THECOMI

NG
#Mamel
oMol
efi
.
.
.
.
01
Thando:St
handwa?Doy
ouhav
etol
eav
e
though?
IwalkedpassedhimtotheloungewhereI
swit
chedtheTVont ry
ingtoavoidhi
m because
cl
earlyLut
handonowhasawayt omakeme
changemyt hought
sbecausetherei
snobetter
manipulat
orthenhi
m.
Thando:
Baby
?
Ist
il
lremainedquiet
.Icheckedmywr istwatch.
9hoursawayf r
om beinginLondonwher eIwill
beful
fil
l
ingmydr eam.Adr eam Ihav
eal way
s
wishedt olive.I
fIrememberqui tecorr
ectly
Luthandowast heonewhosuggest edthis
wholeLondonpr edicament .Heev enpromi sed
tocomej oinDreandIt hereandunf ort
unat ely
forNoluthandohewasn' tthebestdaught erto
havear ound.Shewoul djustnotsayawor dto
meorev enwantt obear oundmeandt rulythat
hurtmei nt hemostpai nful waybecauseIl ove
Noluthandoandnotr eceivingthelovebackhas
beenaf fecti
ngme.Il oveher .Iwanthert obe
mydaught erandnotj usthav etheti
tl
e"step
daughter "
.ThatisnotwhoIam.Iwantt otreat
myki dst hesamewaybutshei sjustmaki ng
thi
ngsdi ffi
cultf
orme.
Me:Whyisitl
ikeyou'
rebeingdoubt
ful
?That
you'
rehav
ingsecondthoughts?
Thando:
Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssmynunabear
.
Me:
Notme?
Isaidchuckl
ingbecauseclear
lyweknowwhat
thatnunaisstandi
ngfor.
Thando:
Yout
ooandmyson.
HepickedDr
ewhoisjustayearol
d.Iadmired
mysonbecausehewasjustsoadorableandI
hat
etosaythi
sbuthelooksexact
lyl
ikeKevin.
Me:
Youpr
omi
sedt
ocomeseeust
hough.
Thando: Yeahbutit
shoursaway.Ican'
teven
stayami nutewit
houtseei
ngyouorev enhavi
ng
yourvoice.Howwi l
lthi
ngsbei
fyou'rein
anothercountr
y?
Me:Youwil
lhav
etopacet
hewor
kbecauseI
am l
eav
ing.
Thando:
Iam y
ourhusbandMamel
o?
Me: Andyoupr omisedtosupportmein
whateverIwant edandthi
siswhatIwanted
Luthando.Ican'tsur
viv
eifthi
sisn'
ther
e.Real
.
Known.Sopl easestopgivi
ngmeahar dtime
honey.
Ipout
edmyl
i
ps.
Thando:
Iknowmyl
ove.
.
Hesighedbef
orepl
aci
nghi
shandsonmy
shoul
der.
Thando:ButGodMi
miIam goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou
l
ikecrazy
.
Me:
Iknowandi don'
tbel
i
ev ei
fyouwi
l
lmi
ss
memorethenIwil
lmissyou.
Thando:Pl
easepostponeti
llt
hiscomingFriday
?
Iwil
lcomewithyou.Iwil
ldropeveryt
hing,
putit
i
nthehandsofmom andIwi l
lfl
ywithyouto
Londonandbethereforyourbouti
queopening.
Me:
Real
l
y?!
Isai
d.Cl
ear
lyexci
tementevi
dentnotonl
yinmy
voi
cebutvi
sibl
eonmyf acet
oo.
Me:
Thanky
ousomuchbaby!
Isqueezedhi
sbodywi
thbot
hmyar
ms.
Thando:
You'
rehur
ti
ngmyt
att
oo.
Ipul
l
edaway
.
Me:
Ist
il
lhav
en'
tseeni
t.
Thando:
Youdon'
thav
etoseei
tbecauseIt
old
youwhatiti
s.
Me:
Lut
handodi
dyour
eal
l
ytat
tooy
ourdi
ck?
Helaughed.IthinkIamusehi
m say
ingthat
becauseeverytimeIaskthesamequesti
on
he'
djustburstinlaught
er.
Me:
Stopmaki
ngmeaf
ool
babakhe.
Thando:
Iam nott
hough.
Hepi
ckedDr
eupf
rom t
hef
looragai
n.
Thando:
You'
reser
iousl
ynotl
eav
ingr
ight
?
Me:
I'
m not
.
Thando:Ok.Letmej
ustgoplacehi
mthepl
ay
room wit
hNoluandIwi
llcomebackandwe
coul
dt al
k.
Me:
I'
ll
bewai
ti
ng.
Isatdownandtookther
emote.Heret
urned
withbot
hkidsi
nhisarmsandIrememberhim
sayingt
hathewil
lputDr
eint
heplayroom.Not
r
etur
nwi
thhi
m.
Me:
And?
Thando:
Theywanti
cecr
eam.
Me:
Noguy
s.Noi
cecr
eam t
il
lThur
sdayni
ght
.
Thathappenst
obeourf
ami
l
yni
ght
.
Me:
That
'st
hedeal
.
Nol
u:Iwanti
tnow!
!
Shehel dherbreat
hasal waysbecauset hat'
s
hermani pul
ati
ngusi nt
ogi v
ingheranything
thatshewant sorelseshewi l
lhol
dherbr eath
unti
lsheget sit
.Dresawt hi
ssoheal sojoined
Noluthando.
Me:
Drest
opi
t!
Hi
m:St
opi
t!
Hesai
dbaby
'i
shl
yandgi
ggl
edaf
ter
war
ds.
Me:
Howcoul
dIsaynot
osuchacut
eface.
Ipi
ckedhi
m up.
Me:Butagai
n..
.Nah.YouknowwhatChance
sai
d.Weshouldgi
vethem mor
eveggi
esthen
j
unk.
Nol
u:Youeatj
unkal
ldet
ime!
Shenagged.Isai
dnot
hing.
Thando:
Saysor
ryNol
uthando.
Shesai
dnot
hing.
Thando:
Nol
u-
Nol
u:No.Iwon'
tsaysor
ry.
Thando:
Ingr
idIsai
dsaysor
ry!
Me:Don'
tshoutatherbecausesheknows
not
hingLut
hando.Noluyouwanticecream?
ShenoddedandIl
ookedatThando.
Me:
Giv
eherj
ustabi
t.
IplacedDr eonmywai standwalkedupst
air
s
feeli
ngdisappoint
ed.Ireal
lyf
ail
edthi
schil
dand
thatjustpainsme.
Thando:
Baby
.
Hesi
ghedbef
orepl
aci
ngNol
uthandodown.
Thando:
Mimi
-
Me:
Iwi
l
ljustr
estwi
thDr
e.Iam t
ir
edany
way
.
Iwalkedupstai
rsandIfi
rstl
ypl
acedDredown
andhedi dn'
ti
mmediatelysl
eepl
ikeIdi
d.He
fi
rst
lyplayedar
oundti
llhewastir
edbefor
e
sl
eeping.
Downstair
st hedoorbellrangandLut handowas
busydishi
ngupi cecr eam forNoluthando.He
hadtoleavewhathewasdoi ngandgoat tend
thedoor.Hishandt ouchedt hedoor handleand
aft
eropeninghemetwi t
hhissi st
erandt wo
women.Hest ar
edatt het hi
rdone.Hi sheart
beati
nt hemostf astestpacet hatev enhe
coul
dheart hebeatingf r
om hisear s.
Bl
ess:
HeyLut
hando.
Hesai
dnot
hing.Hi
seyeswerel
it
eral
l
ystuckon
t
hewoman.Hesnappedoutofhi
sthought
s.
Thando:
Hey
.
St
il
lhi
seyeswereont
hemy st
eri
ouswoman.
Hewentf
rom hert
oLul
eka.
Thando:
Hey
.
Lul
eka:
HeyLut
hando.I
t'
sbeenal
ongt
ime.
Thando:
Awhol
eyear
.
Lul
eka:
Iknowr
ight
.
Hesai
dnot
hingaf
terandj
ustst
aredatt
he
woman.
Her
:Hi
babakaNol
uthando.
Hef r
ozewhenhehear dherv
oice."
It
sreall
y
her"hethoughttohi
mself
.Hecouldnotbeli
eve
thatal
lthi
swashappeningbecauseforsome
reasonitf
eltl
ikeadream.
[
04/
23,
10:
23]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Lut
hando
.
.
.
02
Ibli
nkedmyey essomanyt i
meshopingthatI'
d
wakeupbutshewasst il
lstandi
ngtherei
nfront
ofmeandshehadchangedabi tbutthe
resemblancebet
weenherandI ngr
idwasthere.
Sheishere.Ist
eppedoutthehouseandclosed
thedoor.
Me:Nolunt
u..
.How?Imean.
..
when?Ar
en'
tyou
dead?
!
Angerhadt
akenovernow.Fuckanger
managementcl
asses!FuckNolunt
u!
Me:
Answerme!Ar
en'
tyoudead?
Lul
eka:
Dontbet
oohar
shonherLut
hando.
Me:
Thul
awenaangi
thet
inawe.
Lul
eka:
ButIam t
alki
ngt
oyou.
Me:
Isai
dshutt
hef
uckup!
!
Bl
ess:
Rel
axLut
hando.
Shet
ri
edt
ouchi
ngme.
Me:
Dontt
ouchme.
Shemov
edback
Me:
Iwantt
het
hreeofy
ououtofmyhouse.
Bless:
What?Nol
unt
uisher
etoseey
ouandher
daughter
.
Me: Isai
dshutupmarn!AndIal
sosai
dthehel
l
outofherebecauseIwi
l
llosemycool
wit
hthe
thr
eeofy ou.Voet
sekmarn!!
"Lut
handowhat
'
sgoi
ngonoutt
her
e?"
Ihel
dthedoorsoshewon'topen.Mamel
owi
l
l
notseeNol
untu.Nott
hist
imeshewon't.
Me:
Getout
.
Bless:Cany
ouatl eastgi
veherachancet
o
explai
nherreasons?
Me:
Isai
dout
.Mywi
fei
swai
ti
ngf
orme.
Isteppedi
nsi
deandpushedMi
misoshe
cannotseewhowasout.
Me:
Lov
e?
Mi
mi:
Who'
soutt
her
e?
Me:
Justmyguar
ds.Theymessedup.
..Agai
n.
Mi
mi:
Wit
h?
Me:
Somet
hings.Wher
e'smyson?
Mimi:Sl
eepi
ng.Iwaswokenbyy
ourshout
ing
out
side.
Me:
Real
l
y?.Sor
ryl
ove.
Mimi
:Butiknowt
haty
ou'
rehi
dingsomet
hing
f
rom me.
Me:Yesandi
tsconf
ident
ial
.Ithast
odowi
th
myagentj
ob.
Mi
mi:
Ihat
ethesesecr
etst
hough.
Shef
rowned.
Me:
IknowbutIcan'
tpossi
blyt
ell
youaboutmy
j
obl
ove.I
tsv
eryconf
ident
ial
.
Ipickedherupandpl acedheronthecounter.I
wasst i
ll
trembl ing.Ijustdi
dnotexpectNoluntu
tobealive.Shewasr eallyal
iveandIhatedthat.
IshouldbehappybutIwi shedshewasdead
becauseIlov eMamel osodamnmuch.Fuck!I
l
ift
edmyshi rtthatshewaswear i
ngandkissed
herbeautif
ul bodyt hatwasn'tperf
ectbutIsti
ll
founditextremel yper f
ect.
Me:
Doy
out
hinkt
her
eissomeonei
nher
e?
Mi
mi:
Ha.
aLut
hando!
Shegi
ggl
ed.
Mi
mi:
Whywoul
dyout
hinkt
hat
?
Me:Becausewehav
en'
tbeenusi
ngpr
otect
ion
l
atel
y.
Mi
mi:
Soy
out
hinkIam pr
egnant
?
Me:
Yout
ell
me?
Mi
mi:
Doy
ouwantmet
obe?
Me:
Iwanty
out
ogi
vemeason.
Mi
mi:
Drei
sher
e.
Me:Obvi
ousl
yhi
sfatherwi
l
lwanthi
mtorunthe
ThompsoncompanynowIwantmysont
or un
mine.
Mi
mi:
SoI
'
mthatmachi
net
hatspi
tsoutbabi
es?
Me:
TsekMi
mi!Dontdescr
ibey
our
sel
fli
ket
hat
.
Shepul
l
edt
heshi
rtdownbutIpul
l
edi
tbackup.
Mi
mi:
Iwantt
ogy
m.
Me:
Let
'sst
artwi
thourt
rai
ningagai
n.
Ihavebeenteachingherhowtof i
ghtand
defendher
selfsi
nceshei saveryindependent
womannowaday s.Shedoesn'
tev enusemyj et
becauseshecanaf for
daplaneticket.Her
words.
Mi
mi:
YhubabyIam exhaust
ed.
Me:
Youar
ereal
l
ylazy
.
Mi
mi:
Iwon'
tev
endenyt
het
rut
h.
Il
aughedbeforeki
ssingher
.Myhandswereon
herwai
standhertinyhandscuppedmycheeks.
Wepulledout.
Mi
mi:
You'
resuchagoodki
sser
.
Me:
You'
rebad.
Mimi:
I'
vebeent
oldbyNol
uthandot
hatIgi
ve
dul
lki
sses.
Sheshookherheadl
aughi
ngabi
t.
Mi
mi:
Whycan'
twebecl
oset
hough?
Me:
I..
.
Idi
dn'
tknowhowt
oanswerherquest
ion.
Me:
Justgi
vehert
ime.
Mimi:Pl
usshe'
sst
il
lyoung.Ibel
i
evewhen
she'
sgrownwewil
lgoshoppingtoget
her
.
Ipl
acedherdownf
rom t
hecount
er.
Me:
Youwi
l
l.Let
'sgot
rai
ning.
Il
i
ght
lyhi
therwi
thmyf
ist
sfr
om t
heback.She
t
urnedar
oundhol
dingmyhandandt
wist
edi
t.
Mi
mi:
That
'scal
l
edt
hei
cymov
e.
Me:
Haha!Thei
cywhat
?
Mi
mi:
Mov
e.NamedbyMandy
.
Ishookmyheadl
aughi
ng.
Mi
mi:
Don'
ttestme.
Ipul
ledhercl
osertobodyandweIi ntenti
onal
ly
madesurewef al
lonthegr oundandmadesur e
shedoesn'
thurtheri
nt heprocess.Ipressed
herbodyonthecoldti
le.
Mimi:
Callt
hatt
hei
cyt
ouchcauset
hist
il
eis
col
dasf.
Webot hburstinlaughter.Thisishowour
rel
ati
onshipiseversinceIst art
edt hi
swhol
e
gir
lf
ri
endandboy f r
iendthing.Wel aughmore
thenwefight.That'
sourr eachedgoal .
Mi
mi:
Babyy
ou'
rehur
ti
ngme!
ShenaggedandIhel
pedherup.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
.
InDre'
sbedr
oom wethrewourheavybodi
eson
hisbedandIl
aidont
opofhi m.Dr
ewas
sleepi
ngi
nthemainbedroom.
Me:
Baby.
..Whatwi
l
lyounameourson?
Thando:
Dick-
son.
Me:
Tsekmaar
n!
Ismackedhi
m.
Me:
Beser
ious.
Thando:
Pussyki
d?Orev
enCai
ro.
Me:
NcoooCai
romar
apussyki
dLut
hando ?
Hel
aughed.
Thando:Cai
roThandomel
l
ow.Hahat
hati
s
defi
nit
elyhi
sni
ckname.
Me:
Ili
ket
heCai
roonet
hough.Socut
e.
Thando:
Whati fImakey
oupr
egnant
?Wi
l
lyou
notl
eaveforLondon?
Me:
Isababyt
hatheav
ytonotbeonapl
ane?
Thando:
Mxm!
Imockedhi
m byl
aughi
ng.
Thando:
WhyLondont
hough?
Me:Ibel
i
evet
hat
'swher
eev
ery
thi
ngf
ormewi
l
l
st
art
?
Myphoner
ang.
Me:
Youknow?
Henodded.Igr
abbedi
tandf
ir
stl
yIcheckedt
he
cal
l
er.
Me:
Kev
in.
Ihandedt
hephonet
oLut
handoandhe
answer ed.Thisi
showi tis.Ical
lKevinhegi ves
i
tt oPelontl
eandi fshei snotaroundt henI
hav etocallherusi
nghernumber .Itsnota
stupidprocessthough.Wej ustwantt orespect
eachot herandIseei tast hebestthingtodo.
.
.
.
.
#Thando
.
Mimi wentdownst air
st ogofetchDr e'sbottl
e
andIgott i
met othink.Thiswhol et i
meIam
putti
ngonaf rontwhi l
et hi
spredi camentwas
eati
ngmesl owlyinside.Ididn'
tknowhowIwi ll
tel
lMimi t
hisbecauseshewi llov erthinkthi
ngs
asalwaysthenweendupf i
ghtingt henwe
breakup.Idon'twantt hingstogot hatway .I
fit
meanst hatIneedt osetameet ingt hensobei t
butIam notendingt
hingswithMimi.Iam t
hat
i
nl ovewi
thher.Shewast aki
ngtoolongsoI
grabbedDreandwentt oseewhattookherso
l
ong.
Me:
Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?
Mi
mi:
Yeah.
Shet
urnedandr
esumedt
owhatshewasdoi
ng.
Me:OhandThompsonwant
stot
akeDr
eoutt
o
Swi
tzer
land.
Shei
mmedi
atel
ytur
nedherhead.
Mi
mi:
Ihopey
oudi
dnotagr
ee!
Me:Idi
dn'
tandsi
nceheknowsouragr
eement
hedi
dnotprot
est
.
Mi
mi:
That
'sbet
ter
.
Myphonebeeped.Icheckedthemessagethat
wassentbyBl
ess:Wer eal
lyneedt
otalk.
Me:
Uhhbabe.
.
Iswi
tchedmyphoneof
f.
Me:
Whydon'
twef
lyoutt
oLondont
omor
row
mor
ning?
Mi
mi:
What
?
Me:Yeah.6monthswholemonthl
ear
ningmor
e
ofFr
anceandothercount
ri
es.
Mi
mi:
Okbutwhyt
hesuddenchange?
Me:Youhav ealwayswant
edtoopenthis
bout
ique.Ihavethecompanyofmydreamsso
whynotsupportyouandall
owy out
odowhat
youwanttodo?
Mimi'sphonethatwasinmypocketr
ang.I
checkedthecall
ed.Di
tshol
ofet
so.
Mi
mi:
Whoi
sit
?
Me:
Bless.
Ibl
ockedhernumberaf
tert
hephonef
ini
shed
ri
ngi
ng.
Me:Weshouldst
artanewslat
esomewher
e
t
hough.Sout
hAfr
icaisst
art
ingtogett
ome.
Shechuckl
ed.
Mi
mi:
Ify
ousaysol
ove.
[
04/
23,
10:
24]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Nol
unt
u
.
.
.
.
03
Bless:
Heact edl i
kethatbecauseofhisanger
Noluntu.Youknowt hathedidnotmeanki cki
ng
usout.That '
sjusthowmybr otherchoosesto
handlecertai
nt hingsbyrunni
ngawayf r
om
them.
Me:
BlessIunder
stand.
Bl
ess:
Justgi
vehi
mti
me.Hewi
l
lret
urn.
Me:
OkbutcanIgetmydaught
er?Thatwast
he
r
easonIwentt
oLut
hando'
spl
aceany
way
s.
Bless:
Iwil
lbr
ingher
.Iam goi
ngt
ohi
shouse
andalonet
histi
me.
Me:
Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngt
han.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Whoi
shi
swi
fe?
Bl
ess:MameloNy
osi.Shei
sanexecut
ive
di
rect
oratt
heMolef
iHoldi
ngs.
Me:
Do.
..Dot
heyl
oveeachot
her
?
Iwasjustconcernedandnotj
eal
ousor
anyt
hingthatcouldbeinabadway.
Bless:
Tr uthbetol
d?Thet
wolear
nedtol
ove
eachotjer.Lut
handowasver
ydif
fi
cul
twi
thher
.
Heabusedher ..
WhydoesLut handoal
waysabuseinnocent
people?Whyishesuchadevil
dressedin
expensiv
ebrands?Justwhy
.
Me:
Heabusedher
?
Shenodded.
Bl
ess:Thenshef
ell
pregnantf
orKev
in
Thompson.
Me:
Wai
t..
.TheeKev
inThompson?
Bl
ess:
Yep.
Me:
Isn'
themar
ri
ed?
Bless:Theywereabouttodivorcebutforsome
reasonMi miisbehi
ndtheirsol
i
dr ock.Ifshe
hasn'tadvi
sedKev i
nthentheywouldhav ebeen
togetherbutshethoughtofPel
obef oreher
feel
ingstowardsthethe.
Me:
Shesoundsl
i
keagoodper
sont
ome.
Shesi
ghed.
Bless:
Sheis.Ij
ustkeptonpushingheraway
j
ustsoLuthandodoesnotf al
li
nlovewith
someoneelsewhoi snotyou.
Me:
Andit
sl i
kewheny
oupushherawayt
he
mor
ethei
rlovegr
ewri
ght
m
Shenodded.
Me:
Iguesst
hedr
eam wast
rue.
Bl
ess:
Iknow
Shecheckedherwr
istwat
ch.
Bless:Ishoul
dgetgoing.Theywil
lprobabl
ygo
outwithNoluthandoastheyusual
lydosoIwil
l
fetchherbeforetheyl
eave.
Me:
Ok.
Shest
oodupandwal
kedoutt
hedoor
.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
.
Iwasi
nthekit
chenwi
ththecheft
elli
nghim
whatt
oprepar
ewhenthedoorbel
lrang.
Me:
Wai
t.
.
Isai
dtohim andwithmybaref
ootImademy
waytothedoor.Iopenedi
t.
.
Me:
Bless.Hey
.
Shesmi
l
ed.Agenui
nesmi
l
e.
Bl
ess:
HeyMi
mi.MayIcomeI
n?
Me:
Ofcour
se.
Imadespacef
orherandshewal
kedi
n.
Bl
ess:
Wher
e'sLut
hando?
Me:I
nNol
uthando'
spl
ayr
oom.Theyar
ehav
ing
at
eapar
ty.
Igi
ggl
edaf
tersay
ingt
hat
.
Me:
Come

Iturnedandwal
kedupthestai
rswhi
leshe
foll
owed.Weenter
edtheplayr
oom where
Luthandowasly
ingonhisbackwhi
leDreslept
onhischestandNolut
handoprobabl
yprepar
ing
thei
rtea.Shegothy
peract
ivewhenshesawher
aunt.
Nol
u:Aunt
yBl
essi
ng!
!
Sherant
oherandcamet
ohugher
.That
al
ert
edLuthando.
Nol
u:Aunt
ycani
gosl
eepaty
ourhouse?
Bl
ess:Ofcour
senanabutdaddyandmama
Mi
mi mustapprov
efi
rst
.
Shet
urned.
Nol
u:Daddycani
go?
Hel
ookedatme.
Nol
u:Daddy
?
Hesai
dnot
hing.
Nol
u:DaddycanIpl
eassse!
Thando:
Uhm.
.
Hest
ooduphol
dingDr
e.
Thando:
Thechefi
sprepar
ingyourf
avor
it
e
mealsoyouwil
lgosomeotherti
me.
Nol
u:Nooo!Iwannagot
oday
.
Bl
ess:
Ipr
omi
set
obr
ingherbackLut
hando.
Thando:
Don'
ttal
ktomewena.
Myey
eswi
dened.
Me:Lut
handoy
oucan'
tspeakt
oyoursi
sterl
i
ke
t
hat!
Thando:Baby.
..Ij
ustdon'
twantmydaught
era
wayfrom me.
Bl
ess:
Shewon'
tbe.
Thando:
Yima,
didIspeakt
oyou?
Whatthehel
lwashappeningtoLuthando?I
knowBlesshasbeenveryunfai
rwi
thmeand
wehavehadourday sbutwhatLut
handowas
doingwasunaccept
able.
Me:Bl
essyoucant
akeNolu.Justpr
omiseto
br
ingheri
nthemor
ningsoItakehertocr
èche
Nol
u:AuntBl
esswi
l
ltakeme.
Shenagged.
Me:
Iam t
aki
ngy
oubaby
.
Nol
u:No!AuntBl
ess.
Thando:
Onewoul
dswearBl
essi
ngi
s
i
nfl
uenci
ngmydaught
ert
ohatemywif
e.
Me:
Baby
-
Thando:
Mimi
notnow.
Bless:
Iwil
lnottol
eratesuchbehavior.Foronce
wouldyouli
stentoyourdamnwi fe?!Andy ou
knowwhyy oudon'twantNoluthandot ocome
withmebutIam takingher.
Shepickedherup.Iwentandpackedani
ght
bagforIngr
idandgaveittoBl
ess.
Bless:Youknowyourdaught
erwil
lbemuch
happierwhensheiswit
hus.Wit
hher-
Thando:
Leav
e.
Bl
ess:
Fine.
Shel
ookedatme.
Bless:Int hemorningy oucancomef etchher.I
wantt or espectyourwishesasNoluthando's
mot her.You'reherlegalmothersoIshoul d
acceptt hechoicest hatyoumakeconcer ni
ng
her.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Shewalkedoutcl
ickingherheelsandIwai
ted
foranexpl
anat
ionfrom Luthando.

.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
Bl
esswalkedi
nwit
hmydaught
er.Iwashappy
.
Over
joy
edandfel
tbl
essedt
ofi
nall
yseemy
daught
er.Shewasall
grownupandLut
hando
real
l
ytookgoodcareofher
.
Bl
ess:
Thi
sisherbag.
Shepl
acedi
tont
hebed.Il
ookedatt
hecl
othes.
Me:Lut
handohasgr
ownup.Imean,
thesear
e
ni
ce.
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
Bless:
Mimi
wast
heonewhochoset
hem f
or
her.
Me:
Oh.
Bl
ess:
CanIj
ustsayonet
hing?
Me:
Outwi
thi
t.
Bless:
Mimitr
ulyl
ovesI
ngr
id.Shehasnever
tr
eatedheri
nabadwaysopl easedon'
that
e
her.
Me:Idon'thateher.Ijustcamebackformy
daught
er.Notev er
ythingisaboutLut
hando
pl
usIdontl ov
ehi m anymor e.
Bl
ess:
Nol
unt
u-
Me:IfhewantsIngri
dt henhewil
lcomef et
ch
herandIbel
ievethattheonlyt
hingthatwil
l
bri
ngustogetheri
sourdaughter.
Iwashurt.Ithoughtt
hatLuthandoandIwillf
ix
thi
ngsoffsinceIhavebeenunconsciousforthe
wholeyear.I
fitwasnotforLulekaIwouldbe
deadbynowsoal lt
hankstoherthatIam al
ive.
[
04/
23,
10:
25]Ron:
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
04
Hesai
dnot
hing.
Me:
I'
m wai
ti
ngLut
hando.
Thando:
Babycanwej
ustdr
opi
t?
Me:Forwhat?YouloveBl
esssothewayy
ou
act
edtowardshergotmethi
nki
ng.Somet
hing
happenedr
ight
?
Thando:
She.
..
.Can.
..I
..
Hesi
ghed.
Thando:
I'
m notr
eadyt
otal
kabouti
t.
Hebegant
ocl
eanI
ngr
id'
smess.
Me:
Shoul
dwegoseeMrGr
obbl
eeragai
n?
Heshookhi
shead.
Thando:
Nott
oday
.
Me:
ThencanIsetanappoi
ntmentf
orus
t
omorr
owaft
erwork?
Thando:
Doy
ouwantt
ogoseeher
?
Me:
Yes.
Hewal
kedcl
osert
ome.
Thando:
Thenwewi
l
lgoseeher
.Justsoy
ou
canbehappy
.
Me:
That
'st
hebestnews.
Thando:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oul
ove.
Hepeckedmyl
i
ps.
Thando:Whydidn'
tyout
ell
meKev
inand
Pel
ontledi
vor
ced?
Me:
Theydi
d?
Thando:
Yeah.Ov
erthephonehesaidhe
wantedt
ohaveallhi
skidswi
thbecausehei
s
al
oneatthi
smoment .
Me:
But.
..Di
dhesaywhy
?
Thando:
Nah.Hej
ustt
oldmet
hathewant
ed
Dretobewi
thhi
m.
Me:CanIcall
him andtel
lhi
mtocomefet
ch
Dr
ebutnotleavethecountr
ywi
thhi
m?
Thando:
Usemyphone.
Me:
Soy
ou'
reagr
eei
ng?
Thando:Yea.Takemyphone.Pl
usIwantt
o
haveyoualltomysel
f.
Hebegant
osi
ngal
lthr
ought
heni
ght
.
Thando:
“Babyal
lthr
oughTheni
ghtI
'
llmake
l
ovet
oyou.
.”
Me:
“Li
key
ouwantmet
o..
”
Thando:
Haha!That
'sr
ight
.
It
ookhisphoneandsear
chedf
orKev
'st
ens.
Heanswered.
Kev
:Mol
efi
?
Me:
Hey
.It
'
sMamel
o.
Kev
:Hey
.Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?IsDr
esi
ckagai
n?
Me: Notreal
ly.Ever
ythingi
sfi
ne.Myhusband
tel
l
smet hatyouwant edDret
ogowithyouto
Switzer
landbutIdon'twantmysonleavi
ngthe
country
.Wel l
,notnow.
Kev
:It
otal
l
ygeti
t.
Me:SoLuuwil
lbri
nghim ov
erandt
omor
row
ni
ghtwewil
lgofetchhi
m.
Kev:
AndIwanty
out
omeetKen.Myson.Dr
e's
bi
gbrot
her
.
Me:
Ver
saceVer
sace!
Hechuckl
ed.
Kev
:Yeshi
m.
Me:Idon'
tmi ndcomingwithbutwewon'
tst
ay
l
ong.All
blacksispl
aying.
IeyedLut
handowhowaslooki
ngatmet
oo
wit
hakinkyexpr
essi
on.
Kev:Iev
enf
orgot
.IguessIwi
l
lwat
cht
hegame
wit
hmysons.
Me:
Wher
ear
ethet
winsandNal
edi
?
Lut
handofr
owned.IguessIwast
aki
ngt
ool
ong
wit
hthecal
l.
Kev:Nal
ediandt
hetwinsar
einPol
okwanewit
h
thei
rmother
.Sky
lari
sinCapeTownwitBey
izi
l
e.
Me:
Expectust
han.
Kev
:By
eMi
ms.
Me:
ByeThompson.
Iendedt
hecal
landl
ookedatmyhusband.
Me:
Mol
efi
?
Thando:
Mol
efi
two?
Me:
Aret
samay
e.(l
et'
sgo)
Thando:
Ok.
I
nt hebedr
oom Igr
abbedDr
e'sbagandwe
usedtheJeepCher
okeetor
idetoKevi
n'
shouse.
.
.
.
.
#Pel
ont
le
.
Atmymot her'
shouseshewasbusypr epar
ing
ourtraditi
onal di
shandIwasbusydr essing
Tyce.Hei sj
ust3y earsoldandhewast heone
bornfirst.Tysonbeingt hesecondandhi m and
Tycedon' tgetalongt oooften.I
t'
sreal
lyhard
formet ocopewi thoutKevinbecausehistheir
fatherandt heyar ef ondofme.Unf ortunately,
asSky l
arhassai d, I'
mt oost rictandt rustme
whenIsayIam onl ystricttoherandKen.They
alsol ovetof ightandKeni sav eryrudeand
violentboy .Heknowshowt ousehi swor dsand
kil
l aperson' smoodandst illnotcar e.Trustme,
alltheseki dst akef rom notonl yKev inbutt hei
r
grandmot herLor ain.Idi vorcedKev i
nandi ts
stupidt osayamandoesn' thav et i
mef ory ou
butKev i
ndoesn' thav etimef orme.Hef l
ies
aroundt hewor l
ddoi ngGodknowswhatandat
somepoi ntIgott empt edandIsl eptwi th
anot herman.I twasnoti nt
ent ionallybuti tjust
happenedandIst i
llkeepi ncont actwi thhim.
Hehast imef orme.Hespoi l
smewi thhis
attentionandt hatisj ustwhatIneed.Idon' t
knowi fKev i
nhascheat edonmebecauset here
wasnosi gn.Heal way sbot her edmeand
threatenedmej ustbecauseIwant edout .He
alway sdidev erythinginhi spowerbutt hatwas
becauseIwaswal kingaway .Her ealizedmy
wort
hthan.Thegoodthi
ngabouthimisthathe
makessureIdonotfi
ndoutabouthi
saf f
air
s
andI'
dconfr
onthi
m butIhadnoproofthathe
i
scheati
ng.
Mom:
Youneedmyhel
pwi
tht
heboy
s?
Me:Cany
ouhol
dTy
son?Hei
sver
yhy
per
act
ive
t
oday.
Shecameandpi
ckedhi
m up.
Ty
son:
Gimme!
!Iwantt
hatt
oy!
!
Me:
Youar
ehol
dingonet
hough.
Hel
ookedati
tandwentbackt
ocr
ying.
Ty
son:
Iwantt
hem bot
h!!
Me:
That
'sunf
airt
hough.
Ty
son:
You'
reunf
air!
!
Me:
How?
Tyson:He'
syourfavor
it
e.I
'
m noty
ourf
avor
it
e.
That'
sunfai
rMalaysi
a.
Me:
Ipr
omi
set
obuyy
ouasi
mil
art
oyt
omor
row.
Hegotfr
eef
rom mom andwentt
otaket
het
oy
f
rom Ty
cewhoremai
nedcomposed.
Ty
son:
Buyhi
m.Me?
Hepoi
ntedathi
msel
f.
Ty
son:
Mine!
Hepoi
ntedatt
het
oy.
Mom:
Tyson!
Me:
Mom don'
tshoutathi
m.
Mom: Youmustteachhi
m di
sci
pli
nePel
ont
le.
LookatpoorTy
ce.
Shewentandpi
ckedTy
ce.
Mom: Takethosetoysfr
om Tysonandgofeed
hi
m.Idon'tcareifyoucr
ies!Wabasenyabana
ba.(y
ou'respoil
i
nghi m)
Shewal kedoutther
oom andIsi
ghed.Whydi
dI
havekidsthough?Ican'
tevendi
sci
pli
net
hem.I
am afailur
e.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
WhatI ngri
dandIdi dthewhol edaywasj usteat
i
cecr eam andwat chcartoons.Sincet her ewere
not oy sherewhatwedi dwasj ustlounge
around.Shewasv eryhyperacti
ve.Shewast he
l
astonet osleepandev ent houghIwasdr ained
outf r
om pl ay
inghideandgoseekIst ay edup
untilsheslept.I
nt hemor ningIwokeupear l
ier
thenherandwentt ofi
llthetubwi thwat er.I
sli
ght l
ywokeher .Webat hed,Idressedheri n
theclot hesMimi choseoutf orhert henheaded
tothel ounge.Thedooropened.Iwonder ed
whot hatcouldbe.Isaidt omy selfthati ts
BlessingbutwhenIhear daf ami l
iarvoi cet hat
def
ini
tel
ydi
dnotbel
ongt
oBl
essIpani
cked.
“Ok.Thi
sisi
t.”Heel
sbegant
ocl
i
ck.
“Iwantyoutodecor
atei
tinatheme.Miles
fr
om tomorr
owanimati
on.Iwantitt
obewhat
Khayawantandthi
sishi
sv er
yfi
rstbi
rt
hdayso
weshouldmakeitext
raspeci
alpeopl
e.”The
womanenteredthel
oungeandstoppedonher
tr
ackswhenshesawme.
Noma:Whothehel
lar
eyou?Andwhatt
hehel
l
ar
eyoudoi
nginmyson'shouse?
Iwasf
rozenont
hesamespot
.ShesawI
ngr
id.
Noma:Nol
uthandomybabywhat-wai
ta
minut
e.
I
ngri
d:Gr
andmameetmymama.Mama,
meet
gr
andma.
Herli
pstr
embledabitfrom shockandno
wordscoul
dcomeout .Sheslowlywentdown
andfel
lonthefl
oorunconscious.
[
04/
23,
10:
26]Ron:
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
05
WegottoKevi
n'
spenthouseandKenKevi
nJr
wastheonet
oopenthedoorforus.Godhe
l
ookedli
kehi
sfat
her
.
Ken:
Dre'
smom?
Me:
Hey
.YesI
'
m Dr
e'smom.
Het
urnedt
oLut
hando.
Ken:
Dre'
sot
herday
.
Thandosmi
l
ed.
Ken:
Dadhast
oldmest
ori
esabouty
ou.

Me:
Goodst
ori
esIbel
i
eve.
Ken:
Yep.Hesai
dyou'
reanagent
.Hesai
dit
s
nev
ert
ool
atet
obegood.
Thando:
Bel
i
evehi
m.
Ken:SocanIgotoHQoncewithyou?Ial
so
wanttobeanagentandsav
ethecountr
y.
Thando:
Ify
ourf
atheral
l
owsy
out
hendocal
l
me.
Ken:
Yess!
Kev
inshowedupf
rom t
hel
ounge.
Kev
:Ar
etheyher
e?Hey
.
Us:
Hey
.
Wesai
dinuni
son.
Kev
:Andheychamp!
Het
ookDr
efr
om me.
Kev:
He'
slooki
nggoodandf
resh.Ibel
i
eveI
won'
tmakehim ski
nny
.
Me:
I'
dadv
isey
out
onotal
l
owt
hat
.
Heki
ssedhi
sson'
scheek.
Kev
:And.
..Heyman.Thanks.
Thando:
For
?
Kev:Notfi
ght
ingme.Ihaveawholelott
o
handlesohavi
ngyoufi
ghtmet onothav
e
custodyofmysonwouldjustaddmoretowhat
Ial
readycan'
thandl
e
Thando:
Pel
ont
le?
Hesi
ghed.
Kev:Let
'snottoucht
hatpoint
.Ipr
omi
seto
bri
nghimt omorroweveni
ngwhenKenl
eaves.
Me:
Oh.Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngVer
saceVer
sace?
Ken:
Sant
iagoi
nChi
l
e.
Me:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
her
e?
Ken:Iam goi
ngt
otourt
her
ewi
thmy
grandf
ather
.
Kev:That
'swhatthetwohaveincommon.Ken
wantsawholelotthough.Hewantst
obecome
atouri
st,
apil
otandev enanagent
.
Thando:Wit
hHQ,
ever
ythingi
spossi
blesot
hat
dream wi
ll
comet
ruel
ilguy.
Ken:
Ibel
i
evey
ouwi
l
lhel
pme.
Kev
:Soy
ouwoul
dn'
tl
ovet
orundad'
scompany
?
Ken:
Hmm.
.
Het
hought
.
Ken:
Nah!That
'sy
ourt
hingdad.
Kev
:AndIr
especty
ourchoi
cesson.
Ken:
ThanksKev
inThompsont
he2nd.
Kev
:You'
rewel
comeKev
inThompsont
het
hir
d.
I
twasnicewatchi
ngt
hisbutThandoandIhav
e
agametowatchsowesaidourgoodbyeand
hedr
oveustoourhome.
Thando:If
orgott
otell
you.Tomorr
owi s
Khaya'
s2ndbirt
hday.Wearegoi
ngright
?
Me:
Nomat
oldme.
Thando:
Sowe'
regoi
ng?
Me:YeameaningIwi
l
lhav
etof
etchDr
eear
li
er
t
henplanned.
Thando:
I'
ll
cal
lKev
in.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Thando:
For
?
Me:Beinganunderst
andinghusband.Youwere
areal
lyhardheadedboyf
riendsoIdidn'
tthi
nk
t
hatyou'dbeaneasyhusbandt odealwit
hbut
youchangedandsurpri
sedme.
Thando:Ialmostlostyouthelastt
imewebr oke
upMi miandbyt henmyat t
achmenttoDr e
broughtusbackt oget
herbecausehewast he
reasonwesaweachot heronadailybasi
sso
that'
spointonethankyoutohim andpointtwo,
thankyouf orgi
vi
ngusachanceandt onotgive
uponmewhenIhadsomuchangerbur i
edin
myhear t
..
Wehadev
enpar
kedont
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
Thando:AndIbeli
evethatweshouldmakeour
marri
ageoffi
ci
al.Iwantourf
amilyandfr
iends
tobetheret
owitnessourmatri
mony .
Wedi dn'
thaveawhi teweddingbutwesigned.
Peoplewerejustagainstourmarri
age.Li
ke,t
he
sidechi
cks,t
hefamilymember sandsomeof
hisfri
ends(unknown)t oldhimthatyoucan
neverpossi
blymakeapr ost
it
uteawifeandI
thankedhimtonotlistentothei
rstor
ies
becauseifhehadthenwewoul dn'
tbehere
today.
Me:
Real
l
y?
Thando:
Yes.Anyweddi
ngt
haty
ouwant
.
Myenthusi
asm wasonanot
herl
evel
abov
ethe
l
imi
t.
Me:Hmm!WhataboutPar i
s?Iwantitt
obe
hel
dthereandplusyouwer
etradi
ti
onal
ly
marri
edtoNoluntuwecoul
djusthav
ethewhi
te
wedding.
Thando:
Par
is?
Me:
Yes.
Thando:
What
every
ouwi
shf
ormyl
ove.
Hel eanedandweki ssed.Hestart
edthecar
andf orli
ke5mi nuteshedr oveti
ll
wegott oour
houseandt hegat eautomat i
cal
lyopened.He
parkedt hecarnextinthegarageandwewer e
thanlockedinourbubbl e.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
ShewokeupasIhadt hecol
dclot
hplacedon
herf
orehead.I
ttookti
mef ormyexist
enceto
adj
ustinherhead.Shejumpedupthecoach.
Noma:
You'
redead!.
..Wai
t..
.Am Idead?
Me:
No.You'
redead.
Noma:
Thenwhyam Iseei
ngt
hedead?
Me:
Iam notdeadNoma.
.
Ist
oodupf
rom t
hecouch.
Me:
I'
m al
i
ve.
Noma:Howeven?Thedeadcan'
tri
seupagai
n.
Thati
shi
ghl
yimpossi
ble!
Me:That'
sbecauseIwasnev
erdead.Mydeat
h
wasfaked.
Noma:
Didy
ouj
ustsayt
heyf
akedy
ourdeat
h?
Inodded.
Me:
Lulekat
ookmetothemount
ain.Iwas
t
her
ethewholet
ime.
Noma:
Mount
ain?
Me: Yes.Shei
sat r
adi
ti
onalheal
er.Itt
ookmea
yeartoregai
nmyconsciousnessandanother
yeartogainbackmymemor y.Trustme,i
twas
hard.Li
vingever
ymomentknowi ngthaty
our
f
ami
lyisoutt
her
eandt
heyhav
enoi
deat
hat
y
ouareali
ve.
Shesai
dnot hi
ngf
orsomet i
me.Shewastry
ing
tocomprehendal
loft
his.Want
ingt
olett
he
newssi
nki n.
Noma:
Mimi
.
Me:
What
?
Noma:
Doessheknowabouty
ou?
Me:
Wel
l.
..No.
Noma:
Doesmysonknowabouty
ou?
Me:
Yes.
Noma: OhGod.Mydaughterinl
awmustbe
suffer
ing.Shehasworkedsohardtoget
Luthandotoloveherback.Thi
sIprobabl
y
rui
ningherinsi
de.Ihavetoseeher
.
Shest
oodupandgr
abbedherhandbag.
Me:
Noma!
Shesl
ammedt
hedoorandIt
hrewmybodyon
t
hecouch.Isi
ghed.
[
04/
23,
10:
26]Ron:
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
06
Itwasabout9t o10i nthemor ningandalready
peoplewereringingthedoorbell
.Ididnotget
enoughsleepbecausemyhusbandandIwer e
fucki
ngsoIneedt hi
ssleepbutno.Ihadt ogo
getthedoor.Igrabbedthedoor hanandopened.
IfoundNoma.Herhai rwasabi tmessy .I
wonderedwhatt hedeal coul
dbebecauseno
mat t
erhowlateNomacoul dbe, herappearance
i
sherpr i
ori
ty.
Me:
Whathappenedt
oyou?
Shemadeherwayandi
nandt
ookouthersi
l
ver
bot
tl
ethatcont
ainedherstr
ong1989whiskey
andshedranki
t.Herbreat
hingwasabnor
mal.
Me:It
hinky
oushoul
dhol
ditdownont
hebot
tl
e
Noma.
Noma:I
fyouknewwhatIsawy
ou'
dal
sowant
t
ohaveadri
nk.
Me:
Whatdi
dyousee?
Noma:HasLut
handotol
dy ouanyt
hingt
hat'
s
r
eall
ywei
rd?Li
ke,hashespokeabouthi
slat
e
wi
fe?
Me:It
sbeenay earsi
nceheev
enment
ioned
her
.Whythough?
Noma:
Oh.Uhm,
canIseeLut
hando?
If
oldedmyar
ms.
Me:
No.
Sher
aisedherey
ebr
ow.
Me:Notunt
ily
out
ell
mewhyy
ou'
resomessed
up.
Noma:MamelocanIj
ustspeakt
oLut
hando?
I
tsver
yurgent
.
Me:Youwill
...Ri
ghtaft
ertel
l
ingmewhat
s
cooki
ng.Nowoutwi t
hit.
Noma: Ther
eisnot
hingwr
ongandIthinki
ts
bestIspeaktomysonbef
orespeaki
ngtoyou.
Me:Justknowwewill
standhereti
llhewakes
upandt r
ustmewhenIsayLuthandoisaheavy
sl
eeper.Hewon'
tbeupanyti
mesoon.
Shesi
ghed.
Noma:
Iwi
l
lret
urnt
han.
Me:
Noma-
Shewalkedpassedmeandsteppedoutt
he
doorl
eavingmeinthedar
k.
.
.
.
.
#Lut
hando
.
Mywi fewasn'tbymysi dewhenIwokeupso
fi
rst
lyIwentandbr ushedmyt eeththenwent
onaquestt of i
ndher .WhenIdid,shewasi n
thekitchendri
nkingherpapay ajui
ce.Sinceshe
wasf acingthefrontIwalkedcloserandsnaked
myar msar oundherwai standbur i
edmyf ace
onherneck.
Me:
Mor
ningMr
sMol
efi
.
Shegi
ggl
edasIl
eftwetki
ssesonherneck.
Mi
mi:
Mor
ning.Youl
ookhappy
Me:Beli
evemewhenIsayIam mor
ethenj
ust
happy
Sheturnedar
oundbefor
ewr appi
ngherar
ms
aroundmyneckthenpeckedmyl i
ps.
Mi
mi:
Whatwoul
dyoul
ovef
orbr
eakf
ast
?
Me:
Woul
dyouf
eedmei
fIsai
dyou?
Mi
mi:
Mynunui
sinpai
nbecauseofy
ou.
Me:
Thasscausemydi
ckgameahunni
d.
Shepul
l
edback.
Mi
mi:
Asi
f
Sher
oll
edherey
esbef
orest
icki
nghert
ongue
atme.
Mimi
:Butonaser
iousnoteLut
hando.What
woul
dyouli
kef
orbreakf
ast?9
Me:Justl
etJohanknowthatIwantGr
il
led
chi
ckenwit
hrawv egsal
sa.
Mi
m:Ay
t!
Sheent
eredt
heChef
'ski
tchenandcameback.
Mimi
:Befor
eIf
orget
.Yourmom wasl
ooki
ng
f
oryouthi
smorni
ng.
Me:
Didshesaywhy
?
Mi
mi:Idon'
tknowbutshewasbeingsecr
eti
ve
wi
thmeandt hat
'st
hefi
rstt
ime.
Me:Don'
twor
ry.Iwi
l
lcal
lherandaf
tershehas
t
oldmewhatshewantedtotel
lmeandIwil
llet
youknow.
Mi
mi:
Itsok.Cal
lhert
hough.
Me:Let
'sf
irst
lygotakeashowert
heny
oucan
gi
vemeal apdance.
Shepul
ledmeupst
air
sandIf
oll
owedl
i
keal
ove
si
ckpuppy.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
Lat
erBlessi
ngwalkedthr
ought hedoorwi
th
Nkosi
whol ookedrat
herpissed.
Bl
ess:
Heyhun.
Shehuggedme.
Me:
HeyandheyNkosi
.
Nkosi
:Ar
en'
tyoudead?
Me:Iam notandIam sor
rytodi
sappearj
ust
l
iket
hatandit'
snotl
ikeIhadachoice.
Nkosi
:Andhowdi
dLut
handor
eactt
oal
loft
his?
Me:
Ver
ybad.Hewascl
ear
lyhur
t.
Nkosi
:Damnri
ghtheshouldbe.Youjustcan'
t
r
iseupli
ket
hatunexpect
edlyNol
untu!
Me:
Nkosi
dontshoutatme.
Bless:
BabyNol
unt
uisn'
tatt
her
ightst
ater
ight
now.
Nkosi
:Di
tshol
ofet
sopl
easekeepqui
et.
Bl
ess:
Iwon'
t!
Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongue.
Nkosi
:MasambeNol
uthando
I
ngr
id:
Phi
u'Khay
a?(wher
e'sKhay
a?)
Nkosi
:He'
sint
hecar
.Let
'sgo.
Bl
ess:
Comebackandf
etchmepl
ease.
Hewalkedoutthedoorwi
thI
ngri
dwhowav
ed
goodbyet
il
lshewasoutthedoor
.
Me:Whydidn'tLut
handocomef
etchI
ngr
idand
t
akehert
ocr èche?
Bl
ess:Unf
ort
unatelyhei
sbusyt
houghhe
pr
omisedtogofetchher
.
Inodded.
Bl
ess:
Didy
ouwantt
oseehi
m?
Me:Yes.Speakt
ohi
m aboutt
hingsr
egar
ding
I
ngr
id.
Bless:Pl
easedon'
ttaket
hisi
nthewr
ongway
but..
Shemadeapausei
nbet
ween.
Bless:
Youhavetospeakt
oMamel obef
ore
speaki
ngtoLut
hando.Shei
slegal
l
yIngr
id'
s
mot
her
.Ther
ewer
epaper
sthatshesi
gned.
Me:
What?
!
Bl
ess:
Rel
axokay
?She'
snotat
hreat
.
Me:
Nobut.
..Whywoul
dLut
handodot
hat
?
Bl
ess:
Nol
unt
uhet
houghty
ouar
edead.
Me:Uhm .
..Right
.If
orgotaboutt
hat
.SoMimi
wi
ll
bedecidingwhetherI
ngri
dcomestost
ay
wi
thmeorweshoul dgot ocourt
?
Bless:
Courti
stheonlywaysot
hatI
ngr
id
becomeslegal
lyyour
sagai
n.
Me:OkbutLuthando.Hei
sver
yhar
dheaded
andIbel
i
evethatthi
swon'
tbeaseasyassai
d.
Bl
ess:Andhei
sverypower
ful
.Thestat
eison
hi
ssidesi
ncebei
sasouthAfri
canagentnow.
Me:
Hei
sanagent
?
Shenodded.Thatwasv
erysur
pri
sing.
Bless:
So..
.pr
epar
ef ort
hef i
ghtNol
unt
u
becauset
herewil
ldefi
nit
elybeone.
[
04/
23,
10:
27]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Lut
hando
.
.
.
.
07
Mymot herandImetatarestaur
antt
hatshe
r
equestedandbeforewespokeaboutanyt
hing
t
hati
sser i
ousandthatwouldkeepusofft
rack
weorderedourfoodanddri
nks.
Me:So?Mindtell
ingmewhaty
ouwant
edt
o
t
alkaboutsourgentl
y?
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.
Noma:
Nol
unt
uisback.
Asi
ghescapedmyl
i
ps.
Me:
Iknow.Isawhert
heot
herdaywi
th
Di
tshol
ofet
soatmyhouse.
Noma:Iguessshemadeyouthatangr
yforyou
tocal
lherbyhernameandwhynow?Wher e
hasshebeenallt
hesey
ears?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
..Idon'
twantt
oei
ther
.
Sheplacedherel
bowont
het
abl
eandr
est
ed
herchi
nonherarm.
Noma:That
'sasur
pri
se.Youwer
emadl
yinl
ove
wi
thher.
Me:
Notl
i
keIam madl
yinl
ovewi
thMamel
o.
Noma:Soyouwon'
tl
eav
eherbecausey
our
wi
fei
sback?
Me: Idon'
thav
eareasontol
eaveMamel
o
becausesheismywifeandIl
oveher
.
Noma:
Soy
ouwi
l
ldi
vor
ceher
?
Me:
Yes.
Noma:Didy
out hi
nkt
hist
rue?Andwhyhav
en'
t
yousai
danyt
hingtoMimi
?
Me:
YesIdidandIam pl
anningontel
li
ngher
t
oni
ghtorevenwhenIgetherathome.
Noma: Makeherunderst
andt hatyoudon'
t
wantNoluntuanymoreandsetsomegr ound
rul
eswiththatNol
untubecausey oumaybeher
babydaddyandshemustknowherl aneorIwi
l
l
begladl
ytomaket hi
ngsevidenttoher.
Me:There'
snoneed.Iwil
lspeakt
oMi
miand
cal
loutameeti
ngwiththefamil
y.
Noma:
Whi
chf
ami
l
y?!
Me:
Ourf
ami
l
y.
Noma:
Wany
a!
Me:It
'samustt hatItel
lthem sinceI
t
radit
ionall
ymarriedNoluntu.Wemustmake
t
hingsrightsothatthewaybot hofusar
efr
ee
f
rom allthedramaandmi sfort
unesmom.
Shesi
ghed.
Noma:
Iwi
l
lcal
loutt
hemeet
ing.
Me:AndIbetterheadbackhomeandseei
fthe
wi
feisback.We'regoingt
ohaveawhit
e
weddi
ngbyt heway .
Noma:
Real
l
y?Wher
e?
Me:
Guess.
Noma:
Hmm?Chi
l
e?
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
That
'sy
oumom.Mi
miwant
siti
nPar
is.
Noma:
Shet
akesaf
termeofcour
se.
Me:
Ohpl
easemot
her
.
Webot
hst
oodupandIgav
eherahug.
Noma:Iam goi
ngt
osuppor
tyouLut
hando.No
matt
erwhat.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Wepull
edbackfr
om t
hehugandImademy
wayoutoft
herest
aur
ant
.
Ihadn'
tst
art
edt
hecarwhenIr
ecei
vedabel
l
y
picfr
om Mamelo.Ilaughedbecausecl
ear
lyshe
wastryi
ngtoteaseme.Isentheramessage:
ther
e'snot
hingther
e.
Sher
epl
i
edwi
th“Howsur
ear
eyou?
”
“Justwait.
..
.Ther
ewil
lbesomet
hingt
hat
'
ll
growinther
esoon.”
Ist
art
edt
hecaranddr
ovet
othehouse.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
.
Ihavebeentryi
ngt ogetaholdofBl
essi
ngi
n
regar
dsofIngridbutherphoneremai
ned
unanswered.Luthandoenter
edasIwasmaking
mywayoutoft helounge.
Thando:
Wif
e.
Me:
Heyhusband.
Hewal
kedcl
osert
ome.
Me:Ivebeentr
yingtogetahol
dofBlessbut
herphoneremainedunanswer
ed.Ij
ustwantt
o
knowhowI ngr
idis.
Thando:Ispoket
oNkosi .Hetookt
hem t
o
crècheandwhentheyreturnwewil
lbeatthe
houseforthepar
tytostart
.
Me:
Aboutt
hat
.Shi
t!Dr
eiswi
thKev
in.
Thando:
Iwi
l
lgof
etchhi
m.
Me:
I'
ll
comewi
thy
ou.Weshoul
dgogetr
eady
.
Thando:
Ok.
Wewal kedupstair
sandsi ncethethemewas
babybl ueIdressedinmybabybl ueromper
wit
hanbackopenVt hatalmostreachedmy
buttandonmyf eetIhadonEgoof f
ici
alhi
gh
heels.Ihadoncur lssoIjustsprayedthem to
maket hem shinethengr abbedmywhi teand
bagsl i
ngbag.Thehusbandwasdr essedinhis
whitetwopiecetracksui
twithblueNi
keki
cks
andagol dskel
etonwat ch.Hetookoneofhi
s
expensiv
eJ•CLeRouxchampagne.
Me:
Andt
hebot
tl
e?
Thando:
I'
m gonnawashmywat
chwi
thi
t.
Il
aughed.
Me:
Ther
e'snomandr
amat
ict
heny
ou.
Thando:
I'
ll
takey
ouof
fmybi
obr
uh.
Ipout
edmyl i
psandhepeckedthem.Wemade
ourwaytothesi
l
verLamborghi
niandIt
ookt
he
dri
ver
'sseat
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
Iwaswi t
hBl essattheirhomewi t
hNkosi and
wewer ewaitingforKhay atoar r
ivesowecould
starthisparty.Nomawasher eandsomeof
thei
rf r
iendsIdidnotknowwer ealsohere.The
onlypeopl eIknewwer eFuni andKaraboand
wewer esitt
ingbyt hebar.Ijustdrankwater
whiletheyhaddi fferentbeverages.
Kar
abo:
Itsj
ust.
..Sowei
rd.Li
ke,
itsscar
y
Funi
:HenceIam keepi
ngmydi st
ance.May
be
shemightj
ustdi
sappearbecauseal
lthi
s
seemsli
keahaux .
Me:Itsnotguy
s.I
tsr
eal
l
ymeandIam nota
ghostFuni.
Funi
:Wedon'
tknowt
hat
.
Isi
ghed.
Me:Ishoul
dhavest
ayedhomebecauseIcan'
t
keepupwit
htheweir
dstar
es.
Funi
:Theyar
ejustsur
pri
sedl
ovesogi
vet
hem
ti
me.
Me:
Iguess.
Luthandowasn'thereandal
readytheparty
start
edimmediatelywhenKhayawalkedinwith
hisparty.Hewassoscaredthatheevencried
becausehedidnotexpectpeopletoscream
thatloud.Hi
sfatherpi
ckedhi
m upandIwentt o
pickIngri
dup.
.
.
.

.
#Mi
mi
.
TherewasablackBMW dri
vi
ngbehi
ndusand
wit
heveryt
urnwet ooki
tst
il
lfol
l
owedus.
Thando:
Wear
ebei
ngf
oll
owed.
Ichamgedt
hegearandst
eppedont
he
accel
erat
or.
Thando:
Don'
tdr
ivet
oof
astMi
mi.
Ireached250andIwant
edtoj
ustt
akethem of
f
guardandtakeanot
herr
out
ethatt
heywil
lnot
expect.
Thando:
Makear
ight
.
It
urnedt
othel
eftandt
hatseemedt
opi
sshi
m.
Thando:
Isai
d-
Me:
I'
mthedr
iverher
esopl
easebabe.
Hekeptqui etandIcont i
nuedmydr i
vi
ng.I
steppedoni tti
l
l i
treached340andImadea
power sl
ide.Idecreasedt hepace, overt
ookt he
truckandsl owedi tdownagai n.Iwasont he
othersideoft hetrucknowandIsl oweddown
thepacesomemor eandoncet heblackBMW
wasi nfrontoft hetruckItookanot herroute
whi chwasl eadingbackt owher ewest arted
andt heycoul dnotmakeat ur
n.Imadeast op
ont heN1r oad.That '
swhenLut handoandI
swappedsi
des.
[
04/
23,
10:
27]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
08
Wearr
ivedatHQandmyhusbandhel
dmyhand
aswemadeourwayin.
Me:
Sowhodoy
out
hinkwasf
oll
owi
ngus?
Thando:
I'
m aboutt
ofi
ndout
.
Weenteredthecomputerroom at her
ewere
member sofHQbusydoingt hei
rjob.Thando
madehiswayt othi
sothernerddudewear i
ng
gl
assesandjunkfoodbesideshim.That'sjust
ty
pical
l
yanI Tguy.
Thando:Nai
ls,
Ineedyoutohackint
otheN1
room sur
vei
l
lancesyst
em andtakeashotof
t
hethebl
ackBMW 2ser
ies.I
twasf
oll
owi
ngmy
wi
feandI
.
Nai
l
s:Oni
t.
Hebegantocl
i
ckt hebut
tonsoft
hecomput
er
andLut
handotookastar
eatme.
Thando:
Rel
ax.
Me:
Iam r
elaxed.
Thando:
Yoursweat
ing.Iwon'
tl
etany
thi
ng
happentoy
ouMimi.Nev er
.
Inodded.
Nai
l
s:Thi
sone.
.
Webot
hlookedatt
hev
erysamecart
hatwas
ont
hescr
een.
Me:
That
'si
t.
Nai
ls:
Letmet r
ackt
hem downusi
ngt
he
numberpl
ate.
Hebegantocl
i
ckaroundagai
n.Hest
oodup
hol
dingani
Padandmadehiswaytothebi
g
scr
eenandwef
oll
owed.
Nai
ls:
Thisguywast
hedriv
erandIknowhi
m as
oneofHugoManhat
tan'
smen.
Me:
Hugo?
Nai
l
s:Yep!Aki
ngpi
n.
IlookedatThandocl
earl
yfearevi
denti
nmy
face.Hepull
edmeclosertohisbody.
Thando:
Iwanty
out
otr
ackdownHugo.
Nail
s:I
'l
lneedappr oxi
matelyadayThando.You
knowthosetypesofpeopl earehardt
otrack
downbecauset heyhav emenhidingt
hei
r
i
denti
tyorevent heirl
ocat
ion.
Thando:Iunder
standbutt
oni
ghtIwannaputa
bul
lett
hroughhisheadsomakeitqui
ck.
Nai
l
s:Ri
ght
,boss.
HewalkedawayandImov
edbackabi
tfr
om
Thando
Me:
Hei
sbackf
orme.Hei
sreal
l
ygoi
ngt
oki
l
l
met
hist
ime.
Thando:MimiIwon'
tletHugohurty
oubecause
thenhewil
lsurel
ybepressi
ngtheworstbut
ton
whichismyangerandI'dbest
upidtol
et
anythi
nghappentoyou.
Me:i
am soscar
edLut
handot
hati
tsnotev
en
f
unny.
Hepul l
edmei nt
oahugandremai
nedinthat
posit
ionunt
ilCynthi
acameandt
oldusthatt
he
safehousewasr eady.
Me:
Iwantmysonf
ir
st.
Thando:
Hei
swi
thKev
insohei
ssaf
e.
Me:
Howdoy
ouknowt
hatLut
hando?
!
Idi
dn'tmeantoshoutathi
m butev
ery
thingthat
i
nvolv
esDr escar
esmebecauseIam scaredto
l
osemyson.
Thando:
ItsKev
inThompsonMi
misor
elax
.
Me:
Nobutst
il
l.Hei
snotsaf
eifhei
snotwi
th
me.
Thando:Ipr
omi
setobri
nghim.JustcomesoI
coul
dtakeyout
othesafehouse.
Inoddedandweusedtheunder
groundpat
h
thatl
edustothesaf
ehouse.
.
.
.
.
#Kev
in
.
Iwaswit
hmyboyswhenacal
lfr
om Lut
hando
camethr
ough.
Me:
Mol
efi
?
Luu:
Code2.
Me:
Fil
lmei
n.
Luu:
Hugoi
sback.
Ihuf
fed.
Me:
Didn'
tyougetr
idofhi
m?
Luu:
Hegott
oescape.
Me:
Letmeguess,
hei
scomi
ngf
orMamel
o?
Luu:
Yep!
Me:Don'
tworryt
hough.Dr
eiswi
thmeandIwi l
l
keephi
m saf
eandtheMafiawi
ll
beinpar
ole.
Luu:
Mi miwant
shim andshenev
erl
i
stens
whenitcomestoherson.
Me:Letmefir
stl
ygodropKent
henheadt
oHQ
butImustnotbeseen.
Luu:Don'
tworr
y.I
'
mt hebossandt
heyar
en'
t
focusi
ngonyouasyet.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:Youbet
termakesur
ePAst
ayst
hehel
l
awayfr
om meman.
Luu:
Iwi
l
l.
Heendedt hecallandIgotmysonsready
beforegoingt oentermyclassi
cAudiwhi
chis
bull
etproof .Iusedthepri
vat
erout
etogetto
theORt ambooai r
port.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
Therewasst i
llnosignofLut handoandt he
ti
mewasal ready9pm andt hat'
swhent heparty
ended.Ingri
dandKhay aweref astasl
eepand
onlyI,
Bless, Nkosi,Chance,Funi,Mandyand
Kusandawer eout si
desurroundingthefir
e
planssit
ti
ngi nourcampchai rs.Itwasto10
whenLut handowal kedinalone.Icouldnot
descri
bet hef eel
ingIhadwhenIsawhi m and
theworstonet hatIcouldnotdescr i
bewhenhe
completelyignoredme.
Nkosi
:You'
rel
ate.
Luu:
Ihav
emyr
easons.Wher
e'smydaught
er?
Bl
ess:
She'
ssl
eepi
ng.
Hei
gnor
edBl
essi
ng.
Luu:
I'
mtaki
ngher
.
Nkosi
:Why
?
Luu:
Ican'tdi
scusst
hather
e.Weshoul
dspeak
i
nprivat
e.
Chance:
Manatl
eastst
ayawhi
l
elonger
.
Luu:
Mywi
feneedsme.
Andhehadtosaythat
.BlessandFuni lookedat
meandIremainedqui
et.Clear
lyLuthandowas
madsospeakingtohi
m nowwi ll
justpourfuel
i
nblazi
ngfi
re.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
.
Atthesafehouseiheardthepinbei
ngpunched
i
nfrom theoutsi
deofthedoor.Thegirl
that
wasintr
oducedasKopanowal kedin.Shewas
dr
essedi nt
hePAuni f
orm
Her
:Hi
.
Me:
Hi.
Shestaredatmeasifshewast r
yingt
o
remi
niscewhereshehasprobabl
yseenme.
Her:MrsMol
efi.Iwastoldt
ocomet ell
youthat
yoursoni
shere.Justsecur
it
ycheckinshav
et o
bedone.
Myhear
tsmi
l
edwhenIhear
dthatmysonwas
saf
e.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Her
:You'
rewel
come.
Onceagai
nshegavemet
hatl
ookbef
ore
walki
ngoutagai
n.
[
04/
23,
10:
28]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Thando
.
.
.
.
09
Me:
Hugoi
sback
Isai
dtoNkosi
andwewer
einhi
sst
udy
.
Nkosi
:Shi
t!
Me:IhadMimibeplacedatt
hesaf
ehousefor
sometimeunt
ilIf
igur
eoutwher
ethehel
lheis.
Nkosi
:AndDr
e?
Me:Onmywayher
eIrecei
vedacall
from
Cy
nthi
atel
l
ingmet
hatKevi
ndroppedhim of
f.
Nkosi
:Di
dyouhav
esomeonegeti
ntoi
t?
Me:
Gont
let
heI
Tguy
.
Nkosi:
JustknowthatIwil
lhaveJoaqui
ntoget
i
ntoittoo.Her
etur
nedfrom CapeTown.
Me:
There'
snoneedf
ort
hatbecauseal
ready
PAi
shandli
ngi
t.
Nkosi
:Howgoodar
ethesepeopl
e?
Me: Verygood.Oldti
megangst erswhowere
takenfrom t
hebiggestpri
soninSouthAfri
ca.
That'
swher ethetopnotchcomef rom.They
most l
ytookwellski
ll
edgangsters.
Nkosi
:Theny
ouhav
eameanasst
eam behi
nd
you.
Me:AllIwanti
sformywifet
obepr
otect
ed
manandIwi l
ldoever
ythi
ngi
nmypowerto
pr
otectMimi.
Nkosi
:I'
m behi
ndy
oumanandaboutNol
unt
u-
Ist
oodup.
Nkosi
:Lut
hando-
Me:
Yeah?
Nkosi
:Stopignor
ingthefactt
hatt
her
ear
e
somefeeli
ngstowardsher.
Imockedhi m bylaughi
ngbecauseInolonger
havefeel
ingstowar dsNol
untunorevenseeany
womeni nadi ff
erentwaybecauseMimihas
changedmet obecomebetterandknowthe
worthofhavingonewoman.
Me:
You'
reki
ddi
ngme,
right?
Nkosi
:You'
reov
erher?
Me:
Themomentshef
akedherdeat
h.
It
ookmyphoneandcarkey
sfr
om hi
stabl
e.
Me:
I'
ll
seey
ou.
Nkosi
:Cool
man.
Imademywayt oIngri
d'sroom andIfound
Nol
untut
here.Ibel
ieveshecameher ein
pur
posebecauseclearl
ysheknewIwant edto
takeIngr
id.Igr
abbedmydaughter'
sbagwhich
wasont hecouchandwaitedf
orNol unt
uto
fi
nishwhatevershi
tshewasdoingtomy
daughter
.
Me:
Wil
lyouspeedup?Iam i
nahur
ry.
Shest
oodupst
rai
ght
.
Her
:Forhowl
ongwi
l
lyoui
gnor
eme?
Me:
Howspeci
alar
eyout
obei
gnor
ed?
Shechuckl
ed.
Her
:You'
rest
il
lar
rogantIsee.
Ihuf
fed.
Me:Ij
ustwantmydaught
erNolunt
usopl
ease
st
epasideandl
etmetakeher
.
Shemov edandbef
orepicki
ngI
ngri
dupI
grabbedapenandpaperandwrot
edown
Mimi'snumber
.
Me:Ify
ouwanttoseeIngr
idthenyoucal
lmy
wi
fe.Youshoul
dnotbeincontactwi
thmeand
i
fyoucan'treachMimi y
oucallmymom or
sendBlesstoaskherforyou.Wehav enot
hing
todi
scussot hert
henthedivor
ce.Iam goi
ngto
tr
adit
ional
lydivor
ceyou.Justsoyouknow.
Iwalkedoutwit
hmysl eepi
ngdaughteri
nmy
armsandwentt oplaceherinthebackseat.I
placedawarm blanketoverherbef
orecli
mbing
thecaranddrovetoHQ.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
.
Aft
erhewal kedoutIbrokedowni ntear
s.I
knowIsaidIdonotwantar elati
onshipwit
h
LuthandobutIreall
ylovethatmanandcl earl
yI
couldseethatheisinlovewithhisnewwi fe
Mamel obutIcan'tpossi
blyforgetabout
Lut
handooverni
ght
.It
sgoi ngtotaket imefor
met omi
slaywhatweoncehadandj ust
per
suadewithli
fel
i
kei didnotfallmadlyinlove
wit
hsomeonewhoIsepar at
edf r
om.I t'
sgoing
tot
aketi
meandmanysl eeplessnights.
Blessst
eppedi
nther
oom andwi
tnessedmeas
Icri
ed.
Bl
ess:
Lunt
u,what
'
swr
ong?
Shesatbesi
desme.
Bl
ess:
Tal
ktomel
ove.
Me: He..
.Heisgoingt
odi
vor
cemeBlessi
ng
andIlovehi
m somuchbutcl
ear
lyhi
slove
towardsmefadedawayandi
tsl
ikehenever
l
ov edmebefore.
Bless:NoluntujustforgetaboutLuthando.
Mov eonwi thli
fe.Concent r
ateony ourdaughter
andbuildacar eerfory our
self
.Luthandohas
mov edonwi thhislif
e.Hemar r
iedsomeonehe
l
ov esverymuch.Don' tbet hei
rdownf al
l.Pl
ease.
Youwi ll
li
vewithregreti
fyoutryandmake
Luthandoy our
sagainbecausey ourbook
togetherhasbeenclosed.Him andMimi
openedanewonet ogether.Pl
ease.
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
swi
tht
het
issue.
Bl
ess:
Okay
?
Isai
dnothi
ngt
oher
.It
sli
keBl
essi
ngdoesn'
t
under
stand
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
.
Iwasr ocki
ngDrebackandf
ort
hwhen
Luthandosteppedi
nsi
dewit
hIngr
id.Shewas
cry
ing.
Me:
Doy
ouneedmyhel
p?
Thando:
Nol
ovs.Icanhandl
e.
Hesatdownandhebegant oreasonwi thher
daughter
.Bri
binghim wi
thcertainthingsli
ke
buyi
ngheranewdol l
house,takinghert ohave
i
cecream.Herf avor
it
ethings.Sheendedup
sl
eepingandLuthandocamet ositnexttome.
Fi
rstl
yhekissedmycheekbef or
et akingDre
fr
om meandl aidhim wi
thhisstomachonhi s
chest
.
Thando:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
Iam st
il
lshakenbutIwi
l
lli
ve
Thando:Ipr
omi setohav
et hi
sdeal
twi
th.Iwi
l
l
personal
l
yeli
mi nat
eHugosot hatt
hej
obcan
bedoneandl eavenomistake.
Me:Ir
eal
lydon'
tcar
ewhaty
oudot
ohi
m.Ij
ust
wantmysontobesafe.
Thando:OursonandIwil
l.Justdon'
tbe
str
essedonbecausethenIwillbeonami ssi
on
thi
nki
ngaboutyouanddosomet hi
ngthatIwil
l
r
egr
et.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Ihav
eful
lfai
thi
nyou.
HeplacedDr
eont opoft
hebedandhefi
rst
ly
pi
ckedmeup, satdownagai
nandpl
acedmeon
hi
slap.
Thando:Tomorr
owy ouwil
lbeoutoft
hispl
ace
andwewi l
lfl
ytoLondonandyourdr
eam
bouti
quewil
lbeopenedthenIwil
lmarr
yyou.
Me:
Tomor
row?Don'
tyout
hinki
tst
ooear
ly?
Thando:
3day
sagoy
ouwer
esi
ngi
ngadi
ff
erent
song.
Me:IknowbutnowIseet
hati
tst
ooear
lyf
orus
t
oleave.
Thando:
Why
?
Me:IdontknowbutIthi
nkthatwehave
unfi
nishedbusi
nessher
einSouthAf
ri
ca.Don'
t
youthink?
Thando:
ButMi
miIwannamar
ryy
ou.
Henagged.
Me:Iwantt
omar r
yy out
oobuty
ouf
ir
stl
y
shoul
dfi
xyourbaggage.
Thando:
Whatbaggage?
Me:Idon'
tknowbutbabyyouhav
eamul
ti
mi
ll
i
onairecompanytorun.
Thando:
Mom canper
fect
lyr
unt
hebusi
ness
Me:
Howdoy
ouknow?
Thando:Becauseshe'
stheoner
unni
ngi
tnow.I
am toocommi t
tedtomyPAworkandIl
ove
thi
sjob.
Me:Butst
il
l..
.Ifeel
liket
herei
smorey
ou
shoul
ddealwit
hbef orel
eav
ingwi
thmebutI
don'
tseem t
oknowwhati ti
s.
Hesi
ghed.
Thando:
Baby
?
Me:
Yes?
Thando:Don'
tfreakoutokay?Andpleasej
ust
underst
andthatIhavemyr easonsf
ornot
tel
l
ingyou.
Me:
You'
rescar
ingme.
Thando:
Promi
semey
ouwon'
tl
eav
e?
Me:
Whywoul
dIl
eav
eLut
hando?
Thando:
Pleasej
ustdon'
tl
eav
e.
Me:Iwon'tl
eav
eyounomat
terwhatt
he
pr
oblem maybe.
Thando:
Ok.Her
ewego.
.
ThedooropenedandCy
nthi
awal
kedi
n.
Cynthia:
I'
m sor
ryt
odi
stur
bbutwef
oundHugo
Luthando.
Hel
ookedatme.
Thando:
We'
l
ltal
kwhenIcomeback
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
Hel
eanedandki
ssedme.Al
ongki
sst
henhe
madehiswayoutaf
tersayi
nghi
sIlov
ey outo
me.Ist
ayedandwonderedwhatt
heproblem
coul
dbe.
[
04/
23,
10:
29]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Lut
hando
.
.
.
10
Isteppedi nsidetheblackLexusandIf ol
lowed
theleadIwasbei nggi venbackatt heHQandI
hadt wobestagent sdrivingbehindme.WhenI
gott otheunder groundcl ubIwasl edtoHugo'
s
pri
vat elounge.Hehadgi rlssur
roundinghim.
Givinghiml apdanceswi thacubaci gari
nhis
mout hawhi skeyglassi nhishand.Hesawme
andi mmedi atelyhisfacialexpr
essionwent
bit
ter.
Me:
Hugo.
Hugo:
Mol
efi
.
Isatdownwit
houthi
sapprov
al.Ididnottake
anydri
nkscomingfr
om t
hewaitresses.
Hugo:
Whatbr
ingsy
ou?
Me:
Thi
sot
herbi
tchwant
smywi
fedead.
Hugo:
Whatmakesy
out
hinkt
hatbi
tchi
sher
e?
Me:
CauseI
'
mlooki
ngathi
m.
Hugo:
You'
rebr
ave.Youknowt
hat
?
Me:Iknowandt
hanksf
ort
hecompl
ement
Fel
i
cia.
Hel
etoutachuckl
ethatwasmeantt
omake
memadbutIremainedcal
m.
Hugo:
Woul
dn'
tyoul
i
keadr
ink?
Me:
Icanaf
for
dmyownatamuchbet
tercl
ub.
Hugo:
Youar
ereal
l
yanassMol
efi
.
Me:Let
'scutt
hechasethough.St
ayawayf
rom
Mi
mi andyouwil
ll
ivebutscaremywif
eagai
nI
wi
l
lki
l
lyou.
Hugo:
Justt
hat
?
Me:
Justt
hat
.
Hugo:Thatsgoi
ngtobeapr obl
em because
Mimi i
soneofmybestgir
ls.Shebroughtin
moneyf ormesoit
sgoi
ngt obeabi tofa
chal
lengeandawholel
otoff i
ght
sformet olet
hergo.
Hiswait
ressr
efi
ll
edhisglass.Shewinkedat
meandIsmi l
ed.ShewalkedawayandI
watchedasHugotookagul pofhisdri
nkand
demandedanotherr
efi
ll
.
Me:
Youl
eav
emenochoi
cet
hen.
Hugo:
Hmm?
Il
ookedatt
hewr
istwat
ch.
Me: Youj
ustdrankagl assofwhi skeythat'
s
mixedwit
hthesi l
entkill
erthathappenst obe
madebyoneofy ourscient
istinCuba.Ittakes
about45secondst odigestinyourintest
ines.
Youwil
lfeelasthesi
desofy
ourst
omach
becomeitchy.
.
Hebegantoscrat
chthesi
desofhi
sst
omach.
Thesi
lentki
l
lerwasworki
ng.
Me:5secondstofeel
asheatt
akesovery
our
bodyandyourt
hroati
sgoi
ngtoblock.
Hi
shandsroamedt
ohi
sthr
oatandhi
sey
es
r
oll
edback.
Me:Thesi
lentki
ll
ermadebyy
ouhasj
ust
si
l
entl
ykil
l
edy ou.

Hisbodylandedonthegroundwithhishands
sti
l
lholdi
ngontohisthr
oat.Ist
oodupand
mademywayandout si
det heunder
groundcl
ub
Imetwi t
hKopanodressedinthewaitr
ess
unif
orm.
Me:
Goodj
ob.
Her
:Thanksboss.
Icl
imbedint
omycarandal l
owedtheot her
agent
stodot hei
rjob.Al
lIwantedatthis
momentwast oholdont i
ghtl
ytoMimi .Ihav
e
becomeveryfondofholdi
ngherbecauset hat
makesmyhear tbeatver
yfastandthatisthe
bestf
eel
ingIalwaysfeelwhenIam aroundher.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Itwasinthemi ddl
eoft henightwhenIfel
t
Luthandogetunderthecov ers.Dr
ewasi nfr
ont
ofmeandIwascuddl ingwithhim andhewas
i
ndeepsl eep.HekissedmybackandIf el
tas
hisbreat
hhitmybar eskin.
Thando:
Mamel
o?
Me:
Lut
hando?
Thando:
Ilov
eyouandpl
easedon'
tev
erf
orget
that
.
Me:
Iwon'
t.
Ihel
dhishandwhi
chwasonmybel
l
yandwe
sl
eptli
kethat
.
.
.
.
.
#Lut
hando
Inthemorni
ngMi mi
'sphonewasri
ngingand
shecouldnotheari
tsoIanswer
editonher
behalf
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
“Uhm .
..Hey.I
tsNol
unt
u.”myhear
tbegant
o
beati
nav er
yabnormal
pace.
Me:
Uhh.
..
IcheckedMamel
oandshewasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Nol
u:Iwantt
oseemydaught
er.
Me:
Oh.Uhm .
..I
'
llbr
ingher
.
Nol
u:Didn'
tyousayIshoul
dspeakt
oMamel
oif
Iwant
edt oseemychil
d?
Me:She'
ssleepi
ngandIdi
dn'
tknowi
fthi
s
numberbel
ongstoyou.
Nol
u:Isee.
Me:
I'
ll
bri
ngI
ngr
id.
Nol
u:Thanky
ou.
Iendedthecallandsighedi
nr el
ief
.Iser
iousl
y
needtotalktoMimi aboutt
his.Ishookherabit
butshedidnotwakeup.Igr abbedmyphonei n
attemptt
ocal l
mom butIcameacr ossa
messagef r
om HQt ell
ingmeIwasneeded
urgent
lybackattheundergroundclub.
Me:
Babe?
I
nst
eadofgett
ingar
esponsefr
om Mi
miDr
e
wastheonet
owakeup.Ihuff
ed.
Me:
Heyson.
Ipi
ckedhi
m upandpl
acedhi
m onmybar
e
chest
.
Me:
Tel
lmommyt
owakeup.
WhenMimiwokeup,
Ihadshower
edandDr
e
wasal
soal
lfr
esh.
Me:
Babei
needt
oleav
e.
Mi
mi:
Wor
k?
Me:Yeah.Iwi
llcomef
etchy
ouguy
ssoIshoul
d
f
indyouready
.
Igr
abbedt
hekey
stot
heLexus.
Mi
mi:
Atwhatt
ime?
Me:
Aroundabout10?I
'
llcal
lyou.
Mi
mi:
Ok.
Me:
IfIdon'
tcomei
nti
meIwi
l
lsendacart
o
comef
etcht
he3ofy
ou.
Mi
mi:
Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngt
han.
Iki
ssedherbef
orewal
kingoutt
hesafehouse
andmademywayt othebasementandcli
mbed
i
nthecar.
[
04/
23,
12:
57]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Nol
unt
u
.
.
.
11
Therewasadoorbel
latt
hedoorsoIwentt
o
checkwhoi
twas.IfoundLut
handobehi
ndit
holdi
ngI
ngr
idinhisar
ms.
Me:
Hey
.
Thando:
Hey
Imov
edoutt
hewayandheent
ered.Icl
osed
t
hedooraf
ter
.
Me:Thankyouforbri
ngi
ngher
.Icoul
dn'
tst
op
t
hinki
ngabouther.
Thando:
Right
.
Hepl
acedheri
nthel
oungeont
hecouch.
Thando:Mymot herwi
ll
comefet
ch.Ical
l
edher
sodon'tgi
veherahardti
me.
Me:
Iwi
l
lnot
Thando:
Thanky
ou.
Heat
tempt
edt
oleav
ebutIhel
dhi
shand.
Me: Iknowt haty
ou' r
eangr yatmebutIdidn'
t
haveachoi ce.Norev enknowt hatIwil
lsur
viv
e
sopleasest opwithy ourhatetowardsmeand
Blessing.Shewasj usttry
ingtokeepmeal i
ve.
Thando: Idon'
that
eyouNoluntu.Iam j
ust
angrythatIwastakenf
orshitandIwasn'tt
old
thatyouar eal
i
ve.
Me:
Ift
heyhadt
oldy
ou.Wer
eyoust
il
lgoi
ngt
o
mov
eon?
Thando:
Idon'
tknow.
Me:
Youmustknowt
hough.
Thando:
ButIdon'
t
.
Hereyesr
andownt
oourhands.Hepul
l
edhi
s
back.
Thando: Idon'that ey oubutpl easeunder stand
thatwhatwehaddi ed.IloveMamel oandGod
dammi tshei sjustt hebest .IknowIhur tyou
andIowey oual otbutIal sopl acedhert hr
ough
hellhenceIchangedf orher.Shewasbymy
sidewheny ouwasdead.Weusedt ogot ot he
cemet eryt ogethert ov i
sityoubuti thappens
thatalltheconv ersationswehadt herewer efor
nothingbutf actstil
l r
emai nst hatshei sthe
bestwomanIhav echangedf or.IhurtKamv a
andIwi sht otakebackal ltheabuseand
showerherwi thlove.Ihur tyouandIhur tMi mi
andIam gi vingbackt oherbutIcan' tgiveback
toyou.YesIwi shf ory outof orgivemebutI
can'
tgetbackwi
thy
ou.Ihav
esomeonenow
andIlov
eher.
Inodded.
Thando:
Dontcr
yNol
unt
u.
Me:
ItsokayLut
hando.Youcanl
eav
e.
Thando:
I'
m sor
ry.
Imov edback.Forsometi
mehestoodther
e
andsaidnothing.Shewal
kedoutt
hehouseand
Irest
edmybackont hewall
andcri
ed.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Unfort
unatel
yLuthandocouldnotmakei tsowe
werefetchedbyoneoft heguardsandtakento
ourhousewhereBlessingandNkosi werewit
h
Khaya.Ihuggedbothoft hem andpl
acedDre
downtoplaywi
thKhay
awhi
l
ewewentandsat
i
nthekit
chen.
Nkosi
:Thi
sPAj
obsi
staki
ngmostofhi
sti
me.
Me:
Whyar
en'
tyouaPAagai
n?
Nkosi
:It
snotmyt
hing
Me:
Buti
tseemsl
ikeanamazingj
ob.Exceptf
or
t
heti
mesteal
i
ngi
tisgoodandver
yclean.
Nkosi
:Iknowbuti
tsnotmyt
ypeoft
hing.
ItwasonlyNkosiandIwhoweretal
kingwhi
l
e
Blesswaslockedinherownworl
d.She
snappedoutofherthought
swhenNkosical
led
outhername.
Nkosi
:Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ghtl
ove?
Bl
ess:
Idontf
eel
good.
Me:
Whatseemst
obeapr
obl
em?
Bless:
Ifeel
asi
fsomet
hingbadi
sgoi
ngt
o
happen.
Me:
Likewhat
?
Bless:Thati
swhatIam tr
yingtofi
gur
eout.
LastnightIhadoneweir
ddr eam.Wewer
e
mour ni
ngat r
agi
cdeath.
Me:
Whatdeat
h?
Shest
oodup.
Bl
ess:
Nkosi
weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Nkosi
:Wecan'
tl
eav
eMi
mial
onet
hough.
Bl
ess:
Mimi
you'
ref
ineal
oner
ight
?
Shewasacti
ngsomesor
tofwayandt
hatal
one
fr
ight
ensme.
Me:
Yes.Youguy
scanl
eav
e.
Nkosi:
Iwil
lhi
tupLut
handoandtellhi
mto
comehome.Youneedhim mor
et henheneeds
thatmoney
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Ihuggedthem goodbyethenlookedatmyson
whowasl yi
ngonhi sstomach.Ipickedhim up
andbefor
et aki
nghim upstai
rstohisnurser
yI
f
ir
stl
yfedhi
m.
Wheny ouclockhit8pm i
gotr eal
l
ywor r
ied
becauseit
sbeenhour swithoutgett
ingasingl
e
wordfrom Luthando.
.
.
.
.
#Lul
eka
.
Me:
Vumani
bo!
Myhutwasf il
ledwi t
hsmokewi thsi
tl
ari
sa
badimo(medi cine) .Ihadonmyt r
adi
ti
onal
clot
hwr appedar oundmywai stwit
hablack
vestandmydr eadlockswereneatl
yti
edina
bun.Ihadwhi tepaintneatl
ydrawnonmyf ace
andIwassi tti
ngonmykneescl appi
ngmy
handsli
steningtot hechanti
ngoftheancest
ors.
Me:Mosadi !Kebonamosadi.Walel
a!Badi
mo
mot usengkagorennagakekgona!(iseea
wif
e.Awi fethati
scryi
ng.Myancest
orshel
p
herbecauseIcan't!)
Il
etoutal
oudscr
eam.
Me:Keledi
tsagage.Di
welamoli
longwaka!
(hert
earsfal
lonmyblazi
ngfi
re!)
Me:Moli
l
oonaf
aotlati
mamodi mo.Mosadiyo
wagoswasamalemonnay o!(i
fthi
sfir
egoes
of
fthi
swomanwil
ldiewit
hherhusband.)
Iwat
chedasthefir
eslowl
ygooff.Ihear
dacr
y
ofababyandthatwastheend.
(whi
chwi
fei
sthi
s?
[
04/
23,
12:
57]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
12
Itwasinthemi ddleofthenightwhenIhada
verydi
sturbingdream aboutLuthandoand
whenIfeltthatitwasenoughIwokeup
shouti
nghi sname.
Me:
Lut
hando!
!
Thatst
art
ledDr
ewhoi
mmedi
atel
ywokeupand
cr
ied.
Me:
Babai
am sosor
ry.
Itookhim andr
ockedhi
m backandf or
th.My
eyesthatwerer
oamingaroundourdark
bedroom l
andedonthecornerandIcould
clear
lyseeassomeonewasst andi
ngrightat
thecorner
.Theeyesoft
heper sonl
ookedr i
ght
i
nt omine.
“
Fearnot
!”iheardavoicer
ightonmyearsay
t
hosetwowor ds.Ist
oodonthegroundf
rom
t
hebedstil
lholdi
ngDreandwenttoswit
chthe
l
i
ghton.
“Begone!”t
hev er
ysameconf i
dentandfi
erce
voicesai
d.Isighedinrel
i
efbecauseall
I
thoughtaboutisthati
am hall
uci
nati
ng.There'
s
nosucht hi
ngashear i
ngrandom voi
cesinthe
middleofthenight.
Drewasst
il
lupsoIsatonthebedwithhi
m
l
yi
ngnextt
omeunt i
lhesleptandIsl
eptt
oo.
I
nthemor ni
ngLuthandowasnotbackandthe
worstpar
tthatcapi
tal
i
zedtomyfearwasthat
hi
sphonewasof f.
.
.
.
.
#Lul
eka
Ist
eppedbackinsi
demyhutaftereat
ingi
nthe
mainhouseandsurpr
isi
ngl
ythefir
ewason.
Me:
What
'st
his?Sheshoul
dbedeadbynow.
Isai
dtomy selfasIwalkedcl
oser
.Idonotuse
bonestoseecer t
ainthi
ngssoIswit
chedonthe
herbandwaitedtil
lIwasshownwhatallt
his
meant.
Me:Hedi
dnotdi
eandt
heguar
dianangel
.Isee
hi
m.
Me:Whoist
hiswoman?Wher
ewasshebor
n?
Whogavebi
rt
htoher
?Showme!
Icouldseeawomansitt
ingonacouchwit
ha
bibl
eon.Isawther
esemblancebet
ween
motheranddaught
er.
Me:Shedoesn'tknowthatshehasachil
d.A
daughterwhocouldhavesavedherf
rom al
lthe
misery
.
IsawLut
hando.Hewasnotdead.Hewas
ali
ve.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Acal
lfr
om Ndondocamet
hroughasIwas
f
eedi
ngDre.
Me:
Ndondo?
Her
:Hi
Mamel
o.
Me:
Uyang?(howar
eyou?)
Her:NotsogoodMimi
.Irecei
vedav er
y
di
sturbi
ngcal
lfr
om myyoungersi
sterNal
edi
.
Me:
Youhav
easi
ster
?
IwassurprisedbecauseIonl
yknowNdondo'
s
oldersi
sterwhohappenstobemymot her
.I
thoughti
twasonl ythetwoofthem.
Ndondo:That
'sthereasonIcall
edMimi.Ihav
e
t
otellyousomethingthatIhav
ekeptaway
f
rom youforyears.
Me:
Whi
chi
s?
Ndondo:CometoMafikengbecauseIcannot
possi
blyt
ell
youal
lI'
m abouttoovert
hephone.
Me:
iam comi
ngwi
thmyhusband.
Ndondo:
That
'sf
ine.
Me:
Ok.Seey
ouNdondo.
Ndondo:
Byel
ove.
IendedthecallandonceagainItri
edcal
li
ngmy
husbandhopingthathisphonewouldbeonbut
i
twasst i
ll
off.Ical
ledBless.Whatshesai
d
yest
erdaywascl i
ckingtomyhead.
Bl
ess:
Mimi
?
Me: It
hinksomet
hinghappenedt
omyhusband
becausehehasnotret
urnedand-
Bl
ess:
Mimi
.Br
eat
h.
Me:
But
-
Bl
ess:
Justbr
eat
h.
Me:
Ok.
Ibr
eat
hedi
nandout
.
Bl
ess:
Arey
ousi
tt
ingdown?
Me:
Blessi
ngwhat
'
sgoi
ngon?
At
eardr
opped.
Bl
ess:
Arey
ousi
tt
ingdown?
Me:
YesIam.
Bless:Ok.Ear
li
erthi
smorni
ngNkosi
recei
veda
callf
rom oneofthePAmembersandtheytol
d
usthatLuthandowasinv
olv
edinacaracci
dent.
Me:
Nooooo!
!
Bl
ess:
Mimi
-
Iendedthecallandcried.Iwassotraumati
zed.
Ihadthi
sfeeli
ngt hatsomet hi
ngwasgoingon
andmydr eam hadameani ngandonlyi
fIhad
knewthatitwouldactuall
ycomet r
ue.
Me:Whyhim?Whycouldn'
tyoutakeallt
hemen
outt
her
ethatki
ll
peopl
eonadailybasis?Why
myhusbandGod?HaveIdoneyouwr ongtoan
ext
endt
hatyoutakemyhusbandfr
om me?I
l
oveLut
handoandhehaschangedtoabet
ter
man.Whynow?Whyhim? !
!
Acal
lfr
om Nomacamet
hrough.Ianswer
ed
i
mmediatel
y.
Me:
Noma?
Noma:(cr
ying)Mi
mit
ell
met
hati
tsnott
rue.
Pl
ease.
Me:Ij
ustr
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Di
tshol
ofet
so.I
ts
t
rue.
Shecr
ied.
Me:
Iam goi
ngt
othehospi
tal
toobutmyson.
.
Noma:Ingri
d'
snannyisher
esoyoucandrop
hi
m of
ft henwewil
lbothgotot
hehospi
tal
usi
ngthesamecar.
Me:
Ok.Iam onmyway
.
Wesaidourgoodby
esandIgr
abbedDr
eand
mycarkeys.
.
.
.
.
.
#Bl
essi
ng
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Ishoul
dgoandcheckonMamel
o.

Funi
:Go.Iwi
l
lst
aywi
thNol
unt
u.
Wewer eint
hewaiti
ngroom oft hehospi
taland
Nolunt
uwascryi
ng.Wehadbr oughtherwit
h
becauseshei
nsi
stedoncomi ngwi t
hus.
Me:
Nol
unt
u?
Shel
ookedup.
Me:Hei
sgoi
ngt
obeokay
?Justhav
efai
thi
n
God
Shenodded.
Justwhenwewereabouttoexi
tthewai
ti
ng
room Nomast
eppedinsi
dewithMamelo.
[
04/
23,
12:
58]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
13
Nomagr
eet
edthepeopl
ethatwer
einthe
wai
ti
ngr
oom whi
l
eIremainedqui
et.
Noma:
Anynewsf
rom t
hedoct
or?
Nkosi
:Nope.Wehav
ebeenwai
ti
ngsi
nce.
Noma:Ijustpraythatmysoni
sok.Idon'
tcar
e
aboutt
heot hert
hings.
Someladywasl ooki
ngatmet houghshedi
d
l
ookfamil
iarbutwiththest
atethatIwasi
nI
coul
dnotev
ent
ryandr
emi
nisceswher
eIhav
e
seenher
.
Bl
ess:
Arey
ouokayMi
mi?
Inodded.Shecamecl osert
omeandgavemea
hugandt hatjustwor
senedmymoodbecauseI
begantocr y
.
Somet
imel
atert
hedoct
orcamet
ospeakt
ous.
Dr:Luthandoisinaverycr
it
icalst
ate.The
accidentdiddamagestohisheadbutt he
operati
onwentwel l
.Webelievehewillbeoutof
comai nthreedaysti
me.
Me:
Thr
eeday
s?
Dr:YesMrsMol ef
e.Thr
eedaysbutyoucango
seeyourhusband.Iam gr
anti
ngyouthi
s
chancebecauseyoudeservetoseehi
m.
Me:Thanky
oubutIam t
aki
ngmymot
heri
nlaw
wi
thme.Ineedherbymysi
de.
Dr
:Ir
especty
ourwi
sh.
Thedoct orwal kedoutf irstandNomaandI
fol
lowedaf ter.Icouldn'tstayl onginthewar d
becauseseei ngLut handoi nsuchast at e,
surroundedbyal l
themachi nes, waslikea
bull
etthroughmyhear t
.Myt earsvol
unt aril
y
str
eameddownmyf aceandNomahel dme.I n
myhear tIsaidapr ayer.Ifhei sherebecauseof
all
thechoi cesImadewhenIwas16Iasked
Godbl essforgiveme.Ir egrett r
yingtoki ll
Masedi ,mymot her,byplaci ngthatpoisoni n
herfood.Iaskedhi mt of orgivemef or
becomi ngapr ostit
ute.Ipr ay edinmyhear tand
whenIf elttheneedt ostopIdi dandwal kedout
thewar d.
Me:Whoisthatot
herwoman?Theone
st
andi
ngnextnexttoFuneka?
Shesi
ghed.
Noma:Thati
sNol
untu.Lut
hando'
swi
fe.The
onet
hatwasdecl
areddead.
Myear
swer
edeafwhenIhear
dthatsomeone
whowasdeadj
ustrosef
rom t
hedeadand
camebackt
oeart
h.
Me:
She'
saghost?
!
Noma:
No.Shedi
dnotdi
e.Herdeat
hwasf
aked.
Me:How?Nomay
ou'
repl
ayi
nggameswi
thme
maarn.
Noma:Iam bei
nghonest
.Iev
enf
aint
edwhenI
sawherwi
thmyt woeyes.
Me:
Nomat
her
e'snosucht
hingmar
n.
Imademywaytot hewai
tingr
oom andindeed
i
twasher
.Shelookedint
omyey esthatwere
l
ooki
ngbackathers.
Me:
You'
real
i
ve.
Shest
oodup.
Me:But..
.But..
.Buthow?Imean,
canaper
son
ev
enrisefrom t
hedead?
Her:Iwasn'
tdead.Iwasunconsci
ousf
or2
year
s.
Me:
2year
s?
Shenodded.
Me:
DoesLut
handoknow?
Her
:Yes.Hesawme.
Inoddedwithmyhandonmychest
.Iwasst
il
l
surpr
ised.
Me:
But.
..OhGodt
hisi
sal
lsoconf
usi
ng.
Bl
ess:
(toFuneka)br
ingsomewat
er.
Me:Youwer
edead.
..Howcan.
.Whydi
dn'
tyou
..
.
Theroom wasshakingandIgotnauseat
ed
i
mmedi at
ely
.Itwasliket
hegroundwasmov i
ng
aroundmethoughitwasalli
nmyhead.
“She'sgoi
ngtofai
nt!”mybodyslowlywent
downbutIdidnotcol
li
dewit
hthegroundbutI
col
lapsedonsomebody'
shands.Myey es
cl
osedasIheardsomeonescream “Doctor
!”
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Nkosi caughtMamelorightont
imeandthe
doctorandnursesrushedtoher.Shewas
placedont hebedandtakentotheemergency
room.
Noma:
Thi
scan'
tbehappeni
ng.Fi
rstmyson,
nowMimi
?
Shesatdownandcr i
ed.Nkosicomfort
ed.
Lulekawalkedi
nandwhenshest eppedinsi
de
dressedinhert
radit
ionalat
ti
reIknew
somet hi
ngwaswr ong.
Lul
eka:
(chant
ing)
Wewatchedasshewalkedaroundwithher
f
eat
herthathadsmokeri
singfrom i
t.
Me:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Bless:
Molimowabadi
mo(herb)it
smeantto
castoutdemonsandf
ixwher
efi
xi
ngismeant
tobedone.
Lul
eka:
BoNy
osi
,BoMoeket
si,
BoMokoena.
.
Sheplacedthefeatherdown.Shedi
dn'
tstay
l
ongbecauseaf teraski
ngaboutLut
handoshe
walkedoutagainandIwascur i
oustoknow
whatshewant edtosay.
Dr
:IjustsedatedMrsMol
efeandt
omor
rowI
wi
llhaveherresul
ts.
Noma:
Andmyson?Lut
hando?
Dr
:Heisst
il
lthesame.Hav
efai
thMi
ssMol
efe.
Pl
ease.
Noma:
Iwi
l
lDoct
or.
Dr
:Goodby
e.
Wemadeourwayourwayoutandev eryone
sawitbestt
osleepatNoma'shousejustsowe
coul
dbewi t
hher.Shedoesn'
tdeser
vetobe
batt
li
ngthi
saloneandIwassurpri
sedthatshe
hasexchangedafewwordswi
thmebecause
thi
swomanhat esmewit
heveryfi
beri
nher
bodyandshedoesn'
tev
enhideit
.
Mamel o'ssondidn'
tcrywhenIoff
eredt ohel
p
Blessplacehimt osl
eepandIwassur pri
sed
whenBl esstol
dmet hatIngr
idbar
elyloves
Mamel o.Ibeli
eveshetookfr
om herfather'
s
becausenomat t
erwhat.Iwoul
dneverhat ea
personfrom noreasonbecauseMamel odoes
notseem likeabadperson.
Thenextmorni
ngIbat
hedIngr
idandDr
einthe
samebatht
ubandwhenBlesstol
dmeKevin
want
edhim Iper
sonal
l
ytookhim.
Kev:It
houghttheywerelyi
ngt
hatwehavea
deadpersonroamingaroundt
hestr
eet
s.
Me:
Mxm !
Hechuckl
ed.
Kev
:Mychamp!
Het
ookDr
e.
Kev:
Iwillbr
inghim backwhenMi
mii
sback
fr
om thehospit
al.
Me:
Arey
ouaski
ngort
ell
i
ngme?
Kev
:Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou.
Me:
Ok.
Helef
tandonceever
yonewasr
eadywemade
ourwaytot
hehospit
al.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Aft
erbei
ngcheckedbythenurseIl
aidonmy
backandwai
tedforDrThobang
Kar
abo:
MrsMol
efe.
Me:
Heydoct
or.Doy
ouhav
eany
thi
ngf
orme?
Kar
abo:
Ihav
ethebestnewsf
ory
ouandI
bel
i
evet
hisi
sGod'
sluckandgi
ft
.
Me:
Whi
chi
s?
Karabo:
Youar e6weekspr
egnant
.
Congrat
ulat
ions.
Me:
Real
l
y?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Me:
OhGod.
Icov
er edmymout
hasIhadami
xtur
eoft
ear
s
andlaught
er.
Kar
abo:Andbel
i
evemewhenIsayLuthandoi
s
goi
ngtowakeup.Ipr
ayedt
hathewakesup.
Me:ThankyousomuchMrThobang.Thank
youJesus.
Thel
astpar
tIsai
dtomy
sel
f.
[
04/
23,
12:
59]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
14
EversinceIlearnedaboutpregnancyIhave
beenv eryhappyandsmi li
ngthewholetime.
Thenur sesevenaskedmewhyIwasso
contentandwhenIbr okeoutt henewstothem,
theycongratul
atedme.Thef ir
stpersontogiv
e
meav isi
twasNoma.Shewal kedinholdi
nga
fewgiftsandt wopinkball
oonsandhanded
them tomeandt hesmileshehadonherf ace
provedt omet hatmewaki ngupwast hebest
thi
ngt oher.
Me:
SoIhav
esomet
hingf
ory
ou.
Shesatdown.
Me:
Mh!Iam pr
egnant!
Noma:
Youl
i
e?
Me:
Iam notNoma.Iam 6weekspr
egnant
.
Noma:
Oohhmybaby
!
Shest
oodupandhuggedme.At
ighthug.
Noma:Luthandoisgoi
ngt
obesohappy
Mamelo.Ihopeit
saboybecausehewant
san
hei
rofhi
sown.
Me:Heisdefi
nit
elygoi
ngt
obehappy
.Pl
ushe
hasbeennaggi
ngmeaboutwanti
ngust
ohave
ababy.
Noma:
Ijusthopehewakesupsoonhl
eMi
mi?
Shecouldnothi
dehowhurtshewasaboutt
his
i
ncidentwi
thLut
handobei
nginacoma.
Noma:
I..
Shest
oppedandIcouldnotj
ustwat
chasshe
wasaboutt
ocry.Ihel
dhercl
osetome.
Me:Iknowthi
swi
l
lsoundunl
i
keMamel
obut
canwepray
?
Shesmi
l
ed.
Noma:
Yes.
Wel
ockedhandsandIt
ookl
ead.
Me: HeavenlyFather.Youhav eourcr iesand
ourpleas.Youhav eseenoursuf feri
ngand
happiness.Wewi shformorel aughterthen
painfult
earscomi ngf r
om ourey es.Wewant
thehappinesst ooutweighthesadnessand
LuthandoMol efi,
myhusband, isourhappiness.
Hehasdonebaddeedsbuty ouhav esaid
everyonedeser v
essecondchances.I fIcould
givehim endlesschancesy oucanal sodoi t
.
Pleaseprotectmyhusband, babaka
NoluthandoanduDadakaDr e.Iny ournamewe
pray.Amen.
Noma:
Amen.

Webot hwipedourtearsandsatdownand
spokeaboutthehappinessmysonordaught er
wil
lbri
ngintothisworl
d.OnceagainIam goi
ng
togiv
ebirt
ht othebestthi
ngthatwil
lhappenin
mylif
e.
Iwassur pri
sedasIwasint hewardhavi
nga
talkwit
hMandy ,Nkosi
,ChanceandNomaand
sawmyexbestf ri
endStaceywalkthr
ought
he
doorholdingagif
tbox.Alleyesf
oll
owedmy
trai
landsawher .
Sas:
Hel
l
o.
Wegr
eet
edherback.
Noma:
Canwehel
pyouchi
l
d?
Me:
She'
smyf
ri
endNoma.HeySas.
Sas:
IhopeIam notdi
stur
bing.
Me:Notr eal
l
y.Guy
sSaswasLut
hando'
sold
assi
stantandshei
sal
soagoodfri
endofmine.
Noma:
Itst
hef
ir
stt
imeIhav
ehear
dofher
.
Me:Right
.Wher
ehavey
oubeenthough?It
s
beenquit
esometi
mesi
nceIhav
eseeny ou.
Sas:I'
vebeenaroundandwhenIheardthat
Luthandohasbeenadmitt
edhereIknewthisi
s
whereI'df
indyou.Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouwer ealsoi
n
hospi
tal
.
Me:
Itsal
ongst
ory
.
Sas:
Thaty
ouwi l
ltel
lmesomeotherday.Ihad
l
unchandi
tsalsooverandIt
houghtwhynot
comeseeyou.
Shet
ookoutacar
dandhandedi
ttome.
Sas:
Cal
lme.
Me:
ByeSt
acey
.
Sas:
Bye.
Shefi
rst
lypl
acedthegi
ftboxont
opoft
he
couchbefor
ewalki
ngoutthewar
d.
Me:
Uhm .
..Wher
e'sNol
unt
u?
Noma:
Mxm!
Me:
Noma.
.
Mandy:Wesawherinthewait
ingr
oom ear
li
er
butIbel
i
evet
hatshehaslef
t.
Me:
Soshei
sreal
l
yal
i
ve?
Il
etoutasi
l
lychuckl
e.
Me:
Howthough?Imean.
..Iam j
ustsocur
ious
t
oknow.
Mandy:Thet
wopeoplewhohavet
hose
answer
sforyoui
sDit
shol
ofet
soandLul
eka.
Me:
Iguess.
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Il
eftIngri
d'sbedroom af
terIhadplacedherto
sl
eepandwal keddownstai
rs.Iwasaloneinthe
house.Blessi
ngwentt ochurchtoprayforher
brot
herandNkosi wentt
ot hehospit
altosee
Mamel o.Thedoor bel
lwentoffandbehindthe
doorissomeguy .
Me:
Uhm .
..Hi
.
Hi
m:Hi
.
Hel
ookedmei
ntheey
esandIl
ookedbackat
t
hem.
Me:
You'
rel
ooki
ngf
orsomeone?
Hi
m:Yea.Nkosi
.
Me:HewentoutandIam notsur
ewhenhewi
l
l
r
etur
n.
Hi
m:Isee.Iam Zwel
ibyt
heway
.
Me:
Nol
unt
u.
Hi
m:Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulname.
Me:
Thanky
ou.Youhav
ebeaut
if
uley
es.
Theywer ebr
ownandtheyglowedli
ketwo
galaxi
es.Hesmi
ledr
eveali
nghisperf
ectwhi
te
tooth.
Hi
m:Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou.
Me:
Sameher
e.
Hewasr
eluct
antaboutl
eav
ingbuthedi
dgett
o
hiscarandbeforedisappeari
nginside,
hetook
anotherlookatmeandl eft
.Iclosedthedoor
andpressedmybackont hedoor .Hewasso
handsomeandhi svoicewasj ustsosexythatI
wouldn'tevenmindhavinghim speaktomet he
wholetime.Iwishtoseehim again.Iwantto
seehim again!
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Thiswasmyseconddayi nt hehospi
talbutI
signedt
hedischargepapersandIonlywanted
tospeaktomyhusbandbef oreIgohomeand
seehowDr ewasdoi ngt
henagainIwi l
lret
urn.I
satonthechairholdi
nghishand.
Me:
Heybaby
.It
'sme.Nunabear
..
Il
etoutachuckl
ebecauset
hatwassosi
l
lyof
met
oact
ual
l
ysay
.
Me:DoctorThobangt
oldmethaty
oucould
hearwhatisbei
ngsai
d.Pi
tyy
oucan'tr
espond.
Ir
ubbedhi
sski
nusi
ngmyt
humb.
Me: Yest
erdayIr ecei
vedthebestnewsf r
om
thedoctor.Hesai dIam car
ryi
ngy oursonor
evendaught er
.That '
sthebestnewsr i
ght
?I
beli
eveyourwi sheswer egr
antedbyGod.Our
wishes.
Wi
thmyf
reehandIwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me: Luthandopleasewakeupsot hatwecan
resumewi thourli
ves.SothatIdonotgo
throughthisjour
neyalone.Ineedy oumor e
thenIhav eeverneededyou.Sot hatwecango
getmar ri
edinParisandjustbehappy .Ingr
id
needsy ou,Ineedyou.Nomai sgoingcr azy
withoutyou.Weal lar
e.Iam evenpr ay
ingfor
yout orecoverbabysoplease.Donotl eaveme.
Notnow.Notev erbecauseifyoudieIam going
todiewi t
hy ou.
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
ssomemor
ethenIst
oodup.
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
Ist
eppedoutt
hewar
dandwal
kedt
oNkosi
'
s
car
.Hedroveme.
Ihav ebeent akingitdaybyday .Luthandowas
slowlyrecov eri
ngandev erydayIam t here.His
war dhasbeendecor atedbyal l
thepr esentsI
takeev eryday.Thef lowersandpi cturesthat
Ingri
dtakesonadai lybasisItaket hem there
andpast et hem ont hewal lofhiswar d.Itsbeen
2weeksofhi m sti
l
l unconsciousand2weeks
ofmesl eepingonnotj ustacoldbedbutal soa
wetpi l
l
ow.Ihav eseenNol untutwiceort hree
timesandIhav eexchangeaf ewwor dswi t
hher .
Wehav enev erfoughtnorev engiveneachot her
unpleasantl ooks.Wear etwogr ownwomen
andwear et oomat ur etoevenhat eoneach
otherbecauseshei sLut hando'sexandIam hi s
wife.
Todayi
sthe15t
hdaywi
thLut
handost
il
l
unconsci
ous.Ihadabouquetofr
oses.I
enter
edhiswardandplacedthef
lower
sdown.
Me:
Goodaf
ter
noonMrMol
efi
.
“Goodaft
ernoonMamel o.”Ist
oppedwhatI
wasdoi
ngandl ookedathim.Hewassmi l
i
ng
andIdi
dnotexpecttoreceiv
ear epl
yfr
om hi
m.
Me:
Luu.
..OhGod!
Icov
eredmymout
husi
ngmyonehand.
Me:
How?Imean.
..When?
Thando:Gody ou'
rebeaut
if
ul.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkmy
mysteri
ousdailyv
isi
torwouldbethi
sbeaut
if
ul
butagainyourvoi
ce.
Me:
Myst
eri
ousdai
l
yvi
sit
or?
Thando:
Youdocomeher eever
ydayandyou
tel
lmestor
iest
hatIdon'
tevenr
emember.I
mean-
Henot
icedt
heconf
usi
onwr
it
tenonmyf
ace
Thando:
Youl
ooksur
pri
sed.
Me:
Lut
hando.
..Doy
ouknowwhoIam?
Thando:YouareMameloMol ef
iandIhav
et wo
kidswit
hyou.Ingr
idandDre.Ourt
hir
dchil
d,
Zubenathi
,you'
rest
il
lpr
egnantwit
hhim.That'
s
thenamer i
ght?
Doct
orThobangst
eppedi
nsi
de.
Kar
abo:
HeyMi
mi.Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
Me:
Hei
sconf
usi
ngme.
Karabo:Luthandohasl osthi
smemor y
.The
onlythi
ngsher ememberarethethingsyou
havebeent ell
inghim whil
ehewasunconsci ous.
Hedoesn' tknowI ngr
idnorDre.Hehasheard
aboutthem.Thet hi
ngsyouhav esaidtohi
m
areonlyinhishead.Her ecal
lseachandevery
thi
ng.
Me:
Sohedoesn'
tknowNoma?
Henodded.
Me:
Dit
shol
ofet
so?
Kar
abo:
Mimi
...
.Hedoesn'
tev
enknowy
ou.
Damn.
.
.
.

.
.
.
[
04/
23,
13:
00]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
15
Me:
Not
hing?
Kar
abo:
Absol
utel
ynot
hing.
Me:Buthowcanherememberme?Ort
he
t
hingst
hatIhav
ebeentel
l
inghi
m?
Karabo:Whenhisheadcoll
idedwi
ththehard
objecti
mmediatel
yhisbrai
ngotpr
etenti
ousso
thatwasthepreci
pit
ateofthememoryloss.
.
Att
hatmomentIhadgr
aspofEngl
i
shl
anguage.
Me:
Engl
i
shpl
easeKar
abo.
Isai
dev
ident
lyannoy
ed.
Heexhal
ed.
Karabo:Youtol
dhim aboutyouandy our
rel
ati
onshipwhi
lehewasi ncoma.Hedoesn't
rememberhowy ourrel
ati
onshipwasbuthe
knowsthatyouweretogetherbecauseyout
old
him.
Me:
Hebel
i
evesev
ery
thi
ngt
haty
out
ell
him?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Me:
Wil
lhegai
nhi
smemor
ythough?
Karabo:Yes.I
t sashortterm memoryloss.
Don'ttr
yandr emindhim cert
ainthi
ngs.Ifyou
encouragehimt henhewi l
lbouncebackt o
squareoneandbar elyrememberwhathe
knowst odaybecausey ouforcedhi
m.Iwi l
lset
upsessionswi thMrGrobbleersothatyoudont
feell
ikeyouarei nt
hisalone.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Kar
abo:
You'
rewel
come.Remember
,dontf
orce
hi
m.
Me:
Iwon'
t.
HesteppedoutthewardandIt
urnedmy
at
tenti
ontoLuthando.
Me:
Arey
ouhungr
y?
Thando:
Yea.
Me:Woul
dyoul
i
kesomef
ri
edchi
ckenwi
th
sal
sa?
Thando:
Isi
tmyf
avor
it
e?
Me:
Yep!
Thando:
ThenIdon'
tmi
ndhav
ingi
t.
I
nthebaskett
hatIcamewi th,
Itookthemeal
outandhel
pedhim pl
aceitonhislapwit
hout
hurt
inghi
msel
f.Hewasv eryfr
agil
e.
Thando:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
Me:
Real
l
y?
Thando:
Yea.Imean,
Iwasexpecti
ngy out
o
comeearli
erl
i
keyouusual
lydobuttodayi
t
seemedasifyouwer
edelayed.
Me:
Ihadwor
ktoat
tendt
o.
Thando:
Soy
ouwor
k?
Me:
Yes.Atmyhusband'
scompany
.
Isai
d,wit
hasmi
ler
eveal
i
ngmyt
eet
h.He
ret
urnedt
hesmi
l
e.
Thando:You'
resobeaut
if
ulandIwonderhowI
gotyou.Canyoutel
lmehowwemet ?WasI
goodtoyou?
Me: Atyou'dworkpl
ace.Myfri
endSt
aceywas
yourassist
antsoIwentt oher
.Youwal
kedin.
Thebossl ooki
ngallhandsome..
Ist
oppedandgi
ggl
edandhewasat
tent
ivel
y
l
ist
eni
ngtome.
Me: Youhadcaughtmyeyes.Isai
dtomy self
thatIwil
lgettobewit
hyoubutthenmyf r
iend
hadacr ushonyousoIbackedupabitthough
youwant edtobewit
hmeorasIt hi
nk.
..
Itoldhimt hewhol est or
yandwewoul dlaugh
andwhenIt oldhi m aboutt
heabusehe
apologizedasi fheev enremember swher eit
happened.Ibel ievedthathewillgetbetterand
hewasat tachedt ome.Idonotunder standwhy .
Isitbecauseoft hememor yloss?Hedi dn't
wantmet ol eavenorev enj
uststoptalking.I
t
wasl i
ke. .
.Hewasobsessed.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
ItwasaSat ur
dayandIwasatNkosi '
shouse
withBlessint
heloungewhenNkosi ,Chance,
Carti
andZwel imadethei
rappearance.WhenI
sawZwel i,
Igotshytobearoundhim.Hei sjust
sohandsomeandhi ssmilebri
ghtenshiseyes
makinghim evenmoreattr
acti
ve.Hesatdown
onthesamecouchasme.
Chance:
Whydon'twev
isi
tourbr
otherman
Lut
handotoday
?
Nkosi:Iwasthereinthemorningandhewasn'
t
up.Ihatethestat
et hathei
sin.
Car
ti
:Mycousi
nbruh.Hei
sdef
ini
tel
yget
ti
nga
wel
comebackpar
ty..
“Youwill
notbeli
evewhatIjusthear
d.”Noma
sai
dcomi ngdownst
air
sholdingDre.Weshi
ft
ed
ourat
tenti
ontoher.
Noma:
MysonLut
handohaswokenup.
Me:
Real
l
y?!
Icoul
dnothel
pmy
sel
fbutshout
.
Noma:
Yes.
Me:
Wehav
etogoseehi
m.
Bl
ess:
You'
rer
ight
.
Nkosi
:I'
l
lgogett
hecarr
eady
.
Chance:
Theot
her
swi
l
lri
dewi
thme.
Every
onestoodupandgotreadyf
ort
hevisi
t.
Befor
egoingtothegar
age,
IhadtogetZwel
i
outofmyway .
Zweli
:Whyisi
tli
key
oucan'
tgetov
ery
ourex
husband?
Me:
Whot
oldy
ou?
Zwel
i:
Ihav
eheardst
ori
esaboutt
het
woofy
ou.
So,
tel
lmewhy?
Me:
Ican'
tpossi
blyexpl
ainmy
sel
ftoy
ou.
Zwel
i
:IknowandIam sor
ry.
Hemov edoutt
hewayandIwalkedpassedhi m
andheadedtoNkosi
'
swait
ingcar.Idon'tknow
whyIwasliket
hatwi
thZweli
.Wasi tbecause
Lut
handoisback?
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Me:
BabyIhav
etol
eav
e.
Thando:
Justaf
ewmor
eki
ssesbaby
.Comeon.
See?Hei
sobsessedwi
thme
Me:It
hinkIwi
llspeaktoKar
aboaboutt
his
whol
eobsessedofy our
s.
Hechuckl
ed.
Thando:
Sobei
ngi
nlov
ewi
thy
out
endst
obe
anobsessi
on?Iam of
fended.
Kar
abost
eppedi
nsidet
hewardandbehi
ndhi
m
i
sNoma,Dit
shol
ofet
so,
Nkosi
pendul
aand
Nol
unt
u.
Kar
abo:
Donotwor
ry.It
oldt
hem.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hecl
osedt
hedoor
.
Noma:
Mimi
...I
ntr
oduceus.
Me:
Ohy
es!Lut
hando?
Thando:
Baby
?
Me:
Thi
sisNoma.Yourmot
her
.
Thando:
Iremembery
out
alki
ngabouther
.
Me:
Andt
hisi
syourexwi
fe.Nol
unt
u.
Thando:
Oh.
Me:
Andy
ourbest
ie.

Nkosi
andIchuckl
ed.
Me:
Nkosi
pendul
a.
Thando:
Heyman.
Nkosicamecloserandtheyhugged.Godthis
wasthebestviewthough.Br
othersreuni
ti
ng.
Oncethei
rhugwasov erhegrabbedmyhand
andbroughtmecloser.
Thando:
Idon'
twanty
oust
andi
ngt
oof
arf
rom
me.
Il
ookedatNoma.Iwant edhel
p.Yeshewould
notharm mebutthewholeobsessi
onisa
majorscare.Whati
fitt
urnsi
ntopossessi
on?
[
04/
23,
15:
04]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Nkosi
.
.
.
.
16
Aftermeet i
ngwithLuthandoIwentt omygy m
anddi dwhatIhadt odo.BlessandIhav ebeen
hav i
ngourday swherewewoul dfi
ghtandshe
i
st heonewhoconst antl
ybeginwiththefi
ghts.
Ihitthepunchingbagv eryhardandIwas
disturbedbytheemer gencyalarm whi
chrangin
myheadl i
keabellbeingrangr i
ghtonmyear .I
didn'tevengetti
met obreath.Iknewshitwas
fi
ringwheni twentoff.Ient
eredtheshowerand
tookaqui ckshower.Onmywaydownst ai
rsI
sawmysonsi tti
ngbyhi sbedroom.
Me:
Khay
a?
Het urnedhishead.Icouldseeanot
herfi
gurei
n
thebedr oom.IwalkedcloserandwhenI
enteredsomef uckerwashol di
ngmyson's
teddybearcalli
nghim butimmediat
elyst
opped
whenhesawme.
Me:
Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
Iwaspissed.Thi
sfuckerwasinmydamn
ter
ri
tor
yplusBlesshadpissedmetot
hemax.
Hi
m:Fourwor
ds.
..Wher
eisMamel
oNy
osi
?
Me:
Maket
hatf
ourpunches.
Iwasabletofi
retwowhenhehel dmeandf i
red
twomoretoo.Iwassur pri
sed.Ihavefought
wit
hbiggerguysthanthisfuckerbuthewas
abl
etofir
e1-2punches.Ourf ightconti
nued
unt
ilagunwasf i
red.Wel ookedatthedoorand
Nomawasst andi
ngt herewithKhay a.
Noma:
Stept
hehel
lawayf
rom myson.
Wel
etgoofeachot
her
.
Noma:
Whoar
eyou?Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Hi
m:Wher
eisMamel
oNy
osi
.
Noma:
Whoi
saski
ng?
Hi
m:Ri
sMokoena.I
'
m herbr
other
..
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Aftert hesleepingpil
l
shadki ckedin,Thando
sleptandIgott oleave.Iclimbedi nmycarand
drov et oThandoandI 'shome.WhenIar r i
ved
there, abluemust angwaspar kedr i
ghtinf ront
oft hecar .Ipul
ledoverandst eppedoutt hecar .
Ibel i
ev eBil
lydidnotallowwhoev erwaspar ked
her ein.Theymusthav eseenmebecausewhen
Iappr oachedt hecartheyst eppedout .Itwasa
hugeguywi thtat
toosal lover
.Thef ir
stthing
thatcl i
ckedi nmyheadi sthatthisguywas
eithersentbyoneofThando' senemi esor
someoneIr andomlydonewr ongsoIt urned
aroundandi nmyheel sIwasabl et orunbutI
didnotr eachthecaront ime.Hecaughtme.
Guy
:Rel
ax!
!
It
ri
edbr
eaki
ngf
ree.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant?
!
Guy
:Fuck!Rel
axMamel
o!!
Itt
ookmet
imet
ocomposemy
sel
fandl
ooked
athim.
Guy:Iam Ri
sandyouprobabl
yhaven'
thear
d
aboutmebecauseI'
vebeeninj
ail
almostmy
wholeli
fe.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Guy:Iam NalediMokoena'
sson.Nal
edi
Ndondo'
sy oungersi
ster
.
Me:
Ok.So?
Hesi
gned.
Ri
s:Youar
ereal
l
yhar
dheadedbr
uh.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Ri
s:Mi
miIam y
ourbrot
her.Howcany
ouask
mesuchast
upidquest
ion?
Me:Brot
her?Bhut
iweh,akenaf
amil
ysokopa
ongtl
ogel
e!(brot
her,
Idonthaveafami
l
yso
l
eavemealone!)
Ri
s:Nal
edi
Mokoena.Shei
syourmot
her
.
Thisguywasn'
tmakingsenseatal
l.Idont
knowNalediMokoenanorevenheardofthe
Mokoenasurname.“AndIam yoursist
er.”
Il
ookedbehi
ndRi
sandKopanot
hePAwas
st
andingt
her
einheruni
for
m.
Me:
What
?
Kopano:YesMimi
.Risismybr
other
.Hej
ust
gotrel
easedf
rom j
ail
.
Igl
ancedatRi
s.
Me:
How?
Ri
s:Wecan'tpossi
blybetal
ki
ngher
eint
he
st
reet
s.Let
'sstepi
nside.
Me:HowdoIknowt
haty
ouar
enotl
yi
ng?That
youar
esent
?
Ris:
Thishouseissur
roundedbysecuri
ty
guardsMamelo.Howbr av
edoy outhi
nkwear
e?
Ihuf
fed.
Me:Fi
ne.Iwi
l
ldr
ivei
nsi
det
hey
ardandy
ouwi
l
l
f
oll
ow.
Ri
s:Cool
.
Theywentandsteppedint
hei
rcarandI
steppedi
nmine.Fir
stl
yIof
fer
edthem dr
inks
beforewesatdownandspoke.
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Me:
I'
m her
e.
Hewasfaci
ngtheotherwaybutwhenIsai
d
t
hathet
urnedaround.
Zwel
i
:Hey
.
Me:
Hey
.
Hehadpr
epar
edacandl
eli
ghtdi
nnerand
bel
iev
emewhenIsayagangsteristhemost
romanti
cman.Justwheny
oustayfait
hful
.
Me:
What
'sal
lthi
s?
Idi
dnotsaythati
nabadway
.Ijustwant
edhi
m
toexpl
aint
omewhyhedidal
lthis.
Zwel
i
:It
houghtwhynotshowy
oumygr
ati
tude.
Me:
Whatgr
ati
tudeZwel
i
?
Zwel
i
:Forbei
ngt
hisbeaut
if
ul.
Ibl
ushed.
Zwel
i
:Let
'ssi
t.
.
Hetookmyhandandhel pedmesi tdown.
Therewasnooneintherestaurant
.Itwasonl
y
us.Healsotookaseatopposit
eme.Av er
yni
ce
songplayed.
Me:
Thi
ssong.
.
Zwel
i:
Itsmyf
avor
it
e.K.
Ofeat
uri
ngRunt
own.
I
tsnamedCal
lMe.
Me:
Ithi
nki
tsmyf
avor
it
e.
Zwel
i
:Iknewy
ou'
dli
kei
thenceIsuggest
edi
t.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:Befor
ewegoany wherewi
tht
hisdi
nner
.
CanIaskyouonequest
ion?
Zwel
i
:Yes?
Me:
Youdon'
thav
eacr
azybabymamar
ight
?
Zwel
i
:Idonthav
eababymamasoy
ou'
resaf
e.
Webothbrokei
nlaught
er.Wewer
ebei
ngv
ery
si
l
lyr
ightnow.
Me:
Ament
othat
.
Zweli
:Ij
ustwantachi
l
dwithonewomanand
nothavemywifebegi
venahardt
imebybaby
mamas.
Me:
Yourwi
fe?
Zweli
:It
'
stooear
lyf
ormet
oengagesol
et'
s
ski
pthat.
Me:
Haha!I
fyousayso.
.
Af ancydi
shwasbr oughtthenwebegant oeat
whi l
ewespokeaboutcer t
ainthings.Agreat
conv er
sat
ionwithsomeonel i
keZwel ii
sa
dream comet r
ue.Notalwaysfightorevenbeg
aman.Rat hertal
kaboutkeepinghim.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
“Thesoundofyourv
oicenowwoul
dmakea
di
ffer
ence.”-K.
O
[
04/
23,
15:
04]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
17
Thet
hreeofussatdowndownspoke.
Me:
So,
mymom i
sNdondo'
syoungersi
ster
?
Thi
swassohar
dhar
dact
ual
l
ycompr
ehend.
Me:
Wher
ehasshebeent
hewhol
eti
me?
Ri
s:Shest
aysi
nRomeeversi
ncedad'
spassi
ng
whi
chwas17year
sagowhenshemov ed.
Me:
AndKopano?
Ri
s:Shewasstay
ingwithmebutwhenIgot
ar
rest
edshewentSouthanddidat
hingofher
ownandbegantosteal
coke.
Ano:
That'
swhenImetwi
thLuthando.Hetook
meinandgav
emet hi
sPAjob.Whilehewasat
Cubahewast
rai
ningme.
Me:
Soy
ouwer
etoget
hert
her
e?
Ano:Yes.Hehighlyaboutyou.Therewasno
minutewherehedoesn'tsayyourname.Either
aski
ngthetechnici
ansabouty ourmovesand
cert
aint
hingsregardi
ngyou.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
hought
hatwear
e
r
elat
ed?
Ano:Iwasn'tsurethatwewer
erel
atedbut
whenRisgotr el
easedthat
'
swhenmyi nst
inct
s
wereprovedright.
Ihuf
fed.
Me:
All
thi
sti
meIt
houghtIwasal
one.
Ris:
Weallthoughtthaty
ouwer
edead.That
'
s
whatthenursestol
dmom att
hehospi
tal
.
Ndondoknowsaboutwhathappenedt
heday
youwereborn.
Me:
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
osayt
hatIwasst
olen?
Ri
s:ByNonhl
anhl
a.
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his!
Ri
s:Mi
mi-
Me:Howdareshe.Shet
reat
edmel i
ket
rashf
or
year
s!Isuf
fer
edandfornot
hing!
Iwasli
vi
d.Havingtolear
nt hatIhavesuff
ered
fr
om astr
anger'
shandsandnotmymot her.
ThatNonhl
anhlamademecussmymot her
ever
ydayandni ght
.Sheisthereasonbehind
mydespair
.Ihateherforthat.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Zweli
andIdi
dnotdoanyt
hinginappr
opri
ate
butwedi
dspendthewhol
enighttoget
her.I
enj
oyedmy sel
ftotheful
lest
.Imean,
itsbeen
sometimesinceIhavelaughedt
hismuchor
smil
edfornoreason.
InBless'sy ar
daf terbeingdr oppedbyt hegate
byZwel i Ifoundamat tegr een" kumkanikazi
GP"Mer cedesBenzpar kedout si
denextto
Nkosi'sLuma.Il earnedt hati tbel
ongedt o
Mamel oMol efiwhenIwal kedi nthr
oughthe
doorandf oundheri nt heki tchenwi t
hNkosi.It
seemedl iket heywer et alkingaboutsomet hi
ng
seri
oussoIwal kedpassedt hekitchenbumped
i
ntoBl essbyt hestairs.
Bl
ess:
Wher
ethehel
lhav
eyoubeen?
!
Me:
Heychi
l
l!
Bl
ess:Don'
ttel
lmet
ochi
l
lNol
unt
u.Iwas
worr
iedsi
ck!
Me:
Ijustneededt
imet
obeal
one.That
'
sal
l
.
Shet
ooksomet
imeandi
nhal
ed.
Bl
ess:
Isi
taboutLut
hando?
Me:Notev
ery
thi
ngi
saboutt
oLut
handoy
ou
know.
Iwasabouttowalkupst
air
sbitst
oppedwhenI
sawprophetDav
id.Lut
hando'
sfather
.Icleared
mythr
oat.Iwascrampedfeel
i
nghi spresence.
Bl
ess:
Tat
a,y
our
emember
-
Hewalkedpasseduswit
houtev
enheari
ng
whatBlesshadtosay
.Shehadthi
spi
tyl
ookon
herf
ace..
Me:
I'
ll
bei
nmyr
oom.
Bl
ess:
Lunt
u-
Igotupstair
sandthefi
rstt
hingIdidwhenI
steppedinsi
detheroom wastoplacet
hebag
downt hentakeashower.
.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Aft
erspeaki
ngtoNkosiImademywayt
o
Khaya'
sbedroom wher
eIngr
idwas.
Me:
Ingr
id?
Shet
urnedar
oundandIgott
oseeLut
hando'
s
cr
eat
ion.
Me:
Iam goi
ngt
oseedaddy
.Mi
ndj
oini
ngme?
I
ngr
id:
No!
Shefoldedherar
mst
henhel
dherbr
eat
hli
ke
shealwaysdoes.
Me:
Thandowoul
dhat
ehav
ingy
oudot
hat
.
Shedi
dnot
hing.Iwal
kedcl
osert
oherandknel
t
down.
.
Khay
a:Mi
mi.
.Wher
e'sThando?
Hesai
dinhisbabyv
oicemaki
nghi
mlookev
en
moreador
able.
Me:Thandoi
satt
hehospi
tal
.Youwantt
o
comewithme?
Shenoddedr ev
eal
inghisi
mperf
ectbutyet
per
fectteet
h.ThatseemedtomakeIngr
id
j
ealous.
Her
:Mi
mi.
.It
oowantt
oseeThando.
Shestr
uggl
edtofor
mul
atethewholesent
ence
butatt
heendshemanaged.Ismi
l
ed

Me:
Fir
stl
ywear
egoi
ngt
ofet
chDr
e.
Igrabbedbot hthei
rhandsandledthem outt
he
house.Karabohadar ri
vedwit
hKagiso.
Tomor r
owwasLut hando'
swelcomebackpar t
y
soIbeliev
et heycamet oputt
heirown
phi
losophiesont hetabl
e.
Kar
abo:
Heyy
ou.
Wehugged.
Kar
abo:
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
heki
ds?
Me:
ToseeTy
Hope.
Isai
dthatonpur
posebecauseHopewas
ar
ound.Kar
abo'
sdaught
er.
Hope:
Tay
dow?
!
Me:
Yep!
Hope:
Mom Iam al
sogoi
ngt
othehospi
tal
.
Karabo:Youcan'
tthoughandMimiyouknow
thekidsaren'
tal
l
owedatthehospi
tal
.
Me:
Ihadt
hatpl
annedsor
elaxdol
l
.
Shesi
ghed.
Kar
abo:
Hopebabypl
easepl
aysaf
e.
Hope:
Yeay
eaIwi
l
l.Let
'sgoaunt
yMi
mi.
Weheadedt omykumkani
kazi
andHopet
ook
t
hef r
ontseatandwej
ammedt oBr
unoMars'
s
f
inessed.
.
Hope:
“Nomybabydon’
tpl
ay
Bl
amei
tonmyconf
idence
Oh,
blamei
tony
ourmeasur
ement
s..
”
.
.
.
.
#Thando
Therewasnot
hingint
eresti
ngtowat
chnor
evendosoIsatther
eont hebedboi
l
ingunt
il
Karabomadehisentr
ance.
Me:
Whenam Il
eav
ingt
hispl
ace?
Kar
abo:
Justaf
ewmor
ehour
sman.
Hepl
acedthef
il
edownandhehadt
hissmi
l
e
onhi
sface.
Me:
What
?
Kar
abo:
Yourki
dsar
eher
e

Me:
Wit
hmywi
fe?
Hechuckl
e.
Kar
abo:
Gody
ou'
reobsessedwi
thMi
mi.
Me:
Issheher
e?
Kar
abo:
Yep.
Shesteppedinsi
deholdingababyboyand
holdi
nganotherbeauti
full
it
tl
egir
lwhom I
'
ve
seeninthepict
uresthatwerepast
edinmy
ward.
Mi
mi:
Hey
y..
Kar
abomadehi
sexi
t.
Mi
mi:
Howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
vemi
ssedy
ou.
Shepeckedmyl
i
psbutIpul
l
edherbackf
ora
tenderki
ss.
.
“Daaad!
”Ichuckl
ed.
Mi
mi:Thisi
sIngr
id.Yourf
ir
stdaught
er.Her
mot
her,Nol
untu,
yousawherright
.
Me:
Idi
d.
Ipi
ckedherup
Mi
mi:
Andt
hisi
smysonDr
e.
Dr
e:Dada.
.

Hesai
dinababy
'i
shv
oice.
Mi
mi:
That
'shi
mtr
yingt
osaydaddyIbel
i
eve.
Ipi
ckedhi
m upt
oo
Mimi
:Thi
sisHopeandKhaya.Hopei
syo
homi
eandKhayaisI
ngr
id'
stwini
e.
Me:
(toHope)soI
'
myourhomi
e?
Hope:
Yea.
Shewasshy
.
Me:
Howcl
osear
ewe?
Hope:
Youcombi
nedournames.
Mi
mi:
TyHope.
Me:
Damnngi
rl!
Shel
aughedandIj
oinedher
.
Me:
SoKhay
aisI
ngr
id'
sboy
fri
end?
I
ngr
id:
Boy
?
Mi
mi:
Yest
hey
'r
efr
iends.Lut
hando!
Shesmackedmeabi
t.
Me:
Isee.
.
Wecont
inuedt
ospeakandt
hiswasj
usta
bl
i
ssf
ulmomentforme.
[
04/
23,
15:
05]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
Todayisthedaywherebywecelebr
ate
Luthando'
sret
urn.Iwastheonewhowentand
fet
chedhim att
hehospit
alandatourhouseI
par
kedt
hecarnextt
oKagi
so'
s.
Thando:
Wehav
ingapar
ty?
Me:
Nah.
Thando:
Okbutexpl
aint
hecar
s.
Me:
Itsour
sbabyr
elax.
Thando:WhydoIgett
hef
eel
i
ngt
hatIam bei
ng
l
iedtohere?
Me:
Butf
orr
eal
though.Comesee.
.
Iatt
emptedtost
epoutt
hecarbuthepul
l
edme
backinsi
de.
Thando:Mi
mi,Iwantt
ohaveyouall
tomy
sel
f
sopleasej
ustt
ell
mewho'sinsi
de?
Me:
Comesee.
.
Iwasabletobr
eakfreefr
om hisembraceandI
mademywayt othehouse.Isteppedinside
house,cl
osedt
hedoorandinformedtheot her
thathewascoming.Themomentheent ered
weshouted“SURPRISE!!
”.Hepointedhisi ndex
f
ingeratmeandIwasi
nst
it
ches.Hecamet
o
t
ickl
emeabi t
..
Thando:
Don'
tev
erdot
hat!
Me:
Iam sor
ry.
Hepeckedmyl
i
ps.
Thando:Al
ri
ght.
..Funsov
er.Ev
ery
bodygett
he
hel
loutofmyhouse!
Nkosi
:Onewoul
dsweary
oudi
dn'
tl
osey
our
memory.
Thando:
Nkosi
behav
eyour
sel
f!
Bl
ess:
Ormay
behef
akedi
t.
Thando:
May
bey
oushoul
dshutup!
Shestuckhert
ongueatherandIpul
l
edhi
mto
thesi
deabit.
Me:
Your
ememberev
ery
thi
ngnowdon'
tyou?
Thando:WhendoctorGr
obbl
eercamethefi
rst
dayIrememberedsomeofthethi
ngsandnowI
haverecov
eredfr
om myamnesia.
Me:
Yousneaky!
Thando:
Comeher
e..
Hebentmybackabi tt
henki
ssedmewi
thhi
s
ot
herhandsqueezi
ngmybehind.
Thando:
Ilov
eyou.
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Thando:
Andwewi l
lsoonbeget
ti
ngmar
ri
edin
Pari
sandIam goi
ngtogiv
eyoumanymany
ki
ds.
Me:
Youwi
sh!
Thando:Youwil
lthoughcauseIknowhow
muchy oulov
ethi
sdi ck.
.
Wehear dsomeoneclearthei
rthr
oatbehind
Luthandoandwegott olear
nthatitwas
prophetDavi
d.GoshIjustwonderedhowmuch
hehasheard..
Thando:
Uhhdad.Whatar
e-
Dav
id:
Doi
ngher
e?Ihear
dyouwer
einv
olv
edi
n
acaracci
dentsoIcametocheckhowyou'r
e
doi
ng.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkIwil
lmeetmydaughteri
n
l
awinsuchaway .
Thando:
Yea.Aboutt
hat
..

Dav
id:
Whydi
dn'
tIknowy
our
emar
ri
ed?
Thando:
Whydi
dn'
tGodt
ell
you?
David:Thantheysayyougett
hestubbornness
fr
om mewheny ouarethi
srude.Iwonderwhat
gi
rlsseeinyou.You'r
eugl
yLuthando.
Thando:Yeay
ea.Got
oyourot
herot
herwi
fe
andleav
eme.
Ar
etheyal
way
sli
ket
his?
Dav
id:
It'
sgoodt
ohav
eyoubackson.
Thando:
Itsgoodt
obebackdad.
Theyshoul
derhuggedt
henhel
ookedatme.
Dav
id:
Zubenat
hi.
Il
ookedatLut
handoper
plex.
Me:
MrMol
efi
-
Dav
id:
Maake.
Me:Oh.MrMaakedi
dNomat
ell
youwhatIwi
l
l
benamingmyson?
Dav
id:
No.If
igur
edi
toutmy
sel
f.
Me:
Ooh.
Davi
d:Ihopey ou'
rehappywiththi
suglysonof
mineMimi becauseheishardheadedbutagai
n
youlov
ehim andhei syourhusband.
Me:
Truet
hat
Dav
id:
Sti
ckbyhi
m daught
eri
nlaw.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Hesmiledatmebef
orewal
ki
ngaway
.Igl
anced
atLut
hando.
Me:
Yout
wol
ookal
i
ke.
Thando:
Don'
t.
Me:
Whydoy
ouhav
etoactl
i
ket
hat
?
Thando:
Becausehewasabl
etoleav
emet
o
growupwit
houtafat
herf
oryear
s.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Ast
oryf
oranot
herday
?
Thando:
Yes.
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u

Irecei
vedamessagef r
om Zwelitel
l
ingmethat
heisinthegar
denandt hathewantedtospeak
tome.Iwalkedoutsi
deandf oundhimfaci
ng
forwar
dwi t
hhishandsinhispocket
.
Me:
Zwel
i
?
Heturnedar
ound.Hesmi
l
edbef
orewal
ki
ng
cl
osertome.
Zweli
:Hey
.Wer
eyouenj
oyi
ngt
hepar
ty?Di
dI
di
stur
byou?
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y.
Zwel
i
:Ok.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:
Thanky
ou.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ult
oo.
Her
echeckedhi
sout
side.
Zwel
i
:It
rymybest
.
Wehear
dgigglingbehi
ndusandwhenwet urn
ar
oundwefindMamel oandLuthandopl
ayi
ng
ar
oundbutstoppedwhentheysawus.
Mi
mi:
Oh.Hey
yguy
s.
Theywal
kedcl
oser
.
Me:
HeyMi
mi.
Mi
mi:
Ihopewear
enotdi
stur
bingany
thi
ng.
Shewi
nked.
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y.
Mimi:
Ok.Wewerejustl
ooki
ngf
ort
he.
..Uhh
babywhat
'st
hatt
hingagai
n?
Thando:
Aperfectpl
acet
ohav
esexwi
thout
bei
ngheard.
Onl
yLut
handowoul
dact
ual
l
ysayt
hat
.
Zweli
:*chuckles*wow.Whataboutt
he
bar
bequest and.
Thando:
Ret
ard!
Hepl
ayedar
oundwi
thZwel
i
'sdr
eads.
Thando:
Enj
oyman.
Zwel
i
:Iam.
Hepi
ckedMameloupandt heywalkedback
i
nsi
de.GodIenv
ythei
rrel
ationshi
p.
Zwel
i
:Shal
lwesi
tdown?
Me:
Whynot
..
Hesatdownf
ir
standIf
oll
owed.Het
ookmy
handt
henwebegant
oconv
erse.
.
.
.
.
.
#Kopano
Ihadami ssionattheCapefl
atswhenIar ri
ved
thei
rwit
hmypar tnerbymysideIregret
tedever
comingbecauseIwasbr oughtstr
aighttothe
l
ion'
sden.Maxwast hef
ir
stonetoseemeand
hepokedt heothers.
Di
amond:
Ifi
tisn'
tmogwant
hi.
Hesai
dinhi
scol
oredaccent
.
Me:Guy swe'renother
et of i
ghtwi t
hy '
all
.We
j
ustcamet ospeakt oy'al
l.Youneedt ostop
comingto3zzandst artinvadingtheirter
rit
ory.
Theywillst
artwarandwewon' thaveachoi ce
butt
ot akey'
alltoJuvi
.
Att
o:Andwiei
sdsy(
jy)v
ironsvi
rtel
watmoet
onsdoen(whoar
eyoutotell
uswhattodo?)
Heexami
nedmewi
tht
hemostunpl
easant
l
ook.
.
At
to:
Mogwant
hi?
Me:
Guy
s-
Hepushedme.
At
to:
Youasni
tchK.'
nkont!(apussy)
(mypar
tner)-Nas:
Stepawayf
rom her
.
Theybegant olaugh.Steezywasj ustt
hereas
al
way s.Watchingastheyt er
rori
zeothers.90%
ofhisti
mehesi t
saroundqui etand10%ofhi s
ti
mehest eals.Heis16y earsold.Yep!Reignis
acrewofy oungsters.
ItwasmessedupwhenNasgoti nvol
ved.They
wantedt ost
abhim sohehadnochoicebutto
shoot.HeshotAtt
ot wi
ceandhewasdown.
Theot hersr
anawaywhileSt
eezyjustsatathi
s
placeandDiamondcamet oAtt
o.Hewasgone.
Di
amond:
Youf
ucki
ngbi
tch!Youl
ethi
m di
e!
Me:
Diamo-
Di
amond:
Moeni
emyt
ouchj
oukont!
Hewascl
oset
osheddi
ngt
ear
s.
Me:
Wet
ri
edspeaki
ngt
oyouDi
amond.
Di
amond:
Youf
ucki
ngbi
tch!
Hewaspaci
ngar
ound.
Di
amond:
Justknowy
oust
art
edwarwi
thRei
gn
K.
Me:
Dia-
Di
amond:
War!
!
Her anawayl eavingAt
to'
sdeadbody .Nas
call
edt hepoliceandIj
uststoodthere.When
Risforar r
estedReignbecamemyhome.They
didever y
thingforme.ThereasonIdidnot
sleepwi t
hanempt yst
omacht henIdothem
l
ikethis.Iknowf orsur
ethatwarhasbeen
declar
ed. .
[
04/
23,
15:
06]Ron:
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
19
Itwasnowt i
mef orev eryonetol
eaveandforus
togoandr est.Ihadwor kthenextdaysoIwil
l
needenoughsl eep.Lut handoandIwalkedback
i
ntot hehousehandi nhand.Webumpedi nto
Noluntu.Ibeli
ev eher ,Blessi
ngandMandywi l
l
besleepingov ersi ncetheyhadstayedbehi
nd.
Luthandodidn'tst ay.Hewentt ositwit
hNkosi.
.
Nol
u:Thatwasanamazi
ngwel
comepar
tyy
ou
di
dforLuthando.
Me:Everyonecameupwithapl
ansoIcan'
t
possi
blygetal
lthecr
edi
tbutt
hanky
ou.
Shesmi
l
ed.
Nolu:You'
reanamazingwomanj ustbyl
ooki
ng
i
ny oureyes.Ihav
eneverseeny
oui nabadway
norevenhadopt i
mist
ict
hought
saboutyou.
Me:
Thanky
ouNol
unt
u.Real
l
y
Nol
u:AndIwon'
tbest
ayi
ngl
ong.Iam l
eav
ing.
Me:Nostay
.Ibel
i
eveI
ngr
idwoul
dlov
etohav
e
youar
ound.
Nol
u:She'
ssl
eepi
ng.
Me: Theninthemor
ningyouwil
ltakeherto
school.Dontgi
vemeexcusesNoluntu.Pl
ease.
Shehuf
fed.
Nol
u:Fi
ne.
Me:
Great
.Comej
oinus.
.
TherewasabeeponmyphoneandwhenI
checkeditIhadamessagef r
om some
unknownnumberandt hemessagesaid"nice
dress"
.Iglancedatmyoutf
itbef
orelooki
ng
around.Luthandodi
dnothavehisphonewith
norevenhasaphonesoIwonder
edwhosent
met hi
smessage.
Me:
Babe?
Iwal
kedcl
osert
ohi
m andhest
oodup.
Me:
Lookatt
his.
Ihandedmyphonet
ohi
m.
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhot
hatcoul
dbe.
Hecall
edt
henumberbutt
henumberdi
dnot
exi
st.
Thando:
Kagi
so!
Kagi
so:
Tal
ktome.
Thando:
Trackt
hisnumberdownf
ormet
hough
i
tdoesnotexi
st.
Kagiso:That'
sgoingtobehardbutIcantr
ack
downt helastl
ocati
onofthephone.Ibel
i
evehe
orshehadswi tchedthel
ocat
ionon
ThandoandIfol
l
owedKagisotomyhusband's
st
udy.Itt
ookKagiso10whol
eminut
estotrack
downt
hel
ocat
ion.
Kagi
so:Woul
dyoulookatt
hat
.Yourhouse
meaninghewasher
e.
ThandomadehiswaydownandIcouldn'
thel
p
butfol
l
ow.WebumpedintoNkosi
justhal
fway
downthest
air
s.
Nkosi:Theguar
dssaidsomeonel
eftt
hisf
or
youthenthepersonr
anaway.
Thandot
ookt
heenv
elopeandr
eadi
t.
Thando:
Rei
gn?
Nkosi
:Rei
gn?
Thando:
Itj
ustwri
tesReignandnothi
ngel
se.
Somebodyiscl
ear
lytr
yingtofuckwit
hme.
Me:Whocoul
ditact
ual
l
ybe?Doy
out
hink
Rei
gni
sanameofsomecrew?
Nkosi
:Ibel
i
eveso.Whatt
hehel
ldot
heywant
?
Me:
From menogal
!
Thando:
Iwi
l
lhav
etof
indoutaboutt
his
meani
ngIhav
etomeetwi
thCy
nthi
a.
Me:
No!Dontl
eav
eme.
Thando:
Thehousei
ssecur
edl
ove.
Me:NoLut hando.You'
renotl
eavi
ngmeplease.
Hav
eCy nthialookuntoi
tbutpl
easedontl
eave
mealone.Please.
Ipul
l
edhi
m cl
osert
omybody
..
.
.
.
.

#Thando
Mimihel
duntomef ordearli
fe.Shewasn'
t
l
ett
inggo.Igl
ancedatNkosiandhenodded.I
wal
kedupstai
rswithMimithenIhelpedher
t
akeaseatont hebed.
Me:Shoul
dIstri
peof
fyourcl
othesorwi
l
lyou
doi
tyoursel
f?
Shedidn'tneedt otellme.Herbl ushsaidi
tall
.I
start
edwi t
hherheel sthenIsl owlypul
ledup
themar oondr essthatcompl ementedherskin
beforetakingherl acebraof fthenherpanti
es
foll
owed.It ookherwhi t
egownandhandedi tto
herbeforepi ckingherupandt ookhertotheen
suit
.Fir
stlyIt urnedbotht apsthenwaitedfor
thetubtobef ill
edwi t
hwat erthenpouredfoam
bathwithredv elvet
s.
Mi
mi:
Joi
nme.
.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Ifi
rstl
ytookherropeofft
henhel
pedherenter
thetub.Itookmyclot
hesoffandIst
epped
i
nsidethet ubwi
thher.
Mi
mi:
Yourwoundi
sn'
thur
ti
ngy
our
ight
?
Ishookmyhead.
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y.
Mi
mi:
Ihopey
ou'
ret
ell
i
ngmet
het
rut
h..
Ipul
ledhercl
osert
omybodyt
henmadehersi
t
ontopofme.
Me:
Iam.
Sheleanedf
orwardthenourl
i
psclashed.My
handroamedupherbacktoherneckandI
pul
ledherev
encloserasshewaslostinthe
ki
ss..
Inthemor ningIwokeup2hour sear li
ersothat
whenMi mi wakesupIwi l
lbedonewi thwhatI
am planningondoi ngandt hat'
stof i
ndoutwho
thehellismessi ngwi thmyf amily.Iar ri
vedat
HQandt hef i
rstpersonIcameacr osst owas
LethaboakaWáv e.Hei sXavier
'ssonandhe
j
oinedHQ3mont hsagowhenhi sbabymama
wentmi ssingandl earnedthatherf ather'
s
enemieshav eher.Her espectsthel awt hough
thereisapar tofhimt hatIjustdon' t
understand.Hei sahi ghIQguywi than
unstablemi nd.That '
sabadcombi nation.
Me:
Heyman.
Weshoul
derbumped.
Me:
Wher
e'sy
ourf
ather
?
Wáv
e:Ger
many
.He'
sont
her
unasal
way
s.
Il
aughedshaki
ngmyhead.
Me:I'
vebeent
her
e.Ij
ustwantt
oknowi
fyou
hav
eseenNail
s?
Wáv e:Heain'
tar
oundbuhI '
m heretohelpyou
withthewholeReignthing.Iknowacoupl eof
thangsaboutRei
gn.It'
sast reetgangofboys
stayi
ngattheCapef l
at.Idon'tknowifyouhave
heardofit
.
Me:
Nah.
Wáve:I
tsagroupofcol
oredboy
s.Teenager
sto
bespeci
fi
c.
Me:
Whatdot
heywant
?
Wáve:Theywanttoworkwi
ththebi
ggunstoo
andnowt heyar
etr
yingt
obethatbybecomi
ng
enemieswit
hhi
ghersuccessgangsmeani
ng
theywil
lmakeanameuntoy ou.
Me:
That
'sst
upi
d.Theywi
l
lendupdead.
Wáve:Al
ltheycareabouti
sbei
ngknownast
he
mostdangerousandri
chtoo.
Ichuckl
ed.Ican'
tbel
i
eveIwasabouttot
hrowa
searcht
eam forabunchoft
eenager
s.
Me:Thanksfortheinf
obuthowareyouboy
?I
heardyobabymamagotat raumaofsomesor
t
aft
ertheki
dnapping.I
'
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
Wáv
e:Shedemandedav
acat
ioni
nMal
div
es.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
Per
ksofhav
ingspoi
l
edgi
rl
fr
iends.
Wáve:Lassishardheadedbruhandshe
doesn'
tcareaboutmycurrentgi
rl
fr
iendwhoi
s
onthevergeofleav
ingme.
Me:Ify
ouloveheryouwi
l
ldoany t
hingi
nyour
powertokeepher
.Nomatterwhat.
Wáve:
May
bet
hat
'swhyI
'
m notf
ight
ingwi
th
her
.
Hesi
ghed.
Wáv
e:Ihav
etogo.
Me:
Seey
ouboy!
Wáv
e:Cool
.
HewalkedoutHQandImademywayt
othe
computerr
oom.
.
.

.
.
#Mi
mi
Idon'
tknowi
fitwasinmyheadorwhatbutI
coul
dhearababyvoicesay
ing"Dada"whenI
openedmyeyesIreali
zedt
hatDrewastheone
i
ntheroom wi
thme.Hewassit
ti
ngonthefl
oor
wit
hhistoy
sinhi
shandsdr
essedinaAlv
in
onsi
e.
Me:
Dada?
Iwassti
l
l sl
eepybutImanagedt
osay
.He
tur
nedaround.
Dr
e:Dada!
Me:
Dada!
Dr
e:Dadaaa!
Het
hrewhishandsi
ntheai
rbef
orecl
appi
ng
t
hem.Isatdownwit
hhim.
Me:
Wher
e'sDada?
Dr
e:Dada.
.
Thatbei
ngt heonl
ywordhecouldart
icul
ate.I
fi
rst
lywentandbrushedmyteethbef
ore
pi
ckinghi
m upandwentt ocheckonIngr
idbut
al
readyNoluntuwasinherr
oom.
Me:
Mor
ning.
Theyt
urned.
Nol
u:Mor
ning.Wher
e'sy
ourhusband?
Me:
I'
vebeenaski
ngmy
sel
fthesamequest
ion.
Nol
u:Imean,
theBenzi
snoti
nthegar
age?
Me:
MyBenz?
Nol
u:Yea.
Me:Ican'
tbel
iev
eIngr
id'
sfat
her
.Look,
Ibel
i
eve
he'
satHQ.I'
m gonnagobathDr
e.
Nol
u:Ok.Hi
Dre.
Dr
e:Dada!
Me: That
'sal
lhecansayatt
hismoment
.I
beli
evesoonhe'sgoi
ngtobesayi
ngmoommy!
Rightboy?
Dr
e:Dada!
If
rownedbef
orecl
osi
ngt
hedoorandwentt
o
gi
veDreabath.
.
[
04/
23,
15:
07]Ron:
#Thando
.
.
.
.
20
Ididnotst aylongatHQbecauseIhadhusband
dutiesbackatt hehousel ikehel
pMi mi wi t
hthe
kidsorev endr ivehertowor kormay begowi th
hert oyogacl assessincewear eexpecting.The
thoughtint hecarmademehy peract
ive.Iam
goingtobeaf atherofthree.Thi
st i
meIam
doingrightbyMi mi.Iam notgoi ngtoleav eher
forHQ.Ihav epr i
ori
ti
esnowandIneedt oset
them strai
ghtsi ncealreadyIknowwhatt hey
areandwhatar ethedut i
esofmeasahusband.
Noluntuwasthef
ir
stoneIcameacr ossto.I
didn'
tknowwhybutIwantedherout.IknowI
oweNol unt
uawholel
otli
keshedidt hi
ngsfor
thebothofusandnowIbeli
evethatwhatwe
oncesharedwasjustobsession.Zweli
isavery
committ
ingpersonsohei stherightmanfor
her.
Me:
Mh!Mor
ning.
Her
:Mor
ning.Youl
eftear
ly.
Shehadmyson'
sbot
tl
eonherhand.
Me: Yea.Ihadsomet hi
ngst hatIneededto
takecareofbef or
eleavi
ng.Iam taking6
mont hsoffjustsoIcanbeher ewithMimiand
helpheraroundsinceshecan' tmanage.
Her
:Why
?
Me:
She'
spr
egnantNol
unt
u.
Her
:Oh.Soi
t'
str
ue.
Me:
Youhear
ditf
rom Bl
esssoy
esi
tist
rue.
Shestaredatt
hebot
tl
eoft
imesbef
orel
ooki
ng
upagain.
Nolu:
Ididn'
tchoosetobebornagai
n.Lul
eka
andBlessi
ngmadet hatchoi
cef
orme.WhenI
wokeupIhadamnesi asoIbar elyevenknewI
hadachi l
d.Thatwasf oray earLut
hando.I
coul
dn'tcoperightwhenIgai nedmymemor y
backhenceIstay edanotheryearatthe
mountainswithLuleka.
Shepausedf
orasecond.
Nol u:I
fIcouldIwouldhav etoldthem t owar n
yout hatIam notbackbutt heydidnotknow
andj ustbecauseDitsholofetsocanpr edict
thingsshecanr eall
ypr edi
ctt hefuture.The
futurechanges.Mamel owasn' tyourwi fe.Her
l
ifestyl
edidnotsui t
eofawi fehenceGodmade
achangei nherandy ou.Agangst eranda
prostit
utewouldn'thav ebeent hebest
combi nati
on.Yout wowoul dhav ebeent oxicto
eachot herwherebyy oukilleachot heranddi e
hencey ou'r
eanagent .You'r
ebot hnotper f
ect.
Youbot hhav ehorri
blepast shencey ouar ea
per f
ectmat chmadei nheav en.Mi mi brought
thechangei nyouandy oubr oughtt hechange
i
nher .
Isai
dnot
hing.
Her:
Irespectyourr
elat
ionshi
pandIpromi
seto
noti
nter
vene.Iam j
usthereformydaught
er.
Me: ThankyouNoluntu.Whaty ousai
dhad
meaningandIbeli
ev egett
ingaf l
atwoulddo
yousomegood.Ingr i
dwillvi
sityouever
yday
andIwon'tstayi
nthewayofy ourbondbut
changesmustbedoneNol unt
u.
Her
:I'
mli
steni
ng.
Me:
Weneedt
odi
vor
ce.
..
tr
adi
ti
onal
l
y.
Herf
acedr
oppedbutpl
acedonaf
ront
.
Me:Justli
keKev i
nfall
smeI'
mr egardsofDre.
YoucallMimijustsowecanbalance.Iam
marri
ednowandy ouhaveZweli
.Buil
dalif
efor
your
selfandifyouwantIcanevenhelpyouget
ajobwitharespectabl
esal
ary
-
Her
:I'
mfi
ne.Icandot
hatonmyown
Me:
Thanky
ou.That
'sal
l
.
Her
:That
'sal
lIal
sowant
edt
osay
.
Mi
micamedownhol
dingDr
e.
Me:
Dada!
Dr
e:Dada!
Excitedl
yhesai
dcl
appi
nghi
shandsand
reveali
nghi
sgums.
Me:
Comet
oDada.
Heopenedhi
sarmsandItookhi
m bef
ore
ki
ssi
ngMimi'
sfor
ehead.
Mimi
:Iv
ebeenwait
ingf
orthebot
tl
ebutIguess
yout
woweretal
ki
ngforyoutoev
enremember.
Shej
oki
ngl
ysai
d.
Mi
mi:
Andy
oul
eftwi
thouti
nfor
mingus.
Me:
Iinf
ormedDadat
hough.
Mi
mi:
Wel
lhedadai
nfor
medme.
Me:
Iknowr
ight
.Hecanonl
ysayt
hat
.Ibel
i
eve
hei
str
yingt
osaydaddy
.
Mi
mi:
Hear
ingf
rom?
Me:
Ingr
id.
..Nal
edi
.
Mimi:Ibel
i
ev e.Nol
unt
uwe'
rest
il
lgoi
ng
shoppingr
ightdoll
?
Nol
u:Can'twereschedul
efornextweek?I
'
m
r
eal
lyexhaust
ed.
Mi
mi:
Itot
all
ygeti
t.You'
resi
ck?
Nol
u:Notr
eal
l
y.Ihav
eawhol
elotofwor
kto
do
Mi
mi:
Thennextweeki
tis.
Nol
u:I
'
llbei
nIngr
id'
sroom t
idy
ingup.
Mi
mi:
Okdol
l
.
Shewal
kedupst
air
sandIcont
inuedpl
ayi
ng
wit
hDada.
.
.
.
.
.
#Kopano
IenteredHQandwal kedtoLut hando' sof fi
ce.I
satinfrontofhi scomput erthenIdi dwhatIhad
todowhi chwast osav ealli
nfor mat ion
concerningRei gninhiscomput ert hent exted
him onhi sbusinessphonet ell
inghi mt hatIdi d
whathewant edmet odot henIst eppedoutHQ
andleftwi thmysecur it
yteam.Whi letheywent
ontheirsear chwarrantatCapef latIwal kedto
Quinton'
sr oom andknockedacoupl eoft imes
andwhenmyknockswer en'
tanswer edIl egit
bangedont hedoort il
loneofhi sbi tchesgot
thedoor .Ipushedt hechickoutt hewayand
walkedst raightt
ohi sbedroom andpul l
edhi m
outhalfnaked.Ipunchedhi m onet ime..
Qui
nton:
Whatt
f?!
Me:Iwanty
ouandIwantyoutoli
stentome
good.Mi
miismysi
sterandyouconti
nue
harassi
ngherIwi llhav
emy28makey outhei
r
bi
tchinJuv enil
ethenyou'll
knowhowitfeel
sto
bethreatenedsoy oubetterbeagoodli
tt
lehoe
oryou'l
lbet hei
rgoodlit
tl
ehoe!!
Il
efthi
scol
l
art
henImademywayouthi
sfl
at.
.

[
04/
23,
15:
15]Ron:
THECOMI
NG#El
l
a
#Nol
unt
u
.
.
.
.
21
Si
nceI
ngr
iddi
dnotgot ocr
ècheIwaswithher
i
nther
oom af
terspeaki
ngt
oLuthando.He
wal
kedi
nandhehadchangedhi
sout
fi
t.
.
Thando:
Oh.
..Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
haty
ou'
rebusy
.
Me:
Wear
enot
.Iam j
ustwat
chi
ngherpl
ay.
Thando:
Isee.Iwant
edtotakeheroutf
orsome
i
cecream si
nceMimihaswenttomama's
pl
ace.
Me:
Ok.
Thando:
Ingr
idwe'
regoi
ngoutf
ori
cecr
eam
I
ngr
id:
Yay!I
cecr
eam.
Sheexci
tedl
yexcl
aimed.
I
ngr
id:
Goi
ngwi
thmama.
.
Shetr
iedt
oplaceonaperf
ectsent
ence
st
ruct
urel
ikeal
lthet
imebutf
ail
ed.
Thando:
What
?
Heaskedwi
thar
aisedey
ebr
ow.
I
ngr
id:
Mamai
scomi
ngt
oo.
Thando:
No.I
tsj
usty
ouandI
.
I
ngr
id:
Phi
Dre?
Thando:
Hel
eftwi
thmommy
.
Shel
ookedatmeandbr
okei
nimmense
l
aught
er.
I
ngr
id:
Lomama.
Thando:
MommyMi
mi.
I
ngr
id:
Ooh.
Thando:
Yah.Weary
ourshoesorshoul
dIhel
p
you?
Shestoodupthenwentt
ohershoecasethen
tookoutherf
avor
it
esandal
sthenIhel
pedher
wearthem.
I
ngr
id:
Msambe.
Istoodupandpickedherup.Luthandowasthe
oneleadi
ngtheway .Ifi
rstl
ypl
acedheronthe
carseatbef
orej
oiningLuthandointhefr
ont.
Thiswasawkwar dsinceitwasonlyLut
hando
andIngri
dbutnowIam ar oundandIdoubt
Luthandowantsmearoundbuthasnochoi
ce
becauseIngr
idwant
smet ojoi
nthem.
Thando:
Itsi
cecr
eam t
ime.Yey!
Hesai
dspi
nni
ngheri
ntheai
r.
Thando:Ok.Let
'sst
artwi
thI
ngr
id.Whi
chone
wouldyouli
ke?
I
ngr
id:
Chocol
ate.
Thando:AndI
'
llal
sohav
echocol
ateand
Nolunt
u?
Me:
Uhh.
..Chocol
ate?
Thando:
Thr
eechocol
atei
cecr
eamsr
ightup.
Theicecream mandi
shedthr
eei
cecream
conesandgavethem t
ous.Wewentandsatby
thebench..
Thando:
Howdoesy
ouri
cecr
eam t
ast
eIngr
id?
I
ngr
id:
Good.
Thando:
Minet
ast
esl
i
kepoop.
Hejokingl
ysai dthenthr
ewi tinthebin.He
doesn'
teaticecr eam.Somet hingthatIknow
andhedi dthatjusttonothurtherfeeli
ngs
becauseIbelieveshewant edhi mtoeatitwit
h
hi
m.
I
ngr
id:
Youcanhav
emi
ne.
Hedidasi
fhei
seat
ingi
tthengav
eitbackt
o
her
.
Thando:
Itt
ast
esl
i
kepoopt
oo.
I
ngr
id:
Real
l
y?
Thando:
Yea.I
tisbr
ownaf
teral
l
.
I
ngr
id:
Daddyeww!
Hel
aughed.
Me:
Wel
l.
..Takemi
ne.I
tdoesn'
ttast
eli
kepoop.
Idi
dthatj
ustt
opul
lhi
sleg.
Thando:Er
rmydoct
orsai
dchocol
atei
cecr
eam
i
sn'tgoodf
orme.
I
ngr
id:
Liar!
Thando:IswearIngr
id.Unl
i
keyouIbeli
evemy
doctorbecausehesaysthi
ngsthatar
etrue.
Sheshookherheadandt heycont
inuedt o
speakandIjustl
ookedatthem smil
ing.They
l
ookedabsolutel
ycutet
ogetherandIt hanked
Godforall
owingmet oexperi
encethiswithmy
twofavor
it
epeople.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
WhenNomacalledmecr yi
ngIdidnothesi
tat
e.
Nomahasbeent her
eformet hr
oughallmyups
anddowns.Whycan'tIdothesame?
Shewasi
nherpy
jamaswit
hpuff
yeyes
st
andi
ngatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngnumb.
Me:
Icameassoonaspossi
ble.
Ient
eredt
hehouse.Ihuggedhert
henpul
l
ed
out.
Me:
What
'swr
ong?
Noma:
Argh!Ij
ustneededsomeonet
obeher
e
wi
thme.
Shel
eftt
hedoor
.
Noma:
AndIhav
ehi
m.
Me:
Him?
Noma:
Yes.
Me:
Nomawho'
shi
m?
Shedidn'
tneedtoanswerbecausesomedark
ski
nnedmancamedownst air
sdr essedi
n
sweatpantsandamusclev est.
Me:
Ooh.
Noma:
Iam sor
ryi
fIwast
edy
ourt
imel
ove.
Me: Youdidn'
t.Iwasact
uall
ypl
anni
ngon
surpri
singLut
handowithsomet
hingni
ceand
romantic.
Noma:Iwi
shtochi
tchatbutagai
nIdon'
twant
t
okeepyou.
Me:
Ofcour
se.Ni
cemeet
ingy
ousi
r.
Hi
m:It
'
sSakhul
uandi
twasni
cemeet
ingy
ou
t
oo.
Noma:She'
smydaughteri
nlawandt
hati
sher
sonDr
e.Mygrandson.
Shel
i
ght
lypi
nchedDr
e'scheeks.
Me:
Right
..By
eNoma.
Noma:
Byel
ove.
Shekissedmycheekt henIwal
kedoutt
hedoor
andaskedmy sel
fHowol disNomabutagai
n
she'
sal adywi
thclassandneedsamanbyher
si
de.Oldlove.
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
“Souhhy ouenjoy
edt oday
?”wewer eonthe
waybackatt hehouse.Iwasstuckinmyown
thought
sasIwasgl ancingoutthewindowand
admiredtheviewoutsidewit
hrainpouri
ng
down.
Me:iwon'tl
iebutIdi
d.I
tsbeensomesinceI
havewentoutandenjoy
edmy sel
forev
enlaugh
thewaythatIdi
d.
Thando:
Zwel
imustt
akey
ououtmor
eof
ten.
Heal waysbr
ingsthatmanupandIdon'
tev
en
thinkIl
oveZweliandI'
dhat
etomakesomeone
else'
ssonarebound.
Me:
Mm.
Ismi
l
ed.
Whenwear r
ivedatt
hehouseLuthandopicked
asl
eepi
ngIngridupthenwemadeourway
i
nsi
dethehouse.Therewerer
oseslaiddown
ont
hefloorwhenweent er
edt
hrought hedoor
.
Apat
hofr
osesl
eadi
ngt
othedi
ningr
oom.
Me:
Thi
sisni
ce.
.
Hesai dnot hingandwef ol
l
owedt hepath.I
n
thediningroom itwaswel ldecoratedandther
e
wasonef ancydishlaidontwosi desfacing
eachot her.Itwasdar ksot
her edcandlesmade
afir
m addupt otheroom.
Me:
Damn!Thi
sis.
..Wowhey
.
Thando:
Uhh-
Me:
Whodi
dthi
s?
Thando:
I..
.It
s..
.
Hewasspeechl
essj
ustasIwas.
Me:
Wai
t..
.Lut
handoy
oudi
dthi
s?
Hesaidnot
hing.Il
ookedatthet
abl
eonce
agai
n.Thi
swassobeaut i
ful
andromant
icat
thesameti
me..
[
04/
23,
15:
16]Ron:
THECOMI
NG#Nol
o_Lel
aka
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
22
Ar edsilkgownont opofar edsexyl i
ngeri
e
withblack6i nchheel siswhatIam wear i
ngf or
dinner.Itsbeensomet imesi nceIhaveact ual
ly
beenf reakyhenceIam doi ngt hisforLuthando..
Oursexl i
feisnotdullbutagai nIdon'twantt o
beal way sseri
ous.Iwantt ot akethismarriage
toav eryhighlevel.WhenIhear dhiscarout si
de
Icheckedmy selfonelasttimei nthemi rr
or
thenmademywaydownst airs.Dreissleeping
andNol untuwil
lbespendi ngt henightat
Blessing'shouse.Dr eisaheav ysl
eeperso
whi l
ehe' soutIwillberockingmyhusband.
Imademyent
rancei
nthedi
ningr
oom andI
fi
ndNol
unt
uverycl
osetomyhusbandandf
or
someti
meIst andt
heretryi
ngtoseewhather
nextmovewouldbebutlucki
lyf
orherLut
hando
feel
smypresenceandturns.
Lut
hando:
Babe!
He'
sey
eswi
denedl
argert
hensaucer
s.
Me:
Lut
hando.
.
Iti
ethesil
kgownt
ohi
dewhatIhav
e
underneat
h.
Me:
Am Idi
stur
bingsomet
hing?
Nolu:Notreal
l
y.Ijustwant
edtotakeIngri
d
f
rom him andtakehertobed.If
igur
edy oudi
d
t
hisforhim.
Me:
Idi
d.
Nol
u:Sol
etmenotkeepy
ouguy
sanyl
onger
.
ShetakesI
ngr
idf
rom Lut
handot
henmakesher
waypassedmeandIstar
eatLut
handowho
gaveawaywit
hhi
seyes.
Me:
Uhm .
..
Ipr
epar
edussomet
hingni
cet
oEat
buti
fyou'
ret
ir
edandy
ouwantt
osl
eept
hen-
Heshut
smeupwit
hakisst
henpul
l
sout
l
ooki
ngri
ghti
nmyeyes.
Thando:Il
oveyoudi
d.It
'sbeaut
if
ul.Remi
nds
meoft heni
ghtwebecameMr sandMrMol ef
i.
Il
etoutagiggl
ewhenIrecal
lal
lthet
hingswe
di
dthatni
ght.I
twascr
azy .
Me:
Then.
..
.Let
'ssi
tdownandeat
.
Hepull
smeclosert
othet
abl
ethenpul
l
sthe
chai
routf
orme.
Thando:
Myl
ady
?
Isi
tdownthenhewal
ksar
oundt
het
abl
eand
si
tsopposi
teme.
Thando:Wereyoui
nsuchagoodmoodt
o
prepar
eall
this?
Me:Ij
ustwant
edt
ospoi
lmyhusbandsi
ncehe
spoi
l
smeal ot
.
Thando:
Wer
eyout
ryi
ngt
oimpr
essme?
Me:
Yes.
Thando:
I'
mimpr
essed.
Me:
Iam gl
adt
haty
ouar
e.
Heki
ssest
hebackofmyhand.
Thando:
Ican'
twai
tformysont
obebor
n.
Me:
Ordaught
er.
Hestandsfr
om hi
schai
rthenget
scl
osert
ome
andkneel
s.
Thando:Idon'tcar
ewhatt
hegenderi
s.Fact
remainsthatIam goi
ngt
obeafatheragai
n

Hekissesmybel
lythat
'sobvi
ousl
yfl
att
henhe
begi
nstotal
ktohisunbornchi
ld.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
If
eltsost
upidtoev enthi
nkthatLuthando
wouldact
uall
ydoal lt
hatforme.Imean, heis
marri
edandIam justhishist
ory.Isi
ghedasI
l
ookedathiscreat
ionthatissleepi
ngbesides
me.
Thenextmor ningIsteppedinsidetheensuit
andt akeagoodl ookatmyr edey es.Ididnot
catchawi nkofsleepandIbel i
evet hatit
s
stress.Iwast hinki
ngaboutgoingbackt o
school andf i
nishmyl astt
woy earsi nmedici
ne
thenbecomet hedoct orIhavealway swanted
tobecomeorshoul dIsaywhatmyf at
her
want edmet obecome.Ipackwhatbel ongsto
met henlookatt heminime.
Me:
Mommywi
l
lcomebackf
ory
ouangel
.
Iki
sshercheekt
henpullt
hesuitcase
downstai
rsandt
hefi
rstpersonIfi
ndisNol
unt
u.
Thelastper
sonI
'
dactuall
ywantt osee.
Me:
Mor
ning.
Shet
urnshol
dinghermugpr
obabl
ycont
aini
ng
gr
eent
ea.
Mi
mi:
HiNol
unt
u.
Thatcameoutcol
d.
Mi
mi:
You'
rel
eav
ing?
Me:
Yea.Iwantt
ofi
ndmy
sel
f.
Herf
acedr
ops.
.Iguessshenowf
eel
sgui
l
ty.
Mi
mi:
Itot
all
ygeti
t.I
'
vebeent
her
ebef
ore.
Me:AndMimiwhi
l
eI'
m gone,
pleasewat
ch
I
ngr
idforme.
Mi
mi:
Howl
ongwi
l
lyoubegone?
Me:
2weeks.
Mimi
:Ok.Iwil
lwat
chherfory
ouandgoodluck
Nol
unt
uony ourr
emedy.“
Whosremedy?”
Idi
dn'tneedtoturnaroundandseewhoitwas
becausehispresencewill
for
everbef
elti
nmy
heart
.
Mi
mi:
Nol
unt
uisl
eav
ingl
ove.
Thando:
Wher
eisshegoi
ng?
Mi
mi:
Wher
eli
fewi
l
ltakeher
.Ri
ghtNol
unt
u?
Me:
Yep.
Thando:
Right
..
Hegr
abshi
smugandmakeshi
msel
fcof
fee.
Me:
ByeLunt
u.
Me:
Bye.
.
Iwal
koutthedoorandthecabi
swaiti
ngf
or
me.Mylastst
opisBlessi
ng'
shouse.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Lut
handot
urnsar
oundandl
ooksatme.
Me:
What
?
Thando:
Not
hing.
Heisst
il
lsmi
l
ingt
houghandt
hatcr
eepsme
out
.
Me:
Babyst
op!
Thando:
Whatdi
dIdo?
Me:Nahbabejustst
opwhatyou'
redoi
ngand
goatl
eastcheckonIngr
id.
Thando:
PlusImi
ssmybeaut
ypr
incess.
Me:
I'
ll
bedownher
edr
inki
ngmyt
ea.
Hecomesov erandclasheshi
slipswit
hmine
andwest ayi
nt hatposit
iont
il
lhepull
soutand
walksupstai
rs.Iwatchasheclimbsthest
air
s.
Thando:
Don'
tl
ookatmyass!
!
Il
etoutalaughashi svoicebecomessome
sor
tofcomedyi nmyearsthoughit
sannoyi
ng
whenhetalkslikethat
.Ishakemyhandthen
walkt
othel ounge.
.
.
.
.
.
#Thando
Ient
erIngri
d'
sroom andshei
sinfr
ontoft
he
mirr
orcombingherhairl
i
kesheknowswhat
she'
sdoing.
Me:
Pri
ncess?
Her
:Daddy
?
Shedoesn'
ttur
nar
oundandl
ookatme.
Me:
How'
syourmor
ning.
Shesaysnot
hingbutconti
nuetocombherhair
.
Aft
ersometi
meshet urnsaroundandst
aresat
me.
Her
:Phi
u'ma?
Me:
Sheuhh.
.Shewi
l
lbeback?
Her
:Phi
?(wher
e?)
Me:
AuntBl
ess'
shouse.
Her
:(cr
ying)Mommy!
Me:
Youwanty
ourmot
her
?
Shenods.
Me:
MommyMi
mii
sher
efory
ou.
Sheshakesherhead.
Her
:Unt
u.
Me:
Ingr
id.
..Youcan'
tbewi
thNol
unt
unow.
Shesay snomorebutbeginstohysteri
call
ycry.
Ipickherupandtrycal
mingherdownby
rocki
ngherbutthatdoesnotseem tohelp.She
cri
esev enl
ouderandther
eisnoot herchoice
soIgrabmyphoneoutofmypocketandcal l
Noluntu.
(doy outhi
nkIngr
idwil
lbri
ngbackNolunt
uand
LuthandoorZubenat
hi"t
heunbornbaby"wil
lbe
themagnettothemarri
age?)
[
04/
23,
15:
17]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Nol
unt
u
.
.
.
.
23
I
twasn'tev
en2mi nutesofmebeinginBl
ess'
s
houseandalr
eadyacallfr
om Lut
handocame
thr
oughtel
li
ngmet hatI
ngri
dwantsme..
Me:
Youcanbr
ingher
.Iam atBl
ess'
shouse.
Thando:
Mimi
wil
l
-
Me: Foroncei nyourli
festopmaki ngMi mi
controlyourli
feLuthando.You'regrownand
youknowt hedif
ferencebet weenri
ghtand
wrong.Ifshedoesn' twanty outocomebr i
ng
mydaught erandobv i
ouslyyouwillseemet hen
sheisn'tsureabouther sel
f.Iam athreatt
oher
forsomer eason.
Thando:
Iwon'
tev
enar
guewi
thy
ou.I
'
m
br
ingi
ngI
ngr
id.
Heendst hecal
landIregr
etsayi
ngwhatIsai
d
butthatwasbother
ingme.Icoul
dn'
tkeepiti
n
fort
ool ong.
Bl
ess:
Ookay
.
It
urnedar
ound.
Me:
Youhear
dev
ery
thi
ng?
ShenoddedandIsi
ghed.
Me:
Ijustcoul
dn'
tkeepi
tinany
mor
e.
Bless:
Hassheev
erbeenr
udet
oyou?Iknow
howsheis.
Me:
Uhh.
..No.
Bl
ess:
ButNol
unt
uwhydi
dyousayt
hat
?
Me:BecauseLut
hando'
sli
fer
evolv
esaround.
Ever
ythi
ngMimithi
sandthat
.It
sbegi
nningto
beahook.
It
ookaseat
.
Bl
ess:It
hinkweshouldspeakaboutsomethi
ng
el
sebecauseyourangeri
sbeginni
ngtotake
overy
ou.
Shesatdownt
oo.
Me: Iwasplanni
ngontrav el
ingt
heworl
dbut
Ingr
idneedsmesoIwi lljustgobackt
oschool
anddel aymyplansunt
ilIam donewit
hschool
andt akeherwit
hme.
Bl
ess:
Isee.Sowher
eisI
ngr
id?
Me:
Lut
handoi
sbr
ingi
ngher
.
Bl
ess:
Ist
hatwhyhecal
l
ed?
Me:
Yea.Appar
ent
lyshei
scr
yingf
orme.
Bl
ess:
Youguy
shav
east
rongbond.
Me:
Iknowr
ight
.
Isai
dsmil
i
ng.“Sheisj
ustsoamazi
ngt
hatI
l
ovewhatwebothshar
e.”
Bless:
Leti
tbeli
ket
hatNolunt
uanddonotl
et
anyoneorany
thi
ngbreaki
t.
Me:
Iwon'
t.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
“Iam at hreattoherf orsomer eason.”Iwasin
theki t
chenandIj ustchuckl edathowsur e
Nol untui sabouther selfthatIseeherasa
threat.IfIsawherasat hreatthenIwoul dn't
hav eallowedmyhusbandt ogoseeher .
Luthandoi samanandandmanknowswhathe
want s.Iwassol ostinmyt hought sthatitt
ook
somet i
mef ormet oact uall
yr ealizet
hatmy
phonei sr inging.Ianswer edwi thoutchecki
ng
thecal l
er .
Me:
Hel
l
o?
“
Hey
.It
sSt
acey
.”
Me:
Ooh.Sas.Heygi
rl
.
Sas:Hey.I
'
vebeenwai
tingf
oryourcall
since
thatdaywhenyouwer
eatthehospit
al.
Me:Ihadsomuchinmypl
atebutIam f
reenow
i
fyouwanttoseeme.
Sas:
Iam al
sof
reesoy
ea.
Me:
Wher
ecanwemeet
?
Sas:
Sandt
onmal
ll
ove.
Me:
Seey
out
her
ethan.
Sas:
Ican'
twai
ttoseey
ou.
Wesaidourgoodbyesthenthefir
stthingIdid
wasgoandfixDre.Ibathedhi
m, dressedhim,
f
edhim andwhenhesl eptiwentandgot
r
eady.
Atther estaurantSasandIsettl
eddownaft
er
huggingf orsomet ime.Shewasglowingso
defi
nitelythereisamani nvol
vedandawhole
l
otofhappi ness.
Me:
Sooo.
..Youl
ookhappy
.
Sas:
Youhav
enoi
deadar
li
ng.
Shef
li
ppedherhandaroundandobviousl
yshe
want
edmet oseethat6pieceonherfi
nger.
Me:
Sasst
opf
li
cki
ngy
ourhai
rli
keamani
ac.
Webot
hlaughed.
Me:
Itssobeaut
if
ul.
Ipul
l
edherl
efthandcl
osert
ogetabet
terl
ook.
Me:
Who'
sthel
uckyguy
?
Sas:
He'
snamei
sCr
aig.FounderofJohnCr
aig?
Me:Idon'
treal
l
yknowwhot hatJohnCr
aigguy
i
sbutwow.Congratul
ati
ons.
Ist
oodup.
.
Sas:
Thanky
ou.
Wehuggedandpul
l
edof
fthensatdownagai
n.
Me:
Noki
ds?
Sas:
I'
m scar
edbabe.Imean,
yoMamel
o!
Me:
Haha!I
tsnott
hatbadt
hough.
Sas:Igetthefeeli
ngthatIam beingli
edtoher
e
buttel
lmehowl if
eisony oursi
de.How'sMr
Molefit
reati
ngy ou?Isawt hepapers.
Me:
Thathe'
swi
fei
sbackr
ight
?
Sas:
Yep.
Isi
ghed.
Me:Shejustcameoutthebl
ueandwithher
newatt
it
udeIdon'tknowhowtofeel
abouther
any
more.
Sas:
Att
it
ude?
Me:
Shesai
dIseeherasat
hreat
.
Shebr
okei
nlaught
er.
Sas:Hassheseeny ou?Girl
thatbeaut
yis
nothi
ngcomparedtot hatsmartbr
ainofyour
s.I
meany ougetKusanda'spantsgoi
ngdown.
Me:
Kusanda?Real
l
ynow?
Sas:
Ok.Okay
,Kev
inThompson.Youev
enhav
e
achi
ldwi
thhi
m.
Me:Bit
chItamedthemight
yLuthandoMolef
i
andnobit
chhassucceededi
ndoingthat
.His
deadexgi
rlf
ri
endnorhi
sexwife.
Sas:Nowthat
'si
tsodon'
tletsomedead
walki
ngbi
tchtodownyourspir
it
.
Me:
Iwasn'
tpl
anni
ngonei
ther
.
.
.
.
.
#Lut
hando
Ienter
edBl
ess'
shouseandt
hepersont
hat
welcomedmewasBless'
smother
Mom:
Mybaby
.

Sheki
ssedbot
hmycheeksbef
orehuggi
ngme.
Mom:
OohLut
hando.
..
somanydar
kspi
ri
ts.
She'
sapsy chicbytheway .St
rongerthenher
daughter
.Shecan'tseewhat '
sabouttohappen
butshecanf eeli
tandevenseedemonsand
herhusbandont heotherhandcaststhem out
sowithoutthetwothetwopuzzl esofli
feare
missi
ng.
Me:
Ivebeencl
eanf
oray
earandahal
fmom.
Mom:Notyoubutthosear
oundy
ou.Weshoul
d
pr
ayLut
hando.Come.
Shetookmyhandandl edmet ot
hedini
ng
room.IplacedI
ngri
ddownt henwelocked
hands.Shewassil
entforami nut
ethensai
d
"amen"andwef ol
l
owedafter.
Mom:
Ingr
idi
spossessedLut
hando.
Me:
What
?
Isai
dlooki
ngatherwi
thar
aisedey
ebr
ow.
Mom: I
tsnotastr
ongdemonbutitwi
l
lbe
str
ongenoughtobreakwhaty
ouandMamel o
havebui
lt
.Youwil
lencount
erabumpyroadson
andtheonl
yonewhocanhel pyouist
heone
abov
eandIt hi
nkIshouldst
aywit
hIngr
idf
or
sometime.TakeherbacktoBot
swanawit
hme
Me:Butmom,whatdemon?Wher
edoesi
t
comefrom?
Mom: Hatred.Thatcrackfi
ll
edwit
hhatr
edgot
thebestofyourchil
dandt hati
stheonl
yway
Satangotahol dofIngri
d.
Me:
Shei
sjust3.
Mom:
AndGodi
spower
ful
.
Shepat
tedmyl
ap.
Mom:
Ingr
idcomewi
thgr
andma.
Shest
eppeddownandwal
kedar
oundt
het
abl
e.
Mom:
Doy
ouwantt
oseegr
andpa?
Shenoddedthentheywal
kedoutthedini
ng
room.Isatt
here.Tr
aumati
zedasf.Iwasalso
perpl
exedwit
hawhol el
otofquesti
ons.
“
Wher
esmydaught
er?”i
snappedoutofmy
t
hought
s.
Me:
Huh?
Nol
unt
u:It
houghty
ouwer
ebr
ingi
ngI
ngr
id?
Shesatdownnextt
omewhi
l
eIr
emai
nedqui
et.
Nol
unt
u:Lut
handoar
eyouokay
?
Me:Yea.Ij
ustf
eel
somet
ypeofway
.Ineedt
o
t
alktodad.
Iat
temptedtogetupbutshepl
acedherhand
ontopofmine.
Nol
unt
u:Tal
ktome.
Me:Theonl
ypersonwhohasmyanswer
sri
ght
nowisdadandnotyou.
ItookherhandoffmineandIcouldfeelasthe
angerwit
hinthewanti
ngtounleash.Idi
dn't
knowwhy .Ir
eali
zedl
aterthatIwasrudetoher
andmywor dscutdeepinherheart.
Me:
Nol
unt
uI'
m sor
ry.
Nol
unt
u:I
tsokay
.Iam usedt
oyourt
ant
rums.
Me:Nol
unt
u.Iam nott
hesameper
sont
hatI
was2year
sago-
Idi
dn'tgett
ofini
shwhatIwantedt
osay
becauseherli
pswer ecl
ashedt
omineandI
di
dn'tevenseethatcoming.
.
Nol
untu:
Andthef
eel
i
ngst
owar
dsme?Hav
e
t
heychanged?
WhenIf eltmyhandshakeabi tIknewthatthe
onlyfeel
ingsI'
l
l al
wayshavetowardsNoluntu
will
alway sbethesame.Itshateandlov
e.Ilove
herbutmyunknownhat etowardsherweighed
theloveIhadforher.Iguessthat
'swhyI
alwaysabusedheri nthepast
.
Ist
oodupandwalkedoutthedini
ngarea
bef
oreIdosomet
hingtoherthatIwi
ll
regret
.
[
04/
23,
15:
18]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
24
Thet i
mewas20h00andLut handowasnot
backf r
om Blessing'shousef r
om dr opping
Ingri
d.Thelasttimehewasawayf rom mef or
l
ongIwokeupi nt hemor ningandl earnedt hat
hewasi nvolvedinacarst ate.IpickedDr eup
andmademywayout si
dewher eIspoket ot he
driv
ersinceIcoul dnotdr i
veatni ghtduet omy
blurr
yey esi
ghtt henaf t
erthatweent eredt he
JeepCher okeeandIwasdr i
ventoBl essing's
house.Mysonwasi nmyar msasIwentand
rangthedoorbel l.Nkosigott hedoor .
Nkosi
:HeyMi
mi.
HehuggedmeandIhuggedhi
m back.
Me:
Hey
.Wher
eisLut
hando?I
shei
n?
Nkosi:
Hejustl
eftf
orRosebank.UhhNol
unt
uis
movinginoneofhi
sestat
esthere.
Me:
Howl
onghashebeengone?
Nkosi
:2hour
s.
Me:
2hour
s?
Nkosi
:Uhhy
ea.
.
Hest
udi
edmyexpr
essi
on.
Nkosi:Butuhh.
..
Ibel
iev
eheisj
usthel
pingwi
th
cert
ainthi
ngsli
kecooki
ngandst
uffatt
he
penthouse.
Me:
Iknowt
hebui
l
dingsoIwi
l
ljustheadt
her
e.
Nkosi
:Mi
mi-
Me:
Itwasni
ceseei
ngy
ou.Gr
eetmyi
nlawsf
or
meBye!
Iquicklysaidbyewalkingtowardsthecarand
entered.Itol
dthedriverwheretotakemeandi t
tookus20mi nutestogettothebuildi
ng.Iused
theelevatorandwhenIr eachedthedoorI
exhaledandsai dami nipr
ayer.Iwasreadyto
burst.Irangthebell
andNol untuhersel
fgotthe
door
.
Me:
Hi.
Her
:Hey
.You'
rel
ooki
ngf
ory
ourhusband?
Me:
AndI
ngr
id.
Imademywayi nwit
houtherappr
ovalt
hen
steppedi
nsi
dethel
oungeareawhereKhay
a,
Ingri
dandLut
handoweresi
tti
ng.
Khay
a:Aunt
yMi
mi!
Withhisunst
ablerunni
nghegottomeandI
couldnotl
etmyemot i
onsgeti
ntheway
becauseIam usedtoalwaysbei
ngjol
l
ygood
aroundKhaya.
Me:
Heyboy
.
Ipl
acedasl
eepingDreont hefurcouchand
pi
ckedhi
m up.Luthandostoodupandcamet o
wherewewerestanding.
Thando:
Hey
.
Me:
Hey
.
Iki
ssedhi
scheek.
Me:Whydidn'
tyoucal
landt
ell
met
haty
ou
won'
tbecominginear
ly?
Thando:You'
vebeenoutsoyourphoneis
probabl
yinsi
lenthencey
oudidn'
tgetanyofmy
call
s.
Me:
Whatcal
l
s?
Thando:
Checky
ourphone.It
ri
edcal
l
ingy
ou.
Me:
Oohuhy
ea.Thosecal
l
s.
Igl
ancedbehi
ndLuthandoandsawasI ngri
d
hadherar
mswr appedaroundherf
ather'
sleg.
Me:
Heybaby
.
I
ngr
id:
Hel
l
o.
Me:
Didy
ouf
orgett
hatt
oni
ghti
smov
ieni
ght
?
Khay
a:Mov
ieni
ght!
Het
hrewhi
shandsi
ntheai
r.
Me:
Ibel
i
evey
ouguy
sfor
got
.
I
ngri
dsaidnothi
ng.Shewasj
ustst
andi
ng
behi
ndLuthando.
Thando:Khay
aandI
ngr
idar
est
ayi
ngwi
th
Nolunt
u.
Khay
afr
owned.
Thando:
What'
swi
tht
hef
ace?You'
rest
ayi
ng
wit
hIngr
id.
Khay
a:Iwantmommy
.
Me:Mommyi
sbackhome.Youguy
swi l
lbe
wat
chi
ngmi
nionswi
thaunt
yNol
untu.
Them:
Mini
ons!
Theysai
dinuni
sonwi
thexci
tement
.Ipl
aced
Khayadown.
Me:
Babydi
dyoueat
?
Isai
dtomybi
gbaby
.
Thando:Uhhyea.Nol
unt
uhadmadesomepi
e
andcalamari
.
It
urnedar
oundhol
dingbot
hmyhandsi
nfr
ont
ofmyt
highsansmi
l
edAtNol
unt
u.
Me:ThankyousomuchNol
unt
ufort
aki
ngcar
e
ofmyhusbandforme.
Nol
untu:
Sincey
oucoul
dn'
tIt
houghtwhynot
doyourj
obfory
ou.
Me:Ihav
eajobifyoudi
dnotnot i
ce.Someof
usworkandassur
eabetterfut
ureforourki
ds
anddonotdependonanyone.
Hersmirkgotwi
pedbymywor
dst
henl
ooked
atThando.
Me:Iam soexhaust
edbabyandIhav
etogi
ve
Dr
eabath.
Thando:
Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Me:
Greati
dea!
Wesaidourgoodby
estothe3t
henmadeour
waytoThando'
scarandt
hedri
verdr
ovebehi
nd
us.
Att
hehouset
hef
ir
stt
hingIdi
dwasmake
Luthandosomethinglightt
oeatsohedoesn't
got osl
eepwithouteatingt
henIbathedmyson.
Ifedhimthenreadhi m abedti
mest or
y.Hegot
usedtomedoi ngthatsohedemandsmet o
readhim abedti
mest oryever
ynight
.Inthe
bedroom If
oundLut hando.
.
Me:Ok.Sincewe'real
one,mindtel
li
ngmewhy
youdidn'
tatl
eastcallandt
ellmethatyou'
re
hel
pingyourfi
rstwif
et omoveinyour
pent
house?
Thando: Exwi f
eandbabyIf orgotokay?Iwas
planni
ngoncal l
ingy ouatacer t
ainti
mebutI
keptonpr ocrastinat
ingthatIendedup
forget
ting.Iam sor r
ybutjustknowt hattheonly
thingNol untuandIhav eincommoni sIngri
d
otherthant hatwedon' thaveanythi
ngel sethat
couldev enbi ndus.
Me:Ineversai
dyouguy
shav
eat
hinggoi
ngon.
Lessthi
nkabouti
t.
Thando:
Iknowy
oubabe.Youwoul
dn'
tj
ustgo
al
lthewayt oRosebanktogetme.Youwoul d
havecal
led.Youthoughtyou'
ll
catchusdoing
somethi
ngt hatweshouldn'
tdo.Ibar
elyev
en
sayathi
ngt oherMimi.
Me:Baby
,Iam notangr
y.Iwasjustcur
iousto
knowwhyyoudidn'
tcal
lbuti
ssokay.Doy ou
wantt
osleep?
Thando:
Iwantt
ospendt
imewi
thKev
in'
sson.
Me: Ifonl
yLut
hando'sdaught
erwashere
becausesheseldom sl
eepsatthi
shourbut
Kevin'ssoni
ssleepi
ng.
Thando:
Thenwear
egoi
ngt
owakehi
m.
Me:
Lut
handodon'
t!
Hewalkedoutt
her oom andwenttowakemy
l
it
tl
eboyupandt hewholenightwewatched
Mini
onsandTheBossBaby .
Thef ol
lowingmorningiwokeupabi tl
atet
hen
bathed.DreandLuthandower elongupand
theywer eevenwatchingcar
toonsli
keClar
ence
i
nt helounge.Isaidmymor ningtothem and
askedift heyate“Weat eat8butbel ievemy
babyboyi shungry
.”hesaidt hatwi
thhisf ocus
ont heTV.Imademywayt othekit
chenwher eI
madeLut handonoodleswi t
hMcCai nandDr e'
s
babypor ridge.Myphonet hatwaspr obably
ri
ngingf orthesecondt i
menowwasont opof
thecount erandIgrabbedi t
.Thenumberwas
notsav edbutIanswer edany ways.
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
“
Am Ispeaki
ngtoMi
mi ?Mamel
oMol
efi
?”I
wal
kedaroundt
heki
tchen
Me:
Yes.Who'
sthi
sthough?
“
iam Nal
edi
.Nonhl
anhl
a'
syoungersi
ster
.”
Me:
Wai
t..
.mymot
her
?
Iaskedev
ident
lyshocked.
Nal
edi
:Yes.Iam y
ourmot
herandIwoul
dlov
e
t
omeetyou.
[
04/
23,
15:
18]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
25
Me:
OhmyGod.
Ihadmyonehandcoveri
ngmymout
handI
wascl
osetosheddi
ngtears.
Naledi:IstayinMafi
kengsoi
fyouwantmeto
dri
vether ethenIam f
inebyi
tbuti
fyouwantt
o
comet hent el
lmesoIsendyoumyhome
address.
Me:Iwi
lldef
ini
tel
ycome.Idon'
twanty
ou
dr
ivi
ng.
Nal
edi:Mi
mi Iam y
oungandbel
i
evey
oume
t
hatIcanhandlemysel
f.
Me:ButnowIam her
eandIwanty
outaken
car
eof.Iam comi
ngwit
hmyhusbandandkids.
Naledi
:Congrat
ulat
ionsonyourmarr
iage
daughterandhowmanyki dsdoyouhave?
Me:2andtheotheronewe'r
eexpecti
ngin
Decemberorev
ent hef
oll
owingyearJanuar
y.
Ihear
dthedooropenandIbel
i
evewehad
guest
s.
Naledi
:Godhasbl
essedyou.Icannotwaitt
o
f
inall
yseeyouaf
ter21yearsMamelo.Youhave
t
ocomebecauseIam dy i
nginanti
cipat
ion.
Me:Wewill
bet
heret
oni
ghtori
fmyhusbandis
busyt
odaywewi
ll
makeitt
hefol
lowi
ngday.
Nal
edi
:Iwi
l
lbepat
ient
.
Me:
Ok.Seey
ou.
Nal
edi
:Il
ovey
oudaught
er.
Wesai
dy ougoodby
esthenImademywayt o
t
hel
oungeareaandsurpri
si
nglyprophetDavi
d,
myfat
herinl
aw,wasintheloungewithNduna.
Me:
Fami
l
y..
Ihuggedt
hebot
hmen.
Dav
id:Youl
ookhappy.I
sther
esomet
hinggood
t
hat'
saboutt
ohappen?
Me:
Wel
l
..
Imadeadr
amat
icpauseandl
ookedatt
he
thr
eemen.
Me:Mymotherj
ustcal
l
edandshewant
sto
f
inal
l
ymeetmeaf t
er21year
s.
Thando:
Yourmot
her
?
Dav
id:
Letmeguess,
youdon'
tknow?
Thando:
Uhh.
..
dad-
Me:Ihaven'
thadti
met otel
lhim andIthi
nkits
unf
airf
ormet ohavekeptthatawayfrom you.
Hesmi l
edrev
eal
i
nghist
eeth.Hissmi
l
e
happenstobemydr
ugthatgetsmyknees
tr
embling.
Dav
id:
Sowhenwi
l
lyoumeether
?
Me:
Ipr
omi
sedt
ocomet
oni
ghtandIwantt
o
t
akeLut
handowi
thme.
Dav
id:
Whoi
syourmot
heragai
n?
Me:
Nal
edi
.Nal
edi
Mokoena.
Davi
d:Iknewitj
ustbylooki
ngaty
ourf
eat
ures.
Youhaveyourmother
'sgenes.
Me:
Youknowmymot
her
?
David:InBotswanal astyearIhadachur ch
serv
icegat heri
ngot herpast orsalloversowe
coul
dhav eapr ayermeet ing.Thewhol eweek
west arvedbygi v
ingourf ort
unatet othepoor
andy ourmot herwast here.Av er
yweal thy
woman.Shehasev eryluxuri
ousmat eri
al,
house,cars,younamet hem buti couldseehow
empt ysheisinside.Shel ost3ki dsatonce

Me:Yes.Mybr ot
herRisMokoenagotar
rest
ed
andmyy oungersi
sterwenti
nthestr
eet
s.
Dav
id:
Sendmybl
essi
ngst
oher
.
Me:
Iwi
l
lpr
ophetDav
id.
Dav
id:
Godbl
essy
ouchi
l
d.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Theydidn'
tst
ayl
ong.Theyhadjustcameto
checkonusandleft
.Lut
handoandIleftDreto
watchTVandwenttohaveatalkinthekit
chen
whil
eIsati
sfi
edZubenat
hi'
scr
av i
ngs.
Me:
SoIwast
hinki
ng.
.
Hel
ookedatmewi
thhi
sful
lat
tent
ion

Me:
Iwoul
dlov
eitifI
ngr
idcamewi
thus.Iwant
mymot
hertomeetal
lmykids
Thando:Iwoul
dlovetomeetmyinl
awsandI
wil
lbri
ngIngr
idwit
h.Youdeser
veoursuppor
t.
All
ofus.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Iwalkedcl
osert
ohi
m andwehugged.I
wrappedmyhandsar
oundhi
sstomachand
i
nhaledhiscol
ogne.I
mmediatel
yIwas
i
ntoxicat
edbyitandi
twasthebestsenseI
haveenduredt
hepast2years.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Thef ol
l
owi ngdayNkosi andpr ophetDavid
passedbyt hepenthouseandt ookKhay a.Aft
er
si
tti
ngf orsomet imei ntheloungei nsil
encewe
wentandt ookabat htogether.Idressedmy
daughterinsimilarclothi
ngcol orsthenwe
madeourwayt othemal lwher ewiththecard
Luthandogav etomeIboughtI ngri
dwhat ever
shedesi r
ed.Ithappenst hatit
shercar d.
Aswewer ebusyshoppingIbumpedintomy
cousi
nNatal
ie.Shel
it
erall
ytri
edtor
unawaybut
theguyshewaswalkingwithhel
dher.For
somet imewestoodint hestoreandIwas
try
ingsohardtogethert ounderstandthatIam
notaghost.Shedidn'
tbelievemeatf ir
stbut
theguyshewaswi thhelpedmet ogethert o
calm down.Nat
ali
ehasal way sbeeninlove
withBen10ssoIwasn' tsurpri
sedwhenIsaw
thi
sy oungl
ooki
ngguy .

Nat
ali
e:Imean,
howar eyouali
veNol
unt
u?I
wasther
ewheny ouwerebur
ied.
Me:
Nat
ali
eit
sal
ongst
ory
.
Nat
ali
e:OhGod-
Me:Iam notdeadandyoucancl
ear
lyseet
hat
i
tisme.Iam hereandwell
ali
ve.
Natal
ie:
Itsj
ustsohar
dt ocomprehendthat
someonewhowasdecl areddeadisher
ein
fr
ontofme.Itsgoi
ngtotaketi
mef ormet ot
ry
andtakeall
thi
sin.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryNat
ali
ebutIcan'
tst
ayl
ong.
Natal
i
e:Nol
untuwai
t.Uncl
eReggi
e,doeshe
knowaboutyou?
Me:
Noandi
t'
sbet
tert
hathedoesnot!
Iwasf ur
ioust
hatshehadthegutt
obetal
ki
ng
aboutmysocal l
edfat
herwhohasnev
ergiven
aratchetdamnaboutme.
Me:
Ihav
etol
eav
e.
Nat
ali
e:Nol
unt
uwai
t-
Igr
abbedIandI
ngri
d'sshoppi
ngbagsbef
ore
wal
kingoutt
hestor
e.Onmywayt oRocco
MamasIansweredLuthando'
scal
l
..

.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Kopano:
Soy
ouspoket
oher
?
Me:YesandLut
handoandIwe'
ref
lyi
ngt
her
e
usi
nghisj
et.
Kopano:
AoMimi
that
'sunnecessar
ythough.I
mean,ajet
?
Me:I
tst
heMolef
i'
sthatyouar
etal
ki
ngaboutso
i
t'
samustt
hatwetravel
byajet
Kopano:Fi
ne.Iam comi
ngwi
thy
out
houghI
am ner
voustomeether.
Me:
Runmet
hrought
his:
youhav
en'
tmetmom?
Kopano:Ihaveandt hatwaspr obably5y ears
ago.Shewasi nabadst ateandIwassel fi
shto
fol
lowRisthetroublemaker.Jozi changedhim
tobecomet hi
sbi t
terguyandhewasal ways
i
nvolvedwitht
hecopst oapointwher ehegot
arr
estedformur derandhewast hemost
wanted.
Me:
Whydi
dn'
tyougobackhome?
Kopano:
Drugst
ookat
oll
onmet
il
lCar
tiand
Luthandof oundme.Heaskedmeabouty ou
andwhenIhear dtheNy osi nameIpanicked.
Thosepeopl earepur eev i
landIdidnotwantt o
betakent oNonhlanhla'shousehol dand
probablybecomehermai d.Timewentonandi t
wasn'tlongt i
l
lLuthandof oundme.Hewasi na
badstate.Thedayhel eftyouf orAbuDhabi.He
tookmewi thandatf i
rstIthoughtI'
dbehis
goonbutno.Iwast rainedtobecomebet terand
mor esmar tunti
lnow.Chi ckIcansensea
snit
chfr om amileaway .
Me:AndIam happyt
haty
ouchangedt
othe
bet
ter
.
Kopano:WebothdidMimi.Youwerea
prost
it
uteandIwasadrugmule.I
tsneverl
ate
tochangetobecomebett
er
Me:
Iam pr
oudofy
ouandmy
sel
ftoo-
Idi
dn'
tgettofi
nishmysentencebecausether
e
weresev
eralv
oicesout
sideargui
ng.Kopano
andImadeourwayoutsideandwef oundthe
twoguardshol
ding2col
oredboys.One
dressedi
nblueandonedressedi
nblack.Al
l
Nike.
Me:
Sti
ga.
..
.Jabs?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Sti
ga:Thesear
ethever
ysameboy st
hatl
eft
thel
ettert
heot
herdayandsenty
ouamessage.
Kopano:
ReezmaandOl
ain.
Me:
Wai
t,y
ouknowt
hem?
Shel
etoutasi
gh.
Kopano:YesandMi
miunder
standt
hatt
hey
weresent.
Me:
What?
!
Kopano:
Diamond.Thel
eader
.Look,
Mimi
itsa
l
ongstory
.
Lut
hando'
scarmadei
tswayi
nthey
ard.
Me:Wel
lit
'l
lbeaver
ylongst
orywhenhei
s
donewi
ththem.
[
04/
23,
18:
21]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
26
Luthandosteppedouthi
scarandmadehisway
towardsobviousl
ywonderi
ngwhatear
thwas
happeningatourdoorst
ep.
Thando:
Andt
hen?
Jabs:Boss,theset
woar epartofReign.We
recogni
zedthem aswedr oveinsi
det heyard
hangingaroundthest
reetsandobv i
ouslythey
haveamot ive.
Thando:
Isee.
Helookedatbot
hteenager
sbef
oregl
anci
ngat
Kopano.
Thando:
Youknowwhatt
odo
Shewaspl
acedi
nav
eryt
ightposi
ti
onbut
Lut
handoisherbossandi ti
samustf orhert
o
dobyhiscommand.Shel ookedatme.
Obvi
ouslyshewantedtobeinvol
vedbutIcan
nev
ermeddl ei
nbusinesssoImov edbackabit.
Kopano:
I'
ll
beoni
t.
Thando:
Good.
Hetookmyhandandwest eppedinsi
det
he
house.Hewrappedhi
shandsaroundmywaist
andkissedmyneck.
Me:
Wher
eisI
ngr
id?
Thando:Withmom.Shesai
dshei
sjoi
ningust
o
Mafikeng.
Me:
Real
l
y?
Thando:
She'
sexci
ted.
It
urnedar
ound.
Me:I'
m exci
ted.Godlor
dLut
handoy
ourf
ami
l
y
i
sjustsoamazi ng.
Thando:
You'
reamazi
ng.
Helef
tawetkissonmyl
i
psbef
orewemade
ourwayupst
air
s..
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Iwasatt hepent housegoi ngt hroughalistof
univer
sitythatI'
dconsiderandIwasn' ti
nluck.
Ingr
idwasgonesoIhadt hepl acealltomy sel
f.
Thedoor bellwentoffsoIst oodupl eavi
ngt he
l
aptopont opoft hecoff
eet ableandmademy
wayt othedoor .BehinditwasZwel i
.Myey es
widenedl argert
hensaucer s.
Me:
Zwel
i.
.how.
..
howdi
dyouknowIam her
e?
Zweli
:Ihavemyway
stof
indt
hings.Wi
l
lyou
al
lowmei n?
Me:
No.
..Imean.Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Zwel
i
:Ot
longt
seny
aory
angbedi
?
Hewasspeaki
nginalanguaget
hatIcoul
d
bar
elyev
enunder
standsoIkeptmysil
ence.
Zwel
i
:Nol
unt
uam Inotgoodenough?
Me:
Zwel
i
-
Zwel i
:Don'
ttouchapointthatIcan'
tget
.Just
tellmewhythef uckdi
dy outakemev i
rkak?!
(forshit
)
Me:
Zwel
ical
m down.Pl
ease!
!
Zwel
i:
Justt
alkNol
unt
uandst
opt
ell
i
ngme
whatt
odo!
Me: HowcanIwhenyoudontev
engi
veme
chancetoev
enbreat
h?!
Zwel
i
:Fi
ne.
..Tal
k.
Me:
Ican'
t.
Zwel
i
:What
?
Me:Zweli
Ican'
ttal
ktoy
oui
nsuchast
ateokay
?
Pl
ease.
Zwel
i
:Whatst
atear
eyouonabout
-
Itr
iedtoshutt hedooronhi sfaceandav oi
da
fi
ghtthat '
saboutt ooccurbutheblockedthe
waywi thhissneaker .That'
swhenIknewshi t
wasaboutt ohitthefan.Imademyway
upstai
rsandcl osedt hedoorandgrabbedmy
phonet hatwasont hecharger
.Ihadplaced
Luthando'snumberonspeeddi al
.Incase
somet hinginrelati
onwi t
hIngr
idhappensand
heistheonl yper sonwhocanhelp.
Me:
Zwel
ipl
ease!
Al
readyIhadpr
essedont
he"
cal
l
"but
tonandi
t
wasringi
ng
Zweli
:Nahbabygal
.Ij
ustwantt
ohav
eat
alk
wit
hyouli
keadult
s.
Me:
Zwel
i
-(cr
ying)
Icoul
dnotkeepinmytear
s.Myfearhadtur
ned
i
ntotear
s.Lucki
l
yLut
handoansweredri
ghton
ti
me.
Thando:
Yes?
Me:
Ineedy
ourhel
ppl
ease!
Thando:
What
?
Me:Lut
hando..
.Zwel
i
.OhGodhei
sgoi
ngt
o
hur
tmeLuthando.
Thando:
Ver
yfunnyNol
unt
u.Zwel
iwoul
dnev
er
hurty
ou.
Me: HeisheredammitandIj ustsi
gnedmy
deathwishsopleasejustcomeandgethim
becauseifhegetsthr
ought hatdoorIam-
Myphonefell
rightonthegroundwhent
hedoor
openedandhewasst andi
ngbehindi
twi
tha
smirkonhi
sface..
Zweli
:WhosaidLuthandowil
lhel
py ounow?He
hasawifeandyou'
rethei
rworstni
ghtmare.I
mightaswell
swit
chont heal
armf orawakeup
cal
l!
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Me:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Thando:
Noluntucal
l
edcryi
ngsay
ingt
hatZwel
i
i
sgoingtoatt
ackherandshi
t.
Me:
Wai
t,what
?
Hel
etoutachuckl
e.
Thando:
She'
sjustsodr
amat
ici
tamusesme.
Me:
Uhm .
..Yea.
Igrabbedmysl i
ngbagsi ncethebagswer e
al
readypackedintheboot .Downstai
rsItook
Drefrom thenannythoughmymi ndwasof f
somewher e.I
twasobv iousl
yaboutNoluntuand
Ij
usthadt hi
sfeeli
nginmygut st
hati
ndeed
somet hi
ngwasgoi ngtohappen.Icouldn'
teven
beindenial.
Me:
Babe?
Wewer
eonourwayt
othecar
.
Me:Whatifshei
stel
l
ingthet
rut
h?Whatif
Zweli
isther
eandhewil
ldodamagetoherand
def
ini
tel
ythi
sti
mewewi l
lbur
yher?
Thando:
YeabutZwelii
sanagent
.Heknows
what'
satri
skhere.Hei
sgoi
ngtogetmany
year
sinpri
son.
Me:
Lut
handoj
ustgo!Wewi
l
lfol
l
owy
ou.
Hel
etoutasi
gh.
Thando:Fi
ne.Waitforl
ike30minutest
henIwi
ll
ret
urn.I
fshe'
sjustexagger
ati
ngthenyouowe
met worounds.
Me:
Justgo!
Hemadehiswayt
othecarandIwal
kedback
i
ntot
hehouse.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
04/
23,
18:
22]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Thando
.
.
.
.
27
Iwasmad.Iwasov ertheedgeofev en
tol
eratingsuchnonsensef r
om Nol untu
becauseIknowt hatshei sdoingall t
hist
oget
myat tenti
onandohboywi l
lshegeti t
.Notina
goodway .Ipar
kedmycarout si
det hebuil
ding
andmademywayupt omypent houseusing
theelev at
or.WhenIar r
ivedthedoorwascl osed.
Itr
iedt oseeifi
twasl ockedandIsucceededt o
openi twithnoeffortorwhat soever.
Me:
Nol
unt
u?
Thef ur
niturewasi nit
sr i
ghtf
ulform andthere
wasnoscr eaming.Ienteredthemai nroom and
Ifoundhersl eepi
ngont hebed.Ther ewasa
packofsl eepingpil
lsont heheadtablewitha
halfaglasswi thwater.Ishookherabi tand
shewokeup.Igr abbedt hepil
lcontai
nerand
checkedt hepill
s.Theywer eful
lsoshej ust
openedt hem.
Nol
unt
u:Zwel
i!
Me:
Itsme.
Shesatupst
rai
ght
.
Nol
unt
u:Wher
eisZwel
i
?
Me:
Ther
eisnoZwel
iher
e.I
tsj
ustme.
Shel
ookedconfusedandt
hatmademet
hink
shewasonsleepi
ngpil
lov
erdose.
Me:Whydi
dy oucal
ltel
l
ingmet
hatZwel
ii
s
goi
ngtoat
tackyou?
Nol
unt
u:He.
..
Shest
oodupl
ooki
ngar
ound.
Nol
unt
u:Hewasher
eLut
handoandhewas
r
eadyt
okil
l
.
Me:
Ohr
eal
l
y?
Noluntu:
Yes.He..
.ohGodIwassoscaredthat
t
histimeIwasreal
lygoi
ngtolosemyli
fe.
Il
etoutasi
gh.
Me:
Packy
ourst
uffNol
unt
u.
Nol
unt
u:Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
Me:
ToBl
ess'
shouse!
!
Iwasbeyondangr
y.Thewordangr
ycoul
dnot
evendef
inehowIfel
tatt
hispar
ti
cul
armoment
.
Nol
unt
u:St
opshout
ingpl
ease.
Me:
Isai
dpacky
ourt
hings.
Nol
unt
u:WhyLuthando?Whyi
sther
etheneed
t
ogotoBless'
shouse.
Me:Oh.BecauseZweliwhoisaSout
hAfr
ican
agentandismeanttoprot
ectt
heworl
dwanted
toki
llyou.Packy
ourshi
t.
Igrabbedmyphoneandgav eNail
sacalland
tol
dhimt ocheckthesurvei
ll
anceforme.He
call
edafter5minutesandbythatti
meIwasi n
theloungewait
ingforNolunt
uJacobstobe
donewi t
hhershit
.
Me:
And?
Nails: Idontunderst
andwhyy ouwouldsaythat
Zwel itri
edtoat t
ackNoluntubecausetheti
me
Nolunt ucalledyouandsai dZweli
wasaboutto
att
ackheri stheverysamemomentagent004
wasi nameet ingwithCynthi
a.Theyneverl
eft
ther oom sincethenandt hebossisevenhere
withme.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Whatdoest
hesur
vei
l
lancesay
?
Nai
l
s:Nol
unt
ust
eppedi
nsi
det
hebedr
oom,
tookthepi
ll
s,dr
ankoneandwentt
osl
eepaf
ter
speakingt
oyou.
Me:
Shemustbeshi
tt
ingwi
thme!
Nail
s:Shehasamoti
veandhersudden
appearancewor
ri
esme.
Me:I
'm al
soworri
ed.Somethi
ngi
supbutl
etus
nott
ouchthatpoi
nt.Iwantt
omeetwi
thZwel
i.
Nail
s:Iam l
ooki
ngathi
m nowandhei shavi
ng
atal
kwi t
honeofhi
sgir
lfr
iend'
ssecur
it
yteam

Me:
Gir
lf
ri
end?
Nai
l
s:Babymama,
younamei
tman.
Il
etoutachuckl
e.
Me:PutWáv
eonpar
olebecausey
ouneedt
o
r
est
.
Nai
ls:AyLet
habo!Thebosssai
dyou'
reon
par
ole.
“Fucky
ou!
”hesai
dthatbecauseGont
lecal
l
ed
hi
m byhisfi
rstname.Isai
dmygoodbyeto
Nail
swhenNol unt
usteppeddownwi
thher
bags.Thi
swomani sgoingtobeapr
obl
em in
mylif
e..
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Noma:
Youcan'
tj
ustcancelwi
thyourmother
Mamel
o!Iwasl
ooki
ngf or
wardtoseeher!
Godshewasshout
ingr
ightonmyear
.
Me: Iwasalsolooki
ngforwar
donmeet i
ngher
todaybutIbeli
evewewi l
lseehertomorrow
after
noonplustherei
swor kthatIneedtocov
er
up.
Noma:
Ohhel
lnoMamel
o!
Me:
What
?
Noma:Thatwomanwillnotj
ustmakeyou
post
poneaveryi
mportantmeeti
ngwit
hyour
mother
.Ther
earerul
esthatyouneedt
olay
downforher
.
Me:
Like?
Noma:Everyt
hingthat
'si
nrel
ati
onwi
thI
ngr
id
shedi
scusseswithme.
Me:ButNomat hat
'sunf
air
.Icancommuni
cat
e
wi
thKevinper
fectl
yfi
ne.
Noma:Kevi
nisnotanuisanceinyourmarri
age.
Heknowshislaneandhim andLuthandoget
al
ongperf
ectl
y.
Me:
Icangetal
ongwi
thNol
unt
u.
Noma:Sheisinl
ovewi
thLut
hando.I
t'
sgoi
ngt
o
beawkward.
Me:
Yeabut.
..
Il
etoutasi
gh.Lucki
l
yformeLut
handocal
l
ed.
Me:
Babe?
Thando:
CanIgety
ouatHQ?
Me:
Yeabutwhy
?
Thando:
Ijustwantt
oseey
ou.
Me:
Shoul
dIbr
ingt
heki
ds?
Thando:Thesecur
it
yteam i
sther
epl
usmom
sono.Therei
snoneed.
Me:
Giv
eme15mi
nut
es
Thando:
Whatwi
l
lyoubedoi
ngwi
tht
heot
her5?
Me:
Igot
tal
ooksexy
.
Thando:
Babyyou'
resexyinev
ery
thi
ng.Ev
eni
n
ahoodyandsweatpants.
Me:Iknowbabybutj
ustgi
vemet
hat15
mi
nutes.
Ihear
dasheexhal
edont
heot
hersi
de.
Thando:
Fine!
Me:
Thanky
ouJoker
.
Iendedt
hecal
landt
hef
ir
stt
hingIdi
dwas
i
nf or
m Nomat henmademywayt othecar
withoutevenchangi
ng.Mydri
verst
art
edthe
caronceIwasi nandwearr
ivedatHQ.Thando
wasbusyspeaki ngt
osomeoneasIwast ol
dso
Iwalkedov ert
owhereSbuandZweliwer
e
standing.
Me:
Gent
lemen.
Theygr
eet
edmeback.
Zwel
i
:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Me:
Iknowbutt
hanks.
Si
busi
sol
etoutachuckl
e.
Me: Soaren'
tyousupposedt
obear
rest
edf
or
assault
?
Zweli
:Mi
mi y
ouknowme.Icoul
dnev
erat
tack
any
one.Notevenaf
ly.
Me:
Shecal
l
edcr
yingZwel
i
.
Sbu:
Believ
emewhenIsayIwaswi t
hmyG
whenthatwomancal
l
edLuthando.Wekeep
tr
acksofallt
hecal
l
sher
eatHQ.Especi
all
y
agent001,
002and004.
Me:
Who'
s003?
Sbu:Don'
twor
ryabouther
.Shecant
akecar
eof
her
self
?
Me:
Whoi
sshe?
Sbu:
T-gom.
ThedooropenedandaGi venchydr
essed
womanst eppedinsi
dewit
hherheelsmaking
sounds.TheeGlori
aThobang.Ihav
eseenher
around.
Sbu:
Ther
eshei
s

Me:
She'
sol
d.
Thet
wol
aughed.
Zweli
:Makesureshedoesnotheary
ou
becauseal
lhel
lwil
lbr
eakloose.
Me:
Mybad.
Lut
handocametowherewewer
estandi
ng.He
pl
acedhi
shandaroundmywai
standpecked
myli
ps.
Sbu:
Weknowy
ouhav
eital
lbutst
opbr
aggi
ng
man.
Hel
ookedatmef
rom t
hecor
nerofhi
sey
e.
Thando:I
'
m sorr
ythatyouhadtocancel
.Just
thatwor
kishereisnotrunni
ngsmoothl
yifIam
notonparol
e.
Me:
Itsokay
.
Thando:
Call
mymot heri
nlawandtel
lhert
hat
bytomorr
owaft
ernoonwewill
bether
e.
Thetwowent“Owwww!
”andwej
ustl
ett
hem
be.
Me:
Idi
d.
Thando:
Ok.Yourhusbandneedst
ohav
eat
alk
wit
hZweli.Il
ovey
ou.
Me:
I-
Hepeckedmyl
i
pst
hri
ce.
Me:
Yout
oo.Il
ovey
ou.
Thando:
Ilov
eyoumor
e.
Heunl
ockedhi
sarm ar
oundmywaistthenhi
m
andZwel
idi
sappear
edinoneoft
herooms.
.
.
.
.
#Thando
Hecl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
Me:Imetwit
hdoctorSuei
nthemedr
oom.
Appar
ent
lyNolunt
uhasbeenhi
ghonmandr
ax.
Sl
eepi
ngpil
l
s..
Imadeapauset
oseehi
sreact
ionbuthedi
dn'
t
gi
vemeonesoIcont
inued.
.
Me: Youareaprof
essi
onalgangsterandy ou
weretaughtt
ocleart
racksandleavenothing
thatcoul
dpossi
blypoi
ntthatyouhaveev er
beenanywhere.
Zweli
:Soy ou'
resay
ingIcov er
edmyt r
ackson
hi
spredicament?ThatIactual
lydi
dgot oyour
pent
house.Theoner ecommendedbyHQ?Wi th
HQjuniorguardswhohappent obethebestat
whattheydo?Onest hatdespi
temewi thever
y
fi
beri
nt hei
rbody?Thinkitt
hroughLuthando.
Me: Iwon'tthinkanythi
ngt hrough.Iwantyouto
checky ourtracks.Iam notpoi nti
ngfi
ngers
becausenot hing,notevenonet hi
ng,i
spointi
ng
atyou.Att hismomenti tsNol untu'
sword
againstHQandt heywilltakeactonherifshei s
bei
ngdi sloyal.Thatwil
lleadt oacourtappeal
andawhol elot.Justknowt hatZwel i
.
Zwel
i
:Yesboss.
Me:
Good.
[
04/
23,
18:
22]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
#Zwel
i
.
.
.
.
28
Isteppedoutt heroom andonmywayt owher e
SbuandMi mi werest andingIpassedbydoct or
Sue'soffi
ceandIcoul dseewhatwas
happeninginsideli
ket heycouldseewhatwas
happeningout si
de.IsawasNol untusatont he
bedandspoket oDr .Sueandshecoul dfeelthat
someonewasst aringatherhenceshel ooked
upandourey esmet .Icoul dtel
lthatshewas
beginni
ngt ogetuneasysosheal er
tedthe
doctorwhocl osedt hecur tai
n.Iletoutalaugh
thencontinuedtowal ktowardst hetwo..
Sbu:
Andt
hatsmi
l
e?
Me:Ij
ustremember
edsomet
hingt
hatIneedt
o
godowithThembi
.
Sbu:
Yer
ru-
sfebnj
ayam !
Me:
Haha!i
fnotnowt
henwhencanIbe?
Sbu:
Howaboutnev
er?You'
reget
ti
ngol
dZwel
i
andyouneedt
oset
tl
edown.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Myphonebeepedandi twasanal ertfr
om
Cy nthi
a.Ient eredthecomput erroom and
wal kedt omydesk.Ihadaner r
andatf ir
sti
and
iknewt hatthebr eaki ninvol
vedDr acul
a.I
sighed.Thi swasat askthatIneededt osor
tout
withpr ofessionali
sm becauseIwasoncea
DraculaandIowet hem alot.
Igrabbedmycarkeysandmademywayt here
andthef i
rstper
sonwhoIbumpedintoatthe
warehousewasKusanda.Myswor nenemy .He
wasi nv
olvedwithMi
mi onceandmadesure
thatherandIdonotbecomeasuccess.Now
hedidthever
ysamet oNoluntuandIandt
he
worstpar
taboutall
thi
sisthatIj
ustknowand
donothaveprooforwhatsoever
.
Kusanda:
Zwel
iMrTr
ipp.
Me:
Yseksahni
!(pi
ssof
f)
Hecont
inuedt
olaugh.
Kusanda:
Somebodyl
ooksgr
umpy
.
Me:
Eh!Spugupugu,
donty
ouhav
esomet
hing
t
odo?Li
kerobabank?
Kusanda:
Don'
tyouhav
eadatewi
thNol
unt
u
thaty
ouneedt
oprepar
efor
?
Twot hingsthatKusandaandIhav eincommon
i
sst r
engt handourangert akesful
lcontrolofus
butIstil
l wentwithmyat t
emptt opinhim on
thewall.NkosiandJoaqui nweretheonest o
comeandsepar ateusbutwear enotthetypes
ofpeopl ethatyou'dwanttostopwhenwear e
angry.IpunchedJoaqui nhardacrossthef ace
thenwentbackt oKusanda.Ifir
edtwopunches
andhef i
redtwotoo.Wecont i
nuedtopunch
eachotherunti
lNkosigrabbedmeandIwasn' t
abouttostandupagainstNkosi .Heismy
homeboyandIcan' tl
etabi tchlikeKusandabe
thereasonbehi
ndoursepar ati
on.
Nkosi
:Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
!
Me:
NotnowNkosi
.
Iwalkedclosert
othedoorandIwant edto
l
eavebutwhenIhear dasKusandasai d“Keep
onrunningyousickasspr
incess”behindmeI
wentcrazyandwewer eatitagai
n..
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Aft
erZwel
ilef
tHQIwenttojoi
nThandoint
he
comput
erroom.Hel
eftwhathewasdoingand
camet
oat
tendme.
Thando:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
Nobaby
.Iwantt
oleav
e.
Thando:
Doy
ouwantmet
ojoi
nyou?
Me:
No.Ibel
iev
ethatyouhav
ewor
ktoat
tend
t
osoIwil
ll
eaveyoutoit
.
Thando:
Nah.I
'
llj
ustl
eav
ewi
thy
ou.
Hegrabbedhi
sjacketf
rom t
hechai
randcame
backtomeholdi
nghiskeys.
Me:I
sNolunt
ualr
ight?Zwelit
ell
smet
hathe
di
dn'
tev
engot oyourpenthouse.
Thando:
Zwel
iisanoldti
megangsterssohe
knowshowtocoverhi
stracks.Hewasther
e
Me:
Howsur
ear
eyou?
Thando:IwasagangsterbeforeandI'vebeen
topri
sonbefor
e.Iveseenthi
ngst hatgangster
s
l
earnfrom t
heinsi
de.Heisjustanother
Kusanda.
Me:
Kusanda?Howi
shei
nvol
vedi
nthi
s?
Thando:Hei sjustgoodwhenitcomest o
coveri
ngtracks.Heknowshowt heprocess
workssobef orethelaweventhinksabout
cert
ainstepsthatshouldbetakenhehas
al
readytakencar eofhi
sacti
ons.
Me:Disadvant
ageofhav
inganagentwhowas
agangsterbef
orem
Thando:I
tsthegoodpartaboutt
hejob.Jobs
aredonesuccessf
ulwhengangster
sare
i
nv ol
ved.
Weenter
edt hecar.Hewastheonewhohad
openedi
tformet henhedr
ov eushome.
.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Ihavebeenatthi
sHeadquartersforli
ke5
wholehoursandIhavebeenaskedt hesame
questi
onoverandover.Atsomepoi ntIwas
takentoaroom whereIwasfirstl
ygiven
medicati
onthenIsl
ept.Ever
ythingwas
peaceful
formeuntil
Iheardhisv oi
ce..
Zwel
i
:Lunt
u..
.imi
ghthav
emi
ssedt
hef
ir
st
ti
me.
.
Iopenedmyey
esandhewasst
ari
ngr
ightat
me.
Zwel
i
:Butt
hist
imeIwi
l
lhav
ethej
obdone!
!
Ijumpedfrom thebedandmademywayout
theroom scr
eami ngf
orhel
p.Oneoft
hef
emale
agentscamet ome.
Her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
Hei
sgoi
ngt
oendme!
Her
:Who?.
..Heyt
alkt
ome.
Me:Zwel
i.
..
hei
sint
hatr
oom.Hewant
sme
dead.
Her:Ohboy.Doct
orSue.It
hinkweshouldcal
l
AgentMolefi
andtel
lhi
mt oretur
nbecausewe
needhishel
p!
Shesai
dhelpi
ngmeupandSuewasmaki
ng
herwaytous.
.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Iwasintheshowerwi t
hLuthandoandwewer e
pl
ayingaroundintheshowerbeingnaught
y.We
spentanhourintheshowerhavingsexunti
li
t
wast i
mef orustogobacktotheroom.
Thando:
Argh!Whatdot
heywant
?
Me:
Who?
Thando:
HQ.
Me:
Nono.
.
It
ookhi
sphone.
Me:Iam nottaki
nganycall
sfr
om wor
k
meaningthatyoutooshoul
dnotbet
aki
ngcal
l
s
f
rom work.
Thando:
Baby
y!
Me:It
sunfai
rthaty
oumademeswi
tchof
fmy
phonesonowIam theone.
.
Iswi
tchedhi
sphoneof
f.
Me:
Toswi
tchy
our
sof
f.Now,
comeher
e..
Ipul
l
edhi
scl
oserandweki
ssed.
.
[
04/
23,
18:
25]Ron:
THECOMI
NG
.
.
.
.
.
29
“HQt ext
edme.Iam neededt hereasap.”Ilet
outasighasIseeasmypl ansfort
hedayf ade
away.Idontsayany
thingtohim butactasifI
di
dnothearwhathej ustsaid.
Thando:
Mamel
o?
Me:
Babe?
Thando:
Whyactasi
fyoudi
dn'
tj
usthearwhatI
sai
d?
Me:Argh!Ij
usthavealotonmymindr
ight
nowthatIdi
dn'
tevenhearwhaty
ousai
d.
Thando:
Thi
ngsl
i
ke?
Me:
Thi
ngsl
i
kegot
oMaf
ikeng.
Ir
oll
edmyey
esaf
tersay
ingt
hat
.
Thando:
Shi
t!Canwel
eav
eat2?Pl
ease.
Igomut eonhim agai
nthengr
abmysli
ngbag
fr
om thebedandt akeagoodl
ookatmy
maroonoutfi
t.
Thando:
Mamel
o!
Me:
Ihear
dyou.
Thando:Baby
,what
'
sgoi
ngon?Whyar
eyou
act
ingli
kethi
s?
Ihuf
fed.
Me:Lut handoIf
eel l
i
keIam beinglef
toutand
HQisr eplaci
ngmei ny ourl
if
e.Weshouldbei
n
Mafi
kengnowandmom woul dpr
obablybe
makingussomet hingni cet
oeatandwe'dget
t
ocat chupt oal
lthey earswemissedas
motheranddaught er.
Thando:
HQi
sn'
trepl
aci
ngy
oubaby
.
Hewalkscl
osertomet
henhi
shandssnake
ar
oundmywai st
.
Thando: Todayismylastdayther
eandIeven
promiset oswit
choffmybusinessphoneso
theydonotgetahol dofmeandIwi l
lbedoing
allt
hatjustforyoubaby.
Me:Youtri
edthatonceandwhathappened?
Theyi
nvadedourhouse!
Thando:Baby.
..
.Mumuwaka..
.Dl
amini,
Si
bal'
khulu,
Mdlovu,
Mzi
zi
,Magaduzel
a.
IfeltasIt
urnedpinkwhenheaddressedme
usinghiscl
annames.Hearingashespokeand
usedhi smoti
onduringt
hatcl
annami ngmy
kneeswentwi nk.
Thando:Justli
keIpromi sedtoloveyouand
onl
yy ou.InowpromiseandIwi l
ldef
ini
tel
ykeep
mywor dont hi
sone.Iwi llr
etur
n.Wewi l
lfl
yto
Mafikengandwewi l
l gettomeetNaledi.Your
mother..
Hepeckedmyl
i
ps.
Thando:
Mymot
heri
nlaw.Bel
i
eveme.
Isi
ghed.Icoul
dn'
tsaynoandIdidn'
tknowwhy
.
Maybebecausehejustknowshowtomakeme
weak.
Me:
Fine.Iwi
l
lbehomewai
ti
ngf
ory
out
oret
urn.
Thando:
Ilov
eyouMi
mi.
Me:
I..
.Il
ovey
out
oo.
Iwal
kedev
encl
osert
ohi
mthenweki
ssed.
.
.
.
.
.
#Kopano
Iwasi nt heof fi
cewhenaf il
et hatlooked
famili
arf el
lfrom theboss'stable.Ipickeditup
andwentt hroughi t
.Therewer epicturesof
Kusandaandhewassi tt
ingwi thsomeguy .The
pict
uresl ookedpr ett
ymy steri
ous.Thel ooks,
postureandt heonlypersont hathador der
ed
somet hingwasKusanda.Theguy '
shandwas
undert hetablemeani ngtheirmeet ingwas
businessr el
at ed.
Ist
eppedoutther oom andmademywayto
doctorSue'
soff
ice.Iwasn'tdeal
i
ngwi
th
Noluntu'
scasebutIam amemberatHQandi
hav
etodowhatIhav
etodo.
Me:
Giv
emeNol
unt
uJacobs'
sfi
l
e.
Isai
daf
terbar
gingi
ntoherof
fi
ce.
Sue:
Hit
oyout
ooKopano.
Me:
You'
rewast
ingt
imedoct
or.
Imayseem rudebutIam not.Iam actual
ly
bei
ngverynicet
oherrightnowplust hisi
show
Iwastr
ainedtodealwit
hsuchpr edicaments.
Shepul
ledthefi
leout.
.
Sue:
Why
?Di
dyougetasol
uti
on?
Igr
abbedt
hef
il
efr
om herhand.
Me:Theonl
yoneIgoti
showt
ost
opnosy
ar
ound.
Sue:
Mxm !
Isteppedoutt
heroom andmademywayt othe
comput err
oom.Isatdownandlookedt
hrough
herfil
e.WhenIsawNail'
spassi
ngbyIstopped
him.
Me:
Nai
l
s?
Iwal
kedov
ert
ohi
m andhewaswai
ti
ngf
orme.
Me:Youknowpeopleandonesthatar
e
i
nvolvedi
nil
l
egalbusi
nesssodoy oumind
hel
pingmegetthi
sguy.
Ishowedhi
mtheguyf
rom t
hepi
ctur
esIf
ound.
Nai
l
s:That
'sAdam McKenzi
e.
Me:
Okay
?
Nai
l
s:Hewor
ksatsomel
abi
nSandown.Why
?
Me:Iwantdet
ail
sofhi
m.Hi
snumber
.Iam
wor
kingonacase.
Nai
l
s:Whatcase?
Me:Onewher
eImaker esear
chofwhypeopl
e
l
oveaski
ngquest
ionssomuch.
Nai
l
s:What
ever!
Hegr
abbedt
hepi
ctur
e.
Nai
l
s:Gi
mme15.
Me:
I'
ll
bewai
ti
ngbuddy
.
Nai
l
s:Iam noty
ourbuddy
.
Wewalkedt
ohiscomput
erandIsataf
ar
l
ooki
ngathi
m ashedi
dhismagic.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#Thando
Me:
Whathappenedt
oyou?
Heent
eredhi
sof
fi
ceandIf
oll
owedbehi
ndhi
m.
Zwel
i
:UhhIwasi
nvol
vedi
naf
ight
.
Me:
Catf
ight
?
Zweli
:Veryf
unnyLut
handoandno.I
twasa
fi
ghtwit
hsomeguy .
Me:
What
'st
her
easont
oli
ewheny
ouknow
t
hatIknowt
het
rut
h?
Zwel
i
:Whatt
rut
h?
Me: Nkosipendul
acal
ledandtol
dmeabout
yourcatfi
ghtwi t
hKusanda.Iwon'
taskwhyy
'al
l
f
ought .I
'
llfi
ndoutonmyown.
Zwel
i
:Real
l
y?
Me:Yea.Iknowsomethi
ngthough.Iknowthat
i
thastodowi t
hNolunt
u.Yeathat
'sri
ght.
Hef
oldedhi
sar
ms.
Me:Whatarey
outworeal
l
yplayi
ngat
?What
ar
eyougoingt
oachi
evetoal
lthi
s?
Zwel
i
:Youtel
lmebecauseLut
handoIhav
eno
i
deawhaty
ou'r
eonabout.
Hegr
abbedhi
sphonef
rom t
het
abl
e.
Me:You'r
eright.Youdontknowany
thi
ngknow
butyea.Adaywi l
lcomewher ey
oumyfri
end
havetogetthatasswhipped.
Zwel
i
:You'
redel
usi
onal
Lut
hando.
Me:
Toomuch!
Imademywayouttheroom andwentto
Nol
untu'
sward.OnmywaythereIanswereda
cal
lfr
om mycousi
nKusanda.
Me:
Ta.
Kusanda:
Heycus.
Me:
Yea.Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Kusanda:Nothi
ngmuch.Iwasgoi
ngthrough
somet hi
ngsandIst
umbleduponyoursist
eri
n
l
aw'sfi
le.Damnshenastyandhat
dcore.
Me:
Isee.
Kusanda:
Whatbot
her
smei
sthewi
fe.Imean,
canshefi
ght
?
Iopenedthewar
ddoorbutst
opped.The
l
ightbul
bonmyheadwasswitched.
Me:
Ku-
“Doyoumindt
ell
i
ngmewhyt hehell
you
br
oughtmeher
ewi t
houtLut
hando'sconcer
n.”
Mimisaidint
hebackgr
oundandmybl
ood
pr
essureroseup.
Me:
Yousonof
-
Kusanda:
She'
syouraunt
.
Me:
Cunt!
Kusanda: Whoacus!Chil
l
.Iwon'thurtyourwif
e.
Imean, she'
stoobeaut
if
ultobehurt.Iwil
ltr
eat
herwithrespect
.Iwon'
tabuseher.Iwon't
contr
olherlif
enorevennegl
ectherli
key oudo.
Me:
Kusanda!
Kusanda:
Shei
singoodhands.
.
.

.
[
04/
23,
18:
26]Ron:
SEASONFI
NALE
THECOMI
NG
#Kev
in
.
.
.
.
30
Itsbeensomet i
mesi nceIhav eseenmyson
Dr e.Ihavespentt i
mewi t
hthet wins,Nalediand
Kent hepastday sbutnotDr e.PlusImi sshim.I
tri
edt ocallLuthandot ohearwher ehei sbuthe
wasn' tanswer i
ngmycal l
s.EvenMi mi wasn'tso
Icl i
mbedi nmyJeepandmademywayt otheir
house.Unf ortunatelyMamel owasnotar ound.
JustNomaMol efiandhert wogr andchildr
en.
Ingridwasi nthepl ayroom andDr ewaspl aying
alonewi t
hhi scar.
Me:
Heyl
i
lguy
.
Ipi
ckedhi
m upf
rom t
hegr
ound.
Me:
Wher
eisMi
mi?
IaskedNoma.
Noma:Shetoldmet hatshei
sgoingout
shoppi
ngforIngr
idbutshehasnotret
urned.
Sheisnotevenansweringmycal
ls.
Me:
That
'sodd.She'
snotanswer
ingmi
net
oo.
Itookoutmyphoneandtri
edtocall
heragai
n
butsti
l
lmycall
sremainedunanswered.
Me:Igetaf
eel
i
ngt
hatsomet
hingmi
ghtbe
wr
ong.
Noma:
Likesomet
hinghappenedt
oMi
mi?
Shewaswor r
ied.Thel
ookinherf
acewas
evi
dentoft
hef eart
hatwasbrewi
ng.
Me:Uhm .
..Rel
ax.Iwi
l
lhav
emyguy
slooki
nto
i
t.
Noma:
Doi
tnowKev
in!
Me:
Rel
axNoma.Youwi
l
lhav
eapani
cat
tack.
Noma:
Ok.
Shei
nhal
edt
henexhal
ed.
Noma:Nowcall
yourpeopl
eandf
indmy
daught
eri
nlaw.
Me:
Rel
ax.
.
Idi
aledThando'
s(TT)numberandcal
l
edhi
m
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Heretur
nedwithatrayfi
ll
edwit
hfoodandthey
wereall
myf avor
it
e.Isquatt
edmyeyesdown
andstar
edintohi
sey es.
.
Me:
Whatam Idoi
ngher
eKusanda?
Sanda:
Relax.Idi
dtel
lyout
hatIwassenther
e
byHQright?
Me:Kusandayou'
rel
yi
ng.Youarenotsenthere
byHQ.Icanseeiti
nyoureyesthatsomethi
ng
i
shappeningandmyli
feisonthelineher
e!
Iwassoscar
ed.Iknewt
hatshi
twasgoi
ngt
o
hi
tthef
an.
Sanda:Iam notl
i
keSenzonorZwelinor
Luthando!Il
oveyouMimiandneverwil
lIhur
t
you.Idon'
tseeareasont
o.
Me:
Howsur
eshoul
dIbe?
Sanda:Verysure.I
fitwasf
orsomeoneel
se
theywouldhavekil
ledyoubuti
t'
sme.Iam
keepi
ngy ouali
ve.
Me: Kusanda,doy ouknowifLut
handoget sa
holdofhei sgoingtokil
lyouandifsomeone
comesal ongwi t
hhim andgetstostophim
fr
om kill
ingyouy ouwil
lsti
ll
beinjai
lforaver
y
l
ongt i
mef orkidnappi
nganagent '
swifem
Kusanda:
Hedi
dn'
tmar
ryy
ou!
!
Il
etoutachuckl
ebeforerai
singmylef
thand
andshowedhim myplati
num ri
ng.
Me:
Thi
nkagai
n.
Sanda:
Mimi
...
youandI
,Iwaspl
anni
ngt
omake
youmywoman.Tr eatyoubett
erandnoteven
l
ikeaprosti
tute.Ididn'
tseeyouasoneev en
becauseyou'r
esobeaut i
ful
Mamel o.
.
Hecar essedmyl eftcheekmaki ngmeso
unconfor mable.Imustadmi tthatKusandai s
j
ustsoamazi nglyhandsome.He' sphy sique,the
wayhet alksandhi sdarkcompl exionisj usta
majortur non.Hei stallandr eallytall
.Hei sall
muscul arandi nti
midat i
ng.Hedi dn'
tsee
Luthando'sdr eadstomakehi ml ookev enmor e
attr
activebutonet hingwi llalway sremai n:heis
notLuthando.Myhear twi l
lalway sbeatwhenI
feelhi
st ouchesandnotf eeluncomf or
tablelike
Kusandamakesmef eel
..
Me:
Don'
ttouchme.
Sanda:
I'
m sor
ry.
Hemov
edbackabi
t.
Me:
Ineedt
otal
ktomyson.
Sanda:
Icanbr
inghi
m-
Me:
Noooo!
!
Sanda:
Okt
henIcanFaceTi
mehi
m.
Me: IwantmysonandIdon'
twanttoseehi
m
overthephone.Iwantt
ohav
ehim cl
osetome.
Nothere.
Sanda:
Thenwher
e?
Me:
Homewher
eIbel
ongy
ouf
ucki
ngpsy
cho!
Ipushedhi
m sohar
dthatheev
enletmymi
ni
str
engthmakehi
sbackcoll
i
dewit
hthewal
l
.
Me:
Iam l
eav
ing.
Sanda:
You'
renotl
eav
ingMi
mi.
Igr
abbedt
hesl
i
ngbagf
rom t
hecof
feet
abl
e
andmademywayt
owar
dsthedoor
.
Sanda:
Mamel
o!
Me:
I'
mleav
ingdammi
t!
Sanda:
Mimi
dontl
eav
e.
Hegr
abbedmyhandandhedi
dn'
thur
tme.I
t
urnedwi
thamaj
orsl
aponhi
scheek.
Me:
Isai
ddon'
ttouchme!
Sanda:
AndIapol
ogi
zedMi
mibutdon'
tl
eav
e.
Me:
Whybegme?Wehav
enot
hinggoi
ngon.
Sanda: Yeabut. .
..Hedoesn'tdeservey ouMi mi
becausehi sactionsspeakf orhim.Thewayhe
neglectsyouf orHQandhi sexwi f
ewhor ose
fr
om t hedead.IfIhadn'tcalledhim hewoul dn'
t
evenknowt hatyou'r
ehereandmont hswill
passwi thyoubei ngawayt hathim andNol untu
wil
lbegi nt
odat e.
Me:
You'
rewr
ong.
Sanda:Nolunt
uwasdeadf orli
ke6mont hsand
hejumpedi naseri
ousrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hy ou.
LuthandodoesnotcareMimi.Heonlycares
abouthisdaught
erandMot her
.Nothi
ngel se.
Me:Hel ovesmeKusanda.IknowLuthando.I
f
hedidn'
tlovemehewouldn'thaveaccept
edmy
pastnorevenmarr
ymeknowi ngdamnwell
whoIwasbef or
e.Heev enaccept edmyson
whoIhadwi t
hanenemy .Luthandolov
esme
andit
salwayshardtolov esomeonewi tht
hei
r
baggagebuthelovesmeev enmor ewit
hit
.
Sanda:
You'
rebei
ngdel
usi
onal
Mamel
o.
Hewasnowst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofme.
Sanda:
Whycan'
tyoul
ovemeMi
mi?
Me:
IdobecauseGoddoesl
ove.
Sanda:
Dammi tdon'
ttel
lmeaboutGod!Il
ove
youandIwil
ltr
eatyouevenbet
ter
.Withyour
sonandyourunbornbaby.
Hetriedt otouchthebel
l
ythathadLuthando'
s
chi
ldini tbutIsl
appedhishandawaybeforehi
s
handl andedonsomet hi
ngthatbel
ongedto
anotherman.
Me:
Iwon'
trepeatmy
sel
fKusanda.Don'
ttouch
me!
Sanda:
I'
m sor
ry.
Me:
JesusGodme.Wat
ena!(y
ou'
rebor
ing.)
Hegentl
yt ouchedmyhandsandIwasso
annoy
edt hatIlostdefeat.I
fIcont
inueargui
ng
wit
hhimt henIwi l
lbet r
yingtopul
lthegunwith
nobull
etsbutst i
ll
beingindenial
.
Sanda:
Ilov
eyouMi
mi.
.
.
.
.
.
#Kopano
Ihadwr appedchainsaroundmyhands,bothof
them andIhithi
mf orthe5thti
meonhi sr
ibs.I
pref
erthelowerpar toft
hebodybecauseheis
ahandsomewhi t
emanandI '
dhat
etoruinhis
facefortheladi
es.
Me:Wher
e'st
hedamnant
idot
eyouf
ucki
ng
pr
ick!
!
Ihithimt womor eti
mesandt hat
'swhenhegot
defeated.Iwant edtheantidotetoNolunt
u's
hypnotist.Ithappensthatthepill
thatshewas
givenwasnotsl eepi
ngpill
sbutonet hatmakes
herhallucinateandhav eherownv oi
cesi
nher
head.Thef earsshehasalway shadseemed
realandIbel ievehi
sotherf earwasZwelihence
shet hi
nkst hatheisafterher.
Adam:Ok!
!Iwi
l
ltal
kbutj
ustst
opwi
tht
he
hi
tt
ing.
Iloosenedthechai
nsfrom myhandsandl
et
them fal
lontheground.
Adam:
Justunt
ieme.
.
.
.
.
.
#Thando
RightnowIdi dn'
twantHQ'shelp.Iwantt odo
thi
ngsonmyownandwi t
hmyol dcrewsoI
gaveKagi soacallandwemetatourol d
warehouse.Iwasst andi
ngbehi ndhim ashe
wast r aci
ngMi miusingherengagementr i
ng
andi fitfail
sweuset hetooththatthedenti
stat
HQpl acedonwhenshewentandcheckedher
teeth..
Me:
And?
Kagiso:Hi
spenthouse.Thenoneher
ein
Sandton.
Me:
Whi
chone?Thatf
uckerhasmany!
Iwassopissedof
fthatt
heonl
ythingIwi
shed
forwast
ohav emyunharmedwif
enexttome.
Kagi
so:
Her
e..
Il
ookedatt
headdr
esst
hengr
abbedmykey
s.
Kagi
so:
Shoul
dIcomewi
thy
ou?
Me:I'
m goi
ngal
onebecauseIwantno
di
stur
bancewhenIhav
et hataashol
e..
Ist
eppedi
nthecaranddr
oveof
fki
l
li
ngt
he
E63s.

[
04/
23,
18:
26]Ron:
SEASONFI
NALE
THECOMI
NG
#Ri
s
.
.
.
.
31
Iwasbysomepub&gr il
lwhenIreceiv
edacall
fr
om somef ri
endofmineMax.Hei syour
ty
picalcheeboywhospendsdaddy'smoney.
BeingthesonofThembaThabekhul uhegot
everyt
hingwitht
heuseofmoney.
Me:
Ta?
Max:
HeymyG.Phi
?
Me:
I'
m ar
oundSowet
o.Why
?
Max:
Iwasatt hemall
withthegi
rl
fr
iendwhenI
sawyoursi
sterwi
thKusandaMolef
i.
Me:
Kopano?
Iwasli
vi
dalr
eady
.Ispecif
ical
l
ytoldhert
ostay
awayfr
om menbecausesheisjust18and
needst
ofocusmoreonschool.Buthowcan
shewhensheisf
oreveratHQ?
Max:
Nah.Mi
mi.
Me:
Wai
t..
.shi
tshe'
sint
roubl
e.
Max:Yep.Kusandai
sn'
tthet
ypeofmanto
associ
atewit
hplushi
m andLut
handohav
ebad
hi
story
.
Me:Iknowhencethatcl
ickedtomesoquickl
y.
Manwewi l
lseeeachotheraroundbutnowI
hav
et odr
ivebacktoJozi.
Max:Ifol
l
owedthem byt
heway
.Theyar
ein
Sandt
on.Somepenthouse.
Me:
Youar
eaGi
ndeedman.
Max:
We'
ref
ri
endsandI
'
lldoany
thi
ngf
ory
apoi
.
Me:
ThanksandI
'
llseey
ou.
Max:
Awesome.
Iplacedt
hephonei
nmypocketandl
eftmy
food.
.
.
.
#Thando
Att
hepenthouseIpassedKusanda' scarst
hat
wereallparkedi
nf r
ontofthebuil
ding.Heis
def
init
elyli
vingl
argethi
sfuckerbutallt
hiswil
l
behistor
yonceIam donewi thhim.
Ididn'
tknock.Ipi
ckedthedoordownandI
foundhim standi
ngwit
hmywi feinf
rontoft
he
doorandhewasbeggi
ngherforsomereason.I
grabbedhi
m byt
hecol
lart
henpunchedhim
twice.
Mi
mi:
Ahhh!
Clear l
yshewast raumat i
zebyallthis.Iwanted
tost opbutmyangercoul dnotletme.I
punchedhi m andhepunchedmebackbutt hat
wor senedmyanger .It
hrewhim ont opoft he
glasst ablethengr abbedhim again.Ithr
ewhi m
tohi sflatscreenTVt henagainIpi ckedhim out.
Bloodoozi ngoutfrom somepar tofhi sbody .I
pinnedhi m ont hewal landwrappedmyhand
aroundhi sneckandhadnomer cywi thhi
mt hi
s
ti
me.Myai m wast ohav ehi
m deadi n5
mi nutest i
me.

.
.
.
.

#Mi
mi
Kusandawaspi nnedont hewallandIwat ched
ashi sli
fesl
owlyf adedaway .Hewascloset o
deathandLut handowasn' tevenbother
edby
that.Hewantedhi m deadandf orsomer eason
Ihadt hi
ssoftsidef orKusandathatIdi
dn't
wanthi mtobeki l
led.Well,noti
nmypr esence
atleast.
Me:
Lut
hando?
Hesai
dnot
hing.
Me:
Lut
handopl
easedontki
l
lhi
m.
Hest
il
lremai
nedqui
et.
Me:WhatifitwasoursonDr eandhehadmade
amistakel
ikeKusanda.Youwouldn'
tl
ikeitfor
hi
mt obestrangl
edli
kethat.Tobeinbetween
l
if
eanddeat h.
Heshotagl
areatme.
Thando:
Don'
tusemysoni
nhi
sev
ilway
s
Mamelo!
Kusanda'
sey
esr
oll
edback.
Me:(cr
ying)Lut
handohei
sgoi
ngt
odi
e!Pl
ease
dontdothis.
Iwal
kedclosert
ohim.WhenItouchedhi
shand,
hesl
owlyletgoofKusandawhosli
ddownon
thef
loorhal
fconsci
ous.
Me: YouareachangedmanLut hando.Weboth
changed.Don'
tl
etKusandat akeyoubackto
themany ouwereay earago.Wehavefought
somucht ogetwherewear etodaysoplease
baby.
Ir
aisedhi
sheadandmadehi
mlookmei
nthe
ey
e.
Me:
Please.
Thando:Mimi
,di
dIfai
lyou?Di
dmynegl
ect
dragyoudowntothi
s?
At
eardr
oppedf
rom hi
sey
e.
Me:
No.Ofcour
senot
.
Thando:Thenwhyar
eyouher
e?BecauseI
negl
ectedyou.
Me:No.BecauseIam suchafool
toactual
ly
bel
i
evethatKusandacaneverbeanagent.
Ir
ubbedhi
scheek.Twomember sfr
om HQand
Kevi
nThompsonbargedt
hroughthedoor
.
Kev
in:
Arey
ouokay
?
Inoddedandhesmi
l
ed.
Kusandawasnotarrestedimmedi
atel
y.He
neededmedi
calatt
entionasapsothe
paramedi
csstr
appedhi m ont
hebedthentaken
totheambul
ance.Luthandowhohasbeenin
thesameawfulst
atewascheckedbydoctor
Sue.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
Iwasi nthewardwhenagent0020( Kopano)
enteredthedoorwithamaledoctor.Theyboth
greetedmet henthedoct
orrubbedmyshoul der
wherehei nj
ectedme.Ami nut
elaterIbeganto
feeldrowsyandfadingaway.
Kopano:
She'
sgoi
ngt
obenor
mal
whenshe
wakesup?
Dr
:Yes.
Ther
evoi
cewereechoi
nginmyearsbutIcoul
d
makeoutwhatt
heyweresay
ing.
Kopano:
Iam gl
ad.Shedeser
vesabr
eak.
Dr:I
ndeed.Shewillbebet
terwhenshewakes
upandIbelieveIwil
ldi
schargehersoont
hen
shewil
lstartherl
i
feoveragain.
.
.
.
.
#Zwel
i
Af t
erheari
ngaboutKusandabei ngadmi t
tedto
hospital
becauseLut handoal mostkill
edhim
forkeepingMi miagainstherwil
l Imademy
wayt oHQ.Ient er
edNol untu'
swar d.Thedoctor
toldmet hattheyhadf oundanant i
dotetoher
traumasonowshewassl eepi
ngal l
ofitoff
.I
satdownbesi desherbedandhel dherhand
thathadanI V.
Me:
Hey
..
Iki
ssedherhand.
Me: Imayseem crazy,creepyandsomeone
whowoul dactuall
ydrugandt ortur
eyoubutnot
t
ot hoseIlove.AtLut
hando' sapart
mentI
want edt
ot al
ktoyouaboutwhatKusandat old
youaboutme.Iguesst hefearyouhadbecause
ofwhaty ouhear daboutmemadei tseem likeI
wasaboutt oatt
acky ou.Iloveyout oomucht o
actual
lytryandat t
acky ou.Iwantt ostarta
brandnewl i
fewithyouNol untu.Withy our
daughterandmydaught er
.Ibelievethatwewi l
l
beaf amily.Ahappyone.Iam accept ingyou
thewayIam.Justal soacceptmeasIam buti f
yousaynoIwi l
lbackof f.I
fwear emeantt obe
thenwewi l
lfi
ndourwaybackt oeachot her-
Herhandshookabi
tandshemov
edherhand
ar
oundabit.
Nol
unt
u:Il
ovey
ouZwel
i
.
Herey
eswereclosed.Ismil
edatmy
sel
fthen
st
oodup.Ipeckedhisl
ips.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Ididn'
tstayalong.Mydaughter
,Zwelit
hando,
waswai ti
ngf orme.Atthi
sti
meIt akeherout
foricecream andIhatetodi
sappointher
.She
i
spr act
icall
ymyl i
fe.
.
.
.
.
[
04/
23,
18:
27]Ron:
SEASONFI
NALE
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
32
Luthandowasi nsuchacr it
icalst
ate
psychologicall
ythatt hedoct orwentasfaras
sedati
nghi m.Iknewt hatit'
sbecauseofwhat
Kusandadi dandheov erthoughtthi
ngshence
heisonahospi tal bedt hisparti
cul
armoment .I
hadcamebackf rom get t
ingmy sel
fcoff
eeand
whenIr eturnedIf oundhi m openinghisey es
andmov
ingar
oundabi
t.
Me:
Baby
?
Iwal
kedcl
osert
ohi
m andourey
eint
eract
ed.
Me:
You'
reokay
!
Ipl
acedthecupdownandhelpedhi
m si
tup
str
aight
.Forsomet
imehestayedqui
et.
Thando:
Wher
e'sKusanda?Wher
e'st
hatsonof
abit
ch?!
Me: Baby,rel
ax.Kusandai
sinhospit
alandheis
sti
l
lunconsciousbutwhenhegainshi s
consciousnessthenheisgoi
ngstrai
ghttoj
ail
.
Thando:
Ipr
ayhedi
es.
Me:
Thando.
.
Ishookmyhead.
Me:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Thando:
I'
mfi
ne.
Me:
Real
l
y?You'
regonnaactl
i
ket
hat
?
Thando:
Iam angryMamelo.Whydi
dn'
tyou
al
lowmet oki
llt
hatsonofabit
ch!?
Me:Everyonedeserv
esasecondchance.
Kusandawasnoti ntherightst
ateofmi nd
whenhekeptmeagai nstmywi l
l.Babyhedidn'
t
evenhurtme.
Thando:
Butsti
l
lMamel
o.Hedeser
vest
opay
wit
hhisli
fe.
Me: Iwon' tall
owthat.Youhavechangedt
othe
better.Iwillnotal
lowmyhusbandt ogobackto
beingt hatmanwhowasr uthl
essandhadno
heart.Luthandoy ounowhav eafamil
yandyou
areanagent .ThebestoneatHQ.Whywoul d
youwantt ogobackt othatdar
kpast?
Hedi
dn'
tanswerme.
Me:
Baby
?
Thando:
You'rer
ight
.Ihav eafamil
ynowand
that
'smyonlypri
ori
ty.IfIf
ocusonKusanda
thenIwi
llgothr
ought hesametraumawhenI
negl
ectedy
ouandoneofmyenemi esgett
hei
r
handsonyou.Kusandai
ssaf
e..
.f
ornow.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Thando:
No.Thanky
ou.
Hepul
l
edmecl
oser
.
Thando:Idon'twantt oloseyouMi mi.That '
s
mywor stfear.IneverthoughtthatIwill
lov e
someonet hismuchbuther eIam.I'drather
l
osemyl if
et henf ory
out oloseyours.I'
dr ather
havechil
drenwi thyouthenanyot herwoman
outther
e.Letmenotl oseyou.
Me:
Dont
..
Ileanedandweki ssed.Ipul
ledoutthekiss
thenrubbedhislowerli
p.Iwasstaringatitl
ike
I'
dstareatcake.Webot hbrokeinlaughter
beforeil
eanedonceagai nthenweki ssedagai
n.
.
.
.
.
#Nol
unt
u
WhenIwokeupt hefi
rstpersonIsawwas
Ditshol
ofetso.I
tsbeensomet i
mesi nceIhave
seenher.Shehel pedmesi tstr
aightthenI
drankagl assofwaterbeforewesai danythi
ng
toeachot her
Bl
ess:
Howar
eyou?
Me:Ifeel
betternow.It
houghtI
'
dwakeupt
o
anot
hertraumabutIfeelast
oni
shed.
Bless:
I'
m sorr
ythatwehaven'tbeenseei
ng
eachother
.ItseemedasifIwasneglecti
ngbut
Ihadsomepr oblemsofmyown.Nkosi andI
havebeenhav i
ngsomeproblemsbutourlit
tl
e
onebroughtusbacktoget
her.
Me:Youguysar
en'
tthet
imet
ohav
emar
it
al
pr
oblems.
Bl
ess:
Real
l
y?Imean,
howspeci
alar
ewe?
Me:Youloveeachot heruncondi
ti
onall
yand
ev
enifyou'dstar
taf i
ghtoutoftheblueandit
's
meani
ngless,Nkosiwillbegonhisknees.You
ar
eBonnieandCl yde.
Bl
ess:
Ibel
i
eveBonni
eandCl
ydeal
sof
ight
.
Me:
Yea,
Imean.Whodoesn'
t?
Bless:Whatabouty
ou?Hav
eyouspokent
o
Luthando?
Ihuf
fed.
Me:No.It
sbeensomet i
meandIt
hinki
tsbest
weseelessofeachot
her.
Bl
ess:
Youguy
sneedt
otal
kthough.
Myeyesfel
lonherlowerbody
.Icoul
dseea
bel
l
ythathaspopped.Myeyeswentbackt
oher
.
Me:
You'
repr
egnant
?
Bl
ess:
Yes.12weeks.
Me:
Howt
hat
's.
..
wow.
Bl
ess:
Iknowr
ight
?Thef
atheri
ssoexci
tedt
hat
i
tssocut
e.
Me:
Whendi
dyouf
indout
?
Bl
ess:
2mont
hsago.
Me:
Congr
atul
ati
onsBl
ess!
Shewal
kedcl
oserandwehugged.
ThewarddooropenedandZweli
steppedi
nsi
de
hol
dingabouquetofwhi
tef
lowers.
.
.
.
.
.

#Kopano
Il
eftHQandintheoffi
cecarIwasdr i
vent
omy
br
other
'shouseandthatwasl i
ke15mi nut
es
awayfr
om HQsoi tdi
dn'tt
akeusl ongtoarr
ive.
Hewasn'tal
onewhenIar r
ived.Therewasa
blueBMW i 8par kedout side.Nicecar .Ididn't
knock.Ij uststeppedi nsidet hehouseandI
couldhearast heywer etalkingint hel ounge.
Formet onot iceRi smyey esfirstl
yf all
sont his
hotguy .Mygosh!Hewasmi xedobv iously.His
pinklipswer escr eami ngt obeki ssedandt hey
wer esoj uicythati tain'tevenf unny .Hehad
hazel eyeswi thwhi t
ebl ondehai rmi xedwi th
somebl ackpar ts.Hehadawhi t
eshi r
tonandi t
ti
ghtenedhi smuscul arbody .Hisski nwaspur e
withnot at
toosonhi swr istsli
keal ltheJozi
coloredguy sIhav eseenar oundher e.If el
l i
n
l
ov ewi t
hhi slaughwhi chIhear dwhenIent ered
throught hedoor .Hei sf i
reandhei sar eal
pantydr opper.Hel ookedatmewi thconcer n
andIbel ievehewaswonder i
ng, whyi sshe
l
ooki ngatme?Pr oblem is,Icoul dnotgetmy
eyesofhi m.
Ri
s:Kai
y!
Ibl
i
nkedmyey
es.
Me:
Huh?
Ri
s:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:
Yea.Whywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
?
Ri
s:Yout
ell
mewhyy
ouar
eact
ingsowei
rd.
Me:
I'
m not
.
Ris:
Mm!MeetMaxwel l
..
.hehasagir
lf
ri
end..
.hi
s
nameisMaxwel
l.He'
sol denought
obey our
dadandhehasagirl
fr
iend.
Me:Whatev
erRi
s.Yourf
ri
endi
sn'
tsuchapant
y
dr
opper
.
It
urned.
Ri
s:Di
dIsayt
hathehasagi
rl
fr
iend?
!
Irol
l
edmyey esandIwal kedupstai
rsand
i
mmedi atel
ywhenIgott ot heguestroom I
regr
ett
edbeingr ude.Idi
dn'tevengreethim but
that
'sbecausehei ssoattract
ivet
haty ouget
nerv
ous.Reallynervous.
Me:
Godhe'
ssohot
!
[
04/
23,
18:
27]Ron:
SEASONFI
NALE
THECOMI
NG
#Mi
mi
.
.
.
.
33
WhenLut handosl eptIwentonaquestt ofind
Kusanda'swar dwhi chwaswar dB17.Ijust
wantedtoseehowhewasdoi ngthoughitsa
badideaformet obeher ebuttherewere
guardsathisdoorandt heyknowwhomy
husbandissoIwasal l
owedinwi t
hno
questi
onsasked.Hewasl yi
ngonhi sbackwith
hi
sey esclosed.Hehadaswol leneye.Imade
surethatIkeptdistancebetweenus.Hesl owly
openedhisey esandIwai t
edti
llhehadfull
y
openedthem.
Me:
HiKusanda.
Asmi
l
ecr
eptuphi
sface.
Sanda:
Hey
.
Idi
dn'
twanttobecl
osetohi
m soIwat
chedas
hesatupst
rai
ghtonhi
sown.
Sanda:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouwoul
dbeher
e.
Me:Ishoul
dn'
t..
.but.
..
Ishoul
d.Whydi
dyoudo
i
tKusanda?That
'sall
Iwanttoknow.
Sanda:
Thet
rut
h?
Me:
Yes!
Hehuf
fed.
Sanda:
BecauseIl
ovey
ouMamel
o.
Me:
Ohcutt
hecr
ap!
Sanda:
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
out
het
rut
h.Idi
dital
lfor
you.
Me:Andwhywoul
dyoudoi
tli
ket
hat?Why
di
dn'
tyouactl
i
keanor
malper
sonandtake
nor
mal
act
ions?
Sanda:YouthinkIdi
dn'
ttr
y?Wit
hLuthandoi
n
thepi
ctureIhadnochanceandyouknowit.
Me:
So?
Sanda:SowithLuthandof
ocusedonNolunt
u
you'
dfeelnegl
ectedandyouwill
walkaway.
ThenIwouldmakemyappr oach.
Me:Andwhatmakesyouthi
nkt
hatIwoul
d
hav
eevenfel
li
ntoyourt
rap?
Sanda:
Itwaswor
tht
het
ryMi
mi.
Isai
dnothi
ngbutIj
uststar
edathi
m and
l
ookedatthi
sidi
ott
hatissi
tti
ngonthat
hospi
tal
bed.
Me:Nowl ookatwhereyouhav efal
l
en?You'
re
goi
ngtojailKusandaandLuthandoisgoi
ngt
o
doever
ythinginhispowert
omakesur eyouget
ki
ll
edfr
om t heinsi
de.
Sanda:You'
renotsureofthat
.Iknowpeopl
e.I
wil
lgetprot
ecti
onfrom t
heinside.
Me:
You'
resosur
eofy
our
sel
f.
Sanda:
Iam.
Ishookmyheadclear
lyangr
y.Hewasshitt
ing
onmeandi fIst
ayher
eanylongerIwi
llki
l
lhim
my sel
fwi
thmybarehandssoIwalkedoutthe
doorandtol
dtheguar
dstokeepagood
l
ookout.
I
nmyhusband'
swar
dIsatbesi
deshi
sbedt
hen
wai
tedf
orhi
mtowakeup.
.
.
.
.
.
#Kusanda
3weeksl aterIam climbi
ngoutthebuswit
hthe
ot
herjai
lbirds.Irunmyey esaroundandmy
mindrunsbackt o5y ear
sagowhenIwas
l
ockedinf or2y ears.Idi
dn'
tthi
nkI'
ll
beback
again.Myact i
onsl edmeher eandImaysayI
donotcar eany mor ebutdeepdownIknowt hat
Iregretmyact ions.Thisistheoutcomeandt he
consequencest hatIwil
lbef aci
ngforthe
comi ng3y ears.Iknowt heywi l
lbeexpendedto
15mor eyearsifLuthandogoesaheadwi tht
he
exposur eofallmyl egalworkandknowi nghim
hewi ll
doi t
.Isighed.
Ty
ler
:Woul
dyoul
ookatt
hat
..
"
Ohgr
eat
!"Isai
dtomy
sel
f.
Ty
ler
:Mypal
isback.
Ifacedhim.Ibeli
evehewouldpuncht
he
dayli
ghtofmei fonl
ythusf
encehadnotbeen
here.
Me:
Eyman.
Ty
ler:
Wassupson?Heardyoumessedwi
th
Molef
i'
swi
fe.Whatwer
ey outhi
nki
ng?
“Geti
tmov i
ngMolef
i!
”theguar
dsai
dtome.
Yep.Iam anot
herMolef
i.
Me:
Let
'sj
ustsayIf
innagetf
reshpussy
.
Tyl
er:Youapussycatdol
lsowhatpussyar
e
youtal
kingabout
?
Ilefthi
mther
eandf ol
l
owedthenewjai
lbi
rds.
Ty l
erbei
nghereIknowthi
swil
lbet
helongest3
yearsofmyli
fe.I
fonly.
.
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
ItookIngrid'
shandaswemadeourwayi nthe
beauti
fulbigy ar
dt hatbelongedtot heMokoena
famil
y.Thandowashol dingDreformewhi l
e
RisandKopanower ebusyar gui
ngbehi ndme.
ApparentlyKopanohasacr ushonsomeguy
andRiswast eachinghim aboutboy sandhow
dangeroust heyare.Awomandr essedinblack
andwhi t
emai duniform openedt hedoorforus.
Wegr eetedhert henshel edustowher emy
motherwassitti
ng.Shel
ookedupwhenwe
ent
ered.Iwassoshyt oadmithowident
icalwe
l
ooked.Ithoughttheonl
ypersonwhohadmy
l
ookswasKopanobutnowt herei
sthethir
d
per
son.
Mom:
Mimi
?Aundr
ey?Kopano?
Ri
s:Heymom.
Kopano:
Sup?
Shestoodupf rom t
hecouchshewassi tti
ngon
andcamet owher ewewer estanding.She
fi
rst
lyhuggedmeandv er
ytightifyouaskme.I
evenendedupcr yi
ngbecauset hiswasso
emotionalandIam notsogoodwheni tcame
tomyemot i
onalmanagement .Tearsdefeat
me..
[
04/
23,
18:
29]Ron:
FINALCHAPTER
THECOMI
NG
#Nol
unt
u
.
.
.
SinceIngridi
soutwi thherfat
herandot
her
mommyMamel o,ZweliandIhadti
mefor
oursel
v es.Wewer eathishouseandIwasthe
fi
rstonet oarri
vesinceHQhadkepthim.He
foundmeal l
dressedupandhol di
ngaglassof
wine..
Zwel
i
:Hey
..
Heki
ssedmycheek.
Me:
Hey
.
Isai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.
Zwel
i
:IhopeIdi
dnotkeepy
ou.
Hepl
acedhi
sphoneandcarkey
sont
hecof
fee
t
abl
eslowl
ywhi
lehi
sgazewasatme.
Me:
Notr
eal
l
y.Igotal
i
ttl
etourar
oundher
e.
Zweli
:AndIseet
haty
oupour
edy
our
sel
fsome
wine.
Me:
Idi
d.
Zwel
i
:Ihopey
oudi
dnotdr
inkal
ot.
Me:
Thi
sismyf
ir
stgl
ass.
Zwel
i
:Amazi
ng.
.
Hi
sli
pst
ouchedmi
newi
thhi
shandspr
essed
onmywai
st.
Zwel
i
:You'
rehungr
y?
Me:
YesIam.
Zweli
:Isuggestyoujoi
nmei nthekit
chenand
al
lowmet omast eragreatIt
ali
andi
shforyou.
Youwon'tbeli
evewhoIl ear
neditf
rom.
Me:
Who?
Zwel
i
:Lut
hando.
Me:
Wow!Ibel
i
evey
ou'
reagr
eatcook?
Zwel
i:ComeandwatchasIshowy
ouhowa
gr
eatcookmaster
shismoves.
Il
aughedathowsi
l
lyhewasbutagai
nhewas
verycut
eatthesametime.Weent
eredt
he
kit
chenandheplacedonanapr
on.
Zwel
i
:Ar
eyour
eady
?
Me:
Doi
tal
ready!(
sti
l
llaughi
ng)
Hef i
rst
lyswi t
chedthestoveont henhebegan.I
star
edathi m ashewasbei ngthechefinhis
kit
chenandi ndeedhewasmast er
inghis
cookingskil
lsthatIwasv eryimpressed.Soon
theIt
ali
andi shwasdoneandIwasl eadto
wherewewi ll
beeating.Isatdownandchef
Zwelidishedforhim andIthenpour edusred
wine.Hesatdown. .
Zwel
i:
Ihopethisi
sanewbeginningforus
Nol
untubecauseIl
oveyouandGodIdonot
wantt
othinkofhowbrokenI
'l
lbeifIweret
o
l
oseyou.
Me:
Makesur
ethaty
oudonot
.
Zwel
i
:Iwi
l
l.That
'sapr
omi
se.
.
"
Ting!
"
Thewhol eev eni
ngweenj oyedhisItal
iandi sh
andhisdesser twast odief or
.Idreall
ylov eto
l
iveupt othiseveryday.Ithoughttomy selfhow
brokenandst uckupt oLut handoI'l
lbei fIhad
notgivenZwel iachance.TheguyIonce
thoughtwoul dbemyr eboundhappenst obe
mybundl eofj oyafterI
ngrid.Ever
y oneindeed
deservesachancebecausenotev eryonehas
i
ntenti
onst ohur t
.Thatper sonyout hi
nkwi l
lbe
yourdownf al
l wil
lactual
lybet hereasonbehi nd
yourhappiness..
.
.
.
#Mi
mi
Stayi
ngwit
hmymot herwast hebestt hi
ngthat
hashappenedtomeandIenj oyedev ery
momentofmyst ayther
e.Imetmyf atherandI
l
earnedthr
ought hei
rrel
ati
onshipthatmar ri
age
i
sn'tnochi
ld'
splaynorlove.Theonlyt hi
ngthat
mat t
ersinbei
nginlov
eistost
ayinlove.Notto
i
mpr essnorevennottopl
ayaround.Ithensaw
thatIlov
edLuthandotoapoi
ntwher eIam ful
l
y
givi
nghim myall.
.
Sl
im andNatali
egaveusav i
sitatourpent
houseinDurban.Thei
rdaughterandourson
wereintheplayroom whi
leweenj oyed
watchi
ngourmenpl ayfootballout
side.
.
Nat
ali
e:GodI
'
m bl
essed.
Me:We'
rebothblessedt
ohavethesemeni
n
ourl
i
vesNatal
ie.Theyar
eourchange.
..
Lut
handogl
ancedatmet
henwi
nked.
.
Me:Wi t
houthi
m, Iwoul
dprobablysti
llbei
nt he
st
reetsofJozisel
li
ngmybodyf orall
theluxury.
Iwouldn'
tevenbeabletol
oveany oneforthat
matter.
Natal
i
e:Hewasthereformewhenmyf ami
ly
l
aughedatme.Forseemingl
ikeaBl
essert
o
someonewho'
sy oungert
henme.That
someonetodayismyhusbandandhel
ovesme
uncondi
ti
onal
ly
.
Me: I
tsnotabouti
mpr essi
nginmarri
age
Natali
e.Al
lthatmatt
ersistostaymarri
edand
actasifyoursur
roundingsi
sthelov
ey oubot
h
share.
Wel
ookedateachot
her
.
Me:
Atoast
?
Webothgrabbedourglassesthatwer
efi
ll
ed
wi
thj
uicesincewe'
rebothpregnantandcan'
t
t
ouchanyt
hingthathasalcohol.
Nat
ali
e:Tof
ri
endshi
p?
Me:
Tof
ri
endshi
p.“
Ting!
”
Wet
ookoursi
ps.
Sl
im andNatal
i
emadetheirwaytothe
pl
ayroom t
ocheckonourkidsandLut
handoI
st
ayedoutsi
de.
Me:
And?How'
sourbaecat
ionsof
ar?
Thando:
Beli
evemewhenIsayIdonotwantt
o
gobacktoJohannesbur
g.
Il
etoutal
augh.
Me:
Itsj
ustsopeacef
ulher
e.
Thando:
Plust
her
eisnoonet
obot
herus.No
HQ-
Me:
Noone.
Hepul
l
edmecl
oserandourl
i
pscl
ashed.
Thatnightwehaddinnerandmademor
epl
ans
forourbaecat
ion.
I
twast i
met ogobackhomeandIdidn'
twantt
o
l
eave.SomehowDur banhasbecomeapar
tof
me.Apar twi
thnodistur
bance.
Ipi
ckedmydaught erI
ngr
idupthenwemade
ourwaytothecar.Shewashelpingmewithmy
makeuphenceLuthandowasloudlyhooti
ng
outsi
de.Wehavebecomesocl osethepast
weeksandIbeli
evenowthatthisbeaut
if
ul
angelwasr
eall
ypossessedforhertodespit
e
mesomuch.Mymot her,IandIngr
idwentto
churchever
yThur sdayandSunday .Sheeven
remindsuswheni t'
st i
met oprayandwebar el
y
argue.Morelaughtertakesplacebetweenthe
twoofus.
BackinJohannesburgwegottoourhouset
hat
weabandonedf oramonthand2weeks.
Travel
i
ngwast hatgoodtousandit
samust
thatwedothisonay ear
lybasi
s.
Wewer ebackatwor k.Wehadt imeforwor k,
famil
yandj ustus.Wef ocusedmor eonhav ing
anotherbabythoughwhenoursonZubenat hi
TreyMol ef
iturneday earold.Bef oreIknewi t,
I
waspr egnantagainbutIdar edt ol
eavewor k
andbecomeahousewi fe.Ohno.Iam mi ss
i
ndependent .2mor eyear slateritwast i
mef or
ourParisdream weddi ng.Not hingbig.Justthe
MolefiandNdunaf ami lygoingt oPar i
sfor
anotherbaecation.
I
tmayseem l
i
kesweet
sandsaucebut
LuthandoandIconquer edmor ethenwe
thoughtwecansol ve.Ourrelati
onshipcame
withalot.EnemiesandJeal ousybutwedar ed
tosperat
ebecausewemadeapr omi setoeach
other4yearsagot hatwhat'
si mportanttousis
tostaymar r
ied.That'
sallt
hatmat ters.
.
TheEnd.