*

ALLI
NTHENAMEOFLOVE*

"I
'
m sor r
ynana"hesayshol di
ngme.Ifeel
hopeless,
lostanddr
ained.Thisi
snotthefir
stti
me
ofhim apologi
zingi
nfactit
'snoteventhesecond
northir
dt i
me.
Haveinotbeentheperf
ectgi
rl
fr
iendt
ohimfort
he
past3year
's?Haveinotgi
venhimreasont
obe
fai
thf
ul?Di
ditrytoomuch?Lovetoomuch?

"I
'
m goingtoaskyouagai
n,whydidyoudoit?
why
didyoudisr
espectmel
ikethi
s?agai
n?It
houghtwe
werehappy"isayasif
eelmytearsfl
owing
conti
nuousl
ydownmyf ace.
Sil
encefil
ledt
heroom.
"I
'm sor
ryireall
yam"he
says,
tr
yingtowipemyuncontr
oll
edt ear
s

"iwasjusti
naverybadspaceandIinvi
tedher
over
,t
hesepastf
ewweeks,thefi
ghtswehadwas
thel
aststr
awandItl
edtomeBei ngunfai
thf
ult
o
you,im sorr
ymamaspl easef orgiveme"Il istento
him almostblamingmebecausehecoul dn'tkeep
hispant szi
ppedhowpat heti
c" idon'tknowi fican
forgiveyouthist
imear ound,youl eftthecondom
wrapper sandusedcondomsf ormet opickup, do
youknowhowdi sgustedif el
t?thebet rayal?Ican't
dot hisanymore"isayasit rytost andup.
"Pleaseletmego, i
fyouhaveanyl astrespectf or
meyou' dl etmego"hel et
'sgohesi tant
ly.Iwal kto
thebedr oom andstartpackingmyr emaining
clothes"pleasenanadon'tdot his"hewhi spers.I
passhi m,headingtothedoor" goodbyeSi ya"Isay
l
ooki ngathi m wi
thtearsi
nbot houreyes.Ihear
him pleadingbeforeIshutthedoor .
2year
slat
er
"Ajaygetdownf r
om therewegoi ngtomissour
fl
ight"
Itel
lmyson,yesmyson. Thedayibr okeup
withhisdadIdidn'tevenknowiwas2weeks
pregnant,
Iwantedtoabor ti
tstr
aightawaybecause
Iwoul dn'
twantanythingl
inki
ngmet ot
hattoxic
excuseofaman, butIkeptondel ayi
ngunti
lIcaught
feeli
ngsanddecidedt okeepthebaby.Thefather
doesn'tknowbuthi smom does,
event
houghmy
babydon' tunderstandmostthi
ngsyet
,Ikept
pi
cturesoft hefatherandshowedmysononadial
y
whohi sdadi s.

Ourf l
ightnumbergotcal ledandwest art
ed
boarding."
Pr etor
iahereIcome"Iwhispertomyself
asilookoutt hewindow.Igotl
ostinmyt houghtsas
ilookedatmyson. Hi
sdadwi l
lsur
elyfli
pwhenhe
meet shim,butI '
m prepar
edforanythi
ngt hatcomes
myway, i
fhewant stodenyhissonthenhecango
tohellforallIcare.

Assoonaswegotof f,
ipickupmyl i
lchampcause
hemi ghtj ustdisappearbet weent hecr owd"
You
gett
ingheavyyoungman, Ithinkit'
sbecauseyou
i
nheritedyourf at her'
sbighead" Isayt omyson,he
endsupl aughingal ldramaticwhi leholdi
nghis
mout h,ichuckle,Ineedt ostopdoi ngthingsI
nfront
ofthisboybecausehe' sar ealcopycat .
"Minentlekhoza" ireadononeoft heboardsawhat
l
ooksl i
keadr iveri sholding,atleastmyPAdi done
thi
ngr i
ght.Weexchangegr eeti
ngsashest arts
uploadingourl uggage. "Wher eareweheadi ngt o
mam? "Heasks, Ilaugh"Please...j
ustentl
e,
you
makingmef eelol d,Ineedt omakeast opatsome
housef ir
st"
Isaysmi l
ingathi m.Hejustendsup
noddingandcont i
nueddr i
ving.Il
ooktomyr ightand
Iseemybabyf astasl eep,Ikisshim onhisforehead
asithinkofthedr amat hat'
saboutt obeunf old.

Wear ri
veatAjaysgrandmashouse.It el
lthedriver
towaitbecausewewon' tbelong.Beforeenter
ing
thepremisesidobreat hi
ngexcer i
ses"
Heregoes
nothi
ng"Isaytomysel fwhil
eclingingontomysons
hand.Thei
rhouseisbi ggernow,looksli
keherson
didgoodf orhi
mself
,that'
ssomet hinggood.

Ibatt
lewit
hmyselfwhetherIshoul
dknockornot
.
"Whatthehel
l"
Isayandendupknocking,t
hedoor
opensandit'
shisaunt
,t
hiscouldonl
ymeanone
thi
ng..
.Thewhol efamil
yisher e.Theain'
tlooksat
mef orawhi l
ebef or
esaying"ahhhentle
entl
e,Wherehaveyoubeenhi dingyoursel
f?l
ookat
you,
comei nside"shepul
lsme" mai sgoingtobeso
happywhensheseesyou" shekeepson
rambling.
Shef ur
therpul
lsmet owhatIassumei s
thefamilyroom becausewepassedal ookalike
l
ounge.
Idoashor
tpr
ayer
.
Assoonasweent
ert
her
oom ever
yonegoesqui
et.

Myeyesqui cklyscant heroom andwithouta

doubt,
therehei slookingjustasshockedast herest
ofthefami l
y.Thef i
rstpersont osaysomet hi
ngis
hi
smom " ohhhmybabyyour eal
lyher
eandyou
broughtmygr andson"shesaysasshepi ckshim
upandst artkissinghim alloverhisf
acemaki ng
hi
m giggle

"Yourwhat?
!!"If
reezecauseIknowthatvoi
ce."
Oh
calm downcheati
st,
meetyourson-
"shecouldn'
t
fi
nishhersentencebecauseasomewomanst art
s
l
aughi ng,
butdramat
icifyouaskme."Shehasyou
fooledma,thi
sisnotsi
ya'sson,
Siyaisinfer
ti
le,
the
whol efamil
yknowsthat"shekeptgoing.Isee
someoft hefamilymembernoddingtheirheadsin
agreement

Thisentir
et i
memeandSi yawer ehavi ngastaring
contest.Hishazelnutbr owneyesgl i
steningfr
om
tear
st r
yingt ofall
,
Iwaspr eparedf ortheinsul
ts
comingf rom him.I nsteadhecamef orwardand
gavemeabonecr ushi nghug,"thiswasnotwhatI
wasexpect ing"Ithinkt omysel f,Iwasaboutt o
pushhi m offmegent ly,befor
eIcoul dt ouchhim he
wasr oughlypul l
edf rom mebyt hatirr
itat
ingskinny
woman.

"Siyawhat'sgoi
ngon? !
whoisshe?!andwhyisshe
claimingthatt
histhingisyourso-"
,"Idar
eyouto
callmysonat hing,Idareyou,I
'l
lbr
eakyouliket
he
toothpickyouare.
.I
'm sureallt
hatmakeupand
j
elweryyouwear i
ngmustbet ir
ingyourbody,
don't
getfamil
iarwit
hme"Isternlysaytoher."Maijust
camebyt oletyoufi
nal
lymeetyourgr andsonthen
I'
l
lbeonmywayagai n"
Itellma,thi
sisalr
eady
drai
ningme.

"Yougoi ngtolethertalktomel ikethatSiya?I

'
m
yourfianceandyoucan' tevenst andupformeand
neit
hecanyourf amil
y,youarereal l
yacowar dnxn"
thetoothpicksays.I
'm shockedcauset he
disr
espectshe' sshowi ngtowardsherf ut
ure
husbandi sshocking.

"PleaseAyandanotnow"Si yasaystothecol or
ed
toothpick,hecomesf or
wardandkneeldownt opick
upAj ay,thesmi leonhisfacecan'
tbemi ssed."I
don'tappr eciat
eyoukeepingmysonawayf r
om me
Ent l
e"(si
gh) "
butIfeelli
keyouhadyourown
reasons,ImeanwhatIdi dtoyou2yearsagoand
theyear sbef or
e-"hegotcutoffbyma"aowast op
stop,Entl
epl easegiveyourbagstoAshleysot hat
hecanputitinasparebedr
oom f
oryou,
Idon'
twant
tohearnot
hingbecauseyousl
eepi
nghere.

Ar guingwi thherisuselessif
aintl
ysmileather" ok
mal etmej uscomf i
rm wit
hmydr i
ver,
he'swaiting
formeout side"
."CanIcomewi t
hYou? "AskSi ya
from behi ndwi thaverytir
edPassedoutAj ay,"yea
i
t'sok, youcanhel pmewi t
hmybagst oo, "
okletme
gol ayhi m downf ir
st",
Inodwhileheadingtothe
door .

Onourwayt ot hecarnoonesaysawor d, whenwe

reachthecart hedr i
verquickl
ycomesoutt oopen
thebackseat ."Thatwon'tbenecessar
ydr iver"says
Siyarudely,Ijusshookmyhead, imreall
ynoti nthe
moodf orhim" Thankyou? "
(Ir
eal
iseidon'tknowhi s
name)" Jasonma-i meanEnt l
e",
"ThankyouJason
butI'
llbestayingover ,
Ijuscamet of
etchmybags, if
i
t'sworthitIcanl etyoustayinahotelfort henight
orIcanpayyouext r
a"
"Mam Iwasassi gnedt obeyourdr iver,t
oenable
thatyougettoyourdest i
nati
onSAFELY"hesays
whilelooki
ngatSi ya(awkwar d)"
soI 'l
lsl
eepinthe
carforthenight
"hesayswhi leunloadingthelast
bag."Don'tberi
diculousJasonI '
l
lbookyoui ntoa
hotel,
that
'snotupf ordiscussi
on"Isayasibegan
typi
ngonmyphone.

Thiswhol eti
meSi yawasl ooki
ngatusi nsteadof
taki
ngt hebagsi ntot hehouseunt i
lJasont ookt he
l
eadandst art
edt akingmybagsi nt hehouse." I
don'tli
kehim,he'st oocockyf orhislineofwor k"
Siyasaysbehi ndme" nowyouj usbei ngbitter
Siya,
takemybagsandhel pyourbr otherputt hem in
myr oom, NEATLYpl ease"heendsupl aughing"stil
l
aneatf reakisee"Ij usr ol
ledmyeyeswhi l
epassi ng
him( si
gh)thisisgoi ngt obeal ongni ght
[
3]
Ayanda

Thatwomani
sgoi
ngt
orui
nmyr
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
Siya.Itri
edmakinghim mineevenwhenhewasst i
ll
dat i
ngher,Imanagetomakehim cheatandeven
falli
nlovewithme,l
ooksli
kesher eal
lywasaGod
fearingwomanl i
kemymom war nedme.

Shel ooksdif
ferentfrom t
helastti
meisawher ,
she
alwayshadat hi
ckbodybutshe' smorecurvi
er
now,herskinisflawless.
.Sheevengotalit
tl
eli
ghte.
I'
mj ealousyesbecauseIknowSi yawi
llal
wayslove
hernomat t
erwhat ,
herupgradi
ngt ohi
sbabymama
i
st hecherryont hecake.

I'
llhavetodowhat everittakestobecomeMr s
Jama.Si yaisawel lknownbusi nessmanandhe's
ar apper,
woment hrowt hemselvesathi
m around
everycor ner
.Andoutofal lthosegir
lsHechoseme
forar easonright
?

Maybeifibecomei ndependentli
keEntl
ethenhe'
ll
l
ookatmel i
kehel ooksather,becomi
ngpregnanti
s
outoft
hequestionbecausewe' vebeenhavingr
aw
sexformorethanayearbutnosignof
pregnancy,
we'
rebot
hfinethough

Jason
MaJamai sagoodwomanIsayt omyselfasil ayin
bed,Ican'thel pbuttofeelsomewhatguilt
y.I'
m
sleepingi nthisbighouseonacomf ort
ably
bed,eatingf oodmeandmyf amilyonl
yeatwheni
getpai dgood* si
gh*.ThemoneyMsKhozagave
mewi l
lsur elyhelpusbigtime,Icanbuyfoodi nbulk
thatwi l
llastusf ormonths,Icantakemysiblings
out,Icanbuymymom acheapphonej ustforcalls

SchoolsareopeningsoIhavet ospar
kandbuy
schoolshoesformy2si bli
ngswhoar edoinggr ade
7and8, atl
easttheyoungestonei ssti
lldoi
ng
creche,
I'mtooyoungf orthi
ski ndofresponsibili
ti
es
*sigh*butI'
mtheol destandt heonlymal einthe
house.Ithoughtafterobtai
ningmydegr eein
businessicanli
ftthef i
nancialstr
ainonmymot her
byget t
ingajobbuti twasast rugglef
indingaj ob
causeoneneedsconnect
ions.

"GodIcomet oyout oday, t

hanki ngyouf ort he
blessedandf ulfi
ll
eddayyouhavebl essedusal l
with,
Ipr aythatyoubewi thmet hroughoutt he
night,t
hankyouf orbl essingmewi ththisjob
becauset hrought hisjobYougavemeanamazi ng
boss,onewi thapur ehear t
,Iaskt hatyouf inditin
yourhear ttoletthi sjobl astsot hatIcanf eedmy
family,you'veneverl etusgot obedhungr ynorwi l
l
youl etusst ar tnow, pleasekeepmyf amilysafeand
healthydearl ord,keepwhat everevilthatisf or
med
againstmybossawayandsendi tbackt oi t
's
sender ,asweaski nyousoi twillbe..
.Amen"If i
nall
y
sayandsur prisi
ngl yif eelgood, l
ight.
..t
hismeansI '
l
l
sleeppeacef ully

BeforeIsleepIt
hinkaboutmyboss*
chuckles*
"beauti
fulwoman"Isaybefor
esl
eepover
takesmy
body.
Mi
nent
le
Ikeptt ossingandt ur
ning,
Ican'
tsleep( r
ubbingmy
faceinf rustrati
on)Il
ooktomyr ightandmysoni s
sleepingl i
keJesusonacr oss* chuckle*,
Iseehi
s
onemi l
kbot tlei
sempt ywhil
etheot heroneishal
f.
Mi ghtaswel lgomakehi sbott
lebeforehewakesup
cranky.

Iwearmysi l
knightr
obesinceit
'spr
ett
yhot
,f
inger
s
crossedidon'
tbumpintoafamilymemberand
getti
nglabel
edasdisr
espect.

AsIwal kdownstairsiheart het vi ssti

llon,Iwonder
who'sawake.Imi ndmybusi nessandcont i
nue
headingtothekitchen,
asIwai tf orthewat ertoboili
heatupsomel eftoverfoodf ormebecauseI 'm
suddenlyhungry.I'
m busyl ooki ngf orsomet hi
ng
coldtodri
nkinthef ri
dgewhenihearsomeone
behindme" whatar eyoulooki ngf or?"Theper son
asksmei nasleepyvoi ce.Itur nt oseewhoi ti
s.
[
4]
Mi
nent
le

WhenIt ur
ntolookwho'sbehindmeandiseeit
's
Siya(Godhel
pMe, Idonothaveeyebr
owsfort
his
forthi
sman)Isayt omysel
f.
"Icouldn'
tsl
eepsoi t
houghtimi
ghtaswell
just
makeabot t
leforAjaybefor
ehewakesupcr anky,
I
wasl ooki
ngf orsomethi
ngcoldt
odrinkbutIonly
seewat er
"Itellhi
m.
"Ofcauseyou'
llonl
yseewater
,absli
kemi nedon'
t
comewhendr inki
ngthosecol
oredwaterwi t
hgas
i
n"hesaysst r
etchi
nghimsel
foutreveali
nghis
abs(eww)idontdomenwhoeat srabbitfood.
"
CanIatleasthavesomewi
ne?
"Iaskcl
ear
ly
i
rr
it
ated.
"NobutyouknowwhatIwant ?Iwantustotal
k,
I
meanwhydi dyouleave?whatdoyoudo
nowadays?whydi
dn'tyoucont actmewhenyou
foundoutyouwerepregnant?"Icanhearthepai
nin
hisvoi
ce,
maybetalki
ngwoul dn'thur
t.
"Ileftbecauset herewasnot hingl eftformeher e,I
want edt ellyouwher eim goingbutIdi dn'tseehow
thatwasgoi ngtohel pbecausenot hingyouwer e
goi ngsaywasgoi ngt omakemest aybehi nd.Why
didn'tItellyouIwaspr egnant? becauset hel ast
ti
meiwaspr egnantIl ostthebabybecauseofyour
fool i
shness, Siyayousl eptwithsomeonei nt hebed
wemadel oveOn, mycl otheswer ether e,
womenar e
vil
eouther e,
forallIknowt hiswomanwast he
reasonIl ostthebaby, andyout oowi thal lthe
stressyougaveme, yout hi
nkIwasgoi ngt oletyou
robmeofbei ngamot heragai nbecauseyounot
manenough? "Tearswer efl
owi ngal readyandi t
mademer ealisethatIhaven' theal edyet ,
I'm sti
ll
broken.BynowSi yacoul dn'
tevenl ookmei ntomy
eyes, hewasf eeli
nggui lt
y.

"Si
yaIlovedyoual
otandyouknowt
hatr
ight
?"Iask
him andhenoddeshi
shead
"Il
ovedyoubutbecauseIwasagoodlit
tl
egir
lf
ri
end
backthenyoutookadvant
ageofmeeverychance
yougot,
youknowwhatmakesal lt
hisf
ucked
up?despi
teal
lthet
hingsyoudidIwashopingthat
i
nmyabsenceyou'dchange,you'
dwaitforme..
.but
Icomebackandyouar eengaged"Iwhi
sperthelast
part
.

"Iknowthiswholetimeimadei tseem li
keIdon't
carebutIdo,becauseIwaited.Seemsl ikeyoudid
change,
youj ustneededtherightonet ochangefor
andunfortunatel
yIwasn'tthatperson.But
rememberwhatIal wayssai dtoyou?aboutmy
purposeinyourlif
e"Iaskhim, sear
chingforhis
eyes.
Henodded" yousaidyourpurposei nmylif
ewast o
makemehappy, toguideme,changeme, butifmy
happinesswaswi thsomeoneel se.
..
thensobeit
becauset hatmeansyourpur poseinmyl if
ehas
beenf or
fi
lled"hesayswithabr eaki
ngvoice.

Ichuckl
edt
hroughoutmytear
s"atleastyoul
ist
en
tosomethi
ngsIusedtotel
lyou"Isayfini
shi
ngmy
food.
"WhatcanIdoEnt l
e?t
omakeyouhappyagai n?
do
youwantmet ocalloft
heengagement?justsaythe
wordandI '
l
ldoitpl
ease,
Ineedyou"hepleadswhi l
e
comingcloser
.Thisguymusthavelosthismar bl
es.
"Youwantt omakehappy? behappyli
keyou'vebeen
forthepastyearwithyourfi
ance,
theonlyperson
thatneedsyoui smyson...
now,mustImakeyoua
sandwi ch?Helooksatmel i
keI'
vegrown2heads
"yesplease,Iki
ndamissedyoursandwiches"he
sayssmi li
ng

Istartt
akingoutt heingredientswhileshakingmy
headbecauseIcanf eelhiseyespiercingthrough
myski n."Haveit ol
dyouhowbeaut i
fulandsexy
you'vebecome? Imeanyeayoubeaut i
fulandsexy
natural
lybutnow? l
ooksl i
keroyaltytr
eat edyou
good...
yourskinl ookswow. ..
didmysondoal lof
thi
s?Heaskscl earlyproudofhi mself.
"Unfort
unatelyno. .
.duri
ngmypr egnancyihadal ot
ofacneandmyeczemacameback, IlookedlikeI
wascar ryi
ngt wins,i
twasj ustanuglyf atbigmess"
Ireplyasicutof fthecrustfrom hisbr eedli
keIdid
i
nthepast
.

"Ifi
ndt hathar dt
obelievemakaAjay..
.butI
'dl
iketo
witnesst hatagainthough"hesaysreachingf
orhi s
breadandIgavehi mt helook."
OkokIwas
kidding..
.not"hewishpers"Ishakemyheadwhi le
cleaningup,readytogot obed.Asicomeoutf r
om
behindt heislandhefreezes"wo-wow"hesoftly
saysl ookingatmybody" nanayou-haveyoubeen
wor kingout?"Hecont i
nueslooki
ngatmybody.

"YesIhave,Ineedt olookgoodwhenAj ayget sa

stepdaddy"Isaywhi l
et i
ghteningmysi lkni ghtrobe.
Icanseehi sfacialexpressionschanging" younot
goingtogetmysonadamnst epdadwhi l
ei m ali
ve
Entle,
andmar kmywor ds,youwi l
lbemi neagai n"he
saysasheheadsupst air
s.Thisguyi smad, Ineed
toleavebeforehef orgetsthathe'sonal ay-bye,
sooni minmyr oom andbyt hegraceofGodt hisl
il
guyi sst
il
lasleep.Iplacethebot tl
einhi smout h
andhesucksoni tl
ikehe'sbeenst ar
ving.Ij us
chuckl
eandl
etsl
eepover
takemybody.

Thenextmor ningiwakeupt ofingerstouchingmy

noseandlips,
itcanonlybet hel i
ttl
eguy.Iopenmy
eyesandtherehei slooki
ngatmewi t
hhislong
l
ashesandhi sf at
her'
seyes.Iful l
yopenmyeyes
andit'
sli
keijustbroughtoutmybr eastf
orhim, and
hestart
shisdaywi t
hbeingbor ingbycl i
mbing
ontopofme." Mommyi ssti
llti
redbaby"Isay, even
thohecan'tunderstandmeyet* sigh*
"
Wantsomet hi
ngtoeat?
"Iaskhi
m andhemakes
t
hatsoundwi t
hhismouthwhensomeonetastes
f
ood,whil
ehepointsatt
hedoor,Il
augh"Oklet
mommyf reshenupfi
rst
"bef
oreIgototheensuiti
l
ethi
m watchcocoonmyphone.

Aftertaki
ngashowerigotdr essedinmybl uef
aded
j
eansandmybl acklongsleevedtuckedint
omy
j
eans, Isearchthroughmyshoesandf i
ndmyankl e
blackvelvetboots..
Iseemynudet r
enchroat
"perf
ect"Isaytomysel f
,butnotyetasIfeelmy
empt yneckandear s"jel
wery"Isay,Ilovejelwery.I
whipoutmyonej el
wer yboxwi thmyf avouri
te
j
elwer yandIseemysapphi recol l
ectionont hef ar
ri
ghtsi de,Icarefull
ypickupt heneckl ace,i
t'
sroyal
blue.Istartputti
ngont heearingswhi char esmal l
bluesapphi rediamonds, wit
ht heneckl acemyout f
it
i
snowcompl et
e.Ibr ushedmyhai rt ot hebackand
madeal ineinthemi ddlewhil
emaki ngaponyt ailat
theback.Myki dgavemehai rduri
ngpr egnancy
thankGodf orthat.

Istartdressi
ngupmysonbef orehecries.Idress
himint ohisbl
ackpoloneckjerseyandbl ackchino
pants,Ifi
nishi
tof
fwithhisbl
uet igershoesand
bluecoatandabl ackbeani
e.
Befor
eheadi
ngoutIpuf fsomecol ogneonme
whichmyauntgif
tedmewi t
h,Ist
il
lcan'tpr
onounce
thenameofthecolognebutitsmel l
sli
keheaven.

AsIwal
kdownst
air
siseeeveryonei
sal
ready
havi
ngbr
eakf
ast
.Thei
rat
tenti
onisonus,
Igreet
them andtakemyseatatt
het
able.Iseethef
iance
i
sheret ooasshegi
vesmeatightsmileandIgive
heragenuineone.
"Owbabyyoul ookbeaut
if
ul"saysMa,It
hankher
whiledishingoutsomebreakfastf
ormyselfand
somepor kstr
ipsandbaconformyson." Youst
il
l
haven'tanswer edmyquest
ioniaskedyoulast
night"saystheaunt
"Morni
ngtoyoutooaunt
,ohisleptwonder
fulhow
aboutyou?
whyismyoccupationsoimportantto
you?Isay
Shecl i
ckshertongue"sothatIcanseei fyou
actual l
yhavemoneyorar eyouher etoeatmy
sistersmoneywi ththi
schi l
dofyour s"ilaugh
becauseshe' sindir
ectl
yaskingifI'm agol ddi
gger
"wel launti
m ahighlyrecommended
psychol ogi
st,
I'
mi npartner
shipwi t
hsomeonei na
dinerandIj ustopenedmyownr estaurantafew
mont hsagoofwhi chistart
edfrom scr at
ch,i
t'
s
doinggoodsi ncemanypeopl ehavet astedmyf ood
throught hediner,
Ial
sohaveal it
t l
ejelwerystor
eof
whi chimakemyownj elwery,
myaunthel pedme
wit
ht hatwhenIarr
ivedinBelgi
um.BeforeIl
eftI
fi
nisedmydegr eei
npsychologyil
earnttheropes
aboutthebusi
nessindustr
ywhenIar r
ivedin
Belgium.Anyt
hingelse?
"Ifi
nall
ysayandIseeSi ya
shocked,t
hefi
anceangryaswellastheaunt.

Noonesai danythingafter
wardsaswealldigin.
Sil
encewasi nt
erruptedbymyphoner i
nging,Il
ook
atMaf orconfi
rmat i
on,shenoddesasianswermy
phone"MsKhozaspeaki nghowmayIhel pyou?".
"Dr.Khozasorryforcall
ingsoear lybutthisis
urgent,
yourpati
entinBel gi
um isgoingcr azy,she
sayssheonl ywant stospeakwi t
hyouandal so
someoner ecommendyourf oodt oahi ghlytrained
chefhereinSA,Hewant syout oopenanot her
branchtherebuthewant si
nont her estaurant"by
nowi m al
readyrubbingmyt empl es"there'salso
thi
scoupl efr
om SAwho' sabouttogetmar ri
ed,they
wantt omeetwithyoubecuaset hefiancewant s
yout odesignherjelwer
y"myPAcont i
nues.
"Okoktellmypat i
entt
obookaf l
ightdownt oSA
becauseIalreadygott
ransf
err
edyouknowi t,t
ell
thatChefI'
l
lgetbacktohim whenmysceduali s
clear
edandsendmet hecoupl
escont actdetai
ls"I
saybeforeendingthecal
l.
"
Looksl
ikeyoualr
eadyupandr
unni
ng"saysSi
ya
"
wil
lyouleaveAj
ay?"
"No,
I
'mjustwai
ti
ngf orJasont
ofi
nishupsoIcan
gohome"Iemphasisehisnamebecausehe'
sbeen
l
ostinhi
sthought
sthewhol et
ime.

Mawasnothappyaboutusl eavi
ngbutImadeher
underst
andt hatIgotpl
entyofwor ktodo.Ayanda
ontheot herhandseemedhappy,sohappyt hatshe
evenhelpedusl oadourl
uggagei nthecar.Whil
e
gett
ingintothecarical
lmyPAt oaskifeveryt
hing
onit'
splaceatmyhouse, shecomf i
rmsthatitI
s.
Jasonhasbeenl
ooki
ngatmet
hroughoutt
heent
ir
e
ri
de,
wonderwhat
'swr
ong.
[
Apol
ogi
esf
ort
hel
atei
nser
t ]
[
5]
Jason

OhGod, ican'
tstopl ooki
ngatMsKhoza.Idi dn'
t
knowshel ookst hisradi
ant,Ihavet
ost oplooki
ngat
herotherwiseImi ghtcreateanaccident.But
knowingImi ghtlosemyj obifimakeamoveonher
i
sat urndown, evenifidoshootmyshot ,t
here'
s
competiti
onlikeMr Jamaandt otopitoffhe'
sher
babydaddy.

Butthenagainhe'sengagedt obemar r
ied.(Stopit
Jason)Isayt omysel f.Wear r
iveatthis
neighborhood,t
hehousesar ebreathtaking,
nottoo
bignottoosmal lbutthere'snopeopleout si
de.
Wher eicomef r
om t here'
speopleout si
de24/ 7,
theyknowaboutyourl if
emor ethanyouyour selfdo.
Onedayiwantmyf amil
ytolivehere.Thatremi nds
meihavet ogotot heshopst oday,
IhopeMsKhoza
all
owsmet ouset hecar .
Weent ert
hehousewhil
eim carr
yingli
tt
leAj
ay.
Thishouse..
.wow,wedoatouraroundthehouse
andluckil
ywestumbleuponAjaysroom andIwas
tol
dtolayhim down.

"Jason"MsKhozacal lsme.Iquicklyattendher
,can
thiswomenbeanymor ebeauti
ful
."Weneedt o
discusssomet hing"shesaysser i
ous.Lordihope
shewon' tfi
reme" Iwashopi ngifyouwantt owork
formeonadi alybasis,
Ili
kebeingindependentbutI
feell
ikeyou'l
lbeagr eatassettome, Icandouble
yourpayi ft
hatokwi thyou?"Shesays

Ilookatherwant i
ngtocry,
Lordyouareindeeda
mi r
acleworker."
ThatwouldbewonderfulMs
Khoza,it
'l
lact
uall
ybemyhonor "Ihopemeaski ngt
o
l
endt hecarwon'tlookl
ikeI'
mt aki
ngadvantageof
thesit
uation.
"Awesome"shesays" I'
lldrawupacont ractsince
thi
swi llbeaper manentjob"Shecont inues."Ms
Khoza? "Ihesitantl
ycallout"Ihopet hisisnotgoing
tolookl i
keI'mt aki
ngadvant ageoft hesituat
ionbut
Iwant edtoaskyout hismor ni
ngi ficanlendt he
car,
Ipr omiseIwon' tdamagei t,
I
t'sjustthemoney
yougavemel astnightkindasolvedmypr oblemsat
homeandI 'vebeenmeani ngtobuyst uffformy
family,
Ijustneedt olendt hecar"Irambl esh*t.

"Heyit
'sokIunderst
and,
I'
lldeposi
tafewhundreds
forpet
rolOk?It
'sokyoucango, meandmysonar e
savenow"shesays,Iwanttokisshersobadri
ght
now.

"ThankyousomuchMsKhoza,
goodbye"nowican
breat
h.

Istartof
fatMrpri
cehome,Weneedalotofbeddi
ng
andwi nt
erwil
lcomesoon.Ibuyal
lthebrewer
y
stuffwhenIseeapinkt
eddybear,
Mylit
tl
esist
er
wil
lador
ethissi
ncesheonl
yget
stopl
aywi
thdol
ls
att
hecreche.
Notf
orget
ti
ngut
ensi
ls,
plat
esandext
racups.

Itakethestufftothecar,assoonasIcloset
heboot
ihearaf amil
iarvoicebehindme" JasonDe
Vill
ier
s?"Ifr
eeze"Iwonderwho' scaryoustol
e,j
yis
lankalńskelm"(you'vebeenathiefforal
ongti
me)
It
urnaround"hiJazl
in,noit
'sthecarIuseat
work,
ekhetniksom virjoutesênieassebli
eflos
myuit"
(Ihavenothi
ngt osaytoyoupl easeleave
mealone)Isayheadingt oPnPayforthegroceri
es

"OhJason,youst illnotmanenoughisee,always
runni
ngaway, youcan' tdef
endyoursel
fsti
ll
,Ihope
youcankeept hissi dehustl
eofyours,
maybeIcan
evenconsidert akingyoubackasmyboyf r
iend,ali
s
jyńslapgat(event houghyou'readeadbeat)she
sayswhilelaughi ng.
"
Real
lyJazl
in?
aft
erever
ythi
ngyoudi
dtome?
Iloved
you,caredf oryou, whenyoudemandedmoneyeven
thoughIdi dn'thaveany,I'
dmakeapl anButyou- you
areevi l
,youbeatmeupbecauseIcan' tprovidefor
you,youki ckedmeouti nthecol d,
yousetyourdog
onme, notfor get
ti
ngyouspar kedupyourcousi ns
tobeatmeupf orwhateverreason,j
yi smalenek
soekj ouni e,asjymysalver skoon..
.ekmoet
i
nkoppi esdoenvi rmyf amili
e"(youarecraxyandI
don'twantYou, nowifyou'dexcuseme. .
.Ineedto
dosomegr oceryshoppingformyf ami l
y)Itellher
beforel eavingherst r
andedt here

Jazli
nreall
yhasal oosecrewi nherhead.Iwanted
todobet t
ersot hatshecant akemebackbutnot
anymore,shet hinksshe'sthenextbigthi
ngafter
blowjob.Alltheguysi nourneighbourhoodwants
herbutshedat edme, Iwasreall
yhappybutshe
didn'
thidethef actthatI
'm usel
esseveryday,
she
cangot ohellforallIcare.

Af
terIwasdonewi
thal
ltheshoppi
ngiheadhome,
Idriveintomynei ghbour hoodandGodIhopet he
gravelr oaddoesn'tdamageMsKhoza' scar.
Ever yoneislooki
ngatt hewhi t
erangerover,
some
evencameoutoft heirhousesbecauseijust
stoppedi nfr
ontofmyhouseandst ar
tedtaki
ngthe
grocer i
esintothehouse.

Mysi bli
ngsr antowardsme, Icanseethei rgums
even,that'
showhappyt heywere.It
ellthem tobri
ng
therestoft hest uf
f.Asienteriseemymom
dri
nkingt ea( it
'ssohottoday)"Mammi e,ekhet
goeienuus" (
Ihavegoodnews)Iexci ti
ngl ytel
lher,
shelooksatmewai t
ingforananswer" Ekhetń
permanent eposisiegekry,
endiebetal
ingi sgreat
"(
I
securedaper manentposit
ion,
andthepaymenti s
great)Itellher.

Icanseeshewantstocry,
shejumpedfrom her
seatandgavemeahug" Ekhetjougesê,
dieHere
voorsi
enalt
yd,
j
ymoetnetgeduldigweesmyseun" (i
tol
dYou,Godwil
lpr
ovide,
Youjustneedtobepatient
myson)shesayssmil
ing."
Wieookalj
oubaasi
s,i
s
regt
igńGodgest
uur"
(Whoeveri
syouboss,
real
lyi
s
Godsent)
.

Allofasuddengunshot swentoff,
Mymot herstat
ed
screami ngbecauset heshotsweredi r
ectedt oour
house,shewentundert hetableasiquicklyran
outsidet ocheckonmysi bli
ngs.Myhear tis
pumpi ngoutofmychest ,
astomyar ri
valoutsidei
seetheci tigolfdri
vingof fAndiseeJazl i
nleaning
outoft hewi ndow.Il ookaroundandIseemy2
oldersiblingsholdi
ngmyyoungersi bl
ing,
Ifreeze
whenIseebl oodever ywhere.

Thisisnothappening,
"BOETA! !
"(
BROTHER)my
si
blingsshoutatme,Irantothem asiquicklytake
mysi st
ertothecar.Mymom comesoutcr yi
ng
hysteri
call
y"MykindJasonmaakvi nnig
assebli
ef,
MYKI ND!Ekkom saam" (MychildJason
hurryupplease,
MYCHI LD,
I
'm comingwithyou)
she'
sal r
eadyopeningthebackdoorwher emy
si
steris."
Blybytanni
emavist
otonster
ug
kom"(staywit
hauntmavisunt
ilwecomeback)It
ell
myot hersi
ster
s.Theynodwhil
ecryi
ng.

Asweenterthepubl
ichospit
althesecuri
tyguar
d
st
opup"Siryouhavetofi
lloutaformfir
st"
"Don'tt
ellmebullsh*tcan'
tyouseemysi st
eris
dying?callt
hedoct o-
"Icouldn'
tfi
nishbecauseI
sawdoct orsrunningtowardsus" weneedtotake
herinrightnow"sayst hemal edoctor
.
Thefemaledoctorst
aysbehi
ndandhel
puswi
th
thepaperwork.

Ideci
dedt ogetmeandmymot hersomethi
ngto
dri
nkfrom thevendi
ngmachines.Ideci
dedtocal
l
myboss, Ihopeshe'
snotbusy.
>Cont
inuat
ion<

Mi
nent
le
I'
m busymaki ngdinnerwhi
leAjayisinf
rontoft
he
tv,
sincethekitcheni
sanopenpl anicanseehim
whi l
eim busy.Asitakeasi
pfrom myr edwinea
callcomest hr
ough,Iseei
t'
sJasonasianswer .
"JasonH-"Icouldn'tf
ini
shgr eeti
ngbecauseal lofa
suddenhest ar
tsrambl i
ng" MskhozahiIdi dn't
knowwhot ocall
,I
'
m sor r
yi fI
'm di
stur
bingyoubutI
real
lyneedtoinform yout hatmy-"icuthi
m off
"woahslowdownJason, justcalm downandt ellme
whatswr ong,
breathefir
st"

Ihearhim br
eatheinandout"myapol
ogiesMs
Khoza,I
..
.my..
mysi st
erwasshotandwerecurr
entl
y
at***
****Hospit
al,
itl
ooksr
eal
lybadMs".Igasped
asiholdmymout h.

"OhmygoodnessJasonI m sosorry,
youknow
what,
I'
llbetherei
naf ew..
.j
usholdonok? "BynowI
almostfeell
ikecr
yingcausehet ooiscryi
ngnow,I
l
eaveever yt
hingj
ustlikei
twas,IpickupAjayand
r
usht
othegar
age.

Onmywayt
othehospi
talisayashor
tpr
ayer
.

AsAjayandmeent erthehospit
alispotJasonand
anelder
lywomansitti
ngont hesteelbenches.
Jesusdoesn'
tthi
shospitalgi
vepeopleamor e
uncomfort
abl
eplacetositon?

Jasonseesmeandqui ckl
ystandupwhippinghis
pal
msbef orewant
ingtogreetme."
Don'tbesil
ly
Jason,comeher
e"Isayasigrabhim bef
ore
hugginghim.
"Ican'
timaginewhatyougoi ngthrough"isay
beforebreakingthehugandshiftmyf ocustothe
womanwho' slookingatus."
I'
m sorryMa,where'
s
mymanner s,I'
m Minent
leKhoza..
.Jason'
sboss"I
sayasiext endmyhandt oher
.

I
nst
eadofgi
vingmeahandshakeshepul
lsmei
n
forahug." Thelordwil
lbl
essyouabundantlymy
chil
d,notmostbossesdowhatyoudo. ..
andwhat
youdi dforJason,t
hankyousomuchi tmeansal-"
shecoul dn'
tfini
shbecausethedoct
orarri
ved,"
de
vil
li
ersfami l
y?"Hecall
edoutandJasonshouted
yes.

"I
tdoesnotl ookgoodMrandMr sdeVil
li
erswe-
"
Mr sdevi l
li
ersbrokedowncr yi
ng"Neenee,ni
emy
babani eHer eassebli
ef"
(Nono,notmybabyGod
please).IseeJasont ryi
ngtobestrongf
orhis
mot herbuthe'sfail
ingtodoso.

"Dr
,i
sther
eanyt
hingel
set
hatyoucandof
orher
?"I
ask
"Onthecontraryther
eis,butwedon'thavet her i
ght
doctorstodoso,asyoucanseeMs, thisisapubl i
c
hospit
al,
andthedevi l
li
ersfamilycan'taff
ordt he
surgerythei
rli
tt
legir
lneeds,youseewemanagedt o
ext
ractthebull
etsfrom herbody,butonehi ther
behindherneck,wherehermedul l
aobl ungatais
l
ocatedwhichconnect
sherheadtoherbody,andif
wegof or
wardwiththi
ssur
geryshemightdie"the
doct
orexplai
ns.

"Wecankeepherover ni
ght,
butifbyt omorr
owthe
famil
yhasnosoluti
ont henthewe'llhavetoswit
ch
offt
hemachinesbecauseshe'sj ustavegetabl
eat
themoment"thedoctorfurt
hersaysbef or
ehegets
buzzedagai
n.
[
6]

Whent hedoct orlef

tever
yonewasl ostit
heirown
thoughts,unt
ilirecei
vedacallfr
om mymom, oh
Godshe' sgoi
ngt okillmest
raight,
Ihesit
atebefor
e
answering.
"Bi
rt
hgiver,
l
oveofmyl
if
e,myperson,
howare
You,youknowiwasj
ustaboutt
ocallyou"
isof
t
soapher.

"
Youngl
adydon'
tyoudar
e,I
'
vebeenwor
ri
edsi
ck
aboutyou.Ihadt ohearfrom yourauntt
hatyou'r
e
backi nSAandal soyourexmot herinl
aw..
.notto
forgetthatyouhaveason?Awhol esonMinentle
andI ?me?Bever l
y?knownothingabout
anything?!
...
Doyouknowhowt hatmakesme
l
ook? l
ikeIdon' tcar
eaboutmychi ld,
somucht hat
mychi lddidn'tevenbothert
elli
ngmest uf
f"she
start
ssni f
fi
ng

Nowif eelbad,thi
siswhyIdon' ttel
lmymot her
anythi
ngper sonal,
she'salwayswor r
iedaboutwhat
peoplewillthi
nkofherl i
kethisain'tevenabouther .
Mymom i snotabadmom, shedi deverythingtoget
met hroughschool,shedidn'thaveany
quali
fi
cationsbutassoonasIst art
edhi ghschool
shegotaj obasacl eanerwhi lestudyingt o
completehergr ade8-12,j
ustsoshecangetar eal
j
ob.Butwheni tcomest oper sonalstuff
,Icoul d
nevercommuni cat
ewi thher.

Shewasn'
tthet
ypet
hatwoul
dsi
tdownandt
alkt
o
meaboutperiods/
sex/boysbecauseaccordi
ngto
herIshoul
dlearnever
ythi
ngatschool.Shewas
real
lyst
ri
ctwhenitcamet omysocialli
fe,
hencei
tol
dherwhatneededtobet ol
d.

"
Im sor
rymom,
Iwasgoi
ngt
ocomedownt
o
knysnaandt el
lyouever yt
hing,
Ipromise,i
t'
sjust
everyt
hingissti
llhect
ichere..
.canIcallyouback
tomorrow?I
'm abitoccupiedatt hemoment "Isay
whil
er ubbi
ngmyt emples.

"MmhhokYoubet tercal
lme,byeiloveyou"she
saysbef
oreendingthecall
.Il
ookatmyphone, "di
d
mymom j ussayshelovesme? "Iasktomyself
.

That'
sanot herthi
ng,inourhousehol
dnoonesays
theLwor d,
noonegr eet
s,noonegivesnoone
hugs,orasimpl e*I'
m proudofyou*whenIobtained
allt
hosecer ti
fi
cates,
whenIpassedmymat ri
cmy
mom l i
ter
allycongratul
atedmeoverat ext
,adamn
t
ext
..
.soshet
ell
ingmeshel
ovesmevi
rbal
yiswei
rd.

Nowbackt otheissueathand,Jasonhascl
imbed
i
ntomyhear ti
nashor tper
iodoft i
meandhel ooks
l
ikehereall
ycaresabouthisfamilyandI
'm goingt
o
helpt
hem.Eveni fi
tmeanssigningmysoulovert o
thedevi
l.

Imakeaqui ckcall
,i
tr i
ngsaf ewtimes"En.
..
Entl
e
*yawn*youcan'tcallthi
slate,
thi
sisnotSA,whatdo
youwant".Mikeisforeverrude.
"Ineedaf avourf r
om you, Ineedt otransf
eral i
tt
le
girltothebestdoct orstherei s,
shegotshotandone
bulletpiercedthroughherneckhi tt
inghermedul la
oblungat a,I
'dtr
ansf erhert oapr i
vatehospitalhere
i
nSA, onet hatcanhel pher ..
.butIwanthert ofull
y
heal ,
nocompl i
cationsorsur ger i
esaf t
er
sur geri
es...
nothingpar alyzedorbr aindamage, I
woul dn'taskifitwasr eall
ynecessar y"It
ellhim
Ihearshuf f
leint
hebackgr
oundashegr oans
frustr
ati
ngly"whydon'
tyoudoi t
?Youwereal
ways
wi t
husdur i
ngsuchoperat
ions,
plusyoupl
ayedon
thestimulator
"Mikesayst
ired.
"
Exact
ly*
playedon*Idon'
tdoi
t,
pleaseMi
ke"Ibeg
"
Fine"hesaysaf
ter30seconds,
Ibr
eat
heoutof
r
eli
eve.
"Gi
vemeherdet
ail
sI'
llgett
het
ranspor
tand
ever
ythi
ngel
ser
eady"hesays
"Thankyou,asIhear dhernameisLi
ll
yde
Vil
li
ers,
she'
s4year sol dat*
***
***
Hospit
aland
underanest
hesia,shehas24hoursunti
ltheyswi
tch
offthemachines"Itellhi
m whi
lel
ooki
ngatjason
andhismother.

"
OksinceIt
sclear
lydayti
mether
eshouldsheget
t
ranspor
tedlat
ert
onightort
omorrow?
"Heask.
"
I'
llcal
lyoubacki
nafewhour
s,Ineedt
oconf
ir
mit
f
ir
st"isayandcutt
hecal
l.
Ihopet
heywon'
tbemadatme,
I
'm onl
ytr
yingt
o
hel
pthem.

IturnandIseeJasoni salonewithAjaysl
eepingon
hi
sl ap,I'
m guessinghi
smom wentt oseeLill
y.Isit
nexttohim, noonesaysawor d"Iwannahelp"i
fi
nallysay.Helooksatme" Ican'
tacceptt
hatMs
Khoza,you'vealr
eadydonesomuchf ormein2
days,I'
l
lfi
ndawayt ogett
hemoney"hesayswi th
paininhisvoice.

"PleaseJason,Ialreadycalledafamilyfri
endin
Belgium togetever ythi
ngreadyforher,Iwantedto
takehert oahospi talherei
nSAt hatwasgoi ngto
helpher..butIdecidedagainstitbecauseIwant
yoursistertofullyrecover.
..
nobraindamagenor
herbeingpar alyzedandt hepeopleIknowoncedi d
thissurgeryandi twasasuccess, Iwit
nessedi t
mysel f
"

Aft
erafewmi nut
eshefi
nal
lyagr
ees."Doyouwant
hertobet
ransport
edl
atert
oni
ghtortomorr
ow?"I
ask
"Assoonaspossible"saysMrsdevi
ll
iersbehi
nd
us,
looksl
ikeIwon'tbeneedi
ngtoconvinceher.
"
IwantmybabytorecoverandIwantj
ust
icef
orher
t
oo"shesaysget
ti
ngangry.
"
Just
ice?"Iask?It
houghtitwasashoot
outandshe
wascaughtinthecrossf
ir
e
"Mom pl
ease,I
'
lldealwit
hJaz-","
youwillnotdeal
wit
hher,
shemustgobehi ndbars,
withhercousins
aswell
..
they'
vegont oofarthi
stime"hi
smot her
cut
shim off

"MrsKhoza, itseemsasi fJasondi dn'tinform you

butIwi l
l,
ther easonwhyhi sli
tt
lesisterislyingthere
l
ifelessisbecauseofhi sexgi rl
fri
end,shecoul dn't
stomacht hef actthathemovedonandhe' snow
doingbetterwi thouther,thestuntshepul l
edin
townf el
tlikeanembar rassmentt ohersoshe
gatheredhergangst ercousinstohur t
him,unfortunatelytheyhithislit
tl
esister
i
nstead,henceiwantj ustice"shefinall
ysays
Thiswhol etimeJasonwasn' tevenlooki
ngup, he
waspl ayi
ngwi thAjayshai
r.Theguil
tinhisface
can'tbemi ssed."Thankyouf orcl
eari
ngthingsout
Mr sdevill
iers,howboutweal lsl
eepatmyhouse
forthenightt hentomorroweveryonecansaybye
tolil
ly?
"Isayt aki
ngmybaby.

"Thatwouldbewonder
fulMsKhozabutIhave2
mor edaught
erswho'
swait
ingforusatmy
neighbor
shouse"Mrsdevil
li
erssays.
"
That'sok,wecangof etcht
hem,Jasonyoucame
withthecarneh?"Henoddes"That'
ssort
ed,
meand
Ajaywilldr
ivebehindyouguys"Isayasist
andup
readytoleave.

Ist
rapAjayi
ntohischairbefor
egoing,
si
ncewejust
cameoutofahospitalit
akeouthishaarl
emensi
s
andmakeacr ossonhisforehead.Si
ncemysist
er
gotababybeforememymom t aughtmeallt
he
babythi
ngsIknowtoday.
OntheroadAj
aywakesupcrying,
Ididn'tbr
inghim
somethi
ngtoeat
,howstupi
d,hedoesn'twanthis
bot
tl
e.Imakeacallt
oJasonandaskhi mi fwecan
makeastopatagaragesoIcanbuyAj ay
somethi
ngtoeat
,heagr
ees.Westopatshel lgar
age
andbynowim al
socryi
ngwithmybaby.
It
akehim assoonasigetout
..
.andspr
intwi
thhi
m
i
nsidet
hestore.
Igotowhatl
ooksl
ikeami
nideliandIbuyhim
somefri
esandal
sosomepies,
drinksandcof
feet
o
gotoo.
AsI
'm wai
ti
ngf
orsomebi
lt
ongil
ethi
m eathi
sfr
ies
sol
ong.

Ipayandgoout
,Iwal
kupt
oJason'
scarandhel
ets
thewi
ndowgodown.
"Iboughtyouguyssomethi
ngtoeatanddri
nktoo,
I
didn'
tknowifyouwantedhotorcol
dsoIbought
both,
Iboughtext
rafort
hegirl
sathometoo"Isay
asihandi
ttohi
m.
"Eksoekńsulkeskoondogt
erJason"
(iwanta
daughteri
nlawli
keherJason)hi
smom sayswhi
le
taki
ngthefood.

Iheadbackasihearthem ar
gui
nginthei
r
l
anguage,Iwonderwhatdi
dshesaytomakehi
m
upsetl
ikethat
.

Iseemybabyateal
lhi
sfri
es,
hemust
'vebeenr
eal
ly
hungr
y.ThankGodhe'
snowquiet
.

Iti
squitari
deItellmysel
f.Wesoonenteragr
avel
roadandstopinfr
ontofacosyli
tt
lehome.Thi
s
remindsmeofmyhouseback
home,nei
ghbourhoodincl
uded.
Jasonandhi
smotherexi
tthecarandl
atercomes
backwit
h2li
tt
legi
rl
s.
Ideci
dedt
ogooutaswel
lforsomeai
r.
IseeJason,hi
smom andt he2gi r
lsgoi
ngi nt
othe
housenextdoor,
Ithi
nkit'
stheir
s.Soont heycome
outwit
hplasti
cbags.Jasonwasst il
lcl
osingthe
gatewhenthisbeaut
ifulgi
rlapproachedhim.

[
Jason]
Thi
shasbeenalongandheartbr
eaki
ngdayisayto
mysel
fasicl
osethegat
e.Itur
nandJazlini
s
i
nfr
ontofme,
Itr
ygoingaroundherbutshebooks
me.
"WhatdoyouwantJazli
n?haven'tyoudoneenough
damage?Ihopeyou'r
ehappynow, stayt
hehellaway
fr
om meorI'l
lcal
lthecopsforyou"Isternl
ytel
lher
"Kom aanJason( ComeonJason)Idi dn'
tmeant
o
hurtyoursister,
Iwasjustmadt hatyouoverme,
you
dri
vingfancycar sand-"shedidn'
tfi
nishher
sentencebecauseshesawMsKhozast andi
ngwi
th
mymom, helpingheruploadthebags.
"OhhIsee,
jyhetńnuwet eef
(Youhaveanewb*t
ch),
I'
llbr
eakyouevenmore,watchme"shesays
headingt
othecars,
str
aighttoMsKhoza.Ir
unaft
er
hercauseshemightgetmef ir
ed.

MsKhozat ur
nsaroundMakingJazl
instop,"
Jason
areyoudone?i
t'
sgett
inglat
eandAjayneedstoget
tobed"shesayswhil
elooki
ngatJazl
in"Youmust
beJazli
n"MsKhozasays,withaf
aceIcan'tr
ead.

"Andyoumustbet henewbi -
imeangi r
lf
ri
end,I'
ma
l
itt
ledisappointed,
Ididn'tknowJasonwasi ntof at
peoplenorbl ackpeoplel etalonepeoplewithf ake
hair
...
butImustsayyouar epr et
ty.
..
wayoutofhi s
l
eague.Doyouknowhedoesn' thaveunder
wear ?He
hasonewhi chneedst obewashedonadai ly.
.he
doesn'tevenhavedeodor anttocleanhimself.
..he
couldn'tevenlookaf t
eraf termewhenwedat ed..he-
"bynowI '
m embar rassedt ot hecore,
Ican'
teven
l
ookatMskhoza.
"Okthat '
senough, fi
rstofoilbabygirl
,I
'mt hi
cknot
fat,
it
'sasi gnthatIeatandIeatgood, secondofal l
all
at hi
si snatutal
...
sowhati fI'
m outofhi s
league? Heain'toutofmi ne,whoneedsunder wear
ifyoucanwal karoundnakedal ldayathome? t
he
onlydeodor antsheneedsi sthiscoochieandhoney
youj ustweren'tforhim..Nowgohomeandst op
botheringotherpeopl esmen"bynowI '
m
shocked, mymout hisevendr y.
..bef
oreIcouldbl i
nk
ifeelMsKhoza' sli
psonmi ne.

"Jasonl
et'
sgopl
ease"shesaysassheheadst
oher
car.
[
7]

Mi
nent
le

"OhmyGod, whatdidIjustDo?"Iaskmyselfas
soonasIgetintothecar."Ohentl
eyou
stupi
d,st
upi
d,st
upid.
..
yourhisbossforcr
yingout
l
oud"
.

Il
ooktomyl ef
tandAj
ayisl
ooki
ngatmeli
keim
cr
azybecausemyheadisonthest
eer
ingwheel.

Ist
artmycaranddr
iveoutfi
rst
.It
'sget
ti
ngpr
ett
y
dar
koutsi
debutwe'
renearl
yhome.

We'r
efi
nall
yhomeandmybabyisfastasl
eep.
ThankGod,
Ithi
nkt
omysel
fasigetoutofthecar
andunst
rapmyboy.

Idon'
twanttolookatJasonrightnowsoIunlock
andheadstr
aightin.Ihearl
it
tl
egaspsfr
om the
si
ster
sastheyenterthehouse.

"I
'
llberightback"It
ellt
hem asigolayAj
aydownin
hisroom.Icomebackt otheloungeandtheyar
e
sti
llst
anding,
thixowam."Whydidn'
tyouguysmake
yoursel
vesathome? "IAskthem."MsKhozait
ri
ed
l
etti
ngthem si
tbutthey..
.t
heyfel
tthatt
heymi
ght
stai
nyourcouches"Jasonslowlysays.

Ifeelmyheartbr
eaking."
Okifi
twil
lmakeyouguys
feelbett
erHowboutiprepar
eyouguysabath,
give
yousomeofmycl ot
hestowear,
wouldt
hatbe
better
?"Iask.
Thet
wosi
ster
sbot
hnoddes.
"Okgoodeveryonefol
lowme, Imightnothaveabi
g
housebutthere'
sbedsforeveryone,
I'
m guessi
ng
thesi
ster
swi l
lwanttosleepi
noner oom,maand
Jasonwil
lgetseparat
erooms. .
.i
sthatok?"
"Sist
ers,
Ineedtolearnyournames. ..Youguyscan
taketheroom nexttot hebathr
oom"Isayasiopen
thebedroom doorandcl oseitagainwhi l
eopening
thebathroom door"ri
ght..
thebatht
ubi sbigenough
forbothofyousoI 'l
ljusrunthewat erwhileishow
maandJasont heirrooms,I'
l
lplaceyourclothesin
yourroom"
"Mayourr oom andJason'sroom looksli
keisgoing
tobeacr ossoneanother,
I
'vealreadycheckedand
bothhasi t
'sownbathroom...
Sor el
axandcome
throughwhenyouguysar edonesowecaneat "
beforeIgoMagr absmeandgi vesmeat i
ghthug
"Thankyouent l
e,
noonehaseverdonet hisforus
before"shesaysalmostwant i
ngt ocry
"Mawebecamef amilyt
heminuteJasonst art
ed
worki
ngforme, everythi
ngwil
lbeok..
havef ait
hin
God,f
orLi
ll
y'
ssake. ..bythewaywhat'stheother
two'
snames? "IaskbecauseIr eal
lycan'tkeep
cal
li
ngthem sisters

"Thepeti
teonei smayl
inwhi
letheal
mostchubby
oneismar l
in"shechuckl
es"
Pleasedon'
task,
i
twas
thei
rdad'
sdeci si
on.
"Col
ouredpeopler
eal
lyar
el azywhenitcomesto
namingthi
ngs,mymom isthesame..
inwhatgrade
aret
hey?".
"Bothar
egoi
ngtohi
ghschoolnow"Masayswi
th
proudandt
hiswhol
eti
meJasonwasquiet,
I
t
houghthewentt
ohi
sroom.

"Nowt hateveryt
hingissor
tedletmegetyouguys
somecl othes,
don'tworr
yJasonidohavesome
unisexclothesforyouandI'
m suremypjswil
lfi
t
ma"Isai dwhilelaughi
ng

Igottomyr oom andIsear chforsomet -

shi
rtsfor
thegirl
s,somef r
iendi nBelgi
um gif
tedmewi th
sleepwearlastyearbuti twasalit
tletosmallf
or
me, i
twil
lbeper f
ectf orMsdevi l
li
ers.
..
Jasonisa
diff
erentstory,
Ijusthopethesewi l
lfi
thim.

Iplacethet-
shi
rtsi
nthegirl
sroom,andtherestin
maandJason' sroom bef
oreheadi
ngtot hekit
chen
*shakingmyhead*it'
ssti
llamess.Istar
tcleani
ng
wher eiwasbusy.
Ihavetomakesomet hi
ngqui ckandsomethi
ngthat
wil
lmakeusf ul
l,
Icheckthefr i
dgeandIsee4tubs
oflasagne,
thatwil
lgoperfectwithcreamymashed
pot
atoesandasal
ad.

Ist
artpeel
ingt
hepot
atoeswhi
lethewat erboi
ls.
Whil
ethepotat
oesi
sinthepot
,Iprepar
et hesalad.
Oncethepotatoesaresof
tiputt
helasagnai
nthe
micr
owaveandst artmashi
ngthepotat
oes,
Iadd
somebutterandmi l
k.

Aft
erawhilei
m donewithever
ythi
ng.Idi
dn'tdi
sh
up,
rat
herkeptt
hef oodi
nbigbowlssoeveryone
candi
shoutforthemsel
ves.

Thegir
lsaredonefi
rstAndt
heytookthei
rseatsat
thet
able,
fol
lowedbyMsdevill
ier
s"i
tsmellsdevi
ne
i
nhereEnt l
e,
Ican'
twaitt
odi
gin"shesays
"
Ohno,Ihardl
ydidanythi
ng,
thosear
epr
e-made
l
asagna"Isai
dlaughi
ng

"
Wecan'
trememberwhenwast
hel
astt
imewehad
suchagoodmeal ,
thankyousisentl
e"mar l
insays.
IseeJasonpeeki
nghi sheadoutfr
om behindthe
wall
."OhIwasjustabouttoaskwhereareyou"Itel
l
him"i
severyt
hingok?"Iaskedconcerned

"The..
thecl ot
hes..
they"Iwantedt oaskwhat '
s
wrongwhenhecameoutf rom behi
ndthewal l.
Everyonebur stedoutinlaughterashej ustst
ood
therelookingdowncover inghi spri
vat
epar t
s.I
wanttol aughsobad, thetrackpantsigavehimf i
ts
sotightandt helenghtisli
ket hoseofat hr
ee-quater
.
Thet
ankt
opigavehi
m dearl
ordi
t'
sacr
opt
op.
"I
'
m sosorr
yJason..
Iforgott
hatyoutal
lerthan
me,howaboutIj
ustgiveyoumygown? "Hesmi l
es
"t
hatwoul
dbebetter
"hesaysandwest ar eateach
otherf
orawhil
eunti
lsomeonecl ear
edtheirthr
oat
andthegi
rl
sgiggl
ed*shakingmyhead*.

"Si
tdown,enjoyt
hemeal..
Jasoncangetyouguys
somethi
ngt odri
nkwhil
eifetchoneofmygowns
forhi
m"Isaybef or
eanyonecansayanythi
ng.
Aft
erdi nnerthegirl
saskedi ftheycanwasht he
di
shes,Iwant edtotellthem t
hatthere'
sa
di
shwasherbutt heyseemedsoadamanti nt
o
washingt hedishesIletthem bewhi l
eicheckon
Aj
ay,gladt oseehest il
lhas2mor ebott
lesbecause
hedrinksal otofmil
kdur ingthenight.

Lat
eronideci
dedtocal
lMi
ket
oseei
fthi
ngsar
e
sor
tedf
ortomorr
ow.

Hi
sphoneringsonce"iwaswait
ingf
oryourcal
l
Ms.
.aboutt
helit
tl
egir
lgoingt
oBelgi
um,Idon'
tthi
nk
t
hat'
spossi
bleanymor e-
"
Icuthi
m off"
whoawhatdoyoumeanbyt hat?
the
gir
lwil
ldiei
fshe'snottherebytomorrownight
Mike"thi
sisgoingtobeapr obl
em It
hinkto
myself
,t
hesepeoplearelit
erall
ycount
ingonmet o
bri
ngthei
rdaughterbacktol i
fe.
Whatdoidonow?
.

>>myapol
ogi
esf
ort
helat
einser
t,
abonusonei
s
comi
nguplat
ert
oni
ght
<< enjoy
[
8]

"
Woul
dyoucal
m downwoman?
".
That
'sMikeontheot
hersi
deoft
hephone,
Ithought
Iswi
tcheditof
f.
"Youknowial
waysgotyou,
youknowyouuncleand
auntarei
nvol
vedi
nshadythi
ngsri
ght
?"Heslowly
asks
"
YesMi
keIknow"Isayf
rust
rat
ed
"Wellt
hereasonwhyt heymadeyougotoSAso
earl
ywasbecauset heydidn'
twantt
oputyoui
nany
danger,
sotheyfl
iedtoHungary"
"Whatt
hehel
lMi ke,wher
e'sAndr
àsandEmily?
The
Nemethfami
lyisgi vi
ngmehighbloodpr
essure"I
saywhil
ehol
dingt hebri
dgeofmynose.
"
Yournieceandnephewar eok,
nowit'
seit
heribring
t
helit
tl
egirlheretoBel
gium orIsendherto
Hungary,
she'l
lhavesupervi
sion24/7whereveryou
wanttosendher "mi
kesays
"Okaslongasshe'ssave,t
omorrowwe' l
lcomego
tothehospit
altosaygoodbye,
letyourpeopl
ebeon
standbycauseeverysecondcounts"Isaybef
ore
cutti
ngthecall
.

Nowicanr elax,
Itakemybot t
ledwaterasIheadto
myr oom andbumpi ntosomeone.It'
sJason,"I
'
m
sorr
y"bothofussay, Iwasabouttomovepasthi m
whenhebl ockedme" Entl
eplease,weneedtotalk
aboutwhathappenedear l
ieron,
thekiss"hepl
eads.
Iknewitwasgoncomet ot hi
s
"JasonIwasonl ytr
yingtohelpyousi ncei tl
ooked
l
ikeyouneededhel p,
andpeopl eli
keherneedst obe
putintheirpl
aceandt hat
'swahidi d,
forgetabout
thekiss,
itwaspartoftheact"Isaywhi l
et aki
nghis
handaway.
Thatmademef eelawful,
butthenagainican'
tlet
him getcomfort
ablehere,
I'
m stil
lhi
sboss.Asiwas
gett
ingunderthecoversireceivedanother
call
,
don'tpeopl
esleep?
Icheckwhoi
tis,
unknownnumber
?.
WhatifIanswerandi
t'
sthosepeopl
ewhomyaunt
anduncleranawayfr
om? butt
henagai
nwhati
fit
's
oneofmycl i
ent
s?.

Aft
erafewsecondsofdebati
ngwi thmysel
fI
answer"
ThankGodyouanswer ed,Iwasget
ti
ng
worri
edaboutyou"Goddoesn'
tlovemeshem.
"
WhatdoyouwantSi
ya,
i
t'
slat
e"
"
C'monyoumybabymama,
can'
tical
lyou?
".
"
Exact
lybabymamanotgirl
fr
iend,
youcal
lwhenyou
wannatal
kwit
hAjayordi
scusstheco-
parent
ing"
.
Hesuckedhist
eet
h"Don'
tbeabor
eEnt
le,
Imi
ss
you,
l
et'
stal
kforawhi
le"
.
"Ihadaver yl
ongdaySi yaandIr eal
lycan'
tnur
se
yourfeeli
ngs,
callyourfiance"Isayasicutthecal
l,
wasn'tlongunti
lIfellasleep.

Mor ni
ngcameandIwasupear ly.Ineededt ogo
andcheckoutmyof fi
ceatt helifeGroenkloof
hospit
al.BeforeheadingoutIcl eanupAj ay,
as
sl
eepyashest il
lisim notleavingmybabyher e
al
one.Iplacehi mi nhisbabyseatasIst art
breakf
ast.Ihopet heylovef ood, Iputsomei na
Tupperwaref ormej ustincase.

Iwr
it
eonast
ickynot
ebef
orel
eavi
ng.

AsIgetint
omycarreadytodri
veoutireceiveacal
l
fr
om myPA."Whenareyoucomi ngdownt oSA
gi
rl?
"Iaskbef
oreshesaysanyt
hing.
"Soonboss,
uhm yourcl
ient
,she.
.shecall
edear
li
er
sayingshedon'
tneedyourassistanceanymor
e,
sheandherhusbandaregoodandi t'
sgoi
ngtostay
l
iket
hat
"
Ifeltmysoull
eavi
ngmybody,"Moni
kaHoryat
h!"I
yell"byt
hegraceofGodpl
easedon'
ttel
lmeyoulet
i
tbe"
"Ican'
tfor
cepeopl
etost
aywhi
let
heydon'
tneed
yourhel
panymore"
"OhmyGodMoni ka,
ifyoucheckedherfil
eyou'd
seethatherhusbandisdead,
she'ssuici
dalbecause
herhusbanddied,
youknowweal waysinvest
igat
e
whenoneofourcl i
entswantstopulloutbecause
theydon'
tpullout
"
"Gotoherhouseri
ghtnowandcal
ltheambul
ance"
Iyel
landcutthecal
l.

>>conti
nuati
ontomor
row
morning.
.ndi
dini
we sorryi
t'
ssoshor
t<<
[
9]

Moni
kai
sgoi
ngt
orai
semybl
oodpr
essur
eIt
ell
you.YesIknowshecan'taccessanyfi
lewit
hout
myconsentbecauseallf
il
esareconfi
denti
al,
but
shecould'
veatl
eastl
etmeknowt hesecondshegot
offt
hephonewi t
hmycl i
ent,
she'
sgett
ingsl
oppy
eversi
nceilef
t.

Iarri
vedatthehospi t
alandletmej ustsayIlove
i
t,i
t'
ssoprivateandIl ovepri
vacy.Iheadtothe
foyerandIseeagi rlatthefr
ontdesk,bythecolour
ofherunif
or mI'
m guessi ngshe'
sani nter
n,also
veryyoung,19persay.

"Higoodmorni
ng,I
'm MsKhoza,
I'
m her
etocheck
outmyoffi
cewhichI'
llbeusi
ng"
Shelooksatmewei rdl
y"you'r
eMskhosa?"Typi
cal
ofhertonoteventrytopronouncemysur
name
cor
rectl
y,
it
'sreal
lynotthathard.
"
Yeswhoel
sewoul
dIbe?
"Iask
"
Iimaginedyouol
derandmor
ebl
ack"shesays
whil
elooki
ngatme.Ohnoshedi
dnot
"
Wellhunnyunli
kesomeofus,wehadtoworkout
waytothetop,
wedidn'
thavemommyanddaddy's
moneyandconnecti
onstoplacei
nwhereverwe
wantt
obenowdi dwe?"Isaywithasar
casti
csmil
e
"
Andal sohowbl
ackshouldibeinor
dertobe
'
black'
inyourmi
nd?"Iaskmakingai
rquot
es

"Areyouindi
rect
lyi
mpl
yingt
hati
m ar
aci
st?
"She
askedlooki
ngcrazy
"That'
swhattheyallaskdear,
Idon'thaveal
l
day,mysonisinmycarandIonl yplannedt
ocome
i
nandgoout ,soifyouplease?showmewher emy
offi
cewil
lbe"Isaymaki ngwayf orher.

Shecli
ckshertongueasshef
li
ppedherhairalmost
hi
tt
ingmewi t
hi t
.Iknowhowtohandl
efolksli
ke
her
.Soonweent eradoorwhi
chhasmyi nit
ial
son.

"Thebosssai
dsinceyou'r
eahighl
yrecommended
psychol
ogi
styou'
llgett
hisof
fi
ce"shesaysasshe
r
oll
shereyes.

Ilovethedesign,t
heglasswi ndows,li
tt
le3r
ock
fountai
n,f
ewpl ants,
furcarpet,
rel
axi
ngcouch.So
openandcal ming,thefactthatit
'sf
arawayfrom t
he
noiseandf oyer.

"Thankyou,
thatwasn'
tsohar
dwasi
t?"Ishi
ftmy
att
enti
ontothegir
l.
Shegi
vesmeat
ightsmi
leasshej
ustheadsout
.

Iheaddowninal i
tt
ler
ush.Ial
mostcr yasI
approachmycar.Ther
e'smil
kallovertheWindows,
ohGodIdon'twanttoknowwhatt hecarfr
om the
i
nsidelooksl
ike.
Ialmostscream becausethi
sboyt ookoutallhis
wipes,
someyoghur tsaresquashedandmi xedwi th
somechi ps.He'
smi ndi
nghisownbusi nesslikehe
didn'
tjustdi
dbsi nmycarandIst artbeat
inghim
al
loverhislit
tl
ehands.
Hestar
tscr
yingbutIdon'
tmi
ndhi
m asI
mtr
yingt
o
cl
eanupmostofthedamage.
Ishoul
d'vel
efthi
m st
rappedi
ntohi
schai
r.

Iendupcall
ingJasonbecauseIhavet
orusht
othe
carcl
eaner
s.

I
tri
ngsacoupl
eoftimes"Mor
ningMsKhoza,
how
mayihel
pyou?"Yhosofor
mal
.
"
Jasonhimorni
ng,
canyoupl easecomeandpi ck
meandAjayupatthecarcleaners?
Ajaymessedup
t
hecarsoIhadtogeti
tcleanedup,please,
butfi
rst
f
ini
shupathomesowecanheadt othehospit
al"
"Yeaicandot hat
,mom saidshe'sgoi
ngt ostay
behindsinceshealreadysai
dgoodbye..we'
llbe
ther
einaf ew,j
ustsendyourlocati
on"andhecut s
thecall
.

Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Mi
ke,
i
t'
saboutt
ime.
"
MikeIwaswai
ti
ngf
oryourcal
l"
"Yeaiknow,welandedanhourago,al
lar
rangements
areincheckforwhicheverl
ocat
ionyouchoosefor
thegir
l"
"Whatdoyoumean'
we'
?ar
eyouher
etoo?
"Iasked
get
ti
ngexcit
ed.
"YesIhadt ocomedown, youtr
ustedmet o
transpor
tthegir
lsafel
y,
Imightaswell
doitmyself
sinceiknowalltheinsandoutsofSA,haveyou
decidedwhereshe'sgoing?"
"Yeaidecidedthatshemustgot oBelgi
um, her
beingther
eI '
l
lknowshe'swel lt
akencar
eofand
she'sprot
ected,
hergoingtoHungarywillonl
y
burdenmyauntanduncl e"*
sigh*

Afteraf
ewminsJasonar
ri
ves.Andmycari
snot
evendoneyet
.
Ajayr
ant
othecarasJasonopenedt
hef
rontseat
forhi
m
"
Didyouhi
thi
m?"Heaskl
ooki
ngatAj
ay.
"
Noidi
dnot
,l
et'
sgo"
"Yesyoudi
d,l
ookathisl
ashes,it
'slongbynat
ure,
the
tear
smadethelashesspli
t,you'
llbeokbuddy"he
saysasherubbedhischeek.

Igreetthegirl
saswedr i
veof f
.Aft
erawhi
lewe
stopinfrontofthehospi
talandIseeMi
keatthe
entrancewi t
haf ewmen.
It
oldJasonandhi
ssi
ster
'st
oheadt
owher
eLi
ll
yis.
"Areyousure,youdon'
twantustost
aywit
hyouOr
youcomewi thus?"Hesayslooki
ngatmeandMi
ke
from adi
stance.
Il
augh,"YesJason,I
'
m ok,
youcantrusthim
becauseI'
m put
tingLil
lyi
nhi
scare"hef r
owns.
Iholdhisarm asIshi f
thisatt
entiontome"
hey..
lookatme...
lookIlovethef actt
hatyoucare
aboutmywel l
-being,butevenifsomethi
ngwer eto
happenwi t
hmeI 'l
lbeabl etoprotectmysel
fand
Ajayaswell
"Iassur ehim
Henodsashewal
ksawaywi
thhi
ssi
ster
's.

[
Jason]

Iwalkintomysist
ersward,t
hesightbr
eaksmy
heart
.She'stoosmall
forthi
s,Jazl
inwi
llgether
day,
Iwillmakehersuff
erforwhatshedidtomy
si
ster.
Marl
inandmayl i
narecr
yingatt
hesi
ghtoft
hei
r
l
it
tl
esist
er"i
s..
isshegoi
ngtobeokbrot
her?
"Both
oft
hem asks.
"
Shewi
llbeok,
Ipr
omi
se"Isayasihol
dthem.

"Youmustgetbet
terLi
ll
y,
sothatyoucansee
brot
her
'sgi
rl
fri
end,
she'
sanamazi ngper
son"mar
li
n
j
usthadtosaysuchthi
ngs*shakingmyhead

[
Minent
le]
"Theli
tt
leguyisgrowi
ngisee,
hehast
hatmorons
bigheadtoo"Mikecanbeanasssometi
mes.
"
LeavemybabyaloneMike,
howi
sever
ythi
ng
l
ooki
ng?"Iaski
nawhisper
"
Everythi
ngisallgoodMs,
we'r
ejustwait
ingfort
he
f
ami l
ytosaygoodbyeandsignthepapersthen
we'
lltr
ansporthertot
heai
rpor
t-"
"WhoaMikeisn'
titabitr
iskyt
otranspor
therwi
th
publ
ict
ransport
?letal
onepubli
cplane?"
"Womanst opbei ngf
or ward,
thejetWi
llber
eady
whenwegett herewithadoct ort
hatwil
lmoni
tor
herthroughoutthefl
ight,
I'
l
lkeepyouupdatedever
y
hourifimust"
"Par
donme, shejustmeansal
ottot
hisf
ami
ly,
the
hospi
talyou'
llbeusing?
isi
tsaf
e?"
Hecleanedhist
eeth"Youdon'tknowme,I'
l
llether
beatmyhousef orsafet
y,atl
eastmyhouseis
guarded,
I'
l
lgetmymostt rust
edment oguardher
doorifbyanymeansigetbet r
ayedbyanoutsider
"
Looksl
ikeLi
ll
yisi
ngoodhands.
IwenttoseehowfarJasonisandIbumpint
oSiya,
what?
siyaatapubl
ichospi
tal?
wit
haladynextt
o
hi
m.
"
Ent
lehi
"hequi
ckl
ysaysl
ett
ingt
hel
ady'
shandgo
"
Siya"Inod
Hecomesf
orwar
dtot
akeAj
ay,
i
t'
shi
ssonsoIl
et
hi
m be.

"HiI'
m nande,
si
ya'
sgi
rl
fri
endandbabymama"she
givesmeherhandwhichigl
adlyshake.
"Ni
cetomeetyounande,Idi
dn'tknowSiyahadaki
d
ontheway"Isaywhil
elookingatSiyaashe
ner
vousl
ybreakseyecontact
"
Letal
onel
etyoucomet
oapubl
ichospi
tal
"
"Ohno,t
hiswasthenearesthospi
talSiyacoul
d
fi
nd,hefoundoutbef
orewecameher eandhewas
soexcit
edhecouldn'
twait,
sowest oppedhere
i
nstead"shesayswit
hpr i
de
"
I'
m sur
ehewas"Isaysar
cast
ical
ly.

"
Inevercat
chedyourname"shesays
"Inevert
hrewit
,nowexcusemeIneedt
ogo
somewher e-
"
"
Wher
edoyouneedt
ogo?
"AskJason,
thatwasf
ast
.
"
Tocheckuponyou,Mikesai
deverythingis
r
eady,
they'
l
ltr
anspor
theri
naprivatejet"
"
Theni
t'
ssor
ted,
MrJama"hesayswi
thanod
"
Jason"Si
yabl
unt
lysays.

Thesetwoneedtosortoutwhateverpr
oblemsthey
havewitheachot
herbecausethisisj
ustpure
chi
ldi
shness.
Nandehasbeenl
ooki
ngatJasonthi
swhol
eti
me
he'
sevenget
ti
nguncomf
ortabl
e.

[
Siya]
OhGod, IhopeEnt l
ewon'ttellAyandaaboutt hi
sor
myf amily.I'
llbeindeepsh* t,t
hisgi r
lisalsoso
forwardintroducingherselfasmybabymamaand
gir
lfri
end.Shewasj ustaoneni ghtstandatoneof
myshowsamont hagobutIused
protecti
on,unfort
unatelythecondom br okenowI '
m
goingtobest uckwithher.I'
llhavet okeept hi
sfrom
everyone,Ijusthavet omaket hisgolddigger
understandt hatsheisnotmygi rl
fr
iendandt he
onlybabymamaIhavei sEnt l
e.

Looksli
keshealsomessedmychancesofget t
ing
Entl
eback,ButIwon'tst
op.Entl
eist
heloveofmy
l
ife,
Iagr
eeididn'tt
reathert
hebestwhenIhadher
butI'
m part
lychangednow.I'l
lmakehermineagain
Iswear,
evenifihavetoseduceherandimpregnat
e
herandtrapherwithababyI'l
lmakehermine

"
Oknow,mayihavemybabyback?youcanpassby
myhouselat
eronandcomepickhim up,
j
ustcal
l
mesoAjaycanbedonebythen"t
hat'
sEntle
br
ingi
ngmeback.
"Aytcoolmami
e"Isayandki
ssmyboybef
ore
givi
nghimtohi
smom.

Iwatchastheyheadtothestai
rsgoi
ngup.
Damn,whateverEnt
ledi
dtohersel
fineedtot astei
t.
Ican'
tstoplooki
ngatherassshaki
ngf rom sideto
si
de,Igetsnappedoutofi
tbynandeclicki
ngher
fi
ngersi
nfrontofme.

Nosheneedstogivebir
thsoIcantaketheki
dfor
meandayanda.She'sal
readyir
ri
tat
ingme,Ihope
noneoft
hejour
nalist
sarecloseby.

Idr
opherof
fatherapar
tmentandIheadhome.
Idon'
tseeAyandaar
ound,
good.Igot
omyof
fi
cet
o
cl
eanmymi ndabit
.
Insi
detheof
fi
ceitr
ytoworkbutj
ustcan'
t,
mymi
nd
keepsondri
ft
ingt
oEntl
e.
Hersmile,
shestil
lhasthosefat
tyarmsofhers
whicharesosexy,hert
highs,
ohmanherass..
.they
aresoroundandbi gnow.Befor
eIknowitI
unbucklemybeltandmyhandf indsmyjoyst
ick
whichisnowsemihar d.

Ist
artst
rokingi
tasIimaginehavingmyface
bur
riedi
nsideherwomanhood.Iimagineher
moaningmynameasshecupsherf ul
lbr
easts.
Goi
ngupt oherbreat
s,Ir
ubmyj oysti
ckagai
nsther
nowwetwomanhood, Ientersmoothl
yasherinner
wal
lshugme, wel
comingmebackhome.
Bef
oreIknowitiexpl
odei
nmyhands,
str
ipsand
st
ri
psshooti
ngasIgroan.

"
WTFSI
YA?
!"

Ohsh*
t.
>>Cont
inuat
ion<<
Si
ya

"
Ayandababyit
's.
.I
t'
snotwhati
tlooksl
ike"Isay
t
ryi
ngtobuckl
emysel fup
"
WtfSi
ya,
isthi
swhyyoudon'twanttohavesexwi
th
meanymore?!
"Shesayscomingcl
oser
"Noiswearit'
snotthat,
i-
ijustwantyoutorel
axunt
il
ourweddingday...
Imeanl ookatthebri
ghtsi
deat
l
eastim notgoingouttohavesexwi t
hnobody
ri
ght
?"Itrytosoftsoapherwi t
hnothingbutl
ies
Sheblushes"yeaatleast
,butwhydi
dn'
tyoutel
l
me?Icouldspicet
hingsupbyyouknow? goi
ng
downonyou"shesai dinaseducedmanner

"Ihaveanidea,
howboutwebuyaf ewstuf
fand
haveourownl i
lpi
cni
cinthebackyar
d"she
excit
ingl
ysays
"
Soundsni
cebutIhavet
ogetr
eady"
"
Wher
eyougoi
ng"sheasks
"IhavetogofetchAj
ay,
hismom gaveme
permissi
on"Isaywit
hasmi l
e
"Younotgoi
ng"shebl
unt
lysays,
toni
ghti
sour
night
"
Well
sorryIhaven'
tseenmysoni
n2year
sIneed
t
ocatchup"Isayasipassher
.
"SI
YAJAMAisai dyounotgoinganywher
e,your
bastar
d-"Isl
apherbef
oreshefi
nishes
"Don'
tyouEVERcal lmysonthat,
hewasnotmade
i
nt hi
srelat
ionshi
pther
efor
ehe'smysonqha,it
's
notmyf aul
tthatyouhadyourt
ubesti
ed,nx"Isay
l
eavingher

Ayanda

Ican'
tbel
ievehej
ustsl
appedme,
ME!
.
I'
veknownhimforyear
sbutneverhasheeverl
aid
hishandsonme.Thisi
sal
lthatwoman'sf
aultand
f
ort
hatI
'
llmakeherpaydear
ly.
Ir
anoutt
ogofetchmybag.It
akeoutmyphoneas
Imakeaqui
ckcall
"
Meetmeatt
hepar
k,t
oni
ghtandI
'
m notaski
ngyou"
"There'
snothingwrongwit
hgr
eet
ingandnoidon'
t
wantt ogeti
nvol-"i
cutt
heper
sonoffbef
oret
hey
couldfini
shtalki
ng.

Bytheendoft
omor
rowIwantEnt
let
ofearf
orher
l
if
e.
Igoonsocialmedi
aasIwentt
othesear
chbarand
l
ookedherup.Godwhyisshesoper
fect
?.Ihat
e
herf
orthat
.

"
Ayandawhenyoudonemakemesomet ea"
MaJamasayswhil
etaki
ngaseati
nfr
ontoft
het
v.
Iwant edtosaynobutt
henir
ememberedt
hatI
'm
tr
yingt omakeSiyal
oveme,
i
fIhavet
ostar
twit
hhis
mot herthensobeit
.
"
Yeboma"Isayasir
ollmyeyes
Doesn'
tthesepeopl
ehaveamai
dorsomet
hing?
Imakethet
eaanyways.I t
'swei
rdthatI'
vebeen
comingtot
hishouseformorethanayearbutIstil
l
don'
tknowwhereeverythi
ngisandIalsodon'twant
toaskmawherethethingsare.

Ievent
uall
yfoundeveryt
hingandmadet het
ea.I
l
ikemyt eawit
halotofmilkandsugar
,Ihope
motherinlawdoestoo.

Igavemahertea.Bef
oreIwant
edt
oleavema
quickl
yspatt
heteaout.
"Areyoutryingtoki
llme?!
OhGod, l
eavethis
premisesrightnow,
youareuseless,
you'vebeen
hereformor ethanayearbutyoustil
ldon'tknow
I'
m diabet
ic?"Sheshouts,
Siyawil
ldefi
nitel
ykil
lme.
"
I'
m sosor
ryMa,
Ireal
lydidn'
tknow.
.Youshoul
d've
t
oldmehowili
keyourtea,l
etmemakeyouanother-
"
"
NODontbot
her
,Justgo"sheni
psme

"
Whathappened?
"
Whendi
dhear
ri
ve?
"
Yourf
iancei
str
yingt
oki
llme"hebant
hiswoman
"MaIr eal
lydidn'
tknowyouarediabet
ici
mr eall
y
sorry,Si
yasheaskedmet omakehersomet eaand
Idid..
shedidn'tt
ellmehowsheli
keshertea,I'
m
reall
ysorry"Isaysincer
ely
"
KodwaAyandayouseemom don'
tdri
nknoreat
t
hesamethi
ngswedo"Siyat
ri
estoreason
"
IknowbutIt
houghtshe'
str
yingt
obeheal
thy"
"
It'
sok,
mom it
'sokri
ght
?itwasami
stake"Si
yasays
t
ryi
ngtokeepthepeace

Sothismanreal
lywenttofet
chthi
ski
daft
erItol
d
hi
m nottogo?Letmeleavebefor
eIdosomet
hingi
mightregr
et.
"
Siyai
sitoki
figohome?
"Iask
"
Why?Aj
ayi
sher
e,Whynotst
aysohecangetused
t
oYou?"
"
Maybesomeot
hert
ime"Il
ie
"
Ifyousayso,
wantmet
otakeyouhome?
"
"Thatwon'
tbenecessar
y,Ist
il
lhavet
ogot
othe
shopsbefor
egoinghome"
"Aytthen,
besaf
eandIl
oveyou"hesayswhi
le
kissi
ngme
"
Iloveyout
oo"

I
t'
salr
eadydar
kwhenIgott
othepar
k.Atl
eastt
his
I
dioti
sher
e
"
Goodyou'
reher
e"
"
Comeonayandayouknowi
m donewi
tht
hese
t
hings"
"
Thisisthel
astti
meiswear
,Thi
stimeI
'
llpayyou
t
ri
ple"hequi
cklyl
ooksatmeatthewor
dtripl
e.
Hegi
vesoutaheavysi
gh"
fi
newhatdoyouneed
metodoandtowhom"
"Here'
sherfil
e,
Idon'
twantanyt
hingl
inki
ngthi
sto
me,Ijustwantyoutoshowhersheai
n'tt
hatbi
gofa
deal"
"
You'
llgetyourmoneywhenyoudone"Isaybef
ore
l
eavi
nghimt her
e.
[
10]

Ayanda

WhenIgothomeIwasinagoodmood.Knowing
t
hatEnt
lewil
lsoonknowt
onotmesswithanother
woman'
sman.
NowicanmarrySiyainpeace,
nowIcanf ocuson
myweddingpr
eparati
on,l
et'
shopeal
lthestress
di
dn'
tmakemel oseweight.

Mi
nent
le
Aft
erSiyacametofetchAjay,
Iwasalone.
Appar
entlyMsdevill
ier
sandher2daught er
shad
t
ogodownt ocapetownfortheweekend.Leavi
ng
meandJason,it
'soddthatheain'
tbackyetfr
om
fet
chi
ngmycar .

Ideci
dedtotakeabathwi
thagl
assofredwineon
thesi
de.Ir
eall
yneedtounwi
ndbecausesoonI'
l
l
havemyearlymorni
ngs.

Iwasst il
lbusyrelaxingwhenal lofasuddenihear d
thewoodenf l
oorcracking.Isatstil
linsidethe
bathtub,maybeIhear dwr ong,It
ryconcent rati
ngon
eachandever ysoundar oundme, somucht hati
evenst oppedbreathing.Afterafewmi nutesIhear
footstepsont hefloor.
.sl
ow, sof
tones.Mymi nd
start
swor kingoverti
me, maybei t'
sJason, but
Jasonwoul d'veletmeknowhehasr et urned.
Isl
owlycli
mbedoutoft
hebat
htubt
ryi
ngtolett
he
waterdr
ipdownmybodyandnotst
rai
ghtt
ot he
wat
er.

Istepont
othematcarefull
yandIt akemyrobe
coveri
ngmyself
.Icar
efull
yst epcl
osert
othedoor
toseeift
hesesomeone,there'snooneint
heroom.

Ist
eplight
lyont
hefloorasIsprintt
omybedroom
door
.Itsmell
sdi
fer
entinhere,It
hinktomysel
f.
.I
wonderwhohastheodacitytobreakint
omyhouse.

Ineedtofindsomet hingtopr ot
ectmyselfand
thankstoMikeIcandoj ustthat.Thefir
stthi
ngthat
caughtmyeyewasmyl amp,Itakeoutthebulp
quickl
y.Thecordalmostpul ledmebackasIf orgot
topulli
tout,
Iunplugitandsnat cht hecordoutof
thewoodenst and.Ithenwr appedt hewirear
ound
myknuckles,l
etti
ngthepl ughang.

Isl
owlyopent
hedoorjustfarenoughsomyeyes
canseedownthepassage.It
'squi
et,
tooqui
etf
or
myl i
king.
.suddenlysomet hingfall
sandabunchof
shushingwasexchanged, soundedlikewhoeveri s
hereisinthelounge.Ibeganwal ki
ngcar efull
ynot
putti
ngallmywei ghtont hef l
oor,
Icouldf eelmy
heartinmyt hroat
.Iwasaboutt otakeanot herstep
whenIf el
tsomeone' spresencebegi nsme, Ieit
her
runandbumpi ntothoseatt hefront,
oritryto
defendmysel fagaint
stheper sonbehi ndme.
"Don'
tevent
hinkabouti
t"Thet
hickvoi
cesaysasI
wasabouttotaket
helampstandwithbot
hmy
hands

Hecamecl oserandIquicklyswayedthewooden
standagai
nsthishead,
maki nghimf al
ldown,gives
meenought imetowrapt hecordaroundhisneck
andchokehim outunti
lhepassedout .Hiskicks
weren'
theardbecauseoft hethi
ckfl
uffycarpet.

Il
eftt
heguyther
easImademywayt othelounge.
Bef
oreIgott
heretheguyIthoughthadpassedout
washoldi
ngmyf oot"SHE'
SHERE! "Heshouts.I
ki
ckhi
mi nt
hefacewi
tht
heot
herf
ootmaki
nghi
m
bl
eedandpassout
.

Iwenttochecki
fhe'sreal
lydeadwhensomeone
grabbedmebymyhai rtossingmeagai nstthewall.
"I
twassaidtodel
iveramessaget oyou"t heone
guysaysasIhearthesoundofbei ngunzi pped.
GodIhopeit'
snotwhatIthinkiti
s,
I'm sti
lltr
yingto
fi
ndmyvi si
onasItryt
ost andup.
"Hol
dherdown"thefi
rstguysaysandIf
eelt
wo
peoplehol
dingmyarmsandIheadButoneagai
nst
hisnosemakinghi
m groaninpai
n
Ibitmysel
fasij
ustr
ecei
vedabacksl
apf
rom t
he
fi
rstguymaki
ngmeyelp.
"
Takeof
fherr
obe"hesaysandIst
artshout
ing

Ipleadwit
hthem astheyr oughlyt
akeawaymy
robeandthrowitoneside,I'
m nownakedi
nfr
ontof
them andIhearthem whistl
e
"
Bossf
orgetwhatIsai
d,Iwantapi
eceofhert
oo"
t
heguyonmyr
ightsi
desays
"Don'
tworry,
aslongasigof
irst
,y'
al
lcando
whateveryouwanttodowit
hher "t
hefi
rstguywho
Ithi
nkisthei
rbosssays.

Hest art
st aki
ngoffhi
strouser
sandbringshis
unprotectedmembernearme, Icl
osemyl egsi
n
unveilbecausetheseothertwoarespl
it
ti
ngmyl egs
now.
Ibegancryi
ngasIf
eltt
het
ipofhi
smemberatmy
entr
ance.
Hestar
tspushi
ngiti
ndr y,
anditgetsst
uckt
oo
si
nceihaven'
tbeenact
ivesinceSiya.
Iscr
eam myl
ungsoutbecauseoft
hepai
n.
"Ohhsh*tyout
ightasavirgi
n,I
'
m goi
ngtotearyou
up"hesaysasher oughl
ystar
tsmovingi
nandout
ofme

Myscreamsandst
ruggl
esarenowuselessasi
m
j
ustpr
ayingf
orhi
mt ogeti
tal
loveranddonewit
h.I
bl
ockhisgr
oanswit
hthought
sfi
ll
edwi
thAj
ayand
ourhappyt
imes.

Bytheti
meallt
hreeoft
hem ar
edone,
mysouli
stoo.
I
'l
lneverbet
hesameeveragai
n.
"
Thatwi
llt
eachyoual
esson"t
hebosssaysasIst
il
l
r
ememberhisvoi
ce
Ihearthem leaveasmyeyescl
oseandIf
eelmy
energyleavemybody.

Jason

Onmywayt ofetchMsKhoza'scarIbumpi ntoSi

ya.
Iwonderwhathe'sdoi
nghere,Iwalkpasthi
m as
wehavenothi
ngt osaytoeachother.
"
Jasonwai
tup"ar
gwhy?
Ist
opanyways
"EymanIknowwegotof ft
hewrongfootwhenwe
metbutIassureyoumyint
ent
ionstowardsyour
bossi
spure,howboutwegooutfordri
nks?"Hecan
mi
ssmeont
hatoneIdon'
twantt
olosemyj
ob
"I
fyouwor r
iedaboutyourj
ob,howboutIl
etEntl
e
know? I
'
m sureshewon'tmindyougoingout,
I
promisewewon' tbel
ong"hekeepspushing,
I
endedupagr eei
ng.

2hour
shavepastandwear
est
il
ldr
inki
ng.
"EymanIneedt
oleave,
Entl
eispr
obabl
yworr
ied"I
sayasist
andupandleaveafewhundr
edsonthe
tabl
e
"Ohsh*tIfor
gottosendheramessaget
over
if
y
yourwhereabout
s"thisI
diotsays
"
Areyouinsane?youdi
dthatonpurposeyou
i
diot
,youcomingwithmetoexpl
aintoher"isay
whil
epassinghi
m

Soonheenter
edhi
scarandIent
eredt
heonei
cametofet
ch.
Uponar ri
valweseet hedoorwi deopen.Welookat
eachot heraswer uninsidethehouseshouti
ngher
name.Wemakeat ur
nt othebedroomsandwe
freezeont hespotasMsKhozai slyi
ngonthefloor
nakedwi thbloodrunningdownherl egs.Werush
closerandweseeshehasbr ui
sesonherbodyand
face.

Mybl
oodi
sboi
li
ngandIf
eel
li
keexpl
odi
ng.
"
Ifanyt
hinghappenedorhappenstoherI
'
llbeatyou
i
ntoapulp"IsaytoSiyawholooksatmewithtears
i
nhiseyes
"Weneedtogethertot
hehospit
alJasonquick,
we'
l
l
takemycar,
ther
e'smor
espace"hesayswitha
breaki
ngvoi
ceashepicksherup
"Ent
lepl
easedon'tl
eaveyet,
whataboutAj
ay?I
haven'
tpouredmyheartouttoyou,
westil
lneed
you"hewhisper
swhilecryi
ng

Weent
ert
hecarashet
akest
hebackseatwi
th
Entl
e.iwishIhadherinmyhandsl i
kethat
,Ican'
t
eventhinkaboutt
hethingswhoevercameherdid
toher.Igri
pthesteer
ingwheelt
ightasIgetmore
angry.

Siyasuggest edaprivat
ehospit
alcl
oseby.Ikept
l
ooki ngthroughthemi r
rorasIseehi
m kissi
ngher
headt hewhol eti
me,Iseehehascoveredherwit
h
hi
sj acket.Evenablindmancanseet hatthi
sguyis
sti
lli
nlovewi thEntl
e.

Wearr
ivedatthehospi
talandSi
yar
ushesi
nsi
de
wi
thhercal
li
ngthedoctors.
"Pleasehel
p,mywif-mychil
d'smother
,pl
easehel
p"
heshout swhil
etearsar
ejustfr
eel
yrunningdown
hisface.

Ast
retcherwasrol
ledoutt
ousasSi
yawas
i
nst
ructedtoputherdown.
"
Wehavet
oadmi
therassoonaspossi
ble,
herhear
t
rat
eisgoingdown,
i
fwedon'
tgonowwewi
lll
ose
her"hef
emalesays
"Youl
ist
entomeDr ,
you'l
ldoEVERYTHINGandI
meaneverythi
nginyourpowertosaveherdoyou
hearme"Siyasaysbreat
hingf
ir
e

It
'sbeen2hoursandwehaven'theardanyt
hing
fr
om thedoctors.Si
yahasbeenwalki
ngupand
downt hewholetime.
"Coul
dyoupleasej
ustcal
m downSiyaIknowyou
str
essedbutpl
easetr
ytocalm down"Isaynow
i
rri
tat
ed
"Don'
t.
..
Don'tYoudaretel
lmetocal
m down
Jason,
justshutup"It
houghtwegood
"Technical
lythi
sisyourfaul
t,
ifyoudidn'tkeepon
pester
ingthatIshouldcomewi thYou,nonoft hi
s
would'vehappened"I'
vebeenwant i
ngt osaythis
sincewef oundEntl
einthatstate

"
Iknewt
hatyouwasgoi
ngt
obl
amemef
or
t
his,
cl
assi
c"he'
snowi
nfr
ontofme
"Younotevenaf
actorher
e"hesaysl
ooki
ngatme
asweexchangeoxygen

"Gent
lemenifyouwanttofi
ghtisuggestyoutakei
t
outsi
de"weturnandseethedoctort
hattookEntl
e
andwer ushtoher
"
Howi
sshe/
issheok"weaski
nuni
on
"Si
nceweransometest
sonher
,wef
ound
somethi
ng"shesl
owl
ysays
"
Womanj
ustspeakf
ast
erpl
ease"Si
yapl
eads
"
Uhm, MsKhozaenduredseri
ousbl
owstoherbody
whi
chledtoi
nter
nalbleedi
ngandshehasabroken
r
ib.
"Thedoct
orfi
nall
ysays
Shel
ooksl
ikeshewant
stosaysomet
hingmor
eso
wewait
.
"MsKhoza.
..
she-
resul
tsshowsthatmult
ipl
emen
hadt
heirwaywit
hher..
.f
orcef
ull
y"shewhisper
s
Si
yast
art
edgoi
ngcr
azy,
shout
ing.
.scr
eami
ngand
cr
ying
Itoostar
tedcr
yingbecauseIf
eelli
keIfai
ledher,
I
swearshenormymom woul deverforgi
vemef or
thi
s.Isli
dedownthewallashurtcl
oudsmyhear t
.

"She'
sunconsci
ousfornowbutyouguyscango
seeher,
oneatatimeplease,
andimterr
ibl
ysor
ryf
or
whathappened"t
hedoctorisst
il
lhereandshe
l
eavesaftert
heapol
ogy.

"
Youcangof
ir
st"sayssi
ya
"
Ineedtocol
lectmysel
ffi
rst
"hesaysandIj
ustnod
myhead.

Ienterherwardandi tj
ustbreaksmyhear tseeing
herli
kethis.Pipeskeepi
ngheralive,
Ican'
tdot hisI
saytomysel fasIturnaroundbutnotleavethe
room.
"MsKhoza..
i-
im sor
ryIwasn'
tther
etopr
otect
you,
pleasef
orgi
veme"Inowcr ywhil
ehol
dingher
hand.
"You'
vebeenthebestt hi
ngthathashappenedto
meandmyf ami l
ythesepastfewdays,
pleasecome
backtous,westil
lneedyou,Sodoesyour
son..
.Don'
tyouwantt obealivewhenLi
ll
y
ret
urnes?"I
'm nowcoveredinmucus.
"PleaseEntle,Iknowyouar emarkablewomanand
youst rongtoo...
i-
iloveyouEntle"Isaybefore
kissingherhandandf orehead.Ilookatheronel
ast
ti
mebef or
el eavi
ng.

Si
ya

Il
ookupandIseeJasonexi t
ingEntl
e'sroom.Isee
himtryi
ngt
ohidethemucusandt ears,anyonecan
seehehasbeencrying,
he'
scolour
edf orcryi
ngout
l
oud,henowlooksl
ikeatomato.
HepassmeashesaysIcango,
he'
l
lwai
tint
hecar
.

Ihesi
tategoi
ngin.Idoashortpr
ayerbefore
enter
ingandIshutmyeyesasIseet hestat
eshe'
s
i
n.Notmybaby, whoeverdi
dthi
swillpayiswear
.

IhoveroverherasIml ookingather
,evenwhen
she'
sint hehospi
talcoveredwithpi
pesshe'
sstil
l
beauti
fulAsever.
"I'
m sor
ryEnt
le-I
..Thisi
smyf aul
t,
Ishoul
dn'thave
keptJasonawaysol ong,
maybeifiwasn'tso
jeal
ousyouwouldn'thavebeenhereri
ghtnow"I
saycryi
ng
"Pleasejustwakeup,IpromiseI'
l
lbewithyouevery
stepoft heway,Iwon'
tletyougothist
ime,I
promi se.
.Il
oveyouEntle,andI'
m goi
ngtokil
lwhom
everdi dthi
stoyou"Isaywi t
hanangryexpressi
on
beforekissingherhandandf or
ehead.

I
nsi
det
hecarnoonesaysawor
d.Jasondr
ove
f
ast
ert
hanbef
ore,
soonwewer
eatEnt
le'
shouse.

Asi
fwehavethesamet
houghtsbot
hofusstopat
t
hedoorast
heevent
spl
ayedinourheads.
Jasonwi pesat
earasheheadstothekit
chenandI
totheloungeasipi
ckupthebrokenvasefr
om t
he
ground.
IseeJasonpassi
ngmewi
thcl
eani
ngmat
eri
al
goingt
othehall
way.
Idr
opt
hebagf
il
ledwi
thgl
assandf
oll
owedhi
m.
Hef i
rstst
aresatthebl oodbeforekneel
ingdown
andhandsmeabr usht oscrubwit
h,i
t'
sgoingtobe
toughgetti
ngthebl oodstainsoutofthe
carpet,
mightaswell bur
nit.
Thr
oughoutourscr
ubbi
ngwehear
daphoner
ingi
ng.
"
It
'sEnt
le'
sphone"Jasonsays
"
Okst
ayher
eI'
l
lgeti
t"Isay

It
aket
hephoneandseet
hecal
lername'
mike'
.I
answer
"Ent
le,
wemanagedt or
emovethebul
letwi
thoutany
compli
cati
ons,butshe'
l
lhavetost
ayherefora
whil
etoful
lyrecover"t
heMikeguysays,
Iwonder
whathe'st
alki
ngabout
"
Ent
lear
eyout
her
e?"Heask
Befor
eIcouldanswerJasongrabesthephone"hi
Mike,
uhm t
hisisJason"hesayswhil
eputti
ngthe
phoneonloudspeaker
"Theli
ttl
egi
rl
sbigbrother
,where'
sEntl
e?whydoyou
haveherphone?"Heaskedt oocalmformy
l
iking,
whatl
it
tl
egirli
shetalkingabout
?

"Si
r-ImeanMi
ke,
I'
m af
rai
dMsKhozaisunavai
labl
e
atthemoment
"Jasonsayswhi
ler
ubbi
nghisface
"Whatdoyoumeanunavai
labl
e?whathappenedt
o
her
?"Hesoundsangr
y
"Wellearl
iert
onightsomethi
ngdreadfulhappened
toher..
."Icoul
dn'tl
ist
entohimtell
ingthi
sMi ke
personwhathappenedt omyEnt l
e,soIwalkedout
i
nst
ead.

It
ri
edtaki
ngoffthecar
petbuti
tseemsli
kei
tcame
wit
hthehouse.Jasonr
etur
nswithaconf
usedl
ook
onhisf
ace.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskst
andi
ngup
"Thisguy,
Itoldhi
m whathappenedandhewasjust
breathi
ngthewhol et
ime,
aft
erafewmi nut
esIhear
d
abangandt hephonewentdead"hesays
confusi
ngly

Whoi
sthi
sMi
keguyt
hough?
Iaskmysel
f
[
11]

Mi
ke

WhenIheardwhathappenedt oEnt
leIgotf
urious.I
bl
amemysel f
,heruncl
eandaunttol
dmet olook
af
terher
.Ihopeit'
snotthepeopl
etheyarerunning
awayfr
om.Icutthecal
last
hrowthephoneagai
nts
thewal
l,
l
ucki
lyi
t'
sboardsoi
t'
ssti
llwor
king.

Ipi
ckupthephoneasIcal
laf
ri
endi
nSA.Hepi
ck
upalmosti
mmediat
ely.
"Fr
ancoineedyout
ohacki
ntoahospi
tali
nPr
etor
ia
asap"
"Greet
ingwon'tki
llyou.I
'
m onit
,j
ustgi
vemeafew
seconds,pr
ivat
e?"Hesayswithaboredtone
"It
hinkso,
subur
bs,
ther
ewasagi
rladmi
tt
edaan
hourago"
"
Okholdon, okher
e's2peopleIfound.
..
here'
sone
i
nint
ensivecarewhil
etheotheronejustgotback
f
rom sur
gery"
"
Uhm t
heonei
nint
ensi
vecar
e"
"
Okshee.
.hernamei
sMi
nen-
"hecan'
tspel
litout
"Yesthat
'
sher,
Ineedyout
ostealherr
eport
sIm
sureyoucanReadwhathashappenedtoher"
"
YesIdi
dandi
t'
sdi
stur
bing,
doyouwantmet
o
catchthecul
pri
ts?becausether
e's3dif
ferentDNA'
s
thatwascontr
actedfrom herbl
oodtests"
"
Iwasthinki
ngofdoi
ngi
tmysel
f.
.wai
t3?
sot
hat
means.
..
"
"Yeapitmeansexact
lyt
hat,
Butt
hatmeansyou'
l
l
havetocomedownt oSAagain,l
etmedoit,
I
haven'thadf
uninalongti
me"Icanheart
he
excit
ementinhi
svoice
"Fi
ne,
j
ustbecauseIt r
ustyou,
Iwantyoutogetthe
l
apdogsfi
rst,
ther
e'snoway3peopl ewil
ldothat
w/oamotiveandor dersf
rom someoneabovethem
andIwantfeedback"Isaybefor
ecutt
ingthecall

Ihopeshe'
sok.

{
Franco}

Final
lyihavesomethi
ngtokeepmysel
fbusywith.
MeandMi kehavebeenf
ri
endssi
ncehighschool
andhehasal waystol
dmeaboutthi
sEntl
egirl
,I
don'
tknowi
fhehasfeel
ingsf
orherorhe'
sjust
bei
ngabigbr
other
.
Whathappenedtoherisevi
l.Ican'
twai
ttogetmy
handsonthoseguys.

Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om oneofmyguys
"Si
rwef oundthem,andyougonbedisappoi
nted
becausetheyarelowli
ves,
theyl
ookl
ikenyaope
boys"hesayschuckli
ng
"Thatsucks,butwestil
lgonhavefunwiththem f
or
awhi l
e.Foll
owt hem,
Iwantthem caughtoneby
one"Isaybef or
ecutt
ingthecal
l

Ifi
twassoeasytofi
ndthem t
heniwonderhow
easyi
t'
llbet
ofi
ndtheboss*shaki
ngmyhead*.

{
Ayanda}

I
'
m cel
ebr
ati
ngmyvi
ctor
yasIsi
ponmywi
neatt
he
mostexpensi
verestaur
ant
.Thi
swil
lteachherto
st
ayawayf r
om othermenwhoarecl
earlytaken.
Mypeaceisdist
urbedbymyphoneringing
"
IthoughtIt
oldyounott
ocont
actme?
"
"Sor
ry,
who'st
hatgi
rlyouhadusdot
hoset
hings
To?"Heaskwit
hconcern
"
Noonei
mpor
tant
"Isayasif
urt
hersi
pmywi
ne
"
Noone..
.*
chuckl
es*Ayandaoneofmyfr
iendsi
s
missi
ngaf
tert
hedayyouhadusdothosethi
ngsTo
t
hatwoman"hesaysnowshouti
ng
"
Ohpl
easeMaybehe'
soutwi
thagi
rlorsomet
hing"
"
Ayandayoudon'tunderst
and,
Ifeell
ikewe'
rebei
ng
f
oll
owed"hesayssoftl
y
"That
'sjustguil
t,
butwhyfeel
li
ket
hati
fyou'
vebeen
doingthisforyear
s"Iask
"Idon'
tknowAyanda,j
ustsoyouknowi fwe
messedwi t
hthewrongpeopl
e,I
'm goi
ngtoratyou
out"hesaysandcutst
hecall
Thisni
ggaisshitt
ingonme,Ican'
tletmyst
uffget
outnow.Everyt
hingIdi
dwasf ormeandSiya.I
needtogetri
doft hi
sguyquicky.
Imakeacal
l,
Ihopeiwon'
tregr
ett
his.
"Theprodi
galdaught
er,
towhatdoIowet
his
pleasur
e?"Mydadcanbedramati
c
"
Ineedaf
avour
"Isayshut
ti
ngmyeyes
"
Amoryouknowwhatyouneedtodoinorderf
or
met
ohelpyou"hesaysandcut
sthecal
l

Iknewhewasgoi ngt
osaythat
,buti
thast
obe
done,
I'
m aboutt
ogetmarr
iedSoon.

[
Aweekl
ater
]

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupt
othesmel
lofpi
ll
sandi
timmedi
atel
y
mademef eelnauseousmakingmethrow
up,
becauseoftheminimum ener
gyIhaveit
hrow
uponmyself.Thesmellofmyownvomi tmakesme
thr
owupevenmor e.
Itr
yt oli
ftupmybodybutassoonasit ri
ed
movi ng,
Ifel
tpai
nal lovermybody,
mostlymy
vagina.Andearli
ersevent'
skeptpl
ayingoveri
nmy
mind,andIjustbreakdownont hespot.

Imanagedtopul
lmylegsuptomychestasIbegan
rocki
ngmysel
fbackandfor
th.
If
eeloneoft
hem t
ouchi
ngmeandiscr
eam my
l
ungsout
"
MsKhoza,
pleasecal
m downi
t'
sme,
yourdoct
or"
"
MsKhozacanyouhearme?
"
InodmyheadasIkeptr
ocki
ngmysel
fbackand
for
th.
"MsKhozaisitoki
fisendoneoft
henur
sesi
nto
cleanyouup?
"
Inodagai
n
SoonIfeelsof
thandstouchi
ngme,It
hinki
t'
sthe
nurset
hedoctorwastalki
ngabout
"MsKhozaI '
m nurseEvans,
doct
orsaidimusthel
p
youcleanup,i
sthatokwithYou?"Sheaski
na
sweetvoice

Shehel
pedmegetof
fthebedint
oawheel
chai
r,as
shewheel
edmetomybathroom.
"MsKhozawil
lyoubecomfort
ablewit
hmebei ng
here?
undr
essi
ngandtaki
ngoffyourcl
othes?
you
canwashyourpri
vat
epartonyourownifyouwant
to"
"
Y-Yes.
..
Youcanstay,
youcandoyou-
yourj
obbut
I
'
llwashmyprivat
epartonmyown"Isay

Asshewasgi vi
ngmeabat hIcouldseetearsi
nher
eyes,
pit
ty.That'
sexactl
ywhatIdon'twant,
who
broughtmeher e?Icanaskhermaybe.
"
Nur
se?
"
Shest
opsscr
ubbi
ngmeandshi
ft
sherat
tent
ionon
myf
ace
"
Whobr
oughtmeher
e?"
"
Oht wol
ovelygent
lemendid,
theyar
eal
waysher
e
wit
hababy,"shesayswhi
lelaughi
ng
"
Alwaysher
e?butwasn'
tiadmi
tt
edl
astni
ght
?"
"
Unfort
unatel
ynoMsKhoza,
you'
vebeenoutf
ora
week"shesayswi
thpi
tt
y
"Whatdi
dtheyl
ookl
ike?
"Iaskt
ryi
ngt
oshi
fther
att
ent
ion
"Well
oneisconfusi
ngme,Idon'
tknowifhe'
s
col
ouredorwhit
eandtheotheroneist
alldar
kand
handsome"shesayswhi
lesmi l
ing
"OhnoI'
m notdati
ngthem,t
hetal
ldarkand
handsomeoneismybabydaddyandt hat
'sourkid
hewascarryi
ng..
theconf
usingoneismydr i
ver"
"Gi
rlyouaresur
roundedbyhandsomemen,
and
yoursonisador
able"
Igaveoutaf
aintt
hanks
Soonshel ef
tsoIcancl eanupdownt here,sinceI
hadstitchesIhadt osoakmysel finsal twat er.Who
woulddot hi
stome? Ishouldn'thavecamebackt o
SA.Ever ythi
ngisj usthecti
c,Ihaven'tevencal l
ed
mymom, norhaveIspendal otoftimewi t
hmy
son,l
ookt hereIlostaweek' stimeofbondi ngwi th
himjustdaysaf terar r
ivi
ngher e.Ishoul d'
vest art
ed
toworkaf ewdaysago. .
hellIdon'tevenknowhow
i
t'sgoingwi thLi
lly,mybusinessi sprobabl y
crumblingdowni nBelgium,Ineedt oletmypar t
ner
atthedinerknowwhat '
swr ong.

Al
loft
hisi
sjustdr
aini
ngmyener
gy.
Thewat
eri
snowcol
dandIdeci
dedt
ogetout
.
IseeIhavesl
eepwear
,maybeJasonhasbr
oughti
t.
Theyaremycomfyones.
Idr
ymybodyandsl
ipi
ntot
hem.
Ientermyroom andIseemybeddi
ngwaschanged.
Itakeslowst
epstomybedasitsti
llhur
tsdown
there.
Il
ookf
ormyphonei
nthecupboar
d,i
t'
sher
e.
Ifi
ndal otofmissedcall
sfrom mymom,the
psychiatr
yhospitalnott
oforgetMrMer
kenmy
businesspartneratthedi
ner.

Ideci
det
ocal
lthehospi
talf
ir
st
"
Groenkl
oofhospi
talhowmayIhel
pyou"iknow
t
hisvoi
ce
"Morni
ngMi ss,
it
'smeMsKhozaspeaki ng,
canyou
sendmet hroughtoyoursuper
visor?
Ineedt or
eport
tohim/herwhyIcouldn'
tbethereforthepastf
ew
days"
"
Okhol
don"wai
tWhat
?noat
ti
tude?
wow

Fewsecondsl
aterIgotsentt
hroughandamal e
answer
s"MsKhoza,wewer ewait
ingonyourcal
l"
"
I'
m sorrysi
r ,
i
t'
sjustI'
vebeeninanaccidentlast
weekandIj ustr
egainedconsciousnessthi
s
morni
ng,Icansendyoupr oofifyoudon'tbel
ieve
mesir"Iqui
cklysay
"OhmyGodMsKhozaIhopeyouar eok,youknow
What ?cl
ockinwhenyoubackonyourf eet
compl et
elyok?
I'
m aresi
dentherebutI'
l
lletthe
headknowwhati swrong,ourpeopl
ecomef ir
st,
rest
assuredMsandgetbet t
ersoon,youalreadyhave
alotofpeoplewhowantstoseeyou"
Ichuckl
ebutendupcoughi
ngbecauseofthepai
n
onmyl ef
tsi
de"t
hankyouSir
"Isayandbidfar
ewell

Nowihavet
ocal
lMrMer
ken,
Ihopenot
hingi
s
wrong.
"Mi
nè"hecal
lsmet
hatsi
ncehecan'
tpr
onouncemy
namecorr
ect
ly
"HiMrMer
kenIhopeI
'
m noti
ntot
oomucht
roubl
e"
Isay
"Nonotatal
lmydarli
ng,Ij
ustwant
edtodi
scuss
somethi
ngaboutthedinerwi
thYou,
Iwast
hinki
ng
weshouldexpandit
"
"I
t'
saboutt
ime,
butwe'l
lhavetodi
scussitsome
othert
imesi
r,
I'
m notf
itenoughf
orthatatthe
moment
"
"
What
everyousaymami
"onceaf
li
rtal
waysaf
li
rt

Call
ingmymot
heri
snotanopt
ion.Ideci
dedt
otake
arest.
[
12]

{
Jason}

Mymom andsi st
er'scamebackl astweekwheni
tol
dthem whathashappened,shestil
lhasn'
t
spokentomebecauseshebl amesmef orwhathas
happenedtoEntl
e.Idon'tbl
amehert hough,
before
l
eavingshetol
dmet olookaf
terEntl
ebutinsteadI
wentoutdri
nki
ng* sigh*.

Shewantedtocomewi t
hmeandSi yatoseeEnt
le
butwekeptsayi
ngno.Todaywer ecei
vedacal
l
fr
om t
hedoctorthatEnt
lehaswokenup.Thedoct
or
saidthestat
ethatshewasi
nisbadSoshe'
l
lneed
professi
onalhel
p.

It
oldmymot hert
hegoodnewsandshest ar
ted
cr
ying,
Itoowasemoti
onalbutIkeptast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Ical
ledSi
yaandhepi
ckedupaf
teraf
ewr
ings
"Jasoni
t'
stooear
lyman,
I
'm get
ti
ngsomemor
ning
gl-
"
"
Ent
lei
sawake"Icuthi
m of
f
Ihearshuff
li
nginthebackgroundandwhi
ningf
rom
hissocall
edfiance"Whatdoyoumeanawake?"He
askedsuddenlyint
erest
ed
"Awakeasinshewokeup,
she'
sof
fthemachi
ne"I
saybored
"
ThankGod,okI
'l
lmeetyouatt
hehospi
tal
,
Ajayand
meneedstogetready"
"
Cool
"Isayandcutt
hecal
l

Her
eIam att
hehospi
tal
,
unwashedbecausemy
mom couldn'twaitthatlongbutsheandmy
si
bli
ngsarecl ean*shakingmyhead* .Weenter
Entl
e'swardandshel ooksli
keamess,hair
wil
d,eyesredandkneespul ledtothechest
.Thi
s
doesnotlookgood.
Istandbackasmymom sl
owl
ywal
ksupt
oEnt
le'
s
bed.
"
Ent
le?myskat(
myl
ove)
it
'sme,
Msdevi
ll
ier
s"my
mom sayssof
ly
Entl
el ooksatmymom andgi vesheraf
aintsmil
e
butthesmi l
esoonturnsint
oaf r
ownandshe
suddenl yst
art
scr
ying.Lucki
lymymom istheret
o
comf orther
.

"Eywhatdi dwe-"t
hat'
sSiyastoppi
nginhi
stracks
assoonasheseesi nwhatstateEntl
eisi
n.He
real
lyistr
yingtoscore,
hebroughtEntl
e
presents,
ball
oonsandfrui
tbasketohandIseelit
tl
e
Ajayisheretoo.
"
What
'swr
ong"henudgeme
"
Itmustbet
het
rauma"Iwhi
sper
"
Youknow,mycontact
scan'
tseem t
ofi
ndt
hese
men,
i
t'
sli
ketheyva-
"
Hegotcutbyt
hedoct
orent
eri
ng
"Ohgoodmor ni
ng,Iseeeveryonei
shere.Soin
ter
msofMsKhoza' sheal
th,
shehasn'tcont
racted
anydiseasesl
et'
sstartt
here"weallsi
ghinreleave
"Wealsotookbl
oodsampl estoseeifshe's
pregnant
"hesaysscrol
li
ngdownhi stablet
,maki
ng
mehol dmebreathbecauseifshe'
spregnantit
'l
l
breakhermore.
"Thoset
est
scameoutnegat
ive"IseeSi
yahuggi
ng
hisson.
"She'
llneedhelpment
all
y,
bythel
ooksofthi
ngsit
'l
l
beal ongjour
neyandIhopeshe'
l
lhavesuppor
t
aroundher.
"It
'l
ltaketi
meforherri
btofi
nall
yhealandalsot
he
bruises,
shemustbathherpri
vat
epartwit
hsaltso
thatitcanhealandt
hesti
tchescanfal
lout"
Thi
sisal
ot,
Ihopeshe'
scopi
ng.
Hegoest oEntl
eandchecksherdr i
pandbreathing.
Whenhe'sdonehet urnstous" she'
sgoodt o
go,
she'
llj
usthavetotakei teasywhenshe'shome
andshe'l
lneedsupervisi
on.BeforeIfor
getwehave
al
readyassignedhertoapsychol ogi
st,
whowi llbe
comingtoherhouseinstead"hesaysandl eaves

Whil
etheygetherr
eadyideci
dedt
ogoandsi
gn
herr
eleasef
orms.

{
Siya}

Ilookatherasshe'
splayi
ngwi t
hAj ay,
shelooks
empty.NottheEntl
ewhoal wayshadaspar klein
hereyes.I
'm goi
ngtobebyhersi deunti
lshe'sback
toheroldself
.
Myphoneri
ngsandIcheckwho'
scal
li
ng,
it'
s
ayanda.
"
Love?
"Iask
"Si
yawher ewhyai
n'tyouhomeyet
?Whyar eyou
sti
llchasi
ngaft
ert
hatdamagedEntl
e?"Sheshout
s
Wai
t.
.
"
Howdi
dyouknowaboutEnt
le?
"Iask
"
W-wel
lyoument
ionedi
ttomeduh"shechuckl
es
"
Noididn'
t,
wedon'
tevenment
ionEntl
e'
sname
whenwetoget
her
"Isaywit
hanarchedeyebr
ow
"Babedon'tyouremember
?youwer
et aki
nginyour
sleepafewdaysagoandyoumentionedthewhole
ordealabouther
"
"Oh?Idi
dn'tknowiwassl eeptal
king,
anywaysim
almostdoneher et
henI '
l
lpassbyt heoff
icebef
ore
cominghome, Yousti
llatmyapartmentright
?or
der
whateveryouwantandsur pri
semewhenIget
home"Isayandcutt hecall.

Thatwasjustweir
d,I
'
veneveri
nmylif
etalkedinmy
sl
eep.ThiswholeEntl
ethi
ngmustbebotheri
ngme
awholelot*shaki
ngmyhead*.
IseeJasoncomi ngbackwithawheel
chairforEnt
le,
Iguessit
'ssti
llast
ruggl
eforhert
owalkonherown.
Idon'
tseethose2gi r
lsanymoreI
'
m guessingthey
wentoutfir
st.

>>cont
inuat
ion+1mor
einser
ttomor
row<< sor
ry
fort
hedelay
>>Cont
inuat
ion<<

{
Mike}

ForthepastweekFr ancohasbeenl ettingmeknow

howt hingsaregoing.Hemanagedt ocat chall3
andkeept hem inasaf eplace.Theyt hinkwear e
weaklingssincewehaven' tdoneanyt hingt o
them,wekeepi ngthem untilEntl
eisst rongenough
soshecanpuni shthem her sel
f.I
ttookawhol elot
from met onotflydownt oSAandki llthoseboys
myself,Isti
llt
hinkthere'
ssomeonecont r
olli
ng
them butallinduetimewe' llgett
hatper son.
Inregardi
ngtotheli
ttl
esi
ster
? Sheneedstostay
her
ef oramonthort womaxf orhertoful
lyr
ecover
.
She'sastronggir
l.

Iwasinmyst udydri
nki
ngwhi
skeywhenIr
ecei
ved
acal
lfrom Jason.
"MikeIt
houghtyouwoul
dbeasl
eepbynow"he
sayschuckl
ing
"
Thewi
ckeddon'
tsl
eepJasonPl
usi
t'
snott
hatl
ate"
Hegoesqui
et
"
Ihopeyoucal
li
ngmeaboutEnt
le"
"
AhyesyesEnt
le,
she'
sawake"
Myhear
tst
op
"
Youj
oki
ngr
ight
?"
"Noshe'
sawake,
shoul
dIexpectyout
ocome
down?"
"
You'
l
lseemewhenyouseeme,
andbyt
he
way,what'
syourplanwi
ththatexofyourswho
almostcausedyoursi
ster
sli
fe?Icantakeherout
youknow"
"What?
nono,l
etherbefornow,Ij
ustwanttofocus
onEntl
eatthemomentandi fiwanttodealwit
hmy
exI'
l
lsendhertojai
l"
Il
aughbecauseIal readycheckedheroutandshe
won'tgotojai
lthateasil
ysinceherfami
lyhas
connect
ionseverywher e
"
Goodf
oryou"IsayandIcutt
hecal
l

"
Honeyyourf
oodi
sready"t
hat
'sAngel
inamywi
fe
"I
'
llbedowninafewlove,
Ijustneedt
obookaf
li
ght
downtoSA,butI
'
m goingi
n2daysonl y"
"
YougoingtoSAagain?
"Sheaskwi
thapi
ngof
i
rr
it
ati
oninhervoi
ce
"
Ihavet
ocheckuponEnt
leheraun-
"
"Agai
nwithEntl
e?GodIwashopingyou'
dst
op
fussi
ngaboutherwhenshegoesbacktoSAbut
nowit'
sworse"sheshout
scutt
ingmeoff
"WhoaAngel
inawhat
swr
ong?
areyoui
mpl
yingt
hat
IwantEnt
le?
"
"I
'
m noti
mpl
yingbecauseIknowyouwanther
"she
snif
fs
Women
"WhywouldIwantEnt
le?
youmywi f
eandIloveyou
Ok?Entl
eisi
nmycareandI'
mlit
eral
lytheonl
y
famil
yshehasexcl
udi
ngherpar
entswhom she
hardl
yhascont
actwit
h.Nowcomef eedmeI'
m
hungry"
Shecl
ickshert
ongueasIchuckl
e

{
Minent
le}

Asweent erthehouse,
allthememoriescame
crushingdownandtearsjustbl
indmyeyes.Iask
Jasont owheelmetomybedr oom asIjustwantt
o
rest.
It
houghtAj
aywoul
dbesleepi
ngbynowbutnohe's
onmylapmaki
ngcarnoi
ses.He'
sli
ter
all
ytheonl
y
r
easonwhyI
'
m hol
dingonr
ightnow.

Asweentermyr
oom Ipl
aceAj
ayont
hegr
ound
si
nceihavet
ost
andup.
"Wil
lyouneedhel
pget
ti
ngundert
hecover
s?"
Jasonasks
"
Ifyoudon'
thaveapr
obl
em wi
thi
tyespl
ease"
HenodsashescoopsmeupandIwr
apmyhands
ar
oundhi
sneck.
"
Yougood?
"Heaskmeandinodyes
Hetakessteadyst
epst
omybedandhepl
aceme
l
ight
lyonthebedandcover
smewit
hathr
ow.
"
Anyt
hingt
oeat
?"
"Canyoumakemesomespi cynoodl
es?butahuge
bowlfi
ll
edwithi
t?hospi
talf
oodsucksandIjust
wantsomethi
ngspicyandthereshoul
dbealotof
sauce,
soupyspi
cynoodles"
Hel
aughs
"
Okicant
ry"hesaysashecomesf
orwar
dand
t
akesmyhandi
nhi
s
"We'
llgett
hroughthi
sMskhoza"hesaysand
ki
ssesmyf oreheadbef
oreheadi
ngoutt
aki
ngAj
ay
wit
hhi m

Ir
efuset
olett
hisml
ungumel
tmyhear
tfat
herGod.

{
Ayanda}

Dammi t!Byt hel

ooksoft hingsthi
seventjustl
ured
SiyaclosertoEntl
e.He'satt hehospi
tal
everyday,andnowthatb* tchisawake.It
'snoonand
he'ssti
llnotbacksincethismor ni
ng.Ineedadrink.

Ideci
dedt
ogooutwi
thmygi
rl
sforachange.
Ical
lnandemybest
ie
"D*
ckwasnotsupposetosepar
ateusyouknow"
shesaysassoonassheanswersherphone
"
Asi
fyouhar
dlycal
lme"
"Gi
rlyou'
vebeenmissi
ngout
,Ihavesomucht
o
sharewit
hyou"shesays
"Metoo,
lett
hegir
lsknow,
I
'minthemoodf
oreat
ing
anddri
nkingatt
hesametime"
"
Let
'sgot
ospur
"
"Youli
kel
owcl
asssh*
tnande"Isayandr
ollmy
eyes
"
Spuri
sforpoorandr
ichyouknow"
"
Exact
lyIdon'
tli
kedi
ningwi
tht
hepoor
,I
'm al
ler
gic
t
othem"
"
Sti
llab*t
ch,
Seeyoui
n1hour
"shesaysanddr
ops
t
hecall

Igetdressedinmynudeskintightsi
lkyshortdr
ess,
nudepencilheal.WhenI'
mfini
shedwi t
hmyhai r
andmakeupil ookfl
y,
can'
twaittopostthese
pi
cturesandmakeSi yaseewhathe'smi ssi
ngout
on.
Befor
eheadingoutIsnapafewpict
uresandpost
them wi
th"
readytogoout"capt
ion.

AsIent
erthelowcl
assrestaur
antIcanfeelal
leyes
onme.Ispotmygir
lsatthe8seater
,Il
ovemaking
anent
rance.

"
Gir
ls"Isayasisi
tdown
"Yazt
hisfi
anceofyour
sist
reat
ingyougood"
nandesays
Ther
e'ssomethi
ngdif
fer
entabouther
,Ij
ustcan'
t
putmyfingeroni
t.
"
Iagr
ee"l
ayl
aandSi
masaysi
nuni
on
Ical
lthewai
tr
essasIwantt
oor
der
"Justbri
ngmesomefri
esandastr
eak,medi
um rar
e
please,
andf
orast
art
ersI'
l
lhaveapinàcol
ada"
Henodes,
ther
estcl
aimt
oal
readyhaveor
der
ed.
"
Siya'
sbabymamai
sint
own"Isayt
othem
Ever
yonest
opseat
ing
"
Noonei
sgoi
ngt
osayanyt
hingabouti
t?"
"Wel
l.
..
weal
lknewthemi
nut
eshepost
edt
hatshe'
s
backi
nSA"l
aylasays
"
Whatdoyoumeany'
al
lknew?
"Iaski
nconf
usi
on
"
Youli
ter
all
yonsoci
almedi
aever
ydaybutyou
l
ivi
ngunderar
ock"Si
masays
"YearsbackSi yaandhi sbabymamawast heIT
couple,almostever yonewant edapi eceofSi ya.Yea
Siyawasal ow-keycheatbutshest ayed.Unt i
l2
yearsagowhensheupl oadedwhathappened, why
sheleftsi nceeveryonewasaski ngwhathappened.
Butsheer asedever yt
hingf rom herol daccountand
madeanewonesoonaf ter.Shest artedblogging
andhonest lyIdon'tknowhowshej uggles
everythingbei ngaphysi ologist,
recentlyopenedher
ownr est aurantandowni nghal fawel lknowndi ner
i
nbel gium andnowaki d? Itakemyhatof f"layl
a
explai
ns.
Ifeelmyselfget
ti
ngjeal
ous.Iquickytakeoutmy
phoneandwentonI nstagram t
osear chher.WhatI
foundalmostmademescr eam,shehasmor e
foll
owers,
waymor ethanme,howi sthispossi
ble?
?I
feell
ikeI'
m aboutt
oexplode.

"
Areyouok?
"Nandeasks
"
Y-Yeswhywoul
dibe,
l
et'
sgetmor
edr
inks"Isay
"
Y'al
lgoahead,
I
'm st
icki
ngt
omyj
uice"Nandesays
"
I'
vebeenmeani
ngt
oaskvel
e,
why?
"
"
Wel
l,
yourgi
rli
s3mont
hspr
egnant
"shesays
Andif
eelmysel
fget
ti
ngmor
ejeal
ous
"Wait.
..
soever
yoneknewexceptme?
"Isayasil
ook
around
Nandeshrugs"younotaround,
andwhenyou
ar
oundit
'salwaysSiyathisSi
yathat
"
I
fshe'
str
yingt
omakemef
eelbadThenshe'
scr
azy.
"
Who'
sthebabydaddy?
"Iaskcur
iousl
y
"
Doweknowhi
m?"Iaskagai
n
"Everyoneknowshim"shesayssmi l
ing"I
'l
l
i
ntroducehim attheri
ghtt
ime"shesayslooki
ngat
mewhi l
eeveryoneisj
ustmindi
ngtheirown
business.
Whyisshegi
vingmewei
rdvi
bes,
ever
yonef
ort
hat
mat
ter.

Wehaven'tsai
danythi
ngtoeachotheryetasI'
m
nowonmy4t hpi
nà.Ir
ecei
veacallfr
om fianceand
Ianswer
"
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
What
'st
heoccasi
on?
"Heasks
"
Thankyoul
ove,
Jusoutwi
tht
hegi
rl
sforabi
t"Isay
"
Soundsf
un,
don'
tgohomel
ate"
"
Inamont
hst
imei
t'
llbe'
ourhome'
"Isay
"Aboutt
hat,
I'
vemadeafewar
rangement
stopush
theweddingbackonemor
emonth"hedr
opsa
bombonme
"
Uyahl
anyashame(
Youcr
azy)
"Isayandcutt
hecal
l
Thi
smani scr azy,
Iref
usetoletmyweddi
ngbe
shi
ftedback.ThesooneribecomeMrsJamathe
bet
ter.
[
13]
2WEEKLATER
{
Siya}

Meshi f
ti
ngt heweddinghasnot hi
ngt odowi thme
delayingget t
ingmar r
iedtoAyanda.Ij ustwantt o
focusonget ti
ngEntleontherightt r
ackforourSon,
butIcan' tli
e,beingaroundEntlethismuchi s
maki ngmef allf
orherevenmor e,yesshehat esme
andi hurtheri nthepastbutIswearonourf i
r st
son'slif
et hatifshegivesmeanot herchanceI '
dlet
Ayandago.

I'
m busychatt
ingwithnande,
can'
tsaywe've
becomecloserthesepastfewweeksbecausemy
heartst
il
lli
eswithEntl
e.I
fAyandafindsoutImade
herbestfr
iendspregnant,
she'
llski
nmeal i
ve.I
di
dn'tevenknowt heywe'r
efriends,
thatni
ghtwhen
Iperf
ormed,nandejustcaughtmyeyei nst
antl
y.I
wassowast edthatIchowedwi thoutacondom,t
hat
wasjustpurestupidi
tytobehonest.

Ont
hephone
Me:sowher
ear
ey'
al
lheadi
ng?
Nande:i dkYourfi
ancewant
stogoout
clubbing,howboutmeandyouspendt
heni
ght
together?
Me:
Ican'
t,
I
'm goi
ngt
oseemyki
d
Nande:youal
wayst
her
e,whatdi
ff
erencewi
ll
t
onightmake?
Me:Nandepl ease,younotevensupposet oactli
ke
mygirl
friendri
ghtnow, andIthinkweshoul
dlimit
ourcontactfr
om nowon, onl
ycontactmewhenyou
needsomet hi
ngt hatincludesthebaby,i
fAyanda
fi
ndsoutaboutusi m screwedandsoar eyou.
Goodnight
Iswitchoffmyphone,Ayandabetternotdo
anythingstupi
dwherevershe'
sgoing.Istart
fr
esheningupsoIcanpassbyt hemal lf
ir
stbef
ore
headingtoEntle'
shouse.

"Howi
ssheholdingup?
"Mymom askmeasshei
s
busyi
ntheki
tchen.
"Ei
shmait
'sbad,
I
'mj
ustt
ryi
ngt
obet
her
eforher
andAj
ay"
"Howaboutyouinvi
teheroverforSundaylunch?I
wouldgotoherhousebutIalsodon'twantto
over
crowdherli
keYou,i
fIdidn'
tknowanybet terI
'
d
sayyousti
lll
oveher
"shesayswi nki
ngatme
*si
gh*"howcanInotma? she'
sthemotherofmy
secondbor nli
ter
all
y,
she'smor egroundedthan
before,i
ndependent,
morebeaut if
ulanddidyousee
herskin?owmawhydi dn'tyoulockmeupunt i
lshe
comesback? ortel
lmeatl eastthatyou'
vebeenin
contactwit
hher ?"
"KodwaSiyayouneverl i
stentome,It oldyoushe's
agoodgi r
landyout ookherforgrant ed,
shewas
will
ingt
ocuthervacat i
onshortuntilshesawt hat
youmovedonwi ththi
sAyandagi rl
,
thesamegi r
l
youcheatedonherwi thandhadherpi ckupyour
usedcondoms"* cli
ckshertongue*" Iwashappyt o
haveherasmydaught eri
nlaw,youknowiwas.I n
ourcult
ureIm notsupposetoseeyourgi rl
fri
ends
onlyyourwif
e,butwhenyoui ntr
oducedmet oEntle
Icouldseeshe'stheoneforyou...i
-"shest art
ed
cryi
ng
"
Yazinl
etmegot
omyr
oom bef
oreyouupsetme
more"

Seei
ngmymom li
kethi
sjustbr
eaksmyhear t,
she
al
waysendsupcr
yingwhenwet al
kingaboutEnt
le.

"She'sri
ghtyouknow?"It
urnandIseei
t'
smy
brotherAshl
ey,Godhelpmenow
"
WeallloveEnt
lebutyouj
usthadt
omessi
tup,
now
l
ookatyou"
"Evenifyoudeci
detonotmar ryAyanda,
IhopeandI
wish..
haiIpr
aythatEntl
edoesn'tt
akeyouback"he
fi
nall
ysaysandheadsout .Leavi
ngmewi tha
bowedhead,theri
ngtoneofmyphonepul l
sme
back.
"
Hel
lo"Ianswerwi
thoutchecki
ng
"
Siya?
i-i
t'
sme.
.-
"
"E-
Entl
e?"IsayandIcl
earmyt
hroatandwi
pemy
nose
"Areyouokay?
Yousound.
.Yousoundasi
fyouwer
e
cryi
ng"shesofl
ysays
If
orgothowgoodt
hiswomanknowsme*
shaki
ng
myhead*
"Iwasjustmi
ssi
ngyou.
.Imeanyouguys"Isay
chuckl
ing
Shechuckl
esmakingmyhear tski
pabeat,
int
he
pastj
usthear
ingherl
augh/chuckl
eovert
hephone
mademydayandsur pri
singl
yitst
il
lhast
hateff
ect
onme,worseeven.
"
Youknowwher
emyhousei
s,
Iwant
edt
oaska
f
avor
"sheshyl
ysays
"Anyt
hing"Iqui
ckysaymakinghergiggle.OhGod
ther
e'sthatf
eel
ingagain,
Ent
lecamebackwi thmuti
shameandIneedmor e.Whatam Isayi
ng?
"Um-i
-Ineedyoutobuymesomethi
ngonyourway
here,
youarest
il
lcomingr
ight
?"
"YesIam,t
ellmewhatyouneedandI
'
llbuyi
t,
anew
houseeven"
"St
il
lfunny,Ineedbi l
tongprett
ypleasebutawhole
l
otandi tshouldi ncl
udefat"shesaysfast
.I
chuckle,
shest i
llhatesaski
ngsomeonet obuyher
thi
ngs,somethingI '
vealwaysadmi r
edabouther
.
"Done,
butonl
yifyoumakemesomepi
ckl
edf
ish"I
say
"HaiboSi
yapickledfishi
sforEast
erinApri
l
only,
I'
vet
oldyout hatcount
lesst
imes"icanal
ready
seehershockingfacewithasmile
"Pl
easeEnt
le,Ial
readysawthatyouhaveal
otof
oni
onsandhakei nyourhouseyester
day,
youknow
howmuchil ovepickl
edfi
sh"Iwhine
Shel
oudl
ylaughs,
maki
ngmebeam.
"Youcheckedmycupboards?f
ineI'
llmake
them,thatmeansyouneedt
oaddmyf avouri
tei
ce
cream and2bottl
esofmyfavouri
tewine"shesays
allhypedup
"
Thatwasn'
tpar
toft
hedealMakaAj
ay"Isay
l
aughi
ng

Thiswholeconversat
ionmakesmyhear tmel
t.Just
afewdaysagoIt houghtshemi ghtsli
pint
o
depressi
on,
I'
m guessinghersessionwentwell
today.Il
oveheari
ngherlaughlil
et hi
s,
Iwannaseeit
too.

"KodwaSiyayoucan'
texpectmetoendureal
lthose
onionsmakingmecry"shesayssni
ff
ing
"Womanwhoar eyoutryi
ngtofool
?webot hknow
yourmom taughtyouhowtocutonionswithout
them t
ear
ingupyoureyes"Isaywhil
elaughing
Ihearhercl
icki
nghert
ongue,
andIbetshej
us
fol
dedherarmsandpoutedherj
uicypi
nkand
brownli
pswhichi
ndi
catedshe'
stryi
ngtoact
mad,i
t'
scute.
"OkokhowaboutihelpyouwhenIar
ri
ve?
"Isay
alr
eadyheadi
ngoutthedoor
"
Exact
ly"sheshout
s
Heh?
"
Par
don?
exact
lyWhat
?"Iaskt
otal
lyconf
used
"
Iexact
li
edyou"sheshout
sagai
n
"YouareonesneakywomanMsKhoza"Isaywhile
holdi
ngmynosebr i
dge.Shesatat
rapformeandi
fel
lfori
t,
nowim goi
ngtobuyherst
uffandhel
p
makemyownpi ckl
efi
sh*shaki
ngmyhead*
Shel
aughsont
heot
hersi
deoft
hephone
"
ByeJamadon'
tfor
getmywi
ne"
"
Wait
,st
il
ltheusualordoyounowhaver
oyal
ty
t
ast
ebuds?"Iask
"Theusual
,
cheapwi
neki
cksqui
ckeryouknow"she
says
Ibi
dgoodbyebef
orecut
ti
ngt
hecal
l.I
'
m happy.
AsI
'
m dr
ivi
ngir
ecei
veacal
lfr
om myf
ri
endVuyo.
"
Eyt
aSi
ya"
"
YeaVee,
what
'sup?
"
"
Yo,
theboyswantt
ogoout
,ar
eyougame?
"
"
Uhno,
unf
ort
unat
elynott
oni
ghtboyza"Isay
"Hai
bobra,
wehaven'
tchi
ll
edt
ogetheri
nagesi
t'
s
Fri
day,
l
et'
sgooutandenj
oyoursel
ves"
"Veet
hel astt
imeiwentoutwit
hy'al
l,
Iendedup
cheat
ing,sonot hanksAndgoodbye,
maybeyoucan
comet omyhouseonSunday. .mymom hast his
l
uncht hinggoingon"Isayasifi
nall
yparkInf
rontof
themal l
"
What
everman,
aytI
'
llbet
her
e"

Insi
dePicknPayiendupbuyi
ngunnecessarystuff
.
Ibuysomeboozef ormeandJasonaswell.Ienter
i
dentit
yasIseemat chi
ngt
-shi
rt
sformeandAj ay,
I
woul
dbuyEnt
leonet
oobutt
hat
'sabi
tofast
ret
ch.

AsIupr
oacht
heyardIseethere'
sanot
hercar
par
kedi
nthedri
veway.Ent
lehasguest
s?Iwonder
.
Ienterthehouseandgost rai
ghttot heki
tchen
whereipl acedthestuffIbought.Ientert
helounge
andt here'
saguysi tt
ingnexttoEntleandhehas
herheadonherl ap.Wtfwho'sthis?Jasonisjust
si
tti
ngt herelooki
ngatt hem.
"
Ent
le?
"Ical
lout
Sheli
ft
supherheadandIseeherpuf
fyeyesand
redswol
lennose.
"What'
swrong?whomadeyoucr
y?"IaskasI
hur
riedtoher
Sheshakesherhead"
theyf
oundt
hem"shesays
andsni
ffs
"
Who'
sthey?
whodi
dtheyf
ind?
"I'
mlost
"
Theme- menwhohadthe-
irw-
waywi
thme"she
f
inal
lysaysandbr
eaksdown
Isitbesi
deherwhi
leshushi
ngher,
shebegan
feeli
ngheavyandiknewsheasl
eepsoItookhert
o
herbedroom.

IcamebackandIseethesetwofoolsi
nthebags
eati
ngt
hebil
tongIboughtforEnt
le.
"Areyouguysnuts?
??!!
thoseareEnt
le'
sbil
tong"i
sayrunni
ngtothem andsnatchingt
hebil
tongout
thei
rhands.
"Cananyonetel
lmewhat'
sgoi
ngonAndwhoar
e
You?"Dir
ect
edtothenewguy
"
Notthatyouneedt
oknowbutI'
m Mike"ohsohe'
s
Mike,
Ihopehe'
snotEnt
le'
sboyf
ri
end
"AndI'm her
ebecauseI,wellafr
iendcapt ur
edthe
boysthathadt hei
rwaywithEntle,
theyrecentl
y
confessedthattheywer
esentbysomeone, tosend
amessage"hesaysst il
lbusylookingthroughthe
bags

"
Andwhyar
en'
ttheydeadyet
?"IaskandIsee
Jasonl
ooki
ngatmei
nshock
"Don'
tlookatmeli
ket
hatJay,
I'
m notasweakas
youbecauseyourl
owl
ifeexi
sstil
lonthel
oose"
Mikechuckl
esandsays"
tr
ustmeyouar
easweak
astheycancomebro"
"
Andhowdoyouknowaboutmyex?
"Jasonasks
"Youbarel
yknowmeMi keike,
Andever
yonewho
needstoknowaboutyourexknows"
Jasonj
usshakeshi
shead

"Toansweryourquest
ionSi
ya,
theyai
n'tdeadyet
becauseIwantEntl
etohandl
ethem"hesays
"
YouareoutofyourGoddamnmi nd,
thatwi
ll
t
raumat
izehermore"Isayshocki
ng
Miketakesoutt
hewhi
skyIboughtandtakesout3
cups"Youhavenoi
deawhoEntleis"hesayswhil
e
pouri
ng
"Ent
lewoul
dn'thurtafl
y,
wel
lunlessshe'
sprovoked
butshe'
sneverbrutal
,
shemightfor
givet
hoseguys"
Isay
Mikelaughs"you'
l
lseewhent
het
imecomes"and
hesipshisli
quor

Msdevi lli
ersjustret
urnedwithmybaby.
Apparent l
yEntledecidedit
'sbesti
ftheywentto
boardingschool ,
shemanagedt oconvinceMsde
vi
ll
ierswhenshement i
onedhowi t
'l
linf
luencet
hem
academi call
yinaposi t
iveway.

{
Ent
le}

IwakeupasIseeI '
m undert
hecover
s.WhatMike
toldmeearli
eroncameasashocker,
butwhoam I
kiddi
ng?Ibeenwanti
ngtogetmyhandsonthese
guysforawhi l
enow.Whenthet
imeisri
ght,
I
'l
lgo
seethem.
[
14]
1WEEKLATER
It
'sbeenaweeksi nceMi kedroppedthebombon
me.Howam it akingthings?daybyday,af
teral
lmy
babyistheonlythingthatkeepsmegoi ng.I
recent
lyenr
oll
edhi mintoacr eche,
i
t'sonl
ybeen
day2andI '
m alr
eadyf eeli
ngthevoid.
Therapywi se?I'
m apsychologistbutIneverknew
thatIhadsomanyt hi
ngsbot tl
edupi nsi
deofme.
Themant hatwasassignedt obemyt herapistMr
Jansenandhei sreal
lygood,hemademer eal
ise
thatevenaf t
ersomanyyear sIst i
llhaven'thealed
from ever
ythingSiyadidtome.
Hefeelsthatt
hereasonwhyI '
m soeagert
omove
pasttherapesagaisbecauseI'
m usedtosweepi
ng
stuf
fundertherugwhichiswrongbecauseIneed
tovent,
cryandheal
.

Hecameupwi t
ht hi
sstupi
dideaofSiyajoi
ningme
onournextsession,
ButIguessItai
n'tabadideaso
I'
l
lthi
nkaboutit
.
Jasonhasbeenact i
ngwei rdthesepastfewdays.
Heusual lydri
vesar oundwhenhedr opsmeof fbut
herecent l
ywant edtoseewhomyt herapistisand
aft
erthat?Hisover protecti
venaturehasbecome
waymor e.Henowwai tsi
nthecarorout sideMr
Jansensof fi
ce.I'm payinghim goodSoit hinkit
's
ti
mef orhimt oeithermovebackorf indan
apart
mentbecauseIt ooNeedmyspace, hismom
andsister'smovedbackhomel astweekandI '
m
happyimeant heywer en'
tmeanttost ayatmy
houseint hefir
stplace, atl
eastnotthatlong.
Whatmakesmemor emadisthatJasonwant
sto
di
ctat
ewhatIshoul
dwearwhengoingtoworkor
at
tendther
apyandt
hat
'sj
usnoton.
I
fthi
sbehavi
ourdon'
tst
opI
'
llhavet
ofi
rehi
m.

I'
m onmywayoutofmyof fi
cesi
nceim donefor
theday.IpassthefoyerandIseeagroupof
workersgather
edtogether
,Notmybusinessunti
l
someonegi ggl
edwhenIpassedanditmademe
stopandturnaround
"
Mindshar
ingt
hej
oke?
"Iask
Thegi r
lwhogavemeat ti
tudeont hef ir
stdaywhom
IlearntwasnamedLi zzydeci detocl earherthr oat
"Soawhol eyoucoul dn'tkeepaguyl ikeSiya?Ibet
hel eftyouhenceyougotpr egnantt okeephi m at
bayr ight?Imeanamont hbef oret heguyhast oget
mar ri
edyouj ustcameoutofnowher ewi t
haki dhe
knowsnot hingabout ,Yout rappedhi m andi t'
ssuch
acoi ncidencet hatheshi ft
edt heweddi ngamont h
backwhenyoucamei nt
ot hepi cture.Idon'tblame
You, I
'
dt rapSiyawi thababyt ooImeanl ookhow
l
oadedhei sandt hat'
swhyyouf ellpregnant
ri
ght ?tobet hegolddi ggert hatyouar e"shesaysa
mout hfulandherdumbassf riendsar ebusy
cheer i
ngheron.

Thi
sgi
rldoesn'
tknowme, Iendeduplaughi
ngf ora
l
ongti
meandmyf acewentstrai
ghti
naninstant
"
Hunny"IsayandIwal
kcl
oser
"
Youar
eonefunnyki
dyouknowt hat?"Isaywhi
l
e
t
aki
ngafewhai
rstr
andsoutofherface
"
Youreal
lyf
unny"Isayandgi
veheraf
ewt
apson
t
hecheekbefor
eleavi
ng
"
Andyoust
il
lagol
ddi
gger
"sheshout
s

AsusualJasoni swai t
ingi
nthecar.Idi
dn'
thave
t
imetochatt ohi
m BecauseI'
m prett
ymadabout
whatthatgirlsai
d.It
'sThur
sdaytodaysoAjays
fat
herispickinghim upatt
hecreche.
AssoonasheparksthecarIheadout
,Notwai
ti
ng
onhi
mt oopenupthedoorforme.
Iheadtomyr oom t
ofreshenup, afterIwasdoneI
decidedtostartwit
hdinner.Nothingf ancy.Msde
vil
li
ersisn'
thereanyonesoi t'
sjusme, Jason,Mike
sinceheclaimshewon' tleaveuntilIdowhatneeds
tobedone,somet i
mesSi yajoi
nsusf ordinnerandI
knowhe' l
ljoi
ntodaybecausehe' sfetchinghisson.

Despi
tewhathappenedatwor
kIf
eelgood,
Idon'
t
knowwhybutijustdo
Ever
yonei
sher
easusual
,
Idi
shedupbutt
hemen
wantedtositi
nthel
oungesoIl
ett
hem onl
yift
hey
don'
tcreat
eamess.

Afterever yonewasdoneeat i
ngt heydeci dedt o
chillwit
haf ewbeerswhi lewat chingsoccer .Ir
eti
re
tomybed, t
heguysdi dn'
thaveapr oblem wi thit
sincemyheal thcomesf irst.WhileIwasgoi ng
throught hepaper sMrMer kensentmeani dea
poppedi nt omymi ndandiwal ki ntomycl oset,
what
towear ?Bl ack?notoocliche.Itakeoutmyski n
ti
ghtr oyalbluebodysui twi t
hmat chingl eather
pant s,
fi
tsmybodyl ikeagl ove.Shoes? velvetRoyal
bluepenci lheels.

SinceI'
m notamakeuppersonioptedforVasel
ine
onmyl i
ps.Ifl
at-
ir
onmyhairandtiedt
hem upatt he
back.Notahairstr
andoutofpl
ace.

Iwalkout
,andt
heonlythingonecanheari sthe
guysmakingnoseprobablyaboutsport
.Ientert
he
l
oungeandeveryoneisquiet
,IseeAjaypassedout
wi
thabot
tl
einhi
smout
h,per
fect
.
"
Myansweri
syesMi
ke"Il
ookathi
m
Al
lthr
eeoft
hem ar
est
arr
ingatme.
Icl
ickmyf
inger
sinf
rontoft
hem
"
Whati
sWr
ongwi
thyouguys?
"Iask
Theysnapoutofi
tandSi
yaj
umpsupf
ir
st
"Whatar
eyoudoingoutofbednana?
areyou
ok?Youl
ook.
..
wowbtw"hesayswantingtohol
dme
andiswathi
shandsawayf r
om me
"
I'
m perf
ect
lyf
inet
hankyouSi
yaandt
hankyou.
Mike?
"
"Ibeenwait
ingont
his,
we'r
ejustwai
ti
ngonyou"he
saystaki
ngasipofhisHei
neken.Si
es
"Wher
eareyougoi
ngdressedl
iket
hat
?"Jason
asksf
lat
.Ther
ehegoesagain?
Igot
otheki
tchent
ogetagl
assofwi
ne
"
What'
swrongwit
hmyclot
hesJason?"Iask
l
ooki
ngatmysel
fandt
aki
ngali
ltwir
l,
Hef ol
lowed
me.
Bef
oreIcouldfi
nishmyt
wir
lhest
ernl
ygr
abbedmy
ar
m andIfl
inch.
"Youcan'
tgooutl
iket
his,
Youlookl
ikeahoe"he
sayssqueezi
ngmyarm more.
Tfi
sWr
ongwi
thJason?
"
Jasonyouarehur
ti
ngme"IsayasItr
ytowi
ggle
mysel
foutofhi
sgri
pwhenhepushedmeagainst
t
hewallhar
d.What'
swr
ongwithJason??
OutofnowhereMi
kecameandtackl
edhim,had
hi
m pinnedont
hegr
oundbeat
inghim up.
Itri
edstandingupbutIwasal
it
tl
elightheadedand
Siyacamer unni
ngtoseewhat
'shappeningand
sawt hestat
eiminandcametohelpmeup.
"AreyouokayEnt
le?
"Heaskswi
thpur
econcer
non
hisface.
InodasIseeJasoni
sout
,whatj
usthappened?
.

"
Hehadnor
ight
"Mi
kesaysandki
ckshi
m
more,
maki
ngJasongr
oani
npai
n.Hel
ooksmessed
up.
"
Takehi
mtohi
sroom pl
easeguys"Isay
Andbot
hoft
hem l
ookatmel
ikeIj
ustgr
ewt
wo
hor
ns
"DidyouseethatEntle?t
hatwasthefi
rstsi
gnof
Jasonbecomi ngobsessedwithyou.Iknewhehas
feeli
ngsforyouButthisisj
ustmessedup,youneed
tofir
ehim."Siyashouts
"What?
noJasoni
snotobsessedwi
thme,maybe
he'
sjustmadpl
usweonlyhadonekiss"
"
OneWhat
?youtell
ingmeyouki
ssedt
hisi
diot
?"
NowSi
yai
sattacki
ngme* si
gh*
"
Stopwit
htheyell
ing,Entl
ear
ewestil
ldoi
ng
t
his?
becausemybl oodissti
l
lwarm"Mikesayswi
th
aboredt
onealr
eadypi cki
ngupJason
"
Hel
lyeawear
e,Butmybabyi
sher
e"Isaysul
king
"Si
yacanbabysi
twewon'
tbel
ong"mi
kesays
comingback
"
Excuseme?
I'
m notst
ayi
ngher
eal
one,
I
'm not
happywi t
hthisButhowboutwetakeAj ay
with?Doesthi
splaceofyour
shavear oom where
Ajaycanbei nandnotseehismothernoryour
goonsohandIdon' twanthi
mt owakeupt oany
noiseeit
her"Si
yaloveshi
ssonshame.
"I
'
m notanani
malSi
yaSor
elaxandl
et'
sgo"Mi
ke
says

Imake2morebott
lesforAj
aybef
orewel
eave
whi
lehi
sdadpackshisbag.

Wedeci
det
odr
ivei
nonecar
,Mi
kebei
ngt
hedr
iver
.
I'
m star
ti
ngtothi
nkthi
sguyi sgoi
ngt okidnapus
becausewe'vebeenontheroadfor1hournowand
thehouseskeepsongetti
nglessjustl
ikethest
reet
l
ights.
Heent er
sthisgravelroadandwedr i
vefor10mor e
minutesbeforewest opatthishugewall
/gat
ething.
Outofnowher e2buf fguyscamet othecar,
outof
ever
yoneSi yaistheonet oreactoni
tmakingus
l
aughandmysonwakingupcr
anky.Igi
vehi
m hi
s
bot
tl
eandhe'
squi
etagai
n.
Soont
hegateopensandMikedri
vesin.Iwantt
o
scr
eam whenIseet
hehousebecausewow.

Thi
shousei
sincr
edi
ble.
"MikeIneedtolayAjaydown,
anywher
eIcanpl
ace
him andhe'
llbesave?"Si
yasays
"Everywher eI
nt hi
shousei ssave,i
fit'
llmakeyou
feelbetter
,her
e'sababymoni tor
,pl
aceAj ayinany
room. "Mikesayswhi leleadi
ngusdownt hi
slong
hallandgoi ngdownwi thstai
rsagai n.Allt
hisgi
ves
mesuchanadr enali
nrushIlikeit.

{
Ayanda}
Ibeengoi ngoutdrinki
ngforthepast2weeks.
Tonightisdif
ferentbecauseIseeSiya'
sgangis
heretoo.Idecidedtositwit
ht hem,
Vuyothebest
fr
iendwel comesmewi t
hopenar ms.
We'
redr
inki
ngt
heni
ghtawayandVuyoi
s
becomi
ngt
ouchy,
fel
tgood.Maybei
t'
sthel
iquor
.

It
'spastmidni
ghtandVuyodecidedtotakeme
home.Whenweent eredhedecidedtokissmeout
oftheblue,Si
yai
sprobabl
yfuckingEntl
esoImight
aswelluseVuyofortheni
ght.
[
15]

Wecamet oastopinfr
ontofthi
smet aldoor
,Mike
l
ookedupatwhatl ookedli
keacamer aandt hedoor
opened( cool)
.Asweent er
edifeltSi
yaholdingmy
waist*shakingmyhead*Il ookaroundandIseea
l
otofpeopl ejustmindingt
heirown
business,dri
nki
ngandsmoki ngsomear ebusy
sort
ingoutweed.
Wewalkpastthem,i
t'
squietsoi
t'
sonl
ymyheels
t
hat
'smakingnoisemakingever
yonestopwhat
t
heyar
edoi ng.
"Wher
e'sFranco?"Mikeaskswit
hsomuch
aut
hori
tyitevensoundssexy(HaiboEnt
lesi
es
cont
ainyour
sel
f)myi
nnervoi
cesays

"YouaremakingnoiseMike"saysavoicebehind
us,aswetur
nar oundIseethethi
stal
lbeauti
ful
man.(menain'tbeaut
if
ulEntl
e)thi
sgir
liski
ll
ingmy
vibe.
"
Andwhoi
sthi
s"hesayscomi
ngt
owar
dsusand
t
aki
ngmyhand
"
That'
sEntl
eIwastel
li
ngyouaboutandhandsof
f"
Mikesaysnowbehi
ndme
IseeSi
yai
nthecor
neront
hephone.
"Youdidn'tt
ellmeshe'
sthi
sbeaut
if
ul"Fr
ancosays
sti
llhol
dingmyhand
"
Thi
swaymyl ady"hesaysl
eadi
ngmet
oanot
her
r
oom downt
hehall
I
t'
squi
techi
ll
yher
e.

Heopensthedoorandswit
chont hel
ight
s.Isee3
guyschai
nedup,
smellsbadtoo.
"
Wakeup,
thi
sisnotahot
el!
"Fr
ancoyel
ls
"
Ihopeyou'
l
lmakemyni
ghtMsEnt
le"Fr
ancosays
l
ooki
ngatmesmil
ing
ThedooropensandSi
yaent
ers.Hi
m andFr
anco
exchangenoddes
"Somydearl
ady,
thef
loori
syour
s"Francosaysand
hepul
lsachai
rcl
oserandSit
sonit
"
Youdon'
thavet
odot
hisEnt
le"Si
yasays
"
Ohnobutshedoes, sheneedstodoThis,
youfeel
t
herushr i
ghtEntl
e?Thesamefeeli
ngyouhadback
i
nBelgium?itwasgreatwasn'
tIt
?AndasalwaysIm
r
ighthere"Mikesays
Inodandsmil
easIwalkcl
osertot
heguyswhohas
nowstoodup,
theyl
ookunt
ouched.

"Yougotbal
lsIsee,
doyourbest
"saysoneoft
hem
andmyat t
enti
onisonhim.It
'sHi
m,hewasthe
mainonegivi
ngoutorder
s.
"Your
ememberme?Andohyourcoochief
elt
amazi
ngdamn,I
twasli
keIwasbreaki
ngyour
vi
rgi
nit
y"hesayssmi
li
ng
Iwalt
stowar
dshi
m andIcl
oset
hespacebet
ween
us.
"
Youmeant
hatcarrotofyours?
"Isl
owl
ysaywhi
le
t
rai
li
ngmyf
ingert
ipsalloverhi
m
"Younotincontrolhere,
Andbytheendoft onight
you'
llconfess,
Ipromiseyouyou'
llconfess"I
whisperinhisear,
Iturnandl
ookatt heguy's
"
Keephi
mforl
ast
"Isay

Themasteri
snowt
iedupi
nacor
ner
.I'
mlef
twi
th
theseot
her2
"
I'
m aver
yni
ceper
son,
doyouguysknowme?
"Iask
Outofthecor
nerofmyeyeIsee2peopl
eenter
ing
wheel
ingsomethi
ngint
hatl
ooksli
keatabl
e.
Bot
hoft
hem shaket
hei
rheads
"Howaboutyouguysco-
oper
atet
henIl
etyouguys
go?"Isay
"
Theydon'
tknowsh*
t,
I'
mthei
rmast
er!
"theso
cal
ledmast
ershout
soutoft
hecor
ner
"
That
'
sapi
tt
y"Isayl
ooki
ngatt
hem

Ilookatt
heoneonmyrightandIgivehi
m asl
ap
thatst
ungmyhand.Makingtheguysatt
heback
chant.
"Youareasickbastar
d,mysoncould'
vebeen
presentt
hatday,f
uckthat
,FrancoIneedabat.
"
Fr
ancosi
gnal
ssomeoneandabatwasgi
vent
ome
Iletlooseandswayedt hebatt ohi sst omach
maki nghim crouchinpain.Iai medi tathisback
andst art
edhitti
nghim countlesst imesonhi sback
untilhewasdown.It hrewt hebatacr osst heroom
andst art
edkickinghiminhi sf ace.Hewasl osing
alotofbloodwhi chmademesmi le,Istoppedand
l
ookedathi m.Il i
ft
edupmyf ootandst eppedonhi s
skullhard,
Andmyheelwentr ightt hroughhi shead
maki ngthebloodoozeout .Theguyswer estunned.
Itr
iedwi
ggl
ingmyshoeoutofhi
shead,
Makinghi
s
headmakemorecr
acki
ngsoundsitdi
dn'
tbudgeso
Iunstrapedtheshoeandt ookmyf ootout.This
shoecost salotI'
m notgoi
ngleaveiti
nsome
random head,Icrouchdowntohislevelandpulled
outtheheelwi thfor
cemakingbloodgushout
mor e,
somenear l
ywentint
omymout h(eww) .

Ist
andupandl augh,
Theguysar
elooki
ngatmel
ike
i
m crazy.Iwearmyshoeagai
nsti
lll
aughi
ng
"
Janeht
hatwasni
ce"isay
"I
ndeeditwas,
mar
rymepl
ease"Fr
ancosays
standi
ngupamused
"
Nooneismarr
yingnoone,
Ent
lehowar
eyou
f
eel
ingnow?
"Siyasays
"Thatwasj usthebeggi
ningbutnoI'
m nothavi
ng
funyet,
Ijustneedtogetridoft
hisonethenther
eal
funbegins"Isaylooki
ngattheonethat'
sti
edup
andheisj ustl
ookingatme.
"Il
ikeherMike,whatarewewait
ingf
orNEXT"he
yel
lsbefor
et akinghi
sseatagai
n
"
Doyouneedsomet
hingt
odr
inkEnt
le?
"Si
yaasks
"
No,maybeaf
ter
war dsbutnotnow"Mi
kesays
l
ooki
ngatmeasi fhecanReadmymi nd
Ismi
leandIshakemyhead
"I
t'sokSi
yabutIdoneedsomet
hingt
oeat
"Isayas
itakeaseatnextt
oFranco.
"
Iwantsomef
ranksausages,
doy'
al
lhavesome?
"
"
Wenotani
mal
sEnt
le"Fr
ancosays

Soonagirlcomeswithabowlfi
ll
edwit
hthem,
she
takest
hem toFrancoandIext
endmyhandtotake
asausageandshepul l
sthebowlaway
"Keepyourdi
rt
yhandsoutofDanger
sfood"hai
bo
gir
lit
'sf
orme
"
Buti
t'
smi
nenj
ewhat
'syourpr
obl
em?
"Iask
"
Dangeror
der
e-"
"
Heor
der
edi
tforme"Icutherof
f
Shelooksathi
m andpl
acet
hebowlont
het
abl
e
i
nfr
ontofus.
Itakeaf
ewandeatt
hem,
Il
oveFr
anksausages
damn.

Franco/
Dangerordersomeonet
ounchai
nthenext
guywho'sal
readycryi
ngandmumblingsor
ri
es.
"Ohcomeonnow,
youdi
dn'
tst
opwhenIcr
iednow
didYou?
"
"I
'
m notgonwastemyenergyonyouboysol
et'
s
gett
hisoveranddonewi
th"
Thesocal
ledmast
erst
art
sshout
ingi
nthecor
ner
"Pl
easedon't
,I
'
lldoanyt
hingyouwantj
ustl
ethi
m
goplease!
"Nowt hi
sisi
nterest
ing
"
Ijustwantonet
hingt
henI
'
lll
etyougo"Isay
walki
ngtohim
"
Ican'
ttel
lyout
henamebuti
t'
sashe"hesays
Il
augh"Yout
ookorder
sfrom awomantorape
anot
herwoman?Howdisgust
ingi
sThat
?"Iask
"Pl
ease,
i
fIdi
dn'
tdoi
tshewasgoingtoexposeme
andiwasgoi
ngtobesentt
ojai
lforsur
e"
"
Whynotexposeher
?Andwhyme?
"
"Expo-
exposeher?
Yougotjokes,
shehasmoneyand
herdadwon'tal
lowthat
,shecl
aimsyoucan'
tstay
awayfrom hermansosheneededt ot
eachyoua
l
esson"
"
Herman?
"Wai
tasecond
TheonlymenI
'
vebeencl
oset
oisSi
ya,
Jasonand
Mike.
Idon'
tknowMi ke'swomanbutshewoul dn'
tbeabl
e
todosucht hingssinceshe'
salwaysunderhis
super
vision, IrememberinBelgium shewoul
d
complaint hatMi kei
salwaysaroundme,butidon'
t
thi
nkherj ealousywoul dbethi
sdeepno.
Ayanda?Butsheshouldknowbynowt hatt
heonl
y
thi
ngthatconnect
smeandSi yaisAjayandIdon't
evenwanthim,i
fshedidthi
sthenim goingt
okil
l
herSi
yahast ofor
giveme.
Hol
dup,Jazl
in?
buthow? butno,
howdoessheknow
t
heseguys?sheisaracist
.(
Youkissedherman
i
nfr
ontofherduhh)cursethi
sinnervoi
ce.
"
What
'swr
ongEnt
le?
"Mi
keasks
"
IshernameJazl
in?
"Iaskt
heguy
Heshakeshi
sheadno
Igasp
"
It
'sayandar
ight
?"Hel
ooksaway
"
Thatbi
tch,
I
'M GOI
NGTOKI
LLHER!
!"iscr
eam
"Ent
lewhat
'swr
ongwho'sAyanda?
"Mi
keask
concer
nedandtr
iest
otouchme
"DON'TTOUCHME,THISI
SALLHISFAULT"Isay
point
ingatSi
yawho'
snowconf
used
"Ihat
eyousomuch,Inevershoul
d'vecamebackt
o
southAf
ri
ca"Isaywhil
ewal ki
ngtowardsSi
yaand
hebacksaway.
Ist
art
edhi
tt
inghi
m onhi
schestandhehel
dmy
hands
"
Ent
lest
op,
whatdi
dIdo?
"
If
elldownbuthest
il
lhel
dmeasIst
art
edcr
ying.
"Whydi dyoumoveonSiya?
whydidn'
tyouwai
tfor
me? Ihadhopest
hatyou'
dwaitf
orme"Isaywhil
e
cryi
ng
"
Thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
t"Iwhi
sper
"Entl
eim sorr
yforwhathappenedinthepast,
i
fonly
youknowhowmuchist il
lloveyou,
butthat
'sast
ory
foranotherday.Nowtel
lmewhati sgoingon,
what
i
smyf ault
?"Hesayssoft
ly
"Evenifit
ellyou,
youwoul
dn'
tbel
ieveme"
isay
sniff
ing
"
I'
m worr
iedaboutyou,
tal
ktome"hesaysl
if
ti
ngup
myface
"Yourf
iancei
stheonewhosentt
hem t
orapeme"I
say
Hi
sbodyst
if
fedup
"Ayanda?She'
snotcapabl
eofdoi
ngsucht
hings"
Siyasays

"Whoist
hisAyandayouguysspeakabout
?"Fr
anco
asks
IstandupandIgrabt
hegunont hepedest
aland
shottheoneguyonhi
sforehead.Theguyi
nthe
cornerscr
eamsandstar
tsswearingme
"
Youb*it
ch,It
oldyouwhatyouwant
edsoyoucan
l
ethi
m go!"Hesays
"
Sothatyoucangorapesomeoneel
setoo?Idon'
t
makedealswi
thfi
lt
hyani
malsli
keyou"Isay
"
MikeineedAyandaher
ebyt
omor
rowni
ght
"Isay
whi
lepassi
nghim.

IneedAyandaheresoshecanseewhatI'
lldoto
herappr
enti
ce.Whodoesthatt
oanotherwoman?I
needtorest
,Ihadt
oomuchexcit
ementfortheday.

Siyai
ssti
llzonedoutthroughoutt
heride,Idon'
t
haveti
met onursehi
m.I fhedoesn'
tbelieveme
we'l
lseet
omor rownighthowshe'l
lreactwhenshe
seesherl
itt
legoons.

{
Siya}
Ihaven'tsaidawor dt oEntle,I
'
m ashamed, Iknow
Ayandai scapableofmanyt hi
ngsButnotsendi ng
peopletorapeanot herwoman, especi
allyi
fihaven'
t
eventouchedEnt l
e.Sher ui
nedacoupl eofli
ves
becauseofsomegi rl
sIsl eptwi t
hinthepast.This
ti
mesheover st
eppedherboundar i
es.Entlei
s
ri
ght,
whatI fIdi
dn'tcomeandf etchAjaythatni
ght?
NoI '
m donewi t
hEnt le,f
orgoodt histi
meIdon' t
careifwewer egoingt ogetmar ri
edinamont hs
ti
me.

Mikedr oppedmeof fatmyapar tmentandwhenI

enteredIdecidedtocallAyanda.Herphonewas
off
,sheshould'vebeenbackbynowf r
om
cl
ubbi ng,
anotherr
easonwhyweshoul dn'tget
mar r
ied.I'
l
ldrivet
oherhousei nthemor ning,
I
swearmymom woul drejoi
ceri
ghtnow* chuckle*
.

{
Ayanda}
WhenIwokeupal
lthememori
esfr
om lastni
ght
camecr
ushi
ngdown.I'
mindeepsh*t
,Siyawil
l
defi
nitelyl
eavemei fheeverf
indsoutaboutthi
s.I
l
ookt omyr ightandIseeVuyosnor i
ng,t
his
i
diot.
.howcanhesl eepwithhisbestfri
ends
fi
ance? heshouldbeashamedofhi mself.

Iwakehi
m up
"
Vuyo!
wakeup!
"Ishakehi
m
Hedidn'tbudge,Ist
andupandcheckmyphoneand
Iseealotofmi ssedcal
lsf
rom Si
yaandmyhear
t
star
tedbeatingoutofmychest.
"
Vuyowakeup!
!Si
yai
scomi
ngher
e!"Ishout
"Ayayoumakingnoisemarn,
andwhydoyoucar e
aboutSiyaf
indi
ngusliket
hisanyways.Meandyou
bothknowyouwantmeandiwantyousol et
's
maket hi
ngseasyonthebothofus"hesays
standi
ngup
"
UyahlanyaVuyo(youar
ecrazy)Iwon'
tletyour
uin
myli
feliket
his,
getuppl
ease"
"FineI
'
llleave,butonl
yifyoupromisethatwe'
l
lnot
stopdoingt hi
s"hesaysbreat
hingclosetomyear
maki
ngmewet

Inodashest
art
srubbi
ngmyvagina,
Itr
ytopr
otest
buthegi
vesmeadeepkissmaki
ngmemoan.
"
Tel
lmet
ost
op"hesays
"
Plea-
pleasedon'
tst
opVee"Isayoutofbr
eat
h
Helif
tsmeupi naninstantmaki
ngmeyel p,
Vuyo
mightnotbey'
allbuthehasincr
edi
blemuscles.He
t
akesdownhi sboxersashishardmemberteases
myvagina,her
ubbesthet i
ponmyentranceafew
t
imes
"
Wantmet
ost
op"heasks
"
Justhur
ryuppl
ease"Isay
Hesl
idesi
ntomyvagi
naandIhi
ssi
npai
nsi
ncehe
wor
kedmegoodlastni
ght
.
Hest opswhenhe' sf
ull
yinandstart
sgoinginand
outofmesl owlymakingmyheadr estonhis
shoulders.Heholdsmylegswit
hbot hhisarmsand
start
spenet r
ati
ngmei nmidai
rmaki ngmelosemy
breath.Hebeganpoundingmewi thafastpaseand
Ihearhi
m gr
oanindi
cat
inghe'
sclose,
hel
ift
smy
l
egsandplacet
hem onhisshoul
derswhi
leihol
d
hi
sneck
"Fuuucckk"hegr
oansi
ntomyneckmaki
ngmy
vaginatwit
ch
Hekeptpoundingmet i
llIl
osti
tandcoatedhis
memberwi t
hmyj uices.Thesightmadehim curse
somemor e,soonIfelthisbodysti
ff
enandhisgr i
b
onmyassgotst rongerashef i
ll
edmewi thhi
sload.

Wet ookashowertoget
herandhadaquicksessi
on
theretoo.WhenhewasgoneIdecidedt
ocleanup
ast i
redasIwasIhadtocleanbef
oreSi
yacomes.
Inlessthan30minsIwasdoneandIdeci
dedto
sleep.
[
16]

{
Minent
le}

Mor
ningcameandIwaswokenupbyaf
aintknock
onmydoor
"
Maaaa!
"Ohmy,thi
skidi
supearl
y,
Ibetteropenup
f
orhi
m bef
orehegetsmoremad*chuckle*
Iopenmydoorandt hereheislooki
ngcuteinhis
onesi
ewithhisbott
le.Ipi
ckhim upsoandt akehi
m
tomybedsowecangetsomemor esl
eep.I
swit
chedont het
vforhim sohewon'tbotherme
becauseIknowhewoul dn'
twanttosleepsome
more.

Anhourpassedandmyal arm wentoff

.Ajayis
sleepi
ngnexttomet hankGod,nowIcangetr eady
forworkinpeace.Iwonderwherethatpsycho
Jasoni s,
maybeSiyawasrightabouthi
m being
obsessed,maybether
e'sareasonbeinghis
behaviour.
TodayIopt edf orabel
lowt hekneebl
ackskir
t, my
blacklongsleevedpolo-neckandredbott
oms.Igo
throughmyj elwerycol
lecti
onandIf i
ndmy
Amst erdam Diamond,alsoknownasabl ack
diamond, i
thasapearshapeandhas145f acets.
Myauntboughtitatanauctionyearsbackf
or
$US352,000andthatwasthehighestpri
cepai
dfor
ablackdiamond.Sheatt
atchedittoaneckl
ace
st
ri
ngandgi f
teditt
ome.

Ilookedatthenecklaceandwor eit,
thisneckof
mi neisveryexpensivetoday.IwalkoutandAjayis
awakewi t
hhi slegsintheair
,itakehim andgethim
readyforcrecheandunl i
keothermor ningst
here'
s
nost r
ugglewithhim.
Ilethi
m wal kbecausenohe'sheavyshame.Ient er
thekitchenandIseeJasoni ssitt
ingtherewi
than
i
cepackonhi sf
ace.Ipasshim andboilmyself
somewat erformycoffeewhil
eipr eparepor
ri
dge
forAjay.OutofthecornerofmyeyeIseeJason
l
ookingatme.
"
Ent
le"Jasonwhi
sper
s
"
Entl
eim sor
ry..
.i
-idi
dn'
tknowwhatcameoverme
l
astni
ght.
.i
mr eal
lysorr
yEntl
e"hesays
Idon'
tturnaroundasyet"Youknowwhat
Jason?I
'vebeentooni
cetoYou,Youbecamet
oo
comfor
tabl
earoundmewhi
steli
m yourboss.Noi
blamemyselff
orthi
s-"
"
Not
hisi
snotyourf
aul
tEnt
le-
"Icuthi
m
"Shutupwheni mt alki
ng!It
alkandyouli
sten.That
kissmeantnothing,Idi
dyouaf avort
hatnight
becauseyourstupidexwasbusyembar r
assingyou.
Thatstuntyoupulledlastni
ghtcostyouyourjob"I
sayandt ur
naround

Hiseyesshoot
sopeninshock"NopleaseEntl
eI
needthemoneypl
ease,I
'm sor
rypl
easedon'tfi
re
meIbegyou"hesaysgoingonhisknees.
"I
'
m agoodpersonJasonbutpeopl
eli
keyoupush
peopleli
keme,
Youhaveenoughmoneytoeit
her
movei nt
oanapar
tmentorgobacktoyourmother
s
house"Itur
nagai
nasIpourwateri
nmymugand
giveAjayhi
sbowl
.
"MeanwhileI
'l
lhelpyoulookf orajob,
Isawthatyou
obtainedadegreeinbusiness,eveni
fihada
businessher
einSAIwoul dn'
twantyouanywher e
nearme.Soisuggestyoupackyourbagst oday
becauseIwantyououttoady"IsayasIwi
peAj
ay
andtakemybagr eadyt
ol eave.

SinceAj ayt
hinksandfeelshe'
snowabi gguyhe
doesn'twanttobestrappedinanymore.Il
ethim si
t
atthebackbecausehe' l
lpushever
ybuttonifhe
sit
satt hefr
ont.Hisdaycarei
sonmywayt owork
whichisgood, asusualthemom'satt
hedaycar e
wouldjustlookatmewhenidr opoffAjayforsome
reason.

Ilookatmywat chasIseeifidon'tgett
oworki
n
l
esst han20mi nsI'
l
lbelate.Ir
usht omycarand
driveoff
,Ican'
tevenenjoytherestofmycoff
ee
*sulk*.
AsIent
eredt hebui
ldi
ngIseeeveryonelooki
ngat
methi
smor ningandthatdevi
lLizzyl
ookingatme
wi
thasmi r
k.Iwalktothefr
ontdeskasineedt o
si
gnineverydayandshe'smakingitadragforme.
"Wonder
fulmorningain'
titEnt
le?
"Shesayswhi
le
handi
ngmet hetablet
"Idon'tknow,
Yout
ellmeEli
zabet
h"iemphasiseher
fullnamemakinghertur
nreadbecauseever
yone
knowsshehat est
hatname.
"Youshouldcheckyourphoneforonce"shesays
andmakesabubbl ewithherbubblegum,i
sn'
tthat
againstt
hehospit
al'
spoli
cy?
Iwal
kawayt
owar
dst
hel
if
t.
"
Haveal
ovel
yday!
"Sheshout
s
Whati
ssheonabout
?

WhenIgott
omyofficeandt
heenvir
onment
r
elaxedmei
nst
ant
ly.Iwentt
hrough
Myscedualandsawthatihavemyver
yfi
rstcl
ient
si
nceMonikadoesn'
twanttomovedowntoSAI
hadt
olethergo.

Iwasst i
llr
eadingt
houghmycl i
entsfi
lewhenit
showedt hatshecanceledhersessioninherr
eason
i
tstatesthatshecan'tbeinthesamer oom wi
tha
hypocri
tewomanwi t
hnomor al
satall.Thi
scame
asashocker
,soonmyphonest
art
edbuzzi
ng
i
ncl
udingmyt el
ephone.
IcheckoutmyphoneandIseethere'
savi deoof
met r
endi
ngonsocialmedi
a.I
t'
syesterday'sevent
's
hereatt
hehospi
talwhenLi
zzysaidallthoseli
es
aboutme.
Icheckoutt
hecomment
sandIseealotofwomen
bashingmeandcal
li
ngmeahypocr
it
e.
"
Hai
bo"Isayasiscr
olldownf
urt
her

Somewer esayi
ngthey'
dtoowouldtr
apaguyli
ke
Siyawit
hababy.Thisisj
ustdi
sgusti
ng,
Ical
lSi
ya
thati
nst
antandhepicksupimmediatel
y
"If
eell
ikeyousawt
hevi
deot
oo"hesaysassoon
asheanswers
"Thi
sisnotasocialcal
l,
sincethisisyourf
aultI
suggestyoubookaconf erence,goli
veandtellt
he
worl
dwhathappened, t
hisisnotmywarbecause
I'
minnocent,
thi
sisbadpubl ici
tyformeandkeep
yourfi
anceinherlanebecuaseshe' smaki
ngt hi
ngs
wor
se.I
fyoucanmanaget
hiswe'
l
ltal
k."
"Ial
readygoti
tcover
ednana,
I
'l
lfi
xever
ythi
ngi
promise"
Icutthecal
landsoonsomeoneknockedonmy
doorandtheycamein.I
t'
samalewear i
ngasui
toh
i
t'
sTheebossandownerofthehospitalI
m
probabl
yindeepsh*t
.
"
Mor
ningMsKhoza"hesays
"Morni
ngMr..
."Ikeeponfor
get
ti
nghi
ssur
name
sincewedon'
tinter
actt
hatmuch.
"
MrO'
Bri
en"hesayssmi
li
ngatme
"YesMrO' Br
ien,IhopeI
'
m notf
iredaboutt
hewhole
ordealSi
r.Whathappenedyest
erdaywasreal
lynot
myf aul
t"Idefendmysel
f
"Rel
axMsKhoza,Ij
uscamebyt ocheckuponYou,I
knowal
lmyemployeesexceptyou"hesayssi
tt
ing
downsmil
ingatme.Her
ecomest roubl
e.

{
Ayanda}
Aspredi
ctedSi
yaisatmydoorStepthi
smorning.I
openupforhi
m andhelooksassexyasever
.
"
Mor
ningl
ove"Isayandf
akeayawn
Hedoesn'
treplyButent
ersmyapar
tmenti
nst
ead
andst
artl
ookingaround.
"
Whydidn'
tyouansweryourphonewhenIcal
led
l
astni
ght
?"Heasks
"Iwasprobabl
yasleep,
haven'
tevencheckedmy
phoneyet,
I'
m sor
ry"
Henodes
"Iact
ual
lycameheret
otal
k"hesaysbuthekept
checki
nghisphone
"
Wantmet
oor
derbr
eakf
astsol
ong?
"Iask
Hisphoneri
ngsandanswer
siti
nani
nst
antnot
evenansweri
ngmefir
st.

Hewentt
otheloungeandIf
oll
owedhim asI
l
ist
enedt
otheconvohehadonthephone.
"
Ifeell
ikeyousawt
hevi
deot
oo"hesays
Whatvi
deo?
?
Itookmyphoneoutofmypocketandswi t
chedit
on.Messagescamef l
oodi
ngin,
avideoofEnt
le
tr
ending?Ismi
ledasIseethenegati
vecomments
andIjumpedintoo,
makingthepeoplepi
tt
yme.
Iwassti
llbusyonmyphonewheni
tgotsnat
ched
outofmyhandbySiya.Whendi
dhefi
nishhi
scall
?
Hescrol
lst
hroughmyphoneandIseehi
m get
ti
ng
angr
y
"Doyoueverthi
nkaboutot
herpeopleWhenyoudo
somethi
ng?"HeaskandIdon'tanswer
"Ihaveasonoutther
eandhecouldbeaf f
ect
ed
becauseoft
his,
Youkeeponshowingmeyounot
readytobemywi f
e,I
'
m cal
li
ngtheweddingoffAndi
wantmyengagementr i
ngtoo"hesays
Myeyesj
umpoutoft
hei
rsocket
s
"WHAT? !
NOSiyayoucan' tdothat,
I'
m sorr
yitwon'
t
happenagain,
Ipr omiseI'
l
lstar
tacti
nglikeawife
towardsyoupleasejustdon'
tcallof
fthewedding,
I
l
oveyouSi
yapl
ease"I
m cl
oset
otear
shecan'
t
l
eaveme.
"Ayandapl
ease,
maybewecoul dgof orcounsel
ing
butIcan'
tbewit
hyouri
ghtnow, IneedspaceandI
needtogo"hesaysandleaves

Siyaiscrazyim notgoingt
olethi
m goandneit
her
am Igoingtolethim cancl
etheweddi
ng.Thi
sisal
l
thatEntl
e'sfaul
t,maybeIneedtotal
ktoherwoman
towoman.

{
Siya}

Call
ingaconf er
encecallwasn'
tthathardbecause
peoplewer ewait
ingt
ohearmysi deofthestor
y.
I'
veal wayshi
dawayf r
om mymi st akes,
I
'm doi
ng
thi
sf ormysonandEnt l
e.Iowet hem thismuchand
more.
Ideci
dedthatitshoul
dbehel
dinf
rontofEntl
e'
s
workpl
ace,Iknowshedoesn'
twanttobeinvol
ved
wi
thanyoft
hisbutIwanttoshowherhowsor
ryi
am f
oral
waysbri
ngingt
roubl
etowardsher
.

There'
salotofreporter
s,camer
asf l
ashi
ngand
newschannels.Okt hatwasnotnecessarybutu
guessbecausebot hofmeandEnt leareabigthi
ng
onsocialmedia,Noonecanwi t
hstanddramalike
thesepeople.

"I
'
m sureal
lofyouknowwhyyou'r
eher
eandI
'
m
heret
oclearal
lconf
usi
on"Isay
"MrJamaisi
ttr
uethatEntl
eisthemotherofyour
sonwhoisal
soyourfi
rstborn?
"Onejournal
ist
scr
eams
"
Yesiti
strueandIcouldn'thaveaskedforabet
ter
mot
herformysonot herthanEntle"Isaywi
thpr
ide
Thecr
owdr
oar
sassomewr
it
edown.
"I
sMsKhozareall
yagolddiggeranddi
dshet
rap
youwi
thababy?"Anot
herreport
erasks
"
Trustmeicanassur
eyouMsKhozai
snotagol
d
digger
,she'sthemostindependentwomanI've
cameacr osswi t
handnoshedi dnottrapmewi t
ha
babybecauseshewasont hevergeofl
eavi
ng
me,sheonl yfoundoutShewaspr egnantwhenshe
wasover seas"
"IhearyouMrSiya,
mayIaskwhyshel
eftYou?
"The
samer epor
terask
Icl
earmyt hr
oat"
I'
m notpr
oudofthi
sbutshel
eft
becauseIwasunfai
tf
ultoher
"Isaybowi
ngmy
headinshame
"
Sot
heaccusat
ionsagai
nstMsKhozai
sfal
se?
"
"Youneedhel pI fyouthinkit'str
ue,eversinceEntle
camebackt oSout hAf ri
cawe' veonlyseeneach
otherWheni tconcer nedoursonsoIsuggestyou
peoplestopf eelingsor ryforAyandabecause
there'
snothinggoi ngonbet weenmeandEnt l
e.The
personwhoupl oadedt hisvideodiditforcloutand
forthatthecul pritshallbefacingchargers.Thank
youf orcoming"
"WaitMrJama..
Doyousti
lll
oveMsKhoza"ayoung
blonder
eport
erasksmaki
ngeveryonegoqui
et
Ichuckle,
"That'
sabitper
sonalbutI
'velear
ntfr
om
mypastmi st
akestoneverhide,
sot
oansweryour
questi
on...
YesIdoandIal wayswil
l"isayl
ooki
ng
str
aightintooneofthecamer a'
s
"Nowifyou'
l
lexcusemeIneedtobesomewher
e"I
sayasigodownt hest
epsandsecur
it
ymakeway
forme.
IhopeEnt
lecanbr
eat
hnow.

{
Minent
le}

Iwat
chthenewswithgl
assyeyes,al
lIeverwanted
washimtoadmithi
swrongdoings,
butthi
ssti
ll
don'
tmeananyt
hing.
IaskedMrO'Bri
enificantaket
her
estoft
heday
offAndhesaidyeswithease.

Igetof
ftheel
evatorandLi
zzyissi
tt
ingont
he
bench,
Ipassherandshequickl
yst
andsupand
bl
ocksme* si
gh*
"
I'
m sor
ryEnt
le,
Idon'
tknowwhat
-"
"Cutthecrap,
andit
'sMsKhozat oyouandyou
knewexact l
ywhatyouwer edoi
ng,Isuggestyou
stayoutofmywayf r
om nowon* cli
ckstongue*
ThisiswhathappenswhenI '
mt oonicetopeople"I
sayandIwal kpastherbumpingheroutoftheway
i
nt heprocess.

Idecidedtoeatouti nsteadofgoinghome.When
wil
lIcatchabr eak?It houghtcomingbackwill
maket hi
ngseasi eronme, I'
mj usgl
adAjayissti
ll
smalltounderstandal lofthi
s.Mytherapi
sthasto
for
givemebuthewon' tseemet oday.

Somethingmeatywil
lhavetodoandsomet hi
ng
that
'snotcr
owded.Sincechil
dhoodI '
veal
ways
l
ovedSpursoI '
m goi
ngthere,Iarr
ivedatSpurand
ever
yoneislooki
ngatme* shakingmyhead*

Iopt
edt
osi
tatt
hewi
ndowwher
eit
'sal
soni
ceand
quiet
.Istar
teati
ngandsuddenlysomeonesi
ts
acrossme.Ilookupandseeit'
smyhighschool
bestfri
end,
wedon'tt
alkever
ydaybutwedokeep
contactwit
heachother.
"OMG!!
"Iknowt
hatf
atnosef
rom ami
leaway
Laur
ensays
Il
aughandst
anduptohugher
,wehugf
oral
ong
ti
meandshespanksmyass
"Noways,di
dyouhijackt
hisbody?"Sheasks
shockedandsqueezedmybr east
s,Il
aughed.
I
'
m gl
adonet
hinghasn'
tchanged
Bynoweveryonei
slooki
ngatus,
Laur
enst
il
lhasn'
t
changed,
shedon'
tgiveadamn.
"
Gir
list
hiswhatmoneydoes?
"Sheasksl
aughi
ng
"
Asi
fyouai
n'tgotmoney"Isayt
aki
ngaf
ewf
ri
esi
n
mymout
h.
"
Youneedt
otakemewi
thyout
oBel
gium nextt
ime"
"
Yourhusbandwon'
tal
lowi
t"Isaychuckl
ing
"
Youl
ovemar
shi
ngmymel
lowEnt
le"shesays
t
aki
ngsomeofmyf
ri
es

Laurenjoi
nedinandalsoorder
edf oodf
orher,
i
t'
s
broaddayli
ghtandthi
sgir
ljusordered3st
rawberr
y
daiqui
ri
'sf
orhersel
f.
"
Don'
tlookatmeli
kethat,
rememberhowyouused
t
odri
nkeveryweekend?"Shesays
"Exactl
yweekends,
youdr
inki
ngi
nbr
oaddayl
ight
duringtheweek"
"
Womanr el
ax,I
'
m a24/
7st
ayathomemom sol
et
mebe"shesays
"
Sowher
e'st
heki
ds?
"Iaskshocked
"I
ndaycare,
I
'm notgonl
ookaftert
hosedevi
lsal
l
dayever
yday"shesayssippi
nghercockt
ail
"
DoesMi
chaelknowyouher
e?"Iaskl
aughi
ng
"Thatni
ggaplacedatrackeri
nmyphonesoyeshe
does"shesaysslur
pingoutofhergl
ass
"
Youst
upi
d,youshoul
d'vel
efti
tathome"
"
Soicanmi
ssbei
ngf
uckedsensel
ess?
not
hank
youdar
li
ng"shesaysr
aisi
nghergl
ass

Nowialsofeellikedr i
nkingaglassortwo.Isi
gnal
thewait
erandIor derapinãcolada,Ior
derone
morewhileienjoyt hepizzaIorderedwit
hthe
cockt
ail
.Laureni sonherl astonetoo.
"Babeineedt
ogofetchmysonatdaycar
e"Isayas
itakesi
gnonthebi
llandl
eaveaf
ewhundr eds
"Waitholdup,i
sitthedaycarethat
'scl
osebutnot
real
lyclosetotothepsychiatr
yhospit
al?
"Sheask
andshet ooleavesafewnot es
Inodandshecl
apherhandsi
nexci
tement
"
That
'
swher
emyki
dsar
e,l
et'
sgo"

Wearri
veatt
hedaycar
eandi
t'
sst
il
lear
lybutf
ucki
t
Ineedmyson.
Bothofusgetoutofourcarsandthewindbl ows
Laurenslongbrownhai
r.Laur
enisyourtypical
brunett
e,ver
youtgoi
ng,
verysoci
al,
beaut
ifulwit
h
thoseli
ghtbrowneyesandshesasexysl ender
she'sapart
yani
malandIstil
lfi
ndithardtobeli
eve
thatshehas4yearoldt
wins,
she's26ayearolder
thanme.She'smarr
iedtoMichaelMikeal
sonachef
thelastt
imeachecked.

IwenttoAj
ayscl
asswhi
leLaur
enwenttothet
wins.
Shecamebackwitht
hecur
ledheadedt
wins
l
ookingdi
rt
yAF
"
Whathappened?
"Iaskl
ooki
ngatt
het
wins
"
Theyplayedinthemudagai
n"shesai
dtr
yingt
o
wipet
heirfaces
"
Isti
llf
indi
thar
dtoknowthem apart
,hiAshl
eyand
Asht
on"Isaybendi
ngdowntotheirl
evel
"
Who'
sAshl
eyandwho'
sAsht
on"bot
hoft
hem say
i
nuni
on
"I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy'
al
lgr
apebabi
es,
nott
oday"
Isay
Theygi
ggl
e.
"
Ist
hatyourbaby?
"Theyask
"
Noist
olehi
m"Isay
"Laur
enIhadaveryl
ongdayandIj
uswantt
ogo
homet uu"Isul
k
"Keepyourpanti
esonEntle,
alt
houghom sur
eyour
pantiesar
estucktoyourvagi
nabecauseofallt
he
spiderwebs,
let'
sgo"
"
PG?
theki
ds?
,andwher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"
"Wegoingt
oyourhousesi
ll
y"shesayswal
kingt
o
hercar
"Laur
enpl
easenottoday,
howboutwehaveagir
ls
dayonSatur
day?I
'
llgetababysi
tt
erf
orAjay"
"Youapartypooper
,Icoul
dworkwi
tht
hat
,I
'
llcal
l
you"shesaysanddr i
vesoff

Laurenreal
lyknowshowt osuff
ocat eaper son.I
entert
hecarwi t
hanowasl eepAjay,onmyway
homeigotachancet othinkaboutever yt
hing.What
shouldidowiththewholeAyandasi tuati
on?shoul
d
Iteachheralesson?
lethergo?l
etkarmadealwi t
h
her?Bythelooksofthi
ngs,Si
yami ghtnotmar ryher
,
thenI'
l
lbet hevi
ll
aini
nthestor
yagain*si
gh*Il ook
atmysonandIseehe' sawakelooki
ngoutt he
window,Ihopeyouwon'tt
urnoutl
ikeyourfather
Ajay.
[
17]

{
Minent
le}

Ical
ledMiket
olethim knowthatheshoul
dlet
Ayandabe.Wecanst i
llel
imi
natethi
sguyshesent
becausehedoesn'
tdeservet
oliveaft
erwhathedi
d
tome.
WhenIarrivedhomeIfi
rstcheckedifJasonwas
st
il
lhere,
therewasanoteont hekit
chenisl
ewhich
i
ndicat
edthathelef
t.GOOD.
Hedi dn'
tsaymuchi nt henote,j
ustabunchof
sorri
esandt hathehasl eftt
hecarandkeyswhere
theysupposet obe,andt hathehasfoundan
apartmentfortheti
mebei ngbecausehecoul
dn'
t
gobackhome, apparentl
yhismot herwon'
tbe
happyabouthi
svi
leact
s.

Idon'
tevenf
eelbadbecausehehasboughtt
his
uponhimsel
f.

I
'mlazytocooksoImakemesomespi cynoodles
i
nthemi cr
owaveformysel
f,andchickennoodles
wit
hchickenpi
ecesforAj
ay.He'l
lhavet of
orgive
me.

Ifeedhim hi
snoodl
esfi
rst
,het hr
owsatantr
um
i
ndicat
ingthathewant
stof eedhimsel
f.Il
ethi
m si
t
atthetabl
ewhereIcanseehi m.
Whi leI'
m busyeatingmyspi cynoodl
esand
drinkingmysweetr osé,
IrememberIoweSiya
pickledfish.ItoowouldwantsomeandIst ar
t
takingouthal fofmyonionsanddef r
ostt
hefish.
Ist
artcutt
ingtheoni
onsl
ikemymom hastaught
menotf or
gett
ingtoal
wayswetmyhands.
I'
m half
waythroughandAjaystar
tsshouti
ng,I
shift
edmyat t
enti
ontohim andIseethi
sbig
headeddemonat eal
lthemeatandl ef
tthenoodl
es.
Itakehisbowlandhepoint
st oi
t
"
Wantsomemoremeatbaby?
"Iaskandhenods
maki
ngmechuckl
e
Igi
vehi
m whathewant
sandhest
art
seat
ing.

Ilett
heonionsst
artcooki
ngwhil
eibegincut
ti
ng
thefi
shint
opiecesandbakethem i
nthepan.

{
Siya}

I'
m homewit
hmymom busydi scussi
ngthi
ngs
betweenmeandAyanda.Honestl
yshedoesn'
tcar
e.
"Whatismydaughterdoi
ng?"Sheaskswit
hher
eyesgluedonherZeeworldepi
sodes,
Iknowshe'
s
tal
kingaboutEnt
le*si
gh*
"
Idon'
tknowyet
,Iwaspl
ani
ngongoi
ngt
her
elat
er
ont
ocheckuponherandAj
ay"
"
Canwet
agal
ong?
"Shesaysl
ooki
ngatme
"Who'
swe?pl
usIdoubtshe'
sinthemoodf
or
peopl
e,
shel
eftwor
kearlyappar
entl
y"
"Meandyourbrotherofcause,
andEnt
lel
ovesmy
company"shestandsup
"Y'
alldon'
tevenhavemuchincommon*Ilaugh*,
eveninthepast,y'
al
lwoul
dsiti
nthel
oungeand
watchyourepisodeswi
thoutt
alki
ngt
ooneanother
"
"Exactl
y,bot
hofuslovepeaceandquiet
,she'
s
respectf
ul,
speakswhenspokent
o,whenshewasi
n
belgywhatwhatwespokeeveryday"
"Sti
llcan'
tbel
ieveyouhi dthefactt
hatIhavean
enti
r esonawayf r
om menott oment i
onthefact
thatyouspokewi thEntlewhenyousawme
spir
al i
ngoutofcontrolbecauseshelef
tme"
"Shelef
tyoubecauseyouwereacheatandyoust
il
l
are,
forGodsakeSiyayouareal
most30years
old,
whenwillyouchange?
"
"
IneedEnt
let
henI
'
llchange"
"Youhadherthenyoumadeaf ooloutofher,You
dontknowwhatyouhaveuntilyou'
velostit
,Entl
ek
youknewexactlywhatyouhadbutyoudi dn'
tthink
you'
dlosei
t"she'sr
ight

Thi
sJudasofabrotherdi
dn'tevent
rytostophi
s
motherf
rom t
aggi
ngalong.Ihopetheyarehome,
aswearri
veatEnt
le'
shouseIseemasmi l
ing
"
Sheli
kest
hef
inert
hingsi
nli
fe"shesaysandexi
ts
t
hecar
Il
ookatmybrot
herandhej
ustshr
ugsmaki
ngme
shakemyhead.

Weknockont hedoorandheara"I
t'
sopen".When
weent
ert hehousewegothitbyanamazing
ar
oma,waitami nut
e,Iknowt
hatsmell*
smiles*She
madepickledf
ish.
Wehearfoot
stepscoming,
it'
sEntlecomingtosee
whoi
tisprobablyandshequickl
yhidesherglass
ofwi
nelooki
ngcut ei
nherl
azyclothesandhai r
messedupwi
thhergl
assesoni
ndi
cat
ingt
hatshe
wasbusy.

"OhMy,I
'
m sosorr
ymaIdi dn'
tknowyouguyswer
e
comi
ng"shesai
dglar
ingatme
Malaughs"It
'sokdear,
ifanyt
hingim sorr
yfor
comingunannouncedandnoneedt ohide,
you'
rei
n
yourhousesoyouallowedtodr i
nk"masays
"Iwoul
dneverMa,toomuchr espectf
oryou,
do
comein,Aj
ayi
ssti
llawake"shesaysleadi
ngthe
way
"What'
sthatamazi
ngar
omamydaught
er?
"Yho
yaphapha
"Thatispickl
edfi
sh,
Siya'
sfavour
it
edi sh,
Ipromi
sed
tomakei tforhi
m"shesaysanditjustsounds
perfectmakingmyheartmelt
.

Entl
edecidedtomakesomepot at
osaladwhi
lei
madethegr eensaladwhichwil
lgowithMYpickl
ed
fi
shthatwaspr eparedbyEnt
le.Sheowesme.
Whi
lewewer
ebusywehear
dacamer
acl
icki
ngand
weseei
t'
smybr
other
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngAsh?
"Iask
"
I'
m makingmemor
ies"hesaysandgoesbackt
o
t
helounge

Entlechecksupont hesauceandmakesmet ast

eit.
She'sshor ternowandt hat
'ssosexy,shestandson
hert i
pyt oesandbringsupthespoonf ormet o
taste.IlookintohereyesasItaste,
Ismi l
eather
i
ndicat i
ngt hathermixt
ureisperf
ectandshesmi les
too.Igetl osti
nhereyesandbeaut yandlbend
downt oherlevelsl
owlywithmyeyesf i
xatedonher
l
ips.
Myl i
psmeethersanddamnherl i
psar esof t
.She
fr
eezesandIgoclosertoherclosi
ngt hespace
betweenuspart
ingmyl i
ps.Iseehercl osingher
eyesasshestar
tskissi
ngmebacksl owl y.Ipul
lher
cl
oserandsheplacesherarmsar oundmyneck
AMEN.
Shet
ouchesmybear
dmaki
ngmesmi
let
hroughout
t
heki
ss.
Ipickherupswif
tl
yandpl
aceheront
het
abl
easI
devourherl
ips,
l
ipsI'
vemi
ssed.
IpushmyboneragainstherandIki
ssherneck
makingherbr
eat
hless.

"
Ahem"

Ohno.
>>Cont
inuat
ion<<

Ohno.Iqui
ckl
ystepawayf
rom Ent
leasshej
umps
of
fthecount
er.

"
Don'
tst
oponmyaccountIwasj
ustchecki
ngi
fthe
f
oodi
sdone"shesayssmi
li
ng
"Ah.
.yesyesi
t'
sdone"Ent
lesaysavoi
dingeye
cont
act.
Si
nceever
yonei
sghet
toher
ewear
eeat
ingi
nthe
l
ounge.
"
Ent
lebabyhowareyoudoi
ng"Maj
usthadt
obr
eak
t
hei
celikeThat
?
"
Taki
ngi
tdaybydayMa,
nocompl
aint
s"shesays
"
Youpartofthefamil
ydear,youcanal
wayst
ellme
whensomethingiswrongok?"
Ent
lenodes.
"
Thispi
ckedf
ishisni
ceyaz,It
houghti
t'
ssal
ty
f
ish,
whynotj
ustcal
litcur
ryfi
sh?"
Ent
lel
aughs"
Ireal
lydon'
tknowma,
thankyou"
"Let'
snotf
orgetthatthi
sisMYpickl
edfi
shthat
Y'ALLareenj
oying,soEntl
e,
anot
herbat
chforME
thisti
me"
Ever
yonel
aughs.

{
Ayanda}
It
'slateandI'
m sti
llwatchi
ngtoday'snews,andit
makesmepi ssedthatSiyadi
dn'tevenrecognize
meashi sfi
anceonnationalt
v.Thef actt
hathe
straightupt
oldthewhol ewor
ldthathest i
lll
oves
Ent l
emademel i
vid.

Ihaven'
theardaboutSti
cksinalongti
menow.I
hopemydaddi dwhatIaskedhi
mt odo.ImeanI
pai
dhi m af
teral
l.
Ideci
dedtocal
lmydadandhepi
ckedupaf
tera
fewri
ngs
"
I'
m busyAmor
"hesaysoutofbr
eat
h
"
I'
m goodt
oodad"isayr
oll
ingmyeyes
"
HowmayIhel
pYou?
"
"
DidyoudowhatIaskedYou?
"
"AboutThat,
mymencan'tf
indthi
sboy,
it
'sl
ikehe
disappear
edfrom t
hef
aceoftheear
th"hesays
"
Howi
sthatpossi
ble?
youhaveconnect
ions
dad,
youhavetof
indhi
m ot
her
wiseI
'
llbesentt
o
j
ail
"Ipani
cked
"Al eadt
ell
smehegotki dnapped,
whomeveryou
pissedoffthi
sti
mear oundisonyouAmor.You
mi ghtbemydaughterbutI'
llt
hrowyouunderthe
busbecauseunlikeyouIhavealottol
ose"
"Andohitwasjustsexasusualnot
hingbi
g"he
saysandcut
sthecall

Thisi
snothappening,
Ineedtovi si
tmypar ent
s.My
mom can'tevenhelpmebecausesheknows
nothi
ng.Icouldbl
ackmaildad,yesthatcoul
dwor k,
wheneverI'
mi ntr
oubl
edadwoul dhelpmebutata
pri
ce,
Ihavetosleepwit
hhi m andIgladlydo.Been
doi
ngi tf
oryears.

{
Minent
le}

Ajayi
ssleepi
nginhisr
oom whi
leSi
yaandiarest
il
l
busytal
kinganddr
inki
ngwi
ne.Hestayedbehi
nd.
"Youtel
li
ngmeyouhaven'
thadsomesi
nceme?
"
Siyaaskwhi
lel
aughi
ng
"
Har
dtobel
ievebutyea"Isaysi
ppi
ngonmywi
ne
"
Soyounothungr
y"heasksof
ly
Il
ookathi
m andr
ollmyeyes
"That
'
sar
het
ori
calquesti
onSi
ya,
woul
dyoul
ike
somemor
ewine?"Iask
"Iwantsomethingbet
ter
"hesaysandpl
aceshi
s
glassonthestandnextt
ohim

Hepull
smedownandt
raceshi
sfi
ngert
ipsonmy
cheeks
"
Youbeaut
if
ulyouknowThat
?"Hesaysl
ooki
ngat
me
Iknowexact
lywher
ethisisgoi
ng.Hecomescl
oser
asheendugl
emyl i
ps,
Ihisli
psdearGod.

Heisnowontopofmesqueezi
ngmybreast
s,f
eel
s
sogood,
hist
ouchst
il
ldoeswonder
stome.Soon
cl
othesgottakenof
f,
andIal
mostl
aughbecauseof
hi
ssixback.Helaughst
oo
"Don'tj
udge,butifyoukeeponfeedi
ngme,i
t'
ll
disappear
..
justthewayyoul i
keit
"hesaysandhe
kissesmyneckagai n

Hestart
edbi t
ingmyni
pplesslowly,
goi
ngdownto
mynavel,t
highsandl
egssendingshiver
sdownmy
spi
ne.Hecamebackupandsni ff
edmyvagina
makingmecl osemyeyeswithmyhands.
"Smelli
nggoodasever"Ihearhim saybefor
ehe
kissedmyvaginaandli
cki
ngitintheprocess,
shockingmywholebody.

Hehasbeenni
bbl
ingandeat
ingmeoutl
iket
her
e's
not
omorrow
"
Haimar
nS-
Siyaaa"Imoan
"
Tal
ktomenana"
"
Ineedyou"
Hel
aughs
"Pati
ent
smyl ove"hesaysandcont i
nuesmuf f
ing
me,hepresseshisthumponmycl itandf l
icker
sit
makingmyt oescurlandmybackar ch.Ifeelmyself
goingtotheedgeandonemor efli
ck,alickandmy
wholebodyshakesl i
kealeafi
nthewi nd.
Aft
erafewminut
esmybodyhascal
meddown,I
l
ookupandiseeSiyal
ooki
ngatmesmi
li
ngl
ikea
ret
ard.
Ihi
dmyf
acei
nmyhandssmi
li
ngandbl
ushi
ng.
"
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatmel
ikeThat
?"Iask
"
Imi
ssedyou"hesays
"
Year
ight
,Nodi
ck?
"Iaskmaki
nghi
mlaugh
"
Noyounotr
eadyyetnana"hesaysandki
ssesme
If
oldmyar
mswhi
lepout
ing,
andheembr
acesme
"Don'
tgetmadnana,t
hisi
syour
s,you'
l
lgeti
tas
soonasyouready"
"KodwaSiyayoumademehor nyf
orDi
cknowyou
notgivi
ngitt
ome"Isaysul
king
"
Don'
twor
ry,
l
et'
sgot
obedi
nst
ead"
"
Yousl
eepi
ngover
?"Iaski
namusement
"
Ift
hat
'snotapr
obl
em"
"
Isn'
tthatabi
tinappr
opr
iat
e?ImeanyouandAyan-
"
Hecutsme
"
Don'
tmenti
ont
hatgi
rl
sname"hesaysi
naser
ious
t
one,
ohkay
"I
'
m sorr
y..
.i
t'
sjust,
Ican'
tbel
ieveIwantedt
omar
ry
someoneli
keher ,
l
ustcandowonder s"
"Wenotgoi ngtotal
kaboutt
hatnow,
l
et'
sgetsome
sleep"Isaystandi
ngup

WecheckuponAj aybefor
eheadingtomyr oom.
Si
nceIhadthathugeorgasm Iwasalit
tl
eti
redsoI
sl
eptwi
thoutchangi
ng,
Siyaontheotherhandslept
i
nhisboxer
stypical
.
"
Goodni
ghtnana"hesaysandpul
lsmecl
oser

Whydoest
hisf
eelsowr
ongyetsor
ight
?Il
ove
him,
alli
nthenameofl
ove.
..
that
'showt
hismonst
er
endedupinmybed.
[
18]

{
Ayanda}
NEXTDAY

I'
vebeent ryi
ngtocal lSi
yasincel
astnighttolet
him knowI '
m goingt ovi
sitmyparents,
buthe
wasn'tanswer i
nghi sphonewhichis
understandablesincehewant snothi
ngtodowi t
h
me* sigh*.Iendedupcal l
inghismom, shemi ght
notbeaf anofmebutIj ustneedtoletSiyaknow.
Shepi
ckedupaf
teral
ongt
ime,
typi
cal
.
"Jamaspeaki
nghowmayIhel pYou?"Sheknows
exact
lywhothi
sis,
realwi
tcht
hisone
"
HiMaJama,i
t'
sme.
..
Aya"Isaygi
vingoutaf
ake
l
aughandr
oll
edmyeyes
"
Ayawho?
"Thi
swomanl
ikest
est
ingme
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
"
Yourson'
sfi
ance,
MaJamawher
eisSi
ya?
"
"Youmeanexfi
ance,
he'
swi
thhi
sfami
ly,
goodbye"
shedropst
hecal
l

Hi
sfami
ly?No,
whatnow?St
ayhereandsabot
age
t
hem?Orgohome,savi
ngmysel
ffr
om goi
ngtojai
l?.
Fuckit
,IcangetSiyabackagai
nbutnotmy
fr
eedom.Istartpacki
ngmybags,Durbanher
ei
come..
.

{
Siya}

Iwokeupi nthemor ningandIt urntomyright.Soit

wasn' t8adr eam?I'm sleepingnexttotheloveof
myl i
f e.Shel ookscute,hairmessycoveri
ngher
face,hershor tmanicurednai l
s.Ineedtocapture
thi
s,Igr apmyphoneof fthenightst
andandopen
mycamer a.Itookaf ewpi ct
uresandonewher eI
heldherhand.
Istaredatthepi
ctureaforafewmi nut
esand
decidedtopostitwit
hacapt i
on"wanttowakeup
nexttoasightli
kethisf
orever ".Shecankil
lmeI
don'tcar
e,what'
sdoneisdone.Soonmyphone
start
edbuzzingandIswi t
chedoffmydata.

Ihearaknockont
hedoor
,i
t'
sAj
ay.
"Wantsomefoodboy?let'
sleavemommyal oneso
shecansleepok?Let
'smakesomef ood"isay
picki
nghi
m upandclosingthedoor.
InthekitchenIlethim siti
nhi
schairwhileisearch
forbreakfast
.Ifindamont hssupplyofFrank
sausagesi nthefreezer,
thi
swomani scrazy.It
ake
apacketoutandnor malsausagesformesi ncei
don'teatthosefrankwhatwhat .Ahhbacon,almost
runnyscr ambledeggsf orher
,Ihopethat'
showshe
sti
lll
ikeshereggs.
Bytheti
mei
m done,
Ajayal
mostat
ehal
fofal
lthe
bacon.
"
Atl
eastmyki
tcheni
sst
il
linonepi
ece"
"Yousupposetost
ayinbedyouknow?"Isayas
shewalksin,
nowinsummerpjs,t
hoset
highs
shoul
dbeonmyshoul der
srightnow.
"Icoul
dn'
tresistt
hesmellcomingfrom t
hekitchen"
shesit
sdownnextt oAjayandkisseshim onthe
cheek,
hesticksoutherhandtoherwhil
esaying
"Ma"makingherlaughandshekisseshim onhi s
l
ipsheendsupnoddi nghisheadandcont i
nues
eati
ng.BothmeandEnt leendsuplaughing.

"
Younotwor
kingt
oday?
"Sheasks
"I
t'
sfr
idaywhyshouldi,
plusI
'
m spendi
ngquali
ty
ti
mewi t
hyouguys.Younotgoingtoworkei
ther
"i
sayandconti
nueeati
ng
"
It
'sni
cet
obeyouneh?
"
"
Trustmei
tIs,
wher
e'st
hatsi
ckki
danyway"Iask
"YoumeanJason?
Andhe'
snotsi
ck,
Ifi
red
him,
ki
ckedhi
m out"
"
I'
m st
il
lmadaboutt
hef
actt
hatyouki
ssedhi
s
l
ameass"
"
Howi
roni
c"shebi
tesbackandIl
ookather
"Ihaveanappoi
ntmentwit
hMrJansenandyou
comingwithme"Iwantedtosaysomet
hingbutshe
cutmeof f
"I
twasn'
tar
equest,
soyoushouldpr
obabl
ygo
homeandchange"shesaysandgoesdownt
hehal
l
"
Thanksfort
hebreakf
ast
!"Sheshout
s,was
wonder
ingwher
ehermanner swent
.

"
SIYAAAAA!
!!
"Iknewt
hiswascomi
ng,
Il
augh
Shecamer unni
ngtowar
dsmeandiquickl
ytake
Ajayandputhim onmylapsot
hatshewon'
ttouch
me.
"YOUUU!
ARGGGmxm you.
..
"she'
sli
vid,
I
'mt
ryi
ngt
o
keepast
rai
ghtf
ace
"
Haunana?Me?What
?"Iaskconf
used
"
Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"Sheaskswi
thhernost
ri
ls
f
lar
edup
"
Me?
dowhat
?tal
ktodaddy"
"YouareananimalSiya,
doyouknowhowI '
m bei
ng
att
ackedforthi
s?"Shesayspoi
nti
ngthephonein
myf acespi
tt
ingonmei nthepr
ocess
"
Siesmar
nEnt
le"Isaywhi
lewi
pingmyf
ace
"
Ishoul
d'vespataboogeri
nyourf
ace"hai
bo
"
I'
m bei
ngcr
uci
fi
edf
orhonest
y?"
"Wena? ?
yout
hinkyousmar tbyplaci
ngAjayon
yourlap,
hewon'tbewit
hyoul at
eron"shesays
makingacrosswi t
hherfi
ngersandgoingbackto
herroom

Ibur
sti
ntol
aught
er
"Ajay,
yourmom i
scrazy"Isayandhel
aughs
clappi
nghishands
"Iwoul
dn'tdothati
fiwasyou,you'
llbeinthedog
boxtooyourmom don'tcare"Isayandhegi vesout
aconfusedlookandInod,makinghim nodtoo.
Icleanthet
ableandgetAjayr
eady.It
'sbeenover
anhourandEnt l
eisst
il
lnotoutyet
.MeandAj ay
arebusywatchingcar
toonswhenIhearheels
cl
icking.
Ilookbehi ndmeandiseet hi
sgoddessi nfrontof
me.She' swearingaroyalbl
uespaghettistap,V-l
ine
velvetdresswithati
ghhighsli
tandwhatdot hey
callit
?blockheel?It
hinkso,
ablackone.Iseeher
toesandnai lsnowhaveblacknailpol
ishont hem.I
can'tstopstari
ngatherboobs.Hersil
verneckl ace
l
aysi nbet weenherboobsdearGodcan' tIbet hat
necklace?
"
Whenyoudonedr ool
ingcanwego?
Youst
il
lneed
t
ochange"shebr
ingsmeback
"
Ah-
yesyeswecango"Isayst
il
llooki
ngather

Weent
ertheyar
dandweseemadr i
nki
ngteaon
t
hepat
io.Shel
ooksupandseeusandshesmil
es
"
Ain'
tyouguysasi
ghf
orsor
eeyes,
notyouSi
ya,
you
st
il
llookt
hesame.
.Givememygr
andson,
Uyaphi
?"
Shesayscomingf
orward.
"
Thi
soneisdr
aggingmetother
apy"Isayl
ett
ingout
asi
ghandgoi
ngintot
hehousetochange.
"Nana,I
'
llbebackneh?"Isayt
aki
ngherhandand
kissi
ngit,
shepul
lsherhandbackandpul
lsaface
"I
'
m sti
llmadatyou,
hur
ryup"shesaysandgoest
o
si
tnexttoMymom.

{
Minent
le}

I'
m onmyphonebusygoi
ngthoughal
lthe
commentsandIj
ustl
augh.
"
What
'ssof
unny,
shar
ewi
thmet
oo"Masays
"Mayoursoni
ssomet
hingel
se"Isayshaki
ngmy
head
Shel
ooksatmewai
ti
ngt
ocont
inue
"Thi
smorni
nghetookaphotoofmewhil
esl
eepi
ng
andhepost
editonsoci
almedi
awit
houtmy
consent
"
Shenodesst
il
llooki
ngatmeandir
aiseand
eyebr
ow
"
Younotgoi
ngt
osayanyt
hingma?
"
"Wetalki
ngaboutSiyahere,
youknowhowhef
eel
s
aboutyou"nott
hisagain
"
MadoyouknowwhatI
'
m cal
led?
ahomewr
ecker
"
"
Howcanyoubeonewhent
her
e'snohomet
o
wreck?
"
"Wanttoeatwi
thMe?
"Shechangest
he
conver
sati
on
"I
'
llj
usthavesomej
uicema,
Ial
readyat
e"Ihonest
ly
say
"
Youal r
eadyat
eoryoual
readyate?
"Shesays
winki
ngatMe,t
hiswomanbantong.
"
Hai
bomat
her
ewasnoot
hereat
ing"Isayl
aughi
ng
Shesl
urpsherteawhi
lel
ooki
ngatmeoutoft
he
cor
nerofhereyeandushakemyhead.
Siyai
sfi
nal
lydoneandasexpectedhe'
swear
ing
thesamecol
ourasMe,showoff.
Hedoeslookhandsomethough,
aV-l
iner
oyalbl
ue
ski
nti
ghtt-
shi
rt,
hisbl
ackchi
nopant
sandblackair
for
ce.
"Maisitokayi
fAj
ayst
aysher
eunt
ilwer
etur
n?"
Siyaasks
"YouaskingmenonsenseSiyathi
sismy
grandchi
ld,
go"shesaysmakingSi
yachuckl
eand
hekissesheronhercheek.

InthecarIlookatSiyawhil
eheisdrivingandIsee
atattooonhisrightar
m.VII/
XII
/XVII(8/12/
17)wi t
h
anitali
cfontandmyeyesgotblurredbymyt ear
s.
Mynosest artedtorunandIsni
ffmaki nghi
ml ook
atme
"
What
'swr
ongnana"Iendedupcr
ying(
Hai
boEnt
le)
"
You-youhavethedat
etat
tooedonyourar
m"Isay
wipi
ngmyt ear
s
Hesmi
ledandt
ookmyhandi
nhi
s
"Hewasoursonnana, myfi
rst
,andbecauseofmy
fooli
shness.
..
.i
llf
oreverbesor
ry"hesaysand
kissesmyhand.

What
'shappeni
ngher
e??
?
[
19]

{
Ayanda}

Iwasstil
lattheai r
portwait
ingformyf l
ighttobe
call
edout.Boredom gotthebestofmeandiwent
onsocialmedia,IseeSiyaistrendi
ngagai nI
wonder.Icheckhi saccountandIseeapi ctureofa
femaleandherf inger
swithacapt i
ont hatsays
"Wanttowakeupt oasightlikethi
sf or
ever " .Thi
s
mademel i
vid,
everyonewaswonder ingwhoi t
was,somecompl i
mentedherandi tjustmademe
moremad.

Imadeaqui
ckcal
l
"I
'm goingaway,
I'
l
lmakeaplant
ogetyouinbutthe
restisuptoyou"Isayt
otheper
sonontheother
side
"I
t'
sthatseri
ous?
fine,
don'
tfor
getaboutmy
payment".

Ican'
tletyouwi
nEnt
le,
Siyai
smi
ne.

Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om VuyobutIdecl
inedi
t.
.

{
Minent
le}

"Wecanstarti
fyouguysar
eready,
andyoul
ook
l
ovelyt
odayMsKhoza"MrJansensaysmaking
Siyagl
areathi
m
"
Icangof
ir
st"Si
yavol
unt
eer
s,t
hat
'saf
ir
st
MrJansennods
"
Ent
lef
ir
stoff
ir
st,
Ijustwantt
oapol
ogi
ze,
for
everythingandImeanever ythi
ngididt oyouwhile
wewer etogether,
nohumani ssupposet otr
eated
l
ikeIt r
eatedyou,Iwast oxi
c,bit
ter
,confusedandI
hadt hemi ndsetofateenager .
..
Ican'tsayIdon't
knowwhatcameovermebecauseIwasnever
drunkwhenIdi dallt
hosethingsToyou.I '
m sorr
y
thatyoul ostourfi
rstbornallbecauseofmeand
thatstil
ldidn'
tstopmef rom beingunf ai
thf
ultoyou,
younevergavemer easontocheatonyou. .
."

Icl
enchmyj
awsasthoseepi
sodesofhowhehur
t
mecametomymind.

"IalwayssaidhowmuchilovedyouButinsteadI
keptonhur t
ingyou,r
ememberbeforewebrokeup?
Thegi r
lIcheatedonyouwi
thwasAyanda"hesays
andbowshi sheadmakingmel ookathi
m wi t
ha
frownonmyf ace
"
Par
don?
"Isay
"Idon'
tknowhowithappened,
allIknowisthatme
andAyandahavebeentalki
ngforal ongt
imeand
meandyoukeptonf ight
ingsoonet hi
ngl edto
anotherIendedupsl eepingwithherandI
developedfeel i
ngsforherhenceIwasal wayscold
towardsyou, i
tbecamesobadt hatIdi
dn'tevencare
aboutyourf eeli
ngsanymor e,
whi chi
swhyIdi dn't
bothercleaningupt heusedcondomsevent houghI
knewyoucoul dcomet omyhouseanyt i
me"he's
nowcl osetot earssincehisvoiceisbreaking

MrJansenisconst
ant
lywr
it
ti
ngsomet
hingdown
andnoddi
ng.

"Whenyoulef
tthatday,
Iwashur tt
hatyoubutIwas
sur
eyou'dcomeback.Untiliphonedyourf
amily
andtheyt
oldmeyoul ef
t.
..
"

"
I'
mreall
ysor
ryEnt
le"hesaysembr
aci
ngmyhand
i
nhisandgoi
ngonhisknees
"
Ishoul
d'vewait
edf orYou,Ishoul
d'vemadeaway
t
ocontactyou,
pleasedon'thatemef orwhatIdi
dto
youi
nthepastnana"
Ishakemyheadwhi
lemychestst
art
edbur
ningup
asIfeelmyt
ear
scoming.
"Icoul
dneverhateyouSiya,
asmuchasIwantt
oI
can't
"Isaywipi
ngmyt ears

Hest
andsupandhugmeandiembr
acehi
m
"
Youhur
tme"Isayst
il
lcr
ying
"
IknowandIm sorrynana,
I'
llmakesuret
oneverdo
t
hattoyoueveragain"hesaysshushi
ngme

"Al
ri
ghtyt
hen,
howdoyouguysf
eelnow?
"Mr
Jansenbr
ingsusback
"
Idon'
tknowaboutEnt
lebutIf
eelmuchl
ight
erand
l
essgui
lt
y"Si
yasayssi
tti
ngdown
Andinodi
nagr
eementandMrJansensmi
les
"Youguyswoul
dmakeagr
eatcoupl
eyouknow?
"
Yoha.ahWhy?
"Tr
ytell
ingi tt
othi
soneMrJansen"Siyasti
rsthe
potandIgi vehim al
ookandhi
ssmiledisappear
s
i
nani nstant
"ThankyousomuchMrJansen,butIneedgo,
you'
l
l
haveyourpaymentbytheendoft
heday"isay
picki
ngupmybagr eadytol
eaveandhenodes

Thewhol
esessi
onlef
tthebothofusi
ntear
sbuti
t
al
somadebothofusfeell
ight
er.
Webothjustent
eredt
hecarandSi
yai
sful
lof
smi
les.
"St
opbeingweird,
canyoupleasedropmeoffatmy
workpl
ace?Ineedtogetsomethi
ng"isaybuckl
ing
up
"Letmebehappyi npeacehauEnt
le,
I'
m notyour
chauff
eurbutbecauseI'
minagoodmoodI '
llcome
withyou"hesayspouti
ngmakingmel augh
"
Dramaqueen"Iwhi
sper
"
I'
lldr
opyour
ighther
eandt
henyou'
l
lwal
k"yoh!
HeparkedthecarandIt
oldhi
mt owai
tatt
hef
oyer
orcarandhechosethef
oyer.
..

Ienterandal leyesonme, I
'
m notdr
essedfort
he
off
icewhat ever .Iheadt
othefr
ontdeskandas
usualLizzyist here.
"
Morni
ng,
anycal
ls?
"IaskasIsi
gni
nandat
tachmy
r
eason
"Uhhi
-morni
ngMsKhoza,
no-nocal
lsMsKhoza"
shesaysgoi
ngt
hroughmesseduppaper
sandIrol
l
myeyes
Inodandheaduptomyof
fi
ceandmydoori
s
unl
ocked?
weir
d..

I'
m sti
lll
ooki
ngmypur
sewhent
hedoorcl
osesand
Ilookupandseei
t'
sMrO'
Bri
en.
.
"MrO'Br i
enyougavemeaf r
ight
,I
'
llbeoutinafewI
justneedt ofi
ndmypursesi
nceiforgoti
ther
e
yesterday"Isayl
ooki
ngthr
oughthecupboard
Hedoesn'
tsayanyt
hing
"
AhIf
oundi
t"sayandpl
acemypur
sei
nmybag
"
Ineedt
ogl
uet
hist
omyhand"ichuckl
e
AsIwasaboutt
omovetothedoorMrO'
Bri
en
bl
ocksmeandirai
semyeyebrow

"Manywomenfal
lbef
oremyf eetbutnotyouMs
Khoza.
..
Why?ImeanI
'mri
ch,handsome...
whatmor
e
doyouneed?
"Hesayscomingt owardsme
I
sthi
sguycr
azy?
"Thi
sisver
yinappr
opri
ateSi
r"isaytakingast
ep
backandhecomesf or
wardunti
linstuckbet
ween
him andmydesk
"Youbeaut
if
ulandsexyyouknowThat
?"Hesays
smell
ingmemakingmef l
inch

Hepul ledmecl oserandhishandswentt omyass

andt heot heronet omybr eastandIpushhim away
buthisgr i
pgetst i
ghterandheturnsmear ound
withfor ceandpushesmedownont hetabl
eandI
startscr eamingandki cki
ng
"Youaskedforthi
sEnt
le"hesaysandIhearhi
sbel
t
beingunbuckl
edandIstartscr
eami
ngandkicki
ng
mor e.

Allofasuddenhewasont heground,
Itur
naround
andIseeSiyagrabbedhim andhe'
sbusykicki
ng
hi
m.Ipulldownmydr esswit
hshaki
nghandsasI
gof or
wardtost
opSi ya.
"
Siyal
ethi
m go"Isaypul
li
nghi
m away
"
Lethi
m go?
udaki
weEntl
e..
.t
hismanneedst
obe
r
eport
ed!
"Heshout
sandspitsonhi
m
"Ar
eyouok?"Heaskswithpur
econcer
nashe
embracesmeandijusnod
"Ishoul
dn'
thavel
etyougoal
one"hesayst
aki
ng
outhisphone
Hewentt
othedoorandIst
art
edpani
cki
ng
"
Don'
tleavemeSi
ya!
"
"Iwon'
tleavenana,
Ijustwantt
ocal
lsecur
it
y"he
sayscomi ngback
"J-Justcal
lthef
rontdeskandal
ertt
hem"Isay
standingup
"
Rel
ax,
Sitdown"her
ushest
omydesk
"
Whatnumber
"heasks
"
Ther
e'sadi
all
ognextt
othet
elephone"Henods

Izonedoutandsoonpeoplecamerushingi
ntoa
sti
llpassedoutMrO'
Bri
en.Poli
cei
ncludedand
ambul ance?
Theypl
acedhi
m onast
ret
cherandt
hepol
ice
cuff
edhi
m.
"Ms?I'
m of
fi
cerBri
an,I
'
m her
etotakeyour
stat
ementofwhatoccurr
edher
e"
"Don'tbeanidi
ot,
can'
tyouseet
hest ateshe'
s
i
n? ?
givemeyournumbert henI
'
llcontactyouonce
she'sready"Si
yademands
Theof
ficerl
ooksathi
scol
leaguesandthenodas
hewri
tesdownhisnumbersbeforeheadi
ngout
..
.
"Ent
le?
?"IlookupandIseeSi
yawithawor
ri
edlook
onhisfaceandIjusshookmyheadandt
ears
fl
owed.Why? ??
Whyme? ?
Thoset
houghtswentthr
oughmymi
ndunt
ilIf
ell
asl
eeponsiya'
slap.

{
Siya}

Thi
sisjustunf
air
..
.Godshej
ustr
ecover
edfr
om an
act
ualr
ape,nowattempt
ed?What'
swrongwi
thmen
oft
oday?

Ifeelherheadgett
ingheavi
erandherbr eat
hing
sl
owi ngdown.Shemust '
vefellasl
eep,
Icheckthe
ti
meandIseei t'
snearly2o'
clock.Weneedt oget
going,Aj
ayiswit
hma.
IplaceEntl
e'
sbagovermyneck,Iseeat hr
owon
oneofhercouchesandIt hr
owitoverher,
tocover
herbody.Ipickherupandheadout.AsIarri
veat
thefir
stf
looreveryonest
opsandrunstomeand
askifshe'sok,t
heyst
opwhentheyseeshe'
s
sleeping,
makingwayformet
opass.Theblondat
thefrontdeskpull
smebackbefor
eIcouldexi
t
"
Areyoucr
azy,
whati
fidr
oppedEnt
le?
"Ihi
ssed
"I
'
m sorryMrJama,Ineedyout
ouset
hedooront
he
othersi
de"shesays
"
Why?
"Iask
"
Trustmeonthi
soneplease,
youwoul
dn'
twantt
he
worl
dtoseeEnt
le.
.ImeanMsKhozainthi
sstat
e"
whatdoesshemean?

Itakethebackdooranyway, i
tleadst ot
hepar ki
ng
whichi sonthesideofthehospi t
al.IplaceEntl
eat
thebackseatandIdr i
veout .AsIdr oveoutIsee
alotofpeoplenotfarf
rom theent rancewaiti
ng,wi
th
camer as.Peopl
earesick,t
heywer ewaiti
ngonEntle
probably,
goodthingil
istenedtot hatgirl
.
[
20]

2MONTHSLATER
{
Minent
le}

AlothashappenedIcant el
lyouthat,
aft
erthewhole
att
empt edrapecaseIr esi
gnedandMrO' Br
ienwas
senttojai
l.Tur
nsoutt herewasalotofuncovered
casesandcompl aint
sabouthi mf r
om his
employees.Afteramont hofbeinginjai
laccordi
ng
tothenews, MrO' Bri
encommi t
tedsuici
de
apparentl
y.
Li
ll
yisal
sobackandheal
thy.

Siya?Hi
m andAyandaar
ebackt oget
hersomehow.
Evenaft
erSiyaf
oundoutaboutherdarkdoi
ng.
Hest i
llvi
sit
stoseeAjaybutAyandaisalways
present.NotthatImi
nd,sheshoul
djustknowher
boundar i
esthenwe'l
lbeok.

I
'minmyroom busydr
awingafewdr
esses,
thi
s
wasmyhobby.
.drawcl
otheswhenmyminddon't
functi
onwell
.Suddenlyanideastruckmymi nd,
I
shouldopenmyowncl ot
hingstor
eincludingmy
j
elweryontheothersi
de.Idon'thaveanyonet o
workwi t
hmet hough.
..
Lauren?yesI'
llaskherif
she'l
lworkwi
thme.

I
'
m st
il
lwait
ingonmyol dsket
chst
uffwhi
chihad
i
nbel
gium t
hatMikesentt
hrought
hecour
ier
.

I'
m baf
fl
ingi
fishoul
dcal
lLi
ya,
anol
dgayfr
iendof
mine.Hewil
lbesomadatmeIknowit
,l
etmecall
him.
"
Ah-
"Igetcutof
fimmedi
atel
y
"Whateveryouwant,
Idon'
thaveI
tyoubrokepoor
l
each,I'
mr i
chandyou'r
epoor,
youdon'
thaveajob
andnoiwon' tgi
veyouone..
YesI'
m st
il
laboss"t
his
asshole
"Hi
i!
Liyamyl
ove,
howar
eyou?
"Iaskwhi
ler
oll
ingmy
eyes
"
Rol
li
ngi
nmoneyunl
ikeyou"
"MmhhLiyaIdon'
tknowi fyouhear
dbutIcame
backfr
om Bel
gium,Iwaswi thmyauntandI
'm
openi
ngmyownbusi ness.Let'
shavesomelunchi
n
anhour"
"Youmeanyourr
oyalaunti
nBel
gium?
"Heask
shocked
"
waitthatmeansshe'
srichnowthatshehas
r
etur
ned"hewhispersandIlaugh
"Ohhi imylovel
yEntl
ehowareyou?howI
'vemissed
you,yousayyoumoni ednow?
"Thisguyi
sfaker
thanDol l
yPartonsboobs
"
I'
m goodLi
ya,
sol
unch?
onme?
"Iask
"I
'
m sobusytoday,
butbecauseI'
minagoodmood
andlunchi
sonyout henokay,
I'
l
ltel
lyouwher
e"
"Il
over
ichpeopleshem"hewhi
sper
sthi
nki
nghe
hadcutthecal
l
Istarthear
inghim yel
lwhathe'
sgoi
ngt
owearandI
cutthecallinst
ead.

ANHOURLATER
Liyajustsentmeamessaget ell
ingmewheret
o
meethi m.Ican'
tevenpronouncethenameoft
he
restaur
ant.Iar
ri
veinsi
deandIhearasharpvoi
ce
call
ingme
"
Ent
lebaby,
I
'm her
e!!
her
ee!
!"Hesayswavi
ngatme
Iappr
oachhi
stabl
eandt hi
sni
ggaor
der
edf
oodf
or
thewhol
eSouthAf
rica.
"Ohmydarl
ingEntl
e,youweret
aki
nglongsoI
order
edsol
ong,af
teralli
t'
sonyouri
ght?
"
"
Deff
ini
tel
y,
thinkofi
tasabuf
fet
,eatasmuchasyou
want
"isaytakingaseat
"
Youf
akeEnt
le"hesays.
..
howi
roni
c
"
IchangedLi
ya-
"
"
Don'
ttal
kshi
t"hesaysbangi
ngt
het
abl
e
"Youareater
ri
bleper
son,I
'
llr
ipyourGoddamnface
offi
ncludi
ngyourhai
r"heshout
s,yohhewentof
f
i
nsult
ingme
"
Youf
atpi
eceofshi
tmar
nli
ya!
"heshut
supand
l
ooksatme.Hest
art
swai
li
ng
"OhGodyouar eanawfulper
sonEntl
e,
howcanyou
saythat,
I
'mtr
yingtol
oseweightyouknow?
"He
sayscryi
ngandIfeel
bad
"I
'
m sorr
yliya.
.I
'mt
alki
ngnonsense,
youbeaut
if
ul
yousexyyouanamazingpersonli
ya"Isay
comfort
inghim
I
nabli
tzsecondhi
sfaket
ear
sar
egoneandi
t'
s
r
epl
acedwithasmil
e
"Iknowri
ght?I
'
m amazingandmostpeopl
edon'
t
knowthat"hesayseat
ing
"
Iunder
standhowyouf
ee-
"
"Youdon'
tunder
standanyt
hingyour
efr
iger
ator
!"He
shout
sandeatsfurt
her

"
Ineedyout
owor
kforme"
Hel
aughsandl
ooksatme
"
Youser
ious?
youwantmetol
eavemycurrentj
ob
wher
eIownaf ewshar
est
ocomeworkforyou?"
Hedi
rect
swi
thhi
shandsandInod
Hel
ooksatmef
orawhi
le
"Ok,
butIhaveafewcondi
ti
ons"hesaysbat
ti
nghi
s
eyes,
herecomestr
oubl
e
"You'l
lpayformylunch,
tr
anspor
t,
Iwantmyown
offi
cewhichiwannadecoratemysel
fbecauseyou
don'thaveanytast
e"
"
Done"Isay
"Holdup,whenIent ertheoffi
cether
eshoul dbered
carpetformet owal kon,al
ltheemployeesshould
standont hesideli
neandbowf ormewhenIwal k
pastthem. .
.t
hereshouldalsobesmokeandmy
favouri
tesongofBeyonceshoul dpl
ayi nthe
backgroundEver yday"hesaysohht hixowam (Oh
myGod)
"Fine"Isay,
I'
m desper
ate,
plushe'
scr
azyiwon'
tdo
allofthatnonsense

Hecr
iesagai
nohl
ord.Somuchdr
ama.
{
Siya}

Whyam IbackwithAyanda?Ineedtoteachhera
l
esson.Thethi
ngsshedoesmakesmesi ck.Iwant
t
ohurtherbeyondcomparebecauseIknowshe
won'
tleaveme.

I
'
m ont
hecal
lwi
thVuyo
"
Soyousayi
ngyouwantt
ohol
dagat
her
ing?
"Iask
"Yeaman,
Imeanyouconst
ant
lybusy,
youdon'
t
hangoutwi
tht
heboysnomore.Whenwast hel
ast
ti
meyouhadsomefun?"Hedoesmakesense
"
Okwhen?
"Iaskgi
vingoutasi
gh
"
Rhet
ori
calquest
ion,
i
t'
sSat
urdayt
omor
row"
"
Aytcoolwhatt
ime?
"Iask
"
5"hesaysandbi
dsgoodbye

"
Hunny?
"Ir
ollmyeyes
"
Yesl
ove?
"
"
Arewegoi
ngt
othi
sgat
her
ing?
"
"
HowdoyouknowaboutI
t?"Iaskher
"
Ahwelll
ayl
atoldme,
ain'
tsheandoneofyour
f
ri
enddat
ing?"
"Mmh..
yeatheyar
e..
yeawegoi
ng"Isaylooki
ngat
herandshenodsheadi
ngoutmystudy
Thi
swomani sonesneakywoman,Isayt
omyself
.
Maybeishoul
dinvi
teEntl
etoo.
.YesI
'l
ldothat
.

{
Minent
le}

SATERDAY

Ij
ustwokeupt oatextfr
om Si
yaaskingmet ojoin
hi
m andaf ewfri
endsforagat
her
ing.Ihaven'tbeen
outi
nawhi leSoiaccept
edtheof
fer.I'
l
ljustaskmy
nei
ghboursdaughteri
fshe'
l
lbeabletobabysitfor
me,I
'
llpayher.
Talki
ngaboutbabi es,
thi
soneofmineisgi
vingmea
realheadachesincehe'snow1yearand4mont hs.
He'sbecomi ngsmar t
ertoowhi
chi
sjustcute.

Thr
oughoutmydayiwasbusylooki
ngfort
he
per
fectpl
acet
ostar
tmybusiness.Whi
leAj
ayis
j
ustAjay.
Igothr
oughsoci
almedi
aforachangeandIsee
Ayandapost
edsomethi
ng
It
'sheratthenai
lsalonwit
hacapt
ion"al
lonbae"
andIlaughshe'sprobabl
yget
ti
ngreadyf
orthe
gather
ing

Il
ookatthetimeandit
's5al
ready.Mynei
ghbours
daught
erjustar
ri
vedandIst
artedget
ti
ngready.
Ioptedforblueski
nnyj
eans,
whiteplai
ntightt
-shi
rt
makingmyboobsl ookmadsexy.Ilookfor
comf or
tabl
eshoesandIfi
ndmybl acklowcutheel
bootwithatrenchcoat
.Notf
orget
tingmynecklace
andhoopeari
ngs.Imadeaponytailandl
etafew
str
andshangdownmyf ace.Vasel
ineonthel
ips.
Perfect
.

WhenIarri
vedatthegi venaddr essit
'sal
ready6.
Thewholeparki
ngisf ullofcars.Somany
peopl
e?why?.Iknockedont hedoorandthatgirlI
bumpedintoatthehospi talanswersthedoor,
her
bumpisgrowingwhati sshenow? 5mont hs?
"OhmyGod. .
.Ent
le?
youheret
oo?
omgcomei
n,Ihad
noidea,
didSi
yainvit
eyou?
"Whysol
oud?
Ismi
leandnodasweent
ert
hehouse.
"Youlookst
unni
ngbytheway,letmet
akeyour
coat"whati
sthi
s?Igi
veitanyway.
"Fol
lowme,let'
sgotot
hebackyar
dfi
rstt
henI'
l
l
i
ntroduceyoutothegi
rl
s,
ohwelcometomicasa"
sheturnsaround
"Suchanhonort ohaveyouhere,andi
fthisi
show
youlookli
keafterpregnanci
esthenIwannaget
pregnantagai
n"shesayshol di
ngmywai st
Wegot hr
ought
hesl
idi
ngdoorandhel
lher
e'sal
ot
ofpeopl
e.
Shetakesmest r
aightt
owhereSi
yaandsomeguys
ar
e,waiti
sthatVuyo?Thatani
mal
.
"
Siyawhydidn'
tyout
ellmeyoui nvi
tedEnt
le?I
would'
vedr
essedupalilbet
ter
"shesayslaughing
Iheart
oSi
yaandIgi
vehi
m ahug
"
Wai
twho'
sthi
s?"Iknowt
hatvoi
ce,
Vuyo
"I
sthi
sTheeEnt
le?gi
rlcomegivemeahug"he
comesfor
wardbutSiyastopshi
m
"What
'scookingEnt
le?
youl
ookgoodbythe
way,
bett
erifyouaskme"hesaysl
ooki
ngatmeup
anddown
"
Ent
lei
za"Nandepul
lsmebacki
nsi
det
hehouse
"
Justbeyour
sel
far
oundt
hel
adi
es"shesays
Whati
sthi
s?ani
nter
view?
"
Her
etaket
his"shegi
vesmeaci
der
Il
ookati
tandi
t'
sopenshel
aughs
"Sor
ryIdidn'tknowyou'dwannaopeni t
,come
ther
e'salotmoreinthekitchen,don'
tworryI
'l
lbeby
yoursidethewholenight"pleasedon't

Weent
ert
heki
tchenandIsee4l
adi
es,
Ayandat
oo.
Gr
eat
.
"
Gir
lsIwanty'
al
ltomeet
-"
"Mi
nent
leKhoza!
"Twooft
hem shout
sandSt
ands
upandhugsme
Hai
boguyswhat
'shappeni
ng?
"
Haift
sekl
ayl
aandSi
ma"Nandepullst
hem away
f
rom meanddust
sof
finvi
nci
bledi
rt
"Sor
ryEntl
e,
thi
sisLayl
athewannabebl
ackwhi
te
one"hai
bo
"
ThisisSima,
don'
tbri
ngyourmannearhershe'
l
l
t
akehim byfor
ceorchoi
ce,
sheandVuyohasa
t
hing"hebandi
dn'
tyousl
eepwithyourf
ri
endsman?
"
YouknowAyanda,
thent
her
e'sLul
uthehoeoft
he
gr
oup"

Thesewomendon'tevendenyt
hethi
ngsNandei
s
sayi
ng.I
nst
eadtheysmilenodandwave.

Soonsomeguysbroughtsomemor ecider
sforus.
Ever
yonei
stal
kingtoeachotherexceptme.
"
Areyoual
wayst
hisqui
et?
"Layl
aasks
"Iwasaboutt
oaskt
hesamequest
ion"It
hinkher
nameisSima
Ever
yonei
snowl
ooki
ngatme
"
What'shappening?Imusti
ntroducemysel
f?"Iask
l
ooki
ngatthem andt heynodandIplacemyj ui
ce
whi
chiwasdr inki
ngtoneutral
isemysel
font he
t
able
"
Ahwher
eshoul
dist
art
?"
"Doyouhaveaman,l
et'
sst
artt
her
e"Layl
asays
sit
ti
ngupstr
aight
"
Idon'
thaveone"Ihonest
lysay
"
Howl
ongyou'
vebeensi
ngl
ethen?
"Si
maasks
Ical
cul
atef
ir
st
"
Mor
ethanayear
"Isayandt
heygasp
"Nodi
ckformor
ethanayear
?"Lul
uasksshocked
andIshakemyhead
"Yohndi
zofa"
(I
'ddie)Nandesaysandt
henow
drunkAyandastar
tslaughi
ng
"OhyeaIf orgotthatyouhavethi
simagi
nar
ydick
thati
mpregnat edyou,andwenaEntl
e*hi
ck*You-
"
shecouldn'tfi
nishbecausetheboysmadenoi
se
enter
ingthehouse
"Ladi
es!
what
'spoppi
ng?
"Vuyosaysl
ooki
nghi
gh
anddrunk
Si
yacomest
omysi
deandwhi
sper
s
"
Areyoust
il
lokay?
"HeasksandInod
"
Ayandadoyouwantt
ogohome?
"
"TakeherSi
ya,
thisjeze-imeanthi
swomani sdrunk
alr
eady"Nandesaysgoi ngtothefr
idget
aki
ngout
somethingt
hatlookedlikevi
ennas,
theyl
ookli
ke
Fr
anksausagesact
ual
ly
"Nande?Ar
ethosef
ranksausages?
"Iaskgoi
ngt
o
her
"Yesmylove,
thispr
egnancymademel
ovet
hem I
bri
ngthesewithmeeverywher
e"
"
CanIhavesome?
"
Shel
ooksatme
"
Onl
ybecauseIl
ikeyou,
her
e"shesayssmi
li
ng
Sinceweabitf
arfr
om t
hecr
owdIwentclosert
o
herbutl
ookedbehi
ndmebefor
espeaki
ng
"
DoesAyandaknow?"Isaydi
rect
ingmyeyest
oher
t
ummyandshel aughs
"
Thathoe?
No,
she'
sinf
orabi
gsur
pri
se"Hai
boso
f
ake?
"
Howdi
dithappen?
youandSi
ya"
"I
twasjustaonenightstand,
ohandIkne-
"she
getscutof
fbySiyaapproachi
ngus
"
Yout
wost
il
lokay?
"Thewhol
eti
me?
"NowonderEnt
ledi
sappear
edtoo"hesayslooking
att
hesausagesandNandelooksathi
m confused
"
Thesear
eherf
avour
it
e"hesaysandNandesmi
les
"Whydowegotsomuchi
ncommon?
Ijustl
ove
you"Idon'
tthi
nkso

Siyaendedupst
andi
ngwit
husunt
ilIf
ini
sedeat
ing
andNandeexcusedher
sel
f
"
Yougoodnow?
"
"
Siyast
opI
t,
what
'swr
ongwi
thyou"
"
I'
m checki
nguponyou,
i
sthatwr
ong?
"
"
SiyayouknowIdon'
thaveeyebr
owsf
oryou"
"
Iknowyoustil
lmadatmeNanabutt
rustme,
Ihad
t
otakeherback"
"
Whatever
,Iwantt
osmokehookah"Isayandhe
l
ooksatme
"Idi
dn'tknowyousti
llsmoket
hat
,I'
l
lgof et
chit
outsi
det henI
'
llmakeyouone,
youcansitinthe
l
ounge,I'
m sur
esinceyouandNandeareclose.
.she
won'tmindyousmoki nginside.
.i
t'
spr
ettychi
ll
y
outsi
de,getyour
selfsomet hi
ngtodri
nkI'l
lberi
ght
back"hesaysandki ssesmyheadqui ckl
yandturns
aroundbutstopinhistracks
"
I'
m sor
ry,
i
t'
sahabi
t"

Nandedi
dn'
tmindaslongast
hecoaldon'
tmess
upherf
urni
tur
eorrug.
I'
m busysmoki
ngandchatt
ingwithmyneighbour
s
daughtert
ocheckuponmyson.It'
salmost11and
shesentmeavideoofhi
m sleepi
ng.Imi
ssmy
baby.
"
Ist
hatyourson?
"NandeaskandInod
"
Hel
ookssomuchl
ikehi
sdad"
"Si
yayougotahandsomeson,
Icanseewherehe
gotal
lthel
ooksfr
om"shesaysrai
singhergl
ass
fi
ll
edwithj
uice
"
Where?
letmesee"Si
yasayssi
tt
ingnextt
ome
t
aki
ngmyphone
"
Daddysboy"hesayssmi
li
ngandgi
vingbackmy
phone
"NandeIneedt
ouseyourbat
hroom"isays
standi
ngup
"Ther
e'samorecl
eanpri
vat
eoneupstai
rs,
second
dooronyourl
eft
"shesaysandInod

AsIapproachtheseconddoorIhearmur mursin
theroom nextt
othebat hr
oom.I '
m busysoIplace
myearont hedoor,
Nomant hosear emoans.Iopen
thedoorassoftasIcanandwhatIsawshocked
me.Itookquicksnapsandcl osedthedoorand
wentalongmybusi ness.WhenIwasdoneIwent
downandsai dbyetoeveryone.
"
Theni
ghti
sstil
lyoungEnt
le"Vuyosaysembr
aci
ng
meHai
bosies
"
Ihaveasonathome"Isayt
aki
ngmycoat
"I
fyougoi
ng,t
henwealsogoi
ng.
.i
zaAyanda"Si
ya
saysal
sostandi
ngup
"
HaiI
'
m st
ayi
ng"she'
swast
ed
Nandegi
vesmeahugi
ncl
udi
ngLayl
a
"Wasni
cehavi
ngyou"NandesaysandIsmi
leat
her

"
Ayai
snotcomi
ngwi
th"Il
aughandnod
"Ar
eyouokaydri
vingal
one?
"Si
yaasksandIsay
yesal
readyst
art
ingmycar
"
Bye"hewavesasIdr
iveout
..
[
22]

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupearl
ytodayandstar
tedspri
ncleani
ng.I'
m
busywit
hthelastl
oadofwashing,
Ichecktheti
me
andit
'
salmost9.Ajaywi
llwakeupanymi nutenow.
WhenI'
m done,
Irushi
ntot
hehouset
ocheckupon
Aj
ay.

Iqui
etl
yopenhi
sbedr
oom doorandseehi
m st
ari
ng
i
ntonot hi
ngli
kehehasprobl
emsofhi sown.He
real
lysometimesthi
nkt
hathei sol
d.Ichuckle
shakingmyhead.Heseesmeandcl i
mbsof fthe
bedimmedi at
ely,
whydi
dn'
tIleavethedoorclosed?

"Mama"hesaysassoonasIpi
ckhi
m upandmy
hear
tmelt
s
"Youhungr
ybaby?"Iaskonourwaytothe
kit
chen,
hepoi
ntsathismout
handIlaugh
"Okay,
mommyi
sgoi
ngt
omakeyousomeni
cef
ood
aneh?"

Ipl
acehi
minhi
schai
rbef
oreIst
artwi
thbr
eakf
ast
.
"Lastt
imedaddymadeyousomeofmyf r
ank
sausagesandspiti
tout,whydon'
tyouchoosewhat
youwant ?
"Isayasiplaceapacketofmyfrank
sausagesandapacketofregul
arporksausages
i
nf r
ontofhim.

Hel
ooksatme,
takest
heFr
anksausagesandgave
i
ttomewhi
lehet
ookt
her
egul
arpor
ksausages.
"
SmartMove"Isayandpopmi
nei
nthemi
crowave
whi
leimadehisint
hepan.

Iwassti
llbusywit
hthel
astbaconpieceswhen
someoneenteredt
hehouse.Iseei
t'
sSi ya,
Drama.
Hesitsatt
het
abl
ewi t
houtgr
eet
ing,
hai
boi
m al
so
notgoingt
ogr
eetyou.
"Jahneht
hedisrespect
"hesaysoutoft
hebl
uebut
Ikeepqui
eti
nsteadasIdishoutf
orusandsi
ts
down
Hestar
tsfeedi
ngAj
aybutwheneverheopenshi
s
mouthSiyaput
sdownthespoonandclapshi
s
hands.
"
SiyaI
'
llmashyoui
fiseeyoudoingt
hatnonsense
wit
hmysononemor et
ime"Isayandhelooksat
meandfeedsAj
ay.

Hekeptcl
eani
nghi
steet
h.
"
SoveleEntl
eyounotgoi
ngt
oaskwhat
'swr
ong?
"
Hef
inall
ysays,
why?
"
Iwaswai
ti
ngonyout
otel
lme"
"Youexpectmetospil
lthebeanswithoutbei
ng
asked?AsozenotKum"Iwanttolaughsobad
causehelooksandsoundssogayr i
ghtnow
Icl
earmyt
hroat
"Sorr
ySiya,
what'
swrong?whathappened?
Youl
ook
str
essed"Isaysar
cast
ic
Hesqui
ntshi
seyes
She
"Canyoubeli
eveitEnt
le?
thedisr
espect
,shecheat
ed
onme, onSi
ya..
Awholendim Ent
le"hel
aughs
clappi
nghishands
"
Who?
Nande?
"Iaski
nabor
edt
one
"
Whatno?Ayandacheat
edonme"hesays
"
OhsheDid? shame"Isayandcont
inuedeat
ing
whi
lescr
oll
ingthroughmyphone
"
Youwayt
oocal
m,di
dyouknow?
"
"Who?
me? doyouwantsomemorebacon?
"Iask
andhelooksatmebefor
enoddi
ng

Hestart
seat i
ngli
kesomeonewho'sstar
ving.Hi
s
foodisfi
nishedbefor
emine.Aj
aygiveshi
m apiece
ofhisbacon
"
Ohthanksbuddy"Siyasaysandeat
sthebacon,
I
l
aughbecausehejustopenhell
Si
yawasstil
lbusychewingthebaconwhenAj
ay
st
art
edcr
yingandpointedatSiya'
smouth
"
Whatnow?
"Si
yaasks
"
Hewant
shi
sbacon"Il
augh
Siyaspi
tsiti
ntot
heplate,
Ajayseest
hecondi
ti
on
hi
sbaconi si
nandhej ustt
hrowshimsel
f
backwardswhil
ecryi
ng
"Ent
lehel
pplease"hesaystr
yingt
ocomf ortAjay,
I
wipemytear
sandsneakabaconpi ecetoSiya'
s
plat
eandshowhi mtoputiti
nhismout h.
"Ohhbuddylookwhatdaddyhas"Si
yasaysand
pull
sthebaconpi
eceoutofhismouthandAjay
smi
leswhi
lecl
appi
nghi
shands.

Ilaughatthisidi
otcal
ledSi
yabecausehei
sjust
fellf
oranothertr
ap.
Aj
aypoi
ntsatthebaconthenbackatSi
ya'smout
h.
Si
yahadtoputitbackandpul
loutoutafewti
mes
"Ent
lehel
pbeforeIeatt
hisonetoo"hesaysl
ooki
ng
atmewhilei
mj ustl
aughing.
..

{
Ayanda}

Siyaleftearl
yagain,I
'mi ndeepshit
.Iknowthathe
knowst hatIhadsexl astnight
.HowcanIbet hat
stupid?Iblamet healcoholandVuyoi s
so..
.determined.Ican'tseem t
oresisthi
m.Ideci
ded
tocallhim
"
Myl
ove"heanswer
s
"
Don'
teven,
whatwaswr
ongwi
thyoul
astni
ght
?"I
l
ashout
"
Woah,
youcameatmel ove,
anddamnyourvagi
na
t
ast
esni
celastni
ght
,r
aw"hesaysandIpanic
"
Raw!Howcoul
dyou"Ishout
"
Yousai
dyouwant
edi
trawl
ove"hesayscal
m
"
Iwasdr
unkVuyo,
howcanyoubesost
upi
d?"
"Lastti
meicheckedyouwereont hose
contracept
ivesshi
tsowhat'
sal
ltheshouti
ng
for?cal
lmewhenyoul essmoody"hecutsthecal
l

Istoppedusingthecontr
acepti
ves2monthsago
whenSi yatookmeback.Iwaswi l
li
ngtodo
everyt
hingtokeepHi m,
evenifi
tmeanttr
appinghim
withababy.Idon'tl
ikebabi
esbutIwaswi l
li
ngto
compr omiseforSi
ya,butwehardl
yint
imatewith
eachot her
.
I
'
llgetpr
egnantonewayort
heot
her
.

Igotothebathroom t
opee.WhenIwasdoneI
wipedmyselfandIsawblood.Coul
ditbemy
peri
od?
Ihopeso. ..
OhVuyo.
{
Unknown}

"
Didyoumanaget
obef
ri
endher
?"
"
Idon'tt
hinkso,
butIf
eell
ikeshe'swarmingupt
o
me,
Ijustneedtogetmoreclosertoher
"
"
Hur
ryup,
Ineedyout
oint
roducemet
oher
"
"
She'
sstubbor
n,andaler
t,
wecan'
trusht
hings,
why
i
sshesoimportantt
hough?"
"JustdowhatIpayyouf
orandst
opaski
ng
questi
ons"

Cal
lget
scut
..
..

{
Minent
le}

Si
yaspentt
hedaywi t
hus,whent heclockhi
t12I
wentt
omyr oom andprayed.Iusual
lydothi
swhen
Idon'tgotochurchonaSunday.WhenIfi
nished
mypr ayerandopenedmyeyesIseeSiyaandAjay
atthedoorwithSiya'
sheadbowed.
"
Idi
dn'
thearyousor
ry"Isayasist
andup
"Noiapol
ogi
zeforalmosti
nter
rupti
ngYou,wegot
boredsowecamet ocheckuponyou"Siyasays
andInodAswewal kbacktothelounge.
"Howdoyouf
eelt
hough?
"Iaskandhel
ooksatme
conf
used
"AboutAyandacheati
ngonYou?
doyouknowwhy
andwithWho? "Iask

Hesi
tsdownandl
etAj
aygoabouthi
sbusi
nesson
t
heground.
"I
tfeel
sweirdyouknow?Ihaven' ttouchedherever
sinceit
ookherbackbutt hatsti
lldoesn'tgi
veher
reasontocheat
..
..Ihaven'
tbeent hebestei
therBut
youknowwemenhavepr ide"hesaysandInod
"
Ithi
nkIknowwhoitmightbebutI
'
m notsur
e,I
meanli
ke.
..
Iknowshe'
sbeenunfai
tf
ulsomehow
butIneverknewshe'ddi
srespectmebyhavi
ngsex
whil
eim closeby"nowmyear sarewar
m

Hel
ooksatmeandl
aughs
"Thi
sfeel
sli
ketheol
ddayswhenweusedt
o
gossi
p"hesays
"Il
oveyou"hesaysoutoft
hebl
uemaki
ngmyhear
t
ski
pabeat
Het
akesmyhandsi
nhi
s,
thatf
eel
ing,
i
t'
sback
"
Myheartbel
ongst
oYou,
youknow?
Ineverst
opped
l
ovi
ngyouEntl
e"
"
Let
'sgof
oraswi
m"Iqui
ckysay
Hesmi
les
"
Per
fect
"

Ihaven'
tswam i
nawhi
le.Isear
chf
ormybl
ackone
pi
ece.
WhenIent
ert
hebackyar
dAj
ayandhi
sdadar
e
al
readyi
nthewat
er.
WhenIappr
oachedt
hem Si
yast
aresatme
"
Your
eall
ylookgoodi
never
ythi
ng"hesaysmaki
ng
mebl
ush.
Isi
tont
hest
epsmaki
ngmyl
egswet
"
Nocomej
oinme"Si
yasays
IseeheplacedAjayint
heki
ddi
espoolwi
tht
oys.
Gett
ingcomfort
ably.
IgoinAndSiyacomescloser
.Hetakesmyhands
l
eadingmedeeperunti
lthewaterl
evel
isundermy
breast
swhi
leit
'sabovehiswai
st.

"Haveievertol
dyouhowbeauti
fulyouar
e?"He
saysembr aci
ngmeandishakemyhead
"We'l
lyoubeauti
fulnana,
Iregr
etEver
yt hingIever
didtoyou,
whenwi llwebecomesomet hing?"That
tookmebysur pr
ise
"
Becomeabachel
or,
l
eavet
hebs"Isay
Hesmi
les
"Atl
eastiknowIsti
llhaveachancewi
tht
heloveof
mylif
e,mayIkissYou?"Hesaysbendi
ngfor
ward
andInodslowly
Icannevergetenoughofhi
sli
ps.
Hepicksmeupandpl
acemeonthesi
deofthe
poolandbr
eakst
heki
ss,
l
ooksi
ntomyeyes
"
Can'
twaitt
il
lyoumi
neagai
n"hesaysandki
sses
myhead.
.
[
23]

{
Minent
le}

Thishasjustturnedint
oal i
lbraaii
ficancal
litthat.
Siyawhippedoutt hebraai
stand,
madememar inate
alotofmeat.Hej ustwentouttobuysomealcohol
foruswhileim busywiththesalads.

Ihearthedoor
bel
lri
ng,Icheckedwhoitwas.
Befor
eIevenapproachedthedoor
,i
topenedwit
h
f
orce.
"What'
staki
ngyousolongtoopenadoor?Iknow
youhatemebutyoucan'tl
etthesunbur
nallthi
s
melani
naway"whatishedoinghere?
"
Iknowyouprobabl
ywonder
inghowIf
oundout
wher
eyouli
ve?"Duh?
"Ihaveconnect
ionsbabes,what'
shappeni
ngher
e?a
swim part
y?youlookf
atty"Ir
ollmyeyes
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eli
ya?
"Iaskcl
osi
ngt
he
door
"If
oundapl acef
ort
heshop,
yesi
t'
smypleasur
e
darl
ing"hesayswal
tzi
ngi
ntomyhouse
"Ii
maginedyourpl
acemor
ewowyouknow?
top
bil
li
nghouses"
"I
fyouheret
ocrit
ici
semyhouseyoumayl
eave"I
sayasicont
inuewit
hthegr
eensalad
"What
ever
,whatar
eyoudoi
nganyway,
doyouhave
company?
"
"
I'
m maki
ngl
unchl
iya,
suka"
"That'
salotoff
ood,
nowonderyoul
ooksof
a-"Igi
ve
him alook
"
Sof
ami
shed,
canIj
oin?
"
"I
t'
llbeinappropr
iat
eli
ya,i
t'
sSundayandAj
aysdad
want edtospendsomef amil
yti
mewi t
hus"I
honestlysay
"
Youmeant
otel
lmeyouandSi
ya?
"
"
Idon'
tknow,
no"
"
Didn'
theand-
"
"
Yesnowwi
llyoul
eaveornot
?"Icuthi
m of
f
"
Imostdef
fi
net
lywi
llnotl
eave"
"
Wher
ear
ethey?
"
"
Theywentoutt
obuyaf
ewst
uff
"
"
Isn'
tthatsweet,
getmesomewinedear
"hesays
makinghimselfcomfor
tabl
eatt
het
able
Icl
ickmytongueandpl
aceabot
tl
eofsweetr
osé
i
nfr
ontofhim
"
Hai
bo,
suchcheapwi
nemar
aEnt
le?
"Heasks
shocki
ng
"
Dri
nki
torgohome"Isay
"
Iyohi
t'
sfi
neI
'
lldr
inki
t"
Ichuckl
elookingathim.Liyaisn'
tthetypethat
wouldwearshor t
sorskirt
s,heonlyworethem when
weusedt ogooutbackt hen.Now? anenti
reslay
queen,
I'
mj ustgl
adhekeptt helongnailsand
l
ashesathome.I '
m alsogladhebecame
comfort
able.Wemaynotseeeyet oeyebutwel ove
eachotherli
kebrotherandsister
.

SoonSi
yaandAj
ayar
ri
ves
"
Nanaweback"f
inal
lyIsayt
omysel
f
Ajaycomesr unni
ngi
ntot
heki
tchenal
lst
icky,
his
dadwillhearme.
Hecomesr
unni
ngi
ntot
heki
tchent
oo
"I
'
m sorry,
hemanipulat
edmei ntobuyi
nghima
caramel
izedi
cecream,pleasefor
giveme"hesays
withhi
shandstogether
Ij
ustl
ookathi
m
"
Gobat
hhi
m ke"
"
Kodwananacan'
tyou?
"Hemoans
"Si
yatakeyoursonwhom youspoil
ed,
youdi
dn't
evenbri
ngmeanyt hi
ng"Isaycl
icki
ngmytongue
Hel
aughs
"
FineI
'
llbat
hMYson"hesaysandt
akesAj
ay

{
Siya}

Iseeli
yaisher
et oobutI
'l
lmakeasifidi
dn'
tsee
him.Ist
artbat
hingAjay,
Iwasbusydryi
nghi
m
whenmyphonebuzzed.
I
t'
samessagefr
om Vuyo:weonourway,tel
lEnt
le
t
omakemorefoodbecauseIbr
oughtcompany.

Ohshi
t!Ibumpedi nt
oVuyoandmycousi
n
Cr
omwel latspar
.Theywer
egoingt
ochil
l
somewhereuntilIspil
ledthebeansaboutwhatI '
m
doi
ng.Imighthavesai dtheyshoulddropby.Entl
e
wil
lki
llme,
maybeshewon' tmi
ndsi nceshehas
company..
.butt
henagai nVuyosai dsomething
aboutcompany..Ihopeit'
snotalotofpeople.

"Buddyl
etmedressyouupandl
et'
sgosoftsoap
mommyOk? yougottohel
pme"Isayt
oAjayandhe
givesmeanangryface
"
Itwasn'
tmyf
aul
thau"

Justaswef
ini
sedupihearsomeoneshout
"
SIYABONGAJAMA!
"
Amen,l
ooksli
ketheguysareal
readyhere.I
'
mi n
deepshi
t.Idoashortpr
ayerbefor
eleavi
ngAjays
room.

Icanhearal
otofpeopl
etal
king.AsIent
ert
he
l
oungeIsee6peopleI'
veneverseeninmyli
fe
excl
udi
ngmycousi nandVuyo,hai
boNande?Why
i
sshealwayseverywher
e?Foramot herofmychi
ld
she'
samongsttoomanyalcoholi
cs.I
t'
sli
keshe
wantspeopl
etoknowshe'scarr
yingmychil
d.

Igr
eetthepeopl
eandsomegi r
lhel
dmyhandt oo
l
ongwhi chmademeuncomf or
tabl
e.Igl
areatVuyo
andCromwellandt
heyjustshr
ug.

IgotothekitchenandIseeEntlei
sbusycut
ti
ng
spri
ngonions.Aggressi
vel
y.IkeepAj
aybymyside
forpr
otect
ion.
"Nana.
..
I'
m Sor r
yIdidn'
ttel
lYou,itwasj
ustsuppose
tobeVuyoandmycousi n,theyweregoi
ngtodrop
bythat
'sit
..
.Idon'tknowallthesepeopl
eiswear"I
saywalki
ngsl owlytowar
dsher
Shel
ooksatmeandpoi
ntst
hekni
featme
"
Wena?
"Yoh
"Xol
onana,I
'l
lmakei
tuptoyouIpromiseI
'
llget
youanyt
hingyouwant
"ihonest
lysay
"
Youbet
ter
,gett
hesepeopl
eoutofmyhouset
othe
backyar
dorIwi
ll
,andyouknowI
'
m notni
ce"Isay
"
Yesyes,
I
'l
ldot
hatr
ightnow"Isaygoi
ngt
othe
l
ounge

"Gent
s..
ifYoumay,
pleasemovet
othebackyar
d"I
say
"Buti
t'
shotoutsi
de,
can'twestayinsidei
nstead?"
Thegirlt
hatmademeuncomf ortablesayswhi l
e
fl
ippi
ngherlongweave.WheredidVuyof i
ndt hese
peopl
e?
"Hesaidmovet
othebackbecauseIsaidso,
it
's
eit
hery'
al
lmoveorl
eave"Ent
lesaysstandi
ng
behindme.
Thegi
rlwant
edt
osaysomet
hingbutherf
ri
end
st
oppedher
"Sheapologi
zesMsKhoza,we'l
lmovetothe
back,
nicetomeetyoubytheway,I'
m Zint
leandthis
i
sNonymyf ri
end.Ohandthese4aremybr ot
her
s"
shestandsupgreeti
ngEntl
eandEntlesmiles
"
Nicet
omeetyout
ooZee,
I
'm gl
adsomeofushave
manners.
.andididn'tmeantosoundrudeIj
ust
don'
tli
kealotofpeopleinmyhouse"Entl
esays
l
ooki
ngatmeandi chuckl
e

Meandt heguysarebusywi t
hthemeatwhile
Entl
e,
Zint
leandli
yaar ei
nhouse,wher
eli
ya
di
sappearedtoearl
ierononlyHeknows.ThatNony
gi
rlhasbeeninthepoolsincewemovedtothe
back.

"KodwaSiyawhydidn'
tyoutel
lmeyouand
Entl
e?Youknow?"Cromwell
saysandVuyonods
"Ther
e'snothi
ngbet
weenmeandEnt
le.
..
yet
"Isay
andtheyjustl
ookatme
Theotherguyswhom Il
ear
ntt
oknowar
ePk,
Xhant
i,
Lunat
hi,
Thando.
Thandokeptl
ooki
ngatt
hehouseandhe'
sbeen
qui
etthewhol
etime.
"I
sMinent
leKhozareal
lyyourbabymama?
"Xhant
i
asksandInod.Hewhistl
es
"Whydi
dn'
tyoucuffheryet
?ai
n'tyouafrai
d
someonemightst
ealher
?"Lunathisays
"SheranawaybeforeIcouldandshewasf r
eefor2
yearsyetshe'
ssti
llnotst
olen.Thatshoul
dsay
somethingtoYou,
shecamebackt odaddy"Isay
l
ookingatthem whil
esippi
ngmybeer

SoonEnt l
e,l
iyaandZeest ar
tedsett
ingthet
ableon
theporchandt hatgi
rlst
oppedswi mming.She
cli
mbedoutoft hepoollikesomewannabewhi t
e
l
ady.Theboysal lwhistl
esasshepoi nt
sherassin
ourdirect
ion.Nonyisthoseslender
swi t
hthebig
behind.Ij
ustshakemyhead.Sheai n'
tgotnot
hing
onmyEnt l
e.

Igotoherwi
tht
hemeati
nthebowlandki
ssher
head.
"Youshoul
dchange,Youwon'
tent
ert
hewat
er
anymoremos"Iwhisperi
nherear
"
Iwon'
tchangebecausei
t'
shotandIwi
llswi
m,can
youquickymakeAj ayonemor ebot t
le?
Ial
ready
boil
edthewater,
he'sasleep,
atleastwecanwatch
overhi
mf rom herethr
ought heglassdoor
"she
saysandInodgi vi
nghert hemeat

Wear
eallseatedandt
hisNonygi
rli
ssi
tt
ingacr
oss
mel
ooki
ngr i
ghtint
omyeyes.UNCOMFORTABLE.
"
I'
m done"shesays
"You'vebeenpret
endi
ngtonotknowmefort
he
pasthourSiya"shesaysl
ooki
ngatmeand
everyonelooksconf
used
"Youreal
lydon'tknowme? "ShesaysandIshake
myheadsl owlylookingatEnt
lebutshe'
snot
payi
ngattenti
ont othis
"
Ayearago?Wemetatabar ?
wesharedanight
t
ogetherbutyouki
ckedmeoutthenextdaywit
ha
R200?"ShesaysandLiyal
aughs
"
R200qha?
"Hesaysandl
aughs
"Idon'
tknowwho'scheapbetweenthe2ofyou,hai
youaremogurl
,becausethi
sonelikesspendi
ng"he
saysl
aughi
ng
"Yohi
fiwasyouIwasn' tevengoi
ngtobri
ngitup,
kodwaIfeell
ikeyoul
ying"hesaysandInod
"WhywouldIli
e?Isi
timpossibl
eforsomeonel
ike
metopullsomeonel
ikeSiya?Lookatme"Nony
says
"
Ewel ookart
syou,
youlookdesperat
e...
ifIwasn'
t
t
hist
ipsyIwasgoingtosnatchthatcheapthing
f
rom yourhead"Li
yasaysandEntlelaughs

"
Andshef
inal
lyt
alks"Nonysaysl
ooki
ngatEnt
le
"
Ohh..soYouwer eactual
lywaiti
ngforareact
ion
f
rom me? "Entlesayssippingherwine,
Icansee
f
rom herfacialexpressi
onsthatshe'st
ipsyhence
t
hequi et
nesst oo
"IknowyourtypeNono. .
.butYouseeme? Idon'
t
entert
ainthel
ikesofyou,youcometoMY
house...
hadaf oulat
ti
tudetowardsmesinceyou
gotherebecauseofwhat ?Siya?
"Shecl
icksher
tongue
"Andanotherthi
ng,Si
yadoesn'tgot
obars..
it
doesn'
tmat t
erifi
t'
satatavernorcl
ub.Sonextt
ime
youwanttost ar
tnonsense,
godoitsomewhereel
se
andstoplookingsodesperat
e"shesaysandIsmil
e
thati
nst
ant

Aj
aycri
esandshegoesint
oattendhi
m,l
ooksli
ke
hecoul
dn'
tfi
ndhi
sbott
lewhil
ehewasasleep.

I
t'
sst
il
lqui
etar
oundt
het
abl
e.
"
Nonywhatdoyoudof
oral
ivi
ng?
"Hai
boLi
ya
Nonyl
ooksathi
m bef
oreanswer
ing
"I
'
m self
-empl
oyed"sheconf
ident
ial
lysaysandLi
ya
bursti
ntol
aught
er
"Jahneh,
thethi
ngsGodbl
essesuswi
th"hesays
andlaughsagai
n

SoonEntl
ecomesoutandshe'
sonl
ywear
ingher
swimsui
t.Thet
abl
egoesquiet
.
Shecomest ot het able,
takesherwineglass,
thr
ows
al
lhermeati nonebowl ,placesherphoneinthe
bowltoosies..
andt akesonebot t
leofwinewithher
.
Wear est
il
llooki ngatherassheswaysherbi gass
walki
ngawayf r om usgoi ngt ot
hepoolside.
Igetabonert
hati
nstant
.Whywoul
dshewal
k
aroundl
iket
hat?.
..
..
.
[
24]

{
Siya}

Ever
yoneisst
il
lwatchi
ngEntl
e.She'sswi
mmi
ng
l
ookingal
lsor
tsofsexyandbeauti
ful.
"Cuzzyourbabymamalooki
ngf
ineashel
l"my
cousinsaysandIgl
areathi
m
"
Ifshehadnor el
ati
ont oyouwhatsoeverI
'
dcuf
fher
r
ightnow"Lunathisays,
thi
sguyisgetti
ngonmy
l
astnerves
AllofasuddenLi
yaandZi
ntl
est
oodupandj
oined
Entle.Ohboy.

"I
t'
shot
, l
et'
sgojoi
nthem"Thandothequietone
saysal
readyst
andingupandtherestnods
I
'
m nowaloneatthet
abl
e,
ohwai
tthel
iari
sst
il
lher
e
*
rol
lsmyeyes*.
"
Younotj
oini
ngt
hem?
"Sheasks
"
I'
m notyourf
ri
end"Igl
areather

"Munch?
"Mywhol
ebodygetsgoosebumpsas
Ent
lecal
lsmebyt
hatni
ckname
"
Ohheynana,
youdoneswi
mmi
ng?
"
"
Almost
,comejoi
nmebefor
eoursonwakesup"t
he
wayshesai
d'ourson'
mademesmile
Shel
ooksatNonywho'
sbeenl
ooki
ngatust
he
whol
eti
me
"
Younotwant
edher
e"Ent
lesayst
oher
"Icameherewi
thmyfri
ends,
ifyouki
ckmeoutyou
kicki
ngal
lofusout
"shesayscocky
Ent
lel
aughs
"
Ok"shesaysandt
urnsar
ound
"
Everyonewho'sbefr
iendedorcameherewit
hthi
s
j
ezebel,
pleasel
eavemyhouse"shelookssosexy
r
ightnow
Ever
yoneislooki
ngateachother
,IseeZi
nt l
e
wanti
ngtosaysomet hi
ngbutshefoughtitand
wentaboutherbusi
nesswit
hLiya,t
herestdidthe
same.
Ent
let
urnsar
oundt
ofaceNony
"Li
keisaid.
..
You.
.not
..
welcome. .
here"shesaysand
wit
heachwor dshewalkscl osert
oNony, shest
and
upquickybutEnt
ledoesn'tevenfli
nch

Nonyl
ooksatever
yone
"YouforrealZi
ntl
e?It
houghtIwasyourf
ri
end"she
saysgoingclosert
othepooltowhereZi
ntl
eisat.
Zint
lelookssof
t,
shedoesn'
tsayanyt
hingbut
conti
nuestodri
nkhercider
"Iwasfr
iendswit
hyoujustforyourmoney
anyways"shesaysandcli
ckshertongue
Bef
oreshecoul
dwalkawayLiyahadherbyherl
eg
andpul
ledheri
ntopoolandhel
aughed
"
AREYOUCRAZYYOU-IJUSTREDIDMYMAKE-
UP!
"Shescr
eamsandLi
yalaughsmor
e
"
Yohsies"Li
yasaysashermakeupcomesof
fAnd
makesafatl
ayeronthewat
er
WhenNonysawthi
sshequi
ckyr
anoutoft
hewat
er
gr
abbedatowel
andranout
.

Li
yaandZi ntl
ehighfi
vewhil
ethebrother
sjust
shakesthei
rheadButThandochuckles.Mycousi
n
andVuyoont heotherhandwerebusymaking
vi
deosandt hey'
vebeenwatchi
ngitoverandover
l
aughingthemselvestodeat
h.

Ever
yonei
snowi
nsi
de.Thewomenar
ebusy
cl
eani
ngwhi
leusgent
sar
ewat
chi
ngsoccer
.

Suddenlyim hungr
y.I'
l
laskEntletomakemea
sandwich.AsIapproachthem Iheregi
ggl
es.
"
Mustbeni
ce"isayandt
heyal
lspr
eadout
"
Ent
le,
nana,
makaAj
ay,
myhear
t-
"shecut
smeof
f
"
Youhungr
y?"Inodandshel
ooksathernew
f
ri
endsawkward
"Thenst
arve"shesaysandpackst
her
emai
ning
plat
esawayhaibo
"
Ent
le-
"
"Youdidn'
tbuymeanythingfr
om t
ownand...
and
I'
m cr
avingformyusualgoodi
essobadSiya"she
saysclosetocr
ying
"Golookinthefr
idgeatt
heback,
ther
e'saPnP
plast
ic"Isayi
nabor edt
one
Hereyesspar
kleandsher
unst
othef
ri
dge
Iwant
edtogi
veherthosest
ufft
oni
ghtwhenshe'
s
al
one,
par
typooper
.
Sheloseshermindandst
art
scr
yingagai
n.What
's
wrongwithher
?Shehugsmeandshakesmeso
muchInearlyt
hrewup.
"
Thankyoudaddy"shesaysandki
ssesmycheek
Shest
artseati
ngt
hebi
lt
ongfi
rstont
hespot
.Soi
won'
tgetfoodher
e?Asi
fshereadmymind
"Ohyeayouwerehungr
y"shesayswi
thhermout
h
stuf
fedwit
hbi
lt
ong
Shetakesoutapl
att
erf
il
ledwi
thdi
ff
erentt
ypesof
sandwiches
"Iknewyou'
dbehungr
y,t
heothersar
epr
obabl
yal
so
hungrybutt
heyshyt
osay,shoul
dImakesome
coffeet
oo?"
"Thatwoul
dbegreatthankyou"Isayandhead
backtotheguys,
theydi
ginimmedi at
ely.

{
Minent
le}
"Howdoyousl
eepwit
hahousefi
ll
edwi
th
handsomemenli
ket
hose?
"IaskZee
"Handsome?
youneedgl
asses,
thosear
ejer
ks"she
sighs
"I
'
m 23butthewayt
heyare?
I'
veneverdat
edbef
ore"
shesaysandLi
yasl
apsheronherhands
"Sobabyyoustil
lseal
ed?"Heasksshocki
ngand
Zeelooksattheguysfi
rstbef
oreshaki
ngherhead
andLiyaisevenmoreshocked
"
Hai
bohow?
"Hewhi
sper
s
"Well
..
.Imetthisguyawhi l
eagoandhesweptme
offmyf eetandIjustgavei
ttohi
m"Shewhisper
s
andIlaughandt heylookatme

"Nonotinthatway,
yoursit
uati
onmakesmet hink
aboutmeandSi yabackthen,
Igavemyvirgi
nit
ynje
notevendatingf
or3mont h'
s.WhenIthi
nkaboutit
nowI'dlaughmeinacoma"isayandt heylookat
me
"
Buty'
al
lst
il
lloveoneanot
herr
ight
?"Zeeasks
"
That'
sarhet
ori
calquesti
onmylove,
notevena
monkeycansepar
atethoset
wo"Liyasays
"
Wear esti
llonyouZee,wi
llwebemeet
ingt
hisguy
what
'shisname? "Isay
"Well
,
soonIhope,thatwayyoucangrowcloset
o
mybr ot
hersandsoftsoapt
hem...
hisnameis
Jason"Zeesays
"Oeeei
shecolour
edorwhi
te?
"Li
yasaysqui
ckl
y
andZeelaughs
"
Inbet
ween,
Idon'
tknow"shesays

"Maa"Aj
aycomest
othekit
chenwhil
erubbi
nghi
s
eyes,
mybabypr
obabl
yti
red.Ipi
ckhi
m up
"
SIYA!
"
"DoesAj
ayhaveanybott
lesl
eft
?"Iaskandheyel
ls
noandIstar
tmakinghi
m one
"Ir
eal
l
ydon'tknowhowyoudoi
tEnt
le"Zeesays
andil
ookather
"
Likeyou'
vebeent
hroughsomuch,
youdosomuch
alr
eadybutyousti
llf
indwayst
oli
veandl
ookaf
ter
yourson"shesays
"
Ican'
tsayi
t'
sbeeneasyButthi
soneri
ghtherei
s
t
hereasonwhyI
'm st
il
lher
e"Isayki
ssi
ngAjay.

SoonXhantiandPkcamei ntothekit
chen.These
twolooksodark,
thei
raura.Theonlythingtheydi
d
thewholedaywassayt hankyou/yes/no.They
almostl
ookali
ke,
butPKl ooksolder
.
"
Zint
leweneedt
ogo"bot
hoft
hem says
"
Buti
t'
snoteven9yet
"shepl
eads
Theybot
hgi
veheral
ookwhi
chsendsshi
ver
sdown
myspine
"
FINE!ButIwantt
ovi
sithernextweek"shesays
"
It
'sokwe'
l
lbr
ingyou"hai
bo

MeandZeeexchangenumber
sandbi
dgoodbye.
"Wai
tforme,
l
etmeridewi
thy'
al
ltchi
n"Li
yasaysas
hepi
cksuphisheel
s
"
Byefat
ty"hesayst
omeandki
ssesmycheekandI
j
usshakemyhead.

"SoosinceAj
ayisasleep.Wehavet
hehouseallt
o
oursel
vesri
ght?
"Siyasaysinmyearashecloses
thedoor
"WedobutI
'
mti
red,
mindgi
vingmeamassage?
"He
gri
ns
"Neart
hefi
repl
ace?witht
herestofyourgoodi
es
andaglassofwine?"Imoanasthatsoundsso
good

Hewasstil
lbusywit
hmyf eetwhenhisphoner
ang.
Hetol
dmet oanswersincei
twasclosert
ome.I
sawthecal
lerI
D'Ayanda'
Ianswer
"
Siya'
sphonehel
lo"
"
Youknowwho'
sthi
ssfebe,
justwantedt
oknow
wher
eMYmanis"Il
aughandSi yal
ooksatme
"Jahnehwhatapitt
yhe'shere,
shoul
dIgivehi
mthe
phone?"IaskasIal
readyhavethephonetoSi
ya
andhet akesi
t
Her
oll
shi
seyesbef
oreanswer
ing

{
Ayanda}

Thiswomani sdr i
vingmenut s.Shehast heodacit
y
toanswert hephone.Feelsl i
keDejaVu.Ihave
nothingtodosoIt ookphoto'
sandscr olledthr
ough
socialmedia.IseeZi nt
leZanapost edalotof
pictut
es.She'st hi
sdownt oearthprett
ygi r
lwho's
bornintothisweal t
hyfamilyandhast heemost
handsomebr othersyoucouldthinkof.Ilook
throughherr ecentphoto'
sandIf eelmyhear tski
pa
beat
'
@MsKhoza's thewor ldcoulddowi t
hmore
i
ndependent
,amazingandst r
ongwomenl i
keyou'a
pi
ctur
eofthetwooft hem I
nt heki
tchendr
inki
ng
wineandcooki
ng,someatt hepool
.
Iseemor ewher
eal
lherbrot
her
'sarei
ncl
udi
ng
Vuyo,
Siyaandanot
herguybusybraai
ngmeat.I
shoul
d'vebeent
her
etootsk.

Zintlepostedthepicturesbuteverycommentisj
ust
directedtoEntle/
herclothes/herhouseandno
negat i
vecomment s.Evenmygi rlgangcomment
ed,
suchbet rayal
.

Ior
deri
n,Thesepeopl
ejustr
uinedmydi
et!
..
.
[
25]

MONDAY

{
Ayanda}

SoSi
yadi
dn'
tbot
hercomi
nghomel
astni
ght
.What
shouldido,I
'
m bor ed.Mygirl
shavebeendi st
ant
withme.Idecidedtodr essupsexyandt akeafew
pict
urestopost.Shoppingforunnecessaryst
uffi
s
deffi
net
lyonmyl isttoday.

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupbef or
eSiya.He'ssti
llsleepi
ng,he'
sso
handsome.Ilookatthetatt
ooeddat eonhi sar
m
again.Whatwil
lmaket hi
ngsdifferentt
histime
around?

I'
vebeenlooki
ngatthepi
cturesoftheempt yshop
Liyaf
ound.Itl
ooksgood,
goodcondi t
ionand
spaci
ous.Ishoul
dcheckitoutlat
eront oday.

"Youknowhowbadthoseglassesonyoureyescan
beifyouuset
hem soearl
yinthemorni
ng"Siya
saidcomi
ngint
otheloungelooki
ngal
lsort
sof
handsome
"
Youknowican'tdoanyt
hingwi
thoutt
hese"Isay
t
aki
ngthem of
f
"
Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
owor
k?"
Iaskandhel
aughs
"Idon'
tneedto,
Icanj
ustcheckuponthi
ngsatt
he
offi
cetoday,
youcancomewithme..
.YouandAj
ay"
hesays

Ist
andupt
omakeussomecof
fee
"Unfor
tunat
elyIcan'
t,
Liyaandihavetocheckout
thi
snewshopf ormybusiness,
andIhavealunch
datewithmyf r
iendLauren.
..
Yousti
llr
ememberher
ri
ght?"
"
ShouldIcomewit
hYou?Ohyea,
i
sshest
il
ldat
ing
t
hatguy?Mikeorwhat
ever
"
"Youdon'
thavet
o,t
heyaremarri
ednowandthey
havetwi
nsandit
'sMichael
"Isayhandi
nghi
m hi
s
coff
ee

"
Thoseguysfrom yest
erday,
theylookvery
f
amil
iar
,despi
tet
hem beingbor noutofoneoft
he
ri
chestf
ami l
ies,
Ifeel
li
keI
'
vemett
hem bef
oreyou
know?"Siyasays
"Isear
chedthem,butIf
eel
li
kewe'
vemet
somewhere"stal
ker
"
Mmhhok,
isAj
ayst
il
lokay?
"Henods
"Canyouwhi pupsomethi
ngtoeat
?Ireal
lyneedto
getready,t
heowneroft
heshopconfi
rmedthe
ti
me,he'sabusymansomeandLi yacan'
tbelate"I
sayalreadyonmywayt omyroom

30mi nutesl aterandI'

m done.Dr
essedinar oyal
bl
ue3pi ece, babyblueheel
s.Neverf
orgetthe
j
elwery,somet hi
ngsimpleandsil
vert
oday.Hai rt
ied
attheback, everyhaiestr
andonit'
splace.

Irecei
veatextfr
om Li
ya:gi
rlI
'
m al
readyout
side
theshop,
hurryup.

"Si
yacanyoutakeAj
ayt
ot hedaycar
e?pl
ease?
"I
askhi
m andIseehe'
sal
readybustpr
epar
ingAjay.
Sweet
.
"
Nopr
obl
em"hesaysashel
ooksatme
"Youlookli
kearealbusi
nesswoman,
Ijusthat
ethe
factthatot
herpeopl
ewil
lseehowsexyyouare"
self
ish
"
Thankyou,behaveyoursel
ves,anddon'
tfal
lfor
Aj
aystr
icksagain"Isayasikissbothofthem on
t
hecheek.
Istopi
nmytracksasIreal
isewhatIjustdid.Ilook
backandSi
yalooksl
ikeacatwhoj ustreceivedhis
mil
k.
"Don'
tgetusedt
oit
,Iwasi
namoment
"Iconf
ess
andwalkoutqui
ckl
y

"Remindmet
oneverwai
tforyoui
nthef
utur
e"Li
ya
says
Theownerhasnotevenopenedt
heshopbuthe'
s
act
ingl
iket
his
Mywordsarenotevencol
dandhearri
ved.Wai
ta
mi
nut
e.Isn'
tthat
?Xhanti
?Zint
le'
sbr
other
?He
l
ooks.
..
wowsobusi
nessy(
ift
hat
'sawor
d)
"Goodmorni
ngmyapologi
esforr
unningl
ate,
Ireal
ly
haveabusydayt
oday"hesaysopeni
ngtheshop
"
Youbeingher
eisanhonourMrZana"Li
yasays
f
lat
ter
ed.
"
I'mjustgl
adthatt
heshopwillbet
akenbypeopl
e
l
ikeyou"hesaysashelooksatme.

Hewasn'tl
iket
hisatmyhouse.Who'
sthi
sand
whathashedonetothenotal
kXhant
iorshoul
di
sayMrZana

Weent ertheshopandIloveit
.It
'snotdamagedat
all
.It
'
sst i
llcl
ean,
whi
teeverywhere.I
tevenhasa
secondfloor.

"
We'
l
ltakei
t"Li
yasayst
oXhant
iandhechuckl
es
"I
t'
scost
ybutIknowyoucanaf
for
dit
,I
'
llgi
veyoua
bonusanyway"
"
Whatwast
hisbef
oreanyway"Iaskhi
m
"Thi
swasajel
wer
yshop,
mineact
ual
ly"hesays
andIgasp
"
Youmovedi
t?"Iaskandheshookhi
shead
"Myworkerscoul
dn'
tkeepupwi t
hmy.
..
wor
kingski
ll
soIf
ir
edt hem"hebl
untlysays
"
Looki
ngf
orpot
ent
ial
?"Iaskandhel
ooksatme
"
AreYou?
"HeasksandIl
ookathi
minconf
usi
on
"
Imaybe,Iownal i
tt
lej
elwer
yshopi
nBelgi
um
t
oo,
butwithever
ythi
ngthat'
sgoi
ngonImightcl
ose
i
tdown"Isay
"Iknowaboutyourshop,IsawyourworkandI'm
i
mpr essed,
wantedust oworktoget
herbutyou
neveraround,
youtrustyourworker
stoomucht o
j
ustleavethem al
one"
"Howwi l
ltheywor kifI
'm const
antl
ylooki
ngover
them?howwi llt
heyimprove?Ineverwantmy
workerstost aywheretheyare,
especi
all
yift
hey
havepotential"Ibar
kbackandhechuckl esand
nods
"Goodpoint,
butyouliveherenow,youshould
considermovingorclosi
ngt hebusiness,
here'
smy
bankingdetai
ls,
I
'm sureyou'l
lputmyshopi nto
greatuseMsKhoza"hesaysandgi vesLi
yathe
keysbeforeheadingout

"Omghei ssooyummyEntl
e,
Ican'
tbel
ievewejust
boughtTheeMrZana'
sshop"Li
yasaysshaki
ngme
"Getagri
pit'
sthesameXhant
ithatwasatmy
house"Isaypushi
nghi
m andheclickshi
stongue
"Younevertoldmeyouownaj el
weryshopmxm,
Youdon'tevenknowwhowasatyourhouse, looks
l
ikeIgetmyownof f
ice,
I'
mt akingthelessspacious
onesincetheremaybesomet hingbrewingbetween
youandMrZana, justbecauseI '
m beingnicedon't
meanwef riend"hesaysheadi ngtothesecond
fl
oorandIshakemyhead.

What'ssospeci
alaboutXhant
i?Yeshe'shandsome
Icangivehi
mt hat
,nori
ngonhisfi
nger.Whyishea
bachelor
?
"Entl
estopdaydr
eaming,
weneedtostartbuyi
ng
furni
tur
eandyouneedtohavevisi
on,
thi
splace
needsmeandsodoyou"Li yacanbetoomuch
Hewhi
ppedouthi
sphone
"Comewemustcr eat
eapagesothatpeopl
ewil
l
know,
they'
llcomestr
eami
nginwhentheyknowi
workhere"
"LiyaImayhaveal otofdesignsthatarer eadyBut
west i
llneedsomeonewhowi l
lhelpmemaket he
clothes,youagooddr awerbutwheni tcomest o
act uall
ymaki ngt
hecl ot
hes?yousuckbi gt i
me.
Whi l
eyoubusywi ththosepost swhatwhat ,
saywe
l
ooki ngf orsomeonewhocandesi gn,
someonet hat
willbeanassether e,noslackers"heglaresatme
andgoesabouthi sbusinessont hephone

Myowncl othingshop.Whot houghtthatI

'dopen
myown?Mymom al wayssai dishoul
dgoi nt
o
educati
on.IalsothoughtIshouldbackthen,butI
j
ustlovedhelpingpeoplewiththei
rprobl
ems,so
psychol
ogywast
hedr
eam.
I'
mthankfulformyaunt,
Ihat
edbusi
ness,
butwhen
sheshowedmet hat
'swher
ethemoneyli
es,
I
wantedtolearnmoreabouti
t.

Ideci
dedtotextmymom :f inal
lyboughtashop
whereIcansellcl
othes,
neverst
oppeddesigni
ng
them,
letmeknowwhenyou' l
lvi
sit
.

Forthepast2monthswe'vebeencommuni cat
ing
thr
oughthephone.Shecouldn'
tcomet ome
becausemydadi st
empor ar
il
yparal
yzedcausedby
multi
plest
rokes.Mymom beingmymom Shedi dn'
t
wantmet omovebackforawhi l
esothatIcanhelp
her.

Evenifihavet
opayahugeamountofmoneyf
or
them t
obehereI'
l
ldoi
t.
[
26]
1MONTHLATER

"Ent
leyou'
llbel
atef
oryourownopeni
ng!
"Li
ya
shoutsfr
om thel
ounge

IcomeoutandIseeLi yaandZintl
el ookingsexy.
Zint
lewasdr essedinasil
ktightdresswi thati
gh
highsli
t.BothherandLi ya'
smakeupwasdoneby
Lauren.Liyawaswear i
ngagol dshor tj
umpsuit.I
don'tknowi fhet hi
nkswe'l
lwalkonar edcarpetbut
theylookgood.

"
Youlookamazi
ng,nowonderyouwer
etaki
ngso
l
ong"Zi
ntl
esaysandIthankher
"Laurensaysherhusbanddi
ddeli
vert
hefood,t
hey
willgetusther
e"Li
yasaysasIsaybyetoAjayand
hisbabysit
ter.
"Siyaandmybrother
swi l
lbether
etoo,
I'
m
sur pri
sedt
hatt
heydidn'
tdri
veusthemsel
ves"
Zint l
esays
Whyam Isoner vous?IfoundoutwhoZi nt
le's
brother
sar eandIwasshooked.If eltli
keaf ooland
IalsobeendodgingXhant ieveryt
imehechecksup
ont heshop.Theyarehighlyrespectedespeciall
y
Xhantisincehe'
stheoldest.HowI '
llfacehimt oday
onlyGodknows.

Throughouttheri
deLi
yatalksnon-
stop.Taki
ng
pict
ures,Zi
ntl
ecanseethatI'
m get
ti
ngirri
tat
edso
shestart
splayingmusi
c.

Wearri
veandweseealotofwomenalreadyt
her
e.
Looki
ngthr
oughthecl
othes.Somear
ehaving
Champagne,ni
ce.

"
Youguysl
ookamazi
ng"Laur
ensayscomi
ng
t
owar
dsus.
"Iknowbabe,
andsodoyou,getmesomewi ne,
it
'
s
goingtobealongday"Li
yaisreal
lyf
ullofdrama
"Nicet
ry,
Ent
lecomesayhit
oMi chael
"Laur
ensays
draggi
ngmet owher
eherhusbandis
"
Hunnyyoust
il
lremembermyf
ri
endEnt
ler
ight
?"
"Fi
nall
y,yesIdo,goodwor kEntl
e,youreal
lymaking
namef oryourself
,andIcanalreadyseethatyou'l
l
goplaces,congratsanddoenj oythefood..
.i
twon't
beeverydayt haty'al
lgetfoodmadef rom achef
l
ikeme"Mi chaelasayscockymaki ngmechuckle
"Smartmout
h,oht
hemenareher
e,gojoi
nthem"
Laur
enpusheshimtowar
dswheretheguysare

MeandXhantil
ockeyes.Siyaar
ri
vedwi
thAyanda
onhi
sside.Thi
smanr eal
lydon'
tknowwhathe
want
s.
"ExcusemeMsKhoza?Ar
ethesecl
othesf
orsal
e?"
Iturnaround
"Unf
ort
unatel
ynotmyma' am"isayasitakea
champagneglass,cl
ickaspoonagai
nstitget
ti
ng
ever
yone'
sattent
ion
"
Wel
comet
oM'
sever
yonet
hatcoul
dmakei
tI
appreciateyoursuppor t,i
tmeanst hewor ld.Thisi
s
onlyanopeni ngmyf ell
owpeopl e.Wher ei
showcasemydesi gns.Not hingissel l
able,so
whichevercl othingyoul i
ke,
justtaket hethest i
cker
above,afterthatyoucangot oZintl
e/MsZana, sti
ck
thestickerint hebookl eaveyourcont act
detai
ls,personaldet ai
lsnextt othest icker.I
fyou
knowyoursi zesj ustleavethem t here.Sinceyou
guysar eoneoft hef i
rsttoent ermyshopyou' llal
so
gettohaveyourver yf i
rstclothi
ngmadespeci al
ly
foryou.Ohandyoucanonl ychooseoneout fi
t"I
say.Mostar esul ki
ngwhi l
emostar esmi li
ng

It
houghtIt
oldLi
yat
oinf
ormt
hepeopl
eaboutt
his?

Theshopi
sgett
ingali
tt
leemptynow.Thi
sgi
ves
meanopport
uni
tytogotothebathr
oom.
If
ini
shmybusi
nessandIbumpi
ntosomeoneon
mywayout
.
Il
ostmybal
ancebutgotcaughtbyt
heper
son.
"Nevertookyoufort
heclumsyt
ype"Il
ookupand
seeit'
sXhanti.Myhear
t.
Mymout
htur
nsdr
yinani
nst
ant
,whati
sshedoi
ng
her
e?
"
Mymi ndi
sjustsomewher
epar
donme"Isayasi
wantt
opassbuthestopsme
"
You'vebeenavoi
dingme,
why?
"Thatvoi
cei
sso
wet
tening
"
Idon'
tknowwhatyout
alki
ngabout
"Il
ie
"
Youlyi
ng,
whenyouli
eyourf
inger
stwi
tch"hesays
t
aki
ngholdofmyhand.

Somepeopl
ear
ehandsomeshame.
Hecl
osest
hegapbet
weenus
"Icant akeyouri
ghther
e,allIwantist
ohaveyou
rightherewoman,Wedon' thavetodoanythi
ngaf
ter
That "hesaysashesnuggl eshisheadint
omy
neck, sl
owlyki
ssi
ngme.
Myunder
wearget
swett
hati
nst
ant
.Thi
scockt
ail
dr
esswil
lbet
heendofme.
"Myoffi
ce"IsayandIwishIcoul
dki
ckmyvagi
na
becausethi
sisallhert
alki
ng
Henodsashel
eadst
heway.
Weentermyoff
iceandhelocksthedoorinan
i
nst
antandatt
acksmylips.Suchsoftcr
eatur
es.

Helaysmedownonthetabl
eandstart
sundressi
ng.
It
akeoffmypant
iesandthr
owthem somewhere.
He'ssti
lli
nhispant sashecomesf or
wardkissi
ng
meagai n.Icanf eel
hisdi
ckonmyt hrobbi
ng
vagina,
she'sjustspil
li
ngj
uicescal
m downgirl
.
Herubshiser
ect
iononmyvagi
naandt
hef
ri
cti
on
j
ustsendsshi
ver
sdownmyspine.
"Ineedtotast
ethat"hesaysl
ookingatmyvagi
na
andIclosemyl egs.Heopensthenwit
hfor
ceagai
n.

Hebr
ingsmychai
rcl
oserandsi
tsoni
t.Hi
sface
dir
ectlyfocusedonmyvagina.Hesti
ckshisf
acein
myvagi naandstarteat
ingt
heli
feoutofi
t.Mytoes
curlandmybackar chasImoan.
Hefli
cksmycl i
twit
hhi sthumbwhilehist
ongueis
deepinsi
demyvagi na.Ibeganfeel
inghotandI
knewI'm goi
ngtocum.Mywor l
dcamecr umbli
ng
downwhenXhant istopped.
"
Whyyy?
!"Imoanshout
"
Notyet
"hesaysandst
andsupl
icki
nghi
sli
ps

Hepul
lsdownhispant
sincl
udi
ngboxer
sandhi
s
har
ddi
ckstandsfi
rm.
"
Youcl
ean,
I
'l
lpul
lout
"hesaysandInod
"
Gentl
e,
you'
llbet
hesecondguyIsl
eptwi
thal
lmy
l
if
e"iwhi
sperandhenodski
ssingmyhead

Hestr
oakshi
sdickbef
orerubbi
ngi
tonmyvagi
na
andImoanwhil
ehecursed
"
Ifi
t'
sthi
shotouther
e,Ibeti
t'
shel
lint
her
e"hesays
l
ooki
ngatmebef
oreent
eri
ng.
Vaginadon'
tembar
rassme.Heent
ersbutgetst
uck
ali
tt
lemakingmesuckmybreat
hwhiledi
ggingmy
nai
lsint
ohisbar
eback.
"
Relax"hewhisper
sandIdoal
it
tl
eashegoesi
n
i
nchbyi nch.
Whenhe'
sinf
ull
yIcoul
dbr
eat
h.
"Whywouldyouhi
desuchgoodst
uffmami"he
saysbef
oregoi
nginandoutsl
owl
ymakingme
moan.

Hest art
spicki
nguphispaceandIf eelmyself
buildi
ngupagain.Myt oesst
art
edcur l
ingmyback
archedmymout hf
ormedanOasIr elease.My
whol ebodystar
tsshakingaspl
easureshoot s
throughmywhol ebody.
"That'
sit
"Xhant
isaysandhi
svoi
cesendsmor
e
chil
lsdownmyspine.

Whenmyor
gasm sust
ainedhest
art
edr
ammi
ngme.
Chasinghisownorgasm.Drivingmei nsaneashe
putsonelegabovehisshoulderwhiletheotherone
i
sbentt othesi
de.Ashepicksuphi spaceIf eelyet
anotheror
gasm coming.Hef eel
sitandsmi l
es
beforecl
osinghi
seyesagain.
Onthecountofthr
eebot
hofuscamet
oget
heras
hespi
ll
edhisseedsinme.

Af
terawhi
le
"I
'
m sorry,
Iwasjustcaughti
nthemoment.I'
l
lsend
somemor ningAft
erstoyouInthemor
ning"hesays
standi
ngup
"Andfuckwoman,
That
'sf
ir
eyougotdownt
her
eI
say"
"Wehadanagr eementXhanti
,
getupgetmethepil
ls
andgohome.Ineedt ocleanup"Isayandhenods
get
ti
ngdressed.
Bef
orel
eavi
nghegi
vesmeaj
uicyki
ss.

Thatwasagr
eatqui
ckydamn!I
tthatwhatot
her
di
cktast
eli
keGi
rl
?Iaskmyvagi
nawho'
sbur
ning
up.
Ispr
inttothebat
hroom andcl
eanmysel
f.I
'
llgeta
goodnightsl
eept
onight
...
[
27]

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupt henextmor ni
ngfeeli
ngrefreshed.
Scenesoflastnightcl
oudmymi nd.Iremember
aboutthemorningAf t
erpil
l,
Xhantiblueti
ckedmy
reminder
.Idon'tneedhim shame,I'
llbuyitfor
myself.

Igetup,
takeabathandgetdressedinmyblack
tr
acksuitandpushins.Aj
ayhast of
orgi
veme
kodwakehe'scomingwi t
hme.Sleepyornot.
Icheckuponhim andhe'
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
hehasan
extr
abott
le,
good.
Ist
raphimint
ohisseatbefor
eget t
ingint
ot hecar
.
Dri
vingt
othenearestphar
macy,Icheckmyphone
andIseeXhantii
sonli
nebutsti
llnotrepl
yingtomy
message.Thi
sguy.

{
Xhant
il
omziZana}

Wher e?how?Nowondert hatSi

yaboyisso
overprotecti
vetowardsher.Sheshowedmef l
ames
l
astni ght,Ialmostcuff
edherri
ghtther
e.Wehadan
agreementt hough,butaft
erIt
astedherst
uff
?She
mightaswel lgi
vemeababynow.

That
'st
her
easonwhyI
'
mignor
inghermessage.

"Sir
..
she'
sonherwaytothephar
macy"myright
handmansaycomi ngi
ntomyofficeandmyheart
start
sbeati
ng
"
Gett
hecarr
eady"Iqui
ckl
ysayandhenods

It
houghtshewould'
vef
orgot
tenorwai
tforme.
Nowihavetopret
endli
keIwasonmywayt obuyi
t.

I
'
llmakeyouminebychoi
ceorbyf
orceEnt
le,
but
f
ornowI'
llpl
ayitsaf
e.

{
Minent
le}

Ijustfinishedpayingf orthepi l
lsandwater
.WhenI
exitedtheshopIdr ankedt hepillsi
mmediatel
y,
I
took2f orincase.Blackguy' sspermsarequickand
strong,they'l
levenmakeyoupr egnantt
hrough
i
njectionandi mplants.Can'ttakeanychancesri
ght
now.

Ibumpi
ntosomeoneandmyphoneal
mostf
ell
.
"
I'
m sosor
ry,
youshoul
dlookwher
eyougoi
ng"t
hat
voi
ce,
mybr
eat
hingchanges
"
Xhant
i?"WhenIseehi
sfaceIgetangr
y
"Whydi dn'
tyoubuythedamnstuff
??!Youi
gnor
ing
mebutyouonl inet
hewholetime,
youeven
bluet
ickedmewhatt hehel
l?
"I'
mreall
ymad
"I
'
mr eal
lysorryEnt
le,Ihadabusymor ni
ngandit
near
lysl
ippedmymi nd,Asyoucanseebasedon
howim dressedIhadameet i
ngbuthadtocuti
t
shor
tassoonasIsawt hemessageimreal
lysor
ry"
hesayslookingsi
ncer e
"
Youcoul
d'vet
oldme,f
oraminuteIthoughtyou
want
edtoi
mpregnat
emeonpur pose"Isay
l
aughi
ngandhechuckl
esl
ookingaway
"
HowaboutWegr
abbr
eakf
ast
?"Heasks
"
IhaveAj
ayi
nthecarandl
ookatmeno"Isay
"
Hecanjoinus,
plusyoul
ookgr
eati
nanyt
hingyou
wear
"suchafli
rt
"
Rai
ncheck?
"IaskandIseedi
sappoi
ntmentonhi
s
f
aceandhenods
{
Xhant
i}

Howcanthi
swomanjustdenyme?Thewayshe'
s
dr
essedmakesmymembert wi
tch.

Ideci
dedt
oheadbackt
omyhousesi
nceIl
ied.
AsIwaschi
ll
ingt
heel
evat
oropened.
"Wegoingouttoni
ghtr
ight
?"Lunat
hisaysdr
oppi
ng
hisbodyontheUshapedcouch.
"
No"isayscr
oll
ingt
hroughI
nst
agr
am
"Younevergoout
,maybeIshoul
dinvi
teEnt
let
ogo
outwit
hus"
"
Shewon'
tagr
ee"Ibor
edl
ysay
"
Let
'sbet"hesaysandIt
akeoutR400andhe
whi
stl
es
"
Never
mindt
akebackyourmoney"hesul
ks
"What'
syourpl
anwit
hheranyway?Youcanhave
anyoneyouwantwheneveryouwant
"
"
Whosai
diwanther
?"
"Wheneveryouhavesexwi t
hsomeoneyoutel
lus
howitwas,butyoudidn'
ttel
lushowitwaswit
h
Ent
le,Imeanwear ealldyi
ngtoknowyouknow?so
wecanknowwhatt oexpectwhenwehavesomeof
he-
"
"
Youkeepyourfi
lt
hyhandsoffEntl
eorI
'l
lsl
ityour
t
hroatandImeanitbr
other
"Icuthi
m of
f

Iheadt
omyi
ndoorgym
"Ohandifihearthatyouguyswerebreat
hingt
he
sameairasEntletherewi
llbepr
oblems"isayas
closet
hedoorbehi ndme.

{
Minent
le}

Ispenttherestoft
hedaydesigningtheclot
hesfor
thosethatwereattheshop.I
'l
lneedtostart
workingwithafactor
ysoon.Zint
lewon'tcomplai
n
butIwill
,2peoplemakingcl
othesforashop?Don't
ber
idi
cul
ous.

Imakesomet hi
ngtoeatformeandAjay.Thisboy
needstogetawayfrom t
hecart
oonforawhi l
e
becausehe'sgl
uedtothem.Hethr
owsaf itwhen
I'
minfrontofhi
m.

Thedoorbel
lri
ngsandt
heper
sonent
ers.Hai
bo
Wait
.
"
Gir
lhereyougo,I
'vebeenupsi
nceear
lythi
s
morni
ng"Zint
lesayshandi
ngme4designs.Wow
I
'
m gladt
hatLi
yastoppedaf
ewpeopl
eandmade
t
heli
mit20peopl
e

Ipl
acet
hedesi
gnsont
hecouch
"
You'
vebeenbusyhey"Isayandshel
aughs
"Chi
ld'
spl
ay,
Idonothi
nganywaysplusmybr
other
Thandohel
pedal
ot"shesayssi
tt
ingdown
"
Heshoul
dhel
pmet
ooshem no"isayandpourher
somewi
ne
"
Sooooo?
"Shesaysl
ooki
ngatmeandil
ookather
wei
rdl
y
"
What
?"
"
Youandmybr
otherHuh?
"Shesayswi
nki
ngatme
"
Ther
e'snot
hingbet
weenmeandyourbr
other
"
"
Icanl
etsomet
hinghappen"bat
ong
"
Whydoyouwantsomet hi
ngtohappenbetween
meandyourbr
otherandnotmeandSiya?"Iask
"WellI
'
veneverr eall
yhadar ealsist
erinlaw,al
lmy
brot
hersneverlastlonginanything,t
heycallit
passi
ngt i
mewi ththesegolddiggersplusSiyai s
i
ncisi
ve,andIdoubthe'llbeabletoleaveAyandaf or
yousinceAyanda' sdadisthisbiginvest
orinSiya's
musiccareersoi nbasi
cwor ds-"
"
ButSi
yaneverneededi
nvest
orsbef
ore"Icuther
"
Yeabutwit
hthehel
pofAyanda'
sdadHer
ecei
ved
muchmoremoney"shesaysandInod
SoSiyai
sstayingwi
thAyandaal
lbecauseof
money.Bast
ard.

{
Siya}

Ayandaknowsj
usthowtorui
nmyl
if
e.Shedi
dit
oncenowshe'
sdoingi
tagai
n.
Ineedt
ofindawayt ocatchher,
Iknowshe'
supto
nogoodIjustneedprooftobl
ackmail
hert
henIcan
l
eaveherwithoutherf
atherr
uini
ngme.

{
Unknown}

"I
t'
sbeenmorethanamont
hAndihaven'
thear
d
anythi
ngf
rom you"
"I
'
m sorr
yit
'sj
ustshe'
ssobusyshedoesn'
teven
answermycall
s"Isay
"
Doyouknowmyenemyi
saf
terher
?"
"
I-
il
lgot
oherhousei
fihavet
othen"
"
I'
m gi
vingyouaweekorI'
l
lspil
lyoursecr
ett
o
whom youhidi
ngt
hetr
uthfrom"
"NonoI
'l
ldoityouhavemywor
d"Isaypani
cki
ng
andhecut
sthecall
[
28]

{
Minent
le}

Afterever
yoner
eceivedt
hei
rcl
othestheshop
start
edgetti
ngmorecust
omers.Ican'
tbel
ievei
t'
s
beenamont hal
readyandweboomi ng.

Wenowwor
kwi
thaf
act
orysoever
ythi
ngi
sfast
er.

"
Chom I
m goi
ngonlunch,
it
'snotmylunchyetbut
I
'
m st
arvi
ng"Li
yacomesintomyoffi
ce
"
LiyaIgett
hatyoudon'
towemeanyt
hingbutyou
can'tj
ustwalt
sint
omyof fi
cel
iket
his,
have
manner sandnoyoucannotgoonlunch.Weall
agreedtoworkthr
oughlunchsoI'
l
lorderl
unchfor
us"Isay
"Oh,Iagreed?Doesn'
tsoundl
ikesomethingI'
d
say,wil
lyoubepaying?i
fyouareI'
dwantsome
steers"hesaysandleaveswi
thoutcl
osingthedoor
nc

"SoMrMer kenyouwantmet oflydown?Howwi ll

thatbepossibl
e?Iwanttoseethenewextended
dinersobad,
can'tweSkypethemeeti
ng?"Iplead
"Pl
easeMi né,
plusweallmissyou,
ourr
egular
customer sareaskingaboutyou,
wecouldSkypebut
Ipreferyoubeingher ei
npersonMiné.
."
Ir
ubmyf
ace
"
Okiunder
standsi
rbutonl
yfor1week"Isay
"That
'
smorethanenoughMi
né,
I'
lll
ett
heot
her
s
know,t
imef
rame?"
"
Tel
lthem i
n2mont
hst
ime,
Ihaveal
otgoi
ngonat
themoment ,
I'
m sur
eyou'
vehear
daboutmynew
clot
hingshop"Isaysmi
li
ng
"
Perf
ect,
howcanInot
?Youwer
eal
waysdest
ined
f
orgreatt
hingsMi
né"

MrMer kenisyourol
dbutrefusestolethi
sage
makehi m ol
dtypeofmale.He'shandsomeandthe
greyhai rmakesacherryontop.He'sli
keasecond
fatherbutonethatli
kesyoungergir
lstokeephi
m
young.
Hi
sdineri
soneoft
hebest
.Mi
keusedt
otakeme
t
hereandI'
dcommentont
hef
ood.

Thisonet i
meMrMer kendeci dedtomeetme
personal
ly.Wehititoffti
llheaskedmet ohelpout
i
nt hekit
chenoncesi ncehewasshor tst
aff
ed.I
madesomet hi
ngcompl etelydiff
erentandthe
customerlovedit
.

Fr
om t
her
eIst
art
edmaki
ngf
ood/
ser
vingt
il
lMr
Merkenaskedmet
obehi
sbusi
nesspar
tner
.Sol
d
45%ofhisshar
est
ome.
Hehasar
eal
lygoodhear
t.Ihopeheset
tl
esdown
soon.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"I
t'
sthei
rlunchti
me..
.noonehascomeoutyet
.
Why?"Iaskmyr i
ghthandmanwhilewat
ching
Entl
e'
sshopf r
om adist
ance
"Appar
ent
lyt
heyar
eal
lwor
kingt
hroughl
unchSi
r"
hesays
"Isee,
l
et'
sgotoAsami
'
s,Ent
lel
ikest
hei
rfood"Isay
andBrunonodsashedri
vesof
f

AttheshopIaskforpl
entyofnoodlesforEnt
le.
She'smoreaChinesepersonButJapanesewilldo.
She'l
leati
tasl
ongasi tcont
ainsnoodl
es.
Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
heot
herpeopl
esoIboughtt
hem
snackbur
ger
satkf
c.Begger
scan'
tbechooser
s.

Ientert
heshopandIseemysi steratthefrontdesk
busyeatingwhil
egoingt
hroughdocument s.The
shophasl esst
han8peoplewho'sonlybrowsing
thr
ough.Whent heyseemetheystartsmil
ingbutI
nodinsteadasIgotomysister
"I
fitisn'
tmyoneandonl
ysist
erIcomebaring
gif
ts,Chr
ist
mascomesonceayear"Isayandshe
smilesstandi
ngup
"I
sthatbi
gboxMine?
Ialwaysknewyoulovedme"
shesaysgoi
ngf
orEntle'
sfoodandIst
opher
"Thi
sisyours"Isayandt
akeouthersnackbur
ger
andchipsatleast
Iseedi
sappoi
ntmentonherf
ace
"
Int
onil
e?"Sheasks
"Hai
bobuyingyoulunchi
snotevenmyj
obbe
grat
efult
chi
n"Isay
Li
yacomesdown,
ohGod
"
Noway!
MyXhant
i"hesaysandIf
akeasmi
le
"
Ibr
oughtl
unch"Isayandhemakesascene
"
Iknewyoualwayswantedme"hesaysgr
abbi
ng
t
hebigboxandIsli
ght
lypushhi
m away
"Thi
sisyour
s"Isayasigi
vehi
m hi
ssnackbur
ger
andchips
Hel
ooksati
tthenatmeagai
n
"Whati
sthi
s?EvenEntl
eboughtusal
lst
eerswena
youbusybr
ingi
ngdir
tyoil
ythi
ngssi
esmarn"
"
Ungr
atef
ul"Isayandgot
oEnt
le'
sof
fi
ce
Iknockf
ir
stAndihearhert
ell
ingmet
ocomei
n

She'swear
inghergl
asses.Thi
swomani sjusta
wow.Onecouldseeit'
sbeenahecti
cmor ning,
hair
str
andsinherf
ace.Nakedfeetonherwhit
ef l
uff
y
carpet
.
Shel
if
tsupherheadandhereyespop
"
Xhant
i?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Notevena'
hi'
?
"I
'
m goodtooEntl
ehowboutyou?
"Isaysar
cast
ic
butshedoesn'
tbudge
"
Ibr
oughtyoul
unch"Isayi
nnocent
"Lunch?That
'swhyyou'
reher-
"sheget
scutof
fby
someoneenteri
ngtheof
fice
"
Ent
l-
"ohi
t'
sherbabydaddy
"
Siya?
"Sheaskedconf
used
"Ibr
oughtyousomel
unch"hesaysandIshakemy
head.Punk

Ent
lel
ooksatusandl
aughs
"Y'
al
lneedahobby,Ineversaynot
ofr
eef
ood"she
saysandtakesbot
hourboxes
Wegl
areateachot
her

"
Youhavesomener
ve"Isayout
sidet
heshopt
o
Si
ya
"Nerve?Iwonderwhatwillshesayifit
ellheryou
stal
kingherandthatyourbusinessi
sjustacover
upforyourshadystuff"hesaysandIlaugh
"
Let
'sst
ri
keadeal
?"Isayandher
aisehi
sbr
ow
"If
indawaytogetAyanda'
sdadoffyourbackand
youstayawayfr
om Entl
e"Isayandhelooksatme
foralongt
ime
"Ohiwashopi
ngtohearyousayyoujoki
ng
hence.
..
Iwasl
ooki
ngatyou"hesays
"
Noidon'
tjoke"Isaywi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace
"Nothankyou,bye"hesayandwal
kst
ohi
s
car
.Fancythough.
"WhatcanyougiveherSi
ya?Mor
ehear
tache!
?"I
shoutandhetur
nsaround
"Icangi veherwhatIcoul dn'
tyear
sback,youmight
havesucceededi ngetti
ngintoherpant
sbutshe's
mi ne.Youwon' tgiveheranormalli
feLomzi,and
you'llhurthermore"hesays
"
It
'snotl
ikeyoui
nnocentSi
ya"
"
ImightnotbebutI
'm bet
tert
hanyoui
nmany
ways"hesaysanddri
vesoff

Thati
mbecile.Ihavenothi
ngonhim.Assoonas
Siyaf
indsawayt oleaveAyandaEnt
lewi
llt
akehi
m
backforsur
e.Thatcan'thappen.

{
Siya}

Lomzithinkshe'
ssmar
t.Het
hinksbecausehe'
s
ri
cheveryonewil
lbowt
ohim.

Nandeiscl osetogivi
ngbir
th.She'
sbecomingmore
needythanever .I
'
mj ustgl
adIhavenosecret
skept
fr
om Entle.Eventhoughshehadt ofi
ndoutabout
Nandeinawei r
dway.

Ir
ecei
vedat
ext
,it
'sf
rom Ent
le
:Thanksf
ort
hel
unch,
thoughtyouf
orgotmy
f
avour
it
est
uff
Ir
epl
i
edback
:
howcanIfor
getsomet
hingsoi
mpor
tantnana?
Hopeyouenj
oyi
t;)

Iclearedthetextandcalledherinst
ead.Wet al
ked
aboutalotofstuff.I
ncludingherhavingtof l
ydown
toBelgium again.Heari
ngherlaughi stherapeuti
c
nol i
es.Makingmewi shthatIdidn'
tgiveinto
temptationyearsback...
Godknowsineverst opped
l
ovingher .
[
28]

{
Minent
le}

Afterever
yoner
eceivedt
hei
rcl
othestheshop
start
edgetti
ngmorecust
omers.Ican'
tbel
ievei
t'
s
beenamont hal
readyandweboomi ng.
Wenowwor
kwi
thaf
act
orysoever
ythi
ngi
sfast
er.

"
Chom I
m goi
ngonlunch,
it
'snotmylunchyetbut
I
'
m st
arvi
ng"Li
yacomesintomyoffi
ce
"Li
yaIgetthatyoudon'towemeanyt hingbutyou
can'tj
ustwalt
sint
omyof fi
cel
iket
his,have
manner sandnoyoucannotgoonl unch.Weal l
agreedtoworkthroughlunchsoI'
l
lorderlunchfor
us"Isay
"Oh,Iagreed?Doesn'
tsoundl
ikesomethingI'
d
say,wil
lyoubepaying?i
fyouareI'
dwantsome
steers"hesaysandleaveswi
thoutcl
osingthedoor
nc

"SoMrMer kenyouwantmet oflydown?Howwi ll

thatbepossibl
e?Iwanttoseethenewextended
dinersobad,
can'tweSkypethemeeti
ng?"Iplead
"Pl
easeMi né,
plusweallmissyou,
ourr
egular
customer sareaskingaboutyou,
wecouldSkypebut
Ipreferyoubeingher ei
npersonMiné.
."
Ir
ubmyf
ace
"
Okiunder
standsi
rbutonl
yfor1week"Isay
"That
'
smorethanenoughMi
né,
I'
lll
ett
heot
her
s
know,t
imef
rame?"
"Tel
lthem i
n2mont hst
ime,
Ihavealotgoi
ngonat
themoment ,
I'
m sur
eyou'
veheardaboutmynew
clot
hingshop"Isaysmi
li
ng
"
Perf
ect,
howcanInot
?Youwer
eal
waysdest
ined
f
orgreatt
hingsMi
né"

MrMer kenisyourol
dbutrefusestolethi
sage
makehi m ol
dtypeofmale.He'shandsomeandthe
greyhai rmakesacherryontop.He'sli
keasecond
fatherbutonethatli
kesyoungergir
lstokeephi
m
young.
Hi
sdineri
soneoft
hebest
.Mi
keusedt
otakeme
t
hereandI'
dcommentont
hef
ood.

Thi
sonet i
meMrMer kendeci
dedtomeetme
per
sonal
ly.Wehi
titofft
il
lheaskedmetohel
pout
i
nt heki
tchenoncesincehewasshor tst
aff
ed.I
madesomet hi
ngcomplet
elydi
ff
erentandthe
customerlovedit
.

From t
her
eIstart
edmakingf
ood/ser
vingtil
lMr
Merkenaskedmet obehi
sbusi
nesspartner.Sol
d
45%ofhissharestome.
Hehasar
eal
lygoodhear
t.Ihopeheset
tl
esdown
soon.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"I
t'
sthei
rlunchti
me..
.noonehascomeoutyet
.
Why?"Iaskmyr i
ghthandmanwhilewat
ching
Entl
e'
sshopf r
om adist
ance
"Appar
ent
lyt
heyar
eal
lwor
kingt
hroughl
unchSi
r"
hesays
"Isee,
l
et'
sgotoAsami
'
s,Ent
lel
ikest
hei
rfood"Isay
andBrunonodsashedri
vesof
f
AttheshopIaskforpl
entyofnoodlesforEnt
le.
She'smoreaChinesepersonButJapanesewilldo.
She'l
leati
tasl
ongasi tcont
ainsnoodl
es.
Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
heot herpeopl
esoIboughtt
hem
snackbur
ger
satkfc.Beggerscan'
tbechooser
s.

Ientert
heshopandIseemysi steratthefrontdesk
busyeatingwhil
egoingt
hroughdocument s.The
shophasl esst
han8peoplewho'sonlybrowsing
thr
ough.Whent heyseemetheystartsmil
ingbutI
nodinsteadasIgotomysister
"I
fitisn'
tmyoneandonl
ysist
erIcomebaring
gif
ts,Chr
ist
mascomesonceayear"Isayandshe
smilesstandi
ngup
"I
sthatbi
gboxMine?
Ialwaysknewyoulovedme"
shesaysgoi
ngf
orEntle'
sfoodandIst
opher
"Thi
sisyours"Isayandt
akeouthersnackbur
ger
andchipsatleast
Iseedi
sappoi
ntmentonherf
ace
"
Int
onil
e?"Sheasks
"Hai
bobuyingyoulunchi
snotevenmyj
obbe
grat
efult
chi
n"Isay

Li
yacomesdown,
ohGod
"
Noway!
MyXhant
i"hesaysandIf
akeasmi
le
"
Ibr
oughtl
unch"Isayandhemakesascene
"
Iknewyoualwayswantedme"hesaysgr
abbi
ng
t
hebigboxandIsli
ght
lypushhi
m away
"Thi
sisyour
s"Isayasigi
vehi
m hi
ssnackbur
ger
andchips
Hel
ooksati
tthenatmeagai
n
"Whati
sthi
s?EvenEntl
eboughtusal
lst
eerswena
youbusybr
ingi
ngdir
tyoil
ythi
ngssi
esmarn"
"
Ungr
atef
ul"Isayandgot
oEnt
le'
sof
fi
ce
Iknockf
ir
stAndihearhert
ell
ingmet
ocomei
n

She'
swear
inghergl
asses.Thi
swomani
sjusta
wow.Onecouldseeit
'sbeenahecti
cmorning,
hair
str
andsinherf
ace.Nakedfeetonherwhi
tefl
uff
y
carpet
.

Shel
if
tsupherheadandhereyespop
"
Xhant
i?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Notevena'
hi'
?
"I
'
m goodtooEntl
ehowboutyou?
"Isaysar
cast
ic
butshedoesn'
tbudge
"
Ibr
oughtyoul
unch"Isayi
nnocent
"Lunch?That
'swhyyou'
reher-
"sheget
scutof
fby
someoneenteri
ngtheof
fice
"
Ent
l-
"ohi
t'
sherbabydaddy
"
Siya?
"Sheaskedconf
used
"Ibr
oughtyousomel
unch"hesaysandIshakemy
head.Punk

Ent
lel
ooksatusandl
aughs
"
Y'al
lneedahobby,
Ineversaynot
ofr
eef
ood"she
saysandt
akesbot
hourboxes
Wegl
areateachot
her

"Youhavesomener
ve"Isayout
sidet
heshopt
o
Siya
"Nerve?Iwonderwhatwillshesayifit
ellheryou
stal
kingherandthatyourbusinessi
sjustacover
upforyourshadystuff"hesaysandIlaugh
"
Let
'sst
ri
keadeal
?"Isayandher
aisehi
sbr
ow
"If
indawaytogetAyanda'
sdadoffyourbackand
youstayawayfr
om Entl
e"Isayandhelooksatme
foralongt
ime
"Ohiwashopi
ngtohearyousayyoujoki
ng
hence.
..
Iwasl
ooki
ngatyou"hesays
"
Noidon'
tjoke"Isaywi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace
"Nothankyou,bye"hesayandwal
kst
ohi
s
car
.Fancythough.
"WhatcanyougiveherSi
ya?Mor
ehear
tache!
?"I
shoutandhetur
nsaround
"Icangi veherwhatIcoul dn'
tyear
sback,youmight
havesucceededi ngetti
ngintoherpant
sbutshe's
mi ne.Youwon' tgiveheranormalli
feLomzi,and
you'llhurthermore"hesays
"
It
'snotl
ikeyoui
nnocentSi
ya"
"
ImightnotbebutI
'm bet
tert
hanyoui
nmany
ways"hesaysanddri
vesoff

Thati
mbecile.Ihavenothi
ngonhim.Assoonas
Siyaf
indsawayt oleaveAyandaEnt
lewi
llt
akehi
m
backforsur
e.Thatcan'thappen.

{
Siya}

Lomzithinkshe'
ssmar
t.Het
hinksbecausehe'
s
ri
cheveryonewil
lbowt
ohim.

Nandei
scloset
ogivi
ngbir
th.She'
sbecomi
ngmor e
needyt
hanever
.I'
mjustgl
adIhavenosecr
etskept
f
rom Entl
e.Eventhoughshehadt
ofi
ndoutabout
Nandeinawei r
dway.

Ir
ecei
vedat
ext
,it
'sf
rom Ent
le
:Thanksfort
hel
unch,
thoughtyouf
orgotmy
favour
it
estuf
f
Ir
epl
i
edback
:
howcanIfor
getsomet
hingsoi
mpor
tantnana?
Hopeyouenj
oyi
t;)

Iclearedthetextandcalledherinst
ead.Wet al
ked
aboutalotofstuff.I
ncludingherhavingtof l
ydown
toBelgium again.Heari
ngherlaughi stherapeuti
c
nol i
es.Makingmewi shthatIdidn'
tgiveinto
temptationyearsback...
Godknowsineverst opped
l
ovingher .
{
29}

{
Minent
le}
Weekendcamequi ckert
hanexpected.AsusualIm
athome,sippi
ngwineandreadingabook.Siyatook
AjayoutforthedaysoIcan"rest
"apparent
ly.

Iwasst i
llbusyr
eadingabookwhent hedoorbell
rang.Peopleneedtostayatthei
rhomest hi
sis
nonsense.Thepersonconstantl
ypressedthebel
l.
"
Hai
bondiyeza!
"IopenedthedoorandI
i
mmedi
atelygotaheadache
"
Nande"If
latoutsai
d
"
Gir
lwhat'
staki
ngyousolong?Youhaveamani
n
t
here?
"Sheaskedgi
ggli
nghuggingme.

It
'sapr
ocesssincehert
ummyisnowbigger
.I
wonderhowshemanagedtogetpr
egnantbySiya
si
ncehe'sver
ycauti
ouswheni
tcomestohishealt
h.

Nandewal
tsi
ntomyhousel
i
kenot
hing.Idi
dn'
t
eveni
nvi
teyoui
n,yaphapha.

"Gi
rlI
'
vebeenwait
ingf
oryourcallyouknow?"She
saysasshemakesher
sel
fcomf ortabl
eonthe
couch
"Al
it
tl
ebir
dietol
dmeyouandt heefamousMrZana
hassomethi
nggoingon"shesaysnudgi
ngme
"CanIgetyouanythi
ng?"Iaskal
readyonmyf
eet
changi
ngdirect
ionoftheconver
sati
on
"Ohidon'
tknow"shesaysrubbingherbel
lyandI
seesomethi
ngshinnyonherfinger
"
Nicer
ing"Isayandshequi
ckl
ylooksatherhand
"Ohuhthanksi
twasaf
ami
lygi
ftt
hingy"shesays
stumbl
ing

Cometot hi
nkaboutit.SiyasaidNandeisf r
om the
townshipsbutjudgi
ngbyt hewayshedr esses?
Andthepartythatwashel datherhouse?herhouse
wasbig.Iwonderwho' ssponsori
ng.Siya?
Ther
e'sj
ustsomet
hingof
faboutNande.

"Whydon'
twegoout
?I'
m cr
avi
ngf
orNando'
s"she
saysr
ubbi
nghert
ummy
"
Whydon'
twej
ustor
der
?"Iaskandshedecl
ines
"
Iwantt
ogooutwi
thyou"shesaysandIsi
gh
"Okletmegetr
eady,
byt
heway.
.howdidyouknow
whereIli
ve?
Andhowdidyouar
ri
ve?"Iaski
n
curi
osit
y
"Ohi-iaskedSi
yawhereyoul
ive,
plusAyandacan'
t
keephermout hshut
.Afri
enddroppedmeof f
"she
quicklysays

Somet
hingi
sof
fher
e.

Weareseatedatnando's.Shehasthi
sfr
iendt
hat
wasal
readythere.He'
skindahandsomebuthi
s
aur
aisjusttr
ouble.
Nandeorder
edaf ul
lchicken.Whil
emeqndthi
sguy
set
tl
edforquar
terspicychickenandsal
ad.

"Soyou'vet
oldmeyousi ngleye?Andithi
nkIf
ound
theperf
ectmatchforyou"Nandesays,ohboy
pleasedon'
ttel
lmeyoudoi ngwhatIthi
nkyou'
re
doing?
"
Thatwasn'
tnecessar
ythough"Isay
"Ohboohoo,Ent
lemeetmybr
otherLi
yema"she
saysandIcl
osemyeyes

Hesmi
lesathi
sper
fectt
eet
hshows.
"HiMsKhoza,pl
easur
etomeetyou"hesayswi
tha
pantydr
oppi
ngsloppyassvoi
ce
"
Likewi
se"Isay

"Somethi
ngjustcameup"Nandesayst
aki
ngher
bagblowingki
ssesatus
Ist
oodupaswel
lbuthest
oppedme
"Pleasedon't
,I
'vebeenmeani ngtomeetyoufor
suchal ongtime.Atleasteatfir
st"hesays
sincerel
y.Igi
veoutaheavysi ghandsitdown.
"Howaboutyout
ellmemor
eaboutyour
sel
f?"He
says
"
You'
l
lhavet
ofi
ndt
hatoutast
imegoesby"Isay
"
Areyousayi
ngwe'llseeeachot
hermor
eof
ten?
"
HeasksandIjustl
ookathim
"
Doyouhaveki
ds?
"Iask
"
Ahno"whyi
shel
ying
"
We'
l
lido"Ibl
unt
lysay
"
Iknow"
"
Whot ol
dyo-nevermi
nd"IsaybecauseIknowi
t'
s
Nandewhotoldhim.Hechuckl
esandnods

Nandehasabr ot
her
?Theylooknothi
ngl
ikeeach
ot
herthough.Maybeonei
sadopted?
"Sowhatdoyoudof oral
ivi
ngLiyema?"Iaskand
heleansbackf
oldi
nghisarms.Thatrepr
esent
sthat
hedoesn'
twantanyonenearhi
m andhe'slai
dback.
Thisguy.
..

Thel
unchwaspr
ett
ygoodi
fimi
ghtsaysomysel
f.

Wewer ebusywrappi
ngupt helunchwhenIsaw
Siyaenter
ingwi
thAyanda.Wtfdidn'
tsaytakemy
chil
dbecausehewantsmet orest?Ibethedropped
Ajayoffathi
smom's.Ihaven'tseenAyandaina
while.

Whydidtheyhavetositnearthedoor?Idecidedt
o
l
eaveLi
yemabehi nd.IneedtogetoutASAP.As
soonasItouchedthedoorSiyacall
edoutmyname.
OhGod,Iclosemyeyesbef or
eturni
ngar ound.

"
Hi,
didn'
tseeyouguyst
her
e"Il
iet
hroughmyt
eet
h.
"
Icoul
d'veswor
nyouwer
e"Ayandawhi
sper
swhi
le
r
ubbi
nghert
ummy
"Imeanwit
hthehur
ryyouwer ei
nyoucouldn'
t
have,
ri
ght
?"Si
yasayschuckl
ingandIdothesame
andnod
"Icoul
d'veswornIsawyouwi
thaman"Ayanda
sayslookingar
ound
"
Aman?
"Si
yaasksl
ooki
ngatmeandir
ollmyeyes
"Ey.
.whydidyour
unoffl
iket
hat?
"Li
yemaasks
comingtowar
dsusandSiyast
andsupandsodoes
Ayanda.
"Ohyoumustbeherboyf
ri
end"Ayandacanbea
paini
ntheassr
eal
ly.Andwhat'
switht
hebell
y
rubbi
ngshi
t?
Li
yemal
aughs
"Pot
ent
ial
boyfr
iend"hesaysgl
ari
ngatme.Mi
nus
onepoi
ntforhi
m
"Oh..
we'
llI
'
m MrJama,
Ent
le'
sbabydaddyandex"
Siyaandhist
oot
hpi
ckhoeassfi
nacearet
hesame.
Ayandanudgehi
mintherubs
"
We'
l
lI'
m Ayanda,
Siya'
sgi
rl
fr
iendandbabymama"
shesaysr
ubbinghernonvi
sibl
etummyandmy
stomacht
urns.

IlookatSiyaandhebr eakseyecontact.Il
ookat
Ayandaandshe' ssmil
ingatme.Ohshe' sbeen
rubbingthefactt
hatshe'spregnantwit
hSi ya'
s
chil
di nmyf acet
hewhol eti
me.Ithoughtshedon'
t
wantki ds?

"Weshoul
ddoadoubl
edat
-"IcutAyandaof
f
qui
ckl
y
"
IsAj
ayatMa'
shouse?
"IaskSi
yaandhenods
"
Wantmetocomewi
thyou?"Si
yaasksandIshake
myheadl
eavi
ngt
her
estaur
ant.

Li
yemawast oocaughtupinwhat
ever
.Byt
hetime
hereachedmeIwasal readyi
nsi
demycardri
ving
of
f.Sucker.
Thati
mbecil
ecal
ledSiyal
eftmysont ogohave
l
unchwithhi
stoothpi
ckofahoe.Ift
hatbabyreal
ly
i
sSiya'
sthenIcl
apmyhandsf orher.
..

{
Ayanda}

Thi
sisgood. .
.Thisisreal
lygood.Aslongasipl ay
mycardsr i
ghtSi yawon'tl
eave.Iam pregnant.
Goingf
or2mont hsnow.Eveni fther
e'sDNAt ests
done.I
t'
llshowt hatthi
sbabyisofJamabl ood.

Mydadwil
lki
llmei fhefi
ndsoutI'
m pregnantbut
notwi
thSi
ya'
schild.Iwasdesper
ate,Siyadoesn'
t
needmydad'
sinvestmentatal
l.

Hewasn'tkeenont hebabyatfir
st,
slowl
ybut
surel
yheisgetti
ngcomf or
tablewit
htheideaof
becomingafatheroncemor e.Fi
ngerscr
ossedi
t'
sa
babygirl
.
{
Nande}

"Somypaymentdearbr
other
"IsaytoLi
yema.I've
beenwai
ti
ngforhi
m athi
spenthouseasinst
ructed
"Sheai
n'tmi
neyet
,al
thoughIt
hinkt
her
e'spot
ent
ial
"
hesaysundr
essi
ng
"Youbeauti
fulyouknowt
hatNande?Whydi
dn'
tyou
abortt
histhi
ngwhenyoufoundout?Whywoul
d
youwanttobet iedt
osomeonel
ikeSi
ya?
"Heasks
comingclosertome
"Idon'
tbel
ievei
naborti
on,
plusIdon'
tevenneed
Siyaandyouknowi t
,whydoyouwantsomeone
l
ikeMinent
le?"Iask
"She'
s.
..di
ff
erent.
..i
nnocent
..
.i
ndependent
..
.shehas
potent
ialt
omel tthishear
tofmine"hesaysandI
getapingofjealousy
"But
..
I'
m di
ffer
ent
..Icanbei
nnocenti
fthat
'swhat
youwant"isaytr
aili
ngmylongnail
sonhisbuff
chest
"
I'
mindependent
"Isaychuckl
ingandhef
oll
ows
t
aki
ngmyhandsof
fhi
m
"Iknow,butyourindependenceisil
legalplusyou'
ve
beenoutt hegamebecauseoft hi
sst upi
d
baby..
you'vebecomeweakt oo"hesayspushi ngme
againstthewallster
nlybeforewalkingaway

"AndohNandenowt hatIhaveaccesst
oEntle,
our
busi
nessi
sdone..
.t
heonl ythi
ngswenowt al
k
abouti
sst
ri
ctl
ybusiness"hesaysgoingtohi
s
room

Reall
ynow?hethinksafterheusedmehecanjust
thr
owmeaway?Hemi ghtbethemostfear
ed.Siya
canhavethisbabyforallIcar
ebutLi
yemais
mine,
alwayshasbeenf oryearsal
wayswil
lbefor
manymor e.
.
[
30]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
"Soyoutel
li
ngmeTheeNandesetupMywoman?
"I
askBrunoandhenods
"LookslikeIhavet
opaysomepeopleavi
sit
,butnot
yet.
..
let'
sgoshoppingi
nst
ead"Isaywi
thasmi l
e
andBr unofrownsl
ooki
ngatme

{
Minent
le}

Idrovet
oMa'shousej
ustt
ocheckuponAj
ay.I
t'
s
sti
ll3o'
cl
ock.

Igetbuzzedi
nandIseemaI sbusyi
nthegarden
wateri
ngherf
lower
s.Theyhaveabeaut
if
ulgarden.
"Iwaswonderi
ngwhenI'l
lseeyoumylove"she
saysdr
oppingthehoseapproachi
ngme
Ismi
leasIembr
aceher
"Aj
ayiswat
chingcar
toonsasal
ways,
whyar
eyou
her
e?"Sheasks
"
Icamet
ocheckuponAj
ay"Isay
"Oht
henyoumustgetgoi
ng"shesays.
..
nowI
'
m
conf
used
"
Goi
ngwher
eMa?
"Iask
"
YouandSi ya..
thedat
e?henceSiyaaskedmeto
l
ookafterAjaywhil
eyouguysenj oyyour
sel
vesfor
achange"shesaysandIgetfir
edupi mmediat
ely

Sothatmor onusedmysont ogooutwi t

hhis
gir
lf
riend?Hehasanothert
hingcoming.Todaywas
hislast.Whycoul
dn'
thejustbehonest?Icoul
d've
keptmysonathome.

{
Siya}

I'
mindeepshi t
..
howwillIhandl
ethi
snow?Entl
e
shoul
dn'thavefoundoutaboutt
hisinsuchmanner
.
Ineedtodosomedamagecont r
ol.

"
Lovedon'
tyouwantt
ogot
oaspaf
ort
her
estof
theday?Ful
lbodymassage?
"Iaskt
ryi
ngt
ogetr
id
ofher
"
CanIal
sodomyhai
rbaby?
"SheasksandInod
"Anyt
hingyouwant
,t
akemycar
deven"Isayand
shesmi l
es
"
ThankYou!
"Shej
umpsupanddownki
ssi
ngmy
f
ace
"
Iloveyou"shesaysbef
orel
eavi
ngt
her
est
aur
ant

ThankGod.Nowineedt ofi
ndawayt otal
ktoEnt
le.
Ican'
tevenbuyhersomethi
ngexpensivesi
nce
she'
snotmateri
ali
sti
c.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

I'
venevershoppedf
orawomanbef
ore.Thi
sis
hardert
hanIexpect
ed.
"Brunowhatdoyouthi
nk?
"Iaskhi
m asbot
hofus
arelooki
ngatj
elwer
y.
"AsI'
veheardthemi ssli
kesjel
werybutdoyou
thi
nkthisist
her i
ghtgif
tforher?Shedoesn'
tlook
l
ikethespontaneoustype,maybesomethi
ngsimple
Isuggest"Br
unosaysandInodmyhead

IseeEnt l
e'
scarpar
kedatthefrontsoshe'
shome.I
decidedtobuysimplet
hingssuchassnacksfora
l
itt
lepicni
catthebackofherhouse.Ihopeshe
l
ikesit.

Iri
ngthedoorbell
.Sheopensthedoorandgi
vesa
shocki
ngexpressi
onsinceIdi
dn'
ttel
lheri
ncoming.
"Andt
henwena?Whatdoyouwant
?"Sher
udel
y
askswit
habl
ockednose
"Icametocheckuponyou.
..
haveYoubeencr
ying?
"
Iasklooki
ngather
Shegi
vesoutaheavysi
ghandopenst
hedoorf
or
metoenter
.
"Sor
ryf
ort
hewayI
'
m dr
essed"shesays
Idon'
tknowwhybecauseshel
ooksgoodanyway.
Weentert
heloungeandIseeshewasbusyreading
abook.Al
otofti
ssuesi
nthebinnextt
othecouch.

"Pardonmefort
hemess"shesaysasshest
art
s
cleani
ngup.
Isatdownandshedi
dthesame.Awkwar
dsi
lence
"WhatdoyouwantXhant i
?"Sheasksandmybody
getsgoosebumps,Ihaven'thear
dhercallmyname
i
nal ongti
me.Shewoul d'
vebeencarryi
ngmychil
d
ri
ghtnowi fshehadforgottenaboutt
hatpil
l.
"Can'
tIcomeseeYou?
"Iaskandshewi nches
befor
estandi
nguphol
dingherabdomen.
"
CanIgetyousomethi
ngt odri
nk?"Sheasksasshe
wal
kssl
owlytotheki
tchen.Ionl
yseeherfunny
wal
know.

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskst
andi
ngup
"
It
'sNot
hing,
justcr
amps"shesaysandwi
nches
mor
e
"Whathel
psf
ort
hose?
"Iaskandsheshakesher
head
"I
t'
spr obabl
ynot
hing,
I
'l
ljustlaydownbutyoucan
stay"shesaysgoi
ngtoherr oom

Coulditbethat
'sshe'sl
osingmychildwithouther
knowing?NoXhant idon'
tbestupid,
Shetookthepil
l.
Coulditbeperi
ods?Yeat hat
'si
t,whatdoIdo?I '
l
l
cal
lmysi st
er.

"
Ifi
tisn'
tthepr
odi
galbr
other
"sheanswer
s
"Not i
mef ort
hat,whathelpswhenaladyisonher
period"Iaskandthelineontheot
hersidegoes
quiet.Ial
mostswitchedoffmyphonewhenmy
sist
eryelledt
hroughthephone.
"
OMG,
areyouwi
thal
a-"Icutherof
f
"
ZeeIr
eal
lyneedyourhel
p"
"
Fine,
givehercr
avi
ngs,
buypai
nki
ll
ers,
foot
massage,
incaseshedoesn'
thavepadsbuysome
Andkeepherwarm"shesaysandIcutthecal
l.

Cravi
ngs?Pads?GodIknowyoudon'tl
ikemebut
todayyougott
ogivemeextr
apoint
s.

IcheckuponEnt l
eandIseeshepassedoutbef
ore
shecouldcoverhersel
f.
Icoverherwit
hat hr
ow.Ienterherbat
hroom andI
fi
ndawat erbott
leandIf
il
litwit
hwar m wat
er.I
placei
tonhertummy.

IdecidedtosendatexttoBr uno.Ever
ythi
ngwomen
onper i
odsmightwantincludingaweirdbrandof
padsnamedkot ex.Zeetextedthenameandaf ew
stuf
f.I'
lladdmorefrom t
hebasket .Nomorepicni
c.

SoonBrunoarr
ived.Iresor
tedt
osearchi
ng
remedi
esontheinternetsi
nceEnt
lekeepsyel
ping
i
npain.
"
Final
ly"isayandheapol
ogi
zes
Icheckt
hebagsandIseehef
orgott
hepai
nki
ll
ers.
Igi
vehi
m onel
ookandhel
ooksdown
"Haveanythi
ngi
nyourcar
?"Iaskandhenods
beforegoi
ngtot
hecarandcomingbackwit
ha
grandpa
I
fther
ewer
emor
eIwoul
d'vet
hrownhi
m wi
thi
t

Igetagl
assofwat
erf
orEnt
let
odr
inkt
hepowder
wit
h.
Iwakehert
odr
inkup
Halfwaythr
oughshest ar
tsthrowinguplikecr
azy.I
holdherandIfeelherheatr
ightthroughhercl
othes.
Itouchherfor
eheadandshe' sburningup.
"
Ent
lewhat
'swr
ong?
"Iasknowwor
ri
ed
Sheshakesherheadhol
dinghert
ummy.Iseea
bl
oodstainonhershor
tsasshe'
swal
kingtot
he
bat
hroom.
Iqui
cklyf
etcht
hepadsandgi
vei
ttoher
.Whenshe
sawitshesmil
ed
"
ThankYou"shesaysandInod

Theweatherstar
tedchangingtorai
ny.Ent
lei
sal l
washedupandi nbed.Hertemperatur
ehasn'tgone
downandI '
m get
tingst
ressed.Ideci
dedtocallmy
doct
orover.

Iwait
edoutsi
deherr
oom.Suspensei
ski
ll
ingme.I
hopeshe'
sokay.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thisi
staki
ngtoolong.JustasIwasaboutt
oopen
herbedr
oom doormydoct orcameout
.
"
Issheokay?
"Iaskashel
ooksatmeandgi
vesout
aheavysi
gh
"
Shehaswhat
scal
ledanor
ovi
rus"hesaysandI
l
ookathi
m
"
It
smor
eli
keawi
ntervomi
ti
ngbug"hesays
"
Soooi
ssheokaynow?
"Iaskget
ti
ngi
mpat
ient
"She'
llbel
iket
hisfor2-3dayssi
ncei
thasbeen24
hoursofexposure"hesaysandInod
"Andforyout onotgetinf
ectedyou'l
lhavetowash
yourhandswhenyoucomei ncontactwit
hher ,I
'
m
yourdoctorsoIknowyourmedi calhistor
y,your
i
mmunesyst em i
sst r
ong,
butforprecauti
onj ust
keepyourhandscl ean"hesays
"Nowf orhertr
eat
mentyoumustgiveher
supporti
vecareandshemustdri
nkint
ravenous
fl
uids"Ilookathi
m andhegi
vesoutaheavysigh
"
It
scall
edIVtherapywheresheget
smedicat
ion
t
hroughhervei
nsf orr
ehydr
ati
on"hesays
"Youcoul
d'vej
ustsai
dthatyouknow?
"Isayandhe
shakeshi
shead

"
Shehasason,
howmustIhandl
ethat
?"Iask
"Nevertookyouforthetypet
ocar
eaboutot
herMr
Zana,butift
hat
'sthecasekeephi
m cl
eant
oo,orI
cantakesomebloodtest
sonhi mtocheckhi
s
i
mmunesyst em,i
fhewasn'tbreast
fedt
henhe'
sin
danger"hesayst
aki
nghisjacket

"Doyouwantmetosetherupher
eorhospi
tal
?"He
asksandIl
ookathi
mf orawhi
le
"Myhouse"Isayandhegi
vesashocki
ng
expr
essi
on
"Shemustber
eal
lyspeci
al"hesaysandIj
ustl
ook
athim
"Myapol
ogi
es,I
'
llgetever
ythi
ngsetupatyour
houset
hen"hesaysandInod

I
'
m ont
hecal
lwi
thBr
uno
"Ineedyoutotel
lever
yonetocleanever ycor
ner
andeverytur
ninthathouse.Thoroughly,
spar
kli
ng.
.I
wanttoseemyselfinever
ything"isay
"
Shoul
ddi
nnerbepr
epar
edt
ooSi
r?"Heasks
"
Ift
her
eshoul
d'veIwoul
d'ver
equest
ed"Isayand
cutt
hecal
l

I'
vebeencheckinguponEntleforthepasthour.Her
temperatur
eissti
llt
hesame,she'
sbeenthrowingup
sti
ll
.Thisbreaksmyheartf
orreal
.

Soont
hedoorbel
lrang.Iwentt
oopeni
tandIsee
Si
yawit
hAjay.
"
Youl
ookl
ikeshi
t"hesaysbar
gingi
n
"I'
m surpr
isedyounotaskingwhatI
'm doi
nghere"I
saytired,
I'
m notusedtolooki
ngaft
erotherpeopl
e
thisi
shar dlabour
"Iknowyou'
vebeenher
e,whenthatdoct
orlef
tand
youstayedIr
ushedher
e,what'
swrongwithEntl
e?"
Heasksputti
ngtheasl
eepAjayonthecouch
"Shehasawi ntervomit
ingbug,
she'
sbeenhaving
crampsandvomi t
ingt
hewholetimesoIcall
edthe
doctorover
.Iknowt hi
sisnotmyplacetosaybut
I'
m movinghert oamoresecuredandcl
eanplace"I
sayandhel ooksatme
"I
ssheokay?"Heasksqui
ckl
yrunni
ngt
oher
bedr
oom andIstophi
m
"I
t'
sinfect
iousbutonlyi
fyouhaven'
tbeen
breast
fed.
.butforpr
ecauti
onwashyourhandsi
f
youmay"Isayandhenods

"I
'
m notusedt
oseei
ngherli
ket
his"hesayssi
tt
ing
onherbedandIl
ookathi
m
"Shewasnevert hetypet ogetsick,
andwhenshe
doesgetsickit
'sdeadly..thati
swhyi nt
hepastI
madesur eshe'
swel ltakencareofwhenitcomes
toherhealt
h"hesaysandInod

Ther
e'sanawkwar
dsi
lence
"
Thankyou"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"
Ifi
twasn'
tforyouEntl
e'
scondit
ionmighthave
wor
sened"hesayslooki
ngatherandInod
"
Canwet
alkout
side?
"HeasksandIgoout
"
What
'syourbusi
nesswi
thEnt
le?Sowhaty'
al
l
sl
epttoget
herbutt
hat'
sitandt
hatwasmont
hs
ago"hesaysandIchuckl
e
"Iknewallofthatwasjustanact
,I
'
m heretoshow
Entlewhatrealmendof orwomenlikeherwho
deservesthewor l
d"Isayandhestart
sbreat
hing
heavy

Het
akesaf
ewst
epscl
oser
"
Icant
akecar
eofhermysel
f"hesays
"Youcan'
teventakecar eofyourowngir
lfr
iend,
Entl
eisnotsomeonewhoshoul dbea
gir
lf
ri
end..
shemustbeawi feandsheshouldbe
worshi
pped..
.Youwi l
lonlyr
uinhermore.
.Icantake
careofherni
cely"Isayprovoki
ng
"
Iwi
llshootyour
ighther
eri
ghtnow!
"Heshout
s
"YouknowwhatI'
m capabl
eofCooper
"Isayandhe
givesashockedl
ook
Hest
art
spushi
ngmeagai
nstt
hewal
lchoki
ngme
"Youthinkyouf
unnyhuh?Youwon'
tkeepher
..
.she
belongstome..
she'
smineal
wayshasbeenal
ways
wi
llbebecauseonl
yIcancont
rolher
"hesays
"Li
keicontrol
ledhervagi
naright?
damndon'
tbe
self
ish,
youhadsuchgoodpussyyetyoumadei tgo
away,coward"Isayandhestartsget
ti
ngmad
punchingmebutIduckhi m andpunchhi
minthe
rubsandkickinghim.

Hewant
edt
his.West
art
edf
ight
ing.

"What
's.
..
happening"Wehearasoftvoi
cebehi
ndus
andwepullourselvest
oget
herqui
ckly
"
Ent
leyoushoul
dbei
nbed"Isaygoi
ngt
oher
"I
'
m..I
'
mfineXhant
i.
.Youst
il
lher
e"shesays
cuppi
ngmyface
SheseesSi
ya
"I
sAjayher
e?"
Sheasksandhenodsgoi
ngt
ofet
ch
him
"
Pleaser
estEnt
le"Isayasil
eadhert
oherr
oom
She'
swal
kingsl
owl
y,
it
'sasi
ficanf
eelherpai
n.She
l
ostbal
anceandIcaughther
"Youar
estubbor
nyaz.
.Idi
dn'
tsi
gnupfort
his
i
magineIhavesuchaweakmakotif
orawif
e?Get
somerest
"Isayasipi
ckherup
"I
diot
"shesofl
ysaysandbur
yherheadi
nmyneck
andIchuckl
e

{
Minent
le}

Idon'
tknowwhat
'swr
ongwi
thme.I
'
m nevert
his
si
ckever.
I'
mthankf
ulf
orXhanti
,i
fhewasn'
tther
eIdon'
t
knowwhatwoul
d'vehappenedt
ome.

Het ol
dmehe'smovingmetohishouseforextr
a
securi
tyandcar
e.Si
yawasagainsti
tbutsincehe
staysinapent
houseandwithhi
smom hedi dn'
t
haveachoicebutt
oagree.
"Can.
.ihel
pwi
thanyt
hing?
"IaskXhant
iandIgl
ares
atme
"I
fyouweren'taweakli
ngyoucould've.Iwanted
youtopackselfbutIf
eltguil
ty,
somethingIdon'
t
normall
yfeelsoit
'sei
theryoulaydownorkeep
quiet
"hesaysandIsmi le

Aguycamet opickusupi nabl ackSUV.Not

necessar
y.HetookmeandAj aysbagswhil
eXhant
i
carr
iedme.Inthecaritwasj
ustme, Xhant
iandt
he
dri
verwhom I'
velear
ntiscal
ledBr uno.

"Wecan'
tdr
ivewi
thoutmyson"Isayt
ryi
ngt
oget
out
"
Wil
lyourelax?he'
ll
follow,
youhaveadi
sease,
he'
s
i
nanothercar"XhantisaysandIl
ookathi
m
"Igi
veyoumywor
dnothi
ngwi
llhappent
ohi
m"He
saysandBr
unodr
ivesof
f

Icheckbehi
ndmeandIsee3mor
eSUV'
sbehi
nd
us.Onecomesf
orwardanddri
vesatt
hef
rontwhi
le
2werebehi
ndus.Ibeganpani
cki
ng
"I
fyoudon'
tst
opmovingaroundI
'
llst
rapyou"
Xhant
isaysi
rr
it
atedandIsi
tdownbutlookbehi
nd
usoncemore
"
Theyar
ewi
thme"hesaysandcl
osehi
seyesagai
n.
[
Cont
inuat
ionof31]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Entl
efellasl
eepint
hecar .OnourwayIinformed
mysisterandsheinformedtheothersaboutEnt
le'
s
condit
ion.Worstmist
ake,
nowever yonewil
lknow
aboutmyhouse.

Ibui
ltt
hismansi
onf
orwhenihavemyownf
ami
ly.

Theguardsopenthegateforustoent
er.St
il
lal
ong
dri
vet
hrough.Iseethedoctoratt
hedooraswe
cometoastop.I
ncl
udi
ngsomeofmywor
ker
swho
const
ant
lycl
eanforme.

ThedooropensandIgetout
.Oneguardwantedto
pi
ckupt hesl
eepi
ngEntl
ebutIpul
ledhi
m backand
hefel
limmediat
ely.
"Whatdoyouthi
nkyou'
redoi
ng?
"Iaskhi
m andhe
hashisheadboweddown
"
I'
m sor
rySi
r.
.It
hought
-"Icuthi
m of
f
"Whogaveyouper
missi
ont
ospeak?
"Iaskandhe
keepsqui
et
"Everyonegoi
nside,t
her
e'sr
ulesthatneedst
obe
set"Isayandeveryonegoesinsi
de
"
Yo-
your
ude"Ent
le'
ssof
tvoi
cesays
"
Andyounosy"Isaypi
cki
ngherup,
Godt
his
womani
sheavy
Ent
lel
aughsbuti
ttur
nsi
ntoacough
"
Y-youj
usts-
sai
sthatoutl
oud"shesays
"
Yourear
shavef
evert
oot
hen"Isayent
eri
ngt
he
house.

Shehasherownroom al
readyf
il
ledwit
hher
cl
othes.I
t'
smadeint
oabasicemergencyr
oom.
Il
ayherdownsot
hatt
hedoct
orcandohi
sjob.
Ifl
inchashepricksherwi
ththeneedle.Hegi
ves
herwaterfi
rst
.Shecanonlydri
nkfreshwateror
waterthatwasboil
edandshakes.

Siyaent
erswithAj
ay.Si
gh.WhydidIagr
eet
ohi
m
comingwith?Atl
easthecan'
tst
ay.

"Howisshe?"Heasks,howdoesthisguyexpect
Entl
etotakehim backi
fheain'
teventryi
ngtobe
nexttoheratal
lti
mes?
"Wel
lshe'
sst
il
lthesame,
she'
seat
ingr
ightnow"I
sayandhenods
"
Idon'tknowifyoust
ayi
ngbutknowi
ngmysi
bli
ngs
t
hey'
llwanttocomehereinaf
ewhourst
ime,
i
fyou
wanttogobackhomeandret
urnagaintel
lmesoi
cantel
loneoft
hedri
ver
stotakeyou"Isaybutst
op
i
nmyt racks
"Andifyoucomebackwi ththatfakegir
lfri
endof
yoursdon'
tevenbotherenteri
ngthesepr emises,
I
don'
twantanyoneoranythingupset t
ingEntlewhil
e
she'
sinthisst
ate"Isayasigot othekitchen

{
Siya}

Thi
sishar
d.I
t'
seitheristayandgohomelateorI
gohomeandfreshenup.KnowingAyandashe
won'
twantmetor et
urn.Ideci
dedtocal
lher
"I
sitokayificomeali
tt
lel
ate?
Ent
leisst
il
loutofi
t
andIdon'twanttol
eaveAj
ayunat
tended"Isayan
shesighs
"Idon'
tli
kethi
sbutIunderst
and,
Ent
lei
sthemother
ofyourfi
rstbor
nandsheneedsyoursupport
especi
all
yAjay"shesaysandIrubmyface
"
It
'snotl
iket
hatAyandacomeon"
"
It
'sokayIguess.CanIor
derr
oom ser
vice?
I'
m
r
eall
ycravi
ngforsomethi
ngmeat
y"shesays
"Youknowyoucanhaveanyt
hing.Thankyou"Isay
andcutthecal
landbr
eat
h

"Shame"itur
naroundandIseei
t'
sXhant
iwi
tha
bowlinhishands
"
What
'st
hat
?"Iaskpoi
nti
ngatt
hebowl
"
Noodl
esf
orEnt
le,
shecaneatt
hisatl
east
"hesays
"CanIj
oin?"Iaskandhelooksatmef
ir
stbef
ore
noddi
ngleadingtheway

Whenweenterweseeherwat
chi
ngcar
toonswi
th
Aj
ayonherchest
.

Whensheseesusshet
ri
essi
tt
ingupbutIr
unt
o
her
.
"
Slowdownnana"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"Can'
thel
pit
,Icansmellt
henoodl
esfr
om her
e"she
sayschuckl
ingandIshakemyhead
"
Foodki
ll
er"Isayandshebi
tesmyhand
"Ahhh!
..
Whywouldyoudot
hat
"Isayr
ubbi
ngmy
handandshechuckl
es
"
I'
llshowyouwhataf
oodki
ll
eri
s"shesays
"Youaver
ynaught
ypat
ient
"Xhant
isaysandshe
smil
es
"Sayst
herudeperson,
givememyf
ood"shesays
andXhant
ishakeshishead
"
Don'trushit
,her
e,i
t'
sfr
eshl
ysqueezedor
ange
j
uice"Isayandshenodsalr
eadyeati
ng

BothmeandXhant
iar
elooki
ngatherandshe
st
opseat
ing.
"
Jongant
on?
"SheasksandIshakemyhead
"I
'
llmakesomethi
ngt
oeatforAj
ay"Isaypi
cki
ng
him upsi
ncehe'
snoweat
ingwit
hhismom
"
Thankyou"Ent
lesayssmi
li
ngatme
Isear
chedforthekitchen.Mydumbassdi dn'
teven
askXhant
iwher ehiskitchenis.Igotowherehe
camefrom andfol
lowedt hehallgoi
ngdown.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thati
diotwon'
tfi
ndt
heki
tchen.
"Entl
ecanIleaveyouforafew?I'
mjustwor
ri
ed
Siyamightgetlost
"Isayandshenods

Im worr
iedthathemi ghtgolooki
ngf orsomething.I
gotomyof ficeandcheckt hecamer as.Iseehe'
s
ri
ghtnexttothekitchenbutwantst ogoi nt
othe
otherr
oom instead.Ial
erttheguardsandt hey
maketheirwayt ohim quickl
y.

Thatwascl
ose.
"Si
ryoursibl
ingsarehere"oneoft
hewor
ker
ssay
ontheothersideofthedoor.
Isi
ghbef
orest
andi
ngup.

AsI'
m comi ngdownt
hestai
rsIseeal
loft
hem wi
th
thei
rluggage.Hai
bot
hatwasnotwhatwetal
ked
about.
Zi
ntl
erant
omef
ir
st.
"I
ssheokay?ThankGodyouwer ether
e..
.Whydi
dn'
t
youtellusaboutt
hishousei
t'
stodi
efor"she
rambles
"Youkeepi
ngt
hisbeastf
rom usai
n'tcoolbr
o"
Thandosayswhi
leLunat
hinods

MeandPKexchangel
ooksandhenods.

Lateronever
yoneissi
tt
ingi
nthel
ounge.These
peoplethi
nkI'
l
lfeedt
hem.
Wewer esti
llwat
chi
ngt vwhenZint
ledidaclap
onceandeveryonelookedather
.Ikeptgoi
ng
thoughsoci
almediainstead.

OutofthecornerofmyeyeIseeherlooki
ngatme
andsheclappedherhandsonceagain.Now
ever
yoneislooki
ngatme.Iclosedmyeyesand
openedthem agai
nThenlookedather.
"
Soveleyoukeptt
hisf
rom us?
Ithoughtwef
ami
l
y?
Doesmom anddadknow?"Shegoesof f
"YousawitandIhopeyouguysar
enotover
stayi
ngyourwel
come..
.Ihat
etoomanypeopl
e
aroundme"Isayasigobacktomyphone

Zeedeci
dedt
ocheckuponEnt
leandIwentwi
th
her
.
"
She'
smyf
ri
endyouknow"shesaysandInod
"Soicanbet
rust
edwi
thher
"shesaysandIl
ookat
her
"
Alone"sheemphasi
zesandIgi
veheradeadl
ylook
t
hatshut
sherup

Whenweent erEntl
eisbreat
hingheavi
lyont
he
f
loor
,sweatdrippi
ng.Ir
ushtoher
"
Ent
le!
"IshoutasIpi
ckherup
Shecan'
tbr
eat
hcor
rect
ly.What
'shappeni
ng.

Iknowthebasicsofmedi calcare.Icallt
hedoctor
fi
rstAndputhim onloudspeakerwhi l
eIturnonmy
fl
ashchecki
ngEnt l
e'
smout h,
hert ongueisswell
ed
up.Nowondershecoul dn'tbreath.Hereyesare
swell
edshuttoo.
.couldthisbeanal l
ergi
creact
ion?

Thedoct
orar
ri
veswi
thi
nabl
inkofaneye.
"Youbet
terhel
pherbef
orei
t'
stool
ate"It
ellhi
m
andhenods
"
Itol
dyouahospi
talwoul
dbebet
ter
"hesai
d
Iseet
hedoct
ort
aki
ngoutasyr
ingeoutofhi
sbag.
"What
'st
hat?"Iaskbuthedoesn'
tanswermehe
qui
ckl
ygivesherashotofwhatevert
hatwas.
Hechecksherpul
se.Henot
icesherIVonherar
m
i
soutwhilehewasconnect
inghertothemachi
ne
anddr
ip.

"
Thatwasaqui
ckcal
l"hesayswi
pinghi
ssweat
"
Wast
hatanal
ler
gicr
eact
ion?
"Iaskandhenods
"Butnotj
ustanyall
ergi
creact
ion.Anaphyl
axi
s.One
ofthemostdangerousall
ergi
esever"hesays
removingt
hegloves
"Whatdoyoumeanmostdangerous?Yout
ell
ing
meifiwasanysecondlat
ershecoul
dbedeadright
now?"Iaskget
ti
ngallwor
kedupandhenods
"Whatcausedi
t?Andwhatdi
dyouj
ustgi
veher
?"I
ask
"Maybesheatesomet
hingthattr
igger
edtheal
ler
gy
andwhatIhaveheri
sadrenali
ne..
.itt
reat
s
condi
ti
onssuchasAnaphylaxi
s"hesays
Somethi
ngsheat e?IcheckherfoodandIseeit'
s
noodl
es.IsawhereatthenoodlesIpersonal
ly
madeandgaveher .Ishakemyhead,cl
early
someoneistaki
ngmyki ndnessforgr
anted.
[
32]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ent
leisstabl
e.Theswel
li
ngcamedown.I'm st
il
l
wonderi
ngwhowoul dwantt ocr
ossmel
ikethi
s
whi
letheyknowwhatI'm capabl
eof.
Iwassitt
ingnexttoherbedi
ncl
udingSiyahol
ding
Ajay.WhenIrecei
vedacallf
rom anunknown
number.Iansweredit
.

"Yeyiwenayoubast
ard"themani
shwomani
sh
voicesaysandIl
ookatthephone.
Theper
sonst
art
edcr
yingandIl
ist
ened
"
Howcoul
dy'
al
ldot
his?
Imeanam Inotpar
toft
he
f
ami
ly?
"
"Youknowwhat ?
sendmeyouradr
essyouwi
ll
knowmet oday"whoist
his?
"
Who'
sthi
s?"Iaskandt
heper
songasps
"
Whoam I
??whoisI?I
t'
sLi
ya.
.Ent
le'
sbestf
ri
end"
t
heper
sonsaysandIsi
gh
"Okbutyounotstayi
nglong,
Idon'
tli
kepeopl
eatmy
house"Isayasidropthecal
landsendhim my
adress

Il
eaveSiyawi t
hEntle.Bef
oregoingdownstai
rsI
wenttomybedr oom togetchanged.Iwasdone
get
tingdressed,whenIexit
edmywar drobePKwas
si
tt
ingonmybed.
"
Howi
sever
ythi
nggoi
ng?
"HeasksandIsi
gh
"
Good,
yoursi
de?
"Iaskandhenods
"
Xwhat'syourpl
answi
ththi
sgir
l?It
houghtyou
j
ustwantedsexwhi
chyougot?
"Hesays
"Honestl
yIdon'tknowbro,
IthoughtIonl
ywanted
sexbutit'
sli
kesomet hi
ngi
spul l
ingmetowor
dsher
everyt
ime"Isaywi t
haheavysigh
"Youknowwhat '
sgoi
ngtohappenifyouguys
actual
lyst
artdat
ingr
ight
?"HeaskandInod
"
Whyisthatper
sonwhotri
edt
oki
llent
lest
il
lal
ive
?"Heaskoutofthebl
ue
"
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
heper
fectmoment
"Isay
"
Perf
ectmomentf
ort
hem t
otr
yandki
llheragai
n?"
Heask
"
Youknowineverr
usht
hings"Isay
"Di
dthedoct
orcheckwhatshe'
sal
ler
gict
o?"He
askandInod
"
Sal
mon"Isayandhenods

"Zi
ntl
eai
n'thappyaboutThi
s"hesaysandIl
ookat
him
"She'
salwaysbeenthecent
reofat
tenti
onandthe
onlygi
rli
nthehouse"hesaysandIlookathi
m
"
Shef
eel
sasi
fEnt
lei
staki
ngherpl
ace"hesays
"
Zint
lei
sgr
own,she'
snotal
itt
legirlanymor
eshe
mustst
opact
ingli
keaspoi
ltbrat"Isay

{
Zint
le}

I'
m standingout si
demybr othersbedroom asI
l
istent otheirconversati
on.WhatPKi ssayi ngis
true.
..Idof eelleftoutnow.Wej ustfoundoutt hat
Xhant ihasabi gf ancyglasshouse. ..
betterthanthe
oneal lofusl i
vei n.Butthef i
rstpersonheshows
thehouset oisEnt l
e.Ihavenot hingagaint sEntl
e,
sheshoul dj uststayinherl ane.Mybr otherhas
alwaysshowedmel oveandcar e,
nowi t
'sdi vi
ded.

Imightaswel
lleaveandgosomewher
eiml
oved
al
one.
Idi
almyboyf
ri
endnumber
"
Babe"hesaysandmyhear
tmel
ts
"Hilove,
isitokayi
fiwecanstayt
henightata
hotel?I
'l
lexplai
never
ythi
ngwhenIseeyou"Isay
"Youluckyim notbusy,
okayjusttextmethe
coordi
natesandI '
l
lgetyouthere"hesaysandwe
bidgoodbye

Inevergott
hechancet
odat
e.Ihopet
hisonest
ays.

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupwit
hast r
uggle.WhenImanagedtoopen
myeyesIsawthatit
'scloset
ogett
ingdarkout
side
soinsi
demyroom i
twasal soget
ti
ngdark.

IseethatI'
m connectedt oamachine.MyI Vis
att
atchedtoo.Theper sonwhocamei n.Whati
fthey
aresti
llhere?
whati ft
hey'l
lcometofinishmeof f
??
Myhear tstar
tedbeating.Theyf
edmet henoodles
andremovedmyI V.Ther ewasnot
hingst oppi
ng
theall
ergy.Icoul
d'vedied.
Thedoorget
sthr
ownopenandIscr
eam.
"
Cal
m downi
t'
sme"Il
ookupandIseei
t'
sXhant
i
"
What'
swrong?whathappened?"Heaskswi
tha
wor
ri
edlookonhisfaceandIshakemyhead

Heembr
acesmei
nahug.
"I
'
llsortt
hisoutIpr
omi
se"hesaysbef
oreIf
all
asleep.

Iwakeuptowhi
sper
s.IopenmyeyesandIsee
Si
ya,Xhant
i,
PKandt
hedoctor
.
"Youawake"Si
yasaysashecomesnearmeand
brushmyhand
"
Wher
e'sAj
ay"Iask
"It
ookhi
mtomaf
ort
heni
ght
"hesaysandIl
ookat
him
"
Wher
e'sZi
ntl
e?"IaskXhant
i
"She'
sstayi
ngatafr
iendshouse"hesayswitha
boredtoneasheemphasizest
hewordf r
iend

Someoneknockedont
hedoorandt
hedoct
or
checkedi
t.
"Si
rther
e'ssomeoneatt
hedoor"t
heper
sonsays
andthedoctorcl
osest
hedooragai
n

Everyonewentoutexcl
udi
ngXhant
i.Noonesai
da
word.
Thedooropensagai
nandLi
yar
unsi
ntot
her
oom
"
Ohhhchomi
e"hesaysandhugsme
"Noonet
oldmeaboutthi
s,I
'
m sosorr
y..
Butdon'
t
worr
yim her
enowokay?"Hesaysandhehugsme
agai
n

"
Xhanti
..
.t
hankYou.Ican'
twai
ttotakepict
uresi
n
t
hishouse"Li
yasaysandXhantishakeshi
shead
"
Ent
lear
eyoust
rongenought
ojoi
nusf
ordi
nner
t
oni
ght
?"Xhant
iasksandInod
"
Icanhandl
eit
"Isayandhenodsbef
orel
eavi
ng

"
Ahhhhhhh!
"Li
yascr
eams
"
Gii
ii
ir
rrl
ll
l"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"YouandXhantiwouldl
ookgoodt oget
her
though,
andt
hishouse.Chomiepleasedat
ehi
m soI
canbehereeveryday"hesaysandIshakemyhead

Ij
usf i
nishedbat
hingdespit
ethemi norcr
ampsI
have.Li
yahasbeenhel pi
ngmesi nceXhanticl
aims
hedoesn'twantanyoneIdon'tt
rustnearme.Heis
tr
yingshameIcangi vehi
mt hat.

I'
m dr
essedinnormalwarm pjs.Ihavetokeepmy
bodywarm atal
lti
mes.Thisisjustsickeni
ng.

Iwasbusywear
ingmyshoeswhenXhant
ient
ered.
"
Areyour
eady?
"HeasksandIf
rown
"Thi
sisever
ygi
rl
sdr
eam.
..
tobecar
ri
edbyme"he
says
"
Why?
"Iask
"Di
dyouwal
kupthosestepsWhenyoucame
her
e?st
opbei
ngfool
ishEntl
e"hesaysashescoops
meupandstar
tswal
king.
"Notever
yoneget sthi
schance,
tobecarri
edby
me,soyoubettergrabitwi
thbothyourhands"he
saysandIjustlookathim
"ImeanitEntl
e,
holdmewi thbot
hyourhands
other
wiseyou'l
lfal
l"hesaysandIqui
ckl
ygrabhi
s
neck.Helooksatmesmi li
ngandIdothesame.
[
33]

{
Minent
le}

Asheappr
oachedthedi
nni
ngareaIcanseehi
s
br
other
sar
eheretoo.Wher
e'ssi
ya?
.Hefr
ozeashe
l
ookedatt
hetabl
e.Ther
ewer
etwoel
der
lybutnot
t
oooldcoupl
e.

Hecont i
nuedwalki
ngt ot
hetabl
eandhesatme
down.Iwasdi r
ectl
ylooki
ngatthesepeopl
eand
theytoowerelooki
ngatme.Themansmi l
edatme
whilethewomangl ar
edatme.Igavebothaheart
warmi ngsmil
e.

Noonesaidaword.Xhantisatnextt
ome.Lunat hi
satnextt
othewoman.Liyacamedownandsat
nexttomewhil
ePKsatnextt oXhantiandThando
nexttoLi
ya.

Stil
lnoonesaidaword.Dinnerwasserved.I
twas
tenderduckwit
hagli
steningsauce.Asaladtoo.
Suchlit
tl
efood?Theyplacedmypl at
edownt oo.
"Takei
taway,
she'
ll
eatwit
hme"Xhant
isaysandt
he
cookhesi
tant
lyt
ookbackmypl
ate.
Theel
dercoupl
elookedatXhant ibutXhant
iwasi
n
hi
sownspace.Hest artedcut
ti
ngt hemeati
nto
smal
lsmallpi
eces.Ileantowardshim
"
Whyisther
esuchli
tt
lefood?
"Iwhi
sperbutt
he
whi
speri
ssuddenl
yloud.
Hechucklesandshakeshi
sheadwhi
let
hewoman
cl
ickshertongue
"
Star
ter
sbabe"hesaysashecont
inuescut
ti
ng
"Butndil
ambil
eXhant i
,I
'
vebeeneatingnoodl est
he
wholetime,
doctorsaidicannoweatr ealsoli
d
food,
thatmeansalotoffoodtoo"Isaysulkingand
hisbrot
herschuckle

Inudgehi
minhi
srubsbutIdi
ditt
oohar
dandhe
grunt
s.
"
Wasnotmyintent
iontohityouthathar
d,wasj
ust
t
ryi
ngt
ogetyourattent
ion"Isof
lysay
"Youhavei
tnow"hesayslooki
ngatmeandidi
rect
myeyestothecoupl
eacrossusandhel
if
tshi
s
eyebr
owsandIsigh
Ist
artpoint
ingatthem whilerai
singmyeyebr ows.
Hestil
ldoesn'tbudge.Xhantii
sani di
ot.
..
No
manners.Igiveup.IlookupandIseeever yoneis
l
ookingatme.OhGod.
"
Myapol
ogi
esSi
randMa'
am"Isay
"IwashopingXhant ihassomegoodmanner s
underallt
hatrudenesst oi
nt r
oduceus..
butI
'
m
Minentl
eKhoza"Isayasigi veN.Y.handtot
he
woman.Shel ooksati tbef
oreshakingmyhand.
Themanshakesi twithasmi l
e.
"I
t'
sanhonort
omeetyouMi
ssKhoza"hesaysand
Ismil
e
"We'l
lI'
m MrZanaandthisi
sMr sZana.
.weare
Pk,Lunat
hi,
Thandoandxhant
il
omzi'
sparent
's"he
saysandmyhear tbeat
s.

Thesimilar
it
iesst
art
scomi ngtogether.It
urnred
fr
om embar r
assment.IlookatXhantiandhegi ves
meapi eceofmeat.Ilookatitonthefork.It
aket he
f
orkbuthehol
dsont
oit
.
"
Icanf
eedmysel
f"Isay
"
Iknow"hesaysandIsi
ghasIt
akeabi
te.

St
art
ersar
edone.I
'
m guessi
ngi
t'
smai
nsnext
.
"Anddarli
ng,
thi
sismai
nsthat'
scoming..
incaseYou
didn'
tknow"MrsZanasaysandIjustl
ookather

Ther
e'severyt
hingonthetabl
e.Xhant
ithr
owsa
gl
assofwi neasIlookathim.Mymouthrunsdr
y.
AsIcanalmostt ast
ethewine.

Heplacestheglassint
hemi ddl
eofus.It
akeit
Becausemaybehewon' tdr
ink.AsIwasaboutto
dri
nkhetakestheglass
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Heaskshai
bo
"Si
ppingwi
newhatdoyoumean?
"Isayandhe
shakeshi
shead
"Nowineunt
ilyouhealt
hyandImeannoIVhealt
hy"
hesaysandLiyalaughsashedr
inkshi
swine.
Icl
ickmyt ongue.Fewmi
nut
esgoesbyandIcr
awl
myl i
tt
lef
ingerstowar
dst
heglass.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngEnt
le?
"Xhant
icat
chesme
"
Not
hing"Isay
"Ent
leIcanseeyourThumber l
inaf
ingersonthe
baseofmywi neglass"hesaysashet akest
he
wineglassanddrownsit
"
I'
llgetyouf
orthi
s"isaytaki
ngabi
tef
rom t
he
l
obsterandheshakeshishead
"
Youbusymaki
ngnoi
se"hesaysandIgasp

Thedi
nnerwas.
..
okay?Ij
usthopeidi
dn'
tof
fend
MrsZana.

"Shedi
dgiveof
fsomeweir
dvi
beyouknow?
"Li
ya
saysmassagi
ngmyfeet
"
IthoughtIwast
heonl
yonet
hatsawi
t"Isay
"
Whatever,
didyouseehowhandsomeThando
l
ookedtoni
ght?"HesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"
Hedi
dEnt
le,
Icoul
djusteathi
m up"hesays

Weweresti
lll
aughingwhensomeonecamei n.I
t
wasThandoandXhant i
.Liyast
art
eddust
ing
i
nvi
nci
bledustoffhimsel
f.Dramaqueen.
"Uh.
..
LiyaCanIspeakt
oyouf
orasecond"Thando
saysandLiyagasps
"Youcanspeakt
omef ort
herestofyourl
if
ebaby"
hesaysandhestandsupl
eavingmeandXhanti
alone

"
Idi
dnotseet
hatcomi
ng"Isaysi
tt
ingup
"
Yourf
everi
ssl
owlygoi
ngdown"Xhantisays
t
ouchi
ngmyfor
eheadandwelookateachother
"
Whatareyoudoi
ngtomeEntl
e"heasksl
ooki
ngat
me,
touchi
ngmycheekandl
i
ps
"
Youamazi
ngyouknowt
hat
?Andiwantyou"he
says
"
Well
..
.youcanhaveme"Islowl
ysayandhecomes
f
orward.Hi
sli
psareaninchawayfrom mine.Il
ick
myli
pswhilel
ookingathi
stheni
ntohiseyesagain.

HekissesmeandIki sshim back.Hi

sli
psfeel
sso
di
fferent
.Theki
ssisfil
ledwithemoti
on.Sl
ow.
Rhythm.Hebreaksthekiss.
.
"
It
'snott
hatsi
mpl
e"hesaysandki
ssesmy
f
orehead
"
What'
snotthatsi
mpl
eXhant
i?don'
tyouf
eelt
he
wayIf
eel
?"Iaskandhesi
ghs
"Ido"hesaysandIshakemyheadwi
tht
ear
sinmy
eyes.
Heki
ssesmeagai
nbef
orel
eavi
ng

Ifel
lasleepwhil
ethi
nkingaboutXhanti.Iwokeup
i
nt hemi ddl
eoftheni
ghtbysomeoneent er
ingmy
room.Icheckhopingit
'sXhantibutIseeit'
shis
mot her
.
Shesi
tsont
hechai
r.
"
Youknow...
ever
ythi
ngmychi
ldr
endohast
opass
mefi
rst
."ShesaysandIl
ookather
"
Agamedoesnotst
art0-
1Ent
le"shesays
"I
fyounotsmartenoughtounderst
and.
..
letmebe
fr
ank.Youhaveakidandmysondoesn't.Ther
efor
e
youguyscan'
tdate"shesaysandIl
augh.
"
Whoyoursondateshasnot
hingt
odowi
thyou
MrsZana"Isay
"
Howmuchdoyouwant
?"SheasksandIl
augh
mor
e.Il
ookather
"
Howmuchdoyouhave"Isayandshesmi
les
"Icansi
gnyouaR500000checkr
ightnow"she
says
"
Justt
oleaveyoursonal
one?
"Iaskandshenods
"
Makei
t1mi
l"Isayandshegasps
"
Iknewyouwereagol
ddi
ger
"shesaysasshesi
gns
t
hecheckandgi
vesi
ttome
I
fIdon'tseeyougonei
n2daysmaxyou'
l
lknowme.
Shesaysexit
ingmyroom

Shayaim 1milr
icher.Iwhi
poutmyphoneasIstar
t
makingbooki
ngsf ormeandXhant i
.I'
l
lgoon
vacat
ionwit
hherson. .wi
ththemoneyshegaveme.

I
t'
sadmi
nsbi
rt
hdayt
oday
Soabonusi
nser
twi
llcomeup
[
34]

{
Minent
le}

Ideci
dedthatweshoul
dgot oBel
gium.Soican
att
endthatsocal
ledmeet
ing.I
'
llj
ustcal
lMr
Merkentotel
lhi
m.Iwassuposetocomei nt
henext
2monthskodwaIhavethemoneyt ofl
ydown..
.why
notdoitNow?
I
'
llj
ustspeakwi t
hhimint
heMor
ning.Ij
ustneed
t
heperfectopport
uni
ty

{
Xhant
i}

Iwokeupear l
ytodaytocheckuponEnt l
e.Ihope
shesleptokaybecauseIdidn'
t.If
eltgui
lt
yfor
l
eavingherhanging.Ihavetomakei tuptoherin
anywayIcan.

{
Minent
le}

Thedoct
orcameasusualandcheckeduponme.
"
Ever
ythi
ngl
ooksgood"Dr
.Ri
chmansaysandInod
"Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ngDr
"Isi
ncer
elysayandhe
smiles
"
I'
mjustdoi
ngmyj
obMsKhoza"hesayssmi
li
ngat
me
"Andyourj
obher
eisdone"avoi
cesaysbehi
ndus
andDrRichmanj
umps
"Myapologi
esSi
r.
..
i-
ihadnoideayouwereawake"
thedoct
orsayswi
thoutl
ooki
ngatXhanti
.He'
seven
sweati
ng

IlookatXhant iwhi
stl
ehelooksatme.Hebl ocks
thedoorwhent heDrwantstoexitbuthi
seyes
wer esti
llf
ixat
edonme.Ishakemyheadandhe
raiseshiseyebrow.Igi
veturnaroundtosleepagain
i
nst ead.Ihearthedooropenandcloseagain.

Icansti
llf
eelhi
spr
esence.Hewal
kscl
oserandI
ti
ghtenmyeyes.
"
Iknowyounotsl
eepi
ng"hesays
"
I-
Im.
..
"hecl
ickshi
stongueast
hewor
dsst
ruggl
e
t
ocomeout
"
I'
m sor
ry"hesays
"I
'
m sorr
y..
lastni
ghtiwasaj
erk"hesaysandIt
urn
aroundl
ookingathi
m
"I
'
llf
orgi
veyoubutIneedaf
avour
"Isaysoundi
ng
down
"Anyt
hing"hesaysandIal
mostsmi
lebutIhavet
o
keeptheactup
"Comewithmeonavacat
ion"Isayandhepophi
s
eyesout
"I
-uh.
.vacat
ion?Wi
thyou?Justus?
"HesaysandI
nod
"
Notavacat
ionent
ir
ely.
..
Ihavebusinesst
her
esoI
t
houghtwhynotl
etyoutagalong"Isay
"
Whatbusi
ness?
andwher
e?"Heasks
"
Bel
gium"Isayandhenods.

"
Sowi
llyoust
ayher
eunt
ilwel
eaveor
?"Heasks
"
Nono"iqui
ckl
ysayandhel
ooksatme
"ImeanIcan'
tbecauseyou'
l
lkeepmeindoor
sifi
stay.
..
Ineedt
ocheckuponeveryoneatt
heshop
f
ir
stbef
orewecanl
eave"Isay
"
WhataboutAj
ay"heasks
"
Alreadysor
ted,
buthe'
l
lcomewi
thusi
fyoudon'
t
mind"isayandhesmil
es
"WhywouldI
?He'sagoodkid.
.Icanseewhy"he
saysandIsmil
elooki
ngathi
m.

Xhantideci
dedagai
nsttheideaofmer i
dingal
one
sohet ol
doneofhisguyst odri
vemeanywherei
want.Especi
all
yworkfortheremai
ning2days.

Onmywayt ofet
chmychi
ld.Godl
ett
hatweakass
nobackboneofaSi
yaagr
eetomeandAjaygoing
onvacat
ion.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwasbusymaki
ngcoff
eeformyselft
hinki
ngabout
howI'
l
lhandl
etheal
mostkil
li
ngsi
tuati
on.Ever
yone
i
sstil
lsl
eeping.Ent
let
houghti
t'
sbesti
fshel
eaves
bef
oreeveryonewakesup.

Ir
angthel
it
tl
ebellandmyworkersappear
ed.I
l
ookedatt
hem astheyst
oodbeforeme.
"
Iknowyouguysknowwhyyouallar
ehere"Isay
wal
kingupanddownandIheremurmur
sandIst op
wal
king.Theyt
oost
opmakingnoi
se
"
Let
snotmaket
hishar
d"Isay
"Thepersonorpeoplewhower einchargeoff
ood
ont henightofthei
nci
dent
..
..
please.
..
Come
forward"Isaylooki
ngatmywat ch

FewminuteswentbyIst
artt
aki
ngoutmygunI
al
wayskeepwithmeandtheygasp.
"You'vebeenworkingformef ormorethan5years,
I
clot
heyou. .
.If
edyou..
Igiveyoushelt
er..
I'
m nota
rudeboss"Islowlysaylooki
ngatallofthem
thoroughl
y
NooneI
sgi
vingof
fanysi
gns.Someonei
smi
ssi
ng
her
e.
"
Where'
ssismavis?
"Iask.Onegi
rll
if
tsherhand.I
l
ookatherandnod
"She'
sint
heki
tchenmaki
ngbr
eakf
astSi
r"shesays
sofl
yandInod
"Ever
yone..
.gobacktowhatyouwer
edoingand
thankyouforyourti
me"IsayandIl
eavethem
goingtothekit
chen

AsIneart heki
tchenIhearsi
nging.IenterandIsee
Sismavisdancingaroundwhil
ecooki ng.Istandat
thedoorlooki
ngatherarmsfolded.

Shefi
nal
lyt
urnsar
oundandt
hepl
atef
all
sasshe
scr
eams.
"OhMyGodSir..
.younear
lygavemeahear
tat
tack"
shesaysandInod
"
Howlonghaveyoubeenworki
ngformeSi
s
mavi
s?"Iaskandshest
opsworki
ng
"
Foraver
ylongt
imeSi
r"shesaysl
ooki
ngatme
"
Thenwhy?
"Iaskandshel
ooksar
ound
"
WhywhatSi
r?"SheasksandIchuckl
e
"There'
sar easonwhythecl eaner
sandt hepeople
whocooksknewMsKhoza' smedi calhi
story.
..
So
thattheycancookst uf
fshecaneatandcl ean
correctl
y"Isaylooki
ngrightint
ohereyes

Il
ookatherandshakemyhead.
"It
rust
edyouSi
smavi
s"Isayandshebowsher
head
"
Why?
"Iaskandsheshakesherhead

It
akeoutmygunandst
artwi
pingi
twi
thacl
oth
"
Justanswerme"Isayandshest
art
scr
ying
"
Itwasn'
tmyf
aul
tSi
r"shesaysandIj
ustgetangr
y
"Justtel
lmewhoinst
ruct
edyoutodothatt
hen
you'r
ef r
eet
ogo"Isayandsheshakesmyheadas
shecomesf
orwar
dtaki
ngt
hegunpoi
nti
ngi
tather
for
ehead
"Ki
llmenowinsteadSi
r"shesayscryi
ngandIl
ook
ather.It
akeoutmysil
encerandIpointt
hegunat
herhead
"I
t'
ssomeoneiknowai n'
tit
?"Isayandshej
ust
cri
esmore.Ishotherandshefall
sdownscr
eaming
"KEEPYOURGREEDYMOUTHSHUT!
"Iyel
landshe
does
"Ionl
yshotyourarm,
Isuggestyouleavethe
premisesbefor
eIdoworse.Ibett
ernotseeyou
everagain.
"Isay
"
Andcl
eanupyourbl
oodymess"Isayl
eavi
ng

SismavisgaveEnt
lethesal
mon.Why?whatdoes
shegetoutofal
lofthi
s?Thi
sisfarf
rom over
.

Br
eakf
asti
sser
vedandmypar
ent
scomesdown
i
ncl
udi
ngmybrother
's.
"Goodmorni
ngmychi
ld"mymom sayski
ssi
ngmy
cheekandIwipei
t

Meandmymom wer eneverbuddi

es.Sheal
ways
tr
iest
odictatemylif
e.Shedoesthatwit
hThando
andZint
le.Pushover
s.

"Wher
e'st
heladyf
rom l
astni
ght
?wi
llshebej
oini
ng
us"mydadasks
"Shewenthome,
doct
orsai
deverythi
ngl
ooksgood
sheshoul
djustt
akei
teasy"Isay
"Goodr
iddance"mymom saysandweal
llookat
her
"What?Iknowherki
nd"shesaysandIshakemy
head
"Whenareyouandyourbr
otherget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed"
shesaysandPKlooksatme
"
Youhaveapot
ent
ialbr
ide"Isayl
ooki
ngather
"
Ifi
t'
snott
heyoungl
adyf
rom l
astni
ghtt
henIdon'
t
wantt
oheari
t"mydadsaysandmymom cl
icksher
t
ongue
"Ther
e'sotherbr
ides..
.pur
ebri
desbackineast
ern
capeforyouXhant i
"shesaysandIlookather
"
Leavet
heki
dsal
oneMaZana"mydadsays

Mymom cant
urnanysi
tuat
ioni
ntoasourone.

"
I'
mleavi
ngi
naf
ewdays"Isayoutoft
hebl
ue
"
Goi
ngonvacat
iont
ocl
eanmyheadal
it
tl
e"Isay
"That
'
sgoodbaby,Doyouneedanyt
hing?
"Mymom
saysandIshakemyhead.

{
Minent
le}

I'
m busywit
hsomepaperwor kinmyoffi
ce.Ajay
needstogotocrechefort
hese2days.Ial
ready
expl
ainedever
ythi
ngtotheschool
.
Liyai
sgreenf
rom j
eal
ousy.Ididn'
ttel
lZint
lewhy
I'
m goi
ngaway.She'
sjustgi
vingmevi bes.

Iwasmakingmyselfsomecoff
eewhenIrecei
veda
cal
lfr
om anunknownnumber.Iansweri
tbutidon'
t
speak
"
Iknowyouknowwhot hisi
s"thepersonsaysandI
r
ollmyeyesbutcan'
tseem t
orolli
tfarenough
"
MrsZana.
..
howmayIhel
pyou"Isayandshe
l
aughs
"Bybei
ngBusypacki
ngyourst
uff
"shesaysandI
chuckl
e
"
Iam,
how'
sXhant
i"It
esther
"Wonderf
ul,
he'
sgoingawayandI '
l
lmakesur ehe's
goingt
oenjoyhimselfandf
orgetallaboutyou"she
saysandIlaugh
"
Goodl
uck"Isayasicutt
hecal
l
Thi
swomanwant stopl
ay.Ineverbackdownf
rom
achal
lenge.Haven'
thadfuninalongtime.

GoodMor
ning
Myapol
ogi
esf
ornotpost
ingt
hebonusyest
erday

I
m enj
oyi
ngthispar
toft
hest
orysol
ateront
oday
I
'
llgi
vechapt
er35
[
35]

{
Nande}

I'
m wait
ingforAyandaatmugg&Bean.Thi s
womanr eal
lyneedsal i
feofherown.She'stoo
dependantonthatSiyaidiot
.Imightcarr
yhis
secondsonButidon' tl
ikehim atal
l.Myeyesar
e
setonLiyema.

{
Liyema}
"
Whatdidyouj
ustsay?
"Iaskoneofmymenwho
r
epor
ttome
"
I'
m sor
rysi
r,
Itol
dMsNandetokeepherbusybut
MrZanagotther
ebef
oreher
"hesays

ThatXhant
iisst
eppingint
omyt
err
it
ory.Thatnande
nx.She'
l
lknowmet oday.

"
Isee,
IneedAyandaSiko'
snumberi
nlesst
han5
minut
es"Isayandhenods

I'
m onmywaybackt oSA.Iwasawayf orbusiness
forawhil
e.Looksli
keIgottodoeverythi
ngmysel f
.
I'
m awayforafewdaysandXhant it
hinkshecan
j
usttakeEntl
eawayf r
om me,I
'm nott
hatspineless
pieceofadogcall
edSiya.

Fi
ndi
ngAyanda'
sper
sonaldet
ail
swasn'
thar
d.
She'
swayt
oosoci
alt
hatone.

Ical
ledher
"
AyandaSi
kohel
lo"f
ormal
"Youmaynotknowwhot hisi
sbutIhavesome
i
nformati
onandproofaboutacert
ainfri
endof
yours,
youwon'
tli
keitbutyouneedit"Isaywi
tha
smirk.
.

{
Ayanda}

Iknewtherewassomet hingf i
shyaboutthisso
cal
ledbabydaddyoft hatsnakeofaf ri
end.She
thi
nksthi
swi l
lbeachatnj e.Siyaismine,
Imanaged
tokeepEntleatbay.Nandeknowswhatt ypeof
personIam,whybet r
aymel ikethat?Sheprobabl
y
seducedSiya.

{
Nande}
Iorder
edalatef
orthetimebei
ng.Icheckmy
phone,
usual
lyIhavemissedcal
lsfr
om li
yema.I
wonderhowhisbusinesstr
ipwent
.

IsawAyandaent
eri
ngandIwavedather
.Shel
ooks
good.

"
Iwasthinki
ngyouwer
en'
tcomi
nganymor
e"Isay
whi
lehuggingher
"Ihadtomakeaquickstopsomewheremy
apologi
esl
ove"shesaystaki
ngherseat
"
Soowhat
'snews?
"Isay
"
I'
mjusthappybabeyouknow?AndI
'
m goi
ngt
obe
amom soon"shesaysandIgasp

TheeAyanda?
pregnant
?theonewhohat
eschi
ldr
en?
Thi
xowam.
"What
?noway.Whoar eyouandwhathaveyou
donewit
hmyf r
iend"Isayandwebot
hlaugh
"Ij
ustfel
tli
keit
'st
imeyouknow?st
artourown
famil
yspecial
lyaf
tert
hewholeEnt
lethi
ng"she
says,
Entl
e?
"
Whatabouther
"Iask
"Shehassomet hinggoingonwi t
hSiyaaf ew
monthsago, soItookitintomyownhandsandgot
ri
dofher .ImeanSi yaismi ne,i
fif i
ndoutSiyais
busywi t
hsomeoneel se?worsei mpregnated
someome?Gi rlIpromiseyou,I'
llei
therki
llbot
hof
them orthebaby"shesayssi ppinghercappuccino
andmymout hrunsdry

Ayandacanbethedevi
lifshewant
sto.Hencei
keptt
hebabydaddyasecret.

"
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
oeat
?"Iask
"Just2br
eakf
astmuffi
nsisf
inef
orme"shesays
andIwaveawaitercl
oser
"Morning,canweget1al
lbr
ainmuffi
nand1
breakfastmuffi
nformeand2breakfastmuf
fi
nsf
or
her"Isayandhenods
"Ineedt
ouset
hebat
hroom"shesaysst
andi
ngup
andInod

WhatEntl
esai
dspookedmenolies.Ineedt
okeep
mydist
ancefr
om herf
rom nowon.

Ayandareturnedandourmuf f
insar
ri
ved.We
star
teddiggi
ngin.Whil
eeatingwediscussed
random t
hingsmostlysoci
almediasincethat
'sal
l
shecantalkabout.

Ibi
dgoodbyeasIdroveoffaf
tert
hebr eakfast
.AsI
wasdrivi
ngonthehi
ghwayIexperiencedthishuge
amountofpai
ninmyt ummy.Irubbedmyt ummy
unt
ilt
hepainwentaway.
"
Naught
yboy"Isay
Ithoughtthepainwentawaybuti tcameback
stronger
,andImistakenlysteponescal
atorandIhit
hardagainstthesteeri
ngwheellosi
ngcontrolover
thecardr i
vingi
ntoabigt r
eeandIwasout .

{
Ayanda}

IsawNandedr i
vingof
fAndimadeasi fiwasalso
dri
vingoff.Iwentbackinsi
demugg&Bean.I
l
ookedf orthatwait
ed,
Isawhim andwalkedout
again.

Hecameout
.
"
Whatwasalloft
hatabout
"heasksasIt
akeouta
t
ashofmoney
"
Asknoquest
ions,
hearnol
ies"Isayandhenods
"Todayneverhappened"Isayasiwal
kawaytomy
carinthedi
recti
onthatNandewasdri
ving.
Str
eetsarelessbusytoday.Ikeptdri
vingunti
lIsaw
hercarcrashedint
oat r
ee.IwentcloserandIsee
she'
sstil
ltherenotmoving.Iwait
edabi tandIsaw
herwakeup.

Ismil
edwhil
et aki
ngoutmyphone.Icl
earmy
thr
oatbef
oretalki
ng.
"
Hel
lo!
,
Iwantt
orepor
tanacci
dent
"Isaypani
cki
ng
"Calm downma'am,whati
syourl
ocat
ion"the
personont heot
hersi
desaysandIwailasIgive
herthelocati
on
"Pl
easehur
ry,
thewoman.
..
Ithi
nkshe'
spr
egnant
"I
say
"Hel
pisonthewayma'
am"t
hewomansaysandI
dropthecal
l

Ismi
leatmysel
f.
"Yougotsomegoodskil
lsAyanda"Isayt
omysel
f
andIlaughasIheadt
omycar .
Thi
swi
llt
eachheral
esson.

Mor
ningever
yone
Myapologies,
facebookrest
ri
ctedmyaccount
yest
erdaysoIcouldn'
tpostnorreactf
or24hour
s
[
36]

{
Nande}

Iheardaf
aintbeepi
ngsoundasIst ruggl
edtoopen
myeyes.Thesuncamepi er
cingthroughthe
windowandIshutmyeyesagai n.

Wher
eam I
?Itryt
ocoll
ectmyself
.Ist
art
r
emember
ingtheacci
dent
,Ist
artpani
cki
ngandI
t
ouchmystomach.
..
.
It
'sfl
at.If
eltapaininmychestast
earsrandown
mycheeks.Whywoul dsomethi
ngl
ikethi
shappen
tome?Mybr eat
hingbecameabnor
maland
machinesstartbeepi
ngfastasmyvisi
onbecame
blur
ry.

Nur
sescamer unni
ngi
nandIf
eltal
ightpr
ickon
myarm andIwasout.

{
Siya}

"Thankyouf
orl
ett
ingmeknow"isayasicutt
he
call
.
Thedoctorjustcall
edlett
ingmeknowhowi t
's
goi
ngwi thNande.Thef actthatshelostmyson
hur
ts.I'
m onlyinvol
vedbecauseI '
m payi
ngher
medicalbil
l.Imeanwhodoesn' thavemedicalai
d?

"
Wasthatthehospi
tal
?"Ayandasaysbr
ingi
ngme
t
ea,
Ilookatit
,Ihat
etea.
"Yea,
theysayshehadami
nihear
tat
tackbutshe'
s
stabl
e"Isay
"
Wehavetoletherbabydaddyknow"shesaysand
myhear
tski
pabeat
"We'
llhavet
owai
tunt
ilshe'
sawakebabe"Isayand
shenods
"Suchtr
agedy"shesaysasshesni
ff
sandI
embraceher
"
Ishoul
d'vebeendri
vingbehindher
"shewai
lsandI
f
eelsomuchgui l
tsur
r oundi
ngmybody
"I
t'
sgoi
ngt obeokaybabe,
atl
eastyouf
oundheron
yourway"Isaycomfor
ti
ngherasshecri
es

{
Ayanda}

Siyai
sasl
eep.Wej
usthadsexandIwor
kedhi
m
out.

I
'
m busyget
ti
ngdr
essed,
Ineedt
opayavi
sitt
o
Nande.

Iki
ssSi
yaonhi
sli
psbef
orel
eavi
ng.

Iar
ri
vedatt
hehospi
talandther
ecept
ioni
stl
ooked
atmeasIwalt
stowardsher
.

"Morni
ngMsSi ko,
areyouhereforMsNande? "She
asksandIrollmyeyes.Eversi
nceSi yagavemethe
goaheadtogopubl icwit
hourrelat
ionshi
ppeople
hasbegangivingmemor erespect.
"
Whatel
se?
"Isayasisi
gni
n

Ient
erherr
oom andshe'
ssleepi
ng.Thi
ssi
ght
makesmehappy.Herlegi
sinacast.Nobi
gtummy.

Iwal
kcl
osert
oherbedandIwhi
speri
nherear
"
Lookatyounow.
..
Yout
houghtyouwer
esmar
t
huh"Isayandsheopenshereyeswi
thashocki
ng
expr
ession
"
A-Ayanda"shesaysandIsmi
le
"Yout
houghtyoucouldgetawaywi
thi
thuh?
"Isay
andhereyesgetf
il
ledwit
htears
"Sot
hisi
sallyourf
aul
t!
"shesaysshout
ingIhush
hert
ouchi
ngherneck
"Icanfini
shyour i
ghther
e,r
ightnowi
fyoumakethe
sli
ghtestbitofnoi
seagai
n"Isayandshekeeps
quiet

"
Idi
dwar
nyouNande"Isay
"Iknowyoudon'twantSi
yaandIknowyoudon'
t
careabouthi
m,onlyhi
smoney"Isay
"YoumaythinkyouloveSi
yabutyouj
ustobsessed
withhi
m,youlovet
hemoneyandf amehehas"she
saysandIclosemyeyes
"
Hedoesn'
tknowt
hatdoesHe?
"Isaysmi
li
ng
"
Ifi
twasn'
tforyourf
uckbuddydaddyyouwoul
d've
l
ostSi
yat
oEnt
le"shesaysandmysmi
levani
shes

"Ohi knewaboutthatAyanda,
onceahoe,
alwaysa
ho-"Islapherbef
oreshecouldcompl
eteher
sentence
"Youjustjeal
ousthatyouhadtospi
keSiya'
sdri
nk
i
nor derforhi
mt osleepwit
houtacondom wi
th
you"Isay

"
Steponmytoesagai
nandi
lldowor
se"Isay
l
eavi
ngherr
oom

{
Minent
le}

Iwashavi nglunchinmyoffi
cewhenIreceiveda
cal
l.Icheckwhoi tisandi
t'
sMike,
I
'm abouttoget
scolded.Ianswerthephone

"
Whyam Ionl
yhear
ingt
hisnow?
"Hesaysbef
oreI
coul
devengr
eet
.
"
Hearwhat
?"Iaskpl
ayi
ngdumb
"
Khozadon'
tpl
aysmar
twi
thme"hesaysandIr
oll
myeyes
"Don'
trol
lyoureyesatme"hesaysandr
ollt
hem
again
"
Areyougoodt
hough?
"Heasks
"
Yeajustal
otofdr
ama,henceim comi
ngdown
t
her
e,bothbusi
nessandpleasur
e"Isay
"Pl
easure?Areyouandt
hisboyser
ious?
"Heasks
andIlookaround
"
Howdoyouknow.
..
Youknowwhatnevermind,
he'
s
agr
ownmanandnoweain'tat
hing"Isay
"
Iknoweverything,
whyyoudef endi
nghi
m?Isense
abut"hesayslaughingandIshakemyhead
"I
'
llwai
tattheai
rpor
tforyouye?
Igott
ogo"hesays
droppi
ngthecal
l.

Iwasaboutt
otakeanot
herbi
teofmysandwi
ch
whenanot
hercal
lcamethrough.I
twasXhant i
.My
hear
tst
art
edbeat
ingfastf
orsomer eason.I
answer
ed
"
HopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bing"hesaysandIbl
ush
"Notatal
l,
howmayIhel
pyou?
"IsayAndhe
chuckl
es
"Keepthef
ormal
it
iest
oyourcl
ient
's,
Iwasj
ust
checki
nguponyou"hesaysandkeepsqui
et

"
Whyar
eyouqui
et?
"HeasksandIf
rown
"
Youcal
led,
sot
alkorI
'
lldr
opt
hecal
l"Isay
"Thi
sismyairti
mewomansoyoucan'
tdr
opt
hecal
l
becauseical
ledyou"sobossy
"
Thenspeak"Isay
"
Imi
ssyou"hesaysandmyt
hroatr
unsdr
y
"
Whydon' twegrabsomedi nnertoni
ght
?ourown
f
arewell
"hesays,t
hisist
empt i
ngbutIcan'
tri
skhi
s
motherfi
ndingoutI'
m st
il
lseeinghim.
"
Rai
ncheck,
wecant
alkont
hephonewheneverBut
we'
l
lseeeachotheratt
heairportt
omor
row
morni
ng"IsayandIhearhi
m sigh

"I
sthi
sbecauseoftheotherni
ght
?Ifi
tisI
apol
ogize"hesaysandIsuckmyteet
h
"I
t'
snot,
Ijusthavealotofwor
ktodobefor
etheend
ofthedayandi m sur
eyoudotoo"Isay
"Iunder
stand,
seeyout
omor
rowt
hen"hesaysand
cutsthecall

{
Zint
le}

IaskedEntl
eificanknockof
fearl
y.Ideci
dedt
o
cal
lJason.Hepickeduponthethi
rdri
ng
"HopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bingbabe"Isayget
ti
ngi
ntomy
car
"
Notevencl
ose"HesaysandIsmi
le
"Howaboutasleepoveratmyapar
tment,
Ihavea
surpr
isef
oryou"Isayandhechuckles
"
Yourbrot
hersar
egoi
ngt
oki
llme"hesaysandI
r
ollmyeyes
"Don'
tworryaboutt
hem,
justpul
lup"IsayandI
dropthecall

AtmyapartmentIhaveever
ythi
ngset
.
Candl
es,
rosepatl
es,
champagneoniceandl
ight
s
di
mmed.

Thedoorbellr
ingsandIsmi l
e.Thi
sguymakesme
feelsomet
hingIneverf
eltbefor
eI'
m evenscar
ed.
Iopenthedoorandthereheisl
ooki
nghandsome
aseverwit
hrosesinhishands.
"Thoughtyouwer
en'
tcomi
nganymor
e"Isay
kissi
nghim
"Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ssthi
sforthewor
ld"hesaysl
ooki
ng
atmewhil
ebi
ti
nghisli
p

Wehadsexal
lni
ghtl
ong.Iwokeupi
nthemi
ddl
eof
t
heni
ghtbecauseofapeepr
essi
ngme.

Ifi
nishedupandr et
urned.Hisphonebuzzed.I
checkeditanditwasamessagef rom hi
smom.I t
's
notmybusi nesssoIdidn'
treadit
.
Ismil
edasIsawhiswall
paper,
wher
ehewas
hol
dingmyhandandthebracel
etheboughtme
wasshini
ngbeaut
if
ull
y.

Iwentthroughhi sgalleryandonefoldercaughtmy
att
enti
on.Iclickedoni tandmor ethan1000phot os
appeared.Itwasf rom thesamewoman.Ivi ewed
oneandmyhear tstopped.WhatisJasondoi ng
wit
hEnt l
e'sphot o'
s?.

Somear eofhercooki
ngandthedatesar
emont hs
ago.There'
sonewhereheishol
dingAjaytoo.

Whatt
hehel
lisThi
s??
?
[
37]

{
Minent
le}

Siyacl
aimshehasal otinhispl
atesotakingAj
ay
withmewasn' taproblem.Si
yahasalwaysbeen
fi
ll
edwithproblems,I
'
mt oogrowntosti
llbecaught
upinalloft
hat .

"Buddyweaboutt
oseeuncleMike,
I
zanphuze"Isay
andheshowsmehi sl
ipsandIki
sshim.

Iwasputt
ingt
helastbagi
nthebootwhenI
recei
vedacal
lfr
om Xhant
i.
"
Mor
ning,
I
'm onmyway"Isayl
ying
"
Year
ightl
ookbehi
ndyou"hesaysandIdo

Ther
ehei
slooki
nghandsomeandIf
rown
"
Shockedt
oseeme?
"Heasksst
il
lont
hel
ine
"
Comeher
e"IsayandIseehi
m chuckl
e
"
Youf
ir
st"hesaysandIr
ollmyeyes
"RollyoureyesatmeOnemor eti
meandImi ght
j
ustbendyouf orwardr
ightherer
ightnow"hesays
sti
llwalki
ngt owardsmeont hephone
"Youwish"Isayandhel
if
tshi
seyebr
owassoon
asheisinfr
ontofme

"Let
'sgetgoing"Isayenter
ingmycar
,hehel
dthe
doorbeforeIcouldcloseit
"Youhavenomanners,
ri
dewit
hme,Ihaveafew
quest
ionsaboutt
hist
ri
p"hesaysandIlookathi
m
"Hibuddy"hesayswavingatAj
ayandAj
aysmi
les
showinghismulti
plet
eeth
"
Teachmesomemannersdaddy"Isayt
aki
ngof
f
mysungl
assesandhesmi
les
"Ohiwil
l,
buti
t'
sfi
neseeyouatt
heai
rpor
t"hesays
closi
ngt
hedoor
Iwatchhim ashegoestohiscar
.Hi
sdr
iveropens
thedoorandtheydri
veoff
.Whydoeshealways
havepeopledri
vingwi
thhi
m?

Attheair
portIlookforXhant
i.Hai
bothi
sissonot
okay.Ourfl
ightnumbergetscall
edandsti
llnosi
gn
ofXhanti
.He'llhavetocat
chup.

Fir
stclassi
ssoquiet
,Il
oveit
.Aj
ayandIwasstil
l
gett
ingcomfor
tabl
ewhent heai
rhost
esscame
towardsusandIsmil
es.
"GooddayMa'am,I
'm goi
ngtohavet
oescor
tyou
offthepl
aneasap"shesayswit
hasmil
eandI
frown
"
MayiaskWhy?
issomet
hingwr
ong?
"Iask
"Younotal
lowedont hi
splaneMa'
am,andIwas
i
nstruct
edtoescortyoubychoi
ceorf
orce"she
saysand2securit
yguardsappear
.
What
'sgoi
ngon?Andwher
ethehel
lisXhant
i.

"
Thisi
sn'tnecessar
y,buti
fimissmyfl
ightyour
managerhasadat ewithme"Isaygl
ari
ngather

ItakeAjayandweexitt
heplane.Soidrove22
minutestoWonderboom Ai
rpor
tjustt
obet akenof
f
theplane?Thi
sisbs.

Wear
eont
hebasewher
eal
lpl
anesar
e.
"Waitaminut
e,howdoIknowyouguysar
enot
planni
ngonkidnappi
ngme"Isayst
oppi
nginmy
tr
acks
"We'
l
lbedeadbeforeweeventhi
nkabouti
tMa'am
nowifyoupl
easejustheadst
rai
ght
"onesecur
it
y
guar
dsayspushingme
"Don'
tyoudareputyouhandsonme,t
hisi
s
unprof
essi
onal"Isaynotgoi
ngf
ort
h
"
Ma'
am pl
easedon'
tmakeourwor
khar
d"t
heot
her
onesaysandIgl
areathi
m

Theynodateachotherandonet akeAjayandI
scr
eam.Iwenttohimt otakeAjaybuthekept
walki
ng.Theot
herguardpickedmeupandt hr
ew
meoverhisshoul
der.Ist
ar t
edshouti
ngand
scr
eamingwhil
ehitt
inghisback.

"Youguysar
esl
oppy,andwhosai
dtouchmy
womanandmyson? "Someonesaysandt
he
guardsst
op.
"Weapologi
zeSir,
ma'am gaveusahardti
me"the
onecarr
yingmesays.Heneedt otur
naroundsoI
canseewhot hi
spersonis
"Whydi
dn'
tyouguysi
nfor
m me?
putmywoman
downandgi
vememyson"hesaysandIgotput
down

WhenIt
urnar
oundIseei
t'
sXhant
i.Whyt
his.
..
Ir
unt
ohi
m
"IhaveAj
aysoyoucan'
thitme"hesayshi
ding
behindAj
ayandIgl
areathim
"
Wena?
?!!
"Isaypoi
nti
ngathi
m
"Howcanyoudothi
sXhanti
?It
houghtsomet
hing
badwasaboutt
ohappentomeandmyson"Isay
cryi
ng.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ideffi
netl
ydidn'
tthi
nkthi
sthrough.Icanseethi
s
real
lyscaredher.Ij
ustwant
edhert ofl
y
comf or
tablei
nmyj etnowImessedupi nst
ead.

Ajaygetstakeni
ntothej
etasi
t'
sonl
ymeandEnt
le
outsi
de.Iembraceher
"
I'
m sorr
yEntl
e..
.I
-idi
dn'tt
hinkt
hiswoul
dupsetyou
t
hismuch"isayshushingherandhercr
iespi
erce
t
hroughmyheartasIclenchmyj aws
Shest
art
shi
tt
ingmychestwhi
lecr
ying.
"Youar
eananimalXhanti
lomzi
"shesays,
okay
she'
supset
..
myfullname?

Ipi
ckherupandIwal kinsi
dethejet
.Thiswoman
j
ustgotheavi
er.Icheckandseeshe'sasleep.I
pl
aceherinthebednexttoAjay.

Isnapaphot
ooft
hem andIsmi
le.Ent
leyoudr
ivi
ng
mecrazy.

Herphoner
ingsast
hej
ett
akesof
f.Iansweri
t
"
Ent
le'
sphone,
hel
lo"Isay
"
Who'st
his?
"ThemanasksandIl
ookatt
hephone.
Who'
sMike?
"
Thi
sisXhant
i,
Herf
ri
end"Isayandhecl
ickshi
s
t
ongue
"Boyyoubett
erkeepyourhandsofEnt
le"hesays
andIlookatt
hephone
"
Don'
tcal
lmet
hat
"Isayandhel
aughs
"Whatever
,l
ookoutf
ormeattheai
rpor
t,seey'
al
lin
Bel
gieë"hesayscut
ingt
hecall

"
Bel
gieë?
"Iaskl
ooki
ngatt
hephone
"
It
'sDut
chf
orBel
gium"Ent
lesays
"
Didiwakeyouup?
"Iaskgoi
ngt
oherandshenods
"
Wast
hatMi
ke?
"SheasksandIr
ollmyeyes
"
Whoi
sheanyway?
"Iaskandshel
ooksatme

"Whydi
dn'
tyoutel
lmeyouhadot
herpl
ans?
You
scar
edme"shesaidandIsi
gh
"I
'
m anidi
otmyapologi
es,
Iwant
edt
ofl
ex"Isay
proudandshel
ooksatme.

WemetMi ke.Tomysur pri

sewesharedadorm
room inpr
imar yschool
.ButIdon'
tli
kehi
m si
nce
him andEntlearesoclose.
"
Youguyscanst
ayatmyhouse"hesaysandIj
ump
i
n
"It
hinkahot
elwoul
dbebet
ter
,ri
ghtEnt
le?
"Isay
andEntl
enods
"Everyt
hingi
sal r
eadybookedMike"shesaysandI
smileathim st
icki
ngoutmyt ongue

I
'
m goi
ngt
oenj
oyt
his.

{
Liyema}

I
'
m onmywayt
othehospi
talwher
eNandei
s.
Isi
gni
nwi
thaf
akeI
D.

Ient
erherr
oom andIseeherst
arr
ingi
ntonot
hing.

"
Wel
lwel
lWel
l,
isn'
tthi
sasi
gnf
orsor
eeyes"Isay
andhernecksnapsi
nmydi
rect
ion

Shesmi
leswhensheseesme.
"Iwaswonder
ingwhenyou'
l
lseeme"shesaysand
Irol
lmyeyes
"
Howar
eYou?
"Iask
"
Justi
nal
otofpai
n"shesays
"Youknow,i
fyoufol
lowedmyor der
s,youwoul
dn'
t
behere"Isayandshelooksatmewi thafr
ownon
heface
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Shequi
ckl
yasksandIsi
gh
"
Thi
sisal
lmydoi
ngs"Ipr
oudl
ysayandshegasps
"
You'r
ethereasonwhyIlostmysonandalmostmy
l
if
e?"Sheaskswhisper
ingandInodather

Sheshakesherheadcr
yingandInod.
"
Youdi
dn'
tkeepyoureyesonEnt
le,
si
nceyoumade
mel
oseEnt
leIhadtomakeyoulosesomethi
ng
t
oo"Isaycl
osi
ngt
hedoorl
ocki
ngi
tint
hepr
ocess
"Iwashopingtogetsomefrom Entl
esomewaybut
she'sgone.
..
fornow.Soyou'
llhavetosat
isf
ymy
needsnow"Isayunbuckli
ngmypant sandshe
screams.

Ir
unt
owar
dsherandIgagherwi
thmyt
ie.
"
YoushutyourtramporI
'l
lfi
nishyouoffr
ighthere
r
ightnow"Isayandshenodswithtear
srunning

Thi
siswhatIl
ovetoseewhenI '
m ontopofa
woman.Vul
nerabi
li
ty,
fear
,hur
t.Turnsmeon.

Ienterherwit
houtwarni
ngandshescr
eamsbuti
t'
s
muffled.Ipr
essagai
ntsherbr
okenl
egandshe
cri
esmaki ngmesmile.

Ist
artmovi
nginandoutofheratafastpace.Onl
y
mygroansandherf
aintcr
iescanbeheardinsi
de
t
her
oom.
[
38]

{
Nande}

Cryi
ngdidn'
thelpsoIl ai
dthereti
llhef
ini
shedup.
Weusedt obeinti
mat einthepasttoobuthewas
nevert
hisheart
less.Yeshelikesroughsexbutt
his
wasnextlevel
.

"Getupsoyoucantakeathor
oughl
ybat
h"hesays
andIsnif
fwhil
enodding

Myl egistilli
nalotofpai
nbutifidon'
ttakeabath
he'l
lloseit.Li
yemai sagoodguy,onl
ypr obl
em i
she
i
sn'trightinhishead.Idon'
tknowwhyhedoesn' t
takemedi cati
on.Heconstantl
ysaidthathehasit
allundercont r
ol.Thi
sshowedmeot herwise.
"
You'l
lst
aywi
thmeunt
ilIgetEnt
le"hesaysandI
j
ustnod

Onet hi
ngishouldn'thavedonewascrossLi
yema.
Whycan' theseeIlovehim henceIdi
dn'
tbot
her
fol
lowingEntl
e?

Maybemeli
vingwi
thhi
misagoodi
dea.He'
l
lwar
m
uptome.

{
MrsZana}

"
Howar
eyoumyson?
"IaskXhant
i.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lhi
mtof
indoutwhat
'sgoi
ngon.

"Whyar
eyoucal
li
ngme?
"HeasksandIsigh,
why
doesmysonhat
emewhil
eIl
ovehim so
much,morethanhi
sothersibli
ngs.Thenther
e'sPK.
Aclosedbook.Bothofthem haveambiti
onhenceI
can'
tlett
hem dat
ejustanyone.

"Iwasjustcheckinguponyou,can'
tamotherdo
that
?"IaskandIhearaf emal
evoicei
nthe
backgroundcall
inghim andIsmil
e
"
Never
mind,
l
ooksl
ikeI
'
mint
err
upt
ing"Isayandcut
t
hecal
l

Looksli
keIdon'
thavetodotheheavyl
if
ti
ngaf
ter
al
l.Isaytomysel
fwhil
edri
nkingmytea.

Entleshould'
vedi ed.Thi
siswhyIdoever ythi
ng
myself.SisMavi sdidasloppyjob.Sheonlyhadto
givethatsimplegi r
lenoughsal
mont okil
lher.We
weregoingt oletherdaughtermarryXhantionce
she'smor emat ured,
butwhenshei nf
ormedme
aboutthisgir
lathi shouseIhadtoputapl anin
mot i
on.
Shef
ail
ed,
Ourdeali
sof
f.

Idon'
thaveapr obl
em wi
thEntl
ehavi
ngachild.The
onl
yproblem Ihavewi
thEntl
eisheri
ndependence.

Itmakesmesickt hatsheissoyoungyetso
i
ndependentwhileIhavenothi
ng.Alwayshad
nothi
ng.Iwasn'
tbor nwit
hmoney,myhusbandtook
meoutofpoverty.

Il
ovemyki dswi t
hallmyhear tbuteveryparenthas
herfavouri
tesri
ght?Phuml aniandXhantimyt wo
el
destson'saremyt reasure.Myhusbandl ovesall
hi
ski dsequall
yunli
keme.Ineverwant ed
gi
rls,
henceIstoppedhavingki dsaft
erZint
le.Iwas
afr
aidI'l
lgi
vebirt
htoanot hergir
l.

Iscr
ollt
hroughInst
agr
am.Ideci
dedtosear
ch
Minentl
eKhoza.Heramountoff
oll
ower
salmost
mademespi llmytea.FunnyIcan'
tfi
ndonephot
o
ofherson.Heraccounti sful
lofmoti
vat
ional
stuf
f,
Hergi vi
ngadviceoneverythi
ngi
ncludi
ng
cooking.Thepressureisreal
.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

I
'
m enj
oyi
ngmytimewithEntl
e.Sheaskedaf
ri
end
t
obabysi
tAj
aybutatacloser
ange.

"Yousel
doml
ypostpi
ctur
esofyour
sel
f"Isayand
shenods
"
Idon'thavet
ime"shesaysl
ooki
ngoutoft
hehot
el
window

Iguessshe'
sst
il
lupset
.

"HowaboutWedosomethi
ng,I
'
m sureyoudi
dn'
t
bri
ngmeheretodi
eofBoredom"Isayandshe
si
ghs
"Fi
ne,getready..
.t
here'
sanor phanagejust3blocks
awayf rom here.Ihel
pthem outfinanci
all
yevery
monthbutsi nceim here,l
et'
sgoandcont ri
but
eour
servi
ces"shesayssmi l
ingandInodget ti
ngup

"Ical
ldi
bsontheshower"sheshout
sandIl
augh
getti
ngmycl
othesandtoil
etr
iesr
eady.

Dibsforwhat
?Forwho?She'
scr
azy,
shar
ingi
s
cari
ng.

Thebathr
oom isfullofst
eam.Theshowerdoor s
aremist
y,wi
thaaf ewwat erdropsrunningdown.I
canseeherfadedbodyt hroughtheglass.

Iundressasmybonerscr
eamstocomeout
.Iopen
thedoorandshescr
eamsasIenter
.
"
Woul
dyoucal
m down?
wer
esavi
ngwat
ert
hisway"
Isaygr
abbi
ngherwai
st
"Xhant
i"shewhisper
sandIpl
acemyi
ndexf
inger
onherwetlips
"Youli
kemaki
ngnoi
semaZana"Isaywi
thadeep
voice

Il
ickmyli
pswhilelooki
ngi
ntohereyes.Her
br
eathi
ngisuneasy.
"
Breat
heEnt
le"Isof
lysayandsheswal
lows
"
Tur
nar
ound"Isayandshedoes

Ikissherneckbitt
ingi
tint
hepr
ocessandherbody
tenseup,Ichuckl
e.

"
Youweak"Isay,
taki
ngmyshowergelandIrubbed
i
tonmybodyasIr i
nsof
fthesoap.Ihearherl
augh
i
ndisbel
ieve.
{
Minent
le}

Isthi
sguyserious?
leavi
ngmehangi
ngl
iket
hat
?I'
l
l
gethimfort
his.

I'
m dr
essedinabl
ack"saf
etypin"Versacedr
ess.I
t
huggedmybodyandthesli
tont heti
ghmadei t
moresexier
.Mymommycl eavage.

Iworemy"f
uckme"highheeledshoe.I
twas
gol
d,mat
chi
ngthegol
dsafetypins.

Iuncover
edmyhead.Myhai rwasst
il
ldry.I
deci
dedcurlswoul
dwork.FormaleXhantii
s
makingextr
emelyl
ong.

Icheckedt
hemi
rr
oronceI
'
m done.Per
fect
.
Iturnar
oundandXhant
icomesoutoft hebathr
oom
withatowelar
oundhi
storso.IknowIsaididon'
t
l
ikemenwi t
habsbutXhantichangedmymi nd.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thi
sdamnbonerdi
dn'
twantt
ogodown.Hadt o
st
ayundercol
dwat
erf
orawhile.IhopeEnt
lei
s
done.

WhenIenteredt
her
oom myeyesnear
lyf
alloutof
t
hei
rsockets.

Igotl
ostinherbodynoli
es.Il
ookint
ohereyesand
she'
sgivi
ngmeherperfectsmil
e.God?Amen.
We'
rest
il
llooki
ngateachot
her
,i
fthi
sisadr
eam l
et
menotwakeup.

"
Iloveyou"shesaysandmyt
hroatr
unsdr
y
"
Iloveyoumor
e"Isaywal
kingt
owar
dsher
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Sheangr
il
yasks

Hai
bodidn'
twej
usthaveamomentt
her
e?Iswear
wedid.
"
Yousaidyouloveme"Isayandshel
ooksatmeas
i
fihave3heads
"
Notaf
ok"shesaysandIf
rown

Di
dijusti
maginet
hiswomansayi
ngshel
ovesme?
WeakXhanti
!.
[
39]

{
Minent
le}

Thewayhel
ookedatmemeansIpassedt
het
est
.
"Getreadypl
ease,
theyar
ewai
ti
ngf
orus"isayand
helooksatme
"Who'sus?wenotgoinganywherewi
thyoudr
essed
l
ikethat
,If
orgottotel
lyoui
m notbor
edanymore"
hesaysandIgi vehim myl
ook.

Idecidedtowaitdownstair
sforhim,Ir
eall
ymissed
theDut chwit
ht hei
rwei
rdaccentsandfunny
Afri
kaans.IfIl
istencar
eful
lyIcanal
mostmakeout
whatt heysay.

Weexit
edthehotelandat axiwasal
readyt
her
e,I
wentt
oitbutXhantipul
ledmeaway.
"
UyaphaphaEnt
le"hesaysandhegr
eet
sthedr
iver
"
Idon'
tli
kedr
ivi
ngwi
thst
ranger
s"hesays
"
Iwasonceast
ranger
"Isayandhecl
ickshi
s
t
ongue

Soon2bl ackSUV'spul
ledupinfr
ontofus.You'
ve
gottobekiddingme.Isaytomyself
.Vacati
on
meansawayf rom ever
ythi
ngincl
udi
ng
unnecessaryguar
dsanddr i
vers.
"We'
llt
aket
hefi
rstonesoyoucandi
rectus"he
saysandIl
ookathim
"
Thi
sisunnecessar
y"Isayent
eri
ngt
hecar

"Mommyl ovesyou,
begoodt oauntyI'
l
lbeback
soon"IsaywavingatAjay.I
'
m videocall
inghi
m
andXhantii
sjustsmil
ingatmelikearetard.
"Gi
rlyoubett
erprotectmyboywi t
hyourl
if
eor
yourswil
lbetaken"Xhantizi
psint
othevi
deoand
smilesatAj
ayscaretakerandhersmil
edi
sappear
s
andInervousl
ychuckl e
"He'ski
dding,
he'ski
ddi
ng,j
ustkeephi
m busybehind
closeddoors"Isayandshenodsuncomfort
ably
"
Inever
-"Icuthi
m of
fbybi
ddi
nggoodbyet
oAj
ay.

Il
ookathi
m andheshr
ugs.Icl
ickmyt
ongue

Whenwearri
vedattheorphanaget
herewasalotof
car
'spar
kedout
side.What'
shappeni
nghere?
"Looksl
ikether
e'ssomet
hingbi
ghappeningj
udgi
ng
bythefancycar'
s"Xhant
isaysandIr
ollmyeyes

Theplaygroundsar
eempt y.Whenweenterthe
orphanage.Weseealotofr i
chpeopl
eint
eracti
ng
withoneanother
.Whent heyt ur
ntol
ookatust hey
goquiet.
"
Xhant
iyou'
recr
ampingmystyl
e,
Theynor
mal
ly
wel
comemewi t
hopenarms"Iwhi
sper
"
Whoar
ethesepeopl
eEnt
le?
"Heasks.

Befor
eIcouldanswerever
yonehadgunshel
dup
towar
dsus.Ilookbehi
ndmeandIseeXhanti'
smen
areal
sopointi
ngthei
rgunsatt
hesepeopl
e.
Whatt
hehel
lishappeni
ngher
e?

Il
if
tmyhandsbutIseeXhant
ihasabor
edl
ookon
hi
sface.
"
Lif
tupyourhands"Iwhi
sper
"
Stopbei
ngweakEnt
le"hesays
"Ther
emustbesomekindofmi
sunder
standi
ng"I
sayandt
heyjustl
ookatus

{
Zint
le}

IwokeJasonupbecauset
hisisr
eal
lyconfusi
ng.
Howdot heyknoweachot
her?Whydidn'
thetell
me
heknewEntle?

"
BabyI
'
mti
red,
l
etmesl
eepassebl
ief
"heyawns
"Ohyoutir
edofmealr
eady?Youwantt
ogobackt o
sleepSoyoucandr
eam aboutt
hatbi
gfatbi
tch?
"
I'
m angr
y,j
eal
ousIf
eelcheat
edon
"
What
?babewhoar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Heasks
"
Minent
leKhoza!
"Ishoutandhezonesout
"
Hai
boar
eyouser
ious?
"Iaskandhecomesback
"
Mybadbabe,
i
t'
sjustIhaven'
theadt
hatnamei
na
l
ongt
ime"hesayssof
ly
"
Doyouwanther
?"Iaskandhel
ooksatme
"Iwant
edherbackt
henButnotanymor
e,Ihaveyou
now"hesays.
"Thenwhydoyouhavesomanypi
ctur
esofher
"I
askandhesi
ghs.

"Iworkedforher,Iwasonceherper sonal
dri
ver..
.shehelpedmeandmyf amily,
i
fitwasn'
tfor
hermyl it
tl
esisterwould'vedi
ed,i
fitwasn'tf
orherI
wouldn'thaveaj obtoday"hesayslookingdown.
"Iowehersomuch,Icareaboutherbecauseshe
caredaboutmeandmyf amil
y..
.pi
tt
yImessed
everyt
hingup"hesaysgivi
ngoutanotherheavy
sigh.

Inearl
yhatedEntl
ewho'sbeennothingbutgoodt o
meovernot hi
ng.I
'
m sureshe'l
lunderst
andoncei
gettotal
ktoheraboutt
hissinceIkeptmydistance
fr
om her.
Ineedt
otal
ktoMybr
otheraswel
l
.

{
Jason}

Iwasgoi
ngtoleaveZint
le,
butassoonasIsawthat
sheandEnt
learefr
iendsIdeci
dedother
wise.

Ent
lei
smi
ne.Ij
ustneedt
ogetcl
oseenought
oher
.
[
40]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ent
lewassti
llhol
dingherhandsup.IfIsmoked
ci
garsIwoul
d'vel
itoneup.Ilookedf
orachair.
"
Entl
esi
t"Isayandshel
ooksatmeasi
fil
ostmy
mind
"
Sit
"Ist
ernl
ysayandshenods
Shewasabouttomovewhensomeguyheldagun
agai
nstherheadandshebeganpani
cki
ng.
"
Ent
lej
ustcl
oseyoureyes"Isayandshedi
d

"Youguyshavet ot
elluswhatishappeni
ng
here,
i
nf actbri
ngmethepersonwho'sinchar
ge"I
sayunbut toni
ngmyjacket,
taki
ngEntl
eawayfrom
thi
sidiot

"Nowi fyoudon'tloweryourweapons,t
hiswhole
thi
ngmi ghttur
ni ntoabloodbath"Isayand
everyonelooksateachot herst
il
lholdi
ngthei
rguns
pointedatus.Ichuckle.
"Thi
sisnothowIwantedtospendmydayyaz.
..
you
upsetmywifeandi
fyouupsetheryoubasi
cal
ly
shit
ti
ngonme"Isaylooki
ngatthem

Igi
veoutasi
gh.Thisguywhohel
dhi
sgunagai nt
s
Ent
lel
ooksshaky.
..
nevergof
ort
heweakestl
inkbut
Ihavet
osetanexampl
e.Ismi
ledathi
m
"Holdmyj acketwouldyou?"Isaythrowingthen
j
acketathi m andl
ikeclockworkheai mshisgunat
thejacketintheai
randIgetanoppor t
unit
ytokick
i
toutofhi shands.Pulli
nghimtowardsmewi tha
fi
rstlandi
ngonhi sfaceAndhef al
lsont heground.
Igivehim onepunchi nhist
hroathavinghim choke
onhi sownsal i
va

"That
'senough"t
hef
amili
arvoi
cesayscomi
ngout
ofthecrowdandIsmil
e
"
Thi
swasn'
tnecessar
yMi
ke"isayt
urni
ngar
ound
f
aci
nghi
m

{
Minent
le}

Whatt
heact
ualf
ucki
sgoi
ngonher
e?Mi
ke?

Il
ookatt
hem i
ndi
sbel
ieve.
"Don'tlookatmel i
kethat
,Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtoseeif
he'
llbeabl etoprot
ectyouinthenearfut
ure"Mike
saysi ndicat
ingt
hathismenshoul dl
owerthei
r
guns
"Prot
e-whatt
hehel
liswr
ongwit
hyou??!
"Ishout
standi
ngupandhemovesafewstepsback
"I
'
m notinSAt opr
otectyouMiné,
Ididn'
thaveany
doubtthathecanprot
ectyoubutIhadtomake
sure"hesaysandIgetmoreangry
"Anint
err
ogat
ionwoul
d'vewor
ked"isayandI
breat
heinandout
"
Wher
e'st
hechi
ldr
en"Isof
tl
yask
"Downthehal
l"hesayspoi
nti
ngatt
hebi
gwooden
doorandIl
ookathim
"Iswearnomorestunt
s,t
heyest
abli
shedthi
sspace
formoniedpeopl
e,
farawayf
rom t
hechil
dren"he
saysandInod

Imissedt
hesekidssomuch.Xhant
iwasfoundof
them t
oo,
I
'm sur
pri
sedt
hathe'
sonthegrasswit
h
hi
ssocal
ledt
ail
ormadesui
t.

"I
fitisn'
tMi
nentl
eKhoza"afemal
evoi
cesays
behindme,Itur
naroundandIal
mostl
augh
"
Bianka"Igr
eet
,she'
sMi
ke'
swi
fe
"
Whatbri
ngsyouher
e?"sheasksgi
vingmeagl
ass
f
il
ledwi
thwiner
ed,
Ismelli
t.
"That'
srude,
Imaynotli
keyouButiwoul
dn'tdar
e
poisonyou"shesaysandIrai
semyeyebrow

"Judgingbythesmellandt
ext
ureitl
eavesont he
glass,
thi
sisdrywine,
Idon'
tdr
inkdrywine"Isay
putti
ngtheglassdown
"
Icangetyouanothergl
asst
hen"shesayst
aki
ng
myglassandIst
opher
"
No,werejusther
efort
hechari
tyeventt
henwe'
l
l
l
eave"Isaygivi
ngherati
ghtsmil
e
"
Youandwho?Goingbackt oSA?
"SheasksandI
l
augh.Sher
eal
lydoesn'
tli
kemeandshemakesit
cl
ear
"
MeandXhant
il
omzi
"Isayandhereyespopout
"
Zana?
"Sheaskswi
thasmi
leandInod
"Mi
ndintr
oduci
ngus?
"Shesayst
aki
ngmyhand
andIr
ollmyeyes

Xhantiisbusyplayingsoccerwit
haf ewki
ds.He
l
ookshandsomef rom thi
sangle.IseeBi
ankai
s
checkinghersel
foutthewhol eti
me.

Heseesusappr
oachi
ngandhefl
asheshi
sper
fect
smi
leatmeandidothesame.
"Youknow,you'
renotdressedt
obear
oundki
ds"
BiankasaysandIrollmyeyes
"Iwaswonderi
ngwhereyouweremylady"hesays
assoonaswear ei
nfr
ontofhi
m andIblushashe
kissesmycheek
"Ar
eyourf
eetst
il
lokay?Her
e'sBr
uno,
Iaskedhimto
bri
ngyoumorecomfort
abl
eyetcl
assyshoes"he
saysasBr
unocomescl
oserwi
thabag

"Theyal
itt
lepai
nful
l,
butthankyou"Isayandhe
nodsgoi
ngdownonhi skneetaki
ngoffmyshoes
andputt
ingonthelacewedgepumps
"
Yougotbabyf
eet
"Xhant
isayscar
ryi
ngmyshoes
"IdoNot,
putt
hem i
nthebag"Isayandheshakes
hishead
"I
'
llcar
ryt
hem"hesayssmi
li
ngatmeandidot
he
same

"
Aauumm"Bi
ankahasnot
imi
ng
"Ial
mostfor
got,
Xhantithi
sisMi
ke'
sWif
e
Bianka,
shewantedt
omeetyou"Isaywi
thabor
ed
toneandhelooksatBianka
"Ij
ustwantedtoseewhom Ent leassoci
atedhersel
f
wit
h,I
'm ahugefanofyourjelweryworkMr
Zana,
Pitt
yyoucloseditdown"shesaysshaki ng
Xhanti
'shandwhil
elookingintohiseyes
Xhant
ilooksathernoddi
ng.Mi
kej
oinsus
"Suppeopl
e,
wifeyyou'
reher
egood.
..
funct
ioni
s
aboutt
ostart
"hesaysembraci
ngBianka
"
OkayyouguyscangoaheadIj
ustwantt
ocal
l
Aj
ayscar
etaker
"Isayt
aki
ngoutmyphone.

Thisfunct
ionbringslot
sofmoneytoalotof
orphanages.Peoplewhocouldoff
erthei
rservi
ces
ormoneywoul dhol danauct
ionf
oravariet
yof
orphanages.Someevenadoptkids.

TheMCwasal readybusyspeaki
ngwhenXhant
i
andIent
ered.
Theywer enowonthebiggestorphangehol
lySpi
ri
t
orphanage.Thebi
ddinghasstart
ed,fr
om 1000$.A
fewshouted5000$.Thehighestwas5000$.
"Doihear6?
"TheMCaskedandever
yonewas
sil
ent
"Thi
sgentl
emanr i
ghther
esaidhe'
swil
li
ngtogive
10000$"Ishoutandeveryonel
ostt
hei
rminds
"
Noidi
dnot
"Xhant
isayst
ryi
ngt
ocal
mthem down
"Si
ryouhavenoi deahowmuchthismeansto
us,Thankyou"theMCsaysshaki
ngXhanti
'
shand
roughlyandIlaugh

Thiswil
lteachhi
m.I
flookscoul
dki
llI
'
dbedead
ri
ghtnow.

Everyt
hingwentwel
l.Wewer
enowbei
ngser
ved
food.
"Your
eal
lygotme"Xhant
isays,
Ithoughthewas
overi
t
"I
twasforagoodcauseXhant i
,
doyouwantitback?
Letmegot ellt
hepeopleyouwantyourmoneyback
andthatyoudon'tcareabouthomel
esschi
ldren"I
dramati
call
ysaystandinguphecatchedupwi t
hme
andpull
edmet owardshi
m.
"
Youbet
tergetr
idoft
hatat
ti
t-
"heget
scutof
fby
someonesayi
ngmynameandever
yoneappl
audi
ng
"Andthen?"Iaskbutpeopl
eusher
edmet othefr
ont
whereBiankaisstandi
ngwithamicr
ophoneinher
hand

"Yougott
hatr
ightPeopl
e,
Somebeauti
fulSAmeat
"
shesaysandIfr
ownaseveryonecl
appedthei
r
handsagai
n
"Sowho'
dli
ket
obetherf
ortheni
ghtf
ir
st?
"She
asksandt
hegr
ownrumbles

Di
dthatwomanj
ust
..
.?Ohhel
lno.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Whatt
hehell?Ist
hatsfebeauct
ioni
ngmywoman?
Il
ookaroundforMike,
hehastocontai
nhi
spetorI
wi
ll
.
"Mikei
fyoudon'
tgetyourwif
eundercontr
olI
'l
l
blowherbrai
nsoutri
ghther
e"Isayspi
tt
ingfi
reand
helooksatmeconfused
"Youbusydri
nki
ngout
sideandyourwi
feisact
ing
crazywit
hmywoman,she'
ssell
ingEnt
le!
"Isay
grabbi
nghiscol
lar

Helooksatmeli
kei
m cr
azybutst
epsbacki
ntot
he
bui
ldi
ngrunni
ng.

{
Mike}

I
sBi
ankaoutofhermi
nd?
Iheart
hebi
ddi
ngsgoi
nghi
ghert
han10000$.
Thehi
ghestandwi
nnerwas80000$.

Awhit
eguystandsupgoi
ngt
owar
dsEnt
le.Who
i
nvi
tedmyenemy?.
"I
fyoulayasmuchasaf i
ngeronher
,t
henyou'l
lsee
yoursel
fleavi
ngthisbui
ldi
nginacasket"Xhanti
saysholdinghisgunaimedattheguy.
"Yousnoozeyoulosemyguy,
Ipai
dforhersoshe'
s
mine.
..
unlessYoucanpaymeback"theguysays
comingtowardsus
"Icanpayyoubackdoubleofthatweakass
paymentyougaveformywoman"Xhant isays
putti
ngthegunagai
ntstheguysheadandhe
smiles
"Soit
'str
ue?TheeXhasawoman?Wonder sshal
l
neverend,ok.
.nopaymentneeded"hesaysl
if
ti
ng
hishandsupi nsurr
ender
.

Hesi
gnal
saf
ewpeopl
eint
her
oom andt
heyl
eave.

Meanwhi
leXhant
iisgi
vingBi
ankaagr
uesomel
ook.
[
41]
{
Nande}

Li
yemadischar
gedmetoday.I'
m notevenf
itt
ogo
homeyet,
hebri
bedt
hedoctor.Doesnoonehavea
backbone?

"
Let
sgo"hesayswal
kingoutofmyr
oom
"Li
yemahelpme,
can'
tyouseeI'
mi nawheel
chai
r?!
"
Ishoutandhesi
ghsi
nfrust
rat
ion
"Youbeingimmobil
ef r
ust
rat
esmetothecore,
thi
s
i
st helastt
ime"hesayswheel
ingmeoutandI
smi l
e

Hemi
ghtbehar
dbuthe'
sasof
tyunderal
loft
hat
.

I'
veonlybeenathishouseonceandt hatwasfora
meet i
ng.Nowim actual
lygoingtol
ivei
ni t
.Can'
t
waittopostaboutt
his.ThatsnakeofaAyanda,Her
doingswasactuall
yablessingindi
sguise.
Ican'
twaitt
oshowLi
yemat
hatIcanbebet
tert
han
Minent
le,
i
nmanyways.

{
Mike}

Iwenttowar
dsBi
ankaandIroughl
ypul
ledherf
rom
thecr
owedtowar
dsthepar
king.

"
Areyoui
nsane?
!"Ishoutandshel
aughs
"Shhhh.
..she'
llenj
oyhersel
f,
she'
sabiggir
l"she
saysputtingherfi
ngeronmyl i
psandIreekthe
heavyalcoholform her
"
Sincewhendoyoudr
inkt
hismuch?
"Iaskandshe
l
aughs
"
YouaboreMike,
ever
yti
methatgi
rli
sinvol
vedyou
abor
e"shesaysget
ti
ngint
othecar
IlockedthecarandheadbacktoEntleandXhant
i.
Hepl acedhi
sjacketar
oundhershoulder
sand
they'
reonetheirwaytothepar
king.
"
Wai
tup!
"Ishoutr
unni
ngaf
tert
hem
"NotnowMike"XhantisaysandIl
ookatEnt
lebut
shedoesn'
tbotherl
ookingupandIsi
gh
"Atleastl
etmeapologi
zetoEntl
eman,Ihadnoidea
Biankawoul ddosomet
hingli
kethat
"Isi
ncerel
ysay
andEnt l
enodsherheadwalki
ngaway,It
hinkto
thei
rtransport

Nowit
'smeandXhant
i.Il
ookathi
m andhedoes
t
hesame.
"
Whoi
nvi
tedhi
m?"HeasksandIshr
ug
"
Ihavet
heexactsamequest
ion"Isayandhenods
"Looksl
ikewe'
llhavet
ocutourvacat
ionshor
t"he
saysandIshakemyhead
"I
fit
'
spr ot
ect
ionyouwantyouguyscanst
ayatmy
house"Isayandhelooksatmeli
keI'
vel
ostmy
mind
"Ar
eyououtofyourmi nd?Yourwifejustsoldmy
womanof ftoari
val,
youthi
nkI'
dwantt obei nt
he
samespaceasher ?Ifyouwantmet okil
lher
i
nfrontofyouj
ustsayso"Xhantisayswalkingaway

Icl
enchmyfi
stswhilel
ookingatmycar.I
fIdon'
t
putBi
ankai
nherlane.Ent
le'
sauntsur
elywil
ldeal
wit
hme.

{
Minent
le}

Onourwaytot
hehotelnoonesaidaword.That'
s
good,
Ili
kemysil
ence.Ij
ustwantmysonrightnow.

AssoonasBrunost
opst
hecarIj
umpof
fAndr
un
i
nsi
dethehot
el.

Iusemyaccesscardt
oAjaysroom andhe'
sasl
eep.
Soishi
scaret
aker
.Iwakeherup
"MsKhoza, myapologies,
Ihadnoi deayou'
re
back,I
'
m sorryforfal
li
ngasleepitwon'thappen
againpleasedon'tfi
reme"sher amblesgoingon
herkneesandIshushherpul l
ingherup,el
ders
kneeli
ngdoesn'tfeelri
ghti
nmyhear t

"
It
'sokay,
Ajaycanti
reaper
sonespeci
all
ysincehi
s
l
astsetoft
eetharecomi
ngout"Isaysmil
ing
"Yourfamil
ymustbewor ri
edaboutyou,whydon'
tI
callt
hem andlett
hem know,I
'
llaskoneofthe
dri
verstotakeyouhomeokay? "Isayt
akingmy
phoneandshesmi les

I
t'shotsoIundressedAjaytoputonsomethi
ng
l
ighter.Inoti
ceawound,buti
t'
sheal
ing,
i
t'
ssmallt
oo.
Hepr obablyscr
atchedhi
mself.

Thenextmor ningIgetreadyf
ort
hemeetingwith
MrMer ken.Idon'tknowwhattowear
.Idecidedon
a3piecer oyalbl
uesuit.Combmyhairt
ot heback
andt
iedi
t.

WhenIwasdoneIwokeupAj ay.WhyisXhantiso
ti
red?He'sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.IwasgivingAj
ayabat h
whent hewoundonhisarm caughtmyatt
ent
ion
again.
"Ent
leareyouhere?
"Xhant
ishoutsandit
akemy
eyesoffthewound,
dryi
ngAjay.
"Yea,
I
'l
lber
ightt
her
e"Isayandhi
sfoot
stepswent
away

I
fIl
ookgoodmybabyshoul
dlookgood.
"Boythisabomi nat
iononyourheadneeds
treat
ment "Isaybrushi
ngmyhandt r
oughhist
hin
dreadlocksandheshakeshishair
"
Iwon'
ttaket
hem of
frel
ax"Isay

Myphoner
ingsandIseei
t'
sLi
ya.Iwonder
"
Tol
dyounott
odi
stu-
"
"Haisukamamela,
whileyoubusywi t
htheugly
afr
ikaansmenthere,
mo'gur
llostherbabyinan
accident
"shecut
smeof fAndmyat t
enti
onshi
ftst
o
thecall
"
Who?
Ayanda?
"Iaskandshecl
ickshert
ongue
"
Thatbr
oomst
ick,
no.Nande"Li
yasaysandIgasp
"
Ini
?How?
when?
"Iask
"Youl
ovenewskodwabutyoudon'
tshar
ewi
thme
chom"Li
yasays
"
Hai
bodi
dyounotj
ustcal
lme?
"Iaskandhesi
ghs
"
AnywayyeaNandel ostt
hebabyandali
tt
lebir
dy
t
oldme...
Ayandahadsomethingtodowi
thit
"he
whisper
sthelastpar
tandIgasp

IknowAyandai
scr
azybutt
hisnextl
evel
.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
Ihavealotonmymi
nd.Thi
sismessedup.Ical
led
mybr ot
herPK

"Iwar
nedyouXhant
i"hesaysaf
terIt
oldhi
m what
happened
"AndifMart
inknows,
ever yonewillknowbecause
ever
yonewantsyourthrone.Theyj ustwai
ti
ngfor
theri
ghtmomenttostrike,whatbettert
imethan
nowwhenyouhaveaf emal enexttoyou"he
conti
nuesandIbrushmyf ace
"Sowhatshouldido?Dadwil
lki
llmei
fhehear
dI
creat
edanotherwar"Isay
"Dowhatyouthinki
sbestf
orEnt
leandAj
ay"he
saysdr
oppingthecall

He'
sr i
ght
..
..
Whatbett
erwaythantokeepmy
di
stanceandcutcont
actwi
thher?
...
[
42]
{
Minent
le}

Xhant
icameoutofthebat
hroom abi
tdi
sor
ient
ed.
Thecal
lmust
'veupsethi
m al
ot.
"
AreyouOkay?
"Isi
ncer
elyask
"Doil
ookOkay?
"Hebi
tesbackandIj
ustl
ookat
him
"
Wi l
lyoujoi
nmeandAj ay?Ihaveameet
ing"Isay
t
yingAjaysdreadl
ockst
ogether
"Idon'
twanttoi
mpose,I
'
llt
ourali
tt
le,j
ustletme
knowwhenyoudonesoIcanpi ckyouupagai n"he
saysputt
ingonhisbl
ackandwhitejordans

Onl
ynowIseehowhandsomehelooks.Iwal
k
t
owardshi
m andhel
ooksupatme.
"Youcantel
lmewhat'
supsetti
ngyou"Isay
kneel
ingt
ohisl
evelandhelooksatmef oral
ong
ti
me
Somethingpull
edmetowardshi
m andIkissedhi
m.
Hekissedmebackashesqueezedmywai st
.The
ki
ssdidn'tl
astl
ongbecausehel
ight
lypushedme
awayfrom him.

"Idon'
twantt
omakeyoulate"hesaysl
ookt
othe
sidenotmaki
ngeyecont
actwithme.
Di
didosomet
hingWrong?Ij
ustnodmyheadand
pl
acedAj
ayi
nhispr
am.

WhenIlookbehi
ndmeXhant iwasgone.Ifini
shed
packi
ngAjayabagandwet ooktheelevat
ordown.
Outsi
dethehot
elXhantii
snexttothecarbusyon
hi
sphone.Doesn'
tlookli
keapleasantcal
l.

Brunocameouttoopent
hedoorf
ormewhi
lehe
tookthepr
am i
ntot
hebooth.

Thedr
ivewassil
ent
.Whyisn'
tXhant
ital
kingt
ome?
He'
susual
lyannoyi
ng,
nowImissit
.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Wedr oppedEntl
eoffatthisni
cediner
.Iopenedt
he
doorforher.Shehardl
ylookedatme.GuessI
deser
vei t
.Shewalkedawaywi t
houtsayi
ng
goodbye
"Entl
e!"Ical
ledherandshestoppedandturned
around.Iwenttoher,gr
abbedherwaistandlooked
herdeepi nt
ohereyes.Searchi
ngforunknown
answer stoanunknownequat i
on.

Isl
owlykissedher.Shedidn'
tki
ssmebackatf i
rst
butevent
uallydi
d.Thekisslast
edf
orawhile,I
pushedherhardagainstmybonerunder
neat hmy
j
eans.Ipull
edoutofthekissandIwentt
oki ssAjay
onhishead.

Beforeleavi
ngIki
ssedEnt
leonemor eti
meand
anotheronherfor
eheadwit
hatighthug.
Thi
swasmygoodbye.
..

{
Nande}

Thishouseisr
eal
lybig.Hetol
doneofhismaidsto
turnt
hestorer
oom ont hef
ir
stfl
oori
ntoabedroom
forme.Thatwasasign.

"Mai
d!"Ical
ledout
,nooneanswer
edIcal
ledagai
n
andtheoldl
adyappearedatmybedr
oom door
"Whattookyousol ong?
Ical
ledyouli
ke5ti
mes
alr
eady,I
'
llt
ellLi
yemaaboutthi
s"Isayandhereyes
popout
"
Myapologiesma'am,Iwasst
il
lbusywit
hyour
l
aundr
y,i
twillgof
asteri
fidi
dn'
thavetodoi
twith
myhands"shesays
"
Areyoucomplai
ning?Myclot
hescan'tbethrown
i
namachine,
shouldItel
lLi
yemathatyourefuset
o
dowhatIask?
"Iwar
nherandshe'
sshakesher
head

"Good,
makemesomesaucymogoduwi t
hstif
fpap"
Isaypoli
shi
ngmynailswit
har oyalbl
uecolour,
Entl
elovest
hiscol
ourInot
iced,
IhopeLiyemawi l
l
seeit
.
"Butma'am i
twillt
akehours,
andit
'sal
mosttimeto
makedi nner
,MrLiyemawouldbereall
yupsetif
dinnerwasdelayed"shesaysandIrol
lmyeyes
"Fi
ne,makealotofsausageswi
thf
ri
es,
bri
ngthe
wholebr
eadwi t
hyou"Isayandshenodsherhead
exi
ti
ngmyr oom

Thi
sisthel
if
e.Nowihavet
owor konmyleg.Ineed
tof
indawaysoLiyemawouldgetsomeonetohelp
me..
[
43]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
Iwatcht
hem ast
heyent
ert
hedi
ner
.Thi
sisgoi
ng
tobehar
d.
"Br
uno,you'
llhavet
ogofetchher
,don'
ttel
lher
anyt
hing"Isayenter
ingt
hecar.
"Sirar
eyousur
ethi
sisagoodi
dea?
"HeasksandI
sigh
"I
'
llwat
chherfr
om adist
ance.
..
justi
ncasebutI
needtosor
tthi
soutf
ir
st"Isaymakingacal
l

{
Minent
le}

I
'm st
il
lhavi
nghotf
lashes.Thatwasver
ywei
rd.
Mademecr avef
orhim more.

Theshophasaclosedsi
gnon.IenterandIspotMr
Merkeni
nthecor
nerwith3morepeople.Hesees
meandhestandsupcomingtowardsme
"
Miné"hesaysembr
aci
ngmeandIsmi
lehuggi
ng
hi
m back
"
OhMyi
sthi
sthel
it
tl
eguy?
"Hesayscr
ouchi
ng.
"Comeever
yoneiswait
ingf
oryou"hesays
dir
ect
ingmetothetabl
e

Ther
ewere2femalesand1mal e.Iext
endmyhand
togr
eett
hem butonefemal
ejustlooksatmyhand
"
Okaaay"Isaysi
tt
ingdown
"
Let
sbegi
n"MrMer
kensays
"
Finall
y,
whywer ewewait
inganyway?Ithought
we'r
ewai t
ingf
orsomeoneimport
ant"t
hesame
f
emal esaysandtheot
heronenudgeher
"
Idon'
tthi
nkwe'
vemetbefor
e,I
'
m Zol
tánBánkut
i"
t
hemalesayssmil
ingatme,
"
Minent
leKhozabutyoucancal
lmeMi
né"Isay
"
I'
m ÉvaTóthandexcusemyfriendforher
manners,
HernameisAnikóFi
lácz"welldamnokay
Themeetingwasn'tevent
hatbi
gofani
ssue.Mr
Merkenl
ikestoexaggerat
e.

"Soweallagr
eetokeept hedi
nerandmakea
secondfl
oorwher
edrinksandvarietyoff
oodcan
bemadeandsoldalmostl i
kearestaur
ant"Mr
Merkensaysandeveryonenod
"Andeveryoneisagreei
ngthatEntl
ehandlesmost
oftheworktheresinceshe'
sthefooguru"hesays
againandeveryonenodsexpectAnikó,
MrMer ken
l
ooksather
"Nohatebutsi
ncewhendoweinvit
eforei
gner
sto
ourbusi
nessSir
"shesaysandÉvagasps
"
Par
donme?
"Isayandsheshr
ugs
"
I'
mjustsaying,
MrMerkennevert
oldusyouwer
e
f
rom Af
rica,
whenhesaidyournameisMinéi
t
houghtyouoneofus"shesays
"
Oneofy'
al
l?Areyouraci
st?I
sitbecauseI
'
m not
whi
teHuh?
"Iaskgett
ingwarmedup
"
Ani
kóst
opi
t!
"MrMer
kenshout
s
"Ifi
twasn'tforMi néthi
sdinerwouldn'
thavemade
thismuchmoneyf orustoopenanother
business,i
t'
seitheryoustartr
especti
ngherorleave
becauseIdon' tneedyourmoney"MrMer kensays
andt hetablei
squi et

Idon'
tli
ket
his.Fuedamongstco-
wor
ker
s?

Wehadsomethingtoeatbefor
eIhadtogo
becausei
twasgett
inglat
eforAjay.

WhenIgotoutsi
deBrunowasalreadywai
ti
ngf
or
me.Heopenedthedoor,
where'
sXhanti
?
Thr
oughoutt
hedr i
veIhadt
oask
"Br
unowhere'
sXhant
i,
isheatthehotel
?"Iaskbut
hedoesn'
tanswermesoIkeptquiet
.

Br
unohelpedmegetoff,
hecarri
edthesl
eepi
ng
Aj
ay.Thehotelr
oom i
slockedsoIusedmycard.
It
'scl
ean.IcalloutforXhant
ibutt
here'
snoanswer.
IlayAj
aydownandIcheckt hebathr
oom.Whereis
he?Isatonthebedt aki
ngoutmyphonebutanote
caughtmyat t
ention.

It
'sfr
om Xhanti
.Myhear
tstart
sbeati
ng.Ireadthe
note,
whenIwasdoneIthrewthenoteacrossthe
room andcal
ledhi
m.Calldi
dn'
tgothrough,
Icall
ed
acoupleofti
mesunti
lIgaveup.

Whywouldhel
eavej
ustli
kethat?Sothatki
ssand
hugwasawayofsayinggoodbye?whywouldhe
l
eavewhenint
henotehesaysthathelovesme?

{
Nande}

Att
hedi
nnert
abl
eitwasj
ustus.
"
Liyema?
"Isayandhel
ooksatme
"Iwasthinki
ngweshouldspeedupmyr ecover
yby
getti
ngaphysio"Isayandhelooksatmewitha
blankexpressi
on
"
Sexi
sdoi
ngt
hemost
"hesayseat
ing
"Don'
tcal
litt
hat
,i
t'
scal
ledmaki
ngl
ove"Isaywhi
le
smili
ng

"Fine,
I'
l
lthi
nkabouti
t"hesaysbecauseIwant
givingupatal
l.Ismi
le,
thi
sisj
ustthebegi
nning

Soonthatmai
dofear
li
ert
odaycamet
owar
dst
he
tabl
e.
"Si
risi
tokayificangohomenow?"Sheaskedwi
th
herheadbendedandLiyemal
ooksather
"Whatareyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
eMa?
"Heasks
concer
ned
"Well
..
.uh.
.thema'am sai
dishouldn'
tgoanywhere
unti
lherclothesarepackedneat
lyinher
cupboards,Ionl
yfini
shednow"hesoflysaysandhe
l
ooksatmewi t
hadeadlylook
"Mait
'sf
ineJustaskManditodri
veyouhome"he
saysandshenodsgoingouttaki
ngherbag

Hel
ooksatme
"SeewhyIdon' twantYou?youmi st
reatpeopl
ewho
alsohavefeel
ings,I
'm notperf
ectbutIdon'tl
ook
downonanyone.Youwer en'tbor
nwi thasil
ver
spooninyourmout hNande.It hi
nkI'
velostmy
appeti
te"hesaysstandingupandgoi ngtohisroom

Whydi dhemakesuchahugedealoutofi tt
hough?
It
'sherj
obtoserveot
herpeopl
e..
.shegetspai
dso
shemustwor kf
orherpayment
.1st epfor
wardand
10stepsback.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ideci
dedtofl
ybackhome.Ther
e'speoplei
ncludi
ng
Brunowho'
lll
ookaf
terEnt
lei
ncasethatguytr
ies
somethi
ng.
Imadeast opatmydad'
shousefi
rst
.Iknockedon
thedoorandsomegir
lopened.
"Hel
lo"shegreet
swit
hawidesmi
leandIlookather
,
shelooksli
kesomeoneI
'
veseenbef
ore.
"
Wher
e'smyf
ather
?"Iaskgoi
ngi
nsi
de
"Icanl
etsomeonecallhi
m"shesayscal
li
nga
nameican'tpr
onounceandaelder
lyguyappear
ed
"
GocallMrZana"sheor
der
sandt
hemanr
uns,
I
r
aisemyeyebrow

Soonmydadcamedown.Thi sguyagesnice.I
knowI
'l
ldosot
oo.ThegirlexcusesusandIgive
mydadaquest
ioni
nglookandheshr ugs
"
Askyourmot
her
"hesaysandIsi
tdown
"TowhatdoIowet hi
spleasure,
Ishoul
dfeel
honoredthatmysonisvisi
ti
ngme"hesays,hel
ikes
exaggerat
ing
"
It
'saboutBanks"Isayandmydadl
ooksatme
"Ibumpedint
ohi
m,heknowsaboutEnt
le"isayand
helooksatme
"Heboughther
,l
ongst
ory"Isayandhest
il
ldoesn'
t
sayanyt
hing
"Whyareyouher
eXhanti
?Shouldn'
tyoubenextt
o
yourwomanandherson?"Heaskslooki
ngatme
"I
..
Iabandonedher
,f
orherownsaf
ety"Isay
embarrassed
"Youwhat
?Idon'
tevenr
ecogni
zeyou..
wher
e's
Xhant
i?CanIhel
pyouboy?"HesaysandIl
ookat
him
"Justbecauseourfami
lyandt heBankshavebad
histor
ydon'tmeantheygettodowhatt heywant,
theyhavemoneybutnott heskil
ls,
butI
'dadviceyou
tolaylowandseewhathi snextmovei s,
getEntl
e
backinSAf ir
standseeifanyonewillf
oll
ow"he
saysandInod

{
Minent
le}
I
twasn'
tnecessar
yformet ost
ayanyl
onger
.Ihope
I
'
llf
indXhant
ionceIland.

Ical
ledhi
m oncemore,
nopi
ckup.Iboughtanew
si
m andcall
edhim,
heanswer
ed
"
Xhant
iwhereareyou?
"Iaskbuthedr
opsthecal
l
i
mmediat
elyandmyheartsanki
ntomyshoes.

Iwasjetl
aggedsomeandAj
aywenthomest
rai
ght
tosl
eep.

ThenextdayIpr
eparedAjayforcreche.Igott
o
workatIseeLi
yaisalr
eadythere
"
Hiichom,whyyoubacksoear
ly?
"HeasksandI
j
ustgivehi
m afai
ntsmil
easIwentupt
omyof f
ice

Thewhol
edaywasadrag.Dur
ingmyl unchI
deci
dedt
ogotoXhanti
'
sworkplace.Ihavesome
homemadebri
yanif
orhim.
Igr
eett
her
ecept
ioni
standshegr
eet
sback
"I
sMrZanain?
"Iaskandshenodsdi
ali
ng
somet
hing
"
MrZana,
yesher
e'sa.
..
?"Shel
ooksatme
"
MsKhoza"Iwhi
sper
"Her
e'saMsKhozaatt hef
rontdeskf
oryou"she
sayssmil
ingbutI
tfadesqui
cklyandshenods
putt
ingt
hephonedown
"
Hesayshehast ogotoameet
ingi
n2
minut
es,
sor
ry"shesays.
"Oh..
.Iunderstand.
..
canyougi
vehim Thi
s?Tel
lhi
m
i
t'shomemade"Isaygi vi
nghert
hethefoodandI
exitt
hebui l
ding.

SoHereal
lydoesn'
twantt
otal
knorseeme?
what
di
dIdo?

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
WhenIhear
dshe'satt
hefrontdeskmyheart
ski
ppedabeat
.Lyingmademef eelwor
se.
Ical
ledmyr
ecept
ioni
stsagai
nandshet
oldme
Entl
elef
tmesomefood.

Soonsomeonebroughti
tforme.Thespi
cyar
oma
fi
ll
edmyoff
ice.

AssoonaIopenedtheTupper
waremymout h
st
art
edwateri
ng.Idugi
nimmediat
ely.I
ttast
es
amazi
ng,
colour
edpeopl
efoodisni
cenol i
es.

Iwashal f
waythroughwhensomeonecameint
omy
off
ice.Noiseer
upted,
Il
ookedupandIseemy
dad,PK,Lunat
hiandThandoent
eri
ngmyoffi
ce.
"
Pleasest
opwit
hthenoi
se,
Ineedt
oconcentr
ate
whenIeat
"Isayandt
heyal
lcli
ckt
hei
rtongues
"
Smel
lsgoodcanIhavesome?IknowEnt
le
broughti
tforyou"PKsayssnat
chi
ngt he
Tupperwarebefor
eIcouldst
ophim andIlookat
hi
m
"
Iknowever
ythi
ng"hesayeat
ing
"Al
lofusar
ehungr
yyaz"mydadsaysandt
her
est
nods

Theymaki
ngitsoundasi
fther
ear
en'
tany
rest
aur
ant
snearby.

Iwat
cht
hem ast
heymur
dermywoman'
sfood.
"Tel
lEnt
leI
'
llsendl
obol
amoneytoherf
am soom"
PKsaysandIknowhe'spr
ovoki
ngme
"Hecan't
,hel
efther"mydadsayschowi
ngt
hel
ast
pieceofmeatwhilelaughi
ng
"I
t'
sforhersaf
ety,
fornow"Isayandmydadl
ooks
atmewi t
hasmi l
e
"What
?Dadt
hat
'syourmakot
i"Isayandt
heguys
chant
..
[
44]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

From t
hatdayl
ikecl
ockworkEntlewouldbri
ngme
foodandI'
dburrymysel
finherdeli
ciousf
ood.

It
'sbeenamonthAndihaven'
ttouchedhernor
ki
ssedher.Ti
meneedstofl
yreall
yfast.

{
Minent
le}

Amonthofnotseei
ngXhant
i.I
fhecanonl
ytel
lme
whyhe'
sref
usingtoseeme.

Ideci
dedt of
etchAjayearl
yandspoilour
selves.We
madeast opatsparfi
rst
.Iwasinthemoodf orthei
r
cheesecakewhil
eIgotAjayasausageroll
.Wel ef
t
thebui
ldi
ngwit
hal
otofbagsi
nthet
rol
ley.I
t'
s
Fri
dayletmegowi
l
d.

Lastst opwasspurf orsomet hingmeatyonmysi de.

Ididn'twanttomakei tseem li
keIordereveryt
hing
formysel fsoIorderedt hecheddarcreamy
bur ger,
chi
psandoni onr ingsforAjaywhichiknow
I'
lleat.Theful
lplateforme, wors,
steak,
quart
er
chicken,porkr
ib,chips,onionri
ngsandasoda.Can' t
bedr inki
ngwhileIhaveAj ayaroundme.

Maki
ngyourownmoneyt
ast
esgoodnol
ies.

"
Icoul
d'veatethatwholebur
geryouknow?"It
ell
Aj
ay,
takinghi
sbur gerawaybef
orehedemoli
shesit
.

Igavehi
m myphonesoIcaneati
npeaceandqui
et.
"Ma!"Heshout
sandIl
ookathim.Herotatest
he
phonetomeandit'
sapict
ureofXhant
isleepi
ng
"He'
sbusynowokaybaby?"Isayandheshakeshi
s
headpoi
nti
ngatXhant
iandIsigh

Ivi
deocall
edXhantibutIgavethephonetoAj
ay.
Other
wisehewon'tanswer.Ihopehedoes.
"
Buddy"Xhant
ianswer
sandmyeyesget
sfi
ll
ed
wit
htear
s
"Whatdi
dyoueat
?Didyouandmommygoout?"He
asksandAj
aynodsandrot
atest
hephonet
owar
ds
me.

Il
ookatthescreenandIseeXhant itopl
ess.Noone
saysaword.Soiswitchedi
toffinsteadand
conti
nuedeat
ing.Aj
aylooksatthephone
"
Ma?
"Hesayssof
lyandIl
ookathi
m
"Wantt
ogoyet
?"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead
goi
ngbackt
othephoneandIsmile

{
Siya}
"
Ayandahur
ryupPl
easendi
lambi
le!
"Ishout

Shewant stoeatoutbecauseshehascr avi

ngs.She
comesoutandshe' swearingati
ghtdressshowing
herbump.Idon'tknowhowt ofeelaboutthi
swhole
pregnancysit
uati
on.

Ican'
tjustf
orgett
hatAyandacheat
edonme.What
Ift
hisbabyisn'
tmine?I
'm sl
acki
ngforr
eal

"Si
yastoprushi
ngme, beautytakesti
me"shesays
andIfrownexit
ingthebuil
ding.Ineedtogohouse
hunti
ng.Li
vinginthi
spenthouseandmymom i sa
drag.

Shedeci
dedonspur
.

Whenweent
erIseeAj
ayandEnt
le'
sbackt
owar
ds
t
hedoor
.Heseesmeandheshout
s
"
Daddy"myhear
tmel
ts

IleaveAyandaandIgotomyson.There'sal
otof
foodbeingeatenher
e.Ent
le.
..
haiNoihavea
beautif
ulbabymamapeople.Ihugherandshe
hugsmeback.

"Hai
boSiyayoucan'tl
eavemebehi nd,
youknow
anythi
ngcanhappenwithpregnantpeopl
efor
i
nstanceNande"Ayandasayssitt
ingdownnextto
Entl
ewhil
eIsatnexttoAjay.

Ent
ledi
dn'
tevenbot
hert
ogr
eetAyanda.
"YazEntl
eyouhavetotel
lmehowyougotr i
dofthe
babyfat,
Iwantt
olookgreataft
ert
hispr
egnancy"
AyandasaysbutEntl
eisgivi
nghermeatal
lher
att
enti
on
"Ohmygirl
sarehere,Iwonderi
ftheyknowabout
Nande,
l
etmesayhi "Ayandasaysstandi
ngup
goi
ngtoherfr
iends.

"
Ent
le?
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"
Howar
eYou?
"Iaskandsheshr
ugs
"Wecrampi
ngyourst
yle?
"Iaskbutshedoesn'
t
answer
"Am ii
nter
rupt
ingsomethi
ng"amanl
yvoi
cesays
andbothmeandEnt l
elookup
"Li
yema?"Ent
lesaysshocki
ngl
yandt
heyhugone
another

Hesi
tsdownnextt
ome.
"
Isn'
tNandel
ivi
ngwi
thYou?
"Iask
"I
t'
shissist
er"Ent
lesayschi
ppi
ngi
nandt
hisguy
smirks.
NowI '
m conf
used,
theset
wower etogetherat
nando'
skodwaNandecan' tst
opbraggingabout
thi
sguylooki
ngaft
erher.Thishasnothingtodo
wit
hmesoIl eavethem.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"WhyisLi
yemast
il
lsi
tt
ingwi
thmywoman?
"Iask
Bruno
"I
t'
sei
theryoufi
ndawaytogetEnt
leoutofhis
cl
awsorescortLi
yemaf
rom t
hosepremises"Isay
andhenods

Thissucks.I
'
m sti
llbusywat
chi
ngthem whenat
ext
camet hr
oughlet
ti
ngmeknowt hatLi
yemais
bannedandIseethem escor
ti
nghim out
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
{
Amont
hlat
er}

I
'
mi nmyoffi
ce,
lookingatthei
rpi
ctur
es.Imiss
t
hem.I'
m wai
ti
ngf orhertodropof
fmyf ood.Taki
ng
l
ongert
hanusualthisti
me.

Icall
edther ecepti
onistandshetoldmenoone
cameby.Ical l
edthepersonwho'slooki
ngather
house24/ 7.Hesaysshel ef
tforworkasusual
.I
cal
ledmysi st er
,t
urnsoutEntledi
dn'tmakei
tfor
work,shecalledinsick.

Thi
smademewor ry.Icheckherlocationandi
t'
sat
aclub.Thi
swoman.Godpl easedon'tgiveme
st
renghtbecausei
fyoudoImi ghthurtsomeone.

IgotdressedasmeandBr unoheaddownt ot he
cl
ub.It'
spacked.AsusualIgotaglassofcognac
andIstartedl
ooki
ngaroundforEntle.Iasked
aroundforanunfami
li
arfaceanditwasqui ckto
f
indher
.

Int
heVI Psecti
on,
wit
hnonot hert
hanBanks.
They'
redri
nkingandEnt
lelookswasted.Iwal
ked
uptothem andBanksseesme
"Ibel
ieveImispl
acedsomeofmyproper
tyatt
his
secti
on"Isaygoingtowar
dsEnt
le
"Youcan'tjustcomeandt
akeheragai
nfr
om me,
it
's
desti
nythatmeandherbelongtoeachot
her
"he
saysrubbingherhead

Thi
sboyi
spushi
ngmybut
tons.
"I
'l
laskyouni
cely,
moveawayfrom what
'smineand
everyonei
shappyandheal
thy"Isayandheshakes
hishead

Il
ookhimintheeyeforafewsecondsandI
punchedhi
m.Hedidn'thaveachance,"
they'
re
knownfort
heirmoneynotski
ll
s"myf ather
'swor
ds
ri
nginmyhead.
Bloodwasgushi
ngoutofhisnoseandmouth.No
onemadenoise,
nof
oulplay.Hisguardswer
egun
point
edbymypeopl
eintheVI Psecti
on.
"Youi
nmyt
urf
"Iwhi
speri
nhi
searbef
oreki
cki
ng
him
"Entl
elet
'sgo!
"Ishoutbutshe'
smumbli
ngstuffsoI
pickedherupandthrewherovermyshoul
der.

Allat
tent
ionwereonusnow.Imeanc'
mon,Igot
onebeautif
ulsexywomanwhil
eI'
m af
ullpackage.

"
Whoar
eYou?
"Sheasks
"I
t'
syourmanXhanti
"Isayandsherepeat
sthe
nameunti
lshefi
nal
lyrememberedand
embarr
assmentwashedoverherasshekeptqui
et

AtmyhouseImadeherwal
k
"
Wal
k"isayandshewhi
nes
"Soyoudr
inkal
coholnowEnt
le?
"Isayopeni
ngt
he
door
"Who?me?dri
nk?
what
'sal
cohol
?"Shesayswi
tha
squeakyvoi
ce

Shewasaboutt
oent
erbutl
ostherbal
ance
"I
'
mf ineee!
"Sheshout
sassher
egai
nedher
sel
fand
Ishookmyhead
"
Gowashup"It
ellherandshenodsgoi
ngupst
air
s
"
Youdon'
tlookgood"It
ellher
"
NOO! YOUdon'
tlookgood"shesaysgr
abbi
ngt
he
r
ailwhil
epoi
nti
ngatme
"Noyoudon'
tlookgood"shesaysagai
nandI
almostl
augh
It
'sagoodthinkIkeptt
helaughbecauseshef
ell
backwardsdownt hest
air
swhilel
aughing
"Don'
ttouchme,
I
'mf
ine"shesaysl
if
ti
ngupher
hands
"
Youknowwhatboy,
i
zal
etmesuckt
hatdi
ckr
eal
qui
ck"shesaysasIhel
pherst
andup
"HowboutIputsomeavocadoonyourdi ckand
suckitoff
..
.I
'm aavocadhoesowhynotsicki
tof
f
yodick"shesaystouchingmyassandInearl
ydrop
her

If
inal
lyputheri
nbed.
"
Xhant
i"shewhi
sper
sandIl
ookather
"I
fyouleavemeagainyou'
llfi
ndmeonast ri
pper
polenextt
ime"shesayscoveri
ngherheadandI
smile

Igotr
eadyf
orbedwhenacal
lcamet
hrough.I
twas
mydad
"
It
'saboutt
ime"hesaysandIsi
gh
"
Areyour
eady?
"HeasksandInod
"Morethananythi
ng,
i
t'
sti
met oputt
hem i
nthei
r
place"Isayandmydadlaughs
I
fwarmeanshavi
ngt
ohavepeaceaf
ter
war
ds?
Thensobei
t.Nomor
erunni
ng.
[
45]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Inthemorni
ngiwokeupear l
y.Madebr
eakf
ast
.No
workersonweekends,
lastt
imewit
hEntl
e'
s
sit
uati
onwasnecessary.

Thatdrunkar
dwon'tevenwakeupear
lyt
omakeme
somethingtoeat
.

WhenIwasdoneIcheckeduponAj
ay.He'
sawake
buthe'
swat
chi
ngTvlikeagrownmanwit
hababy
bott
lei
nhi
smouth.
"Buddy"isayandhel
ooksatmer
aisi
nghi
s
eyebrows
"
Don'
tyouwantt
oeat
?"Iaskandhesi
ghscl
imbi
ng
of
fthebedl
iket
hegr
apebabyhei
s
"Looksli
keyouinher
it
edyourmot
her
sint
ell
igence"
Isayleadi
nghim downst
air
s
"
Mama?
"Hesays
"
Shoul
dwewakeherup?
"Iaskandhenods

Whenweent erEntl
e'
sroom she'
sst
il
lasl
eepi
na
ver
ysexypositi
on.Ajayj
umpsonherwakingherup
i
ntheprocess.
"
Mor
ningbaby"shesayst
oAj
ayandheki
ssesher

Thi
sview.
..
Somet
hingt
hatIwant
,wi
thherandno
oneel
se.
"
XHANTI
!"Ent
leshout
smaki
ngmej
ump
"I
'
vebeencall
ingyout
wotimesalr
eady,
wher
e's
yourhead?
"SheasksandIsmil
e
"
Justt
hef
utur
e"Isayandsheshakesherhead
Wer
enowseat
edi
ntheki
tcheneat
ing.
"Whotaughtyouhowt
ocook?
"SheasksandIl
ook
ather
"
Doyouknowhowdr
unkyouwer
elastni
ght
?"Isay
"Doyouhaveanyideahowmuchiwaswor ri
edfor
thepastt
womont hsaboutYou?Youwentawolon
mewi t
houtanexplanat
ion"shesaysandherchest
beganmovingupanddown, Isigh.

"
I'
m sor
ry"Isayl
ooki
ngather
"Iwasdri
nki
ngonpur pose,i
twaspartoft
hepl
an.I
knewyouwoul dn'
tdi
sappearandnotcheckmy
everymove"shesaysbiti
ngherbacon
"Youtel
li
ngmet hatyougotdrunkbecauseyou
knewIwi l
lappear
?Igotplayedbyawoman"Isay
chuckli
ngandsodoesshe

"
Sowhathappensnow?
"SheasksandIl
ookather
"
Wit
hus,
Xhant
iyougr
own,
stopbeat
ingar
oundt
he
bush.
..
isi
tbecauseIhaveaki
d?I
fiti
s-"
"ILOVEYOUENTLE!
"Ishoutandshel
ooksatme
shocked
"Ireal
lydol
oveyouandIwantt
omar r
yYou,
star
t
ourownf amil
y,
iwantt
oloveAj
ayl
ikemyownand
fir
st"Isayt
aki
ngherhand
"
I'
veneverlovedbefor
eandifbeingwithyoumakes
mefeell
ikethis?Iwantt
ofeelitf
ortherestofmy
l
if
e"isayandhereyesarefulloftear
s

"Shi
tboystop,
i
t'
sli
keyoupr
oposi
ngtome"she
sayswipi
nghereyeswhi
lel
aughi
ng.
"CanI?"Isayst
andi
ngupgoi
ngt
owar
dsherand
shelaughs

Iembr
aceherasshest
andsupandIgi
veherasof
t
sl
owkiss.

"
Moor
ning"avoi
ceent
erst
hehouseandwebr
eak
t
heki
ss
"
Youhaveguest
s?"Ent
leasksandIshakemyhead

Heelscli
cki
ngonthet
il
es.Thi
sistoodamnear l
y
forguest
s.Imeanmeandmywomanneedpr i
vacy.
YesIcannowsaymywomanwi thoutsoundi
ngli
ke
aweirdo.

Theper
soni
snonot
hert
hanmymom.Godnotnow.

"Ohmorni
ngXhantiandunwant
edguest
"shesays
andEnt
lel
aughs.What'
ssofunnyher
e?
"Goodmorni
ngmot herinl
aw"Entlesaysbowing
herheadbutIcanclear
lyseehertr
yingtosuppr
ess
alaugh,
she'
sevenredintheface
"Wenzant
oniaphantombi?
"Mymom asksandEnt
le
breat
hesandclear
sherthroat
"I
'
m herebecauseI
'
m Xhant
i'
swoman"shesays
smil
ingatmeandismil
etoo.
{
Jason}

"Sowhat'
sthenextpl
an?Youmessedupt
hel
ast
one"Jazl
insaysl
ight
ingaci
gar
ett
e
"I
'
llhavet ofi
gureitout
,thecl
oserIgetandthe
moreZi ntl
etrust
smeI '
llbecl
osetoEntleagai
n"i
saykissinghercheek

Jazl
ini
smyt ypeofcrazy,she'
sfi
erce.Ever
ythi
ng
waspartoftheplan.Isti
llgetfl
ashbacksaboutme
andherthatnightshemanagedt ogetEntl
etokiss
me.

TheplanistogetEnt
leandtakehermoney.When
welearntt
hatshehasprotect
ionandpeoplewho
arewil
li
ngtodoeverythi
ngtokeephersafewe
changedtheplan.
IneedtofindawaytodrugEntle.Ki
dnapherand
askforaransom.Bef
oreIlethergoIneedtogeta
pieceofherass.

Irol
ledmyeyesasIseeZi nt
lecall
ingme.She'
s
beaut i
fulyeabutnotmytype.Sexwithheri
sjusta
drag,shejustl
aystherel
ikeachickenbei
ng
sl
aught ered.

"
Babe"Ianswer
"BabyImissYou,
whenar
eyouvi
sit
ing?
"Sheasks
andIrol
lmyeyes
"Idon'
tknowyetbabe"IsayandJazli
ngoesonher
kneesgivi
ngmeabl owjobandIclosemyeyes
"ButI
'
lll
etyouknow,
mymom needsallt
hesuppor
t
shecanget"Isaygr
abbi
ngJazl
in'
shai
r
"
Iunder
stand,
sendhugst
oherf
orme"shesays
"
Iloveyou"shesaysandIgr
oan
"
Yeabyebabe"qui
ckl
ysaydr
oppi
ngt
hephoneand
Igr
abbedJazl
inmyt
hethroatt
urni
ngherar
ound
andIst
artr
ammingmydickint
oherass.

Il
oveanalnol
i
es.Notmanycansat
isf
ymyf
eti
sh.
Onl
yJazli
n.
[
46]

{
Minent
le}

Wel
lwel
lwell.
..
lookWhothecatdr
aggedi
n.Li
tt
le
t
ooear
lyforhertobeher
e.

Shel
ooksatmel
ikeshe'
saboutt
oki
llme.

"
Xhant
i'
swoman?
!"Sheshout
sandInodsmi
li
ng
"Mom canIhelpyou?
"Xhant
iasksgi
vingAj
ayhi
s
pieceofbacon
"
Doesn'
tmat
ter
,whyar
eyouher
e?"SheasksandI
shr
ug
"Youarer
eal
lyDi
srespect
ful
ly,
younotevencl
othed"
shesays

She'
sgr
aspi
ngonst
raws.

"Mom canyoupl
easego?Other
wiseI
'
llcal
ldad"
Xhant
isaysandhismom si
ghs
"Fi
ne,
butIjustwanttospendt
imewi
thyou.
..
alone"
shesayslookingatme
"Xol
oMa,
buttodayit
'smeandmyf
ami
ly"hesays
andmyhear
tmel t
s
"Iam yourfami
lyt
hough"shesaysshockedand
Xhantishakeshi
sheadshowingherthedoor
"
Nott
odayMa"hesaysandhi
smom gr
owl
satme

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
Aft
ermymom di st
urbeduswedeci
dedtogoout
i
nstead.Idr
oveEntl
eandAjayt
othei
rhouse.
"Entl
ewe'vebeenwait
ingf
oryouforl
ike20mi
nut
es
alr
eady"Isaylooki
ngatmywatch
"
I'
m al
mostdone!
"Sheshout
sbackandIsi
gh

MeandAj ayt
ookpict
ureswhil
ewait
ing.10mi
nut
es
goesbyandfi
nall
yEntlepr
aiseuswi
thher
presence.

Andijustwanttosay,
damn.Shedoesn'tl
ookover
thetopneit
herdoesshelookdul
l.She'
sweari
ng
normalclot
hesforanormalsunnyday.Somegrey
boyfri
endskinnyj
eans,agreypoloneckAndher
whit
eAF1.

I
sthatawi
gonherhead?Wi
thabeani
e.

"
Takei
tof
f"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"
Don'
tlookatmel
iket
hatXhant
i,
Idon'
tknowwhat
t
odowi t
hmyhair
"shesays
"Youdon'
twearwi
gs,
neverhave,
whynow?
"Iask
andshestompsherf
eet
"Wenotgoinganywherewiththatat
ti
tude,
i
fyou'
re
babalasj
ustsayso,nowkeepthebeanieonand
takeofft
hewig"Isaystandi
ngup

"Ican'
ttakeof
fthebeani
e"shesaysandIl
ookat
her
"
Areyour
efusi
ng?
"Iaskandshecl
oseshereyes
"Thehai
r.
..
thehai
risat
tat
chedtot
hebeani
e"she
saysopeni
ngheroneeyelooki
ngatme
"Soyouwear
ingaweani
e?"Iaskl
ooki
ngatheri
n
pureconf
usi
on
"
Awea-"shel
aughsbef
oreshecoul
dsaywhatshe
want
edtosay

I
t'
sbeen1mi
nut
eandshe'
sst
il
llaughi
ngandI
'
m
sti
llwai
ti
ngf
orhert
otaket
hatabomi
nat
ionof
fher
head.

"
Xhant
i,
wowbabeyoufunny"shesayswi
pingher
t
ear
sgoingt
oherroom

Cansomeoneshar
ethej
oke?

{
Nande}

"
Liyema?
"Ishouthi
sname

Iwonderwher
ehei
s.Myl
eghasr
ecover
edi
m
wal
kingnow.

Icheckhi
sof
fi
ceandhe'
sont
hephonesoIwai
t.

"
What
?"Heasksassoonasheendst
hecal
l
"Let
'sgoout
..
please.
.I
'm bor
ed"Isayl
eani
ng
againstt
hewall
"Youl
ikeacti
nglikeachil
dNande,howaboutwe
stayi
ndoorsthenI'
llgogetyouasurpr
ise"hesays
andIsmil
e

Iknewthisdaywil
larr
ive.Iknewhe'
llcomear
ound
soon.Ibethehasalr
eadyf or
gott
enaboutt
hat
woman.

{
Zint
le}

Iheardthedoorbel
lri
ng.Ichecki
toutandi
t'
s
Jason.Iatt
ackhim wi
thahugandhehugsmeback.

"
Imissedyousomuchbabe"Isayandheki
sses
mycheekenter
ingmyapar
tment

"
Babe?
"HesaysasI
'
m busywi
thdi
nnerandIl
ook
athi
m
"
Ithi
nkweshoul
ddoi
t"hesaysandIsmi
le
"
Youmeani
t?You'
rer
eady?
"Iaskandhenods
"Yeaimeanwe'vebeentoget
herf
ormoret
han6
months,It
hinkweshoul
dgopubli
cnow"hesays
andIkisshim
"
Okay.
..
I'
l
lJustsendmygir
lsamessage,
l
et'
sst
art
t
her
eokay?"Isayandhenods
"
Weneedtostar
twit
hEnt
lesoshecansoftsoap
mybrot
herwhenyoudomeethi
m"isayandhe
l
ooksatme
"Yout
rustmeandEnt
lei
noner
oom?
"HeasksandI
nod
"Entl
eisnott
hatt
ype,
andIt
rustyou"Isayandhe
grabsmywaistpul
li
ngmetowardshim

"
Youmakemehappywoman"hesaysandki
sses
me
"
Stop,
dinnerneedsmyat
tent
ion"Isaypushi
nghi
m
awayandhechuckl
es.
"Icanalwayseatbefor
eeati
ng"hesayswi
ggl
ing
hiseyebrowsandIlaugh.

Jasonmakesmer
eal
lyhappynol
ies.

{
Mike}

Irecei
vedacal
lfr
om SAi
nfor
mingmet hatXhant
i
declar
edwarwit
hBankssoIhadtoi
nform Ent
le'
s
aunt

"Mikeareyousur
ethi
sguycanpr
otecther
?"Ent
le'
s
auntasks
"
Ibeli
evehecan,
wit
hhi
sdadonhi
ssi
dei
t'
sal
ready
awin"Isay
"
Thatol
dmani
sst
il
lal
ive?
"SheasksandInod
"
I'
veneverseensuchacal
m yetdanger
ousol
dman
t
hough"Isayandshenods
"Well
..
.j
ustbepreparedot
herwi
seBeverl
ywil
lki
llus
i
fanythinghappenstoEntl
e,
butEnt
lecan'
tbe
underesti
mated"shesaysl
aughi
ngandIshakemy
head
"
Stopi
t"Isayandshecr
acksup
"Di
dyouseehowshepanelbeatedBi
anka?Shi
tno
mynieceiscanbecrazywhenshewant
stobe"she
sayswipi
nghertear
s
"
Youspar
kedever
ythi
ngup"Isay
"Noyourwi f
eneedst obeputonal ease,
youmy
brotherbutIwoul
dn'thesit
ateki
ll
ingherifshe
provokesme,shestartedt
hismessbet weenherand
Entl
eandyouknowi t"shesaysandInod

Ihat
eitwhenshe'
swr
ongbuti
t'
str
ue.
..
[
47]

{
Minent
le}
Xhant
iisf
unny.Soonwecamet
oast
op
"
Wher
ear
ewe?
"Iaskl
ooki
ngar
ound
"Sal
on"hesaysexi
ti
ngt
hecarandcomi
ngt
omy
side
"
Oh,
youwanttogetahai
rcut
?"Iaskandhel
ooksat
mebef
orecl
osingt
hedoor
"
Wai
t.
..
Ajay"Isayandhepul
lsmet
owar
dshi
m
"LeaveAj
ay,
comel et
'sgoi
n"hesaysandIt
urn
aroundhesi
tant
ly

Weentert
hesalonandI'mi
mpr
essed.Ever
yone
l
ookedinourdi
rect
ion.
"
Xhant
iweshoul
dleave"Iwhi
sper
"Notunt
ilyouf
ixwhat
everpr
obl
em youhavewit
h
yourhai
r"hesayspul
li
ngmetowar
dsanempt y
chair
"Who'
llbedoingmywoman'
shai
r?Whom everi
tis
don'
tfuckitup"hesays
Soonagi
rlcomest
owar
dsmysect
ion
"
Whatwi
llyouhavet
oday?
"Sheaskswi
thasmi
le
"Anyt
hingt
hatshewant sbutnoweaves/
wigs,she
doesn'
tdothose"hesaysandshenodsbutlooksat
Xhanti
"
Mayihel
pYou?
"Heasksandshebl
ushes
"I
'
m sorryMrZanabutwe'dliketoknowifyouare
ablet
otakepict
ureswithus?"Shesaysholdi
ngout
herphoneandtherestofthecustomersnodthei
r
headswhil
eheshookhi sexit
ingtheshop

Ideci
dedt
otakest
rai
ghtup.
"I
'
mr eal
lysor
ryabouthi
smanner
s"It
ellmyst
yli
st
andshelooksatme
"I
t'
sokay,
atl
eastigott
omeethi
m "shesayswi
tha
smil
eandIlookather
"
Areyouguysdat
ing?
"SheasksandIshr
ug
"
Wit
hthatone?Idon'
tknow"it
rut
hful
lysayandshe
st
ops
"Youguysaredatingt
chin,
themediahasnever
seenhim wit
haf emal
ei npubli
cbef
oreneit
herhas
people"shesaysandIlookaroundandeveryonei
s
l
ookingatus...

"Atl
easti
t'
syouandnotagol
ddi
gger
"onesays
andIlookather
"Gir
lhaveyouseenyour self
?You'r
eaperfectmat
ch
forXhanti
lomzi,you'
resuccessf
ulandsoishe.I
havealotofrespectforyouandtobehonestI
fol
loweachandever ypostofyours"onesays
smili
ngandsodoi

Iwasbusyonmyphonewhenamessagef r
om
Zint
lecamethroughaski
ngifwecanhavedrinks
tomorrow.Si
ncewedon'ttal
kal
otanymoreIsent
herathumbsup.

{
Liyema}
Ididnthaveasurpri
sef
orNande.Ist
rol
ledt
hrough
themi nishopsl
ooki
ngfort
heunknownwhenI
passedal it
tl
esal
on.

IsteppedbackbecauseIsawaf amili
arf
ace.I
l
ookedt hrought
hewi ndowandIsawEntle.My
heartstar
tedbeat
ing.Ihaven'
tseenheri
nawhile.

Ideci
dedt
oentertheshop.Everyonel
ookedatme.
Whowouldn'
t?I
'm handsome,t
allandIwasdressed
l
ikeapant
ydropper.

Iwal
kupt
owher
eEnt
lewasbusywi
thherhai
r.
"Ladies"Isayandt
hehai
rgi
rll
ookedatme
extendingherhand
"
Hi"shesaysandIshakemyhead
"I
'
m her
eforMsKhoza"IsayandEnt
lel
ooksupand
smil
eswhensheseesi
t'
sme
"Li
yema,
wowwherehaveyoubeen?HowsNande"
SheasksandIsmi
legi
vingherasi
dehug
"
She'
sal
ive,
j
ustapai
nint
heass"Isaysi
tt
ingdown

Isatt
her
eunt
ilshewasdonewi
thherhai
r.

"Goodtoseeyou'
redone"amalevoi
cesays
enter
ingt
heshopandIcheck,
it
'sXhant
i

Hecomest
owar
dsEnt
leandheki
ssesherf
ora
l
ongti
me.
"MeandAjaywentcarr
aci
ngatthegamearcade"
hesaysgi
vinghert
hethebaby,
Iguesst
hat
'sher
son.

HewantstopassputIneedt
omovemyf
eetoutt
he
wayf
ir
st.Notgoi
ngtohappen
"
Canyouexcuseme"hesaysl
ooki
ngatmeandi
l
ookathi
m
"Boydon'
tmakeitl
ookl
ikeyoudon'
tseeme
becauseyouknowyoudo"hesaysandIst
andup
"
Orwhat
?"Iaskgoi
ngt
owar
dshi
m andhechuckl
es
"Justl
etmegot
hroughsot
hatmeandmyf amil
y
cangohome"hesaysemphasi
zingt
hewor
df amil
y

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thi
sboyi
sst
eppi
ngonmyt
oes.

"
Guyspl
easest
op"Ent
lesayssepar
ati
ngus
"
Xhant
ilookatme"shesaysandIl
ookdownather
"
Thi
sisn'
twort
hit
,l
et'
sjustgookay?
"Shesays
whi
lebr
ushi
ngmybear dandInod
"Onlybecauseyouaskedme,
andYou?
"Isay
pointi
ngatthatl
owlif
e
"
TrustmewhenIsayt
henexttimeIseeyouI
'
ll
makeanexampl
eoutofyou"Isayt
akingmy
womanshandandIpai
dtheshop

{
Minent
le}

Thatwasr
eal
lynotnecessar
y.Igr
abXhant
ias
soonaswear
eout si
de.
"
Areyouokay?
"Iaskandhesi
ghst
aki
ngmyhand
i
nhis
"I
'
llbeokayonceyouki
ssme,Youlookwaytoo
beauti
fult
onotcl
ingonme"hesayspull
ingmeand
andIkisshim.

Aftert
helit
tl
epi
cnicXhant
isetupf oruswesetof
f
forthegamearcade.Weenjoyedoursel
vesso
mucht hatwegothomeprettylat
e.

IwonderwhyZi
ntl
ewantstohavelunchwi
thme.
GuessI'
l
lhavet
ofindoutt
omorrow.
"Xhant
i"Isayyawni
ngandhehel
psmet
akeof
fmy
shoes
"Thankyouf
ort
oday"Isayki
ssi
nghi
scheekandhe
smiles
"
Justgetsomer
est"hesayspul
li
ngt
hecover
sover
mybodyandhekissesme.

{
MrsZana}

"Sowehaveanagreement
"Iaskt
heyoungl
adyand
shesmi
leswidel
ylooki
ngatt
hecheck
"
Wedo"shesaysexci
ted
"Sl
owyourrol
l,
Howyougoingtomakemysonfal
l
foryoui
syourprobl
em,
justgi
vemeafewweeksto
payyourl
obol
a"Isayandshesmil
esagai
n

Thi
sgi
rlwi
llbeper
fect
.Hopeshedoesn'
tmessi
tup.
[
48]
{
Minent
le}

Ial
wayswakeupearl
yonaSunday.Xhant
iisnext
tomesnor
ingqui
etl
y.Can'
tbel
ieveI
'
m dat
ingt
his
guy.

Itouchhisbeard,ki
sshim onhisli
psbef or
e
cli
mbingoutoft hebed.Iopenthecur t
ainsandI
seethecloudslookheavy,windisblowingtree
branches.Icoul
dj ustst
ayinbedwi thmynewman
thewholedaybutIgott oseewhatZi ntl
ehast osay.

Isentherat
extt
omeetmeatDr
ydock.

ImakesomemaizemealforAj
ayandXhant
i.
Whenitwasf
ini
shediwentupt
ogetmeready.
"
Whyyouupsoear
ly"Xhant
i'
ssexyMor
ningvoi
ce
mumbl
es
"Youup,
getAj
ayandgohavebr
eakf
ast
"Isay
headi
ngtothebat
hroom.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Idon'
tsmellbacon,
Iwonder
.IcheckuponAj
ayand
he'
snotinhisroom t
hat
'sodd,
wherecoul
dhebe?

Igodownstai
rsandIhearshuf
fl
ingi
ntheki
tchen.
WhenIgottothekit
chenAjaywassi
tt
ingi
nsidethe
fr
idge,
eat
ingcake.

Ir
usht
owar
dshi
m
"Buddywhywoul
dyoueatcakebef
orebr
eakf
ast
?"I
askwippi
nghi
smouthandhands
"
Mommywi
llhi
tyou"Isayput
ti
nghi
minhi
schai
r
"
Let
'sseewhatshemadesoyoucaneat
"
WhenIopenedthepotmyhear tsmil
ednol i
es.I
haven'
thadmaizemeali
nawhi l
e.I
tlookssosoft
andsmooth.It
akethebowlsetoutandIdishedup
formeandAjaywit
hbutterandsugar.

IheardEntl
ecomingourwayandIqui ckl
ysmeared
somepor r
idgeonAjaysl
ips,
faceandhandssoit
canlookli
keheate.

"
Well
I'
m of
f,
behave"shesaysandki
ssesmeand
Aj
ay.
"Youlookgood"Isaygr
abbi
ngherassandshe
swatsthem away
"
Allt
hisj
ustt
omeetmysi
ster
?"Isayl
ooki
ngather

She'sweari
ngthi
sblackjacketwit
hwhit
efuronthe
i
nside,
blueski
nnyjeans,
ti
ghhighdeni
m heelboots
andherwhitepol
oneckjersey.Toomuchsexiness.
"
Needanymoney?
"Iaskandsheshakesherhead
"Wantust
odr
opyouof
f?"Iaskandsheshakesher
head
"Yousibl
ingswi
llbeher
einaf
ewmi nutes,
bye
babe"shesayskissi
ngmebef
orel
eaving.

Mysi
bli
ngs?Theydi
dn'
ttel
lmeanyt
hingt
hought
.

ImadeaAjayabot t
lewhi
lehewaswatchingbl
uey.
Soonthedooropenedandvoi
cesfi
ll
edthewhole
house.PK,
Lunat
hi,
ThandoandSi
ya?Iwonder

Wer
eallseat
edwi
thmeatipoppedi
ntot
he
mi
crowave
"
Xwhatisthis?"PKasksrel
ievi
ngAj
aysar
m andI
makeasifididn'
thearhi
m
"Don'
ttel
lmeyouinj
ect
edmysonwi t
hat r
acker
"
Siyasaystaki
ngAj
ayandi
nspect
inghim
"
Doyouhaveanyi
deawhatEnt
lemi
ghtdot
oYou?
"
Si
yaasksandIl
ookathi
m
"Youmor eworriedaboutEnt
leki
ll
ingmebutyou
notsayinganythingaboutmeandEntle?
"Isayand
everyonelooksatus

"Whatdoyouwantmet osay?IknowEnt l
e,
andyou
guyswon'
tlast
.Noreasontofi
ghtitbecuaseshe
bel
ongstome,al
wayshasalwayswi l
lbe"hesays
wit
hasmi r
kandmybl oodboil
s

{
Minent
le}

WhenIar ri
vedattherestaur
antZi
ntl
ewasal r
eady
therewit
hamal e.WhenIgotcloserinearl
yfai
nted.
Igreet
edbef or
esitt
ing,
keepi
ngmycool .
"I
'
m gladyoucoul
dmakei
tEnt
le"Zi
ntl
esays
smil
ing
"
Let
'scutst
rai
ghtt
oit
"shesaysandmynecksnaps
"
Nono,
I
'm aboutt
ogetmeapi
nàcol
adabecauseI
canseeshi
tisaboutt
ogodown"Isaywavi
ngata
wait
er

"Sosi
nceIal
readyknowwhat'
shappeni
ng,
whatam
Iher
efor?
"Iask,
I'
m heat
ednoli
es
"Iwantyout
ovouchforus"shesaysandIl
ookat
Jason,
hehasn'
tsai
dawor d
"Vouch?Zi
ntlear
eyousur
eyouwantthi
sguy?"I
asksquint
ingmyeyesandshenodsandIshakemy
head
"
Siyaandyourbrotherarefr
iend'
s,
youthi
nkSiya
won'
ttel
lyourbrotherwhattypeofper
sonJason
i
s?"Iaskandshel ooksatJasonwithaquest
ioni
ng
l
ookwhileheglaredatme
"It
houghtIcoul
dconf
inedi
nyoubutyouj
ustbi
tt
er
andjeal
ousovermyman"shesaysandIl
augh
"
Whywoul
dIwanthi
m?"Iaskandsheshr
ugs
"Zi
ntl
e,
youyoungandambiti
ous.
..
butt
oshowyou
i
m goodwithyouguysI
'
llspeakwit
hXhant
i"Isay
andshesmiles
Somuchpl
ast
ic.Icoul
dli
ter
all
ysmel
lhermel
ti
ng.

Thewholeti
meJasonwasl ooki
ngatmest r
angel
y,
Ican'
tputanyt
hingpasthi
mthat'
sforsur
e.

Myapol
ogi
esf
ort
hel
atei
nser
tever
yone
×2i
nser
tst
omor
row
[
49]

{
Siya}

Whyshouldibewor ri
edaboutEntl
eandXhanti
?
Entl
eandIwi l
lfor
everhaveabondandthat'
s
Ajay,
consi
deri
ngthefactthatI
'
m herf
ir
stboyfr
iend
i
t'
llbehardforhertof
orgetme.

She'
l
lgett
ir
edofXhant
isoonsoI
'
m notevenmad.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

I
sthi
sguyser
ious?Iwi
llbr
eakhi
sneckser
ious.

Wewer eallst
il
lchi
ll
ingwhenIdeci
dedtocal
lEnt
le
r
ightt
here.Shepickedupimmediat
ely
"Looksl
ikesomeonemi
ssedme"Isaysmi
li
ngand
shegiggles
"
Hidaddy"shesaysandIswal
lowhar
d
"Don'
tcal
lmethat
"Isaysmi
li
ngandt
heguysl
ooks
atmeshocked
"
Youscar
eddaddy?
"
"
Areyoudr
unk?
"Iaskandshegi
ggl
es
"
Womanit'
s.
..
.12o'cl
ock"isaychecki
ngmywr
ist
wat
chandshelaughs
"Thr
oat
sdoesn'
thaveat
imesl
oth"shesaysandI
shakemyhead
"
Whatdi
dmysi
sterwant
?"Iask
"
Youl
ikenewsXhant
i"
"
Shoul
dIcomeandpi
ckyouup?
"
"No,
Laur
enjustt
extedmethatshehast
hisspa
tr
eat
mentatMagali
esforLi
yaandme"shesays
andInod

Webi
dgoodbye.

Iputmyphonedownandever
yonewasj
ustsi
lent
l
ookingatme.
"Speakorf
oreverhol
dyourpeace"Isaygi
vingAj
ay
hisnoodl
es
"
WHI
PPED!
"Mysi
bli
ngsshoutwhi
lel
aughi
ng
"
Bro,
i
sthevagi
nat
hatGood?
"Lunat
hiasksandI
l
ookathi
m
"
Remembert
heni
ghtofheropeni
ng?Thatwast
he
l
astti
meit
ast
edi
t"Isayandever
yone'
seyespop
out
"Soyoumeantotel
lme,
Youhadt hatfi
neasswi
th
youthi
swhol
etimebutyouhaven'tt
appedit
?Dam-
"
"Xhant
i.
..
Youmightwantt
oseet
his"Thandosays
cutt
ingLunat
hiof
fAndgivi
ngmehisphone

Soci
almedi
apl
atf
orm.Ther
e'sapost
*Whatdoyouguyst hink?IstheeXhant
il
omziZana
andMinentleKhozadating?Idon'
tknowaboutyou
guysbutthesepict
uresareenoughtofeedmy
suspi
cion*
Thepostsayswit
hpi
ctur
esofmeandEnt
le
toget
heri
npubli
c.

Icli
ckonthecommentsect
ionandther
ewereal
ot
ofcomment s.Somemademelaugh,
somesaidt
hey
thoughtIwasgay.
*
Ithoughthewasgaybutf
inal
lyshem*
*
WhataboutSi
ya?
*
*
bot
hAr
esuccessf
ullandgr
own*
*
NotourhandsomeXhant
i*
*
Whyi
sMsKhozat
aki
ngever
yone'
smen?
*

Istoppedscr
oll
ingandIsighedgivi
ngThandohis
phone.Befor
ehet ooki
ttherewasanincomingcal
l
fr
om thenameLi yaandhesnatchedhisphone.

{
Minent
le}

Il
eftZint
leandhercr
azyuptonogoodfornot
hing
boyfr
iendassoonasLaurencal
ledme.
WhenImett hem i
nfr
ontoft
heshopLiyawas
al
readyther
e.Mygirl
swerelooki
ngsexyi
nthi
s
weathernoli
es.
Whenweent
eredt
hespat
heat
mospher
echanged.
"
Imi
ssedyouguys"Isayhuggi
ngt
hem agai
n
"Don'
t
, Xhant
i'
sdickist
oogoodf orusnow"Liya
saysandLaurenlooksathershockedandLiya
nodstakingoffhi
sfurcoat
"
It
'sr
eal
lywar
minsi
de"Isayt
aki
ngof
fmyboot
s

"
Laur
enwhatdoyouhaveplannedforus"Iaskwi
th
asmi
leandsheshowsherwhitet
eeth
"Ladi
es,
todayyou'
l
lgetever
ythi
ng.For1ni
ght
"she
saysandIshakemyhead
"Xhantiwi
llki
llme"IsayandLaur
enhandsus
glassesofchampagne
"
Letmecal
lmymanguys"Li
yasaysgoi
ngout
side
"
Man?
"MeandLaur
enasks

{
Liya}

Mymani scall
ingguys.Ican'
tanswert
hecal
l
i
nfr
ontofthosebusybodies.
"
Sthandwa"Isaybl
ushi
ng
"
Youal
mostbust
edme"hesaysandIsmi
le
"
Idon'tknowwhyyoukeepi
ngt
hisasecr
et"Isay
r
oll
ingmyeyes
"What
ever
,whatareY'
allupt
o,Ihear
dyouguysar
e
goi
ngtoaspat hi
ng"hesaysandInod
"
Yea,
forawhol
eni
ght
"Isayandhel
aughs
"Doesmybrot
herknow?"Heasks,
Ikeepqui
etand
hebustsi
ntol
aughter
"Goodl
uckforst
ayi
ngatal odgefor1ni
ght
"hesays
droppi
ngthecal
lwhil
elaughing

Whati
shappeni
ng?
[
50]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thandocamebackwi
thl
aught
er.Al
lofusl
ookedat
hi
m buthewoul
dn'
tshar
ethej
oke.

It
'sget
ti
ngl
ateandEnt
lei
sst
il
lnotback.Noonei
s
answeri
ngmycall
s.

{
Minent
le}

Thisi
ssof r
eaki
ngamazing.Themassages,
the
Jacuzzi
s,t
hewineandfoodgoodlor
d.Icoul
dst ay
herefor
ever
.

"It
hinki
t'
sti
met
ocheckourphones"Laur
ensays
andwenod

Noti
fi
cat
ionscamefloodingthr
ough.Voicemai
ls
andmissedcal
ls.Al
lfrom Xhant
iandSiya.
"Youdi
dtel
lXhant
iwher
eyouar
eri
gh?
"Laur
en
saysandInod
"Di
dyousayunti
lwhen?"SheasksandIbendmy
headsi
dewaysandtheybursti
ntol
aught
er

I
mindeepshi
t.
.

{
Zint
le}

JasonandIwerewat chi
ngmovieswhenacal
l
camethrough,
Icheckedanditwashi
smom sohe
tookhi
sphone.Heanswer edit
"
Okay,
yea.
..
I'
l
lber
ightt
her
e"hesaysaf
terawhi
le
"
Babe"hesaysandInod
"I
t'
sokay,
Icandr
opyouof
f"Isayt
aki
ngt
hecar
keys

Iki
ssedhim goodni
ghtandIwenthome.Ihopehi
s
mom isokay..
{
Jason}

Iwatchherdri
veof
f.Thatwaswayt
ooeasy.I
cal
ledJazl
in.
"Yeai
m atmyhouse,
shedr
oppedmeof
fjustnow"I
sayandshegi
ggles
"
Sonaï
ve,
I
'l
lber
ightt
her
e,il
oveyou"shesays
"
Iloveyout
oo"Isaycut
ti
ngt
hecal
l.

Whywouldmymot hercallmeatt
hist
imeofthe
ni
ght
?IhadtosaveJazlin'
snumberasmymoms
number
,t
hiswayIcanspeaktoherwhenever
.

Zint
lereal
lyboresmenow.Shewant sust ospend
ti
met oget
herever yday.Nothat'ssuff
ocati
ngand
soisherstinkysmel l
yvaginal.Jazl
inandIalways
makef unofthat,nottomentionhernevershaved
vagi
na.Nogi rlshouldbesol azydownt her
e.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ent l
ecan'tjustswit
chof
fherphone.Icheckedher
trackerinherjelwer
yanditshowsshe'satthespa
thing.Itsayslodgespawhatwhat.Lodge?You
sleepatt hosemos.

"Thando!"Ishoutandthewhol
ehousegoes
quiet
,eventhesleepi
ngAjaywokeupwit
hhisbr
ight
eyes
"
Youknewdi
dn'
tYou?
"Isayandhel
ooksar
ound
"Kodwathatwant
smyplacetosayXhant
i"hesays
picki
ngupaglassofwhi
skyanddri
nksit
"Whyareyoudr
inki
ngmyst
uff
"PKaskst
aki
ngt
he
glassaway
"Oeeps,
l
ooksli
keIgottogetoneforme.
..
wouldYou
l
ookatthat,
Idon'
thaveaglass,
canyoubel
ievei
t?
Letmegogetmeone"hesaysr unni
ngt
othe
kit
chenandIfol
lowhim
"
Youdon'
tgeti
tThandoJesus,
Ent
lecan'
tbeouton
herownf
ornow.Bankswi
llf
indher
"Isay
"
Banks?
"PKasksbehi
ndme
"Banksi
sherebutIdon'
tknowabouti
t.
..
doesdad
know?"HeasksandInodmyhead
"
Xhant
iI'
m so-
"
"
Savei
t"isayl
eavi
nghi
mint
heki
tchen.

PKandiqui ckl
ydri
vet ot hespashop.Hercaris
here.Ever
ythi
ngissti
llinside.Icheckunder
neath
forabombandIseenot hing.
"
Clear
?"PkasksandInod

It
'squi
et.Wetookoutourguns,l
ower
editand
openedthedoor.I
twaslockedsowebrokeit
.
Whenwegoti nsi
detherewasnooneatthefr
ont.
Desklookedmessy.Wewentupstai
rs,
the
separ
ationl
ookedold,
thoseChi
nesepaperst
uff
.
Therewerefiguresinallthesesatthefrontfaci
ng
totheback,wehear dscr eamsandwehur ri
edto
theback.Therewer ethreepeople,oneinthemi ddl
e
wasEntlebecauseofherponyt ai
l,
shewasbei ng
chokedfrom thefrontandbackbyt heothertwo.

IsawredandIdri
vedst r
aightt
houghtt
hedi
veder
andtackl
edt
hem alldown.Mor escr
eamser
upted
andtheywer
eallf
emal e.

Iquickyst
andupandIseeLi
ya,Ent
leandanother
whitefemal
eonthegr
oundscreamingcl
osingthei
r
eyes.

Iqui
ckl
yranoutandIcameback
"
Ent
le,
areyouokay!
?"Ishoutpi
cki
ngherup.

Iseeoutoft hecornerofmyeyePKl ooki

ngatme
l
ikeim crazy,
helooksli
kehe'sabouttoerupti
nto
l
aughter.Itoofeell
ikelaughi
ngbutther
e'snoI'
ll
makeaf
ooloutofmysel
f.

"
OhmyGodXhant
i!
"Ent
lescr
eamshuggi
ngme
"
Whathappened?
"Iask
"Someonecameflyi
ngthr
oughthedivi
derand
threwusonthegr
ound,hegotawayjustbefor
eyou
came"shesaysholdi
ngontometightl
yandIshush
her
"
Pkgocheckoutt
hebui
ldi
ng"isayandhef
rowns
"
Niggayou-
"
"Okaylet
'sbot
hgo,
youguysst
ayher
e"IsayandI
pullPKaway.

Whenwegotdownst
air
shegaveabi
gassl
aughi
ng
outl
oud
"
Laughmydickoffmybody,
brodidyoujustdo
t
hat?
"Hesayscrouchi
ngandIlaughtoo
"
Thi
sneverhappened"Isayaswegobackup.
{
Minent
le}

WhenwegothomeXhant
imademesomesugar
wat
er.Aj
aysl
epti
nthemi
ddl
eofus.

Befor
eIsl
ept,
anot
if
icat
ioncamet
hroughf
rom an
unknownnumber
*Youl
ookevenmor
ebeaut
if
ult
hanbef
oreMs
Khoza *
ThetextsaysandIdel
etei
tandswi
tchof
fmy
phone.
[
51]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

For
geti
t.I'
m goi
ngtot
hegr
avewit
hthi
sone.
I
maginetel
li
ngEntl
eIt
oni
ghtshewasbei
ngki
ll
ed
andIwastheonewhor
uinedt
hei
rni
ghtbyj
umpi
ng
thr
oughadivi
der
.

I
t'
sMondayandbot
hofusar
eget
ti
ngr
eadyf
or
work.
"Doesthi
smeanyoumovinginwithme?
"Iask
pressi
ngmysel
fagai
nstherbehi
ndandshegi
ggl
es
"Maybemaybenot
"shesaysbr
ushi
nghert
eet
hand
Iki
sshercheek

"Her
e'syourl
unch"shesaysput
ti
ngitont
he
count
erandInodf i
nishi
ngmycoff
ee

Icheckmywat
chandt
imei
srunni
ng
"BabeIgott
ogo"IsayandIgi
veheraFr
enchki
ss
andIkissAj
aygoodbyebef
orel
eavi
ng

Thi
sishowIwantt
ost
artmydayever
yday.Onl
y
wit
hher.
{
Minent
le}

IcheckmyphoneandIseeLi yapost
edpictur
esof
us.Lookingal
lki
ndsofsexyandbeauti
fuli
nthe
whiterobesandbi
kini
s.

Iwassti
llscr
oll
ingwhenat extf
rom anunknown
numbercamet hroughagai
n
*goodmor ni
ngMsKhoza,
Imi
ssseei
ngyourper
fect
smile,
enj
oyyourday*

Il
ookatt
het
ext
.Whoi
sthi
s?

IwasabouttoleavewhenIsawt hatXhantif
orgot
hisl
unchbox.Thatguy.It
ookitwit
hme, l
ookslike
I'
m payi
nghiscompanyavi si
t.
Idroppedmybabyoff
.He'sreal
lygr
owingnol
ies.
Hedoesn'tcr
yanymore.Hehashisfat
her'
sbi
g
head.

Atwor
keveryonei
sal
readyt
her
e.Li
yaandZi
ntl
e
wentt
ogetuscoff
eesoIwasal
one.
Awhitewomanenteredt
heshop.Shelookedclassy
nol
ies.Shel
ookedli
keshe'
sinherear
ly30's.

Shelookedaround,t
ouchedeveryfabr
icand
cl
othi
ng.I'
m busywi t
hpapersbutIcanseeher
st
andingsti
lll
ookinginmydirecti
on.

"
Wel
lthi
sisnowayt
otr
eatacust
omer
"shesays
"Asaworkerhereyoushoul
d'vecametome"she
saysandIsighstandi
ngupgoingtoher
"Foradeskworkeryou'
rewear
ingovert
het
op"she
sayslooki
ngupanddown
"
Yourj
elwer
y"shesaysshockedl
ooki
ngatmy
neckl
aceandear
ings
"Howmuchf
ort
hem?
"Shesaysscr
atchi
ngt
hrough
herbag
"
Theyar
enotf
orsal
ema'
am"Isayandshel
ooksat
me
"
Don'
tberi
diculous,I
'm sur
eyoudon'tevenknow
t
hewort
hoft hoseblackdiamonds"shesays
l
ooki
ngatmeandi chuckle
"Tr
ustmema' am iknowtheworthofitandIsur
e
ashe'
llyoucan'
taffor
dthem nei
theri
ndoll
arsnor
i
nrands"Isayandshet ur
nsred
"
Iwantt
ospeakt
oyourboss"shesaysandIsi
gh

"
Iam t
heboss"Isayandshel
aughs
"
You?Aboss?Wher e'
sthatbeaut
if
ulwhit
elady
whom Isawexi
ti
ngwithagenderconfused
i
mbecil
e?"SheasksandIli
ftmyeyebrow
"Theywenttogetmesomecoffeeandthatgender
confusedi
mbecil
eismyfr
iend"Isayt
akingastep
towardsher
"
Wher
eIcomef
rom,
yourpeopl
e-"
"I
'
m afrai
dyougoingtohavetoleavemyshop,
thi
s
i
sMK' sforMi
nentleKhoza.I
fyouwanttoberaci
st
doitsomewhereelse.
"Isayopeningt
hedoor
"Anddon'
tevent
hinkaboutcomi
ngbackbecause
youarebannedf
rom ent
eri
ngthi
sshop"Isayand
hernosetur
nedr
ed

Shestor
medoutoft
heshop.Goshdowest
il
lhave
peopl
eli
keher
?Wedon'tneedt
hat.

LiyaandLaurencamebackandIt
oldt
hem about
theinci
dent
.

Whenluncht
imestr
uckIgotupandIdr
oveof
fto
Xhant
i'
scompany.

Thesamegi
rlatt
hef
ront
.Shesmi
ledwhenshe
sawme.
"Goodaft
ernoonma'
am,Youcanwai
ther
eI'
l
lcal
lMr
Zana"shesaysandInod
"
Hesaysyoucancomet
hrough"shesaysandI
l
ookather
"
Ohmybad...
Lucas!
"Sheshout
sandat
allguy
t
urnedar
ound
"Canyoupl
easeescor
tMsKhozat
otheboss'
s
offi
ce?
"Sheasksandhenods

Intheelevat
ornoonesai
dawor d.Icheckthebag
toseeifthelunchi
sst
il
lokay.Ar
omaf il
ledthe
glassbox
"Wow,Ihaven'
tsmell
edsomethi
ngt
hatGoodi
n
year
s"hesayslooki
ngatthebag
"
Thankyou"Isay
"Youcanmakemoneyhere,Asyoucanseewedon'
t
haveacaf
eter
ia"hesaysandIlookathi
m
"Bossisself
ishnoli
es,
Ial
sowantt
oeatl
iket
his
everyday"hesaysandIchuckl
e
"
Ther
ewasonedaythatyoust
oppedbr
ingi
ng
f
ood,
why?
"Heasks
"
You'
ret
hesecondfemaletoent
erhi
sof
fi
ce,
second
i
nawhil
e..
.year
stobespeci
fi
c"

Whyi
shesochat
tyandbusy?

Theelevatoropenedandweenteredt
hisbeaut
if
ul
off
ice.Greyandwhiteever
ywhere.

He'sl
ooki
ngthr
oughhi
sbi
ggl
asswi
ndow,
ori
sit
consi
derasawall
?

"ThankyouLucasyoumayleave"hesayswi
thhi
s
backsti
llonusandLucasl
eaves

I
t'
ssoqui
etIcanhearmysel
fbr
eat
hing.
"
Rel
axmama"hesayst
urni
ngar
oundandIdo
"I
'
m starving,
Idon'
tknowwhyIfor
gotmylunch"he
sayssit
tingdownandIgivehi
m hisl
unch.

Heaskedmet
osi
tandeatwi
thhi
m
"
Youqui
et"hesaysandIsmi
le
"Wantt
otal
kabouti
t?"HeasksandIl
ookathi
m,I
sigh
"I
thi
tmethatIknownot
hingaboutyou"Isayand
hesi
ghs
"Ihadafeel
ingLucassai
dsomet
hing?
"Hesays
andIjustst
areathim
"Xhant
iidon'
thavetodr agever
ythi
ngoutofYou,
mysoni sgett
ingusedtoyoubutIknownot hi
ng
aboutyou.Youknowever yt
hingaboutme,
doesn'
t
thatl
ookabitunfai
r?"Iaskandhesighs

"I
t'
scal
ledt
hepastf
orar
easonpl
easedr
opi
t"he
saysst
andi
ngup
"Why?Whycan'tyouj
ustopenuptomeXhant i
?
Youneedtoopenuptomesowecanhaveagood
rel
ati
onshi
pandunderst
and"Isayandheshakes
hishead
"Wegood,whyfi
xsomet
hingt
hat
'snotbr
oken?
"He
asksget
ti
ngfir
edup
"WhatdoyouwantEntle?Money?Takemycar
d
andgospoilyour
sel
f"hesaysgivi
ngmehisbl
ack
car
d

"Iwantyoutoopenuptome,I
sthatsohard?What
's
theworstt
hatcanhappen?Iwon'
tjudgeYou,
what
areyousoafrai
dof!
?"Ishout
"ENTLE!STOP!"Heshout
sandhegr
absmyar
ms
shaki
ngmegi vingmeafri
ght

Hel
et'
sgoofmeandIt
akeast
epback.
"Ent
leI
'
m so-
"Il
iftmyhandupcut
ti
nghi
m of
fAndi
spri
ntt
otheel
evator
Ipushthebut
tonandi
tcl
osesbef
oreher
eached
thedoor.

What
'sgot
teni
ntohi
m?

Ir
anpastt
hefr
ontdeskwit
hther
ecept
ioni
stcal
li
ng
meandXhant
ical
li
ngtoo.

Heneedst
ogethi
sactr
ight
.I'
mtoogr
ownf
ort
his.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Whatdi
dIj
ustdo?Ical
lLucas
"
Sir
?"
"You'
ref
ir
ed"Isaypassi
nghi
m bumpi
nghi
s
shoul
derint
heprocess
"
Whatdi
dIdo?
"Heasksr
unni
ngaf
terme
"
Whywoul
dyoudi
scussmypastr
elat
ionshi
pswi
th
Ent
le?
"Iaskandhel
ooksatmewei
rd
"Iwor
kedforyouformorethan5years,
Idi
dn'
tthi
nk
i
t'saprobl
em,pl
usit
'sgoodthatyou'
removi
ngon"
hesaysandInearl
ypunchedhim
"
Leavet
hisbui
ldi
ngnow"Isayl
eavi
nghi
mther
e

Ineedt
ospeakwi
thEnt
le.
[
52]

{
Jason}

AllIneedi
saconver
sati
onwithEntl
eonthephone.
Sendingmessagesf
rom anunknownnumberwon't
work.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ideci
dedt
ogooutf
oradr
ink.Br
unoi
scl
oseso
not
hingwi
llhappen.Ij
ustneedt
ocl
earmymi
nda
bi
t.

Onedr
inkt
urnedi
ntopl
ent
y.
"Si
rIthi
nki
t'
stimetoGo"hesayspul
li
ngmeupand
Iyankmyarm outofhi
shands
"Ni
ghti
ssti
llyoung!
"IshoutasIwi
nkataf
ewgi
rl
s
acr
ossus
"SirIdon'
tthi
nkma'
am woul
dli
ket
his"hesaysand
Ilaugh
"Shedoesn'
tcar
eaboutusBr uno,
Ithi
nkit
'sti
meto
l
ookforsomeoneelse"Isayandagirlwi
thafatass
comestositonmylapandBr unoshakeshishead

Wewe'resti
lldr
inki
ngwhent
hisgi
rlwant
edt
oki
ss
me.Ipul
ledhercloser
"Kumnandiaphamos"avoi
cesaysandIpushthe
gir
l,
hardenoughf
orhert
olosebal
anceandfal
lof
f
thechair
Isoberupimmediatel
y.Theresheis,
doekonher
head,
shortpj
sandasl i
kgownwi ththosebig
morningshoes,
armscrossedandt helookonher
facei
sreadytoskinmeal i
ve.
"Don'
tstoponmyaccount,
inf
actl
et'
sal
ldr
ink"Ent
le
sayssit
tingdownandIst
opher
"YeywenaXhant
idon'
tyoudar
etouchme!
"She
saysgi
vingmeafri
ght

Shepoi
ntsatme
"Xhant
il
omzi.
..
"shesayslaughi
ngandi
naspl
it
secondthesmil
edisappear
ed
"Youbett
ergetthehel
loutofthi
sclubri
ghtnow
other
wiseyou'
llknowmet oni
ght"shesaysl
eavi
ng
andBrunofoll
ows

Idon'
twantmor
etr
oubl
esoIf
oll
owedt
oo.
SoBr
unof
etchedEnt
le?Judas.

Thewholedri
vetoEntle'
shomeshewaslaughi
ng
i
ndisbel
ief
.Idi
dn'tcommentbecauseI
'
mt oo
scar
edtoevenbreathe.

"Bett
erwashthatal
coholoutofyoursyst
em orI
'
ll
hiti
toutofyoumyself
"shesaysopeningthe
bathroom f
orme
"I
'
llbri
ngyousomethi
ngtowear
"shesays
disappear
ingi
ntot
hekit
chen

Icheckt
het
imeandi
t'
s2am.Jesus.

Iseet
here'
sabathr
obe.Iweari
tandhonestl
yI
don'
tseemysel
fwalki
ngaroundli
ket
his.I
'
m agiant
.

"
Youbett
ergetyourassoutt
hatbat
hroom Xhant
iI
wantt
osleep"shesaysandIpul
lmyface
"
Youbetternotbepul
li
ngaface"shesaysandI
l
ookaroundchecki
ngforcamerasandIhearher
l
augh

WhenIgott
otheki
tcheni
tsmel
ledgoodandwar
m.
"Iheat
edupsomehomemadebr eadwithbutt
erfor
you,here'
slef
toverbr
iyani.Wat
erjustboil
edtoo.
Goodnight.
"ShesayspassingmeandIst opher
"St
ayandeatwi
thme"Isaywi
thal
owvoi
cel
ooki
ng
downather
"
Wil
lyouopenupt
oMe?
"SheaskandIsi
gh.
.Iknew
i
t

Shewal
ksawayandIcl
enchmyj
aws
"Okayfine.
..
.I
'l
l.
..
wecantalk"Isaywi
thaheavy
heartandshegi vesaf
aintsmile

{
MrsZana}
"
Oki
t'
sopen"Isayt
othegi
rlandshesmi
les

Xhantir
eall
yhasabeaut i
fulhouse.Ipaidal
otof
moneyf ort
hisgir
l.Shebett
erdoherj obcorr
ect
ly
ot
herwiseXhantiwilldoworsethanhedi dwi
th
Mavis.

Wepl
aceherbagsi
nthemai
nbedr
oom.

Nowt oputmypar toft

heplani
nmot ion.Thi
shas
towork.Xhant
imaynotl i
kemebutI '
m hismother
.
Whowoul dn'
tfeel
sorryforamotherwho's
all
egedl
yabouttodieofcancer
?

Hewouldn'thaveachoi
cebutt
of or
fi
llmysocal
led
l
astwishes.Goodbyemissper
fectgoodi
eshoes
Ent
le.

{
Ayanda}
Pregnancyisn'
tforever
yone.Iwoul
d'vef
eltmuch
bett
erift
hiswasSi ya'
schil
d.Iwasreadi
ngthr
ough
therumorsofEnt l
eandXhantiwhenmyphone
rang,
itwasVuyoIanswer ed
"
Whatdoyouwant
"iaskannoyed
"Youbet
terchanget
hattoneyouhaveorSi
yawi l
l
knowyourli
ttl
esecr
et"hesaysandmyheartbeats
"Iwantyout
osleepoverforaweekend,
Imi
sst
hat
vagi
naofyours"hesaysandmyeyesgetwet
"Youcan'
texpectt
hatf
rom Me,
howwi
llIt
ellSi
ya?
"I
ask
"Thesamewayyout ellhi
m whenyouvisi
thome
butsuckyourdadsdickinst
ead"hesays
"
Yougot3days"

Whatam Igoi
ngt
odo?Iknewt
ell
ingVuyowasa
badi
dea.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

She'
slooki
ngatmewai
ti
ngt
ospeak.
"
Remembert
heguybanks?
"Iaskandshenods
"He'
swasmybr
otherI
nlaw"Isayandhereyespop
out
"Hi
ssist
erwasengagedtoMe, Il
ovedherno
l
ies.
..
weweresti
llyoungandinl
ove.
..
moreli
keIwas
youngandinl
ove"Isaywithaheavysigh

"Shebetr
ayedmef orherfamily.
..
Shechosef
amil
y
overMe,us.
..di
dyouseemydadusi ngacane?
ThatwasallherdoingssoIhadt osendamessage
toherfamil
y"IsayandEnt l
elooksatme

GodIhopeyouhel
pmet
oni
ght
.
"Soi
..
.Iar
rangedt
oki
dnapher
"Isaycl
osi
ngmy
eye'
s
"
And-andIgotmentosexual
lyabuseher
"Isay
wit
habreaki
ngvoi
ce
"Icanstil
lhearhercri
esEntl
e..
.notonl
ythatcan
youbelievethatshewaspregnantwithmybaby? "I
saylaughingwithtear
srunni
ng
"Af
tertheyweredone,It
ookherf
arf
rom her
eandI
shotherdead"IsayandbynowEntl
ehasletgoof
myhands

{
Minent
le}

I
'
m speechl
ess.DoIj
udgehi
m basedonhi
spast
?

Heinit
iat
edt
hewholet
hing.Ineverhadaprobl
em
whenmyuncleandauntdidallt
hosekil
li
ngsin
Bel
gium.Am Ibei
ngahypocri
teNow?
Whati
fhecanki
llmei
nmysl
eep?

Ist
andupandIheadtot
heki
tchent
odr
ink
somet
hingcol
d.Thi
sist
oomuch.
"Ent
lepl
easet
alkt
ome"hesaysbehi
ndmeandI
getafri
ght

Icanseet
hehur
tonhi
sface.
"Youscar
edofmenow?
"HeasksandIshakemy
head
"Letmeputyout
obed"Isayl
eadi
nghi
mtot
he
sparebedr
oom
"
Spar
e?"HeasksandInod

Iwentt
osleepwi
thal
ockedbedr
oom door
.It
ook
Ajaywi
thme.

Ihear
daf
aintknockonmydoorandIhear
ditwas
Xhanti
.Ikeptqui
et.Hi
sfootstepsdisappear
ed,
they
cameback.Isawhi sshadowatt hedoortheenti
re
ti
me,Il
ookedatitunti
lIf
ellasleepagain.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

I
nThemor ni
ngIwokeupandIgotreadyf
orwork.
WhenIopenedmydoorXhant
ifel
lonhisbacki
nto
myroom andhegr
oaned
"
Areyouokay?
ohmywor d.
..
whatar
eyoudoi
ngat
mydoor?
"Iaskhel
pinghi
m up
"
Isl
epther
e"hesaysandIf
rown
"
Youalightsl
eeperIknowyouheardmeknocksoI
f
igur
edyoudidn'twanttoopensoImadeabed
i
nfor
m ofyourdoor"hesaysrubbi
nghi
sneck

Nowif
eelr
eal
lybad.

"
Areyouwor
kingt
oday?
"Iaskandheshakeshi
s
head
"
Ifeell
ikeshi
t"hesaysandInod
"
OkayI'
l
ljustdropAjayof
fatt
hecr
echeandI
'
llgo
t
owork"Isaytakingmymug
"Can'
tAj
aystaywi
thmefort
heday?Imeanwecan
gooutandhavesomef
unan-"
"Ajaycan'
tkeeponski
ppi
ngschool
"Isayandhe
sighs

"Entl
eyouwantedmet oopenupandIdi d..
.Now
Youavoidi
ngme.Youj udgemebasedonmypast
butyoudon'tj
udgeyourfam foral
lthevi
lethi
ngs
theydosotheycankeept hei
rri
ches"hesays
standi
ngupgoingtothebackyard.

Ideci
dedt
oleaveAj
ayhomewi
thXhant
i.

WhenIl
ockedt
heshopaf
terwor
kBr
unowas
wai
ti
ngforme.
"Woul
dyouli
ket
ogosomewher
ema'
am?
"Heasks
andIt
hinkf
orasecond
"
Iwantbi
lt
ong,
l
otsofi
t"Isayandhenods
"
Andawhol
epackoff
ranksausages"Isaysmi
li
ng
"
Onl
y1"hesaysandIl
augh

Imanagedt
oget3atl
east
,butBr
unoat
e2oft
hem.
Heowesme.

Whenweent er
edthehouseitwasdimmed.Xhant
i
wasstandi
ngtherel
ooki
nghandsomeandAj ay
wi
thabowt ienextt
othebeauti
fult
abelt
hatwas
ni
cel
ysetwithfoodanddri
nks.

"
What
'st
his?
"Iaskput
ti
ngmybagaway
"Thi
sismywaytoapol
ogi
sef
ormybehavi
our
"he
sayscomi
ngtowar
dsme
"Idon'
texpectyout
ojustfor
getwhatIt
oldYou,
I
j
ustdon'twantyoutocruci
fymeformypast"he
saysleani
nginandIsigh
"YeaandIt
ooapologi
zeforact
ingoutt
hismorni
ng
i
t'sj
ustwi
thwhathappenedtom-"heshushesme
andInod

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Whent heweekendcamemeandXhantiwentt
ohi
s
house.Heunlockedt
hedoorbuti
twasopen
al
ready.

Whenheopenedt
hedooragi
rlcamer
unni
ngdown.

Shesmi
ledwhenshesawXhant
i
"
Mntungwa"shesayshuggi
nghi
m andhel
ookedat
mewithaconfusedl
ook.
[
53]
{
Minent
le}

Whatthehel
list
his?Xhant
ibenddowntoshake
herof
fAndshefellhar
donherbigass.

"
Mybad"shesaysandIl
ookather
"
Whoar
eyou"Iaskandshesmi
les
"I
'
m Xhant
il
omzi
'
swi
fe"shesaysandIl
ookat
Xhant
i
"
Xhant
i?"Isaywi
thawar
ningt
one
"Don'
tlookatmeIdon'
tknowthisgir
l"hesays
goingupstai
rswi
thmybagsleavingmewi t
hthis
gir
l

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Iaskedwi
thf
oldedar
ms
"Hismom pai
dlobol
aformeandshet
oldmet
o
stayher
e"shesays
Hi
smom?Ishoul
d'veknown.Whati
sherpr
obl
em
wi
thme?

Wewerest
il
lst
andi
ngwhencl
othesgott
hrownof
f
t
hest
air
s.
"Thi
sismeandmywoman' sroom,don'
tget
disr
espect
fulwi
thme"hesaysfr
om thetop.

Sohismom evenmadehermovei
ntoXhant
i'
s
bedr
oom?
"Ent
lecanyoupl
easechangeourbeddi
ng"hesays
bri
ngingdowncushi
onandbedding.

Hewenttothefi
replaceandhebur
nedthesheet
s
andever
ythi
ng.Idi
dasIwast ol
dandIchangedthe
beddi
ng
"I
'
llcal
lthecl
eaningcompanyt
ocomeher
e"he
sayslooki
ngatthisgi
rl
"Why?Yourmom tol
dmeyouhavemai dshere,
I
haven'
tseenanyoft
hem whi
leIwashere"saysthe
gir
lcocky
"Tocl
eaneverygerm youlef
tinever
ycornerandon
ever
ygl asswi
ndow,Iletmypeoplegoonleave"
Xhantisays
"I
sthatwhyt
hekitchenlooksliket
his?Becuaseyou
expect
edmaidstocleanafteryou?"Isaythr
owing
Ajayst
hrowonthecouchsohecanl aydown

Il
ookatXhant
iandhenodst
akingouthi
sphone
andhedi
sappear
sint
ohisst
udy.

Ideci
dedt
ogocleant
hekit
chen.Ihat
eadi
rt
y
ki
tchenwi
thal
lmyheart

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
Thisisabsur
dwhywoul
dmymom payl obolaf
or
anotherwomanonmybehal
f?IhaveEnt
lefor
cryi
ngoutloud.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lmymom t
ohearwhat
'sgoi
ngon.
Sheanswer
edont
hef
ort
hri
ng
"
Hel
lo"shegr
eet
swi
thasl
ightcough
"
Mom what'
sthi
s?"IaskandIknowsheknows
whatI
'
m aski
ngabout
"Please.
..
Xha-Xhant
i.
..
Iknowihavnetbeenthebest
mom Butpl easebarewit
hme"sheheavilysaysand
Ilookatmyphone

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskandshesni
ff
s
"I
-I'
vebeendiagnosedwithbreastcancerafew
monthsago,Ihadtost ar
tchemobuti fidi
dyour
dadwould'
veknownandt hiswould'
vebrokehi
s
heart
"shesaysandIf eelherpai
n
"
Wecanst
il
lgof
ort
reat
mentMa-
"
"I
t'
stoolat
eXhant
i"shesayswi
thabr
eaki
ngvoi
ce
andIsigh
"Whataboutt
hisgi
rl
?Theoneyoupai
dlobol
afor
"I
say
"Shecomesf r
om agoodfamilyi
ntheEasternCape,
mydyi ngwi shisf
orhertobecomeyourwife,she
hastol i
vetheresoyouguyscanfallf
orone
anotherpleaseXhanti
"shesaysandIlaugh

"MaIhaveEnt
le,
andshewon'
tli
ket
his"Ihonest
ly
say
"Entl
ecanbeyourfi
rstwi
feandAsemahleyour
second.
..
pleasedoi
tformeXhant
i"shebegsandI
closemyeyes
"
Itwon'
tworkMa,butshecanst
ayher
eandshehas
t
ostayoutofEnt
le'
sway"Isay
"
That'
sallIwantmyson,t
hankyousomuch,at
l
easticandiewit
hahappyheart
"shesays
"
Don'
tsayt
hat
,we'
l
lgett
hrought
hist
oget
herMa"
Wetalkedforawhil
eandheendedthecallsayi
ng
sheneedstorest
.HowdidImissthi
s?Mymom
bei
ngsick?Howcanshekeepthisfr
om thefamily?

Howwi l
lIt
ellEnt
leaboutt
hisAsest ayi
nginour
house?Thi
si smessedup.Ifeell
iketheel
dest
brot
her.

{
Minent
le}

Thisgi
rlwassi
tt
ingi
ntheloungewatchi
ngreal
it
y
showsandIwasbusypickinguphershoes.

Xhant
icamedownl
ooki
ngdi
str
aught
.
"So?"Iaskandhegoestot
hegir
landgr
absherby
herarmt aki
nghert
ohisst
udy.
Iwait
edoutsi
det
hedoor.Af
terawhi
leshecame
outcr
yinggoi
ngupst
air
s.
"
And?
"Iaskedhi
m
"
Iki
ckedherout
"hesaysembr
aci
ngme
"Whywouldyourmom payl
obol
aforher
?Iaskand
hecl
enchedhisyaw
"
There'
ssomethingwrongwi
thher
,Iapol
ogi
zef
or
t
hisbabe"hesaysandInod

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ihatethefactt
hatIli
edtoEnt
le.Ihopeshe'
l
l
understandwhenItel
lhert
hetruth.
.
[
54]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thi
sgi
rli
sst
ressi
ngt
hehel
loutofmenol
ies.I
t'
s
beenaweekofherl
ivi
ngher
eandIf
eell
ikeasl
ave
i
nmyownhouse.

"AseIcan'
tkeeponcal
lingt
hecleaningcompanyto
cleanmyhouse,whyar
eyouher ei
fyoudon'tdo
yoursocal
ledduti
eswivesaresuposetodo?"Iask
herandshelaughs
"I
'
m notgoingtodot hem untilwear elegall
ywi
fe
andhusband,andyoucan'tdoanyt hi
ngaboutit
other
wiseI'
llt
ellyourpr
eciousMsKhozat hatI
'
ve
beenstayi
ngher eandyoudi dn'tchasemeawayat
al
l"Shesaysstandingupandwal ki
nginmy
dir
ecti
onshakingherwaistlef tandright.

Shet
ouchesmychestwhi
lel
ooki
ngatme
"AndI
'm sur
eyoudon'twantherfi
ndi
ngoutabout
ushuh"shesof
lysaysstandingonhert
oesi
nches
awayfr
om mylipssi
nceiml ooki
ngdownonher.

{
Minent
le}
Thisweekhasbeenhect i
c,Ihadthi
scrazyri
chlady
comi ngoutofnowher ewantingustodesign10
bridesmaidsdresses.Theonlyti
meIseehi mis
dur i
nglunchatworkandhechecksuponmeever y
nightfordinner
.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lXhant
iImi
sshi
m
"
Hi.
.babe"hesaysaf
terawhi
le
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"Iaskandhe'
squi
et
"
Xhant
i?"Isay
"
I'
m her
-"t
hel
ineget
scutbef
orehecoul
dfi
nish

Iwant
edtoaskhi
mi ficansl
eepover
.WhymustI
ask?I
'
m hi
sgir
laf
terallmos.

Si
yadoesn'tevenfet
chAj ayanymor e.Hesendsa
dr
iver
.Ithi
nkit'
sforthebestthatwedon'tseeeach
ot
herthatmucheither.Justl
ikelastweekendAjay
i
ssl
eepi
ngatMa'
shouse.

Ideci
dedt
owearsomethingl
ight
.Greyleggings
andamatchi
ngl
ongsleevedcropshir
t.Hairsti
ll
l
ookedgood,
wit
hmygr eyandwhiteNikeair.

Hadt
osnapt
hel
ook.

IdroveofftoXhanti
'shouseslowly.AsIdrovei
nto
thedrivet
hroughIseealotofcarsincl
udingataxi
parked.Peopl
edrinki
ngandt aki
ngphotos.

What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?Whydon'
tiknowoft
his?

WhenIar r
ivedinsi
deitwaspacked.Wheredi
dall
thesepeoplecomef r
om?Ispotthesibl
ingsi
nthe
corner
.Theyseemeandt heyal
llookatmewitha
shockedfaces.Theyallr
ushtome
"
Ey,
wher
e'sXhant
i?"Iask
"Comewit
hushe'
snother
e"t
heysaypul
li
ngme
andIpul
lback
"
Isheher
e?"Iaskandt
heyal
lgoqui
et

Myeye'sdartupstair
sandsodoesThando' s.He
sl
ipsawayf i
rstr
unningupst
air
s.Idon'tgi
vehim
ti
meandIr unafterhim.Myhearti
sracing.Igrab
Thandobyhisankl eandhef
all
sf l
at.

Ist
andupandIr untowardsthemainbedr oom.It
's
l
ocked.Mymi ndstar
tedmakingupcr azyscenari
os.
Igotholdofthisir
onbasebal
lbatandIst art
ed
sl
ammi ngitagainstt
hedoor.Itl
eftbumpsi nthe
door.
"Whatthehel
-"Xhant
ishout
sopeni
ngt
hedoorand
hegetsabigfri
ghtwhenhesawme.
"
Bab-
"hesayscomi
ngout
side
"Don'tbabemeXhant i
lomziwhoyouwithandwhy
thedoorlocked?
"Iaskpointi
ngthebasebal
lbatat
him andhelif
tshishands
"
Rel
a-"
"Don'
ttel
lmetor
elax"IsayfummingandIt
urn
aroundMaki
ngasifI'
m walkingaway

Helethi
sguar
ddownandIpushedhim har
d
agai
nstt
hewallr
unni
ngi
ntohi
sbedroom.

"LordgivemepatienceIbegyoubecausei fyou
givemest r
enghtImi ghtki
llabit
ch!
"Ishoutandthe
girlt
urnsaroundandIseei t'
sthatl
obol
agirl
"XHANTILOMZI
!"Ishoutandher
unsi
ntot
he
bedroom
"Sothist
rashcani
sther
easonwhydi
stant
?"Iask
point
ingi
tathim
"Didyoujustcal
lmeat
rashcan?
"Shesayswi
tha
highpit
chedvoice
"
Ewetr
ashcanbi
tch,
nott
rashcannot
.Ther
e'sr
oom
f
ori
mprovement
"Isaygoingcl
osert
oher
"Youdon'tknowmeI'
llbeatyouup"shesays
point
ingherlongf
akenail
satmeandil aughasI
goclosertoher
"Youcannever
..
.Imeanneverbeatmeupeveni
f
youwantedto,
andyounotwor t
hmyt i
me"I
honest
lysay

Il
ookatXhantiandmybl
oodboi
lsf
rom t
hestart
.
Bynowhissibli
ngsar
eal
lst
andi
ngatthedoor.

Thi
sgi
rli
stoocl
ose
"Movebackorther
ewi
llbeavanher
e"Isayt
oher
andshelaughs
"Makememove"shesaysl ookingi
ntomyfaceand
Ijustsl
ight
lypushhertothesideandshepul
lsme
withhermakinghernail
ssinkintomyski
nandmy
fi
stgoesstrai
ghtforherf
ace.

Shewasst
il
lhol
dingherf
ace
"
Youwant
edt
ofi
ght
?"Iaskbendi
ngt
oherl
evel
"Entl
-"Xhant
isaysandIl
ookathi
m andhekeeps
quiet

WhenIturnedtolookatt
hisgi
rlagai
nshecoward
meonmyj awandIgaveherabigbackhandfist
.A
r
ightagai
nstherheadandshefellonthef
loor
"Bi
tchIdareyoutogotot
hecops.
..
Idar
eyou.
..
and
You?"Isaypoint
ingt
owar
dsXhanti
"I
'
m done"IsayandIr
ushoutt
aki
ngt
hei
ron
basebal
lbatwit
hme

"EVERYONEOUT!
"Ishoutandt
heydon'
tpay
att
enti
on

Igotot
hespeakerandIswayt
hebatunt
ili
t'
sint
o
pi
eces
"
Good,Isai
doutort
henextthi
ngbei
ngshatt
ered
wil
lbesomeone'
shead"Ist
ernl
ysayandeveryone
l
eaves

Xhant
iandhi
ssi
bli
ngscamedown.
"Ent
lest
op,
l
etmeexpl
ain"hesaysandIswayt
he
batathi
m
"Don'
tyoudar
ecomecl
oserorI
'
llhi
tyou"Isayand
heli
ft
shishandsup

Ismashedhi
stvandgl
asst
abl
e

"Haveanicelif
emanhoe"Isaythr
owi ngt
he
basebal
lbatagainsthi
sbi
gglasswindowandi
t
l
eavesacr ack.

Iwasn'
tabouttoshowhim myvul
nerableside.I
par
kedmycari nthegar
ageandIcri
edmyl ungs
out
.Whywoul dhedothist
ome?Wasi tbecause
wehaven'
thadsexi nal
ongti
me?
[
Cont
inuat
ion]
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Thi
sismessedup.
"
Itol
dYou"saysPKf
ir
stAndLunat
hibur
sti
nto
l
aughter

I
'm busyget
ti
ngdressed,
Ineedt
oexpl
aint
his
wholethi
ngwithEnt
le.
"I
fyout
hinki
ngaboutgoingtoherr
ightnow,
don'
t"
PKsaysstandi
ngatthedoorandIsigh
"
Ishoul
dn'
thavel
iedt
oEnt
le"Isayandhenods

Af
teramomentofsi
lencehel
aughs
"
Damnshe'sf
ier
ce"hesaysoutoft
hebl
ueandI
l
ookathi
m
"
Ili
keher
"hesaysl
aughi
ng
"
SodoI
"Lunat
hisaysj
oini
ngus
"Idon'
t"Thandosayscominginwi
thani
cepackon
hischestandLunathil
aughs
"Youj
ustmadbecauseEntl
eshowedyouf
lames"
hesaysandI
'm conf
used

Theyel
abor
atedwhatwentdownandI
'
minst
it
ches.

"Wai
tti
lldadhear
sthi
s"Lunat
hisaysandt
her
est
nods
"Howwillyourepai
ryourwindow?Andther
estof
yourst
uff?"ThandoasksandIlookathi
m
"Wi
thmymoneyofcause,
j
errshe'
scr
azy"Isay
smi
li
ng

"
Andthen?Whenwillyout
akemetot
hehospi
tal
?"
Asecomesi
npoint
ingatherbust
edf
ace
Ent
lecant
hrowameanpunchnol
ies.
"Hospi
talf
orwho?Thi
sisyourfaul
t,Ipul
ledyou
upstai
rswant
ingt
oknowwhat '
shappeninginmy
housethenyoul
ockedt
hedoorf
orsomer
eason"I
saystandi
ngup
"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshe'd..
.Shehast
hatmuchpower
"she
saysandLunathilaughs
"That
'
smysi
steri
nlawf
oryou"hesaysl
aughi
ngat
her

"Whydidn'
tyoudef
endmeXhant
i"shesaysandI
getangry
"Hey!I
'm notyour
s,Ishoul
d'veki
ckedyououta
l
ongt i
meago.Ent l
ekhowmuchdi dmymotherpay
you?Howdoes2Mi ll
ionsound?"Isayt
aki
ngout
mycheckbookandhereyesbeam.

Ishoul
d'veknown.She'
sonl
yaf
tert
hemoney.

Igaveittoherwithafakesi
gnature.Shesmil
ed
andranoutther oom.Guessshe'spacki
ng,she
won'tgetfar
.I'
l
lmakesur eofi
t.
"
Ase?Wheredoyouwanttogo?Icanbookaf
li
ght
f
oryou"Isayandshet
hinks
"Dubai
"shesayssmi
li
ngandIl
aughnoddi
ngmy
head

Imadeacal
l
"
Airport
,youngxhosalady,I
'
llsendyouapictur
e.I
wantacl eanjob"IsayandIdropthecal
lsendi
ng
Ase'spi
ct ur
etotheguy.

Mymom hast oforgi

vemekodwaican'
tloseEnt
le
becauseoft
hisgir
l.

Ilookthroughhernewpict
uressheuploadedonher
Instagr
am andshelookedhot.Whydidn'
tIseethat
?

{
Minent
le}
Il
ookedf
orMrZana'
scontactnumber
sAndical
led
hi
m.Hepickedupont
hethirdri
ng
"
MsKhoza"hesaysandIsmi
le
"
MrZana"Igr
eetback
"
No,
cal
lmeBaba"hesaysandIal
mostl
augh
"
I'
m notyourbr
ideMrZana"Isaychuckl
ing
"
Notyet
"hesaysl
aughi
ng

"MrZana,i
sMsZanat
her
e?"IaskandIhear
shuf
fl
ing
"Yea,shejustcamebackfr
om thesal
on,
Ithi
nk
she'sgoingtodoheryogali
keever
ydaynow"he
saysandIf rown
"
She'
snoti
nbed?Soshe'
sokayandheal
thy?
"Iask
"Whywouldshebe,
youknowl
astni
ghti
nbedshe
didt
hisf
lex-
"
"
AhahahnobyeMrZana"IsayandIhearhi
m
l
aughbef
oreIcutt
hecal
l

Mypoorear
s.Sothiswasallt
hatwoman'
spl
an?
Andst
upidXhant
ifel
lfori
t.

Hemustl
ivewi
thhi
schoi
ce,
it'
snotmypl
acet
otel
l
hi
m.

{
Liya}

"
Uthi
ni?Myf
ri
enddi
dwhat
?"Iaskl
aughi
ng
"I
'
mt el
li
ngyoubabe,
Shegavemethi
sbrui
se"he
sayspatt
inghi
schestandIl
aughmor
e
"KodwababeItol
dyoushe'
scrazyandyousaid
shecoul
dneverbe,shel
ookssoftnt
onnton"Isay
andhelooksatme

"
Ifyoudowhatyourbr
otherdi
dI'
l
lki
llyou"Isay
ki
ssi
nghi
m andheki
ssesmeback
"Never
,youknowIl
oveyou"hesaysandmycheeks
heatup

IneedtofindoutonEntle'
ssidewhathappened.
Sheshould'vecal
ledmesot hatwecould'
veshown
thatgi
rlwhatspopping.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

{
Asemahl
e}ONCEOFF

Imjustgl
adIgottogetawaysooner
.I'
m goi
ngt
o
enj
oymyselfwit
hthismoney.

Mybagsgotscannedt
hroughandIwasbusy
t
aki
ngpict
ureswhenmyphonegottaken.
"
Ma'
am youhavet
her
ightt
oremai
nsi
lent
,anyt
hing
yousayordowillbechar
gedagai
nstyoui
ncour
t"
theof
fi
cersayscuff
ingme
"
Wai
twhat
'sgoi
ngon?
"Iaskpani
cki
ng
"I
sthatyourbagma'
am?
"Heaskspoi
nti
ngatt
he
LVbagsandInod

Hegoestomybagsandheopensthem.Ever
ybag
wasfi
ll
edwit
hwhit
ebri
cks.Myeyespopout
"
Thosear
enotmi
ne"Isayshaki
ngmyhead
"
That
'
swhatt
heyallsay"theysayescor
ti
ngmeout
t
heai
rpor
twi
thpeopletaki
ngvideo'
s

"
Iwasf
ramed"Isayast
heyputmei
naj
ailsel
l
"Fr
amedwhil
eyourf i
nger
pri
ntsar
eal
lovert
he
coke?
"Oneoff
icersayandIgasp

Whatj
usthappened?
Ndi
yadl
alapeopl
e
It
ool
ovedr
ama

Goodni
ght
[
55]

{
Minent
le}

Il
ookatmyphoneandIseeXhant
iiscal
li
ngagai
n.
Il
ookati
tandIl
etmyphonerang
"Youreal
lydon'
twantt
oanswer
?"Li
yaasksandI
shakemyhead
"
Liyaheli
ed,
het
oldmeheki ckedherout
.I'
m done
wit
hthatmama'
sboy"Isaystuff
ingmyfacewith
f
ri
es
"Soyounotgoingtotel
lhi
m hi
smot
herl
ied?
"He
asksandIlookathim
"
It
'snotmypl
ace,
canwenott
alkabouthi
m?"Iask
andhenods

"Whatanicesur
pri
se"avoi
cesaysandIseei
t'
s
Jasonj
oiningus
"
Who'
sthi
s?"Li
yaaskswi
thagr
im
"MeetZi
ntl
e'
sfakeboyf
ri
end"IsayandLi
yal
ooksat
Jason
"Youj
udgi
ngme?Younotevenar
ealman"Jason
saysandIr
aiseaneyebr
ow
"Ohtr
ustmeboy,I
'
m mor
eofamant hanyou'l
lever
beandmoreofawomanthatyou'
l
leverget
"Liya
saysandIsmi
le

Liyaleftaf
ter
wardscl
aiminghemisseshi
sman.He
real
lyleftmewit
hthispsycho.Noonesai
dawor d
soItookmybagandIst oodupreadyt
oleave.

"
Ent
lepl
ease"hesaysandIsi
ghsi
tt
ingdown
"
Wehavenot
hingt
osayt
oeachot
her
"Isay
"ComeonEntl
e,don'tbel
iket
his,
don'
tyoumi
ssme?
Don'tyoumi
ssmyt ouch?
"Heaskstouchi
ngmy
handandIsl
aphim

Helooksatmewit
hadeadlylook.Hest
andsup
andhetipst
het
ableoverandhegrabsmyarm
"
Touchheragai
nandyourbr
ainswi
llbeal
lovert
he
f
loor
"someonesaysbehi
ndhi
m

It
'sBruno.Jasonl
et'
sgoofmyarm st
il
llooki
ng
pissed.Il
ookathi
mf oral
ongt
imeandIqui ckl
y
ki
ckhi minthenut
s
"
Psycho"isayl
eavi
nghi
m gr
oani
ngont
hegr
ound

Iwassti
llsi
tt
ingi
nmycarwhenaknockonthe
windowdist
urbedme.I
twasBr
unosoIsteppedout
"ThankyouBr
unobutt
hatwasn'
tnecessar
y"Isay
andhenods
"
Iknowbutiwasj
ustdoi
ngmyj
ob"hesaysandI
r
ollmyeyes
"Justdon'
ttel
lyourbossaboutthi
s"Isayget
ti
ng
backintomycarandIdr oveoff
.

{
Siya}

I'
m busypl
ayi
ngwithAjaywhenmymom br
ought
ussomesandwiches.

Aft
eralongsi
lentmomentmymom cl
ear
edher
t
hroatandIl
ookather
"
Whatishappeni
ngtoyoumyson?
"sheasks
l
ooki
ngatmeandi bowmyheadwhil
eshruggi
ng
"Youlostyourway,yourt
ouch.
..
IloveEntl
e,Isaw
puri
tyinher.
..whywouldyouletsuchaprecious
thi
ngslipthroughyourfi
nger
s?"Shesincerel
yasks

"MaIdon'
tknowhowI'l
lgetherback,
theki
dAyais
car
ryi
ngisnotmi
ne"Iconfessandmymom j umps
upandst
artsi
ngi
ng
"Ther
e'sst
il
lachancet
hen,
andI
'
llhel
pyou"she
saysandIsmil
e

{
Zint
le}

Iwasbusywatchi
ngt.
v,myper
iodsaremaki
ngme
l
azy.Whenther
ewasaknockont hedoor
.I
at
tendedi
tanditwasJason
"HibabeIwasn-
"hegoesst
rai
ghti
nwi
thouteven
greet
ing

Icl
osedt
hedoorandIwentbackt
othecouch.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"Iaskhi
m
"Comeher
e"hesayswi
thadeepvoi
ceandIobey
him

Hel
ooksatmef
ort
hel
ongestoft
imesandhe
grabesmyhairt
ight
lyandki
ssesme.Thekiss
wasn'tni
ce,
hebi
tmeandhewasaggr essi
vely
hungryfort
heki
ss.

Itri
edpushi
nghim awaybuthehel
dme.Hef i
nal
ly
broketheki
ssandhelookedatmesti
llgr
abbi
ngmy
hair
"Youl
ovemer
ight
?"Hesayswi
thr
edeyesandI
nod

Her
oughl
ytur
nedmear
oundandbentmef
orwar
d.
"
I'
m onmyperiodsbabe"Isaybuthedoesn'
tletgo,
i
nsteadhepul
lsdownmypant s
"I
ftheri
veri
sbloodyt
akethemuddypath"hesays
andIlookathi
m conf
usedandIf
elthi
sdickonmy
anus.Ij
umped
"
Idon'
tli
ket
hatbabe"Isayandheshushme

It
ri
edpushi
nghi
m awaybuthehel
dmyar
ms.I
t
ri
edwiggl
ingmysel
fawayasIf
elthi
m penet
rat
ing
myass.
"
Yousai
dyoulovemer
ight
?"Hesaysandnodwi
th
t
ear
sinmyeyes

Hest oodupstrai
ghtandhest ar
tedgoinginandout
ofmyasswhi l
ecussing.Afterawhi l
ehepickedup
hispacewi t
hlongfaststrokes.Hestartedchoki
ng
mef rom behi
ndandIst r
uggl edtobreatheso
tappedhisshoulder.I
nsteadoflett
inggohepul l
ed
memor ealmostbreaki
ngmyback.

ItwassopainfulIcoul
dj ustbi
temytongue.He
thenremovedhisdickfrom myassandsomet hing
wetcamei ncontactwit
hmyasshol e.Ilooked
behindmeandIsawt hatitwashist
ongue.

Hepushedmedownandhesepar at edmyass
cheeksdevouri
ngmypucker.I
tfeltreal
lygoodno
l
ie.Ievenfor
gotaboutt
hepainIfeltatf
irst
.
Heli
ckedmypuckerf
oraf ewmor eminutesmaki ng
melosemymind.Hethenslowlypushedhisfinger
i
ntomyassandhestartedeat
ingmyvagi na.His
t
onguewasrepl
acedbyhisdick,heworkedbot h
myassandvagi
nauntilwebothreachedourclimax.

Jasonworkedmepr
ett
ydamngood.Wedi dn'
teven
makeitf
ormybed,wepassedoutoncouch.

Amanwhomakesl ovet
ohi
swomanl
iket
his
sur
elymustl
oveher
.
[
56]

{
MrsZana}

Ican'
tbel
ievethatst
upidgir
llandedher
sel
finj
ail
.
Sheshouldn'
thavetakenthemoney,myplanwas
bull
etpr
oof.
Ijustwantt
hatgir
ltost
ayawayf
rom myson.I
knowwhat '
sbestforhi
m.

{
Minent
le}

MeandLiyaar
egrowi
ngcloserbytheday.Hecan
beanui
sancebutt
hat
'swhoLiyais.

Wewerebusysi
tti
ngbythepoolareaenj
oyi
nga
f
ewsnackswhil
ewait
ingwait
ingforLaur
en.

"
Howseriousar
eyouandThando?
"IaskandLi
ya
l
ooksatme
"Idon'tknowfr
iend,butIr
eal
lyl
ikeThandoandI
thi
nkIl ovehi
mt oo"hesaysandIchokeonmy
drink
"Iguessyouaski
ngwhat'
sdi
ff
erentabouthi
m,wel
l
hebr i
ngsoutt
hebesti
nmeandIcanbemysel f
ar
oundhi
m,Icanbecr
azyal
lIwant
"hesaysandI
smil
e
"I
'
m happyf
oryoufr
iend,
Ireal
lyam"Isayandhe
smil
eswhil
enoddi
ng

Thegat
ebuzzedandIsawt
hati
t'
sLaur
enscar
.

Shegotoutofhercarandwalkedt
owardsusina
funnymanner.It
'sr
eall
yhotAndshe'
sweari
nga
poloneckandjeans.Si
ncewhendoesshehavea
Frenchcut
?

"Sor
ryI'
mlat
eguys,
whydon'
twesi
tinsi
de,
i
t'
shot
"
shesaysandIl
ookather
"
Changeandcomej oi
nus,youlooklikea..
.whati
s
t
hatwor dEnt
le?Thatwordafr
ikaanspeopleusefor
amiserabl
enun?"Liyasayswhil
eclickinghis
f
inger
sandIchuckle
"
Kloost
erkoek"IsayandLi
yal
aughswhi
lenoddi
ng
"
What
'sshesai
d"hesaysandLaur
enj
ustsmi
les
"Idon'
twantt
ogett
anned"shesaysf
oldi
ngher
armslooki
ngdown

Armfoldi
ng..
.she'
sshi
eldi
ngher
self
,bl
ocki
ngout
peopl
e.Jesusletmenotberi
ghtaboutwhatI
'
m
thi
nki
ngrightnow.

Herbr
eat
hingi
sshal
lowt
oo.
.

"
Laur
en?
"Iaskandshel
ooksatme
"
Howlonghavewebeenf
ri
ends?
"Iaskandshe
l
ooksar
ound
"
Foral
ongt
ime"shesaysandInodmyhead
"Whendiditst
art
?"Iaskandshef
oldsonehand
aroundherbody
"
YesI
'
mtal
kingaboutt
hat
"Isayandshesi
ghs
"
It
'snot
hingmaj
orEnt
le,
andst
opusi
ngyour
psychol
ogybr
ainonme"shesaysgoi
ngi
nsi
det
he
house
"
Wher
eishe?
"Iaskf
oll
owi
ngher
"
AthomeIguess"shesaysandInodmyhead

Iwentt
obuyabasebal
lbatf
ormymi
ssi
on.
"Pl
ast
ic?"Theladyatthet
il
lasksandIshakemy
headsnatchi
ngt het
aggoff

Thesepeopl
ear
eli
vingl
arge,
whatdi
dIexpectf
rom
achef?

Iparkedmycarjustali
ttl
eout
sidet
hegat
e.It
ook
rubbergl
ovesj
ustincase.

Qui
etnei
ghbour
hood.
.

Thesoundmyt
ighhi
ghheel
edboot
sar
emaki
ngon
t
hegr
oundasI
'
m wal
kingdownt
hedr
ivet
hrough.

There'
sami niCooperpar
kedj
ustout
sidet
he
garage.Vi
sit
or?

ThedoorisunlockedsoIent
er.Thisl
ooks
fancy,
rosepet
als,
wine,
str
awberr
ies.

Igoupstai
rsandIhearmoanscomi ngfr
om t
helef
t
si
de.Ijogtowher
ethenoiseiscomingfrom,
Ist
ood
i
nfrontoft
hedoorli
steni
ngtothesoundsonthe
i
nside.

Idi
dacount
downandIbust
edt
hedooropenwi
th
myfoot
.
"
Don'
tpatr
oni
zemeLaur
en"herhusbandsaysst
il
l
f
ucki
ngthewoman

I
sthi
sguyf
orr
eal
?
Istar
tedbeati
nghi
m upwi
ththebatandhe
groaned.Idi
dn'
tgi
vehi
m achancetotaket
hebat

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
I'
m bor
ed,
where'
smywoman?
"IaskBr
unowhi
le
maki
ngmysel
fsomecof
fee
"
Itshowst
hatshe'
satherfr
iendshouse,
butt
he
f
riendi
satEnt
le'
shouse"hesaysandInod
"Thehusbandhasbeencheati
ngl
egal
lyand
abusi
ngthefri
end"hesaysandIl
ookathim
"Soyoudidn'tthi
nki
t'
sbestifyoufoll
owmywoman?
Yerryer
reryerestBr
uno"Isaypassinghi
m

Ent
le'
scarwaspar
kedout
sidet
hegat
e.Thi
s
woman.
Whenweenteredthedri
vethr
oughwesawa
womanrunningoutnakedi
ntoaminicooperand
Ent
lef
oll
owingher,br
eaki
ngherwindshi
eldwit
ha
bat
.

"
Areyoucr
azy?
"Themanshout
s
"
I'
llshowyoucr
azyyoupieceofshi
t"shesays
walki
ngtohi
sgarageandopeningt
hedoor

Thi
sguyhast astei
nmachi nesnoli
es.AllIsaw
wasEntlebr
eakingall4ofhiscar
s,i
ncludinghis
mustang.
Isawt
hatwhi
tet
urnr
edwhi
lel
ooki
ngatEnt
le
"Ial
mostforgotsomething"shesaystakingouta
pocketknif
efrom herbootandshestartedslashi
ng
histi
res.

Cont
inuat
ionwi
llf
oll
owl
ateron
[
Cont
inuat
ion]
{
Minent
le}

IsawthatMicheali
saboutt
omur
dermebutI
stoodmyground.
"
What
?"Iaskhi
m andhest
art
swal
kingt
owar
dsme
"Idar
eyou"af
ami
li
arvoi
cesays,
whati
shedoi
ng
here?
"MrZana?Whatareyoudoi
ngonmypr
oper
ty?
"He
asksandXhant
ichuckl
es
"Youknowt hi
sisn'
tyourproper
tyboy,
don'
ttel
lme
youwer eabouttol
ayyourhandsonmyl ady"
Xhantisayscomingtoward
"Ididn'
tevenknowshe'
syourl
ady"hesays
steppingback

Xhanticamet
owardsmeandheki
ssedmy
for
eheadwhil
esqueezi
ngmywast
eandIf
li
nch.
"
Let
sgo"Xhant
isaysandIf
rown
"
Go?Di
dyouseewhathedi
dtomybestf
ri
end?No-
"
"Isai
dlet
'sgo"hest
ernl
ycut
smeof
fAndil
ookat
him
"
Don'tmakemer epeatmysel
f"hesaysandl
ookat
Michealbef
orewalki
ngaway

Islammedt
hemi
niCooperagai
nandt
hegi
rlgota
fr
ight
"
I'
llsendyout
ojai
l!
"Sheshout
s
"Mydadwil
lmakeithappen!
"Sheshout
sagai
nand
Igi
veheramiddl
efinger
"
I'
llbewai
ti
ng!
"Ishoutbackwal
kingoutt
hegat
e

Igoti
ntomycarandIdr
oveof
ftomyhouse.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
"Ar
eyousureyouwantt
orepor
ther
?"Iaskt
hel
ady
andshenods
"What
'syourname?
"Iaskandshel
ooksatmewi
th
hergr
eeneyes
"
Michel
e"shesaysandInod
"Goodl
uck"isayanduheadt
omycarf
oll
owi
ng
Entl
e.

She'
sdr
ivi
ngpr
ett
yfast
.

Sheparkedhercarandshewenti
nsideherhouse.I
fol
lowedherbutthedoorwasl
ocked.

Ideci
dedtogohome,
whenIgott
her
emydad'
scar
wasther
etoo.

Itol
dhim aboutthewhol
eor dealwit
hEntlebutI
keptthepartaboutmom havingcanceroutofi
t.
"Younotgett
inganyyounger
,youandPK.Whynot
j
ustaskthisgir
ltomarr
yyou"hesaysaft
erawhi
le
andIlookathim

{
Nande}

Pregnancytestnumber4.Godpleasel
etmebe
pregnantf
orLiyema.Idi
dnttel
lhimtheacci
dent
costmemywomb.

Il
ookatt
hest
ickandIsi
gh
"
Negat
ive"Isayandhel
ooksatme
"
You'
reusel
ess"hesaysst
andi
ngup
"I
fyouwanttobel
ikeEnt
le,
givemeaCHI
LD!
"He
shout
sleavi
ng

Wher
eandhowam Igoi
ngt
ogetachi
ld?
{
Zint
le}

I'
m sti
llsor
eandbl
eedi
ng.Ihaven'
tseenJason
si
ncet hewhol
ethi
ng.Ihopehe'
sokay.Letmesend
him somemoneyjusti
ncase.

{
Jason}

MyphonepingedandIsawZi nt
ledeposit
edmoney
i
ntomyaccountandIsmi l
ed.Iwonderhowmuch
I'
dgeti
fimanagetolethermarrymeincommunity
ofpr
opert
yanddivor
ceher6mont hslate.

Al
lthemoneyI'
dhave.Entl
eisatoughcooki
eto
cr
acknow.Ineedt
ogor ingshoppi
ng.

{
MrsZana}
Iwasbusydr
inki
ngagl
assofwi
newhenacal
l
camethr
ough
"
Hel
lo"Ianswer
"MrsZanapleasedon'
tdr
opt
hecal
l"avoi
cesays
andIlookattheph9ne
"
WhatdoyouwantAse"Isayandshesni
ff
s
"Foryout
obai
lmeoutorI
'
llt
ellyourson"shesays
andmybodygoescol
d
"
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"Iaskandshekeepsqui
et
"
OkayI
'
llhel
pyou"IsayandIcutt
hecal
l

I
'
llbecr
azyt
obai
lyououtl
it
tl
egi
rl
..
.

{
Minent
le}

"Ent
lear
eyounuts?He'sthefat
herofmyki
ds,
you
can'
tdothat
"Laurensayspushi
ngme
"
Pushmeagai
nandI
'
llsmackt
hatst
upi
dit
yout
yoursyst
em wi
thonesl
ap"Isayandshekeeps
quiet
"Idon'
texpectyout
ounderstand,
Imanagedto
mar r
ymybabydaddybutyoubusyopeni ngyour
l
egsf ort
hisri
cgguy"shesaysandIlookather
noddingmyheadasIgot omyr oom
"
Getoutmyhouse"Isay,
audi
blef
orhert
ohear
"
Ent
leIdi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
"shesaysf
oll
owi
ng
me
"
Savei
t"Isaycl
osi
ngmydoor

Ungr
atef
ul.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

TodayIwentshoppingalit
tl
e,t
hisweekwas
st
ressfulandf
ullofwork.Iwasbusydr i
nki
ngthe
l
astbitofmyslushpuppywhenabl ackFerrar
i
st
oppednexttome, Xhanti
..
.myheartski
pabeat
"
Geti
n"hesaysandIr
ollmyeyeswal
king
"
PleaseEnt
le"hesaysbuyIbl
ockhi
m out

Hest
oppedi
nfr
ontofme
"Isai
dgeti
n"Idel
ayedf
oraf
ewmi
nut
esbef
ore
getti
ngi
n

Ihadt
ocont
ainmyst
rai
ghtf
ace.
"
Whatdoyouwant
"iaskNdhesmi
les
"Fei
sty,
Iwantyou,
onl
yyou"hesaysandIl
ookat
him
"Whataboutyourmom?Shedon'
tli
keme"Isayand
hesighs
"She'
l
ljusthavetol
ivewi
tht
hef
actt
hatIwantyou"
hesayswhi l
elooki
ngatme
"
So.
.nomoretaki
ngorder
sfr
om yourmom?
Mommiesboy?"Iask
"Or
dersfr
om who?I'
m yourboy"hesayswhi
le
smil
ingandidotoo
"Di
dyouseethat
?"Isayl
ooki
ngdowni
nthecarand
helookst
oo
"
Lookwher
e?"Heasks
"Yourbal
lsroll
ingpastus"Isayandhelooksatme
befor
elaughingthisl
aughIneverhear
dbef or
e.
"
Your
eal
lyf
unnybabe"hesaysandhedr
ivesof
f.
[
57

{
Minent
le}

"
Ajaystopdoingt
hat"Isayyanki
nghi
shandof
fthe
mater
ialandhecri
es
"Youdon'
thavet
obesohar
donhi
m"Xhant
isays
picki
nghi
m up
"Xhant
ubabypleasejustkeephi
m busy?Ir
eal
ly
needtofi
nisht
his"Isayandhenods
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ent
lecanbecrankywhenshe'
sundepr
essur
ebut
sheal
waysgetherworkdonesoIdon'
tknow
what'
sthef
uss.

Idecidedt
omakesomel unchforuswhent
hegate
gotbuzzed.Icheckt
hecameraandIseei
t'
sthe
poli
ceandIchuckle.

Ibuzzedt
hem i
nandIsee4vanscomi
ngi
n.What
's
themanyvansfor
?

Iwai
tedatt
hedoorf
ort
hem wi
thAj
ayi
nmyar
ms.
"MrZana,
ther
ewasacaseopenedaboutalady
namedMinentl
eKhoza,appar
ent
lyshe'
sar
medand
danger
ous"al
ieut
enantsay
"
Ok,
Isayandt
heyent
ermyhouse"t
hey
appr
oachedEntl
ewithonehandaf
ewcent
imet
res
awayfr
om thei
rguns.
"I
fyoudar
edothatwe'
regoi
ngt
ohaveapr
obl
em"I
sayst
andi
ngbehindt
hem
"
Siri
fyoumay,her
e'spr
oofofwhatt
hatwomandid
t
othi
sgirl
"hesaysandsomeonehandsmeafil
e

It
'sfi
ll
edwit
hpi
ctur
esoft
hatgir
lwit
hbruises,
many
ofthem,i
ncl
udi
ngthet
hecarthatwasbroken.

OkayIsawt hecarandEnt leonlybustedher

windshiel
d.Thesepeopl earecrazy.IhandEnt
let
he
fi
leandshel ooksthroughit,
hereyespopoutand
shethrowsthef i
leacrosstheroom.

"Thisi
spurebul
lshi
t!Idi
dn'
tlaymyhandsonthat
gir
l"shesaysi
ndisbeli
eve,
sherunst
oherroom
andshecomesbackwi t
habat
"Her
e'sthebatIhi
tthatabuserwith,t
estitand
you'
llonl
yfi
ndhisDNAoni t
,thatgir
listr
yingto
f
ramemeandhert inyasscar
?Ionlybrokethe
windshi
eld"shesaysandtheyal
llookateachother
.

Onecomesf or
war
dandpl
acest
hebati
ntoam
evi
dencebag.
"
Thisdoesn'tmeananything,
theyoungladal
solai
d
acharge,andhedoesn'twantmoney,you'
regoi
ng
t
ojail
..
.cuffher"hedemandsandtwocomes
f
orwardtocuf fEntl
e

Aj
ayst
art
scr
yingandIshushhi
m.
"Remembert
hisdayl
ieut
enant
"Isayandhel
ooks
atme
"Daddyi
sgoi
ngt
omakeacal l
"It
ellAj
aywhi
le
givi
ngAj
ayhi
sbott
leandhenods

"
Lieut
enantByr
onBr
own"IIsayanddr
opt
hecal
l.

{
Zint
le}
I
'
m chi
ll
ingwit
hJasonandhewasrubbi
nghi
sfeet
t
hewholeti
met hr
oughhi
ssocks
"
Somet
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hef
eet
?"IaskandInods
"It
hinkmyfeetar
egivi
ngi
nafteral
ltheseyears,t
he
onlyti
meIdroveacarwaswhereIwor ked"hesays
l
aughing
"Isowishicangetpromot
edsoIcanbuymeacar
babe..
.It
oowanttopostandshowmygir
linmy
car"hesaysandIblush

Thenightwhi
lehewassl eepingIboughthi m acar
andItol
dthepeopletodeliveritathiswor kplace.
Mymom bet t
ernotseethis,I'
llhavetofindanot her
waytopayformyr entandcol legebooks.The
sacr
if
icewasworthit.Mybabywi llendureless
l
abour.

{
Minent
le}
I
'
m si
tt
ingi
naj
ailsel
lwi
tht
woot
hergi
rl
s.
"
Whenam Iget
ti
ngoutofher
e?Whynotarrestt
he
man?He'
sanabuser
"Isaytotheof
fi
cerandhe
l
ooksatme
"Hewasi
njail
,hi
swifebai
ledhi
m out"Hef
latout
sayandI
tfeel
sasificanl
osemymi nd
"
Ineedt
ocal
lmyl
awyer
"Isay
"
Hereyoudon'tneedone"hesayswi
thabor
ed
t
oneandIjustlookathi
m

{
Liya}

"
Haveyoul
ostyourmi
nd?
?!"IaskLaur
en
"Haveyoucomeheretojudgemeorbeaf r
iend"
shesayscl
osingherdoorandIpushi
topen
"Youungr
atef
ulpi
eceofweakl
ing,
Entl
ehasbeen
nothi
ngbutgoodt
oyou.Shetr
iedtohel
pyouLau-"
"IDON'TNEED-,Idon'
tneedyourhel
p,Idon'
tneed
anyone'
shelp"shesays
"
Lauren?Whathappeneddontyouseewhatthi
s
manisdoingtoyou?Thi
nkaboutyourki
ds"Iask
wit
habr okenvoi
cel
eavi
ngherhouse.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Itwasn'
tmypl ans,
Iwasonl
yf ol
lowi
ngor
der
s"t
he
l
ieut
enantsaysandIwal
kcloser
"I
t'
seitheryougivemeanameor ?"Isayshowing
him ascreenandhissonappear
s.Hel ooksatthe
screenwithbigeyes
"Banks,t
heycal
lhi
m banks.
..
pleasedon'
thur
tson
hepleads
"
Mot
ive?
"Iask
"Hesai
dsomethingaboutwantingt
oseeifyouand
thel
adyaresti
llt
ogetherordoyoust
il
lcar
e,and
youfel
lfort
hetrap"hesaysandIpunchhi
m
"Iseet
hisisagametoyou"Isayr
oll
ingmysl
eeves
goingt
ot hebut
chert
abl
eandItakeamachet
e
"
Ili
keplayi
nggames, howlongcanyoustayali
ve
whil
eIcutoffyourhead?Soundsli
keafungame
r
ight
?"Isaysmi l
ingandhelooksatmeshocked
"I
'
llf
indyoursonanotherf
amil
y,hedeservesi
t"I
saywi t
hthekni
feal
readyonhi
st hr
oatandIstar
t
cutt
ing,bl
oodoozi
ngoutshoweri
ngme.

Hi
m chockingonhi
sownbl oodsoundedl i
kemusic
t
omyear s.Hepoopedandpissedalloverhimsel
f,
r
emovinghisfat
tyneckf
eltnice.

Theybr
oughtmeaboxandIpl
acedt
heheadi
nthe
boxwit
hanote
*
Don'
tpl
aygameswi
thwhat
'smi
ne*

[
Banks]

Iwasbusysnor
ti
ngonanot
hergi
rl
sasswhena
packagewasbr
oughtt
ome.Iwal
kedtot
hewindow
l
ooki
ngdownont
heci
ty.

Anot
e
*
Don'
tpl
aygameswi
thwhat
'smi
ne*

Thehandwrit
ing,
Iknowi
t.It
urnnot
ear
oundand
ther
e'sanot
hernote
*
Lookup*i
tsaysandIdo

Itwasthatbastar
dst andi
ngi
ntheblockacr
ossme
l
ookingintomywi ndow.Hewaved.Iopenedthe
boxandIgott hefri
ghtofmyli
fe,
Ivomitedonthe
spot.
[
58]

{
Minent
le}

Theyr
eleasedmeaf
teraf
ewhour
sandIwas
hungry.Xhant
iwaswai
ti
ngf
ormeout
sidet
he
pol
icestati
on.
"
Sti
lli
nonepi
ece"hesaysandIi
gnor
ehi
m ent
eri
ng
t
hecar.

Thedri
vewasextr
emel
ylong.Icoul
dn'
thol
diti
n
anymoresoIst
art
edcr
yingrealt
ear
s.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwaslostinmyownt hought
swhensomeone
st
art
edcr yi
ng.Il
ookaroundandi
twasEntl
e.
"
Ent
le?Babe?
"Isayshi
ft
ingcl
osert
ohersi
de
"What
'swr
ongt
alkt
ome"Isayt
ryi
ngt
oli
ftherchi
n
up
"Ent
lebabeIcan'thel
pyouifyoudon'tt
alkto
me..
.di
dsomeonehur tyouinthecell
?"Iaskwit
h
pani
ck,sheshakesherheadandIsigh
Brunoisl
ooki
ngatmewi
thaquest
ioni
ngl
ookandI
shrug.
"DammitXhant
i,ndi
-ndi
lambi
le"shesayscr
yingand
Brunol
aughs

She'
scryi
ngbecauseshe'
shungry?Thi
sgender.I
l
ookatBrunoandhenodsmakingaU- t
urn.Coul
dn'
t
shej
ustsaythatshewashungr
y?Makingitlook
l
ikeI
'm st
arvi
ngher.

Al
lIcansayi
s..
.Joh.
.
Entl
eisemptyi
ngherplat
e.Whi
leI'
m notevenhal
f
thr
ough.Il
ookatherandsheseesme
"Ar
eyougoingt
oeatt
hat
?Sheasks,Ishakemy
headandshesmil
est
aki
ngmyplat
e

"Sowhatdi
dyouDo?"SheasksandIlookather.I
knewthi
squest
ionwascomingyetIdi
dn'tpr
epare
mysel
f
"Idi
dwhatihadt
odot
opr
otectwhat
'smi
ne"Isay
andshel
ooksatme
"Di
dyoukil
l?Theydidn'tdeser
veyourener
gyXhant
i
youshoul
dletthem be"shesaysandIbendmy
headsi
deways
"Idkil
lagainifitmeanspr ot
ect
ingyou.St
artbeing
gratef
ul,unli
keyouihaveabackbone.Theper son
responsibleforyourrapeissti
llwalki
ngf
reeuntil
today..
..
thinkaboutthat"Isaygett
ingupandexiti
ng
therestaurant.

{
Minent
le}

Thatwasl ow,
uncall
edfor
.Withtheremaini
ng
digni
tyIhadIstoodupandIexittherest
aurant
.The
carwasn'ther
e* si
gh*Idon'
thavemyphonenor
credi
tcards.

IsatdownandIwai
ted.Maybehe'
l
lcomebackt
o
fet
chme.
Theweatherchangedt
ocl
oudyandwindy.Iwas
st
il
ldr
essedinmyshortpj
sfrom t
hismorni
ng.
"Ma'
am?"AmalevoicecalloutandIl
ookup,i
t'
sthe
guywhowasourwai t
er.Ismil
eathim andhelooks
atmewit
hawor r
iedface
"Ma'am i
t'
sabouttor
ainandI
'm aboutt
olock
up,canIperhapst
akeyouhome?"HesaysandI
sigh
"
I'
m wai
ti
ngforsomeonebuti
tdoesn'
tlookl
ike
t
hey'
recomi
ng"Isaywit
halowvoice

Hecomescl
oserandhepi
cksmeup.
"
Mymom wouldskinmeal i
veifsheknewIl
efta
womanunat
tended"hesaysandIchuckl
e
"Youwer
erai
sedr
ight
"Isayl
ooki
ngathi
m andhe
smil
es

"
Iknewyouwer
eahoe"avoi
cebehi
ndussayandi
tur
naroundtoseewhoi
tis.I
t'
sLunat
hi,
Wher
edi
d
hecomef r
om?

"Ahoe?Webot
hknowt
heact
ualhoeher
eisyou"I
say
"Yeari
ghtwho'
sthi
s?"Heaskswi
thhi
shandsi
nhi
s
pocket
s
"
Thisi
s?.
..
"Isayl
ooki
ngatt
heguyandLunat
hi
l
aughs
"Youdon'
tevenknowhisname?Womanyou'r
e
deep.It
ellyouwhat
.WhyDon'
tyougivemesome
andIwon'ttel
lmybrot
her
"hesaysl
icki
nghi
sli
ps
andIgag
"Ir
ememberyournamet
ag.
..
it
'sAar
onr
ight
?"Isay
andtheguynods
"
Takemehomepl
ease"Isayandhenods
"AndWena?I '
l
ltellyourbr
otheraboutyourli
tt
le
stunt
,don'
tgetusedt omebecauseIwi llmopthe
fl
oorwithyourface"IsayandLunathilooksatme
Aar
onandIWal
kedtotheparki
ngl
otandt
her
ewas
onl
y1car
.Awhit
erangerover.
"
Ifyoutellmet
hisi
syourcari
m aboutt
olosemy
mind"isayandhechuckl
es
"NottojudgeoranythingbutIknowj ustasyoudo
thatwaiter
swagesai n'
tthathuge"Isaylooki
ngat
him andhescratchhishead
"Ohyea.
..
waiter
..
.aboutt
hatI
'm act
uall
y-"r
ain
star
tedpour
ingbeforehecoul
df i
nishhi
ssentence

Heopenedt
hedoorf
ormet
ogeti
nandsodi
dhe.

Hedroppedmeoffi
nfrontofmygat
eandhewai
ted
unt
ilIwasinmyhouse.Suchagent
lemen.

IopenedmydoorandIwasmetbySi
yawai
ti
ngf
or
me.
"
IknewthatXhant
ibundl
ewoul
dexpi
reoneof
t
hesedays"hesayssmil
ing
"
Notyout
oo"Isaypassi
nghi
m goi
ngt
omyr
oom

Ifeelr
efr
eshedaft
ert
hehotbathandasmallvoice
call
edoutforme.I
t'
smybaby,I
'm guessi
nghe'
s
awake.Ilethi
minandhehuggedmyl egs
"Kiss?
"Iaskpout
ingmyl
ipsandhesmi
lesr
evel
ing
hissmallt
eeth

Ibentdownandhepout
shi
scut
eli
psgi
vingmea
peck.

"
Whatareyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?"IaskSi
yawho'
s
wat
chi
ngtv
"I
'
m keepi
ngyoucompanyt
hat
'swhatI
'
m doi
ng"he
saysandIfr
own
"Siyayoushouldn'tevenbehere,
youhavea
pregnantgir
lwaitingforyou,
youmissedouton
Ajaysfir
ststeps,don'tmisst
hisonetoo"Isay
"
Wel
lit
'syourf
aul
tEnt
le.Ever
ythi
ngi
syourf
aul
t,
we
woul
d'vebeenahappyfamilyI
fyoudidn'
tranaway
j
ustbecauseIcheat
ed.Ever
yonecheats,
growup"
hesaysandmyeyesgetf ul
loft
ears

"Myfault?Siyait
'snotmyf
aul
tthatyoucheatedon
me,allIeverdidwasbeagoodgirl
fri
end"Isayand
hechuckles
"Trustmei fyoudi dn'tcarrymychi ldbackt henI
woul d'
vel eftyoual ongtimeago, youlostyour
touchal ongt heway, I
'
ddi dn'tfeelli
keachal l
enge
datingyouanymor ebecauseyoubecamet oo
focusedonme, Isomet i
meswi shedt ocatchyou
cheat i
ngbutever yguyIsentyourwayyouki l
led
conver sationswi th.Soist artedcheat i
ngandyou
stayedevenaf tersomuchpr oof,yourstarted
l
osi ngyourwor th,askyour selfwhyyoudi dn'tleave
meevenaf t
erIhadsexwi thmor ethan3peopl ei
n
ourr el
at i
onshi p?Ihadyour ightwher eIwant edYou,
youwer et hegoodgi r
l,
readyt ointroducet omy
fami l
yt ypeofgi rl
,yourwor stmi stakewasgi vingme
yourvi rginit
y,butIgott ogivei ttoYou, youal ways
knewhowt osat isfymyneeds, nomat t
erhowmany
ti
mesiwant
edt
oleave,
yourvagi
nabr
oughtme
back.

Byt
het
imehewasdoneIwasi
ntear
s.
"Pl
easel
eave"Isayopeni
ngmydoorandhelaughs
exi
ti
ngthehousestumbli
ngoverhi
sownfeet

IputAjaytosleepwi
tht
earsi
nmyeyes.Iwentto
theki
tchentogetmeaglassofwat
er.Myhands
weretrembli
ngsomuchtheglassf
ellandbr
oke
i
ntopieces.

IpickedupthebrokenpiecesandIgotcutbyone.
Thepainf el
tdi
ff
erent
.Itfel
tgood.Ipi
ckedupa
sharppieceandIWalkedt omybedroom cl
osi
ng
thedoor.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
"Ar
eyouevenmyson?
"MydadasksandIbowmy
head

Lunat
hicameinwit
houtknocki
ngandmydadgave
hi
m adeadlyl
ook.
"Myapologi
esbutIhavenews, whi
leyoul eftyour
socal
ledgir
latt
herestaurantshegotallclosewith
someguywhowor ksthere"hesayslookingatme
"
Youl
efther
?"MydadasksandIswal
low
"Di
dyouevencallt
ranspor
ttogetherhome?
"He
asksandIshakemyhead
"Don'
tworr
yhernewboyfr
iendt
ookherhome"
Lunat
hisaysandIl
ookathim

Aguycameinandhewhisper
edsomet
hingi
nmy
dad'
searandmydadnods.

"Theyconf
ir
medherent
eri
ngherhouseandthey
sawherbabydaddyl
eave.Dr
unk"hesaysandI
st
andup
"Messthi
supandIdon'
tseeanyhopef
oryou"my
dadsaysandInod

Thel
ight
sar esti
llon.Ihopeshe'
llf
orgi
vemef
or
myoutburstandleavinghert
here.

"Entl
e?"Icalloutbutt
here'
snoanswer.Ipasst
he
kit
chenandIseeabot tl
eofredwi
ne,didsheand
Siyadrinktogether
?
Iwalkdownthepassagetowardsherroom andI
openthedoor.She'
snotunderthecover
ssoIwent
toherbat
hroom.

WhenIent
eredi
tmyheartstoodst
il
l.Mykneesgot
weakmypalmsstar
tedsweati
ng.
"
Ent
le!
"IshoutandIkneelbef
oret
hebat
htub

Ishakeherbutshe'
snotr
espondi
ng.Icheckher
pulseandit'
sweak.Mymi ndstar
tedraci
ngsoI
grabbedherr obeandIcoveredherbody.Icar
ryher
asf astasIcantothecar
"Si
r?"Br
unoasksl
ooki
ngconf
usedasbot
hmeand
Entl
earecover
edi
nherbl
oodnow.

Ir
unbacki
ntot
hehouseandIt
aket
hesl
eepi
ng
Aj
aywit
hme.

Atthehospit
alishout
edandcall
eddoct
orstohel
p.
Theyplacedheronastret
cheri
mmediat
ely
"
Wedon'thavemuchtime"onedoctorsaysand
t
heywheeledherawayandIranaft
erthem
"Siryoucan'
tcome,youneedtostayher
esowe
candoourj ob"anursesayspushi
ngmebackand
tearsmaketheirwayout
"
That
'smywi f
e,Ican'
tloseher
,ma'am youdon'
t-l
et
mego!"Isaywhil
ecryi
ngandBr unopull
smeback
"Wantsomecoff
eeSir
?"BrunoasksandIshakemy
headlooki
ngatt
hesurger
yroom theyt
ookEntl
eto.
"
Brother
!"Someoneshout
edandIseeZi
ntl
e
f
oll
owedbymysi bli
ngs,
mydadandLiya

Theyal
lembr
aceme
"
Isshegoi
ngtobeokay?ThandoasksandIshr
ug
wipi
ngmyface
"
Allwehavetodoi
ssi
tandwai
t"mydadsaysand
t
herestnod

Idoashor
tpr
ayeri
nmyhear
t.
[
59]BONUS

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Theywil
lcal
luswhenthere'
schanges"mydad
saystappi
ngmyshoulderandIshakemyhead
"
Myson,
don'
tdot
hist
oyour
sel
f,
ifshewasal
ib-
"
"Don'
ttel
lmethat.
..
ifIdi
dn'
tleaveherShewoul
dn'
t
behere"Isayst
andingup,r
ubbingmyf ace
"
GetmeSi
yaJama"Isayl
ooki
ngatmydad
"Don'tdosomet
hingst
upid,
that
'syourson'
s
dad,Entl
ewon'
tli
kethi
s"hesays
"Iwon'tdoanything,
Ijustwantt
ohaveamanto
mant alk"Isayfoldi
ngmyar msandhenodst
aki
ng
outhisphone

{
Siya}

WhenIwokeupt
henextmor
ningIwassl
eepi
ngon
t
hefl
oor.Mywhol
ebodywassore.

Ididmymorni
ngr
out
ineandsuddenl
ylastni
ght
's
event
scametomymindandmywholebody
fr
eezes.
"
Ent
le!
"IshoutandIr
anoutt
hebat
hroom andgot
dr
essedi
nanyt
hingIcoul
dfi
nd.

Idrovelikeamanictoherhouse.Isear
chedever
y
room inherhouse,whenIenter
edthebathr
oom my
heartstops.
"Entl
e?Nana?"IsayandIsearcht hr
oughthe
bloodedwaterbutfoundnothing.Il
ookont hef
loor
andIseeblooddr i
ppingoutthebedroom andoutof
thehouse.

Thetraill
eadedtot
hef r
ontpor
chandthat
'swhere
i
tended.Ilookedaroundandsuddenl
yablackSUV
stoppedinfr
ontofme.Buffmencameout,grabbed
me,placedabaconmyheadandpushedmei ntothe
car.

Thecarstart
eddrivi
ng.Itkeptri
dingunti
ltheroad
changedtogravelanditstopped.Doorsopened
andclosed.I
twasqui et
.I'
vebeenkeepingmy
breat
handnowIcanbr eathebetter
.
"Ti
red?
"Athi
ckmanl
yvoi
cesays.Thebaggott
aken
offmyhead
"
Xhant
i?"Iaski
nashocki
ngt
one
"What'
sthi
s?Where'
sEnt
le,
Iwentt
oherhouset
o
checkuponherBut.
..
"
"
Butnot
hing"hesaysshut
ti
ngmeup
"Whatdi
dyouDot oEnt
le?WhenIar
ri
vedather
houseshewasalmostdrowni
ngi
nherownblood"
hesaysandIgeti
cecold

IbowmyheadandIstar
tedelabor
ati
ngwhat
happenedt
hepr
evi
ousnight
.WhenIwasdoneand
Il
ookeduphest
art
edpunchingme.
"
Whywoul
dyout
ell
hert
hat
?"Heasks
"Iwasdrunk,
I'
m sorr
y,pl
easet
ellmeshe'
sokay"I
pleadandhesighs

"Shesl
ippedint
oacoma,shewasbei
ngsui
cidal
"
hesays,Isi
ghandhelooksatme
"
Whyar
en'
tyousur
pri
sed?
"Heasks
"Thisisthefi
rstti
mei tgottothi
slevel
,whenshe
wasyoungersheusedt ohaveatough
chil
dhood,she'dgetabusedsoshewoul dcuther
wrists.Shecall
edit"easingthepai
n".Isayandhe
brusheshisface

"Iguessnotever ythi
ngisyourf aul
t,earl
ierthatday
shewentt ojail
,
It ookhertoeatsomet hing,weorlet
mesayIhadami sunderst
andingandIsomehow
call
edherungr ateful
..
.soIlef
therther ewithout
money,transportandherphone"hesaysandt hi
s
ti
meiki ckedhim andhegr oaned

"
IguessIdeser
vet
hat
"hesaysandInod
"
WhywasEnt
lei
njai
l?
"Iaskandhel
aughs
"Shewentt
obeatupanabusivehusbandandshe
wreckedal
lhi
scar'
s"hesays,
myeyespopoutandI
bursti
ntol
aught
er.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

{
Siya}

Xhantidroppedmeoffatmymot her
'shouse.I
wavedgoodbyeasIwenti nsi
de.Mymom was
watchinghersoapi
es.
"Ihavetheper
fectpl
anhowim goingt
ogetmeand
Entlet
obeahappyf amil
y"Isayandmymom shi
ft
s
herattent
iont
ome
"
Letmet el
lherI'
l
lorderforfullcust
odyoverAj
ay.
I
'l
lwinthecasebecauseshe' ssuici
dal
,i
fshedon'
t
wantmet otakehertocourtthenwemustget
marr
ied"Isaysmili
ngandshesmi l
est
oo

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeup,
eyesst
ruggl
ingtoopen.Sunr
aysbl
inded
meandsomeoneclosedthebli
nds.
"
Ent
le?Babe?
"ItwasXhant
i

Itr
iedspeaki
ngbutIhadanoxygenmask.He
gentl
ytookitof
f.Hehadaworri
edlookonhi
sface.
"
BabeI'
m sosor
ry.
..
ifIdi
dn'
t-
"Isqueezehi
shand
whi
leshaki
ngmyhead
"
It
'snotyourf
aul
t"Isaywi
thal
onet
oneandat
ear
f
ellf
rom hi
soneeye
"I
'm sor
ry,Ishoul
dn'thavebott
ledupmyf eeli
ngs
l
ikethat,Iwasbeingselfi
shandungrat
eful,Ial
most
kil
ledmyselfwhil
eIhaveaki d"Isaycr
yingand
shushesme

Thedoct
ort
oldmetoseeatherapi
standl
ike
al
waysXhant
ikeepandunderhi
swing.
"I
sitokayi
fyoucanf
indsomeonewho'
llst
ayi
nthe
cott
ageandhel
pmewi t
hAjay?
"Isayonourway
homeandhenods
"
Youdon'tneedtoaski
t'
sokay"hesaysandInod
whi
leeat
ingbil
tong
Myphonehasbeenblowi
ngupbecauseofSi
ya.I
'
m
r
eal
lydonewi
thSiya,
myeyebrowsaregonef
or
t
hatone.

Xhantinudgesmeandilookathim.Heleans
for
war dandhekissedmeforalongti
me.Theki
ss
l
eftbutter
fl
iesi
nmyst omach.Bythet
imewebroke
theki
ssIwaswet .
"We'r
egoingtogetthr
ought
hisokay?Meandyou"
Xhantisaysr
ubbingmycheekandhekissesmy
for
ehead.
[
60]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ent
lewasnowmymai
npr
ior
it
y.
"
Ent
leBaby?
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"
Doyouwantt
hef
emal
epsychol
ogi
stt
hedoct
or
gaveyouorshoul
dihi
reamal
e?"Iask
"
Mal
e"shesaysandIf
rown
"It
'sei
therwegetthemaleornot
hingbecausegi
rl
s
thesedaysarethi
rst
y"shesaysfeedi
ngAjayandI
chuckle
"
Asi
fmal
esar
ebet
ter
"Isayshaki
ngmyhead

{
Minent
le}

Xhant
ihasbeenahugesuppor
ter
.It
hinkI
'
m
act
ual
lyfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thhim.

"
Sowemeetagai
n"MrJansensaysandIsmi
le
"MrJansenwebothknowit oohavemy
qual
if
icat
ionsandhonest
lyim good,
mybot t
le
poppedbecauseIl
ovebottl
ingthi
ngsup"Isayand
henods
"
Lookatyourar
msEntle,
butIhear
dit
'snott
hef
ir
st
t
ime"hesaysandInod
"Ent
leguysli
keSi
yali
kespl
ayingdi
rty,
i
t'
seitheryou
showeveryonei
ncl
udingt
hepubli
cthatyouar enot
adangertoyour
sel
foryou'
lll
oseyourson"hesays
andmyeyespopout

Mymindstart
edracing.Myson?Woul dSi
yatake
myson?Ican'tl
etthathappen.Ineedt
oprevent
t
hatf
rom happening.

{
Siya}

"
Siyamt handaJamaififi
ndoutyoudi
dn'tgetr
idof
t
hatf i
lt
hyplanofyoursIwil
ldi
sownyou"mymom
r
emi ndsmef orthe5t
htime

Thatdaywhenshewassmil
ingatmehersmi
le
changedt
oafrownandsheslappedme.

IwantEnt
leandI
'
lldoanyt
hingt
ogetherback.
Irecei
vedacal
lfr
om anunknownnumberandI
answeredi
t
"Youknowidon'tli
keyouAndiknowwhatyour
plani
swithEntl
e,ImaybefarbutIcanshootyou
ri
ghtwhereyoustandi
ng"theper
sonsaysandI
l
ookatthephonecanceli
ngthecall

{
MrsZana}

Iwasenjoyi
ngmysel
fatt
hepool
.Dr
inki
ngand
eat
ing.
"Ineedmorewine"Isayt
ooneofmymai
dsand
sher unsi
ntot
hehouse
"Comegirl
,
dowhatIpayyouf
or"Itel
loneoft
he
gir
lsandshest
artski
ssi
ngmytoes,onest
art
ed
massagingmybreast

Lor
dbl
essmyhusband.I
fitwasn'
tforhi
smoneyI
'
d
l
ookl
ikeahag.Thei
nject
ions,f
acel
if
ts,
andnose
j
obsIgeti
shelpi
ngmebigt i
me.

Somet
hingf
ellandbr
okemaki
ngthegi
rlser
vici
ng
mepul
lherheadbackfr
om myvagi
na
"MOM!?"Mysonsvoiceshoutgivi
ngme
goosebumpsandIpushthegirl
soffofme
"
Babyi
t'
snotwhati
tlooksl
ikeIcan-
"
"
ENOUGH!
"Heyel
lsmaki
ngmest
opi
nmyt
racks
"
Soitwasallali
e?Ican'
tbel
ieveI'
vebeensost
upi
d.
Andwhatisthi
s?Doesdadknowaboutt hi
s
madness?
"Hesaysandmyhear tbeat
s

"Pl
easeXhantianythi
ngbutnotyourdad,
I'
lldo
anyt
hing"Isaypleadi
ngandheshakeshishead
"Youcanf or
getaboutseeingmeeveragain,andi
m
heretotel
lyouthatI'
m goingtoaskEntletomarr
y
me,Iwasgoingtot r
yandsof tsoapyousinceyou
hateherforwhateverreason,youaredeadtome
from t
hisdayforward"hesaysspitt
ingonthe
gr
oundandl
eavi
ngt
hepr
emi
ses

{
Zint
le}

Idel
ayedJason'
scarbecauseIwant
edi
tcust
om
madejustf
orhim.

"Sowhatdoyousayaboutt
hisone?
"Theagent
saysandInod
"
I'
llt
akei
t"Isayandshesmi
les

Itol
dthecarcompanyt
odr
opJason'
scarof
fatt
he
newadress.

Iwat
chedt
het
imet
ickunt
ilJasonknockedof
f.

Ipickedhi
m upl
ikeusualandIt
ookadi
ff
erent
route.
"Wherewegoingbabe?
"HeasksandIsmi
legi
ving
him abl
indf
old
"Putt
haton"Isayandhel
ooksatmeput
ti
ngt
he
bli
ndf
oldon.

Ican'
twai
ttoseehi
sface.

Westoppedi
nfr
ontoft
hehouseandIseet
hebig
whi
teranger
overwi
tharedr
ibbonatt
hefr
ont
.

Itookthebli
ndf
oldoffAndhel
ookedar
ound.He
sawt hehouseandcar.
"
What
'st
hisbabe?
"Heasksconf
usedandIsmi
le
"Thi
sisourhouseandyourcar
"Isay,
hiseyespop
outandhescreamsthankyouwhil
epicki
ngmeup

Hekissedmeal
lovermyf
ace.Thi
sishowhappyI
wanttoseemyman.
"
OhbabeIl
ovei
t.
..
andIl
oveyou"hesayski
ssi
ng
me.

Al
lthat
'sl
eftnowi
smeget
ti
ngpr
egnantt
henJason
mi
ghtmarryme.

Idon'
tcar
eaboutmybrot
hergett
ingmadbutI '
m
goi
ngtoint
roducehi
mtothefamily.Il
ovehi
m.
[
61]

{
Siya}

ThecallIrecei
vedyester
daydidn'
tscareme.Ri ght
nowI'm onmywayt otheauthor
it
ies.Ineedtolaya
complaintaboutEnt
le.Ihopesheunder st
andthat
I'
m doi
ngt hisf
orus.

Acallcamethr
oughandIsawi
twasAyanda.I
answeredi
t
"
Ba-
"
"GetyourasshereSi
ya"shequi
ckl
ysayswi
than
abnormalbreat
hingpat
ter
n.
"
BabeI'm ki
ndofbusywi
thsomet
hingi
mpor
tant
r
ightnow"Isay
"Si
yamywaterj
ustbr
oke"shesayswi
thabreaki
ng
voi
ceandIst
opthecarandImadeaU-tur
n
"
Who'
swi
thYou?
"Iaskdr
ivi
ngi
nhi
ghspeed
"
Yourbr
other
"shesaysandInod

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Whywouldshedosomet
hingsostupi
d?Andwhy
didn'
tyoul
etmeknowsoonerdad?
"Isayst
andi
ng
upandhesighs
"Myson,Ican'
tletnotdat
ejustbecauseyouar
e
over
prot
ecti
ve"hesays
"
Thisi
swhyI '
vebeenoverpr
otect
ivesoshedoesnt
meetguysl
ikethose,
doesPKknowaboutthis?
"I
askandhekeepsqui
et
"I
'
m notgoi
ngtoinvol
veMe,f
ixyourmessorI'
ll
knocksomesenseint
oyourstupi
ddaught
er"Isay
l
eavinghi
soff
ice

WhenIgothomeEnt
lewascooki
ng.
"Di
dn'texpectyoubackf
or2hour
sst
il
l"shesays
smil
ing
"Justaf
ewhi
ccups"
isayandshewi
pesherhands
comingtome
"Tal
ktome"shesaysput
ti
ngherar
msar
oundmy
neck
"Babe..
."Isof
lysaysqueezi
ngherasspressi
ngmy
erect
ionagainsthert
ummyandshegi ggles
"Mybabyishungr
y"shesayspull
ingmet
oherl
evel
andgi
vingmeasof tj
uicyki
ss.

Ideepenedtheki
ss,
pickedherup,shelockedher
l
egsar oundmywaiststi
llnotbr
eakingthekiss.
Iwal
ktot
hebedr
oom.
"Thestove"shesayandIgroanwhileshechuckled
asIputherdown.Herfatassjiggl
esasshewal ks
tothestoveswit
chingi
toff
.

Weentert
hebedroom wi
thmyhandsonherboobs
ki
ssi
ngherneck.

IshutthedoorandIstartundr
essi
ngmysel fand
shesmi l
eswhilewalki
ngtowardsme.Sheki ssed
mychest ,maki
nglovebit
esintheprocess.She
rubbedmyr ockharderect
ionwhil
egoingonher
knees
"
Ohhhshii
t"Il
owl
ysayandshelooksmeintheeye
whi
leput
ti
ngmymushroom headinhersexymout
h

Shespit
sonmydi ckmaki
ngi
tslippery.Shest ar
ted
bobbi
ngherheadonmydicktakingitininchby
i
nch.Half
waythr
oughshecouldn'tt
akeanot her
i
nchandshegagsmaki
ngmesmi
leandsodoes
she.

She'
shypnoti
zingmewithherbedroom eyes.She
wit
hdrawshermouthfr
om mydi ckandshest ar
ted
ki
ssingmyball
smakingmecur se.
"
Ent
le"Isaysucki
ngmybr
eat
hasshet
akesbot
h
myball
sintohermout
h

Shegoesbackt omydi ckandshest art

edsucki
ngit
makingmybodyf eelat hr
il
l.Ihel
dherheadasshe
wentf ast
er.Ifel
tmysel fgetti
ngcloserandIst
art
ed
chasingmyownor gasm shoot i
ngmyl oaddown
herthroat.It
ookmydi ckouti fhermouthasIshot
theremainingont hecar pet.

Iqui
ckl
ypi
ckedupEnt
leandpl
acedheront
hebed.
"
Whywouldyouhavemesquirmingl
ikeThat
?"Iask
t
aki
ngof
fherover
sizedT-
shi
rtandshegiggl
es
Irubbedmydi
ckonherwetvagi
naandhetbody
fr
eezes.
"
Rel
axmama"isayki
ssi
ngher

Ili
ftupheronelegasIenteredher
.Thewar mthI
feltwasheaven.ShewinchedasImydi cksl
ide
slowlyi
ntohervaginawit
hherwallshuggingmy
dick.

Shecl
enchedherwal
lsandIgr
oan.
"I
fyoudot
hatagai
nI'
l
lmakeyousuf
fer
"Isay
cl
enchi
ngmyyaws

Ihel
dherlegasIstart
edpoundingstrai
ghti
ntoher
andshecurseddiggi
nghernail
si nt
omyback.I
keptpoundi
nggivi
ngherlongstrongstr
okes.

Herbreat
hinggotfast
erandshehel
dmet ight
.Her
wall
sstar
tedgett
ingti
ghterasshel
if
tedherback
moaning.Isenseshewascl
oseandIrubbedher
cl
itwhil
emydi ckwenti
nandoutofhercreamy
vagi
na.

Herbodyst
art
edt
rembl
ingasshecameonmydi
ck.

Thesi
ghtmademesmi le.Shecal
meddownaft
era
fewmoresecondsandshelookedatmesmi
li
ng
"
Iloveyou"Isaywhi
lemyhear
tst
art
sbeat
ingf
ast
"
Iloveyoumor
e"shesaysandmyhear
tmel
ts

Irol
ledusoverasIsawshewasget t
ingsleepy.I
covereduswithathr
owandshesnuggl edintomy
neck.Thi
sri
ghthere?Myforever
.IsayandIcl ose
myeyesassl eepwashesoverme.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
Ihopeever
yonei
sokaywit
hsexscenesbecause
ther
ewil
lbemanymoretocome.
[
62]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Ial
readypuni
shedyourmother
,whynotf
orgi
ve
her?"MydadasksandIshakemyhead
"For
givnessi
sbet
weenherandGod"Isayandmy
dadnods
"
Howi
sEnt
le?
"HeasksandIsmi
le
"Thatsmi
lecanonl
ymeanonet
hing"mydadsays
andInod
"Di
dyousortoutt
hismadnesswi
thyourdaught
er?
"
Iaskandhenods
"I
'
m sendinghert
ooneofmyfar
msi
nthewest
ern
cape"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"
Nol
l?
"Iask,
henodsandIl
augh
"
TodoWhat
?"Iaskandheshr
ugs

{
Zint
le}

"Doct
orar
eyousur
e?Imeanhowaccur
atei
sthi
s?"
Iask
"
Veryaccur
atema'
am"shesaysexi
ti
ngt
her
oom
l
eavi
ngmewi thmyownt
houghts

IknowIsaidiwant
edanabybuti
t'
stooear
ly.Isent
Jasonatext.

{
Jason}

Jazl
inandIwerechil
li
ng.Iwasl
ostinmythought
s
whenat extf
rom myphonecamethr
ough.I
twas
fr
om Zintl
e.
*
I'
m pr
egnant
*
Thetextsays.Ist
art
edhavi
ngmixedemot
ions.
Thesepastfewdayshasbeensomewhatconfusi
ng.
Ican'
texplai
nitbutit
hinkI
'
mfal
lingf
orZi
ntl
e.

Heri
ndependenceandint
ell
igence.Idon'
tevendo
whatInor
mallydowhichIsaskmoney.

"Jaz,
ther
e'ssomet
hingIneedt
otel
lyou"Isayand
Jazli
nshift
sherat
tenti
ontome
"
Iknowthi
swasn'
twhatwepl annedbutIthi
nkI
'
ve
f
all
eni
nlovewi
thZint
le"Isayandshefrowns
"AndZint
lei
spr
egnantwi
thmybaby"Isayandher
eyespop
"
Imadeyou"shesaysandIshakemyhead
"Youmademeabadperson,
I
'l
lsendyoumoney
everymont
hbutmeandyouaredone"Isay
standi
ngupandshepul
lsme
"Don'
tfor
getwhoyout
alki
ngt
oJason"shesays
andIsigh
"Jazim donebei
ngyourl
apdog"Isayyanki
ngmy
arm outofhergr
ipandIl
eft
.

{
Minent
le}

"WhenareyouandThandogoi
ngpubl
ic?
"Iaskand
Liyasi
ghs
"Fr
iend,
hewant stogopubl i
cbutI'
m scar
esf orhi
s
sake,
he'sapubliceye..
.hi
sfamil
yisoneoft hee
mostr i
chest,
ri
chestfamil
yIfIcanputitl
ikethat
"he
saysandIl ookathim
"
So?
"Isayandher
oll
shi
seyes
"
Whatifhi
spar
ent
ski
llmeort
ryt
osepar
ateus?
"
Heasks
"Thandowon'tlett
hathappen,I
t'
suptoyoutost
ay
str
ong,lookwhatMrsZanaDi d"isayf
ini
shi
ngup
myl unchandhenods

"
Whenwast
hel
astt
imeyouspoket
oLaur
en?
"Li
ya
asksandIkeepqui
et
"She'
syourf
ri
endEnt
leandsheneedshel
p"hesays
andInod

Whatam Isupposetosaytoasocal l
edfr
iend
whom Iwantedtohelpandshet hreweveryt
hingi
n
myface?Shedidn'tevenbotherbeggingt
hat
cowar
dtodr opthecharger
s.

{
Zint
le}

Ideci
dedtocl
earmymindandt
reatmysel
f.Meat
y?
Spur?I
t'
sthecl
osest
.

"Fornowcanyoubr
ingmewater.I
'
llt
akethe
comboandabubbelgum mi
l
kshake"IsayandIgi
ve
themenutothewai
ter

Whi
lewai
ti
ngIwentt
hroughsoci
almedi
a.My
br
otherandEnt
leist
hetalkofthet
own.Theyar
e
l
abeledas'
thepowercouple'
.

Soonmyfoodarri
ved.Itookahugesipofmy
bubbel
gum mi
lkshakeandIstar
tedeati
ng.

"
Doyoumi
ndifisi
ther
eIhaveeat
ingal
one"a
f
emal
evoi
cesaysandIlookup
"
Please?
"ShesaysandInod
"
I'
m Jazl
inbyt
heway"shesausext
endi
ngherhand
t
omeandIdot hesame
"
Zint
le"Isayandshegi
ggl
es
"Iknowwhoyouar
esi
ll
y,you'
reaZana"shesays
andIsmackmyheadmentall
y

"
Ineedt
opee"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"That
'
sli
ket
he3r
dti
mesi
nceIgother
e"shesays
andInod
"
Eversi
nceIfoundoutabout
-.
.Idon'
tknow,maybe
i
t'
sstr
ess"Isayget
ti
ngupheadingtothebathr
oom.

WhenIgotbackshewasgone.Myf
oodwasst
il
lon
t
hetabl
ewithanote.
*i
twasnicemeeti
ngyou, Ialr
eadysett
ledt
hebil
l,
ifI
wereyouI'
dgothr
ought hef i
le*i
tsaysandIsee
t
hebigbrownenvelopeont hetabl
e.

I'
m hungrysoIfi
nishmyf oodfir
st.WhenIwas
doneItookthefi
leandIwentt omycar .Openedthe
envel
opeandpicturesf
ellout.Paperswhichlooked
l
ikeprint
edscreenshot
s.

ItwasJasonandthegirlwhoatewit
hme.Isthi
s
sometypeofjoke?Pi
cturesofheri
nthecarI
boughtf
orJasonincl
udingthehouse.Ther
ewasa
usbtoo.

Ipl
uggedi
tint
omycarandIl
ist
ened.
"
Areyousureyounoti
nli
vewi
tht
hatZi
ntl
egi
rl
?"A
f
emalevoi
ceasks
"WhywouldIbeinl
ovewithher
?Shehasmoney
andweneedthemoney,
I'
llmakeherfal
linl
ovewi
th
meyou'l
lseeandsoonwe'l
lberol
li
nginmoney
baby"

IpauseasIdobreathi
ngexcer i
ses.Pai
nshot
thr
oughmybel l
ytomyut erus.Ihel
dmyt ummyasI
winchedi
npain.Icl
enchedmyt eet
hhopingi
t'
ll
easethepai
nbutitdoesn'tgoaway.

Mythighsfel
thotandwet.It
oucheditandIsawi
t
wasblood.Ist
art
edpanicki
ngsearchi
ngformy
phone.MyeyesgetdrowsyasIpressthenumber
andIpassedout.
[
63]

[
PK]
Ishott
helastbitofsemenintot
hecondom.I
removedmydi ckandItookthecondom of
f
thr
owingi
tintothefir
epl
ace.

Icover
edmysel
fwi
that
hrowandIcl
osedmyeyes
"Ar
en'tyougoi
ngtogi
vemef oodorcoverme?
"Her
squeakyvoi
cesaysandIopenmyoneeye
"Don'
tgetusedtome,yousupposetol
eave
anyways"IsayandherIhearherst
andupprobabl
y
l
eavingIhope.

Aft
erafewmi nutesIst
oodupandIwentt
otakea
shower
.Gotdr essedi
ngreypant
sandwhi
tet-
shi
rt
wit
hmyslides.

AsIaprochaedthekit
chenIhearavoi
ce,t
he
spr
inkl
ersintheki
tchenwentoffAndihear
scr
eams.
I
twast
hatgi
rlwhom It
houghtl
eft
.
"
Areyoucr
azy?
!"IshoutandIt
urnever
ythi
ngof
f
"Iwastr
yingtomakef
oodsi
nceyouwon'
t"she
saysandIsigh
"Look.
..
uh?
"Isayr
aisi
ngmyeyebr
owandsher
oll
s
hereyes
"
Yourforgotmyname?Unbeli
evabl
e"shesays
whil
etakingal
lherbel
ongi
ngsl
eavi
ngthehouse
wit
houtclosi
ngthedoor

Ichuckl
edwhi
lel
ooki
ngather
.

{
Minent
le}

XhantiandIwaswat
chi
ngcar
toonswi
thAj
aywhen
acallcamethr
ough.
Xhant
icheckedandher
aisedandeyebr
ow
"
Zint
le?
"Hesaysanswer
ingandgi
vingmet
he
phone
"Hel
lo?
"Isaybutal
lIhearwast
hecarhoot
er
hoot
ingnonstop
"
Zint
le?
"IsayandXhant
isi
tsupst
rai
ght

Het
akeshi
sphonet
ypi
ngal
otofst
uff
"
Stayher
e"hesaysandInod

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Herphonekeepsr
ingi
ng.Itshowsshe'
snotont
he
move.She'
satspurspar
king.
"
Dri
vef
ast
er"IsayandBr
unonods

Hercarlooksokay.Nosi
gnt
hatsomeonet
ri
ed
br
eakingin.
She'
slayi
ngont
hef
rontwheel
.
"Zi
ntl
e?"Isayt
ouchi
ngherandhert
emper
atur
eis
hi
gh

Ibr
eakdownt
hewi
ndowopeni
ngt
hedoor
.

Ilookedatherwhi
leplaci
ngherint
hebackseatand
Iwascoveredinblood,
sowasshe.Werushedto
thehospit
alandshewasadmi t
ted.

Ivi
deocal
ledEnt
lewhi
leIwai
tfornews
"Soyousayi
ngther
ewasalotofbl
oodbet
weenher
thi
ghsandlegs?
"Entl
easksandIsi
ghwhil
e
noddi
ng
"Doyouthi
nksomeonefor
cef
ull
yhadthei
rwaywi
th
her?
"Iaskandshegi
vesathi
nki
ngface
"
No"shesaysshaki
ngherhead
"
From exper
ienceI
'
dsayshewaspr
egnant
..
..and
l
ostt
hebaby"shesausandIf
rown
"uMi
thi
?"Iasksandshenod
"Justbecalm babe,
maybeshehasagood
explanat
ion"shesaysandIshakemyhead
droppingthecall

Ical
leddadandPK.

Theycamer
ushi
ngi
nsi
de.
"
Whatdidthedoct
orssay"mydadsayswi
thmy
mom behi
ndhimintear
s
"
Not
hingyetbutEnt
let
hinksi
t'
sami
scar
ri
age"Isay
"Li
keshe'dknow"mymom saysr
oll
inghereyes
andallofuslookather
"
Who'
sthi
s?nobody?Good,
asIsai
dEntlet
hinksi
t'
s
ami
scar
ri
age,sodad?
"Isayandhelooksatme
"
PK?
"Mydadsaysandher
aiseshi
seyebr
ow
"Ar
eyousur
eyouwantmetohandl
ethi
s?"Hesays
andmydadnodsandhel
ooksatme
"
Don'tl
ookatme,
Ihaveawi
feytotakecar
eof
"Isay
r
aisi
ngmyhandsandhenodsleavi
ng
{
Zint
le}

WhenIopenedmyeyesandscannedtheroom I
spotEnt
lesi
tti
ngont
hecouchreadi
ngabook.Ifeel
someoneholdi
ngmyhandandIseeit'
sJason
"Ent
le"Isof
lysayandJasonl
if
tsuphi
sheadandI
seehisredeyes
"
Baby,
Zint
le"hesaysandIt
rypul
li
ngmyhandaway
"Zi
ntl
e?Areyouokay?
"Ent
lesayscomi
ngcl
oser
andtear
sfal
lfr
om myeyes
"JasonIt
hinkyoushoul
dleave,
bef
oreherbr
other
s
come"Entl
ewar nsandheshakeshi
shead
"
Idon'
tcareanymore,
IloveZi
ntl
eandIwantt
obe
wit
hher"hesaysandIshakemyhead
"Don'
tsayIdi
dn'
twarnyou"shesaysgoi
ngbackt
o
herseatandmybrot
herscamerushi
ngin

Thest
oppedi
nthei
rtr
ackswhent
heysayJason.
Xhant
ifol
dedhisar
msi namusement.Thando
camerunni
ngtowardsJasonbutXhantipul
ledhi
m
back.

PKwalkedt
owar
dsuskeepi
nghi
seyeonJasont
he
whol
etime.
"Youhavegotsomener
veboy"hesaysi
nthatt
hick
voiceofhi
sandJasonl
et'
sgoofmyhandandhe
goesonhisknees
"Pl
ease,pl
easef
orgi-
"JasonsaysandPKpunches
him bef
orehecouldsayanyt
hingfur
ther

Hemanhandl
edJason.I
'
veseenf
ight
sbutt
his?
"Xhant
ist
ophi
m"Ent
lesaysandhesi
ghspul
li
ng
PKaway
"
You'
rer
uini
ngt
hef
un"Lunat
hisays
"Youstayawayfr
om mysi
ster
"hesayst
othe
bloodedJason
"
StayawayorI
'
llpayyourl
it
tl
esi
ster
savi
sit
"he
says,
bot
hEnt
leandJasonl
ooksathi
m
"Staythehel
lawayf
rom t
hem"hesaysandPK
kickshim
"
Thenst
ayawayf
rom mysi
ster
"hesaysl
eavi
ngt
he
r
oom

Ent
le'
seyesarefi
ll
edwithtears.Jasonst
rugglesto
st
andup,Ievenf
orgotaboutthepainIfel
t.Ihelped
hi
m.

Tear
sfel
lwhenIsawhi
sface.Heembr
acedme
ki
ssi
ngmyhead.
"Il
oveyou"hesaysl
eavi
ngandThandobumpshi
s
shoul
deronpurpose

{
Jason}

IendedupatJazl
in'
shouse.Sheopenedt
hedoor
wit
hasmi l
e.
"
You'vecomet
oyoursenses"shesaysbr
ingi
ngme
abeer
"Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
"SheasksandI
shakemyhead
"
Ialwayswant
edt
oexper
iencel
ove"Isayandshe
l
ooksatme
"
Zint
legavemet
hat
"Isayandsher
oll
shereyes
"
Iwasgoi
ngt
obeadadd"Isaywhi
lechuckl
ing
"
Andyout
ookt
hatawayf
rom me"Icont
inue
"
Whatshoul
didowi
thyou"Isaygr
abbi
ngherf
ace
"
Wantt
otakeabat
h?"Iaskandhereyespopout

Idraghert
ot hebat
hroom andIl
ockedt
hedoor
.I
openedthetapsfi
ll
ingt
hetub
"I
'
llmakei
tni
ceandhotf
oryou"Isaysmi
li
ngand
shecri
es
Wheni
twasf
ullIcl
osedt
het
apsandIdr
aggedher
t
othet
ub
"Canyouf
eeli
fthewat
eri
shotenough?
"Iaskand
shenodsandushakemyhead
"
Iwantyout
of eel
"Isaypushi
ngherheadi
ntot
he
wat
erandherbodystart
edshaki
ng

Shestr
uggl
ed.Idi
dn'
tgi
veherasecondt
opul
lher
headbackup.
Theshaki
ngdi
edoutandherbodywentdead

Iwentt
othekit
chenandIcutonegastubeandgas
st
art
edleaki
ng.Icl
osedt
hedoorasIwentout.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Myapol
ogi
esf
ort
hever
ylat
einser
t
[
64]
{
Zint
le}

I
tfeel
sli
keI
'
vebeendr
ivi
ngf
orhour
s.

Thegravelr
oadwasunset
tl
ing.Idon'
tthi
nkmyl
it
tl
e
carcanhandlet
his.

Mywor
dswer
en'
tevencol
dwhent
hecarst
opped.
"Whatnow?"Isayt
ryi
ngtogett
hecaronwhena
bigdoubl
ecabToyotabakki
est
oppednextt
ome

Ol
dmankeepmovi
ng.Isayt
omysel
f

"All
esoraai
t?(
everyt
hingokay?
)"Thevoi
cesaysand
Ilookt
omyr i
ghtandmymout hrunsdr
y
"
Ma'
am?"Hesaysget
ti
ngoutandcomi
ngt
owar
ds
t
hewi
ndow
"
Areyouokay?Wher
eyou'
reheadi
ng?
"Heasksand
Igetcapt
uredbyhi
soceanbl
ueeye'
s

"Uhyeayea..
.Idon'
tknow,
mycardoesn'
twantt
o
star
t"Isayst
ruggli
ngandheopensmydoor
"Come,t
ellmewhereyou'
reheadi
ngt
oandI
'
lldr
ive
youthere"hesayst
aki
ngmyhandandIpul
lmy
handback
"Don'
tworryaboutyourcar
,someonewi
llbr
ingi
t"he
sayssmil
ingandIstepout

"Sowhatbri
ngsyoutoNol
l?
"HeasksandIl
ookat
hisf
ir
earms.Sovei
ny
"Mydadthoughti
t'
sbestifil
eavet
heci
tyandcome
downtohisfar
minstead
"
Zanar
ight
?"HesaysandInodwhi
lehesmi
les
"
Soyougoi
ngt
orunt
hebaker
y?"HeasksandI
f
rown

Baker
y?Noonet
oldmeanyt
hingaboutabaker
y.I
can'
tbake!

{
Siya}

"WhatdoyoumeanIcan'
ttakecust
odyofmyown
chi
ld?"Ist
ernl
ysay
"LookSir
,themotherofyourchil
dsaidandIhave
proof,
thatthenextofkini
sXhantil
omzi
Zana..
.i
ncaseanythinghappenstoher"hesaysand
Ibangthetablewalkingoutoft
heirof
fice

Ent
lepl
ayedme.Whatam Igoi
ngt
odonow?

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Wil
lyoust
opbei
ngsoner
vous?
"PKsaysandI
sigh
"
Whati
fshesaysno?
"Iaskshaki
ngmyhands
"Real
ly?Whathasgot
teni
ntoYou?
"Hesaysandmy
dadlaughs
"Leaveyourbrot
her
,atl
easthe'
staki
ngst
eps,
you
sti
llgoaroundhavi
ngsex"mydadsaysandPK
foldshi
sar ms
"
Onl
yone"hesaysandal
lofusl
ookathi
m

{
Minent
le}

"
Liyacanyoustop?Idon'
twanttoomuchmakeup.
Hemuststil
lbeablet
orecogni
zeme"Isay
"
Whati
fhesaysno?
"Isayl
ooki
ngi
nthemi
rr
or
"Xhant
ilovesyou,
Ijustdon'
tknowwhyyouaski
ng
him"hesaysandIchuckl e
"
It
'sdi
ff
erent
"Isayandheshakeshi
shead

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
Werehalf
waythr
oughandI'
m sweat
ing.The
desser
tcameandIwait
ed.
Sheal
sowai
ted.
"Ar
en'tyougoingtoeat
?"Wesayi
nuni
onandwe
chuckledi
ggingin.

Iwassti
llchewingwhenabiti
ntosomet
hinghar
d.I
grabanapkinandIspitwhat
everwasi
nmymout h
onthenapkin.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___

AsbothXhant iandEntl
espitint
otheirnapkins.
Theylookattheobjectinshock.Ent
lel i
ft
ingupthe
si
lverri
ngwithabi gbl
uediamondwhi l
eXhant il
if
t
upagol dbandwi t
hM. Tengravedont heinsi
de.

Ent
lecl
oseshermout
handbot
hbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
I
T'SVERYVERYSHORTMYAPOLOGI
ES
CONTI
NUATI
ONWI
LLFOLLOW LATERON
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

"Ican'
tbeli
eveyouhadt
hesamei
deaasmi
ne.
..
so
cli
che"Isayandhesmil
es
"
Soyoureadytomakemet hehappi
estmani
nthe
wor
ldandmarryme?"hesaystaki
ngmyhandandi
l
ookathi
m dorawhil
e

Inodandhest
andsuppul
li
ngmeupwithhi
m.He
l
ooksmedeepint
omyeyesandheki
ssesme
"Il
oveyouMrsMe"hesaysaf
tert
heki
ssandmy
heartmel
ts
"
Iloveyout
oo"Isayandheki
ssesmyhead.
{
Zint
le}

If
oundt
hebaker
y.I
twasnextt
othecaf
e.

Thekit
chenhadever
ythi
ngInor
mallysawthe
maidsbackhomeusedtobakewit
hsoI '
m ont
he
ri
ghtt
rack.

Isearchforar
eci
pe.If
oundoneandIst
art
ed
mixingandbaki
ng.

Thatwasn'
tsohar
d.

Whi
leIwai
tedmybr
othercal
ledme
"Waschecki
nguponyou"hesayswavi
ngand
somethi
ngshinycaughtmyeyes
"
Whati
sthat
?"Iask
"
Ther
eonyourf
inger
"Isayandhel
ooksati
t
smi
li
ng

"Ent
leandIareengaged.Gett
his,
weproposedt
o
eachotherontheexactsamedayontheexact
sametimeintheexactsameway"hesaysandI
smil
e
"
Congratul
ati
onsbr
other
"Isayasmyeyesgetwet
f
rom happi
ness
"Youdeser
veallt
hehappi
estcomi
ngyourway"I
sayandhethanksme

"
Howar
ethi
ngsi
nNol
l?
"Hesays
"
Whydi
dn'
t-
"Igotcutof
fbyt
hef
ir
eal
arm
"
Shi
t!
byeI'
l
lcal
llat
er"Isaydroppi
ngthecal
l
r
unni
ngint
othekit
chent hatwasf
ullofsmoke
"
Kindwatmaakjy(
chil
dwhatareyoudoi
ng)
"anol
d
l
adysaysandt
helit
tl
espr
inkl
ersgoesof
f

It
akeoutmycakehopi
ngt
osavei
t.
I
t'
stoast
.
"WhenZanasaidhe'ssendi
nghi
sdaught
erdown
her
eIdidn'
texpecthertobur
ndownthebaker
y"
shesaysandIlookather
"Fi
nishedmovi
ngi
n?"SheasksandIshakemy
head
"Nobiggy,
I
'l
lsendSomeonet
ohel
pyou"shesays
smil
ingandIdotoo

Thebakingisafl
op.Idecidedtowalkdowntonew
cosylit
tl
ehouseandstartunpacki
ng.Ir
eal
lyhope
ther
e'ssomeonewhowi l
lhelpme.

Ihear
dsomethi
ngst
opi
nthef
rontyar
d.I
twast
he
samebakki
e,
andmycar
.

Thi
sguy.
..
.i
sjust
.Di
dn'
tjecsathe'
l
lsendsomeone?
"MyoumiesentmetohelpyousoIdeci
dedt
ofet
ch
yourcart
oo"hesaysst
rol
li
ngtowar
dsme
"
Thankyou.
..
?"Isayandhest
ret
cheshi
shandout
"
Aar
on"hesaysshaki
ngmyhand
"
Zint
le"Isayshaki
ngwhi
lel
ooki
ngi
ntohi
seyes

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Werehavi
ngdinneratdad'
shouse.Itol
dhim andI
madeitcl
eart
hatIwon'tbeinthesamer oom as
mymom.Hepr omisedthatshewon'tbejoini
ngus.

"Welcomet
othef
amily"mydadsaysdi
rect
edt
o
Entl
eandshesmi
les
"
Thankyou.
..
Baba"shesays,
bot
hsheandmydad
l
aughsandther
estofuslooksatt
hem

Thedoorbel
lrangandoneoft
hehel
per
scamewi
th
Li
ya.Thandost
oodupgoi
ngt
othem.Taki
ngLi
ya
"
Dad,
everyone.
..
Iwantyouguystomeett
hel
oveof
myli
fe"hesaysandLunathif
rowns
"
Excuseme?!
"Mymom'
svoi
cevi
brat
ethr
oughout
t
hewholehouse
"Icarr
iedyouf or9months,
Ispent3daysinl
abour
.
Allofthatjustsoyoucancomeoutasan
abomi nat
ion?"Shesaysandmydadsl apsher

"Don'
tyoueverImeaneveri
nyourlif
ecallmykid
miser
able"hesayspoi
nti
nghisf
ingersatheras
sheheldhercheek
"Leavethekidsal
one,
theyar
eallgrown.
..
grown
enought oknowwhat'
sbestforthem"hesays
breathi
ngfir
e
"Youletever
yonedoast
heypl
ease.
..
Xhant
ijust
proposedtothi
s"
"Idar
eyou,
noItr
ipl
edar
eyout osaysomet hi
ng
aboutmyfi
ance,
youmeannothingtomeanymor e
anywayssoI'
l
ldowhatIwantwithyou"Isaygoing
f
orwar
dbutEnt
lest
opsme

{
Siya}

"Siya!Getof
fthephoneandhel
pmewi
tht
hebaby
please"AyandasaysandIsi
gh
"You'
veonlyt
ouchedhi
m once"shesaysandIl
ook
atthecr
yingbaby

{
Jason}

Iwon'tgetherback.I
'
vebeenmoni
tor
ingJazl
in'
s
house.

It
'sst
il
linonepi
ecesoi
tmeansnoonhascomet
o
checkuponher.

Imakeacal
l
"Di
dyousendi
t?Al
lofi
t"Iaskandt
heper
son
comfi
rms

Isighbef oresteppi
ngoutofthecar
.Iwal
ktowards
Jazlin'shouse.Beforet
ouchi
ngthedoorhandl
eI
whipoutmyphoneandIgot hroughZi
ntl
e'
s
pictures.

Iopenthedoorandasexpect
edt
hewholehouse
setfi
reandamassiveexpl
osi
ondest
roys
ever
ythi
ng.

{
Minent
le}

Ican'
tbel
ieveI
'
m engagedt
oamanIl
ovewi
thal
l
myheart.

"
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngabout
?"Xhant
isaysbr
ingi
ng
meback
"
Us"Isaysmi
li
ngandhet
akesmyhandandki
sses
i
t
"
Iloveyoumama"hesaysandmycheeksbl
ush

Hest
art
edt
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofmyhandsandour
s.

LateronwhenAj aywasasleepwedeci
dedt
owatch
somemovi es.Half
waythroughmyphonest
art
ed
buzzing.It
houghtthebuzzi
ngwoul
dstopbuti
tgot
worse.

Icheckedmyphoneandi
twasTwi
tt
er.
*
Ican'
tbel
ievet
heyact
ual
lygotengaged*
*
final
ly!
*
*
Ican'
twai
ttoseet
heweddi
ng*

Myphoner
angandi
twasmymot
her
"
Ihopehel
ovesyou"shesaysandIsmi
lenoddi
ng
"
I'
llcomedown..
.ImeanWe'
l
lcomedown"Isay
l
ookingatXhant
i
"Good,
yourf
athersayshecan'
twai
ttoseeyou"she
saysandwebidgoodbye

"
Thi
sisal
lyouneh"Isayandheshr
ugs
"I
'
m happy,whenI'
m happyidoanyt
hing,
andIwant
peopl
et oknowI'
m agoneguy"hesayskissi
ngme
andIgiggle.

SOTODAYIOWEEVERYONEABONUSINSERT
SI
NCETHI SCONTI
NUATI
ONWASFOR
YESTERDAY
AFTERTODAYWE'
LLGOBACKTO2I
NSERTSPER
DAY
MOREKI
LLI
NGNEEDSTOBEDONE
[
65]

Atwor
kim admi
ri
ngmyr
ingwhenLi
yabur
sti
n.
"
Youbet
tercomeseet
his"hesaysandIj
umpup

Outsi
detheshopSiyawasst
andi
ngt
her
ewi
tha
bunchoffl
owers.

"Mylove,
Ent
le.Imadeami st
ake,
Iknowthatyou
knowthatIl
oveyou..
.andIknowthatyouloveme
too.Pl
easef
orgiveme"hesaysgoingdownonhi s
knees
"GetuporI
'
llcal
lsecur
it
y"Isayandhi
smout
hgoes
open
"Hai
boEntl
e,I
'm yourbabydaddy..
.weshouldbea
famil
ydon'
tyout hi
nkit'
sbestforAjay?Areal
happyfami
ly"hesaysandIsl aphim
"Youleavemysonoutoft
his"Isayandheback
slapsme

Li
yarunsandki
ckshi
minhi
schestwi
thhi
sheel
s
andhefal
ls.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ihadaverylongday.WhenIgothomef oodwas
cookedbutEntl
ewasn'ti
ntheki
tchen.
"
Babe?
"Isayasigoupst
air
stoourr
oom

WhenIopenedt
hedoorunderherl
yingundert
he
cover
swit
hahoodi
e.
"Babe?Areyouokay?
"Iaskconcer
nedandshe
shakesherheadandIsi
tonthebed
"
Youi
npai
n?"Iaskl
ooki
ngoverandshenods
"
Thatt
imeoft
hemont
h?"Iaskandshenods

"I
'
llgetyousomepainki
ll
ersokay?Comedownf
or
dinner
"Isayandshenods

Idon'
tli
keseei
ngherl
iket
his.
Igetthemedicat
ionandwaterandIl
eavei
tont
he
drawer.Herf
acecovered.

AtdinnermeandAjayat
eal
lthemeat
.SoonIhear
d
sl
idescomingdown.
"
Mamai
scomi
ng"Isayandhesmi
les

Shecamedownl
ooki
ngt
owar
dst
hegr
ound,
i
ntot
he
ki
tchen.

Shecamebackwit
hapl at
ewithf
oodandshe
headedf
ort
hestai
rs.Somethi
ngisn'
tri
ght
"
Ent
le"Isayandshest
opsdr
oppi
ngt
hepl
ate

Shepani
csasshet
ri
espi
cki
ngupt
hebr
okenpl
ate
"
Leavei
t"Ist
ernl
ysayandshedoes
"
Standupandt
urnar
ound"Isayandshest
ands
st
il
l

Shesl
owl
ytur
nedar
oundst
il
llooki
ngdown
"
Nowl
ookatme"Isayandsheshakesherhead
"Youbet
terdoi
tyour
sel
forIwi
ll
"Isayandshe
bit
esherli
p

Shest
art
edl
if
ti
ngupherhead.

Whenshest
arr
edatmedeadi
nthef
acemybl
ood
st
art
edboi
li
ng.
"I
'
mj ustgoingt
oaskonequest
ion.
..
isthatokay?
"I
saystrol
li
ngtowar
dsherandsheshakesherhead
sobbing
"
Who?
"Iaskst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofher
"
S..
.S-
"
"
Goddammi
tEnt
le!
"Ishout
"
Siya!I
twasSi
ya"shesaysandIheadt
owar
dst
he
door
"
Don'
tki
llhi
m Xhant
ipl
ease"shesaysr
unni
ngaf
ter
me
"Pl
easethi
nkaboutAj
ay"shesayswi
thamessed
upface
"I
'l
lsendadoct ortoassi
st.Don'twai
tup"Isay
reversingoutandit
'sl
ikesheswi t
chtocrazyand
hereyessear chhersurr
oundings.Shefi
ndsa
hammerandshet hrowsitagainstmywindshiel
d
crackingit
"I
'
llt
hrowyouwitht
hati
fyouki
llXhant
i,
tr
yme"she
sayswalki
ngbacki
ntot
hehouse.

Wt
f.
..
..

_
___
___
___
___
___
___

Fi
ndingSiyawasn'
tthathar
d.If
oundhi
m atapub
dr
inki
ng.Iwentout
sideandmadeanexchangewi
th
oneoft
heguar
ds.Hebl
endedi
ntot
hecr
owd.

Theguar
dcamebackaf
ewsecondsl
ater
"
Done?
"Iaskandhenodsdr
ivi
ngof
f.

{
Zint
le}

Idecidedt
ogiveAar
onat
reatf
oral
lhi
shar
dwor
k
aroundhere.

Ibakedhi
m somecooki
es.Ihopehe'
l
lli
kei
t

Iwal
kedthr
ought hefi
eld.Idi
dn'
tmindthewal
kit
waspeaceful
l.Unti
lal
otofcattl
esurr
oundedme
andIf
roze.

Iqui
ckl
ytookoutmyphonehoppingtocal
l
someonewhenitsl
ippedoutofmyhandfal
li
ngi
nto
t
hecat
tl
edh*
t
"Cl
umsy"amanlyhousesaysandIt
urnar
ound
seei
ngAaronoutofhi
sbakki
e

Hechasest
hecat
tl
eaway
"
Come"hesaysandIst andsti
llhegroanswal
king
t
owar dsmepicki
ngmeuponhi sshoulder
i
ncludingmyphone.Hegivesi
ttomeandIgag
t
hrowingitawayandhechuckles

Hi
spar
ent
sar
ewonder
ful
ly.
"
Befor
eIforget
,Ibakedcooki
es,
i
twasf oral
l
Aar
on'shel
p"Isayasiopenthebasketandhis
mom smil
es
"Pi
tyIhavetogo,
leavesomef orme.
..
goodbye
darl
ing,
youshoul
dvisitagai
n"shesaysgoi
ngout

Aaronsl
it
tl
ebr
othert
akesacooki
efi
rst
.Aar
onand
hi
sdadfoll
ow.
Ismil
easIseet
hem bi
tt
ingt
hecooki
e.Aar
on
coughs
"I
t'
sgoodsjoe(
wow)ali
tt
let
oomuchsugar
"he
sayssmil
ingandIl
ookathi
sbr
other
"Yeat
hesear
ethebest
"hesaysl
ooki
ngatt
he
cooki
e
"Ican'
teatt
oomuchsugar
mychi
ld.
..
cancer
"hi
s
saysandInod
"
ButAar
onandJaki
ewi
lleatt
hem onmybehal
f"
t
heoldmansays
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

Noonel i
kedthecooki
e.Itwashard,
fi
ll
edwi
th
di
abetesbutnoonewant edtotel
lZi
ntl
eshecan'
t
bake.Jakiet
ri
edgivi
ngittohi
sdogbutnoteventhe
dogwant edi
t.

{
Ayanda}
"Si
yast
op,ar
eyoucrazy?
!!"Ishoutashepl
acesmy
sononthewindow.

He'
sbeenact
ingthi
scr
azysi
ncehegother
e.Now
hewant
stothrowmykidoutoft
hewindow
"Whywoul
dyoul
ieandsayi
t'
smi
ne?
"HeasksandI
cry
"Im sor
ryj
ustgi
vememybabyandI'
lll
eave"Isay
cryi
ngandheholdsmybabyoutt
hewindowandI
scream
"
Soyouguyscanbeahappyf
amil
y?"Heasks
l
ooki
ngatmeandishakemyhead
"Cat
ch"hesayst
hrowi
ngmysoni
ntheai
randhi
s
headhit
sthecei
li
ng

Imakeitj
usti
nti
metostophi
mf rom hi
tt
ingthe
gr
ound.Mybabycri
eshyst
eri
cal
lyandIcrytoo.

Hel
ockst
hebedr
oom doorandIscr
eam.Ir
un
towardst
hewi ndowandIscr
eam f
orhel
pwhi
lemy
babiescr
iessett
les
"
It
'sokaybaby"Isayshushi
nghi
m

Wasn'
tlongt
il
lIheart
hepol
icesi
rens.
"Theyar
eher
ebaby"Isayki
ssi
nghi
m onhi
snose
bri
dge

Thedoorf
all
sdownasmedi
calai
drunst
ome
"Justcheckhi
shead,
he'
sfi
ne"Isayast
heyt
ake
him

Theycheckhi
sbr
eat
hingandt
heexchangel
ooks
"
He'
sgoingt
obef i
ner
ight?"Isaysmi
li
ngandt
hey
l
ookatmeshaki
ngtheirheadsandIdotoo
"Nohe'
sokay.
..
he'
sbr
eat
hingcan'
tyousee?
"Isay
astear
sfal
l
"
Look,
he'
sbr
eat
hing.
..
hiseyesar
emovi
ng"Isay
hol
dingmybabysmi
li
ngwhi
let
heyal
llookatme.
[
66]

{
Siya}

Iwokeupthenextmorni
ngwithaheadache.I
checkmysurr
oundingsandIsawthatIwasoutsi
de
onalawn.

Peoplepassedbyandtheystoppedastheylooked
atme.Ilookatwhatt
hey'r
elookingatandIseeI'm
naked.

"
Hol
lysh*
t"Isaycover
ingmygeni
tal
s

Theyst
art
edt
akingpi
ctur
esandvi
deosofme.I
st
oodupandIranoff
Iwasontheot
hersi
deoft
hebl
ock.WhatwasI
doi
ngther
e?

Iwentupstai
rsandItookashower.Comi
ngback
downfeeli
ngrefr
eshedoheardaknockonthedoor
.
Iat
tendeditanditwaspol
iceof
fi
cers
"
AreyouSi
yamt
handaJama?
"Oneasks
"
Dependsonwho'
saski
ng"Isayandt
heycuf
fme
"
Siryouar
eunderar
restf
ort
hemur derofMs
AyandaSi
ko'
snewbornbaby"esaysandIlookat
t
hem
"
Iwantal
awyer
"Isayast
heyputmei
nthevan
"Theyal
lwantt
hat
"oneof
fi
cersaysent
eri
ngt
he
vanandtheydr
oveof
f.

{
Minent
le}

Iwasbusymaki
ngbr
iyaniwhent
henewscaught
myatt
enti
on.
"Wearesetoutsi
dethestat
ionawait
ingMrJama
whoallegedl
ymurdereda2mont holdbaby"t
he
repor
tersaysandthecamerashi
ftstowar
dsthe
van

Siyaemer
gesoutoft
hevanIIdr
opt
hekni
fei
n
shock.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

I'
m seat
edi
nmyst
udywat
chi
ngt
henewsandI
smile
"Str
ikeone,t
hisi
sonlythebeginni
ngSi
ya"Isay
l
ooki ngatt
hescreenastheytakehimi
ntothe
stat
ion.

Entl
emadethi
sdi
shbri
yani
.Idon'
tknowwhati
tis
butItt
ast
eamazi
ng.
Af
tert
helunchIfol
lowedherar
oundasshewas
cl
eani
ng.Shegaveoutaheavysigh
"Xhant
i,gobutt
akeAj
aywithyou"shesaysandI
shakemyhandsaroundherwaist
"
Onlyifyoupromisemeyou'
reokay"Isayandshe
l
icksherli
psnodding

"I
'
m okay,
isitokayi
fmyfamil
ycomesdown?I
knowwe'l
lonlygetmar
ri
ednextyearBut
..
"
"I
'
m notmar r
yingyounextyearwomanIl
oveyou
andIwanttomar ryyou,
i
n3mont hsmax"Isay
cutt
ingheroff
"Andyourfami
lycancomedown, I
'
llar
range
transpor
tandt
icket
sfort
hem okay?Justtel
lme
when"IsayandshenodsasIkissherbeforetaki
ng
ajay

"
Whenyousay3months,
doest
hatmeanIhave3
mont
hstopl
an?
!"Sheshout
sandIshakemyhad
"Iwanttomar
ryyouin3mont hs,I
'l
lgetsomeonet
o
keepaneyeovertheshop"Isayandhermouth
opens.Shecl
osesitagai
nandshenodswavi ng
goodbye

"
I'
m onmyway"Isay

Iar
ri
vedatPK'
shouse.Al
adycameout
"
FuckyouPK"shesays
"
C'mon.
..
"hesayspausi
ngandshegasps
"
Agai
n??Real
ly?I
t'
sAyat
handwa"shesays
"
Don'
tevercal
lmeagai
n"shesayswal
kingout
"Iwoul
dn'tbetonit
"hesayssmi
li
ngandshegi
ves
him amiddlefi
nger

Weentert
hehouseandhepi
cksupunder
wear
smel
l
ingitwhi
lesmi
li
ng.
"
Whowast
hat
?"Iaskandhesmi
les
"
Thati
syoursi
steri
nlawandmywife"hesays
l
ooki
ngatme.HegoesforAj
ayscheeksandIpul
l
Aj
ayaway
"Gobath,
thosehandsaref
il
thy"Isayandhe
chuckl
esgoingupstai
rs

Hecamebackl
ateronpl
ungi
ngdownont
heseat
.

Het
akesasandwi
chandIsl
aphi
swr
ist
s
"
Hands"Isayandhel
ooksatme
"BoyIj
usthadashowerwhat'
swrong?Wealways
eathoweverwewantwhati
sthis?
"HesaysandI
sigh
"Myapol
ogies,
Entl
eist
urni
ngmei
ntoaneatf
reak"
Isayandhechuckl
es

"Sowhathappenedt
oEnt
le'
sbabydaddy,
Isawt
he
news"hesays
"Idruggedhi
m,allIwant
edwasforEnt
let
odistance
herselff
rom hi
m,hedidal
lthewor
kbykil
li
ngthat
baby"Isaysitt
ingback
"
Buthi
sownbaby?
"HeasksandIshakemyhead
"
Hisbr
other
s"Isayandhef
oldshi
sar
ms

Chil
li
ngwithmybr
otherhasbeenni
ce.Iwas
checki
nguponEntl
ethewholeti
mewhenaknock
camet hr
ough.

Pkat
tendedi
tandi
twast
hatgi
rlf
rom ear
li
er
"YouknowwhyI
'
m her
esoj
ustgi
vei
ttome"she
saysandPKsmi
les
"I
'
llgi
vei
tifyoupr
omiseyou'
l
lqui
tyourj
ob"hesays
andshel
ooksathim

{
PK}
Il
ookatherwai
ti
ngonwhatshe'
l
lsay
"
Myj
ob?Andwho'
sgoi
ngt
ofeedmyki
d?"Sheasks
"
Me"Isay
"
Idon'
tneedyourmoney"shesaysandInod

Igi
veherherunder
wear
"
Taket
hist
oo"Isaygi
vingherat
ashofmoney

Shel
ooksati
tandshet
akesut
"
Phumlani.
..
Ijustt
oldyouIdon'
tneedyourdamn
money"shesaysandmydi ckvi
brates

Shetakest
heelast
icbandof
fAndshet
hrowst
he
moneyintheai
r.
"
Sai
dIdon'
twantyourmoney"shesayswal
kingout
.

Shestopsinhert
racksandsher
unsbacki
nsi
de
andIsmile
"ButIdoneedaR100f
oranuber
"shesayspi
cki
ng
upaR100
"Youknowwhat?I
'
llt
akei
tal
l,
takei
taspayback"
shesayspi
cki
ngupthenot
esandIhel
pher.

Ihandhert
hel
astR100andshel
ooksatme
"Keepi
t,i
t'
syourti
p"shesayswal
kingoutshaki
ng
herassandIlookati
tbit
ti
ngmylowerli
p.
[
67]

{
Zint
le}

MeandAaronhavespental
otoft
imet
oget
her
.
Not
hingser
ious.

Mybakingwascomingal
ongwell
butmysugari
s
st
il
ltoomuchaccor
dingt
oAaron'
sgr
anny.
"Soyousayi
nghehasputyouthr
oughalloft
hat
butyoust
il
lcan'
that
ehi
m? "HeasksandInod
dri
nki
ngmyj ui
ce
"Butt
hat
'
si nthepast,
howaboutYou?Ireal
isedt
hat
Iknownothingaboutyou"Isaysmi
li
ng
"WellIownar estaur
antIntheci
tyand.
..
ohmy
girl
fr
iendal
sost aysther
e"hesaysandmyheart
feel
ssomet ypeofway

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ibi
dgoodbyet
omybr
other
.

Imi
ssmywoman.Iwantt
obebur
ri
edi
nsi
deofher
.

BuddyIhopeyousl eepwhenwegethomebecause
Ihaveunfi
nishedbusi nesswi
thmommy"Isay
l
ookingathimt hroughthemirrorandhenods
dri
nkinghi
sbot tl
e
Wear
ri
vedhomeandAj
ayi
ssl
eepi
ng.

"
Baby"Ical
lout

Int
hekit
chenIseeEnt
let
hrowi
ngoutal
lthe
chi
cken
"
Babe?
"IaskandIseeherhol
dinghernose
"
Chi
ckeni
sof
f"shesaysandIgot
owar
dsher
"Okayl
etmedoitforyou,
goeasyyoul
ookt
ir
ed"I
sayandshenods

I
m smell
ingt
hemeatandt
her
e'snot
hingwr
ong
wit
hit
.

Ideci
dedt
oor
deri
n.

IcheckeduponEnt
leaf
teri
nahourandshewas
sti
llsleepi
ngsoIsaytoAjayandhewaswat
chi
ng
cartoons.Itookhi
m downst
air
stoeat
.

I
thasbeenanot
herhourandEnt
lei
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
Thi
sisbul
l.

Iwentupandiwokeherup.Shel
if
tedherheadand
If
rown.Ist
hatanewglow?Awakeupone?
"
Yourf
acei
sshi
nny"Isayandshet
ouchesherf
ace
"
Youshoul
dseet
hatbi
gnosenow"Isayandshe
l
ooksatme

"
BabeI
'm bor
edpl
easecomedown"Isayandshe
r
oll
sheeyes.

Downst
air
ssheateli
keahungr ychild.Sheate3
st
eer
sburgersand2drumsticks.Thebr eadi
shalf
now,
whil
eItookonl
y2slices.Thisisthesecond
1myLcoke.
"
Babesl
owdown"Isayandshepul
ledaf
ace
"Ar
eyougoi ngtoeatt
hat
?"Sheaskpoi
nti
ngatmy
burgerandIshakemyhead

Shet
akesthebur
gereat
ingi
t.Whenshewasdone
shel
aidback
"
Babe,
nowIwantbi
lt
ong"shesaysl
ooki
ngatme

I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hati
t'
slat
e.

Ii
gnoredheraboutt
hebil
tongunti
lwewentto
sl
eep.Bef
oreIenter
edsheclosedthedoor
.
"
Gogetmybilt
ong"shesaysandIl
ookatt
hedoor
i
ndi
sbel
ieve

Isl
epti
ntheguest
room t
hatni
ght
.
Thenextmor
ningIwokeupandIgotr
eadyf
orwor
k.
Idon'
tknowi
fmadam isawakeyet
.

Iseetheti
meandit
's8o'
cl
ock.Aj
ayshoul
dbeat
thedaycar
ebynow.

Ir
ushtohisbedr
oom andIseeit
'sempt
yandclean.
Iwenttot
hemainbedroom andi
t'
semptytoo.My
cl
othesar
eir
onedandneatl
ysetoutonthebed.

Ismi
le.

I
nthekitchentherewasbr
eakf
astsetoutforme.
Notj
ustany.Mai zemeal
.Thebut
ter
,sugarandmil
k
waaalsothere.

I
fthi
sisherwayofapol
ogi
singaboutl
astni
ght
t
henyesIfor
giveher
.
{
Minent
le}

Workishect
ic.Ir
eal
lyneedt
ofi
ndsomeonei
n
Zi
ntl
e'
splace.

"Canyoust
opeat
ing?
"Li
yasaysandIgi
vehi
ma
deadl
ylook
"Maybeyoushoul
dstarteat
ingsothatt
hoselegs
canstoplooki
ngl
ikesomethingadogwouldpiss
on"Isayandhegasps

Irecei
vedacallf
rom anumberIdon'
tknow.Iswi
pe
toanswerbutIdon'
tspeak.
"
Ent
le?
"Si
ya'
svoi
cesays
"
Ineedyourhel
p..
.someonedruggedme.
..
youknow
I
'
dneverkil
lachil
d"hesaysandmyheartbeat
s
"Ican'
tst
ayinpri
son,getmeoutorI
'
llexposeyou
andyouruncleMike"hesaysdr
oppi
ngt hecal
l.
Ical
ledMi
kei
mmedi
atel
y.I
nfor
minghi
m aboutSi
ya.

Al
loft
hisi
smaki
ngmehungr
y.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Sit
ti
ngatmydeskgoi
ngthroughpapersi
sti
ri
ng.I
shoul
dn'
thavef
ir
edLucas,
nowI '
m st
uckwit
houta
PA.

Myphoner
angandIanswer
edi
t
"
Thi
sbet
terbegoodMi
ke"isaywi
thabor
edt
one
"
Siyai
sthr
eat
eni
ngyourl
ady"hesaysandIl
ookat
t
hephone
"Hesaysifshedoesn'
tgethim outofj
ailhe'
l
l
exposeher"hesaysandIfrown

Hest
art
ednar
rat
inghowEnt
legotr
apedandt
he
per
sonresponsi
blef
ort
hati
sst
il
lal
ive.Mybl
ood
boi
ls.

"Youdi dgoodbyerasi
ngthati
nfof
rom the
database,soSi
yawantstobeoutofjai
l?I'
l
lgi
vehi
m
that"IsayandIdropthecal
l

Sti
llcan'
tbel
ievemywomangotr
apedbysome
pharas.Nowiseehowstr
ongsheact
ual
lyi
s.

Findi
ngthatAyandagi
rlwasn'
tthathar
d.If
ound
herataclub.Atabar
.

"CanIhaveanappl
eti
ser
?"Isayandt
hebar
man
nods
"I
ftherewastr
oublei
nparadi
seyou'
dbe
dri
nking.
..
whatbr
ingsyouher
e?"ShesaysandI
chuckle
"
Justneedt
hevi
be"Isayandshest
andsup
wal
tzi
ngt
owar
dsme

Shedoesn'
tlookl
ikeamour
ningmot
her
.

Shet
ouchesmyshoul
der
s
"
Icangi
veyouavibe"shesayst
aki
ngmyhand
l
eadi
ngmetothebathrooms.

{
Minent
le}

I'
vebeenwaiti
ngforXhantit
hewholenight
.I
deci
dedtodrinkafewsleepi
ngpil
lssi
ncethe
headachedoesn'
twanttofade.

Morni
ngcameandXhantist
il
lwasn'
ther
e.It
ook
Aj
aytodaycar
eandIdr
oveof ft
ohiswor
kplace.

Theysai
dhehasn'
tbeeni
n.
It
ri
edcal
li
ngagai
nandheanswer
edt
hephone
"Youbet
terhaveagoodexpl
anat
ionast
owhy
you'
renothome"Isayandit
'
squiet
"Ohsor
ry.
..
Xhantii
sn'
thereri
ghtnow"af
emal
e
voi
cesayscut
tingthecal
l.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

BynowI'
mr eal
lyt
ryi
ngmybestt
onotpani
c.I
cal
ledBr
unoandhepickedup
"
Ma'
am"hesaysandIcl
osemyeyes
"
Bruno,
Youbett
erhaveagoodexpl
anati
onasto
whyawomananswer edXhant
i'
sphone,
wereyou
wit
hhimlastni
ght
?"Isay
"Awoman?Andnoma'am iwasntwit
hSirlastni
ght
"HeasksandIcanf
eelmysel
fgett
ingir
ri
tated
"
Bye"Isaydr
oppi
ngt
hecal
l

Ical
ledLi
ya
"Li
yadoyoust
il
lhavet
hoseI
Tst
uff
?"Iaskassoon
asheanswer
ed
"Youknowilikekeepi
nganeyeonmymansoyes
darl
ingido"hesaysandIsmil
e
"
Meetmeatthecof
feeshopar
oundt
hecor
nerf
rom
MK'
s"Isaydr
oppi
ngthecal
l

"
Wil
lyoubeabl
etof
indHi
m?"Iaskandhel
ooksat
me
"
LetMetryf
indi
ngThandof
ir
st"hesaysandIbang
t
hetabl
e
"
LeaveThandof
ornow,
fi
ndXhant
i"Isayoutl
oud
"
Wouldyouchil
l?I
fIcanf
indThandoIcanfi
ndout
i
fXhant
iiswi
thhim"hesaysandInodlooki
ngat
t
hePCscreen
"Soyouhaven'
tseenyoi
rbr
other
?"HeasksThando
andIgrabthephone
"Youlit
tl
escumbag,t
ellmewhereXhant
iisorI
'
llki
ll
allofyouincl
udi
ngXhanti
"Isayandt
hephonegot
dropped
"Li
yacan'
tyouat
leastt
rackhi
scar
?"Iaskandhe
nodstypi
ng

"Carlocat
ed,
twobl
ocksawayf
rom t
hisexcl
usi
ve
club"hesaysandInod

WeseeXhant
ient
eri
ngt
hecl
ub
"Canweseewhat'
shappeni
ngont
hei
nsi
de?
"Iask
andheshakeshi
shead
"
That
'
swhyit
'scal
ledexcl
usi
ve,
butIcanfor
ward
t
heni
ghtt
oseeifhecameout?"HesaysandInod

"Ther
e!"IsayasIseeXhant
igetoutoft
hecl
ub
stumbli
ngholdi
nghisstomach
Hetakesouthisphonetypingsomet
hing.Whenhe
wasdonetypinghecrouched.Hest
oodupand
st
art
edwalking,Iseehisphoneont
heground.He
goti
ntoacarandi tdr
oveof f
.

"
Liya.
."Isayandhenods

Heshowedmethecar
sGPS.I
ttookXhant
iandl
eft
hi
minthewoods.
"
What
'st
heclosestt
hingt
othewoods?
"Iaskand
t
hemapzoomsout,myheartbeat
s.

Irushoutget
ti
ng8bromycar
.Ist
art
eddr
ivi
ngi
nto
thedir
ect
iononthemap.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
"Ent
lei
sgoingt
oki
llYou"PKsayschangi
ngmy
bandages.
"He'
sri
ght"Thandosaysandheplaysar
ecor
ding
ofEntl
eshouti
ngandIstartsweat
ing
"Neverdost
uffl
iket
hiswi
thacl
oudedmi
ndX"PK
saysandInod
"
It
'sjustaf
terIhear
dwhatshedidIsawr ed,
Ieven
f
orgotshe'
sdaddy'sli
tt
legi
rl
"Isaywinci
ng

Mypl anwast ol
ur eAyandaawayf rom t
hecrowd.
Inthebathroom shewant edtogodownonmeandI
sawitast heperfectopport
unit
ysoIgrabbedher
headandIsmashedi tint
ot hebasi
n

Igotshottwotimesonalter
nativesi
desofmy
shoul
derthroughthewindowasIwast ryi
ngto
drownher.Inthepassagegoingdowntothe
bathr
oom Igotshotinthewaist.Iwasl
osingbl
ood
butIcoul
dn'tgetki
ll
edsoeasily.
WhenIgotoutsi
deIcal
ledBr
unoandt
oldhi
mto
useadif
fer
entcaranddropmeof
fint
hewoods
cl
osetomydad'shouse.

Il
ostmyphone.Ent
lei
sreal
ltgoi
ngt
oki
llme.

{
Ayanda}

Ilooki
nthemi r
rorast
earsst
ream downmyface.I
turnmycheektotheri
ghtandthewords'
rapi
st'
wereengraved.

"Thi
sisforEnt
leyouuselesshoe"hesaidt
ome
bangingmyheadagainstthemirr
orbreaki
ngi
t

AsIliedonthefloorhecametowardsmewi t
ha
brokenpieceofglassandhestar
tedwrit
ti
ngonmy
cheek.Icri
edandscr eamedashewasbusy.It
burnt.Hepull
edmeupandf i
ll
edthebasi
n.
Ist
il
lrememberhowbloodymyf
acewasashe
pushedmyfaceunderwater
.
"Todayyoudi
e"hesai
dandIr
eall
yfel
tli
keI
'
m
abouttodi
ewhengunshot
swerefi
red

WhenIwokeupIwasi
nbed.Mydadsavedme.

{
Minent
le}

IbuzzedandMrZanaIappear
edonthescr
eenwi
th
asmi l
e.Idi
dn'
tret
urni
tsoi
twipedhi
saway.
"
Babai
mr eall
ynotinthemood,
I'
vebeenstr
essi
ng
t
hewholenightand-
"Isayandpai
nshotthr
ough
mybel
ly
"
Areyouokay?
"HeasksandIshakemyhead

Thegat
eopenedand2mencamet
oassi
stme.
"Ma'am?"Onesayscouchi
ngnexttomeandIhit
him wit
hmyheadhar dandIki
ckedhi
m.Iqui
ckly
tookoutmygunf r
om mybootsshoot
ingt
heother
oneinhisleg.

Iwal
tsdownt
hedr
ivet
hough.

ThedooropenedandIwenti
n.
"Thi
swayMa'am"thel
adysaysandIf
oll
owher
admiri
ngt
hehouse.

Weent
eredt
hisr
oom andi
twasl
ikeahospi
tal
r
oom.

PKandThandowerestandi
ngnexttoeachother
bl
ocki
ngsomeonesinceIcanseethefeetdangl
ing.

Isatdownont
hechai
rcr
ossi
ngmyl
egs.
I
thasbeenmor
ethan20mi
nut
esandnoonesai
da
wor
d.
"Ihaven'
teat
enanyt
hingf
orbreakf
astandit
'snow
noon"Isayandaft
erafewminutesfoodgot
pushedinonatray

Il
ookedatt
het
rayi
nfr
ontofmeandIki
cki
tdown.
"Youguysdon'
tknowme"Isayt
aki
ngoutmygun
andIseeThandotensi
ngup
"Thandomoveaway"Isayandhel
ooksathi
s
brothermovi
ngawayandPKchuckl
es
"
PK"Isay
"
Ifyouwantmybr ot
heryou'
regoi
ngtohavet
oget
t
hroughmefir
st"hesaysandIsmile
"
Howmanybul
let
sdi
dheget
?"Iaskandhesays3

Itakeoutt
hemagazi neandIseet
her
e'sst
il
l
enoughinitandIcl
ickmygun
"Entl
ebabydon'tt
oit"Xhant
isaysshif
tingaway
from PKandthestat
ehe'sinalmostbreaksmy
heart.

Idr
opt
hegunandIrunt
owar
dshi
m cr
ushi
nghi
m
wit
hahugandhegr
oans
"
Toot
ightbaby"hesaysandIcr
y
"Youasshole.
..
Ithought
..
.It
houghtyouwentout
cheat
ing"Isayhitt
inghi
schestandheholdme
whil
egroaning
"I
'
dnevercheatonyoumyl
ove"hesayski
ssi
ngmy
head

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwasst
il
lhol
dingherwhebIf
eltherbodyt
enseup.
"
Areyouokay?
"Iaskandhereyesar
eshut
"
Babe?
"Isayandshehel
dhert
ummy
Shemovedawayf r
om meholdi
ngherhead.She
stumblesandIj umpofft
hebedfor
getti
ngabout
thesti
tches.Igettoherj
usti
nti
meandshe
coll
apseinmyar ms.

"
Ent
le?Baby?
"Isayshaki
ngher

Thedoct
orwhohel
pedmecamer
ushi
ngi
n.
"
I'
llneedyout
omoveoutsi
r"hesaysandIl
ookat
mywoman

Iseemorepeopl
ecomi
ngi
nconnect
ingEnt
let
othe
machi
nes.
[
68]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
I
fanyt
hinghappenst
oEnt
leIwoul
dneverf
orgi
ve
mysel
f.

Iwassti
llpassi
ngupanddownwhent
hedoor
opened.
"Ever
ythi
ngisokay,
shehasami ldconcussi
ondue
totheknockshegotFrom hi
tt
ingtheguard"hesays
andInodlookingathi
m
"Congr
atul
ati
onsMrZana,
butnost
ressatal
l"he
saysandIrai
seaneyebr
ow
"
Congr
atsf
ori
ni?
"Iaskf
oldi
ngmyar
ms
"
Themi
ssi
spr
egnant
"hesaysandmyear
szi
ng

Pr
egnant
?Ohboyshe'
sdef
fi
net
lygoi
ngt
oki
llme.

{
Zint
le}

I'
vebeenavoi
dingAar
oneversinceif
oundout
abouthi
m havi
ngagirl
fr
iend.
I
'vebeengoi
ngoutwit
hthi
snewguycal
ledMi
ke.
Heclai
mshe'snotar
oundfr
om her
e.

He'
sreal
lyamazi
ng.

Toni
ghtwer
ehavi
ngdi
nner
.Hecookedf
orus.
"Youknowil
oveyouri
ght
?"Hesaysr
ubbi
ngmy
handandIchokeonmydri
nk
"Mar
ryme"hesaysput
ti
ngt
hedi
amondr
ingif
ront
ofmeandIgasp
"
Mike,
Thi
s..
.I
t'
sSosoon"Isayl
ooki
ngathi
m
"IknowbutIal
soknowthatIwantt
ospendt
her
est
ofmyl i
fewi
thyou"hesaysandIsi
gh
"
Thi
nkabouti
t"hesaysst
andi
ngup
"
Ther
e'snot
hingtot
hinkaboutbecausemyanswer
i
sno"isayshut
ti
ngthedoorinhisface
Whatt
heact
ualf
uck?
...

{
Minent
le}

WhenmyeyeswentopenIgr
oanhol
dingmyhead.
I
thur
ts.

Someonecamei
nandhewaswear
ingacoat
.
"
Hadaf eel
ingyou'
dhaveami
grainewhenyou
wakeup"hesaysgivi
ngmeagrandpa
"Sor
ry,
buti
nyourcondit
ionyou'
renotal
lowedto
dri
nkanyotherpai
nki
ll
er"hesaysandIswall
ow
l
ookingathi
m
"
Mycondi
ti
on?
"Iask
"You'
repregnant
"hesaysandIf
reeze,
Il
aughbutI
seehe'sdeadseri
ous
"
No,
Godbet
tert
akef
il
lcust
odyoft
hisonesi
r"Isay
"
Doyouhaveanyi
deawhatXhant
iwi
lldot
ome?
OhGod,nowhe'
sgoi
ngt
othi
nkIt
rappedhim wit
ha
baby.
..
whosai
dhewant
edki
dsnow?I'm dead"I
shout
"What
'sgoi
ngOn?
"Xhant
i'
svoi
cer
oar
esandIkeep
qui
et
"
Xhant
i.
..
baby"Isay
"
Babe,
areyouokay?"Hesayscomi
ngcl
oseandmy
l
ipst
art
strembl
ing
"
Ent
l-
"tear
srundownmyf
acebef
orehecoul
dsay
mor
e

Heembr
acesmeasIsni
ff
.
"
I'
m sor
ry"hesayshol
dingmet
ight

Lat
eronXhant
ibr
oughtmesomei
cecr
eam
"You'
renotal
lowedtoeatt
hat
"thedoct
orsaysandI
sulkl
ookingatXhant
i
"
Fine,
onl
yfort
oday"hesayswal
kingout
"
So?
"Hesaysbr
eaki
ngt
hesi
lenceandIl
ookathi
m
"I
fyoudon'twanti
twecangiveitbackt
oGod"Isay
andhelooksatmeasifI'
m crazy
"Whatmakesyouthi
nkIdon'
twantyourki
ds
Ent
le?"HeasksandIshr
ug
"Becauseyou'veneverr
aisedt
hattopic"Isayand
hequicklyst
andsupandmyhear tbeatsfastashe
walkscloser
Hebendsforwar
dshaki
nghi
shandar
oundmyneck
sl
ight
lychoki
ngme.

Hel
ooksi
ntomyeyescomi
ngcl
osergi
vingmea
l
ongki
ss.
"Don'
tyoueverthinkaboutabor
ti
ngmy
kids.
..
ever,
evenifimakeyoupregnant5t
imes"he
saysaftert
hekissandIslowlynod

Heki
ssesmeonmycheeksmi
li
ng
"Thankyou"hesayski
ssi
ngmeagai
nhol
dingmy
hand

{
Ayanda}

"
Whatdoyoumeanwehavetomove?"Iaskmydad
whi
lehe'
sbusypacki
ngmycl
othes
"
Ishoul
dhavelef
tyou,
Ishoul
dn'
thavegi
venyou
t
hatpani
cbutt
on"hesays
"Thepanicbutt
onwast oprot
ectmeandt
oaler
t
you'r
emenwhenI '
mi ntroubl
eandnomatt
erwhat
theyshouldcomeful
lforce!
"Ishout
"Tel
lme,WhywasheafterYou?"HeasksandI
breakeyecontact
.Her
ushestowardsmechoki
ng
meagai nstt
hewall
"
Iaskedyouaquest
ion"hesaysandIshutmyeyes
"Ior
deredaguytorapehi
snowf
iance"Iqui
ckl
y
saysandhelet
'sgoofme
I
flookscoul
dkil
lI'
dbedeadbynow.Hesl
apped
mesohar dIf
ell
.
"
I'
m notdyi
ngbecauseofyourstupi
dact
s,I
'
m not
t
akingyouwit
hme"hesaysl eavi
ng
"
LeavemeandI
'
llt
ellmom"Isayandhest
ops
"Goahead,
I
'lll
eavebothofy'allt
odi
eherethenI
'l
l
fi
ndanewr eplacementsforthebot
hofyou"he
saysandheshut sthedoor

Ibegancr
ying.Whatnow?

{
Laur
en}

"
Whereyou'
regoi
ng?
"Heaskstheminut
eIt
ouch
t
hedoorhandl
eandmyheartbeat
s
"
Heyb-
babe"Isaywi
thashakyvoi
ce
"I
'
mj ustgoi
ngt odosomet opupshopping,
you
knowI'vebeencravingf
orthosechocol
atebal
lsbut
youneverbringthem"Isaysmili
ngandhecomes
f
orwar
dst
roki
ngmyhai
r
"Ok,
butf
ir
stshowmeyouwantgoi
ngoutbad"he
saysandmyeyestearup

Hestar
tsunbuckl
inghi
sbel
t.Ist
oodt
her
eandhe
hel
dmyheadpushi ngmedownonmyknees.

Hetookhisthi
nlongdi
ckandpushedi
tint
omy
mouth,Igagandhepul
lsmyhair
"Gagonemor
eti
meandI
'
llsl
apyou"hesaysandI
nod

Hest
art
edgoi
ngi
nandoutofmymout
hgr
oani
ng
"
Lickmybal
ls"hesayandIdo
"
Iloveyou"hesaysstr
oki
nghi
sdi
ckput
ti
ngi
tback
i
ntomymout hagain

Hest
art
edf
ucki
ngmymout
hli
kei
twasavagi
na.
Al
lthatwasheardwashi
sgr
oansandmoansas
mytearsrol
leddown

Hi
sbodytensedupandhechokedmecl
enchi
nghi
s
di
ckandheexplodedi
nmymout h
"
Swal
low"hesaysandIdo,
hesmi
les
"Nowwipeyourf
aceandgo,
don'
tbebackl
ate"he
sayspul
li
nguphispant
s

Ir
ushedoutoft
hehouseandIcal
ledEnt
le'
sphone.
"
Pickuppi
ckup"Isayl
ooki
ngback
"
Thenumberyou'
vedi
aled-
"Icur
seswi
tchi
ngof
f
t
hephone

Iwal
kedt
othedaycar
efet
chi
ngmyki
ds
"Todaywer
egoi
ngt
obel
ate"Isayasibuyt
hem i
ce
cream
"
Isdadal
soj
oini
ngusmommy?
"Bot
hAshl
eyand
Asht
onsayi
nuni
on
"
Daddyisbusy,
todayi
t'
sjustus"Isaywal
kingwi
th
t
hem i
nEntle'
shouse

"
Mommywe' r
etir
ed,
where'
sthecar,
daddyal
ways
f
etchuswi
ththecar
"Ashtonsayssulki
ng
"Wer
ealmostt
here"Isayasiseewer
e5houses
awayfr
om Ent
le'
s

Iopenhergat
eandhercari
sher
e.Iknockeda
coupl
eofti
mesbutther
ewasnoanswer.Itr
ied
cal
li
ngherphonebuti
twentt
ovoicemai
l.

Whatam Igoi
ngt
odonow?Iregr
ett
reat
inghert
he
wayIdi
dwhenshewantedt
ohelpme.

Iwassti
llsi
tt
ingonthest
epswhenablackcar
st
oppedatthefrontandmyhear
tbeat
s.Godno
pl
ease,
notli
kethis.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

I
'
vebeenlooki
ngatmystomach.Icanseei
t'
s
t
aki
ngshape.Ideci
dedt
ocallmymom
"Waswonder
ingwhenyou'
l
lcal
l"shesaysando
sigh
"
What
'swr
ong?
"SheasksandIbi
temyt
ongue
"I
'
m pregnant
"Isayandt
her
e'sal
ongpauseont
he
othersi
de
"YouandSiyabet
tergetmarr
iedi
fyou'
regoi
ngt
o
have2kidsfr
om him"shesaysandIcl
osemyeyes
"
Thebabyissomeoneelse'
s,Si
yaandIar
enot
t
oget
heranymore"Isay
"
Whatisthis?Ir
aisedyoutohavemul ti
plebabi
es
f
rom mult
iplemen?Who' sgoingtomarryyouifyou
j
usthavi
ngsexwi thoutpr
otecti
on?"Sheshouts
"
Butt
hat
'
swhatIwant
edt
osay,
theguywho
i
mpr
egnat
edmei
smar
ryi
ngmemom"Isay
"Mom? "Isayl
ooki
ngatt
hephoneandIseeshehas
droppedthecal
l

Iexpect
edt
hatt
ogobett
er.Aj
aydoesn'
tknowmy
famil
ynowmysecondbornwi
llgot
hroughthe
same?

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Yourshoulderi
ssti
llmessedupandi fEnt
lefi
nds
outaboutthisshe'
l
lstress"PKsaysandIrollmy
eyes
"
It
'l
lbef
ast
,she'
snol
ongerguar
ded"Isay
"Shedoesn'
tdeser
vet
oli
vebr
other
"Isayandhe
nods

{
Ayanda}
Ican'tst
ayhere.I
'
m asit
ti
ngduck.Ideci
dedt
ocal
l
Ashley,Si
ya'
sbrother
"
Whatdoyouwant
"hesayst
hemi
nut
eheanswer
s
mycal
l
"
Ashplease,
Ineedyourhel
p"Isayl
ooki
ngoutt
he
window
"
Tel
lthatt
omydeadson"hesaysdr
oppi
ngt
hecal
l

Isear
chedf
ormoneyandIf
oundenoughf
oran
uber.

Iendedupi
nfr
ontofVuyo'
shouse.

Heopenedt
hedoorhal
fnaked
"
Whatdoyouwant
"hesays
"Pl
ease,
theyar
egoingt
oki
llme"Isayandhe
chuckl
esclosi
ngt
hedoor
Si
ya!Yes.Ipai
dhi
m avi
sit
.Sur
elyhewi
llhel
pme.

Isatonthest
eelchai
rswait
ingf
orhi
m.Hecame
outwit
hhisorangeuni
for
m.

"
I'
m gl
adyoudeci
dedgocomeout
"Isayandhe
l
ooksatme
"
Ineedyourhel
pSi
ya"Isayandhel
ooksatme
"
Xhant
iwant
stoki
llme"Isay
"
Final
ly"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"Yourdeedsarecat
chingupwithyou,
i
t'
sapit
tyi
won'tbether
etowitnessi
t"hesaysst
andi
ngup
andtheytakehimtohiscel
l

Whatnow?

{
Zint
le}
"Soyou'
rei
nvi
ti
ngmet
oyourpar
ty?
"IaskAar
on
andhenods
"
Iwantyout
omeetmygi
rl
fr
iend"hesaysandIr
oll
myeyesmental
ly
"Ok,
seeyoul
atert
hen"Isayandhecl
imbsi
ntohi
s
bakki
e

I
'
m notover
lydr
essnoram Iunder
lydr
essed.

I
twasasmal
lpar
tywi
thni
cepeopl
e

"Aar
onhasgoodnewsf
orever
yone"hi
smom says
andhecomesfor
wardwi
thablondegi
rl
"Aar
onisengaged"Shesaysandever
yonecl
ap
handsexceptme

I
thur
ts.Soil
eft
.
Outsi
deIwasonthephonewi
thEnt
lewhen
somethi
ngcr
ackedbehi
ndme
"
Youshoul
dgobackt
oyourf
iance"Isay
"You'
reengagedtooEnt
le"hesaysandIt
urn
aroundfaci
nghim
"
Sayswho?
"Iask
"Isawt hatMi
keguybuyi
ngari
ngsoIthoughtI
shouldaskmygirl
fri
endt
oo"hesaysandIl
aughin
disbel
ieve
"
Isai
dno"isaywal
kingaway

I
sheser
ious?
[
69]

{AyandaIwasbusywal
kingwhi
lel
ooki
ngovermy
shouldert
hewhol
eti
me.
Icall
edmysocall
edfri
endsbutnotoneoft
hem
werewil
li
ngtohelpme.MaybeIshouldt
ryNande.I
cal
ledherandsheansweredaf
tert
he4thri
ng.
"
Yes"shesays
"
NandeIr
eal
lyam sor
ryf
ort
hepastbut
-"
"
Whatdoyouwant
"shesayscut
ti
ngmeof
f
"Ineedaplacet
ost
ay,
j
ustf
ort
heni
ght
"IsayandI
hearalongsigh
"Fi
ne,
sendmeyourlocat
ionandI'l
lsendsomeone
totof
etchyou"shesaysdroppi
ngt hecal
landI
sendhermylocat
ioni
mmedi at
ely.

I
nlessthan15mi
nut
esawhit
efort
unerst
opped
i
nfr
ontofme.Amancameoutandopenedthedoor
f
orme.

Ihesi
tant
lygoti
nandt
heydr
oveof
f.

Mencomi
ngt
ofet
chme?I
nagr
andcar
?SoNande
i
snowloaded.Iwonderwho'
shersponsor
.Coul
d
beasugardaddy.

{
Siya}

"Soyou'r
esayi
ngyoucan'
thel
pme?Yourown
son?"Iaskmydadovert
hephone
"
I'
dhel
pyouononecondi
ti
on"hesays
"
Youst
ayawayf
rom Ent
le"hesaysandIgr
oan
"Dad,
youknowEnt
lei
smi
ne,
yousai
dityour
sel
f"I
sayfr
ustr
ated
"
YesIdid,
andyoufuckeditupbycheat
ingonher
t
wice"hesaysandIsigh
"Fi
ne.
..
butIst
illwantt
ohaveaccesst
omyson"I
sayandther
e'salongpauseontheot
hersi
de
"Let
'sseeifMrZanawi
llacceptt
hedeal
"hesays
andIcutthecall
"What
'st
aki
ngyousodamnl
ongbr
oe?
"Aguy
behi
ndmesays
"I
'm doneain'tI?"IsayandhepushesmeandI
pushhi m back.Her ubshi
snose.Guyscame
runningtowar dsmeandt heyst
artat
tacki
ngme.

Ifel
ltothegroundast
heyst
eppedandki
ckedme
unti
lIpassedout.

{
PK}

"
Soyousayi
ngno?
"Iaskherandshel
ooksatme
"
Hel
lno"shesays
"Whyyouwantt
ogetmar
ri
edt
omeanyway"she
asksandIl
ookather
"
BecauseIneedawi
fe"Isay
"I
fyouwantt omarr
ymeyougott oaskmetobemy
gir
lf
riend,
takemeoutondat
es"shesaysandIcl
ean
myt eeth
"WomanI '
mtoogrownforthatshi
tgi
vemeyour
hand"Isayst
andi
ngupt aki
ngherhandandput
ti
ng
theri
ngonherfi
nger.

"Haveani cedaywif
e,I
'm of
ftowork"Isayki
ssi
ng
her,
leavi
ngherinthatsameposit
ionlooki
ngather
fi
nger
"
Ohmakesomedi
nner
?Thankyou"Isaycl
osi
ng
t
hedoor

{
Minent
le}

Icutmydayshor
tatwor
kbecauset
henausea
doesn'
twantt
ostop.

Thephoner
angandIanswer
edi
t
"
Baby"Isay
"EyMrsMe,what'
sthi
saboutyoul
eavi
ngwork
earl
y,
isever
ythi
ngokaywit
htheBaby?
"Heasks
andIsi
gh
"
Ever
ythi
ngi
sokay,
j
ustnausea"Isaydr
inki
ngmy
wat
er
"Justt
ellmewhatyouneed.
..
shoul
dItaket
herest
ofthedayoffAndcheckuponYou?"HeasksandI
decli
ne

"Youneedt
ostartmaki
ngmoneysinceyou
becomingafat
herin9mont
hs"Isayandhekeeps
quiet
"I
'
m goingtobecomeadadar en'
tI?Your
eally
blessedme..
.Iloveyou"hesays,myeyestearup
andIstartcr
ying
"Baby?Didisaysomet
hingwr
ong?
"Heasks
panicki
ng
"No.
..i
t'
sjustt
hesecr
azyhor
mones"IsayandIhear
him si
gh

{
Mike}
I
'm atthehotelandI
'
m si
tt
ingont
hebedl
ooki
ngat
Zi
ntle'
sphotos.

Biankawi
llki
llmei
fsheknewIl
iedaboutwhyI
havetobeinSAagain.

Idi
dcomebecauseofXhant
i.Heneededmyhelp.
Theminut
eIsawhissi
steri
wantedher,
fol
lowed
herdowntot
hefar
m.

Ishouldn'
thaveaskedhert
omar
ryme.I
'
m suchan
i
diot.

IwenttocheckuponEntl
ebutinsteadofherI
foundthi
sladynamedLaurenwit
hherkidslooki
ng
forEnt
le.

Shel
ooksr
oughedup.Iknowt
oomanyst
ori
esl
i
ke
hers.I
fshedoesn'
tst
artt
hinki
ngaboutherki
ds
she'l
lendupdead.

Herhusbandisgoingaroundsear
chingf
orher.I
t'
s
ei
theristar
tunnecessar
ywarorIfeedhert
othe
wolves.

"Soyousai
dyou'
reaf
ri
endofEnt
le'
s?"Iaskand
shenods
"
I'
m sor
tofheruncl
e"Isayandhereyespopout
"
Canyouf
indher
?"Sheasks
"Ineedherhel
p,Ihopeshehelpsmet hist
ime"she
sayssulki
ngandIgi veheraquest
ioningl
ook
"Thelastti
meshet ri
edhel
pingIwentbacktohi
m
andIdi dn'
teventryst
oppi
nghimfrom sendi
ng
Entl
et ojai
l"shesayshol
dingherf
ace
"Ent
lecanhol
dgrudgessl
eight,
butokayI
'l
lhel
pyou
gettoher
"Isayandshesmileshuggingme
{
Ayanda}

Idi
dn'
tgetmuchsl
eepl
astni
ghti
nthi
smansi
on.

I
nsteadofenj
oyi
ngsof
tli
fet
hatXhant
il
omziZana
i
stormenti
ngme.

Lastni
ghtIdidn'tseeNande'
s'fi
ance'
.Isawthebi
g
stoneonherfingerandnotevenSiyacoul
dgiveme
suchabi gri
ng.Thismeansthisf
ianceisri
cher
thanSiya.

{
Siya}

WhenIwokeupIsawt hatIwasi
nthehospit
al.
Doctorscameandtheywheeledmeoutint
othe
el
evatordowntot
hepar ki
ng.
Adel
iver
ytr
uckopenedattheback,
theywheel
ed
meinandtheydr
oveoff.

Thepassangerl
ookedbackandIsawt
hati
twas
myDad.
"
Yousuck"Isay
"
Thi
sishowyougetmeout
?"Iask
"
Ihadtogetyouawayfrom t
hepri
sonfi
rst
,bri
bea
f
ew..
.st
artbei
nggr
atef
ul"hesayst
urni
ngar ound.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Laur
en}

Mi
kei
sagoodguynol
iesandhe'
shandsome.

Ikeeponcatchi
nghim busyst
ari
ngathi
sphone.
Yester
dayIsawwhathewasl ooki
ngatandi
twasa
beauti
fulbl
ondegi
rl
.
"
She'
sbeaut
if
ul"Isayandheget
saf
ri
ght
"
Yea.
..
Thankyou,
i
t'
smywi
fe"hesayssl
ouchi
ng
"
WhydoIsenseabut
?"Iaskandhesi
ghs
"If
elli
nlovewit
hsomeoneel
se"hesaysandmy
heartbeats.

Di
dhef
alli
nlovewi
thmei
nsuchashor
tti
me?

"
What
'syourwi
fe'
sname?
"Iaskoutofcur
iosi
ty
"
BiankaMar
ti
nez"hesaysandInod

Mi chaeldoesn'
tknowt herestofmyfami l
y.Mi
ke
helpedmebysendi ngthetwinsdownt omyauntin
capet ownwhi l
eIfi
gur eouthowI'
llapproacht
he
divorce.Michaelwon'tgodownwi t
houtaf i
ght
.

Lat
ert
hatni
ghtwhenMikewasasl
eepicheckedup
onmyauntandshetol
dmeeveryt
hingi
sgood.
It
urnedar
oundandinsaneMi
kesl
eepi
ngi
nthe
mostsexi
estway.
"
Don'
tdoi
t"Iwhi
spert
omysel
fhol
dingmyphone.

Iqui
cklyundr
essandIj
oinhim underthecover
s.I
whipoutmyphoneandItakeaqui cksnapofhim
hol
dingme.

Igotoutandgotdressedagai
ngoi
ngtothecouch.I
sear
chedhiswifeandIfoundher
.Isentt
hephoto
toherwit
hacaption
*
Sout
hAf
ri
cai
sni
ce*

Idashedoutt
othephar
macycover
ingmyf
ace.I
needtodrughi
m.

{
Ayanda}
I'
m upear
ly.Ican'
twaitt
oseeNande'
sfi
ance.Ist
il
l
sayhe'
sprobablyold.

Maybehecant akemetoo.Iwentdownstai
rst
othe
ki
tchen.Icamet her
eandtherewereal
readymaids
busywithbreakfast
.

Icoul
dgetusedt
othi
s.
"Morni
ngma'
am,
Thisway"agi
rlwi
thmaidcl
othes
saysbehi
ndmel
eadingmetot
hedinni
ngarea.

Thewholet
ablewasfi
ll
edwithfood.Ist
art
ed
eat
ing,
ImoanedwhenItast
edthebacon.
"
Whenl
ast
"Isay
"Don'tchokeonyourf
oodnow"amal
evoi
cesays
behindme
Hesatacr
ossmedr
inki
ngcof
feeIguess.Wai
ta
minut
eIknowhi
m.
"Yeaiknowyout
oo"hesaysscr
oll
ingt
hroughhi
s
phone
"
Iwaswonder
ingwher
eyouat
"Nandesayscomi
ng
t
owar
dsus,ki
ssi
ngthi
sguyonthecheek
"
Mor
ning"shesaysdi
rect
edt
ome
"Yougotal
it
tl
e..
."shesayswipi
ngt
hecor
ner
sof
hermouthandIdot hesame.

I
t'
shim.TheguyIsawwithEnt
leatthatl
it
tl
ediner
.
Whatawow I'
m notgoi
nganywhere,
ther
e'sanew
mamaintownNande.

{
Nande}

Aleopardneverchangesi
t'
sst
ripes.Ayandais
deff
inet
lyaleopar
d.Whoforgi
vesandf orget
swhat
shedidtome?
Shet
hinkshe'
sher
enj
e?

Li
ketheysay.Keepyourf
ri
endscl
oseandyour
enemiescl
oser.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
That
'
ssui
cide"Isaychuckl
ingandPKnods
"Justkeepaneyeonthehousefornow,
Ayandais
streetsmar
t,l
et'
sseewhatt
hisNandegir
lhasin
store"If
urt
hersay

"
Howdidthingsgowithyourmother
?"IaskEnt
le
whi
ler
ubbingherfeet
.Shestar
tedsnif
fi
ng
"
Baby?
"Iaskandshecr
iesshaki
ngherhead
"Shebasi
cal
lycal
ledmeasl
utXhant
i"shesays
sobbi
ng
"
Doesn'tsoundl
ikeyourmom"Isayandsheshoot
s
alookatme
"
SoI
'
mlyi
ng?
"Shesayshyst
eri
cal
ly
"Di
dn'tmeanitli
ketha,
HowboutItal
ktoyourmom
andinthemeant imeI'
l
lsendBr
unotogetyou
bil
tong"Isayandshenodssmili
ngwhilewipi
ngof
f
hertears

Thi
swi
llbeIl
ongmont
hsicanseei
tal
ready.

Myphoner
angandi
twasanumberIdon'
tknow.
"
Hel
lo?
"Isay
"Hel
lomyfoot
,t
ellyourf
ri
endsI
mfl
yingdownt
o
SouthAf
ri
ca"
"
Who'
sThi
s?"Iask
"I
t'
sMike'
swifeyoul
yingsonofabi
tch"shesays
droppi
ngthecal
l
Notmybabyt
orai
se.Idon'
tevenknowwher
eMi
ke
i
s.

{
Mike}

Iwokeupt
hefol
lowi
ngdayf
eel
ingabi
tdi
sor
ient
ed.
Myheadhurt
s.

IseeLaurenal
readyeati
ngbreakf
ast
.Sheneedst
o
go,Ineedt
ocallEnt
leandarr
angeameeting.

"
Mor
ningl
overboy"shesaysandIst
opi
nmyt
racks
"
Damnyouwer
eal
loverme"shesayswal
tzi
ng
t
owar
dsme
"
Par
don?
"Iaskcr
eamyconf
used
"
Younotdoi
ngt
hatt
omenoSi
r"shesays
"Lastni
ght
?MeandYou,
we.
..
"shesayspausi
ngi
ng
andIpanic
"
Wha.
..
HowcomeIdon'
tknowanyt
hing?
"Iask
"I
t'
sokay,l
et'
sjustfor
getabouti
t,
im sor
ryi
shoul
d'vestopped"shesaysgoi
ngbackt oherseat
"Nono..
.Ishouldbetheonethat'
ssorry,
Ishoul
dn'
t
have.
..
what everIdi
d"Isayst
il
lveryconfused.

IheardmyphoneringandIsawt hatIhadmult
ipl
e
missedcal
lsf
rom Bianka.Xhant
iwascall
ingme
"
Sup?
"Isayr
ubbi
ngmyhead
"Manwhatdi
dyoudo?Yourwif
ecal
ledmeallangr
y
sayi
ngsheonherwayt
oSAr i
ghtNOW!"Hesays
andIcur
se

"
What
?"HeasksandIgr
oan
"Imighthave,
couldhavebyasl
ightchancesl
ept
withEntl
e'sfr
ienduhhwhat'
shername...
Laur
en"I
sayclosi
ngmyeyesandIhearl aughter
"
Canyoubr
ingLaur
enher
e?"Heasksst
il
llaughi
ng
"Yea,
plusshewant
stospeakwi
thEnt
le"IsayandI
cutthecall

Thi
sisreal
lymessedup.It
hinkIshoul
dfi
lef
ora
di
vorceanyway.

{
Minent
le}

I
'
m passi
ngupanddowni
nfr
ontoft
hedoor
.
"St
opdoingt
hat,
you'r
est
ressi
ngoutmychi
ld"
Xhant
isaysandIsigh
"I
'
mf i
neXhant
iandsoi
sthebaby.Ican'
tbel
ieve
Laur
enwoulddosomet
hingl
iket
histomyown"i
sayandIl
ookather
"Dowhat
?Sl
eepwi
thMi
ke?
"HesaysandIr
ollmy
eyes
"Mikedoesn'
tforgett
hing'
sokay?Hedoesn' tdr
ink
andsleepwithrandom people.
..
.Ishouldn'
thave
taughthert
hattri
ck"Iwhisperthelastpart
.
[
70]

{
Minent
le}

Thegat
egotbuzzedandsecur
it
ylett
hecari
n.
"Wil
lyoucal
m down?
"Xhant
iasksandIgl
areat
him

ThedooropenedandMikecameinfi
rst
,behi
ndhim
wasLauren.Evenabl
indper
soncanseebehindall
thatmakeupshewaspanelbeat
en.

Ever
yonewasseat
edont
hecouchexceptme
"Ent
le"Xhant
ister
nlysaysandIsi
tdown.Noone
hassaidanythi
ng
"Di
dy'al
lwast
epetr
oljustt
ocomesi
tinmyhouse?
"
IaskandLaur
enlooksatme
"
Ent
leI
'
m sor
ry"shesays
"Don'
tyoudar
e,Ial
mosthadacr iminalr
ecor
donl
y
becauseyouweredickmat
ized"Isay
"
Idi
dn'
taskf
oryouhel
p"shesays
"Thenwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"Iasksi
tt
ingup
str
aight

"
Ineedyourhel
p"shesaysandIl
augh
"Laurenwhati swrongwit
hYou?Anddon'tt
ryt
o
boomer angthisonebecauseyouknewMikewas
myf amily"Isayandhereyesgett
eary.
"
Ifyougoingt
ocryI'
l
lbeatyouupsoyou'
l
lcr
yfora
r
eason"Isayandshenods
"Now,
tel
lmyuncl
ethet
rut
h"Isayandhereyespop
out
"
Tel
lhi
m orIwi
ll
"Isayandshebowesherhead
"
Mi ke.
..
i-
you-
wedi
dn'
tsl
eept
oget
her
"shesaysand
Mikeshift
s
"AndI'
mt hereasonwhyyourwif
eiscomi
ng
here.
..
.Isentherpi
ctur
esofusnakedi
nbed"she
saysandMi
ket
ight
enhi
sfi
sts

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Mi
kest
oodupandwentt
oLaur
en
"HowdidyouDoit"hesaysandhereyesf
all
son
Entl
e,
shebentherheadsidewaysl
ooki
ngatLaur
en
andhertear
sfal
l
"
Somet
hingIl
ear
ntonl
ine"shesays

Ent
le'
sphoner
angandshepi
ckedi
tup
"
Excuseme?
"ShesaysandIt
ryl
ist
eni
ng
"
It
'sadat
ethen"shesaysaf
terawhi
leandIr
aise
myeyebr
ow
"I
'
llsendsomeone"shesaysdr
oppi
ngt
hecal
lgoi
ng
upstai
rs

{
Nande}
"
Icannevergetusedt
othi
s"Isaycover
ingmyeyes
"Cut
e"Li
yemasaysput
ti
ngt
hedeadgi
rl
sor
gansi
n
cool
erboxer
s
"Sowhat
'
sgoingtohappentoyourguest?
"Heasks
andIsmil
egi
vinghi
m petr
oltopouroverthebody
part
s
"Iwanthert
orel
axf i
rst
.Howmuchisthi
sone
goingtobri
ngus?"Iaskandhesmi
les
"
Thi
sonei
sheal
thy.
..
wel
lwas"hesaysl
aughi
ng
"Morethantheusualgir
lswoul
dbr i
ngusinsi
nce
thi
sonedi dn'
tconsumeanyalcoholort
oxi
c
substances"hesaysandIsmil
e

Ayandayourdaysar
enumber
ed.Daddyi
sn'
ther
e
anymore.

{
Minent
le}
Igotdressedi
nsweatpant
sandcomfort
abl
eshoes.
Xhantihasbeenf
oll
owingmearoundthewhol
e
ti
me.
"Pat
iencemyl
ove"Isayt
yingmyhai
rwi
tht
he
el
ast
icband

Laur
encamer
unningi
ntot
heki
tchenwher
eIwas
busymaki
ngl
unch.
"
Youcal
ledhiswi
feover
?"Shest
ernl
yasks
l
ower
inghervoi
ce
"Cor
recti
on,
youdidwhenyousentthosephotost
o
hiswif
e..
.wantt
oknowt hebestpar
t?Shedoesn'
t
knowyou'reher
e"Isayeati
ngtheRussi
an
"
Whydi
dyougobackt
ohi
m?"Iask
"
Ilovedhi
m"shesaysandIshakemyhead
"
Youhaven'
taskedmeaboutt
het
wins"shesays

"
Iknowyousentt
hem away,
whatIwantt
oknowis
whydi
dyouusethatdamntr
ickonmyuncle?Why
notyourusel
esshusband"Isayandshesl
apsme
"Don'
tyouevercal
lmyhusbandusel
ess"shesays
andIsmile
"Youshould'
vesl
appedyourhusbandl
iket
hat
sfebe"Isaypr
ovoki
ngherandshecomesforwar
d

"TouchheragainandI'
llsendyout
oyourhusband
personal
ly"Xhant
isayscominginandshebacks
down
"
YouknowI'l
lbeattheshi
toutofyouLaur
en"Isay
whi
leXhant
iinspectsmyface

Thedoorbel
lrang.
"
She'
sher
e"IsayandXhant
ilooksatmeconf
used

Mikeisbusysweati
ngwat er
.Icall
edLaurenand
youshould'
veseenBiankasface.If
eell
ikeJer
ry
Spri
nger.
"
Sor
tyourmessoutr
ighther
eri
ghtnow"Isayand
Bi
ankachuckl
est
aki
ngof
fherear
ings

Bef
oreMikecouldstandupBiankawasalready
acr
osst
her oom beati
ngthehel
loutofLauren.

Onethi
ngaboutpeopl
eli
keBi
anka.Ifyoushowher
you'
reweakshe'
l
ldominat
eoveryou.

Mikebroket
hef
ightapar
taf
terawhi
le.Laur
enwas
cr
ying
"
Entleyou'
ret
oogrowntobestar
ti
ngf i
ght
sli
ket
his"
MikesaysandBi
ankayankherarm away
"You'
ret
oogrowntobescaredt
otel
lXhant
ithat
youaskedhi
ssist
ert
omar r
yyou"IsayandXhanti
l
ooksatMike

{
Mike}
Iunder
est
imat
edEnt
le.
"Bi
anka.
..
Youknowil
oveyou.
..
butIcan'
tdot
his
anymore"Isay
"
Youdon'
tmakemehappy,
Yousoural
lthe
t
ime,
You'
rei
nsecur
e-"
"Andwhocreatedtheper
sonIam Now?Ni
ggayou
helpedmeturnint
othi
sbitt
erper
sonnowyouwant
toshoutcr
azy?"SheasksandIsi
ghnoddi
ng
"
I'
m sor
ry"Isay
"
It
'sf
ine"shesayswi
that
rembl
ingvoi
ce
"I
'
llacceptthedi
vorce,
allIknowisthatIhavenever
notevenONCEchest edonYou. .
.t
hankyou
Entl
e,goodbyeMike"shesayswal ki
ngout.

Ifel
loutofl
ovewithmywife.Icoul
d'vehandl
edt
his
bett
erifi
twasn'
tfort
hisLaurenchi
ck.

Xhantil
ooksli
kehecankil
lme.I'
m notgoi
ngt
o
fi
ghthim.I'
mtoogrownforthat
.
{
Ayanda}

Thi
shousei sr
eall
ybi
g.It
ookalitt
let
ouronmy
own.Ipassedthemai
nbedroom andIhear
dmoans
andgroans.

Mycl i
tstar
tedthrobbi
ng.Isofl
yopenedt hedoor
andIsawt hem inadoggyst yl
epositi
on.Liyemas
l
onghar ddickgotmegaspi ng.Myhandsl owly
goesdownt omyvagi naandIst ar
ttouchingit
feel
ingwarm.

Icoul
dn'
tbarethet
ort
uresoIrant
omyr
oom
cl
osedthedoorandwenttot
hebed.

Ist
artt
ouchi
ngmycl it
,st
imul
ati
ngit.Thehorni
ness
i
mf eel
ingi
stoohigh.Ipl
aywithmycl i
twit
hone
handandIstar
tpinchi
ngmyni ppl
es.Istar
t
i
magininghi
sdickinsi
deofmegoi nginandout.
MybackarchedasIf
eltmysel
fget
ti
ngcl
oserandI
wentf
ast
er,r
ubbi
ngmyclit
.

Mytoesst
art
edcurli
ngup,mybodystart
ed
tr
embli
ngasahugeor gasm hi
tmeextr
emelyhar
d.
ImoanasIst
artshaki
ng.

Aftermyorgasm sust
ainedIsmilebreat
hinginand
out.Ist
oodup, mylegsfeltwobblyasIwalkedto
thebathr
oom taki
ngabat h.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Cont
inuat
ionwi
llf
oll
owt
oni
ght
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
PK}
"Whenar
eyougoingt
ostopworki
ngatt
hecl
ub"I
askAsewhi
leshewasgett
ingr
eadyt
ogotowork
"Phumlaniyouf
oundmeatt
hatcl
ubsodealwi
thi
t"
shesays
"
Aseyouar
emywi
fenow"Isayandshesi
ghs
"
Fiance"shesaysl
eavi
ngandIbangt
het
abl
e

Imadeacal
l
"Fr
anco,
areyoust
il
linbusi
ness?Ineedt
oputahi
t
onsomeone"Isay

Nowomanofmi nei
sgoi
ngtoworkever
yni
ght
ser
vingdr
inkst
ohor
nyassmen.Notonmywatch.

{
Zint
le}

"
Whati
fyou'
rej
ustt
hesameasHi
m?Wor
seeven?
"
IaskAar
onashehol
dsmyheadandhesi
ghs
"BecauseI
'm nothi
m Zee.
.Icanneverbehi
m,you
knoweveryt
hingaboutme"hesaysandInod
"Fi
ne,
butwe'
ret
aki
ngbabyst
eps"Isayandhel
ooks
downatmesmili
ng
"Asl
ongasi t
'swit
hyouIdon'
tcar
ewhatst
eps
weret
aking"hesaysbendi
ngdownki
ssi
ngmeand
Iki
sshim back.

{
Minent
le}

"Babypl
easest
opcr
ying"Xhant
isaysbr
ushi
ngmy
back
"Please,
let
'sshi
ftt
heweddingt
il
laft
erIgi
ve
birth,
I
'm goingt
olookl
ikeanel
ephantXhant
i"Isay
crying
"Youwantmet olookl
ikeanelephantonmy
weddi
ngday?Soyoucanout shi neme?Ionlyhave
2monthsleft
,andIhaven'
tst
artedwithanyt
hing"I
saywail
ingandheshushedme
"SeewhatIhavetodealwi
thever
ydaydayXhant
i?"
LiyasaysandIl
ookathim

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Mybabyisreal
lyacrybaby.Ifsheai
n'tupt
o
ar
ranget
hisweddingI'
l
lDoi tmysel
f,
Iwanttoget
marri
edt
oEnt l
eandthat'
sforsure.

Mydadcall
edmet ohishous,
soundedi
mpor
tant
soIwentt
hereaf
terEntl
e'
sdrama.

"
Dad"Isaygr
eet
inghi
m andhehugsme
"
Where'
smakoti
?Andwhenar
eyoumarr
yingher
?"
Heasksl
eadi
ngmedownthehal
lway
"Soon,
becauseshe'
sexpect
ingmyki
d"Isaysmi
l
ing
andhestops
"Mysonisgr
owi
ngup"hesayspat
ti
ngmyback
chucki
ng

"Haveyoumadecont
actwit
hherf
ami
lyyet
?"He
asksandIshakemyhead
"
It
'scompl
icatednowhenceIwantthewhit
e
weddi
ngfi
rst"Isayandhenodsopeningt
hedoor
.

Ther
ewasaguysi
tt
ingi
nachai
r.Hel
ooked
fami
li
ar.
"Sonthi
sisSiya'
sdad"mydadsaysandt
heman
standsupgreeti
ngme
"Icameher
etost
ri
keadeal
"hesaysandIr
aisean
eyebrow
"
Whatki
ndofdeal
?"Iaskandheshi
ft
sinhi
sseat
"
Youleavemysont oli
vehisl
ifeandhest
aysaway
f
rom Ent
le"hesaysandIchuckle
"
Icoul
ddot
hat
"Isaysi
tt
ingback
"
Butonl
yifhest
il
lhasaccesst
ohi
sson,
my
gr
andchil
dAj
ay"hesays,
Il
ookathi
m andIl
aughi
n
di
sbel
ieve

"
HowdoInotknowhe'
llr
unawaywithmysonand
t
ryt
obl
ackmailmywif
e?"Iaskandhesi
ghs
"I
'
llbet
her
etopr
eventi
t"hesaysandIf
oldmy
arms
"
Fine,
butonescr
ewupandhe'sout,
tr
yrunni
ngand
I
'
llki
llyoubot
h"Isayandhenods

{
Nande}

I'
m busymassagi
ngLi
yema'
sshoulder
sinhi
sst
udy
whil
ehewasbusywatchi
nglastni
ght'
svi
deo
camera.

Ayandasnoopi
ngar
ound,
wat
chi
ngus.
"Youhaveast
upi
dguest
"hesayst
aki
ngasi
pofhi
s
cognac
"
Let
'shaveal
it
tl
efunwi
thher
"Isayandhenods

Wekeptwatchi
ngthecli
punti
lthepartwhereshe
st
art
smasturbat
ingandIsawat entf
orminginsi
de
Li
yema'
sboxers.

Irubbedhischest,
goingdownt ohisboxers.Ipul
led
theelast
icsl
ippingmywar m handsintoi
tsnaking
myhandar oundhi sdickandIstar
trubbingit,
up
anddownwhi l
ehecur sed.

Istar
tednibbl
ingonhisearstakingmyotherhand
playi
ngwithhisball
sandhecr eatedmor
espaceby
separat
inghislegsmore.Ipl
ayedwi t
hhi
splump
bigheadandheshi ver
sgroaning.

Heturnhischai
raroundandtookmeontophislap.
Hekissedmewhi l
esqueezingmyass.Iwasn'
t
weari
nganyunderwearsohel i
ftmeupsli
dinghis
r
awdi ckint
omyvagi naandImoaned.
Istar
tli
ft
ingupmyhi psgoingupanddownonhis
shaft
.Heheldmywai standstar
tedf
ucki
ngme
fr
om thebott
om,Icouldn'
tkeepmymouthshutand
Ibeganmoaningloudly.

Hi
smout hcamei nt
ocontactwit
hmynippl
eandhe
st
art
edsuckingitwhil
estimul
ati
ngmycli
twit
hhi
s
ot
herhandwhiletheotherwasonthewai
st.

ItookmyonelegandIplaceditonhisoneshoulder
.
Ididthesamewit
htheotherlegontheother
shoulder
.Thi
sposi
ti
onisgoingtokil
lme,butIl
ove
i
t.

Liyemast ooduphol di
ngmest il
linthatposi
ti
on.He
bentf orwardandhest ar
tedfucki
ngt heMari
ocoins
outofmycoochi e.Il
ostmyselfandIexploded.I
felthimr acing,
chasinghisownor gasm.Holdi
ngme
ti
ght ereachsecond.If el
thisdickexpandanda
deepgr
oanescapedf
rom hi
sthr
oat
.

Hehel
dmepai
nti
ng,
goi
ngbackt
otheseat
.
"
Damn"hesayswi
ppi
ngof
fhi
ssweatandIsmi
le.
[
71]

{
Minent
le}

"
Babecanyouf
ini
shup?
"Xhant
isays
"
JustbecauseI
'
m pr
egnantdon'
tmeanIgottol
ook
l
ikeabum"Isayput
ti
ngonmybi ghoopear
ri
ngs
"Whoyoudr
essi
ngupf
oranyway?
"HeasksandI
smil
e
"
Thisi
sjustami
niandthighhi
ghbootheel
s"Isay
t
ouchi
ngmyneatstr
aightbackponyt
ail
"Di
dyouseeyour sel
f?Ifyoubendali
lfor
war
di
coul
dhaverighthereri
ghtnow"hesayscoming
fowar
dpressinghiserecti
onagai
nstmyass.
"
BabyNo..
.Idon'
twantthet
hinkthatmyvagi
nais
l
oosewhenhechecksinthere"Isayl
ooki
ngathi
m
t
hrought
hemi rr
orandhefrowns
"Nomanisgoi
ngtotouchmyst
uff
"hesaysandI
chuckl
ewhi
lenoddi
ng
"Sucki
tup,t
hat
'swhyit
'smyf
ir
stcheckup"Isay
andhecleanshist
eet
h.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Entl
ehasbeenmaki
ngf
unofmet
hroughoutt
he
ri
de.

Sher
eal
lyl
ookssexyi
nthedr
essshe'
swear
ing.

Ist
il
lsaynomanisgoi
ngt
oputhi
shandsi
nmy
woman'svagi
na
Ihel
pheroutoft
hecar
.
"You'r
egoi ngtogethear
tbur
nbecauseofallt
hat
chil
list
icks"Isayandshepushes4sticksi
ntoher
mout hchewi ngt
hem qui
ckthrowi
ngtheresti
nher
bag.

"Yougott
ogivemeami ntbabe,
ohwai
tlet
'swal
k
slower
"shesayspul
li
ngmeback
"Mmh,goodl
uck,
Ididn'tsayeatsalt
yspi
cyt hi
ngs
bef
orecominghere..
.you'
llbeputonadiet"hesays
i
nfr
ontofthepri
vateclini
csdoorandIsulke

"I
fyouhelpmeoutI
'l
lcometoyourwor
kever
yday"I
say,hest
opsandhelaughs
"
Comet omywor ktobeacrybaby?Noway"Isay
wal
kingfur
therandshest
opsme
"I
'
llcometoyourworkever
yday.
..
toSuckyourdi
ck"
shesaysandthepeopl
elookatus
"OhnohunnyIknowever
yoneupi
nherenast
y"she
sayst
othewomannexttomeonthechai
r

"Soyousayifihelpyou?You'l
lsuckmydick
everydayatwork?You'l
lcometomywor kplaceand
suckmeof feveryday?
"Iwhisper
sandshenods
givi
ngmeherhandandil ookati
ttaki
ngoutmy
wall
et
"
Fine"isaygi
vingherst
imr
ollgum andshet
akesi
t.

"Goodaf
ter
noonMrandMr sZana"t
hedoct
orsays
asweenterhi
soffi
ceandminent
legi
vesmea
smurkandigl
aresather
.
"
It
'sst
il
lMsKhozadoct
or"Isaysi
tt
ingdown
"Notunti
l2monthsitwon'
t"shesaysl
ooki
ngatt
he
doctorandIchuckl
e

Doct
oraskedentl
etomovet
othebed.If
oll
owed
l
ikeabodyguar
d.
"I
'
veseenyourf i
leandyoulandedinhospi
tal
becauseofstr
essal mostl
osingt
heli
tt
leone"he
saysputt
ingongl ovesandshenods

"Okay,
thi
sisjusttochecki
fther
e'sany
compli
cationsokay?"Hesaysandshespr
eadsher
l
egsandIcl osethem agai
n
"No,
youknowwhat ?Givemeapai rofglovesI'
ll
checkmyownwi fe'
svagina,j
ustguidemet hr
ough
i
t"isayget
ti
ngglovesandt hedoctorwasfrozen
whil
eIwaslaughingthewholetime.

{
Minent
le}

"Orr
rwecouldjustskipt
hisoneandmovet
othe
scan?"Thedoctorsaysgr
abbingt
hegel
"
Holdup"hesaystaki
ngof fhi
sjacketcoveri
ngmy
l
egs,
hepushedthejacketundermymi ni,
coveri
ng
myvagi
naandass
"
Legsdown"hesaysandInodf
eel
ingt
hej
acket
undermyass.

Thedoct
orshookhi
sheadt akingthegelspr
eadi
ng
i
tonmyt ummy.Ist
artedhavingfl
ashbacksof
whenIwasbusyhavingami scarr
iageandthe
doct
orwhowasputti
ngt hegelonmyt ummy.

If
eltt
hechi
ll
sgot
hroughmybody.
"
Baby?
"Xhant
i'
svoi
cebr
ingsmeback
"
Youcryi
ng?"HesaysandIqui
ckl
ywi
peof
fmy
t
ear
slaughi
ng
"Mybad,
thi
sisjustareal
lybeauti
fulmoment.Me
andyou,
here.
..
we'r
ereall
yhavingababy,baby"Isay
andhesmil
eskissingme

West
areatt
hescr
eenasweheart
hehear
tbeat
.

Werequest4phot
oscans.Xhanticl
aimshewant
s
t
ofr
ameoneandpi ti
tinhisoff
ice.
"
SocanIpostt
hescanatl
east
?"Heasksonour
wayt
otheshops

"
Myanswerisandwil
lfor
everbeunt
ilmybabyi
s5
mont
hsno"isayandhesighs
"Xhantiyoudon'tunderst
and,t
here'
sevi
lpeopl
eout
therethatj
ustdon'twanttoseenoonehappy,I'
m
j
ustt r
yingtoprotectourbaby"Isayandhenods
drivi
ngoff.

{
Siya}

"
Sot
heyt
ookt
hedeal
?"Iaskmydadandhenods
"
Justl
iket
hat
?"Iask
"
Sowhatnow?
"Iask
"Nowyouworkonyour sel
f,
paywhatyouoweand
stayawayf
rom Ent
le"hesaysandIgroan
"
Fine"Isaygr
abbi
ngadr
inkgul
pingi
tdown.
{
PK}

Iwasi
nameeti
ngwhenmyphoner ang.Icheck
andi
twaswr
it
tenwi
fey.Ianswer
edwithasmur k
"
Mfaz"Isayanduhearhersob
"
PKtherewasa-ashootoutand-
and"shesaysandI
t
rycal
mingherdown
"
Staywher
eyouar
eI'
l
lber
ightt
her
e"Isaydr
oppi
ng
t
hecall

"Gent
lemenyouhavet
oexcuseme"Isayandt
he
boardnods

Idri
vetotheclubandIseeyell
owtapeeverywher
e.
Asewassi t
ti
ngont hepavementwi
thathrowover
hershoul
ders.
Whensheseesmeshestandsuprunni
ngtowar
ds
mewit
htearsi
nhereyesandIcat
chher.
"
I'
m sogl
adyou'
reher
e"shesaysandIshushher
"Comelet
'sgogetyoucleanedupthenI'
llt
akeyou
toyourmother
'shouse,
I
'm sureNkosii
salready
home"Isayhelpi
nghertothecar.

Hal
fwayt
hroughIsawt
hatshef
ellasl
eepsoI
madeacal
l.
"Francothi
swasnotwhatIasked, notinf
rontof
peopleandnotinfrontofmydamnwi f
e.Ifshe'
s
traumati
zedI'
llt
raumatizeyou,
fi
xyourmess"Isay
droppingthecal
l.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

"Whati
nGod'snameareyoueat
ingEnt
le?
"Zi
ntl
e
asksovervi
deocal
landImoan
"Gi
rlIr
ememberwhenmysi swaspr egnantshe
usedtobragabouthowgoodavocadoonbr ead
wit
hmayonnaisewas"Isayspreadi
ngmor e
mayonnaiseont
opofthesl
icedavocadoandshe
pull
saface

"
Sonowyout
ryi
ngi
tout
?"SheasksandInod
"Andidon'
tevenregreti
t,
don'
ttheyhavel
ike
avocadost
here,
thenyoucancour i
eraboxforme"I
saytaki
ngabiteoftheyummysandwi ch
"Idon'
tthi
nksobutyoucanaskmyboyf
ri
end"she
saysandamansi t
sdown

Il
ookatt
hescr
eenandInear
lychoke.
"Aar
on,
Ent
le?
"Bot
hofussayandZi
ntl
elooksatus
conf
used.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
I'
m star
ingatt
hebabyscan,
can'
tbeli
evewe'r
e
abouttohaveanot
herson.Godreal
lybl
essedme
withanamazingwoman.Ican'
twaittomakeher
mine.

Ideci
dedt
ocal
lLi
ya.Hepi
ckedupaf
tert
he4t
hri
ng.
"Iknewt
hisdaywascomi
ng"hesaysbef
oreIcoul
d
saysomethi
ng
"
Par
donme?
"Isay
"Lookyouhandsomeandal lbutEnt
lei
smyf
riend
andI'm yourbr
otheri
nlaw"hesayswit
hasi
ghand
Ilookatthephone
"Cr
ack?Isthatwhatyou'
reusi
ng?Meetmeatt
he
adressi
m abouttosendyou"Isaycut
ti
ngt
hecal
l

Iwai
tedatt
hepl
acef
orLi
yaandhewasr
unni
ng
l
ate.

Fi
nal
lyIsawhi
scarpul
lup.Hecameoutwi
thhuge
glassesandasuit
.Withahighheelt
hatdoesn'
t
haveaheel..
.t
hatdoesn'
tevensoundri
ghtOksal
ayo
thoseshoesareugly.

Hestoppedi
nfr
onti
fmeandIkeptl
ooki
ngatt
he
shoe
"
Yo,
youknowt
hatIl
oveyou-
"
"
Xhant
il
omziIsai
d-"
"Butyourshoesaredamnugl
ythosedamnshoes
l
ookl i
keaship"Isaycut
ti
nghi
m offAndheshut
s
up

"Shoesyam l
ooksbet
terthanthoselongcar
velas
yougoton,Ibeti
t'
sacaravan,t
heytoolongtobe
carvel
as"hesayspul
li
ngaf aceandIlookatmy
shoes.Ist
art
edmakingnoisehiswayandhedi d
thesameputti
nghishandsintheair.

Someonecl
ear
sthei
rthr
oat
sandIpul
lmysel
f
toget
her
.
"Thiswaygentl
emen"t
hemansays,
Ichuckl
ein
Liya'
sdir
ect
ionandheelbowedmei
nmyr ub
maki ngmegroan.

"Oeehhthi
sisni
ce"Li
yasaysl
oudi
nmyearandI
givehi
m aboredl
ook

Themanopenst hetwodoorsl
eadingustothi
sbig
openroom wit
hsli
dingdoor
sgoingouttothebeach.
Ismil
enoddingmyhead.
"I
sthi
swhatit
hinki
tis?
"Li
yasayssmi
li
ngandI
nod
"Il
ovei
t,
hassheseeni
t?"HeasksandIshakemy
head

"Entl
eisali
tt
leunderpressureatthemoment,
soI'
m
givi
ngherabreatherbysecretl
yarrangi
ngour
dream weddi
ng"IsayandLi yagivesmeashocked
l
ook
"
Youal
waysnearhersoyou'
l
lbemyi
nsi
deman"I
sayandheshakeshi
shead

{
Ayanda}

TodayNandewentoutleavi
ngmeandMrhunk
al
oneinthehouse.Thedoorbel
lrangandoneoft
he
maidsat
tendedi
t.

Ihear
dgiggli
ngsoIcheckeditout
.Therest
ood
Li
yemabei ngal
lloveydoveyt
oanotherwomanin
hi
smar i
talhome.

Theydidn'tseemeastheycameupsoIhi
dinmy
room unt
iltheywenti
ntot
hemainbedr
oom.

Iti
ptoedtothemai nbedroom t
oli
sten.Theywer
e
havingsex.Igaspedgoingbacktomyr oom.
DoitellNandeorkeepitt
omyself
?MaybeIshoul
d
t
ellherthenshe'
l
ldivor
ceLiyemal
eavi
nghi
mf or
me.

Iwait
edal
lni
ghtf
orher
.Inevercameoutofmy
room.

"
Nande"Isayassoonassheent
erst
hehouse
"
I'
mreal
lyt
ir
edaya"shesaysandIst
opher
"Yourmyfr
iendandyou'vebeennothi
ngbutgood
tomehenceIcan'tkeepthisawayf
rom you.
Liyemabr
oughtawomanher eandtheyhadsex"I
sayandhereyespopal i
ttl
e
"I
'
m sor
ry"Isayandsheshakesherheadwhi
leI
hugher
.

Ismi
ledtomysel
fasul
aidi
nbedl
atert
hatni
ght
.
Tomorr
owit'
smeandLi
yema.
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Thenextmor ningIwokeup,
tookabat handwor e
mysexyl aceunderwear
.Withasmal lsil
krobeand
Iwenttothekitchent
ogetsomet hingtodri
nkwhen
Ihear
df ootst
epsandLiyema'svoice.

Iquickl
ycheckedmysel
fandIbentdownon
purposeexposi
ngmyass.

"
Youmustcoveryour
sel
f"hi
svoi
cesaysandIsmi
le
"
Why,
i
t'
shot
"Isayt
urni
ngar
oundf
anni
ngmysel
f
"YeaIt'
shotbabe,
leaveher
"Nandesayscomingi
n
kissi
nghim onhischeekandIl
ookatherin
confusi
on.

Whatt
heact
ualhel
l?
?
[
72]
{
Zint
le}

Myhear
tpumps.
"Howdoyouguysknoweachot
her
?"IaskAar
on
andhesmil
es
"Iwasawai t
erathert
able,l
ateronthatdayaf
terI
knockedof fIsawhersit
tingont hepavementi
nher
pjsonly.Shesaidsomethingaboutsomeone
comingt ofetchhersi
nceIof fer
edtotakeher
home"hesaysandInod
"Yousawheri
nherpjssoyouoff
eredherar
ide
home?Andwhywereyouwaitr
essing?
"Iask
standi
ngupandhechuckl
es

"
There'
snothingtoworr
yaboutmyl ove,
she'
s
marri
edtoyourbrot
herforcryi
ngoutloud,
plusI
wasonlytr
yingtobeagoodSamar it
an,andwhat'
s
wrongwit
hmebei ngawai t
er?"HeasksandIsigh
"
Ijustdon'
twantusst
ruggl
ingf
inanci
all
y"Isayand
hel
ooksatmewal
kingoutoft
her
oom.

{
Mike}

"I
t'
seit
heryouwal
kbyyour
sel
forI
'
lldr
agyou"Isay
atthecryi
ngl
aur
en
"
Please,
thi
nkaboutmyki
ds"shepl
eads
"Youshould'
vet
houghtaboutyourdamnki dswhen
youdruggedmeandr ui
nedmymar r
iage"Isayand
shelooksatme

"Yourmar
riagewasoverbefor
eIevenmetyou,soI
didyouafavour
"shesays,Isl
appedherandshe
l
aughed
"Thatf
eel
sgood,
hitmemore"esayslooki
ngli
kea
crazyper
sonandIshakemyheadtakingoutmy
phonemakingacall
.

Meanwhi
leLaur
enwasbusypushi
ngmet
ell
ingme
t
ohi
ther
.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Ijustneedyoutofindawaytot
akeher
measurements"IsayandLi
yagr
oans
"
Youhavetopaymef
ort
hisXhant
i"hesays
wal
kingout

Everythi
ngiscomi ngalongperfect
.Ihavepeople
working24/7ont hiswedding.Ihastobeperfect.
Entl
et ol
dLiyathatifshehadaweddi ngshe'dwant
i
ttobedar kgreenandwhi te.Atouchofyell
owt oo.

Ial
readysentthej
etdowntogetEntl
e'
sfami
ly.
Theydidn'
tbudgebutaf
terl
otofconvi
nci
ngt
he
motherAgreed.

I
'
m goi
ngoutofmywayt
ryi
ngt
omaket
hist
hebest
weddi
ngf
orEnt
le.Il
oveherwi
thal
lmyhear
t.

WhenIgothomeshecamedownl
ooki
ngsexyas
al
ways.
"
Uyaphi
?"Iask
"
Yourbrot
herwantsmeandhi
snewwi
fet
obond,
so
I
'
m dri
vingther
e"shesays
"
WhataboutmeandAj
ay?
"Iaskandsheshr
ugs
"
There'
smeatyoucanjustheatup,
Imademogodu
whi
leyouweregone"shesaysandIsmil
e
"
Didyoumakepap?
"Iaskandsheshakesherhead
"Xhant
iyouwon'tdi
eifyoueati
twi
thbr
ead"she
sayseati
ngoutofthepot

{
Minent
le}

TheseZanamenar
ereal
lyl
ivi
ngl
arge.Xhant
idi
dn'
t
wantmetodri
veonmyownsoBrunodr oveme.
Real
lybor
ing,
thi
sonedoesn'
tmakej
okes.
"
IfSi
rseesyousmili
ngatyourphoneli
ket
hathe'
l
l
t
hrowitaway"hesaysandIlookathi
m
"Ij
ustl
ovepuppi
esBr
uno,
Iwi
shIcangetone"Isay
andhenods
"
YeaSi
rdoesn'
tli
kedogs"hesaysandInod.

"
SoPKsentYou?
"Sheasksl
ooki
ngatme
"
Heaskedmet
ocomeher
e"Isayt
aki
ngof
fmycoat
"Andoh,Youbetterdr
opthatat
ti
tude.Youengaged
totheseniorofthesi
bli
ngsandthatdoesn'
tmean
youhavet olookdownontherestofus"Isaywit
ha
boredtone

"I
'
m sorr
y,i
t'
sjustt
hatIl
ostmyjobnowIdon'tknow
howI'
lll
ookaftermyson"shesaysandInod
"Let
'stal
kint
hekitchen.I
'
m hungr
yandIbetyou
R500thatmyf i
anceisgoingt
opullup"Isayand
shelooksatmeandishakemyhead
"
IthoughtIwasdr
eami
ng"
shesaysandIchuckl
e
"Don'
t..
.Youmaki
ngmef
eel
li
keacel
ebr
it
y"Isay
smili
ng
"Youar e,
didyouseewhatyoudi dfort
hoseki
dsat
theorphanage.Att heclu-pl
acewhereIusedt
o
workI'dseegirlstalki
ngaboutyouEVERYDAY"she
sayst akingoutwineandIsul kasshebegan
pouri
ngus2gl assesofr edwine.

"Gi
rlyouhaven'
ttouchedyourwi
neyet
"shesays
andIchuckle
"
Wifey!
"Xhant
i'
svoi
cevi
brat
est
hrought
hehouse
makingmejump
"
Thi
slooksni
ce"PKsayscomi
ngi
naf
terXhant
i

IsawXhant
igivemet
hatl
ookwhenhesawt
he
winei
nfr
ontofme.
Hecamet owardsmeandgavemeadeepki ss.
Probabl
ytryi
ngtochecki fidr
ankedwi
ne.Irai
sed
myeyebr owathim whenhebr oket
heki
ssandhe
chuckl
edkissi
ngmyf orehead.

{
PK}

"So?"Sheasksdi
str
act
ingmef
rom t
heki
ssi
ng
sceneInfr
ontofme
"
Uhyea,i
t'
sadeadendbabebutyourbossdi
edon
t
hescene"Isayl
ying
"What'
sgoingt ohappenwithmeandnkosinow?
Theonlyreasonwhymom i sn'
tcompl
aini
ngis
becauseI'
m payingheralotofmoneytolookaf
ter
herowngr andchi
ld"shesaysholdi
ngherheadand
Iembraceher .

IseeXhantiandEntlel
ookingatuswi
th
quest
ioni
ngl ooksandIshakemyhead.
"
GangGang!"Femal
evoi
cesandheel
scl
icki
ngon
t
il
esi
nter
ruptus.

Asebr
okeoutofmyhol
dandr
ant
othegi
rl
s.Bot
h
ar
everyl
oud.

Ent
lel
ooksatt
hem wi
thherhandsonherhi
ps
"Ohno,
Youhangi
ngwit
hhernow?
"Theonegi
rl
saysl
ooki
ngatEntl
e
"
Whatisshedoi
nghere?
"SheasksandEnt
legoes
f
orwar
dtothegi
rlandXhant
iisbehi
nd.
"Mypresenceisapresentgetyourf
il
thyassof
fthi
s
proper
ty"shesaysclappi
ngherhandsinthi
sgir
ls
face

"
Goddon'tl
ikeugl
ygir
l"shesaysandEnt
lecl
oses
t
hespacebetweenherandthi
sgirl
"ThenIguessGoddon'tl
ikeYoubit
ch"shesays
andIlaughlooki
ngatXhantiandhepul
lsEntl
e
awayf
rom t
hegi
rl

"
XhantiI
'm notl
eavi
ngmna,thesetrashcansgott
o
l
eave.
..
Asemahle?"Ent
lesaysafterawhi l
e
"Di
dyouj
ustcal
lmeat
rashcan?
"Thesamegi
rl
asks
"Vele,t
rashcan..
nott
rashcannot
.There'
sroom f
or
i
mpr ovement,
Ase?"ShesaysagainandAselooks
atthegi r
ls
"I
'
m sorr
yguys,maybeweshouldgooutsomet
ime"
shesaysleadi
ngthem t
othedoorwhi
leEnt
lewas
busyshouti
nggoodbyeallt
heway.

"
DamnEnt
leyour
ust
y"Isaychuckl
ing
"Thefri
endssomeofuskeepPK"shesayst aki
ng
theglassandgulpingitdown.Shepull
saface
real
izi
ngwhatshej ustdrankedandsherantot
he
nearestbi
nthrowingupal lt
hewine.
"Morni
ngsicknesswi
llhumbleyou"Xhantisays
givi
ngherwaterandshegiveshi
m awar ninglook.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Laur
en}

"
Babypl ease,
Ineedyou.
..
andImi
sst
heki
ds"
Michealsaysoverthephone
"Michealwebothknowyou'
l
labusememor
eofnot
kil
lmei fir
etur
nhome"Isay
"I
'
m sor
ry,
Ireal
lyam,
I
twon'
thappenagai
n.Pl
ease
comehome"hesaysandIsi
gh
"Fi
neI'
l
lwaitf
oryouatt
hepar
k,we'l
ltal
kthat'
sit
"I
sayandIhearhi
m br
eat
heoutbeforeIcutthecal
l.

Itwoul
dn'thur
tseei
nghi
mri
ght
?He'
smyhusband
andIlovehim.

{
Zint
le}
I'
vebeenwait
ingforAar ontoreturnbuthedi
dn't
.
It
'sal
mostmidnightandIj ustf
inishedwit
hthe
secondbat
chofbi scui
ts.

Itr
iedcal
li
nghi
m oncemor
ebuti
twentt
o
voi
cemail
.

WhenIdeci
dedtor
eti
ret
obedt
hedooropened.I
t
waspr
obablyhi
m.
"
Itr
iedcal
li
ng"Isayandhesi
ghs
"
Phonewasdead"hesaysgoi
ngt
othebat
hroom
"
Wher
ewer
eYou?
"Iaski
nconcer
n
"Sheepescapedonthefar
m,looksl
ikesomeonedi
d
i
tonpur pose.Meandtheotherswentsear
chi
ngfor
everyl
astsheep"hesaysandInod

"
Ihavet
ogoback"Isayandhel
ooksatme
"Home,
Mybrot
herisget
ti
ngmarr
iedSoonandI
havet
obether
e"Isayandhecomesto
me,
embr
aci
ngme
"
Let
'sgot
oget
her
"hesaysandIf
rown
"Don'
ttheyneedyouont
hef
arm?
"Iaskandhe
shakeshishead
"Theycanworkwithoutme,
businessbackint
he
cit
yalsoneedsat
tenti
on"hesaysandIr ol
lmyeyes.

Ifhe'stal
kingaboutbei
ngawai t
erthenhecan
forgetaboutit
.He'smyboyfri
end,heneedsar eal
j
ob.I '
llt
ryaski
ngmydadf orsomet hi
ng.AllIknow
i
st hatnomanofmi newil
lser
vepeoplelikesome
slave.

{
PK}

I
'vebeenlooki
ngathert
hewholeti
meNotsayi
nga
word.Shehasranoutofposi
ti
onst
osi
tin.
"Whatdoyouhavetosayt
oyour
sel
fAsemahl
e?"I
askandshelooksatme
"
Yourgangcominghereunannounced,
didyouask
me?"Isayandsheshakesherhead
"I
fyou'r
enotgoingt
or espectmehowwi l
lyourfake
fr
iendsdoThat?Speakingoffakefri
ends,you'
renot
al
lowedt obef
ri
endswi ththem anymore"Isayand
shegasps

"Theonlyf
ri
endyouhavei
sEnt
le"Isayandshesi
ts
upstrai
ght
"Entl
eandIaren'
tevent hatcl
osePhumlani
,she'
sa
stuckup,
shedidn'
tdrinkthewineIoff
eredhernor
didshesayshewant edsomet hi
ngel
se"
Getreadyforbedyouhaveanappoint
mentwi
thmy
desi
gnerinthemorning"Isaygoi
ngtobed

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Babe?Ar
eyouokay?"IaskEnt
leonourwayhome
andshenodseat
inghersecondbur
ger
"Youshoul
dn'
thavepul
ledmeaway"shesaysand
Isigh
"You'
renotatt
acki
ngpeopl
eput
ti
ngmybabyi
n
danger"Isayandshesul
ks
"Youdorememberthatshe'
sthesamegir
lwhowas
fri
endswit
hyoursi
sterri
ght
?Nony?"ShesaysandI
nod
"Anditfel
tli
key'
al
lwer
egoingtofi
ghtaboutt
he
pastwhichwasyourexSi
ya"Isaysqueezi
ngthe
steer
li
ngwheel
"Shecameontomebabeandyouknowi
t"shesays
cockyandIchuckl
e

{
Minent
le}

"
Xhant
ibaby?
"Isayasal
laswegethome
"
Sabawel
"Isayandhef
rowns
"Youjustat
eint
hecarEnt
lemar
a"hesaysandI
giggl
e
"
Notfood,
meat
..
.r
awmeat
"Isaygr
abbi
nghi
sdi
ck
t
hroughhi
spant
sandhegr
oans
"
Youwantthis?
"Heaskski
ssingmeinmyneck
whi
lepushi
nghiser
ecti
onagainstmeandImoan.

Xhantipi
ckedmeuppl
aci
ngmeont heki
tchen
i
slandsti
llki
ssi
ngmehol
dingmet
ight
.

Hestart
edt r
ail
ingki
ssesdowntomybr eat
s
unbut
toningmyshi r
t.Hewentdowntomy
navel
,
kissingandplayi
ngwit
hit.Myhandswer
eon
hi
sheadThewhol eti
me.

Heli
ft
edmyonelegupki
ssi
ngmyinnert
high.He
camefacet
ofacewi
thmyvagi
naandhesmi l
ed
"Imissedthi
sview"hesaysandhet
ookadeep
breathinandout
"
Smel
lsl
ikei
tbel
ongst
ome"hesaysandIchuckl
e.
Hedi vedstr
aightintomyvaginaandhestar t
ed
eatingmyvagi na.Slur
pingmyjui
ces.Hi
st ongue
penet r
atedmyvagi naandhewiggledi
tinside
maki ngmel osemymi ndasIar
chmybackas
pleasureovertakemybody.

Hestar
tedl
icki
ngandeat
ingmyvagi
naf
ast
erandI
f
eltmybodysti
ffen
"That'
sitbaby"hesaysandmytoescur
lashi
s
voicesentshiver
sdownmyspine
"Cum f
ordaddy"hesaysandmyeyescl
oseshutas
anorgasm hi
tmehard.

Mybodystart
edtr
embl
ingasasawaveofpl
easur
e
washesoverme.

WhenIopenedmyeyesXhant
iwasstar
ri
ngatme
wi
thasmile,
coochi
edr
ippi
ngf
rom hi
sbeard.
"
Ineededthat"Isaywit
haf
aintsmil
eandhepi
cks
meupbridalstyl
etaki
ngmeupstai
rs
"
Iwantdi
ck"Isaywhi
leyawni
ngandhechuckl
es
"You'
l
lgett
hattomor
row,
fornowyour
est
"hesays
andmyeyesclose
"
Iloveyou"Isaybef
oresl
eepover
takesmybody.
[
73]

{
Minent
le}

"Theonl
yfreeti
meI'llgeti
slunch,
Iusual
lyspend
l
unchtimewithhim butIcantalkt
ohim aboutthi
s"
Isayscrat
chi
ngmyhead
"Thatwil
ldoj
ustf
inesweet
hear
t"shesaysandI
dropthecal
l

Isi
ghasIt hi
nkabouthowwrongiwasforkeepi
ng
mydistancefr
om MrsJama,butt
henagai
nshekept
ontal
kingabouthowSiyaandIweremeantfor
eachotherandt
hatIshoul
dpr
ayf
orour
rel
ati
onship.

Shewaslegi
tdisrespect
ingmyrel
ati
onshi
pwit
h
Xhant
i.WhatIshouldn'
thavedonewaskeepAj
ay
fr
om her
.

Ifi
nishedupwit
hbr
eakfastandIhear
dAj
ayand
Xhanticomi
ngdow.Il
ookatmymanasl astni
ght
s
eventscametomymindandIsmi l
e.
"
Youlookli
keacatwhostol
emil
k"hesaysput
ti
ng
t
henoisyAjaydownandIgi
vehi
m akiss.
"Andthenwena?What
'shappeni
ng?
"HeasksandI
pullasadf
ace
"
Ican'
thavel
unchwi
thyout
oday"Isayandhe
l
ooksatme
"Aj
aysgr
andmotherwant
stot
alkwi
thme"Isay
hol
dingmybreat
h
"Onl
yifBrunotakesyou"hesaysandInodgi
ving
him hi
scoffee
_
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Luncht
imecameandBr
unowasal
readywai
ti
ngf
or
meoutsi
de

"
Bruno?caniaskyouaquest
ion?"Isayt
hroughout
t
hesil
entdri
veandhesighsheavil
y
"NobutI
'm sur
eyou'
regoi
ngt
oaskanyway"he
saysandIchuckl
e
"Whydon'
tyouhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
"Iaskandhel
ooks
atme
"
Areyougoi
ngt
oanswerme?
"Iask
"Yousaidyouwantedt
oaskmeaquestion,
You
neversaidt
hatIneedt
oanswert
hisquesti
on"he
saysseri
ousandIbackof
fnoddi
ng

"
Ihaveaquest
iont
hough"hesaysl
ateron
"
Whymyboss?
"HeasksandIf
rown
"
Idon'
tunder
stand-
"iscr
eam asheswer
vet
hecar
t
otheri
ght
"Eversi
nceyoucamei
ntohi
sli
fehe'
sbeenweak,al
l
Iknowisifyouwer
en'
tar
oundBank'
swould've
beendeadbynow"hesaysandmyheartbeats

"
Xhant itookmeof ftheradar,IpersuadedXhanti
i
ntogoi ngforBank'ssister
,Ifeelguilt
ybecauseifi
t
wasn'tforme. .
.Xhantiwouldn'thavehadt odeal
wit
ht hattrai
torofawoman"hesaysst oppi
ng
i
nfrontofami l
kshakeshop
"
Sowhatnow?Youwantt
oki
llme?
"Iask
"
GetXhant
itoki
llBanksor
..
"hesaysl
ooki
ngatme
t
hrought
hemirr
or
"Idon'
tanswert
oyou"Isayexi
ti
ngt
hecar
slammingthedoorhar
d.

"
Thi
siscomingoutofyourpaycheck"Isayki
cki
ng
t
hesi
demirr
orunti
litbr
oke
"Yout
hinkI'mthoseweakassgi
rl
syoul
ayupwi
th
onadialy"Isay
"
Whodoyouthi
nkyouare?HeasksandIdi
gint
o
mybagt
aki
ngoutmycrownplaci
ngitonmyhead.

Il
ookedathi
m asIdi
dat
urn.
"Youbestbeli
evet
hisiswhoIam andnotyouor
anyfakeasscanmakemef eelot
herwi
se"Isay
walt
zingint
othestor
e

Insidethest
oreisawMrsJamaseat
edneart
he
Wi ndows.Whenshesawmeshesmiledst
andi
ng
up.
"
Gladyoucoul
dmakei
t"shesaysandInodsmi
li
ng.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwaslooki
ngatthescanphotoinmyoffi
cewhenI
recei
vedacal
l.I
twasfrom BanksIanswer
edi
t.
"
Thi
sbet
terbegood"Isay
"Youhavet
ost
opbei
ngacockbl
ock"hesaysandI
chuckl
e
"
Tellyourmentost
opwatchingmywi f
e,dot
hatand
I
'
llstopsendi
ngcopsyourway"Isayandhegroans

"Xhant
iI'
mlosi
ngmoneyt
hisway"hesaysandI
sigh
"Tel
lyourmentost
opwat chi
ngmywi f
eandmove
backtobelgui
m wi
thdaddy"Isayandt
her
e'sal
ong
pause
"Fi
nesheai
n'twor
thi
tei
ther
"hesaysdr
oppi
ngt
he
cal
l

"Yohbabe,
thener
ve"Ent
lesayscominginwit
hout
knocki
ngandshemakesher sel
fcomfor
tabl
eonthe
couch
"
Goonguess"shesaysandIl
ookather
"
Guesswhat
?I'
mlost
"Isayandshechuckl
es
"Guesswhatt
hatwomant
oldme"shesaysandI
pullaface
"
Ahhh.
..
.sheee-
"
"Shewant
smet ogi
veAjaytohersi
nceIt
hrewher
babysoni
njai
l!
"Sheshoutscut
ti
ngmeoff

Shest
andsupandst
artpaci
ngupanddown.
"
Babecal
m down"Isayst
andi
ngup
"Don'tt
ellmetocal
m downXhanti
,
fir
sti
twasher
son,nowher.Howsickisshe?
"Shesaysfr
ust
rat
ed
"Baby,
Entl
estopthi
nkaboutt
hebaby.
.br
eat
hei
n
andout"Islowl
ysay
"Thebabyisf
i-
aaahhh"shesayshol
dinghert
ummy
andIruntoher
"
Babybr eat
heokay?
Iwon'tl
ethercomecloset
o
Ajay.
..
deepbreat
hsinandout"Isayandshe
fol
lowsme

{
Ayanda}
Thingsaresomewhatwei rdinthi
shouse.Ever
si
ncet hatencounteral
otofgir
lscomeherebutI
neverseethem leave.Weir
dIknow.

Iwasbusymakingasandwi
chwhenIf el
twarm
breat
honmyneck.Mybodyfroze.Hetouchedmy
arm wit
hhi
sfi
ngert
ips,
sl
owl
ygoi nguptowardsmy
neck.

Mypanti
esaredrenchedinjui
ces.If
eelsomethi
ng
wetonmyneckandInot icedi
twashistongue.Il
et
outasof
tmoanashi sotherhandsnakesaround
mywaistpushi
nghisboneragainstmybubblebutt
.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
__

Yohguys,
kubandai
ntoef
ananamasende
Iowey'
al
lal
otofi
nser
ts.
Busyt
ypi
ngi
nthecol
d
Enj
oy
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Nande}

AsplannedIwalki
ntot
heki
tchenasqui
etasI
coul
d.ThereLi
yemawasbusywarmingupour
guest
.

Iwentt
owardasIstartki
ssi
ngli
yemasback.Heled
myhandtoAyanda'sassmakingmesqueezeitand
shemoaned.Shehasn'tl
ookedbackyet
.

Hepul l
eddownherpanti
esmakingherbendfowar
d.
Ipull
eddownhisboxersrubbi
nghisdi
ckinthe
process.
Isuckedonitf
orafewtimeswhi
lehewasbusy
playi
ngwit
hAyanda'svagi
na,
i
twaswetfr
om my
vi
ew.

Iguidedl
iyemasdi
ckint
ohervagi
naandi
tsl
ipped
thr
oughandInearl
ylaughed.

Li
yemastart
edfuckingherhardandshejust
moaned.Hehiti
tforafewtimesandhewi thdr
ew
hi
sdickfr
om hervaginal
eadingitt
oherass.

Hepushedi
tinanditgotst
ickal
it
tl
e.Hepr
essedi
t
i
nandshegroaned.

Hestartedfucki
ngherhar dunt
ilhewas
sati
sfi
ed.Whenhewasdonehewi pedhi
mself
thr
owingt hetowelatherandhekissedme.She
chuckl
eswhi l
et ur
ningaround.
Shefrozewhenshesawmeki ssi
ngLiyemaandI
smil
edather.Shequi
cklyt
ookthetowelcover
ing
her
selfrunni
ngupst
air
s.
"Phaseonecompl
ete"Li
yemasayschuckl
ingandI
nod

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Soyoumanagedt
ogetherf
it
ti
ngs?
"IaskLi
yaand
henods
"
Soal
lthat
'sl
eftar
ether
ings"hesaysandIsi
gh
"Whataboutabigbluedi
amondwithl
it
tl
edi
amonds
sur
roundingsi
t?"HesaysandIf
rown
"Ent
leli
kesthefi
nerthi
ngsinlif
e,i
tmustbe
somethingdecent
,pl
ainyetbeauti
ful
"Isaysmi
li
ng
andLiyarol
lhiseyes
"
Int
oni
?Igotgame"
Isay
"
Gamer
ecogni
zegameXhant
i"hesays
"
What
!Ir
ecogni
zecame"Isaywi
thaal
mosthi
gh
pi
tchvoi
ce

"Gamerecogni
zeXhant
iandyou'
rel
ooki
ngki
nda
unfami
li
arri
ghtnow"hesaysi
nmyface
"Ican't-
WheresXhanti
lomzi
Zana?CanIhelpyou
sir?"Hesaysbendinghisheadsi
dewayslooki
ngat
mewi thaconfusesl
ookandIswathim away
cleaningmyt eet
h
"
Peopl
ear
egoi ngt
oexpectyout
ogoal
loutont
he
weddi
ngr
ing"hesays
"Theact
ualopi
niont
hatmat
teri
smyf
iances"Isay
andhenods

Al
mostt
her
emyl
ove.Soonwe'
l
lti
etheknot
..

{
Minent
le}

"Idon'
tmeananyhar
m Ent
le"Si
yasaysovert
he
phoneandIsi
gh
"
Youhave30seconds"Isay
"
That
'
stool
it
t-
"
"
29"Isaycut
ti
nghi
m of
f
"Okok,I
'
m sor
ryforever
ythi
ngidi
dtoYou,t
oAjay
andIknownothi
ngIsaynordowi l
levermakeyou
for
giveme"hesays
"
24"Isay
"Pl
easedon'
tkeepAjayawayfrom me,Ther
ecan
evenbeascedualandifi
t'
samustI '
l
lcommunicate
thr
oughXhantiwi
thyou"hesaysandIkeepquiet
"
20"Isayandhesi
ghs

"Fi
neI '
l
lgotother
apy,I
'
llbebetterf
ormyson's
sake,Pl
easeEntl
e.You'
realotofthi
ngsButnota
bit
terwoman"hesaysandIr ollmyeyes
"Iwon'
tkeepyoursonawayf
rom you,
butonescr
ew
upandyou'ret
oast"Isay
"ThankyousomuchEntl
ethi
smeansal-
"Iheart
he
excit
ementi
nhisvoi
ceandIcutt
hecal
l
Ihopethi
sactisr
eal
.Idon'twanthim causi
ng
tr
oubleoncehefi
ndsoutI'
m carr
yinganothermans
chil
d.Si
yaisonesel
fi
shtoxicper
son.

{
Zint
le}

Ithoughtuscomi ngbackt
othecit
yisuscat
chi
nga
breather.Aaroni
salwayswor
kingatt
hatdamn
restaurant.

Toni
ghtIdeci
dedtof
oll
owhi
mtot
hisr
est
aur
ant
wher
ehe'sworki
ng.

Hepar
kedandusedt
hest
affonl
yent
rance.

Iputonmybigsungl
assesandscar
f.Igetshown
toatabl
eandawaitr
esscametome
"
Goodeveni
ngmynamei
s-"
"YeayeabutIwantt
hatguyt
obemywai t
er"Isay
point
ingatAar
onspeaki
ngtoacoupl
eatatable
"
Uh,ma'am unl
essSirAaronisrequestedorthere'
s
i
mportantpeopl
eintherestaurant
,hewon'tserve
j
ustanyone"shesaysandIgl areather
"Excusemeyoungl
adydoyouknowwhoIam?
"I
sayhyster
ical
ly

"Andwho'
sthi
s?"Iaskt
aki
ngoutmyphone
showi
ngherapictur
eofEnt
leandshesmi
les
"AhyestheMrsZana,
SirAar
onservedher
"she
saysandInear
lyscr
eam inherf
ace
"WellI
'
m Zint
leZana,si
sterofthehott
estandri
ch
brot
herbachelor
's"Isaysmi l
ingbutshedoesn'
t
"
GETMEAARON! "Ishoutandt
hewhol
erest
aur
ant
l
ooksatmei
ncl
udingAaron

Hi
seyespopoutwhenhesawme,
i
twasmi
xedwi
th
anger.Hequickl
ycamemywaygr abbi
ngmebyt
he
arm draggi
ngmet ot
heki
tchen.
"
Keepwor
king!
"Heshout
stot
hepeopl
e
"
You!
"Hesayspushi
ngmei
ntoanof
fi
ce
"Whatt
hehelli
swrongwithYou?
Youf
oll
owi
ngme
now?"HeasksandIlookatme
"
Oh..
.Iknowwhatthisi
s.You'
rechecki
ngi
fir
eal
ly
wor
kher e"hesays

"Andyoudonowqui t,
I
'm get
tingyouanewjob.You
havequali
ficat
ions.
..
helll
et'
sopenyourown
rest
auran"Isayandhewal kst ot
hedrawer
searchi
ngforsomet hi
nginside.

"
Her
e"hesayst
hrowi
ngmewi
thpaper
s
"Noteveryt
hingisAboutmoneyZint
le"hesaysand
Ireadthepapers.I
t'
sacontact
,t
herestaur
ants
name.
Gui
ltwashesoverme.Ifeelsoembar
rassedr
ight
now.Ican'
tevenlookhi
mi nhisf
ace.
"Justbecauseyouhadabloodsuckerasa
boyfri
enddon'tmeanI'
m one"hesayssnatching
thepapersawayandwal ki
ngoutof'hi
s'of
fice.

_
___
___
___
___
_
[
74]

{
Ayanda}

I'
vebeenl
ockedupinmyr oom for2days.They
keeponknocki
ngbutIdon'tanswert
hem.

WheredoIstart?HowdoItellt
hem t
hatIenj
oyed
thewholet
hing?WhatifNandeonlypl
ayedalongt
o
avoi
dfight
inginfr
ontofme?
Ihavet
ofacet
hem soonerorl
ater
..
.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Isever
ythi
ngr
eady?
"Iask
"Real
lynow?Yesever
ythi
ngisr
eady,
allt
hat
's
neededisLi
yataki
ngEntl
etoaspa"PKsays
"DoesLi
yarememberthepl
an?Idon'
twantany
screwups"Isayl
ooki
ngint
hemirror
"Youreal
lyar
egr
owi
ngup"ThandosaysandIl
ook
athim
"Youalwaysspokeabouthowyouwantedaki
ll
er
bachelorpar
tywhenyougetmarr
ied,
l
ookatyou.
.
sober"hesaysandIgri
n
"I
'
m mar ryi
ngtheloveofmyl if
e,mot
herofmy
currentandfut
urebabies"Isayandtheymake
noise

{
Minent
le}
"Youar
eadarl
ing"Isaymoani
ngast
hemasseuse
gri
ndmybones
"I
'
m onlydoingthi
sfort
hebaby,
seeitasapr
e-
babyshowergif
t"HesaysandIchuckl
e

"
Liyawherear
eyout
aki
ngme"Iaskl
ooki
ngoutt
he
Windows.
"Wearegoingt
oplayagame,you'
lll
ovei
t"hesays
stoppi
ngatanabandonedbui
ldi
ng

Hegotoutandopenedt
hedoorf
orme.
"
West
opher
e"hesaysandIst
op
"Wherear
eweexact
ly?
"Iaskandhet
akesacl
oth
outofhi
spocket
"Si
ncethegamestartswit
hyou,
you'
llbebl
indf
olded
fi
rst
"hesaysandIlookathimforalongasti
me
hopingt
ohearthathe'smaki
ngajoke
"Not
hingisgoi
ngtohappenwit
hyout
rustme"he
saysputt
ingonthebl
indf
old
"
Howmanyf
inger
s?"HeasksandIshr
ug
"
Perf
ect"hesayst
aki
ngmyhandl
eadi
ngmet
o
wher
ever

Ihear
dadooropenandi
tfel
tsomewhatl
ightwher
e
wewere.
"
Thi
sway"Li
ya'
svoi
cebr
ingsmeback
"We'
regoingtogetyououtoft
hisgr
annydr
ess"he
saysunbutt
oningmydress
"Thiswashandst
it
chedi
fyou'
dli
ket
oknow"Isay
helpinghi
m
"Byyourgranny?"HesaysandIswatmyhand
hopi
ngt ohithi
m

"
Putt
hison"hesays
"
Thi
sbett
ernotbeajokeLi
yaotherwi
seIwon'
ttal
k
t
oyoueveragai
n"Isayandhegiggl
es
"
Whatar
etheheel
sfor
?"ask

Thedresswasreal
l
yt i
ght.Nothi
ngIcoul
dn'
thandl
e.
Fel
tli
keaglove.
whateverI'
m weari
ngIwanti
t.

"Forhowlongam ugoi
ngt
obebl
indf
olded?
"Iask
aswe'renowdri
ving
"Come,getout
"hesaysasIheart
hedooropenand
close.Mysideoft
hedooropenandhetakesmy
hand
"
Ent
leyou'
remaki
ngusl
ate"hesayspul
li
ngme

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"What
'st
aki
ngt
hem sol
ong?
"IaskPKf
eel
ing
ner
vous
"Li
yaj
ustl
etmeknowthattheyarefacedwit
ha
dil
emmanow"ThandowhispersandIlookathi
m
"
Ent
lejustf
oundoutwhati
sgoi
ngdownandshe'
s
acr
yingmess"hesaysandmyhear
tbeat
s
"Ishoul
dgoseeher
"Isayst
eppi
ngof
ftheal
tarand
Thandostopsme
"
It
'sbadl
uck-
"
"
Idon'tcar
e,mywif
eneedsme"Isaywal
king
t
hroughthecrowdandthei
rroar
"I
t'
sst
il
lfi
ance.
..
justsoyouknow"IhearThando
say

Igot
owher eEntl
ewasandIcanheart hecri
es
fr
om outsi
dethedoor.Iopeneditandther
eshe
wasinthebeauti
fuldr
ess,she'
snotsupposetocr
y
now.

"
Baby?
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"B-
babe"shesaysandshest
art
scr
yingal
lover
agai
nAndiembr aceher
Isi
gnalLi
yaandt
hemakeuppeopl
etogi
veus
somespace.

"Baby,
mfaz"Isaycuppingherf
aceandshelooksat
mewi t
hawetf ace.It
ookoutmyhandkerchi
efand
Iwipedherface.
"
What'sthematt
er?Youdon'
tli
kei
t?"Isayl
ooki
ng
i
ntohershinyweteyes
"Il
oveit
,i
t'
samazing,
whoeverhel
pedyouhast
ast
e"
shesaysandIclearmythroat
"Thatwoul
dbeIandt hankyou"Isayadj
ust
ingmy
bowtieandshechuckles

Ajaycamerunni
ngi
nlooki
ngsmar
twi
thhi
s3-
piece
anddreadl
ocks.
"Ohmybabyyoulookhandsome"shesayspi
cki
ng
him upandpl
aci
nghim onhi
slap
"Thankyoubaby,
Idon'
tknowhowI '
l
ltopthi
sof
f"
shesaysandIkissedheronherf
orehead
"Topitof
fbysayi
ngyesatt
heal
tar
"Isayandshe
giggl
es

"
It
'sbadl
ucktoseethebr
idebefor
etheact
ual
weddi
ng"shesaysandIcleanmyteet
h
"Youbeenmywif
esincef
orever,
l
et'
snotkeept
he
peopl
e"Isayt
aki
ngAjayl
eavingEnt
le

{
PK}

Mybrotherreal
lyoutdi
dhimsel
f.Thechur
chlooks
amazing.IwinkatAsemahlei
nthethir
drowof
seat
sandshewi nkedbackmakingmechuckl
e

Themusicst
art
sandi
twasat
housandyear
sby
Chri
sti
anPer
ry.
*
hear
tbeat
sfast
Col
our
sandpr
omi
ses
Howt
obebr
ave?
HowcanIl
ovewheni
m af
rai
dtof
all
Al
lofmydoubt
Suddenl
ygoesawaysomehow

Onest
epcl
oser

Ihavedi
edever
ydaywai
ti
ngf
oryou
Dar
li
ngdon'
tbeaf
rai
d
Ihavel
ovedyouf
orat
housandyear
s..
.

Butwat
chi
ngyoust
andal
one
Al
lofmydoubt
ssuddenl
ygoesawaysomehow
Onest
epcl
oser

Ent
leshockedthecr
owdwi t
hheramazi
ngdress.I
l
ookedtomyr i
ghtandIseeThandogi
vinghi
m his
handker
chi
ef.I
shecr
ying?Unbel
ievabl
e..

_
___
___
___
___
___
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

MyheartmeltassoonasIhear
dtheent
rancesong.
WhenIlookedtomylef
tIseemyunclecoming
t
owardsmewi thasmil
e.
"
Boet
a"Iwhisperwi
tht
earsi
nmyeyesandhegi
ve
meahugtakingmyarm wal
kingmedownt
hei
sle.

XhantiandIlockeyesandmyl i
pstrembleasIwalk
towardsthealt
ar.Iseehim wi
pinghisf
acewitha
handkerchi
efandIgiggleasateardropdownmy
cheek.
"Takecar
eofher
"hesaystoXhant
iandhenods
givi
ngmehishandhel
pingmetothesecondst
ep.
Hecomesclosert
okissmebutthepast
or
separ
atesuscl
ear
inghist
hroatandt
hecrowd
l
aughs.

"Thecouplesagr
eedt
osaythei
rownvows"the
pastorsaysandmyeyespopout.Idi
dn'
tpr
epar
e..
.
"
Xhant
il
omzisai
dhe'
l
lstart
"thepastorsaysandI
l
ookatXhant
iwi
thaheartbeat
ingfast
"Baby,l
oveofmyl if
e,motherofmycur
rentand
futur
ebabies..
..
Iloveyousomuch.Ineverdreamed
ofarrangi
ngmyweddi ng"hesaysandthecrowd
makesnoi se

"Ewepeopl eIdidallofthis,f
ormybaby.Il ove
everythingabouther ,howshel ooksi nthe
Mor ning,herbaddays, goodones.Youmakemef eel
somet hingt hatI'
veneverf el
tbef or
e,youmakemy
palmssweat y,
kneesweak, stomacht urn.Iwantt
o
feelthatf ortherestofmyl ife,
thatmeandIwantt o
bewithyoufortherestofmyl i
fe.Ourj
ourney
toget
herstar
tstoday,
Iloveyou..
"hesayscomi ng
fowardandIpoutmyl ipsandPKpul l
shim back
makingthecrowdlaughs

"MsKhoza?"Thepast
orsaysbr
ingi
ngmebackand
Icl
earmythroat
"
Idon'
tknowwhattosay,
whatawow"Isaywi
ppi
ng
mytear
swithat
issue
"Fi
rstofAl l
,
baby.
..
Xhanti
,Iloveyouwi t
hmyal l
.I
can'tseemyselfwithnobodyel sebutyou.You
showedmel ovewhenIdi dn'texpecti
tandIcanbe
apai nintheassbutyouseem t ohavet hatunder
controlpr
ettygood"Isayandhewi peshis
shouldersgivi
ngacockysmi le
"
Ican'
tstopcr
yingthi
sis.
..
"Isayandalumpforms
i
nmyt hr
oatst
oppingmef r
om tal
kingandIcr
y
"Moeniesostoutweesnie(don'
tbenaught
y)"Ihear
mymot hersvoiceandIlookaround.OhGodI
star
tedcryi
nguncontrol
labl
yandXhantiembraces
me.
Ihearthecr
owdmakingt
hosencaawsoundand
Xhantiki
ssi
ngmyhead
"
My..
myt i
araXhant
i"Isaywi
ggl
ingmysel
faway
f
rom hi
m andpeopl
elaugh

"DoyouMi nentl
eKhozat akeXhantil
omzit
obeyour
weddedhusband, t
ohaveandt oholdfr
om t
hisday
forward,f
orbett
erforworse,forri
cherf
orpoorer
,in
sicknessandinhealth,
tolove,cher
ish,
andtoobey,
ti
lldeathdouspart?"HesaysandInod
"
Ido"IsayandheaskedXhant
ithesame
"
Ido"hesays

"Now,
isther
eanyoneherewhodoesnotwishf
or
thi
scouplet
ogetmarri
ed?"Hesaysdi
rect
edtothe
crowdandwelookatthecrowd
"Verywellt
hen,
Inowpronounceyouhusbandand
wife.Youmay-"Xhant
igr
absmeandki ssedme
beforethepast
orcoul
dcompletethesent
enceand
t
hecr
owdr
oar
s

Thekississoni
ceIwr apmyar
msar oundhisneck
andhishandssqueezemyass.Someomecl ears
thei
rthr
oatandwebr eakt
heki
ssapologi
zing.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Fi
nallyshe'
saZana.She'slegall
ymywife.God
damnshel ooksasperf
ectasIi magi
nedherint
he
dress.Cl
eavageoutaswellasthecur
vesandass.I
haveonebeautif
ulwif
e..
.

"BabyThisisbreat
htaki
ng"mywifesaysaswewal
k
outtherecept
iontothebeachandIchuckl
e
"
Iwashopi
ngyou'
dli
kei
t"hesaysandIhughi
m
"Howyoupull
edthi
soffIhavenoi
dea"shesays
stoppi
ngandIki
ssheroncemore
{
Ayanda}

Xhanti
lomzimadesur ethatIdon'
tevensetmyfeet
outthehousetoday.Hemadesur et
oletmeknow
andunderstandthathe'
swat chi
ngmeandany
wrongmovementf rom mysi dewil
lbefat
al.

Nowihavet owatchthei
rweddi
ngl i
veonsoci
al
media.Thi
ssucks.Entl
eandIsti
llhaveascor
eto
set
tl
e..
.

{
Nande}

LiyemaandIwerewat
chingtheweddi
ng.Seems
l
ikeever
yonewantedt
oseewhot hehandsome
bachel
orisget
ti
ngmarri
edtoaft
eral
ltheseyear
s
"Weshouldgetabiggerweddingthanthat
,di
dyou
seeherri
ng?Itmust'vecostafor
tune..
Youshoul
d
alsosur
pri
semelikethat"Isaysmili
ngandhe
sighs
"Youknowwher ethemoneycomesf rom and
unlessyougetupandstartmakingfri
endsour
ri
cheswillr
undry"hesaysstandingup.

{
Laur
en}

"
SoIcan'
tcome?
"IaskLi
yaovert
hephone
"
YouknowhowEnt l
efeel
saboutYou,
Idon'
twantt
o
r
uinherday"hesaysandIcl
eanmyt eet
h
"
Whatever
,whoneedseheranyways"Isaydr
oppi
ng
t
hecall

"Laur
en!
"Myhusband'
svoi
cer
oar
est
hrought
he
houseandIj
ump
"
Inher
ebaby"Isayandt
hedoorf
li
esopen
"
Youbi
tch!
"Hesaysrushi
ngt
owardsmeslappi
ng
mei
ntheprocessmaki
ngmefal
lonthef
loor
"
Ifoundoutwhatyou'
vebeenupt
o"hesayspi
cki
ng
meupchokingme
"I
'
m sickandti
redofyou"hesaysopeni
ngt
he
balconydoort
aki
ngmet othedeck

"Seehowfardowni tis?
"Heaskspushi
ngmyhead
overt
herailandIscream
"
Shutup"hesayssl
appi
ngmewi
thhi
shandi
nmy
f
ace
"Igaveyouever
ythi
ngandthi
sishowyouret
urn
thefavour?
"Hesaysscr
atchi
nghisheadwhi
leI
shakemi ne
"
Youbel
ongt
ome"hesaysandmyl
ipt
rembl
es

Hel
ooksatmeasi
m hol
dingont
other
ailandhe
r
unstowar
dsme.
"
Micheal
!"Iscr
eam andhedvesof
fthebal
cony
t
aki
ngmewi t
hhim.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
__
Thecouplefal
ltot
heground.Theirbodiescame
i
ntocontactwi
ththegr
oundmaki ngat hudsound.

Br
ainsscat
ter
edont
hef
loor
..
.
[
75]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Okt
hanks"Isaydr
oppi
nggthecal
l.Il
ookatEnt
le
asshewasbusylaughi
ngandt
alki
ngwithher
fami
ly.

Noiwon'
ttel
lher
.Thedoct
orsai
dnost
ress,
i
t'
snot
goodf
ort
hebaby.

Iwal
ktot
hebarandIor
der
edagl
assofwhi
skey.
"
Judgi
ngbywhatyou'redri
nki
ngI'
m guessi
ngyou
f
oundoutaboutEnt
le'
sfri
end"PKsayspatt
ingmy
shoul
dersi
tt
ingdown
"Isaygoodri
ddancetobadwast
e"Mi
kesaysal
so
sit
tingdownonmyl ef
t
"That
'
showshewasgoi ngt
odieanyway,
bythe
handsofherhusband"hecont
inuesandIsi
gh
"
Shehaskidst
hough,
what
'sgoi
ngt
ohappent
o
t
hem?"Iask
"
Theki
dsaresaf
e,sheshoul
d'vet
houghtabout
t
hem i
nthef
ir
stplace,
nowshe'sdead"PKsays
t
aki
ngasipofhi
sbeer

"Baby,
canihavet
hisdance? "Mybeaut
if
ulwife
saystaki
ngmyhandki ssingmeanddragingmeto
thedancefl
oor.West ar
teddanci
ngtothinki
ngout
l
oud.Herheadwasr esti
ngonmychest .

Soonpeopl
ejoi
nedusont
hef
loorandt
hemood
wasromanti
c.
"
Youl
ooktroubl
edhusband"shesaysemphasi
zing
t
hewordhusbandandIsigh
"Letmestressandbetroubledal
one,
youdon'
tneed
thatt
ypeofnegativi
tyr
ightnowespeci
all
yinyour
condit
ion"Isayandshelooksatme
"Laur
enisdead..
..
apparent
lyherhusbandki
ll
edt
he
bothofthem"Isaystar
ingint
oheeyesandshe
stopsdanci
ng

{
Minent
le}

DidIhearhi
m cor
rect
ly?Laureni
sdead?Kill
ed?
Thisi
sallmyfaul
t.
..
Ishouldn'
thavepushedher
awayli
kethat
"
Babear
eyouokay?
"Xhant
i'
svoi
cebr
ingsmeback

Il
ookathim asmyvi
sionbecamebl
urryandIst
art
walki
ngbackbumpi
ngi nt
opeopl
eonthedance
fl
oor.
"Sorr
y"count
lessl
ysayasit
ryt
oshyawayf
rom t
he
crowd
"
Ent
le!
"Xhanticall
soutbutIr
ant
othebat
hroom
i
nst
eadclosi
ngt hest
all
.

Ist
artcr
yingasIt
hinkofwhatagoodf
ri
endshe
hasbeentome.
"
Ent
lebaby"
"
Goaway"It
ellLi
ya
"
I'
m notgoi
nganywhere,
thi
sismyfaul
t.
..
nothing
worksi
nmyf avour
"Isaywit
hatr
emblingvoice
"
Tal
ktome"hesaysandIsi
gh
"Laur
eni
sdead,
orr
atherki
ll
ed"IsayandLi
yai
s
quiet

"
Liya?
"Ical
lout
"Goodforheryazi
n,she'
sungr
atef
ulandshedi
dn'
t
appreci
ateyou"hesaysandIgasp
"
Ewe,shecal
ledmeearli
eraski
ngi
fshecan'
tcome
t
othewedding,Isai
dno.
..
doyouknowwhather
r
esponsewas."HeasksandIkeepqui
et
"Shesaidshedoesn'
tneedyou"hesaysandIkeep
quietl
ist
eni
ngtomyt hought
s

"Babyar
eyoufeel
ingokay?
"Xhantisayst
hemi
nut
e
icameoutoft
hebathroom andInod
"
Let
'sj
ustenj
oyt
heni
ght
"Isayandhenods
"St
il
ldon'
tgetwhyyoudon'
twantavacat
ion"he
says
"Thatcanbedonesomeot
hert
ime"Isayki
ssi
ng
him
"
Wegotki
dst
olookaf
terbabe"Isayandhesmi
les
"
Uthi
'we'
hesaysandIgi
ggl
e

{
Nande}
"
Soyou'r
esayi
ngonemor
eandwe'
l
lber
ich?
"Iask
i
nexci
tement
"St
inki
ngr
ichbaby"Li
yemasayski
ssi
ngmeandI
smile
"
Soourrichesl
iesi
nyourhandsbutf
ir
stineedt
o
r
uinher
"Isayandhenodsstandi
ngup

{
Ayanda}

Iwasbusylist
eni
ngtomusicwhenmydooropened.
Hisscentf
il
ledmynost
ri
lsandmybodyfr
oze
"I
t'
sjustme,
Ihaveasur
pri
sedf
oryou"hesaysandI
sl
owlylookathi
m
"Come"hesayssmil
ingandmyclitt
hrobbedasI
stoodupfol
lowi
nghim downst
air
s.

"
Whatisthi
s?"Iaskassoonasweent
eradar
k
r
oom wit
har edli
ght
.
"
Thi
sisr
evenge"af
emal
evoi
cesaysandt
hedoor
cl
oses
"
Nande?
"Isaylooki
ngconf
used.Shewhi
stl
edand
4buf
fguyscameinnaked
"
Youknowwhatt
odoboys"shesaysandt
hemen
t
akemetoabedundr
essi
ngme
"Whati
shappeni
ng,
Nandewhati
sthi
s!!
"Isay
pani
cki
ng

Mymout hr unsdr
y.Myscr eamsgetmuf fl
edandI
sawonet akingof
fhisboxers.Theypushedmet o
thefl
oorandonepoi nt
edhisdickinmyf ace.Iwas
cryi
ngforhelpbuttheywerejustwatchi
ng.

Threeofthem werenowi neachhol

eofme.They
rapedmeunt il
Iwasnumb.Ikeptonvomit
ingas
thisguyfuckedmyf ace.Hewoul
dpushhi
slong
blackdickdeepint
omyt hr
oatmaki
ngmegag.
"Ahhhh"Iscream asIfeel
myanusstr
etchi
ngandI
sawthe4t hguypushinghisdi
cki
ntomyasstoo.
Itr
iedpushi
ngt
hem awaybutt
heguybehi
ndme
hel
dmyhandsst i
ll
..
.

Whathaveigotmysel
fint
o??

{
PK}

"SoI
'm sendi
ngmyuncle'
sdowntoyourfami
lythi
s
weekend"Isayki
ssi
ngAseinherneckandIf
eelher
bodytenseup
"
Thi
sweekend?Uncl
es?
"ShesaysandInod
"
I'
m goi
ngtopaylobol
aforyoumylove,
i
tsabout
t
ime"Isayl
ooki
ngatherandsheshowsnoemot i
on.

Shestar
tsl
aughi
ngwi
tht
ear
sst
reami
ngdownher
face.
"
Ifmyf ami
lyseest
hist
heywi
llpr
obabl
yhat
eme
more"shesausandIfr
own
"
You'
llsee,
doest
hatmeanIneedtogohome?
Al
one?"SheasksandIshakemyhead
"TakeEnt
lewi
thyou"Isayandshesi
ghsbutnods
anyways

{
Minent
le}

"Babeareyouokay?Doyouneedsomet
hingel
se?
"
Xhantiasksf
orthe5t
hti
me
"Stopi
t,
I'
mfinesoyoucango,what
everIneedican
orderormake"Isayf
rust
rat
ed

Xhantihasbeentr
eati
ngmel ukeaneggaftert
he
wholeLaurenstor
y.Forwhatreasonidon'
tknow.
..

Eversi
ncemymom metXhant it
hey'vebecame
bestfr
iends.Notevenamonkeycansepar at
ethem.
Ajayhasbeenstayingwi
thmypar entsandsibl
ings
i
nmyhouse.Idon' tknowifi
t'
spermanentor
somet
hing.I
'
mjustgl
adt
hatt
heyar
eher
e.

"Sowhatdoyousayorr at
hert
hinkaboutwhat
clai
mstobethebiggestandoneofthemost
expensi
vewedding?"
Thenewsladyaskherpart
ner
andmyat t
ent
ionshif
tstothet
.v.
"Well
Icantellyouonethi
ngt
hat
'sforsur
e,t
henew
MrsZana'sri
ngi smuchmorewort
hthanmy
house"hesayslaughi
ng
"Doyouthi
nkt
hisnewl
ywedswi
llmakei
t?"She
asksAndhenods
"Thecombinati
onisjustt
ooper f
ect..
.l
ookatMrs
KhozaZana,she'
stheindependent,
humbleandone
oftheeni
cestwellknownpeopleI'vemet"shesays
smili
ng

Myat t
entionshi
ft
st omyphoneandIseea
not
if
icati
on.Itwasaninvit
ati
onfrom at
alkshow.I
di
smissedt henoti
fi
cat
ionandIwentthroughsoci
al
media.AllIcoul
dseewasphot osofmywedding.
Re-
tweet
s.

IdecidedtogetoneofXhant iahoodi
eswithmy
si
lverwhiteandfluf
fysli
des.Thehoodiewasli
kea
minidress.Isatonthecouchlegscrossedwit
hmy
cupofchamomi l
eteainmyhandwi t
htheri
ngon.

It
ookasel
fi
efr
om af
ull
ybodyangl
eput
ti
ngat
imer
i
nthecamer
a.

Ipost
edt
hatpi
ctur
ewher
ether
ingi
svi
sibl
e
Capt
ion:howI
'
m spendi
ngmyhoneymoonxoxo.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

Il
ookint
hemirr
or,
star
ri
ngatmynowvisi
blebaby
bump.Imaybeonthechubbysi
dekodwaonecan
seethetummyf or
mi ng.Ilookatmyf atar
ms, ti
ght
s
ful
lofst
retchmarksanddi mpl
es.Myboobsl ooks
moreful
lsinceIknowIwasneverr eall
yblessed
whenitcamet obreasts.

"Nowthi
sisasightIwantt
oseeeveryday"my
husbandcomesinsnaki
nghishandsaroundmy
bodyandIsmil
e
"Youjustwanttohavesexwhenyouseemethi
s
naked"Isaylooki
ngathimthr
oughthemi
rr
orand
hekissesmyneck
"I
'
mf eedi
ngmychi
l
dEnt
lesol
etmebe"hesays
andIgiggl
e

"BabyyouknowIloveyouri
ght?"Isayt
urni
ng
aroundfaci
nghi
m andhewhi st
leswhenhesees
myassi nthemi
rrorandhegrabsmycheeks
nodding
"
Don'tyouwanttodashoutqui
cklyandbuyaf
ew
t
hings?"Iaskandheki
ssesmylips
"I
'
llgo,
onl
yifyoutagal
ong"hesaysandIt
hinkf
ir
st
befor
eagreei
ng.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

It
'sachill
eddaysoIopt edformygreyt r
acksuit
withwhitesocksandwhi t
e&bl ackAdidassli
des.
Mybr otherLunathiwoul
dprobablyl
aughatmef or
wearingthis.Hehasalotofthesesl
idesandI
alwaystellhim he'
sacheeseboy.

Mywi feboughtmet
hesesoIl
ovet
hem.I
'
m her
cheeseboythen.

Ipr
epareEntlesomebacon.Shecl ai
msshedoesn'
t
wantitcr
ustysinceit
'snotnice.Ishoul
dbasi
cal
ly
j
ustleti
ttouchthewar m panonceoneachsidefor
3seconds.Abafazi.
"BabeIsmellbacon,
Ihope.
.Ihopeyou'
remaki
ngi
t
forme"Ihearhersaycomingdownstai
rsandI
smilewhenIseeher .

Shewaswear ingat
racksuitj
ustli
kemine.Wit
hthe
pant
shuggingherfatthi
ghsandass.Thebump
wasvisi
bleandIsmiledthanki
ngGodi nmyhead.
Hersi
ze3bl ack&whitesuperst
arwassocute.
Whensheboughtmemysl i
desIboughthert
hose.
..

"
Canwegetmesomef r
ies?
"SheasksandIshake
myheadaswe'
redr
ivi
ngtothemall
"
Please?YousaidIcanhavefriesoncea
month,event
houghIwantiteveryday"shesays
"YouknowhowIf eelaboutyoueat
ingpotat
oes
Entl
e,
I'
llbuyyouthoseR10onesandt hat
'si
t"Isay
andshel ooksatmewithhermouthopen
"Don'
teven.
..
Myki disnotabouttobebornwitha
cheesekopallbecauseyou'
recravi
ngforfr
ies.No
andthat'
sfi
nal"Isay
"HowaboutWei nvit
eafewfr
iendsovert
oni
ght
babe?"Iaskaswegot hr
oughtheisl
ewit
hpeopl
e
l
ookingatussmi l
ing
"
NonononoNo. ."Ent
lesaysst
oppi
ngwhi
le
l
ooki
ngatherphone
"
Babe?
"Isayl
eavi
ngt
het
rol
leyat
tendi
ngher

"
Babeyouhavetocal
m down.I
'l
lsor
tthi
sout
mysel
fokay?
"Isayandsheshakesherhead
"Ihavetofi
ghtmyownbat
tl
esXhant
i"shesaysand
Ilookatherdr
ivi
ngof
f

{
Nande}

"
Youimbeci
le!
"Her
oar
sslappi
ngmeacr
ossmy
f
aceandIcr
ybeggi
nghim
"IthoughtIwasdoi
ngt
heri
ghtthi
ng"isayandhe
kicksmei nmyfacewi
thhi
stekki
es
"
I'
mt hemanher eandyourar
enot
hing,
always
were,
alwayswi
llbe.
..
howcanyoudosomet hingl
ike
t
his?"Heasksandhespatonmyfaceleavingme
t
here

"Andgetupsowecangetri
ch"hesaysandIsl
owl
y
standupgoi
ngdownst
air
s.

Withaswel l
edupfaceIwasbusyt
aki
ngout
Ayanda'sorgansbut
ti
ngthem i
nabagwit
hice.The
restofherbodywechopupandgivei
ttol
iyemas
dog.

{
Minent
le}

It
iedmyhai
rtot
hebackneat
ly.Put
ti
ngl
ipgl
osson
mylips.

"
Youdon'
thavet
odot
his"Xhant
isaysatt
hedoor
"
Youlookamazi
ngbyt
heway"hesaysandIsay
t
hankyou

"
Doyouneedanythi
ng?"Heasksst
oppi
ngt
hecar
i
nfr
ontoft
hishugebui
ldi
ngandInod
"
Ineedyoubymysi
de"Isayandheki
ssesme

"Welcomeeveryoneandt hewaitisfi
nal
lyover
.
Todaywehavesomeonewhom We' vebeenwaiti
ng
for
,f
ormonthsnow.Igi veyou...
.t
heoneandonlyMr
andMr sZana"thepresentersaysandthecamera
shi
ftstowar
dsmeandXhant i

Ismi
lewavi
ngt
othebi
gcr owdinf
rontofme.Xhant
i
i
shol
dingmyhandgi
vingsmallwaves.

"Thisisamazi
ng..
.t
hepowercoupleisinthe
buidli
ng.Youguyshavenoideawhatanhonouriti
s
tohavebothofyouheretoday"sheconti
nuesandI
smile
"Let'
sgetrightt
oitthen.Iknoweveryoneisupdated
aboutwhati shappeningatthemoment .
..Mr
sZana
thisoneisforyou..
.howdidyoufeelwhenyousaw
whatwasci r
cul
ati
ngar oundthei
nternet
,howdid
youf eel
?"SheasksandIgi veabigsigh

"Tobehonest ?Iwashur t
.Putti
ngmypastont he
i
nternetli
kethat.Thatwasapar tofmyl if
enoone
shouldhaveknownabout .Idon'
tcondonewhatt he
l
ateAyandaSi kodidtomebutt hatwasn'tsuppose
tobeherf at
e.Mostpeopl esaidthatshedeservesi
t
butactuall
ynoonedeser vesget t
ingraped.Soci
ety
wil
llabelyouasunwor thy"Isayandshenods
"I
'
mj ustgl
adIhadsuppor
tbackt
hen"Isayhol
ding
Xhanti

"SoMrZanawaswi t
hyouwheni
thappened?
"She
askedandIshakemyhead
"Hewasn'
tbutI'mthankf
ulhe'sherenowwher
ehe
bel
ongs"Isaylooki
ngathim smil
ingandheki
sses
myhandmaki ngthecrowdgoeswi ld.
..
.
"
Howdoyoudoi
t?"Sheasksme
"Howdoyoumanaget ojuggleever
ythi
ng?You
haveason, yourownclothingshop,
youhelpout
withcharit
yandhomel ess,you'
reaful
lti
me
mot her
..
.Thelisti
slong"shesayslaughi
ngandI
smile
"Whenyouhaveasuppor
ti
nghusbandli
kemi neal
l
oft
hosethi
ngsyoumenti
onedi
snothing"Isayand
henods

"MrZana,asthehusband. .
.doyoufeell
ikethere
shouldbelegalstepstakenwiththepersonwho
viol
atedyourwife"sheasksandhesi tsupst r
aight
.

"Thatwentwell
,don'tyouthi
nk?Youwer el
ike
wonderwomanwi thallt
hewi sdom"Xhant
isays
openingthecarformet ogetin
"I
tdid,
doIreal
lyhavet
omakesal
ads?
"Iaskashe
dri
vesoffAndhenods
"OhandIf
orgot
,PKwanttopaylobol
asoAsehast
o
gohome"hesaysandIlookathim
"
No"isayAndhechuckl
es
"
Youdi
dn'
tevenhearwhatIhavet
osay"hesays
"
Ididn'
thavetobecauseIknowy'
al
lwantmet
ogo
wit
hher"Isayandhesnorts
"
PleaseI
'
lldoanyt
hing"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"Fi
nebutkeepthatt
hought
,Ineedt
omakeal
ist
"I
sayandhelaughs

_
___
___
___
___
___
___

{
MrsEZana}

"
Youhavesomener
ve"Isayandshegi
ggl
es
"I
'm agoget
terunl
ikeyou"shesaysandIr
ollmy
eyes
"Your
anawayandgotcaught
,don'
tli
etoyour
sel
f"I
say
"
Iknewhewasr i
ch,
butthatweddi
ng?Iwanthi
m al
l
t
omyselfnow"shesaysandIcli
cktongue
"Gobackt owhereyoucamef r
om ori
m cal
li
ng
securi
ty"Isayandshegiggl
estaki
ngsomeofthe
sconesIbaked
"That
'
sformydaughteri
nlaw"Isayt
aki
ngi
tback
andsherai
seaneyebrow

"Thesamedaughterinlawyoudidn'
twant?Oh
please.
.tal
kaboutdoublest
andard'
s"shesaysand
Ilookatherasshewalksout
"
Myson'
swi
llf
indyou"Isay
"Al
lIneedist
ogettemperedproofthatIsl
eptwi
th
Xhantit
henyoucanhelpmebygi vingmehisDNA
soIcansayweslepttoget
herCapish?"Shesays
walki
ngoutblowi
ngmeaki ss

Ibangt
het
abl
einf
rust
rat
ion.Imaynothavel
iked
Ent
leinthebeginni
ngbutIl
atersawthatther
ewas
not
hingli
fethreat
eni
ngabouther.It
houghtshe
wasgoingtoleavemysonhighanddr y.

I
'
llbedamnedi
fil
ett
hisl
it
tl
egi
rlcomebet
ween
t
hosetwo.
[
76]

{
Minent
le}

"You'
rer
eal
lyshi
ppi
ngmeof
f?"IaskXhant
iandhe
nods
"I
t'
sfine,
Ibett
her
e'smor
ehandsomement
her
e"I
sayfoldi
ngmyarms
"Don'
ttestme,
I
'l
ldropyouoffi
nanunknownpl
ace"
hesaysandIclearmyteet
h
"Youwouldn'
tdar
e"Isayundermybr
eat
handIsee
himlooki
ngatme.
Hemadeashar
plef
tandIscr
eamed.
"
Whatt
hehel
lXhant
i!
"
"
Youdon'
tknowmeEnt
le"hesaysdr
ivi
ngi
ntot
he
woods
"Wherear
ewegoi
ng?
!"Iaskpani
cki
ngandhe
keepsqui
et

"
Getout
"hesaysst
oppi
ngt
hecar
.
"Par
donme?Canyouseet hesunbusyset
ti
ng?You
can'
texpectmetogetout
"Isayandheget
sout
andopensthedoorforme
"
Phuma"hesaysandIgetoutwi
thabl
urr
yvi
sion

Heslamsthedoorcl
osedandheget
sint
othecar
dr
ivi
ngoff
.
"
XHANTI
!!
"Iscr
eam buyhedrivesoffandIstar
t
r
unni
ngaf
tert
hecarbutI'
m unfitsoIst
opped.
"Where'smydamnphone!
"Ishoutsear
chi
ngmy
pockets.Thati
diot
.
I'
vebeenwalki
ngst
rai
ghtf
orawhi
lenow.I
t'
s
gett
ingdar
kandcol
d.

Icouldseemybreat
hasIwasbr eat
hinginandout
.
Ikeptwalki
ngandsuddenl
ybri
ghtli
ghtsbli
ndedme
andIusedmyhandt ocovermyeyes.

Theli
ghtsgoesof fandther
ewasthecar.Thelight
wentoninsideandt her
ehewassit
ti
nginfrontof
thesteer
ingwheel.MyeyesbecametearybutI
conti
nuedwalking.

"Babe"hecal
lsoutbutIi
gnorehi
m.Ihearf
ootsteps
comingandtheyarefastmeani
nghe'
srunning.
"
BabeI
'
m sor
ry"hesayswhenhecaughtupwi
th
me
"
ICOULD'
VEDI
ED"Iscr
eam
"
Don'
tyougeti
t?Whatwasal
lthatf
or?Somet
hing
could'
vetot hebaby.Xhant ii
t'
sfreezingcoldwhat
thehellwentthroughyourmi nd?Leavi ngyourGod
damnwi fei nt
hewoods?ALONE!Ar eyounut s??
Youaret heewor stpersonever.Thisist hesecond
ti
meyoul eavemest randed.SECOND! "Ishout
hit
ti
nghi m onhischest

Het
ri
est
ouchi
ngmebutIpushhi
m
"DON'
Ttouchm-
ehhaaahh"Isayhol
dingont
o
Xhant
iwit
hmymouthinanOf or
m
"
Baby?Babypl
ease.
..
breathe"hesaysr
ubbi
ngmy
t
ummyandIstart
edbreathingfast
"Nono,sl
ow...
inandout
"hesaysandIsl
owl
yfol
low
him br
eathi
nginandoutsl
owly.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
_

"Ever
ythi
ngseemsf i
ne,
justyourbl
oodpressur
e.It
's
toohighforsomeoneinyourcondi
tion"t
hedoctor
saysandInod
"Butt
hebabyi
sfi
ner
ightDoc?
"Xhant
iasksandhe
nods.

"Ar
eyousur
eyoust
il
lwantt
ogo? "Xhant
iaskme
onourwayt
oPKshousebutIkeepquiet
"Ent
leyouhaven'tsai
dawordtomeaf
terwhat
happened"hepleadsbutdol
olo

Ihearhim si
ghasIadjustmycushi
onl
eani
ngon
thewindowlett
ingsl
eepover
takemybody.

IwokeupwhenIf el
tsomeomepi cki
ngmeup.I
checkedanditwasXhanti
.Iclosedmyeyes,I'
m
pissedathi
m butIwoul
dn'tsaynot othi
sfr
eeride.

"
HEY!Lookwho'
sh-
"IhearAsebutshest
ops
t
alki
ng
"
Mybad.
..
issheasl
eep?
"Shewhi
sper
s
IcanhearhowhardXhant
iisbr
eat
hingwhi
le
carr
yingmeupst
airs.

Ifel
thi
m pl
aci
ngmeonsomethi
ngsof
t.Abed.I
t
wasniceandwar
m.Hecover
edmeandkissedme
goodni
ght.

Whent hedoorcl osedIcountedto10before

openingmyeyes.Isatupst r
aightt
hinki
ng.Ilooked
aroundandi nsaneourbags.Ijumpedupgoi ngt o
myvani tycase.Itookoutmymaskar a.Openedi t
andt hr
ewt heli
quidont hebott
om ofhistr
aveli
ng
bag.Iheldthebagupsi dedownsot heinkcan
spread.

Ineatlyplacedt hebagswher eitwas.Il

ookedatmy
hands.Noi nk,good.Ispri
nttothebedgett
ingback
undert hecover sclosingmyeyesopeningthem
again.Ihopeidi dn'
ttakethebagwithhiswhite
shi
rtsin.Ishr ug.Hel eftmeinthewoods.Ihadt o
dealwi ththat.Heshoul ddealwit
hthefactthathi
s
cl
othesgotr
uinedal
ongt
heway.

_
___
___
___
___
___

Qui
ckymnandiyaz

Cont
inuat
ionwi
llf
oll
owaf
ter11
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
{Mi
nent
le}

"Ent
lebabywakeup"Xhant
iwhi
spersi
nmyear
whil
eshakingme.IopenmyeyesandIlookedat
him.
"BabyI'
m sorr
y..
.butIcan'
ttakethatyou'
resl
eepi
ng
solongwhileyou'r
emadatme"hesaysandIr oll
myeyesment all
ynoddingmyheadandhesmi les
asIstandupputtingonmyf luf
fysli
des.
"Lookwhodeci
dedtowakeupf
rom t
hedead"PK
saysthemi
nuteheseesmeandIgi
vehi
m at i
ght
smile.
"I
'
llgoheatupyourf
ood"Asesaysgoi
ngt
othe
ki
tchen

"IhopeI'
m noti
mposing,
Ididtr
yexplaini
ngtoPK
thatyouwouldn'
twanttojoi
nmeI mr eal
lysorr
y"
Asesaysaswe' r
ewatchingbasket
ballwivesLA
andIlookather
"
Whatdoyoumean?
"Iask
"Don'
ttellmeit
'sbecauseIdi
dn'
tdri
nkyourwine.I
can'
tdrinkwineAse"Isayandshelooksatmeand
isi
ghst andi
ngupt aki
ngoffmythi
ckrobe.Andshe
gasps
"Ohmywor
dim sosorr
y..
.Idi
dn'
tmeant
o-ohIf
eel
sost
upi
dri
ghtnow"shesays
"Youcould'
veaskedmewhatIwantedtodr
inkl
ike
anyothernormalper
son"Isaygi
ggl
ing
"It
houghtIcoul
dimpr
essyou.
..
Ireal
lyf
eelbad"she
saysaft
erawhile
"Let
'sfor
getaboutt
hat.Ihear
dwer ef
lyi
ngdownt
o
easter
ncapetomorrow.Didn'
tknowyourroot
sar
e
sofardown"IsayandIseeherr el
ax
"
YeaIt'
spret
tyf
ar.Ijusthopenkosi
'
sfat
herwi
llact
r
ightf
ortheweekend"shesayswithasi
gh
"Hedeniedthepregnancyatfi
rst.Hemadei tseem
asifiwantedtotraphim.Thewhol evill
agemade
funofme.Imovedawaywi thNkosi .Star
ted
makingmoneyf rom worki
ngatani ghtclub.Made
moneyandIhel pedmypar entsmovet hissidewith
me.Mymom t ur
nedintothi
sbi t
terpersonbutIlove
her"shesayswithateardropping..
..

Thewhol
edatwewerebusybaki
ng.Asesai
dher
fami
lywi
lll
ovet
hem.
"Yourfeetmustbet
ir
ed.Si
tdown"AsesaysandI
giggl
esitti
ngdown
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Soar eyougoingtotel
lmewhyyoudr aggedmet
o
Markham t
obuy...
..
clot
hesforyou?"PKasks
l
ookingatthebackseatAndisigh
"
Ent
lei
spr
egnant
"Isayandhel
aughs
"Youguysar
en'
tevenmarr
iedforalongti
mekodwa
youalr
eadypumpingbabi
esintoher"hesays

"Wefoundout2ont hsago..
.WhenIgotshot,
now
she'
sjustdi
srespectf
ulwhil
eusinghersi
tuat
ionas
acrut
ch"IsayandInar r
atedthewholewoodsstor
y

"Ishoul
dblowyourbrainsoutri
ghtnow.Entl
eis
yourwife,
heruncl
ehandedherovertoyouto
protect
.Yousaidyourvows..
.whati
fsomethi
ngis
wrongwi t
hthebabyaswespeak? "HesaysandI
zoneout
"
He-
yeyiman!
"PK'
svoi
csbr
ingsmeback
"Wena?I'
m olderthanyousouhavet heri
ghtto
beatyou.Getyouracttoget
her,
Mi nentl
eis
i
ndependent,al
lsheneedsfrom youislove,
loyal
ty
andreassurance"hesaysandInod

Ismil
easIseeherlaughwit
hAse.Iactedi
rr
ati
onal
yest
erdayandIhopeshe'
l
lforgi
vemesinceI
for
gaveherfordamagi
ngmycl ot
hes.
.

{
MrsEZana}

"
Babapl
easel
etmegowi
thyou"Ipl
ead
"Notunti
lyou'
vehadachangeofhear
ttowar
dsmy
daughteri
nlaw"hesaysandInodsmil
ing
"IdidIpr
omi seIdi
d,Ijustwantsoseeatl
eastone
ofmyson' sgetmarriedinpersonpl
easebaba"I
pleadwit
ht earsi
nmyeyesandhel ooksatme
"Iza,
we'
real
lgoingtoPumlani
'
shouseandf
rom
therewe'
ref
lyingdown"hesayst
aki
ngmybags
andmyhear tsmil
es.

{
Zint
le}

"
Doct
orar
eyousur
e?"Iaskandshenods
"
Ter
minat
eit
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"Idon'twantt
hisbaby.Ter
minat
eitsoIcango
please"Isayandshenods

I
twasamistake.Aar
onmust ntf
indoutaboutt
his.
I
'
mt aki
ngt
histothegrave.

{
Liyema}

6mil
li
onisalotmoney.Nandehasbeenexci
tedf
or
whenthecasharr
ives.I
'
m goi
ngtodit
chheras
soonasthemoneygetsdroppedoff
.Ist
art
edt
his
raceal
onesoI
'mfini
shingital
one.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___

Thecoupl
ewai
tedfort
hebl
ackt
ruck.Li
yemawas
busysmoki
ngwhil
eNandewasonherphone
"
Her
etheycome"Li
yemasaysandNandel
ooksup

Thebl
acktruckstoppedanddroppedthebagf
ullof
moneynexttotheircarandi
tdroveof
f.
Li
yemawentouttopi
ckupt
hebag.Hetookt
he
heavybagi
ntot
hecarwi
thNandesmi
li
ng.

"
Openi
t"shesaysandLi
yemacl
ickshi
stongue

Ont
opoft
hest
asht
her
ewasanot
e
*
Thi
sisf
ormydaught
er*
I
tsaysandt
hecoupl
efr
own.
"
Don'
tlookatme"NandesaysandLi
yemast
art
s
t
hecar
"We'
rer
ichbaby"NandesaysandLi
yemar
oll
shi
s
eyes

Inthebackseatt
hedevi
cei
nsi
det
hebagdi
da
countdown.

Theypull
edof
fAndtheystar
tedki
ssi
ng.Li
yema
tookNandeonhi
slap.Theki
sswasfastandrough
"What'
sthatsound?"Nandeasksl
ooki
ngatt
he
backseatAndLiyemaspit
shisear
s

Hiseyesgrowbi
gandhet
hrowsNandet
other
ight
t
ryingtoopenhi
sdoor
"
FUUUCCKK!
"Hescr
eams
"What
'shappeni
ngLi
yema?
?"Nandeaskswi
tha
pani
ckingvoi
ce
"Ther
e'saf
ucki
ngBOMB!"Hesaysandshet
ri
es
openi
ngherdoort
oobutnol
uck

Li
yemajumpedthr
oughhi
swi
ndowbutNandewas
st
il
lst
ruggl
ing
"
HelpME!!
"Sheshout
edbutLi
yemawasal
ready
r
unning

Thecarbombedintofl
amesandthefir
epower
l
aunchedLiyemaacrosst
heroadint
oanironr
od
ri
ghtt
hroughhischest
.
[
78]

{
Minent
le}

Asecamedownandshel ookedokaybutIknow
she'
sjustshi
eldi
ngher
sel
f.Hidi
ngbehi
ndamask.
"Theguysboughtever
ythi
ng,
toomucheven"she
sayswhil
ewe'reunpacki
ngthebags.Theguys
clai
mit'
snotthei
rjob.

Soonwest
art
edmar
inat
ingt
hemeat
.

Car
sst
art
eddr
ivi
ngi
n.Somanypeopl
e?

Iworetheoutf
itXhant
ilai
doutforme.Abl ackj
ean?
AplainXLroyalbl
uetshir
-ohwaitt
here'ssomet
hing
wri
tt
enoni t
.Eati
ngfortwothet-
shirtsaysandI
gi
ggle.

Ilookatt
heblackjeanandIshakemyheadgoing
tomybag.Itakeoutmyj eankneehi
ghheel
ed
bootsandmybl ackcycl
ingti
ght
sundert
het-shi
rt
.

WhenIwasfi
nishedIl
ookedl
ikeasexypr
egnant
l
ady.Myhai
rwast i
ed.
Iwentdowntothekit
chengett
ingmyselfasmall
tubofi
cecream.Thehousewasempt ysoIguess
ever
yonewasatthebackyar
d.Iwentthereand
musicbecameclear
.

Xhant
ispotmef r
om t
hebraaist
andandIbl
owa
ki
ssathim.IspotAsewi
thLiyaandIgot
othem
"Di
ckt
hatgood?
"Isaysi
tt
ingdownnextt
oli
yaand
hescr
eamswhenhenoti
ceit'
sme
"
Yousl
yfox"hesaysl
ooki
ngatmeandigi
ggl
e
"Heputyououtofthegamej ustl
iket
hathuh?"He
sayssippi
nghisci
derandInodl ooki
ngatthe
bever
age.Ilookt
omyl eftandIseeAsetal
kingto
herfr
iendNony.Didn'
tIwarnher?

Ikeptl
ooki
ngatthem unti
lNonysawmeandAse
l
ookedatmegivingmet hatl
ookbutIcont
inued
catchi
ngupwit
hLiya.
IseeXhant
iappr
oachi
ngmeandhegr
eet
s
ever
yoneonhisway.
"
Youseem busy"Isayandhegi
vesmeaki
sson
myl
ips
"
Youli
kerui
ningmyst
uff
"hesaysandIl
ookathi
st
-
shi
rt'
dri
nki
ngfort
woandIl
augh
"
Youcheesy"Isayandhel
etsmest
andup.

Nowwel ookli
ketwins.
.almost.myshoesandhis
pantsarethesamecol our.Thet-
shir
tsar
ejustcut
e.
Li
yast ar
tedtaki
ngpicturesandweposed.Him wit
h
hi
sbeeri nhishandswhi l
eIsti
llhadthei
cecream.
Pict
ureslookedcutetoo.

Itwasbusyget
ti
nglateandPKwaswast
ed.Xhant
i
hadtohelphi
m upst
airs.

"Ent
le.
..
Iwantt
ot al
ktoyouaboutsomething.I
knowyou'r
enotgoingtoli
keitbutiwantyouto
keepanopenmi ndtowhatIhavetosay"Asesays
andInod
"Tomor r
owI'mtakingNonywi t
hme,Iknowy'al
l
don'tl
ikeeachotherbutIneedNony..
.she'
stheonl
y
fri
endIhave"shesaysandIl ookather

"Ar
eyoublind?Don'tyouseemelooki
ngoutfor
You?Wedon' thavealoti
ncommonbutI'
m herefor
you.Nonycan'tbetr
ustedAse"
"
Thi
sisyourbigdaysoIcancompromi
sej
ustf
or
t
hetwodays"Isayandshesmil
es.

"Iknewyou'dunderst
andhenceshecame
prepar
ed,she'
sstayi
ngthenightandl
eavi
ngwit
hus
tomorrows"shesaysandIfeelmysel
fexpl
odi
ng
butIhavetokeepitcoolbysmili
ng

"Whyareyousl
eepi
ngi
ntheguestbedr
oom?
"Iask
herwhenweret
iret
obed
"
PKistoooutofi
t,
Hehasonetoomany.I
'm goi
ng
t
olethi
m sl
eepal
onetoni
ght
"shesaysandIstop
her
"
Areyousur
eavoi
dthat
?Iaskandshenods

{
Pk}

Iwassohighanddr
unkatt
hesametimeIcouldn'
t
evenmovemybody.Myeyescoul
dn'
tevenopen.

Ihear
dthebedr
oom dooropeni
ng
"
Babee,
I
sthatyou?
"Iaskandsheshushedme
"I
'
vebeenwaiti
ngf
ort
hisf
orsolong"shesaysin
myearkissi
ngmeandIsmil
e.Ifeelherput
ti
ng
somet
hinhonmyeyes.Abl
indfold?

Shest
art
edki
ssi
ngmegoi
ngdownt
omyboxer
s.
"Youfr
eaky"Isaygiggl
ingasshepull
sdownmy
boxer
s.Herwar m har
dswr apar
oundmyshaftandI
suckonmybr eath.Shegiggl
esandIfel
thermout
h
onmydi
ckandIgr
oan.

Hertonguest
art
edpl
ayingwit
hmyheadasheron
handmassagedmylengthydi
ckwhi
let
heother
wasmassagingmyball
smakingmytoescurli
n
pl
easure
"
Shit.
..
babeThi
sfeel
samazi
ng"Iwhi
sperl
icki
ngmy
l
ips

Shepi ckedupspeedsucki
ngmydi
ck,deep
throat
ingit.Mybodyfel
twarm,
Mybodystart
ed
vibrat
ing
"FUCKKK"IgroanasIshotmyloaddownherthr
oat
.
Whenever ydr
oppedgotsuckedoutSheki
ssedme
andIkissedherback
"Seeyouatthenegot
iat
ion"shewhi
sper
sandI
smileasIheart
hedooropeningandcl
osing.

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
_
Thankyouf
oral
lthehel
p
Tookali
tt
lelongert
hanIant
ici
pat
edsi
nceIr
ani
nto
ali
tt
lepr
oblem.

Icamepr
epar
ed.
Imi
ssedal
lofyou
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupearl
ythenextmorni
ngprepar
ing
breakf
astf
orever
yone.Xhant
icamedownlooki
ng
fr
esh.
"Goodmor ni
ngwif
eyandgoodmorni
ngdaddy'
s
gir
l"hesaysgoi
ngonhiskneeski
ssi
ngmytummy
andIgiggle
"
Goodmor
ningdaddy"Isaygi
vinghi
m aki
ssonhi
s
l
ips

"Looksandsmel
lgood,
needanyhel
p?"Heasksand
Ishakemyhead
"Imi
ssmysonXhant
i"Isaydi
shi
ngoutt
he
omel
ett
e
"
Weekendisal
lmostoverbabethenyou'
l
lhavehi
m
i
nyourar
mswher ehebelongs"hesayshuggi
ng
me

Everyonecamedown.Nonycamedownl astwit
h
theshort
estpj
sI'veeverseen.Noneoft
hemen
noti
ceisbutIdo.IlookatAseandshesmilesas
sheseesNonycomi ngdown.

"Thi
slookswonderf
ulEnt
lebutyouknowyou
shouldn'
tdoanyheavyl
if
ti
ng"AsesaysandIsmi
le
"Ar
eyousur
eyou'r
esuposetocookforother
peopl
e'
smen?Whatifthi
sisaplanofyoursto
makePKmarryyouinst
ead?"Nonysaysbefor
eI
coul
dtakeabiteofmysausage.Il
ookatAseand
she'
squietandIchuckl
eindi
sbeli
eve.

I'
m notgoingtoenter
tai
nher.Xhant
i'
shandl
ands
onmyl apsqueezingmyt i
ghandIgivehi
ma
reassur
inglook.
"Myomelett
eisabitt
oorunnyminddishi
ngme
somethat'
slessr
unny?"Sheasksaf
terawhi
leand
Iputmycutler
ydown.

"Youshouldbegl
adthatIdon'
thavemygunonme
gir
l,
butIhaveanal
ter
nati
ve"Isaytaki
ngmyst
eak
knif
eandXhantil
ooksatme
"Youbett
eractrightorI'
llmakethistr
ipsourfort
he
bothofus,Icanbeani ghtmare"Isaystandi
ngup
andXhantifoll
ows

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
IhavenoideawhyAsei nvitedthisgi
rl.Onethi
ngi
knowisthatIshouldneverinvolvemei nthi
ngsli
ke
thesebutt
hisgir
lisstr
essingmywi f
ewhi chmeans
mybaby.

"Wher
e'sEntl
e?"TheNonygi
rlasksmeasI '
m busy
goi
ngthroughafewdocumentsfrom wor
k.
"
Younotgoi
ngt
otal
ktome?
"Shesays
"
Ifyouwantafri
endt
otalkt
ogot
oAse"Isayand
myphoneringsi
t'
sEnt
le
"Baby"Isayanswer
ingandshegi
ggl
esmaki
ngmy
heartski
pabeat
"
Ahhh"Nonymoansi
ntot
hephone
"
Whatt
hehel
l?
"Isayandshegi
ggl
es
"Ar
eyoucrazy?
"Isaywal
kingt
owar
dsherand
she'
sbacki
ngup

Thethought
sofEnt
lel
eavi
ngmejustbecauseof
assumpti
onmademybloodboi
landmyhand
l
andedonherf
ace.
"
I'
m notyourfr
iendandI
'
llneverbe.You'
reahoe,
a
f
il
thyone.Yourtri
cksmi
ghtworkonyourweakass
f
ri
end-"
"Let'
sseei
fyourwifei
sweak"shesayswit
ha
bloodedmouthandIgiveheranot
hersl
apont
he
faceandshescreams

Aser
unsdown
"What
st hi
snoise.
..
XhantiDi
dyou?Ohmywordare
youcrazy?"Shesaysrunni
ngtoherf
akef
ri
endon
thegr
ound.
"I
'
llki
llyourfr
iendi
fshedoesn'
tst
ayawayf
rom me
andmywi f
e"

Wehear dacarandtir
essqueaking.Thedoor
cl
osingwi thimpact
.Thedoorfli
esopenandIsee
Entl
est andingt
herewithabaseballbatonher
shoulders.Shescanstheroom andsheseesNony
onthegr ound.Sherunstowar
dsme.TodayIdi e.
"BabyIcanexpl
aini
t'
snotwhati
tlooks-
"she
att
acksmewi t
hahugandmyhear tbeatsfast
"It
houghtyou-
you.
..
"Hervoi
cebr
eaksandIshush
her
"
NeverI
'
dnever
"Isay

{
Minent
le}

Babamenti
onedhiswi
fecomingalong.Idon'
t
knowhowtofeel
aboutthat
.Lastt
imeIsawhershe
hatesmygut
s.

Inowhavet
wopeopl
ewhoneedst
ost
ayaway
fr
om me.

Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obeal
ongf
li
ghtt
oo.
[
79]
{
Zint
le}

Onet hi
ngidon'twantt
obeisadisappoi
ntmentt
o
mypar ent
s.Beingtheonl
ygi
rlcomeswithal
otof
responsi
bil
it
ies.

Todayi smybr other

str
aditi
onalweddi ngandI'
m
notat t
endingit
.Theabort
ionIdidt ookatollonme.
Aaron? (
Sigh)he'
sbeenwithmet hroughoutmy
j
our neyeventhoughIcan'treal
lytellhi
mt hatI
abor t
edhisfir
stchil
dno.I
'mt akingthisonetothe
grave.

Ont hebri
ghtside,
Ent l
eandIhavebecomepret
ty
closebutther
e'ssti
llsomet
hinginmethatf
ears
tell
ingherwhat'
shappeningwithme.

Il
oveAaronbutwhosaidhewantskidsnow?Ican'
t
deci
deforhi
m.Soonerorlat
erihavetot
ellhi
m
what'
swrong,
hethi
nksit
'sastomachbug.
"Babe?Howdoyouf eelaboutmeetingmy
parent
s? .
..
.Iknowi t
'
sabi tt
ooearlybutyouknow
howIf eelaboutyouandyou' reperf
ectjustf
orme"
hesaysandIf eelguil
ty,
per
fecthuh..
.Idon'
tthi
nkso
"
Ner
vous"Isaygi
ggl
ingandheki
ssesmyhead
"
Well
Itol
dt hem whenyou'
rer
eadyyou'
l
lmeett
hem.
Nopr
essure"hesaysandInod

{
Minent
le}

Igotwokenupbynoi sear
oundthehouse.Iwoke
upandXhant iwokeupaswel ll
ooki
ngatme
confusedyetsleepyandsohandsome.
"Morni
ngbaby.
..
What'
swi
thallt
henoi
se"hesays
snuggl
ingi
ntomysi
dehol
dingmytummykissi
ngit

"Idon'
tknow,
whomeveri
tisr
uinedmysl
eep"Isay
andhekeptkissi
ngmytummygoingtot
heside
bi
ti
ngmesof
lyandIgi
ggl
e
"Can'
tyouholditi
nbabe?Weneedt ocheckwhat
's
goingoni nt
hehouse"Isayr
ubbinghi
sheadBut
thekisseswentdowntomytighs
"Gi
ve.
..
me...
fi
ve..
.mi
nut
es"hesayski
ssi
ngmyt
ight
s
aft
erever
ywor d.

Hetapsmysi deandIl
if
tmylowerbodygi
vinghi
m
enoughaccesstotakeoffmyunder
wear
"
Mmhh"hesaysbut
ti
nghi
slowerl
ip
"Thi
scoochieofyoursmakesmecrazy"hesays
andIblush.Thi
sguymara,hest
il
lmakesmeshy
andgivesmebut t
erf
li
esi
nmyst omach..
..
Ilovei
t

"Ihavetowarnyou..Ihaven'tshaved"Isaywi
tha
squeakyvoiceclosi
ngmyeyeswi thmyhands.Why
i
st hi
smanmaki ngmef eellikeateenager
?Ihear
him chuckl
einasexyst archyt hr
oatandmyclit
start
edthrobbi
ng
"
Womanmycandyoncef
ellont
hecar
pet
.Ipi
cked
i
tupandIatei
t.Thehai
ronyourcoochiedoesn'
t
meanshi
t"hesaysandIgasp.Il
etmylegsrelax
andheki
ssesmycoochie
"
Yohbabe.
."hesaysl
ooki
ngatmyvagi
na
"Sci
ssornyana?Notevengi
vethi
sbushat op?
"He
sayslooki
ngatmycoochieful
lofhai
r.Isl
aphis
headandhel aughs
"
Ndi
yadl
alaMaZana"hesaysandIf
oldmyar
ms.

We'r
ehavi
ngastarri
ngcont
estwi
thmyarms
f
olded,
mylegsopenwidewi
thmycoochi
eouti
n
t
heopenandhisheadbeweenmylegs
"We'
l
lthenSi
r,
I'
l
ltakeMybushyassvagi
naandI
'l
l-
"
hedi
vedint
omycoochieeati
ngmeoutmakingme
swal
lowmywor ds
"OhmyGod"Isaysucki
ngonmybr
eat
hgr
abbi
ng
hishead

Hefli
ckedmycl i
twi
thhi
stonguemaki
ngmyt
oes
cur
linpleasur
e.
{
PK}

"ICAN'
TBELIEVEYOU'REJUSTGOI
NGTOSTAND
THERE!"Aseyel
lsatme
"Canyoupleasekeepitdown?Ther
e'speople
sleepi
ngi
nt hi
shouse"Isaygoingt
othekitchen
andsherunsupstair
s

Thesoundofherf
oot
stepscamedownt
hest
air
s.
"PKIthoughtyouhadt hefl
ightsorted?Wehavet
o
hurr
yupt otheai
rportsothatwecancat cht
he
qui
ckestplanedown"shesayswal kingupand
downasIst ar
tmakingcoffeef orme

Aft
erawhi
leEnt
leandXhant
icamedownandI
smil
ed
"Ihope'
somebody'
didn'twakeyouup"Isay
emphasisi
ngthewordlooki
ngatAseandshefol
ds
herar
ms

"XwhendidLunat
hisayhewasgoingtobeready?
Becausewit
horwithouthi
m we'
rel
eavi
ng"Isay
andhenodssit
ti
ngatt het
abl
e
"Hesai
dtheywillcat
chusatt
heai
rpor
t"hesays
andEntl
elooksathim
"
Mypar
ent
's"hesaysandIseeEnt
le'
sfacechange.
"Yourmom t
oo?
"Shesof
lyasksandhel
ooksather
nodding
"Ey.
..
don'twor
ry.
..
Igotyou"hesayst
aki
ngher
handkissingi
t

Il
ookatmybrot
herhopingt
ofi
ndsome
i
nfor
mati
on.Helooksatmeandgi
vesmea'
l
ater
'
l
ookandInod.

"Soveleeveryonei
schil
led?Ij
ustf
ini
shedpacki
ng
ourstuffbutIdon'
tseeusmovingtotheai
rpor
t"
Asesays
"
Whatareyoutalki
ngabout
?Andwher
e'syour
f
ri
end?
"Entlesayslooki
ngar
ound
"Wehavet ocat
chaf l
ightbuyyouguysarechil
li
ng
here.Nony?Shewentoutearly,
sai
dshe'l
lmeetus
there,
hencei
m worri
edbecauseshemi ghtgetl
ost"
AsesaysandEnt l
eshakesherhead

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Babear
eyouf
eel
ingokay?
"Iaskatt
hebat
hroom
door
"I
'
llbeouti nafe-
"shesaysandt
hevomitstopped
her.Il
istentoherthr
owi
ngupsinceshedoesn't
wanttoopenup.AssoonasshecameoutI
i
nspect edher
"I
'
m okay.
..
JustMor
ningsi
ckness"shesaysandI
nod
Entl
eandIwor eourgreytr
acksuit
.Sheoptedfor
herwhiteNi
keairfor
cewhileItookmyblackone's.
Welookedcut.Entl
ebeingEntl
estart
edtaking
pi
cturesofusonmyphone.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

TheshockonAse'
sfacewasvi
sabl
ewhenshesaw
thej
et.Igi
ggl
easir
emini
scemeandXhant
i'
s
moment s.

"
Soyouknew?
"Asewhi
sper
sandIchuckl
enoddi
ng
myhead
"Andyoudidn'
ttel
lme?Wherethehelli
sNony?"
Shesayslooki
ngaround.Ohyeathatonei
sn'
there
yetandIhopeshestaysgone.

"
Isai
dI'
m af
ri
endsaver
ycl
oseone.I
'
m herbest
fr
iend!
!"Wehearf
rom adi
stanceandweallt
urn
around.Nonywasbei
ngdraggedbythear
m bya
securi
ty
"Heyyoucan'tdot
hat,PKtellt
htol
ethergonow"
AsesaysandPKsi ghs.Ihopehedoesn'
t.Henods
atthesecur
it
yandhel et
sNonygo.
"Let
'sgetgoi
ngpeoplesorr
yforbei
ngl
ate"she
sayspushingthr
oughgoinginsi
det
hej
et
"
Nowt hi
sisni
ce,
si
syouhi
tthej
ackpot
"shesays
l
ooki
ngatAseandIfr
own

IseethewayNonyhasbeenl ooki
ngatPKina
weirdfl
ir
tyway.Idon'
tknowhowAsecan'tseet
hat
thi
sisahoe?

XhantiandIwenti nl
ast.Isawhismothersi
tt
ing
acrosshisdad.Shesmi l
edatmebutIkepta
str
aightface.Thisi
sthesamewomanwhot ri
edt o
doever yt
hingtocomebet weenmeandXhant i
,she
hasn'tevenapologi
zed.Theorgansshehas.
Xhantimadei tcomf or
tabl
eformebylet
ti
ngussit
atthebackwher et hebedr
oom was.We
approachedthelastseatsbutsomeonewas
occupyingthe.I'
llbedamned.ItwasNony,
rel
axi
ng
wit
hchampagneandheadphones.

Itappedtheheadphonesandshel ookedupbut
whenshesawmeshecl osedhereyes.Ilookedat
Xhantiandhenodhi shead.Het ookawayhergl ass
andgavei tt
otheguypassinguswi thal
cohol.He
ri
ppedt heheadphonesfrom herheadandt hr
ew
them tothefr
ontofthejet
"Nowl ist
entomegoodandl istentomecar eful
ly.
Thisrighthere?I
smywi feokay?Notyour s,
she's
notevenyourf ri
end.Youdon' tevenbelonghere
becausei fi
twasn'tforyourblindweakassf ri
endat
thefrontyouwoul dn'
tbehere.I '
veseenandi ve
hadenoughofyouri mmat ur
ebehavi our.I
fIever
seeorhearyout reati
ngmywi feli
keshe'snothing
you'l
ldealwithme. "Hesaysandhel ooksathim
f
rozenst
if
fandshenodsherheadaf
terawhi
le.

Shestoodupqui
cklygoi
ngtothefront.Il
ookat
Xhant
iandheholdsmyhand.Ileanclosertohi
m
andhebendsdownt omylevel
kissingme
"
Ndi
yakut
handavha?
"Hesaysgi
vingmebut
ter
fl
ies
i
nmystomachandInod
"Isai
dIl
oveyoubabe"
"hesaysl
eani
ngbackandI
giggl
e
"
Iloveyout
oomnt
ungwa"Isaygi
vinghi
m apeck

{
PK}

"I
'
mt el
li
ngyouAse.Ifyourfr
iendupsetsEnt
lewhil
e
she'
sinthatst
ateI
'
llholdyouaccountabl
efori
t"I
sayandhernecksnapsinmydi rect
ion
"
Puml
aniIcan'
tpl
ayr
efer
eewi
tht
hoset
wo-
"
"Youwoul
dn'
thavehadt
oifyoudi
dn'
tinvi
teher
"I
saycut
ti
ngheroff
"Idon'
twanttoputyouandEntleinacage,
Ican'
t
choosefr
iendsforyoubutt
hisfri
endofyoursi
s
badnewsAse"Isayandshesi ghs
"Ent
lesai
dthesamet
hing"IshesaysandIl
ookat
her
"Yeathatoneiswiseyoushoul
dli
stent
ohermor
e
often"Isayt
akingoutmytabl
et

{
MrsEZana]

"
Baba.
..
didyousee?Shehat
esme"Isayandhe
l
ooksatme
"Ent
lewoul
dn'
that
eyou.She'
snott
hatt
ype"he
saysandIbi
temyli
p
"
Sowhatshoul
dido?HowdoIappr
oacht
hewhol
e
t
hing?
"Iask
"
Everhear
dofapol
ogi
zing?
"Hesayssar
cast
ical
ly
"
Yououtofal
lpeopl
eknowI
'
m badatapol
ogi
zing"I
saywhi
ning
"
Qui
tact
ingl
ikeachil
d.Upunti
ltodayyoucan'
ttel
l
mewhyyoudon'
tli
kethatl
it
tl
egirl
"hesays
"Ihaveagr
andchi
ldonthewaysoIcan'
tnur
seyou"
hesaysgoi
ngbackt owatchi
ngi
smovie

{
Zint
le}

I'
mr ecover
ingwell
.WithAar
on'
shelpofcour
se.I
'
m
backt omaki ngvi
deosformychannel
.TodayIwas
givingmymake- uptipsandaquest
ioncaughtmy
attention
*whywereyouinhospit
al?
*i tsai
dthenmorewi
th
shocki
ngemoji
s.Whatisthis?Ihadadisgui
seon.
Theycoul
dn'
thaverecognizedme.

{
Minent
le}

"
Haveyoueverbeent
oEastLondon?
"Xhant
iasks
meandIl
ookathi
m shaki
ngmyhead
"
Haveyou?
"Iaskandheshakeshi
shead
"Buti
t'
sabi
tfur
therawayfrom wher
eI'
mfr
om"he
saysandIt
urnmybodyf aci
nghim
"You'
renotf
rom KZN?OrGuat
eng?
"Iaskcl
ear
ly
shockedandhechuckl
es
"Don'
ttel
lmeyout hought.
..
nomam myr oot
sar
e
deep"Isaydust
ingtheinvi
ncibl
edustf
rom my
shoulder
s
"SeewhatImeanwhenIsayIknownot
hingabout
you?"Isayandhesmi
les
"Okay,I
'
mt hesecondoldestof3brother
sand1
sist
er.IwasbornintheEasternCapeinSter
kspr
uit
.
Igrewupnor mal-
"hesaysandIl augh
"
Yougotj
okesbutcont
inue"Isay
"AsIsaidbeforeIwassor udelyinter
rupt
ed.Normal
.
I'
mt hankfult
hatGodl edmetot hiswonderf
ul
womani nf
rontofme,youknowaf termypast
rel
ationshi
pIdidn'
tknowI '
dfeelthiswarmfeel
ing
againbutwi t
hyou..
.i
t'
sdiff
erent"hesaysholdi
ng
myf
acel
ooki
ngi
ntomysouli
fhecoul
d
"Youmakemevul nerabl e,youmakemef eelhappy
whenIknockof fatwor kbecauseIknowwhenI
comehomeyou' l
lbet her ewithyourhomecooked
mealr eadyf orme, ourfirstsonshowi ngmehi sugly
yetcutedr awingsatt hedi nnertabl
e.Youmakei t
worthittowakeupi nt heMor ni
ngEnt l
e,you'r
et he
bestthingI '
veeverhadandeverwi llhavesoI '
llbe
damnedi fimesst his...usup.Ndi yakuthanda
khakhuluMf az"hesaysandmyeyesdwel lupand
tear
sf all
"Ir
eal
lydoloveyouandwehaveourwhol
eli
ves
aheadtogettoknowoneanot
her
"hesaysandI
nod

"Youguysaremaki ngmecry,
getaroom"wehear
whil
ewe'rekissi
ngandwebr oket
hekiss.I
twas
Xhanti
'
smot herwipingt
ear
s.Couldbecrocodi
le
tear
s.
"
Ma?
"Xhant
isaysandshesi
ghssi
tt
ingi
nfr
ontofus
"
Ent
le.
..
Mydear
-"shesaysandIr
ollmyeyes
st
andi
ngupandXhant
igr
absme
"
Myeniwam ifihavetoapologi
zef
ormybehavi
our
f
ineim sor
rybutyouknowwhatyourmot
herdidto
me,t
ous"Isayandhesi ghs
"
Babyj
usthearherou-
"
"
NoXhant i
,
Iunder standandIdeserveit
.Hencei
wanttosaysor r
y,Ididn'
tmeanallt
hoseawful
t
hingsudid..
.i
-iwasj eal
ousIguess"shesaysandI
l
ookather
"Chil
dishofmeIknow.You' r
et hi
sindependent
woman, youhaveNof l
awsandeveni fyoudidyou
hidethem prett
ywel l
.I'
veseenyourscedualandi t
's
crazyandIdon' tknowhowyoudot hatallby
yourselfwhil
eyouhadasont or ai
se.Ithought
becauseoft hetit
leyoucarryaroundyou' l
lactli
ke
you'r
ebet t
erthanusandatf irstIdi
dntknowwho
youwer esoIt houghtyouwer eagol ddiggertoo"
shesaysgi ggli
ngbutIdon't

"
Pleasej
ustl
etmemakei tupt
oyouguys.Ir
eall
y
wanttomakethi
ngsr
ightbyyouandI
'
llbeagranny
soon.Youhavenoideahowhappythatmakesme.
Mysonmadeagoodchoi ceher
e"shesayssmil
i
ng
andXhantiki
ssesmycheekmakingmebl ush
"Atl
eastthat
'sonethi
ngwecanallagreeon.Xhant
i
youreall
ymadeagoodchoi ce"MrZanasays
hugginghiswif
efrom behi
nd.

_
___
___
___
___
__

Am it
heonlyonewhocan'twai
tfortheweddi
ng
mara?Youa.
ahmythroatneedsalcohol
[
80]

{
Minent
le}

"I
'
m goi
ngtomi
ssyou"Xhant
isayski
ssi
ngmyhand
andIgi
ggl
e
"
You'
l
lseemet
omor
row"Isayandhegr
oans
"I
t'
stoof
arbaby"hesayssul
kingandIbr
ushhi
s
head
"You'l
lli
ve,
andsi
nceAse'shouseisn'
ttoofaryou
cancomevi si
tme,weareamar r
iedcouplesono
biggy"Isayandheki
ssesme

Themenar
est
ayi
ngatacl
osebybnb.Thebl
ue
l
agoon.
Nony,AseandIareonourwayt oAse'
shome.The
ri
deisquiet
.JusthowIli
keit
.Iwasbusyr eadi
nga
bookwhenmyeyesmovedt oAse.Shelooked
str
essessoImovedt oher
.
"
Ase?
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"
Youknowyoucant alkt
omei ft
her
e'sanyt
hing
wrongr
ight
?"Isi
ncerel
ysayandshenods
"I
'
m herf
ri
endsoshecant
alkt
ome"Nonysaysand
Irol
lmyeyes
"Cl
earl
yyou'
renotagoodfr
iendbecauseeven
wit
houtusi
ngmyskill
sIcanseesomet hi
ngisn'
t
okay.Asei
fsomethi
ngiswrongtel
lmeokay?PK
sai
dIshouldkeepaneyeonyouandifanyt
hing
happenathomeweleave"Isayandshenodswhil
e
Nonycleanshert
eet
h.

Wecamet oastop.Thedooropenedandwegotout
ofthecar.Thi
slooksnice.Theyar
disniceandbi
g.
Thehousei syournor
malhouse.I'
m usedto
everyt
hingsoevenbiglooksli
tt
leandl
itt
lel
ooksbi
g.

Ki
dssur
roundt
hecarandIsmi
le.Imi
sst
his.

Thedriveropenst
hedoorandAsegetsoutf
ir
st
AndNonyf oll
owsher.Womencameoutofthe
house,Ali
tt
leboycamerunni
ngtowar
dsAseand
shepickshim upki
ssi
nghim.
"
Mama' sboy"shesaysandIsmil
e.That
'spr
obabl
y
Nkosi
,
herson.He'sadorabl
e.Nowimissmybaby.
"Ent
lethi
sway"Asesaysleadi
ngusint
othehouse.
It
'scooli
nsi
de.Womenwer ebusycl
eani
ngwhil
e
somewer echoppi
ngvegetabl
es.
"I
t'
sabouttime.Lordknowswhatwasgoingto
happenifyouwerestil
lhavi
ngni
ceti
mesoutt here
whil
eyouget t
ingmarri
edtomorr
ow.Ist
il
ldon'tget
whyyoudi dn'
ttel
lme"aBoycesaysandAse'sface
change
"
Mama"shesays
"
Thesearemyfri
end'sNonyandMinent
le
Khoza.
..
wel
lZana"shesaysgi
ggl
ingandIsmi
le

"Ididn'tknowAsehasfr
iends.Youknowhowcity
girl
scanpul lsmal
lgi
rl
slikeAseint
othedar
k"she
saysl ookingatme
"
Ithoughtyouwer
egoi
ngt
ocomeal
one"her
mothersays
"Pumlanit
houghtit
'sbesti
fibr
ingcompany"she
saysandhemot hernods

Ichangedint
osomethi
ngmorecomf or
tabl
eand
respect
ful
.Aft
eriwasdoneIwentt
ohelpinthe
ki
tchen.Therewere5aunt
ies.Igr
eett
hem wi
tha
smileandtheyret
urni
t
"I
sther
eanythi
ngIcanhel
pwi
th?
"Iaskr
ubbi
ngmy
handstoget
her
"Godbl
essyoumychil
d,asyoucanseetheyoung
onesar
eatthebackdr
inki
ngandwerebusy.No
onewamtstohel
pus"onesayandIfrown
"
I'
llber
ightback"Isaysmi
li
ng

Iwenttothebackyardandshewasright.Al
otof
youngpeoplej
ustlazyi
ngarounddr
inkingand
eati
ng.
"I'
mt el
li
ngyou,
sti
ckwi
thmeandI 'l
lshowyou
things,
Mybestfri
endi
sgetti
ngmar r
iedt
ot hemost
handsomer i
chestmanfrom mzanzi
"IhearNony'
s
voiceandIseehercomingoutwith2bott
lesof
wine

"Soyou'
rether
easonwhyt heaunt
iesarebusy
doingal
lthework"Isayandshechuckl
es
"Ohhlook,
Mrsperf
ecthasarr
ived.Someofyou
mightnotknowbutli
tt
lemrsperfectai
n'tthat
perf
ect"shesayst
urni
ngar
oundandever yoneis
l
ookingatme
"
YouseeMr sperf
ecther
eclai
medshewasr aped,
I
wonderi
fitwasn'
tbychoi
ce"shesaysandpeople
murmer

"Reall
y?Howl owcanyougo?Iwonderwho'
syou'
re
source"Isay
"Mysour
ce?Ihaveabestfri
enddon'
tI?
"Shesays
andmybloodstar
tedboi
li
ng
"I
sn'
tthatri
ghtdearbest
ie"shesayslookingbehi
nd
meandIt urnaroundandAsewasst andingthere
shocked.
Iwalkedtowardsherandshetookafewsteps
back.Ist
oppedandlookeditherwi
thanangryface.
Ili
ftmyhandsupandIsl ammedmyhandagai nst
thewall
"
Nextt
imei
t'
llbeyourf
ace"Isaywal
kingaway
"Andibet
terseeyouguyshel
pingar
ound"Isay
enter
ingt
hehouse.
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

Iwenttolaydownforafewmi nutes.Ireall
ydon'
t
knowwhyAsewoul dtel
lNony.PKdi scussedmy
personalt
hingswi
thhi
swife.ItookmyphoneandI
cal
ledhim
"
Makot
i"heanswer
s
"
Heybabe!
"IheatXhant
ishout
"
PKtakethephoneof floudspeakerIwantt
ospeak
t
oyou..
..
personal
ly"Isayandthere'
sapause
"
What
'ssoi
m-"
"
Don'
tyoudar
e"isaycut
ti
nghi
m of
f
"PKIr
espectyou,
alot
.You'
remybr
otheri
nlaw.The
headoft
hisfamil
y"
"
Wher
eist
hisgoi
ng?
"Heaskconf
used
"PKwhywouldyoutel
lAseaboutmypast
?"Iask
andhekeepsqui
et
"I
-idon'
t.
..
Idon'
tknowwhatt osayEntl
e.Idi
dn't
meant ohaveaconversat
ionaboutyouit
'sjustshe
saidshewantedtoknowmor eaboutyou-"
"Soyoutol
dheraboutt
her
ape?Whyt
hat
?"Iask
cutt
inghi
m of
f
"
Whathappened?
"Hecal
myasksandIsi
gh
"
Shetol
dherf
ri
endNonyandnowNonyannounced
t
hatt
oacrowdearl
i
eron"Isaysni
ff
ing
"Asedi
dwhat?EntleI'
m sor
ryI
'
llsor
tthi
soutnow"
hesaysandIfeelaloghtcr
amponmysi deandI
moan
"
Ent
le?Ar
eyouokay?
"HeasksandIr
ubmyt
ummy
"
Baby?
"IhearXhant
isay
"I
'
m okay.
..
.mmhh..
.j
ustcramps,
butI
'
m br
eat
hing
andrubbi
ng"Isayl
ayingback
"
Hol
don"Xhant
isaysandt
hecal
lgotdr
opped
"
I'
m sor
ryforupsett
ingyoubaby"Isaywal
kingt
o
t
hebathroom caref
ull
yrubbi
ngmyt ummy
"
Let
'sr
elaxal
it
tl
e"osayopeni
ngt
het
apst
ofi
llt
he
t
ub

Istar
tedsi
ngi
ngsmashi
ntoyoubyBeyoncesof
ly
sti
llr
ubbi
ngmytummy
"
Head,
down
AsIwat
chmyf
eett
aket
urnshi
tt
ingt
hegr
ound
Ishoul
d,If
indmysel
finl
over
aci
ngt
heear
th
AndI
'
m soakedi
nyourl
ove
Andl
ovewasr
ighti
nmypat
hinmygr
asp
Andmeandyoubel
ong

I
'
m gonnar
un,
run
Smashi
ntoyou.
..

Iendgi
ggl
ingasIf
eel
thecr
ampsdi
sappearas
soonasIputmyf
eeti
nthewat
er.
"Don'
ttel
lmeyoudon'
tli
kewater
"Isaysi
tt
ingdown
cover
ingmysel
fwit
hthefoam

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Myheartisraci
ng.Ifanythi
nghappenst oEntl
eor
thebabyom kil
li
ngsomeone.I n15-20minutesI
wasthere.Ipar
kedmycari nfr
ontofthebusyyard.I
sawelderl
ymensi t
tingatafir
eatthefront.I
greet
edthem asiwal kedi
ntothehouse.

I
nsi
dethehouseitwasf i
ll
edwit
hyoungandol
d
women.Igr
eetedthem andIsawAse.Ir
antoher
"
Wher
e'sEnt
le?
"Iaskandshel
ooksatme
"
Idon'
tknow"shesayswi
thashakyvoi
ce
"Isawhergoi
ngtooneoft
her
ooms"t
hegogosays
andIthankher
"
Takemet
oEnt
le'
sroom"Istandshenods
AssoonasIent erther
oom Iyel
loutEntl
e'
sname.I
searchedforherwhenIhear
dsingingcomingfr
om
thebathroom.Shecameoutwi t
hawhi t
ebathr
obe
withfl
uffysl
ides
"Babe!
"Isayr
ushi
ngt
oherandshel
ooksatme
shocked
"
Hey,
thi
sisasur
pri
se"shesayski
ssi
ngme
"
Areyouandt
hebabyoka?
"Iaskpani
cki
ngandshe
f
rowns
"
Yea,
hewasj
ustmi
sbehavi
ng"shesays
"
Thi
sismyl
it
tl
epr
incess"hesaysandIr
ollmyeyes
"
Idon'
twantagi
rlyetbaba"shesaysandIchuckl
e
"
IknowwhatIpl
ant
ed"Isaypr
oudandshegi
ggl
es
"
You'
renotsupposet
obeher
e"shesaysandInod
"Ij
ustpani
ckedwhenIheardyou'
renotokay,
stay
awayfrom AseandNony"Isayandshesighs
"
That
'
sli
ketell
ingmet ostayawayfr
om
f
ood,
i
mpossibl
e.I.
..
Ijustdon'
tknowwhyAsei
s
act
ingl
iket
hisbabe"shesaysandInod
"
Iunderst
and,i
fitwasupormeI '
l
lwomannapyou
r
ightnow"Isaykissi
ngherneckandshegi
ggl
es
makingmyhear tf
eelwar
m.

{
PK}

I'
vebeenlooki
ngatherthewhol
eti
meNotsayi
ng
anyt
hing.I
'm wai
ti
ngforher
.
"
I'
m sor
ryokay?
"ShesaysandIl
ookather
"
Whatmoredoyouwantmetosay?
"Sheasks
t
hrowi
ngherhandsi
ntheai
r
"
Yeeeyyy!
"Ishoutandshej
umps
"Whatthehel
liswrongwi
thyou?Idon'teven
recogni
zeyouanymoreAsemahle"Isayandshe
bit
esherlowerli
p

"Ent
lemaybeyoungert
hanyouandyoumi ghtbe
gett
ingmar
ri
edtomebutyoumustrespectEntl
eas
thefir
stwifeoft hi
sf amil
y.Al
lim seeingisEntl
e
tryi
ngtogui deyoubutyou'rebusybei ngungrat
eful
andact i
nglikeachild.Whywouldyout el
lNony
aboutEnt l
e'
sstuff?Justli
ketheytrustedmewi t
h
thatsecretmeantItrustedyouwithit"osay
"
Whatdoyoumean' maybeI'
llgetmar
ri
edtoYou'
?
Areyousayi
ngyoumightnotmar r
ymebecauseof
t
hesecret
?"ShesaysandIclenchmyjaws
"
That
'
sal
lyouhear
d?"Iask
"YouknowWhat?Lesst
alk.Mor
eact
ion"Isay
star
ti
ngmycardivi
ngof
f
"Wher
eyout
aki
ngme?Ican'
tleave"shesays
pani
cki
ng
"
I'
llbr
ingyouback"Isayl
ooki
ngatt
her
oad.

{
Minent
le}

Xhantidi
dn'
tstayl
ongbuthepromisedmegoodi
es.
RightnowI'
m busyget
ti
ngdressed.
Iwentt
otheki
tchenandIsawacoupl
eofyoung
women.Whoarethey?
"Ohsweet
heartar
eyouokay?
"OneaskandIseei
t
wasoneoftheerdekr
ywomenfr
om ear
li
erandI
nod
"Forsomeoneinyourcondit
ionyousur emove
alot
..
.aboutMyniece.I
'
m sorry"shesaysandIl
ook
atherconfused

"Ase,
herbehaviour
.Iblamehermot herthstwoman
hasbeennothingbutbittert
owardsherdaughter
eversi
nceAsebr oughtthatbabyhome"shesays
andsigh
"MaIdon'tknowwhat'swrongwi t
hAse.I'
mt r
ying
tof
indoutbutherfr
iendiseverywhere,
butI
'm not
her
eforthat.
..
I'
m al
itt
lehungry"Isaygi
ggli
ng
"Youshoul
d'
vesaidso,I'
l
lsendsomeonetomake
youasandwiches"shesaysandIdecl
ine
"
Nott
ocomeof
fasof
fensi
vesmakodwat
heman
yousawearli
erwasmyhusband.I'm carr
yinghis
fi
rstAndhe'
sreall
yover
prot
ecti
ve.Ifyoudon't
mind,howaboutWejoi
ntheother'
sinthekitchen?
"I
sayandshesmi l
ewhil
enodding

"Wher
e'sAse!
"Amansvoi
cer
oar
est
hrought
he
house
"Yohsomuchdrama.I
'm gl
adI
'
m her
e"onel
ady
saysandIl
ookather
"Askiesmylove,notyourstuf
fkodwaIwanttosay
thatyou'
reastrongwoman.Mostwoul d'
vegi
venup
onlif
eaftersuchat rag-
"shestopswhenshesaw
thatever
yonewasl ookingatherwhil
eIkeptmy
eyesonmynoodl es

"I
'
m sorry,
mynamei sAsi ve,Ifol
lowyouonsocial
mediaandIjustwanttot el
lyout hatyou'
rean
amazingwoman..Mymot hertol
dmehowyou
handl
edt heyounggroup"shesaysandIawkwar dl
y
smil
eandshepoi nt
st otheel der
lywomannextto
me
"That
'smymot
herGrace.She'sAse'
sauntwhich
makesmeandAserelated"shesayssul
kingandI
giggl
e
"
Thatbad?
"Iaskandshel
ooksatme
"
Youhavenoi
dea"

"
Wouldyoucal
m down?Asejustwentout
"Ase'
s
mot
hersayshol
dingt
hisunf
amili
arguy
"ThenI'
llwai
tti
llshecomesback"hesayssit
ti
ng
downandIl ookathim.Hiseyesscant
hroughthe
room andtheyfallonme.Hesmiles
"
Who'
sthi
s?"Heaskssi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
"
Thati
sAse'
sfr
iend"t
hemot
hersays
"AndAse'
sfr
iendismarri
edandshehasa
baby,
number2isontheway.Ifyoucan'
tsee"Asi
ve
saysandhecleanshi
steeth

Themanl
ooksatmef
oragood30secondsbef
ore
l
eavi
ng
"
Ohthat
'sAse'
sbabydaddyAthenkosi
.Cr
azyf
ell
a.
Ase'
smotherl
ikeshi
m al
ot.
"Asi
vesaysandInod

{
PK}

Ichokedherwhi
stl
eIwasbusypumpi
ngher
.
"
Wil
lyouapol
ogi
ze?
"Iaskandshenods
"
Ican'
thearyou"Isaypumpi
ngherhar
der
"I
'
ll
...
I'
l
lapol
ogize.PleasePkstop"shesaysbeggi
ng
andIpushmyheadi ntoherneckmakingabiglove
bit
e.Iwassti
llgoingstrongwhenIshotmyload
i
nsideofher
"Nomorefoulbehavi
ourorI
'
lldowor
se"Isayand
shenodswhilesni
ffi
ng

It
ookherbacktoherhouseandIcamebackt
o
sl
eep.Tomorr
owisabigday.
_
___
___
___
___
___
__
[
81]

{
Minent
le}

It
'shalfpastfiveandwomenwer eupandbusy.
Todaymustr eall
ymeanalottot
hem.Ihel
pedout
l
ikealwaysandsomewomenwer ebusydri
nki
ng
cider
s.Imi ssdrinki
ng.
.sbwl
.
"
Wantmetopouryousome?
"Somecut
echubby
l
adyaskmeandIsmil
e
"I
fyouwantbot hofustoendupi
namorguet
hen
yes"Isayhol
dingmyt ummyandshegi
ggl
es
"
Noway!
"Onesaysl
ooki
ngatme
"Aren'
tyouMi
nentl
eKhoza?Mar
ri
edtoXhantil
omzi
Zana?Nowaytellmethi
sisaj
oke"shesays
closi
nghermout
h
"
I'
m sor
ryIcoul
dn'
thol
dmysel
f.It
'sj
ust,
I
'mr ai
sing
t
woboysaloneandIal
wayswatchyourvideosfor
motivat
ion.MrsZanayouhavenoideawhatan
honoritistof
inal
lymeetyou,
Il
oveyou"shesays
hol
dingherchestandIgiggl
e
"
It
'sokay,
I
'm notusedtoalloft
his.Bei
ngMinentl
e
KhozawascoolerificansaysoandIcantellyou'
re
agreatmother
"Isayandshesmi l
es

"Gooddaypeopl
e"avoi
cesaysandi
t'
sAse'
sbaby
daddy.
"I
fyouwantt
ohel
p,goout
sidet
othemen"Asi
ve
saysget
ti
ngi
nandIsmile
"Goodmorning.
..
Entl
e"hesaysemphasizi
ngmy
nameandaawkwar dl
ylookaroundbef
orelooki
ng
athim.Idonotneedthis,
Ist
andupgoingtothe
kit
chenandhefoll
owsme

"
CanIhel
pyou?
"Iaskandhechuckl
es
"Pl
ayi
nghar
dtoget
,sexy"hesaysandIf
oldmy
arms
"
BecauseIam har
dtogetandsomeonef
oundme"I
sayl
i
fti
ngupmyr
ingf
inger
"Psshh,
thatdoesn'
tscar
eme,infacti
tturnsmeon"
hesaysgr abbingmywaist
,Islaphim andhe
frownsl
ooki ngatme.

Hegr
abbedmyar
ms
"What
'sgoi
ngoni
nhere?
"Af emal
evoi
ceaskIl
ook
behi
ndme,i
twasAse'
smother
"
Not
hing,
I
'vegott
his"At
henkosisaysandt
he
mot
hergi
vesmeaf oull
ook
"Shoul
dn'
tyoubepr
epar
ingf
ood?
"Sheasksmeand
Ilaugh
"OhPlease,
I'
m heretohel
p,I
'
m notahelper
.I
shouldn'
tevenbedoinganythi
ng"Isaywalki
ngt
o
myr oom bumpingint
oNony
"
Lookwher
eyou'
rego-
"
"
Shutyourt
ramp"Isaycut
ti
ngherof
f

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
MydadandIi
ncl
udi
ngafewofmyuncl e'
swereon
ourwayt
oAse'
shome.Not
hinghaschanged.
.

Al
lofusgotoutandst
oppedatthegat
e.Ical
ledPK
l
ett
inghi
m knowwehavearri
ved.

Myuncleandmydadst
eppedf
orwar
d.Cl
osert
o
t
hegate.
AmaCi
rha!
Nci
bane,
Khawut
a
Noj
ahol
o,Nyembezana
Mhl
athendl
ovu,
uDl
akal
ashe
Nt
swent
swe,
Qhanqol
o
Ntl
okwenyani
,Si
hloboSi
kaPhal
oHl
oml
’
iphut
hi
l
idal
ali
nempondo
MGcal
eka.
..
.
Theycal
ledoutt
hecl
annames.

Aft
er20minutessomeonecameoutoft hehouse
t
owardsthegate.I
twasanel der
.Iwasal i
tt
lebi
tfar
t
oheartheconversati
on.Isawmydadgi vi
ngthe
manabot t
leofwhiskeyandastashofmoney.

Theykeptt
alki
ngunti
lthemanunl
ockedthegat
e
andweentered.Womenstar
tedul
ulat
ingaswe
ent
ered.

{
Minent
le}

"Yeawejustent
ered"Xhant
isaysovert
hephone
andIgi
ggle
"I
t'
saboutt
ime,
Iwantt
ohol
dyousobadl
y"Isay
sulki
ng
"
Baby,
Ineedt
ogo,
Il
oveyou"Isayst
andi
ngup
"
Iloveyoumor
e"hesaysandIdr
opt
hecal
l
Iwrappedmydoekar oundmyheadcover ingeach
hairst
rand.Iwrapascar faroundmybl ackand
whitetr
adit
ionalwraparoundskir.Usuall
yI '
dwear
heelswiththi
slongskirtbutnottoday.Ioptedfor
mywhi teal
lstar.Icoveredmyshoul der
,Asecame
i
nandshegotdr essedtoo.Ihaven'tsai
dawor dto
herandneitherdidshe.

I
nthehallwayNonymetus.Lookingexactlyli
ke
Ase.Bat
hongwhat '
shappeni
ng?Ilookedather
t
henbackatAse.Cansheseet hi
s?Everythi
ngf r
om
t
hedoek,downt ot
heshoeslookedexactl
ylike
Ase'
s.Worsetheyaret
hesamecompl et
ionand
t
heyarebuiltt
hesame.

Asej
ustl
ookedatherupanddown
"
Youl
ook.
..
-"
"
Fami
li
ar"Isaycut
ti
ngherof
f
"
Amazi
ng"shesaysgi
vingat
ighsmi
le
Wewer el
edtotheloungewherewehadt
okeepour
headsbowed.Kneeli
ngonthefl
oor
.Il
ookar
ound,I
seeXhant
i'
sshoesandIsmi l
e
"Whi
choneisyourchosenbr
ide"amal
evoi
cesays
andt
here'
salongpause

Icouldsenseconfusi
oncomingf
rom t
hem soI
secret
lypoint
edt
oAsenexttomehopingthatt
hey'
l
l
see.
"
Theoneinthemiddl
e"MrZanasayscl
ear
inghi
s
t
hroatandIsmi
le
"Asemahle?Doyouknowthesepeople?
"Thesame
voicesaysandIseeherf
rom t
hecornerofmyeye
nodding
"Yebobaba"shesaysandweallst
andupheads
sti
llbowedgoingt
otheroom.

_
___
___
___
__
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

We'
vebeensi
tt
ingi
nthebedroom t
hewholet
ime.
Noonehassai
dawordwhileIkeptl
ooki
ngatNony.
"
I'
m wai
ti
ng"Isayandsher
oll
shereyes
"
Idon'
tknowwhat
'st
hebi
gdea-
"
"
THISISABI GDEAL!
"Aseshout
scut
ti
ngherof
f
Andhereyespopout
"Haibochom,Idi
dn'
tdoitonpurpose,
i
twasan
honestmist-
"befor
eshecouldsaytherestAse
slappedherandwalkedout

Nowi
twasj
ustt
het
woofus
"St
ayawayf rom ot
herpeopl
e'smen.Getyourown
damnsausageandheati tupinyourowndamn
microwave"Isaywhil
eopeningmyt ubofyoghur
t
andshecleansherteet
h
"Al
lsausageswanttobeheat
edinmymicrowave,
I
betyoursaus-
"It
hrewherwit
htheyogur
tbefor
e
shecouldsaymoreandshescreamed

"I
fIsomuchassmel lyourcheapspr
ayonmy
husbandiwillki
llyou"Isaystandi
nguppoint
ingat
herandIsitdown,asIwassi tti
ngdownshestood
upwithfi
erce
"
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
otr
y??
"Isaydr
oppi
ngher
"SeenowIhavet
ogetmor eyogur
tbecauseofyour
crazysf
ebet
endenci
es"Isayexi
ti
ngtheroom

Outsi
defi
reswerebur
ing,
peopl
eweredr
inki
ng.The
yardwasful
lofpeopl
e,
itl
ookedl
iket
hewhole
str
eetwashere.

Il
ookedar
oundbutcoul
dn'
tseeXhant
i.Ical
ledhi
m
"
Uphi
?"Hesaysanswer
ingt
hephone
"
Iwasaboutt
oaskt
hesamequest
ion,
I
'm att
he
f
ront
,wher
ear
eyou?
"Iaskl
ooki
ngar
ound
"St
ayt
her
e,I
'
m att
heback"hesaysandIdr
opt
he
cal
l

"Sisi
,
oneoftheaunt iessai
dImustgiveyouthis,
she
saidyoumaybet i
red"theyounggir
lwholookedin
herteenssayhandi ngmeagl asswit
hwhatlooked
l
ikedsomej ui
ce.IlookattheglassandItookit
thankingt
hegirlandshewentbacki nt
othehouse.

Iwal
kedt
oanear
byt
abl
epl
aci
ngt
hegl
asst
her
e
"Mysexymami
"IhearXhant
isayf
rom behi
ndme
andIsmil
e
"
Imissedyou"Isayashehuggedme,
ki
ssi
ngmei
n
t
heprocess
"Ther
e'sel
der
sher
e"Isaybr
eaki
ngt
heki
ssandhe
chuckl
es
"
You'
remyl
awf
ull
yweddedwi
fe"hesayski
ssi
ng
me
Drumsst ar
tedbeati
ng,
womenst artedsingingandI
sawAsecomi ngouti
nthisbeauti
fulatti
re.Ieven
gaspe.Itwasreal
lybeaut
iful
.Shest ar
teddancing
withthewomenl ooki
ngaheadofhersmi li
ng.Isaw
thatshewaslookingatPKwhowassi tt
ingona
chair
,matchi
ngAse'satt
ir
e.

It
houghtspeechesar
emeantforwhiteweddings?
Kodwaherewear eal
lseat
edunderthetent
.People
wereservi
ngfoodanddri
nksbutIasusual
Xhant
iandIwereshar
ingaplat
e,hi
splat
e.

Speecheswer
eni
cebutf
ake.Iwasst
il
leat
ingmy
mogoduwhenmynamewascalled
"
What
'shappeni
ng?
"IaskwhenXhant
ipul
lsmeup
"
Speech!
"Thecr
owdroar
sandmyeyespopout
,I
wantt
ogobackbutI
'
m alr
eadyatt
hef
ront
.
"
Phew"Isaywi
ppi
ngmysweatf
rom myhead
"
Iam not
..
.Idi
dn'
tevenknow.
.PKwhywoul
dyouput
mei
ntheeyesl
iket
himar
a?"Iaskandhechuckl
es
"That
'smysist
eri
nlawever
yone"hesays,
peopl
e
star
tcheer
ingandXhant
ist
oodup
"
Thatmeansshe'
smywi
f"hesaysandsomel
augh

Icl
earmyt
hroatandIf
ixmyeyesont
hecoupl
e
"Theygrowupsof ast.NowI 'm notgoingt osay
muchbutIwantyouguyst oenj oyt hejourneyyou
areabouttost
ar ttogether.Loveeachot hermor e
thanyoudidyest er
dayandt hedaybef ore.I'
veseen
youguystogetherandIcant el
lthatthismar riage
willbeabeaut
ifulone. .
.here'stomar r
iedl i
fe"isay
l
ifti
ngupmygl assandever yonecl appedt heir
handsasIwentbackt omyseat

"CanIgeteveryoneattent
ion"someonesays
grabbingever
yoneattenti
on.Igrownasshesmil
es
l
ooki ngatt
hecouple.Nonyi sreal
lypushi
ngmy
buttons.
"
So,
asherREALbest
fri
end"shesaysemphasi
zing
t
hewor
dreal
"
I'
dli
ket
o-"
"Hey,someonet
aket
hatwomanaway"Pkshout
s
standingup
"Youtreat
ingmel i
kethi
saf
tert
hefunwehadafew
daysago? "Shesaysandafewpeopl
egaspwhi
le
other
smur mur
ed
"It
houghtyoulovedme,
Ishowedyouthesigns.
..
we
hadfuninbed"shesaysandIseeoutofnowhere
AsejumpingonNonybeatingherup.

Ist
oodupbutXhant
ist
oppedme.
"You'
reonl
ockdown"hesaysandvi
sitdown
sulki
ng

Peopl
ehadt
ohel
pPKdesper
ateAsef
rom Nony.I
t
wasamess.

Nonywassenthomewhi
leever
ythi
ngwentahead
asi
fwhathappenedear
li
erondi
dn'
t.

"
Sowemeetagai
n"amakevoi
cesaysmaki
ngme
j
ump
"
Relax,
it
'sj
ustme"At
henkosisaysandIgetmad
t
hatinst
ant
"
Areyouf
oll
owi
ngme?
"Iaskandhechuckl
es
"Mymom al
wayst
oldmet
ofol
lowmydr
eams"he
sayssmi
rki
ng
"
Youhavebi
gdr
eams"Isaywi
pingt
hegl
ass
"
I'
m abi
gdr
eamer
"hecl
apsbackandigr
oan
"
Whoorwhatdoyout
hinkyouar
e?"Iask
"Icanbewhoeverandwhat
everyouwantmet
obe"
hesayscomingcloser

"Iwantyoutobeabal l
oon,f
lyingawayinastorm
andgetstruckbyl
ightni
ng"Isayandhel aughs.I
feelhi
shandsaroundmywai standIel
bowhi m
hard.i
nthefacemakinghim groan
"Openyourf
il
thyper
vert
edmouthsoever
yonecan
hearyouyouscum"Isayandhegr
absme
"
Isther
eaprobl
em here?
"IhearXhant
iaskand
At
henkosil
ooksbehi
ndhimlett
ingmego
"
Nopr
obl
em her
e"hesaysl
ooki
ngatXhant
i
"Babe?
"Hesayslooki
ngatmeandIseeAt
henkosi
hasashockedl
ookonhisface
"
I-
uhh.
..
Ithi
nkIhavet
ogo"hesaysl
eavi
ngf
ast
"
You'
reokay?
"HeaskandInod

{
PK}

"Whywouldshesaythoset
hingsofi
twer
en'
ttr
ue?
"
SheasksandIshrug
"Ihavenoi deawhatshewastal
kingaboutmyl ove.
Isleptalonetheni
ghtIwasdri
nki
ngsomuch, I
didn'tgoanywhereIpromi
seyouhavet obel
ieve
me"Isayandsheshakesherheadcr ying
"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
obel
ieveanymor
e"shesays
andIhol
dher
"
We'
l
lgett
othebot
tomoft
his"Isay

{
Asemahl
e}

We'reonlyst
ayingforaf ewmorehour
suntilwego
backtothehotel.Ican'
twaitt
ogetoutofhere,
I
'm
alr
eadythelaughingstockofthecommunit
yand
I'
m notevenmar ri
edforthatl
ong.

Iwi
shsomethi
nginmebel
ievedEntl
e.Iwasso
naï
ve.Myownbestf
ri
endr
ightundermynose.
..

Mymi ndkeptr
ushingwhenmymom camef r
om
herbedr
oom.Whenshesawmeherf acechanged.
Somethi
ngim usedto.Hencei
m goi
ngtowalkright
pasther
"Forsomeoneaslowcl
assasyouididn'
tknow
you'done-
daycomeonhandy"shesaysandIlook
ather
"Thathusbandofyours.Whenhecalledtofi
nali
ze
someoft helobol
anegoti
ati
onsIthoughtyou'd
arri
veherewithasugardaddy.
..
Yougott ast
ein
menj ustl
ikeyourmother
"shesayssmi l
ing

"WhenIsawhim Ithoughthewasl ost

.Iwasget
ti
ng
boredei
therway.
..
let
'sSeeift
hisoneisweaktoo"
shesaysandmyhandsf or
m afir
st
"JustbecauseIdon'tcareaboutyouandthef
ather
ofmychi ldsleepi
ngtoget
herdoesnotmeanI'
lll
et
yougoScot tfreeagainMOTHER"Isay
emphasisingt hewordmotherandsheblowsmea
kissexi
tingthehouse.

Homesweethome.
..
[
92]

{
Minent
le}
"XhantiandPKwentoutt
odosomet hi
ng.They'
l
lbe
back,meanwhil
eAseandIhavetostayforawhi
le.I
don'tmindthough,
Asi
vewaskeepi
ngmecompany.

Iwassit
tingint
her oom stuf
fi
ngmyf acewit
ht he
cheesecakeXhantibroughtmewhi l
ereadi
nga
bookwhent hedooropened.Ididn'
tcheckbecause
thebookwassoi nt
eresti
ng.

"
Asei
sn'
ther
e"Isayandt
heper
songi
ggl
es
"I
'
m heref
orYou,Ibroughtussomedr i
nksandf ood.
Youmustber eal
lyhungry.
..
Ihaven'
tseenyoueat
yourf
oodallday"shesayssitt
ingdownont he
couchandIsighclosi
ngmybook

"
We'r
enotfr
iends"Isayl
ooki
ngatherandshe
f
rownsput
ti
ngt hecover
edpl
ateandjui
cenextt
o
me
"
MrsChi
ra-
"
"
Cal
lmeSi
ne"shecut
smeof
fsmi
li
ng
"Iwasn'
trai
sedl
iket
hatMr
sChi
ra,
canIhel
pYou?
"I
ask

"IthoughtyouandIcoul dbefri
ends,
Iliket heway
youcar r
yyour sel
f.Yourwal
kscreamsr espect.
Evenwi thapower fulsur
nameyoust i
llmanaget o
bet hesameper sonyouwer ebefor
e.YouandI
havesomuchi ncommon"shesayssmi l
ingandI
giveherabor edlook

"
But
..
."shesaysandpausesmaki
ngmel
ookather
"Well,
goodtoseeyou'r
elist
ening.Anyway,
si
nce
you'r
esuchapower fulandrespectedwomenI
thoughtyou'
dgoforsomeonel i
kePK"shesaysand
Ifrown
"Nooffence,
Xhant
ii
shandsomebutweak.How
aboutIhelpyou.
..
hel
pme"shesaysandIlookat
her
"
Hel
pyou?How?Andhowcanyou.
..
hel
pme?
"Iask
"
Let
'ssayIhel
pyougetPK-
"

"He'
syourdaught
ershusband,
andhowdoest
hat
helpYou?
"Iaskoutofcuri
osi
ty
"Easy,
ifheleavesAse,she'l
lbemiser
abl
e.When
she'smiserableim happy.I
'veal
wayswantedtosee
hermiserable"shesaysandIkeepmyselffrom
pull
ingashockedf ace
"Sowhatdoyousay?Leaveyourweakl i
ngofa
husband,
t akeawaymydaught ershappi
nessand
weallwin"shesaysandIsmi l
ewhilel
ooki
ngather
andsher eturnsit.Iwal
ktowar
dsherandIsaynext
tohersti
llsmi l
ing..
.

{
Asemahl
e}

It
akeawalktothenearestshoptobuysome
ai
rt
imewhenapol ostoppednexttome.Ikept
walki
ngsi
nceIdon'tknowthisvehi
cle.
Itst
oppedinf
rontofmeandt
hedri
versdoor
openedalmosthit
ti
ngmeandIst
eppedback
"Myapol
ogies.
..
babymama"hesaysandIf
eelmy
hear
tbeat
inginmychest
"Youknow..
.I
'vebeenlooki
ngforyouatyourso
call
edwedding.Itwaswhack.Youhavebadf r
iends
bytheway..
.exceptthatot
herf
atonethough"he
sayscomingcloser

"
Stayawayf
rom Ent
leor
-"
"
Orwhat
?"Hesayswhi
lel
aughi
ng
"You'
renothi
ngbutaweakli
ngAse.Al
wayshave
alwayswil
lbe"hesaysgr
abbingmycheekandI
winchinpain
"Justonecal
l"Isayhol
dingmyphone.GodIdon'
t
evenhaveairt
ime.Helooksatmewit
hanangry
facebefor
elett
ingmego

Whenhedr
oveof
fIcoul
dbr
eat
hepr
oper
ly..
.
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ormypi
zzawhenshesati
nfr
ontof
me
"
Abby?
"Iaskandshesmi
lesandIl
ookar
ound
"
Rel
ax,
Icameal
one"shesaysandInod
"
So?Whysof
ardownsout
h?"SheaskandIchuckl
e
"Icamedownforamybrotherswedding.Idi
d
mentioni
tbuther
eyouare.
.couldn'
tyouwaitti
ll
II
getback?
"Iaskandshesulks

"
Icoul
dn'
t,
Imi
ssedyou"hesaysandIgr
oan
"
Youcan'
tjustcomeoutofnowher
eandexpectme
t
ojumpint
oyourarms"Isay
"MaybeIshouldjumpinyourarms,
pluswhatis
wrongwit
ht hat
?Don'tt
ellmetherumoursaretr
ue"
shesaysandIchuckle
"Youthinktheweddingphotosandal
ltheot
her
stuf
faboutmeandmyWi fearej
ustr
umours?
Abby..
.Ikil
ledyou"Isayandshesmir
ks

"Orrdi
dyounow?TheoldXhantiwoul
dbehadme
screaminghi
snameinhi
spenthousealr
eady"she
saystouchi
ngmyhand
"Exact
lyol
dme, I
'
m amar r
iedmanandaf
ather
"I
sayandhef acechanges
"Youhadbabieswit
hthatthi
ng?HowaboutIki
ll
them andl
etusli
vehappil
yeveraf
ter
?Likeyou
promised?
"ShesaysandIclenchmyteeth.

Abbyi
ssmal
l,
butyoucan'
tunder
est
imat
eher
.

"Fine,
cometothebl
uel
agoonhotell
ateron
becausewe'r
eleavi
ngt
onight
"Isaysli
dinghert
he
detail
sandshesmil
esandIstanduptakingmy
pizza.
_
___
___
__
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Unknown}

"Di
dn'texpectt
oseeyouher
e"Isaysmi
li
ngandhe
chuckles
"Imissedseei
ngyourf
ace"Isayandhi
sface
changes
"
Don'tyout
hinkmybrot
hernoti
cest
hatyou'
renot
Abby?"HeasksandIr
ollmyeyes

"Notevenclose,
pluslookatt
his.Hegavemedetail
s
tohishotelr
oom laterpn,
maybeIshouldgoear
ly"I
sayandhesi ghs
"Whyareyoudoi
ngt
hisGabby?
"HeasksandI
groan
"Heki
ll
edmyot herhal
f,hemurder
edherwi
thhis
ownbarehands,Iwanttocrushhi
m.Whatbet
ter
waythantomaket heloveofhisl
if
ehat
ehim?"I
saysmil
ingandhenods

"
Yoursi
sterbetr
ayedus,
herbet
rayalnear
lyki
ll
ed
myfat
h-"ishuthi
m upwit
hakiss
"Yethereyouare,
helpi
ngmesabotageyour
own,aren'
tyouscared?"Iaskl
ooki
ngi
ntohi
seyes
andhesi ghs

"Onl
ybecausehegotEnt
lebef
oreIcoul
d"hesays
andIfr
eeze
"Soyou'
real
sooneofmanyt
hatwant
sher
?"Iask
pull
ingadi
sgust
ingf
ace
"Changeofplans,si
nceyourbr
othert
ooksomet
hing
awayf r
om meIt hinki
t'
sonlyf
airtot
akeawayhi
s
preci
ouswifeaway"Isaysmi l
ing

{
Minent
le}
Il
ookedatherwi
thasmi
lebutdeepdownIwas
boi
li
ng.
"Soyou'
resayi
ngwecanbef
ri
ends?
"Iaskandshe
nods
"Andwehavesomet
hingi
ncommon?
"Iaskand
shenodsagai
n

"We.
..have..
.not
hingandImeannothing..
.i
n
common"Ist er
nlysayandsheopenshermout hto
saysomet hingbutIpushthef
orkagainsthersi
de
makinghershutup

"I
fIeverhearyouspeakI'
llofmyhusbandagainor
anyoneclosetome,Iwil
ldealwi
thyouaccor
dingl
y"
Isayandshel ooksatme
"
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
"SheasksandIst
andup
"I
t'
sapr omi
se,andbesuret
otakeyourpoi
sonwi
th
you"Isayheadi
ngtothedoor
"Andnextti
meit'
llbeagun.
..
notaf
ork"Isay
closi
ngthedoorbehindme.

{
Pk}

"
Don'
ttel
lmeyoumi
ssmeal
ready"Isayanswer
ing
myphonesmi
li
ng
"Whenwil
lyoubeback?I-
iwantt
ogobacktoour
home"Asesayssni
ff
ingandIsi
tupst
rai
ght

"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iaskandshesi
ghs
"
Ijustdon'
tfeelwel
comedher
eMyeni
"shesays
"
Wher
e'sEnt
le?
"Iaskandshe'
squi
et
"
Theysayshe'
satt
heback"shesaysaf
terawhi
l
e
"Okay,
int
hemeant i
mestayclosetoEnt
le.It
rust
herandIdoubtanyonewi
llt
ryanythi
ngwithyouIf
you'r
ewit
hher"IsayandIcutthecal
laf
tersaying
goodbye
"
Sir
,she'
sher
e"t
hemansaysandInodt
aki
ngmy
j
acket

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Goodday..
.MrZanahere,
ifl
iketoor
derroom
servi
ceformyroom atyourhotel
?Yes..
givethe
room aromanti
csett
ing.YesIwanteverythi
ng.
..
."I
cutthecal
l.

IlookatEntl
e'
sphot osonmyphoneandIsmi l
e.I
call
edherbutherphonerangunanswer
ed.Ical
led
Aseandshepi ckedup
"Pl
easetel
lmeyou'
rewi
thmymf
az"Isaywi
tha
beati
ngheart
"
Hol
don"shesays
"
Xolobaby.
..
Ifor
gotmyphoneintheroom I
was,
somepeoplereal
lyknowshowtoruboneof
fin
awi
ngway"shesays

"OkaygogetyourphoneButst
ayont
hel
ine"Isay
andshegiggl
es

"
Sowhatwassoi
mpor
tant
"sheasks
"ImissedyouandIwantedt
osayhowmuchil ove
you"Isaysmil
ingandIcanfeelhersmi
let
hrough
thephone

"Ican'
twaitti
llwegobacksoIcanbur
rymysel
f
deepinsideofyou"Isayandshegi
ggl
essome
mor e.
..

_
___
___
___
___
___
___
[
93]

{
Minent
le}
Thehousei sbecomingmor equietbythemi nute.
SivehasleftawhileagoandI '
m bored.Asekeeps
tryi
ngtoholdaconver sat
ionwithme,shereall
yi s
butsheonlytalksaboutme,everyt
imeIask
somethingaboutherorherf amil
ysheboomer ang's
theconversat
ion..

Ideci
dedtovideomymom.Sheanswer
edandher
faceappear
ed.
"Heymom"Isaysmil
ingandshel
aughsat
somethi
ngi
nfr
ontofher
"
Mama"IhearAj
aysayandIl
augh.Heappear
son
t
hescr
eentoo

"Babywam"Isaybl
owi
ngki
ssesandhedoest
he
samemakingmegiggl
e
"I
'
m cal
li
ngtoletyouknowwel
lbebacksoon"Isay
andshenods
"
It
'sokay,
youknowIdon'
tmi
ndl
ooki
ngaf
terhi
m"
shesaysandInodwhi
lesmi
l
ing

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Ienterthehotelroom andthelightsaredimmed.
Rosepet alsonthefloorl
eadingtot hebedroom.I
fol
lowedi tandthereshewasont hebedinasexy
l
ingeri
e.Champagneoni ce,
allsortsoffood.
Everythi
ngwasset .
.

"Iwaswonder
ingwhenyou'
dcome"shesausandI
chuckl
e
"Hadaner
randtotub"Isayandshecomest
ome
kissi
ngmychest
.
"
Imi
ssedyou"shesaysandIsmi
le

{
Zint
le}
"
Zee?
"HeasksandIshutmyeyes
"Babypl
easeopenupf
orme,Iwon'
thurtyou"he
saysandIhol
dmychestasIfeeli
tcl
osingup
"Zi
ntl
eopenthisdamndoororI'l
lbreaki
tdown"he
saysandmybr eat
hescal
ates.Iforcemysorebody
towar
dsthedoorandoopent hedoorwithafake
smil
eplast
eredonmyface.Hegr absmyfacehard
"
I'
m sor
ry"Isaywi
thast
ruggl
e

"Whydidn'
tyouopent
hedoorwhenIcal
ledyour
name?"Heasks
"I
-iwas.
.Iwasinthebathr
oom i
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
thear
you"Isaylyi
ngthroughmyteet
h

"Don'
tlockthedooragainokay?"Heconti
nued"
nowmakemesomet hingt
oeatinhungry"hesays
pushi
ngmet othesideandIlosebal
ancefal
li
ng
downint heprocess.
..
.
{
Minent
le}

Aft
erthevi
deocallIwentt
hroughsomeofmy
messageswhenanewonepoppedupf rom an
unknownnumber.Thepersonsentaphoto.

Iviewedi
t.Ij
umpassoonasIseet
hepi
ctur
e.I
readthet
opmessage
*XhantibabyyousaidImustcomet othusnumber
ri
ght?Thel adyatt
hefrontdesksai
dyou'r
e
expect
ingmebutsi nceyou'r
enothereyetI'
l
llet
myselfin*

I
tsaysandmybl
oodboi
l.Tel
lmet
hisi
saj
oke.
..

Ical
ledXhanti
'sphonebuti
trangunt
ili
tswi
tched
tovoicemai
l.

Ist
artwal
kingupanddownf
rust
rat
ed
"
Tohellwit
hthis"Isayt
omysel
fasist
artchangi
ng
i
ntot
racksui
t.Icall
edPKandhepi
ckedup
"
Entl
eI'
mri
ghtout
sidewhyareyoucal
li
ng"heask,
i
l
ookatt
hephoneAndiswit
chitof
f.

Ipul
ledoutmyblackandwhit
esuper
start
ekki
eand
Iwalkedoutt
otheback.Ther
ehewaswi t
hAse.He
seesmeandhest andsup
"
Whoa,
what
'swr
ong?
"Hesays
"
Givemeyourcarkeys"Isayandhef
rowns
"
Noti
nthatst
ateno,
tel
lmewhat
s-"
"Xhant
iisaboutt
ocheatonme!
"Ishoutcut
ti
nghi
m
offAndheshutsup

"
What
?no"hesayschuckl
ing
"
Xhant
iwoul
dn'
tdot
hat
,howsur
ear
-"
"Here'sthedamnproofnowgivemeyourdamncar
keys!"Isayshovi
ngmyphonei nhishandandhe
l
ooksatmyphone.Hi sbrowsli
ftup.
"You'
renotget
ti
ngmykeys,
wer
eal
lgoi
ngt
her
e"he
saysandInod

Wear
ri
vedatt
hehot
elandPKl
eadedt
heway
"
Wal
kfast
er"Isay
"
Youbet
tercal
m down,
thebaby"hesaysandInod

Heopensthedoorandt here'spet
alseverywher
e.
Heel
sonthef l
oor.Irushtothebedroom andthere
Xhant
iwas,exchangi
ngspitwi t
hawhi t
elady.The
onl
ythi
ngsepar at
ingthem isXhanti
'sboxers
"Thi
slooksf
un"Isayandst
atusheadsnapsi
nmy
dir
ecti
on

"Entl
e..
Ent
leI
t'
snotwhatitl
ooksl
ikebaby"hesays
standi
ngupfastandIchuckl
e
"Don'
tevenbot
her
"Isayhol
dingmyhandupwi
tha
seri
ousface
"
Ent
lebaby-
"thel
adywant
edt
orunbutIpushedher
hardandshecol
ofedwi
tht
hewal
lbr
eaki
ngt
he
vasenextt
oher

"Thiswasal lpartofyourl
it
tl
esickplanhuh? "Isay
takingahandf ullofherherpul
linghertowar dsme
andIbangedherheadagai nstthewal lmakingher
falldown.Ikickedherinherfaceacoupl eoft i
mes
andIf eltar
mspul li
ngmeaway.Thel adywasst i
ll
breathingandIsawPKhel pi
ngherupandsher an
away.Iyankedmyar msawayf r
om Xhant iandI
l
ookedathi m
"
Ba-
"Il
if
tmyhandsup
"
Ihavenot
hingt
osayt
oyou"Isaywal
kingout

_
___
___
___
_
Qui
ckr
emi
ndert
hatt
hest
oryi
ssoonendi
ng
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}
Idr
ovewi t
hAseandPK.Ididn'twantt
obenear
Xhant
i.Ican'
tbel
ievehe'
ddothistomeagai
n..
.

Firsti
twasthatothergirlwhowasassignedto
destroyusnowt hisgirl
.Whenwi l
lmenlear
nthat
i
t'sneverabouttheirdesir
eswheneveranot
her
womanwi l
li
nglywant stosleepwi
thyouknowing
thatyouaretaken?

Thoset ypeofwomenonlycometodoonet hing.

Destroyyourwoman.Andwhenever yt
hingi
sover
youasamanwi llbel
eftwi
thnot
hing.Onenight'
s
pleasur
e?

Mymi ndwor kedovertimethroughoutt

hedr
iv.The
carcamet oast opi
nfrontofThehouseandIgot
outfi
rstheadingtotheroom Iwasin.

Mybagswer
esetandr
eadyt
ogoSoIt
ookt
hem.I
couldn'
treachonebagandsomeonepickedi
tup.I
l
ookedupandi nsaneitwasXhant
i.Iwal
kedpass
him headi
ngtothecar
"Ent
lepleasedri
vewit
hme, youwon'
tevennoti
ceim
ther
e,I
'
llbequietasamouse.Idon'
twanttoputmy
brot
herinauncomf or
tabl
espotplease"shepl
eads
walki
ngbehindmeandIsi ghasIgopastPK'scar
toXhantiacar

Iwentt
oopent
hebootbuthest
oppedme
"Letmedoit,
youmustr
est
"hesaysandIl
ookat
him gi
vingmybagst
ohim

Il
istenedtomusicthewhol
etimeunti
lwemadea
stopatagarage.IhadaperanywaysoIwenttot
he
bathroom.WhenIgotoutIsawAse,washi
ngher
hands.Shelookedatme
"
Ent
le"shesof
tl
ysaysandl
ookather
"I
sther
eanyt
hingIcandoforyo"sheasksandI
shakemyheadgivi
ngherasmallsmil
e
IpassherandIwentoutt othecartogetmybag.I
wentintothestoret
obuysomet hi
ngf ormesi nceI
washungr y.Ihadspi
cydorit
os,
pies,
juiceandnot
for
getti
ngmybi lt
ong.Ipai
dforeverythingandI
headoutgot hecarwhereXhantiwasont hephone.
Itl
ookedintense.

Itst
art
edrai
ningassoonaswedroveoff
.Ididn'
t
evenwait
,Istar
tedchowi
ngmypi
esandchi psunti
l
Iwasfull
.Il
ookedupandIsawXhantil
ooki
ngat
me.
"Di
dyousavesomeformet oo?
...
I'
m al
it
tl
ehungr
y"
hesayscl
ear
inghi
sthroat
"
Star
ve"Isayandhesi
ghs
"Entl
e..
.youwer en'
tsuposetoseethat
.I.Sor
ry.I
hadapl an..
.Ihadaf ul
lproofpl
an.
."hesaysandI
closemyeyes.

"
Ent
le.
..
babywakeup"If
eelsomeoneshaki
ngme
andIopenedmyeyesmeet
ingXhant
iaeyes
"
Hey,
wer
eher
e"hesayssmi
li
ngandInod

{
Unknown}

"Thatwasabi
tchmove"hesaysgi
vingmeani
ce
pack
"Youguysdidn'
twar
nme"IsayandIsi
ghinpain
whentheicepackcomesi
ncontactwi
thmybrui
se
onmyeye
"It
hinkIdi
dwar nyou,
Youjustdon'
tli
sten.Youhave
yourownthing.Lookatyourf
acenow"hesaysand
Ifr
own

"Itoodi
dwar nyou,
sheoncecaughthim andshe
almostdestr
oyedhishouse"t
heotheronesaysand
Irollmyeyes
"
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
hatshe'
saf
ight
er-
"
"
Youdon'
tthi
nk"t
hebuf
fchocol
ateguysays
"From nowonyoul
ist
ent
ous"hesaysandt
he
otheronenods

Im notli
steni
ngtothem.I'
m goi
ngtolaychargesof
assaultandattemptedmurder
.Theywil
llockherup
andI'l
lhaveXhantiformysel
f.

{
PK}

"Doyouthi
nkthi
ngswil
lbeokay?
"Aseaskswi
tha
concer
nvoiceandIsi
gh
"Ihopeso.Xhant
iisusual
lyvery.
..
smart
,somet
hing
doesn'
taddup"Isayandshel ooksatme

Ihopemygutf
eel
ingi
stel
li
ngmet
het
rut
h.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}
"
Scanheragain.There'
ssomet
hingwemi
ghthave
missed"Isayovert
hephone
"
Sirwenevermi
ss-
"
"
Isaidscanheragain.Iwanttoknoweveryt
hing.
How,When,whereandwi t
hwhom, I
fyoucan'
tI'
llbe
f
orcedtotakefurt
hersteps"Isaycut
ti
ngthecall

Wear ri
vedattheai
rportandIsawEntl
ewasasleep.
Ithoughtaboutcar
ryi
ngherkodwahertemperwill
haveherjumpoutofmyar msdespi
teherbei
ng
pregnant.

Iki
ssherf
orehead.
..

Iwokeherupandat
leastshe'
snotf
ight
ingme.
That
'sgoodri
ght
?

_
___
___
___
_
[
94]
{
Minent
le}

We'r
ebackhomeandIwentst
rai
ghtt
othemai
n
bedr
oom.
"Ent
le!
"Xhant
ical
lsoutandIi
gnor
ehi
m goi
ng
upstai
rs.

It
akemycl
othesoutandt
hrowt
hem ont
hebed.
"
Ent
lepl
ease.
..
let
'st
alkaboutthi
s"hesaysbehi
nd
mei
nthedoorbutsti
llIdon'
tpayatt
ent
iontohi
m

Mybagsar
epackedandIhearhi
m cl
oset
hedoor
.
"
Entl
e..
.l
etmeexpl
ain.Ihadapl
an..
"heshut
sup
whenhereal
isedmyeyesweren'
tonhim
"Xhant
i.
..
letmego,
l
etmego, i
t'
llj
ustbeunt
ilyou
knowwhatyouwant "Isayandheshakeshishead
"Ican'
tletyoudothatEnt
le.NotwhenI
'
minnocent
"
hesaysandIbi t
emyl owerli
p
"Di
dshefor
ceyout
okissher
?"Iaskandhekeeps
qui
etandInodmyhead
"I
t'
seit
herigoandyoust
ayoryougoandI
'
llst
ay"I
saytappi
ngmyf oot

"Nooneisl
eavi
ngpha"hesaysgr
abbi
ngmyar
ms
andIfr
eeze
"You'
renotl
eavi
ngmeEnt
le!
"Hesaysshaki
ngme
anduf r
own
"HEY!Don'
tyoudare.
..
don'tyoudar eshoutatme.
Thisisyourmessandyourf ault
,f
ixit
"Iclapback
andhel et
smegor ubbinghishead.Hel ookedat
mef oralongt
imebeforeleavingtheroom andI
plungeint
othebed.
Hear
tbeati
ngfast.GodthusmanCouldbegi
ven
meoneslapthatcould'
vesentmei
ntotheI
CU.

Iunpackedmybagsandut
ookar
elaxi
ngbat
h.
I
nst
eadofwinei
nagl
assi
twasj
uice.Ir
eal
lymi
ss
mywine.
..

"
Ent
lebabyareyousti
lli
nther
e?"Xhant
iaskson
t
heothersi
deofthedoorandIsi
gh
"
Yea"isof
tl
ysay
"
Youcan'
tbei
nthewaterfort
oolongatthi
sti
meof
t
heni
ght.
..
yoi
rsi
nuses"hesaysandIkeepqui
et

Igotdressedinanoversi
zedt
-shi
rtandshort
s.My
photosareli
kecroptopsnow.Ihatei
there.
..

"
Dinneri
sready"Xhant
isaysti
cki
nghi
sheadint
o
t
hebedroom andInodputt
ingonmysli
des.

Hetri
edtouchi
ngmeasIpasshi
m,If
li
nchandhe
pul
lshishandback.
Foodsmel
ledgood.Ionl
yreal
isenowhowhungr
yI
was.
..

Hepul
ledoutt
hechai
rformeandIsatdown.

{
Unknown}

AssoonasIar ri
vedinPr
etor
iauwenttothe
nearestpol
icest
ati
ontol
aychargesagai
nstthat
MinentleKhoza.

"Soyou'r
esayingMrsZanaatt
ackedyou?
"The
off
iceraskedandInodwhil
esobbing
"Shecould'
veki
ll
edme.Herear et
hescanst he
doctort
ook.Thuswasattemptedmurder"Isay
whil
ewai l
inandt
heoff
icernodswhil
etipping
somethi
ng
"
I'
vejustal
ert
edapoli
cestati
onbearher
r
esidence,
wewil
lbr
ingJustustoyouma'am"he
saysandInod

Let
'sseei
fyourhusbandcanhel
pyout
hist
ime
Ent
le.
..

{
Zint
le}

"Ihear
dmybr -
Entl
ewasback.
..
doyoumi ndi
fivi
sit
them?"Iasksnaki
ngmyar
msar oundhi
m andhe
groans
"
Youmi
ghtj
ustsni
tch"hesayst
urni
ngar
ound

"Wel
lyoucanal
wayscomewi t
hme, i
t'
llbegreat
.
Youmeetingmyfami
lyof
fi
cial
l"Isaysmili
ngand
hesmirks
"Youwantt
oint
roducemeasyourman?"Heasks
andInodgri
ndi
ngonhim.GodIhopethi
sworks
"Yeasure,
tomorr
owthough.Iwantt
otakeyouona
spadate"hesayski
ssi
ngmyheadandInod
_
___
__
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

Di
nnerwassi
lent
..
.
"
Howdoyoul i
ket
hemeat?Imadeitj
usthowyou
l
ikei
t.
..
medi
um"hesaysandInod

Aft
erIwasdoneeati
ngIwenttowashmypl ateand
Iwentt
obed.Itwasn'
tlongunt
ilheent
ered.
"
Baby.
..
"hecal
mysayandIl
ookathi
m
"Therearepoli
ceoutsi
del
ookingforyou,
whenyou
arri
veatthestati
onIwantyoutokeepquiet.Get
dressedintosomethi
ngwarm"hesaysgoi ngtothe
closett
akingoutawarmtracksui
tandrunners.
Ist
oodupandIst ar
tedchangi
ng.Iknewthi
swas
coming.Ipressedmynecklacebefor
eplaci
ngi
t
undermyt -
shirt
.

Iwentdownandt
her
est
ood2of
fi
cer
s
"
Putyourhandsbehi
ndyou-
"
"Iknow,andyoudon'
tneedtocuf
fme.I'l
lgeton
will
ingl
y"Isaycut
ti
nghim of
fwhil
eli
ft
ingmyhands
upandt heymakewayf orme
"I
'
llber
ightbehi
ndyou"Xhant
isaysandIshakemy
head
"GocheckuponAj
ayf
ir
stpl
ease"Isaybef
ore
cli
mbingin

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Igoti
ntomycarandIdr
oveofftoEnt
le'
shouse
wherehermot
herwasstayi
ng.
WhenthedooropenedIwasmetbyhermot
her
hol
dingAj
ayonherhip
"
Dada!
"Aj
ayshout
sassoonasheseesme
"
You'
reget
ti
ngbi
gbuddy"Isayandhegi
ggl
es
"
Ent
lesentmetocheckuponhi
mseesoccupi
edat
t
hemoments"Isayandheemot
enods

Af
terpl
ayi
ngwi
thAj
ayIputhi
mtobed.

"Sendgreeti
ngstomystr
angerofadaughter
.Take
thi
s,Don'
tlethert
aket
hem"shesaysgivi
ngmea
bigTupperwareandIsmi
lewhil
enodding

Igoti
ntomycarandmyphonerang.Ianswer
ed
wit
houtlooki
ngatt
henumber
"
Youbetterhaveagoodexplanat
ionastowhyEntle
i
sinjai
lforatt
empt
edmur der"t
hevoicesaysand
f
orsomer easonmyheartskipabeat
"
Mike"isaydef
eat
ed
"Whati
sthi
s?Cometoyourhousei
m att
hegat
e"
hesaysandIcutt
hecal
l

IthoughtMi kewasl
yingwhenhesaidhewasher
e.
Thisguyl i
kesatt
ent
ionwit
hthusbri
ghtyel
low
Ferrar
i.Ichuckl
edwhenIseehimthrowi
ngaway
thecigaret
te
"
Thoset
hingswi
llki
llyou"Isay

"
Notbef
oreIki
llyou"hesayswal
kingcl
oser
"Youareonest upi
dperson.Iknowyou'
renota
gangsterbutyoulit
eral
lyhaveallt
he
resour
ces,ski
ll
sandmor e.Di
dyouknowthat'
snot
Abby?"Heasks, InodandHef r
ownswhi
lelooki
ng
atme
"
Youknewandyoust
il
lexchangedspi
twi
thher
?"
HeasksandIsi
gh

"Ipl
acedasyr
ingcl
oset
othebed.Theonl
ythi
ngI
hadtodowasgethercl
oset
othebed.Thi
ngsgot
outofhandaf
tert
hatonegl
ass-
"IsayandIst
opas
Ithi
nk
"
Sonofa..
.sheplannedi
t.I
ncl
udi
ngEnt
lebei
ng
t
her
e"Isayfrust
rated
"
I'
m goi
ngt
oki
llher
"Isayf
ormi
ngaf
ist

Myphonevibr
atedi
nmypocketandIr
eachedf
ori
t.
I
twasatextfr
om PK
*
Thiswasnotpar
toft
hepl
an*i
tsai
dandIsi
ghi
n
f
rust
rat
ion.

{
Zint
le}

I
'm si
tt
inginfr
ontofthemir
rorl
ooki
ngatmysel
f.
Thebruisesaref
adingsl
owlybutsur
ely.

Iblamemysel ffort
his.MysweetAar onisgone..
.I
rememberi tl
ikeyest
erday.Iregretconfessi
ng..
.I
thoughti
t'
llmakemesl eepbett
eratni ght
.Maket he
gui
ltwashaway.
.

Idon'
thavef
ri
endst
ocontactbecausehe
confi
scat
edal
lmyel
ect
ronics.

"
Aaron.
..
Iwantyoutokeepanopenmi
ndabout
whatI
'm aboutt
osay"Isai
dcal
myandhenod
"Wehaven'tbeendati
ngforthatl
ongAndi
sometimesfeltwer
emovingt oofast
.Iwas
pregnant
"Isaidandhelookedatmewi thhopei
n
hiseyes

"I
-ideci
dedt
hatnoneifusar
er eadyforthatt
ypaof
commi t
ments.Wehaveourwhol el
ivesaheadof
us"Isayandhesqui
ntshiseyes
"
Youabor
tedi
tdi
dn'
tYou?"HeaskedandInodwi
th
t
ear
yeyeswhi
lehesi
ghedheavi
ly
"Whydidn'
tyoucometalkt
omef ir
stZintl
e?Ican
l
ookafteryouandyouknowthatIcould'
vehandl
ed
yourf
ami l
ywhentheycomegunsbl azi
ngbecauseI
l
oveyoudon'
tyougett
hat
?"Heaskedwi
thasad
t
oneandIdropmyhead

Aftert
hatconver
sat
ionhedi
dsomethi
ngIdidn'
t
expect.Hehuggedme.Mybodywasfrozenst
if
f.
"
Let'
sgetsomer
est
"hesai
dinmyearandInod
f
oll
owinghim

ThatnighthewantedsexandIwasn'
tint
hemood
butbecauseIfel
tguil
tyIcur
vedi
n.

Thenextmorni
ngitwasasi
fiwokeupnextt
oa
complet
est
ranger
.Hewasstar
ri
ngatme.

Theabusecameoutofnowhere.Hekeepson
apol
ogizi
ngyethedoesn'
tst
op.Hehasmademe
hi
sprisoner
.

I
'
vemanagedt
ogethol
dofAar
on'
sphoneandI
f
oundoutt hatt
hisneedssomeser i
oushelp.Thi
ngs
mightgetworseifidon'
tgetoutofher
e..
.

{
Minent
le}

Iwasinahol
dingcel
lwhenanof
fi
cercameand
unl
ockedt
hecell
"
Phuma"hesaysandIgoout

HeopensadoorandIwasmetbyMi
ke
"
Atl
eastyour
ecei
vedmycal
l
"Isayandhehugsme
"IsawXhant iandheexpl
ainedwhathappened.
Lookatthis"hesaysgivi
ngmeaf i
leandIfrown
whileopeningit

Therewasapi ctur
eofal ady.Shelookedjustl
ike
theladythatwaskissingXhanti
.Abigail
..
.I
remembert hatname.ItwasXhant i'
sex.Theone
thatbetr
ayedthem,theoneheki l
led.
"What'
sgoi
ngonher
eMi
ke?
"Iaskconf
usedandhe
sighs
"Youpeopleareslowforreal.Seethis?Shelooks
l
ikethisgi
rlAbigai
lri
ght
?Wel li
fyoul ookcl
oser
you'
llseethatshehasalitt
lescaronherl eft
eyebrow"hesaysandInodl ookinhatthetwo
pict
uresnexttoeachother

"Nowthi
sisactuall
yhertwinsi
sterGabr
iel
le.Fr
om
whatI
'vefoundoutisthatsheal
wayswanted
Xhant
ibutunfort
unatel
y..
"hesaysandInod
"Shehatedthef actt
hatXhantineversawherinthat
way.Nowl i
kezhnat uhastoldme. .
.Hehadapl ani
n
motion.I
nor derforhimtofi
ndhermot i
vehehasto
l
urehertohim sot hathecaninjecther"hesays
andIlookathi m
"Thi
sis.
..
.al
ot.
..
soShehadapl
anofherown?
"Iask
andhenods
"Butshehassomeonehel
pingher
.I'
m cl
oseandI
haveafeeli
ngIwon'
tli
kewhatIfi
nd"hesaysandI
nod

"
Sowhathappenst
ome?
"Iaskandhesmi
les
"
Youl
eavet
hatt
ome"hesaysst
andi
ngup
"Butyou'
l
lhavetost
aytheni
ght.Don'twor
ryyou'
l
l
beonyourown.Youcanhandlejai
lforoneni
ght
ri
ght?"HeasksandInodsmi
li
ng.

_
___
___
___
__

{
Gabr
iel
le}

"I
fyoubai
lonmenowIwi l
ltel
lXhantiever
ything"I
sayandbothoft
hem l
ookatmeasI fIwascr azy
"
WewarnedyouGabby"Si
yamt
handasaysandIr
oll
myeyes
"You'
reoutnumberedGab,youmadeabi t
chmove
bygoingtothepol
ice.Doyouknowwhatt he
NemethfamilywoulddotoyouI ftheyf
indoutwhat
youdidtothei
rni
ece?"LunathiasksandIf r
eeze
"Ne-Nemet
h?Noonet
oldmethat
's.
..
I'
l
lfi
xthi
s"I
saypani
cki
ngandt
heyshaket
hei
rheads

"Whenyouapproacheduswet houghtyou'
resmart
.
Ihavenobusi
nesswi t
hxhanti
lomzibutyouputthe
motherofmysonbehindbars"Siyasayscoming
towar
dsmeandIst epback

"
YouprovedthatEntl
eisnotweakandthatshowed
t
hatshe'
sperfectf
ormybr ot
her
"Lunat
hisaysandI
r
ollmyeyes
"Ohpl
ease.Youwantedtoexchangespi
twit
hEnt
le
socutt
hecrap"Isayandhealsostepscl
oser

"
Becausej
ustl
ikeyou,
yourdeadsi
sterwasl
oose.I
di
dn'twantanotherweakpartnerf
ormybrot
her
.
Thanksforal
lthehelp"hesayschuckl
ing

Bot
hoft
hem wal
kout
andLunat
hist
ops
"Goodluck...
wordhasitthatMikeMar
ti
nezisback"
hesayscl osingthedoorbehindhi
mleavi
ngmy
heartbeatingfast

Mike?TheeMike?Thiswil
lnotendwellf
ormethatI
cantel
l.I
'
m notgoingdownwithoutl
eavi
ngthem
wit
haper manentscar
..
.
[
95]

{
Minent
le}

ThenextdayaspromisedIwasoutofjai
l.Acar
wait
edatthefr
ontformebutIjustl
ookedatthecar
"MrsZana.
..
IwassentbyMrZanaSeni
ort
opick
youup"hesaysandIfr
own.Myfat
heri
nlaw?
"HowdoInotknowyou'
renother
etoki
llme?
"Iask
andhechuckl
es
"Tr
ustmema'am i
fievent
hinkaboutsomethi
ng
l
ikethatI
'
dbe6ftunder
"hesaysandIsquintmy
eyes.

"Her
e'smyphone;
cal
lMrZanayour
sel
f"hesays
handi
ngmethephoneandIlookati
t
"Onedayinj
ailandyourguardi
sup"hesays
putt
ingt
hephoneont hegroundandl
ight
lyki
cki
ng
i
ttomeandIpi ckitupcal
li
ngMrZana

"
Steponecompl
ete"hesaysanswer
ingt
hephone
"Mydaughter,
comeherei
mmedi at
elywouldYou?
YoucantrustSpencer
"hesaysdroppi
ngthecall
andIl
ookatt heguywho'
snamei sSpencer.

"
Ican'
twai
ttot
ellmyl
it
tl
esi
stert
hatImetMi
nent
le
Khozat
oday"hesayst
hroughoutt
her
ideandIl
ook
athi
m
"She'sahugefan,
sheevenhadmewatchi
ngyour
videos"hesayssmil
ingandIr
etur
nit
"Lookher
e..
.shemademerecor
dheroncewhi
le
shewasmaki ngbr
eakf
ast
"hesayshandi
ngmehis
phoneandIgiggl
easiseehermimi
cki
ngme

"MrsZanayouhavenoideahowhappyIam tosee
you.I
fitwasn'
tforyoume,
mysisterandt
herestof
theki
dswouldbehomelessri
ghtnow"hesays
"Thatshel
terthatgotbur
ntandrebuil
twashomet o
manyi ncl
udingmeandmysi st
er"hesaysandIget
emotional

"Mysist
erwashappywhensheheardthatyou'
re
sponsori
ngandhel
pingusrebui
ld.Wethoughtwe
mightseeyouatt
heopeni
ng"hesaysandIshake
myhead
Weentert
heZanapr
emi
sesandSpenceropenst
he
doorf
orme
"Comehere.Let'
stakeaphot
otoget
hert
henyou
canshowyoursi sandal
sotel
lhert
hatI
'
llpayt
he
shel
teravi
sit"Isaysmi
li
ngandhenearl
yjumps
"
ThankyouMrsZana"hesaysandIsmi
legoi
ng
i
nsi
dethehouse.

IwasmetbyEl
izabet
hshel
ookedhappyt
oseeme
"Ohmydaught er
.I'
m sosor
ry.
..
worr
ynot,t
hat
Xhantiwi
llhearf
rom me"Shesayspul
li
ngmei nt
o
thehouse
"
Mygrandchi
ldi
sgr
owingm"shesayssmi
li
ng
whi
lel
ooki
ngatmytummy
"Anyt
hingtodr
ink?Eat
?"Sheasks,
myeyesbeam
andshelaughs
"I
'
llt
akethatasayes"shesaysgoi
ngi
ntot
he
ki
tchen.
Wor
ker
spassedandever
yonegr
eet
s..
.

"Thehouseisfi
ll
edwit
hwhisper
s"IhearMrZana
SeniorsaycomingdownandIsmil
estandi
ngupt o
hughim
"Ell
amylovecanyoubr
ingEnt
le'
sfoodt
omy
study?
"Heasksandshenods

If
oll
owhi
mtowhatIguessi
shi
sst
udy.

"Ri
ght,si
nceIknowever
ythi
ngIwon'
taskwhat
happened"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
"
I'
m sor
rybutwhatam iher
efor
?"Iask
"Di
dyoumeetSpencer
?"HeasksandInodwhi
le
smil
ing
"
Ifyouweren'tcar
ryi
ngmygrandsonI
'
dtel
lyout
o
marrySpencer"hesaysandIl
augh
"Eveni
fidi
dn'
t.
..
Xhant
iwoul
dn'
tal
lowt
hat
"Isay
andhechuckl
es
"Soyou'
resayi
ngyouwon'tdi
vorcemyson?"He
asksandIlookatmyweddingbandnoddi
ngmy
head
"
I'
mj ustmadathi
mf orki
ssi
ngt
hatwoman.Baba
whatshoul
dwedo? "Iask
"Al
lIknowisthatgi
rlwon'
tstopunti
lshehaslef
ta
mark.Sheisli
kemist.Unl
ikehersi
stershei
sn'
t
gul
li
ble.She'
ssmart
"
Indeedshei
s"If
rown
"
Mike?
"Iaskandhesi
tsdown
"
YesMikeherehasbeenhel
pingmeandvi
cever
sa"
MrZanasaysandInod

"Thi
sishowyouholdit
"MrZanasaysgi
vingmea
handgunandIchuckl
e
"
Youbroughtmeher
etohol
dahandgun?
"Iaskand
Mikel
aughs
"
Giveherabi
ggeroneSi
r"hesays
"Iwantyout
oempt yyourbul
let
sonthatt
arget
"Mr
Zanasayspoint
ingatthemannequi
n.Il
ookat
MrZanaIndi
sbelief

Thetar
getisnotmorethan5feetawayf
rom me.I
l
iftupt
hegunandIai meditt
othemannequi
ns
headwherethereddotli
es.

Iempt
ymybullet
sont
hetar
get
.WhenIwasdone
MrZanal
ookedatmewit
hashockedf
ace
"Ali
tt
lefurt
her
"Isayandhenods.Themannequin
getschangedandanewoneappear swithanew
tar
get.Thusti
meit'
smorethat15feetaway
"
You'
ret
est
ingme"IsayandMrZanachuckl
es
"Youwereacti
ngli
keabossaf
ewsecondsago"he
saysandIgiggl
e

Iputt
hegundownont
het
abl
eandIl
ookatt
he
var
sit
yofgunsinf
rontofme.Ismi
lewhenIseet
he
Sni
per.It
akei
t.
"Don'
tbit
eoffmorst
hanyoucanchew"MrZana
saysandIchuckl
ewhil
eaimi
ngthegunatt
he
tar
get.
"Breat
heEnt l
e,
seethet
argett
hrought
heeyesofthe
gun"Mi kesaysandIsmil
e.Myauntusedtosay
that

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Whatdoyoumeanshe'
snother
e?"Iaskt
heof
fi
cer
"
Thema'
am wasr
eleasedt
hismor
ning"hesaysand
mybl
oodboi
l
"
Wher
e'st
her
eleasef
orms?
"Iaskandheshr
ugs
"I
'
m newhereandIj
ustst
art
edt
husmor
ning"he
saysandIgr
oan.
"
Letmeseet
hecamer
a's"Isayandhenod
ThereIseeEnt l
eexit
ingt hebui
ldingandaguy
comingtowar dsherfrom ablackcarIseethem t
alk
andafterthephonecal lshegetsint
othecarandit
dri
vesoff.Itakethef
oot ageexit
ingthebui
ldi
ng

IwenttomycarandIopenedmylapt
opandIran
faci
alr
ecogni
ti
on.Ir
anthenumberpl
ateoft
hecar
aswell
.

Icheckt
hecar
sGPSandIl
edmest
rai
ghtt
o..
.My
dad?

Iarr
ivedatmydadshouseandevent hroughit
's
deepintot
hefor
estIcanheargunshots.Ispeedup.
Assoonasuent erIt
akeoutmygun.

Not hr
eatatthefr
ontsoIwenttothebackand
gunshotsgotfi
redoncemore.Soundedli
kean
AK'47judgi
ngbyt heamountofshotst
hatwasfi
red
atonce.
IcheckeditoutandIsawmywi f
eshooti
ngatwhat
l
ookedl i
kemannequins.Shewasgood.

"
Thi
slooksf
un"Isayandt
heyal
llookatme
"Youalmosthadmel
osi
ngmymi
nd.Whydi
dn'
tyou
callme?"Iask
"
Dad.
..
Mike"Isayandbot
hoft
hem nod

For30mi
nut
esEnt
lewasshoot
ingt
arget
s
"That
'
senoughfort
oday"Isayst
oppi
ngherand
shenodsput
ti
ngdownthegun

Iknowshemustbehungrybynowsoit ookhert
o
Roccomamas.Sheorderedal
otoffri
esand2of
thosebi
gassmeat
ybur ger
s.I
tlookedgoodnoli
es

"
Orderyourownf
oodXhant
i"shesayseat
ingandI
r
ollmyeyes
"
Whydi
dn'
tyoucal
lme?
"Iask
"Whydidn'
tyouinvol
vemei
nyourpl
an?
"Sheask
andikeepsquiet

"
Ent
le.
..
"Isayandshel
ooksatme
"I
'
m sor ry,
youknowt hatwasn'tpartofmyplan.A
l
itt
lel aterandshewoul d'vebeendead.Idi
dn't
i
nvol veyoubecauseI '
mt hemanher eandIhavet o
protectyouatal lcosts.IloveyouandIwouldn'tdo
anythi ngtohurtyou"Isayandshenods

Isatnextt
oherandIgaveheraki
ss.
"
Iloveyou"Isayandshebl
ushes

{
Zint
le}

Ical
ledEnt
le
"I
'
vebeenwaiti
ngf oryourcallsi
ster"mybr
other
saysandAaronlooksatme.Het oldmeIcouldcal
l
bugthephonehast obeonl oudspeaker
"Imi
ssyouguys.WhencanIvi
sit
?"Iaskwi
tha
hear
tbeat
ingf
astandIcl
earmythroat
"Anyti
mebaby,
Imissyousomuch.Youknowwhat?
HowaboutIaskXhantit
osendBrunotocomeand
pickyouup?
"Entl
esaysandIsmil
elooki
ngat
Aaronandhenods
"
It
'sal
lgoodEnt
leI
'
llgetr
eady"Isaycut
ti
ngt
hecal
l

"
Youbetternott
ryanyt
hingf
unnyZi
ntl
e.Don'
teven
t
ry.Her
e"Aaronsaysgivi
ngmeaneckl
ace
"
Weari
t"hesaysandIt
akei
tput
ti
ngi
ton

Bytheti
meacarhoot
sinfr
ontoft
hehouseAar
on
wi
thdrewhi
sdef
lat
eddickfor
m myvagi
na
"
Getr
eady"hesaysl
eavi
ngmeont
hebed
Ihopet
hiswor
ks.
..
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Zint
le}

I
ndeeditwasBrunoatthef
ront
.Aar
onmar
kedhi
s
t
err
it
orybefor
eIgotint
othecar
.

Oncewewer e3bl ocksawayIcoul dbr eat

he
properly.Iquickl
ygr abbedmybagandIt ookout
thetracksuitIhidint hebag.IundressedandBr uno
l
ookedatmet hrought hemirror
.Hej ustpressed
somet hinganddi vidercl
osedbet weenus.

OncedoneIthr
ewt hecl
othesoutoft
hewi ndow.I
l
ookedattheneckl
ace,
Itookitof
fAndlookedatit
somemore.Ishookmyheadandpl aceditback
aroundmyneck.
Wewer
est
il
ldr
ivi
ngwhenanot
hercarbl
ockedus.
"Bruno?"Iaskopeni
ngthedivi
der
.Thr
eemorecar
s
blockedusf r
om al
langel
s.Ist
art
edpani
cki
ng
"St
aylow"Br
unosayst
aki
ngoutagunf
rom t
he
dashboar
d.

Oneguygotoutfr
om thecari
nfr
ontofuswi
tha
gunandhestar
tedshooti
ng
"GETDOWN! "Brunoshout
edandhedi
dn'
thavet
o
twistmyarm,Igotdownscr
eami
ngasIheart
he
gunshots

"Xweareunderanat
tack"IhearBr
unosay
shi
eldi
ngme
"
Idon'
tknowhowmanybullet
sthecarcant
ake
moreSi
r"hesaysandt
hel
inegoesdead

Mor
eshot
swer
efi
redbutnotatus.
"
STAYdown"Br
unosayspushi
ngmyheaddown
I
t'
squiet
.Br
unocheckst
hecoastandIhear
f
ootst
epsandBr
unoaimshisgun.
"
Onemor
est
epandI
'
llbl
owyourbr
ainsout
"hesai
d
"I
'
mj usther
eforwhat
'sri
ght
ful
lymine.Xhant
iis
busytai
li
ngtwowhohasgotaway"themansays
andmyhear tbeat
sasIknowthevoice

Igetoutoft
hecarandt
her
ehest
ood
"
Mike"isayandIr
unt
ohi
m
"Zi
ntl
ewai-
"Brunosaysandhekeepsqui
etasI
'
m
alr
eadyhuggi
ngMike
"Youokay?Weneedtogetoutofher
e"hesays
pull
ingmeandIstandst
il
l
"
WhataboutBr
uno?
"Iask

"Brunocanlookaft
erhimsel
f.Thosewerementhat
yourboyfr
iendssent.Somet
hingmust'
vealer
ted
him"hesaysandIt ouchmynecklace
Helooksati
tclenchi
nghisjaws.Hel
ickshi
slips
andhemot i
onsforBrunotocometohim.Bruno
dragshi
sfeet
"
Takeoffyourneckl
ace"Mi
kesaysandIl
ookathi
m
t
aki
ngitoff

"Here,
gotothi
sadr
ess"Mi
kesaysgi
vingBr
unot
he
necklaceandacar
d
"That
'
ssuici
de"Brunosayssnat
chi
ngt
heneckl
ace
andputt
ingi
taroundhisneck
"Whati
sthi
spl
aceanyway?
"Heasksl
ooki
ngatt
he
car
dMikegavehi
m

{
Minent
le}

"Babel
ockal
lthedoor
sandwi
ndows"Xhant
isays
andInod
"
I'
lll
etsomeonest
andguar
d,pl
usyouhavef
oot
age
oft
heenti
rehouseont
hescr
eens"hest
atesandI
nodagai
n

"Justgo,
Icanprot
ectmysel
fagai
nstguysl
ikehi
m"
Ichasehim andhestopswhi
lel
ooki
ngatme
"
IthinkImustst
ayorgetmoreguar
ds"hesays
t
akingouthi
sphoneandIgrabit
"Xhant
iyoursi
steri
sindangerj
ustgo"Ipushhi
m
outofthedoor

"DON'TFORGETTOLOCK"Ihearhi
sshoutandI
chuckl
eshaki
ngmyhead

Justforpr
ecaut
ionIstrappedmygunbehi
ndme.
ThisAaronguyissl
ippery,
he'
sthe'
whatIwantiget
'
typeofguys.Whenthingsgoessi
dewaysI'
l
lbe
ready.

Ir
ubmyt
ummyhummi
ngasongandt
hebaby
ki
cksandIsmi
le
"
We'
l
lki
ckhi
mjustl
iket
hatbaby"Isaygi
ggl
ing

Imust
'
vef el
lasl
eepbecauseIwokeupt
ogunshot
s
bei
ngfi
redoutsi
de.Ij
umpup.

Icheckthescr
eensandIseeoneguycomingt
othe
door.Heshoot
sthedoorhandl
eki
ckingt
hedoor
open.

Icheckmygunonemoreti
meandit'
sloaded.Isee
him comi
ngupst
air
sandIexi
tther
oom fol
lowing
him
"Onemor est
epandI'
l
ldecor
atemywal l
swi
thyour
blood"Idemandandl
if
tsuphishands

"
Soyour
eal
lyal
lbyyour
sel
f?"Heasks
"WhoareYou?TheAaronIknowwaski ndand
sweet
.Corr
ectmeifI
'm wr
ong..
.you'
reabusi
ngher
ar
en'
tYou?
"Iask
"I
'
mj ustanor
mal guyEntle..
.Remeber
?Theguy
whogaveyoual i
ft?Ishould'
vemadeamoveon
you"hesayst
urni
ngar ound
"Soyou'
regoi
ngt
oshootmeorwhat
?"HeaskandI
snort

"Wecansettl
ethi
sanot herway"hest atesandhe
runstomegrabbingthegunandashotwentof f
l
andingnextt
ohisf ootandhegr absthegunoutof
myhandswi t
hforcet hrowi
ngitawayandhegoes
formyneck.Iducktakinghim downi ntheprocess
andIstar
tpunchinghi minhisfacefullfor
ce.

Her
oll
susovermaki
nghi
mtobeont
o.
"Idon'
twantt
ohur
tyouEnt
le.
..
IjustwantZi
ntl
e"he
saysli
ft
inghi
swei
ght
"Getoffofme"Isayi
nfr
ust
rat
ionki
cki
ngont
he
process
"
I'
llgetof
fAndiwal
kaway"hesaysandIsi
gh
noddi
ngmyhead

Heslowlygotupandhehelpedmegetupaswell
.
Hesmiledatmeandigavehi m af
akeoneasI
ki
ckedhiminthenutsandhecrouchedgr
oani
ngin
pai
n

"Sonofa..
."hecurseandIkickhi
minhi sface,
Iai
m
foranot
heroneandhegr abbedmyf ootandIstar
t
humpingont heonelegshooti
ngiti
nhisface
makingmef alldown

He'
ssti
llout
.IstandupandIfeelsomethungwarm
r
undownmyl i
p,itouchi
tansseeitsbl
oodcoming
f
rom mynose.Gr eat
.

Iwenttothemainbedr
oom andIsearchedfort
he
panickbut
tonbehi
ndthemirr
or.JustasIpr
essedi
t
myheadget ssmashedint
othemirrormaki
ngme
scream
"Youbi t
ch,
nowI '
llkil
lyou"hethreatensl
if
tingmy
headupandmyheadcol li
deswiththecupboar d.
Het hrowsmeont hegr oundandIseehi m comi ng
closer.It
akemypocketkni fet
hatwasi nmypant s,
iwaiteduntilhewasnearandIst abbedhim
continuously.Al
lIcouldhearwast heknifesinking
intohisskinandhi sscreams.

Hef
elldownst
il
lwi
tht
hekni
fei
nhi
sbody
"
Fuucckk"hecussedt
ouchi
nghi
msel
f

Isatonthebedhol
dingmyheadasi
tfel
tli
kei
twas
aboutt
oburst.
"
You'r
e-you'
rej
ustgoi
ngt
oletmebl
eedout
??"
Aar
onasks

Iwentt
othebat
hroom andIgott
hef
ir
stai
dki
t.
"
I-
ibetyou'
l
linj
ectme,
maki
ngmedi
easl
owdeat
h"
hesayl
aughi
ngandIl
ookathi
m
"
I'
m notthatcool
.It
'snotmyj
obtokil
lyou"Ist
ate
t
akingoutthebandagesandspi
ri
ts
"Thi
smighthur
t"Isaydampi
ngt
hecot
toni
nthe
spir
it
s

"Icant
a-aaahhhhhfuckt
hathur
ts"heshout
sandI
givehi
m aboredlook
"You'
rebleeding"hesayslooki
ngatmyheadandI
purposel
yt ouchtheknif
emakinghim gr
oan
"
ThanksIdi
dn'
tknow"sar
cast
ical
lysay
_
___
___
___

Ihopei
t'
senough
[
96]

{
Zint
le}
Hel ookedatmeforthel
ongestti
meandiwas
beginningt
ofeeluncomfor
tabl
ebutf
orsome
reasonmycheeksheatupi nst
ead
"
Getdr
essed"Isayl
ooki
ngawayandhechuckl
es
"Toomuchforyou?"Heaskscl
osingthespace
betweenusandIfeelt
hewall
sclosi
nginonme

Mybodyf
reezesashecomescl
oserwi
thhi
sface.
"
Mike.
..
"Iwhi
sper
"
Igetit
,I
'
m sorr
y.Yousti
llneedt
ohealaf
teral
lof
t
his"hesaysandIrol
lmyeyes
"Don'
tyouhaveawi
fe?
"Iaskandhesi
tsdown
shaki
nghishead

"
Shel
eftme"hesaysandmymout
hfor
m anO
"
Whathappensnow?
"Iask
"Wewai
thereandwai
tfo-
"hi
sphonedi
stur
bshi
m
andheanswer
sit
Hej
umpsup
"
OkI
'
llbet
her
eassoonaspossi
ble"hesays
"What
?Stay?..
.f
inebutletmeknowofshei
ssaf
e"
hesaysdroppi
ngt hecall
"
What
'swr
ong?
"Iask

"Aar
onwentt oXhanti
'shouseandEnt l
ewas
ther
e..
.Hesayssheonlyalert
edhim hedoesnt
knowwhatt oexpectwhenheget s"heheavi
ly
answersandInodcont i
nuously

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Idroveful
lspeedbacktothehousewhenEnt
le
alert
edme.Ihopeshe'sokay.Herphonei
son
voicemail
.
AssoonasIstopinfr
ontofThehouseIrushinsi
de.
Thedoorwasopenedwi thfor
ce.It
akeoutmygun
fr
om behindmeandIr ushedi
n.Atthi
smomentI
don'
tcarewhathappenstomeasl ongasif
ind
Entl
e.

Igoupstai
rsandpictur
esont hewallwer
ecrooked.
Agunont hefarend.Bl
oodt r
ail
sleadi
ngtothe
maidbedroom,If
oll
owi tandIopenthedoor
.

Thereli
vethatwashedovermybodywhenIsaw
Ent
lelayi
ngont hebed.IsawAar
onIi
njur
edinthe
cor
ner
"
Hel
p-hel
pher
"hecoughedandIr
ushedt
oEnt
le

"Ent
le?Baby?"Iqui
ckl
ysayshaki
ngherbutshe
doesn'tmove
"
Whatdi
dyoudohongeryousonofa-
"
"
My-
myeni
"Ent
lewhi
sper
smaki
ngmet
urnt
oher
"
Ent
le"Ir
usht
oheragai
n

Ipi
ckedherupandIcar
eful
lyr
ushedherdownst
air
s
tot
hebasement.Il
aidheront
hetabl
etaki
ngout
myphone.
"PKIneedyoutorusht
omyhousequi
ckl
y"Isay
droppi
ngthecal
l

"St
aywithmeEntl
e!"IshoutatherasIseeher
comingandgoi
ng.

{
Mike}

I
'
m st
ressedout
.
"
Zint
lel
et'
sgo"Icommandandshef
oll
owsmet
o
t
hecar

"
I'
dli
ket
oseeEnt
let
oobutIwantt
oli
veaswel
l
"
Zi
ntl
ecomplai
nsput
ti
ngonherseat
bel
tandIj
ust
l
ookatherst
eppi
ngonthegas

Whenwear ri
veatXhant i
'
shousebot hofusr ush
outoft hecarandintothehouse.Iwentupst ai
rst
o
themai nbedroom andIsawsomeonest andupwi t
h
ast r
uggle.Whent hepersonturnedaroundo
withdrewmygunai mingitathi
m andhel if
tsuphis
onehand
"
IsEnt
leokay?
"HeasksandIf
rown
"
Lomzit
ookherdown"hesayspoi
nti
ngatt
hedoor

"Imeannohar
m.Entl
ecould'
veki
ll
edmebutshe
helpedmei
nst
ead"hesaysandIf
rown
"
You'
rest
il
lgoi
ngt
odi
e"Ist
ateandhenods
"Let
sjustwai
tunt
ilEnt
lei
sfi
ne,
bot
hsheandshe
baby"hesays
"
Whatdi
dyoudo?"Ii
nter
rogat
ehi
m aswesl
owl
y
wal
koutonhi
space
"Myangertookover
.ButIcantel
lyouthis,
Entl
ecan
hitaper
son.Lookatmelookatmyf ace"he
complai
nsandIchuckl
ehelpi
nghim downt hestai
rs

"
MIKE!
"Zi
ntl
eshout
s
"
That
'
shi
m..
."shecont
inuesandInod
"
Heclai
mshewantstoseeEnt
lewakeupf
ir
stt
hen
wecankil
lhi
m"Ir
epl
y
"Zint
le.
..
forwhati
tswor
thI'
m sor
ry"Aar
onsaysand
Ilookathim.Helooksmessedup.

PKcomesrunningi
nandhegoesdownst
air
s
i
mmediat
ely.Ir
unafterhi
m.

Whenthedooropeneditwasmi
leIwasenter
inga
newplace.Ahospi
talr
oom f
ort
hatmatt
er.Acosy
one.
Entl
ewasont hebedeyescl
osedwhi
leXhant
iwas
nexttoherhol
dingherhand
"Move"PKdemandsandXhant
ist
andsupgi
ving
him space

"Pleasehelpherbr
other
"Xhant
isayswi
tha
breakingvoice
"She'
sstr
ong"Mi
kesaysent
eri
ngwi
tht
hesl
owl
y
dyingAar
on

PKchasedal
lofusout
.If
eelf
ormybr ot
her
.He'
s
beenpaci
ngupanddownfort
hatpast40minut
es
"
Canyouchi
ll
?"Mi
keasksdr
owni
ngabeer
"Br
ingmesomethingst
rongert
hant
hat
"Xhant
i
saysandMikenods

"Shoul
dn'
twecal
lhermot
her
?"IaskandXhant
i
shakeshi
shead
ThedooropensandXhant
irushest
oit
"Theyar
efine.Itwasj
ustami l
dconcusi
on"PK
saysbutXhantigoespasthi
m
"Hereall
ylovesherbr
other
.Shemeansthewor
ldt
o
him"IrandomlysayashelooksatXhant
i
disappear
ingint
otheroom andhenods

"Whichi
swhysheneedst ost
ayawayfrom t
hese
thi
ngs.Sheandthebabywon'tbesol
uckynext
ti
me.Wi t
hallt
hosebrui
sest
hebabycould'
vegott
en
hurt
"heanswers
"You'
rest
rongt
oo"hesaysdi
rect
edt
omeandI
scoff

"
It
'st
rue.Yougotou-
"
"
Ishoul
d'vegott
enoutal
ongt
imeago"Icuthi
m of
f
Andisi
ghsitt
ingdown
"
ButIguessnotal
lishi
sfaul
t"Iwhi
sperandPK
l
ooksatme
"Iabor
tedhi
schi
ldandaf
tert
hatt
hingswentsout
h"
Iconti
nueandhebl
owsoutair
"Ican'
thel
pther
e;t
hisoneneedscleansi
ng.Dad
won'tl
aughaboutthi
s..
.butI
'
llt
alktohi
m"Hesays
andIsmi l
e

_
___
___
___
[
97]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Il
ookedather
.Bandagesar
oundherheadandar
m
"
You'
rest
ubbor
nmyl
ove"Isaywhi
lel
ooki
ngather
"Fr
om todayonwardsIpromiseandIvowtobeby
yoursideandtoneverl
etyououtofmysightever
again"Icont
inue
"
I'
mreal
lysor
ryLomzi
"Aar
onsaysandIcl
enchmy
j
aws

"Shutyourmouthyoupsycho.Thusi
sal
lyour
damnf aul
t"Ihussedandhecoughed
"Whenshewakesupandshewi l
l.I
'
llkil
lyousl
owly
forl
ayi
ngyourfi
lt
hyhandsonmysi sterandwif
e.
Youhavenoidr
ahowl ongI'
vebeenwai t
ingf
orthi
s
moment"Isaygoingcl
osert
ohim

"Thesamewaymysi sterscreamedandcried
everyday,
youwi
llscr
eam andcr yformet ost
op,
to
putyououtofyourmi sery"Isaysmil
ingandhe
chuckles
"
Doyourworst
,Iknewmyt
imewillcomesooneror
l
ater
.Yourwi
fecansur
ehi
t"st
atesandInod

{
Zint
le}

"
Sowehavet
ogot
oget
her
?"IaskPKandhenods
"Asl
ongaswenoti
nthesamecar
"Icont
inueand
PKagrees
"Wehavetobebackbyt
het
imeEnt
lei
sawake"he
saysandIfr
own
"
Nott
osound.
..
-"
"Howeverit
'l
lsoundIdon'twanttoheari tZi
ntl
e.I
getthatsomeofthisi
sourf aultfornotkeepi
ngyou
underourwingkodwaI '
dyouwantt osay
somethingnegati
veaboutyoursi steri
nlawI'
ll
advi
seyout okeepitf
oryour sel
f"hesaysandIr ol
l
myeyes

Ihavenothi
ngagainstEntl
e.Ijustwishto
someti
mesbear oundmybr otherswi t
houtthem
menti
oningthei
rpartner
s.Almostlikeinthepast.
..

Mikeoff
eredtodr
ivemebecauseXhant
ihadt
ost
ay
andlookaft
erEnt
le.

"
Sowhat
'
sthedealwi
thsushavi
ngt
orushback?
"I
askMi
ke
"Wel
lAaronmadeadealwithXhanti.Hel
et'
shim
l
iveunt
ilEnt
lewakesup.Aft
erthathecanki
llhi
m"
hesaysandmymout hform anO
"
Kil
lhim?Isn'
tthatt
oodr
asti
c?Whynotsendhi
mto
j
ail
?"Iaskandhechuckl
es

"Yourbr
other
sdoesn'
tco-
oper
ati
vel
iket
hat
"he
answers
"ThenI
'
llhavet
obegEntlet
ochanget
hei
rmi
nds"I
sayandagainhechuckl
es
"
You'
recute"hesayssmi
li
ngeventhoughitdi
dn'
t
f
eell
ikeacompliment
sbecauseofthewayhesaid
i
t

Wehavechangeddi
rect
ion.
"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"IaskMi
keandheshr
ugs
"Yourbrot
hersentmet
hisl
ocati
on"hesays
point
ingathi
sphoneandIcheckitout
It
akemyphoneandIcal
lmybr
other
.heanswer
sit
"Weneedtodosomef oodandcl
otheshoppi
ng.
Aftert
hatwellmeetmom anddadattheri
ver
"he
saysandIlookatthephoneconf
used

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

I'
mtryi
ngt
otrackdownGabbybutit
'sl
ikeshehas
vani
shedf
rom thef
aceoft
heeart
h.

Onescr
eenwentwi
l
dandIst
art
edt
ypi
ng.
"
Gotyou"Isayl
ooki
ngatt
hescr
eenbef
oret
he
l
ocat
ionwentbl
ank
"Fuck!
"Icursethrowi
ngmyglassagai
nstt
hewal
l
anditshatt
eredintopi
eces

Isankdownagai
nstt
hewal
lhol
dingmyhead.
"Don'
tbetoohar
donyour
sel
f"hervoi
cewhi
sper
s
andIlookup
"Come,
I'
ver
anyouanicebath.Youneedt
orest
"
shesayscr
ouchi
ngi
nfrontofme
"Don'
tgi
vemethatl
ook,
I
'mf
ine"shecont
inues
helpi
ngmeup
"
I'
m sor
ryIwasntt
her
ebaby,
i
-ishoul
d'vest
ay-
"
"Shhhh,
Iknowandther
e'snoreasonforYout
o
apologi
zeokay?
"Shestatesl
ookingi
ntomyeyes
andInod

Shehel
pedundr
essme
"Ar
eyougoingtojoi
nme?"Iaskwi
thasmi
rkand
sheli
ght
lymassagemyball
s
"Getcl
eanedup,I
'l
lbri
ngyousomethi
ngt
oeatand
dri
nk"shewhispersandIki
ssher

Af
tert
heni
cebat
hIwor
emyboxer
s
"
Yourpj
sar
eont
hebed!
"IshearhershoutandI
l
ookatthebed.Ther et
hepj sli
ed.Theyl
ooked
warm.I'
veneverwor npjs,
probabl
ywhenIwasst i
ll
3.Iworethem becausemightcallmeungrat
eful
.To
keepthepeaceIwor ethem...
.

Ther
ewasanot
e
*getunderthecover
s,yourl
apt
opi
sint
hef
ir
st
drawer*Itsai
d

Iendeduplooki
ngatourweddi
ngphot
os.Thedoor
openedandshewal kedi
nwi
thabeaut
if
ulsmil
e
plast
eredonherface
"
MmhhIl
ovet
his"Isaysi
tt
ingupst
rai
ght
"Tr
ustme,i
thappensonceabluemoon"shesays
chuckl
ingpl
aci
ngt hef
oodinf
rontofme
"
Int
onil
e?"Iaskl
ooki
ngatt
hef
oodi
nfr
ontofme
"Hai
bobabyit
'sf
ood.Theveggieswi
llhel
pyou
buil
dupstr
enght
"shesayspointi
ngatthem andI
scoff
"Haveyouseenme?Yout hinkt
hisi
sf rom eati
ng
whatisthi
srabbi
tfood?Ieatmeat.
.nyama,vlei
s"I
complai
n

{
Minent
le}

"
Wher
e'st
hemeatanyway?
"Heaskspl
ayi
ngwi
th
t
heworki
ntheveggi
es
"Noneofuswenttot
heshopsmosbabe"Isay
holdi
ngmylaugh
"Sowedon'tevenhavesomeBBQsauce?"heasks
andIshakemyhead.

Hesmel
lswhati
sint
hecup
"Smell
ssweet
,canIhavewhi
skey?
"HeasksandI
shakemyhead
"
Justt
ast
eitatl
east
"isay
Het
ast
ewhatwasi
nthecupandhepul
lsaf
ace
"Haimar
nEnt
lebabywhati
sthi
?"He'
sact
ingl
ikea
babynow
"
It
'schamomi
let
ea"Ianswer
"Chamo-
mxm i
m aman,
wedon'
tdri
nkt
hisur
ine"he
complai
nsput
ti
ngt
hecupdownandIl
augh
"Youaresodemandi
ngyazin,t
hesearemi
ne,
Imade
youaniceandmeatylunch"Isayandhej
umpsout
ofthebedrunni
ngout
.

{
Zint
le}

Af
terbuyinguni
sexbabyclot
hesandf
oodwe
dr
oveoff.Outoftheci
ty.

Dr
ivingthrought
hef
orest
..
Ihear
dwat
erf
all
ingf
rom
adistance.
"Soyou'
regoi
ngt
oint
roducemet
oyourpaRent
s
huh?"Mi
kebri
ngsmebackandIl
ookathi
m
"We'
renotevent
oget
her
"If
latoutsai
dandhe
smir
ked
"Youweredesti
nedtobeminesinceyouwasal
it
tl
e
gir
lZee"hesaysandIlookathi
m
"I
t'
sokay,
notever
yoner
emember
sthei
rfi
rstki
ss"
hesaysandmyeyespopout

Thecarst oppedandwegotout .Mypar

ent'
swere
standingclosetother
iverbankwai
ti
ngforus.The
earfulim aboutt
oget
"
I-
uhhIt
hinkyoushoul
dst
ayher
e"It
ellMi
kebi
tt
ing
myli
pandhefrowns
"Don'
twor
ryyour
sel
fMi
ke,
you'
rewi
thme"PKsays
passi
ngus

Westoodinf
rontofmypar
ent
sandmydadl
ooked
atmewithanevill
ook.
"Doyouhaveanyideawhatyouhavedone?
"He
hissedandIf
li
nched
"
Dad"PKbegs
"Noamountofcl
eansi
ngwillr
epai
radest
royed
humanbeingsl
if
e"hecont
inues
"Yourhandsarestai
ned,st
ainedwit
hthebl
oodof
YOURi nnocentchil
d..Thi
sispureevi
lZi
ntl
e"he
saysandmyhear taches

"Thetempr ai
lyshameanddi f
fi
cult
iesyouwent
throughaftercommi t
tingsuchact sisfarbeyond
compar edthewr at
hofGodandyourancest orsthat
YOUunl eadeduponyour selfbyengaginginsuch
actsasanabor ti
on...
.youknowhowweasyour
parentsfeelaboutsomet hingliket
hat"tear
sfall
,
my
dadhasneverr aisedhi svoiceatme
"
Wher
edi
dwegowr
o-"

"Whenyousentmeofft
oaboar
dingschool
!"I
shoutshut
ti
nghi
m up
"Iwassuposet
obeyourbabygirl
,
yourpri
ncessbut
noonegavemet hatt
ypeofat
tent
ion.Thefi
rstman
i
nmyl ife,myowndadnevershowedmewhati t
meanst obel ovedcor r
ectly.Mymom whowas
obsessedwi t
htheboysandr unningtheirl
ives
forgotaboutme.Theonl ypeoplewhomanagedt o
recievedal lyourattentionwasyourt woel destsons.
Younear lylostyourf amilyallbecauseyoucoul dn't
l
iveyourownl if
e.Youhavenor ightt
oj udgeme, I
hadmyr easonsandi twasmychoi ce,mybody.I
wentt hroughhel lbecauseofYouguys, younever
taughtmewhat 'srealandwhat '
sfake,t
hisisall
YOURf aul t
"bythet imeiwasdoneIwascover edin
snotandt ears

"
Letsgetthi
scl
eansi
ngoveranddonewi
th.Ent
le
mightbeawakebynow"Isaysni
ff
ing
"
Doyouhaveanameinmindfort
heli
tt
leone?
"
Aar
onasksmeandIgi
vehim abr
iefl
ook
"Iwasthi
nki
ngaboutanameforour
-f
ort
hebaby,
PK
fil
ledmeinonever
ythi
ngbef
orewecameher
e"he
saysandIsigh
_
___
___
___
___
__
[
98]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Aft
ert
hesessionEnt
lef
ellasl
eeponmychest
.I
l
ookedattheti
meandBrunomustbeonhisway
wit
hAjayalr
eady.

Igotoutfrom beneat
hherandIpi
ckedherup.I
l
ookedatt hestai
rsandIshookmyhead.That'
s
purelabour,
Entl
eisheavi
ernowsoiopt
edf ort
he
guestbedroom downthehall
.

Il
aidherdownandcoveredherwi
thathr
ow.Bef
ore
l
eavingIki
ssedherl
ipswit
hasmilepl
ast
eredon
myface.

Ispr
int
edupst
air
stot
akeaqui
ckshower
.WhenI
wasdoneIwor emybl acktr
acksui
twit
hmypush
i
ns.I'
vebecomeaccust omedtoweari
ngsl
ides
becauseofEnt
le.Shealwaysshoutsatmefor
walki
ngaroundbarefeet.
..

It
ookoutsomechi
ckenf
rom t
hef
ri
dge.Finger
s
cr
ossedmybabymakessomechi
ckenpietoni
ght
.

{
PK}

"Soyou'r
esayi
ngIcan'
tgetaj
ob?
"Aseasksont
he
otherl
ine
"I
'
m sayi
ngyoushoul
dfocusonourwhi
teweddi
ng"
Ianswer
"
Whi
-huh?
"Shesoundsconf
used
"Youhear
dmeandt hinkI
'
llst
ayawhi
leatXhant
i'
s
house"Il
etherknow

"
Imi
ssEnt
le,
howi
sshe?
"Sheasks
"
I'
m notf
ar,
Ist
illneedt
opassourcri
b.Getr
eady
whenIgett
here"Isaycut
ti
ngthecal
l

Il
ooktomyr
ightandAar
onwasquiet
.Il
ookedat
hi
stummyandIsawabloodst
ain
"Weneedt ochangeyourbandage"Istat
ebr
ingi
ng
him backandhetouchedthebloodstain

"Don'
twantt
owast ebandages,
I
'l
ldi
eanyway"he
scoff
sandIlookathi
m
"What'
syourstor
yAaron?Entl
etoldmeaboutyou
andyousoundedlikeapret
tycoolguy,
ishoul
dbe
beati
ngthecrapoutofyouri
ghtnow"Isayandhe
sighs

"Ij
ust-
ijustl
oseitsometimesman,Iwasplanni
ng
onintr
oducinghertomypar ent
-"Ihi
thi
mint he
facebeforehecouldfi
nishandhegroans
"
Losei
tmyf
oot
!"Iyel
landhehol
dshi
snose
"
Fuck,
Iguessideser
vet
hat
"hegr
oanssomemor
e

"I
fyoubleedonmyseatsI
'l
lhi
tyousomemor e,
thi
s
ti
meI'
llpullovert
odoi
tpr
oper
ly"Ist
ernl
ysayand
henods

{
Minent
le}

Iwokeupi nanunfamili
arr
oom.Iwasst
il
lnaked
butunderthecover
s.IgotupandIgr
abbeda
towel
,wrappi
ngitaroundmybody.

Isl
owlyopenedt hedoorcheckingifthecoastwas
cl
ear.It
ip-
toedtothefront,
passingthekitchen
goi
ngupstairs.Thest
aircasemadeacr acksound
andIstoodstil
l
"
Baby?I
sthatyou?
"IhearXhant
ical
lout
"Uh-
yea,
I'
l
lber
ightwi
thyou"Isaygoi
ngupst
air
sto
ourbedr
oom.
Iranmyselfanicewarm bathwhil
eIwasbusyon
myphoneandacal lcamet hr
ough.Surpri
singl
yit
wasavi deoscal
lfr
om Ase.Ianswereditandshe
appearedonthescreenwithasmil
ewhi chi
retur
ned
"Looksli
keki
ngdi
cki
smaki
ngYougl
ow"Isayand
shelaughs

"
I'
m gl
adtoseeyou'
reokay"shesaysandInod
whi
let
ouchi
ngmyf orehead
"Onl
ythescarshuh?YoursabadassEnt
le"she
cont
inuesandItur
nthetapoff
"
I'
m comi
ngtoyourhouse"shef
urt
hersaysandI
r
aisemyeyebr
ows

"AsemahleZanacomingtomyhouse?Isi
traini
ng
outsi
de?"Isaysoundi
ngdramat
icandshegiggl
es
"
Makeusal
lsomef
oodbye"shecut
sthevi
deocal
l
Usall?IshrugasItakeoffmyrobegettingintot
he
batht
ub.Isuckmybr eathasmyswol l
envagi na
comesi ncontactwi
ththewarm water.
.Istop
midwaybef or
esinki
ngintothewater.

I
t'
sni
ceandwar
m.

"
Ent
lebaby"IhearXhant
ical
loutbef
oreopeni
ng
t
hebat
hroom door
"I
nhere"Irespondanduhear
hisf
oot
steps
appr
oaching
"
Hey"hegr
eet
ski
ssi
ngme,
givi
ngmebut
ter
fl
iesi
n
mytummy

"Mi
ssedme?"Iaskgi
vinghim onemor
epeckand
henodst
ouchingmywat er
"
Jesus!
"Heshoutsqui
ckl
yret
ri
evi
nghi
shandf
rom
t
hewaterandIl
ookathim
"Ent
lehowcanyousi
tint
his,
doyouwantt
obe
cooked?"Heasks

"Thewateri
sper
fectl
yfi
ne,
yougavemeat ear
Xhant
i.Sothewater
stemperat
urei
sper
fect"Isay

"I
sthatthedoor
bel
l?"Iaskandhel
if
tsuphi
s
head,
probabl
ytohearbett
erandhenodsst
andi
ng
upleavi
ngme.

Il
aidbackandIpr
essedplayonmyphone.Cody
Si
mpson-surf
boar
dstar
tedplayi
ngandIsangal
ong
whil
erubbi
ngmyt ummy.

Thewaterwasstarti
ngtibgetl
ukewarm soIgotout
andIdr
iedmyself.Itookoutmysilkni
ghtyandmy
gownwithmyfluffymorningshoes.

Af
terIwasdoneIheaddownst
air
sandIhear
d
scr
eemingandgr
oani
ng.Ispr
int
edt
othel
ounge
andXhant
iwasbusybeat
ingupAar
on.

Irantowar
dst hem pushi
ngPKoutofmywayandI
pull
edXhantiaway.
"Fi
nal
ly,
nowwecankillhi
m"hesaysaimingathi
m
andIpushhi
m back.Mybloodi
sboil
ing

"I
nourlivingroom areyououtofyourdamnmi nd?
Noonei skill
ingnoone.Aar ongetup,Pkatt
endhim
anddon'tyoudar ehurthim"Isternl
ysayandPK
l
ooksatXhant iwhi
leIlookedatXhantiaswell
.He
nodhisheadandPKhel pedAaronstandupbuthe
purposelygrabedhim onhisknifewoundmaki ng
him gr
oan.

Wewatchedthem di
sappearar
oundt
hecor
nerand
Il
ookedatXhant
i
"
What?"Heaskssi
tt
ingdowndr
owni
ngagl
assof
whi
skey
"Xhant
i,
I'
m sodi
sappoi
ntedi
nyou"Isaysof
tl
yand
helooksatme
"
Lookatthi
s"Isaypoi
nti
ngatt hebl
oodst
ainson
t
hecoff
eetable,
whi
tecarpetandchair

"You'
renotagangst
erXhant
isost
opact
ingl
ike
one"Icont
inue
"I
fyoust
artl
ist
eni
ngt
omet
henmaybeI
'
llst
op"he
cl
apsbackandIsi
gh
"Babyigeti
trandom sor
ry.Whatwasisuposet
odo?
Ihadtodefendmyse-"
"
Tohel
lwi
tht
hatEnt
le!
"Heyel
lsgi
vingmeaf
ri
ght

"Icoul
d'velostthebothofyou,don'
tyour eal
isethat
?
Ifel
tuselessasyoul ai
dont hatbed,
youhaveno
i
deahowt hatsightmademef eelEntle.Youexpect
everyt
hingtogoyourwayandever yonehast obe
sati
sfi
edwi thit
"hesaysplungingintothecouch
andIstroakhisback
"
I'
m done"PKdi
stur
bsusandIst
andup
"Lethi
m go,
ifyouwantt
orel
easeangergotot
he
gym"Iblunt
lysayheadi
ngtotheki
tchent
obegi
n
withdi
nner.

_
___
___
___
___
[
Cont
inuat
ion]

{
Minent
le}

Whil
epr
epar
ingf
oodmyphoner
angandIpi
ckedi
t
up
"Li
yababeWhatdoyouhavef
orme?
"Ianswert
he
phone
"There'
sbasical
lynothingonhim.Hisparent
saren'
t
hisrealpar
ents.From onef ost
erhometothenext
"
hesaysandIbi tetheinsideofmycheeks
"Wai
t.
..
Ijustgothol
dofhi
smedi
calr
ecor
d"hesays
andIl
ist
en
"WhydoesZint
lealwaysgetcr
azyguysmar
a?"He
asksandIchuckl
e
"
Youar
ewhatyouat
tr
act
"Ist
ate
"Nocri
minalrecor
d,he'
sbeenl
ivi
ngof
fmedi
cat
ion
hiswholel
if
e"hesays
"
Gett
othepoi
nt"Ii
mpat
ient
lysay
"Theguyi
sharml
ess,i
fhetakeshi
smedi
cat
ion"he
stat
eandIsi
ghdroppi
ngthecall
.

Ifi
nishupwi
tht
hef
oodandIt
ooki
ttot
hedi
ning
room
"Youguysaren'
tgoi
ngtoeatonmycouchesi
za"I
sayandtheyallmovet
othedini
ngar
ea

Everyonesatdown.I
twasonl
ynowt
hatI
'
ve
noti
cedAsewasher etoo.
"
I'
m st
arvi
ng"Aar
onsaysgr
abbi
nghi
sspoont
o
st
artont
hebr
othandIl
ookathi
m
"3atandI
'l
lmakesureit
'st
hel
astmealyou'
l
lever
have"Iwarnandhestops

"Ther
e'swater.
.her
e..
.i
syourmedi
cat
ion.dr
inkit"I
saytakingoutthe2capsul
esgivi
ngittohim and
helooksatit
"Thankyou"hestat
esdri
nki
ngt
hepi
ll
swi
thmy
eyessti
lldar
tedonhim

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"
Anyt
hingonGabby?
"PKasksandIshakemyhead
"
I'
llputf
ir
eundermypeopl
e"hesaysandInod
"
What
'sup?
"Hesoundsconcer
n
"Ican'
tstopthi
nkingaboutwhatSiyaandLunathi
did.IgaveSiyaanotherchanceatl
if
eandhefucks
i
tupl i
kethis"Iangri
lysaycrushi
ngmyknuckles
"
Lunathii
syourbr
otherandSi
yai
sthebi
ologi
cal
f
atherofAjay-
"
"Sowher
eishe?Hehasakidthat
'saboutt
otur
n2
year
soldbuthe'
sMIA"Icuthi
m off
"Maybei
t'
sbecauseheknowsyou'
ret
ryi
ngt
oki
ll
him"heanswer
sandInodtaki
ngasipofmyKWV.

"Ithi
nkEntl
eisright
.Thekil
ingneedstost
op.We
aren'
tgangster
sPk.Dadcanover l
ookonekil
lbut
not3.Getthem bothtocomehere"Isayandhe
shakeshishead
"OnlyEnt
lecandothat.Yourwif
ehast hi
saura
aroundher.It
'scal
mingyetunpredi
ctabl
e.She's
trust
wort
hyandt heywilll
ist
entoher"hesaysand
Ipaceupanddown

"Seethat
'st
heproblem.Idon'twantmywi f
e
i
nvolvedint
his.Gabbyissti
llathr
eat.Herset
ti
ng
upmeet i
ngswiththem wi
llendangerbot
hofthem
andIcan'
thavet
hat
"Isaywhi
ler
ubbi
ngmyhands
toget
her
"Fi
nelett
hem comeher
e"i
t'
ssaf
eforever
yonehe
saysandIthi
nkabit

Aftertheconversat
ionIhadwithPKIsearchedfor
Entle.Ifoundheratthebacknexttot
hepoolwith
Ase.Aj aywasfarfrom t
hepoolplayi
ngwithhi
s
toyssoIwentt ogreethimfir
st.3monthstogo
beforewebecomepar ent
sofourownbaby.Ismi l
e
tomysel fasiwalktoEntl
e.

"Ihopeyou'reheret
otel
lmeyouboughtmeanew
car"shesayswi t
hhereyescl
osedandIchuckl
e
andAsegi vesussomespace

"Icanbuyyouasmanyasyouwant "Isayt
aking
herfeetonyl
ap,Igrabbedt
hel
oti
onandIst art
ed
rubbi
ngitonherfeet
"
Unf
una'
ntoni
?"SheasksandIl
augh
"CanIrubmypr egnantwi
fesf
eeteverynowand
thenwithoutwanti
ngsomethi
ng?"Iaskandshe
shakesherhead
"
Youcan'
tevenkeepeyecont
actwi
thme"shesays

"Don'
tuseyourpsychol
ogybr
ainonme"Isayand
shecli
ckshertongue
"
Wher
e'sZi
ntl
e?"Sheasks
"Wit
hMi ke,Canyouar r
angesomethi
ngforme.Your
thebestcandidateforthej
ob"Isayandshel
ooks
atmef orthelongestti
me
"
No"shebl
unt
lysay

"Auwayouhaven'
tevenheardwhatiwantyout
o
do"Isayst
andi
ngupandsi t
ti
ngnexttoher
"You'reaboutt
oaskmet oar
r angeawhatwhatwit
h
thoset woknuckl
eheadswhichisgoingt
oturni
nto
abl oodbathno"shecal
mlysaywi t
hhereyes
closed
"
I'
llgetyouwhateveryouwant.Ij
ustwanttobur
ry
t
hebadbl ood"Ipl
eadbutsti
llnoresponsef
rom her

"Fi
neI
'
lll
etyoubepr
esent
"Igi
bei
nandshel
ooks
atme
"Deal
"shesaysgi
vingherhandt
omeandI
hesit
ant
lyshakei
t

{
Gabby}

"Doyouwantust
ost
ri
ke?
"HeasksandIshakemy
head
"
Thei
rguar dissti
llupandaler
t.Westr
ikewhen
t
heyleastexpecti
t .
"IsayandIcanseethe
f
rust
rati
ononhi sface

"
Ifwest
ri
kenowt
heywi
llst
ri
kebackhar
d-"
"Thenwhydowetrai
nifwecan'tat
tack?
!"He
shoutsandIemer
gefrom mychair
"Youdon'
tknowthesepeopleli
keIdo.Theyar
e
smartandstr
ong.I
'vel
earntthatont
hehardway"I
saypoint
ingatmyarm whichhadacasket

"
Shoul
d'vewentt
othecops"hest
ateandIsl
aphi
m
"Idi
dyouidi
ot.Andwhathappens?Mi
keMar
ti
nez!
"
Ichuckl
eaft
ershout
ing
"TheyhaveMikeonthei
rsi
de?
"Theot
heroneasks
andInodfrust
rat
ingl
y
"That
'
ssuicidecan'
twejustgoaft
erwhat'
sher
name?Mi nent
leKhozaandeli
minateher
?"Heasks
andilaugh

"
Togett
oherWeneedtogetpastt
hef
ir
ewal
lidi
ot"
t
heonei
nfr
ontofmesay
"Al
lweneedtodoisl
eaveascar.Wedon'
thavet
o
doalot
"Isayl
ooki
ngatherpi
ctur
e

_
___
___
___
___
__
NEXTDAY

{
Minent
le}

Il
ookedathi
m ashewassl
eepi
ngont
hecouch.
"Aar
on!"Ishoutandhewakesupwithafri
ght.He
sawthatitwasmeandher ol
ledover
.Excuseme?
"Yousawmeyouhear
dmenowst
andup"Isayand
hegroansf
aci
ngme
"Asapat
ient
..
..Ineedal
lther
estIcanget
"hesays
yawni
ng

"Asapati
entyouneedt ot
akeyourmedicati
on
ever
yday.Getupandeatbreakf
astsoyoucandr i
nk
yourmedicat
ion"Isayput
ti
nghisbreakf
astonthe
tabl
enexttohim andhesi
tsupstr
aightwippi
nghis
eyes
Helooksovert
othef
ood,
hest
art
sont
hesausages
andIslaphi
shand
"Youstartwit
hyourpor ri
dge,
ifyou'r
estil
lhungry
aft
erfi
nishingitthenyoucaneatt herest"Isayand
heopenshi smout htosaysomet hingbutfight
sit.
Hetakest hemilk,want
ingtopouritbutistophim.

"Takesomebutterandmixitwi
thyourpor
ri
dge.
Followedbyyoursugarandmil
k"Isayandhe
frowns
"knowandIknowt hatyouknowthatIwasn'
t
spoonfed.Ijustpr
efereat
ingitwi
thmil
kandsugar
only"hesayswithaboredtoneandInod

Ashewasaboutt
ost
arteat
inghel
ookedatme
"Areyougoi
ngtost
andt
her
ethewhol
eti
me?
"He
asksandInod
"You'
repr
egnant
,youcan'
tst
andt
il
lim done"he
says
"
Wat
chme.I
'
m her
etomakesur
eyoueatanddr
ink
yourmedici
ne.Wedon'
twantyouhur
ti
ngmore
peopl
einckudi
ngmeright
?"Oaskandhequi
ckl
y
nodswhil
eeating

Ajayssecondbirt
hdayisaroundthecor
ner.Myboy
deservesthebestofthebest
.Iwasbusythinki
ng
aboutwhatIshoulddof orhi
m whil
eIwas
sketchi
ngnewdesi gns.
"I
sthatwor
kIsee"IhearXhant
iaskandIqui
ckl
y
hidet
hesketches

"Those?Noiwasj ustchecki
ngt
oseei
fIst
il
lgoti
t"
Iquickl
yrespondandhenods
"Thecal
l?"HeremindsmeandIt
akeoutmyphone
call
ingl
unathif
ir
st

Heanswer
sthecal
lbuthedoesn'
tspeak
"
Lunat
hi"Isay
"
Ent
le?I
sever
ythi
ngokay?
"Hequi
ckl
yasks
"Not
hingi
sright
.Youneedt
otal
ktoyourbr
other
"I
sayandihearhi
m si
gh

"He'
llki
llmeEntle.I
'
vebeenaj
erkbyl
ookingoutf
or
him.Hewon' tunderst
andt
hewayyoudo"hesoft
ly
sayandIl ookatXhanti
"I
fI'
m her
ehewon'tkil
lyou.I'
l
lbepresent
"I
honest
lysayandIhearhim si
ghagain
"
Fine,
wher
emustwemeet
?"Heasksaf
terawhi
le

"
Ourhouse"Isayandi
t'
ssi
lent
"
That'
sgi
vinghi
m advant
age,
no"hesaysandIpul
l
aface
"
Igi
veyoumywor
dLunat
hipl
ease"ibeg
"
WhataboutSi
ya?
"Heasks
"
Siyawi
llal
sobeher
e"Isay
"
Sonoki
ll
ing?
"Heasksmaki
ngsur
eandIchuckl
e
"I
'
llprot
ectyouguys.Iwon'
tlett
hem ki
llyou"Isay
cutt
ingthecal
landXhantiki
ssesme
"
WaitIhavetocal
lSiyabef
oreLunat
hical
lsandhe
f
indsoutIl
iedtohi
m"Isaystoppi
nghim

Si
yapi
cksupont
hesecondr
ing
"Doyouwanttokil
lme?
"Heasksanswer
ingt
he
phoneandIchuckl
e
"
Nobutyouneedt
ocomeher
esoever
yonecan
t
alk"Isay
"Entl
e?OhmyGodi
t'
ssoamazi
ngt
ohearyour
voice-
"

"YeaXhantiwamtstobur
rythehat
e"Isaycut
ti
ng
him of
fAndt her
esapauseontheothersi
deoft
he
l
inebefor
eIhearhimlaugh
"
Xhant
i?Bur
ry?Theonl
ythi
ngt
hat
sget
ti
ngbur
ri
ed
i
smybody"hesays
"Thatwon'thappenIpromise.Justbeher
e
tomorrow.Lunathiwi
llbeheretoo.Iwon'
tlett
hem
kil
lyou"Isayandhechuckl esagain
"Wi
llIbeablet
oseeAj
ayaswel
l?
"Heasks,
il
ookat
Xhantiandhenods

"Yeayoucanseehi m,
youcanevenspendt
heday
withhim.Surel
ythatt
ell
syout
hatyouwon'
tget
kil
led"Isaycut
ti
ngthecall
"
Youoweme"IpassXhant
igoi
ngt
otheki
tchen.

_
___
___
___
__

I
'
vebeenPr
ocr
ast
inat
ingf
or2daysandi
twashel
l
Imi
ssedi
nter
act
ingwi
thyouguys
NowthatI'
m al
lref
reshedandmymi
ndi
scl
earwe
cancont
inue
[
99]
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Goodmorni
ng"mymom gr
eet
swhensheent
ers
andIsmil
eather
"Youreal
lydi
dn'
thavet
odot
hisMama"isayand
shescoff
s
"He'smygrandsonandIhaveexper
iencei
n
teachi
ng.I
twon'tbehar
dteachi
nghim onqdi
aly"
shesaysandInod

"ThankyouagainMa.Wedi dn'
tknowwhot oget
andXhantidoesn'
ttr
ustanyonearoundAjay"Ent
le
saysgreet
ingmymom andshesmi leshuggi
ngher
"Thel
it
tl
eoneisgrowing"shemot
ionst
oEnt
le'
s
stomachandIrespect
ful
lyst
opher

"
I'
m sor
ry"sheapol
ogi
zesandInod
"
Don'
tmi
ndhi
m ma,
comei
t'
sthi
sway"Ent
let
ales
mymomshandl
eadi
ngherupst
air
s

Whatabeaut
if
ulvi
ew.
..

"
Sirtheyareher
e"Brunodi
stur
bsmefrom my
t
houghtsandIfoll
owhim.Outsi
deSi
yaandLunat
hi
weresit
ti
nginthei
rcars
"Whatareyouwait
ingf
or?Come"Isayandt
hey
shakethei
rheads

"
Werewai t
ingf
orEnt
le.Foral
lweknowyoumight
j
ustki
llusassoonaswegetout"Si
yasaysandI
r
ollmyeyes
"I
fIwant
edtoki
llyouIwould'
vedi
ditassoonas
youent
eredmypremises"Ihi
ss

"Si
ya,
Lunathii
t'
sokay"IhearEnt
lesaybehi
ndme
andIsecret
lycuss
"
MoveawayXhant
i"shesaysandIhearhercomi
ng
cl
oserandImovedawayf
rom t
hecargoi
ngi
nsi
de

Imademysel fsomecof f
eewhenIhear dthem
comingintotheki
tchen.Thefoot
stepsgotheavier
andfasteral
mostlikepeopl
ewerer unni
ng.Iwent
tocheckitoutandsomeonebumpedi nt
ome.I t
wasLunat hi
.

Ilookedathim andhest eppedback.Somemore

runningandSiyaappear ed.Hetri
edstoppi
ng
himselffr
om bumpi ngintomebutthetil
esmade
him sli
depastmei nstead.

Il
ookedbehi
ndLunathiandIsawPKcomi
ngi
n.
Lunat
hiwasnowinthemi ddl
e
"
Youki
dshavet
opl
ayni
ce"Ent
lesays
"
Who'shungr
y?"Sheasksandt
heset
woi
diot
srai
se
t
hei
rhands
"Yeseat,
itmi ghtbeyourlastmeal"PKwarns
comi ngcloserandlunathirunst
oEntleshi
eldi
ng
behindher
"Goooomoor-ohmorning"Aar
onsaysandLunat
hi
chargesi
ntohisdi
rect
ion
"IknowYou,
you'
ret
hatpsychowhonear
lyki
ll
edmy
sist
er!
"Heyel
ls
"Andiknowyou,
yourt
hatguywhot houghtEntle
andIweresaggi
ng"Aaroncl
apsbackandIpul l
Lunat
hibackhardmakinghi
mf al
lont heground

"Let
sallgotomystudy,
Ent
lebabyfi
nishwi
ththe
food.Youcanbr
ingiti
nwhenyou'r
edone"Isay
andshenods
"No,Ent
lehast
ost
aywi
thusatallt
ime.Youmight
kil
lusassoonaswear
ealone"Si
yasaysandEntl
e
shrugs
"Fi
nethenwe'
llallwai
tunt
ilEnt
lei
sdone"Isay
sit
ti
ngdowninfrontoft
hetv
{
Minent
le}

"I
'
llquickl
ytaket
heseburger
supt
oAj
ay"Isayand
Xhantinodstaki
ngabit
eoutofhi
s
"
Ienteredther
oom wetur
nedint
oaplayr
oom for
ajay.Hewassitt
ingdownbui
ldi
ngsomet
hingwit
h
hisblocks.
"Hi
,
her
e'ssomet
hingt
oeat
"Isayput
ti
ngt
he
bur
ger
sdownandMasmi l
esatme

"
Mama"Aj
aysaysandIl
ookathi
m
"
Kissy?
"Iaskandhepour
shi
sli
psmaki
ngme
l
aughandIkisshi
m

"
Ma?
"Hesayspoi
nti
ngatMaandshegasps
"
Youwantaki
ss?"Sheasksandhepoi
ntst
oher
l
ipst
henhi
sandigiggl
easMagiveshi
m apeck
"
Mama"hesayssmil
ing,
reveal
inghi
smout
hfi
ll
ed
wit
hteet
handIsmi
lebackathim
"
Byebyeneh?
"Isayst
andi
ngupandhewavesat
measIcl
osethedoor

Iwentdownst
air
sbef
oret
hosebul
lski
ll
sone
anot
her
"
Youhadachoi
ce!
"IhearXhant
ishout
"Iwasonlylooki
ngoutf oryou.Thatexabbyof
yours?Thedeadone?Shewasl oose.Shewould'
ve
sleptwit
hmei fididn'
tstophermysel f
!.Don'
tyou
RemeberhowIal wayssai dgoodr i
ddancewhen
youkill
edher?"Lunathishout
s
"
Becauseshebet
rayedme"handIsays
"Thattooandthefactthatherplaninvolved
causingarif
fbetweenusbr others.Itwasgoingto
happenifIsleptwi
thherbutIwasl ookingoutfor
you"hesaysandIent erthelounge.Theyal lst
op
tal
kingandtheywentbackt ot hei
rseats
"
Ent
le,
Ij
ustwantt
oapol
ogi
ze-
"Ist
ophi
m
"Noneed.Iknowyoul oveyourbr otheral otandt hat
youwantt oprotecthi
m.Onet hingI '
ver eal
ised
aboutallofyouisthatyouhaveal lthemoneyand
resourcesintheworldbutyoudon' tuset hem.I ve
beendoi ngmyownhomewor kaswel l
.Asbr othersI
expectedyout osaveyoursisterfrom t hegetgo.As
wespeaki mtryi
ngtoprotectthi
sf ami ly.Imanaged
togetahi tsomewhereinKZNongabbybuti t
dissapearedassoonaswel ocatedi t"Isayand
Xhantijumpsup

"Youhadal
eadandyoudi
dn'
ttel
lus?
"Hequi
ckl
y
asksandIf
rown.
"Outofeveryt
hingIj
ustsaidthat
'swhatyouhear
d?
Whatisthepointofgi
vingyoual ocat
ionofwhi
ch
sheisn'
tthereanymore?"Iaskandhesighs

"
NowSi
yaIhavenot
hingt
osayt
oyou-
"
"
Wel
lIdo,
I
'm sor
rynana.Ihat
edt
hef
actt
hatXhant
i
showedyouwhatt rueloveiswhileIcoul
dn't
.I
hatedthef actthathewasMrper fect
.Themessage
sayingyoumustcomet othehotelwasmyi dea.I
want edyout olookathimt hesamesayyoul ookat
me.I '
m sorry,I
'
m asor eloser,
thi
stimearoundI'l
l
maket hingsr i
ght"hesaysandIl ookathimt henat
Xhant i
.Hel ooksli
kehewant stopunchSiya
"
Baby?
"Ical
lout
"
Howmany?
"Iaskandhel
ooksatSi
ya
"Justenought
osendamessage"hesaysandInod
standi
ngup
"
I'
llgetsomedr
inks"Iexcusemysel
f.

AsIwasbusyckrnai
bgt hedi
shesIhear dm
mumbling.I
tgotl
ouderunti
ltheystart
edargui
ng.
Soundsli
keXhant
iwasonSi ya'scasewhilePKwas
onLunathi
.Ihear
dthingsfal
landIr ushedtot
he
l
ivi
ngroom
"
Ifanyt
hingbr
eaksI
'
llbr
eakal
lofyou"Isayand
t
heylookatme
"OhGodEnt
lehel
p.Theywantt
oki
llus"Lunat
hi
sayswi
thashakyvoi
ce
"Wewon'tki
llyou,
Wejustwantt
oteachyoua
l
esson"PKsayswi t
haseriousf
aceshutti
ng
Lunat
hiup
"
Yousai
dyou'
l
lpr
otectus"Si
yasaysandIchuckl
e
"
Isai
dI '
llmakesuretheydon'tki
llyou.Ineversai
dI
won'
tletthem beatyouup"Isayturningaround

{
Gabby}

"
IDI
OTS!
!!
"Iyel
l
"
Theywer
ethuscl
oset
ofi
ndi
ngus!
"Ishout

Ihitmyheadagai
nstt
hewal
l.Iscr
eam asIpush
everyt
hingof
fmytabl
e
"
Bri
nghi
m her
e!"Ishoutandt
heybr
ingf
ort
hthe
i
mbecil
ewhomadeacal
lfr
om oneoft
hephonesI
gavehi
m
"SeeyouInhell
"Isaypul
li
ngoutmyshotgunf
rom
underthet
ableandhestart
sapol
ogi
zing

Iaimedathi
m andIshothi
m.Br
ainsscat
ter
edon
thefl
oor
.Somethrewup
"
Vomitagai
nandI'
llmakeyoueatever
ythi
ngofft
he
f
loor
"Iwarnandt
heypullt
hemselvest
ogether
"
Idon'
thavet
imef
ort
his"IsayandIshoott
hem al
l.
Dead

Looksli
keI'l
lhavet odoeverythingmyself
.Howit
's
suposetobe.Myf amilydoesn'
twanttohelpme.
Theywrotemeof fassoonast heyheardwhatI
wanttodo.Mybr otherwaswor se.Heevencur
sed
me.Ican'thelpthattheydon'twanttoavengemy
si
stersdeath.Itbaffl
esme.

Ical
ledmybr
otherandhepi
ckedupaf
teral
ong
t
ime
"
I'
m sur
pri
sedt
hatyou'
rest
il
lal
ive"heanswer
s
"
Hel
lot
oyout
oobr
other
"Isay
"
Whatdoyouwant
"heasksi
nabor
edt
one
"
Ineedst
rongermen.Theseonesar
ewea.
iki
ll
ed
t
hem"Ist
ate
"Youki-
kil
ledt
hem?Ar eyouinsane?I
'
m notgoing
tohelpyouagain.Don'
tcal
lmeeveragain"hesays
cutt
ingthecal
landIsigh

Ical
ledhi
m agai
nbuti
tsai
dthenumberdoesnot
exi
ts.

GuessI
'
mf l
yingsol
o.Icanworkwit
hthat
.Ist
il
l
havemoneyt
odowhati sneeded

_
___
___
___
__
[
100]
TWOMONTHSLATER

{Iwokeupearlyt
henextdaytostar
tprepar
ingthe
food.It
snotevenFr
idaytodayandIwanttostart
cookingbef
oreti
mecatchesme.

Xhantit
oldmet hatt
hisyearWewillhostt
he
Chri
stmaslunch.I'
m 8mont hspr
egnantanditf
eel
s
l
ikeI'
m underl
ockdown.

Istartt
aki
ngoutt
hemeat.Somet
hingi
smi
ssi
ng.
..
theredmeatfort
hebr
oth.

"Youl
ookst
ressed"myhusbandsayski
ssi
ngme
andInod
"Letmegochange"Isayheadi
ngupst
air
sandI
hearhi
mfoll
owme
"
Wher
eyou'
regoi
ng?
"HeasksandIsi
gh
"
Babeplease.
..
.wer
enotdoingt
hissoear
lyi
nthe
morni
ng"hesaysandIgroan
"Pl
ease?Justf
ortoday?Youcanevencomewit
h
me"Ipleadandhelooksatmeforalongt
ime
bef
oreagreei
ng.

Ajayhasbecomet hecenterofatt
ention.Whenhe
turnedtwohi sfatherdecidedtogetridofhis
dreadlocks,
onlyleavingthetop.Mysonl ooksli
kea
grownmannow.Mai sl
etti
ngAjaystaywi ththem,
I
thi
nkshe' sonlytryingtogiveXhantiandIenough
spaceunt il
thebabycomes.ButI '
m gr at
eful.

Thi
syeari t
'sgoingtobeabiglunch.Lunat hiand
hi
sbrothersburriedt
hehatchetfi
nallyyetallare
st
il
lagainstSiyaespeci
all
yXhanti.Idon'tblame
hi
m...

Att
hemal
lIdr
aggedXhant
ifr
om st
oret
ost
ore.
"
Yousai
dyouwant
edr
edmeat
.Notshoesand
whatist
his?Babycl
othes.Di
dn'
twebuyal
lofi
t
al
ready?
"HeasksandIgi ggl
e
"WhenIseebabycl
othesIj
ustwantt
obuyi
t"Isay
get
ti
ngintot
hecar

"Myturn"Xhantisaystaki
ngadif
ferentr
out
e.I
didn'
tsayanything.Hestoppedi
nfr
ontofabui
ldi
ng
"Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?"Iaskget
ti
ngoutandhe
ki
ssesme
"
Whatwast
hatf
or?
"Iaskandhesmi
le
"
Iloveyouandyoul
ooksexyashel
l"hesays
l
ookingatmeandibl
ush

Wewentar
oundandhest
oppedme
"
Putt
hison"hesaysgi
vingmeabli
ndfoldandi
f
rownwhil
etaki
ngit
.Hehelpedmeputiton
"Howmanyf
inger
sam Ihol
ding?
"HeasksandI
shrug
West
art
edwal
kingandhehel
dme
"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"Iaskandmyvoi
ceechoes.

Wecamet oaSt op,

allIheardwasmyheel sclicki
ng.
Hetookt
hebl i
ndfol
dof fAndwhatwasi nfrontof
memademyeyespop.Il ookedatXhantii
nshock.I
l
ookedatthecar.Isawt henumberplateMZana.
Thebigr
edribbonstoodout .

Myeyesgott
ear
y.
"
Ist
hiswhatIt
hinki
tis?
"Iaskandhenods
"Howdidyougett hi
s?Tesl
a'
saren'
tmadeinSouth
Afri
ca.Hel
lnoteveninafewyearsti
me"I
astoni
shi
nglysaywhilet
ouchi
ngthecar.Il
ookedat
i
tandIopenedi tandmymouthform anO

"Noway.Isthi
sthemodel3?Theonewi ththetr
ack
package.Nowayi thas300+mi
les.Babythi
sis.
..
"I
becamespeechlessandhehuggedme
"Youmayt hi
nkIdon'
tli
stent
oyouwhenyout al
k
aboutyourwantsandneedsbutIdo.Isawhowyou
l
ookedatthattesl
aontv"hesaysandIgiggl
ewhil
e
wippi
ngmyt ears

"Andyoudeci
dedtoi
mportonef
orme?Cust om
made.HowwillIt
opt
his?
"Iaskandhechuckles
kissi
ngmyhead
"Bybei
ngwit
hmefort
her estofyourl
if
e"hesays
andIhi
thi
m whi
lewi
ppingmyt ears
"
Youar
eacr
ybaby"hesayspi
nchi
ngmycheeks

Wetookpict
uresandXhantil
ikesbei
ngforwar
d.He
post
edthepict
uresbef
oreIcould.I
sn'
titmycar?
Yoha.ah.

Idr
ovebehi
ndhim.Ibeti
tlooksf
ir
e.Mywhi
tet
esl
a
andhi
sAudi,
nightwal
ker
.
Myphoner
angandi
twashi
m.ianswer
sit
"Yadi
kaBaby,
l
etmehavet
husmoment
"Isayand
helaughs
"Keeponfoll
owingme"hesayscut
ti
ngt
hecall
.I
didwhatwast ol
dandweendedupataraci
ngtr
ack.
IlaughedasIgotout
"Audii
stheonl
ycart
hatcanraceagai
nstat
esla.
Showmewhatyou'vegot"hesaysandIl
ookathi
m
i
naweasIgotbackintomycar.

"Youdoknowyoucould'
vewonmeright
?"Xhant
i
saysaf
tert
heraceandIrol
lmyeyes
"Youhaveexper
ience,
Idon'
t"Ist
ateandhe
chuckl
es
"I
t'
sjustyourdr
if
ti
ngt hatneedssomewor
kbaby,i
n
otherwordsyouactuall
ywon"hesaysandIbeam
"
I'
mjoki
ng,
youst ar
tedof
ftoosl
ow"hesaysmaki
ng
mysmil
edissapear
Hemademesitonmycarsbonnetandhekissed
me.Theki
ssl
astedf
orawhil
eandIquickl
ybrokeit
"
Xhant
ithef
ood"Iqui
ckl
ysayget
ti
ngof
fthecar
"
Ohyea;yeawebet
tergetgoi
ng"hesaysopeni
ng
t
hedoorformeandclosi
ngitassoonasIgoti
n
"I
'
llber
ightbehi
ndyou"hesaysgi
vingmeaaki
ss
andInod

Xhant
ivi
deocal
ledmewhi
lewewer
edr
ivi
ng
"Uxol
oSthandwa,
bei
ngindif
fer
entcar
sfeel
sli
ke
youfaraway"hecompl
ainsandIsnor
t
"YougavemethecarXhant
ist
opbeingbi
tt
er"Isay
andheroll
shi
seyesmakingmelaugh

Wepul
ledupi
ntoi
ntot
hegar
age
"
Yourgar
agei
sgoi
ngt
obef
ull
"Isayaswegotout
"Wecanalwaysextendit"hesayst
akingoutthe
bags.Ihel
pedbytakingtheli
ghtst
uff
.Heopenst he
doorleadi
ngtot
hekitchen.Assoonaswepl aced
t
hebagsdown
"
Surpi
se!"Ihearpeopl
eshoutgivingmeaf
right
.I
l
ookaroundandiseeal otofpeoplei
nmyhouse.

"Whatisthi
s?"Iaskhol
dingmyhestandIf
eel
Xhantihuggi
ngme
"
Sur
pisenumber2"hesaysandIf
rown
"Mommytobe"Liyasaysput
ti
ngacr
ossonmy
headandIgasp
"
Youguysdi
dal
lthi
sforme?
"Iaskandt
heynod
"Youdeser
veever yt
hingandmor
ebaby.Alothas
happenedinayear sti
meandyoulef
tamar ki
n
eachandeveryoneofus.You'
reourmother
ther
esa"Xhantisaysholdi
ngmyhandki
ssingit

"He'
sr i
ght,
you'
reanamazingperson.Icoul
dn'
thave
askedforabetterdaught
eri
nlaw"MrZanasays
andhiswi f
enodsherheadwi t
hasmi l
eandIwipe
myt ears
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iledentlet
otheloungewhereeveryt
hingwas
shift
ed.I
nthemiddleoft
heroom therewasabig
royalbl
uecouchwithatouchofgold.Ihel
pedher
sitonit
.
"
We'
l
lbeatt
heback"isaygi
vingheraki
ss
"
Liya,
noexot
icst
uff
"Isayandhepushesmeaway
"
Yeayeayea"hesaysandIshakemyhead
"
You'
renotevenl
ist
eni
ng"Isayheadi
ngt
owher
e
t
hemenwer e.

Therewerealotofpeopleherenol
ies.Si
yawas
heretooincl
udingAaron.Yeahe'
sstil
lpartofus,
he
hasbecomef amilyaccordi
ngtoEntl
e.Bigheart
thatone.

Iwentt
owher
emybr
other
swer
eandIgr
eet
ed
t
hem.
"Isawthenewwheel
syouboughtf
orwi
fey"Thando
saysandLunat
hiwhi
stl
es
"ATesl
a?Canyoubuyonef ormewhenIgraduat
e?
That
'sl
ikemydream car"hesayshol
dinghi
schest
andIopenacanofklipdri
ft&col
a
"Gr
aduate,
geti
ntot
hebusinessfi
eldl
uketherestof
usthenyoucanbuywhateveryouwantwithyour
ownmoney"Isayandhecl eanshi
steet
h

{
Minent
le}

Everyonewasdri
nki
ngoutofsippi
cupsandhavi
ng
ablast.HowcanIhaveablastwhenIcan'
teven
dri
nknorsmoke?Imi ssmyhookahnoli
es..

Thedoor
bel
lrangandLi
yawentt
ocheckwhoi
t
was.
"
Sowhat
'
syournamehandsome?
"Ibearhi
m ask
andIf
rownl
ooki
ngbehi
ndme
"
Spencer
?"Iaskandhesmi
lesatme
"IhopeI
'
m notl
ate"hesaysandIshakemyhead
givi
nghi
m ahug

"Ent
lethi
sismysist
er,
theoneItol
dyouabout"he
sayli
ghtl
ypushingt
helit
tl
ecur
ledheadedgi
rlfor
th
andIsmileather
"
Ist
hist
hef
amousEl
la?
"Iaskandshebl
ushes
"Notasfamousasyou"shesaysandIgi
ggl
e
brushi
ngherhai
r

"Spencert
heguysareatt
heback,
thankyoufor
coming"Isayandhenodsgi
vingmeagi f
tbag
"
Youdi
dn'
thavet
o"Isayt
aki
ngi
tandhescof
fs
"MrZanasai
dIcancomebutnotemptyhanded.He
sai
dandIquit
e"Youwil
lnoteatf
orfr
eeatmy
daught
eri
nlawshower"hesaysandIlaugh
"
Hewaspr
obabl
yjustpul
li
ngyourl
eg"Isayl
eadi
ng
hi
mtot
heback

"Al
otofpeopl
eher
e"hesaysl
ooki
ngar
oundandi
nod
"Idon'
tevenknowhal
foft
hesepeopl
e"osayand
helaughs.Someonecl
ear
sthei
rthr
oatbehi
ndus
anditwasXhanti
"
Baby,
Spencert
hisi
s-"

"Thel
uckyguy"hecutsmeoffshaki
ngXhant
i'
s
headandXhantishakeshi
shandaroundmywaist
"
Luckyman,
I
'mthel
uckyman"hesaysemphasi
zing
t
hewordmanandIgiggl
e
"
Playni
ce"Isaygi
vinghi
m aki
ss
"
ShowSpencer
around,Aar
on!
"Icalloutandhe
l
ooksatmeput
tingdownthebeercomingtous

"AaronmeetSpencer,
SpencermeetAar
on.
..
my
eldestson"Isayandhefr
owns
"Ni
cetomeetyoubr
o"Aar
onsaysshaki
ng
Spencer
'shand

Theyl
eftl
eavi
ngXhant
iandi
.
"
Who'
sthat
?"Heasksst
il
llooki
ngatSpencer
"Thati
sSpencer
,oneofyourdadsdr
iver
s"Isay
goingbacki
ntot
hehouse.

Somepeoplewenthomewhi
l
ecl
osef
ri
endsand
fami
lyst
ayedbehi
nd.
"
Imi
ssmygr
andpa"mymom saysandIchuckl
e
"Okayyoucantakehim wit
hyouwhenyou
l
eave,youandMaar et
akingmysonawayfrom me"
Isayandshekissesmycheek

Peopl
ewerest
il
ldr
inki
ngandeat
ingl
iket
her
e'sno
tomor
row.
Mymom andMrsZanalef
twi
thAj
ay.Xhant
isat
nextt
omewit
hhisfood
"Yousur
eyoudon'
twantanyt
hingbabe?
"Heasks
andIshakemyhead
"
Idon'
tfeelokay"Iwhi
sperandhel
ooksatme
"
What
'swr
ong?
"HeasksandIshr
ug
"Soyouwantust
oret
ir
etobed?
"HeasksandI
shakemyhead.

Xhant
ihel
pedmet
othebat
hroom.
"CanIgetaqui
ckl
y?"Heasksgr
indi
ngonmeandI
shakemyhead

Aft
erdryingmyhandswehear dgunshot
.Mul ti
ple
gunshotsandpeopl
escreaming.Igotaf
rightand
Xhantishushedme.Heopenedthedoorandt he
shotswenton.
"
Movet
oanot
herr
oom"hewhi
sper
sandInod
Suddenl
yitwasqui
et
"ENTLE!XHANTI
M! "Wehearsomeoneshoutf
rom
downstair
sandIruntoDrwhoitwas.I
twasPK
"Yourbl
eedi
ng"Isayr
ushi
ngtohi
m andhegr
oans.
Ilookar
oundther
ewerebodi
esever
ywher
e.
"
Don'
twor
ryaboutme,
wher
e'sAj
ay?
"Heasksand
mybodyf
reezes
"Shegotaway!
"Aar
onandSpencerr
ushesi
nandI
star
tcryi
ng
"
Givemeaphone"Isayshaki
ng
"
Babycal
m dow-
"
"
DON'
TTELLMETHAT!
"IcutXhant
iof
f

AwoundedSi
yagavemehi
sphone.
"ThankYou,
PkYouandl iyahavet
ochecki
fther
e's
anyoneali
ve"Isaysni
ff
ing

Idi
aledmymot
her
snumberandi
trangf
orawhi
le
"Gameover"af
emalevoi
cesaysandIdr
opt
he
phonecr
yingmylungsout
"
NO!
"Iscr
eam
"Xhantihe'
s.
..
"thewor
dsgetst
uckandIwai
land
Xhantiembracesme

"
Ent
le.
."PKsayspoi
nti
ngatt
hef
loorandi
twaswet
"Xhant
i,
ge-
getmet
hebabybag"Isayheadi
ngt
othe
garage
"
We'
l
lbr
ingi
t,
goahead"Pksausgr
oani
ng

Xhant
irushedt
othehospi
tal
"
It
'st
ooear
lyXhanti
"Isaycr
yingwhi
lehol
dingmy
t
ummyandhehol dsmyhand
"
Areyoui
nanypai
n"heasksandIshakemyhead
"
Notye-
fuck"Icur
set
hrowi
ngmyheadback
"
Dri
vef
ast
er"Icommandandhest
epsoni
t
Atthehospit
alXhant iscoopedmeupandcar ri
ed
mei nt
othebuilding.Thepainwasi nt
ense,
Idon't
knowifitwasthepai northefactthatmyfi
rstbor
n
sonmi ghtbedead.I '
m hopingthatI'
l
lwakeupand
someonewi l
ltellmei t
'sal
ladream.

Iwasadmi
tt
edi
mmedi
atl
y.

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

"Shoul
dIwai
tout
side?
"Iaskandshegr
abbedmy
coll
ar
"
Youwi
lldonosucht
hing"shet
hreat
ens

I
nsi
det
hewar
dshehadherl
egswi
deopen.
"Ar
ewesurethebabyiscomi
ngrightnow?
"I
oani
ckandt
hemal edoct
orputonsomegloves
"
Onlyonewayt
ofi
ndout
"hesaysspr
eadi
ngher
l
egsmore
"
Whoawhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iask
"IhavetocheckSi
r"hesayspoi
nti
ngatEnt
le'
s
vagina
"Xhant
ithi
sisn'
ttheTi
menorplacepl
ease"Ent
le
begsandIgivethedoct
orspace

Hest
ickshi
sfi
nger
supEnt
le'
svagi
na
"Whoa,okayma'
am onthecountof3I
'
llneedyout
o
push"hesaysandEntl
enods
"One,
two,
thr
ee"hesaysandEnt
lescr
eamswhi
le
pushi
ng
"Doct
or,
thehead"onenur
sesays,
IcheckandI
nearl
yfaint
ed

"Onemore,abi
gonethi
sti
me"thedoctorsaysandI
holdEntl
e'
shandsasshepushesoncemor eal
most
breaki
ngmyhand
"
Babyyeka"Itaponherhandandshescr
eamsand
ali
tt
lecr
yerupts
"
It
'sagi
rl
"thenur
sesaysandt
heycl
eanherup.
"Yougavemeal i
tt
lepr
incess"Isayki
ssi
ngEnt
le'
s
sweatyfor
ehead
"
Ajay"shewhisper
sbeforecl
osi
nghereyesandt
he
machinesst
artedbeepi
ng
"
Ent
le?
!"Ishoutbutshedi
dn'
trespond
"
Nono,
what
'shappeni
n?!
"Ipani
ck
"
Siryouhavet
owaitout
side"t
henursesayspul
l
ing
meawayasIkeptonyell
ingEntl
e'
sname.

_
___
___
_
[
101]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iwasbusypaci
ngupanddownwhenIheardmy
si
ster
svoi
ce.Shesawmeandr antome,
huggi
ng
meandIhuggedherbacksni
ff
ing
"Wher
e'sEntl
e?"Someofmybr
other
saskandI
shr
ugwi ppi
ngmyt ear
s

"Minut
esaft
erdeli
veryshe-sheclosedhereyesa-
andmachinesstar
tedbeeping..
."Istopaspain
chokedthewordsfrom comingoutandIf el
tahand
onmyshoulder
"
HasanyonegoteyesonGabby?
"Iaskandnoone
r
espondsandIl
ookatMike

"Someofmymenar etail
ingher
.Oncewehavea
soli
dlocat
ionwel
lbul
ldozeourwayin"hesaysand
Inod
"ButAj
aywasn'tf
ound"Si
yasaysandIheart
he
hurti
nhisvoi
ce
"
Meanshe'
sst
il
lal
ive"PKsays
"
Andf
orhowl
ong?Ineedsomeai
r"hesaysl
eavi
ng

"
Whatgender
?"Mymom asksandIchuckl
e
"
It
'sagi
rl
"Isaysmi
l
ingandsodoesshe
"Doesshehavehermot
her
sgoodlooks?
"Sheasks
andIlookather
.Mymom i
str
yinghardtodi
str
act
me...

"
Zanaf
ami
ly!
"Amal
edoct
orcal
loutandIj
umpup
"
Ye-
yesI
'
m herhusband"Ist
atewi
thashakeyvoi
ce
"MrsZanai soutofdanger.She'
sall
owedone
visi
toratatimeonlyforanhour"hesays,
Ilookat
myf amilyAndtheyallnod

{
Mike}

Il
ookatt
het
extoncemor
ebef
oreki
cki
ngt
ir
e
"
DamnyouEnt
le"Isayt
aki
ngoutaci
gar
"What'
sthepl
an?
"IhearPKaskbehi ndmeandI
shakemyheadinfrust
rat
ion.Helooksatmefora
l
ongtimewithafr
ownonhi sfaceandIlookathi
m.
"No"hestat
esandIgi
vehi
m aheavysi
ghbef
ore
kil
li
ngtheci
gar
"
Idon'
thaveachoi
ce"Isaydefeat
edandhegi
ves
meafullbl
ownpunchandIstumble
"Xhant
iisgoi
ngt
okillyou"hewarnsshaki
nghis
handasbloodst
art
eddr i
ppingf
rom hi
sbul
let
wound

"
Who'
slooki
ngaf
tert
hei
njur
edatt
hehouse?
"Iask
"Thandoi
shelpi
ngLiyaandt
hosetwoknuckle
heads"heanswerswinci
ngi
npai
nashet ouched
thewound

"
Aar
onandSpencer
?"Iaskandhenods
"Ineedthei
rhel
p"Ist
ateandhet
akesouthi
sphone
passingitt
ome
"
Whenyou'redonebr
ingi
ttome.I
'
m goi
ngi
nto
Ase"hesaysl
eavi
ng
{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Il
ookedatherasshel
aidont
hebed.
"Ishoul
d'vef
ocusedmor
e"Iwhi
sperhol
dingher
hand
"Aj
ayisgone.
."Isayandal
umpf
ormi
nmyt
hroat
agai
n
"
I'
m sor
ry"Iwi
pemyt
ear
sst
il
lhol
dingherhand

Iwentclosert
okissherforalongtime.Aft
er
breaki
ngthekissIgaveheranotherpeck.
"Il
oveyou,Youmustwakeup,
Weneedtonameour
daught
er..
..
she-
shehasyourpi
nkandbr
ownli
ps"I
saysmil
ing

"Ibetshe'l
lbejustl
ikehermot
her
.
Fierce,
str
ong,st
ubborn-
"
"MrZana?
"Af emal
evoicewhisperbehi
ndmeandI
seei
t'
sanelderl
ynursehol
dingababyandIrusht
o
her
"
Maybeherpresencewil
lhel
p"shehandsmybaby
t
omeandIt akehetcar
eful
ly

"
Areyousurei
t'
sokayforhert
obeoutoft
he
i
ncubat
or?
"Iaskworr
iedandshenods
"She'
shealt
hyasanoxSi r.Thedoctordoesthatfor
precaut
ionandbecausethemotherisstil
lout"she
saysandInodsitt
inginf
rontofEntl
eagain.

Il
ookedatmyl
it
tl
egi
rlwi
thsmi
le.Si
phoset
hu.
..

Isatt
her
eforafewmoreminutesunt
ilMi
kecame
i
nandhemout hsanapol
ogy.
"
Heressomecof
fee"hesaysgi
vingt
hecof
feeandI
t
akeit
"
Ist
hist
hel
it
tl
epr
incess?
"Heasksl
ooki
ngat
Set
huandIsmi
le
"Your
uinedtheki
dwit
hyourbigear
sX"hesays
andIchuckl
etaki
ngasipoft
hecoff
ee

"
Gabbywi
llpayf
ort
his"hest
atesandInod
"I
'
m goingtof
indAj
ayt
henI
'
llki
llher
"Isayst
ari
ng
atnot
hing
"Canyouhol
dher
?Myar msareget
ti
ngt
ir
ed"Iyawn
givi
ngSet
hutoMikeandhenods

{
Mike}

Il
ookedathi
m ashemadespacenextt
oEnt
le.
"Ij
ustneedt
ocl
osemyeyesf
orabi
t"hesaysandI
nod

Il
ookathim asheembraceshi
swif
eandsl
eep
over
takeshi
sbody.Icountt
o10andIst
oodup
goingt ot
hewi ndow.SpencerandAar
onstood
therewaiti
ngf ormysignal
.Ishowedt
hem thebaby
andt heydissapear
ed.

Soont
heyent
eredt
heroom wi
thast
ret
cherand
bot
hwereweari
ngscr
ubs.
"Justsoyouknow,Xhantidoesn'tl
ikeei
therofusso
hewoul dn'
thesi
tat
etokillusifthi
sgetsout"Aaron
saystakingthebabyandhegi veshertoSpencer.

"
YeaIknowbutI
'l
lrat
hert
akemychanceswi
thhi
m
t
hanwit
hEntl
e"Isayandtheyl
ookatme
"Hur
ryup,
Aarontakeherfeet
"IsayasimoveEnt
le
awayfr
om thebedontothestr
etcher
.
"
Whataboutt
heli
tt
lebaby?
"SpencerasksandI
t
hinkf
orawhil
e
"
Youguysgotot
heparki
nglotandwai
tforme
t
her
e"Isayt
aki
ngpr
incess
Iwentt
owheret
hebabi
esar
ekeptandIl
ookedf
or
athenur
se.
"Hi
,Isawyouwi t
hthedoct
orwhoearli
eron.The
fat
herwasdr ai
nedandheaskedmet oholdont
o
her,
butIneedtobesomewhere"isayandshenods
whiletaki
ngpri
ncess

AssoonasIsawthenur
sepl
aci
ngpri
ncessi
nthe
i
ncubat
orIl
eftwhi
lemaki
ngacal
l.
"Ineedmuscl
e,atthefr
ontandcl
oset
opr
incess"I
saybefor
edroppingthecal
l

Attheparki
nglotAar
onandSpencerwerewheel
ing
Entl
einsi
dethevanandmyphoner angandI
answer
"Doyouhaveher
?"SheasksandIsendapi
ctur
eto
comfi
rm
"Getherher
equi
ckl
y,
ever
ythi
ngi
spr
epar
ed"she
saysandIcutt
hecall
.
_
___
___
___
___
_
Aswespeaki
m busywi
tht
henextchapt
er
[
102]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Iopenedmyeyesandther
oom wasl
ight
.Meani
ng
i
twasmor ni
ngal
ready.

Il
ookedt
omyl
eftandi
twasempt
y.
"Ent
le?!
"Ical
loutbutther
ewasnoanswer.Mike
wasn'ther
ewithSethueit
her
.Myheartst
art
ed
beat
ingfastandIjumpedup

"MrZana"Ihearamal
evoi
cecal
loutandi
twast
he
doct
or
"
MrsZanai
sgone"hesaysandmyear
szi
ng
"
Whatdoyoumeanshegone?
"Iask
"Wher
e'smydaughter
?"Iaskbutl
eavebef
oreI
coul
dheart
hedoctorsanswer

Ir
antowher ethebabieswereandatthedoorst
ood
abigguy.Istoppedandlookedathi
m sincehewas
bl
ocki
ngt heway.
"
Outofmyway"Icommandandgr
ovest
other
ight
maki
ngwayf
orme

Thenursewhobr
oughtmydaught
ersawmeand
smil
ed
"Heresheis,
youknowwehavetogetanamefor
her"hesaysandInodasIqui
ckytakemydaught
er

Iwasst
il
lstar
ri
ngatherwhengunshotswentof
f.
Somewereaimedatthebi
gglasswindowbutit
coul
dn'
tpenet
rat
e.

Ical
ledmi
keandhepi
ckedupaf
tert
hef
ir
str
ing
"
Iwaswai
ti
n-"
"Cutthecr
apMi
ke.Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon"Icut
him off
"
Gunshotsmeanst
hatwer
e2st
epsaheadof
Gabby"hecal
mysays

"Whatthehel
lar
eyoutalki
ngabout
?Whatswit
hthe
shoot
ing?Mydaught
er-"Ir
amblebuthecut
smeoff
"
Cal
m down,
thosear
ethebestoft
hebest
"hesays
"Wher
e'sEntl
e?"IaskbutIreal
isehehascutt
he
cal
lal
ready.Icur
seasIthrowmyphonedown.

IheldSet
huclosetome,
shiel
dingherassome
bull
etswentt
hrought
heglasswindownow.

"Xhant
i!
"Ihearsomeonecallout
,i
twasPK.Only
nowIheartherearen'
tshot
sbeingfi
redanymor
e
"
Areyouokay?Wher
e'st
hebaby?
"HeaskedandI
l
if
tmyheadupandIseeawaveofrel
eavewash
overhi
m.
"Ent
lei
sgone"Isay,
hesaysanyt
hingandIl
ookat
him
"
Wher
e'sEnt
lePK?
"Iangr
il
yask

"
I-
idon'
tknowokay?Al lIknowisthatt
hishasMi
ke
wri
tt
enalloveri
t.Idon'
tblamehom"hesaysandat
t
hatmomentIwi shocoul dst
rangl
ehim
"
Canyouf
oroncet
rustt
hem?
"Heasks
"
Lookwher
etr
usthasbr
oughtusPK!
"Iyel
l

Ilookar
oundandt
hatguar
disnowher
etobe
found.

{
Mike}

Il
ookedather
.
"
She'
smor
ebeaut
if
ulnow"Mel
onysayssmi
li
ng
"
Herhusbandi
sgoi
ngcr
azy"Isayandshenods
"Thi
sisherfi
ght"shesaysandInodt
aki
ngoutmy
phonereadi
ngthetextagai
n

*Ihaveabadfeel
ing,
whenthi
ngsgoessi
deways
andtheywil
lI'
l
lneedyoutohel
pme...
*Ist
op
readi
ngit
"
Shef
elti
tcomi
ng"Ist
ate
"Whydidn'
tyoubri
ngl
ilpr
incesswi
thyou?
"She
asksandIscoff
"
Xhant
iwoul
dki
llus"Isayandsher
oll
shereyes

Ent
legotmovedtoanotherroom.I
twas
di
mmed,almostdar
k.Candleswereli
tever
ywher
e.
"
Whati
sthi
spl
ace?
"Iaskwal
king
"
Wat
chyourst
ep"shesaysandIst
op
"
Ahol
e?"Iaskl
ooki
ngdown
"
It
'sat
ub"shesays
"
Inher
e"shepoi
nts
"
Inherewhat?
"Iaskandt
heyplaceEntl
eint
othe
'
tub'
butthi
sonehadwarm wat
erinit
"
Herheadwasabovet
hewat
er.
"
Whatnow?
"Iask
"Nowwewai
t"shesayswal
kingawayl
eavi
ngme
conf
used

{
Minent
le}

Iswal
lowedbutwi t
hastruggl
e.It
ri
edopeningmy
eyesbutitwashar d.Imovedmyhandsandi tfel
t
l
ikeIwassur roundedbywaterbutforsomereason
Iwassti
llbreathi
ngf i
ne.

Isthi
swhatsam Smit
hmeantwhenhesaidhi
s
headwasunderwaterbuthe'
sst
il
lbr
eat
hingf
ine?
?
Itr
iedli
fti
ngupmyhandsandIf el
tabarr
ier.I
pusheditanditbr
okeeasi
ly.OnmyfaceIfeltal
ot
ofcracks.

Whateverwasonmyfacef
ellof
fassoonasIsay
upstr
aight
.Whati
sthi
s?Il
ookedaroundconf
used.
Il
ookeddownandisawthatIwasnaked.
"
Mrsdi
ehar
d"avoi
ceechos
"
Mike?
"Iaskandhechuckl
es
"Comegetout,wedon'
thaveal
otoft
ime"hesays
holdi
ngabathrobeoutf
ormeandIgotout
wrappingi
taroundme

"
Yourauntcal
lst
hatawasbat
h"hesays
"
Candl
ewax?
"Iaskandhenods
"Theheatofi
twaxstimulat
esbloodsel
lsand
speedsupprocessesri
ght?
"Iaskandhenods
"
Idon'
tevenf
eel
li
keIj
ustgavebi
rt
h"Isayandhe
l
aughs

Heledmetothi
sopenspace.Ar
oom f
il
ledwi
th
comput
ersandscr
eens
"You'
reawake"Imyauntsaysembr
aci
ngmeandI
hugherback

"Ma'am"someonedist
urbsusandmyauntf
ocuses
ont hescr
eens.Namespopupincl
udi
ngapre-
recordedvi
deo
"Youwillneverf
indme"Gabbyappear
sont
he
screen
"
Youwon'
tseeyoursonaf
tert
oday"shesaysand
t
hescr
eengoesblank

Myeyesgott
ear
yandMi
kepul
ledmei
nforahug
"Comeoni
t'
sokay"hesaysandIshakemyhead
cryi
ng
"
It
'snot
,she'
sgoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m,Iwon'
tseemyso-
"he
sl
apsmeandIkeepqui
et
"Youtakeal
lthatnegativi
tyandyout hrowi
toutthe
window.Youthinkyou'vebeenwat chingusand
helpi
ngusfornothing?Endt hi
s,t
oday"hesays
shaki
ngmeandIwi pemyt ear
swhi l
enodding
"Whatdoyouhave?
"Iaskshaki
ngmyhandsandhe
smil
es

_
___
___
___
___

"
Soyou'
resur
ethi
siswher
eshei
s?"Iask
"Yea,herbr
othermadeussweat
"myauntsaysand
Ilookather
"Ihopeyoudi
dn'
tsweatwi
thhi
sbl
ood"Isayand
shechuckl
es
"
He'
sal
ive"shesayst
aki
ngmet
oanot
herr
oom

Whensheopenedi
tIf
oll
owedher
.
"Canwespeedthisup?Mysonsl
if
eisont
hel
ine"I
sayandshecleanshert
eet
h
"Her
e,whatyou'
l
lneed"shesaysshowi
ngmeal
otof
amourandIshakemyhead
"
Iwon'tneedt
hismany"Isaychecki
ngoutt
he
weapons

Ichangedi
ntoaleat
herj
umpsui
twit
hmybootsf
or
comfort
.Il
ookedint
hemirr
orandIsi
ghed.

Howdi
dwegether
e?Iaskmysel
f.
"
Timei
srunni
ngout
"IhearMi
kesayandInod

{
Gabby}

Il
ookedatt
hel
it
tl
ebr
atashewascr
ying
"
Shutup!
"Iyel
landhecri
essomemore.Hi
scri
es
i
rr
it
atedmesoIpickedhi
m downmaki
nghim
scr
eam hi
slungsout
.

Myphoner
angandi
twasmybr
other
"
Iwar
nedyou"hecoughs
"Iwarnedyoubutyoudi
dn'
tl
ist
en"hesaysandI
giggl
e
"Ihaveabackboneunl
ikeyou"IsayandIhearhi
m
groan
"Thatbackbonei
saboutt
obet
ornout
"hesaysand
cutsthecall

Il
ookedatt
hephoneandat
extcomest
hrough
*t
heyknowyourl
ocat
ion*i
tsaysandmyhear
t
beat
s

Il
ookaroundandIr
unt omycl oset,
sear
chingfor
mygetawaybag.IgrabbeditandIrantothedoor
butst
opasIremembert hebratt
hat'
ssti
llher
e.
Ipul
loutmygunandIai
mitathi
m
"Idar
eyout opullt
hetri
ggerandyou'
lleatyourown
vomit"Ihearhersayandmybodyf r
eezesont he
spot.

_
___
___
___
[
103]

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Il
ookatmydaught
erandInot
icesomet
hing.
"
Hey,
whydoesherski
nlookli
kethat
?"Iaskanur
se
whopassedmeandshestoppedtol
ook
"
Jaundi
ce"shest
ates
"Sogi
vehersomet
hing"Isayandsheshakesher
head
"Sheneedst
obebreast
fedSi
r,t
her
e'snot
hingwe
cando"shesayswi
thasigh"
"Nowi
fyou'
l
lexcuseme"shewal
ksawaybutIgr
ab
her
"Ther
ehast obeasubstit
utefort
hemean
ti
me...
please"Ibegandshetapsherf
ootbef
ore
shaki
ngherhead

"ForNOW,butonl
yfornowwecankeepheri nthe
i
ncubatorformorel
ight
.Othert
hanthatsheneeds
hermothersmil
k"shesaysandIconti
nuesl
ynod

Imademysel
fcomf
ort
abl
einf
rontofSet
hu.

It
ookoutmyphoneandIcal
ledThando
"
Bri
efme"Isayandhegi
vesoutaheavysi
gh
"10ar
edead,
noonei
mpor
tantnorcl
ose"hest
ates
andInod
"
Didt
her
equest
edf
oll
owoutt
heor
der
sIgave?
"I
ask

"Yea,
aswespeaktheyar
ebusycleani
ngand
clear
ingsomeof
fthedat
abase"heanswer
s
"
Howspr
incess?
"Heasksaf
terawhi
leandIf
rown
"
Pri
ncess?
"Ias"
"Shealr
eadyhasani
ckname,
proncess"hesaysand
Ichuckl
e
"I
t'
sSet
huandIjustf
oundoutshehasj
aundi
ce"I
saybr
ushi
ngfaceandhewhist
les
"Iexpectedt
hattohappen.Can'
tyougethol
dof
Entle?"HeasksandIsigh
"Iknowshecanlookaf
terher
sel
fkodwai
mint
he
darkbaf
o"Isay

{
Minent
le}

ThemomentIsawherai
mingt
hegunatmysonI
want
edt
ospl
att
erherbr
ainsal
lovert
hef
loor
.

Shel
if
tedherhandsupandsl
owl
ytur
nedar
ound
"Yout
houghtyoucouldgetawaywit
hThi
s?Iheard
yousentpeopl
etothehospit
alf
ormydaught
er"I
sayandshegiggl
es
"
IwantedXhant
itof
eelwhatIf
elt
.Thi
sisal
lhi
s
f
aul
t"shespi
ts
"
Butf
ightmel
ikeaman"shecont
inuesandIsnor
t

"Weknowhowt hatendedl
astt
ime"isaywi
thmy
gunsti
llai
medather
"
Let'
sseei
fmyski
ll
sar
epoli
shedenough"shesays
wit
hasmir
kandIl
ookather
"
Ok..
.l
oweryourgun"Isayandshemovesherhand
t
otheothersi
deandIdot hesame

Themi nut
ewebot
hdroppedourgunsIqui
ckly
whippedoutmyot
hergunfr
om behindme.Shots
wer
efir
edfrom hersi
detoomaki
ngfall
ingdownin
t
heprocessandIshother3t
imesinthestomach.

Shef el
ldownwi t
ht hegunst i
lli
nherhandandIr an
tomyson.Il ookedathim andIsawbr ui
sesonhis
faceandbody.Ipickedhi m upwi ncinginpain.I
pickedthedeadbodyacoupl eoft imeswi t
h
tearsbl
urr
ingmyvi sion.

Aj
aywasst
il
lcr
yingandunt
ri
edshushi
nghi
m.
"
It
'sokaybaby"Iwhi
sperasIhol
dhi
m.

Iexi
tedthebui
l
dingandIpl
acedthenowasleep
Ajayint
heback.MyphonerangandIansweredit
"
Youansweringyourphonemeansyoual
ive"Ihear
MikesayandIsnif
fwhil
elooki
ngatAj
ay
"
MikeI
'l
lneedsomeoneyocheckifAjayi
sokay
whenwearri
ve"Isaywi
pingmytears.
"
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
"HeasksandInod
"Yeayea,
I
'mjustgl
adt
hatover
"IsayandIbi
d
goodbyetoMike

_
___
___
___
___
_

Iar
ri
vedatthelocat
ionMi
kegaveme.Icar
ri
edAj
ay
i
ntothebui
ldi
ng.

"
Miné!"Myuncl
ecal
loutassoonashespot
sme.
HetakesAj
ayfr
om me
"
You'
rebl
eedi
ng"hesaysandInodwhi
lehol
ding
myar
m
"Youneedt
hatcheckedoutimmedi
act
ly"hesays
andhemotionsaladytoassi
stme
"Pl
easechecki
fheisokay,i
tseemsli
kesheputher
handsonhim"Isayfol
lowi
ngthelady

Theladyt
ookmet
oar
oom t
hathadmedi
cal
equi
pment.
"
Canyouhur
ryup?Ineedt
oseemyson"Isay
"Ineedt
ost er
il
izeyouf
ir
st"shesaysbri
ngi
ngthe
syri
ngclosetomeandIgr abit
,t
hrowi
ngitacr
oss
theroom
"
Lady,
thi
sisjustaf l
eshwound.Yankt
hedamn
t
hingoutli
keaBr azi
li
anwax"Isayandshel
ooksat
mebeforenodding

{
Xhant
il
omzi
}

Il
ookedatmydaught erwhi l
etappingmyfoot.I
unlockedandlockedmyphone.Il ookedatmy
wallpaper
.ItwasEntl
eandAj ay.Ihopemyboyi s
okay.Thethoughtofhim bei
ngkill
edorhurt
broughtpaintomyheart.

"
Youl
ookugl
y"Ihearhervoi
ceandIscof
f
"Pul
lyoursel
ftogetherXhant
i"Isayt
omysel
fandI
hearhergoofygiggle
"
I'
m goi
nginsanepr
incess"Il
aughl
ooki
ngatSet
hu
wit
hwater
yeyes

Iheardf
ootstepsbehi
ndmeandIl ookedar
ound.I
t
wasmybaby.Iaut omati
cal
lysmi l
edatherandshe
rantome,huggingmefordearli
fe.Thehugfel
t
i
ncompleteandIsawherar m hadabandage
"
Whathappened?
"Iaskandsheshakesherhead

"
It
'snot
hing"ShesaysandIki
ssher
"I
sthatmyl
it
tl
egi
rl
?"Sheaskswi
thabeami
ng
smil
eandInodsmil
ingt
oo
"Youneedt
ofeedhermfaz,
shehasj
aundi
ce"Isay
andshebli
nksbef
orenoddi
ng

Shepulledhertshi
rtupwar
dsexposi
ngherf
ull
breast
s.Sethustart
eddri
nki
ngli
keherl
if
edepends
onitandEntlegiggl
ed
"
Atl
easticanseewhyyouwer
eeat
ingsomuch"i
sayandshegasps.IhelpedEntl
ebyhol
dingSet
hu
i
nplacesi
nceherarmi sabitsore

"Shealr
eadyhasani
ckname"Isaychuckl
ingand
shelooksatme
"
Theycal
lhepr
incess"Isayandshegi
ggl
es
"Di
dyounameheryet
?"Sheasksadmi
ri
ngourl
it
tl
e
gif
tandInod
"
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_
___
___
_

Thankyouever
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ngmyf
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stbutnotl
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ory
ThelastfewdaysI'
vebeendeal
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thalotbut
youguysneverdissapi
ntmeandfort
hatI
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llalways
begratef
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Thankyouforal
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ways
haveshownme.Ir eal
lyappr
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ateyouguys

Ournextst
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