TheHi

tWoman
PROLOGUE
_
Myf at
herent
eredthel
ivi
ngroom andf
oundme
si
tt
ingonthefloorwat
chingTV.
hi
m:getdr
essed,
we'
regoi
nghunt
ing
Hecommandedf irmlyandIi mmedi atel
yst oodup
andheadedt omyr oom.Idr essedi nmybl ack
tracksuit
swi thacapandmymi l
it
ar yboot s.I
headedout sidewher emyf atherstoodout si dehi s
car .Ient
eredt hecarandheal sodi d.Hest ar t
ed
drivingandIj ustlookedoutt hewi ndow.Inot iced
thatwewer en'tdri
vingt othewoods, butIdar ednot
askwhy.Hekeptdr i
vingforawhi leandf inal ly
stoppedatabi gbui l
ding.Het ookoutabr i
ef case
andgotoutoft hecar,instr
uct ingmet ofol l
owhi m.
Ididsowi thnocompl aint
.Hemadeacal lto
someoneandt heyspokef orawhi le.Ifol
lowedhi m
ashewenti nsidet hebui l
ding.Thepl acewasf i
ll
ed
wi t
hpeopl edressedi nsui t
sandIr eal i
sedt hatmy
fatherwasdr essedi nonet oo.Weheadedt oan
elevatorandent eredwi thagr oupofpeopl e.The
peopl egotof fondi ffer
entf loor sandsoonenough
i
twasj ustmeandmyf atherl efti
nt heel evator .He
hadn' tsaidawor dtome, andIwascur i
ousabout
wher ewewer egoing.Wer eachedt het opf loorof
thebui ldi
ngandexi tedt heel evator.Thisf loorhada
fewof f
icesandwepassedt hem headi ngst raight.
Att heendt her ewasadoorandhet ookoutakeyt o
openi t
.Itwasdar kt hereandIsawaf l
ightofst air
s
whi chmyf athertooksoIf ollowedhi m.Wer eached
thet opandheopenedt hedoor .Wewer ehi tbyt he
brightsunl i
ghtandIr ealisedt hatwewer eatt het op
oft hebui lding.Hemadeacal landi tsoundedl i
ke
hewasconf ir
mi ngsomet hi ngt osomeone.He
wal kedt ot heedgeoft her oof topandIf oll
owedhi m.
Heopenedhi sbr i
efcaseandt ookoutal ong- range
ri
fle.Hehandedmet her i
fleandt ookoutapai rof
binocul ars.
hi
m:l
iedown
Il
aydown, f
latonmyst omachandhekneeled
besi
deme.Hepoi ntedatarestaur
antacr
ossthe
buil
dingwewer eonandIlookedther
econfused.A
groupofmendr
essedi
nsui
tswal
kedoutoft
he
rest
aurant
.
hi
m:Iwantyoutoshoott
hatmani
nfr
ont
,theonei
n
anavy-
bluesui
t
Helookedatthemanwi t
hhisbinocul
arsandI
l
ookedwi t
hthescopeoftheri
fl
e.Isawthemanhe
wastalki
ngabout,hel
ookedtobemyf ather
'sage
andwaspr obabl
ysomeoneimpor t
ant
.
dad:youseenowhe'swalkingtot hecarparked
ther
e.Whenhestopsnearit,hischauffeurwil
ltur
n
toopenthedoorforhi
m.Nowyouwi l
laimforthe
man'shead,whenthechauffeurtouchesthedoor
handle,
youwil
lpullt
hetri
gger
Themai nwit
hthenavy-bl
uesuithadstopped
walkingandwastal
kingtoanothermanwhowas
besidehim.Myhandswer eshaki
ng,Icouldn'
tdo
thi
s.
me:dad,
Ican'
tdot
his
hi
m:yes,
youwilldothi
s.You'
veshotandki
ll
ed
deer
sandbear
sbef or
e.
me:butt
hisi
sahuman,
hei
sn'
tanani
mal
.
hi
m:yep,
andt
hatmakesi
tmor
efun.
Howcoul dthi
sbef un.Iwasokaywit
hshooting
animalsbutshoot
ingamanwhopr obabl
yhada
famil
ywaiti
ngforhim.Thatwouldbecruelofme.
me:dad,
Ican'
tshoott
hatman.
hi
m:Camil
a,youwil
lai
mforhi
sheadandshoot
wi
thnohesi
tati
on,
arewecl
ear
?
Hisvoi
cewasst
ern,
andcommandi
ngandIhadno
choi
cebutt
odoashesaid.
me:yessi
r
Ifocusedmyeyeont hescopeandwat chedt he
mani nthenavy-bl
uesui tashewal kedslowl ytothe
carwhilesti
llt
alki
ngt otheotherman.Heshook
handswi t
hthemanandt heothersasher eached
hiscarandIai medathishead, myhear tbeat i
ng
rapi
dlyinmychest .Ikeptmyhandsst i
llbecausei f
theyshook,Iwouldmi ssthisshot.Themant urned
tohischaufferandrightwhent hechaufferplaced
hishandont hehandl eofthedoor,Ipul
ledt he
tri
ggerandt herif
flerecoil
ed.Thebull
ethitthe
man' sheadaspl itsecondlaterandhefelldead
i
mmedi atel
y.Iswal l
owedhar daschaoser upted
outsidetherestaurant.Somepeopl ewerelooking
fortheshoot er
,butIknewt hatwewer econceal ed,
andnoonecoul dseeus.Myf at
herpat
tedmy
shoulderandst oodup.
hi
m:goodgi
rl
.
*
*
Iwas15year soldwhenmyf athermademeki l
la
man.Ist i
llr
emember edt heman’ snameafter
seei
ngi tonnewschannel sandnewspaper s,I
remembert heheadlines,"Mul t
i-mil
li
oncompany
ownergunneddown"" Professionalsniper
meticulousl
ykil
lsmi l
li
onaire".Mycar eerasahit
womanst ar
tedthatday,att hatrooftopacr
osst he
rest
aurantwher eamanl aydeadwi t
habul l
etinhis
headf r
om theriff
leIfi
red.
MynameisCamilaRamat
laDavi
s.Myf
ather,
HudsonDavi
siswhit
ewhi
lemymother
,Naledi
Daviswasbl ack,shedi edwhenIwas6year sold.I
l
ivedwi t
hmyf at
hersi ncemymot herdiedandI
wouldn'tsayhewast hebestdadi nthewor l
d.He
wasext remel ystr
ict
, andIal wayshadt odowhathe
said.WhenIwas10, het ookmeoutt othewoods,
gavemeagunandt aughtmehowt ohunt.He
taughtmehowt ousevar iouskindsofgunsand
howt oai m wellatat arget.Igotusedtoki l
li
ngthe
deersandbear sthere, butIneverthoughtwewoul d
movef rom ani malstopeopl e.Butwedidandover
theyearsIper f
ectedt hear tofendi
ngsomeone' s
l
ifeinaspl i
tsecondwi thjustasingl
ebullet.
Professionalandmet iculoushitwoman, that'
sme.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pl
easel
ike,
commentandshar
e.
TheHi
tWoman
01
_
Cami
la
Iwat
chedt
hehouse,
count
ingdownmi
nut
esbef
ore
thet argetheadedoutf orwor k.Rightont imehe
exitedhi shouseandcl osedt hedoor .Hel ookedup
attheskyandt henl ookedar oundhi shousef orno
reason, itwasahabi tofhi st hatI'
veobser vedint he
fewdaysI 'vebeenwat chinghi m.Hewal kedaf ew
stepsandt henhest oppedandcur sedhi msel f.He
rushedbacki nsi det hehouset ogetwhat everhe
forgot, andIwai ted, myf i
ngerr estingont het ri
gger
ofmygun.Myt argetappear edami nutel aterwi t
h
hiswi febehi ndhi m.Theyki ssedbr ieflyandhesai d
goodbyet oher .Iwat chedt hewi f
ecl oset hedoor
befor er efocusi ngont hemanashewal kedt ohi s
cari nthedr i
veway.Ihadhi smovement st imedi n
myheadandIwai t
edf orhimt oscanhi seyes
aroundhi scar .Ri ghtwhenhi sf acewasi nmyf ull
view, Ipul ledt het ri
ggerandt hebul l
etwentr ight
betweenhi seyes.Per sonal,rightinf rontofhi s
house, that '
swhatt hecl ientwant edandt hat'swhat
Igavehi m.Idi dn' tli
ngert owat cht hewi fedi scover
herdeadhusband, Ij ustheadedt omycar ,knowing
thatnoonesawme.Idr ovet omyapar tmentt o
placemyequi pmentandchangei ntomywor k
clothesbef oreheadi ngt ot heof fi
ce.Onmywayt o
wor
k,Cl
ayt
oncal
ledme.
hi
m:heybaby,
youst
il
latyourapar
tment
?
me:no,
Ijustl
eft
.I'
m headedt
otheof
fi
ce.
hi
m:howaboutaqui
ckbr
eakf
ast
?
me:al
ri
ght
,meetyoui
n20mi
n.
Iendedt hecallanddr ovet or estaur
antwher eI
usuallymeetCl aytonf orbr eakfastorl unch.Clayton
i
smyboyf riendof2year s,wemetwhenhewasa
consultantatmyf ather 'scompanyf orapp
development .Iwor kedwi t
hhi m closelyand
somehow, wef ormedaf ri
endshi p.I
'm notaper son
whomakesf ri
ends, Ist aycl earofpeopl eandkeep
thi
ngspr ofessional, buthemanagedt obr eakdown
mywal l
sandmakehi swayt omyhear t.Beingin
rel
ationshi
pi sn'teasyf ormebecauset hereare
partsofmysel fIhavet okeepawayf r
om Clayton.
I'
m contractkill
er,Iseepeopl eastargetsthatIhave
totakeoutwhenhi redt obutwi t
hhim, I'
ma
dif
ferentpersoncapabl eoff eeli
nglove.Imi ght
havet r
iedtoescapei t
, butitf oundmeandI ’
m
keepingitclosebecausei t
'swhatmakesmef eel
human.
ImetCl ayandwehadbr eakf
astwhil
etoldme
aboutthel at
estsof
twarehewaswor kingon.He'sa
contractprogrammer,hascompaniescontacti
ng
him whent heywanttobuildsof
twareforthei
r
compani es.
hi
m:so,
whatwi
llyoubebusywi
th?
me:wor
k,asusual
.
hi
m:andaf
ter
wards?You'
vebeenwayt
oobusy
wi
thworkt
hesedays.
Beenbusyscopingoutmyt ar
getandplanni
ngto
ki
llhim,not
hingnew.Claydi
dn'tknowt
hat,andI
hopedhewoul dneverknowwhatmyother
professi
onis.
me:I
'
llbef
reet
hiseveni
ng,
nowor
k.
hi
m:meani
ngwecangooutf
ordi
nnerorj
ustor
der
pi
zzaatmypl
ace?
me:pi
zzasoundsgood.
Hegri
nnedandIhadtosmile,
knowingwhathewas
t
hinki
ng.Amassageal
ertcamethroughmyphone
anditwasabanknot i
fi
cati
onaboutmoneybeing
deposi
tedinmyof f
shoreaccount
.Paymentf
orthe
j
obIf i
nisheddoi
ng.
me:Ineedt
ogett
owor
k.I
'
llseeyout
oni
ght
Cl
ay:ofcour
se.Il
oveyou
Thosewor
dsalwaysgett
ome.Hearingt
hem can
makemefeelhappyandshi
tt
ytoo.
me:Il
oveyou.
Iheadedt
omycarandj
ustt
henmyphoner
ang.
hi
m:Imustsay,
youar
egoodatyourj
ob.
me:It
akei
tyou'
vehear
d.
him:newsaboutamanget tingshoti
nhishome
spreadfast
.Aj
obwel ldone,IwishIcoul
dseet
he
holebet
weentheidi
ot’seyes.
me:j
ustl
ikeyouspeci
fi
ed.
hi
m:Youdeser
veabonusf
ort
hat
.
me:no,Idon'
twantyourmoney.Idi
dthej
oband
youpai
dme, Idon'
tknowyoufrom nowonunl
ess
youhaveanotherj
obforme.
hi
m:sur
e.
Iendedt hecal landdrovet omyf ather'
sadver t
isi
ng
company.I 'vebeenwor kingwi t
hhi mf orafew
yearsnowandhe' sbeenpr epar
ingmet otakeover
whenhewant smet oorifsomethinghappenst o
himthought hat'
snotapossi bil
it
yheeverconsi ders.
Workingf orhim of f
ersmeachancet odo
somethingot hert hanki
lli
ngpeopl eandt he
fl
exi
bilit
yt ostalkandkillwhenI '
m hired.Beingahi t
womani sn'tajobIchosebuti t'
soneI '
velearntto
dowel landl i
vewi th.
_
Segomot
soThamae
me:lif
ei sunfair,t
hat '
saf act.Therearekidsbor n
i
ntorichf amili
es,fami l
iesthatloveandsuppor t
them throughoutt heirl
ivesandt henthere'skids
l
ikeyouf rom poorbackgr ounds,abusiveparent s,
famil
iest hatdon'tcareaboutyou.Iknowhowt hat
feel
slikebecauseIdi dn'tgrowupwel l
,I
experi
encedhar dshipsf r
om anear lyageandt her e
wasat i
mewhenIgotover whelmed, whenIf eltthat
l
ifewasnotwor t
hli
vinganymor e, t
hati tdidn'
t
mat t
er.Iwasl uckyenought ohavesomeonet hat
mademer eal
isethatmyl i
fedi dmat ter,t
hatitwas
wor t
hlivi
ng.Youmi ghtbegoi ngt hroughadi f
ficult
sit
uationrightnowbutsomeday, you'llri
seabovei t.
Allyouneedt odor ightnowi sst ayf ocusedat
school,st
ayst ronganddon' tletthenegat ivethings
thatpeoplesaymakeyout hrowawayyourf uture
becauseyourf ut
uremat t
ers,nomat terwhat
anyoneel sesays.
Iwatchedt hei
ryoungf acesandsawvar i
ouskinds
offeel
ingsont hem.Someoft hem lookedtobe
understandingwhatIwassayi ng,beingrefl
ecti
ve
andthinkingaboutt hefutur
etheywant .Some
di
dn'tlookconvincedandIdi dn'
tblamet hem.When
goingthroughat oughsi t
uati
on,i
t'
shar dtolook
beyondi t
,Iknewt hatbecauseI'
vewentt hroughit
.
I'
m Segomot soThamae, a26-year-
oldwor ki
ngatan
advert
isi
ngagency.Onmyf reetime,Ivolunteerata
youthcentreforteenagers,off
eringsportsand
otheracti
vit
iestokeept hem offthestr
eetsandnot
havingthem doingdrugsorbei nginvolvedingangs.
Ihadat ought imegr owingup, mypar entsdied
whenIwasl it
tle,andIwasl ef
twi thmyol der
brother .Thingswer etoughf orusandmybr ot
her
didwhat everhecoul dtoputf oodont hetableand
providemewhatIneed, thatinvolvedhangi ngout
witht hewr ongcr owdt hatgothi mi nt
or obberi
es,
hij
acki ngandal lthat.Heal sogothookedondr ugs
anddi edf r
om anover doseaf ewyear sago.Iwas
neverawar eofhi sst rugglestot akecareofmeunt i
l
i
twast oolate, whenIhadl osthim.Hi sdeat hwas
dif
ficul tformeandi ttookawhi l
eformet ohealbut
whenIdi d,Ideci dedt ovolunteeratayout hcentre,
helpingki dswhoar ehavingat oughtimei ntheir
l
ives.Icoul dn'thel pmybr other,butIcanhel pthem.
Oneoftheboys,
Ncebacamet
omeaf
terIf
ini
shed
gi
vingt
hem someadvi
ce.
me:hey,
how'
sitgoi
ng?
Heshr
uggedandl
eanedagai
nstt
hewal
l.
hi
m:t
heyaccusedmeofst
eal
ingcashagai
n.
Ncebais16andl
iveswi
thhi
saunt,herhusband
andthei
rki
ds.Hi
saunti
soneofthosewhoseeher
si
bli
ng'
schi
ldr
enasaburdenandtr
eatsNceba
di
ff
erent
lyf
rom t
hewayshetr
eatsherchi
ldr
en.
hi
m:I'mti
redoflivi
ngthere.Wheneversomethi
ng
goesmissi
ng,it
'smewhost olei
t.I
'mthecr
iminal
andtheyneverbeli
eveanythingIsay.
me:I'm sorryNceba.Iknowi tmustbehar dhavi
ng
yourfami l
ytreatyouthatway.Theydon' tknowyou
though,you'renotacriminal.Iknowit’shardfor
youbutst aystrong,don’
tlettheirwordsand
accusationsbreakyou.Stayf ocusedatschooland
getyourselfoutofthathouse, ri
ght?
HenoddedandIsmi
led.Myphoner
angandi
twas
acol
leagueofmi
ne.
her
:heywher
ear
eyou?
me:youknowwher
eI'
m atwhenIhavedayof
ffr
om
work.
her:Ihat
etopullyouoffthere,
butMrDavi
swant
s
tohearaboutt
heDel laccount.
me:I
'
m nott
heonl
yonewor
kingoni
t.
her
:you'
ret
heonewi
tht
hest
oryboar
ds.
MrDavi sismyboss, qui
teademandingone.When
hewant ssomet hi
ng,hewantsitathi
sownt i
me.I
hadnochoi cebutt ogotoworkeventhoughthi
s
wasmydayof f.Itookmylapt
opandheadedt ohis
off
ice.Ipassedbyhi sPA.
me:I
'
m her
eaboutt
heDel
laccount
,ishebusy?
her
:yes,
hei
snow.Hesai
dyoushoul
dtakei
tto
Camil
a.
Cami laisMrDavis'sdaughterandisquitea
myst erytome.Shei swellknownforbeingcoldand
i
sal laboutbusi
nessal lt
het i
me.Everyonehereat
workst ayscl
earfrom herpathbutIfeeltheneedto
gettoknowher .Sheseemst obeani nt
erest
ing
personbehindtheser i
ousandcol dfacade.I
headedt oheroff
ice.
me:Camila,
I'
m havet
hest
oryboar
dfort
heDel
l
account
.
Shemot
ionedf
ormet
oent
erandIdi
d.
me:sorryforcomi
ngl
ate,
Ihadmydayoffandwas
vol
unteeri
ngatayout
hcentr
e,Idot
hatwheneverI
gett
hechance.
her
:tel
lmeaboutt
heDel
laccount
.
Yep,t
hat
'sCamila,
str
aightt
obusiness.I
'm noteven
surei
fIwil
levercr
ackherstone-
coldcover
.
_
Et
hanLungaDl
ami
ni
her:Gotalktohim,Idon'
tknowwhattosaytohim
anymore.I'
mt ir
edofworryi
ngoverhim,myhigh
bloodpressurewil
lri
setotheroofi
fhecont
inues
thisway.
Inodded,under
standi
nghowshemustbefeeli
ng.I
headedtoThulani
'swardandf
oundhi
m st
aringat
thecei
li
ng.HelookedupwhenIcameinand
gri
nned.
hi
m:heyman,
didn'
texpectyouher
e.
me:Iwasgoingtocomeinaweekbuthadt ocome
sooneraf
teryourmot
hercal
ledcr
yingsayi
ngthat
youweredying.
Heshr
uggedl
ikei
twasnot
hing.
hi
m:i
twasnot
hing,
justani
ck.
me:ani
ck?
Ilookedathimindi
sbel
ief
,get
ti
ngst
abbedonyour
thighisn'
tani
ck.
me:dudeyoualmostbl
edt
odeath,
yourmot
herhad
ever
yreasont
owor r
ysomuch.
hi
m:okayf
ineIl
ostal
otofbl
oodbutheyI
'
m al
ive.
me:howthehel
ldi
dyouendupget
ti
ngst
abbedi
n
t
hefir
stpl
ace?
hi
m:shi
thappenedi
nabarandgotoutofcont
rol
.
me:wow,
ist
hatal
lyouhavet
osay?
hi
m:whatmor
eist
her
etosay?
me:yourmotherspendseachdayworr
yingabout
you,
eit
heraboutyouandyourlovef
oralcoholor
yougett
ingintr
oubleandl
andi
nghereorinjail
.
Can'
tyouletherrest
.
him:lookLunga,youdon'
tunderst
andwhatI '
m
goingthrough,whatmenli
kemef rom t
hehoodgo
thr
oughever yday.Yougr
ewupi nEurope,witht
he
whitepeople,get
ti
ngever
ythi
ngandanyt hi
ngyou
wantedwhi l
esomeofusdi dn'
thaveallt
hat,we
havet
ohust
let
omakeendsmeet
.It
'sast
ruggl
efor
us.
me:whatdoesyourstr
uggl
ehavet
odowi t
hyou
endi
ngupinhospit
alaft
erbei
ngst
abbed?
hi
m:l
eavei
tman,
youwoul
dn'
tunder
stand.
That '
showThul aniandal ltheotherguysf rom here
seei tforme.TheysayIwoul dn'tunder stand
becauseIwasn' tborninSout hAf r
ica,Iwasn' t
rai
sedi nthestreetsandr oughnei ghbour hoodsand
I'
venevergonet hroughwhatt heyexper i
enceand
strugglewi t
hher einSout hAf r
ica.It'
st r
uet hatI
wasn' tbornhere, r
aisedher eandf acedt heir
struggles.Iwasbor ni nEurope, i
nt heUKwher emy
mot her,Neli
,decidedt oescapet oaf tershegot
i
mpr egnatedbyherbestf ri
endwhodi dn'tloveher
thewayshel ovedhi m andwoul dhavepr obablynot
accept edherpregnancyi fshet oldhi m.Myf ather
Mel umziwasar ich,wellknownmanwhoownedan
architectcompany, buthewasal soadr ugl ord,
gangl eaderandcol d-bloodedki l
ler.Mymot her
neversawhi mthatwayandsheal wayst oldme
thathewasagoodman.Shedi dn'ttellMel umzi
aboutmeunt i
lwhenIwas8year sol dwhenshe
hadcancerandonl yhadaf ewmont hst oli
ve.I
remember edbei ngner voust omeethi m, t
hinking
thathewoul dhat eme, buthedi dn't.Hewasgoi ng
throught her apyatt hattime, want i
ngt obeabet t
er
man.Hewaski ndt ome, andIt houghtwewoul d
form al ongandl astingbond.Mymot herdiedaf ew
mont hsl aterandhewast her eforme.Af ew
mont hsl aterhegotar rest edf orsever alcountsof
mur der,at tempt edmur derandabusi nghi sex-
girl
fri
end.Hegotsent encedandt hat '
swhenmy
hatef orhi m st arted.Hewasn' tthegoodmanmy
mot hercl aimedhewas, hewasr uthlesski l
ler.My
stepdadJacobwhomymot herhadmetand
mar ri
edi nEur opet oldmenott ohat eMel umzi and
trytounder standwhatl edhi mt odowhathedi d.
Mel umzihadl osthispar ent swhenhewasyoung,
grewupwi t hanabusi veuncl eandt hengott rained
tokillbyanot herman.Idi dn'tandst i
lldon'tcare
aboutal lthat ,becausenot hingj ustifieskill
ing
i
nnocentpeopl eorr uiningt heirlives.Af t
eraf ew
yearsi npr ison, Melumzihadescapedandwas
neverf ound.Hecoul dbeoutt heresomewher e
l
ivinghi sl i
fe,orhecoul dbedead, butonet hingi s
forsur e,Idon' tcar e.Theonl ymanIconsi dermy
fatherisJacob.Het reatedmel ikehi ssonwhenhe
waswi thmymot herandhest il
ltreatedmet he
samewayaf tershedi ed.He' stheonewhot aught
met obeamanandIappr eci atehi m.Imi ghthave
grownupi ntheUK, experi
encedt hehi ghlifeand
neverl ivedinpover tybutIwoul dn’tsayIhadi teasy
l
ikeThul aniandt heot herguyspr esume.Ihadmy
str
uggl est hought heywer edi ff
erentf rom t heirs.
Thul animi ghtbegoi ngt hroughwhat evershi tthat
het hinksIwoul dn'tunder standbutatl easthehasa
mot herwhocar esandwor riesabouthi m.Thul aniis
mycousi n,onet hatI ’
m closestwi thher e.Hi s
mot herwasmymot her'
sol dersi sterandhasbeen
l
ikeamot hert ome.Shei sal wayscompl aini ng
aboutThul ani, thepeopl ehehangsar oundwi t
hand
thet roubleheget sint obutThul anidoesn' tdomuch
toeaseherwor ri
esandhermot herisal waysaski ng
met oknocksomesensei nt ohi m butIdon' tsee
howIcandot hati fhedi smi ssesmewi th" You
woul dn'tunder stand"t hingever yt i
mei nsteadof
maki ngmeunder stand.Idon’ tunder standwhat
he’
sgoingt
hroughbutIwantt
ohel
phi
minanyway
Ican.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Mel umziwast hemaincharacterofthef i
rstst
oryI
wrot eont hi
spageandt hosewhohaven' treadit
,
i
t'snotr eall
ynecessarytoreadit.I
'vegivenabr i
ef
descr i
ptionofwhoMel umzi wasaccor dingtoEthan
andonanyot herpar
tabouthim, I'
l
ldot hesame
thing.
Hopeyouenj
oy.
TheHi
tWoman
02
_
Segomot
so
Afterthemeeti
ngwi t
hCami l
a,Iendedstayingat
wor ktoworkwithmygroupont headsf orourcl
ient
.
Ileftworkat4pm andcaughtataxitomy
apar t
ment.Ipl
acedmyl apt
opbagont heki t
chen
tableandmademywayt omybedr oom toget
changed.
hi
m:wher
ewer
eyou?
Ij
umpedinfr
ightandst
aredatMandlawhowas
si
tti
ngcomf
ortabl
yonmycouchwi t
habeerinhi
s
hand.
me:Mandl
ahowthehel
ldidyougeti
n,di
dyou
br
eaki
ntomyapart
ment?
hi
m:yougavemeakeyr
emember
.
Nowt
hatmyshockhadf
aded,
angert
ooki
tspl
ace.
me:Imadeitcl
earthatwearedone,
andIwant
nothi
ngt
odowi t
hyou.Youhadnor i
ghttoent
ermy
apart
mentandgetcomfort
ablel
ikei
t'
syourown.
Hechuckl
edandpl
acedhi
sbeeront
hecoff
eet
abl
e.
Hestoodupandsl
owlymadehi
swaytowar
dsme.
him:Idon'
tremembersayi
ngit'
soverbet
weenus.
Youarestil
lmywomanandt hatmeansIdon'
twant
youfooli
ngaroundwi
thanyone.
me:Getout
.
hi
m:youbet t
ergetof
fthathighhor
seofyour
s
becauseIdon'
thaveti
mef orthi
sshi
tofyour
s
anymore.
Hiseyesdr
if
teddownmybodyandhel
ickedhi
s
l
ips.
hi
m:ngi
zok'
bona(
I'
llseeyou)
Hebr ushedhi shandagai nstmyar m asmadehi s
wayout .Ir eleasedt hebr eat hI '
dbeenhol dingwhen
heshutt hedoor .Ifeltdisgust edbyhi st ouchand
i
mmedi atelywentt oshower .Mandl ahasbeenmy
boyfriendf orjustoverayearandIusedt ot hinkhe
wasagoodguyunt ilIrealisedhehadangeri ssues.
Hewoul dgetpi ssedof feasi lyandwoul dsayqui te
hurtf
ult hingst ome, bl
amemef orthi
ngst hat
weren' tmyf aultandher aisedhi shandonmeaf ew
ti
mes.Br eaki ngupwi t
hhi m wasn' teasyandIt r
ied
severalt imesbutnevergott hrought oi tunt ila
weekagowhenIt oldhi mt hatIhadenoughand
want edhi m outofmyl if
e.Hehadbeensur pr i
singly
calm, andIhadn' thear dfrom hi m unt i
lnow.I
shoul dhaveknownt hathewoul dn'tj
ustl etmego.
Ifhedoessomet hingl iket hisagai n,Imi ghthavet o
getar est rainingor deragai nsthi m.Iwasdead
seri
ousaboutl eavinghi mt histime.I'l
lhavet oget
myl ockschangedbecausehewon' tgivebackmy
keythathegotf orceful
lyi nthef ir
stplace.Ipoured
myselfagl assofwi neanddi dthest oryboardsof
Dellaccountads.Idi dgraphi cdesi gnincollegeand
soatwor kinmyt eam,I'mt heonei ndoingt he
graphicsfortheadswhi l
et heot herscomewi ththe
i
deas, budgetanddopr esentat i
ons.Igotl ostinmy
workandt henextt imeIcheckedt heti
me, i
twas
7pm.Imademysel faqui ckdi nnerandwasabout
toeatwhenmyphoner ang.Thenumbercal l
ing
wasoneIdi dn'
trecognise.
me:hel
lo
Thepersonwassi l
entf
orawhil
eandIwasaboutt
o
endthecallbef
orehespoke.
hi
m:I
t'
sNceba.
me:Nceba.
..heyar
eyouokay?
hi
m:yeah,
Iam.Sor
ryt
obot
heryou,
areyoubusy?
me:no,
what
'swr
ong?
hi
m:Ineedapl
acet
ost
ayf
ort
heni
ght
,theyki
cked
meout.
Thi
swasnothowat
eenagershoul
dli
ve,
hedi
dn'
t
deservebeingtreatedl i
kethis.Itoldhim whereI
l
ivedandgavehi m di r
ecti
ons.Hegott omypl ace
40minlater,st
il
ldressedi nhisschooluni formt hat
hehadbeeni nearlierinthedayatt heyout hcent r
e
andcarryinghisschoolbag.Idi shedupf orhim and
gavehim hisfood.Iwentt omybedr oom and
l
ookedf orsomet hinghecoul dsl eepin.IfoundaT-
shir
tthatwasMandl a'
sandsomesweat pants.I
wentbackt othel i
vingandNcebawasdoneeat ing.
me:youwantmor
efood?
hi
m:no,
I'
mfi
ne.Thankyou
me:here'
ssomethi
ngtosleepi
n.Youcangi
veme
yourshi
rt
,I'
l
lwashitf
oryou.
hi
m:no,
Ihaveacl
eanshi
rt
,it
'sj
ustnoti
roned.
me:I
'
lli
roni
nitforyoui
nthemor
ning.Wantt
otel
l
mewhathappened?
him:myauntwantedhermoney,theoneshesaysI
stol
eandwhenItoldherIdi
dn'
ttakeitanddidn'
t
knowwher ei
twas,sheki
ckedmeout .Sai
dI
shouldn'
tcomebacktoni
ghti
fIdidn'
thaveit
.
me:thi
scan'
tgoonanyl
ongerNceba,
letmet
alkt
o
hert
omorrow.
hi
m:no,
Idon'
twantyout
o.
me:someonemustt
alkt
oher
,shecan'
ttr
eatyou
l
iket
his.
hi
m:justl
eavei
tpl
ease,
it'
snott
hatmuchofabi
g
deal
.
Ireal
lywantedtodosomethingbecausei
twasa
bigdeal.Wheredoeshi
sauntexpecthimtosl
eepi
f
shekickshim out
?She'
sinsane.
_
Et
han
Istaredatmymot her'
stombst one,r
eadi ngher
name, dat
eofbirt
handdeat handt hei nscr i
pti
on
abouther."Wif
e,mother,sisterandfriend" .
WheneverI '
minSouthAf rica,Ialwaysvi sither
graveandbr i
ngherflowers.Ist ar
teddoi ngt hati
n
myt eenyearswhenIwasvi siti
ng,andIst i
lldi
dit
evenadecadel at
er.Icherishedever ymemor yI
remember edofherevent hought heywer en�t
enoughbecauseIwasjust8year soldwhenshe
died.Iwaspastt
hestageofbeingangryand
wonderingwhyshehadtodie,allIcandoismake
herproudandbethegoodmanshewant edmet o
bef r
om thet
imeshegavemet henameLunga.
Il
eftt
hegraveyardandwentt
omyaunt'shouse.
Shedishedupdinnerf
ormeandIsatdownandat e.
her
:di
dyout
alkt
oThul
ani
?
Ichewedsl
owly,
tryingtofi
gur
eoutwhatIcoul
d
sayherot
hert
hant hatThul
anidi
dn'
tli
stent
ome.
me:ei
shMa,
youknowhowThul
anii
s.
her:so,
hedi
dn'
twantt
ohearanyt
hingyouhadt
o
say?
me:notr
eall
y,youknowThulaniconsi
der
smet he
r
ichguyfr
om Eur opewhowouldn'
tunder
standhow
t
hingsar
ethisside.
her:bei
ngrichorbeingraisedi
nadi f
fer
entpartof
thecountr
yhasnot hingtodowithhowaper sonis.
Thulanij
ustdoesn'
tcareaboutme, al
lhecares
aboutishimsel
f.
me:hecaresaboutyou,you'r
ehismother.Idon't
knowwhathe'sgoingthroughandIwon'ttryto
defendhi
sacti
ons.Ithi
nkyouhavetogivet imeto
seehismist
akesandf i
xuphi sl
if
e.
Givingcomf orttoamot herwhi lelookingoutf or
Thul anitoo.Thul anihasmadehi smot herwor rya
l
ot .Hehasadr inkingpr obl em andi soneoft hose
guyswhocauset r
oubl ewhenhe' sdr unk.I'
veseen
him geti ntof ightst hatl andedhi minj ai
l.Awhi le
agoheser vedaf ewmont hsinj ai
lforassaul ti
nga
policeof fi
cer .Addget ti
ngbeat ensever alti
mesand
hisr ecentinci dent, gettingst abbed, hismot herwill
sur eendi nupi nhospi talifhedoesn' tgrowup.I
stayedwi thmyauntf orawhi lebef oreleavingand
headi ngt omypl ace.Mymot herbui l
tahouseher e
twoyear sbef or eherdeat handshel eftitf
orme
andmyl i
ttlebr other ,Trevor .AtleastwheneverI
camet oSA, Iknewt hatIhadahome, mymot her'
s
houseandmyaunt 'st oo.Igotmysel fadrinkand
calledmyl ittl
ebr other .He' s24, 5year syounger
thanIam andwear epr ettycl ose.
hi
m:heyman,
how'
sThul
anidoi
ng?
me:hel
ostsomebl
oodbutgotnosever
edamage,
he'
l
lbef
ine.
hi
m:how'
dheendupget
ti
ngst
abbed?
me:don'
tknow,
hewon'
tsay.Youknowhowhei
s.
him:damnhim.Aunt
ywi
llgetahear
tat
tacki
fhe
conti
nuest
hisway.
me:t
ellmeabouti
t.Youatdad'
s?
hi
m:lef
tawhi l
eago,
hewaswi
thawomanandshe
madedinner
.
me:Shi
rl
ey?
him:yeahher.She'
sani
cewomanandt
heyseem
seri
ouswithdad.
Jacobhasn'
tremar r
iedaf
terourmot herdi
edand
thi
swasthef i
rstwomanI '
veseenhimt akeint
erest
i
n.Imetherawhi leagoandsheseemedl ikeakind
woman.We'llhavetohearfrom Jacobhowser i
ous
thi
ngsarebetweenthem.Ispokewi thTrevorali
ttl
e
l
ongerandthenendedt hecall
.
_
Cami
la
Laterinthedayj ustbef
oreIcoul dleavework,
I
headedt omyf ather'
sofficetot el
lhim aboutt
he
Dellaccountandt heprogr essSegohadt ol
dme
about.Hewasf ocusedonhi slaptopandIknocked
l
ightl
yonhi sdoor .Heli
ftedhi sheadandmot i
oned
formet ocomei n.
hi
m:di
dtheycomet
oyouaboutt
heDel
laccount
?
me:yes,t
heyhavepr
omi
singi
deasandhavemade
goodprogress.
Ishowedhi
m acopyoft
hei
rwor
kandhel
ookedi
t
over.
hi
m:seemsgoodsof
ar.
me:Segosai
dtheymightbedonewi
tht
hef
ir
stad
byt
heendoftheweek.
hi
m:makesur
etheybr
ingi
ttomewhent
heyar
e
done.
Inoddedandmademywayout
.
hi
m:i
mpr
essi
vej
obyoudi
dtoday.
Iheardthehintofpr i
deinhisvoiceandIdi dn'
tneed
tolookbackt oseehi ssmallsmil
eofappr oval
.He
wasr ef
erri
ngt othehitIdidthi
smor ni ng.Bythi
s
ti
me, i
tmustbeonal lnewspapers'frontpagesand
newschannel s.Hitsli
kethesealwaysgetat t
enti
on.
ItookthemanIki l
ledoutofmymi ndandwentt o
getmyst uffbeforeheadingout.Idrovet omy
apartmentfir
standt henwenttoCl ay's.
hi
m:Imi
ssedyousomuch.
Heki ssedmehungr i
lyandIr eciprocat edt he
emot ion.WhenIwaswi t
hCl ay,Ididn' thavet othi
nk
aboutanyt hingel se,notthemanIki ll
edi nhishome
ormynexthi toranyt hi
ngel se,Icoul dj ustfocuson
thepr esentmoment ,onClayasher ousedupal lmy
sensesandt ouchedmewher enooneel secould.
Beingi nar elati
onshipwi ththeki ndofwor kIdo
wasabadi dea, butClaywasl i
keadr ugt hatmade
mef eelaliveandIj ustdidn'twantt oqui tit
.We
endedupi nbed, Cl
ayt ot
allyforgetti
ngaboutt he
pizzahesai dhewoul dorder .
Anhourl
aterIl
ayonhi
sbedstar
ingatthecei
li
ng
ashewenttomakeussomefood.Iheardmy
phoneri
ngi
ngfr
om t
helivi
ngroom andwasabout
togeti
twhenCl
aybroughtit
.
hi
m:I
t'
syourdad.
Ianswer
edi
t.
me:Davi
s.
hi
m:getovert
omyhouse,
gotsomet
hingf
oryou.
me:al
ri
ght
,onmyway.
Iendedt
hecal
landst
oodup.
me:Ihavet
oleave.
him:comeon,
can'
twhat
everyourdadwant
sorhas
saytoyouwai
t?
me:no,I'
m afr
aidi
tcan'
t.I
'
llcomebackoverher
eif
i
tisn'
tanythi
ngseri
ous.
Igotdr essedandsoonmademywayout .Idrovet
o
myf ather'shouseandgott
here30minlater
.He
wasi nhi sstudy,
havi
ngaglassofwhiskeyand
motionedf ormet opourmysel
fone.Idi
dsoand
satdownopposi t
ehim.
hi
m:gotacal
lfr
om aJamesMi
ll
er,
sai
dhewant
ed
someonet osortoutaunwort
hycli
entofhis.He
heardaboutyourskil
lsandwant
edyout o
personal
lydothejob.
me:Ijustdi
dahi
tthi
smor
ning,
Ican'
tbedoi
ng
anot
heronesosoon.
Hegul
peddownhi
swhi
skeyandeyedmei
ntensel
y.
hi
m:don'
tseehowt
hatcanbeapr
obl
em.
Hewai
tedf
oranot
herpr
otest
,butIgavehi
m none.
hi
m:I'
vesetupameetingf
oryout
wot omor
rowat
2pm.Tol
dhimtosendyouthedet
ail
softhe
l
ocat
ioni
nthemorning.
me:i
sthatal
l?
hi
m:yes.
Inoddedandheadedouttomycar.Idr
ovebackt
o
Clay'
spl
ace,knowi
ngitwouldbeawhil
ebefor
eI
wouldgett
ospendani ghtwi
thhi
m agai
n.
TheHi
tWoman
03
_
Cami
la
James:I'veheardaboutyouf r
om afri
end,
het ol
d
met hatyouhadi mpressi
veskill
sandeasi
lytook
careofhistroubl
e.Yourfatherhassai
dalit
tl
e
aboutyout ooandIjustcouldn'
twaitt
omeetyou.
Ihadnoti
meforhisprai
ses,
Idi
dn'
tneedthem.I
star
edathi
m wi
thoutsayi
ngaword,wai
ti
ngforhi
m
togivemeaname.
James:notawomanofmanywor
dsIsee.I
'
llget
str
aightt
oit
.
Hegavemeaf ol
derandIopenedi t
.Initwas
i
nformationaboutamanwhowasacl i
entofhi
s.
Hi
sphot o,occupati
onandper sonaldet
ail
swereall
t
here.Jamesl eanedclosert
ome.
James:Iwanti
ttol
ookl
ikeanacci
dent
.
me:I'
m af
rai
dthat'
snotmyspeciali
ty.I'
m mor
eofa
sni
perandther
e'snowayabul l
etwoundon
someone'
sheadwi l
llookl
ikeanaccident
.
him:Icoul
dhavecal
ledanyoneel
se,
butIaskedfor
you.Youcanshoott
hisman,buti
tmustl
ooklikean
acci
dent
,I'
m sur
eyoucangett
hatdone.I
'
llpayyou
well
.
me:I
'
llsayi
tagai
n,acci
dent
sar
enotmyspeci
ali
ty.
hi
m:I
'
llpayyoudoubl
eyourf
ee.
Ist
oodupanddr
oppedt
hef
olderonhi
sdesk.
me:Idon'
tcar
eaboutt
hemoney.
Itur
nedar oundandmademywayoutofhi s
resi
denceandhedi dn'tstopme.Iheadedoutf or
l
unchbef oregoingbackt omywor k.Afewhour s
l
ater,myfathercamet omyof f
iceandshutthedoor
.
Ikeptmyeyesgl uedtot helaptopscr
eenashe
camet owardsme.
hi
m:whydi
dyout
urndownJames?
me:hewasaski
ngf
orsomet
hingIcoul
dn'
tdo.
him:coul
dn'
tdo?ar
eyout
ell
i
ngmeyousuddenl
y
can'
tdoahit?
me:Icandoahiti
nmysleepbutmaki
ngi
tlookl
ike
anacci
denti
snotmyspecial
it
y.
hi
m:Idon'
tcar
e,whenacl
ientgi
vesyouahi
t,you
t
akei
tandgeti
tdonenomat
tert
her
equi
rement
s.
Il
ookedupathi
m.
me:whydon'
tyoudot
hisyour
sel
f?
Hepl
acedhi
shandsonmyt
abl
eandgotcl
osert
o
me.
him:Itaughtyouhowtokilll
ikeapr
ofessi
onaland
that
'sexactl
ywhatyou'
lldo.
Ishutmymouthandmer el
ystaredathim.He
str
aight
enedoutandf
ixedhissuitj
acket
.
hi
m:Isetupdi
nnerf
oryouandJamesat7pm.
You'
l
lapol
ogi
seforr
efusi
nghi
soff
erandtakei
t.
Cl
ear?
me:yessi
r.
Henoddedhi
sheadandmadehiswayout.At6pm,
Idr
oveoutt
oJames’
sresi
dence.Hewasexpecti
ng
me,andhel
etmein.
him:Mychefprepar
edamealforus.Ihopeyour
fat
herconvi
ncedyoutor
econsi
dermyof fer
.
me:Iwoul
dn'
tbeher
eifhedi
dn'
t.
hi
m:ver
ywel
l.Let
'sgoeat
.
me:I'l
lski
pdinner,I'
vegott
hingstodo.I'
l
ldothehit
foryouandIneed80%ofmymoneyupf rontincash
theotheryou'
lldepositt
omyof f
shoreaccountaft
er
Ifi
nishthehit
.
Henoddedandpulledoutabri
efcaseandhandedi
t
t
ome.Iopeneditandcountedthemoney.Irai
sed
myheadathim questi
oni
ngl
y.
hi
m:Isai
dIwoul
dpayyoudoubl
e.
Icl
osedt
hebri
efcaseandstoodup.Hedi
dtooand
hel
douthi
shandf orahandshake.
me:Idon'
tdohandshakes.
hi
m:mayIaski
fit
'ssomet
hingper
sonalwi
thme?
me:no,
Ijustdon'
tshakehandswi
thanyone.
Hesmi
ledanddr
oppedhi
shand.
hi
m:Il
ikeyou,
Ireal
lydo.
me:I
'
llseemysel
fout
.
_
Segomot
so
Ncebadi dn'twantmet alki
ngt ohi sauntandeven
saidhewoul dquitcomi ngt otheyout hcent r
eifI
tr
iedto, soIl ettheissuegoj ustforhissake.Iknew
hemusthavebeenaf r
aidofget ti
ngint r
oublewi t
h
hisauntandt hatIwouldmaket hesituationworse.
Iagreedt ol etitgofornowbuti fsomet hingasbad
ashi m gettingkickedoutagai n,I'
llhavet odo
somet hingBef oreheleftforschool .Igavehi m
l
unchmoneyevent houghhedi dn'twantt otakeitat
fi
rstandIt oldhimt ocallmel at
eri nthedaywhen
hewashome.Iwentt owor kafterhel ef
tand
workedonourcur r
entaccountwi t
hmyt eam all
mor ni
ngandwewentoutf orluncht ogetheron
l
uncht ime.
Kay:whatdi
dMrDavi
sthi
nkoft
hest
oryboar
ds?
me:Idi
dn'
tseehi
m,Ishowedt
hem t
oCami
la.
Kay:St
oneCold,I
'm sur
eshedi
dn'
tevencar
ethati
t
wasyourdayoffyester
day.
StoneCol
distheni
cknamet heygaveCamil
a
becauseofhowemoti
onlesssheseemsallthet
ime.
me:youknowhowshei
s.I
twasbet
terhert
hanher
f
ather
.
Kay:Idon'
tseemuchofdiff
erencebetweent hetwo.
StoneColdhasanint
ensestarel
ikeherfather,
the
onlydi
ffer
enceist
hatshedoesn'tspeakhermi nd
l
ikeMrDavi s.
Thatwast rue,
Camil
awoul dst
areataperson
i
ntenselyanditwoul
dbehar dtofi
gureoutwhat
shewast hinki
ng,
whethersheli
kedyouornot.
Everyoneisconvi
ncedthatshedoesn'
tcareabout
anyone,butIwouldl
iketothi
nkther
e'smoretoher.
Therestofthedaywasf un,
workingatan
adver
ti
singagencyi sgreatf
ormeandIgenui nel
y
enj
oywor ki
ngoncount lessdesi
gnsfordif
ferent
adsandclients.Igotacallf
rom myauntjustwhen
Iwasaboutt oheadt omyapartment.
her
:Segomot
so,
areyoust
il
latwor
k?
me:I'
m done,
Iwasaboutt
ogot
omypl
ace.I
s
ever
ythi
ngokay?
her:cometomyhouse,
ther
ear
esomeguest
sher
e
thatwantt
oseeyou.
me:guest
s?whoar
ethey?
her
:justcomet
omyhouse.
Ifrownedwonder ingwhotheycoul dbe.Myaunt
andherf amilyaretheonl
yfamil
ymember sIhave
l
eft,andIkeepi ntouchwit
hthem nowandt hen.I
tookat axit
oherhomeandgott here30minlat
er.I
gotinsideandwentt othel
ivi
ngr oom wher
eshe
wassi tt
ingwithawomanIr ecognisedasMandla's
mot herandanol dermanIdidn'
tknow.
me:whatar
etheydoi
ngher
e?
aunt:t
heysai
dtheywant
edt
otal
ktoyouabout
yourboyf
ri
end.
me:ex-
boyf
ri
end,
Ibr
okeupwi
thMandl
a.
Mandla’
smot
her:youdisr
espect
edhi
m andt
hati
s
nothowamanistreat
ed.
me:oh,andhi
mtr
eat
ingmebadl
yishowawoman
i
streat
ed?
Mandla’
smot her
:justbecauseyouhaveaj
oband
wenttouniver
sit
y,itdoesn'
tmeanyouhaveto
di
srespectaman.Youcoul dhavedatedar
ich
doctorwhowoul
dbeint
othe50/50thi
ng,
butyou
chosemysonandyouweresupposedtor
espect
himliket
hemanheis.
aunt
:respectisear
ned,Segomotsowon'tt
oler
ate
anymorebullshi
tfr
om yourcowardson.
man:MynephewrespectsSegomot
soandheeven
want
stomarryher.Sheshoul
dstar
tgi
vinghi
m
r
espectandr
espectustoo.
me:I'
m notmarryi
ngyourson, Idon'
twantathing
todowithhi
m orhisfamil
y.IfIseehim oryou
agai
n,I'
l
lgetarestr
aini
ngorder.
aunt
:youhear
dher
,nowgetoutofmyhouse.
Theylookedatusi
ndi
sgustast
heymadet
hei
rway
out.
aunt:youdi
dgoodbyleavi
ngthatt
rashboy,
clear
ly,
hetookthatf
rom hi
sfamil
y.
me:t
hanksf
orst
andi
ngupf
orme.
aunt
:It
'swhatImustdo,
nomanorf
ami
lyofhi
swi
ll
mist
reatyoul
iket
hat.
Ismi
ledandhuggedher
.
_
Et
han
If
etchedThulanif
rom thehospi
talt
henextdayand
br
oughthim hiscl
othes.
hi
m:heyman,
canIst
ayatyourpl
acef
orawhi
le?
me:Thulaniyou'
veabackr
oom atyourmot
her
's
house.
hi
m:Ij
ustneedaf
ewdaystomysel
fandt
henI
'
llgo
homewhenyougobackt
oUK.
me:f
ine,
butIhaveaf
ewcondi
ti
ons.
hi
m:nomessingupyourpl
ace,
thi
ngswi
llr
emai
n
asneatandor
der
lyasyoul
iket
hem.
me:andnodr
inki
ng.
hi
m:what
?no,
Lungat
hatwoul
dbeunf
air
.
me:fi
rst
ly,Idon'
twantyougetti
ngdrunkinmy
mother'
shouseandsecondly,youcan'tt
akethe
pi
ll
sthatthedoctorgaveyouanddrinkalcoholt
oo.
hi
m:we'
l
lsee,
let
'sgo.
Ishookmyheadandwel eftthehospital.Wefi
rst
wenttograbsomet
hingtoeatwi thThulani'
sfr
iends
andthenwewenttomypl ace.Ilefthi
mi ntheli
ving
room andwentt
oplacehisstuffintheguest
bedroom.WhenIcameback, hewast alkingonthe
phonewithhi
smother.
him:I'
mf i
neMa, I
'l
ljustbest
ayi
ngwithaf
ri
endfor
afewdays...no,
he'smygoodf r
iend.
..
MaI
'l
lcal
l
youlater
.
Isatdownandst
aredathi
m.
hi
m:what
?
me:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellheryouwer
est
ayi
ngwi
thme?
hi
m:nor
eason.
me:so,
Icancal
lherandt
ellhert
hatyou'
rest
ayi
ng
wi
thme?
hi
m:no,
youcan'
t,
Idon'
twanthert
oknow.
me:why?
hi
m:becauseifanyonecomeslooki
ngf
orme,
I
don'
twanthertel
li
ngthem I
'
m here.
me:Thul
aniar
eyoui
ntr
oubl
eagai
n?
hi
m:i
t'
snot
hingser
ious.
me:t
hatst
abwoundsayssomet
hingel
se.
him:okay,Igotintoafightwithsomeguysand
thi
ngst ur
nedugl y,I
'
m nottheonlyonewhogothurt
andt hoseguysmi ghtbelookingforme.Thi
sthi
ng
willblowoversoon,sojustleaveit.
Hewasn'tt
elli
ngmet hereasonhegotint
othat
fi
ghti
nthefirstpl
aceandIdecidedtol
eaveitf
or
now.He'
llt
ellmet her
estwhenhewant sto,
andI
hopehewon'tbeindeepshi tbyt
hen.
TheHi
tWoman
04
_
Cami
la
"
Jobdone"
Thatwasat extf
rom oneoftheguysi
nmyfather'
s
gangandhewasconf i
rmi
ngt hej
obonmytarget'
s
car.Thet
arget'
scarhadbrokendownasIsetitup
toandi twast akentoamechani cwher eIaskedmy
guyt oalterthecar '
ssystem soIcouldremot ely
makei tlosecont r
olontheroadandIcoul df i
nish
myhi t.Att heendoft heday,itwouldl
ookl ikean
accidentthewayJameswant edit
.Thiswasn' tmy
styleandIhat edgoingoutofmywayt odoahi t,
butmyf atherdidn'tgi
vemeachoi cet
or efuset hi
s
j
ob.Isomet i
mespi ckedandchosemycl i
ent sand
hitsbutot hertimes,myf at
herforcedthem onme
becausehe" taught"mehowt oki
ll.
Af
terr
eceivi
ngtheconf
ir
mati
onthatt
hetar
get
'scar
wasset,
Icall
edatechguyt
hatIknew.
hi
m:Davi
s.
me:Ineedyourphi
shi
ngski
ll
s.
hi
m:saywhatyouneedmet
odo.
me:Iwantyout osendanemai lt
osomeoneand
pret
endtobeacompanyneedi ngt heguy'sskillf
or
hir
e.Makehim anof f
erhecan'
trefuseandmakei t
l
egiti
mateandbelievabl
e.Askhimt ocomet othe
company’sheadquarter
saweekf rom now,I'
llsend
youthel
ocation.
hi
m:cool
,I
'l
lgeti
tdone.
Iendedthecal landsenthi mthel ocati
on.Thepl an
wasthattheguywoul dn'
tmakei ttothel ocat
ion,I
alr
eadyhadr oadr outesplannedoutandgotj ust
theri
ghtspott odomyhi t
.Itrustedmyt echguyt o
dothejobwel landmaket heemai luntraceableif
everthi
ngsdon' ttur
noutaspl annedthought hatis
neverthecase, whenIdoahi t,Idoitwel l
.
Iwasatt heoffi
ce, doingsomewor kandIdecided
tol
eavebecausei twasl at
e.I
'vebeenbusy
watchingmyt argetanddi dn'
thaveanytimefor
work.Isteppedout sidethebuil
dingandsawthatit
wasraining.Iheadedt omycarattheparki
nglot,
butsomeoner ani ntomeanddr oppedt
hestuffshe
wascar r
ying.
her
:shi
t,Cami
laI
'
m sor
ry.
Shewasoneoft heemployees,
Segomotsoandhad
beencarryi
ngpr
intedst
oryboar
dsandnowt hey
werewet.Shepi
ckedthem upandIpickedupthe
otherf
older
sshehaddropped.
her
:I'
m sor
ry,
Iwasi
nahur
ryandwasn'
twat
chi
ng
wher
eIwasgoi
ng,
ther
aindi
str
act
edmet
oo.
me:andwhatwer
eyoudoi
ngatt
hist
imeher
e?
her
:wor
king.
I
twas7pm andmostpeopl
ehadl
eft
.
her
:I'
m sor
ry.
Shewasapol ogisingwaytoomuchpr obably
becauseI '
mthecompany' smostint
imidati
ng
personthoughI'veneverseenhershowt hatshe
wasi nt
imidat
edbyme.Il ookedupandsawt hati
t
wasr ai
ninghard,Segomotsolookedli
keshewas
goingtocatchat axi
.
me:l
etmegi
veyouaridesoyoucant
ellmewhat
youwer
eworki
ngon.
Ifshewassurpri
sedbymyof f
er,shedi
dn'tshowi
t.
Wewal kedtomycarandgotinsi
de.Shegaveme
heraddressandIst
art
eddrivi
ng.Shespokeabout
theadshehadbeenwor ki
ngonandIl i
stened.My
phonebeepedandIcheckedoutthemassage.
"
Equi
pmentr
eady"
It
houghtabouthowmucht
imeIhadandt
hest
uffI
hadtodo.Dri
vingSegomot
sot
oherplacewas
taki
ngupmyt i
meandIneededtogetsomenew
gunsfr
om someone.
me:Ineedt
ogetsomet
hingqui
ckl
y.
ShenoddedandImadeaqui ckstopt ogetthenew
gunsfr
om al ocalsuppl
ier
.Hehandedmet hem i
na
bagandIplacedi ti
nmyboot .Igotint hecarand
mademywayt odropoffSegomot so.Af ew
momentslater,Iheardpol
icesir
ensandIsawa
pol
icecart
ailingme.
me:mot
her
fucker
Icur
sedsi
lent
lybutSegomot
sohear
dme.
her
:what
?
me:not
hing.
Ist
oppedthecarandthepol
icecarst
oppedbehind
me.Apoli
ceoffi
cerst
eppedoutwithhi
sgunraised
andappr
oachedmycar .
him:Pl
easest
epoutoft
hecarwi
thyourhands
rai
sed.
Idi
dsoandshowedhi
m myhands.
hi
m:yourdr
iver
'sl
icencepl
ease.
Ipul
ledi
toutandshowedi
ttohi
m.
hi
m:pl
easeopenyourbootsl
owl
y.
Iwentandopenedt
hebootsl
owl
ywhi
lehest
il
lhad
hi
sgunr ai
sed.
me:whati
sthi
sabout
?
hi
m:Opent
hebagMsDavi
s.
Hepoi
ntedt
othebagwi
tht
heguns.
me:of
fi
cer
,canyout
ellmewhatt
hisi
sabout
.
hi
m:openi
tnoquest
ions.
me:howaboutIopenthebr
ief
case,
thatshoul
d
havesomet
hingi
nter
esti
ng.
Iopenedt
hebr
ief
casequi
ckl
ybef
orehecoul
d
object
.
hi
m:st
epawaynow!
Ist
eppedawayandl
ethi
m seet
hest
acksofcash
i
nthebri
efcase.
me:t
hat
'sal
otofmoneyandi
t'
sreal
.Itcoul
d
changeyourl
if
efor
everi
fyout
akei
t.
hi
m:No,I'
m goi
ngtoopent
hisbagher
eandyouwi
ll
st
ayr
ightwhereyouar
e.
me:Iwouldn'
tdot hati
fIwereyou.Thebr i
efcase
hasaguarant
ee,takeitandyouar eri
ch.Opening
thebagi
sar i
skandi ti
sn'tworthtur
ningdownso
muchmoney.Thi nktwice,t
hinkaboutyourfamil
yif
youhaveone,yourchil
dren.
Thatgottohim andhepaused,
conf
li
ctr
efl
ect
ing
onhisface.
me:t
hepolicedepar
tmentdoesn’
tpayyout
hat
muchinyear.
Helookedatthemoneyandbackatme.Hehad
l
oosenedhi sgri
pont hegun,andIwassur ehe
wouldn'tbefi
ri
ngit.Iwat
chedhimfinal
lymakea
deci
sion.Heloweredhisgunandclosedt he
bri
efcase.Hetookitandsteppedawayfrom mycar
.
me:goodchoi
ceof
fi
cer
.
_
Segomot
so
Iwatchedthepoli
ceoffi
cergetinsidehiscarwi
th
thebri
efcaseandCami l
ashuttheboot .Moments
l
atershegotinsi
deandst ar
tedthecar.Shelooked
tot
all
ycalm andunfazedbywhatj usthappened
whichIhadnocluewas.
me:whatwast
hatabout
?
her
:not
hing.
Istar
edatheri ndi sbel
ief.Whateverhappenedwi th
thatoff
icersurewasn' tnothing.Hehadappr oached
Cami l
awi t
hhisgunr ai
sedandhi stonewhenhe
commandedhert ogetoutoft hecarhintedthathe
meantbusi nessandIt houghthewoul dar r
esther .
Surpri
singthathedi dn'tarr
estherbutjustwal ked
awaywi thabr i
efcaset hatheobviousl
ygotf rom
Cami l
a.
me:t
hatsur
edi
dn'
tlookl
ikenot
hing.
Shedi
dn'
trespond,
didn'
tevengl
anceatme.
me:Cami
la?
Shedidt
urnt
olookatmebutnoti
naf r
iendl
yway,
herl
ookwasicymeani
ngt
hatwhateverhappened
wasnotupf ordi scussi onorwasj ustnoneofmy
business.Ihadbeensur pri
sedt hatshehadof fer
ed
mear ideandt houghtt hi swasal i
ttl
epr ogressi n
getti
ngt oknowherbehi ndherst one-coldf acade.
Thatwasn' tthecaset hough, Ihadt alkedaboutt he
adIhadbeenwor kingonal ldayandherr esponses
andquest ionswer epur elybusinessl i
ke.The
i
ncidentwi ththepol i
ceof fi
cerjustaddedon
Cami la'
sinti
mi datingandmyst er i
ouschar acter.
Ther estofther i
det omypl acewasf i
ll
edwi th
sil
enceandshedi dn'tsayawor dtomewhenshe
droppedmeof fandevenwhenIsai dthanks.I
sighedandheadedupt omyapar tment .WhenIgot
there,IfoundNcebast andingout sidemydoori n
hisschoolcl ot
heswi thhi sschoolbag.
me:Nceba,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
him:eishsor
ryforcomingunannounced,
Itr
ied
call
ingyoubutgotyourvoi
cemail
.
me:mybat
ter
ydi
ed.I
t'
scol
douther
eletmeopen.
Iunlockedt
hedoorandst
eppedi
nsi
de,
Nceba
fol
lowedbehindme.
me:makeyoursel
fsomecoffeeorwhateveryou
want
,I'
m goi
ngtogetchangedandthenI'l
lmakeus
aqui
ckmeal.
Ialr
eadyhadani deaonwhathappened, hisaunt
hadki ckedhim outagainandhehadnowher et
ogo.
It
'srainingandcoldout si
de,buthi
sauntseemedto
notcar eaboutthatandt hatwasmaddening.It
ook
aquickshowerandgotdr essedi
ntosome
comf ortabl
eclothesforthenight
.Iwentt
ot he
ki
tchenandf oundNcebawi t
hhisnot
ebookanda
cupofcof f
eebesidehim.
me:homewor
k?
hi
m:yes,Idi
dn'
tgettof
ini
shi
tatschool
.Doyou
needhel
pwithmakingf
ood?
me:no,
I'
llmanagej
ustf
ini
sht
hat
.
Henoddedandf ocusedonhisschoolwork.No
matterhowt ought hingsar
eforhim athome, he'
s
st
il
ldedicatedtohi sschool
work,Il
ikedthat.30min
l
aterIdishedupf orusandgaveNcebahi sfood.
Nowwoul dbethet imetoaskhim whyhisaunt
ki
ckedhi m outthistime.
me:whathappenedwi
thyouraunt
?
Hewassi
lentf
orami
nut
eandIdi
dn'
trushhi
m.
him:mycousinsdidn'twashthedi shesandt he
housewasamess, sheblamedme.Shement i
oned
thatIhadn'
tbeendoinganythingint hehouseeven
thegarden,
shecall
edmel azythoughIal waysdo
thegardenonweekendsandot herthingsinthe
house.
me:sheki
ckedyououtf
ort
hat
?
hi
m:yeah.
me:Ncebayouhavetoletmet
alkt
oher
.She'
l
lkeep
doi
ngthi
sandit
'snotokay.
hi
m:you'
l
ljustmaket
hingswor
se.
me:doi
ngnot
hingi
sn'
thel
ping,
I'
llt
alkt
ohercal
mly.
hi
m:ifi
t'
saboutmecomi
ngher
etoyourpl
aceso
l
atet
henI'
lll
eave.
..
me:Ncebano,you'
real
wayswelcomeher
e.Iwant
t
odothisbecauseIcar
eaboutyou.
Hef
ellsi
lentandIgott
hesenset
hatheneverhear
d
thi
sfrom anyoneel
se.Ir
eal
lyhopedhisauntwoul
d
l
ist
ent omeandseehowNcebadoesn' tdeser
veto
betreat
edthewayshewast reat
inghi
m.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Apologi
esfornotpost
inganinser
tforsomany
days,mylapt
opwasgi vi
ngmepr obl
ems.Et
han'
s
POVwi l
lcomeont henexti
nsert
.
Pleaseli
keandComment,thenumberofcomment
s
ont hepr
eviousi
nser
tsar
enotmotivat
ing
especial
lyf
oranewstory
TheHi
tWoman
05
_
Et
han
IflewbacktoUKaweekl aterandThulaniwent
backt ohi
smot her'
shouse,Iwasn'tabouttol
ethi
m
stayatminewhenIwasn' tthere.Mybrother
fetchedmef r
om theai
rportanddr ovemet omy
apar t
ment.
hi
m:hey,
yourexKi
m cal
ledme,
shesai
dyou
shoul
dcal
lherwhenyougotback.
me:Ki
m cal
ledyou?
hi
m:yes,
Iwassur
pri
sedmysel
f.
Kim wasmyex- gi
rl
friend, Ihaddat edherf orafew
mont hs,butshebr okeupwi t
hmebecauseIwor ked
toohar danddi dn'
tgi veherenoughofmyt i
me.
Thatmi ghthavebeent rue, Iworkasacivi lengineer
andit'sajobt hatIloveandt rymybestt odowel l.I
didtr
ymybestt obeagoodboyf ri
endtoKi m buti n
theend, shethoughtt hatwasn' tenoughf orher.I
washur tandt ri
edconvi ncingherIcoul ddobet ter,
butshewasn' theari
ngi t.It
'sbeenmont hssi ncewe
brokeupandIwassur prisedthatshewant edto
tal
ktome.Tr evordr oppedmeof fatmypl aceand
gavemeKi m'snumber s.Iwast oocur i
ous, soI
call
edherr i
ghtaway.
me:Ki
m,i
t'
sEt
han.
her
:Et
han.
..canyoucomeoveratmypl
ace?
me:okay,
sur
e.When?
her
:inanhourorsomaybe.
me:cool
.
Iendedthecallandfr
ownedt omyself.Di
dshe
suddenl
ywantt ofi
xthingsbetweenusorwhat ?I
headedtoherplace30mi nl
ater.Sheopenedthe
doorandsteppedasidetoall
owmei nwithbarel
ya
smil
eonherf ace.
me:Iwassur
pri
sedt
ohearf
rom you.
her:yeahwell
,Iwasmor esur
pri
sedbywhatI
recentl
yfoundoutaboutyou.
me:what
?
her:myf
atherf
oundsomet
hingaboutyou,
andhe
showedi
ttome.
Shehandedmeaf ol
derandIopened.Thef ir
st
thingIsawwasanewspaperar t
icl
eabouta
buildingthathadcol l
apsed.If r
ozewhenIsawi t
andr eluctantl
ylookedatt heotherpaperswhich
wer edocument softheplanning,desi
gningand
const ruct
ionoft hebuil
ding.Iwasveryf ami
li
arwi t
h
allthosedocument sbecauseIhadwor kedonthe
buildingwi t
hotherengineer sandwhent hebuil
ding
collapsed, i
thadbeenourf aul
t.
her
:youpl
ayedapar
tint
hat
.
me:t
hiswasami
stake.
her
:ami
stake?peopl
edi
edt
her
e.
3constr
uctor
shaddied,andsomewerei
njur
ed.I
knewthatwasmyfaultasmuchasitwastheot
her
engi
neers’
faul
t.
her
:wor
stpar
tisyounevert
ookaccount
abi
li
ty.
me:Iwoul dhavebeensuedformil
li
onsorworse
puttojai
l.Whathappenedwasveryunfor
tunat
e
andIfeelguil
tyabouti
t,buti
twasamistakeand
ther
ewasnot hingIcoul
ddo.
her:t
herewassomethi
ngyoucoulddobutyou
chosetobeacoward.Whathappenedt
oyoubeing
agoodguy?
me:whywasyourf
atherl
ooki
ngi
ntot
his?
her:i
tdoesn'
tmatter
.Whatdoesmatt
eristhefact
thathewantstosueyouandtheot
hersforthat,
givethefami
li
esofthoset
hatdi
edthejust
icethey
deserve.
me:hecan'
tdot
hat
,mycar
eerwi
llbeover
.
her
:itwasovert
hesecondyouchoset
obea
cowardandcover
edthatup.
me:Kim pl
ease,
talkt
oyourfat
her.It
hinkaboutthi
s
ever
yti
meandt heguil
tIhaveeat
smeupever yday.
I'
ddothi
ngsdiff
erent
lyi
fIhadachoice.
her:Idon'
tcar
eabouthowsor ryyoufeel
.Ialr
eady
tal
kedtomyf atherandhere'
swhatyouwilldo.You
wil
lquityourj
obandl eaveUK,movetoSA.
me:what
?
her:youheardme.Ei
thert
hatoryouprepar
etol
ose
everythi
ngyouhaveorworsegotojai
l.
me:Ki
m whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome,
Ithoughtyou
oncel
ovedme.
her:don'tyoudarepullt
hatbul l
shitbecauseIdid
l
oveyouandapar tofmest i
lldoes,that'
swhyyou
evenhaveachoi ceofget
tingoutoft his.Myfather
woul dratherseeyournamespl ashedon
newspaper sbecauseofwhatyoudi dbutI
convincedhi m ot
herwi
se,don'tmakemer egretIdi
d
that.Youhaveaweekt opackyourshi tandleave.
Itlookedl i
keIhadnochoi ceinthis,Ihavet oleave
witht helit
tl
edignityIhaveleft.Thef aultt
hat
causedt hebui l
dingwasn’ tanintenti
onalonebuti f
meandt heotherengineershadl ookedatourwor k
closely,l
iveswoul dhavebeensaved.Thecompany
wewor kedf orwantedt ocoverupouri nvol
vement
i
nt hewhol ethi
ngandIt r
iedobjecti
ng, buttheyall
car edaboutcover i
ngt hei
rassesandt heygaveme
notchoi ce.Yearshavepassedsi ncet hebuildi
ng
collapsedbutt heguildhasn’tleftme.
_
Cami
la
Afterdroppi
ngCami laoff,
Idrovebacktotheguy
whosetmeup.Iwaspi ssedandwantedtoputa
bullett
hroughhisheadbutt hatwoul
dhavet owai
t
forabituntilhegavemewhatIwant ed.Igottohi
s
placeandknocked.Whenheopened, theshockat
seeingmewascl earonhisface.
hi
m:Davi
s,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
me:di
dn'
texpectt
oseeme?
hi
m:Igaveyouyourguns.
me:youdi
dandt
henyousni
tchedonme.
hi
m:what
?Iwoul
dneverdot
hat
.
me:howaboutIcomei
nsi
de,
andwe'
l
lsor
tthi
sout
.
Hest
eppedasi
deandIsawhi
m pul
loutagun
sl
owl
y.
me:youbet
ternotpul
lthatf
orme.
Hedroppedi
tandIst
eppedi
nsi
deandshutt
he
door
.
me:we'r
egoingtoskipthr
oughthepar
twhereyou
pret
endyouaren'
ttheonewhocalledt
hecopson
meandgetstrai
ghttothequest
ionofwhogotyou
todothi
s.
hi
m:Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
kingabout
.
Isatdownonanar
mchai
randwat
chedhi
mforabi
t.
me:li
sten, I
'
m notwomanwhol i
keshavingenemi
es,
I'
drat
herhaveal li
es.I
'
m awaret
hatyouarenotmy
enemy,soI '
dr athermakeyouanall
y.Givemea
nameoft heper sonwhot ol
dyoutocallt
hecopson
youandI '
llletyougo.
hi
m:noonet
oldmet
odoanyt
hing,
Idi
dn'
tsni
tch
onyou.
Ipul
ledoutmyhandgunwi
thasi
lencerandpl
aced
i
tonmyl ap.
me:youareei
thermyenemyormyal l
y.Eit
herI
comeoutofherewithanameorwit
hyoursoulto
givet
otheangelofdeat
h.Don'
tmesswithme.
Hest
aredatmei
nfear
,consi
der
inghi
sopt
ions.
me:Idon'
thaveal
lni
ght
.
hi
m:okay,
I'
llgi
veyouaname.
Het ol
dmewhopai dhimtocallthecopsonmeand
thatheonlydiditbecausetheythreatenedtoend
hisbusinessasal ocalgundealer.Ist
oodup,
handgunst i
lli
nmyhandandst oodi nfrontofhi
m.
me:Idon'
tcar
eift
heythreat
enedtoendyourl
if
e,
youshoul
dn'
thavechosentodoubl
ecrossme.
Ir
aisedmygunt
ohi
stempl
e,andhest
aredatme
wi
deeyed.
hi
m:yousaidyouwantedanall
y,Igaveyouaname
andyousai
dyou'l
lletmego.
me:I'
m notaper
sonwhokeepsmywordt
opeopl
e
l
ikeyouandyouwereabl
oodyidi
ot.
Ipull
edt hetr
iggerandhedroppeddeadseconds
l
ater.Iwalkedoutofhisapart
mentandwentt omy
car.Iwasn'tworri
edaboutthepol
ice,
theywon'tbe
putti
ngmuchoft hei
rti
meforagundealer.Idr
ove
tomyf ather'
shouse.Igott
hereandpouredmyself
awhi skeyinhisoffi
ce.
hi
m:whenar
eyouget
ti
ngt
hehi
tdone?
me:i
naweekbutIdi
dn'
tcomeher
efort
hat
.
hi
m:whatar
eyouher
efort
hen?
me:t
otel
lyoutogetyourenemiesof fmyback,
I
al
mostgotar
rest
edforhavingil
legalweaponsi
n
myposi
ti
onwhenadeal ercal
ledthecopsonme.
hi
m:whot
hef
uckdi
dthat
?
It
oldhi
m whoi
twasanddr
ainedmyscot
ch.
me:doyouwhatyougott odobutt
hisshitbet
ter
nothappenagai
n.Wegott obet
hankfult
hatSouth
Afr
icahascorr
uptcops.
hi
m:di
dyougetcop'
snameorbadgenumber
?
me:no,
Idi
dn'
tbuthewon'
tbecausi
nganyt
roubl
e
f
orme.
Il
efthi
shouseanddr
ovet
omypl
ace.
_
Segomot
so
IwenttoNceba'shomejustaft
erhelef
tforschool
.
Ipromisedtotal
khisauntcal
mlyandnotgethimin
tr
ouble.Nceba'
sauntopenedthedoorandstaredat
me.
me:goodmor ni
ngMam' I
'
m SegomotsoandI
volunt
eerattheOf fSt
reet
syouthcent
re.I
'
m also
thepersonthatNcebacamet oonthetwonightshe
hadnopl acetostay.
her
:thatboy,
I'
m sur
ehe'
scausedt
roubl
eforyou.
me:no,
hehasn'
t.Icameher
etot
alkt
oyou.
Shesteppedasi
deandal
lowedmein.Shel
edmet
o
thel
ivi
ngroom,andwesatdown.
me:I'
vebeenvol unteeri
ngatt
heyouthcentrefora
whil
eandt hat'
swher eImetNcebawhor egular
ly
comesafterschool.I'
veknownhi
mt obeagood
teenageboywho'
sdedicat
edtohi sschoolwork,but
hishomeenvir
onmentisn'
tgoodf orhi
mf rom what
het el
lsmeandwhatI
'veobserved.
her:obser
ved?Ncebaisaliarandst
ealsmoney
fr
om usher ei
nthehouse.Hedoesn'tevenwantto
helpwithhousehol
dchoresandcomeshomel ate.
me:hecomeshomel atebecausehegoest othe
youthcentr
eaf t
erschoolwhichiswhatkeepshim
offt
hestreetswithboyswhowoul di
nfluencehi
m
negati
vel
y.Itwasr ai
ningandcol dl
astnightand
Ncebawast hereonmydoor stepwait
ingforme
becausehehadnowher eelsetogo.Thewor dsyou
usetodescribehim aren'
tanywherenearwhohei s.
her:oh,andyouknowhi
m sowel lj
ustbecauseyou
seeandt al
ktohi
m att
hisyouthcentr
e?Youdon't
l
ivewithhim,he'
sanungrat
efulboy.
Thi
swomanwasn'theari
nganyt
hingIwassayi
ng,
andIwasn'
tsur
ethatIcoul
dgethert
oseethi
ngs
di
ff
erent
ly.
me:Myparentsdi
edwhenIwasyoungandallIhad
wasmybrotherwhowasbar
elyanadul
t.Hedid
what everhecoul dtomakesur eIhadsomet hingt o
eat,someschoolcl othesandwhat everelset hat
wasnecessar y.Hequi tschool ,hungoutwi tht he
wrongpeopl ej usttogetmoneyandendedupdoi ng
drugsanddi edf rom anover dose.Iwi shthings
weredi ff
erentf orus, thatourpar entshadn'tdi ed,or
weatl easthadaf ami l
ymemberwhocoul dtake
careofusandgui deus.Ivol unteerattheyout h
centrebecauseIwantt oof fermyl essonsand
guidancet othoseki dst hatar egoingthroughwhatI
wentt hrough.Idon' twantt hem t oendupl i
kemy
brother.Ibelieveyoudi dagoodt hingbyt aki
ngi n
Ncebawhenhi sparent sdi ed.Heneedsahomebut
notonewher ehei sr emindedt hatheisanor phan
butahomewher ehef eelsl ovedandt reat
edt he
wayyout reatyourchi l
dr en.
Shestar
edatmesi
l
ent
lyandIcoul
dn'
tfi
gur
eouti
fI
gott
oherornot
.
her:Ihearyou,Ir
eall
ydo.Iguessit
'st
ruethatI
haven'tbeentr
eati
nghim wellandhedeserves
better
.I'
llt
alkt
ohim andmakemyhouseal ove
homef orhimtoo.
me:t
hat
'sal
lIaskf
orhi
m.
Ismil
edandshewal
kedmeout
.It
ookat
axit
o
workandwentt
omyteam.
me:heyguys,I
'
vegott
hef
ini
shedaddesi
gnf
ort
he
Del
laccount
.
Kay:sosoon,
wewer
en'
texpect
ingi
tunt
ilt
omor
row
atl
east.
me:youknowIl i
kedoi
ngthis,soIj
ustfi
nishedit
l
astnight
.Il
eftherepr
ett
ylateandguesswhat ?
her
:what
?
me:Cami
lagavemear
idehome.
her
:whatyoumeanCami
laSt
oneCol
d?
me:yes,
Ido.
her
:noway.That
'sunbel
ievabl
e,shej
ustof
fer
ed
youari
de?
me:Ibumpedintoheronmywayoutandmyf il
es
f
elli
ntherai
n.Shehelpedmepickedt
hem upand
t
henoffer
edmear ide.Shei
sn'
tascol
dasyouguys
t
hinksheis.
her:whatdidyout
alkabouti
nhercarorwasshe
l
ikemut e?
me:wet al
kedaboutt
heDell
accountandt
he
cur
rentads.Shewasbusi
ness-
li
keallt
heway.
Idi
dn'tmenti
onanythingabouttherun-i
nwi t
hthe
poli
ceoffi
cer
,whateverthathappenedwasn'treal
ly
anordinar
yruninwi t
hthepoliceandI'
drathernot
haveanyoneotherthanmequest ionheracti
ons.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Idon'
tli
kethist
hingofdoingatar
getforli
kesand
comment ssoIwon'tdoit
.ButcanIatleastget10+
comment s,
that
'sal
lIask.
TheHi
tWoman
06
_
Et
han
Aft
erleavi
ngKim'splace,Iwenttomineandspent
t
hewhol edaythi
nkingaboutKim'sulti
matum.If
t
herewasn'tther
iskthatIcouldl
oseeverythi
ngI'
ve
workedfor,
thatt
hepeopleIwor kforcoul
dblame
thewhol et hi ngonmeandt hatmynamewoul dn' t
bespl ashedal lovernewspaper s,Iwoul dhave
comef orwar dwi t
hwhatr eal l
yhappenedt hathad
causedt hatbui ldingt ocollapse.Iwoul dhavedone
i
tl ongagoandgi vent hepeopl ewhodi edandt hose
thatgoti njur edt het ruthandj ust i
cetheydeser ved.
Ther i
skswer etoohi ght henandnowt heywer e
wor se.Ki m'sf at herwoul dcomeaf termeandsue
mef orever ycentIhave.Ki m hadgi venmenoot her
choi cet hant ol eavet heUK.Iwasbor nandr aised
her e,mostoft hef ewmemor iesofmymot herwer e
her e,myst epf at herandbr otherar eher e,andI've
bui l
tmyl ifeher einUK.Thet houghtofl eavingal l
thatmademesi ck.Ihar dlysl eptatni ght,myhear t
andmi ndwer einat urmoi l
.Igotupear l
yt henext
mor ningandwentt ot hegym f oranhour .
Af t
er war ds, Iheadedbackt omyapar tmentand
freshenedup.Ihadt ogett owor kandenj oyit
bef orehavi ngt osubmi tmyl etterofresi gnati
on.I
trulyenj oyedwhatIdi d,thej obcoul dbedi ffi
cul t
,
butIf oundi tfulf i
ll
ing, i
ntheof ficeandi nthefield
over seeingt heconst ructi
onofbui l
dingsand
i
nf rast r
uct ure.Leavi ngt hejobIl ovewoul dsur e
l
eaveascarinmyheart
.Aft
erwork,Ical
ledTrevor
andtol
dhimt omeetmeatJacob'
splace.Ial
so
cal
ledJacobandtol
dhi
m wewer ecomingover.I
gottoJacob'
spl
acebef
oreTrevor
.
Jacob:What
'sgoi
ngon,
yousoundedser
iousont
he
phone.
me:Ihavesomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyouand
Tr
evor.
Trevorsooncameandwesatdowni
nthel
ivi
ng
room.
me:Remembert
hatbui
ldi
ngthatcol
lapsedyear
s
ago,
theonet
hatIwasworki
ngonwi ththeot
her
engi
neer
satwork.
Theybothnodded.Ihadt
oldt
hem i
ndet
ailabout
whathappenedthere.
me:myex-gir
lf
ri
end'
sfat
herwho'
sal
awyerf
ound
outabouti
t.
Tr
evor
:that
'
swhatKi
m want
edt
otal
ktoyouabout
?
me:yes,
herf
athert
oldher
.
Jacob:andshewaswar
ningyou?
me:shewant edtotellmethatherf
atherwant
edto
comeafterthecompanyIwor kfor,
includi
ngme
andtheotherengineers.
Tr
evor
:shi
t,won'
thej
ustcomeaf
tert
hecompany?
me:Iwasinvol
vedinitandIdon'tknowwhathe
thi
nksofmeafterKim andIbrokeupsohemight
comeatmeper sonal
ly.Thatmanisabull
dogin
court
.
Jacob:i
sther
eanyt
hingyoucandot
oconvi
ncenot
to?
me:Ki
m al
readydi
d.Hewon'
tdoanyt
hingi
fIl
eave.
Tr
evor
:leavet
hecompany?
me:l
eavet
hecount
ryandmovet
oSA.
Tr
evor:shecan'tfor
ceyout odothat
.Shecan't
makeyoul eaveeveryt
hingyoulove,
ther
e'sgott
o
beanotherchoiceshecangiveyou.
me:t
her
eisn'
t.I
'
vegotnoot
herchoi
ce.
Theyweresi
lentf
orawhi
le,
absor
bingwhatIhad
tol
dthem.
me:thi
sisfarfr
om beinggoodbutthi
nkingaboutit
,
movingtoSAisn'tsuchabadidea.Imighthavenot
beenbornandraisedther
ebutit
'shomef orme.I
've
gotaplacetost
ayandf amil
ytoo.
Tr
evor
:butwe'
l
lmi
ssyou.
me:youcanalwayscomevi
sitmeandmaybeIcan
comethi
ssidetoooncei
nawhi l
e.
Jacob:Ihat
ewhatami st
akethatyoudi
dn'
tdo
al
oneiscostingyout
hismuch.
Ishr
ugged,accepti
ngmysi
tuat
ionandt
ryi
ngt
o
l
ookatthebrightsi
de.
_
Cami
la
Myni ghtdi
dn'tgoaspl annedandIwast edmyt ime
becausesomeonehadagr udgeformyf atherand
thoughtIcouldbemessedwi t
h.Thatpissedmeof f
andIhopedmyf atherwouldtakecareofhi senemy.
IspentthenightatClay'spl
aceandhadbr eakf
ast
withhimthenextmor ning,arareoccur
rence
becauseIalwayshaveshi ttodoearlyi
nt he
mor
ning.
Clay:mymom waswonder ingwhenyouwouldbe
comi ngoverf
ordi
nner,
it'
sbeenawhi l
esi
nceshe
l
astsawyouandshe' scomplai
ning.
me:youknowhowdemandingmyworkis,
my
f
atherwant
smetobeatthetopoft
hegameal
ways.
hi
m:yeah,
Iknowbutadinneroncei
nthecomi
ng
weekwon'
thurt
.Pl
ease
Imethi spar entsayearaf terwest art
eddat ingandI
hadn'tbeenl ookingf orwardtoit.Hisparent swere
great,andt heylikedmewhi chmadeCl ayhappy.
I'
m nott hatkindofwomanwhoai mstopl easethei
r
boyfri
end' smot her,bonding,cookinganddoi ngall
that.Gettingcloset oClay'
spar entswouldmake
them thinkofmar ri
ageandmebei ngtheirdaughter
i
nl aw.Mar r
iagei soffthetableforthetypeof
personIam.I '
vehi ntedthattoCl ay,
andIhopet he
daywon' tcomewhenhewant smor ethanwhatwe
have.
me:I
'
llseewhenI
'
mfr
ee.
Myphoner
angandIexcusedmysel
ftoansweri
t.
me:Davi
s.
James:whenar
eyouget
ti
ngt
hej
obdone?
me:soon.
hi
m:geti
tdonesooner
.
me:JamesIwoul
dreal
lyappr
eciat
eiti
fyouwoul
d
l
etmedomyj obt
hewayIdoi t
.
hi
m:doi
tsooner
,Iwantt
hemandeadasap.
Heendedt hecal landIclosedmyeyes, calming
myselfforami nute.Imadeacal lt
omyt echguy
andtoldhimt odosomechangesandhavet hef ake
joboff
erpushedf orward.Forthenextf ewdays, I
keptcl
osewat chonmyt argetandwai t
edf orhimt o
maket hetriptot hecompanywi ththefakej obof f
er.
Ontheni ghtbef orehewasexpect ed,hedr oveout
ofhishomewi thhi sdaught erandIassumedhe
wasdr oppingherof fsomewher ebutthenInot iced
hewast akingt her outetotheci t
ywher ehewas
expect
ed.I tappear edhewasn' tdroppinghi s
daughteranywher e,hewasgoi ngwi t
hher .Ihadn' t
expect
edt hat,andi twoul dbeacompl i
cat ionfor
whatIhadt odo.If oll
owedt heircaratasaf e
distanceasheheadedf ort heroadIpl annedtodo
thehi ton.Nocar swer einsi ght,itwasj usthisand
mi ne.Iremot el
ymadehi scaraccel erateand
disabl edhi
sbr eaks.Iwat chedhi scarspeedupand
sawi tski
duncont rol
lablyont her oad.Thecar
reachedacur veanddi dn'tturn,insteadi twentoff
ther oadandcr ashed.Ist oppedmycaratt hecurve
andgotout .Iwentt othecarandl ookedatt he
driver'ssi
de.Themanwasi njuredbuthewas
i
gnor i
nghisinjuri
esandt ryingtohel phisdaught er
whol ookedunconsci ous.
hi
m:pl
ease,
hel
pus.
Iwentovertotheot hersideandopenedt he
passengerdoor.Thet eenagegirlhadbloodrunning
downherf ace,
itlookedl i
keshehadaheadi njur
y.I
checkedherpulseandi twasst
rong.Iextractedher
fr
om thecarandpl acedheradi stanceawayf rom i
t.
Iwentbackt omyt argetandpulledoutmygun.He
washavingadi ff
icult
yr emovi
nghi sseatbeltand
l
ookedupatmef orhel p.
hi
m:pl
ease,
hel
pme.I
'
m st
uck.
..
Ifi
redt hreet i
mesathi schestwi t
hnohesi tati
on.I
thenpul l
edoutaci gar ett
ef rom mypocketandgot
alight erfrom hi sdashboar d.Ilittheci garet t
eand
droppedi ti nhiscar .Ialsol ithislight erand
droppedi tt oo.He'sasmokerandi twi lll
ookl i
kehe
washavi ngaci garettewhenhi scarl ostcont r
ol.I
backedawayf rom thecarasf lamesl itup.Ilooked
athi sdaught erandwast hankf ulshewasst i
ll
unconsci ous.Imademywayt omycarand
wat chedt het arget'scargetconsumedbyt hef i
re.I
droveawaysecondsl aterand, ont heway, called
theemer gencyt el
ephonenumber .Ii nformedt hem
aboutanacci dentandt oldt hem wher ebef ore
endi ngt hecal l.Witht hehi tnowf inished, Ithought
aboutwhatIhadj ustdoneandcur sedmysel f
.Thi s
hadt obemymostr i
skiesthi tandIcoul dhavej ust
l
itupt hecarwi ththatgi r
lini twithhi sf ather.
Somet hingi nsidememademenotdoi tandt he
coldhear tlesssi deofmer egr ett
edi tnow.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Apol
ogi
esfornotpost
ingi
tsooner,
I'
llst
artpost
ing
i
nser
tsr
egular
lysoonenough.CanIget10+
comment
sont
hisonet
oo.
TheHi
tWoman
07
_
Cami
la
Isatinmycarf oraf ewmoment s,t
hinkingofa
contingencypl ani fthi
ngsbackf
ireformewi tht
he
hitIhadj ustfinished.Ist
eppedoutofmycarand
headedt oanapar t
mentofaguyIknew.Iknocked
andwai tedf orhi m.Heopenedandal lowedme
i
nside.
me:Ineedal
it
tl
efavourf
rom you.
hi
m:sur
e,what
?
me:there'
sagi r
lIneedyoutokeepaneyeonf or
me.She'sbeeni nanacci
dentandiscurrentl
yin
hospit
al.Ineedtoknowhowshe'sdoing, whoshe
speakstowhenshegai nsconsci
ousnessandwhat
shesays.Plantli
steni
ngdevi
cesintheroom ifyou
haveto.
hi
m:al
ri
ght
,easyj
ob.Justgi
vemeaname.
Ihandedhim anenvel
opef
il
ledwi
thcashandal
l
thatIhadaboutt
hegirl
.
me:gi
vemeupdat
eswheneveryoucan.
Ilefthi
sapartmentanddrovetomine.Icalledmy
techguyandaskedmet ogetmeeverypi eceof
i
nf ormati
onhecoul df
indonthecorr
uptpol icewho
almostgotme.Af ewhoursl
ater
,Igotthe
i
nf ormati
onIneeded.Themanhadawi feand2
kids,andhiswif
ehadgoneonavacat i
onj ust
recentl
y,obvi
ouslywit
hmymoney.Ismi l
edatt hat
andcal l
edtheman.
hi
m:Robi
nCl
arke.
me:Of
fi
cerCl
arke.
hi
m:yes,
whoi
sthi
s?
me:whoIam doesn'
tmat
ter
.Whatdoesi
swhat
youwi
llgi
veme.
him:I
'
m sor
ryIcan'
tgi
veyouanyt
hingi
fIdon'
t
knowwhoyouare.
me:ifyoui
nsi
stt
hen,Icantellyout
hatI'
mthe
per
sonbehindal
lyourl
atestspendi
ng.Yourwi
fe
musthavebeenthr
il
ledwhenyoutol
dhershecoul
d
goonvacat
ionanywhereshechose.
Hewassi
lentf
oramomentandIwai
tedpat
ient
ly.
hi
m:Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.
me:Of f
icerClarke,
shouldIr emindyouaboutt he
nightIgaveyouabr i
efcasef i
ll
edwithcash.I'm
sureyour emembermever ywel l.NowIneedyou
dosomet hi
ngforme.Ther e'sbeenanacci dentand
amandi edwhilehisdaught ersurvi
ved.Youwi l
lget
meever ypieceofinformationaboutt heaccident
,
thereportsfi
ledonitandanyt hi
ngelse.
hi
m:Ican'
tdot
hat
.
me:let'
sgett herul
esofourinteracti
onsstraight
.
WhenIt ellyoutodosomet hi
ngf orme, youdoi t
wit
hnohesi t
ati
on,aft
eral
l,Ipaidyoual otofmoney.
That'
smyoneandonl yr
ule,Idon'tneedtotellyou
nottotellanyoneaboutmebecauset heymi ghtget
suspici
ousaboutyou.Ihopewe' recl
earOf f
icer.
hi
m:yes
me:good,
I'
llcal
lyouandyoubet
terhavewhatI
askedf
or.
Iendedthecal
landmadeafewmorecal
lst
oot
her
people.I
nthemorni
ng,
Jamescal
ledme.
hi
m:Davi
s,It
houghtyouwereapr
ofessi
onal
.The
man'
sgir
lmadeitoutal
ive.
me:shewasn'tsupposedt
obei nthecarint
hefi
rst
pl
acebutthatdoesn'
tmatt
er.Shewon'tremember
anyt
hingbecauseshesawnothing.
hi
m:Iwantyout
otakecar
eoft
his,
nol
ooseends.
me:Jamesyougavemeanameandt ol
dmehow
youwantedthejobdone,Ididi
t.Themanisdead,
andallot
herlooseendshavebeentakencar
eof.
Youdon'thavetoworryaboutathi
ng.Don'
tcal
lme
agai
n.
Iendedt
hecallandhopedthatwoul
dbethel
ast
ti
meIheardf
rom thi
sbloodyman.Thishi
twasa
l
essontome,andI'l
lsur
elearnfr
om i
t.
_
Et
han
Ihadmybagspackedandr
eady.It
ookever
ythi
ng
thatwasi mpor tanttome.Il ookedaroundmy
apar tment,r
emember ingal lthetimesIhungout
withmybr other,f
riendsandKi m whenwewer e
dating.Event houghIconvi ncedmysel ft
hatmoving
toSAwasn' taterri
blet hing,Istil
lfel
thur
tthatIwas
beingmadet oleavemyhome.Someoneknocked
andIwentt oopen.Ki m' sfatherstoodonmy
door step,
alitt
lesmi rkonhi sface.
hi
m:Iseeyou'
rel
eavi
ngt
oday.
me:yes,
Iam.That
'swhatyouwantedr
ight
,forci
ng
meoutofmyhome, f
rom myfami
lyandtheplaceI
gr
ewupi n.
him:I'
m notforcingyoutodoanything.I
fIdi
dn't
l
ovemydaught er,Iwouldhavebeenbusyprepari
ng
forthelawsuitcaseagainstyouandyourcompany
butI'mlett
ingyouof ft
hehook,youshouldbe
thankful
.
me:youcameher
etohearmesayt
hankyou?
him:no, Iwasjustpassi
ngby.Rememberyouput
yourselfint
hisposit
ion.Peopl
edi
edandgotinj
ured
whent hatbuil
dingcoll
apsedandyouandyour
companydidn'
ttakeaccountabi
li
ty.Ihopeyou
rememberthosepeopleeveryti
meyoushutyour
eyesatni
ght.Remembert hei
rfamili
estoo.
Het urnedandwal kedaway.Iwat chedhi m gount i
l
hedi sappearedfrom myvi ew.I '
vegotenoughgui l
t
i
nsi deforwhathappened, Ididn'tneedt heremi nder
from him.DavidandTr evorfetchedmeanddr ove
met otheair
port.Ihuggedt hem andpr omisedt o
keepi ntouchunt i
ltheywoul dcomevi sitmeort he
otherwayar ound.Iboar dedmyf l
ightandsl ept
throughit.Il
andedi nSAhour slaterandgotan
Ubert omymot her'shouse.
*
*
Iwenttomyaunt'
shouset
henextday.Ihadn'
ttol
d
herorThul
anit
hatIwasmovi
ngtoSAandshewas
surpr
isedt
oseeme.
her
:Lunga,
Idi
dn'
texpectt
oseeyousosoon.
me:yes,
afewt
hingshavechanged.
Sheal
lowedmei
nsi
deandgotmeadr
ink.
her
:Il
ikehavi
ngyouhereLungabuti
sther
e
somet
hingimpor
tantyoucametodohere?
me:Iquitmyjobbacki
nUKandpackedallmyst
uff
.
Asoftoday,
SAi smypermanenthome.
her
:permanent,
asi
nyouwi
l
lbel
ivi
ngher
eand
worki
nghere?
me:yes,
I'
llbeappl
yingt
ojobsoonenough.
her
:whatbr
oughtt
hisi
mpr
ompt
umove?
me:i
t'
snotimpr
omptu,I
'vebeent
hinki
ngabouti
t
andIt
houghti
tfel
tri
ght
.
her
:oh,
I'
m sohappy.Thul
aniwi
llbepl
easedt
oo,
maybeyoucanstr
engthenhi
m out.
Il
aughedandshookmyhead.
_
Segomot
so
Iwasattheyout
hcentre,pl
ayingchesswit
hthe
ki
dsther
e.Ncebawasn'thereandtheotherki
ds
whogotoschoolwithhimtoldmet hatt
heydidn'
t
seehi
m atschool
.It
'sbeenaweeksi nceIl
astsaw
hi
m andspoket
ohisauntandIwasgetti
ngworr
ied.
Af
terpl
ayi
ngchesswit
hthekids,
Iwenttospeak
wi
ththewomanrunni
ngtheyouthcent
re.
me:there'
steenageboywhocomesher
eregul
arl
y,
Nceba,doyouknowhi m?
her:yes,
Iseehi
m aroundoft
en.Looksl
ikeabr
ight
boy,somethi
ngwrongwithhim?
Iexpl
ainedt
oherNceba'
ssi
tuat
ionandmy
concer
ns.
her
:Icanspeakwi
thhi
saunt
,seei
fIcanr
eason
wit
hher.
me:IalreadydidthatandI'
m notsosureshecanbe
reasonedwith.I'
m goi
ngtocheckuponNcebaand
seeifhe'sokay,butIdon'
tthi
nkhisauntwil
l
changeherat t
it
udetowardshim.
her
:toughsit
uat
ion,
that'
swhatmostoftheseki
ds
gothroughandt
heyrarel
ywantustoint
ervenel
ike
Nceba.
me:Iwast
oint
erveneher
e,whatopt
ionsdoIhave?
her
:ifhi
sauntr
efusest
ochangeherat
ti
tudet
o
Ncebat
henyoucanr
epor
therandgetNcebai
n
al
ter
nat
ivecar
e.
me:woul
dIbeablet
ohaveli
vewithme,he'
s16,2
year
sawayf
rom bei
ngofl
egalagetobeonhisown.
her
:Youcan,thereisn'
tmuchr est
ri
cti
onsonthat
.
Youcantakehimi nandregi
stertobehisi
nformal
car
er.Doyouthinkyoucantakecar eofhi
m?
me:yes,
hei
sn'
tmucht
roubl
eandwegetal
ongwel
l
.
her
:youseeyourbr
otheri
nhi
m,don'
tyou?
me:Idoandt hat
'swhyIwanttohelphim.Inever
gotthechancetohel
pmybr ot
her,butIcanhelp
others.
her:t
hiscentr
ei ssur
eluckytohavesomeonelike
you,t
here'salotmorethanvolunt
eeri
ngyoucando
tohelpthesekids.We'
llt
alkaboutt
hatinanot
her
ti
me.
Il
eftt
hecent
reandwentt
oNceba'
shome.Heraunt
wastheonewhoopenedt
hedoor.
me:Goodevening,I
'
m her
et ocheckuponNceba.
Hi
sschool
mat estol
dmet hattheydi
dn'
tseehi
m at
school
,andhewasn'
tatt
heyout
hcent
ret
oday.
her
:Ncebaisn'
ther
e,Isenthimtobuyaf
ewt
hings
andhedidgotoschooltoday.
me:coul
dIwai
tforhi
m,Iwant
edt
otal
ktohi
m.
her
:hewon'
tber
etur
ninganyt
imesoon.Icant
ell
hi
m youwer
eher
e.
me:pl
easedo,
tel
lhi
mtocal
lme.
ShenoddedandIl eft
.Iwasn' tsur ewhetherto
beli
eveherornot ,I'm prett
ysur eshewoul dn'
ttel
l
mei fshehadki ckedNcebaout .IhopedNceba
woul dcomet omypl aceift hatwast hecase.I
waitedforhiscallbutdi dn'tgetone.Iwaswor ri
ed
anddi dn'
tknowwhatt odo.Ncebadoesn' teven
haveaphone, hecalledwi thot herpeopl e'
sphones
onthepr evi
oust i
mes.Ihadwor kthenextdaysoI
woul donlygetthechancet ol ookf orNcebawhenI
knockedof f
.Iwor kedont hedesi gnf ort
hecurrent
cl
ientaccountads.Cami l
acal ledf ormet oupdate
heronmyt eam�spr ogressandIwentupt oher
off
ice.Iknockedandshemot i
onedf ormet ocome
i
n.
her
:tel
lmewhatyou'
vedone.
Itol
dal lthatwehaddoneandshowedherour
progress.SomeoneknockedandIt urnedt oseea
guyIdi dn'tr
ecognise.Camila'
sfacesoftenedabit
andt hatwasasur prisetome.I'veneverseenher
l
ookatanyonewi thanyt hi
ngbutherseriousall
business-li
keexpression.
guy:I
'
llwai
tout
sideunt
ilyouar
edone.
Cami
la:no,
comei
n.Wewer
ejustf
ini
shi
ngup.
Theguywal
kedi
nandl
if
tedupat
akeawayf
ood
bag.
hi
m:br
oughtyoul
unch.
Helookedatmeandsmi l
ed,qui
teani
cesmil
eifI
mustadmit.Hewasanice-l
ooki
ngwhit
eguywho
l
ookedveryfri
endl
ycomparedtoCami
la.Hehel
d
outhi
shand.
hi
m:Cl
ayt
on
me:Segomot
so
hi
m:ni
cet
omeetyou.
Camil
a:br
ingt
hest
oryboar
dtomeonceyou'
re
done.
me:wi
lldo.
Ist
oodupandmademywayout .Ismiledtomyself
atthethoughtthatSt
oneColdCami l
ahada
boyfr
iendwhof ri
endl
iert
hanshewas.Shemustbe
adiff
erentpersonwhenshe'
swi t
hhi m,lessi
ntense.
I�m seeingCami l
a�squalit
iesslowlybutsurel
y,
maybeshei sn�tasbadasever yonethinks.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
sisal
lIaskf
or.
TheHi
tWoman
08
_
Cami
la
*
her
:Idon'
tremembermuch.
doct
or:What
'
sthel
astt
hingyour
emember
?
her:Mydadwasdri
vingandsuddenl
yhel
ost
contr
oloft
hecar
,hewaspanicki
ngandaf
ter
war
ds
therewasacrash.Ir
ememberdist
antl
yhear
inghi
m
screamingmynameandt henever
ythi
ngwent
blank.Wher
eismyf at
her
?
doctor:Ij
ustneedtogett
hisdownfir
st.Youwere
foundoutsidethecar
,doyourememberhowyou
gotthere,di
dyouwalkout,orsomeonegotyouout?
her:Idon'
tremembergett
ingoutoft
hecar
.Iwant
toknowwher emyfatheri
s,pl
ease.
Ther
ewassi
lencef
oraf
ewseconds.
doct
or:hedi
dn'
tmakei
t.*
Iswit
chedofftherecordi
ngf r
om thebugthatmy
guyhadplantedinthegirl
’
shospitalr
oom.Itlooked
l
ikeIwassafe,thegir
ldidn'
trememberanything
becauseshedidn'
tseeanyt hi
ng.Ical
ledoff
icer
Clar
kenext.
him:itwasanacci dent,brakesappearedtohave
malfuncti
onedaccor di
ngt othepeoplewho
accessedwhatwasl eftofthecar.Poli
cewon'tbe
i
nvestigat
inganything.Thedaught eroftheman
whodi ed,sur
vivedandi tappearsthatther
ewas
someonewhopul ledheroutoft hecarbutlef
ther
t
here.Therei
sn'
tmuchont
his,
Icanemai
lyout
he
r
eportsfi
ledont
his.
me:pleasedooffi
cer,
youalr
eadyhavemyemaili
n
youri
mbox, youshoul
dcheckitout
.Byt
heway,
sendi
ngyourwi f
eonvacati
onwasabadidea.
Iendedthecallandsmiledinsati
sfact
ion.Ihad
senthim anemailwithpict
uresofhiswifewit
h
anotherman,thatshoul
dkeephi smindof f
wonderingaboutme.
ThenextdayIwasinmyoffi
cewor
kingwhenmy
secret
aryt
oldmethatt
her
ewasamanwhowant ed
toseeme.
her
:hi
snamei
sAl
exanderAndr
ews.
me:Idon'
tknowhi
m.
her:hesayshe'
saninvest
orandhasbusi
ness
preposi
ti
onforyou.
me:sendhi
m upt
omyf
atherpl
ease.
her
:he'
saski
ngspeci
fi
cal
lyf
oryouMi
ssDavi
s.
me:f
ine,
sendhi
m up.
Themanwal kedi nt
omyof f
iceaf
ewmi nutesl
ater.
Hewast hetypicalr
ichguyi
nanexpensivesui
t,and
Idi
dn'
trecognisehim.
hi
m:It'
ssuchanhonourt
omeetyouMi
ssCami
la
Davi
s.I'
m Al
exandr
aRomano.
Ii
nst
ant
lyr
ecogni
sedhi
slastname.
me:It
houghtyouwer
eAl
exanderAndr
ews.
him:youwoul
dn'
thaveagreedt
omeetme.Iknow
you'
renotf
ondofmyfather.
me:t
hat
'sanunder
stat
ement
.
hi
m:yes,
Mar
coi
sabast
ardoandIam not
hingl
i
ke
hi
m.
Hehadasl ightIt
ali
anaccentt
hatwasclearwhen
hesai dbastardo.MarcoRomanowast henamethe
gundeal erhadgivenmebef or
eIhadblownhis
brainsoff.He'sanenemyofmyf atherwit
hRussi
an
al
liesthatmakei thardtogett
ohim.
me:Marcoismyf at
her
'senemyandther
eforemy
enemytoo.Idon'
tgi
veashithowdi
ff
erentyouar
e
fr
om hi
m, you'
remyenemyt oo.
hi
m:justgivemeaf ewmoment
soft
ime,
Ihavea
pr
eposit
ionforyou.
Ikeptqui
etandwai
tedt
ohearwhathehadt
osay.
him:Iwantt
otakedownmyf at
her,
he'sagreedy,
self
ishmanandtheonlythi
ngrelat
ingmet ohi
mi s
DNA.Iwanttotakeeachcompanyofhi sandsee
him onhi
sknees.
me:myspeci
alt
yisi
nki
ll
ingandIwouldbegl
adt
o
shootMar
co,
butIwon'
tdoitf
oryou.
him:that
'snotwhatIwant .I
'
vehear dofyour
i
mpeccabl eskill
swit
hgunsbutal soabouthow
peoplebarelyknowyoubutf earyouli
keyourfather
.
Thatexcludesmyf atherwhosetyouup, Ihear
dyou
tookcareoft hatwel
l.
me:l
ook,I'
m notchar
medbyyournonsensest
ory
andyou'
rewastingmyti
me.
him:oneofMar co'
sbigcompani esina
tel
ecommuni cat
ionscompanyandIt hi
nkyou
wouldlovetobeapar tofi
t,Icangiveyoushares
onceit
'smine.Nobullshi
there,meandyoucanbe
goodalli
es.
me:Idon'
tdoall
ies,
youshoul
dhavedoneyour
r
esearchaboutt
hatbef
orecomingher
e.Domea
f
avourandgetout.
hi
m:alr
ight
,Iwil
l.Justthi
nkabouthavi
ngdinner
wit
hmesoyoucanhearmywhol epreposi
ti
on,i
t'
s
goodandhonestone,logiur
o(Iswearit
).
Hewalkedoutofmyof
fi
cewit
hasmi l
eandI
consi
deredmaki
nghi
m mynexthi
t.
_
Segomot
so
Icouldbarelyfocusatwor k,Ikeptwonderingwhere
Ncebacoul dbe.It'
sbeen2dayssi nceIwentt ohi
s
homeandIhaven' tgot
tenanycal lfrom hi
m.Ihave
beengoingt otheyouthcentr eaft
erwor kt
oaski f
hecameby, buthehadn't.Ididn'
tknowwhatt odo
now.Iknockedof fatwor kanddeci dedtogoback
toNceba'shomeandspeakt ohisauntagai n.I
walkedoutandwentt ocatchat axi.Someone
whistl
esbehi ndbutIdidn'
tturntolook.
voi
ce:heySkat
.
Istoppedthenandsi
ghedinexasper
ati
onbef
ore
tur
ningaroundtoseeMandla.
hi
m:youwer
etr
yingt
oignor
eme.
me:Mandl
awhatdoyouwantf
rom me?
hi
m:It
oldyout
hatwear
en'
tover
.
me:It
houghtyourmotheranduncl
etol
dyouthatI
di
dn'
twantanythi
ngtodowi t
hyouanymore.
him:I'
vegi
venyouenought
imetocal
m downfrom
thi
shighofyour
s,nowIwantmygir
lf
ri
endback.I
n
fact
,Iwantyout
obemywi fe.
me:stopbei
ngcrazy,
ther
e'snowherei
nhellIwil
l
evenconsi
dert
hethoughtofmarryi
ngyou.Idon'
t
wantyouMandla.
Isai
dthelastpartsl
owl
y,emphasi
singeachword.
Hereact
edbygr abbi
ngmywr i
stwit
hahar dgr
ip.
him:ungangijwayel
ikabi
,seng'
khathel
e
i
lenonsenseyakhonou.Asivayesiyeedladl
enil
ami
(st
opi r
ri
tati
ngme, I
'
mt ir
edofthi
snonsenseof
yours.Let'
sgotomypl ace.
)
voi
ce:l
ethergo
It
urnedandsawCamilast
andingafewfeetf
rom
Mandla.Mandl
atur
nedandlookedather
.
hi
m:heyt
hisi
snoneofyourbusi
ness
Cami
la:you'
rehur
ti
ngher
.
hi
m:eymi
ndyourownbusi
nesst
u
Iyankedmyhandawayf
rom hi
sgr
ipandhe
snarl
edatme.
hi
m:yewenal
et'
sgo.St
opact
ingup
me:f
uckyou,
I'
m notl
eavi
ngwi
thyou.It
oldyou
wer
edone
Her
aisedhi
shand,
aboutt
ost
ri
keme.
Camil
a:hi
therandyouwi
llr
egr
eti
tfort
her
estof
yourl
if
e.
Het
urnedt
ofaceheragai
n,hi
shandmi
d-ai
r.
hi
m:ent
lekwhat
'syourpr
obl
em,
Itol
dyout
oleave.
Camil
a:comeonSegomot
sol
et'
sgo.I
'
llgi
veyoua
ri
de.
ImovedpastMandl
aandheadedt
oher
.
Mandla:Eyaminaweayi kapheli
,yi
miengeyi
qal
il
e
l
erat
ionship,
yimiengizoyiqeda.(
Wearenotdone,I
st
art
edt hi
srelat
ionshipandIwi l
lbet
heonetoend
i
t.
)
Cami l
awalkedbehi
ndmeasweheadedt ohercar
.I
gotinsi
dethepassengerseatandshegoti
nthe
dri
ver'
sside.
her
:ar
eyouokay?
me:yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.Thanksf
orsavi
ngmet
her
e.
her
:letmeseeyourwr
ist
me:i
t'
sfi
ne.
Isai
drubbi
ngi
t.
her
:whoi
she?
me:Mandla,myex-
boyfr
iendwhodoesn'
twantt
o
acceptt
hatwearedone.
her
:heusedt
ohi
tyou?
me:onl
yaf
ewt
imesunt
ilIl
efthi
m.
her
:Isee.
Thiswasmyfir
stpersonalconversat
ionwi
th
Camil
a,andIwassurpri
sedthatshehadst ar
tedit.I
wonderedabi
twhatshet houghtofme.Shest i
ll
rememberedmyplaceanddr oppedmeof f
.
me:t
hanksf
ort
her
ide,
Iappr
eci
atei
t.
Iopenedt
hedoorandwasaboutt
ogetoutwhenI
remember
edsomethi
ng.
me:heyhowcanyoupr
onouncemyf
ullnameso
wel
l?
Fort
hefi
rstt
ime,Isawhersmil
e.I
twasasmal
l
smil
ebutasmil
enonethel
ess.
her
:haveagoodeveni
ngSegomot
so.
Ichuckl
edandexi
tedhercar
.WhenIgott
omy
apart
ment,If
oundNcebasit
ti
ngout
sidei
nhi
s
schooluni
for
m.
me:Nceba.
Hestoodupandscr
atchedt
hebackofhi
sneck,
a
habi
thedidwhenhewasnervous.
hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryt
obot
heryou,
I..
.
me:bot
herme,I'
vebeenwor
ri
edaboutyouand
t
houghtyou'
dshowupsooner.
Iunl
ockedt
hedoorandwegoti
nsi
de.
me:whathappenedt
hatdayaf
terIt
alkedt
oyour
aunt
?
hi
m:not
hing.
me:Ncebacomeon,
Icar
eaboutyouandwantt
o
hel
pyou.
Hekeptqui
etandstaredatt
hefl
oor
.Iputmywor
ry
asi
deanddecidednottobehar
donhim.
me:you'
regoi
ngt ogetyour
sel
fcl
eanedupwhileI
makeussomef ood.Ineedtol
ookforsomet
hing
youcanchangeinto.
hi
m:Igotcl
othes.
me:good,
leaveyourschoolcl
othesi
nthe
bat
hroom,I
'l
lwashthem foryou.
hi
m:t
hankyouSego.
me:
(smi
li
ng)don'
tment
ioni
t.
Iwat
chedhi
m wal
ktot
hebat
hroom andt
hought
t
hatIwasn'
tlet
ti
nghi
m gobackt
ohi
saunt
.
_
Et
han
Istartedapplyingf
orajobinconstructionf
irmsand
placeshiringmyspeciali
tyofci
vil
engi neer
ing.My
wor kexper i
encewasgood,andIhopedIwoul dget
l
uckyi nfindingajob.Thul
anicamet oseemei nt
he
afternoonswhenhewasn' tworki
ng, andwewoul d
hangout .
hi
m:Ineedcashman.
me:howmuch?
hi
m:2k,
I'
llpayi
tbackwhenIgetpai
d.
me:Thulanicomeon,
2k,t
hat
'salot
.I'
m notr
ich
andthemoneyIhavehastogetmethroughunt
ilI
getajob.
hi
m:IknowbutIwoul dn'
tbeaski
ngyouifIdi
dn'
t
needi
turgentl
y.Ther
e'samanIowe,andhewants
hi
smoneyt oday.He'
sthoser
uthl
essguys.
me:I
fIgi
veyouthi
smoney,
I'
m goi
ngwi
thyout
o
payt
hismanyouowe.
Hetri
edsayingnotothat
,butIt oldhi mthathe
wasn'
tgetti
ngmymoneyi fhedi dn' tagr
ee.He
endedupagreeingandIsawt hathemustr eal
ly
wanttopaythisman.Wewentt ot heman' splace
andThulanit
oldmet owaitoutsidebutIr efused.
Wewenti nsi
deandmettheman, TaJ.
TaJ:I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
Thul
ani
:sor
ryTaJ,
Iwasst
il
lget
ti
ngt
hemoney.
TaJ:br
ingi
t.
Thul
anihandedhi
mthemoneyIhadgi
venhi
m.Ta
Jcountedi
t.
TaJ:Youwantt
odi
eneh?
Thul
ani
:TaJI
'
llpayyout
her
estmont
hend.
TaJ:don'
tmesswi
thme,
Iwantal
lmymoneynow,
5k.
Thul
ani
:I'
l
lgi
veyour3kmont
hend,
pleaseTaJ.
TaJ:3k,it'
s5k.This2ki
sinter
est.Iwantt
he5k
nowboy, orhaveyoufor
gottenwhatIcandotoyou,
Ithoughtyourthi
ghwouldremindyou.
Thul
aniwasinseriousshit,thi
smanmustbet he
onewhoshothi m onhisthighandThulaniowed
hi
m alot.TaJseemedser iousaboutwant i
nghis
moneyanddi dn'
tli
stentoThulani'
sbegging.He
hadbarelygl
ancedatmebutf ocusedonThulani
.
me:TaJ,
howaboutThul
anigivesyouanot
her1k
nowandhecangi
veyoutherestmonthend,I
'
ll
makesur
ehedoes.
hi
m:andt
hen,
whoar
eyou?
me:I
'
m hi
scousi
n,Icangi
veyou1know.
hi
m:3k.
me:Idon'
thavet
hatmuch.1.
5k.
hi
m:gi
veme2kandt
hisboyofyour
swil
lhaveto
gi
vemethe3ki
naweek,
I'
m notwai
ti
nganylonger
.
Il
ookedatThul
ani
.
Thul
ani
:shoTaJ.
TaJ:br
ingi
t.
Idi
dn'
thavecashonmesoIaskedf
orTaJ'
s
numbersoIcoul
ddoanewal
let
.Oncet
hetr
ansf
er
wasdone,
hethr
eat
edThul
anionemor
eti
meand
t
henweleft
.
Thul
ani
:thanksman.
me:Thul
aniyou'r
eabloodyidi
ot,howcanyou
borr
owsomuchmoneyf rom apersonwhenyou
knowyoucan'tpayhi
m back.Ij
ustspentawhol
e
4konyourdebts.
hi
m:sor
ryLunga,
I'
llpayyouback.
me:you'
reget
ti
ngpai
d2weeksf
rom now,
howwi
ll
gethi
s3kinaweek.
hi
m:Idon'
tknow.
Thul
ani'
smotherwil
lsuregetahear tatt
ackif
Thul
aniget
shurtagainandt hat
'swhatwi l
lhappen
i
fhedoesn'
tpaythisTaJ.I'vehelpedhim enough
bygi
vinghi
m 4k,Ican'
tgivehim mor e.I
fonlyhe
di
dn'
tgethi
mselfinsuchabi gdebt.
TheHi
tWoman
09
_
Segomot
so
Ncebat
oldmewhathadhappenedwi
thhi
saunt
af
terwefi
nishedeat
ing.
him:whenIgotbackfr
om school,sheshoutedat
meandt ol
dmeIshouldnevergot oyouthcentre
agai
n.Shesaidever
ydayafterschoolIshould
comebackstrai
ghthomeandnotgoanywher eelse.
me:di
dshehi
tyou?
hi
m:yes.
..sl
appedmeaf
ewt
imes,
sai
dIwas
embar
rassi
ngher.
Icoul
dimagineallthehatefulwor
dsshesaidtohi
m
andshemi ghthavebeenhithim wit
hmor et
hatj
ust
afewslaps.Idon'tunder
standwhyshewoul dbe
sohatef
ultoNcebawhenshehaschi ldr
enofher
own.
me:whatdi
dyoudo?
hi
m:Thenextmorni
ng,Ipackedafewclot
hesand
l
eft
,pr
etendedt
hatIwasgoingtoschool
.
me:andwher
ehaveyoubeenst
ayi
ng?
hi
m:Ist
ayedwi
thaf
ri
end.
me:youcouldhavecall
edmeorcameher e,Iwas
worri
edaboutyou.Yourauntl
iedt
omeandt oldme
shehadsentyousomewher ewhenIwenttolook
foryou.
him:I
'm sor
ry,
Ijustdi
dn'
twantt
obot
heryou,
you'
vedoneenoughf orme.
me:andIwanttodomore.You'
renotgoi
ngbackt
o
youraunt
'spl
ace,
you'
l
lstaywit
hme, noar
gui
ng.
hi
m:okay,
thankyou,
Iappr
eci
atewhatyoudof
or
me.
Inoddedandheof
fer
edt
odot
hedi
shes.
_
Cami
la
Ipassedbymyfat
her'
spl
acel
atert
hateveni
ng,
wanti
ngtodi
scusssomebusi
nesswit
hhim.
hi
m:Iheart
her
ewasani
nvest
ort
hatcamet
oyou.
me:yes,
someAlexandr
aAndr
ewst
ryi
nghi
sluck
wi
ththebigcompani
es.
I
twasbestt
otel
lhi
mthenamet
hesecr
etar
ytol
d
me,
incaseshehadt
oldhi
m al
ready.
hi
m:whatdi
dhehavet
oof
fer
?
me:alousybusi
nesspr
eposi
ti
on,
itwasn'
twor
th
consi
deri
ng.
hi
m:Isee.
me:how'
sitgoi
ngwi
thMar
co?
him:I
'
m wor
kingoni
t,t
her
e'snor
ush.I
'
llgett
ohi
m
soon.
me:doeshehaveanysons?
hi
m:twoofthem,It
hink.Ihearoneoft
hem hat
es
hi
sguts,
theyhavesomebadbl oodbet
weenthem.I
guessMarcoi
sashitt
yf at
her.
Soar eyou,Ithought.That'
sonethingIhavein
commonwi thAlexandra,fat
herswhoar ebastar
ds.
Alexandradoesn'tknowt hatandevenifhedid,
there'
snowayIwoul ddoanyt hi
ngwithhim.Idon't
wantanyal l
ies.Ineedtocheckhim outandsee
whathe'sreallyupto.
Il
eftmyfather
'spl
aceawhi
lel
ateranddrovet
o
Cl
ay'spl
ace.Ontheway,
Imadeacal lt
ooneofmy
guysandaskedhimt ogetever
ythi
nghecouldget
aboutSego'
sex-boyfr
iendMandlaandsenditt
ome
assoonashecoul d.Igott
oClay'
splaceandwe
order
edpizza.
hi
m:Mysi ster'
scomi nghomethisweekendandmy
motheri
nsistedthatIcomewithyoufordinneron
Sat
urday.Shewasn' ttaki
ngnoforananswer.
me:yoursist
er'
scominghomeaft
erbei
nggonefor
months,don'
tyouguyswantsomefami
lyt
ime?
him:famil
y,fri
endsandpartner
s,mymom
consider
sthem oneandthesamet hi
ng.You've
nevermetmysi st
er,
Iwantyoutomeetherthis
Satur
day,pleasesayyes?
I'
ver
anoutofexcusesofwhyI'
mtoobusyand
can'
thavedi
nnerwit
hhispar
ents.
me:okay,
fine.
him:she'
l
lloveyouandIknowyou'l
lli
kehertoo.
Youtwoarekindofal i
keyouknow,
cool,
calm,
coll
ect
edandunf azed.
Ichuckl
edatt
hat
,thi
nki
ngt
hatCl
ay'
ssi
stercoul
d
notbeanyt hingclosetowhatIam.Af tereatingt he
pizza,wewentt obedandmadel ovebef orefall
ing
asleep.Myphonebeepedi nt hemi ddl
eoft heni ght,
i
twasat extfrom myguyandhehadt he
i
nf or
mat ionIwant ed.Icheckedi toutandr ead
everythingt herewast oknowaboutMandel aandal l
hislying,abusi veandcheatingtrait
s.Claywasf ast
asleepsoIwr oteanoteandl ef
thisplace.Idr oveto
Mandl a'splace, wanti
ngtotakecar eofhi m
i
mmedi ately.Hel i
vedinaback- r
oom andIknocked
l
oudl y.Heopened, hal
fasleepinhi sboxers.
me:r
ememberme?
hi
m:whot
hef
uckar
eyouandwhatdoyouwant
?
Ipul
ledoutmygunandmadesur
ehecoul
dseei
t.
me:getdr
essed,
let
'sgof
oradr
ive.
Hest ar
eddownatthegunandfoll
owedmyorders.
Idrovetooneofmyfather
'swar
ehouseandcal
led
afewguysandt ol
dthem t
ojoi
nmet her
e.
Mandl
a:wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
me:shutup.
Wegottothewar
ehouseandIl
edhim outwi
ththe
gunatt
hebackofhi
shead.Theguyswereal
ready
ther
ewait
ingf
orme.
guy:who'
she?
me:womanabuserandjustashi
tt
yper
sonwho
won'
tber
emember ed.
Theygrabbedhi
m andt
iedhim upt
oachai
r.Igota
chai
randsatdownopposit
ehim.
me:howdoyouf
eel
whenyour
aiseyourhandand
hi
tawoman?
hi
m:Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.
Isi
gnal
ledt
ooneoft
heguysandhepunchedhi
m
har
d.
me:feel
snicet
obeont
her
ecei
vingendoft
he
abuse,r
ight
?
Theguysbeathim upseveralti
meandhegr oaned,
cri
ed,shoutedhi
sinnocenceandapologi
sed.I
stoodupandt heguysstoppedbeat
inghi
m.Ist ood
atadistanceawayfrom hi
m andpoint
edthegunt o
hi
sf or
ehead.
me:I'
lltellyouhowIf eel everyti
meIraisemygun
andpul lthetri
gger.Ifeelgreat,
powerfuland
i
nvincible.Ifeelevenbetterwhent heperson
recei
vingt hebullett
ohi sbrainisashit
typerson.
Mandl
a:(
cryi
ng)please,
don'
tdoi
t.Iwon'
thur
tany
womanagain,pl
ease.
If
ir
edandt
hatwast
heendofhi
m.
_
Et
han
Imanagedt olandmysel faj obi nt
er viewway
soonert hanIexpect ed.Thej obposi t
ionwasf ora
const r
uct i
onmanagerandi twasaj obIcoul d
handle.Ipr eparedmysel ffort heint ervi
ewand
hopedal lwoul dgowel l.Thei nterviewwasgoodon
mypar t
,Ibel i
eveIwasabl et oshowt hem my
strengthsandal lthatwasl ef twast owai tandhear
whatt heyt houghtaboutme.Af tert heintervi
ew, I
calledThul ani,want i
ngt ohavedr inkswi t
hhi m but
gothi svoicemai l.Iwentbackt omypl aceand
playedvi deogames.A f ewhour sl ater,Igotacal l
fr
om myauntandi tsoundedl i
keshewascr yi
ng.
her:Thulanigothi
msel
fint
roubl
eagai
n,hej
ust
neverstops.
me:whatdi
dhedo?
her
:hegotar
rest
ed,
hejustcal
ledmeawhi
leago
andsai
dheneededmoneyforhisbai
l.
me:Aunt
y,I
'
m comi
ngt
oyourhouse,
we'
l
lspeak
t
hen.
Iendedt hecal
landt ookataxitoherhouse.Iwas
pissedatThulani,i
tseemedlikehewasget t
ingin
troubl
equiteoftenthesedaysanddidn'tcar
eabout
thestresshegavehi smother.Igott
omyaunt 's
placeandshet oldmewhatThul anisai
d.
her
:Hesai
dhisbai
lsi
s3000,i
magine.Ihavet
ouse
upmysavi
ngsandborr
owfrom f
ri
endstogetthat
much.
me:whatdi
dhegetar
rest
edf
or?
her
:hedidn'
tsay,
hej
ustt
alkedabouthi
sbai
l
money.
me:3000?
her
:yes,
exact
lyt
hat
.
Itcoul
dn'
tbeacoincidencethatThul
ani'
sbail
moneywast heexactamounthei ssupposedto
giveTaJ.Hewasbul lshi
tt
inghismotherabout
beingi
njai
l.
me:Aunt
y,howmuchdoyouhavei
nyoursavi
ngs?
her
:about1500maybe.
me:howaboutyougi
veme1000andI
'
llgett
her
est
.
her
:HayLunga, t
hemoneyyouhavei ssupposedto
hel
pyouuntilyougetaj
ob,Ican'
tletyouuseiton
mytroubl
esomeson.
me:Iwantt
ohel
phi
m, don'
twor
ryabouti
t.I
'l
lmake
sur
ehepaysmebackandpaysyoubacktoo.
Sheagreedandgavemet he1kshehad.It oldherI
wouldbai lThul
anioutandbr i
nghim home.Il ef
t
andwentbackt omypl ace.Ical
ledThulaniandlef
t
him avoicemail,t
ell
inghimtocomet omypl aceorI
wouldtellhismotherwhyhewant ed3k.Hemadei t
tomypl acelateatnight.
hi
m:Lunga,
whatdi
dyoudo?
me:It
oldyourmot
hert
ogi
vemet
hemoneyandI
woul
dbai
lyouout
.
hi
m:soyouhavei
t?
Igavehi
mthe1kandhecount
edi
t.
hi
m:t
hisi
s1k.
me:yes,
that'
sfr
om hersavi
ngsandshewasgoi ng
t
oborrowmoneyt opayyournon-
exist
entbai
l.I
wasn'
tgoingtol
etyoumakeheraf ool
.
hi
m:I
'
m notdoi
ngi
tforf
un,
Ineedt
hemoney.
me:geti
tsomewhereel
se,l
yingandfool
ingyour
motheri
sn'
tri
ghtandIwon'
tsitbyandwatchyou.
You'
regoi
ngtopayherbackthat1k.
hi
m:f
inebutcanyoubor
rowme2kt
hen?
me:no,Idon'
thavei
t.Makeapl
an,
I'
m notbai
li
ng
yououtofthi
s.
Hewasfrust
rat
edandthi
sti
meIwasn'tgoi
ngto
t
akepit
yonhim.Theli
ehetol
dhismotherpi
ssed
meoffandheseemednottocar
e,al
lhewanted
wast
hemoney.
_
BruceStevensonsatout
sidehi
shouse,
star
ing
vacantl
yatthesky.Hiswif
eSusancameandsat
besidehim.
Susan:Somet
hingwor
ryi
ngyou,
whati
sit
?
Br
ucet
urnedandl
ookedather
.
Bruce:I
t'
sEthan,
hequi
thi
sjobawhil
eagoand
movedt oSA.Themovei
ssuddenandI'
m cur
ios
andwor r
ied.
Susan:ar
eyousur
ethati
t'
ssudden?
Bruce:yes,hequithi
sjobwithnonot
iceandIused
tothi
nkhel ikedit
.Heseemedcomfortabl
ether
e
withhisbrotherandJacob.
Susan:youcoul
dcont
actJacobandaskhi
m how
Ethanisdoi
ng.
Br
uce:thelastt
imeIdidthat,
hetol
dmetoask
Et
handirectl
yandthathedidn'
twantmecont
act
ing
hi
m again.
Susanl
aidahandonhi
sthi
gh,
sil
ent
lyassur
inghi
m.
Bruce:Ir
eal
lywishIhadarel
ati
onshi
pwit
hhim.
Buthedeservesbet
terandi
t'
stoolat
enow.
Susan:i
t'
snott
ool
ate.
Susanwasneveronetoli
etohim butBr
uce
coul
dn'tbr
inghi
mselft
obeli
eveherwordsr
ight
now.Itwastool
ate,
Ethanwasagr ownmannow.
TheHi
tWoman
10[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
Claywasinagoodmoodbesi demeinthecar,
smili
nganddoingallt
hetalki
ng.Iwassil
ent,not
l
ookingfor
wardtothedinnerwithhi
sfamily.We
reachedhi
shomeandhepar kedthecart
hent ur
ned
tolookatme,
takingmyhandi nhis.
hi
m:you'
reawf
ull
yqui
et,
areyouokay?
me:I
'
mfi
ne,
don'
twor
ry.
hi
m:ifyouaren'
tupf
ort
his,i
t'
scool
.Mysi
stercan
al
waysmeetyouonanotherdayandmymotherwil
l
under
stand.
Cl
aycoul
dhavef
all
enf
orsomeonef
ri
endl
ierand
war mer ,
someonewhol ovest ohavedi nnerwi t
hhi s
parent sever
yweekendandi ndulgedinpubl i
c
displaysofromance.Buthef el
lforme, StoneCol d
Cami l
awhoki l
lspeopleforthef unofit.He's
oblivioustowhatIdof oral i
vingbutonecansee
theeyesofaki llerandonecanf eelthetouchofone
accust omedtoweapons.Cl aydoesn' t
,Iseet helove
i
nhi seyesever ytimehel ooksatmeandI 'm
remi ndedofhowmuchIdon' tdeservehi m.
me:no,
it'
sokay.Let
'sgoi
nsi
de.
West eppedoutofthecarandheadedi nsidehi
s
parents'home.Hismothersmiledatmeaswe
steppedinside,
nohugs,Ibeli
eveClaytoldthem I
wasn'taf anofthat
.ImetClay'
ssist
er,Amyandwe
scruti
nizedeachotherf
oramoment .
Amy:Clayhast
oldmealotaboutyouandpoint
ed
outhowali
kewearei
ntermsofpersonal
it
y.
me:cool,
calm,col
lect
edandunf
azedwer
ehi
s
exactwordswhenhetoldme.
Hersmi
lewasguardedandIcoul
dtel
lthatshetook
not
eofmycoldgazeandalr
eadyhadheropinion
onme.Thedi nnerwentsmoot hlyandImadean
efforttobef ri
endlyandchat ty.Clay'smotherasked
somequest ionsabouthowI '
vebeensi ncethelast
ti
meIwasher eandhowwor kwas, shestayedclear
offther eal
lypersonalquest i
ons.AmyandIbar ely
spoket oeachot heraftert
hei nt
roductionsandI
wasgl ad,t
hatwasj ustwhatIneeded.Ir eceiveda
callfrom myf athersoIexcusedmysel fand
answer edi
t.
hi
m:Jamescal
ledme,
her
equi
resyourser
vice
agai
n.
me:I'
m notdoi
nganyhi
tsf
orhi
m,Ir
efuset
oeven
speaktohi
m.
him:don'
tbet
ouchynow,
he'sjustacl
ientandt hi
s
ti
mehe'sawar
eofyourmethodsandwon' tt
ellyou
other
wise.
me:I
'
m st
il
lnotmeet
inghi
m.
hi
m:Cami
la.
Hi
svoicewascommandi
ngandIknewheexpect
ed
metoagreet
othi
swit
hnofur
therar
gument
.
me:No.
Ther
ewassi
lencef
oramomentandIwai
ted.
him:j
ustspeaktohim,t
hat'
sal
lIask.Youcan
ref
usehim onceyouhaveandIwon'tbr
inguphi
s
nameagain.
Myfat
herrar
elyaskedf
oranyt
hing,
heal
ways
commanded.
me:seti
tup.
Iendedthecal landwentbacki nside.ClayandIl ef
t
awhilelaterandItol
dhi m Ihadt omeetmyf ather
sohedr oppedmeof fatmypl ace.Myf athersenta
textt
hatJameswasexpect i
ngmei nhishousesoI
drovethere.Hismenallowedmei nsideandl edme
toJames' off
ice.
James:I'm gl
adyoucame,thi
sti
meI'l
lmaket
hings
easierf
oryou.YoudoityourwayandIwon'
t
disr
uptyou.
Ifel
lsi
lentandwai
tedf
orhi
mtocont
inue.Hehel
d
outafi
letome.
hi
m:Cl
ayt
onEvans
Ikeptmyexpressi
onneut
ralandt
ookt
hef
olderbut
didn'
topeni
t.
me:whatdi
dhedo?
hi
m:Hemadeagr eatsoft
wareforoneofmy
busi
nessesandIcan'tgetful
lowner
shi
pofi tunti
lI
pai
dhim,hispri
ceistoohighandhethinkshis
smart
.Ineedthatsoft
wareandsoIneedhi m dead.
me:I
'm af
rai
dIcan'
tkil
lhi
m andIwouldrequest
t
hatyoudon'
ttr
ytogetanyoneel
setokil
loreven
t
ouchhim.Payhim hi
spri
ceandlethi
m go.
hi
m:why?
me:becauseIsayso
hi
m:youknowhim don'
tyou,
youshar
esomet
hing
per
sonalwi
thhi
m?
me:thereasonI'
m notdoi
ngt
hisi
snoneofyour
busi
ness,I'
mjusttel
li
ngyout
hatIwon'
tki
llhi
m and
nooneelsewill
.
Hesi
ppedhisdr
inkandst
aredatmei
ntensel
yandI
di
dsotoo.
hi
m:Ther
ear
eal
otofpeopl
eoutt
her
ethatcando
t
hisj
obwi
thouthesi
tat
ion,
evenIcandoi
tmysel
f.
me:Idar
eyout
otr
y.
hi
m:whatwi
llyoudo?
Ismi
ledandst
oodup.
me:I
'
llbeyourwor
stni
ght
mar
e,t
rustmeont
hat
.
Hedi
dn'
trespondasIt
urnedar
oundandmademy
wayout
.
_
Et
han
Iwasouthavi ngdi nnerbymysel fatar est
aurant.I
wasst i
llt
esti
ngoutdi ff
erentonesandseei ngwhi ch
oneswer egreat.Ilikedfrequentingrestaurant
sand
tryi
ngoutnewf ood, i
t'
salwaysni cetoknowgr eat
restaur
antfortimeswhent here'
sawomanIcan
takeout,notthatdat i
ngisanywher einmyhor izons
atthemoment .Asi ngl
emanhavi ngdinnerby
himselfmusthavebeennot i
ceablebecausea
womanst oodbefor emyt able.
her
:ar
eyouexpect
ingsomeone?
me:no.
her
:mi
ndi
fIj
oinyout
hen?
EventhoughIdi
dn'
tpl
anonhavi
ngcompany,
I'
m
waytoofri
endl
ytosayno.
me:haveaseat
.
Shesatdownandhel
doutherhand.
her
:Okuhl
e.
me:Et
han.
Ishookherhandandt
ooknot
eofhersmoot
hski
n,
bigeyesandeasysmi
le.
her
:anyt
hingni
ceher
eIcant
ryout
?
me:f
ir
stt
imeher
e,I
'
m st
il
lexpl
ori
ng.
her
:Iguesswecandot
hatt
oget
hert
hen.
Shefli
rt
edeasil
yandseemedt ohavepract
icein
scor
ingmen.Throughourmeal,Ifoundoutthatshe
wasamanagerofar etai
lst
ore,sheli
kedtr
avell
ing
andwassingleandavail
abl
e.
her
:howaboutweheadoutf
oradr
ink,
theni
ghti
s
st
il
lyoung.
Iwouldn'tdescri
bemyselfasaonenightstandguy
orthefri
endswi t
hbenefi
ttype,
ifI
'
m withawoman,
Il
ikebeingwi t
hherful
lyandcommi t
ti
ng.Okuhle
di
dn'tseem li
kethatt
ypebutshewascat chy.
me:anot
hert
ime,
I'
vegotpl
acest
obe.
her
:letmet
akeyournumbert
hen.
Igavehermynumberandl eft.Theni ghtwasst i
ll
youngsoIdeci dedt
ogohangoutwi thThulani.His
motherwasatachur chconf erenceandThul ani
probablyhadfri
endsover.Igott her
eandknocked.
Thulaniopenedandsteppedout side,closi
ngthe
door.
hi
m:Lunga,
Iwasn'
texpect
ingyou.
me:Iwasboredandfi
guredyouwoul
dhavesome
f
ri
endsherechil
li
ngorsomethi
ng.
him:no,Idon'
t.Iwasaboutt
oheadout
,Igotsome
thi
ngstodo.
Heappear
edner
vousandIwonder
edwhy.
me:ar
eyouokay?
hi
m:yeah,
sur
e,I
'
m cool
.
Hewasn't
,itwasdarkbutfrom t
hel
it
tl
eli
ght
,I
spot
tedbr
ui si
ngsonhisface.
me:Thul
aniwhatdi
dyoudonow,
I'
m notbl
ind.
hi
m:ei
shyou'
vegotonehel
lofat
imi
ng.
Heopenedt hedoorandpull
edmei nside.Heledme
tot
helivingroom whi
chwasamess, brokenglass
onthefloorandsomeonelayther
eandappear edto
beunconscious
me:whathappenedher
e,i
sthat
..
.?
Ther
ewasapoolofbl
oodwher
ethemanl
ayandI
l
ookedatThul
ani
.
hi
m:he'
sdead,
Lungai
twasmi
stakebr
o,Iswear
.
He'
soneofTaJ'
smen.
me:di
dn'
tyoupayTaJ?
hi
m:Icouldn'
tgetal
lthemoney, t
hisguycameand
demandedthemoney.Hewasgoi ngtobeatthehel
l
outofmebutIfoughtback.Hehadakni feandIgot
hol
dofit,
stabbedhi
m severalti
mesuntilhefel
l,
he
bl
edoutquickl
yandIdidn'tknowwhattodo.
Get
ti
ngarr
ested,
gett
ingst
abbed,shotorwhat
ever
i
snothi
ngcomparedtohim havi
ngadeadbodyin
hi
smother
'shouse.
me:wehavetocal
lthepol
ice,
you'
l
ltel
lthem i
twas
sel
fdef
ence.
hi
m:areyoucrazyIcan'tdothat
.Thepoli
cearethe
l
eastofmyworries,i
fTaJf i
ndsoutaboutthi
sI'
m
dead,
whetherI
'mi nj
ailornot
.
me:sowhat
'syourpl
an,
keept
hisbodyher
e?
Hedidn'
tanswerandj
ustpacedar
ound.Af
tera
whi
lehestopped.
him:l
isten,
I'
vegotapl
an.Wehavetodumphim.He
hascarkeys,hemusthavepar
kedhi
scarnear
by,
I'
l
lgofindit.
Hewasoutoft hehousebef oreIcoul dsayanythi
ng.
Istar
edatthedeadbodyandcont empl atedcal
li
ng
thepoli
ce.Ki
lli
ngsomeonei sonet hing,dumping
hisbodyandpr etendi
ngl i
kenot hi
nghappenedi s
another
.Thulaniseemedt oreall
yf earTaJmor e
thanthepoli
ceandIf eltthatfeartoobecauseIwas
nowapar tofthis.Iheardacardr ivinginand
l
ookedtoseeThulanidr
ivinginablackcart
hat
musthavebeenthedeadguy' s.Hecamein
momentslat
erwithbigplasti
cbags.
hi
m:I
'
llgetsomesheet
s.
Hecamebackwi
thsheet
s.
hi
m:we' r
egoingtowr
aphi
m upinthesesheetsand
pl
asti
csthenputhimi
nbootofthecar.Ialr
eady
havei
topenandnoonewillseeathi
ng, t
hewall
s
aret
allenough.
me:Thul
anit
hisi
sinsane,
wecan'
tdot
his.
hi
m:LungaI'm sor
rytohavebroughtyouint
othi
s
butyouhavetohelp,
we'vegotnootherchoi
ce.No
onecanknowaboutt hi
s.
Hewai tedformetomakeadecisi
onandIsi ghed.I
t
ookt hesheetsandpl
asti
cbagsandwest ar
ted
wrappingthemani nt
hem.Wethencarriedhim out
t
ot hecarandplacedhimint
heboot.Thulaniwent
t
ol ockthehouseandcamebacktodrive.
me:wher
ear
eyoudumpi
nghi
m?
hi
m:f
arf
rom her
e,Igotpet
rol
,we'
l
lbur
nhi
m and
t
hiscar
.
Thulanidr
oveforawhileandIwasanxiousthatwe
wouldgetpull
edbythepol i
ceandtheywoul
d
discovert
hedeadbodyi ntheboot
.Noneofthat
happenedandThulanistoppedsomewhereIdidn'
t
know.
hi
m:t
hisi
sfarenough.
me:howdowegetoutofher
eaf
terbur
ning
ever
ythi
ng?
hi
m:we'
l
lwal
kandI
'
llcal
laf
ri
endt
ogetus.
Hetookoutthenumberplat
esofthecarand
checkedoutthethi
ngsi
nthecar
.After
wardshe
tookoutasportsbaghehadbr
oughtandthepet
rol
.
him:Igotachangeofcl
othesf
orus,
let
'sbur
n
these,
theyhavebl
ood.
Myshirtdidhaveali
tt
lebloodoni tfr
om whenI
car
ri
edt hebody.Wechangedandt hrewtheclot
hes
wehadwor ni
nthecar.Thulanithenpouredthe
pet
roli
nsidethecarandintheboott henseti
talight
.
Westoodatadi st
ancefrom itandwat chedi
tburn.
hi
m:don'
ttel
lanyoneaboutt
his,
okay?
me:sur
e,I
'
m notani
diot
.I'
m anaccompl
icei
nthi
s
nowandI'
l
lbeasgoodasdeadifIsayaword.
I'
vespentmyl i
fetryi
ngtobethegoodguybut
seemslikethere'
salwayssomethi
ngtodragme
down.Ihaven'tbeeninSAforlongbutI
'
vealready
gotasecretandthisonecouldcostmemyl i
fe.
TheHi
tWoman
11
_
Cami
la
Idi
dn'
ttrustJamestot
akemypr omiseser
iousl
y,a
manli
kehi m want
stodowhateverhewants
wit
houtanyonetel
li
nghi
m whatnottodo.I
i
mmedi atel
yhir
edabodyguar
df orCl
ay.
me:Ineedyout owat
chhi
m al
lthet
ime,keepyour
focusonhim andwat
choutf
oranyonewholooks
suspici
ons,
clear?
hi
m:yes,
I'
m goodi
nmygame,
he'
l
lbesaf
ewi
thme.
me:don'
tlethi
m not
iceyouf
oll
owi
nghi
mthough.
Henoddedandwedi scussedpaymentdet ai
ls.I
wenttoClay'
splaceaft
erwards,want
ingtofi
ndout
i
ndetailaboutt
hesoftwarehewasdoi ngfor
James'company.Iaskedhim casual
lywhathewas
worki
ngon.
hi
m:wel lit
'sacoolbanki
ngsof t
war efort
hiscert
ain
business,I
'vebeenworki
ngoni tforawhileandit'
s
fi
nallydone.I'
mjustdoi
ngfinaltest
ingandt hen
waittohearfrom t
hepeoplepurchasingit
.
me:t
heymustbewi
ll
ingt
opayaf
ort
unef
ori
t.
him:probabl
ybuttheyareref
usingtopaythe
amountIwant ,
thi
spartofthejobisoneIhat
e.I'm
notforci
nganyonetopurchasemysof t
ware,Ican
selli
ttowhoeverIwant.
Inodded, understandi
ngthegi
stoft hewholethi
ng.
ObviouslyJamesandhi sbusi
nessassociateswant
thesoftwar eatalesserpr
icet
houghi t'
sworthalot
.
Ishouldpr obablyfi
ndawayt osortoutthi
swhole
thi
ngbef oreJamesdeci desonaPl anB.
*
*
Iwentgol
fi
ngwithmyfathert
henextday,
aoncei
n
awhil
epleasur
ebetweenus.
hi
m:howdi
ditgowi
thJames?
me:Ir
efusedt
odot
hehi
t.
hi
m:youmusthavehandl
edi
tpr
ett
ywel
lhuh?
me:Idi
d.What
'syourdealwi
thhi
mreal
ly?
hi
m:he'sanint
erest
ingmant
hatwecoul
dhave
benef
it
edfr
om.
Hewoul
dn'
ttel
lmet
hewhol
est
ory,
itwasupt
ome
t
ofi
ndout.
him:I
'm sur
pri
sedhedidn'
tcal
lmeaf
teryou
ref
usedhim,Iexpect
edhimto.
me:youcanf orgetaboutbenefi
ti
ngfr
om him.I
fhe
evercal
lsyou,Idon'tt
hinkhe'
llevenment
ionmy
name.
Myf athereyedmewithalookofcuriositybutl
ike
him,Iwasn'tonet
otellt
hewhol est
or y.Idon'
teven
careifhefoundsoutwhyIrefusedthishitfr
om
Jamesandevenpr
omi
sedt
obehi
swor
st
ni
ghtmar
e.
_
Et
han
Afterhelpi
ngThul anitocleanupt hebl oodand
messcr eatedf rom hi
sstrugglewi tht hemanhe
kil
led,Il
eftwithoutawor dtohi m.Iwaspi ssed,no
l
ie.Hehadmademeanaccompl icei namur derand
thatwasj ustthefinalstr
awi nourf riendship,Idon'
t
carethathe'smycousi n,Iwon'thelphi m wi t
h
anythingelse.Ihadaf ewgl assesofwhi skeyand
knockedmysel fout.Thenextmor ning, Iwaswoken
upbyacal lf
rom anunknownnumber .
me:hel
lo
voi
ce:hey,
it'
sOkuhl
e.
Ishutmyeyesandr
ubbedmyhead,
Ihadal
it
tl
e
headache.
me:yeah.
her
:youdor
ememberme,
right
?
me:Ido,
Ijusthaveal
it
tl
eheadache.
her
:fr
om t
hepl
acesyouhadt
obel
astni
ght
?
Ibar
elyr
ememberedmyconver
sat
ionwithher
,my
mindhadbeenpr
eoccupi
edwit
hThulani
'
ssaga.
me:yes,
from t
hat
.Iwasn'
texpect
ingyourcal
lso
soon.
her:for
giveme, Icanbeabitpr
esumptuousat
ti
mes.Howaboutbr eakf
astandastr
ongblack
coffeetoeasethatheadacheofyour
s,youcan
comet omypl aceorwecouldmeetsomewhere.
Presumptuouswouldbetheperfectwor
dto
descri
beher.Idon'
twanttobejumpingint
obed
withherbutbreakf
astandgoodcompanycouldn'
t
hurt.
me:howaboutwemeetup, t
extmetherest
aur
ant
wecoul
dgetbreakf
astatandI'
llbet
her
e.
her
:cool
,seeyout
hen.
Iendedt hecal
landwenttotakeashower.Ithen
gotdressedandcheckedoutthetextOkuhlehad
sent.Icall
edanUberandmetheratt hatr
estaur
ant
.
Shewasf l
ir
tyl
ikel
astni
ghtbutIenjoyedher
company.
her:l
ook,myuncl
ehasaconstr
uct
ioncompanyand
Icouldtal
ktohi
m andseei
fhecangetyoua
posit
ionther
e.
me:I
'
m notsur
eaboutt
hat
,youdon'
thavet
o.
her:I
'
llmakesurehegetsyouaposi ti
onsui t
abl
efor
yourski
ll
smaybesomet hingl
ikeconstructi
on
managerorsomear chi
tectwork.Idon'
tmi nddoi
ng
thi
sforyou,unl
essyouhavebet t
eroptions.
me:Idon'
tact
ual
ly,
IguessIcoul
dappr
eci
atet
hat
.
her:It
houghtyouwoul
d.Myuncl
ewoul
dbegl
adt
o
havesomeoneasquali
fi
edasyouar
e.
Ispentacouplemorehourswit
hherandthenwent
backhome.Ihadnot hi
ngt
odosoIj ustl
azed
around,pl
ayi
ngvideogames.Someoneknockedon
thedoorandIwenttoopen,f
indi
ngThulanionmy
doorstep.
hi
m:shobr
a.
me:sho.
Idi
dn'
tal
lowhi
minsi
del
ikeIusual
lydi
d.
hi
m:ar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmei
nsi
de?
me:whyar
eyouher
e?
hi
m:Iseeyoustil
lpi
ssedaboutl astni
ght,l
ookman,
whathappenedwastotalmistakeandIdidn'
tpl
an
onbri
ngingyoui
ntoit
.I'm sor
ry,Ihonest
lyam.
me:cool
.
hi
m:t
hat
’si
t?
me:whatmor
edoyouwantmet
osay?
hi
m:Idon'
tknow,youcouldal
lowmein,
getabeer
andwecoul
dplayvideogamesorsomethi
ng.Tel
l
methi
ngsareokaybetweenus.
me:Thulaniafterl
astni
ght,Idon'
teverexpectt
o
seeyouinsidemyhouse.I fyou'
rei
nt r
oubleor
anythi
ng,don'tcal
lmeorevent hi
nkaboutme.We
aredone,thatwasthelastti
meyoupul l
edmei nto
yourshit
.
hi
m:youcan'
tbeser
ious?
me:Iam.
Iat
tempt
edt
ocl
oset
hedoorbuthebl
ockedi
twi
th
hi
sfoot
.
hi
m:whatabouti
Oul
ady(
mymot
her
)?
me:I'l
lst
il
lcometoseeher,she'
smyauntandI'
ll
alwayscareabouther
.Oneday,Ihopeyou'
l
lsee
thepainyou'
recausi
ngher,
Ireall
yhopeyoudo.
Ishutt
hedoorandwentt
osi
tdown.
_
Segomot
so
OnSunday, Ncebaneededhi
sschoolbooksand
clothesthathedidn'
ttakewi
thhimfr
om hisaunt
's
placesowewentt her
eeventhoughhewas
reluctant
.
me:shewon'tdoanyt
hing,
she'
l
lpr
obabl
yinsul
tus
andthat
'snoprobl
em.
Wegottoherhouseandwenttoknock.Oneofher
chi
ldr
enopenedandimmediat
elyshoutedt
oher
mother.
her
:Mama,
nanguuNceba(
Her
e'sNceba)
.
Shecamet
othedooraf
ewmoment
slat
erand
l
ookedatusi
ncont
empt
.
her
:Nceba,
wher
ewer
eyou?
hi
m:Iwasst
ayi
ngwi
thsi
sSegomot
so.
me:he'
sher
etof
etchhi
sbooksandcl
othes.
her
:oh,
meani
ng?
me:he'
l
lbest
ayi
ngwi
thme.
her
:got
akewhat
everyouwant
.
Ncebawenti
nsi
deandIwasl
eftwi
thher
.
her
:whogaveyout
her
ightt
otakehi
m asi
fhehas
nohome?
me:hehadnosui
tabl
ehomeandI
'
m mer
elyhel
ping
hi
m out
.
her
:andwhatr
elat
iondoyouhavewi
thhi
m?
me:I'
m someonewhounder
standshim andsaw
whathewasgoingthr
oughwhil
estayi
nghere.
her
:Icanrepor
tyouforthi
s,Ncebaisn'
tanyt
hingt
o
youandhereyouaretaki
nghimlikehisyour
s.
me:I
'
m nott
heonl
yoneawar
eofNceba'
ssi
tuat
ion,
t
hepeopl
eatt
heyout
hcent
recansayal
ott
oo.
Ncebacamewi
thhi
sst
uffandst
oodnextt
ome.
me:gotever
ythi
ng?
hi
m:yes
Nceba'
saunt:Ncebai
fyouwal koutthi
sgate,
you
bet
ternotcomebackhereagain,evenwhenshe
ki
cksyououttothest
reet
slikeadog.
Wemadeourwayoutwi t
hherscreami
nginsul
tsat
us.Iwasgladtohavegot
tenNcebaoutofthi
stoxi
c
envi
ronment.
hi
m:whati
fsher
eal
lyr
epor
tsyoul
ikeshesai
d.
me:don'
tworr
yaboutt
hat
,I'
l
lhandl
ethi
s.You
ar
en'
tcomingbackher
e.
WewentbacktomyapartmentandImetupwi t
h
somefr
iendsandl
eftNcebatodohisschoolwor
k.
WhenIcameback,Ncebatol
dmet hatt
herewas
someguywhohadcomel ooki
ngforme.
me:di
dhesaywhohewas?
hi
m:no,
hesai
dhewoul
dcomebackl
ater
.
IhopeditwasnotMandl a,Iwasdamnt ir
edofhi m.
Imadedi nnerandNcebaandIat elat
er.Someone
knockedandIwentt oopen,prayi
ngitwasn't
Mandla.Itwasn't
,itwassomeoneIdidn'texpectto
seeaftersomanyyear s.
hi
m:Sho.
Hehadhi shandsinhispocket
,st
il
lst
oodinhis
gangstermannerwithacapobstr
ucti
nghalfhi
s
facebutIeasi
lyrecogni
sedhim.
me:Khumo.
hi
m:al
mostt
houghtyouf
orgotwhoIwas.
Ibel
ieveawoman'
sfi
rstl
ovei
sunf
orget
tabl
e.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
him:I
'
m backi
ntownandI'
vebeenmeaningt
o
comeseeyou,
itwasdi
ff
icul
ttof
indyou.
me:okaybutwhyexact
lyar
eyouher
etoseeme?
hi
m:comeonSkat
.
me:don'
tskatme.
hi
m:Iguessf
ir
stt
hingIshoul
dhavesai
dist
hatI
'
m
sor
ryf
orthewayIlef
tandj
ustdi
sappear
ingonyou
whenyouneededme.
me:Mybrotherhasbeendeadfor4year
s,Idon'
t
needyoui
nmyl ifeanymore.
him:I'
m sorryaboutyourbrother
,youpr obabl
y
blamemef orhi
sdeathbutIwasn' tt
heonewhogot
him addi
ctedtodrugs.IalwaystoldthepeopleI
soldtothattheyshouldusethem wisely,oncei
na
whileandnotgetaddicted.
Damn, hehadthenervet
osaythat,
Ifel
tli
ke
screamingtohi
m allt
hehur
tIfel
twhenI
discover
edmybr ot
herhadover
dosedondr ugsbut
Istoppedmyself
.
me:don'
tgot
her
e,don'
tyoudar
e.Justl
eaveme
al
one.
him:look,I
'm achangedman.I 'vestoppedal
lthose
shadythings,I
'vestoppedusingandhavebeen
cleanfor2years.Myl i
feisontr ackandIwantto
dowhat everIcantomakeupf ormypastmi st
akes,
thati
ncludesgetti
ngyourf or
giveness.IknowIhurt
youandI '
m sorry,
givemeachancet oshowyou
t
hat
.
me:I'
m notgivi
ngyouadamnchancet
odo
anyt
hing,
leavemealone.
Ishutt
hedoorandleanedmybackagai
nstit
,
cal
mingmyselfandtryi
ngt
opushbackthe
memoriescomingbacktome.
Nceba:hey,
areyouokay?
me:I
'
mfi
ne.
I'
vemadei tal
ltheseyear
swi t
houtbreaki
ngdown,
I'
m notabouttobreakdownnowj ustbecausemy
fi
rstl
ovewasbackwi t
hallt
hebadmemor i
esI
neverwantedtoremember .
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Eskom del
ayedthi
sinser
t,Iwasgoingt
opostitl
ast
night
.CanIget10+comment s,
pleaser
eader
s,tel
l
mehowt hestor
yiscomingalongandwhatyou
expectt
ohappen.
TheHi
tWoman
12[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
Aweekpassedaf t
ermyencount erwithJamesand
Ihadasol ut
iontoguaranteethanhewoul dn'
ttake
Clay'
ssoftwarewithoutpayi
ngClay'spri
ce.Ihadt o
talkt
oaf ewguysandputJamesi nhisplace.Iwas
i
nmyof f
ice,wor
kingandwai ti
ngforsomebr iefi
ngs
from af
ewempl oyees.Myphoner anganditwas
theguy.guardi
ngCl ay
me:i
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Hewassil
entf
oraf ewsecondsandIhear
dnoi
sei
n
t
hebackgr
ound,si
rensspeci
fi
cal
ly.
hi
m:I'
m sorr
y,t
herewasnothi
ngIcoul
ddo.Hewas
hi
tbyasnipert
hatmusthavebeenonahi
ght
bui
ldi
ng.
Mybrai
nstoppedworki
ngforamomentandI
coul
dn'
tcomprehendwhathehadt
oldme.
me:sayt
hatagai
n?
hi
m:hewashi
tbyasni
per
.
Pl
ainandsi
mpl
e,Cl
aywashi
tbyasni
per
.Ifhewas
hitbyasni per,itonlymeantthathewasdeadr ight
now.Sni persai mrightf
orheadort hechest,
instant
kil
l.Idon'tknowwhathappenedbutsuddenl yI
foundmysel funabletobreat
h, t
heguyont hephone
saidsomet hingt omebutIcoul dn'thearhim.
Someonewal kedintomyof f
ice,Segomot so.
her
:Cami
la,
areyouokay?
Iwastryi
nghardtobreathbutithadsuddenl
y
becomeani mpossi
bletask.Icl
utchedt
hephone
ti
ghtl
yinmyhand, wi
ll
ingittogivemebackmy
breat
horjustbr
eak.
Sego:Cami
la,
lookatme.Focusonmyf
aceand
breat
h.
Segomotso'
sfacewascalmi nf
rontofmeandI
tr
iedmybesttobreathagai
nandinsti
lthat
calmnessi
nmysel f.
Sego:
that
'sr
ight
,justbr
eat
handyou'
l
lbef
ine.
Ishutmyeyesandsi
ghedheavi
ly,
myheadnow
cl
ear.
Sego:
shoul
dIgetyousomewat
er?
Shehel
daf ol
derinherhandandIrememberedt hat
Iwassupposedtogetabrief
ingonourl
atestcl
ient.
me:l
eavet
hef
olderandgetout
.
Shewashesi tantandIl ookedupather ,mygaze
i
cyandpenet rati
ng.Shedr oppedt hef ol
deronmy
tableandwal kedout .Isatt hereforawhi le,sort
ing
outmyt houghtsandt hingsIhadt odo.Ineededt o
seeCl ay'sbody,toseet hebul letwoundwhi chI
hopedwasonhi sheadbecausehewoul dn'
thave
hadanyt imetof eelanypai norr eali
sehewas
dying.NextIneededmen, menwhowoul dbel oyal
tomeabovemyf ather.OnceIhadt hem, thenI
coul dgettoJames.Hur tint hewor stpossibleway
befor ewatchi
nghi m die.Thatwasf orsure,Iwould
wat chJamesdi eapai nf uldeat h.
_
Segomot
so
Ihadalongdayatwor kandjustbef
oreIknocked
off
,IdecidedtocheckifCamilawassti
lli
n.Iwent
uptoherof f
iceandfoundthatshehadleft
.I'
vehad
exper
ienceswi t
hpanicatt
acksanditwaseasyt o
seet hatCami lawashavingonewhenIwal kedin.
Atf i
rstIwasshockedbecauseCami lalookedlike
thetypet hatwasunshakabl ebyanyt hingbut
clearlywhatevernewssher eceivedont hephone
thatshecl utchedwi t
hherli
fedismayedher .Her
panicat t
ackonl ylastedf
oralit
tlewhi l
eandonce
shewasokay, shewasbackt oSt oneCol dCami l
a
asifnot hinghadhappenedandheri ntensegaze
spokevol ume.
Iknockedof
fandheadedtomyapart
ment.Just
whenIwasabouttoentermyapar
tmentbui
ldi
ng,I
foundKhumostandi
ngthere.
hi
m:I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.
me:whati
sityouwantf
rom me?
hi
m:Iwantt
oshowyout
hatI
'
m changedman,
have
di
nnerwi
thme?
me:Iwon'tbedoi
ngshi
twi
thyou,I
'mt
iredand
woul
dliketogotomyapar
tmentandr
elaxso
pl
ease,
leavemealone.
It
ri
edsi
dest
eppi
nghi
m buthebl
ockedmypat
h.
him:Wecanorderf
oodatyourapar
tmentandyou
canrel
axwhi
leItel
lyouaboutmyli
fesofar
.
me:Ihaveateenagerl
ivi
ngwi
thme,
youwantt
o
gethi
m hookedondrugs?
him:no,never
.I'
vestoppedsel
li
ngyear
sagoand
I'
vequitusi
ngtoo,Iswear.
Helookedsincereanditwashar
dnott obel
ievehi
m
andIhatedthat.I
tseemedli
keIsti
llhada
weaknesstohim.
me:Khumoplease,
you'
reachangedman,
fine
t
hat'
sgreat
.Justst
ayawayfr
om me.
him:Skatcomeon, j
ustdi
nnerandnothi
ngmore.I
real
lywantyoutoseeforyoursel
fhowmuchI'
ve
changedsothatyoucanbeabl etof
orgi
veme,j
ust
givemethatchance.
God,t
hemor ehebegged,t
helessIhadt hewillt
o
saynotohim.ImetKhumowhenIwas16, hewas
mybrother'
sfr
iendandIwoul
dhangoutwi t
ht hem
qui
teoft
en.Khumowasver yf
lir
tytowardsmeand
mybrotherwarnedmeabouthimj ustashewar ned
meaboutallboys.Khumowast hebadboyt ype,I
wasawar eoft hatf r
om t hemomentIsawhi m andI
foundhi m char ming, hewashandsomeandst reet
wisesot hatwasal lt hatattr
actedanyt eenager .He
i
nt r
oducedmybr othert ot hecrimewor l
dandmy
brotherwasgl adtobeapar tofitbecausehewas
abletobuyf ood,clot hesandwhat everel sewe
needed.NextKhumogavemybr otherdr ugsandI
wasonl yawar eoft hataf ewmont hsl ater.Ithought
drugswer ebadbutKhumoconvi ncedmeot herwise
andIf oundmysel fusi ngwi thhim.I twasf un,
Khumohadhi smi st akesandf l
awsbutIt hought
everymanwasl i
ket hat.Thent hingswentsout h,
myl if
egotr uined, Khumodi sappear edandmy
brotherover dosedondr ugs.Nowt hatI'
m ol der,I
reali
sedt hatKhumohadt akenadvant ageofme
andmyf oolishnessandt henleftmedr yandal one.
Wear ebothgr ownandmat uredadul t
snowbuti t'
s
noteasyt of orgetwhathappenedi nthepast .I
woul dli
ket obechar medandgul li
bletoKhumo' s
sincerit
yr i
ghtnowbuthehur tmebadl y.
me:Ican'
t.
Hel
ookedatmef
oramomentandt
henpul
ledhi
s
capdownhi
sface.
hi
m:Ihopeyou'
l
lbeabl
etosomeday.
Hewal kedawayandIwatchedhim go,t
heteenager
i
nmewi shingtocal
lhi
m backandfindcomforti
n
hisembr acebutt
hegrownwomani nmewas
resol
ute.
_
Et
han
Okuhl espoketoheruncl esoonerthanIexpect ed
andaf terabri
efinter
viewwi ththeman, Ihadt he
j
ob.Apar tofmewonder edaboutOkuhl e'smot i
ve
butIqui ckl
ydismissedthoset houghts,deci di
ngt o
bet hankful
.Icall
edherandaskedheroutf ordinner,
shesai dyeswi t
hnohesi tat
ion.Shepi ckedt he
placeandImethert hereat6pm.Shehadgoneal l
outt olookbeauti
ful,
asexydr essandmaybeabi t
toomuchmakeupbutIdi dn'tdwellonthat.
me:youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
her
:real
ly?
me:yes,
youdo.
her
:thankyou,
youal
sol
ookeddashi
ngMr
.
Wegotat
abl
eandor
derourf
oodanddr
inks.
me:Whatdidyousayt
oyourunclebecauseit
seemedli
keIhadthej
obt
hemi nuteIwalkedi
nto
hisof
fi
ce.
her:notmuch, youhadagooddegr eefr
om t
heUK
andexcellentworki
ngexper
ience,hewouldhave
beenaf oolnottohir
eyouont hespot.
me:wel
lthankyou,
Iappr
eci
atei
t.
her
:youowemeone.
Shesai ditasajokebutIf el
tsomet ruthinit
,Idid
oweheraf avourandhopef ull
yit
'sj
usthavingf un
withher.Shespokeaboutherf amil
y,twoolder
brothersandover bear
ingfatherandabouther
fr
iendsandpl acesshel i
kedt ovi
sit
.Ili
stenedand
wef li
rt
edcasually.Aft
erdinner,sheinvit
edmet o
herplaceandIdi dn'tr
efuse.
*
*
Iwasst
art
ingmynewj
obi
nthef
oll
owi
ngweekand
i
nt hemeant i
me, Okuhle'
suncle,Muzihadgiven
met hel i
stofhi scurrentconst
ructi
ons,pl
ansand
designst oreadupon.Ihadt hetit
leofconstr
ucti
on
managerandi thadqui t
eanumberoft asks.I
famili
arizedmysel fwi t
hthestuffMuzigaveme.I
gotacal lfr
om ani nter
nati
onalnumberandI
answer ed,thi
nki ngitwasmybr otherbecausehe
wasal waysget t
inganewone.Theper sonont he
l
inewasanol derwoman.
her
:Et
han,
I'
m SusanSt
evenson,
I'
m yourf
ather
's
wif
e.
me:myf
ather
?
her:yes,MelumziBri
an.Iprobabl
yshouldn'tbe
contacti
ngyoubutIthinkyoudeservetoknow
aboutyourfather
'sconditi
onevenifyouhaveno
rel
ationshi
pwithhim.He'shadahear tat
tackandis
i
nacommai nhospit
al,doctor
saren'
tsureifhe'
ll
makei t.
Ididn'tknowwhatt
osay,ahadalotofmi
xed
feeli
ngsi nsi
deme,
shockt
henanger.
me:whyar
eyout
ell
i
ngme?
her:becauseyoudeserevet
oknow.Yourfather
l
ovesyou, al
wayshasandhenevercontactedyou
becausehebelievedyoudeser
vedabett
erfather
thanhim.
me:hei
sn'
tmyfat
her
,myf
atheri
sJacob,
that
'st
he
manwhorai
sedme.
Iwasaboutt
oendt
hecal
lbutshest
oppedme.
her:j
ustcomeseehim once,thesemightbehisl
ast
days.Wel i
vei
nTopsham asmal ltowninDevon,
SouthWestofUK.Hisnewi dentit
yisBruce
Stevensonnow.
Iendedthecallwhenshefel
lsi
lentandstar
edati
t
i
nanger .Ther
ewasnowayIwasgoi ngtoseehi
m,
evenifhe'sonhisdyi
ngbed,heshoulddi
ebecause
that
'swhathedeserves.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
I'
mtr
yingmybesttopostwheneverIcan.10+
commentspl
ease
TheHi
tWoman
13
_
Cami
la
Istar
edatCl ay'
sdeadbody, asheetcover edhis
l
owerbodyandIl ookedathischest ,wherethe
bull
etwoundwas.Hehadbeenawar eofthepain,
awarethathewasdyi ngandt hathecouldn'tbe
saved.Istar
edathi spalefaceandr anmyhands
aroundit
,touchingitfort
hel astti
me.Claygaveme
awonder f
ulexperienceinli
fe,love.Heshowedme
l
oveandmademef eeli
tdeepi nsideme,forthe
fi
rstandtheonlytime.
me:Il
oveyou.
Ipull
edthesheetoverhisf
aceandmademyway
out.Imetaguyofmi newhodidsomer esearchf
or
mef orsomepeople.Todayhehadinf
ormat i
on
aboutthemeninmyf at
her
'sgang.
hi
m:howmanymendoyouneed?
me:atl
eastt
hree.
him:good,I
'vegott
het
opfi
veguyst
her
ethatmeet
thecri
ter
iayougaveme.
me:justgi
vemethefi
lesont
hem andI
'
llcal
lwhenI
needanythi
ngel
se.
Itookthef il
esandwentt omycar ,dri
vingt omy
apartment .Igott hereandr eadt hefil
es.Fi rstguy
hadbeeni nmyf ather'sgangf orjustovert woyear s
andhadasi ckmot herwhoneededt reatmentt hat
wascost l
y.Secondguyhadt wodaught erst hathe
wasr aisingonhi sownandhadbeeni nmyf ather'
s
gangf orf i
veyear s.Thi r
dguywasnewt ot hegang
andhadabeaut ifulfi
ancée.Ir eadthef i
lesont he
othertwoguys, buttheywer en'tgoodenough.I
wouldset t
lef orthef i
rstthreebecauset heyhad
peoplet heyloveddeepl y,andIcoul deasi l
ygett o
them andguar anteet heguys' l
oyaltytome.Iwoul d
payof fthet reatmentf orthefir
stguy'ssi ckmot her,
paybur saryf ort heot her'
sdaught ersandgi vea
niceweddi ngpr esentf orthelastone’sf iancée.
Thattoget herwi thaf ewwor dsofadvi cewoul dbe
goodenough.
*
*
Ionlywentt othegraveyar dforClay'
sfuneraland
stoodattheback.Idi dn'tbothergoingtoClay'
s
famil
y,Ihadspokent ohi smotheraf ewdaysago
andthatwasenough.Iwat chedhernow, cryi
ngas
herhusbandhel dher.Cl ay'
ssisterwasbesidethem,
herfacecomposedandeyesdr y.IwatchedClay's
coffi
nsli
dedownt hegr aveandIknewwhatIhadt o
doafterthis.Il
inger
edf orawhi lewhenpeopl elef
t.
Clay'
ssistercamet omeandweappr ai
sedeach
other.
her
:thepol
icedi
smi
ssedyouasasuspectqui
te
qui
ckly,
sai
dyouwerecl
ean.
me:whatdoyout
hink?
her
:Idon'
tknow,butI
'
m notsosur
ethatyouhad
not
hingtodowit
hhisdeat
h.
Ist
udiedherf
oramoment
,gaugi
ngwhatshe
wanted.
me:thepol
icear
eusel
ess,
theywon'
tfi
ndwhodi
d
t
his.
her
:andyouwi
ll
?
me:I
'
llbur
nhi
m al
ive.
Itur
nedandwenttomycar .Idrovet
othe
warehouseandgotpetr
olontheway.Igott
her
e
andfoundthatmyguyshadal r
eadygott
hemanI
wantedandhadhimt i
edupinachair.
hi
m:Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
me:notmuchr
eal
ly,
justt
hechancet
owat
chyou
di
e.
hi
m:You'
reCl
ayt
onEvan'
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
me:Iwas.
hi
m:Look,Iwasgivenaj
obandIdi
dit
.Ij
ustdi
dmy
j
ob,not
hingwrongwitht
hat
.
me:yeah,
youjustdi
dyourjobandIrespectt
hat
.
That
'swhyIwon'tt
ort
ureyou,notmuch.
hi
m:please,
I'
llgi
veyouthemanwhohi
redme.I
t
wasJamesMi ll
er,
kil
lhi
m,notme.
me:t
akeavi
deooft
hisguy.
Iinst
ruct
edoneofmyguysandt
oldt
hesni
pert
o
repeatwhathehadsai
d.
him:Themanwhohi
redmewasJamesMi
ll
er,
he'
s
theonewhoor
der
edmetoki
llCl
ayt
on.
Itookt
hepet
rolandpour
edi
tal
lovert
hesni
per
's
bodyashescreamed.
hi
m:Igaveyouhi
sname,
whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his.
Ili
tamat chanddr oppedi tont hesniper'slap.He
wentalightinasecondandIwat chedhi m, li
stened
tohisscreamsandf oundabi tofsat i
sfactionf r
om
them.Hewasj ustthesniperwhogotaj obanddi d
i
tbecauset hat'
swhathedoesbutIhadt odot his.
Attheendoft heday, hetookai m andki l
ledt he
wrongper son,i
tdoesn’tmat terifi
twast heguyhe
washi r
edt okil
l.It
oldmyguyt osendt hevi deoto
James, Iwanthi mtoknowt hatIwillburnhi m ali
ve
too,butIwillmakeitfun.
_
Et
han
Iwouldhavelikedt obeindif
fer
enttothecallIhad
recei
ved,
pretendt hatIdidn'
tcarethatmyfather
wasinhospital,butitbot
heredme.I '
vebeenangry
atMelumziforyear s,henotonlyabandonedme
aft
erpr omisingt obet hereformewhenIwasaki d,
buthewasaki ll
er,awomanabuserand" TheDevil
Himself"ast hetitl
eofhi sbooksays.Yeah, hehad
aroughchi ldhoodbutsomeormostoft het hi
ngs
hedi disadultlif
ear eruthlessandunf or
gi vabl
e.I
'm
notevensur ehebecamet hechangedmanhe
cl
aimedt obei nt hefinalchaptersofhisbook.I
decidedtogoseemyauntandseewhatshehadt o
say.Iwasl uckyt hatshewasal one,Thulaniwas
outdoingwhat everhedoes.Shei nsi
stedon
maki ngmel unchandwesatdown.
me:Igotacal
lfr
om anol
derwomantoday,she
sai
dshewasSusanStevenson,
Mel
umzi'swife.
her
:Mel
umzi
,yourf
ather
?
me:yes.
her:he'
sstil
lal
ive,
wher
eishesi
nceheescaped
fr
om prison?
me:I
nUKandhemightnotbeal
iveforl
ong,
his
wi
fetol
dmet
hathehadaheartatt
ack.
her
:shewant
syout
ocomeseehi
m?
me:yes,andIdon'
tthi
nkIwantt
o,bi
ologi
cal
lyhe'
s
myfatherbutt
hat'
sall
.
Shenoddedandsi
ppedhert
ea.
her:Ineverunderst
oodwhatyourmot herloved
abouthim andIdon'tknowi fsheknewt heextentof
hiscri
mesandshadywor l
d.Shel ovedhim but
knewhewasn' treadytobeaf at
herandaf raidtoo.
8yearslatershesawt hathewasr eadyandcoul d
acceptyou.
me:onl
yforal
it
tl
ewhi
le.
her
:whatdi
dhiswi f
esayaboutt
her
easonhedi
dn'
t
youcont
actal
ltheseyear
s?
me:becausehet
houghtIdeser
vedabet
terf
ather
,a
bul
lshi
tstor
ymostl
ikel
y.
her:soundslikethetruthi
fyouputyourselfi
nhis
shoes.Idon'tthinkIcanconvinceyouthathe'sa
worthyfatheroranythingli
kethatbecauseIdon't
knowandnei t
herdoyou.Goseehi minhospital
,
youmi ghtbel uckyandhearsomet hi
ngfrom himif
hegainsconsci ousness.Thi
smi ghtbeyouronly
chance.
*
*
Twodaysl aterIdeci dedt ogoseehi m wi thapar t
ofmehopi nghewoul dn'tgainconsci ousnesssoI
wouldn'thavet ol i
stent owhat everhehadt osay.I
wasn’treadyt oletgooft heyear sofangerIhadi n
me.Ical l
edSusanandt oldherIwascomi ng, she
gavemet henameoft hehospi talMel umzi wasi n.I
gottoDevonandmademywayt ot hehospi t
al .I
wonderedwhyt heyhadset tl
edi ntheUKandi fI
wasaf actori nthatdeci sion.Igott ot hehospi t al
andaskedf orhisr oom.If oundawomanwhomust
havebeenSusan, sitti
ngbyhi sbedsi de.Hewas
hookedt omachi nesandIwat chedt hemoni torof
hisvit
als.Hisf acewasdi ffer
entt hatIr emember ed,
olderandl i
feless.Susannot i
cedmest andingby
thedoorandst ood.
her
:Et
han,
it'
sni
cet
omeetyou.
Ishookherhandandshest
eppedasi
de,al
lowing
met ogetcl
osert
oMelumzi
'sbedbutIdi
dn't
.
me:howl
onghashebeeni
nher
e?
her
:aweek.Hehasn'
tgai
nedconsci
ousness.
Itwashar
dt ostareathi
sli
fel
esssel
fincont
empt
,a
partofmefeltpi
tyforhi
m.
me:howl
onghaveyoubeenhi
swi
fe?
her
:12yearsbutIknewhimf orl
onger
,wemet
bef
orehegotarr
ested.Ayearaft
erheescaped,he
cal
ledmeandtoldmeal otofthi
ngsbefor
easking
tomarr
yme.Itwasahar ddecisi
ontomakebutI
l
ovedthemanhehadbecomeandagr eed,changed
mynamet oSusanStevensonandweset t
ledhere.
me:why?
her
:hewant
edt
obecl
osert
oyou.
me:yetnoti
nmyl
if
e,nott
hatIwoul
dhave
accept
edhim.
her
:heknewt hatandlikeItol
dyouonthephone,
hethoughtyoudeser vedbetterandwer
ebet t
eroff
wit
houthim.Hewasachangedmanbutst il
lbeat
hi
mselfupf orhispastmi st
akesandchoices.
Ir
eal
lywasn'
treadyf
ort
his.
me:I
'
m goi
ngt
ochecki
ntomyhot
el.
her
:youcancomeli
veinourhouse,
noneedt
o
wastemoneyatahot
el.
me:no,
I'
drat
herst
ayatahot
el,
Idon'
tmi
nd.
her
:okay,canyouatl
eastcometoourhousef
ora
bi
t,t
here'
ssomethi
ngIwanttoshowyou.
Iagreedandwewentt othei rhouse.Shel edme
i
nsideandof f
eredmeadr inkwhi chIref
used.She
thenledmet oMelumzi'
sst udy.Onacor ner,
there
wasaboar dfil
ledwit
hpictur esofme.Iwal ked
closerandexaminedthem.Ther ewerepicturesof
mef rom t
hetimeIwasl i
tt
le, somehadmymot her
i
nt hem andtherewereonesofmeasat eenager,
graduati
nginhighschoolandi ncoll
ege.
Susan:wewer
ether
eonyourgr
aduat
ions,
sit
ti
ngat
theback.
me:wher
edi
dhegett
heot
herpi
ctur
es?
her
:fr
om Jacob.
Thatsur
pri
sedme,
JacobknewaboutMel
umzi
bei
ngintheUK?
me:He'
sbeeni
ncont
actwi
thJacobal
lthi
sti
me?
her :yes,butawhi leagoJacobst oppedt el
li
nghi m
abouthowyouwer edoingandt ol
dhi mt oaskyou
directly.Yourfatherdesperatel
ywant edt obea
father, buthedidn’tknowhowt odot hatandr ather
convi ncedhi mselfthathedidn’tdeser vet obeone.
Itdidn’thelpthatmychi ldrenneverr eall
yaccept ed
him asaf ather
,hewasj ustmyhusbandt othem,
sti
llisandIhavest oppedf orci
ngt hem t o.
TheideaofthemanIt houghthehadbecomewas
crumbli
ngandal lt
heemotionsswi r
ledar oundme
andIwasn'tsureofwhattot hinkorf eelanymor e.I
t
wasbetterhat
inghimthant hinkingot her
wi se.
*
***
***
***
***
***
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
14[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
hi
m:MyplanonRomanowon' tbet
akingoff
anyt
imesoon,
hist
iesandal
li
esaredeepert
han
whatIt
hought
.
me:youshoul
dfigur
eoutabett
erpl
an,
cashi
non
yourf
avour
swiththeRussi
ans.
hi
m:There'
snotmuchtodowithfavour
s,Ineedan
i
nsideper
son.Someonewi
ll
ingtogoagainst
Romano,maybethesont
hathateshim.
Iwasatmyf ather'
shouse,di
scussingsome
businesswithhim.Iwasget t
ingmor ei
nvol
vedin
hi
saf fai
rswiththegang,hisfri
endsandenemies.
Wedr ankwhi skeyandfi
nishedoffonthepressi
ng
mat t
ers.Iwasabouttoleavewhenhement ioned
Clay.
hi
m:Isawaboutt
hatCl
ayEvansboy,ashamewhat
happenedt
ohi
m.Hewasyourboyfr
iend.
me:yes,
hewas.
hi
m:Ialwaystol
dyouthatlovewasbad,
itcr
eat
es
unnecessar
ycompl
icat
ionsinli
feandmakesus
weak.
Ist
aredathi
mf oramoment
,tr
yingt
ofi
gur
eouthi
s
cur
rentmoti
ves.
me:IguessIshoul
dhavel
ist
enedt
oyou.
him:wel
earnf
rom ourmi
stakest
hought
heai
mis
tonotmakemi
stakes.
me:wi
sewor
ds.
Ishookmyheadandmademywayoutofhi sof
fice.
Iwenttomineandsearchedinmydrawerfora
speci
fi
cbusinesscar
d.Ifoundi
tandstaredatt
he
namebefor
edi al
li
ngthenumberpri
nted.
hi
m:Al
exandr
aRomanospeaki
ng.
me:I
t'
sDavi
s.
Thewassi
lencef
oraf
ewsecondsandIwai
ted.
him:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyou'
devercontactme,you
seemedadamantaboutstayi
ngclearofyour
fat
her'
senemiesandt
heirsons.
me:howaboutt
hatdi
nnersoyoucanshar
eyour
pr
eposi
ti
ons?
hi
m:whyt
hechangeofmi
ndCami
la?
me:becauseI'
vegotafewplansofmyownandwe
mi
ghtbenefitf
rom eachot
her.
hi
m:okay,
I'
llmaker
eser
vat
ionsandsendyout
he
det
ail
s.
*
*
IgottotherestaurantthatAl
exandr atexted30min
earl
yandsati nthepar ki
nglot,
wat chingthepeople
goi
ngi nandout .Alexcame20mi nl aterandI
watchedhiml ookar oundwithcautionbef oregoi
ng
i
nside.Iwai
ted15mi nmor eminutesbef oregoingin.
Iwasledtot hetableatthecornerwher eAl exsat
.
Hestoodupashesawmeappr oaching.
hi
m:I
t'
sni
cet
oseeyourCami
la.
Isatdownandhedi
dtoo.
me:I'
m notoneforf
akepl
easant
ri
essol
et'
sjust
gett
obusiness.
hi
m:okayt houghyoushouldpr
acti
ceabitof
fr
iendl
inessother
wisepeopl
ewil
lbeli
eveyou'
rej
ust
usingt
hem foryourownbenefi
t.
me:anot
herreasonIdon'
tdothefri
endl
yt hi
ngi
s
t
hatIdon'
tcarewhatpeopl
ethinkorbel
ieve.
hi
m:ouch,
thathur
ts.Atl
eastsmi
le.
me:MrgoodguyIt houghtyou'
dknowbett
er.La
tr
oppabonezzafi
niscenell
amonezza.(
Toomuch
goodnessendsupinthetrash.
)
hi
m:smili
ngisnotaboutbeingthegoodguy.La
vi
taècomef otogr
afi
a,sesorr
idi
,vi
enemegli
o.(
Lif
e
i
slikeapi
cture,i
fyousmil
e,it
'sbet
ter
.)
me:canwest
ickt
obusi
ness.
Weor deredourf oodandgotdownt obusiness.He
toldmehi splansaboutt aki
nghisf ather'
scompany,
whathewant edt odowi thitandhowIcoul dhelp
him.Isai dlit
tleaboutmypl ansbecauset heaim
rightnowwast oknowhi splansandmaki ngsure
myf atherdoesn' tgett ohim.Oncewef i
nished
talking, hepaidt hebillandwemadeourwayout .
Wewal kedt othepar kinglotandIscannedar ound
l
ooki ngf oranythingsuspi ci
ous.Iwasn' texpecti
ng
tof indonebutt henextsecond, Isawsomeone
acr osst heroadwi t
hagunai medatme.
me:yousonofabast
ard!
Iduckedbehi
ndmycarqui
ckl
yjustast
heper
son
st
art
edf
ir
ing.
Al
ex:shi
t,whot
hef
ucki
sthat
?
me:don'
tactst
upi
d,he'
spr
obabl
yyourmant
hat
yousent
.
Thebul
let
sstoppedandItur
nedtolook.Theguy
wasgone,andpeopl
estoodshockedandterr
if
ied.
me:I
'
m goi
ngt
oki
llyouAl
exandr
a,Iser
iousl
yam.
Itur
nedtolookathi
m andsawhi
m cl
utchi
nghi
s
shoulder
.Hehadbeenshot.
him:Idi
dn'
tdothi
sandi
fIdid,
Iwoul
dhavemade
sureIwasmil
esawayfr
om yousoIwoul
dn'
tget
shot.
me:youdeservedget
ti
ngshotbecauseIdon'
t
bel
ieveyouhadnothi
ngtodowiththi
s.
Igoti
nsi
demycarandheopenedt
hepassenger
seat
.
him:Ican'
tdri
ve,
andIdon'twantt
ogotothe
hospit
al,
canyoujustdr
ivemetomyplacesoIcan
sortt
hisout.
me:geti
nandI
'
m nott
aki
ngyout
oyourpl
ace.
Hegoti nsi
deandIdr ovetothewarehouse,t
ryi
ngto
fi
gureoutwhowast hatshooter
'st
arget,
meorAl ex.
There'
sal otIwoul
dn'tbeli
eveaboutAlexbutI'
m
surehewoul dn'
thaveorderedahitonmewhenhe
wasr i
ghtnexttome.
_
Segomot
so
hi
m:t
hankyouf
orf
inal
lyhavi
ngdi
nnerwi
thme.
me:Ihopeyou'
l
lbackof
faf
tert
his.
hi
m:(
smi
rki
ng)youmi
ghtnotwantmet
o.
Khumohadper sist
edonmegi vi
nghi m achanceto
showmet hathewasa" changedman"andf inal
lyI
agreed.IcouldconvincemyselfthatIagreed
becauseIwant edhimt obackoffafterthi
s,butt
he
tr
uthwast hatIwascur i
ousaboutwhathehad
donewi t
hhisl i
feandseewhatt ypeofmanhewas
now.
me:so,
star
ttal
kingt
hensowecangett
hisover
wi
th.
him:youwon'tescapet hateasil
y.IwanttosayI'
m
sorryaboutdisappear
ingonyou, Iwasi
ntroubl
e
withthepoli
ceandaf ewot herdangerouspeopl
e
thatIshoul
dn'thavegotteninvolvedwit
h.
Hewentont otel
lmeabouthismovetoCapeTown
andhowhegotar rest
edfor2year
sther
e.Whenhe
gotr
eleased,
hegotadecentjobatasecuri
ty
companyandhadr ecent
lygot
tenatr
ansfert
oher
e.
him:I
'
lladmitt
hatIwasaddict
edtodr
ugs,butIqui
t
them,andI'
vebeencl
eanforafewyearsnow.
me:t
hat
'sgood.
him:yeah,
andI'm sorr
ythatIgotyouandyour
brot
herhookedondr ugs,
I'm sureIruinedot
her
youngpeople'
sli
veswhenIsol dt othem.Iwoul
d
apologi
zetoeachoneoft hem ifIcould.
me:doyoumeant
hat
?
him:Ido,I
'm notsayi
ngitjusttoscoresomepoint
s
withyou,t
hatisn'
tmyi nt
entiontoni
ght.Honest
tr
uth,Ir
eall
yhavechanged.
Her
eal
lyhadandI
fIwasn'
tcar
eful
,Iwoul
dfal
lin
l
ovewi
tht
hisbet
terver
sionofhi
msel
f,nol
ies.
me:okay,
weshoul
dgo.
Hepaidandwewalkedouttohiscar
.Thedr
ivet
o
myplacewasfi
ll
edwithsi
lence.Hegott
omyplace
andparkedt
hecar.
hi
m:thankyoufortoni
ght
,IhopeI
'
veear
nedal
it
tl
e
ofyourf
orgi
veness.
me:I
'm notonet
ohol
dgr
udgesKhumosoyeah,
I
f
orgi
veyou.
hi
m:(
smi
li
ng)doyout
hinkwecoul
dbef
ri
endst
hen?
me:Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
dea.
hi
m:j
ustf
ri
ends,
not
hingmor
e.
me:we'
l
lseej
ustst
opbei
ngmyst
alker
.
Igotoutofhi
scarandwentt
omyapar
tment
.
_
Et
han
Aft
erl
eavi
ngSusan'
shouse,It
ookataxitot
he
hot
elandspentt
her
estofthedayt
here.Iwas
reeli
ngfrom whatSusant oldme, fr
om seei ngmy
fatheraft
ersomanyyear sandt hathehadact ually
l
ovedmewhi leIloathedhi mf orbeingacr uelman
andanabsentf atherthatgavemymot herno
choicebuttoescapet ot heUK.Inevergotachance
toreall
yknowhi m andImi ghtnevergetone.The
nextdayIwentt oseehi mi nthehospitalagain.
Therewasnochangei nhi sconditi
onandIonl y
stayedforafewmi nutes.ItoldSusanIwasl eaving,
andshecoul dcallmei fanyt hinghappened.I
decidedtogoseeJacobandmybr other.Icall
ed
them andtoldthem Iwascomi ng.Igottherelatein
theafter
noon.
Trevor
:yousai
dyouwer
einDevon,
whatwer
eyou
doingther
e?
me:t
oseemyf
ather
.
Tr
evor
:yourf
ather
,Mel
umzi
.
me:yes,
thoughhegoesbyBr
uceSt
evensonnow.
Jacob:hecal
ledyou?
me:no,he'
sinhospital
,hadahear
tatt
ack.Hiswif
e
cal
ledandthoughtIdeservedt
oknow.Shetoldme
Mel
umzihadbeeni
ncont
actwi
thyou.
Jacob:yes,
I'
m sorr
yIdi
dn'tt
ellyou.Hedi
dn'
twant
youknowinganythi
ngabouthim.
me:hewant
edtoknowaboutmymebutnotbe
pr
esenti
nmyli
fe.
Jacob:yes,
andawhil
eagoIreal
isedhowwrong
thatwas,It
oldhi
mtocont
actyouifhewant
edto
knowhowyouwer edoi
ng.
me:youshoul
dhavet
oldme.
hi
m:IknowandI
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
t.
Itoldthem aboutmynewj obandhowIgoti t
.
Trevortol
dmeabouthi snewgi rl
fri
endandhow
i
nf at
uatedhewaswi thher.Imissedhavingmy
brotheraround,wi
thmei nSA,wecoul donlytalk
onceort wiceaweek.Jacob'sgir
lfr
iendcooked
dinnerandweat e.Igotacallf
rom myauntl ateri
n
theeveningandshesoundeddevast ed.
her
:it
'sThul
ani
,hedi
ditagai
n.
me:what
,di
dhegetar
rest
ed?
her
:no,
he'
s.
..he'
sdead.
me:what
?
her
:hewasstabbedt
odeat
h,t
heyf
oundhi
m dead
onther
oad.
Thiswasshocki
ng,Ihadn'
texpect
edit.TaJmust
havefoundoutaboutt
hemanThul anikil
led.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
15
_
Cami
la
Isatonachairopposi
teAlex,
watchi
nghim pat
ch
himsel
fupwi t
hthemedicalki
tIhadstor
edinthe
warehouse.
hi
m:Canyouhel
pmebandagei
t?
me:youcandoi
tyour
sel
f.
hi
m:nott
ight
lyenough,
pleaseCami
la.
Ist
oodandt
ookt
hebandagef
rom t
hemedi
calki
t.I
wr
appedi
tti
ght
lyar
oundhi
sshoul
derashewi
nced.
hi
m:It hi
nkthehi
twasforyou.Theguyhadagood
ai
m onyourheadorneck,butyousawhim and
ducked,hegotmyshoul
derinst
ead.
me:I'
m sur
eyou'
rewi
shi
ngt
hathegothi
sti
ming
r
ightandshotme.
hi
m:no,Idon'
twi
shanyt
hing.I
'
m gl
adi
twasme
andnotyou.
Ifi
nishedbandagi
nghisar
m andsqueezedabi
t
hardjustf
orcontr
ol.Hecr
iedout
.
hi
m:ouch,
thepai
nwon'
tchangehowIf
eel
.
me:let
'sl
eave,
I'
lldr
iveyoubackt
other
est
aur
ant
soyoucangetyourcar.
him:youcoul
djustdr
ivemet
omyhouse,
I'
llgetmy
cartomorr
ow.
Wewal kedoutoft
hewar
ehouseandheadedtomy
car.Hegavemehisaddr
essandIdrovet
here.We
gotther
e30mi nl
ater
.
hi
m:Ihopewhoeverthatguywhoshotatusdi
dn'
t
makeyouchangeyourmindaboutworki
ngwit
hme.
me:no,
hemer
elyr
emi
ndedmet
obecar
efulofyou.
hi
m:yes,
ver
ywi sethoughIhavenoint
ent
ionof
hur
ti
ngyouordoinganythi
ngelse.
me:we'
l
lsee,
nowgetout
.
Hechuckledandst
eppedoutofmycar.Idroveof
f
andheadedtomyplace,
wantingt
orestaft
ersuch
anight
.

_
Et
han
Itookanear l
ierfli
ghttoSAt henextmor ning,
wantingt obet hereformyauntassoonasIcoul d.
Thulani'sdeathhadmer eeli
ng.Event houghIhad
cuthim outofmyl i
fe,Ididn'
twi shhim anybad
thi
ngs, Ihadhopedhewoul dsor touthistroubles
andlear nfrom hismi stakes.Iwasaf r
aidt oo,TaJ
knewmeandi fhefoundoutt hatIwasan
accompl iceint hemanThul anikill
ed,Iwasdead
meatt oo.Icoul dgettoSAandj ustgetst abbedor
shotonmywayt omyaunt 'shouse.Ihadt hat
thoughtasIlandedattheair
por
tandgotanUbert o
myaunt '
shouse.Af ewrel
ati
veswer
eal r
eadythere,
andIgreetedthem asIheadedtomyaunt's
bedroom.Shewassi tt
ingonthematt
ress,hereyes
redfrom cr
ying.
her
:howcoul
dThul
anidot
hist
ome,
Lunga?How?
Iembr
acedher
.
me:I
'
m sor
ryaunt
y.
her:Ithoughtwithyoubei
nghere,hewoul
dstayout
oftroublebutno,hehadtogethimsel
fki
ll
ed.I
alwaysknewt hisdaywouldcomebutIwasnever
readyf ori
t.
me:youcanneverpr
epar
eyour
sel
ftol
oseachi
ld.
Istayedforawhil
eandthenwentout
.Someof
Thulani
'sfr
iendscamebyandIaskedthem t
hef
ull
storyofwhathappened.
fr
iend:eyIdon'
tknowwhatreall
yhappened.Umji
ta
star
tedlooki
ngoverhi
sshouldereveryt
imeand
whenweasked, hesai
ditwasnot hi
ng.He
borrowedsomecashedfrom ustopayTaJbut
appar
entl
ythingsdi
dn'
tgowell
.Wedi
dn'
tseehim
atal
lyest
erday,wej
usthear
dthi
smorni
ngthathe
wasstabbedtodeat
h.
Myaunthadt oldmet hatshewascal l
edt oi dentif
y
Thulani '
sbodyandwast oldthathehadbeenf ound
byst r
anger sont hest reet.Nooneknowswhat
reall
yhappenedori fsomeoneknew, t
heywoul dn'
t
tal
k.Ileftmyaunt 'shouseandwentt omypl ace.
WhenIgott here,Ifoundt hedoorunl ocked.I
pausedatt hedoor ,afrai
dt ogoi n.Icarefullyt ooka
fewst epsinsi deandsur veyedthepl ace.Itwas
thrashed, t
hingswer ebrokenandal lovert hepl ace.
Icheckedi fanyt hingwasst olenbutever ythingwas
there,justbroken.Thebedr oomswer eleftintact,
butIfoundanot eonmybed.
"Watchyoursel
f,Sout
hAfri
cai
sn'
tli
ket
heUK.You'
l
l
gethurtl
ikeyourcousi
n."
Idroppedt henoteri
ghtwhereIf
ounditandcal l
ed
thepolice.Theycameawhi l
elat
er,
lookedaround
whiletakingnotesandaskedmequestions.Itol
d
them whenIhadl eftandmenti
onedThulani’
sdeath.
of
fi
cer
:youhaveanal
arm syst
em,
didyout
urni
ton
whenyoul
eft
?
me:Idon'tt
hinkso,
Ihadal
otonmymi
ndandmust
havefor
got.
of
ficer
:so,
yourcousi
nwasst
abbedt
odeat
hon
st
reet.
Theyaskedal otofquest i
onsaboutThul aniandI
answer edashonest l
yasIcoul dbutdi dn'tdare
ment i
onThul anikill
ingaman.Theyadvi sedmet o
alwayshavemyal arm system onandgetsome
camer a'sifIcoul d.Theyhadbar elyeasedmy
nervesbyt hetimet heyl eft
.Ispentt her estofday
cleaningup, unabl etoshakeof fthef earinsideme.
Ievenconsi deredstayingatmyaunt 'spl acein
Thulani'
sbackr oom oratahot el.Ifsomeonewer e
tocomeandki llme, thealarm syst em woul dbarely
stopthem, andIwoul dn'tbenomat chagai nstt
hem
i
ft heyhadaweapon.MaybeIneedt ogetmysel fa
gunbecausel i
vinginf earwasn' tanopt ion.Istart
ed
researchingabouthowt ogetaper mi tri
ghtaway.
_
Segomot
so
Thenextday,Irecei
vedflowersfr
om Khumowi tha
note."
Thanksforlastni
ght,Ienj
oyedtal
kingtoyou.
Ihopewecandoi tagai
nsomeday, nopressur
e."
Nceba:i
sthatf
rom Khumo?
me:yes.
Ipl
acedthem ont
het
abl
eandl
ookedatNcebawho
smil
ed.
me:what
?
hi
m:not
hing.
me:don'
tsaynot
hing,
outwi
thi
t?
hi
m:ar
eyougoi
ngt
oseehi
m agai
n?
me:no,t
hingsdidn'
ttur
noutsogoodlastti
meandI
wasateenagernewtolove.I
'
m notpl
anningon
dat
inghi
m again.
him:I
'
m surehe'
shopingyou'
l
lgi
vehi
m achance,
youdidsayhesai
dthathewasachangedman.
me:yeahbutyouknowt
hesayi
ng,
oncebi
tt
en,
t
wiceshy.
Mandl
ahasf i
nal
lyl
eftmealoneandIwasn’t
l
ooki
ngtogetint
oanotherr
elat
ionshi
pthatcoul
d
bedi
sast
rous.
me:ar
eyoudonewi
thal
lyourhomewor
k?
Nceba:yep.
me:let
'sgooutt
hen,
wat
chamovi
eanddoal
it
tl
e
shoppi
ng.
hi
m:di
dn'
twegoshoppi
ngaweekago?
me:ok,
windowshoppi
ng?
hi
m:l
etmef
reshenupt
hen.
Hewentt ofr
eshenupandf i
nishedawhilel
ater.We
wentt othemal l
,watchedanicemovieanddi d
someshoppi ng,Ionlybroughtaf ewt
hings.We
broughttake-awaysandt henwenthome.30mi n
afterwegothome, someoneknockedl oudlyont he
doorandIwentt oopen,fi
ndingtwopoli
ceofficers
standingthere.
of
fi
cer
1:ar
eyouSegomot
soThamae?
me:yes.
of
ficer
1:canyoucomewi
thus,
wewoul
dtoaskyou
afewquesti
ons.
me:concer
ning?
off
icer
1:Mandl
aNhlapho'
sdi
sappear
ance,
hei
s
yourboyf
ri
end,
right
?
me:ex-
boyf
ri
end,
whatabouthi
m?
of
fi
cer
:justcomewi
thuspl
ease.
Itol
dNcebaIwoul dbebacksoonandwentwi ththe
poli
ceof fi
cer
stot hepol
icestat
ion.Theyledtoa
room withatableandchairsonopposi t
eofit.Isat
downi noneandt heotheroff
icersatdowni n
another.Theyaskedmeaboutt hel astt
imeIsaw
Mandl a,whatwet al
kedaboutandi fweeverspoke
again.Theyaskedaboutmyr elati
onshipwithhim
andIgavet hem theful
ldetai
ls.
of
fi
cer
:so,
am Icor
rectt
osayt
hatyouhat
ed
Mandl
a?
me:hewastreat
ingmebadl yandIdi dn'
twanthi
m
i
nmyl i
feanymore,butIdi
dn'tnecessaryhat
ehim.
hi
m:woul
dyoudoanyt
hingt
omakesur
ehest
ayed
awayf
rom youf
orever
?
me:Idon'
thaveanythi
ngtodowit
hdisappear
ance
andIbel
ieveIhavenoreasont
ostayher
eany
l
onger,
canIleave?
hi
m:yes,
youcan.
me:t
hankyou.
TheyledmeoutandIsawKhumobyt hefr
ontdesk,
argui
ngwitht
hemanwor ki
ng.Ical
ledhisnameand
heturnedt
olookatme?
hi
m:Sego,
areyouokay?
me:yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
him:Ist
oppedbyyourpl
aceandNcebat
oldmet
hat
youwerebroughther
e.
Heoff
eredt
otakemebackt
omypl
aceandI
agr
eed.
hi
m:whatdi
dtheybr
ingyoui
nfor
?
me:toquesti
onmeaboutmyex-
boyf
ri
end'
s
di
sappearance.
hi
m:why?
me:becausetheyt
hinkIhavemoti
vetomakehi
m
di
sappearoutofmylif
e,not
hingmore.
hi
m:goodt
hingt
heydi
dn'
tkeepyoul
ong.
me:yeah.Youdi
dn'
thavet
ocome.
hi
m:Idi
d,Iwaswor
ri
edaboutyou.
Hedr
oppedmeoffatmyapartmentandIthanked
hi
mfort
heri
de.Iwasthankf
ulhedidn'
tasktosee
meagai
n.
*
***
***
***
***
***
10+commentsplease(
previ
ousi
nser
thasn'
t
reachedt
hist
arget
)
TheHi
tWoman
16
_
Cami
la
Istudi
edt hewomant i
edtothechair
.Shehadcri
ed
forhoursandbeggedt obeletgobacktoher
chil
dren.Amont hago,maybeIwouldhavegiven
hermer cybutnow,Ifel
tnot
hing.
me:Canyouguesswhyyouar
eher
e?
her
:ther
ehastobeamistake,
youhavethewr
ong
per
son.Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hingtodeser
vethi
s.
me:you'r
erightaboutthat
,youdi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing,
butyourhusbanddid.Doyouknowwhattypeofa
manyouar emar r
iedto?
Shepausedatt
hatandst
aredatmebef
orer
epl
ying.
her
:myhusbanddi
dnot
hing.
Ilookedattheone-waymirrorthatIhadinstal
led
forthisver
ypurposeofhavingJameswat chhis
wife,buthi
swifenotbeingabletoseehim.James
couldalsohearourconversati
oninhere.Ilooked
backatMr sMill
er.
me:yourhusbandi
sakil
lerbutthatisn'
tsomet
hing
newtomebecauseIam onet oo.I'
m ahitwoman
andJameshiredmetoki
llaclientofhis.
her
:you'
rel
ying.
me:Ididt
hehitandJamespaidme.Hecont act
ed
meagainandhadanotherhi
tforme.Iwasn't
pl
anningonaccept
ingi
tbecauseyourhusbandis
j
ustabastard.Iwasgoi ngt orejectthehitaft
erhe
tol
dmewhot hetargetwas.Thet argetwasmy
l
overandInotonl yrejectedtodoi t,Iwarnedhim
nottohi
reanyoneel set odoit.Iwar nedhimthatI
wouldbehisworstni ghtmare,doyout hi
nkhe
l
ist
ened?
Sheswal
lowedhar
dandl
ookedawayf
rom me.
me:youknowyourhusband, he'
snotonet odo
whatotherstel
lhim.Hewentaheadandgota
snipert
oshootmyl over.Yourhusbandt ookaway
mymer cyandpi t
y,hetookawayt heli
tt
lehumanit
y
Ihadleftinme.Whenyouf eelthebarr
elofagunat
thebackofyourhead,letwhatyourhusbanddi d,
whathet ookfr
om mebet helastthoughtyouhave
beforet
hegungoesof f.
Iexi
tedt
her
oom andwentt
otheotheronewit
h
James.Hel
ookedupatmewit
htearsrunni
ngdown
hisf
ace.
hi
m:youcandowhateveryouwanttodowi t
hme
butl
etmywif
ego,
letherbethereforourchi
ldr
en.I
waswrongt
odowhatIdi dbuthavemercyonher,
shedi
dnot
hing.Pl
ease,i
fIwasn'
tti
edup,
Iwoul
d
beonmykneesbeggingyou.
Imotionedforoneofmyguystogototheot
her
room.Wewat chedhimt
hroughthemir
rorashe
stoodbehindJameswif
ewhowasweepi ng.
me:youtookawaymymer cysodon'
taskf
ori
t
becauseIdon'
thavei
tinmeanymore.
James:Cami l
a,Iknowyouar en'
tli
keyourfather
.
He'sruthl
essbutyouaren'
t.Yousavedt hatguy'
s
daughteronthatfi
rsthi
tIhir
edyouf or
.Havemer cy
andletmywi fego.
It
alkedtotheguyi
ntheot
herr
oom wi
tha
microphone.
me:pl
acet
hegunatt
hebackofherheadandwai
t
f
ormygoahead.
Hedidsoandbot
hJamesandhi
swi
febecame
f
rant
ic.
James:pl
ease,
don'
tdot
his.
me:Iwantyout
owisht
hatyouhadthesame
pl
easur
eIhavenowwhichi
stohaveyouwat
ch
yourwi
feasshedi
es.
Ispokei
ntot
hemi
crophone.
me:bl
owher
.
Theguypul
ledt
het
ri
gger
.
James:NO!
me:It
oldyout
hatIwoul
dbeyourwor
stni
ght
mar
e.
Ileftthewar ehouseandwentt otakecar eofafew
things,wantingt ogi veJamest imet ost areathi
s
deadwi f
e.Ifeltnot hingfr
om wat chinghergether
brainsblownout .Ther ewasanempt i
nesst hat
couldn'tbefill
ed, andIaccept edthatitwoul d
remai nthatwayunt i
lthedayIdied.Af ewhour s
l
at erIretur
nedt ot hewar ehouseandf oundJames
staringblanklyatt heone- waymi rr
or.
me:t
urnhi
m ar
oundt
ofaceme.
MyguysturnedJames'
chairt
ofaceme.Hi
sface
wasdevoi
dofanyemotion.
me:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
hi
m:Iwaswr
ong,
youar
ejustl
ikeyourf
ather
,even
wor
se.
me:t
ellmesomet
hingnew.
Ipoi
ntedtot
hebott
lewit
hpetr
olandoneofmy
guystooki
tandpouredi
tal
loverJames.
him:youar
egoi
ngt
oroti
nhel
l,
toget
herwi
thyour
fat
her.
me:Helli
smyhomeJamesandI '
mtheonebur
ning
peopl
eali
ve.Myf
ather
'snextont
hel
ist
.
Il
itthemat chandst aredatmyt hreeguys.They
quicklyr
ecoveredfrom theirshockandlookedaway
fr
om me.Idr oppedt heburningmat chonJamesl ap,
andhecaughtf i
reatonce.Hescr eamed, cur
sed
andbeggedunt i
lnosoundcamef rom hismouth,
j
ustt hecrackl
ingoft hefi
reconsumi nghisbody.
_
Et
han
Pri
est
:Everyonewhoi sbornintothi
swor ldwil
lal
so
havetoleavei
tandformostpeopl etheirdeepest
i
nsti
nctsandconvi
ctionstellt
hem thereis
somethi
ngbeyondthegr ave.Creati
onteachesus
thatouri nstinctspoi nttor ealit
y.Thecar ri
erpi geon
whent r
anspor t
edf rom itshomehasani nstinct
withinitthatgui desi tbacknomat terthet i
meort he
distancei nvolved.Andmani swor thmuchmor e
thanabi r
d.Cr eational sot eachest hatli
fecanpass
throughdi fferentf ormsandt hatl
ifemayeven
comeoutofdeat h.Thecommonbut t
erfl
ylivest he
fi
rstpar tofitsexi stenceasacr awlingcaterpil
lar .
Afterfulfi
lli
ngi t
scour se,thecat erpill
arcurlsupand
seemi nglydi esandl i
esi nadeat hli
kest atefor
manydays.Thenoutoft hatbodyabeaut if
ul
butterfl
ycomest ol ife.Nol ongerforcedt ocrawl on
thegr ound, itspreadsi tswi ngsandf li
esupwar ds.
Menandwomenal sospendabr i
eft i
meonear th
andt henhavet omoveon.Foreachoneofust here
comesamomentwhent i
meceases, amoment
whenwel eavet her ealm oft imeandent eranot her
realm, t
her ealm ofet ernity.
Nowor dscouldsoothemyaunt ,hersobswere
audi
blefrom whereIstoodatthebackwi t
h
Thul
ani'sfr
iends.Atthatmoment ,
Ithoughtabout
myowndeat htoo.IwonderedifIwouldsoonfoll
ow
Thulanitothegr avesi nceTaJseemst oknow
aboutwhatThul aniandIdi d.Thebr eak-inatmy
housewasawar ningwhi chIt ookver yser i
ously.I
didn'
tgot oahot elorgetanapar t
ment ,knowing
thatifTaJandwhoeverel semanagedt of i
ndmy
houseaddr ess, t
heycoul deasi l
yfindmewher everI
wasanyt i
me.Ii nvest edinabet tersecuritysystem
formyhousewi t
hi nstall
edvi deosur veil
lancesal l
aroundandout side.Iwasbei ngcaut iousofanyone
Isaw, wonderingi fanyoft hem wer ewat chingmy
everymoveandpl anningt okillme.Basi cally,
Iwas
getti
ngpar anoidanddi dn'tknowwhatt odo.
Af ewpeoplespokeaft
erthepriest'
ssermonand
thenIhelpedcarr
ythecoffi
ntot hehearse.Wewent
tothegraveyar
d,lai
dThulanit
or estandsaidour
fi
nalgoodbyes.IspoketoThulani'
sfri
ends
after
wards.
me:haveyouguyshear
danyt
hing?
f
ri
end:Ithi
nkTaJandafewot
hermenaretheone
whokil
ledThul
ani
.Wor
donthest
reeti
sthathe'
s
wat
chingyou.
me:ar
eyousur
e?
f
ri
end:yes,
youar et
her
ichcousi
nfr
om UK,
that
's
whatt
heycallyou.
fr
iend2:youshouldbecarefulofpeopl
ethatcome
i
ntoyourlifenow,eventhosethatcamejustaft
er
youmetTaJ.I fhedoesn'
tkil
lyou,hepr
obablyhas
anotherplanforyou.
Thatwast heleastbi
tcomf or
ting.Ii
mmedi at
ely
thoughtofOkuhle.Shecamei ntomyl i
fejustafter
myencount erwithTaJ.Ithoughtofmysuspi cions
thatIhaddismissedofwhyshegotmeaj obso
quickl
y.Ihadalreadyst
artedoni tandevensi gned
acontractsoIcouldn'
tjustbreakoutofit.Icall
ed
Okuhleandaskedt omeetupwi thherf
orl unch.
Wemetatarest
aurantandsheki
ssedme,
bar
ely
not
ici
nghowsti
ffIwas.
her
:howwasyourcousi
n'sf
uner
al?
me:i
twasf
ine.
her
:youshoul
dhavel
etmebet
her
ewi
thyou.
me:l
ook,
ther
e'ssomet
hingIneedt
otel
lyou.
her
:what
?
me:Ineedabr
eak,
justt
osor
toutaf
ewt
hingsi
n
myli
fe.
her
:abr
eak?
me:yes,wearen'
tinaser
iousr
elat
ionship,
it'
sjust
casualandf
ornowIneedsomedi stancebetween
us.
her
:isthi
saboutyourcousi
n'sdeat
h?theguywas
aburdenonyou,atl
eastnowyou'refr
ee.
NowIseriouslyneededabr eakfr
om her
.Yeah
Thul
aniburdenedmewi t
hhi st
roubl
eandgotme
i
nvolvedi
nt hem butI'
m notgoingtobehappyt
hat
he'
sdead.Ineverwi shedhi
mt hat.
me:hey,
I'
llcal
lyouwheneverIhavet
imeandhave
sor
tedmyt hi
ngsout
.
Ist
oodupandt
urnedt
oleave.
her:Et
han,
don'
tdothi
s.Ienj
oybei
ngwithyouandI
knowyoudotoo,wecanconti
nuekeepi
ngitcasual
.
me:yeah,bei
ngcasualal
soincl
udestakingbreaks
andgett
ingdist
ancefr
om eachother
.I'
llseeyou.
Il
eftherandwentt
omypl
ace.
_
Segomot
so
Khumo:
(si
ngi
ng)Sphi
lengat
hisi
dlil
ott
o
Li
vingl
if
eIcannotf
ightt
ho
Al
lthesehoneysont
hechampagne,
Ai
ntnot
hingt
obepr
oudof
Mamacooki
ngupacombo
Runapooll
ikei
vol
ovol
o
Popst
ell
ingmel
if
einj
ena
Nt
wanat
hat
’snot
hingf
oryourmachosoyea
Ngkhul
iswengespytwo,
tol
dtoneversni
tchon
ni
ggastheygotyou
Neverl
ayahandonwoment
heysayt
heyl
oveyou
Phakami
sikasint
wanat
heymadeyou
GHETTOt
hankyouf
oral
lthe
LOVEi
mmawor
khar
dnomakanj
ani
Didhehavetobesocharmingi
neveryt
hinghe
does?Helookedoveratmeandsmil
ed.
me:st
opsmi
li
ng.
hi
m:(
laughi
ng)why?
me:j
uststopit
,youar
en'
tchar
minganyoneot
her
t
hanyoursel
f.
him:I
fIremembercor
rectl
y,mysmil
echar
medyou
thefi
rstt
imewemet.Ican'
tloset
hat
.
Irol
ledmyeyesandl ookedoutt hewindow.I ’m
sureyou’rewonderinghowIendedupi nhi scar
withhimt ryi
ngtocharm hi swayintomyhear t
again?Maybebecauseofwhathej ustment i
oned,
hissmi l
e,amongot herthings.Hi
sper si
stence,his
newmat uredsel
fandmyweakhear tthathadsai d
notoomanyt imestohim andhadf inall
ygavei n.I
don'tknowwher ethisthingisgoingbutIhavet o
makesur ewedon'tgopastbei ngfri
ends, nomat t
er
howcapt ivati
nghebecomes.
hi
m:we'
reher
e.
Hehadi
nvi
tedmet
oal
it
tl
egett
oget
herwi
thhi
s
f
ri
ends.
hi
m:whenwast
hel
astt
imeyousawKenei
lwe?
me:agesago,
why?
hi
m:shemi
ghtbeher
etoday.Youcancat
chup
wi
thher
.
me:sur
e.
West eppedoutofhiscarandhel
edmet ohis
fr
iends.Heintr
oducedmeandgotmeadr i
nk.
Keneil
wewast hereandwehugged.Shehadbeen
fr
iendswithKhumobackwhenImethi m andsoon
wehadbecomecl osefr
iendst
oo,
shari
ngsecrets
witheachother.Shewasonewhoalsodisappear
ed
withKhumo.
her
:Youl
ookgoodgi
rl
,l
if
eist
reat
ingyouwel
lhuh?
me:youcoul
dsayt
hat
,howhaveyoubeendoi
ng?
her
:I'
m st
il
lal
ive,
that
'sal
lthatmat
ter
s.
Weupdatedeachotheronourli
ves.Unl
ikeme,she
hadn'
tbeenl
uckytogot ovar
sit
yandwascurrentl
y
worki
ngataretai
lst
ore.
her
:Iwasneversmar
tli
keyouSego.
me:youwer
est
reetsmar
t.
her
:andl
ook,
thatdi
dn'
tgetmef
ar.
me:you'
rest
il
lyoung,
yourl
if
ecanst
il
lchange.
her
:we'
l
lsee.I
'
m sur
pri
sedt
oseeyouwi
thKhumo.
me:hecamet omer
ecent
ly,
want
ingtoshowme
whatachangedmanhewas.We'
rejustf
ri
ends
t
hough.
her
:Isee.
Therewasadi
ffer
entnot
einhervoice.I
tsounded
l
ikeshewasaccusi
ngmeofsomet hingorwas
j
ealous.
me:doyout
wohavesomet
hinggoi
ngon?
her:meandKhumo,noways.I
'
mjustthinki
ngthat
youshoul
dn'
tfor
getwhathedi
dtoyou,hehurtyou
Segoandnochangedmanactcanerasethat.
Thatst
uckwit
hmeforther
estoft
heaft
ernoonand
whenKhumowasdri
vingmetomyplace,Iknew
whatIhadt
odo.WegottomyplaceandKhumo
t
urnedt
osmi
leatme.
hi
m:Todaywasni
ce.
me:i
twas.
him:bestpart
sofi
twasl
ooki
ngatyouandseei
ng
yoursmile.
Isi
ghedandl
ookedathi
m.
me:Ican'
tdot
his.
hi
m:dowhat
?
me:what
evert
hisi
s,Ican'
t.
hi
m:we'
rej
ustf
ri
ends,
I'
m notpushi
ng.
me:Idon'twanttobefr
iendsei
ther
.Wearebadfor
eachothersoit
'sbestt
hatwejustst
ayoutofeach
other
'sl
ives.
hi
m:Segomot soIcamet
oyoubecauseyouar
ethe
onl
ywomanwhomademehappy, evenwhenI
di
dn'tt
reatyouri
ght.
me:Iwasn'tawomanwhenwedat
ed, Iwasa
f
ooli
shteenagegi
rlwhomademi
stakes.
him:Iwasabadboywhouseddr ugsasmuchasI
coul
dsel lt
hem, Imademist
akesofmyown.Let
's
gettoknoweachot hernowasmanandwoman
whoar emat ur
edandhavelear
ntfr
om t
hei
r
mistakes.
me:Ican'
t,
I'
m sor
ry.
Ist
eppedoutofhiscarandwenttomyapart
ment
wit
houtabackwardglanceathi
m.Hehadsti
rred
memoriesIdi
dn'
twantt oremember
,andIwas
fai
li
ngtobl
ockthem out.All
owi
nghi
mi nt
omyl i
fe
hadbeenabadidea.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment splease,t
hisinser
tisl
ongerthant
he
fewpreviousones,Ij
ustfoundmyselft
ypingmore
andmor e.
TheHi
tWoman
17[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
Iwat
chedAl
exashef
ir
edsever
alshot
satt
he
tar
get,hi
sfacestrai
nedwi thconcent
rati
on.Hewas
agoodshoot erbutnotthebest,heonlygotthe
centreoft
het ar
getafewt imes.Ist
udiedhowhe
heldthegunfirminhisgrip,howhereloadedas
quickl
yashecoul dfi
re.Afterafewaroundhis
removedhisgearandl ookedatme.
hi
m:i
mpr
essed?
me:youwer
en'
tsobad.
hi
m:ofcour
se,
youwoul
dsayt
hat
.
Hest
eppedawayfr
om t
heboot
handgest
uredf
or
metotakehi
spl
ace.
hi
m:t
hest
agei
syour
s.
Igearedupandl oadedmygun.Icent redmyeyes
ri
ghtont hetarget'
scentr
eandt henfi
redshotsin
successi onwi t
houtapause.Iwasawar eofAlex
watchingme, studyingmyever ymoveandshotl i
ke
Istudiedhi m.Onecoul dlear
naf ewthingsfr
om
howaper sonhandledagunandshotatat arget
.All
thattherewasf orAlext
onot ewast hatIwasa
met i
culousandshar pshooter.Henoddedhi shead
i
nappr eciati
onwhenIwasdone.
hi
m:youcont
inuet
osur
pri
semeMi
ssDavi
s.
me:wit
hthisoutoft
heway,
weshoul
dgetdownt
o
busi
ness.
Wewentt otherestaurantnear
byanddiscusseda
fewthi
ngsabouthi splanstotakedownhisfather
andIhint
edt hatIwouldsoonbet aki
ngtherei
nsof
myfather
'sbusinessanddeal i
ngs.It
oldhimI
woul
dcallhim andl ef
t,headi
ngtothewarehouse.I
gott
hereandmetmyguys.
me:yougothi
m?
Car
l:yes.
me:Youmusthavedeci
dedwhoyourl
oyal
ti
esl
ie
wi
ththen.
Car
l:t
heyar
ewi
thyou.
Theot
hertwonoddedinagreement.Iwentt owher
e
myfat
herwastiedup.Hehadhi seyesclosedbut
whenhehear
dmovement ,
heopenedt hem.Shock
wasn'
tsomet
hingIeversawonhi sfacebutatthat
moment,i
twasnoti
ceablyclear
,andhedi dn'
tmask
i
t.
hi
m:Cami
la.
Ist
oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m andsai
dnot
hing.
hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Istar
edathi
m,notansweringhi
squest
ion,
want
ing
himtomakethereal
isat
iononhisown.
hi
m:l
etmegoandI
'
llpr
etendt
hisneverhappened.
Helookedatmyguyswhohehadt
houghtwer
e
l
oyaltohim.
him:whatdoyouplant
odot
ome,
bur
nmeal
ive
l
ikeyoudidtoJames?
me:yes,
event
ual
lyIwi
ll
.Butf
ornow.
..
Ist
eppedbackf
rom hi
m andbeckonedoneofmy
guys.
me:Cuthi
sindexf
inger
s.
Theguywasabi ttakenbackbymyr equestwhil
e
myfatherf
inal
lysawhowser iousthiswas.He
cur
sedandscreamedasmygunt ookakni feand
hel
dmyf at
her'
shands, cut
ti
ngt heindexfi
ngers
cl
eanl
y.Igaveinst
ructi
onstot henextguy.
me:cuthi
sthumbs.
dad:youaremakinga.
..t
err
ibl
emi st
ake.
..Ir
aised
youCamila.
..madeyouthewomanyouar et
oday..
.
Igaveyouthepoweryouhave..
.youcannotdot hi
s
tome.
me:I'
m doi
ngit
.Youshoul
dhaveknownthatt
his
daywil
lcome.Whenyouraiseawil
dani
mal,i
t'
s
boundtoat
tackyouoneday.I'
mthewi
ldani
mal
yourai
sed.
Morecursesashisthumbswer
ecutof f
.It oldthe
l
astguytocuthismanhood.Myfatherdidn'thold
backhisscreamsanymore,
hescreamedl oudly
unti
lhi
svoicegaveuponhim.Hisbreathingwas
l
abouredashestaredatme.
hi
m:Ir
aisedyou,
wel
ldi
dn'
tI?
me:youdi
d.
hi
m:whywon' tyout
ouchme?ar
eyouafr
aidofme.
..
i
sthatwhy.
..youhavemymendoitf
oryou?
me:Il
ikekeepi
ngmyhandsclean.Onet
hingIwi
ll
doi
ssetyoualightandwat
chyouburn.
Theypour
edpet
rolal
loverhi
m andIl
itamat
ch.
him:youbett
ert
ellt
hewor
ldhowr
uthl
essyouar
e..
.
tel
lthem.
..
Idroppedthemat chonhislap,
andhescr eamed
onelastti
me.Ididn'tgett
hesati
sfact
ionIwas
seeking,
Ijustf
eltnothi
ngasIstaredathi
sburni
ng
fl
esh.
_
Segomot
so
Iwasatt heyout
hcent r
e,teachingchesst othe
studentsther
e.Mybr othertaughti ttomeyear sago
andhebeatmei ni tti
llImast er
edi t.Playi
ngchess
withthekidsatt
heyout hcentrewasqui tefull
ingto
me, i
tmademef eelcl
osert omybr ot her
.After
pl
ayingaf ewmor erounds, IpassedbyKel ly'
s
offi
ce,shewasthewomanr unni ngt heyouthcentre.
me:Isawsomenewf
acest
oday.
her
:yes,Ivi
sit
edthisotherschoolaweekagoand
i
nvit
edthestudentstocome.We' r
ereal
lydoi
ng
somethi
nggoodf orthem Sego.
me:wesur
ear
eandt
hat
'smakesmef
eelgr
eat
.
her
:Idi
dn'
tseeNcebat
oday,
hehadext
racl
asses?
me:It
hinkso,
hedidn'
ttel
lmet
hismor
ningt
hough,
hemusthavefor
gott
en.
her
:how'
sitgoi
ngwi
thhi
m?
me:pr
ett
ygood,he'sadisci
pli
nedboyanddoesn't
gi
vemetroubl
e.Irepor
tedhisauntandappli
edto
behi
sinf
ormalcarerasyousuggested.Al
liswel
l.
her
:I'
m gl
ad.
Isai
dgoodbyet
oherandheadedtomyapar
tment
.
NcebawashomewhenIgotther
e.
me:hey,
didyouhaveext
racl
assest
oday?
hi
m:yes.
Hewasr eadingbook,
soconsumedini
tthathe
didn'
tevenl ookupatme.Iwentt
ogetchangedint
o
comfortableclot
hesandwenttosi
tint
helivi
ng
room.
me:what
'
sthatyou'
rer
eadi
ng?
hi
m:abookf
rom t
hel
ibr
ary.
me:Icanseet
hat
.Iwant
edt
oknowt
hename.
Igrabbeditfr
om hi
m andwasshockedt
oseehi
s
facewithbrui
ses.
hi
m:i
t'
snot
hing.
me:doIl
ookdumborbl
ind?someonebeatyouup.
hi
m:i
t'
snotabi
gdeal
.
me:t
ellmewhathappened.
hi
m:Igoti
ntoaf
ightwi
thacl
assmat
e.
me:whost
art
edi
tandwhy?
hi
m:hedi
d,hej
ustcameonandIhadt
ofi
ghtback.
Hi
sfacel
ookswor
sethanmi
ne.
WasIsupposedt
obepr
oudt
hathegavemor
e
punches?
me:okayf i
ne,hecameonyouandyouhadt o
prot
ectyourself
.Fight
sar en'
tgood, don'
tbe
i
nvolvedinone.Youar en'tgi
vingmet hefullst
ory
ri
ghtnowandIwon' tf
or ceyouto.Justavoidfight
s
nextti
me, t
heydon'tsolveanything.Theyjustgive
youani cebatt
eredupf ace.
hi
m:Idon'
tsol
ookbad.
me:youdo,
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oli
etoyou.
Il
aughedathi
sshockedexpr
essi
on.
*
*
Thenextday, Ihadlunchwit
hKenei l
we.Shewasa
goodfri
endt omebackt henandwasal wayshonest
tome.Idon'tknowwhyshej ustdi
sappearedwhen
Khumodi sappearedandshedi dn'
twanttotal
k
aboutit
,soIputi tbehi
ndmeandgaveherasecond
chance.
her
:so,
youst
il
lhangi
ngoutwi
thKhumo?
me:no,It
ookyouradvi
ceandt
oldhi
m Icoul
dn'
tbe
wi
thhim.
her
:that
'
sgood.Thoughi
tdoesn'
tlookl
ikehewi
ll
gi
veupthateasi
ly.
me:ar
eyout
wost
il
lcl
ose?
her
:notreall
y,wej
usthangoutwi
tht
hesameci
rcl
e
off
riends.
me:Kenei
lwebehonestwi
thme,
didsomet
hing
happenbet
weenyoutwo?
her
:notinthewayyou'
resuggest
ing.Wehadsome
di
sagreementsandIdi
stancedmyselff
rom hi
m.
Iknewshewasn'tt
ell
ingmet hewholetr
uth.Ther
e's
amuchmor eser
iousthingbetweenherandKhumo
butIl
eti
tgofornow.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Coul
dn'
ttypeEt
han'
spar
t,Igotsl
eepy,
longday.
Whatar
eyourt
hought
sont
her
uthl
essCami
la?
TheHi
tWoman
18
_
Et
han
Iwasatwor k,
lookingoversomepaper work.Asa
constructi
onmanager ,mytasksincluded
overseeinganddi recti
ngconstruct
ionproject
s,
revi
ewi ngtheprojectsschedulesandcostsand
managi ngconstructionworkersandsubcont r
act
ors.
Ihadawhol elott
odot hanwhatIdi di
nmy
previousj obattheUK.Ther e,Ionl ydealtwit
ht he
planninganddesi gnofpr oj
ect s.Her eIwas
responsibl eformanagingever ythi
ng.Itwasj ust
challengingenought okeepmymi ndoffother
things.Justt hen,
mybosscamei ntomyof fi
ce.
SincehewasOkuhl e'
suncle, Ihopedt herewoul dn'
t
beanyt r
oubl ewit
hmewor kingher eaft
erIended
thingswi thOkuhlethoughwewer en'tevenserious.
hi
m:how'
sitgoi
ng?
me:ever
ythi
ngisgood,
I'
mjustgoi
ngoversome
paper
work.Revi
ewingt
hecur
rentpr
oject
s.
him:I
'vegotafewf
utur
eonesIwantyoutolookat
.
I'
vegotmeeti
ngswit
hsomepeopl
efortendersand
fundi
ng.
me:okay,
youcanbr
ingi
t.
Wedi scussedthecur
rentproj
ect
sandIaskedal
l
thatIneededtoknow.Hewasachi l
ledmanand
all
owedmet odomyj obthewayIwantedt
odoit.
hi
m:how'
sOkuhl
e?
me:uh.
..she'
sfi
ne.
hi
m:Ihardl
yseeher
.I'
m al
waysbusyandshei
stoo.
Tel
lhert
ocomeseemesomet ime.
me:yeah,
Iwi
llwhenIseeher
.
Henoddedandwal kedout.IwonderedwhatOkuhle
hadtoldhim aboutus.Iworkedsomemor eand
evenskippedlunchsoIcouldfini
shupont he
paperworkandseet heworkersandsubcontract
ors.
Iwasimmer sedinmywor kandhar dlynot
iced
someonewal kingi
ntomyof fi
ceuntilt
heycamet o
mydesk.
Okuhl
e:myuncletel
lsmehowhardyou'
vebeen
worki
ngandsaidyouski
ppedl
unch.Ibr
oughtt
his
fr
om thedel
inear
by.
Il
ookedupatherandshesmi
led.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
her
:toseeyouandIbr
oughtl
unch.
Shedr
oppedt
hef
oodonmydeskandsatdown.
me:It
houghtIt
oldyout
hatIwant
edspace.
her
:yeahyoudid,
andIwasbit
chyandpushy.I
'
m
sor
ry,Ij
ustt
houghtweenj
oyedeachot
her'
s
company.
me:yeah,wedidbutI'
vegott
hingst
osor
tout
.Wor
k
andpersonalt
hings.
her:t
hatmeanswhatexact
ly,
thatyoudon'
twantt
o
seeme?
me:I
'
llcal
lyouwhenIwantt
oseeyou.
Shekeptquietandj ustst
aredatme.Awoman' s
si
lencei
sal ethalweapon,Icouldn'
tguesswhat
shewasthinkingrightnow.
her
:(
chuckl
ing)cool
,cal
lmewhenyouwantt
osee
methen.
Thatdi
dn'
tsoundsogood.From herbei
nghurtand
beggi
ngmet othi
sal
oofness.Ihopedshewouldn'
t
tur
npyschoonme.
_
Cami
la
Ilookedatmyfat
her
'sgangmen,st
udiedeachof
them andseei
ngwhoIwouldkeepandwhoIwould
t
akeout
.Iwasaboutt
otel
lthem aboutmyf
ather
.
me:Myf
ather
'sdead.
Therewer esomeshockedexpr
essi
onsand
murmur s.Myfat
her'
sclosemanaskedthemaj
or
questi
on.
Jack:whathappenedt
ohi
m?
Igest
uredtoCar
landhet
ookoutt
het
humbsand
i
ndexfinger
s.
me:t
hesear
emyf
ather
'sf
inger
s.
Jack:wer
ethesesentt
oyou?
me:no,Igotthem mysel
f.Ibur
ntmyf at
herwhi
lehe
wassti
llal
ive,andhescr
eamedt i
llhi
sheart
st
oppedbeat i
ng.
Isawhi m swal
lowhardandwat
chedt
heot
hermen
quickl
ymaskt hei
rshock.
me:Ashi sdaughter
,I'
l
lbet
akinghi
splacei
nal
lhi
s
posit
ions.I
stheresomeoneherewhohasa
probl
em withthat
?
Theymur
mur
ednoandshookt
hei
rheads.
me:busi
nessconti
nuesasusualt
hen.Iexpectthe
samerespectt
hatyougavemyfather
.I'
m sureyou
cani
maginewhatIcandoifIdon'
tgetit
.
TheynoddedandIdi smissedthem.Jackst
aredat
myf ather
'sfi
ngersabeattoolongandwhenhe
turnedaround,It
ookoutmyhandgunandai medf or
hishead.Ifi
redandhedr oppeddown.Theother
menexcl ai
medi nshockandstaredatme.
me:I'
l
ldot
hattoanyoneel
sewhoevent
hinksof
goi
ngagai
nstme.Getri
dofhi
sbody.
Iwal kedoutoft hewar ehouseandwentt omy
father'scompany, whichwasact uall
ynowmi ne.I
announcedt henewsaboutmyf ather'
sdeatht othe
empl oyeesandchangest hatwoul dbet aki
ngpl ace.
Ithenwentt omyf ather'sof f
ice.Istoodther
ef ora
fewmoment s,star
ingar oundi tasifIwasseei ngit
forthef ir
stti
me.Idi dn'tfeelmyf ather'
spresencei n
theai randthatmademesmi leabit,t
hemanwas
outofmyl if
eforgood.Ishi ftedfrom myposi ti
on
andwentt olookatt hest uffhehadst oredonhi s
deskdr awer
s.Somehadl ocksbutIeasilypicked
them.Anhourl ater,Alexwal kedin.
hi
m:wow.
Isatbacki
nmychai
randl
ookedathi
m.
hi
m:youl
ookgoodsi
tt
ingbehi
ndt
hatdesk.
me:anyt
hingdif
fer
entabouti
tthatsupposedl
y
makesmel ookgood?
hi
m:thepower,t
hat
'swhatmakesitdif
ferent
.
Shoul
dIsayI'
m sor
ryaboutyourf
ather?
me:no,
savei
t.
hi
m:okay,
areyouf
inal
lygoi
ngt
otel
lmeyourpl
an?
me:I'
m notonet
otel
lanyonemymoves,
toan
enemyorsupposedal
ly.
Hest
aredatmeforafewmomentsandlookedli
ke
hewasgoi
ngtosaysomethi
ngbutthenchanged
hi
smindandsai
dsomethi
ngelse.
him:speakingofenemies,Imighthavenoti
ceda
suspici
ouscarinyourparkinglot
.Dri
verwasjust
sit
ti
ngandwai ti
ng.You'vejusti
nheri
tedyour
fat
her'senemiestoo.
me:l
ett
hem come,
I'
llt
aket
hem al
ldown.
him:Idon'
tdoubtt
hat,
letmel
eaveyou,
I'
m sur
e
you'
vegotalottodo.
Inoddedandhetur
nedtowalkout
.Hepausedat
thedoorandl
ookedbackatme.
him:tr
usti
ngpeopl ei
sriskyandcangetyoukil
led
i
nyourl i
neofwor kbutsometimesi
t'
sgreattohave
someonet otr
ust.Oneofmyf avour
it
equotesis
fr
om AntonChekhov, hesaysYoumusttrustand
beli
eveinpeopleorli
febecomesimpossibl
e.
HewalkedoutandIstar
edatthedoorforafew
moment s.Al
exwaswrong,tr
ust
ingpeoplei
sn'
tjust
ri
sky,
it'
sdeadlyandI
'
dratherbeki
ll
edbyanenemy
IknewthansomeoneItrust
ed.
_
Segomot
so
Thesuddendeat hofCami l
a'
sfatherhadshaken
peopleatwor k.Camilahadannouncedi tsocal
mly
asifhehadj uststeppeddownandshepr ovi
dedno
detail
s.Shehadbeenherusualst one-coldsel
fbut
therewassomet hi
ngelseInoti
ced.Ther ewasan
empt i
nessinherf aceasifshedidn'tcarethather
fat
herwasdeadoraboutanyt hingel
se.Iwondered
howthei
rrel
ati
onshiphadbeenandhowCami l
af el
t
abouthi
m.Herf at
herhadn'tbeenagoodperson,
youcoul
dtel
lfrom justl
ookingathim.
Kay:hey,you'
remi
lesawayf
rom her
e.What
'son
yourmind?
me:j
ustt
hinki
ngaboutCami
la'
sfat
her
.
her:Thatmanwaspr obabl
ykill
edbysomeone.
Manypeoplemusthavedi sl
ikedhi
m andoneof
them wasbraveenoughtogettohim.
me:doyout
hinkCami
lawascl
osewi
thhi
m?
her
:Stonecol
dCamil
a,Idoubti
t.Shel
ooks
i
ncapableofl
ovi
ngsomeone.
me:Idon'
tthi
nkt
hat
'st
rue.
Iremember edhowherf acehadsof tenedwhenthat
guyCl aywalkedintoherof f
ice.Herhearti
sn'
tstone
coldli
keeveryonethinks.Ishookmyheadandwent
backt owork.Iknockedof fat5pm andmademy
wayt ogetat axi
.IsawCami laattheparki
nglotand
decidedtogot al
ktoher .IslowedwhenIsawt hat
shewaswi thsomeoneel se.Aguywear i
ngdar k
clot hesandl ookingt hreat eninglyatCami l
a.Idi dn't
seeCami l
a'sf ace,butIi magi nedshewascal m and
col d.Theywal kedof fthepar kingandt urnedi nan
alley.Cur i
osi tygott hebet terofmeandIf ollowed
them.Ther ewasnooneel set hereandIst ood
behi ndawal l,conceal edf rom theirvi
ew.WhenI
turnedt ol ookatt hem, Cami lahadabl ackobj ectin
herhand, andIwi denedmyeyeswhenIsawt hatit
wasagun.Shewast alkingcal mlytotheguywhose
facehadl osti tshost il
ity.Cami latookaf ewst eps
backandai medatt heguysf ace.Icoul dn'
thear
whathewassayi ng, buti twascl earhewas
beggi ngf orhi sli
fe.Cami lashothi mr i
ghtonhi s
faceandIi nvoluntar yscr eamed.Ishutmymout h
ti
ght l
yafterr eali
singt hatIhadscr eamedal oudand
stoodr i
gidagai nstt hewal l,hiddenf r
om Cami la's
view.Ther ewassi lencef oraf ewmoment st hen
Cami laspoke.
her:I
'l
lcountto3andyoubet
tergetyourassher
e
befor
eIr each3orI
'l
lcomeandshootyouwi t
hno
hesit
ati
on.
Shewasobvi
ousl
yspeaki
ngt
omeandIswal
lowed
har
d.
Cami
la:one.
..t
wo.
..
Isteppedawayf r
om thewallandfacedCami la.The
manl aydeadont hegroundandCami lasti
llhadher
gun,butlucki
lyhaditpoint
edattheground.Her
facewashar dandcold,andshedidn'tshowany
signofbeingshockedtoseeme.
her
:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
me:I
..
.Iwant
edt
otal
ktoyou.
her
:aboutwhat
?
me:uh.
..about.
..
.
Ihadf
orgot
tenwhatIhadwant
edt
osayt
oher
.
her:youdoknowthatIhavet
oki
llyouaf
terwhat
you'vej
ustwit
nessed.
Shesai
ditsocasual
lyandt
her
ewasnodoubtt
hat
shewasseri
ous.
me:please,
don'
tdoi
t.Iwon'
ttel
lanyoneabout
..
.
t
his.Iswear.
Sheslowl ywalkedt owardsmeunt ilshewas
standingrightinfrontofme.Sher aisedhergun
andplacedt hebar relr
ightagainstmyf or
ehead.Her
eyeswer edistant,andshel ookedlikesher eal
ly
wasaboutt okil
lme.Isawnohesi tati
ononherf ace.
Iknewt hatnoamountofbeggi ngcoul dsavemy
l
ife.Thiswasi t,Iwasgoi ngtodiet oday.Ishutmy
eyesandwai t
edf ortheshot .
TheHi
tWoman
19[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
me:I'
m goi
ngtoaskyoutodosomethi
ngforme
andyouwil
ldoiti
fyouval
ueyourl
if
e,won'tyou?
Sego:
yes,
Iwi
ll
.
Sheopenedhereyesandt
hefeari
nthem sat
isf
ied
me,shehadtobeafrai
dofme.
me:youwi l
lnottellanyoneaboutwhatyousaw
today,
notyourf r
iends,yourfamil
yorevenyour
psychologi
st.Youdon'twrit
et hi
sinyourdi
aryor
whi
speritt
othewal
ls.Youdi
dn'
tseeanyt
hing
t
oday,r
ight
?
her
:yes,
Idi
dn'
tseeanyt
hing.
me:good.Comeonl
etmet
akeyouhome.
her
:no,
I'
llgetat
axi
.
me:Iwasn'
taski
ngyou.
Iplacedmygunbacki nitsplaceandwentt omy
carwi t
hherf ol
lowingbehi ndme.Ical ledoneofmy
menandt oldhim wher eIwassohecoul dcome
andgett hedeadbodyanddi sposeit.Ki l
li
ngina
publicplaceatcloser angewasr iskyandIknew
that,butthatmanwasbeggi ngtobeki ll
ed.He
thoughtIwoul dn'
tnot i
cehi m watchingmeasI
walkedt omycar ,planningtof ol
lowme.Het oldme
nothingaboutwhosenthi m, andIdi dn'twantt o
spendmyt imetorturi
nghi mf ornothing.Iwoul d
fi
ndwhoeverwasaf terme, onewayort heot her.
Segomotsowi t
nessi
ngmeki l
li
ngthatmanhadme
contemplati
ngwhattodo.Ii
ntheend,Isparedher
l
ifebecauseIsawhowbr aveshewas,though
fool
ishatthesametime.Shebarel
ybeggedmet o
nottoki l
lherandhadputherf ateinmyhands.Not
ki
ll
ingherhadr epercussionsthough,Ihadtospend
somet i
mecl osel
ymoni toringherandwhoevershe
contacted.Ididn'
tdoubtt hatshewoul dn'
ttel
l
anyoneaboutourl i
ttl
esecr et
,butIcouldn'
ttr
usther
entir
ely.Ireachedherpl aceandstopped.She
quicklysteppedout.
me:haveagoodeveni
ngSegomot
so.
Shelookedatmeindisbel
ieff
oramomentandt
hen
cl
osedthedoor.Iwat
chedherunti
lshe
di
sappearedfr
om myview.
_
Segomot
so
Isatthelivi
ngr oom, r
eplayingt hescenewi th
Cami l
ainmymi nd.Theshott ot heman' shead, his
deadbodyi nthepoolofbl oodandCami la'scold
gazeasshepr essedt hebarreloft hegunagai nst
myf orehead.Att hatmoment ,Iwast er
ri
fiedand
suresawmyl i
f eflashacrossmycl osedeyes.I
real
isedsomet hingasIsatt here.Fr om themoment
Cami l
asawme, shedidn'tplant okillme, Idi
dn't
evenneedt obegher .Shewant edtot erri
fyme, to
makesur ethatIknewwhatwoul dhappent omei fI
wentagai nsther.It
'sobviousthatshe' saski l
led
kil
lerwhohaspr obablyshotandki l
ledanumberof
people.Hercol deyeswer eonest hatwer ef amil
iar
withwat chi
ngpeopl edieafterdecidingt heirf
ate.
Cami l
awasamonst er,aplainfactthatIdi dn'
tneed
toprovef urt
her.Someoneknockedont hedoorand
Iwentt oopen.Khumost oodonmydoor step,
handsi nhispocketj ustl
ikethefir
stt i
mehecame
aft
erhisr et
urn,hewasn' twearingacapt hi
stime.
Me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Him:Iknowyousai
dyoucan'
tbewithme,butSego
Il
oveyou.Ri
ghtnow,I
'
m caughtbet
weennot
pushi
ngyouandnotgi
vinguponyou.
Khumocouldsur
echoosehist
iming.Iwas
vulner
abl
eandbarel
yhadanyenergytosaynot
o
him.
Me:KhumoIcan'
tdot
his,
Iser
iousl
ycan'
t.
Him:why,i
sitbecauseyoufeelsomethi
ngf
orme
butdon'
twanttogethurtagai
n,youdon'
twantt
o
t
rustmewi
thyourhear
tagai
n?
Me:yes,i
t'
sthatandeveryt
hingel
se.God,KhumoI
don'
thavetheti
mef ort
his,notwhenI'
m..
.
Hi
m:what
'swr
ong,
areyouokay?
Me:I
'
mfi
ne,
pleasel
eave.
Hewat
chedmeforafewseconds,
andIcoul
dn'
t
hi
demyemoti
onsfr
om hi
m.
Him:I'
m notleavi
ngri
ghtnow,
Icanseethatyou'
re
notokay.Letbeheref
oryouasafri
end,
nothing
more.
Isighed,seei
ngthathewasseriousandnotabout
toleave.Ncebawassleepingi
nt heguestbedroom
whichwasnowact ual
lyhi
sroom.Ihadt oldhi
m
thatIwasokayandbr ushedoffhisconcernsabout
mysi l
ence.Ipouredgl
assesofwi neforKhumoand
I.
Me:youdodr
inkwi
ner
ight
,Idon'
thaveanyt
hing
el
se
Him:i
t'
sfi
net
houghIdon'
tremembert
hel
astt
imeI
hadwine.
Me:pr
obabl
ynever
.
Hechuckl
edandIhandedhi
m hi
sdr
inkt
hensat
downopposi
tehi
m.
Hi
m:youwantt
otal
kaboutwhat
'sbot
her
ingyou.
Me:no,
Ican'
t.
Hi
m:can'
tordon'
twantt
o?
Me:bot
h.
Henoddedandhest artedtell
ingmeabouthi sday.I
mustadmi t
,li
steni
ngt ohi m helpedtakemymi nd
offCamilaandhercapabi l
it
ies.Onceagain,Iwas
struckwi
thaffecti
onat efeeli
ngst owardsKhumo
thatIhadwantedt odispel.Iwasbet weenwant i
ng
toknowt hi
smat uredmanhehadbecomebutnot
want i
ngtogethurt.Iaskedhi m aboutwhat
happenedbetweenhi m andKenei lwe.
Him:shejustst
art
edact
inguptowar
dsmeandwe
haddisagr
eements.We'
renol
ongercl
ose.
Hewassayi
ngt hesamet
hingKenei
lwehadt
ome,
bei
ngequal
lyvague.
Me:whatwer
ethedi
sagr
eement
sabout
?
Him:stupi
dstuff
.I'
m anewpersonnowandsheis
too,
wedon'tvibetoget
heranymor
e.Didshesay
somethingtoyouthatmadeyousuddenl
ynotwant
anyt
hingtodowi t
hme?
Me:no,Iwassimplycur
iousaboutt
het
woofyou.
I
t'
sgett
inglat
e,youshouldl
eave.
Hi
m:okay,
canIj
ustaskyousomet
hing?
Me:what
?
Hi
m:canwej
ustbef
ri
ends,
seehowf
arwecanget
wi
tht
hat.
Idebatedt
hatforafewmoment sinmyhead,butI
knewIhadalreadydeci
ded.It
oldhim wecoul
dbe
fr
iendsandthenwalkedhi
m out.
_
Et
han
Iwasfastasl
eepwhenmyphonerang.Igr
abbedi
t
bl
indl
yandansweredwi
thoutl
ooki
ng.
her
:Et
han,
Brucei
sawake.
It
ookamomentt
orememberwhoBr
ucewas.
her
:It
'
sSusan,
yourf
ather
'swi
fe.
BruceSt
evenson,
myf
ather
.Isati
nbed,
ful
lyawake
now.
me:he'
sokay?
her:yes,t
houghhehasafewdif
ficul
ti
es,
butt
he
doctorsaidt
hathewoul
dpullt
hrough.
me:doesheknowt
hatIknowabouthi
m?
her
:Ihaven'
ttol
dhi
m yet
.
me:Idon'tknowwhenIcancomeseehim,Idon'
t
eventhi
nkI'mreadyt
otal
ktohi
m.I'
llcal
lwhenI'
m
comingtoseehim.
her
:okay,
I'
m surehewoul
dlovethat
.Ij
ustwant
ed
toi
nfor
m youthathewasconsci
ous.
Ithankedherandthensatinbedforawhile,
thi
nkingabouttal
kingtomyf at
heraf
tersomany
yearshavepassedwi thsomuchangerI'
vehadf
or
him.Iwoulddealwi t
hthatwhenIwasready.
*
*
Thenextday,Imetwi ththeworker
sand
subcont
ract
orsandcheckedt hepr
ogressonthe
curr
entproj
ect.Onceal lt
hatwasdone,Iwentback
tomypaperwor k.Iknockedoffear
lyandwentto
seemyaunt .
me:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
her:i
t'
shardbutI'
mt ryi
ngtotakeitonedayata
ti
me.Ikeepimagini
nghi minthekitcheneati
ngor
si
tti
nghereintheli
vingroom onraretimes.
Gri
evi
ngforachil
dwasdi
ff
icul
t,Icoul
dseet
he
st
rai
nitputonher.
me:I'
m her
eforyouaunt
y,what
everyouneed,
just
cal
lme.
her
:ThankyouLunga,
I'
m gl
adIhaveyouher
e.
Isoonlef
tandwenttomyplace.Iwaschil
ling
chatt
ingwit
hafewpeopl
ewhenal oudknockcame
fr
om thefr
ontdoor
.WhenIopened, Isawtwo
poli
cemen.
of
fi
cer
1:Ar
eyouEt
hanLungaDl
ami
ni?
me:yes.
of
fi
cer
1:i
sthi
syourpr
oper
ty?
me:yes.
of
fi
cer
:wewoul
dli
ket
osear
chi
t,wehaveawar
rant
wi
thus.
Itookitandr
eadi
t.I
tlookedl
egi
tandIwas
confused.
me:whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?
of
fi
cer
2:j
ustal
lowusi
nsi
desi
r.
Isteppedasi deandt heywalkedi n.Theystar
ted
searchingt heplaceandwer en'tsomi ndf
ulabout
l
eavi ngthingsthewayIputt hem.Theymovedt o
thebedr oomsandIf oll
owedbehi ndthem.Thef ir
st
offi
cersear chedmybedr oom andwentt omycl oset
.
Afteramoment , hepull
edoutmyspor tsbagthat
hadcl othesIhadf orgott
entounpack.Isawguns
there,threeofthem.
of
fi
cer
1:ar
ethesel
icensed?
me:t
heyar
en'
tmi
ne,
I'
veneverseent
hem.
hi
m:you'
veneverseent
hist
oo?
Bel
owtheguns,ther
ewaspl
ast
icbagswi
thwhi
te
powder
.Itl
ookedli
kedr
ugs.
me:no,
Idon'
t.
hi
m:You'regoingt
ohavet
ocomewi
thust
othe
pol
icest
ation.
me:am Iunderar
rest
?
hi
m:youdohavei
ll
egalit
emsi
nyourpossessi
on.
Pl
easewor
kwithushere.
Theyl edmet ot hewait
ingvanoutsideandI
steppedi nsi
de.Theyhadn'thandcuffedbutIknewI
wasi ntrouble.Someonehadputt hosestuffi
n
there,probablytheonewhobr okein.Whywoul d
theydot his?Ihadt ogetalawyerandgetthis
sortedoutqui ckly.
TheHi
tWoman
20
_
Et
han
Whenwegott
othepol
icest
ati
on,
Iwasquest
ioned
aboutt hegunsanddr ugst heyf ound,andt hey
didn'tbelievemewhenIt oldt hem theywer en'
t
mi neandsomeonewasf rami ngme.It oldthem
aboutt hebr eak- inandthreat eningnoteIgotbut
theywer ei ntentonmaki ngmeacr iminal.Anhour
l
at er,t
heyputmei nthehol dingcells,r
efusingt olet
mecal lal awyer .Ihadther ighttocont actmy
l
awyer ,butt heywer edenyi ngi ttome.Thehol ding
cellIwasi nwasover crowdedandver yunsani tary.I
couldn' tbearst ayingtheref ormor ehour s,l
etal one
theni ghtf oracr imeIdidn' tcommi t.Afterawhi le,a
war dencamet ogetmeandsai dIhadavi sit
or.
Thatvi sitortur nedoutt obeTaJ.Ieyedhi m wear il
y
andsatdown.
hi
m:youl
ookgoodboy.
Ikeptqui
et,
wai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtot
ellmewhatgamehe
wasplayi
ngwit
hme.
hi
m:mustbehardf
orar
ichguyl
ikeyout
obeher
e,
neh?Wel
cometoSA.
me:whatdoyouwantf
rom you?
hi
m:Yourcousi
nthoughthecoul
dbesmar
tert
han
me,hethoughthecouldgetawaywi
thnotpayi
ng
mebutlookatwhereheisnow.Hegotyouintohi
s
cl
ever
nessandt hat
'swhyyou'r
eher
e.
me:Idi
dn'
tdoanyt
hing.
hi
m:real
ly,
youwantt
odenyhel
pingyourcousi
nki
ll
oneofmymen?
Lieswer
en'
tgoi
ngtogetmeanywher
esoIdeci
ded
totel
lhi
mthetr
uth.
me:WhenIgott oThul
ani
'
shome,themanwas
deadal
ready.Ionl
yhel
pedindi
sposi
ngthebody.
hi
m:Ilikeyou,you'
rehonest
.Nowyouwon'
tget
awaythatquickl
ybutI'
m sur
eIcanmakepl
ansto
getyououtofhere.
Hest oodupandsi gnal
ledtot heguar d.Iwalked
backt othehol
dingcell
,butIdi dn'
tstayl ong.They
toldmeIwasf reetoleave,andnochar geswer e
fi
ledagainstme.Obviously,TaJt alkedtot hem and
bribedthem.Ihadnodoubtt hatthi
swoul dn'
tbethe
l
astt i
meIheardf r
om him, hewoul dexpect
somet hi
ngfrom meaf t
erbailingmeouti njail
.
_
Segomot
so
Iwenttowor kthenextdayanddr eadedf acing
Cami l
a.Ihopednott ohaveanyencount erwi t
hher
butunfort
unately,shehaddiffer
entplans.She
askedtoseet hedesignsforthecur r
entpr ojectI
waswor kingonwi thmyteam andaskedf ormet o
comespeci fi
cal
ly.Iwentupt oherofficeandgave
herthedesigns.Shelookedatmef oramoment
andthenlookedatt hedesigns.
her
:It
rustyouhadagoodeveni
ngyest
erdayand
sl
eptwel
ltoo.
Shejusthadtobecynical.Idi
dn'
trespondandtr
ied
fi
gur
ingherout.Shewasanunpr edictabl
ewoman
andIhadal otofquesti
onsinmymi nd.Itookar
isk
andaskedheroneoft hem.
me:canIaskyouaper
sonalquest
ion?
Shedidn'
trespondandIt
ooki
tasagoaheadt
o
ask.
me:howol
dwer
eyouwhenyouf
ir
st.
..ki
ll
ed
someone?
Hersi
lencest
ret
chedonandIt
houghtshewoul
dn'
t
answer.
her
:longenought
oknowwhatIwasdoi
ng.
Shehandedmet
hedesi
gnsanddi
smi
ssedme.
me:wasi
tbychoi
ce?
Shechuckl
ed.
her
:wasitbychoi
cewhenyoul
etyourbr
other
downandkil
ledhi
m?
Ofcour se,shewouldcheckmeoutandf i
ndout
everythingaboutme,includingmybr ot
her.The
ment ionofhim mademel eaveheroffi
ce
i
mmedi atel
y.Onmyl unchtime,Imetupwi th
Keneilweandwehadl unch.Ican'tsayour
rel
ationshipisthesameasi twasyearsago,buti
t
wasn' tbadeither
.Idi
dn'tment i
onmynew
fri
endshi pwit
hKhumo.
me:doyouthi
nkIcouldhavehel
pedmybr
otheri
fI
hadn'
tbeensosel
f-
centr
ed?
her
:sel
f-
cent
redwoul
dbet
hel
astwor
dIwoul
duse
todescr
ibeyou.Youcaredaboutyourbr
otherSego
anditwasobvious.Somethi
ngsyoucouldn'
thave
known.
me:butsti
ll
,Ishoul
dhavebeent
her
eforhi
m
i
nsteadofgetti
nghi
gh.
her:hewasgetti
nghi ghtoo,yousawt hatf
rom hi
m.
Hewast heoldersibli
ng,
hewassupposedt otake
careofyou.I
'
m notbl aminghimforthet hi
ngshe
didbutyoushouldn'tbeblamingyourselff
orhis
choicesandmistakes.
Iknewshewasr ight ,butCami la'
swor dsechoedi n
mymi nd.Therewasat imet hatIbel i
evedIhadl et
mybr otherdownandhadcausedhi sdeat heven
thoughIdi dn'
tgi vehi mt hedr ugsheover dosedon.
Thosedayswer edar k, andIdon' tknowhowIgot
out,butIdid.Asmal lpar tofmewi l
lalwaysf eel
responsibl
ef ormybr other'sdeat hthough.Bot hme
andmybr othermadef ool i
shchoi cesbecausewe
hadnoonet ogui deusanddi dn'tknowbet ter.
Cami l
acompar i
ngt hatt ofirstkil
li
ngsomeonewas
tel
li
ng.Maybei twasn' tachoi ceshemadewi ll
ingl
y,
oritwasami stake.Howshegotf rom thatpointto
t
heki
ll
erIsawi
nheryest
erdaywasamyst
ery.
_
Cami
la
Ihadoneofmymenpl antli
steningdevi cesi n
Sego'sapar t
mentandabugi nherphonesoIwoul d
beabl etoknowwhoshet alkst oandwhatshesays
tothem.Iconsi deredhavingherf oll
owedbut
decidedagai nstit,shewoul dn'tdar egot othe
poli
cest ati
ont or eportwhatshesaw.Thef earon
herfacet ol
dmet hat.Andsheappear edcur i
ous
aboutme.Ihadot hermatterstocar eof ,sorti
ngout
myf ather'
saf f
ai r
smost l
y.Ifoundoutf rom his
l
awyert hathehadsever alproper t
iesandhouses
thatIknewnot hingabout ,Iwoul dhavet ovi si
tthem
andt henhavet hem sol d.
Iwenttot
hewarehouseandgotafewissuessort
ed
outwit
hthegangmen.Oneofthem cameinwitha
manIdidn'
tknow.
hi
m:bosslady,
hesayshehast
otel
lyousomet
hing
i
mport
ant.
Idi
smi
ssedt
her
estoft
heguysandt
heman
appr
oachedme.
hi
m:Mi
ssDavi
s,I
'
m Lucas,
Liam'
schauf
feur
.
me:who'
sLi
am?
Helookedatmewithshockf
oramomentbut
r
ecoveredfr
om i
tquickl
y.
hi
m:Li
am,
MrDavi
s'son.
Iwonderedforasecondifthi
smanwasj okingbut
thenIknewhewasn' t
.Thiswouldbesomet hingmy
fatherwoul
ddo,hidehissonfrom me.Iknew
nothingaboutLi
am,I'
veneverheardmyf athereven
ment i
onthatname.
me:howol
dishe?
Lucas:he'
s9.
me:whodoeshest
aywi
th?
him:hestaysalonethat
'swhyIcamet otel
lyou
whenIhear daboutMrDavis'
death.Idri
veLiam t
o
andfrom schoolever
yweekdayandawoman
comesonceort wiceaweektoclean,dolaundr
y
andcookf orhi
m.
me:wr
it
edownt
hehouseaddr
esshei
satr
ightnow.
Hewr oteitdownandIt hankedhim.Idr ovestraight
there.Thehousewasoneofmyf at
her '
spr opert
y
thatIwoul dn’thavethoughtofvisit
inganyt ime
soon.Ther ewasasecur i
tysyst
em thatr equir
ed
veri
ficationf orenteri
ngandIj ustusedt hei nt
ercom
andi dent i
fiedmysel fasCami l
aDavi s.Thegat e
openedandIwenti nside.Ayoungboyopenedt he
doorf orme, carryi
ngaguni nhi
shand.Ihadno
doubtt hati twasr eal.
hi
m:Hi
.
me:Li
am,
doyouknowwhoIam?
hi
m:yes, you'
reCami
lamysi
ster
.Dadt
oldme
aboutyou.
Hetol
dhim aboutmebutdi
dn'tt
ellmeaboutLi
am.
Howconvenient
.Li
am st
eppedasideandal
lowed
mein.
me:i
sthatl
oaded?
hi
m:yes,
alwaysi
s.
Thegunwasmostl
ikel
ynotl
oadedbutIst
il
l
r
ememberedoneofmyf ather
'sr
uleswhenhe
t
aughtmeaboutguns."Al
wayssayyourguni
s
l
oaded,
evenwhenitisn'
t.
"
me:wher
e'syourmot
her
?
Li
am:she'
sdead.
Notsur pri
sing,myf at
herprobablykil
ledher.The
kidwasassi mil
arasIwaswhenIwashi sage, onl
y
diff
erencethatmyf at
hertaughthim aboutguns
andusi ngthem waysoonert hanhet aughtme.
Liam wasobvi ouslyself
-sust
ained,butIcouldn'
t
justleavehim hereonhisown.
*
***
***
***
***
***
I'
vebeenbusystudyi
ngf ortest
sandcoul
dn'
twrit
e
aninser
t.Ist
il
lhaveonemor ecomi
ngupandthen
I'
l
ltr
ymybestt opostregularl
y.
TheHi
tWoman
21
_
Cami
la
IhadLiam packal
lhi
sstuf
fandtookhi
mt omy
apart
ment.Ihadstuf
ftodosoIlef
thi
m, knowi
ng
hewouldbef i
neonhisown.WhenIret
urned,I
foundhim wit
honeofmyrif
les.
me:youwer
esnoopi
ngi
nmyst
uff
.
hi
m:Iwasj
ustl
ooki
ng.You'
vegotcoolguns.
me:Ido,andIhaveonerul
eforyou,don'
ttouch
t
hem.Don'ttouchmystuff
,especi
all
ymyguns.Are
weclear
?
hi
m:Yeah.
It
ookt
her
if
leawayf
rom hi
m andputi
tini
tspl
ace.
hi
m:Dadi
sdead,
isn'
the?
Ihadn'
ttol
dhi
mthatyetandhehadn'
tasked.
me:yes.
hi
m:howwasheki
ll
ed?
me:hewasbur
ntal
i
ve.
Hedi
dn'tshowanyshock,
mer
elywentonaski
ng
t
henextquest
ion.
him:Dadsai
difsomeonegottohi
m,Ihadt
oget
revengef
orhi
m.Whoki l
ledhi
m?
me:I'
m sur
edaddydidn'
tthi
nkhewoulddieso
soon.Don'
tworr
yaboutwhokil
ledhi
m, Ial
ready
tookcar
eofthat
.
hi
m:sonowI
'
llbest
ayi
ngwi
thyou?
me:yes,
doyouhaveapr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?
hi
m:no.
me:good,you'
llhavet
hesameguydr i
veyoutoand
fr
om school
.Idon'thi
rehousekeeper
s,soyou'
lldo
ever
ythi
ngforyoursel
f.I
'
m sureyoucanmake
your
selff
ood,cleanaf
teryoursel
fandallt
hat
?
hi
m:Ican,
I'
m ol
denought
otakecar
eofmysel
f.
me:good.
Sati
sfi
edthatIdi
dn'
tneedt oworryabouthim Iwent
todosomewor kinmyof f
ice.Anhourlater
,Ileft
anddrovetoMarcoRomano' shouse.Therewer e
guardsoutsi
deasIexpect
ed, andtheyrai
sedt hei
r
weaponsasIapproachedthem.
me:I
'
m her
etoseeMr
.Romano.
guard1:MrRomanoi
sn'
texpect
inganyone,
giveme
yourname.
me:Cami
laDavi
s.
Hecheckedal
istandshookhi
shead.
hi
m:youar
en'
tint
hevi
sit
orsl
ist
.
me:callhi
m andtel
lhi
m Ihavesomet
hing
i
mportanttotel
lhi
m.
Hedidsowhiletheotherguar
dkeptacl
oseeyeon
me.Thefi
rstguardendedthecal
l.
hi
m:canIhaveyourphoneandal
lyourweapons.
Ieyedhimf oramoment ,
consi deringmyoptions.I
tookoutphoneandgunandl ethim patmef orany
otherweapons.Heledmei nsidet hehouseto
Mar co'
soffi
ce.Ther
ewasaguar dinsi
detheretoo.
Mar costoodwait
ingforme.
hi
m:Cami
laDavi
swhatasur
pri
se.
me:yes,
IthoughtI'
dpopbyandsur
pri
seyousi
nce
Iwassurpr
isedtoo.
Her
aisedhi
seyebr
owandIeyedhi
scol
lect
ionof
whi
skeys.
hi
m:howaboutagl
ass?
me:nothankyou.Yoursoncont
actedmet
hrough
mychannelsandhir
edmet okil
lyou.
Ahintofshockf
lashedacr
osshi
sfacebef
ore
di
sappeari
ngqui
ckly.
hi
m:mysonwoul
dn'
tdot
hat
.
me:Al
exandr
aRomanohat
esyou,
I'
m sur
eyou
knowt
hat.
hi
m:whyar
eyout
ell
ingme?
me:Youweremyf at
her'senemyandwithhi
m dead,
Idon'
tseeareasonyoushouldbemine,I
'dr
ather
workwit
hyou.Youar emanabovemyf at
her
,andI
don'
twantt
ogoagai nstyou.
Boost
inghi
segogavemet
her
eact
ionIhopedf
or.
hi
m:cert
ainl
yMsDavi
s.Howaboutwesi
tdown
andt
alk.
_
Et
han
TwoweekspassedandTaJdi dn'tpopup
demandi ngsomet hi
ngl i
keIhadf eared.Myf ears
didn'tf
ade,andIjustkeptmysel fbusy.Wor kkept
meoccupi edandIset tl
edinwel l.Ifi
nallydecidedto
goseemyf atherandspeakt ohim.It ookaf l
ightto
theUKandwasanxi oust hroughmostofi t.Icall
ed
SusanwhenIl andedandt oldhert hatIwouldbeat
theirhouseinanhour .Iheardthesur pr
iseinher
voiceandguessedt hatshet houghtIhadn' t
plannedonevercomi ng.
Itookadeepandknockedont
hedoor
.Susan
openedandsmil
ed.
her
:I'
m gl
adyoumadei
t.Comei
n.
Iwentinandsheledmet otheli
vingr
oom where
myf at
herwasseated.Heinhal
edsharpl
ywhenour
eyesmet,andwest ar
edateachforwhatfel
tli
ke
hourswhenitwasjustafewseconds.
hi
m:Et
han
me:shoul
dIcal
lyouMel
umzi
,Br
ianorBr
uce?
Hesmi
ledal
it
tl
e.
hi
m:whicheveryouf
eel
comf
ort
abl
ewi
th.Youcan
haveasi
t.
Isatdown.
Susan:canIgetyouanyt
hingt
odr
ink?
me:j
ustagl
assofwat
er,
thankyou.
Shelef
tusaloneandIsawt hatBr
uceshif
ted
ner
vouslyonthecouch.It
houghtitwasbestt
ojust
cal
lhim byt
henamehei susingnow.
hi
m:Inevert
houghtI
'dseet
hisdaywhenIwoul
d
gett
ospeaktoyou.
me:nei
therdi
dI.Bef
oreSusancont
act
edme,
Ieven
t
houghtyouweredead.
him:Ihavesomucht
osayyetIdon'
tknowwher
e
tobegin.
Susanbr
oughtusourdr
inksandIt
ookasi
pofmy
water
.
me:Isawt
hepict
uresfr
om mygraduat
ioni
nyour
of
fi
cewhenSusanbroughtmehere.
hi
m:Myescapef
rom j
ailwaswel
lpl
annedandI
choset oset tlehereint heUKsoIcoul dbecl oserto
you.Atf ir
st, IthoughtIcoul dcont actyouand
maybeseei fwecoul dar elati
onshipbutonceIwas
fr
ee, Icouldn' tdothat.I'
vedoner uthlessthi
ngsi n
l
ife,mur deredf atherswi thoutabl i
nkandIt hought
i
twassel fi
shofmet owantt obeaf athertoyou.I
knewyoupr obabl yhatedme, soIset tl
edtojust
beingcloset oyou.Yourgr aduationsar en'
ttheonly
eventsIat tended.Iwast hereatstadiumsf oryour
soccermat chesandot herschoolevent s.Fora
while,Icont entedmysel fwithjustthatandt hefew
call
sImadet oJacobt oknowhowyouwer edoing.
Thismancontinuedtosurpri
seme.Icouldbarel
y
rememberseeinghim anywhereandIwondered
howIwoul dhavereactedi
fIhadspott
edhimi nany
ofmysoccermat chesorschoolevent
s.Theonly
thi
ngIcouldsaynowwast hetr
uthaboutmy
feel
ings.
me:Whenyoust oppedcontacti
ngmeandJacob
t
oldmet hatyouwouldn’tbeabl
etoforawhi
le,I
t
houghtIhaddonesomet hi
ngwrongandyouhated
me.Ieventhoughtthatyouweresi
ckanddyingli
ke
mymot her.Itwasn’ tlongbef oreIfoundoutt he
tr
uthaboutyoubei ngi njai
landt hat’swher
emy
hateforyoustarted.WhenIr eadthebook,Iloathed
youandhopedyouwer edead.Gettingacallfrom
yourwifethatyouwer est i
llali
vebutmaybenotf or
l
ongwasashock.Al lthisi
sashockt omeandI ’
m
notsurehowIf eel aboutyounow, someoft he
angerandhat eisgone.
Him:Theonl ythingIcansayr i
ghtnowisthatI
’
m
sorr
y.I’m sorr
ythatIcouldn’tbethefat
heryou
deserved,thatIbrokethepromi set
heImadet o
yourmot herbeforeshedi edthatIwoul
dtakecare
ofyou.Yourmot herwast heonewomanwhoknew
themanIwasbutneverj udgedmeandst oodby
myside.
Me:di
dsheknowt
he…t
hingsyoudi
d?
Him:no,
Idon’
tthi
nkshedi
dbuti
ntui
ti
vel
yshe
knewwhatIwascapabl
eof.
Me:Idon’
tremembermuchabouther,butIknow
shel
ovedyouandf orawhi
leaft
erIr
eadaboutyour
past
,Iwonderedhowshecouldl
oveamanl i
keyou.
Hi
m:Iwonder
edaboutt
hatt
oo.
Hewascont
emplat
ivef
oramoment
,andIsawt
hat
hehadr
eal
lycar
edaboutmymot
her
.
Him:shespentt helastmoment sofherlif
ewithme
andIt hinksheknewi t
.Shet oldmet hatIwasa
goodmanandIdi dn’tobjectthat.Ionlyr
eali
sed
aft
erherdeat htheextentofherlovef ormeand
howIhadbeenunf airtoher.Inevereven
apologizedfort
hat.
IthoughtIknewmyf atherfrom t
hebookhewrot
e
abouthimself,
therehewasi nsensi
ti
veand
i
ncapableofloveandcar ingbutri
ghtnowIwas
seeingamanf il
ledwit
hr egret
sandwhocared
deeply.
_
Segomot
so
Iwashavingl
unchwithKhumodur i
ngmyl unch
break.Wehadstar
teddoingthi
sonceortwicea
weekandIenjoyedhiscompany.Wewerejust
fr
iendsandIwascomf or
tabl
ewitht
hat.
Hi
m:am Ibor
ingyouwi
thmyst
ori
es?
Me:no,
notatal
l.I
’
mjustabi
tdi
str
act
ed.
Ihadbeenthi
nkingaboutCamil
alat
elyandcoul
dn’
t
takewhatIwi
tnessedherdoandourli
tt
le
conver
sati
onthenextday.
Me:doyout
hinkever
yonei
scapabl
eofchangi
ng?
Khumo:Ithi
nkso, butitdependsonhowmuchyou
wanttochangeandwhatyourmot i
vationsar
e.I
wasti
redofmakingmoneybyst eali
ngf r
om
i
nnocentpeopl
eorr uiningpeople’
sliveswit
hdrugs
andwasdeterminedtobeadi f
ferentman.
Cami laseemst obarelycareaboutpeopl e’
slives
becausesheeasi lyplayedGod.Ir emember edher
rescuingmef rom Mandl aandthreateninghim
whenheal mosthitme.Thatmomentpr ovedt ome
thatshewasn’ theart
less.Shecoul dhaveeasi l
y
pulledthetri
ggerwhenshesawmeaf t
ershehad
kil
ledthatman, butshedi dn’
t.Ar
ut hlessperson
woul dn’
thavespar edmyl if
eandr iskedmet alki
ng
aboutwhatIsaw.
Af
terl
unchwi
thKhumo,
Iwentbackt
owor
kand
headedt
oCamil
a’soffi
ce.Shelookedupfr
om her
workwhenIwal
kedin.Itookoutaplast
icbagfr
om
myhandbagandplaceditonhertabl
e.
Me:mybr other’
sjour
nalisi
nthere,
hestar
ted
wri
ti
nginitafterhefi
rst
…kil
ledaman.Forawhi leI
t
hinkwrit
ingwor kedf
orhim.There’
sanewj our
nal
t
heretoo,coulddoyougoodt otr
ywr i
ti
ngyour
f
eeli
ngsinit.
Shechuckl
edandt
ouchedt
hepl
ast
icbag.
Her:youthi
nkreadi
ngyourdead,dr
ugaddict
brot
her’
sdiaryandwri
ti
ngwillmakemestopkil
l
ing
people?
Shewaspur
posel
ytr
yingt
oaggr
avat
eme.
Me:no,i
tpr
obabl
ywon’t
.Idoknowthatyouar
en’
t
ashear
tl
essasyout
hinkyouare.
Shewatchedmeforawhileandsi
nceIhadsai
d
whatIwantedt
osay,It
urnedtol
eave.
Her
:doyoueverwi
sht
oseesomeonebur
nal
ive?
It
urnedt
olookather
.
Me:no.
Her
:Idoandi
t’
sact
ual
lyani
cesi
ghtt
osee.
Ihadnodoubtthatshehadwat
chedsomeoneburn
al
ive.Thi
nki
ngaboutitmademesick,
thatmust
havebeenCamila’
saim.
Me:doyouwantt
oseemebur
nal
ive?
Her:no,i
fIwer
etokil
lyou,
itwoul
dqui
ckbecauseI
don’tgi
veashi
taboutyou.
Me:quckandpai
nlessbecausemaybeyoudo.
Iwassatisfi
edtohavethel
astwordandhopedI
hadaccuratel
yfi
guredoutCamil
a,oratl
eastt
he
thi
ngsItoldher.
TheHi
tWoman
22[
Unedi
ted]
_
Cami
la
Iwasdist
ractedandcoul
dn'tgetanyworkdone.
Theplast
icbagthatSegogavemewasst i
llsit
ti
ng
ther
eandIcouldn'tst
opmyf i
ngersfrom t
ouchingit
.
Segomotsopuzzledmeabit.Ididn'
tunderstand
howsomeonewhosawmecol d-bl
oodedlykilla
mancoul dtaketherisksshewast aki
ng,asking
questionsaboutt hefir
stti
meIki ll
edandof feri
ng
herdeadbr ot her
'sj
ournaltomewi thanewone.
Shewasaf raidofme, butshealsohadacur ious
i
nt er
estinmet hatherfearcoul
dn'tsubdue.If i
nall
y
openedt hepl ast
icbag,tookouttheoldjournaland
start
edr eading.
*Thisisst upidbutappar entl
ywr it
ingabout
somet hinghel psmakei teasier.Idon'tknowhow
thatwor kswhenyou' vejustmur deredsomeone.
Wr it
ingwon' tbri
nghi m backf r
om t hedeadanyt i
me
soon.Idi dn'tmeant okillhim,itwasaf ucken
mi st
ake.Iwast heguyputont hel ookoutwithagun
andIwasonl ysupposedt oscareanyonewho
camebyt illtheot
herscoul dgett hejobdone.The
guypoppedoutofnowher eandscr eamed, I
panickedandpul l
edt het r
iggerwithoutthinki
ng.I
didn'tevenknowt hatthegunwasl oadedtil
lthe
guydr oppeddownandt her ewasnot i
met othink
aboutwhatIhaddone, t
heot herguysgotoutand
wer ushedt othecar.Wewer eoutoft herein5min
andt heotherguysthoughtIdidaf i
nejobsaving
theirasses.Khumoevengavemeanext racutand
obviouslyIcouldn'
tsaynot oit
.Segocoulduse
somenewshoesandI 'l
lknowshe'llbegl
ad.ButI
kil
ledamanandshewoul dn'twanttoevenlookat
mei fshef oundout.I
'm al
readyfeeli
ngli
kehelland
Idon'twantt ol
oseher,she'sallI
'
vegotandI '
m
hust l
i
ngf orher
.She'sgotnooneel seandI'vegot
totakecar eofher.*
Iknewal it
tl
eaboutSego' sbr otherfrom t he
researchIdidonher .Herbrothergoti nvolvedwith
agr oupofguyswhodi dpettycr imes, hedi ddrugs
anddi edaft
erheover dosedont hem.Hi slif
ehad
beenofat ypicalguybor ntopoorpar entswhohad
nothingtoli
vehi m wit
hbutal i
ttl
esisterwhent hey
died.Nothi
ngi nhislif
ewasi nteresti
ngandIwas
baffledbySego'smot iveforgivingmehi sdi ar
y.I
hadnot imetot hi
nkaboutSegoanyl ongerasAl ex
walkedintomyof f
ice,cl
earl
ynothappy.
me:Idon'
trememberset
ti
ngupameet
ingt
osee
you.
hi
m:f
orgi
vemef
ornotset
ti
ngone,
Idi
dn'
thavet
he
t
imeaf
termyfat
hercal
ledt
otel
lmet
hatIwoul
dn'
t
t
akehi
m outwi
thahit
woman.
me:andyouassumedhemeantme?
hi
m:comeonCami l
a,Icametoyouwi
thcl
ear
i
ntent
ionsbuther
eyouar epl
ayi
nggameswit
hme.
me:okay,nogames.Idi dtellyourfat
herthatyou
hir
edmet okillhim,butIdi
dn'tplanto.Idi
dn't
expectyourfathert
oconf r
ontyou, It
houghthewas
wiserthanthat.
hi
m:he'l
ldomorethanjustconf
ront
,he'sprobabl
y
get
ti
ngsomeonetokil
lme.Whycan' tyoutellme
whati
tisyou'
repl
anni
ng?
me:Meandyouar en'tfri
ends,soIwon'ttel
lyou
shit.Youf at
herwon'tkil
l,hewant syoutoseehim
winandcomebeggi ngf orforgivenessonyour
knees.Cont i
nuewithwhatyouhadi nmindandI'
ll
dowhatIhavei nmind.OnceI '
m donewithyour
father,hi
sRussianallieswillknowmynameand
theywon' twanttotouchme.
hi
m:youwanttobecomet hi
smostf eared
hi
twomanIsee.Ihopeyou'r
esuccessfuli
nyour
pl
an,
Ireal
lydo.
Hetur
nedtoleavebyst
oppedatt
hedoorand
l
ookedbackatme.
hi
m:Youprobabl
ydon'
twanttoheart
his,
butI
'l
lsay
i
t,youar
en'
tashear
tl
essever
yonethi
nksyouare.
Hedidn'
twaitf
ormyr esponseandjustwal
kedout
.
Twopeopleinonedaypoi nt
ingouthowIwasn'
t
hear
tl
essenough.Maybei twasaboutti
meI
showedthem whatIcoulddo.
_
Et
han
Istayedoverf
ordinnerwit
hBruceandSusan.I
t
wasawkwar dandneitherofusr
eal
lyknewhowt o
tr
eateachother.
Bruce:Yourmovet
oSAwasabr
upt
,canIaskwhy
youmoved?
me:Iwantedachangeinscener
yandt
houghtmy
mother
'shomecountr
ywasmybestoption.
hi
m:economyinSouthAfr
icaisn'
tgreatandyou
l
eftawonder
fulj
obherewithpeopl
eyoul oved.
Br
ucehasalmostneverbeenapar
tofmyli
feandI
di
dn'
tfeelt
heneedtospil
lal
lmysecr
etst
ohim.
me:Iwant
edaf
reshst
art
.
Weendedthenightonawkwardgoodbyes,andI
washonestwit
hBruceandtoldhi
mt hati
twould
t
akeawhileformetoletgoofal
lmyangerIhave
f
orhi
m.
Ididn'
thavemor etimet ospendi nt heUK,soIfl
ew
backtoSAt hef oll
owi ngmor ning.Ipassedbymy
aunt'
shouseandt oldherhowt hi
ngswent .Shewas
slowlyheali
ngfrom t hepainofl osinghersonandI
hopedtoseehersmi l
eagain.Ivi sit
edherof t
enand
tri
edgetti
nghert ocomest aywi t
hmesoshe
wouldn'tbelonely,butsher efusedmyof fersayi
ng
thatshewoul dbef ineonherown.
*
*
AweekpassedandIwasswampedwi thwork.I
waswor ki
ngonanewconst
ruct
ionproj
ectand
fi
nal
isi
ngthecost
s.Mybosswalkedi
nandgaveme
somedocuments.
hi
m:newcostesti
mat
efort
henewpr
oject
,bal
ance
al
lthecost
sout
.
Iscanneditqui
ckl
yandsawt hattherewasanext
ra
3mi l
li
onthatwasunaccount
edf or.
me:t
hisi
s3mil
li
onRandsmor
ethanwhatwe
woul
dneed.
hi
m:yeah,
addwhat
evermaj
orcost
stoaccountf
or
i
t.
me:Ican'
tdothatbecausether
eallmaj
orcost
s
havebeencover
edandf abr
icat
ingnewoneswoul
d
beacrime.
hi
m:yeahandt
hat
'swhatyouwi
lldobecauseI
hi
redyou.
me:youcan'tf
orcemet
ocommi
tacr
ime,
Ican
r
eportyou.
him:pl
easedoandrepor
tallyourcr
imest
oo,ones
youcommi t
tedher
eandtheonesyouescaped
fr
om intheUK.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
ieveIwasinanot
hermessagai
n.He
obvi
ousl
ydidhisresear
chonmeandknewawhole
l
otaboutme.Iwoul dn'tbesurpri
sedifheknewTaJ
andthisjobwasaset upthatIfel
lri
ghtinto.
Unknowi nglymakingami stakethatcausedpeople
togetinjuredanddi ei
sabur denbutgetti
ng
i
nvolvedi ncorr
uptionisanotherheavybur dent
hatI
wasn’treadytoface.
_
Segomot
so
It'
sbeenaweeksi nceIgaveCami l
amybr ot
her's
j
our nalandthenewone.Ihadn' tseenhersince
thenandIwascur iousi fshehadjustburntthem
withouthesi
tati
on.Itwaspr obabl
ystupidgivingher
thejournal
sbutsomet hi
nginmecoul dn'
taccept
herbeingjustahear t
lesskil
ler
.
ItwasaFridayandIwasworkingwi
thmyt eam on
ourlat
estadswhenIgotacallfr
om Nceba'
sschool.
woman:MsThamae, wewouldlikeyoutocometo
t
heschoolr
ightaway,Nceba'
steacherwoul
dli
keto
t
alkt
oyou.
me:concer
ning?
her:anur
genti
ssuet
hatcan'
tbedi
scussedovert
he
phone.
me:i
sNcebaokay?
her
:yes,
he'
sfi
ne.
Idi
dn'
twast et
imeandi mmedi at
elywentt
her
e,
wonderi
ngwhatt heprobl
em was.WhenIgotthere,
Iwasledtotheprinci
pal'
soff
ice.Ncebawasther
e
wit
htheprinci
palandhisteacher.
pr
inci
pal:MsThamae,
Ncebat
ell
smet
hatyouar
e
hi
sinfor
malcarer
.
me:yes,
Iam.
t
eacher
:wecal
ledyouherebecausewef
ound
Ncebawit
hdr
ugsinhispossessi
on.
me:dr
ugs,
thatcan'
tbet
rue.
Sheshowedmet
hesmal
lbagwi
thwhi
tepowder
.
her
:wef
oundi
tinhi
sschool
bag.
Il
ookedatNceba,hopi
nghewoul dsaythatther
e
wasamistakeandthedrugsweren'
this.Therewas
nodeni
alonhisface,j
ustshame.
me:whatwast
hatdoi
ngi
nyourschool
bagNceba?
hi
m:I
'
m notdoi
ngdr
ugs,
Iwoul
dn'
t.
me:youwer
est
il
lfoundwi
tht
hem.
him:afri
endgaveitt
ome, heaskedmet okeepit
forhim.Iwasgoingtogi
veitbacktohi
mt oday
after
school
.IswearSego,I
'
mt el
li
ngthetrut
h.
me:Idon'
tunderst
andwhyyoutookthedr
ugsfrom
t
hissupposedfr
iendofyour
s,whycoul
dn'
thekeep
t
hem forhi
mself
.
Hedi
dn'
tanswerandIt
urnedt
othepr
inci
pal
.
me:whathappensnow?
hi
m:ourschoolpoli
cydoesn'
tall
owt heuseor
possessi
onofdrugs.I
'
m suspendinghimfora
weekandift
hishappensagain,I
'
llexpelhi
m.
me:okay,
I'
llseet
hati
tdoesn'
thappenagai
n.
Iwal
kedoutwit
hNcebafol
lowingbehindme.Once
wewereoutoft
heschool
,Istoppedandtur
nedto
l
ookathi
m.
me:Whoi
sthi
sfr
iendofyour
s?
hi
m:someoneIknow,
hedoesn'
tschoolwi
thme.
me:I
'
llaskagai
n,whoi
she?
him:i
t'
sZakesfr
om t
heyout
hcentr
e.He'snotusi
ng
thedr
ugs,hi
sfat
hermakeshi
m sel
lthem.
me:di
dheaskyout
osel
lthem f
orhi
m?
Hekeptqui
etandIwasi
ndi
sbel
ief
.
him:itwasonlythi
sti
me, hebeggedmetobecause
hisfatherwoul
dbeathim upifhedi
dn'
tsel
lal
l
thosethathegavehim andgivehi
mthemoney.
Icouldseethathewasbeinghonest,
andI
understoodt
hathehadbeent r
yingt
ohelphis
fr
iend.Iwaspissedatt
hisfat
herfor
cinghi
ssont
o
selldr
ugs.
me:I '
llseewhatIcandowi t
hZakesi ssue,he
shoul dhavet oldsomeonewhathi sfatherwas
maki nghi m do.NowIwantyout oli
stentome, i
f
everyourf ri
endstr
yandmakeyoudosomet hing
thatisn'tright,
nomattert
heirreasonorwhat
troublet heyareinorcoul
dgeti nt
o,don'tdoit.Don'
t
do, sellorkeepdrugs,al
coholoranythingil
legalfor
yourage.I
fyourf
ri
endsneedhelp,t
ellmeor
someoneelseatt
heyouthcent
re,ar
ewecl ear
?
hi
m:yes.
me:good,
Idon'
twanttohavet
hisconver
sat
ion
wit
hyouagai
n.I
'm goi
ngbacktoworkandyou'
re
goi
nghome.
Henoddedandwewentoursepar ateways.Isighed
i
nr eli
ef,l
ett
inggoofthefearIhadabouthim doing
drugs.Idon'tknowhowIwoul dhavedealtwiththat
andIhopedIneverwoul dhavet odealwi
thit.I
calledthewomanwhowasi nchargeatthecent r
e
andt ol
dhim aboutwhathappenedandZakesbei ng
forcedtoselldrugsbyhi
sfather.
Aft
erwork,Khumocall
edandconvincedmet ojoi
n
wit
hhisfri
endsatali
tt
legett
ogethertheyhad.He
fet
chedmef r
om workandinthecar,Itol
dhim
aboutmyday’sevent
s.
me:Iwasdamnscar
edKhumo.
him:wellsoundsli
keyouhandl
editwel
landIdon't
thi
nkthatboywillgeti
nvol
vedi
ndrugsoranythi
ng
bad,you'
regoodwi t
hhim andI
'
m surehedoesn'
t
wantt
oletyoudown.
me:Ihopeso.
Wegott hereandhegotusdr inks.Iknewsomeof
hisfri
endsfrom thelastti
mehehadi ntr
oducedme
tothem,andt heywer echil
led.Kenei l
wewast here
andshedi dn'
tseem theleastbi thappytoseeme
withKhumo.Ihadt ogettot hebot t
om oftheissue
betweenherandKhumoi fIwasgoi ngtoconti
nue
beingfri
endswi t
heitheroft hem.
_
Keneil
weeyesKhumocr ackingjokeswith
Segomotsoasifalli
swellandshecl ut
chesher
beerbott
leti
ght
ly.Shewait
sf orKhumot oleave
Segoandt henmakesherwayt ohim.
Kenei
lwe:whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thSego?
Khumogl
ancesatherandt
henatSegomot
so.
Khumo:we'
refr
iends,
Ibel
ievet
her
e'snot
hing
wrongwi
ththat
.
Kenei
lwe:i
tiswrongi
fyou'
rel
yingandf
ool
ingher
l
ikeyoudidyear
sago.
Khumo:I
'm doi
ngnei
theroft
hosethi
ngs,
I'
m not
t
hatguyanymoreandyouknowit.
Kenei
lwe:youmi ghtaswellbet
hatguyi
fyouwon't
tel
lwhatyourstupidbraggi
ngdi
dforher
.Orhave
youforgot
ten?
Her
oughl
ygr
absherandpushesheroutofsi
ght
.
Khumo:That '
sar egretthatI
'l
lfor
everli
vewith,butI
won'tbri
ngitupt oSegomot sobecauseitwillhur
t
her.Shegotpastt hatandshe'shappy.Ifyoucare
abouther,you'
lldropthisandbet hankf
ulthatshe'
s
evenfri
endswi thyounow.
Keneil
we:ohno,youwon'tmakethr
eatsand
ul
ti
mat umst omethi
stime.Youmademel ieandbe
ahorri
blefri
endtoher
,butIwon'
tdothatagain.I
'
ll
hurtheri
fitmeansshegetstoknowthetr
uth.
Khumo’
sfearandangeral
lgotmi
xedt
oget
herand
hedi
dn’
tholdbackt
hehurtf
ulwor
dshehadtosay.
Khumo:Yourpr obl
em isthatyou'
rejeal
ousofSego,
youwerej eal
ousthatshehadabr otherwhowould
doanythingforher,
thatshewasbeaut if
ul,
andI
l
ikedher.Evennow, you'
rejeal
ousthatshehasa
greatjobandi shappywhi leyouwor katar etail
storeandyouar emi ser
able.Youarepr et
endingt o
havebeencl eanf orthepastfewyear sbutr eall
y,
you'vebeenr el
apsingandcan' tquitdrugsbecause
theyaret heonl ythingthatmakeyouhappy.I 've
changed, beencl eanf oragoodf i
veyear sandhave
astablejob.Goaheadandt el
lSegomot sowhatyou
wantt otellher,butitwon'tchangeanyt hinginyour
miserablel i
fe.
Heturnsawayf
rom herandf
indshi
msel
fst
ari
ngat
Segomotso.
Kenei
lwe:t
hat
'syourchangedman,
Ihopehe
makesyouhappySego.
Kenei
lwewal
kspastt
hem wi
thoutabackwar
d
gl
ance.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Sor
ryfort
aki
ngsol
ongtopost,
thi
sinser
tisqui
te
l
engthyj
ustf
ort
hat
.CanIget10+comment s
TheHi
tWoman
23
_
Segomot
so
Iwai
tedf
orKhumot oexpl
ainhimsel
fbecauseI
nowdoubt
edhischangedselfasKenei
lwepoint
ed
out
.Thewayhespoketoher,Iwasremindedofthe
manhewasyearsago.
hi
m:di
dyouhearever
ythi
ng?
me:Ihear
dmostofwhatyousai
dtoherandyour
wordswerequi
tei
nsul
ti
ng.
hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry,
Ijustl
osti
t.
me:youareapol
ogi
singtot
hewrongpersonand
whatwereyoudi
scussi
ngthatmadeyoulosei
t?
hi
m:it
'snot
hing.Iwasrudeandhur
tfult
oKenei
l
we
andI
'
llapol
ogizetoher
.
me:don'
ttel
lmeit'
snot
hing,
seemsl i
kethere’
salot
bet
weenyout woandIwanttohearaboutitnow.
him:Fine,
Keneil
wedoesn'twantmet obef
ri
ends
withyoubecauseshet
hinksyou'resel
fi
shandthat
youarebettert
hanher
.Ithinkshe'
sjeal
ousofyou,
shealwayshasbeenandseei nghowyouarehappy
now,
thathur
tsher
.
me:Khumothatsur
eashel
lseemedmor
ethan
j
eal
ously.
hi
m:I '
veknownKenei l
weforyearsandshe'
sgood
atlyi
ngandpretendi
ng.Ithoughtshehadchanged
butclear
ly,
Iwaswr ong.Idon'
tthi
nkyoushouldbe
fr
iendswithher
,she'snotri
ghtforyou.
Ididn'
tbel
ieveKhumo'
sst
ory,butIdi
dn'
tpushi
t.I
askedhimt odr
ivet
omyplaceandhedid.
hi
m:look,
don'
twor
ryyour
sel
faboutKenei
lwe,
let
herbe.
Icoul
dn'
tdot hat .Ispenttherestofmyeveni ng
wonderi
ngift heyhadpr obabl
yslepttoget
heror
hadarelat
ionshi pthatendedbadl y.Kenei
lwe
seemedtor eall
ydi sl
ikeKhumoandIwant edto
knowwhy.Ical ledhert henextdayandaskedhert o
cometomypl ace.Itoldherwher eIstayed,andshe
cameanhourl ater.
me:what
'supwi
thyouandKhumoandpl
easet
ell
methetr
uth.
her
:wehadafal
loutyearagoandj
ustnevergot
al
ongagai
n.
me:whydoyouhaveapr
obl
em wit
hmebeing
fr
iendswi
thhi
mthen,
wasafact
orint
hisf
all
outof
yours?
her
:Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nkhe'
sri
ghtf
oryou.
me:t
hat'
sthesamethingKhumosai daboutyou
andI
'mtir
edofyoutwobei ngvagueabout
what
everhappenedbetweenyoutoo.
her:not
hinghappenedbet
weenus, Ij
ustdon'
t
underst
andhowyoucanl ookathim andnot
rememberhowyouwer egangraped.
Ii
nhal
edsharpl
y,f
eel
ingl
ikeIhadjustbeensl
apped.
Kenei
lweal
sopausedandsighed.
her
:thatcameoutbadl
ybuti
t'
str
ue.
me:Khumohadnot
hingt
odowi
tht
hat
.
her:hehadeveryt
hingtodowi t
hit.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt o
bri
ngthisupbutsinceIhave,Imightaswellt
ellyou.
Khumobr aggedaboutyou,aboutyoursexli
fewith
hi
m andwhent heguysaskedf ordetai
ls,
hegave
them f
reel
y.Hewashighondr ugsasusualwhen
hewaswi t
hhisfr
iendsandt herewereotherguys
ther
ethathebar
elyknew.I '
mf air
lysur
ethatat
l
east3oftheguysthat.
..rapedyouwer ether
e
whenKhumowasbr aggingandKhumoknowst his.
Awounddeepi nsidemehadopenedand
Kenei
lwe'swordswerel i
kesaltonit
.Iwasrapedby
fi
vemenwhenIwas16, theygotmewhenIwason
mywaybackf r
om school.Theeventwastraumat
ic,
andIhadl ongbur
iedit.Nowitroseandallt
he
memor i
esofitret
urned.
me:howdoyouknowt
his?
Shel
ookedawayf
rom me.
her
:becauseIwast
her
e.
me:whyar
eyouonl
ytel
li
ngmet
hisnow?
her:Af
terithappened,Idi
dn'twantt otellyou
becauseIsawhowcr ushedyouwer e.Ithought
Khumowoul dtel
lyoubutwhenhedi dn't,Ideci
ded
totel
lyou.Khumost oppedme, threatenedmeand
tol
dmet ost ayawayfrom you.Guiltandf earwere
whatmademedi sappearfrom yourlife.I
confrontedKhumoyesterdayandhesaidthathe
wouldn'ttel
lyouwhathisbraggi
ngcostyou.I'
m not
tel
li
ngyout hi
stohur
tyou,butIj
ustt
hinkthatyou
deservet oknow.
I'
vehear dmenbr agaboutwomanasi ftheyar e
slutsandapi eceofmeat .I
'
vebeendi sgust edby
thosemenandf ri
endst hatwoul dcheert hem on.I
couldimagi neKhumodoi ngjustt hat,theot her
guyshewaswi thimagi ningsleepingwi thme.Fi ve
ofthosemendeci dedtodoj ustt hat,theyt ook
awaymydi gnity.Mybr otherhadhel pedme
overcomet hefeel i
ngsofshameandgr ief.Thinking
abouti tnow,Idon' tt
hinkIevenheal edf rom that
experience,somehow, Ijustburiedi tbutnowi twas
backlikeawoundt hat'
scomeundoneandwas
bleedi
ngpr ofusely.
_
Et
han
Troubleandbadluckseemedt obef
oll
owingme
everywhereIwent.NomatterhowmuchItri
ed
doingsomethinggood,bei
ngthegoodguy,hel
ping
andsi mplydoingmyj ob,somet hi
ngalwaysbr i
ngs
medownandt hreatenst odest royme.Ihad
fi
nalisedthecostest i
matest hatmybosshadgi ven
meandf abri
cat edt hemaj orcoststoaccountfor
theext r
amoney.Ihadt akenpar tincorrupt
ionandI
wasangr yatmysel f.Angr ythatIwasst upi
d
enought oacceptaj obof ferfr
om awomanIbar ely
knewandwhobar el
yknewme.MaybeOkuhl eknew
aboutt hi
swhol ej obset upandhadhel ped
orchestratei
t.Af terwor k,Iwentst rai
ghttoher
place.Shegr eetedmewi thabi gsmi l
ewhenshe
sawmeonherdoor step.
her:I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngt
ohearf
rom you,
it'
sni
cet
o
seeyou.
me:don'tbull
shi
tme,
wasthi
syourpl
anwi
thyour
uncl
e,togivemeajobandmakemeanaccompli
ce
i
ncorrupti
on?
her:cor
rupt
ion,
Idon'
tknowwhatyou'
ret
alki
ng
about.Cal
m down.
me:Youruncl
emadememakeupsomebul l
shi
t
cost
stoaccountf
orext
ramoneyt
hathewant
edin
hi
spocket.He'
sprobabl
ybeendoi
ngt
hatf
ora
whil
e,andyouknewit.
her
:al
it
tl
emoneyi
nhi
spocketi
snobi
gdeal
,chi
ll
out
.
me:youfooledmeandwantmet
ochi
llout?Your
uncl
eisblackmai
li
ngmeint
odoi
ngi
ll
egalstuf
f.
her:Thisi sSouthAf ri
caEt han,corrupti
onisanor m
andwemi ghtaswel lcashof ffr
om i t
.Youdon't
haveacl eanrecordyour selfsoaf ewmor eil
legal
stuffwon' tki
llyou.You'vegotagr eatjobwhile
therear epeoplewi t
hyourqual ifi
cationstr
uggling
tofindone.Enj oythemoneyandst opacti
ngsel f
-
ri
ght eous.
Talkingtoherwasn' tdoi
nganygoodsoIj ustl
eft
.
WhenIgott omypl ace,Igotabeerandsati nt
he
l
ivingandst ar
edblanklyattheTV.Idi dn'tknow
howIwasgoi ngtogetmysel foutofthismess.My
brothercal
ledme, andweskyped.Ihadn' tspoken
tohimi nawhi l
eandt houghIwasdi stressedItri
ed
notlett
ingitshowbutsomehow, Ifai
led.
hi
m:dude,
what
'sup?
me:not
hing.
him:somethi
ngbi
gisbot
her
ingyou,
Iseei
tinyour
face.Tal
ktome.
me:i
t'
snot
hing,
justwor
k.
hi
m:ar
eyousur
e?
Ineededtotal
ktosomeone,
andItrust
edmy
brot
her,soInar
rat
edtohi
m allt
heprobl
emsIhad.
hi
m:noteven6monthsinther
eandyoual
ready
bei
ngbl
ackmail
edandforcedtocommi
tcr
imes.
me:Idon'
tknowhowt
ogetoutoft
hisTr
evor
.
him:wel lsi
nceyou'
verecentl
yreunit
edwit
hyour
fat
her,itmightbeagoodi deatohavehi
m helpyou
out.Hedi dhaveconnect
ionsthereandIt
hinkhe
wasf eared.
me:no,I'
vedeal
twithmytroubl
eonmyownand
thatwon'
tchangebecausesuddenl
ymyf
ather
poppedupinmyl i
fe.
hi
m:I tsoundsl
ikeyou'
redeal
ingwi
thhardcor
e
peoplehereandyourfat
hercoul
dreal
lyhel
pyou
out.
me:he'
saconvi
ctwhoescapedfrom j
ail
,ther
e'sno
wayhecancomeheret
osor toutmyproblems.
him:moret hanadecadehaspassedsi ncehe
escapedfrom jai
l.I
'm surehewouldn'
tevenmind
ri
skinggett
ingarrestedjustt
ohelpyouout.I
fthese
menhearawor daboutyoubei nghissonandhim
beingali
ve,theywoul dchangethei
ratt
it
ude
towardsyou.
Bri
ngingBrucei
ntothi
swasn'
tanopti
onIwantedt
o
consi
der,Idi
dn'
tevenwantt
otel
lhi
m anyt
hing
aboutmyt r
oubl
es.
me:no,
justf
orgett
hat
.I'
l
lseehowIcandealwi
th
t
hisonmyown.
_
Cami
la
Sego'sbrother
'sjournalwasanar r
ativeofar egular
struggl
ingguywhogotsuckedi ntothewor l
dof
cri
met otakecareofhi ssi
ster
.Itwasi nteresti
ng
thoughandgavemeani nsi
ghtonwhatSegowent
throughwithherbrotherandtheirrel
ationship.She
gotintodrugs,gotrapedandalmostj umpedof fa
cli
fftokil
lherselfandal ltheseevent spil
edupon
herbrother'sconscienceunt ilhej ustcouldn'tl
ive
withoutdrugsandsoonover dosedont hem.Some
ofthestuffherbr otherwr otewer enonsense,
clearl
ywrittenwhenhewashi gh, butIreadon,
want i
ngtounder standwhatexact lySegoexpect ed
met ogetf rom t
hej ournalthatwoul dhavean
i
mpactonme.OnceIf i
nishedr eadi ngthejournal,
I
threwitasideandchuckl edt omysel f
.Iwonder ed
howSegohadr eactedwhent heteenagerhel i
ves
withwasf oundwi t
hdr ugs.Thel i
ttl
escar eshould
makeherf ocusonher selfandt heboyi nsteadof
beingcuriousaboutme.
Thatwasn' tthecasebecauset henextdayshe
camet owor k,onaSaturdaywhenmostempl oyees
weren'tthere.Ihadcomet ogetsomewor kdone
andletLi am havetheplacetohi mself
.Iwasused
toli
vingonmyownandnowhavi ngsomeoneel se,
a9-year -
oldwaswei rdformeandt hefactthatI
didn'
tlikekidswasj ustanotherfactor
.Icamedown
fr
om myof ficeandwat chedSegowor kingfora
moment .Sheseemeddi st
ractedandaf t
erawhi l
e
shecl
osedherl
apt
opshar
ply.
me:whathasyoual
lreel
eduponaSat
urday?
Shej
umpedi
nsur
pri
se.
her
:Cami
la,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
me:Ibel
ievet
hisi
smycompany.Whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?
her
:justwant
edt
ogetsomewor
kdone.
me:onaSat
urday?
her
:yes,
doyouhaveapr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?
me:no,
notatal
l.
Shestar
edatmef
orawhi
le,
hergazepi
erci
ngandI
st
aredback.
her:howdoesitf
eelt
okil
lsomeonewho'
shur
tyou,
I'
m sureyou'
vehadexper
iencewi
tht
hat
.
Ir
emainedsi
lentforawhile,
tryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eout
wher
ehercuriosi
tyheaded.
me:i
tfeel
ssat
isf
act
ory.
her
:ther
e'sgott
obemor
eyouf
eel
.
me:t
her
eisal
it
tl
epl
easur
ebutnotmuch.
her
:Isee.
me:what
'
syouraim wi
tht
hequest
ionsyou'
re
aski
ngmeandgivi
ngmeyourbrot
her'
sjour
nal?
her:I
'vegotnoaim, t
hinki
ngabouti
tnowitwas
stupi
d.ForgetIeveraskedyouanythi
ngoreven
caredaboutwhatyoudi d.Theworl
dhaspeople
worsethanyou.
Shepackedupherthi
ngsandIwat chedhergo,
curi
ousaboutwhatbot
heredher.Without
overthi
nki
ngmycuri
osit
y,If
oll
owedheroutand
stoppedher.
me:l
etmegi
veyouar
idehome.
her
:why?
me:Ij
ustwantt
o.
her
:I'
m notgoi
nghome.
me:ar
idet
owher
everyouar
egoi
ngt
hen.
Itseemedli
keshedi
dn'thaveadesti
nati
oni
nmind
atfir
st,
butshet
houghtofitsoonandtol
dme.
Throughoutt herideshewassi l
entandseemedt o
bestrugglingwi t
hsomet hi
ng.Idroppedherof fat
herdestinati
on, NorthcliffRidgeEcopar k.Ifoundi t
weirdthatshei mpul sivelychoset ocomeher eand
thenIremember edherbr other'
sjournal.Ihadi ti
n
mycarandIhast i
lypagedf ortheentryabout
Sego'sattempt edsui cide.Herbrotherjustsaidt hat
Segohadal mostj umpedf rom aclif
fatNor thcli
ff.I
didn'
tdriveaway, justsatt hereinmycarwonder ing
whyIevencar edifSegomot sowast hinkingof
j
umpi ngt oherdeat h.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Numberofcomment sont hepr evi
ousinsert
sare
demotivati
ng.I
'
mtryingt omakeupt oyouguysf or
taki
ngsol ongt
opostduet oschoolwor kI'
vebeen
busywi t
handawriter'sblock.Pleasecomment ,I
can'
tknowwhatyout hinkofthest or
yli
neifyou
don't
.10+comment sisal lIask.
TheHi
tWoman
24
_
Segomot
so
Istareddownf rom t hecl iff
, i
magi ningmybody
contortedont hegr ound, brainmat terscat t
ered
aroundme.Thei maget hatf ormedonmymi ndwas
gruesome, butonet hingwasf orsur e,Iwoul dbe
dead.Thathadbeenappeal ingt omeasat eenager
afterIgotr aped.Themen' sinsul ti
ngwor dsand
l
aught erwer eonmymi ndlikeasongpl ayingon
repeat,theirdi r
tyhandsonmybody, t
hei r
nauseat i
ngsmel lofweedandci gar etteandj oyful
gruntsast heyf orcef ull
yhadt heirwaywi thme.I
couldn'tgetmysel ftof orgetal lthatandI
desper atelywant edt o,Iwant edi ttost op.Deat h
seemedl ikemyonl ychoi ceandIhaddebat edways
tokillmysel f.Over dosi ngonpi l
lsordr inking
anythingt oxicwasn' tgoodenoughf orme, Ineeded
somet hingi nstant aneousandsoIst umbl edupon
suicidejumpi ngf rom abook.Get tingt hel ocation
wasabi tdi f
ficultbutIf oundNor thcliffRidge
Ecopar k.Ivisitedt hecl iffaf ewt imes, hesi tantat
fi
rstthinkingaboutt hepai nIwoul df eelbutI
decidednophysi calpai nwoul dbegr eatert han
havingf ivemenr apeme.It houghtaboutmy
brotherandf iguredIwoul dbedoi nghim af avour ,
hewoul dn'thavet owor ryaboutmeanymor e, same
thingwi thKhumobecausehehadsuddenl y
distancedhi msel ffrom meandIt houghtitwas
becausehef eltdisgustedbyme.Ihadaf ewf ri
ends,
i
ncl udingKenei l
weandIhat edhowtheypi t
iedme.
OnceIhadmadeupmymi ndaboutmysui cide, I
wr oteal ett
ert omybr ot herandt houghtitwoul dbe
hour sbef orehesawi t.Icamet oNor t
hcli
ffandsat
thereforawhi l
e,getti
ngt hecour agetojump.My
brothermusthavecomehomer i
ghtaft
erIhadl eft
andsomehowknewwher eIwoul dbeafterreadi ng
myl et
ter.Hecameandt alkedmeoutofki ll
ing
mysel f,promi singtoqui tdr ugs,l
oveandpr ot ect.
HereIstoodont heverysamecli
ffbutthisti
memy
brot
herwasn'there,hewasdead.Allt
hememor i
es
ofmyr apeweref r
eshinmymi ndandIwant ed
them t
ostop.Therewast hi
ssmallvoiceattheback
ofmymi ndurgingmet otakeastepforwardand
j
ustjumpt omydeat h.Idi
dn'
twanttodi ebutthe
urgeandthememor i
esweren'
tbeingkindtome.I
heardfoot
stepsbehindme,andIt
urnedaround.
Camilawalkedcasuall
ytowar
dsme, herhands
shovedinherpockets.Shest
oodbesidemeand
star
eddown.
her
:longwaydownf
rom her
e.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
her:yourbr
otherwr
oteaboutt
hiscl
if
f,wher
ehe
tal
kedyououtofyoursuici
deatt
empt.
me:andt
hat
'
swhatyou'
reher
etodot
oo?
her
:I'
m notsogoodwi
thsucht
alks.
me:good.
Camil
a'sof
fertodri
vemet owhereverIwantedto
gohadbaffl
edme, butIsi
mplyshovedthattothe
backofmymi nd.Nowhereshewas, sti
ffbesi
de
meandIdidn'tknowwhatherint
entionswere.
me:Iaskedyouwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Sheshruggedandsimplyst
aredatt
hebot
tom of
thecli
ff
.Istar
eddowntoo,r
esumingmytr
ainof
thoughts.
me:whatt hosemendi dtomeissomet hi
ngIcan't
getover,It
houghtIhadbutit'
sal
lbacknowandI
can'tfor
get.TheytookawayapartofmyselfthatI
cannevergetback.Whatmakest hingsworseis
thattheyareprobablyst
il
lal
i
ve,l
ivi
ngtheirl
ivesl
ike
theyneverhurtme.
her:sadthi
ngaboutl
if
e,i
t'
snotever
yti
met
hat
peoplegetwhatt
heydeserve.
me:youar
en'
thel
pingr
ightnow.
West
oodi
nsi
lencef
orawhi
le.
me:howgoodar
eyouatf
indi
ngpeopl
e?
her
:I'
vegotpeopl
ewhodot
hatf
orme,
Ijustki
ll
.
me:canyourpeopl
efi
ndsomeonei
ftheyonl
yhave
t
heirname,evenani
ckname.
her
:yeahpr
obabl
y.
WhatIwantedtoaskCami l
awasabi gthingand
whatIwasplanningondoingwasn'twhoIam or
hopedtobebutIknewi twastheonlywayIcould
l
ivemylif
ef r
eely,
knowingthatt
hepeoplewhotook
awaymyi nnocencegotwhattheydeser
ved.Sit
ti
ng
ar
oundandwait
ingforthepai
ntomiraculousl
ygo
awaywasn'
tgoi
ngt odomeanygood.Icoul dli
ve
wit
hhavi
ngthebloodofthementhathurtmeon
myhands.
me:Canyougetyourpeopl
etof
indmet
hosemen,
I
'l
lgi
veyouthei
rnames.
her:Segomotsoar
eyouaski
ngmet
ofi
ndandki
l
l
yourrapist
s?
me:act
ual
ly,
I'
dli
ket
odot
heki
ll
ingmysel
f.
_
Cami
la
Il
ookedupatherandsawthatshewasdead
ser
ious.Thoser
api
stshadser
iousl
ymessedherup.
me:youar
eawar
ethatki
ll
ingi
sn'
tawal
kint
hepar
k,
r
ight
?
her
:yes.
me:I'
m serious,
don'tseemecoolandnotgivi
nga
shi
taboutwhoIki ll
.Myconsci
encelongdiedbut
yousti
llhaveyours,i
t'
sbett
ert
okeepitint
act.
her
:whydoyoucar
eaboutmyconsci
ence?
me:Idon'
t,
itj
ustseemedl
ikeyoucar
edaboutmi
ne
j
ustawhil
eago.
her
:Idon'
t,
socanyouf
indt
heseguysf
orme?
Ichuckl
ed,wonderi
ngi
fshewoul
dhavethe
couragetogothr
oughwit
hthi
sonceshehadt
he
meni nfr
ontofher
.
me:comeon,
letmet
akeyouhome.
Iwalkedbackt omycar,notcari
ngtoseeifshe
fol
lowedme.Af ewminuteslat
ershej
oinedmei n
thecar.Shepickedupherbrother
'sdi
arythathad
beenont hepassengerseat.
her
:your
eal
lydi
dreadi
t.
me:youcanhavei
tback,
seemsl
ikei
t'
sser
vedi
ts
pur
poseforme.
Whil
edr
ivi
ng,myphoner
ang,andgotanswered
aut
omat
ical
lyt
hroughmycar
’sBluet
oothsyst
em.
him:MsDavi
s,Li
am cal
ledmeandaskedmeto
takemetot
hemallafewhoursago.Hesai
dhe
wouldj
ustt
akeanhour,buti
t'
sbeen4hour
snow
andIcan'
tfi
ndhi
m,he'
sphonei
sof
f.
me:don'
tworr
yabout,heknowswhereIli
ve.Ei
ther
he'
sther
eal
readyorhe'l
lcomewheneverhefeel
s
l
ikei
t.
Iendedt
hecal
landcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
Sego:
who'
sLi
am?
me:myl
it
tl
ebr
other
.
her
:oh,
Idi
dn'
tknowyouhadone.
me:nei
therdi
dIunt
ilawhi
leago.
her
:howol
dishe?
me:ni
ne.
her
:andyouar
ethi
scal
m?
me:yes,
whyshoul
dn'
tI?
her:he'
saki
dandsomet
hingcoul
dhavehappened
tohim.
Kidwoul
dn'
tbeat er
mt odescribeaDavis,
nine
year
soldornot
.Idecidedt
ost artbymyplacefi
rst
soIcoul
dcheckifLi
am wast herebef
oredroppi
ng
Segoof fatherpl
aceandgoingbacktowork.Sego
cameupwi t
hmet omyapartment,t
houghIhadn't
i
nvitedher.AsIhadexpect
ed,Li
am wasthere
readingamagazineaboutguns.
me:yourdr
ivercall
edme,
tol
dmet
hatyouj
ust
di
tchedhi
m withoutawor
d.
hi
m:myphonedi
ed,andIf
orgott
otel
lhi
mthatI
woul
dcomebackherebymysel
f.
me:nextt
imedon'
tfor
get
,Idon'twanthi
m
bot
heri
ngmeforthi
ngsli
kethese.
Igrabbedabot
tl
eofwat
erf
rom t
hef
ri
dgeand
drankit
.
Sego:
heyLi
am,
I'
m Cami
la'
sfr
iend.
Ichuckl
edatt
hatt
hinki
ngt
hatshewasf
arf
rom
that
.
hi
m:cool
.
Sego:
wer
eyououtwi
thyourf
ri
ends?
hi
m:nope,
Idon'
thaveany.
Sego:
why,
youshoul
dhaveaf
ewf
rom school
.
him:theyar
eki
ds,
dumbanddoi
ngst
upi
dst
uffal
l
theti
me.
Sego:
andyouar
en'
taki
d?
hi
m:no,Idon'
tdost
upi
dthi
ngsandI
'
m way
smar
terthant
heyar
e.
Segogapedathi
m andhereyesmovedtothe
bookshehadonthecof
feetabl
eandthegun.
me:l
et'
sgo.
Wel
eftmyapar
tmentandwentt
omycar
.
Sego:
wast
hatat
oygunIsaw?
me:no,
it'
sar
ealone.
her
:andyou'
ref
inewi
tht
hat
?
me:whyshoul
dn'
tIbe?
her:he'
sonlyni
neyearsoldbutthi
nkski
dshisage
arestupi
d.Hereadsaboutgunsandhasone.That'
s
fuckedup.I
sheconsideri
ngbeinganassassi
nli
ke
you?
me:notevenconsi
der
ing,
he'
ssur
etobeone.
her:andyoudon'
tseehowthat'
sbad.Igetyouare
thi
semot i
onl
esski
ll
erbuthe'
sjustakidandshoul
d
belivi
ngli
keone,
doingthi
ngsthatki
dshisagedo.
me:heyi
fyoufeell
iketeachi
nghim howt
obeaki
d,
t
ellmeandI'
l
lgladl
yletyouadopthim.
Shestaredatmei ndisbel
iefandshookherhead,
droppi
ngtheissue.Idroppedheroffatherpl
ace
andwentbackt owork.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
10+comment
spl
ease
TheHi
tWoman
25
_
Et
han
I'
vedecidedt ogetagunandf irstst
epi nthatwas
gett
ingaf ir
ear mli
cence.Gett
ingthatwasl engt
hy
processbecausef ir
stIneededt odotraini
ngata
fi
rearmtrainingcentr
et ogetacompet ency
cert
ifi
cate.Ifoundaf aci
li
tywhereIcoulddot he
l
egaltestfort heKnowledgeoftheFirearmsCont r
ol
Actanddoashor tcour seonhowt ohandleanduse
ahandgun.Iwentt or egi st
erthereandgotallmy
st
udymat er
ialforthel egaltest.Aft
erwar
dsImet
wit
haPr i
vateInvestigat or.
me:Ar
eyouGer
aldReed?
hi
m:yes,
Ethan?
Isatdownopposi
tehi
m andor
der
edacupof
coff
ee.
hi
m:yousai dyouwantedi
nfor
mat
ionaboutcer
tai
n
peopl
e,t
ellmeaboutt
hat?
Itol
dhim briefl
yaboutTaJandt hatIwant edt o
knowal lt
hereistoknowabouthi m, hisreputation
andill
egaldeali
ngs.Next ,
Itoldhim aboutmyboss
andhiscompany, Ial
sowant edal li
nformat i
on
abouthim.Hi spri
cewascost ly,butIwaswi ll
ingt o
pay,becausehecamehi ghlyrecommended.Ipai d
him upfrontasher equi
red,andhepr omisedt ocal l
whenhehadgat heredalltheinformation.Beingt he
goodguyandhopi ngthatluckwoul dbeonmysi de
wasn'tworkingandIwasn' taboutt orunt oBr uce
aski
ngf orhishelp.Iwouldtakecar eofmyt roubles
bymysel
f,dowhat
everIcoul
dtostoppeopl
efr
om
bl
ackmai
li
ngmeandt aki
ngadvant
ageofme.
Iwasatwor
kafewdaysl
aterwhenIr
ecei
vedacal
l
fr
om Ni
chol
asNgema.
him:MrDl amini,Iwor kedf oryourfatherinhi s
companySi biyaarchi tectsandwhenhegot
arrested, hegavet hecompanyovert ome.I 've
sincer enamedt hecompanyt o1stOnesAr chitect
s
andmanagedt okeepi tatthet op.Yourfatherwas
verygener oustogi vemehi scompany, buti tishis
l
egacy, hest art
edi tfrom scr at
chandgoti ttobe
oneoft het oparchi t
ectcompani esinAf r
ica.I
recentlydi scoveredt hathehadasonandwhenI
sawt hatyouhadj ustmovedt oSA, Ithoughti twas
asi gnt hatMrSi biya'sl egacyshoul dgot ohi sson.
me:youwantt
ohandovert
hecompanyt
ome?
him:yes,
I'
mr et
ir
ingnowandhadwant
edt
osel
lthe
company,butIdon'
tthi
nki
twoul
dberi
ght
.
me:I
'
m notsur
eIcant
aket
hecompany.
hi
m:Pleasethi
nkabouti
t,yourfat
herwoul
d
pr
obablywantyoutohaveit.Cal
lmewhenyou'
ve
r
eachedadeci
sion.
Ipr omisedIwoul dandt henendedthecal l.Taki
ng
Br uce'
scompanywoul dbeabi gthi
ngandIwasn' t
sur eIcoulddoit.Iwonder edifBr
ucehadspokent o
Nicholasaboutt hisbutthenreali
sedt hatNichol
as
hadspokenofBr uceasi fhewasdead.I t'
ssensibl
e
forpeopl etothi
nkt hathe'sdeadafterescaping
from jailandneverbeinghear dofagain.
_
Cami
la
Mar coRomanoaskedmet ocomet ohishouse,
want ingtodi
scusssomebusi
ness.Iwentther
eand
l
iket helastt
ime,t
heguar
ddemandedIhandover
myweaponsandpatmedown.Iwasl edtoMarco'
s
studywher ehegreet
edmewithasmile.
hi
m:adr
ink?
me:sur
e.
Hepouredmeoneandhandedittome,off
eri
ngme
aseatt
oo.Ihel
dthedr
inkanddidn'
tdr
inki
tyet,
Marcogott
hemessage.
hi
m:ohyes,
youdon'
ttr
ustme.
Hepouredhi
msel
fadri
nktooandt
ookasi
p,onl
y
t
hendidIdri
nkmi
netoo.
me:youdon'
ttr
ustmenottoshootyouifIhavemy
gunwit
hmesoi t’
sonl
yfai
rthatIdon'
ttr
ustyou
whenyouoff
ermeadr i
nk.
hi
m:verywi
seofyou.Hasmysonappr
oachedyou
agai
n?
Heknewtheanswerandwast
est
ingwhet
herI
woul
dli
eornot.
me:hedi
d,andhewasangr
ythatIcamet
oyou.
him:mysoni squi
tepredi
ctabl
e,andthi
ngswon'
t
endwel lf
orhi
m,he'l
lregr
etgoingagai
nstmeand
willcomebeggi
ngmeonhi sknees.
me:Ii
magi
nehewoul
d.
hi
m:wedi scussedworki
ngt
oget
hert
heotherday
andIhavejustthewaywecanst
artt
hatout
.
me:I
'
mli
steni
ng.
Ourmeet
ingt
ookagood1hour
,Mar
cogoi
ngon
andonabouthi swayofuswor ki
ngtogether.I
t
wasn'tbadandwasagoodf irstmoveinthegameI
wouldpl aywi t
hhim.Iknewt hathetr
eatedthis
suddenal li
ancebetweenusasagamet oo,butwe
haddifferentgamepl ansandonlyoneofuswoul d
win.IcalledAlexandsetupameet i
ngwi t
hhi m ata
discr
eetpl ace.Igott
herefi
rstandwaitedforhim.
hi
m:how'
sitgoi
ngwi
thMar
co?
me:pr
ett
ywel
l.
hi
m:you'
remaki
ngami
stakeCami
la.
me:IknowwhatI
'
m doi
ng.I
'
m notaf
rai
dofyour
f
ather
.
him:I
'm notworr
iedaboutmyfather,he'
l
lpl
ayal
ong
witht
hef akeal
li
anceyouoff
eredhim.Buthehas
enemiesthatwoulddest
royanyall
ianceshemakes.
me:l
ett
hem come.
hi
m:Cami
lat
hisi
sser
ious,
thesepeopl
ecanki
llyou.
me:Iftheykil
lme,t
hensobeit.Theybet
termake
sur
et hatmyheartst
opsbeat
ingotherwi
seI'
m
comingf ort
hem.
Heshookhi sheadi ndefeat.Itoldhim abi tabout
mypl anwithMar coandget ti
nghi sRussian
al
li
ancest omysi deandwhatIexpect edhimt odo.
Aft
erwardshel eftandIwai t
edawhi lebefore
l
eavingtoo.WhenIgott omyapar tment,Ifound
Li
am wi t
hami xtureofmat eri
alsint heli
vingroom.
Maskingtape,dril
lbit
s,r
azor s,sandpaperanda
wholelotmore.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
hi
m:I
'
m maki
ngasi
lencer
.
me:ahomemadesi
lence?
hi
m:yeah,
I'
vegotamanualr
ighther
e.
me:whyar
eyoumaki
ngasi
lencer
?
hi
m:i
t'
seasi
lydi
sposabl
e.
Myf atherhadobvi
ouslybeenr ai
singLi
am t
olove
nothingbutguns.Icoul
dn'tchangethat,
Idi
dn'
t
evenwantt otr
ybutIhadapr obl
em wit
hhim
makingst uf
fli
kesil
encer
si nmyapar t
ment.
me:Youaren'
tmaki
ngthati
nmyapar
tment
.Getr
id
oft
hisst
uffandcl
eanup.
hi
m:ther
e'snot
hingwr
ongwi
thmedoi
ngmyown
st
uff
.
me:Isai
dgetr
idoft
hisst
uffandcl
eanup.
HestaredatmeandIst ar
edback,dari
nghimto
opposeme.Hekeptquietandstar
tedcleari
ngt
he
tabl
e.Thi
swassur enotworki
ngout,Ineededt
o
makeapl anabouthi
m soon.
_
Segomot
so
Kenei
lwecal
ledme,checki
nguponmeaf
tert
he
bombshel
lshedroppedonme.
her
:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
me:I
'
mfi
ne.
her
:ar
eyousur
e?
me:yes,
Iam.
her:okay,
Ihopeyoudon'
tresentmef
orbr
ingi
ngup
yourrape.
me:Idon'
t,
Iappr
eci
ateyourhonest
y.
her
:good.
me:li
sten,Ineedalistofal
lguyst
hatKhumo
usual
lyhungout ,
alltheonesyour
emember.Can
youtextitt
ome?
her
:sur
e,why?
me:Ij
ustneedt
ofi
ndaf
ewpeopl
e.
Shedi
dn'taskanymorequesti
onsandpromi
sedto
sendmet hei
rnames.Khumocamet oseemeafew
daysl
aterandIall
owedhimin.
hi
m:how'
sitgoi
ng?
me:Khumo,
Kenei
lwet
oldmesomet
hing.
Helookedshockedf
orafewsecondsandt
henhe
st
areddownshamefull
y.
me:whydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?
hi
m:Idi
dn'
twantt
ohur
tyou.
me:youcameherecl
aimi
ngtobet
hischanged
man,yetyouwer
elyi
ngtome.
him:Idi
dn'
tli
etoyou,
Ijustdi
dn'
ttel
lyou.Idi
dn'
t
seewhatgooditwoul
ddo.
me:Icangoonandonaboutwhatt hosemendidt
o
me, butIwon'tbecauseitst
il
lhurt
sme.Iwantyou
towr i
tedownal lthenamesofthepeopleyouhung
outwi t
h,eventheonesyouwer en'
tclosewit
hand
thenIwantyout oleavemealone.
hi
m:whydowantt
hei
rnames?
me:Ij
ustwantt
hem,
don'
taskmequest
ions.
him:okaybutpleasedon'tshutmeout ,
I'
mtrul
y
sorr
yaboutwhatmyst upidbraggi
ngdidandifI
coul
dgobackt ot hepast,Iwouldhavemadesure
nomanhur tyou.
me:youcan'
tgobacktothepast,
butyoucanleave
mealonenowbecauseseeingyouwouldonl
yhurt
memor e.
Henoddedandwr ot
edownt henamesofhis
fr
iendsandacquitt
anceshehungoutwith.Hesaid
goodbye,pr
omisingtorespectmywishandstay
awayfrom me.From thenameshehadwr it
ten,
I
wassureofthreeofthem.
NcebacamebackandIdeci
dedt
oaskhi
m
somethi
ng.
me:howwoul
dyouf
eel
aboutmeowni
ngagun?
hi
m:Iwoul
dbef
inewi
thi
t,youwantt
ogetagun?
me:yes,f
orsafet
y.I'
vebeentakenadvant
ageof
andIdon'
twantar epeatoft
hat.Iwoul
dfeelsaf
er
wit
hagunandIwantt oknowthatyouwouldbe
okaywit
hthat.
him:I'
vegotnopr
obl
em wi
thi
t.Wi
llyoubeget
ti
nga
l
icencefori
t?
me:yeah,
youcan'
tthi
nkI
'
llgeti
til
legal
ly?
hi
m:j
ustaski
ng.It
hinkgunsareanecessi
tyf
or
womensotheycanbeabletoprot
ectt
hemselves.
Thiswasn'tthefirsttimeIthoughtofget t
ingagun,
i
thasbeenonmymi ndforyears,butInevergot
aroundtogoi ngthroughwi ththeidea.Thisti
meI
wasdet erminedtot akechargeofmyl i
feandnotlet
ment akeadvantageofme.Ial readylookedupa
faci
li
tywher eIcouldl ear
naboutt heuseofa
handgunandbeabl etogetacompet ency
cert
ifi
caterequir
edf oraf i
rear
ml icence.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pl
easekeepupt
he10+comment
s.
TheHi
tWoman
26
_
Et
han
Lateri
nthedayaf
terNi
chol
as'
cal
l,
Ideci
dedt
ocal
l
Bruce.
him:Et
han,Iwaspl
anni
ngoncal
li
ngyou.Howar
e
youdoing?
me:I
'
mfi
net
hanks,
howaboutyou?
hi
m:I
'
m wel
l,
howi
sever
ythi
nggoi
ng?
me:fi
ne,
Igotani
nter
est
ingcal
lfr
om aNi
chol
as
Ngema.
him:Ni cholas.
..hewasatrustedmanofmi neandI
gaveovermycompanyt oseehi m aft
erIgot
arrested.Ididn'
tthi
nkyouwoul deverwantanythi
ng
thatbelongedt omeandIhadl ongthoughtof
givingmycompanyt ohim evenbef or
eIfoundout
aboutyou.
me:yes, hetoldmet hat
.Hewaspl anni
ngonsel
li
ng
thecompanybutaf t
erfi
ndingoutaboutmeand
heari
ngt hatIhadjustmovedhere,hewantst
ogive
i
tovert ome, hethi
nksthatyourl
egacyshoul
dgo
tome, youronlyson.
hi
m:Nichol
ashadal
waysbeenagener
ousman.
Whatdi
dyoutel
lhi
m?
me:Itol
dhimthatwhathewasoffer
ingwasbi
g
andIneededtothi
nkabouti
t.I
'
m notsur
eI'
mfitt
o
runyourcompany.
him:You'reanaccompli
shedmanEt hanandeven
thoughforthepastyear
sIf el
tthatIdi dn'
tdeserve
tobeyourf at
her,
Ifel
tproudofyou.Si bi
ya
archit
ect
swasmymostpr i
zedasset ,Ibuil
titf
rom
thegroundandtookittothetopwi thhar dworkand
persever
ance.Iwouldbeproudt ohaveyour unit
andIbelieveyoucandosoqui tefinely.
Inevert
houghtthosewor dscouldbeutt
eredbyhim
andtheyleftmespeechlessforamoment .I
twould
takeawhileformetogetusedt oBruceprai
singme
ashissonaf t
erspendi
ngyear st
hinki
ngthathe
nevercar
edaboutme.
me:I'
llt
hinkabouti
tandt
hencal
lNi
chol
aswhen
I
'vedecided.
hi
m:okay.Iwant
edt
oaskyousomet
hing.
me:sur
e,what
?
hi
m:wer
eyouf
orcedt
oqui
tyourj
obandl
eavet
he
UK?
me:no.
him:Ij ustfoundoutt hatthecompanyyouwor ked
forwor kedonaconst ructi
onpr oj
ectwherean
accidenthappened, andthecompanycover edup
thei
ri nvolvementi ni t
.Youmusthavebeenpar tof
thatwhol eor dealandI'm notsuggest
ingthatyou
kneworwi ll
inglytookpartinit,
butIdothink
someonet hreatenedyouandmadeyoul eaveajob
youl oved.
Ishoul
dhaveknownhewoul
ddosomet
hingl
ike
thi
s.
me:Iwasn'
tfor
cedorthr
eat
enedtodoanything,
andyouhadnorightt
osuddenl
yinqui
reaboutmy
workort
hecompanyIwor
kedat.It
oldyoumy
r
easonformovi
ngtoSAandyouweresupposedt
o
l
eaveitt
her
e.
him:yes, you'reri
ghtandI '
m sorry.Ijustdon'
twant
tothinkthatt herearepeopleforcingyout odo
anythingt hatyoudon' twantto.Ifyou'r
eeverin
tr
oubl e,
Iwoul dn'
thesitat
etohelpyouandIwoul d
wantyout ogi vemet hatpri
vil
ege.
me:you'vealmostneverbeenpar
tofmylifeand
I'
vehandledmypr obl
emsbymysel fj
ustf
ine.I
'ma
grownmanandcant akecareofmyprobl
ems
withoutyourhel
p.
him:okay,
Iwasn'tsuggest
ingthatyoucoul
dn'
t.I
'
m
sorr
yforbeingi
ntrusi
veinyourli
fe.
MaybeIwasbei
ngabi
thar
sht
ohim,butIr
eal
ly
di
dn'
twanthi
mfixi
ngmypr
obl
ems,Iwoul
dmanage
onmyown.
_
Segomot
so
Ihadaf
ulll
istofKhumo'
spr
evi
ousf
ri
endsand
acquaintancest hathehungoutwi thwhenhewas
sti
lladrugdeal er.Ici
rcledthe3namesIwassur e
ofandscr atchedof fthoset hatIremember ed.7
namesr emai nedand2ornoneoft hem couldbe
theonest hathur tmet ogetherwi t
ht heother3.
Someoft hosenameswer ej uststr
eetnamesandI
hopedCami l
a'speoplecoul dbeabl etofi
ndt hem
nonetheless.Cami lahadn'tact ual
lyagreedtohelp
meout ,butshehadnei thersai dno.Iwentupt oher
off
icethenextday.
me:Igottheli
stofpeoplethatIneededtobe
checkedout.I
'm sur
eofthreeofthem andthenthe
restI
'l
lhavetoseethei
rpictur
esandpointoutthe
othert
wo.
Shet
ookt
hel
istandl
ookedati
tbr
ief
ly.
her
:what
'syourpl
anexact
ly?
me:j
ustgetyourpeopl
etofindthesepeopl
eift
hey
ar
esti
llal
iveandwheretheyare.I
'l
lpay.
Shechuckl
edal
it
tl
e.
her:i
fyoupaymef orthi
s,you'
l
lhavet
opaymef
or
theotherguyt
hatItookcareof.
me:whi
chot
herguy?
her:Iwasaskingwhatyouwantt
odoonceI'vegot
theseguysforyou,
shouldIl
inet
hem upandgive
youagunt oblowthei
rbrai
nsout?
I
t'
ssoli
keCamil
atonotanswermyquest
ionand
j
ustmoveonaski
nghers.
me:Iwantt
oseethem gethur
tasmuchast hey
hur
tme.Ihaven'
tdeci
dedhowIwantthatdoneyet
.
her
:okay,
I'
llhavemypeopl
elookf
ort
heseguys.
me:t
hanks,
howi
sLi
am?
her:ourt
alkj
ustended,
don'
tbeaski
ngmeper
sonal
questi
ons.
me:comeon,
it'
saf
ri
endl
yquest
ionandnotso
per
sonal
.
her
:he'
sper
fect
lyf
ine.
Iobservedherexpr
essi
onofannoyanceatthe
mentionofLiam.Sheseemedtonotcaremuch
abouthim.Iwouldhavetof
indoutmoreaboutthat
someot hert
imeandnotpushitri
ghtnow.Ilef
ther
off
iceandwentbacktomywor k.Aft
erwork,I
passedbythefir
earmt r
aini
ngcentreandr egist
ered
fort
henecessarytestandtrai
ningrequir
edf ort
he
appli
cati
onofacompet encycerti
fi
cate.Ialsogot
thestudymateri
alneededandr eadupabi twhenI
gottomyapar t
ment.
OnSat urday, Iatt
endedt heprofici
encytr
aining
wheret hei nstr
uctorprovidedtheexaminationsfor
thecour se.Therewer eot herpeopleat
tendingwith
meandmostoft hem wer emen.Att heendoft he
sessi
on, Iwalkedoutwi t
ht heguywhohadbeen
seati
ngnextt ome.
him:i
t'
sinter
esti
ngtoseeabeautif
ulwomanl i
ke
youwantingtogetafi
rear
m.Youdon' tl
ookl
ikeyou
coul
dbei nthepoli
ceorsecur
it
yindustr
y.
me:no,
Iwantagunf
ormyper
sonaluse.
hi
m:themeninyourl
if
eshoul
dst
artbei
ngcar
eful
ofyout
hen.
me:aguncanbegoodf orawoman' ssaf
etyfrom
theserapi
stsandmurdersanditwouldn'
thurtto
scareofft
hosethatt
hinktheycantakeadvantage
ofus.
hi
m:Iagr
ee.I
'
m Et
hanLungaDl
ami
ni.
Heextendedhi shandandIshookit,
notingthathe
wasgoodl ookingandlookedtobefri
endly
comparedtot heotherguysIsawintheclass,al
l
ser
iousandr eadytoshoot.
me:Segomot
soThamae.
hi
m:i
t'
sni
cet
omeetyouSegomot
ho.
Il
aughedatt
hewayhepr
onouncedmyname.
me:j
ustcal
lmeSego.I'
m guessingyouar
en'tr
eal
ly
fr
om her
ebecauseofhowbadlyyoupronouncemy
nameandhavinganEngl
ishfi
rstname?
him:Iwasbornandrai
sedintheUKbutjust
recent
lymovedher
e.BothmyparentswereSout
h
Afri
can,butmymothermovedtotheUKbeforeI
wasbor n.
me:okay,
Isee.Wel
lIhavet
oleavenow.
him:cool
,maybeI'l
lseeyouagai
nwhenwer
etur
n
fort
hepract
icalt
rai
ning.
me:yeah,
maybe.
Cami l
acal l
edmel aterintheaf t
ernoonandt ol
dme
thatshehadt hedetai
lsaboutt wooft hethr
eeguys
Iwassur eof .Shesaidshewasatt heof f
iceandI
agreedt ocomet here.Igotthereandwentupt oher
offi
ce.Sheshowedmet hetwoguys’ pict
uresandI
staredatthem, remember i
ngwhatt heyhaddonet o
me.Isi ghedandl ookedatthedet ail
sabouttheir
l
ives.Thef i
rstguywasmar ried,l
ivi
ngast eadyli
fe
whilethesecondguywasst ruggli
ng,doingpart
ti
mej obs.
me:ar
etheyst
il
lfr
iends?
her:no,t
heyhaven'
thadanyr
elat
ioni
nthepastf
ew
years.
me:okay.
her
:comeon,
letmet
akeyout
oyourpl
ace.
Inoddedandfoll
owedherout.Wewentdownand
exi
tedthebui
ldi
ng,headi
ngtothepar
kinglot
.I
heardaloudsoundandthenCamilai
nhaledshar
ply,
holdi
ngherhandtoherchest
.
me:Cami
laar
eyouokay?
Shest ar
edatmewi deeyedandIsawt hespoton
herchestthatshehadherhandon, dar
keni
ng.I
reali
sedthatthel
oudsoundwasagunshotand
Cami l
ahadbeenshot .Icouldn’
tseetheshooter
andhadnot i
metolookf oroneasCami l
afel
l,
clut
chingherchestasshest ruggl
edtobreat
h.I
screamedf orhel
pthr
oughmyshockandpani c.
*
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
27[
Unedi
ted]
_
Segomot
so
Asecur i
tyguardhear dmyscreamsforhelpand
camer unning.Camila'
sbreat
hingwaslabour edbut
shewasconsci oussothatwasgood.Theguar d
tookoffhisjacketandhandedittomesoIcoul d
pressitonthewoundt omini
mizethebleeding.
Camila'scarwasnear by,
andtheguardquicklygot
herkeysandpl acedherintheback.Iheldthe
j
ackett
oCami
la'
schestast
heguar
dst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
me:st
aywi
thmeCami
la,
comeon.
Cami
la'
seyesgr
ewunf
ocusedandsoonshut
.
me:heycanyoudr
ivef
ast
er.
hi
m:yesMam' I'
m dr
ivi
ngasfastasIcan.Keep
appl
yingpr
essur
eont hewound.
me:she'
sbl
eedi
ngoutf
ast
.
hi
m:j
ustaf
ewmor
emi
nut
es.
Thatf ewmor emi nut esfeltli
kehoursasCami la'
s
breathsgr ewshor t.Final
ly,wereachedt hehospital
andtheguar djumpedoutt ocal
lforhelp.AsI
appli
edpr essur eonCami la'
schest,Ireali
sedthatit
wasn'tr i
singandf all
ingasi tshouldbe, Camil
ahad
stoppedbr eathing.Theguar dcamer unningwith
doctor sbehindhi m.
me:she'
snotbr
eat
hing.
Imovedoutofthewayastheyt
ookheroutoft
he
carandputheri
nastret
cher
.
doct
or:I
'
vegotnor
espi
rat
ion,
nopul
se.Gunshot
coul
dhavepunct
uredal
ungorwor
set
hehear
t.
Shest r
addl edherandst art
edCPRast heyrushed
i
nsidethehospi taltotheemergencyroom.TosayI
wast er
rif
iedatthatmomentwasan
understat
ement .Theguar dwasasequal l
yaffect
ed.
Heinformedmet hathehadcalledt
hepol i
ceand
askedaboutcal li
ngCami l
a'
scloser
elati
ve.I
searchedf orLi
am' snumber sonCamila'
sphone
andcalledhi m.
me:Liam,it
'sSego,Camil
a'sfr
iend.Camil
agotshot
andIjustgottothehospi
tal
.Isthereanycl
ose
rel
ati
veyoucancal lt
ocomeher e?
hi
m:no,
I'
llcal
lmydr
iverandI
'
llgett
her
esoon.
Iendedthecallandt oldt
heguardhecoul dleaveso
hecouldgiveast atementtothepoliceandIwoul d
remainhere.Li
am came30mi nlaterandItol
dhi m
whathadhappened.Hewascal m, t
oocalmf orhis
ageandsuchasi tuati
on.Wewai t
edi nthewaiti
ng
i
nsilence.Thewai twaslong,andIhopednonews
meantgoodnews, adoctorwouldhavel ong
i
nformedusi ftheyhadn'tbeenablet osaveCami l
a.
Fi
nal
ly,
adoct
orappr
oached.
doc:Ar
eyouherf
ami
ly?
Li
am:I
'
m herbr
other
.
Thedoct orcoul
dhaveassumedthathewasa
teenagersincehewasabitt
all
.
doc:Wemanagedt oresuscit
ateyoursi st
ert hr
ough
anopencar diacmassagewher eweopenedherup
andmassagedherhear t
.Thebul letnickedt heouter
wallofherheartandtherewerei njuri
est oherleft
l
ungaswel l
.Wemanagedt otreatthosewounds
thr
oughsur geryandatthemoment ,
shei sincr i
ti
cal
condit
ionandwear emoni t
oringhervi t
alsignsvery
caref
ully.
Li
am:whatar
eherchancesofsur
vival
?
doc:we'vedoneallwecoul dinsurger
y,andIcan't
guaranteet
hatnocompl icati
onmayoccurt hat'
s
whywe' remonit
oringherclosel
y.Yoursist
erwas
i
ncrediblyl
uckythatthebull
etonlywentasf aras
thewallofherheart,
anyf ur
therandshewoul d
havedied.
Li
am:t
hankyou.
Thedoctornoddedandleftus.Iwasrel
ievedt
o
heart
hatCami l
awasal i
vebutsti
llf
earf
ulofany
compli
cati
onsarisi
ng.Li
am remainedimpeccabl
y
cal
m.
me:so,
wil
lyoubest
ayi
ngher
e?
hi
m:no,I'
l
lgi
vethem mydet
ail
sandt
hey'
l
lcal
lme
i
fanyt
hinghappens.
me:wil
lyoubeokayst
ayi
ngonyourowni
n
Camil
a'
sapart
ment?
hi
m:yes.
Stayingonhisowndi dn'tseem l
ikeanythingnewt o
him.Hewaswayt oomat ur
eforhi sageandt hat
wasscar y.Hewassupposedt obel i
vingli
keaki d,
enjoyinghischi
ldhoodyether ehewasact i
nglikea
grownman.Wewal kedoutandIgavehi m Cami l
a'
s
carkeysandphone.Ihadt ogotot hepoliceand
givethem mystatement .Consider i
ngwhatCami l
a
does, shemusthavesomeenemi esandoneof
them wantedherdeadt oday.
_
Al
exandr
a
IreceivedthenewsaboutCami l
agettingshotf rom
oneofmyguys.Hedi dn'ttellmemuchabouthow
shewas, andIhadt ogot ot hehospi taltof indout
formysel f
.Iknewsomet hingl ikethiswoul dhappen
andIwar nedCami la,butshei sdamnst ubbor nand
thi
nksshei sinvi
ncible.Igott othehospi t
aland
i
nqui r
edabouther .Ihadt of lashmyst atusandt he
moneyIhadt ogett heanswer sIwant ed.Itseemed
thatCami l
ahadbeenshotbysomeoneski l
ledand
hadal mostbeenki l
led,nott hatshewasoutoft he
woodsyet .Iadmi redCami la,shewasacl ever
womanandski ll
edwheni tcamet ogunsandki lli
ng
people.Ther estofherwasmyst er
iousbutt hat's
whatdr ewmet oher .Iwant edt oknowherbet ter,
butIwasn' tsurehowt hatwoul dhappen, shewasa
privat
eper son,andnotevenoncehassher eveal ed
anythingper sonalabouther .Shewascal cul at
ing
andIcoul dneverknowwhathergamepl ani n
anythingwas.
Ical
ledmyt
rust
edPIandaskedhi
mtof
indoutwho
hadt ri
edtokillCamil
a.Iwassurei twasn'tmy
fatherMar co,
Cami l
ahadn'tf
ooledhim much, but
hewoul dwantt okeepheraround.Maybeoneof
hisenemi esdidthisasIhadwar nedCami la.She
woul dprobablystubbor
nlywantt ogoafterhim.
Iwasn'tal
lowedt
oseeheryet ,soIwenttotake
careofsomebusiness.Igott
oseehert henextday,
thedoctorsai
dshewasst abl
ebutsti
lli
nICU.Imet
withawomanonmywayout ,shewascomi nginto
seeCami l
a.
her
:hi
,Idi
dn'
texpectanyonet
obeher
e.
me:I'
m Alexandr
aRomano,
Cami
la'
s.
..busi
ness
associ
ate.
her
:oh,
I’
m Sego,
herf
ri
end.
me:Idi
dn'
tknowCami
lahadaf
ri
end.
her
:sheprobabl
ywoul
dn'
tcal
lmeaf
ri
end,
I'
m her
employee.
me:Isee,i
twasni
cemeet
ingyouSego.Ihopeshe
pul
lsthr
ough.
her
:Ihopesot
oo.
Il
eft
,pl
anni
ngoncomi
ngbackl
ateri
ntheday.
_
Et
han
Ihadwr itt
ent hel egaltestrequiredforthe
compet encycer ti
fi
cateforgettingaf i
rearm.Al lthat
wasl ef
twast ogetmyr esult
sandt hendot he
pract i
caltrai
ni ng.Ihadevenmetabeaut i
fulwoman
andhopedt oseeheragai n.Iregret
tedbeingt oo
muchofagent lemanandnott akinghernumber s.I
deci dedt ogooutl aterinthedayandgotmysel fa
drink.Imi ssedgoi ngoutt oabarwi t
hmybr otheror
theguysIwor kedwi th.HereinSAIdi dn'
thaveany
friends,Ihadn' thadt het i
met oevenchatwi tht he
peopl eIwor kedwi thandhadnoi nt
erestindoingso.
AguyIr ecogni zedfrom mycl assi nthefir
earm
trainingcent r
esatnextt ome.
hi
m:Isawyout
odaydi
dn'
tI,
int
hef
ir
ear
m cent
re?
me:yes.
hi
m:Bongani
.
me:Et
han.
Henoddedandgothi
msel
fadr
ink.
hi
m:Ethan,youoneoft
heguyswant
ingt
ojoi
nthe
pol
icef
orce?
me:notatal
l,
you?
him:no,
Ijustneedagunformyper sonaluse.I
needtoearnmyselfast
atusandletotherguys
knowthatIcan'
tbemessedwith.
me:soundsl
ikeyouar
epl
anni
ngonshoot
ingaf
ew
peopl
e.
him:no,j
ustscar
ethem.I'
m st
rai
ghtguyt
hat
'swhy
I'
m get
ti
ngaguni nthel
egalway.
me:yeah,Igetyou.Youcoul
dsayIhavethesame
r
easonf orwanti
ngagun.Peopl
eseem tothinkI'
m
afoolandit'
saboutti
meIshowthem thatI
'm not
.
hi
m:yeah,youshoul
dot her
wiset
hey'
l
ltake
advant
ageofyou.Butyouneedmorethanjusta
gun.
me:whatel
sewoul
dIneed?
hi
m:connections,
beingalonersomet
imesdoesn'
t
work.Notdeepconnecti
onsofyoujoi
ningagang
buthavingt
hosefewmenwhocanhel
pyouout
wit
haf ewthingsher
eandt
her
e.
Ist
aredathi
m,wonder
ingi
fhewasn'
tsentbyTaJ
tot
ryandplayme.
me:It
hinkIcandof
ineonmyown.
hi
m:eydon'
tthi
nkI'
mt hebadguy.Ishoul
d
pr
obabl
ytel
lyouthet
ruthaboutwhoIam.
me:wer
eyousentbysomeone?
him:notatal l
,Iusedt obeaconstructi
onmanager ,
butIgotfiredfornor easonandgotblackmai led.
You'retheguyi nmyol djobandIlookedi ntoyoua
bit
.Paulisgr eedybastardandI'
m surehe' smade
yout akepartinhisschemesofwant ingext r
a
moneyf orhispr oj
ects.I'
vedonethatforhim,
helpedhim docor rupti
onandhejustf i
redmewhen
Irefusedtodoi tagain.
me:howdoIknowt
hatyou'
renotl
yingt
ome?
hi
m:checkoutf
oryoursel
fwhousedtohavethe
j
obthatyounowhave.Wecanhelpeachotherout
man,t
akedownPaul.
me:I
'm notsosureofthatandIcan'
ttr
ustyou
whenIdon'tevenknowyou.
him:takemynumber sandcallmewhenyou
changeyourmind.I'
vebeenwhereyouare,andI
knowhowi tends.Paulcan'
tcont
inuedoi
ngthi
s.
Hesoonl eftaf
tergivi
ngmehisnumbers.Ireal
ly
didn'
ttr
usthim anddidn'
tthi
nkIwoul
dbecal li
ng
him.Trusti
ngstrangersi
swhatgotmeinthe
tr
ouble,andIcan'tbeafoolt
odothatagain.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
10+comment
spl
ease
TheHi
tWoman
28[
Unedi
ted]
_
Segomot
so
Fourdayspassedwi thCami l
ast i
llunconsciousin
hospital
.Shewasst i
lli
nI CUandIr egularl
ywentto
checkuponher .IsawAl exaf ewt i
mesandi twas
cl
eart hathecar
edaboutCami lamor ethanjusta
businessassoci
atewoul d.Ihadn'tseenLiam andI
deci
dedtopassbyCamila'sapart
ment.Ibr
ought
somecookedfoodincontainer
sforhi
m.Iknocked
andsecondsl
aterLi
am opened.
me:hey,
Icamet
ocheckuponyou.
hi
m:I
'
mfi
ne.
me:okay,
I'
vegoodcookedf
oodher
e,doyoumi
nd
i
fIcomein?
Heeyedmesuspi
ciousl
yandall
owedmeinsi
de.I
pl
acedthef
oodcontai
nersont
hetabl
e.
me:haveyoueat
en?
hi
m:yeah,
Iat
ecer
eal
.
I
twas5pm andhehadonl
yeat
encer
eal
.
me:wel
lyoucannoweatsomet
hingbet
tert
han
cer
eal
.Haveyougonet
oseeCami l
a?
him:yes,
doctor
ssaidtheyaremonitor
ingherf
or
cardi
acir
regul
ari
ti
es,butsheshoul
dbeokay.
me:t
hat
'sgoodt
hen.
hi
m:di
dyouseewhoshother
?
me:no,
Idi
dn'
t.Doyouknowwhocoul
dhave?
hi
m:no,
butmyf at
herhadalotofenemi
esand
Cami
lamusthavemoretoo.
me:wer
eyoucl
osewi
thyourf
ather
?
hi
m:yes..
.buthehadstar
tednotvisi
ti
ngmeof t
en,
hesai
dIshouldlear
ntobeindependentandnot
needhi
m.
Hisexpressi
onsoft
enedabi
tandIcoul
dseethe
younginnocentboybehi
ndt
hegrownmanfacade.
hi
m:I
'
mindependentnow.
Theexpr essiondisappearedquickl
y,repl
acedwith
thecalm andcol donet hatwassomuchl i
ke
Cami l
a's.ThiswashowCami lawasgrowingupand
herfathermusthaveencour agedhertobecome
colderandmor eheartl
ess.Liam st
il
lhadachance
tobesomet hingmor ethanjustaheartl
esski
ll
er.I
wasn'tsurehowt hatcouldhappenwhent heonly
familyhehadwasCami l
a.
me:i
t'
sokayt
obeakidyouknow,ki
dsaren'
tstupi
d.
Bei
ngakidmeansyougett
ohavefunandenjoy
yourchil
dhood,
ifyoudon'
texper
iencet
hat
,you
regr
etitwhenyoubecomeanadul t
.
hi
m:I
'
m notaki
d.
I
twouldt
akemor
ethanjustwor
dstogethi
m outof
t
hisgr
ownmanshel
lthathi
sfat
herputhi
min.
_
Cami
la
Ihear dt heloudgunshotandsawt hegunbut
beforeIcoul dlookupatt heshooter
,ashar ppai n
hitmychest .I'
vefir
edar i
fl
egunsomanyt i
mes
thatI'vel ostcount.I'
veshotandkill
edsomany
peopl eandIal waysknewt hatonedayIwoul dbe
ont her eceivingendoft hegun'
sbar r
el.Li
vebyt he
swor d,di ebyt hesword.ButIwasn'tdead, Ireali
sed.
Ther ewasanannoyi ngbeepingsoundandIsl owly
openedmyeyes.Isawt hatIwasinahospi talroom,
hookedt oI Vdr i
psandanoxygenmaskovermy
face.Iremovedt heoxygenmaskandpr esst he
buttonf oranur se.Shecamemoment slater.
her
:Ni
cet
oseeyouawakeMsDavi
s.
me:getmeadoct
or.
Thedoctorcamemoment
slat
erandexplainedt
o
methedamagedonebythegunshot
.Itseemedli
ke
Ihadbeenlucky.
me:howl
ongwi
llIbest
ayi
ngher
e?
him:afewmoredays,weneedtomakesureyou
don'
tdevel
opanycardi
acir
regul
ari
ti
esoranyot
her
compli
cati
ons.
me:I
'm notst
ayingher
el ongert
hanIneedto,
I'
ve
gott
hingstodo.Thosefewdaysbetterbet
wodays
atmost.
him:MsDaviswecan'
tdischar
geyouifyouaren'
t
recover
edwell
,west
il
lneedtomonit
oryouclosel
y.
me:hey,dowhatyouhavet
odoandmakesur
eI'
m
r
ecoveredsoonenough.
Henoddedandmadehi
swayout
.Al
exwal
kedi
na
whi
lel
ater
.
hi
m:Cami
la,
nicet
oseeyoual
iveandbr
eat
hing.
me:seemsli
keitt
akesmor
ethanabul
letwoundt
o
t
heheartt
okil
lme.
hi
m:Ihat
etosayIt
oldyouso.
me:shutup,
Idon'
tknowwhyyou'
reevenher
e.
hi
m:j
ustmaki
ngsur
enobodycamet
ofi
nishyouof
f.
me:t
hankyou,
aren'
tyousocar
ing.
Hesatdownonachai
rbesi
demybed.
him:thi
sisseri
ousCami l
a,someoneal most
succeededinki
ll
ingyou.Thebullethityourheart
andyourheartstoppedbeati
ng,you'dbedeadi fi
t
wasn'tfort
hepersonyouwer ewithwhenyougot
shot.
me:Ididn'
tlosemymemor yAlex,I
'm awareofwhat
happenedandhowl uckyIam t
obeal i
ve.Ihave
enemiessoit'
snosurpri
sethatoneofthem tri
edto
ki
llme.Myhear tmi
ghthavestoppedbeatingfora
l
itt
lewhil
ebutit'
sbeati
ngagainandI'
m comi ngfor
whoeverdidthi
stome.
Ifel
toutofbreat
h,soIpl
acedtheoxygenmask
back.Ihatedbei
nginhospi
tal
,downandweak.I
wouldfindtheper
sonwhoputmeher eandI
neededabet t
erwaytomakethem suff
er.
*
*
Igotdi
schar
gedf r
om hospi
talt
wodayslat
er.
Segomotsobroughtmesomecl ot
hes.
her:youshoul
dbeli
steni
ngtoyourdoct
orsand
stayi
nghereawhil
elonger.
me:I
'
mfi
ne.
her
:you'
renot
,yout
ookabul
lett
oyourhear
tand
l
ung.
me:t
hankyouf
ort
her
emi
nder
,Ial
mostf
orgot
.
Al
exwal
kedi
n.
hi
m:I
'
lldr
iveyout
oyourpl
ace.
me:whosai
dIneededadr
iver
?
hi
m:me.
me:whot
hehel
lmadeyout
womypar
ent
s?
Theywereannoyi
ng,Idi
dn'
tneedthem t
ryi
ngto
takecar
eofme.Isignedmydischar
geformsand
wemadeourwayt oAlex'
scar.Al
exdrovetomy
pl
aceandSegoinsist
edoncomingupwithme.We
gott
omyapar t
mentandfoundLiam r
eading.Isat
downandtookadeepbreat
h.Justashortwalkto
myapart
mentleftmeoutofbr
eath.
Sego:
don'
tfor
gett
otakei
teasyCami
la.
me:Iwon'
t,
nowyoucanl
eave.
her:Li
am,
makesur
eshet
akesi
teasyanddr
inks
hermeds,
right
?
Li
am gaveat
ersenodandSegosoonmadeher
wayout.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Couldn'tf
ini
shEthan'
spartsowe'
l
lseehi
m ont
he
nextinser
t.Sor
rythati
t'
sshort
.
TheHi
tWoman
29
_
Et
han
Ical
ledt
hePIandaskedhimtoalsocheckout
Bongani
.Hetol
dmet hatIwoul
dhaveallt
he
i
nformat ionIneededaboutTaJ, PaulandBongani
i
naweek.Iknewt hatwhatBonganisaidwastrue,I
couldn'tmakei tonmyown, Ineededsomeonet o
hel
pme.Iwoul dn'
tri
skt
rust
ingthewr ongper
son,
i
nf actIpl annedonnottrust
inganyone.Iwouldget
mysel foutoft hemessIwasi nwi t
houtmyfather'
s
hel
p, Ididn'tneedhim.
Ont henextSat ur
day, Iwentbacktot hefi
rear
m
tr
ainingcentreformypr act
icalt
rai
ning.Isaw
Bonganit herebutdidn'tgotohim si
nceIhadn't
confirmedifhewaswhohet ol
dmehewas.I nst
ead,
IwaitedforSego, watchingherasshef ini
shedher
tr
aining.She'sabeaut if
ulwomanandcar ryi
nga
gun, shelookedir
resisti
blysexy.Shemadeherway
tomewhenshewasdone.
her
:whyar
eyousmi
rki
ngl
ikeani
diot
?
me:Iwasjustt
hinki
nghowbeaut
if
ulyoul
ookwi
th
aguninyourhands.
her
:beaut
if
ul,
notdanger
ous?
me:danger
ousl
ybeaut
if
ul.
her
:(
chuckl
ing)ar
en'
tyouchar
ming.
me:howaboutwegr
absomel
unch?
Sher
aisedaneyebr
owatme,
andIsmi
led.
me:Iwoul
dli
ket
ogett
oknowyousopl
easesay
yes.
her
:Ican'
t,
Ineedt
ogetsomewher
e.
me:now?can'
tyouspar
emej ust30or20mineven.
Ipromi
seyouwon'tr
egr
eti
t,I
'
m anamazi ngguy,
tr
ustme.
her:I
'm al
readynotl
iki
ngyou,
you'
ret
oosur
eof
yoursel
f.
me:heyi
fIdon'
tli
veuptoyourexpect
ati
onsthen
youcanj
ustfor
getaboutme,noharm,nofoul
.
Shelaughedbutagr eedtoaqui cklunch.Wegot
sandwi chesatanear byvendorandsatdownona
bench.Myst rat
egywi t
hagi r
lwassi mple,bemy
honestandt rueselfwithsomeaddedchar m.We
tal
kedaboutt heusualfi
rstdatemat er
ialt
opics,our
careers,int
erestsandlit
tl
ebitsofpiecesabout
ourselves.Igotthatshewasagr aphicdesigner
,
workingatanadver tisi
ngcompanyandvol unteered
atayout hcent
re.Shewasaki
ndsoulbuthadt
his
fi
ercenessthati
ntri
guedmemore.30mi
npastway
tooquicklyf
ormyl i
king.
me:Ihopewecandothi
sagai
n,maybenextt
imeI
cantakeyououtf
orapr
opermeal
,di
nner
.
her:Et
han,you'
reaniceguybutI'
m notl
ooki
ngf
or
arelat
ionshi
pri
ghtnow,justsoyouknow.
me:welloneoft
hequal
it
iesofani
ceguyi
sbei
ng
pat
ient
,sonorush.
her
:don'
tgetyourhopesupt
oo,
Imi
ghtnotchange
mymindforalongtime.
me:heyit'
scool,Iwoul
dliketoknowyoumoreon
whatevercapaci
tyyoufeelcomfort
abl
eon,
that
'sal
l
I
'm aski
ngr i
ghtnow.
her
:fi
ne.
Iunderst
oodthatshewasn'
treadyforarel
ati
onshi
p
forwhateverr
easonsshemade,somer el
ati
ngto
whyshewant edtogetagun.I'
m notonetopush,I
couldacceptbei
ngafri
end.
Imetupwi
tht
hePIl
aterandhegavei
nfor
mat
ionI
needed.TaJwasagangst erwhowasabi gloan
shark,solddrugsandguns.Thei nformat i
onIgot
confir
medt hatPaulwasassoci at
edwi thTaJ
meani ngmeet ingOkuhl eandhavi nghergetmea
j
obi nPaul '
scompanywasnocoi ncidencebutaset
up.Okuhl ewasn' tevenPaul '
sniece.Ifeltli
keaf ool
andvowedt obewi ser.Bonganihadbeent heear l
ier
constructi
onmanageratPaul 'scompanyashehad
tol
dme, andhewasal egitguynoti nvolvedi n
anythingshady.Iwentt ot hebarwher ewespokeat
l
aterintheeveni ng, hopingt ocatchhimt her
e.Isaw
him si
tti
ngbyhi msel f
,soIj oinedhim andgot
myselfadr ink.Wef ellintoacasualconver sati
on
beforeIaskedwhathi splanwas.
him:Idon'thavesolidplanyet,butwehavet oget
himt r
ouble,havehisconstructi
onf i
rm shutdown.
I'
m sti
llchecki
nghi m outandwat chi
nghi s
businessmovesf oranythingshadyot herthan
gett
ingmoneyi nt
ohispocket .
Hetoldmemor eaboutwhathehadandhowwe
coul
dt acklet
histhi
ng.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtot
rust
Bongani,ifhi
splanstur
nouttobebadandmay
backf
ir
e,I
'
m out
.
_
Cami
la
Igottheper sonwhohadshotme, ahi redguywho
hadn'tbeensocar efuloft hesur vei
llancecamer as.
Mymet hodf ortorturi
nghi m waspoi soni ng.I
managedt ogetmyhandsonSt rychni nepoi son
thatwasacommonpest i
cidethatpr oducedpai nful
sympt omswheni nhaled,absorbedori ngested.I
hadmyguysgett heguywhowashi redt oshootme
ti
edupi nthewar ehouse.Idr ovet her eevent hough
Iwasn' tsogoodonmyf eet,sti
llrunni ngoutof
breathf r
equently.Igott heSt r
ychni nepoi sonmi xed
i
nasol uti
onandputi nasyr i
nge.Funt hingabout
thispoisonwast hatjustasmal lamountcoul d
bringsever eeff
ect s.Theguyt i
edupi nst antl
y
recognisedme, buthekeptast raightf ace.I
i
njectedhi m wit
ht hepoi sondi r
ect l
yi nt hevei nand
stoodback.
me:That
'sSt
rychni
nepoi
son,
everhear
dofi
t?
Hi
sbl
ankf
acet
oldmet
hathehadn'
t.
me:It'sast r
ongpest icide,usual
lyusedt oki l
lrats.
Pleasantthingabouti st hesympt omsi tproduces.
Inalittl
ewhi l
eyou' l
lfeelyourfacialmuscl estighten,
you'l
lfeelrestlessanduneasy.You' l
lfeelli
ke
walking,movi ngyourl egsorjustdosomet hi
ng.The
restofyourbodymuscl eswi l
lti
ghtent oo,yourcal f
muscl eswillstiff
enandj erk.ShallIcontinue?
Hisbreathi
nghadnot
iceabl
ychanged,
probabl
yout
offear.
me:t
ellmewhohi
redyout
oki
llme?
Her emainedsil
entandIpl
ayedhisgame,
stayi
ng
si
lenttoo,watchi
nghim.Af
terafewminut
eshe
movedhi sheadfrom si
detosi
deandmovedhis
mout haroundtoo.
me:youcanf
eel
yourf
acemuscl
est
ight
eni
ng,
don'
t
you?
hi
m:f
uckyou.
me:t
her
e'sal
otmor
ecomi
ng.
Sl
owlyt
hesymptomspr ogr
essed,hisbodyjer
king
i
nspasmstoconvul
sions.Herefusedtotel
lme
whohadhi redhim, andIdidn'
thavet hepatience.
Deaththr
oughSt rychninepoisoningusual lycame
withi
n2-3hour s.Ihadmyguyspourgasoverhi m
andlitamat chandsethi m al
ight.Ifeltoutof
breat
h,butIst r
ainedt okeepmycomposur euntilI
wasoutofeyesi ghtf rom myguys.Thel astthingI
wantedwasf orthem t oseemeweak.Igoti nmy
carandsatf oragood10mi ncatchingmybr eath.I
drovebacktomyapar tmentandf oundLi am sitt
ing
si
lentl
ywithSego.
Sego:
youl
ookl
ikehel
l.
me:t
hankyou.
Isatdownandt
ookdeepbr
eat
hs.
Sego:CamilaIt
hinkyouneedt
ogett
oahospi
tal
,
youdon'tl
ookgood.
me:Ij
ustneedt
ocat
chmybr
eat
h,I
'
mfi
ne.
Ihel
dahandt
omychest
,feel
ingal
it
tl
epai
n.
me:j
ustcal
lmeadoct
or,
ther
e'sanumbert
her
e.
Segodi
dcallt
hedoct
orandhecame20mi
nlat
er.
Heexaminedabi
t.
hi
m:I'm afr
aidyouneedtogett
oahospital
,you
havearapidheartbi
tandmightbeexper
ienci
nga
hear
tattack.
SinceIwasn'tgett
inganybetter
,Iagreedtogot oa
hospit
albutrequestedthebestcardi
ologi
st.They
ranseveralt
estsandatsomepoi nt,Ipassedout.
WhenIwokeup, adoctorwhowasanol derwoman
stoodbymybed.
her:MsDavi syouhaveamyocar di
alcontusion
whichisabr ui
seoft hehear tmusclethatwas
causedbyt hebull
ett hathi ttheout
erwal lofyour
heart
.I'
llbeperfor
mi ngel ectrocar
diogramst o
monitoryourheartfort henext24hour sandi fther
e
areunusualsympt oms, youmi ghtneedsur geryto
repai
rbloodvesselsorpl acementofapacemaker
tohelpregulat
ehear tbeat.
me:dowhatyouhavetodobutkeepmeinf
ormed,
I
don'
twantt
ostayher
elongert
hanneeded.
Shenoddedandmadeherwayout
.Segocameand
Ishutmyeyes.
her
:thi
sist
hesecondt
imeIsavedyourl
if
e.
me:t
echni
cal
lyyoudi
dn'
tsavemyl
if
ethi
sti
me.
her:Idi
d,i
fIwasn'tt
her
e,youwoul
dhave
stubbor
nlyi
gnoredyoursympt
oms.
me:f
ine,
thankyouSegomot
so.
her
:you'
rewel
come.
me:nowgetoutofmysi
ght
.
Shechuckl
edbutdi
dn'
tleave.
_
Segomot
so
Idon'tthinkI'
vemetaper sonsostubbornand
recklesswiththeirlif
el i
keCami l
a.Shecoul dhave
diedbusysayi ngshewasf inewhenclearly,she
wasn' t
.Iwasdamnwor ri
edofherdyingandeven
sawLi am al i
tt
lewor ri
edt oothoughhetried
pretendinghedi dn'tcare.Hehadobviousl ybeen
taughttoal wayshidehi semot i
onsandr emai n
calm everytime, j
ustlikeCami l
a.
me:wher
ewereyouwhenyouwer
esupposedt
obe
i
nbedrest
ing?
her:busydi
scover
ingsomei
nter
est
ingwayst
oki
ll
people.
Igl
aredather
.
her
:howdoyoupl
ant
oki
llt
hoseguys?
Ieyedt
hedoor
way,
maki
ngsur
enobodywast
her
e.
me:Idon'tknow,shoott
hem.I
'l
lbeappl
yingf
ora
competencycert
ifi
catet
ogetagunsoon.
her
:bl
owingsomeone'
sbr
ainsoutwoul
dn'
tbe
somet
hingyoucando.
me:don'tdoubtme,
Inowknowhowt
ousea
handgun.
her
:usingagunandkil
li
ngsomeonewithi
tis
di
ff
erent.Youshoul
dconsi
derpoi
soni
ng.
me:whypoi
soni
ng?
her:yougettowatchthepersonsuf
fer
,seet
hem
cryinpain.St
rychni
nepoisoni
ngwouldbeasmart
choice.
me:andyouknowt
hisbecauseyou'
vet
ri
edi
t?
Shemer
elysmi
ledandshuthereyes.Cami
lawasa
cold-heart edkil
lerandshewasn' tashamedoft hat.
Thatwasscar ybutatl eastIunder st oodabi tabout
howshecamet obet hewomanshei st oday.Il eft
thehospi talandst oppedbyherapar t
mentt ocheck
uponLi am.Iwasdr awnt ohim, want ingt ohel phim
bet heyoungboyhei ssupposedt obe.It henwent
tomypl aceandr elaxed.It houghtaboutmyday,
theconf idenceIf eltwi ththehandguni nmyhands.
IthoughtaboutEt hanandImustadmi t
,hewasa
niceguy, butIwasn' tlooki ngforar elationshi p.I
wasn' tsoconvi ncedt hathecoul dset t
lei nthe
fri
endzone, buthel ookedgenui ne.I 'vebeenpl ayed
andhur tbefore,Iwasn' tgoingt oriski tagai nby
j
umpi ngint oarelat i
onshi p.Ihadt ogetovermy
nightmar esf i
rst,maket heguyswhohur tmepay.I
want edt oseet hem suf ferandIt houghtaboutt he
poisonCami l
asuggest ed.Shoot i
ngt hem woul dbe
tooeasyandmaybenotsomet hingIwasup, it
wasn' tfunt owat chCami l
ablowsomeone' sbr ains.
*
***
***
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***
***
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
30
_
Cami
la
Istayedinhospi t
al f
or3mor edaysduet othe
pacemakert hathadt opl acedi nmychestt o
regulat
emyhear tbeat.Thepacemakerwas
tempor aryandmycar diologistwouldmoni tormy
heartrhythm everytwoweekswi thhopest hati
na
fewmont hsIwoul dn'
tneedi tanymore.Inowhad
uglyscar sonmychestandIwaspi ssed.Al ex
camet ot hehospitalont hedayIwasdi scharged
anddecl aredthathewast akingmehome.
him:you'repissedthatyouhadsurger
iest
hatl
eft
youwi t
hugl yscars,youshoul
dbehappythat
you'r
ealiveanddoct orsdi
dthei
rbesttomakesure
thatyou'
llli
velonger.
me:Idon'
tcar
eaboutli
vingordyi
ng,t
hathitman
shoul
dhaveaimedbett
erandgotthebul
letrightin
myheartandmadeitst
opbeatingimmediately.
hi
m:youar
ecr
azyt
onotcar
eaboutyourl
if
e.
me:whydoyoucar
e?
Hest
aredatmeandsi
ghedt
henl
ookedbackatt
he
r
oad.
him:becauseIl
ikeyouandcareaboutyou,
ther
eI
saidi
tsinceyoucouldn'
tnot
icet
hat.
me:I'
m acol
dhear
tedbi
tch,
what
'st
her
etol
ike
aboutme?
him:heyi
tbeatsmetoowhyIli
keyouandIwoul
d
l
ikeyoumoreifyouwereabi
twarmer.
me:j
ustshutup.
Hedroppedmeof fatmypl
aceandinsi
stedmuch
tomyannoyancetowalkmeupt omyapartment
.I
foundLi
am r
eadingamagazineongunsand
ammuniti
on.
me:whatdi
dyoudot ot
hemat
eri
alsyoupl
anned
onmakingasi
lencerwi
th?
hi
m:It
hrewt
hem away.
me:you'r
elyi
ng,youwentaheadanddidt
he
si
lencerwhi
leIwasinhospi
taldi
dn'
tyou?
Het
ri
eddenyi
ngi
tbutIknewhewasl
ying.
me:br
ingt
hesi
lencer
,letmeseei
t.
Hehesi t
atedforamomentandt henwentt ogetit.I
tookitandlookedi
tover.Hemusthavef ol
lowed
theinstr
ucti
onscareful
lybecausethesil
encerwas
welldone.Hewasaper fecti
onistli
kemyf ather.I
gaveitbacktohim andallowedhimt okeepi t
.
_
Et
han
Ihadf i
nall
ymadeadeci sionaboutt akingBr uce's
architectcompany.Ihaddonemyr esear choni t
andf oundt hati
twasdoi ngprettywel l andr anked
amongt hetoparchit
ect
scompani esi nAf ri
ca.
Takingoverabusi nessthatIdi dn'
thavemuch
knowl edgeofwoul dbedi f
fi
cultbutIwasupf orthe
challengeandwant edtobef ull
yengagedi t
.Ihad
Brucet ohelpmeoutwi thwhat everknowl edgeand
adviceIwoul dneed.IcalledNichol asandsetupa
meet ingwithhim sowecoul dset t
let hedeal .I
woul dn'tbetaki
ngthecompanyr ightawayt hough,I
sti
llwant edtogetmypr oblemssor tedoutf irstso
thatFir
stOnesArchi
tectwouldbeli
keafr
eshst
art
formewi t
houtanyoneblackmai
li
ngmeor
expecti
nganythi
ngfrom me.Ical
ledBr
uceto
i
nf or
m himthatIwouldtaket
hecompany.
hi
m:I'
m gladyouchoset
otakei
t.Thatcompany
meantalottome.
me:Idon'
tknowmuchaboutr
unningabusi
nessso
you'
l
lhavetogui
demehereandther
e.
him:sure,Iwoul
dn'
tminddoi ngthat
.List
en,about
thelastt
imewespoke, I
'm sorr
yfori
ntrudi
ngin
yourpersonalst
uff
.Iknowt hatyouarecapableof
deali
ngwi t
hyourownpr oblemsbutIjustwantto
help.
me:Br
uceIsai
dI'
mfi
ne,
Idon'
tneed.
..
him:yes,youdon'tneedmet r
yingtosolveyour
probl
emsf oryou,Igetthat.There'
saguywho
owedmeaf avourort woandhecanhel pyououti n
whateveryouneed, hehasconnect i
onsandcan
helpyousortoutaf ewthingsyoucouldn'tbeabl e
tohandlebyyourself.Hi
snamei sLJandI '
llsend
youhisnumber .Youdon'thavet ocontacthim but
i
fyoudo,
tel
lhi
m you'
reBr
ian'
sson.
me:fi
ne,t
houghIr
eal
lycanhandl
emypr
obl
emsby
mysel
f.
Isoonendedt hecallandhei mmediat
elysentthe
guy'
scontacts.Icontemplatedcal
li
ngtheguy
becauseBonganiandIwoul dneedhelpfrom
someonewi t
hconnect ions.Aft
erafewdays, It
old
Bonganiabouttheguyandheagr eedthathecould
hel
pus.Icont act
edhi m,tol
dhim IwasBr i
an'
sson
andagreedtomeet .Wemetatabar .
him:Yourf
atherdi
dafewthingsforme,savedmy
assaf ewt
imesandIowedhi m.Idon'
tmind
helpi
ngyououtwit
hwhateveryouneed,i
t'
sthe
l
eastIcandoforBri
an.
It
oldhi
m abi
taboutTaJandPaul
.
him:IknowTaJ,he'snotthatmuchbigofa
gangsterashepr
etendstobe,Icangethi
m of
f
yourback.
me:howexact
ly?
hi
m:l
eavet
hatt
ome,
hewon'
tbot
heryouanymor
e.
Wi
tht
hisbossofyour
s,I
'
llseewhatIcando.
me:Ihaveafr
iendthatI'
m wor
kingwi t
handwe
wanttorui
nhi
sr eput
ati
onandgethi scompany
shutdownwit
houthim knowi
ngt hati
twasus.
hi
m:thatwilltakeabitofti
met odobutI'
l
lhel
pyou
outwit
hthisfriendofyours,
makesur ehewon'
tbe
anot
herproblem inyourli
fethough.
Il
ikeLJ,heseemedstrai
ght
for
wardandIhadto
admiti
t,Iwasthankf
ultomyfat
hert
houghIhadn'
t
wantedhimtohelpme.
_
Segomot
so
Aweekl aterCamilacalledmeandt ol
dmet hather
PIhadfoundaf ewoft heguysthatIhadl i
sted.I
wenttoherpl aceandlookedatt hepictur
esof
thoseguys.Irecognizedoneoft hem andwassur e
thathehadbeenoneoft hemenwhohur tme.Inow
had3oft he5men, t
heot her2wer emenIcoul d
neverfi
ndandhopef ullytheywer edead.Cami l
a
tol
dmet hatherpeopl ewoul dgetthe3guyst oher
warehouseandshewoul dtel
lmewhent heyhad
them.Ihadcheckedoutt heSt r
ychninepoisoning
thatCami l
asuggest edandagr eedIwouldusei tto
servemypur pose.Iwantedtoseet hem suff
er ,
see
them cr yandbegasIhaddone.Theywoul dn'tli
ve
ther estoft hei
rli
veshur t
ingoverwhathadbeen
forcef ul
lytakenfrom them buttheywoulddiea
painf uldeathandIt houghtthatwouldbe
satisfactoryenoughf orme.
Ont hefol
lowingweek,Camilaf et
chedmefrom my
placeanddr ovet
oherwar ehouse.Wegotthere
20mi nlat
erandsatinthecarf orafewminutes.I
waspr epari
ngmyselftoseet hemenwhohad
causedmeunf or
get
tablepain.
Cami
la:your
eady?
Inoddedandf oll
owedherinsidethewar
ehouse.
Themen, Zweli,
Kar aboandThabowereti
edupto
chair
s.Theydidn'tseem t
orecognizemeaswellI
recogni
zedthem.
me:howar
ewedoi
ngt
his?
Camil
anoddedtooneguywhost
oodont
hesi
de,
car
ryi
ngasyri
nge.
Camila:he'
lli
njectt
hem andt hepoi
sonshoul
dsetit
i
naf ewmi nutes.We'l
lleaveyouwit
hthem andyou
canwat chandr emindthem ofwhat
everyouwant
them toremember .
me:okay.
Thei
reyeshadwi
denedatt
hement
ionofpoi
son.
Zweli
:youhavet
hewr
ongper
sonher
e,Idi
dn'
tdo
anyt
hing.
Allt
hreesai
dt hat,cryi
ngthatt
her
ewasamistake.
Camill
a'
sguyi njectedthem wi
tht
hepoi
sonand
thenhelef
t,Cami l
af ol
lowi
ngbehi
ndhim.
Zweli
:heysi
sterI
'
m amanwi t
houtacr
ime,
I'
vegot
afamil
yandmebei ngher
eisobvi
ousl
yamist
ake.
me:10year
sago,
thet
hreeofyouwi
tht
woot
her
menrapedme.
Theydeni
edi
tvehement
ly.
me:youdon'trememberi tbutIdo,
Iremember
ever
ythingaboutthatday.Youhadfunwithmy
body,passedmear oundlikeIwassnack.I
twasf
un
tohaveKhumo' sgir
l,doyourememberhim?
Icoul
dseet
heyr
emember
edhi
mthought
hey
deni
edit
.
Kar
abo:si
steryour
eal
lyhavet
hewr
ongsguys,
we
di
dn'
tdoanythingt
oyou.
me:youhaveSt rychninepoi
soni
nyour
bloodstr
eam andi nj
ustamomentyou'l
lyourface
musclest i
ght
ent henyourcal
fmuscl
esallover
yourbody.You'l
lgetspasmsandviol
ent
convulsi
ons.It
'
sbet tert
oadmitt
owhatyoudi d
ri
ghtnow.
Theycontinuedpret
endi
ngt
hattheywerei
nnocent
andIwaitedforthepoi
sont
okickin.I
tdi
dandthey
beggedtobel etgo.
Thabo:i
fwedi
dyouwrong,we'
resor
ry.
..wer
eal
ly
arepl
easemaket
hisst
op.
me:don'
tsayif,
admitwhatyoudidt
ome,admit
howyoufeltwhenyouhurtme,admi
thowyou
di
dn'
tcareaboutme.
Zwel
i:Iwasadi
ffer
entper
sonthen..
.Imade
mist
akesandoneofthem wast
akingadvant
ageof
women...
me:notami
stake,
admi
titwasachoi
ce.
him:okay, i
twasachoi cethatI
'm not.
..pr
oudof,
today.
..Ihaveadaught erandIwoul dn'
twishf
or
anymant ot ouchher
.I'
m sorr
yforwhatIdi dt
oyou,
pleaseforgiveme.
Icoul dn'tbesur ei fhewassi ncer eorifhejust
want edt hepai ntost opbutIr eal i
zedthatIdidn't
care.Theyal ladmi tt
edwhatt heydi dand
apol ogized,pleadedwi thmet ol etthem go.The
poisonhadsever esympt oms, t
heconvul si
on,
vomi t
ingandi ntensepai n.Wat chingthem wasl ike
wat chingmysel fpl eadwi ththem t ostopbutt hey
hadn' tunt i
ltheywer esat i
sfi
ed.Theycoul dhave
ki
lledmeandi twast heirmistakebecauseIwast he
onewhowoul dwat cht hem die.Onebyonet hey
startedhavi ngdi ffi
cul t
ybr eathi
ngandIwat ched
untilthel aststoppedbr eathing.Igotoutandl eaned
agai nstthewal l
,takingdeepbr eat hswit
hmyeyes
cl
osed.
Cami
la:howdoyouf
eel
?
Iopenedmyeyesandst
aredather
.
me:If
eelgood.
Thatwast
het
rut
h,goodbei
nganunder
stat
ement
.
*
***
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***
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***
*
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
31
[
3mont
hsl
ater
]
_
Segomot
so
Li
am:el
bowt
othet
hroat
It
hrustmyel
bowt
othemannequi
n'st
hroat
.
Liam:youmustpit
cht
hewei
ghtofyourbody
forwar
d.Li
kethi
s.
Hedemonst r
atedformeaswel lashecouldfora
nineyearol
dandImi mickedhi
smovement st
oget
theperf
ectstr
iket
omyassai l
ant'sneck.Li
am was
teachi
ngmesomebasi cselfdefencemovesthat
hisfat
herhadtaughthi
m andmadehi m mast
er.I
couldsayt hatIhadmadesomepr ogresswithhi
m
thoughhewasn' tatthelevelwher ehehappil
yplays
withtoys,Idon'tthi
nkI '
l
levergett herewit
hhim.We
areatthepoi ntwherehesomet imesdr opshis
grownmanf acadeandt alksexcit
edlyaboutthe
thi
ngshel oves, guns,carsandsci ence.Heli
kes
gunswaymor ethanaki dhisageshoul dand
knowst hem likethebackofhi shandbutIt ryto
encouragehi mt oli
keot herthi
ngs.Ican'tsaywe'r
e
bestbuddies, Icheckuponhi m onceortwicea
weekatCami la'
sapar t
mentandr ecentl
yhetoldme
wasamast erofsomecoolsel fdef encemovesand
Iaskedhimt oteachme.
Watchingmyr apist
sdiehadgi venmeasenseof
pi
ece.Iwon'tforgetwhattheydidtomebutIsleep
bet
terknowingthattheyaredead.I'vevowedt
o
myselfthatnomanwoul devertakeadvant
ageof
me.Inowal sohavealicensedhandgun.
Cami
lawal
kedi
nandl
ookedquest
ioni
ngl
yatLi
am
andI
.
me:Liam wasteachi
ngakni
fehandst
ri
ket
ogetan
assai
lant
'scar
otidar
ter
yandthe.
..
Li
am:j
ugul
arvei
n.
me:yes,
hehasgoodmoves.
Camil
a:wow,myli
tt
lebr
otherteachi
ngawoman
who'
smadehersel
fmybestf r
iendselfdef
encei
s
compl
etel
ynormal
.
Ichuckl
edathersar
cast
iccommentandf
ini
shed
upwithLiam.
me:Ihavet
ogonow,
I'
m meet
ingupwi
thsome
f
ri
ends.
Camil
a:good,
Iwasbeginningt
othi
nkt
hatyou
don'
thaveanybecauseofhowmuchyoulike
hangi
ngoutwithahitwomanandherl
it
tl
ebrother
.
Ican'tsayI'
m bestbuddieswithCami l
atoobut
we'vemadepr ogressfrom herthr
eateni
ngt okil
lme
whenIsawhershootaguydead.I '
m notso
botheredaboutwhatshedoesanymor esinceI
happent ohavesomedeadbodi esinmycl osettoo
thoughthepeopleIkil
leddeservedit.
Il
eftherandLiam andmetupwit
hmyf r
iendsf
rom
workforali
tt
lebir
thdaypar
tyf
oroneofthem.
Ethantextedme, remindingmet hatwehadadat e
i
nt heevening.Ourf r
iendshiphasdevelopedandhe
hasn'tpushedmef ormor ebuthe'smadei tcl
ear
thathecan'tstayinthef r
iendzoneforlong.He'
sa
niceguyasIhadsawf rom thefi
rstti
mewehung
out,afunpersont obear oundandI '
mt hinki
ngof
givi
ngitashotwi t
hhim wi t
hhopest hathewon't
changeot her
wi seI'
m getti
ngsomeSt r
ychnine
poisonfrom Cami l
a.
Iwassit
ti
ngwithoneofmyfri
endsatthebir
thday
par
ty,
tal
kingaboutafewt
hings.Shewenttogetus
moredri
nksandthencameback.Inoti
cedthat
whenshesatdown,shewi
ncedasi fi
npain.
me:youokay?
her
:yeah,
I'
mfine,
justf
ellatmypl
acel
astni
ght
andhitmyhi
pbadly.
Herphoner
angf
ort
hehundr
edt
imei
nthepast
hour
.
her:whycan'
theunder
standt
hatIdon'
twantt
o
tal
ktohim.
me:yourshi
tt
yboyf
ri
end?
her
:yes,
theoneandonl
y.Wehadaf
ightl
astni
ght
.
me:i
shet
heonebehi
ndyourbr
uisedhi
p?
her:no,
thosear
etwosepar
ateevent
s.Iwoul
dn'
t
staywit
hamanwhobeat smyass.
Thewayshesai dthatqui
ckl
ywast el
li
ng.Shehad
tol
dmeaboutherboyf ri
endof3year sandhewasa
j
erktosaytheleast.HehadcheatedonKaysever al
ti
mesbutshecont i
nuedgett
ingbackwi thhim
everyti
me.Shehadneverment ionedhim hi
tt
ingher
butitseemedl
ikehedidthatto.Mydi st
asteforhi
m
grewandIhopedKaywoul dleavehi m.
_
Et
han
Ireadthenewspaperarti
cleaboutPaul'
scompany
beingsuspendedfrom doi
ngconstructi
onsto
BonganiandLJ.Wewer eouthavi
ngdr i
nks
celebr
ati
ngourvictor
yonget t
ingPaul.LJhad
helpedusnailPaulandnowIwasf inall
yfr
eefrom
peopleblackmai
li
ngme.
Bongani
:nowatl
eastIcansayt
hatmypr
evi
ous
bosswascor
ruptonmynextj
obi
nter
views.
LJ:Icanhel
pyououtwi
thget
ti
ngaj ob,
I'
m aman
wit
hconnecti
onsaswe'
veest
abli
shed.
Bongani
:real
lyman,
youwon'
tuset
hatagai
nstme
ri
ght
?
LJ:don'
twor
ry,
I'
m nott
hatt
ypeofguy.
me:LJt
hanksagai
nforhel
pingusout
.
hi
m:nopr
obl
em man.
Icheckedt
heti
meandsawthatIhadspentti
me
l
ongerthanIpl
annedwi
thBonganiandLJ.
me:gent
s,Ineedt
oleave.I
'
m meet
ingaf
ri
endi
na
l
it
tl
ewhil
e.
Bongani
:thegi
rlwhof
ri
endzonedyou.
me:shutup.
him:probl
em isthatyou'
retoonice,
you'
l
lfi
nd
yoursel
fbeingtheshouldertocr
yonwhenher
boyfri
endshurtsher.
me:bye.
Iwasl ookingforwardtoseeingSego.She' sa
womanwi t
hanamazi ngper sonali
tyont opofher
beaut y.She'ssmar twit
haki ndhear tandIlikedthat
abouther .Yeah,Iwasstilli
nthef r
iendzonewi thher
butlat el
yshe'sbeengi vi
ngmesi gnsthatshemi ght
ber eadyf orar el
ati
onship.Shetextedthatshewas
ataf riend'splaceandgavemet headdr esst ofetch
hert here.Iwentt ogetchanged, addedsome
cologneandmadesur eIl ookedgood.Idr ovet oher
fr
iend' splaceandt ext
edherwhenIgott her
e.She
camet omycarmoment sl at
er,l
ookingbeaut if
ulas
al
ways.
me:youhadagoodt
imet
hisaf
ter
noon?
her
:Idi
d,howaboutyou?
me:notr
eal
ly,
butI
'
m aboutt
o.
Sher
oll
edhereyesandIsmi
led.
her
:wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
me:bowl
ing.
her
:bowl
ing?
me:yes,
pleasedon'
ttel
lthatSout
hAf
ri
canwoman
don'
tenj
oyt
hat
.
her
:no,
bowl
ingi
scoolt
houghI
'
veneverwent
.
me:wellI'
l
lbegl
adt
oteachyouandwat
chyouf
ail
mi
serably.
her:di
dIt
ellyouthatwhat
everIdowhetheri
t'
sthe
fi
rstti
meornot,ImakesureIdoitwel
l
me:we'
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.
Theeveni ngwentwel landIenj
oyedmyt i
mewi th
Sego.Shewasn' tbadatbowl i
ngforafirstti
merbut
Istil
lteasedheraboutbei ngbett
erthanher .It
ook
mychanceandi nvit
edheroverforadrinkatmy
placeandbyl uck, sheagreed.Wereall
ywer e
maki ngprogress.
_
Cami
la
Feodor
e:Davi
s,Igotachal
lengef
oryou.
HehadathickRussi
anaccentandal
lhi
swor
ds
soundedl
ikeor
ders.
me:what
?
hi
m:Wewantyout
oki
llRomanoandal
lhi
sboys.
me:It
houghtRomanowasoneofyourown.
him:hehasaego,abigoneandhemakesmistakes
becauseofi
t.Hethi
nksheisaboveusnowandwe
can'
tall
owthat,
no.Hehastogo.
me:Icandot
hat
.
him:Iknewyoucoul
d,It
oldt
hem t
hatyouar
ea
verycapabl
ewoman.
me:butIwon'
tki
llhi
ssons.
Henoddedasi
fhehadexpect
edt
hat
.
hi
m:wouldthatbebecauseyouhaveal
iki
ngf
ort
he
bast
ardAl
exandra?
me:I
'
m notaper
sonwhol
ikesot
herpeopl
e.
him:yes,yes,Igott
hat
.Ki
llRomano'
sboysexcept
thebastardthen.
Fakinganal l
iancewit
hRomanohadi t
sbenef
its
andt heoneIhadbeenhopi ngforwastogetthe
Russi anst
olikemeandt hathastur
nedoutbett
er
thanIexpected.Feodoreandfewothershave
all
owedmei ntot hei
rcircl
eandIcan' tcl
aimt ohave
gottentheirt
rustbecausenoonet rustsanyonebut
them hiri
ngmet okillRomanomeanst hattheycan
givemet heirrespect.Romanomusthavenot
antici
patedthiswhenhei ntr
oducedmet othem.
Aftermymeet i
ngwi thFeodore,Imetupwi thAlex
athisapar t
ment .Itoldhim ali
tt
leaboutwhathad
beenpr oposedt ome.
hi
m:you'
repl
ayi
ngwit
hfi
reCami
la,
theRussi
an'
s
ar
en'
tyourf
ri
ends.
me:andI'
m nott
hei
rsei
ther
.We'
rej
ustpl
ayi
ngt
he
gameAlex.
him:adoordi
egame.Onewr ongmovet heywon'
t
hir
eahitmantoki
llyou,
they'
l
lfaceyouandbehead
you.
me:andI'
m sur
eitpai
nsyout
oimagi
neme
headl
ess.
Her
aisedhi
shandsi
nsur
render
.
hi
m:f
ine,
playt
hegame.
me:doest
hatmeanyouagr
eeofmeki
ll
ingyour
f
ather
?
hi
m:youdon'tneedmyappr
oval
,thi
shasal
ways
beenyourpl
an.
Hehadal
it
tl
efr
ownonhi
sfacet
hathet
ri
edt
ohi
de.
me:comeher
e.
Iwassitt
ingononeofhi
sbarstoolsinthekit
chen
andhestoodafewfeetf
rom me,leaningagai
nst
thecounter
.
hi
m:no,
I'
m notapawni
nthi
sgameofyour
s.
Sincehewasn'
tcomi
ngt
ome,
Ist
oodupandwent
tohim.
me:you'
rer
ightaboutt
hat
,you'
remor
eofabi
shop.
Iki
ssedhi m andasIexpect ed,hedidn'tresistme
i
nsteadhepl acedhishandsont hesmal lofmy
back,pulli
ngmecl oser
.I'
vel earntAl
ex, Iknewhi s
str
engt hsthathewaspr oudofandweaknesses
whichIhappenedt obeoneof .Thesamecan' tbe
sai
dvi cever sa,he'
sapiecei nmygameandwhat
wehavei sjustsex,pur
elyphysi cal
.I'
vemadet hat
cl
eartohi m andi fhedecidest ofal
lforme, that's
hispai
nbecauseI
'
mjustexer
cisi
ngmyl
ibi
doand
ego.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
spl
ease
TheHi
tWoman
32
_
Segomot
so
Iwassleepingpeacefull
ywhenIfel
tsomethingon
myface.IthoughtitwasaflysoItri
edgett
ingitof
f
butt
henadi stant
lyheardalaugh.WhenIopened
myeyes,Iwasmetwi thagri
nningface.
Et
han:Goodmor
ning.
Ismil
ed,r
emember
ingt
hatIhadspentt
heni
ghtat
hispl
ace.
me:mor
ning.
hi
m:Ididn'
tmeantowakeyouup,youwer
ejustso
beaut
if
ulIcoul
dn'
tresi
stt
ouchi
ngyou.
Icouldn'tremembert hel asttimesomeonecour t
mei nsuchar omant i
cway.I 'veal
waysbeen
att
ractedt obadboys, guyswhoact edtoughand
coolandhadt hi
sbi gego, li
keKhumoandMandl a.
Badboyswer en’tsoromant i
cbuttheystil
lcharmed
me.Rel ationshipswi t
ht hoseguysendedwi ththem
hurti
ngme.Her ewasEt hanwhoseemedgenui nein
hiskindnessandi nterestinmebutIcoul dn'thelp
thi
nkingt hatwhati fhewasl ikeal
ltheothers,
dif
ferentonl ybyhi sabili
tyactsincere.
hi
m:what
'st
hatf
rownf
ornow?
It
urnedt
olookathi
m.
me:agunisn'
ttheonl
ythi
ngIcanuset
oki
llyou,
I
'vegotmorei
temsinmybelt
.
hi
m:okay.
..
me:I
'
mjustt
ell
ingyoui
ncaseyoupl
anonhur
ti
ng
me.
him:(
chuckl
ing)Idi
dsayyouwer
edanger
ousl
y
sexy.
me:
(smi
li
ng)I
'
m ser
ious.
him:okay,Iwon'
tpromiset
obeper fectbutIcant
ell
youthatIneverwanttohur
tyou.IfIdo,use
whateveryouhaveonyourbeltt
okillme.
Il
aughedandki
ssedhi
m,f
eel
ingr
eassur
ed.
*
*
Ethandrovemet omypl aceafewhour slater
.I
foundNcebabusywi thhisschoolwor ksoIlefthi
m
toit
.IcheckedoutKay'sFacebookpr ofi
leand
l
ookedf orherboyf
ri
end'sname.Iwentt hroughhis
profi
l
eandt herewasn'
tmucht here.Iwantedto
knowmor eabouthim soIcall
edCami l
a.
me:heyCami
la,
canIcomeovert
oyourpl
ace?
her
:no,
I'
vehadenoughofyou,
stayawayf
rom me.
me:Ij
usthavesomet
hingt
oaskyou.
her
:askmeovert
hephone.
me:ther
e'st
hisguyIwantyout
ocheckoutf
orme,
I
needtoknowmor eabouthi
m.
her
:why?
me:f
orper
sonalr
easons.
her
:isheabast
ard?
Bast
ardwast
her
ightwor
dforhi
m.
me:whyar
eyouaski
ng?
her
:nor
eason.
me:Cami
la,
tel
lme.
her
:Ij
ustknewt
hiswoul
dhappen.
me:whatwoul
dhappen?
her:ki
ll
ingcanbeaddi ct
ivei
fyouenj
oyit,i
tcanbe
l
ikeadr ugthatyouwon'twanttoqui
t.Youenjoyed
watchingyourrapist
sdieandyouwouldn'
tmi nd
doi
ngt hatt
oot hermenliket
hat.
Ipausedbef
oreanswer
ingher
,al
it
tl
efr
eakedout
abouthowaccur
ateshewas.
me:I
'
m notl
ikeyoui
fthat
'swhatyou'
resayi
ng.
her
:you'
rer
ight
,you'
renot
.Gi
vemet
heguy'
sname.
Hertonewasmocki
ngbutIchoset
oignor
eit
.I
gaveherKay'
sboyf
ri
end'
snameandsoonended
t
hecal
l.
_
Cami
la
hi
m:i fyougott hemoney,Icanhookyouwi t
hUS
mili
tarystandar
dissuerif
leguns.Thesearethe
bestri
flesevermade,functi
onalbot
hinf ul
ly
automat i
candsemi -
automaticmode,lowrecoiland
hi
ghr eli
abil
it
y.
me:i
stheACRandFNscarpar
toft
hose?
hi
m:yes,
Icanyougetthem butt
hati
ncr
easeshow
muchyouwil
lbechar
ged.
me:ifyoucangett
hem t
omeassoonasyoucan,
I
'l
lpayalumpsum.
hi
m:you'
vegotyour
sel
faki
ll
erdeal
.
Iendedt hecallandsi ghedinanti
cipati
on.Not
manyt hingsgetmeexci tedbutnewr i
fl
egunsthat
arehar dtoobtainhappent obeatt hetopofmylist
.
I'
m asni per,
Ipreferlongdistancebetweenmeand
myt arget.Oneoft hethingsthatmakemef eel
confidentistaki
ngpar tsofar i
fl
egunand
assembl i
ngt hem tofor m aweaponcapabl eof
kill
ingfrom mi lesaway.Wi t
htherif
lesthatIwoul d
soonget ,Ipl
annedonchal l
engi
ngmysel f,kil
li
ng
Romano, hisbodyguar dsandsons, al
lofthem
togetherinamat t
erofseconds.Thatwoul d
guar anteerespectf r
om t heRussianssoIcoul d
slowl ybeatthem att heirowngameandgett hem
underme.Al exwasr ight,t
hiswasagameofdoor
dieandIdi dn'tmindput ti
ngmyl if
eindanger .I'
ve
accept eddeat handIwon' twastemyt i
mer unning
from it,Iwaschasi ngi theadon.
*
*
Findingi nformationont heguySegoaskedmet o
checkoutwaseasy.Ismi l
edwhenIsawt hathe
hadchar gesofassaul tanddomest i
cvi ol
enceon
hisrecor d.Ihadnodoubtt hatSegowoul dwantto
watchhi m di e.She'l
lbeather selfupf orthedesire
shehasf orbl oodandwi lldeci
det hatit'
swor t
hitif
i
tsaveswomenf rom abuse.She' l
lcomewi thall
the
j
ustificationshecant hinkofbuti ntheend, she'l
lbe
acold- heartedkill
erjustl i
keme.Icoul dhelpher
throughthatj
our
ney,shesoughtpowerovermen
andIcoul dgi
vei
ttoher.Afewdayslateraft
erwor
k,
Iinvit
edhertomypri
vategym.Shecamei nher
gym clot
hesandIgaveherglovesandheadgearto
wear .
her
:what
'sup?
me:t
aki
ngsel
f-
def
encelessonsfrom ani
ne-year
-
ol
dwon'
thel
pyou.Iwanttoteachyourealf
ighti
ng.
her
:okay,
soundsf
un.
Ismi
ledali
ttl
eandt
ookposi
ti
onatt
hecent
reoft
he
fr
eespace.
me:Her earesomethi
ngsyoushouldknow.I'm not
goingtobabyyoutell
ingyouwhattodoorhowt o
doit,i
fyou'r
esmart
,you'l
lfi
gur
eeveryt
hingouton
yourown.Myadvice,watchme,paycareful
att
enti
ont omymovesi nst
eadofyourpain.
her:mypai
n,youar
en'
tpl
anni
ngonbeat
ingmyass,
ri
ght?
me:comeandf
indout
.
her
:Cami
laI
'
m ser
ious.
me:Iam t
oo,
ifyou'
renotupt
othi
syou'
ref
reet
o
l
eave.
Asexpected,shedidn'
tbackdownf r
om the
chal
lenge.Shejoi
nedme, mimi
cki
ngmyst ance.
Sheexpectedmet ostarteasyonherbutIdi
dn’t
,I
swungr i
ghtatherfaceandshestaggeredback.
her
:Cami
lawhatt
he.
..
Iswungagai
n,f
orci
nghertof ocusonducki
ngmy
hit
sandshebar
elysucceeded.
me:womeni
nSAar
eget
ti
ngr
apedandki
ll
edever
y
day.
her
:whydoyoucar
eaboutt
hat
?
me:Idon'tbutyoudo.Youf eelstrongl
yaboutthat
i
ssuebecauseyou' vehadf i
rst
-handexperi
enceof
thevi
olenceandabuse.Tr yandbeatmyassorst op
mef r
om beatingyoursifyoureall
ywanttodo
somethingforallvi
cti
ms.
Withthatmot
ivati
on,sheputal
lherener
gyi
n
f
ighti
ngbutIsti
llhadtheski
ll
s.
_
Et
han
Runningacompanyt hatwast opr atedinthe
i
ndust r
ypr ovedt obemor edi
fficultthanIexpect ed
butlearntallIcoul dandcontinuedl earningevery
day.Brucehel pedmeouti nallthathecoul dand
slowlyourr el
at i
onshipimproved.Wespokeaf ew
ti
mesaweek, hemost l
yaskedaboutwor kandt hen
askedal i
ttleaboutmyper sonallife.Ihadt ol
dhim
thatIhadcont actedLJandput t
ingmypr ideaside,I
thankedhimf orsuggestinghimt ome.Hehadn' t
askedaboutmypr obl
emsbutt hist i
me, he
i
ndirectl
ydi d.
hi
m:how'
sitgoi
ngwi
thLJ?
me:hehel
pedmeout
,di
dn'
tgi
vemeanyt
roubl
e.
him:Iknewhewoul
d,heknowsIhel
pedhi
m
sever
alti
mes.
me:hedi
dment
iont
hat
.
hi
m:how'
syourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Ihadn'
ttol
dhimt hatIhadagi
rl
fr
iendbutIbr
ief
ly
tol
dhim aboutSego.
me:whosai
dIhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
him:thatf
ri
endofyoursyout
oldmeabout,she
shouldbeyoursri
ghtnoworI'
l
lstar
tthi
nki
ng
ther
e'ssomethi
ngwrongaboutyou.
me:hername'
sSegoandyeah,she'
smygirl
fr
iend
t
houghtherewoul
dn'
tbeanyt
hingwrongi
fshe
wasn'
t.
hi
m:you'
dbeaf
oolt
oset
tl
eint
hef
ri
endzone.
me:wer
eyouafoolwhenyouset
tl
edwi
thbei
ng
j
ustf
ri
endswi
thmymot her
?
HepausedatthatandIheldmysel
ffr
om
apol
ogizi
ng.Mymot herwasn'
tasubj
ectwi
tht
alked
about
.
him:Idon'twantt
omakeexcusesbutyourmot her
deservedbett
er.I
nhighschoolIwasaf oolt
onot
havedatedherbutafterbecomingagangst erand
kil
ler
,dati
ngherwasn'tanopt i
on.Afterwhat
happenedt omyfir
stloveIsabell
a,Ididn'twantNel
i
togethurtorworsebehur tbyme.
Br
uce'
sfi
rstl
ovehaddi
edi
nacaracci
dent
,Br
uce
hadbeenwi thher,
dri
vingandat ruckpassedar ed
l
ightandwentr i
ghtatthepassengerside.I
sabella
haddi edonsi t
eandshehadbeenpr egnant,Br
uce
hadn’tknownaboutt hatyetandsohewascr ushed
whenhef oundout.SometimesIwonder edhow
thi
ngswoul dhavebeenifBr uceandmymot herhad
beent ogetherori
fmymot hertol
dBruceabouther
pregnancy.Chanceswher eshewoul dhavegotten
hurt.
Isoonendedt
hecal
lwi
thBruceandcal
ledSego.
ThewomanwasamazingandIwasfall
ingf
orher.
me:heybeaut
if
ul.
her
:Lunga.
me:Il
ikei
twhenyoucal
lmeLunga.
her
:Ifi
guredallt
hewomenyoudatedintheUK
cal
ledyouEthansoI'
l
lcal
lyousomethi
ngdif
fer
ent
.
me:Goodcall
,youcancal
lmewhat
evernameyou
l
ikeandI
'l
lli
keitt
oo.
her
:Iwi
llt
hen.
..shi
t.
..
Shesoundedl
ikeshewasi
nwasi
npai
n.
me:ar
eyouokay?
her
:no,
I'
mjustt
ir
ed.Ihadal
ongday.
me:Ishoul
dletyougetsomesl
eept
hen.
her
:yeah,
I'
llt
alkt
oyout
omor
row,
goodni
ght
.
me:ni
ght
,dr
eam aboutme.
Imagi
ninghersmil
ewasenought
omakemef
orget
aboutBruceandmymother
.
*
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
33[
Unedi
ted]
_
Segomot
so
Aftert
alki
ngtoEthan,Ididn'
tgot osleep.Camila
hadgivenmeaUSBst i
ckwithalltheinfor
mation
aboutKay'sboyfr
iend.Hewas12year solderthan
Kay,had3r apecasesagainsthim, 2thathadbeen
droppedand1t hathehadser vedaf ewmont hsin
j
ai lfor .From t her epor tsoft heonehehadser ved,
thet eenagegi rlhehadr apedsai dt hathewas
abusi ve.Readi ngal lthis,If eltangr yandhadt he
desi ret owat chhi m di e.Ihat erapi standwomen
abuser swi thpassi onandCami lawasr ight,I
woul dn'tmi ndwat chi ngever yoneoft hem die.
"Killi
ngcanbeaddi ct i
vei fyouenj oyi t,i
tcanbel ike
adr ugt hatyouwon' twantt oqui t."Want i
ngt osee
ment hatdest royedwomencoul dn' tmakemea
col d-hear tedki ll
er.Idi dn'twantt or andoml ykill
peopl ewhodi dnot hingwr ong, Ijustwi shedt hat
womenwoul dbesaf eandf reef rom t hemonst ers
roami ngar ound.Thej usticesyst em ofSout hAf ri
ca
wasn' tdoi ngmuch, andIf el ttheneedt odo
somet hing, IcouldsaveKayf rom f urtherabuse
from herboyf r
iend.Iwasawar ethought hatkill
ing
alltheser api sts,abuser sandmur der erswoul d
makemebel i
kethem whent hef eel i
ngsand
mot ivationswer est rippedaway.Iwoul dbel ike
Cami l
aandt hethoughtoft hatmader efrai
nf rom
cal l
inghert ogetherguyst ogetKay' sboyf ri
endt o
herwar ehouse.
Iwentt osl
eepawhi l
el ater .Iwokeupwi t
hmybody
aching,Camil
ahadn' tgoneeasyonmeatt hegym
despitemeknowi ngnot hingaboutf i
ghti
ngot her
thanbasicself
-def encemovest hatani ne-year -ol
d
taughtmeasshepoi ntedout .Shehadt heskill and
speedandshehadmehooked, maki ngmewantt o
beasgoodasher .Ifonl yshehaddecencyt ot each
mepr operl
yinsteadofbeat ingmyasswi thout
tel
li
ngmehowIshoul dbef ighti
ngordef ending
mysel f
.NowIhadbr uisest hatIhadt ocoverup
withmake-up.Ethancal l
ed, askinghowIsl eptand
wishingmeagoodday.I fonl yal lguyswer elike
him andnotbast ardshur tingwoman.Iwentt o
workandspentt hemor ningwor kingwithmyt eam
onourl at
estaddesi gn.Ihadl unchwi thKaywhen
l
uncht imerol
ledar ound.
me:so,
haveyout
alkedt
oyourboyf
ri
end?
her
:hecametomyplacel
astni
ght
,apol
ogi
zedand
wehadacivi
ltal
k.
me:so,
youf
orgavehi
mforwhat
everhi
m di
d?
her
:yes,
Ilovehi
m,andhemi
ghtbeaj
erkatt
imes,
butIknowhel
ovesmet
oo.
me:don'tyouthi
nkit
'snotwort
hitthough,he'
s
fuckedupalotofti
mes,butyoukeeponf orgi
ving
him.Ifhehurt
syousomanyt imesthenclearl
y,he
doesn'tl
oveyouenough,hedoesn'
tvalueyou.
her:we'vebeentogetherf
or3year
sandyeah, he'
s
fuckedupal otofti
mesbutsodoot herguys.Atthe
endoft hedayhecomesbackt ome, apol
ogises
sincer
elyandIcanseet hathel
ovesme.
me:notal
lguyscheatandabuset
hei
rpar
tner
s,
t
herearegoodguysoutther
ewhowouldt
reatyou
waybett
erthanhedoes.
her:whosaidanythi
ngabouthim abusi
ngme?and
he'schanged,he'
snotcheati
nganymore.Sinceyou
havethisperf
ectboyfr
iendofyour
syout hi
nkthe
restofushaveshitt
yboyfri
ends.
me:Ididn'
tsaythat,
andyouknowwhat ,
let
'sdr
op
thi
s.Yourrel
ati
onshipwi
thyourboyf
ri
endisnone
ofmybusiness.
her
:you'
rer
ight
,it
'snot
.
Iobviousl
ywasn' tgoi
ngtochangehermindabout
herboyfri
endsoi twasbestthatIdr
oppedtheissue
eventhoughIwi shedtoknocksomesensei nt
oher,
givehercouraget ol
eaveherifshef
earedhim ordo
anythingt
hatwoul dhelpher
.
_
Cami
la
Ihadanappoi nt
mentwi t
hmycar diol
ogi
stsoshe
couldcheckouthowmyhear twasdoingfr
om the
pacemakerIhadi mplant
ed.ShelookedatmyECG
tracefr
om theel
ectrocar
diogr
am whichmonitor
ed
theelect
ri
calact
ivit
yofmyhear tf
rom el
ectr
odes
placedonmychest .
her
:okay,
thi
slooksbet
tert
hanourpr
evi
oust
races.
me:canIgett
hist
hingr
emovedt
hen?
her:notyet,youknowt hepacemakerisforsi
x
mont hsandonl yafterthatsi
xmonthscanIdeci
de
i
fyoust il
lneedi tornot.Bythel
ooksofit
,you
probablywon' tneedit.
Shef
ini
shedof
fandIsoonwentbackt
owor
k.Al
ex
cal
ledmeaf
ewhour
slat
er.
hi
m:hey,
Iwasj
ustchecki
nguponyou.
me:r
eal
ly,
why?
hi
m:okayfine,
Iwantedt
oaskhowyour
appoi
ntmentwit
hyourcar
diol
ogi
stwent
.
me:Idon'
tremembert
ell
ingyouIhadone,
areyou
st
alki
ngmenow?
hi
m:no,
Ijustwor
ryaboutyou.
me:wel ldon'
t.Ourrel
ati
onshi
p,ifIcanevencal
lit
that
,isallaboutsexanddoesn'tcallf
oryou
worryi
ngaboutmyhear tormegi vi
ngyouareport
ofshitaboutmyhear t
.
hi
m:okay, beyour
selfandshootmef orcar
ing
aboutyourwell
being.Ijustdon'
twantyouhavi
nga
heartat
tackwhil
ewe' r
ef ucki
ng.
me:myhearti
sper
fect
lyf
inesonoyoudon'
thave
t
oworryaboutt
hat
.
him:(
sigh)you'
reexhaust
ing.Letmel
eaveyout
o
yourwor k.
Iendedthecall
, shakingmyheadathowqui
ckhe
wascatchingfeelings.Segowal
kedi
ntomyoff
icea
fewminuteslater.
her
:hey.
me:canIhel
pyouwi
thyousomet
hing?
her:yes,t
hesel f
-def
encesessi
onsorwhat
ever
you'reoff
ering.Canwemakeagr eeonwhi
chdays
we'llbedoingthem?
me:3t
imesaweekdependi
ngonhowbusyIam.
her:cool,
secondly,
I'
m notaski
ngyoutobabyme,
butcanyoupl easeteachmehowtofightby
showi ngmethemovesandal li
nst
eadofjust
beatingmyass.
me:okay.
her
:thankyou.
me:i
sthatal
l?
her
:yes.
me:youdon'
twantmet
odoanyt
hingaboutt
hat
guy?
her
:no,
Idon'
t.
me:areyousur
e,Icoul
dgetsomemor
eSt
rychni
ne
poi
son.
her
:Idon'
twantt
oki
llherCami
la.
me:I
'
m sur
eyoudon'
t.
Shedidn'
tmissmysarcast
ictonebutsimply
i
gnoreditandsai
dgoodbye.Iknewthatitwoul
d
onl
ybeamat t
eroft
imebeforeshechangedher
mind.
_
Al
ex
IstaredatCami l
a'spictureonmyphone, wondering
whatIwasdoi ngwi t
hawomanl i
keher .Our
rel
ationshi
pwasj ustaboutsexasshesai dbutI
guessIwant edtoexpl oremor eofher ,f
indoutwho
shewasbehi ndthemaskoft hecol dblooderki
ller.
Therear eti
mesIwoul dglimpseasof terpartof
herselfwhenshel osesher selfi
nbed, butthose
moment sarerareandshor t,buttheyarethere,and
Ihopedt ogetahol doft hat.HowIwoul ddothat
wasamyst eryjustl
ikeher.Ivi
sitedmybr otherin
theeveningandunf or t
unat
ely,Ifoundmyf ather
there.Hestaredatwi thmyhatredi nhiseyesas
usualandIst ar
edback.Mybr otherclear
edhi s
throatandstoodup, leadi
ngmeout .
hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
me:Icamet
oseeyou,
Ihavesomebusi
nesst
o
di
scuss.
hi
m:youshoul
dhavecal
led.
me:I
'
m sor r
y,Idi
dn'
tknowMarcowoul
dbeher
e,
di
dIjustgetyouint
roubl
ewi
thhim?
hi
m:noofcausenot
.
me:real
ly,
sohe'
sokaywi
thyout
alki
ngt
othe
enemy.
hi
m:you'
remybr
other,
we'
vetal
kedaboutt
his.
Comeontomystudy,
Marcowasabouttol
eave.
Myf atherhadalwayshatedme,Ineverf
ithi
s
cri
teri
af ort
heidealsonhewantedinmeandaft
erI
ref
usedt oli
vemyl if
ehisway,
hedisowned,
thi
nkingIwouldcomet omysensesandchangemy
mi nd,butIdi dn'
t.I'
veli
vedmyownl i
fe,made
moneyf ormysel fandbui ltasteadyr eputati
on.
That '
smadehi m hatememor eandhenowsawme
ashi senemy.Iwoul dhavel i
kedt oseehi m seeme
succeedevenmor ebutCami l
anowhadpl anstokil
l
him andIwoul dn'tconvinceherot herwise.Iwas
closewi thmyyoungerbr otherwhowast hei deal
son, fol
lowingi nourfather'sfootsteps.Ihadhoped
togethi mt oseewhatabast ardourf atherwas, but
hedi dn'
tcar e,hejustwant edt opleasehim.Hewas
stil
lmybr ot
hert houghandIappr eciatedthathe
didn'tabandonme.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Coul
dn'
tfi
nishEt
han'
spar
t.
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
34
_
Et
han
Iwasatameet
ingat1stOnesar
chi
tectwi
tht
he
otherpar tner
sandmanager s.Atthemoment ,the
projectmanagerwasgi vi
ngusar undownoft he
budget s,schedulesandoperati
onsoft hecurrent
projects.Itookdownt henecessarynot esand
madear emindertocheckeachpr ojectindi
viduall
y.
Itwasn' tnecessaryformetodot hat ,
butIliked
knowi ngt heinsandoutofeverything.Af t
erthe
meet i
ng, Iheadedt omyoffi
ce.Thesecr et
ary
walkedi naf ewmoment sl
aterwithasmal lplant
.
her:asmal
lgi
ftf
rom someonet
odecor
ateyour
off
ice.
Itookit
,wonder
ingwhoitwasf
rom.It
ookt
hecar
d
thatcamewithi
tandreadit
.
"Pret
tyst
abl
eandwealthycompanyyou'veacqui
red,
takegoodcar
eofitandyoursel
f.Iknowwhatyou
didboyandI'
m notonewhof or
gets.-P"
Iknewatoncewhohadsentt hegift
,Paul.Hewas
supposedtobeinjai
l,
buthemusthavegot t
en
rel
easedonbailbutst
il
lfacingchargesfor
corr
upti
on.Thismanwasn' tgivi
ngmeabr eak.How
hefoundoutthatIwasbehi ndhisdownfallwasn'
t
thebigissue,butwhatwoul dhedo.Thenot ewas
thr
eatening,especiall
ybecausehet alkedaboutmy
company.Igavet heplanttothesecretaryandt ol
d
hertokeepi tforherselfbecauseIdidn'twantit
.
Afterwork,Icall
edLJandBonganiandt oldt
hem to
comeoveratmypl ace.LJgott her
ef i
rst,andIgave
him abeerthenshowedhi mthenote.
me:whati
fhecomesf
ormycompany?
him:no, hewon' t
.He'sprobabl yj
ustfoundoutthat
youmi ghtbeinvolvedinwhathappenedt ohim and
hiscompanyandi sjustt
ryingtoscar eyou.He'
s
sti
llgotchar gesagainsthi
m andal otmoretoface.
Eveni fhewoul dtryanythi
ng, yourcompanyi s
cl
ean, youj usthavetowat chyourcl i
entsand
empl oyers.
Bonganicameawhi
lel
ater
,looki
ngl
ikeamess.
me:whathappenedt
oyou?
hi
m:someguysj umpedonmeandbeatmeup.One
oft
hem t
oldmet hatPaulknewwhatIdi
d,andhe
woul
dn'
tforget
.
Hegothi
msel
fcl
eanedupandIgavehi
m abeer
bef
oret
ell
inghi
m aboutt
hegi
ftIr
ecei
vedf
rom Paul
.
hi
m:so,
youthenewbusinessownerget
sagift
whil
emetheunempl
oyedfuckerget
sabeat
ing?
me:cl
assy.
hi
m:can'
twej
ustki
l
lthebast
ard.
Heclickedhistongueanddr ankhisbeer.They
st
ayedf orali
ttl
ewhilet
henIki ckedthem out,
wanti
ngt ogoseeSego.It extedherandt ol
dherI
wascomi ngt
oherplace.Ncebawast heonewho
openedt hedoorforme,Segohadi ntroducedmeto
hi
m.
me:hey,
yougood?
hi
m:yeah,
Iam,
you?
me:goodt
oo,
Sego'
sher
e,r
ight
?
hi
m:yep,
shej
ustgotback.
Hecal
ledherandshecameaf
ewmoment
slat
er,
smi
li
ngwhenshesawme.
her
:hey.
me:hey,
wantt
ogooutf
oral
it
tl
ewhi
le?
Sheagr
eedandwentt ogetaj
ackett
henweheaded
tomycar.Ikissedherwhenwegother,
wrappi
ng
myarmsar oundherwaist.
her
:begent
let
her
e.
me:why?
her
:I'
vegotsomel
it
tl
ebr
uisest
hathur
tal
it
tl
e.
me:br
uises,
whathappened?
her
:don'
twor
ryabouti
t,t
heyar
efr
om af
ight
ing
l
essonwit
hafri
end.
me:f
ight
ingl
esson?
her:yep,I
'
ml ear
ningsomesel f
-def
enceandthe
fr
iendteachi
ngmemi ghthavebeenalit
tl
erough,
butIwon'tcomplainmuch.
me:wow,youl
ear
ninghowt
oshoot
,howt
ofi
ght
,
what
’snext
?
her
:(
laughi
ng)lear
ninghowtoef
fect
ivel
yusea
kni
fetosli
tsomeone'st
hroat
.
me:shoul
dIbewor
ri
ed?
her
:noti
fyouhavegoodi
ntent
ions.
Sheki
ssedmet
henwegoti
nsi
demycar
.
_
Segomot
so
ThroughouttheeveningIwasbot heredbyt he
thoughtsofKay'sboyfr
iendandCami l
aaskingifI
want edt
odoanyt hi
ngt ohim andof feri
ngtoget
mor epoisonforme.Ihatedthel ookshegaveme,
the"Youknowyouwantt o"look,most lybecause
shewasr i
ght
.Ididwanttopoi sont hatbastar
dand
watchhim diebutIfearedwhoIwoul dbecome.
Et
hant
ookmeoutf
ordi
nnerandt
henwej
ustsati
n
hi
scar
.
me:whatdoyout
hinkofgender
-basedvi
olence?
him:it
'saseriousissuethatIbeli
evethe
governmentisnotaddr essi
ngproperl
y.I'
m awareof
thewomanandchi ldrenwhofallvi
cti
mt oment hat
arejustplai
nmonst ersandthesemenhavet ainted
aman' srolewhichissupposedt obeprotect
ing
women.
me:doyout
hinki
t'
sri
ghtt
oki
llt
hesemonst
ers?
him:sure,r
apistsshouldgetthei
rdickscutof
fand
murderersgetsentencedtodeath.That'
swhatthe
j
usti
cesyst em shoul
dbedoi ngtosendamessage
toother
swhowanthur twomen.
me:whataboutanor dinar
yindi
vidual
,avi
ctim or
someonewhoj usthatesGBVactuallydoi
ngthatfor
themsel
vessincethejusti
cesyst
em isfai
li
ngto
i
mpl ementt
heproperjusti
ce.
him:It hinkit
'sunder st
andabl etogooutseeking
justi
cef oryourselforother s,
butitdependstowhat
extent.Ifyouwer etojusthuntdownal lrapi
stsand
mur der sandkillthem, t
hewor ldwouldbeabet ter
place, butproblem iswhatt hatwoulddot oyou,
whatwoul dthatmakeyou.You' dbeamur derer
your selfdespit
ehavi ngkil
ledf orgoodorjust
ifi
abl
e
i
nt entions.That'sjustmyt houghtsonthis.
me:yeah,
Igetyou.
Bestthi
ngIcoulddowast obesat i
sfiedt
ohave
takencareofmyrapi
stsandj ustdosomet hingt
o
helpabusedwomaninot herwaysot hert
han
poisoni
ngthesebast
ards.Ethandrovemet omy
placeawhi l
elat
erandIwentt osleep.Thenextday
Ihadt hedayofffrom wor k,
soIspentmymor ning
cl
eaning,doinglaundryandcooki ng.I
nthe
after
noonIwentt otheyout hcentreandplayed
chesswi t
hthekidsther e.Aft
erwardsIheadedt o
Cami l
a'spl
ace.Ihadcookedsomef oodforherand
Li
am.Li am hadjustreturnedschoolfrom school.
me:howwasschool
?
hi
m:f
ine.
me:j
ustf
ine?
hi
m:(
shr
uggi
ng)i
twasschool
.
me:you'
vedoneyourhomewor
k?
hi
m:yes,
fini
shedi
tatschoolwi
thThomas.
me:i
sThomasaf
ri
end?
hi
m:no,
acl
assmat
e.
me:t
hatyou'
recl
osewi
th?
hi
m:notreal
ly,
hesawmereadi
ngthelat
esti
ssue
ofGunsandAmmoandaskedaboutit
,hesaidhi
s
dadsometi
mesboughti
tandheknewaf ewguns
fr
om i
t.He'
ssmartl
i
kemethoughhesomet
imes
doesdumbthi
ngsli
ket
heotherki
ds.
Idi
dn'
tknowhowIwoul dgethi
mtoseehi
msel
fas
aki
dbutatleasthewasmakingaf
ri
end.
me:so,
youtal
kaboutgunswi
thThomasanddo
homeworkt
ogether
?
hi
m:yes,
hel
ikescar
stooandhecandr
awt
hem
wel
l.
me:nice,maybeyoucanhangoutwi
thout
sideof
schoolsometi
me.
hi
m:no,
Idon'
twantt
o,he'
snotmyf
ri
end.
me:buthecanbe, r
ight
?It'
snicetohaveafri
end
youcant al
ktoandhavefunwi t
h,youcoul
dbring
him her
eandplayyourshooti
ngorr aci
nggames
withhim.
hi
m:Cami
lawoul
dn'
tal
lowt
hat
.
me:Icant
alkheri
ntoi
t,don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat
.
Hest
il
lseemedhesit
antoft
heidea,butIhopedhe
woul
dwarm uptoit
.Heneededfri
endshisage.
_
Cami
la
Mynewr ifl
egunsgotdel i
veredandt heywer efi
ne
machi nes.Itest
edthem outandf oundt heone
goodenoughf orthejobIneededt odo.Fort henext
fewdaysIkeptwat chonMar co'
swher eabouts,hi
s
bodyguar dsandnot edhowtheirshif
tswor ked.I
plannedonhowIcoul dgetRomanoandhi st wo
sonsal li
nonepl ace.Ontheweekend, Imetupwi t
h
Segoatt hegym.
me:okay,t
odayI'l
leaseuponyou.Wat chmy
moves,seeifyoucananti
cipat
ethem andbl
ock
t
hem.
her
:Icanhi
tyout
oo,
right
?
me:sur
e,youcant
ryt
oobutIdoubtyou'
l
lbeabl
eto.
Oursessionwasanhourl ongandIwassl owerso
shecouldlear
nhowImovedandf ought.Isti
llbeat
her,
butshewasget ti
ngbetteratblocki
ng.Romano
i
nvit
edmet ohi
shousef oradrinkandIaccept ed,
makingdealswithhimthatwoul dneverseethe
l
ightofday.Iconti
nuedtail
inghimf ort
henextf ew
daysandsawt hathemetupwi thhissonsf orl unch
onceaweekt odi scusssomebusi ness.Ipl anned
carefullyandwasr eadyt odot hehi tthenextt i
me
theymet .Theywer emeet i
ngmi d-afternoonand
30mi nbef or eIwasi nthebui l
di ngacr osst heir
restaur antwi t
hmyequi pment .Iassembl edmyr i
fle
andt henwai ted.Ri ghtont i
met heycamet oget her.
Mar co'sbodyguar dsgotoutf irst,thenMar co, his
oldersonandl asthi syoungest .Ist arteda
count downi nmyheadandoncet heywer eaboutt o
entert her estaurant ,
Ifiredt hef ir
stshott ot he
youngestsonwhowasbehi ndt henonet oMar co
beforehehadt imet oreact ,hi
sol destsonal most
gotlucky, butIgothi m ont heneck.Thebodyguar d
werel ast ,
andIgott hem justwhent heywer e
checki ngwhet hert hei
rbosswasst i
llaliveand
tryi
ngt ospott heshoot er.Igotoutoft her easf ast
asIcoul dandheadedt omypl ace.Iwasf eeling
highandpr oud,thehi thadgonewel landwoul d
suremakeawaveont henews.Iwassi tti
ngi nmy
studyl atei ntheeveni ngwhenLi am t oldmet hat
someguywasatt hedoor .Iwentt ocheckand
foundAl ex.
me:Al
ex,
it'
sni
cet
oseeyou.
hi
m:f
uckyouCami
l
a,myl
it
tl
ebr
other
?
me:sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
hi
m:sorr
yaboutt hat
?youkill
edhi
m andyou'
re
goi
ngtocasuall
ysaysorry?Yousai
dyouwere
ki
ll
ingMarconotmybr ot
hers.
Hewasangr
yandIhadexpect
edt hatsi
nceIknew
hewascl
osetohi
syoungerbr
other.
me:i
fitmakesyoufeelbet
ter
,Iwasaskedt
oki
ll
yout
oo,butIr
efused.
hi
m:no,thatdoesn'
tmakemef eelbett
er.Youknew
Iwascl
oset omybrother
,butyouwentaheadand
ki
ll
edhi
m.Madeashowofi tbykill
ingthem al
lin
onego.
me:what
'
sdonei
sdone.
him:you'
reacoldheart
lessbi
tchandIdon'
tknow
whatthefuckIwasdoingwithyou,t
hisgame
you'
replayi
ngwon'tendwellandyou'
llr
egr
eti
t.
Hestor
medoutandIconsi
deredwhathewoul
ddo.
Notmuchpr
obably,
hewasn'tthatsmar
t.
*
***
***
***
***
*
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
35
_
Al
ex
detecti
ve:Alexandrayourstor
ydoesnotaddup,
yourfatherthatyouhated,hadbadbloodwit
hand
yourtwobr othersgotassassi
natedandyouclai
m
tonothaveanyt hingtodowi t
hthat,
howisthat
possibl
e?
me:Idon'
tknow,
youf
igur
eitoutandt
ellme.
him:youhi
redahit
manandhadhim ki
llyourf
ami
ly
j
ustsoyoucouldgett
hei
rbusi
nessesand
ever
ythi
ngelset
heyowned.
me:I'
m myownmanandI 'm al
labouthavi
ngmy
ownbusinessandeveryt
hingelse,Idi
dn'
twant
anyt
hingthatbel
ongedtomyf atherormybrot
her
s.
Hewasaboutt
oaskmor
equest
ionswhent
hedoor
opened,
andamancalledhim out
side.Whenhe
cameback,hi
sfacewasgrave.
hi
m:you'
ref
reet
ogoMrRomano.
me:Ibel
ieveIal
wayswas.
Iwalkedoutandheadedt omyhouse.Igotabot tl
e
ofwhi skeyandpl annedondr inkingthewhol ebot tl
e.
Ididn'tcareaboutmyf atherormyol derbr ot
her,but
myl i
ttlebrother ,Icar edal otabouthim, andCami la
knewt his.Sheknewt hatIwascl osetohi m,butshe
wentaheadandputabul letthroughhi shead, he
wast hef i
rstonet hatgotshot .IthoughtIcoul d
reachCami la'
ssof tersi de,thatIcouldgethert o
war m uptomeandl etmeseehervul nerableside,
butitlookedl ikeshedi dn'tevenhaveanyot herside,
shewasj ustpl aincol dandhear tl
ess,andshedi dn't
care.Sheevenhadt heaudaci tytosayt hatshehad
sparedmyl ife.Sadpar twast hatIcouldn'tdo
anything,Ijusthadt oacceptwhathappenedand
moveon.Iknewt hatadaywoul dcomewhen
Cami lawoul dl osei nt hegameshet hinksshe' s
mast ered,thepeopl eshe' splayingwi thwillt
urn
againstherandki llher .Ihopedt hatbyt hattimeI
woul
dhat
eherandnotcar
eaboutherdeat
h.
_
Segomot
so
Ihadf oundanor ganizati
onthatraisedawar eness
ongender -basedvi ol
enceandhel pedwomenand
chil
drenwhof ellvi
ctimt othi
s.Therewasa
volunteerprogrammeandIsi gnedupf ori
t.The
volunteersattheor ganizati
onwor kedon
programmest hatraisedawar enessandeducat ed
bothmenandwomenonGBV.Thepr ogrammewas
justwhatIneeded, andIwasl ookingf orwardto
helpi
ngwher everIcoul d.
counsell
or:WearegladtohaveyouSegoandby
bei
ngher e,youwi
llhel
palotofwomenand
chi
ldrenandeducatecommuniti
esonGBV.
me:I'
m gl
adt
obeheretoo.Howmanywomanand
chi
ldr
endoyouof
feraccommodat
iont
o?
her
:upt
o40andwe'repl
anni
ngonexpandi
ngso
wecanaccommodat
emore.
me:andhowsuccessf
ular
eyoui
nhel
pingt
hese
women?
her:weal ltryourbestandwe' vehel pedhundr eds
ofwomeni nthepastfewyear s,we'veeducat ed
mor ethant hat.Butsometimeswear en'
tablet o
reachever ywoman.We' vehadwomenwhoonl y
stayedher ef orali
tt
lewhileandt henwentbackt o
theirabuser seit
herbecausetheywer etooaf rai
dof
them orhonest l
ybeli
evedthatthesemenl oved
them, andt heyjustcoul
dn'tstaywi t
houtt hem.I t
's
hardf orthesewoment oleavetheirabuser sandwe
trybyal lmeanst ohelpthem beabl et ol
ive
i
ndependent lybutsometimesi t
'sjustnotenough.
Inoddedinunderst
andi
ng,thi
nki
ngofKay.Wewer e
nowcool,butshehadstoppeddi
scussingher
boyfr
iendwit
hmeandi tbuggedmeknowi ngthat
theguywashur t
ingher
,butshewouldn'tl
eavehi
m.
Fight
inglessonswithCamil
aweregoi
ngwellandI
wassl owl
ylearni
ngnicemovestodef
endmyself.I
evenenjoyedthosesessi
onswit
hCamilaand
l
ookedf orwardtothem.
Af
tervi
sit
ingt
heor
gani
zat
ion,
Iwentbackt
omy
place.WhenIwalkedintomyapar t
mentther
ewasa
teenagegir
linmykitchenwearingnot
hingbutat
-
shirtt
hatbarel
ycoveredherass.Shej
umpedwhen
sheheardthedoorandl ookedatmeli
keadeer
caughtintheheadl
ights.
me:hi
.
her
:hey,
I'
m sor
ry,
I..
.
me:what
'
syourname?
her
:Buhl
e.
me:I
'
m Sego.
Ncebaappear
ed,
wear
ingshor
tsandbar
echest
ed.
him:shi
t,Sego,
Idi
dn'
texpectyout
obebackso
soon.
me:yeah,
clear
ly.
Thegi
rlqui
ckl
ydi
sappear
edt
ogetdr
essed.
me:howaboutyouaccompanyhert
owher
eshe
l
ivesandt
hencomebackheresowecanhavet
he
t
alk.
Nceba:she'
sjustf
ri
end.
me:sure,I
'
m sur
eshejustf
elthotandyou
suggest
edshetakeof
fherpantstoleti
nsomeai
r.
hi
m:uh.
..
me:gogetdr
essedandaccompanyher
.
Ishookmyhead, t
hinki
ngthatboyswillbeboys.I
headedtomybedr oom,savi
ngBuhlethe
embarrassmentofseei
ngmeagai n.Iheardthem
maketheirwayoutandIwenttomakesomel unch.
Ncebaretur
ned30mi nl
aterandIgavehi m hi
sfood.
me:soBuhl
eisyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Hescr
atchedhi
shead.
me:comeon,
youcant
ellme.
hi
m:yes,
wegot
oschoolt
oget
her
.
me:okay, wel
lallIhavetosayisthatuseprotect
ion.
Thelastyouwantt odoi sgetherpregnantandruin
herf
uture.Playitsafeal
waysanddon' tplaywith
herf
eelingsotherwiseI'
l
lbeatyou,Ipromise.
hi
m:Iwon'
t.
me:good,
har
dst
affoutoft
heway,
tel
lmeabout
her
.
_
Et
han
Iwasvi
sit
ingmyaunt
,checki
nguponher
.
me:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
her
:I'
mfi
ne,
takingonedayatat
ime.Howar
eyou
doi
ngMrBusinessman?
me:I'
m well
,j
ustbusywit
hwork.Managi
nga
busi
nessishect
icbutI
'mlear
ning.
her
:howar
ethi
ngswi
thyourf
ather
?
me:we'
reget
ti
ngther
e,hecall
snowandthenand
of
fer
smeadviceonhowt obestmanage1stOnes.
her
:that
'
snice,hemustbeadi
ff
erentmannow.
Haveyoufoundanicel
adyyoul
ike,youmusthave?
me:(
chuckl
ing)yeah,
ther
eist
hiswomanI
'
m seei
ng,
Sego.
her
:tel
lmeabouther
,youl
ooksmi
tt
en.
me:she'
sar
eal
lyni
cewoman,
kindand
compassi
onat
e.
her
:youmetheratwor
k?
me:no,
ataf
ir
ear
mtr
aini
ngf
aci
li
ty.
her
:fi
rear
m asi
nguns?
me:yes,Irecent
lygotal
icencedgun.I
t'
sjustfor
saf
ety,af
termyhousegotbr okeni
ntoandthrashed.
her:Ihopei
t'
sjustf
orsaf
ety,
don'
tgeti
nvol
vedi
n
anythi
ngshadyLunga.
me:Iwon'
tMa.
WithThul anigone, Iwasliket heonl ysonshehad
l
eft,andIknewshef earedl osingme.Ist ayedwi th
herawhi l
elongerandt henheadedt omypl ace.I
hadi nvit
edSegot omypl acef ordinner, soIst art
ed
cooking.Iwasn' tanexper tint hekitchen, soIkept
themealsi mpl eandbur nf ree.Goodt hingIhad
boughtdesser tfrom thest ore, Iwouldn'thave
managedt odoi tfrom scratch.Tocompensat efor
thelackingmeal ,Idecoratedt hel i
vingr oom wi t
h
scent edcandlesandr osepet als.Segoar rivedjust
whenIwasmaki ngsur ethatever ythingl ooked
good.Iwenttoopenthedoorandmar
vell
edatt
he
beauti
fulwomanstandi
ngonmydoorstep.
Sego:
areyougoi
ngt
oinvi
temei
n?
me:sur
e,comei
n.Ij
ustgotdi
str
act
edbyhow
gor
geousyoul
ook.
her
:thankyou.
Il
edhertot
heli
vingroom, f
eeli
ngner
vousthat
maybeIhadgoneoverboard.Shel
ookedatthe
pl
acewit
hasmi l
eonherf ace.
her:Et
hant
hisl
ooksamazi
ng,
youdi
dn'
thavet
odo
thi
s.
me:Iwantedto,
justsoyoucanbedi
str
act
edf
rom
mycrappyfood.
her
:Idoubti
t'
scrappy,
itl
ooksgood.Youeven
madesomewi ngs.
me:t
heymi
ghtbet
oospi
cy.
her
:doesn'
tmat
ter
.
WesatdownandIpour
edussomewi
net
henwe
st
art
edeat
ing.
me:howwasyourday?
her:i
twasgood, Iwentt
osignupforavol
unteer
programmet hathel
psabusedwomenandchildren.
Ialsogotbacktomyapar t
menttofi
ndahalf
-naked
teenagegi
rl,
Nceba'sgir
lf
ri
end.
me:ni
cef
orhi
m,howdi
dyour
eact
?
her:Iplayeditcool,t
oldthegirlt
ogetdressedand
Ncebat ot akehertoherhome.Idon'tknowwhat
you'r
esupposedt osaytoat eenageboywho'sgot
agirlf
ri
end, soIjusttol
dhimt oplayi
tsafeandnot
getherpr egnant.
me:Ithi
nkyousai
dital
landyoudon'thaveto
worr
y,Ncebal
ooksli
kearesponsi
bleteenager
.
her
:yeah,heis,
muchbet t
erthanhowIwaswhenI
washisage.Ineverhadtheguidanceofsomeone
ol
derandwiser,j
ustabrotherhookedtodrugs.
me:I
'
m sor
ry,
itmusthavebeenal
otf
oryou.
her
:itwasbutthat
'sint
hepastnow,I
'
velear
nt
somevaluabl
elessonsandbecamestr
onger
.
Shedi
dn'
ttal
kmuchaboutherchi
ldhood,
butIgot
thatitwashar dforherandherbr other.She'sthis
strongwomannow, helpingchil
drenandwant i
ngto
seet hem succeed.I
'venevermetawomanas
compassi onateasshei sandt hemor e,Ispendt i
me
withher,themor eIfallinlovewithheramazi ng
character
isti
cs.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
NoCami
ll
a,Icoul
dn'
tgetar
oundt
owr
it
ingherpar
t.
10+commentsplease,Ihopeyouguysar
eenj
oyi
ng
thest
oryandi
tisn'
ttooslowpaced.
TheHi
tWoman
36
_
Cami
la
Igotacallfrom t
heestateagentthatIhadhiredto
sel
lmyf ather'
sproper
ties.Hehadat otaloffi
ve
andtheest at
eagenthadabuyerf orthef our
thone
andsheinf ormedmet hatthet
ransact i
onwouldget
doneinaweekort wo.Onlyonepr opertywaslef
tto
sel
l,andtheestateagentwasyett ofindabuyer.
Feodorecall
edashortwhi
lelater
,wantingto
celebr
atemygreataccompli
shment.Ijoinedhi
min
hisestat
e,andhewaswithaf ewotherRussian
guys.
Feodore:t
hewomanoft hehour
.5mendowni
na
matterofsecondsandnooneknowswhot
he
shooteri
s.
me:i
t'
snotabi
gdeal
,Idi
dwhatyouasked.
him:yes,butyoudidthej
obbet
tert
hanwe
expectedandimpressedus.
Ishr
ugged,
sippi
ngmywhi
skey.
Feodore:theysuspectthebastardboy,
buti
tlooks
l
ikethepol i
cewon'teventouchhim.Howdidhe
reactt
ot hedeathofhisfatherandbrot
her
s?
me:hehatedhi
sf athersoyoucani
magi
net
hathe
wasn'
treal
lyaf
fected.
Henodded, notaskingabouthowhef eltabouthi
s
brother
s.Intr
uth,Ihadn'
texpectedAlextobeso
affect
edbyhisbrother'
sdeath,Imighthave
underesti
matedhowcl osetheywere.Butwhat '
s
donewasdoneandAl exwouldjusthavet oli
vewit
h
whathappened.Ileftt
heRussiansawhi l
elat
erand
headedtomypl ace.WhenIgott her
e, t
hewasa
smellofsomethingthathadbeenbur nt.Li
am was
si
tti
ngont hef
loorintheli
vingroom,readingabook.
me:whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
Hel
ookedupatmeandkeptaneut
ralexpr
essi
on.
hi
m:not
hing.
me:I
'
llaskonemor
eti
me,
whatwer
eyoudoi
ng?
hi
m:Iwascooki
ngandbur
ntt
hef
ood.
me:r
eal
ly?
hi
m:yeah,
I'
m sor
ry.
Idi
dn'
tbeli
evehisst
oryandIsi
ghed,notinthe
moodtodealwithhi
sshit
.Ihadafight
ingsession
wit
hSegoatthegym andImadeaspar eofthe
momentdecisi
on,dr
ivi
ngtomyfather'
shousethat
hadn'
tbeensol
d.
Sego:
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
me:you'
l
lsee.
her
:thatsoundsomi
nous,
Idon'
ttr
ustyou.
me:yesdon'
t,
I'
m planni
ngonki
ll
ingyouwhenwe
gett
omydestinat
ion.
Wegott
her
eandIl
edheri
nsi
de.
me:checki
toutandt
ellmewhatyout
hink.
her
:ar
eyoupl
anni
ngonbuyi
ngi
t?
me:no.
Ifol
lowedherasshelookedar
ound, seei
ngwhether
shelikedi
tornot.I
thad4bedroomswi th3
bathrooms,l
argeandspaci
ousli
vingroom,di
ning
room andkit
chen.
her:damnt
hiski
tchenisamazi
ng.Howaboutyou
tel
lmewhyyoubr oughtmeher
ethen?
me:Itwasmyf at
her
'sandIdon'
twanti
t.I
fyoul
ike
i
t,youcanhaveit
.
her
:ar
eyouj
oki
ng?
me:no,I'
m not.Iknowyoul i
keit.Bedr
oomsare
qui
tebigenoughandI '
m sur
ethatteenageboyyou
l
ivewit
hwi l
lli
keit.
..andLiam t
oo.
her
:Li
am?
me:theli
ttl
eratisdoi
ngshi
tinmyapartmentand
I
'm goi
ngt oki
llhi
m oneoft
hesedays.Si
nceyou
t
wogetal ong,hecancomestayher
ewi t
hyou.
her:wow,
soyouar egivi
ngmeahouseinexchange
Ihavetor
aiseyourli
tt
lebrot
herf
oryou?
me:f
airdeal
.
her:no,
Ican'tagr
eetothatCamila.Il
ikeLiam but
taki
nghimi nandtaki
ngthishousetoo,I'
m notsure
Icandot hat
.
me:justt
hinkabouti
tbutgi
vemeaf
inaldeci
sion
soon.
her
:whathappenst
oLi
am i
fIsayno?
me:boardi
ngschoolmaybe,
Ican'
tli
vehi
m wi
thany
l
onger.
Shelookedatmecont
emplat
ivel
yandIal
ready
knewthatshe'
dendupagr
eeing.
me:comeon,
letmet
akeyout
oyourpl
ace.
_
Segomot
so
WhatCami lawasof feri
ngandaski ngf rom mewas
big.Ihavenot icedhowLi am andCami labar ely
havear elati
onshi p,Cami l
aact sli
keLi am i san
annoyi ngki dt hatshecandowi t
hout .Int eracti
ons
bet weent hem ar emi nimal andLi am mi ghtaswel l
nothaveaf ami l
y.Cami l
ai snodi ffer
entt hant heir
fatherwhot aughtLi am aboutgunsandt hatkids
aredumb.I '
vewi shedt hatLi am hadal ovingpar ent,
siblingorar elative,someonewhocar edf orhim.I
car edaboutt heki dandwant edt odomor eforhim
from themomentImethi m.Her ewasCami l
agiving
met hechancet odomor eforLi am, butIwasn' t
sur ethatIcoul ddoi t
.I'
m al readyl ivi
ngwi tha
teenageboyandI '
m notsur eifI'
m doi ngagoodj ob
wi t
hhi m, addi ngani ne-year -ol
dt hatt hinksl ikea
grownmancoul dj ustbet oomuchf orme.The
houset hatcamewi t
ht heki dj ustmadememor e
undeci ded.Itwasamazi ng, t
hebedr oomswer eall
bigandbeaut iful,fi
ll
edwi thnat urallight .The
kitchenandl ivingr oom wer eopenpl anandj ust
heavenl y,itlookedl i
kei tcostmi ll
ions.Cami la
playedhercar
dsri
ghtandwassuremaki ngthi
s
har dof
fert
orej
ect.Ispentt
her
estoftheeveni
ng
thinki
ngabouti
tandIevenaskedforNceba'
sinput
.
me:hasl
ivi
ngwi
thmeher
ehel
pedyou?
hi
m:yes,
alot
,why?
me:I'
mjustwonder
ing,
I'
m notsosur
eifI
'
m doi
nga
goodjobwit
hyou.
him:youaredoi nggreatjob,
Ili
keyouandlivi
ng
withyouiswaybet t
erthanwhenIli
vedwithmy
auntandcousi ns.Idon'tr
ememberhavi
ng
someonewhocar edformeasmuchasyoudo, and
Iappreci
atewhatyoudof orme.You'
reli
keanol der
si
sterwhol ooksoutf orme.
me:comeher
e.
Ihuggedhi
m,f
eel
ingt
ouchedbywhathesai
d.
me:wouldyoul
ikeushavi
ngabi
ggerspace,
li
kea
house?
him:thisapar
tmentiscool
,butyoucouldget
somet hi
ngbiggeri
fyouwant,areyouconsi
deri
ng
gett
ingahouse?
me:af
ri
endof
fer
edmeahouse,
freeofchar
ge.
hi
m:Et
han?
me:no,
notEt
han.
Herai
sedhiseyebr
owandIl
aughedatwher
ehi
s
t
houghtswereheaded.
me:no,notanotherboyfr
iendorblesser
.Thisf
ri
end
i
sawomanandt hehouseshewant stogiveme
comeswithherlitt
lebr
otherthatshewantsmet o
takei
n.Li
am, It
oldyouabouthi m.
hi
m:t
heki
dwho'
snotaki
d.
me:yes, him.Myf riendisn'
tafanofki
dsandLi am
mi ghtbet roublesomef orherandshewantsmet o
takehi m.Icar eaboutt hekidbutt
aki
nghimi sjust
anot herstorybuti fIdon't
,myfri
endwil
ljustship
him of ft
oaboar dingschool.
him:from whatyou'vetol
dmeaboutLi am,he
seemst oreall
yneedsomeonel ikeyouinhisl
if
e
butifyoufeelthattaki
nghiminwoul dbetoomuch
responsibi
li
tyforyouthenit
'sokay,youcan'
thel
p
everykid.
IsighedandNcebasoonwenttobed.Ital
kedto
Ethanoverthephoneandtol
dhim aboutmy
problem.Iwasfi
ndingi
teasytoconfi
deinhi
m.
hi
m:doyout
rustt
hisf
ri
endofyour
s?
me:yeah,
toacer
tai
next
ent
.
him:Ij
ustcan'tunderst
andhowshecanjustof
fer
youahousef orfree,
evenifi
tcomeswi
thherli
tt
le
brot
her.
me:Camil
a'
sli
ket
hat
,I'
vest
oppedt
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
e
herout
.
him:wel
lIcan'
toff
ermuchadvicehere,
dowhat
youthi
nkfeel
sri
ghtandwhatyouthinkyoucan
manage.You'
reagreatcompassi
onatewoman,
that
'swhatIl
oveaboutyou.
HerewastheLwor danditcamesounexpect
edly
thatIwasspeechl
essforamoment,
notsureif
Ethanhadevennoti
cedwhathehadsaid.Hehad
though.
hi
m:okay,i
t'
sprobabl
ytoosoont
osayi
tbutI
'
llsay
i
tanyway,
Iloveyou.
me:Et
han.
..
him:youdon'
thavetosayitback,Ij
ustwant
edyou
toknowanditfel
tri
ghtsayi
ngit.
me:i
tfel
tni
cehear
ingi
t.
Wespokeforawhi
lel
ongerandbyt
heendoft
he
cal
l,
Ifel
tgr
eatwi
thabigsmil
eonmyface.
*
*
Thenextdayatwork,
Kaydidn'tshowupatand
anot
heremployeewhowascl osetohert
oldust
hat
shewasinhospit
alaf
terbei
ngmugged.
Si
hle:muggedorbeat
enbyherboyf
ri
end?
Lwazi
:mugged,
shedeni
esherboyf
ri
endbei
ng
abusi
vet
oher.
Sihl
e:bull
shi
t,shegotdef
ensivet
helastti
meI
askedifherboyfr
iendhi
therbuti
t'
sclearhedoes.
Segoyoushoul dtal
ktoher,
shedeservesbet
ter
.
me:I'
vetr
ied,
andshewasn'thear
ingi
t.She
bel
ievest
heguylovesher
.
Sihl
e:yeah,l
ovest
obeather
,isshewai
ti
ngf
orhi
m
toki
llher.
Isohatedtheguyandwi shedtogetmyhandson
him.Isatbackinmychai r
,mywor kforgot
tenand
thoughtabouthowIcouldhelpKay.Imadea
decisi
onthereandthoughtfucki
tifchangedme.I
wentupt oCamila'
soffi
ce.
me:okay,
I'
vemademydeci
sion.
her
:thatwasqui
ck.
me:I
'
llt
aket
hehouseandLi
am cancomest
aywi
th
me.
Shet
ookoutt
hehousekeyandhandedi
ttome.
her:Li
am hasadriverandtheguycandr i
veyour
teenageboytoschooltoo.I
'l
lhandl
eallLi
am's
expenses,youdon'
thavetowor r
yaboutthat
.
me:okayandIhavear
equest
.
her
:what
?
me:t
hatguyIaskedf
ori
nfor
mat
ionon?
her
:youwantt
owat
chhi
m?
It
'sli
kesheknewandwasreadyformetoaskhert
o
gettheguysoIcoul
dwat
chhi ssorr
yassdi
eina
painfulway.
me:yes.
her
:so,
youdoacceptt
hatyou'
rel
ikemenow?
me:I'
m notli
keyou,Ist
il
lcareaboutot herpeople
whodon'thurtot
hersbutifwanti
ngtoki llever
y
rapi
standwomenabusermakesmel ikeyout hen
addmet othetopoftheli
stofcold-
bloodedki l
ler
s.
Icaughtt
helitt
lesmil
eonherfacewhenIturnedto
l
eavebutIdidn'tcar
ewhatshethought
.Iwon'tsi
t
byandwat chawomangetabusedeveni fshe
ref
usestoleaveherabuser
.
_
Et
han
Ihadknowni
nmyhear tt
hatIwasmadl yinlove
wit
hSegoandtel
li
ngherthewordshadf el
tright
.
Shewasawomanwhoexci tedme,mademehappy
j
ustbythi
nki
ngaboutherandshejustmademe
wanttobeabet
terper
son.Ihopedthatshefelt
whatIf
eltf
orherandt
hatourr
elat
ionshi
pwoul
d
t
urnoutwell
.
Thenextday,
mypr
ojectmanagercamet
omy
off
ice.
hi
m:t
her
e'saMrPet
rovher
etoseeyou.
me:whoi
she?
hi
m:acl
ient
,hespeci
fi
cal
lyr
equest
edt
otal
ktoyou.
me:okay,
youcanbr
inghi
min.
Hel
eftandret
urnedl
aterwi
tht
hemanwhol
ooked
t
obeinhis50sor60s.
hi
m:I
'
m Andr
ewPet
rov.
Hehadwhatsoundedt
obeaRussi
anaccent
.
me:ni
cet
omeetyouMrPet
rov.
him:Ihaveaseri
esofwarehousethatIwoul
dli
ke
tobuil
d,andIknow1stOnesArchit
ecttobeatt
he
topofthei
rgamewhenitcomest othat.
me:wearebutI
'm notr
eall
yanarchi
tect
.Icanhave
oneofthear
chi
tect
ssitdownwit
hyouanddi scuss
whatyouhavei
nmi nd.
hi
m:youknowIknewt hisplacefr
om backwhenit
wasst
illSi
biya'
sarchi
tects,
IrememberMrSibiya
hi
mselfwast heonewhodesi gnedmyhouse.
me:yes,butIdon'thaveanyexperiencein
archit
ect
ure,
Ijustmanaget hecompany.How
aboutyoutel
lwhatyouhavei nmi ndforyour
warehousesandIcanhaveanar chit
ectstar
tthe
designsandcontactyouformoredet ai
ls.
hi
m:okay,
wecandot
hat
.
IaskedasmuchasIt houghtwasnecessar
yand
tooknot
es.ItwasweirdtohaveMrPetrovr
equest
tospeaktotheownerdirect
lyf
ordesi
gnshe
wantedbutIshruggeditoff
.
_
Andrew:It al
kedtoEt han,heseemst ohavetaken
owner shipofthecompanyqui tewell.Iment
ioned
hisfatherandhedi dn'tr
eactmuchorsayanyt hing
abouthi m.Bri
anmustbedead, orEthanjusthasno
rel
ationshipwithhi
m anddoesn' tevencareabout
him.
man:It
oldyou,
nowwi
llyouhel
pme?
Andrew:yes,Iwillbutyoumustbeabitpati
ent
.
Sortoutyourissuesandt henwe'
l
ltakecar
eof
whatyouasked.
man:ver
ywel
lthen.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Ni
ceandl
ong,
hopeyoul
ikedi
t.
10+comment
spl
ease.
TheHi
tWoman
37[
Unedi
ted]
_
Segomot
so
hi
m:whyam Iher
e?
me:becauseIwant
edyouher
e.
hi
m:womanyouandyourpeoplebet
terl
etmego,
I
don'
tknowanyofyousoIshoul
dn'
tbehere.
me:howdoesitf
eelt
obeti
eduptothatchai
r,not
knowi
ngwhatwil
lhappent
oyou,i
fyou'
llbeki
ll
ed?
Howdoesitf
eelt
ohaveyourl
if
einsomeone's
hands?
hi
m:you'
recr
azy.
OneofCami
la'smencamewiththesyr
inget
hathad
asol
uti
onoftheStr
ychni
nepoi
son.
me:I
'
lldoi
tmysel
f.
Hegaveitt
omeandthenl
eft
.Il
ookedatKay'
s
boyf
ri
endwhil
epl
ayi
ngwit
hthesyr
inge.
me:okayl et'
sgettowhyyouar eherebutfi
rstl
et
met ellyouwhoIam.I '
m awomanwhohat esmen
thattakeadvantageofwomen, menthatdon'tt
reat
womenwi threspect,
ment hatrapeandabuse
woment hatareeit
herstranger
sortheirpar
tners.
Tellme, ar
eyouoneoft hosemen?
Hekeptqui
et.
me:whatIhavehereisStrychni
nepoisonandi
ts
r
atpoisonwit
hpainfulsymptoms.TheplanisI
'
ll
i
njectyouwi
thitandthenwat chi
tki
llyou.
hi
m:you'
recr
azy.
me:backtowhyyou'
reher
e.Youareoneoft
he
menIhatewit
hpassi
on.Rightnow,
myfri
endKay
i
si nhospi
talaft
ershegot"mugged" .Butshedidn'
t
getmugged, youbeatherupf orwhatevershit
ty
reasonyouhadi nmind.She'snotthefirstwoman
youabusedbutshei syourlast.
Iinjectedhi mt hepoi sonandhescr eamed, cri
ed
andcur sed.Iwat chedhi m ast hesympt omsst art
ed,
wat chedhi mjerkandt hr
ashi nt hechai rhewast ied
to.Iwat chedhi mtil
lhet ookhi sl astbreathand
thenIshutmyeyes.Iadmi ttedt omysel fhow
happyIwast oseehi m die, howIwasr elievedthat
Kaywoul dbesaf ef rom him, butIwasal soaf r
aid.I
wasaf rai
doft hewomanIwasbecomi ngorhad
become.Iwasaki l
lerwhoenj oyedki l
li
ng, never
mi ndt hef actthatthewor l
di sbet t
eroffwi thoutthe
menIpoi sonedbutIf earedt hatIwoul dget
addi ct
edt othishighofseei ngmendi eendup
l
osi ngt hecar i
ngandcompassi onat epartofmysel f.
Ishookt hoset hought sof fandmademywayoutt o
Cami l
a.
her
:done?
me:yeah,
wecanl
eavenow.
Weheadedt ohercarandshedr ovet
oherplaceto
getLiam.Ihadt al
kedtohim afewdaysagoand
tol
dhi m aboutCamila'
soff
erofhimlivingwi
thme
andhehadagr eed.Todaywewer egoingtomovein
tothehouse.
*
*
Nceba:damnt
hishousei
sni
ce.
me:i
tis.
Ethan:andbi
gtoo,l
ooksli
kei
tcostalotandf
or
someonet oj
ustgi
veitt
oyou,i
t'
sinsane.
Ethanhadhelpeduswi
thtr
ansport
ingal
lourst
uff
tohereandtherewasj
ustafewthi
ngslef
tatmy
apart
ment.
Et
han:wher
e'sLi
am?
me:i
nhi
sroom I
'
m sur
e.Whatdoyout
hinkofhi
m?
hi
m:heseemsqui
temat
uref
orhi
sage.
me:yeah,
toomat
ure.Letmecheckuponhi
m.
Iheadedt
other
oom hehadchosest
obehi
s.He
wassi
tt
ingont
hef
loorr
eadi
ngabook.
me:hey,
youokay?
Henodded.
me:okay,
I'
vegotsomegr
oundrul
esforyou.One,
youl
ist
entomeanddowhatIsay,okay?
hi
m:yes.
me:two,
nodoi
ngst
ufft
hatyoushouldn'
tbedoi
ng,
l
ikemaki
ngahomemadesil
encer
,okay?
HenoddedandIwasn'tsur
eifhewouldreal
ly
f
oll
owthatr
ule.Ihopedwewouldgetalongwell
.
_
Cami
la
Ideci
dedt ovisi
tAlexjusttoseewher ehe'smind
wasandwhet herIshoul dbecarefulofhimt r
yingto
ki
llmeordoanyt hingelseforrevenge.Iwas
confi
dentthathe'smindsetwasn'tonr evenge,butI
wasn'tcockyandwoul dn'tr
iskunderesti
mat i
nghim.
Iwenttohisapartmentandknocked.Heopenedt he
doorandeyedmewi thacol dstare.
me:hi
.
hi
m:Hel
loCami
la.
me:Iwasj
ustpassi
ng,
seei
ngi
fyouwer
est
il
lmad.
Hechuckl
edi
ndi
sbel
iefandshookhi
shead.
hi
m:youthinkI'
dsti
llwantt
ohavesexwithyouor
what
evershityouhadinmindaf
terwhatyoudid?
me:Idi
dwhatIhadt
odo,
youal
waysknewwhat
myjobwas.
him:that
'st
hewor stpartaboutt
his,
thefactthat
youareakil
leratmost,kil
li
ngcomesf i
rsttoyou
thancari
ngforanotherpersonoreventhinki
ng
aboutthem.IthoughtIcouldbri
ngoutthecaring
partofyoubutclear
lyit
sdead.
me:youshoul
dhaveknownt
hatwaybef
oreyou
evencametome.
hi
m:yeah, Ishoul
dhave.Youcanr estassuredthat
Iwon'
tbet ryi
ngtoki
llyou,thefr
iendsyou' vemade
wil
lprobablytur
nagainstyouli
ket heyturned
agai
nstMar co.AndI
'm notheartl
essl i
keyou,that'
s
whyIhopet hatyouwillmeetsomeonet hatwil
l
makeyouf
eelal
iveandhumanagai
n.
Heshutt hedoorandIf ist
edmyhands, t
hinki
ng
aboutCl ay.Hehadmademef eelali
veandhuman, I
hadn’tfeltheartl
esswhenIwaswi thhim,Ihadfelt
l
ovef orthef i
rstti
mei nmyl i
febutt hatall
disappear edwhenJamesgothi m kil
ledevenwhen
Iwar nedhi m notto.Thatcari
ngpar tthatAlex
thoughthecoul dbringout,i
tdiedthedayCl aydied.
Iwentbacktomyapar tmentandsi
ghedinr el
ief
becauseIfi
nal
lyhadtheplacetomysel
fagai n.
Li
am probabl
ywon'tgiveSegomuchtrouble,eveni
f
hedoes,hewon'tbecomingbacktomypl ace.
*
*
Afewdaysl
ater
,Ihadt
hef
ight
ingsessi
onwi
th
Sego.
me:howyoul
iki
ngt
henewpl
ace?
her:Il
oveitandit
'sgr
eatwakinguptosuchabig
bedroom yetst
ranget
oo,I
'm yettogetusedt
othe
house.Li
am andNcebaareget t
ingalong.
me:ni
cef
ort
hem.
her:wit
hhimli
vingwit
hme,areyouplanningon
justf
orget
ti
ngabouthiml
ikeheisn'
tanythingt
o
you?
me:yes,
that
'sexact
lywhatIwi
lldo.Nowcanwe
t
alkl
essandf i
ghtmore.
Shewasgetti
ngbetterandbet
teratt
his,abl
eto
ti
meandblockmymovesandhadmast eredafew
ofherown.Attheendofthesessi
onIfeltoutof
breat
h.
Sego:
youokay?
me:f
ine.
her
:no,
youar
en'
t,
isi
tyourpacemaker
?
Shegotcl
oser,l
ayi
ngahandonmyshoul
derasI
caughtmybreat
h.
me:no,
justgi
vemeasec.
It
ookdeepbr eathsunt
ilIf
eltmyheartgetbackto
i
tsnormalpace.Ibecameawar eofhowcl oseSego
wastome.Itur nedtol
ookatherandhereyeshel d
aquesti
ontherebutforsomeoddr easonIwas
fi
xat edonhermout handwi t
houtmucht hought,
I
kissedher.Mymi ndcaughtupsecondsl aterwit
h
whatIwasdoi ng,andIwassur prisedt
of i
ndthat
Segodi dn'
tpullaway, butshekissedmeback.She
seemedt ogetbackt ohersensest ooali
tt
lewhil
e
l
at erandsteppedback.Iwasn' tabouttoapologi
ze
forwhatIdi dsinceIdidn'tseeanyangerinher
eyes, j
ustconfusion.
me:I
'
mfi
nenow,
let
'sgo.
Iturnedandl
eftt
hegym, headi
ngt omycar.She
foll
owedbehindmewit
houtsayi ngaword.Theri
de
toherplacewasawkwardlysil
entandshedidn'
t
darelookatmeunti
lwereachedherplace.
her:t
hanks.Youshoul
dseeyourcar
diol
ogi
stand
checkifever
ythi
ngiswel
lwi
thyourpacemaker
.
me:sur
e.
Shenoddedandst
eppedout
.
_
Et
han
Ihandedt
hedesi
gnsf
orAndr
ew'
swar
ehousest
o
oneoft heseni orar chit
ects.Andrewagr eedt owork
wi t
hthear chit
ect, butheinsistedthatIbepr esent
dur i
ngtheirmeet ings.Itwasanoddr equest ,butI
accepted, understandingt hatmaybehedi dn'
treal
ly
trustwor ki
ngwi thj ustthearchit
ectalone.Good
thingIlearntallthatwasnecessar yformet oknow
aboutar chit
ecturedesi gns.
Iwentoutfordi
nnerwi
thSegoandsheseemed
di
str
acted.
me:ar
eyouokay?
her
:yeah,
Ijusthaveal
otonmymi
nd.
me:wor
k?
her
:yeah.
..
me:t
ellmeabouti
t?
her
:I.
..uh.
I
tcl
earl
ywasn'
twor
kbecauseshecoul
dhavet
old
meeasi
ly.
her
:ohf
uck,
okay.Af
ri
endki
ssedme.
me:what
?
Shemusthavenot
edmysharptonebecauseshe
qui
ckl
yexpl
ainedwhatshemeant
.
her:Camila,
shekissedmeaf
terwef
ini
shedwi
th
ourfight
ingsessi
on.
me:she'
slesbi
an?
her
:no,act
ual
lyIdon'
tknow.Shenevergaveany
i
ndicat
iont
hatshewas,andshehadaboyf r
ienda
whi
leagoandtodayshejustki
ssedme.
Sheappear
edconf
usedaboutt
his.
me:whatdi
dshesay?
her
:not
hing,
shej
ustpr
etendednot
hinghappened.
me:andyoudi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingt
oo?
her
:Iwasst
il
lshockedanddi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay.
me:ifshe'
slesbi
an,
shewon'tbeexpecti
ng
anyt
hingfr
om youaftershej
usthaveyouahouse?
her:no,shewouldn'
t.Hergivingmet hehouseand
thi
sincidentar
etwodi f
ferentthingsthatar
en'
t
rel
ated.Maybeshe'l
ljustcontinuepretendi
ng
nothinghappened,t
hat'
sthebestIcanhopef or
.
IhopedthatwouldbecasebecauseIdidn'
ttr
ust
thi
sCami l
a.Segoseemedt obecloset
oherandI
wasn'taboutt
osuggestthatshestopbei
ngher
fri
end,t
hechoicewoul
dbeher s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
10+comment
spl
ease
TheHi
tWoman
38
_
Segomot
so
Cami l
akissingmewasqui teashockt omebutnot
theonlyshockbecauseIhadki ssedherbackand
actuall
yenjoyedthekiss.I’
m straight,havenever
kissedawomanorevent houghtabouti tbutwhen
Cami l
akissedme, Ij
ustfellint
ot hekissef fortl
essl
y
andwant edmor e,i
ttookaf ewmoment st oget
backtomysenses.So, Iwasmor eshockedbymy
ownr eacti
onandIdi dn'
tthinkIwoul dt ellEthan
aboutwhathappened, butitjustslippedout .He
wascal m andIwast hankfulthathedi dn'taskhow
If
eltaboutthekiss,becausetherewasnowayI
wasgoingt otel
lhim howIhadf eltexci
tedt
hrough
myshock, evenIcouldn'tunder
standmyr eact
ion.
Thenextdayatwork,
Kaywasi nabadmoodand
ref
usedtotel
lmewhyt houghIalr
eadyknew.I
askedacoll
eaguewhowascl osetoher
.
me:i
sKayokay?
her:boyfri
endseemst obecheatingagain,
he'
s
di
sappear edonherandispr obablywit
hsome
mistress.Idon'
tknowwhyshedoesn' tstop
worryingabouthim andleavehissorr
yass.
me:It
oldhershedeser
vedbet
ter
.
her:Ithi
nkt
hat
'swhatpi
ssedherof
fmor
e,t
hef
act
thatyouwerer
ight
.
Hopeful
ly,
Kaywouldgetoverhi
m soon,
beabl
eto
healandbehappywit
houthim.
Ididn'tseeCamilathatdayandforthenextfew
days.Ont hedaywewer esupposedtomeetf orour
fi
ghtingsessionatthegym, It
extedherandtoldher
thatIwoul dn'
tbeabletocome.Iwasn’treadyto
faceheryeteveni
fshewasgoi
ngt
opr
etend
nothi
nghadhappened.
ThenextdayIhadadayof f,soIfinishedoff
unpacking, cl
eanedaroundt hehouseandgotsome
groceri
esandaf ewot herthings.NcebaandLi am
ret
urnedf rom schoolandImadet hem foodbef or
e
l
eavingt hem tothei
rvideogamest hatNcebahad
managedt ogetLiam tolike.Iwasbusywi thsome
workwhenIhear dsomeoneatt hedoor .Iopened
thedoorandf oundCami l
ast andingont he
doorstep,handsi nherpocket .Itr
iedmybestt oact
calm andcool .
me:hi
.
her
:hey,
howar
eyou?
me:I
'
mfi
ne,
howaboutyou?
her
:fi
ne.
Ihatedt
heawkwar dai
rbet weenusandhowI
suddenl
ystr
uggledtoforgethowhermouthf
elt
agai
nstmine.Iwasstr
aightwi t
haboyf
ri
endand
notatal
lat
tract
edtoher.
me:canIhel
pyouwi
thsomet
hing?
her
:justcamet
ocheckuponLi
am.
me:r
eal
ly?
her
:no,
Iwantust
oset
tl
ethi
sawkwar
dness
bet
weenus.
me:okay,
butf
ir
styoumustt
alkt
oLi
am.
her
:aboutwhat
?
me:justaskhim howhe'
sdoing,
perf
orm your
si
sterl
yduti
es,youcan'
tpret
endyoudon'
thavea
l
it
tl
ebr ot
her.
her
:no,
Iwon'
tdot
hat
.
me:t
henl
eave,
I'
vegotbet
tert
hingst
odowi
thmy
t
ime.
Shest
oodthereforamoment,star
ingatme.I
movedasi
de,givi
ngherspacetoenterandshedi
d.
me:he'
sint
hel
ivi
ngr
oom.
Sheheadedtot
heli
vingroom andIfol
lowedbehi
nd
her
.NcebaandLiam pausedt
heirgamewhen
Camil
awalkedi
n.
Cami
la:boys,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Li
am:we'
regood.
Nceba:yeah.
Ncebal
ookedupatmeandIshr
ugged,
hol
ding
backmylaught
er.
Cami
la:how'
sschool
?
Li
am:f
ine.
Cami
lanoddedandt
urnedt
ome.
her
:happy?
Wel
eftt
hem andwentt
otheki
tchen.
me:youseriouslyneedtohavearel
ati
onshi
pwi t
h
him,youcan'tbetalki
ngtoeachot
herfor2seconds
l
ikeyou'
restrangers.
her:no,
I'
llpassbutIcoul
ddoar
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
you.
Thatmademef reezeandIdidn'
tknowhowt o
respond.Cami
lalookeddeadseri
ousandIwasn'
t
sureifshewasjoki
ngbecauseshenevershowsi
tif
sheis.
her:I
'
mj ustj
oki
ng.Gogetdr
essed,
let
'sgor
ange
shooti
ng.
Safechoicewouldbetosaynothoughthathadn'
t
beenaquestion.Goi
ngoutwithherwhenIwasso
confusedaboutwhathappenedbetweenuswasa
badidea.
_
Cami
la
Iwatchedherasshehesi
tat
ed,mostl
ikel
ythinki
ng
ofourkisst
houghIwasn'
tgoingt
obri
ngi tupyet.
me:I
'
llt
eachyouhowt
ousear
if
le.
her
:whosai
dIwant
edt
olear
nhowt
ousei
t?
me:noone,butyoucan'
tbeatt
het
opofthel
istof
col
d-bl
oodedki
ll
ersandonl
yknowhowtousea
handgun.
Asmal lsmileformedonherf aceandsheheadedt o
herbedroom.Iwentt omycarandwai t
edforher.
Shecameawhi l
elaterandIdrovetot
heshooting
rangeIfrequented.Ibroughtmyownlicencedguns
andaftercompl et
ingtherangewaiver
,wewer e
showedtoourbay.ItoldSegothebasi csof
handli
ngari
fl
eandusi ngit.Igotbehindherand
showedherhowt oholdtherif
leproperly.Shewas
tense,
herbr
eathedhitchedup.
me:r el
ax,
I'
mj ustshowi
ngyouhowt oholdar i
fl
e
properl
y,I
'm nott
ryi
ngtoseduceyou.Arif
leisall
aboutaccuracyandifyouaretense,
youraccuracy
willwaver
.Relaxyourmuscl
esandassumeacal m
breathi
ngrhythm.
Sher
eleasedherbr
eat
handf
inal
lyr
elaxedagai
nst
me.
me:good,
nextyouneedt
oal
ignyourr
if
lesi
ght
.
her
:okay.
..goti
t.
me:nowf ocusyoureyeont hebeadl
ikeItol
dyou,
notthetar
get..
.nowmakesur eyouhavethefront
si
ghtpost,thetargetandyoureyeali
gned
perf
ectl
y..
.gentlysqueezethetri
gger
Shewasn'
tbadf
orafir
stt
imerandweshotafew
morer
ounds.Weheadedoutoft
herangeandwent
tomycar.
me:howaboutadr
inkbef
oreIdr
iveyouback?
her:Camil
a,canyoucutthechase.Thekisswasa
mistakeandshouldn'
thavehappened,Idon'
tknow
whyyouki ssedme,andIdon'
twantt ofi
ndout.
me:Iwon'
tlabeltheki
ssasamist
akebecauseI
enj
oyedi
t,yourli
pswerequi
teni
ceandsoft.
her
:itwasst
il
lami
stake.
me:Iseet
orememberyouki
ssi
ngmeback.
her
:Ihaveaboyf
ri
end.
me:I'
m sor
rytodi
sappoi
ntyoubutIdon'
tdo
t
hreesomes.
her
:Cami
laI
'
m st
rai
ght
,that
'swhatI
'
mtel
li
ngyou.
me:whosai
dIwasn'
t?
Shewasexasper atedandIfoundthatIli
ked
teasingher.Idon'tknowwhenexact l
yIstar
ted
noticingSego,couldhavebeenbef or
eshesawme
shootaguy, couldhavebeenaf t
er.Anormalperson
whohasbeent hreatenedwouldstayawayfrom the
persont hatt
hreatenedthem,butshedidn'
t,
she
pull
edmei nt
oherandsoonenoughIbecamet he
onepulli
ngherin.UntilthemomentIki ssedher,I
wasn'tawareofmyat tracti
onf orherbutt
henitjust
sparkedandwashar dt oignore.It
'sonlyamatterof
ti
mebef oreshereal
isest hatshecan'ti
gnorei
t
ei
ther.
her
:canyoujustt
akemebacktomypl aceandl
et'
s
j
ustfor
getaboutt
heki
ss,
itneverhappened.
me:okay,
thatshoul
dbeeasytodosinceyou'r
e
st
rai
ghtwit
haboyf r
iendandnotatal
lat
tr
actedto
me.
me:yes,
that
'sr
ight
.
Shequi
ckl
ylookedoutt
hewi
ndowandIhel
dback
mychuckl
e.I
twasonlyamatt
eroft
ime.
TheHi
tWoman
39
_
Cami
la
*
*me:
You'
reamazi
ng.
her
:Icansayt
hesameaboutyou.
Shewasst i
llcatchi
ngherbreath,
looki
ngas
sat
isf
iedasIf el
t.Ir
anmyhandal onghernaked
body,
mar vell
ingathersof
tskin.
her
:Il
oveyou.
Il
ookedupatherf
aceandki
ssedher
.
me:Il
oveyout
ooJess.*
*
Segoi sn'tthef ir
stwomanI '
vef oundmysel f
attr
act edto.Iwas18andont heriseofbei ngacol d
-heartedhi tmanwhenImetJessi ca.Wehadf un,
discover edour selves, f
elli
nbedandf el
linlovewi t
h
eachot her.Igotreckl ess,want edJessi cat obejust
l
ikemeandt hingst urnedoutbadl y.Shebr okeup
withmeandsoonl eftthecount r
y.Thel asttimeI
checkedherout ,shehadenl i
stedi nthear my.I
neverf oundanyot herwomanat tracti
ve,Inever
l
ookedf orone.Ij ustmovedonmyl i
fe,sl
eptwi th
somer andom guysf orthef unitandi twasbyl uck
thatImetCl ayandf ellinlovewi thhim.I '
vel ear
nt
thatlovei sn'tformeandt heonl ythingIwantwi th
Segoi ssomef un, nothingmor eandIhavet omake
sureitst ayst hatway.
_
Segomot
so
Goingoutwi thCami l
atot heshoot i
ngrangel ef
tme
i
nf urtherconf usionofmyf eelings.Whenshest ood
behindme, showi ngmehowt ohol dar i
fle,Iwas
distr
act edbyhowherbodyf eltbehi ndme.Her
handsonmel eftmymout hdr yandIhat edhowI
thoughtabouthowt heywoul df eelonmynaked
skin.Ihat edt hissuddenat t
ract i
onIhadf orher .
Denyi ngi twasdoi ngmenogoodbecauseIcoul d
hardlyt akemymi ndof fher.IaskedEt hant ocome
over, hopinghi spr esence, t
ouchandki sseswoul d
putCami laoutofmymi nd.Icookedani cemealf or
usal landEt hanandNcebagotal ongwel l.Liam
onlyspokewhenhewasaskedsomet hingandhe
wasbr i
efi nhisanswer s.Hewashedt hedi shes
withNcebaaf terwef inishedeat ing.
Et
han:Li
am l
ooksl
i
kehecoul
dki
llyouwhi
leyou'
re
sl
eepi
ng.
me:why?
him:he'
ssmart
,matur
eandhet
hinksbef
orehe
tal
ksli
keanadul
t.
me:hewasrai
sedtobeli
ket
hat
,for
cedtobesmart
andnotbeaki
d.Youcan'
tbl
amehimforthewayhe
i
s.
hi
m:I
'
m not
,hi
sfat
heri
stheonet
obl
ame.
Wewatchedamovi eandthenwenttobedawhile
l
ater
.Wemadel oveandIhardl
ymanagedt ofor
get
Camil
a.Irest
edmyheadonEt han'
schestaft
erwe
madeloveandhebrushedmyhai r
.
hi
m:Il
oveyou.
Ihadn'tsaidthewordstohim,butIfel
tthatI
neededt o,nott
hathewaspr essur
ingme.He's
beensoki ndandlovingtome, hedeser
vedtoknow
thatIappreciat
edhim,becauseIhonestl
ydid.
me:Il
oveyout
oo.
hi
m:myaunttol
dmet
ocomewi
thyounextt
ime
whenIvi
sit
edher
.
me:sur
e,Iwoul
dlovet
hat
.
hi
m:t
hisweekend?
me:soundsgood.
*
*
IavoidedCami laatwor k,t
extedhert hatIwouldn'
t
beabl etomakei ttothegym f orourf i
ghti
ng
sessions.Ithoughtoft hesmugl ookshemusthave
hadonherf acewhensher eadmyt extanddidn'
t
carewhatshet hought.OnSat urday,Ethanfet
ched
meanddr ovetoheraunt 'shouse.Shewasver y
fr
iendly.
her
:Lungahast
oldmealotaboutyou,
Ijusthadt
o
meetthi
swomanwho'
stakenhisheart
.
me:it
'sni
cetomeetyouMa,
Ethanhast
oldmeal
ot
aboutyoutoo.
Shewaswar m andkindandi twasclearthatshe
l
ovedEthanl ikeherownson.Et hanhadt oldme
aboutThulani,andIsympathisedwithher .Et
han
washappyt oseeusgetal ongwel l
.Wel eftafew
hourswhil
el aterandIpromisedtocomevi si
ther
agai
nwi t
hNcebaandLi am.Isawat extfrom
CamilawhenIcheckedmyphonei nthecar ."
I'
m at
yourpl
ace,
hangi
ngoutwi
thLi
am.
"
me:whatt
hehel
l.
Et
han:whati
sit
?
me:nothi
ng.I'
vegotwor
ktodoandasmuchasI '
d
l
ikeyoustayi
ngoveratmypl
ace,
you'
lldi
str
actme.
hi
m:so,
Ican'
tst
ayover
?
me:no,nott
oday.I
'
llbeupl
atewor
kingsomaybe
t
omorrow,okay?
hi
m:alr
ight
,thoughIcouldhavebehavedandnot
di
str
act
edyouf rom yourwor
k.
me:
(chuckl
ing)youcanonl
ydot
hati
fyouar
enotat
myplace.
Ihatedlyi
ngtohim butwhatchoicedi dIhave,I
didn'
twanttotalktohim aboutCamila.Hedropped
meof fandIwentinsidethehouse.Cami l
awas
thereasshesaid,si
tt
ingintheli
vingroom with
NcebaandLiam whower ewatchingamovi e.She
stoodupwhenshesawmeandf oll
owedmet omy
bedroom.
me:youcan'
tjustbecomi
ngannouncedt
oher
e,I
'
m
pr
ettysur
eyoudi
dn'
tevenspeakmor
ethan10
wordswit
hLiam.
her
:guil
ty.Ionl
ycamet
oseeyousi
nceyouwer
e
i
gnori
ngme.
me:f
oragoodr
eason.
her
:youcan'
tst
opt
hinki
ngaboutme,
huh?
me:Camil
a,It
oldyouthatwhathappenedwasa
mi
stake,
canyouleti
tgo.
her
:tel
lmet
hatyoudon'
twantme.
me:Idon'
t.
her
:real
ly,
youdon'
twantt
oki
ssme?
me:Cami
la.
Shepul l
edmet oherandki
ssedme.It r
iedpushing
herback, butsheheldmetightandIendedup
ki
ssingherback.Theki sswaspassionateand
excit
ing,Icouldhardl
yrememberwhyt hiswas
wrong.Sheki ssedmyneck, herhandswonderi
ng
aroundmybody.
her
:youst
il
lwantt
odenyt
hatyouwantme?
me:wai
t.
..
Sheremovedhermout
hfrom myneckandst
aredat
me,desi
reshi
ningi
nhereyes.
me:I
'
veneverbeenwi
thawomanbef
ore.
her
:I'
vegotnopr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
.
me:andIhaveaboyf
ri
end.
her
:It
oldyout
hatIdon'
tdot
hreesomes.
me:I'
mtell
ingyoubecauseIl
ovehi
m,andIdon'
t
wanttohur
thim.
her
:I'
m notaski
ngtobei narel
ationshi
pwithyou,
we'
retwowomenwhoar eattr
actedtoeachother,
l
et'
shavefunandexplorethi
sthingbetweenus.
Yourboyf
ri
enddoesn'tneedtoknowaboutt hi
s,I
'm
sur
ehewoul dn'
tsuspectyouofbeinglesbi
an.
me:I
'
m notl
esbi
an.
her
:nei
theram Ibutl
et'
sfor
getaboutsuchl
abel
s
andhavefun.
Fun.Coul
dIreal
lydothatandnotf
eelbadorgui
lt
y
abouthur
ti
ngEthan?
_
Jessi
ca
Ibrowsedt hr
ought hepictur
esthathavebeensent
tomyemai l
.Abi t
tertast
esettl
edinmymout hasI
l
ookedatt hepicturesofherandtheblackwoman.
Theywentoutt oashoot ingrangeandIcould
i
magi neCam wat chinghercompanionwi t
hint
erest
anddesire.Shealwayst oldmehowat tr
acti
veI
l
ookedwi thadeadl yweaponi nmyhandsandnai ve
mesmi ledandf el
tloved.
me:Ishoul
dhavej
ustbl
ownherheadof
f.
Emi
ly:bl
ownwho'
sheadof
f?
Shegl
ancedatmyl
apt
opandt
hensatdown.
me:Cam'
sheadoff
.Lookathergoi
ngondat
eswi
th
t
hisbl
ackbi
tch.
her:you'
rebei
nganassandraci
stt
oo.So,
whati
f
she'shavi
ngfunwit
hhergi
rl
fri
end.
me:youwon'
tunder
stand.
her
:oh,
I'
mti
redoft
hisJess,
Ireal
lyam.
me:t
ir
edofwhat
?
her:yourobsessi onwithyourex-gi
rl
fri
end.Ever
y
dayit'sCam this,Cam that.YousaidSAwoul dbea
freshstartforusbutseemsl i
kethatwasanexcuse
tohaveyourext ail
edandbeobsessi ngoverher
everysingletime.It'
sbeenadecadesi nceyouleft
her,5year ssincewedat edand3year sinour
mar r
iage,butyounol ongergi veashi
taboutthat
.If
thisishowt hingswe'llconti
nue,webetterj
ust
divorce.
me:youwantt
odi
vor
ce,
meani
ngyoudon'
tloveme
anymore?
her:ofcourse,
Iloveyou, oratleastIlovedthe
womanyouwer ebeforemovedher e.I
'vealways
beenbyyoursi de,suppor t
ingyouandhel pingyou
i
never yt
hingyoudi d,Iwast heonewhohel pedyou
walkagainwhenyougotpar al
ysedonyourl ast
deployment,Iwast hereforeverystepoft heway
evenwhenyoupushedmeaway.I fyou'r
egoi ngto
doubtmyl oveforyour ightnow,thenadi vorceis
ouronl
ychoi
ce.
Iwasanasshol e.Shehasbeent hemostsuppor t
ive
partnertome, l
ovedmewhenIt houghtCami l
ahad
destroyedme.Af terIlef
tCami laandleftthe
country,Ienl
ist
edi nthear myandIonl yfeltali
vein
themi stofdanger.WhenEmi lycamei ntomyl if
e,
shemademef eelali
veever yti
meIwaswi t
hher .
Shemademebel ieveinloveagai nandbr ought
backt hepart
sofmysel fthatIthoughtCami l
ahad
takenawayf rom me.
me:I'
m sor r
y,SAwassupposedt obeaf r
eshst art
andIdidn'tmeant orui
nthatbybei
nghungover
Camila.Iknowhowmuchyoul ovemeandhow
you'
veal waysbeenbymysi deandIappreciate
havi
ngyou, mor ethanIcoul
devert
ellyou.AllIask
i
sal i
ttl
epatiencesoIcangetmyheadi nright
spaceandf orgetaboutCamil
a.
Itr
iedtot
akeherhand,
butsheshr
uggedmeof
f
andstoodup.
her
:Ican'
tbepat
ientf
ormuchl
onger
,deci
dewho
youwant,
meorCami l
a.
Shelef
ttheroom andmomentslaterIheardher
headoutthefrontdoor
.It
hrewthelaptopacross
ther
oom, notcari
ngifi
tbr
oke.
me:damnyouCami
laDavi
s.DAMNYOU.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Ihaveali
tt
lewri
ter
'sbl
ockwi
thCamill
aandEt
han'
s
POV,Ihopethi
sisbett
ert
hannot
hing.
TheHi
tWoman
40
_
Et
han
Andrew:t
hisl
ooksgr
eat
,Iknowt
heendr
esul
twi
ll
beevenbett
er.
me:Idohopet
hatyouwil
lbesat
isf
iedwi
tht
he
desi
gnsoncet
heyaredone.
hi
m:Idon'
tdoubti
t.Howaboutyoucomeoverat
myhousefordi
nner,
asl i
tt
let
okenofappr
eci
ati
on
fr
om me.Mywifewil
lcooksomedelici
ousmeal
s
andyoucanbri
ngafriendorpar
tner
.
Andrewhasr emai nedveryfri
endl ywi t
hme.It'
snot
necessaryformet obeinhismeet i
ngswiththe
archit
ectbuthei nsist
eduponi tandusuallytal
ks
abouthimself,hiscountryRussiaoranyot her
i
nteresti
ngtopiconcebusi nessi soutoftheway.I
dof i
ndhisinterestinmewei r
d, butitcoul
dbet hat
's
howsomecl i
ent sareandI'mjustoutofmy
el
ementr unningal argesuccessf ulcompany.
me:sur
e,Iwoul
dlovet
hat
.
hi
m:howaboutt
hiseveni
ng?
me:ar
eyousur
e?
him:yes,
100%.I
twi
llbef
un,
andmywi
fei
squi
te
thej
oker.
me:alri
ght
,I'
l
lcomewi
thmygi
rl
fr
iendi
fshe'
l
lbe
avai
labl
e.
Hegavemehi saddressandtol
dmewhatt i
mewe
couldar
ri
ve.SinceIdi
dn'
thaveanymor emeet
ings
fort
heday,Iheadedtomyplace.Ical
ledBr
uceand
askedhowheandSusanwer edoing.
hi
m:we'
ref
ine.Susan'
schi
ldr
enar
ecomi
ngover
fortheweekendsoweshoul dbel
esslonel
y.I
fyou
weren'tabusybusi
nessmanandmi l
esawayfrom
here,youcoul
dhavejoinedus.
me:yeah,
maybeI
'
llcomei
namont
horso.
hi
m:thatwouldbenice,
youcoul
dbr
ingt
his
gi
rl
fr
iendofyour
s..
.
me:maybe.
..Ihaven'
ttol
dheraboutyou.
him:tel
lingyourpartnerthatyourf
atherwasonce
thedevilhimselfandhasnowbeenanescapee
from j
ailforamor ethanadecadei sn'
tsomet
hing
i
dealtot ellyourgi
rl
fri
end.Youdon'thavetot
ellher
anythi
ng.
Idon'
tthi
nkSegowouldjudgemeforhavi
nga
rel
ati
onshi
pwit
haf at
herwhohasabadt r
ack
recor
d,buti
twasn'
tatopicIwasr
eadytobri
ngup.
me:I'
llseewhatI'
llsaywhenIfeeltheneedtotell
heraboutyou.Iwantedtoaskyousomet hing,did
youhavecl i
entswhowereveryfri
endlywit
hyout o
apointthattheyi
nvit
edyoufordinneroranything
overatthei
rhouse?
hi
m:Idid,
theycal
leditt
het
okenofappr
eci
ati
on.
Youhaveoneofthose?
me:yes,AndrewPet
rov,hement
ionedt
hatyou
oncedesignedhi
shouse.
hi
m:thenamedoesn'
tri
ngabel
l.Hesounds
Russi
an.
me:hei
s,al
sohast
heaccent
.
him:therearen'
tmanyRussi anst
hatami abl
eand
withwhatIdi dbehi
ndcloseddoors,Iknewthat
theywer en'
ttobetr
ustedmuch.Ifyouf eell
iket
his
Petrovisbeingtoofr
iendl
y,keepacloseeyeonhi m.
me:Iwi
ll
,thanksf
ort
headvi
ce.
Icall
edSegoaf t
erwards,aski
ngifshewould
avail
ablelaterandsheagr eedtojoi
nme.If etched
herat5:30pm andheadedt oAndrew'shouse.He
hadal argehousewhi chhegaveusat ourof.He
wasacol l
ectorofartandshowedust hepieceshe
had.Hiswi fewasf r
iendl
yandf unnyli
keAndr ew.
Wesai dgoodbyeaf terdi
nner,andIdrovetoSego's
place.
me:whatdoyout
hinkofAndr
ew?
her
:honestopi
nion?
me:pl
ease.
her:hi
sinteresti
nyouseemsbeyondbusiness,I
'
m
notsureifit
'sthegoodorbadtypeofi
nter
estbut
youshouldwat chhim cl
osel
y.
Icoul
dn'ti
gnor
eheradvicesincei
tmadecomplete
senseandImadeament alnot
etocont
actaPIand
haveAndrewcheckedout .
me:thi
sisoneoft
her
easonswhyIl
oveyou,
you'
re
sosensi
ble.
her
:(
smi
li
ng)r
eal
lynow?
me:yepandyousuredothingstome,Icoul
dbar
ely
hol
dmyselfdur
ingdinner
.Pleaset
ellmeIcan
comeinwit
hyou,pl
ease.
her
:Ican'
tsaynowhenyoupr
act
ical
lybegme.
Igri
nnedandplacedahandonhert
highaswe
nearedherpl
ace.
_
Segomot
so
Itwasof fici
al,Iwasl i
vingadoubl eli
fe.Justt his
after noonCami lahadmehotandheavyi nher
officeandher eIwashour sl at
erwi t
hEt han.If elt
guiltyt obedoi ngt histoEt han,Ifeltevenwor se
whenIwascompar inghowCami la'
skissesand
touchaf fect
edmecompar edtoEt han's.Ican'tsay
thatt here'sanyt hi
ngdi fferentaboutt het i
meI
spendwi t hEthan, eveni nbed.Et hanof feredme
l
oveanddevot iont hatIneverexpect edt of i
ndi na
part nerwhi l
eCami laexci t
edmei nwaysIcoul dn't
descr i
be.Iwashavi ngthebestofbot hwor l
dsand
coul dn'tdropei theroft hem.Atl eastwi t
hCami l
a,i
t
wasal laboutf unandexpl or i
ngandsheknewabout
Ethan, l
ousyexcusebuti twasal lIhad.
Et
hansleptoverandj
oinedusf
orbr
eakf
asti
nthe
morni
ng.
me:heyLi
am,
youst
il
lhangi
ngoutwi
thThomasat
school
.
hi
m:notmanyt
imes.
me:butyout
woar
ecl
ose?
hi
m:notr
eal
ly.
me:wellhowaboutyoui
nvi
tehi
m overher
e,you
twocanplayvi
deogamesandyousaidheli
ked
car
stoo,youcoul
dshowhimthecarmagazine
i
ssuesyouhave.
Hef
rowned,
clear
lynotupf
ort
hesuggest
ion.
Et
han:havingafr
iendi
spr
ett
ycool
,someonet
o
watchyourback.
Li
am:af
ri
endcanst
abyoui
ntheback.
me:atyourage,
youdon'
thavetoworryaboutt
hat.
Thomascanbequitehel
pfulwhenyouneedhelp
wit
hsomet hi
ng.
Ethan:hecoul
dcoverf
oryoui
fyoudeci
det
odi
tch
schoolforaday.
Ihi
thi
m onhi
sar
m,andhel
aughedwi
thNceba.
me:noschooldi
tchi
ng.
Li
am:okay,
I'
lli
nvi
teThomas.
me:gr
eat
.
Thatwaspr
ogr
essandIhopedhewoul
dfor
ma
ni
cef r
iendshi
pwit
hThomasandbeakid,t
hat
'sal
lI
wantedf orhi
m.Li
am'
sdri
versoonar
ri
ved,
andhe
l
eftwithNceba.
Et
han:myschooldi
tchi
ngi
deawor
kedwel
l
.
me:stopgivinghimideasfortr
ouble.Ineverknow
whathe'
sthinking,
hemi ghtj
usttakeyourideas
ser
iousl
y.
hi
m:he'
stoocont
rol
led,
maybehedoesneedt
o
br
eakafewrul
es.
Igl
ar edathim andheputuphi sarmsi nsurrender.
Hedr ovemet oworkandIst art
edmydayona
happynot e.Whenmyl unchtimeappr oached,
Cami lat
extedandjustseeingthenameont he
screenhadmyhear tbeatinganext r
abeat."Bring
l
unchoveratmyof fi
ce,I
'm star
ving.
"
Acompl et
elyinnocenttextbutIknewwhatCami l
a
actual
lywanted.Ididbuyusl unchthoughandt hen
headedtoherof f
ice,cl
osingthedoorandl ocki
ngit.
Cami l
awasf ocusedonherwor kandsignall
edthat
Ishouldgi
veherami nute.Isatdownandopened
myf ood.
her:yousur
egother
equickl
y,coul
dn'
twai
ttobe
steal
ingki
sseswi
thyourboss.
me:Ibroughtl
unchasyour
equest
ed,
youshoul
d
bethankf
ul.
Shelookedupatmef rom herl
aptopwi t
hthat
i
ntensegazeofhersthathadempl oyees
st
ammer ingbuti
tjusttur
nedmeon.Shecl osedher
l
aptopandcameovert omysi de.
her
:foodwasn'
treal
lywhatIhadi
nmi
nd.
Foodf orgott
en,shesatonthetableandpull
edme
toher.Theconf usi
onofmyf eeli
ngswhenki ssi
ng
herhadf adedaway, onl
ypassionremainedasher
moutht horoughlyexpl
oredmineasIdidher sand
herhandshotundermyshi rt
.Minutes,
hourscould
havepassedwi t
hmeki ssi
ngher,butIwantedmore,
andshedi dt oo,maki
ngitcl
ear.
her:Ihopeyoudon'
thavepl
answi
thyourboyf
ri
end
becauseIwantyouinmyapart
mentl
ater
.
ThementionofEt
handidbri
ngali
tt
leguil
tbut
qui
cklyf
adedatCamil
a'
spossessi
venessandwhat
wouldbehappeni
ngatherapar
tment.Iwastoof
ar
i
nthi
stoevent
hinkofbacki
ngout
.
TheHi
tWoman
41
_
Cami
la
Ihel
dherhandsaboveherheadwit
hmyonehand
whil
etheot
herdrovehert
otheedge.
Sego:
shi
t.
..Cami
la.
..
Ibitdownonhernippl
eandj ustl
ikethatshe
si
lentl
ycameonmyhand.Il ethergoandl ay
besideherasshecaughtherbreath.
her
:fuck.
..t
hatwasi
nsane.
me:gl
adyouenj
oyedi
t.
her:t
hatwasmorethanmeenjoyi
ngit.I
'
veheard
thatwomenar
egreatatt
his,
butIneverthoughti
t
wouldbeli
ket
his.
me:I
'm amet
icul
ousperson,ei
therwhenbl
owing
someone'
sbr
ainsoutorgivi
ngpleasur
etoother
s.
her
:ment
ioni
ngbl
ownoutbr
ainswasunnecessar
y
now.
I'
veforgottenhowitfeltl
iket
opleasur
eawoman,
thethr
illofhavi
ngherundermyt humb,
surr
ender i
ngtome.I tdoesfeell
ikebl
owing
someone' sbrai
nsout ,
theacti
onsarebothabout
fi
ndingt heri
ghtspotforthemindshatt
eri
ngcli
max.
Sego:
haveyoubeenwi
thawomanbef
ore?
me:yes.
her
:recent
ly?
me:what
'
swi
tht
he21quest
ions?
her
:I'
veonl
yaskedyou2quest
ions.
me:t
oomany.I'm notthepi
ll
owt
alkt
ype,
goget
t
hatf
rom yourboyfr
iend.
her
:whydoyouhavetobeli
ket
hisandst
op
menti
oni
ngmyboyfr
iend.
me:yourassf
eel
inggui
lt
ynow?
Sheanswer
edmyquest
ionwi
thasi
gh.
me:don'
twor
ryabouthi
m,guysusual
lyf
indt
his
shi
tbet
weenwomensexy.
her:wow,thankyouf
ort
heassur
ance,
Ifeelso
rel
ivednow.
Iment al
lysmil
edathersmartmout
h.Whowoul d'
ve
thoughtthatwe'
dendupi nbedt
ogether
?Igotup
from bedandgotmyclothes.
me:l
etmedropyouof
fatyourpl
ace,
I'
vegotpl
aces
t
obe,peopl
etoki
ll
.
her
:agai
n,t
hatwasunnecessar
yforyout
oment
ion.
me:I
'
m aki
ll
erandyouar
etoo.
*
*
Ihadahi tjobt ocompl ete,soIstar t
edonwat ching
myt arget
’smovement sandhabi ts.TheRussi an'
s
havemademet heirhi
tman, offeri
ngal umpsum of
moneyf ortheguysIhadt ot akecareoff ort
hem.
Theyt hi
nkt hey'
llhavemeundert heirt
humb, bli
ndly
doingwhat evert heywant edunt i
ltheydisposedof
me, butIhadpl ansf orthem.Theywer etheones
undermyt humb, pl
ayi
ngr ightint
omygame.I
wasn'tcockyandwouldn'
tassumethatal
lwouldgo
asplannedbutIwasreadyforwhat
everwould
comemyaway.
_
Et
han
PI:AndrewPet rovi
spartofasmallgroupof
Russianswhohavemadet hemselvesthebi
gshots
oftheSAcr imewor l
d.Theyspeci
ali
seinavari
ety
ofil
legaldeali
ngs,dr
ugs,guntr
adeandal otmore.
me:ar
eyousur
eoft
his?
hi
m:100%.
me:whatdoeshewantf
rom me?
hi
m:Icouldn'
tfi
ndanyt
hingt
hatsuggest
shim
havi
nganythi
ngagai
nstyoubuti
fIdo,I'
l
ltel
lyou.
me:al
sochecki
fhehadanyf
eudwi
thBr
ianSi
biya.
Henot edthatdownandagreedthathewouldcheck
i
tout.Iwassur pri
sedt
olearnt
hisaboutAndrew,he
hadalmostf ool
edme.Imetupwi thBonganiandLJ
l
aterforsomedr i
nksandtol
dthem aboutAndrew.
LJ:youshoul
dtellhi
mt obackof
fbef
orehedoes
whateverhehasplanned.
me:Idon'tknowi
fhehasanyt
hingagainstmeorif
he'
splannedanyt
hing.Hemi
ghtjustbeaninnocent
cl
ient
.
Bongani
:yousai
dityour
self
,he'
spartoft
hebig
shot
softheSAcrimeworld,
thatsur
edoesn'
tspel
l
i
nnocent
.
me:doyouknowhowmuchhe' spayingforthe4
warehousesmyar chit
ectisdesigni
ngforhim?al ot
ofmoney.Iwasn'tsupposedt obeevendoi ngthe
backgroundcheckonhi m soIjustcan'
ttel
lhim
thatwecannol ongerhelphim.
LJ:so,
you'
drat
herr
iski
t?
me:I
'
llkeepacl
oseeyehi
m,t
hat
'sal
lIcando.
IhopedIwoul
dn'
tregr
ett
his.
_
Paulgulpeddownhi
sshotofwhi
skey,
theal
cohol
feel
inggoodinhi
sbody.
Paul
:it
'sgoodt
obef
ree.
Andr
ew:yes,
yougotl
ucky.
Paul:al
lthankst
oyou.Mycompanyi
ssti
llr
uined
though.Whenwillyouhel
pmet
akecareoft
hatboy?
Andr
ew:t
heplanisinmotion.I
'
vegothi
mfool
ed
andhewon'
texpectt
his.
Paul
:whatexact
lyi
sthi
s?
Andrew:heruinedyourcompany,we'
llr
uinhisin
ret
urn.OnceI'
m donewi t
hit
,1stOneswillsei
ze
bei
ngt he1stOne.Trustmeonthat.
Paulr
aisedhi
sgl
asswi
thasmi
le.
Paul
:Adr
inkt
othat
.
_
Segomot
so
Iwasatt heorgani
zati
onf
orwomenandchildr
en
thatIhadsigneduptovol
unteerfor
.Awoman,
Anathi,wholookedtobei
nlate30shadr
ecent
ly
camei n.Isatwit
hherasshecried.
her
:I'
vebeentr
yingtol
eavehim,
Ireal
lyhavebuthe
won'
tletme.Hesaidhewouldki
llme.
me:hewon'
t,
you'
resaf
eher
e.
her
:youdon'
tknowhi
m,he'
l
lreal
lyki
llme.
me:youcametotherightpl
ace,wecanhelpyou.
He'
llgot
ojai
lforwhathe'sputyout
hrough.
her
:Menzii
njai
l?never
.Youal
ldon'
tknowhi
m.
From whatIhear d,itwasn' tthef ir
stt i
met hi
s
womancamef orhel p.Shewoul dcomef earridden
andwant ingtol eaveherhusbandbutaf teraf ew
days,thecour agewoul dleaveherandshewoul d
gobackt ohim, cl
aimi ngtolovehi m andsayi ngthat
hehadn'tdoneanyt hingt oher, shehadj ustbeen
angrywithhim.Thecounsel lorhadment ionedto
met hatthedifficultpar tcamewi t
ht hewomenwho
couldnevermast ert hecour aget ol eavet heir
abusersforgood.Theor ganizat i
oncan' tdo
anythi
ngwhent hewoment urnar oundandpr ot
ect
thesemen.Il edAnat hitoherr oom andl etherget
somer est.Iheadedt ot hecounsel l
or ’
sof fi
ceand
foundheravai lable.
her
:Sego,
how'
sitgoi
ng?
me:i
t'
snoteasy,
seei
ngal
lthesewomenbr
oken
andhurt
,it
'sal
otandIwi
shIcoul
ddomor
efor
them.
her:Iwishsotoobutallwecandoisgivethem a
handt ohol
dast heygothrought
hisj
ourneyand
getthemselvesupontheirowntwofeet.
me:ImetAnat
hi,
shehadj
ustcomei
n.
her
:oh,
Anat
hi.
..
me:ar
eyouf
ami
li
arwi
thher
?
her:Iam,Ihavespokentoherseveralt
imesand
havetri
edtoconvinceherthatshecanleave
wit
houtherhusbandandt hatthi
splacecanbeher
safeheaven,butsheal
waysgoesbackt ohim.
me:i
sn'
tther
eanyt
hingel
seyoucando,
repor
thi
m
t
othepol
ice?
her:t
hesecasesdependont hepersonbeing
abusedtell
ingt
hepol i
cet hatt
hismandi dthi
sand
thatt
ome, Anathialwayschangesherst or
yand
saysthatshewasj ustangryandliedtousabout
herhusbandabusingher .Weknowt hat'
snottrue,
thepoli
ceknowi tt
oobuti t'
sli
ketheiraf
rai
dof
thesemenordon'tcare.Li
keItoldyou,wetryour
besttohel
pthesewomenbutsomet imeswear en'
t
goodenoughandt hathurt
s.Isohopethatthisis
theti
mewhereAnat hiwil
lfi
nall
yleaveherbastar
d
ofahusbandforgood.
Itwi
llbe,
Ithoughtt
omysel
f,knowi
ngwhatIwoul
d
do.
*
*
Il
ayonCami
la'
sbed, st
aringatt
heceili
ngaft
ershe
hadmademeorgasm twiceinsuccessi
on.Shej
ust
knewt
heper
fectspottohitandlef
tmeamazed.
me:ther
e'samanIwantyout
ofi
nd,
Menzi
Khumalo.
her
:youwanti
nfor
mat
iononhi
m?
me:no,
Ial
readyknowhe'
sabastar
d.Justgethi
m
t
oyourwar
ehouseandgetthepoi
son.
her
:sur
e.
It
urnedt
olookatherandsawherst
ari
ngatme
wi
thasmallsmil
eonherface.
me:whatar
eyousmi
li
ngabout
?
her
:not
hingt
urnsmeonmoret
hanarut
hless
womanwhoknowswhatshewant
s.
me:r
uthl
ess?
her
:yes,don'
tdenyi
t.Youar
eli
kemejustwi
th
someaddedpar t
sofcompassi
ont
hatyoucando
wit
hout.
me:tr
yingtomakemel
oset
hem nowandbecol
d
hear
tedli
keyou?
her
:It
'
sni
cebei
ngme.
Cami l
a'seyesdarkenedandnar
rowedwhenshe
wasar oused,andtheydrovemetodosome
explor
ingofmyownonherbodyt hatwasf
inel
ike
thatofgoddess.
TheHi
tWoman
42
[
Amont
hlat
er]
_
Cami
la
IwatchedSegoasshefi
redtheri
fl
ewit
hpreci
sion
attheshooti
ngr
ange.It
aughtherwel
landshe'
sa
fastl
earner
.
me:You'
requi
tegoodnow.
Shet
urnedt
omewi
thapr
oudgr
in.
her
:Iam,
aren'
tI?
Segoisabeautif
ulblackwoman.Inevert houghtI
wouldfi
ndmysel fwi
thabl ackperson,especi
all
ya
womanyether eshewas, notthatwehadanyt hi
ng
ser
iousbetweenus.She'sbeaut i
ful
,smartanda
ki
ll
er,myfavouri
tecombination.
me:butyou'
l
lneverbebet
tert
hanme.
her:howol
dwer
eyouwhenyoul
ear
nthowt
ousea
ri
fl
e.
Andshe'
scurious,shecont
inuedaski
ngme
per
sonalquesti
onsevenwhenIr ef
usedt
oanswer
mostofthem.
me:10.
Hereyesgrewser
iousandsheseemedt
obe
consi
deri
ngsomething.
her:you'
retr
yingtotur
nmei
ntoaver
sionof
yoursel
f,ar
en'tyou?
me:expl
aint
hatt
ome.
her
:thefi
ght
inglessonsthatyouf
reel
yoff
ered
wit
houtmeasking,teachi
ngmehowt ousearif
le,
what'
syourmotive?
me:Ij
ustwant
edt
ogeti
nbedwi
thyou.
her:notbuyingit
.Maybethat'
strueforthefi
rstti
me
youbr oughtmeherebutwhenyouof f
eredmet he
fi
ghtinglessons,
youhadn'teventhoughtofkissi
ng
me, youhadsomet hi
ngel
sei nmi nd.
Thatwasn'
taquesti
on,
itwasanobservat
ionshe
wassureof.AsmuchasIhadherfigur
edout,she
al
sohadmef i
gur
edouttoacer
tai
npoint,
farthanI
wantedherto.
me:I'm nott
ryingtoturnyouint
osomethingyou'r
e
not.Youlookedatmeandt oldmeyouwant edto
ki
llyourrapi
sts.Isawt hel
ookonyourfaceafter
youwat chedthem die.Li
keIsai
d,you'
reli
keme
andI'm merel
ygi vi
ngyout hemeanstoreal
ise
yoursel
f.
her
:somet
imesIr
eal
lydon'
tunder
standyou.
Ismiledali
tt
leandgotclosertoher.Ikissedher
,
tr
acingthesurf
aceofherlipswit
hmyt ongue.If
elt
hernippl
eshardenagai
nstmychestasImovedmy
mout hupherneckandthent oherear.
me:st
opt
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
emeout
,youwon'
tgetf
ar.
her:It
hinkI
'
vegott
enf
arenough,
andyoushoul
d
stopthi
sassaul
tonme.
me:assaul
t?
her
:yes.
..wear
einapubl
icpl
ace.
Shepushedmebackandst
eppedawayf
rom me.
her
:I'
m hungr
y,l
et'
sgot
other
est
aur
antnear
by.
me:you'
rehungr
yforf
ood?
her
:yes,
food,
we'
l
lseet
heot
herst
uffl
ater
.
IwasawarethatIwaspl
ayingwit
hfir
ehere.My
i
nter
acti
onswithSegoweren'
tascasualasIwoul
d
l
iket
hem tobeandgoingonlunchdateswasabad
i
dea,butIdi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.
_
Jessi
ca
Cam:Don'
tgetusedtot
his.I
'm nott
hetypewho
doesl
unchdates.Wear
en'tevendati
ng.
Sego:wejustf
ucki
ng,
Iknow.Youdon'
thavet
o
remindme.
Theypassedme, maki ngtheirwayoutoft he
restaurant.Cami l
alookedst rai
ghtatmeandIf roze
buthereyesmovedpastmej ustasqui ckl
yast hey
hadl anded.Shedi dn'trecognize,t
hatwast heai m
forthesungl assesandhoodi e.Thiswast heclosest
Ihavebeenwi thhersi nceIleftthecountryyears
ago.If el
tlikeshootingthebi t
chshewaswi thand
thenshoot ingCami laafterI'
veremi ndedherof
whatshe' sdonet ome, whoshe' sturnedmet obe.I
l
ef ttherestaurantawhi lelat
erandwentt omy
place.WhenIgott here,Emi l
ywasmovi ngaround,
dumpi ngherst uffinasui t
case.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
her
:packi
ngmyst
uffsoIcanl
eave.
me:wai
t,l
eavet
owher
e?
Shestoppedandl
ookedupatme,
hereyesr
edf
rom
cr
ying.
her:Ican'tdothisanymore.Ican'
tbewithyou
whenal lyou'l
ldoisobsessoverCami l
a.Idon't
knowwhoyouar eanymoresoi t
'sbestt
hatIleave.
I'
l
lhaveal awyerdraf
toutourdivor
ce.
me:Emi
ly,
wai
t,l
et'
stal
kaboutt
his.
her
:Idon'
twanttotal
kaboutanyt
hing,
Ijustwant
tol
eaveyou,
rightnow.
me:Il
oveyou,okay.Ir
eall
yloveyouandthisthing
wit
hCamil
aisnothing,I
'mtryi
ngmybestt oforget
t
hepastandfocusonus, j
ustpleasedon'
tleave.
her:isst
aringatherphotoswithhergir
lf
ri
end
everydayforget
ti
ngaboutt hepast
?Tellmeright
nowt hatyouwer en'
toutther
efoll
owingher?
me:Iwasn'
t.
her:l
ieswon’
tmakemest
ay.I
'
m doneJessi
ca,
done.
Emil
y'
sresol
vewaswhatIlovedt
hemostabouther
.
Onceshe'
smadeadeci
sion,shesti
ckst
oitand
rarel
ychangeshermi nd.Isawthatdet
ermi
nati
oni
n
hereyesrightnow,shereall
ywasleavi
ngmeand
thereIwasnothingIcoulddoorsaytostopher
.
ThiswasCami larui
ningmyl i
feagai
n,t
hat'
swhat
she'sbestat.
_
Et
han
Andrew' sdesi gnsforhiswar ehouseswer edone
andhehadbeensat i
sfi
edwi tht
hewor k.Hewas
sti
llfr
iendly,butIkeptacl oseeyeonhi mt i
ll
everythingwasf i
nali
sed.MyPIf oundnot hi
ngt hat
Andrewcoul dhaveagai nstme, soIf i
guredhewas
j
ustat otal
lyinnocentclientandhadn'tplanned
anythingagai nstmewhencomi ngt ome.Hehad
i
nformedme2weeksagot hatt
heconstructionof
thewar ehouseshadst arted,andhewasi nahur ry
togett hem done.
WithAndrew'
sdesignsdoneanddust ed,
Ivisi
ted
Brucel
ikeIsai
dIwould.Ispent2dayswi thhi
m
andSusan.Hetol
dmest oriesabouthim andmy
motherbackinhi
ghandi twasnicetohearthem.
Therewassomer egretinhi svoi
cewhenhe
recountedthememor iesandIcoul dseethatifhe
hadthechancet ogobacki ntime,hewoulddone
mostt hi
ngsdifferentl
y.Si ncehecouldn'
tdothat,he
wast r
yingtobeabet terman, abet
terf
athertome
andIappr eci
atedt hat.Iwentt oseemylitt
lebrot
her
andstepfatherafterwar dsandspentadaywi th
them beforefl
yingbackt oSA.WhenIgotback,
thi
ngswentbad.Mypr ojectmanagerat1stOnes
call
edme.
him:Wehaveapr obl
em si
r.OneofMrPetrov'
s
warehousesjustcoll
apsedandhe'
slabel
li
ngthe
desi
gnandconst ruct
iondrawi
ngstobethereason
fort
hecollapse.
me:thedesignsanddr
awingsforal
lhi
s
warehouseswereimmacul
ate,
evenhewas
i
mpr essed
hi
m:yes,
butnowi
tlookshe'
sgoi
ngt
osue.
Thiswasbad.Gett
ingsuedfordef
ecti
vedesi
gns
evenwhenthatwasn'tt
ruewouldrui
nthe
reput
ati
onofthecompany.Iwassurethatt
here
wasnot hingwr ongwi tht hebui l
dingpl ansand
specif
icat ions,thear chitectsat1stOnesal lknow
thei
rwor kwel landt heywoul dn'tmakesucha
mistake.I tcamet omet hatt hiscoul dbeaset up.I
hadwat chedAndr ewcl osel yandt houghtal lwould
bewel loncewegotdonewi thhi sdesi gns,buthe
couldhavebeenwai tingt opur posel ygethis
warehouset ocollapsei nconst ruct i
onandsuemy
company, whyhewoul ddot hatwast hemyst ery
questi
on.Thenextday, Andr ew'slawsui twas
deli
veredt othecompany.Ihadameet ingwi t
hthe
part
ner s,thepr ojectmanagerandt hear chi
tectwho
didAndr ew' swar ehousedesi gns.
Proj
ectManager( PM):let'
salltakeal ookatthe
digi
talcopyoft hedesi gnofthewar ehousethat
coll
apsed.Weal lagreet hatt
hisisami st
akeand
everyoneel sewillsoonseet hat.Toobadt hi
shasa
negativeimpacton1stOnes’ reputati
onevenwhen
wear en'tatfaul
t.
Thearchi
tect
,Thatoproducedt
hedi
git
alcopy,
and
ever
yonehadal ookatit
.
That
o:t
her
e'sabsol
utel
ynot
hingwr
ongwi
tht
he
desi
gn,
Iwast
hor
oughandmet
icul
ousasIal
ways
am.
PM:shi
t.
..
me:what
?
PM:wear
eatf
aul
t.Youmadeahugemi
stake
That
o.
That
o:no,
Idi
dn'
t.
Theproj
ectmanagerpoi
ntedatacert
ainpar
toft
he
desi
gnandexplai
nedwhatwaswr ong.
That
o:nothi
sisn'
tri
ght
,IswearIdi
dn'
tmaket
hat
mist
ake.
Seni
ormanager(
SM):wehavet
hedef
ect
ivedesi
gn
ri
ghti
nfr
ontofus.
Thatolookedbaf
fl
edasever
yoneelseseemedt
o
bel
ievethathehadmadeamistake.
me:isi
tpossi
blet
hatt
hedesi
gncoul
dhavebeen
al
ter
edbysomeone?
PM:al
ter
edi
nwhi
chway?
me:al
ter
edt
ohavesuchaf
aul
taf
tert
hedesi
gn
wascompl
eted.
Thato:yes,Icouldhavebeenhacked.I
'm sor
ryI
didn'
tmentionthisearl
ier
,butMrAndrewseemed
suspici
ous.Hecoul dbeoneofthosepeopletryi
ng
toripusoffbyf al
sel
yaccusingus.
SM:whywoul
dhedot
hat
,he'
sar
ichman.
me:i
tmightnotbeaboutmoney,
itmi
ghtbe
somet
hingpersonal
.
PM:ifthat
'sthecasethenwehavetospinthi
s
aroundandexposehim.I'l
llookf
orsomeonewho
cancheckwhet herwegothackedornotandwe'
l
l
takeitf
rom t
here.
Iwasthankf
ulthatIhadli
stenedtomyi nsti
nct
s
andgotAndrewcheckedoutot herwi
sewewoul dal
l
bebel
ievi
ngthatwewer eatfaultandthelawsui
t
woul
dhavejustruinus.
_
Segomot
so
Iwat
chedLiam pl
ayi
ngchesswi
thhi
sfri
end
Thomas.Theywerecl
osenowandIal
ways
encouragedLiam toinvit
eThomasover .They
wouldeitherpl
ayvideogames, chessorchatabout
cars.I
'vewarnedLiam nottotalkaboutgunsoften
becauset hel
astthi
ngIwant edwaspar ents
complainingabouttheirsonknowingmor ethanhe
shouldaboutguns.
Li
am:checkmat
e.
Thomas:howdoyoudot
hati
nsi
xmoves.
Li
am:Ir
eadaboutt
hist
echni
quei
nabook,
it'
scool
.
IshookmyheadatLi am'sintelligence, hewouldgo
farwiththatbrai
n.Iwenttositout sideandcal l
ed
Ethan.Hehadi nformedmeoft hedi l
emmahewas
i
nwi thhiscompanyandt heirl awsui thadal r
eady
appearedonnewspaper ssince1stOneswasat op
archit
ectcompany.Hesoundedst ressedoverthe
phoneandIi nvit
edhimtocomeoverf ordi
nnerjust
totakehismi ndofthi
sthingf oral i
ttl
ewhile.After
thecall,
ItextedCamilat
elli
nghernott oexpectme
toni
ght.Whi l
eEthanhadbeenawayi ntheUKon
thelastfewdays, I
'
vebeenspendi ngmostni ghts
withCami l
a.You'dthi
nkIwoul dhavebeensat i
sfi
ed
withtheexploringbynowandj ustcall
edi tquitsbut
thethoughtofherst i
llexcitedme.Shewasl ikea
drugthatIcoul dn'
tgetenoughof .Myat tract
ionto
herwasbeyondphysi calnow, Iwantedtoknow
whoshewas, whatdroveherandever ythingelse.
Thoughmostt imesshedoesn' tanswert he
personalquestionsIaskher ,
therearet i
meswhen
shetell
smet helit
tl
et hings,whenIseegl impsesof
hersoftersi
de.Thi sthingwi t
hherpr obabl y
wouldn'tendwel lbutfornowIwasenj oyingit.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
I'
vebeenbusywi thschoolworkthat
'swhyIt ookso
l
ongt opost .Lear
ningfrom homeisdiff
icul
tand
comeswi thal otofwork.Hopeyoulikedtheinser
t,
shareyourt houghtsonhowt hi
ngswi l
lendupwi t
h
thecharacters.
TheHi
tWoman
43
_
Et
han
Mydayhadbeenf rustrating.Newspaper swer e
spinni
ngstoriesofhowourar chi
tectswere
suddenlydoingdefect ivedesi gnstor i
poffclients.
Mynamewasment ionedandappar entl
yAndr ew
saidthatIhadbeent oof riendlywit
hhi mtoapoi nt
ofsuspici
on, nott
heot herwayar ound.Hedi dn't
evenhavet hedecencyt ocomet omebuti nstead
wasgoi ngallouttor uint hecompany' sreputation
andmi ne.Sego'si
nvi tef ordinnerwasagoodi dea
todistr
ess.Idrovest raightt oherplaceafter
l
eavingwor k.Shemetmeatt hedoorandhugged
me.
Her
:youmustbest
ressed.
Me:youhavenoi
dea.
Iki
ssedandt
henshel
edmei
nsi
de.
Her:I
'mjustfi
nishi
nguphereandthenI
'
lldi
shup.
YoucanjoinNcebai nt
hel
ivi
ngroom,It
hinkhe'
s
pl
ayingvideogames.
Iheadedt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom andgr
eet
edNceba.
Me:how'
sitgoi
ng?
Hi
m:al
liswel
l.Youwantt
opl
ay?
Me:sur
e.
Hegavemeacont r
ollerandwepl ayedt
il
lSego
fi
nisheddishi
ngup.Shecal ledLiam andweallat
e,
havingali
ghtconversati
on.Af t
erdinner
,Ncebaand
Li
am wentt owashthedi shesandSegol edmet o
herbedroom.
Her
:takeof
fyourshi
rt
,letmegi
veyouamassage.
Me:you'
respoi
li
ngme.
Her:youdeser
vet
obespoil
edaft
ertheroughday
youmusthavehad.Youwantt
otalkaboutit
?
Itol
dherwhatwasgoi ngwi thAndr
ewhaving
somet hi
ngagainstmeandt hecompanyand
wantingtoruinme.Itf
eltgoodtal
kingt
oher,and
herhandsrelaxedmymuscl es.Iwasdamnluckyto
haveawomanl ikeher
.
Me:you'
reanamazi
ngwoman,
youknowt
hat
,ri
ght
?
Her
:becauseI
'
m gi
vingyouagoodmassage?
Me:no,notf
orthatonly.YouknewwhatIwould
needaf
terastr
essfulday,youmakei
teasyforme
total
ktoyouaboutanyt
hing.I
'
mluckytohaveyou
andIwantyoutoknowthatIappr
eciat
eyouandI
hopeImakeyouashappyasyoumakeme.
Shewassi
lentf
oramomentandIsawt
ear
sinher
eyes.
Her:youdomakemehappy,
maybewaymor
ethan
Ideserve.
Me:no,youdeser
veal
lthehappi
nessIcanpossi
bly
gi
veyou.
Iki
ssedher
,apassionat
eki
sst
hatsai
dal
lel
set
hat
wordscoul
dn’
tdescri
be.
_
Segomot
so
Ididn'
tdeserveEthan,hewast hebestpartnerany
womancanhave.Hei sn'
tper
fectbuthelovesme
mor et
hananymanhaseverl oved.Ihadnodoubt
thathewasf ai
thf
ultome, butIdidn'
tgivehi mthe
samef ai
thf
ulness.I'
veevengot t
encomf ortabl
e
withcheati
ngonhi m andherehewascal l
ingme
amazing.Hiswordsmademeemot i
onalandIso
want edtot
ellhi
mthetruth,
buttheconfessi
onwas
stuckonmyt hr
oat
.Ii
nsteadal
lowedhi mtomake
l
ovet othewomanhet houghtIwas, l
ovi
ngand
fait
hful,
nott
hecheaterandkil
lerIhadbecome.
Thenextdayatwor k,Ididn'
tgot oCamila'
sof f
icei
n
themor ningoratl
unchl ikeImostt i
mesdi d.Ihad
plannedonnotseei ngherf orthewholeday, but
sher equestedmet oherof f
icewhenIwasaboutt o
knockof f,att
hepretenceofwant ingtoseethe
wor kdonef oracl
ient.Iheadedtoherof fi
cewi t
h
thewor k.
Me:her
e'swhatwe'
vedonesofar
,youcanhavea
l
ookandgivemethenotesont
hattomorr
ow.
Her
:youi
nahur
ry?
Me:I
'
m aboutt
oknockof
f.
Her
:Iknowbutthisshoul
dn'
ttakemucht
ime.Run
methroughwhatyouhave.
Iknewshedidn'twanttohearaboutwor
k,butI
wasn'
tupt oanythingel
se,soIdi
dwhatsheasked.
Sheli
stened,hereyespi
ercingonmyski
n.
Me:t
hat
'sal
lwehavef
ornow.
Her
:what
'supwi
thyout
oday?
Me:not
hing.
Her
:ist
hatwhyyoucan'
twai
ttogetoutofmysi
ght
?
Me:li
sten,
Idon'
tthi
nkweshoul
dbedoi
ngt
his
anymore.
Her
:what
,tal
king?
Me:youknowwhatImean.
Shest
oodupandmadeherwayaroundt
ome.I
st
ooduptoo,
backi
ngawayal
it
tl
e.
Me:Cami
la,
I'
m ser
ious.
Her:It
houghtyouwer
eenj
oyi
ngt
his,
whyt
he
changeofheart
?
Me:Ij
ustdon'
tfeelupt
oitanymor
e.
Shest oodclosetomeandIcoul dhardlypret
end
thatIwasn'tfeeli
ngher .Sher
aisedherhandand
touchedmybr east,
fli
ckingmynippl
et hroughmy
blouse.
Me:Cami
lapl
ease.
Her
:youwantmet
otouchyoumor
e.
Shedi dn'twai tf
ormet oobj ectandIdi dn'tback
away.Sheki ssedmyneck, heronehandmassagi ng
mybr eastandt heot hermovi ngdownmybody.
Mindyou, t
hedoorwasn’ tlocked, andanyonecoul d
walki nonus, butshedi dn'tcare, andIcoul dbar el
y
thi
nkaboutanyt hingelseot herthanhermout hand
handsonme.Ishoul dhavest oppedher ,Ishould
havet houghtofhowmuchIwoul dhur tEt hanifhe
foundoutaboutt his,butIdidn't.IletCami ll
akiss
me, l
ethersl idemyski rtupandpr essherf i
ngers
oncent erovermyunder wear.Theor gasm r ose
quicklyasherhandmovedr elentlesslyovermeand
Ibitintoherneckt oavoi dbeingl oud.Isatonher
desk, learni
ngmyheadonhershoul derasIcaught
mybr eath.
Her
:youwer
esayi
ng?
Me:Ihat
eyou.
Herchestvi
brat
edwi
thhersi
lentl
aught
er.
Her
:feel
ingi
smut
ualbabygi
rl
.
_
Cami
la
Iprefer r
edmyhookupsshor twithno
compl ications.Usual lyt hatwaseasyf ormeandI
mor et hanwel comedendi ngt herelationshi pbut
wi t
hSego, Iwasn' tsatisf i
edyet .Itcoul dbebecause
i
t'sbeenawhi lesinceI 'vebeenwi thawomanor
thatSegoi ntr
iguedmei nmor ethanj ustasexual
way.Iknewshest illwant edmeandwi thjusta
pusht oaf ewbut tons, Ihadhersur render i
ngt ome.
Shel eftmyof fi
ceandIf inishedof fmywor k.The
Russi anshadi nvit
edmet opl aypokerwi tht hem, so
Idrovet ot heirclub.Iwasagoodpokerpl ayer ,
havingl earntthati twasast epi near ningr espect
from thet opguysandt obeat i
ngt hem att hei rown
game.Theyspokeaboutr andom t hings, car efulnot
toment i
ont oomuchi nf rontofmeandsomet imes
theyspokeRussi an, t
hinki ngIdi dn'tknowt he
l
anguagewel l.
Feodor
e:Howi
sgoi
ngwi
tht
hatUKboy?
Andr
ew:oh,
it'
sgoi
ngqui
tewel
l
,thenewspaper
s
ar
ewor ki
nginmyfavour.Thecompanywi
lll
ose
cl
ient
sandjustcomecrumblingdown.
Feodor
e:I
sn'
tthenameoft
hecompany1stOnes?
Andr
ew:iti
s,i
twoul
dbei
roni
cwheni
tsei
zest
obe
t
hefi
rstone.
Thiswasasaf etopictheydi
dn'
tmindt
alki
ngabout
tome, Feodoreeventoldmewhotheywere
ref
err
ingt o.
Him:t hi
sboyi sf r
om theUK, hi
sfatherwasBri
an
Sibiya,abigshotj ustl
ikeusbuthegotar r
est
edand
pleadguilty.Heescapedaf ewyearslat
erandhas
sincedisappear ed,hemustbedead.Hi ssonisnow
runninghisar chit
ectcompanyandhe' smade
enemi es,sothingswon' tendwellf
orhim.
Andr
ew:he'
llprobabl
yrunbackt
otheUKoncehi
s
nameist
arnished.
Me:ar
eyousur
ehi
sfat
herwon'
tcomeaf
teryou?
Andr
ew:pr
ett
ysure,evenifhei
ssti
llal
ive,
he
woul
dn'
tbeasresourcef
ulasheusedtobe.
Af
teraf
ewhour
s,Il
eftt
hem anddr
ovet
omy
apartment.Inot i
cedacart aili
ngme, soIdr ove
aroundti
llitstoppedf ol
lowingme.Thenext
mor ni
ng,Istartedatthegym bef orewor k.WhenI
exit
edthegym, headingt omycar ,Inot iced
someonewat chingme.Theper son, whoIwassur e
wasawomanbecauseofherphysi que, stoodata
dist
ancef r
om t hegym, wear i
ngdar kcl othes,witha
hoodiehidingherf ace.Ireali
zedthati twasn’ tthe
fi
rstti
meIwasseei ngthiswomanandwonder ed
whoshewasorwhosenther .Shet urnedand
walkedawaywhenshenot icedthatIhadspot t
ed
her.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
I
'vegotbacktobackassi
gnmentsandtest
s,next
i
nsertwil
lpr
obablycomeaft
ernextweek
Wednesday.
TheHi
tWoman
44
_
Jessi
ca
Cami labecamever yobser vantaf tershesawme
watchi ngher .Imadesur etokeepmydi stanceso
shecoul dn'tseemeagai n,butIdi dn'tstop
fol
lowi ngher .Nowt hatmymar riagewasover ,Ihad
nothingel set odowi thmyt ime.Wat chingCami l
a
wasn' tsat i
sfact
oryenoughanymor e,i
twasabout
ti
mesheknewt hatIwasbackandt hatIhadn' t
for
got tenaboutherandal lthet hingsshedi dand
mademedo.Sher uinedmyl i
feandIwant edtorui
n
hers.Bef or eappr
oachi ngher ,Ideci dedt ocontact
hergir l
fri
end'sboyf r
iend.Isentanemai ltohim wit
h
somephot osofCami l
aandhi sgi rlf
ri
end.They
werecaut iousenoughnott opl ayar oundi npublic
orevent oucheachot herbuttheysl ippedaf ew
ti
mesatt heshoot i
ngr angeandIt ookpi ct
ures.The
boyfriendi sboundt obesuspi ciouswhenhesees
thepict uresandhopef ul
lythebl ackbi tchwi l
lend
thi
ngswi thCami la.
_
Et
han
Thearchi
tect
'sl
apt
opwasf oundtohavebeen
hackedandallt
hedigi
talcopiesofdesi
gnsfor
Andrew'swar ehousewer etemper edwi t
h.That
didn'
tprovethatAndr ew'swast heonebehi ndthe
hackingandt emperingbutwef i
ledal awsuit
againsthim andhopedt ogett heoneagai nstus
dismissedandr egai
nwhat 'slostoft hecompany's
reputati
on.Mydaysatwor kwer eexhaust i
ngwith
backt obackmeet i
ngwi ththepar tnersandlawyer
s.
Andrew'shadst art
edashi tst
or m andIhadt omake
surehedi dn'
tsucceedi ntr
yingt odestroymy
company.
Igotanemai lf rom anemai l
addr essIdidn' tknow,
andi thadpi ct uresofSegowi t
hCami l
a,they
appear edtobeki ssingandver ycosy.ImetCami l
a
whenIwashel pingSegomovei ntothenewhouse
wit
hNceba.Ther ewasn' tevenapr operi
nt roducti
on
betweenus, Cami l
ahadbeeni nhur rytodumpLi am
onSegoandgetgoi ng.Segohadt oldmet hataft
er
Cami lahadki ssedher ,
shehadt oldherthatshe
wasst raight,wi thaboyf ri
endandnoti nterestedin
her.Thesepi ctur essaidsomet hi
ngel se,butI
decidednott oj umpt oconclusions, Iwasgoi ngto
gi
veSegot hebenef itofthedoubt ,
afterallItrust
ed
hernott oli
etome.Ical
ledheraft
erwork,
andshe
tol
dmet ocomeoveratherplaceforsometake
outs.Idrovetoherpl
aceandfoundherbusywith
herwor k.
me:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
her:I
'
mfi
ne,I
'
m nottheonewitht
hecompany
faci
ngal
awsuitr
ightnow.How'
sitgoi
ng?
me:al
oti
sgoi
ngon,
thi
sthi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
odr
agout
.
her:i
tmustbedrai
ning.Hopeyoudon'
tmindthat
I'
m goingtoor
dersomepizzaandchi
cken.I
'
mt ir
ed
ofcooking.
me:hey,t
hisi
syourhouse,youcookwheneveryou
wanttoandpi
zzaandchickensoundgood.
Il
eftthephot
osfort
helaterandjustenj
oyeddinner
wi
thherandtheboys.Ishowedhert hepi
ctur
es
af
terwardswhenwewer einherbedroom.
her
:wher
edi
dyougett
hesef
rom?
me:emai
lfr
om someoneIdon'
tknow.
her
:meani
ngsomeonewasf
oll
owi
ngme,
wat
chi
ng
meorCamil
aclosel
y.
me:t
hosepi
ctur
esar
etel
li
ng.
her:yes,t
heyarewhichmusthavebeent
he
sender’si
ntent
ion.
Shel
ookedupatmef
oramoment
.
her:thosepict
uresaren'tl
ying.It ol
dCamilavery
cl
ear l
ythatI'
m noti
nt er
estedi nherthatwayandl et
mej ustsaythatshe'spersistent.Shehaskissed
meandt r
iedseducingmeIt hinkbutI'
vereminded
herthatI'
m str
aight
.
me:ifshecan'
ttakenof
orananswer
,whynotj
ust
cutcontactwi
thher?
her:I
t'
snott hateasy,I
'
mt r
yingtobutshe'
smy
boss,I'
mlivinginherfather'
shousethatshegave
meandI 'm practi
cal
lyraisi
ngherli
ttl
ebrot
herf or
her.Thesephot osmusthavebeent akenaf ew
weeksagobecausenowIdokeepsomedi stance
fr
om her,andshehasn' ttri
edkissi
ngmeagai n.
Itmadesensewhatshesai
d,andIt
rust
edhert
o
handl
ethesit
uat
ionwit
hthi
swoman.
_
Segomot
so
Iexpect edEthant oseef rom theget -got hatIwas
l
yingandpoi nti tout ,buthebel ievedmeanddi dn' t
askanymor equest ions.Thatshoul dhaveputme
atease, butitdi dn't,Ifeltgui l
tythatEt hant rusted
mesomuchandbel ievedmyl i
eswi thoutadoubt .
Thef ir
stthoughtIhadwhenIsawt hepi ctureswas
thatheal readyknewever ythi
ngaboutCami l
aandI
andwhenIsawt hathedi dn't
,thel iesjustcame
effortl
esslytome.Ishoul dhavet akent hemoment
totellhimt het r
ut h, butIl i
edt hroughmyt eeth.
Bef or
et hesepi ctures, thel it
tl
et hingIhavewi th
Cami lawasj ustsomet hingIwaskeepi ngf r
om
EthanbutnowIwasl yingr ighttohi sfaceabouti t ,
denyingi tli
ket hecheat erIwas.Ial sowonder ed
whohadsenthi mt hepi cturesandwhy.I twascl ear
someonehadbeenf ollowi ngmeandCami l
aand
evenwentt oext remel engt hst ot aket hosepi ctur es
attheshoot i
ngr ange.IaskedEt hant of orwar dthe
emai ltomeandpl annedonshowi ngi ttoCami l
a,
maybeshewoul dknowwhot hehel lwaswat ching
us.Ionl yappr oachedCami l
aaf terIknockedof fthe
nextdayandIwait
edtoseeherleave,notwant
ing
hertoseducemeinheroff
iceagain.Thi
stimeI
real
lywasgoingt
oendthisthi
ngwehad.She
l
ookedupatmeasIappr oachedher.
her
:Iwaswonder
ingwhenIwoul
dseeyou.
me:weneedt
otal
k.
her
:sur
e.
Ishowedhert
heemai
landshest
aredatt
he
pict
uresf
oramoment
.
her
:thesepi
ctur
esl
ookhot
.
me:r
eal
ly,
that
'sal
lyouhavet
osay?
her
:Someone'
sbeenfol
lowi
ngme,andthese
pi
ctur
espr
ovethati
t'
sbeenforawhi
le.
me:whoist
hisper
sonandwhyt hehel
ldi
dhesend
t
hesepi
ctur
estomyboyfr
iend?
her
:she.
me:what
?
her
:it
'sawoman.
me:yourex-
gir
lf
ri
end?
her
:no.
Shewasver ycal
m aboutt
his,
mucht
omy
annoyance.
me:Cami
laIgetyougotnot hi
ngtol
osebutIcoul
d
l
osemyboyfri
endoverthis.Thi
swomanisclearl
y
outt
orui
nmyr el
ati
onship.
her:It
oldyouguysfindthesestuf
fhot
,your
boyfri
endprobabl
yisn'
twor r
iedmuchaboutt
his.
me:he'snotworr
iedbecauseIliedt
ohim andhe
easi
lybeli
evedmebecausehet rust
sme.Youneed
togetthi
sstal
kerthingofyour
ssortedoutandt
his
funwe'vebeenhaving,i
t'
saboutti
meweendedi t
.
I'
m done.
her
:okay,
letmedr
opyouof
fatyourpl
ace.
me:no,
I'
llt
akeat
axi
.
Inoti
cedawomanwat chi
ngusfr
om acrossthe
parki
nglot
,shedi
dn'
teventr
ytopret
endthatshe
wasn't
.
me:i
sthatt
hewoman?
her
:yep,
thoughshe'
slessdi
sgui
sednow.
Thewomanappr
oachedusandsmi
ledwhenshe
gott
ous.
her
:Cami
laDavi
s.
Cami l
awassil
entf
oramomentandt houghher
expressi
onwasunreadabl
easalways,
Icoul
dtel
l
thatther
ewassomet ensi
onbet
weenherandthe
woman.
Cami
la:Jessi
ca.
Theystar
edateachf
oral
it
tl
ewhi
leandt
hen
Jessi
caturnedt
ome.
her
:don'tbemeanCami
la,
int
roducemet
oyour
gi
rl
fri
end.
Cami
la:I
'
veneverbeent
hef
ri
endl
ytype.
Jessi
ca:ohyeah,
howcoul
dIhavef
orgot
tent
hat
.
Thatwasmyquet
oleave.
me:I
'
llgetat
axil
ikeIsai
dIwoul
d.
_
Cami
la
Fewpeoplecansurpr
iseme.Ialwayspr i
demysel
f
i
nbeing2stepsaheadofsomeonebutatt hi
s
moment,Jessi
cahadt heupperhand,butIwas
al
readyt
hinki
ngofhowIcoul dgetaheadofher.
me:Iseethear
mytaughtyouhowt
obeast
alker
,
you'
vedoneanout
standi
ngjob.
her
:Iwoul
dn'tcal
lmysel
fastal
ker
,thatwoul
d
meanI'
m obsessedwi
thyou.
me:don'
tbeaf
rai
dtoadmi
titi
fyouwer
e.
her
:nowt
hear
mydi
dteachmenott
obeaf
rai
d.
me:whendi
dyougetbackher
e?
her
:af
ewmont
hsago.
me:Isee.
Shemusthavekepttabsonmef rom t
hemoment
shel
andedinSA.Ihadn'texpectedtoseeJessi
ca
agai
nandIfi
guredifshecamebackt oSA,she
woul
dwanttobef arfr
om me, butIwaswrong.
her
:howaboutwegetadr
inkandcat
chup?
me:sur
e,whynot
.
her
:let
'st
akeyourcar
,I'
l
lcomebackf
ormi
ne.
Il
edt
hewayt
omycar
,andwegoti
nsi
de.
her
:yourgi
rl
fr
iendi
sbeaut
if
ul.
me:classyofyout
osendi
nti
mat
epi
ctur
esofust
o
herboyfri
end.
Sher
aisedhereyebr
owsbutdi
dn'
tdenyi
t.
her
:youwer
eal
wayssmar
t,t
hathasn'
tchanged.
me:Icansayt
hesameaboutyou.
Idrovet
oanear
byr
est
aur
antwher
ewegotat
abl
e
fortwo.
her:t
hisremindsmeoftheolddays,
youal
ways
l
ikedtheseinti
mat
erest
aurants.
me:Il
ikedal
otoft
hings.
Weor
der
edourmeal
andgotsomewi
ne.
me:wantt
otel
lmewhatyoucamebackf
or?
her:Ij
ustmi
ssedmyhomecount
ryandaf
ew
people.
Isi
ppedmywi
ne,
wai
ti
ngf
orhert
osaymor
e.
her:okay,seemsl i
keyouwantmet ogot heresoI
wil
l.Wewer eyoung,inl
oveli
keidi
otsandshi t
happenedt henwebr okeeachother
’shearts,I
'
m
pastthatandIt houghti
twouldbeniceifwemet
again.
me:shi
thappened,
huh?
Webot hknewthatwasavaguedescr i
pti
onofhow
badlythi
ngsturnedoutbetweenus.AndIknewthat
shewasn'tpastwhathappenedandhadsomepl an
togetbackatme.Iwasn'tsurewherehermental
stat
ewasatsoIwoul dhavetothr
eadcaref
ull
y
aroundher.Shecouldbeamadwomanwhenf el
t
l
ikeit.
TheHi
tWoman
45
_
Segomot
so
Iwascur
iousaboutJessi
ca,
whoshewastoCamil
a,
whyshewasfoll
owingCamil
aandtaki
ngpi
ctur
es
ofusandwhyt hehel
lshesentthem toEt han.I
guessedthatshemustbeCami l
a'sex-gi
rlfr
iend.
Camilahadn'ttol
dmemuchaboutherpr evious
rel
ati
onshipswi t
hwoman,allIknewwast hatI
wasn'tt
hef i
rstwomanshewasi nter
estedin.
ThenextdaywasaSat ur daysoIwentt othecentre
thatIwasvol unt eer i
ngat .Ispent3hour sthereand
checkeduponaf ewwomenIhadbecomef ondof .
Anat hihadset tledi nwel landwassl owlyhealing
emot ionallyaf terherhusband" disappeared".She
wasst i
llafraidt hathewoul dcomebackbutI
assur edhert hathewoul dn’tandt hatthecentre
wasasaf epl acef orher .Iconsi der edmakingsur e
thatthedeadbodyoft henextabusi vemanIt ook
careofwoul dbef oundsot hatthewomancoul d
feelcompl etelysaf eandassur ed.Af t
ermyjobwas
doneatt hecent er, Idecidedt ogot oCami l
a'splace.
Ijustwant edt oknowi fthei ssuewi t
hJessicawas
sortedoutandt hatshewoul dn'tbesendi ngmor e
photosoranyt hingel set oEt han.Igot oherplace
andknocked.Iwassur pr isedwhenJessi caopened
thedoor ,
wear i
ngj ustashi rtwhi chIwassur ewas
Cami
la'
s.
her
:hi
,ni
ceofyout
ojoi
nus.
Camilacamebehindher
,dressedi
njeansandabr a.
Herexpressi
onwasherusualcoolsel
f.Shespoke
toJessi
caf i
rst
.
Cam:whosai
dyoucoul
dopent
hedoor
?
Jess:sorr
y,It
houghtf
ucki
nggavemet
hose
pri
vil
eges.
Cam:gogetdr
essed.
Jessicasmi
ledatmeandt henwal
kedaway.I
star
edatCamilaindi
sbel
ief.
me:whatwast
hat
?
her
:whati
tlookedl
ike.
me:st
upi
dquest
ion,
letmej
ustl
eave.
It
urnedt
oleavebutCami
la'
svoi
cest
oppedme.
her
:wai
t.
Il
ookedatherandshewassi
lentf
oramoment
.
her
:takecar
eofyour
sel
f.
Thosewor dsmademepauseandIf oundi thardto
beli
evethattheycamef rom Camila.Thosewor ds
usuall
ymeansomeonecar i
ngforyou, butCami l
a
hadmadei tcl
earthatwhatwehadwasj ustfunand
shedidn'tcareaboutme.Ijustf
oundherwi th
anotherwomanandal lshecoul
dsayt omewas
thatIshouldtakecareofmyself.Cami l
awi llremail
amyst er
yt ome.
me:yout
ooCami
la,
yout
oo.
_
Cami
la
Iwenttomybedr oom af
terSegol
eft.Jessi
cahadn'
t
gott
endressedandwasst il
lwear
ingmyshi r
twhich
Inevergaveherpermi
ssiontowear.
me:okay,
howaboutyout
ellmewhati
tisyouwant
f
rom me?
her:somegoodsex,youmustadmi t
,wear
est
il
l
goodi nbedevenaf
teral
ltheseyear
s.
me:expl
aint
omet heli
tt
lest
untyoujustpul
led,
weari
ngmyshir
t,answeri
ngthedoor
?
her
:don'
ttel
lmeIcausedsomepr
obl
emsf
oryou
wit
hyourgir
lf
ri
end?
me:no, youdon'tgetanycredi
tfort
hat
.Shewas
readytoendthingsevenbef or
eyousentt
he
pict
urestoherboyf r
iend.
her
:andyou'
reokaywi
tht
hat
?
me:whywoul
dn'
tI,
wewer ejusthavi
ngf
unandi
t
wasboundt
ocomet oanend.
her
:youcar
eabouther
,don'
tyou?
me:car
eisabi
gwor
d,wehadf
unandIenj
oyedher
.
her
:asmuchasyouenj
oyedme?
me:howdoesyourwif
efeelaboutt
his,
shemust
notbehappywi
thyousti
lll
usti
ngaft
eryourex-
gi
rl
fri
end.
her
:Iseeyoudi
dyourhomewor
konme.
me:yes,Iknowshel
eftyouandal
lyoudonowi
s
obsessoverme.Whatisyouwant
?
her
:obsess?
me:yes,
that
'sexact
lywhatyouar
edoi
ng.I
'
m no
f
oolJessi
ca.
Shesatbackont
hebedandst
aredatme.
her:whati
sitt
hatIcouldwantfr
om you,
Ijust
missedyouandthoughtwhynotseeifwestil
lhad
thatfl
amebetweenus,doyourememberthat?
me:Ido,
andI
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
nreki
ndl
ingi
t.
her
:okay,
howaboutIj
ustl
eave.
Shestoodandgotdr essed.Iwat
chedher,
wonderingwhatshewoul ddonext.Iwassur
ethat
thi
swoul dn'
tbethelastt
imeIwouldseeherand
thenexttime,t
hingsmighttur
nbadly.
her
:callmeifyouchangeyourmi
nd,
I'
m sur
eyou
caneasil
ygetmynumber .
Thethingaboutyourfi
rstl
oveisthati
t'
shardto
resi
st,t
hat'
showIf el
twhenJessicasuggest
edt hat
weheadt omypl aceaft
erdinner
.Lustandcuri
osity
mixedtogether
,andIthoughtwhynot,Ifi
gur
edshe
wasn'tthet
ypetopullaknif
eorgunonmewhi lewe
wereinbed.
_
Et
han
"Fi
r stOnesAr chitectsisthel eadingcompanyi nthe
architectindust r
yandwear en'tatthetopbecause
wemakedef ecti
vedesi gns.Wehavequal i
fied
architectswhoknowt heirwor kwellandtheai mi s
tosat isfyallcli
entsandt hat '
swhathasput
FirstOnesatt hetop.Allthedesi gnst hearchitect
s
havedesi gnedar enothingbutt hebest.Wehave
madedesi gnsforsever alhot el
s,mallsandbi g
buildings.Notoncehast herebeencl ai
msofa
defect ivedesignmadebyoneofourar chitectsand
thecl aim againstusnowi snott r
ue.First
Ones
Archi t
ect sstri
vesf orperfectionintheindust r
yand
that'swhati t'
sbeendel i
ver i
ng."
Thestatementmadeont heal l
egati
onsagainstthe
companywaspr intedonmanynewspaper sandwe
hadsomel oyalclientsbackingusup.Ihadhopes
thatt
hist hi
ngwoul dblowoverandwewoul dbe
abletoprovet hatAndr ewhadi nfacttr
iedt
o
destr
oyt hecompanywi t
hf alseclai
ms.Thatwoul d
takesomet i
me, soIhadt oendur et hemeetings
withl
awyer sandcour tmeet i
ngs.Br ucecal
ledme
andIgavehi
m ar
undownofwhatwashappeni
ng.
him:cl
ear
lyAndrew'shassomethi
ngagainstthe
company.He'saRussianandhewon'treactwel
l
whenhisplantotakeyoudownisn'
tsuccessful
.
me:whatcanhedo,
kil
lme?
him:Idon'
tknow,hemightt
ryt
o.Youshould
consi
dergett
ingabodyguar
dforyour
sel
f.
me:no,
abodyguard?Thatwouldbetoomuch,
Andr
ew'shasnot
hingpersonalagai
nstme.
hi
m:hewi
llwhenhi
snameget
srui
ned.
me:letmedealwi
ththi
sthi
ngfir
st,I
'
llseet
oot
her
t
hingsaft
ert
heselawsui
tsarehandl
ed.
_
Brucesatwithhi
swi
feoutsi
de,enj
oyingt
he
eveni
ngair.Hewasworr
iedabouthissonand
consi
deredwhathecoul
ddo.
Br
uce:howwoul
dyouf
eelaboutmegoi
ngt
oSAf
or
al
it
tl
ewhile?
Susan:whywoul
dyougot
her
e?
Br
uce:Et
hani
shavi
ngt
roubl
ether
e,Iwantt
ohel
p
hi
m.
Susan:you'
reawant
edmanBr
uce,
youcan'
tjust
showupt her
e.
Bruce:I
t'sbeenoveradecadeandI '
m notpl
anning
onannounci ngmyselft
heretothepubli
corthe
poli
ce.Peoplearemessingwithmysont hi
nking
thatI
'm dead,Ican'
thavethat
.
Susan:i
twi
llber
iskyBr
uce.
Bruce:I
'
m wi l
li
ngtot
akethatri
skformyson,I
've
j
ustreunit
edwi t
hhim andIcan'
thavehi
m ki
ll
edby
somepeopl ewhohaveavendettaagai
nstmeormy
company.
Susancouldn'tgeti
nthewayofBr
ucepr
otecti
ng
Ethan,
hewoul dbedevastat
edi
fhedi
dnothingand
Ethangotkil
led.
TheHi
tWoman
46
SEASONFI
NALE
_
Jessi
ca
Il
ookedatt hedivorcepapersthathadbeensentt o
me.Emilywasser iousaboutnotwant i
ngmei nher
l
ife,
butIjustcouldn'taccepti
t.Idial
ledhernumber
andhopedt hatshewoul danswer .Shedid.
her
:hel
lo.
me:heyEmi
ly.
her
:canIhel
pyouwi
thsomet
hing?
me:Igott
hedi
vor
cepaper
s.
her
:good,i
fyoucoul
djustsi
gnt
hem sowebot
h
cancont
inuewit
hourli
ves.
me:Emi l
yjustgi
vemeonel astchanceplease,I
needyouinmyl if
e.You'
remysani tyandIpromise
tonevermentionCamil
a'
sname, I'
llmakeyou
happyagain.
her:t
hisi
sn'
taboutCami
laandI
'm sor
ry,
butIcan'
t
getbackwit
hyou.I'
m movi
ngbackhome.
Ihadonel
astcar
dtoplay,
aconf
essi
onIshoul
d
havet
oldherl
ongago.
me:Ther
e'ssomet
hingInevert
oldyou.
her
:whati
sit
?
me:(sigh)Ihaveament ali
ll
nesst
hatfucksupwith
mymi nd.Bei
ngbackinSAwasal otf
ormeand
thi
nkingaboutCami l
a,Ijustl
osti
tandobsessed
overherandget t
ingbackather.
her
:Idon'
tunder
stand,
whenwereyoudiagnosed
wit
hthi
smentali
ll
nessandwhati
sitreal
ly?
me:BPD, border
linepersonalit
ydi sorder.Iwas
diagnosedwi thitwhenIwasat eenagerandIt ook
medsf orit.Themedshel pedmeal otandaf t
era
fewyear sIstoppedt aki
ngt hem andIwasf i
ne, wit
h
j
ustmi nimalsympt omsbutIdi dn'tneedt otaket he
medsagai n.ThestressI'
vehadf orthepastcoupl e
mont hshasbeenal otformeandl eftmewi th
unstablemoodsandemot i
ons,hencemybehavi our.
her
:So,i
nallt
heyearsweweretoget
her,i
tnever
cametoyouthatyoushoul
dtel
lmethis?
me:Iwasashamedanddi
dn'
twantyout
hinki
ng
t
hatIwascrazy.
her
:andnowyou'r
etel
li
ngmebecauseyouwant
meback,youar
eusingyouri
ll
nessasanexcuse.
me:I '
m not
.IknowIwaswrongandthatIshould
havet ol
dyouabouthowIwasfeel
ingandgotten
helpagain,
butIwasashamedanddidn'
twantyou
seeingmedi f
fer
ent
ly.
her:Gethel
pthenJessi
ca,butI'
m sorr
y,Ist
il
lcan'
t
bewi t
hyouandnothingyousaywi l
lchangeyour
mind.Ihopeyoutakecareofyoursel
fandbeable
tol
ivewithoutme.
Sheendedt hecal landIstar
edatt hephonei n
frustr
ati
onbeforet hrowi
ngitacrossther oom.I
thoughtIhadf oundever l
ast
inglove,thatEmi l
ywas
goingtobet hewomanIcoul dspendt her estofmy
l
ifewi t
h.Ihaditallfi
guredoutuntilIcamebackt o
SA, unti
lCamil
ai nvadedmyt houghts.Thishadt o
stop,IneedtogiveCami laatasteofherown
medi ci
ne.
_
Segomot
so
*
*Ineedt
otal
ktoyou,
it'
sur
gent
.Canyoucomet
o
t
hisaddr
essASAP.
**
Ifrowned, rereadingt het extandwonder ingwhat
Cami l
awant edt ot al
kt omeaboutandwhyshe
want edmet ocomet oapl aceIdidn'tknow.I
haven' tseenorspokent oheri naweek, evenat
wor k.Itwasal mostl i
kewewer eavoidingeach
other ,
orIwasj ustavoi dingher ,andshedi dn'tcare.
Idebat edgoingt oher ,notwant ingtof i
ndmysel f
seducedbyheragai nbutcur i
ositygotthebet terof
meandIcal l
edanUberandgavet hedr i
verthe
addr essCami l
at exted.Thedr i
verdroppedmeof f
andIst ar
edatt hehouset hatCami lawas
appar entl
yat .Itextedhert hatIwasout sideanda
fewsecondssher epliedt hatIshouldcomei nside.I
hesitatedandaskedherwhyshewant edmet o
comeher .
*
*Justcomei
nsi
de,
I'
llt
ellyou.
**
Iwenttoknockandafewsecondsl
atert
hedoor
opened,andJessi
casmi
ledatme.
her
:thanksf
orcomi
ng.
me:wher
e'sCami
la?
her
:she'
snother
ebutshemi
ghtbej
oini
ngusl
ater
.
It
ookast
epback,
eyi
nghercaut
iousl
y.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
her
:Il
iveher
e.
me:wasCami
lat
heonewhot
ext
edmeorwasi
t
you?
her
:smar
t,IseewhyCami
lal
ovesyou.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatsituat
ionIhadgot
tenmysel
fint
o,
buti
tdi
dn'tl
ookgood.
me:I
'
m goi
ngt
oleavenow,
ther
e'snor
easonf
orme
t
obehere.
Shepul
ledoutagunf
rom behi
ndherandpoi
ntedi
t
atme.
her
:youar
egoi
ngt
ocomei
nsi
de,
andwe'
l
lhavea
ni
cechat
.
AfterIgotmyhandgun,Ihadconsideredhavingit
myhandbagal lt
hetimebutlaterdeci
dedtoj ust
keepitsafeatmyplace.Ir
egrett
edthatdecision
nowbecauseher ewasamadwomanpul li
ngagun
atmefornor
eason.Shel
edmei
nsi
deandkeptt
he
gunatt
hebackofmyhead.
me:whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
her
:justt
ohaveachatwi
thyou.
Shemademesitdownonacouchandsatopposi
te
me,t
hegunnotl
eavingmyf
ace.
her
:Iwasonceinyourshoesyouknow,
madlyin
l
ovewit
hCamilaandindulgi
ngint
hewonderofher
.
me:I
'
m noti
nlovewi
thCami
la.
her:maybe,butI'
m don'tcar
eaboutt
hat.Iwantt
o
tel
lyouaboutCami laandwhosheis.She'sr
uthl
ess,
youknowt hatdon'tyou?
me:Ido.
her:Beingruthl
essbyherselfi
sn'tsat
isfactor
y
enoughf orher,
shewantstoseeanot herper sonbe
justli
keher.Whydoyout hinkshewast eaching
youhowt ousearif
le?Shetaughtmet ooandIwas
curiouswhyshel i
kedri
fl
essomuch.If oundout
shewasahi tmanandIconf r
ontedher.Shewas
smar t,
shefigur
edoutthatdenyingitwoul dn'
thelp
soshet
oldmeaboutherl
atestt
arget
.
ShewascrazyandasmuchasIwasaf
rai
d,I
remai
nedcalm,l
ett
inghert
alk.
her:Ont hedayshewasgoi ngt odot hehi
t,she
tookmewi thher.Gavemear ifl
eandt ol
dmet oaim
attheguyandshoot .Ithoughtshewasj okingbut
realisedthatshewasdeadser ious.WhenIr efused
todowhatsheasked, shepulledagunonmeand
forcedmet oshoothert arget.Isti
lllovedhereven
afterthat.Ourrelat
ionshipwasmessedupaf ter
thatandwhenwebr okeup, Cami l
awasdet ermi ned
tor uinmyl i
fe.Sheki l
ledmysi sterjusttohurt.I'
ll
hur thertoonow, she'l
lknowwhatIwentt hrough.
Ididn'
tknowhowIwoul dgetmysel
foutofthis,
but
Iprayedformylif
e,prayedshewouldn'
tpullt
he
tr
iggerbecauseshelooked,shewouldwit
hno
hesit
ati
on.
_
Cami
la
**Thewomanyouclai
m nott
ocareabout,
Igother
atmyplace,
andI
'l
lblowherbrai
nsout-J**
Icall
edSegobutshedi dn'
tanswerherphone.
Jessicawasbei ngcrazynowandIknewshecoul d
kil
lSegoj ustt
ogetbackatme.Igotheraddr ess
anddr ovetoherplace.Herdoorwasopen, soI
wenti nsi
deandf ol
lowedhervoicet
otheliving
room.SegosatonacouchandJessi cawas
opposi t
eherwithagunpoi nt
edather.
me:whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
Jessi
ca:ni
ceofyout
ojoi
nus.
me:you'
recr
azy,
youknowt
hat
,ri
ght
?
her
:youf
uckedupmyli
fe,
didyout
hinkIwasj
ust
goi
ngtol
etthatgo.
me:so,
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo,
shootherand
t
henwhat?
her:youcameherebecauseyoucar
eabouther
,
don'tactl
ikeyoudon'
t.
me:whenwast
hel
astt
imeyout
ookyourmeds?
her
:don'
tmesswi
thmeCami
la.
me:didyoust
opt
aki
ngt
hem,
ist
hatwhyyou'
rel
ike
t
his?
her
:I'
l
lshoother
,IswearIwi
ll
.
me:shoot
ingherwon'tmakeyoufeelbet
ter
,you'
re
cr
azyandthatwil
lneverchange.
Herhandswer
eshaking,
andshewasmore
f
ocusedonmet hanSegowhi
chwasgood.
her
:youcan'
tgeti
nmyheadl
ikeyouusedt
o.
Thosedaysar
egone.
me:Idon'thavet
ogeti
nyourhead,
you'
real
ready
obsessi
ngoverme.
her
:your
uinedmyl
i
fe.
me:no,
your
uinedyourl
if
e.I
twasal
lyou.
Itookmychancet hen,hur
ryi
ngtogetthegunfrom
her.Shefi
redatSego'sdir
ecti
on,
butheraiming
waswr ong,andsheshotthewall
.Iwrestl
edherfor
thegunandendedupshoot i
ngherl
egbeforeIgot
thegun.
her
:youbi
tch!
Isteppedawayf
rom herandshecl
utchedher
bleedi
ngleg.
me:youshouldhavenevercomebackhere.I
coul
dn'
tki
llyou10yearsagobutt
oday,Iwill
.
her
:ki
llmej
ustl
ikeyouki
ll
edmysi
ster
?
me:Ineverki
ll
edher
,butt
hatdoesn'
tmat
ter
.
her
:si
ncewhen.
..ar
eyoual
i
ar.
me:I'
veneverbeenone,
butyou'
veal
waysbeen
cr
azy.
Sego:
Cami
la.
Jessi
ca:Ihopeyoudieaslowpai
nfuldeat
h,
becausethat
'swhatyoudeser
ve.
Ishothert
wiceonherchestandSegoscr
eamed.
Sego:
Cami
lawhatt
hehel
l?
me:Ij
ustsavedyourl
if
e.
her
:youj
ustki
ll
edher
.
me:Idi
d,shewasaski
ngf
ori
t.
her
:whatt
hehel
lhappenedbet
weenyout
wo?
me:youdon'twanttoknow.Comeonl
etmedr
ive
youtoyourplace.
Shest
aredatmei
ndi
sbel
ief
.
her
:andt
hisher
e?
me:I
'
llcl
eanupanddumpherbody.
her
:you'
recr
azy.
me:you'
rewelcomeandl astt
imeIchecked,thi
s
i
sn'tt
hefi
rstpersonyou'
vewatchedmeki l
l.You
haveali
stofyourown.
her
:thi
sisn'
taboutme,youdidn'
thavet
oki
llher
.
Whyam Ieveninvol
vedinthi
s?
me:l
et'
sgo.
SheglancedatJessi
ca'
sbodyandthenmadeher
wayout.Ifol
lowedbehi
ndherandlockedt
hedoor
.I
wouldret
urntocleanupanddumpherbody,
nobodywouldknowwhathappened.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Apologi
esfornotpost
ingf
orsolong,
Iwasbusy
wit
hf i
nalassi
gnmentsandst
udyingf
oranexam.
Thest
orywi
llbecomi
ngt
oanendsoon.
TheHi
tWoman
SEASONFI
NALE
47
_
Segomot
so
Cami l
awasr i
ght,itwasn' tthef irsttimeIwi tnessed
herki l
lsomeone, butIwasst illshockedather
ruthlessness.YeahJessi cawascr azy, want i
ngt o
killmeandCami lasavedmyl if
e, butshedi dn' thave
toki l
lJessi ca.Shewasal r
eadydownwhenCami l
a
shotherl egandCami lashoul dhavel efti
tt here,but
sheobvi ousl ywant edtobeherr uthlesssel fandki l
l
wi thouthesi tati
on.Thef actt hatshewascal m
afterwar dswast errif
ying.Idon' tevenknowwhyher
behavi oursur pr
isedmet histime, t
hat'sthewayshe
i
s.Goodt hingshedi dn'tthreat enmet hist i
me, she
justdr oppedmeof fanddi dn' tsayanyt hing.I
pour edmysel faglassofwi neandsatout side.
tryingt oridmymi ndofCami laandhercr azyex.I
browsedt hr oughsoci almedi aandsawanar ti
cle
aboutt helawsui tagainstEt han' scompany.I thad
beendi smissedandAndr ewPet rovwasbei ng
accusedofdef amat ionamongot herthings.Iwas
happyf orEthan,hehadbeensost ressedaboutt hi
s
andt hisRussianguydeser vedalltheaccusat i
ons
thrownathi m becauset heywer etrue,andhehad
almostr ui
nedEt han'scompany.Ideci dedt o
surprisehim wit
hsomet hingniceandr omant icat
hisplace.Icookedani cedinneranddi shedupf or
theboysbef oreputtingtheot herfoodincont ainers
totaket oEthan'
spl ace.Iwentt oNceba' sroom
wher ehewasbusyst udyi
ng.
me:I'
m goingtoEthan'spl
aceandI
'l
lbebacklate.
I
'vedishedupdinnerforyouandLi
am andIexpect
t
of i
ndt hehousei
ngoodshapewhenIcomeback.
him:yousai
dyou'l
lbebackl
ater
,sowewon'
thave
enoughti
met odomuchdamage.
Igl
aredathi
m andhel
aughed.
hi
m:go,
youknowwe'
regoodki
ds.
me:yeah,
butIj
usthadt
oremi
ndyou,
that
'sl
ikei
n
par
enti
ng101.
IpassedbyLiam'sroom,checki
nguponhim bri
efl
y
befor
eleavi
ng.Istar
tedatthemallf
ir
standgota
fewt hingsbef oreheadi ngtoEt han'splace.Icalled
him ont heway, maki ngsur et hathehadn' tgotten
homeyet .Hehadgi venmehi skey, soIusedi tt o
getin.Itookoutt hef oodandheat editbefore
cleaningaround.Ther ewasn' tmucht oclean,justa
fewt hings,Ethanwasaneatguyandhekepthi s
housecl eanandor derly.Ili
tsomescent edcandl es
i
nt hel i
vingroom, scatteredsomer osepetalsand
setupabeaut i
fulpi cni
cset ti
ngont hefloor.Ihear d
hiscarcomei nandqui cklyfinisheduppl acingt he
foodandpl ayingt hemusi c.Iheardhi m openingt he
doorandwai tedf orhi m.Hesooncameandst ar ed
attheset ti
ngi nhisl ivi
ngr oom andt henatme.
me:Goodeveni
ng.
hi
m:goodeveni
ngi
ndeed.Youdi
dthi
s?
me:yep,
whoel
sewoul
d?
hi
m:i
tlooksgr
eat
.Youramazi
ng.
me:youar
en'
ttheonl
yromant
ic.Comeon.
Hesatdownnextt
omeandki
ssedme.
me:Isawt
hatt
hel
awsui
twasdi
smi
ssedandyou'
re
outoft
hewoods,
congr
ats.
hi
m:thanks,
I'
mrel
ivedt
hatwe'
redonewi
thi
t.How
wasyourday?
Suchquesti
onsremindedmehowIcoul dn'
tbe
complet
elyhonestwit
hhim.Hetel
lsmeeveryt
hing
aboutwhat'
shappeningi
nhisli
feandhereIwas,
hidi
ngmydoubl el
if
e.Thefactt
hatIwasnolonger
seei
ngCami l
adidn'
teasemyconsciencemuch.
me:unevent
ful
,butI
'
m hopi
ngyou'
l
lmakei
tbet
ter
.
hi
m:oh,
Ipl
ant
o.
_
Et
han
Thecompanyl awyerf inal
lyhadthelawsuit
dismissedandnowwehadt ohandlethelawsuitwe
hadfiledagainstAndr ew.Themedi awasal r
eady
onhisneck, accusinghi m ofal
lsortsofthingsand
someput ti
ngi toutthathewaspar tofthe"SA
Russianmaf ia".I
twasbadf orhim andasmuchasI
washappy, Iknewt hathemustbeangr yand
wouldn'tt
aket hislyinglowthoughIhadnever
real
lydoneanythingtohim ot
herthanjustdefend
mycompany.Sego' ssurpri
seformewhenIgot
homewasamazi ngandIjustfel
linlovewithherall
overagain.Shealwaysknowshowt obri
ghtenmy
day.Igotacallf
rom Bruceandexcusedmysel ft
o
answerit
.
hi
m:Isawt hear
ti
clesont
hel
awsui
tbei
ng
di
smissed.
me:yeah,
thel
awyerhandl
edi
twel
l
.
hi
m:seemsli
ket
hemediahastur
nedagai
nst
Pet
rovandhemustbepi
ssed.
me:I
'
m sur
ehei
s.
hi
m:haveyouconsider
edgett
ingaper
sonal
bodyguar
dli
keIsuggest
ed?
me:I
'm notsosureaboutt
hat.I
'
llupthesecur
it
yfor
myhouseandt hecompanyandI '
l
lcarr
ymygun
wi
thmewhenIgoout .Get
ti
ngaguar dwouldbetoo
much.
hi
m:okay,Igett
hat
,justbecar
eful
.How'
syour
gi
rl
fr
iend?
me:she'
sgood.
him:takecar
eofherandmakesureshe'
ssafe,i
fan
enemydoesn'tpl
anonkil
li
ngyou,
he'l
lgoforthe
personyoulovet
hemost.
me:t
hanks,
I'
llkeept
hati
nmi
nd.
Isai
dgoodbyetohi
m andendedthecal
l.Iwentt
o
thebedr
oom andl
aydownnexttoSego.
her
:ever
ythi
ngokay?
me:yeah,
ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.
It
houghti
twast
imetotel
lheraboutBruce,
Idi
dn'
t
wantt
obekeepi
nganyt
hingfrom her
.
me:doyouknowBr
ianSi
biyaort
hebookI
'
mthe
devi
lhi
msel
f?
her
:no,
shoul
dI?
me:no,
Bri
anwasl
iket
heguyonSA'
smostwant
ed.
her
:whatdi
dhedo?
me:hewasr
uthl
ess,ki
ll
edsomepeopl
eandwas
i
nvol
vedi
nalotofshadythi
ngs.
her
:whathappenedt
ohi
m?
me:heescapedfrom j
ailafewyearsaf
terpl
eadi
ng
gui
lt
yformostofthecrimesagainsthi
m and
get
ti
ngsentencedtoli
kelif
einpri
son.
her:wowatl
easthehadt
hedecencyt
oadmi
thi
s
cri
mes.
me:healsohappenedt
obethefounderofSi
biya
Archi
tect
s,nowknownasFi
rstOnes..
.andhe'
smy
fat
her.
Shet
urnedt
olookatmei
nsur
pri
se.
her
:ar
eyouser
ious?
me:yeah.
her
:ist
hatsomet
hingyouf
oundoutr
ecent
lyor
?
me:no,I
'vealwaysknownbuti
t'
sonl
yrecent
lyt
hat
Ir
econnectedwithhi
m.
Iwentontotel
lheraboutBruce'
srelati
onshi
pwit
h
mymot herandever
ythi
ngelse.Shelist
ened
i
ntent
lyandIdidn'
tseeherbeingjudgemental
.
me:soyeah,
nowwet
alkt
oeachot
herof
tenand
wear ehavingthi
sfat
herandsonrel
ati
onshi
pthatI
neverexpectedustohaveorevenwantedback
whenIst i
llhat
edhim.
her
:that
'
sgood.
me:howdoyouf
eel
wit
hthat
?
me:Ithinkit'scool .Yousayhe'sachangedman
nowandt hat'
sgood.It hi
nkthegreatestthingone
candoaf terdoi nghor r
ibl
ethingsisadmitthem, ask
forf
orgivenesst othosehehur tandchangehi s
ways.Itisn'tidealthatheescapedf rom j
ailbutat
l
easthei sn'toutt herehurt
ingpeople.
me:doest
hatmeanyou'
l
lwantt
omeethi
m?
her
:sur
e.
Ismil
edandki
ssedher
.Shel
ayherheadonmy
chest
.
her:Losi
ngmybr ot
heri
sn'
ttheonl
ydi
ff
icul
tthing
I'
vewentt hrough.I
'
vewentthr
oughal
ot,i
ncluding
getti
ng..
.rapedbyagroupofmen.
Isti
ffenedandclosedmyeyesbr
ief
ly,
hol
dingher
ti
ghteragainstme.
her
:Ialmostj
umpedof facli
ffbecauseIjust
wantedtofor
getwhattheydidtome.Mybr other
hel
pedmeal ot,
butIneverreal
lygotoverthepain,I
j
ustlear
nthowto..
.for
getaboutittoacertain
ext
entbuti
tneverwentaway.
me:I'
m sosorr
yyouwentthroughthat.
..Iwi
shyou
neverdi
dbutIknowyou'
rethestrongestwoman
I'
veknown,andIadmi
ret
hatcourageandst r
ength.
her:t
hanks.Icansayt
hatnowI'
vesor
tofheal
ed
fr
om thatpai
n,itwasj
ustr
ecent
lyt
hatIwasabl
eto.
me:that'
sgood.Doyoumi
ndmeaski
ngwhat
happenedrecent
ly?
Shewassi
lentf
oramoment
.
me:i
t'
sokayi
f.
..
her:Iwatchedsomeofthemenwhorapedmedie,
I'
ml i
kethepersonr
esponsi
blef
ort
hei
rdeat
hs.
Iwasn'tsur
ewhatwast heappropr
iat
eresponsef
or
that
,butIactual
lyf
eltgl
adthatt
heyweredead.
her
:it
'sokayi
fyout
hinkt
hatwashor
ri
bleofme.
me:It
hinkt
hatIwoul
dhaveputabul
lett
hrough
eachoft
hei
rheadsi
fIhadt
hechance.
Sheli
ft
edherheadfr
om mychestandlookedupat
me.Ismil
edatherandcar
essedherf
ace.
me:you'r
eanamazingwomanandnoneofwhat
you'
vetoldmechanget
hat
.
her:You'r
eamazingyourself.Myexperi
enceswit
h
menhavebeent rainwrecksbutyouhavechanged
myvi ewonmen, you'
vemademeseet hatt
her
eare
sti
llgenui
ne,
lovi
ngandcar ingmen.Iloveyou.
me:Il
oveyout
oo.
_
Andrewgulpeddownhi sgl assofwhi skeyashe
readwhatthemedi ahadwr i
ttenabouthim.I njusta
fewdays,thetabl
eswer et urned,andhewast he
vil
lai
nofthestorywi thEthancl eared.Theylabell
ed
him names,speculatedabouthi sfort
unesandt hat
theywerefrom i
ll
egaldeal ingsandf rom destroyi
ng
people'
scompani es.Yes, hedi dn'
thaveacl ean
record,
butnoonewassupposedt obringthatupor
evenspeculat
e.Et hanhadr uinedhisname.
hi
m:t
hatdamnboy.
Feodor
e:weunder
est
imat
edhi
m,he'
ssmar
t.
Andrew:wel
lthatsmar
tnessendtoday.Я
преподамемуурок.(I
'l
lteachhi
m alesson.
)
Feodore:gi
veCami
laacal
l,
shecant
akehi
m out
easi
ly.
Andr
ew:no,I
'l
lbet
hef
ir
stper
sont
heysuspecti
fhe
di
esli
kethat
.
Feodor
e:t
hepol
icear
enotapr
obl
em.
Andrew:Iknowthat,
butthemediawillbe.Я
сделаюбольноэт ойподругеипосмот рю, как
емуэтонравится( I
'
llhur
tthatgi
rl
fr
iendofhi sand
seehowhel i
kesit
.)
Healr
eadyhadaplani
nmind,
Ethanwoul
dregr
et
f
il
ingthel
awsui
tagai
nsthi
m.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Somethi
ngmushyandr
omant
icbef
oreIcr
asht
he
tr
ain
Anypr
edi
cti
onsonwhatwi
llhappennext
,howt
he
st
orywi
llend?
Docomment
.
TheHi
tWoman
SEASONFI
NALE
48
_
Segomot
so
me:Okayher
ear
efi
nishedst
oryboar
ds.
Myt eam member sl
ookedatt hem andapprovedof
thei
mpl ementat
ionforthedesignofthe
commer ci
alfort
heclient'
sproductwewer e
workingon.
Si
hle:t
imet
otakei
ttoSt
one-
Col
d
me:I
'
m notdoi
ngt
hatt
hist
ime.
Lwazi
:comeon,
you'
ret
heonewhoget
sal
ongwi
th
her
.
me:no,
I'
m notdoi
ngi
t.
Si
hle:nei
therwi
llanyofus.I
t'
syouornoone.Come
onSegoyou'
veal
waysbeenhappyt
ogot
oher
.
Ihadf orgottenhowcol dCamilawast oother
empl oyeesandhowt heyallavoi
dedherasmuch
ast heycould.Iwast heonlytheythoughtshel i
ked.
Isighedandwentupt oheroffi
ce,notatallr
eadyt o
faceher .Iknockedandshel ookedupf r
om her
wor k.Shesatbacki nherchairandsignall
edf orme
tocomei n.Ididandtoldheraboutthestoryboards
wewer edoing.
her
:howar
eyoudoi
ng?
me:f
ine.
her
:ar
eyouhappywi
thyourboyf
ri
end?
If
rowned,
wonder
ingwhyshewasaski
ng.
me:yes,
why?
her
:Iseehe'
smadesomeRussi
anenemi
es.
me:howdoyouknowt
hat
?
Shegavemet he"real
ly"l
ookanddidn'
tanswer
.Of
course,
shewouldknowwhoEt hanwasandhad
seenhislawsui
ttr
endingwit
hthemedia.
me:whyar
eyouevent
ell
ingmet
his?
her
:nor
eason.
I
twasmyt
urnt
ogi
vehert
hel
ook.
her
:ifheget
sbori
ngf
oryou,
knowt
hatI
'
dst
il
lbe
wil
li
ngtohavesomef
un.
me:Isai
dIwasdone, andIwasser
ious.Il
ovehi
m
andIwon'tbecheat
ingagai
n.
ShenoddedandIdeci dednottoanalysethiswhole
conversat
ionwithher.Ilef
theroffi
ceandr etur
ned
tomywor kstat
ionwithmyt eam.Ethanf et
chedme
whenIknockedof f.Withthelawsui
toffhisback,he
i
nsistedonleavinghi
scompanyear l
yandcomi ng
tofetchme.Itwassweetofhi m andIjustlovedhim
mor e.
hi
m:hey,
howwasyourday?
me:ugh,
fine.
hi
m:t
hatdoesn'
tsoundf
ine,
what
'swr
ong?
me:not
hing,j
usthadaconver
sat
ionwi
thCami
la
andi
twasn'tsogood.
Hal
f-
tr
uths,
Ifound,
wer
ebet
tert
hanf
latoutl
ying.
hi
m:i
sshest
il
lbot
her
ingyou?
me:no,
notanymor
e.
Henoddedandcont inueddriving.Hewaspl aying
musi c,singingal ongabi twhi l
eIst ar edoutt he
windowsmi li
ng.Hewaswai tingatt het raff
icli
ghts
whenIsawamanwi thagunpoi ntedatt hecar .I
screamedj ustast hemanspr ayedbul letsont he
window.Iduckeddownandhear dEt hanf umbling
forhisguni nt hedashboar d,buthewasn' tfast
enough.Themanwhohadbeenshoot inggr abbed
thepassengerdoorandhadi topen, pul li
ngmeout .
Ibriefl
ysawt hattherewasanot hermanwhowas
byEt han'ssi deasEt hanscreamedmyname.The
manwhogr abbedmeshovedacl othi nmyf ace,
butIf oughtback, t
heselfdefencet hatCami la
taughtmecomi ngt ogooduse.Hest agger edback
afterIelbowedhi m somewher eonhi sf ace.Hewas
muchbi ggert hanme, butIdidn'tcar easIki cked
him.Iwasawar eoft hegunhest il
lhadbutI
thoughtIcoul dki ckitoutofhi shandorsomet hing.
ForamomentIt houghtIhadi tuntilhegothol dof
meandhi
tmewi
thi
tonmyhead.Thedarkness
camet
omeli
ket
hegroundwhenonewasfall
ing.
_
Cami
la
Ifinishedupwi ththewor kIhadt odoandf inally
l
ef t,drivi
ngt omyapar tment .Iaccessedanappt o
getSego' slocat ionandf r
ownedwhenIdi dn'tget,
meani ngt hatherphonemustbeswi t
chedof f.With
Andr ewPet rovt hetalkoft hemedi af orappar entl
y
tryingt oripof fanar chitectcompany, Ideci dedt o
checkoutt heguyAndr ewandFeodor ehadbeen
talkingabout .TheRussi anshat ehavi ngt heir
namest arnishedevent hought heydot hesamet o
other s,Iknowt hatAndr ewwi lltrytogetbackat
thisEt hanguyi nsomewayandonceIf i
ndoutt hat
theguywasSego' sboyf riend, Ithoughti twasbest
tost arttrackingwher eshewasi ncaseAndr ew
deci dedt ogof orherfirstt ohur tEthan.Igott omy
apar tmentandmademysel fsomef ood.Ikept
checki ngi fSego' sphonegott urnedonagai nand
grewwor ri
edasi tdidn't.Idr ovet oherpl ace, hopi
ng
tof indhert her e.Thet eenageki dshel ivedwi thgot
t
hedoor
.
me:i
sSegoher
e?
hi
m:no,
shei
sn'
t.
me:wher
eisshe?
hi
m:Idon'
tknow,
Ithi
nkatherboyf
ri
end'
spl
ace?
me:di
dshet
ellyout
hat
?
hi
m:no,sheusual
lycal
lsi
fshe'
llbelat
eorather
boyf
ri
end'
s,shepr
obablyf
orgotorsomethi
ng.
Ileftandconsideredgoingt othisEt
hanguy' spl
ace.
Ididn'tandinsteaddrovetot heRussians
war ehousewher etheywoul dmostlikelybringSego
i
ft heytookher.Ihopedt heyhaddonet hatandnot
attackedherandl efthertodiesomewher e.Igot
thereandgott heguyst heretoletmei ntoAndr ew
whosecarIhadseenout side.Isawhim, havinga
drinkinfrontofSegoandEt hanwhower etiedupto
chairs.Heturnedwhenhehear dme.
him:Camil
aIdi
dn'
texpectt
oseeyou,
didyouneed
somethi
ng?
I
'
veneverbeent
othei
rwar
ehouse,
hadnor
easont
o
sohewassur
pri
sed.
me:yeah,
her
.
InoddedmyheadatSegowhoj
usteyedmeasher
mouthwasducktaped.
hi
m:Idon'
tunder
stand.
me:Youcandowhat
everyouwantwitht
heguybut
she'
swit
hmeandI'
m heretogether
.
Hi
seyesnar
rowedandheswi
rl
edt
hedr
inkar
ound
t
hegl
ass.
hi
m:It
hinkyoushoul
dleave.
me:notwi
thouther
.
hi
m:wear eatadi sagreementhere,
I'
vegotsome
busi
nesswithhert hatneedstogetsor
tedoutso
i
t'
sbestthatyouleave.
me:AndrewIhavenot hi
ngagainstyou,i
fyoul
et
hergo,we'
l
lbecool,andI'l
lpr
etendthis
di
sagreementneverhappened.
Twoofhisguyscamebehi
ndme, t
heirgunspul
led
out
.IknewthatAndr
ewcoul
djustgetthem t
oki
ll
menow, butIwasanassettohim andt
heothers.
Ther
ewasal sothel
it
tl
efactthatIhadj
ustbol
dly
ent
eredherewit
houtevenaguni nmyhandsohe
musthaveassumedIhadsomet hi
ngupmysleeve.
hi
m:boys,
unt
iet
hegi
rl
.
Theyunti
edherandremovedtheducttapef
rom her
mouththenr
oughlystoodherup,br
ingi
nghert
ome.
Shesomebruisesonherfaceandarms.
Andrew:t
hisisver
yunf
ort
unatef
orme,
Ihadpl
ans
forher
,butIval
ueyoumore.
me:sur
e,youdo.
It
ookSego'
sar
m,headi
ngoutwi
thpai
rsofeyeson
myback.
Sego:
Cami
lawhatt
hehel
l,
wecan'
tleaveEt
han.
me:t
hat
’sexact
lywhatwe'
redoi
ng.
her
:no,
I'
m notl
eavi
ngwi
thouthi
m.
me:Ij
ustsavedyouonceagai
n,f
oroncebef
reaken
t
hankf
ul.
Ipr
act
ical
lyhadt
odr
aghert
omycar
,andshe
cont
inuedr
esi
sti
ng.
her
:Cami
lat
heyar
egoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m,pl
ease.
me:Idon'tgiveashitabouthim andyoushouldn'
t
ei
ther.Ij
ustriskedmylif
et osaveyou,soIdon't
wanttohearanyt hi
ngelse.I'
m goi
ngtotakeyout o
yourplace,
andyou' l
lshutup.
Idrovehert
oherpl
ace,al
readymaki
ngupplant
o
dealwit
hAndrewri
ghtawayinst
eadofwai
ti
ngto
seewhathewoulddo.
_
Et
han
Andrewwaspi ssedandIdidn'
tseeanywayoutof
here,Iwasdead.Ioncehadadisli
keforCamilabut
nowIwasdamnt hankfult
hatshecamef orSego.I
hadbeenwor r
iedallt
histi
meaboutthem hurti
ng
SegobutnowIf eltr
eli
evedevenasmyownl i
fewas
i
nanot herman'shands.
Andrew:Iwasgoi ngtogoingtohurtt
hatgi
rlf
ri
end
ofyourssobadt hatyou'dbl
eedonherbehalfbut
wit
ht hatr
uined,
you'llhavet
osuffermore.
Hegothisment obeatmeagain.Mybodywasst
il
l
sorefr
om whentheyhadatt
ackedusinmycarwit
h
Segoanddraggedusout. Theyhitmehar
dnow,
putt
ingmeinint
ensepain.
Andrew:youshoul
dn'tbemakingenemies.You
shouldhavej
ustst
ayedi ntheUK,butyoucame
hereandnowyou'l
llearnyourl
esson.
AllthisbecauseIdef endedmycompanyandcal l
ed
him outf orwant i
ngtodest roythecompany's
reputati
on.Af tertheybeatmeup, oneofthem gota
plasticbagandputi tovermyhead, hol
dingi
ttight
onmynecksoIcoul dsuf focat
e.Iscreamed
helplesslyagainsttheductt ape,feel
ingmyhead
getlightheadedf rom thelackofoxygen.Iwas
dyingandt helastthoughtIhadwast hankGod
Segowassaf eandnotgoi ngthroughthi
stor
ture.
*
*
Iawoket othesoundgunshots.Mywholebodyhurt
l
ikehellandIreali
sedthatIwasn'
tdead,
Ihadjust
passedout.Itsoundedli
ketherewasagunfi
ght
goi
ngonoutsi
deandnooneelsewaswithme.
Suddenl
yLJcamerunni
ngtomeandr i
ppedt
he
ductt
apeof
fmyface,notsogent
ly.
me:LJ,
howdi
dyouf
indme?
him:noti
mef orquest
ions.Somemor eguysmust
beontheirway,weneedt ogetyououtofher
e.Can
youwalk?
me:It
hinkso,
butImi
ghtneedsomebal
ance.
Heunt iedmeandt henhelpedmeup.Wer ushed
outasqui ckaswecoul dwithmei npai n.There
weresomedeadbodi esont hefl
oor ,Isawt heguys
whohadbeat enmeamongt hem, Ididn'tsee
Andr ew.Iwasverysurpri
sedt oseeBr ucewai ti
ng
outsidewithsomeot herguysIdidn'tknow.Si nce
therewasnot i
meforquestions,hehel pedgetme
i
nsideLJ' scarandLJgoti nthedriver'
ssi de,
quicklydri
vingout
.
me:howdi
dyougether
e?
Bruce:Iknewthi
ngswoul
dturnoutbadl
y.Il
anded
herethi
smor ni
ngandwasplanni
ngtosurpr
iseyou.
me:youknewt
hingswoul
dtur
noutbadl
y?
him:It
oldyout
hatRussiansdon'
tfor
give,Ihadt
o
comehereandlooksl
ikeIcameattheright
moment .
LJdrovetothehospitalsi
ncetheysuspect
edthatI
mighthavesomebr okenribs.AsmuchasInever
expectedtoseeBr
uceorLJ, Iwast
hankfult
hat
theyfoundme.
TheHi
tWoman
SEASONFI
NALE
49
_
Et
han
Wakingupi
nthehospi
tal
,mybodyachedal
lover
.
Segowassi
tti
ngi
nachairnextt
omybedandshe
smil
edwhenshesawthatIwasawake.
her
:hey,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
me:sor
e.
Adoct
orsai
dIhadsomebr
okenr
ibsandot
her
i
njur
iesonmybodyt
hatwoul
dhealover
ti
me.
me:whocal
ledyou?
her:Bruce,
Iwassoworr
iedaboutyou.Hecal
led
j
ustafterCamil
adr
oppedmeof fandItol
dhim
everyt
hing.
me:ar
eyouokay?
her:I
'
mfi
ne,
Ihadaheadachef
rom whentheguy
hi
tmewit
hhisgunandafewminorinj
uri
esbutI
'
m
fi
ne.
me:t
hankGod.
her:I
'
mt hankf
ulBr
ucewasher
eandgottoyoui
n
ti
me,Ithoughtt
heywer
egoi
ngtoki
llyou.
me:I
'
m gl
adBr
ucecamef
ormet
oo.
Justt
henBr
ucecamei
n.
Sego:
I'
llgotgetmysel
facupofcof
fee,
I'
llbeback.
Sheki
ssedmyf
oreheadandt
henl
eft
.
Br
uce:youdoi
ngokay?
me:yeah,
I'
lll
ive.
hi
m:good.Youhadmescar
edt
her
e.
me:Thankyou,forcomi
ngheretoSAand
managingtofi
ndme.Ididn'
texpectyoubutI
'
m
t
hankfulyoucame.
him:IneverthoughtIwouldeverhavea
rel
ati
onshipwithyou,butnowt hatIdo,
I'
m not
l
etti
nganyonemesswi thyou.AsmuchasIvowed
tonevertakesomeone'slif
eagain,I'
dmassacr
ethe
enti
reRussiangangf orhurt
ingyou.
Ineverthoughtthatwewoul
dgett ot
hispoi
ntinour
rel
ati
onshipbutI'm gl
adt
hatwehave.Hewasn't
ther
eformet hroughmychildhoodandyear
sof
becomingaman, buthewasherenow,makingup
foral
lthelostt
ime.
_
Cami
la
Isatont hefl
oori
nt heli
vingroom,pol
ishi
ngoneof
myr if
les.Af
terCl
ay'sdeath,Ivowedtonevercare
aboutanyonet oapointofmaki ngi
mpulsi
ve
deci
sions.Ivowedtoneverl oveagai
n.Idon'
tthi
nkI
real
isedthatIhadthrownt hevowsoutthewindow
untilIfoundmysel fdemandingAndr ewt oletSego
go.Ihadi tallpl annedoutonhowIwoul dt akethe
Russi ansdownbutonceIwassur et hatSegowas
i
ndanger ,Ibar elystoppedtothi
nk.AsmuchasI
hatedt oadmi tit
,therewasnodyi ngi t
.Icar ed
aboutSego, al otmor ethanIshouldhaveal lowed
mysel f.Shecr eptintomyhear tasef fort
lesslyas
I'
m abl etokillsomeoneandIhat edt hatIdidn'tsee
i
tcomi ng.Ijustt houghtIwashavi ngf unwi thher,
turningherint oaver sionofmyself.Man, Iwas
fucked.Aknocksoundedont hedoorandIwentt o
answeri t,r
ifl
ei nhand.Iwassur prisedt oseeAl ex
there.
hi
m:hi
.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
hi
m:Justcamet
osayhi
.
me:shouldIbeworr
ied,
doyouhaveagunor
somethi
ngyouplantokil
lmewi
th?
hi
m:You'
veneverbeenoneaf
rai
dofdeat
h.
Ist
eppedasi
deandal
lowedhi
min.
hi
m:Ihear
dt hatt
here'
ssomeonewhost art
edawar
wit
htheRussianguys,andIknewithadt obeyou.I
j
ustcametoseeifyouwer esti
llal
ive.
me:becauseyoucar
eaboutmesomuch.Dr
ink?
him:ScotchandasmuchasIhat ethatyoukil
led
mybr ot
her,Ican'tst
opmysel
ffr
om acaringabout
youthoughIcar emuchlesst
hanIusedto.
Ipour
edussomeScot
chandgavehi
m hi
sdr
ink.
me:WellImighthavestar
tedsomethingagai
nstt
he
Russi
ansbutI'm nott
heonewhost artedt
hewar,
t
hat'
sanothermanwhoIdon' treal
lyknow.
HesatdownonthecouchandIsatbackont
he
f
loor
,resumi
ngwhatIhadbeendoing.
hi
m:pol
ishi
ngyourgunst
oki
llsomeone?
me:youknowt
hat
'smyj
ob.
hi
m:Iknowver
ywel
l.
Hesippedhisscot
ch,
hisj
awhar
deni
ngathi
slast
st
atement.
me:what
'
sbeenhappeni
ngi
nyourl
if
e?
him:not
hingmuch,
justbusi
ness.Idon'
twantt
o
knowaboutyour
sbecauseIknowyou'vebeen
ki
lli
ngpeopl
easusual.
me:yep,
Ihave.
hi
m:you'
redi
ff
erent
.
me:i
nwhatway?
hi
m:I
'
m notsur
e.
I'
m notaper sonwhoshar edmyf eel
ingwit
h
someoneel se,Imighthavedonesowi thCl
aybutto
others,If
eltl
ikei
twast al
kingaboutmy
vulnerabi
li
ti
esandweaknesses.Att hemoment,I
fel
tlikeIcouldbestrai
ghtwithAl
ex.
me:it'
spossi
blet
here'
ssomeoneIcar
eaboutand
thi
swholethi
ngwiththeRussi
ansst
art
edbecause
ofthat
.
hi
m:youcar
eaboutsomeoneel
se?
Igl
aredathi
m.
him:hey,
it'
sjustshocki
ng,
Ithoughtyouwer
est
one
cold.
me:appar
ent
ly,
I'
m not
.
hi
m:youmusthat
ethat
.
me:youhavenoi
dea.
him:Cari
ngandlovi
ngsomeoneisahumannat
ure,
evenpsychopat
hsdothat
,soyouaren'
tan
except
ion.
me:t
hankyouDrPhi
l.
him:Iwoul
dtel
lyoutoembracethi
sloveanddon't
l
etgoofthi
spersonbutknowingyou,Idon'
tthi
nk
youcandothat
.
Iwasonceablet
obutt hat
'si
nthepastnow.Iwon'
t
l
etwhateverf
eel
ingsIhaveforSegoweakenme.
_
Segomot
so
Iwassogl adthatEt hanwasal i
ve.AfterCami l
a
droppedmeof f,notwant ingt
ogobackf orEthan,I
hadbeenwor ri
edsi ckabouthim andal lthese
thoughtsabouthim gettingki
ll
edwer eonmymi nd.
Brucecall
edme, t
oldmewhohewasandt hathe
wasi nSAtoseeEt han, Iimmediatel
yt ol
dhi m
abouthowwewer eattackedi nt
hecarandt akento
somepl aceIdidn'tknow.Idi dn'
thavemuchabout
wherewewer ekept ,
justafewpl acesIremember
seei
ngwhenCami labroughtmehome.Somehow,
hehadf oundEthanandt hencal l
edmewhent hey
gottothehospital.Ethanhadbeenbeat enbadl ybut
hewasal iveandwoul dbeokay.Ileftt
hehospi t
al
oncethepai nki
llersknockedEt hanoutagai nand
headedt omypl acetodoaf ewt hi
ngs.Itr
iedcal l
ing
Camila,butshedi dn'
tpickup, soIdecidedtogot o
herplace.Igotthereandsheal l
owedmei nside.
me:Ijustwantedtot
hankyouf orcomingforme
yest
erday,Iwasn'
tsograt
efulatthatti
mebecauseI
waswor ri
edaboutEt
hanbutnow, Ir
eall
y
appr
eciatewhatyoudid.
her
:okay.
me:howdi
dyouknowwher
eIwas?
her
:Ihavemyways.
me:that
'svague.Youseemedt
oknowAndr
ew
qui
tewellandheknewyou.
her
:what
'swi
tht
hequest
ions,
Isavedyourass,
be
t
hankf
ulandj
ustgetout
.
me:t
hat
'swhatIwasdoi
ng.So,
thanksagai
n.
Ilef
tbecauseclearl
y,shedidn'twantmet her
e.I
guessIgotusedt oCami labei
ngf r
iendlywithmei n
hercol
dway, askingwei r
dquestionsorj ustt
rying
toseducemeandsot ohaveherdismi ssmel ike
that
,Ifel
tthatl
it
tl
ef eel
ingofloss.Iheadedbackt o
thehospit
alandmetBr uceoutsi
de.
hi
m:Hey,
howar
eyou?
me:I
'
mfi
net
hanks,
howaboutyou?
hi
m:I'm good.Wehaven'
treal
lyspokeni
nal ess
st
ressf
ulmanner,Et
hanhast ol
dmeal otaboutyou.
me:Het
oldmeaboutyout
oo,
justr
ecent
ly.
hi
m:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkhewoul
d,I
'
m notaf
atheronecan
bepr
oudof
.
me:I
tseemsli
keyou'r
eadif
fer
entmannow,so
t
hat'
ssomet
hing.I
sitokayf
oryout
obehereinSA?
hi
m:techni
call
yIcoul
dsti
llgetarr
est
edifI'
mf ound
buti
t'
sbeenyearsandmostpeoplehaveforgott
en
aboutt
henotori
ousBri
anSibiyasoI'
m saf
easl ong
asIdon'
tbr
ingat
tent
iont
omysel
f.
me:that'
sgoodthen,
IknowEt
hani
sgl
adt
ohave
youhere,Iam t
oo.
hi
m:Ethani
sgladthatyoudi
dn'
tgethur
t.Your
fr
iendi
sonetokeep.
me:yeah,
shei
s.
him:hopeyoudon'
tmind,Idi
dsomeresear
chand
sawthatshe'
sawell
-connect
edhi
twoman.
me:uh.
..yeah,
shei
s..
.
him:don'twor
ry,cl
earl
yherconnect
ionsandski
ll
s
camei nhandysoshecouldsaveyou.Anenemy
hurtssomeonethemostbyhur t
ingt
heperson
closestt
othem,Ethanwouldhavebeenbrokeni
f
theyhurtyou.
me:i
sAndr
ewdead?
him:no,Idon'tknowwherehei s,Ionlyfoundhis
ment here.So,youandEthanstil
lneedt obecareful
,
I'
llhaveLJ,Ethan'
sfri
end,beyourdriverasfrom
today.
Thatseemedr
easonabl
esoIagr
eed.
_
**
***
***
***
***
**Gun_Lover
schat
gr
oup**
***
***
****
***
* *
****
***
**
Guns1981:Thi
ngsaboutt
ogethot
.Davi
schi
ck
vsSA'
sRussianMafi
a**
*
*Joe291:IhavemymoneyonDavi
s.*
*
**
Ralf
_JK:Achi
ck,nowaycanshet
akedownt
hose
Russi
ans.Manhavefai
led.
**
**
Guns1981:Youcl
earl
ydon'
tknowher
,achi
ck
whocankil
lherownfat
heri
sdanger
ous**
*
*LD000:Sheki
ll
edherownf
ather
?**
*
*
*Guns1981:Yep,
showedupathi
swar ehouseand
t
oldt
heguysshehadburnthi
m al
ive.
**
**Joe291:Sheevenkil
ledhisri
ghthandmanr i
ght
i
nf rontoft
heotherswithoutwarni
ng.She'
sthe
defi
niti
onofrut
hless*
*
Ncebawal
kedi
nandLi
am shuthi
slapt
opqui
ckl
y.
Nceba:Iwasaboutt
omakemysel
ffood,
areyou
hungry?
Li
am shookhi
sheadandNcebawalkedout,
not
amazedatLi
am'swei
rdbehavi
oranymore.
TheHi
tWoman
SEASONFI
NALE
50
_
Cami
la
Thewarwi ththeRussi anshadst art
edandIhadt o
getst artedonf indingeachoneandki ll
ingt hem
becauset heywer eprobablypl anningt oki l
lmet oo.
Andr ewhadsuddenl ydisappear edbecause
appar ent l
ysomeman, Ethan'sf ather,wasl ooki
ng
forhim.Feodort oohasbeenscar ce.Ideci dedt o
startwi t
ht heweakestl inkint heirgroup, Luka.He
waseasyt ofindbuthehadbodyguar dst hatstayed
closewi thhi m alltheti
me.Thehousehel i
vedin
hadhi ghsecur i
tysoget tinginsidewasj ust
i
mpossi ble.Hewasdat i
ngayoungwomant hathe
hadbr oughtat ownhousef orandt hatwaseasyt o
access.Hi sbodyguar dsst ayedout sidewhenhe
wast her ebutt hatwasn' taprobl em.Af teraf ew
mor edaysofobservi
ngLucaandhi sgi r
lfr
iend,I
workedonget t
ingaccesstothet ownhouse.Luca
wasgoi ngtobevisi
ti
nghisgirlf
ri
endl aterthatday,
soIgotoneofmyguyst odelayt hegirlforalit
tle
whileandthenwaitedinsi
dethet ownhousef or
Luca.Thingswentaccordingtopl anandIwai t
ed
forhim wit
hmygun, sil
encerinplace.Hecame
i
nsidethebedroom andshedhi sjacketandt i
e.I
cameoutofmyhi di
ngandsmi l
edathi m.Hewas
surpri
sedtoseeme, andIdidseesomef earinhis
facebeforehecontai
nedhi mself
.
hi
m:Davi
s.
me:Luca.
hi
m:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
me:It
hinkyouknow.
hi
m:Howdi
dyougeti
nher
e?
me:I'
m aresourcef
ulper
son.Bytheway,don'
ttr
y
toal
ertyourgoonsthatI
'
m herebecauseIwil
lbl
ow
yourbrai
n.
hi
m:seemsl
ikeyoual
readypl
ant
o.
me:maybe.
him:Wecansor tthi
sout ,
noonehast odi
e.Andr
ew
tol
dmeal i
tt
leaboutthedisagr
eementyoutwohad
butIbel
ievedyousor t
editoutandhewasokay
witht
hat,hadnohar dfeel
ingsforyou.
me:webothknowthat'
snottrue.I
twasonl
ya
matt
eroft
imebeforeyoufoundmeuselessandput
ahi
tonme, j
ustl
ikeyoudi
dwi thMarco.
him:Ihavenopr oblem wi
thyou,
Icanevenfor
get
aboutthisi
fyouj ustl
etmego.I'
llhavemymenlet
youwal koutofherefreel
y.
me:Assi
ncer
easyouseem,
Ihavet
odowhatI
havet
odo.
Ishothimt wiceonhischestandt hentookhi s
phone,texti
nghisgoonst hatwereoutside."Ithink
I'
m havingahear tat
tack.
".Asexpected,theycame
rushi
ngi nandhadnot i
met oshootmebef oreI
shotthem.Iwal kedoutofthetownhousecal mly,
knowingt hatki
ll
ingt
heot herRussianswoul dn'tbe
soeasy.
*
*
Iwaswalki
ngt omycarafteranhouratthegym.It
wasdarkandIwasoneoft hel
astpeopl
eexit
ing
thegym.Idi
dn'theart
hefootst
epsbehindme, Ij
ust
suddenl
yfel
tthegunbarr
elatthebackofmyhead.
hi
m:Cami
laDavi
s.
Hemusthavebeenapr
ofessi
onalhi
tmanj
ustl
ike
me,
senttoki
llme.
me:t
heRussi
anssentyou.
him:seemsl i
keyout
ookawr
ongst
epandmade
them yourenemy.
me:I
'
llpayyoudoubl
ewhatt
heyar
epayi
ngyou.
hi
m:youdon'
thavet
hatki
ndofmoney.
me:t
ri
ple,
youcangeti
tinaf
ewdays.
Hewassi
lentf
oramoment
.
hi
m:You'
l
lpaymet
henki
llme,
I'
m notaf
ool
.
me:Howaboutt hi
s,Ipayyou,youkil
ltheperson
whohiredyoutokil
lmeandt hendisappear.You'
re
r
ight
,Icankil
lyouonceI'vepaidyouandt he
Russi
answillkil
lyouoncetheyknowthatyoudi
dn'
t
ki
llme.Bet
terjustleavewi
ththemoney.
hi
m:Youar
einnoposi
ti
ont
omaket
hreat
s.
me:I'
m notmaki
ngt
reat
s,I
'
mjustbei
ngr
ealwi
th
you.
hi
m:Iwant2mi l
li
onandI
'
llki
llt
heper
sonwho
hi
redmetoki
llyou.
me:deal
.
Hesl
owl
yremovedt
hegunf
rom myhead.
me:I'
m steppi
ngbackbutI '
llkeepthegunonyou.
TurnaroundandI '
l
lki
llyou.I'
llcont
actyouwi
thmy
accountdetai
ls.
Iheardhim stepbackandIwait
edami nutebefore
tur
ningaround.Hewasnowher etobeseenbutt hat
wasnopr oblem forme.TheRussi
answer efool
s,I
wouldbeusi ngtheirownhit
mantoki
llthem.
Moneywasn' tapr obl
em,Idi
dn'
tmindlosing2
mill
ion.
_
Et
han
Igotr
eleasedfrom hospi
talandwasnowheal i
ng
fr
om myhome.Br ucewasst ayi
ngwit
handhehad
i
nsist
entonsomesecur i
tymeasuressuchas
i
nstal
li
ngcamer asandget t
ingabodyguard.LJwas
Sego'
sdriverandsortofherbodyguardandIhad
i
nsist
edonpayi nghim.
Iwokeupthatdayandf
oundt
hatBr
ucehadmade
breakf
ast
.
me:youdi
dn'
thavet
odot
his.
hi
m:Iwantedto.I
tmakesmefeelbet
tersi
nceI'
m
havi
ngt
roublefi
ndi
ngthebl
oodyRussianguy.
me:Youcan'
tfi
ndAndr
ew?
hi
m:Yep,
he'
shi
ddenhi
msel
finsomer
ock,
butI
'
ll
fi
ndhi
m.
me:don'
tyouthinkhe'
llj
ustbackoffandl
eaveme
al
onenowt hatheknowsyou'real
iveandcanki
l
l
hi
m.
hi
m:Idon'
twantt
otakeri
sks,
Iwanthi
m si
xfeet
undert
henIcanl
ett
hisgo.
me:howdoesi
tfeel
toki
llpeopl
eifyoudon'
tmi
nd
measki
ng?
him:wellIusedt oenjoyit,
itwassat i
sfyi
ngand
mademef eelpower f
ul,Iwasabovet helawand
ever
yoneel se.Rightnow, i
t'
sonlyanecessityt
o
prot
ectyoubecauset here'
snoot herway,wi
th
peoplel
ikeAndr ew,it
'sakillorbekil
led.
I
twasni cegett
ingtoknowt hemenhewasback
t
henandt heentir
elydi
ff
erentmanhewasnow.
NowhewassomeoneIcoul dbeproudt
ocallmy
f
atherdespit
ehispastchoicesandmist
akes.
_
Segomot
so
Wi t
hEt hanoutoft hehospi t
alandheal i
ngwell,I
couldfinallybreathagai n,atleastforal i
tt
lewith
Andr ewst i
lloutthere.Ineededt oreleasesome
steam, soIgotLJt odr i
vemet ot heshootingrange.
Shoot i
ng, I
'vefound, hadacal mi ngef f
ectandthat'
s
whatIneeded.Af terempt yingt hebul l
etsonthe
magazi ne,Iplacedt hegunandt ookof ft
he
earmuf fs.Iturnedaroundandj umpedi nfri
ght
whenIsawCami lastandingaf ewf eetfr
om me.
me:shi
tyouscar
edme.
her
:sor
ry.
Shehadherhandsi nherpocket
,notlooki
ngsor
ry
atall
.Ihadforgot
tenthatthi
swast heshooti
ng
rangeshefr
equent ed,shehadtaughtmehowt o
usear i
fl
ehere.
me:whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
her
:Ibel
ievethi
sisapubli
cshoot
ingr
ange.Icame
tof
ir
eafewr oundsandthenIsawyouher
e.
me:okay.
her
:Iseeyou'
venowgotagoodgriponthegun,
youshoul
dtryshoot
ingal
ivi
ngt
arget.
me:Iwi
lli
fther
ewi
llbeabast
ardat
tacki
ngme
agai
n.
Hergazewaspenet
rat
ingonme,
li
keshewas
st
udyingme.
me:youokay?
her
:fi
ne.
me:yousur
e?seemsl
ikeyouhavesomet
hingon
yourmi
nd.
her
:whydoyousayt
hat
?
me:Idon'
tknow,
youseem di
stant
.
her:Ithoughtt
hat
'swhatyouwanted,t
oendthe
l
itt
lefunwewer ehavi
ngandjustpret
endnot
hing
everhappened.
me:yes,andri
ghtnowIwasn'
tref
err
ingt
othator
eventhi
nkingabouti
t.
her:real
ly,
soyouaretel
li
ngmethatyoudon'
tthi
nk
aboutmeatall,youdon'
tremembermyhands
gl
idingdownyourbodyorhowyouscr eamedmy
namewhenyou. .
.
me:Camil
ast op,pl
ease.Itol
dyouI '
m done,
andI
wasdeadserious.Thankyouf orsavi
ngmyl i
febut
I
'm notwi
ll
ingtodoanythingelsewi t
hyou.
her
:okayi
fyousayso.
Itur
nedtoleave,
thecalmnessIwasl
ooki
ngf
or
herehavi
ngdisappear
ednow.
her
:Tellyourbodyguar
dtobeonhightal
ert
,
Andrewprobablyhasahitonyouandyour
boyf
ri
end.
IevenforgotaboutLJwhof ol l
owedmeal most
everywher eIwent.Hest oodadi stanceawayf r
om
mebutwaswat chingme.Igl ancedbackatCami l
a,
seeingthatshewassi ncer e.Iwal kedoutoft he
rangewi t
hLJandhedr ovemet omypl ace.Cami l
a
occupiedmymi ndwi t
ht heremi nderoft he" f
un"we
had.Yes, Ihadenjoyedbei ngwi thCami la,shehad
givenmeanexper i
enceIwoul dn'tfor
getbutt hat
camewi thmebei ngunf aithfulanddi shonestt o
Ethan,soi twasfort hebestwhenIendedi t.I'
ve
neverbeenonet ojusthookupwi thsomeoneand
thenforgetaboutt hem soIst il
lthoughtabouther
nowandt hen,Ij
ustchoset ogetr idofthose
thoughtsbecauset heywer ej ustmor e
unfait
hfulnesstoEt han.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
2mor
einser
tsl
eft
,br
aceyour
sel
ves.
TheHi
tWoman
SEASONFI
NALE
51
_
Cami
la
Ihadbeensuccessf ulinf indi
ngandki ll
ing2mor e
Russi ans.Ihadpai dt hehi tmanwhowashi r
edt o
killme,andhehadki ll
edFeodor e,butIwasn'tso
sur eofthat .Thehi tmandi dshootFeodor ebut
therewasnot alkofhi m act ual
lybeingdead, he
coul dhavesur vivedandj ustwaitingtogethis
revengeonme.Lastt hingIwant edwast obe
conf i
dentt hathewasdeadonl yt ohavehi m ki
llme
whenIl eastexpect edi t.Themaj orpl
ayerlefti
nthe
gamewasAndr ew, sti
llnowher et obeseen.Iwas
atmyapar tment ,doingsomewor kwhenIgotat ext
from Sego.
**Hey,canyoucomet
omypl
ace,
Ineedt
otal
kto
you.*
*
Itri
edcalli
ngherf i
rst ,
butshedidn'
tpi
ckup.Ihadn' t
real
lyseenhert hatmuch, shewaspurposely
avoidi
ngme.Si nceI 'vereali
sedt
hatIhadn'tbeen
successfulinkeepingheroutofmyhear t
,Istayed
awayf r
om herandj ustkeptaneyeonherf rom a
dist
ance.Andr ewknewt hatIcaredabouthersohe
couldtryhur t
ingherj usttogetbackatmeand
Sego'sboyf ri
end.Goodt hi
ngSegost i
llhadthat
bodyguar dwi thherallthetime.Iwonder edwhat
shewant edt ot al
kaboutandhopedt hatLiam
hadn’tstartedanyt roublewithher .Ther ewasar i
fl
e
Iwantedt ogi veherwi thalit
tlenot ethatwasnot
myst yl
e, butIputi ti
nt heri
flecaseanyway.Idr ove
toherplaceandgott here30mi nlater.Iknocked
andLiam wast heonewhoopenedt hedoor .
hi
m:hi
.
me:hey,
wher
e'sSego?
him:she'
snother
e,shesai
dshewoul
dbeback
soon.
me:al
ri
ght
,youdoi
nggood?
hi
m:yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.Howaboutyou?
me:I
'
mfi
ne,
tel
lSegot
ocal
lmewhensheget
sback.
hi
m:youcanwai
tforheri
nsi
de,
she'
l
lbeher
eany
minut
e.
Idon'
tknowwhatwasst
range,
thef
actt
hatt
his
wasprobablythelongestconversationweeverhad,
andLiam wasbeingfriendl
yort hathehadanodd
det
ermi nedl
ookonhi sface.Hest eppedasideandI
goti
nside.Heheadedt otheli
vingr oom andsat
downonacouchandIsatopposi tehim.Hest ar
ed
atmef oramoment .
me:what
'
sonyourmi
nd?
hi
m:Iknowyouki
ll
edmyf
ather
.
me:r
eal
ly?
hi
m:yes,
youbur
nthi
m al
ive.
Healr
eadyhadhi
sfact
sst
rai
ghtsot
her
ewasno
usedenyi
ngit
.
me:Idi
d,hedeser
vedi
t.
Hi
sfacehar
dened.
hi
m:hewasmyf
ather
.
me:hewasmi netoo, buthewasashi t
tyone.
Kil
li
ngisnice,Il
iketaki ngsomeone'sli
febut16-
year-
oldmedidn'tthinkso, butdaddydidn'tcare.
Hewasahor r
ibl
emanandwant edmet obej ust
l
ikehim,Ibecamebet terthanhim andkil
ledhim.I
wast
ir
edofhi
mtel
l
ingmewhatt
odo.
Hereachedoutbehi
ndhi
m andpul
ledoutagun,
poi
nti
ngitatme.
hi
m:ifyoucanki
llyourf
athert
henIcanki
llyou,
he
al
waystoldmetogetrevengei
fhewaskil
led.
me:youwon'
tki
llme.
him:Iwil
l,
thi
sgunhasbul
let
sandIwi
llpul
lthe
tr
igger
.
Hedi
dseem l
ikehecouldpullt
het
ri
gger
,buthe
wasaki
dandIcouldplayhim.
me:youaregoingtoshootmewhil
esitt
ingther
e?If
youaresosureofyoursel
f,youmi
ghtwanttocome
putt
hegunrightonmyheadandpul lt
hetri
gger.
hi
m:Icandot
hat
.
me:no,
youwon'
t,
you'
rej
ustaweakki
d.
Hest
oodupandwalkedslowlytowar
dsme.I
al
mostl
aughedathi
sstupidi
ty.
hi
m:I
'
m notweak,
I'
llki
llyou.
Whenhewascl
oset
ome,
Ijumpedupsur
pri
sing
him,buthesti
llpul
ledthetri
gger
.Hemi ssedmy
headbyaf ewinchesandbyt heti
mehet ried
shooti
ngagain,Ihadtackledhi
m andgrabbedthe
gunfrom hi
m.Hel ayont hefl
oorandIpointedt
he
gunathim.
me:ifyou'
regoingtokil
lme,atleastbesmar
tabout
i
t.You'r
ealit
tl
eshitjustl
ikeyourfat
herandI
'
llbe
t
heoneki l
li
ngyou.
_
Segomot
so
Thepast2weekspassedbyqui cklyandnotmuch
happened.Wewer estillonthel ookoutforAndr
ew,
buthehadgonei ntohiding.Ispental otofti
me
wit
hEthan, st
il
labitshakent hathehadal most
beenkil
led.Hewasdr ivingtomypl acenow, we
pl
annedonhavi ngamovi enightwi thNcebaand
Li
am, maybewat chsomeact ion.
me:whatt
imei
sit
?
hi
m:checkt
her
eonmyphone.
Ihadsomehowf
orgot
tenmyphonewhenIl
eftt
his
morning,
ar ar
eoccurrencebecauseIal
wayshaveit
wit
hme.Wegott omypl aceandIsawCami l
a'scar
t
here.Weheadedi nsi
deandj ustasweenter
edthe
f
rontdoor,Ihear
dagunshotandCami l
a'
svoice.
her:i
fyou'
regoi
ngtokil
lme, atl
eastbesmart
aboutit
.You'
reali
tt
leshi
tjustli
keyourf
atherand
I'
l
lbetheonekil
li
ngyou.
Ipull
edoutmygunf rom myhandbagandheaded
totheli
vingroom.Liam wasonthefl
oorwit
h
Camilastandingabovehim,agunpoint
edathim.
me:Cami
la.
Shel
ookedupatme.
me:What
'sgoi
ngon?
her
:noneofyourbusi
ness,
ifyoucoul
djustgi
veus
somespacetosortt
hisout
.
me:Cami
lat
hisi
syourl
it
tl
ebr
other
,putt
hegun
away.
her
:li
tt
lebr
other
,that
'sf
unny.He'
sapi
eceofshi
t,
hepull
edagunonme.
me:Okay,
wel
lhenol
ongerhasi
tsost
epaway
f
rom hi
m andputt
hegunaway.
her
:orwhat
?
me:I
'
llshootyou.
her
:no,
youwon'
t.
me:Iwi
ll
,I
'l
lhur
tyoui
fyoudar
etr
ytohur
thi
m.
her
:we'
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.
HelookeddownatLi am,gunpoint
edathischest
andshel ookedlikeshewasabouttoshoothim.I
shotheronherl eg,andshedroppeddown,
groani
ngi npain.Idroppedthegunandwentto
kneelnexttoher.
me:Cami
layoui
diot
,youshoul
dhavel
ist
enedt
o
me.
Shesmi
ledatme,
sti
llcl
utchi
ngherbl
eedi
ngl
eg.
her
:It
houghtIhadyoufiguredout.
..butIguess.
..I
waswrong.You,Segomotso,ar
e..
.
Et
han:Li
am!
Abull
etwentthr
oughCamil
a’sheadandherdead
eyesst
aredatme,hermout
hopenwi t
hher
unfi
nishedwords.Ilookedupandsawt hatLiam
hadtakenmygunandshotCami la.Hest aredatme
wit
hahar dgaze,hiseyeshel dnor emor se.Idon't
knowhowl ongIsatt her
ef r
ozeni ndi sbeli
ef,
itmust
havebeenforaboutami nut
e, butitfeltl
ikeal ot
l
onger .
Et
han:Ishoul
dcal
lthepol
ice.
..
me:no,
don'
t.Li
am,
got
oyourr
oom.
Hewentawaywi t
houtawordandIst areddownat
Camila,att
heholeinherhead,t
henathereyes.
Deathissuchanunusualthing,onemomentCami l
a
wasal i
veandthenextshewasgone, injusta
second.Ishuthereyesandstoodup,takingadeep
breat
h.
me:Et
han,
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dleave.
hi
m:I
'
m notgoi
nganywher
e.
me:itcan'tbeknownt hatCami l
a'sdead,notwit
h
Andrewst i
lloutanditdefi
nit
elycan'tbeknownt hat
shewaski ll
edbyherownbr otherwho'snineyears
old.Ihavenochoi cebutto.
..buryheroutsidei
nt he
garden.Youdon' thavetobeapar tofthi
s,you
shoul
dleave.
hi
m:we'
l
ldot
hist
oget
her
.I'
m notl
eavi
ng.
Hisresol
vecal
medmealit
tl
e.Inoddedandt
hought
aboutwhatIhadt
odonext
.
me:Ineedtodri
vehercari
nsidethedri
veway,we'
ll
seewhatwe'l
ldowit
hitlat
er.Thebody.
..we'
llbur
y
i
tatnightwhennonei
ghbourscanseeus.
hi
m:okay.
Iwentt ogetasheetf rom thebedr oom andcame
backtocoverCami l
a.Itouchedhercheekf ora
moment ,real
isingthatthi
swasi t,shewasr eall
y
gone.Thehol einherheadst ar edatmemocki ngly
unti
lIpul l
edt hesheetup.Isi ghedandwentout side,
needi
ngt hefreshair.Iremember edtogetthekeys
toCami la'
scarf r
om herpockett henwentt ohercar .
Igotinsideandsatt hereforamoment ,
smel l
ingher
scent.Ther ewasar i
fl
ecasei nt hebackseat ,andI
tookit,
openi ngi t
.Iwassur prisedt oseeanot ewith
mynameoni t.
"I
'
veloved3peopl
einmyli
fe,
Jessi
ca,ascrazyas
shewas,Cl
ayandyou.I
fIwereadi
ffer
entperson,
maybeIwouldhaveall
owedmyselftobewi t
hyou
butheyI
'
mr uthl
essandcold,sot
hispathet
icnot
e
i
sallwe'
l
lhave.Takecareofyour
selfandshoot
somebastar
dsforme."
Shortandsi
mpleyetitmeantsomuch.Camil
a
l
ovedme, t
hereali
sat
ionopenedt
hefloodgatesof
tear
sandIheldthenotel
ikemyli
fedependedonit
.
_
Et
han
Isatinthekitchen,
wai ti
ngforSego.Iwasshocked
bywhathadhappened.Li am hadqui cklytakenthe
gunandshotCami l
awi t
hpr eci
sionandno
hesit
ati
on.Hedi dn'
tevenl ookr emor seful
after
wards, t
herewasj usthateonhi sfaceandt hat
wast er
rif
ying.Whatevermi sunder st
andi ngthey
hadmusthavebeenser i
ous.Segol ookedsohur t
andIcoul dseehowmuchshecar edf orCami la.
Sheevencar edaboutt hereputationCami l
ahad.
Shecamebacki nsideawhi lelaterwi t
hsomecase
thatshemusthavet akenfrom Cami l
a'scar.
me:hey,
areyouokay?
St
upi
dquesti
on,
hereyeswereredf
rom cr
yingandI
ment
all
yki
ckedmysel
fforaski
ng.
her
:I'
l
lbef
ine.
Shesatnextt omeandf orawhil
ewej ustsatther
e
i
nsilence.WhatcouldIsaytoher,ther
ewasadead
bodyinherlivi
ngroom andanine-year
-ol
dkill
er.
Thatwasf uckedup.
her
:Ishoul
dt alktoLi
am,Idon'
tevenknowwhatt o
saytohim,
he' sli
kesomeoneIdon'tknow,
noteven
akidanymore.
me:youdon'
thavetot
alkt
ohi
mri
ghtnow,
Ican
j
ustgocheckonhim.
her
:no,
I'
llgo.
me:Icancomewi
thyout
hen.
ShenoddedandIfol
lowedhert
oLi
am'sroom.He
wasn'
tther
ethoughbutther
ewasanot
eonhisbed.
"Shekil
ledmyfather.Myf
atheral
waystoldmeto
kil
lthepersonwhowouldkil
lhim.Thankyouf
or
taki
ngcareofme. "
Segol
ookedar
oundaf
terr
eadi
ngt
henot
e.
her
:hi
slapt
opi
sgone.
Hi sphonewasonhi sdeskthough,he'
ssmart
enought oknowt hatitcoul
dhavebeenusedt o
trackhim down.Hi scl ot
hesandeverythi
ngel
se
wer esti
llt
heresohemusthavej ustt
akenafew
things.West i
llsearchedaroundthehouseand
out si
de,buthewasl onggone.Wewentbacki nsi
de
andsatbacki nt heki t
chen.Ncebacamehome
aboutanhourl at
er.
hi
m:heyguys.
Sego:
hasLi
am cont
act
edyou?
hi
m:no,
why?
Sego:
he'
sgone,
Idon'
tknowwher
ehewent
.
hi
m:gonehow?
Segol
ookedatme,
unsur
eofwhatt
otel
lhi
m.
me:hedi
dsomet
hingandnowi
tlooksl
ikeher
an
away.
hi
m:Idon'
tknowwher
ehecoul
dbe.
*
*
Whenni ght
fallcame,IhelpedSegodigupagr ave
i
nt hebackyardandwebur iedCamil
a'
sbody.We
changedclothesandbur nttheoneswithbl
ood.We
wenttositinthekit
chenonceal lt
hatwasdone.
Segowassi lentandIdidn'twantt
oleaveheralone.
her
:ther
e'ssomet
hingyoushoul
dknow.
me:what
?
her
:Icheat
ed.
Shehadbeenstari
ngatt
het
abl
ebutnowshe
rai
sedhereyest
ome.
her
:IwasseeingCami
la,
sleepi
ngwi
thherand
j
ust.
..expl
ori
ng.
me:so,
thepi
ctur
es?
her:t
heywer ewhattheylookedlike.Ili
edtoyou
aboutCami l
abeingpersi
stent.Iwill
inglyhookedup
withherandactuall
yenjoyedbeingwi t
hher.Ifel
t
guil
tythoughandknewt hatIwasbei ngunfai
thful
toyou,soIbrokeitoffj
ustafteryour ecei
vedthe
pict
ures.
Iwasspeechl
ess,
notsur
ehowt
orespondt
othat
.
me:so,
you'
rel
esbi
an?
her:Camilawast hefir
stwomanIsuddenl yfound
mysel fi
nterestedinbutthatdoesn'tmeanIdon't
l
oveyou.You' vetaughtmewhatt rueloveisand
tr
eatedmewaybet terthananymanI 'vebeenwit
h.
You'reagr eatguyEt han.
me:Idon'tunder
standhowyoucoul
dcheatonme
thenandlietome.Wasthehookupwit
hyouand
Camilaseri
ous?
her:notreally,
wej usthadf unt oget
her .Putt
ingt
he
physicali
ntimacyasi de,Cami lamademef eel
str
ongerandmor econf identinmysel f.Theguys
whor apedme, she'st hewhof oundthem f orme
andgavemet hepoi sont oki l
lthem whenIasked
her.Sheis...shewasar uthlesswomanbut
somehow, wef ormedabondt hatIcan'teven
describetomysel f.
me:so,
youl
ovedher
?
Shewassi
lentf
oramoment
.
her
:I'
m notsure.Et
hanyoudeserveawomanwho' l
l
l
oveyouwhol ehear
tedl
yandbesatisf
iedwithyou
al
one,Icl
earl
ywasn'tandhereIam confusedabout
myfeeli
ngs.Youdeservebet
tert
hanwhatIcan
gi
veyou.
Thosewordssur ecutdeepi nsideme.Il oveSego, a
l
otandIwasl ooki ngforwardt ospendi ngther estof
mylif
ewi t
hher, butthisconf essionwasal ot.I'm
notevensureifthef actthatshecheat edwi t
ha
womanmadet hingsbet terornot .Icouldseet hat
shewashur t
ing, andIwant edt ocomf orther
, butI
coul
dn't
,notafterwhatshe’ sj usttol
dme.So, Isaid
goodbyetoherandl eft
.
TheHi
tWoman
Epi
logue
_
AndrewPet rovmadehiswayoutoft hehousehe
wasr enti
ng.Heheadedt othecart hatwait
edf or
hi
m out si
deandcautiouslylookedar oundfor
anyoneoranyt hi
ngsuspicious.Alwayscaut i
ous
washi smottonowthathi sassociateswereall
dead.
"CasaDelRi orestaurant
."Hetoldhisdriver
.The
driverdrovehi
mt her
eandar r
ivedjustintimefor
Andr ew’smeeting.Andrewwenti nsidethe
restaurantandgreetedhisassociates.
Konst
ant
in:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyou'
dmakei
t.
Andr
ew:Ineedtoknowhowever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngi
n
Sai
ntPet
ersbur
g.
Vikt
or:TheOPG'sar
edoingwell
,thoughthefeds
havesomeoperati
ontoshutdownt hetr
aff
icki
ng
andsmugglingbutwe'
recar
efulenough.
Andrew:Good,good.Ther
e'snot
hinglef
tforme
her
e, Ineedt
ocomebackt oRussia.
Konst
ant
in:Thehi
twomani
sst
il
lonyou?
Andr
ew:yes,
shemustbe.Theot
herguyhasl
eft
mealone,
butIcan'
tbesosur
e.
Vikt
or:Al
liswel
linSai
ntPetersbur
g,t
heBar
sukov
canhookyouuponceyour eturn.
Andr
ewnoddedandt heydi
scussedsomemor e
busi
ness.Hi
sdr
iverwait
edforhim out
side,
scanni ngthepeopl eent er
ingandexiti
ngt he
rest
aur antandt hosepassi ngby.30mi nlater
,
Andr ewmadehi swayoutoft herestaurant,
hurryingtot hecar.Hewasj ustcl
oset othevehicle
whenabul letwentt hroughhisheadandhe
droppeddead.Hi sdr i
verlookedaroundf rant
ical
ly,
butheknewhewoul dn'tspotthesniper.
_
*
*Gun_
Lover
schat
group*
*
*
*Joe291:It
oldyouguyst
hatDavi
sist
hebest
.**
*
*Ral
f_JK:whatshedo?
**
**
Joe291:GunnedAndr
ewPet
rovj
ustout
sideCasa
DelRi
o.*
*
**
Ralf_
JK:damn, Iunder
est
imat
edher
.Sher
eal
ly
wipedthem out
.
*
*LD000:Davi
sisdead.
**
**
Joe291:Dudest
opplayi
ng.Pet
rov'
sbrai
nwas
bl
ownout,onl
y1sniperwhodoesthat
.DAVIS!
**
*
*LD000:She'
sdead,
I'
m sur
eoft
hisbecauseI
'
m
t
heonewhokill
edher.
**
*
*Ral
f_JK:Boyyoudr
eami ng,
theRussi
anscoul
dn'
t
t
akeherout,
she'
suntouchabl
e.*
*
**
Joe291:Getoutofhere,
you'
l
lputthi
schatgroup
onthepol
ice'
sradarwit
hyourshi
tt
yclaims.
**
_
Segomot
so
IcheckedoutofthehotelIhadbeenst
ayi
ngat
,
havi
ngf i
nishedwhatIhadcomeher et
odo.
cl
erk:Ihopeyouhadawonder
fulst
ayher
eMrs
Ndlovu,pl
easerat
eusonourwebsi
te,
wewoul
d
appreci
ateit
.
me:Iwi
ll
,thankyou.
Myf l
ightwasi nanhour ,soIwentt oanear by
restaur antandhadsomel unch.Not hingseemed
appeal ingtome, soIendeduphavi ngcof feeonl y.
It'
sbeenamont hsi nceLiam kil
ledCami l
aandI
can'tsayal liswel l.Isti
lldon'
tknowwher eLi am is,
andIhaven' ttalkedt oEthansinceIt oldhim about
myr elati
onshipwi thCami l
a.Aftersomet i
meof
thinkingandcr ying,Icamet osomer eali
sations.I
car edaboutCami la,mor et hanIt houghtIhad, andI
mi ssedher ,notnecessar il
yfort hephysical
i
nt i
macybutf orhowshewast her eformei naway
Ineverconsi der ed.Shehadt hreat enedMandl a
whenshesawhi mt ryingt ohi tmeandshehad
mostl i
kelybeent heonebehi ndhi sdisappear ance,
shewast her ef ormewhenIst oodoveracl if
f
thinki ngaboutt hosewhohadr apedmeandhad
agr eedt ohel pmef indandki l
lt hem, shet aughtme
self-def enceandhowt ousear i
f l
e.Therewer e
moment swhenIwast errif
iedofher ,whenIhat ed
her ,butshecar edaboutmeandl ovedme.Idi dn't
knowt hatunt i
lshewasdead, andIwashol dingt he
ri
flecasewi t
ht hel i
ttlenot eshehadwr it
ten.The
secondr ealisat ioncamewhenIwashol dingt he
ri
flet hatshemeantt ogi veme.Iknewt hatAndr ew
wasst il
loutt her e,wai tingt ogetbackatEt hanso
wewer en'tsaf eyet .Thel asttimeIhadasked
Cami l
at of i
ndsomeonef orme, Ihadaskedhert o
givemet hecont actsoft hepeopl esheused.I
cont actedoneoft hem andaskedhi mt ohuntdown
Andr ew, Iwaswi ll
ingt opaywhat everamount , but
her ejectedi t,tellingmet hatitwascover ed.He
foundAndr ewhi dingi nDur bansoImadet he
decisiont okillhim beforehegetcoul dbackat
Ethan.I twasamaj ordeci sion, butIfel
tthatI
neededt odot his,formysel f,Ethan,andCami la.I
hadCami l
a'sguygetmeaf akeI D,j
ustasa
precaut i
onevent houghIdoubt edthatthepoli
ce
woul df i
ndme.If lewt oDur ban, f
oundAndr ew, and
keptacl oseeyeonhi m, usi nganot herguyof
Cami la'stot r
ackmeet i
ngshewasmaki ng.I
purposel ychoset hehot elIst ayedinandcamped
theref orAndr ew.Cami l
a'svoi cewasi nmyhead,
coachi ngmeonhowt ogett hebestshot .Pul
li
ng
thetriggerwaseasyenought houghIdi dholdmy
breathwhenAndr ewdr oppeddead, r
ealisi
ngthatI
hadj ustki l
ledhiml ikeapr ofessionalhitman,andI
didn'
tr egretit.Hewasabast ardandCami ladidsay
Ishoul dshootsomebast ar dsf orher.
*
*
Il
andedl
atert
hatdayandt
ookanUbert
omypl
ace.
Nceba:ni
cet
ohaveyouback.
me:Ihopeyoudi
dn'
tbur
ndownanyt
hing.
Hegr
innedsheepi
shl
yandIl
aughed.
hi
m:youhadf
un?
me:i
twasawor
ktr
ip,
Idi
dn'
thavet
imef
orsome
f
un.
him:Et
hancal
led,hesai
dhecoul
dn'
tgett
hrough
youonyourphone.
me:whatdi
dhesay?
hi
m:hesai
dyoushouldcal
lhi
m whenyougotback,
hewant
stotal
ktoyou.
Isti
lll
ovedhim andevent houghItoldhi
mt hathe
deservedbetter,Imi ssedhim, andIhadbeen
hopinghewoul dforgivemeandgi vemeanot her
chance.Iwoul dn'tmessupt hi
st i
me,Ihadmy
feel
ingsinorderandt herewoul dbenoother
woman.Iwoul dst r
ivetobet hewomanhedeser ved
i
fhecoul djustgivemeachance.

_
Et
han
"
Andr
ewPet
rovgunneddown.
"
Ireadthearti
cleandf oundoutwhereAndrewhad
beenhiding.Thear t
iclement i
onedthathehadbeen
kil
ledbywhatappear edtobeapr ofessi
onalsni
per
whocoul dbeanyoneofhi senemies.Isi
gned,
rel
ievedthatnowIcoul dstopworryi
ngabout
Andrewcomi ngf ormeandhavi ngtolookovermy
shouldereveryti
me.Ical l
edBrucewhohadonl y
spent2weeksi nSAandsai dhehadpeopleont he
l
ookoutf orAndrew.
hi
m:Et
han,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
me:I
'
m good,
Ijustf
oundoutt
hatAndr
ewi
sdead.
hi
m:yes,
Isawthat
,"Andr
ewPetrovgunneddown"
howcoul
dImisssuchaheadl
ine.
me:t
hiswoul
dn'
tbet
hewor
kofoneyourpeopl
e,
woul
dit?
hi
m:I'
m gladt
hebast
ardisdeadbutno,Idi
dnot
haveanyofmyguyski
llhi
m.Iactual
lyknewthathe
wassomewherei
nDurban,butIdi
dn'
tsendoneof
myguysafterhi
m.Ialsodon'
thaveasniper
,butI
t
hinkIhaveanideaofwhocouldhavedonethi
s.
me:who?
hi
m:Camil
aDavi
s,t
hewomanwho'sSego'
sfri
end,I
di
dmyresear
chandsawt
hatshe'
sgoodwithri
fl
es.
Nooneot hert
hanme,Sego,
Liam andNcebaknew
aboutCamilabei
ngdeadandIwasn'tgoi
ngtotel
l
anyone.
me:yeah,
maybe.
hi
m:so,
how'
sitgoi
ngwi
thSego?
me:Wehaven'tspokeni
nawhil
e,butIdopl
ant
o
t
alktohersoon,seei
fwecansal
vageour
r
elat
ionshi
p.
him:Il
ikeher,she'
sakindwomananddeepl
ycares
aboutyou.Ihopeyou'l
ltal
kandmakeadeci
sion
thatwi
llmakebot hofyouhappy.
me:Ihopesot
oo.
Ispoketohi
m ali
tt
lelongerandthenendedthecall
.
IhadtoldBr
uceali
ttl
eaboutthebreakupwithSego,
notgoingi
ntot
hespecifi
csofit
.Ithurtt
hatSego
hadcheat edonmeandl i
edabouti t
.Theonl y
reasonshehadevent ol
dmet hetr
uthwasbecause
shewasover comewi thgrief
.Ispental otoftime
thinki
ngaboutwhet herIcouldbewi thheragain
andt rusther .EventhoughIwashur t,Ist
il
lfound
mysel fwonder i
ngabouthowshewasdoi ng,what
shewasdoi ngonadai l
ybasisandi fshemi ssed
measmuchasImi ssedher .Ihadn'
tr eal
lymadea
finaldecisionaboutourr elat
ionshi
p, butIwantedto
talktoher .Myphoner angjustthen,andhername
flashedacr osst hescreen.
her
:hey,
Ncebat
oldmet
hatyoucal
led.
me:yes,
hedi
dsayt
hatyouwer
eonapl
ane.
her
:yes,
Iwasawayonawor
ktr
ip.
me:Isee,
Iwast
hinki
ngt
hatweshoul
dtal
k.
her
:Iwoul
dli
ket
hat
,when?
me:howaboutt
omor
row,
wecanmeetupf
orl
unch.
her
:thatsoundsgood.
..
me:yeah,
I'
llseeyout
omor
rowt
hen.
Ihat
edt
heawkwar
dnessbet
weenus,
andIwashal
f
l
ooki
ngf
orwar
dtot
omor
rowandhal
fnotr
eadyf
or
i
t.
*
*
Iwasfi
rsttoarr
iveatt
herestaur
antIwasmeet i
ng
Segoat,soIsatandorder
edadr i
nk.Shecamea
fewminuteslat
erandIcouldtel
lshewasnervous.
me:howhaveyoubeendoi
ng?
her
:fi
neIguess,
notatmybest
.Howaboutyou?
me:I
'
vebeenf
inet
oo.
Weor
der
edandIaskedaboutNcebaandLi
am.
her
:Nceba'
sgoodandLiam,
Ihavenoi
deawhere
hecoul
dbe.Ican'
tsayI
'
vedonemuchtoevenf
ind
hi
m.
Inodded,under
standingt
hatsheprobabl
ywoul
dn'
t
wanttofacehim aft
erwhathedid.
me:I
'
vebeendoi
ngsomet
hinki
ng.
her
:canIj
ustsaysomet
hing?
me:sur
e.
her:t
hatni
ght
,Iwasgr i
efstr
ickenandIdidn'
t
conveyhowsorr
yIwast ohavehur tyou.Idor
egr
et
howIwasunfait
hfulanddishonestwithyouandI
wantyoutoknowthatI'
m sorry.
Il
ikedthatshedi
dn'
tmakeupanyexcusebutwas
j
ustsincerel
ysor
ry.
me:haveyouf
igur
edoutwhet
heryoul
ovedCami
la
ornot
.
her:yes,Idi
dloveherbutnoti
nthei
nti
mateway.
Shesavedmyl i
fesever
alti
mesandhel
pedme
fi
nallydealwit
hsomet hi
ngs.Shewasauni
que
fr
iendtome.
me:whataboutme?
her:Befor
eImetyou, Ithoughtguyswer eallj
erks
andthattruelovedi dn'texist,butyouchangedt hat
.
Youwer epatientandsi ncere,gavemet i
meand
courtedme.Ist i
llsayt hatyou' r
eagreatguyandi t
mightbeselfishofme, butIwantyoui nmyl i
fe.I
l
oveyouandI 'm hopingyou' llgivemeachancet o
tr
ulyappreciateyou.
It
ookherhandsi
nmi
ne,
havi
ngf
inal
lymadeupmy
mind.
me:Imi ssedyousomuchandIt
houghtaboutyou
constantl
y.Il
oveyouandI
'
m wil
li
ngt
ogiveour
rel
ati
onshipatryagai
n.
Shesmi l
edandIf el
tli
kesomet hingi nsi
demej ust
cli
ckedi ntoplace.Ihadnowor ri
esatt hatmoment ,
allfeltri
ght .Justawhi leagoIwasf orcedt
oleave
mycomf or
tableandst ablelifeintheUK.If el
t
hor r
ibleandt hi
ngsturnedwor sewhenIgot
entangl edi nThulani'
spr oblems.Ideal twit
henemy
afterenemy, f
oundmyf ather,forgavehi m,
and
formedar elati
onshi
pwi t
hhi m andInowownan
architectcompanyt hathest art
ed.I'vehadmyf air
shar eofgoodandbadt hingsi nthepastmont hs,
butIwasgl adt obewher eIwasnow.