupput ti
ngonhist-shir
t
andshookt heguy '
s,Zanegotup
yawningandl eanedagainstthewall
touchinghisachingfacethenBay ang
openedt hedoorandf rowned..

Bay
ang:
Uhu.
..
Juni
or:
Mor
ningdad.
.
Bay
ang:
Mor
ning,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
(
looki
ngatZane)Whathappenedt
o
y
ourface?
Juni
or:
ZanecheckedonBr
idgetand
wehadatal
k
Bayang:I
tmusthav
ebeenaseri
ous
tal
kforhi
mtolookli
ket
hat
,ar
ey ou
ok?
Zane:
Ihav
eaheadache
Bay
ang:
Whatdi
dyout
wot
alkabout
?
Zane:
Respect

Bot
hJunior
slaughedathi
m as
Bay
anglaughed.
..
Bayang:Idon'
tknowwhatt osay
..
.
Letmegety oupainki
l
ler
sanddrive
youhome.Thereissomet hi
ngIwant
totel
lyouontheway
Zane:
Okay
..
.

Bayangl
ookedathisswol
lennose
andchuckl
edcl
osingthedoor
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..

Meanwhi
leatthepastor'
shouse,
Fai
thwal
kedinherparentsroom and
qui
etl
ysl
i
dinatt hei
rfeetandlai
d
downputt
ingherheadonherteddy
beart
henKenfeltherashet
urned.

Hepushedtheduv
etandputher
betweent
hem t
henDidi
'
sphone
rang.
..

Di
di:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,ar
eyouatt
heshop?
Didi
:No,
ijustgotup.
..What
'st
he
ti
me?
Lol
o:I
t'
s8.
..
Di
di:(
shecount
edandt
hesl
eepi
ness
di
sappear
ed)Arey
ouhome?
Lol
o:I
'
m onmywayt
her
e
Di
di:
Didy
ouwantt
oseeme?
Lol
o:Yeah,i
twouldbeni
cetotalk.
Youwon'tbel
iev
ewhathappened..
Gobatarel
emmogokegosebel etsa
Di
di:
I'
m comi
ng,
letmegetdr
essed.

Shequi ckl
ygotupandchangedher
cl
ot hesthenshebr
ushedherteet
h
andr anmakeuponherfacebefor
e
KissingKenandFait
h..
.

Di
di:
BabeI
'
m comi
ng.
..
Shegr
abbedherbagandhur
ri
edout
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Minutesl at
erDidist
eppedoutoft
he
carlookedatherhandbag
thoughtfull
ythenshegrabbedi
tand
l
ockedt hecar .
..

SheknockedandwalkedinasLolo
wassit
tingonthecouchwithaduvet
andalargeicecr
eam cont
ainer
watchi
ngTVt hensheputherphone
onthetableandsat
..
Di
di:
Hey
Lolo:Ihaven'twat chedTVi nal ong
ti
me, ibeenwor kingsohar dIf orgot
towat chTV.I magi ne..
.istartedt hi
s
yesterdayandi thassomanyl essons.
Thegi rl
srecordi torwhat ev er
Exploradoes...Thi sthi
ngi sni ce, i
t
hasal otoflessons. .Betrayal and
l
ies..
.

Didi'
sheartpoundedasshesatand
l
ookedatGossi pgir
lpl
ayi
ngont he
screen.
..
.
Di
di:
Real
l
y?
Lolo:(eatingi
cecream)Iwonderwhy
gir
lsfindpeacei nhurt
ingeachot her
andbr ingingeachotherdown, or
may bei t'
sastagetheywi l
lpass.We
usedt of i
ghtli
kethi
sbutweal ways
madeup.Thepast2y earsy ou
i
gnor edmei missedyousomuch, i
wasl onelyandneededsomeonet o
chatwi th.CanyoubelieveI'
vefall
en
i
nlov ewi thAtt
ieall
ov eragain?
Di
di:
Amme?
Lolo:
(tear
full
y)Yeah,t
heonlyt
hing
thatmakessexbor i
ngis
unfai
thful
nessandthepersonyou
cheatwi thwillalway shav eanupper
handbecausehedoesn' tdeal wit
hon
dail
ybasi s.Aatilehadt owor r
yabout
somanyt hingswhi chhewasdoi ng
formeandMogapi all hehadt odo
wasbuymechocol at ey aP50whi l
e
Aatil
epai dMay a'
sschool fees,
supportedmewheni hadnoj ob.
Whenwewer et oget herwet alked
aboutimpor tantt hi ngsi nsteadof
fucki
ng, mymi ndwasst upid.Koor eI
wasl i
ket hesemenwhocheaton
thei
rwiv eswi t
hy oungergi r
lssaying
thesexi sperfectt her eathomet he
wifeislazy.Onl yaf t erIst opped
cheati
ngdi di star tt oenj oymy
husbandbuti t
hinkit
'stoolate.Heis
ti
redofhavingawi f
ef oraslut.Ican'
t
fi
ndanythi
ngwr ongtobadmout h
hi
m, hefoughtforthi
sf ami
lywi th
everysi
nglecelli
nhisbody...I'
llnev
er
fi
ndloveagain.
Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Lolo:(
sighed)AnywaymaabaneI
wenttot hehospit
al andgottested,
someoneatwor kisdr uggi
ngme, I
suspectMai t
umelo.Pl easedon'
ttel
l
anyoneaboutt hi
s,thepol i
ceare
i
nvesti
gat i
-

Angel
Dustcal
l
edt
henLol
oreached
f
orherphoneandhandedi
tov
er.
..
..
.

Lol
o:Angel
Dust
?

Didi
'
shear tpoundedasLol
olooked
ather.
..
..

LI
KETOGETTHENEXTI
NSERT
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
21AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 142

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Di
di:
What
?
Lol
o:Whoisshe?Iheardt
hisname
bef
ore,
itsoundsf
amili
ar
Di
di:
(gott
hephone)Ti
sa.
.

Shepickedandl
eanedbackr
educi
ng
thecal
lervol
ume.
..
Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Rastafar
ian:
Hell
o?Ihavenewstuffi
thoughtyoumightwantt
otry,i
t'
sas
goodasAngel Dust
..
.You'
lll
ovethem.
Di
di:(
fakedasmi
le)Al
ri
ght,
thanks.
I
'l
lcal
lbacki
nafewminutes
Rast
a:By
e

Shehungandsi
ghed.
..

Di
di:
Theyneedmeatt
hebout
ique.
.
Lol
o:Ohokay,l
etmewalkyouout
..
.
WareAngelDustkemang?
Di
di:
Shei
snewatt
hebout
ique,
i
doubtyouknowhert hough.Shei
s
fr
om Swazil
andandshehasbeen
askingmeforarefer
enceshewant s
toleaveMaun.That'
swhyshei s
cal
ling
Lol
o:I
jomay
beI'
m conf
usi
ngher
namewit
hsomeone
Di
di:
Kebel
ael
ajalol
enna,
goshap
mma.Seey
oulater
Lol
o:By
e,

Di
dir
oll
edupthewindowanddr
ove
of
fdi
ali
ngtherast
afar
ian.
..
.
Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Didi
:(angr
il
y)Whyt
hehel
lar
eyou
call
i
ngme?
Hi
m:It
hought
-
Didi:
I'
m notadrugaddictwena
delet
emynumber !Whati fmy
husbandhadanswer edyou?Kana
nekelebetsel
egorei hav
ey our
number.Skabeyareonnal estock
want el
etsawena,i
ja.

Shehungupanddel
etedhi
s
number.
..
.
I
nBay
ang'
scar
..
..
.

Meanwhileonthesamemorning
Zaneleanedov
erthemir
rorf
ixinghi
s
pl
aster.
..

Bayang:Iwantustot
alkaboutwhat
happenedthatday
Zane:Youmeanwheny
out
ri
edt
oki
l
l
mysister
?
Bayang: Youknowiwasn'
ttr
yingto
ki
llherbutiwaswrongandit
botheredmeov ert
heyear
s.Itri
edto
apologiseovert
hephonebutyour
mot herdoesn'
twantmeto,iguess
shedoesn' twantt oremi ndFai thbuti
am sorry.Iwasdepr essed, you'l
l
understanddepr essionwheny ou're
grownbecausei t'
snotj ustst r
ess, i
t'
s
somet hi
ngdeepert hant hat.Iloved
yourmom andi stil
l l
ov eher, il
ov ed
herwhenshewasj ustal i
ttl
egi r
l.I
alwaysknewi di
dn'tst andachance
againstyourf atherbuti thoughti fi
l
ov edhermor eshewoul dchooseme,
whenIr ealisedi wasl osingi l
ostmy
mind.
Zane:
Iunder
stand
Bayang:I
fyouhurtBr i
dgetyou'l
lbe
hur
tingyour
selfbecausei won'tsay
any
thingtoyou,I'
l
ljustletherdeal
wit
hit.I
fyouhur
tawomanthatl
oves
youchancesar
eyou'
l
lnev
erfi
ndone
l
ikethat
.
Zane:Br
idgeti
sani
cepersonand
shechangedmymind.I
'
m sorr
y
Bayang:I'l
ltelly
ouonet hingthough,
i
fyout ouchherI 'mreporti
ngy oufor
def
ilement ,
y ou'
reolderthanherand
i
tdoesn'tmat t
erifyouareunder
18.
you'llbechar ged
Zane:
I'
m av
irgi
n
Bayang:
Nowt hati
knowyou'
reali
ari
don'
tthi
nkI
'
llall
owBri
dgett
otal
k-
Zane:OkayI'
m notav
irgi
n,I
'
m sor
ry.I
won'tl
ieagai
n..
.
Bay angparkedthecarandt hey
steppedoutasKenwal kedout
talki
ngt othephonewhilecarryi
ng
Hazel whowaswear i
ngat hermalhat
anddr inki
ngmi l
koutofabi gbottl
e.
Faithranoutfrom behi
ndinherwar m
clothes..
.

Ken:(
tot
hephone)Al
ri
ght
,hei
sher
e.
Shap

HehungandmetBayanghal
fway
l
ooki
ngatZane'
sbr
okennose..
.
Ken:
Whathappened?
Bay
ang:
Goodmor
ning
Ken:
Goodmor
ning.
..
.

Bayangwai
tedforhi
mt oexpl
ain
hi
mselft
ohisfather
..
.

Zane:Isnuckoutlastni
ghtand
checkedonBridget
Ken:
whoi
sBr
idget
?
Zane:
Juni
or'
ssi
ster
Ken:(
angri
ly)Pleasetell
meshei s16
orabovebecausei fsheisnotI
'm
goi
ngtocast r
ateyou.Isshe?(he
keptquiet
)Ican'tbel
i
eveyou'
ret
hat
sexual
lyacti
ve,haveyouused
prot
ecti
on?
Zane:
Wedi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing
Ken:(
turnedtoBayang)Andiguess
youcouldn'
twaitt
odropthepunches
huh?Didyoureall
yhavetodothi
sto
hisf
ace?
Zane:
Ihadaf
ightwi
thJuni
or
Ken:(
handedhi
mthebaby
)Get
i
nside

Zanewalkedinsi
dewithhi
ssister
s
andclosedthedoorasKenand
Bayanglookedatoneanot
her..
..
Ken:
Howol
disBr
idget
?
Bay
ang:
15
Ken: I
'
m sorry,
I'
ll
tal
ktoZanehewi ll
defini
tel
ystayawayfrom her
becausef r
om heremeandhi m ar
e
goingtohav easeri
oustalk.
Bayang:
I'
dappr
eci
atet
hat
.Canwe
tal
k?
Ken:Ihopeit
'snotaboutmywif
e
becauseyou'
llbetempti
ngmetoact
theopposi
teofwhati wantt
o
Bayang:It
'snot
,I'
m ov
ert
hat.Ther
e
i
sawomani nmyl i
fewhoisway
bet
terthanher.
.
Ken:
Arey
out
hrowi
ngashade?
Bay
ang:
Justbei
nghonest
..
.

Theyl
eanedagai
nstthecarbonnet
bothf
aci
ngthehouse..
.

Bayang: Justbef oreDi diandthekids

l
eftwehadaf ight,thedaywear gued
aboutthepi ctures.Onmywayt o
dropthem of fIy ell
edatt hechildr
en,
Fait
hwast ooy oungt ounder standso
shetalkedbackandi putmyhand
overherf acesuf focatingherfor
someseconds.I tterr
ifi
ed-
Ken:
Yout
ri
edt
oki
l
lmydaught
er?
Andyouthi
nknowthatI
'm apast
or
youcanconf
essandgetawaywithi
t?
Bay ang: It
'snotaboutt hat,i can
handley ourreacti
onj ustf i
net hat'
s
whyI 'mt elli
ngy ourele2gor eol we
gaobat aandi won'tstopy ouorf i
ght
backbuti hadtogeti tof fmychest
andi f eelbetternow.I fy oudon' t
mi ndI '
dl i
ketoapol ogiset oFai t
hjust
tomakesur esheget ssomeki ndof
closur e,ireadsomewher et hat
children'smemor yatev eryshar pand
theynev erforgetthei
rabuser .
Ken:
I'
llgetbacktoyouaft
ertal
king
toDi
di,
pleaseleavebef
oreibehave
i
nimpropermanner .
Bayanggoti
nt hecarandr
oll
eddown
thewindow.
..

Ken:Andt elly
ourdaughtert
hatZane
hasagi r
lfr
iendcall
edLail
aandsheis
pregnant.May behefor
gotto
ment i
onit.

Hewal kedbackint
hehouseand
slammedt hedoorwal
kingtoZane'
s
room wherehewaschangingclot
hes
withHazelsi
tti
ngonthebedplayi
ng
withhi
sphonepushingitar
ound..
Ken:(angr i
l
y )Wehav en'
tbeenher e
l
esst hanamont handy oualready
haveagi rlf
riend?What '
swrongwi t
h
you?Andsneaki nginpeople'
s
housessl eepingwi t
hunderagegi r
ls?
ZaneLai l
ai sstil
lkeepi
ngthebaby .
Shemov edt oStLouistostaywi t
h
herfathersoguesswhat ?Youhav ea
responsibil
it
youtt here
Zane:Ididn'
tknowt hat,shebl
ocked
meinev erythi
ng.Howwasi
supposedt oknow?Andi di
dwhat
youtoldmet odo.Didn'
tyousayi
shoul
ddumpher ?
Ken:
Sowearefl
ippi
ngthescr
iptnow?
I
'mtryi
ngt
ohel
py ouher
e,Lai
l
a's
fatherhasagr eednott oreportthi
s
asl ongaswesuppor tthebaby .He
alsoaskedmet otel
lyout ostay
awayf rom hi
sdaughterandhewi l
l
keepy ouupdatedaboutt hebabyand
ever yt
hingelsebecausey ou're
depr essingherandshei salready
stressedaboutdr oppingoutof
school .
Zane:Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngt
obreakher
l
ikethat
,youmademedoit
.
Ken:Iwast
ryi
ngtohelpy
ou,idi
dn'
t
evenknowyou'
rehav
ingsex.
Zane:Andyouwer
ewr
ongdadj ust
admitit
,wemadeami
stake.Al
lofus
andI
'
m goi
ngt
osuf
ferf
ori
t.
Ken:
Whowi
l
lbesuppor
ti
ngt
hebaby
?
Zane:
Youandmama
Ken:Whoiscur
rent
lycar
ryi
ngy our
babybatt
li
ngwi
thweightandfunny
crav
ingsal
sodr
oppingoutofschool?
Zane:
Lai
l
a
Ken: You'
renotav i
cti
m here,
everyoneisav i
cti
m exceptyou.Lai
l
a
i
sst uckwithababywhi l
ey our
motherandi arestuckwithyour
expenses.You'rebusyenjoyi
ng
yourselfwi
thothergir
lswhileweare
deali
ngwi t
hy ournonsense.Havea
seat..
.
Theybot
hsatdown.
..

Ken: Wear emov i

ngy outoa
gov ernmentschool tocat erforthe
baby 'sexpenses.I '
m notaski ngy ou,
I'
mt ell
ingy ousodon' tcommenton
that.I'mt akingy ourl aptop,
Play Stationandy ourSmar t
phone.I '
m
goingt osel lt hem andsendLai l
at he
money .Herf athersur vi
veswi t
ha
disabi l
itycheckwhi chwon' tbe
enoughf ort hem.I '
m al sonotaski ng
you, I'
mj ustt elli
ngy ouandy ouwon' t
besi ngi ngi nchur chunt i
lyouget
youracttogether
,I'
m notabouttobe
embar r
assedbymyownsoni n
church.Idon'
twanty outal
kingto
Bayang'sdaughtereveragai
n..
.
(l
ookinginhiseyes)Doy ou
understandme?
Zane:
Yes
Ken: (
laughedshakinghi sheadi n
disbel
ief)Zane?I'
llki
llyoubef or
ey ou
embar rassme, doyouunder st
and
that?Ifyoucan'tcontrolthese
hormonesI 'l
lbeatthem outofy ou.
Youhav etofocusonschool and
suppor t
ingyourbaby .I
neachschool
holi
dayy ou'l
lhavetof i
ndaj oband
sendt hemoney
Zane:I'
m sor
ry,i
won'ttal
ktoBridget
.
Ididn'
tevenknowLail
adecidedt o
keepitandI'
m happythatyou'
re
helpi
ngmeoutonsuppor ti
ngthe
baby.

Asi l
entmomentpassedastheysat
ont hebedwhil
eHazelwal
kedout
draggingZane'
sunder
wearwithout
beingnoti
ced..
.

Ken:Doy
ouev
enknowhowt
ohav
e
sex?
Zane:(
laughedl
ooki
ngdown)Idon'
t
know
Ken: I
'
dt eachy ouhowt ohav esex
withagi rlproper l
ybuty ou'reon
punishmentandi twillseem likeI'm
encouragi ngy ousoI 'l
lmakea
promise.I fy oudon'tdat eany one
untily
ourbabyi sbornandy oupass
atschool .I'l
lteachyouhowt omake
awomanf al
l i
nlovewi thusingsex
only.I
t'
sv erydiffi
cultbecause
womenwantal otofthingslike
attent
ionandmoneybutsexal so
i
mpor tantf ory ourownpeaceof
mindandego.Amanwi thoutanego
i
sasgoodasdeadandi fyoudon' t
knowhowt ohav esexgi rl
swi llnever
respect.Youcanbeagoodguyand
doallt
herightthi
ngsbutifyoucan't
makeawomaneatf rom thepalm of
yourhandyou'r
enothing,chocolat
e
wil
lbetast
elessandshewi l
lrol
lher
eyesbefor
eanswer i
ngy ourcall
s..
Zane: (
laughed)Real
l
y?Ididn'
tknow
that.Howdoi knowi
fI'
m notgood
though?
Ken:
Ify
ourex
'sdon'
tbot
hery
ou
Zane:
(di
sappoi
nted)Ser
ious?
Ken:
Elegor
eonal
eexal
ready
?
Zane:
Thr
ee
Ken:what
?Whendi
dyoust
arthav
ing
sex?
Zane:
lasty
ear
Ken: What?Ican'
tbeli
evet
his,
arethe
othergirl
snotpregnant
?Didyouuse
protect
ion?
Zane: No,theywereonpi l
ls.Thef i
rst
twower eoldert
hanmeandt heother
onewhowas13i tdidn'
tendwel l
,she
saiditwaspai nf
ulsoi decidedwe
woul dtrynextti
met henist ar
ted
datingLailaanditbecameser i
ous.I
didn'tcheatonherbecausei l
oveher.
RememberLaur a?
Ken:
Yousl
eptwi
thHazel
'
sbaby
sit
ter
?
Shei
swas19andyouwerel
i
kewhat
15
Zane: Shehadacr
ushonmeand
Sethencouragedmetost
artwi
thher
soshecant eachmehowtohavesex
besidesshewasshor
tert
hanme
Ken:Idon'tev
enknowwhatt
osay
.
I
'm shocked
Zane:Noneoft hem arebotheri
ngme,
assoonasi endedt herel
ationship
theyneverbotheredme.Doest hat
meani suckinbed?
Ken:Possi
blybutwewill
seei
fthat
's
theprobl
em i
fyoustayawayf
rom
gir
ls.
Zane:
OK
Ken:
Wehav
etogety
oucheckedf
or
HI Vy oucan'tgoar oundhav i
ngsex
l
ikey oudon' tknowany t
hingabout
STDsZane, you'l
ldi
ey oung.Never
trustawomanwi t
hy ourheal
th,i
fshe
caneasi l
yletyougetbet weenher
l
egswi thoutacondom j ustknowt hat
anot hermanhasbeendownt here
wi t
houtacondom andt henextone
aftery ou,somewomenar ejustl
ike
that.Don' tf
allforit
Zane:
Okay
..
.
Ken:IoncehadanSTDf r
om Amantl
e
andicouldn'
turi
nate,i
twasburni
ng
l
ikecrazyicr
ied,l
i
teral
lycr
ying
Zane:
(laughed)Jesus,
ok.I
'
m not
goingt
ohav
esexunt
ilwet
alkmay
be
Isuck
Ken:Good,
mov eal
lyourthingsto
thehar
ddri
veandhandt hem over.I
'
ll
buyyoubaphoneyaP200f orcal
ls
andSMSsonly.

Zanegrabbedhi
sthingsandsaton
thebedmov i
ngthi
ngsasKenwal ked
out.
..
..

AtJan'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningAgat
hasl
owl
ygot
offthebedandlookedatJanst il
l
sleepi
ngthenshesmi l
ednaughtyand
reachedforherphone.Sheswi t
ched
thecamer aonandpl acedonthe
windowunderaper fectmorningli
ght
thensheleanedoverandwi nked.

Shepressedaf akecallbuttonon
Jan'
sphoneandqui et
lylaidbackon
thebedput t
ingherheadonJan' s
chest,Janputherarm ov erherand
mov edclosertohersti
llhersleep.
TheysleptforawhilethenJan' s
phoner ang.
..
Jan:
(rockyv
oice)Hel
l
o?Hel
l
o?

Therewasaf unnyconstant
computeri
sedv oi
cethenshefrowned
l
ookingatthephoneandhungup,
shesatontheedgeoft hebedand
rubbedthesl
eepinessofherface.
.

Jan:
Babe?

SheshookAgat
ha'
sthi
gh.
..

Agat
ha:
(mut
ter
ed)Josepht
her
ra.
..
Janpausedandl
ookedather
..
.

Jan:
Whatdidyousay?(shookher
)
Hey.
.Whatdi
dy oucal
lme?
Agat
ha:(
gotupy
awni
ng)Isai
dgosh
ther
ra
Jan:
Yousai
dJoseph!
Agat
ha:
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
Jan:(
annoyed)Ar
ey oureal
l
ygoi
ngt
o
denythi
s?YousaidJoseph
Agat
ha:
Idi
dn'
t
Jan:
(angr
il
y)Areyoupl
ayi
ngme?
Real
ly?Whothefucki
sJoseph
Agat
ha?
Agat
ha:(whi
ning)IsaidIsai
dgosh
ther
ra,
that'
swhati sai
d

Janangri
lypul
ledthesheetsof
fand
gotonthebedlookingatherasshe
fear
ful
l
ylaidbacklooki
ngupather.
..

Jan:
Whot
hef
ucki
sJosh?
Agatha:You'
ret
hepastor
'ssonJan,
youcan'
tbethreat
eni
ngmel iket
his
getoffme
Jan:
myfat
herisapastornotme,
Agat
hawhoisJoseph?
Clearl
yJanwasget t
ingpissedwi t
h
everyanswerbutdamnt hejealous
l
ookonherf acewassexyAF, Agatha
fearf
ull
ycover
edherf acewitha
pil
lowasJansatonhert ummy ..
.

Jan:
Agat
hawee?Agat
ha?Nt
sha
mosamo
Agat
ha:
(headonthepi
l
low)Ah-
eo
bat
agompetsakampamamof aci
ng
Jan:
Whot
hef
ucki
sJoseph?
Agat
ha:
Cany
ouj
ustl
eav
emeal
one.
.
Jan:Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'
recheat
ingon
me,weshouldbefocusi
ngonhelping
yoursibl
i
ngsandyou'
rebusywith
Joseph,(
angri
ly)Whothehel
li
s
Joseph?I'
m notaski
ngyouagai
n..

Agathakeptquiethidi
ngunderthe
bedasJant earful
l
ystaredatthe
pil
lowthenshegotof fthebedand
putonherclothesasAgat hasl
owly
tookoffthepi
llowlooki
ngather..

Agat
ha:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Jan:Don'
tfucki
ngtal
ktomebecause
I
'mt hi
scl
oset or
earr
angi
ngy
our
face..
.
Sheputonhersweat spantsandvest
thenshewalkedoutput ti
ngonher
headssets,Agathapickedthe
recor
dingphoneandf ol
l
owedJanas
sheputonherr unningshoesand
openedthedoor .
..

Agat
ha:
Babebona

Janturnedbackandl ookedatthe
camerat henshelookedatAgatha
whowashol di
nginherlaugher,Jan'
s
eyessexilyshr
unkasshesmi l
ed
l
ookingatherf eel
i
ngdumb. ..
Agat
ha:
Ijustpr
ankedy
ou.
..
Jan:(
sighedandshookherhead)I
coul
dhav ereal
lysl
appedyoudoyou
knowthat?Ireal
lywantedt
odoit
Agatha:(l
aughed)Butdi
dn'
tyou
thi
nkthatcal
lwasfake?
Jan:YouthinkI'l
lthinkaboutthe
phonewhenI 'm gettingcheated?t
hat
wasoutofmi nd.Pleasedon'tplay
l
ikethat.
.(pushedt hecamer aaway )
Putthatoutofmyf ace
Agat
ha:
(laughed)I
'
m sor
ry,
didIhur
t
you?
Jan:
(laughed)Stop,
honest
lybabe
don'
tdot hat
..I
thurt
s,i
wasr eal
l
y
str
essedout.Ibeencheatedbefor
e
andidon'tl
ikethefeel
ingandicoul
d
havereal
lyhurtyouforsomethi
ng
youdidn'
tdo
Agatha:(laughed)I'm sor
ry.
..Itwas
funny,isawav i
deoofsomegi r
l
pranki
ngherboy f
riend..
.(l
aughed)"
Whot hef uckisJosephAgat ha?"oh
goodnessi wassoscar edwheny ou
gotont opofme. ..(shetouched
Jan'schinandsmi l
ed)Sorry..
.

Sheputherarmsupherneckand
j
umpedupasJanl if
tedherupand
ki
ssedherthenshewalkedbackt
o
bedandputherdownasAgat ha
pul
ledthet-
shi
rtoff,
Jankickedoff
hershoesandkissedherpull
ingout
herpanti
esandgentlyf
li
ckedher..
.

Agatha:
(moaning)Il
ovey
ou.
..Ican'
t
cheatonyou.
..

Janshookherheadl
ooki
ngi
nher
eyesandki
ssedher.
..
.

Jan:
Let
'sgocheckont
heki
dsand
gett
hem br
eakf
ast.
.
Agat
ha:
Letmegetdr
essed.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatafternoonwhil
ewat ching
TVshest i
llcouldn'
tst
opthinking
aboutAngel,sheknewshehear dthat
namebef or
et henshepickedher
phoneandsear chedheron
Facebook..
.

Onthelistcameoutunf amil
i
ar
for
eignpeoplebutj ustasshewas
abouttopressr et
urnbut t
onapost
aboutAngel dustcaughther
at
tent
iont
henshecl
i
cked.

Lol
o:(
shocked)Wow.
..

ShewentonGoogleandr
esearched
abouti
tthenshegott
hel
abresults
andcomparedthem.

Lolo:
(si
gheddi
sappoi
nted)Fr
iends,
yeah.
..

Sheleanedbackthought
full
ythen
sheputonhershoesandgott he
keys,shepausedhol
dingthedoor
handleasever
ythingbecame
temporari
l
ydarkthenshesatdown
forabout5minutes,shegai
ned
str
engthandgotinthecar..
..
..

AtMrFr
iday
'sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Lol
oanxiousl
ywai t
edtappingher
shoeonthefloorastheassist
ant
walkedoutoftheoffi
ce.
..

Her
:Youcangoi
n..

Shewal
kedi
nsi
deandsatdown
handingoverherbl
oodt
estandt
he
poli
cereport
..

Lol
o:Goodmor
ning.
..
Fri
day:(br
ushedthroughthepapers)
I
fy ou'
reheret
osaysomeone
druggedyouI'
m sorryican'
thelpyou.
Thedecisi
onisfi
nal andir
rever
sibl
e,
youcanev engotocourtifyouwant.
Didyourhusbandwor kthi
soutfor
youatthelab?Nicetry.
Lol
o:I
t'
snotal
i
e
Fr
iday
:You'l
lgetr
ehi
redi
ftheperson
whodruggedyouact
uall
ygets
ar
rest
edbecauseIdon'
tbel
ievet
his
story.Yourhusbandi sal ab
technici
ani nLet shol at
hebeandhe
doesbl oodt ests.Hecaneasi lyfake
alltheset ogety ouy ourj ob.Lett he
policearr estsomeone, doy ouknow
youknowwhodr uggedy ou?(she
keptqui et )Iwor kedhar dt ogetmy
compani eswher et heyar etodayand
I'
llbefool isht oletani rr
esponsi ble
drugaddi ctflashal lthatdownt he
toil
etbuti promi sey oui fthepol i
ce
arrestsomeoneI '
lldefi
nitelyreverse
thisandhandy out hepromot i
ont hat
wasgoi ngt ot akeef fectnextweek.
Youwer egoi ngt obeapar t
ner..
.
(si
ghed)I '
mv erydi sappoi nt
edi ny ou
butI'
l
lbehappytowrit
ey ouaperf
ect
recommendati
onlet
terifyouwant
.
Lol
o:Thanky
ou,Wr
it
eit
,I'
l
lneedi
t.I
'
ll
pi
ckitt
omorrow
Fr
iday
:By
e
Lol
o:By
e

Shewal
kedout
..
..
..

Att
hebout
ique.
..
.

Lol
owal kedi
nasDidiwast al
ki
ngto
acustomerthensheturnedtoTshi
di
andleanedagai
nstthecounter
wai
ti
ng,TshidiandLoloexchanged
gr
eeti
ngsthenshet ookoverasDidi
wal
kedover..
..
.

Di
di:
Hi.
..
Lol
o:Hey
,hav
eyouhadany
thi
ngf
or
l
unch?
Di
di:
No,
iwasaboutt
oleav
e
Lol
o:Great
,iwantt
oshowy
ou
somethi
ng.
Di
di:
Letmegetmybag

Shehurri
edintoherof
ficeand
grabbedherhandbagthenshe
thought
ful
lygrabbedpepperspray
andshoveditinherpocket.Sheal
so
pickedascrewdri
verinthebott
om
drawerandputitinherhandbag
thenshewalkedoutsmi li
ng.
..
.

Att
hebeach.
..
..

Minuteslat
erLolosl
owlydr ove
acrossthesandandpar kedont he
ri
verbanksexactl
ywher eshehad
parkedyearsbef
ore,t
her ewas
si
lenceinthecarastheybot hl
ooked
atbigThamalakaneRiverspli
tt
ing
i
ntot wochannel
s.Thesmel lofwater
andthesoundofbirdsmade
ever
ythi
ngfreshforDidi
.Shecoul
d
almostfeel
Giovanni
'ski
ckandshe
tear
ful
lyputherhandoverher
tummy .
..
.

Lolo:Gi
ovanni.
..
.It
sabeautif
ulname.
Icheckedthemeani ng,
itmeansGod
i
sgr aci
ous..
.

Sheturnedandl
ookedatDi
dit
hen
shetookadeepbreat
hashereyes
well
edup...

Lol
o:Idon'
tthi
nki
fyouhav
eev
er
beenforcedtoabor tababyy ou
bondedwi thyou'dgetoverit
,when
youfelttheki
cksandsawt hedue
dateony ourcard.Youcanpr et
endto
every
onebutasy earsgobyy ou
count,howoldt hatbabywouldbe.

Didi'
sli
pst
rembledasatearqui
ckl
y
rol
leddownthenshebrokedown
cryi
ngasLolohuggedher.
..

Lolo:I'
m assumingthat'
showyou
feel,
iresearchedaboutitt
ooandt
his
onei knowf orsur
ey oucan'
tmour
n
Giovanniopenlybecauseofhowhe
wasconcei vedandev ery t
hingthat
happened.I tbeenal ongt imeand
youpr obablywai tedf ormet ogetmy
karmabuti nsteadI 'm pr ogressing
andi appeart obehappysoy ou
thoughty ou'dspeedt hepr ocessand
drugmesoi canl oseev eryt
hing.I
l
ostmyj ob, myhusbandi salreadyon
anotherwoman' sbedaswespeak
andmychi ldrenl ostrespectf orme.
Eveniftheyf or gi
v emet hef actstil
l
remainsi madeasexv ideo.They
haveal lseenmyv aginaandt hat '
s
thewor stthingt hatcanhappent o
anymot her.Imagi neZaneseei ng
anotherman' sdickgoi ngi nandout
ofy ou.Youdi dal ltheseandI 'm
wonder ingi fitmadey ouf eel bet t
er,
hasi tbr oughtGi ov anniback?
(l
ooki ngi nherey es)Youwon' tstop
hur t
ingandnot hingwi ll
heal you
exceptGod.Ev enify ouki l
l my
childreny ou'llsti
llcryont hei nside...
I'
m sor ryforhur t
ingy ou.( tear sroll
ing)
Iwi shi couldr eturnt hecl ockand
accepthi m, whydoy outhi nkI 'm
closet oSedi 'sdaught er?Lov ing
May aev enwhenshedoeswr ong?
Mi ghtyisnewbutI 'm goi ngt olove
hert oo...Becausei can'
tf or give
my selff oryoursonandOt lhe'sson.
(crying)Pl easef orgiveme. ...Ican't
bringhi m back, idon' tcar ewhaty ou
dot omebutpl easet ryt obehappy .I
contact edy ouwheny ouwer ei n
Amer icabecauseIwashappyf ory ou,
ithoughtshei sf i
nal l
yget tingherl ife
togethermay beshef or gotGi ov anni
andev erythingel se.Imi ssedy oubut
iwaswr ong, nof riendshi pcan
surviveaf ri
endf orcinganot hert o
abort.Idest r oyedourf riendshi p.As
formenwel l fr
iendsal way sar gue
aboutmenbutt heydumpt hem and
continuebei ngf riendsort heyf orgive
eachot herbutachi ldi st oopr ecious.
Iexpect edt oomuchf rom y ouandi
under standwhyy oudi stanced
yoursel
ffrom me.Stopdruggingme, i
mightdieorsli
pintoacomat heny ou
gotoprisonleavi
ngbehindHazel .
Kenandy ourkidsmissedyou, giv
e
them at
tenti
onandst opdoingt hi
s.
MphaPCPeo, iknowy ouhavei twith
you.
..

Didiopenedherbagandhandedi t
overthenLolosteppedoutofthecar
andwal kedtowardstheri
verwhere
shethrewt hepi
ll
sont heri
verand
coveredherfacecryi
ng.Shedidn'
t
knowwher eshewasgoi ngtofinda
j
obagai natherageanddeal i
ngwith
anotherdivor
cecasewasunbear abl
e.
Didi
walkedbehindherandhugged
herl
yingherheadbehindher
..

Didi
:I'
m sor
ryf
ordruggi
ngyou,
i
neveri
maginedyou'
dreactl
i
kethi
s
Lolo:(sti
l
lfaci
ngtheri
ver
)Kemotona
Didi,
I'
v echangedbuti
tsokayt
o
doubtme.

Shet
urnedar
oundandl
ookeddown
atDi
di.
..

Lol
o:I
'
m sor
ry,
iknowi
changedt
he
di
rect
ionofy
ourl
i
fe.For
giv
eme
Didi
:If
orgi
veyoubutIdon'
tthi
nk
you'
dforgi
vemeforthi
s,wouldyou?
Lol
o:Tr
yme.
.
Didi
:Pl
easef
orgi
vemef
ordr
uggi
ng
you
Lol
o:If
orgi
vey
ou,
Di
di:
I'
ll
tal
ktoy
ourbossand-
Lolo:
Don'
t,i
can'
tgi
vet
hem what
theywan-

Shepausedtal
ki
ngl ooki
ngahi ppo
grazi
ngbythegrassaf ewfeetfrom
them t
henshebrusheditof
f,the
hal
l
uci
nat
ionswer
epr obabl
yst
il
l
goi
ngonorsomet
hing..
.

Lolo:
WhatI'
m mostl
yscar
edofis
thatimi
ghthav
elostmyhusbandfor
goodmmekanakeamor ata.

Aloudwheezingsoundst ar
tl
edDi
di
andsheturnedaroundlooki
ngbehi
nd
herthenLol
ofrowned..
.

Di
di:
(scr
eami
ng)KUBU!
Lol
o:It
houghti
wasseei
ngt
hings
agai
n
Theyrantowar dsthecarandclosed
thedoors,Lolo'shandsshookasshe
str
uggledtoputt hekeyintheigni
ti
on
whil
eDi di
scr eamedshakingthe
wholecarstar i
ngatthehippo
chargi
ngatt hem...

Di
di:
Lol
olet
'sgo!Pl
ease

Lologlancedatherconsi
deri
ngto
pushheroutanddr iv
eawaybutshe
steppedont heaccel
erat
oranddrov
e
offasDidilookedbackshaki
ng.
..
Di
di:
Esetse.
..(
satproperlyandput
onaseatbel
t)Ididn'
tknowt her
ear
e
hi
pposinThamalakane..
Lol
o:Menei
ther
..
.

Shej
oinedt
her
oad.
..
..

SI
XMONTHSLATER.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
21AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 143

AtAndr
ew'
spar
ent
's.
..

Around9inthemorningAndrew
parkedt
hecarthenBabysteppedout
withagrocer
yplast
icandcl
osedthe
door
.

Andy:Cal
lmewheny
ouguy
sar
e
done
Baby
:Okayby
e

Babywal kedinhismot her'

shouse
andheadedt ot hekitchenwher eshe
start
edthebr eakfastandknockedon
thebedroom doorbef orecomingin.
Andrew'smot herslowl ygotupas
Babyhelpedherl eanedagai nstthe
wallthenshepeakedi nhertop
l
ookingatt hebandagesofher
breast.
..
Baby
:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Her:(
grunted)I'
mf eel
ingmuchbetter
,
youshouldstopcomi nghereever
y
morningotaitapi
sabreastcancer
gaseehelang
Baby:Butyou'
redonealready
,that
breastl
eftwit
hthecancerandthey
caughti
tjustatt
herightti
me
Her
:Ipr
ayso.
.

Minuteslatershehandedher
breakfastandstoodatt hewardr
obe
sorti
ngoutt heclothesandthr
owing
aloadofl aundrytobedoneont he
fl
oorasAndr
ew'smotherobser
ved
somethi
ngabouther
..
.

Her
:Howf
aral
ongar
eyou?
Baby:
(pretendedshedi
dn'
t
under
stand)What?
Her
:Howmanymont
hs?
Baby
:5

Herfaceli
tupasshel ookedather
withawidesmile,shewascar ryi
ng
themostwantedgr andchildever
,the
oneandonlychildafterAndrewand
shecouldn'
tcontai
nherhappi nessas
sheputdownhert
ray
..
.

Her:
Comeher e.
..Ohthisi
sbeauti
ful
,
iam goingtobeagr andmother
.This
i
sapr esentformefrom God
Baby
:(l
aughed)I
'
m notpar
tofi
t?
Her:No,thi
sismygrandchil
dandy ou
shouldj
uststayaway.
..(
laughed)Oh
wow, whatdidAndr
ewsay ?
Baby:Ihaven'
ttol
dhimyet,
iwas
pl
anningtotell
him onhi
sbir
thday
butit
hinkit'
sstar
ti
ngtoshowi mi
ght
aswelltel
lhim.
Her:Mphaphone,l
etmetel
lhi
s
f
atherwearegoingtobe
gr
andpar
ent
s..
.

Shedialedherhusbandandputhim
onloudspeakersmi l
i
ngfrom oneear
toanother.
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Her
:Andr
ewi
sgoi
ngt
obeaf
ather
Hi
m:(
laughed)No,
don'
tj
okel
i
ket
hat
Her
:I'
m ser
ious
Him:Atl
eastwewil
lbel
ikeot
her
peopl
escreami
ngandcall
i
ng
someonetobri
ngusacupoftea
Her
:Exact
lywhatIwast
ell
i
ngBaby
,
byeij
ustwantedtotel
lyout
hegood
news.Don'
ttel
lhi
m gatwegaai
tse
Hi
m:Okay

Shehungupandl
ookedather
..
.

Her
:Howdi
dyourmot
herr
eact
?
Baby:Ihaven'
ttol
danyoneexceptmy
si
ster
,themar r
iedone.Mamais
goi
ngt hr
oughal otsoit
houghtI'
d
wait
.
Her:
Okay ,
heybat
holebel
elel
ehol
e
kapelanneketegosal
ale
ngwanangwanake
Babyl
aughedandpi
ckedt
he
l
aundr
y..
.

Her
:Didy
ouconnectt
hepipe?That
l
aundr
ymachi
nekemmer ekohela
Baby
:Yes,i
alwaysusei
tfor
Andr
ew'sover
all
s.

Shewalkedoutandclosedthedoor
asAndrew'smothersmil
ed,ithad
beenalongtimesinceshereceiv
ed
goodnewsandshecoul dn'
tstop
i
magi ni
nghersel
fasthe
grandmother
..
..
AtTshepo'
sHouse.
..

TshepolaidonthecarpetasAdele
satonhischestputti
ngmakeupon
hisface,
Adelekeptpausingand
taki
ngasi pf
rom herbott
lethen
gett
ingbacktobusiness.
..

Tshepo:BabyI
'mtir
ed,
cani
get
break?I
'
m gett
ingup
Adel
e:(
whini
ng)Don'
tspeakdaddy
..
.
You'
remessi
ngtheli
pst
ick
Tshepo:
Can'
tbel
i
eveshesai
d
l
ipst
ick..
.Mayastopteachi
ngmy
daughternonsense

Mayal
aughedfrom t
heki
tchenwhi
l
e
doi
ngt
hedishes..
.

Maya:Sheget
st hattheseYouTube
makeuptut
ori
alsi watch.
.

MeanwhileAdelebrushedhisshort
hai
rasthebabyslidt hewal
kerov er
coocooi
ngandmaki ngbabysounds
ashekickedthewalkerrol
li
ngov er
sl
obberi
ng..
.
Tshepo:
Adel
ethebabyi
clscal
l
ing
me
Adele:
Heisnotdaddy
,don'
tmov
e
yourmout
h..
.

Mayawalkedov
errecodi
ngthei
r
ar
gumentasAdelepushedhi
shands
of
fhisf
ace..
.

Tshepo:
(laughed)Adel
ethebaby
wantsme
Adel
e:Daddyy
ou'
remessi
ngmy
makeup
May alaughedherlungsoutasacall
camet hroughthensheanswer ed
walkingbacktothekitchen.
..

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Baby:Andy
'smot
hersuspect
edand
askedme
Maya:(l
aughed)Mpaeoeabonal a
gaokakewaehi t
ha,itwon'
treach
hi
sbir
thdayjustt
ell
him.
Baby:(l
aughedexci tedl
y)Si
sterlove
themmawenat hewayhi sparents
areexci
tedaboutt hisgotmeev en
moreexcited.Ican'twaitt
oseemy
baby
.
Maya:Bundl eofj
oythemmae
monate, nt
seketshegaTshepoha
Adelesaleammei legotweodirwa
makeup.( t
heybothlaughed)Adel
e
abusesmyhusbandomokgonakago
i
kotsedisa.Youdi
dn'tfor
getyourAP
akere?
Baby :Iwent
,itwasy est
erday.I
'm
reall
yscareI'
m prayi
ngi givebi
rt
hto
anHI Vnegati
v ebabywai t
seI'
m
drinki
ngmypi ll
scareful
lybecausei
don'twantthev i
rusonmybaby .
May
a:Andy
ou'
regoi
ngtomakeitt
he
mmammeheladel
iv
eryr
oom gaa
tsamaiwapapee.
..You'
l
lspeakin
tonguesandpromiseGodyouwill
neverletamangetbetweenyour
l
egs.
Baby:I
tcan'
tbethatbadother
wise
peopl
ewouldn'
tbehav i
ngsomany
babi
es
Maya:(
laughed)Tsenawenagi
rl
!O
hoo?Otareperhapsail
ebabygir
l,
kwagor ai
thwanethemma.
Baby:(
laughed)Ket
aikut
wel
aee
(t
heybothlaughedl
oudl
y)MmaShap
gakenaair
ti
me.
Maya:Heel
adidyouseeCarl
'
s
messageatthef
amil
ygroup?
Baby:
Ihav
en'
tl
oggedi
ntoWhat
sApp
yet
Maya:
Nnakel
api
l
e,don'
tthi
nkI
'
ll
makeit
Baby
:Letmechecki
tout
May
a:By
e

Shehungupandwal
kedout
..
..

AtJan'
sBedandbr
eakf
ast
..
..

Zaneappr
oachedthepoolwiththe
cl
eani
ngtoolsandputtheheadset
s
onashecleanedthepoolandswept
thepavementt henhisphonerang,he
smiledlooki
ngatt hevi
deocallof
Lail
alyi
ngont hebedal l
chubbyand
l
azywi t
hmesseduphai randlarge
blueeyes..
.

Zane:
Blueey
es.
.
Lai
la:
(laughed)Itol
dyout
ost
op
cal
l
ingmet hat
..
.
Zane:
Hey,
youguy
sar
elooki
ng
good.
..
Lai
la:Good?I'
mfatwhatar
eyou
tal
kingabout
?
Zane:(l
aughed)Wear ecounti
ng
days.HeyIjustgotpai
d,I
'l
lsendthe
money
Lai
l
a:Yourmot
hersentthemoneyt
o
cov
erthel
astt
hingsyest
erday.
Zane:
It'
sst
il
lokay,youcanbuy
somethi
ngforyour
self
Lai
l
a:(
smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.Howmuchi
sit
?
Zane:
$48
Lai
l
a:(
laughed)Okaybabe
Zane:
(laughed)Iknowit
'speanuts
downtherebuthereit
'salot
,it
's
P520andy ou'
dbuyal ot
Lai
la:
(laughed)Ishoul
dcomet
her
e
wit
hSar ona
Zane:
(laughed)Heywai
t,whatdi
d
y
oucal
lher
?
Lai
l
a:(
laughed)Sar
ona.
..
Zane:
Wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?
Lai
la:IGoogl
edit,Ir
eadev ery
thi
ng
aboutBotswana.Ievenread
somewher et
hatyourpresidenti
s
l
etti
ngpeoplehuntdownt he
el
ephants.
Zane: Andy oushoul dt el
lyourpeople
tomi ndtheirbusiness, theyshoul
d
bewor ri
edaboutt heirzooanimals
andst oppokingt heirnosesi nour
businesssal i
vat
ingov erouranimals.
Theydon' tevenknowwhatan
elephantis.
Lail
a:(
laughed)OhwowZaneIdon'
t
knowshitI'
mj ustt
ell
i
ngy
ouwhati
read
Zane:Igetworkedupeacht i
mei
hearawhi t
epersontr
yingtoteach
Afr
icanshowt oli
vewit
ht hei
r
ani
mal syetwedon'tt
ellyoupeopl
e
nottodressyourdogs.
Lail
a:Boyy ouneedtochillokay?And
don'teverputmei nthe"white"
peoplet heyobv i
ousl
yhav enothing
elsetodot hanworryanimalswhi ch
kil
lpeopl e.Iam i
nformed,I'
m
technicallyaTswanay ou
know....
.Whenl astdi
dy ouhav esex?
Zane:
(laughed)I
'
m wai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
Lail
a:Ihopeso,tel
lthosegi r
lson
yourfri
endli
stthatI
'm comi ngther
e
andthatotheroneiny ourschool
bett
erstayawayf r
om y ou.I'
mt he
nextLadyRuthKhama, I'
m coming
ther
e.
Zane:(l
aughed)OkayMr
sLai
l
a
Daniel
s
Lai
l
a:(
funnyaccent
)Mmagwe
Sar
ona
Zane:(l
aughed)FucknoLai
l
a,whoi
s
teachi
ngyouSetswana?
Lai
l
a:I
'
mlear
ningSet
swanaonl
i
ne.
Zane:
Ican'
twai
ttoseey
all
,Igot
ta
backt
owor
k
Lai
l
a:Il
ovey
oubabe
Zane:
Ilov
eyout
oo,
Lai
la:I
'm upl
oadi
ngpi
csonFacebook
again.
Zane:You'r
ethereasonican'tget
l
aid,ever
yoneknowsI '
m expecti
nga
baby
Laila:(
laughed)That'
sthewhole
point,andyoushouldbegr at
eful
becauseI '
mt heonlyreasonyour
fathergavey ouyourphone.Soyou
cancommuni cat
ewit
ht hebaby,
he
saidifthephonemakesusf i
ghtheis
takingit.
Zane:(
laughed)Soev
il
,can'
tyousee
you'
rebraggi
ng
Lai
l
a:What
ever
,by
e

Shelaughedandhungt henZane
hungupandcont i
nuedcleaningthe
pool,
Br i
dgetcall
edseveralti
mesas
hestaredatthephone.The
consequencesoft al
ki
ngt oherwer e
toomuchandi twasn'
twor t
hi tsohe
l
etitri
ngandcl eanedthepool .
..
.

Locat
ionunknown.
..
.
Lolostaredatthelongendlessroad
toMaunasshedr ovealone,she
consider
edgi vi
ngpeoplear i
deso
theycouldchipinsomethingforthe
fuelbutshewasn'tinaconditi
ont o
bewi t
hany one.
..

Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshel ookedat
herhandholdi
ngt hesteeri
ngwheel ,
sheneverknewhowhar ditwouldbe
j
usttooffi
cial
l
ytakeof faring.She
hadjustbeenpronounceddi vor
ced
buti
twashar dtot aketheri
ngof f
..
.

Nowsheknewwhathear
tbr
eakwas
becauseshecoul
dst i
l
lfeelt
hel
ove
shehadforherhusband..
.

Herbackgotal it
tl
epai nfulthenshe
sloweddownappr oachi ngar eststop,
shepul l
edoverandst eppedout
stretchingherback.Thegi rl
ski cked
asshemassagedherbumpand
squat tednexttothet reet r
unkpeei ng
thenshegotbacki nthecarand
adjustedt heseatlayi
ngonherback.
Sev eralmessagesr epor tedoneaf ter
theot her.Shemusthav ereacheda
networ kzone..
ShewentonFacebookr eadsev er
al
poststhenpoppedaposti nwhi ch
Aati
lehadbeent agged.
...Mmagwe
Vivi
anwi t
hAatil
eJohnsoni nMaun,
Botswana.Capti
oned"I fJesussay s
yes,noonecansayno. "This
happenedlastweekbutdon' taskme
whyI '
m post
ingitnow .

I
twasapr ofessionallyt
akenpi cture
wit
ht hestudiologoont hecor ner,
Aatil
ewassi tt
ingonat radit
ional
men'schairasSedi satont hegr ound
besideshimi nherbl ueletei
se, i
twas
atradit
ionalsett
ingt houghherf ace
beatwasonpoi ntshowi nghery oung
freshsmile.Otherpictur
esshowed
them greeti
ngt hei
rin-l
aws,l
adi
es
nicelydr
essedi ntheircol
our
ful
ditšal
earoundt heirshoul
der
sand
meni nt
heirsuits.

Sheskippedt hepostandconti
nued
browsingthenshecameacr ossa
newpost .ItwasSedi'
sprofi
l
e
pi
cture..
.»»MmagweVi vianwit
h
Aatil
eJohnsoni str
avell
i
ngfrom
Franci
stownt oMaun.

Thepi
ctur
eshowedSedi'ssof
thand
wit
hashinygl
i
tter
ingengagement
ri
nghol dinghandswit
hAati
lewi t
ha
caption"MrandMr sJohnson".Her
coverpageshowedAat il
edri
ving
whileVivhuggedhimf r
om behindas
theybot hsmil
edatthecamera...

Sheputt hephonedownandcov er
ed
herfacecryi
ngast hegi
rlskicked
againthensheheardsomet hingduck
i
nt hebushesandgotst art
led,she
l
ookedar oundthebushesand
start
edthecarquickl
yjoini
ngt he
roadassher ol
ledupthewi ndow. .
.

Shef
orcedsomeFr
enchf
ri
esdown
herthroatandhadwat er,shehadn't
eatenany thi
ngsi ncemorningand
seeingAat il
eincourtmadei tall
worse.Hewasn' trude,hewasj ust
himselfev encomment edonher
weight,li
ttl
edidheknow.Hewas
suchamannott onot i
ceany t
hing
butthenagai nnobodynot icedandi t
washar dtotell
people.Shewasj ust
asshockedf orherageandmai nly
embar rassedbecauseshehad2
grandchi l
dren.

Car
l'scal
lcamet
hroughandshe
pi
cked.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Car
l:Mamahowf
arar
eyou?
Lol
o:Ket
ogaket
senamoRakops
Carl:
Rakopskanadipothol
etsateng
ekaregoepiwamotshabalecongrat
e
teng,becar
eful
thatr
oaddestroys
cars.
Lol
o:I
'
lldot
hat
.
Car
l:Letmeknowwheny
ou'
recl
ose
Lol
o:Ok
Car
l:Osi
ame?
Lol
o:(r
ubbedatear
)Ketaar
eng
ngwanawagankgonne?
Carl
:I'
m sur
eGodhasapl anf ory
ou,
don'
tlosehopeandiam wor ki
ng,you
cannevergohungr
ykelet eng.
Lol
o:It
'snotj
ustaboutlosi
ngmyj ob
andgetti
ngdivor
ced.Ekarebot
shelo
bontshwaret
sethupa..
.
Car
l:I
'
m herei
fyouneedany
thi
ng,
pl
easeletmeknowwhenyou'
recl
ose.
Lol
o:Okay
,by
e

Shehungupandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Laterthataf
ter
noonDidiand
Gobona'schil
drendecor
atedt he
houseasJanwal kedincarefull
y
carry
ingthecakeasthechildrenran
acrosstheroom al
mosttippingif
off
...

Jan:
Guy
sgetout
!
Di
di:
Puti
tov
ert
her
emyboy

Jansmi
l
edathercut
e..
.

Jan:
Damn.
..
Calv
inwalkedi
nwiththel
ightsand
handeditt
othechi
ldr
enwhi chthey
hungaroundandswit
chedont hen
Carlst
eppedoutdi
ali
ngMay a..

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Carl
:Wher
ear
eyou?Mamao
tsamay
ahaEmaReJe
Maya:I
'l
lbet
her
e,i
hadt
ogett
he
ki
dsready
Carl:Butyouguysnel esabategor
e
thusa,couldn'
tyouatleastcometo
seeifwegott herightthi
ngs,i
t'
sher
bir
thdayandshei sgoingthrougha
l
ot.It'
stheleastwecando
Maya:Myfatheri
sal
sogoi
ngthrough
Carl
,l
et'
snottryt
omakeanyonea
vi
cti
m
Car
l:Justcome

Hehungupanddi
aledBaby
..
.

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Car
l:Wher
ear
eyou?Shei
sal
most
her
e
Baby
:I'
l
lbet
her
e.Iwaswai
ti
ngf
or
Andr
ew..

Hehungup,
minut
esl
atert
hegi
rl
s
arr
ivedwi t
ht hei
rfamil
iesandjoi
ned
thefamilyandal l
theinvi
ted
i
ndividual
st henAgathaclosedthe
doorandmov edt
hecur t
ainsl
ooki
ng
out.
.

Agatha:Okayweal l
hav etohide
behi
ndthecouches, behindanythi
ng
youcanf i
nd.Wewanthert ounl
ock
thehouseandwonderwhat 's
happeni
ng, whil
esheisst i
l
lshocked
weallscreamedsurprise!Thenthe
Happybirthdaysong ?

Theyal
lnoddedandt
ookt
hei
r
pl
aces.
.

*
**

Meanwhi l
eLolopackedthecarand
steppedoutabsentminded,she
unlockedthedoorandwalkedin
tearf
ull
ytaki
ngoffherweddingri
ng
thenshetookoffherJerseyas
everyonejumpedoutandscreamed..
.

Al
l
:(scr
eami
ng)Sur
pri
se!
!

Herhear
tski
ppedasshedef
ensi
vel
y
andimpul
siv
elyprot
ect
edherbump
somucheveryonenoti
cedast
hey
sang.
.

Al
l:Happybi
rt
hdaydayt
oyou,
happy
bi
rt
hdaydearAlone-

Babylookedatherbumpandshook
herheadthenshewalkedoutal
most
bumpingonher..
.

Baby:Ican'tbel
i
ev esheispregnant
agai
n.( t
urnedaroundlooki
ngather)
Can'
ty oujustst
ophav i
ng
unpr
otectedsex?Howl ongdowe
havet oendurethi
s?Howam i goi
ng
tohav eababywhoi sthesameage
asmysi st
er?MyGod!IfIdi
dn'tknow
betterI'
dsayy out
houghtget
ting
pregnantwoul dmakepapastayin
thatmi ser
ablemarri
age.
Andr
ew:
Babyst
op!

Shest ormedputthenAndr ew
foll
owedher ,Mayashookherheadin
disbel
iefwhilecar
ry i
nghersonand
foll
owedher .Lol
ot earf
ull
yandsl
owly
satont hecouchast hesingi
nggot
spoil
t.Didil
ookedatherbump
thoughtful
l
yandsi ppedadr i
nkas
thenj
oinedi
nsingi
ngandputt
ing
moreenergyandmoral
etothe
crowd.
..

Al
l
:(si
ngi
ng)Happybi
rt
hdayt
oyou.
..

Don'
tfor
gettoLi
keanddr
op
comment,bor
oko.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
22AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 144

AtAndr
ew'
scar
..
.

Andypul
ledherbackandt
urnedher
ar
ound..
.

Andy:(angr
il
y)Whyar ey
oudoing
thati
nf r
ontofal
lthosepeopl
e?you
j
ustembar r
assedyourmother!
Baby:(
turnedaway)Don'tget
i
nvolv
edint hi
s,y
oucan'tpossi
bly
under
standhowi feel
Andy :(heangr i
l
yt urnedherback
againandl eanedov erl
ookinginher
eyes)Youwon' ttalktoyourmot her
l
iket hatinf rontofme, doy ou
under standme?i fy ouwantto
disrespectherdoi twhenyouar e
alone.Ist hishowy ou'r
egoingtot al
k
tomymot her ?
Baby:Don'
tmaket hisabouty ou
becauseit
'snot,
pleasetakeme
home.Thisiswhyi hatecomi ngto
Maunbecauseev eryti
mei come
heresomethingi
shappeni ng.
Andy:I
'm nott
akingyouhomeunti
l
yougetbackinthereandapol
ogi
se
toyourmotherforspoi
li
ngher
birt
hday .I'
m notaf uckingpuppet
thaty oucontrolsowhi chi sit?Are
yougoi ngt oapologiseorshoul di
l
eav ey oubehind?Becausey ou'r
enot
getti
ngi nmycaraf terdisplayingthat
kindofabehav i
ouri nfrontofme.I '
m
nottakingy outomyhouseunl ess
your eversewhaty oudi d.
Baby
:fi
ne,
fine.
..

Shewalkedbackint
hehouseas
Andrewwait
edinthecarthenMay
a
drov
epasthim andl
eft
..
..

I
nsi
det
hehouse.
..
.
Loloqui
etl
ysmi ledsitti
ngont he
couchunwr appinggi f
tsasev ery
one
keptcl
appingt henBabywal kedin
andpassedt ot hebat hroom where
shesatforawhi le.
..

Thewhol emoodoft hesmal l

surpri
separt
ywasspoi lt
,awkward
andal i
tt
lebori
ngev entothepart
y
gir
l.Somuchwasgoi ngoninher
mindandshehadhopedherol dest
daughterswouldsupportherbutshe
wasobv i
ouslyalone.Knowingwhat
shewentt hr
ought orai
sethem i
nto
grownwoment heywereandknowi ng
thatshewasn' tgoingtobenefitev
en
somet hi
ngassi mpl easemot i
onal
supportwasunbear abl
eandherey es
fi
ll
edwi thtearsassheopened
Setsana'sgiftt
henshesi ghed
rubbingherforeheadandl eaned
back...

Lolo:Guysthanky
ousomuchf
or
every
thingbut-

Babywalkedpastever
yoneand
cl
osedthedoorthenLolohear
dthe
carst
art
inganddriv
ingoff
,she
l
ookedatever
yoneandputherhand
overherf
aceastear
sdr
opped..
..

Lolo:(shakyv oice)Thanky oubutI '

m
exhausted, idr ovef townt oMaunby
my selfI
'dliket or est.Iappr eciate
youref f
orts.Cal v i
nandTi nat hank
youf ororgani singal lthese, t
hank
youDi diandev ery onewhohel ped
putthistoget her .I'
lldefi
nitelysend
anappr eciationmessageaf ter
openingal lthepr esents.
Didi:
Okayev ery
onelet
'sgohome
andgi vehersomespacetoget
herselftoget
her.
..
Jan:
AgathaandIwil
lputt
hesnacks
i
nsmallpacksandgi
veyousoyou
canhav
eont heway.
.

Janstoodandpulleduphert rouser
s
fr
om thebackthensheputherhand
behindAgathaastheywal kedinthe
ki
tchenwher et
heyplayfull
y
packagedevery
thingforev er
yone
andservedthem.Everyonehugged
andbumpedcheeksbi ddingone
anothergoodbyebeforeleavi
ng..
..

Minuteslat
erLol
owalkedinthe
ki
tchenlooki
ngforaglassofwater
asDi
diwascl
eani
ngupt
hecount
er.
..

Di
di:
Whatdoy
ouwant?
Lol
o:Met
si.
.

Loloopenedt heshel fandturnedas

Didihandedheragl assofwat erthen
sher el
uct antl
ytooki tandsmi led
walkingout .Shegl ancedbehi ndher
pretendingt obedr inkingasshe
headedt othebat hroom wher eshe
spil
ledt hewat erandl ookedat
herselfont hemi rror.
..Shetouched
herlitt
legi r
lsrubbingt hem andsat
ont hetoilet.
..
Out
side.
..

MeanwhileCal
vinandTinawai tedin
thecarasthechi
ldrensqueezed
themsel
vesinthebackbutSet sojust
stoodbythedoorlooki
ngat
every
one..
.

Carl
:Set
sogaotsene?Hur
ryup,i
havetobei
nthehospit
ali
nthenext
hour
Set
so:
Nnakebat
agosal
alemama
Car
l:Shesai
dsheneedst
obeal
one,
l
et'
snotdi
stur
bher
Setso:Iwon'
tdistur
bher,I
'l
lj
ust
sl
eepi nourol
dr oom andonlygot
o
herifsheneedshelp.
Car
l:Ok,
bye

Setsocl
osedthedoorandst
epped
backasCarldrov
eoffwit
hever
yone.
..

I
nsi
det
hehouse.
..
.

Di
diknockedont
hebat
hroom door
..
.

Di
di:
Arey
ouokay
?
Lol
o:Yes,
youcangot
oo.Ij
ustwant
tobeal
one
Didi
:Okay,pleasecallmewheny
ou
feel
li
ketalki
ng.Byt heway
congrat
ulati
onsont hebaby
Lol
o:Thanks,
goodni
ght

Sheleft
, minuteslat
erLolomoved
thecurtai
nsl ooki
ngatDidiasshe
droveoffthenshedi al
edCarl
headingtot hebedroom whereshe
l
aiddown. .
.

Car
l:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Whydi
dyoui
nvi
teDi
di?
Carl
:(confused)Wasitwrong?I
fi
guredsincesheisyourfr
iendand
boMay awer etoosl
owt ohelpshe
wasmysecondopt i
on.Wasi wrong?
Lol
o:(si
ghed)Noofcoursenot..
.I
j
ustdon'tf
eelsaf
eeat
ingordrinking
anyt
hingsi
ncethepol
iceneverfound
outwhodruggedme.
Carl:AuntDidiwouldnev erdo,
sheis
l
ikeoursecondmot her
.Iknowy ou
twohady ourupsanddownsbut
that'
sjustfr
iendship.You'r
ebeing
paranoidandit'
sokaybecausey ou'
re
pregnantandt r
yingt oprot
ectt
he
baby
.
Lol
o:I
t'
sbabi
es,
they
'r
etwo.
Carl:
Congr at
ulat
ionsanddon'tmind
boMay a,iguessit'
sawomant hi
ng
becausei don'
tcareorseeany
problem becauseobv i
ousl
yyoudidn'
t
knowy ourpregnant,noonewantsto
bediv orcedwithababy .
Lol
o:Thanksf
orunder
standi
ng
Car
:Goodni
ght

Shehungupandl ai
donhersi de
thoughtf
ull
yputt
ingherar msunder
thepil
lowandlayingherheaddown
astearsfi
ll
edherey es.Aati
l
ewas
happybutshewashav i
ngahar dti
me
gett
ingoverhim.Shelookedather
weddingringbytheheadboardand
putitbackonherfinger
sasshe
coveredherfacecryi
ngoutloud..
.

Lol
o:(cryi
ng)Godwhy ?Pleasebr
ing
backmyhusband,ihav edoneso
muchf orthi
sfami
ly.Pleasemakemy
daughter
sunderst
andme. .
.Myhear
t
i
sbreaking..
.

Sheleanedherheadagai
nstt
hewall
cry
ingsit
ingonthebedthent
hedoor
openedandSetsofear
ful
lyst
uckher
headinlooki
ngather
,Lolopaused
cry
ingassoonassher eal
isedshe
wasn'tal
one.
..

Lol
o:Set
so?Tsena.
..Gor
il
eng?

Setsoreluctantlyandsl owlywalked
i
nandsatont heedgeoft hebed, she
hadnotf orgottenhowLol obeather
befor
eandshest il
lhadn'ttold
anyonehowherauntbeatherwi t
ha
bagthatnightandt hreatenedhernot
totel
l,shealsowasn' tsureifitwas
safetocomenearherauntbutshe
didn'
tl
ikehowhersi sters
embar
rassedhermot
her
..
..
.

Lol
o:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Set
so:
Iwant
edt
ost
aywi
thy
ou
Lol
o:Why
?
Setso:Incasey
ouneedsomeoneto
bri
ngy ousomethi
ngfr
om t
hefr
idge
orifyouarebored

Lolosighedemot ional
lysmili
ngwi t
h
reddisheyesandpeel edthesheets
offthenSetsojoinedherandl eaned
againstthewallasLolowi pedher
tears..
Set
so:
Mama?
Lol
o:Yes.
.
Setso:(
tear
ful
lyl
ooki
nginherey
es)
Pleasedon'
thangyour
self
Lol
o:What
?
Setso:(shyl
ylookeddownast ears
fel
lthensher ubbedthem offwithher
arm)I '
m scaredthatyouwillki
ll
yourselfandthenIwillnothavea
mot heragain.
Lol
o:OhSet
so,
babyI
'
llnev
erki
l
l
mysel
f
Set
so:
Somet
imesi
missmamaandi
getsadbutIthinkGodtookmamaso
shecanrestandy oucangiveusa
goodli
febecausewedi dn'
tl
ivea
goodli
febefore.Iwanttol
iv
ef or
ever

Lol
o'
sfaceugl
i
fiedassheli
ft
edher
gownwipi
nghertear
scryi
ng.
.

Lolo:I
'
m notcryi
ngbecauseI'
m sad
I'
m cryi
ngbecausesomeoneisafrai
d
toloseme,I'
l
lneverki
ll
my sel
f.
Set
so:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.
Lol
o:(tookadeepbreat
handsmiled)
Okay.
..Bri
ngbiooi
loverther
eand
comemassageme. ..
Set
sorubbedof fhert
earsand
j
umpedoft hebedwi t
hal i
ttl
esmi le
onherfacethenshegrabbedt heoi l
andthebodyloti
on.Lolotookof fher
gownremainingwithherpantiesthen
Set
sokneltnexttoherandgent ly
massagedherthenshemai dwhi t
e
dot
salloverherbump...

Set
so:
Imadepi
mpl
es
Lol
o:(l
aughed)ketagocl
apaSet
so
koor
ewaboodi raengkanaekar
eke
l
walasengwehela.
..
Thegirl
skickedj
ustasSetsowas
massagingthenshejumped
droppi
ngherJawsasherey es
widenedwithahugesmile.
..

Setso:Thebabyki
cked!Di
dyouf
eel
that?
Lol
o:(
laughed)They
'r
etwo,
it'
sgi
rl
s
Set
so:
Whatar
ethei
rnames?
Lol
o:Idon'
tknow
Set
so:
I'
ll
thi
nkofsomet
hing
Lol
o:Br
ingmewat
er,I
'
mthi
rst
ysal
e
kebat
il
egonwametsi
Set
so:
(accent
)Oksenor
it
a,wat
ra
comi
ngup

Lol
olaughedasSet
sowal
kedout
..
..
..

AtKen'
sHouse.
..

Kensatont hecouchwithHazelon
herlapasFait
hsanghi m asongshe
wouldsingthefol
lowingSundayat
churchthenZanewalkedinand
stoodbehindthecouchli
steni
ngto
her.
..

Theybot
hsmi
l
edasshesang
perf
ectlyandev ent
ookthehighest
pit
chesperfectl
yunti
lshewasdone
thentheyclappedhandsforher.
..

Ken:
Per
fect
..
.Il
ovei
t,y
ou'
l
lbegr
eat
Zane:
It'
sreal
l
yni
ce.
.
Fai
th:
(smi
l
edandcur
tsey
ed)Thank
you

Hazel
clappedhands.
..

Zane:Dadcani st
artsingingnext
Sunday?Ireal
l
ymi sstakingparti
n
churchact
ivi
ti
es.Ifeelli
keI'
veserved
mypuni shment
.Ihaven'
tbeental
ki
ng
toBri
dgetandI'
m doingmybestto
supportmydaughterandLail
a.Imiss
theprai
seteam.
Ken:(
sighed)Yeah,
youcanst
art
tomor
row...
Zane:
Thanks

Hewalkedawayt
henKent
urned
ar
oundlooki
nghi
m..

Ken:Hey(Zaneturnedandlookedat
hi
m)I '
m proudofyou,t
hegr eat
est
mistakeonecanmakei stonot
corr
ecttheirmi
stakesbecausewe
areonlyhuman.Peopl
emake
mistakeswhat'
simpor
tanti
stol
ear
n
andcor r
ectt
hem..
Zane:Okay.
..Whent heschool
sclose
Iwanttowor kful
l-t
imeatJan'
sBnB
tosaveenoughmoneyt obuyLail
a
andSaronaticketstovi
sit
.Doyou
mindtal
kingtomamaaboutgi v
ing
meaccesst othebankaccounty a
myhousei nGabor oneoratl
east
hel
pmesav ethepay ment
suntili
ts
enoughtobuyf l
ightti
cket
s.
Ken:(
smil
edpr
oudl
ylooki
ngathi
m)
I
'l
ldothat
..
.
Zane:
Thanks
Hewentbackt ohi
sroom,Ken
noti
cedHazel haddozedofft
henhe
wenttotheirr
oom toputherdownin
thecotbutherdiaperwasful
lsohe
l
aidheronherbackandt ookitout
,
Hazelhaddiaperrushonherthi
ghs
andbutt.
..

Kencl eanedherwi t
hthewetwi pes
andappl iedVaseli
nebeforeputti
ng
herint hecotwithoutadiaperforher
butttogetabr eakfrom t
hedi aper
s.
Hedr oppedt hemosquitonetand
walkedoutwi t
hthedir
tydiaperas
Fai
thwal
kedpasthi
m..

Fai
th:
Goodni
ghtdaddy
Ken:
Goodni
ght
Fai
th:
Wher
eismama?
Ken:ShewenttoauntLol
o'
sbi
rt
hday
part
y,shewi
llbehomesoon
Fai
th:
Night
..

Kencleanedtheki
tchentopassti
me
andev ent
uall
ycl
eanedthel
ivi
ng
room befor
eswit
chingofft
heli
ghts
andheadingtobed.
Aboutanhourl
aterDidi
arri
vedhome
andwentforashowerbeforegett
ing
i
nbedandput t
ingherarm ar
ound
Kenwhoturnedaroundandkissed
her
..
.

Ken:
Hey
..
.
Di
di:Hey
..
.I
'
mt aki
ngstockonSunday
soican'
tgotochurch
Ken:(
hissmi l
edisappeared)Babe
whydoi getthefeeli
ngthati f
orce
youtoattendchurch?Youal ways
haveexcusesfornotgoingt ochurch.
Di
di:
Tobehonestchur
chbor
esme
Ken:
Why
?
Di
di:
Idon'
tknow,
I'
mjustbor
ed.
..
Ken: May beit'
sbecausey oudon't
takepar tinanything,otherpastor'
s
wiveshav esev eralthingstheydot o
keepbusyorhel pt hecommuni t
y.
PastorTsamao' swi f
ef ocuseson
usingapor t
ionoft it
hest ofeedthe
old,maRi chardlikeswor kingwith
disabledchildr
en, thereissomuch
mor ey oucandeci det odoandhav e
yourowngr oupofwoment owork
with.
Di
di:
Idon'
tknowwhychurchbores
mebutI'
l
ltr
ytothi
nkofsomethi
ng
Ken:
Doi
bor
eyouwhenIt
alkabout
chur
chandt
hebi
ble?
Di
di:
(rel
uct
ant
lysmi
l
ed)Uh.
..
Ken: Aobabe,
what'sgoingon?Ha
kerekeegoboraI'
m goingtobor
eyou
overtimeandthensomet hi
ng
i
nteresti
ngwil
lcomeup.
Didi
:No,i
t'
s.
..Maybei
justf
eel
li
kei
don'
tfi
tinhela.
Ken:
Why
?Babebual
enna.
.
Di
di:(
sighedandsmiledkissi
nghim)
Nevermind,I
'
llbef
ine.I'
m goingnext
week
Ken:Shouldwepr
ayabouti
t?Let
's
prayaboutit
Di
di:
(si
ghed)I
'
llbef
ine.
..
Ken:Thanksf
orbei
nghonestokay
?I
appr
eciat
ethat
..
.
Di
di:
Okay
..

Hekissedhersl
owl
yget
ti
ngont
opof
her
..
..

AtMay
a'shouse.
..

Ont hesamenightMaya'
sphonerang
asshewaswat chingamovi
e
cuddli
ngwit
hherhusbandthenshe
steppedout
..
.
May
a:Hel
l
o?
Baby:Mamakeengadi r
ajaana
wena?Obat
agoretshegi
sakabatho
naar
e?
Maya:Shejustwantsgi
vebir
tht
oa
mongol,t
hat'
sallshewant
s.
Baby:KanaI'm pregnant,howisshe
goi
ngt ohelpmekahal eeneale
motsetsinewena?I 'm sohurtand
embarrassed.Mamagaadi r
esente,
si
nceshecan' tstophav i
ngsexcan't
sheusepr event
ion
Maya:Kanagorayagoreshethought
get
ti
ngpregnantwil
lret
urnpapa
akerei twor kedt hefirstt i
mesoshe
wassur e.Justwai tandwat chbut
thistimehapapaakaboel amamao
tabeampal etse.Thiswomanwi llnot
changennat otai wassuppor t
ingher
untilthev i
deoabua60kapapat hat'
s
wher ei thr
ewi nthet owel .Idon't
under standmar ri
edwomenwho
cheat ,idon'tseemy sel fcheatingon
myhusbandandi fifalloutofl oveor
what everI'
ll l
eavei nsteadofmaki ng
videos.Nnashel ostmyr espect
becausei can'tev enaskhert ohel p
mekaadv iceconcer ningmar riage
becauseopal etswekel eny al
ophake
mol ebi l
ehel ajaana.I bileekarempa
y
atengekasenyegar
eti
l
ego
t
shegwakebatho
Baby :Lennankasekoper el
ati
onship
advicemogomamat ot
aheladi
adviceingener al ekaregotaapala.
Gompi enoshet akesdr ugsand
pretendssomeonedr uggedher
thi
nkingshewi l
l getherjobback
kanamamaot say agorewear e
fooli
shlikepapa.Howdoesshet hi
nk
pregnancyt hathadbeendr ugged
withPCPwi ll
be?kanashei sgoingto
givebirt
ht odef ormedchi l
drenekare
nkamor ekelasomeabor ti
onpil
lsand
putthem i nherdr inknnagarekake
rakgonadi gwel ebat ho!
Maya:Ankanadi
gweletsatengwil
l
beourbur
denakeresheisnoteven
worki
ngmxm
Baby :Andrewistalkingabout
marriagebutI '
m notgoingtosay
anythingtomama, I'
m goingt
ot el
l
papaandkanannaI '
m aJohnsonso
keagony al
elwakoj arat
engyaga
papa.Mamai bil
ekanaoneai la
Andrewsoi t
'sbesthelakesaitsenye
str
ess.
Maya:
EeAndyaemepel epapaa
het
sekalenyal
olabonel
eSedit
hen
aboonyalel
wakogopapa.
Baby
:Aker
e,goodni
ght
May
a:Ni
ght
..

Shehungup.
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

ThenextSundaymorni
ngAat i
le
approachedt
hepar
kinglottal
ki
ngto
thephoneandgoti
nLolo'scar.
..

Aati
le:(
onthephone)Il
oveyoutoo,
shap..(
hehungandlookedather
)Hi
Lol
o:Hi
..
Aat
il
e:Youwer
ereal
l
yexci
tedabout
t
hisdi
vor
cei
bil
eononne
Lol
o:I
'
m pr
egnantgaseboi
tumel
o
Aat
il
e:(
laughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)I
sthi
sa
j
oke?
Lol
o:Whyot
shega?
Aat
il
e:Imean,i
tseemslikeeacht
ime
wepartyouconveni
ent
lyfal
l
pr
egnant
Lolo:
Areyout
ryi
ngt
osayI
'
m
tr
appingy
ou?
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyou?
Lolo:
Ijustwantyout
ohel
pme
supporttheki
ds
Aat
il
e:Can'
tweabor
tit
,howf
aral
ong
ar
eyou?
Lolo:
Sixmont
hs,howcanyounot
knowkanaobatagoreng?
Aatil
e: (
angr i
ly)El
egor eneonnet se
engosabueal lal
ongbecausewe
couldhav et akencareofitthef i
rst
mont h?Kant eokgathiwakegot hola
obel egebanaLol o?I
'm gett
ing
mar ri
edi nthreeweeksandwear e
buyingahouseofwhi chwear e
renov at
ing.Ican'tbesupporting
babiesbadi rwakabomoandy ou're
notwor king, whodidyout hi
nkwas
goingt osuppor tthem?
Lol
o:Ar
en'
tyoupar
toft
his?Banaba
kebadi
ri
lel
emang?
Aati
le:Welly
ouf ooledme, it
hought
youweredonekabana.You' renota
l
itt
legi
rlwaitsegor ebanabaat ura
thenyoujustletyoursel
ffal
lpregnant
?
Iwasgoingtoi gnorethecourtorder
yagorewemustsel lthehousebuti
guesswehav et onowt hatIalso
havetosuppor tt
hebabi esbaka
bomo.
Lol
o:Wecan'
tsel
lthehouse,
wher
e
wil
lIst
ay?
Aati
l
e:I'
vebeengivencustodyya
banaLolo,doyout
hinkit
'sfairthati
mustleaveyouinahouset hatbigka
banakesenant u?Wehav et oselli
t
andspl i
tthemoneyj ustast hecourt
orderedgor elennaereker aya
mosadi wameker eanthusebana
aboket shwer esomethingsea
thusetsangmogosone.Under stand
thatgonej aanaSedihasbeen
suppor t
ingRanaanandhel ping
Juniorfinanci
all
ywhileyou'
r edoing
nothing.
Lolo:(
sighed)Okay
,gosi
ame.Let's
selli
tandsplitt
hemoneykoorehelai
thoughtwehadanunderstandi
ng
Aati
l
e:Thatwasbefor
ei f
oundout
youkeptt
hisfr
om me,kantewhydi
d
youkeepquiet
?6monthso
didi
met sehela.Wal apisaLol o
somet i
mesi t
hinky ouwer ejustsent
tohurtmeandhol dmebackf rom
progressingcausegaket swelelemo
l
aefengbecausey ou' repopping
babiesl i
kecandy ,
i meanr eall
y?6
mont hs?Andy ou'ret ell
ingmenow
because6mont hsrebuakabana
helababat onabael enggor ewecan' t
abortthem.Ompuset sakomor ago
mobot shel
ong.

Lolot
ri
edholdi
nghert
ear
sbackbut
theyr
oll
eddownassheputherhead
onherarm whi
l
eholdi
ngt
hesteeri
ng
wheel
..
.
Aatil
e:Gaokakewal el
aAloney ou
didallt
heseandI '
m notgoingtol et
thesebadnewsspoi lmyday.(sighed)
Fine,obatasupport?I'
llgi
vei
tt oy ou,
wr i
tedownev er
ythingyouneedand
I
'llt
akethatl
istbackt omywi f
eso
wecanl ookatthebudgetandgi ve
whatwecanaf f
ordbecausegone
j
aanaSedi andIar efocusedon
getti
ngmar r
iedandbuy ingahouse.

Hi
sphoner
ang.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?.
..
.Yeah.
..
.Ohokay
,no
pr
oblem,mywi f
eandi
wil
lbet
her
ein
anhourorso.Bye

Hehungupanddi
aledSedi
.

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?
Aati
l
e: Ij
ustgotacallf
rom Theodor
e
RealEstat
es,theyhav
et hr
eehouses
wemustchoosef r
om.
Sedi
:I'
l
lber
eadyi
nanhour
Aat
il
e:I
'
m onmyway
,by
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
Lol
o..
.
Aati
l
e: Nti
rel
abudgety
abanasot
hat
SediandIcandeci
dehowmuchto
gi
vey ou
Lol
o:OK

Aatil
est eppedoutandcl osedt he
doorfixinghi stieandt hewat chas
hewal kedbacki nt hehospital,he
wascl eanandsmar ti
ndi f
ferentway.
Theuni quecl otheshehadonmade
hi
m ev enmor eofagent lemanl ikeas
Lolostar edathi mt hrought he
windshiel d.Sher ubbedhert earsand
droveoutoft hehospi talparkinglot
..
..
AtDi
di'
sbout
ique.
..
.

LateronDidi l
eanedbackonher
offi
cechairswi ngingar
oundpressi
ng
herphonet henshenot i
cedKen
updatedhisWhat sAppstat
usand
cli
ckedoni t.ZaneandFai t
hwereon
thestagesingingast hewhole
churchwav edt henshesighedand
closedit
..

Theoffi
cewasquietandshereall
y
hadnothi
ngtodobutitwasbetter
thanbei
nginchur
ch,sheloggedin
YouTubeandwat
chedmov
ies.
..

AtChur
ch.
..
..

Meanwhi l
ei nchur
cht heprayer
sessionwasonast hewhol echurch
prayedalltoget
her,al
l pr
ayi
ngloudly
somuchy ouwouldn'thearyourself
prayi
ng..

Ont hel i
neofpastor'
sandt heir
families,Di
di'
schairhadHazel '
s
diaperbagasKenst oodcar r
ying
Hazel ,wit
hFaithstandingnexttohi
m
holdinghisjacketwhiletheyall
pr
ayedwi
thZaneandtheteam
pr
ayi
ngfr
om t
hestage.
..
.

Eventual
lyt
heprayersdieddownunti
l
ther
ewassi l
encethenZanelif
tedhi
s
handwi t
hhiseyesclosed.
..

Zane:
(sl
owl
y)You'
rehol
yLor
d..
..
Congr
egat
ion:
You'
rehol
y.
.…
Zane:
Oboi
tshepoj
eso.
..
Congr
egat
ion:
Oboi
tshepo.
..

Kensangal
ongandl
ookedbackt
hen
hesawJanandAgat
hatoget
herwi
th
theyoungones.Hesmi ledsurpri
sed
andwav edatthem astheysmi l
ed
andwav edbackthenJanwal ked
overandgotthekids.
.

Jan:KebaisaSundayschool
ung
bagoimel
a
Ken:
Thanks.

Janwalkedoutwiththechi
ldr
enthen
Kenfi
xedhissuita.djoi
nedthe
chur
chsingi
ng.…

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
.
Latert hatafter
noonLolodrove
throught hegat eonherwayf r
om
chur chandf oundanunf amil
i
arcar
toget herwithAatil
e'
scarastheyall
wal kedar oundthehouseinspecti
ng
i
tandshookhandswi t
hAatil
e..
.

Lol
o:What
'sgoi
ngon?
Aat
ile:Thecour
tor
dersaidwemust
sel
lthehouseremember?Ifound
buyers.
.
Lol
o:Okay
..
.
Exhaustedandhungryshesatinthe
carwaiti
ngforAatil
etofini
shoffwit
h
thebuyersthentheygotinthecar
whil
eAat i
lewalkedover.

Aati
le:
Theywantt oprocesspayment
tomorrowsoy ouhavetofinda
houseandmov eoutbecauset
hey
arebuyingt
his.
Lol
o:Ee.
..Ok

Hegotinthecarandledthebuyers
outthenLol
otearf
ull
ylookedather
house,t
heoneshebuiltwit
hherhard
earnedmoney.I
tstar
tedoffasa2
bedroom housebutnowi thad8
bedroomswhi chsheextendedover
theyear sknowingshehadal otof
chil
dren, i
twasn'teasyandshe
sacri
ficedalottoaddeachr oom
whenev ershegotachance. .

Shelookedatt heenti
reyard,her
orangetreesandandmangot r
ees..
Allofwhichshepl ant
edherselfand
watchedgr owintobigfr
uitf
ul t
rees.
..
Allofthatwouldbehandedt o
anotherperson.Herli
pstrembl ed
andshecov er
edherfacecrying..
.
Lol
o:(cr
ying)Godpleasef orgiv
eme. .
.
Modimowamehakegodi retse
phosokeengosai ntshwar el
ent at
e,
kegodiri
leeng.
…..{
fatherGodi fI
wrongedyoupleasepar donme}
*
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/4,
12:
22AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 145
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronCarlandTinasteppedoutof
thecarthenhelockeditasit'
sli
ght
s
fl
ushedthenheputhisar m behi
nd
her..
.

Carl
:Wewon'tbelong,ij
ustwantt
o
tal
ktoheraboutt
heissueyagore
papaissel
li
ngthehouse.
Ti
na:
Takey
ourt
ime.
.

Heknockedandwal
kedi
ncal
l
ingout
forherashemovedthecouch
cushionsf
orhi
sgir
ltosi
t.
..

Car
l:Mamawee?Mama?
Lol
o:(i
nthebat
hroom)Raa?I
'
m
coming.
..

Carlwenttot hekit
chent ograb
somethingbutherf ri
dget wasempt y
exceptforthelit
tl
eleft
ov ersnacks
fr
om thesur pri
separty.Hemade
himselfacupofcof feeandsatnext
toTinasharingwi t
hherasLol o
walkedovert yi
ngherrobe, hereyes
wereswol l
enandshel ookedreall
y
depressedthoughshesmi
l
edhi
ding
hersadness..
.

Carl:Iwast hi
nkingy oucoul dgoback
homei nsteadofr enti
ng, ij
ustpassed
thereandexpl ainedmy selftot he
manr enti
nggr andmot her's2r ooms, i
gavehi m amont h'snoticebuthe
saidifhef indsahousebef oret hat
hewi lll
eav e.FornowIwast hinking
youcoul dgost ayi nmama' sone
room, it'
sv acant.Rent i
ngi sgoi ngto
costy oubecausey oudon' tev en
knowwheny ou'
ll getpaidf orthe
house.
Lol
o:Butt
hatisyourhouselebo
monnao,i
justwantedtoleav
ethat
pl
aceforyouguys.
Car l
:It
'sy ourmot her'
shomenotour s,
i
titwasmama' shomeI '
dunder stand
butaccor di
ngt omyunder st
andi ng
yourmot herhad2ki ds, t
heot her
diedsot hatmakesy out hesol e
benef i
ciary.Ialreadytalkedt oAgat ha
andKat l
oexpl ainingthewhol e
situati
ony adivorcelet heselli
ngof
yourhouseandweal l agreedgor eit'
s
besty ougot here.Ont hewayher ei
spoket ooneofmycowor kersto
bor r
owmeav ansoI 'l
l mov eyou
tomor row
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..Howar
eyouTi
na?
Tina:I
'mfine.
..Pleasedon'tstress
yoursel
faboutBaby 'sbehaviourshe
l
ookspr egnanttomemay bei t
'sjust
hormonest al
king.Somepeopl eba
i
lwakempa
Lolo:Ithoughtsothoughithurt
si
kindofunder st
andandi wanttobe
thereforherbecauseitsherfi
rst
chil
d.
Carl:Wehavet
ogo,wewillt
alk
tomorrowwhenIcol
l
ectyourthi
ngs
therestwi
ll
gotomygarageuntil
you'r
edonebui
ldi
ngsomethi
ng
bigger
Lol
o:Thanksf
orbei
ngt
hought
ful
..
Car
l:Okay
,
Ti
na:
Gosi
ame
Lol
o:By
enana,
howi
syourmot
her
?
Ti
na:
Shei
sfi
ne.
.

Theywalkedoutanddroveoffthen
Lol
osighedthought
ful
lyanddialed
Babybutshedidn'
tanswer,
she
di
aledAndrew..
.

Andy
:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
Andycani
tal
ktoBaby
?
Andy
:Shel
eftt
omeetupwi
thher
si
ster
Lol
o:May
a?
Andy
:Eemma
Lol
o:Okay
Andy :
I'
m sorryaboutwhatBabydi d
atthepar t
y,idon'
tsupportwhatshe
didandwehadaser i
oustalkaboutit
beforeshecoul dgetbackinthereto
apologiseforwhatshedid.Ijust
wantedt omakei tcl
earthatirespect
youregardlessofeveryt
hingI'
veseen.
Lol
o:Yousawi
ttoo?
Andy:IwaswithBabywhenMay
a
senti
t,I
'm sor
ry.
Lolo:I
t'
sokay,andthanksf
orbei ng
hervoiceofr
eason.Keepguidingher.
I'
m happyyouaskedhertoapol ogi
se
thoughshedidn'
tbutiappr
eciate
whatyoudid.
Andy:Shedi
dn'
t?Butshewenti
n
ther
eforawhil
e
Lolo:Shewasi
nt hebathr
oom buti
t'
s
okayandcongratul
ati
onsonthebaby.
I'
l
lalwaysbehereifyouorherneed
myhel p.
Andy:Ican'
tbel
i
eveshedi
dn'
t
apol
ogise,gosi
ame

Hequi
ckl
yhungupt
henLol
ocal
l
ed
hi
m..
.

Andy
:Hel
l
o?
Lolo:papaoskamoomany a,mol ese
otaikopamaitshwarel
onakonngwe.
Ididn'
tknowy ou'
dtakeitser
iousl
y .
Pleasedon'
taskher.Shewi l
lhateme
evenmor e
Andy:OutofrespectforyouIwon'
t
askherbutI'
m disappoint
ed
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..

Shehungupandsi
ghedl
yi
ngher
headdown.
..
AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hataf
ternoonSedir
eadLol
o's
budgetandshookherheadhandi
ngit
back..
.

Sedi:Shewant s3.2K?That'
sli
ke
P1600perbaby .
..
doessheknowt hat
youhav eot herchil
dren?Let
'sbe
real
isti
c,ifshet hi
nkseachchil
d
deserves1. 6thenitmeansy oumust
spend9. 6Konchi ldsupport
.
Aati
l
e:Al
onewat
senwaandshe
knowsihav
emoneypr
obl
ems
becausei
expl
ainedev
ery
thi
ng.
Sedi:
Aat i
lelewenarragaodir
ise
condom, gori
anajaanalennankabo
kel
epr egnanti
fididn'
tplanmy
thi
ngs.
Aat
il
e:It
houghtLol
oreached
menopause
Sedi:Mot hoyoosantseaikutwa
kana,menopausewaeng?Kanabana
kedi expense.Ihadalr
eadyaccepted
gorewewi l
lbestayi
ngwithRanaan
becauseJuni orkeyoohewant sto
staywi t
hCar lsonowditwinsare
goingt othr
owusof fbudget
compl etel
y.
Aati
l
e:Lolodidal
l t
hesetotr
apme
andsheplanneditfr
om thest
artby
nottel
l
ingmewel li
ntimeknowing
wecouldhavetakencareoffi
tearl
i
er.
Sedi:
Justt ell
her1. 6isi
mpossi bl
e,
wehav ethingst odo.Eachbabycan
getP750f ornowunt i
lwear edone
wit
hourt hings.(sighedimpatient
ly)
Uhnnar raI'm gett
ingdiscouragedby
thi
sbabyt hing.Ithinkmydayhas
beenruined...
Aat
il
e:Babepl
easedon'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
,
comeon

Sedi
shookherheadandwal
kedt
o
thebedroom whereAat
il
eknocked
begginghertoopenwhil
eshelocked
hersel
finsi
decryi
ng.
..
..
.

Sedi
:(sni
ff
ed)Pl
easeleave,j
ustgi
ve
meanhourortwot odigestt
his
Aat
il
e:OK,
ilov
eyou
Sedi
:Justgommm

Aati
leswall
owedemoti
onal
l
yand
shookhisheadwal
ki
ngout.
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.
LaterthateveningDidif
ini
shed
cookingandsett hetabl
ethen
everyonegat her
edaroundthetabl
e
getti
ngr eadytoeat.
..
.

Ken:
Hazel
leadt
hepr
ayer
..

Theyheldhandsandbowedt
hei
r
heads.
..

Hazel
:Godbl
essourf
oodAmen
Al
l
:(l
aughed)Amen

Di
dismi
l
edl
ooki
ngatKenashef
ixed
Hazel'
sbibandpushedhercloserto
thetabl
e,Zaneatewhi
lepressi
nghis
phonewithalit
tl
esmil
ewhi l
eFaith
pushedallt
hegreenpeasasideand
ate.

Ken:(
looki
ngather
)Ar
eyouokay
babe?
Di
di:
Yeah.
..

Oklahomamusthav emadeitdif
fi
cul
t
toseecer t
aint
hingsbutMaunhad
defi
nitel
ymadeev eryt
hingcl
ear,
therewassomet hi
ngbor i
ngabout
Ken.Itwasn'tr
eall
yanythi
ngbadhe
di
dbutt henewgoodper
sonal
i
ty.She
l
ovedhimf ort
hebadasshewasbut
al
lthatshehadfal
l
eninl
ovewit
hhad
di
sappeared.
..

Thereshewassi t
tingont hedinner
tablewithapastor ,onewhot alkedt o
hercalml ywhenev ershecamehome
l
ateandev ensuggest edprayi
ngasa
soluti
on.Shecoul dn'tremembert he
l
astt i
mesheki ssedOf anathedr ug
dealer.
..Theonewhoputal oaded
gunbet weenherlegsandl ookedi n
hereyet hreat
eni
ngt opullt
hetr i
gger
shouldshef uckthingsup.Theone
whospoi ltherwit
hpoundsand
doll
ars,
thehotst
eamysexf ul
lof
rageandhunger.
.Thi
sKenwasgone
andnowshewassi t
ti
ngwit
hanew
manshehadt ogetusedto.
..

Whatdiffer
encewashef rom Bayang
now?Bay angwast hatsweetand
gentl
e..
.That'
swhatmadei teasyt o
dumphi sbehindbutKen, ohKent he
onewhoexchangedpackagesatt he
rooft
opsofbui l
dings,theonewho
trav
ell
edandgotmy st
eriouscall
s
from t
heRussianandNi geri
anmen,
theonewhoownedher ,
domi nat
ed
herandcontroll
edher ..
.Theonewho
wantedsexuponar ri
val.
..Shehadn't
seent hatKeni nyearsandshe
mi ssedhim...Ifonl
yshecoul dhave
onemor enightwi t
hthatKen...
.Just
onemor enightofnaughtinessbefor
e
j
umpi ngint
ot hepastor'
swife
l
ifestyle.
..

Ken:(
looki
ngatherf
ood)Babear
e
youOK?
Di
di:
(fakedasmi
l
e)Yeah,
I'
m good.
..

Kenpickedfoodwi
tht
heforkandfed
heracrosst
hetabl
easFai
thlaughed.
.
Fai
th:
mamay
ou'
ret
oobi
g
Didi
:(l
aughed)I
'
m daddy
'sbabyt
oo
Fait
hij
a
Fai
th:
Daddyf
eedmet
oo.
..

Kenlaughedandfedbot
hofthem as
theychat
tedwhil
eZanefl
ir
tedonthe
phonewithLai
la.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

Lat
erthatev
eningLoloopenedthe
doorf
orAatil
eashesmi l
edather
andwalkedi
ncarryi
ngaboxt r
ayof
Krusher
s,shecl
osedthedoorand
pull
edherrobeoverherbump.
..

Lol
o:Hey
..
.
Aati
le:Hi
..Canwetal
k?I'
mreal
ly
sorryf
orsnappi
ngatyouear
li
er,
i
guessIwassurpri
sedandmaybea
l
itt
lescar
edbutI'
mf i
nenow.

Lol
osatont hecouchthenAat
il
e
handedheranotherKr
usher
..
.

Aat
il
e:It
houghty
oumi
ghtl
i
kei
t
Lol
o:Thanks,
ilov
eit
..
.
Shesl
idthest
rawinandsippedas
Aat
il
emov edoverandhel
dherhand
sof
tl
y.
..
.

Aatil
e:Ital
kedtoSedi andshesai d
3.2istoomuchbutsomehowIt hink
i
t'
sr easonabl
econsider i
ngthat
you'r
enotwor ki
ngsoI 'm goingt
o
giveittoyouall
inadv ancefrom the
moneywear egett
ingt omorrow.I
hopey ou'l
lmakebetterinvestments.
Lolo:Okay
..
.That
'sv
eryt
hought
ful
of
you..
..
.
Sheputtheemptycontai
neronthe
tabl
ethenshel
ickedherthumb
l
ookingathi
sKrusher
..

Lol
o: Cani havet
hat?(l
aughed
embar r
assed)Ibeenstressedout
l
atelysinceobuasengwesese
botokaappet i
teebui
le.
.
Aat
il
e:y
oucanhav
eit
..

Sheat eastheytalkeduntilshe
fi
nishedandputi tonthetablethen
Aatil
eleanedoverandki ssedher..
.
Lol
o:Aat
il
ewai
t.
..whatar
eyoudoi
-

Hekissedhergett
ingbetweenher
l
egsandpul l
edthestr
ingofherrobe
thentookoutherpant
iesandgoton
topofherhidi
nghisDt henpushedi
t
allt
hewayin..
..
.

Lol
o:(moaningsoft
ly)At
ti
e..
.Babe
wai
t..Ar
ey oustoppi
ngthewedd-

Heslidoutholdi
nghisDandsli
d
backinlooki
nginhereyesasshe
excit
edl
ysmi l
edandputherarms
aroundhisneck,hesl
idoutf
orsome
secondsandsli
dbacki
nonemore
befor
epull
ingoutl
ooki
ngathi
swr
ist
watch.
..

Aati
le:
Shit.
..
I'
m ontheni
ghtshi
ft
toni
ght..
.(
stoodup)Ihav
etogo..
Lol
o:Wait
-Whatdoesthi
smean?Ar
e
wegoingtot
alkaboutus?
Aatil
e:(touchedherchi nandleaned
overkissinghercluelessface)Of
coursemyl ove.
.Youknowi can'
t
stayangr yatyouforlong.Iwantto
bepar tofthispregnancyuntilmy
l
ittl
eangel sareborn..
.
Lol
o:Okay
..
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Lol
o:Goodni
ght

Hesmi l
edandkissedherbefor
e
walki
ngoutthenshesmi l
ed
car
essingherbumpast hedoor
cl
osed..
..
.
*
*
*
*
.
[
9/4,
12:
23AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 146

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
.

SedicheckedonRanandVi vthen
sheheadedt otheli
vi
ngroom and
i
ronedtheirunif
ormstoget
herwit
h
thei
rfor
mal clot
hes..
.

Shehadbeendoi ngseveralhouse
chor
est ogethermindof fAati
l
ebut
shecouldn'
tcontrolher
selfanymore,
shegrabbedherphoneandpaused
i
roni
ngdi al
i
nghim. .
.
Hisphonerangatthedoorashe
walkedinandlockedthedoor,she
suspici
ousl
ylookedinhiseyesashe
walkedoverandkissedher.
..

Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)Di
dyoumi
ssme?
Sedi
:Wher
edi
dyougo?
Aati
le:
Ihadtotal
kt omyparent
s,y
ou
knowhowexhaustingthey
'r
e
concerni
ngt
hesetradi
ti
onalweddi
ng
thi
ng
Sedi
:Ist
hatso?
Aat
il
e:(
laughedwal
ki
ngaway
)
Soundsli
keyoudon'
tbeli
evemel
ove,
areyoual
readyi
nsecur
eMr s
Johnson?
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Mxm.
..

Hetookabat
hwhileshefini
shed
i
roni
ngandswit
chedofftheli
ght
s
t
henshegotunder
cover.

Minutesl
aterAati
l
esli
dinthebed
andputhisarm ar
oundherki
ssing
herneck.
..

Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Sedi:(withherey escl osed)I'
m sorr
y
forthrowingat antr
um ear l
ier
,ispoke
tomyauntandshecal medmedown
andexpl ainedt hatthesethings
happen.Youdi dn'tcheatonme, i
under st
andnowandI '
m gladit
happenedbecausel asttimeLolodid
thi
sandy ouwentbackf orthesake
ofthechi l
dr ensousget ti
ngmar ri
ed
whileshei spr egnantshowshow
muchy our eall
ylovemeandwant
nothingtodowi t
hher .
Aati
le:(
smiledandkissedherneck)
Seewhyy ou'r
egett
ingmar r
ied?
Becauseyou'reagr
ownwomani na
gi
rl
'sbody,that'
sev
er yman'
sdream.
Hekissedherneckandt
ouchedher
ki
tt
yfrom behindt
henhepol
ishedhi
s
Dand...
..
..
..
..

Sedi
:(car
essinghi
sback)
Mmmmm. ..
.

Hisphonerangthenher ej
ect
edt he
cal
landleanedoverdril
l
ingher,t
he
phonerangagai
nandSedi pi
ckedit
upbeforehecouldpress..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
econt
inuedt
ohummerher
..
.

Lol
o:Um.
..
.
Sedi
:Um-
what
?
Lol
o:Sor
ry,
wrongnumber
Sedi
:Youcal
l
edt
wice,
whatdoy
ou
waaaaa.
..

Aati
lei
ncreasedhisspeedanddepth
thenSedimov edbackjumpingof
f
thebedleavi
nghisdickdri
ppingwet
ashesatont heedgeofthebed
l
ookingather.
Sedi:
Lolowhatdoyouwantfr
om my
husband?Youhavebeenof
fi
cial
l
y
separat
edbythel
aw,sowhatdoy ou
want?
Lol
o:Iwant
edt
oaskhi
m somet
hing
Sedi
:Thenaskhi
m ot
shabaeng
j
aanong.
..

Sheputheronl
oudspeakerand
handedhi
m ashedeepabr eat
h..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Sor
ryf
orcal
l
ing,
iwant
edt
o
makesur eyouarri
vedwel latt
he
hospit
al(hekeptquietuncomfortabl
y
l
ookingatSedi)Gosi ame,I'
m sorry
forcal
li
ng.Idi
dn'tknowy ouwer e
home

Aat
il
ehungupandlookedatSedi
whowaslooki
ngathi
m. …

Sedi
:I'
m st
oppingt
hisr
ubbi
shofa
weddi
ngbeforeyouembarr
assmein
fr
ontofever
yone
Aati
le:Babeyoucan'
t,I
'
m sorr
y.
Nothinghappened.
.Iwentt
heret
o
tel
lherIdon'
thavemoneytocover
ever
ything,shegotemot ionalandi
huggedher .Shemustoft houghtwe
aregett
ingbackt ogether.Ievenlied
sayi
ngI'm goingtowor kjustsoi can
runaway ,I
'm sor
ry.Shei spregnant
andididn'twanttohur ther
Sedi
:I'
mletti
ngthi
ssli
de,i
t'
sst
ri
ke
one.
..
.Str
ikeoneBabe.
..
Aat
il
e:Thanky
ou

Hest
oodupandki
ssedheragai
nst
t
hedoor
..
.

Aat
il
e:Lookatme..(
shelookedat
hi
m)IloveyouandI'
llnev
ergoback
toLol oaft
erwhatshedi dtome,
l
ivingwi t
hherwasani ghtmareand
thatvideojustshowedmehow
stupidiwast obemaki ngawoman
l
ikethatmywi f
e,thethingsshesaid
aboutmemademehat eher.Mylov
e
forherdisappeared.What 'sl
efti
s
j
ustt hememor iesofwhatweused
tobenot hingmor e.
..Il
ov eyoubabe
okay?

Shesmi l
edemotional
lythenhe
pull
edherchinoverandkissedher
l
ift
ingherlegandsli
dinghisDinsi
de
her..
..
AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Kentossedandt
urnedasDidi
pret
endedtobesl
eepingt
henhe
shookher.
..
.

Ken:
Babe?
Di
di:
Mm?
Ken:Canwetal
k?What
'sr
eal
l
ygoi
ng
onbetweenus?
Di
di:
You'
rebor
ingme

Hef
rozef
orami
nut
e..
.
Didi
:Idon'
tmeani tinabadwaybut
eversi
nceyouact uallystar
tedbeing
acti
veatchurchI'm seeingast r
anger,
notapersoni f
elli
nl ovewith.Idon'
t
knowwhyi feelthi
swayandi don'
t
wanttobut.
..
Ken:Iunder standwhaty oumean. .
.
Butilovethenewy ou.Theonewho
doesn'tcheat .I
tgivesmepeaceand
pri
debuti wi shy oucouldst andby
meatchur chbecauseev erypastor
comeswi t
hhi sfami l
ybutIal ways
comewi t
ht hechi l
drenandpeopl e
areal
r eadyget t
ingsuspicious.Gago
monat emogonnat oseeot hermen
getti
ngsupportfrom thei rwives
whent heonlysuppor tigetcomes
from mychildr
en,thinkf ormet oo.
Weknewwhatst ayingi nAmer i
ca
meant ,i
tmeantfrom t hereI'l
lbe
workingandi mightnotbemaki ng
thatmuchmoneybuti tswhati l
ove,
Godwi llbl
essourbusi nessesandi f
wepr aymor ewewi l
l gohi gher.What
real
lymakeschur chbor ingf oryou?
Didi: Ifeel l
i
keIdon'tfi
tinbecausei
don' tbel i
eveGodexi st
s.Childrenare
dyingandsomanybadt hi
ngs
happent opeopleyetGodi ssai dt
o
bewat ching,whywouldhej ustwatch
childr ensuf f
erifheissoloving?Why
dowehav etogat hereverySundayto
prai
sehimi nor derforhimt ohel
pus
i
fher eal
lylovesus?Let '
ssayf or
examplei l
ostt hatbaby,whydidGod
l
ethim die?( t
earful
ly)Doy ouknow
howmuchi prayedthatday ?I
tcame
fr
om thehear tandi beggedGodt o
spareGiovanni but.
..

Kenswit
chedthel
i
ght
sonandsat
nextt
oher.
..

Ken:Giov
anni..
..I'
m sor
ryican'
t
expl
aincert
ainthingsbecauseGod
worksinmy st
eriouswaysbutwhatif
Zanei sact ual
lyGi ovanni?Whati fGio
i
sourguar dianangel ?Youshoul dn't
beal iver i
ghtnow. ..Somepeopl est i
ll
fi
ndi toddt haty ouar eali
v e?Whati f
Giov anni i
sdoi ngt hatfory ou, t
hat
fi
re?Andt hememor yloss?Godhas
favour edy oumor et hanwor dscan
explai n.Youshoul dn'tbeal i
ve,you're
ther easoni camet oGoddoy ou
knowt hat
?Babey ousav edal lofus, i
am t hemani am t odaybecauseof
you...Youbui l
tthisf amilywi thhar d
wor k, sweatandt earsdon' tletthe
devil deceiv eyouint olosingi t
becausehagol emonat eGodi s
nothing.Thedev ilcanmakey out hi
nk
peacei sbor i
ngandy ouneedact ion
i
ny ourlife,waituntiligetanewwi f
e
whom Hazel willcallmamat hen
you'l
lrunt oGod. ..
Don'tbet empt ed,
thedev i
lisplay i
ngy ourmi nd.Don' t
fal
lforit,comet ochurch, gi
vey our
l
ifetoChr istandgetbapt i
sedt hen
seey ourselfprosper...
.Seey ourself
thankingGodf oralltheblessingshe
gavey ouZane, Fait
handHazel .We
madei t
,thiswast hegoal i
tcan't
borey ou,it'
sat ri
ck.Thiswast he
goal-PEACEANDLOVEi tcan'tbore
you.
Didi
:Andi
druggedLol
o,I
'm so
scar
edoneofthepast
or'
smi ght
pointmeoutanddoallt
hatTB
Joshuastuffonme,t
hat'
sthemai
n
reasonican'
tgotochur
chtobe
honest
Ken:
Whydi
dyoudr
ugher
?
Didi:Lat elyibeent hinki
ngabout
Giov anni buti didn'
tsharewi t
h
any onebecausei t
houghtI'
llbe
j
udged.If el
tlikeshenev erpaidf or
kil
li
ngmybaby ,i
twasn'tanacci dent
sheact uallyforcedmet oabor tand
throughoutt hey earsshenev er
apol ogisedorf eltr
emor sef
ul f
or
kil
li
ngani nnocentbaby .Sheclaimed
tobebor nagai nbutnev eroncesai d
sorryt salaamef orbeati
ngy ouand
embar rassingy ouwi t
hmyr ich
fri
endswheny ouwer epoor .Shewas
successf ulandhappyaf t
erdoi ng
sucht hi ngs, Aatileforgaveherf orall
thesebutshedi dn'tappreciat ehim.
Shewasal lov ermakingsexv ideos
andal l.Iwant edhert osuf ferbut
nowi feel guilty,thi
ngsar ef all
ing
apar tforherandshechosenott otel
l
any onewhati didsoi havef inally
forgivenherbutnoweacht i
mei l
ook
atherbumpi can'thelpthinkingt he
babi esmi ghtcomeoutdr ugaddi cts,
defor medorsomet hing.I'
mj ust
holdingmybr eathtoseei ft hey '
reOK
Ken:
(smi
l
edandki
ssedher
)You
shoul dn'
tholdy ourbr eat hbabe, we
shoul dbepr ayingfort hem andLol o
mustknowt hatwear epr ayingfor
herlittl
egirl
s.That '
swhatasor r
y
fr
ienddoes, i
fy oukeepqui etshe
mightst il
lbeaf rai
dofy oubecause
sheknowsy ou'rerevengef ul..
.Lolois
nott hatbadaf terallandy ou'r
enot
badei theryouj ustdon' ttal kopenly..
.
Weshoul dcall Lol
oi nt hemor ni
ng
andt alktoher ,youshoul dt ellher
yourt ruefeeli
ngs.Tel lherhowmuch
i
teat sy ouinsidey ounev erknow
howmuchi tmeanst oy ourv icti
m
wheny ouar eremor seful .Remember
allyouev erneededf r
om herwas
remor seforwhathappenedwi thGio,
givehert hesameifyou'
rer eal
l
y
sorry
...Iwanttoseeyout wohappy
becausey ouhav
ebeent hroughalot
together.Youdeserv
ehappi ness.
..

Diditearf
ull
yhuggedhi
m cry
ingashe
rubbedherbackandkissedher
neck...

Ken: You'
renotwicked, stopseeing
yourselfaswickedandy ou'
llseethe
potentiali
nyou.Ididn'
tmar ryy ouby
mistake.Sundaywear egoingt o
churchnoonewi l
lpointaty ou.
Hekissedherandsi
ghedasshe
rubbedhert
earsst
il
lrest
ingonhi
s
chest.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngLoloturnedand
l
aidonhersi deasperiodpai ns
struckherabdoment henshewentt o
thekitchentomakebr eakfastwhi
le
pressingherphonelookingforbaby
names. ..
Lol
o:Gabri
ell
aandI
sabel
l
a,Khumo
andEtsi
l
e..
.Mmh

Thewat erboil
edt henshegr abbed
theket t
leandpour edi
nt hecup, t
he
periodpai nsgotintensewithher
bladderpr essedthensheputt he
kettl
edownandheadedt othe
bathroom wher eshepul leddownher
pant i
essitti
ngdownandnot i
ced
smal lbl
oodst ainsandsomet hing
white.Shecar eful
lypickeditupand
frownedr ecognisinghishexagonal
l
ikeshape. .
.
Lol
o:At
ti
eno.
..

Shequicklypull
edupherpant i
esand
grabbedherbabybagt hensher an
outwiththecarkey s.Shethrewi n
thebagandst art
edt hecarthenshe
rever
sedbutthecarsl oweddownas
sheapproachedt hegatethenshe
l
ookedatt heFuel Empt ymark..
.

Lol
o:Pl
easenotnow.
..
.Pl
ease.
..
.

Shet
ri
edt ostar
titbuti
twoul
dn'
t
movethenshedialedCal
vi
nbuthe
di
dn'
tpick,hewasprobabl
ywit
ha
pat
ient
.Shedi
aledMay
a..
.

May
a:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o: Hi
,canyoupleasecometake
met othehospi
tal
?Somet hi
ngis
wrong,pl
ease
May
a:I
'
m atwor
k
Lol
o:I
t'
sanemer
gencyMaya,I
'
m
bl
eedi
ngandmycargaenaf
uel
May
a:(
dismi
ssed)Eekeet
aee
Lol
o:Ok

Shehungupandwaitedbutt
henshe
di
dn'
ttrustMay
a'st
onethenshe
cal
l
edBaby
..
..

Baby
:(si
ghed)Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:BabyI
'
m bleedi
ng,cany
ou
bor
row-i
sAndr
ewt her
e?
Baby
:No,
hewentt
owor
k.
Lolo:
Didheleav
ethecar?Cany
ou
takemetothehospi
tal
?
Baby:GonejaanaI
'm maki
ng
breakf
astf
orAndrew'smother

Lol
ohungupandsi ghedthoughtf
ull
y
asshesteppedoutofthecarand
pi
ckedherbaglooki
ngf orcoi
ns.She
foundP7andlookedatt
hegatebut
shewonderedifi
twassafet
oeven
walk.
..

Shesatdowncaressi
nghertummy
asoneofthegir
lski
cked,
that
motiv
atedherandsheswall
owedher
pri
dedial
i
ng..
.

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Someonejusti
nser
tedcytot
ec
i
nmeandi hav
ebloodst
ains,
mycar
doesn'
thav
e-
Di
di:
I'
m onmyway,takeyourI
Dand
wai
tatthegat
e.Di
dyoutakeitor
all
y?
Kanai
twasi
nser
tedi
nyourt
hing?
Lolo:I
'
m notsur e,hebrought2
Krushersandi drunkthem botht
hen
wehadav eryawkwar dmomenty a
sexbuti di
dn'tsuspectanythi
ngunt
il
nowkeboneonepi l
lemel t
il
eonmy
panti
es
Didi
:Cyt
otecworksfast
erwhen
swall
owed,yavj
aytakest i
mesol et'
s
hopetheoneheputintheKr ushers
gaentsi
.Wewillbejoi
ningt heroad
j
ustnow,Kenisdri
vingi hopey ou
don'
tmind.
Lol
o:Tel
lhi
mtohur
ryuppl
ease.
.
Shehungupanddi al
edCarlagainbut
hesti
lldi
dn'
tanswerthenshedialed
Tshepo..
.

Tshepo:
Hel
l
o?
Lolo: TshepoI'vebeengivenabor ti
on
pill
sandI '
vestart
edbleeding,I'
m
waitingf orafri
endtobringmet here
andt hepai nisgetti
ngserious.Is
thereawayy oucanhel pmeseea
doctorkapel asot hatIcansav emy
kids?Ij ustwanttoseeadoct or
i
mmedi a-
Tshepo:I
'm goingdownto
Emergency,I'
l
ltal
ktothem.
Lol
o:Thanky
ou.
..

Shehungupandcl osedhereyes
ti
ghtlyhol
dingthesteer
ingwheelasa
l
ightningofpainst
ruckherabdomen.
Shet ookshortbr
eathstext
ing
Setsana.

Lol
o: I
fidon'
tsurvivethi
sandoneof
chi
ldrensurv
ivespleasedon'tlet
anyoneadoptmyki ds.Iknowi t'
sa
l
otofwor knanabutdon' tl
etthem go.
Namet hem GobonaandAl one.Ilove
yousomuchandi don'tregretrai
sing
youbecausey ou'
remor euseful t
han
mysocal
l
eddaught
ers.

Shesentt
oSet
sanaandsentanot
her
toCar
l.
..

Lolo:I
fidon'
tsurvi
venamet hem
GobonaandAl one,thankyouf or
beingtheworl
d'sgreatestson.God
blessyouandpleasemar ryTina,
rememberhowmuchshel ovedy ou
santseoshabakamor ogowal eketa.
TakecareofJuniorandRanaan.

ShesawKen'scarandgr
abbedher
bagthenshest
eppedoutbutt
he
waterbr
okespil
li
ngdownwit
hbl
ood
asshegruntedl
eani
ngweakl
y
agai
nstthecar.
..

Lol
o:(
scr
eaming)OhGod,
please.
..
..
Mmmmh. .
..Mhhhh
Didi
:(r
unni
ngov
er)Lol
onaar
ewaa
pusher?
Lol
o:(squat
tedgr
unt
ing)Gar
eke
pushe

Kenranoverandpi
ckedherupas
Didi
pickedt
hebagandranbehi
nd
hi
m...
Ken: Lolowee?( sheconti
nued
grunting)Loloyouhavetobr eat
hso
thebabi escanmakei ttothehospi
tal
orelset heywil
ldiebeforeweget
there,isthatwhatyouwant ?

Shet
ear
ful
l
yshookherhead.
..

Ken:Thenyouhavetot
ry.
..
.Let'
sdo
i
ttogether
..
.Ar
eyephewww...
..

Theybreat
hedi
nandoutunti
lKen
putherint
hebackasshet
earful
l
y
pushedhol
dinghi
mt i
ghtl
yst
icki
ng
hernai
lsonhisbi
ceps.
..

Lol
o:(cryi
ng)Kenican'
tholdit
,I'
m
sorr
y..
.Ican'
tbel
iev
eI'mlosingmy
babi
es..
..
Di
di:(
closedt
hedoor
)Comeand
dr
ive.
..
.
Ken:
Dri
ve,
I'
ll
staywi
thher
..
..

Kenclosedt hedoorbehi
ndhi
m and
facedLoloholdi
ngherhandasshe
spreadherlegspushing.
..
Ken:
Lol
odon'
tpush.
..
.
Lol
o:(
grunt
ing)Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Thebaby '
sheadpushedt hepanti
es
thenKenpulledherpant
iesoutand
tookoffhi
sshirtspr
eadi
nghi shands
asthebaby '
sheadsli
dout .
..

Ken:
(pani
cked)Okay
..
.Okay
..
..

Hegr
abbedthebabyandl
aidhi
m on
t
heseat
..
..

Ken:
It'
saboy
..
.Shi
t,hei
snot
cr
ying.
..
isn'
thesupposedt
ocr
y?God
pl
easedon'tdothi
stome..
.

Thebabystar
tedcry
ingandLol o's
eyestear
edupasshegothi m and
puthi
m onherchestthenshest art
ed
grunt
ingagai
n..
.

Lol
o:Aaaaah.
..
.It
hinkanot
heronei
s
coming.
..

Kenwait
edfort
hebabyast
hehead
sl
idout
..
..
Ken:
Push,icanseet
hehead.
..
.(she
di
dn'
tpush)Lol
o?Push.
..

Kenl ookedupatherasherhead
slowlyfell
tothesi
dewi t
hhereyes
closedthenthebabysli
dt ot
heside
butKencaughthi m bef
orehecould
falldown..
.

Ken:
Babedr
ivef
ast
er
Didi:(
shaki
ngdr iv
ingthr
oughthe
gate)I'
mt r
ying..
.Ican'
tbel
iev
eyou
refusedtodrivegoreoteobonedil
o
tse
Ken:
Doy
our
eal
l
ywantt
otal
kabout
t
hatnow?(checkedherpul
se)Ican'
t
f
eelherpul
se.
..

Kenl eanedbacklooki
ngatLolo'
s
vaginaast hebaby'
sfacet
urned
dark...

Ken:
Ithi
nkthebabyi
ssuf
focat
ingor
somethi
ng.
..

Dididrovei
ntotheemergencyroom
andr anout
,minutesl
atert
henur ses
cameoutr unni
ngpushingthebed
andputheroni tt
henpushedher
i
nsideasKenf oll
owedthem holding
thebabywit
hashi
rtwhi
l
eDi
di
carr
iedabag..
.

Ken:
(runni
ng)Thi
sbabyi
schoki
ng.
..
Gaahemesente
Nurse:Oti
lepr
ematurel
y,hi
slungs
ar
en'tst
rongenough.
..
.

Theothernursegothim andran
aheadasDidi andKenranbehindt
he
hospit
albedlookingatLolo'
s
peaceful
l
yclosedey es.
..
..
.

Att
hemat
erni
tywar
d..
..
Aboutanhourl aterDidipacedupand
downasKensatont hechairinhis
stai
nedvestsilentl
yprayingforLol
o,
hehadseensomet hinghenev ersaw
beforei
nherey esandi tmadehi m
seeanothersideofherhenev er
knewexisted.Aanur sewal kedover
tothem..
..

Nur
se:Ar
ey out
heonest
hatbr
ought
Al
oneJohnson?
Di
di:
Yes
Ken:
Issheokay
?
Nur
se:
Thi
swaypl
ease.
..
Kenst
oodupandf
oll
owedt
hem.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
23AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴147
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Di
diandKennaslowl
ysatdown
l
ooki
ngatthedoctor
'sfacethen
Cal
vi
nwalkedintheroom...

Cal
vin:Heyman,i
heardyou
at
tendedmyaunt
,issheokay?(
to
Di
diandKen)Dumelang
Di
di:
Hel
l
o
Ken:
Hi
Dr
:Heyhav
easeat
..
.
Calv
in:I
'
m good,
what
'sup?I
she
okay?
Dr:
Shedel
i
ver
edt
ri
plet
s,2gi
rl
sanda
boy.
..
Ken:
But
?
Dr
:Butonl
ytheboymadei
t
Di
di:
OhGod
Cal
vi
n:Howi
sshe?
Dr
:Shei
sokayphy
sical
l
y
Di
di:
Canweseeher
?
Dr:Thenursewil
ltakey outoher
room,sheisinaprivateroom.The
othert
hingisbabi
est hatageareto
becoll
ectedforburi
al
Di
di:
Cani
goseeher
?
Cal
vi
n:Youcangoahead,
I'
ll
sor
tout
ev
ery
thi
ng.
.

Anur
sel
edt
hem t
oherr
oom.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sroom.
..
.

Lolostoodbyt hewi ndowfoldingher

armst earful
lyl
ookingoutthent he
dooropenedasDi diwalkedin,Lol
o
turnedlookingatherandshe
frownedr emorsef
ullythenthey
huggedasshesni ff
ledandr ubbed
hertears.
..
Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry.
..
Lol
o: Ihadtri
plet
s,2gir
lsand1boy ..
Tri
plets.
..Andthegir
lswereident
ical
Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry.
..(
lookedatt
hebed)
Wherei
stheboy?
Lol
o:Hei
satt
hei
ncubat
or.
.
Di
di:
What
'
shi
sname?
Lol
o:Mof
eny
i
Didi
:Wow,i
t'
sabeauti
ful
name..
.at
l
eastonesur
viv
edri
ght?I
t'
sdefi
nit
ely
somethi
ngtobegr
atef
ulfor
..
Lol
o:Yes.
..

Lol
osl
owl
ylai
dont
hebedasDi
disat
ont
hechai
rfaci
ngher
..
.

Lol
o:Pleasedon'ttel
lanyonei
del
iv
eredtri
plets,i
justwanttomake
sur
eMof enyiissafe
Didi
:Ofcour
se,iwon'tt
ell
anyone.I
s
ther
eanyparti
cul
arreasonAati
le
wouldwanttodothi
s?
Lolo:Al
onehelai doubthewoul d
havehadapr oblem butithi
nkSedi
wasn'thappytohearabouti tand
may beshethreatenedtoleavehim or
may beshejustdidn'tl
i
keitidon't
know.Iwanted3. 2forsupportand
againiknewAat i
lecouldaffordi
t
becausehewaspr omot edl ast
mont ht oaseni orlabt echnicianand
eveni fhewasn' tpr omot edAat il
egot
wel l
paid, heear nedwaymor ethani
didandhewasgi vingSedi 2.5f or
Bashal esoi twasn' tli
keIwasbei ng
unreasonabl e.Ij ustf eel hewasdoi ng
i
tf orhernotbecausehedi dn'tlove
thekidsorcoul dn'taff ordthem but
eit
herwayhe. ..Heki l
ledmybabi es
andi guessi don' thav eanyr i
ghtt o
j
udgehi sdeci sionbecausei didthe
samewi t
hhissons. .(rubbedher
tearstryingtobebr av e)It'
sf i
ne, i
guessi deserv ei t
..
.
Di
di:
Youdon'
t
...
Lolo:AndpleasethankKennaf orme,
notalotofBatswanamencanassi st
i
nt heprocessofgivingbirt
h..
.Alot
ofthem wouldjustfreakbuthewas
braveenoughandhehadev ery
thi
ng
undercontrol
.Hewascal m andhim
knowingwhatt odomadet hewhole
processeasy..
.y
ou'reblessedtohav e
amanl ikehim
Di
di:
Thanks

ThedooropenedthenKenwal kedin
hol
dingaplast
icasbothladies
l
ookedathim,hehandedDi dit
he
pl
asti
candsheglancedinsidebefor
e
handi
ngitovertoLolowhosmi
l
edat
hi
m avoi
dinghiseyes..
.

Lol
o:Thanks
Kenna:
I'
m sor
ryaboutt
hebabi
es,
Howareyou?
Lol
o:I
'
llsur
viv
e,i
appr
eci
atet
hatone
babyi
sokay
Kenna:True, weshoul dbegratef
ul.
..
Bythewayi fy ouneedanyhelpjust
tal
ktoDidi andwewi l
lbetherefor
you.Iwon'tf orgethowyouguy s
wantedtohel pmegetal awyerand
all
thatwheni waslowsoit'
smyt urn
toret
urnthef avor
Lol
o:OK,
I'
ll
tal
ktoDi
di
Di
di:(
stood)Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
ltal
ktoy
ou
l
ater
Lolo:Thankscomingontime,i
fit
wasn'tforKennankaboba
thokahetsebothe,
thedoct
orsaysme
passingoutmessedupev er
ythi
ng
Didi
:Iknowyouwoul
dhav
edonet
he
samef orme.
..By
e
Lol
o:By
e
Ken:
(looki
ngi
nher
)And-

Justashewasabouttosayi
thi
s
subconsci
ouspr
ompteditmi
ght
havebeeni
nappr
opr
iat
eforhi
swife'
s
ear
ssohechangedthest
atement
...

Ken:..
.Um..
.Best r
ong,Godmi ghtbe
test
ingyourfait
h,feel
freet
ov isi
tour
churchsomet i
me..
.Setsanaisalways
therewit
hhersibli
ngs.Theycome
withJan
Lolo:(smil
edlookinginhiseyes)I'
ll
defini
tel
ydot hat
.Anewchur ch
wher enooneknowsmuchaboutme
willdo.Imeanatchur chtheyknow
aboutourfightsandi ki
ndofl ostmy
dignit
ythereso..
.I'
lldef
ini
tel
ybe
thereonceI'v
eheal ed.
Ken:
Nopr
obl
em
Di
di:
Babe?(
fakedasmi
l
e)Shal
lwe?
Ken:
Sur
e,(
toLol
o)Takecar
e
Lol
o:Thanksguy
s
Di
di:
Bye

Kenclosedthedoorandputhisar
m
aroundherwaistastheywal
ked
downt hepassagethenhenot
iced
shewasn'tquit
ehappyabout
something.
..

Ken:
Arey
ouokay
?
Di
di:
Yesbuty
oushoul
dhav
e
consult
edmebeforeinvi
ti
ngherto
churchandwhydoi gett
hefeel
ing
you'
rebeingt
oofr
iendlyt
oher?
Ken:(l
aughedfrowni
ngindisbel
i
ef
wit
hacut eface)What?Ar
ey ou
ser
iousri
ghtnow?

Shestoppedwalki
ngandf ol
dedher
armslookingupathim ashest
opped
l
ookingatherhiseyesrunni
ngal
l
overtr
yingtofi
ndabetter
expl
anation.
..

Ken:Idon'
tknowwhattosaytoyou
ri
ghtnow,iknewy
ou'dprobabl
ybe
uncomfort
ablebuttothinkaboutme
andherli
kethati
sjustunbeliev
abl
e.I
sl
eptwithherdaughterevenshe
wouldn'
tseemel i
kethat,comeon
now
Didi
:I'
mj ustnotcomf ort
ablewit
h
youbeingt oofri
endlyandinvi
ti
ngher
overwithoutrunningitoverme,she
i
smyf r
iendnoty ours.
Ken:Okay,
I'
m sorry
.I'
llnotdothat
agai
n.Idi
dn'tt
hinkthattoodeep
abouti
t.
Didi
:Whatever,
forsomeonewhois
constant
lyi
nsecureyoufai
l
edto
anal
ysethisbecauseifi
twast
he
ot
herwayr
oundI
'
dbei
ntr
oubl
e..
Ken:BabeIsai
dI'
m sor
ry,
cany ou
for
givemeandleti
tbebygones?
Di
di:
fine.
.
Ken:
(smi
ledandopenedhi
sar
ms)
Howaboutasmil
eandahug?
Lol
o:(
blushedwal
ki
ngaway
)No.
..

Kenlaughedandfol
lowedherhol
ding
herhandandkissi
ngit
..
.

Ken:(smi
l
ed)Atl
eastyou'
rej
ealous
aboutme..
.Di
dn'
tyousayI'
m bori
ng
becauseigot
ochurchanddon'tf
uck
ar
ound?
Didi
:Ididn'
tsaythat,whyareyou
sayi
ngt hat
..
.(punchedhim onthe
chest)Stopit
..
.

Hel
aughedandki
ssedherhand.
..

AtSedi
'
shouse.
..
..
.

LateronAati
le'
sphonewokehim up
asheslowlyreachedf
oritandpi
cked
yawningl
ayingonhisback.
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,I
'm att
hehospi
tal
.
Aat
il
e:Ar
eyouokay
?
Lol
o:Ihadamiscar
ri
ageandl
ostt
he
babi
eskabobedi
Aat
il
e:Ohno,
soaretheygoi
ngt
obe
cr
ematedi
nthehospi
tal
?
Lolo:
No, t
hey'r
etoooldtobe
cremated,I
'
vebeentoldtocoll
ect
them bycoff
insbutCalv
inoff
eredto
buythecoffi
nssodon'tworr
yaboutit.
Aat
il
e:okay
,cool
.Ar
eyouokay
?
Lol
o:Yes,I
'm good.I
'
llbedi
schar
ged
thi
saft
ernoon
Aat
il
e:Oh,
ok.Doi
hav
etocomef
or
t
hebur
ial
?
Lolo:No, cul
tur
all
ymendon' tattend
burial
sf orbabi
es.Besidestheywi l
l
bebur iedt hi
safter
noonort omor r
ow.
Itwillalldependonhowmyauntand
fami l
yr espondtothisbutphithoy a
ngwanagaephut haganelwe.Goy a
bathobal efewhela.
Aati
le:Butyouwon'tdothi
satour
houseakere?becauseremembert
he
buyerswantusoutbyt omorr
ow.
Lol
o: Calv
inwil
lbemovingthi
ngst
his
aft
ernoon,I'
m goi
ngbacktomy
mother'shouse.
Aat
il
e:Okay
,ei
shatl
easty
ou'
ref
ree.
Wedi
dn'
tneedki
dsany
way
sri
ght
?
Lol
o:(
tearf
ull
y)Yeah,
I'
m happyat
l
eastI
'
llhaveti
met of
indajob
Aat
il
e:Exact
ly.
..By
e
Lol
o:By
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sroom.
..
.

Meanwhi l
ethedooropenedasLolo
hungupt hephonethenTshepo
walkedinwithaplast
icofsomethi
ng
toeat.
.
Tshepo:
Hi.
..
Lol
o:Hey
..
.Um.
..Il
ostt
hebabi
es
Tshepo:I
'
mv er
ysorr
y,ij
ustranint
o
Calv
inoutsi
deandhet ol
dmey ou
l
ostthetwinsandyou'
regoinghome.
Lol
o:Yes,I
'
ml eav
ing.Ther
eis
not
hingheref
orme.
Tshepo:
Hav
eyout
alkedt
oMay
a?
Lolo:
Yeswespokei nthemorni
ng
wheni askedhertobr
ingmeherebut
shewasbusy ,I
'l
ll
etherknowil
ost
thebabies.
Tshepo:
Okay
,letmegobackt
owor
k.
Ij
ustwant
edt
odr
opt
hisof
f.
Lol
o:Thanks.
..

Het ur
nedandwalkedoutthenLol
o
thoughtf
ull
ypi
ckedherphoneand
sentmessages.
..

Lol
o:Il
ostt
het
winsi
wascar
ryi
ng.
Baby:Real
l
y?I
'
m sosor
ry.Ar
eyou
okay
?
Lol
o:Yes
Baby
:Ok

Shet
ypedanot
herone.
..
Lol
o:Il
ostt
hegi
rl
s
May
a:Sor
ry

Shewaitedforf
urthermessages
fr
om herdaughter
sbuttherewasn'
t
anyt
hingmor et
hatsoshedi al
ed
Agatha.
..

Agat
ha:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi,
kananeor i
ley
aGaborone
malobangwanaka,mymindhasbeen
al
lovert
heplace.
Agat
ha:
(laughed)Don'
twor
ryabout
i
t,iunderst
and.Wheni didn'
tgetthe
tr
avelsafel
ymessagef rom youi
fi
guredthepregnancywast oomuch.
Iarr
ivedearl
ythi
smor ning.Gone
j
aanaI '
m onmywayt oUBandt hen
I'
m goingtoBACandI HS
Lol
o:Iguessy
oudi
dn'
tseemy
message.
Agat
ha:
What
?
Lol
o:Idel
i
ver
edt
ri
plet
sand-

Agathajumpedscr
eami ngatt
heUB
gat
easev ery
oneturnedand
awkwardlyl
ookedatherthenshe
shyl
ystoppedandloweredhervoi
ce.
..
Agat
ha:OhmyGod,wow..Dotheyal
l
l
ookali
ke?Ibett
hey
'r
egoingt
oplay
us
Lolo:(smiledemot ional
ly)Thegi
rl
s
l
ookedal ike..(Agatha'
ssmi l
e
disappeared)I twas2gi r
lsand1boy,
thegirlsdidn'tsurv
ive.
Agat
ha:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Ei
sh.
..
Lolo:Don'
tworr
yabouti
t.What
causedthepremat
uri
ty?
Agatha:Idon'tknow,it
hinksomeone
druggedmeandy ouknowboMay a
andy ourfat
herhatedthi
spregnancy
sodon'ttell
them aboutMofenyi
,
that
'shisname.Letthem thi
nkil
ost
thekidsgakebatestressandiwant
tofocusonMof enyi
kel epremat
ure
soobat athokomel
o.
Agat
ha:Jansentme2Ksoil
lsend
youP500tobuyafewt
hings
Lolo:No, I
'
mf ine.Isavedal i
tt
le
money .BesidesI '
m expecti
ngmy
benefi
tsf r
om wor k.Theywer e
waiti
ngf orthepolicetofini
shtheir
i
nvestigati
onssot heycanrehir
eme
butiwantt oletthepoliceknowt hati
needthecasecl osedsoi cangetmy
benefi
ts
Agat
ha:
Okay
Lolo: IguessMay aandBabydon' t
needmeany morei nt heirlivessoI '
m
throwi ngi nt hetowel .Theyhav en'
t
saidany thingaboutt hebur i
al or
any thingbaut ulehel akot engaboba
i
tumel asoi ftheydon' tcomei won't
bothert hem ei t
her .Ket i
legobay a
mogobonehel agor ekebone
mai kael eloabone.Iwon' tbe
disturbinganyoft hem f rom t heir
l
ives.Ij ustf eelforAndr ewand
Tshepobecauset hey 'reinnocentbut
kechai sitsekaboMay aandI 'm not
tell
ingt hem aboutMof eny i
,theywi ll
seehi mi ftheyv isitmei fnotbat aa
kopanal eeneagamet si kot hepeng.
I'
l
lfindawayt olettheotherchi
ldren
i
nont hi
sandaskt hem nottotell
anyonef orMofenyi
'ssafet
ybecause
bathobat ogabakgamangwanake
kanabamol okel
amomashi ng.
Agatha:
That'
struesoiguessyou'
l
l
havetogetSet
sof r
om Calv
in'
s
Housesoshecanhel pyouagobee
bot
setsi
Lol
o:Kemoi t
sekemotshepoTsi
tsi
wagonkapeel
amotogoosmooth
Agatha:Atolaaboar el
elaagata
ngwanaSet sokanabathooratago
tshwarakwal ekwaadigaat shol
ola
gosalagolemaany aanya
Lolo:(smil
ed)Sheputsherselfunder
pressure,
sheisaperfect
ionist.Bye,
updatemeabouty ourcourses
Agat
ha:
Okaymamsl
ovey
ou
Lol
o:Lov
eyout
oo

Shehungupandsighedasoneofher
aunt
swalkedi
n..
..

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonKenknockedon
thedoorthenBranopenedthedoor
andbumpedshoul der
swithKen.
..
Ken:
Longt
ime.
.
Bran:
(laughed)Yeahman,
howar
e
you?
Ken:
I'm good,
ihear
dyouwereona3
monthscourseinSAhowdi
ditgo?
Br
an:
Itwasgood.
..Comei
n..
.

Kenwalkedi
nandsatdownasBr
an
l
oweredthesoccerv
olume.
..

Ken:Um..
.Ther
eissomet
hingi
want
total
ktoyouabout
Br
an:
(laughed)Howmanyt
imesdoI
havetotel
lyouIdon'
twantt
otal
k
aboutthat
?
Ken:(l
aughed)Noitsnotaboutthat.
..
I
tssomet hi
ngyoulongaskedmef or
..
.
Well
y oudidn'
tdi
rectl
yaskmef orit
butyoukindof.
..
Br
an:
What
?

Kent ookouthi
sphoneandsmil
ed
pressingi
tthenhehandedi
tov
er.
..

Ken:That
'smyapol
ogyt
oyou,
what
doyouthi
nk?
Br
andon:
(fr
ownedsmi
l
ingand
l
eanedback)Okay
..
.Um
Ken:I
'l
ltel
lyouever
ythi
ngyouneed
toknowi j
ustwantyoutopromi
se
meonet hi
ng..
Br
andon:
What
?
Ken:
Don'
thur
t-
Brandon:Don'
tgot
her
e,comeon.
..I
tol
dy ou-
Ken:
IknowI'
mj ustmaki
ngsur
ewe
ar
eonthesamepageany wayl
etme
gi
veyouali
tt
lebackgr
ound
i
nfor
mati
on.
..
Br
andon:
Great
..
.
Kenleanedbackandl
aiddownev
ery
det
ail
..
.

AtAndr
ew'
sHouse.
..
.

Andrewwalkedi
nthehousetaki
ng
of
fhiswatchwhil
eBabywassi t
ti
ng
onthecouchwatchi
ngTV..

Baby
:Heybabe
Andrew: Hi..
.Sohowisy
our
rel
ationshipwit
hyourmom si
ncey
ou
apologised?
Baby
:(wat
chi
ngTV)Wear
efi
ne
Andr
ew:
Isee.
.

Heheadedt othebedr oom wher ehe

tookoffhi sclot hes,her espected
thatLolodi dn'twanthi m andBabyt o
arguebutt hedi srespectandt he
nerveofhert omakehi m afool;
goingtosi tint hebat hroom and
comeoutl yingt hatsheapol ogised
whenshedi dn't.
.Itwasn' tj
ustabout
herlosingt hegoodgi rlimagehehad
onhi smi ndaboutherbutt her edflag
ofwhathewasget ti
nghi mselfinto
withher .I
fshedi dn'trespecther
mot hershecoul dhaveatl east
apologisedoutofr espectforhi m
becauseheaskedhert odoi
tbut
thenthewhol
et hinghadhi
m
questi
onever
ything..
.

Shewalkedinandsmil
edsi
tt
ingon
thebedlooki
ngathi
m..
.

Baby
:Howwasy
ourday
?
Andr
ew:
Itwasokay
..
.
Baby:Thefoodi
swar
mingupi
nthe
micr
owav e
Andr
ew:Key agoragaboloko
l
ebal
eng,I
'
lleatwhenIgetback.Bar
e
rewel
ekolebalengkospaneng.
Baby
:I'
l
lgetmycampchai
r
Andr ew:Wearegoingtocheck
mat hakababaprintangki
tyar
ona
pelesoy ou'
ll
gotomor r
ow.Ke
tsamay aleboRonnie
Baby
:Ohokay
..
.

Heputonhi skitandwor eapair

sweatpantsont opthenhegr abbed
fi
eldshoesbeforewalkingoutas
Babyf ol
l
owedhi m worr
iedl
y,he
hadn'tki
ssedhim orshowedany
i
nterestasusual.

Baby
:ist
her
esomet
hingbot
her
ing
y
ou?
Andr
ew:NoI'm good,
I'
mjustt
ir
ed.
..
.
seeyoul
ater
..
Baby
:By
e

Her
ever
sedt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

Att
hef
iel
d..
.

MinuteslaterAndypar kedhisbigcar
behindaf ewgi r
lswhower est andi
ng
ont hesi
del ineschat
ti
ngand
pointi
ngatt heplayer
s.Thel oud
musi cfr
om hi ssubwoof erhad
every
onet urntheirnecksashe
j
umpedouthol dinghisshoes,he
tookoffthesweatpant sandputon
theshoest henheswi tchedofft
he
music..

Gir
ls:Aetherr
aoseny
etsaeeng
yaanong?She?
Andy
:(l
aughed)Ineedt
ogeti
nther
e

Oneofhisteam mate'
sli
tt
lesist
er
walkedoversmil
ingandandleaned
againstt
hecar.
.
Her:I
'
llguar
dit,l
eav
et hemusi
con.
I'
l
lswit
chitoffwhenthegamestar
ts
aker
ey ouguysarewarmingup

Hesmi l
edl ooki
nginherf
lir
tat
ious
eyesandlickedhisli
pwalki
ng
backwards...

Andy:I
fanyt
hinggoesmissi
ngin
ther
eI'
m goi
ngtopunishyouhar
d..
.
Her
:Ev
enabot
tl
eofwat
er?
Andy
:(smi
l
ed)Ev
enabot
tl
eofwat
er
Her
:(smi
l
ed)OohI
'
m scar
ed.
..
Theybot
hlaughedthenheturned
andrani
ntothefi
eldasever
yone
cheer
edfort
hestri
ker.
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

LaterthateveningLoloapproached
theincubatorwithherbreastmilkina
bottleandopenedt heglasslooki
ng
atMof enyiwit
ht ubesaroundhim as
histinychestexpandedand
contactedwhilehebr eat
hedwi t
h
diff
icult
yhangingonhi sdearli
ttl
e
l
ife.
..
Loloheldhi
sti
nyhandandcl
osedher
eyesprayi
ng.
..

Lolo:Iam asi nnerbutMof eny ii

s
fi
ghtingforhislife,allheneedsi s
yourhelp.Sendy ourangel sto
protecthim andst rengthenhi sbody
system.Iam weakandmyf aithis
shakingbutMof eny ii
sf i
ghting..The
wayhi schestgoesupanddownt hi
s
boyi sfi
ghti
ngandy ouwon' t
disappointhim.Youwon' t
.Gi vehima
chancet oseet hiswor ld.
..InJesus
nameIpr ay
, Amen.
Shesighedandsuckedt hebreast
milkwit
hasy ri
ngethenshesl owly
droppedintheMofenyi
'smout hand
heslowlyswall
owedeachdr op...

AWEEKLATER.
..
..
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
23AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 148
AtAndr
ew'
sHouse.
..
.

Babywalkedintheli
v i
ngroom and
pausedlooki
ngatAndyashedozed
offonthecouchwat chi
ngTVand
holdi
ngtheremote.Sheheadedt o
theki
tchenandcheckedhi spl
ate,he
hadn'
ttouchedhisfoodthenshe
wentbackandsatnextt ohim.
..

Baby
:Hey
..
.

Hegotupy
awni
ngandcheckedhi
s
phone.
.
Andy
:Hey
Baby
:Canwet
alk?
Andy
:Sur
e
Baby :
What'
sgoingonwi thy ou?Is
theresomet
hingI'
m mi ssing?You
havebeenacti
ngdi stantforday s
nowandy oudon'teatmyf ood..Gake
apeesentenerra?Gapey oudon't
touchmeorplaywi thmel i
kewe
alwaysdo,i
t'
sli
keI'm boringy ouka
sengwe.Isi
tbecauseI 'm pregnant?
Andy
:I'
mjustt
ir
edt
hat
'sal
l
Baby
:You'r
enotj
ustt
ir
ed,
ther
eis
somethi
ng.
Andy:(
sighedandlookedather
)
Therei
ssomet hi
ngyouliedt
ome
aboutanditidi
dn'
tli
keit
Baby
:Whati
sit
?
Andy :Wheni askedy out oapologise
toyourmot herthatni ght, di
dy oudo
i
t?(shekeptqui et)kgangy atenge
ntenneandev erytimei lookaty ou
want enabecausei cant ellyoudon' t
respectmeormyopi nions.Such
thi
ngsmat tertome, idon' tknow
may beit'
sbecausei wasadopt edbut
iappreciat
eandr espectmypar ents.
Hav i
ngawomanwhohol dssuch
quali
tiesmeansal ottomebecause
thelastthi
ngi needi sy out al
kingt o
mymot herl i
kethatgapeor i
ginal l
y
helai thoughty ou' reawel lbehav ed
girlsof indingouty ou'
reoneoft hose
girl
swhot alktot heirmot herslike
thatki ndoft urnedmeof fbutt hen
wehav eaki dont hewaysoI 'mj ust
i
nbet weenf i
ghtingmyf eelings
becausey outurnedmeof f.Atmy
agei can'ttalkbackwhenmymot her
i
sangr yatme, it
sv erydif
f i
cultso
seeingy oudot hatt oyourmot her
kindofmakesmewonderi fi wast oo
quickt ohav eababywi thy ou.I
thoughtmay beaf tersomeday sy ou'l
l
feel guilt
ybecausey eahithappens
fami lymember sar gueandmakeup.
Yourmot herlostherbabiesbutyou
sti
l
l don'
tcare,you'
reheractual
lyfi
rst
born.May acanalway sgofindher
mot herbutyou'l
lneverhaveanother
mot her.
Baby:Youdon'
tunder
standwhyI
'
m
nothappywit
hmymot her
Andy:You'
rejudgement althat'
swhy
youarenothappyandi personally
thi
nkwhaty ourmot herdidwi t
hmy
fat
herisnoneofourbusi ness.Ididn'
t
evenfi
ghtmyf atherabouti tbecause
whohepokesi snoneofmybusi ness,
mymot herforgavehim sot hereisno
needformet ogetinv ol
ved.You
weren'
tevensupposedt ocomment
ont hatv i
deoorhav eanopi ni
on
because1. i
tsanol dv ideoandt he
onlyper sonwhowaswr ongedisy our
father.Oi pol
eletsegor ey ourmot her
doesn' tdeser ver espectbecauseshe
madet hatv i
deoandI '
m her e
wonder ingifyour eallythinkyou'll
nev ermakeami st ake.Notexact ly
thi
sbutweal lhav eanembar rassing
momenti nourl ives, thatv i
deoi s
hers.Wheny ourl ov edonemakes
suchabi gblundery oudon' tthrow
stoneswi ththepubl i
c, y
ouhol dtheir
handandwal kthr ought he
embar r assmentl ebonebecauseno
onel i
kesbei ngembar rassed.
Baby
:You'
rer
ight
,idi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
t
l
iket
hat
Andy :Nnamamawal walaandt he
onlypersonwhocanhel pusr aiseour
boyi syourmot hersogaodi rajaana
shei sgoingtoi gnoreusbutwedon' t
knowany thi
ngaboutr aisi
ngki ds.I
wantapr operf ami l
y,it
oldyout hat
fr
om t hev er
ybegi nni
ngsoy our
att
itudetowar dsy ourmothermakes
mequest iony ourwhol epersonalit
y.

Shethought
full
yrubbedherhands
toget
herandlookedbackathim..
.
Baby :You' rer ight,imadeami stake
andi appr eciatey ourhonest y.Ihav e
sofocusedononet hingkesabone
othert hingsandhav ingsomeonel ike
youwhocanseewhenI '
m wr ongand
l
etmeknowi sgoodbecausei getto
correctmy self.I'
m sor r
yfornot
apologi singwheny out oldmet oand
ifel
ty oudi dn'tunder standbutnowi
canseeI 'mt heonewhodi dn't
under standwhaty ouwer et ryingt o
achiev e.Thepr oblem i sthatv i
deo,
I'
m disappoi ntedatmymot herandi
washur tf ormyf atherbutasy ousay
i
tsforhi mt odeal withnotme.Can
youf orgiv emef ornotdoi ngasy ou
asked?
Andy
:Yeah
Baby :Doy oumi nddr ivi
ngmet omy
mot her'shousesoIcanpr oper
ly
apologi se?Ifeelsogui ltyabout
everything,it
'sli
key ouj ustremov ed
thev ei
l ihadonmyf acekegoneke
l
emoganggor egakei ti
relesente,i
don'tknowany thingaboutachi ldat
l
eastMay aenemamat aughtherhow
totakecar eofherbabykaAdel enna
gakei tsesepet herei ssomuchI 'd
l
iket olearnfrom her .
Andy
:OK
Baby
:Ir
eal
l
yappr
eci
atet
haty
oucan
correctmewhenI 'm wrongand
pleasenexttimeoskangalahel aj
ust
tell
meandI '
ll
correctmyself
.You
knowi don'
thavefri
ends,you'
remy
onlyfri
endandt hepastfewday s
havebeendi ff
icul
t
Andy
:Okay
..
.
Baby:(smiledl
ooki
ngathim)You
remindmeofmyf at
her
,heisgoodat
corr
ectingsomeoneandittakeshi
m
ti
mebef or
ehecanpuni
shsomeone.
Andy:(
smi l
ed)NahI '
m notyourdad,
youpull
yourmot her'
sstuntonme
andI'
l
lhangy ou.Yacheatingnkago
bol
ayastrai
ght,othermist
akes..
.uh
yeahI
'
dpr
obabl
yforgi
veandforget
mmekukuyameyoneprot
ectit
Baby
:(l
aughed)I
'
llpr
otecti
t.
..
.
Andy:(
pull
edherar
m hel
pingherout
)
Let
'sgo..
..

Shesmi
ledget
ti
ngupandputher
armsar
oundhi
sneck.
..

Baby:Thanksforshowi
ngmet he
way,ili
kethatyou'
remoret
hanjusta
boyfr
iendokgonagonkgalemela
hakesadir
esent e.
.
Heki
ssedher
..
.

Andy
:Let
'sgo.
.

Mi
nut
esl
atert
heydr
oveout
..
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..

Meanwhi l
eDidif
oldedt hesleev
esof
hersweaterandpolishedthe
furni
tur
easHazel foll
owedher
aroundthehousedr aggingherdol
l
whi l
eFai
thsangloudlyinthe
shower..
.
Herphonerangandshepaused
cl
eaningandpickedi
tlooki
ngat
Lai
la.
.

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Lai
l
a:(
frowned)Hi
.
..
Di
di:
Ist
hatl
abor
?
Lai
la:
y es.
..Ibeenher
ef or4hour
s
now,themi dwif
eisprepari
ngabath
Di
di:Ohyou'
redoingabathdeli
ver
y?
Wehardlydothatdownhere,be
st
rongloveokay?Iwantmy
gr
anddaughterf
ineandki
cking
Lai
l
a:(
laughed)Okay
,by
e

Shehungupandgotaknockont he
doorthenshewalkedov
ersti
l
l
hol
dingthephoneandopenedthe
door.
..

Amant
lel
ookedi
nherey
esasshe
di
dher
s..
.

Amantl
e:MayIcomei
n?I
'
dli
ket
o
tal
ktoyou.

Di
diopenedt
hedoort
henAmant
le'
s
shoesheelsechoedontheti
leasshe
walkedin,Di
dicl
osedthedoorand
theysatdown..
..

Amantl
e:Let
'st
alkaboutourman,
gasepast
orbae
Didi
:I'm notdoi
nganyofyour
chil
dishgames, whatdoy
ouwant
?
Amant l
e:(t
ookoutherphone)I
thoughtyoumightbeint
erest
edin
thi
s..
.(smil
ed)Kennyi
ssuchaboy
i
sn'the?

Didi
leanedoverl
ooki
ngatherphone
andfrowned.
..
.…
Don'
tfor
gettoLikeamddr
opa
comment,goodnight
.
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
24AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 149

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..
Didiopenedthedoort
henAmant l
e'
s
shoesheelsechoedontheti
leasshe
walkedin,Di
dicl
osedthedoorand
theysatdown..
..

Amantl
e:Let
'st
alkaboutourman,
gasepast
orbae
Didi
:I'm notdoi
nganyofyour
chil
dishgames, whatdoy
ouwant
?
Amant l
e:(t
ookoutherphone)I
thoughtyoumightbeint
erest
edin
thi
s..
.(smil
ed)Kennyi
ssuchaboy
i
sn'the?

Di
dil
eanedov
erandf
rownedl
ooki
ng
atherphone.
..
.…

Di
di:Idon'
tunder
standwhaty
ou
wantmet osee
Amantl
e:(poi
nted)These.
..
.These
shar
es.
..

Shesi
ghedandcr
ossedherl
egs
put
ti
ngdownherphoneasDi
di
l
ookedather
..
.

Amantle:Thesear
etheshar
esKen
boughtintwodif
fer
entcompani
es
wheny ouweremarri
ed-
wellI
'
m not
surewhenhegott hem-it
hinkhe
boughtt hem af terpri
sonor
somet hing..
.( f
rowneddismi ssi
ng)
Whatev er..
.SoIwant edtocont act
Kenbuthebl ockedmeandi t
otall
y
understand, him andi di
dnotendi n
goodt erms.
Didi
:Canyougettot
hepointwher
e
al
l t
hesei
nvol
vesmeplease,i
don'
t
haveti
meforthi
s

Hazelwalkedov
erthenDidiputher
onherlapandsighedl
ookingat
Amantle.
..
Amant le: Ihav ebeenseei ngy our
picturesonJan' saccount ,I'
veseen
picturesofy ouguy sjustinteracting
asmot herand" son"i honestlydidn't
thinky ou' dacceptherort hatshe
woul dact uallybepar tofKen' slif
e.
Andseei ngshehassi bl
ingsy etigot
everythi ngt hatKenwor kedf orhis
whol elife. .
.Andy ouofcour se,this
wast het hingsy ouwer esupposedt o
getony ourdi vorcebutKenbei nga
badboyhewentaheadandsi gned
everythi ngt ome.I '
m aboutt oget
mar ri
ed, ihav easoncal l
edMi l
lerJr
andhi sf atherpr oposed, i
feel l
ikeit
woul dbewr ongt otakethingsi feel
belongtoZaneandhi ssisters.I
haven'tevenusedtheseshar es
becauseIwor k,imakemyown
moneyt otahelaiwaskeepi ngitfor
Janbutt hensheturnedthechal ets
i
ntoaBnBandshei sreal
ly
prosperi
ngsot herei
snoneedf orme
tokeept hem.
Di
di:
Letmesee.
..

Amantleunl
ockedthephoneand
senthert
hepdfthenDidicl
i
ckedon
i
t..
.

Amant
le:
Ijustt
houghty
oumi
ghtbe
i
nterestedi
nholdi
ngt
hosesharesfor
thekidsunt
ilmaybet
hey'
re18,
i don'
t
know...
Didi
:Soyouthi
nky oucanj
ustappear
,
dest
roymymar r
iagethencomeback
anddothesetogetmyf or
giv
eness?
Amant l
e:(l
aughedsur prised)Who
saidanythi
ngaboutf orgiveness?I
don'towey ouanapol ogyDi di
, i
didn't
hurtyouinanyway .Ourbabydaddy
hurtyou,getitstr
aightandev ennow
I'
m doingthissolel
ybecauset hese
kidsareJan'ssibli
ngsandshel ov es
them.Ialway sseeherpost ing
pict
uresofherandJuni orsoift hey
growupandhearaboutt histhere
mightbebeefandi j
ustdon'tthink
i
t'sfairthatJanget
severythi
ngwhi le
they oungonesgetnothing.I'
m doing
i
tf orthesakeofthechil
drennoty ou,
idon'towey ounothi
ngKenhur tyou
notme.
Didi
:Soyoudon'
tfeel
badf
or
sl
eepingwi
thmyhusbandt
heni
ght
ofourweddi
ng?
Amant l
e:Notreally,If
eelsorr
yfor
youbuti don'
tthinkit'
smyf ault
.
Kennawasn' toverhisfeeli
ngsorhe
wasn'tmatureenough.I tcoul
dhave
beenanywoman. ..
Canwest i
ckto
thechil
dren'
sshar es?
Didi
:(si
ghed)Ehenny aaify ouf
eel
l
ikeitwasn'tyourfaul
tthensobei t.
I
t'sf
ineandcongr atul
ati
onsont he
wedding.I
'l
l t
alktoKenf i
rstandthen
getbacktoy ousowecanchange
ownership
Amant
le:
Okay
..
.

ShelookedatHazel asl
eeponDi di'
s
chestandherinnocentfacealmost
madehersmi l
ebutshepr essedher
l
ipstogetherandsighedstandingup
asDidil
ookedathert ry
ingt o
underst
andher .
..
Amant
le:
Thanksf
orl
i
steni
ng
Didi:
(sti
l
lsi
tt
ing)Whyar
eyour
eal
l
y
doingthi
s?
Amant l
e:(
tur
nedlooki
ngather
)We
al
lreachapointofmatur
it
yinour
l
iv
es.
Didi:Buty ou'r
enotev enmat ure,how
arey oumat urewheny oucan'tsee
howmuchy ou'vehur
tme?Yousl ept
wi t
hmyhusbandanddest royedmy
happi ness,iforgavehim butihav en'
t
forgot t
enseei nghim ontopofy ou. .
.
(tearfull
y)Icangetov ereverythi
ng
butt hatstil
lhurtsme, hewas
wear ingar i
ng. .
.Youknewhehada
wi
fe
Amantl
e:Didi
youdon'
tknowwhati
wentt
hroughwit
hKen..
.

Shewal
kedbackandsatdown
l
ooki
ngatheremoti
onal
ly
..
.

Amant l
e:Ilovedt hatmanwhenhe
hadnot hi
ng..
.Year swentbykel e
pati
entandhewasn' tgett
ingl
ucky.I
couldgof or4mont hswithahairst
yle
andhecoul dn'tdoany thi
ngaboutit,
mypar entsdidn'tsupportme
becausei choseamant heydi
dn't
l
ike.Theywant edmet odat ea
cer t
ainguywhof i
ttedt hei
rstandard.
Myf r
iendsmadef unofmef ordating
abr okemanandj ustl i
keanywomen
outt hereigottempt edbyhi s
wor kingfri
end.Iknowi t'
shardto
i
magi neKenasabr okemanbecause
youmethi m whenhewasadr ug
dealerbuthehadnot hingandhewas
skinnybuti lovedhim.Il efthi
mf or
hisf r
iendonlybecausehewas
wor king.Iknewi hadKen' sbabybut
hewoul dn'
tevenaf for dacanof
formul asoi passedJant othefri
end.
Ilatergotaj obblahbl ahandy ears
l
at eri f
indouthehasmoney ,notjust
moneybutser iousmoneysoy esi
wantedthatf ormydaught erbecause
i
twasherr ighttoo.Ididwhati hadto
dotogetwhatwasr i
ghtf
ullyhers?
Can'
tyour elatetobadthings
mother'
sar esomet i
mesf orcedt odo
j
usttogett heirchi
l
drenthings?

Di
dishookherheadqui
etl
yand
l
ookedawayashertear
swelled.
..

Amant l
e:I'
m sorr
yfordestroyi
ngy our
family,
iknowy outookithard.
..
Burningyoursel
fandstuffofcoursei
feelguil
ty,
mypr i
dewoul dn'
tal
low
met oletthewordsI'
m sor r
ycome
outofmymout hbecausei t
hought
youmi ghtgivemeat ti
tude.Iwas
afraidy ouwoul dn'tt
akei t.I'
m sorry,
ourchi ldr
enar eol dandget t
ingalong
thereisnoneedt ohat e,wecan' tbe
fri
endsbutwecant olerateeach
other.Ihav esomanyi ssuesi nmy
l
ifeI'mt ryi
ngt ofixandmy .
Relationshipwi thJani soneoft hem.
Youget ti
ngal ongwi t
hhermademe
reali
set hati wasabadmot herfor
rej
ect i
ngJanwheni f
oundoutshe
wasal esbian.I'l
ladmi tthatitreall
y
anger edmeandshest artedt hi
sas
earlyas12, shewasf lirt
ingwi thgirl
s
attheageandi tjustanger edme, i
didn'
twanttodealwit
hherand
swepthertomymot her.(pausedand
tookadeepbreath)Idon'tl
iketal
ki
ng
aboutmymi st
akesbecausei don't
wanttogetemotional
,it
'sjustnotthe
womanIwantt obebutI '
m sorry
Didi
:(si
ghed)Okay,t
hanksf
or
consi
deringt
hekids.

Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedthedoor
asDi
disatt
her
ethought
ful
l
y .
..
..

AtJan'
sBnB.
..
.
Jan'sphoner
angandsherol
led
aroundonherchai
randr
eachedfor
i
t..
.

Jan:
Hel
l
o?
Agatha:Damn..
.Yourvoi
cei
sget
ti
ng
deeper,
thatshi
tworks
Jan:
(laughed)Howi
sev
ery
thi
ng?
Agat
ha:
I'
m doneappl
yi
ng
Jan:Thenhur
rybackher
e,i
wantt
o
fuck
Agatha:(l
aughed)I'
m comi
ng.
..
Penetrat
ionakere?
Jan:
(laughed)I
'
m wai
ti
ngonDHL
aboutmyst
rapon,
ican'
tfi
ndt
heol
d
one.
Agat
ha:
Cal
lthem andaskt
hem how
l
ongwehav
et owait
Jan:(
laughed)Yousoundl
i
keabi
tch
ri
ghtnow,shameony ou
Agat
ha:
(laughed)Youmademet
his
way
Jan:(l
aughed)Justbr
ingyourassup
here,
ican'tf
uncti
onwithoutyou.
Agat
ha:
Lov
eyou
Jan:
Lov
eyoumor
e..
.

Shehungupandgl
ancedatherwr
ist
watchthenshepul l
edthedrawerand
shookthetest
ost er
oneshotand
i
nject
edherselfthensheleanedback
massagingherselfanddi
sposedoff
theneedl
es..
..
.

Zaneknockedonthedoorinhis
school
unifor
m andwalkedin.
..

Zane:
Hey
Jan:
Heywhat
'sup?
Zane: (
smiledanddustedhi
s
shouldersproudl
y)Guesswhoi
sa
dad..
Jan:
(smi
l
ed)No
Zane:
(laughed)Yep.
..

Heshowedherapi ct
ureofLai
l
anude
si
tt
ingonthebathcryi
ngemotional
l
y
hol
dingSar
ona..
..

Jan:
Wow. .
.Mant
hisi
sni
ce,
howdo
youfeel
?
Zane:Ifeelgrown,li
keI
'
m af amil
y
man...(
theylaughed)Ij
ustwantto
fi
nishmyf ormf i
veandappl
yf ort
he
for
cesoi canaffor
dtobuythem a
ti
cketandmar r
yhersoshecanst ay
herewithme.
Jan:Don'
tappl
yt otheforcewi t
ha
for
mf i
vecert
if
icate,y
ou'l
l beinthe
l
owerrankforl
ife.Goforuni v
ersit
y
andthenappl
ywi thadegr ee,t
hereis
moneyfrom t
hereupwar ds.
Zane:
Okay
..
.
Jan:Andoncet
heschoolcl
oseswe
canworksomethi
ngoutsoyoucan
save
Zane:
You'
dhel
pme?
Jan:You'
remyl i
tt
lebr
otherofcourse
I
'dhelpyou,t
histhi
ngwasor i
ginal
l
y
namedaf t
eryoudidyouknow?
Zane:
Yeah,
ihear
dabouti
t
Jan:
Wecanshar
eitwi
th,
I'
m not
abouttobeinvol
v edinmymot her'
s
evi
lplot
s.Ourfatherstart
edthisand
i
tsonlyfai
rthatweshar eit.I
'
llkeep
savi
ngasmuchasi canmay bein2
or3mont hsyourgirlcanvisi
t.
Zane:
Ilov
eyour
ightnow
Jan:
Youl
ovemoneygetouther
e!
Zane:(
laughed)Thatt
oo.
..(
looki
ngat
herar
m)whatar eyoudoi
ng?
Jan: Iwastaki
ngmyhor mones,I'
m
savingforabottom sur
geryandthat
shitisexpensi
ve.It
hinkI'
l
lprobabl
y
take2y earssavi
ng.
Zane:(
laughed)Wi
lly
oushowme
yourdi
ckwheny ouaredone?
Jan:
Alr
ightgetout
Zane:(
laughed)Heycomeonwear
e
brot
hersaren'
twe?I'
m cur
ious
Jan:
I'
ll
showy
oubuty
oucan'
ttel
la
soul
Zane:CoolbymesodoesJantouch
youtooorwhat?I
'
mt ry
ingt
o
underst
andhowyall
havesex
Jan:I'
mthetypethatdon'tget
toucheddownthere,i
pr ef
ertobe
withmyunderwearonf ull
-t
ime
becauseigetof
fseeinghercum
Zane:
Wowser i
ous?Andi
treal
l
y
gi
vesyouf
ull
pleasur
e
Jan:(
laughed)Yes,
all
rightt
hisi
s
wei
rdl
et'
stal
kaboutsomet
hingel
se.
Zane:(
laughed)I
nter
esti
ng.
..
.Um
they
'r
ecalli
ngyouatthebar
..

Theybot
hwal
kedout
.

AtLol
o'
smot
her
's.
..
.

Setsowal kedthroughthegat e
carryi
ngherbackpackasLol ohung
Mof enyi
'sclot
hesont heline.Each
ti
meshel ookedatthey ar
dshe
remember edhermother,andt he
crowdt hatusedt osi
tundert hetr
ee
hav
ingmber
ere.

Calvi
nhadpaintedt hehousebef ore
theymov edi
nbuti tsti
llcouldn'
ttake
awayt hememor i
esshehadev enon
thedayofhermot her'sburialwhen
peoplewereall
ov erthey ar
d...

Set
so:
Dumel
ang.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o,howwasschool
?
Set
so:
Itwasgood.
..

Shequiet
lywal
kedinthehouseand
t
ookoffheruni
for
m asMofenyil
aid
onthemattress,shelaidont hebed
andstar
edatMof enyiplay
ingwi t
h
hi
st i
nyf
ingersthenLol oslowly
walkedi
ncar ef
ul nott
ohur thersel
f.
..

Lol
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
Set
so:
Idon'
tl
ikest
ayi
ngher
e..
.
Lol
o:Youwantt
ogobackt
oCal
vi
n?
Setso:
No,Iwishwecouldstay
somewhereel
se.Idon'
tl
ikethi
syar
d.
Itr
emindsmeofthingsidon'
twant
toremember.
Lol
o:Li
kewhat
?
Set
so:
Justbadt
hings.
..
Lol
o:Hunger
?
Set
so:
It'
spar
tofi
ttoo.
..

Acarstoppedoutsi
deasLol
olai
d
downlookingather
..
.

Lol
o:Whydon'
tyoul
i
ket
hisy
ard?

Setsol
ookedinherey
esandt hedoor
openedbefor
eshecouldspeak.
..

Baby
:Ko-
ko.
..
Lol
o:Tsena.
..
.
Babywalkedinandfrownedl
ooki
ng
athermotherbreast
feedi
ngababy.
.

Andrew:Ther
eisababyinsi
de?Am i
al
lowedtogetinorshoul
dIwait
outsi
de?
Lol
o:comei
n..
.

Theybot
hsatdowncompl
etel
y
conf
used.
..

Andy
:Di
dn'
tyoul
oset
het
wins?
Lol
o:Ihadt
ri
plet
sandl
ost2,
idi
dn'
t
wantalotofpeopl
eknowing
becausehewassti
lli
ntheincubat
or
andiwasn'tsur
eabouthi
ssafety
Andy
:Ohokay
..

Babybi
thernail
slooki
ngdownnot
sur
ehowt ostar
t.
..

Andy
:Setsocanyouhel
pmewi
th
somethi
ngoutsi
de?
Set
so:
Okay
..
.

Theywal
kedoutandcl
osedthet
hen
Babyt
ookadeepbreat
hlooki
ngat
hermot
her
..
.

Baby:I'
m her etoapol ogi
seformy
behaviourt hepastcoupl eofmont hs
especiall
yaf terfi
ndingoutabouty our
pregnancy .Ireactedbadl yandiam
sorry
.Idi dn'tknowi wassowr ong
unti
lAndr ewmademeseet hi
ngs
fr
om anot herangle.Mamai wronged
you..
.Idisr espect
edy ouand
embar rassedy ou...Pleasefor
giveme
Lol
o:Ok,
ifor
giv
eyou.
Baby
:Justl
i
ket
hat
?
Lol
o:Yes
Baby
:Youhav
en'
t
Lolo: Ilongf orgavey oubuti tdoesn't
meani hav etogetmyhopesup
abouty ou, you'
llalwaysdot his
becausey oudon' trespectmeand
youdon' tthinky ouneedmei ny our
l
ife.Youhav eahouset hatgi ves
moneyandagoodboy fr
iendandnow
achi ldsowhatuseam i toyou?I
can'tmakey our espectmeand
Andr ewcan' tforcey outoseet hings
thewayheseest hem.Cl earlyhewas
raisedwel l
,unf ort
unatelyi didabad
j
obr aisingy ou.May bey ou'restil
l
hidingangerorr esentment
concer ninghowy ougr ewup. .
Baby
:Iam notandy
oudi
dagoodj
ob,
I'
mj ustoneper sonwhoi sal
way s
badathandl ingmyemot i
onsand
may beit'
sthepr egnancyorwhatbut
I'
m sorrymama.Peopl earedif
fer
ent
andmymi stakeshav enothi
ngtodo
withyou,forgiveme
Lol
o:Ther
eisnopr
obl
em
Baby:I
'm sor
ryfornotcomi
ngt
othe
buri
al.
..Mayiseehim?

Lol
owr appedMofeny
iwit
hasheet
andhandedherasLolosmil
edat
her
..
..

Baby
:Hei
scut
e,what
'shi
sname?
Lol
o:Mof
eny
i.
..
Baby
:Indeed.
..

Ataxi stoppedoutsi
deandthen
SetsoandAndywal kedi
nthehouse
carry
ingpl ast
icsofPampersJumbo
packs, wetwipesandotherthi
ngs.
..

Andy
:Gat
wer
eti
se.
.
Lol
o:(
frowned)Kemang?
Setso:Thet
ax imansai
dhewast
old
todropthem here.
..
Lol
o:Askedbywho?
Set
so:
Hesai
dthemandi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m
t
hename.
Lolo:
hee.
..Mmekebone,
idon'
t
knowanyonewhocandothi
s.
NobodyknowsaboutMof
enyi
..
.
Set
so: Whoev
eriti
sev
enbought
cl
othes,pl
ast
icy
eenaletr
ucksui
t
Baby
:Doespapaknow?
Lol
o:Wai
ii
t'
snothi
m..

Lol
o'
sphoner
ang.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
MmagweMof
eny
ihowar
eyou?
Lol
o:I
'
mfi
ne
Voi
ce:(
laughed)Haekareoakabet
se
j
aanaobual estepf
athersaga
Mofeny
iautwa?
Lol
o:Er
ra,obi
diwamangener
ragwe
Mofeny
i?
Voice:
You'
llseehi
m atchur
chwhen
youareabl
et owal
k.
Lol
o:NgngMof enyiomontegore
whati
fwenaomaswemmeo
i
patel
etsangwanake?(
helaughed)
Wareomang?
Voice:(l
aughed)Gat
wewhatifkel
e
maswe?Mof enyi
ogoreil
ear
eobata
rr
agwey omont ewaboompat a
mar at
ohaout waoipuisadi
l
onyana
Lolo:(
laughed)Ther
raakool
esego
ntshamekisaobuwegorewar
eo
mang?

Andy,BabyandSetsoal
lst
aredather
thenshelookeddownembarrassed.
..

Lol
o:Tswel
angkont
el onakebual
e
phonel
enti
bil
eengjaanong.
.

Theyall
laughedandst
eppedout
cl
osingthedoor.
..

Lol
o:War
eomangner
ra?Ar
eyou
t
hemidwif
e?Noitcan'
t,
hei
s
mar
ri
ed.
..Onur
se?
Voice:I
'm Mof
enyi
'st
epf
ather
,what
don'ty
ouunderst
and?
Lol
o:Mxm ot
aabuahaol
eser
ious

Shei
mpati
ent
lyhungupthenhesent
P20ai
rt
imeandcall
ed.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Kezamil
eP20haMof enyia
bat
asengweosendemessage.
Lol
o:Whoar
eyou?Togakegor
ipot
a
Voi
ce:
Ont
hipot
elagosapot
a
ngwanakemor
ati
l
e?
Lol
o:Tel
lAat
il
ethatt
hisi
snotf
unny
Voi
ce:I
'
m nothi
m
Lolo:
Thi
siscreepy,
ifi
twasn'
tmeant
toberomant
icit'
snoti
tsact
ual
ly
scary
Voi
ce:(
laughed)Eeaker
ekeJames
Bondny
ana,
Lolo:(
laughed)I
fsomeoneispl
ayi
ng
tr
icksonmebagoswaba, canisee
you?
Voice:(
laughed)No,
y ou'
llseeme
after2weekswheny ouhav ehealed
fornowmmekebeebot setsipel
e
Lol
o:Thisi
stoogoodt obetruekana
gankakekaapesangwanakemet set
o
yagagokesaitsegor
eet shasi
tswe
eng.
Voice:Mxm tabooseseri
ousgapei
knowev er
ythingabouty
ouAati
legaa
sapotengwanasot hwaagal
ahelao
neeleMofenyi di
l
otsagagwe
Lol
o:Soyou'r
etakingadv
antageof
me?What '
syourname?Ther eaako
ompolel
ewena, gapevoi
ceyagago
esexyny
anakatswaosaut we
Voi
ce:(
laughed)OhmyGod!Ican'
t
bel
i
eveyousaidthat
,waapekaLol
o
wai
tse
Lolo:
Mxm war
eomang?Doi
know
you?
Voice:
Youmetmeoncewheny ou
werenewinGaborone..
.ol
elef
ir
st
yearol
eupti
ghtgore.Ihungwi
thyour
fr
iend

Theybothlaughedthenheplay
ed
theesong,Lol
o'sJawsdroppedand
shesmiled.
..

Lolo: (
laughed)Hohoho...
.Br
andon
gasegor ewaapeka,fotshekoska
nteletsaobat agonthogisamotho
aker elet
agwakewena
Shehungupt
henhecal
l
ed.
..

Lol
o:What
?
Br
andon:
(laughed)Themmaska
dr
opawena
Lolo:(
laughed)Mxm wai
tsegor
eo
mbor i
l
egor e,doy
ouknowhowmuch
ihatedyou?Andy ouwer
emar r
ied,
mosadi okae?
Brandon:(l
aughed)hatedme?Neo
kasethoke.Neolebarinakoy at
eng
kahipsterephukal
etseng.
..(
they
l
aughed) mywifepassedony ear
s
ago.Iactual
lygotyournumberfrom
Ken
Lol
o:(l
aughed)What'
swrongwith
men,howcanheev ental
ktoyou?
Brandon:
Reebui
l
esennahei
smy
boy
Lol
o:DoesDi
diknow?
Br
andon:
No
Lolo:
Brandonbat
honnagakebat
e
drama
Brandon:Whatdr ama?Wear etoo
oldtobebeat ingaroundt hebushes,
Didiishappil
ymar r
ied.Youcan'tstop
l
ivingforher,canwegi vei
tat r
y?
Unlesselegor ennagaonf i
l
ehel a
thenI'dunderstand
Lolo:
Wenaobot okany
anagakegane
(t
heybot
hlaughedloudly
)mathat
a
Ei
sh..
.
Brandon:Takeyourtimethinking
aboutit,
nopressure.
..Fornowwe
canjustbefri
ends.…honestl
yi
boughtthosebecausei beentold
what'shappeni
ng,iwasn'ttry
ingto
buyyouormakey ouwantme.Ij ust
knowt hebabyneedst hem.
Lol
o:Thanks
Brandon:
Goshapo..(
laughed)Bar
e
gakeganeobotokanyana
Lol
o:(
theyl
aughed)Mxm goshapo
kwa
Brandon:
AndI '
m nolongerdri
nki
ng,
thatwasjustmebeingchil
dish
enjoyi
ngmyf i
rstsal
ary
,nekpeka
hela.
Lol
o:Iwonderhowyoul
ooknow,
o
neolel
ekaunakoel
ekana
Br
andon:
(laughed)Retaakopanaga
otswamobot set
sing
Lol
o:(
laughed)Shap

Shehungupsmi l
ingandshookher
headthenhesent2ofhispictures,
shezoomedonhi sfaceandbither
l
ipblushi
ngl
ookingathisface..
.
Br
andon:
(text
)Sendy
our
s
Lolo:
(sent2)it
'sbeenawhil
esi
ncei
tookpict
ures,
thosearer
ecent
Br
andon:
Thisi
sjustwhatineed,a
womanwithahei
ghtthatchal
lenges
me
Lolo:
(laughedt
yping)Anlet
hatago
bonwant šwakelona.Tal
lgi
rl
srea
sokol
agobonamadodaamal eel
e
Brandon:Kanagat
wel
eny
atsabo
seskhuchu
Lolo:(
laughedt
ypi
ng)Waar
umol
ana
akere?
Brandon:Noi
tsagener
alt
hing,
i
knowt al
lwomenhat
edati
ngshort
menandipersonal
lyl
i
keawoman
wi
thhei
ghtandmeatbecauseI
'm not
t
ryi
ngtol
ooklikeI'
mrapi
ngsomeone.
Lol
o:Gone
Br
andon:
Mof
eny
iokae?
Lol
o:(
sentapi
ctur
eofhi
m asl
eep)
..
.
Brandon:
That
'sni
ce,
wewi
l
ltal
klat
er
akere?
Lol
o:Okay
Br
andon:
Cheer
s

Sheputherphonedownandsmiled
cover
inghermouthi
ndisbel
i
ef.
..
.
Abonuswillbepost
edat6i
fthi
s
i
nser
treaches24Kbefor
e6pm
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
24AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 150

AtLol
o'
smom'
s.
..

Lat
erthataf
ter
noonayel
lowi
shsun
wentdownasBabyrakedinf
rontof
thehousessurroundedbyacl oudof
dust.Andypushedt herust
y
wheelbarrowoverasitmadean
annoyingsoundandpar kednextto
thelastpil
eofleavesthenBaby
pickedthem wit
hherhandsandf il
l
ed
thewheelbarr
ow.

Andy:
Bringt
hemat
chessoi
can
bur
nit.
..
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Onceatthepi
tAndygrabbedt
he
metalr
akeandpushedthe
sur
roundi
ngtr
ashclosert
henhe
Squat
tedandburnedthel
eav
eswhi
l
e
Babystoodbehi
ndhim.

Hepr
otect
ivel
ypul
l
edherback.
..

Andy:Goinsi
de,I'
l
lguard.Somet
hing
mightpopoutofthefir
eandhurtyou
gapegomosi .
..
Baby:
Okay
..
Andy
:Gawal
apaaker
?
Baby
:I'
mfi
ne
Andy
:(smi
l
ed)Iowey
ouamessage.
..

Shel
aughedandpi
ckedt
hebaby
's
thi
ngsfrom t
hel
inet
henshedust
ed
herfeetatt
hest
oopandwalkedi
n..
.

Lolodri
edhersel
fandsteppedoutof
thebathasSetsorockedthebabyon
herarmssidewayssingingtohi
m...

Lol
o:Don'
tstr
ainyour
sel
fwenaor
el
seyourbackwil
lhur
t
Baby
:I'
mfi
ne.
..Mamawhydon'tyou
moveinmyhouseunt
ily
ou'
reokay?
Lol
o:That
'saleasedhousesowe
don'
tj
ustkickoutthet
enantsasi
f
wearetal
kingaboutaoneroom.
Whit
epeopleli
kesuingbakagosuwa.
Don'tworryaboutme,I
'm expect
ing
themoneysomet imesduringthi
s
weekandassoonasI '
vehealedI'
ll
be
buil
ding.
Baby
:Okay
,
Lol
o:Don'tt
ell
yourf
atherorMay
a
aboutt
hisbaby
Baby
:Iwon'
t,
don'
twor
ry.
..
Lol
o:Howi
sthebaby
?
Baby:(l
aughed)I
t'
sfi
ne..
.Shekicked
l
ikecrazy,
it'
sver
yweiredknowing
thatt
herri
sahumani nsideyou.
Lolo:Al
l
owAndytofeel
thoseki
cks
every
daysohecanbondwitht
he
baby
Baby
:Okay
..
.

Andyknockedout
side.
..

Baby:I
'm comi
ng!(t
oLolo)Wehave
totoandbathntserer
akerkont
e
Lol
o:Okay
,seey
ou
Baby:I
'l
lcomeher
earound9pm j
ust
goit
isaabokeboawhenwesleep..
Lol
o:okay
..
.

Sheki
ssedt
hebabyandl
eft
..
.
Baby
:GoshapSet
so.
.
Set
so:
shap.
..

Shecl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
..
.

Andy
:(st
andi
ngout
side)Gosi
ame
Lol
o:Badumel
epapa
Andy
:Emma.
..

Andydust
edhispant
sandgoti
nthe
cart
hentheydr
oveoff.
..
.

AtChur
ch.
..
..
Kenunlockedhisli
tt
leoffi
ceand
walkedinthenhesatdownand
pull
edthecalendarofeventsand
thought
ful
lyleanedbackreading,
Brandon'
scallcamethrough..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Br
an:Uhthanks,
looksl
i
ket
hingsar
e
l
ooki
ngup.
Ken:(l
aughed)Gladt
ohearthat,t
ake
careofher.Shecanbehandful
buti
tr
ustyoubigtime
Bran:
(laughed)Il
ovet
hestubbor
n
ones,r
elati
onshi
pebataacti
on
esengnoty
essi
ral
lthet
ime.
Ken:
(laughed)Gr
eat
..
Br
an:
Shap

Hehungupandsighedthoughtf
ull
y,
every
thi
ngwasgoingaccor
dingl
y
thenhedial
edDi
di.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hey
..
Di
di:
Weneedt
otal
k..
Ken:
Aboutwhat
?
Di
di:
Amant
lewasher
e
Ken:
Whatdi
dshewant ?Wait
senna
Amantl
ewantena.
..Ar
eng?
Didi
:Shewant stogivethekids
sharestsagago,idon'tknowitit
s
genuinewewi l
ltal
kabouti twhen
yougethome.
Ken:
Alr
ight
,il
ovey
ou
Di
di:
Ilov
eyout
oo

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leDidi
hungupandlai
don
t
hecouchthenshedi
aledBr
andon.
..
Br
andon:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
Hi,
kant
ewhathappenedt
oyou?
Br
andon:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Didi:
Ineverheardfrom yousince
thatdayatthetoi
letsokei pot
sa
goreaosi ame,iunderstandKennne
atenegil
ethatagolohale.Nnela
hetsajangkgangy alonakante?
Brandon:Reshaphel
a,wear
esti
ll
fr
iendsbutheaskedmenottot
alkto
youso..
.
Di
di:
You'
rest
il
lfr
iends?
Brandon:Notli
kebef orebutr
ebua
shapshaphela,icant el
lhedoesn'
t
tr
ustmebecauset hereare
condi t
ionsconcer ningyouandi
respectt hatbecausennaKenwas
myf riendbef orei foundoutwho
you're.Yeswedon' thavet hatlong
butwewer ebuddi es.(serioust one)
Kenwaagor ataDi diwaitse?( she
keptqui et)Idon' twantt ohur thim...
.I
almostf eelsor ryforhim, thewayhe
changedper sonal i
tyinthatt oilet
..
.I
couldhav edeci dedt obest ubbor n
butbecausei couldseehi spai ni
tookt hewi sestwayout ..
.Thi sguy
willkil
lfory ou.Don' teverlethi m
catchy oui nacompr omisingposi ti
on
withamanagai nbecausey ou
woul dn'tjustconv incehimi ttakes
somet hi
ngseri
oust
oactual
l
y
convincehi
m.Wagor at
aoskamo
utusabothoko
Di
di:
Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'
ref
ri
endswi
th
hi
m,wenaokgathi
wakeeng?
Brandon:(l
aughed)Orayajang?Bona
dropamogal aoiseontshenyet
se
fr
iendshipbecausei
tisbeari
nggood
fr
uitsforme.
Didi
:Youcan'tbef
ri
endswi
thmy
husbandBrandonkahaompat
a
Brandon:Gonejaanagakegobate
akereDidi
?It'
sbeenmont hskesa
l
etse.That'
swhykeredon'tcall
me
becauseichosemyf r
iendshi
pwi t
h
him overcompet i
ngf oryou.Kenke
tsal
aamet hati
nci
denty akot oil
et
showedmehowmuchhel ovesy ou
becausehewental lcrazyandi coul
d
havef oughtbackbecausennaKen
akasempal el
ebutitwashi snight
andi didn'
twanttor uin.
Didi
:Koor ewammakat saBr
an
becausey oustar
tedthishel
atheday
youpickeduskoAi rport,
youknew
youwer eplanni
ngtof uckmethefi
rst
chancey ougotknowingKenwas
yourfr
iend-
Brandon:Di
dii
madeami stake,
Can
weendt hi
sconver
sati
on.
..
Kenwa
pekaandIwouldn'
tknowwhattosay
tohi
mthist
ime.Del
etemynumberr
e
act
ehli
keadul
ts.
Didi
:Gosiamer ra,
nnanneesegor
e
keagobat a.Kemakadiwake
fr
iendshi
py agagoleKen
Brandon:KenandIaregrownmen
wecanhandl eoursuspi
cions
properl
ygosenadi emoti
ons.Re
shap.

Shehungupanddel
etedhisnumber
thenLol
o'
scal
lcamethrough.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,ar
eyoubusy
?
Di
di:
Notr
eal
l
y,why
?
Lol
o:Canyoucomeover
?Therei
s
somethi
ngIwantt
otal
ktoyouabout
Didi
:Ok,I
'
m comi
nglennakebor
il
we
kesengwegoneha,
tat
arebua.
Lol
o:Shap.
.

Shehungupandl
eft
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngDidi
satnextt
othe
matt
ressandsmil
edholdi
ngMofeny
i
asLol
olai
donhert
ummyl
ooki
ngat
her
..
.

Lol
o:Canwet
alk?
Di
di:
Sur
e,keengot
aant
shosa?
Lolo:
(laughed)Gasesepe.
..
doy
ou
rememberBr andon?Yol
ewakoGabs
Di
di:
Yes
Lolo:Hewantsmebuti haven't
respondedbecausei want edtotalk
toyouaboutitfi
rst.Idon'twantt o
fi
ghtwithyoubut..
..(rel
uctantl
y)I
waswonder i
ngifitsokayt obewi th
him si
nceyouwer en'treal
llydati
ng
Didi
:ButIhadsexwi thhi
m...Het ook
myi nnocenceaway.Rememberhow
angryyouwer eaboutAat
il
ey etyou
hadn'tevenhadsex?NnaleBr andon
rerobalanye,
ntsewammat ahel aa
nthobetsebolot
olegone?
Lol
o:Yes,
ist
il
lwanthi
m.Woul
dyou
mind?
*
*
*
*
*
[9/
4,12:
24AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 151

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Didi
:It'
snott hatI '
m av oi
dingy our
question,I
'l
lanswery oubuti wantt o
understandsomet hing.Doy ounow
seethaty ouwer ewr ongt oattackme
forsl
eepingwi t
hAat il
e?Youwantmy
ex,BranleAat i
l
ear ealmostt he
same. .
.Wenagol ohal ei
bileAatil
e
wantedy oukamol omohel ay ou
hadn'tevenki ssedandt heny ou
rej
ectedhi mt ell
inghi my ouwant ed
tofocus;hecamet omeandi agreed
ent
seel
ewenay ouat
tackedme.
Woul
dibewronggotshwaraMofeny
i
kamol
alakemoshapamol ebot
eng?

Lol
o'
sheartpoundedasshel
ooked
atDi
dihol
dingMofenyi
.
..

Didi:Nkar
abeLolo,youbeatmefor
sleepingwit
haguywhoj ustwanted
younotev enyourexandnowy ou'
re
hereboldlyt
ell
ingmey ouwantmy
l
ef t
overs
Lol
o:Butit
oldy
oui l
ovedhim,y
esi
wasn'
twit
hhim buti
lovedhi
m.
Di
di:
Soi
fit
ell
youi
lov
eBr
andony
ou
wil
lnotdat
ehi m?(shekeptquiet
)
Nkarabeol
ehonestLolo..
.Ifi
say
don'
tdateBrandonbecauseistil
l
l
ovehim,wil
l i
tstopyou?
Lol
o:Buty
ou'
remar
ri
ed
Didi:
Girlcodei sforsinglewomen
hela?Sogor ianahamosadi anyal
wa
helaherfri
endsbai kabakadiex?
Youst i
ll
hav en'tanswer edme,i
fi
saidilovehim wi l
litstopyoufr
om
beingwithhim?
Lol
o:Iguessnot
Didi
:Good,sodoyounow
underst
andwhatdrovemetobewit
h
Aati
lethatt
ime?Kerayagor
eyou
j
udgedmeandev enbeatmebut
t
odayyou'r
eherefal
li
ngforBr
andon.
..
Nowdoy ouunder
stand?
Lolo:Iunderst andandi knowhow
harditisbecausei knowhowi fel
t
wheny ouwant edAat il
e,I
'm noteven
goingt oactlikei don'tunderstand
howy ouf eel.That '
swhyi choseto
si
tdownandt alkt oy ouwiththe
understandingy agor ewheny our
fr
ienddat esaguyy ouoncepassed
bygagonnemonat e, eogakee
ganetset sal
aameonkut we.Honestl
y
i
t'
swr ongf orf riendst oexchange
ment hewaywedobuti havea
si
tuation,ker ataBr andon.Totawe
haven'tevenmet .
..Theonethingi
l
ikeabouty outsalaamekegor e
unli
kemeokgonagoi tshwara,iam
vi
olentandy esmay beifitwasme
nkabokel wagonej aana,Iwon'teven
actholy.Iknowhowy oufeelbuti
haveasi t
uationibeensadandt hi
s
guymi ghtjustbemychanceat
happiness.
Didi:Iheary ou,Brandonandi ar
e
history.
..Therewasnochemi str
yor
anythingl i
kethatsoIgivey oumy
blessings.Youdon' tneedmy
permi ssionbuti r
espectthatyoudi
d
that..
.
Lol
o:Gonet
obehonestt
heonl
y
reasonI'm consi deringhi mi s
becausehewasani ghtstandand
you'veneverr eallytalkedabouthi m,i
knowy outalkaboutaguywheny ou
l
ov ehim butwi thBr andony oujust
passedandf orgotal labouthim.
Haneel egorey oudat edormay be
youhav ebeenseei ngeachot heron
andof fIwoul dn'twanthi m because
i
twoul dmeanhehasf eel
ingsforyou
andy ouhav ef eelingsf orhim.Gone
mmel ekil
eladi r
asengwesi ncethen?
Di
di:
(smil
ed)Whatifisaywehadsi
x
monthsago,
otaareng?
Lol
o:Themmannaseri
ous.
..I
'
dreal
l
y
l
iket
rythi
ngswi
thhi
m.Hebought
Mofenyithosethingsearl
i
eraboa
l
etsarebua, i
twasn'tanyt
hing
seri
ous.Hejustsaidhewasn' ti
na
hurr
ysoi decidedtokindoftalkto
youfir
st.

Didil
ookedinherey
esanddownat
Mofenyithenshel
aughedandshook
herhead..
.

Didi:
(laughed)Hahajai
jannakea
tshameka, I
'mjoki
ng,Ij
ustwant
edto
hearwhaty ou'dsay.Whatmakesyou
thi
nki cancheatonKen?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Tshamekasent
e
Di
di:(
laughed)Sor
ry.
..(
looki
ngathi
m)
doyoureall
ylovehi
m?
Lolo:Iwouldn'
tcall
itlov
eakerewe
haven'tspentt
imet oget
herbutI
'm
att
ractedtohim andI'mint
erest
edin
tr
ying.
Didi
:Thengoaheadandgi
vei
tatr
y
andthanksf
orlet
ti
ngmeknow.
Lol
o:Iknewitwoul
dn'
tbeaneasy
di
scussi
onbutkegorekeakany
a
gor
ewehav ebeenthr
oughenought
o
behidi
ngrei
phit
hakamonwana.
Di
di:
That'
str
ue,giveitat
ry.
..I
'
m
marr
iedandidon'
tknowmuchabout
Br
ankeitsel
einahela
Lol
o:Het ol
dmeheisf
ri
endswi
th
Ken,doesKenr
eal
l
yknow?
Di
di:
Yesbuti
guesst
heybr
ushedi
t
of
fandmovedon.
Lol
o:Okay
,osur
eosi
ameabouti
t
gonemme?
Di
di:
I'
mtot
all
yfi
ne
Lol
o:Thanks..
.Whatdi
dyousaywas
bot
heri
ngy ouear
li
er?
Didi
:Uhwaiij
ustmystockatt
he
bouti
que,
I'
ll
beokay.
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..
MeanwhileKenwalkedi
nt hehouse
asFait
hmi xedmotogoforherl
it
tle
si
sterandsatonthecouchfeedi
ng
herasheclosedt
hedoor .
..

Ken:
Heyguy
s
Fai
th:
Heydaddy
Hazel
:Daddy
!

Hazel
ranov
erthenhepi
ckedherup
asFai
thwal
kedoverwi
ththebowl
..
.

Ken:
Ismommyhome?
Fai
th:
No
Ken:
Howl
onghasshebeengone?
Fai
th:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Ken:
IsZanehome?
Fai
th:
Yes,
hei
sSky
ping
Ken:
Okay
..
.

HeputHazel downandheadi ngto

thebedr
oom t aki
ngouthisphone
anddial
edDidi butherphonerang
unansweredagain.

Hesatont heedgeoft
hebedand
rubbedhi
sf acet
henhedi
aled
Brandon.
.
Br
andon:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Shit
,wastr
yingt
ocal
l
somebodyel
se
Br
andon:
Ohok,
cheer
s
Ken:
What
'
sont
hebackgr
ound?
Brandon:KeTermi
natoront
hehome
theatr
e,j
ustent
ert
aini
ngmysel
f.Ke
i
tiret
seCinema
Ken:
(laughed)You'
rej
ustal
one?
Br
andon:
MmhemasweTer
minat
or
Ken:
I'
ll
passbyi
naf
ewmi
nut
es
Br
andon:
sur
e
Hehungupandsi ghedf
all
ing
backwardsonthebedst ar
ingatthe
ceil
i
ngthenhel eapedupandleft
dial
ingArona.
..

Ar
ona:
Ell
o?
Ken:
Hi
Arona:Maybekewrongnumber
pastor
,youcal
ledt
hegay
Ken:(
laughed)Obat
ampamakana
wena,takekebuel
eDidi
hoo
Arona:
Sheisnother e,
wasshe
comingover
?I'm cuddl
ingwit
hWor
d
shebett
erbejustpassingby
Ken:(
laughed)Ar
onaLef
okoony
etse
kanawaai t
se?
Arona:
Don'
tstar
twi
thme,please.
Dealwit
hyourst
uddaught
erfi
rst
Ken:(
laughed)Owel
ekat
hogo
l
ait
eaka
Arona:
Wai t
semodi
moomogol o,
Kennacall
edagay.
.Gayhel
aAroci
us
wagotiki
wakamakapeabanana
Ken:(l
aughed)Gasegor
ekgangee
hedil
ekante?oteker
ekengr
ego
rapel
lemonnaMaungaseSodomele
Gomor a
Ar
ona:Thapel
oepal
etseJanibi
l
eo
di
j
ejet
swamogonnaPast or
Ken:
(laughed)Wai
tsapi
sa,
goShap
Ar
ona:
Bye

Hehungupandsi ghedsi
tti
ngi
nt he
carwonder
ingwhereshewast henhe
drov
eoutcall
ingsever
alpeopl
e..
..

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..

LateronBransteppedoutofthe
bathroom i
nhi
sshor t
sandlaidon
thecouchwatchinghismoviethenhe
gotaknockont hedoorandopened
thedoor,Kenwalkedinandtheysat
onthecouchchatt
ingwhi
lehe
secr
etl
yobserv
edev er
yli
tt
ledet
ail
abouthi
shouse..
.

Hehad2bott
lesofbeeronthetabl
e
andapl
atewi
thchickenbones.
..

Ken:
ArengLol
o?
Brandon:Sheisgood.
..Wetalkover
thephonehelaandweonl ystar
ted
todaybutsofarsogood.Ithought
shewillbedi
ffi
cul
tbutitwaseasy..
.
Ken:
Borr
owmeyourphonekel
l
etse
mongwe,I
'ml
owonair
Brandonpickedhi
sphoneand
unlockedthescr
eent
henhehanded
hi
mt hephone.

Kencheckedhi
smessagesandcal l
l
ogwherehecameacr ossDidi
's
numberandtookadeepbreathto
cal
m downthenhedial
edZane's
numberfort
hesakeofitandhanded
i
tback.
..
.

Ken:
Gaaar
abe.
..
Br
andon:
Okay
..
Ken:Mxm,ifor
gotthatZanesaid
ther
eisagameofbasket bal
ltoni
ght
,
l
etmegohome.I '
ll
seey ou
tomorr
ow..
Br
andon:
Okay
..
.

Kenwal kedoutandt ookamoment

i
nt hecarl eaningagai nstthesteeri
ng
wheel ashi sheartthrobbedagai nst
hisri
bcage.Hest artedt hecarand
droveof fbutashedr ov ealongthe
roadt earsfil
ledhisey es,ahugel ump
blockedhi sthroatandhef rowned
swallowi ngashist hroatcracked
thenhepr essedhislipst ogetherand
pul
l
edov
er.

Heleanedbackandrubbedhi
sface
wit
hbothhandstaki
ngadeepbreath
andexhal
ing.
..

Ken:
(shakyv
oice)OhGod.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
25AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 152

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Kenwalkedi nthehouseandcl osed

thedoorthenhet ookoffhisJersey
andswitchedof ft
heTVandt he
l
ightspassingtothegir
lsroom, Fai
th
andHazel weresleepi
ngont hesame
bedthenheknockedonZane' s
room..
.
Zame:
Comei
n..

Hewal kedinasZanesatonthe
studytabl
ewithalapt
opandLailaon
thescreenassheheldthebabyon
herarms...

Zane:
Heydad
Ken: Hi
..
.(l
eanedoversmi
l
ingatt
he
screen)HiLail
ahowismy
granddaughter
?
Lai
la:(
smi
led)
HiMrDani
el.
.Shei
s
fi
ne,wear
edoing
Zane:
Um.
..Cani
getbackt
oyoui
n5?
Lai
l
a:Sur
e,by
e

Hecloseddownthel
aptopand
t
urnedlooki
ngupathi
sf at
her
..
.

Ken:
Howhav
eyoubeen?
Zane:
Good,good.
..
.Mamai shardl
y
home,i
sther
esomet hi
nggoingon?
Ken:Idon'
tknow,I'
myett
ofi
ndout
.
Maybesheisjustbusy
.
Zane:
Ok,
ithoughtso.
Ken:
Goodni
ght
Zane:
Goodni
ght
..
Kenclosedthedoorandgoti
ntheir
bedroom ashi
sphonerangthenhe
satonthebeduntyi
nghisshoelaces
andpicked.
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Br
andon:
Yeah
Ken:
what
'sup?
Brandon:I
sther
esomet
hingwe
shouldtal
kabout
?
Ken:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Brandon:
Iwasholdi
ngmyphoneand
inoti
cedsomet
hing,somet
hingy
ou
mi
ghthav
emi
sunder
stood.
Ken:
Whatexact
ly?
Br
andon:Whydidn'
tyouaskme
i
nsteadofl
eav
ing?
Ken: (
leanedbackandsi ghed)
Brandon, l
etmet elly
ousomet hi
ng..
..
Idon'tli
kebeingliedtoorbei ng
madeaf oolandsomet imesi avoid
putti
ngpeopl ei
naposi ti
onwher e
theyhav etoli
etomej ustsoIdon' t
dosomet hi
ngI'
llregretlater.Ididn't
asky oubecauseI '
m pr otecting
my self
,kenekebabal elamai kut
o
amebecausei knewy ouwoul dn'tt
ell
met het r
uthaboutwhaty out wo
talkedabout.EvennowI '
m notgonna
asky ouwhaty outwower etalking
aboutont hatphonecal lbecausey ou
aregoingtol i
eandy ouknowi tso
i
nst eadofhav i
ngapoi ntl
ess
argumentwi thyoui choset owal k
awayf rom suchasi t
uation.NnaDi di
keamor ataandy eahmay bei t
makesmeaf oolbutlovedoest hat
somet i
mes, I
'm notgoingt odenyt hat.
Insteadofushav i
ngt hischildish
backandf orthshitI
'm choosi ngto
endwhat everfri
endshipwehad.I t
waspoi ntl
esstocar ryonaf t
ert hat
awkwar dmomenti nthet oi
letbuti
can'tcarr
yonwi ththisany mor e.
Br
andon:
Youdon'
tunder
stand
Ken:
Hangupt
hephoneandcar
ryon
Brandon:
Cani
comeov
erandt
alkt
o
you?
Ken:No, idon'twantt obeliedtoand
idon'
twantt oputyoui nasi t
uati
on
wherey ouhav etolie.Stopcalli
ngme
andkeepy ourdist
ance, andIdon't
holdgrudges.I fwemeetsomewher e
wewi l
lbumpshoul dersandmay be
chatbutitendst here.
Brandon:Kanaoitsegor
egontse
j
ang?Keami wakegoreidi
dn'
tdo
anythi
ngwr ongl
eeneDidishedi
dn'
t
doany t
hingwrong.
Ken: Gakegane, t
hat'
swhyker eif
bothofy ouf eelyoudi dnot hing
wrongcar ryonl eeneDi diwhenshe
getshomeI 'm notgoingt oaskher
anything.I t'
sherphoneshecancal l
whoev ershewant slewenahel aj al
o
butIwon' thangar oundt oseet hat
happeni ngbecausel ennakemot ho
kenal emai kutoandi ny ourdeepest
mindy ouknowy ou'
rehiding
somet hingf rom meaboutt heni ght
i
nt het oil
etbutt henment i
oni ngi s
evenst upi d.Selosant hahel ay ou
don'thav eanuncl e,yourfat heri sthe
onlysonsobuti guessy oudi dn't
thi
nkI '
df indout .Keagoi tshwar ela
l
ait
eaka,
tsamaa.

Hehungupt hephoneandsi ghed

taki
ngoffhi
st-shir
tthenhelai
don
thebedforawhi l
ebeforegoi
ngfora
showerandcollect
inghisl
aptopfr
om
Zane.

Helaidonthebedandbr ai
nstormed
onseveralpr
oject
shecoulddot o
occupyhismind,minutesl
aterDidi
walkedinandgotont hebed..
.

Di
di:
Hey
Ken:
Heybabe
Didi
:(t
akingof
fhercl
othes)Whatar
e
youdoing?
Ken:
Justwr
it
ingdownsev
eral
ideas.
..
Didi:
Isawyourmi
ssedcall
s,iwasat
Lolo'
shouseandiacci
dent
all
ylef
t
myphonei nt
hecar.
Ken:
Ok

Hecont inuedtypi
ngupsome
document sthenDi dislowlyclosed
hi
sl aptopandturnedhi sfaceov erto
hers,shekissedhim gr i
ndingherself
onhi sbonerbuther eluctantl
yturned
hi
sheadandcl earedhi sthroat.
.
Ken:Babeum.
..I
'
ml i
ttl
eti
redri
ght
now.Canwedothistomorrow?
Di
di:
Isthi
saboutmenotanswer
ing
myphone?Ongalet
segone?
Ken:Kemangar i
lengkengadil
e?I
sai
dI'mti
redandi wasbusywit
h
somethi
ngbefor
ey ouclosedmy
l
aptop.
Didi
:Idon'
tunder
standwhyyou
coul
dn'tj
ustcal
lLol
otoconf
irm
whereiwas
Ken:Sot hatyoucanaccusemeof
something?Thelastti
mei i
nvi
tedher
tochurchy outhr
ewaf i
tsayi
ngI'
m
toof ri
endlynowI 'm atfaultfor
respectingy ourfeeli
ngs?I fyou'
re
tell
i
ngmeI '
mt oofriendlytoacertain
womanI '
l
ldefini
telykeepmy
distancef r
om heroutofr espectfor
youasmywi f
ebecausei tdoesn'
t
mat terifIdon'tf
eel anythingtowards
herwhatmat t
ersiswhaty oufeel
,am
iwrongt ocutallcommuni cati
ons
withher ?
Di
di:
Okaynowiunder
standbutt
hat
's
wher
eI'
vebeen.
Ken:
I'
m notsayingyou'
relyi
ng,why
ar
eexplai
ningandjusti
fyi
ngyoursel
f?
Di
di:
Becausei
cant
ell
youar
efeel
i
ng
somehow,
didi
dosomet
hingwr
ong?
Ken:Don'tplaydumbwi t
hme,getof
f
me,thereasoni don'
twanttot
alki
s
becausei don'
tli
kebeingli
edt
o.
Di
di:
Whatam i
lyi
ngabout
?

Kenl ookedupatherasshesaton
hi
st ummywi thherhandsonhi
s
chest..
.

Ken:
Getof
fme.
..
Di
di:
Whatam i
lyi
ngt
oyouabout
?
Ken:
Whydi
dyoucal
lBr
andon?
Shepausedl
ooki
ngi
nhi
sey
es.
..

Ken:
Whyar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Di
di:
I'
m nott
hinki
ng
Ken:
So?Whydi
dyoucal
lhi
m?
Didi:
Icall
edtoaskhim howhewas
doinghela,i
didn'
thav
eany t
hing
specifi
c
Ken:Solennakennekechekamy
exs?Kenal ediextsedi ntsiDidiwa
i
tsetota?Andmostoft hem arev ery
beauti
ful
,theki
ndofwomeny ou'd
wonderifthey'
rereal,
I'
m surehal fof
them mightbesingleandwoul dn'
t
mindacal fr
om me.You' ll
ber unning
ar
oundbur
ningy
our
sel
fagai
n
Didi:(l
aughed)Nowthat'
sfunny,do
your eal
lythi
nkI'
dburnmy sel
ffor
you?I sthatwhyyoubefr
iended
Brandonandhookedhi m upwith
Lolosot hatyoucanredi
recthi
s
attenti
on?
Ken:Notev eryt
hingisaboutyou,
Brandonlongt oldmehewasl onely
waybef or
eweev enmov edback
here.
..Oboobonagor eontir
aeng
whenI '
mf ait
hfultoyou.Youcannot
possibl
ythinkitsokaytocall
aguy
yousleptwithjusttocheckonhim.
Brandonkebui leleeneanonkutule
butthenclearl
ywenagaobat ego
emi
sagomosal
amor
agoev
enwhen
hei
smovi
ngon.
Didi:
Brandonkanagasegor eo
batelaLologorewamor at
aheis
doingittopleaseyoubecauseyou
areactingli
keav i
cti
m accusi
ng
everyone.
Ken:Don'ttal
ktomel ikethat.I
'm
real
lytr
yingmybestt okeept his
familyt
ogetherbutyoudon' thave
ti
mef ormeort hechil
dren,i
underst
andI '
m bor
ingy oubutdo
yourchil
drenboreyouaswel l
?
Di
di:
No-
Ken:
Idon'
tknowwhatIhav
etodot
o
getyoutounderstandthatil
oveyou,
thr
oughoutallt
hesei can'
tevenask
oneoftheseniorpastorstohel
pus
dealwit
hthi
sbecausey oudon'
tli
ke
churchorevenbeliev
einGod.What
doyouwantf r
om me?
Di
di:
You'
ret
alki
ngl
i
key
ou'
venev
er
madeamist
ake

Heli
ckedhi
sli
psandswal
l
owed
l
ooki
ngupather.
..

Ken:
Whydi dy
ougetbackwit
hme?
Cl
earl
yI'
m goi
ngt
opayt her
estofmy
l
if
esowhygetmyhopesupnnake
tsay agor ewear ebui ldingourf ami l
y
agai nwenaonnaeacht imeIt ryt o
cor rectyoui t'
sl ikeIdon' thav et he
ri
ghtt ocompl ain?Hav ei ever
wr ongedy ouordi srespect edy out he
past7y ear s?( shekeptqui et)Babei f
youf eelli
kei don' thav et her i
ghtt o
cor rectyouwheny ou' rewr ongorj ust
compl ainletmeknow.Ir eal
ly
thoughtwear emov ingf orwar d,I'
m
tryingmybest ...Eacht i
mey ousay
somet hingIr especti t ,starti
ngwi th
Amant ledownt oinci denty amal oba
obuagor eI '
mt oofriendl yony our
fri
end, i
respect edthatandkeptmy
distance.I '
m homeaf terwor kor
church,I'
m her etr
yingt oteachZane
howt ohandlehi slit
tlefami l
y.I'
m
withFaithandHazel ,whatar eyou
doing?Tellmewhaty oubeendoi ng.
..
Howmanyt imesdoy oucomehome
andf i
ndmei nbedwi ththelightsoff
rerobetse?Can' tyouseey ou'r
e
givi
ngmear easont obesuspi cious
ofyou?Doy ouev enr emembert he
l
astt i
mewehadsex?Theonl y
reasony ouwantsext odayi s
becausey ouf eelguil
tyabout
somet hi
ng.Whenl astdidwehav e
sex?

Shef
li
ppedherhai
rbackst
il
lsi
tt
ing
onhi
stummyashel
ookedupather
..
.

Ken:
Pleasegetof
fme.
..

Sheslowlygotoffhimt henhesaton
theedgeofthebedr ubbinghisf
ace,
ther
ewassi l
entawkwar dmomentas
hepoppedhi sknuckleswait
ingfor
hertorespondpositi
v el
ybutpul
l
ed
upthesheetsandl ookeddown..
..

Ken:Ithinkit
'sbestwesleepin
separaterooms, I
'm movi
ngint
othe
spareroom.Ican' tdothi
sanymor
e
becausei t
'sweighingmedownandi
can'tconcent rateonany t
hingel se.
May bey ouneedspacef ory out o
comehomeont i
mebecause
whenev eri keepaskingf orsexkea
l
apisa.Idon' tknowwhatI '
m
supposedt odohaor eI'
m bor ingy ou,
nakot sedingwey oumustl istento
yourselfbef oreyouspeak, howdo
yout el
lanot herpersonthatt hey'r
e
boring?Legonei onl
ystartedbor ing
helawhenaf t
erwear ri
vedf r
om
OklahomaosenagobonaBr andon,
Didiont sayaj aakasemat a.Gaosa
mpat empol el
elahelainsteadof
doingall t
hese.
Hest oodupandopenedt he
wardrobegetti
ngapai rofbeddi
ngas
Didiwatchedhim,partofherwanted
tostophim butthenanothersti
l
lhad
unresolv
edissueswithBrandon.

Shef el
tabitsadforKen,clearl
yhe
wasi npainbutshecouldn'ti
gnore
theissuesshehadwi t
hBr andon.Ken
pickedthelapt
oplookinginhereyes
andgott hephonebeforewal ki
ng
out..
.

Ken:
Goodni
ght
,il
ovey
ou
Hecl
osedt
hedoor
.…

I
nthespar
eroom.
..
.

Kensatont hebedandsi ghed

l
isteningt ohishear t,hecoul dfeelit
breakingal lthewayhi sthroat.His
mindwasbl ankandhedi dn'
tknow
whatel sehehadt osay .Partofhim
want edt ogetbacki nthet hereand
j
ustl aynextt oherhol dingherunt il
hef ellasl
eepbutt henmay be
separ ati
ngbedswoul dmakeher
misshi m, reflectbackandcor rect
herself,hissubconsci ousassur ed
hi
mt henhesi
ghedandplayedmusi
c
onhisphonewhi
lechangi
ngthe
beddi
ng.

Heswit
chedofftheli
ghtsandlai
d
downstar
ingatthedarkwhile
l
ist
eni
ngtoclassicmusic.
..
.

I
nthemast
erbedr
oom.
..
.

Meanwhil
eDidipi
ckedhi
sphoneand
wenttoherhi
stor
ythenshesav
ed
hi
snumberagainandsenthi
ma
message.
..
Di
di:
You'
reapi
eceofshi
t.
Brandon:WhereisKenonsendel a
thi
s?You'recarel
essandy ouare
goingtogetmeki l
led.Kenjustended
ourfri
endshipbecausey oucal
ledme
abokel ebal
agosut halogyame.
Di
di:
KebuakaLol owenao
mpolel
elakaKen
Brandon:
Ican'
ttal
ktoy
oukesai
tse
goreKenokae
Di
di:
I'
m comi
ng.
Brandon:Kenokae?Kantewhat'
s
yourstor
yDidikennesi
denigga
wenaonal eKen?Whataboutme?
Sheputonhercl
othesandquiet
ly
walkedt
othenear
esttaxi
stop..
.

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronBranwalkedacrossthe
room fi
xinghi
sti
ghtboxerbrief
sand
properl
ypackedhisj
unkashemov ed
thecurtai
nstoseewhowas
Knockingthenheunlockedthedoor.

Didi
walkedinthenhecl
osedt
he
doorandlocked.
..
Br
an:
Hey
Di
di:
Hey
..
.
Br
an:
Arey
ouOK?
Di
di:
I'
mjustst
ressedout
Br
an:
Didy
ouguy
shav
eaf
ight
?
Didi:
No, you'
rest
ressingmeout.I
thoughtwewer elet
tingthi
ngsset
tl
e
downaf terwhathappenedatthe
toi
letsbutthi
swholeLol ot
hing
caughtmebysur prise
Bran:Iwasn'
tev
ensureyouwereup
fori
tinther
ebecauseyoupl
ayed
hardtogetandKenhookedmeup
withher .
..Idon'tknowwhyhedi dit
buti needsomet hi
ngst ableanyways.
Ididn'twantt ocausedr amagape
Kenosi ame, consider
ingthe
sit
uat i
oni fel
tbadf orstabbinghimin
thebackl ikethatespeci al
l
ybecause
afriendoncedi dthattohimy ears
beforemeet i
ngy ou.Nnanekebona
gosef airmogoeneso. ..
Di
di:
Mphaphoney
agago.
.
Br
an:
Ekobedr
oomung.

Shewalkedtothebedroom ashe
fol
lowedherthenshehandeditt
o
him,heunl
ockedthescreenandgav
e
i
tbackt
henshet
ypedamessage.

Message: Heyli
sten,
sorryican'
tdo
thi
sany more.It
hinkI'
dratherdat
e
someonenewnotconnect edtomy
past.Delet
emynumber .

Shesentthemessageandi tgot
deli
ver
edasBr andonlookedather
thenhesteppedov erholdingher
neckandleanedov erki
ssi ngheras
theybothl
aidont hebed, hegot
betweenherlegsandpul leddownhis
boxerbri
efsdroppinghisdi ckonher
thi
ghsasshecar essedhi shead
ki
ssi
nghi
m..
.

Att
hespar
eroom.
..

Almostanhourl ateroft ossingand

turningKenwentt othebat hr
oom
andpeedt henhewentt omakeacup
oft eaint heki t
chen.Het ookouttwo
cupsandwentt ot heirbedr oom t
o
askheri fshewant edacupoft eabut
ther oom wasempt yandt herewasa
str
ongsmel lofhercol ognei nthe
room. ..Sev eralbrasandpant i
eswere
ont hebedt ogetherwi thhermakeup
case. .
.
Ken:
(fr
owned)Babe?

Het urnedaroundandcheckedt he
chil
dren'sroomsbutt heywereall
peacef ul
l
ysleeping,
hechecked
outsideandbot hcarswerethere
thenhewentbackt ohisroom and
dial
edherbutt herewasnoanswer .

Hesteppedoutsi
deandsquat t
edat
t
heendoft hepavementsearchi
ng
f
ornewt racksonthesandandther
e
i
twas,herf r
eshshoetr
acks.
Hewal kedbackinthehouseand
cl
osedt hedoorsti
llcal
l
ingherast
he
ket
tlewithboil
ingwater
automatical
l
yswi t
chedoffbuthel
ost
appeti
tefortea.

Hewentbackt othei
rroom andsat
ontheedgeofthebeddi al
i
ngher
overandoverbutshedidn'
tanswer
.

Ken:(t
ypedamessage)Ican'
tbeli
eve
ontogetsel
ebanamont ungl
ess
thananhouraf
terkesenagobuale
wena.WhoeverheisIhopeheis
worthl
osingal
lthi
s.Wetookastep
forwardandy oujusttook2st eps
backwar ds.Clearl
yy ou'
renotr eady
forthetitl
eI '
m br
ingingy ou,ihopei
getthest rengtht
ogetov eryou
withoutdoi nganythingthatwi l
lput
mei njailbecausef orsureyouwon' t
care.Ireallyhopehei swor t
hi t
.

Hesentt hemessageandanxi ousl

y
stoodbyt hebedroom window
l
ookingout si
dehopingt oseeherbut
anhourpassedwhi l
ehest oodther
e
thenheev ent
uall
ysatont hebed,
anotherhourspassedashesneezed
catchi
ngacol d.Heputhert hi
ngsin
thewardrobeandswi tchedoffthe
l
i
ght
sbef
oreget
ti
ngi
nbed.

Tear sfil
ledhiseyesashel aidonhi s
back, hedidn'thaveaf ri
endandt he
onlyper sonhedesper atelywant edt o
tal
kt owasnomor e.Het ri
edt o
rememberwhathi sfatherwoul dsay
buthecoul dn'
trememberat hing
exceptt hedayhe, Loreandhi sf ather
wer efixi
ngt hecarchat t
ingexci tedly
ashi smot hersatont hebl anket
undert hesamet r
eewi thDi diand
Otlhecooki ng.Hehadl ostmaj orityof
hisfami lyandforthef i
rsttimesi nce
thenhemi ssedhiswhol ef ami l
y...
Heswall
owedt
ear
ful
l
yanddi
aled
Ot
lhe.
..
.

Ot
lhe:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?
Ken:(
atearrandownandfel
li
nhi
s
ear
)Kemi sapapaleLor
e
Ot
lhe:
Doyouknowwhatt
imei
tisne
Of
ana?Ar
eyouokay
?

Hequi
cklyhungupthenshedr
opped
t
hephoneandputhishandsoverhi
s
f
acesi
lentl
ycry
ing.
..
Ashortwhi l
elat
er'Didi
'knockedon
thedoorthenhel eapedupr ubbing
offhi
stearsandwashedhi sface
overt
hesi nkint
hebat hroom, he
l
ookedathi mselfonmi r
roraswat er
dri
ppeddownhi schi nt
henhet ooka
deepbreathwentt oopent hedoor.

Otl
hetookoffthescarfar
oundher
neckandsteppedinasKenl ooked
outsi
debef
oreclosingthedoor..
.

Ken:I
t'
salmost3am,
whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?
Ot
lhe:
Icoul
dn'
tsl
eepaf
terwhaty
ou
sai
d..
.okari
alooit
segor
eosui
cidal
.
Kanayou'
retheonl
yfami
lyi
hav
e...

Shelookedi
nhi
sreddi
sheyesashe
l
ookeddownandsatonthecouch.
..

Ot
lhe:
Ofana?goril
engmat
hoagago
al
emahibi
dujaana?
Ken:
Didi
ischeat
ingonme.
..
Otl
he:What'snew?Isn'
tshethesame
womanwhosl eptwi
thourbrot
her?
Thesamewomanwhoki l
ledour
motherwithaheartatt
ackandthe
samewomanwhoourf at
her
myster
iouslyhadaheartatt
ackbale
2hel amont ung?Thesamewoman
whoi nheri
tedeverythingourpar ent
s
wor kedhar dfortheirwholelives..
.
(tearfull
y)Ofanadoy ouknowhow
har ditisformet oseey ousufferi
ng
andaski ngherformoney ?t
hemoney
thatshoul dbeour s?Iknowy ou
wr ongedherbef orebutmay beshe
onlygotbackwi thy outohurty ou..
.
Can' tyouleaveher ?Thiswon' tstop
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
25AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 153

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..

Earl
ythatmorni
ngbetween4and5
Didil
eapedupholdi
ngthesheet
sto
herchestt
henshecheckedher
phone..
.

Didi
:No!Myphoneisonsi
l
ent
!Ken
call
edl
ikeat
housandti
mes
Sheputitdownandj umpedinher
cl
othesasBrandony awnedandgot
uppinni
nghiselbowsont hebed
whil
elayi
ngonhi sbacklooki
ngat
her
...

Br
andon:
Wakae?I
t'
sst
il
lear
ly.
..
Di
di:
Dropmehome,Keni
sgoi
ngto
ki
l
lme.Whydi
dn'
tyouwakeme?
Br
andon:
Soy
ouwer
ejustusi
ngme?
Di
di:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Brandon:Youjustmademedump
Lolobutit
'sl
ikeyoudon'
twantt
o
l
eav eKen,ar
en'twel
eavi
ngbothof
them t
o-
Didi:Ican'
tj
ustl
eav
eKen,
I'
ma
mar ri
edwomanandwehavechi
l
dren,
three!
Brandon: Sowhat ?I
'm supposedto
j
ustkeepwai tingforyouher e
whenev erKeni snotwithy ouorwhat?
Itol
dy oui wantsomet hingstabl
etoo,
Youhav et ot
ellKenthaty ouare
donewi thhim orsomet hing
Di
di:I
'm amarri
edwomanBr an,fi
nd
agir
lf
ri
end.Idon'
thaveapr oblem
wit
hyouhav i
ngagirl
fr
iendasl ongas
i
tsnotLolo,
that'
swhatpissesmeof f.
Br
andon:
Soyoubasi
cal
lyjustmade
medumpapotent
ial
gir
lf
ri
endoutof
j
eal
ousyosampat
e?

Sheputonhershoesandpickedher
phoneasBrandonl
aidonthebed..
.

Di
di:
Arey
eot
andr
opakgakal
ale
Gat
e
Brandon:
I'
m nottakingy
ouhomeo
senagontir
isa,sol
astnightwasall
anact?Whydi dyousendherthat
messageknowi ngyouweren'
treal
l
y
goingtor
eplaceher?
Di
di:
Findanot
herwoman,youcan'
t
sl
eepwithf
ri
endsandact
uall
ybeOK
wi
thit
?
Brandon:Say
sawomanwhoj ustl
eft
herhusbandinthehousewit
hkids
j
usttofuckwithanotherman
Didi
:(chuckl
ed)I
fthat
'swhatyou
wanttocallyour
sel
fknockyoursel
f
out.
..

Hest aredatherasshewalkedout
andsl ammedt hedoort
henhe
l
eapedupandf oll
owedherinhi
s
bri
efs...

Brandon:I
'
m goingtot
ell
Kenwhat
happened,youcan'
tmakemedump
Loloandthengobacktohiml
i
ke
not
hinghappened,
sobasi
cal
l
ynna
kepl
anBy agago?
Didi:You'dhav egut st ofaceaman
l
ikeKenandt ell himy ousl eptwi t
h
hiswi fe.Ifyousur vi
v ehiswr eath
thenI 'dsalutey ou...Idon' tknowwhy
you'recr yi
ngf orLol oasi fy ouknow
her ,
y ou'
react i
ngdesper ater ightnow.
Loloi sgoodatusi ngmenwhenshe
hasaf atherl
esschi ld,tr
ustme. .
.The
guywhoi sdivorcingherwasusedt o
raiseherf ir
stbor nonceMay awas
oldenoughAat ileamosapot il
eshe
startedt ocheatonhi m, all ofsudden
hisdi ckbecamel i
ttleandhewas
bor i
ng.That '
showherhusband
div
orcedherandherent i
remarri
age
endeddramatical
lyli
kethat
.Iknow
Kenmadeherat t
ract
iveiny
oureyes
buturh.
..Ther
eissomuchmor ethan
youknow
Brandon:It
'ssti
llhardtobeliev
eyou
usedmet ofightwithyourfri
end,so
howi shermarri
agemybusi ness?
Am isupposedt oloseint
erestinher
?
Didi
:Juststayawayfr
om her
,you
candobet t
erthant
hat.

Hestoodatthedoorlooki
ngatheras
shewalkedawaythenheclosedthe
doorandhurr
iedbackinsi
dewhere
hepickedtheemptyboxofcondoms
andthethreewrappedcondomsthen
fl
ashedthem..
.

Hesatont heedgeoft hebedand

si
ghedanxi ouslythenhegr abbedhis
phoneandt appedont hemessage,
hi
sf aceli
tupashenot i
cedLolo
hadn'tbeenonl i
nesinceahour
beforethemessagewassentt henhe
del
et edDidi'
smessagesandsi ghed
i
nr el
ief.
..

Att
hehouse.
..
..
.
Minutesafter5Diditri
edopeningthe
doorbutitwaslocked, shesi
ghed
thought
full
y,waki
ngZanewasn' tan
opti
on.Hewasol denought o
underst
andev er
ythingandhe
wouldn'
ttakeitquietl
y,shewasn't
abouttohav eaLolo&Babyepi sode
soshedialedKen....

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
Kekopaompul
ele

Hehungupthenshefoldedherarms
wait
ingf
orabout30minutesthenhe
openedt
hedoorforherandwalked
backwithoutlookingorsaying
anyt
hing,Didiquietl
yfol
lowedhim
andhecl osedhimselfinthespar
e
room t
henshegoti nthebedroom
andsatdown. ..

Thebedwasper fect
lymadeandher
thi
ngswer eonthedressi
ngtable,
he
grabbedat owel
andwentf orabath
thensheknockedandwal kedin
Ken'sroom...

Di
di:
Canwet
alk?

Shesatont
heedgeoft
hebedas
Kenl
aidf
aci
ngt
heot
herway
..
.

Didi:I
'm sor
ryforwalki
ngoutlast
night,iwasfrust
rat
edandi di
dn't
knowwhatt odosoi wentt
omy
mot her'
shouse..

Kengotupandsatnextt
oher
l
ooki
nginhereyes.
..

Ken:Youwentt
oyourmot
her
's
house?
Di
di:
Yes
Ken:
Andy
ouexpectmet
obel
i
eve
t
hat
?
Didi
:It
'sthetruth,youcancallher
andaskher .I'
m sorryfornot
answeringyou...Ididn'
twanttotal
k,
thi
ssepar at
ionofbedsr eall
yhurts
me...
Ken:
Youmustt
hinkI
'
m st
upi
d
Didi:You'
redoingthesamet hi
ngy ou
didlastni
ght,assumingthatI'
m out
therecheati
ngwheni wasatLolo's
HouseandnowI 'm bei
ngaccusedof
goingtomen' shouse.Howcani go
tobaman'shousel eavingyouhere
withthechil
dren?Keni fyouhadn't
cheatedinthepasty ouwouldn'
t
alway sjumpi ntoconcl usionsev ery
ti
mey oudon' tunder standsomet hing.
Howl ongwi l
ly oukeepcal li
ngpeopl e
toconf i
rm wher eiam eacht imey ou
can'tgethol dofme?Hav ei giveny ou
anyr easont odoubtmebesi dest he
factt hatI'v
ebeent oobusy .
?Iam
guiltyofbei ngt oobusyf ormyf ami l
y
buti hav enev ercheat edony ou..
.
(tearfull
y)Itev enhur tsmet hat
someoneofy ourhist or ycant hi
nk
l
iket hat.You' vehur tmei nthepast
Ken. .
.Youhadsexwi thawoman
ri
ghtbef oremyey es, y oul eftmewi t
h
apr egnancyandi suf fer ed.These
childrent haty ouclaimt ol oveoki l
e
wabal athaonnakoGabs, Fait
h
somet imeswentf orday swi t
hout
mi l
kandZanewentt oschool wi t
hout
somet hingassmal l
asapenci land
thet eacherwoul dbeathi mf ornot
havingapenci l
.Isuf feredke
tsamay aker wel esakay aTsabana
from t hecl ini
c. .
.Thosear ethet hings
wewentt hroughbecauseofy ou, at
thatt i
mey ouwer eenj oyinglif
e
eatinggr ocer yfrom Foodl oversand
Wool wor th'
swhi l
ei coul dn'
taf f
ordP1
helat obuyy oursonapenci l.You
enjoy edsexwi thAmant l
etravelli
ng
andenj oy i
ngy ourselftot heextentof
handi ngherev erythi
ngweowned.Al l
ourhar dwor ky ougav eittohert saya
tanki.
..Theset hingsarehaunt i
ngy ou
andy out hi
nkI '
ml ikeyou.Takemy
phoneandcal lmymot her ,bett
ery et
takemyphoneandcal ll
eLol oo
mmot segor ewasi wi
thher
yesterdaykamai ti
so.You' remaki ng
myl i
fedi ff
icul
tbecausey ouexpect
routi
nef rom mekoor eifi do
somet hingdi f
ferentI'
m sleeping
around...Iwentt omymot her'
shouse,
wasIwr ong?Koor eokgonago
i
tsenyast resshel akasuchsmal l
thi
ngs?" Ihopehei swor thlosingal l
these"whati st hat?
Kenlookedatherandsi ghedshaki
ng
hi
sheadt henhelookeddown
poppinghisknuckl
es,hepinchedthe
bri
dgeofhisnoseandl eanedback
l
ookingather..
.

Ken:I
'm sor
ry.
...IguessIhavet o
workonmy selfbuty oushouldn'
t
di
sappearli
ket hat,
any onewouldgo
i
nsaneespeciallywheny ou'
renot
answeri
ngyourphone.
Didi
:Thatwaswr ong,
I'
m sor
rybutI
'
d
neverleavet
hehousejustt
osee
anotherman..
.Thatwouldbecr
azy,i
l
eftthinki
ngI'
dhaveashort
conversat
ionwit
hherbutwetal
ked
forhoursandidozedof
fonthe
couch
Ken:So..
.Whatdi
dyout
wot
alk
about?
Didi:Abouthowi shouldpay
attenti
ont omyf ami l
y,especi all
y.
..
Abouthowmuchsuppor tyouneed
asapast ortostandinf rontofpeopl e
andpr each, youneedpeaceofmi nd.
Youneedsuppor tandi hav en'
tbeen
ei
ther .
..I'
m sorry,I
'
dalsobe
suspiciousi fyoucamehomel ate
andhar dl
yanswer edyourphone
especial l
yifyousaidI'
m bor i
ng.I
don'tknowwhatIwast hi nking
sayingt hatandI'm sorry
, t
he
adrenalinepumpi nglif
est y
lewehad
whenwewer ey ounghasf ully
sati
sf i
edmeandI '
m notlooki ngfor
that.I'
m happywi thhowmat ure
you'reandI '
mr eadytobet he
pastor'swife.
.Pleasef orgiveme. .
.

Kendrewinai
randexhal
edl
ooki
ngi
n
herey
es..
..

Ken:IhopeI'm notmakingamistake
l
etti
ngthisgobecauseI '
dhatetobe
madeaf ool.Ireal
lyhopeyou'
re
tel
l
ingthetruthbecauseifnotidon'
t
knowwhatI '
lldotoy ou,iftherei s
partofy out hatwant soutoft his
mar r
iagel etmeknowsowecancal l
i
tquits.Ther easoni can'tletgoi s
becausei loveyoubuti fy oudon' t
wantmeI '
llr
especty ourf eel
ingsand
mov eout ..
..(
sighed)Andy ou'rer i
ght,
I'
vehur tyoui nthepastandmay be
mymi stakesar ecomi ngbackt obi t
e
meIdon' tknow.I '
m sor r
yt hati keep
accusingy ouofcheat i
ng, iknowi t
s
annoy i
ngandmay bethat'swhat 's
wrongwi thourr omance, thef actthat
I'
m actingi nsecureallthet i
me.I 'l
l
stopthat .I'
m sor r
y..
Hegotherhandandki sseditthen
theyhuggedashesighedi nrel
ief
,he
couldn'
tbel
ievehegavehimself
sleepl
essnight
saboutthingsthat
onlyexi
stedinhismi
nd.

Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry
Ken:
Met
oo

Hekissedhercheekandmov edt o
herl
i
pst henshepushedhim down
andgotont opofhi
m kissi
nghim
l
eavi
ngat rail
ofki
ssesgoingdown
hi
schestchestandstrokedhim as
hepull
edapi l
lowunderhisheadand
spr
eadhisl
egsassheknel
tgaggi
ng
onhisD.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

MofenyiwokeLoloandshet urned
gi
vinghim herbr
eastthenshepi cked
herphoneandwentt hroughher
messageswhi l
ebreastfeedi
ng.
?

Br
an:
(messagedel
eted)
..
..
Lol
o: Whatdi
dyoudel
ete?
Br
an: Mor
ningi
twasmy
Lol
o: Ti
sakeboneee
Br
an:
Gaosabonaoj
elwe
Lol
o:Ehe
Bran:Wouldyoumindi
ficameov
er?
Thereissomethi
ngweneedto
di
scussbutgakebater
ebuaka
phone.
Lol
o:Ican'
tsi
tforl
ong
Bran: Iunderstand,I'
lladjusttheseat
soy oucanr estony ourback.Pl ease,
i
t'
si mpor t
ant .You'l
lbringMof eny i
if
you'realoneormay bei cancome
i
nside, whatev eryou'r
ecomf ortabl
e
withisf i
newi thme.Ineedt ot alkto
you
Lol
o:Okay
,come.Shoul
dIsendt
he
di
rect
ions?
Bran:Iknowwherei
tis,
isentt
het
axi
ther
er emember
?
Lol
o:Lol
ok
Br
an:
Thanks.
..

Sheputherphonedowndesper atel
y
waitedforMof enyit
of i
nishfeeding
thenhef ell
asleepagain,she
changedhi sdiaperandlaidhim on
cleanbabysheet sandslowlywal ked
tothebat hr
oom wher eshepr epared
hersel
fandf ixedhermakeupt hen
Setsostoodatt hedoorput t
ingon
herbackpack. .
.
Set
so:
Goshapmama
Lol
o:Shap

Sheranoutf i
xi
ngherschoolti
easa
carstoppedatthegate,
sheopened
bothgatesandwav edasthe
unfamili
armansmiledatherthen
sheranof fl
ooki
ngatherwristcl
ock.

Brandonslowlydrovetowardsthe2
roomedhouseandpar kedri
ghtatt
he
doorthenheslightl
ytappedthehor
n
andtookadeepbr eat
hswitchi
ngoff
theengine.
..
.
Thedooropenedandhel ai
dey eson
Lolo,i
twast herethatheconcluded
shewasn' tphotogeni
cormay beshe
j
ustdidn'tknowhowt otakeselfi
es.
..
From herpictur
eshet houghtshe
wasokbutshewasact uall
ybeautif
ul
i
nper sonandherf acewasmor e
youthful
fresherthanherage..
..

Shesuppor t
edhersel
fwit
hthe
doorfr
ameandhequi ckl
ystepped
outofthecarandopenedthedoor
forherthenhepull
edbackthe
sleev
esofhi sgr
ayplai
nsweaterand
hel
dherhand.
..

Br
andon:
Hey
Lol
o:Hi
..

Hehadastronggr
ipandhisar
ms
hadsexyv
einsandsmoothhai
r.
..

Br
andon:If
eel
badf orgont
sha
motset
simontung
Lol
o:(
laughed)I
t'
sokay
..
.

Hegentl
yhel
pedherseatand
adj
ust
edherseatpushi
ngitdown
unti
lshewascomfor
tabl
ethenhe
fi
xedherfi
tandl
ookedinherey
es.
.

Br
andon:
Ont
sesent
eaker
e?
Lol
o:Yeah.
..

Hecl osedthedoorandwal ked

aroundt hecarandgotinthenhe
cl
osedt hedoorandadj ustedhi sseat
l
ay i
ngdownnextt oher, het urned
l
yingonhi ssideandpinnedhi sel
bow
downl ookingatherasshel ooked
backathi m..
Hehadat tr
acti
vebeardthatdefined
hisli
psandy eshi
sar mswer equite
manly..
.Theystaredatoneanot her
foramomentandmemor ytookt hem
backactuall
ytheyremember edtheir
fi
rstconver
sati
onwhenhepl ayedher
andtheylaughed.
..

Br
an:
(laughed)Ot
shegaeng?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Not
hing.
..
Bran:(
laughed)Inevert
houghtI
'
dbe
herewithy ou,
li
fehasafunnywayof
tur
ningthingsaroundhey
Lolo:
Yeah.
..Sowhat'
ssoimport
ant
thati
tcan'
tbedi
scussedovert
he
phone?

Thesmileonhisfacedi
sappeared
andhelookedatthedashboar
d
scr
atchi
nghishead..
.

Bran: Iknowwear enoty ettogether

buti f
eel asthoughikindofowey ou
anexpl anati
onbecausei fthi
ngsgo
well.
..AndI '
m notsayingwewi l
lbe
togetherorany t
hingthat'
sent i
rel
yup
toyoubutshoul dt hi
ngsgor ightI
wouldn' twantanythi
ngfrom thepast
tokindofmessi tupormakey ou
questionmeasman.
Lol
o:Wabookasi
mol
olahel
arei
se
rey
egope
Bran: IknowandI '
m sorry ..
..Thi s
whathappened. ..KenandIhav e
beenf riendsforawhi leandi later
foundouthi swifekeDi di through
Facebookwhent heywer et agging
eachot herandal lsoski pt ot hem
mov ingher e.Ikindoff li
rtedwi t
hher..
.
(Loloshookherhead)Iknow-
disappoi nt
ing.Weki ndoff li
rted
secretlybutshewaspl ay inghar dto
gettheent i
reti
meandi star tfeeli
ng
guilt
ysoonet i
meIwasi nt het oil
et
andwheni steppedoutshewas
fi
xinghermakeupi ntheman' sr oom.
Wet alkedandi endedupki ssi ngher,
tobehonestneket seretse
pediny anaandi knowi twaswr ong
becauseIwasi nchur chbuti hadmy
owni ssueshel at salonelinesssoI
dri
nkj usttoyouknow. .Getridofmy
stress. .Whil
eki ssingKenwal ksi n
andwemanaget ophat al
alaint o
separ at er
oomsbuthef oundoutand
hadmybr othert akeDi dibackt o
Chur chwhi lewer emai nedint he
toi
let.Wehadaser iousconv ersatio-
l
ikei twasi ntenseandhewasl osi
ng
hismi ndsoi managet osomehow
gethi sat t
entionabor ebuaa
nkgal emela.Itendedl ikethatka
warningandi ndeedkasut hanumber
yagaDi di.Mont hsgoby eandKen
comesar ound, atthispointi assume
hest i
l
l doesn' tknowsoweki ckof f
shaphel alikeol dtimest houghhe
wasst illverycl earkaDi di.Kenhooks
meupwi thy ouandI '
m kindof
gett
ingexci tedt hatI'
mf inall
yget ti
ng
somet hingser i
ous, Didicallsmeout
ofnowher eandsheget sangr yabout
youandme, Iendt heconv ersati
on
tel
li
ngheri chosemyf r
iendshi ple
Kenov erf i
ghtingf orher.Ithoughtgo
hedil
eandIf ool i
shlyforgott oclear
myl og, Kenbor rowsmyphoneand
seest hat.For tunatelythist i
me
garel
we, hechoosest owal kawayle
nnakef i
laguil
tybecausei waskind
ofenjoyi
ngourf riendshipgapeo
mpat et
sewenaandsof arnekele
excit
edaboutt hat.Itrytoapologi
se
butKenochai sitsesoaboke
amogelaseemogor ey eahIlosta
fr
iend.LateratnightDi dicomesto
myhouseandsendsy ouamessage
wai t
'
sov er.
..
Lolo:Di
dithekemoloi
,j
eal
oushela
j
aanakey oneemopaledi
sit
senggo
robalaaral
alamasi
gogo
ntshenyel
etsa.
Br
andon:
Anyway.
..We.
..(
rel
uct
ant
ly)
Weenduphavi
ngsex.
Lol
o:Yousl
eptwi
thher
?
Brandon: Ican'tev enjustifymy self,
yes..
.Itsbeenmont hsandEi shi can'
t
j
ustifymy self,ij
ustwant edt oletyou
knowbef oreyouheari tfrom
someoneet ael emaakaor
somet hingbecausei onlyreali
sedat
theendt hatshewasj ustusi ngmet o
makesur eourr el
at i
onshi pdoesn' t
star
t..
.Imadeami stakemi st
akeand
iknowi tmi ghtendt hisbeforeit
star
tsbuti fstartsi wouldn' twant
anythingt obreakusapar tthat'
swhy
keriskergor eonkganebyt ell
i
ngy ou
thetruth..
.I'
vedel etedhernumber
andshei soutofmyl i
fe.Canwest i
ll
gi
vei
tat
ry?

Lolol
ookedathim andlookedaway
thenhetookherhandandcl osedi
t
betweenhisl
ookingather.
..

Brandon: Iknowi t'sabadst ar

tand
youpr obablydon' ttrustmeormay be
Ijustturnedy ouof fbutI'm wil
li
ngto
doany t
hingtopr ov etoy outhatI'
m
ser i
ousandI '
llnev errepeatthis
mi stakeagain,canwet r
y ?

Al
waysremembertoLi
ketheinsert
s
i
nordert
ogetweekendbonuses..
.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
26AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 154

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lol
osi
gheddi
sappoi
ntedl
y.
..
Brandon:Youcanthi
nkabouti
tand
getbacktomel at
er,
youdon'
thave
torespondnow.
Lolo:Ican'
tbewithyou,itwasbad
enought hatyouandherhavehi st
ory
butthisisbad.Youobviousl
yhav e
feeli
ngsforherbecausethemi nute
yousawhery ouwantedherthough
youknewshewashappywi thKen
andsheobv i
ousl
ywantsy outoosoi
don'twanttogethurt.
Brandon:Iunderst
andwhatyouar e
sayingbutwhataboutwhatijustsai
d?
Ifyoulett
hissli
deitwon'
thappen
again,i
tdoesn'
tmat t
erwhatDidi
doesorsayi havemyownmi ndand
I
'
m gi
vi
ngy
oumywor
d.
Lolo:Buty ouhavefeel
ingsf orher
andi can'tignor
ethatbecausei don'
t
wantt oliveunderhershadow.
Clearl
yy ouhadsexwi thherhopi ng
forsomet hing,t
hatmay beshel eaves
Kenf oryoubecausehowel sewoul d
youlethert extmeifyoujustgot
caughtinamoment ?Doy ouhav e
feeli
ngsf orher?
Brandon:That '
snotthepoi nt,
feeli
ngsofat t
racti
onaret herebutI
don'tlov
eherandwhatI 'ml ooki
ng
forismor ethanjustattr
act i
on,
pleasedon'tmakemeexpl ai
nmy sel
f
becausey ouwon' tunderstand.
Lolo:
HadDi digonetoy ourhouse
andyoureject
edherl i
key oudidt
he
fi
rstt
imeshecal l
edI'
dbehappyt o
bewithyoubuty ou'
recomi ngtome
becauseyoucab'tbewi thher,
Br
andon:
Igott
empt
ed.
..
Lol
o:Andi
tjustcostusourf
utur
e.
Brandon:Soyou'
rebasi
cal
l
ymaki nga
bigdecisi
onbasedonemotionsof
fear
?
Lol
o:Cani
thi
nkabouti
t
Brandon: That'
sfi
neandI '
m anopen
book,I'
m will
ingtodoany t
hingj
ustt
o
star
tthingsonacl eanerbase
Lol
o:I
ncl
udi
ngl
ett
ingKenknowwhat
happened?
Br
andon:
Why
?
Lol
o:Don'
tyouowehi
mthat
?
Brandon:I'
m notr
eadytodot hat,
if
Didihasn'
ttol
dhimi can'
t.They'
re
marriedandwhattheydoi sthei
r
business.
Lolo:Soyou'
regoi
ngt
okeepi
ta
secret?
Brandon: I
t'
snotnecessar il
yasecr et
butitdoesn'thavetobeoutt here
eit
her,guysdon'tjustdot hat.Just
becausei becamev ulnerabletoy ou
tel
li
ngt hetruthdoesn'tmeanI 'l
lgo
aroundconf essi
ngt opeoplet hati
smashedmyf r i
end'swi fe.I
fyou
expectmet ot el
lKensohecan
causedr amaordi v orceDidiyou're
notgettingthatf rom me, maybey ou
twoar ereal
lypl ayinggameswi t
h
eachot herandi ft hat'
sthecasei
don'twantpar tofi t.Theonl ythingI
wantf r
om y oui sar el
ati
onshipof
whichifwest artitI'dpreferwebot h
cuttieswithDi diandKenbecause
that
'stheonl ywayt ostopallthese
drama.
Lol
o:But
-
Brandon:
Soyouwanttofi
rebackat
hersoshecanl
oseherhusbandthen
what?Atsomepoi
ntoneofyouhas
tobet hebiggerpersonandwal k
awayandwhoev erchoosestowal k
awayaf terrecei
vingthebiggerpunch
i
st healpha.Don'tyouknowt hat
argui
ngwi thament al
lychal
lenged
personmakesy ouonet oo?because
toaby standerthereain'
tno
dif
ferencejustabunchofpsy chos
fi
ghting.
Lol
o:Iunder
standthatbutdon'
tyou
thi
nkhedeservest
oknowt hetrut
h
aboutt
hewifehehas?
Brandon:Ar
eyoureall
yconcerned
aboutKenoryou'r
esayingitwit
ha
hi
ddenmot i
ve?Doy oureall
ycare
abouthim?Becausethelastihear
d
hesl
eptwi
thyourdaught
erandy
ou
di
dn'
tli
kei
t.

Lol
okeptquietscr
appi
ngoft
henai
l
pol
ishonhernail
s..
.

Brandon:Iknowit
'stempti
ng
becausewhatshedi diswrong-we
werebot hwrongbutcomeon. ..Do
youreall
ywanttogol owerthanher?
Can'tefocusmoreoni mportant
thi
ngslikeMofenyiorus?
Lol
o:I'
l
lhavet
othi
nkaboutt
his,
I'
m
conf
used..
.
Br
andon:
Takey
ourt
ime,
don'
trushi
t
wecanbef ri
endsandev er
ythingel
se
willf
all
intoplaceifweareforeach
otherij
ustdidn'twanttogetintoi
t
withsecretsthatmightmakey ou
doubtmei nthef ut
ure.
Lol
o:Ir
espectt
hat
.

Thebabyst ar
tedcr
yinginsi
dethen
theylookedatoneanotherand
smiled..
.

Lol
o:Hei
scal
l
ingme
Br
andon:
Ihear
dthat
..
.
Hest eppedoutandopenedt hedoor
thenhehel pedhergetoutandclosed
thedoorast heybothlookedatone
another,hegentl
yhuggedherasshe
putherar msaroundhiswaist
hugginghimt henhesteppedback
holdi
ngherhand. .
.

Brandon:I
'l
lgi
vey
ouacal
lwheniget
home, idi
dn'
tgot
owor
ktoday.
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em.
..

Shewal kedi
nthehouseandsmil
ed
athim ashesighedl
ooki
nginher
eyes.
..
Br
andon:
Thanksf
ort
hechat
..
Lol
o:Sur
e..
.By
e

Hegoti
nthecaranddroveofft
hen
shewal
kedbacktothebaby.
..
..

Att
her
est
aur
ant
..
..

Sedi
par kedt
hecarandsteppedout
asRanaanandVivclosedthei
rdoor
s
andfol
lowedheri
nside.

Shesmi
l
edatAat
il
ewhowassi
tt
ing
atthecor
neroft
herest
aurant
readi
nganewspaper
,hi
sfaceli
tup
asheclosedt
henewspaperandput
i
tdown...

Aat
il
e:Heyguy
s
Ranaan:
Heydad
Vi
v:Cani
order
?
Aati
le:
Ialr
eadyor
der
edy
our
fav
ourit
e..
.
Sedi
:Ihopey
ouor
der
edt
her
ightone
forme
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Idi
d..
.
Thewaitressbr
oughtt
hei
ror
der
sand
theybeguneati
ng.
..

Sedi:
Ranaanwast elli
ngmehewant s
toseehismother,gonesal ea
mmony ebogologoloithinkyou
shoulddr
ophim ov erforanhouror
two
Aat
il
e:Kanaweekend,
howi
sthe
weekendRan?
Ran:
Buti
real
l
ymi
ssher
Vi
v:Imi
ssSet
so
Aati
le:
Alr
ight
..
.(t
oher
)Ket
samael
e
bone?
Sedi:
Yeah,you'
l
ldropthem athome
befor
egoingtowork.LeeneLoloI'm
suregaabatemodumoaker esantse
anurserdi
thabi
tsadit
win.
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
Sedi:Iorder
edmyweddi nggown
onli
nef r
om ChinasoI'
m expect
ingit
somet i
mest hi
sweek,ihopetheyget
themeasur ementscor
rect
ly
Aati
l
e:Whataboutmysuit
s?You
knowIsuckwhenitcomestof
ashi
on
Sedi:(
laughed)Don'
tworr
yaboutit
,
i
t'sal
readybeentakencareofij
ust
needtogi v
etheorgani
serdinumber
tsaboCalvinl
eboKat l
o
Aat
il
e:I
'
llf
orwar
dthem.
..
.

Theupdatedoneanotherwhileeati
ng
unti
ltheyweredoneandlaterwalked
outasSedi handedt
hechil
dren
bal
loons,shehuggedAati
leashe
pl
ayfull
ycuppedherroundbottom
andkissedherneck.
..
.

Sedi:
(slappedhishandoffherass)
Stop.
..Seey ouguysl
ater
Aat
il
e:Shap.
.

Sedi
rant
ohercaranddr
oveof
fas
Aat
il
ewal
kedbehi
ndtheki
ds
pr
essi
nghi
sphone.
..

Aati
le:
Um okguy
slet
'sgetinthe
shopandbuymamasomet hingshe
mightli
ke
Ranaan:
Shel
i
keschocol
ate
Viv
:Nope,shelov
esIcecr
eam and
shecaneatiti
nthemorni
ng
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Wewi
l
lal
lbuyher
somethi
ngandseewhi
chsheli
kes
themost.

Theywal
kedi
ntheshopandbumped
onKencar ryi
ngHazelasFai
th
walkedbesidehi
m holdi
ngaplast
ic,
theystoppedandbumpedshoulders
greet
ingoneanother.
..

Ken:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
ed)I
'
m good,
you?
Ken:I
'm al
ri
ght
..(
laughed)you'
refat
l
ifei
streat
ingyouwell,
isn'
tdiv
orce
supposedtomakeonel oseweight?
Aat i
l
e:(laughed)Don'
t
start.
..
(l
aughedagain)Ieathealt
hy
(theybot hl
aughed)andI'
m not
talki
ngaboutwhaty ou'
rethinki
ng
Ken:
(laughed)Idi
dn'
tev
ensay
anythi
ngbuticantel
li
tspartofi
ttoo.
Youshouldpassbychurchoneof
theseSunday
swi t
hyourfamil
y
Aatil
e:Iwast her
ethepastSunday
,
youdidn'tseemebutIsawy ou.
Wifeygoest ochurcht
here
Ken:
Ohi
didn'
tknow,
that
'sgood
Aati
l
e:Kant
eisJanj
ustal
esbianor
shewasbornwit
htwo-
youknow
Ken:(l
aughed)Whydon'tyouask
yourdaughter
?I'
m nottr
yingto
undressmyboyinfrontofhisi
n-l
aws.
Whyar eyouaski
ng?
Aati
l
e:Herbodyr
efusest
obegir
li
sh
andnowadaysi
tsworse,
mal
obake
gonennengkemol ebil
esente..
.Uh
Janngng..
.Got
hekekoduhel ajaaka
haakaredumelangiyoyoy
o...
.(Ken
l
aughed)Ei
shkoduelegaef akekana
Ken:(
laughed)I
t'
sli
femangot aa
twengbutaskAgathaaboutt
hat
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Seey
ouSunday
Ken:
(laughed)Sur
e..
.

Aati
l
ewalkedi
nsi
detheshopwi
tht
he
ki
dsandKengoti
nthecar.
..
.

AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
KamoslidherheaddownBay ang'
s
l
apashepl ayedwit
hherhairwhil
e
theywatchedahorr
ormov i
ethenhe
l
eanedov erandki
ssedherasshe
giggl
ed.

Kamo:(t
urnedt
hevolumeup)St
op,
theki
dsareint
henextroom.
.

Heslidhi
shandi nhert-
shirtand
pl
ayedwithhernippl
east hey
watchedTV.Meanwhi l
eint he
bedroom Br
idgetpl
atedMi ghty'
shai
r
assheadmi r
edherselfhol
di nga
mirr
ormakingfaces..
Mi
ght
y:Il
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..
Br
idget
:I'
mthatgoodbabes.
.

Bri
dget
'sphonerangt
henshepaused
andanswered.
..
.

Br
i:Hel
l
o?
Juni
or:
Heypapaot
eng?
Br
i:Eewhy
?
Juni
or:
Justchecki
ng,
isheonani
ght
shi
ft
?
Br
i:No
Juni
or:Ei
sh,
nekesabat
egot
aear
ly
anywayShap
Br
i:Wher
ear
eyou?
Juni
or:
I'
m att
heBnBwi
thZaneand
AJ
Br
i:Okayshap.
..

Shehungupandcont
inueddoi
ngher
si
ster
'shai
r.
.

Att
hegy
naecol
ogi
st.
..

Lat
erthataf
ternoonOtl
heandher
boyf
ri
endwaitedforthedoct
orbyt
he
chai
rs,herboy
fri
endlookedather
worri
edfaceandleanedoverki
ssi
ng
hercheek.…

Him:(
whi
spered)Youl
ookugl
ywhen
youar
eworr
ied..

Sheturnedhereyesandl
aughed
bl
ushingthenherphoner
ang..
.

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o
Didi:
Hi,imissedy
ourcal
l
.Iwas
doinglaundry
Ot
lhe:
Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ouabout
Ken,
wet
alkedl
astni
ghtand-
Didi
:Him andi t
alked,
wehada
misunder
st andi
ngandIlef
t.Iwasat
mymot her'shouseandhealmost
l
osthismi ndthi
nkingiwasout
cheati
ng.
Otl
he:UhuOK.( laughed)Wai t
se
Ofanawagor ata,kanaoneal e
str
essedgorelennaket enegi
leker
e
bathoDidi
.Justwheni t
houghtwe
werestart
ingtogetalongshedoes
thi
s.
Di
di:
(laughed)Wai
iwesol
vedi
t.
..
Otl
he:Ok,I
'
m atwomen'
s
cl
i
nic.
..
(st
oodup)Mmeketsene
Di
di:
(smi
l
ed)Pr
egnant
?
Ot
lhe:
Iwi
sh.
..
Di
di:
Ver
ysoon
Otlhe:Verysoonwaengnemmake
l
emot ona,aker
ejaanongkel
eti
l
e
menopauseany t
ime.Ihopey
our
fr
iendknowshowmuchshechanged
myl if
e.
Di
di:
Don'
tl
osehope.
..
Ot
lhe:
Yeah,
bye

Shehungupandwalkedi
nasher
boyf
ri
endcar
ri
edherhandbag.
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronAat i
l
epar kedt hecarand
noticedt hebaby'sclothesandsheet s
ont hel i
nethenheknockedont he
door ,Setsoopenedandhuggedhi m
excitedlyasher ubbedherheadt hen
shej oinedother
satt hedoort alki
ng
excitedly,Aat
il
eheadedst r
aightto
thebedr oom wher eMof enyiwas
cryi
ng. ..

Hestoodatthedoorandstaredas
Lol
obreast
fed,Lol
o'
sheartjumped
whenshelookedupathim...
Aat
il
e:What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Lol
o:Wi
thwhat
?
Aat
il
e:It
houghtwel
ostt
heki
ds?
Lol
o:Wedi
d,i
adopt
edt
hisone
Aat
il
e;Don'
tdot
hatI
'
m ser
ious
Lol
o:Ihadt
ri
plet
sandt
heboy
sur
viv
ed
Aati
le:
Sohowlongwereyougoi
ngt
o
keepmysonawayfrom me?
Lolo:(
laughed)You'
resopredi
ctabl
e,
"yourson"?Theoneyoutri
edtokill
?I
knowy oudruggedme
Hesl
owlysatont
hechai
randl
ooked
i
nherey
es..
.

Lol
o:Yeahsitdownandt hi
nkofa
goodexcuseforput
tingabort
ionpi
ll
s
i
nmyf oodandv agi
na.Ifoundout
Aati
le:Idi
dn'
twantcompl i
cati
onsbut
obvi
ouslyimadeami stake,i
didn'
t
thi
nkItwasthatgrowni meany ou
hadanabor t
ionbefor
eand-
Lolo:
Ther ewon'tbecomplicat
ions
anymore,I'
m notaskingforchi
ld
support
.I'
llst
rugglewit
hhim, when
am iget
tingmyshar e?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
hebuy
er.
Therewasanawkwar dmoment
whichwasi nter
rupt
edbyRanaan
runningintheroom al
moststeppi
ng
onthebabyasAat i
l
equickl
ypull
ed
him back..
..

Aat
il
e:Wat
chout
!
Ranaan:
Ist
hatababy
?Yougota
babymama?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Yes
Ranaan:
Iwantaboy
,isi
taboy
?
Lol
o:Si
tdownandt
akehi
m..
.
Hesatdownt henLolohandedhi
m
thebabyashesmi l
ed.Lol
oand
Aati
legl
ancedatoneanotherandran
outofwords.
..

Aati
le:
Sot
hepi
ctur
eyousentwas
real
?
Lol
o:Whatdoyoumean?Ofcour
sei
t
was,whatdi
dyout
hink?
Aati
le:It
houghtyougoti tfr
om t he
Int
ernetbecausetheywer esleeping
peaceful
lywrappedinwhi t
esheet s
andallgrownup,thereisnowayt hat
wasa7mont hsthingy.
..
Loloopenedthefolderoftheir
pict
uresandhandedhi m herphone
thenhelookedatthescreenashi s
facefel
ldown,herubbedhi sli
psand
restedhi
sjawonhi sarmst henhe
stoodupandwalkedout side.
..
.

Hesatinthecarfor20mi nut
es
star
ingatthepict
uresandlai
dback
coveri
nghisfaceindisbel
i
ef.
..

Aat
il
e:Ohno.
..
.

Brandon'scal
lcamet hr
oughthen
Aati
lestaredatthecall
erpi
ctry
ingt
o
rememberwherehesawt heguythen
hesteppedoutandwenti
nside
wherehehandedherthephone.
..

Lolo: Hell
o? .
..
.(bl
ushed)Hey ...
.I'
m
good. ..(
laughed)Don'tstart
...Um...
Cani cal
l youback?Ihav evisit
orsba
tsil
egobonaMof eny i
..
.(l
aughed)
No....No...
fine.
..(
laughed)Kgm. ..Go
siamer r
agweMof enyi(t
heybot h
l
aughed)Mxm wat senwa,yoogo
l
oi l
engosul e..
.

ShehungupasAat
il
est
aredather
..
..
Aati
le:Orat
adiext
sagaDidi
the,
kantewenagankeobat
iwahelaha
olenosi
?
Lol
o:What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?
Aatil
e: Ioncehadaconf rontation
witht hi
sguyaboutDi diamodr opper
phakel akoGabor one.Ididn'
tf orget
hisface.Whoi snextBay ang?Oh
wait-heisnoti nterest
ediny ou.Ibet
i
fhewashewoul dhavebeent hef ir
st
persony outook, l
et'
snotf orgett hat
thereasony ouhat edyourown
daught erwasr eallybecauseshe
sleptwi t
hKenbef oreyoucoul d.Yeah
iknewabouti tbecausei observ ed
youwhenev ery ouwer etalki
ngt oKen,
y
ou'
repat
het
ic.
..
.
Lol
o:Wear
enotdat
ing
Aati
le:
Youdon'thavet
oconv
inceme
orexpl
ainy
ourself
Lolo:
Kooreobatagontshul
agal
etsa
rel
ati
onshi
py amehel
akatshel
e,you
almostsoundli
keawoman
Aatil
e:Iwaspoi nt
ingouttheobvious,
oratadi extsatsalayagago.Ify
ou
wereguy sI'
dsayDi diogophasetsa
bannal i
kemendobutt henknowing
womeny ou'
rejuststeal
ingthem,isn'
t
i
tther easonyoubot hhateeach
other?
Lol
o:Mxm t
otaobuaenghapel
ega
ngwana.
..
Aati
l
e:I'
m disappoint
ed,inmymind
youweregoingt omov eonwitht
his
myster
iousrichhunkthathasan18
i
nchdickthatdragsont hefl
oor
wheneverhewal ks.
Lol
o:Obuaj
eal
oushel
a..
.
Aati
l
e:Wheny oudumpsomeone
you'
resupposedtoupgr
ade,
get
somethi
ngbetter
Lol
o:SoSedi
keupgr
ade?
Aati
le:Exactl
y,sheishalfyourage,
twi
cebeaut if
ul.Submissiveand
appreciat
ive.
..
independenceand
fi
nanciall
ystablewithoutpri
de.
..
Mostofal lherwal l
sar estil
lintact
wagr i
perandshesqui rts,i
magi ne
mysur pri
sewheni learnticoul d
makeawomangush.Shedoesn' t
evenhav ethemostannoy i
ngpussy
fartsyouhav e,that'sonet hingi
want edt otellyouabout .Pussyf arts
gonal etsedi normal andt hey
happenoccasi onall
y ,
theyhappen
becausey esai raccident al
lyrushes
i
nt herebutt hent herearet hoset hat
happent owor noutv aginas...I
tcoul d
bef rom at raumat icchildbirthgone
wr ongorj ustdi f
ferentshapesofbi g
dicksdi ggingint herewhat ev erthe
caseav aginast retchesandi tri
ches
apoi ntoft i
rednessjustlikear ubber
band. .
..
somev aginasarehugeand
yoursiswaybi gger.Iwaswat ching
thatv i
deoagai nandnot icedleene
Mogapi onear epabecausey our
vaginawasj ustanopenwhol ewhi le
hekeptsl idinginandout , ial
way s
wonder edwhyhequi ckl
yapol ogised.
I
twasn' twor t
hlosinghisf amilyover.
Lol
o:(
tear
ful
l
y)Ineedy
out
oleav
e..
.
Aati
le:(st
ood)Callmeifthebaby
needssomet hi
ng..
..
I'
l
lgetthekids
l
ater.Iknowitsahardpillt
oswall
ow
butialsoheardsomethingabout
kegelexerci
ses,
itmighthelpyouget
yourgripon.
HewalkedoutthenLol
ostar
edat
Br
andon'sphot
oandsighed.
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..

Didi
fini
shedpr
epar
ingdinnerand
pl
acedt hef
oodonthetabledi
ali
ng
Zane..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
Hi,
whatt
imewi
l
lyoubehome?
Zane:Ver
ylat
e,it
hink11pm..
.Wear
e
hel
pingJansetupthebarst
age,
she
want
stost
arti
nvit
ingpoet
sandjazz
ar
ti
stst
oenter
tai
ntheguests.
Di
di:
Okay
,shap.
..

Shedial
edKenasshel eanedonthe
mir
rorfi
xingherli
psti
ckcateyeli
ner
andrubbedherli
pstogetherev
enly
spr
eadingtheli
psti
ck..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Didi
:Hey,howfarnebat
hong?The
foodisr
eady..
.
Ken:
Wewi
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e..
.
Di
di:
Bye.
..
Shehungupandf ixedthei
rbedr
oom
putt
ingcandl
esbyt hebedandlayi
ng
herl
inger
ieacrossthebed.…

Ont
her
oad.
..
.

MeanwhileKenputt hephonedown
andsloweddownatt heZebra
crossi
ngasKedi bonyeslowly
crossedtheroadholdingaplastic
thenKenpulledoverandr ol
l
eddown
thewindownextt oher.Shegrinned
putti
ngherhandov erherforehead
try
ingtorecogni
sehim. .
.
Ken:
Dumel
ang.
..
Kedi
bonye:
Dumel
angwanaka,
le
mphali
ft
?
Ken:
Eear
eye.
.

Fai
thjumpedtot hebackthenshe
gotinthefr
ontandclosedthedoor
putt
inghersugaronthelap..
.

Ken:Cany
our
ecogni
seme?I
t'
s
Kenna
Kedibonye:
Idi
dn't
,ihav
eey
e
problemsnowadays
Ken:
Didi
didn'
ttel
lmet
hat
Kedibonye:Idoubtsheknows,i
haven'tseenherinyear
s.Iwonderi
f
sheev erremembersme
Ken:
Wasn'
tsheaty
ourhousel
ast
ni
ght?
Kedi
bony
e:Ihav
en'
tseenher
Ken:
Okay
..
.Fai
tht
hisi
sgr
andma
Fai
th:
Hel
l
o
Hazel
:Whosegr
andma?
Ken:
Yourgr
andma
Hazel
:Idi
dn'
tknowi
hav
eagr
andma
Kedi
bony
e:Hel
l
o..
Kendr
oppedherhome.
..

AtOt
lhe'
shouse.
..
.

LateronKenparkedt
hecarand
openedthedoorfort
hegi
rl
s..
.

Ken:Al
ri
ghtguys,
I'
ll
comegety
oui
n
afewhoursokay?
Fai
th:
Okay
..
.

Otl
hesteppedoutofthehouseasthe
gi
rl
srantowardsthehousethenshe
waved.
..
Ot
lhe:
Hi

Hedi
dn'
trespondandinst
eadrol
l
ed
upt
hewindowsdriv
ingout.
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse

Mi nuteslat
erhej umpedoutoft he
carandsl ammedt hedoorthenhe
wal kedtowardsthehousepul li
ng
backt hesleevesoft-shi
rt
,heopened
thedoorandwal kedinasshewas
placingtheglassesont hedinner
t
abl
e.

Ken:Oi
thaaor
eont
waet
seDi
di
aker
e?

Shepausedl ooki
ngathisf aceashe
pacedov erandherheartskippedas
shest aggeredbackholdingt wo
glassest oherchest,hewascomi ng
strai
ghtf orherandshedr oppedthe
glassescur l
inghersel
font hecorner
screami ng..
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
26AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 155

AtBr
andon'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatev
eningKenknockedon
thedoorandsteppedbackfoldi
ng
thesleevesofhissweat
er,t
hedoor
openedandRandal lsmi
led.
..
Randal
l
:UhKenwar
eng?
Ken:
Branokae?

Randallt
urnedbackasBr andon
steppedoutoft heki
tchensuppi
ng
outofcoffeemug, Kenrushedinand
smackedt hecuponhi sfacespi
ll
ing
theteaalloverhim,heswungback
andpunchedhi m onthejaw.

Brandonmissedastepandfel
l
backwardsknocki
ngthetr
ashcanin
thekit
chenandKensteppedonhis
thr
oatbeforehecoul
dgainstr
engt
h
togetup..
Randal
l
:(runni
ngov
er)Heyheyhey
!
Guysguys!

Randal
lhurr
iedinthekitchenbutKen
snat
chedakni f
efrom theknif
eblock
onthecounterandpointedathim..
..

Ken:(angri
ly
)Getthefuckout!Get
outandy eahcal
lthepoli
ceandsee
whatI'l
ldotoyou

Kenexer
tedhi
sbodywei
ghtonhis
neckst
il
lst
eppi
ngonhi
sthroatas
Brandoncoughedchoki
ngandhel
d
Ken'sl
egtappinghi
m...

Ken:Yousl
eptwi
thmemywi
fe!
Threeti
mes?

Justt hi
nkingabouti
tgothim al
l
wor kedupagainandst ompedonhim,
Brandonmanagedt ogetupand
punchedhi m onthefacethenKen
droppedt heknif
eandf ol
dedhisfi
st
bi
tinghislowerlipandpunchedhim
ont hemout h.

Br
andoncov
eredhi
smout
hleani
ng
overthenhegrabbedhim byt
he
coll
arsandpushedhim agai
nstt
he
stoveasthepotsfel
ldownspil
li
ng
l
eftoverf
ood.

Ken:
Yousl
eptwi
thmywi
fe?
Brandon:
Ididn'
tsl
eepwi
thher
,
nothi
nghappened!
!

Brandongrabbedapanandhi thi
m
ontheheadt hendippedhisheadin
thesinkful
lofsoapywat erashe
str
uggledtopulloutdrowning.
.
Randall
rushedinandpul l
edKen
backbuthepushedhi m offand
ki
ckedhim ontheprivat
esashe
sl
owlybentdowngr abbinghis
packagewithawidegr i
nonhi sface.
..

Ken:
(angr
il
y)Don'
ttouchme!

Brandongri
ppedoffandsli
ppedon
thesoapyfl
oorfal
li
ngdownashis
bloodcol
ouredthewater
..
.

Ken:Howdareyousl
eepwi
thmy
wif
e!Lookatme!
Br
andon:(herubbeddownthefoam
wi
thbloodyandslimymucus)Ididn'
t
sl
eepwithher.
.Loloi
slyi
ng
Ken:(l
augheddefeat
ed)Soshe
knowstoo?I'
mt heonlyf
ool
ish
around-
boyI'
ll
..
.

Heki ckedhim ont hef acethenhe

noticedRandal lwasdi ali
ngonhi s
phoneandt urnedov ertohim.
Randal lqui
cklyputitont hefloorand
steppedbackr ai
singhi shandsin
surrender..
..

Randal
l
:Sor
ry.
..
Ken:(
glar
ingathi
m)Ot
aany
ela
Randal
lwankutwa?
Randall
:(swall
owedraisi
nghi
sey
es)
Idi
dn'tcall
..
.I'
m sor
ry

Thedoorclosedbehi ndthem then

Kent ur
nedandki ckeditbefor
ehe
couldturnthekey,thedoorhithim on
thefaceandhef ellonhisback
putti
nghisarmsov erhi
sfaceashe
l
aidonhi sbackint hemiddl
eofa
bloodysoapywat er..

Ken:
Brandonot
aany
elakanaai
ts?
Br
andon:
(handsov
erhi
sface)Kego
ut
ulemr
..
.Kegout
ule
Ken:(
rai
sedoneeyebr
owpointi
ng
downathim)Otaanyel
alai
teakaa
utwa?
Br
andon:
Kegout
ulemrt
samaa.
..
Ken:
Otaany
elasaan.
..
Brandon:Kar
ekegout
uleaker
eo
batakereng?
Ken: (
ti
lt
edhi
sheadsti
l
l poi
nti
ngat
him)Themnaot ogonyelaoska
cleimagomphelel
apel
oosenago
robalamosadiwam,otaanylakana
aits?
Brandonkeptquietstil
lpr
otect
inghi
s
facelayi
ngonapool ofbl
oodasKen
stoodoverhim wait
ingforhimtosay
somet hi
ng.
..

Ken:
Nxl
a!Ot
aany
la.
..

Hesteppedbackandi nt
enti
onal
l
y
ti
ppedthespoonholderonthe
count
erdroppingal
lthespoons,
for
ksandkitchenkni
vesonhi m.
..

Ken:
Pieceofshi
t!Nx
la.
..
Hespatont hef
loorandwalkedpast
Randallwhowasst andi
ngbythe
doorfearf
ull
ywatching.

Assoonashesteppedoutthemain
doorRandal
ll
ockedthedoorand
hurr
iedbackt
ohisbi
gbr ot
her.
..
.

AtOt
lhe'
shouse.
..
..
.

Lateronaround7pm Kenparkedthe
caroutsi
deandpulledtheseatback
thenhegrabbedapl ast
icf
rom the
pharmacyandbandagedhi shand
thenheleanedoverthemirr
orand
car
eful
lyputaplast
eront
hesi
deof
hi
sforehead.
..
.

Thedooropenedandthegirl
s
j
umpedinthecar,hequi
cklyhidthe
phar
macyplasti
cundertheseatand
swit
chedonadaddysmi l
e..
.

Ken:Hey.
..Guy
syouhav
eto
sl
eepover
Fai
th:
(whined)What
?Aunt
iedoesn'
t
hav
eWi Fi
Ken:Yeahbutyoucanwat
chDSTV,
i
broughtt
hedecoder
Hazel
:Iwantmama

Kenthought
ful
l
ylookedatt
hem and
smil
ed..
.

Ken:Hazel mommyi sveryverytir

ed
andtonightshej ustwantstorestso
wehav etobeni ceandl ethersl
eep
wit
houtdisturbingher.Just1ni ght.
..
Okaybaby ?Ifyouguy sbehave
tomorr
owI 'mt akingyoutothemal l
andyoucanpi ckwhateveryouwant
Fai
th:(
smiledasherey
esl
i
t)
Anythi
ng?
Ken:
(smi
l
ed)Any
thi
ng
Hazel
:(l
aughed)Youpr
omi
se?
Ken:(Crossedhi sheartsmili
ng)
Crossmyhear t.
..Comeonl et'
sgo..
.I
gotyouguy sy ourteddiesandother
s.
Iknowy oulikeWi nniethePooh
Fait
h..
.
Hazel
:Di
dyoubr
ingmyscoobydoo?
Ken:
Yesi
broughthi
m..
.

Hesteppedoutandhungt hei
r
backpackonhisshoul
derthenheput
hi
sbandagedhandi nhispocketand
hewalkedthem backtothehouse
butheoptedtostandoutsi
deinstead
ofwalki
ngintheli
ght.
.
Ken:
Otl
he?

Shewal
kedoutwi
tht
hei
rfoodi
na
l
unchbox.
..

Ken:Ican'
ttakethem,
doyoumi
nd
watchi
ngthem forani
ght
?
Ot
lhe:
Idon'
tmi
nd,
theybr
ingl
i
feher
e
Ken:
Thanks
Otl
he:(l
ooki
ngatt
hepl
ast
er)What
happened?
Ken:
Ihi
tthedoort
ryi
ngtoti
ghten
somescr
ewsintheki
tchen,
Didiandi
wantt
ohav
eyouknow.
..Aqui
ett
ime
Ot
lhe:
Itot
all
yunder
stand,
don'
twor
ry
Ken:
Shap.
..

Hetur
nedbackanddr
oveof
fdi
ali
ng
Zane.
..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Sti
l
lwor
kingont
hest
ageboar
ds?
Zane:Yeah,Janisgoingtohavet
o
payusmor e.Diboardtsatengdi
boket
e
Ken:
(laughed)You'
llsur
viv
e,di
ra
madior ekemetset
so
Zane:(
laughed)Jani
staki
ng
advant
ageofmyneeds
Ken:(l
aughed)Olalegonekoo
monnakebat agoneelamosadi
wameat t
ention,y
oursist
ersare
spendi
ngani ghtwit
hAuntOtlhe
Zane:
Omoneel eatt
ent
ionle
kamosogape,
infact3days.
..
Ken:Kanammei
tlooksI
'
llneedbone
bothreeday
s
Zane:
Forr
eal
?
Ken:
Akooskadi
rangwanay
o
mongweZane
Zane:Aepapaabooreng?I'
l
ljustbe
chi
ll
ingwi
thJuni
or,
wewat chthe
pastgamestsaboJor danand
compareletherecentplayer
s,pl
us
rej
afreeatt
hebr aaistand
Ken:Great,
stayt
her
e.I
fyouneed
anyt
hingletmeknow
Zane:Shi
t-
imeanGod!I
'l
lneedt
o
comegetmyt oot
hbr
ushesand
char
ger.
Ken:Sendt
hel
i
standI
'
lldr
opt
hem
off
Zane:
Cool

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Aati
leparkedoutsi
deandst epped
outasthekidsrantothecarbuthe
walkedpastthem get
ti
ngint he
house,Lolol
aiddownf aci
ngt hewal
l
pret
endingtobesleepi
ng..
.

Ali
tt
leov eraminut
ehewalkedin
andglancedatherasshesl
ept.
..

Aat
il
e:Lol
o?Lol
o?
Lol
o:(
"sl
eepy
")Mhhh?
Aat
il
e:Ket
ser
ebana
Lol
o:Mhh.
..
.

Hedelayedholdi
ngt hedoorknob
hopingshewouldgetupsohecan
seatandmaybet alkbutsheseemed
tobeexhausted.Hewal kedi
nand
putP500undert heMofenyi'
spil
l
ow.
..

Aat
il
e:(
gent
lyshookher
)Lol
o?
Lol
o:(
"sl
eepy
")Mmht
heh.
..Hei
sh.
..
Aati
le:
Therearesomenot
esunder
thebaby'
spil
l
ow
Lol
o:Mhh
Heslowlygotupandcl osedt hedoor
walki
ngoutbutLol owaiteduntil
he
droveoffandturnedaroundtocount
thenotes.Herphonerang...

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Brandon:Soyoudeci
dedt
otell
Ken
whathappenedbecausei
ref
usedt
o
tel
lhim mysel
f?
Lol
o:Whatar
etal
kingabout
?I
hav
en'
ttal
kedtoKennaabout
any
thi
ng.
Br
andon:
Ehe,
goShap
Lol
o:No,
wai
t.
..Di
dhet
alkt
oyou?
Brandon:
Heatt
ackedme, r
ightnow
I
'm onmywayfrom thecl
i
nic
becauseIwasr
eall
ybad
Lol
o:What
?Howi
sDi
di?
Br
andon:Idon'
tknowbutI
'
m sor
ryi
f
i
tdidn'
tcomefrom y
ou
Lolo:
Itwasn'
tfr
om me,
howbadar
e
you?
Brandon: Notthatbad,
I'
ll
probabl
ybe
worset omor r
owwhenIwakeup, the
confrontati
onwasser i
ous
Lol
o:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
orepor
t?
Brandon:Ican't
,kgangkekaewina
kopolicebutkokerekengekankwel
a
anditwill
affectmorepeopl
e
becauseiti
nvolv
esmyfatherand
thentheshameitwil
lbr
ingonthe
wholefamil
y.It
snotworthi
t
Lol
o:Soi
twasr
eal
l
yser
ious?
Br
andon:
Itwasbad
Lol
o:Iwonderifthatwit
chisokay,
Whatifshei
sinjured?Kanalehao
bonaalowajaanagaai t
segoitwel
a
kesel
ohelasebet swaseithi
bil
e
matho.
Br
andon:
(laughed)Whydoy
oucar
e?
Lolo:
(laughed)Mxm Idon'
tcar
e,ke
raahela
Brandon:
May
behedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng
toher.
Lol
o:Heoncecl osedherinthe
wardr
obefor4day sknowingsheis
cl
austr
ophobic,hedidn'
tcareand
shehadtogot othehospital
.Ken
canbeheart
less
Br
andon:Idon'
twantanythi
ngtodo
wi
ththem,forpeacesakelewena
st
ayaway
Lol
o:Idon'
tcar
e,ot
aai
pona.
Br
andon:
I'
ll
cal
lyoubef
oresl
eepi
ng.
Lol
o:By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghedworr
iedl
y
thoughshev
owednott
oleti
tbother
her.
..
..
AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Calvi
nwal keddownt hestai
rs
hurr
yingtot heemer gencyroom as
youngnursef oll
owedhi m.Hepul l
ed
thecurt
ainsandwal kedinasa
pati
entgrunt edont hebedt henhe
putonthegl ov esandgl ancedatthe
oldpati
ent'scar d..
..

Car
l:Mor
apedi
?
Morapedi:(
grunting)myjoi
nsare
pai
nfuldoctor
...They'
reswol
len.
.
Justl
ook..
..Pleasehelp.
..
Calv
inexaminedhi
m andstepped
backpi
ckingthemedi
calcard.
..

Cal
vi
n:Wher
eismypen?

Thenursequickl
yhandedi
ttohi
m
thenhescr
ibbledonthemedi
cal
card.
..

Calvi
n:I'
veexaminedyouandi
suspectart
hri
ti
sbutI'
m sendi
ngyou
forXrayandtheywil
lalsodr
awyour
bloodsowecanmakeapr oper
diagnosi
s..
.Transl
atef
orhi
mithel
a
kesaitsegoregatwekaSet
swanake
reng

Thenur setr
ansl
atedtoSetswanaas
Calvi
n'sphonevibrat
edthenhe
steppedoutint
ot henextempty
secti
on. .
.

Cal
vi
n:(
lower
edt
hev
oice)Hel
l
o?
Ken:
Hii
tsKenna
Cal
vi
n:Hel
l
ouncl
e
Ken:
Ineedy
ourhel
p,ar
eyoubusy
?
Cal
vi
n:Yes,
kekoemer
gency
,what
hel
pdoy
ouneed?
Ken:Ihav esomeoneathomewhoi s
notf
eelingwel l
,i
t'
simport
antand
youwon' tbelong.Doct
orshave
medicalbagsr i
ght?
Cal
vi
n:Yes,
ihav
eone
Ken:
Cany
ouhur
ryup?
Calv
in:I
sitoneoft
hekids?Why
osatekwanohel
aincaseineedany
equi
pmenthere?
Ken:
Please
Calvi
n:Okay,
I'
ll
bethereinafew
minutes.Bat
sil
egosalabaomana
gotwengakaony el
elet
sekae
Ken:Balesebafol
eleronar
ethol
are
fol
amont segotwengakaodul
e
gaayoresait
segoreoil
ekae
Cal
vi
n:(
laughed)Ot
anf
ayar
isa
Ken:
Hur
ry

Hehungupandpushedt
hecur
tai
ns
asi
dewal
kingout
..

Att
heBnB.
..
.

Meanwhil
ehehungupthephoneand
Zaneopenedt
hecardoor
,grabbed
hi
sbackpackt
henhepull
edthe
l
apt
opandt
hechar
ger
..
.

Zane:
Ket
sey
elapt
opaker
e?
Ken:
Yeaht
hat
'swhyi
broughti
t
Zane:
Whathappenedt
oyourhand?
Ken:(pausedbeforeanswer
ing)i
twi
stedmywr istli
ft
ingheav
yboxes
attheoffi
ce
Zane:
Ok

Therewassomet hi
ngoffabouthi
s
fatherthoughhecouldn'
tqui
teput
hisfingeronitt
henheclosedthe
doorandhungt hebagst r
aponhis
shoul
der
..
.

Zane:
Goodni
ght
Ken:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Herever
sedanddroveoffasZane
fr
ownedconfusedl
ynot
icingt
he
pl
aster
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronCalvi
nparkednextt
oKen's
carandsteppedoutwit
hhismedical
bag,Kenopenedandwai t
edforhi
m
atthedoorasCar l
walkedover
carry
ingthestet
hoscopewit
hthe
otherhand.
..

Ken:
Thanksf
orcomi
ng
Car
l:Nopr
obl
em
Ken:Doyourespectthepat
ient
-
doct
orconfi
denti
ali
ty?
Car
l:Yes,
why
?
Ken:
Mywifeandihadali
ttl
e
ar
gumentandshegothur
t
Car
l:Ok.
..
Ken:
Thi
sway
..
.
Heopenedthebedroom andCal
vi
n
fr
ozeatthedoort
henlookedbackat
Kenincomplet
eshock..

Ken:
Cany
ouhel
pher
?
Cal
vin:
Sheneedst
hehospi
tal
,ican'
t
hel
pher
Ken:
What'sthehospi
tal
-Fourwal
l
s?
Canyouhelpher
?
Calv
in:Sheneedstobei ntheat
reto
fi
xthis,t
heatr
eisnotjustanyroom
i
t'
sanoper ati
onroom withevery
si
ngletoolneededtocarryout
operati
ons-
.
Ken:
Howmuchi
stohel
pher
..
..
Ar
en'
tyouadoct
or?
Cal
vi
n:I
'
m adoct
ornotami
racl
e
wor
ker
Ken:
Justdowhaty
oucan.
..

Calv
inshookhi
sheadandchecked
herpul
sethenheputhi
smedi cal
downandputonthegloves.
..

Att
heBnB.
..
..

Latert
hatnightatbedt
imeZanegot
i
nbedst i
ll
wonder i
ngabouthi
s
fat
her'
sinj
urythenhecall
edhi
s
mot
herj
ustt
ocheckonher
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Zane:
Cani
tal
ktomama?
Ken:Shejustwentt
obed,
cal
li
nthe
morning
Zane:
Okay

Hehungupandsi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
y..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronKensi
ghedandshookhands
wi
thCal
vi
n..
.

Calvin:Ireall
ywi shy oucoul dl i
sten
tome, shewon' tbebr eat hingi nthe
mor ningbecauseshewi llbeswol l
en
thannow, igaveherant ibioticsbut
thedosesar ewayt ol essbecause
that'
sal lihave.Shel ookspal e,ihave
tocheckherHB, from aphy sical
exam hel ashel ostal otofbl ood...
Thatar m needanxr ay -shemi ght
alsobebl eedingi nternal lyand-
Ken:Thanks,
I'
ll
cal
lyoui
fineed
anyt
hing.
Cal
vi
n:Thatey
ecanbef
ixedi
f-
Ken:
Cal
vi
ngoodni
ght

Calv
ingotinthecarandlookedat
hi
m hopingtohearachangeofheart
buthewasstill
coldasice.
..

Ken:
Thanks
Cal
vi
n:Ok

Hedr ov
eof ft
henKencl osedt
he
doorandlocked,hesighedand
walkedacrosstheroom tothe
bedroom t
henanothercarparked
outsi
de.
Hemov edthecur
tai
nsandfrowned
asZanesteppedoutofJan'
scar.

Heknockedt
henKenopenedt
he
door
..
.

Zane:Iwantmyheadphonesi
nthe
bedroom
Ken:
Wai
tther
e,I
'
llbr
ingt
hem
Zane:(
wal
ki
ngi
n)I
t'
sokay
,I'
l
lget
them
Ken:
(bl
ockedhi
m)I
'
llbr
ingt
hem.
Zane:
Kebat
agobonamama,
okae?
Whyar
eyoui
njur
ed
Ken:
Youneedt
oleav
e
Zane:
I'
m notl
eav
ingunt
ilI
'
veseen
her
Ken:
Osekawanchanset
saZane
Zane:Moveasi
de,
iwanttoseeher
orel
seI'
m cal
li
ngt
hepoli
ce.
.
Ken:
Arey
out
hreat
eni
ngme?

Heangril
ygrabbedhi
m bytheback
ofhisneckdraggi
nghi
mt othecar
butZanepushedhishandawayand
tr
iedtopushhim,Kenpushedhim
wayharder,
sohardhehithisback
agai
nstcarandhur
thi
sel
bows.
..

Ken:
Kar
etsamay
a..
.

Zaneangr i
l
ygotbackinthecarand
slammedt hedoorl
ookingathi
s
father
..
..

Zane:(
tear
ful
l
y)Whatdi
dyoudot
o
her?
Ken:
Youwouldn'
tunder
stand,l
eave
andihopet
hisst
aysint
hef ami
ly.
.
Zane:Makemeunderst
andbecause
I
'm scar
ed!AndI
'
m notl
eavi
nguntil
i
seeher
..
..
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
26AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 156

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Ken:Zane?Iwantyoutol
ookmei n
theeyesandunderst
andsomethi
ng..
.
(Zanelookedathi
m)Whathappens
betweenmywi f
eandi i
snoneofy our
business,ify oufeel l
ikey ou'rean
adult-
agr ownmant heny ouhav eto
l
eav emyhousedoy ouunder stand?I
shouldhav ekickedy ououtt he
minutey ougott hatgirlpregnant
becausenowt hattoLai layou' r
ea
many outhinky oucanquest ionmy
authorit
yinmyhouse.I 'l
lbr eaky our
neck,doy ouunder standme?Your
mot herisf i
ne,gosl eep.You' llcallher
i
nt hemor ning..
.

Zanesighedthoughtf
ull
y,heknewhis
fat
hermeantev er
ywor dhesaidbut
hesti
ll
couldn'tpi
ctur
ethecondit
ion
hi
smot
hermi
ghthav
ebeeni
nfor
hi
mtohav
ehur
thisf
ist
.

Zane:(cal
mly)I
'
m sor
ry.
..Caniat
l
easttalktoher
?Eveni
fitsovert
he
phone?
Ken:
Okay
,wai
tther
e..
.

HewalkedbackinthehouseasZane
wai
tedinthecart
henhisphone
r
ang..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
(bar
elyaudi
ble)Zanego,
I'
ll
cal
l
t
omor
row.
Zane:
Arey
ouOK?
Di
di:Yes,
I'
mfi
nemyboy
.Go,
ket
aa
l
etsakamoso.
Zane:
Arey
ousur
e?
Didi
:Yourfatherandiobviousl
yhada
fi
ghtbutwear eworki
ngoni t
pri
vatel
y,don'tshar
ethiswithany
one.
Zane:
Ok,
goodni
ght
Ken:
Goodni
ght

Hehungupandr
eluct
ant
lydr
ove
of
f.
..
.
I
nthebedr
oom.
..
..

Kenthr
ewoffthephoneandcr awled
onthebedwit
har ope,het
urnedDi di
downonhertummyt henhesaton
herbut
tandti
edherhandsbehi nd
herashert
earswetthepil
l
ow...

Didi
:Kenst
op.
..Pl
easebabeI
'
m
sorr
y..
.

Heti
edherti
ght
lyandroll
edherov er
asshel
ookedathim al
lbruisedt
hen
heti
edherG-
str
ingaroundhermout h
l
eavi
nghermouthopenwi thaknotat
t
heback.
.

Hepickedherupandhungheronhi
s
shoul
derwalki
ngoutnudewit
hher
hai
rwiggli
ngdown.

Heplacedheronthedi
nnert
abl
eand
pushedallt
hechai
rsawayasDi
di'
s
tear
sroll
eddown..
..

Hestoodbythetabl
eandshovedhis
dii
nherpuashereyeswidenedthen
heslappedherbr
eandtwi
stedher
ni
..
.
Ken:(panti
ng)Isthi
swhaty ouwant
bch?Uh...We'v
egott hewholenight
andtomor r
owt henadayafter,
when
I'
m donewi t
hyouy ou'l
lbeapastor'
s
wife.
..

Helif
tedherbutandslidthenhe
whippedherbinwithhisheavydas
shefrownedfli
nchi
ng.Hegr abbed
herbythehairandpull
edherdown
thenshesli
ppedandf el
lonherf ace
hit
ti
ngthefl
oorwi t
hhandst i
edon
theback.
Heyankedherupturni
ngherf
aceup
andl
eanedoverpull
i
ngoutthegag
l
ooki
nginhereyes.
..

Ken:You'
reMrsDaniel
s-y
ougotme?
Youdon'tgett
ouchedbyany
one
exceptme..
.

Heshov edhisddownhert hr
oatand
dri
ll
edasshegaggedt earf
ull
yand
spl
ashedoutv omitt
henhepul l
edout
watchingherassheleaneddown
thr
owingupt hr
oughhermout hand
nose..
.
Ken: Yeahthrowup,kegokgwisa
bofebeaut w..
.I
'
m cl
eani
ngy our
system, openyourmouth.
..

Sheclosedhermout handheslapped
herloudl
yleavi
ngahandprintonher
cheekthensheopenedhermout h
wide,hesli
dital
lthewaydownher
thr
oatandpushedherheadov erhis
dasshehel pl
essl
yranoutofairwith
herhandsbehindherback.
..

Vomitleaneddownhisbol
zandout
hernostri
l
sthenhepull
edoutasshe
gushedoutvomitandcoughed
endl
essl
y.
..

Didi
:(br
eathi
ngheav
il
y)Godpl
ease
helpme..
..
Ken:
That
'sr
ight
,comeher
e..
.

Shetri
edtobreat
honemor eti
mebut
hequickl
yshoveditdownherthr
oat
andbithi
slowerli
plooki
nginher
eyes.
..

Ken:
Mmmh.
..
.

Hepul
l
edoutandsl
appedherf
ace
severalti
meswhi l
eallshecoul ddo
wascl oseherey esthenheshov ed
fi
ngersdownhert hroat,
herey es
widenedasshej erkedupsuf f
ocating
buthepi nnedherdownwi t
hherhai r
,
peeslowl yrol
ledont hefloorandhe
glancedatitthenhepul ledhis
fi
ngersout .
..

Di
di:
(cr
yingandgaspi
ng)Ken

Hel
aidheront
het
abl
eandshov
edi
t
i
nher
...

Di
di:
(scr
eami
ng)OhhhhhJesus
pl
easeme..
.Godpl
easest
ophi
m..
.
Pl
ease.
..

Hedril
l
edbot hhol
esgoi ngbackand
four
thunt
ilshecouldn'tfeelher
sel
f
downthereasshesl owlyputher
headonthedeskblinkingslowly
hopi
ngtodie..
.

Heshov edi
tinheresandst opped
i
nsidelooki
nginhereyesashepeed
i
nher,shepausedandl ookedinhis
eyesandhekissedherforehead..
..
Herstomachslowlyexpandedashe
fi
l
ledherupandleanedbackst ari
ng
athi
msel
fpl
uggedi
n..
.

Ken:I
'
m pull
ingoutandifonedrop
fal
l
sonthefloorI
'l
lbeatyousohard
youwon'
trecogni
sey our
self
..
.

Hesli
doutandshecl
osedhersel
f
t
ight
lythenhesl
i
donthev.
..

Didi
:(cr
ying)You'
repushi
ngi
tout
..
..
You'
repushingitout
Ken:I'
mfuckingy
ourpusthat
'swhat
I
'm doi
ngifyoudropmypeeI'
llki
l
l
you.
..
Shetightl
yclosedhersel
fandhe
pull
edoutanddr oppedherdown
againsli
dingdownhert hroat
,her
eyespoppedandshef l
usheddown
onthef l
oorasKenpr essedherdown
hi
sd. .
.

Ken:That
'sitbabe,wearecl
eani
ng
up.
..Rentshabofebeakere?

Shechokedwithhisddownher
thr
oatandbolsall
inhermout
hthen
shemeltedonhishands.
..
Hepul ledoutasherheadhel pl
essl
y
wiggledt henhepickedherupand
l
aidheront hetable,
hecalmly
checkedherpul seandwentt othe
kitchenwher ehehadf ourf
ulll
ong
glassesofwat erthenhewalkedback
tot hetableandslappedherface.
..

Ken:
Heygetup.
..Getup.
..Tsoga.
..
..

Didisl
owl
yopenedhereyesand
real
i
seditwasn'
tadream,herey
es
tear
edupasshebeguncrying
l
ookingathi
m...
Didi
:Kent herrakeagokopa
ntogela..
.Ntasekekeboelel
e..
.Let
mecl eant hehouseandmakey ou..
.
Somet hingtoeat..
.Pl
easebabe,i
knowy ou'
reangryandit
'sal
lmy
faul
t.
..

Hel ookedinherandshovediti
nher
sbutshecoul dn'
tfeel
anythi
ngas
theybothwatchedherstomachf i
l
lup
again,assoonashepul l
eddown
clearpeewasheddownandr ol
l
edon
thefloor.
..

Ken:
Seet
hat
..
.That
'scl
ean,
come
her
e..
.

Hepulledherdownandshov edi
t
downherthroatandshecoughed
nothi
ngcomi ngoutofhermout h
exceptsal
ivaandsli
mypr ecum..
.

Ken:
Ohy
es.
..
.Yes.
..
.

Hewhippedhercheekswithi
tand
shov
editdownherthroatand
fr
ownedjui
cingher
..
..

Ken:
Ohhhhf
arkkk.
..
..
.#_
"*?£/
-:̀;
°!
!
Hepulledoutandst eppedback
squeezedt helastdropsonherhair
asshel eaneddownput ti
ngher
for
eheadont hefloorwithherhands
sti
l
lbound.

Ken:
Shi
tfuckf
eel
sgood!

Helif
tedherupputt
ingheronhis
shoul
derandwalkedtothebathroom
whereheputherundertheshower
wit
hherhandsstil
lti
edtotheback,
heturnedt
hecoldshowertapand
spl
ashedherwit
hcol dwaterasshe
grinnedbendingherback,shecoul
d
feelthecol
dnessdownt ot hebone
ashegr abbedtheshowerhead
fl
ushedherf aceasshegaspedf or
airwithwaterli
ter
all
ygowndownher
nost r
il
sandmout hmeetingather
throatandfil
li
ngherup..
..

Ken:
standup,(
slappedher
)Isai
d
st
andthefuckup!

Shequickl
ystoodupf aci
nghim as
hewashedherr unninghi
shandover
herbodywhil
espl ashi
ngherwit
h
water
Ken:
Tur
nar
ound.
..

Shet urnedfaci
ngthewal l
ashe
washedherandunt i
edther ope,she
quicklyputherhandsoverherf ace
cry
ingashebat hedherremov i
ngt he
bandagesCar lhadputonher .

Hecl
osedt
hetapandgr
abbeda
t
owell
ooki
ngather
..
.

Ken:
Tur
nar
ound,
faceme.
.
Shel ookedathim ashewrappedt he
towel ar
oundherandputhisarm
behindherbuttandlif
tedherout
walkingtothebedroom asshecried
shiveri
ngherteethknocki
ngagainst
oneanot her
.

Hef i
rstputheronthechai randfixed
4bedt henhepeeledthesheet soff
andhelpedhergetont hebedand
putthesheetsoverlookingi nher
eyes,hecouldseethepai ninher
eyesandpar tofhi
m hatedhi mself
butthenpartofhim str
ongl ybeli
eved
sheneededt oknowherpl acei nthat
house...
.
Ken:I
'm goi
ngtobath,i
fyoumovea
musclether
ewill
beconsequences
fort
hat,doyouunderst
andme?

Shenoddedsev
eral
times.
..

Di
di:
Iknowbabe.
..

Hewal kedoutandcl
osedt hedoor
thensheburstedi
ntotearscover
ing
hermout h,
thedooropenedandKen
stuckhisheadbackinlooki
ngather,
sheheldherbreat
hlookingathim..
.
Di
di:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)Il
ovey
ou

Heglaredatherandclosedthedoor
thenshepull
edthesheetsoverher
headandcr i
edunderthesheets.He
openedthedooragainandstepped
backintheroom t
henhepul l
edt he
sheet
sof f
..
.

Ken:Icl
eanedyouupandyou'
re
messingyour
selfupwi
tht
ears,
stop
i
t.
..Idon'
twanttoseey
oucryagain.
..
Di
di:
Okaybabe
Hekissedherandclosedthedoor
thenshesl
owlyrubbedoffhertear
s
andtookadeepbreath..
..

*
**

Almost2hour slat
erKenwal kedin
theroom andstaredatherasshe
dozedof ft
henhepul l
edherwethai r
offherface,sheopenedherey es
l
ookingathimt henhesmi ledjusta
bitbef
oredrawingast r
aightface
again.
..
Ken:
Hey
..
.
Di
di:
Hi.
.
Ken:Icookedsomet
hing,
let
'sgoand
eat
Di
di:
Ok

Sheslowl
ygotofft
hebedand
gl
ancedathergown..

Di
di:
Cani
putonmydr
ess?
Ken:
No,
justgol
i
ket
hat
..
.

Shefol
dedherar
msandwal kedout
but
tnakedashegrabbedhi
smuscle
t
opandputi
tonf
oll
owi
ngher
.

Atthet abl
ehepul l
edachairf
orher
andtheyqui et
lysatdowntoeatbut
herthroatwassor eandshecoul
dn'
t
swallow...

Ken:Whyar
en'
tyoueating?(
shekept
qui
etaf
rai
dtorespond)Don'
tyoul
ike
myfood?
Di
di:
Myt
hroati
spai
nful
..
Ken:Sowhydidn'
tyouj
ustsayso
andstopact
ingli
kea5yearol
d..
.
Hewalkedintheki
tchenandwalked
backwithalar
geyoghurtanda
spoonthenhesatdownandopened
i
t.

Ken:Iboughtthi
slastweekbecausei
knowy ouli
keitbutyouhaven'
t
noti
ceditbecauseyouweretoobusy
tobeinyourownki t
chen.
..

Hefedheruntili
twasfini
shedthen
helookedherintheey
esandl eaned
overki
ssingher.
..

Ken:
Don'
tev
erl
i
eorcheatonme,
do
y
ougetme?
Di
di:
Yes
Ken: I'
ll
kil
ly ouify oucheatonme.As
soonast hesebr ui
sesar egone
you'regoingt ochur chandy ou'
re
goingt olookatal lthosewi vesand
singlewomenandbeal eading
exampl eofwhatapr operwi feis
supposedt odobecausey ouknow
what ?I'
m st i
llKen...Icanber eal
ly
nicet oyoubuti fyoupi ssmeof fI'
ll
punishy ou.Ify ouf uckupI '
l
l f
ucky ou
upandnoneofusi ssay ingany t
hing
aboutdi vorcingbecauseI '
m not
playingthatgame, webot hknow
after2y earswewi l
l beget t
ing
marri
edagainsowear edonekaya
di
vorceit'
soutofquest
ion.Doy
ou
underst
andme?
Di
di:
Yes
Ken: What evershi ty ouhav ewi t
h
Loloendst oday ,youar et oooldtobe
playinghideandseekwi t
hy ourfri
end.
Ifyouar efriendsbef ri
endsandi f
you'renotdon' tbe,ther eisnoi n
between.Theset hingsar emessi ng
wi t
hy ourheadanddi str
acti
ngy ou
from takingcar eoft hisfamily.From
nowony ou' regoingt otakecar eof
meandt hesechi ldren, weneedy ou.
You'reamar riedwomany oucan'tbe
runningar oundf r
om houset ohouse
l
eavi
ngy ourresponsi
bil
i
ties
unat
tended.Fini
shthatdrink.
..

Shedrunkhalfofi
tandfel
tfull
buthe
gaveheroneey et
henshethrewital
l
downherthroatandputdownt he
gl
ass..
.

Ken:(t
ouchedherchinandleaned
overki
ssi
ngheront heli
ps)Goodgir
l

Mi nutesl
aterhewalkedbackinwith
thephar macyplast
icsandputa
plasteronthecutbeneathhereye
andsev eralot
hercutsonherthenhe
bandagedherarm asshet
racedt
he
ropebrui
ses.
..

Di
di:
Wher
ear
ethegi
rl
s?
Ken:
Wit
hOt
lhe
Didi:BabeIreal
l
yt hi
nki
needanot
her
painkil
ler
,if
eeldizzy
Ken:I'
l
lgi
veyouone.Letmef
ini
sh
yourarm.
..

Shemel t
edonhishandsandhe
prot
ectedherheadf
rom t
hefl
oor
thenhecarr
iedhert
othebedroom.
..
Ken:Shi
t,whydoy
oukeeppassi
ng
out.
..

Helai
dheronthebedandtuckedher
i
nthenhebroughtt
hepil
land
wat
er.
...
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Alit
tleaf t
ermidnightLolost i
l
l
couldn'tgetsomesl eep,shet ossed
andt urnedthi
nkingaboutt he
wardr obeandtheguni nDi di'
s
pri
vatest henshet ookoutherphone
andcheckedherl astseen,itwas
hour
sbefor
ewhichwasunusual
for
hert
henshecal
l
edher.
..

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Hi
,cani
tal
ktoDi
di?
Ken:Idon'twantyoutal
kingtomy
wif
eev eragai
n,it
'snotl
ikeyou'
re
bothfr
iends.Whatevert
hisjokei
sit
endsnow.
Lol
o:Kenihear
dwhathappened,
is
sheokay
?
Ken:Idon'
tknowhowmanyt imesI
havetosaythi
s,stopcal
l
ingmywi fe
kewenaomor ut
il
engbofebe.You'
ve
doneenoughdamage
Lolo:I'
m goi ngt oi gnoret hatandt ake
i
tasamant hingt oalway sbl ame
theirwif e'
sf ri
endswhent hewi fe
makesami stake.May bei t'
slovet hat
makesonet hinkthewi fei sn't
capabl eofcheat ingwi thouti nf
luence
butify our eallylovehery ou'dletme
tal
kt oher ,may bei canhel pher .Ke
mosadi Kennagankakekat samma
mokegasagasadi kgangt salapal a
gaDi di gapeIdon' tevenhav ef r
iends
eneDi di keenet salaameal eone, ee
gakeganer eat er elwemmehagol e
badr eemi sagol wapel e.Keago
kopat her rammekebuel eene, i
promi sei won' ttellanyone.
Ken:
Wai
t.
..

Shewai
tedf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
.

Di
di:
(bar
elyaudi
ble)Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Di
di?

Shebrokedowncryi
ng,Lolo'
shear
t
sunkandastear
sinstant
lyfi
ll
edher
eyes.
..

Lol
o:Ar
eyouokay
?
Di
di:
Yes
Ken:
Yout
alkedt
oher
,by
e

Hehungupt henshesighedfeel
ing
wayworri
edt hanbef
orebutshe
coul
dn'
tcallZaneandalarm hi
mi fat
al
lhewasn'tawarewheneverhe
was.
..

Shegotupandsl
owl
ygotdressed,
shewassti
l
lheal
i
ngandcouldbarel
y
walk.
..

Lol
o:Set
so?Set
so?
Set
so:
Maa?
Lol
o:Sal
alengwanakeagor
ekadi
padshafi
ll
i
ngstat
ion
Set
so:
Okay
Lol
o:Comesl
eeponmybl
anket
s

Set
somov edoverandsleptasLolo
pi
ckedherkey sandlookedatSetso
andMof enyisl
eepi
ngthenshe
walkedout..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
leKensatonthechai
rby
t
hebedrest
inghi
schinonhisfi
sts
wat chi
ngDi diwhowasasl eep,she
wasget tingswoll
enrightbeforehis
eyesandshewassl owlychangi ng
color,herbrui
sesbecamedar ker
somegr eenerandeveninhersl eep
shewasbr eathi
ngwithdiff
icult
y.

At earrandownhischeekandhe
stooduppul l
i
ngdownhis
sweat pantsashewalkedout,
hesat
i
nt het oi
letandl
eanedoverhi
sarm
cov er
inghisfacethenhewashedhi
s
faceont hesinkandstar
edat
himsel f
..
.
Hecouldn'
tbel
iev
ehedi dthatmuch
damageandnowhewonder edwhat
hi
skidswouldthi
nkofhimi fthey
sawher,helov
edher.
..Heknewhe
l
ovedherbuthecoul
dn'tunder st
and
whathewassupposedt odobecause
hedidn'
twanttol
eaveher.
.

Ther
ewasaknockont hedoorthen
Kenwalkedoutandopenedthedoor,
Lol
oglancedathisshi
rtl
esschest
andquickl
ylookedawayavoi
dinghis
j
unk.
..

Ken:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Lolo:Letmeseeher ,
ijustwantt
o
tal
ktoher .Iwon'
ttel
lanyonekeago
tshepisa
Ken:
Comei
n..
.

Sheslowlywalkedint henheledher
tothebedroom, Heopenedt hedoor
andLololaidhereyesonDi di'
s
swoll
enfaceandbr uisedarmst hen
shecoveredhermout htear
full
yand
tur
nedtoKenwhol ickedhislowerl
ip
andlookeddown. .
.

Lol
o:Di
di?Di
di?
Shequickl
ysatont
hebedand
checkedherpul
set
hensheputher
handonhercheek.
..

Lol
o:Di
di?Shecol
l
apsed.
..
Ken:
Shehasbeendoi
ngt
hat
..
.

Lol
opressedherpal
m andobserved
herbl
oodflowthenshepressed
downherey el
ooki
nginsi
deand
l
ookedbackatKen..
..

Lol
o:Wasshebl
eedi
ng?
Ken:
Hour
sagobuti
tjustst
opped
Lol
o: Whatifsheisbleeding
i
nternal
ly?Andsheisv erypalegaana
madi mothoy oKenna,let
'stakeher
tothehospital
.Thereasonshekeeps
passingoutisbecauseshedoesn' t
haveblood.
Ken:
No,shei
snotl
eav
ingt
hehouse.
Howam igoi
ngt
oexpl
aint
his?
Lolo:Soy ou'
dratherexplai
ndeat h
overafight?Aren'tyoutheonewho
wascr yi
ngwheny outhoughtshe
wasdeadsoy ouwantt ocryforev
er
now?I '
m notevenaski ngyounowI 'm
tel
li
ngy ou.Youtwohav echil
dren,
whathappensi fshedi es?Yougot o
pri
sonf ormurderandt henFaithand
Hazel willgrowupwi thoutpar ents,
Zanekanakemonnay omot ona
j
aakaobonaanal engwanaandhe
mightgost ayinOkl ahomawi thhi s
fami l
y,whatabouty ourgirls?They
willbeev eryman' ssext ool,isthat
whaty ouwant ?Doy oureallyknow
whati t'
sliketof eelli
keaf ail
ureasa
parentKenna?Wal kingaround
knowi ngy oucoul dhav eprotected
yourdaught erhady ounotbeenl ost
i
ny ourwor l
d.(tearfull
y)The
resentmenty ougetf rom your
daught erforfail
ingher ?Andher
havingangerepi sodesbecauseshe
j
ustcan' tunderst andwhyy oumade
certaindeci
sionswi t
houtconsi deri
ng
her?Si t
ti
ngthereknowi ngthatno
mat terhowmuchy ouimprov e,love
herandsacr i
ficeforheritwil
l never
changet hefactthatyouoncemadea
baddeci si
ont hatchangedherl if
e?
Isthatwhaty ouwantf oryour
daught er
s?

Hesi
ghedandnoddedswal
lowi
ng
t
henhegrabbedhi
st-
shi
rt
..
.

Lolo:Changeyourpant
s,sweat
pant
s
aretooreveal
i
ng..
.
Hedr oppedt
het -
shi
rtandquickly
pull
eddownhi ssweatpants
remainingwi
thboxerbriefsasshe
swallowedandsatont hebed
focusingonputt
ingDidi'
sgownon
herwhi l
eKenlookedforapairof
j
eans.

Hef i
nall
yfounditandjumpedi nas
sheglancedathim, hehadadef i
nit
e
V-l
ineonhisabdomenandshe' d
neverseenamanl ooksosexyi nhis
underwear.Thatboxerbriefdefi
ned
hi
sGodgi v
ensandhi sdickpointers
madet hewholet hi
ngbreathtaki
ng
butforsomer easonshedi dn'
twant
toknowwhati tfel
tli
ketohav eall
thati
nsideher,cl
earl
yitwouldbe
good-thatshecoul
dtellbutthewayi t
l
ookedgoodsheknewDi diwoul
df all
apartandshe'dhadenoughoff ights.

Lol
o:T-shir
teohasstai
ns,f
ind
somethingelseandpl
easehurr
yup.

Hegotaf resht-shirtandsli
diton
thenhepickedDi di upandhurriedto
thecarwhileLolol ookedaroundf or
herhandbagandi mpor t
antthi
ngs
shemightneedt henshef oundKen
shoesandl ockedt hehouse...
.
Kenlai
dheratthebackt henLol
o
j
umpedi nthedri
ver
'sseatanddr ov
e
offasKenkeptcheckingherpulse,
hecouldhardl
yfeelanyt
hing.
..

Ken:
Shi
t.
..
.Iki
l
ledher
..
Lolo:
Don'
tpani
conme.
..Shei
s
fi
ne..
..

Lolofl
ushedtheli
ght
sandhi
tthe
hornalmosthit
ti
ngadogcr
ossing
theroad.
..
.
AtLet
shol
athebe

LateronTshepolisteddownsever
al
bl
oodr esult
sandf r
ownedlooki
ngat
Didint
leDaniel
s'
snameasAat il
e
walkedin..
.

Tshepo:
Hee.
..Di
dior
il
eng?HBi
sso
l
ow
Aat
il
e:(f
rowned)Isi
treal
lyher
?
Hebanna.
..
takebonegoreotil
ele
mang..
.

Aat
il
ewal
kedout
..
.
AtI
CU.
..
.

Meanwhil
edownstai
rsKenanxi
ously
pacedar
oundasLolosatonthechai
r
holdi
ngDi
di'
shandbag.
..

Ken:
Ican'
tbel
i
evei
didt
his.
..
Lol
o:Shewi
l
lbef
ine

Anur sewal
kedpastt hem with3
unit
sofbloodanddi sappearedi
nto
Didi
'sroom astheydesperat
ely
waited,mi
nuteslateranursecal
led
t
hem i
n..
.

TheywalkedinasDidilai
dont hebed
wit
hat ubeforbl
oodt r
ansfusi
onand
aanotheroxygentubebelowher
nost
ri
ls..
.

Doctor:Didintl
ehassuffereda
Tr
aumat ic-brai
n-i
njur
y,f
rom the
i
magesi l
ookedati tsDi
ffuseaxonal
i
njur
y .
..
Ken:
Whatdoesthatmean?Cany
ou
si
mpli
fyi
tinEngl
i
sh
Doctor
:Duri
ngthei
mpact-andfor
yourowninf
ormati
onIknowy ou'
re
l
y i
ngaboutfal
li
ng, shewascl earl
y
beatenbutmov ingondur i
ngi mpact
herbrai
ncrashedbackandf orth
i
nsideherskullcausingbruisingand
teari
ngofnervef i
bersthat
'swhyshe
i
sl i
kethat
.
Ken:
Isti
l
ldon'
tunder
standwhatt
hat
means
Lol
o:I
sshegoi
ngt
obeokay
?
Doctor:Youbasicall
yshookher
brai
n...
.Shemightremai nina
vegetati
vestatel
ikethatforeveror
shemi ghtgetup,atthispointican'
t
real
lygiveyouadef i
niteanswerbut
I'
mr eferr
inghertoPrincessMar i
na
wher
etheywi
l
ldomuchmor
ethan
wecandoher
e..
.

Ken'
swholebodyweakenedasacol d
chi
llr
andownhi sspi
ne,hecover
ed
hi
smout hindi
sbeli
efandslowl
y
squat
tedinshock.
..

Ken:
(whi
sper
ed)
..
..No.
..No.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
27AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 157

AtAndr
ew'
sHouse.
..
..

Ear
lyt
hatmor
ningBaby
'sphoner
ang
asshel
aidherheav
ythi
ghon
Andr
ew.
..

Andy
:Babe.
..
babe?
Baby
:Mm?
Andy
:Phone

Babypi
ckedt
hephoney
awni
ng.
..
..

Baby
:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:HiBabythemmankelako
ngwanengkemoLetshol
athebeDi
di
i
sinacrit
ical
condi
ti
on,i
can'tl
eav
e
j
ustyet
Baby
:(l
eapedup)Okay
,what
'swr
ong?
Lolo:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed,
otaat
samay
a
akerenana?
Baby:(
trappedthephonebetween
hershoulderandtheearwhi
leget
ti
ng
herJersey)yes,
keaapara.Set
so
kanaoot sel
ajakamothoasule
Lol
o:That
'
swhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng
Baby
:I'
l
lcal
lyouwhenIgett
her
e.

ShehungupandshookAndy
..
.

Baby:
Lovetakemehomegat
weko
sal
alengwana
Andy:(
annoyedhecov eredhimself
wit
hasheetsleeping)Oi t
sego
kgweetsaaker
eBabynnaker obet
se
wandistur
berphakelakeat heogel
a
Baby:
Shehakerey
ou'
regoingt
o
needthecart
ogotowork?
Andy: (
cov
eredhi
mselfwit
hapil
low)
Fuck!AobannaMaya!Akereket
aa
tsamaakataxi
,wanthodi
akana!

Shegrabbedthecarkeysandtook
outhiscl
othesfort
henextmorning
andleftt
hem onthecouch.
..

Baby
:(l
aughedt
hinki
ngoutl
oud)
Shem y
ou'r
egoingt
oki
l
lmef
ornot
i
roni
ng,sor
ry.
..

Sher
anoutanddr
oveof
f.
..
..

AtJan'
shouse.
..
..

Minutesl
aterBabyparkednextt o
Jan'
scarandknockedont hedoor,
Zaneopenedthedoorshi r
tless
str
etchi
nghisbackhidinghis
morningbonewiththeotherhand...

Baby
:(Laughed)Hahahamxm Zane
t
hewagol
aibi
l
eopheki
l
e
Zane:(l
aughed)Gaobat
egonna
sugarmami nemmaonspoilerka
studental
l
owancelemadiaga
Andrew?
Baby
:(l
aughed)Waat
senwanewena
Zane:Kananeol estepmother
same...(
smiled)kegotsi
tsepapa
digaunderwearyameoj emonate

Babylaughedandmissedhi
m wit
ha
sl
apashef li
nchedt
henshewalked
i
nside.
..
Baby
:Oskabuadil
otseohapelega
Andr
ewotanthadi
sa,keengosena
mowajaana
Zane:
(laughed)Sor
rymot
her
-imean
Maya
Baby:I
'
ml ooki
ngforAgat
ha,
iwant
mylaptopgatwekosalal
engwana.
Sowhat '
swrongwit
hyourmom?
Zane:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Baby:Keutwamamaaresheisina
cr
it
icalcondi
ti
onkoLet
shol
athebe,
why?
Zane:
(hi
sfacedr
oppeddown)What
?
Baby:
Yeah.
.(conf
used)y
oudi
dn'
t
know?
Agathasteppedoutf
rom theot
her
bedroom wrappi
nghersel
fwit
ha
towel.
..

Agat
ha:
What
'sgoi
ngon?Ihear
d
noi
se
Baby:Ineedthel apt
op,I'
m goi
ngto
mama' shouse, i
needsomet hi
ngto
keepmeent ertai
nedwhi l
ewatchi
ng
thebaby.HurryupSet soiswit
hhi
m

Zanewal kedpastAgathaand
grabbedJan'scarkeysonthehead
board..
.
Zane:
Jan?Jan?
Jan:
(tur
nedawaycov
eri
nghi
msel
f)
What.
???
Zane:I
'mtaki
ngt
hecar
,mamai
sin
thehospi
tal
Jan:
Ok

Zaner
anoutanddr
oveof
f.
..
..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

Lat
eronAat
il
eappr
oachedasKen
andLol
owait
edbythechai
rs,
hesat
nexttoKenandhandedhi
m adri
nk
thenpassedanot
heronet
oLolo.
..
.

Aat
il
e:Anyupdat
es?

Kenqui
etl
yrubbedhi
sf aceand
si
ghedl
eaningback.
..

Lol
o:Nothingyet
..
.Butthey'
rewai
ti
ng
tohearabouthert
ransport
ati
on.

*
**

Zaner
ant
hrought
hel
argegl
ass
doubledoorsofEmer gencyand
stoppedlookingbot
hsi dest henhe
ransecti
onf r
om sect
ionpul lingt
he
curtai
nspeakingateachpat ientunt
il
hefacedt heICUemer gencydoor
wher eheslowlywal
kedov erashis
heartpounded.

Hestoppedatt heglassandpeaked
asDoctorsdiscussedsomething
st
andingnextt oDidi
'sbedwhil
eshe
l
aidwithtubesconnectedtoherand
ahospitalsheetuptoherchest.

Hepushedt
hedooropenandwal
ked
i
nthent
he2doctorsandanur
se
t
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
m...

Zane:Hi
,mynameisZaneDani
els,
sheismymother
.What'
sgoi
ngon?
Nur
se:
Aren'
tyouwi
thy
ourf
ather
?
Zane:
No,
wher
eishe?
Nurse:Heist
hissi
de,
I'
m sur
ehewi
l
l
updateyoubet
ter
Zane:
Cani
tal
ktoher
?
Nurse:Wearest
il
lwi
thher
,pl
easego
t
hisside.
..

Zanesl
owl
ytouchedhi
smot
her
's
handlookingatherbr
uisedface,
neckandar ms,shewasswol l
enand
muchf ul
lerwit
haseriouscutonthe
sideofherhead,youcouldbarel
y
recogni
seher.

Tearsfi
ll
edhiseyesashest epped
back,heknewheshouldhav etrust
ed
hi
sinsti
ncts,hi
sthr
oatcrackedashe
bentdownr ubbi
nghisey
est henhe
stor
medout ..
.

Hegotint
henearestman'sr
oom and
shuthi
msel
finsi
debreaki
ngdown
si
tti
ngonatoil
etseatwi
thhi
shands
ov
erhi
sface.
..

Zane:(
cry
ing)No,
no,
papano,
please
no.
..

Hecr i
edforaboutami nut
eand
steppedoutthenhewashedhi sface
bythesinkandwal kedoutdry
inghis
handsonhispantst henhetookout
hi
sphoneanddi aled..
.

AtEmer
gency
..
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eBay
angst
oppedf
rom a
di
stancelookingatKen,Aatil
eand
Lol
osi t
ti
ngont hechair
st al
kingthen
heturnedandt ookanotherroute
passi
ngot hersecti
onsandev entual
l
y
emergedfrom theothersideof
Emergency .
..

Hesl oweddownl ooki

ngthrough
windowsandst oppedout side
l
ooki ngatDi di
,therewasnooneel se
i
nsidewi thherandt henurses
standingatt hestationwerebusy
discussingsomet hi
ngaboutthe
medi calcardsthenhedashedi nand
carefull
yclosedt hedoor..
.
Ashewal kedcl
oserthebruisesand
amountofswelli
nggothisski n
crawl
ingashestoppedbyt hebed
andlookedather,t
herewasal arge
darkbrui
seonherey e,
herforehead
hadcutsandherneckwasswol len.
..

Heslowlyt ouchedt hemarksonher

armsandpeel edthesheets,tears
bl
urredhissightashest aredather
defl
atedbreast ,cl
earl
ytheimpl ant
hadrupturedpr obablyl
eakingonher .

Hi
shear
tshut
ter
edandal
most
chokedhi
m ashehel
dherhand
ti
ghtl
yandsatont
hechai
rkissi
ng
herhand.

Thefeel
i
ngshedidn'
twantt
o
acknowl
edgewerefai
l
inghi
m ashe
swall
owedalar
gelumpandbl i
nked
sever
alt
imescl
eari
nghisvi
sion.
..
.

Bay
ang:
Didi
?

Hel
ookedatherandtr
acedher
j
awl
inegoingupandki
ssedherl
ips
t
henhesighedl
eani
ngback.
..
.
Bayang: RememberwhenIwor kedat
Caltexasaf uelattendant ?...(smi led)
theni ghtbef orey oulef tforGabs?I t
wasabeaut i
fulevening. ..Your
grandmot herhadsenty out of etch
waterandi hadbeenhi dingbyt he
tap,igav ey ouy ourv eryf irstki ss
and..( l
aughed)Youwer ecl uelessbut
i
twassweet .Andt hatl astki ss
beforet hebusl eft.
..Ishoul dhav e
hadsexwi thy outhatni ght , may be
gety oupr egnant .May be- j
ustmay be
ourlov est orywoul dbeuni que. ..I
'm
sorryt hati wasn'tgoodenoughbuti
knowy oul ovedme, youj ustneeded
moneybecauseofwher ey oucame
from...Ourbi ggestdi sadvant agewas
yourlackofv ision.Ihadmydegr eei
wasj ustjobhunt ing, I'
m notbl ami ng
you...
.Buthav en'ty oudoneenough
forthisguy ?Yougav ehimt hree
chil
dren, burnedy our selfforhi m and
didthewor stjustt of eedhi schi ldr
en,
travel
edt hewor ldf orhi m andhest i
ll
doest his?I'm notsay i
ngI'm per fect
orwantt orepl acehi m.Iknowy ou
don'tlovemeandi t'sfine..
.I'l
l t
ryto
l
ov eagai n,IswearIwi lltr
ymyv ery
bestbuty oushoul dt rysomewher e
elsetoo...Thisi st oxicandi twillbe
yourdownf all
...
Thedooropenedandhequi
ckl
y
rubbedhi
seye..
..

Nur
se:
Hi,
doy
ouknowher
?
Bay
ang:
Yeah,
shei
sanol
dfr
iend
Nurse:Wearetakingherupst
air
s
whil
ewaiti
ngforhertranspor
tat
ion,
sheisgoi
ngtot hecit
y
Bay
ang:
OK,
letmegi
vey
ouspace.
..

Hestoodupandl ookedatheronce
agai
nbeforetakingof fhi
sneckl
ace
andputt
ingitaroundherneckandhe
wal
kedoutr
ubbi
nghi
snose.
..

Bay
ang:
Shap.
.
Nur
se:
Shap.
..

*
**

Meanwhil
eZanewal kedst
raight
towardsf
atherwhowassitt
ingwi t
h
Aatil
eandLolo,
helookedathim and
stoodup.
..
.

Zane:
Sot
hat
'swhaty
oumeant
?
Ken:
Zaney
oupr
obabl
ywon'
t
under
standt
his-
Zane: Actual l
yIdo, y oudon'
tl oveor
respectmymot herandi don'tcar e
whatshedi dtoy ou.Youcan' tjusti
f y
doingt hatt oawoman' sbody...i
can't
picturemy selfbeatingLail
aandi
refuset obel i
ev ethereisanything
shecandot o" pushme"t othatl evel
..
.
Iwon' tevert olerat
eanyboywho
beat sFaithandt urnaroundt alki
ng
abouthel ovesher -I
'm sureyou
woul dn'talso
Ken:
Wehadami sunderst
andi
ngs
andyesIt
ooki
ttoofar-
Zane:
(angr
il
yscr
eamed)Youdi
dn'
t
hav et ostartthistobeginwi th!You
wal kedoutonusbef ore,y ouleftus
tof endf orourselves,didshebeat
you?Ir ememberev erydet ai
lofhow
har dlif
ewaswheny ouleftusf or
Amant le.(
tearfull
y)Irememberev ery
mi nuteofl ivi
nginmygr andpar ent'
s
houseandhear ingmamacr yeach
nightpr ayingthaty oucomehome, i
rememberhowsheusedt obegy ou
j
ustt ogetamar eP100, DI DSHE
BEATYOU? .
..
.(tearsroll
ing)Papay ou
handedawhol ebusinesst oyour
girl
friend,abusi nessthathadmy
nameoni t..
.ZANE' SCHALETSy ou
handedal lthattoAmant leandnowI
workforJaninacompanyt hatonce
hadmyname, di
dmamabeaty ou?
No..
.Idon'
tknowwhatshedi dt o
deservet
hisbutiref
usetobeliev ea
womani ssupposedtobet r
eat edli
ke
thi
s.Il
ostallt
herespectihadf or
you.
..
.Ihateyouandi don'
tthinkI'l
l
for
giveyouforthi
s..
..

Threepol
i
ceof f
icer
smarchedover
astheyal
ltur
nedandlookedat
them..
.

Zane:
Icall
edthepol
ice,
Ihopey
ou
gotopri
sonforat
tempti
ngtoki
l
lmy
mother.Youshouldhav ejuststayed
wit
hAmant le,
mymot herandus
wouldhavebeenf i
newi thoutyou.
Youhadachoi cetowal kaway
i
nsteadofdoingthis,
i l
ov eher-Fai
th
andHazel l
oveher.Whydest r
oyher
knowingsheistheonlymot herwe
caneverhave?

Kenswallowedlooki
ngatt
hepainin
hi
sson'seyesandshookhishead
speechl
essly
..
.

Ken:
I'
m sor
ry,
angercont
rol
l
edme.
..
.
Of
fi
cer
:Bagol
o..
.Wear
elooki
ngf
or
KennaDani
els
Ken:
It'
sme.
..
Of
fi
cer
:Canwehav
eachat
?

Kenturnedaroundandwal kedaway
withthepoli
cethenZanesatdown
l
ookingathimf r
om t heback, nowhe
wasn'tsurewhatwasgoi ngonwi t
h
hi
msel f
.Hisheartshreddedwi t
h
eachstephisfathertooksurrounded
bythosepoli
cemenandi tfeltli
kehe
waslosingeverythi
ngatonce.The
manhel ovesandl ooksupt o...
.
Probablyt
akinghislastfewst epsof
fr
eedom. .
Hecoveredhisfaceandburst
edinto
thet
earsasLolohuggedhimt i
ghtl
y,
hehuggedhersot i
ghtandcri
edout
l
oudli
keal i
tt
leboy..
..

Lol
o:(
tear
full
y)Sor r
ypapa..
.Di
dii
s
goi
ngtobef i
ne,youjusthavet
olook
aft
ery
oursister
sf orali
tt
lewhi
le.
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
27AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 158

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
.

Lateronthatmorni
ngAati
l
ewal
ked
overtoLoloandZane.
..

Aat
il
e:Ihav
etogetbackt
owor
k
Lol
o:Okay
,by
e
Aati
l
e: (
pathi
m ont
heshoulder
)
You'
llbefi
ne,
shewil
lsur
viv
e.
Zane:
Thanky
ou.
..
Hewalkedawayt henLoloandZane
satdown,herphonerang..
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Baby:Mama?Mof eny
iiscrying.I
tr
iedmakinghisformula.
..Foundthe
caninthewardrobebuther efusest
o
dri
nk
Lol
o:Okay
,I'
m comi
ng.
..

Shehungupandsadl ylookedat
Zanewithhishandsoverhisface
absentminded,i
tfel
tsowr ongto
l
eavehim sit
tingalonei
nthehospi
tal
yetshecouldn'tf
indabett
er
decisi
on.
..
.

Lol
o:Zanei
hav
etogo,
pleaseupdat
e
me.
Zane:
OK

Shehandedhi
m hi
smother
's
handbagandwal
kedaway.

*
**

Mi
nut
esl
aterhest
oodupwal
ki
ngt
o
hismotherroom andgl
ancedinsi
de,
ther
ewasanur seinsi
deconnecti
ng
anotheruni
tofbloodonherthenhe
walkedbacktothechai
randsat
down.

Bayangwal kedoverwit
hawar ncup
ofteaandt womuf fi
nsthenhesat
downandhandedZane, hesal
ivated
andreceivedthem wit
hbothhands
putti
nghismot her
'sbagonhislap.
Bayanggoti tfr
om hi
m andputiton
thechairsohecouldeat
comf or
tably.
..
Bay
ang:
Sor
ryabouty
ourmot
her
Zane:
Wil
lshebeokay
?
Bay ang:Eventual
ly
,pati
entswiththi
s
kindofheadi njur
yusuall
ygetup
within2mont hsbutitcangof urt
her,
apat ientmightnevergetupuntil
they'r
eputt orest
.

Zanelostappet
it
e, t
hemuf f
ininhi
s
mouthsuddenlylostit
stast
eandhe
spatonhishandlookingathim..
.

Zane:
2months?(tear
ful
ly
)Andwhat
i
fshedoesn'
tgetup?Wedon'thave
anext
endedfamil
y,whatwil
lido
wi
thmysi
ster
s?
Bayang:(
sadly
)Idon'
tknowZane..
.
Someonewi l
lcomealong,
good
peopleal
waysshowupwheny ou
needthem t
hemostanddoesn'tKen
haveasist
er?
Zane:Shedoesbutgar
eamotwaela
thatmuch.
..
ishoul
dn'
thav
erepor
ted
Papa
Bayang:Thedoctorhadalr
eady
i
ndicat
edhissuspici
ons,
during
consul
tati
onhesaidshefel
l but
duri
ngexaminati
onthedoctor
di
sagreedsoitdoesn'
tmatterifyou
hadn'
treport
ed,hewasevent ual
l
y
goi
ngt ogetcaught,besi desit
doesn'
tnecessaril
ymean2mont hs
ormore,shemi ghtactual l
ygetup
befor
ethat.Shewi l
lneedal otofhel
p
aft
erbutshecanr ecov erandbet he
samemot heryouhad. .wedon' thave
toassumet heworst.Di dicanbeat
thi
s.Shesurvi
vedwor ser emember
Zane:Iwasthi
nki
ngt hatbutt
henit
mightjustbet
hereasonshedies,
her
bodyisweakbecauseshehasbeen
thr
oughsomuchal ready.
..
Bayang: Shewil
lbefi
ne.Ihavetoget
backtowor kandgetreadytoknock
off,
leavethatcupatthecounter
.Tel
l
them it
'smine,I
'l
lpi
ckitl
ater
..
.
Zane:Thanksforthet
ea..
.Iwas
real
l
ycold,I'
vebeenheresi
nce3am
Bay
ang:(r
ubbedhi
sheadandf
akeda
smi
le)Sur
ebuddy.
..

Zanewat chedhim walkingawayas

hefixedhiscoat, acl
oudofgui l
t
showeredhi m andhewonder edif
Godev erlet
'scertai
nmi stakessl ide
j
ustbecausey ouper sonallyseeked
for
givenessfrom himt hought he
personyouwr ongeddoesn' tknow
anythi
ngaboutwhaty oudi d.He
l
ookeddownatt hecupoft eaBay ang
hadmadef orhim andcont inued
eat
ing.

AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatmorni
ngHazelgotupand
headedt oOt
lhe'
sroom,sheandher
boyfri
endwereasleept
henshe
crawledonthebedandsatonOt l
he'
s
tummy ..
.

Hazel
:Aunt
ie?Aunt
ie?I
'
m hungr
y,i
wantcer
eal
s

Ot
lhe'
sboy
fri
endt
urnedar
ound
i
rr
it
atedandcover
edhisheadthen
Otl
hegotupandheldHazel
'shand
makinghi
swaytothekit
chen.
..

MinuteslaterFai
thwalkedpastthe
doorsingingandgotinthebathroom
whereshepeedsi ngi
ngi r
ri
tat
ingthe
boyfr
iend'
susual r
out
ine..
.

Fai
t h:
(scr
eami
ng)Aunt
ie?TPi
s
fi
nished!
Otl
he:
(shout
edback)Checkt
he
l
owershel
f
Fai
th:
Ok.
..
Shewi pedhersel
fandspot teda
col
orfulbott
letopthenshepi ckedit
upandwal kedoutadmi r
ingit
,
minuteslat
ertheboy f
riendwalkedin
andstaredatthepeet henhesi ghed
andfl
ushedbef orepeeingand
openi
ngt hewindowt henhespr ayed
whil
ef l
ushi
ngandwal kedout..
.

Hewalkedacrossthehouseand
pausedatthedoorwatchi
ngOtlhe
smil
ingteachi
ngFait
hhowt ofry
eggsproperl
ywhil
eHazelwalked
al
ongthecounterwit
habi gful
l
tummyhol
dingagl
assofmi
l
kandan
EatSomeMorebi
scui
t.
..

Hi
m: Kant
ebanabal
onabannahel
a
bakua?
Otl
he:Aorra,
akerekebana.
..Thi
sis
howthingswil
lbewhenwehav ekids.
Him: (
angri
ly
)AndwenaFait
hyoul
eft
t
het oi
letunf
lashedobat
agi
e
f
lashetswakemang?
Fai
th:
Ifor
gott
odoi
t,sor
ry
Him:Andyouneedtostopsinging
l
ikeyou'
reatashebeen,I
'
m sleepi
ng.
(t
oHazel)Wenaoskay akorumong
kerobet
se
Fai
th:
Hazel
doesn'
tknowSet
swana
Him:Tell
herwhatIsai
deebecause
I'
l
lwhipheri
fshegoesinther
eagain,
idon'
twanttobedist
urbedwhenI'
m
sl
eeping.

Therewassil
enceast heyall
looked
athi
mt henheturnedandwal ked
away,Hazel
satont hecounterand
putdowntheglassofmi l
k..
.

Hazel
:Iwantmommy
Fai
th:Iwanttogohome, cani
cal
l
daddywithyourphone?
Otlhe:
HowaboutImakebr eakf
ast
foryoufir
stFai
th?Atl
eastHazate
something
Fait
h:I
'm nothungr
yanymore,I'
l
leat
athome.Mamamakesv egetabl
es
breadonweekends,I'
l
leatt
hatwi t
h
milk
Otl
he:
(sadly
)Okay.
..Watchthe
st
oveI
'm goi
ngtogetthephone.
.

Otl
hewalkedi
nthebedr
oom andsat
ontheedgeoft
hebed..
.

Ot
lhe:Whyarey
oubei
ngr
udet
omy
ni
ecesnerr
a?
Him:Can'
tyouseegoret hey'r
eall
overt
heplacemakingnoi se?Fai
tho
motonagaatshwanelagot sogahela
kagogagogaphakelajaanaev en
Hazeli
stoooldtotobejumpi ngon
ourbed.
Otlhe:Maybet hat'
showt heyrel
ate
withthei
rmot herandican'
ttell
kids
nottotalktomeorsi ng,t
hefactthat
they'
recomf ortabl
eenought odoall
thatmakesmehappybecausei t
meanst heylikeme.
Him:Thencont
rol
,basekabaseny
a
sepemontung
Ot
lhe:
Ok.
Shesteppedoutdi
ali
ngherbrot
her
buthedidn'
tpi
ckthenhecall
edDidi
'
s
number..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Ot
lhe:
Hi,
cani
tal
ktoy
ourmot
her
Zane:
Shel
eft
,I'
minmywayt
her
e.
Ot
lhe:
Lef
t?
Zane:
ToGabor
one
Ot
lhe:
Todowhat
?
Zane:
Youdon'
tknow?
Ot
lhe:
Knowwhat
?
Zane:Mamahasabr aininjuryand
papahasbeenar rested, idon'tknow
l
egalegoredi dtheyr eleasehim or
whatbuttheyhav et hemedi calrepor
t
andthedoct orhasal readygi ven
them herassessment .
Otl
he:(
hear
tski
pped)War
engne
wena?Whenwasthis?
Zane:Ithi
nkt heyst
art
edf i
ght
inglast
nightbutitendedearl
ythismorni
ng
probablybo3orsobecauseIf ound
outbetween5and6.I 'm onmyway
there
Ot
lhe:
Wewi
l
ltal
kwheny
ougether
e
Shehungupandwal
kedbacktothe
bedr
oom wher
eshesatonthebed.
..

Otl
he:Mybrot
herandhi
swifehada
fi
ght,
thewi
feisatMari
naandhehas
beenarr
est
ed
Hi
m:Sowhoi
sgoi
ngt
otakecar
eof
t
hei
rki
ds?
Otl
he:
Whatdoyoumean?I
'
mthe
onl
yonewho-
Him:Gakebat
emodumowabana
andt
hesekidsar
eir
ri
tat
ingka
modumowabone
Fai
thandHaz
elst
oodatt
hedoorl
i
ke
l
it
tl
epuppi
es.
..

Fai
th:
Aunti
ecanical
ldaddy
?Hesaid
hewouldt
akeusshoppi
ngtoday
..
.
Hi
m:Tswel
akont
elebone.
.

ShegotupandpickedHazelonher
wayoutastheywalkedout
side.
..

Otl
he:let
sgoandenj
oyt
hesun
out
side..
.

Theyst
eppedoutandsatont
he
benchbehi
ndt
hehouse.
..

Fai
th:
Cani
cal
lmama?OrDaddy
?
Otl
he:Zanei
sonthewaysolet
'sj
ust
waitf
orhim,
idon'
thav
eair
ti
me
Fai
th:
Okay
..
.Letmest
yley
ourhai
r.
..

Fai
thst
oodbehindhergentl
yst
yli
ng
herasHazel
playednextt
othem..
.

Fai
th:Yourf
ri
endi
snotni
ceandi
don'
tl
ikehim
Otl
he:
(laughed)Iknow,
heis
compl
icated.
..Heismoody
Fai
th:
Idon'
tl
ikehi
m
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Ok

Minuteslat
erZaneparkedinfrontof
them andsteppedoutasHazel r
an
towardshim,hesmiledandpicked
herupt i
ckl
inghert
henhekissedher
neckblowingonherasshegiggl i
ng
l
oudly..
.

Zane:
Mor
ning.
..
Ot
lhe:
Goodmor
ning.
..
Fai
th:Zeecani
cal
ldaddywi
thy
our
phone?
Zane:Um..
.Canyouguy
sgowaiti
n
thecar?I
'
llbet
herei
naminut
e

Theyrant
othecart
henhesatnext
tohi
saunt.
..

Ot
lhe:
Whathappened?
Zane: Idon'tknowwhathappened
butiknowmamahasbeenspendi ng
alotoft i
meawayf r
om homebutt he
othertimewheni t
alkedtopapahe
brushedi toffl
ikei
tmeantnot hi
ng
theny est
erdayhetoldmenott o
comehomegaket sayalaptopmogo
enei noti
cedhewasi nj
uredand
askedquest ions,
iwenthome
demandi ngtoseemamabuthe
ref
usedt houghsheassuredmeshe
wasf i
neov erthephone.Thenext
thi
ngkeut wagot weokospatelaand
papaisjustf umbli
nggaabuegor e
whyabedi tsemamal ikethat
.Ical
led
thepoli
ceandgav eastat
ementof
every
thingi knew
Ot
lhe:
Isshebad?
Zane:
Ist
oleaf
ewpi
ctur
es

Hehandedherthephoneandshe
i
nst
antl
ycoveredhermouth.
..
Otl
he:Of
anabatho!Howdoy
oubeat
yourwi
feli
ket
his?
Zane:
Idon'tknowi fpapareal
ly
knowshowmuchi l
ovehim andhow
hardi
tistoseethet wopeopleyou
l
ovehurtoneanot herfor
cingyout
o
makedecisi
onslikethis.
Otlhe:Don'
tfeelgui
l
ty,youdi
dwhat
anyr i
ghtmindedpersonwoulddo.
Ofanagaadi r
asenteandhehasa
record,i
t'
sgoingtomaket hi
ngs
diff
icul
tforhi
m
Zane:ButnowIregr
etdoingit
becauseweneedhim, wecan'tl
ose
bothparent
s.I
'
mi nschooland..
.
Otl
he:Iwishicoul
dtaket
hem but
youruncl
eis.
..
..Heisadi
ff
icul
t
person
Zane:Iknow,
iwasn'
texpect
ingy
ou
to.Iknowhowheis.
Otl
he:Mmekanai fi
suggestmovi
ng
i
nwi t
hyouguy
sunt i
lDidi
orOfana
comebackheisgoingtoref
useand
accusemeoffunnythi
ngs
Zane:Don'
tworryaunt
ie,
I'
ll
manage
besi
desI'
m abouttocl
oseatschool
,
wearewr i
ti
ngexams.
Ot
lhe:
Okay
,theyr
efusedt
oeat
Zane:I
'
llmaket
hem br
eakf
astf
rom
here
Ot
lhe:
Okay
Zane:
Bye

Zanegoti
nthecaranddroveoutas
thegi
rl
scal
ledt
heirf
ather
..
..

Fai
th:
Uh.
..
.Daddyi
snotpi
cki
ng!
Zane:Guyst herei
ssomet hingIhav e
totel
lyou,mamaandpapawentt o
Oklahomat ogetourthings,
remembert hosebeautif
ul bicy
cles?
Theydecidedt ogoandcol lect
everyt
hingweownedt hereandi ts
goingtotakeav er
ylongt i
me
becausetheycan'tfl
ywi t
ht hose.
Theyar
eonat
ruckf
orhi
re
Fai
th:
Itwi
l
ltakef
orev
er!
Zane:Exact
ly!Andtheyfor
gott
he
phonetoo,i
magi nethat
Fai
th:
That'
sbad,may
bet
heywi
l
lcal
l
whentheygett
her
e
Zane:
Ihopesot
oo.
..Whatdoy
ou
guyswantt
oeat
?
Hazel
:(smacki
ngherf
ull
tank)I
'
mful
l
Zane:(
laughedandtouchedher
tummywi ththeot
herhandwhil
e
dri
vi
ng)Icanseethat
Fai
th:
Ihav
efoodi
nthef
ri
dge
Zane:
Good.
..
AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Minutesl
aterZanepar
kedt
hecar
nexttohi
sparent'
scar
sandst
epped
out.
..

Zane:Oknopr
obl
em,
I'
ll
dropi
tof
fat
theBnB
Jan:
Howi
sev
ery
thi
ng?
Zane:
It'
sal
ongst
ory
,I'
l
ltel
lyou
whenwemeet.
Jan:
cheer
s
Zane:
Sur
e
Hehungupandopenedt hedoort hen
thekidsranint
ot hehousepassing
theloungeroom tothedininghal
lway
whereHazel sl
ippedont hewetfloor
andf el
lonherbackcryingasFaith
frownedpinchi
nghernose. ..

Fai
th:
Ewwwwwww..
..
.Ther
eisl
i
ttl
e
poopont
hef
loor
!

Zanefrownedasthepoopsmel l
madei t
swaydownhi sl
ungs,he
frownedandopenedthewindows
thenhepickedHazel
suspendingher
ontheairmakinghi
swaytothe
bathroom wher
ethefi
l
ledt
hetuband
undressedher.

Aft
erputt
ingherint
hetubhegother
cl
othesandwalkedoutasFai
th
pokedonthepoopwithasti
ck.
..

Fai
th:Ithi
nkpeopl
epoopedi
nour
house..
Zane:
Fait
hstopi
t,goandbathHaz
el
anddon'
tcomeoutthebat
hroom.I
'm
cl
eani
ngup
Fai
th:
Whopoppedher
e?
Zane: (
tear
ful
l
yimpatient)Fai
thI
don'tknowokay?Pleasebabyjust
helpmeoutbybat hi
ngHazel and
stayinther
eunti
licallyou.
Fai
th:
Ok

Sherantot
hebat
hroom andcl
osed
thedoor
.

*
**

Zanewalkedinthekit
chenandt
ied
bothofhishandswithpl
ast
icst
hen
hegrabbedanempt yboxof
Cornfl
akesandputthethi
ckpoopi n
thetheret
ogetherwi
thDidi'
spanti
es
andthrewiti
nt hebl
ackplast
icbag.

Hegr abbedt hemopanddi sinf

ected
theent i
refloorwi thDomestothenhe
cleanedt hedi nnertabl
eandwi ped
eachf urnit
urei nthehousejustto
makesur eev erythi
ngwasclean...
.

Heswi t
chedt hefanonsoi tcan
cir
culat
eairandopenedt hedoors
thenhewal kedtothebedr oom and
stoppedstaringatthebloodst ai
ned
sheets,
hef oldedthem offand
changedt
hebeddi
ngthenheput
them i
npl
ast
icbagaswell
.

Afterpickingupev erydirtandtrace
ofabusehegr abbedt heheav y
plasticandwal kedt ot hegateand
threwi ti
nt hetrashcant henhe
wal kedinsidethehouseandsaton
thecoucht ear
fullylookingatthe
house.

Hissistersweresingi
ngint he
bathroom screamingandspl ashi
ng
waterthenhet earf
ull
ystoodupand
walkedi nthekit
chen,heleanedover
thecounterandsighedt
henhe
clearedhi
sthroatandbl
inkedof
fhi
s
tears..
.

Fai
th:
(scr
eami
ng)Zane?Zane?Can
wecomeoutnow?

Hesmi l
edandshookhi sheadjoining
them,afterhel
pingthem bathhet ook
them onebyonet othebedroom
wherehedr essedthem andoiled
thei
rhairbeforeputt
ingthem each
down...

Zane:
Let
'sgo.
..
Onceintheki
tchenhetookouthi
s
phoneandgavethem whil
ehe
cookedfort
hem...

Fai
thplay
edav ideoandst
oodnex
t
toHazeli
mitat
ingwhatshewas
watchi
ng.
..

Fai
th:(si
nging)Dam t
ukosi t
a..Uh
uh..
.Dam tukosi
ta.
.Uhuh...Dam tu
kosi
ta..Uhuh..
.Upeteri
kapeteri
ka

Zanepausedf
ryi
ngandbur
stedi
nto
l
augherl
ooki
ngatt hem asHazel
copi
edherdancing,t
heybumpedon
oneanot
hersinging.
..

Zane:Nahy ou'
resingi
ngitwrongand
danci
ngitwr ong.
..I
'l
lshowyou..
WhenI'm donecooking..

Mi nutesl
aterhewalkedoutwi ththe
platesandstoppedatt hedi nner
tablethenhechangedhi smi ndand
wal kedoutasthegirl
sf oll
owedhi m,
heputt hefoodont heout doortable
andopenedt hedoorstohi sfather'
s
cart henheconnectedthephoneand
pl
ayedthesong,Fai
thandHazel
st
oodnexttothecaranddanced
whil
ehelaughedtaki
ngavideowit
h
Di
di'
sphone..
.

Zane:(
laughed)Al
ri
ghtl
etmeshow
you.
..

Theypausedandl ookedathi
m ashe
star
teddancingandsingi
ngalong,
Hazellaughedsohardshealmostfel
l
downasFai thl
aughedclappi
ng
hands.
..

Zane:
(danci
ngandsi
ngi
ng)
Damet
ucosi
taahah
Damet
ucosi
taah,
ay
Damet
ucosi
taahah
Muév
etepar
aaquí
,muév
etepar
aal
l
á

Thegi rl
slaughedashebentover
dancinglikethecar
toononthevi
deo
thenhepausedandpi ckedHazel
throwingherupandsatdown...

Zane:Thef
oodcool
eddownl
et'
s
eat
..
.

Theysatandst
art
edeat
ing,
hissmi
l
e
disappearedashewat chedthegir
ls
cluelessl
ychat
tingandlaughing
abouthowmuchofagooddancerhe
was.Hepokedhi sf
oodand
event ual
l
ypusheditasidethenhegot
theirfoodandfedthem. .
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatafter
noonZaneparkedthe
carandsteppedoutasFaithcl
osed
thedoorthenhepickedHazeland
puthim onhisshoul
derasshe
snoredputti
ngherli
tt
lehandsaround
hisneck..
.
Set sost eppedoutwi ththebaby '
s
dirtybat hi
ngwat erandherhear t
skippedasshel ookedatZane.She
hadal way sseenhi mf r
om adi stance
whenhecheckedonherbi gbr other
AJbutt hist i
mesheacci dentally
l
ookedi nhi sey esandherhear t
poundedwi thconf usion,hislipshad
alway sbeenherweaknessandt he
"peachf uzz"abov ehi sli
pswas
thickert hant helasttimeshesawi t
andi tjustgav ehisupperl ipits
breathtaki ngsexi ness.Shev owedt o
kisshim whenshegotol derandshe
wonder edi fhe'dbei nterestedi nher.
Sheheardall
abouthiswhi
te
gi
rl
fr
iendinAmericaandi
talway
s
demoral
isedher
..
.

Zane:
HiSet
so,
auntLol
oot
eng?
Set
so:
(looki
ngdown)Ee

Hehadsuchani cesexyteenvoice
andhesmelledsogood, shewalked
behi
ndthehouseandspl ashedthe
waterawayt
henshest oodbehind
thehousel
ookingatherself
.

Shecoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveshebeenwal
ki
ng
barefootaroundtheyar
dandnowher
feetweredust y
,shel
ookedathersel
f
ont hewindowandf i
xedherhai
r-
at
l
eastt hefacewasokay..
.

Meanwhil
einthehouse,
Zanetooka
seatandputHazelonhi
slapasshe
snoredonhischest
..
.

Lol
oslowl
ygotupandl
aidheronher
matt
ressbef
orel
ayi
ngdown..
..

Lol
o:Howi
sshe?
Zane:
Shel
eftbuti
for
gott
oputt
he
phonei
nherbag.
Lol
o:Agat
haisgoi
ngther
esoonene
l
eBabysotheywil
lgowit
hit
.
Zane: Ineedhelp,
idon'tknowwhat
I'
m goi ngt odoonMonday ,
Fai
thand
knockof fat4andi knockoffali
tt
le
after4, Ialsodon'
tknowwhowi l
l
pickt hem.Icanf i
xthem inthe
mor ningbutt heproblem i
sthe
afternoon.
Lolo:Don'
tworryI
'
llt
akethem duri
ng
theweekandy oucandropby
anyti
met ocheckonthem,atl
east
youdr i
vesoevenint
heafter
noon
wheny ouknockoffyoucanpick
them andgohomef orawhil
ebutI'
l
l
needthekeystothecarsbecauseI
wanttomakesurey oudon'
tdo
anyt
hingyou'
renotsupposedtodo.
Zane:(l
aughed)Iwoul
dn'
tdr
ive
aroundkedirabany
anamponeng
Lolo:(
laughed)Sorr
y,noi
don'
ttr
ust
teenageboysev ent
hegoodones
Zane:
(laughed)okayaunti
eI'
lll
eave
thi
sonehereandbr ingt
heotherlat
er
wit
hthekidsclothesandunif
orm.

Setsowalkedi
nandputt
hebat
hon
topofthewardr
obe.
..
Lol
o:Doy
our
ememberFai
th?
Set
so:Isawheral
ongt
imeago,
she
wasn'
tthi
stal
l
Fai
th:
Arey
ouSet
sana?
Set
so:
(laughed)No,
I'
m Set
so
Zane:Nnabantsi
etsabomonnawe
Katl
o,andthi
sonelookslikeAgatha
mathonyanaaboneaf unnyekareba
kgamil
wekesengwe

Theyalll
aughedasSet sosecr et
ly
gotthebutter
fl
ies,hercrush
recogni
sedsomet hingabouther..
.It
wasgoodenoughf orher.Itmadeher
dayandy eahshe'ddefini
telyl
ovehis
si
ster
sandt
akecar
eoft
hem.
..
.

Fai
th:
Cani
comewi
thy
ou?
Set
so:
Yeah.
..Let
'sgo.
.

TheywalkedoutasZaneandLolo
conti
nuedtal
king,Sheti
edawool
aroundthetr
eeandaskedFait
hto
standontheotherside.
..

Set
so:
Oit
segot
shamekasaf
e?
Fai
th:Notr
eal
l
ybuti
hav
eseengi
rl
s
pl
ayingi
t
Set
so:
Okay
,I'
l
lgof
ir
stsoy
oul
ear
n
t
heni
twi
l
lbey
ourt
urn.
.

Shefoldedherski
rtupandj umpedi
n
doingherthi
ngasZanest eppedout
ofthehouseandwal kedoverto
them..
.

Zane:I
'
m goingt
ogetsomeofy
our
thi
ngsokay
?
Fai
th:
Okay
Zane:
Kel
etel
eengSet
so?
Set
so:
(av
oidi
nghi
sey
es)Chocol
ate
Fai
th:
Iwantaj
uice
Zane:
Shap
HewalkedawayasSet
soj
umpedt
he
wool
..
..

Fai
th:
(scr
eamed)Myt
urn!You
messedup!
Set
so:(
laughed)Soy
ouknowhow
i
t'
sdoneafteral
l
Fai
th:
Isawgi
rl
spl
ayi
ng

Theychangedposi
ti
onandFai
th
j
umped...
.

Att
hehol
dingcel
l
...
.
Meanwhi leKensatont hefloorwit
h
hiskneesupandf oreheadr est
ingon
hisarms, t
hesmal lcellhewas
confi
nedi nsmelledandhadapoor
venti
lati
onwi t
hasmal lwindowway
upthewal l.Hecouldn'tuset hesmall
sli
m blanketatthecor ner
.Ithadbeen
peedonandi thadbedbugsofsome
sort.
..
.

Hestoodupandstret
chedhi
slegs
put
ti
nghishandsoutthecel
lbar
s
andleani
ngover
..
.
Ken: (l
ookeddownandcl osedhi s
eyes)I'm sorrybabe.
..
..I'
m sor ry.
..I
di
dn'tmeant otakeitt
hatf ar.Pl
ease
pullthroughforourchildr en'
ssake
andi fyoumov eonwithy ourli
fe
don'tbringyourmancl osemy
daught ers.I
'
m sorryif
ai ledasa
husbandandaf at
her,
Il ov eyou..
..

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
27AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴159

Att
hepast
or'
shouse.
..
.

Intheaft
ernoonFamilyandchur
ch
elder
sfi
ll
edt hel
iv
ingroom as
Brandonsatatthefarendwit
hhis
headdown.
..

Past or:
(angr i
ly)Thereisnot hingto
talkabout ,Brandondi sgracedmei n
frontofev eryoneandi wantnot hi
ng
todowi t
hhi m.Idon' tknowwhyhe
calledpeopl elikethi
s, ishoul dbethe
onewhocal l
edpeopl et ohel pme
shakehi sbr ain.Idon'tthinkhe
under st
andshowmanyl i
v eshe
changedj ustbecausehecoul dn't
keepi tzipped..
Br
andon:(
reddi
shey
es)Iknowhow
muchi-
Past
or:
(boi
l
ing)Don'
t,
don'
tev
ent
ry
that.
..Youl edt hatmani nto
tempt ation,omol eohisitse.Kewena
omodi ri
sitsengdi phosot sedi kana..
..
Your uinedhi sfami ly.
..
howdoy ou
sleepwi thawi feknowi ngher
husbandi ssitt
ingal onedesper ately
waitingf orher?(tear f
ully)You'r
e
heartlessandi am ashamedt obe
yourf ather.Thisist hesamemani
beent elli
ngy ouhei sli
keasont ome.
Itoldy oual lt
heseandhowf ari
comewi thhim andhi sloses.Hehas
comesof ar,hemadepr ogressand
your uinedev erythinghewor kedso
hardf or..
.Howdoy ousleepatni ght?
Het rustedy ouandbef riendedy ou..
.
Brandon'
slookeddownast ear
s
droppedonthet i
le,itwast he
sadnessinhisfather'sv oi
ce.Theway
i
tshookandv ibrated...Andknowi ng
howmuchKent r
ustedhi m.
..Tryi
ng
topict
ureli
feinprisonandhowhe
couldhaveavoidedal lthatbya
simpleNo.Her ubbedhi seyesand
shookhishead...

Brandon: Don'
tyout hi
nki knowthat
al
ready ?Iknowi destr
oy edafamil
y
andt heonlythi
ngi candoi scometo
churchandseekf or
giveness,pr
ayfor
t
hem andhel
pwher
everi
can.
.
Pastor:Thatmani sl
ockedup
becauseofy ouandy ou'
rehere
enj
oy i
ngy ourfr
eedom, marr
iagei
sa
Godlyinstit
uti
onBrandonandGodi s
angryaty ou,j
ustwait
..
.Justwait
Uncl
e:Br
otheriknowyou'
reangr
ybut
i
t'
sbeenmont hsandhewantsto
comebacktochurchand-
Pastor:
No,maybehewi l
lcometo
churchwhenKennaisrel
eased.
Brandonwil
lnotbegiv
enanyspecial
tr
eatment.Wearebusyprayi
ngfor
Kennaandhiswifewedon'thave
ti
mef orhomewrecker
s.Infact
pleaseleav emyhouseekar ekgange
etannat elele.Wehav esomany
mar r
iedcoupl esinchurchandif
Brandoni sat t
ractedtowiv
esthenhe
i
sanev i
lspi ri
tthatneedst
obe
chasedout .
..l
eave,st
andup!
Seni
orpast
or:
Butpast
or-
Past
or: (
stoodup)Br andon?St andup
andleavemyy ar
dbef or
ei si
ni nfront
ofal
l t
hesepeopl e,odir
ileboata
ekar
egaongwanawamor ut
i,asthe
past
or'ssony ou'
resupposedt obe
anexampl e.
..Leave..
.Standup. .
.

HesmackedBr
andonont
hehead
t
henhest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Aati
l
ethrewafewthingsinthetrol
l
ey
asVivpushedt
hetrol
leyplayf
ull
yin
fr
ontofherpar
ent
s...

Sedi
:Keengmo?
Aat
il
e:Iwantt
ocheckonKensoI
wasthi
nki
ngofbri
ngi
nghi
mt oi
l
etr
ies
Sedi
:Okay,i
t'
sreal
lysadt
hathi
slif
e
hasbeenrui
ned.It
'ssadt
hat
whenevert
hingsendli
kethi
speopl
e
j
udgetheendacti
on,hadDi
dinot
cheat
edhewouldn'
thavedonethat.
Shewasn'
twort
hgoingtopri
sonf or
Aat i
l
e: Icanr elatetoKen' sproblems
butt heonl ydi ff
erencebet weenhi m
andi i
st hati neverputmyhandson
awoman.May bethat'swhymywi fe
wasnev erreallyafrai
dt ocheator
tal
kt omeany howshepl eased.I '
d
rathert alkthanf i
ghtandi fthe
behav iourper sistsi f
il
ef ordivorce
thanr uinmyl ifekamot hosoi canbe
i
npr isonwhi l
eshemov eson.Thi sis
wher eal otofusmenf ail-
walking
awayf rom ahear tbreakgapal a.Ken
couldhav eser vedDi diwi t
hpaper s,
I'
m surehecouldhavefoundasist
er
atchurchandwifedher
, l
if
egoeson.
Apparentl
yshewasboredwi t
hhim...
Ibeentheretoo-
tol
diwasboring
may bebecauseIwastoosoft
Sedi:Idon'tsuppor tvi
olenceagai nst
womenbuti don'tunder standwhy
Didil
eftherhusbandi nt henextr oom
andwentf orasexspr ee, asifshe
doesn'tknowherhusband' shistory
shejustgoesonwi thlif
el ikenot hing
happened, kotengkeboi thatabut
Didiwasbr avet otaandf orherage
you'
dexpectbet ter.Setser etshaba
gobuwat ogagot wewear ejudging
andbashi ngot herwomenbutshe
waswr
ong.
Aatil
e:Di
dimetKenwhenhewasa
thugaleroughandshelovedt hat
may behim changi
ngint
ot hi
sbigsoft
teddybearturnedherof
f,howel se
doy ouexplai
ncheati
ng?
Sedi
:Kemat
hat
a..
.
Aat
il
e: Atl
easthehasbeengrant
ed
bai
lthoughhecouldn'
tfi
ndanyone
whoqual i
fi
estobai
lhi
m out
Sedi
:I'
m sur
ehef
eel
slosti
nther
e

Theypaidforthei
rthi
ngsandwal
ked
outofshophol di
nghands
approachi
ngthecar..
..
.
AtPr
ison.
..

Meanwhi leKenlaidonhi sbedf acing

upr eadi
ngthebi bl
et henhecl osedit
downandsatont heedge
thoughtful
ly
.Hehadbeenaski ng
everyonewhov i
sit
edt oletZane
knowhewant edt oseehi m butthey
allcamewi t
ht hesameanswer ,
"he
i
sn'treadytoseey ou"

Hehadn'
theardfrom Di
diandal
lhe
want
edwast oholdherand
apol
ogi
sethenletgoofher,
somehowheknewt hei
rmarr
iage
wouldn'
tsur
viv
ewhathedi dand
eachtimeheclosedhisey
eshe
wishedhecouldhaveknel
tdownand
prayed.
..

Hegr abbedhist -
shir
tandst epped
outwal ki
ngpastanot herinmatewho
stucksomet hingsharponhi s
abdomenandsl iditoutthenher an
off,bl
oodgushedoutandKen
grabbedthewoundt ryi
ngt ostopthe
bl
eedi ngbutitfl
owedbet weenhi s
fi
ngersashef el
ltothegr ound.
Anot
herinmater
anov
erandt
urned
hi
m around.
.

Hi
m: (
panicked)Jesus!Hehasbeen
st
abbed.
..Guard!Guard!

Hal
fofl
oaff
amil
y,pl
easel
i
keand
hav
eagoodni
ght
.
*
*
*
*
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
28AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 160

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..

APr i
sonscarbumpedt hrought he
gateinhi ghspeedf l
ashinglightsas
Kensl owlylostconsci ousnessi nthe
back, t
hecarpar kedatthe
emer gencypar kingandacoupl eof
nursespushedt hebedbehi ndthecar.
Thejailguardsj umpedoutand
carri
edKendr oppi nghim ont hebed
ashisbl oodimmedi atel
ysoakedt he
bedthentheycuf
fedhisl
egtot
he
bedasthenursespushedhi
mtothe
emergencyroom..
..

AtLol
o'
snewhouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eont hatsamebeaut if
ul
cloudymor ni
ng,Andrewdr ove
throught hegatetowardsLol o'
sthree
bedr oom houseandpar kedundera
corrugatedi r
onshadewher eLol
o
waspar king,nexttoherswasKen
andDi di'
scar swhichhadnotbeen
driveninacoupl eofdays.Shehad
grownst rictaboutthem beingdri
ven
andthekidshadjustaccept
edthat
shewast heonl
yoneal l
owedtodri
ve
them unl
essZanereall
yhadto.
..

They ar
dwasnoi syandifyoudi
dn'
t
knowbet t
eryou'dswearshewas
runni
ngapr eschooloran
orphanage.
..

Atthecorneroftheyar
dt heteen
boyswer echat
tingl
oudlywhi l
ebri
ck
l
aying,Katl
oandJuniormi xed
cementwi t
hsandmaki ngasmoot h
mixwhi l
eZaneandCalv i
nl ai
dalong
tr
ailofperf
ectl
yshapedbr i
cksas
RanaanandKgotsohel
dthehose
pi
pewat er
ingt
hebri
cksmadedays
befor
e..
..

Setso,
Faithandot
hergir
lsj
umped
thewool whi
let
heli
tt
leki
dsjumped
onthetrampoli
ne.
.

I
nsidethehouseTina,Agathaand
Babychatt
edsli
cingvegetabl
esfor
thesal
ads.
..
.

Agat ha:(l
aughed)Noser i
ously,i
just
feellikeanywomant hathasn'
t
kissedagi rl
don'tknowshi t
,koore
gagobat
eoakanyat hat
aandguys
tr
ansmenwill
giveyoumaximum
pl
easur
ebecausetheyknowyour
body
Tina:
(laughedchoppingthe
cucumber )Nohoney,that'
sjust
wrong.ThewayIl ovedick.
..Haebo.
..
Noman
Baby:
Okaysobef oreisawJaniwas
di
sgustedbutJan..
.Ngngngthat
ni
ggafine
Tina:Okayyeahsheissupersexybut
onlybecausesheisboyi
shand
knowingshecan'tf
uckmeuh
Agat
ha:
(laughed)Gi
rli
getf
ucked
andibeti
cum waymor
ethanal
lof
youcombined

Theyal
ll
aughed.
..

Agatha:ButIwon'
texpl
ainmy sel
f
becausesist
erscanbewicked,you'
l
l
star
tfli
rt
ingwit
hmyJan
Tina:(j
okingl
yshrunkhereyes
thoughtful
lysmil
i
ngsill
y)Cometo
thinkofitJancouldbe-
Agat
ha:(poi
ntedatherwi
thakni
fe)
Sayi
t.
..Sayi
t
Ti
na:
(laughed)Coul
dbeahol
y
per
son

Theyal
lbur
stedi
ntol
augher
..
.

Tina:WenaBabysi
tdown,y
ou'
reon
yourlastmont
hgarebat
ego
sekisi
wakeAndrew
Baby:(
pulledachairandputabowl
onherlap)Wabuammaandmyl egs
areal
way sf ul
lAndr
ewithel
aa
nkomanyet sagoemakadi nao
l
ebaka.
Agat
ha:Guy
sdi
dweforgettobuy
l
ett
uce?Mamal
ovesl
ettucekana
Baby:
CallJanaereke,
shewentt
o
buydri
nksaker
e?
Agat
ha: (
theyheardacarpar
king
out
side)Waiigaseene?

Theymov edthecurt
ainsandsaw
Andrewbumpi ngshoulderswit
ht he
guysthenhetookoffhiswhitet-shi
rt
andremainedwi t
hav estandjeans
ashejoinedt
heguy sbyr aki
ngwher e
thebri
ckswoul dbeput..
.

Baby:
Monnawameober ekajaJean
bat
hoy agompol
aisagot
hatswa
Agat
ha:
You'
ret
rai
ningt
obeawi
fe
aker
e,t
hat
swahel
a.

Hazelr
anint
othekit
chenandshy
ly
bi
therfi
ngerl
ooki
ngatBaby.
..

Baby:
LeAmericalet
shwer
eketal
a
haobonal
etogetset
shamekoj
aana.
..

TheylaughedasBabyst oodupand
preparedadishforherthensheput
heronherlapandf edherwhile
chatti
ngwithhersist
ers..
..

Meanwhi
l
eInt
hebedr
oom Lol
o
qui
et l
yputthebabytosl
eepand
careful
lyst
eppedoverhi
m picki
ng
herlaundry
.Shepassedbythe
chi
ldren'sl
aundr
yandpil
edtheirdi
rt
y
cl
othesont hefl
oor.
.

Asshecheckedmor eclot
hesinthe
wardr
obeshest umbledonSet so's
tr
easurebox,thepadlockhadn't
completel
ylockedthensheopenedi t
andfrownedlookingatadiary.She
gl
ancedbackandopenedi t.
..
.

«
«««
Il
ovet
hewayhesmi
l
es
Il
ovet
hewayhesay
smyname
Il
ovet
hewayhel
aughs
OhZane,
ohmyl
ove

Hedoesn'
tknowi
thi
nkabouthi
m
bef
oreisl
eep
Hedoesn'
tknowi
thi
nkabouthi
m
bef
oreigetup
Hedoesn'
tknowican'
twai
ttogi
ve
hi
m myv i
rgi
nit
y
Hedoesn'
tknowican'
twai
ttof
eel
hi
sweightonme
OhZane,
Ohmyl
ove
Hehasawhi
tegi
rl
Ican'
twai
ttobeherbackv
ersi
on
Hehasacol
oredbaby
Ican'
twai
ttogi
vehi
m apur
ebr
eed
OhZane,
ohmyl
ove

PoetSet
soMowana.

Sheturnedthepageandshookher
headreadingmoreandmor eabout
Zanethensheboiledandangr i
l
y
shookherhead,clear
lyshewas
havi
ngar epeatofMay aandCalvi
n.
Forsomer easonAati
le'
sv oi
ce
poppedi nhermi ndabout
approachingteenagerscal
mthenshe
putitbackandsatdown.She
remember edhowAat il
econducted
thattalkwit
hAgat haandJanthen
shepi ckedt
hel aundr
yandgotinthe
bathroom...

Lolo:(
shout
ed)Mpi
l
etsangSet
soa
nthuseha.
..

I
ntheki
tchen.
..

Baby:(f
ini
shedf
eedi
ngher
)Agobi
tsa
Setso
Hazel
:(r
anoutscr
eami
ng)Si
so?Si
so?
Baby:(
laughed)Nny
aammeo
motswana

Theyal
ll
aughedasHazel
ranout
chewi
ng..
.

I
nthebat
hroom.
..

Minutesl
aterSet
sor
aninthe
bathr
oom sweati
ngf
rom pl
ayi
ng.
..

Set
so:
Mamagat
wewampi
tsa?
Lol
o:Yes,
let
'sl
oadt
hismachi
ne.
Passmet
hewashi
ngpowder
Setso:
Youcangobackt
othebaby
,
i
lldoit
..

Lol
osatont heedgeofthetub
l
ookingatherassheloadedthe
cl
othesi
nthewashingmachi ne.
..

Lol
o:I
'veseenthewayyoulookat
Zane,
doy ouhaveacrushonhim?
Set
so:
No
Lolo:I
t'
sal
lovery
ourf aceand
every
onecanseeit,youhavetostop
becauseZaneisyourbigbrot
her
.He
hasagi rl
fri
endandachi ld.The
reasonhecan' tlookaty oulikethatis
becauseheseesal i
ttl
egi r
lwhopl ays
withhi slit
tl
esister,you'
rehi sbaby
sisterandhewi llbedisappoi nt
edin
youi fhef oundoutt hethingsy ou
thinkabouthi m.Asy ougr owol der
you' l
lli
keboy sorment haty ou
shoul dn'
t,it
'sfeeli
ngsandwecan' t
changet hem butwecandeci dehow
tor espondt othem.Okay ?
Set
so:
Emma
Lol
o:Ifyouli
keZanet herei
snothi
ng
youcandoswi tchoffyouremoti
ons
butyoudon'thavetotell
anyone,
wri
teitanywhere,si
ngitorshowany
signjustremi ndy ourselfthatwhat
you'r
ef eel
ingi swr ongandov erti
me
i
twi l
lgoaway .Ther earemenI 've
l
ookedatandt houghtt heywer ecut e
andsexybuti can'tgi
vet hem asi gn
oractany how, ikeepremi nding
my selfi
t'
swr ongunt i
lthef eeli
ngsgo
awayandi twor ks.I'
mt elli
ngy ou
fr
om exper ience, i
t'
snor mal tohav ea
crushondi fferentpeopl ebuty ou
don'tactoni t
Set
so:
Okay
Lolo:Guyslovesexandsometi
mesif
yout el
laguywhohasagi r
lf
ri
endhe
willhavesexwit
hy out
hengobackto
hisgirl
,you'
l
lbesohurtandeven
pr
egnantthenr
aiset
hatbabyalone
whi
leheismarri
edtohi
sgirl
fr
iend.
Set
so:
Iwantani
cef
ami
l
yoff
our
whenigr
owup
Lolo:
(smil
ed)Thenstayawayf rom
Zaneandkeepthatv i
rgini
tyforthe
ri
ghtguy.Hewil
lbesopr oudofy ou
becausenowadayslit
tlegirl
sjust
havesexwithanyone,bedi f
ferent
Set
so:
(smi
l
ed)Okay
..
.
Lolo:(st
ood)Goandplay,
I'
llf
ini
sh
that.
..Gal
ehetsaabonl
ethapa
Set
so:
Okay
SheranoutthenLol
oclosedt
hedoor
andsighedsmil
ingt
henshedial
ed
Aati
l
e..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:GuesswhatMrI
'
mtheper
fect
par
ent
Aati
le:
(laughed)Ican'
twai
ttohear
thi
s
Lol
o:Set
soiscr
ushi
ngonZane
wri
ti
ngpoemsabouthi
m
Aati
l
e:Ohnoihopemydaughteris
fi
ne,t
ell
meyoudidn'
tchaseherout
Lol
o:(
rol
l
edherey
es)Mxm.
..Ij
ust
hadasupercal m convowithherand
sheunder stoodme, idi
dn'tboi
lor
eruptli
keav ol
canosowhoi sa
perfectparentnowsmar typants?
Aati
l
e: (
laughed)Uhshamenny aar
uri
sar
egot ogel
wat satsi
ngsei ki
se
morit
ing.Letmeputmyphonedown
andclapf ory
ou..(theylaughedashe
cl
apped)wel ldonewel ldoneour
cl
evergirl!
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Goshapkwa,
just
wantedtobrag
Aat
il
e:I
'mtryi
ngtocallKat
loandhe
i
sn'
tansweri
nghisphone,ibought
hi
mt oi
l
etr
iesandotherthi
ngsforhi
s
Mat hsandSci encefairt
ri
p.Hesent
met helistl
astweekbutSedi nea
buadi t
oriny
anaabouthewehewe
thesearenotmyki dstoavoi
dan
argumenti letitgoandhustl
ed
somet hi
ngont heside.
Lol
o:They
'r
ebr
ickl
ayi
ngout
side
Aati
le:
Okay
,I'l
lpassbyandgive
them t
ohi
m, di
dy oupayfort
hetri
p?
Lol
o:Cal
vi
npai
dfori
t
Aat
il
e:Heel
ay ouj
ustr
emindedme,
weneedtositdownandtal
kabout
Cal
vi
n,areobatagonyal
a.
Lol
o:Babyal
sosai
dsomethi
ngli
ke
Andr
ew'spar
ent
saredi
scussi
nga
v
isi
ther
esower
eal
l
yneedt
otal
k.
Aat
il
e:Lat
erosi
ame?
Lol
o:Yeah,
I'
ll
justbehome.
Aat
il
e:Okay

Shehungupandcont
inuedl
oadi
ng.
..
.

AtTshepo'
shouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eMay aputherbabyonher
chestandwalkedtothekit
chen
pressi
ngherphone,shecameacross
apostfrom Baby.
..
BabyWaAndyadded4pi ctur
eswit
h
AgathaSet
sanaandTinaPula-
prepar
ingl
unchformypips,"
Whati
s
l
if
ewi t
houtfami
l
ymar a?Ilov
emy
l
argefamil
y"

Onthepict
uresshewaspout i
ngwit
h
thegi
rl
sastheyslicedvegetabl
es
andoil
edchickenpiecesforthe
oven.
..

Shepassedt
hepostcameacr
oss
anot
heronefr
om Cal
vin.
..

ZaneDani
elsadded3pi
ctur
eswi
th
Calvi
nMowana, Aati
leJohnsonJr
andKatloMowana.Thecapt ionr
ead,
" Wheny ourauntdoesn'
tcareif
you'r
etryi
ngt oactli
kesuburbskids
onFacebookandmakesy oua
bri
cklay
er,someonet el
lthi
swoman
I'
m awhiteper sonandIstayedin
Oklahoma "

Calv
inandtheguy slaughedand
j
okedaboutitont hecomment sand
i
tseemedev ery
thingwasgoi ngj
ust
fi
newithouther
.Sheputherphone
downandmadef ormulaforherbaby
andwalkedout,thehousewasbor i
ng
andBabyhadbeenact i
ngdistant
,so
di
stantshewasn'tsur
ewhatshe
wouldsaytoherifshecall
edandshe
wantedtocal
ljusttohearwhatwas
goi
ngont her
e..
.

Shesatonthecouchwatchi
ngTV
butev
eryt
hingwasbori
ng..
..
.

AtMar
inahospi
tal
..
..

Meanwhi l
eslowl yopenedhereyes
andslowlyturnedherheadl ooki
ng
aroundtheroom t henshelookedat
herhands,anur sewalkedinand
pausedsmi
l
ing.
.

Nur
se:
Didi
ntl
e?Ar
eweup?
Di
di:
What
?
Nur
se:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Di
di:
Fine
Nur
se:
Doy
ouknowwher
eyou'
re?
Di
di:
(looki
ngar
oundsl
owl
y)Hospi
tal
?
Nur
se:
Andy
ournames?

Shestaredathimt
ryi
ngtoremember
butnothingcamet
omi nd.
..
Nur
se:
I'
m goingt
ocal
lthedoct
or,
sit
t
her
eplease.
.
Di
di:
OK.
.

Shesl owlytouchedherneckandf el
t
thenecklacet hensher emov edi
tand
staredatitli
keshewasseei ng
throughitthenitallcameback. .
.A
fl
ashbackofBay ang'ssmi l
ingather
i
nhi swhitecoatpassedt henshe
smi l
edemot ionall
yholdingi tti
ghtl
y.
..

Thedoct
orwal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edat
her
..
.
Doct
or:Wel
comebackMr
sDani
els,
mayi?

Heexaminedherandt henurse
hel
pedherstandbutshewast oo
weakandfinal
lysatdown..
.

Doctor:
It'
snormal,youwon'twalk
ri
ghtawayandy ouwon' tr
emember
ever
ythi
ngallatoncebecausey ou
suff
eredabraininj
ury.
..Tel
lmewhat
youremember
Di
di:
Not
hing
Doctor:
Itwi
l
l al
lcomebacki
nthe
nextfewdaysandyou'
l
lremember
ev
ery
thi
ng.I
t'
snor
mal
..
.
Di
di:
OK.
..

Zaneandherdaught
ersfl
ushedher
thenshesmi
ledandcover
edher
mouth..
.

Di
di:
Zane,
FaithandHazel
..
..Those
ar
emychil
dren..
.

Shesmil
edrememberi
ngLol
o
washi
ngherlegswi
thawashi
ngr
ag.
..

Di
di:
AndLol
o,i
rememberLol
o
Nurse:(
laughed)Yeahthegi
antlady
whoisalway sbathi
ngyouwhenever
shecomes, shewouldbeallov
er
accusi
ngusofi gnori
ngyouka
accentefunny
Di
di:
(laughed)Shedoest
hat
Nurse:(laughed)Nobodyl
ikesher
hereinf actwehavebeenasking
them tosendy oubackto
Letsholathebesoshecantroubl
e
Maunhospi tal
stuf
frekal
apake
mosadi waMaun

Shel
aughedasthedoct
orscr
ibbl
ed
somet
hing.
..
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Minuteslat
erLolo'
sphonerangas
sheswitchedoffthemachineand
answeredwalki
ngoutwi t
hout
l
ookingatthescreen.
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Didi
:(smi
l
ed)I
'
m backf
rom t
hedead
agai
n
Lol
o:(eyespoppedasshescr
eamed)
ahhhhhhhhh.
..
.
Di
di:
They
'r
esendi
ngmebackt
oLet
s
-

Sheopenedthemaindoorandr
an
outscr
eaming.
..
..

Lol
o:Di
dii
sback!
!

Zanedroppedthecementand
steppedonthewetbri
ckssmashi
ng
them astheguy'
sscr
eamedholdi
ng
thei
rheads..

Guy
s:Heeeeee.
..
Zanesnatchedt hephonef r
om Lolo
butbeforehecoul dputitonhisear
Faithst
retchedupandsnat chedit
putti
ngitonherearbutshemi sseda
stepandf el
ldroppingi
tinthebucket
full
ofwatert hensheturnedlooki
ng
atbothZaneandLol owithhereyes
biggert
hanamar ble.
..

Fai
th:
Oops.
..

Every
onewal kedoverl
aughingas
Lolopickedherphonefr
om the
bucketandrubbeditwalki
ngbackin
thehouse..
Lol
o:Gosenayoot
aar
epho
molomo.
..Nkamoj
akameno

Zanetur
nedbacktoevery
oneand
l
aughedthenhetookouthisphone
anddi
aledDidi
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
[9/
4,12:
28AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 161
AtMaunPr
ison.
..

LateronJanandZanewal ked
towardst hesecuri
tygatewherethey
regist
eredandgotsear chedbefor
e
beingallowedin..
.

Zane:(
laughed)Ican'
twai
ttoseehi
s
facewheni t
ellhi
m mamaisonher
wayhere
Jan:(l
aughed)Iguessyou'
l
lgoi
n
fi
rst
,I'
l
lgetinaft
eryou
Zane:
Yeah.
.(smi
l
ed)Hei
sgoi
ngt
o
beemotional
,iknowhehasbeen
hati
nghimsel
fforwhathedi
d.Plus
thecol
dshoulderwegavehi
m...
Jan:
Whatifheisangr
yatusf
ornot
post
inghi
sbail
?
Zane:Hedeser vedthisthreemont hs
i
njail
,hewon' thol
di tagainstus.At
l
eastfrom hereifmamar eleaseshim
hewi l
lknowy oucan'tbeatawoman
tothatextant
.
Jan: IguesssobutI '
m gladisawt hi
s
wai t
se,kanai oncebeatthisothergi
rl
mogobot hokoaf t
ercheatingonme. .
.
(theylaughed)kasebet sasesal ase
thomol apelo.IdoubtI'
l
leverbeata
womanafterwhatpapadi d,
imagi
ne
hav
ingafightwit
hsomeoneandt hey
l
ayunconsciousformonthswhil
ethe
wholeworl
di sj
udgingy
ou.
Zane:Yeahmanit
'sbadandpapa
enetookitt
oof
ar,itwasext
reme.
.

Theywai
tedbythebenchesasa
pri
sonst
uffwal
kedovertothem.
..

Guar
d:YoucannotseeKenna,
he
wasstabbedbyanot
heri
nmateand
t
akentothehospi
tal
.
Zane:
What
?
Jan:
Why
?
Guard: Wedon' tknowy etandwe
don'tev enknowwhi chprisonerdi
dit
.
Thei nvestigat
ionsaresti
ll
ongoi ng..
.t
herearegangsi npri
sonso
i
tcoul dbeany oneandi t'
sgoingtobe
hardt ot r
aceit.
Zane:
Canweseehi
m al
ekospat
ela?
Guard:Youcan'
tseehim becausehe
i
sunderescortandgetti
ngmedi cal
assi
stance,
I'
dadv i
seyoutocome
agai
ninseveraldays.
Zane:
Washebad?
Guard:(
sighed)Gent
lemenIal
ready
gaveyoutoomuchi nfor
mati
on-he
l
ookedbad.Iguesstheystabbeda
v
einorwhateverbecausehewas
l
osi
ngtoomuchbl ood.
Jan:
Thanky
ou.
..

Minut
eslatert
heywalkedoutthe
secur
it
ygateputt
ingthei
rphones
andwall
etsbackinthepocket
s..
.

Zane: Whatifhedies?Hewasl
ong
grantedbail
andi stoppedy
ouf
rom
payingit
..
.
Jan:Zaney ou'
renotgoi
ngtobl
ame
yourselfforthi
s!Wedidthi
s
i
ntentionall
yandwewer enotwrong,
i
t'
sunf ortunatethathegotstabbed
butit'
snotourf ault
.Let'
sgot othe
hospitalandseei fheissti
ll
there,
do
pri
sonersgetadmi t
tedinthehospital
ortheyar etakenbackt opri
sonafter
seeingthedoct or?
Zane:Idon'
tknowbutIdoubtt hey'
d
beadmi t
tedwithotherpati
ents,ther
e
mustbeasi ckroom orwhatev erso
wemusthur ryupandcat chthem
whilet
hey'r
estil
lther
emay bet hey'
re
bri
bableandwecanseehi m before
theytr
ansporthi
m backt opri
son,
howmuchdoy ouhav e?
Jan:
Wearegoodi
ftheydon'
tmi
nd
ewal
let
.
Zane:
Let
'shur
ryup.
..

Theyjumpedi
nthecaranddr
ove
off
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..

SediandVi vwat chedTVwhi l

eAatil
e
tookabat hthenhi sphonevibr
ated
ontheTVst and.Shereachedforit
andleanedbackont hecouch
draggi
ngdownt henoti
fi
cat
ionbaron
hisscreentor eadhismessage..
Katl
o:HeyDad,
don'
tfor
gett
he
char
gerwhenyoubr
ingthet
oil
etr
ies.

Shecheckedt hecalll
ongandfound
Lolo'
scallthenshesli
ppedherfeeti
n
thesleepershoesandwalkedtothe
bathr
oom wher eAatil
ewascareful
ly
shavi
ngandwhi st
li
ngexci
tedl
y.

Looki
ngathimi nthatmoodannoy ed
herandthewhistl
i
ngwhi lehesexi
ly
keptbi
ti
nghisli
psl ooki
ngatthe
mirr
orfeel
inghi
msel fmadeitworse.
..

Sedi
:Sot
oil
etr
ywasf
orKat
lonotKen?
Aati
l
epausedlooki
ngatherand
snat
chedthephonegl
anci
ngathis
message.
.

Aat
il
e:Youneedtostopreadi
ngmy
messageskanaketsey
epassword?
Sedi
:Youhav
en'
tanswer
edme
Aati
le:Thosekidsar eallmine,i
rai
sedthem f r
om av eryyoungage
that
'swhyt heycallme
daddy.Marryi
ngy oudoesn'tchange
myst atusasaf athert
ot hem soyou
bett
ergetusedt ot hem askingme
fort
hings.
Sedi:Wecan'taf
for
dtosupportal
l
thosechil
drenandwhycan'
tyou
discusswit
hmepr oper
lyi
nst
eadof
l
y i
ng?
Aatil
e:Itoldyout hetr
uthandy ou
saidyoudon' twantmesuppor ting
them becauset hey '
renotmi ne
biol
ogically
.Idon' tunderstandhow
i
t'sokayf ormet obuyKent oi
letry
andnotmyson, sagagokegont i
rel
a
makgakgahel a-Kat l
omi ghtbeLol o'
s
nephewbuti raisedhim asmyson.
Sedi
:Howwoul dyoufeel
ifIwasst
il
l
doi
nglaundryyangwanawamyex
j
ustbecausesheusedtocallme
mama?Thi nkf
ormet oo,
babeyou
andherar edone,y ou'
redivorcedso
al
ltheot her
sthingshav etost op
bathong.Howam i supposedt o
enjoymymar r
iagewheny ou'
re
ment al
l
yst i
l
lmar r
iedt oher,areyou
evenawar ethatopal el
wakegobi t
sa
Lolooremyexwi fe?
Aati
le:Sowhatar ey
ousuggest
ing?I
shouldjustdumbmychil
dren?Ican'
t
dothat,dealwit
hit
Sedi:
Inotherwor dsyou'
llst
il
lspoi
l
yourexwife'
sf amil
y
member s/r
elati
vesandast hecurr
ent
wifeishoul
dj ustwatch?
Aat
il
e:Yeah,
whatel
secany
oudo
becausey oudon'twanttohel
pme
supportthem?Gapeaker eI'
m not
usi
ngy oursalar
y,Iusemymoney
andicanaf for
dtot akecar
eofallof
mychildrenequally
.
Sedi
:Wear
emar r
iedi
tsourmoney
,
weshar
eever
ythi
ng
Aatil
e:Exactl
y ,thereisnoi oryouit's
oursoKat l
o, Set sana,Calvi
n,Kgotso,
Setso,Mighty, Ranaan, Juni
or,May a,
BabyandMof eny iar
ey ourchi
ldren
you'r
eamot herof1112kaVi vian.
...
youhav e2gr andchi l
drenandone
mor eontheway .Doy ouhavea
problem wit
ht hat ?
Sedi
:I'
mtooy
oungf
ort
hisamountof
baggage.
.
Aatil
e:Somychi l
drenar eabaggage
now?Mxm whatam i doingar gui
ng
withsomeoney ourage...Iguess
that'
swhati getformar ryi
ng
someoneol denought obemy
daughter.Kooreyaanonggakehet sa
gobual eboMay akebuel ewena
gapekegor ut
ehowt hingsaredone
i
nt herealworld.
Sedi
:Excuseme?
Aatil
e:(r
aisedhi
sv oi
ceir
ri
tated)
Growt hefuckup!Youknewi had
thosechil
drenbeforeimarr
iedyou
andnot hi
ngi sgoingt ochange, I
'
m
notgoi ngt oabandonmychi ldrenfor
youi fyout hi
nkI'mt hatki nd,i
t'
s
eit
hery ouacceptmewi thmyt eam or
l
eav e.Ialreadysacr i
ficedmy
daught ersforyounowIhav etolive
witht hatguil
tther estofmyl if
eand
knowi nghowmuchi traumat i
sedmy
wifekaabor ti
onelej usttoi mpress
yourl i
ttl
emi nd..
.
Sedi
:Ist
hatwhyy
oucal
leachot
her
ever
yday?
Aat
il
e:(angri
l
ypunchedt
hedoor
)We
hav
echildr
en!
Sedifl
inchedlif
ti
nghershoulderas
heleanedov erangr
il
ylooki
ngather.

Aatil
e:Howelsearewesupposedt o
parentwit
houtcall
ingeachot her
whenwedon' tstaytogether
?Ska
batagontenaSedi!(grabbedat owel
)
Iexpectanapologyfrom youf or
call
ingmychil
drenbaggage.

Hebumpedonherashewalkedout
hangi
ngat
oweloverhi
sshoulder
..
.

Oncei
nthebedr
oom heappl
ied
l
oti
onandsl
idonhi
sjeansasSedi
walkedinandsatont
hebedl
ooki
ng
athim..
.

Sedi:I'
m sorryforbei
ngrudeabout
thechildren,Iguessir
eall
yneedt o
controlmyemot i
onsandthinklikea
wife,yourchildr
enaremineandi
mustaccepty ouasyou'r
ewi t
hout
makingy ouchoosebetweenmeand
yourchi l
drenbecauseyou'r
elikelyt
o
chooset hem sinceyou'
remor eused
tothem t hanme.

Hespray
edhi
msel
fwithaperf
ume
andl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ngher.
..
Aat
il
e:If
orgi
vey
ou.
..
.

Hetur
nedar
oundandcont
inued
put
ti
ngonhi
sclot
hes.
..

Aati
le:(brushi
nghishairlookingat
himselfont hemirr
or)Andy ouneed
tostopcompl aini
ngaboutmet alking
toLolobecauseasl ongaswehav e
chil
drenwewi l
lal
way stal
k.I'dsay
unti
lthey oungesti
s18butt hennow
wedi scussissuesofmar ri
agegone
j
aanaCal v i
nwantstomar ry.Andrew
l
eenewant stomar ryBabymeani ng
Loloandi havetosi tandt al
kabout
all
thesei ssues.Ifyouwantt ojoi
nus
you'r
ewel comebutdon' tever
compl ai
naboutmet al
ki
ngt oLolo.
Wear elinkedf orli
fe.
Sedi
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Iunder
stand.
..

Hekissedherandgrabbedt
hecar
key
swal ki
ngout.
..

Aati
le:Keisadi
l
ot sagaKatloand
thenLoloandiaregoingt
ot al
k.I
don'tknowhowlongitwil
ltake,ke
tsayaViv
Sedi
:Okay
..
.
Hewal kedpasthisdaught
erand
l
iftedherupwalkingoutwit
hheras
theybothlaughedandslammedthe
door.

Sediwat
chedhim dr
iveoffandubbed
hert
earsdi
ali
nghermot her
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Sedi:(
tear
ful
ly
)Aatil
ehaschanged, 2
monthshelarelemol enyal
ong.O
bogaleandhedoesn'tli
stentome
kooreit
'sal
labouthi
msel fandhis
needs.Heisouttohisexwi fe'
s
housegat
wegobuiwakamanyal
oa
bana.Wai
tsennakebel
ael
aketi
l
ego
si
twakelenyal
ogoneha
Her:So?I fAati
leisdoinghi sduties
asahusbandt henst ayoutofhi sway
anddoy ourwi fel
ydut i
es.Awi f
e
stayshomeanddoesn' tcounthow
manyhour sherhusbandspends
outsi
deorwi t
hwhom.Af tert heway
wesuf feredher eithoughty ou'd
respectt hisman, whyar ey ou
questioninghi m?St opact ing
i
nsecur ebecausey ou'l
l borehi m,
acceptt hosechi l
drenandst op
hurti
ngy our sel
f.
Sedi
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)MamaIt
oldhi
mI
wantalastbornandhesaidhehas
enoughchil
dreneneolapi
l
ekego
bayamatsetsi
.Aati
l
eisbeingt
oo
str
ictonmehelamoesenggone.
Her:
Givehi
mt i
me,
hewil
lcome
ar
ound.You'
ret
hewif
e
Sedi
:(si
ghed)Okay
..
.

Shehungupandwal
kedout
side.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lol
oleanedoverthemirr
orandfi
xed
herscar
ftyi
ngitaroundherl
ong
weavethenshest eppedoutast he
guysmov edsomeoft hef ur
nit
ureout
ofherbedroom andof f
loadedabed
fr
om thecar.

Theyputthebedsnexttoone
anotherandwal
kedoutdusti
ngthei
r
handsasBabyapproachedher
mother..
.

Baby
:Soshest
il
lcan'
twal
k?
Lolo:Yes,i
twi l
ltaket
imeforhert
o
regai
nev er
ythi
ng.Sheevenhasbed
soresbutI'
llbetheonl
ybathi
ngher
here,don'
tworry
Baby:Atl
eastshecantalkand
rememberafewt hi
ngs.Howfari
s
she?
Lolo:
Apparentl
yshehadbeenl ong
tr
ansfer
redbackher ebef
orethey
knewshe'dwakeupsosheshoul dbe
herebef
orenight.Wheni spoket
o
hershesaidthey'
recoming.Sheis
wit
h3ot herpati
ents.
Lol
o:Okay

Fai
thranov
erhol
dingLol
o'
shand
hoppi
ngupanddownexcit
edl
y.
..

Fai
th:
IsDaddycomi
ngt
oo?They
weretoget
herwhent
heyhadan
acci
dentri
ght
?Soheisfi
netoo?

Lolopi
ckedHazelandwalkedahead
tr
yingt
othinkofabett
eranswer.
..

Lol
o:I'
l
l askherlaterbutr
emember
wearenotsupposedt oaskhert
oo
manyquest i
onsbecauseshewi l
l
for
getev er
ythi
ngsowehav ehol
d
backotherquestions
Fai
th:Okay
,iguesswecanaskabout
Daddyadaylater
Lol
o:Yes,
that
'sanexcel
l
enti
dea.
..
Aati
lest
eppedoutofthecarand
gaveKatl
ohisthi
ngsthenthey
chat
tedforafewminutesbefor
ehe
metLolohalf
wayandpicki
ngHazel
fr
om her.
..

Aat
il
e:Hi
Hazel
,howar
eyou?
Hazel
:Fi
ne
Aati
l
e:mommyiscomi
nghome,
are
youexci
ted?
Hazel
:(gi
ggl
ed)y
eah
Aati
l
e:(l
aughedandhandedhert
o
Baby)HazelkeDi
dihel
a
Lol
o:(
laughed)Kenokatsamaaa
i
pokathatakanaDidi
gaayomogo
Zanel
eFai t
h..
.
Aati
l
e:Canwet
alk?Car
lwasj
ust
aski
ngmehowfarweare
Lol
o:(
laughed)I
jaabeal
eexci
ted
Aati
le:
(laughed)canwegotalkata
rest
aurantorsomet hi
ng?I
t'
snoisy
herebanabaat hodia
Lolo:
No,it
'
sf i
ne.
.Wecanjustask
theyoungonestopl
ayout
sideakere
Aat
il
e:Ar
etsenemokol
oing,
itwi
l
lbe
muchbett
erther
e?
Shel
ookedatthecarandlookedi
n
hi
seyesthenshesi
ghed..
.

Lol
o:Let
'
ssi
tov
ert
her
e
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Ar
eyouav
oidi
ngme?
Lol
o:I
'
m not
,(pushedhi
m)het
arey
e..
.

Hel aughedandwal kedbehindthe

housewher eoneoft hechildr
en
broughtthem chai r
sandt heysat
downt alking.Anotherwalkedout
withat r
ayoff oodandgav ethem,
theyatet hedeli
ciousfoodwhi le
tal
kingandl aughing..
..
.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronZaneandJanpar kednextto
thepr i
soner
scarparkinginthe
emer gencyparki
ngspace,therewas
onej ai
lguar
dsi t
ti
nginthefrontseat
l
isteningtotheradi
owi t
hthedoor
open. .
.

ZaneandJanclosedtheircardoor
s
andappr
oachedhim withsmi l
es.
..
.

Jan:
Heyman,
howar
eyou?
Hi
m:I
'
m good.
.

ZanetookoutabundleofP200not es
andwethisthumbcount i
ngt hem l
i
ke
theywerecardst
henhef oldedthe
notesandhandedtheguard.He
l
ookedatthebundleofmoneyand
l
ookedatthem confused.
..

Hi
m:What
'st
his?
Jan:Weneedt oseethepati
entyou
broughthere,heisourfat
herandyou
canbepr esentwhil
ewear etal
ki
ngto
hi
m.
Hi
m:Idon'
ttakebr
iber
y
Zane:Okay.
.(stret
chedhisar
m)Tisa,
l
etmegot akemychanceswi t
hthe
onesescort
inghi minsi
de.Maybe
theyhavechil
drentofeedor
gir
lf
ri
endstospoi l
Him: (
putthemoneyinthepocket)
Emapel e,
whyar ey
ouguy ssoquick?
Akeresantserebui
sananemal ai
taka?
SodoIshar ethi
switht
hem?Ba
dir
elengcutyaboneandI'
llconvi
nce
them
Jan:Thenweseehi mlongerandor
oneachcheckwemeethi m gaa
ti
siwaspatel
a,zakagasemetsi
brazenthosenotesar
ealot
Hi
m:Nopr
oblem buti
twi
l
ldependon
whoi
sondut
y
Zane:
Cool
..

Theothert wojai
lguardssteppedout
oft
hehospi t
alal
onewhi l
etheother
washoldingsomeki ndofdocument s
whichhef oldedasthedriv
erlooked
att
hem disappointedl
y..
.

Dr
iver
:Shi
t.
.
Zane:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)What
?
Jan:
What
?
Dr
iver
:Thosepaper
smi
ghtbe
hol
dingbadnews.
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
29AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 162
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Theyalldesperat
elystaredatt hej
ail
guardsapproachi
ngi ntheirbrown
tuckedi
nuni f
orm andboot s..
.

Hi
m:OkaePast
or?
Guard:Heisst
il
li
nther
e,wemi
ghtbe
her
ef orawhil
e.
Him:(t
oJanandZane)Cany
ou
excuseus?
Jan:
Sur
e
ZaneandJansteppedbackasthej
ail
guar
dsgotint
hecarandclosedthe
door
s..
.

Him:Bashi
anyanabakebanaba
Past
orandthey'
reaskingf
orafavour
-t
heywanttoseehim abobar
ejesa
cut
Guard:Cutyabokae?Thatcari
svery
expensi
vetheybett
ermakeitwort
h
Guar
d2:
Didy
oudi
cusst
hepr
ice?
Him:Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
oagr
eekese
suregor
eletaar
eng
Guard:Babi
tser
eut
wegor
eba
reng.
..
Oneoft hem signaledthem,Jan
steppedoutpul l
ingherjeansupand
rubbedhernosebef or
eslammi ngthe
doorwal kingtowardsthem asZane
foll
owedher .Sheleanedinsidethe
carandf istbumpedwi ththeguards.
..

Guar
d2:
Lar
engmal
ait
eaka?Buwang
reut
we
Jan:(l
aughed)Obat
aevidenceel
e
gore?Akeredaemanogotip'
i
le
Guar
d:Ti
sangr
ebone,
ret
hwaagal
e
t
hebanna
Zanehandedhi sbig" brot
her"t
he
bundlethenJancount edi
tasthe
guardssmi led,hehandedi tovert
hen
hedistri
butedi tthr
eewayand
j
umpedout .JanandZanegl ancedat
thefi
rstguar dandl ookedatone
anotherbefor efoll
owingtheother
guardinside..
..

Guar
d2:
Thi
s
Jan:
Sur
e
Zane:
Youwon'
tti
meusaker
e?
Guard2:
Nah,assoonast
hedoct
ori
s
doneyoucanseehim.
Zane:
Alr
ight
..
.
Hewalkedthem i
nsideandwai
ted
out
sidetheroom whereKenwas
bei
ngoperetedon..

Guard2:I
'l
lcheckony
oui
naf
ew
minutes
Jan:
Sur
e..
.

ZaneandJanwatchedhi
m wal
king
awayandbothl
aughedboyi
shl
y
cover
ingt
hei
rmouthsandbumped
fi
sts.
.
Zane:
(laughed)Lej
i
lekat
elel
ebanna
Jan:(l
aughed)Seri
ouslyIdon'
tknow
i
fhecheat edusorhiscoll
eagues,
thatni
ggai ssav
age..
.
Zane:Anneaphaphalet
seasifhe
di
dn'tgetany
thi
ng,di
dhejustknock
usorheknockedthoseguys?

Theyshookhandschat
ti
ngabouti
t.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronLolowalkedAat
il
etot
hecar
astheol
derguy
sdr ov
eoutwit
h
Calv
in,Aati
l
egotinthedr
iver
'ssi
de
andstart
edthecarasLol
oglancedat
herphoneandsmiledbef
oreputt
ing
i
taway .
..

Aat
il
e:What
?
Lol
o:Not
hing,
justsomecl
own
Aat
il
e:I
sitamal
ecl
ownorf
emal
e
cl
own?
Lol
o:Doesi
tmakeadi
ff
erence?A
cl
ownisaclown
Aat
il
e:KeeneBr
andon?
Lol
o:Skari
alootant
enabecauseo
di
ri
legor
eBrandonantur
neroffaf
ter
cal
li
nghim matheagaDidi,
thenext
ti
meIlookedathimthat
'sallIsaw.
Lejeal
ousmogomaswel eit
sego
bori
sabathodicr
ushtsabone.
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Really?I
tfeel
sso
goodgoseny el
etsamonnay o
mongwet hebanna.Myegoj ustwent
uppheeee(theylaughed)Didhebeg
you?
Lol
o:Hedi dbutthenheunderst
ood,
heknewt her
ewasapossi bi
li
tyI
mightr
ejecthim andhetooki
tli
kea
man.
Aat
il
e:SoI
'mtheonlymoront
hat
act
ual
lycr
iesf
oryourass?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
edmocki
ngl
y)Pr
ett
ymuch
Aat
il
e:It
'snot
hingt
obr
agabout
..
Mxm keatsamaya

Shel
aughedathi
m ashedr
oveout
..
.

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..
..

Afterplay
ingwi t
hmakeupwat ching
YouTubet utori
alsSedist
umbl edona
foodpanel andsali
vatedlookingata
deli
ciouspizzabeingsli
ced,the
cheesestretchedupast hewhi t
el ady
l
eanedov erandmunchedoni t.
..
Her
:TodayI'
mteachingyouhowt
o
makePizz
aaaaa.
..Yeii
i
...

Sediwatchedthev i
deof orawhile
thencl
ickedonanot herreci
pe,she
ti
edherrobeandwal kedtothe
kit
chenwi t
hherlaptopandputi ton
thecounter.

Shef r
ownedandt ookoutever
ythi
ng
l
istedontheingredi
entst
henshe
start
edfol
lowingthereci
pe.
..
.
Shet ookouttheplat
eandalso
servedaccordingt
othetutor
ialt
hen
shesmi l
edproudlysti
cki
ngher
tongueoutasshet ookapict
ure.
..

Sedi
:Tsenawenamogal!
HehehehehechoswenaMsedi
s..
.

Shesenthert
winsi
stert
hepi
ctur
es.
..

Sedi
:ChefSedi
Lame: Stopst
eal
ingf
oodfrom
theI
nter
net
,youcookdogpoop
Sedi
:Themmakennagone
Lame:
Lesamaaka
Sedi:
(sentmor
epi
ctur
es)St
il
ldon'
t
bel
ieveme?
Lame:Hee!Aat i
lepai
dforcooki
ng
l
essonsdidn'the?Iknewhewouldn'
t
pret
endforlong
Sedi: Lamet sekmaan,itaught
my sel
f.Iwasplayingwi
thmakeup
tr
yingtoforgetthatAat
il
eisfucki
ng
hi
sexwi f
ethenboom Isawpanel ya
cooking.
Lame:You'
reafastl
earner wai
t!
Aat
il
eischeat
ing?I'
m goingt
ogi
ve
hi
m apeaceofmymi nd.Nxla
Sedi
:Don'
t,
ithi
nki
rushedsomay
be
heneedst i
metodisconnect.The
elderssai
dmarr
iageisnotaj okeand
ikindofknewhehassomet hingfor
her.Heneedsti
mebecausehedi dn'
t
reall
yhaveti
mebetweent hedivorce
andourwedding
Lame:
That
'
str
ue
Sedi
:Butnowwehav
eissuey
abana
Lame: Aboutthat,Sedi l
etmegi ve
youat i
ponhowt ot akeanother
woman' smanandact uallykeephim
moel enggor ehewillloveyoumor e.
Wellscratchthatbecausey oudidn't
snat
chhi m, hecamet oy ousot hat'
s
abigadv antage.Mov i
ngon, thetri
ck
i
st ol ookatt heexandspott he
thingshedi dn'tlikeabouther
especi al
lywhatbr oket hei
r
relati
onshi p.Aker eheusedt o
compl ai
nmogowenagor eLol owaa
reng?Yepunder standwhaty ourman
l
ikesanddoesn' tlike.Inyourcase
Aat i
lelov esbabi esandhel oves
uncondi tional soi mpr esshimt herea
fi
lehgor ey oubot hhav ealotin
commonandbel ongt ogether.Lolo
l
ov eschi ldrenandt hatmakest hem
connecteacht i
met heymeetsobe
thatne?Thenl ookaty our
selfand
asky our selfify ouar edoing
everythingr ightanddoal ltheright
thi
ngswi thoutexpect ingany thingin
retur
nf oragoodper iodoft ime.Men
aresof ool i
sh,dot hatandy ou' re
donewi thAat i
le.Stopcompl ainingka
banaot ai kobelamot hokanao
mmor agapet hey '
reol dsot heywon' t
crowdy ourhouse.I fy oucompl ainhe
willventt oherandy ouknowwhat
theysayaboutashoul dert ocr yon.
Ibi
leAat il
eoeasybecauseal readyba
kil
ebedi vorcerandr emar rysopl ay
yourcar dsr i
ghtt winst arnnat he
mmamymar ri
agei sgoi ngt osur vi
ve.
Ididn'tsnatchhi mf rom any onebut
noonei sgoi ngt osnat chhimf rom
mebecauseIst udiedhi m andhi sexs
l
egor
enneabat
hal
elaengbot
he.
Sedi
:Wabuammewai tse?Kana
si
ncei t
oldhim nott
ogiveKatlo
moneyguynt seeboregagore.
Thanks,you'
reri
ght.
..
Lame: I '
vealwaysbeenthecl
ever
oneyou'
rejustbooksmart
Sedi
:
Lame:I'
m di
schargi
ngsomet
hing
funnyi
sitLabour
?
Sedi
:Whatki
ndofdi
schar
ge?
Lame:
Likemucus
Sedi
:Yeahitmeansyou'
l
l beinl
abour
wit
hinafewdaysorhours,you'
l
lfeel
thepr
essur
east
imepasses.Howi
s
daddydoi
ng?
Lame:
Hei
sfr
eaki
ngout
Sedi
:
, Happyf
ory
ouguy
s
Lame:
Thanks.
.

Sheputt hephonedownandcl eaned

upthecount erasAat i
lewalkedin,he
drewinsomeai racoupleoft imes
fr
owni ng,thatdeli
ciousar oma
couldn'thavebeenf rom theirkit
chen
never,hewal kedacr ossther oom
andst oppedl ooki
ngatSedi .
Sedi
:(smi
l
ed)Hi

Hedidn'trespondandi twasn'
teven
i
ntenti
onal,hejustcouldn'
twaitto
seewhatshecookedashel i
ftedthe
coverandr ai
sedhi seyebr
owst ot
all
y
surpr
ised.Hepi ckedapieceand
l
eanedov erchewi ngthenhelooked
atherandcont i
nuedchewi ng.
..

Aat
il
e:Youcooked?
Sedi
:Yes,
howi
sit
?
Aati
le:You'
rel
yi
ng,
whocooked?Di
d
yourtwincomeher
e?
Sedi
:(Poi
ntedatt
hel
apt
op)Icooked

Heglancedatthel
aptopandsmiled
huggi
ngherthenhekissedherneck
andeventual
l
yherli
ps..
.

Aat
il
e:it
'sverynice,
ifyoucandothi
s
onyourfi
rstassignmentican'
t
i
maginewhatI '
ll
beeatingnextweek
Sedi:Thanks,
whereisViv
?(hiseyes
gorged)Youforgother
?Kootengnne
gol
emonat et
otagolebaLol
omo
mat hongmool ebal
angngwana
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)I
'
m notgoi
ngt
olet
youspoi
lmyappetit
e
Sedi:(
laughed)Let
'seat
,wewi
l
l
col
lectherlat
ertoget
her.
..
Aatil
e:(
pickedthepl
ateanddugin)
Kanammekej elekwawait
se?Just
thatthi
sisgood
Sedi
:Let
'sgoeat
..
.

Theysatont
hecouchandat
e..
..
.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
.

Hoursl
aterJanandZanewalkedi
n
asKenlai
dont hebed,
hisf
ootwas
st
il
lcuf
fedtothebedbarandhewas
shi
rt
lesswi
thabandagear
oundhi
s
wai
st..

ZaneandJansadl ylookedathis
cathetersandhel ookedawayal i
ttl
e
embar rassedthentheypretended
theydidn'tseethatandeachsaton
thesideofhi sbedlookingathim..
.

Zane:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Ken:
I'
m good
Jan:
Wehadt obri
betheguar
dst
o
seeyou,
whathappened?
Ken:
Ithappenedt
oof
ast
,idi
dn'
tsee
whodi ditbutihaveseveralpeople
hati
ngmei nther
e.Idefended219
yearolds.Someguy swer eharassi
ng
them andt r
yingt
oturnthem gay .
Thesel i
tt
leguysarealwaysf ol
lowi
ng
mear oundsosomegangsar enot
happyaboutt hat
.
Zane:
Itmustbet
oughi
nther
e
Ken: I
t'
shar dforteenagersandguys
i
nt heirearl
y20's.Ididn'
twanttoget
i
nv olv
edbutt hoseboy sarehelpl
ess,
oneoft hem l
ookslikeyou..
.(l
aughed
andgr innedfeel
ingpain)Hecal l
s
himselfZaneev ersinceitoldhimi
hav easoncal l
edZaneandhel ooks
l
ikehim.Hecal l
smepapaandi t
anger
sthegangs
Jan:(
laughed)Theypr
obabl
ythi
nk
you'
rehit
ti
ngthat
Zane:(
laughedandimi
tat
edagay
voi
ce)Aowdaddy !
Ken: (
laughed)Theyallthinkli
kethat
butthepr i
sonchurchcr ewknow
thereisnothi
ngthere.Itfeelsso
awkwar dtotalkabouttheset hi
ngs
withyouguy s.Howar ey ourli
tt
le
sist
ers?
Jan:
They
'r
egood,
aunt
iei
sexcel
l
ent
Ken:Sheloveski
dsthatonel
,I
'm
sur
et hey
'r
edoinggoodandyour
mom?
Zanet
ookouthi
sphoneandpl
ayeda
voi
cenot
efr
om Didi
.
..

Didi
:(sl
urr
edspeech)Hi Zane,I
shoul
dbei nLetsholathebeshortly
.
Wear e2hoursaway .Ican'twai
tto
seeyouandy oursisters.Iloveyou

Ken'
sey
esgleamedwitht
ear
sashe
heav
edahugesigh.
..

Ken:ThankyouJesus.
..(
toZane)
Takecareofher
Zane:Iwi
l
l,Idon'
tknowwhenshewi
l
l
bereadyt
oseey outhough
Ken:Yourmot herandi mightnev er
getbacktogetheragai n,shewon' t
takemeback.Pr epareyour sel
ffor
thatandaccepti tsothaty oucan
helpFai
thunder stand.
Jan:I'
m goi
ngt opayy ourbailon
Mondayandf indahel pertoassi
st
met akecareofy ou.Iguessyou'l
lgo
str
aighthomesi nceAuntieisgoing
toAuntLolo'
sHouse.
Ken:
Thanky
ou
Zane:
(sadl
ylooki
ngathi
m)Papa
whyoremamagaakakeaboelanal
e
wena?Youguysaremarri
edandaunt
Lol
oexplai
nedtomewhathappened,
bot
hofyouwr ongedoneanot
her
.
Ken:Iwr ongedy ourmot her ,shedi d
nothi
ngwr ong.Beforeallthese
happenedshehadbeent elli
ngme
shewasbor edbuti didn'
twantt o
thi
nkaboutdi v
orceorgi vingher
somespace.If orcedhert ol oveme
becausei wasaf raidtobeapast or
whof ail
edhi smar ri
age,ipr ayedf or
yourmot hertocomet ochur chbut
shedidn'twantt o.Shehasnev er
evenhear dmepr eachory ouleading
thechurchwi thyourv oi
ce.She
doesn'tknowFai thcansi ngi nfront
ofthewhol echur chandmake
everyonecr y .(emot ionall
y )Ilov eyour
mot hersomuch, iknowi tshar dto
beli
ev ebecauseofwhati didbutI
l
ov eher ,shedoesn' tfeel thesame
andshenev erl i
edabouti t.Idon' t
wantt obadmout hher ,shewas
honestwi t
hme.Ideci dedt opr ay
abouti tandhopedshewoul df eel
dif
ferent l
y.Idon' twanty out oget
excitedandt hinkt hatmay bet hings
wil
l gobackt onor mal becauset hey
won' t
.Ifthisi njur
ydoesn' tleaveme
paralysedI '
dl iketogoandpr each
somewher ej ustt ogetawayf rom
everythingbecauseseei ngy our
motherwit
hany onewoulddri
veme
i
nsane.Idon'
tthinkI
'
llev
erlove
any
oneelseexcepther.

Oneoft
heguar
dswal
kedi
n..
.

Guar
d:Guy
swehav
etogo

ZaneandJangotupandsi
ghed
l
ookingatt
hei
rfat
her
..
.

Ken:
Takecar
eofy
ourmot
herZee
Zane:
I'
ll
dot
hat
Ken:
Andpl
easedon'
ttr
ytoconv
ince
herorreasonwithher,shedeser
ves
bett
er.Ireal
l
yhopet hemagistr
ate
wil
lmakeaj udgementsoi canserve
myt i
meandst artl
i
ving.
Zane:
Okay
..
.(smi
l
ed)Tel
lZanei
sai
d
hi
Ken:
I'
ll
tel
lhi
m
Zane:
Andpl
easesur
viv
eunt
il
Monday
Ken:
SeeyouMonday
..
.Jan,
howi
s
Agat
ha?
Jan:
Shei
sgood.
Ken:
Whenar
eyouknocki
ngherup?
Jan:
(theyal
ll
aughed)Assoonas
y
oust
artwal
ki
ng
Ken:
(laughed)Seey
ouguy
son
Monday..
.

Theyfistbumpedwit
hhim and
walkedawaythankf
ull
ysmili
ngatthe
guardwhonoddedbackandsi ghed
l
ookingatKen..
.

Guar
d:Howar
eyoudoi
ngpast
or?
Ken:
I'
m good.
..
Guar
d:We'reinvestigat
ingandwewill
fi
ndoutwhodi dthis,it
'spr
obabl
y
oneofthosebulli
eswhoar ealways
beati
ngsmallguy
sakerey
aanong
bashi
anyanabannabagoset
se
morago,baat
enega.
Ken:
Ithoughtsot
oo.
..
Guard:(l
aughed)Thoseli
tt
leguy
s
wereterr
ifi
edbaretoni
ghtbamo
mathateng
Ken:Akogangi
st her
ehewi l
lhelpher
,
healsodoesn'
tcondonethatandwe
havebeenhangingtoget
herinthe
chur
charea.
Guard:I
t'
ssadbecauset heset
hings
happenwhenwecan' tseeandthese
guysarealway
saf r
aidtogiveout
namessoi twi
llal
waysgoon.
Ken:
It'
ssad.
..
.

Att
hepast
orshouse.
..

Anhourlaterthepastorsdaught
er
walkedinwithat r
ayofjuiceand
cookiesonthesaucersasJanand
Zaneupdatedt hepastors.
..

Zane:
Thanks
Jan:
Thanks
Daught
er:
You'
rewel
come.
..

Shewal
kedoutasJanandZane
glancedatherbut
tandt
urnedback
totheoldmanandhiswif
e...
.

Past
or:
Itsoundsl
i
kehewi
l
lneed
hel
p
Wif
e:I'
l
ltal
ktotheWomen'
smi
nist
ry
andseeifwecanassi
st
Pastor
:Brandonisverylucky,I
'm
goi
ngtof or
givehimjustbecause
bothDidi
andKenar erecov er
ing.O
l
akimodimooar abi
l
edithapelotsa
gagwekapel a.
Jan:Wewil
lcommuni
cat
ewi
thy
ou
tomorr
ow
Zane:
Andt
hanky
ouf
oral
way
s
suppor
ti
ngus.
Past
or:Don'
tmenti
onit
,what
's
i
mportanti
sthatev
ery
oneisokay
.
Jan:
Thanky
ou.
..
Zane:Nnyaammegosi ame,wehav
e
toupdat
eaunti
eLoloandI'
m sur
e
mamahasar r
ivedbynow
Pastor
:Ofcour
se,
thanksf
or
droppi
ngby
Wi
fe:
Godbl
essy
ou

Theyst
oodupandwal
kedout
..
.

Jan:
Thatgi
rlhasanasst
hebanna
Zane:
(laughed)Kat
swaal
emonat
e..

Theyl
aughedanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtMay
a'sHouse.
..
.

Tshepowal kedinthebedroom t
aki
ng
offhist i
easMay ast
oodont he
mi ddl
eoft hehouset earf
ull
y
shushinghersonwhowascr yi
ng
hysterical
lyasusual,Adelepul
l
edher
dresshol dingabowl cry
ingwit
ha
wetpi nktightsaspeef l
owedonthe
ti
le..
..
Maya:
(cr
ying)Ican'
tdot
his,
ican'
t
dot
heseanymor e.
..

Tshepot hrewhi scoatonthebedand

pickedAdel ethenhewentt ot
he
ki
t chenandpr eparedsomethi
ngfor
hert oeatbeforeleavi
ngheronthe
couchwher esheat ewat
ching
car t
ons.

Hewal kedi
nt hebedroom andgot
thebabyputti
nghim onhischestand
gentl
ycaressedhim asMay asaton
theedgeofthebedbr eaki
ngdown.
Her emovedt hebaby '
sdiaperand
bathedhim wit hwarm waterthenhe
walkedaroundt hehousewr appi
ng
hi
m wi t
habl anketwhi l
ehe
comf or
tabl
ylai donhisfather'
s
shoulderunt
il hefell
asleep.

Hegotbackinthehouseandputhim
i
nt hebabycott
henhet ur
nedhis
att
enti
ontoher,hegotherhandand
hel
pedherstandthenhehuggedher
andkissedher
..
.

Tshepo:
You'
redoi
nggood.
..You'
rea
goodmot her.
..(
hesi ghedandlooked
i
nherey es)Tellyouwhat .
..
.Why
don'tyouv i
sityourmom ory our
sisterandI'l
lspendani ghtwit
hthe
kids?I'
lltal
ktomybossandgetaday
off.Takeabr eakf r
om thehouseand
thekids
Maya: (
cryi
ng)Ican'
ttal
ktomy
mother,shehatesme.Shecall
edme
whenshewasaboutt ol
osethetwi
ns
andiignoredher.
.
Tshepo:Mot hersnev erhatet hei
r
chi
ldren,
shemi ghtbesadbutshe
can'
thatey ou..
.Takeabr eak!Thisi
s
whyev er
ythingisstressingy ouup..
.
(ki
ssedherandhuggedherasshe
si
ghedr ubbi
nghernose)Takeani
ght
of
f,I
'l
ltakeitfr
om her
e..
May
a:(
smi
l
ed)Thanks
Tshepo:
I'
ll
gett
het
ubr
eady

Shewenttotakeabat
handhefi
nal
ly
si
ghedtaki
ngoffhi
sfor
malwear
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngCalvinandJunior
carri
edDiditothebedroom passi
ng
chil
drenintheli
vingroom asthey
stoodquietl
ywatching,abadsmel l
fol
l
owedastheylai
dheront
hebed
andst
eppedback..
.

Lol
o:Thanksguy
s,y
oucango.
..

Didicoul
dtel
l shehadabadodour
thoughtheboy sact
edli
kethey
couldn'
tsmellit
,Fai
thandHazel
stoodatthedoorbiti
ngthei
rfinger
s
stari
ngather..
.Shewasdiffer
ent.
Theyhadnev erseenherli
kethat
beforeandHazel wasn'
tsurei
twas
her.
.

Thef
ront
all
acewi
gssheal
way
shad
onwer eoffandt hesmallpat chof
boldnessonthesi deofherheadl ef
t
them wonderi
ng.Shehadl ostso
muchwei ght,forapeti
teper sonlike
herlosi
ngwei ghtlef
therlooki ng
scary.

Shecoul dtel
l herdaughter '
swere
scaredt ocomeov erbutseei nghow
healthytheylookedi ntheirbeautif
ul
hair
st y
lesbroughtt ear
st oherey es.

Shetur
nedandl ookedatMofenyi
l
yingonLolo'
sbedwhi l
eshemi xed
Dett
olwit
hwar m wateri
nthebucket
andputonhergl
ovesbef
orepushi
ng
thedoor
..

Lolo:Fai
th?Mamawat hapa
l
aitwa..
..
Giveherf
ivemi
nutes,
I'
ll
cal
l
you..
.

Sheclosedandlockedt
hedoorthen
shesoakedthegauzepadinherli
tt
le
mixt
ureandsteppedover

Lolo:Takegot hapi
setheseulcers
don'tsmellgood,t
hosenurseskoore
mot hoobolahelaanalebonef rom
theretheysayiter
ror
isethehospit
al
y
ett
heycan'
tcl
eanapat
ient
.

Loloturnedherov erl
ayingheronher
tummy ,herskincrawledasshe
l
ookedatt hedeepbedsor esonher
tai
lbone, hi
psandbackt henshe
gentlycleanedthem overandover
..
.

ShepickedDi diandlai
dheronthe
sheetbythef l
oorthenshechanged
thesmellysheetsandlaidheronthe
cleanbedding.

Minuteslat
ershewalkedinwi
thyet
anotherbucketandcl
eanedherup,
putrol
l
-ononherandloti
ont
hen
borr
owedhercl
eanclothest
hatdi
dn'
t
smelll
iket
hehospi
tal
..
.

Mofeny
istar
tedcr
yingont
hebedas
Lol
ocombedherhairandt
iedi
tint
o
apony.
..

Lol
o:(
shout
ed)Set
so!
?Taot see
monnayoowanthodi
akakodu

Setsowal
kedinandcl
osedt
hedoor
thenshepi
ckedhi
m..
Setso:
BoZanebatsi
lel
epapaot
il
e
gotsayaBashal
enowhewant
sto
seeaunti
e
Lolo:Tel
lthem t owai t.
..Andwhen
theygetintheyshoul daskhert oo
manyquest ions, t
hedoct orsaysshe
won'trememberev eryt
hi ngatoncele
nnagongweont ebet segapehao
bonaadi dimet sejaanabuti don'
t
wantt ostar
tleher .Gatwememor y
otantseoboaorsomet hingkana
gatwengdi l
ot sadi ngaka
Set
so:
Ok

Shewal
kedoutt
henLol
oqui
ckl
y
combedoneofherwi gsandputiton
herheadasi tf
it
tedperfectl
y.She
grabbedherhandbagandr ana
simplefacebeatthensheopenedt he
windowsandspr ayedherclothes
withcolognebeforebri
nginga
toothbr
ushandbucket .
..

Lolo:
Didi?Thapamenommat ogao
i
dibatsabanahaorewabuaabogore
phuu
Didi
:(l
aughedandl
eanedov
erweakl
y
brushi
ngasLolohel
dthebucket
)
Thanks
Lol
o:Howmuchdoy
our
emember
?
Di
di:
Notal
ot
Lolo:
Uhdon'tworryaboutiti
bil
eit
's
bestyoudon'
tremember ,
ifyoucan
rememberHazel,Fai
thandZanel e
Kentabeoleshapo

Lolost eppedoutasDi diswall

owed
tearfull
y,Minuteslat
ershewal kedi
n
carryingHazel asAati
lecarri
ed
Mof eny it
henherwhol eteam fi
ll
ed
theni cesmelli
nghouseandst ood
smilingather ,
theyallmadespace
forZaneashesl owlywalkedov er
withhi sarm aroundFait
h...
Aati
leandLololookedatoneanother
andsmiledemot i
onal
lyasZane
l
eanedov erandhuggedherthenLolo
handedHazel ov
er.

Didihuggedherki
dsastearsofj
oy
rol
ledthenLol
osmi l
edt
ouchedand
putherhandoverhermouth..
.

Lookingathershenot
icedLolo
wasn'tweari
ngherweddingri
ng
thoughAati
lewaswearingone,Lolo'
s
chil
drensmil
edatherhappyfortheir
reuni
onandal l
shecouldthi
nkabout
washerconv er
sati
onwithAati
le,
the
dayshegossi
pedtoMogapi '
swi f
e
andthedosesofAngeldustthattook
awayMofenyi'
sdearsi
ster
s..
.

Sheletgoofherchi
l
drenandputa
pi
ll
owov erherf
acecryi
ng.
..

Lol
o:Okayguy
s,let
'sgomommyis
notf
eel
ingwel
l.
..Zanebat
seepel
e..
.

Aati
letookever
yoneoutandclosed
thedoorasLoloconf
usedlywalked
backandheldherhandslooki
ngin
hereyes..
.
Lol
o:Whathappened?Ar
eyouokay
?

Shedroppedthepi
ll
owandputher
armsaroundLolohuggi
ngherasshe
cr
iedholdi
ngherti
ghtl
y.
..

Didi
:I'
m sor r
y .
..
..Forgivemef or
destr
oyingy ourf amilyandmaki ng
youlosey ourjob.All thesechil
dren
nowhav et owi t
nessasepar ated
famil
yyett hey'r
eusedt oseeingy ou
andAatiletoget her,
whatwi llMofenyi
thi
nkofmewhenhef indsoutthati
drovehispar entsapar tandmade
thei
rfat
herresentyou.
..Whati
fthey
diedbecauseofAngelDust?Whatif
i
taffect
sMof enyi
?
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
29AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 163
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..

Lolo:Stopwi
thapologi
es,
ifyouknew
howmuchwe' v eal
wayshurteach
otheryouwouldn'
tbesayi
ngallthese.
Didi
:Ij
ustnev
ert
houghty
ou'
ddot
his
forme.
Lolo:
(smiledatherandcur vedher
l
ips)Babesy ouandmear ea
powerfulf
orceandwehav esur vived
theworstoflif
e.Wemademi stakes
andwedest royedpeopl
e'sli
v es...
(l
aughed)Wewer ehear
tbreaker s,i
doubtotherwomencheatbutr onar e
chit
il
e,gonegal el
wat hatantsere
rwelediri
ng.(theylaughed)wear e
notthetypicalcr
ywomenandy ou'
re
theonlypersoni canrelatewith
becausey ou'r
enotper fectanddon't
pret
endtobe.
Didi
:You'
veautomatical
lycancel
led
outyourmist
akesandnowI '
m here
wonderi
ngwhati shoulddo,pl
ease
sl
ipint
oacoma
Lol
o:Idon'
thavetosli
pintoacoma,i
j
usthavetotakeavacati
onandleave
youwit
hmyki ds.Wouldyoumind?
Didi
:(smi
ledthoughtf
ull
y)I
sthere
anyt
hingelseothert
hanthat(
they
bothl
aughed)Aennyaammaeseng
pri
maryschoolel
e.
Lolo:(
laughed)pri
maryschoolethe
mmaemonat e,i
lovehavi
ngthem
around.

Aatil
eknockedonthedoort
henLol
o
respondedandhesteppedi
n..
.

Di
di:
Cani
tal
ktoAat
il
eal
one?
Lol
o:Sur
e

Lol
osteppedoutofther
oom and
cl
osedthedoorthenAat
il
esatatt
he
cor
nerofbedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Aatil
e:(laughed)Idon'
tthi
nky ou'l
l
everdiewai tse(t
heybothlaughed)
I'
venev ermetsomeonesof ortunate
i
nl i
fe,i
fi wasy ouI'
dbeabor nagain
Christ
ianGodl ov
esyoumor ethen
others
Didi:
(laughed)Stopit.
..Ij
ustwant ed
totellyouthatidruggedLolowi t
ha
drugcal l
edPCPakaAngel dust .It
waseat ingmei nsidetoseey ouguy s
fi
nall
yget ti
ngalong,hergett
ing
promot ed,youguysbuy i
ngcar s,your
kidsdoingsogoodatschool .Igot
j
eal ousandf eltshehadn' tpaidf or
whatshedi dtome, whi chwascr azy
becausekanar ebuakadi lotsabo20
year sago..
.Ihadal ottobegr at eful
for.Kenwasapast orandal oving
husband, Zanewasar esponsi ble
youngmanandmybusi nesswas
doinggood.Thi ngswer efall
ingi nto
placeandj ealousyhel ay agor eLol o
washappyt oo...I'
m sor ryformaki ng
heractcr azytot heext entofher
chasi ngyouof fevent hatt al
kabout
fi
ndi ngsomeonewhoappr eciates
yout otaiwasj ustsay ingbecausei
knewshehur ty ou.
Aat
il
e:Iwonderwhyshedi
dn'
trepor
t
you,sowhatwasy ourpl
an?Tohav
e
herkil
lever
yone?Sheabusedt
he
chi
ldrenandyoudidn'
tst
op?
Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry
Aati
l
e:Sowhydi
dn'tyour
eport
your
sel
fsoshecouldatl
easthav
e
herj
obback?
Di
di:
I'
m sor
ry
Aatil
e: (
angril
y)Forgetmei was
stupi
denought ofall f
orit,
sheismy
wifei shouldhavepi ckedsomet hi
ng
waswr ongbecauseLol owouldnever
mistreatachild.Icheat edonherand
hadchi ldr
enwi t
hot herwomenwhi l
e
shewasmywi febutshebr oughtmy
childrenhome.Mi ght
yandVi var e
welcomeandt heyev enl ov eherli
ke
shei st hei
rmot herev enMay athe
mostannoy i
ngchi ldi
sher
favour it
e..
.Ishoul dhav eknown
somet hingwaswr ong.Idest royed
myf ami l
yandl ostagoodwoman, a
womanwhocanl ookbackandadmi t
herwr ongs,cor recther selfandput
other sbeforeherhappi ness.It'
smy
faultfornotseei ngwhatanew
womanshei s.
...Butherj ob?Didinte
doy ouknowt hatshewasget ti
ng
promot ed?shewasembar rassedin
frontofhercol leaguesandy oukept
quiett heent i
ret ime?( stoodup
l
ooki ngatherdisgust ed)Sowhyar e
youusi nghernow?Tel l
mewhatar e
wesupposedt odo?For gett hatshe
wasev erabossandusedhermoney
tobr i
ngsmi l
est ot hechi ldrenfil
li
ng
thi
shouse?(shookhi shead)You' re
themostwi ckedwomani haveev er
met .Howcany oul etherpampery ou
afterdoingthattoher ?Howdoy ou
feelsleepi
nginherhouseget t
ingTLC,
arey ouproudofy our self?Loloke
sesony anasagago?Youdest royher
fami l
yandmakeherl oseherj obso
shecanspendherl asty earstaking
careofy ou?IsitaboutGi ovanni?No
i
t'snotbecausey oudi dn'twant
Giovanniinthefi
rstplace.Iknowy ou
wantedt oabortGiovanni soyoucan't
actli
key ouwereov erthemoon
becausey oudidn'
tev enwantt otel
l
mehewasmi ne.Youenj oybeinga
vict
imisn'ti
t?Loloabor t
edmybaby
100y earsagosol etmeabuseal l9
chil
dren.Ourchil
drensuf feredduri
ng
thatti
meandy ouwer ejustlaughi
ng
atusenjoy i
ngyourself.
Di
di:
I'
mver
ysor
ry,
iunder
standt
hat
-
Aatil
e:No..
.(tearsf i
l
ledhiseyes)You
don'tunder
stand....Youdon't,
you
changedmyl i
fe..
..Ilookedatherand
thoughtshewi ll
nev erchange.When
wegotmar riedthesecondt i
mei
vowedt owal kawayi fshehur tmeor
disrespect edandy oudr uggingher
didexact l
yt hat.Shedi dnothing
wr ong8wasangr yather .
..I'
vehur t
hersobad.Ican' ti magi newhati t
wasl i
kef orhert oknowshei snot
whatI 'm accusi nghert obe.Di diy ou
mademegof orasecondchoi ceand
nowIcan' tgoback.Shewon' ttake
mebackandI '
lllookl ikethedumbest
humanbei ngonear thforrunning
aroundi ncirclesl ikeaheadl ess
chicken.Ont i
risitsedi phosoandi
hopey ou'l
l behappyandpr oudof
your selfwhi leI'
m si t
tingtherewi th
Sedi knowi ngi div orcedmywi f
ef or
not
hing.Bepr
oud,
wel
ldone.
..
.

Heopenedthedoorandwal
kedout
t
henheturnedback.
..

Aat i
le: Iwishy ounev ertol
dmet hi
s,i
hadconv incedmy sel
fthatididgood
wal kingoutofmymar ri
agebutnowi
don' tknow.Ial sodon'twantt ouse
andhur tSedi l
i
ket hatit
'sunfair
,o
nthubet selelwapaandi hopeoneI '
l
l
forgive.Ri ghtnowi hateyouand
evenf ormaki ngLol otakecar eofyou
afterev eryt
hingy oudidtoher .
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandwal
ked
away
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
scar
..
.

Aatil
esteppedoutandsawLol o
standi
ngbyt hecart
alki
ngtoSedi
thentheyhuggedbri
efly
,Sedigot
backinthecarandLololaughed
closi
ngthedoorforher.
..
.

Sedi:Ireal
l
yfeelbad,kanaVivcan
missy ourhousebuti doubtRanaan
otany oneherecanjustsayletme
vi
sitViv
Lol
o:Thesethi
ngshappenandwe
hadalothappeni
ngthepastcoupl
e
ofmonths.

Aati
l
egoti
nthecarandcl
osedt
he
door.
..

Sedi
:Oksowhatt
imeshoul
didr
op
herof
f?
Lol
o:10
Sedi
:By
e
Aat
il
e:Goodni
ght
Lol
o:Goodni
ght
,Vi
vgoodni
ght
Vi
v:Goodni
ght
..
Aati
l
er ol
l
edt hewindowsanddrove
outfr
ustr
atedlyr
ubbinghi
seyes..
.

Sedi
:Ar
eyouok?
Aat
il
e:Yeah,
whatwast
hatal
labout
?
Sedi:Ohthat?Iwasapologi
singfor
notcooperati
ngli
keweusedbef ore
youandi gotbacktoget
her.We
agreedonhowt ogoaboutbei ngfai
r
toallt
hechil
dren.
Aat
il
e:Isee.
..

Het
hought
ful
l
yjoi
nedt
hemai
nroad
andsi
ghedf
rust
rat
edl
y.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eLolocl
osedthegat
eas
Tshepo'sl
ight
sbri
ghtenedher
,they
qui
cklydeemedandsheopenedt he
gate.
..

May
a:(
stuckherheadout
)Sor
ry!
Lol
o:Comonin,
keat swal
ather
ear
e
donkey
sint
hisarea.
..

Shedr
ovei
nthenLol
ocl
osedt
he
gat
eandwal kedt
othecarbutt
oher
sur
pri
seMay awasaloneasshe
l
ockeditandwait
edforher
..

Lol
o:Youlostt
hebabyf
at.
..Il
i
ket
he
wayyoulook
Maya:Uhmamammannakebonake
bopama
Lol
o:Thi
ngshav echangednowaday s,
bei
ngfatisn'
tasignofgoodl i
ving
andhappiness,
it'
sunhealt
hy.Your
bodyi
sfinebecausey or
enotf ator
ski
nny.
Maya:
Thankyou.
..Canwest
and
her
eandtal
k?
Lolo:(putherar m ar
oundher
shoulderanddr aggedherf orwar
d)
I'
vehadenoughapol ogiesforthe
night,
y eah-yeahy ou'r
esorryfornot
driv
ingmet ot hehospitalandall
thosesobst ories,if
orgiv
ey ou
Maya:(si
ghedinreli
efandputher
ar
m aroundLolo'swaist
)ThankGod,
ketakeleemotional
.Iwoul
dhav e
cr
iedwhileapol
ogisi
ng.

Theydust
edt
hei
rfeetandwal
kedi
n..
.

Lol
o:(
laughed)Thepr
odi
gal
daught
er
i
shome
May
a:(
shy
lyl
aughed)Uhmama

Theyalll
aughedandclappedthen
herphoner ang,
shesmil
edand
pi
ckedwal kingt
othebedroom..

Lolo:(l
owv oice)Hell
o?..
..
..Rr
a?.
..
..
.
Um. .
..It
ali
anorMexi can.
..
.Okay..
..
Um GoneGi r
l wi
ll
do...
.(l
aughed)Yes-
noi haven'
tseeni ti
onlysawt he
preview..
.(l
aughed)Alri
ghtbye..
.

Shehungupandgotr eadyasDi
di
qui
etl
ylookedather
..
.
Lolo:
(laughed)I
t'
sLol
o,doy
oust
il
l
rememberme?
Didi:(
laughed)Mxm koor
eyoogo
rei
lengarekesepokokemang?
Lol
o: (
laughed)Idon'tunderst
and
thi
sbrainshakingthing.
..
.I'
m going
outfor2hour s,
I'
mj ustgoingto
watchamov i
ewi t
haf ri
end.I'
l
lbe
backbef or
eyousleep...
Di
di:
Okay
..
.

Shefi
xedhersel
ftoperf
ecti
onand
tookoutl
onghighheel
sandslidher
smoothfeeti
nsideasDidi
observ
ed
herthenshegrabbedherphoneand
sprayedper
fumeonher sel
f.
..

Lol
o:Comi
ng.
..
Di
di:
Carkey
s
Lol
o:Hei
spi
cki
ngme,
Shap

Adi eselenginest oppedatthegate

anddeemedt hel i
ghtsthenshe
steppedoutoft hehouseand
appr oachedthegat e.Thegent l
eman
steppedoutandwai tedforher
l
eani ngagainstt hebumperasshe
catwal kedstraightintohisarms,he
cl
osedheri nsi dehisarmsandl eaned
ov
erwhi
sper
ingi
nherear
..
.

Him:Havei
tol
dyouhowbeaut
if
ul
you'
re?
Lol
o:(
giggl
ed)onl
ya100t
imes
Him:(l
aughedandt
hrewhert
hekey
s)
You'
redri
ving
Lol
o:(
caughtthem)It
oldy
oui
can'
t
dri
vet
hiscar
Him:Mmekanaket
il
egogoi
sa
Khawa
Lol
o:Aebat
hong.
..

Theybot
hjumpedi
nthecarashe
smil
edwatchi
ngherr
ever
seandj
oin
ther
oad.
..

Lol
o:(laughedpr
oudl
y)Uuuuu
hehehehe
Him:(
laughedandtookout
somethi
ng)Bona.
..

Shetur
nedherheadandqui
ckl
y
st
eppedonthebreakswi
thahuge
smil
e..
.

Don'
tfor
gett
oLi
ke,
goodni
ght
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
29AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 164

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Latert
hateveningMayawalkedi
n
thebedroom carr
yingMof
enyiwho
wasasleep.
..

May
a:Goodni
ghtguy
s
Al
l
:(f
rom t
hei
rrooms)Ni
ght
..
.

Shelai
dhim ont hebedandglanced
atDidiwhowasasl eepwit
hherarms
aroundHazelthenshewalkedover
andpickedherupwaki ngDi
di.
..

May
a:(
sof
tl
y)Letmegether
,she
mi
ghtdi
stur
byouatni
ght
..
Di
di:
(yawni
ng)Ok.
..I
sLol
ost
il
lout
?
May a:Yesbutshecal ledmi nut
es
agoaski ngmet ot el
leveryonetogo
tobed, apparentl
ytheyneedt obe
forcedtosl eeporelsetheywatchTV
untilmorningandt henfail
t owakeup
forschool
Di
di:
(laughed)Ok

Mayat ookhert
obedandt hen
swit
chedofftheli
ght
sbeforesli
ding
i
nLolo'sbedthenshetext
edher
husband.
Maya: Thanksforgi
vingmeabreak,
i
l
ovey ouandy ou'
retheworl
d'
sbest
husband.Goodnightbabe
Tshepo:Anyt
imesweet
hear
t,
goodnight
.

*
**

Meanwhi l
ethedieselengi
nestopped
outsi
deandt hegentl
emanl eaned
backlooki
ngi nLol
o'seyesasshe
l
ookedinhi sandblushedlooki
ng
down.
Hi
m:Thanksf
orv
isi
ti
ng
Lol
o:Any
time.
..

Het ouchedhercheekandl eaned

overkissingher,
shetouchedhis
chestashecar essedherthighs
touchedherpant i
eskissi
ngherthen
shet ouchedhispackageandkissed
himr eluct
antl
y.
..

Heunzippedhisjeansandputher
handbackinthereasshestroked
himindisbel
i
ef,shehadjokedabout
thatsi
zebutneveractual
l
ythoughti
t
exist
ed.
Sheopenedherey esonthe
middleofthekissandglancedathi
m
ashekissedherpassionatel
ythen
sheclosedhereyesandcont i
nued
ki
ssingandstrokinghi
sd.

Him:(caughthi
sbreath)May
bewe
shoul
dj ustgobackhomeandcome
l
ater
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Shehheel
awenake
motset
seija
Hi
m: (
laughed)Mof
enyiomotonabut
i
fyouwantust owai
t,wewi
ll
wait.
..
Lol
o:(
smi
l
ed)Thanks.
..
.
Hebabyki
ssedherandzippedhis
j
eansasshesteppedoutofthecar
andcl
osedthedoor.
..
.

Lol
o:Goodni
ght
Hi
m:Goodni
ght
..
.

Shegoti nandsigheddisappoi
ntedly
wal kingacrosstheli
vi
ngr oom al
lthe
wayt othebedroom whereshe
swi tchedtheli
ghtson.May aandDi di
turnedl ooki
ngatthedoorasshe
tookof fhershoesholdingabig
env elope..
.
Maya:I
t'
s11o'cl
ocky
oungl
ady
whereyoubeen?
Di
di:(
inMadea'
svoi
ce)Li
tt
legi
rl
!(t
o
Maya)Br
ingmybelt
Lol
o:(
laughed)
Mxm.
..
.

Theyalll
aughedassheputher
pl
asti
cont hebedandt ookoffher
man'sbigjacket,
sheputi tona
hangerandintothewar drobebef
ore
fi
shi
ngint heenvelopeasDi di
and
Mayacuriouslystared.
..
.

Lol
o:(
pausedandl
ookedatt
hem)
What?
Di
di:
Whati
sit
?Wewantt
osee

Shesl
idoutt
hreet
icket
sandsmi
l
ed
l
iket
een.
..
.

Lol
o:Pha!
May a:(
gaspedandgotof fthebed)Is
thatthej
azzfesti
val
tickets?Tshepo
hasbeent al
ki
ngaboutget ti
ngust hi
s
ti
ckets,y
ooit'
sbeenal l
over
Facebook.Allt
heart
istswi l
lther
e
Lol
o:Mmh...
.Therear
ethreeticket
s
her
eDidi
,oneisformeonef orhim,
whoshoul
di gi
vethe3rdoneto?
Didi
:(smi
l
ed)Ican'
tgo,
I'
m st
il
li
nbed
remember?
Lolo:It
'snextmonthsot hereis
plentyoftimeforyout oexerci
se
thoselegs,you'r
ecomi ngwithmet o
thisfesti
valandtomakesur eit
happenseachmor ningyou'l
lbe
takingawal ktothegate,asforthe
bedsor esthey'
reasgoodasgone
becausey ou'r
enol ongeri
nacoma.
Didi
:Idon'
twanttodi
stur
byouand
yourfr
iendbesi
desi
-
Lolo:
DidiI
'm nott
aki
ngnof oran
answer,y
ouowemef orbabysi
tti
ng
andnursi
ngy oukanaotantuela
cashmma?
Di
di:
(laughed)Fi
ne.
..
Lolo:(
laughed)Thanky ou.
..(toMay a)
Andwenai fyoureall
ywantt ogobuy
theseticketsbecauseVIPticket sare
runni
ngout ,dil
ot samasi
godi bata
olekogosaf eesengkomapant sola
bagoanapangdi pata
May
a:I
'
lll
ethi
m know
Lol
o:(si
ghedt akingoffhertop)Oh
GodI'm exhausted..
.Sowhatwer e
youtal
kingaboutl eAati
le?
Didi
:Itoldhimthetr
uth,
hewashur t
andithinkhehatesmef ordest
roy
ing
hi
sfami ly.Hest
il
ll
ovesyou
Lol
o:(smi
led)Real
ly
?(laughed)Ot
aa
bakel
agosaitshwar
ela
Didi
:Butinallhonest
yhefor
gavey
ou
andyouwr ongedhim, i
fwel
ookat
thi
ngsfrom hi
sPOV.
Lolo:That'
strue,Iunder
standthat.I
f
Igavesomeoneasecondchanceand
thydidwrongI '
dgoexcepti di
dn'tdo
i
tintenti
onall
ythat'swherehegot
cheated
Didi
:Exact
ly,
anditseemshewant s
tochangehismindaboutthe
marriaget
oSedibecausehesaidshe
i
shersecondchoice.IhopeI'
m not
givi
ngoutunnecessar
yinfor
mation.
Lolo:
(smiled)No,
it'
sfi
ne.At
ti
eandi
arefr
iends.
Di
di:
Hei
sangr
yatme
Lolo:Youreallymessedupl enna
kanaIwashappywi thhi mthoughwe
havebeent hroughal ot
, mostofit
wasmymi stake.Idestroyedthat
manbey ondandi ttookmey earst
o
reali
sehowmuchI 'v
ehur thim.The
l
ittl
ehurtf
ulthingsweal wayssayto
peoplewhenwear eangr ycan
changehowt heyrel
atet ouskana
howt heyseet hemselves.Remember
myauntl i
kedsay i
ngI '
m anugl ygi
rl
?
Di
di:
Mxm i
remember
Lolo:Ithurtmeandov ertimei
start
edbel i
evi
ngi wasugl ythat'
s
howi endedupdat i
ngZer oofallmen
becausei neverthoughti nmywi l
dest
dreamssomeonewhol ooksl i
ke
Aatil
ecoul dwantme.Thatt hi
ng
stayedi nmeandov ert hey earswhen
al
l menwant edy ouandnooner eall
y
want edmei fel
titwasbecauseI '
m
ugly.Mostmi ghtthi
nki don'thavea
l
otofexsbuti t
'sactuall
ybecause
nnagankekebat iwakebanna
Di
di:
Butit'
snotbecauseyou'
reugl
y,
i
t'
sbecauseyou'
realwaysbusy.
Lol
o:Tel
lthattomyheart,
soto
someextentiunder
standwhatAat
il
e
wentthr
oughbecauseI'
vehur thi
m
andhebeli
evedhewaslessofaman
andheneverbeli
evedil
ov ehim.
Whenwef i
nall
ystart
edfall
inginl
ove
al
lovert
henboom Angel Dust
Didi
:Iunder standyoumi ghtbe
consi
der i
ngt omov eonbutwoul d
yougivey ourf ami
l
yasecondchance?
Iwaswr ong, imadey outwof i
ght
..
.
Wouldy out akehim back?
Lolo:(
smil
ed)Well.
..
.(giggl
ed)wewill
seeifheeverasksme. .
.(si
ghedand
stoodup)Letmegot akeashower .
..
.

Sheki
ssedMof
eny
iandwal
kedout
wi
that
owel
..
..
.

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Sediswi
tchedofft
hel
ightsandgotin
bedasAatil
elai
donhisbackthen
shel
aidhercheekonhischestand
si
ghed..
.

Sedi:Lol
oandi hadav er
ygood
conversat
ionaboutthechil
dren,i
just
reali
sedhowwr ongiwasabout
thosechil
drenbecauseididn'
tknow
thatthegovernmentpaysoffthei
r
l
ivingexpensesandCalvi
nast hebig
brothertookt heolderones,heis
supportingthem andev enLolorarel
y
spendsont hem exceptiftheyneed
l
itt
lethingslikepocketmoneyor
air
ti
mewhi chi stotal
lyf
ineforyou.
Andi wasj ustjealous,I
'
lladmitthat
..
.
I'
m sorry.
Aat
il
e:I
t'
sokay
..
.
Sedi
:Butyoudon'
tseem happy
,what
di
dyoutal
kaboutl
eDi di
?
Aat
ile:
ShedruggedLolowitha
hal
luci
nati
ondrugandallt
hose
unr
easonablebehav
iourshewas
di
splayi
ngwasbecauseofher.
Sedi
:Whydi
dshedoi
t?
Aati
l
e: Somest upid20yeargr
udge
andjealousyhelayagoremywi f
e
andiwer eprogressi
ng.
..

Sedi
sadl
ysi
ghedst
il
ll
ayi
ngherhead
onhi
schest
..
.

Aatil
e:Shemademehat eLoloand
evenwhenshet oldmeshewas
druggedididn'tbeli
eveherbecausei
thoughtshewasbackt oherlyi
ng
cheati
ngselfagain.Ihatedherfor
makingmeaf ool becauseivowed
thati
fLoloeverembar r
assedmel i
ke
thatagai
nI'
dl eavebecauseal r
eady
everyoneinMaunt houghti was
fooli
sh.Unl i
kewomenwhom when
cheatedtheygetsy mpat hyandar e
expectedt ofor giveandf ixtheir
hushedasamanwheny ou're
cheatedpeopl et hi
nklessofy oulike
you'reamor onandwheny ouf or
give
acheat i
ngwomanpeopl el osemor e
respectfory ouandt hat'
swhati
becamet oev eryone.Ilostr espect..
.I
walkedar oundf eeli
nglessandt he
factthatshet oldmebef orethati
haveal i
ttledickbr okemedown.I
thoughtmay bewomenonl ywantbi g
dicks,i
tdoesn' tmat t
erhowmuch
youlovet hem, lov eyourst epchildren
andsuppor ther.That '
swhati
thoughtandt hat'st heonl yreasoni
divorcedher ,ithoughtshewasdoi ng
i
tagai nbutnowi r
egr etitbecausei
knowshewasdr ugged.Ihat edher
somuchi didn'
twantt obe
connectedt ohert hat '
swhyIf or ced
hertoabor tandnev erwal kedaway
withnothingf rom t hisdi vorcel i
kei
didthefirsttime, t
hef irstti
meIonl y
gotmycarbutt hi stimei want eda
fai
rshar eandi goti t,nowi regret
everythi
ng...Iev enhur therdegr ading
herwomanhoodbecauset hat'show
muchpai nandbi tternessi hadi nme
allbecauseofDi di, ri
ghtnowi hate
herandt herei snot hingicando.Ifi
wasn' tamanI '
dj ustbreakdownand
cry..
.(tearfull
y )Becausei thurtsso
bad...(hecov eredhi sfaceand
sighed)Ispenty earsbuildingmy
familyandbui l
dingt hetrustonLolo
aftershebr okemecount lessti
mes,it
wast imef ormet oenj oymy
hardwor kandDi ditookitallaway.
..

Sedi gotupandhelpedhi m si
tthen
shehuggedhi m ashebr okedown,
shebr okedowncry i
ng,forheritwas
thatdejavumoment .Shedidit
again.Rai
singherhopeswi t
haman
whowashav ingproblemswi t
hhis
wifebutforsomereasonshe
appreci
atedhishonest
y,shenev er
thoughtamanwoul dbet hathonest
andv ul
nerabl
eandthatwasenough
forher.
..
.

Sedi:
I'
m sorr
y...(
kissedhim)I'm
sorr
y..
.I'
veneverreall
ybeencheat ed
buticanfeelyourpain.Ift
hisisthe
casethenmay beweshoul df i
lefor
div
orce.Il
ovey oubuti wouldn'
twant
tobewithyouify ouwantLol o
becausethenyouwon' tbehappy .
Aat
il
e:I
t'
snott
hati
wantt
oleav
eyou
-
Sedi:No, don'
tfeelsor ryformeorbe
embar rassedfordiv orcingagain.We
cant el
lpeoplei di
vor cedy outhat
wayt heywon' tthi
nky ou'r
eindecisive
koorekel ekagoav oiderasi t
uation
wher eyouar ejustforcingy ourselft
o
l
ov emebecausey oudon' thav e
choice,youhav eachoi ce.Talkto
Loloandt rytogety ourf amilyback
togetheragain.Doi tforme, t
hat'sthe
onlyfavourI'm askingy out odof or
me, i
st hatok?
Aat
il
e:Ok

Heheav
edahugesi
ghandhugged
hergr
atef
ull
ythent
heyl
aiddown.
..

Sedi:Andf ory ourowni nfor

mat i
on
youdon' thav eal it
tledickyou'r
ejust
sufferingf rom aSmal lDick
Syndr omei t'
smost lycausedby
getti
ngcheat edsev eraltimes
especi allyify ouhappent ohaveseen
theexpl icitcont ent.Eveniftheguy
you'recheat edwi thisthesamesi ze
asy ouy ou'l
l seehim asbi ggerand
accor dingt or esearchmostmen
gener all
yf eel they'
dbemuchhappi er
i
ftheywer eani nchor2l ongerthan
whatt heyar enowandt hatcouldbe
i
nfluencedbyt heanglei nwhich
they
'r
ev iewi
ngt heirdi
cksfrom.O
ngongoregahelammey oudon'teven
knowy oursizeandsomet imes
womensayt hatthatdickteaseto
menj usttohurtthem esennete
Aati
l
e: You'
remywi
feofcour
sey
ou'
d
saythat.
..
Sedi
:(smil
ednaught
il
y)cani
do
somethi
ng?
Aat
il
e:what
?
Sedi
:(l
aughedandswitchedt
he
l
ight
son)justr
elax.
..

Shereachedforherfi
rstAi
dcaseand
puti
tont hebedthenshehandedhim
t
hephone.
..

Sedi
:Googlethedi
ckscal
eitst
art
s
fr
om minisi
ze,smal
l,
aver
age,l
arge
andext
ralarge

Hetappedonthephoneasshe
j
umpedont opofhim gr
indi
ngonhi
m
andkissedhi
sneck.
..

Aat
il
e:(
laughedtypi
ng)Wai
t.
..What
ar
eyoudoing..
.Sedi
weeemapele

Shepushedt
hephoneandki
ssed
hi
m asheslowl
yjer
kedthenshesl
i
d
downhi
sdickandclosedherey
es.
..

Aat
il
e:(
moani
ng)Shi
t.
..
.Mmh.
..
.

Hehel
dherwai
standstr
uckheronce
t
henshej
umpedoff.
..

Aat
il
e:No,
no,
comeon.
..

Shesmiledandmeasur
edhim as
theybot
hlookedatt
hecent
imeter
s

Bot
h:16cm.
..
Aat
il
e:butGoogl
ewroteiti
ninches
gat
wenor malsi
zeke5inchesthat
's
wheremajor
it
yoftheguysare
Sedi
:Weconv
ert
Aat
il
e:Ok.
..
.16cm t
oinches.
..

Theybot
hstar
edatthephoneand
l
ookedatoneanot
her.
..

Sedi
:So?You'
re6i
nches.
..St
il
lthi
nk
you'
ret
iny
?
Aat
il
e:Let
'
scheckot
herr
esear
ches
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Sodoyoureal
lythi
nk
if
akemyor gsms?Ineverf
akeitabo
kecummerhel
asent
e
Aat
il
e:(laughed)Well
maybeyouhav
e
ati
nyv aginathati
sdefor
medor
something..
.
Sedi
:(l
aughed)You'
recr
azy
..
.

Theycont
inuedr
eadi
ng.
..
.

Aatil
e:(f
rowned)Wow..
..So6is
normal,7isl
argeand8isextr
a
l
arge?..
.Buthonest
lyit
houghtI
'm
here.
..Habo2inches
Sedi
:(l
aughed)2i
nches?Ser
iousl
y?
Helaughedf eeli
ngdumbandputt he
phonedownki ssi
ngherslowl
y
gett
ingont opofherassheputher
armsar oundhisneckthenhestroked
hi
msel fonceandknockedonbef ore
squeezinghimselfinastheybot
h
moaned. .
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

OnMondaymor ni
ngJandrove
throughthegateandparkedoutsi
de
thenshest eppedoutwi
thamai dand
unlockedthedoorasherphone
rang..
.
Jan:Youcangoi
nandgetst
art
edon
cl
eaning
Her
:Thanky
ou

Shest
eppedbackandpi
cked.
..
.

Jan:
Hel
l
o?
Past
or:
Wher
eisPast
orKen?
Jan:Ipaidhiscashbailf
irstt
hingi
n
themor ni
ng, t
heysaidt
heywi l
l
rel
easehi m someti
metodaysoI '
m
notsure.Hei sst
il
li
npainandi
wantedt opickhi
m buttheysaidit
wasi
mpossi
ble.FornowI
'
m cl
eani
ng
t
hehouse
Past
or:
Okay ,
I'
ll
sendKesegof
etset
o
hel
pyou..
.Theyhaven'
tmovedaker
e?
Jan:
No,
theyhav
en'
t
Past
or:Good.Shewil
lbether
esoon,
sheoff
eredtoassi
sthi
m unti
lhei
s
well
.
Jan:
Thanky
ou.

Shehungupandwal kedbackinside
wher etheypreparedaroom forhim,
minut eslat
eraprisonscarst
opped
outsideandt heygotouttoassistas
thejailguardshel
pedhim outoft he
carhol
dinghi
scat
het
ers.
.

Jan:
Hel
l
o?
Guar
d:Hi
Jan:Kegoreyouguysdidn'
tcall
usto
col
lecthi
mjustsokoloi
y apri
sons
canbeseendroppi
nghim off
Ken:(
laughedgr
inni
ng)You'
re
ungr
ateful
Guar
d:(
laughed)Tel
lhi
m..
.

Theguardletgoofhi
m asheputhi
s
arm ar
oundaroundJanand
st
aggeredi
nside.
..
Guar
d:Shapaker
e?
Jan:
Sur
edebr
ada.
..

HedroveoffasJanwal kedherfather
tot
hebedroom wher ehelaiddown
andsi
ghed,itf
eltgoodt ofi
nall
ylay
onarealbedinapr operhouse..
.

Ken:
I'
m hungr
y..
.
Jan:
il
lbr
ingy
ousomet
hingt
oeat
..
..

Ther
ewasaknockont hedoort
hen
Janwentt
othedoorandcameback
wit
hthepastor'
sdaught
er,she
smil
edshy l
yandshookhishandwith
herhandbagsti
l
lonhershoulder
..
.

Her
:dumel
ang
Ken:
Hel
l
o?Howar
eyou?
Her
?
Ken:
Resegor
ight
?
Her
:Masedi
,Resegoi
syoungert
han
me
Jan:
Real
l
y?
Ken:real
l
y?Youlookyoungert
han
herandihar
dlyseeyouatchurch
Masedi
:I'
m aSundayschool
teacher
soI'
dbeoutt her
epreachi
ngt
othe
l
it
tl
einnocentsouls
Ken:
(laughed)Thatexpl
ainsi
t
Jan:Pastorsai
dthey'dsendherto
helpusondai l
ybasi
s, i
guessshewill
becomi ngherealotand(lookedat
thewatch)ihavetogobackt owork,
Zanewillbehereintheafter
noon.
Ken:
Nopr
obl
em
Jan:Masedi
Shap,
themai
d'
snamei
s
Chindi
,by
e

Sherushedoutl
eavi
ngthem l
ooki
ng
atoneanothert
henMasedisi
ghed
andputherhandbagdown.
..
Masedi
:Letmemakey
ousomet
hing
t
oeatPastor
Ken:
thanks.
..

Shewal
kedoutpul
l
ingt
hesl
eev
esof
hert
op.

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
.

Aati
lerol
l
edbackonhisoffi
cechair
andtookouthi
slunchboxthenhe
tookoutafr
eshsandwichandleaned
backtaki
ngabit
ethenheopenedt he
si
l
verf
laskbot
tl
eandsi
pped.
..
.

Heleanedbacklooki
ngathisl
unch
boxandsmi l
edatSediandViv
's
pi
ctureonthefr
amet henhedial
ed
her
...
.

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?
Aat
il
e:(softl
y)Hi
,thanksfort
he
br
eakfast.
..I
tsexcel
lent
Sedi
:Gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t
Aat
il
e:Whatar
eyoudoingdur
ing
l
unch?Iwantt
otakey
ouout
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Ar
en'
tyousupposed
t
otal
ktoLol
oabout
-
Aatil
e:Ithoughtaboutthatand
mmh. ..
.(shookhisheadsmi li
ng)I
thi
nkI'm good..
.Iloveyouandi tfi
rsti
thoughti waswithy oubecauseof
cert
ainthingsnutnowt hatihav ea
choiceI'
dchoosey ouoverandov er
again.
Sedi
:Real
l
y?
Aat
il
e:Yeah.
..Andlastni
ghtwas
awesome,olokaengkukuy agago?
Sedi:
Shebanna(
theyl
aughed)Ke
fol
lowme
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Fuckmaanf
oll
ow
meyatengwor kswonder
smani
don'
twanttol
eave.Babethemma
skabol
elel
abat
hogor eamporeke
l
ela
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Gasegor
enneol
ela
gol
ohalerraet
sho?
Aat
il
e:I
'
llpi
cky
ouupatl
unch
Sedi
:Lunchi
tis.Lov
eyou
Aat
il
e:Lov
eyouami
l
li
onmor
e

Hehungupsmil
i
ngandpickedt
he
sandwi
cht
aki
ngabi
te.
..
.

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.
Laterthataf
ternoonLolosupport
ed
Didiasshest eppedoutofthehouse
andr ubbedherey esduet
ot he
unfami l
i
arli
ght..
.

Lolo:Atl
easty
ou'
ret
aki
ngmor
e
stepsnow..
.
Di
di:
Yeah.
..Let
'sgobacki
nsi
de.
..
.
I
'mti
red
Lol
o:Ar
eboehaatt
hegat
e..
.

Didi
'sphonerangt
henLolopi
ckedi
t
forherputt
ingi
tonherear
..
.
Di
di:
(pant
ing)Hel
l
o?
Jan:Hi,
papaokol
apengbamo
ri
l
isi
tseonbai
l
Di
di:
OhGood,howishe?Zanetol
d
mehewasstabbedwi
thaknif
e.
Jan:
Hewi
l
lbef
inehewasst
it
ched
Di
di:
Okay
..
.

Shehungupandt heystoppedatthe
gatewher esheputherar msont he
gateandl eanedov er
,acarstopped
i
nf rontofthegateanday oungman
steppedout .Theybothreadthelogo
ont hedoorandf rowned..
.
Him: Goodaf t
ernoon,iam Mi
chael
Kakaretsofrom Nonsieand
Att
orney '
s,Iam looki
ngforDi
dint
le
Daniels.
Di
di:
That
'sme.
..

Heunzi
ppedhiscaseandser
vedher
asLol
owatched.
..

Di
di:
Kenwant
sadi
vor
ce?
Lol
o:What
?
Di
di:
Giv
emet
hephone.
..
Shedi
aledKen.
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
I'
vej
ustbeenser
vedwit
h
di
vor
cepaper
s,what'
sgoi
ngon?
Ken: Ijustdon' tthinkwear emeant
foreachot her,webot hwantdi ffer
ent
things.Idon' twantt obet heKeni
was10y earsagosel li
ngdr ugs,
threateningandpuni shingawomani
claimt olov e.Iam ol dernowsoi l
ove
differ
ent l
y,i l
ovewi t
hr espect.Iam a
father,agr andf atherandapast or,
thosear echar act ersinmei fyou
cannotf indhappi nessi nmebei nga
pastorandf indi tv erydifficul tto
comet ochur cht hent her ei sno
reasonforust of ightabouti t.IfI'v
e
changedt obeabor i
ngper sont here
i
snoneedf ormet obecheat ed.You
hadachoi cet oleav eandgodat e
Brandonbuty ouchoset ocheat ,i
don'tbl
amey oubecauseev enI 'm
wrongf orreact ingv i
olent ly,i shoul d
havejustaccept edy ourchoi cey aga
Brandonandf i
ledf ordi vorcebutnow
I'
m corr
ectingmy sel
f.Youcant ake
everyt
hingal liwanti st obef r eef r
om
thi
smar ri
ageandst artfat her ingmy
chil
drenther ightwayi nsteadof
goingbackandf ourth.I'
m sur ey ou'
ll
fi
ndamanwi ththatt
hingandI'
llf
ind
agodlywoman.What 'simport
antis
thatweparentourchil
dreninpeace.
Wedon'thav etobetogethert
obe
goodparents..
.
Di
di:
Canwemeetandt
alk?
Ken: No,mybai lconditi
onsst atethat
imustnotcommuni catewi t
hy ouso
thisshouldbeourl astconv ersati
on
becausei don'
twantt ogobackt ojail
.
I'
mv erysorryforbeatingy oulikethat,
i
twasnev ermyi ntent
iontohur tyou,
itookittoofarandI '
llneveragai nin
myl i
feraisemyhandt oawoman
evenmynextwi feifieverf i
ndone.
Bye
Hehungupt henshet
ear
ful
l
ylooked
atLol
o..
..
..

24Kl
i
kesbef
ore6pm t
ogetabonus
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
29AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 165
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
.

Lol
ohelpedhersi
tonthebedandsat
onher
sl ooki
ngather
..
.

Didi
:Whatwasthepoi
ntofhim
beat
ingmeifhewasgoingtodiv
orce
me?
Lolo:Maybeher eal
isedhedoesn' t
wantt obeawi f
ebeat er
,you'remy
fri
endandI '
l
lalwayssideyouunl ess
youarewr ongbutcany oubl amethe
guy?(shelookedbackatLol o
tearf
ull
y)andIdon'tunderstandhow
youcanst
il
lwantamanwhoal
most
ki
ll
edyou
Di
di:
Youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand
Lol
o:Makeunder
stand
Didi
:Iloveamant hathasa
dangeroussideLolo.
..(herjaws
dropped)Iknowbutt hat'
swhatt ur
ns
meon.Whydot hinkallthesethugs
alwayshavegirl
fr
iends?Remember
thatmanwhoki ll
ed4ofhi s
gir
lfr
iends?
Lolo:
Theonewhowast
rendi
ngon
Facebook?
Di
di:
Yes,
whydoyouthi
nkaft
er
ki
l
li
ngwhenegoesoutonbai
lgi
rl
s
throwt hemsel vesathi m?Knowi ng
thatifyoupi sshi
m of fhekill
y ouis
whatt urnsy ouon.Afterwhat
happenedi knowKenmi ghtkillme
soI '
l
lnev ercheat.Idon'tknowwhat '
s
wrongwi t hmebutwhathedi dther
e..
.
Tomet hatwasmymanangr yatme
andpuni shingme. ..
Lolo:
(confused)Whaaat
..
.sot
hat
wasnormal .
..I
twasli
keargui
ngwit
h
yourpart
ner
Didi:
Yes,it
'sapit
yitendedwi t
hme
i
nt hehospital
buthadinothada
headinjur
ythenextmor ni
ngI '
dhave
start
edhisdaywi t
hablowj obthen
cl
eant hehouse,cookhisfavouri
te
meal
andgoonwor
shi
pinghi
m..
Lolo:(sheputherheadonDidi
'
s
forehead)Thisguyreal
l
yshookyour
braindidn'
the?
Didi:(l
aughedandpushedherhand
off)I'
m seri
ous,whydoy out hi
nki
l
ov edKenwhenev er
yonet houghthe
wast hug?Youallthoughthewas
scarywi t
htatt
oosandal lblackpl
ain
cl
ot hes.
Lol
o:Yeahbutheal
mostki
l
ledy
ou!
Didi
:Youl
ovebigdicksri
ght?Imeani
knowthat
'swhatyoufantasi
seabout
ri
ght?
Lol
o:(
smi
l
edembar
rassed)Yes,
what
'
syourpoi
nt?
Di
di:Wouldyousett
leforasmalldi
ck
j
ustbecauseyou'
reafr
aidtobe
j
udgedforpref
err
ingabiggerdi
ck?
Lol
o:(si
ghed)Ok,
whatar
eyout
ryi
ng
tosay
?
Didi
:Whati sabi gdickt oyoui swhat
aguyt hatcanpuni shawomani sto
me?Bi gdickt oyou-punishmentf or
me.Hewentt oofar,i
didn'texpect
thatandi wasscar edformydearl if
e
becausei thoughtbesl appedny ana
thenrapedny anathenboom wear ein
bedapol ogisi
ngbuthewaspi ssed
thefuckof fandiwentt oof arlennai
shoul
dn'
thavesleptwit
hBrandon
wit
hhiswil
lybuteyli
fehastogoon.
Lol
o:Mmh.
..
Didi:Iknowpeopl ear egoingt o
shockedbuti l
ovehim andi f
or gi
ve
him, ithinkhewasj ustif
ied.Ithought
thi
schur cht hingchangedhi m buthe
i
sst il
l t
her e,thatdangeroust hugi s
theredeepwi thi
n.I'
l
lbewat chinghim
preachi ngi nchurchknowi ngi fi f
uck
upI'm dead.Thi swasal lineededt o
knowt hatt hemani f
ellinlovewi this
notdead. .Theonewhoputagun
betweenmyl egsandt oldmei fI
cheat edonhi m he'
dspl ashmypussy
ont hewal l
...
Lolo'
sfacewentfr
om shockedto
hi
lari
ousassheburstedi
ntolaugher
andclappedonce.
..
.

Lol
o:Wai
tseeeee..
..I
'dneverl
ovea
manwhoslappedme, kar
easlap
hel
ampamano, never
Di
di:
I'
dneverl
oveamanwhoi
sa
wal
koverorawetdog
Lolo:
(laughedandcl apped)What '
sa
wetdogheebat hong!Didinemma
nnaket shabaKennamot shaboo
kanawar ewammat a?Likeseriousl
y
ri
ghtnowi can'
tbeli
evei once
conf rontedhi m koorehadhel ostit
andbeatmenekagor eng?Wai tse
Didi allmyl i
feithoughty ouwer ea
chickenbuti syoucanl oveabeast
l
iket hatt heb8gi veup.Gasegor eo
holeeewagobol elel
apast orKenaka
beastgor eyoul ov ehim?Leenewaa
yakakwagagonasepesadi vorceke
goi ntshadi thookagor eoithaaar eo
ti
legomodi vosa, samony esast r
ess
ekar elasttimeAat il
echeckedonhi m
gatwehewascr yingf oryou
Di
di:(
smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?
Lol
o:Hewasdev
ast
ated
Di
di:
Don'
tgi
vemef
alsehope
Lol
o:That
'
swhatAt
ti
etol
dme.
.
Di
di:
Okay
..SohasAat
il
ecal
l
ed?
Lol
o:Noty
et
Didi
:Ireal
l
ywanty
ouguy
stoget
backtogether
.
Lolo:Aati
l
eismyy oudon'tknow
whaty ouhaveuntilyouloseitbutwe
wil
l seei
fhewillcall
sincehenow
knowsexactl
ywhathappened.
Di
di:
Yeah

Lolo'
sphoner angt
hensheglanced
atthescreenandpaused
thought
full
yforasecondbef
ore
put
ti
ngonasmi
l
eandpi
cki
ngasshe
wal
kedout
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Hi
m:Hey
,howar
eyou?
Lol
o:I
'
m good,
howar
eyou?
Hi
m: I
'm al
ri
ght
,di
dyouseemy
message?
Lol
o:Iwasbusyhel
pingmyf
ri
end,
i
wasgoingt
orepl
y.
Hi
m: Noprobl
em, anot
hermov i
e?Or
maybewecouldjustgooutfordinner
t
histi
meoradr i
ve?Ilovespending
t
imewi t
hyouandwhenev erI
'm not
wit
hy oui
missyouandbecome
l
onelyasi
fI'
veknowyoumywhole
l
if
e.
Lolo:(
blushed)That'
ssosweet,i
don'twanttofal
ltooquickbecause
I'
m scaredyoumi ghthur
tmeori
mighthurtyou.Iwantustotakeour
ti
me
Him:Maybeyou'l
lhur
tmeicannev
er
hurty
ou,
y ouknowmystor
y.
Lol
o:(si
ghed)I
'
mjustsay
ingi
guess,
howis7pm?
Hi
m:I
t'
sgood
Lol
o:Br
ingt
hesamef
lav
our
Hi
m:(
laughed)Iknewy
ou'
dlov
eit
.
Lol
o:(
laughed)By
e..
.

Shehungupandwal
kedbacki
nthe
bedr
oom..
..

Didi
:Wouldibepryi
ngifiaskedwho
thi
sguyis?Icantel
leachti
mey ou'
re
tal
ki
ngtohim becauseyoublush
Lol
o:(l
aughedandthr
ewthephone
onthebed)You'
ll
meethi
m oneday
Di
di:
Doeshehav
eaname?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Ical
lhi
m Mrr
ight
Di
di:
(laughed)Kar
ewaaganakaguy
Lol
o:(
Laughed)Whyar
eyoucur
ious
akerewearegoi
ngtothej
azzfesti
val
rot
henextmonthsbesi
desyou'
ll
see
him asweeksgoby
Di
di:
Okay
..
.
Lol
o:Letmewar
mthewat
erand
bat
hy ou.
..
Di
di:
Thanks

Shewal
kedout
..
.

AtJan'
sHouse.
..
..

Janwal
kedi
nthehouseasAgat
ha
wasdozi
ngof
fonthecoucht
henshe
l
eanedov erandkissedhersoftl
y,
Agathasmiledandputherar ms
aroundherneck,Janjerkedherup
andlaidheronthefluff
ycarpetand
gotbetweenherlegs.Sheunzipped
herpantsandpulledthem down
gri
ndingherpackeronherasAgat ha
moanedsof tl
y,
thedooropenedand
Janpulledupherpants...

Jan:
WTF!
Zane:(
thr
ewhisbookonthetabl
e)
Sorr
ydidii
nter
rupt
?Iwantj
uice.
..

Hepassedt
otheki
tchenasJangot
upandzi
ppedherpant
sfol
l
owi
ngher
.

Jan:Nextt
imeknockt
hisi
sn'
tyour
house
Zane:(
sippi
ngjui
cel
i
kehedidn'
thear
whatshesaid)Sawy
ourmessage,
what'
sup?
Jan:Amantlewantst ogiv
ey ouand
ourlit
tl
esi
sterst
heshar esbut
becauseyou'r
enoty et18y oumust
haveanadulthol
dingt hem fory
ou.
Soy ouhavetodecideifit
'sdador
yourmom
Zane:
It'
swei
rdhowy
oucal
lyour
mom byhernamemymot
herwould
beatme
Jan:Shei
syourmot
herso.
…any
way
whatshoul
ditel
her
?
Zane:
I'
ll
tal
ktoDadandl
ety
ouknow.
Jan:Cool
,canyougoI
'm ki
ndofon
themiddl
eofsomethi
ng
Zane:
(laughed)Br
oy ou'
rei
nheat
,
shi
tgotyousweating
Jan:
It'
sthehor
monesI'
mt aki
ng,
di
mpolai
sanopagor
efuck!
Zane:(
laughed)Wel
comet
oour
worl
d..
.Shap

Shewal
kedoutandsmi
l
edat
Agat
ha.
..

Zane:
Shap
Agatha:I
'
llsl
apt
hatgr
inof
fyour
face.
..

Zanel
aughedandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
..

AtAat
il
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Aati
l
edrovethr
oughthegatehol
ding
thewheelwi
thonehandandtouched
Sedi
'st
hight
henshefrowned.
..
Sedi
:Oh,
ther
eissomeonet
her
e..
Aat
il
e:Shi
t.
..I
tsAndr
ew'
spar
ent
s,ba
bat
agontshamagadi
Sedi
:Wher
eisi
tgoi
ngt
ohappenne?
Aati
le:
Ri ghthere,Babyi
smy
daughterlegal
lygapecult
ural
lyke
goneot shwanet seanyal
elwakogo
rr
agwe.
Sedi
:Ir
emembert
hat
..
.
Aati
l
e:Mxm i
for
gott
otal
ktoZer
o
andupdat
ehi
m
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Youtwohavet
he
weir
destrel
ati
onshi
pever
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Zer
oisagoodguy
koorewheny ou'r
epoorsomet
imes
youmayappearsomehowbutr aa
utwanamogomaswe.Gankakeka
nyadisaBabyZeroaseonkamo
l
atelakomor akengkakol
oi
Sedi:
(laughed)That
'sgoodbutdon'
t
youthinkweory oushouldt
alkt
o
LoloandBabyabouti t
?May bet
hey
maynotbecomf ort
ableher
e
becauseitsmyhouset oo.
Aati
l
e: I
t'
sthewayt hi
ngsar edone
andtheywillhavet ofoll
owt hrough
butyou'r
eright,I
'
llcallLoloandset
upmeet i
ngf oral
l ofust omeet .Le
wenay ou'
recomi ng,from nowon
you'
reineverythi
ngI '
m doner unning
ar
oundandacti
ngst
upi
dboCar
ltoga
bait
hut
arubbi
shmogonna.

Theylaughedashepar
kedthent
hey
st
eppedoutandshookhandswit
h
Andrew'suncl
e'
s.
..

Uncl
e:Wewer
eaboutt
oleav
e
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Sor
ry,
Mot
shel
oa
mal
atsi
agarenne
Uncl
e:(
laughed)Ver
ytr
ue.
..
.

Theygoti
nthehouseandt
alked.
..
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
..

Lateraround6Lol osatbef oret

he
dressi
ngt ablefi
xinghermakeupas
Didisupportedher sel
fwiththe
windowst retchi
ngherl egsandback.
..

Di
di:
Youreal
l
yknowhowt
odo
makeup
Lol
o:Thanks.
..

Sheappli
edl
i
pst
ickt
henherphone
rang.
..
Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Aati
le:
Hey
,um.
..Canwemeetand
tal
k?
Lol
o:(
frownedsmi
l
ing)Aboutwhat
?
Aat
il
e:Theki
dsandus,
howi
s7?
Lol
o:Okay
,nopr
obl
em.Wher
e?
Aat
il
e:I
'
llcomeov
er
Lol
o:Ok,
bye

Shehungandl
ookedatDi
di.
..

Lol
o:Hewant
stot
alk
Di
di:
So?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
otakehi
m
back?Youknowy oulov
ehim Lolo.
..
.
Youcan'tpossibl
yspendsomany
yearswithapersonyoudon'tl
ove.
Youguy sarecloseandhonestl
ythi
s
sexthi
ngconf usesmebecause
Aati
le-
Lolo:(l
aughed)Hookgangegasee
helang, di
dhet el
l youtoo?Kananna
gaker eAt t
iei
ssmal lIwas
compar inghimt oLor enotot hermen
ofcour seheisbi ggerthanot hers.
Dickscomei ndifferentsizesandfor
thefir
stt i
mei hadmetonebi gger
thanhisandl ostmymi nd.Men
alwayscheatwi t
hy oungerguy swhy
can'tawomandr ool f
orabi ggerdi
ck
andst illl
ov eherhusband' sav erage
dick?Cl earlyt herear eguy swi thtiny
dicksoutt here, it
'snotev enf unny ..
.
I'
m st i
llalitt
leshockedbyt hef act
thatadi ckcoul dbet hatsmal l butI
nol ongerj udgeaguybyhi ssi ze.I'v
e
l
ear ntthatcomment i
ngaboutadi ck
sizest opsaguyf r
om sat i
sf y
ingy ou
becausehet hi nksit'sal
laboutt hat.I
woul dn'thav espentsomucht ime
withhi mi fidi dn'tlovehim ori fi
wasn' tsatisfied.Icheat ed, cheat i
ng
j
esel fishnesshel ai thasnot hingt o
dowi thy ourpar tner.Idon'tgethow
diff
icultitisunder standthatmenand
womenar et hesame.Somemen
cheatf orsexev enbuyar oundf rom
apr ostitutethengohomet owi f
ey,i
drool edf orMogapi .Ididn' tlov ehim
ker aai twasaboutt astingabi gger
dickgor ekeut wehel agor eaguy
biggert hanLor eontshej ang.Bi g
mi stakest hathav enot hingt odowi th
Aat i
le,iknowhel ovesmet houghhe
fuckeda16y earoldwhi lehewas
wear inghi sring.I'
m notnai ve, iknow
shithappenst hat
'swhyi don' that e
hischi l
dr enfrom theseaf fairs.I
knowshi thappensbutAat il
eene
wast ir
edofget ti
nghur tandt houghti
wascheat i
ng, hedivorcedmeandi t
's
fi
ne.Idon' thatehim. .
.Inf acti
respecthi mf ornotdoi ngbeat i
ngme.
That'sar ealmanandi respecthi m
that'
swhyer eabuaaboker eetsa
becauseI 'velearntwhoAat il
eisand
thereisnomanl ikehim.Hehel ped
mer aisemydaught er,niecesand
nephews. ..Hedi dn'tmol estt
hegi rl
s
orabuseanyoft hem.Hel ovedt hem
equally.
.Suchmenar erareandi t
waseasyf ormet otakehi mfor
grantedbutnowi l
ookbackt hisman
wasabl essinginmyl if
e.Therei s
mor etomar ri
aget hansexandi hope
mydaught erswi l
l pi
ckahusband
basedonhi sper sonalit
yt hanthesi ze
ofhisdickort heamountofmoney
heear ns.Mar ri
agei swhatAat il
e
gaveme, het aughtmehowt opar ent
andt ohimi tsnatural.Theycal l
ed
him papapel ebeforetheycalledme
mama. .
.(laughedandshookherhead)
Li
fet hough.Justwheni wasenj oy
ing
mymant henboom.Gapei fyoubeen
withsomeonef ortoolongit'
s
i
mpossi blet omov eonqui ckly
withouthav ingthatwhati f
,it
snor mal
andi expectt ofeel t
hatwaymehel i
knowi l
osthi m

Shetookoutherphoneanddi
aled
herdat
e..
.
Hi
m:Hel
l
o?
Alone:Hi,somet
hingcameup.My
husband-imeanex-husbandaskedto
meethi m sowecant al
kaboutthe
chil
dren.
Hi
m:(
sigheddi
sappoi
ntedl
y)OK,
bye
Al
one:
I'
ll
lety
ouknowwhenI
'
m done.
Hi
m:By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
.

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
..
LaterthateveningZanewal kedin
withHazel andFaiththenhecl osed
thedoorwat chinghisfathersitt
ing
ont hebedwi t
hpi l
lowsbehi ndhis
backandbedt ablewiththekey board.
Hepl ayedthenotessowel lZane
missedseei nghim preachingat
church..
.

Ken:
Youunr
avel
me,
wit
hamel
ody
Yousur
roundmewi
thasong
Ofdel
i
ver
ance,
from myenemi
es
Ti
l
lal
lmyf
ear
sar
egone
I
’
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod
I
’
m nol
ongerasl
avet
ofear
Iam achi
l
dofGod

Hazeljumpedont hebedandti
pped
thekeyboar
dof fasshehuggedher
dad,Kensmiledemotional
l
yashe
huggedherandsmel l
edherbaby
Johnsonsweetsmel l
.

Ken:
Fai
thcomeher
ebaby
..
.
Fait
hgotont hebedandhuggedhi m
careful
ly,
shecouldt elhewasn'
twell
,
shest i
l
ldidn'
tunderstandwhyboth
ofherpar ent
swer esickandthecar
accidentstor
ydidn'tconvi
nceherat
al
l.

Ken:(
kissedherf
orehead)Imi
ssed
you.
..
Fait
h:Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
..Daddywhy
areyousi
ck?
Zane:
Hehadanacci
dent
,it
oldy
ou
Fai
th:Daddyly
ingisbad,whyar
eyou
andmamasi ck?Iheardsomeone
tal
ki
ng,sayi
ngy ouandmamahada
fi
ght
.Youbeatherandunt i
lshe
coul
dn'
ttalkthenyouwenttopri
son
andgotstabbed.I
sthatt
rue?

Kenlookedatherandemot
ional
l
y
touchedhercheek.
..

Ken:
Fai
thsomet
imesi
nli
fe-

Zanetear
ful
lylookedathim secret
ly
shaki
nghishead,thesadnessbehi nd
Zane'
sgleamingey eschangedhis
mindandhelookedbackatFai th..
.
Ken:Peoplewil
lcr
eatest
ori
esthat
arefal
sejustt
obreakfamil
i
esapart,
I'
dneverbeatmama,never.
..Il
ove
her.
Hazel
:Daddycanwegobackto
Okl
ahoma?Idon'tl
i
kei
there
Fai
th:Metoo..
..Canwegoback?We
werehappythere
Ken:Guyswecan'trunawayfr
om our
problems.Ipromi
seyouthi
ngswi
ll
befinefrom nowon.
.
Zane: Youhavetofi
xthi
ngs,ihav
e
problemsofmyownandi need
parentsbutbecausenoneofyouare
heretoguidemei mightmakea
mistake.Idon'
twanttomakehuge
mistakesaboutmyl i
fe.I'
mreal
l
y
scaredthatimightbetheworst
fat
hertomydaught er..

*
**

MeanwhileMay
aparkedthecart
hen
Didist
agger
edoutsuppor
ti
ng
hersel
f.
..

Maya:Cani
hel
pyou?Nnakea
si
simoga
Di
di:
I'
mfi
ne.Go,
Zanewi
l
ldr
iveme
back.
May
a:Okay
,by
e

Shewalkedinthehouseand
i
mmedi atel
ysmell
edt hedel
ici
ous
aromafrom theki
tchenthenshe
wentthere.

Thepastor
'sdaughterwasputt
ing
thepl
atesonthecounterthenDidi
swit
chedoffthestove.
..

Di
di:
Out..
..Anddon'
tevercomei
nto
mykit
chendoy ouunderst
andme?I
knowy ourfatherwant syoutomar r
y
myhusband.Yeahi knowheev en
wantedtosendy out oOklahoma..
.
You'r
ewast ingyourt i
me,leave.Now
befor
ei losemyt emperandf or
get
thatI
'm actual
lysick..
.

Shewal kedoutthenDidifol
lowedher
andwai tedforhertowalkout ,
she
closedt hedoorandwentt ot he
bedroom wher eKenwassi t
tingon
thebedwi thHazelnexttohim while
hepl ayedt hekeyboar
d.Zaneand
Faithsatatt heendofthebed
singingl i
keoldtimespracti
cingthei
r
nextspeci alsongatChurch.
Thelitt
lepracticewasmor ethanjust
apracticebecausei thadbeenal ong
ti
mesi ncet heyhadbeenwi thdaddy
andhest il
lhadt hekeyboardcharm,
Fait
hclosedherey essingi
ngwithher
handonherchestasZanesangwi th
basswi thhisar m ar
oundher
shoulder..
..

Kenstoppedplayi
ngthekeyboard
andlookedatDidit
henthechil
dren
pausedsingi
ngandlookedbehind
them.
Hazel
:Mama!

Hazel
r ant
oherandhuggedher
weaklegsthenFai
thst
eppeddown
t
hebedhelpingherwal
kin.
..

Fait
h:(smiled)Mamaiwantust
o
stayhere.Allofusl
i
kebef
ore

Didil
ookedatthem thenZane
swallowedandpickedHazelt
hen
grabbedFait
h'shandastheywal
ked
out.
..
Zane:Let
'sgomakeadr
inki
nthe
ki
tchen.
..

Didicl
osedthedoorandst ar
edback
atKenashest aredbackatherthen
sheslowlywalkedoverandsaton
theedgeofthebedhol di
nghishand,
Kenpul l
edheroverandhuggedher
ti
ghtly
..
.

Ken:I
'm sor
ry,
idi
dn'
twantt
otakei
t
thatf
ar.
..
Didi
:Pl
easedon'
tl
eav
eme.
..
.I'
m
beggi
ngyou.
..
Hel
ethergoandl
ookedi
nherey
es.
..

Didi:Thereissti
lltimeforustowor k
onourmar ri
age.I'
m sor r
yfor
cheatingony ou,itwasal lmyfaul
t.
Youdi dn'twantthis,youwantedme
i
nchur chnexttoy ou..
.Givemeone
mor edancedaddyi sweariwon't
disappointyou.
Ken: Babe..
.Let'
sjustpartways,thi
s
i
stoomuch.Wewon' tr
ecoverfrom
thi
s..Howdoy ouexpectmet ol ook
youint heeyeseverydayknowi ng8
hurtyoulikethat?
Di
di:
Thesamewayi
lookaty
ou
knowi ngI'
mt hereasony ourmother
died,thereasony ourfat
herandy our
brother.
..You'
llgetover.
.Pleasedon't
l
eav emebecausei l
oveyouandi
don'tcarewhathappened.Pl ease,tel
l
mey ouwon'tdivorceme. .
.Tel
lme...

Shestar
edathi
m ashel
ookedback
ather
..

Didi
:Talktome..Icameher
etofi
ght
forus,t
ell
mei didn'
tcomefor
nothi
ng.
Ken:I
'
m sorr
y,il
ovey
oubutican'
t
getovery
ouleavi
ngmei
nthehouse
togosleepwi
thanot
hermant
hen
comingandsl
eepi
ngwithmewit
hin
anhour..
..

Shestoodupandl aughedshaki
ng
herheadthensheslappedhim
acrosst
hef aceasheblockedher.

Ken:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Didi
: Waiponayouthi
nki twaseasy
formet oacceptyouafterseei
ngyou
ontopofAmant l
eatthechalet
s?
Huh...
I'
ll
pullt
hiscat
hetersore
ao..
.oreao!
Heswall
owedwithhishear
t
poundi
ngasshelookedati
tand
l
ookedbackather.
..

Di
di:
(angr
il
y)Kar
eor
eoa!Or
eao!
Ken:Soy ou'
regoingt
odot hi
swi t
h
ourchil
dreninthehouse?Atleast
havethedecencyt of
oolthem i
nto
l
eaving
Didi
:Soyouthinkhi
dingyourshi
t
fr
om them makesyouagoodf at
her
?
Haveyouforgott
enhowy ou
abandonedmeandt hem
Ken:
(tear
ful
l
ysmiled)Therewego!
SeeDidiy
ou'
renotcapableof
forgi
vingyetyouwantpeopl et o
forgetyourmistakes.Thi sistheonly
reasonI'm di
vor
cingy ou.Thef act
thatyouincapableoff orgetti
ngt he
past.Ican'
tkeepdoi ngt his,i
needt o
l
ivemyl if
e.Imadeami stakeandI
paidforit
.Iam agoodf atherandy ou
won'tconvincemeot herwise..
..
Didi:(
tear
full
y)Iwasgoi ngt odr op
thechargesbuty oujustki ssedy our
freedom goodby e,i
nf actI '
m goingt o
tellt
hepolicethaty oukilledLor e.
Youwantt ost artyourlif
eov erwi t
h
the"holypastor'
sdaught er"aftero
senagont seny abokoa?Whoi s
goingtomar rymewi thonebr east
andabol
dheadf
rom t
hesur
ger
yi
hadt
ounder
go?
Ken: Youdon'tgett hati wantt obe
withy ou,il
ovey ou!Andi don'twant
anyoneexcepty oubutIwon' tbe
happybecausey ou'll
alway sr emind
meofmypastwhi l
ei nev erment i
on
yours.You'reevilandy oudon' thave
asingl ecel
lofforgivenessi ny our
heart.You'r
ewi ckedandnoamount
ofpray erswil
lchangey ou!

Shepull
edoffthesheet
sandpul l
ed
offt
hecathet
ersashegr i
nnedthen
shepunchedhim asheputhisarms
ar
oundhi
sst
abwound.
..

Ken:
Didi
wampol
aa.
..Di
di?

Shepickedtheplast
icbedtabl
eand
hithi
m butheblockedandthedoor
opened,Fait
handHazel l
ookedather
tearf
ull
ythenZanewalkedoverand
l
ookedather .
..

Zane:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Hazel
:Shehi
tdaddy
!

Di
didr
oppedt
het
abl
eandr
ubbedof
hert
ear
sasKenlookedatt
heblood
onhi
shandfr
om hiswoundandpee
fl
owi
ngonthefl
ow...
..

Ken:Zanetakethem out
,Idon'twant
them t
oseemel i
kethi
sandi needto
gobackt othehospi
tal
.Yourmom
acci
dentall
ypull
edoutmycatheter.
..

Fai
th:
(looki
ngatDi
di)Idon'
tl
ikey
ou.
Zane:
Let'
sgo.
.Goout
side,
take
Hazel
..

Zanecl
osedt
hebedr
oom doorand
slowlywal
kedovertothebedwher e
hepeeledoffhi
sfather
'ssheet,
blood
andpeewer esoaki
ngbedt henhe
l
ookedbackathismot herastears
roll
eddownhischeeks.

Hisl
ipstr
embledandhest
epped
backcry
ing.
..
.

Zane:Whydoy ouhateeachother?I
can'tt
akethisanymore.
..I
'm not
goingtocleanaftery
ourmess.I'm
done..
..I
'm done.Whydoi haveto
seeal t
hesethings?Whycan'tij
ust
haveanor mal l
if
e?Whydoi haveto
beapar entt oy ourchi ldr
enbecause
youwantt obechi l
dr en?Can'ty ou
seey ou' r
eput ti
ngt oomuchpr essur e
onme?Whendoi f
ocusonmy
problems?( tearfull
y )Doy ouknow
howdi ffi
cultiti
sf ormet osuppor t
mydaught erint heUSbecauseeach
ti
mei sendt her entmoneyi tturns
outtobepeanut seacht i
mei tgets
conv erted?Ihav etopayf orherday
carebecauseLai l
ahast ogot o
school .Ibuyherev erythi
ng.I'
mt r
ying
tobui l
daf ami l
yofmyown.Lai lais
tr
yingt osuppor tmebuther ey ou'
re
pull
ingmedown.Igot ochurcht o
prayf ory oubutnot hingischangi ng.
Noneofy ouar ewor kingandi hav et
o
makesur ey ourbout iquei srunning
properly
.Ihadt ocl osei tdown
becausei couldn'tcopeauntLol ohad
herproblems.Ther entmoneyi geti
mustsuppor tbot hofy ou,buy
toi
let
rieskei sepr ison, buymamadi l
o
diyaspatelathensuppor tboFaithke
Hazel.Lenki met sabot shelobecause
I'
m notlivi
ngany mor e,justwheni
thi
nky ou'r
ebot hr ecov eri
ngsoy ou
canwor kandst artt akingov erall
theseresponsi bil
itiessoi canenj oy
mydaught eryoudot his?Itmustbea
cursetobeaf irstbor n.Icansee
whereal lthi
sisgoi ngandi won' t
burryanyofyousoi caninher
ity
our
problems.You'
rebothbothstupi
d
andy ouannoyme. .
.Ican'
tdothi
s..
..
I'
m notstrongenough.

Heshookhi sheadast ear

srol
led
endl essl
ythenhesteppedoutand
closedt hedoor.Herubbedoffhis
tearsandsquat tedl
ookingathis
sisters..

Zane:I'
m goi
ngf oradri
vebutican'
t
takeyouguysbecauseI'm not
comingback.SithereandwatchTV
someonewi l
lcomegety ou..
..
Fai
th:(
Rubbedhi
stear
s)Whyar
e
cry
ing?
Zane:(
smi l
edtearf
ull
y)I
'
m not
cry
ing.
..Ihavetogoguys,i
lov
eyou
ok?
Bot
h:Ok

HekissedHazelonthecheekand
brushedherhai
rthenhestoodup
andhuggedFaith.
..

Zane:(huggedheragain)Can'
t
beli
eveIhaven'
tnoti
cedhowt all
you'
re.
..Il
oveyouguy sokay?
Bot
h:Okay
..
.

Hesteppedoutandclosedthedoor
t
hentheystoodbythewi ndow
wat
chinghim dr
iveof
f.

Hazel
:Wher
eishegoi
ng?
Fai
th:
Idon'
tknow.
..
..
..
..

Goodni
ghtf
ami
l
y.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
30AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 166

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eLologlancedatherphone
scr
eenandsighedthenshedial
ed
Aat
il
e..
.

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Aor
ra?
Aati
le:
Keatsenanow.Sor
ry
tsal
aame.
..

Hehungupandpar kedout si
dethen
shepulleddownherdr essasshe
openedt hedoor,Aatil
eandSedi both
closedthecardoorsasVi vranover
thenLolorushedbackt othe
bedroom andwr appedher selfwi
tha
bigtowel t
henshewal kedbacki nas
Aatil
eledSediinthehouse. .
.

Vivranacrosst
heroom andpl
ayf
ull
y
touchedLoloasther
antohersi
ster
's
room...
Vi
v:Hi
mama!
Lol
o:Heybaby
..
.

Theyal
ltookasi
tandsi
ghed.
..

Aat
il
e:Wow,youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..
Wereyougoi
ngout?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Noi
justcamef
rom
di
nner
Aat
il
e:Wi
tht
hecl
own?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Yeswi
tht
hecl
own,
howareyouSedi?
Sedi
:I'
mfi
ne,
you?
Lol
o:I
'
m good.
..
Aatil
e: Andrew'
suncl escameov er
andexpr essedt hei
ri nter
esti npay i
ng
magadi butbeforei couldannounce
i
ttot hewhol efami l
yi want edt otell
youf i
rstsowecanbesur ewher eto
dir
ectpeopl eforthemeet ingske
l
ebi l
egor eBabyi smydaught er,she
i
saJohnson.Youknowwhenwegot
divorcedtheonl yper sonwhol eftthe
Johnsonf amil
yisy oubuti don'twant
ust ofightoverthisandspoi lher
weddi ng.Ifyouwantt ogoagai nst
thetraditi
onanddoi ther eI'mf i
ne
withittoo, t
hemosti mpor tantthing
kehappi nessy agaBaby .
Lolo: (chuckl ed)I '
m surprisedy ouar e
conf usedbyt hisorev ent hink
other wise, iam awar eoft hef actt hat
you'reBaby '
sf atherandnotonce
hav ey ouact edot herwise.I twoul dbe
selfi
shf ormet owantt ot aket hepar t
ofaf athernowj ustbecausewear e
tal
kingaboutmagadi butwheny ou
hadt opayherschool feesandat tend
PTAmeet ingsi wasn' ttakingal lthe
responsi bil
it
ies.Iam awar et hatshe
i
sst illyour sandngwanaony al
elwa
kogor ragwekoat saletswengt eng.I
don'twantt odoany thingt hatwi l
l
bringbadl uckorany t
hingbadt omy
daught er'smar r
iage.I'
veseeni t
happenbanabadi di
vorceeba
nyalel
wakogabonegagat wekake
thadil
eketsayabongwanake,di
lodi
dir
wakal enaneoandIwanttofol
low
thattr
adi
tion.
Aati
le:(
smil
edlooki
nginherey es)
Wow. .
.Um..
.NowI '
veranoutof
wordsbecauseiactual
lyexpectedus
tohaveali
ttl
e-
Lolo:(
laughed)Calltheel
dersl
enna
I'
l
lletmyr elati
vesknowthenwecan
haveameet ingandsetupagood
dateyapat o.
Aati
le:
I'
ll
dot
hatbyt
hewaymaloba
kanakemaabaneDi
dit
oldmet
hat
shedr uggedy ou.Iwasr eal
ly
disappointedbecausei never
beli
evedy ou..(laughedandgl anced
atSedi admi r
ingher )Ieventoldmy
wifeabouti t,
i wasr eal
ly
disappointed..
.I'dli
ketoapol ogi
se
fornotbelievingy ou.Everyt
hingthat
cameaf t
erthatwasar esultofthat
becausennekei polel
etsegor eihat
e
youandal l t
hosebuti waswr ong.
Lol
o:Don'tworr
yabouti
t,i
t'
sli
fe.I
madeal otofmist
akesi
nthepastso
i
t'
sreasonablef
orpeopl
etodoubt
me.
Sedi:
Lennaiwasabi tshocked
becausekei
tseBashaleagorata,
i
am sor
ryforov
err
eact
ingaboutt
he
wholet
hing.
Lol
o:(l
aughed)Nnyaammawena
gakegoblamehlehaelegolegonny
e
iwouldhavedoneworse.Nomother
canbecalm autwagotwengwana
herdaught
erwaapinched
Sedi
:(l
aughed)Sti
l
lyouwer
en'
t
your
sel
f,I
'm sor
ry
Lol
o: I
t'
sfine,i
t'
st hepast .
..People
whyar eeventalki
ngaboutt his?We
haveaweddi ngt opr eparefor.I
jaand
Carlwantstogetmar r
iedokar eBaby
andCar l
saidsomet hingabouta
doubleweddingsoI '
my ettoconsult
myuncl
esaboutCar
l,di
dyout
wo
t
alk?
Aati
le: Wedi dandhesai dhewoul dn'
t
mindi fi headedthenegot iat
ions
becauset hesearemychi l
drenbutit
wasj ustbef oredivorce.Ithi
nkit
wouldonl ybef ai
rifCarl'
s
negotiationsar edoneher e.I
'l
lbe
ther
et hr oughout,I
'l
lmakesur e
everythingr unssmoot hnnal euncle.
Lol
o:Perf
ect,iwasthi
nkingthesame
thi
ng.
..
..
.(shout
ed)Setso?Tiset
sa
papal
emmagweBashal et
ee
Set
so:
(fr
om t
her
oom)Emma!
Lol
ot ookoutherphoneandtexted
astheyallchat
tedmoreaboutthe
weddingnegoti
ati
ons..
.

Lol
o:Hey,wejustwr
appedupthe
di
scussi
on,shal
lwekanaorobet
se?
Him:Uhgreat
,justl
eftt
hegy
m.
Shoul
dipassby ?
Lol
o:Sur
e
Hi
m: Butgorayagor
ewewill
be
i
ndoorshel
ai needt
ogoshower
Lol
o:Nopr obl
em,I'
l
lmakeyout
hat
l
ovelysnackyoubeenbuggi
ngme
about
Hi
m:Lol
ihat
ether
aisi
nst
hough
Lolo:Wewi
l
lgetsomeatt
hef
il
li
ng
stati
on.
Hi
m:Sweet
.

Sheputherphonedownand
cl
eamrrd5thet
abl
easSetsobr
ought
abigt
ray..
.

Aat
il
e:Thanksy
ou
Set
so:Papaweegatweret
ekadi
gl
oveonWednesday,wearegoi
ngt
o
doanexperi
mentatt
helab
Aat
il
e:I
'
llt
ryt
ofi
ndy
ouapai
rof
gl
ovesatwor
k
Sedi
:Ihaveafir
stai
dboxint
hecar
oteotseedikeyochekemoteng
Lol
o:Sedit
hemphaboxy othemot ho
wamodi mo,ineedthem heremmaI
boughtapacketanditj
ustfini
shed.
Sedi
:Shewil
lcheckfory
oubutdi
few,
I
'l
lgetyouaful
lbox.
Lol
o:Thanks.
.

Setsobroughtabowlofyel
l
owish
muf f
insandsconeswit
htheteaand
everyonedugin.
..
Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Jantappedherbootont hefl
oor
anxi
ouslywait
ingbyt hechai
rsthen
Agathapacedoverwi thabot
tleof
waterandsatnexttoher,Jandrunk
hal
fthebottl
eandst ooduppaci ng
upanddownr ubbinghermust ache..
.

Agat
ha:
Hav
easi
t.
..
.Hewi
l
lbef
ine.
..
Jan:
Hel
ostal
otofbl
ood.
..
Agat
ha:
Hewi
l
lbef
ine.
..

Twonur
seswal
kedpastt
hem and
gl
ancedatJanwi
thadmi
rat
ion.
..

Nur
se:
Hi
Jan:
(fl
ashedasmi
l
e)Hey
..
.

Janlookedatt
hem astheywalked
awaythenshesatdownpoppingher
knuckl
esasAgathaangri
lyl
ookedat
her.
..

Agatha:
Idon'
tl
ikethewayyou
l
ookedatherorthewayshelooked
atyou
Jan:
Shej
ustsai
dhi
Agat ha:Andididn'tl
ikethetoneof
herv oiceei
ther!Nextti
meagi r
l
greetsy ouwiththatgri
ny oudon't
respond.Shet otal
lydidthat
i
nt enti
onall
yandf ell
fori
t .I
'
m sure
shedoesn' tevenknowy ou're
transgender
Jan:Whatdi ff
erencewoul ditmakeif
sheknewI '
mt r
ans?(stoodand
sighedfixi
nghersweat pants)I'
m not
deali
ngwi thyounow, myf atheri
sin
thehospi t
alandyou'r
ef ussi
ngabout
anur sesayinghitome?
Agatha:Behonest,di
dn'tyouseeshe
l
ikedyou?Sheev enreducedherpace
j
usttosayhibutshecanmesi tt
ing
her
e

Jansi
ghedandshookherhead.
.

Jan:Babe. .
.I'
m sorry,idi
dn'
tknowi
wasf l
irt
ingwithher .Shesaidhiisai
d
hey,idon'tevenknowherbutI '
m
sorr
yf orhurti
ngy ourfeel
ings.I
t
won'thappen
Agat
ha:
Real
l
y?
Jan:
Yesr
eal
l
y..
.comeher
e..
.

Hepul
l
edherupandhuggedheras
t
hesamenursewal
kedpastt
hem
smil
i
ngatJanbehindAgatha,Jan
gl
ancedatherandquickl
ylooked
downkissi
ngAgatha'
sneckand
l
eani
ngback..
.

Jan:Iwon'
tcheatony ou.
..Wher
eis
al
lthesecoming?Ithoughtwe
tr
ustedeachother
Agatha:(t
earf
ull
y)I'
mj ustscar
ed..
.
Withthi
sbot t
om surgerycomingup
and..
.I'
m exci
tedbuti f
eelli
ke.
..
Jan:(smil
edandkissedherlooki
ngin
hereyes)Iwon'
tcheatony ou.
..We
aregoingtoget
herandI'
m gonnaget
youthisni
cehummer ..
..
justf
oryou
thenI'
m goingt
ocomebackher eand
changemysexont heI'
dthenmarry
youandlivehappi
l
yeveraft
er.
Agat
ha:(bl
ushed)Can'
twai
tforthi
s
di
ck.
..Doigettochooset
hesize?
Jan:
(laughed)Yeah,wechooset
he
si
zeday sbefor
esurger
y.
Agat
ha:
(huggi
ngher
)Il
ovey
ou
Jan:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
.

Anot
hermat ur
enursest
eppedout
andcall
edthem t
henJanwalkedi
n
hol
dingAgatha'
shand.
..
..
Nurse:Thedoct orgav ehim mor e
pai
nmedi cati
onbecauseacat heter
i
sv erypainful,
pleasebecar efulwith
i
t.Hewi l
l onlyusei tf
orseveraldays.
Nextweeki twi l
lbeof f.Acoupleof
sti
tcheswer eloosebutwef i
xedt hat
aswel l
,theonlypr obl
em nowke
pai
n..
Jan:
Okay
..
Nurse:Heseemst
obeunderal
otof
str
ess,hi
sBPishi
gh-
nott
hathi
gh
butit
'snotnor
mal
.
Jan:Alothasbeengoi
ngonbut
thanky
ou.Ishegett
ingadmi
tt
ed?
Nur
se:
No,
ther
eisnoneed.Pl
ease
col
l
ecthi
smedi
cineatt
hephar
macy
..
Jan:
Thanks.
..

Agathagotthemedicalcardsand
headedtothephar
macywhi l
eJan
pushedKenoutashel aidonthe
bed..
.

Ken:(
lowvoi
ce)Whydon'
tyouusea
wheel
chai
r
Nur
se:
It'
sst
il
lokay
..
.
Jan:
Thanky
ousomuch.
..
.

Janpushedhi
mtot
heemer
gency
parki
ngwher eshestruggl
edtoget
himinthecarandf i
nall
ypushedthe
sli
m bedbackinsidethenhegotback
i
nt hecarandlookedatherfat
heron
themirr
or..
.

Jan:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ken:
Yes.
.
Jan: I
'
m planningtogot oabroadto
havemybot t
om surgery.I
'v
ebeen
savingforitf
orlongtimenowand
l
astmont hi f
inall
yreachedthegoal.I
havebookedanappoi ntmentwitht
he
surgeon,I
'vebeenont ransi
ti
on
hormonesf orawhi l
ethat'
swhyI '
m
growi
ngbeard,v
oicegett
ingdeeper
andgett
ingal
lmasculi
nit
y.Agathais
comingwithmesoshecanassi st
mewhenI '
m si
ck..
.
Ken:
Bot
tom sur
ger
ykeeng?
Jan:
I'
m goi
ngtoremovef
emal
e
gent
il
esandputmale
Ken:
Theycandot
hat
?
Jan:
Yeah
Ken:
Andt
hepeni
scanwor
k?
Jan:(l
aughed)Yes,I'
l
lhaveer
ect
ions
andI'l
lfeel
pleasur
ejustl
i
keany
otherman
Ken:
Wow.
..Doy
ouchooseasi
ze?
Jan:
Yeah,i
picked8I
nchesthen
whenicomebackiwanttochange
mysexontheIDandgetmarri
ed.
Ken:
Soundsl
i
kequi
teaj
our
ney
Jan:
Doi
hav
eyourbl
essi
ngs?
Ken:Ofcourse,
aslongasyouare
happyI'
m happy.I
tsthel
easti
can
do..

Agathagoti
nthecarwi
thmedi
cine
thenJanrev
ersedt
hecar.
..

Jan:I'
m nottaki
ngy
ouhome, I
'
m
taki
ngy outomyhouseunt
ily
ouhav
e
heal
ed.Idon'tknowwhaty ouar
e
fi
ght
ingaboutwi thaunt
ieandidon'
t
wanttobeinv ol
vedbutican'
twatch
youi
npainlikethis.
Ken:No,ican'
tst
ayiny ourhouse
especi
all
ywhenI'
m sick-
Jan:I
'm notaski
ngyoupapa,iwas
j
usttel
li
ngy ou.Themaidhasmov ed
herbagsalreadyandI
'
m sti
llt
ryi
ngto
gethol
dofZane
Ken:
Iwonderwher
ehei
s..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..
Didist
aggeredaroundthehouse
changingthebeddingandheadedt
o
theli
vi
ngr oom whereFai
thandHazel
werewat chi
ngTV....

Di
di:
Hav
eyouhadany
thi
ngt
oeat
?
Hazel
:Yes
Di
di:
Fai
thI
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou
Fai
th:I'
m nottalki
ngtoyou,
you'r
ea
notanicepersonandi don'
tli
keyou.
Idon'
twanty out obemymot her
becauseyouhi tdaddy
.
Didi:
Suityour
sel
fbabygi
rl
,gakena
nakoy agorapel
angwanakemo
tshotse.
Fai
th:YoushouldstaywithAunt
ie
LoloandletusstaywithDaddy
becauseyou'r
enotnicetous.You
madedaddydr opthekeyboardand
wecan'tpract
iceforchur
chanymore.

Shewalkedinthebedroom andlaid
onthebedcheckingoutheritchi
ng
bedsoresthenherphonerang...
.

Di
di:
hel
l
o?
Lol
o:Wher
ear
eyou?
Di
di:I
'
llsendZanef
ormycl
othes,
i
wanttostayher
ewit
hKen.
Lolo:You'
renotfit
,Keni
ssickand
you'r
esicktoo,howcanyou-
Di
di:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
'
mjustf
ight
ingf
ormy
marr
iage
Lol
o:Whathappened?Ar
eyouok?
Didi:Hesti
ll
want stodivor
ce..
.Andi
madeami stakeagainmentioninghis
pastbutudidn'tmeani t
.Iwasj ust
angry.WhenI '
m angryIsaythingsi
don'tmean..
..Ipull
edouthis
catheter
s
Lol
o:(shocked)OhnoDidi
doy ou
haveanyideahowpainf
ulthose
thi
ngsare?
Di
di:
Ihadt
hem af
termysur
ger
yof
coursei know..
.(cr
ying)Ifeelguil
ty
andi thi
nkIlosthimf orgood.The
chi
ldrensawmehi tt
inghim andnow
Fai
thst art
edonheri don'
tli
key ou
l
ine
Lol
o:Uhkanagaareidon'tl
i
key ou
Fai
thwaboachaisi
tsejal
o,togaare
eneobatagonnalerragwe.Gir
ls
l
ovethei
rfat
her
skana
Di
di:
Shej
ustsai
dthatmi
nut
esago.
..
Lol
o:Wewill
tal
klat
er,I
'
m wi
thAati
le
andthewi
febaeleeneomotsel
eng.
Di
di:
Okayby
e..
.

Shehungupandl
aiddown.
..
AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Shehungupandsi ghedsitti
ngont he
bedt hensheappl i
edf eetloti
onon
hersof tfeetandt henputat oering
onherl ongni celyarr
angedt oesand
putonherf li
p-f
lopst henshest uck
hertongueoutadmi ri
ngher selfon
themi rrorinherniceabov et heknee
dress.Shegr abbedasi lkscarfand
wrappedi tar
oundherl ongweav e.
..
.

Meanwhil
edieselengi
nestopped
out
sideasSetsocoll
ectedthet
ea
cupsandcl
earedt
hetabl
e, Aat
il
eand
Sedist
oodupasLolowalkedoutof
thebedr
oom l
ooki
ngcasuallyy
oung.
..

Aat
il
e:Wehav
etogetgoi
ng
Lol
o:Ohgood,
iwasj
ustaboutt
o
l
eave.
..

Aat
il
elookedatherkneesandlooked
awayassheledthem out,hehear
t
ski
ppedandhealmostmi ssedastep
l
ookingathi
sboss'scar.
..

Hest
eppedoutandspr
eadhi
sar
ms
asLol
ogotbet
weenhi
sshoul
ders
andhecl
osedheri
nwi
thali
tt
lesi
gh.
..

Hi
m:Hey
Lol
o:Hi
..

Aati
l
eputhisarm behi
ndSedi'
sback
asheshookhandswi t
hhisbosswho
hadhisar
m aroundLolo.
..

Hi
m:Johnson.
..
Aati
le:Goodev
ening.
..
(t
oSedi
)Babe
thi
sismysupervi
sorMrMasil
o..
.
Sil
osthisi
smywife
MrMasil
o:(
smi
l
edandshookher
hand)Ni
cet
omeety
ou
Mr
sJohnson:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo
Aat
il
e:Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng
Lol
o:By
e

Theygotinthecart
henVivranover
andjumpedinbeforeAati
ledr
oveout
thegatewit
halit
tl
esmi l
eonhisface
somuchhewasn' tawarehrwas
smil
ing..
.

Sedi
:What
?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Not
hing,
what
?
Sedi
:(t
hefunnyl
ookhehadmadeher
l
augh)Ser
iousl
y,whati
sit
?
Aati
l
e: (
laughedandl
eanedover
ki
ssingher)Ilov
eyouthat
'sal
l
...
.

Hejoinedtheroadandt
urnedupthe
musicasVi vhummedplayi
ngwit
h
herdoll
..
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
..

Latert
hatnightHazelcr
awledont
he
bedthenDidiwokeupandchecked
theti
me,itwasal i
tt
lebefor
e
mi
dni
ghtandt
hehousewasqui
et.

Shedial
edZanebuthi
sphonerang
unansweredt
henshedi
aledKen.
..
.

Ken:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:Hi
,howareyoufeel
i
ng?Ar
eyou
st
il
latt
hehospit
al?
Ken:Cany oupleasest opcall
i
ngme?
Can'
twej ustendt hi
ngsl i
keadul
ts?
Wear etr
aumat i
singt hesechi
ldr
en
andverysoonorl atertheywil
lhave
tochoosesides.
Di
di:
Okay
,I'
m sor
ry.Iguessi
ttakes
morethanl
ovef
oramar
ri
aget
o
sur
viv
e.
Ken:I'm gl
adyouknowt hatnow,
no
mar r
iagecansurviv
ewithout
forgi
veness.Bye.Tel
lZanetocal
lme
i
fy ougetholdofhim,heisnot
picki
ngmycal l
s.
Di
di:
Okay

Shehungupandputt hephonedown
thensheopenedt hewardrobeand
gotthepapers.Sheputthem onthe
bedandputherhandov erthem t
hen
sheclosedhereyes..
.
Didi:Thanky ouf orgivingmean
oppor tunit
yt obeawi feandmot her,
i
gotlostont hewaybutmyl ovef or
thismanandhi schi l
drennev er
wav ered.Ilov ehi m andI '
ll continue
tolov ehim ev eni nsepar at e.Giv eme
thest rengtht oacceptt hingsi cannot
changeandmostofal lstrengthen
myf ai t
hbecausei don'ttr usty ou.
(tearfull
y)Gody ouabandonedme
duringdi f
ficultti
mesi nmyl if
eandi
doubt edy ourexi stencei fnotl ov e.
Rest oremyf ait
h, iwantt of eelwhat
i
t'sliketobei nspi r
itandpr ai
se.I n
Jesusnamei pray, Amen.
Sher ubbedofhert
ear
sandremoved
thepenl i
dsti
cki
ngitt
othebot
tom
thensheputherhanddownand
signed..
.

AMONTHLATER.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
[
9/4,
12:
31AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 167
Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
.

Zanebumpedshoul
der
swi
thJanand
huggedAgat
ha.
..

Jan:Takecare.
..(
smil
edboyi
shl
yand
point
edathim)Don'tber
unni
ng
awayagain
Zane:(l
aughed)I
fidi
dn'
tneeda
parent
'ssi
gnatur
eI'
dbeinOklahoma
bynow.
Jan:
(laughed)Youcan'
trunaway
fr
om yourprobl
ems
Zane:Justgogetadick.
..(
laughed)i
can'
tbeli
eveyoupickedabigone, so
sel
fi
sh
Jan: (
laughedandpointedatAgatha)
Tellherthat,Isai
d6andshesaid8, i
wasl i
kewt f?AndnowI 'l
lbewal
ki
ng
aroundwi thaheav yt
hingbet
ween
myl egs.
Zane:I
fsheishappy
,you'
regood
i
sn'tt
hatwhatit
'smadefor
.
Agat
ha:(smi
lednaught
y)Thanks,
at
l
eastsomeoneunderst
ands
Zane:Butmydadsay sitdon'
tmatter
whatsizeyouhav
e,ifyoudon'tknow
howtousei ty
ou'
reasgoodas
empt
yhanded.
Jan:Iknowat
hingort
woabout
pleasi
ngawoman,i
tcomesnat
ural
l
y
tome.
Zane:
(laughed)Seey
ousoon
Jan:
cheer
s!

Zanewalkedoutandt heycheckedi
n
asAgathaexcit
edlyheldJan'
shand
l
ookingouttheglass.
..
.

Agat
ha:I
'
venev
erbeenonapl
ane
bef
ore
Jan:
(huggedherf
rom behi
ndand
ki
ssedherneck)Iknow
Agat
ha:
Ican'
twai
ttogeti
nbaa
di
ega

Janlaughedatherast
heyhanded
thei
rdocuments.
..
.

AtBl
ue-
skyCl
eaner
s..
..

Minut
eslaterZanepar
kednexttohis
fat
her
'scarandwalkedint
hroughthe
backdoorallt
hewaytoKen'soff
ice.

Heknockedont
hedoorandst
uckhi
s
headin.Thereweret
woyoungmen
sit
ti
ngont hechai
rasKenhanded
them envel
opes.
..

Ken:Comei
nandmeetZane.
..The
Zanewhohi
jackedy
ourname
Guy
:(smi
l
ed)Oht
hisi
sZane.
?

Zaneshookhandswi
ththeguysas
theysmi
ledathi
mrespect
ful
ly
..
.

Ken:Thesearet
heguysi wastel
l
ing
youaboutfr
om pri
son,t
hisis
OmogoloandLereo.Guysthi
sismy
son.
.
Zane:
Nicet
omeety
ou
Omogol
o:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo
Ler
eo:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.
Zane:
Whatwer
eyoui
nfor
?
Ler
eo:Mystepfatherabusedmy
mothersoonedayi j
ustlosti
t.I
twas
har
dtowatchhim abusemymot her
i
nfrontofmyli
tt
lebrother.
Zane:Wow...Ineverthoughtpeopl
e
wenttojai
lfordoinggood.IwishI
washalfthemany ou'
re.Sowhat
happenedtoy ourcase?
Ler
eo:
Hedr
oppedt
hechar
gesbut
onl
ybecausehewantedmymot her
todr
opherchargesagai
nsthi
m.
Zane:
Sonof
-agun.
..
.
Ken:(si
ghed)Theseguy swillbe
workingatthecarwash, cleaning
cars,
couches, carpets,etc..
.andal so
withchemicalintensivecleaningf or
housecall
st houghf ornowi t
'sjust
carwashbecauseIwantt otrai
n
them onchemi calsforacoupl eof
weeks.They '
rejoini
ngt hoset wo
guys.
Zane:
Okay
..
.
Ken:GuysZaneisy
oursuper
visor
,
anyt
hingyouneedl
ethi
m knowand
hewi
l
ltakecar
eofi
t.
Ler
eo:
Thanky
oupast
or
Zane:
Omogol
ogankeabua?
Omogol
o:(smi
l
edshy
ly)Ker
eedi
tse
aker
eboss
Zane:
( bumpedshoulderswi
thhi
m)
Skantshabalai
teaka.
..
Omogol
o:(
laughed)Thanks.
.
Zane:Let
'sgo.
..I
'
llshowy
out
he
way..
.

Zaneledt
hem out
sideastheywal
ked
behi
ndhimli
kepuppies.
..
Ler
eo:If
orgott
oask,dowegetpai
d
byhandoryou'
l
lopenaccount
sfor
us?
Zane:I
'
llaskmydad, igetpaid
thr
oughmyf ut
ureforwardcard
thi
ngybecauseihaven'tt
urned18y
et
Omogol
o:What
?
Ler
eo:
Ser
iousy
ournotov
er18?
Zane:
(laughed)No,
I'
mjustt
oot
all
.

Theyj
oinedot
herguyswhowere
washi
ngcarsundert
heshade.
..
.

AtMrFr
iday
'sOf
fi
ce.
..
.
Di
diwai
tedbythechai
rast
hePA
wal
kedover
..
.

PA:
Youmaygoi
n..

Shestoodupandwalkedi
nasMr
Fri
daywastal
ki
ngtothephonethen
hehungupandoff
eredheraseat.
..

Di
di:
Thanky
ou
Fr
iday
:Mr
sDee,
howar
eyou?
Di
di:
I'
mfi
ne.
Fr
iday
:Ihear
dwhatKendi
d,sor
ry
Di
di:
It'
sokay
Fri
day:I'
m notreall
ysor
ryI'
mj ust
sayingbecausethat'
swhatpeople
saybutI'
dhav edonewor sei
fIwasin
hisshoes.Mywi fewoul
dnev er
dream ofleav
ingmei nthehouse
tabeantwaelamogomaswe.
Didi
:(l
aughed)Canwet al
kabout
whaticamef or?Inev
erknewyou
hadthi
sper sonal
it
yofcoursey
ou'
d
beKen'sfr
iend.
Fri
day
:(l
aughed)Par
donmymanner
s,
howcanIhelpyou?
Didi
:AloneJohnsonwasmy
chil
dhoodfri
endandasgi
rl
sgr
owi
ng
upwewer ecloseunt i
lboyscame
betweenus.Shehasdonebadt hings
tomeandi didn'tr
espond
i
mmedi at
ely.Ikeptthepainforyears
andonlyhadt hegutsto"makeher
pay"recentl
ywhi chdidn'
tbearthe
fr
uitsIthoughttheywoul d
Fri
day:
Arey
out
heonewhodr
ugged
her?
Di
di:
Yes
Fri
day:Iknewsomethi
ngwasn'tri
ght
becausenoneofourworker
swould
dothat-
waithowdoiknowifbothof
youdidn'
tcookthi
s.
Di
di:
Shewaspr
egnant
,doy
out
hink
asanewomanwoul
dtakedr
ugs
whi
lepr
egnant
?
Fr
iday
:Shewas?
Didi
:Shehadt
ri
plet
sbutonl
yone
surv
ived.

Hest
aredatherspeechl
essl
y.
..
..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

MeanwhileLolocl
eanedt hehouseas
Mofenyisatonthecarpetsurr
ounded
bytoys,
thephonerangt henhe
tur
nedlookingatt
hecouch.
Lol
ohurri
edoverhol
dingaf
eat
her
dust
erandpi
cked..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Hi
m: HeyI
'
m knocki
ngoffearl
ytoday
wi
lly
oucomeov erwi
thVict
or?
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em,
whatt
ime?
Hi
m:7pm
Lol
o:Nopr
obl
em
Hi
m:Lat
er
Lol
o:By
e
Shehungupt
henanot
hercal
lcame
i
n..
..

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
PA:
HiMr
sJohnson
Lol
o:Hi
Resa
PA:MrFri
daywouldli
ketoseey
ou
tomorr
owbetween9am and11am
whicht
imeisgoodforyou?
Lol
o:9am i
sfi
ne
PA:t
hankyou,I
'l
lschedul
eit.Nice
hear
ingf
rom y
ouagai nbosslady
Lol
o:l
i
kewi
se.
..
Shehungupandsighedwit
hawide
smil
ethenshedi
aledAat
il
e..
..

Aat
il
e:Hel
l
o?
Lolo:
Fri
day'
soffi
cej
ustcal
ledme,
I'
mf r
eaki
ngout.Doy
out hi
nkthey
wanttorehi
reme?Ketshogil
egore
Aat
ile:
(laughed)Maybethatsnakeof
afr
iendf i
nall
ytol
dthem whatshedid
Lol
o:Gat
wesnake,
tsekby
e.
Aati
l
e:(l
aughed)Congrat
ulat
ions.
..
Theyobvi
ouslywanttooff
ery ou
somethi
ng.Anywayrethubaleng
magadikant
e?
Lol
o:(
laughed)Obat
arej
ebogadi
j
wangwananer rael
egoneneng
bot
swalastweek?
Aati
le:Kebat
agoikhauny
aket
see
tsepediny
anahagoMambakat
a
haal
e
Lolo:
(laughed)Rej
abokaeee?Akere
youdepositediti
nyouraccountska
bechetsaSedikabogadi
Aatil
e:Arej
e1K-1Kthenkeept
her
est
toassistherontheweddi
ng
preparat
ions.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Okay
Aati
l
e: (
laughed)GatweokayI
'
m
ki
dding.
..(t
heylaughed)
congr
atul
ati
onsont
hej
ob.Iknow
yougotit
Lol
o:(
laughed)Thanks.
..By
e

Shehungandsighedthenshe
cont
inuedcl
eani
ng..
..

AtLet
shol
athebehospi
tal
..
..
..

LateronDidi
stoppedt hecarand
fi
xedherheadscar fl
ookingat
hersel
fonthemirrorthenshefixed
hertop,shef
eltl
ikeherbr awasn't
ful
lenoughandgr abbedabunchof
ti
ssuesfil
li
ngtheemptybr eastthen
shebuttonedupandst eppedoutof
thecarjustasBayangwaswal ki
ng
outofthebuil
dingtal
ki
ngt othe
phone..

Hehungupandwal
kedov
ert
oher
..
.

Bay
ang:
Hi
Di
di:
Hi.
..

Shenoti
cedhewasweari
ngar i
ng
andswall
owed,
yeahpar
tofherwas
hur
t.Thatwast
heonl
ymant hatever
l
ovedhergenui
nel
yandmay beshe
wouldhav
eknownwhatshewas
missi
ngaft
erfi
nal
i
singherdiv
orce.
.

Henoticedshewasweari
nghi
s
neckl
aceandsmiledf
ixi
ngher
headwrap.
..

Bay
ang:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Di
di:
Icamef
ort
hecheckup
Bay
ang:
Oh,
ok
Di
di:
Congr
atul
ati
ons,
whydi
dn'
tyou
i
nvi
teme?
Bay
ang:
Itwoul
dnev
erf
eel
rightt
o
marryanotherwomani nfr
ontofy
ou.
I
'dfeell
i
keI '
m cheati
ngonyou
besi
desi di
dn'tt
hinkyou'
dcome.
Didi
:Iwouldhavecamebut
congrat
ulat
ions,
Kamoisanice
younglady.
Bayang:
Thanks,
I'
ml eav
ingf
ort
he
honeymoontomorr
ow.
Di
di:
Wher
eto?
Bay
ang:
Madagascar
Didi
:Nice,
(smil
ed)i canimagi
nethe
funyoutwowi l
lhave..
.Walki
nginthe
sand,t
hewi ndblowi
ngherhairasthe
oceanmadet hosewav es.
..
Bay
ang:
(sadl
ylooki
ngi
nherey
es)
Youknowi
tcoul
dhav
ebeenusr
ight
?

Tear
sfil
ledhereyesandshel
ooked
awayrubbinghereyes.
..

Bay
ang:
Whydi
dn'
tyoul
ovemeDee?
Didi
:Youweretooniceandithoughti
neededabadboybutnow. .
.Iwant
exactl
ywhatyorebutt
henitslat
e..
.
You'r
etaken
Bayang:Yeah.
..
.Iwaitedforyouas
muchasIcoul dbutKamopr oved
hersel
ftobewhati beenlooki
ngfor
.
Sometimesi f
eell
ikeifyouwerethe
ty
pesofwomenwhodon' thang
aroundwit
hpacksoff ri
endsyou
wouldhaveturnedoutagoodwi fe
becauseyou'
rear eal
l
ygoodper son.
Yourdownfal
lwasf ri
endsandmost
ofyourbaddecisi
onswer earesultof
someoneelse.
Didi
:Mygrandmot heral wayssaida
womanwi t
houtfriendsmakesa
goodwifeandmot her.Ididn'
t
underst
andwhatshewast r
yingto
tel
lmeallt
hosey ear s.
.(laughedand
l
ookedinhiseyes)Andshel ovedyou
verymuchwagakol ogelwa?
Bayang:(smil
ed)Shelov
edmeand
al
way sprayedformegotwe"God
bl
essy ouson"..
.I'
dfi
ndhersi
tt
ingon
themi ddleofthey ardexhaustedand
fetchedwat erforherthenmadef i
re
andputt hepotont hefi
rebefore
going.Ket aagobel el
wasi bl
essings
(theylaughed)Nekef il
aspecialbli
nd
keut wabosoni nlaw
Didi
:Gaakar
eBay
ang..
.Shet
rul
y
beli
evedy
ou'
dmarryme.
Bay
ang:Shewasright
,I'
dhave
marr
iedyouandneverdi
vor
cedyou.
Di
di:
(laughed)I
jaBay
ang
Bayang:
(laughedandhuggedher
)
Nicetomeety ouagai
n,by
e
Di
di:
Nicet
oseey
ouagai
n,By
e..
Hewalkedawayt
henshegoti
nthe
hospi
tal
..
..
..

AtMasi
l
o'sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatev
eningLol oknockedon
thedoorholdingMof enyit
oherwai st
thenthedooropened, Masilosmiled
andpickedMof enyiasadel i
cious
aromaspewedov er
...

Lol
o:Hey
.
Masi
l
o:Hi
,comei
n..
.
Shefoll
owedhiminandsheput
Mofenyii
nawalkerwhichMofenyi
exci
tedl
ypushedaroundcocoi
ng
admiri
ngthecol
orsinfr
ontofhi
m...

Masilo:
Iboughtthi
swalkermaloba,
t
houghthemi ghtneedi
twhile
vi
sit
ing.
..
Lol
o:(
laughed)Iwasaboutt
oask...
Somet
hingisburni
ngintheki
tchen.
.
Masi
l
o:Ohno!

Hehurri
edtotheki
tchenthenLolo
swit
chedtheTVonf orMofenyi
and
j
oinedhi
mi ntheki
tchen.
Shepausedandsmiledst
andingat
thedooradmir
inghi
m asheturned
thefoodwit
habigspoon.
..

Lol
o:I
tsmel
l
sni
ce
Masil
o:(
laughed)St
opl
yi
ng,
come
her
e..
.

Heblewont hesoupandmadeher
tast
easshesmi ledshr
inki
ngher
eyesthenhekissedhergorgeous
facebefor
eshecouldsayany thi
ng.
..
.
Lol
o:I
t'
sper
fect
.

Heswi t
chedt hestov
eoffandkissed
heragainstthefr
idgeasthey
moanedsof tlyt
henhegrabbedher
handandl edhertothebedroom as
shegiggledrubbi
nghermout h.
..

Lol
o:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Heclosedt
hedoorandhungril
y
ki
ssedherastheybothf
ellonthe
bedthenhepull
edthefi
rstdr
awer
andputaboxofcondomsont hebed.
Hegotont opkissingherandpaused
teari
ngthecondom asLol ostar
edat
hiserectmachi ne,herol
l
edonhal fof
therubberwr appinghi
swhol ethi
ng
andgotont opofherassheputher
armsar oundhim closi
ngherey es
recei
vinghissof tki
ss.

Hetouchedhermoistki
tkatguidi
ng
hi
sblackmachineand#remov ed.
...
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
31AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 168

AtMasi
l
o'sHouse.
..
.
Laterthatev eni
ngMasilosl owlygot
offthebedandl ai
dLolo'sheadon
thepil
lowasshel ai
dasl eepwi t
hher
l
ipsslightlypar t
edthenhewal kedout
ofthebedr oom sli
dinghist-shir
ton
asMof enyi suckedhistoyandhi tthe
LCDscr een,hel eanedov erand
pickedhi m upwal kingt
ot heki t
chen
withhim. ..

Masil
o: Yousmel l
nice.
..
.kant
ele
tapi
siwakaengsesenkgang
bonnanay aana.
..(smil
edlooki
ngat
him)Vickos?
Heputhi m onthewaistandputfood
i
nt heplatethenhesatont hecouch
andputhi sfeetonthetabl
eandl ai
d
Mof eny
i onhischestthenheli
ft
ed
theremot echangi
ngthechannel...

Masi
lo:
Kelebel
l
agameatona
monnaarent
seboBoomer
ang.
..

Mof
enyigi
ggl
edsuckinghi
stoyt
hen
het
uckl
edhim agai
n..
.

Masi
l
o:Boomer
ang!(
shechuckl
ed
l
oudl
y)Boomer
ang!

AtKen'
sHouse.
..
..

Ont hesameev eni

ngKendr ove
throughthegateandparkedthecar
thenhesighedleani
ngbackont he
seat.Every
thi
ngwasgoingwel lf
or
him andhewashappybutwashe?
Hej ustal
wayshadthatempt yf
eeli
ng
i
nhi sheartandhewasn'tsurewhatit
was.

Hecl
osedthedoorandsteppedout
wi
thhi
slaptopashewalkedinthe
house,t
hepastor'sdaught
erwas
cooki
nginthekitchenwhil
eFai
th
hel
pedwi t
hthedishesandHazell
aid
asl
eepont hecouchnexttoZane
whowaswat chingTV...

Zane:
Ohheypaps
Ken:
Hi.
..

Hewalkedtothekit
chenwhere
Kesegofet
sewascooking,
hepassed
tothefr
idgeandpouredajui
ce.
..

Ken:
Hi
Kese:
Hi.
..
Fai
th:
Daddyt
het
eacherwant
stosee
you
Ken:
Why
?
Fai
th:Idon'
tknow,heaskedmet
o
tel
lyoutocomet oschool
.
Ken:
Okay
..
..
Kese:
I'
ll
ser
vey
oui
naami
nut
e..
.
Ken:
Ok.
..

Heheadedt othebedr
oom andstood
bythelaundr
ybaskettaki
ngoffhi
s
cl
othesanddroppingt
hem int
he
basketthenhesatonthebedand
f
inal
l
yfel
ldownst
ari
ngatt
hel
i
ght
..
..

Heleapedupandopenedthewi
ndow
star
ingout
sidet
hought
ful
l
ythen
ther
ewasaknock..
.

Kese:
Ket
isi
tsedi
j
o
Ken:
Emapel
e..
.

Hegrabbedat owel andwr apped

hi
mselfthenheopenedt hedoorand
putouthisar
m gr abbingthewar m
pl
atebutshedidn'tletgo,insteadshe
l
ookedinhisey esashel ookedback
i
nherswhi
l
etheybot
hhel
ditoneach
si
de.

Kese:
Jui
ceorwat
er?
Ken:
Wat
er

Shesti
llhel
ditashet
ri
edt
opul
li
t
back.
..

Ken:
Lesapl
ate.
.
Kese:
(smi
l
ed)Sor
ry.
..

Shecouldonlyseeaquarterofhi
s
chestandthedickpoi
nter
sgoing
downt
het
owel
.
..

Ken:
Youf
orgott
obr
ingt
hef
ork.
Kese:
I'
ll
bri
ngi
t.
..

Hecl osedthedoorandsatont he
bedput ti
ngt heplat
enextt ohimt hen
het ookouthi sphoneandl oggedi n
Facebook.Whoev erhewasst al
king
hadn' tpostedanypi ctures,instead
shewasshar ingscript
uresand
wisdom quot eswhichr eallyspoke
volumes.Themessagesonher
shar eswer epower ful,
fullofregr ets
buthopef ulofarestoration.
Thedooropenedt
henKesewal
kedin
anfhandedhi
m afor
kandadri
nk.
..

Ken:Onneonokabef
oreot
sena.
.
Kese:
(smi
l
ed)Why
?
Ken:
(lookedupather)Gaoka
mphit
helakesaaparaotaareng?
Kese:
I'
dsucky
ou.
..

Theybothstar
edatoneanotherthen
shetookhisphoneawayfrom hi
s
handsandopenedhislegsst
anding
between,
sheputhanduphert opand
heswallowedhol
dingherf
reshint
act
breast
,herni
ppl
eswerepointyand
ti
nythenhepull
edoutandlooked
down..

Ken:
Got
oyourr
oom.
..
Kese:Iknowy ouwantit
..
.Youbeen
i
npr i
sonfortoolongandyou'
re
separat
edsoI '
m wil
li
ngtohel
pyou
eveninthebedroom.
Ken:
ThanksbutI
'
m good.
..
Kese:Ar
eyoushypast or?Iknow
ther
eisabeasti
nsidey ou..
.Youwere
abadboysoofcour sey ouwantto
pinmedown.Don'tletmest op,t
ake
i
t.
..That
'swhyI
'
m her
e.

Shel eanedov erandkissedhi mt hem

shepushedhi m downandsatonhi s
chestkissinghim pressinghi shands
ont hebed.Shepausedandpul l
ed
outhert -shi
rtandherper fecti
on
broughtt ear
st ohiseyes...
.Ther ehe
waspr esentedwi t
hay ounggi rl
that
hadn'tgivenbirthnorhadherbr easts
sucked, herskinwassmoot hassi lk
andshenodoubtbeaut i
ful,
shewas
anAf ri
canbeaut yfrom agood
Christi
anf amily
.Herfat herlovedhim
andshecookedsowel l butforsome
reasonshef eltweirdthant he
roughnessofhi swi fe'
sski nand
knowi ngwhyi tshehadt hosebur n
scar s,oper ati
ont racesmeantso
muchmor e.Seei twasn' tjustabody
thatcar riedmemor i
esofpai nbuta
signofl oveandsacr if
icenotmany
womenwoul ddof oramanandnow
l
ooki ngatKese' sbeaut i
fulnat ural
i
nt actbr eastsgothi m wonder ing
whatDi di l
ookedl ikewi t
houther
otherbr east .Kese'shai r
linemade
himf eel guil
ty,Di
di hadnot hi
ngl ike
thatbecauseshehadascaront he
head. ..Thisbodywasexact l
yhow
Didi lookedwhenhemether -Before
shegav ebi rthtohi schil
dr en, befor
e
sheburnedherselfforhi m andbef ore
shehadaheadi njury.Fort hef ir
st
ti
mei nhisli
fei
twasn' tabouta
woman' sbeauty
,thef reshnessand
theperfect
ionhecoul dn'tev enerect
from t
hekissesthisgirlwaspl anti
ng
onhisneckandr ubbingher selfon
hisweapon.

Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Kesest
op.
..
.Getof
fme.
..

Sheconti
nuedki
ssi
nghim goi
ng
downhisneckandhepushedher
off
..
.
Ken:
(impat
ient
ly)Getof
f.
..

Sherol
ledbackandfel
ldownt
hebed
thenhequi
cklyhel
pedherupr
ubbi
ng
herel
bows..
.

Ken:
I'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tmeant
opush
yout
oohard.
..

Shet earful
lylookedathim
embar rassedandcov er
edher
breaststhenhepi ckedhert
-shi
rtand
dressedher ..
.
Ken: I
'
m sorry.
..
.I'
m goingthrough
shitri
ghtnow,I'
m notreadyf or
anythi
ng.I'
m ona2y earsepar at
ion
withmywi feandi don'
twantt obe
i
nvolvedinanyr omanticrel
ationship.
I'
m onlyfocusi
ngonmychi ldren,I'
m
sorry.
.
Kese:(
looki
ngdown)I t
'sok,ishoul
d
betheoneapologi
sing.
..I
'm so
embarr
assedri
ghtnow
Ken:Don'
tbe,
Iwon'
ttel
lany
one.
..Go
toyourr
oom
Kese:(
tear
ful
l
ywalkedoutcur
ving
herl
ipsdown)Sor
ry.
..
.
Shecl osedthedoorthensheputhis
handsov erhisfaceandsighedin
disbeli
ef,hepacedaroundthehouse
holdinghiswaistandsatont hebed
thenhecov eredhisfacecl
osinghis
eyes.

Ken:
(annoy
edwi
thhi
msel
f)Fuck!

Hethr
ewhimselfbackandpunched
t
hebedchanti
ng,"Fuck,
fuck,
fuck!
"
t
henhecaughthisbreat
handsaton
t
heedgeofthebed...

Ken:
Great
,nowI
'
mlosi
ngmymi
nd.
..
Br
avoKen,
brav
ost
upi
d!

Hesi
ghedandgr
abbedhi
sfood.

*
**

Oncehewasdoneeat inghehelped
Fait
hwi t
hhomewor kandl atert
ucked
thegirl
sinbedbef oreknockingon
Kese'sdoor.Sheopenedt hedoor
andlookedathi m buthewasn' t
exactl
ylookinginherey es.Helooked
downandscr at
chedt hebackofhis
head..
.
Ken:
Kamosooboel
elapengaut
wa?
Kese:
What
?Why
?
Ken:Ithi
nkI'
llmanaget hekidsonmy
ownnowbesi desy oucameher e
becauseiwassi ckbutnowI '
mf i
ne
so..
.Yeah-y
oudi dyourpartandi
appreci
ateit
,I'
m sureI'
m notpayi
ng
youenough
Kese:I
'
m notdoi
ngitf
ort
hemoney
,
youdon'
thavetopayme
Ken: (
sighed)YeahbutI'
m goodnow
so..
.Let'sjustdot
hingsaccor
dingt
o
theini
tialplan
Kese:
Imadey
ouuncomf
ort
abl
ewi
th
t
hatki
ss?
Ken:No, i
thasnot hingtodowi t
hthat
.
Iwasst i
l
lgoingt ot el
lyoutoleave.
(hehandedherP900.Iknowi pai
d
youlastweekbutt hat'
sjustfornot
givi
ngyounot iceorsomet hing.I
knowy ouwer en'tworkingbuti j
ust
havetothanky ou.
Kese:
Kenpl
ease.I
'
m sor
ry
Ken:
Goodni
ght

Shesadl
ywat chedhim ashewalked
tothel
iv
ingroom wherehejoi
nedhi s
sononthecoucht henshecl
osedt he
doorandpackedherthingsf
orthe
nex
tmor
ning.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi leDidiwarmedherl ef
tovers
from supperandwal kedtothelivi
ng
room holdingaplateoffoodanda
glassofwat er,
shesatdownand
sighedpulli
ngabl anketoverhersel
f.

Herhousewasqui etandquitelonel
y,
i
twaslikebeingtrappedinahospital
bedexceptshecoul dn'
theart
he
beepi
ngmachi nesbutshewas
sl
owlyadjust
ingandaccept i
ngher
fate.Herchildrenwerehappywith
theirf
atherandt hemai
dapparentl
y
didagoodj ob,itwasmorethanshe
couldaskf or..
.

Shegrabbedther emoteand
swit
chedont heTVt henshe
swit
chedthechannel sandlandedon
JudgeJudy,sheincreasedthe
vol
umeandwat chedeating.
..

Int
eresti
ngcasesandshelaughedat
thejudge'
scomment s,
ther
ewasa
knockont hedoorandshewalked
overchewingandopened..
.
Br
andon:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
Di
di:
(fr
owned)Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Br
andon:I'
m sorr
yaboutwhaty
ou
wentt
hrough,ihear
dyou'
re-
Didi
:Don'tevercomet omyhouse
yougetme?Soy ouheardIwason
separati
onandt houghtyou'dcome
hereandwhat ?Soot hme?Idon't
needy oursorr
iesleavebeforeke
l
eoha.
Br
andon:
AoDi
dimmaake-
Di
di:(
angri
l
y)Br
andonkar
etsamaa!
Ketogakegongat
akanamaemo
mathoo!
Br
andon:
Ok,
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Hewalkedawaythenhet
urnedback
l
ooki
ngather.
..

Br
andon:AndKenhasbeenst
ayi
ng
wi
thKeseforl
ikeamonthnow

Shetearf
ull
yhi
thim wi
ththepi
eceof
meantont hef
aceandrubbedher
eyes.
..

Di
di:Nxl
a!Ker
il
etsamaa!Iknowhe
i
ssleepi
ngwit
hher,whatdoyou
wantmet odo?Ker eng?Akereigo
tochurchev
erySundayandi seeher
carr
yingmydaughter,tal
ki
ngtomy
husbandandwhisperingtohi
m each
chanceshegets,
ker engnna?Don't
evercometomyhouse.

Sheslammedt hedoorandsl iddown

cryi
ngast earsroll
eddownher
cheeks.Kesewasbeaut if
uland
young,shewentt ochurchevery
Sundayandpr obablyknewev er
y
versei
nt hebible.Thesewer ethe
thi
ngsshedi dn'thave,shehadn't
beenputtingonmakeupl atel
yand
showedherj usthowugl yandol dshe
wasget t
ing.Thewr inklesandsmal l
tracesofgr ayhairandheatwav es
shehadbeenget ti
ng, shehadn' thad
anor mal peri
odi n2mont hs.Itwas
reducingandsheknewi twas
i
mpossi bletostartov er
,damn
whoev ersaidlif
ebegunat40.Was
sheev ensupposedt obeget t
ingon
menopausesoear ly?Shehadspent
herlifeangryandbi ttersomuchshe
didn'tknowwhatshehadunt i
l she
l
osti t.

Di
di:
(cr
ying)Noonei sgoingtospoi
l
mymood. .
.I'
mf inealone.
..I
'v
e
al
waysbeenal one..
.Atleastnowi
haveelectr
ici
tyandaTVsoy esi
madei tbecausei don'
tst
ayina
tr
adit
ionalhut,mmamai madeit
.
(r
ubbedhert ears)Imadeit.
..

Shestoodupr ubbi
nghert ear
sand
satonthecouchwat chingTVasshe
conti
nuedeati
ngherf ood,shegot
l
ostintheprogram andlaughedas
thej
udgerudelydeli
veredher
j
udgement..

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmor
ningMasi
l
opar
kedi
n
f
rontoft
hehouseast
hechi
ldr
en
wal
kedouti
nthei
runi
for
m..
.

Lol
o:Ican'
tbeli
eveicameinthe
morni
ng,koorekerutabongwanake
engneKagelel
o
Hi
m:(
laughed)Bat
aat
hal
ogany
a..
.
Lol
o:(
blushi
ng)Thanksf
orl
astni
ght
Hi
m:Sur
e..

Shel
eanedoverandki
ssedhi
m but
heki
ssedbackrel
uct
antl
yandsi
ghed
l
eani
ngback..
.
Lol
o:By
e
Hi
m:By
e

Shejumpedof fandgotMof eny

ithen
sheclosedthedoor,hesighedand
drov
eoutt houghtf
ull
y.
..
.

Meanwhi leLol
olaidMofenyi
inthe
cotandthr ewhersel
fonthebed
spreadi
ngherhandsont hebedwith
awi decrazyassteenagesmit
ten
smile.
..
.

Lol
o:Thatwasagoodmot
her
fucki
ng
di
ck..
.t
hankyouJesusf orgivi
ngmen
peni
sesother
wi set heywouldn'
tbe
soimport
!(cr
ackedi nt
olaugherand
cl
apped)Herianakeseny e.
.
Hehehehekwaks. .
..Waitsekanabo
Kagel
elokedigole...
.

Shegotupandwal kedtothekit
chen
hummi ngandsnappingherfi
ngers
pressi
ngherphonethenshepaused
l
ookingattheti
meandwi denedher
eyes..
.

Lol
o:Chineke!Myappoint
mentwith
MrFrai
taga..
..
(l
aughed)Hebaana
Lret
teampor
elent
ebat
sa
appoint
ment
..
.

Sheranintothebat hroom andf il

led
thetubsti
l
l t
alki
ngt oher selfand
hummi ngnoddingherheadt henshe
dial
edhimt oteasehi m aboutalmost
makinghermi ssherappoi ntmentbut
hisphonewasof f,shebr ushedi toff
andputthephonedownt akingoff
herclot
hesforabat h.
..

Lolo:(singing)Neneseasont
obe
j
ollylalala
l
alala..
..Mememememememe
Shetookabathandf
ixedMof
eny
i
bef
oreleav
ing.
..
.

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Sheslowlysatuponthecouchand
yawnedfoldi
ngherfi
sttohermout
h
thenherphonerang.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Ar
ianna:
Hel
l
oDi
di?Obual
eAr
ianna
Di
di:
Hi
Ar
ianna:
Kanammeot
hokaget
ssgo
bat
iwacof
fi
nnnagakenamadi

Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesandherhear
t
shutt
ered,shenev
erexpect
edtofeel
thatwaywhensheheardthenews..
.

Didi
:(atearr
andownhercheekas
shespokewithalostvoi
ce)Koore
mmei bil
eothokahetseaiseanthat
e,
koorennamodimoomphel aeng
malatsi
akanaabot shel
ommeke
senaboitumel
o.
Ar
ianna:
Otaat
aor
eka?
Di
di:
Whendi
dshedi
e?
Ar
ianna:
Lastweek
Di
di:
Andy
ou'
ret
ell
i
ngmenow?
Ari
anna: Aommaot at
aothusago
hi
thammagokanaj angakeresese
bothokwakegorekegobolel
etse?
Bagolobagoreedi
tseomoloud
speakereng
Didi
:Okay,I
'
llbuyt
hecof
fi
nandI
'
m
comingther
e.
Uncle:
(int
hebackground)Arianna
gagobuiwejal
olemogol ootheruri
kuri
kiiol
ebosulaj
aana,lesolebuiwa
j
alo?

Shehungupt
henDi
dit
ookadeep
breathasherey esgl eamedwi th
tearswhi chrandownhercheeksas
shel eanedov erandr ubbedherf ace
cryi
nghy stericall
ysittingont he
couchal one, asmuchasshedi dn't
haveachancesher emember edt he
l
ov ehermot hergav eherbef oreshe
hadhermar italchil
dren.Shedi dher
hairandboughtherni ceclothes,she
wasoncet hemostbeaut if
ulgirlin
school andhadbeenMi ss
Letsholathebepr imar yschool fr
om
standard1upt ost andar d4,yeahher
mot hertookcar eofhert hatmuch
andshesmi ledi nfrontoft hewhol e
school withconf i
dence.The
confidencehermot herwouldwhi sper
i
nherearwhi l
eputt
ingherinthose
beaut i
fulbeautypageantsparki
ng
dresses..
.That '
sallshecould
remember ,noneofthebadcould
comet omi ndanditshutter
edhert o
knowshewasnomor e.
..

Sherubbedherswol
leneyesandgot
proper
lydr
essedbef
oreleavi
ng.
..
.

AtKedi
bony
e'shome.
..
.

Minutesl
aterDi
dipar
kedthecar
l
ookingatthecr
owed,ther
ewasa
browntentatthecornerwit
h
mattr
essesinsideandtheelders
weresti
llgat
heringi
nf r
ontofthe
house.

Asshewal kedpastthefi
reareashe
couldhearhermother'
sin-
laws
gossipi
ngandmocki ngthewhole
thi
ng...
.

Woman: Lesolelet
alammankar
ene
esebahumi pel
e(cl
appedand
l
aughed)SesoKhumosemaswe...
Kethot
horeil
emxehphew!
Woman1:
Nawannesengwanaageo
kae?
Woman: (
Gumareaccent)Akawena
warey ookemotho!Akerewaa
phephethamontungkeAi ds,
hagona
l
ehael emothokeskil
itonhel
a...
.O
petoi
lemelomoeegoset seeney oo
makgakgay owabanabanchi kana
gatekeeneadrei
lei
Woman: Ari
ana?Kanaonnaa
i
thwalet
serurihel
ammeel entswa
hel
a,haakar
egont sholet
sankoha
koot
emghanear atanale
mopalamentenkabor esatsogarur
i

Di
digl
ancedatt
hem qui
etl
yandt
hey
pausedtal
ki
ngasshewal
kedpast
them..
.

Di
di:
Dumel
ang.
.
Them:
Dumel
ang.
..

Shewalkedinandandjoi
nedother
womenwhower esit
ti
ngonthe
groundthenshefi
xedherdoekand
quiet
lyl
i
stened.
..

Uncle:
Sinceherdaught
erisbuyi
ng
thecoff
inweshouldall
contri
but
e
andbuyfood,hungeri
sstarv
ing
ev
eryoneandpeoplear eslowl
y
st
art
ingtol
eav eeveryt
hingbecause
wearenotfeedingthem.

Didi
:(raisedherhand)I'
ll
sellmycar
andbuyev ery
thi
ng,Ipostedi
ton
Facebookwi t
hareasonableprice
andsomeonehasal readyshowed
i
nterest.Ialsohaveli
tt
lecashfr om
theshopt oustobuyfoodjaanong
gakeitsegor eakentshemadi kana
ketsamael emongwe.
Aunti
e:I
fyouarefi
tenoughy
oucan
gowith3otherl
adi
esandgobuy
food,
wearev er
yhungry
.
Blessi
ngcall
edoutforDi
di'
sname
from t
hebedroom wit
hali
ttl
elow
voiceandsheturnedl
ooki
ngatt he
doorthenshestoodupandwal kedin
thehouse.

Shewal kedal l
thewayt othe
bedr oom whereBlessingwas
sleepingont hemattress,Tear
seye'
s
fi
lledwithtearsasshel ookedather
thensheknel tdownnextt oher
hol di
ngherskinnyhand. .
.

Di
di:
Blessi
ng?Whathappened?
Blessi
ng:
(shakyvoi
ce)I
'
mver
y
hungrypl
easebuymeMageu.
..

Didicoveredhermout handdr opped

tearsasshet ouchedherli
ttl
esi st
er'
s
foreheadandandcheek, therewasn't
muchmeatl eftandshecouldf eel
herskullonherpalm asshet ouched
her..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
(tear
ful
l
y)Agor
ekat
he
mmakehelamowa...
.

Didiqui
ckl
ystoodupandwalkedout
quiet
lyr
ubbingherf
loodi
ngt
earsas
shepassedt
hroughev
ery
one.
..
..

Pl
easeLi
keandl
eav
eusa
commentbel
ow.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
32AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 169

Att
hemal
l

LateronDi di
qui et
lypushedthe
trol
leyastheot herladi
esputfoodin
thet r
oll
eychattingloudl
ythenshe
madeey econtactwi t
hLoloasshe
walkedinhangi ngashoppi ngbusket
onherar m.

Botht
hei
rfacesli
tupast
heymet
oneanot
herhalf
wayandexchanged
hugsandcheekbumps.
..

Lol
o:Youhav
ebeenr ar
e,hei
mma
yougai
nedweightaut
wa!
Di
di:
Thanks
Lol
o:Ar
ewest
il
lgoi
ngt
othef
est
ival
?
Didi
: Kedi
bony eislat
eandBl essingis
sufferi
ngfrom somet hi
ng, I
'm not
surewhatbutshei sbad.Appar ent
ly
Mor apedidiedmont hsago...The
si
tuat i
onisreall
ybadt here.Arianna
helakeeneasi ametsewengmmel e
eneekar eit
sholeloeiletase
Lol
o:OhmyGod,
I'
m sor
ry.
..Ar
eyou
ok?
Di
di:
Uhket
aar
engmma
Lol
o:Ei
sh.
..Howar
etheki
ds?
Didi
:Theyst aywi thKen,i
don'tt
hink
they'
reov erthatinci
denti
fthey'
re
overittheni guesstheypref
er
stay
ingwi ththeirfat
herbutHazel
spendsni ghtatmyhouse
occasionally
.
Lolo:I
ttakestimetoundothe
damage, I
'm speaki
ngfrom
experi
ence.Whydi dn'
tyoucomeko
patong?
Di
di:Nnakebatil
ediny
alotsabana
bagagodi nnadimphi
thel
akele
di
vorcee,
akereKenandIare
separ
atedsoi don'
twantt
obr
ingbad
l
ucktoBabyandCal vi
n'
s
negot
iati
ons.
Lol
o:Don'
tev
erusethatexcuse,
Aat
il
eandIaredi
vor
cees.
Di
di:
Ok,sorr
y.Howar
eyourchi
l
dren?
AndMrRight
Lolo:(l
aughed)MrRighti
ssupper
awesome, I'
minloveshems..
.And
thekidsaregood.MmaMogapi o
borrowedBabyandt henewborn
Didi
:Ibeenseeingthei
rpi
ctur
eson
FacebookwaitsetheMogapi'
shav
e
beenwaiti
ngforachi l
d
Lol
o:Shei
stheonl
ygr
andchi
l
d,Baby
saysshedoesn'
ttouchanyt
hing.Her
motheri
nlawdoesev er
ythi
ng
Andrewisovert
hemoon.
Di
di:
Godbl
esst
hem.
..
Lol
o: Heel
ammaMrFr i
dayjust
off
eredmyposit
ionback,hetoldme
youvisi
tedhi
sof
fice.Thanksfor
hel
pingmegetmyj obback,youhav
e
noideahowmuchi tmeanst ome
Di
di:
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
..
Lol
o:I
'
llcomef
ormer
apel
olat
erok
Di
di:
Ok,
bye

Theypar
tedasLol
odi
aledMasi
l
obut
i
trangunanswer
edwhi
chgother
wonder
ing.
..
.

AtThehospi
tal
..

LateronMasi l
ot ypedadocumenton
thecomput erandpausedt oeditthen
henot i
cedhehadbeenwr i
ti
ngwr ong,
hecancel l
edev ery
thi
ngand
frust
ratedl
ydel et
edthewhol e
documentandl eanedbacksighing.
Oneofhi sjuniorswalkedinwith
somepaper sandputt hem onhis
desk..
.
Hi
m:Si
rhav
eal
ookatt
hose
Masi
l
o:Sur
e..
.

Hewal kedoutt henMasilo'sphone

rang,hest ar
edatLolo'scallunti
lit
endedt henhecl i
ckedonherpi ctur
es
andst ar edatherthoughtfull
yfi
ghting
hisfeelings..
..
.

*
**

MeanwhileLol
opar kedt
hecarand
fi
xedherli
psti
ckthenshestepped
outwal
kinginthehospit
aland
bumpedonAat i
l
eandBayang
walki
ngout
,theyst
oppedandshook
hands.
..
.

Bay
ang:
(laughed)Ihear
d..
.
Lol
o:(
laughed)Hear
dwhat
?(l
ooked
atAat
il
e)Omaakawena
Aati
le:
(laughed)Ij
ustsai
dbosso
phekakogagago
Lolo:(
laughedsmil
ingathim and
rubbedsomet hi
ngofhischi
n)Mxm..
Aat
il
e:(
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
)How
ar
eyou?
Lol
o:I
'
m good,
you?
Aat
il
e:I
'
m good
Bayang:
(fr
ownedlooki
ngatthem l
i
ke
amemepi ctur
e)Am imissi
ng
somethi
ng?
Aat
il
e:What
?Skal
orel
ahagor
ona
Lol
o:(
laughed)May
beheneeds
Sbr
anaagain
Bayang:(
laughed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou
j
ustsaidthat,
omol oi
Lol
o:I
sKagel
eloi
nsi
de?
Bayang:HebannaMrMasi
l
okeene
Kagelel
oibi
le

Theyal
ll
aughedasAat
il
eandLol
o
pushedof
foneanot
her
..
.

Lolo:
KanteBay
angwhat
'sy
our
probl
em wit
hmenerr
a?Dowehav
e
beef?
Bayang:(laughedshrugginghi
s
shoulders)Whatdidi say?Thewhol
e
hospital
callshim MrMasi l
oorSi
los
kelanthakeut waKagel el
o
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Lol
oweeKGi
s
i
nsi
de

Theyalll
aughedatLol
osmi
l
edgi
vi
ng
them aneye.
..
Lolo:Mxm gatwel
arengnne,
yaanongAatil
ekeengsaKagelel
oga
ommi tsaSil
os
Bay
ang:
WhoKagel
elo?
Lol
o:(
wal
kedaway
)Mxm soka
Aati
le:
Passbyt
hest
all
andcol
l
ect
condoms
Lol
o:Aat
il
eot
aaswabakanai
j
a..
.

Theylaughedandwal
kedt
owar
ds
thei
rcars.
..

Bay
ang:
Soy
ouwer
eser
iousLol
oo
i
tei
saSi
l
os?
Aati
l
e:YeahbutSi
l
osi
sagoodguy
aker
e?
Bayang: Yeahhei
sgood,
I'
venever
seenhim withawomansi
ncehis
wifepassedon.
Aatil
e:Af
termeeti
ngmeatLolo's
Househecalledmet ohi
soffi
cea
botsagorear
ewegoodkot enghe
thoughtI
'
dhav eaprobl
em wit
hthem
nnakeshapkaSedi .
Bay
ang:
Osi
ameSi
l
os.
..
Aati
l
e:I'
mr eal
l
ygladshechosehi
m
ofal
lthepeople
Bay
ang:
(smi
l
ed)Why
?
Aat
il
e:(
laughed)Just
,itr
eal
l
ymakes
mehappy.
Bayang:Comeontel
lme,ir
eal
l
y
thoughtyou'
dbej
eal
ous.
..
Aati
le:No,I'm not.Loneandwill
alwaysbeconnect edbecausewe
havechildrensoi fshemeetsaguy
l
ikeSilosican'tcompl ai
nbecausei
wantsomeonei cantrustar
oundmy
chil
dren.Kemogol okanaandI'm
real
isti
c..
.
Bayang:
Waakgona, I
'
llneverl
ikeKen
l
ehagoka.Notthatihatehim buto
tenahel
akagor
eDi diwamor ata.
Theyl
aughedanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtMasi
l
o'sOf
fi
ce.
..
..

MinuteslaterLoloknockedont he
doorandher espondedthenshe
walkedin,her ai
sedhiseyebr
ows
completelysurpri
sedashest opped
ty
pingandswungt hechai
rback
l
ookingather ..
.

KG:
Wow.
..Hi
Lol
o:Whyar
eyounotpi
cki
ngmy
cal
l
s?
KG:
Um.
..Hav
easeat
..
.

Shesatdownandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
her
..
.

KG:Soy
our
eal
l
ycameher
etoask
that
?
Lol
o:Yes
KG:
Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou
Lolo:Canyoust
opplayi
nggames
andtellmehaelegor
eitwasani
ght
standkeit
hoboge
KG:(
hesmil
edhandsomel
yand
l
ookedi
nher)Wowok
Lol
o:What
'sgoi
ngon?
KG: (si
ghedandl ookedatherwi tha
seri
ousf ace)Doy our emember
tal
kingt omeandt elli
ngmet haty ou
feelast houghweshoul dn'trush
thi
ngs, weshoul dt akeitslow
becausey oudon' twantt ohur tmeor
mehur ti
ngy ouwel liknowf orsur ei
won'thur ty oubuti tmademewonder
i
fi wasr iskingbecausennapel oame
esemat a.It akeforevert ohav ea
partnerbutoncei doi commi tmy sel
f
withev erythingthati hav e.Bef oremy
wifediedwewer etoget herfor17
yearsandbef orethati hada4y ear
rel
ationship.It akemyt imeandwhen
i
t'sgot imei t
sgot imeandi
respectedy ouropi nionaboutus
taki
ngt hingssl owbecausey oudon' t
wantt ohur tmebutaf terlastnighti
foundmy selffall
i
ngf ory ou.(smi l
ed
andt hought f
ullyl
ickedhi sl i
pthinking
aboutt henightbef or e)Lastni ght
wasbeaut i
ful.
...(
sighed)Andi want
mor eandmor eofy ou, that'swhyke
rekel
aMof enyi di
loinmyhouse
becausei wantust ospendt i
me
togetherbutt hent hinkingaboutwhat
yousai dkindoff orcedmet obe
cauti
ousaboutmyf eelingsgor enna
kebat agot senakaf ull forcebuty ou
wantt otakey ourt i
meper hapsy ou're
notsur eify ouwantmeornot ..
.I
thoughtifi st oppedpesteringyou
withcallsandr educet al
kingtoy ou
may beI '
l
l slowdownbecauser ight
nowI 'mt hinkingaboutser iousthings
l
ikev eryser iouscommi t
mentmo
elenggor ei tmi ghtscareyouoi potsa
gorer r
eoi thaganeletseeng...
.
(l
ookedatherandl aughed)You' r
ea
goodl i
stener .
..
Lolo:(
laughed)I'
mj ustadmi r
ingyou
oi t
omatomadi teme.Idi dn'tt
hink
you'dt
aket hatseriousbecausei
wasn't
, i
tsoneoft hosest opiti l
i
kei
t
kindofthings.
.Iwanty ou,i
fev er
therewasdoubti nmymi ndit
di
sappearedmaabaneosenago
i
kidi
batsa(theybothlaughed)Keraa
gorennar r
akehedi t
semogopol oka
wenajaakaobonakegol at
elaat
workbecausei didn'
twanttojump
i
ntoconclusions.Iwantproper
communi cati
on.

Hesmi ledandst oodupt aki

ngof fhi
s
ti
ethenhel ockedt heoffi
ceand
walkedbackst andingbehindLolo
whosmi l
ednaught i
lyj
ingli
ngher
keys,heleanedov erandkissedher
neckfrom thebackandputhi sarms
aroundunbuttoninghershi r
tand
cuppedherbr eaststhenhehel ped
herstandandhel
dbot
hhercheeks
ki
ssingher.

DoubtLol ohadanev erseenaman

l
ooksoper fectinformal andhe
smel ledgood, hepausedl ooki
ngat
herandt ookouthi swat chthenhe
foldedt hesleevesofhi sshirtand
steppedov erjerki
ngherupand
placingheront hedesk.Sheki cked
offherheel sandsl idunhookedhi s
beltashet ookouthershi r
tand
pulledupski r
t.
..
..

Thet
elephoner
angt
henhecutt
he
call
andputt heearpi
ecesepar
atet
o
stopfur
thercall
sthentur
nedbackt
o
herandkissedher.
..
.

AtMor
apedi
'
sHome.
..
.

Didiwat
chedasBl
essi
ngmixed
herbswit
hMageuandshookthebox
withweakhandst
henshedr
unk..
..

Di
di:
Youhav
en'
ttol
dmewhat
's
wr
ongwit
hyou
Blessi
ng:
Thechurchiwentt
osai
d
thatmygrandmot
herdiedwi
tha
brokenheartbecausemymot her
abandonedherwi thay oungchi l
dso
thecursewasgoi ngfrom gener at
ion
togenerati
on.Sinceiarri
vedher e
mamaankokaIaskedhert oseek
forgi
venessfrom youandt oldher
thatmypast orsai
dweshoul dmake
asacrif
ice.Hesaidweshoul dkill
a
goatandpouri tsbl
oodatmmama' s
grave.
Di
di:
Blessi
ngdi
dyout
esty
our
sel
f?
Bl
essi
ng:
Soy
out
hinki
hav
eai
ds?
Di
di:
Doy
ou?

Ar
iannawal
kedi
nandgotherson'
s
j
acketf
rom oneofherbags.
.

Ari
anna: Blessi
ngdoesn' twanttotest
herselforevengot othehospi t
al.
Shef ini
shedhermoneybuy ingherbs
andal lki
ndsoft radit
ionalmedicines
tocur ehersel
f.Sheev enwentto
Sout hAfri
catogetheal edbya
cer
t ainpastorthere.Hesl appedher
andpushedherar oundgot wefir
ef i
re
iwat chedheronTVbutki yontse
Bolesinghelaibil
eol wal el
akopel e
Blessi
ng:
Don'tevent
ryt
oactl
i
kea
goodsist
erbecause-
Ar
ianna:
(tear
ful
l
y)si
ster
?Udon'
t
car
eaboutanyoneexceptmyboy s.
Ok?Whatmakesy outhinkicareif
youdi
eorliv
e?Idon'tbegany one.Go
andgetARV,gett
ingsickal
lthetime
i
sthereasonyou'
renotworking.
Di
di:Sheisri
ghtandy
ou'
reanur
se
Bl
essing,
elegorekoI
HSkwawhat
ar
etheyteaching?
Blessi
ng:Soy ou'reapastor'
swifebut
youdon'tbeliev ewhati sai
d?How
wouldmypast orknowabouty ouand
Mmama?Can' twedot hesacr i
fi
ce
andseekf orgiv enessf
rom the
ancestor
sl eenemamamowawa
gagweor obal ekakagi so.
Didi:Ibeliev eyoubutdoy out hink
thereisachancet hecur secoul dbe
HIV?Bal abbonehav etocatch
somet hingwi t
hanameandt hey
havemedi cati
onforeverythi
ngso
l
et'sgot ot hehospi
tal,
wewi ll dothe
sacrifi
cel ater.
Bl
essi
ng:
No,
I'
ll
wai
tfort
hesacr
if
ice
Ari
anna:Youshouldn'thavegivenher
Mageunowshehasener gytoargue,
youshouldhav et
akenhert othe
hospit
alf
irstandonlygiveherMageu
aft
ertest
inghernnawaandahl el
a
akere
Di
di:
Let
'st
akehert
othecar
..
.Hol
d
hert
hatsi
de.
..
.
Blessi
ng:(cry
ing)Di
dint
edon'ttouch
me, don'
ttouchmeorel seI'
m going
tohav esexwithKenagain.I
sthat
whaty ouwant?

BothAri
annaandDidifound
themsel
veslaughi
ng.
..

Ar
ianna:Hanebakabonaeneyo
wagorobalangKen,
haekake!
Di
di:
(laughed)I
ja.
..

Theyputheri
nthecart
henDi
di
pull
edasitbel
toverherasAr i
anna
secret
lyl
ookedatDiditr
yingtoget
herandwhenDiditurnedshequickl
y
putonherusualhi
ghhor seface.
..

Ar
ianna:
I'
m goi
ngt
omaket
ea.
..

Di
dilookedforBl
essing'
scardsand
dr
oveoutoft hey
ardasBl essi
ng
cr
iedcoveri
ngherface..
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..
..

Hour
slat
erDi
diwai
tedout
sideas
Bl
essingwasatt
endedbyasoci
al
workert
henherphoner
ang.
..

Di
di:
Hel
l
o?
Voice:
Hi,I
'
dli
ketoseethecarifi
tsi
n
agoodcondit
ionwecanfinal
i
se
thi
ngstomorr
ow.
Didi
:OKbutI
'
m att
hehospi
tal
right
now.
Voi
ce:
I'
ll
bet
her
einaf
ewmi
nut
es.
Di
di:
Thanky
ou,
bye

Shehungandl
eanedbacksadl
y
l
ooki
ngathercarkey
s..
..
AWEEKLATER.
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
[
9/4,
12:
32AM]Madam Dee:
Wicked
Me
✴ 170
AtMor
apedi
'
sHome.
..
..

Int
heafter
noonofKedibonye'
sburial
Lol
o,herdaughter
sandotherfamil
y
memberswashedandcount edall
the
bor
rowedplates.

May a:
Thissi
dewehav emama'
s
plat
es,di
25.TsagaAunti
eDi
di25
andmugsdi 30.
…I'
l
ltaket
hem t
othe
car.
Lol
o:Theseonesar
efr
om the
nei
ghbours,
I'
ll
putt
hem i
nsi
de.
..
Lolopickedapi leofplatesand
walkedt othekitchenwher eshe
caughtagl i
mpseofAr iannatyinga
sugarinapl asti
candgi vingitt
oher
sonwi t
hawhi sperandpushedhi m
outthebackdoor ,
theli
ttl
eboyr an
outhidingitinhisjacketthenLolo
putthepl at
esont hecount erli
keshe
didn'
tsayany thi
ng.

Ari
annahummedandwi pedplat
es
i
nnocent
lyt
henLol
owal kedoutbut
somethi
ngtur
nedherback.
..
Lol
o:Ari
annacani
tel
lyou
somethi
ng.
..

Sheturnedwi
thanatti
tudeand
fol
dedherarmslooki
ngatLoloready
tofi
rebackather
..
.

Lolo:(calml
y)Ihadasi st
ercal
led
Gobonaandwenev erli
kedeach
other,I'
m notsur
eexact l
ywhyshe
didn'
tlikemebuti didn'
tli
keher
becauseshehadpr i
de.She
neglectedmydaught erwhenshewas
underherwat chbuti waswil
li
ngto
forgi
veherandonl yifsheapologi
sed
untilonedayi real isedi twasn't
wor kingbecauseourchi ldr
enwer e
suffer i
ng.Mychi ldr endi dn'
tknow
hersandl ifewasdi ff
icultforhernna
nekel ebot okany anabuti twashar d
tohel pher .Af terseei nghowl i
fewas
ideci dedI'dhel pmynephewsand
nieceswi thev ery thingandshef el
t
badf orever ythingshedi dt ome.She
call
edmef orlike30secondsaski ng
forfor gi
venessandi tmademecr y
becausei twasal li everwant edt o
hear .Nowi j
ustwant edt ohugher
butshest il
l coul dn'tf orgiveherself
,
mesay i
ngi forgav ehermadeherf eel
mor egui l
tyandshehungher self
beforewecoul dr econci le.NowI 'm
j
ustal one, idon'thav easi ster
becauseofmypr ide, hadanyofus
decidedt osi tandt alkt ooneanot her
iwoul dn'tbeher e.Themor aloft he
storyisasi steri sav eryimpor tant
personi ny ourlife, y ou'ret ooy oung
tofightorcompet ewi thDi di because
shei syourbi gsi st er ,bigsi stersare
l
ikemot hers.Di di isnotr ichbutshe
canaf fordt ohel py ouandshecan
onlydot hati fsheknowsy ouneed
help.Alltheseat titudey ougi ve
peoplewon' thel py ouory ourchi l
dren
becausepeopl et hinky ou'ref ullof
yourselfbuti cant elly ouhat e
yoursel ffornotbei ngwhoy ou
thoughty ou'dbewhengr owingup.
Yougr ewupr ichbutnowy ou're
strugglingl i
keev eryoneandit'
shar d
toaccepti tjaanongot hi
baka
makgakga.Di di i
sone
compassi onat eperson,t
hati can
assur ey ou.Gaai tsegotimamot ho
i
thutemogol ooomot hal
ogany egor e
otshel el eenesent ennaka.Bot shelo
bodi ngal oolenosi iknowbecause
I'
mj ustal onei nthisworl
dand
somet imesIwi shihadasisteror
mot her .Andt hereisnoneedt ost eal
thatsugarbecauseDi diboughtitfor
peopl eat tendingtheburial
,your
mot herhasbeenburiedandshe
won' tt
akeitt
oherhouse.Bl essi
ngi s
goingwi t
hhersoallthesefoodi s
yours.Thatmeat,r
ice,di10KGt sele
tsothetsagago,l
esagoi kutswela.

Ari
annat
earf
ull
yli
ckedherdryl
ips
andswal
lowedhumblyl
ookingat
Lol
o..
.

Lol
o:Phosoetsalwalemot hoaboe
baakangwakemot hogape,haole
mothooutulennaka.Banabamot ho
baatshwar
aganaDi dicanneverbe
cl
osetomemor et hanshecanl e
wenabl
oodsi
stery
agagwe.

Shecl
osedthedoorandwalkedout
asAri
annasighedt
hought
full
y.
..
.

*
**

MeanwhileDiditookdownBlessi
ng'
s
cl
othesfrom theli
neandwalked
backtothehouseasLol oandher
daught
erswer eabouttoleav
e..
.

Lol
o:Hi
Di
di:
(tur
ned)Hi
,you'
rest
il
lher
e?
Lol
o:Iwant
edpeopl
etof
ini
sheat
ing
andgett
heplat
es.
Di
di:
Oh,
ok.
..
Lol
o:Canwest
andt
hissi
deandt
alk?
Didi
:Yes,
(theymov
ed)what
'sgoi
ng
on?
Lolo:It
'saboutAr ianna,iknowshei s
dif
ficul
tbutf rom heredon'tjustl
et
herbe.Lov eherandal waysgopi ck
herchildrensot heycanst art
i
nteractingwi thyourchil
dren.Some
si
stersar ejustdiffi
cul
tbutwedon' t
cutcommuni cationwiththem orelse
onedayy ou'l
lbel ef
twithguiltya
goreokshewasbadbutwasi al
so
ri
ghttor espondthatway .Chi
ldr
en
alwayssuf f
erthemostwhenadul ts
putthei rint
erest
sf ir
st,
i knowy ou
tri
edy ourbestwi thherbutdon' tgive
up.Kemonnaogagonagor eotaa
reng,kesepokosagago.Iwi shihad
Gobonankabont senakoea
mpolel elakahaRr agweDi boysa
togangany al
akat eng(theybot h
l
aughed)Kananekesat soga
Didi
:(l
aughed)Mxm boRr agwe
Diboysthebaaiphutsakanalenyal
o
l
eosal eler
erwar ebal
aform 5until
wegraduatedf r
om Univ
ersi
tyand
shewasst i
llgoi
ngtogetmar ri
ed..
(t
heylaughed)Thanks,I
'l
lkeepin
contactwi
thherandi
can'tmakei
tto
theJazzfest
ival
nowthatihav
eal
l
these
Lol
o:Ofcour
se,
iknow.By
e

Shejoinedherdaught
ersanddrov
e
offwhileDidiwal
kedi
nthehouse
andfinishedpacki
ngBl
essing'
s
cl
othesassheshookherMageuand
satupr eadi
ngherARVs..
.

Blessing:
(laughed)Heydil
otseneke
ditshabammewee, t
hatsoci
alworker
knowsherj ob.Wheni waspushed
outofherof fi
cealliwant
edwasARV
soicanfeel
bett
erandst
artwor
king.
Iwastedmytime
Didi
:Whatmakesthi
sfunnyisthat
you'
reanur
se,I
'dexpecti
tfr
om
someoneel
sebutnurse?(cl
apped
once)Uhompalet
se!
Blessi
ng:(l
aughed)Iwasafrai
dto
hearsentenceyayou'
reHIVpositi
ve,
evenifyou'
reanurseordoctoryou
canneverbef i
neheari
ngthat.
Didi:
Nny aammawenaoworse.
..
get
ready,I
'
m call
i
ngZanet
odr
iveusto
myhouse.

Di
dist
eppedoutdi
ali
ngherson.
..
AtSky
-bl
ueCl
eaner
s..
..
.

MeanwhileLer
eoandOmogol o
washedthecarschatt
ingwithZane
ashecleanedacarpetwiththe
machinethenhi
sphoner ang..
.

Zane:
Hel
l
o?
Di
di:
Taor
eise
Zane:
Ok.
..

Hrhungupandputthemachi
ne
downthenheknockedonhi
sfat
her
's
of
fi
ceashewal
kedi
n..
.

Zane:Bor
rowmeyourkey
sI'
m goi
ng
topi
ckmamaleaunt
ie
Ken:(
thr
ewthekeysover)Kant
eis
somethi
ngwrongwit
hhercar?How
comeshehasbeenaskingyouto
dri
veher
?
Zane:
Shesol
dhercaraker
e
Ken:Reall
y?Idi
dn'
tnot
icei
twasn'
t
ther
ethismorni
ng
Zane:Shehadtobuyt hecof
finand
feedpeopl
e,idon'tunderst
andwhy
theyhadtodragitforanextraweek
Batswanalov
eagat heri
ngsot hey
caneatfr
eef
oodandsav
eatt
hei
r
houses.
Ken:(l
aughed)Idi dn'
tknowshesol d
hercar,whydidn'tshejusttellmeso
icanhelpwiththecof fi
n.Ididn't
knowt heydependedonherbecause
theyneverneededherbef oreand
they'
vealwaysbeenr ichtheyev en
stol
ehermoney .Fami lykemat hata
helasonowbat senyaDi distr
ess
gapebammat at huso..
Zane:
Iwouldn'
thav
ehelped
someonewhoabandonedme,mama
i
stoonice
Ken:
Shel
oveshermot
herand
alwayswi shedtobecl osetoherbut
hermot herwant edherli
ttl
eperf
ect
familyonly.Ihopey ouneverpl
ay
favouri
teswi t
hy ourchil
dreni
fyou
everhav eotherswithanyonewho
i
sn'tLail
a.
Zane:
Ican'
t.
..
.

Kenstoodupandtappedthecodet
o
thesaf
ethenhandedhim not
es.
.

Ken:Gi
vey
ourmot
hert
his,
shemi
ght
needit
Zane:
Ok
Ken:Youdon'
thavetotel
lheri
t'
s
fr
om me, y
oucanjustsayi
t'
sfr
om
yoursav
ingsorsomethi
ng
Zane:
OK.
..

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
eft
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Agathastoodont hebal
conyoft he
hospit
alon3r df
loorhol
dingasel f
ie
sti
ckfaci
ngt hephonecamer aasshe
pushedherweav eback,herperf
ect
makeupgl owedasshesmi ledsi
lly
andstuckhert
ongueoutpr
essi
ng
theGoliv
eonFacebookbut
ton.
..

Agat ha: Al
ri
ght...Hi Bot swanaand
anyonef ol
lowingus. .
.SoI '
m waiting
outsidef ormyman, hewascomi ng
forthel astcheckupbef orewecan
fl
ybackt oBotswana.Fort hosewho
don'tknowBot swanawear ea
l
andl ockedpeacef ul count ry.
.I
noticedwehav efollower sfrom
Amer i
caandUK.Any waysoguy s...
.
Myboowi llbewal kingoutt hatdoor
anymi nutenow. ..(camer ashowed
thegl assdoor s)y eah, hehasn' tfull
y
recov eredbuthecanwal kandhewi ll
heal
athome.(smil
edandcov er
ed
hermout
hshyly)Andguysthedick
l
ooksperf
ect
..
.Haibohehehehemme
kedi
dimal
e..
.

Thedooropenedandsheshift
edthe
camerashowingJanhasheslowly
walkedoutholdi
ngather
malhatthen
hesmi l
edatthecamerast
anding
behindAgat
haandkissedherneck
soft
ly.
..

Jan:Heyguys,soiknowi wassick
onthelastvi
deowepost ed,alotof
youfreakedoutbutyeahI'
m good
now, ihaven'
tfull
yrecoveredheal ed
buticanwal kandsi tonthepl ane
that'
swhati si
mpor tantnow.( ki
ssing
Agatha'sneck)Thankst omygi rl
and
everyonewhohasbeenf ol
lowingus.
Ireal
isedthatsincethesur gerywe
gotal otoffol
lowers.Shoutoutt o
thenewsi xthousandf ol
lower sfr
om
alloverthewor l
d.Wel ovey ouguy s.
.
Agatha:(bl
ewki ssesatthecamera)
Alri
ghtguysI'l
lpostanothervl
ogjust
beforewegeti ntheairpor
t,I
'
dfil
m
therebuttheydon'tal
lowitsoit'
s
ti
mef orust oloveandleaveyou
l
ov i
es
Shecutthebroadcastandturned
aroundputt
ingherarmsaroundhim
ashesmi l
edandkissedher..
.

Jan:
Let
'sgo.
..

Heputherarm behi
ndherbackand
l
edherout.
..
.

AtMaunPol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

Aronawalkedoutofthegateandgot
i
nt hecarwherehedrunkhalfabot
tl
e
ofwaterandlookedatthemirr
or
fi
xi
nghi
sthi
ckeyebr
owsandr
ubbed
downhi
swavyfadecut
..
..

Het ookoffhisuni
form shirtand
remainedwi t
hawhi tevestthenhe
pickedhisphoneandt ookapi ctur
e
withasmi l
eandchangedhi spr ofi
le
pictur
ewi t
hacaption..
.IAM GAY,
pheewi sn'
tthatar
el i
ef.
..It
slikea
burdenhasbeenl i
ftedof fmy
shoulders.

Heputdownt hephoneanddr
oveout
ofthepar
kinglott
henhi
sphone
rang.
..
Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Lef
oko:Del
etet
hatcapti
on,obat
ago
chi
tahaobonaor i
anasowhoare
youtel
l
ingt
hatyou'
regay?
Arona:Wordt herradon'ttryt
ospoi l
mymoodt u,i
fy ou'
rehidingthat
you'
rebisexualthat'
sfi
nebuti want
peopletoknowI 'm gay
.It'smy
pict
ure,idi
dn'tpostyoubecausey ou
don'tev
enal l
owmet oposty ou
Lefoko:Iam amar
ri
edman,
you
knowt hat
Ar
ona:Andial
sowanttobemarri
ed
Word,
iwantsomet
hingst
abl
e.Ibeen
asi
dedi
shfory
ear
s.Ideser
vea
pr
omoti
on.
Lefoko:Babethemonnaosekawa
ntsenyastr
essakerewaai
tsewhat
I'
m waiti
ngforbesi
desatmyagei
can'tbetel
li
ngpeopleI
'
m bi,
howwill
peoplelookatme
Arona:Iunder
standt
hatandi can'
t
keepprayingyourwi
fedies,
it'
s
wrong.Ilovey
oubuty oucan'
t
contr
olmebecauseI'm notyourwif
e.
It
'snotfair
Lefoko:
Youshouldn'
thavepost
ed
thatwabonagoreodiraengkana
anongmathakanyanabagogo
sendel
adir
equestandy
ouwon'
t
rej
ectt
hem.
Ar
ona: (
laughed)Oser
iouso
st
ressed?
Lefoko:
Thewor stt
hingkegoreil
ove
youwayt oomuchtoev enrai
semy
handaty oukoor
ekeal el
ahelamme
bakany elaobabolel
ele.
Ar
ona:
(laughed)Hehehecl
eke!Er
ra
nt
annakebabol el
elagor
emonna
wameobogal e
Lef
oko:
(laughed)l
ater
Ar
ona:
Bye.
..
Hehungupt
henhegotanot
hercal
l
...

Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
(deepv
oice)Hi
,keTy
ro
Ar
ona:
(conf
used)Ty
ro?
Tyro:
Wal eSSGmonnaaker
ereki
l
e
rapatr
olarot
he

Aronasmiledandwi denedhi seyes

quiet
lysur
prised, hecouldn'tbeli
eve
thi
sgood-l
ooki nghunkcal ledhim...
Hehadsuchasexybodyandhi s
eyeswerereddi shysexy-okf ocus
Arona!
Ar
ona:
Ohi
remembery
ou
Ty
ro:
(laughedbi
thi
sli
p)War
eogay
?
Ar
ona:
(bl
ushed)I
sthatapr
obl
em?
Tyro:No,ij
ustdon'tbel
ieveyou.Do
youmi ndmeetingmeatCapel lo
toni
ghtforcocktai
lssoy oucanlook
mei ntheeyesandt el
lmey ou'
regay?
Idon'tbel
i
evey ou
Arona:Canithi
nkabouti
t?Isawy ou
beati
ngasuspectIdon'
ttr
ustyou
kannayarekerekegaywampet saka
cl
apa
Tyr
o:(laughedandshookhishead)
Ok,t
hinkaboutitandbythewayi
waswor ki
ng.Youofal lpeopl
e
shoul
dknowt hatit
'si
mpossibleto
avoi
dtheset hi
ngswheny ou'
rein
speci
alforces.I
'm onl
yroughatwor k
andonlyifrequir
ed.
Arona:
Eerr
akeaut
wa,
I'
ll
thi
nk
abouti
t.
Ty
ro:
cheer
s.

Hehungupthenhescreamed
smil
i
ngholdi
ngthest
eeringwheel
as
hedrov
e..
.

Ar
ona:Uuuuumycr ushjustcall
ed
me..
.(l
aughed)Ican'
tbeli
evethisMF
i
sgaywai
tsebannabaitsegohi
tha
enewagobuaaredigaydial
api
sa
mmawee..
.(l
aughed)Chose!

Hi
sphonerangthenhest
opped
l
aughi
ngandpicked.
..

Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Ty
ro:
And?
Ar
ona:
Sheh?Sof
ast
?
Ty
r o:
Youdon'tneedmor
ethana
minute,
wantshabanemonna?
Ar
ona:
Mxm gakegot
shabe
Ty
ro:
Jaanongwar
eng,
6pm?
Ar
ona:
Koor
eyou'
rej
ustt
wist
ingmy
ar
m?
Ty
ro:
(laughed)Seey
oul
ater
Ar
ona:
Lat
er

Hehungupthenanot
hercal
lcame
t
hrough.
..

Ar
ona:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
Hi,
war
eogaynemonna?
Ar
ona:
Omang?
Voice:
Cli
ffor
d,wewer et
ogetherat
Otsepoli
cecoll
egetoget
her,igot
yournumberfrom y
ouroffi
ce.
Ar
ona:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Voice:
(laughed)Just
,sohowhav
e
youbeen?
Ar
ona:
Aren'
tyoumar
ri
edneCl
i
ffor
d?
Cli
ff
ord:
(laughed)Emapel
eaker
e
gol
ohar ebuakannalewena
Arona:Del
etemynumbergakesi
de
di
sh,bannababanyet
sengbaril
eng
nelonaa

Hehungupt henhewentonl i
neand
changedhiscapti
onto. .
."Love
yoursel
f,t
herestwil
lfoll
ow.Heput
thephonedownandsi ghedrol
li
ng
hereyes..
.
Arona:Bathobarataassmmemo
Facebookkebonebabakopel e
mogokgobengdi gay
..
.leboCl
i
ffor
d
helanneany al
akaDecemberhela
ha..
.Izuu.
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..

Laterthateveni
ngDidi
knockedon
Blessi
ng'sroom andwalkedinwitha
pl
at eoffoodandhandedBl essi
ng..
.

Bl
essi
ng:
Thanky
ou
Di
di:
You'
rewel
come.
..
.
Blessi
ng:
Goandbuyaweavesot hat
youcansitnextt
omekeconnect
or
Di
di:
Ihav
eabal
dthi
ssi
de
Blessi
ng:
Youdon'tneedthewhole
head,asl
ongasthemi ddl
eparti
s
ni
ceandst r
ongy
oucansl ay,
goand
buy.
Didi
:What '
stheuse?Idon'
thavea
manandI '
mtoooldtoevenfi
nda
man,ijustwanttofocusonmy
famil
yi don'
tcar
eaboutfashi
onand
l
ooks.
Bl
essi
ng:
Youdon'tl
ookgoodfora
man,y
oulookgoodfory
oursel
f.For
yourownbenef
it
,bei
nghygi
eni
cand
l
ookinggoodhasnot
hingt
odowith
men.Goandbuyit
Didi
:Ihav
esomeinthegar
agewhere
ikeepmystockf
rom t
hebout
ique
Bl essi
ng:Goandgeti t.
..Andbr ing
makeupt oo,idon' tknowwhyo
l
at hell
ayourf acel i
ket hisbuty ou'r
e
beaut i
fulkoorewenaost ressi
wake
gor eosheley ety oudon' tev enlook
asbadasy oufeel.Thatsur gery
didn'tfi
nishyourmoneyf ornothing.
Itmadeahugedi f
ference, nowy ou
needt otakecar eofy ourself.Uset he
rightproductsf ory ourageandgai n
backy ourconf idence.
Di
di:
Ok.
.

Shewentoutt othegar agewher eshe

searchedboxesandhear dacar
stoppingoutsi
de,sheopenedt he
garagedoorandf rownedasAr ianna
andhert hr
eesonsst eppedoutoft he
taxi
.

Shedustedherhandsandwalked
overhol
dingapackofhair
..
.

Di
di:
Hi
Boy
s:Dumel
ang
Di
di:
Higuy
s..
.
Ari
anna:
ThisisThabang,
Thabol
e
Thabi
so.
..8,
6and4
Di
di:
Higuy
s..
.Goi
nsi
de.
..

Theyrani
nsidethenAriannasi
ghed
uncomfor
tablyandlookedatherbi
g
si
ster
..
.

Ar
ianna:(
tear
ful
l
y)Youl
ookl
i
ke
mama...
Di
di:
(laughedemot
ional
l
y)Badst
art
!
Arianna:
(laughedlooki
ngdownand
rubbedat earrunni
ngdownhercheek)
Atfirstididn'tli
key ouonlybecause
asachi ldi thoughty ouwer en'tour
type,I'
lladmi tialway sthoughtst atus
wasi mpor tant.Someki dsar ebad
somear egoodbutov erti
mei t
becamer esent mentbecause
Blessinglov edy ouandal way stalked
abouty ou.It houghti fishowedher
howmuchofal owl i
feyouwer eshe
willseemeasherbi gsist
erbutt hat
neverhappened.Wehav enev erbeen
cl
osegapehel apapadi dn'tli
key ou
soasachi ldwhol ovesherf atheri
wental ongwi t
hi tnowi don'teven
knowwhyi hat ey ou,I'
mj ustabad
persont herei snoexcusemay bei t
's
becausey ouliv
ebet t
erthanmei
don'tknowbutIwanti ttostop.I
wantt orespectyouandi wantmy
kidstoknowt heircousi
ns.Idon'
t
wantany oneofust odieandleave
theotherwithguilt
.
Di
di:
Sof
reshst
art
?
Ar
ianna:
Freshst
art
..
.

Theysmil
edandhuggedt
hent
hey
walkedi
nsi
de.

Di
di:
Lookwhati
foundout
side
Bl
essi
ng:
Wedon'
twantsquat
ter
sin
ourhouse
Ar
ianna:
(laughed)Say
sthesquat
ter
!

TheylaughedasDidil
aidherheadon
Blessi
ng'
slapthenshestart
eddoing
herhair
..
.

Ar
ianna:I
'
llconnectthatweav
e
Bl
essingi
sal eaner
..
.

Meanwhil
etheboyswat
chedTVwit
h
Fai
thandHazelt
henThabangst
ood
up.
..
Thabang:
Iwantt
odr
inkwat
er
Fai
th:
Checkt
heki
tchen

Thabangwal kedinthekitchenand
drunkwaterthenhel ookedatthebig
doubledoorfridgeandglancedatthe
door.Noonewascomi ngsohe
openedandhi sey eswidenedrunni
ng
aroundthefullfri
dge.
..

Thabang:
Hei
l
aa!

Hedr
unkthefreshmil
kandlefti
thal
f
t
henheref
il
ledwithwaterandpi
cked
thesi
xpackClov ery
oghurtandbitat
thebot
tom suckingthey
ogurtoutof
eachcont
ainerthenheputitback.

Het ast
edal mosteveryt
hi ngand
pull
edthefreezerdrawer s,therewas
a5l i
cecream containerwhi chhe
openedandt r
iedt
ost i
ckhi sf i
ngerin
butitwasst onefr
ozent henhe
grabbedaf orkandbentov er-Didi
walkedin.
.

Hejumpedandst eppedback
droppingthef
orkonthefl
oor
shaking.
..
Di
di:
Ot shwer
eket
alakanaobat
a
I
cecream?
Thabang:(
shaki
ng)Kebat
aIce
cr
eam. .
.

Didi
gotalar
gebowl andf
il
ledi
tthen
sheputf
ivespoonsandhandedhim
asheexci
tedl
ylookedatt
heful
lbowl.

Didi
:Don'
teverst
eal
,i
fyouwantt
o
eatsomethi
ngyouaskandI
'l
lgi
veit
toyou.
Thabang:
Eemma.
..
Hewalkedoutandat ewit
hwi t
ht he
ot
herchil
drenthenhestoodupand
wal
kedbacki ntheki
tchenwhileDidi
waspouri
ngaj uicei
ntheglasses..
.

Thabang:
Keut
sul
edi
ogaht
ele
mashi
Didi
:Ok,nextt
imeoskaut
swaokope,
banagankebat i
miwadi
jo
Thabang:
Emma

Hewalkedoutsmil
i
ngandsighedin
r
eli
efasheconti
nuedeat
ingwith
ot
her
s..
.

AtCappel
l
o..
..
.

LaterthateveningAronawalkedin
j
ingli
nghi skeysasTy r
osippedwine
andsmi l
edlookingathi
m ashe
pull
edt hechairandsatdown...

Tyr
o:(
putthewinedownandl
ooked
i
nhiseyes)Howareyou?
Ar
ona:
Fine,
war
ekegor
eyeker
eng?
Tyr
o: (
heputhi
shandont
hedesk)
Touchmyhandandtel
lmeyou'
regay
iwanttoseeifI
'l
lfeel
iti
nmyhear
tif
notyou'
rel
ying
Ar
ona:
(laughedbl
ushi
ng)Mxm.
.

Heputhi
sli
tt
lel
ightski
nnedhandon
hi
sbigbl
ackhandandlookedathi
m..
.

Ar
ona:
I'
m gay
..
.
Tyro:Gasegorekegot
est
erI
'
m not
feel
inganyt
hing.
.

Theyburst
edint
olaugherashe
pul
ledbackandpushedhishand.
..
Ar
ona:
Gakebar
iTy
ro
Ty
ro:
.(l
aughed)Okaynev
ermi
nd.
..

Hecall
edthewait
erwhot
ookt
hei
r
or
dersandlef
t.
..

Ar
ona:
Arey
ougayorBi
Ty
ro:
I'
m gay
,Il
ovet
hel
i
ttl
eboy
s
Ar
ona:
Ijoo
Tyro:Notboy sasini cheat,
onel i
ttl
e
gir
lli
key oucant i
emedownf orl
ife.
I
'mt hefait
hfult
y peandI '
m notafrai
d
toputitoutthere.Iknowmaj itaka
bontsiwewantgay sbutwi l
lnever
admitnnaI'
m outt
her
e.Myfat
her
andbrother
sknowsiwhi
ptheboys
Ar
ona:
Nowy
ou'
ret
alki
ng.
..

Theylaughedandcont
inuedchat
ti
ng
andlaughing.
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatev eni
ngDidist
oodi nfront
ofthemi r
rorrunni
ngherfi
nger s
thr
ought hebouncyweaveand
admiri
ngherf acebeatasBlessing
andAriannalaughedather.
Sheturnedar
oundandli
ft
edherf
oot
checki
ngoutherheel
s

Di
di:
Ilookni
ce.
.
Bl
essi
ng:
Buty
ouwer
eref
usi
ng
Didi
:How?Li
ket
heonewhor
efused
totest
Ar
ianna:
(laughedandcl
apped)Kana
ar
eKenwaar eng
Blessi
ng:(l
aughed)Iwant
edt
oscar
e
herandangerhersoshecandump
meandl eave
Ar
ianna:
Haker
ekel
ebaeney
owago
di
rangKendi
l
o
Di
di:
(laughed)Ar
iannast
opi
t

Aknockatt hedoorinter
ruptedtheir
l
oudconv ersati
onthentheyallturned
aroundlookingatthedoor,Ken
swallowedlookingatherfrom head
totoeandr anoutofwor ds..
.

Di
di:
Hi
Ken:Um..
.Theki
dsletmei n.
..(
his
voi
cetrai
l
edoff
)iwaspi cki
ngthem
buticanl
eavet
hem sincetheyhave
company
Di
di:
Okay

Helookedatheroncemor eand
l
ockeddown,actual
lytheybothran
outofwordsandthewhol ehouse
becameawkwar dasthesister
s
l
ookedatoneanotherwi t
hsill
y
smilesandl
ookedbackatt hem
again.
..

Ken:
You-
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Di
di:
Thanky
ou
Ken:
Goodni
ght
Di
di:
Goodni
ght
..
.
Hewal kedoutofthehouseandsati
n
thecarforamoment ,whowould
l
ookt hatbeaut
if
ulint
heev eni
ngand
evenputonheels.Coulditbeshe
hadadat e.
..
.

Thethoughtshutteredhisheartand
heswal l
owedapai nfull
umponhi s
thr
oat,sheprobablydeservedbetter
.
Hetookadeepbr eathandstarted
thecarthenhedrov eout..
..
..

TWOYEARSLATER.
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
.
.
.
WickedMe
✴ 171

AtAr
ona'
sHouse.
..
.

Ear
lyFr
idaymorni
ngLefokoparked
nex
ttoanunfamil
iarBMW,hisheart
poundedasheknockedont hedoor
.
Hehadav erydif
fi
cultni
ghttryi
ngto
cal
lhim wi
thoutbei
nganswer edthe
ni
ghtbeforeyethecouldn'
tleavehi
s
wif
eont hemiddleofthenight.
..

Aronaopenedthedoorinhisshor
ts
rubbinghi
sfaceandsteppedout
suspici
onsl
yclosi
ngthedoorbehi
nd
him asWordlookedathim..
.

Lef
oko:Whyhaven'
tyoubeenpi
cki
ng
mycall
s?kant
ewenagoi r
agal
aeng
kawenanowadays?
Ar
ona:
Lef
okoy
ou'
reamar
ri
edman
andi can'tkeepwai ti
ngfory ou,
I'
m
notasecondopt i
onjustbecauseI'
m
gay ,il
ongt oldyoui wantoutofthi
s
relat
ionshipbuty ouwon'tleaveme
alone.Idon' twanttobewi thyou
any morebecausey oudon'tknow
whaty ouwant .
Lef
oko:
Whoi
she?
Ar
ona:I
t'
saf
ri
end,
agi
rl
.Pl
ease
l
eave
Lef
oko:
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
opl
ayme?

Heslappedhim acr
osstheface
smashinghim agai
nstt
hedoorand
pusheditopenthenhewalkedi
n,
meanwhileTyroshookhisdickaf
ter
aleakinthetoi
letthenhehearda
str
uggleandwal kedoutfi
xi
nghis
boxerbri
efs

Assoonashet urnedfrom t
he
passageintothelivi
ngroom ablow
camest r
aightforhisfacebuthe
dodgedandt hrewadef ensi
vepunch
pushingLefokoagainstthewall
.

Lefokomissedast epandfell
down
thenTyronoti
cedAr onacry
ingonthe
couchandhur r
iedov ert
ohimtaki
ng
hisarm of
fhisface..
.
Ty
ro:
Babear
eyouok
Ar
ona:(
lookingathi
m wi
thanose
bl
eed)I
'
mf ine.
..

Tyroslowlystoodupandchar gedat
Lefokoandt ri
edtopunchhim onthe
facebuthebl ockedandtheybothfel
l
onthef l
oorwher eTyropunchedhi
m
onthef acerepeatedl
y.
..

Tyro:(angr
il
y)Don'
teverputyour
handsonhi my ouunderst
andme?
(punchedhim)understandme?
(punched)Youunderstandme?
(
punchedhi
m)Hee?

Ar
onar
anoverandst
ruggl
edt
opul
l
Ty
roof
ffhi
m..
.

Arona:(
tearf
ull
y)Tyrothat'
s
enough.
...
.Enough!Stop!Tyro?
?

Hecont
inuedpunchi
ngLefokoashe
sl
owlyl
ostconsci
ousnessthen
Ar
onamov edbackcoveri
nghis
mouthi
npanic.
..

Ar
ona:
OhGod,
whathav
eidone?
Tyr
or ubbedhisfi
stonLefoko'st
-
shi
rtandstoodupangr i
lyl
ookingat
hi
m ashebl ackedoutthenhelooked
atAronawiththatver
yglare.
..

Ty
ro:
Cleany
our
sel
fup.
..

Aronarantothebathroom l
ikeali
ttl
e
girlanwashedhisfaceoverthesi
nk
thenTyropouredcoldwaterina
classandwalkedbackt ot
hel i
vi
ng
room whereLefokowassleeping.
Hepouredwateroverhisf
acethen
Lef
okoleapeduprubbinghi
sface
andcoughi
ng..

Ty
ro:
(angr
il
y)Getup!

Lef
okotookoffhi
st -
shi
rtandr
ubbed
hi
sbloodyf
acesit
tingonthefl
ooras
Tyr
ostoodoverhi
m. .
.

Tyro:Gangwanaar
egagobat
egao
thal
oganyeengnemr?
Lef
oko:
Oray
ajang?
Ty
ro:
Nodon'
tpr
etendgor
egao
thal
ogany
e,waatsigor
rRonnygago
batesoomosaletsengmorago?
Lefoko:Soyou'
refi
newi
thhi
m ar
e
kopantse?Howlonghav
eyoubeen
wit
hhi m?
Ty
ro:
2year
s..
.

Lefoko'
sey esfi
l
ledwithtear
sandhe
putthet-shi
rtoverhi
sface,Tyr
o
si
ghedf eeli
ngguil
tyandstepped
back..
.

Tyro:
AndI'
m notl
eavi
nghim,you'
re
theonel
eavi
ng.Igav
ehimt i
metolet
youknowbutAronaotshabago
utusabathobot
hoko,nnagakena
choicebuttol
etyououtbecause
gakebategosheera.
Lefoko:No, hael
egoregont sejal
ogo
siame..
.(stoodupwipinghisf ace
andlookedathi m)Kooreoi tsegore
dilot
sedi ngwedint
sey an.
..Hao
tseel
amot hogaodirehaakaodi ra
yalolai
taka,wagomol uzathesame
wayl ewena
Tyro:
Let'
snott urnthi
ngsaround...
Youthrewthefirstpunch,iwalked
outofthebathroom keutwa
modumoandcameher etocheck
whatwasgoi ngononl yforyouto
punchme, idef
endedmy sel
f.Obue
helagor ey oudi dn'texpectacome
back.Skabat agont enabecausey ou
startedthewhol eshi thelakago
betsaRonny .Ify oureallywantt o
pissmeof fputy ourhandsonhi m,
Aronaal emonny enyaney aanao
mmet sahakae?Don' tev erdothat,
hoor aat hamaanaandi won't
hesitatetoshooty ou,don'ttemptme.
Ket aagoapeel aev i
dence, shoot
yourl egsandwal koutofcour tafree
offi
cerwhof oll
owedt helawt othe
core, don'tevert ouchhim.

Ar
onawalkedinwrappedi
natowel
wi
thpar
tofitoverhi
smouthashe
l
ookedatt
hem t
alki
ng.
..

Lefoko: Ihearyoubutheshoul dhave

j
ustdumpedme, 2yearsisalong
ti
mef ormet obemadeaf ool
,il
ove
him...(turnedtohim)Nnakeago
rataAr ona...
.(t
earf
ull
yrubbedhis
bloodyl ip)yeahinoti
cedthingsare
diff
erentbet weenusbuthel ayou
couldhav eletmeknow
Ar
ona:
Itol
dyouandy
our
efused
Lefoko:Ididn'tthi
nkyouwere
seri
ously,youdi dn'
tsi
tmedowny ou
sai
di tpassivelybutit
'sf
ine,
I
understandy ouneedsomet hing
stablebecauseihaveawifeandi
can'tbeoutther
e.It
'sf
ine,
I'
m sor
ry
forhitt
ingyou
Ar
ona:
It'
sokay
Lefoko:
(toTy
ro)
Cani
hughi
m bef
ore
igo?
Ty
ro:
Yeah.
..

Hewi pedhismout handleanedov er

huggedhislit
tl
ebodyput t
inghi sarm
behindhisbackandhef oundhi mself
tear
ingupandhuggedhi m ev en
ti
ghtlydr
oppinghistear
s,heki ssed
hisneckandst eppedback..
.
Lef
oko:
I'
ll
alway
slov
eyou.
..

Herubbedoffhi
stear
sandsniff
led
t
urni
ngaroundashefistbumped
wi
thTyro.

Lef
oko:Thanks.
..

Hewal kedoutandcl
osedthedoor
thenTy r
ohuggedhim andki
ssed
him..
.

Ty
ro:
Arey
ouokaybabe?
Ar
ona:
Don'
tev
erf
ighti
nfr
ontofme.
.
Tyr
o:I
'llneverf
ighti
nfr
ontofyou
unl
esssomeonehashar assedyou,
I
'dneverletanyonet
ouchyou.

Helift
edhischi
nupandki ssedhi
m
thenhepickedhim upandwalkedto
thebedroom ki
ssi
nghim wherehe
l
aidhim downandsof t
lyki
ssedhim
pull
ingofft
hepinktowel.

Hekissedsoft
lywhi
lelubri
cati
ng
himsel
fandspreadhislegswithhi
s
kneeashegotbetweenhi sthi
ghs
andgentl
y#removed
AtBay
ang'
sHouse.
..
.

Bridgetwalkedintheki
tchenwear
ing
hercolourf
ul paj
amasandsingi
ng
withheadsetsonasshepul l
edthe
drawerandgr abbedbir
thday
candles.
..
.

Br
idget
:(si
ngi
ng)Iai
n'
tyourmama.
..
Noohoh. .
.

Shest
ucktwocandleswi
thKamo's
newageandwalkedoutal
most
bumpi
ngint
oJuniorwhowastalki
ng
tot
hephonewit
hasexyv oi
ce.
..
Juni
or:
(laughed)Set
soemapel
e..
.
Warewhathappened?
Bri
dget:
Junior
?Ther
ramamai
s
comingtot
awaareng
Juni
or:
Keetasant
sekebual
ephone
themma..
.

Bri
dgetroll
edherey esputeachgift
boxfrom them onthet abl
ethenshe
knockedonherf at
her'sbedroom
doorwhilehewast yping..
.

Br
idget
:Mamai
scomi
ng.
..Getup!
Bay
ang:
Giv
emeami
nut
e..
Br
idget
:I'
m count
ing.
.

Helaughedasshewal kedawayt hen

shegotinMight
y'sroom andpaused
l
ookingatherasshesangwear ing
herbighi
ghheelsandt heirmother's
weavewhichwasl ongov erherbum
asshefacethemirrorpoor l
yapplying
l
ipst
ick.
..
.

Bri
dget
:(gasped)I
sthatmyshoes?
Andmakeupbag? otshameki
sisawi
g
yamama?
Mightytur
nedaroundlooki
ngupat
hersi
sterandBri
dget'
sangerquickl
y
di
sappearedasshelookedather
ghostli
kefaceandlaughedather.
.

Br
idget
:Andy oul
ookli
keadead
br
ideghost
..
..Hahaha
Mi
ghty
:(lookedatthemir
roronce
mor
e)Ilookniceli
keyouandmama
Bri
dget:(
laughed)Nobabygi
rl
,you
don'
tlookli
kemeormama. ..

Thei
rbabysistercri
edinthenext
room andtheyracedtoherlaughi
ng
wheretheypickedherup,Kamo
parkedoutsi
deandev ery
onerushed
totheli
v i
ngroom whereBayangli
t
thecandlesandstoodamongstthe
chil
drenasKamoexhaust edl
ywalked
i
nf rom deal
i
ngwi t
honeofher
pregnantunderagecl
ient
s..
.

Al
l:(
singi
ng)SURPRI
SE!HAPPY
BI
RTHDAYTOYOU, HAPPY
BI
RTHDAYDEARMOMMYHAPPY
BI
RTHDAYTOYOU!

Asmil
ecov er
edherfaceasshe
l
eanedoverandblewthecandl
es
t
henBayangputthecakedownand
huggedher
..
.

Bayang:
(ki
ssedherneck)Mybabe
bat
hung..
.y
oulookexhaust
ed
Kamo: Andstressedout ,i
hat
ei t
whenl i
ttl
egir
lssufferfr
om al
l t
hese
stupi
dl yi
ngmen...
(smi l
edandlooked
atBridgetandMight y
)Butatleast
thesegirl
sarewiseaker e?Ev
en
thoughtheotherlookslikeaghost

Every
onel aughedl
ooki
ngatMi ghty
aseveryonesatdownandwai t
edf or
thei
rsli
ceofcakeasKamoputi n
thei
rplat
esandhandedt hem t
hen
shegott
hebabyandat
e..
..
.

AtLodge(
nearOkav
angoDel
ta).
..
.

Aatil
epushedt hemosqui t
onetaside
ashewal kedouttothewooden
balconywher eSediwassl owly
swingingont hehammocki nher
biki
ni andasunhatov erherfaceas
sher eadanov elr
elaxedwi tha
cocktailbythetr
eebr anchthat
bendedi nthedeck...

Shir
tlessi
nhisbeachpantsAati
le
snatchedherbookandpickedherup
asshel
aughedhol
dingont
ohi
m..
.

Aat
il
e:Ij
ustcamefrom t
hesafar
icar
,
wehavetogototheboatforacr
uise
Sedi
:(l
aughed)ButI '
m exhaust
ed,
i
di
dn'
tsleeplastnight
,someonedidn'
t
wanttoletmer est
Aat
il
e:Who?Don'
tev
enst
art
..
.

Hewal kedinandputherdownt hen

shel ookedinherbagf orchangi
ng
clothes,she.Unt
iedherbikinit
opand
threwi tonthebedthenshebentov er
pullingdownherpanties,Aati
le
wal kedupbehindherandhel dher
waistki
ssi
ngherneckashi
sboner
pokedherbut
t.
..

Sedi
:Ngngno,
notagai
n
Aat
il
e:(mutt
eredki
ssi
ngher
)Come
onbabe..
.

Hekissedhercaressingherbody
thenhegotononekneeandputher
footonhisot
herkneeopeni ngupher
thi
ghsandburiedhisheadinthere
eati
ngherasshet urnedhereyes
touchi
nghishead..
.
Sedi
:(moani
ng)Ohhhhhh.
..
..(
sof
tl
y)
Uhhh.
..
..

Hewi ggledhistonguei nthereand

stoodkissingherwithhungerand
pushedheragai nstthecot tagepil
lar
asshehuggedi ttightlythenhel i
ft
ed
herbuttand #r emov ed...

Ont
her
oad.
..
..
.

Tshepodrovehi
sfami l
yalongthe
roadtoJwanengli
steningtoCountr
y
musicasMay al
aidasleeponfront
seathol
dingabi
gpackofCheesy
Curl
swhileAdeleandGiovanni
lai
d
peacef
ull
yasleepstr
appedontheir
col
ourf
ulcarseats.
..
.

Hegl ancedathi syoungbeautif

ul
wif
eagai nandputhi shandonher
smoot hthighashedr ovewi t
hone
handl i
steningtomusi cthenhe
pul
ledov ernightandashe
approachedaf i
ll
ingstat
ion.
..

Hefi
ll
edthetankandsteppedout
cl
osi
ngthedoorthenMay agotup
andyawnedlooki
ngoutthewindow.
Shegotoutasthechi
l
drenwokeup
y
awningandpoi
nti
ngout
sidewi
th
t
oys.
.

Adele:
Mama?Letmeout
,iwantt
o
goinsi
dewi
thdaddy
..
.

May astrappedt hem outandtheyran

i
nsidetheshopwher etheywent
str
aightforthef reezer
sandgot
Popsicl
est hent heyslowlywalkedby
thequeuel ookingupatpeopl etryi
ng
tofi
ndt heirdad...

Adel
e:Daddy
?
Gi
ovanni
:Daddyi
sov
ert
her
e..
.

Giov anniranoverasTsheposmi led

andpi ckedhim upt hem heputAdele
i
nf ront,May apickedafewsnacks
andj oinedherhusbandont hequeue
asheputhi sarm aroundherand
kissedhercheekbef or
epayingfor
theirthings.

Minuteslatert
hef ami
lywalkedoutof
theshopchat t
ingasAdelehopped
betweent hem wit
hherbouncyhai r
asshesuspendedher selfbetween
herparentsuntil
shereachedt hecar
andl
aughedast
heyputherdown.

May agotinthef r
ontseatasTshepo
strappedt heki
dsandgoti nt henhe
drov eoutofthef il
l
ingstati
onas
May asnappedherf ingersinging
al
ongwi ththemusi cwhi l
et he
childrencall
edt hei
rfatherov erand
overagai ntal
kingloudlyabout
what ever.
.

Maya:(
gasped)Almostforgottocall
papaandconfi
rm gor
egat wet he
l
adywhoistaki
ngcareofmymot her
kemangbecausehersisterisn't
answer
ingt
hephone
Tshepo:
Asky
ourmom

Shedi
aledLol
o'
snumber
..
.

Lol
o:Hel
l
o?
Maya:Mamawhat'
sthenameofthe
womantaki
ngcar
eofmyGr ace
agai
n?
Lol
o:Augat
weGr
ace.
..(
laughed)Say
mymother
Maya:(l
aughed)I
tfeel
sawkwar d
maybeit'
sbecauseihaven'tmether
yet
,I'
l
ltr
ytosayitwheni seethe
si
tuat
ional
l
owi
ng.
Lolo:
(laughed)I'
l
lsendt
henumber,
yourfatherhadgivenmeal
lthei
r
number slastweek.
May
a:Okayby
e

Shehungupandcont i
nuedsi ngi
ng
alongast hekindsj oi
nedint henshe
tookoutherphoneandr ecordeda
videosingi ngfacingthecamer a,she
showedt hekidssi ngingintheback
strappedont heseat sandfinally
showedherhubby ,whosmi l
edand
sangal ong, si
ngingsoper fectlyMay a
gaspedwi deningherey esand
br
oughtt
hephonebackt
oherf
ace.
..

Maya:Guysdi
dy ouhearthat
..
.My
husbandcansi
ng..
..Hahaha
Tshepo:
(touchedhert
highand
l
aughed)Nnat hemmaket al
ent
ed
Maya:
(laughed)Uhmxm ut
waj
aaka
ai
poka..

Theylaughedasdrov
ewhi l
eMay a
enj
oyedt hecommentsfr
om her
vi
deount i
lthenet
workgotcut
..
..
..

AtMel
bour
neAi
rpor
t(Aust
ral
i
a)
Calvi
nanxiouslywai
tedlooking
thr
oughthecr owdoffli
ght
passengerswalki
ngoutt henhis
hospit
albeerwentoff,hetookitout
andglancedatitandtexted.

Cal
v i
n:Pleasecall
int
henextdoct
or,
I
'm stuckintr
aff
ic.

Hesl i
ditbackinthepocketandt ook
offhistuxjacketandsighedturni
ng
hisbackt otheexit
, hi
sdaughter'
s
voiceturnedhim aroundashesmi led
andspr eadhisarmswai ti
ngforher
assher
anov
er.
..

Sher anshakingher2y earol

dbi g
tummyandbot t
om asshegiggled
excitedl
yandj umpedondaddy 's
arms, heputheronhischestand
kissedherthenheputhi sarm around
hiswi f
eandFr enchki
ssedherbef ore
givi
ngherabi ghug...

Tina:(si
ghedi
nreli
ef)I
'
m sorel
iev
ed,
tr
av el
l
ingissoscar
y.Ikept
wonder i
ngwhatI'
ddoifigotl
ost.
.
Cal
vi
n:(l
aughed)Welcometo
Aust
ral
i
ababe, Il
oveyou.
..Mant
his
i
ssogood,f
inal
l
yi won'
tbecomi
ng
t
oalonel
yhouse..
.

Theytur
nedaroundandwalkedaway
asCalvi
ndraggedthei
rbagwhil
e
car
ryi
nghisdaught
er .
..
..

AtGabor
oneHi
ghCour
t.
..
..

ABTVnewscr ewsetupt heir

equipmentbef or
ethecour tasa
youngbeauti
f ulj
ournali
stfixedher
hairhol
dingthemi c,oneoft hesound
guyssignal
edasJanandAgat ha
walkedoutoft hecourtwithahappy
crowdhol
dingar
ainbowf
lagbehi
nd
them.
..

Soundguy
:rol
l
!

Thecamer astart
edroll
i
ngast he
othermembergr abbedthecamer a
manbehi ndguidi
nghim ashewal ked
backwardsfil
mingthejournal
ist
s
withthecrowdbehindher.
...

Reporter
:(holdi
ngthemic)I
tsa
beauti
fulvi
ctoryfort
heLGBTI
communi tytodayasthehi
ghCourt
grandsatransgendermanhiswish,
asoftodayJanDaniel
sisl
egal
l
y
male.Let'
shearf
rom t
heman
hi
mself..
.

Thejour
nali
stappr
oachedthecr
owd
whereJanwasputti
nghisarm
aroundAgat
ha..
.

Journal
i
st:MrDani
elsyouhav
ejust
beenpronouncedmale,
howdoyou
feel
aboutthat?

Hesmil
edhandsomel
yandrubbed
hi
smustachewit
hhi
sarm ar
ound
Agat
ha.
..
Jan:
Welli
can'texpl
ainhowhappyi
am t
odayicanonlyshowyou.
..

Hegotononekneeandt ookouta
ri
nglooki
ngupatAgat hawhose
Jawsdroppedassheshy lylookedat
thenewscamer asrol
l
ingandt he
LGBTIcommuni tywavi
ngt hei
r
rai
nbowflag.
..

Jan:Wi
l
lyoudomethehonerof
bei
ngMrsJanDani
els?
Shecover
edhermout
handst
ret
ched
herhand.
..

Jan:
Yes,
yes,
yes!

Hestoodupandyankedherup
swi
ngingherar
oundandkissedher
bef
oreputt
ingt
heri
ngonherf i
nger
..
.

Agat
ha:
JanI
'
m pr
egnant
..
..
.

Therewassi
l
enceashel
ookedat
her.
..
Jan:
What
?
Agatha:Thepr ocedurewor ked,I'
m
pregnant.
..(
tearfull
y)You'
regoi ngto
beadad. .
.(smi l
ed)I'
mt hreemont hs
pregnant,
i l
i
edsay i
ngitdi
dn'twor k
soi coul
dsoot hy ouincaset hecourt
rul
edagainsty ou.
Jan:(emot i
onal
)I'
m goingtobea
dad?(turnedtoeveryoneandraised
hi
sf i
stofv i
ctor
yli
keNel sonMandela)
I
'm goingtobeadad. .
.

Hepickedherupandwit
honearm
andrai
sedtheotheri
nvi
ctor
yasthe
LGBTICommunitycheer
ed.Thenews
j
our
nali
stt
urnedtot
hecamer
a
smi
li
nghol
dingthemic.
..

Her
:Andthatladi
esandgentlemeni
s
ashoutofvi
ctory
,Iam Segol
ame
Bar
ui.BTVnews,Gaborone.

AtBl
ock7(
Gabor
one)
..
..

AndrewhelpedBabygeti
nthecaras
shegrunt
edandpushedholdi
ngher
bigbump..
.

Andr
ew:
Babypl
easedon'
tpush.
..
..
Theirdaught ercri
edhy steri
cal
ly
conf usedandpani ckingasher
mot herscr eamedpushi ng.Andrew
closedt hedoorandpi ckedhi s
daught erstrappi
ngheri nhercarseat
thenher anbackinsidef ort
hebaby
bagasBabyt ookoffherpant i
eslyi
ng
ont hef r
ontseatspr eadi ngherlegs
screami ngscar i
ngherdaught ereven
mor e...

Her
:(cr
yingandscr
eami
ng)MAMA?
DADDY!MAMA?
Andrewjumpedinandski
ddedoff
j
oini
ngthetraf
fi
cblowi
ngthehor
n
anddial
ingGabor
onePri
vate
Hospit
al.
..
..

Andrew:Fuck!(
tohisdaught
er)
Pumpkinmommyi sfi
ne,ok,
stop
cr
ying
Baby
:(scr
eaming)Thebabyi
s
comi
ng!Thebabyiscoming
Pumpki
n:(
cry
inghy
ster
ical
l
y)Mama?
Mama?

Andrewspoketooneofthehospi
tal
st
affashehitt
hehornandgot
betweenthet
raff
ic.MeanwhileBaby
pushedandthebaby'sheadcame
out,Andr
ewdroppedt hephoneand
l
ookedather..
.

Andr
ew: (
pani
cki
ng)Ohshi
t!Ohshi
t!
Ohshit
!
Pumpki
n:(
cry
ing)Mama?Mama?

Babypushedandgr abbedthebaby
beforehecoul
dslipdownwhi l
e
Andrewmaneuv er
edbet weenthe
ci
ty'smostcongestedtr
affi
c,t
he
babystart
edcryi
ngasBabyputhi m
onherchestandcried.
..
Baby
:Ineedabl
anket
,hei
scol
d

Andrewgr abbedt hesteer

ingwheel
withonehandandopenedt hebaby
bagwi ththeotherthenhehandedit,
Babywr appedt henewbornwi t
ha
blanketandkissedhim asPumpki n
rubbedofhert earsandsmi l
ed
l
ookingatt hebaby .
..

Pumpki
n:I
sourbaby
?
Baby
:Yesbabe,
it'
sourbaby
..
.
Andr
ew:
(si
ghed)I
sheOK?
Baby
:Hei
sfi
ne
Andr
ew:Hi
snameisEarlyBi
rd,
WTF
DDis3weeksf
rom now
Baby:Duedat
esar
en'
tal
way
s
accur
ate

Minut
eslat
erhedr
ovet
hrought
he
GPHgate..
..

*
**

Aboutanhourl at
erAndrewwalkedi
n
thehospit
alroom car
ryi
nghis
daughterandholdi
ngabi ghear
t
bal
l
oonasBabylai
donthebed
hol
dingt
hebabyandbr
east
feedi
ng.
..

Baby:(l
aughedl
ooki
ngather
husbandanddaught
er)I
'
m sorr
yfor
fr
eakingyouout
Andrew:(l
aughed)I
'
mtr
aumat
ised
fordays.

Pumpkinjumpedont hebedandsat
nexttohermotherl
ookingatherl
i
ttl
e
brot
her.
..

Pumpki
n:Cani
hol
dhi
m?
Babysupport
edthebaby'sheadwhil
e
hi
sbigsist
erhel
dhimf orthefir
st
ti
methenAndrewleanedov erand
ki
ssedher.
..

Andr
ew:Ispoket
omymom, shewi
l
l
gett
heni
ghtbusfrom Maun.
Baby
:Okay
..
.
Andrew:Ital
kedt
obothofy our
fat
hersandmom too..
.(si
ghed)Okay
,
i
tsmyt urntohol
dthebabynow...

Andr
ewsatdownt
henBabyhanded
hi
mthebabyasheawkwardl
yhel
d
hi
mli
kehewasaf r
agi
l
e..
.

Baby
: (
laughed)I
thelaompol aa
mogomasweot hamal adi
tsemolal
a,
j
ustrel
ax.Hewon' tbreak

Andr
ewsighedandrel
axedt
henhe
smil
edatthebaby
..
..
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
..

Lat
ert
hatafter
noonanxiousl
yrubbed
hi
shandstogetherst
ari
ngattheexit
aspeopleofdifferentraceswalked
outpull
i
ngt hei
rbagst henLail
a
fl
ippedherblondehai rbackandto
himithappenedi nslowmot ionli
kea
scenefrom themov ie.

Zane:
(whi
sper
ed)Damn.
..

Helookedathi sbeautiful
col
oured
babygirlwit
hcurlyhairandsmil
ed
emotionall
y,hecouldn'tmovenorsay
anyt
hingasLai l
awal keduptohim
andhuggedhi mt henhehuggedher
andlookedatSar ona..
.
Lai
l
a:Sasadoy
our
ememberhi
m?
Sasa:
Daddy
?

Zanet ur
nedaroundindisbel
i
efgiv
ing
them hisbackandputhishandsover
hisface,hesmil
edandlookedather
agai
nt henhepickedherupand
heavedahugesi ghhol
dingherinhis
arms..

Zane:Ican'
tbeli
eveir
eallymadea
baby.
..(ki
ssedhercur
lyhair
)
Welcomehomebaby .
..Daddyl
oves
you
Sasa:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Hest eppedov
ertoLai
laandtouched
hercheekasheleanedoverFrench
ki
ssingherwhil
epeoplepassedby.

Zane:(
huggedherandsi
ghed)
WelcometoMaun...
Lai
l
a:Khi
aleboga!
Zane:(l
aughed)Yousoundhil
ari
ous
butyou'r
edoinggoodforaBotswana
daughterinl
aw..
..Mymom isgoing
tolov
ey ou.
Lai
l
a:Ihopeso.
..
Theytur
nedaroundandwal
kedout
oftheai
rpor
t.
..
..

AtDi
di'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronZanedrovet
hroughthegat
e
andpar
kedinf
rontofthebachel
or
padatt
hebackthentheyst
epped
out
..

Lail
a:Wow,i
thoughtweweregoi
ng
tosleepi
natradi
ti
onal
hut
,wherear
e
thehuts?
Zane:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Lai
l
a:IGoogl
edBot
swanahouses
Zane:(l
aughed)Weusethoseatt
he
cat
tlepost,
whatyoucal
lafarm
Lai
la:Okay,
i wanttheMotswanalif
e,
youshouldtakemet her
e.Iwantto
eattheMotswanaf ood,iwantswii
.
...
Um thatwaterl
il
lypotat
olikethi
ngy.I
wanttotryt
hose...
Zane:(l
aughed)Trustmey ou'
re
goingtoseeallt
hat,ther
eisplent
yof
ti
me...Comeonin..
.

HeledherinandputSasadownt
hen
shejumpedonthecouchand
swit
chedtheTVon..
.
Sasa:
Mommycani
wat
chShi
mmer
andShine
Zane:Ther
eisnoWiFit
odaysoy
ou
watchwhatev
erisonTV..

Heswi t
chedt heTVonasSasa
star
edatthescr eenthenhel edLai
l
a
tothebedroom wher ehel ockedthe
doorandki ssedherasshepul l
edout
hist-
shi
rt,het ossedheront hebed
andunzippedhi sjeans..
.

Lai
la:
(moaning)Imi
ssedt
hisbi
g
bl
ackdick.
..
..
Het r
iedtopulloutherpanti
esbut
i
mpat ient
lyopt
edt opullt
hem asi
de
holdi
nghisblacksnakeand
#remov ed

AtLol
o'
sHouse.
..
.

IntheeveningSetsoandheryounger
sibl
ingssurroundedthel
apt
opon
SkypewithCal vi
n,Ti
naandthei
r
daughter.
.

Cal
vi
n:Mamai
sgoi
ngt
owor
kon
yourt
ravel
li
ngdocuments,i
wanty ou
guysherebyDecember.Youshould
cel
ebrat
ey ourChr
ist
masinAustral
ia
Set
so:(smil
ed)Hei
Decemberl
eene
okgakala.
..
Kato:
Eishkanannagakej ol
ekebata
ngwanyanawal ekgoajaakaZane,
pl
easebef astbecausemyAust ral
i
an
gi
rl
fri
endiswaiti
ngf orherboyf
ri
end.
Aati
leJr:
(theyal
llaughed)Metoo,
I
'm evensavingf
orourdinnerdat
es
Setso:(
laughed)Hohohoij
annake
nyalwamono, I'
l
lbether
etovi
sitand
comeback.
Ranaan:
IsBay
angJuni
orgoi
ngt
o
mar
ryy
ou?
Set
so:(gasped)Cal
vinIdon'
tknow
whatheistalki
ngabout
Cal
vin:Don'
tgetpr
egnantSet
so,
i
wantyoutofini
shschool
Set
so:I'
m goi
ngt
obeadoct
or,
don'
t
worr
y..
.
Vi
v:Am i
comi
ngt
oouncl
eCar
l?
Calv
in:Ofcourseyou'
recomi
ngbaby
whynot,you'
rethepret
ti
esti
nthe
famil
y.
Mof
eny
i:Met
oo!
Cal
vi
n:You'
rehandsomemyboy
..
.
Theyal
ll
aughedandcont
inued
chat
ti
ng.
..
..
.

AtJan'
shouse.
.(
Maun)

Earl
ythenextmor ni
ngJanparked
thecarandleftAgat
hai nt
hehouse
thenhepreparedthebedandcame
backforhertalki
ngtothephone.
..

Jan:
Ok
Amantl
e:(l
aughed)AndAgat
hai
s
gl
owingthengbatho.
Jan:
(laughed)Thanksmom,
howi
s
Mi
l
ler
?
Amantle:
Heissleepi
ng,
takecar
eof
Agatharr
amoimanawaa
thokomel
wa,Papaagontseobuale
wenaakere?
Jan:Yes,hehel
pedthr
oughoutal
l
these.Theyar
eall
verysuppor
ti
vele
boZane.
Amant le:Zanecall
edmemal oba
wishingmeagoodmot her'
sdayand
thankingmef ortheshareskehake
i
tumet se.Ieventol
dDidi
Jan:
Zanei
sal
way
sgr
atef
ul.
Amantl
e:Okbye,ij
ustwant
edt
ohear
i
fyouarr
ivedsaf
ely
Jan:
Bye

Hehungupandsl i
dthephoneinhi
s
pocketthenhel
i
ftedAgat
haoutthe
thecarassheopenedhereyes
yawning..
..
..

Jan:
(sof
tl
y)Hey
..
Agat
ha:(
Yawning)Ican'
tbel
iev
ewe
ar
ehereandididn'
thearany
thi
ng.
..
.

Hewalkedi
nthehouseandl ai
dher
downthenhetuckedherinand
l
ookedathereyessmil
ing,heki
ssed
herhandandl eanedoverki
ssingher
thenhekickedoffhisbootsand
peeledt
hesheet soff.
..

Het ookoffhispantsandkissedher
getti
ngbetweenherl egsashis
anacondastretchedtheboxerbri
efs
erecti
ng,helookedinhereyesand
babykissedher..
.

Jan:
Thanksf
ort
hebaby
Agat
ha:
Ilov
eyoudaddy
..
.

Heki
ssedherandbl
ockedherwi
th
theanacondaasshegr
aspedthenhe
pushedhalfi
nsi
deandshefr
owned
whimperi
ng..
.

Agat
ha:
Shi
tthi
sthi
ngi
sbi
g

Janki
ssedherand#r
emov
ed.
..
..
..

At3r
dDegr
eeGar
dens.
..
..

LaterthatSatur
daymorningBusiness
program fi
lm cr
ewfrom BTVfil
med
thefreshfl
owergardenshowing
dif
ferentfl
owersasafewpeopl e
wal
kedal
ongt
hesmallpathsand
admi
redhowf
resht
heylooked.
..

Meanwhil
eacrowdofpeoplesat
undert
hewhit
estr
etchtentpi
tched
onthefr
eshgr
eengrassastheDJ
l
oweredthemusi
c..
.

Kensmi l
edandt ookadeepbr eath
admiri
ngDi di
asshehel dherlong
dresst
hathuggedherbeaut i
ful body,
shesmiledatev ery
oneandf lipped
herhai
rbackt akingthemi cthenKen
andZanest ar
tedawel comecl ap,t
he
crowdjoinedinandcl appedast he
f
il
m cr
ewsetupt
hei
rcamer
as.
.

Lolosmil
edandpr
oudl
ywav
edat
Didi
..
..

Didi:Thanky ouv eryMC, I

'dl
iket o
taket hi
soppor tuni
tytothankGodf or
carryingmet hroughal lt
he
diffi
culti
esi wentt hroughtofinally
openmydr eam busi nessandany
otherchal l
engei wentthrough.I'dlike
tothankmysi stersBlessi
ngand
Ariannaf ormot ivatingmeand
forcingmet ogetupwheni didn'tfeel
l
ikei t.(
pointedatt hem)Thesel adies
arethebestgif
tmymot herhasev er
givenmeandI '
llf
oreverremain
gratef
ul,bl
esshersoul.I
'dalsol
iketo
thankmyexhusbandPast orDaniels
whoal sohappenstobemybest
fri
endandcheerleader.
..

Kensmi l
edathershr
inkinghi
seyes
thenshesmi l
edbl
ushingandfaced
thecrowd..
.

Didi:
Myt hanksalsogot omyf i
rst
bornZane, heishisfat
her'
supdated
versi
on(everyonelaughedthenKen
andZanef istbumpedpr oudl
y)
Yesterdaywewel comedoursoont o
bedaught eri nlawLai laandourone
andonl ygranddaught erfrom
Oklahomaci tyint heUS. .
.YesZane
otswagot ogel al ebolelakoAmer i
ca
harragweeneal ebusyai thut
a
baebele(ev eryonel aughed)Thi s
familyofmi nei sf ullofdramamme
hel
ai woul dn'ttradei tforany t
hing.I
knowy oual lknowwhathappened
betweenmyexhusbandandi
thr
oughoutt hey ear smmehel aifi
hadtodoi tal lov eragai nI'ddoitthe
samewaybecausei am whati am
becauseoft hem.Want enapastor
Kenmmehel agapehaaseokea
boregaaker
ehagonay
okemo
tsenyangst
ress
Ken:
(laughed)Hol
yfi
reont
hisev
il
woman!

Every
onelaughedasDi
dil
aughed
holdi
ngt
hemi c..
.

Didi
:I'
dalsoli
ketothankLol ofort he
supportshehasgivenme, seet his
l
adyr i
ghthereiswhaticallanal pha
female.
..Kooresherai
sedal lt
he
chil
drenandsheisapr ovi
der,shei s
notthetypethatneedsamanbutt he
oneamanneedsi nhisli
fe.Thanks
Lol
o
Lolo:No,honeyyou'
reanalpha
female.I
t'
snotaboutperfect
ioni
t'
s
aboutbeingabletogetupeachli
fe
knocksyoudown

Ev
ery
onecl
appedasDi
dismi
l
ed.
..

Didi
: Shealsospeaksinmet aphor
s
dil
ot sagrayhai
r..
.(Lol
osmi led
proudlyandgaveherat humbsup}
Wher eisJan?(shelookedf orJan
andsomeonepoi nt
edathi m)I'
dli
ke
tothankoursonJan, f
orthosewho
don'tknowJani sproudt ransman,
him andhi
ssoont obewif
ear e
expecti
ngthei
rfi
rstchi
ldt
ogether
,
thankyousonforallt
hesupporty
ou
gaveme.Thisgardenkanaishere
becauseevery
onehadani nput
.

Jannoddedandpeopl ecl
apped
handslist
eningt
oDidi'
sspeech
whichcoveredal
lofherfri
endsand
familyi
ncludi
ngAronaandTy r
owho
clappedamongstthecrowd.….

*
**

Lat
eronusher
sser
vedev
ery
oneas
Ari
annabentoverhandi
ngthefoodt
o
oneofthewidowedpastor
sfrom
chur
ch..
..

Him:ThankyouAri
anna,i
didn'
tsee
youatchur
chlastweek
Arianna:Iam aSundayschool
teachersoIspendmor eti
mether
e.
Him:Isee.
..
.Weshoul
dtalk
someti
mewheny ou'
refr
ee
Ar
ianna:
I'
dli
ket
hatpast
or
Him:Thanky
ou,
andy
oul
ook
beaut
if
ul
Ar
ianna:
Thanky
ou.
..
..
.
Shewalkedawayblushi
ngand
smil
edathersist
erswhowinkedat
hersecr
etl
y.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eKageleloandLol
o
approachedDidiandKenwhower e
standi
ngwi t
hZane, Lai
l
aandthei
r
granddaughter
..
.

Lolo:Di
dimmacongrat
smmer e
tsenehaMoremigamereser
vehal
e
Didi
:Thankyouforcoming,iknowwe
agreedtokeepafai
rdist
ance
betweenusbutitwasgreatseeing
y
ou.
Lolo:Iwoul dn'
thavemi sseditfor
anything.Wemi ghtnotbehangi ng
togetherbutwehav ehistorysowe
shouldbet hereifanythingbig
happensi nourlives,forthesakeof
ourhistory.It
'sgoodt oseey ou
happy
Di
di:
Thanky
ou

Meanwhileafewst
epsfr
om t
hem
Kagel
eloandKenbumped
shoul
ders.
..

Ken:
Dri
vesaf
ely
Kagelelo:Thanksnf undisi(
theyboth
l
aughedandbumpedshoul dersagai
n)
andcongr atulationsont heNOG,
you'r
echangi ngt hosemen' slives
andwheni getbacki wanttoknow
whati candot ot akepar tbecause
mybr otherhadnot hingwhenhegot
outofpr i
sonbecausenoonewoul d
hireanexconv ictsoy ou'r
egivi
ng
peopleasecondchance.You' re
servi
ngGodi nal l ki
ndsofway sandi
respectyouf ort hat
Ken:Thankyou,acer
tainpastor
nevergaveuponmewheni left
pri
sonhebroughtmet ochurch,then
iwenttotheUSandnowi am
successful
becausesomeone
beli
evedinme.Ijustwantt
odot
he
samef oral
lthosepeopl
e.
Kagel
elo:
Wewi
l
ltal
k
Ken:
Sur
e..

Theybumpedshoul dersthen
Kagelel
oputhi sarm aroundLol o'
s
waistandledherawayf rom t
he
crowd,Kenturnedar oundandl ooked
atDidiasshelaughedwi tht
heir
chil
drencarr
yinghergr anddaughter.
Het ookouthisphoneandwai tedfor
herhertolaugh,sureenoughLai l
a
brokeherbrokenSet swana
conf
ident
lyandshelaughedthenhe
capt
uredthemomentandsi ghed
l
ookingatthepi
ctur
e.

Blessi
ngandoneoft hebrot
hers
fr
om churchwalkedbehindhi
m and
l
eanedoverlookingatthepi
ctur
e..
..

Br
other
:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
..
Blessi
ng:
thankst
omoa,idi
dher
facebeat
.Ari
annaonl
ydi
dthehai
r.
.
Ken:
(laughed)So?
Brot
her:
Idon'tunder
standwhyyou
twoarepret
endingyou'
reokaywi
th
j
ustbei
ngfri
ends,am i
goi
ngto
marr
yBlessi
ngntselol
edi
tsal
a?
Ken:(
laughed)That'
snowayof
tal
ki
ngtoapast or
..
.behav
e

Hepatt hem ontheshoul

der
sand
walkedawayast heyshookt
hei
r
headsandj oi
nedthecrowdhol
ding
hands..
.

Br
other:Youl
ookgor
geousi
nthi
s
dr
ess..
.
Blessi
ng:Yousai
dthatbef
ore,
a
thousandti
mesTracy
Tr
acy
:(l
aughed)Can'
thel
pit
..

Theywalkedt
hrought
hecrowdas
Bl
essingswungherhi
psf
rom si
deto
si
de..
..
.

*
**

OtlheapproachedDidifrom t
heback
andpokedher ,Didit
urnedaround
andsmi l
edsur pr
isedtoseeherthen
theyhuggedsmi l
ing..
.

Di
di:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dcomesi
nc-
Otl
he:Idumpedhi sass,nkasekgone
t
hisguywant stoisol
atemef rom my
fami
ly
, hedidn'
tevenwantmet ogo
t
ochur chandcany oubeli
evehei s
t
heonewhocan' thavechil
dren?
Di
di:
What
?
Otl
he:Hadhebeenhonestwithmei
wouldhavebeenfi
nebutt
ol i
e?and
hehateski
dsnnakebatabana,he
wastedmytime.Nowit
'stoolat
e
Didi
:Notreal
l
y,y
oust
il
lhav
ea
chance.
Otl
he:Thenextmani seeI
'
m
j
umpingonhim keaimagorekeboe
keimegapenextyear
...
Randal l
slowlypassedbythem and
smiledathert henshelookedatDidi
andt heylookedbackathim,they
bothbur stint
olaughercl
apping
together..
.

Ot
lhe:(
laughed)Iwasn'
tser
iousr
ra
or
elebi
leeng?
Randall
:(l
aughed)Nyaat
hemma
ntol
elamma, Didi
knowsI'
m agood
guy
Didi
:Hei
sact
uall
ynotbadandi
knowhehasbeenpr
ayingf
orawif
e.
Ot
lhe:
(laughedandsmackedher
)I
can'
tbel
iev
eyou'
regoi
ngt
ohookme
upwithsomeone
Didi:
Randal
lcany
oushowhert
he
rosesiwasshowi
ngt
hemediaear
li
er?
Randal
l
:Wi
thpl
easur
e

Randal
lsmil
edandgotherarm
l
eadinghert
otherosesect
ion.
..

Randal
l
:Mynamei
sRandal
l
Ot
lhe:
(laughed)Iam Ot
lhe.
..
.

Theyl
aughednaught
il
yandwal
ked
away.
..
.
Didiwalkedtowar
dsthesenior
pastor'
swifewhowast al
ki
ngtothe
othersi
stersfr
om chur
ch..
.

Didi
:Canwetalk?Iwanttoshowyou
thecor
nerofthegardeniwantt
o
borr
owthesinglemother
's
Her
:Ohyeskanayousai
dy ouwant
t
ocreat
eaclubtohel
psinglepar
ent
s
Didi
:Yes, Iwantt hem t
ouse2
hectaresofmygar dentodo
whatev ertheycant omakemoney.
I
'vebeenast ruggli
ngsingl
emot
her
beforesoi wanttohelpafewt
hati
can
Her:Thisisveryimpressi
ve,we
shouldsitdownandmakeapr oper
planthenpresentittothechur
ch.
Lethogonolohelpsthewidows
Didi
:Andsheisdoi
ngagoodjob,i
wastalki
ngtohert
heot
herday.
..
.
They'
redoinggr
eat
..
.

Kenwalkedoverandstoodbehi
nd
Didi
thenheshookhandswiththe
seni
orpastor
'swif
e..
.

Ken:
Cani
bor
rowherf
orami
nut
e?
Her
:Nopr
obl
em.
..

Hetookherasi
deasshecur iousl
y
l
ookedathimtucki
ngherhairbehind
hereart
henheunbuttonedhistux
andtookoutahospi
talrecei
pt..
.

Ken:
I'
vesavedupaf
ewThebest
o
payf
orthi
s

Didil
ookedatt hedoctor
's
appointmentforabreasti
mpl
ant
thenshelookedathim andsmi
led
shyl
y...
Di
di:
Thanky
ou
Ken:Ial
sobookedt henextf
li
ghtto
SouthAfr
icabecauseyouhavetosee
thedoct
ortomorrowbeforehecan
perf
ormthesurgeryonMonday .
Di
di:What?(
lookedatt
hedat
eagai
n)
I
'l
lneed-
Ken:Ithinksinceii
njuredyoui
shoul
dbet heonetakinggoodcar e
ofyout omakesur eyougobackt o
thewayy ouwerebefore.Ibought
twoticketsandourflighti
sleavi
ngin
anhour .
.Whatdoy ousay ?Shallwe?
Shelookedinhiseyesandswal l
owed
thenshenoti
cedhewasl ookingat
somethingbehi
ndher ,sheturnedto
allt
hei
rchil
drenstandingtogether
withLai
laandJanal lofthem
crossi
ngthei
rfinger
s...

Didi
: (bl
ushed)Goengj aanong?
Tswanghat he!(
theylaughedthen
shet urnedbackathim)Andy ou
bettertakegoodcareofmeorel sei
reporty ou,
youknowi don'tf
orgi
v e

Kenl
aughedandhuggedher
swi
ngi
ngheraroundasal
lthe
chil
drenj
umpedandclappedhands
thenKengrabbedherhandandl
ed
hertothecar
..
..

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..
.

Masil
osquat t
edbyt het yreandfil
led
i
tupthenhecheckedot herty
res
whil
eLolofixedherlipstickl
ookingat
themir
rorthenshenot i
cedahangi ng
meatonherar ms, shehat edtheidea
ofagei
ng.Masi l
ogoti nt hecarthen
shegothersweat erfrom theback
andputitonasheki ssedherwi t
hout
awarning.
..
Masi
l
o:Ready
?
Lol
o:Yes.
..
.

Hest
artedt
hecaranddrov
eoutof
t
hefi
l
li
ngstati
onandjoi
nedthemai
n
r
oad.
..
..
..

AtMaunI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..
..

LateronDidit
ookaseatbythe
windowwhi l
eKenwasdoing
somet hi
ngabovethem,
shelooked
outsi
detheplaneandsi
ghedsmili
ng
thought
ful
lyt
henKensatnextt
oher
andsmiledather
..
.

Ken:
(sof
tl
y)Hey
..
.
Di
di:
(sof
tl
y)Hey
..
.

Announcement swer emadeandt he

planerol
ledont herunwayast hey
bothlookedout si
deasi tt
ookoff,
Diditi
ghtl
ygrabbedt hesidechair
s
holdi
ngherbr eathforthatl
it
tl
e
momentofsi cknesst henKenheld
herhandandki sseditlooki
ngather
thoughtf
ull
yasher el
axedleani
ng
backonhi schair.
..
Ken:
Feel
i
ngabi
tsi
ck?
Di
di:
Ithappenstomeeacht
imet
he
pl
anetakesoff
..
Ken:Her
eissomet
hingt
okeepy
our
mindbusy.
..

Hehandedheranov el
tit
ledWI
CKED
ME,herj
awsdr oppedasshesmiled
complet
elysurpri
sedthenshe
fr
ownedcarefull
ylooki
ngatthe
cover
..
.

Di
di:
Iremembert
hisshoes!(
laughed)
It
'sbackt
henwheny ouwereadealer
befor
ewehadkids.
.Hahahai usedto
spendyourmoneyl
ikeitwas
monopolymoney.
Ken:(l
aughed)Iwasn'tsurewhi
ch
covertoputsofoundt hati
nourol
d
pi
cturesandusedit.
..
Di
di:(l
aughed)Ist
oppedwr i
ti
ngt hi
s
alongtimeago..
.(l
aughed)Ifeelso
st
upid.Sodoesitendwherei ended
i
toryoucont i
nuedwri
ti
ng?
Ken:(smi
l
ed)Ther
eisonl
yoneway
tofi
ndout.
..

Shesmi
l
edemot
ional
l
yandhugged
hi
mt henshekissedhim onthecheek
andleanedbackreading,hesmi
ledat
herandwavedanot herone.

Ken:I'
l
l gi
veyout
hisonewheny
ou
fi
nishthatone
Di
di:
What
'
sthat

Heshowedherthecov er{
RUNNI NG
INCI
RCLES-Howt oav oi
dmakingthe
samemistakesi
ny ourmarri
age.By
Past
orKennaDaniels}

Di
di:
Itsoundsni
ce
Ken: I
tis,
aft
erreadingitoncey ouget
mar ri
edyou'l
lnevergetdivorced.It
hasanadv icemymot hergavet ome
aboutmar ri
ageandI '
veignoredi t
throughouttheyearsbutnowi thi
nk
i
t'sthebesttoolformar r
iage.Just
fi
nishthatonefirst
.
Di
di:
(smi
l
ed)Ok

Shelookeddownandstar
tedr
eadi
ng
thenheleanedov
erandki
ssedher
cheek.
..

Ken:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
Di
di:
Thanks.
..
Theystaredatoneanotherand
swall
owedl ooki
ngateachothersli
ps
thentheyleanedbackandreadthei
r
books.

THEEND

Don'
tfor
gettoLi
keanddropa
commentbelow,more
announcementscomingup!
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