SPARKSI

NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE1

Letmecat
ert
oyou
'
Causebabyt
hisi
syourday
Doany
thi
ngf
ormyman
Babyy
oubl
owmeaway
Igoty
oursl
i
pper
s,y
ourdi
nner
,yourdesser
t,andso
muchmore
Any
thi
ngy
ouwant
Justl
etmecat
ert
oyou
I
nspi
remef
rom t
hehear
t
Can'
tnot
hingt
earusapar
t
You'
real
lIwanti
naman
Iputmyl
i
fei
nyourhands
Igoty
oursl
i
pper
s,y
ourdi
nner
,yourdesser
t,andso
muchmor
e
Any
thi
ngy
ouwant
Iwannacat
ert
oyou

CatertoyoubyDestiny'
schil
dplay edonther adi
oas
Nomahgotr eadyputti
ngonhermar oonthonanda
sexysati
nsleevel
essv-necknightiest
hatshowed
hercleav
age.Sheroll
edlit
tl
eper fumeonherneck
thenshelookedaround.Ever
ythingwasper fect,
she
checkedonthechampagneandi twasalreadycol d,
thefoodwaswar m andthepresentwasni celyput
onthebed.

Nomahsmi l
edwonderingwhatherhusbandwas
goingtogetherthi
stimearound.Thepastcoupl
eof
mont hshadbeenrockyfort
hem butwhat
rel
ati
onshipdoesn'
thaveupsanddowns.
Shel
ookedatt heti
meonherphoneandi twas
al
mosteighti
nt heevening.Shedi
aledhermotheri
n
l
awandshei nstant
lypickedup.
MmaThobo:
Hel
lo,It
houghtyousai
dweshoul
dn'
t
bot
hery
ouwhyareyoubotheri
ngusnow?
Nomah:
Hahaha,
aret
heki
dssl
eepi
ng?
MmaThobo:
Kar
eni
swat
chi
ngTVJuni
orl
ongwent
t
obed.
Nomah:OkayIwasjustchecki
nguponthem,
tel
l
Kar
entogotobedkat enorelseshewi
l
lbe
wat
chi
ngTVunt i
ltomorrow.
MmaThobo:
Iwi
l
l.
Nomah:
Goodni
ght
..
MmaThobo:
Goodni
ghtmybaby
.

Nomahhungupandsi
ghedsi
tt
ingont
hebed.

AtKi
m'sHouse.

Thet
highcl
appi
ngandmoaningcoul
dbeheard
fr
om t
hemaindoor
.Bal
ebenggotoffbedandpul
l
ed
Kim'slegt owar
dst heedgeofthebed, herubbedhi
s
dickonhercl i
tbeforehepenetrat
edagai n,
he
seperatedherpussyl ipswit
hhisfi
ngersandlooked
ashisdi ckwentinandoutofhernunu, Ki
m moaned
l
ouder ,sheknewitt urnedhi
m onwhenshemoaned
l
ouderwi t
hhimlooki ngathi
sdickgoinginandout
ofher.

Balebengstartedmoaningtooandgroaned,hewent
fasterandfaster
,thef
asterhewentKim moaned
l
ouder ."
Aaaahhhg"Balebenggroanedbefor
ehe
fi
ll
edKi m wit
hhiscum.

Bal
e:Aaahhhh!Fuckbabe.
.Aaahhh!

Her eachedforatowelandwipedthesweatoffhi
s
facethenlookedashisdicksli
dout,hewiped
himselfandfell
onKim'sside.Theybothbreat
hed
heav i
l
ylooki
ngupatt heceeli
ng.
Bal
e:Babey
ouwi
l
lki
l
lme,
monat
eokanakana.
Theybothlaughed,
Bal
ebengpi
ckeduphi
sphone
andlookedattheti
me.

Balebeng:Shi
t,It
houghtIwoul
dst
ayforanot
her
roundbutnakoechail
e,Ihavet
ogohome.
Ki
m:Whenar
eyouev
ergoi
ngt
osl
eepov
erner
ra?
Bal
ebeng:
Babewet
alkedaboutt
his.
Kim:Youaredi
vor
cingheraker
e,Idon'
tseewhyy
ou
havetosl
eepathome.
Bal
ebeng:
Youknowy
ourmot
herdoesn'
tl
ikeme.
Ki
m:Whydoy
oucar
eaboutmymot
her
?
Balebeng:
Iwi
l
lsl
eepher
eoncet
hedi
vor
cei
s
fi
nali
sed.

HerubbedKi
m'sni
ppl
es.Ki
m cl
osedherey
esand
l
ookedaway.
Bal
ebeng:
Babedon'
tbel
i
ket
hat
.
Ki
m:Aaahsl
eepi
ngal
oneev
ery
day
.Idon'
tknow
gongwekanay
ouar
enotev
endi
vor
cingy
ouar
e
tr
icki
ngme.
Bal
ebeng:
Ishowedy
out
hedi
vor
cepaper
s.
Ki
m:Thenwhyar
eyout
ryi
ngt
okeepherhappy
?
Bal
ebeng:
It'
sFr
iday
.

Hegotoutofbedandtookouthi
swall
et,
hecount
ed
afewtwohundredpul
anotesandputonthet
abl
e.

Bal
ebeng:Gooutwit
hyourf
ri
endsandhav
efun.I
wil
lseeyoutomor
row.
Ki
m:Okay
,Il
ovey
ou.
Bal
ebeng:
Ilov
eyoumor
e.
Balebenggotoutofbedandwentt oshowert hen
putonhisclothes.Heki
ssedKim andlef
tpassi ng
MmaKemmony esit
ti
nginfr
ontofthehousedr i
nking
tea.Hegotinhiscarwit
houtsayi
ngawor dandl ef
t.
MmaKemmony eshookherheadandcontinued
drinki
nghertea.
Kemmonyecameoutoft
hehousei
nhergown
car
ryi
ngabl
ackpl
ast
icbag.

MmaKemmony
e:Comeher
e.

Kim wenttot
hrowthepl
ast
ici
nthebi
nandwal
ked
towardshermother
.

MmaKemmony e:Whatwi
ll
peoplesaywhena
marri
edmanwithari
ngonhisf
ingerl
eav
esyour
houseatt
hist
ime.
Kim:Problem i
snnaIdon'
thav ethewhatwill
people
saysyndrome.Theyareal
lowedt othi
nkwhatt hey
want,saywhattheywantbecauseatt heendofthe
dayIbenef i
tnot
hingf
rom t
heirthoughtsorwhat
theysaybehindmyback.

Theoldwomanfoundhersel
ftouchi
nghermout
hin
awelooki
ngathery
oungestdaughter
.
MmaKemmony e:Au,youcanevensaythatwi
tha
ser
iousfacengwanaka?Youarebreaki
nganot
her
woman'shome.
Kim:Herhusbandowesherloyalt
yesengnna,Iam
notgoi
ngtodenymy sel
fhappinessandabetterl
if
e
j
ustbecausesomeoneismar r
ied,that
'st
hei
rthi
ng
nnaketsenakae?

MmaKemmony eshookherhead,
shedi
dn'
tknow
whatelset
osay
.Kim wentbackt
oherr
oom.She
satdownanddi
aledherf
ri
end.
AtNomah'
shouse.

Bal
ebengparkedhi
scari
nfr
ontoft
hehouseand
st
ayedinf
oraf ewminut
esl
ooki
ngatt
heenvel
ope
hewasholdi
ng.

Meanwhi l
einsi
det hehouseNomahf ixedhernight
y
dressandsatont hebedwai t
ingforherhusbandto
comei n.Shehear
dt hemai ndooropenthenthe
bedroom dooropened.Balebengswi t
chedont he
l
ights.

Nomah:
Hahacomeony
ouar
erui
ningt
hemood,
t
ima.

Balebengl ookedatthecandl
eli
troom wi
thpet
alson
thefloorandont hebedandhiswi fei
naashort
transparentnight
ythatshowedherpanty
.
Nomahst
oodup.
Nomah:
Happyanni
ver
sar
ybabe.
Bal
ebeng:What'
sgoingon,whyareyouwasti
ngthe
moneythatwedon'
tevenhavekadil
odisel
e?Would
i
thavenotbeenananniv
ersar
yify
ouwoul dhave
j
ustsentmeatext.
Nomah:
Babe.
.
Bal
ebeng:Youknowgoreall
y oudoisstayathome
andeatal
ldaywit
houtdoi
ngany t
hingnnatheli
tt
le
moneyIgetwenayouwasteitmodi l
odi
seleng.

Balebengextendedhi
shandt
oNomahandgav
eher
theenvelope.

Nomah:
Whati
sthi
s?

Sheopenedtheenvel
opeandt
ookoutt
hepaper
s,
herJawsdropped.

Nomah:
Div
orcepaper
s?
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE2

Nomah:
Divor
cepapers?(
Shel
ookedupathi
m)
Di
vor
cepaper
sBalebeng?

Shelookedatt
hepapersagai
n,shedi
dn'
twantt
o
bel
ievewhatwashappeni
ng.

Nomah:Aft
ert
welv
eyear
sofbeingt
oget
her
,two
ki
dsandthr
eeyear
sofmarr
iage?
Balebeng:
Ineedyoutosi
gnthem pl
easesowecan
getthisov
eranddonewit
h.
Nomah:(Cry
ing)WhatdidIdo?Di
dIdosomethi
ng
wronggongwekanaIdidn'
tthi
nki
twaswrong.
Bal
ebeng:
..
Nomah:
Pleaset
ell
meIwantt
ocor
rectmymi
stakes.
Balebeng:(
Snapped)Idon'
tl
oveyouanymore.Idon'
t
wanty ou,
Idon'
tevenhaveasingl
ebitt
inyf
eeli
ng
foryou.

Nomahf el
tlikeal i
ghtni
ngjuststruckherheart,she
satdownhol dingherchestandt hepapersfell
f r
om
herhands.Shet ri
edtospeakbutnowor dscoul d
comeout ,
hermout hwasnumbandf el
thertongue
heavy .Shef eltanothershar
ppai nbelowherhear t.
Shel ookedar oundtheroom andev eryt
hingwas
blur
ry ,nextthingsher emember sshewaswaki ngup
atthehospi t
al wit
hMmaThobosi t
tingonthechai r
besidesherbed.

Nomah:
Mmmmh!

MmaThobor
aisedherheadandt
ouchedherhand.

MmaThobo:
It'
sfi
nddon'
ttr
ytospeakIam her
e.I
am her
e.
Nomahcl osedherey esandtearsr andownthe
sidesofhereyes."Whatdidshedowr ong?"she
askedherself
.Balebengwast heonl ymanshehad
everbeenwi t
hsinceshewasf i
ft
eeny ear
sold,he
washeronet rueloveandwhent heywerehappy
theyweresoul mates.I
fonlyhecoul dtel
lherwhat
shedidwr ongsoshecanapol ogize.

MmaThobost
oodupandf
oll
owedt
heDoct
or
out
side.

MmaThobo:
Wil
lshebeokay
?
Doctor:Shehadaministr
okewhi
chwecal
lTI
A,a
tr
ansientischemi
cat
tack.
MmaThobo: Mydaught
erdoyouthi
nkIeven
understandwhatyouar
esayi
ng,Idon'
tev
enknow
thatTiaperson.

TheDoct
orl
aughedandputherhandsi
nhercoat
.
Doctor
:TIAi
snotaperson,iti
sat
emporar
yperi
od
ofsymptomssi
mil
artothoseofastr
okebutnot
ser
iousli
ket
heact
ualstroke.
MmaThobo:Whatcoul
dhavecausedi
tbecauseshe
wasf
ineyest
erdaywhenwetal
ked.
Doct or:Wear eyettofi
ndoutt hat
'swhywear e
goingt obekeepi ngherhereforaf ewdaysto
recov erfr
om theinit
ial
ev ent
.Meanwhilewewi l
lfi
nd
thety peandamountofdamagecaused, andthe
effects,perf
orm mor etestsandbloodwork.
MmaThobo:Okayngwanaka,
j
aanongwi
l
lshebe
abl
etot
alk?
Doct
or:Yesherf
aceissti
ll
numbbutshewi
l
lbe
okay
,li
keIsai
ditwasjustamini
str
oke.
MmaThobo:
Thanky
ou.

Shewenti
nsi
det
her
oom andhel
dNomah'
shand.

MmaThobo:Iam goi
ngtogohomeokay
,Il
eftt
he
ki
dswi
ththenei
ghbors.
Nomaht
ri
edt
oopenhermout
h.

MmaThobo: TheDoctorsay stheyaregoingtokeep

youf orafewday sbeforey ougohome, don'
tworry
aboutt hekidsthei
rfatherbroughtthei
rschool
clothes,l
ewenaIbr oughty ouy ourcl
othesand
toil
etri
es.Letmegetgoi ng.

Shet
ouchedNomah'
shandandsqueezedi
tthenl
eft
.

AtNomah'
shouse.

BalebengparkedInf
rontofthehouse,bothheand
Kim steppedout.Ki
m dressedinacroptopanda
shortskir
twit
hflipf
lopslookedaroundtheyar
dand
thereweremophanel eavesevery
where.

Kim:Shedoesn'
tworkwhatdoesshedohomeal
l
daygotet
semat har
ejaana?
Shef ol
l
owedBalebengtothehouse,herjaws
dropped,i
twasbeautif
ul,
thefur
nit
uremat chedthe
ceil
ingandther
ewasanor angefl
uffyraginthe
middleofthesi
tti
ngroom.

Bal
ebeng:
Wel
comet
oourhousebaby
.

Ki
mtur
nedar
ound.

Bal
ebeng:
Oncet
hedi
vor
cei
sfi
nal
youar
emov
ingi
n.
Ki
m:Hee,
Ican'
tbel
i
eveal
loft
hiswi
l
lbemi
ne.

Shekeptaser
iousf
ace.

Kim:Whati
fshei
sgi
vent
hishousegot
weannel
e
bana?
Bal
ebeng:Ever
ythi
ngisi
nmyname, eneshehas
not
hingnotevenplat
esaker
eIam t
heonewhogave
herthemoneytobuyt
hem.Keselohel
a,shedoesn'
t
haveacert
if
icat
eordi
plomaandhasneverworkeda
dayinherl
i
fe.
Kim:
Iyookant
eshewaswast
inghert
ime,
let
'sgo
rr
abefor
eshecomes.

Bal
ebengpul
l
edheri
ntohi
schest
.

Balebeng:
Mothoyooi
satt
hehospi
tal
,comel
etme
showy oumybed.

Ki
m smi
l
edf
oll
owi
nghi
mtot
hebedr
oom.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Thobotookapl
ast
icchai
randwentt
ositnextt
ohi
s
motherwhowassi
tti
ngbythesi
deofthehouse
weavi
ng.
MmaThobo:Aongwanakay
oudi
dn'
tev
enbr
ingy
our
mot
herchi
ckennecks.
Thobo:Hahawaiwewer esupposedtosl
aughter
maabanebutitr
ainedsokebat oget
sebathaba.
MmaThobo: Eheee,
nnamothowaModi moIwasat
thehospi
talal
lday,
Nomahhadastrokeebi
l
eIwas
goingtocal
lyoukethoki
l
eair
ti
me.
Thobo:
What
?Issheokay
?
MmaThobo: TheDoct
orsay
sshewil
lbeokay
becauseshesai
ditwasamini
str
oke.

Thobor
ubbedhi
sface.

Thobo:
AndBal
ebeng?
MmaThobo:Lastsawhi
m whenhecamet
odr
opof
f
t
heki
ds'sunif
orm.
Thobo:
Aahaahst
rokei
nsuchachi
l
d.
MmaThobo:
Thingshavechanged,itnotbackt
hen
whenhi
ghbl
ood,diabet
esandstrokeswer e
associ
atedwi
thol
dpeopl
e.
Thobo:
LetmecallSbal
ekeut
wegor
egat
wewhat
's
goi
ngon,aahst
roke.

Hedi
aledBal
ebeng'
snumberandi
tranunanswer
ed.

Thobo:Iwi
l
lpassbyhi
shousebecauseIam goi
ng
i
ntotown.
MmaThobo:
Okaymyson.
Thobo:Sendmeacall
mebacksoIcanr
emember
torechar
gefory
ou.
MmaThobo:
Okay
.

Thobost
oodupandl
eft
.

*
*
Bal
ebengrecogni
sedhi
sbrot
her'
scarpar
kedinsi
de
hi
syardfr
om ami l
eaway.Hesi
ghedwonder
ing
whatwaswait
ingahead.Hepar
kedout
sideunder
t
hetreeandst
eppedout.

Thobo:
Itooky
ourpar
kingspot
?
Bal
ebeng:
Haha.
.

Theybumpedshoul
der
s.

Thobo:
Youar
efr
om t
hehospi
tal
?
Bal
ebeng:
NoIwi
l
lgol
aterdur
ingt
hev
isi
ti
nghour
s.
Thobo:
Gat
wewhathappenedkanakeut
wakaOl
ady
areNomahisi
nthehospi
tal
.
Bal
ebeng:YeahlennaIdon'
tknowwhathappenedI
j
ustsawherfal
li
ngdown.
Thobo:Aaahaaah,kemathata.AndhereIwas
thi
nki
nggorestrokei
sforoldpeople.
Bal
ebeng:
Str
oke?
Thobo:
Youdon'
tknow,
gat
weami
nist
roke,
shewi
l
l
befi
neene,Iam sorr
ybroIcanonl
yimagi
newhat
youaregoi
ngthrough.

Bal
ebengl
ookeddown.Thobopathi
sshoul
der
.

Thobo:
Stayst
rongf
ory
ouandt
heki
ds.
Bal
ebeng:
Iwi
l
l.
Thobo:
Letmer
usht
otheshopsbef
oret
heycl
ose.
Bal
ebeng:
Sur
e,badumel
ebana.
Thobo:
Thi
sweekendt
heyar
eatt
hei
rmot
her'
s.

Thobogoti
nhi
sLandCr
uiseandl
eft
.

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng.
.

Kim edi
tedherphotosshetookfr
om ear
li
erand
postedtwoonFacebook.Sherefr
eshedthephotos
anditwasalreadysixminut
esbutshehadtenli
kes.
Ki
m:Keengnepeopl
ear
enotonl
i
ne?

Herbigsist
ercamef
rom herhousehol
dingher
daughter
.

Si
ster:ThemmankadimeyourphoneIwanttor
ead
myf av
ourit
ebookkanal
astt
imeIlefti
thot
.
Ki
m:Iam st
il
lusi
ngi
t.
Sister
:Nkadi
mewheny
ougot
obedsot
hatIcan
catchup.
Kim:What'
ssoint
erest
ingaboutt
hingsthatdon'
t
happeni
nreall
i
fene?Thosebooksofy oursare
over
rat
ed.
Si
ster
:Youdon'
tknowanything,gor
ianamma
monyanaokobi
lwemomot sengkemmagwe, go
maragar
agahel
a,Idon'
tknowwher esheisgoi
ngto
go.

Bal
ebeng'
scardr
ovei
n,Ki
m smi
l
edandgav
eher
sist
erthephone.Balebengsteppedout,
hewentto
thehousewithoutgreeti
ngtheSist
er.Ki
mfol
lowed
himinsideandclosedthedoor.

MmaKemmony
e:Kgabi
weempi
l
etseKi
mforme.
Si
ster
:Aahaahaker
eyousawgor
eshehasaguest
.
MmaKemmony e:Thatguestnextti
meheshoul d
par
khiscarver
yf ar,
Idon'twantmar r
iedmen'scar
s
par
kedinsi
demyy ar
dpeoplemi ghtstar
tthi
nki
ngI
agr
eewithsuchnonsense.Nextt i
meheshoul dpar
k
acr
osstheroadfaraway .

I
nsi
deKi
m'shouse

Bal
ebenglai
donhisstomachwi
thhi
sey
escl
osed
asKim massagedhi
m.

Ki
m:War
ewhatdi
dyourbr
otherwant
.
Bal
ebeng:
Hewasaski
ngmegor
ewhatcoul
dhav
e
causedt
hestrokel
i
keIam aDoctornna.Howwi
l
lI
knowbecausennaIjustsawherf
all
i
ngdown.
Ki
m:Moghel
couldn'
ttakethediv
or cewell
,Iwonder
what
sgoi
ngtohappenwhensher eali
sedsheis
l
eavi
ngempt
yhanded, hear
tat
tack?
Bal
ebeng:
(Enj
oyi
ngt
hemassage)
Mmmh!
Ki
m: Ebi
l
eIsawsomebeaut i
ful
shoesandhandbags,
makeherleav
ethem j
ustf
orcontr
ol.Whi
l
eherpeers
wereworki
ngeneshedeci
dedtobeahousewife
si
es.
Bal
ebeng:
Mmmh!

Balebengturnedaroundandpull
edKim ont
opofhi
m.
Heki ssedherwhil
ehisotherhandpul
l
eddownher
panty.

Bal
ebeng:
Let
'snott
alkaboutt
hatper
son,
come
her
e.
Het
ossedandgotont
opofher
.
Ki
m:Soar
eyougoi
ngt
ogoseeher
?
Bal
ebeng:
Ihav
ebet
tert
hingst
odowi
thmyt
ime.

Ki
m gi
ggl
edasBal
ebengki
ssedherneck.

MondayMor
ning.
.

MmaThobo:
Nomah!
Nomah:
RraagweKar
enhasn'
tcomet
oseeme!

MmaThobolookedatNomahandherhear
tbr
oke
i
ntoti
nypi
eces,shel
ookedl
i
keshewasloosi
ngher
mind.

MmaThobo:
Hecamewheny
ouwer
esl
eepi
ng.

MmaThobof
eltbadandhatedl
yi
ngtoNomahbuti
t
l
ookedl
i
keherli
ehel
ped.Shesmil
ed.Shehad
tur
nedi
ntoaverybeaut
if
ulyoungwomanhav
ing
knownhersi
nceshewasf i
ft
eenyear
sol
d.

MmaThobo:
Iwi
l
lcal
landt
ell
himy
ouar
eawake.
Nomah:
Okay
!

TheDoct
orsi
gnal
edMmaThoboout
side.Shest
ood
upandwentt
otheDoct
or.

MmaThobo:
Issher
eadyt
ocomehome?
Doct
or :
Mam, t
hisi
sDrPeter
,heexaminedNomah
andshehaswhatwecal lner
vousbreakdownwhich
canleadherintodepr
essi
onorki
ll
inghersel
fand
har
mi ngtheonesaroundher
.
MmaThobo:OhJeso!KanaIsawgor
eshei
snot
her
sel
fit
'sl
i
kesheisloosi
ngit
.
Doct
or:Wear
egoingt
obef
orcedt
oadmi
theri
ntoa
Mental
Hospi
tal
.
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE3

Lat
ert
hatDay
..

MmaThobot hrewherhandbagont hesofaandwent

tothekitchen,shegotwat erfrom t
hefr
idgeand
pouredinagl asswi t
hhert hought
sfaraway.She
breathedheav i
lyanddrankt hewatert
henJunior
camer unninginsideexci
ted.

Juni
or:
Wher
eisshe?

Hel
ookedar
ound.

Juni
or:
Mmewher
eisMummy
?Isshesl
eepi
ng?
Kar
encamei
nwi
thahomemadecar
d.

Kar
en:Wher
eisshe?Imadeacar
dforher
.Thi
sis
her
,dad,
meandJunior
.
MmaThobo:
Kar
endi
dyouwashy
oursocks?
Kar
en:
Yes,
Grandmawher
eisMummy
?

Shelookedathergrandki
dsandshedi dn'
tknow
howt otel
lthem t
hei
rmot herwasnotcominghome
anyt
imesoon.Acarpar kedoutsi
de.

MmaThobo:
Thatmustbey
ourdad.

Thekidsranoutsi
deandtheyhuggedt
hei
rdad.
Juni
orlookedatthecarandthewomansi
tt
ingi
nthe
fr
ontwasn'thi
smot her
.

Juni
or:
Wher
eismummy
?
Balebengpi
ckedhi
m upandt
heywenti
nsi
det
he
house.

Kar
en:
(Tear
y)Whyi
snoonesay
ingany
thi
ng,
is
mummydead.
MmaThobo:
Don'
tsayt
hatshei
snotdead.

SheputKar
enonherl
ap.Bal
ebengsatdownand
l
ookedathi
smother
.

MmaThobo:Mummyissti
l
latthehospital
,si
nceshe
l
ovesyousomuchshesai
dshei sonlygoi
ngto
comebackwhenshei
scompletelyheal
ed.
Kar
en:
Canwegoseeher
?
MmaThobo:Okay,t
akey
ourbr
otherout
sideIwant
t
otal
ktoyourfat
her.

Karenhoppeddownandt
ookherl
i
ttl
ebr
otherbyt
he
hand.
Kar
en:
Let
'sgoJay
.

Shecl
osedt
hedooront
hei
rwayout
.

Bal
ebeng:
Gat
wekeengIt
houghti
tsami
nist
roke.
MmaThobo: Theyareref
erri
nghertoamental
hospi
talbecauseshei sdangertoher
sel
fandto
other
s.Theysai dver
ybigmedi cal
ter
msnnaIdon'
t
remembert hem.
Balebeng:Mot
hoyooodirakabomo.Lett
hem t
ake
hertothement
alhospi
tal
abonegoreshecan'
tfake
everyt
hing.

MmaThobolookedathersonandhewasn'
tshowi
ng
anypai
nonhisfaceori
nhistone.

MmaThobo:
Kantewhat
'sgoi
ngon?Yourwi
fei
ssi
ck
andy
ouaresay
ingshei
sfaki
ngit
?
Bal
ebeng:
Ifshei
sdangert
henIdon'
twantmyki
ds
nearher
.
MmaThobo:
Theyhav
etogosaygoodby
e.
Bal
ebeng:Shei
sdangerwhati
fshedoessomet
hing
tomykids?
MmaThobo:
Bal
ebengngwanaka.

Bal
ebengst
oodup.

Balebeng:
DoIhav
etosignany
thing,
ifnotnnake
busyandIhav
etogobacktowork.
MmaThobo:
No,tsamay
amot
howaModi
mo.Hav
e
youev
enwentt
oseeher?
Balebeng:Iam makingmoneyt hatshealways
wastesbuyingunnecessar
ythings.Iwi
llcomeget
thekidsthi
seveni
ngf ordi
nnerthenbri
ngt hem.

Heputhishandsinhi
spocketsandl
eft
.Hesai
d
goodby
et ot
hekidsandl
eft.
Ki
m:Gat
weng?
Bal
ebeng:
Shei
sgoi
ngt
oament
alhospi
tal
.
Kim:Babesheisgoingtodel
ayus,takehert
he
div
orcepaperssoshecansignthem.Arewegoing
towaitanot
hertwoorthreemonthsforhert
ocome
back?
Bal
ebeng:Wai
tseebi
l
eIdi
dn'
tthi
nki
tli
ket
hati
wil
l
goseeher
.
Kim:Ibetshethi
nksshecanemot i
onall
ysabotage
youbypretendi
ngtobedepressed,keabaitse
banyana,emoti
onalbl
ackmailnumberone.

Thobodrov
eoutwhi
l
eKi
mtooksel
fi
eswi
thhernew
phone.

Att
heHospi
tal
.
.

Nomahci
rcl
edherri
ngonthefi
ngert
henshe
r
emovedi
t,sheputi
tbackandki
ssedherhand.The
dooropenedandBalebengcamein,
sheraisedher
headandsmiled.Shestoodupandt
riedt
ohughi m
buthepushedherback.

Bal
ebeng:Ineedy
out
osi
gnt
hesepaper
stsa
i
nsurancef
orme.
Nomah:
Iknowt
hesear
edi
vor
cepaper
s.
Bal
ebeng:
Sign.
Nomah:No!Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ous?Youar
e
t
heonlymanforme.
Balebeng:It
oldyouIdon'
tl
oveyoukedirej
ang
pretendtol
oveyou?Thesear
etheinsur
ancepaper
s
l
ook.

Heshowedhert
hei
rinsur
ancelogo,Nomah
swal
lowedabi
glumpandsignedthem.

Bal
ebeng:
Andt
hisone.
Shesi
gnedev
ery
thi
ngandgav
ebackt
hepaper
s.

Nomah:
Iam pr
egnant
.
Balebeng:Kedir
ejang?Youseethisisyourpr obl
em,
youdon'tthi
nkaboutme,youthi
nkbecausey ouare
awomany ouaresupposedtogetpregnantleftri
ght
andcenter.Wherewil
lIgetmoneytosuppor tfour
peopleakerewenayoudon'tpl
anonwor king.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
llookf
oraj
obt
hen.
Bal
ebeng: Goodandsuppor
tyourchi
l
dwiththe
money,gapeIam notsur
ethat
'smybabyIhaven'
t
sl
eptyouinmonths.
Nomah:(
Wipedhertear
s)Howcany
ousayt
haty
ou
knowIwoul
dnevercheatony
ou.

Balebengopenedthedoorandlef
t.Nomahcover
ed
herfacecry
ing,sheremovedt
heringandt
hrewit
againstt
hewallscreami
ng.
I
nthecar
.

Ki
m smi
l
edl
ooki
ngatt
hesi
gneddi
vor
cepaper
s.

Ki
m: Hahamothowagagodoesn'
tknowhowt o
wr
itene?Handwri
ti
ngi
sli
kethatofapr
eschoolchi
l
d.

Bal
ebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueandr
ubbedhi
sface.

Kim:Whatnow,
youdi
dn'
twanthert
osi
gnt
he
paper
s.
Bal
ebeng:
Areshei
spr
egnant
.
Ki
m:Kotengshethi
nksshei
stheonl
yonewit
ha
womb,
sheislyi
ngbabeshei
stry
ingt
otrapy
ou.
Balebeng:It
'snothappeni
ng,
Ihaven'
tsl
eptwi
th
thatpersoni
nalmostthreemonths,
sheshoul
dbe
showingnowi fi
twasmybaby .
Ki
m:Ihopey
ouwon'
tbesuppor
ti
ngt
hatchi
l
dbabe.
I
fshei
sser
iousshewi
l
lfi
ndt
her
eal
fat
her
.

Balebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueanddr
oveoutoft
he
hospital
.

Mont
hsLat
er.
.
*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE4

Mont
hsLat
er.
.

ThoboparkedhiscarI
nfrontofthehouseandthe
kidshoppeddownallexcit
ed.MmaThobost oodup
abouttocatchJuni
orbuthef el
ldownonbothhis
feet.

Juni
or:
Mmedi
dyouseet
hat
?
MmaThobo:
Youwi
l
lbr
eakt
hosel
i
ttl
eboneswena.

Thobogotoutoft
hecar
.

Thobo:
Guy
sof
fl
oadev
ery
thi
ng.
Kar
en:
Mmewehadsomuchf
unatt
hecat
tl
epost
,I
ev
enmi
l
kedacow.
MmaThobo:
Wai
Hahahawena.
Kar
en:
Aker
eUncl
e,t
ell
her
.

Thobosmi
l
edandr
ubbedhi
sni
ece'
shead.

Thobo:
Theywer
eact
ual
l
yver
yhel
pful
.
Kar
en:
Waut
wa!

Sherant
ohercousi
nandhel
pedof
fl
oadt
he
water
melonsandmaize.

MmaThobo:
Takei
ttot
het
radi
ti
onal
hut
.

Thobofol
lowedhi
smot
hert
othet
reewher
eshe
wassit
ti
ng.
MmaThobo:
(Shout
ing)Heel
esekal
athubamagapu
ame.

Shet
urnedandl
ookedatherson.

Thobo:
Wher
eist
hei
rfat
her
?
MmaThobo:
Iwi
l
lbel
yi
ng,
hehasn'
tcomeher
ein
t
woweeks.
Thobo:
Kant
ewhat
'sgoi
ngwi
thBal
ebeng?
MmaThobo:Gat
wehei
salwaysseenl
e
ngwanany
anawaMmaKopi.
Thobo:
Whi
chone?
MmaThobo:
Thel
astbor
n.

Thobot
wist
edhi
sli
pst
hinki
ng.

MmaThobo:
Shei
sver
yyoungmay
bey
oudon'
t
knowher
.
Thobo:
YeahbecauseIknowt
heonewal
esol
ethen
thel
adybutIt
hinkshei
smarr
ied.
MmaThobo:Ther
earethr
eemorethey
oungestt
hey
ar
etheoneswhostaygonekwa.
Thobo:
Uhu,
ebi
l
ehehasf
orgot
tenabouthi
ski
ds?
MmaThobo: Tal
ktoyourl
itt
lebr
otherpl
ease,he
hasn'
tgonetoseehiswif
enotevenoncesinceshe
wenttothehospi
tal
.

Thobocl
ickedhi
stongue.MmaThobolookedatt
he
ki
dsgett
ingonthecarthenhoppi
ngdown.

MmaThobo:
It'
sgoodt
oseet hem l
i
kethi
s,i
twi
l
lget
t
hei
rmindofft
hei
rmotherf
orasecond.
Thobo:
Yeahenehowi
sshe?
MmaThobo: Iwastal
ki
ngtoherol
derbrot
herar
e
sheismakingprogr
essebi
l
eshemi ghtbe
dischar
gedanyt
imesoon.
Thobo:
That
'sgr
eat
,theki
dswi
l
lbehappyt
oseeher
.
Hest
oodup.

Thobo:Ihav
etor
ushsomewher
etocol
l
ectani
mal
feed.
MmaThobo:
Okaymyson.
Thobo:
Iwi
l
lcomegett
heki
dst
omor
row.
MmaThobo:
Nopr
obl
em myson.

Al
ltheki
dscamerunni
ngt
owher
ethei
r
gr
andmotherwas.

Juni
or:MmeIli
keitatt
hecat
tl
epost
,Iwasr
idi
nga
donkeyandahorse.
Cousi
n:ThenDaddyl
etgoofhi
m.
Juni
or:
Andi
didn'
tfal
l
.

Theol
dwomansmi
l
ed.
Kar
en:
ThenUncl
egaveev
ery
onet
hei
rwat
ermel
on,
i
twassomuchfun.
Juni
or:
Canwegoagai
nnextweekend?
Grandmother
:Nextweekendaker
eyourUncl
eis
comingtogetyou.
Kar
en:
Aahronawewantt
ogot
othecat
tl
eposti
t'
s
muchmor
efun.
Grandmother
:Youar
eagi
rly
oushoul
dn'
tber
idi
ng
donkeys.
Kar
en:Mummysay
sagir
lcanbeany
thi
nganddo
any
thi
ngsoar
eboys.
Cousi
n:Mencan'
tbeMi
dwi
ves.
Kar
en:
Yest
heyar
eMi
dhusbandssi
l
ly.

Theyal
ll
aughed.MmaThobosmil
edthenshest
ood
upandwenttocheckonherwat
ermel
onsandmaize.

Att
heMal
l
Ki
m walkedoutoftheshophol
dingpl
asti
cbags,
she
l
ookedaroundbeforeshet
ookoutherphoneand
di
aledBalebeng.

Balebeng:Iam byt
her
obot
sIwi
l
lbet
her
einf
ive
minutes.
Ki
m:Okay
.

Shecr
ossedov ertotherest
aurantandablack
Mazdaparkedrighti
nfr
ontofher.Thedriverr
oll
ed
downthewindowandr emov edhissungl
asses.

Hi
m:Hi
,oy
akaemay
beIcangi
vey
ouar
ide.

Ki
mlookedar
ound.

Ki
m:Iam wai
ti
ngf
orsomeone.
Hi
m:Whoy
ourboy
fri
end.

Ki
m smi
l
edl
ooki
ngdown.

Ki
m:Nomybr
other
.
Him:Gi
vemeyournumbersot
hatnextt
imehe
keepsy
ouwai
ti
ngy oucal
lme.

Hetookouthi
sphoneandgaveher.Ki
m di
aledher
numbert
hengavethephoneback.

Hi
m:Whatshoul
disav
eitas?
Ki
m:Ki
m..

Thedr
iverst
uckhi
sheadout
sideandsmi
l
ed.

Hi
m:OkayKi
m Kar
dashi
an.WhendoIcal
l
?
Ki
m:I
ntheaf
ter
noon.
Hi
m:HahaokayIwi
l
lcal
lyoushapoaker
e.

Herol
l
edupt
hewindowanddr
oveaway
.Ki
m smi
l
ed
goi
ngtot
her
est
aurant
.

TheFol
l
owi
ngHome.
.

Nomahopenedt hePsychi
atr
ist
'sdoorandwal
kedi
n
cradl
ingherbi
gstomach.ThePsychiat
ri
stsmi
l
edat
her.

Her:Iremember edgor
ewar
eyoucrav
e
watermelonssoonmywayt owor
kIpassedaf
ew
peoplesell
ing.
Nomah:
Oht
hanky
ousomuch.

Shegav
eNomahat
raywi
thakni
feandsatdown
l
ooki
ngather
.Nomahpi
ckedupt
hekni
feand
l
aughed.

Nomah:
Yout
rustmewi
thakni
fe?
Her:
Ishouldr
ight
?Youaregoinghomet
omor
row
anditr
ustImadether
ightdeci
sion.

Nomahputt
hekni
fedownandr
ubbedherst
omach.

Nomah:Thi
sbabygavemehopeandstrengthto
moveonthati
swhyIam goingtonamehim Kenzo.
Iwon'
ttr
ytohurtmy
selfIpr
omise.
Her:Youknowthatmerel
i
singyoumeansthatIam
tr
ustingyouwi
ththel
i
vesofyourki
dsandeveryone
aroundyouri
ght
?

Nomahknodherhead.
Her
:Andt
hedi
vor
ce?
Nomah:I
fhest
il
lwant
sadi
vor
cet
henf
inei
wil
lgi
ve
i
ttohi
m.

ThePsychi
atr
istsmil
edandpulledt
hewatermel
on
towar
dsher.Shesli
ceditandgaveNomah,she
l
ookedatherandsawt heworryonherf
ace.

Her
:Whati
sit
?
Nomah: Iam j
ustaski
ngmy sel
fwhatwil
lhappenif
Balebengwant sdiv
orce,i
don'tknowhowtostart
afr
esh, allmyadul
tli
feIhavealwayshadtodepend
onBal ebengandnow. .
Her
:Weal
lst
artsomewher
e?
Nomah: Iam twent
yeightwithonl
yaf
ormfive
cert
if
icat
e,Ihaveneverworkedinmyl
if
e,wheredoI
star
t?
Her
:Youwi
l
lfi
gur
esomet
hingout
.
Nomahsi
ghedandtookabi
tef
rom thewater
mel
on,
t
hebabyki
cked,
shesmil
edandrubbedherst
omach.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse.

Balebengt
ookthel
astsl
iceofpizzafr
om
yester
day'
spi
zzaandateit
.Kim keptl
ooki
ngather
phone.

Bal
ebeng:
Arey
ouexpect
ingacal
lneh?
Ki
m:No!
Balebeng:
Weshoul
dgogr oceryshoppingt
omor
row
becauseIam t
ir
edofeat
ingpizzajaanong.
Ki
m:Okay
.
Balebeng:Maybeyoushoul
dgetshor
tnai
l
s,y
ou
can'tcookwit
hthose.
Ki
m: Aahaahwhyar
eyoustar
ti
ngtosoundl
ikemy
mother?Nnai
don'
tl
ikebei
ngtol
dwhattodo.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE5

Thesameev
eni
ngatThobo'
sranch.

Hest oodupandst ret

chedhisasarmsaf t
erdoing
thepaper s,
hewentt otheki
tchenandpoured
himselfaglassofcoldwaterandstoodbyt he
windowl ookingout
side.Hi
smi ndcoul
dn't
concentrateonanythi
ng.Hisphonerangfrom hi
s
offi
ce,hewentt ogetthephoneandpickedup.

Thobo:
Aomonay
ouknowhowt
ocal
lpeopl
ele
wena?
Nor
man:
Hahay
es.Ot
eng?
Thobo:
Ket
eng.
Norman:
Mywi
fewon'
tst
opt
alki
ngabouty
our
but
ter
nut
s.
Thobo:Hahat
herearemorebut
ter
nut
smonashoul
d
Isavesomebagsforyou?
Norman:Aahwearesti
l
lal
itt
ledownmona
busi
nessisnotdoi
nggr
eat
.
Thobo:
YeahEish.
.War
engj
aanongIknowy
oudi
dn'
t
cal
lmefornot
hing.
Norman:Youar egoi
ngtokil
lme.Nomahi sbei
ng
di
schargedfrom t
hehospi
taltomorrow,nnakeya
tr
ipi
ngasy ouknowmywi f
eispr egnantshecan'
t
dri
vehertoMaun.
Thobo:
YeahhowcanIhel
pyou?
Norman: I
fyoudon'
tmindcanyoupl
easemeetmy
wifehal
fway,Idon'
twantNomahusi
ngpubl
ic
tr
ansportbecausewedon'
tknowwhat'
sgoi
ngoni
n
herhead.
Thobo:
Iunder
standbutwhynotherhusband?
Nor
man: It
ri
edhisnumberandhei
snotpi
cki
ngup,
I
l
ongsentditex
tsandnorepl
y.
Thobo:
Thatoneisstar
ti
ngtogetonmyner
ves,
le
banahedoesn'
tgotoseethem.
Nor
man:
Soot
akgonaeng?
Thobo:Wellt
omorr
owwear edoingdeli
ver
ieshel
a
soyeah,kebaemelakaesothatIknowwhattime
goemellainMaun.
Nor
man:
Mahal
apy
eorPal
apy
e.
Thobo:
Hahahaj
ustsayIshoul
dcomet
oGabor
one
hel
aonce.
Norman:Haha,somyWi f
eisgoi
ngtogether
phakel
a,Iwil
lgi
vehery
ournumbersoyou
communi cat
e.
Thobo:
Okaydot
hat
.

Thobohungupandwentst
rai
ghtt
obed.

AtLobat
se.
.

Nomahpackedherbagandsatdownont hebed
l
ooki
ngaroundt
heroom thathadbeenherhomefor
t
hepastf
ivemonths.Thebabystar
tedki
cki
ngand
shesmiledrubbingherstomach,herweddingring
caughtherattent
ion,shehadtakenitof
fandleftit
onthetable,shestoodupandgoti t
,sheputitback
onherfingerandcircl
editar
oundherf i
nger.

Shewasscar ed,
shedidn'
tknowwhatt oexpect
backathomebutshewasal r
eadyscar ed.Howwas
shegoingtotakecareofherbabywi t
houtany
money ?Sheputherhandstogetherprayingt
hather
husbandgetsbacktohissenses.

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay
.

Bal
ebengthr
ewal
lthecl
othesfr
om t
hecl
osetdown
l
ooki
ngforsomet
hingt
owear .

Bal
ebeng:
Babewee!
Ki
m:(
Sleepy
)Mmmh!
Bal
ebeng:
Wher
ear
etheshi
rt
stsamaabaneker
e
y
oushoul
dwasht
hem Ihav
etowearonet
oday
.

Ki
m gotupandst
ret
chedherar
msy
awni
ng.

Ki
m:Theyar
eint
hebucket
.
Bal
ebeng:
What
?
Kim:Iwassoaki
ngt
hem gor
aagor
eif
orgott
owash
them.
Balebeng:
Sowhatam Isupposedt
owearnow, y
ou
knowweweart hoset
-shi
rt
sandjeanskaSunday
whatam Isupposedt
odonow?
Ki
m: Kant
ekagoreyouhav
eal adywhowashesand
cl
eansforyouwhydi
dyougiv
et hem t
ome?
Bal
ebeng:
Thatwasbef
oreyoumov edi
n,Ican'
thi
re
amaidgonalemosadimontong.
Kim:Iyoomentali
tywaoldpeopl
ethatwi
vesshould
bewor ki
ngli
keslavesootsayakae?Iwi
ll
gowash
thet-
shir
tandironit
,itwi
l
lbedrywhenyoufi
nish
bathi
ng.
Shegotoutofbedandwentt
othebat
hroom.
Bal
ebengsatonthebedandsi
ghedwit
hhishandon
hi
sface,hel
ookedatthet
imeandhehadtobeat
worki
ntenmi nut
es.

Lat
ert
hatday

MmaThobolookedattheti
meanditwasalmostfi
ve
i
ntheeveni
ng,shedi
aledThobo'
snumberandit
di
dn'
tgothr
ough.

Karenr
ani
nsi
det
hebedr
oom andsmi
l
edhol
dingher
bag.

Kar
en:
Aret
heyher
eyet
?
MmaThobo:
Noty
et,
andt
henbag?
Kar
en:Aker
ewhenMamacomeswear
egoi
ngback
home.
MmaThobo:
Okay
!Iwi
l
ltel
lyouwhent
heyar
eher
e.

AtKi
m'shouse.
.

Herfri
endsatonherbedhol
dingabi
gtubofpl
ain
youghut.

Ki
m:MmhMmhdon'
tsi
tonmybed.
Fri
end:
Hahacomeondon'tt
ell
mey oubel
iev
edilo
tsagor
eifIsi
tony
ourbedIam chasingawaythe
men.
Ki
m:Iam nott
aki
ngchances.
Fri
end:
Haha,
andy
ournai
l
s?Whyar
eyour
emov
ing
them?
Kim:Fri
end..aahmmannaBal ebengisboringme
wait
se,your emembergoreheusedtobef untaking
meoutal l
thet imespoi
l
ingme.Gompi enoAaah
mma, hestil
l spoi
l
smebutheisnott heBalebengI
know,hewant smetowashforhi
m, cookagg.
Fri
end:Yesyouhavetocookf
orhi
m aker
eyouar
e
nowstayingt
ogether
.
Kim:Hewant stomakemeawomannnaIam not
ready,
malobahewant edt hekidstocomef ort
he
weekendItoldhim gor
eI yoorraiam notol
denough
toevenbeyourson'smot her.Hewasmuchf un
whenIwast hesidechick.Andt her
eisthi
sguyhe
saidhewi
llcall
meunt iltodaynothi
ng.
Fr
iend:
Kemat
hat
a..

Meanwhi
l
eont
heA1r
oad.
.

Thobosecret
lylookedatNomahwhowassitt
ingat
thebacksl
eepingwhileherhandscr
adl
i
ngherbig
stomach.

Hefoundhimselfthinki
ngaboutyearsago.Shehad
beensuchabeaut i
fulgi
rli
nherteens,shehadthe
perf
ecttonedbrownskinandherlaughalwaysgot
tohim,shelaughedsosoftl
yandspokesl owl
yli
ke
shedidn'twantt
o.Hehadl ov
edherbutt
hepr
obl
em
wastheiragediff
erence,shewasachil
dandhewas
tenyearsoldert
hanher .

Afterherparents'
sdeat hshemov edinwi
thherAunt
nextdoorandt hat'
showshef el
linl
ovewit
h
Balebeng,hadtheirfi
rstchil
dwhileshewassti
ll
in
seniorschoolandt herestwashistor
y.Hewondered
i
fsheev erstudiedany t
hingaft
er.

Sti
ll
losti
nhist
hought
shedrovet
hroughabump
andNomahwokeup.Shelookedar
oundthenshe
satcomfort
abl
y.

Thobo:
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
Nomah:
Itsf
ine,
howf
arar
ewe?
Thobo:
Wej
ustl
eftLehl
akane.
Nomah:
Okay
,cany
oust
opIwantt
opee.
Thobopar kedbyt
hesideoftheroad,
Nomahgotof f
andwentdeepi nthet
rees,shecamebackaftera
fewmi nutesandt
heylef
t.Noonesaidanyt
hingfor
thefi
rsttenminut
es.

Nomahcl
ear
edhert
hroat
.

Nomah:
Howar
etheki
ds?
Thobo:Theyar
eokay,
ner
eil
emasi
momaabane
andtheyenj
oyedi
t.
Nomah:
Okayt
hat
'sgr
eat
,lel
emi
l
e?
Thobo:Yes,
thi
syearwegotmor
ewat
ermel
onsebi
l
e
Iam sel
li
ng.
Nomah:
That
'sgr
eat
.

Shewantedt
oaskaboutBal
ebengbutcoul
dn'
tbr
ing
her
sel
ftosayit
.
AtWat
erf
all
Rest
aur
ant
.

BalebengtookphotosofKim assheposedwi
thher
feetinthewaterhol
dingherski
rtup.

Ki
m:Onemor
e!
Balebeng:
Comeonwehav
etakenl
i
ket
went
y
photos.
Ki
m:Wenar
rawabor
a.

Shetookherphoneandt
heywal
kedbackt
othei
r
tabl
e.

Bal
ebeng:
Arewegoi
ngt
oeatoutev
ery
day
?
Ki
m:(
Busyonherphone)Wai
t!

Sheedit
edanduploadedoneoft
hephot
ost
henshe
putherphonedown.
Bal
ebeng:Whatwastheuseofbuy
ingal
lthosef
ood
i
fyouarenotgoi
ngtocook?
Kim:BabennakanaIgrewupwi t
hl otsofsi
bli
ngsso
InevergottoknowhowtocookbutIcanmake
noodlesIusedtoeatt
hem koboardingschool
.

Bal
ebengshookhi
sheadandcont
inuedeat
ing.

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
..

Thobosteppedoutofthecarandopenedt hegate
thenheparkedri
ghti
nfrontofthehouse.Nomah
l
ookedatherhouseanddi dn'
tknowwhatt oexpect.
Shegotoutofthecarandf ol
l
owedThobo.He
knockedsever
alti
mest henBalebengopenedthe
doorinonl
yhisboxer
s.

Bal
ebeng:
Masi
goakana?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Nomahappear
edbehi
ndThobo.Bal
ebengl
ookedat
hert
henhefol
dedhi
sarms.

Nomah:
Hi.
Thobo:
Nnaj
aanongIhav
edonemywor
kIhav
eto
go.
Bal
ebeng:
Takeherwi
thy
oushei
snotwel
come
her
e.
Thobo:
Nemonaki
iwapoka?

Ki
m appear
edbehi ndBalebengwearingNomah'
s
weddi
nganniversarysexyli
nger
ie.Somethi
ngst
uck
onNomah'sthroat.

Nomah:
Whyar
eyouwear
ingmycl
othes?
Kim:Thaty
ouboughtwit
hwho'smoney?Doyou
havemoney?hav
ey oueverwor
kedany
wherewena?
Bal
ebengt
urnedar
ound.
.

Bal
ebeng:
Babegot
othebedr
oom.
Nomah: YouknowIcansuey
ouf
orsl
eepi
ngwi
thmy
husbandright
?
Ki
m:Aresue,
doyouev
enknowt hewor
dkanago
i
puel
wahel
a?Gosueme..Mosadimongwaneng.

Thobot
urnedar
oundandgr
abbedNomah'
shand.

Thobo:Let'
sgetoutofher
e,don'
tdoitforme,doi
t
foryourbaby,
thel
astthi
ngwewanti ffory
outobe
i
nst r
essthebabycomingbefor
eit'
stime,l
et'
sgoba
togel
e.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE6

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

MmaThobol ockedthedoorwi
thherphonebet
ween
herearandshouldert
alki
ngt
oThobo.

MmaThobo:
Kegor
ewhat
'swr
ongwi
thBal
ebeng
bat
hong?
Thobo:
Aahkemat
hat
a.
MmaThobo: Nnyaayoudi
dgreatgoodbynot
bri
ngingherher
e,l
ennaIdon'
twanttheki
dstosee
herli
kethat
.
Thobo:Yeah,Iwi
ll
comewi t
hhertheretomor
row
morning,
theywil
lseeheraf
terschool
.
MmaThobo:
Okaymyson,
letmegosl
eepaker
ei
waswai
ti
ngf
ory
ouj
aanongy
ouar
enotcomi
ng.
Thobo:
Goodni
ght
.

MmaThobocl
i
ckedhert
ongueandgoti
ntobed.

AtThobo'
sRanch.
.

Nomahcamef rom t
hebathroom wrappedinatowel
,
shewenti ntotheguestbedroom andsatdownon
thebedr ubbingherstomach.Shebreathedheavi
l
y
andt henfi
xedt hebedbefor
eshegoti nsidet
he
blankets.

Thoboknockedonthedoorwit
hhi
sfoothol
dinga
tr
aywit
hfruitsal
adandadri
nk.

Nomah:
Tsena.
.
Shepull
edtheduv
etupherchestandsmil
edat
Thobo,heputt
hetrayonherl
apandsatonthesi
de
ofthebed.

Thobo:
Howar
eyou?
Nor
ma:
Iam f
ine.
Thobo:Idi
dn'
ttakeyoutomymother
'shouse
becauseIdi
dn'twantt
heki
dssei
ngyouliket
hispl
us
havi
ngtoexplainwhy.
.
Norma:Heser
vedmewi
thdi
vor
cepaper
sonour
anni
ver
sary
.
Thobo:
What
?
Norma:YeahbutIdidn'
tsignthem,Iknewwhatwas
aheadbutIwasn'
tpreparedtoseeanotherwoman
i
nmyhousewear ingmycl othes.
Thobo:
Iam sosor
ry.
Norma:It
'sf
ine,Ihopedandwi
shedt
hathewoul
d
changehi
smi ndbutIguesshedi
dn'
t.
Thobo:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
osi
gnt
hepaper
s?
Norma:Maybeheisgoingthr
oughaphase,
waei t
se
aker
enewrelat
ionshi
p,hewil
levent
ual
l
ygetbor
ed.
Thobo:Andfi
ndy ouwai
ti
ng,comingbackwith
di
seasesandkids?Youaret
oobeautif
ulforthat
,
gi
vehim whathewantsandmov eonwithli
fe.
Nomah:
Yout
hinki
t'
sthateasy
?
Thobo: Ididi t
,Iwaswi thMmagweJohnf ort hi
rt
een
yearsandt hedayi leftherf orcheati
ngwasoneday ,
wasi hurt,
Iwasdamnhur tsomucht hatIdidn'
teat
forthewhol eweek.I thurtsomuchIev ent houghof
kil
li
ngmy selftheni thoughtaboutmyki ds.Ithought
aboutme, mydr eamsandpassi ongor eammeam I
will
i
ngt oendmyl if
ej ustbecauseIwasn' tgood
enoughf orsomeone.If eltsostupidgore..l
ookat
menowt woy earslat erIam wher eIhaveal ways
want edt obei nli
fe,stresssehedi le.

Nomahsmi l
edatherbr otheri
n-l
aw, knowingexact
ly
howhewasaf terhebrokeupwi thhisfiancéki
ndof
gaveherhope,i
fhecoul dpull
throughsocanshe,
butwheredoesshestart?
Shet
ookasi
pfr
om t
hedr
inkandputt
hegl
assdown.

Thobo:
Iam goi
ngt
obed.
Nomah:I
t'
seasyt
ot al
kaboutmov i
ngon,wher
edoI
go,
wheredoIwork?Ihavethreeki
ds,
youdon'
tjust
moveonoleheav
ilypregnant
.
Thobo:Weal lhavetostartsomewhere,y
ouare
pregnantnotdisabl
ed.Fiv
emont hslat
erfi
ndajob,
buyast ove,
kamosoabed.That 'showweal l
star
ted.

Nomahsmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Iwantt
hewat
ermel
onnna.

Thobosmiledandt
ookt
hetray
,hewenttothe
ki
tchenandcamebackwit
haslicedwat
ermel
on.

Nomah:
Nnai
thel
ekebat
amokej
angkal
ebogoa
bokenwakgodu.
.(
Iwantonet
hatIeatwi
thmyhand
anddr
inkt
hekgodu)
Thobo:Aahaah,l
ooksl
ikeIshoul
dn'
thav
ebr ought
youhere,
keikgol
egi
l
e.Putonsomethi
ngthen,you
can'
teati
nbed.

Thobowentout side,Nomahputonadr essand

fol
l
owedhi m outside.ThesatI
nfr
ontofthehousei
n
aclearsky
,helookedathereat i
ngthewatermel
on
anddrankthekgodu.Shebur pedandtheyboth
l
aughed.

Nomah:I
yoooIwishIcoul
deatt
hesecondonebut
myroom i
sfarf
rom t
hetoi
let
.

Shest
oodupandpr
essedherback.

Nomah:
Iyoo,
thi
sboyi
ssi
tt
ingonmybl
adder
.
Thobo:
Youwantmet
ogety
ouabucket
.
Nomahl
ookeddownembar
rassed.

Nomah:
Not
hanksIwi
l
lgeti
tmy
sel
f.

Theysai
dgoodby
eandbot
hwentt
othei
rbedr
ooms.

TheFol
l
owi
ngMor
ning.

Balebengpickedupasheetwi t
hhiscl
othesand
tookittot
hecar ,heputi
tatthebackandwentback
tothehouse, Kim wassl
eepi
ngwithherotherl
eg
hangingfr
om t hebed.

Bal
ebeng:
Iam goi
ngt
owor
k.
Ki
m:Mmmh!
Bal
ebeng:
Don'topenf
oranyone,
thosepeopl
efr
om
l
astni
ghtmightcomeback.
Ki
m:Mmmh!
Bal
ebengcl
osedt
hedoorandl
eft
.

AtMmaKemmony
e'shouse.

MmaKemmony eputherhandaboveherfor
ehead
andlookedatthewomanwhoj ustwal
kedin.She
recogni
zedherandknewexactl
ywhatitwasabout.
Shewentinsi
det hehouseandgott
woplasti
cchair
s.

MmaThobo:
Koko.
MmaKemmony
e:Ee!

Theyexchangedgr
eet
ingsandsatdown.

MmaKemmony e:Warengonkgaol
apeloj
aana,
normal
lywhenpeopl
ecomet hi
sti
metoother
peopl
e'
shousestheybri
ngandnews.
MmaThobo:
Mot
howaModi
monnaIcoul
dn'
tsl
eep
al
lni
ght
.
MmaKemmony
e;Ee!
MmaThobo: Mydaughteri
n-l
awontseaseoshehas
beenaway.Yester
dayshecomeshomeonlytof
ind
Kemmonyei nherhouseebi
legat
weshewaseven
weari
ngherclot
hes.
MmaKemmony e:Ont haaor eng?(Sighed)Mot ho
waModi moIhav etried,Ihavet r
iedGodcanbemy
witness.It oldKemmony egor ethatmani sanot her
woman' smanst ayawayf rom him butmydaught er
doesn'tlisten.Kant eebi l
ether easonwhyIdon' tsee
them her et heseday si sbecauseshei sstayi
ngwi th
him( Clappedhands)Heee. .nnaIdon' tknowwhat
youar edoi ngher e,goadv i
cey ourdaughteri
n- l
awt o
takethatgi rltocour tbecausennashedoesn' tl
isten
tome.Theaudaci t
yt osleepi naMar it
albed..hee!
Nnakar et ellyourdaught erin-l
awt otakehert o
courtorel seshei sgoi ngtogetusedt osleeping
withmar ri
edmen.

Bot
hwomenagr
eedwi
theachot
her
.
MmaKemmony e:That
'st
heonlysol
uti
onronawe
ar
ewast i
ngourt
imeandbreat
h.Obatatee
molekane?
MmaThobo:
Wai
Ihadsomebef
oreIcameher
e.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Thobooffl
oadedall
thewater
melonsandtookthem
tothetr
adi
tional
hut.Nomahcamecradl
ingherbig
stomach.

Nomah:
May
bey
oushoul
dmar
kmi
ne.
Thobo:
Wowokaygosiame,Ihav
eseentheki
ndof
per
sonyouar
e,Ihel
pyounowotsaaadv
antage.
Nomah:Hahaokaydon'
tmarkthem Iwi
l
ljustt
ell
MmaThobohowmanyIhav einther
e.

Thoboleanedagai
nsthi
scarandl
ookedathi
s
watch.
Thobo:
Jaanongl
eeneokaesoear
lyi
nthemor
ning.
Nomah:
Ithoughaboutwhaty
ousai
dtome.
Thobo:
Whatdi
dIsay
?
Nomah:Ifhewasgoi
ngtohav
eachangeofhear
t
aboutt
hedivor
cehewoul
dhaveal
ready
.
Thobo:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
osi
gnt
hepaper
s?

Nomahknodherhead.

Thobo:Iwi
llt
alktomylawy
ersot hathei
spresent
thr
oughoutever
ythi
ng,
hewill
helpy ouwi
thdi
lotsa
bochil
dsupportandot
hert
hings.

Nomahknodherhead.Thegat
eopenedand
MmaThobocamein.

MmaThobo:
AoIhavebeenkeepi
ngy
ou,
Idi
dn'
tl
ock
t
hehousemmekana.
Al
i
ttl
elat
ert
hatMor
ning.
.

Kim wi
pedherhandwit
hatowel
andreachedf
orher
ri
ngi
ngphone,shel
ookedatt
henumberwonderi
ng
whoitwas.

Ki
m:Hel
l
o..
Cal
l
er:
Let
'sgot
oGabor
one.
.
Ki
m:Whoi
sthi
s?
Cal
l
er:
KeChar
ma,
guyy
abl
ackMazda.

Ki
m smi
l
edal
one.

Char
ma: Let
'sgowewil
lbecomingbackon
Wednesdaykeyaforasemi
nar.
Ki
m:Aahr
raIdon'
tev
enknowy
ou.
Char
ma:
Whatdoy
ouwantt
oknow?
Ki
m:Idon'
twantt
obebeat
enbyy
ourGi
rl
fr
iendko
Gabor
one.
Charma: Hahawewi l
lbest
ayi
ngi nahotel
,comeon
l
et'sgo.Youwilldosomeshoppingandlazyar
ound
thepoolwhileIam att
heseminaraker
e.
Ki
m:Hee,
okaywhenar
ewel
eav
ing?
Charma:
Nnai
am l
eav
ingkaone,
youar
ecomi
ng
wit
hme?
Ki
m:Yes!

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE7

AtMmaThobo'
shouseal
i
ttl
elat
ert
hatAf
ter
noon.

MmaThoboandNomahwer
esi
tt
ingundert
het
ree
eati
ngcor
nandwater
melons.MmaThobosecret
ly
l
ookedatNomahasshewaseating,hermi
nd
seemedtobel
ost,
shelookedt
hinandthepi
mples
andthebi
gnosedi
dn'
thelp.

MmaThobo:
Sohav
eyout
oldy
ourf
ami
l
yaboutt
he
di
vor
ce?

Nomahshookherhead.

MmaThobo:
Okay
.

Nomahpushedthewater
mel
onbackandsi
ghed
t
ouchi
ngherstomach.

Nomah:Idon'
tknowwher
eIam goi
ngt
ogowi
th
t
hreeki
ds.
MmaThobo:
Nomahthisi
syourhomeandt
hose
t
hreeki
dsar
emygrandki
ds.
Nomah:Iwi
ll
talkt
omybrother
stogiv
ethet
enant
atourmot
her'
stwoandhal
fnoti
ce,
Iwill
movether
e
aft
ergi
vi
ngbir
th.
MmaThobo:
ButIwantyoutoknowgor
eyouar
e
al
way
swelcomehereokay.
Nomah:Thankyousomuchitmeansalottome.
I
yoothi
sboykeepssit
ti
ngonmybladder,
letmego
t
othetoi
let
.

AtBal
ebeng'
sWor
k..

Bal
ebengwalkedout
sideandlookedaroundforwho
waslookingf
orhi
m.Hespottedhisbrotherand
wal
kedt owar
dshi
m

Bal
ebeng:
Aoi
t'
syou?
Thobo:
Yes,
canwet
alk?
Bal
ebeng:
Yahwhat
?
Thobo:
Gat
wey
ouar
edi
vor
cingNomah?
Bal
ebeng:
Itl
ooksl
i
key
oual
readyknowy
ourst
ory
.

Thetwobr
other
srest
edthei
rbacksagai
nstt
hecar
andbot
hfol
dedthei
rarms.

Thobo: Soyouarest i
llgoingaheadwiththedivor
ce,
forenengwanany anay ole,doyouseeawi feinher?
Comeondon' tbethatdumb, i
t'
sallf
unfivemonths
from nowshewi l
lwantsomeoneshecangot o
clubswithherandt akesel f
iesandpostallov
er
socialmedia.Butthat'
swhyIam nother e,Iam here
becauseoft hebaby ,
Ihearwar ei
t'
snotyours.
Balebeng:I
fitwasmineitwouldhav
ebeenbor
n
al
ready,Il
astsleptwi
thNomahmay bef
ourorf
ive
mont hsbef
oreshewentt oLobat
se.
Thobo:
Comeony
ouknowNomah.
Balebeng:
Yout
houghty
ouknewy
ourf
iancét
oo
akere.
Thobo:Comeon,youknowgorenomatterwhatwe
don'
tabandonourki
ds,doaDNAtestt
hen.
Balebeng:Iam notgoingtowastemymoneyov er
somet hi
ngIknow, Iam tel
l
ingy
ougor eIhaven'
t
Sleptl
emot hoy ooinalmostayearnow,eneke
kgomooi mangwagaot he?

Thobodi
dn'
trepl
y,t
hedi
srespectannoy
edhi
m.

Thobo:Soyoual
l
owyourgir
lf
ri
endtowearher
cl
othes?AahmonaIf
eell
ikeIdon'
tknowyouwai
tse.
Bal
ebeng:KanteNomahist
heonlyonewhoknows
howtogetint
oshops?Shebett
ercomegether
cl
othesebi
letheyar
ecr
owdingmyhouse.
Thobo:
Andgowhere?Youarenotev
endivor
ced
ebi
leal
readyy
oumovedyoursi
dechicki
n.
Balebeng:
Wear
edi
vor
ced,
Nomahsi
gnedt
he
papers.
Thobo:
Shesay
sshedi
dn'
tsi
gnt
hem.
Balebeng:Shewouldsayanythi
ngaker
ey oubel
i
eve
everyt
hingshesays.LookIhavetogoback.
Thobo:
Shapo.

Thobogoti nhiscarandlef
t.Bal
ebengwalkedback
dial
i
ngKi m butshedidn'
tpi
ckup."Babepackthat
woman' sclot
hestheyarecomingtogetthem"he
sentthetext.

AtMakal
amabedi
..

Kimr eadthetextthensheswitchedoffherphone.
Shewentbyt heani malcont
roloff
icerandshowed
hi
m herbag, shetookitbacktothecarandgot
i
nside.Fewmi nuteslat
erCharmacameback, heput
hi
slicenseandl ookedatKim.

Char
ma:
Arey
our
eadyf
orourt
ri
p?
Ki
m:Yes.
.

Char
mar
ubbedKi
m'st
hight
hatwasexposedi
nthe
l
it
tl
edressshewaswear
ingt
henputhi
shand
bet
weenherthi
ghs.

Char
ma:
Olebegaol
emonat
egor
e.
Ki
m:SheeeHahaha.
.
Charma:Yourmot
herdidr
ightbycal
l
ingy
ouKi
m,I
havenev
erseenanuglyKi
m.
Ki
m:Haha.
.

Hedrovewithonehandwhil
etheotherwasbet
ween
Ki
m'slegs.Anhouri
ntot
hedr i
veheparkedbyt
he
si
deoftheroadandremovedhisseatbel
t.

Char
ma:
NnammaIcan'
tcont
rol
mysel
f.

HeleanedoverandkissedKi
m,hehookedhi
sfi
nger
onherpantyandpul
leditdown.
Charma:
Letmedr
ivef
urt
heri
nthebushbef
ore
peopl
eseeus.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Nomahl
ookedatThobosur
pri
sed.

Nomah: Hei
slyi
ngIneversi
gnedthosepapers,
he.
.(
thought
ful
l
y)Ohh,Imusthavesignedthem
whenIwassigningt
heinsur
ancepapers.
Thobo:
Sohet
ri
ckedy
oui
ntosi
gni
ngt
hem?
Nomah:Yes,
Iwasn'
tmy
sel
febi
l
ekanaIdi
dn'
tnot
ice
whatIwassi
gni
ng.
Thobo:Youwereinnostatetosi
gnt
hepaper
s,
you.
.kant
eisn'
tthi
ssupposedtobeapr
ocessl
ebua
kaali
monyandchildsupport
?
Nomah: Noit'
sfine,
Idon'
tknowwhatthediv
orce
paper
ssai dbutaslongashesuppor
tshiski
dsthen
Iam f
ine,hecankeephishouse,t
hecarsand
everyt
hing.Ispoketomybr ot
herandhegavet
he
tenantatourmot her
'shousenot
ice,
Iwil
lbemovi
ng
therei
nf ourmonths.
Thobo:
That
'sgr
eat
.

Nomahshookherheadi
ndi
sbel
i
eft
henshel
aughed
i
ndisbel
i
ef.

Nomah:Wai
tsekanayouthi
nkyouknowsomeone
andtwel
vey
earslat
eryoufi
ndoutyounev
erknew
them.

TheSchoolbusparkedbythegateandKaren
stepped,
shescr
eamedr unni
ngtowardshermother
,
shehuggedherti
ghtlyt
henshetouchedherbi
g
stomach.

Kar
en:
SheeMummyy
ouar
egoi
ngt
ohav
eababy
?
Thobo:
Whot
oldy
out
hat
?
Kar
en:
Teachert
oldus.
.
Thobo:Whatgr
adear
eyoui
nkant
etobet
aught
suchthi
ngs?
Kar
en:
Four
.
Thobo:
Ehennakar
eobal
atwo.

Theyal
ll
aughed.

Kar
en:
AahUncl
enott
wo,
Iam abi
ggi
rl
.
Nomah:
Biggi
rlgochanget
henhaha.

Kar
enr
ant
othehouse.

Nomah:
Ithi
nkwear
egoi
ngt
obeokay
.
Thobo:
Youar
e.

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng.
.
Bal
ebengcl i
ckedhistongueandputhisphonedown,
hepickeditupagainanddial
edKim buthernumber
st
il
ldidn'
tgot hr
ough.

Hegr abbedhi
scarkeysanddr ov
et oherhouse,he
parkedoutsi
deandwentt oknockonKi m'sdoorbut
nooneanswer ed.Hecall
edagainthinki
nghewill
hearthephoneringi
nginsi
debutnothing.

Hewentbackt
ohi
scarandsati
nther
eforal
ong
t
ime.

MmaKemmony
ewentt
oknockonherdaught
er'
s
door
.

Her
:Maa!
MmaKemmony
e:Andt
heny
oleene?
Her
:MmhMmhi wi
l
lbel
yi
ng,
may
behei
swai
ti
ng
f
orKemmony
e.
MmaKemmony e:Lethi
m wai
tther
e,whowil
lheask
akerehenev
ergr
eatsus.Kemmonyelef
tinabl
ack
car.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Karengav
ehermothert
hehomeworkbook,
Nomah
l
ookedatitt
henshesi
gnedbef
oregi
vi
ngthebook
back.

Nomahl
ookedatJuni
orwhowasl
ooki
ngather
.

Nomah:
Whati
sitmyboy
?
Juni
or:
Howdi
dyoudoi
t?
Nomah:
What
?
Juni
or:
Put
ti
ngt
hewhol
ewat
ermel
oni
nyourt
ummy
?

Ev
ery
onel
aughed.I
twasni
cebei
ngwi
thherki
ds
andl
aughi
ngagai
n.
Kar
en:
Arey
oucr
azyt
hat
'snot
..
Nomah:MmhMmhdon'
tteachmybabydi
l
odi
sel
e..
comeher
e..
Juni
orst
oodbet
weenhi
smot
her
'sl
egsandt
ouched
thewat
ermel
on.

Nomah:Iam amagi
cian,
nextweekt
hiswat
ermel
on
wi
llt
urni
ntoababy.
Juni
or'
sjawsdr
opped.
Nomah:
Youwer
eawat
ermel
ont
oo.
Juni
or:
WowMummyy
ouar
eamagi
cian?
Nomah:
Yeah!
Juni
or:(
Exci
ted)Ican'
twai
ttot
ell
myf
ri
endsy
ouar
e
amagici
an.
Ev
ery
onel
aughed.
Day
sLat
er.
.
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE8

Day
sLat
er.
.

Kim'
sf r
iendwokeupt osomeoneknocki
ngonher
door,
shel ookedatt
hetimeanditwasafew
minutestoeleveni
nthenight
.

Fr
iend:
Whoi
sit
?
Ki
m:Kenna.
Fr
iend:
Kim?
Ki
m:Yesopent
hemma.

Thefriendgotoutofbedandwenttoopenthedoor
,
Kim quickl
ygoti
nsidehol
dingherbagandcl
osed
thedoor .
Fr
iend:
Andt
hen?
Ki
m:Di
dBal
ebengasky
ouwher
eIwas?
Fri
end:No,
y ouknowBalebengandIdon'
tknow
eachot
herl
ikethat,
elegorewherehaveyoubeen?

Ki
m satont
hebedandsmi
l
ed.

Ki
m:(
Whi
sper
ing)Ij
ustcamebackf
rom Gabor
one.
Fr
iend:
Uhu!

Ki
m cov
eredherf
acebl
ushi
ng.

Ki
m: Your
emembert
heguyIt
oldy
ouabout
,wa
bl
ackmazda?
Fr
iend:
Yeah?
Ki
m:SoMondaymor ning.
.Tsr
rTsrrcallkanake
moguy,
arelet
'sgotoGaborone.Akerey ouknow
mechomi,
Iagreed.Nnyaakennayool emoguy ,
aftermakalamabedi boarder,maybeaf ew
kil
omet resawayhel aheparkedbyt hesideoft he
road..Heeeef r
iendkaj ewakemot ho(hef u**dme)
theguyi snoty ourtwomi nutesnoodles.Heeesowe
arri
veingabs, hebooksahot elenangswi mmi ng
pool,roundtwo, IthinkIsquirtedl
iketwot i
mes.
Nny aammat hef ol
lowingdayguygav emehi scar d
aregobuyy our sel
fclothes.Hewasi nasemi narso
Ispendwhol edayshoppi ng.Ididmynai lsand
l
ashes.Mai tseboawewentf oraridearoundt hecit
y
thenwentbackt othehotel.
.HeeIst i
l
l can'
tfeelmy
vaginathemma.
Fr
iend:
Fri
endl
etmesee,
whatdi
dyoubuy
?
Ki
m:Ij
ustboughtt
woj
eansandt
opshel
a.
Fri
end:Heesomeonegiv
esyoutheircar
dandy ou
buyJeankeditophel
a,t
hat
'snottheKim Iknow.
Kim:AahmmaIdi dn'
twanthi
mtot
hinkIam oneof
thosegi
rl
syouknow.
Fr
iend:
(notconv
inced)Oh!
Ki
m: HeymmaIhadthebestweekendgor
e.NowI
am backt
othebor
ingOl
dBalebengagggnnaIdon'
t
knowwhyhedi
vor
cedhi
swi
fewai
tse.
Fr
iend:Sowenaandt
hemaz
daguywasj
usta
weekendthi
ng?
Ki
m: No,hehasawi
fesohesai
dhewi
l
lcal
lme
wheneverhei
sfr
ee.
Fr
iend:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
osayt
oBal
ebeng?
Ki
m:Comeupwi
thani
deat
hemmaei
sh.
Fr
iend:
Dumphi
m aker
eyouhav
eanewguy
.
Kim:Balebengmightbebor
ingandstuf
fbuthe
takescareofme,helov
esmeandhepr omisedme
gorenextyearheist
aki
ngaloantobuymeacar .
Fr
iend:
Gar
eit
semma,
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
osayt
o
hi
m?
Kim:Iam l
it
eral
lyshaki
ngjustt
hinki
ngabouti
t.Ei
sh.
.
Doyoustil
lhavethatst
uffIwanttoti
ght
enmy
vagi
namma.
Fri
end:Mmhi
t'
sint
hatbox.Letmeseet
hecl
othes
thee.
Thef
ri
endopenedt
hebagandt
ookoutt
heJean.

Fr
iend:Waitsey
ouarenotseri
ous,amangi
vesy
ou
awholecardandyoubuydiJeantset
womo
machaeneng?

Kimr emov
edherleggi
ngsandlai
donherback,
she
rubbedsomet
hingonhervagi
na.

Ki
m: Iboughtt
hosej
eansfr
om somebout
iquei
n
Gaboronewaremachaena?
Fr
iend:
Ntsegokwadi
l
weXi
ngChi
ng?
Kim:Thosear
eexpensi
vel
abel
sli
keboAdi
das,
you
don'
tknowthem?

TheFri
endr
oll
edherey
es.Shel
ookedatKi
m wi
th
herl
egsup.
Fr
iend:Ngngdontf
ini
shmyt
hing,
Ihav
eaguyat
workey
ingme.
Ki
m:Hahaha.
.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Nomahreachedforherphoneandr
eadt
hesmst
hat
j
ustcamethrough.

Thobo:
Ber
eadyt
omor
rowar
ound10.
Nomah:
Why
,we'
rear
eyougoi
ng?

Shewai
tedf
orar
epl
yunt
ilshef
ell
asl
eep

TheFol
l
owi
ngday
.

MmaThobofixedt
hechil
drenforschool
.Nomah
camef
rom t
hebedroom cr
adli
ngherstomach.
MmaThobo:
Itol
dyout
oal
way
srestIwi
l
lfi
xthe
ki
ds.
Nomah:
Aah,
Ifeel
bad.
MmaThobo:
Cany
oubat
hJuni
orwi
thsuchabi
g
st
omach?
Nomah: I
yooandthi
sboyisgrowi
ngever
yday
.Tho.
.
RragweJohnsay
shei scomi
ngtopickmeupkaten
Idon'
tknowwherehei st
aki
ngme.
MmaThobo:
Gasegor
eyouar
egoi
ngt
oseet
he
l
awy
er?
Nomah:Maybe,whatdoIwearbat
hongIonl
yhav
e
onedr
essl
ey oneit
'sol
d.
MmaThobo:Iwil
lhur
ryt
oPepandgety
ou
somet
hingbef
orehearr
ives.

Nomahsmi
led,sheki
ndoffel
tali
tt
legui
l
tyt
hatshe
wasnowaburdentoheri
nlaws.

Kar
encameoutoft
her
oom dr
essedup.
Kar
en:
Iam r
eadyt
ogo.
Nomah:
Hav
eagoodday
.

Shewenttohughermot
hert
henshest
oodbyher
grandmot
her'
sdoor.

Kar
en:
MmeIam goi
ng.
MmaThobo:
Gosi
amengwanaka.
Kar
en:
IshIf
orgotmypen.

Shewenti
nsi
det
hei
rroom andcameout
.

Kar
en:
Iam goi
ng?
MmaThobo:Whyareyouannounci
ngy
ourdepar
tur
e
somanyti
mes,whatdoyouwant?
Kar
en:
Not
hing.
.
Shewentt
ost
andbyt
hedoor
.

Kar
en:
Eishi
t'
sal
readyhotout
side.
MmaThobo:
Comeandt
aket
wopul
a.

Karenrantohergr
andmot her
'sroom exci
ted,
she
gotthemoneyandrant othegatetowaitfort
he
schoolbus.Nomahlaughedaloneatherdaughter
's
tr
icks.

MmaThobo:Whenshewant
ssomet
hingshewi
l
lsay
goodby
etwent
yti
mesngwanawagago.
Nomah:
Hahaha.

AtKi
m'shouse.

Bal
ebengdrovebyslowl
ylookinginsidet
hey ar
d,
Ki
m'sbedroom doorwassti
llclosed.Hecli
ckedhi
s
tongue,
itfr
ust
rat
edhim notknowi
ngwhereshewas,
notgett
inghol
dofherandnotknowingwhotoask.

Al
i
ttl
elat
ert
hatMor
ning.

Nomahcameoutoft hebedr
oom wear i
ngablack
dr
essthatwentj
ustaboveherknees.Shet
urned
ar
oundforhermotheri
nlaw.

MmaThobo:I
yooIboughtt
hesmallsi
ze,
apregnant
womanshoul
dn'
twearsomethi
ngt
hathugsherli
ke
t
his.
Nomah:It
'sbeaut
if
ulebi
lei
tshowsgoreIam young,
nott
hatbrowndresswit
hapictur
eofanelephant
.
MmaThobo:AgooIbuyy
oudr
essesaboonna
makgakgany
ana.

Theybot
hlaughedthenThobocamein,
theladyi
n
thebl
ackdresst
hathuggedherl
it
tl
efi
gureand
roundedwellaroundherst
omachcaughthi
s
attent
ion.Heneverknewaheavi
l
ypregnantwoman
couldstil
ll
ooksexy.

Nomah:
Rra?
Thobo:
What
?
Nomah:Iwasaski
ngi
fIdr
essedwel
lforwher
ever
youar
etaki
ngme.
Thobo:
Yes.
MmaThobo:
Wrapaset
enghear
oundy
our
sel
f.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
lwearacar
digan.

Nomahwentt
oherr
oom.

MmaThobo:
It'
sagoodthingy
ouarehel
pingher
wi
ththel
awyer
,sheneedstof
eel
thatweareonher
si
de.
Thoboknodhi
shead.

MmaThobo:
Thanky
ousomuchmyson.

Nomahcameoutput
ti
ngonhercar
digan.

Nomah:
Shoul
dwego?
Thobo:
Please.

Theysai
dgoodby
eandl
eft
.
Nomah:
War
ewhatdoIsayt
othel
awy
er?
Thobo:Oh,wear
egoi
ngt
oseehi
m nextweekhei
s
st
il
lbusy.
Nomah:
Jaanongwher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
Thobo:
Babyshoppi
ng.
Nomah:
Aww,
thanky
ousomuchi
tmeanssomuch
t
ome.
Shewi
pedhert
ear
s.

Nomah:
Thanky
ou.
Thobo:
Jaanongwhyar
eyoucr
ying?
Nomah:
Icr
ywhenIam happy
.

Thoboparkedi
nfrontoft
hebabyshopandt
hey
bothst
eppedout.

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noon.

Bal
ebengparkedhiscarundert
hetr
eethenhet
oo
hi
slaptopt
ot hehouse,hecamebackt
ogetmore
st
ufffr
om t
hecar .

At axipar
kedbythegatethenawomansteppedout
,
shewasbandagedont heheadandhadaneck
brace.Balebengl
ookedcloserandi
twasKi
m.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE9

At axipar
kedbythegatethenawomansteppedout
,
shewasbandagedont heheadandhadaneck
brace.Balebengl
ookedcloserandi
twasKi
m.

Bal
ebeng:
Kim?

Shetookoutmoneyf rom herpur

seandgav et
he
taxi
driv
er.Bal
ebengmeetherhalfwayandt ookher
bagfrom her
.Kim gr
abbeditfr
om him pr
etendingt
o
beangry.

Kim:Don'
tpr
etendt
ocar
e,Youdi
dn'
tev
encheckt
he
hospi
talf
orme.
Bal
ebeng:
Babe!Whathappenedt
oyou?
Bal
ebengfol
lowedherinsi
dethehouse.Ki
m sat
downupri
ghtli
keshereall
ywasinj
ured.

Bal
ebeng:
Whathappenedt
oyou?
Ki
m: IwentleboLebot
othei
rcat
tl
epostandwehad
anaccidentont
heway.
Bal
ebeng:
OhmyGodbabear
eyouokay
?
Kim:Iwil
lbeokay
,it
'sjustmyheadandneckbut
thankGodit
snotbroken.

Bal
ebengl
ookedatKi
m andsi
ghedr
eli
eved.

Balebeng:Ihav
ebeencalli
ngyournumberesa
tsene,goi
ngtoyourhouseandnoonesaidany
thi
ng
tome.

Kim closedhereyesli
keshewasinpai
nand
reachedf orapacketofpi
l
lsi
nherbag.
Ki
m:CanIhav
ewat
erpl
ease.

Balebengstoodupandwenttothekit
chen,
hecame
wit
hagl assofwaterandgav
eKim, hesati
nfr
ontof
herandlookedatherasshetookthepil
l
s.

Bal
ebeng:
AndboLebo,
howar
ethey
?
Ki
m:ThankGodweal
lsur
viv
ed,
ever
yonei
sokay
.
Balebeng: Iam sor
rybabe,her
eIwast hi
nki
ngthe
worstofy oukanteallt
hist
imey ouhavebeeni
nthe
hospital
,l
etmeseet hecar
d,may bewecangeta
Doctortodoascanorsomet hi
ng.
Ki
m:Oh.
.

Sheopenedherbagandsear
chedi
t,shel
ooked
undert
hebag.

Kim:El
egorewhereismycar
d?IhopeIdi
dn'
t
for
geti
tint
hetaxi
..
AtMmaThobo'
sHouse.

Thobocamei nwit
hababywalkerandputi
tdown
wit
htherestofthest
ufft
heybought.

MmaThobo:
Somanyt
hingsbat
hongf
orababywho
i
snotev
enhere.
Nomah: Keipotsagor
ewhat'
stheuseoft
hecar
seatbecausennaIdon'
thav
eacar.
Thobo:Whoknowsmay
bey
ouwi
l
lhav
eacar
twomont
hslat
er.

Nomahr
aisedherhandwi
thherey
escl
osed.

Nomah:
Irecei
ve.

MmaThobopickedupaplasti
cwit
hbabyf
eedi
ng
bot
tl
es,
herJawsdroppedlooki
ngatt
hepri
ce.
MmaThobo: Bathongtheeyouarewasti
ngmoney ,
tamikoPepistwentypula,
didyouhavetobuysuch
expensi
vebot
tl
es, whatt
heymakethebabymi l
kand
feedhim?

ThoboandNomahl
aughed.

MmaThobo:
Thi
siswast
eofmoney
.
Nomah:
Mmet
heykeept
hemi
l
kwar
m al
lday
.
MmaThobo:Mmmhmmh, andthi
s,wher
eisi
tgoi
ng
t
ogobecausei
tsv
erysandyher
e.
Thobo:I
tsababyst
rol
l
erwewi
l
lbegoi
ngwi
tht
he
babytothemal
l.
Nomah:LennaIagreewi
thMme,someofthese
t
hingsar
eunnecessar
ybutev
eryt
imeIopenedmy
mouthattheshopIwast
oldt
okeepqui
et.

ThobolookedatNomahasshewentthroughthe
babythi
ngsshowingMmaThobo.Shelookedhappy
.
NomahcaughtThobolooki
ngather
,shesmil
edat
hi
m andf
oldedthecl
othesandputt
hem i
nthebag.

Thobost
oodupandwenttotheki
tchen,hi
smot
her
fol
l
owedhim andcl
osedt
hedooralit
tl
e.

MmaThobo:Thanky
ouf
orwhaty
oudi
dfory
our
br
other'
ski
ds.
Thobo:
Iknowhewoul
ddot
hesamef
orme.
MmaThobo:
Thati
syourbrot
her
'swif
engwanaka,I
seet
hewayyoul
ookatherwhensheisnotl
ooki
ng.
Thobo:
Hahay
ouar
eseei
ngt
hings.
MmaThobo:
Iam not
.
Thobo:Iwasjustl
ooki
ngatherbecauseIam happy
toseeherhappydespi
tewhatsheisgoingt
hrough.
Sheismybrother'
swife,
Iknowmyl i
mits.
MmaThobo: Good.Iam goi
ngtoMmaOnti
bil
e's
house,
hery
oungestsoni sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ednext
week.
Thobo:
Great
.

Hepouredhimselfagl
assofwat erandl
ooked
outsi
de.Hebreat
hedheavil
y."Thati
syourbr
other'
s
wif
e"hismother'
swordsrepeatedinhi
shead
countl
essti
mes.

Someonet ouchedhi
sshoulderandhetur
ned
around.Nomahsmi l
edathim,shehadchangedi
nto
afloral
dressnow,shet
urnedaroundandgave
Thobohi sback.

Helookedatherbar
ecl
eanbackt
hehecl
ear
edhi
s
t
hroat.

Thobo:
What
?
Nomah:
Zip.

Hezi
ppedt
hedr
essandNomaht
urnedar
ound.
Nomah:
Thanky
ou.
.Forev
ery
thi
ng.
Thobo:
Yeahsur
e.
Nomah:Itmeansal ottomereall
y,Iam closet
omy
duedat
eandIdi dn'
tknowwhatIwasgoi ngtodress
mychil
d,Iam embar r
assedever
ydaywhen
MmaThobogiv esKarenpocketmoneyandheshe
buysmopakowagaJuni or
.
Thobo:Heywearefamil
yandf
ami l
ypi
cksupone
anot
herwhentheyar
edown.Neverbeashamedt
o
askforany
thi
ngokay.
Nomah: Youaret
ookind,
notevenmyownbrother
s
ar
ethiskindtomeandmykids.Youar
ethebig
br
otherevery
onewishesf
or.

Shehuggedhim,
hehuggedherbackt
henNomah
pul
ledback.

Nomah:
Letmegopackev
ery
thi
ng.
Shewenttothebedroom,Thobobr
eat
hedoutand
l
aughed"bigbr
other
".Noonewantedt
obecall
ed
bi
gbrotherbyawomant heyhavef
eel
i
ngsfor
.

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay
.

Aft
erBalebengl
eftf
orworkKim wentt
olockthe
doorandwentbacktobed,shecal
ledherf
ri
end.

Fr
iend:
Hel
l
o!
Ki
m:Hahaguesswhat
,Bal
ebengbel
i
evedev
ery
thi
ng.
Fr
iend:
What
?
Kim:HeemmanowIhavetokeepuptheactf
ora
fewdayst
henIwi
l
ltel
lhi
m Iam f
ine.
Fr
iend:
Sodi
dyouf
uck?
Kim:Noaker
ehebel
i
evesgoreIam si
ck,
gapeit
gi
vesmynunuti
metogetbacktothesi
zeheis
usedto.
Fr
iend:Youhaveever
ythi
ngf
igur
edoutaker
e.So
Charmahasn'
tcal
led?
Ki
m: Mmhmmh,
fri
endshapommaIdon'
thav
e
ai
rt
ime.

Shehungup,herf
ri
endlaughedandputt
hephone
down.Shel
ookedathercoll
eague.

Fri
end: ThemmaKim omaaka,di
dyouseehow
fastsheavoi
dedmyquest
ionaboutChar
ma?
Coll
eague:
War
ewhatwast
heexpensi
vel
abel
she
bought?
.
Fri
end:XingChi
ng,
arewheni
slooksatAdi
dasy
a
recousi
n..SameWhat
sAppgr
oup.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oudandhi
ghf
ived.

Thesamedayl
atert
hatni
ght
.
Nomahl ai
donhersiderubbi
ngherstomach
l
ist
eneningtoRi
ngo.Shelaughedalonewonder
ing
whyallofasuddenshewasi nt
erest
edinthemusic,
wasitbecausei
thadbeenplayinginThobo'
scaror
wasitbecausei
tremindedherofhim.

Shecl osedherey esbrushi

ngthet
houghtof f,heis
herkids'suncle.Hei sherexhusband'sbrot her
.
Well hewasn'tr eall
yBalebeng'
sbrother
.Onet i
me
Balebenghadt oldherThobowashi scousin, hi
s
mot herdieddur ingbir
thandMmaThobor aisedhim
asherown.

Nomahf oundher
selfembarr
assedthatshewas
event
hinkingl
i
kethat.Sheswit
chedoffthesi
de
l
ampandwentt osleep.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE10

Ithadbeenaf ewday ssi

nceThobocameov er,
Nomaht racedhert humbonherphonet hinki
ngof
call
inghimt hendecidednott
o.Sheputt hephone
down, thedoorbur stopenedandJuniorcame
runninginf oll
owedbyKar en.

Kar
en:MummyDaddyi
sher
e,hecamet
otakeus
home.
Nomah:
Oh!
Kar
en:
Hur
ryuppack.

Nomahgotoutofbedandputonhergownthen
wentoutsi
dewher
eBalebengwast
alki
ngtohis
mother
.
Nomah:
Dumel
ang!

Hecompl
etel
yignor
edher
.

Balebeng:
Guysgogety
ourbagsIwi
l
lbr
ingy
ou
backonSunday.
MmaThobo:Aoyouar
enotevengoi
ngtosayhel
l
o
t
oyourwif
e?Legoneyoushoul
dtal
ktohi
m gao
t
say
abana.
Bal
ebeng:
Idon'
tneedtonegot
iat
eany
thi
ngwi
th
any
oneaboutmykids.

Theki
dscamer
unni
ngf
rom t
hehousewi
tht
hei
r
bags.

Juni
or:
Mummyhur
rygogety
ourbag.
Bal
ebeng:
Guy
slet
'sgoIdon'
thav
eal
lday
.
Kar
enlookedathermot
hert
henshewentt
ost
and
byher
.

Kar
en:
Iam notcomi
ngi
fMummyi
snotcomi
ng.
Bal
ebeng:
Kar
en!Geti
nthedamncar
.

Shel
ookedupathermum.

Nomah:
Iam notf
eel
ingwell
that
'swhyIam not
comi
ngwit
hyouguys,hav
efunokay.
Kar
en:
OkayMummy
.

Shewenttothecar.Thobotookoutmoneyf
rom hi
s
wall
etandgavehismother.

Thobo:
Youwi
l
lbuyf
ood.
MmaThobo:Thanky
oumyson,
didy
out
alkt
oyour
l
it
tl
ebr
other
?
Thobo:
Notl
atel
y,Mmel
etmego.
Nomah:
CanIt
alkt
oyou?
Thobo:
Whatabout
?
Nomah:
Inpr
ivat
e!
Thobo:Mot
howaModimoIdon'
thav
etime,
say
whatyouwantt
osay
.Ihav
enothi
ngtosayt
oyoui
n
pri
vat
e.
Nomah:
Iwantt
ounder
standgor
etheki
ds.
.
Thobo:
Thekidswi l
lli
vewit
hyouIwi
l
lgett
hem
wheneverIam notbusy.

Hewenttot
hecarandtheyl
eft
.MmaThobotur
ned
toNomah,
shewasbeyondembarr
assed,
shedi
dn'
t
knowwhatt
osay.

MmaThobo:
Hei
sst
il
li
nlov
ewi
thy
ou,
Icanseei
t.

Nomahl
etoutaf
adesmi
l
e,sheknewhermot
heri
n-
l
awwasj ustsay
ing.Todayshet
oohadlookedat
Bal
ebengli
keanyothermannotli
keherhusband.
Sheknewtherewasnowayhewasst i
lli
nlovewit
h
her
.

MmaThobo:
Hewi
l
lbr
ingt
heki
dsonSunday
.
Nomah:
Eemma!

Shesaidt
hatgoi
ngbacktothehouse.Shefel
ta
l
it
tl
epaindownherabdomendownt ohervagi
na.
Shebreat
hedoutandwentt
olaydowni nsi
dethe
house.

AtThobo'
sRanch.
.

Thobohelpedhi
sfr
iendl
oadt
hebagsofcabbagei
n
hi
struck.

Mi
chael
:Sooser
ioushel
ayouar
einl
ovewi
thy
our
l
i
ttl
ebr
other
'swi
fe.
Thobo:ExWif
e,Mikey ouknowgoreIhavel
ong
l
ovedthatgi
rlsi
nceshewasat eenager
.Sheandi
hadali
ttl
ethi
nggoingonkegor ehel
aIcouldn'
ttake
i
ttothenextl
evelbecauseshewasachild.
Michael
:Heisyourbrot
her
'swi
femmekana, what
wil
lpeopl
ethinkofyou?Leenehel
aidon'
tthinkshe
seesyouthatway.

Thobodust
edhi
shandsonhi
sov
eral
l
s.

Thobo:
War
ewhyar
eyoubuy
ingsomuchcabbage?
Mi
chael
:Ithasbeeni
ndemandl
atel
yatt
heshop.
Thobo:
Okay
,tsamay
amonaIwantt
ogor
est
.
Mi
chael
:Anddaydr
eam aboutNomah.
Thobo:
Justgo.

Theybumpedshoul
der
sandMi
chael
lef
t.Thoboput
hishandsonhi sheadandwentt osi tbyt hestoop.
Hel ookedatsomeoft heempl oyeespassi ngby
l
aughi ngthenhisexf iancé'scarstoppedby
Michael '
s.Theyt al
kedf orafewmi nut esbeforeshe
drovei nandpar kedInfrontofthehouse.She
steppedoutoft hecarwi ththeki
ds,t heyhugged
thei
rdadandt hey oungestsatonherf at
her'
slap.

Thobo:
Aoyoushoul
dhav
ecal
l
edIwasaboutt
ogo
toMaunebi
l
e.
Bonni
e:Wail
eronawej
ustcamef
ort
hebut
ter
nut
s
andwater
melons.
Thobo:Obonalona,whathappenedtosupport
ing
l
ocalbusi
nesseskante?Youarealwayscomingto
getsomethi
ngbutnev erpay
.

Bonni
elaughedandf
oll
owedThobot
othest
ore
room.

Bonni
e:IhearNomahandBal
ebengbr
okeup.
Thobo:
Yeah,
shei
sst
ayi
ngov
eratmymum house.
Bonnie:Myfr
iendar eshesawy ouguystogether
al
mostt woweeksagobabyshoppi ng.Ebil
eeneshe
didn'
tknowgorekeNomah, shewasli
kei saw
Thobowi t
hapr egnantwomanbabyshoppi ng.Af
ter
shedescri
bedherkegonekebonanggor eit'
s
Nomah.
Thobo:
Yeah!

Hepickedupt
wowater
melonsandBonni
efol
l
owed
herwit
habagofbut
ter
nut
s.

Bonni
e:Whathappened?
Thobo:
Idontwantt
oli
etoy
ou.
Bonnie:
Kemat hata,sowhyisshest
ayi
ngwithyour
mother,whydoesn'tshegohometoheraunt
's
house?
Thobo:Aaht ot
ay ouar
easki
ngthewrongper
son,
nnaIjustknowt heybr
okeupnothi
ngel
se.
Bonni
e:Okay,guy
slet'
sgo.Iwantt
ocookaheav
y
mealt
oday,comeov er
.
Thobo:
Iwi
l
l.

Bonni
ewenti
nforahugt
henshel
eftwi
tht
heki
ds.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse

Kim quickl
yputonherneckbr aceassheheard
Balebeng'scarparkoutsi
de.Theki
dsraninsi
de
holdi
ngt hei
rmilkshakest
hentheypausedlooki
ngat
Kim.

Kar
en:
Whyar
eyouwear
ingMummy
'sdr
ess?
Kim:
Keengy ourmot
heri
stheonl
yonewhoknows
howtogeti
nshops?

Bal
ebengcamei
nwi
thabucketoff
ri
edchi
cken.
Bal
ebeng:
HeyBabe.
Ki
m:Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmey
ouwer
ecomi
ngwi
tht
he
ki
ds.
Balebeng:
Iwentt
ogi
vemymot
hergr
ocer
ymoney
and..

Ki
ml aughedindi
sbel
i
efandwentt
otheki
tchen,
Bal
ebengf ol
l
owedher.

Bal
ebeng:
What
?
Ki
m:Soy
oucont
inuesuppor
ti
ngy
ourexWi
fe?
Bal
ebeng:
Kar
eIwentt
ogi
vemymot
hergr
ocer
y
money.
Ki
m:Aker
eshei
sgoi
ngt
oeatt
hef
ood.
Balebeng:Whatdoy
ouwantf r
om me?NowI
shouldn'
tgiv
emymot hermoney?
Kim:Whydidyoudiv
orceherify
ouaregoi
ngto
conti
nuesuppor
ti
ngher,Maybeyoushoul
dgoback
toyourwi
ferral
ennaIwill
gobackhome.
Bal
ebeng:Keengney
ouarecr
azy,
jaanongwhatdo
youwant?formymot
hert
oeatwhil
esheisther
ea
samot shol
ele?
Ki
m:Whyissheevenst
ayi
ngaty
oumot
her
'shouse
i
nthef
ir
stpl
ace?

"Heee"Kim cl
appedherhandsgoingtothebedroom,
sheclosedhersel
finandlaidont
hebed."Eishrrai
t
l
ooksl i
keIwon'tbeabletomakeit"shesentthe
text.Amessagecamet hr
ough.

Char
ma:
Okayshapo.
Kim:I
t'
snotli
keIdon'twanttocome,It
oldy
ou
aker
egorewear ebusyhere,mymotheri
ssickand
myoldersi
sterj
ustl
eft,Icantl
eav
emymum al one.
Char
ma:
Ker
il
eshapoaker
e.

Ki
m putherphonedownandsi
ghed.Bal
ebengcame
i
n.
Bal
ebeng:
Comesi
twi
thus.
Ki
m:Iam goi
nghome,
Iwi
l
lseey
ouguy
slat
er.
Bal
ebeng:
Mykidsareher
eyouwanttol
eav
eandgo
home?Thisi
sthet
imetobondwi
ththem.
Kim:Aahaah,bondwi t
hthem aswho?AahaahnnaI
didn'
tsi
gnupf orthis,
what'snextIwillbeattendi
ng
yourfamil
yfunerals?Nnaiam tooy oungtobe
playi
ngstepmot her.I
fthat
'swhyy ouleftyourwife
then.
.

Balebengsl
appedheracr
ossthefaceandherneck
bracefel
lof
fbefor
eshefini
shedhersent
ence.

Bal
ebeng:
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
oli
ket
hat
?
Ki
m:Beatmeee,
beatmeBal
ebeng.
Shepi
ckedupherneckbr
aceandputi
tbackon.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE11

Bal
ebeng:
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
oli
ket
hat
?
Ki
m:Beatmeee,
beatmeBal
ebeng.

Shepi
ckedupherneckbr
aceandputi
tbackon.

Ki
m:(
Cry
ing)CanIpl
easegohome?
Bal
ebeng:
Gaoy
egope(
Youar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e)

Ki
m satdownonthebedandst
art
edcr
ying.
Bal
ebengwentout
sidet
otheki
ds.

AtBonni
e'
shouse.
Bonni
esatInf
rontoft
hemi
rr
ordoi
nghermakeup
whenherphonerang.

Bonni
e:Hey
..
Si
ster
:Iam onmywayt
opi
ckt
heki
ds.
Bonnie:
Themmahur ryupbefor
eBal
ebengget
s
here.Hedoesn'tknowt hati
havepr
epar
eda
romanti
ceveningf orus.
Si
ster:
Hoo!Gat
wer
omant
ic,
youshoul
dhav
etol
d
hi
mt hen.
Bonnie:Youknowhewoul dhavemadeallthe
excusesakere.Monnayolekanawame,Imade
mistakesinl
ifebuthur
ti
nghimiswhatIregretmost
.
Si
ster
:Youst
il
lthi
nkt
her
eisachancef
ory
ouguy
s?
Bonnie:Yes,Iseet hewayhel ooksatme,
ther
eis
sti
llsomel oveleft
.Fiveyear
sagoImadesome
naivestupiddecisi
onofcheat i
ngbutnowIam ol
der
andwi ser.Il
ookathi m andheisthemanofmy
dreams.Iwanthi mt otrustmeagainsowecan
buil
dourf amily
.
Si
ster
:Okaymmai
fyousayso.
Bonnie:Leenemmahei shandsomet hat
agore
thesedays,pl
usmymankanal ooksgoodi nchi
skop.
Hehasgai nedweighti
ntherightpl
aces,haveyou
seenhiml at
elyneh?
Sister:HahaIsawhim aboutaweekbackailet
o
deliveratasupermar
ketnearourof
fi
ces.Ij
aamma
kanai am dr
ivi
nggol
oha,shapoIwil
lbetherei
nfi
ve
mi nutes.

Bonni
ehungupandcont
inueddoi
nghermakeup.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Nomahputonhershoesandwentout
sidewher
e
Thobowaswai
ti
ngforher.

Nomah:Tot
annawher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme,
whati
fI
gi
vebi
rt
hgonekwa.
MmaThobocameoutoft
hehousewi
thashowl
.

MmaThobo:
Wrapt
hisar
oundy
our
sel
fmma.

Nomaht
ookt
heshowl
.

Thobo:
Wear
egoi
ngf
ordi
nneratMmagweJohn'
s
pl
ace.
MmaThobo:
Aosayhel
l
otoherf
orme.
Thobo:
Iwi
l
l.
.(ToNomah)Ar
eyour
eadyt
ogo?

Heopenedthedoorforherandshegoti nside.
MmaThobowav edatthem andwenti nsidethe
house.Fewminut
eslaterBalebengparkedhiscar
outsi
deandtheki
dsrant othehouse.

MmaThobo:
UhuIt
houghtt
heyar
ecomi
ngon
Sunday
.
Balebeng:Changeofpl
ans,
somet
hingcameupand
ihavetoleave.
MmaThobo:
Ehee!
Kar
en:
Mmewher
eisMama?
MmaThobo:
Shewentoutf
ordi
nner
.
Balebeng:
ThengatweIshouldacceptgorethati
s
mychi l
d,i
fshecangooutwithmen, heavi
l
y
pregnantl
ivi
ngher
ewithyouwhatcoul dst
opher
fr
om cheati
ngallt
heti
mesi wasn'thome.
MmaThobo:Shewentwi
thy
ourbr
othert
o
MmaJohn'
shouse.
Bal
ebeng:
GapennaIdon'
tknowwhyshei
sst
ayi
ng
her
e,shei
smaki
ngitawkwardformet
ocome
home.
MmaThobo:
Ronakanagarepoke,
wearenotgoi
ng
t
oki
ckawomandownwhi l
esheisatherl
owest
.
Balebeng:NnyaannaIam t ell
i
ngy ougoreIam
uncomf or
tablewit
hherstay i
nghere,Ican'
tevensit
fi
vemi nut
eswi t
hy oubecauseshei salwayshere.
NowIam f orcedtobuymor efoodbecauseshei s
her
e.
MmaThobo: Tot awhati sy ourpr oblem, didthatlit
tl
e
gir
lyouar esleepi ngwi thbewi tchy ou?Negor i
leng?
Doy ouf orgett haty our ui nedt hatNomah' slif
eby
maki ngheramot herbef oresheev enf i
nished
school?Theny oumar r
iedherandmadehery our
housewi f
e,ar en'ty out heonewhoal way ssaidy ou
don'twantherwor king?Wher edoy ouexpecthert o
go,ronagar eahapaanal ikey ou.Nomahdi d
nothingwr ongt ousebi lei fyoudon' twantt ocome
hereany mor et hendon' tcome, don'tgivemey our
money .Idon' tlikey ourbehav iorBal ebeng, notatall.
Akerey oumeetNomahwhenshewasy oungert han
thatgirl
,nowshei snotgoodenoughf ory ou
becauseshehasgr own, doy out hi
nkt hatgi r
lenei s
goingtobey oungf orever ?Whatar ey ougoi ngtodo
tenyearsl ater,dumpherf orsomeoney ounger?
GrowupBal ebenggr owup, yout hinky ouar egoing
tobey oungf orever ,doy out hinkt hatlitt
legirli
s
goingtot akecar eofy ourki dsandcookf ory ou?
Lookaty ouwear ingdi rtyj eans, hasNomahev erlet
yougoar oundl ooki ngl iket his?Lookhowt hinand
ti
redyouare,
leenet
otaNomahIdon'
tthi
nkshewi
l
l
beint
erest
edanymore.

Shewenti
nsi
dethehouseandBal
ebenggoti
nhi
s
caranddr
oveaway.

AtBonni
e'
shouse

Bonnieheardthecaroutside,
shefi
xedhertopand
wenttoopent hedoor.Sheletoutafadesmil
e.She
di
dn'texpectThobotobringsomeone.

Bonni
e:Hel
l
oguy
s,hel
l
oNomah!
Thobo:
Ibr
oughtapl
usoneIhopey
oudon'
tmi
nd.
Bonni
e:No,
nonotatal
l
.Letme.
.

Sheclosedthedoorandwentt
oswitchofft
he
candl
est henswi
tchedont
heli
ght
s,sheremoved
t
hepetal
sandthebot
tl
eofchampagnet
henshe
wentt
olett
hem i
n.

Nomah:
Itsmel
l
sni
cei
nher
e.
Bonni
e:Thanks.
Thobo:
Wher
ear
etheki
ds?
Bonni
e:Oh,
theyl
eftwi
thmysi
ster
,pl
easesi
t.

Theyal
lsatdownanddi
shedf
ort
hemsel
ves.

Bonni
e:Howf
ar?
Nomah:
Ninemont
hsImi
ghtgi
vebi
rt
hanyday
.
Bonni
e:Okay
,nny
aammay ouar
eglowi
nggapeyour
st
omachisnotbi
g,It
houghtmaybeyouar
eseven.
Nomah:
Hahagl
owi
ngwi
thsuchanose.

Bot
hwomenl
aughed.
Thobo:
Yonemmai
t'
sver
ybi
g.
Nomah:
Thobol
eav
emeal
onepl
ease.

Thobopl
ayful
l
yt ouchedhernoseasBonniewat
ched.
Heshookitali
tt
leandtheybothlaughed.

Thobo:
Ihopei
tdoesn'
tgobackt
onor
mal
.
Nomah:Aor
ra,
youwantmet
obest
uckwi
thsucha
gi
ant
ful
noseal
lmyli
fe?
Thobo:
Sor
ryee.
Nomah:Nomanwilll
ookatmetwi
cewit
hsucha
nose,
nnar
raIdon'
twanttogr
owoldal
one.
Thobo:Jaanongwhoi
sol
dal
one?SoIam ol
debi
l
eI
am al
one.
Nomah:
HahaIdi
dn'
tsayy
ou.

Bonni
ewatchedt
hem ast
heyspoke,shel
ookedat
Thoboandhowhappyhewasthenshelookedat
Nomah,shewasbl
ushingandtheytal
kedsocl
ose
toeachot
hert
heyweresurel
yinhal
i
ngeachother
's
breat
h.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse

Hetr
iedtoignorehismother
'swor
dsbuttheykept
r
epeati
nginhishead.Ki
m cameoutofthebathroom
wi
thatowel wrappedar
oundher.

Ki
m:Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
Bal
ebeng:
Mmmh!
Ki
m:Ar
en'
tyoucomi
ng?
Bal
ebeng:
Iam comi
ng.

Hel
ookedundert
heTVstandandt her
ewasdirt,t
he
t
vstandwasdust
yandther
ewer ebananapeels
f
rom aweekagoonthet
able.Hestoodupandwent
t
othebathr
oom,t
her
ewaswat eral
loverandt
here
wer
ecol
gat
esi
nthesi
nk.

AtBonni
e'
shouse.

Bonni
eandNomahhuggedt
henshewav
edatheras
shegoti
nthecar
.

Bonni
e:Goodni
ght
,gi
vemey
ournumberr
enner
e
bua.

Theyexchangednumber
s.

Bonni
e:Goodni
ght
.

Nomahgotinthecar.Sherol
l
edupthewindowand
l
ookedatBonniehuggingThobot
henshewi ped
somethi
ngoffhisl
ips.Bonni
ewavedatherasthe
carl
eft
.
Nomah:Youknowt hatdinnerwasfort
woright
?I
coul
dsmellthatsheli
tsomecandlesbefor
ewe
camein.Youshouldn'
thavebroughtmewithyou.
Thobo:
Nnai
didn'
tknowt
hati
twasapr
ivat
edi
nner
.

Nomahthoughtabouttheni
ghtofthei
ranni
ver
sar
y
andf
eltherhear
tbeatagai
nstherchest
.

Nomah: Iknowhowit'
sli
ketopl
ansomet
hingtheni
t
doesn'
tgot hewayy
ouplanned,
dropmeoffat
homeandgoback.
Thobo:Nnagakej
olel
eBonni
ekana.(
Iam not
dat
ingBonni
e)
Nomah:
Sti
l
lshepl
annedar
omant
icev
eni
ngf
ory
ou
guy
s.
Thobo:Forwho?Isitwrongt obeni cetoyourex?I
di
dn'taskhertopl
ant her omanti
cdat ennaIknew
goreketaforafamilydinnerthat'
swhyIev en
i
nvit
edy ou.Tseot
sadi romant i
cdinnergasetsame,
gakemonnawagagwe( Iam notherman).
Nomahrai
sedherey
ebrowsandlookedoutside.A
shar
ppai
nhitbel
owherabdomen,shebreathedout
l
oudandcl
osedhereyes.

Thobo:
Arey
ouokay
?
Nomah:
YeahIam f
ine.

Herphonevibr
ated.
.sheopenedt
heSMS"Kantei
s
ThoboseinganyonenemmabecauseIwanttofi
x
myfamily
".

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE12

"Kant
eisThobosei
ngany
onenemmabecauseI
wantt
ofixmyfamil
y".

Nomahputt
hephonedownandr ubbedherst
omach
ast
hepai
ngotheavi
er.Thobol
ookedatheragai
n.

Thobo:
Arey
ouokay
?
Nomah:
(Fr
owned)It
hinkIam goi
ngi
ntol
abour
.
Thobo:What?(Pani
cki
ng)WhatdoIdo,
takeyou
homet ogett
hebabybagortakeyoust
rai
ghttot
he
hospi
tal.

Nomahcl
enchedherj
awsandcl
osedherey
es.
Thobo:
Fuck!

Hegr
abbedhi
sphoneanddi
aledhi
smot
her
.

MmaThobo:
Hel
l
o,bat
hongkana.
.
Thobo:Nomahisinl
aboursoiam t
aki
nghertot
he
hospi
tal
,fi
xherbagIwi
llcomegeti
taf
terdr
oppi
ng
heroff
.
MmaThobo:
Okay
,hur
ryt
hee.
.

Thoboputhisphonebet
weenhi
slegsandt
ouched
Nomah'sshoul
der.

Thobo:
Iam t
aki
ngy
out
othehospi
tal
okay
.

Nomahknodherheadandcont i
nuousl
ybreat
hedin
andout
.Thoboovert
akedthecarsanddrovepast
ther
obotgoi
ngtothehospit
al.
Meanwhi
l
eatBonni
e'
shouse.

Shesati
nfrontoft
hemi r
rorwi
pingthemakeupof
f
whil
etal
ki
ngtohersist
eronloudspeaker
.

Si
ster:
Comeony ouar
ereadingtoomuchint
othis,
Bal
ebengandThobohavealwaysbeencl
ose,Thobo
wouldnev
erl
ookatNomahl i
kethat.
Bonnie:Youdon'tknowanythingaker e,kareitwas
l
ikeIwasn'tthere,
Iateandfinishedwi t
houtanyof
them noti
cing.Iam awomankanaSi s,Ihaveseen
Thoboar oundwomenbutIhav enev erseenhiml i
ke
thi
saroundanywoman.Hewasmaki ngjokesleene
Nomahl aughingatthel
amej okes.Thechemi str
y
helacouldbeseenbyabl i
ndper son.
Sist
er:Nnyaamma, Thobowouldnevercr
ossthat
l
ine,Iknowwhaty ousawbutmmhmmh.Leene
Nomahker aagor
et heli
tt
leti
meIhaveknownher
shedoesn'tlookl
i
ket hetypetohopf
rom one
br
othert
otheot
her
.
Bonni
e: May
besheisusi
nghim asr
ev engewho
knows.Shei
str
yingt
ogetbackatBalebengka
Thobo.
Si
ster:
Gongwe,
letmegot
osl
eepmma.Goodni
ght
.
Bonni
e:Goodni
ght
.

Bonniehungupthenshethrewthewipesinthe
dustbi
nandgotintobed.Shecheckedherphonef
or
areplyandther
ewasn'tany.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Thobothrewthebabybagatt
hebackandgoti
nthe
dri
ver
'sseat.

MmaThobo:
Cal
landt
ell
mehowshei
s.
Thobo:
Iwi
l
ldot
hat
.
Hedroveoutgoingtothehospi
tal
.Hewait
edbyt
he
vi
sit
or'
sloungeforalmosthal
fanhourt
hena
midwif
ecamet ogetthebabybag.

Thobo:
Howi
sshe?Hasshegi
venbi
rt
hyet
?
Midwi
fe:
Notyet
,ther
eisnot
hingyoucandoher
e,
gohomeandcomebacktomorrow.
Thobo:
Butshei
sfi
ner
ight
?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Shei
sfi
ne.

Themidwi f
edisappearedi
ntot
hewardwiththe
babybag.Thobodi al
edNomah'snumberanditr
ang
unanswered.

I
nsi
det
hemat
erni
tywar
d.

Nomahl
ookedatherphoner
ingi
ng,
shehungupt
he
cal
landswit
cheditof
f.Shegotoutofbedand
wal
kedaroundthenshewenttolayonthebedagai
n.

ADoct
orpassedbyandshegr
abbedhi
shand.

Nomah:DoctorIam r
eadynow,
it'
stencent
emi
ter
s
Icanf
eel
it.
Doct
or:
Letmegett
hemi
dwi
fe.

Nomahlai
dont hebedwaiti
ngf ort
hemidwif
e, he
putonhi
sglovesandcheckedthecervi
xopening.
Heremovedtheglov
esandl ookedatNomah.

Mi
dwi
fe:
Thr
eecent
emi
ter
s.
Nomah:
Hee,
canIpl
easehav
eanoper
ati
ont
hen.

Themidwif
elaughedatherandmovedt
othenext
pat
ient
.Nomahgotoutofbed,shet
ookthebaby
cl
othesandstar
tedf
oldi
ngthem agai
n,af
tershe
wasdoneshepouredthem ont
hebedagai nand
st
artedf
oldi
ng.

Out
side.

Thobowokeuptohi
sphoneri
ngi
ng,hel
ookedatt
he
ti
meanditwasal
mosttwel
ve.Hepi
ckedup.

Thobo:
Hel
l
o..
Bonni
e:Hi
,ar
ri
vedsaf
elyatt
her
anch?
Thobo:Iam att
hehospi
tal
neket
isi
tsemmagwe
Karensheisinl
abour
.
Bonnie:
Wowket swapel
ojang.YouknowlennaI
al
way sthoughtIwasgoi
ngtohavethreeki
ds
hahaha.
Thobo:
Ifel
lasl
eepi
nthecar
,letmegohomeGa
gonamosolabei
ngher
e.
Bonni
e:Your
eal
l
ycar
efory
ourl
i
ttl
ebr
other'
sex
wi
feaker
e.
Thobo:
Yeah,
letmego.
Bonni
e:Goodni
ght
.

Thobohungupanddr
oveoutofthehospi
tal,onthe
wayhedial
edNomah'snumberagai
nandi tdidn'
t
gothr
ough.

Ear
li
ert
hef
oll
owi
ngday
.

Balebengbrushedhi
st eethwhenacer tai
nsmel l
reachedhi
snose.Hel ookedaroundt henpickedup
aplasti
cbagf ul
loff
lies,heopeneditthenast r
ong
smellcameout ,hef
rownedandmov edt heplast
ic
awayf r
om hisnose,helookedinsi
deandi twasf ul
l
ofusedpadsandpant yl
iner
s.

Hethrewt
heplast
icbagdownandstor
medt
othe
bedr
oom wher
eKim wassleepi
ng.
Bal
ebeng:Kim..Kant
ejaanongy
oucan'
tev
ent
hrow
awayyourusedpads.
Kim:If
orgottothr
owthem away
,nt
samael
eka
tsone(
takethem f
orme)
Balebeng: Youcan'
tcl
eant
hehouse,
youcan'
twash
forme, youcan'
tcook,
youcan'
tev
enthr
owaway
yourdirt
.
Ki
m:KareIfor
got,kant
eify
ounol
ongerwantme
whydon'
tyouj
ustsayit
.
Balebeng:Iam t
ir
edofyouacti
ngli
keaspoiltbr
at,
I
am goingtocomehomel at
etoday,Ibet
terf
indt
his
housecleanandthosepadsgone.
Ki
m:Don'
twor
ryy
ouwi
l
lfi
ndmegonet
oo.

Bal
ebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueandl
eft
.
Att
heHospi
tal
.
Thobopacedupanddownthel
ounget
henhesat
down.Themidwi
fecameoutandhest
oodup.
Thobo:
Howi
sshe?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Howar
eyour
elat
edt
oNomah?

Thobo:
Shei
smysi
sterwhy
?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Pleasef
oll
owmei
nsi
de.

Thobof el
thi
shear
tsunkthenitbeatagai
nsthi
s
chestl
ikeaheavydrum f
rom aspir
it
ualchur
ch.He
fol
lowedthemidwif
einsi
detotheoffi
cethenhesat
down.

Thobo:Kananormal
l
ywheny
oucal
lusi
nsi
dei
ts
notgoodnews.
Mi
dwi
fe:
Iam af
rai
dIbr
ingy
oubadnewst
oday
.
Thobo:
Whati
sit
?
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE13

Thobo:
Whati
sit
?
Midwif
e:Thebabywasbor
nwi
thwhatwecal
l
Anencephal
y.
Thobo:
Doct
ornnaIam af
armery
oucan'
tbeusi
ng
suchbi
gwordsonme.
Midwif
e:Iti
saseri
ousbir
thdefecti
nwhi
chababyi
s
bornwit
houtpar
tsofthebrai
nandskul
l.
Thobo:
What ?Howisitpossi
blef
oraper
sonnott
o
haveabrai
nandskull
,doesn'
thehaveahead?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Hehasi
tsi
r.

TheMidwi
fet
ookoutpi
ctur
esandputt
hem ont
he
tabl
e.
Thobo:
Oh!Buti
sheal
i
ve?

TheDoct
orknodhi
shead.

Thobo:
Ist
her
esomet
hingwecando,
sur
ger
y?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Iam af
rai
dnot
.
Thobo:
Ishegoi
ngt
oli
vet
hough?
Midwife:Thelongestababywit
hAnencephal
yhas
l
ivedistwentyeightmonths,
mostofthem di
e
duri
ngbi r
thwhilesomediewhil
etheyarei
nthei
r
mother'swomb.
Thobo:
Andhi
smot
her
?
Midwife:
Incasesl
i
kethi
sit
sbestt
oshowthe
motherthebabywhenshei
swit
haclosef
ri
endora
r
elat
ive.
Thobo:
Oh.

Hebr
eat
hedheav
il
yinhi
shands.
Thobo:Iwil
lgogetmymot her
,shewi
llknowwhatt
o
sayinsi
tuat
ionsl
iket
his.Buti
fImayask,what
causedit
?
Midwife:
Mostti
mesitsthegenesbuti
nhercase
becauseofhermedi
calhist
orywethi
nkkestr
ess.
Thobo:
Yeah,
okay
.(St
oodup)Letmegetmymot
her
.

TheyshookhandsandThobol
eft
.

I
nt hebushesalongtheGhanzi
roadri
ghtaf
ter
TotengCharmapar kedhi
scarunderatr
eeand
pushedhiscarseatback.

Kim smi
ledl
ooki
ngathi
mthenshel
ookeddownand
pul
leddownherski
rt
.

Ki
m:Whydi
dyousayIshoul
dwearaski
rt
?
Char
ma:
Kant
enemmay
ounev
ermi
ssme?
Kim:Imissy
ou,aker
eyest
erdayIwastr
yingt
otel
l
yougorekebusywit
hwhatandyoushutmeout.
Char
ma:
Nokanakegor
eImi
ssedy
ou.

Hepull
edupherski
rtandtouchedhernunu.He
l
eanedoverandki
ssedherwhilehefi
ngeredher
.

Char
ma:Kant
ewher
ehaveyoubeenallmyl
if
ene
mma?Iendedupmar
ryi
ngacrazyper
son.

Kim smiledasheunbuckledhistr
ouserandtookout
hi
sdi ck,Kim gav
ehim ahandjobwhil
et heyki
ssed
passionatel
y.Charmapushedherheadonhi sdick,
Kim massagedhi sbal
lswit
hhisdicki
nhermout h.
Hemoanedl oudlyasshegaggedonitthenhepul l
ed
herheadup.

Char
ma:
Let
'sgot
otheback.
Theywenttotheback,
Kimlaiddownandopened
herlegst
henCharmagotbetweenthem.He
groanedashepushedhisdi
ckinsi
de.

Att
heHospi
tal
.
.

MmaThobowal
kedi
naspeci
alr
oom t
hatNomah
wasi
n.

MmaThobo:
Howar
eyou?
Nomah:
(Smi
l
ing)Ti
red.
.
MmaThobo:
Wil
lyouhav
eanot
herbaby
?
Nomah:
Iyooonev
er.
.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Nomah:Mmmhmmh,Isuf
fer
edthist
imear ound,
kanaev
enwi
thKar
eni
twasn'
tthi
spainf
ul.Atone
momentIf
elthi
m st
andi
ngup.
MmaThobo:
Hahahabat
hongst
andup?
Nomah:I
yooweeIsweari
am nev
erhav
inganot
her
babynomatt
erwhat
.
MmaThobo:
Haha.
.

MmaThobosatdown.

Nomah:
KanaIhav
en'
tseenhi
m sal
ebamot
ser
e.
MmaThobo:
Ee!

Sherubbedherhandst
ogether.Fewminutesl
ater
themidwif
ecamei nwi
ththebaby.Helookedat
MmaThobobef or
eshegav ethebabyt
oNomah.

Nomahsmi
l
edandt
ookt
hebaby
.

Nomah:
Hei
ssoheav
y.
Shepushedthebl
anketof
fhishead,
herhear
t
ski
ppedthenshel
ookedattheMidwif
e.

Nomah:
(Cal
m)Whyi
shel
i
ket
his?
Mi
dwi
fe:
Hehaswhatwecal
lAnencephal
y.
.

TheMi dwi
feexpl
ainedev
ery
thi
ng.Nomahwi
pedher
tear
slooki
ngatherbaby.

Nomah:
Sohewon'
tl
iv
epastt
woy
ear
s?
Midwif
e:Wehaveneverhadanycasel
i
ket
hatbut
youknowcasesdi
ff
erright
?
Nomah:
(Knodherheadandwi
pedhert
ear
s)Mmmh.
Midwif
e:Letmel
eav
eyouf
oraf
ewmi
nut
esIwi
l
lbe
back.

Nomahputt
hebabydownandcov
eredherf
ace
cr
ying.MmaThobolookedatt
hebabyandherhear
t
br
okei nt
oli
tt
lepi
eces.

MmaThobo:ThankGodhehasy
ournosenott
his
bi
gnoseofours.

Shet
ookt
hebabyandki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead.

MmaThobo:
Rrabont
e..

ShelookedatNomahandshestil
lhadherhead
buri
edinherhandscr
ying.MmaThobotookagrey
beani
eandputitonhishead.

MmaThobo:Ohlookhowhandsomey oul
ook,
such
abi
gpret
tyboy.Lookaty
ou,sohandsome.

Nomahwi
pedhert
ear
s.
MmaThobo: Thi sisy ourbaby ,
youcarri
edhi mf or
ninemont hs,youf elthiskicksandhishear tbeat
toget
herwi thyour s.Hemi ghtnotbeli
key ouhoped
buthei ssti
llahumanbei ngandhei syourbaby .
Youhear dwhatt heDoct orsaid,wedon'thavemuch
ti
mewi thhim, let'
suset heli
ttl
etimewehav elovi
ng
him.Iknowy ouar ehur tmybabybutt hereis
nothi
ngwecando, OnlyGodknowswhyt hingshad
tobelikethis,hei saGodwhohaspl ansforal lofus.
Nomah:TheDoctoralsosai
dmostoft
hem don'
t
makeitpastf
iveday
s.Idon'
twantt
obondwithhim
i
fheisnotgoingtol
ive.
MmaThobo:
Don'
tsayt
hat
.Lookhowhandsomehe
i
s.
Nomah:
Hei
snothandsome.
MmaThobo: Whoishandsome,Juni
or.
.ot
waela
ngwanangwanakewaitse.Boyboyy
ourmotherar
e
youareugl
ywena,suchbeauty.

Hekissedhi
m agai
n,t
hebeani
efel
ldownandhis
headwasexposed.MmaThoboputi
tbackand
touchedhisl
i
ttl
efi
nger
s.TheMi
dwi
fecamet
otake
him back.

Mi
dwi
fe:
Wehav
etokeephi
minawar
m pl
ace.
Nomah:
CanIhol
dhi
m agai
n.

Themidwi
fegav
ehimt oher.Nomahbr
eat
hedout
l
oudandki
ssedhisf
orehead.

Nomah: Thanky ouforkeepingmesanewhenIwas

goingcrazy,
y ousavedmeandIwi l
lfor
everbe
thankf
ul f
orthat.(Cr
ying)Il
oveyoumyl i
tt
leKenz
o.I
knowwedon' thavemucht i
met oget
herbutI
promiseIam goi ngtoloveyouwitht
heloveofa
wholeli
feti
me.

Shewi pedhertear
sandkissedhim agai
nbefor
e
givi
nghim back.Assoonast heMidwif
elef
tNomah
coveredherfacecryi
ngoutl
oud.MmaThobosaton
thebednexttoherandhuggedher .
Al
i
ttl
elat
ert
hataf
ter
noon.
Charmaparkedhiscaratt
hegateandtookouthis
wall
et.Hecount
edtwentypul
anotesandhundred
pul
anot est
hengaveKim.

Char
ma: Buyt
hemor
ningaf
terpi
l
landbuyy
our
sel
f
somethi
ng.
Ki
m count
edt
hemoneyandl
ookedatChar
ma.

Kim:Threehundredandt
went
y,wher
eist
hesi
x
hundredandeighty
?
Charma:Heymonaist
il
lhav
easi
tuat
ionbutt
hings
wil
lgobacktonor
malsoon.
Kim:AahaahnnaIam noty ourwi fe,
sheshoul dbe
theoneunderst
andingyoursi
tuations,(openedthe
cardoor)Cal
lmewheny oudon'thavesi t
uati
ons
anymore,okanjel
at hr
eehundredpul a.Twentypul
a
kewaeng?
Shet
hrewthetwent
ypul
ainsi
det
hecarand
sl
ammedthedoor.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE14

AtMmaThobo'
shouset
hesameday
.

Thobosippedonhi
sdrinkandr
aisedhi
shead
l
ookingathismot
her.

MmaThobo:It
'sver
ypai
nful
tot
a,shewast
ryi
ngto
bestr
ongbuticoul
dseegoreMmhMmh.Shei si
n
pai
n.
Thobo:
Yeahi
t'
ssad.Hav
eyout
oldBal
ebeng?
MmaThobo:No,wai
tsewhenIt hi
nkaboutthatone
myheartl
i
ter
all
yshakes,
Balebengwant enaandthe
l
astt
hingNomahneedsrightnowkestresssathat
gr
ownupman.
Thobo:
Youknowy ouar
egoi
ngt
ohav
etot
ell
him at
somepointr
ight
?
MmaThobo:
Iknow.

MmaThobosi
ppedonherdr
inkandbr
eat
hedout
l
oud.

MmaThobo:Ei
sh,whatIneedri
ghtnowi
stobat
h
andgot
osleep,t
hankyouforbri
ngi
ngdi
nnermy
son.
Thobo:Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou,
kant
ejaanongKar
aboand
Gir
lyar
enotcomi
ngf
ort
heholi
days?
MmaThobo:ThosetwothinkkemaGabor
onehaha
butKar
abocal
ledandsaidheiscomi
ngthisFr
iday
.
Thobo:Okay(l
ookedathiswatch)Ihav
etogo,t
his
morningkanatwoelephant
spassedtotheRi
ver
side
Iam suret
herearemorecoming.
MmaThobo:
Gomysonanddr
ivesaf
ely
.

Thobotookhi
sempt yt
akeawayt
othedust
binthen
hewashedhishandsandlef
t.MmaThobowentto
cal
ltheki
dsf
rom nex
tdoor
.

Kar
en:
Mmewheni
sMamacomi
ngwi
tht
hebaby
?
MmaThobo:Iam goi
ngtofi
ll
thebatht
ubwit
hwarm
water
,bat
handbathyourl
i
ttl
ebrot
hernnaIam t
ir
ed
t
ota.
Kar
en:
Kar
ewheni
sMummycomi
ng.
MmaThobo:
Idon'
tknow.
Kar
en:I
sthebabybeaut
if
ul?Ican'
twai
ttopi
ckhi
m
upandki
sshim.
Juni
or:Nnaiam goi
ngt obri
nghim snacksev
ery
day
fr
om school
andi am goingt
oplaysoccerwit
hhim.
Kar
en:
Iwi
shi
twasagi
rl
.
MmaThobo:
Fini
sheat
ing.

AtKi
m'sFr
iend'
shouse.

Ki
mlai
dont
hebedwi
thherl
egsupr
ubbi
ngt
he
oi
ntmentonherv
agi
na.

Fri
end:Mmayoushoul
dbuyy
ourownnow,
youar
e
fi
nishi
ngmi
nekana.
Ki
m:Mxm!
Fr
iend:
Whaty
ouhav
e..
Kim:Gakereewena(noty
ou)Iam j
ustannoy
edby
somethi
ngorshoul
dIsaysomeone?
Fr
iend:
Whatdi
dBal
ebengdonow?
Ki
m:It
'snotev
enthatone.Oki
lewabonadati
nga
br
okemarri
edman,sieswhatawast
eofsin.
Fr
iend:
Uhu,
who?
Ki
m:Mxm si
es.

Kim'sphonerang,
shepickedi
tupandlookedati
t
forafewsecondsbefor
esheanswered.

Ki
m:Mmmh!
Charma:Soy ouaresti
ll
angryatme?Idi
dn'
tknow
goreyouaresell
ingakereorel
seIwoul
dhave
waitedunt
ilIhadmoney .
Kim: Sel l
ingwhat ?Kegor egat weIshouldaccept
threehundr edandt wentypulai fnotebil
eIam a
prostitute.Iyoocall meapr osti
tutebutnnaIam not
goingt obegi vi
ngoutmyv aginaf orchange.Nnai f
youwantt ofuckmey ouhav etoknowgor eIeat,I
bath, Idomyhai r,Idomynai ls,Ihavetobuycl othes
andst oppl ayi
nggamesgi vi
ngmemat hreehundr ed
pula,thatmoneyal onei
sf ormynai l
s,i
tdoesn'
tev en
cov ermyt oil
etr
ies.Wenawar ennai am yourwife
babal ogangcor nr
owst samasi xtypul
aundert he
trees.
Char
ma:
Youdon'
ttal
kaboutmywi
fel
i
ket
hat
.
Ki
m:Nnai
tal
kaboutany
thi
ngandany
onehowI
want
.

Shecl
ickedhertongueandhungupt
hei
mmedi
atel
y
Bal
ebeng'scal
lcamet hr
ough.
Ki
m:Hel
l
o!
Bal
ebeng:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Ki
m:Iam atLebo'
shouse.
Bal
ebeng:Ij
ustgothome,
Ithoughtwet
alkedabout
cl
eani
ng..
Kim:Wenaaker eotalalaontenne(youarestart
ing
toannoyme)Youdi vorcedyourwifesothatIcan
becomey ourmaid,nnay ouarebori
ngmeBal ebeng,
wewer eneverli
kethi
sbef or
e.Ebil
eiam even
thi
nki
ngofgoi ngbackhome, ever
ydayyoualway s
fi
ndsomet hi
ngtocompl ainabout,
aahaahI y
ooo!

Shehungup.Herf
ri
endl
aughedoutl
oud.

Fri
end:
Forsomeonewhowantstobeboughtacar
yousur
earepushi
ngyourbuy
eraway.
Kim:Iam t i
redLebo.Bal
ebengusedtocomet omy
houseev erydayandwewoul deatt
henhavesex,t
alk
andhav emor esex,hewouldtakemeout,di
boat
crui
sing,takemeshoppingev er
yweekendgi
veme
moneygor egowi thyourf
ri
ends.Nowal lhedoesi
s
complaingorethehouseisnotcleaned, Idon'
t
remembert helastti
mewewentout ,Idon't
remembert helastti
mewehadsex, nnammahei s
bori
ngme, afterhebuysmeacarIam dumpi nghi
m,
Iam tooyoungt obeahousegirlfr
iendnna.Iam
onlywit
hhim becausehepr omisedmeacar .
Fr
iend:
Iyoo,
int
hemeant
imecl
eant
henaker
eke
j
aakaolopel
a.
Kim:Itget
sti
ri
ng,l
etmegommaIam sur
ewhenI
gethomeIwillbeokay
.
Fr
iend:
Yeah.

Kim putonhershoesandherfr
iendwal
kedherto
thegatewhil
esheheldtheneckbracei
nherhand.

Att
heHospi
tal
.
.

I
npainfr
om t
hestit
chesNomahmanagedtokneel
downandputherhandst
oget
her
.Shebreat
hedout
l
oudandcl
osedherey
es.

Nomah: Wheny outookmyf atherfrom meIwas

onlyfiveyearsol d,
Ididn'
tcry .Teny earslateryou
tookmymot her,mymar ri
agei soverandt hisbaby
i
sal lIhavethat'skeepingmesane.Ipr aythaty ou
don'ttakehimt oo.IknowIam bei ngselfi
shr i
ght
nowbutpl easel etmybabyl i
v e.Iknowy ouar ethe
Godofmi raclesandi knowt hatbyy ourwillhecan
l
ivemor ethant woy ears.Pleasedon' tt
akehi m away
from me.

Shest
oppedpr
ayi
ngandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Nomah:IknowIam bei
ngselfi
shonhim butevenif
t
hewholeworlddoesn'
taccepthi
m Ihi
smot herwil
l
l
oveandaccepthi
m.Pleaseletmybabyli
ve,please
God.
Shefoundher
sel
fcr
yingoutl
oud,
shest
oodupand
l
aidonthebed.
TheFol
l
owi
ngDay
.

Therewasal oudknockatthedoor."
Babe"Balebeng
shoutedf
rom thebathr
oom thenKim gotoutofbed
andwenttoopent hedoor.Shefi
xedhergownand
l
ookedatMmaThobo.MmaThobol ookedatherup
anddownt henwalkedpasther.

MmaThobo:
Bal
ebeng!

Meanwhi
leThobopar
kedhi
scarout
sideandcame
i
nsi
dethehouse.

MmaThobo:Whatki
ndofawomanar
eyoul
i
vingi
n
suchadust
yhouse.

Ki
mignor
edMmaThoboandwentt
othebedr
oom.
MmaThobo:
Sies.

Thobosatdown.

Thobo:
Wher
eisBal
ebeng?

Balebengcameoutoft
hebat
hroom wi
that
owel
wrappedaroundhi
m.

MmaThobo:Si
nceyourgi
rl
fr
iendcan'
tcl
eanwena
whycan'
tyoucl
ean?
Bal
ebeng:
AahMmei
fyoucameher
eto.
Thobo:
Nomahgav
ebi
rt
hyest
erday
.
Bal
ebeng:
So?
Thobo:Oraajangnemonaor eso?(Angr
y)Kar
e
Nomahgav ebir
thyester
day
,youdonthav
eanyt
hing
tosayapartf
rom so?
Bal
ebeng:
Howi
sNomahgi
vi
ngbi
rt
hanyofmy
concer
n?

Thoboqui
ckl
ystoodupandpunchedhisli
tt
le
brot
her
,Bal
ebengstaggedbackandt
ippedthe
emptyf
lowervaseanditf
ell
down.

Thobo:
(Fumming)Youhav
enot
hingel
set
osay
?Ka
reNomahgavebir
th.

Bal
ebengdidn'
trepl
y,hemov
edf
rom t
hegl
asses
andmassagedhisjaws.

Thobo:
Kar
eNomahgav
ebi
rt
hyest
erday
?
Bal
ebeng:
Iwi
l
lgoseeheraf
terwor
k.

*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE15

Thobo:
Kar
eNomahgav
ebi
rt
hyest
erday
?
Bal
ebeng:
Iwi
l
lgoseeheraf
terwor
k.
Thobo:Kant
enemonawhat
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?di
dI
havetopunchy
oufi
rst
.
MmaThobo:
Bal
ebengngwanakawhati
sgoi
ngon
wi
thyou?
Balebeng:Kantewhyareyouforci
ngmeint
oNomah
keril
ei nolongerl
oveher
,ify
ouwanttokeepheri
n
thefami l
ysobadthenyoumar r
yher.
MmaThobo: Ihavenevermeetsuchastupidman
l
ikeyou,youdi v
orcedyourwif
etobringinsomeone
whocan'tevencl eanf
oryou.Thobongwanakalet'
s
go,somethi
ngi ssmelli
nginhereekarel
etalol
a
pit
seeswet sengmonageng.Let '
sleavethem i
n
thei
rpi
gsty.

Thobolookedathi
sli
tt
lebrotherandshookhi
shead
thenhefol
lowedhi
smot heroutsi
de.
Thobo:
Iregr
ettel
li
nghim aboutNomahgakebat e
hi
m goi
ngthereandcausi
ngherstress.Shedoesn'
t
needst
ressr
ightnow.
MmaThobo: Hewon'tgoseethem,ronawedi
dour
partbytel
l
inghim.Heel
alet
'shur
rykananeareshe
needsthebreastpump.
Thobo:
Kant
ethebaby
,wi
l
ltheyal
l
owhi
mtocome
home?
MmaThobo:
Ithi
nksowhenhei
sal
i
ttl
eol
der
.
Thobo:
Soal
lthi
sti
meNomahwi
l
lbei
nthehospi
tal
?
MmaThobo:
Yes.

Thobor
ever
sedout
..

Meanwhil
eBal
ebengthr
ewthegl
assesi
nthe
dust
binandwentt
othebedr
oom.
Kim:Soyouar
egoingt
oseet
hebaby
,It
houghty
ou
sai
dheisnotyour
s.
Bal
ebeng:
Idon'
thav
eti
met
owast
e.Ij
ustsai
dthat
.
Ki
m:Okay
.Canwegooutt
oni
ght
.
Bal
ebeng:
Ronawemightgof orat
ri
ptodaygake
sur
e.Wehavetogof
orinspecti
oni
ntheDelt
a
camps.

Ki
m smil
edthenshecr
awl
edt
owar
dsBal
ebengand
ki
ssedhi
sneck.

Ki
m:Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ouwai
tsebabe.
Bal
ebeng:
Gakesur
ebutIwi
l
lcal
landt
ell
youi
fwe
ar
egoing.
Ki
m:Whenwi
l
lyoubecomi
ngback?
Bal
ebeng:
GoraagoreonMonday
,wil
lyoubeokay
her
eoryouar
egoingbackt
oyourhouse?
Ki
m:Iwi
l
lbef
ineher
e.
Balebengstoodupandlookedathi
mselfinthe
mirrorput
tingonati
e,Kim smi
l
edandgr abbedher
phone."Ladiesni
ght
?"Shesendherfr
iend.

Att
heHospi
tal
.

MmaThoboandNomahwat chedastheDoct
orf
eed
t
hebaby.HegaveNomahthebottl
eandshesmi
led
f
eedi
nghim.Kenzosl
owl
ysuckedthenNomahtook
t
hebott
lefr
om hi
m mout
h.

Nomah:Helooksbeaut
if
ulwhenheiswear
inga
beani
eebi
l
ebl uel
ooksgreatonhi
m.
MmaThobo:It
oldy
ouheishandsome.(Lookedat
Nomah)Someonei
sinagoodmoodt oday.

Nomahbr
eat
hedheav
il
yandl
ookedatMmaThobo.

Nomah:
Ther
eisnot
hingwecandoabouthi
s
condi
ti
on,
allwecandonowi sl
ovehi
m andaccept
hi
m.Thereisnousecr
ying.
MmaThobo:
That'
sgreat
.Nowgoeaty
oursof
t
por
ri
dgeIwi
llt
akei
tfrom her
e.

Nomahl ai
ddownont hebedandat
ethesoft
porr
idgeanddrankt
hetea.MmaThobolat
erbat
hed
thebabyandleft
.

Fr
idayMor
ning.
.

MmaKemmony elookedatther edBMW thatwas

par
kedInfr
ontofKi m'shouse,sheshookherhead
andconti
nuedraking.Fewmi nutesashortf
atman
cameoutofthehouse, hewentt ogreet
MmaKemmony ethenhegoti nhiscarandleft
.

Ki
m gotoutofherr
oom hol
dinga440canofbeer
.
MmaKemmony e:Waitshota,youthinkbei
ngyoung
i
schangingmenandwaki ngupwi thabeerinyou
hand?Wherei
sBalebengafteryoumadehi mleave
hi
swife?
Kim:Iy
oowasihol
dingagunt
ohisheadnna?He
choosetodi
vor
cehi
swifeonhi
sown.
MmaKemmony e:Youareembarrassing,
peoplenow
don'tlookatmewi thr
espectbecauseofy ou.Nnai
am notgoi ngt
oallowmyhomet obet ur
nedintoa
brothel,t
akeyourbagsandgost ayfarawayf r
om
myhouse.Gowher eyouwilldoyourSatanism way
s
withoutseingyou.
Ki
m:HahaMamawar
ekel
eSat
ani
st?

Shelaughedgoi
ngbackt oherroom,shefoundt
hree
missedcall
sfr
om Balebeng.Shedial
edhi
snumber
whil
eshecountedthemoneyshegotf rom t
heBMW
guy.

Bal
ebeng:
Hel
l
o..Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lyouosa
ar
abe.
Ki
m:Iwashel
pingmymot
herr
akeout
side.
Bal
ebeng:
Oh,
youwenthome?
Ki
m:Iwasscar
edt
osl
eepi
nthathouseal
oner
ra.
Bal
ebeng:
Haha,
Imi
ssy
ou.
Ki
m:Imi
ssy
out
oo.Mondayi
sfarr
ra.
Bal
ebeng:
Don'twor
ry.Ihav
etogo,
hav
eagoodday
Okayil
oveyou.
Ki
m:Il
ovey
ou.

Shehungupandsmi l
edput ti
ngt
hemoneyi nher
purse.Shel
oggedintoFacebookandwentt hr
ough
hersearchhi
stor
y,sheclickedonthepageshe
wantedandcopiedtheirnumberthenshecall
edit
.

Ki
m:Hell
othemmaIwantthoseshor
tsandtopyou
ar
esel
l
ing,cashr
eadykemoMaun..(
smil
ing)Okay
..
Att
heHospi
tal

Thobowal kedi
nther
oom hol
dingfl
owersand
chocol
ates.Nomahwhowasf eedi
ngthebaby
rai
sedherheadandsmil
edathim.

Nomah:
Ammear
eyousaf
etocomei
nanewbor
n's
r
oom?

Theybot
hlaughed.

Thobo:
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thany
onei
fthat
'swhat
youwantt
oknow.
Nomah:
Haha.
Thobo:
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
obuyy
ou.

Nomaht
ookt
hef
lower
sandchocol
ates.
Nomah:
Thanky
ousomuch.
Thobo:
MmaThobocan'
tstopt
alki
ngabouthow
Kenzoi
shandsomesoIt
houghtIshoul
dcomesee
hi
m.

Nomahsmi
ledandfi
xedthebaby
'sbeani
ebef
ore
shegav
ehi
mt oThobo.

Thobo:Oooht
hisboyisugly,
sagaMmaThoboke
l
oratohel
a.What'
sbeautif
uli
sthenose(
lookedat
Nomah)hehasy ournose.

Nomahsmi
l
ed.

Thobo:
Whenar
eyougoi
nghome?
Nomah:Idon'
tknowbutIdon'
tthi
nki
t'
sany
time
soon.
Thobo:
Okay
.
Thebeani
efel
ldown,Nomahquicklypi
ckeditup
andputi
tonhim.ShelookedatThoboexpecti
ng
hi
mt osaysomethi
ngbuthedidn'
tsayanyt
hing,he
j
ustsmil
edandtouchedKenzo'
snose.

Thobo:
Gol
amonaandcomehel
pmeatt
her
anch.

Nomahsmi
l
ed.

Thobo:
Gat
wewhat
'shi
snameagai
n?
Nomah:
KenzoMoengel
e..
Thobo:
That
'sgr
eat
,hashi
sfat
hercomet
oseehi
m?

Nomahshookherhead.

Nomah:
Idon'
twanthi
mtoseemybabyaker
ehe
sai
dhei
snothis.
Thobo:
Yeah,
yamonaMoengel
e.
Nomah:Isi
tsel
fi
sht
hatIwanthi
mtol
i
veev
eni
nhi
s
condi
ti
on?

Thobol
ookedatNomahandshewi
pedhert
ear
s.

Thobo:Youarenotsel
fi
sh,
nopar
entwant
sthei
r
babytodie.
Nomah:
Buthewi
l
lnev
erhav
eanor
mal
li
fei
fhe
l
iv
es.

ThoboputthebabyandtouchedbothNomah'
s
shoul
der
s,helookedi
ntohereyes.

Thobo:I
t'
sokaytofeel
howy oufeel
butl
et'
sput
ever
ythi
nginGod'
shands.Okay!

Nomahhuggedhim, Thobohuggedherback,t
hey
r
emainedli
kethatforminuteswi
thnei
theroft
hem
want
ingtoletgooftheother.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE16

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng

MmaThoboshookherheadlookingathery
oungest
sonput
ti
ngonhisshoesreadytogoout.

MmaThobo:
Youhav
ejustar
ri
vedebi
l
eyouar
e
goi
ng?
Kar
abo:Myfavouri
teart
isti
sper
for
mingt
oni
ghtko
cl
ubongIcan'
tmisshim.
Kar
en:Ssshy
ouar
emaki
ngnoi
seIam wat
chi
ng
her
e.
MmaThobo:
Wenai
t'
spasty
ourbedt
ime,
swi
tchof
f
t
hatTVandgot
obed.
Kar
abost
oodupandgr
abbedhi
scarkey
sand
wal
let
.

MmaThobo: Pl
easedr
ivesaf
elyngwanaka,
ifyouare
toot
runkgetacabhomeIdon'twantyoudrinki
ng
anddri
vi
ng.
Karabo:Don'
tworr
ydi
mamzoIwi
l
lseey
ou
tomorrowokay.

Heki
ssedhi
smot heronthecheekandr
anoutsi
de.
Hegoti
nhiscaranddrov
eoutdi al
i
nghi
sfr
iend.

Kar
abo:
Sur
elai
taakaIj
ustl
efthomewher
ear
eyou?
Fri
end:
Wear
ealr
eadyatt
hecl
ubhur
ryt
her
eis
somenewst
ockmona.

Kar
abol
aughedandhungup.
AtThobo'
sRanch

Thobogotoutoft hebathr
oom holdingatoothbrush,
helaughedaloneandwentbackt obr ushhi
steeth
thenhesatdownont hebedi nonlyhisboxers
thi
nkingaboutthei
rhugearli
er.Thathadtobet he
l
ongesthugint hehi
storyofhugs,hecouldstil
l
smellheral
loverhim andhelovedit.

Hi
sphonerang,
hepickedi
tupwonder i
ngwhoi
t
was.Hepi
ckedupandputonloudspeaker
.

Thobo:
Hel
l
o..
isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Bonni
e:Hey
,ar
eyousl
eepi
ng?
Thobo:
No, y
ouar escari
ngme,y
ounev
ercal
lthi
s
ti
meunlessit
'sabouttheki
ds
Bonni
e:Noi justwantedt
oaskaboutNomah, Ihav
e
beensendinghermessageswithnorepl
y,kana
maybelastti
mei saidsomet
hingthatof
fendedher
kesalemoge.
Thobo:Oh,
Nomahi satt
hehospi
tal
shegav
ebi
rt
h
theni
ghtwelef
tther
e.
Bonni
e:Oht
hat
sgr
eat
,aboyoragi
rl
?
Thobo:
Aboy,l
etmef
ini
shupher
eaker
e,Iwasbusy
wit
hsomet
hing.
Bonnie:
Youareal
way
sbusygorewhenev
erIcal
l
you,keengy
ouhaveagi
rl
fr
iend?
Thobo:
Hahaheel
aronar
ebusy
,goodni
ght
.
Bonni
e:Goodni
ght
.

Hehungupandgotintobed,
helai
dontopofthe
sheet
sgoingt
hroughhi
sphone.Hewentthr
oughhis
WhatsAppandNomahhadbeenonlinet
enmi nut
es
ago.

Thobo:
(Ty
ping)Mot
set
si.
.

Heputhi
sphonedownandwentt
odr
inkwat
er,
he
camebackandf
oundarepl
y.
Nomah:
Don'
tcal
lmet
hat
Thobo:
Whyar
eyounotsl
eepi
ng,
isKenzookay
?
Nomah:Hei
ssl
eepi
ngebi
le.Iwasbr
eastpumpi
ng
nowIwantt
ogotosl
eep.
Thobo:
Okay
,goodni
ght
!
Nomah:
Goodni
ght
.

Nomahputherphonedownsmi li
ng,whatwast hat
shewasf eeling?Wasshef all
ingforherbrotherin-
l
aw?Shecl osedherey esembar rassedandl ai
d
downwi t
hherheadonherar m.Shet houghtabout
thei
rhugear li
er,"
itwasj ustaninnocenthug
becauseshewasov erwhelmednot hi
ngel se"she
tri
edtoconv i
nceher selfbutdeepdownsheknewi t
hadbeenmor et
hanj ustahug.Shecl osedherey es
try
ingtosleep.
Att
heCl
ub.
.

I
nshort
sandacr opt
opKim walkedar
oundholdi
ng
abot
tl
eofherf av
our
it
ebeer,
shewenttositdown
wi
thherfr
iendsandl
ookedattheti
meonherphone.

Ki
m:Gat
wewheni
syourar
ti
stper
for
mingneh?
Lebo:
Fri
endt
hatguyhasbeenchecki
ngy
ououtal
l
ni
ght.

Kiml
ookedoveratKarabo'
stabl
e,hesmil
edather
andr
aisedhi
sglass.Ki
m smil
edandlookedatLebo.

Ki
m:Whoi
sheal
efi
nej
aana?
Lebo:
Idon'
tknowhi
m,ohhei
scomi
ngov
er.

Kar
abocameoverandputthesamebot
tl
eof
al
cohol
astheoneKim wasdri
nki
ngont
hetabl
e.
Kar
abo:
It'
sst
il
lcol
d.

Ki
m smi
ledandst
oodup,t
heywalkedov
ert
othe
si
deoft
heclubwher
eitwasn'
tnoi
sy.

Kar
abo:
Ihav
ebeenl
ooki
ngaty
oual
lni
ghtwai
tse.
Ki
m:Isawy
ou.
Karabo:
Jaanongwhydi
dn'
tyousaysomethi
ngor
youwerewait
ingf
ormetomakethefir
stmove?
Ki
m:Yes.
Kar
abo:
IhopeIwon'
tgeti
ntot
roubl
eforki
ssi
ngy
ou.

Ki
m smi l
edandt uckedherhairback.Karabomoved
cl
oserandhuggedher ,Ki
m kissedhim back,hewas
agreatki
sser.Theymadeoutanddancedal lni
ght
l
ongunt i
lear
lymor ni
ngwhent heclubclosed.

Kar
aboopenedt
hedoorf
orKi
m andshegoti
nsi
de
t
hecar
,hewentt
osaygoodby
etohi
sfr
iendsand
t
heyl
eft
.

Kar
abo:
Giv
emedi
rect
ionst
oyourhouse.
Kim:Okay
..Iam homeal
onemypar
ent
sar
eoutof
town.
Kar
abo:
Okay
.
Theydr
ovef
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
Ki
m:Tur
nher
e..
Kar
abo:
Oh,
mybr
otherl
i
vest
hissi
de.
Kim:Oh,what
'shi
snamegongweIknowhi
m..
(poi
nti
ng)Her
e?
Kar
abo:
Her
e?
Ki
m:Yes,
thi
siswher
eIst
ay.
Kar
abo:
Wit
hyourpar
ent
s?
Ki
m:YeahIam t
heonl
ychi
l
d.
Karabol
ookedcl
osel
y,t
hiswasi
ndeedhi
sbr
other
's
house.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE17

Karabolookedcl
osely,
thi
swasi ndeedhi
sbrot
her'
s
house.Hechuckledandsteppedoutofthecar
,he
wentov ert
oopenforKim,shesteppedoutandtook
offKarabo'sj
acket.

Ki
m:Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngmeov
er.
Kar
abo:
Sur
e.

Heleanedov erandki
ssedher ,Ki
m ki
ssedhim back,
Karabopickedherupandpr essedheragai
nstthe
car
, hesqueezedherbreast
swhi l
eshehadherhand
downhi stor
so.

Kar
abo:
Wil
lIseey
ouagai
ntomor
row?
Ki
m:Let
'sgoi
nsi
de.
Karabo:Idon'
twantt
obet
hatguywhosmashon
thefi
rstdate.
Ki
m:Wel
lIdon'
tmi
ndy
oubei
ngt
hatguy
.

Sheheldhishandandtheywentinsi
dethehouse,
shelockedthedoorandsatont
opofKar abo,they
madeoutont hesofa,t
heyremovedeachot her's
cl
othes.

Kar
abo:
FuckIdon'
thav
eacondom,
you?
Ki
m:No!

Kar
abobr
eat
hedoutdi
ssapont
edt
henhest
oodup.

Kar
abo:
Letmegochecki
nthecar
.
Ki
m:Okay
.
Kar
abo:
CanIpar
kinsi
de?
Ki
m:Okaynopr
obl
em.

Karaboputonhisboxersandwentout si
de,
Kimr an
tothebathroom andgotcol
dwater,
shewentt othe
bathr
oom, sheri
nsedhernunuandwentbackt othe
sit
ti
ngroom.Kar abocameback,helockedthedoor
andgotont opofKimroll
i
ngthecondom onhisdick.
Hepartedherlegsand..
.

TheFol
l
owi
ngMor
ning.
.

MmaThobowor r
iedl
ycl
osedKarabo'sbedroom door
anddialedhi
snumberbutitranunanswered.She
cal
leditagai
nthenhepickedupindeepsleep.

Kar
abo:
Hel
l
o.
MmaThobo: I
fyouar enotgoingtocomehomeyou
sendatextorcal
l,gonejaanaIhavebeenwor
ri
ed
si
ck,whereareyou?
Kar
aborai
sedhi
sheadandl
ookedatKi
m peacef
ull
y
sl
eepi
ngwit
hherwi
ginherf
ace.

Kar
abo:Iam ov
eratStev
en'
shouseIwi
l
lcome
homeinafewmi nut
es.
MmaThobo: Dothat
,bonannaIam goi
ngtothe
hospi
tal
tocheckonNomahandt hebabyokay.The
ki
dsaresleepi
ng,t
akeJuni
orforahair
cut
.
Kar
abo:
Wher
eist
hemoney
?
MmaThobo: hahahangwanakebathong,t
heseare
yourbr
other'
skids.
.(Kar
abolookedatKim and
l
aughed)Can'tyoutaket
hem t
ot hesal
oonwi t
hyour
ownmoney ?
Kar
abo:Youknowgoredihai
rst
ylesf
ort
hoseki
ds
ar
eexpensi
vennaIdon'
thavemoney.
MmaThobo:
Youwi
l
lseewhatt
odo.

MmaThobohungup, Kar
aboputhisphonedown, he
checkedinsi
dethecondom boxandhehadonel eft
,
heputhisdickbet
weenKim'sthi
ghsandthrust
ed
unti
lhebecamehardthenherol
ledonthecondom,
rai
sedKim'sbut
tandslowl
ysli
din.Hekissedher
back,Ki
m moanedsoftl
ywit
hhereyesstil
lcl
osed.

Att
heHospi
tal
.

Nomahgav eMmaThobot hebabyblanketaf

tershe
fi
nishedbathi
ngthebaby,shewrappedhim upthen
putanotherbl
anketandheldhi
ml i
keababy .

MmaThobo:
Doy
oumassagehi
slegs?
Nomah:
Yes.
MmaThobo:
Didt
heysayany
thi
ngaboutdi
schar
ging
you?

Nomahshookherhead,
shecheckedThobo'
slast
seenonWhat
sAppandithadbeenlastni
ght
.
MmaThobo:
Hav
eyout
oldy
ourf
ami
l
yaboutt
he
baby
?
Nomah:
No,theyar
egoingtowantt
ocomeseehi
m
andmybabyandIarenotr
eadyf
orthat
.
MmaThomo:
Okaynny
aaIunder
stand.
Nomah:
Howar
etheki
ds?
MmaThobo: Theyarefi
nebothoft
hem,
akerenow
theschool
shaveclosedThobo'
ski
dswi
llbecomi
ng
overbatsi
l
egont senyast
ress.

Sheputthebabydownandappli
edvasel
i
neonhim
whil
emassagingandst
ret
chi
nghi sl
egsandarms.
Heputthepampersonanddressedhi
mt henheput
onhisbeani
e.

MmaThobo:Wai
Juniort
akesnot
hingonmyboy
,
wenal
ookatt
henose.
Nomah:
Thobosay
shei
sugl
y.
MmaThobo:
Wai
enedoeshehav
ehandsomeki
ds,
kanaJohn'
sfacei
sli
kehei
sreadyt
osneeze.

Theybot
hlaughedoutl
oud.

Nomah:Idon'
tknowwhyhei
sli
kethatmmekana
bot
hBonnieandThoboar
egoodlooki
ng.
MmaThobo:
Wewi
l
lnev
erknow.
Nomah:
Hahaha.

Al
i
ttl
elat
ert
hatAf
ter
noon.

Kim putherhandst
oget
hersmil
i
ngl
ooki
ngather
fr
iendtel
li
ngheraboutl
astni
ght
.

Kim:Eishmma, i
yoothatguy.Gapehespeaks
Engli
shmonategore.Wemadel oveal
lni
ghtthen
phakelaIwokeuptohim aet sent
se.I
yoooooeish
mma.Idon'tremembert hel
asttimeamangav emy
bodyat
tent
ionl
i
ket
hatbef
ore.
Lebo:
Isher
ich?
Ki
m:Idon'
tknowandIdon'
tcar
e.
Lebo:Heeethi
sonei
sluckyaker
e,y
oudon'
tcar
eif
heisr
ichornot
?
Kim:It
hinkIam fal
l
ingf
orhim mma.Ei
shmma
(cl
osedhereyes)nt
seare"babygi
rl
"wi
thhi
ssex
y
voi
ce.
Lebo:
Heeee,
sowhat
'
snext
?Whenar
eyouseei
ng
hi
m agai
n.
Kim:Hesai
dhewil
lcal
lme,hesaidhei
staki
nghi
s
brot
her'
ski
dst
othemallhewil
lcal
lmewhenheis
done.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.
.

Kar
abocamef r
om thehousewit
hthr
eeglasses,
he
gav
ehisfr
iendsandsatonhiscampchai
r.
Karabo:Ei
shguysIt
hinkweshoul
dsi
tatt
hetree
behindt
hehouse,mymotheri
sgoi
ngbeangr
y
fi
ndingusher
e.

Theyt
ookthei
rwineandcampchai
rsgoi
ngt
othe
tr
eebehi
ndthehouse.

St
even:Kanayouwer
est
il
ltel
l
ingus,
war
ear
eshe
i
sSbale'
schi
ld.

Theyal
ll
aughedoutl
oud.

Kar
abo:
Aahmonahahaha.
Fr
iend:
Shei
syourni
ece.

Theyal
ll
aughed.

Kar
abo:
Ithi
nkshei
sSbal
e'
snewgi
rl
fr
iend'
sni
ece
orsomet
hing.
Fri
end:Wenadon'tsayanyt
hingtoher
,keep
bel
ievi
ngever
y t
hingshesays,whenSbal
ecomes
backthenvi
sithi
m.
Kar
abo:HahanoIam notgoi
ngtodot
hat,
dia
nt
shagonehal
e.Idon'
twantt
orui
nthi
ngs.
St
even:
Odi
rai
ncestmona.

Theyal
ll
aughedanddr
ankt
hei
rwi
ne.

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng

Nomahwenttowashherbowlandcamebackto
fi
ndThobost
andi
ngbythedoorinhi
sblueov
eral
ls.
Shesmil
edathi
m andhesmil
edback.

Nomah:
Hey
,It
houghty
ouwer
enotgoi
ngt
ocome.
Thobo:
Ihadahect
icday
.Iwasdel
i
ver
ingbut
ter
nut
s
andcabbagesaroundaker
eit'
sweddi
ngseasongo
busy.Iam t
ir
edandsweati
ngthat
'swhyIam
standi
ngfarawayaspossi
ble.
Nomah:Haha,
comeandhugmer
raIdon'
tcar
eif
youar
esweati
ngnna.

Sheputthebowldownandmov edcl
osert
ohim,she
smiledl
ooki
ngupathimthenshewrappedherar
ms
aroundhi
m,Thobohuggedherback.

Nomah:
Doy
our
ememberel
eveny
ear
sago.
Thobo:
Mmmh,
Irememberi
tli
kei
twasy
est
erday
.
Nomah:
Hahaha.

Thobosqueezedher
.

Thobo:Onyoursixt
eenthbir
thday,
Iboughyoua
cheapneckl
acebecausey outol
dmel astmi
nut
e
gorei
twasy ourbir
thday
.
Nomah:
Hahanny
aammey
our
emember
.
Thobo:
Youwer
ewear
ingar
edt
opandawhi
teJean.
Nomah:Hahahasheee!That'
swheny ouhuggedme
f
orthefi
rstt
ime.Ididn'
twantyoutoletgoofme
t
henbutwegotint er
rupt
edbyBalebeng,Iwantyou
t
oholdmel i
keyoudi del
evenyearsagoandthis
t
imearoundIdon'twantyoutoletgo.

Thobohuggedhert
ight
lyt
henhepulledback.He
l
ookedint
ohereyesandsteppedback.

Thobo:
Thi
ngshav
echanged,
it'
snotel
eveny
ear
s
ago.
Nomah:Whathaschangedisthatt
hist
imet
her
eis
noonewhoisgoi
ngtointer
ruptus.

SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE18

Thobo:
Thi
ngshav
echanged,
it'
snotel
eveny
ear
s
ago.
Nomah:Whathaschangedisthatt
hist
imet
her
eis
noonewhoisgoi
ngtointer
ruptus.

Stil
ll
ookingi
ntoeachother
'sey
esthedooropened
andMmaThobocamei n.Noahsteppedbackand
smiledatMmaThobo.ShelookedatNomahand
thenatThobothendeci
dedt oi
gnor
ewhatshejust
i
nterrupt
ed.

MmaThobo:
AoifIhadknownyouar
ecomingI
woul
dhavet
oldyoutopassbyt
hehouseandpi
ck
meup.
Thobo:Idi
dplanto,Iwentt
odeli
verthissi
desoI
thoughtwhynotpassbyebil
eIam going.
MmaThobo:Wai
tforme,l
ennaIjustbr
oughtt
he
sof
tpor
ri
dgeIam goi
ngbackhome.
MmaThobowentt
ocheckonthebabyt
hensheput
t
hef
laskandt
hebowlonthet
able.

MmaThobo:
Kebonel
i
ftmmasoIam goi
ng.
Nomah:
Eemma.

MmaThobot
urnedt
oThobo.

MmaThobo:
Gat
wewar
eMoengel
eisugl
ywena?

Theybot
hlaughedandlef
t.Nomahbr eat
hedout
rel
i
eved,
shetouchedherchestandherhear
twas
beati
ngf
ast."
Whatdidshejustdo?"

I
nthecarout
side.

MmaThobol
ookedatThobot
henshecl
ear
edher
t
hroat
.
MmaThobo:
Whatdi
dIj
usti
nter
rupti
nther
e?
Thobo:
Not
hing.
MmaThobo:Ireal
lyhopeit
'snothi
ng.Iknowy ou
car
eaboutNomahandy ouhaveagr eatrel
ati
onshi
p
but
,don'
tfor
getthatwomani syourbrother'
swife.
Thobo:
Exwi
fe.

Att
heRi
ver
..

Karaboparkedwher
ehisfr
iendshadpar
kedthei
r
cars,het
urnedandl
ookedatKim.Shesmil
edand
fi
xedhertop.

Kar
abo:
Oshapo?
Kim:Yeah,
IhopeIdon'
tgettoodr
unkandst
art
danci
ngsetonkanaembar
rassi
ngyou.

Theybot
hlaughed.
Kar
abo:
Waidon'
tmindmyfri
ends,
theyar
etheguy
s
Igr
ewupwi
th,don'
tbeshyar
oundthem.
Ki
m:Okay
.

Theybothsteppedout
,theytookthei
rcampchairs
andcool
erboxt owhereev er
yonewas.Theygr
eeted
ever
yonethenKarabowentt ocheckontheguys
whowerebusywi tht
hebr aai
.

St
even:
Youbr
oughty
ourcousi
n?

Theyl
aughed.

Karabo:Guysno,
Idi
dn'
ttel
lyoutomakefunabouti
t.
Don'tactwei
rdar
oundheranddon'
tembarr
assme.
Fr
iend:
Arey
ouf
all
i
ngf
ort
hisgi
rlkant
e?
St
even:
Youknowy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iendaker
e.
Kar
abo:
Thati
stheshi
tIdon'
twanty
out
oment
ion
t
oni
ght
.

Hewentbacktowhereal
lthegi
rl
swher
esi
tt
ing,
he
satnextt
oKi
m andrai
sedherbeer.

Kar
abo:
Arey
ouokayy
ouhav
en'
topenedy
ourdr
ink.
Ki
m:Iam f
ine.
Kar
abo:
Youwantt
otakeawal
kal
ongt
her
iver
?
Ki
m:Okay
!

Shepickedupherbeerandt
heywal
kedal
ongt
he
ri
ver
bankholdi
nghands.

Kar
abo:
SoKi
m?
Kim:HahaIhopeyouar
enotaboutt
otel
lmet
otel
l
youall
aboutmysel
f.
Kar
abo:Okayy
oudon'
thav
etot
ell
meev
ery
thi
ng
j
ustbasi
cs.
Ki
m: Wel
lIam t
wentyoney ear
sold,
Iam not
worki
ng,
nobaby,notschooli
ng.
Kar
abo:
Ohokay
,soy
ouar
etheonl
ychi
l
d?

Ki
mletoutaf
adesmi
l
e.

Ki
m:Wena?
Kar
abo:Iam anaccountant
,Iwor
kinabankbutI
onl
ystar
tedtwomont hsago.
Ki
m:Oh,
kids?
Kar
abo:
None.
Ki
m:Gi
rl
fr
iend?
Karabo:Mmmhhahaha,wellwear
enotonspeaki
ng
ter
ms, i
t'
sbeenamonthnowbutnoonesaidit
sover
soIdon'tknowi
fther
eisst
il
larel
ati
onshi
pornot
.
Ki
m:Oh!Soy
ouar
efr
om her
e?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Ki
m:Thatwasat
ri
ckquest
ionIknowy
ouar
efr
om
her
ehahaha.
Kar
abo:
Hahahowdoy
ouknow?
Ki
m:Hahaj
ustknowt
hatIknow.
Kar
abo:
Mmmhy
ouwantt
oinsul
tmeaker
e.
Ki
m:Haha.
.

ShescreamedasKar abopi
ckedherupandr
aninto
thewater.Shescr
eamedandheldontohimti
ghtl
y
thenKaraboranbackoutsi
de.

Ki
m:St
op,
otant
iga.
Kar
abo:
Iwon'
t.
.Ki
ssme!

Kim wrappedherarmsar oundhim andtheyki

ssed.
Kim'sphonevibrat
edfrom herpocket,
Karaboput
herdown.Shet ookoutthephoneandcl ear
edher
thr
oatpicki
ngup.
Ki
m:Hel
l
o..
Bal
ebeng:
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
Ki
m:Byt
hebeachwi
thf
ri
ends.
Bal
ebeng:
Hur
ryhomeIhav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
Ki
m:What
?

Shel
ookedatKar
abo.

Ki
m:Youar
einMaun?
Balebeng:Yeswej
ustar
ri
vedIwi
l
lbehomei
nten
minutes.

Somethi
ngpainf
ulst
uckonKi m'
sthr
oat,
she
rememberedshedi
dn'tt
hrowawaytheused
condomsandallt
hetoil
etpaper
.

Bal
ebeng:
Hur
ry.
Ki
m:Okay
.
Shehungupandputherphonei
nherpocket
.

Kim:Heyum,y
ouhav et
otakemehome, Idi
dn'
t
thr
owawaythecondomsfrom y
est
erday
.
Kar
abo:
Yourpar
ent
sar
ecomi
ng?
Ki
m:Yeahi
ntenmi
nut
es.
Kar
abo:
Shi
t.

Theyr
antothecarandKar
abodr
oveout
,hedi
aled
hi
sfri
endontheway.

Kar
abo:
Heywear
ecomi
ngbacki
naf
ew.

Heputhi
sphonedown.Ki
mrubbedherhands
t
oget
herner
vousl
y.

Ki
m:Hur
ry.
Karabosteppedont hebrakes,heparkedbyt hegate
andwai t
edinthecarwhi l
eKimr aninside,
shet ook
thecondomsandal lt
hetoil
etpapersandt hr
ew
them int
hedust bi
n.Shefixedthebedandspr ayed
perfumealloverbeforesheopenedt hewindows.

Meanwhileoutsi
deaBXcarparkedbehindKarabo'
s
car
.Balebengsteppedoutl
aughingwit
hhis
col
leaguethenherecogni
sedhisli
tt
lebrot
her
'scar
.

Bal
ebeng:
AaahKB!

Heknockedont
hewi
ndowandKar
abor
oll
eddown
t
hewindow.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE19

Bal
ebeng:
AaahKB!

Heknockedonthewi ndowandKar abor

oll
eddown
thewindow.Hesmiledathi
sbrotherandstepped
out,
theyshookhandsandshoulderbumped.

Bal
ebeng:
Aahaahwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
emona?
Kar
abo:
Huh,Iwasj
ustpassi
ngbyi
didn'
tknowy
ou
wer
enothome.
Bal
ebeng:YeahIjustgotbackwewereouti
nthe
del
tafori
nspect
ion.Comeoni nsi
de.

Kar
abohesi
tant
lyf
ollowedhisbr
othert
othehouse,
heopenedt
hedoor,Kim camefr
om thebat
hroom
andcameeyetoeyewithKarabowhoj
ustwal
kedi
n
behi
ndBal
ebeng,shef
roze.

Balebeng:
Babe,
Ithoughty
ousai
dyouwer
eatt
he
ri
ver.

Hel
eanedov
erf
oraki
sst
hent
urnedt
oKar
abo.

Bal
ebeng:Babet
hisi
smybabybr
otherKar
abo,
our
l
astborn.
Kar
abo:Mmmhmmhbabybr
otherki
imogonna?I
am af
ull
ygr
ownupman.

Theybothl
aughed,
Kar
abol
ookedatKi
m andshe
waslooki
ngdown.

Kar
abo:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
Bal
ebeng:
Letmegochanget
hemay
bewecangr
ab
somet
hingt
oeat
.

Balebengwenttothebedroom andKimfol
lowedher
.
Hecl osedthedoorandki
ssedherpinni
ngher
againstthewall
.

Bal
ebeng:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
Ki
m:Met
oo.

Hetr
iedtounbuckl
eherj
eanbutshesmi
l
edpushi
ng
hi
m back.

Bal
ebeng:
What
?Imi
ssedy
out
hemma.

Hepul l
edherjeansdownandki
ssedhert
henhe
tookhertothebed,hepar
tedherl
egsandpoli
shed
hisdickonhernunubefor
ehesqueezedi
tin.
"Aaahhh"hegroaned."
Thi
sfeel
sli
kehome".
Inthesitt
ingroom Karaboli
stenedt
othegroani
ng
andt hi
ghclappingasitgotl
ouder.Hel
aughedin
disbeli
efthenhecli
ckedhistongueandlef
t.

I
nthebedroom.Balebengf
il
ledupKi
mt henhefel
l
onhersi
debreathi
ngheavi
lywit
hsweatdri
ppi
ng
downhisfor
ehead.

Bal
ebeng:
Wow.

Hel
ookedatKi
m.

Bal
ebeng:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ki
m:YeahIt
hinkIam comi
ngdownwi
thf
lue.
Bal
ebeng:
Ihav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
Ki
m:Yeah?

Bal
ebenggr
abbedhi
sphoneandshowedKi
mthe
SMSf
rom t
hebank.Ki
mletoutaf
adesmi
l
e.

Ki
m:Somuchmoney
?
Balebeng:Iwantedittobeasurpri
se,Isol
dmyplot
ekoMat apanengandt hepeoplemadet hepayment
yester
day.Iknowy ourbir
thdayi
nintwomont hsbut
Iwast hi
nkingtomorrowrekay aGaboronetobuy
youacar .

Kim smi
led,f
ort
hefir
stti
meinli
feshewasn'
t
exci
tedaboutmoneyevenbuy
ingthecardi
dn'
t
exci
teher.

Bal
ebeng:
Gor
il
engy
oudon'
tl
ookexci
ted?

Ki
m pr
essedherst
omachandcl
osedherey
es

Ki
m:Ei
shmyst
omach,
Ithi
nki
t'
ssomet
hingIat
e.
Bal
ebeng:
Youwantmet
ogety
ousomet
hing?
Ki
m:Eno.
Bal
ebeng:
Iwi
l
lhav
etogoout
.

Sheknodherhead.Bal ebengchangedclot
hesand
wenttot hesit
ti
ngr oom." KB"hecal
ledoutbutno
oneanswer ed,helookedout si
deandhiscarwas
gone.Hegoti nhiscarandwentt otheshop.Kim
l
ockedher sel
finandwr appedherar
msar ound
hersel
f,shewasshaki ng.Shepickedupherphone
anddialedKarabot henhungup.

Att
heRi
ver
..

Karabolookedathi
sphoner
ingi
ng,
hecl
i
ckedhi
s
tongueandhungup.

St
even:
War
ewher
eisKi
mjaanong?
Kar
abo:
Shehadanemer
gencyathome.
Hesippedonhi sdri
nkandcli
ckedhistongueso
l
oudev er
yonelookedathim.Hisphonerangagain
andheexcusedhi msel
f,hewenttostandbythe
ri
verandpickedup.

Kar
abo:
Liet
ome.
Ki
m:Icanexpl
ain.
Karabo:
Thaty
ouar
echeat
ingonmybr
otherort
hat
youli
edtome?
Kim: ComeonyouknewIl i
edaboutt
hathouse
beingmyparent
s'sbecauseyouknewitwasyour
brother'
s.
Karabo:
Ithoughtmay
beyouarehousesi
tt
ingaker
e,
l
ookwear edoneOkayyouar
edati
ngmybr ot
her
akerewhatdoyouwantfr
om me?
Kim:Iwi
ll
br eakupwithhimthen.Iwi
l
ldoany
thi
ng
youwantplease,Iam sor
ry.
Kar
abo:
Nokeshapokawenababygi
rl
,shapo.
Hehungupandbl
ockedKi
m'snumber
.

Att
heHospi
tal
.

Nomahbi
therl
owerl
i
plooki
ngatherphoner
ingi
ng,
shet
ookadeepbr
eat
hbefor
eshepickedup.

Nomah:
Hel
l
o!
Thobo:
Hey
!
Nomah:
Hey
!
Thobo:
Howi
sKenz
o?
Nomah:
Hei
ssl
eepi
ng.
Thobo:
Yeaht
hat
'sgr
eat
.

Ther
ewassi
l
encef
rom bot
hendsoft
hephone.

Thobo:
Mymot
hergav
emeanear
ful
aft
erwel
eft
.
Nomah:
Aboutt
hat
,Iam sosor
ryaboutear
li
er.
Thobo:Ihavelov
edyousincethedayIsawy ou,Iwi
l
l
belyi
ngifIsai
dIdon'tl
oveyouNomahbutusi s
compli
cated,t
herei
snous, t
herecanneverbeus.
Nomah:Iunder
stand,Iam sor
ryIputy
oui
na
compl
icat
edsit
uation.
Thobo:
It'
sfi
ne,
Goodni
ght
.
Nomah:
Goodni
ght
.

Mont
hsLat
er.
.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE20

Mont
hsLat
er.
.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

MmaThoboandt heki
dsstoodbythedooras
Thobo'scardr
oveinwithNomahsitt
ingatt
heback
holdi
ngthebaby.Heparkedbythetr
eeandopened
thedoorforNomah.

Theki
dscamer
unni
ngt
owar
dsherandhuggedher
.

MmaThobo:
Becar
eful
yourmum i
scar
ryi
ngababy
.
Juni
or:
CanIseehi
m Mama.
MmaThobot ookthebabyfr
om Nomahandwentto
thehouse.Nomahfol
lowedherhol
dingbot
hkids'
hands.Thobofol
l
owedwi t
hthebaby'
sbags.

MmaThobo:Kegoret
heywerepl
anningt
okeepy
ou
i
nthehospi
tal
unti
lMoengel
ecanspeak?
Nomah:Haha,negotweheneedst
ogr
owdi
l
o
di
ngwennaIforgot
.
Kar
en:
Mmel
etmeseehi
m.

MmaThobofi
xedthebaby'
sbeani
eandshowedhi
m.
Kar
enl
ookedathermother
.

Kar
en:
Jaanongwhat
'swr
ongwi
thhi
sey
es?
MmaThobo:Mothoy
oisst
il
lsmal
laker
e,l
ewena
youwer
eli
kethi
s.
Kar
en:
Ehe!
MmaThobol
ookedatNomahandshesmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Iam goi
ngt
olaydown.
MmaThobo:
Iwi
l
lpr
epar
ebat
hingwat
er.

Nomaht ookt
hebagsf
rom Thoboandwenttothe
bedroom.MmaThobot
ookthebabytoherandcame
back.

MmaThobo:Iwastal
ki
ngtoMmaMompol okit
he
ot
herdayaresheboughtmadi
laf
rom y
ou,she
woul
dn'
tstoptal
ki
ngabouthowfr
eshandthi
ckit
was.
Thobo:
Haha.
.
MmaThobo:
Canwet
alk?
Thobo:
Yeah?
MmaThobo:
Let
'sgoout
side.
Thobof
oll
owedhi
smot
herout
side.

Thobo:
Issomewr
ong?
MmaThobo: IknowIam t heonewhocomplai
ned
aboutyourfr
iendshi
pleNomahbutnowIseegor e
thi
ngsareawkwar dbetweenyou.Nnaidi
dn'
tsay
stopl
aughingtogethernekeraahel
agore.
.
Thobo:IknowwhatyoumeantMum, t
hingsarenot
awkwardbetweenusyouarei
magini
ngt hi
ngsjust
l
ikeyoudidthatt
imeyout
houghtkebataNomah.
MmaThobo: Hahahakemot
onakanaIseet
hings
t
hatIam notsupposedt
osee.
Thobo:
Hahannyaammey
oudon'
thav
etowor
ry
NomahandIareokay
.
MmaThobo:Agonnejal
ongwanaka.Hav
eyou
t
alkedt
oyourl
i
ttl
ebr
other?
Thobo:
MangSbal
e?
MmaThobo:
Yes.
Thobo:
Nol
astsawhi
mtheot
hert
imeIwas
del
i
ver
ingsomet
hingnearhi
swor
kpl
ace.
MmaThobo:Theseday
shedoesn'
tev
encomet
o
checkont
hekids.
Thobo:
Andt
henschool
feessagaj
uni
orand
mopako?
MmaThobo:
Hesendst
hemoneyt
hrought
hebank.
Thobo:Idon'tbel
iev
einwi t
chcraf
tstuffbutI
seri
ousl
ythinkthatgir
ldidsomethingtoBalebeng,
weallknowhowmuchhel oveshiskids,gonna
suchalongt i
measat ebaneng.

Hecli
ckedhi
stongueandtookputhisphone,
he
di
aledBal
ebengandputonloudspeaker
.

Bal
ebeng:
Hel
l
o.
Thobo:Monakant
ewhati
sthi
sIhearabouty
ounot
sei
ngthekids,
whenwast
helastt
imeyousawthem?
Balebeng:
Lonayouarest
art
ingt
ogetonmynerves,
theyaremykidsIwi
ll
comeseethem whenIam not
busy
.
Thobo:
Kant
eor
il
eng?Thatl
i
ttl
egi
rl
.
Bal
ebeng:
Maybeyoushoul
dfindy
our
sel
fal
i
ttl
egi
rl
andst
ayoutofmybusi
ness.

Balebenghunguponhi
sbr
otherandcl
i
ckedhi
s
tongue.

AtMmaKemmony
e'shouse

Kim parkedhercaratthegateandstayedi
nfora
fewmi nutesbef
or eshewenttoopenthegateand
drovein,sheparkedInf
rontoft
hehouseand
steppedout.

MmaKemmonye:
Kant
ewhosecari
sthi
syouar
e
al
way
sdri
vi
ng?
Ki
m:Ei
shMamamyheadi
ski
l
li
ngme.
MmaKemmony e:Wenakanay
ouwantt
oki
l
lmewi
th
st
ressIsee,
kegore.
.

Sheopenedt hedoorandwentinsideherbedroom
thenthrewhersel
fontopofthebed.Herphoner ang
, shewatcheditri
ngunt
ili
tstoppedthenanSMS
camet hrough."
OkaeIam home"f rom Bal
ebeng.

Sheputt hephoneundert hepill

owandr estedher
headwithherey esclosed.Shelatertookouther
phoneandl oggedi nt
oFacebookwi t
hherfake
account.ShecheckedKar abo'sti
mel i
neandhislast
photoupdat ewashi m andsomegi rli
nacar
capti
oned" roadtr
ip".Shewentt hroughthe
comment sanditl
ookedl i
kehewascomi ngtoMaun
fort
heEast ersholi
days.Kim smiledaloneandgot
outofbed.Sheopenedt hewindowst oherbedroom
andstartedcleani
ng.

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng.
.
Bal
ebengparkedhiscarout
sideandsteppedout
hol
dingaboxofpizzaandatwol i
tt
ersofdri
nk.

I
nsi
det
hehouse.

Thebabycr
iedoutl
oudwhi
l
eNomahwasi
nthe
bat
hroom.

Kar
en:
Shoul
dIpi
ckhi
m up?
Nomah:Noiam al
mostdonei
nher
e,wher
eis
MmaThobo?
Kar
en:
Shewentt
othenei
ghbor
s.
Nomah:
Gopl
aywi
thhi
m Iam al
mostdone.

Karenwenti
nsi
dethebedroom andpi
ckedupKenzo.
Meanwhil
ethefr
ontdooropenedandBalebeng
camein.
Juni
or:
Daddy
!

Hescr
eamedandhuggedhi
sdad.Kar
encameout
oft
hebedr
oom.

Kar
en:
Daddy
!

Nomahquickl
ycameoutoft
hebat
hroom wr
appi
ng
atowel
aroundher
sel
f.

Nomah:
(Snapped)Di
dn'
tIt
ell
younott
opi
ckhi
m up.

Shetookt
hebabyfr om Kar
enandhi
sbeani
efel
l
down.NomahlookedatBalebengt
henshecal
mly
pi
ckedupthebeanie.

Bal
ebeng:Whati
sthat
?Andyouwant
edmeto
bel
i
evethat'
smybaby,youmademyf
ami
lyt
urn
againstmef
ort
his.
.whati
sthi
s,r
emai
nsofhomo
erectus?

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE21

Balebeng:Whatisthat
?Andy ouwantedmet o
beli
ev et
hat'
smybaby ,youmademyf amil
yturn
againstmeforthis.
.whatist
his,
remainsofhomo
erectus?

Nomahhel dherbreathandl ookedatKenzo,her

hear
tbrokeint
ol i
tt
lepieces.Wasthishowherbaby
wasgoingtoli
ve,beingcallednamesandbei ng
comparedtospices.ShelookedatBal ebengandher
hear
tstart
edshaking,shebi therl
owerlipand
swal
lowedhard.

Nomah:
Ifi
twasn'
tfory
oumybabywoul
dnotbel
i
ke
t
his.
Bal
ebeng:
Stopsl
eepi
ngwi
thani
mal
s.
Nomah:Andsl eepwit
hwhat,omonnawena?Do
youcal
lthatthi
nginyourpant
sadick?Ev
enyour
son'
sdi
cki snotyoursi
ze.
Bal
ebeng:Mmhmysmal l
dickmadetwonormalki
ds
andyourbi
gdickmadewhat,af
rog?Whatt
hefuck
i
sthat,
Godzil
l
a?

Nomahwenti nsidet hebedr

oom andputKenzo
down.Shecov er
edherf acecryi
ngthenshest oodup
andwentt othesi t
tingroom,shelookedaroundt hen
shegr abbedthef l
owerpotandt hewitatBalebeng
withtoomuchpoweri thi
thi
sfaceandf el
ldown
cracki
ng.

Kar
enscr
eamedandr
anout
side.

Bal
ebeng:(
Fummi ng)Whatar
eyoudoi
ngy
out
hinkI
won'
tslapyoubecauseyouar
eawoman.
Nomah:(
Cryi
ng)I
fitwasn'
tfory
oumybabywoul
dn'
t
bel
iket
hatandyouthi
nkyoucanmakef
unofhim.
Balebengtouchedhi sfaceandsteppedawayf rom
theglasses.Nomahpi ckedupapi eceofglassand
scratchedhischeek,Balebengsl
appedheracr oss
thefaceandshef el
ldownont hesof a,
sti
l
lholding
theglassNomahst oodupandscr atchedhim agai
n,
Balebenghitherjawswi thafi
st,
bloodcameoutof
hermout h.

Bal
ebeng:
Thi
siswhaty
ouwantaker
e.

Hepinnedheragainstt
hesofaandsuf f
ocatedher,
Nomaht ri
edtopushhim offherbuthewast oo
heav
y .Shescr
atchedhishandwithhernai
lswhile
sheslowlysai
dgoodbyetoherbr eat
h.

Bal
ebeng:Ifucki
nggav
ey ouever
ythi
ng,y
ouar
ewho
youarebecauseofme,youfucki
ngstayi
nmy
mother'
shouseandyouthink.
.

Hepr
essedherneckhar
der
.MmaThobocame
r
unni
nginscr
eamingandpushedBalebengof
f
Nomah.Shel
ookedatBal
ebengfur
ious.

MmaThobo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

ShesatdownandcheckedNomah'
spulse.Nomah
rai
sedherheadcoughi
ngandt
ouchedherchest
.

Bal
ebeng:
Whodoesshet
hinkshei
s?
Nomah:
Mar
eteagago.

MmaThobost
oodupandgotbet
weent
hem.

MmaThobo: Whatareyoudoi
nglegoneI
nfr
ontof
yourkids?BalebengWhatki
ndofbehavi
ori
sthi
s?
(
Shel ookedatNomah)Whati sgoi
ngon?

Nomahst
oodupwi
tht
ear
srol
l
ingdownhert
ear
s.
Nomah: Bal
ebengIgi v
ey outoGodf orcall
ingmy
sonnamesandt ry
ingtokil
lme.Godwi l
ldealwit
h
you.All
Ieverdidwasl oveyouandtakecar eofyou,
neverhaveieverdoney ouwrong.Iam notcr y
ingfor
you,Iam cr
yingbecausei f
eelsorr
yf oryou,If
eel
badforthedayy ouwakeupal oneandr eali
sedwhat
anassy ouhavebeent oyourson.
Bal
ebeng:
Areson,
thatchi
mpanzeei
snotmychi
l
d.

MmaThobol ookedatNomahandshewasbeyond
hur
t,shel
ookedathersonandwonder
edwhereshe
wentwrong.Nomahwentint
oherbedr
oom and
sl
ammedt hedoorcryi
ng.

MmaThobo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Bal
ebeng:Of
cour
seiknowy ouar
egoi
ngtotakeher
si
de.Yousti
l
lbel
i
evethatf
rogismychi
ld.
MmaThobo:(
Snapped)St
opi
t,Iam notgoi
ngt o
hav
eyoudisr
espectNomahl
i
ket hat
.Ompui sathat
a
Bal
ebeng,
yourli
tt
lesibl
i
ngsdon'
tmakemet alkt
his
much,gotoyourhouseenkgangphokoandleav
e
usal
one.

Balebengtouchedhischeekandhehadbl
oodonhi
s
hand,heturnedaroundandlef
t.Kar
enst
oodupand
wenttoNomah' sroom.

Kar
en:
Mama!

Nomahwi
pedhert
ear
sandl
ookedaway
.

Nomah:
Pleasegi
vemeami
nut
e.

Kar
engotont
opoft
hebedandhuggedhermot
her
.

Kar
en:
Don'
tcr
yDaddyi
sameanper
son.
Shet
ri
edt
owi
pehermot
her
'st
ear
swi
thhert
op.

Kar
en:
Don'
tcr
y.

Juni
orcamei
nhol
dingabr
ick.

Junior
:IfIseehi
scarIam goi
ngt
osmasht
he
windows.

Nomahl etoutafadesmil
ewitht
ear
srunningdown
hercheeks,sheopenedherey
esandhuggedher
babi
es.

Kar
en:Don'
tworryhei
sgoingtohel
l,
hecal
ledGod
ugl
y,i
fyousaysomeoneisuglyt
henyouar
e
i
nsul
ti
ngGodbecauseeveryonei
smadeinhis
i
mage.
Nomahsmi
ledandl
ookedatherbabygi
rl
,whendi
d
shegr
owupsomuch.

Juni
or:
Wheni
growupIam notgoi
ngt
ogi
vehi
m
money.

Nomahlaughedandkissedherbabi
es.MmaThobo
camei
nhol di
ngherphone.

MmaThobo:
Her
e.

Nomahwi
pedhert
ear
sandt
ookt
hephone.

MmaThobo:
Guy
slet
'sgoout
side.

Shet
ookt
heki
dsandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Nomah:
Hel
l
o!
Thobo:
Howar
eyou?

Nomahwipedhert
ear
sbutt
heywoul
dn'
tst
op
r
unni
ng.

Thobo:
Iam sor
ry,
wai
tsegor
eBal
ebengwant
ena.
Nomah:(
Cryi
ng)Iknowmybabyi
snotnor
mal
butt
o
sayhei
slef
tover
stsadi
homosapi
ens.
Thobo:Hei
sthel
eft
overyahomosapi
ensene
Bal
ebengevenhi
sbehavi
or.
Nomah:IneverthoughtIwoul
dhat
esomeonelike
t
hisi
nmyl i
febutr i
ghtnowIwishy
ourbr
otherbur
ns
i
nhiscaranddies.
Thobo:
Don'
tsayt
hat,
don'
tst
oopt
ohi
slev
el.You
wantmetocomeover?
Nomah:
Noi
am f
ine.
Thobo:Osur
e,Icancometakey
ouandt
hebabyl
e
tegoit
ewakephefokwano.
Nomah:
Idon'
tknow.
Thobo:
Giv
emey
ouranswert
omor
row.
Nomah:
Okay
.

Shehungupt
henshehear
dvoi
cesout
side.

MmaThobo:
Dumel
angwanaka.

SheshookKarabo'
sgir
lfr
iend'
shand.Shesmi
l
edand
pul
ledhershor
tdressdown.

I
vy:
Eemma!
MmaThobo: Kar
abowhydidn'
tyoutel
lmeyouwer
e
comingiwouldhav
ecleanedyourr
oom and
changedsheet
s.

Kar
abocameoutoft heki
tchenwi
thasli
ceofpi
zza.
Helookedatthebrokengl
asseshefoundhi
s
mothersweeping.
Kar
abo:
Jaanongwhathappened?
MmaThobo:
It'
sthatdemonBal
ebeng,
hecameher
e
andst
art
edfi
ghti
ngNomah.
Kar
abo:
What
?
MmaThobo:Ithi
nktheygavemethewrongbabyat
t
hehospit
albecausether
eisnowayIgavebi
rt
hto
t
hatev
ilspi
ri
t.

Iv
ylaughedandt
ookthebroom f
rom MmaThobo,
shesweptthegl
assesout
side

MmaThobo:
Thanky
oumychi
l
d,l
etmepi
ckupt
he
gl
asses.
I
vy:
It'
sfi
neIwi
l
ldoi
t.
MmaThobo:
Oh,
blessy
oumychi
l
d.

Karabo'sphonerang,
helookedatthenumberf
ora
fewmi nutesbef
oreshepickedup.
Kar
abo:
Hel
l
o.
Ki
m:Hi
it'
sKi
m.
Kar
abo:
Bal
ebengi
snother
e.
Ki
m:Canwet
alk,
it'
simpor
tant
.
Karabo:
Heelat
hemmaweusedprot
ecti
onIhope
youarenotgoi
ngt
otel
lmegor
eyouarepregnant
.
Ki
m:Cal
lmef
aot
a.

Shehungupandsmi l
ed,acarpar
kedout
side,she
peekedthr
oughthewindowandfr
owned.Balebeng
knockedonceandcamei n.

Bal
ebeng:
Hey
!

Het
hrewhi
msel
font
hebedandcl
i
ckedhi
stongue.

Bal
ebeng:Someti
mesIsweari
am t
heonewhoi
s
notherbi
ologi
cal
chi
l
d.
Ki
m:(
Noti
nter
est
ed)Whathappened?

Bal
ebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueagai
n.

Bal
ebeng:
Mphat
oil
etpaper
.
Ki
m: Myuncl
eishomeandi
don'
tthi
nky
oushoul
d
behere.
Bal
ebeng:
What
?

Ki
m gav
eht
het
oil
etpaper
.

Kim:Iwil
lcometoyourhouse,y
ouknowhowmy
uncl
eis.Idon'
twanthi
m sayi
ngthi
ngs.
Bal
ebeng:Say
ingwhat
,di
dheaskaboutt
hecarI
boughty
ouorheisonl
ygoingt
ocomplai
naboutme
bei
nghere.
Ki
m: (Annoyed)HaveIev
erwentt
oyourhomeand
di
srespectedyourpar
ent
skant
e?Iam say
inggoI
wi
l
lcomeshor
tl
y.

Shewenttoopent hedoor,
Balebengst
oodupand
shewalkedhim outsi
detohiscar
.Hedrov
eoutand
shewentinsi
deherbedroom.Shehadashower
thenshesatonthebedfixi
nghertowel
.Karabo'
s
call
camet hr
ough.

Ki
m:Ar
eyoucomi
ng?
Kar
abo:
Yeswar
ewher
eexact
lydoy
oust
ay?
Kim:BehindTshwar
agano,
cal
lmewheny
ouar
eby
thej
uniorschool
.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

MmaThobowalkedi
nNomah'
sbedr
oom wi
thwar
m
wat
ert
obaththeBaby.
MmaThobo:
Takeof
fhi
scl
othesIwi
l
lbat
hhi
m.
Nomah:
Ispoketomybr
otherar
ethet
enant
sar
e
l
eavi
ngmonthend.
MmaThobo:Don'
tmakehast
ydeci
sions,
youknow
youar
ewelcomeher
e.
Nomah:It
sti
metomov eon,Balebengthi
nkshecan
speakhowev
erhewantsbecauseIstayhere.Ij
ust
wanttofr
eemysel
ftot
a.

MmaThobot
ookadeepbr
eat
h.

AtKi
m'shouse.

Kim openedthedoorf
orKar
abo,
hecamei
nwi
thhi
s
handsinhispocket
s.

Kar
abo:
Whati
sit
?
Ki
m:Iknowy
out
hinkIam abadper
son.Iam nota
badper son, Il
iedt oyoubecauseIt
houghtyouwere
aoneni ghtst andbutt hatver
ysamenightI
developedf eelingsforyou.Whenwewer eatt
he
ri
verandy ouaskedmei fIwastheonl
ychildI
hesit
atedt oanswerbecauseIdi dn'
twanttoli
eto
youany mor e.Pl easefor
giveme.

Shepull
edhert
owel
downexposi
ngherbeaut
if
ul
pet
itbody.

Kar
abo:
Youar
ewi
thmybr
other
.
Ki
m: Iwil
ldumphi
m,noonewi
l
lhav
etoknowabout
usipromise.

Karabohesi
tatedbutwhathewasbeingoff
eredon
thesilv
erpl
att
erwasjusttooappet
izi
ng.Ki
m saton
hislap.

Kar
abo:
Bal
ebeng.
.
Ki
m:Pl
ease.

Sheki
ssedhim,Kar
abostoodupwi
thheronhi
slap
andl
aidherdownonthebed.

Kar
abo:
Noonecanknowaboutt
his.
Ki
m:Iswear
.

Theykissedpassionately
,Karabopul
leddownhis
pantsandhisharder ectpeni
spoint
edatKim,she
smiledandreachedforapacketofcondomsi nthe
drawer.

Meanwhileout
sideBalebengparkedhi
scarbehind
Karabo'
sholdi
ngaboxofpi zzahehadforgottogi
ve
Kim,hewalkedtothehouseandt hemoaning
soundsmeethim hal
fway .
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE22

Meanwhileoutsi
deBal ebengpar kedhiscarbehind
Karabo'
sholdi
ngaboxofpi zzahehadf or
gottogive
Kim,hewalkedtot hehouseandt hemoaning
soundsmeethi m hal
fway .Het r
iedthedoorknob
anditwaslockedf r
om inside,heknockedandt he
moaningstopped.

Bal
ebeng:
Kim opent
hisdoorIknowy
ouar
eint
her
e.

I
nsi
deKim andKarabol
ookedateachother,
Kar
abo
qui
ckl
ygotoutofbedandputonhisboxers.

Balebeng:(
Furious)Ki
m openthi
sdoorIknowyou
areinther
e.IfIopenthi
sdoorIam goi
ngtokil
lyou
andwhoev erisfucki
ngyouinsi
de.
Hewentar oundthehousetothebackwindowand
openedthecurtai
n.Hi
sey esf
ellofhi
sli
tt
lebr
other
hol
dinghisclot
hessneaki
ngintothebat
hroom.

Bal
ebeng:
Kar
abo!

Hesteppedbackandcov eredhisfacewithboth
hands.Hecoul
dn'tbeli
eveit,t
houghhesawhi sli
tt
le
brot
her'
scarout
sidehenev erthoughtitwashim
i
nsidewit
hhisgir
lfr
iend.Karabolookedathis
brot
herandembar r
assingl
ylookeddown.

"Kar
abo!"Bal
ebengsaidwit
hashakyvoice.Kar
abo
l
ookedathisbrotherst
andi
ngout
sidethewindow
andhiseyeswereteary
.

Kar
abo:
It'
snotwhaty
out
hink.

Bal
ebengdi
sappear
edt
henKar
abo'
scaral
arm was
heardfr
om out
sidet
hent
her
ewassoundof
breaki
nggl
ass.

Kar
abo:
Shi
thei
sdest
roy
ingmycar
.

Heputonhiscl
othesandreachedf
orthedoor
handl
e.Ki
m pul
l
edhim backandlookedi
ntohi
sey
es.

Kim:Hewillki
l
lyoumot
ogel
e..
wecan'
tdoany
thi
ng
butcal
lthepoli
ce.

Arockf
li
edaboveKim'
sheadandhi tt
hemi rr
or,she
scr
eamedandsatdown.Shelookedatthewindow
andBal
ebengwasbackholdi
nganotherstone.

Ki
m:Heel
atherra,
howoldareyoufi
veyear
s,ol
wa
kamant
swe?(Youaref
ight
ingwit
hstones)
Balebeng:
Kar aboopent
hedoor
.Iwantust
otal
k
l
ikenormal peopl
edo.
Kim: Balebenggohome, t
hereisnothingy ouare
tal
kingtousabout .Normalpeopledon' tdestr
oy
otherpeopl e'
scar s,youareimmat ur
eandIam sor ry
youhadt ofindoutl i
kethi
sbutIdon' tlovey ou
anymor e.Ihav ebeengi vi
ngy ouhint
sbuty oujust
don'tseet hem, nnar r
aIdon'twantyouany mor e.I
knowi t'
sgoi ngtohur tyoubu...

Anot
herst
onecamefl
yi
ngandhi
tKim ont
hechest.
Shescr
eamedonpai
nwhil
eBal
ebengsett
hecurtai
n
onfi
re.

Kar
abo:Sbal
ei t
'snotwhaty
out
hink,
Okayi
am
comingout
side.
Ki
m:(
sti
l
ltouchi
ngherchest
)Dont
.

Kar
abor
aisedhi
shands.
.

Kar
abo:
Ijustwantust
otal
k..
Ki
m:Babedon'
t.
.

Karaboopenedthedoorandsteppedout
side,Ki
m
putonherclot
hesandwenttoputoutthefir
eont he
curt
ainbef
oreshewentoutsi
de.

Kar
abo:
Icanexpl
ain.
Bal
ebeng:Shei
smygi
rl
fr
iendandy
ouknowt
hat
,I
i
ntr
oduced..

"Exgi r
lf
riend.
."Ki
m shoutedstandingbythedoor.
Balebengpunchedhi sli
tt
lebrotherontheface.
Karabot ouchedhischeekandpushedhi sbig
brotherfuri
ous.

Karabo:Kant
ewhyy
ouar
efi
ght
ingme,
wecamet
o
tal
kgoloha.

Bal
ebengt
hrewanot
herbl
owandKar
aboal
mostf
ell
down,hegr
abbedsoi
landt
hrewi
tinhi
sbr
other
's
face.

Kar
abo:
Itol
dyouIdon'
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thy
ou.
Bal
ebeng:
Youj
ustwantt
osl
eepwi
thmygi
rl
fr
iend.

Balebengrubbedhiseyesandjumpedonhisli
tt
le
brother,
theyfel
lont
opofKim'scar.Ki
m scr
eamed
andr antohermother'
shouse.

MmaKemmony e: I
fthoset womenki l
leachot her
thenknowi t
'syourf ault,
howl onghav eIbeent ell
i
ng
yougor ebokgar ebei snotaboutgoi ngar ound
sleepingwi t
hev erymany oumeet .Ical l
edt he
Police,itwil
lbet hefirstti
mePol i
cecomet omy
homeKemmony e,Ihav echildr
enbutnooneoft hem
stressedmel i
key oudo.Af terthePolicetakey our
boy fr
iendsfoll
owt hem becausey ouar enol onger
wel comeher e,ont senyast r
essKemmony e,you
madeBal ebengdi vorcehiswi f
enow. .
Therewasloudnoi
sefr
om outsi
de,
Kimranoutsi
de
andfoundherbedr
oom doordownwit
hBalebeng
ontopofi
t.

Ki
m:(
Scr
eami
ng)Kar
abost
op.

Apoli
cevanparkedbyt hegateandtwoPoli
ce
of
fi
cerscamerunning,onegrabbedKarabowhi
let
he
ot
heronehel
pedBal ebengup.

Kar
abo:
Hest
art
edi
t,Idi
dn'
twantt
ofi
ghthi
m.

Balebengtri
edtostandsteadbuthefel
ldownonhi
s
knees,tear
sandbloodmi xedonhisf
ace,hewi
ped
hisfacewithhi
st-shi
rtandstoodup.

MmaKemmonye:
Pleaset
aket
hem away,
youshoul
d
al
sot
aket
hei
rwomanbathongIam t
ir
edkethi
sgir
l.
Of
fi
cer
:Bor
ray
oucan'
ttur
nsomeone'
shomei
ntoa
boxi
ngr
ing,
let
'sgo.

Kim andhermotherwatchedasoneof fi
cersatat
thebackwithBalebengandtheotheronesatatthe
frontwi
thKarabo.MmaKemmony eturnedherhead
toKim.Shepointedatthegate.

MmaKemmony
e:Fol
l
owt
hem.
.
Ki
m;Mama!
MmaKemmony e:Isai
dout,y
ouhav et
urnedmyy
ard
i
ntoabrot
helKemmony e,
ontshot
isabatho
monyanakewena.

MmaKemmonyewenti
nsi
deKemmony e'
sbedr
oom
andst
art
edt
hrowi
nghert
hingsout
side.

MmaKemmony e:
Iam si
ckandtir
edofy ou,y
ouare
nott
heonlybeauti
ful
gir
linMaun,otherpeople
don'
tputt
heirmother
'swhatyouputmet hr
ough.
Enoughi
senough.

Shethr
ewKi m'
ssui
tcaseout
side.Ki
m cr
iedpi
cki
ng
uphercl
othes.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

MmaThobocameinNomah'sbedr
oom wi
thaf
lask,
sheputi
tdownandsatont
hechai
r.

MmaThobo:
Ishef
eedi
ng?
Nomah:
Noher
efusest
ofeedsi
nceaf
ter
noon
MmaThobo: Whatcouldtheprobl
em betot
a?
(
Sighed)Thobocall
edmear eyoutal
kedabout
movingtotheranchtemporari
l
y.
Nomah: Thatwasbef
oreIdeci
dedt
omov
etomy
house.
MmaThobo:
Tot
angwanakawhydoy
ouwantt
o
mov e,can'tyouwaittogetbackony ourf
eetf
ir
st?
Whatar ey ougoingtosleepon,doy ouev
enhave
blanketsorast ove?Youknowt hatyouaremore
thanwel comet ostayhereri
ght
, youcanl
ookfora
j
obwhi leIt akecareoft
hekids.
Nomah:
Thi
sisBal
ebeng'
shouseand.
.
MmaThobo: Thi
sisnotBal
ebeng'
shouse,
thi
sismy
houseand.
.

Ther
ewasal
oudbangatt
hedoor
.

MmaThobo:
Aahaahwhoknocksl
i
ket
hisl
egoneat
t
hist
ime.

Shestoodupandwenttoopenthedoor.Shel
ooked
attheboyandgi
rlwhowerest
andingoutsi
dethe
door.

Boy
:Dumel
ang.
MmaThobo:
Dumel
arr
ahowcanIhel
pyou?
Boy:Mmenear
eishoul
dcomet
ell
yout
ocomet
o
herhouse.
MmaThobo:
Whoi
syourmot
herandwhydoesshe
wantme.
Gir
l:MmaKemmony
e,Yourki
dsweref
ight
ingat
homeandMmecall
edthePoli
ce.

MmaThobol ookedInfr
ontofKarabo'shouseandhi
s
carwasn'
tthere.Shehurri
edtotheroom and
knocked,
Ivyopenedwr appedi
nat owel.

I
vy:
Mma?
MmaThobo:
Wher
eisKar
abo?
Iv
y:Odul
earehei
smeet
ingwi
thhi
sfr
iendsf
or
somedri
nks.
MmaThobo:
Cal
lhi
m hoomygi
rl
.
I
vypi
ckedupherphoneanddi
aledKar
abobuthe
di
dn'
tpi
ckup.

I
vy:
Hei
snotpi
cki
ngup.
MmaThobo:
Don'
tyouhav
ehi
sfr
iend'
snumber
?

I
vyshookherhead.

MmaThobo:
Okaymygi
rl

MmaThobohurri
edtoMmaKemmony ewit
ht heki
ds.
Shepassedbot
hherson'
scarspar
kedbythegate
wit
hKarabo'
ssmashedwindows.

MmaThobo:
Ko!
ko.
MmaKemmonye:
MothowaModimoIam sor
ryfor
summoni
ngy
ou,Iam j
ustt
ooangr
ytoev
enstand
up.
MmaThobo:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
MmaKemmonye:Ical
l
edthepoli
ceonyourki
ds,
ebi
l
eIdi
dn'
tknowtheyoungestwasy
ourstoo.
MmaThobo:
Whathappened?
MmaKemmony e:
Sebodusesangwanakewas
foundsleepi
ngwi
ththeyoungbr
otherbyt
heol
der
brother
.
MmaThobo:
What
?
MmaKemmony e:Iki
ckedherout
,mothowa
ModimoIhavehadi twit
hthatgi
rl
.Nnaihear
dnoi
se
outsi
degakelebaBalebengissmashi
ngwindows
that'
swhenIcall
edthepoli
ce.

MmaThobobr
eat
hedheav
il
yandst
oodup.

MmaThobo: Thankyoufort
ell
i
ngmeNkane.Nnai
don'tknowwhat '
swrongwithmychil
dren.Ene
Karabohebr oughtawomanhomet oday,helefther
athomeandcamet osleepwithhi
solderbrot
her's
gi
rl
friend.Bal
ebengenehewashomeear l
ierf
ighti
ng
themot herofhi
ski
ds.Letthem spendtheholi
day
s
i
nj ail
,Mmmhmmht heyaretwogr ownupmenwho
bothknowconsequencesfortheiract
ions.Iam
goingt ogohomeandpretendli
keIdon'tknow
any t
hing.

MmaKemmony
ewal
kedMmaThobot
othegat
e.

MmaKemmony
e:Andt
hecar
s.
MmaThobo:
Leav
ethem,
ift
heyst
eal
them t
henf
ine.
MmaKemmonye:Ifyoueverseet
hatshedevi
l
any
wher
enearyourkidst
hensetheronfi
re.

Theypartedways, MmaThoboclickedhertongue
goi
ngt oherhouse,assheapproachedaBMW
parkedri
ghti
nfrontofherandKim steppedout.

MmaThobolookedar
oundandpickedupanol d
al
cohol
bot
tl
e.Shesmasheditonar ock,
Kim qui
ckl
y
gotbacki
nhercarandr
oll
edupt
hewi
ndow.

MmaThobo:I
fIeverseeyouher
eIwi
ll
cutoffy
our
cl
i
tor
iskebonagoreketsonedi
gobel
ang.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE23

Nomahl
aughedoutl
oudasMmaThobot
oldherwhy
MmaKemmony ecal
l
edherov
er.

Nomah: HahawaisoBalebengthoughtgorethat
l
it
tl
egirl
wantstosett
ledownandpl aystepmot her
andhousegir
lf
ri
end?Gaamodi r
asepe, Iwishshe
woul
dhav emadehim supportachi
ldthatisnothis.
MmaThobo:
Hei
sveryst
upi
dthent
hatsl
uthast
he
ner
vet
oshowupher
e.
Nomah:
Mang?
MmaThobo:EneKemmonye,whenIcameback
homesheparkedi
nfr
ontofmeatthegat
e.
Nomah:
Uhu,
whatdi
dshewant
?
MmaThobo: Idi
dn'
tgi
veherachancet
oexplai
n
her
sel
f,Ipi
ckedupabott
leandbrokei
t,It
oldhert
o
st
ayawayf r
om myhomeorel seketamokgaola
motopany
anaomodi rangmakgakga.Idon'
tknow
whatshewasdoingherebecauseherboyf
ri
endsare
i
njai
l.
Nomah:
HahaI
yoo,
sowhataboutI
vy,
poorgi
rl
.
MmaThobo:NnaIdon'
tknowwhatIdi
dtoGodt
ota,
al
lmyki
ds,al
loft
hem areusel
ess.
Nomah:
Thoboi
snotusel
ess.
MmaThobo: Iam tal
kingaboutt
hesetwoboy sand
thei
rsist
er,shedidn'tcomehomef orthefest
ive
season,i
t'
sEast er
shol i
daysandsheisstil
lnothere.
Iam gladIstoppedhav ingki
dsatthr
ee,imagineif
ther
ewasmor eoft hem.

Nomahl
aughedwhi
l
etr
yingt
ogetKenzot
odr
inkhi
s
mil
k.

Nomah:
Ther
rapl
easedr
inkj
ustal
i
ttl
epl
ease.
Shegav
eupandputt
hebot
tl
edown.

Nomah:Idon'
tknowwhattodonowhewon'tdri
nk
f
rom t
hebottl
e,her
efusest
ofeedf
rom mybreast
t
oo.
MmaThobo:
Shoul
dwet
akehi
mtot
hehospi
tal
?
Nomah:
Ithi
nkso.
.

Shecheckedhi
stemper
atur
ewi
thherhand.

Nomah: Buthi
stemper
atureisokayIdon'
t
under
standwhyhewon'tfeed.
MmaThobo:
Letmecal
lthet
axi
man.
Nomah:
Okay
.

ShepickedupKenzoandcheckedhi
stemperatur
e
agai
n.Shecheckedwit
hthethermometerand
si
ghed.
MmaThobo:Arehewentt
odropoffsomeoneat
t
hemallhewi
ll
beherei
ntenminut
es.
Nomah:
Okay
,letmecal
lThobo.

Sheputt
hebabydownandKenzosmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Aahaahhahahei
ssmi
l
inghar
e.

Shepi
ckedhi
m upagai
n.

Nomah:
Ther
radr
inkmi
l
kpl
ease.

Sheputthebot
tl
einhi
slit
tl
emout
h,hesuckedt
wice
thenpushedwi
thhi
stongue.

Nomah:
That
'ssomet
hing.
Shepi
ckedupherphoneanddi
aledThobo.

Thobo:
(Sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o.
Nomah:
Hey
..(
shel
ookedatKenzosl
eepi
ng)
Thobo:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?
Nomah:YeahkegorehelaKenzowasn'tfeedi
ngso
nerer
eremoi set
ot hehospi
talbutIt
hinkheisfi
ne
nowbecauseonol
eny ana.
Thobo:
Howi
shi
stemper
atur
e?
Nomah:Enehel
ahei
sokaywai
tseebi
l
enowhei
s
sl
eepi
ng.
Thobo:
Okay
,ar
eyoust
il
ltaki
nghi
mtot
hehospi
tal
?
Nomah:Noifoganagonwamashi
gapewhenhe
wakesupt
hem wewill
takehi
mtot
hehospi
tal
.
Thobo:
Okay
.
Nomah:
Noshapoaker
e.
Thobo:
Goodni
ght
.
Sheputt
hebabydownandwentt
oMmaThobo.

Nomah:Hei
ssl
eeping,onol
eny anaIt
hinkwewi
l
l
t
akehi
mt ot
hehospit
altomorr
ow.
MmaThobo: Okaybutifhewakesupandref
usesto
feedagainr
emoi se.Maybeheisnotf
eel
ingwell
,l
e
enemot howatengakerehecan'
tsayi
t'
spainf
ul
here.
Nomah:
Eemma.

Shewentbackt
oherbedr
oom.

AtLebo'
shouse.

Shespr
eadt
hebl
anketont
hemat
tressandl
ooked
atKi
m.

Lebo:
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
osl
eept
omor
row?
Kim:IhaveBal
ebeng'
sbankcar
dIwi l
lcashout
tomorr
owandbuymy selff
ood,
findahousetorent
,
buyfurni
tur
eandpayrenti
nadvance.
Lebo:
Elegor
ehowmuchi
sint
her
e?
Ki
m: Idon'
tknowbutIt
hinki
twi
l
lbeenoughaker
e
hesoldhispl
ot.
Lebo:Kegoreamanbuil
dsyouabachel
orpad,buy
s
youacar,hegi
vesyouhi
scardandyoucheaton
him wi
thhisbr
other
.
Ki
m:Mat
hat
amancan'
tmakemecum aker
e.
Lebo:
Uhu.
Kim:Fri
endBalebengi
sbori
ngtota,nnaIam too
youngforhi
m mma.Heev enmakesmewat chnews
keenggonemoo.Il ov
eKaraboandi fBal
ebeng
didn'
ti
nter
ruptusIwouldbefer
ti
li
zi
ngr i
ghtnow.
Lebo:
Heee,soyouhadever
ythi
ngpl
annedout
.Ki
m
mmawaitseyouarehear
tl
ess.
Ki
m: Iam nothear
tl
ess,youknowwhatyour
pr
oblem i
s,youcallgi
rl
swhogoafterwhatthey
wantnamesl onal
ediiwakegorewhatwil
lpeopl
e
say.Heel
afuckpeopl
eanddoy
ouboo.Il
oveKar
abo
andIam goi
ngtogethim.
Lebo:
Whati
fBal
ebengwant
sthecar
?
Kim: Whosecar?I
tisi
nmyname.I fhewantst hecar
thenhemustbr i
ngbackall
mysweet nessakerehe
wasf uckingmeever
ydayhaekaresomeonet old
him Iwil
l ber
unni
ngaway.Whatawast eofagood
dickmot hoasait
sewheretofi
ndtheg-spot.
Lebo:
Ehemma!

Ki
m satdownonthemat
tress,
shel
aiddownand
cl
osedherey
es.

TheFol
l
owi
ngMor
ning.

MmaThobowokeupt osomeonescreaming,shegot
outofbedandrantoNomah' sbedr
oom whereshe
foundhercr
yinghol
dingKenzoinherhands.
MmaThobo:
Whati
sit
?

Shetookthebabyfr
om Nomahandcheckedhis
temperat
ure,
hewascold,hi
sey
esclosedli
kehe
waspeaceful
lysl
eepi
ng.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE24

Lat
ert
hesamemor
ning.
.

Kim count
edt
wohundr
edpul
anot
esandgav
etot
he
Landlor
d.

Ki
m:Iam pay
ingf
orf
ivemont
hsi
nadv
ance.
Landl
ord:
Youandiar
egoi
ngt
ogetal
ongj
ustf
inei
f
youpayli
ket
his.

Theybot
hlaughed.TheLandl
ordgav
ehert
hekey
s.

Landl
ord:
Thehousei
syour
snow.
Ki
m:Thanky
ou.
TheLandl or
dleftandKimlookedaroundthebi
g
bachelorpad.Shewentintothebedroom andl
ooked
aroundpictur
ingwhereshewasgoi ngtoput
everyt
hing.Herphonerang.

Ki
m:Lebo!
Lebo:
Hi,
hav
eyouf
oundahouse?
Ki
m: YesnowIam goi
ngtobuyabedandabi
g
mi
rror,asof
a,TVandsomekit
chenut
ensi
l
s.
Lebo:
Elegor
ehowmuchi
sint
hatcar
dneKi
m?
Ki
m:Hahay
ouwor
ryal
otwai
tse.
Lebo:
Youknowgoremaki
ngsuchbi
gpur
chases
wit
houtt
heowner
'sknowl
edgei
sacri
meri
ght,i
ts
fr
aud.
Kim:I
yoommewafr
audnnakebusywai
tse,
letme
tal
ktoyoul
ater
.

Shehungup,
lockedt
hehouseandgoti
nhercar
.
AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Thobofini
shedtal
kingtothephoneandwenti
nside
thehousepull
ingthelongsleev
esofhi
sover
all
.He
wenttositnextt
ohismot her.

Thobo:Ever
ythingi
sar
rangedwecanhav
ethe
funer
altomorrow.
MmaThobo:Okaybuti tcan'
tbetomorrowbecause
wehavetowaitforNomah' sf
ami l
ygapeweshould
gotothepol
icestat
ion,wecan'tburyMoengel
e
wit
houtBal
ebeng.
Thobo:Thatonewant
ena,
aker
ehesai
dKenzoi
s
nothi
s.
MmaThobo:
Iknowbutt
hatwashi
schi
l
d.
Thobo:Agggheisjustgoi
ngtocauseNomah
unnecessar
yst
ressmot hoyoo.
Ivycameinwit
hJuni orandKar
en.MmaThobo
embarrassi
ngl
ylookeddown,shedidn'
tknowwhat
tosaytothepoorgir
l.

I
vy:Kar
abo'
snumberisst
il
l notgoi
ngthr
ough,Iam
get
ti
ngworri
ednow,whatifsomethi
nghappenedto
hi
m?ShouldIcal
lthePol
i
ce?
Thobo:Iwil
lgocheckhim atoneofhi
s
fr
iends'
houseIam sur
ehei sther
e.
I
vy:
Iwi
shhewoul
dat
leastcal
l
.
MmaThobo:Gofi
xyour
sel
fsomet
hingt
oeati
nthe
ki
tchenmygi
rl
.

I
vypi
ckedupJuni
orandt
heywenti
nsi
det
heki
tchen
wi
thKaren.

Thobo:
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
hert
het
rut
h?
MmaThobo:Mot
howaModimowhatdoIsay?Your
boy
fri
endwhobr
oughty
ouher
ewascaughtsl
eeping
wi
thhi
sol
derbr
other
'sgi
rl
fr
iend?
Thobo:
Hahadi
l
otsamat
hakaaekar
emaakahel
a.
MmaThobo:
Hav
eyouseenNomah?

Thoboshookhi
shead.

Thobo:
Iwantt
ogoi
nbutwhatdoIsayt
oher
?
MmaThobo:
Youwi
l
lfi
gur
esomet
hingout
.

Thobostoodupandsighedbef
orehesl
i
ght
ly
knockedonthedoor
.

Nomah:
Tsena!

Thobowenti
nsi
dethebedr
oom andcl
osedt
hedoor
.
NomahputKenzo'
sgreybeani
edownandsmil
edat
hi
m wipi
nghert
ear
s.
Thobo:
Hey
!
Nomah:
Hel
ookedgoodi
nthi
sgr
eybeani
e.
Thobo:
Yeahhedi
dkamasweny
ana.

Nomahwi pedhertear
swit
hthebeanieandraised
hereyessmil
ing,
shetri
edtotal
kbuttearsr
andown
hercheeksandshechokedonherwords,she
cover
edhermout hcry
ingt
hem Thobohuggedher .
Nomahcr i
edoutloudandhuggedhimtight
ly.

Thobo:Heisrest
ingnow.Heisi
nasaf
epl
ace,
heis
i
naki ndpl
acenow.Hei sl
iv
ingupt
ohi
snamenow,
heisourAngel.

Hepul
l
edbackandwi
pedNomah'
s'
stear
s.

Nomah:
He.
.hesmi
l
edatmey
est
erday
.
Thobosmil
edandwi
pedNomah'
stear
swi
thhi
s
thumbs.

Nomah:
Hesmi
l
edatmeandi
twassocut
e.
Thobo:
Hewassay
inggoodby
e.
Nomah:
Idi
dn'
twanthi
mtosaygoodby
e,hewasmy
baby
.

Thobohuggedheragai
n.Theyr
emai
nedl
i
ket
hatf
or
al
mostthi
rtyminut
es.

Att
heFur
nit
urest
ore

Ki
ndswi
pedpay
ingf
ort
hebedandabi
gmi
rr
or.

Assi
stant
:Thanky
ou,
signher
eforme.

Ki
m si
gnedt
hensheputt
hecar
dinherpur
se.
Assist
ant:Shoul
dwedel
i
vert
hem ory
ouar
etaki
ng
them your
self
.
Ki
m:Iwi
l
lcomegett
hem bef
orey
oucl
oset
oday
.
Assistant
:OkayMam, wheny oucomegett
hem
remindwhoev erwil
lbehel
pingyoutogi
veyoua
toaster,i
t'
sourthankyougi
ft.
Ki
m:Ni
ceni
ce.

Sheputonhershadesandt
ookputherphone
di
ali
ngherl
it
tl
ecousin.

Kim:Hell
o, bonaIhaveatenderf
oryou,Ineedy
ou
togocleanatmynewhouseIwi l
lbuyyouKFC,yes
youcanbringy ourf
ri
ends.

Att
hePol
i
ceSt
ati
on.
Bal
ebengmassagedhi
swri
stfol
lowi
nghisbr
other
out
sidet
ohi
scarwherehefoundKarabowai
ti
ng.

Thobolookedatbot
hhi
sli
tt
lebr
other
swi
tha
ser
iousface.

Thobo:I
fyout
rytof
ightagainkealecl
apaandy
ou
aregoi
ngbacki
ntot
hepol i
cecell
s.

Noneoft
hem sai
dany
thi
ng.

Thobogoti nhi
scar ,
Karabosatatthebackand
Balebengatthefront
.Thobocoveredhisfaceand
breathedheavi
ly
.

Thobo:Sbalet
her
eissomethingIhav
etotel
lyou,
youaregoingtof
indpeopl
eathomeand..
huuu!
Kenzopassedawaythismorning.
Bal
ebeng:
Whoi
sKenzo?
Thobo:
Yourson!
Bal
ebeng:Howmanyti
messhoul
dIt
ell
you,
that
ani
malisnotmyson.

Thobopunchedhi
m ont
hef
aceandbl
ooddr
ipped
fr
om hi
snose.

Thobo:
Getoutofmycar
.
Bal
ebeng:
Youwantmet
oagr
ee.
.
Thobo:
Getout
.

Bal
ebengopenedt
hedoorandst
eppedout
,he
sl
ammedi tt
henThobodr
oveaway.Kar
abolaughed
outl
oud.

Thobo:Whatar eyoul
aughingat,
sleepingwit
hy our
brother
'sgi
rl
fri
endisfunny
?Whydi dy oubri
ngIvy
hereifyouknewy ouweregoingt
ol eaveherandgo
fuckotherpeople?
Kar
abo:
..
Thobo:
Youknowwhaty
ouannoyme.

Hepar
kedbyt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.

Thobo:
Getoutofmycar
.
Kar
abo:
Whatshoul
d..
Thobo:Idon'
tfucki
ngcar
e,getoutory
ouwantme
todragyouout.

Karaboopenedthedoor
,heputhishandsabovehis
headwat chi
ngashi
sbrother
'scardi
sappear
edin
thetraf
fi
c.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

MmaThobol
ookedi
nsi
det
hecart
henatThobo.
MmaThobo:
Wher
ear
ethey
?
Thobo:
Theyareout
,gor
ehowt
heygether
eisnone
ofmybusi
ness.
MmaThobo:
Uhu!

I
nsi
det
hehouse.

InhersleepNomahsmi l
edthenshewokeup, she
wipedthesweatof fherfor
eheadandlookedat
Kenzo'ssideofthebedandhewasn' tt
here.She
suddenlyremember edherdream,hermotherwas
carr
yingKenzo,bothofthem dressedi
nwhi t
e.

Sher eachforat owelandwipedherface,she

touchedherbr eastasmilkcameout.Shel ookedat
thebr ownbabyst rol
l
erandthewalker.Shesmi l
ed
alonet henshepackedupev ery
thi
ng.

ThedooropenedandMmaThobocamei
n.
MmaThobo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Nomah:
Iam mov
ingon.
MmaThobo:
Nomahmybaby
..

Nomahsmi
l
edatMmaThobo.

Nomah: Iknewt hi
sdaywasgoi ngt ocome, t
houghI
wasi ndeni alanddi dn'twantt opr epareforitIknew
i
twasgoi ngt ocome.Wi thhiscondi t
ionwear e
blessedt ohav espentt hreemont hswi thhim.He
changedandt ouchedal l
ourlives.MybabyAngel
camet oser vehispur posewhi chwast ohelpmeget
myst rengthback, nowi t'
sdone.Hei slivi
ngupt ohis
name, hei snowoutl i
tt
leAngel i
nheav en.Nowi ts
ti
met omov eonwi thli
fe,Isti
llhavet wokidsleft
thatIhav etopr otectandt akecareof .Cany ou
pleaseal l
owmet omov eoutaf terthebur i
al,i
t
doesn'tmeanIwi l
l beabandoni ngy ou,Ijustwantto
l
iveagai n,fi
ndwor kmay be.
MmaThobosmil
ed,shemov
edcl
osert
oNomahand
hel
dbot
hhershoul
ders.

MmaThobo:
Yougott
his,
Itr
usty
ou.

Nomahsmi
l
ed.

MmaThobo:
Didy
out
alkt
oyourbr
other
s?
Nomah:Yes,t
heywil
lbear
ri
vi
ngi
nMaunt
oni
ghtso
wecanburryKenzot
omorr
ow.
MmaThobo:
Okay
!

Out
sidei
nKar
abo'
shouse.

I
vyfoldedherar
msl
i
steni
ngasKar
abot
oldherwhat
happened.

I
vy:
Soy
ouwer
ear
rest
edf
orhost
ingapar
tybyt
he
r
iver
?
Kar
abo:
Yes,
nnaIdi
dn'
tknowgor
eitwaswr
ong.

I
vygotof
fbedandhuggedKar
abo.

I
vy:
Iam sorr
ybabe,
letmef
ixy
oubat
hingwat
erand
f
oodakere.
Kar
abo:
Thanksmyl
ove.
I
vy:
Wai
tandt
hecar
?
Karabo:
Goraagorethiev
eswer
etr
yingt
ost
eal
it
andsmashedit
'swindows.
I
vy:
Iyoo!

Shest
oodupandwentout
side.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse
Heputhi sphoneont hechar
gerthenheswi t
chedit
onanddi aledKim,i
mmedi at
elycountless
notifi
cati
onsfrom t
hebankcamet hrough, hehung
upandopenedt hemessages,hi
sjawsdr opped.He
dialedKim'snumberagainanditsti
lldidn'tgo
through.Hecheckedhisbankbalanceandhehad
P321. 85.
.

*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE25

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Karaboputt heplat
einthesi
nkandpouredhi msel
fa
glassofjuice,
hebumpedi nt
ohismotheront he
doort henhesteppedasidemaki
ngwayf orhis
mot her.MmaThoboshookherheadandcl ickedher
tongue.

Kar
abo:
Icanexpl
ain.
MmaThobo: Youdon'thav etoexplai
nanythi
ngt o
me,youhav et oexpl
aintot hatgi
rlyoubr
oughther
andlefthertosleepalonewhi ley
ouwentt osleep
wit
hy ourbrother'
sgi
rlfr
iend.

Kar
abodi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
MmaThobo:Eeokareng,
bogokgamil
ebobelet
e?
YouannoymeKarabo,
Idi
dn'
tl
ikewhatyoudi
d,not
atal
l
.
Kar
abo:
Iam sor
ry.
MmaThobo:Stopapologisi
ng.Youowey
ourbr
other
l
oyal
tymorethanthatgir
l.
Kar
abo:
Iknow.
MmaThobo:
Noyoudon'
tknoworel
sey
ouwoul
dn'
t
hav
edonewhaty
oudid.

Karabolookeddown.MmaThobot ooksomething
from t
hefri
dgeandwalkedpasthim goi
ngoutside.
Karabowenttothebedroom whereIvywasl
ayingon
thebedwi t
hKarenandJuniorpl
ayinggamesonher
phone.

Kar
abo:
Guy
scani
tal
ktoAunt
yal
onepl
ease.
I
vy:
Youcant
aket
hephone,
don'
tcal
lany
onej
ust
pl
ayt
hegames.
Juni
or:
Ankadi
me?
I
vy:
Yes.

Thekidswentoutsi
de,
Karabocl
osedthedoorand
satonthebed,hemadeIv
ysitonhisl
apandkissed
her.

Karabo:Iknowwecamet oMauntohaveagood
ti
met henIgotarrestedandyousleptal
oneonyour
fi
rstni
ghthere,Iam real
lysor
ryBabeIpromiseIwi
l
l
makei tuptoyouaf t
ertheburi
alt
omor r
ow.
I
vy:Ithi
nkitwi
l
lbeinsensi
ti
vetogohavef unaf
ter
l
eso.LookIunderst
andokay,i
t'
sunfor
tunatewhat
happened,
wewi l
lhavefunnextt
ime.
Kar
abo:
Atl
eastl
etmet
akey
ouboatcr
uisi
ngee.
I
vysmi
ledandwrappedherarmsar
oundKarabo,
t
heyki
ssedthenhel
aidherdownonthebed.
Out
side.
.
Thobo:It
hinky
oushoul
dall
owhertomov
eout
,she
hastogetherl
if
ebackandl
iveagai
n.
MmaThobo: I
t'
stoosoonthengwanaka,
shej
ustl
ost
herbaby,
shecan'tbegoi
ngaroundt
hemall
droppi
ngappl
icat
ions.

Nomahcameoutoft hehousef
ixi
ngherheadscar
f,
shegreet
edaf ewel
derst
hatweresi
tt
ingI
nfr
ontof
thehousethenshewentt
owhereMmaThoboand
Thobowere.

MmaThobo:
Ever
ythi
ngokay
?
Nomah:
Yes,
Iwant
edt
oaskThobosomet
hing.

MmaThoboexcusedher
sel
f.

Thobo:
Yeah?
Nomah:Iknowyouboughtev
erythi
ngwi
thl
ovebut
um si
ncewedidn'
tuset
hestrol
l
erandsomeofthe
t
hingscanIpl
easer
etur
nthem t
otheshop?
Thobo:
Yeah,
ift
heyagr
ee.
Nomah:Thankyou,wecandonat
ethecl
othesand
someofthelef
tdiaper
saker
e.
Thobo:
Yeah!Howar
eyou?

Nomahsteppedbackandwrappedherarmsar
ound
her
sel
f.Shesmil
edandbreat
hedheavil
y.

Nomah:
Keshapo.
Thobo:
Youwantt
ogof
orar
idef
orsomef
reshai
r?
Nomah:
Idon'
tthi
nkMmaThobowi
l
lagr
ee.
Thobo:
Shewi
l
l,l
etsgo.

Heopenedthedoorf
orNomahandshegoti
nsi
de,
Thobogoti
nthedri
ver'
ssi
deanddr
oveout
.

Nomah:
Isi
tal
l
owedt
oleav
ehome?
Thobo:
Iti
s.

Hedr
oveal
i
ttl
eoutofMaunusi
ngt
heShor
ober
oad.

Nomah:
Wecan'
tbebackl
ate.
Thobo:
Youar
ewi
thme,
rel
ax.

AtMmaKemmony
e'shouse.
.

Shegotoutofbedfur
iousandputonhergownas
theknocki
nggotl
ouder.

MmaKemmony
e:Whoi
sit
?

Sheopenedt
hedoorandf
oundBal
ebeng.

MmaKemmony
e:Whatdoy
ouwanther
e,doy
ou
wantmet
ocal
lthePol
i
ceagai
n?
Bal
ebeng:
Iam l
ooki
ngf
orKi
m.
MmaKemmony e:Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
sbutI
knowshedoesn'
tstayher
eanymor
e.

SheclosedthedoorinBalebeng'
sface.Balebeng
cl
ickedhist
onguewal ki
ngbackt ohiscardial
ing
Kim'snumberbutitdi
dn'tgothrough.

Nomahputherhandoutt hewi ndowandinhal

edthe
str
ongwindthathi
therface.Shesmi l
edandlooked
atThobothensheincr
easedt heradi
ovol
ume.She
cl
osedhereyesandsangal ongt ot
hesong.

Weal
lmakemi
stakes
Youmi
ghtf
all
ony
ourf
ace
Buty
ougot
tagetup!
I
'
drat
herst
andt
all
Thanl
i
veonmyknees
'
CauseI
'
m aconquer
or
AndIwon'
tacceptdef
eat
Tr
ytel
l
ingmeno
Onet
hingaboutme
I
sI'
m aconquer
or
Iam aconquer
or
Oohoh

Thobol
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
What
?
Thobo:
Not
hing.
Nomah:
Ican'
tgethi
sli
tt
lesmi
l
eoutofmymi
nd.

Thobosmi
l
edandt
ouchedherhand.
Nomah:
Cany
oupl
easepul
lov
er?
Thobo:
Emapel
eEl
ephant
snor
mal
l
ypassher
e.

Heparkedt wokilomet
ersawayandlookedat
Nomah, shesteppedoutofthecarandwentovert
o
thedr
iver'
sside,sheopenthedoorandhel
ped
Thoboout .

Thobo:
What
?

Shehuggedhi m,hehuggedherback,Thobopull
ed
herincloserandbreathedonherneck,hehugged
hersot i
ghtl
ysqueezingherli
tt
lebodyinhischest.
Theycouldf eelt
heirhear
tsbeati
ngagainsteach
other.

Thobokissedt
hemiddleofherhead,Nomahr
aised
herheadandtheyl
ookedateachother.
Thobol
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
,chi
l
lsr
andown
Nomah' sspine.Shesmiledinthemiddl
eofthekiss
thensoundsofbr eaki
ngbr anchescamecl
ose.They
stoppedkissingandlookedateachothert
heirey
es
sparkl
ingfrom thecl
earmoon.

Thobo:
Don'
tpani
cit
'sanEl
ephant
.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE26

Thobo:
Don'
tpani
cit
'sanEl
ephant
.

Nomahhel
dont
ohi
mti
ght
ly.

Nomah:(
Whisper
ing)HowdoInotpani
c?Idon'
t
wantt
odie.
Thobo:
(Whi
sper
ing)Youar
enotgoi
ngt
odi
eIam
her
e.

Theyremainedli
kethatsi
lentf
orafewminut
es.The
el
ephanteventual
lyl
eftaf
terbr
eaki
ngafew
branches.

Nomah:
Isi
tgone?
Thobo:
Yes.
Nomah:Wealway
sgeti
nter
rupt
edeveninthejungl
e.
Nooneappr
oves,ev
ent
heanimalsdon'
tapprove.
Thobo:
Dowecar
e?
Nomah:Gonemmewhatar
ewedoi
ng?Thi
sis
wrong.
Thobo:
Isi
twr
ongt
obehappy
?
Nomah:
YouknowwhatImean.
Thobo:Ar
eweev
ergoi
ngt
otel
lev
ery
oneour
busi
ness?
Nomah:
Wehav
eabusi
nessnow?
Thobo:
Yes.
Nomah:Whyarewest
il
lwhi
sper
ingaker
ethe
el
ephanti
sgone.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Thobo:
Don'
trui
nthemoment
.
Nomahrest
edherheadonhi
schestandcl
osedher
eyes.

Thobo:
Dowehav
etogoback?
Nomah: Haha.
.doesi
tmakemeabadmothert
hatI
am feel
i
nghowIam feel
i
ngwhenmybabyhasn'
t
evenbeenburi
ed.
Thobo:Itdoesn'tmakey ouabadmot herforhavi
ng
feel
i
ngsandwant i
ngt obeloved.Iknowt hisri
ght
nowmi ghtnotseem likeagoodi deabutIwanty ou
toknowt hatIam wil
lingtowaitforaslongas
possibl
e.Iwill
behereunt i
lthedayy oudon'tfeel
badforsmi l
ingorbeinghappyokay .

Nomahsmi
l
edandpul
l
edher
sel
fback.

Nomah:
Thanky
ou.Weshoul
dgetgoi
ngi
tsget
ti
ng
dar
k.
Thobo:
Yesi
tis.
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orherandt
heyl
eft
.

AtKi
m'shouse

Shesatont hef
luf
fymat
tinherpi
nkgown,hai
rdone
andli
tt
lemakeuponandtooksomemi rr
orsel
fi
es.
ShepostedoneonFacebookcapt
ioned"
Jesustake
thewheel"
.

Shesatdownandr emovedallhermakeupandhai r
beforeshegotintobed.Herphonerang,shei gnored
i
tunt i
lBalebenghungup.AnSMSr eport
ed" You
don'tknowmel i
tt
legi
rl
,youar
egoingtoj ai
lifyou
don'tbri
ngmymoney "
.Kimreadthetextandcl icked
hertongue.

Kim:Wenawhatar
eyougoingtobri
ngback,you
for
gett
hatyouwer
esleepi
ngwithmeev er
yday.
Mongwelemongweoj akoajewangteng.
Bal
ebeng:
Iam notpay
ingf
ort
hatol
dsmashed
v
agi
nai
twasdamagedl
ongbef
oreme.
Kim:Yety
oudi
vor
cedy
ourwi
fef
ort
hisol
dsmashed
vagi
na
Balebeng:Otsi
legonyel
a,youandibet
ternotmeet
anywhereorelseitwi
l
lbethelastt
imeyourmother
seesy oual
iv
e.
Ki
m: Sotel
lme,isKaraboreal
lyyourli
tt
lebr
otheror
ol
derbecausedudeistwiceyoursize.

Bal
ebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueandputhi
sphonedown.

TheFol
l
owi
ngMor
ningaf
tert
hebur
ial
.

Bonni
eknockedsof
tl
yonNomah'
sbedr
oom door
.

Nomah:
Comei
n.

Bonni
ecamei
nandsatont
hebednextt
oBonni
e.
ShehuggedNomahandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Bonni
e:Hey
.
Nomah:
Hi.
Bonni
e:Howar
eyou?Mxm t
hat
'sast
upi
dquest
ion.
Nomah:
(Letoutaf
adesmi
l
e)
Bonni
e:Ij
ustcamebyt
oseehowy
ouar
edoi
ng.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
lbef
ine.
Bonni
e:Youwil
lbe.IaskedMmaThobot
otaket
he
ki
dsforthehol
i
daysifyoudon'
tmi
nd.
Nomah:Theyenj
oyspendingt
imewitht
hei
rcousi
ns
soIt
hinki
t'
swhattheyneedri
ghtnow.
Bonnie:Akere.Youknowl i
feisshortmma, t
hisjust
mademer eali
zegor ekanatomorrowisnot
promised.Ihavebeent al
kingaboutget
ti
ngmy
famil
ybackt ogetherkesadirebutnowIam goi ng
totakeacti
on.iseethewayThoboandi lookateach
otherandiseegor ewest i
lll
oveeachother,pr
oblem
i
spr i
defrom bothofus.
Shel
ookedatNomahsmel
l
ingt
hel
i
ttl
ebabyf
leece
shewashol
ding.

Bonnie:
Iam sor
ryf
orgoi
ngonandonaboutmyl
i
fe,
Iam sorr
y.
Nomah:
It'
sokay
.
Bonni
e:Letmel
ety
out
orestaker
e.

Nomahknodherhead.

Att
heFur
nit
ureShop.
.

Balebengwal
kedi
nwithal
ett
erf
rom t
hePoli
ce
Stati
on.Hewasdi
rect
edi
ntheManager'
sof
fi
ce.

Manager
:Soy
ousayhowmuchwasspenther
e?
Bal
ebeng:
Tent
housandpul
a.
TheManagercheckedi
nhi
scomput
erandsi
ghed.

Manager
:Name!
Bal
ebeng:
Bal
ebengNgwako.

TheManagerbithislowerliptypi
ngonhi slapt
op
thenhewentthroughhispaper work.Hetookouta
stackofpaper
sandwentt hroughthem t
henhe
showedBalebeng.Balebengshookhi sheadand
l
aughedindisbeli
ef.

Bal
ebeng:
Shef
orgedmysi
gnat
ure.Ev
ery
thi
ngher
e
i
ssignedi
nmyname.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE27

Bal
ebeng:
Shef
orgedmysi
gnat
ure.Ev
ery
thi
ngher
e
i
ssignedi
nmyname.
Manager
:Wear
esor
rySi
r.
Balebeng:Howdoy oumakesuchal
arge
tr
ansactionwi
thoutaski
ngf
oranID.
Manager
:Si
rshecouldn'
thavewenttowit
hdr
awthe
moneyandcamehere,thepr
oblem i
snotour
s.

Balebengstoodupwi t
ht hepapersandcl i
ckedhis
tongueleaving.Hi sphoner epor
tedanSMSand
threehundredpul ahadbeenwi thdrawn.He
screamedf uri
ousandki ckedhiscart y
res.Hedial
ed
Kim butshedi dn'tpickup.Hegoti nhiscarand
cuppedhi sface,her aisedhiscarandKi m'scar
passedr i
ghtinfrontofhi m.Hepul l
edtheseatbelt
andf ol
lowedher .

Meanwhi
l
eKi
mlookedi
nthemi
rr
orandsaw
Balebeng'scarf oll
owingher,
shepanickedand
l
ookedar ound.Ther obotcl
osedandshedr ov
epast
i
t.Shesmi ledputti
ngonhersunglassest hena
Policemot or
cyclesir
enwenton,thePoliceoffi
cer
i
nstr uct
edhert ost opbutshekeptdri
vi
ngand
parkedaf ewmet ersaway.

Of
fi
cer
:Madam el
egor
eyoudi
dn'
tseet
hatr
obot
?
Ki
m:Idi
dIwasr
unni
ngawayf
rom myexboy
fri
end.
Of
fi
cer
:Idon'
tcarewhatyouwer
erunni
ngf
rom,
let
meseeyourdr
iver
'sl
i
cense.
Ki
m:If
orgoti
tathome.

TheOf
fi
cerl
ookedatherupanddown.

Of
fi
cer
:Youdon'
thav
eal
i
censedoy
ou?
Ki
m:Justchar
gemet
her
ra.
Bal
ebeng'
scarapproached,
hepar
kedr
ighti
nfr
ont
ofKi
m'scarandsteppedout.

Ki
m:I
fyoudoany
thi
ngt
ome.
.
Bal
ebeng:
Giv
ememycar
d.
Ki
m:Bal
ebengi
f.
.

Her
eachedf
ort
hecarkey
s,Ki
m'shandbagandl
eft
.

Off
icer
:Mor
enaar
eyougoi
ngt
odi
srespectmel
i
ke
t
hat?
Balebeng:
Chargemethen.WenaKim ont
wael
a
masepa.Iam notdonewit
hyou,t
hisi
sthe
beginni
ng.

Hegoti
nhiscaranddr
oveaway
.Ki
mlookedatt
he
pol
i
ceoff
icer
.
Ki
m: Howarewesupposedtotr
usty
ouwhenI
l
it
eral
lygotr
obbedI
nfr
ontofyou.
Off
icer:Mam Iwantyourful
lnames.Nnai
don'
tget
i
nvolvediny
ourrelat
ionshi
pissues.
Ki
m:NomahNgwako.
.t
hat
'smyname.
Of
fi
cer
:Madam i
fyouar
ely
ingt
ome.
.
Kim:
Whywouldi
li
eaker
eyoul
ett
hatmant
akemy
bagt
hathadmyI
D.

TheOffi
cert
ookdownal lherdetai
lsandgavehera
ti
ckett
henhelef
t.Kimleanedagainstthecarand
cuppedherf
ace,sheremember edherphoneandall
themoneyshehasareinthepur seinherhandbag.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Nomah'sbi
gbrotherhuggedherandtookouthis
wal
let
.Hecountedaf ewnotesandputthem i
n
Nomah'shand.
Norman:Thi
sisnotmuchbutIhopei
t'
senought
o
getyoubyunt
ily
ougetbackonyourf
eet.

Nomahrai
sedherey esandlookedathersi
steri
n-
l
awwhowasl ookingdown.Sheknewt hi
swasgoi ng
t
ocauseafightbetweenthem.

Nomah:
Thanky
oubuty
oudon'
thav
etowor
ryabout
me.

Shetri
edtogi
vebackt
hemoneybutt
hebr
other
ref
used.

Wif
e:Aoifshesaysshedoesn'
tneedt
hemoney
t
hentakeitback.
Norman:Moneyi
snev
erenough,
keepi
tforf
utur
e
usethen.

Nomahsmi
l
edandhuggedherBr
otherback.
Nomah:
Thanky
ousomuch.
Nor
man: Ronawehavet
ogowel
eftt
heki
dswi
th
t
hei
rteenagecousi
n.
Nomah:
Iappr
eci
atey
oucomi
ng.

Shehuggedbothoft
hem andt
heyl
eftt
henherot
her
brot
hercamein.

Nor
m:Howar
eyou?
Nomah:
Iwi
l
lbef
ine.
Norm:
Ourmot her'
shouse,t
hetenant
sbadul
enow
al
lwehav
et odoispainti
tbecauseei
sht
hepai
nti
s
ol
danddi
rtyinsi
de.
Nomah:
Okay
.
Norm:Whenar
eyoumovi
ngsot
hatIgett
he
pai
nter
stowor
kint
ime.
Nomah:
Nextweek,
hopef
ull
yendofnextweek.
Nor
m:Wi
tht
heki
ds?
Nomah:
Yes.
Norm:Whydon'tyouleav
ethem herewit
hthei
r
gr
andmotherunti
lyouareonyourfeet
?
Nomah:
No.

Shesatdownont
hebedandl
ookedatherbr
other
.

Nomah: Allmyl i
feIhav ealway shadpeopl et aking
careofme.WhenMum di edy ouguy stookcar eof
me, aft
erthatBalebengt ookcar eofme.Thi stime
aroundIwantt odoev er y
thingmy sel
f,Idon'twantto
dependonany oneany mor e.Iam goingt otakecar e
ofmyki dseveni ft
heirfatherst opssupportingt hem
i
t'
sf i
ne,Iwill
wor kfiv
ej obsi fneededtogi vemy
chil
drenthebestl i
fe.

Nor
m smi
l
edandt
ouchedhi
sli
tt
lesi
ster
'shands.

Nor
m:ThatBal
ebengIam pr
ayi
ngt
omeetwi
thhi
m,
hewil
lunderst
andgor
enoonemesseswi
thmyl
i
ttl
e
babysi
sterandget
sawaywi
thi
t.
Nomah:
Breakhi
steet
h.
Norm:
Ohbyt het
imeIam donewi
thhi
m hewon'
t
hav
easingl
etoot
hlef
t.

Nomahl
aughedandhuggedherbr
other
.

Nor
m: Iwi
l
l cal
lyouandupdat
eyouaboutev
ery
thi
ng
r
egardi
ngtherenovat
ions.
Nomah:
Dot
hat
.

Theyhuggedonel
astt
imeandhel
eft
.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse

Balebengcameoutoft
hebathr
oom wr
appedina
towelthenhewentt
oopenthedoor
.TwoPoli
ce
off
icer
sandKim st
oodatthedoor
.Bal
ebenglooked
atKim andshet
wist
edherli
pswit
hanatti
tude.

Off
icer:MrNgwakoy
ouar
eunderar
restf
or
t
hreateni
ngtoki
ll
.
Bal
ebeng:
What
?
Kim:Yestheev
idencei
sinmyphonet
haty
ou
conf
iscat
ed.

Kimlookedinsi
dethehouseandherhandbagwas
onthetabl
e.Shegotinsi
deandtookoutherphone
fr
om herhandbagthenshewentthr
oughy est
erday'
s
heat
edmessagesbet weenherandBalebengthen
sheshowedt hePol
iceOff
icer
.

Ki
m:Yousee,
her
e!

TheOf
fi
cerr
eadt
hemessage.
Off
icer
:Handcufhi
m aker
eenekelewrongt
urnhe
goesaroundt
hreat
eningt
okil
lpeopl
e.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE28

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay
..

Aftercleaningherbedr oom Nomahsatdownont he

bedl ookingatt hewal l.Shewasn'tt hi
nkingabout
anythinginpar ti
cular.Hermi ndwasal lover.She
breathedoutl oudandl ookedattheonl ybagshe
had, thatwasev er
ythingshehad, j
ustaf ew
mat ernit
ydr essesandshoes.Shedi dn'thavea
blanketorany t
hing,herst ar
ti
ngov ergaveabr and
newmeani ng.Shel iterallyhadnothingbutt hetwo
thousandpul ashegotf rom herolderbrother.

Shegr abbedapi eceofpaperandapenawr ot

e
downt helistofeverythi
ngsheneeded.She
esti
mat edthetotalandsighed.Thetot
alwasf
ive
hundredpul amor ethanshehad.
ThedooropenedandMmaThobocamei
n.

MmaThobo:
Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyou?
Nomah:Iam good.Iam j
ustl
ooki
ngatmybagand
r
eal
isedgor
et hi
sisever
ythi
ngIhave,
justt
hatbag.
MmaThobo:Akeret
hati
swhyIsai
dmov
eoutonce
youar
esett
led.
Nomah:
No,
weal
lhav
etost
artsomewher
eaker
e.
MmaThobo:
True.
Nomah:
Yeah.
MmaThobo:Ihav
etogot oast
okv
elmeet
ing,
ther
e
i
sbr
eakfasti
ntheki
tchen.
Nomah:Thankyouforever
ythi
ng,
youhav ebeen
amazi
ngsincethedaywemeetuntil
today,youhave
al
waystr
eatedmel i
keyourowndaughteri
nsteadof
adaught
erin-
law.

MmaThobosmi
l
ed.
MmaThobo:Iwoul
dexchangeBal
ebengandKar
abo
f
ory
oualone.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.

MmaThobo:
Letmego.
Nomah: Iwanttogoovert
oBalebeng'
shouseand
getal
lthechil
dren'
sbel
ongi
ngs.
MmaThobo:
Wai
tformeunt
ilIam backorcal
l
Thobo.
Nomah:Noi
t'
sfi
net
heyar
enotmanyIwi
l
lgoby
mysel
f.
MmaThobo:
Ifhehar
assesy
oucal
lmeort
hePol
i
ce.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
l.

MmaThobol
eft
,Nomahwentt
oshowert
henshel
eft
t
oo.
Att
hePol
i
ceSt
ati
on

TheOf fi
cergaveBalebengthephoneandstoodby
thewalllooki
ngathim.Balebengsighedandpi
cked
upt hephone,hedial
edThobo'snumber ,
itr
ang
twicethenhepickedup.

Thobo:
Hel
l
o!
Bal
ebeng:
HikeSbal
e.
Thobo:
Mmmh?
Bal
ebeng:
Iam i
nthepoli
cestat
ioncanyoupl
ease
comegetme?Igotar
restedmaabane.
Thobo:
Ronawear
ebusywi
tht
hebur
ial
.
Bal
ebeng:Keagokopaplease,
ever
yoneisgoi
ngon
hol
idayt
odayandi
fIdon'
tgetoutofher
eIam goi
ng
tocomeoutonTuesday
.
Thobo:Youshoul
dhavethoughtaboutt
hatwhen
youdidwhatev
eryoudi
dt ol
andy our
sel
finj
ail
.
Bal
ebeng:
Please.
.
Thobohungupandcl ickedhistongue,
heputhis
phonedownt henhepickeditupandcalledbackthe
numberbutitdidn'
tgothrough.Hegrabbedhiscar
keysandphonet henl
eft.

AtKi
m'shouse.

ShesatI nfr
ontofthemirrordoinghermakeupthen
shesighed.Herphoner ang,itwasthepol
icest
ation.
Sheignor edthecal
l,
theycalledagai
nandshest i
ll
didn'
tpickup.

AtBal
ebeng'
shouse

Nomahknockedunt i
lshegaveup, shewentar ound
thehouseandcheckedt hebackdoor ,itwasn't
l
ocked, shegoti
nsideandthef i
rstthi
ngshesaw
wasapi peofdi
rt
yplatesandpot sinthesink.Ther
e
wasal soaboutsixemptytakeaway sontheki t
chen
counter.
Shewetothebedr
oom andopenedthewardr
obe,
cl
othesf
ell
down.Someonherclotheswer
eonthe
fl
oorwhi
lesomeinthewashi
ngbasket.

Shewenttothechil
dren'
sbedroom, i
twast heonl
y
ti
dyroom i
nsi
de.Shepackedallthechil
dren's
cl
othesandthei
rtoysthensheleft
.

Att
hePol
i
ceSt
ati
on

TheOf fi
ceropenedforBal
ebengandhefollowed
him outsi
detowhereThobowas.Thobost oodup
andlookedathisli
tt
lebrot
herweari
ngnothingatthe
topjustatowelwrappedaroundhi
stor
so.

Thobo:(Fur
ious)Coul
dn'tyouaskhi
mtoget
dressedbef
orey ouar
restedhi
m.
Of
fi
cer
:..
Thobo:
Keengkant
ewher
eisy
ourhumani
ty,
goeng
nebanna?
Bal
ebeng:
Didy
ougetmebai
l
?
Thobo:Unf
ort
unat
elythel
awyerhasal
readywenton
thehol
i
dayskeTuesdayhel
a.Whathappened?

Bal
ebengl
ookeddown.

Thobo:
Tal
ktome.
Balebeng:
Iwasangr
yandkindofsentKi
m at
ext
thatIwasgoi
ngtoki
llher
.
Thobo:
Youdi
dwhat
?
Bal
ebeng: Iwasangry,t
hatbit
chusedall
mymoney,
wholethir
tythousandpulaIhadlef
tandfor
gedmy
si
gnature,shecashedital
loutandshewastal
ki
ng
shi
t.
Thobo:Nowyouseewherethatangerl
andedyou,
thr
eateni
ngt
okil
lsomeoneisaseriousof
fenceand
youcangotojai
lhel
afory
ears.
Bal
ebengcuppedhi
sf acet
henhewipedhi
sface
wit
hbothhandsandlookedupathi
sbrot
her.

Thobo:
Giv
emehernumberandt
ryt
ogethert
o
cometoanagr
eement
.
Bal
ebeng:
74555*
**
Thobo:
Iwi
l
lgety
oucl
othes,
thi
snotf
unnyatal
l
.

Hest
oodupandwentout
sidedi
ali
ngKi
m.

Ki
m:Hel
l
o.
Thobo:
Hel
l
oyouar
etal
ki
ngt
oBal
ebeng'
sbr
other
.
Ki
m:Iam notdr
oppi
ngt
hechar
ges.
Thobo:Arey our
eadyt
of acet
went
yyear
sinpri
son
forf
raud,youknowfor
gingsomeone'
ssi
gnat
ureke
molatoakere.
Ki
m:Di
dyouseemef
orgei
t.
Thobo:
Youar
est
upi
dify
out
hinkl
i
ket
hat
.Wecan
comet oanagr eement,youdropthechargesoryou
andy ourboyfr
iendbothgotoj ai
l
.Hewi l
lonl
yserv e
twoy earswenabyt heti
mey oucomeoutofj aily
ou
wil
lbei nyourfour
ti
esandnomanwi llbeint
erested
i
ny ou.
Ki
m:(
Cry
ing)Idon'
twantt
ogot
ojai
l
.
Thobo:
Theny
ouknowwhatt
odo.

Hehungup,Kim wi
pedhert
ear
s,maybetheywere
j
ustscar
ingher
.Shegoogl
ed"i
sfor
gingsi
gnatur
ea
cr
ime?"

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng.
.

Thoboknockedsoft
lyatthemai
ndoorbefor
ehe
openedthedoor
.Deli
ciousar
omacamef r
om the
ki
tchenwhereNomahwas.Hesneakedbehindher
andhuggedherfr
om behind.
Nomahsmi
l
edandt
urnedar
oundsmi
l
ing.

Nomah:
(Whi
sper
ing)YourMum mi
ghtcomei
n.
Thobo:
So?

Heleanedov
erf
oraki
sst
henNomahpushedhi
m
back.

Thobo:
Howar
eyou?
Nomah:
Bonni
ethi
nksy
ouar
eget
ti
ngbackt
oget
her
.
Thobo:
What
?
Nomah:Yeah,nowsheismakingmef eelbadabout
t
hisbecauseshei
salwayst
alkingaboutwanti
ngher
f
amilyback.
Thobo:I
t'
sapit
yshewasn'
tthi
nkingabouther
famil
ywhenshewassl
eepi
ngar oundakerel
eavi
ng
mewi t
htheki
ds.
Nomah:
Shel
ovesy
ou.
Thobo:Lennathereissomeonei loveaker
e.What
shoul
dIdo,getbackt ogetherf
orthesakeoft
he
ki
ds?Whatisthisnineteensevent
ytwo?What
happenswhentheki dsgrowolderwedivor
ceagai
n?

Nomahdi
dn'
trepl
y.

Thobo:
Sowhatdoy
ousay
,ar
ewedoi
ngt
hisornot
?
Nomah:
Yourmot
her
?

Thobowenttoclosethedoor
,hepi
ckedupNomah
andputheronthekit
chencount
er.

Thobo:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
otel
lher
?
Nomah:
Nobut
..
Thobo:
Butwhat
?
Nomah:
Wecan'
tkeepar
elat
ionshi
pasecr
etf
orev
er.
Thobo:
Yeahwecan,
let
'st
ryi
fitf
ail
sthenf
ine.
Nomahsmi
l
ed.

Thobo:
Arewedoi
ngt
his?

Nomahknodherheadagr
eei
ng.

Mont
hsLat
er.
.
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE29

Mont
hsLat
er.
.

Nomahwal kedoutoftherestaur
antholdingabi
g
env
elope.Shelookedaroundthensheopenedher
env
elopeandwal kedt
owar dstheotherrest
aur
ant.

Nomah:
HiIam her
etodr
opof
fmyenv
elope.
Assi
stant
:Thatwaybutwear
enothi
ri
ng.
Nomah:
Thanky
ou.

ShewalkedtotheHRdepartmentandknocked
sof
tl
y."Comein"shewasinstr
ucted.Shewal
kedi
n
andsatonthearm chai
r.
Wi
nni
e:Nomah?

Nomahrai
sedherey
esandt
heymeetwi
thanol
d
f
ri
end.

Nomah:
Winni
e.
Wi
nni
e:Shee!

Nomahst
oodupandt
heyhugged.

Wi
nni
e:Sheebat
honghowl
onghasi
tbeen?
Nomah:
Almostt
eny
ear
s.

Theyhuggedagai
nthenbot
htookt
hei
rseat
s.

Winni
e:MmaIl
astsawy
oubef
orey
ouwentt
ogi
ve
bi
rth.
Nomah:
Eemma.
Wi
nni
e:Di
dyouev
ergobackt
oschool
?
Nomah:
Idi
d,Ir
epeat
edf
ormf
ive.
Wi
nni
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Nomah:.MmaIam dr
oppi
ngappl
i
cat
ionsal
lov
erI
am l
ookingf
oraj
ob.
Winnie:Fr
iendmmar onawear
enothi
ringbutl
etme
seeIncaseanyt
hingcomesupyouwil
lbethefi
rstI
cal
l.

Winni
etookoutNomah'
spaper
s.Shef
rownedand
l
ookedupatheroldf
ri
end.

Winnie:Fr
iendaf
ormf i
vecert
if
icat
eanddi
ref
erencetsamateacher?Heel
aMmaMokokoev en
passedawaywenay ouaresti
llhol
dingherr
efer
ence?
Nomah:Idon'
thav
eref
erences,
Ihav
enev
erwor
ked
bef
ore.
Wi
nni
e:Younev
erdi
dacour
se?
Nomahshookherhead.

Winnie:Ei
shfri
endIdon'tmeant ober udebutthe
onl
yj obyoucanf i
ndkaf or
mf i
ver i
ghtnowi si
nthe
Chineseshops,l
er onahelawehi r
ekaat l
east
cer
t i
fi
catei
ntravelandtouri
sm forawai t
ressi
ngjob.
Nomah:Mmat
hat
'swhatt
heysai
dint
hepr
evi
ous
r
estaur
ant
.
Winni
e:YeahEi
sh,
sowhyhav
eyounev
erenr
oll
ed
anywher
e?
Nomah:
Longst
oryf
oranot
herday
.
Winni
e:Yeah,
howi
sthebaby
,Ibetshei
snotababy
anymore.
Nomah:
Shei
sdoi
ngst
andar
dsi
xebi
l
e.
Wi
nni
e:No.
Nomah:
Yeahandshehasal
i
ttl
ebr
other
.
Winni
e:That
'sgr
eatakerennammaIam st
il
lwai
ti
ng
f
ortheri
ghtmantohav eachil
dwi
th.
Nomah:
Hahagoodf
ory
ou,
don'
tgof
orj
ustany
thi
ng,
Il
ear
ntt
hehar
dway
.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Nomah:Letmegommabutontigi
l
emoral
egore,
I
hav
ebeenjobhunt
ingf
ormont
hsnowandsti
l
l
not
hing.
Winni
e:Leaveyourpaper
swithmeIwi
ll
seewhatto
doorwhot otal
ktobutri
ghtnowwehavenot
hing.
Nomah:
Tanki
themma.

Winni
ewal kedhertothegatewhiletheytal
ked
abouttheoldtimes.Theyhuggedandshel eft
.As
shecrossedtheroadamov i
ngcarsplashedherwit
h
dir
tyrai
nwat erfr
om yest
erday'
srain.

Nomah:
Heebat
hong!
Shewipedherf
acethent
hecarpar
kedandt
he
dri
verst
eppedout
.

Hi
m:Iam sosor
ry,
Iam sososor
ry.

Nomaht
ookoutherpaper
sfr
om t
heenv
elopeand
t
heywer
erui
ned.

Nomah:
Aor
ra!
Hi
m:Iam v
erysor
ryIwasont
hephoneand.
.Ei
sh.
.
Nomah:
It'
sfi
nebuty
our
uinedmypaper
s.
Hi
m:Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
Nomah:Youaregoi
ngtohavet
ogiv
ememoneyf
or
newpri
ntsandgoi
ngtocer
ti
fyt
hem.

Themantookoutahundr
edpulanot
efrom hi
s
wal
let
.Nomahlookedupathi
m andfel
tsor
ry.
Nomah:I
t'
sfi
ney
oudi
dn'
ti
ntent
ional
l
yspl
ashdi
rt
y
wat
eronme.
Hi
m:ButIr
uinedy
ourpaper
s.
Nomah:
It'
sfi
ne.
Hi
m:Letmet
akey
ouhomet
hen.

Nomahlookedatthemanandhelookeddecent
,he
hadonat-shir
tfr
om oneoft
henet
worksandhe
wasdri
vi
ngt hecompanycar
.

Nomah:
Okay
.

Heopenedt hedoorf orherandshegotinside.He

wentov ert
othedriver'
ssideandpulledt
heseatbelt
.
Nomahgav ehert
hedi rect
ionsandtheydrovein
si
lence.HeparkedInfrontoftheyar
dandl ookedat
Nomah.

Hi
m:Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
Nomah:
It'
sfi
ney
oudi
dn'
tdoi
tint
ent
ional
l
y.
Him:Ihaveateenagedaughtersheistheonegivi
ng
medomuchst r
ess,t
heteacherjustcal
ledmear e
sheisnotatschool
,sheishangingoutwithbad
crowd.
Nomah:
Iam sor
ry.
Him:WhatdoIdowi t
hateenagernemma,
tel
lme
youwer
eonceat eenagegi
rl
.

Nomahl
aughed.

Nomah:Iwasateenagemothert
oo,
can'
treal
giv
e
adv
ice.Wher
eishermother
?
Hi
m:Shepassedaway
.
Nomah:
Iam sor
ry.
.
Hi
m: Itri
edtobeather
,tookawayhercel
l
phone,
t
hreatenedherbutnot
hingworks.
Nomah: Hav
eyoutr
iedsi
tt
ingdownwit
hherand
askedherwhyshei
sbehavingt
hewayshei
s.I
knowwhenIwasateenagerIdidnaught
ythingsfor
att
ent
ion.May
besheistr
yingtogetyourat
tenti
on.

Themanrest
edhi
sbackont
heseatandl
ookedat
Nomah.

MeanwhileBonni
e'
scarwaspar
kedaf
ewmet
ersby
t
hetree.Herphoner
ang.

Bonni
e:Hel
l
o.
Thobo:
Heydi
dyoumanaget
ogett
hemedi
cal
car
d?
Bonni
e:Noi
wasonmywayt oNomah'
shouse,she
i
sinacarwi
thamansoIdon'
twantt
odist
urbher.
Thobo:
Shei
sinacarwi
thaman?
Bonni
e:Yes,i
thasbeenpar
kedI
nfr
ontofhergat
e
foral
mosttenminut
esnowIdon'
twanttodi
stur
b.
Thobo:
Okay
.
Thobohungupanddi
aledNomah.

Nomah:
Hel
l
o.
Thobo:Whathav
ey oubeent
alki
ngaboutf
ort
hel
ast
tenminut
es.Goinsi
de.
Nomah:
Hahauhu,
eer
ra!

Shehungupandputherphonei
nherpur
se.

Nomah:
Onceagai
nthanky
ouf
ort
her
idehome.

Theysai
dgoodby
eandNomahgotof
fthecar
.

Att
heCl
i
nic.
.

Kim sati
nhercarlooki
ngatthegate,shespott
ed
thepersonshehadbeenwaitingfor
.Shegotoutof
thecarandhurr
iedtowardsher.Theli
tt
legi
rlputher
mat
erni
tycar
dbet
weenherar
mpi
tandwav
edf
ora
t
axi
.

Ki
m:Hi
,youneedar
ide?

Theli
tt
legi
rlwhol
ookedaboutsev
ent
eencr
adl
ed
herst
omachandlookedatKi
m.

Her
:Not
hanksIwi
l
lgetat
axi
.
Ki
m:ThemmaIneedy
ourf
avour
.
Her
:Whatf
avour
?it
'shotIwantt
ogohome.
Kim:Ineedy
ourur
ine,
Iwi
l
lpayy
out
hreehundr
ed
pula.
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE30

Ki
m:ThemmaIneedy
ourf
avour
.
Her
:Whatf
avour
?it
'shotIwantt
ogohome.
Kim:Ineedy
ourur
ine,
Iwi
l
lpayy
out
hreehundr
ed
pula.
Her
:What
?
Ki
m: Ij
ustwanty
out
opeeonapr
egnantt
esthel
aI
wi
llpayyou.

Thelit
tl
egirll
ookedatKimli
keshewasj
oking.She
thoughtaboutwhatshewouldbuywi
tht
hree
hundredpulabutwhatift
hewomanbiwi
tchesher?

Shel
ookedatKim andshedidn'tlookl
ikeonet
o
bewi
tchsomeoneplustheydidn'tknoweachot
her
.
Her
:Whydoy
ouneedaposi
ti
vepr
egnancyt
est
?
Ki
m:Fourhundr
edpul
aee.
Her
:Okaywher
edowedoi
t?
Ki
m:Wecangot
omyhouse.
Her
:HowdoIknowy
ouwi
l
lpayme,
giv
emet
he
moneyf
ir
st.

Theywal kedt
oKim'
scar.Shepi
ckedupherpur
se
andtookouttwotwohundredpul
anotesandgave
thegir
l.Shegoti
nKi
m'shouseandtheydrov
etoher
house.

AtNomah'
shouse.

Sheopenedt
hedoorf
orBonni
e,shecamei
nsmi
l
ing
naught
il
y.
Bonni
e:Iam notgoi
ngt
ojudgey
ou.
Nomah:
What
?
Bonni
e:Isawy
ouwi
tht
hatguyi
nthatcar
.

Nomahsmi
l
edandgav
ehert
hemedi
cal
car
d.

Bonni
e:I
t'
sokayasamot
hert
omov
eony
ouknow.
Nomah:
Iwi
shy
ouwoul
ddot
hesame.
Bonni
e:(
Fadesmi
l
e)Letmegetgoi
ng.
Nomah:
Iam sor
ryi
fIof
fendedy
ou.
Bonni
e:Noiam notof
fended,l
ennaIwantt omove
onbutmyhearti
sbehindwithThobo.It
hinkhei
s
sei
ngsomeonethesedays.

Nomahswal
l
owedhar
d.

Bonni
e:Hel
ookshappi
ernyanat
heseday
sev en
whenhecomesbyhestaystwominut
esthenhe
l
eav
es.
Nomah:
Didy
ouaskhi
m?
Bonni
e:Wher
edoi
evenbegi
n?
Nomah:
Aker
e.

Bonni
esatdownandl
ookedatNomah.

Bonni
e:Doyout
hinki
t'
sser
iousnemma,
him and
thewoman?
Nomah:
Idon'tknow,
Idon'
tev
enknowt
her
eisa
womankeutwakawena.
Bonni
e:I
t'
sprobabl
ynot
hingser
ious,
hewoul
dhav
e
i
ntr
oducedhertohi
smother.
Nomah:
May
bei
t'
sst
il
lnew.
Bonni
e:May
be.
.(st
oodup)Letmegomma.
Nomah:
Yeah.
Bonni
e:WhatdoyoudoonaFr i
dayev
eni
ngnemma,
l
et'
sgooutfordi
nneranddr
inks.
Nomah:
Idon'
tdr
ink.
Bonni
e:Youwi
llhav
enonalcohol
i
ckanay
ouhav
e
pl
answithMrf
rom ear
li
er.
Nomah:
Hahano.
Bonni
e:Gr
eatIwi
l
lcomepi
cky
ouupar
oundei
ght
aker
e.
Nomah:
Okay
.

Bonniegotinhercarandshewav edatNomah,
Nomahcl osedthedoorandwenti ntoherbedroom.
Shethrewherselfont hematt
resst henshehearda
carparki
ngoutside.Shegotupandl ookedoutsi
de,
ThoboparkedInfrontofthehouseandst eppedout
wit
ht wotakeaway s.Heknockedonceandgot
i
nside.

Nomahcamef
rom t
hebedr
oom f
ixi
nghert
op.

Nomah:
Soy
ouhav
edi
spyar
oundaker
e?
Thoboputt
het
akeaway
sont
het
abl
eandki
ssed
Nomah.

Thobo:
Waj
ola?
Nomah:Hej
ustgav
emeal
i
ftbecausehespl
ashed
wat
eronme.
Thobo:Hedi
dintent
ional
l
ysothathecanusei
tas
anexcuset
obringyouhome,IknowmenIam one
ofthem.
Nomah:
Haha.

Nomahwentt
olockt
hedoor
.

Nomah: Bonni
ewasher
e,sheist
heonewhotol
d
youaboutthemanaker
e?Ithi
nkshei
sstar
ti
ngto
suspectsomethi
ng.
Thobo:
What
,di
dshesaysomet
hing?
Nomah:Nojustwhatshewassayi
nghel
aitsounded
l
ikesheknewbutwantedmetosayit
.

ThobotouchedNomah'
sshoul
der
sandl
ookedi
nto
herey
es.

Thobo:
Nooneknowsaboutus,
Ionl
ycomeher
e
duri
ngtheni
ghtwhent
heki
dsaresl
eepi
ng.
Nomah:
May
besomeonesawy
ourcarandt
oldher
.
Thobo:
Youwor
ryf
ornot
hing,
comeher
e.

Heki
ssedher
.

Thobo:
Kegor
eoseri
ousy
oudon'
twantmet
obuy
youabednemma.
Nomah:
Itol
dyouIam nol
ongerr
ely
ingonany
one.
Thobo:
Sohowl ongar
eyougoi
ngt
obesl
eepi
ngon
thematt
ress.
Nomah:
Unt
ilIgetaj
obandaf
for
dabed.
Thobo:
Ehemma.Sonnawhenam Igoi
ngt
osl
eep
over
?

Nomahl
etoutaf
adesmi
l
e.

Thobo:Comeonwehavebeent
ogetherf
oral
mosta
yearnow,howl
ongcanamanwait
?
Nomah:
Justgi
vemeal
i
ttl
eti
me.
Thobo:
Okay
.
Nomah:Ihav
eonl
ysleptwithBalebengi
nmyli
fe,
youhav
etounder
standit
'snoteasyforme.
Thobo:
Sur
e.
Nomah:
Don'
tsayt
hat
.
Thobo:
Ker
eng?Youar
enotr
eadyIunder
standt
hat
.

Nomahwenttothekit
chenandcamewitht
wo
gl
assesofdr
ink,
theysatdownandst
art
edeat
ing.
Nomah:Bonni
easkedmet
ogooutwi
thher,
just
di
nneranddri
nks.
Thobo:
Okay
.
Nomah: I
fyoudon'
twantmet
ogot
heni
t'
sfi
neIwi
l
l
cancel
Thobo:Nogo,l
ennaIhav
esomet
hingIhav
etodo
atther
anch.

Nomahputherfooddownthenshewentt
ositon
Thobo'
slap,
shewrappedherar
msaroundhi
m and
l
eanedoverki
ssi
nghim.

Thobo:
Lesagont
shwar
isanopat
hemma.
Nomah:
Ipr
omi
sey
out
hewai
tiswor
thi
t.
Thobo:
Isi
t?
Nomah:
Ipr
omi
se.
Sheki
ssedhi
m.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

MmaThobowalkedouthercousi
ntohiscaroutsi
de
t
henshewentbacktothehousewherethekids
wer
ewatchi
ngTV.

MmaThobo:Yourf
athersai
dhewi
l
lcomegety
ou
guy
stomorr
ow.
Karen:
Dad'
splacei
sbor
ing,
Ipr
eferatt
her
anch
wit
hUncleThobo.
Juni
or:
Heal
way
scomest
oourhousewheny
ouar
e
asl
eep.
Kar
en:
What
?
Juni
or:
Uncl
eThobocomest
oourhouseev
eryni
ght
whenyouar
esl
eeping.
MmaThobo:
Juni
or,
Ibet
ternotheary
ousayt
hat
agai
n.
Juni
or:
Buti
t'
str
ue.
MmaThobo:
Butnev
err
epeati
ttoany
onedoy
ou
hearme.
Juni
or:
..
MmaThobo:
(Fur
ious)Di
dyouhearme?
Juni
or:
YesMa'
am.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE31

MmaThobot
urnedt
oKar
en.

MmaThobo:LewenaInev
erwanty
outorepeat
whaty
oujusthear
dher
edoyouhearme?
Kar
en:
Nnai
nev
erseeUncl
e.
MmaThobo:
KareIneverwantt
ohearanyofy
ou
guy
sabuaaboutt
his.
Kar
en:
Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngbutf
ine.

Everyonekeptquietandcont
inuedeat i
ngthei
rfood.
MmaThobol ookedatJuni
orandwonder edi
fmay be
hewasmi stakingThobo'
scarf orsomeoneelse'
s.
ButthenagainJuniorisj
ustachi l
d,hehadno
reasontoli
eormakeupst or
ies.
MmaThobo' sheartsunk,shewasmor ethan
disappoi
nted.Shebecameangr y
, shegr
abbedher
phoneandwentout side,
shedialedThobo'snumber
thenshehungup.

AtKi
m'shouse

Kim hi
dapositi
vepregnancyt
estunderthebedas
sheheardacarparkInfr
ontofherhouse,sher
ushed
tothebathr
oom andwashedherf acet
henshe
fl
ushedthetoi
l
et.

Thebedr
oom dooropenedandKingsl
eycamei
n
wit
hatakeawayoffr
iedchi
cken.

Ki
ngsl
ey:
Hey
.
Kim:Hi
ebi
l
eIdi
dn'
tcookkana,
Ihav
ebeensi
ckal
l
day.
Shet ookt
hefoodfrom Ki
ngsleyandsatdown.She
touchedherchestt
hencoveredhermouth.

Ki
ngsl
ey:
Arey
ouokay
?
Ki
m:MmhMmhi
am.

Sher antothebat
hroom andknel
tdownpret
endi
ng
tothrowup.Sheflushedthet
oil
etandst
oodup.
Kingsleycamein.

Ki
ngsl
ey:
Babear
eyouokay
?

Ki
mfannedher
sel
fwi
thherhand.

Ki
m:Wat
er!Wat
er!

Ki
ngsl
eywentt
otheki
tchenandcamewi
thagl
ass
ofwater
.Ki
mtookasi
pandsuppor
tedher
sel
fwi
th
thewall
.

Kingsl
ey:
What'
sgoi
ngony
ouhav
ebeensi
ckkana
forafewday
snow.

Kim satont
hebedandcov er
edherf
ace.Sher
aised
herheadandlookedatKi
ngsley
.

Ki
m:Ihavebeennauseous,
tir
edandi
hav
en'
tgot
myper
iod.
Ki
ngsl
ey:
What
?

Ki
ngsl
eyst
eppedbackandcuppedhi
sface.

Ki
ngsl
ey:
Youcan'
tbepr
egnant
.
Ki
m:Yout
hinkIwant
edt
his?
Ki
ngsl
ey:
Buty
ouar
eont
hepi
l
l,may
bey
ouar
ejust
si
cky
oucannotbepr
egnant
,youknowIhav
eaWi
fe.
Ki
m:Thatol
dhagcan'
tev
engi
vey
ouchi
l
dren.

Ki
ngsl
eyt
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
aledaf
ri
end.

Kingsl
ey:
Hey,themonaIhav
eal i
tt
lesi
tuat
ioncan
youhelpme.Ineedabor
ti
onpil
l
s.

Ki
m gr
abbedt
hephonef
rom Ki
ngsl
eyandhungup.

Ki
m:Iam nothav
inganabor
ti
on.
Ki
ngsl
ey:
Arey
oucr
azy
,Iam f
ucki
ngmar
ri
ed.
Ki
m:Yousai
dyouwer
egoi
ngt
oleav
eyourWi
fef
or
me.
Kingsl
ey:(
Snapped)Andyoubel
i
evedme?Iam not
havingachil
dwithyou.
Kim:Well
Iam nothavi
nganabor
ti
onandy
ouar
e
goingt
oraiset
hischi
l
dor.
.
KingsleygrabbedKim bytheneckandpinnedher
againstthebed,Kimtriedtopushhi
m backbuthe
wast oostrongforher.

Ki
ngsley
:Doy ouknowwhatistandtoloosehuh?
Ar
ey oustupi
d?Youthi
nkIwill
looseeveryt
hingI
workedhardforf
orsomestupi
dwhor eli
key ou.

Hepr essedherneckharder,Ki
m passedgasthen
shepeedonher self
.Shestoppedkicki
ngandmel t
ed
onthebed.Kingsleyletgoofher,hesl
appedher
cheeksandshedi dn'
trespond.

Ki
ngsl
ey:
Fu*
*

Hecheckedherpulseandtherewasn'
tany,
Kingsl
ey
grabbedhiscarkey
s,t
hetakeawayhebroughtand
ranoutsi
detohiscarl
eavi
ngthedooropened.
AtMi
chael
'
sHouse

Michael
gaveThoboabeerandt
heywentt
osi
t
outsi
deundert
hecl
earmoon.

Michael
:Shoul
dwedosomebr
aai
nyanakanay
ou
ar
einahur r
y?
Thobo:NopebutIcan'
tdr
inkal
otIhav
etodr
ive
back.
Mi
chael
:Youar
enotsl
eepi
ngov
ergompi
eno?

Theybot
hlaughed.

Thobo:Aahmonay
ouknowhowpai nf
uli
tist
osl
eep
nextt
oasexywomanandnotgetany?
Michael
:Hahadoy ouwantmet
otel
lyouwhaty
our
pr
oblem i
smyf r
iend.
Thobo:
Iam sur
eyouar
egoi
ngt
otel
lmeany
way
.
Michael:
Younegot iatesex.
.MmhMmhdi lotseyou
gothere,kisshernex tthi
ngshewi l
l feeli
tinher,she
i
snotgoi ngt ofightyou.Wenaobol awakebosl ow,
nowomanwant sasl owman, theywantamanwho
i
sincont rol,
amanwhodoesn' tnegot i
atesex,when
youfi
ndheri naki t
chenpulldownt hepant sand
giv
eittoherr ightthere.Womenl ovet hatshit
.
Jaanongwenamyf ri
endyouareani cepersonakere.
Thobo:Nomahhasbeent
hroughal
otandi
fshei
s
notreadyt
hen.
.
Mi
chael
:Et
seny
eobonei
fshest
il
lwon'
tber
eady
..

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.

Thobo:
That
'sr
apemona.
Michael
:It
'snot
,myf r
iendthewayol engsl
owIam
st
arti
ngtoseewhyBonni echeated.LeeneNomah
i
sgoingtolooseint
erestsoon.

Thobot
hought
ful
l
ylookedathi
sfr
iendandsi
pped
onhi
sbeer
.

AtTheRest
aur
ant

Nomahsippedonherdr
inkandlookedaround.
Bonni
ecamebackfrom t
heladi
esbathroom.

Bonni
e:Let
'sgot
othebar
.
Nomah:
AahIthi
nkIam r
eadyt
ogohomenowi
t'
s
get
ti
ngl
ate.
Bonni
e:Lat
eforwhataker
etheki
dsar
ewit
h
MmaThobo.Justt
wodr i
nksaboret
samaya.

Bonni
epi ckedupherhandbagandt heywentt
osit
bythebar .Sheorder
edawineglassforher
sel
fand
nonalcoholicchampagneforNomah.

Bonni
e:Ar
eyoual
way
sbor
ingl
i
ket
his?
Nomah:Hahaaker
eIhav
enev
erbeenanout
goi
ng
per
sonhel
anna.Keabokeot
sel
anow.
Bonnie:Hahay oushouldgooutmma, youar
eyoung
andbeaut i
ful
.Bonat hatguyhasbeenl
ooki
ngatyou
eversincewear r
ivedhere.

Nomahtur
nedaround,thegent
lemanrai
sedhi
sbeer
,
Nomahsmiledandtur
nedbackt oBonni
e.

Nomah:
Iyoo!
Bonni
e:Hei
scomi
ngov
er,
actcool
.

TheManputhi
sbeeront
het
abl
eandgr
eet
edt
hem.

Nomah:
Hi.
.

Nomahtookoutherphonefr
om hercluchand
l
oggedi
ntoFacebookwhil
ethemant alkedt
oher
.
Bonni
e:Nomahthemmai
tsr
ude,
thi
sgent
lemani
s
tal
ki
ngtoyou.

Sheputherphonebackandr
aisedherhead.

Nomah:
Sor
ryIwasj
ustchecki
ngont
heki
ds.

Themansmi
l
ed.
Hi
m:Ar
etheyokay
?
Nomah:
Yeah.
Hi
m:Ihav
eone,
agi
rl
.

Nomahl etoutafadesmile.Herphonereceiv
edan
SMS, shetooki
toutandopenedt heSMS." Iwant
youhomei ntenminutes"
.Nomahsmi ledand
fi
nishedherdri
nk.
Nomah:Osant
seoi
ti
sit
sennaIt
hinkIam goi
ngt
o
gohomenow.
Bonni
e:Now?
Nomah:Yes,
Iwi
l
lgetacabi
fyouwantt
ost
ay
behi
nd.
Bonni
e:Aahl
etmet
akey
ouhomemma.

Meanwhi
l
eatMmaThobo'
shouse

Sheclosedt
heki
d'
sbedroom dooranddi
aledher
nephewwhohasataxi
.
MmaThobo:
Hel
l
oMoxar
eyoust
il
lwor
king?
Mox:
Yes.
MmaThobo:Iwantyoutot
akemet
oNomah'
s
housei
nfi
veminutesti
me.
Mox:Okay
,makei
ttenIam t
aki
ngsomeonet
o
Sedi
e.
MmaThobo:
Okaymyson.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE32

Thobopar
kedhiscarafewmet ersawayf r
om
Nomah'sHousewaiti
ngforBonnie'scartoleave.
Fewminutesl
ateri
tjoi
nedthegravelandleft,
Thobo
wait
edafewmi nut
esbeforehedroveintothey ar
d.

Meanwhi
l
eMoxsloweddownbythegat
ewi
th
MmaThobosi
tt
ingatt
heback.

Mox:
Looksl
i
keThoboi
sal
readyher
e.
MmaThobo:
Yeah,let'
sgohewil
lhel
pherIt
hought
may
behewasn'tgoingtocome.
Mox:
Okay
.

Moxdi
daut
urnandl
eft
.Insi
det
hehouseThobo
pi
nnedNomahagai
nstt
hewal l
andpul
l
edupher
dr
esswhil
eki
ssi
ngherneck.

Nomah:
Hahawai
t,y
ouar
edr
unkkana.
Thobo:
Whydoy
out
hinkIam dr
unk?
Nomah:BecauseIcansmel
ltheal
cohol
iny
our
br
ea.
..Aaah!

Nomahmoanedsof tl
yasThoboki ssedherneck
goingdownt oherbreasts.Hecuppedonewhilehe
suckedont heother
.Nomahcl osedhereyesand
touchedhishead.Hepickedherupandt heywentto
thebedroom, hesoftl
ylaidherdownandgotont op
ofher.

Thobo:
Keagor
atakanaNomahdoy
ouknowt
hat
?

Healwayssai
dthatt
oherbutt
odaywhenhesai
dit
f
eltsoreal
.
Nomah:
Ilov
eyout
oo.

Thobotookoutaboxofcondomsf rom hispocket

andgaveNomahone, heremov edhi spant sandlai
d
downonherside,Nomahgott hecondom, saton
topofhi
m androl
leditonhiser ectdickthenshe
l
eanedoverandkissedhim beforeshesl owlysaton
i
t.Theybothmoanedsof t
lyand..**
***(18+Sex
scenewil
lbepost
edi nthegroup)

TheFol
l
owi
ngMor
ning

Kim slowlyopenedherey esthenshetouchedher

painf
ul neck,shelookedaroundandshewasst i
ll
in
herbedr oom.Shet r
iedtostandupbutshewas
dizzy.Sheclosedherey esagain,
tri
edtoswall
ow
sali
vabuthert hroatwasdry.
AtNomah'
shouse.
.

Thoboslowlypul
ledoutt
henhepl
ant
edasoftki
ss
onNomah' sli
psbefor
eherol
l
edontohersi
deand
removedthecondom.

Nomah:
Doy
ouknowwhatt
imei
tis?
Thobo:
Iwi
l
lgopar
kthecarbehi
ndt
hehouse.
Nomah:Heel
anghahaha,
gohomebef or
eanyone
seesy
ourcarher
e.WhatifBonni
ecomesher
e?
Thobo:Idon'
tanswertoBonni
ennagapeIhatethi
s
newfri
endshi
pofy our
s.Whatdoyoutal
kabout,
o
gobatel
abanna.
Nomah:
Hahaha.

Nomah'
sphoner
ang.

Nomah:
Shhhhi
t'
syourmot
her
.
Shepi
ckedup.

Nomah:
Hel
l
o..
MmaThobo:
Hel
l
oNomah.
Nomah:
Eemma.
MmaThobo:Comeov
erIwantust
otal
kabout
somet
hing.
Nomah:
Eemma!
MmaThobo:Comeaft
eronebef
orefourbecause
f
ourIam goi
ngtoast
ockvel
meeti
ng.
Nomah:
Okay
,whati
sitaboutket
shogaj
aana?
MmaThobo:Ohnoitsnot
hingIj
ustwantust
o
di
scusssomet
hing.
Nomah:
OkayIwi
l
lbet
her
e.

Shehungupandl
ookedatThobo.

Nomah:
(Pani
cki
ng)Whati
fsheknowsaboutus?
Thobo:Mothoyoosheprobabl
ywant
syout
ojoi
n
herst
ockvelorsomet
hing.
Nomah:
Butwhati
fsheknowsaboutus?
Thobo:
How?Otshogahel
a.Leav
ey ourhousekey
s
wit
hmewhenyougotoseemymot her.
Nomah:
Why
?
Thobo:Iam del
iv
eri
ngmor
ogot
odaysoIwantt
o
bri
ngsomeher e.
Nomah:
Okay
.

Shet
ouchedherchest
.

Nomah: Iam scar

edrra,
maybesomeonesawy
our
carher
eandt heytol
dher.
Thobo:Myni
eceandnephewst
ayher
eIam not
al
lowedtovi
sit
?
Nomahnerv
ousl
ybi
thernai
l
sandcl
osedherey
es
r
egret
ful
l
y.
AtMmaThobo'
shouseal
i
ttl
elat
ert
hataf
ter
noon.

Nomahgotof ft
hetaxiandpai
dwhil
eBal
ebeng'
scar
rev
ersedoutoftheyar
d.Juni
orst
uckhi
shead
outsi
de.

Juni
or:
Mummyl
ookatme.
Nomah:
Heybaby
.
Kar
en:
Mamaweewear
e..

Bal
ebengr
oll
edupt
hewi
ndows.

Bal
ebeng:
Juni
orsi
tdownmonna.

Hedroveawaywit
houtsay
inghel
l
o,Nomahrol
l
ed
herey
esgoingt
othehousewhereMmaThobowas.

Nomah:
NeBal
ebengohur
il
wekemang,
het
hinksI
car
ethathedoesn'
ttal
ktome.Dumel
ang.
MmaThobo:
Thatoneiscr
azy,Iwounderhowl
ong
hei
snotgoi
ngtotal
ktoyou.
Nomah:WellIhavenothi
ngt
osayt
ohi
mlennaso
hecankeepquietfor
ever
.

Shesatdown.

MmaThobo:Youshoul
df i
xthi
ngs,
whathappensi
fI
di
e?Whoishegoingtotal
ktoaboutt
hekids.
Nomah:
Tal
ktohi
m.
MmaThobo:Ij
ustt
oldhi
mleene,
doi
tfort
hesake
ofy
ourki
ds.

Nomahsi
ghedandbr
eat
hedheav
il
y.

MmaThobo:
Ical
ledy
ouher
ebecauseIwantust
o
t
alkwomantowoman.
Nomah'
shear
tski
pped.

MmaThobo: Every
oneknowsmeasMmaThobo,
everyonecall
smet hatandonl yafewpeople
actuall
yknowgoreThoboi sactual
lymybigsister'
s
son.Shepassedawaybef oreThobowasf ull
yborn.
It
sbyt hegraceofGodt hathesur v
ivedbecausehis
mot heract
uall
ydiedwhilegivi
ngbirthtohim.

Nomahswal
l
owedhar
d.

MmaThobo: SincethatdayIbecamehi smother

,
rai
sedhiml i
keheismi ne,l
ov ehi
mlikeIgavebi
rt
h
tohim andIwoulddoany thingtopr
otectal
lmy
chi
ldrenlehaobonabat enajaanammehel aI
wouldgivemyownl i
feforthem.

Nomahdi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
MmaThobo: Youarepr obablywonderingwhyIt ol
d
youthis.(ShelookedatNomah)Iam anadul tandI
alwaysknowandseet hingsbeforetheyhappen.I
spoket oThobobogol ogol oaboutyouandhesai d
youarej ustfr
iends.It
houghtIwasi magini
ngt hi
ngs
andevenf el
tbadforthinkingli
kethat.

Nomahwi
pedhert
ear
s.

MmaThobo: Gompi enoIhavedeci

dedt otal
ktoyou
becauseIknowmysongor eifhesetshismindon
somet hingthenheaccompl i
shesi
t,Iknowhowlev el
headedhei s.Ical
ledyouhereasawoman, asmy
grandkids'smot herandmyson' sexwi f
egorestop
whatev eryouar edoingwithThobo.Thobois
Balebeng'sbr ot
her.

Nomahl
ookeddownwi
pinghert
ear
s.

MmaThobo:
Iper
sonal
l
yknowy
ouar
enotl
i
ket
hat
gir
lKemmony ebutsleepingwi t
hThobomakesy ou
l
ikeher ,i
tdoesn'tmakey ouanybettert
hanher .How
will
peopl edescribeyou?Theonewhodi vorcedone
brotherforanotherbrother
?Huh?Hav eyout hought
aboutThoboandBal ebeng'srel
ati
onshi
p?How
woul dyoufeelwhent wobr ot
hersnolongertalkto
eachot herbecauseofy ou?

Nomahl
ookedupandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

MmaThobo: Ketsaaker eyouheardmemygi rl.l

l
ov eyoul i
kemyownchi ldandthatwil
lneverchange
evenify ougetmarriedinthefutur
e,evenif
Balebengmar ri
esanot herwomanIwi l
l nev
erstop
l
ov i
ngy oummehel awhaty ouandThoboar edoingI
don'tapproveanditwi l
lneverberi
ghtnomat ter
whichangl eyoulookati tf
rom.

Nomahcov
eredherf
acecr
ying.
Meanwhi
l
eatNomah'
shouse.

Thoboopenedthedoorf
orthedel
iv
erypeopl
eand
theyt
ookthebed,sof
asandTVinsi
dethehouse.

Thobo:Hur
ryupguyst
hel
adyoft
hehousemi
ghtbe
backanysecond.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE33

Thobo:Hur
ryupguyst
hel
adyoft
hehousemi
ghtbe
backanysecond.

Thedeliv
er ypeopleputev ery
thinginposit
ionthen
theyl
eft,Thobopar kedhiscarbehi ndthehouseand
wentinsi
de, heremov edt heplast
ics,madethebed
andmount edTVni cel
yont hewal l
.Heconnect edi
t
totheWiFi rout
erandl oggedt heTVonNet f
li
x.He
checkedev eryt
hingandi twasi norder
.Hesatont he
sofawaitingforher.

Fewminuteslaterheheardthegat
eopen,hest
ood
upandlookedthroughthewindowthenhesaton
thesof
awai t
ingforherreact
ionwhenshecomesin.
Nomahsatoutsi
deont hestoopcov er
ingherface
cr
ying.Shewi
pedhertearsandt ookoutherphone
di
ali
ngThobobuthi
sphoner anginsi
de.Shestood
upandwentinsi
dethehouse.

Thobo:
Sur
pri
se!

Nomahl
etoutaf
adesmi
l
e.

Thobo:
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Hetr
iedt
ohugherbutNomahst
eppedbackand
wr
appedherar
msaroundher
sel
f.

Nomah:
Itol
dyouIdi
dn'
twanty
out
obuyany
thi
ng
f
orme.
Thobo:Whatki
ndofamanwil
lIbemosadi
wame
sl
eepingonamatt
ress,
comesee.
HeledNomahtothebedr
oom,shecov
eredher
mouthandl
ookedatThobo.

Thobo:Iwantyoutoknowt hatIboughtt
hese
becauseIwantedtookay,y
oudi dn'
taskkennahel
a
whowant edtobuythem.Idon'thaveawomanwho
sl
eepsont hefl
oorwhenIcanaf for
dtobuyhera
bed.

Nomahsmi
l
edandhuggedhi
m.

Thobo:
Youknowy
oucant
hankmeby
..

Het
ri
edt
oki
ssherbutshemov
edherhead.

Thobo:
Okay
.
Nomah:(
Cryi
ng)Iam sor
ry,
what
everi
shappeni
ng
her
ecan'
thappenanymore.
Thobo:
Youcan'
tdumpmeaf
teral
lthet
hingsy
ou
di
dtomelastni
ghtt
hemma.

Hepul
l
edheri
ntohi
m.

Nomah:
Thobopl
ease.

Thobol
etgoofhersei
ngt
hatshewasser
ious.

Thobo:
Isi
tbecause.
.
Nomah: (
Closedhereyes)Idon'tloveyou,Ij
ust
wantedtogetbackatBal ebengkawena.Itwasn't
supposedtocomet hi
sf ar,y
ouwer en'
tsupposedto
fal
lforme.Iam sor
ry,youcant akethebedand
sofas.

Thobol
ookedatherandf
oldedhi
sar
ms.
Nomah:
Iam sor
ry,
i
..
Thobo:
Shegott
oyoudi
dn'
tshe?
Nomah:
MmaThobodi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
Thobo:
DidIsayany
thi
ngabouther
?
Nomah:
..
Thobo:
Okayf i
neIwil
ll
eave.Ihopey
ouar
ehappy
wit
hBalebengandtheki
ds.

Hegrabbedhiscarkeysandheadedf ort
hedoor,
Nomahcov er
edherfacecryi
ngoutl oud,
Thobo
cl
osedthedoorandwentt ositi
nhiscar.He
cover
edhisfaceontheedgeofcr y
ing,hebr
eathed
heavi
lyandstay
edinhiscarforafewmi nut
es
befor
eheleft
.

SundayEv
eni
ng.
.

Bal
ebengpar
kedhiscaratthegat
eandtheki
ds
st
eppedoutwit
hthei
rsnacks.Hewavedatt
hem
anddroveaway.Theki
dsrantothehouse,opened
thedoorandt
heybothpausedlooki
ngatthenew
sofasandTV.

Juni
or:
Wow!

Her
antot
hebedr
oom andNomahwassl
eepi
ngon
t
opoft
hebed.

Juni
or:
Wow,
Kar
enMummyhasabed.

Karencamerunni
nginsi
de,
theyjumpedupand
downholdi
nghands.Kar
enthrewhersel
font
hebed
andjumpedupanddown.

Kar
en:MamaIt
houghty
ousai
dyoudon'
thav
e
money
.
Nomah:Guysihadat
err
ibl
eheadachedoy
oumi
nd
pl
ayi
ngoutsi
de.
Kar
en:
Arey
ouokay
?
Nomah:
Iwi
l
lbe,
gowat
chTV.

Theywenttothesi
tt
ingroom, Nomahlockedher
bedr
oom doorandthrewherselfont
hebed.

AtKi
ngsl
ey'
shouse.

Kingsl
eyandhi swifeandherki dssatbyt he
swimmi ngpoolenjoyi
ngtheirlatelunchlaughi
ng
tal
kingaboutthisandthatwhent heint
ercom r
an.
Thehousehelperwentt oopent hegateandapolice
vandroveinsi
dewi thKim si
tti
ngatt heback.

Kingsleyandhiswif
ebot hstoodup.Ki
m andthe
twoPol i
ceoffi
cerssteppedoutofthecar
.Ki
m
pointedathim andfoldedherar
ms.

Of
fi
cer
:MrKi
ngsl
eyTemoy
ouar
eunderar
restf
or
at
tempt
edmur
der
.
Wi
fe:
What
?
Ki
m:Yes,
hechokedmeandl
eftmet
odi
e.
Wi
fe:
Buty
ouar
enotdead.
Kim:(Withanatti
tude)WhosaidIam notdeadwena
l
ekgowa?Hav ey oueverseenanancestor?(Turned
toKingsl
ey)WenaKi ngsl
eyItol
dyougor eyouar e
goingtosupportthi
schil
dnomat terwhat?Itwas
funakerewheny oumadet hi
sbabypr omisi
ngme
heavenonearthtell
ingmei t
astebett
erthany our
wife.

ThePol
i
ceof
fi
cer
stookKi
ngsl
eyt
othebackoft
he
car
.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Thobogavehi
smotheratwoli
tt
ersofsourmi
l
k
thenhewentt
owashhishands.
MmaThobo:KanaKar
enl
ovessourmi
l
kgor
e,she
woul
deati
tevery
dayi
fpossi
ble.
Thobo:Howwoul
dyouf
eel
ifGi
rl
ydat
edamanl
i
ke
Bal
ebeng?
MmaThobo:
Whatdoy
oumeanamanl
i
keBal
ebeng?
Thobo:Imeanamanwhoser vesherdivorcepapers
onthenightoft
heiranni
v ersary,
makeshersi gh
them whensheisnotonherr i
ghtmi nd,
deni eshis
ownchi l
danddoesn'tev
encomet othatchild'
s
funer
al.Moveshi
ssidechi ckintheirhouseand
all
owshertowearherclot hes.Whatadv icewould
yougiveGir
lyi
fshewant edt ogobackt ot hatki
nd
ofaman?

MmaThobokeptqui
et.

Thobo:Nextt
imeyougiv
esomeoneadvi
sethi
nki
f
thatper
sonwasyourownfl
eshandbl
ood.
MmaThobo:Inev
ersai
dNomahshoul
dgetback
wi
thBal
ebeng.
Thobo:
Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngaboutNomahnna.
MmaThobo:Kegoremychi
ldyouwantmet ositand
l
ookawaywheny ouar
esl
eepi
ngwi t
hyourbrot
her's
exwi
fe.Whatki
ndofamotherwil
l
..
Thobo: Amotherwhol ooksoutforherown,Ihav
e
neverinmyl i
feeverfeltli
keyoudon'thavemybest
i
nterestatheartunt
ilrecentl
y.I
fNomahmakesme
happythen..
MmaThobo: Ididn'
ttell
Nomaht ogetbacktoget
her
wit
hBalebengbutify oufeelli
keit
'snotwrong
sl
eepingwit
hy ourli
ttl
ebr ot
her'
sexwifethengo
aheadconti
nuemmehel adontexpectmet obe
okaywithi
t.

"What?"Bot
hMmaThoboandThobot
urnedar
ound
andlookedatBal
ebeng.

Bal
ebeng:
Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thNomah?
Thobo:(St
oodup)YesIam sl
eepingwit
hherneo
reng?Sheisnoty
ourwif
eakere,Ihopeyoudon'
t
hav
eapr
obl
em wi
thi
t.
Bal
ebeng:
Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thNomah?
Thobo:
YouknewIlongl
ikedherbef
oreyoueven
knewher,
Iwentt
oschoolandyougotherpr
egnant
.
Bal
ebeng:Youandiar
edone,
brot
her
sdon'
tsl
eep
wit
hOtherbrot
her
'swi
ves.
Thobo:
Nomahi
snoty
ourWi
fe.
.
Balebeng:
Hav
eyouev
erseenhersi
gnt
hedi
vor
ce
papers?
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE34

Thobo:
Nomahi
snoty
ourWi
fe.
.
Balebeng:
Hav
eyouev
erseenhersi
gnt
hedi
vor
ce
papers?
Thobo:
Or aajang,youtoldmey
our
sel
fthatshe
si
gnedthediv
or cepapers.
Bal
ebeng:Nomahandiaresti
ll
legal
l
ymar r
ied.I
f
youevergotmar
ri
edyouwouldknowt hatyoudon'
t
j
ustdi
v or
cesomeoneoversi
gnedpapers.

Thobolookedathi
sli
tt
lebr
otherandhewasdead
ser
ious.

Thobo:
Ifyoutreat
edNomaht hewayyoudidwhi
le
shewaslegal
l
yy ourwif
ethenyouar
emor eofan
ani
malthanithought
.
Thobogr
abbedhi
scarkey
sandl
eft
.

Bal
ebeng:
Soyouhavebeenwai
ti
ngforustobr
eak
uptomakeamove.Somebigbr
otheryouar
e.

Thoboignor
edhim andgoti
nhiscar.Fewmeter
s
awayheparkedbythesideoft
heroadanddial
ed
hi
sfri
end.

Fr
iend:
Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngabouty
oumona.
Thobo:
Hahawhatabout
?
Fri
end:Noi wastal
ki
ngtoalawyerfr
iendofmine
andIwast el
li
nghimyouwereli
kethef at
heroft
he
squad,
y oukeptusawayfr
om tr
ouble.
Thobo:
Hahal
onabanna.
.
Fr
iend:
Zup?
Thobo:
Tel
lmet
hel
egal
procedur
eyadi
vor
ce.
Fr
iend:
Whendi
dyougetmar
ri
ed?
Thobo:
Noi
t'
snotf
orme.
Fri
end:Wellonefi
lesfordi
vorceandserv
est he
otherspouse,t
hei
rlawyersmeetoverset
tlements
andkidsandwhat evert
hentherei
sacourtdateand
thenadivorcecer
tif
icat
e.
Thobo:Oh,soyouar
enotdi
vor
cedhel
aov
ersi
gni
ng
di
vorcepapers?
Fr
iend:
No,
it'
sapr
ocessny
ana.Zup?
Thobo:
Noi wasaskingf
orsomeoneaker
eyou
knowgoreIam notmarr
ied.
Fr
iend:Ony
alal
engmona,
Michael
arey
ouar
e
al
way si
nMaun.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Thobo:Remi
ndket
obuyy
out
wopai
rofmat
chi
ng
pant
ies.
Fr
iend:
Hahanowearehappyf
ory
ouman,
Iwoul
d
l
ovetomeett
hiswoman.
Thobosmi
l
ed.

Fri
end:
Wenakanal
ait
aakagaor
atawar
ataando
romant
icbl
i
nd.
Thobo:
Hahafucky
oumona.BonashapoIam
dri
vi
ngneh.
Fr
iend:
Shapo.

Thobohungupandbur
iedhi
sfaceinhishands,he
di
aledNomah'
snumberandshedidn'
tpickup.

Meanwhi
l
eatNomah'
shouse.

Juni
orr
anbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.

Juni
or:
Dadi
sback.

Kar
enl
ookedout
sidet
hewi
ndowt
henshewentt
o
st
andbyt
hedoor
.

Kar
en:
Didy
ouf
orgetsomet
hing?
Bal
ebeng:
Isy
ourmum home?
Juni
or:
Shei
ssl
eepi
ngonhernewbed.

Balebengwentst
rai
ghttoNomah'sbedroom,he
openedthedoorandslammeditbehi
ndhi m.Nomah
rai
sedherheadwithherey
esst
illcl
osed.

Nomah:
Guy
si.
.Bal
ebengWhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Bal
ebengl
ookedar
ound.

Bal
ebeng:
Ohsoy ousl
eptwi
thmybr
othersohecan
buyyoudisof
aandbed.
Nomah:Akereyouknowgor
eInev
ert
alkt
oyou,
don'
tcomeintomyhouseand.
.
Balebeng:Youareabi
tchj
umpi
ngf
rom one
brother
'sdickt
otheot
her.
Nomah:Ij
umpedf
rom y
ourl
ecar
oni
toar
eal
dick
act
ual
l
y.
Bal
ebeng:
Wany
ela.
Nomah:Getoutofmyhousebef
oreIcal
lthePol
i
ce
onyou.
Balebeng:Youareasl ut,
otherwomenworkfor
themselveswenaoi polelet
segorey
ouaregoingt
o
havemendoev er
ythingfory ou.

Nomahl ookedaroundt
henshegrabbedaDani
ell
e
Steelnovel
thatwasonthet
ableandthrewi
tat
Balebeng.

Nomah:
(Fur
ious)Getoutofmyhouse.
Bal
ebeng:
Howdoy ousl
eepatnightknowi
ngt
hat
youar
ecomingbet
weenbrot
hers?
Nomah:
Bal
ebenggetoutofmyhouse.
Shelookedar
oundandpickeduphershoe,she
thr
ewitathimthenBal
ebenggrabbedbothher
hands.

Balebeng:Ol
ebel
ete,
Ibety
ouwoul
dsl
eepwi
thmy
fat
herif.
.

Nomahkickedhim bet
weenthelegs,
Bal
ebeng
pushedherandshefel
lonthebed.

Balebeng:Youarenothing,y
ouhaveneverbeen
anythi
nginy ourl
i
fe,nextthi
ngyouwil
lbewalki
ng
nexttotheroadsell
i
ngt hatoldv
agi
na.

Hegr abbedNomahbyt hel

egandshef ell
downon
herback, shescreamedi npai
nthenthedoor
opened, Juni
orandKar encamei nholdi
ngbroom
sti
cks.Juniorlookedathismotheront hefl
oor,
she
rai
sedt hebroom stickandbeatBalebengonthe
back,Balebenggr abbeditf
rom hi
m.
Bal
ebeng:
Getoutofher
e.
Kar
en:
Ify
oubeatherwear
egoi
ngt
ocal
lthePol
i
ce.

Balebenggr
abbedt hemopsti
ckfr
om Kar
enand
pushedthem out
sidethencl
osedt
hedoor.

Bal
ebeng:
Odiradi
l
ool
ebal
agor
eyouar
est
il
l
l
egal
lymywif
e.
Nomah:(Cryi
ng)Bal
ebengpleasegetoutofher
e,
whatisy
ourproblem wit
hme?Iwasf ai
thful
toyou
andyoudiv
orcedme, you.
Balebeng:
Andt
hatgi
vesy
out
her
ightt
ofuckmy
brother
?
Nomah:Icansl
eepwi
thwhoev
erIwanti
t'
smy
vagi
na.

Balebengsl
appedheracrossthefaceandshefel
l
downont hebedagain,
hegotont opofherand
punchedherface.Nomahscratchedhi
sey e,
he
sl
appedheracr
osst
hef
ace.

Bal
ebeng:
Want
alawena,
yout
hink.
.

Out
sideThoboparkedhi
scarbehi
ndBal
ebeng'
sand
r
aninsi
dethehouse.

Thobo:
Wher
eisy
ourmot
her
.
Kar
en:
(Cr
ying)Daddyi
sbeat
ingher
.

Thobotri
edtoopent hedoorbutitwaslocked.He
ki
ckeditsev
er al
timesanditfel
ldown,hegrabbed
Bal
ebengbyt hebackofhist-
shir
tandpulledhim of
f
Nomah.

Thobo:
Odi
raengnemona.

HepunchedBal
ebengandhef
ell
down,
hegr
abbed
hi
m byhiscoll
arandpunchedhi
m agai
n.Bal
ebeng
punchedback.

Thobo:
Want
want
shanemona?

Nomahgotofbedandtookherbabi
esint
ot he
ki
tchen.Shecl
osedt
hedoorandhuggedthem.

Nomah:
Iam sor
ryy
ouhadt
oseet
hat
.
Kar
en:
(Cr
ying)Idon'
tl
ikeDaddyany
mor
e.
Juni
or:
Met
oo.

Ther
ewasal
oudcr
ashout
side.

Nomah:
(Tot
heki
ds)St
ayher
e.

Shewentout
sideandbothBalebengandThobo
wereont
opoftheglasst
able.Balebengpi
ckedupa
pi
eceoft
hebr
okengl
assandr
aisedi
t.

Nomah:
(Scr
eami
ng)Bal
ebengst
op.

Hest abbedThoboont hestomacht henraisedit

againandst abbedhim agai
n.Nomahgr abbedt he
broom sti
ckandscr eamedbeatingBalebengont he
back.Hel etgooftheglassandgrabbedt hebroom
sti
ckf r
om Nomah.

Karenranoutsidethr
oughthekit
chendoorandran
totheneighborswhereshetol
dthem whatwas
happening.Themanandhi swif
ecamer unni
ng
whilet
heWi fecall
edthePoli
ce.

I
nsidet
hehouseBal ebengpinnedNomahagai nst
thewal
lchokingherwhileThobolaidunconscious
onthebrokentabl
ewi t
hbloodstainsonthet-shir
t
hewaswear i
ng.
Theol
dmangr abbedBal ebengf
rom behi
ndand
pi
nnedhi
shandst ogetherli
keheusedtodoback
whenhewasinthear my .

Man:
Runout
sideandt
aket
heki
ds.

Nomaht r
iedt
orunbutherl
egscoul
dn'
tcarryher
,
shefel
ldowntouchi
ngherneckt
henshelookedat
Thobo.

Man:
Gooutsi
de,
ifIl
etgooft
hisper
sonhei
sgoi
ng
t
ohurty
ou.

Nomahcr
awl
edt
oThoboandcheckedhi
spul
se.

Nomah:(Cr
ying)Heishur
tpl
easet
akehi
mtot
he
hospi
tal
heislooki
nglot
sofbl
ood.
TheWi
fecamei
nsi
det
hehouse.

Wi
fe:
ThePol
i
cear
ecomi
ng.
Man:Youhav
etot
aket
hatonet
othehospi
tal
,hei
s
bl
eedi
ng.

ThemanpressedBalebenghar
derontheground
whil
etheWif
ehelpedNomahwi thThobo.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE35

Thesameev
eni
ng.
.

Nomahswi t
chedoffthelight
sandgoti ntobednext
toJuniorwhowassl eepinginthemi ddlewhil
e
Karensl eptbythewallside.Shelookedupatt he
roofi
nt hedar kandbreathedoutheav il
y.Sheclosed
hereyest ryi
ngt osl
eepbutshef oundMmaThobo' s
wordsr epeatinginherhead.Thepai nofseingthe
womanwhohasal wayslovedherlikeshewasher
ownchi ld,sei
ngMmaThobobegherl i
kethat,
cryi
ng
andkneel ingInfr
ontofher.

Nomahwi pedhertear
sandthenshegotoutofbed,
shewenttositonthestoopatt
hebackdoorandput
herhandstoget
herli
keshewasprayi
ng.Shefound
hersel
fthi
nki
ngabouthermother,
sheneededher
mor
etodaymor
ethanshehadev
er.

Shestoodupandwentinsi
dethehouseandgother
phone,
shedi
aledherol
derbrot
her
.

Nor
m:Nomal
i
zo.
.
Nomah:
Hahaha.
Norm:Your ememberev
er y
oneusedt
oaskuswhat
ourful
lnameswereandy ousai
dyour
swas
Nomalizo.
Nomah:
Hahahaandy
ousai
dNor
mal
.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Nomah:
Whatki
ndofanamei
sNor
mal
?
Nor
m:Hahaha,
War
engNnaka?
Nomah:Iam st
ruggl
i
ng,Ican'
tfi
ndajobbecause
appar
ent
lyt
hesedayslediwait
resshav
etohav e
qual
i
ficat
ions.
Nor
m:May
bey
oushoul
dst
artabusi
ness.
Nomah:Whatbusinessnerr
alemadiIdon'
thav
e
money,Normanhasbeentaki
ngcar
eofusIcan't
askhi
mf ormoneytostar
tabusi
ness.
Norm:Ei
shl
ennagot i
ghtt
hissi
debutIwi
l
ltr
yto
hel
pyoumonthend.
Nomah:
Thanky
out
her
raI
..

Herai
rt
imefi
nished,
shesi
ghedandwebacki
nsi
de
t
hehouse.

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay

Att
hePol
i
ceSt
ati
on

Ki
m st
oodupf
uri
ousandf
oldedherar
ms.
Kim:Youar
efai
l
ingus,
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
out
hisguy
chokedmeandlef
tmetodi
e.
Offi
cer:Mam i
t'
syourwordagainsthi
s,noonesaw
anythi
ng,wearenotevensur
eifindeedwhatyouare
tel
l
ingusisthetr
uthbecauseyounev erwentt
othe
hospit
al.

Ki
mlaughedi
ndi
sbel
i
efandsatdown.

Ki
m:Soy
ouar
egoi
ngt
olethi
m go?
Offi
cer
:Li
keIsai
dmam wedon'thav
eanyev
idence
agai
nsthi
m,it
'sy
ousay
,hesays.
Kim:I
fthatmangoesaf t
ermeandki ll
smeIswear
youwil
lneversl
eepanightinyourli
fe,havey
ouev
er
seenaghost?WellIwi
l
l bethefi
rsti
fnot ,
okil
ewa
sebonasepokosamot shegar
e?

Shecl
ickedhert
ongueandstormedout
sidealmost
bumpi
ngi nt
oMmaThobo.MmaThoboi gnoredher
andwenttothefr
ontdesk.Ki
mlookedatherbei
ng
escor
tedint
otheotherroom,
shesatdown
wonderi
ngwhatMmaThobowasdoi ngint
hePol
i
ce
soearl
yinthemorning.

LateronBal
ebengwasescort
edint
hesamer
oom.
Kim cl
appedherhandsandl
eft
.

MmaThobolookedathersonchai
nedfr
om handsto
l
egs.Shecover
edhermouthandwantedtohughim
butt
hepoli
ceoffi
cerf
orbi
dherto.

MmaThobo:Whyishechai
nedli
kehei
samur
der
er?
Youdon'
ttr
eatpeopl
eli
ket
his.

ThePol
i
ceOf
fi
cerwentt
ost
andout
side.

MmaThobo:Whatwerey
oudoingst
abbi
ngy
our
br
other
,wer
eyoutry
ingt
oki
llhi
m?
Bal
ebengkeptqui
et.

MmaThobo:
Looknowwherey
ouar
e,doy
ouknow
t
hati
fyouar
efoundgui
l
ty.
.
Bal
ebeng:
Howi
sThobo?
MmaThobo:
Heisgoi
ngt
obeokay
,wenaar
eyou
goi
ngt
obeokay
?
Bal
ebeng:
Thatdeadchi
l
dwasThobo'
s.
MmaThobo:
Whatnonsense?
Balebeng:Nomahhasallal
ongbeencheati
ngwith
Thobo, don'
tyouwonderwhyhehasbeendoing
everyt
hingforher
,heevenboughtherabedandTV.
MmaThobo: Nekiiwapoka?ani
ghtinjailandyou
arestar
ti
ngtotal
knonsense?Whatwil
l happento
youifyoust
ayhereamont hory
ears?

Bal
ebengcuppedhi
sface.
MmaThobo:
Didt
heysayany
thi
ngaboutbai
l
?
Bal
ebeng;
No,
noonesai
dany
thi
ngt
ome.
MmaThobo:Gonemmewhydidy
ougotoNomah'
s
house?Whydoyoual
l
owSat
antousey
ou?
Bal
ebeng:
..
MmaThobo: I
fyoucouldhavewenthomet hennone
ofthi
swould'
vehappened.Whoisgoi ngtobetaking
careofy
ourkidswheny ougotojail
?Somet imes
youdon'
tthi
nkmyson, youall
owy ouremot i
onsto
contr
oly
ouandt hat
'snotagoodt hi
ng.Lookaty ou
now,wheredoyouthinkyouwil
lwor kwit
hacr iminal
recor
d?

Therewassil
encei
ntheroom t
henMmaThobo
cl
ickedhert
ongueoutl
oud.

Day
sLat
er.
.

Thobopar
kedhi
scaratt
hegat
eandst
eppedout
,he
wenttoknockonNomah' sdoorandt
ri
editbutit
waslocked.TheTVv ol
umeinsi
dewentdownt hen
heheardfootst
eps.

Thobo:
NomahIknowy
ouar
eint
her
epl
easeopen.

InsideNomahcov er
edhermout hl i
steni
ngasThobo
knocked.Shetouchedherchestlikeshewas
stoppingi
tfr
om beating.Theknockingstoppedt
hen
afterafewminutesthekitchendooropenedand
Thobocamei n.

Nomahqui
ckl
yst
oodup.

Thobo:
Hey
!
Nomah:
(Cr
ying)Cany
oupl
easel
eav
e.
Thobo:Idon'
twanttoleav
e,Ihav
ebeencal
l
ingy
ou
osaarabe,youhaven'
tcometocheckonmeatthe
hospi
tal
,what'
sgoingon?
Nomahl
ookeddown.

Thobo:
Ithoughtweagr
eedgor
enot
hingwi
l
lcome
bet
weenus.
Nomah:Cany
oupl
easedr
opt
hechar
gesagai
nst
Bal
ebeng.
Thobo:
What
?
Nomah:
Please.
.
Thobo:
Bal
ebengi
s..

Het
hought
ful
l
ylookedatNomah.

Thobo:
Iwi
llchangemyst
atementonl
yify
ouagr
ee
tosl
eepwi
thme.
Nomah:
What
?IknowI
..
Thobo:It
'st
heonlywayIwil
ldropthechar
ges.Since
wecan'tbetoget
hert
henjustonelastt
ime,Iwil
l
for
getaboutyouandfor
getanythi
ngeverhappened
bet
weenus.

Nomahcuppedherf
aceandl
ookedatThobo.

Thobo:
Onel
astchance.
.
Nomah:
HowdoIknowy
ouar
enotpl
anni
ngon
get
ti
ngmepr
egnant
.

Thobolaughed, notbecauseitwasf
unnybut
becausesher eadhismi nd.Hewasplanni
ngon
gett
ingherpregnant.

Thobo:Whywouldidot
hat
?Youwi
l
lper
sonal
l
yput
thecondom ont
hen.

Nomahl
ookedathi
mforaf
ewseconds.

Nomah:
Ineedy
ourwor
dthaty
ouwi
l
lchangey
our
st
atementanddr
opal
lthechar
gesagai
nst
Bal
ebeng.
Thobo:
Doy
ouneedi
tinwr
it
ing.
Nomah:
No,
Ichooset
obel
i
eveandt
rusty
ou.
Thobo:
Bel
i
evemet
hen.

Hemov edclosert
oherandkissedherli
ps,Nomah'
s
wholebodyf roze,
sheclosedherey
es,Thobo
wrappedhisar msaroundher,t
hekisswastoo
emotional,
noneoft hem want
edtoletgoofthe
ot
her.

Thobohuggedherandt
heyremainedli
kethatfora
fewminut
eswithnooneofthem say
inganythi
ng.
NomahhuggedThobotight
lyandhertear
swethi st
-
shi
rt
.

Thobo'
sphoneringi
ngint
err
uptedthem,hel
ookedat
thecal
l
erI
Dt henheclear
edhisthr
oatandpi
ckedup.
Thobo:
Hel
l
o..Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.

Hehungupandputhisphoneinhispocket
.He
cl
ear
edhist
hroatandlookedatNomah.

Thobo:
Bal
ebengi
sout
.

Heturnedaroundabouttol
eav
e,Nomahgr
abbedhi
s
hand.Helookedupinhisey
es.

Nomah:
Ial
sowant
edt
hatonel
astt
ime.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE36

Nomah:
Ial
sowant
edt
hatonel
astt
ime.
Thobo:
Whati
fidon'
twanti
ttobet
hel
astt
ime?
Nomah:
Thobo!

Hegr
abbedherneckandpul
ledhercl
oser
,he
br
eat
heddownonherlooki
nginhereyes.

Thobo:Lookint
omyeyesandt
ell
mey
oudon'
twant
me,tel
lmey oudon'
tl
oveme.

Nomahl
ookeddown.Thoborai
sedupherchi
nand
t
heyl
ookedi
ntoeachother
'sey
es.

Thobo:
Tel
lmey
oudon'
twantme.
Nomah:
Youknow.
.
Thobo:
Tel
lmey
oudon'
tl
ovemeandi
wil
lbackof
f.

Hesai ditwithsomuchar r
oganceandpowerinhis
voiceitkindofturnedNomahon, i
sn'
tev
erywoman
turnedonbyl it
tl
ear r
ogancei naman?Hiseyeswere
fi
erce,itwaslikehehast urnedint
osomeoneelseor
didhel etouthisalt
erego,whateveri
twasheshould
l
eti toutmoreof t
en.

Nomahl ookeddownt henherai

sedherheadup
againandkissedher,
Nomahki ssedhi
m back, he
pickedherupandpinnedheragainstt
hewal lwit
h
theirl
i
psstil
li
ntact
.Nomahf el
therheartbeatdown
hernunuandsheknewshewasaboutt ogeti t
.

Sti
llwi
thherpressedagainstt
hewal lThobopull
ed
uptheshortdressshewaswear ing,hekissedher
neck,r
aisedheruptohislevelt
henhepul ledher
pantyt
ot hesi
de,hetracedhismi ddl
efingeri
nher
wetcooki
ethenhetookouthi
sbl
ackmambaand
pol
ishedi
twit
hhishandbefor
ehesl
owl
ypenet
rat
ed.

Nomahl ookedupatt heceili

ngwi thherey esand
mout hwi del
yopenedgaspi ngf orair.Thoboroar ed
l
ikeanangr yli
onandst artedthr ust
ing.Hegr oaned
andpr essedhi sli
psonher s,hewenti ndeeper ,he
couldn'tcontrolhi
msel f
,theymoanedi nt
oeach
other.Thobobi thislowerlip,t
hi swasbet terthan
thefirstti
me.Hef el
thisemot ionsrunar oundhi s
body ,dammi thelovedher .

Hesqueezedherbutt,
shewasstil
lwear
ingher
panty.All
Nomahcouldthi
nkwasdamni tshehad
knownt hi
swasgoingtohappenshewouldhave
changedpant
ies.

Sheclosedherey
esandwr appedherarmsar ound
hi
m ashewental i
tt
lefasterhitt
inghergspot,
Nomahmoanedl oudlyandpr essedherli
psonhi s,
sheroll
eddownandgr abbedhi smamba, she
r
ubbeditwithherhandt
henshelookedupatThobo
wi
thherbigeyesopenedli
keshewasabouttobeg
f
orsomething.

Sheputthemambai nhermouthsti
lll
ooki
ngupat
him,Thobograbbedherheadandpushediti
nhis
mamba, shegaggedonitandpul
ledherheadback
forabreat
hthenshewentinagainwhil
eplayi
ng
withhi
sball
s.

Thobogr oaned,hecouldfeelthathewasaboutto
fi
ll
uphermout h,hepulloutandhelpedherst
andup,
hekissedherandt ookhert othesofawherehelaid
herdown, hepull
eddownherpant i
esandpartedher
l
egs, l
ookedinhernunut henatherbeforeheburied
hi
sf acebetweenherlips.

Nomahgr abbedherbreastsandsqueezedthem
whil
ehisdidhismagicwithhistongue.Hesplither
nunuintotwoandgotont opofher,heputhisfull
weightonher,Nomahhungherl egont hesofaand
st
art
edf
uc*
*ingf
rom t
hebot
tom.

Thobo:
Aaahhhhhr
g..
fuckmeBabe!

Hepressedhi slipsonherandwentf asterf

il
li
ngher
up,hewentsl owl yunt
ilhecoll
apsedont opofher
bothbreat
hingheav i
ly
.Theyremainedl i
kethatfora
fewsecondswi thnooneoft hem sayinganythi
ng
thenThobor aisedhisheadandl ookedatNomah
whowassmi li
ng.

Thobo:
Ilov
eyou.

Nomahsmi l
ed.Thobogotoffherandwenttothe
bedroom withhi
smambast i
llup,hecamebackwit
h
toi
letpaperandwipedhimselfthenhesatdownand
partedNomah'slegs,
hewi pedherthenwentto
thr
owt hetoil
etpaper
sinthebi nbefor
ehecame
backandputonhi sboxers.
Nomah:
Idon'
twantababy
,Ij
ustl
ostKenzoand.
.
Thobo:
Iunder
standwewi
l
lgetmor
ningaf
terpi
l
ls.

Therewasanawkwar
dmomentt
henNomah'
s
phonerang.

Nomah:
It'
syourmum.
Thobo:
Araba.

Nomahcl
ear
edhert
hroatandpi
ckedup.

Nomah:
Hel
l
o.
MmaThobo:Hel
lowehav
eameet
ingfalwapengka
t
woandi woul
dlov
efory
out
obehere.
Nomah:
EemmaIwi
l
lbet
her
e.

ShehungupandlookedatThobo.Thobost
oodup
andputonhi
sclothes.
Thobo:
Whenyougett
heredon'
ttal
ktomeorev
en
l
ookatme,ev
ery
onewil
lbelooki
ngatus.

Nomahknodherhead.

Thobo:Iwil
lbuyt
hemor
ningaf
ter
skanawewi
l
lgo
toget
her?
Nomah:
Noy
ougobuyt
hem.

Thobosmi
l
edthenheleanedov
erandkissed
Nomahbef
orehelef
t.Hecamebackinsi
de.

Thobo:
Doy
ouhav
eyourcer
ti
fi
cat
esaf
ormf
ive?
Nomah:
Yeah.
Thobo:Checkoutdicour
sey ouwantt
ost
udyt
hen
cal
lthem andacqui
reaboutpri
ces.
Nomah:
Okay
.
Thobo:
Youneedsomet
hing?

Nomahshookherhead.Thoboki
ssedheragai
nand
l
eft
.

AtKi
m'shouse.

Kim countedwithherfingersthenshesi
ghed,she
pi
ckedupherphoneandcheckedherbankbal ance
andshewasl ef
twithonepoi ntsi
x.Shefound
hersel
fthinki
ngaboutBal ebeng.Shedi
aledhi
s
numbert hatshesti
llknewbyheadt henshehungup
hopinghewoul dcallback.

Acarpar
kedoutsi
deandKingsl
eyst
eppedout
.Ki
m
r
antotheki
tchenandgotatabl
ekni
fe.

Ki
m:I
fyout
ouchmeIam goi
ngt
oscr
eam.
Ki
ngsl
eyt
ookoutmoneyf
rom hi
spocketandt
hrew
i
tatKi
m.

Kingsl
ey:Getri
dofthatt
hingbecausei
fyoudeci
de
tokeepitthenyouareonyourown.

Kimlookedathim ashewentoutsi
deandgotinhi
s
carandlef
t.Ki
m wenttoclosethedoorandpi
cked
upthemoney ,
shecounteditandcli
ckedhert
ongue.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Nomahsatdownnex ttoMmaThobo'
sUnclewhi
le
Thobosatthr
eeseatsawayfr
om Bal
ebengwhowas
busyonhisphone.MmaThobocametositdown
andputhergl
assofwaterdown.

MmaThobo:BongwanakathereasonwhyIhav
e
askedy
outocomehereisbecauseIhavehadalong
t
alkwithBal
ebengabouthisact
ionsandheasked
metocallhi
sunclesher
elethemot herofhi
ski
ds
t
ogetherwit
hhisbrot
her.

Noonesai
dany
thi
ng.

Thobo:Youcan'
tcal
lusher
ethenbebusywi
thy
our
phone.

Nomahrai
sedherey
esandst
oleglanceatThobo,
whowasthi
smanshewasseingtoday?

Bal
ebengputhi
sphonedown.Hel
ookedatNomah.

Balebeng:Iwanttoapol
ogizeforever
ythingt
hathas
happenedinthelasttwoyears.Imadelotsof
mistakesinmylif
ebutthebiggestmistakeIdi
dwas
mistreat
ingyou.
Nomahf
oldedherar
msandl
ookedatBal
ebeng.

Balebeng:Ihadf il
l
edfordivorcebutInev er
submi t
tedt hem.TodayI nfrontofourf amil
yIaskf or
yourforgiveness.Whi l
eIwasi nthehol dingcellI
reali
sedmymi stakes,Ir
eal
isedgor eIam theone
whopushedy ouandThobot ogether,hewast here
foryouwheny ouwer ecryi
ngaboutme, ofcourse
youar epeopl eandy ouhav efeel
ingsitwasbound
toenduphowi tendedbutIwanty out oknowt hatI
forgi
vey ou.

Thobol
aughed.

Bal
ebeng:
Inf
rontoft
hewhol
efami
l
ytoday
..

Bal
ebengt
oret
hedi
vor
cepaper
s.

Bal
ebeng:
Iaskf
ory
ourf
orgi
veness,
wehav
ebot
h
mademi
stakesandpeopl
elear
nfr
om t
hei
rmi
stakes.

Hewentt okneelI
nfr
ontofNomahandtri
edt
otouch
herhand,Nomahpickedupherchai
randmoved
backthenshestoodup.

Nomah: Iam sorrytoev er

yonewhocameher e,
it'
sa
wast eoft i
me, awasteofmyt ime, nakot seIwoul d
becl eaningmyhouseorcooki ngformyki dsbut
i
nst eadIcameher etolist
entoditsiabadimo
(nonsense)t sagaBal ebeng.Oipolaisi
tsego
kgagol adipampirinnaIam donewi t
hy ou.Sincey ou
torey ourpapersIwi l
laskmyl awyert odraftanother
one.Gosi ame.

Shepickedupherhandbagandleft
.Thobosmi l
ed
l
ookingdownthenheclearedhist
hroat.Balebeng
stoodupembarrassedandrubbedthesoiloffhis
knees.
2Year
sLATER
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE37

2Year
sLATER

Nomahpr essedherphonesmili
ngwal
ki
ngbehi
nd
Karenint
heshop.Karenpickedupabl
ackbobt
ube
dressandturnedt
ohermot her
.

Kar
en:
Mama?
Nomah:
Huh?

Sheputt
hephonei
nherpocket
.

Kar
en:
Howi
sthedr
ess?
Nomah:Toobi
gfory
ou,
getsomet
hingy
ourown
age,
thi
s..
Shet
ookt
hedr
essandputi
tinf
rontofher
.

Nomah:
Thi
swoul
dlookgr
eatonme,
Ineedi
tin
l
arge

Kar
enfoldedherar
mswi thanat
ti
tudel
ooki
ngather
mother
.Nomahappr oachedt
heshopassi
stant
.

Nomah:
CanIhav
ethi
sinnude,
lar
ge.
Assi
stant:
Lar
ge.
.Okayl
etmecheck.

Shewenttot
hest
orer
oom andcheck.Kar
enshook
herhead.

Kar
en:
Mamat
hatwasmydr
ess.
Nomah:It
'st
oosexyandy
ouar
enotol
denought
o
besexywena.
Kar
en:
Thi
sisnotf
air
.
Shewentovertot
heki
dssect
ionandpi
ckedupa
pi
nkdresswit
hstr
ingt
op.

Nomah:
That
'si
t.Wabonat
hisi
smor
eyourage.

Theshopassistantret
urnedwiththedressinlar
ge,
Nomahwentt ot r
yinitthenshesett
ledformedium
aslar
gewast oobig.Theypaidforbothdressesand
l
eft
.Thewenti ntotherestaur
antandorderedthen
enj
oyedthei
rmi l
kshakeswhi l
ewaiti
ngforthei
rfood.

Kar
en:
Mummy
!
Nomah:
Yes.
Karen:
Youar
ehappyt
heseday
saker
eebi
l
eyouar
e
fat
.

Nomahl
aughed.
Karen:
It'
sgoodtoseey
ouhappy
,cany
oubet
his
happyforev
er.

Nomahhel
dherdaught
er'
shandandsqueezedi
t.

Nomah:
MayIbet
hishappyf
orev
er.
Kar
en:
Doy
ouhav
eaboy
fri
endatschool
?

Nomahlaughedalmostchoki
ngonhermi l
kshake.
Shecoughedinherhandandtouchedherchest
.

Nomah:
Gat
weIhav
eaboy
fri
endatschool
?
Kar
en:
HahaIwasj
ustaski
ng.
Nomah:
Whosai
dwhenawomani
shappyshehasa
man?
Kar
en:
Iwasj
ustaski
ngaker
emma.
Nomah:
NoIdon'
thav
eamanatschool
,Iam j
ust
happythatIgotoschoolandsoonIwil
lbe
graduat
ingthenIwi
llbeablet
otakecareofy
ou
guyshowIwantt o.
Kar
en:
Okay
.
Nomah:ThemmaKar eny
oucant
alk,
gat
weIhav
ea
boy
fri
endatschool
.

Theybot
hlaughedt
henNomah'
sphoner
ang.

Nomah:Hell
o..(
shelookedatKaren)Theki
dsar
e
goi
ngtothei
rdad'splacet
omorrowsoy eahwhynot
?
Okaybye.

Shehungupandcont
inueddr
inki
nghermi
l
kshake.

AtMrSi
biy
a'sHouse.

Ki
mreadSi
biy
a'smedi
cal
repor
tthenshequi
ckl
yput
i
tdownastheshowerstoppedr
unning.She
pr
etendedt
ofi
xthepil
l
owandcl ear
edherthroat
.

Ki
m:Feel
i
ngbet
ter
?
Sibi
ya:Muchbett
er,canyoupleasegobuyme
beetr
ootj
uice,
Ihaveranoutofsome.
Ki
m:Okaybabe.

Sheleanedoverandkissedhi
mthenshegrabbed
hercarkeysandlef
t.Assoonasshewasoutofthe
gateshedial
edLeboandputonanearphone.

Lebo:
Hel
l
o..
Ki
m:Moghel
Iam aboutt
obear
ichwi
dow.
Lebo:
What
?
Ki
m: Si
biy
aisdy i
ng,Isawhismedicalcardandman
i
sabouttokickthebucketsoIhavedecidedgoreI
am goi
ngtogetpregnantassoonaspossi bl
egore
gaaswahi sbabyinheri
tsev
eryt
hing.Thatmeans
ever
y t
hingf
rom hi
sbighousetothehouseshei
s
rent
ingoutandhispr
eschoolwil
lal
lbemine.
Lebo:Can'
tyoufindwor kl
i
ketherestofusandst
op
tr
yingtoscheem peopleof
fthei
rmoneygompieno
utwagoreyouwisht hepoormandies.
Kim:Youarev erynegati
vegorethesedays,mathata
kegorewenay ousett
leforguyswhocanonl yaff
ord
tosayIl
ov eyou.NnammaIhav edreams,Iwant
moreinli
fe,mor ethanjustIl
oveyou.
Lebo:
Iyoosor
rymma.
Ki
m:Shapomma.

Shehungupandcl
i
ckedhert
ongue.

AtNomah'
shousel
atert
hatev
eni
ng

Nomahknockedont
hedoorandKar
enwentt
o
unl
ockf
orher.
Nomah:Didyouf
ini
shhel
pingy
ourbr
otherwi
thhi
s
homework?
Kar
en:
Yes.
Nomah:
Okay
,Iam goi
ngt
obat
handst
udy
.
Kar
en:
Didn'
tyouj
ustbat
hbef
orey
ouwentj
oggi
ng?
Juni
or:
Mamawhydoy
ouj
ogwi
thy
ourski
rt
?
Nomah:
Heeebat
hongnnamypar
ent
sar
edeadi
yoo.

Shewenttothebathr
oom.Karenwait
edf orherto
cl
osethedoorthenshet
urnedtoherl
itt
lebrother
.

Kar
en:
Youcan'
ttel
lany
oneokay
.
Juni
or:
What
?
Kar
en:
Shedoesn'
tgoj
oggi
ng,
shehasaboy
fri
end.
Juni
or:
Who?
Kar
en:Idon'
tknowbutIknowshehasaboy
fri
end,
maybeheisfr
om herschool
.
Juni
or:
Ohh!
Kar
en:
Youcan'
ttel
lany
oneokay
.
Juni
or:
Okay
.

Inthebathr
oom.Nomahsmi ledalonetr
acingher
handsonherneck.Shelaughedoutl oudthenher
phonerangfrom t
hetabl
ewher eshehadputher
clot
hes.Shesmil
edandpi ckedup.

Nomah:
Heykeat
hapa.
Hi
m:Whyar
eyoubat
hing?
Nomah:
Iam t
ir
edf
rom t
hej
oggi
ng.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Hi
m:Aker
etheki
dsar
egoi
ngt
othei
rfat
her
'shouse,
l
etme.
.
Nomah:
Mmmhmmmh,
youknowy
oucan'
t.
Hi
m:Howl
ongar
ewegoi
ngt
ohav
esexi
nthe
bushesnemma,i
t'
sfunandever
ythingbutf
orhow
l
ong?Onedayt
hievesar
egoingt
of oll
owusandkil
l
us.

Nomahbr
eat
hedheav
il
y.

Him:Comeovertomor
row,sl
eepov
ert
henIwi
l
ltake
youhomeear
lyinthemorni
ng.
Nomah:
Babe.
.
Hi
m:Pl
ease.
.

Nomahhear
damanl
yvoi
cei
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom.

Nomah:
Babel
etmecal
lyouback.

Shehungupandputt
hephonedownt
henshe
wrappedat
owelar
oundher
self
.
Nomah:
Bal
ebengwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Balebeng'seyesfel
lontheshortt
owel
str
etchedby
thehipsthatheneverknewexist
ed.

Bal
ebeng: Icamet
odr
opof
fthemoneyf
ort
he
hai
rst
yle.

Nomahwentt othebedr
oom, shechangedi nt
oa
shortni
ghtydressandstay
edi nthebedroom
waiti
ngforBalebengtol
eave.Fewmi nut
esl at
er
Karencamer unningi
nthebedroom andt ookher
schoolbag.

Nomah:
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hat
?
Kar
en:
Daddywant
stol
ookatourbooks.
Nomah: Aker
ehecandothatt
omorrowwheny
ougo
t
ovisi
t,nnaIwantt
osleepgobosi
go.
Shewentt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.

Nomah: Akeretheyarecomingov
erfort
heweekend
youwil
llookattheirbooksr
omajaanongwewantto
sleepi
t'
slate.

Balebenglookedatt hetimeonhi
swat chanditwas
eleventoeight.Hest oodupandhiseyesf
ellonthe
stoveinthekitchen.Thehousehadmor efur
nit
ure
thisti
mear oundt hanitdi
dbackthen.

Bal
ebeng:Okay
,goodni
ghtguy
s.Kar
eny
oubet
terbe
numberonetomorr
ow.
Kar
en:Teacheral
readyt
oldmeIam goi
ngt
obe
numberone.
Bal
ebeng:
Uhuthenwhydon'
ttheygi
vey
out
he
cr
ownhelaonce.

Nomahl
aughedandwal
kedBal
ebengt
othedoor
.
Bal
ebeng:
(Smi
l
ing)War
atananehont
semont
e
j
aana?

Nomahkeptaser
iousf
ace.

Nomah:Youandiar
enotthatcl
oseenoughtoshar
e
mypersonal
li
fewi
thyou.St
ickt
ocoparent
ing.

Shecl
osedt
hedoori
nhi
sfaceandl
ockedi
t.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE38

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay

NomahsatI nfr
ontoft
hemi r
rordoi
nghermakeup
whil
eKar enranupanddownpackingherpageant
cl
othes.Juni
orcameinwithoneshoeandlooked
ar
ound.

Juni
or:
Mamawher
eismyot
hershoe?
Nomah:Ial
waystellyoutoputy
ourt
hingsi
none
pl
aceaf
terschoolakerenerr
a.
Juni
or:
Idi
dthenKar
en.
.
Kar
en:
ThenIdi
dwhat
,wapoka.
Nomah:Don'
ttal
ktohi
mli
ket
hat
,di
dyouhav
eto
sayt
hat
?
Kar
en:
Idi
dn'
tseey
ourot
hershoe.

Nomahknel
tdownandlookedundert
hebedt
hen
shet
ooktheshoeandgaveJuni
or.

Kar
en:MamaifIt
aket
hisdr
essy
agonna
mangwana.
Nomah:
Whatdoy
ousuggestIdomyl
ove?
Kar
en:
Idon'
tknow.
Nomah:Justdon'
tfol
ditokay
,afri
endofminedoes
makeupar eshewill
comedoy ourmakeup.

Kar
ensmi
l
ed.

Kar
en:
Iam goi
ngt
obet
hemostbeaut
if
ul.
Nomah:
Yesy
ouar
e,nowl
et'
shur
ryupguy
s.
Kar
en:
Juni
ort
odaykewenaodi
rangbr
eakf
ast
.
Juniorrantotheki
tchenandsetthreebowl
s,he
pouredcornfl
akesandmi l
kthenputspoonsinsi
de.
NomahandKar enl
aterjoi
nedhim andatet
heir
breakfast
.

Kar
en:
Mamawenawar
etsi
etsa.
Nomah:
(Mout
hful
)Mmmh!
Karen:Lastweekwheny outookJuniorshoppi
ng
youboughty oursel
fpanties,
maabaney ougot
yoursel
fadr essbutronawebuycl othesaft
erevery
twoweeksl egonejustone.Wenat hatmeansy ou
buyfouritemsinamont hr onaonl
yt wo.Thati
snot
fai
r.
Nomah: Notfairwi
thwhosemoney,
yourdadbuy
s
youguysclothesever
ymonthendnnaIdon'
thav
ea
f
atherakere.
Juni
or:
Yeahyoudo,Isawhi
snamei
nyourphone.I
sawDaddycal
li
ngyester
day
.
Nomah:
Akooj
e,kant
eam Ii
ncour
ther
ebat
hong?
Shel
aughedal
onewhi
l
echewi
ngt
henshecl
i
cked
hert
ongue.

Nomah: Gat
weIhav eafat
her
?Heypeoplegotki
ds
andigotbolit
tl
ejudgeJudyl
eboDetect
ive
Malebana.

Shefini
shedeati
ngandwashedherpl at
et henshe
wenttoherbedroom andgotherbackpackand
phone.I
mmedi at
elyBonni
e'scal
lcamet hr
ough,
Nomahpi ckedupwhilecl
osingt
hedoor .

Nomah:
Hel
l
o.
Bonni
e:Hi
,Ihear
dthatKar
eni
sinabeaut
ypageant
.
Nomah:
Yeah.
Bonnie:Themmalet
'sexchangennakanamy
daughterlov
esbot
omboygor e.
Nomah:
Haha.
.
Bonni
e:Ij
ustwant
edt
owi
shherl
uck,
theseday
sthe
ki
dsdon'
thangoutl
i
ket
heyusedt
okana.
Nomah:
Yeah,
Juni
oral
way
stal
ksabouty
ouguy
s.
Bonnie:
Yeahwemi ssthem t
oo,l
egal
etheywil
lsee
eachotherkaSat
urdaykoThobo'
sfort
iet
hbir
thday
part
y.
Nomah:
Ehegonal
epar
ty?
Bonni
e:Yeah,
didn'
tyougetani
nvi
te?
Nomah:
No.
Bonni
e:AoIt
houghty
ouguy
sar
efr
iends.
Nomah: Hahagongwehewi
l
linv
itemet
odaybuthe
hasn'
t.
Bonni
e:Gapeyoudon'
tneedani
nvi
tey
ouar
efami
l
y
kana,
letmecomegetyoukamoso.
Nomah:
Noi
t'
sfi
negapeIhav
epl
answi
thsomeone.
Bonni
e:Eheee,
yougogal
.Malobakelemotr
aff
icI
sawyoucrossi
ngsi
deyaShopRit
e,gawanona.
Nomah:Hahaha,l
etmegett
heki
dsr
eadymmat
hei
r
t
ranspor
tisher
e.
Bonnie:
Okayshapobuti
fyouchangey
ourmi
nd
thencal
lme.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
l.

Shehungupandswi
tchedof
ftheTV.

Nomah:
Guy
syourt
ranspor
tisher
e.

Juni
orcamer unni
ngwit
hhi sbackpack,hehugged
hi
smot herandranout
side.Karenwithherbackpack
andclot
hes.

Kar
en:
Ilov
eyou.
Nomah:
Ilov
eyout
oo.

Shelockedt
hedoorandwal
kedbehi
ndtheschool
bus,
shewav edf
orataxi
andwenttoschool
.
AtMmaThobo'
shouse

Thobotookt
womangoesf
rom hi
scarandgav
ehi
s
Mother
.

MmaThobo:
Aoi
t'
sal
readyseasony
adi
mangoes?
Thobo:Yesket
swagootsaafrom afar
merf
ri
end
ofmineotswagoorekaf
rom Zimbabwe.
MmaThobo:
Itl
ookssweet
.

Shewentt
owashoneandst
art
edeat
ing.

MmaThobo:
Howar
ethepr
epar
ati
onsgoi
ng?
Thobo:HahaMmeIhopey oudidn'
tinvit
ethe
womenf rom y
ourchur
chaker
e,it
'snotabigpar
ty
j
ustdinnerwit
hcl
osefamil
yandfriends.
MmaThobo:Hahaehe,
Idi
dn'
ti
nvi
teany
one.Di
dyou
i
nvi
teNomah?
Thobo:
No,Bal
ebengi
sgoi
ngt
obet
her
esoIdon'
t
wantdr
ama.
MmaThobo:
Doy
ouev
ert
alkt
oher
?
Thobo:
No!
MmaThobo:NnakanaInev
ersai
dyoucan'
ttal
kto
herorhel
pherout
.
Thobo:I
sitpossi
blet
obef
ri
endswi
thsomeoney
ou
arei
nlovewith?

MmaThobokeptqui
et.

Thobo:
Ijustwantt
ofocusont
hef
utur
etot
a.
MmaThobo:Youwil
lfi
ndsomeonekanayoual
ready
hav
e,Ihav
en'
tseenyouthi
shappyi
nalongti
me.
Thobo:
Kehappynna?
MmaThobo:
Yesy
ouar
ehappy
.
Thobo:Haha,
busi
nessi
sgoodebil
eImanagedt o
buyafewhorses,
nexty
earIam st
art
ingaschoolke
r
utabanahowt
ori
dehor
ses.
MmaThobo: Wenayouar
et r
yingt
hisl
i
fet
hing
ngwanake.Godbl
essyouthee.
Thobo:
Andt
hanky
ouf
oral
way
spr
ayi
ngf
orme.

Hewentt othecarandcamewithapaperbag, he
tookoutasixmetersAfr
icanpr
intclot
h,asetof
panti
esfell
down,Thoboquickl
ypickedthem upand
putthem i
nthebag.MmaThobopr etendednotto
seeanythi
ng.

Thobo:
Isawthi
sandt
houghtofy
ou,
okadi
ra
moseseaker
e.
MmaThobo:
Iti
sv erybeaut
if
ulebi
l
eIwi
llt
akei
tto
MmaMompolokilat
ertoday,
Isawapat
ter
nshedid
f
orMmaMorutiandIlovedit
.
Thobo:
Youwil
ltel
lmeaker
eIwi
l
lpayf
orev
ery
thi
ng,
thenwewi
ll
gobuyshoes.
MmaThobo:
Heengwanakei
sspoi
l
ingme.
Thobo:
Hahay
esIhav
eto.

Thobo'
sphoner
ang.

Thobo:HiIhav
ebeenwait
ingf
ory
ouranswersi
nce
l
astni
ght.
.Hahagr
eatby
e.

Hehungupsmi
l
ing.

MmaThobo:Iwantt
omeetawomanwhomakes
yout
hishappy
.
Thobo:Hahawai Iwastal
ki
ngtothi
sotherladynea
reshewantstotakehersi
bli
ngsbategoithutaegg
product
ionatt
hef ar
m.
MmaThobo: Nny
aammewhoev
ermakesy
out
his
happyIappr
ove.
Thobo:
Eemmahaha,
letmego.
MmaThobo:
Thi
smangoei
sver
ydel
i
cious,
giv
eme
mor
e.
Thobo:
Hahaj
ustt
womor
elennaheonl
ygav
eme
ten.

Hegav
ehi
smot
hert
womor
emangoes.

MmaThobo:Oojesent,
mangoest
ainsdon'
tcome
outonwhi
tecl
othes.
Thobo:
Eemma.

AtBot
hoUni
ver
sit
y

Masediwal
kedbehindNomahtal
ki
ngt
othephone,
hehungupthencaughtupwi
thNomahhol
dingher
makeupbag.

Masedi
:Wear
enotgoi
ngt
obel
ate?
Nomahl
ookedatherphone.

Nomah:
Not
hepageantst
art
sinanhour
.

Masedi
smi
l
edandl
ookedatNomah.

Masedi
:Daddykey
ole.
.

Nomahr ai
sedhereyesandsmi l
edathi
m, hewas
st
andingoutsi
dehiscarplay
ingwit
hhiscarkey
sin
aplai
nwhitet-
shi
rtandblackJeans.

Masedi
:Youwi
l
lcat
chupwi
thmemma.

Nomahsmi
l
edwal
ki
ngt
owar
ds"
Him"
.

Nomah:
Youdon'
tcar
ewhoseesusaker
e?
Shest
oodaf
ewmet
ersawayf
rom hi
m.

Hi
m:Youar
enotgoi
ngt
oki
ssme?
Nomah:
Nother
e.
Hi
m:Okay
,Iwasj
ustpassi
ngbyt
henIsawy
ou.
Nomah:
Hi.
Hi
m:Hi
.
Nomah:
Seey
out
oni
ght
,Ihav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
Hi
m:Oh,
Ihav
easur
pri
sef
ory
out
oo.

Nomahl
ookedi
nsi
det
hecar
.

Hi
m:Hahai
tsasur
pri
sedon'
trui
nit
.
Nomah:
Shapor
ra.
.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou.
Nomah:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Hewinkedatherandgotinhi
scar
.Nomahhur
ri
ed
af
terMasediandcaughtupwit
hher.

Masedi
: Hahaheyl
ona,
youcan'
tevengeti
nthe
guy'
scar,nowwehavetowai
tfordit
aximmewe
hadafreeride.
Nomah:Heel
a,Ican'tbeseeni
nthatcarorel
se
wor
ldwarfourst
arts.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Masedi
:Buti
shewor
thi
tal
l
,thesneaki
ngandst
uff
?
Nomah:It
'swor t
hitbel
ieveme.It
hinkwhatmakesi
t
moreint
eresti
ngisknowingwhatwestandtol
oose
i
fanyonefindsoutaboutus.
Masedi
:Aker
e.
Nomah:Yeah,Iam goi
ngt
osl
eepathi
shouset
oday
,
f
orthef
irstt
ime.
Masedi
:Heeehowi
t'
sgoi
ngt
obel
i
ket
ota.
Nomah:
Keagosej
agor
e.

Theyl
aughedandgoti
nthet
axi
.

Lat
ert
hatEv
eni
ng.
.

Balebengparkedhi
scaratt
hegateandwentinside
theyardlooki
ngdownforwhat
everhewaslooking
for
.

Kar
encameoutoft
hehousehol
dinghercr
own.She
j
umpedonherdadandheki
ssedher.

Karen:Comeinsi
decomeseet
hephotosdaddy
,I
tol
dy ouIwasgoi
ngtocomefi
rstposi
ti
on.

Balebengf
oll
owedhisdaught
eri
nside.Kar
entook
thephonefr
om Juni
orandsatnexttoherdad.
Kar
en:
Lookher
ewewer
ewear
ingdi
biki
nit
hen.
.
Bal
ebeng:
Wher
eisy
ourmum?
Kar
en:
Shei
sbat
hing,
bonaher
e..
Bal
ebeng:
Cany
oupl
easegetmeagl
assofwat
er?

Kar
enstoodup,Bal
ebengqui
cklycancel
l
edf
rom t
he
gal
l
eryandopenedthemessages.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE39

Balebengquickl
ycancell
edfrom t hegal l
eryand
openedt hemessages.Hescr ol
l
eddownl ookingfor
anumbert hatcouldbesavedas" Babe"or
somet hi
ngbutallhesawwer epr omot ional
messagesandmessagesf rom hercl assmat es.He
cli
ckedonherWhat sAppandi trequiredaf ingerpr
int
,
thecalll
ogalsorequir
edafingerpr i
nt.

Thebathr
oom dooropenedandheputt hephone
down.NomahJustlookedathim andi
gnoredhim
goi
ngtothebedroom.Karencamewi t
hagl assof
water
.

Kar
en:
Didy
ouseet
hem Daddy
?
Balebeng:
Yeahyoul
ookedbeaut
if
ulPr
incess.Go
getyourbagsr
etsamae.
Kar
en:
Okay
.

Theybot
hrant
othebedr
oom andgott
hei
rbags.

Nomah:
Nogoodby
eki
ss?

Theyr
anbackandki
ssedt
hei
rmum.

Kar
en:
Seey
ouonSunday
.
Juni
or:
Ilov
eyouMummy
.
Kar
en:
Ilov
eyoumor
e.

Sheputonal
oosedr
essandwal
kedt
hem out
side.

Bal
ebeng:
Guy
sgot
othecarIwantt
otal
kto
Mummy .
Theki
dsrantothecar
,Nomahf
oldedherar
msand
tur
nedtoBal
ebeng.

Bal
ebeng:
Ihav
ebeenapsy
chol
ogi
st.
Nomah:
.Okay
!
Balebeng:Hesuggest
edthatsometi
mesweshould
takethekidsoutasafamil
yhelaandputour
diff
erencesasi
de.I
t'
sgoodfortheki
dstoseeusas
acloseunit.
Nomah: YeahIthi
nkthat
'sagoodidea.Theyare
growingandtheycanseethetensi
onbetweenus
whichisnotgood,kegonemogodi ranggoreki
ds
choosesides.
Bal
ebeng:Yeah,
Ihopeyourboy
fri
endwon'
tmi
nd,
youwil
lexpl
aint
ohim aker
e.
Nomah:
Sundaybr
ingt
heki
dsar
oundt
hist
imeokay
.
Bal
ebeng:
Yeahsur
e.

Nomahwentcl
oset
othecarandwav
edatt
heki
ds.
Bal
ebenggoti
nthecaranddr
ov eaway.Nomah
wentbackt
othehouseandfi
nishedpr
epari
ng
her
self
.

I
ntheCarBalebengl
ookedbackatt
heki
dspl
ayi
ng
gamesonhisphone.

Bal
ebeng:
DoesUncl
eThoboev
erv
isi
t?
Kar
en:
No!
Bal
ebeng:
Whov
isi
ts,
AuntBonni
e?
Karen:
Notreal
ly
,justMum'
sfr
iendsf
rom school
anduncleNorm.
Bal
ebeng:
Ehe.
.fr
iendsf
rom school
?
Juni
or:
AuntMasedi
,AuntMar
y,AuntTshi
di.
.
Bal
ebeng:
Ohokay
.

Hecont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
Bal
ebeng:Howwoul
dyouguy
sfeel
ifIhada
gi
rl
fr
iend?

Theki
dsl
ookedateachot
herandsmi
l
ed.

Bal
ebeng:
WhatIam t
oool
d?Buty
ourmum hasa
boy
fri
endaker
e.
Juni
or:
Yes,
theygot
oschool
toget
her
.
Kar
en:
Juni
or!
Juni
or:Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmeIam notsupposedt
otel
l
Dadtoo.
Kar
en:
Iam nev
ert
ell
i
ngy
ouany
thi
ng.
Juni
or:
Iam sor
ry.
Bal
ebeng:
Iwon'
ttel
lyourmothert
haty
out ol
dme
shehasaboy
fri
end.Sodoesheevervi
sit
?
Kar
en:
Not
heyj
ustgoj
oggi
ngt
oget
herev
ery
day
.
Bal
ebeng:
Soy
oudon'
tknowhi
m?
Kar
en:
Yeah.
Bal
ebeng:I
shetheonewhobuy
syoust
uffand
gi
vesyourmum money?
Juni
or:
NoMum sel
l
sper
fumesandHer
bal
i
fe.
Bal
ebeng:
Ehe!

Theki
dswentbackt
opl
ayi
ngt
hei
rgame.

AtHi
sHouse.
.

Nomahgotoutoft
hecarandwr appedherarms
ar
oundher
self
.Shelookedupatthegreysky
.

Nomah:
Itmi
ghtr
ain.
Hi
m:Yes,
Ihopei
tdoesn'
tIhav
epl
ans.
Nomah:
Oh!

Hekissedherandpull
edheri
ntohi
m,theyl
ooked
i
ntoeachotherundert
heli
ght
s.Thei
reyesspar
kled,
Nomahsmil
edathi
m andhesmi
l
edback,
itgav
eher
l
it
tl
edéj
àvu.

Hi
m:It
oldy
ouIhav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ouaker
e.

Hewr
appedhi
shandsar
oundNomah'
sey
es.

Nomah:
Hahawhati
sit
?
Hi
m:Asur
pri
se.

Hewalkedbehi
ndhercov
eri
ngherey
esmanagi
ng
herst
eps.

Nomah:
Hahababewhati
sit
?
Hi
m:Iam r
emov
ingmyhandsbutdon'
topeny
our
ey
esokay
.
Nomah:
Hahaokay
.
HestoodInfr
ontofherandl
ookedaroundatt
he
candl
eightpi
cki
nichehador
ganised.

Hi
m:Okayy
oucanopeny
ourey
es.

Nomahsmiledandopenedoneey
ethensheopened
t
heother
,shecover
edhermouth.

Nomah:
OhmyGodBabe!

Hel
edhertosi
tdownonthebl
anketandpour
ed
t
hemsel
vesnonal
cohol
i
cchampagne.

Hi
m:Doy
oul
i
kei
t?
Nomah:
No,
Ilov
eitThanky
oubabe.

Sheleanedoverandkissedhi
m .Het
ooka
st
rawberryandfeedher,Nomahsmil
edchewi
ng.
Nomah:I
yoolennaIwi
l
lsayIwasoncef
eed
st
rawber
ry.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou.
Nomah:Ilov
eyoumor
e,t
hanky
ouf
ort
oni
ght
,thi
sis
beaut
if
ul.
Hi
m:Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumyQueen.

Hetookouthisphoneandsel ectedSia'
sEvery
dayis
Chri
stmas,heputt hephonedownandhel ped
Nomahstandupt henhet urnedheraroundbefor
e
hepull
edhercloser.Nomahsmi ledandrest
edher
headonhischest.Sheclosedhereyes.

Nomah:
Ift
hisi
sadr
eam Idon'
twantt
owakeup.
Hi
m:Met
oo.

Nomahwrappedherar
msaroundhi
m andlookedup
athi
m,hesmil
eddownatherthenl
eanedoverand
ki
ssedhi
m.

Li
ghtsofacarbri
ght
enedont
hem ,
"He"gav
ethe
carhi
sbackhidi
ngNomah.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE40

Li
ghtsofacarbr i
ght
enedonthem ,"
He"gav
et he
carhi
sbackhi di
ngNomah.Ashortwomanandher
husbandsteppedoutoft
hecar.Themansmiled
walki
ngtowardsthem.

Man:
Aol
ait
aakeor
omant
ic?

Theyalllaughedi
ncl
udi
ngNomah.Theyexchanged
greet
ings.

Woman: BathongIam sor

ryf
orrui
ningy
our
omanti
c
eveni
ng(tur
nedtoherhusband)MmekanaIt
oldy
ou
tocal
lbefor
er eta.
Man:Monaronawewon'tbeabl
etocomet
omor
row
sor
etisi
tseyourpar
cel
Hi
m:Kedi
par
cel
tsaengt
samasi
go.

Theyal
lwal
kedt
othecar
.

Wi
fe:
(ToNomah)Howar
eyou?
Nomah:
Iam goodact
ual
l
y.
Wife:
Enjoyt
heromanti
cpicni
csbecausefi
veyear
s
l
ateryouwil
lbebeggi
ngforagoodmor ni
ngki
ss.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Wif
e:Iam t
ell
i
ngy ou,seafel
aspar
kmma.Idon't
r
ememberthelasttimeIhadaromant
icdi
nneror
myhusbandmakinganef f
ortt
oberomant
ic.
Nomah:
Haha.
.
Wi
fe:
Imustbet
eny
ear
sago.
Nomah:Aobat
hong,i
fhedoesn'
twanttobe
r
omanti
cthenyouberomant
ic.Pl
antheromant
ic
dinnerandever
ything.I
t'
snottheman's
responsi
bil
i
tytoplaneveryt
hing.Sur
pri
sehi
m.

TheWi
fel
ookedatNomahandsmi
l
ed.

Wif
e:Youareri
ghtwai
tse,
Icanplant
heromant
ic
di
nnerbuthowdoimakehim gi
vemet hr
eer
ounds
nemma?

Theybot
hlaughed.

Nomah:
Nowt
hat
'sani
ssue.

Themencarri
edsomeheavyboxinsi
dethehouse
thent
heycameoutrubbi
ngthei
rhands.

Man:
Youmaygobackt
oyourr
omant
icdi
nnernow.
Nomahsmi l
ed,t
hemenspokeforaf
ewmi
nut
es
t
hentheysaidgoodby
eandl
eft
.

Nomah:
Whatdi
dtheygety
ou?
Hi
m:Sol
argy
ser
.
Nomah:
Wow,
theyar
esuchgr
eatpeopl
eaker
e.
Him:Yeah,
actual
lyt
het
wooft
hef
ri
endsIhav
e,I
haveasmallci
rcl
esoweal
way
sgoall
outoneach
other
.
Nomah:That'
ssocute,
theladyboughtt
wo
per
fumesfrom metheotherday
.

Hepul
l
edNomahi
ntohi
m andki
ssedher
.

Hi
m:Wher
ewer
ewe?

Theywentt
ositdownandenjoy
edt
heirchampagne
andfr
uit
s,t
heylat
erl
aiddownandl
ookedupatthe
skywi
thNomah'
sheadonhi
schest
.

Nomah:
Doy
ouev
ert
hinkaboutusi
nfi
vey
ear
s?
Hi
m:Yeah,
oursonwi
l
lbet
hreey
ear
sgoi
ngf
our
.
Nomah:
Hahabeser
ious.
Hi
m:Keser
iousaker
e.
Nomah:
Ourchi
l
disgoi
ngt
ogr
owup.
.
Him:(I
nterr
upt
ed)Ourchi
ldi
sgoi
ngt
ogr
owupwi
th
bothparent
sinalov
inghome.

Nomahsatdownandl
ookedathi
m.

Nomah:
Youknowt
hat
's.
.

Shebr
eat
hedoutl
oudandsmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Let
'snotr
uint
oni
ghtt
alki
ngaboutt
he
f
utur
e.That
'sat
opi
cforanot
herday
.

Li
ttl
erai
ndropsfel
lonthem andtheybothst
oodup,
Nomahpickedupherphoneaboutt oruntothe
house.Hepull
edherint
ohim andkissedher
.

Hi
m:It
houghtwomenl
oveki
ssi
ngi
nther
ain.
Nomah:
Nothol
dingmyphone.

Theybothlaughedt
henshet ookherphonei
nsi
de
thehouse.Theheav
yr ai
ndr
opscouldbeheardwit
h
thehi
ssingsoundoftherai
nf r
om mil
esaway.
Nomahhuggedhi mtight
lyl
aughing.

Nomah: Ican'
tbel
i
evekeitseny
afl
uehel
akadil
otsa
TV.Thosepeoplegetpai
dt oki
ssi
nther
ain.

"He"heldont
ohert
ight
ly,
thehi
ssi
ngsoundcame
closer
.
Hi
m:Shi
t!

Hepull
edNomahandr antothehousebutthebi
g
I
ceblockshitt
hem beforetheyreachedthefr
ont
door
,theybothlaughedgoinginsi
dethehouse.They
l
ookedateachot herandlaughedmor e.

Nomah:
Wow,
your
eal
l
yar
ear
omant
icman.
Hi
m:HahahaIdi
dn'
tknowt
her
ainwascomi
ngwi
th
i
cebl
ocks.
Nomah:
Hahaha.

Hewent othebathr
oom andgotNomahatowel
,he
wrappeditar
oundherandsatdownthenmadeher
si
tdownonhi slap.

Hi
m:Iam sor
ryourni
ghtendedl
i
ket
his.
Nomah: Iwoul
dn'
ttr
adet
hisf
orany
thi
ng,
Ihadt
he
bestni
ghtever
.

Theyhuggedandr
emai
nedl
i
ket
hatf
oraf
ew
minut
es.

Nomah:
Ilov
eyou.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
out
oobabe.
Nomah:
Noser
iousl
yIl
ovey
ou.

Shel
ookedathi
m.

Nomah: Youareeveryt
hing,youaremorethanwhat
IthoughtIdeserve.Thankyouforbeingwhoy ouare
i
nmyl if
e.Youbroughthopet omylif
e.Iam always
l
ooki ngforwar
dtot henextdaybecauseofyou.I
don'tknowwhatt odot othankyou,j
ustsayitandi
willdoit.
Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedher
.

Hi
m: Thisi
senoughforme,youbeinghere,
going
t
hroughthi
swithme.Iam notperf
ectorthemost
r
omant i
cbutIpromi
seyouIwillal
waysloveand
t
akecareofyou.

Theybumpedheadsandl
i
stenedt
ot herai
nfal
l
.A
bi
glight
eni
ng,
Nomahhuggedhimtightl
y.

Hi
m:Haha.
.

Hestoodupwit
hheri
nhishandsandwentt
othe
bedr
oom wher
etheyl
aiddowncuddl
ing.

AtSi
biy
a'shouse.

Ki
mlookedatSi
biy
asl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
smout
hopened
r
oari
nglikeasickantel
ope.Shegotoutofbedand
t
ipt
oedtot hebathr
oom whereshesatdownand
r
emov edthefakepadfrom herpant
y.

Howwasshegoi ngtogetpregnantwhent he
thoughtofsleepingwiththemangav eherdiarr
hoea?
Shecl osedherey esandbreat
hedoutheav il
y.
Nothingwasgoi ngaccordingtoplanandtimewas
notonhersi de.Shehadtogetpr egnantassoonas
yesterday.

Shewentbacktobedandl
ookedupl
i
steni
ngt
othe
rai
nunt
ilmorni
ng.

AtThobo'
shouse.

Thobowokeuptoaboxont hesi
deofthebed,he
smil
edandopenedit
,ther
ewasawat chanda
matchi
ngbeltwi
thanotewri
tt
en"Happybir
thday
,I
l
oveyou".Hesmil
edandgotoutofbed.Hewentto
t
heki
tchenwher
eNomahwasmaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandsmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Iwasgoi
ngt
otakey
oubr
eakf
asti
nbed.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE41

Shet
urnedar
oundandsmi
l
ed.

Nomah:
Iwasgoi
ngt
otakey
oubr
eakf
asti
nbed.
Thobo:Aww,
thanksbabei
t'
sthet
houghtt
hat
count
s.

HerubbedNomah'sbigst
omachandl eanedovert
o
ki
ssit
,thebabyki
ckedandtheybothsmiled.
MmaThobocamef rom t
heotherbedr
oom .

MmaThobo:
Howar eyoufeel
ingtoday
,youar
e
cl
oset
oyourduedateyoushouldcomehomewit
h
me.
Nomah:
Noi
wantt
ost
ayher
ewi
thmyman.
Theyal
ll
aughed.
..

*
***

Thobosmi l
edandwokeup, hesl
owlyopenedhi
s
eyesandfrownedreal
i
singitwasal
ladream.A
sweetdream t
hathewishedwouldcomet r
ue.

Hegotupf rom t hesof

aandwentt ot
hebedroom,
hefixedhisbedandpi ckedupabigboxthatwas
putont hetable.Hewasnotsupposedtoopenit
unti
llat
erthatev eni
ng.Well
hewasaloneandno
onewoul dknowheopenedi tr
ight
?Hepickedi
tup
thenheputi tdown.

AtNomah'
shouse.

Shewokeupt
osomeoneknocki
ngont
hedoor
,st
il
l
dressedi
ny est
erday
'scl
othesshewenttoopent
he
door.Masedicameinwithtwotakeaway
s.

Masedi
:Aoy
ouar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
Nomah:
Yeah,
Ijustgothome,
Idi
dn'
tsl
eepal
lni
ght
.

Masedi
gav
eheranaught
ylook.

Masedi
:Mmhi
canseey
ouar
eti
red.
Nomah:
Hahat
ir
edkaewedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngl
ast
ni
ght
.

Nomaht hr
ewher
sel
font
hesof
aandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ng
atherf
ri
end.

Nomah:Lastnightwasmagical,wehadapicnic
outsi
demmat henwet al
kedandt al
kedal
lnight
,he
tol
dmeabouthi spast
,hi
schildhoodandyouknow.
Weconnect
edonanot
herl
evel
,anemot
ional
lev
el.
Masedi
:Yourfi
rstni
ghtsl
eepi
ngov
erandal
lyoudi
d
wastal
kallni
ght?
Nomah:Hahahaeemma, wehav
elotsofsex,
we
neededt
alki
ngnyanawhi
chweneverdo.
Masedi
:Ok
Nomah:Hedr oppedmeathomephakel ahahali
ke
wearekids,
wagoi tsegokukuna.Odi
dn'twantto
comekegorehel aaker
eheishosti
ngpeoplethi
s
eveni
ng.
Masedi
:It
'sni
ceaker
e.Lookaty
oual
lhappymma,
I
l
ovethi
s.
Nomah:
Iti
s,Iam happyf
ri
end.
Masedi: Youdeservetobehappymylov
e,af
ter
every
thingyourexhusbanddidtoyoummay ou
deserveallthehappiness.

Nomahsmi
l
edandr
eachedf
ort
het
akeaway
.
Nomah:Mmmhdel
i
cious,
Ilov
emesomemadombi
andbeefst
ew.

Lat
ert
hatdayatThobo'
shouse.

BonnieparkedhercarInfr
ontofthehouseandt he
ki
dsst eppedoutholdi
ngasmal lcake.Theywent
i
nsidesinginghappybir
thdaysong.Thobosmiled.

Thobo:
Hahaguy
scomeoni
am nott
eny
ear
sol
d.
Bonni
e:Happybi
rt
hdayDaddy
.

Shehuggedhi
m andhehuggedherback.

Bonni
e:Wecamet
otakey
ououtf
orbi
rt
hday
br
eakfast
.
Thobo: That
'st
hought
ful
ofy
ouguy
s,l
etmegoget
dressed.
Hewentt
othebedr
oom andBonni
efol
l
owedhi
m.

Bonni
e:Happybi
rt
hday
.

Thobot
urnedar
ound.

Thobo:
Thanks.
.

Bonni
e'
sey
esf
ell
ont
hepr
esentt
hatwasont
hebed.

Thobo:
Doy
oumi
nd?
Bonni
e:Imadeami
stake.

ThoboJustl
ookedather
.

Bonni
e:Weal
lmakemi
stakesr
ight
?
Thobo:
Andy
ouar
eonl
yreal
i
singy
ourmi
stakes
al
mostsev
eny
ear
slat
er?

Nomahkeptqui
et.

Thobo:
Wehaveagreatcopar
ent
ingrel
ati
onshi
p
goi
ngoncanwepl
easest i
ckt
othat?
Bonni
e:Ar
eyousei
ngsomeone?
Thobo:Imaybe,Imi
ghtnotbeandnonei
sanyof
yourbusi
ness.

Bonni
ekeptqui
etandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Bonnie:
idon'
twantt
omov eonthem youcome
cr
yingtomeobatarebankany
adilo.
Thobo:I
t'
sbeensi
xyears,
Iam sur
eifIwant
edt
ofi
x
thi
ngsIwoul
dhavelongdonei
t.

Ther
ewasnoi
seout
side,
Thoboputonhi
scl
othes
andwentout
side.KarenandJuni
orbot
hhanded
thei
rpr
esent
stotheirUncl
e.

Thobo:
Awwt
hanky
ouguy
s.

Hel
ookedupathi
sbr
other
.

Bal
ebeng:
Heyman.
Thobo:
Ithoughty
ouwer
enotgoi
ngt
ocome.
Bal
ebeng:Why?Ijustcamet
odr
opt
heki
dsnnaI
wil
lbecomingbacklater
.
Thobo:
Okaynopr
obl
em.
Bal
ebeng:
(Lookedar
ound)I
tlooksl
i
kebusi
nessi
s
doi
ngwellaker
e.
Thobo:
Ithasi
tsday
s.
Bal
ebeng:
Canwet
alk?
Thobo:
Sur
ezup?
Bonni
ecameoutoft hebedr
oom, Balebenggav
ehis
br
otheranaughtyl
ook.HeandBonnieexchanged
gr
eeti
ngsthenthebrot
herswentoutside.

Bal
ebeng:
Aoi
didn'
tknowy
ouguy
s.
Thobo:
Ther
eisnot
hingt
her
e..War
eng?
Bal
ebeng:
Doy
ouandNomahst
il
ltal
k?
Thobo:
Nowhy
?
Bal
ebeng:
Thingsgavei
mprovedbetweenus,
she
canevenl
aughwithmethesedays.
Thobo:So?Il
aughwi
thmyexbuti
tdoesmeanIst
il
l
wanther.
Balebeng:
Hel
pmef
ixt
hingswi
thher
,Il
oveherman
and.
Thobo:
(Snapped)Kant
egat
wegoengtoday
,Nomah
hasmovedony oushoul
ddothesame.
Bal
ebeng:
Howdoy
ouknowshehasmov
edon?
Thobo:
It'
sbeenyear
sbr
o,i
fshewantedyouback
shewouldhavel
ongmadethemove.Isuggesty
ou
mov
eonman.

Balebengl
ookedathisbr
otherf
oraf
ewseconds
thenhebithi
sinnerl
i
p.

Bal
ebeng:
Youst
il
lseei
ngNomahar
en'
tyou?

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE42

Bal
ebeng:
Youst
il
lseei
ngNomahar
en'
tyou?
Thobo:
What
?
Bal
ebeng:
Youar
e.
Thobo:Soj ustbecauseIsaidmoveoni tmeans
goreIam seingNomah?Okayshapoeegetback
toget
her.Nnai wasj ustsay
inggoredon'tgetyour
hopesupf orsomeoney oulongbr
okeupwi th.Ifshe
wantedyoubackIam sur eshewouldhav elongtold
you.
Balebeng:
Nokegorethewayyouar
ebei
ngnegat
ive
ekareyouwantherf
oryour
sel
f.
Thobo:Youshoul
dknowbynowgorennaIgoafter
whatIwant,
ifIwant
edherIwoul
dhaveherbynow.

Hewenti
nsi
det
hehousel
eav
inghi
sbr
otherout
side.
Bal
ebengswal
lowedhar
dandwentt
osaygoodby
e
tot
hekidsbef
orehel
eft
.

Bonni
e:Andt
hen?
Thobo:
Ketait
sedil
otsadi
pokonna.Let
'sgoIwi
l
l
usemycarandcomewitht
hekids.
Bonni
e:Okay
.

AtNomah'
shouse

Nomahtypedt
hei
rresear
chwhi
l
eMasedi
readi
tout
l
oudtoher.

Masedi
:Andwear
edone.
Nomah:
Alr
eady
?
Masedi;Yeah,
Ithi
nkyoushouldsubmitther
esear
ch
akereyouknowgoreoureconomicslect
urehasa
crushonyou.
Nomah: Hahahai
j
aayouarest
art
ingaker
e,j
ust
becausesomeoneisf
ri
endl
ytoyoudoesn'
tmean
theywantyou.
Masedi
:Fri
end,youandmeandt her
estoft
hecl
ass
knowgoreMrIsaiahwagonyaka.

Theylaughedoutl
oud.Therewasaknockatt he
door,Nomahputthelaptopdownandwentt oopen
thedoor.MmaThobost oodbytheot
hersidesmili
ng
l
ookingbeauti
fuli
napinkandblackdressthat
matchedherdoek.

Nomah:
Dumel
ang.
MmaThobo:
Howar
eyoumychi
l
d?
Nomah:
Pleasecomei
n.

MmaThobogoti
nsi
dethehouse,
sheexchanged
gr
eeti
ngswit
hMasedi
,Nomahcamewi t
hagl assof
j
uiceandgav
eher
.
Nomah:
What
'st
heoccasi
onnel
ent
sebant
ejaana?
MmaThobo:Todayit
'sThobo'
sbirt
hdaysohei
s
hav
ingdi
nnerathi
shouse,thati
swhereweare
goi
ng.
Nomah:Ammeisitokaytodr
essli
ket
hisgoi
ngto
someone'
spar
ty?Youaregoi
ngtoout
shinet
hem.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.

MmaThobo:Nnaimightbeol
dbutIcangi
vey
ou
gi
rl
saroundfory
ourmoney.

Theyal
ll
aughedagai
n.

Masedi
;NnyaammemmaIbel
i
evey
ou,
youar
e
l
ooki
ngverybeaut
if
ul.
MmaThobo:
Thanky
ou,
(toNomah)Iam her
eto
i
nvi
tey
out
heengwanaka.

Masedi
excusedher
sel
fandwentout
side.

MmaThobo:Iknowgorethel
astti
meIwasher
eI
wasbeggi
ngyoutostayawayfr
om bot
hmyboys.

Nomahdi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.

MmaThobo: Iwantyout oknowt hatasl

ongasy ou
havekidswit
husy ouwi l
lforev
erbepar tofour
famil
y.Inev
erwanty outof eell
ikeIhateyouorthat
Idon'
tcareaboutyou,thatiswhyIam aski ngy
out o
bemypl usone.

Nomahsmi
l
ed.

MmaThobo:
Thi
sist
imet
omaket
hingsr
ight
betweenourfamil
y.Iwantyoutoknowt hati
t'
sokay
tocall
Thoboifyouneedany t
hing,
fir
ststepi
sus
goi
ngt oget
hert
othispart
y.
Nomah: Idon'
twantt
omakeany onef
eelawkwar
d
orunset
tlebymypresence.Ibel
i
evet
her
eisa
reasonwhyIam noti
nvit
edand..
MmaThobo:Nonsense,
Imadethingsawkward
bet
weenyouandThobosonowIwantt ofi
xthat.
Yougoi
ngtothepart
ywill
meanal ott
ohim,hehas
awomaninhisli
fenowandmay beyouguyscanget
al
ong.
Nomah:
Hehasawoman?
MmaThobo:Ketalal
akebui
l
edi
l
otsabat
hoHahaha.
Pl
easedon'
tsayno.
Nomah:
Ihav
enot
hingt
owear
.
MmaThobo:
Any
thi
ngi
sokay
.
Nomah:Maybeyoushoul
dcal
lhi
m andaski
fit
's
okayt
hatIcome.
MmaThobo:
Nonsense,
ofcour
sey
ouar
ewel
come.
Nomah:
Okay
,kekal
edi
a,l
etmeaskmyf
ri
endt
o
t
akemeaf
terIdomyhai
r.
MmaThobo:
Promi
semey
ouwi
l
lcome.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
l.
MmaThobo:
Okayt
hedi
nnerst
art
skasev
endon'
tbe
l
ate.
Nomah:
Eemma,IhopeIdon'
tgetlost
,Idon'
t
r
emembert
hel
astti
meIwentthere.
MmaThobo:
Cal
lmei
fyougetl
ost
.
Nomah:
Eemma.

MmaThobolef
t.Masedi
camei
nexci
tedr
ubbi
ngher
handst
oget
her.

Masedi:
Iam goi
ngtor
ushhomeandgetmy
makeupkitandt
heper
fectdr
esswhi
l
eyoushower
Okay.

Nomahl
aughed.
Masedi
:Yes,
wenasal
aot
hapaIam comi
ng.

Masedigr
abbedhercarkeysandl
eft
.Nomah
gr
abbedherphoneandcli
ckedon"Daddy
"snumber
.

Hi
m:Heybeaut
if
ul.
Nomah:Hey,Idon'
tknowhowy ouaregoi
ngtofeel
aboutt
hisbutIhav
ebeeni nvit
edtoabir
thdaydi
nner
byMmaThoboandi coul
dn'tsayno.
Hi
m:Wel
li
t'
supt
oyoui
fyouwantt
ogoornot
.
Nomah:Ij
ustdon'
twantyouto.
.(
shebr
eat
hedout
l
oud)i
fyouarenotokaywit
hitt
henIwon'
t.
.
Hi
m:(
Int
err
upt
ed)Iam okaywi
thi
t.
Nomah:
Osur
e?
Hi
m:Kesur
e.
Nomah:
Okay
,Il
ovey
ou.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou.
Shehungupandwentt
othebat
hroom.

AtThobo'
sRanch

Thoboputhi sphoneont hechar gerinhisbedroom

andwentout sidewheret hedecoandcat eri
ng
peoplewer esett
ingeverythi
ng.Hewentbackt ohi s
bedroom andlookedar ound,somet hi
ngwas
missingbuthedi dn'
tknowwhat .Hebithisl
ip
thoughtful
l
ythenher emember editwasthepr esent,
i
twassupposedt obeont hetablebutitwasn'tthere.
Itwasn'tonthebedeither.Hel ookedunderthet abl
e,
underthepill
owandundert hebedandi tsti
llwasn't
there.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE43

Hewentint
ohiseldestdaught
er'
sroom wher
ethe
ki
dswereplay
ing.

Thobo:
Heyguy
shav
eyout
akenany
thi
ngf
rom my
bedr
oom?
Daughter
:It
ookyourchar
gert
heni
ret
urnedi
t.I
s
anyt
hingmissi
ng?
Thobo;
No,
not
hing.

Hewentbacktohisbedroom andt
heboxst
il
lwasn'
t
ther
e.Hedi
aledBonnie'
snumberandshedi
dn'
tpick
up.Afewminutesl
atershecall
edback.

Bonni
e:HeyIam dr
ivi
ng.
Thobo:Hey,Ihadali
ttl
eboxi
nmybedr oom ear
li
er
today,
Iknowgor egawaetsayabutIwas
wonderingi
fmay beyousawitandputi
tsomewhere
safe.
Bonni
e:Noidi
dn'tseeanyt
hingl
eyonet
hatboxI
don'
trememberseeingi
t.
Thobo:
Gor
ayagor
eImi
spl
acedi
t,noshapoaker
e.
Bonni
e:Shapo.

Shehungupandlookedattheboxont hepassenger
seatwonderi
ngwhatwasinit.Sheparkedbythe
si
deoftheroadandunwrappedt hebox,shel
ooked
aroundbef
oresheopenedit
.

I
nsidewasanexpensi
veperf
ume,awhitet
-shi
rtand
acard.Bonni
erol
l
edhereyesandopenedt
hecar d.

"
Happybi
rt
hdayDaddy
Onthisdaytenyearslat
erwewillpr
obabl
ybe
marri
edwithkids,Ihopetwo.Aboyandagir
l.Aboy
wholooksexactlyli
keyouandagirlwhol
ooksli
ke
bot
hofus.Ilovey ouDaddy.

Iprayforpeace,success,happi
ness(whichIpl
anon
bri
ngingalotofithaha),breakt
hroughbutmostl
y
goodhealthintoyourli
feasy ougrowoldert
oday.I
l
ovey ou.

Tonightafterev er
yonegoeshome,wearthatt
-shi
rt
(damndi dIev ertel
lyouthaty
oulookgoodinwhit
e?)
Spraythatperf umeandcomeov erfory
ouractual
present(LOL)

Lov
eBabe"

Bonnierol
ledhereyesandputeveryt
hingback
i
nside,shewrappedthepresentl
i
kei thadbeen
wrappedandputitundertheseat.Uponarri
valat
Thobo'
shouseshehi
ditont
heTVst
andandwent
tothepat
iowher
eever
yonewas.

Shewentt
ogreetevery
oneandsatdownnextt
o
Johnt
henshestoodupandwenttotal
ktoThobo
whowastal
ki
ngt ohisfr
iend.

Mi
chael
:AoMmaThobo.
Bonni
e:Hahawai
that
'snotmeanymor
e,t
her
eisa
newbaeintowny
oudon'tknow?

Mi
chael
andThobol
ookedateachot
her
.

Bonni
e:Iknow,t
hisgl
owesupagor
ether
eisa
womanbehi ndi
t

Theyl
aughed.
Thobo:
Wai,
lennammaIbuydi
glowoi
l
s,gagonaa
womanbehi
ndthegl
ow.
Bonni
e:Haha,
didy
ouf
indt
heboxy
aear
li
er?

Thoboshookhi
shead,
Bal
ebengwal
kedi
nwitha
womandressedi
nareddr
essandbl
ackheel
s.They
wenttosi
tdown.

MmaThobost
oodupandwal
kedt
oThobo.

MmaThobo:
Letmest
eal
himf
oraf
ewseconds.

Theyst
oodbyt
hecor
ner
.

MmaThobo:
Iinv
itedNomahkana.
Thobo:
Sheto..
ohImean, themorethemerri
er.Le
nnahel
aIdidn'
tinv
iteherbecausenekesaitse
wheret
ostarthavi
ngnotspokent oeachot
herin
al
mostt
woy
ear
s.
MmaThobo:Ihopet
herei
snoawkwardnesst
oni
ght
aker
e,l
eBal
ebengItol
dhi
m gor
eIinv
itedher
.
Thobo:
Gagona.
.

Hisey eswer ecaughtbythetwowomenwhoj ust

walkedi n.Masedi r
emainedbehindtalkingtoher
phonewhi l
eNomahwal kedindressedinashor t
blackonehanddr esswithpolkalongsleeve.Her
braidswer eloosefall
i
ngdownonhershoul dersand
the" Kenzo"tatt
ooonhercollarbonewasshowi ng.

Kar
enandJuni
orr
ant
owar
dsher
.

Kar
en:
Mamay
ouboughtanot
herdr
essaker
e.
Nomah:
Hahat
hisi
snotmydr
essi
t'
sMasedi
'
s.

Shewenttositdownwithherki
ds.Bal
ebengsmi
l
ed
atherandshesmiledback.
MmaThobo:
Youcame?
Nomah:
Youki
ndofl
eftmenochoi
cebutt
ocome.

Theybothlaughed.Nomah'sphonevibrat
ed.She
l
ookedatThobot alkingt
ohisfr
iendstandi
ngbythe
corner
,sheopenedt hemessageandlaughedalone.

Hi
m:Idon'
tl
iket
hatdr
ess.
Nomah:
Hahawhat
'swr
ongwi
thmydr
ess?
Hi
m:Imi
ghtgety
oupr
egnantt
oni
ght
Nomah:
Idon'
tl
ikesuchj
okes

Sheputherphonedown,Masedicametositnextt
o
herthenThobowal
kedover,hekeptacool
face
becauseheknewhisbr
otherandmotherwere
watching.
Heext
endedhi
shandt
oNomah.

Thobo:
Hi.
.

Masedi
putherel
bowont
het
abl
eandl
ookedat
t
hem.

Nomah:
Hi.
Thobo:
Iam gl
ady
oucoul
dcome.
Nomah:
Iam gl
adi
gott
hei
nvi
te.

Michaelcl
ear
edhisthr
oat,Thoboreal
isedhewas
sti
l
lholdi
ngontoNomah' shand.Hequicklyl
etgoof
herhandandputhishandsinhispockets.

Hewenti nsi
dethehouse.Nomah'
sphonereported
anSMS, shewhisper
edinMasedi'
searand
pr
etendedt otal
ktoherphonewal
kingout
side.
I
nsi
det
hehouse.

Nomahl ookedar
oundbef or
eshewentintoThobo'
s
bedroom.Thoboquickl
ylockedt
hedoorandkissed
herpull
i
ngherdressup,shewasn'twear
ingany
panti
es.

Thobo:
FuckImi
ssedy
ou.

Het ookouthismamba, pinnedheragainstthewal

l
andr ubbeditonhernunubef or
eheslowlysqueezed
hi
msel fin.Theybothmoanedsof t
lywit
ht heirl
i
ps
pressedagainsteachother.

Someoneknockedont
hedoor
.

Bonni
e:Nomahar
eyouokay
?
BothThoboandNomahl
ookedateachother
.
Bonni
etri
edtoopent
hedoorandi
twaslocked.

Bal
ebengcamei
n.

Bal
ebeng:
Hav
eyouseenThobo?

Bonni
elaughedi
ndi
sbel
i
efandshookherhead.

Bonni
e:Theyar
einher
e.(l
oud)ThoboandNomah
ar
einhere.

I
nsideNomahtouchedherchestshaki
ng,shepul
l
ed
downherdr
essandcuppedherf acecr
ying.

Thobo:
Stayi
nher
e.
Nomah:
(Cr
ying)Pl
easedon'
t.
.
Thoboopenedthedoorandwentout
side,
hel
ocked
thedoorandputt
hekeyinhi
spocket.

Bonni
e:IsawNomahgoi
nther
e.
Thobo:
Yesshei
sint
her
e.

Thatti
mether
estoft
hef
ami
l
ywascomi
ngi
nsi
de
thehouse.

Thobo:YesNomahi sinther
e,sheandIhav ebeen
seeingeachotherforthepasttwoyears,sheandI
l
ov eeachother.Iam t
iredofhi
dingourlove,Iam
ti
redof..

Bal
ebengthr
ewapunchinhisf
ace.Thobo
massagedhi
sjawandr
aisedhi
shead.

Thobo:
Hitmeagaini
fitmakesyoubett
er,
(looked
atMmaThobo)di
sownmef orl
ovingNomah.Di sown
mef orbeinghappybutIam notgoi ngt ost opl ovi
ng
her,Iam notgoi ngt obreakupwi thherjustbecause
ofy ourcul t
urethatonl ywor kstooppr essot her
peopl e.Bogologol owhenabr otherdi edt heol der
brotherst eppedi nandmar ri
edhi slatebr other' s
wife.Theyhadki dsandt hebrotherwoul dr aiseall
theki dsashi sown.I fi
t'
saboutcul t
uret henwhyi sit
wrongt hatIam i nl ovewi t
hawomanwhomy
brotherhur tbadlyandt reatedbadl y
.Don' tIdeser ve
tobehappy ,
doesn' tNomahdeser vetobehappy ?
Balebenghasmov edonNomahenedoesn' tshe
deser vetomov eon, shedoesn' tdeser vet obe
happy ?Whati fImakeherhappyandnoot herman.
Whyi sitwrongt hatwel ov eeachot her.Whyi sita
taboot hatIam i nl ov ewithmybr other'sexwi fe
whent heculturet haty ouar etalkingaboutf orced
woment omar ryt heirbrotherinl awsaf terdeat h?

Noonesai
dany
thi
ng.

Thobo:
Fort
hiswomani
nsi
det
her
oom Iam wi
l
li
ng
togivei
tal
lup,
Iam wil
l
ingtolooseeveryone
becauseIl
oveher
,Iam i
nlovewithher.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE44

Thobo: Forthiswomani nsi det heroom Iam will

ing
togiveitallup, Iam wil
lingt olooseev eryone
becauseIl oveher ,Iam inl ovewi t
hher .Iknow
every
onei snotgoi ngtobehappywi thour
rel
ati
onshi p,
iknowy ouar egoi ngtobecal l
i
ngher
namesf orbeingi narel
at ionshipwi t
hherex
husband' sbrotherbutknowt hatIam fullyaware
thatt
hisi smyl itt
lebrother '
sexwi fe.Beforeyou
caststonesatherknowt hatIam f ul
lyawar eof
whatIam doi ng.

Noonesaidanythi
ng.Bal
ebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongue
andt
urnedaroundtohisdat
e.

Bal
ebeng:
Let
'sgo.
Hegr
abbedherbyt
hehandandt
heyl
eft
.

Bonni
e:John,
Soni
alet
sgo.

Thekidsfol
l
owedt heirmotheroutsi
detot
hecar.
Johnsatatthefrontwit
hhermot her,
Soni
asatat
thebackandlookedoutsidethewindow.

Soni
a:SoAunt
yNomahi
sgoi
ngt
obeournewmum?
John:
Nnashei
snotmymot
her
.

Backi
nthehouse.

Masedi
fol
dedherar
mswal
ki
ngt
owar
dsMi
chael
.

Masedi
:Iy
ooo,
thatwasbr
ave.
Michael
:That
a,Iwoul
dhavenev
ergotoutoft
hat
r
oom helatobegi
nwith.
Theybot
hlaughed.

Masedi
:Doy
out
hinkt
her
eisgoi
ngt
obeadi
nner
t
onight
?
Michael
:Let'
sgodi
shforour
sel
ves,idon'
tseeus
si
tti
ngaroundthet
abl
esingi
nghappybirt
hday.

Theyl
aughedagai
nthendi
shedf
ort
hemsel
vesand
wentt
ositdown.

Meanwhi
leMmaThoboclosedthekit
chendoorand
l
ookedatherson,
sheshookherhead.

MmaThobo:Tel
lmehowy
ouwoul
dfeel
ifBal
ebeng
st
art
eddat
ingBonni
e.
Thobo:
It'
sthei
rli
fe,
ifBonni
eishappythent
hat
's
whatmatter
sthemostnotmyf eel
ings.
MmaThobo: Tot
angwanakahowam Isupposedt o
acceptyouandNomahwithouthur
ti
ngBal
ebeng's
feel
ings?Doyouseewhatyouhaveputmethrough?

Thobol
etoutasof
tlaugh.

Thobo:Iactual
lyf
inditfunny,youwer etherewhen
Bal
ebenghur tNomahandki ckedherdownather
l
owest,youwer et
herewhenBal ebeng'sgir
lf
ri
end
waswear i
ngNomah' sclothes.Youwer etherewhen
Moengelewasbor n,youwer etherewhen..
MmaThobo: Itdoesn'tmeanit
'sokaytosl eepwit
h
yourbrother'
sexwi fe.YouandNomah( tookadeep
breat
h)Ihav eseenhowhappyy ouhavebeenbutI
am sorryIjustcannotaccepty ourrel
ati
onship.

Sheopenedthedoorandl
eft
.Thobocuppedhis
face.Hi
sUnclecameinl
eavi
ngtheki
tchendoor
opened.
Uncle:
Monay ouhavereal
lydi
sappointedmetoday,
Ial
way sknewy outobeanhonestmanwhodoes
thi
ngsbyt hebookbuttoday(shookhishead)I
fthat
womanr eall
ylovesyoushewoul dn'
tcomebetween
youandy ourfamil
y.

Hel eft
,Thoboleanedagainstthewallt
henhewent
outsidewhereeveryonewasl eavi
ng.Hewentto
unl
ockt hedoorandwenti nsidethebedroom.
Nomahj umpedonhi m andhuggedhim cryi
ng,
he
huggedhert i
ghtl
y.

Nomah:Thanky
ou.(
Cry
ing)Thanky
ouf
orwhaty
ou
di
dforus.

Thobohuggedhert
ight
lyandt
heysatont
hebed.

Nomah:
Whatdi
dyourmot
hersay
?
Thobo:
ImeantwhatIsai
dwhenIsai
dthatIam
wil
li
ngtol
ooseev
eryonetobewi
thyou.
Nomahstoodupandcuppedherf
ace.Shebr
eat
hed
outl
oudandcl
osedherface.

Nomah:Whati
ftwoyearslat
eri
tdoesn'
twor
kout
bet
weenus?Idon'
twanttobethatwomanwho.
Thobo:
Hey
..hey
.

Hest
oodupandgr
abbedbot
hhershoul
der
s.

Thobo:
Idon'
t.
..

Nomahst
eppedbackandcov
eredherf
acecr
ying.

Nomah:MmaThoborai
sedyoubyhersel
ffr
om bi
rt
h,
sheisy
ouronl
ypar
entandIdon'
twanttocome
bet
weenyouandher
,it
'swr
ong.
Thobo:
Wasi
mol
l
aaker
e?
Nomah:
Iam sor
rybut
.
Thobo:Butwhat?Ketagokgwi
sadi
l
odi
sel
etseo
batanggodibuwatseokampama.(
Iwi
l
lsl
apthe
nonsenseoutofyourmout
h)

Nomahkeptqui
etandwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Thobo:Youdon' thav
etoremindmet hatMmaThobo
i
smymot her,Iknowthat
.Didn'
tyouknowsheismy
motherallt
histime?

Nomahwi
pedhert
ear
s.

Thobo:
Thi
siswhatwewantr
ight
?
Nomah:
Yesbutnotl
i
ket
his.
Thobo:Bathobal
etheywi
llcomear
ound.Shewi
l
l
event
uall
ygetusedtousandcomearound.

Hepul
l
edNomahi
ntohi
schestandhuggedher
.
AtBal
ebeng'
shouse

Hisdat
etookoffhershoesandl
ookedathim,she
shookherheadandsatdownmassagingherf
eet.

Her
:Ar
eyoust
il
li
nlov
ewi
thy
ourex?
Bal
ebeng:
Thi
sisnotaboutmebei
ngi
nlov
ewi
thher
.
Her
:What'
sitabout
?Ifyoudon'
tl
ovehert
henwhy
doyoucar
ewhoshesl eepswi
th?

Balebengcl
i
ckedhi
stongueandwentt
otheki
tchen
thenhecamewithabeer.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

MmaThoboandt heki
dsgotoutofBalebeng's
Uncl
e'
scar.Thekidsr
antothehouse.Unclewent
ar
oundthecarandrest
edhi
sbackagai nstthecar
andl
ookedatMmaThobo.

Uncl
e:Iwonderwhatwoul
dhav ehappenedi
fIhad
Thobo'
sconfi
denceandli
verbackthen.
MmaThobo:
Mor
eri
please.
Uncl
e:Let'
sgi
vetheki
dsabreak,
youknowwehav
e
beenthr
oughthesamethi
ng.Kar
abo.
.

MmaThobol
ookedar
ound.

MmaThobo: Weagreednev
ertotalkaboutthat
f
ateful
nightwhyareyoubr
ingi
ngitup?Balebeng'
s
f
atherhadjustdi
edandiwaslonel
y.Karabowasa
mist
ake.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE45

MmaThobol
ookedar
ound.

MmaThobo: Weagreednev
ertotalkaboutthat
f
ateful
nightwhyareyoubr
ingi
ngitup?Balebeng'
s
f
atherhadjustdi
edandiwaslonel
y.Karabowasa
mist
ake.
Uncl
e:Webot
hknowhewasnotami
stake,
you
know.
MmaThobo: Mor i
riplease,y ouar emychildr
en's
Uncleleti
tendt here.Weagr eedtokeepKar abo'
s
pater
nityasecretunt ilwebot hdie.Myin-
lawsdied
knowinggoreBal ebeng' sfatherleftmepregnant
wit
hKar abothatiswhyev ent odaynoonei s
questi
oningwhyKar abol ooksl i
key oualot,i
ts
becauseeveryoneknowsy ouar ehisuncl
e.

Uncl
ekeptqui
et.
MmaThobo:Ebil
eiam star
ti
ngt
oregretaski
ngyou
t
ogivemealift
,yourwif
emuchstar
tsuspecti
ngus
l
ikeshedi
dyearsago.Pl
easegohomenow.

MmaThobowentinsi
dethehouseandclosedt
he
door
.Rangwane'
sgoti
nhiscarandlef
t.

AtThobo'
shouse.

NomahhuggedMasedi andsteppedbackfol
ding
herhands.Masedi
openedMi chael'
scardoorand
smil
edatherfri
endlaughing.

Nomah:
What
?
Masedi
:NnammaIam happyt
het
rut
hcameout
.It
wassuf
focat
ingme.
Nomah:
Haha
Masedi
:Gapewewil
ltal
kgorewhyy
oudi
dn'
ttel
lme
Thobohassuchahi
tfri
endmma.
Nomah:Mmmhmmhwenakana,
war
ewhyar
eyou
nott
aki
ngyourcaragai
n?
Masedi
:Heistheonewhosuggest
edhedropsme
athomebecauseappar
ent
lyt
heroadhaselephant
s.
Nomah:
Hahahashee,
way
akahewant
ofucky
ou.
Masedi
:That
'swhylennaItol
dhi
m Iam scar
edof
El
ephant
sanddri
vingatni
ght.

Theybot
hlaughed.

Masedi
;Letmegomma.
Nomah:
Shapo.
Masedi
:Takecar
eofDaddymmaakerehedi
dn'
teat
hi
scakemakesureyougi
vehi
m some.
Nomah:
Hahat
hat
amma.
Masedi:
Omoneelemma, t
hewayhespokef
ory
ou,
gi
veital
ltohi
m osal
ekasekgaphahel
a.
Nomah:
Hahaha.
Masedi
:MmmhI
yoo.

Mi
chael
goti
nthecarandbr
ight
enedont
hem

Nomah:
Tsamay
ammewadi
tou.

Theylaughedandhuggedagai
nthenMasedi
wentto
geti
nt hecar
.ThobohuggedNomahandwatched
astheirf
ri
endslef
t.Hetur
nedtoNomahandsmil
ed.

Thobo:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odowi
thal
lthef
ood?
Nomah:Idon'
tknow,
youar
etheonehopi
ssedof
f
peopl
e.
Thobo:Youknownoneofthi
swould'
vehappenedi
f
youdidn'
tcomeweari
ngthi
sdress.
Nomah:
Hahashee!Sonowi
t'
smyf
aul
t?
Thobo:
Yes.
Theyl
aughedgoi
ngt
othehouse.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Shetossedandt urnedaroudthi
nkingabouther
conversat
ionearl
ierwithBal
ebeng'sUncle.She
breat
hedoutloud, howwouldherki dsl
ookatheri
f
theyfoundoutthet r
uthaboutKarabo?

Shebr
eat
hedheav
il
yanddr
ankwat
ert
hengotback
i
nbed.

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay
..

Nomahslowlyopenedhereyes,shestret
chedher
ar
msandl ookedaroundyawning,Thobowasnoton
hi
ssideofthebedanditwascol dwhichmeanthe
wokeuplongago.
Nomahgotoutofbedandwentt othebathroom,
shesatonthetoi
l
etandcov eredherfacebreat
hing
heavi
l
y.Shewipedher
selfthenshewashedher
handswhil
elooki
ngatherselfint
hemi rr
or.

Thebathroom dooropenedandThobocamei n,
he
huggedherfrom behi
ndandkissedherneckwhil
e
l
ookinginthemirror
.

Thobo:
Comet
obed.
Nomah;
Wher
ewer
eyouwhenIwokeup?

Sheturnedar
oundandwr appedherar
msaroundhi
s
neck.Thoboki
ssedherandtheybumpedheads
breat
hingoneachot
her.

Thobo:
Iwentt
omakey
oubr
eakf
ast
.

Hehel
dherhandandt
hywal
kedbacki
nthe
bedroom.Theysatonaroundtablebythewindow
whichhadtwochairsandadeli
cioussmell
i
ng
Engli
shbreakf
astwasonthetable.

Nomah:
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
Thobo:
Beaut
if
ult
hingsf
orabeaut
if
ulwoman.
Nomah:
Thanksbabe.

Shet
ookabi
tef
rom t
heomel
ett
eandsmi
l
ed.

Thobo:
What
,abosul
a?
Nomah: Hahano,justt
hat.
.Iam scar
edofgetti
ng
outofthisr
oom.Idon'tknowwhatwai t
sforme
outsi
de,Idon'
tknowhowIam goi ngtoexpl
ainthi
s
tothekids.
Thobo:
Doy
ouwantust
odoi
ttoget
her
?
Nomah:
No,
thi
sissomet
hingIhav
etodoonmy
own.
Thobohel
pedNomahst
andupandmadehersi
ton
hi
slap.

Thobo:Iknowit
'sgoingtobehar
d,peopl
ear
egoing
total
kandcall
younamesbutIwanty out
oknow
thatweareint
histogether
.

Nomahknodherhead.

Nomah:
Iam sor
ryIr
uinedy
ourbi
rt
hday
.
Thobo:Youdidn'
t,
comingouty
ester
daywasbett
er
thandi
nnerandpeopl
esingi
nghappybi
rt
hday.

Nomahsmi ledandr estedherheadonThobo.He

tuckedherbr ai
dsbehi ndherearandkissedher.
Nomahki ssedhi m back.Thobosnuckhi shand
underhist-shir
tshewaswear i
ngandcuppedher
breast
s,theykissedbot hbreat
hingheavily,
Nomah
openedherl egsandsatonThobo' slapf aci
nghim,
sheputherhandi nhi ssweatpantsandcameout
wit
ht hemamba, sherubbeditali
tt
leBeforeshe
posit
ionedhersel
fthenshesatontopofitand
moanedsof t
lywithhereyesopenedwith,she
neededsomeget ti
ngusedt o.

AtUncl
e/Rangwane'
shouse.

Balebengpar
kedhi
scaratthegateandsteppedout
.
Heputhiskeysint
hepocketandwalkedtounder
thetreewher
ehisUncl
ewassitt
ingwithhi
swi f
e.
Theyexchangedgr
eeti
ngs.

MmaRangwane:
Letmegocheckonmypot
s,Iam
cooki
ngst
amps.
Bal
ebeng:
Eemma

Shest
oodupandexcusedher
sel
f.Bal
ebengcl
ear
ed
hi
sthr
oat
.
Uncl
e:Av
isi
tfr
om y
ousoear
lyi
nthemor
ning?
Bal
ebeng:
Yeah.Icamet
oasky
ousomet
hing.
Uncl
e:Yes?
Balebeng:I
sitpossi
bletoki
ckThobooutofour
fat
her'sname?Hei snothi
ssonafteral
landhi
s
acti
onsspeaklouder.

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE46

Balebeng:I
sitpossi
bletoki
ckThobooutofour
fat
her'sname?Hei snothi
ssonafteral
landhi
s
acti
onsspeaklouder.
Uncle:Kantedoy ouheary oursel
fwheny ouspeak
kanay ouletangert ocont rolyou.Whodi edand
madey outhinkyouar eGodnowandy oucan
changet hi
ngsj ustbecauset heyarenotinyour
favour.Youdumpedandhumi li
atedNomah, Thobo
pickedherupandgav eherhope, hemadehersmi l
e
againandy ouareheret alkingnonsense.May be
yourotheruncleswi ll
listent oyout al
ki
ngsuch
nonsense, notme.
Bal
ebeng:
Thobohasnor
ightusi
ngmyf
ather
's
name.
Uncle:
Andyoudo?Doyouthi
nkmybr otherwi
llbe
happywit
hyouri
ghtnow?Hedidn'
trai
sey out
o
becomethi
sdi
sgust
ingman,t
otaebi
lewhyam I
cal
li
ngyouaman?Youareanexcuseofaman.

Bal
ebengkeptqui
et.

Uncle:Mybrot
herraisedThoboashi sownand
that'
swhyeveryonecall
edhim RraThobount
ilhe
died.Don'
tdi
srespecthimli
kethat.

Theoldmanst oodupandwentt othehousetal

ki
ng
al
onel eavi
ngBal
ebengaloneunderthetr
ee.Few
minuteslat
erBalebenggotup,
wenttohiscarand
l
eft.

AtMmaThobo'
shouse.

Thoboknockedsoft
lybef
oreheopenedthedoor
.
Thekidsweresi
tt
ingonthesofashavi
ngthei
r
breakf
ast
.MmaThobocamef rom theki
tchen
hol
dingagl
assofj
uice.

Thobo:
Dumel
ang.
MmaThobo:
Dumel
arr
a.
Thobo:Heyguy
s,y
oudoneeat
ingy
ourmot
heri
s
wait
ingfory
ouatt
hecar
.
MmaThobo: Soshedoesn'
tcometogreett
hisdays?
Juni
oreatquickl
yyourmot
heriswai
ti
ngforyou.

Karentookherplat
etot
heki
tchenandcameout
wipinghermouth.

Kar
en:
Ourcl
othesar
eatDad'
shouse.
Thobo:
Wewi
l
lgogett
hem.

Juni
orsippedonhi
sdr i
nkandt
henst
oodupt
aki
ng
thepl
atestotheki
tchen.
MmaThobo:
Sothi
sishowthingsar
egoingt
obe,
youcomi
ngher
ewithheraboasalaint
hecar?
Thobo:Mum youmadeitcleary
ouarenotgett
ing
i
nvolv
edinourrel
ati
onshi
p,Idon'
tunder
standwhy
youwantNomah..

Hebr
eat
hedoutheav
il
yandst
oppedt
alki
ng.

Thobo:
Juni
ory
ourmot
heri
swai
ti
ng.Gosi
ame.

Hefol
lowedJuniorout
sidethenhelpedhiminthe
car
.Juni
orstr
uggledtopulltheseatbel
t,Thobo
l
aughedandhelpedhimt henhewentov erand
hel
pedKaren.

Juni
or:
InDad'scarIcanpul
ltheseatbel
tbecause
i
t'
ssmallaker
eKaren.
Kar
en:
Yeah.
Nomaht
urnedar
oundandsmi
l
edatherki
ds.

Nomah:
Youwanti
cecr
eam?
Kar
en:
Noi
t'
scol
d.
Juni
or:
Iwantsome.
Nomah:Okayiwi
l
lgetsomef
orJuni
or,
wenawhat
doyouwant?
Kar
en:
Not
hing.

Nomahl
ookedatThoboandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatt
he
f
ront
.

Juni
or:Uncl
eThobowher
eist
hecakef
rom
yest
erday?
Thobo:
Ohi
t'
sst
il
lathomey
ouwantsome?
Juni
or:
Yes.
Thobo:
Okayi
wil
lbr
ingsomef
ory
out
omor
row.
Juni
or:
Andt
hef
ood?
Thobo:Wetookitt
othepeopl
ewhoar
epoorand
havenothi
ngtoeat
.
Junior
:Okay
,Iam gl
ady
oudi
dn'
ttaket
hecake
though.

Theyal
ll
aughedexceptforKar
en.Theywenttobuy
i
cecream andThobodroppedthem of
fathome.

Thobo:
Kar
enl
ooksl
i
keshehasal
ott
osay
.
Nomah:
Yeah,
thanksf
orl
astni
ght
.

Thobol
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
.

Thobo: I
tfeel
sgoodt
okissy
ouint
heday.Nnat
ota
meet i
nginthedar
kli
kewearev
ampir
esnego
ntsene.
Nomah:
Hahaway
aka.
Hegoti
nhiscarandwi
nkedatNomah.Nomah
br
eat
hedint
oherhandsanwenti
nsi
dethehouse.

Juni
or:
MummycanIpl
ayagameony
ourphone?
Nomah: Yeah,
cany
ouexcuseusIwantt
otal
kto
yoursi
ster.

Shegavehim hi
sphoneandJuni
orwenttosi
t
out
side.Nomahsatnextt
oKarenandtookherhand
i
ntohers.

Nomah:
CanIexpl
ain?
Kar
en:
..
Nomah:Fi
rstofal
lIdi
dn'
tbuyt
hisdr
essi
t'
s
Masedi
'
s.
Kar
en:
Iam notmadaboutt
hedr
ess.
Nomah:
Whatar
eyoumadabout
?
Kar
en:
(Lookeddown)Idon'
tknow.
.
Nomah:
Comeont
alkt
oMummy
.
Kar
en:
Daddywant
edust
obeaf
ami
l
yagai
nbuty
ou
hav
eaboyf
ri
end.
Nomah:
Het
oldy
out
hat
?
Karen:Iov
erhear
dhi
mtal
ki
ngont
hephonewi
thhi
s
fr
iend.
Nomah:CanIexpl
ainsomethi
ng?Justbecause
Daddyandiar
enottoget
herdoesn'
tmeangor ewe
can'
tbeafamil
y.
Kar
en:
Doy
ouhat
ehi
m?
Nomah: NobutIdon'
twanttobehi
sgi
rl
fri
endor
wifeanymor
e.Thatdoesn'
tmeanhewi
llst
opbei
ng
yourDad.
Karen:Youdon'
tlov
ehim any
mor
ebecausehewas
rudeandmeant oKenzo?
Nomah: No,
that'
salli
nthepast.Peopl
eloveeach
other,
getmarri
edandhavekids.Someti
mesas
yearsgobytheystopwanti
ngtobemar ri
edli
keit
happenedwithDaddyandi.
Kar
enknodherhead.

Nomah:
Soar
eyouokaywi
thmedat
ingUncl
eThobo?
Kar
en:
Okay
.
Nomah:
Osur
e?
Kar
en:
YeahIam sur
e.
Nomah:
Youhavenoideahowmucht
hismeanst
o
me.Hemakesmehappyand.
.
Kar
en:
Hegi
vesy
oumoney
?
Nomah:
Thatt
oohaha.

NomahhuggedKar
enandshehuggedherback.

AtBonni
e'
shouse.

Johnopenedthedoort
henhetr
iedt
ocloseitagai
n.
Thobopusheditwi
thaser
iousf
aceandcli
ckedhis
tongue.
Thobo:
Whatki
ndofbehav
iori
sthi
s?
John:
Youar
enotwel
comeher
e,got
oyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
Thobo:Iwi
llpunchthatbi
gnosegor
eogakol
ogel
we
goreIam y
ourf at
her.

Bonniecameoutoft
heki
tchenr
ubbi
ngherhands
toget
her.

Bonni
e:Youar
enotwel
comeher
e.
Thobo:
Soy ouar
etheonet
eachi
ngmyki
dsbad
manners?
Bonni
e:Haaaa!ar
eki
ds,
cany
oumakeki
dswena?

*
*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE47

Thobo:
Soy ouar
etheonet
eachi
ngmyki
dsbad
manners?
Bonni
e:Haaaa!ar
eki
ds,
cany
oumakeki
dswena?
Thobo:
Icamet
opi
ckupt
heki
ds.Wher
eisSoni
a?
Bonni
e:Myki
dsar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou.
John:
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou.Youhur
tmy
mum.
Thobo:
Cany
oupl
easeexcuseus.
Bonni
e:ExcuseusPapa.

Johnwentt
owat
chTV,
ThoboandBonni
ewent
outsi
de.

Thobo:
Sot
hisi
sthebehav
iory
ouar
eteachi
ngt
he
ki
ds?
Bonnie:
Theyar
eoldenoughtoseey
ouf
orwhaty
ou
real
l
yare.Yout
hinkt
hosekids.
.
Thobo:Don'truboffy
ourbadmanner sonmykids,
rathobogana.Ify
ouchoosetofightmethendoiton
yourowndon'tdragmykidsalong.
Bonnie:
Hahaaaar eki
ds.Whywoul
dIfi
ghtyou
Thobo,becauseyouar
esleepi
ngwi
thaslut
?Your
brot
her'
sexwi f
e.
Thobo:Whydoyoufeeltheneedt
oremindmeshe
i
smybr ot
her'
sexwife.I
fIrememberwell
we
at
tendedtheweddi
ngtogether
.
Bonni
e:Youar
eadi
sgr
ace.
Thobo:(
Calm)Icameheretotalkt
omykidsnot
haveyoudi
srespectmywoman.Justsoyouknow
nothi
ngyousayorcall
herchangeshowIfeel
about
her
.
Bonni
e:Shewil
lev
ent
ual
l
ycheat
,nowomanwant
s
tosl
eepwithamanwhocan'
tmakehercum.
Thobo:
Notev
ery
onei
sli
key
ou,
whi
l
esomewomen
arebui
ldi
nghomeswit
hthei
rpar
tners,st
art
ing
busi
nessesandt
ryi
ngtoi
mprovetheirl
iv
esIfel
l f
or
astupi
donewhoonlycar
esaboutcummi ng.Grow
up.

Hewalkedpastherandwenti
nsi
det
hehouse.Soni
a
r
anint
ohisarms.

Soni
a:Daddy
!

Hehuggedher
.

Soni
a:Mum say
swecan'
tcomet
oyourhouse
anymor
e.
Thobo:
Gogetdr
essedwear
egoi
ngout
.
Soni
a:Yes.

Sher
ant
oherbedr
oom,
Bonni
ecamei
nsi
deand
wentst
rai
ghttoherbedroom, shecamewitht
wo
bi
rt
hcerti
fi
cat
esandt hr
ewt hem atThobo.

Bonni
e:Kar
emykidsar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
th
youmonnawaModimo.

Thobopi ckedupt hebirthcer

ti
ficat
esandhishear
t
almostst oppedbeating,somethingst
uckonhis
throatandhel ostbreathforasecondlooki
ngata
"ThabanoTi ro"whowaswr i
tt
enast hefat
heron
bothbirthcerti
fi
cates.

Bonnie:
What'st
heuseofabi gdi
ckifyoucan't
makekids?Yesther
eyouhav ei
t,y
ouwantt oknow
whyIcheatedonyou?Becauseyoucan'thav
ekids,
oselohelaot
hermenhavetomakeki dsforyou.

Thobocover
edhisf
ace,
het
urnedar
oundand
walkedoutt
hedoor
.
Bonni
e: Otsaagoreoengwena?( Whatdoy out
hink
youare)Iguessthat
'swhyy ouset
tl
edforawoman
whohaski dsakerewenaor otametsi
.Beatme
aker
eit'
swhaty ouwant,beatme.Comeonbeatme.

Thobogoti
nhiscarandclosedt
hedoor,hewasst
il
l
shaki
ng,
hepickeduphisphoneanddi
aledNomah.

Nomah:Heybabeletme.
.(shehear
dBonniet
alki
ng
i
nthebackgr
ound)Babe.
.what'
sgoingon?

Thoboclosedhi
sey
esandt
ear
srol
l
eddownhi
s
cheeks.

Nomah: Babe,
babedon'tdoanyt
hingIam coming,
don'
ttouchhergaoutwaant searempetsejaana
shewantstohaveyoulockedupar eomoi t
eil
e.I
am coming.
Nomahhungupandgr abbedt hefewcoinsshehad
onthet
abl
eandr anoutside."
Karenlockup"she
scr
eamedrunni
ngtowar dsthegate.

AtBonni
e'
shouse.
.

Bonnie:(
Screami
ng)Youar
eacowar
d,getoutof
thatcarandcomefi
ghtmeli
keaman.

Soni
acameoutoft
hehouse.

Soni
a:Don'
ttal
ktohi
mli
ket
hat
.

Shewentt
othecarwher
eherdadwas.

Soni
a:Let
'sgodaddy
,mot
ogel
e.

Thobowasshaki
ngandt
ear
sbl
urr
edhi
sey
es.He
swallowedhardandtri
edtokeepcal
m.Meanwhil
ea
taxiparkedbythegat
e.Nomahgavethedri
veral
l
thecoinsshehadandr ani
nsi
dewhereThobohad
parkedhi scar
.

Bonnie:Ohherecomestheslut
,sothel
it
tl
ebrother
couldn'
tsati
sfi
edyou,
youthoughtwhynottr
ythe
olderbr
other.

Thoboopenedt
hedoor
.

Nomah:
Babe!
Thobo:
Cany
oudr
ive?

Hegotoutoft
hecarandwentovert
othepassenger
si
de.Thel
ookonhisfacebr
okeNomah'shear
t.She
l
ookedbackatSoni
aWhowasalsocryi
ngthenshe
st
ormedoutofthecar
.
Bonni
e:Ohsohecal
l
edhi
sli
tt
lesl
ut.

Nomahl
ookedar
oundf
orast
oneorsomet
hing.

Bonni
e:Yout
hink.
.

Nomahwalkedt
owardstheMophanet
reeandcuta
st
ick,
sher
emovedtheleaveswal
ki
ngt
owards
Bonni
e.

Nomah: I
fyouaregoi
ngtoactl
i
keachi
l
dthenIwi
l
l
deci
pli
neyouli
keachil
d.

*
*
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK

EPI
SODE48

Nomah: I
fyouaregoi
ngtoactl
i
keachi
l
dthenIwi
l
l
deci
pli
neyouli
keachil
d.

Thoboqui
ckl
ygotoutoft
hecarandgrabbedbot
h
Nomah'
shandst
henpull
edherback.

Thobo:
Babe,shei
snotwor
thi
t,l
ookatmeshei
s
notwort
hit
.
Nomah:
Letgoofme,
aker
eyoucan'
tsl
aphernnaI
can.
Thobo:No,t
hat'
swhatshewant
ssot
hatshecan
repor
tus,motogel
ebabe..

Het
urnedt
oBonni
e.
Thobo;
Let
'sgo,
shei
snotwor
thi
t.

Nomahletgoofthest
ickandl
ookedatBonni
ewho
hadherhandsf
oldedwit
hanatt
it
ude.

Nomah:Wheny
ougetbacktoyoursensest
hink
aboutwhoy
ouarehur
ti
ngthemost.
Bonni
e:Iguessyouthoughtalott
oobefor
eyou
sl
eptwit
hy ourhusband'
sbrot
heraker
e.
Nomah:Hedi
dn'
tgivemeenought
imet
othi
nk,
you
knowhowiti
saker
e.

SheheldThobo'shandandtheywalkedtothecar,
Thobogotinthepassengerseatwhil
eNomahdr ove
them out
.ShelookedbackatSoniawhonow
stoppedcry
ingandwaspl ay
ingwithherf
ather
's
phone.

Nomah:
CanIdr
opy
ouof
fathome,
Iwantt
otal
kto
y
ourdad.Kar
eni
sther
e.
Soni
a:Okay
.

Nomahparkedatthegate,Soni
asteppedoutand
r
antothehouse,t
heywai t
edforhertogetinsi
de
t
henNomahdr ovetothei
r"spot
".Sheswitchedon
t
heair
conandlookedatThobo.

Nomah:
Tel
lmewhathappened.
Thobo:
..
Nomah:
Whydi
dshewanty
out
obeather
?
Thobo:Fi
ft
eeny
ear
s,f
orf
if
teeny
ear
sshehadme
fool
ed.

Nomahkeptqui
etandlookedathi
m.Thobocov
ered
hi
sfacet
henhebreat
hedi nt
ohishands.

Thobo:
How.
.what
..
Hisvoi
cewasshaking,het
riedtospeakbut
somethi
ngstuckonhisthr
oat.Nomahleanedov
er
andhuggedhim.

Thobo:
(Mur
mur
ed)ThabanoTi
ro.
Nomah:
Whoi
she?

Thobolookedoutsi
deandwi
pedhi
stear
sthenhe
breat
hedoutloud.

Thobo:
Theki
dsar
enotmi
ne.
Nomah:
What
?
Thobo:Yeah,t
hei
rfatheri
sThabanoTi
ro,
that
'swho
i
sinthebirt
hcert
if
icates.
Nomah:
How,
Idon'
tunder
stand.
Thobo:
Shesay
sIam i
nfer
ti
le.
Nomah:
..
Thobo:
HowdoInotknowt
his?Ir
aisedt
hoseki
ds
l
i
ket
heyar
emi
ne,
I.
.(
cov
eredhi
sface)
Nomah:
Iam sor
ryBabe,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Thobo:
(Cr
ying)I
thur
ts.

Nomahhuggedhi m agai
n,Thobosni f
f edcryi
ngthen
hecov er
edhi sface.Nomahdr ov ehi m homet hen
shewentt oherhouse.Shepar kedout si
deand
l
oggedi ntoFacebook.Shesear chedf or"Thabano
Tiro"andaf ewpeopl epoppedup, shewentt hrough
thepr ofi
leslookingforonethatst ayedi nMaunbut
i
nst eadshef oundonewhol ooksexact l
yli
keJohn,
sheshookherheadi ndisbel
iefandcl i
ckedher
tongue.Shewentt hroughhispr ofi
leandt hel
ast
thi
ngheshar edwasal mostthreey earsago.She
senthi m apr of
il
epictureandloggedoutof
Facebook.

I
nsi
dethehousethegirl
ssatdownont
hecar
pet
doi
ngt
heirpedi
cures.
Nomah:
Tomor
rowi
sschool
guy
syoucan'
tbedoi
ng
t
hat.
Kar
en:
IsSoni
asl
eepi
ngov
er?
Nomah:
Noi
hav
etot
akeherhome.
Soni
a:ButIdon'
twantt
ogohome.
Nomah:Youhav
etogot
oschool
tomor
rowIam
sor
ry.
Sonia:
CanIgogetmyuni
for
m andbagst
hencome
back?
Nomah:
Ify
ourmum agr
ees.
Soni
a:Youknowshei
snotgoi
ngt
oagr
ee.Cany
ou
pl
easetr
ytal
kingt
oher
.
Nomah:
Let
'sgo.
Juni
or:
CanIcomet
oo?
Nomah:
Okayl
et'
sgo.
Karen:
Nnaiam goi
ngtoremai
nbehi
ndmyf
avour
it
e
showisoni
nfi
vemi nut
es.
Nomah:
LockupOkayanddon'
topenf
orany
one.
Kar
en:
YeahIknow.

Juni
orsatatt
hebackwhi
l
eNomahandSoni
asatat
thef
ront
.

Nomah:Leratabokgar
ebeammey
ouar
edoi
ng
goodatschool
?
Soni
a:Hahay
es.
Nomah:
Lepasengbomma.

Shedroveoutoff,meanwhil
eBalebengsl oweddown
andcli
ckedhistongue.Hewait
edf orthecarto
di
sappearthenhesteppedoutwithpet r
ol,hepour
ed
i
taroundthehouset henl
i
tthemat ches,hegotin
hi
scarandl ef
t.

SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE49

AtBonni
e'
shouse.
.

Bonnieopenedthedoorandfol
dedherarmsas
Nomahpar kedthecaratt
hegate.Soni
asteppedout
ofthecarandrantothehouse.

Soni
a:MamacanIgosl
eepov
eratAunt
'shouseshe
sai
d.
Bonni
e:No,
goi
nsi
det
hehouse
Soni
a:Shesay
s.
Bonni
e:(
Snapped)Isai
dgoi
nsi
det
hehouse

Soniawipedhert
earsandwenti
nsi
dethehouse.
Sti
llf
oldi
ngherar
msBonniewalkedtot
hecarand
knockedonthewindow.Nomahrol
ledi
tdown.
Bonni
e:St
icktosl
eepingwi
thThoboandst
opt
ryi
ng
tobemychildr
en'
sstepmother
.

Shewalkedbacktothehouse.Nomahcl
i
ckedher
tongueandrev
ersedjoi
ningt
heroad.

AtNomah'
shouse.

Karenfannedhersel
fwit
hherhandandwentt othe
ki
tchen,sheremovedthepotli
damdcov eredher
nose,somethingwasburni
ngbutthest
ov ewasoff,
sheopenedt heovenandsti
ll
nothi
ng.

Shecov er
edhermout handr eachedforthedoor
knob,i
tburntherfi
ngers,shescreamedoutl oudand
blewaironherhand.Sher eal
i
sedtherewassmoke
i
nsidethehouse,shestartedcoughingthem wentto
thefr
ontdoor,shetri
edtoopeni tanditalsoburnt
herhandthenshehear dpeoplescreamingout si
de.
Shepani
ckedandst
art
edcr
yingcal
l
ingouther
mother
.

Outsi
detheneighboursscreamedwat chi
ngasthe
fi
regotbi
gger.Oneoft heneighborscamerunni
ng
withabucketofwaterandspl ashedi
tatthedoor
.

Nei
ghbor
:Ifwecangetinsi
dewecansavesomeof
t
heimport
antst
uffbef
orethef
ir
egetsi
nside.

InsidethehouseKarencriedwrappingawettowel
aroundherhand.Therewasl oudnoi sefr
om t
he
kitchenofthewindowcracking.Shescreamed
l
ouderandt r
iedt
oopent hedooragai n.

Meanwhi l
eoutsi
deBalebengdrov
eslowlyand
parkedatthegate.Hewatchedasthenei
ghbors
splashedwaterwitht
hebucketst
ryi
ngtoputoutthe
fi
re.
Nei
ghbor
:It
hinkIhear
dsomeonescr
eami
ngi
nsi
de.
Nei
ghbor2:
Met
oo,
Ithi
nkmay
bet
hemot
herl
eftt
he
ki
dsal
one.

Nomahpar kedbehindBalebengandqui
cklygotout
ofthecar.Balebengwatchedherr
untothehouse
screaming,hesteppedoutwit
htheki
ds's
backpacks.

ThemaleneighbourpushedNomahbackasshe
tr
iedt
orunintothefi
re.

Nei
ghbor:
Thef
ir
eist
oobi
gther
eisnot
hingwecan
doabouti
t.
Nomah:(Cry
ingtry
ingtofreeher
sel
ffr
om t
he
nei
ghbor
)Mybabyi sinthere,
mybaby(Cr
ying)My
babyi
sinthere.

Bal
ebengdr
oppedt
hebackpacksandr
ant
oNomah,
helookedbackatt
hecarandonl
yJuni
orwasi
nsi
de
thecar.

Bal
ebeng:
Whatdi
dyousay
?
Nomah:
Kar
en.
.Kar
en.
.shei
sinsi
de.

Shetouchedhercheststr
uggl
ingt
obreath.Oneof
thenei
ghborscamer unni
ngfr
om thehouse.

Neighbor:Thefi
reisi
nt heki
tchen.Ev
ery
onestep
back,stepbackthecyl
inderi
sabouttoburst
.
Everyoneback.
.
Nomah:
No,
nomybaby
Shefr
eedhersel
fandr
ani
ntot
hef
ir
ethent
her
ewas
abigexpl
osi
on.
SPARKSI
NTHEDARK
EPI
SODE50

Shefreedher selfandranintothefir
et hentherewas
abigexplosion.Thebi gfir
epushedNomahback
andshef el
lont hegr oundunconscious.Balebeng
pul
ledherbackt henhecov eredhisfaceandr an
i
nsidethehouse, hekickedthedoordownand
l
ookedar ound, hewentout si
det obreaththenhe
cover
edhi smout hagaingoinginsi
de.

Bal
ebeng:
Kar
en.
.Pr
incess.
.

Hel ookedar oundbuthecouldn' tseeproperlywith

thefirealloverthehouse.Heki ckeddownt he
bedroom doorandt her
ewassomet hingrol
ledina
blanketont hef l
oor.Hepul
ledt heblanketand
l
ookedi nsi
deandi twasKaren.Hepi ckedherupand
tri
edtor unout si
debutsomet hingheav yfel
l i
nfront
ofthem, t
heglassesbroke,hegotupst il
lholdi
ng
Karenandr anoutside,
hepassedt hroughthefir
e
stil
lholdingherandf el
ldownj ustaf ewmet erout
t
hedoor
.Themenpul
l
edhi
m outoft
hebur
ningf
ir
e.

Bal
ebeng:
Mybaby
..

Heunwr
appedt
hebl
anketandl
eanedov
erchecki
ng
f
orapul
se.

Bal
ebeng:
Nonono.
.

Hepr essedherl
it
tl
echestnotknowingwhatt odo.
Hescr eamedoutloudandgav ehermouthtomouth.
Thesoundoft heAmbul anceandtheli
ghtscoul
dbe
heardandseenf r
om aki l
ometeraway.Bal
ebeng
pickeduphisdaughterandrantowardsit
,hemeet
them af ewmeter
sout si
detheyard.

Bal
ebeng:
Shei
snotbr
eat
hing.
Paramedi
c:Wasshei
nsi
det
hehouse?
.Bal
ebeng:
Yes.
Theyt ookKarenfrom Balebengintotheambulance,
theneighbourscamewi thNomahandt heywere
bothtakentot hehospit
al i
nanambul ance.
BalebengparkedThobo'scari nsi
det hey ar
dunder
thetreeandhegoti nhiswi t
hjunior.Hepassedthe
Fir
ef i
ghtert
ruckonhi swayt othehospi tal
.

AtThobo'
sHouse.

Thobot ri
edNomah' sphoneanditrangunanswer ed,
hedialeditagainandsti
ll
noanswer ."Il
ovey ou"he
sentthetextandr est
edhisheadont hepill
ow.He
l
aterpickeduphi sphoneandwentt hroughhis
gall
ery,helookedatthepictur
eswit
hhi skidsand
hisheartbroke.Knowinghowmuchhel ovest hem
brokehisheart.Doeshest opbei
ngtheirfathernow
orwhat ?Heaskedhi msel
f.

AtTheHospi
tal
Thobopacedupanddowncov
eri
nghi
sface,hesat
downnexttoJuni
orwhoal
sol
ookedwor
ried.

MmaThobocamer unni
nginwearingshoest
hat
di
dn'
tmatch.Sher
emov edherheadscar
fandwi
ped
herf
ace.

MmaThobo:
Whathappenedwher
eisNomahand
Kar
en?

Bal
ebengsatdownandbur
iedhi
sfacei
nhi
shands.
I
fonlyhecoul
drever
set
hetime.

MmaThobo:
Bual
enna.
Balebeng:Therewasfir
eandKarenwasinsi
dethe
house.Idi
dn'tknowshewasinsi
dethehouse,I
di
dn'tknowshewasi nsi
dethehouse.
Juni
or:Mummywenttodr
opSoniaatAunt'
shouse
andwhenwecamebackwefoundthefi
re
MmaThobosatdownandputherhandst
oget
her
wi
thherey
esclosed.

MmaThobo:
Mor
enaModi
mokebanabagago,
ba
babal
l
e..

Shecont i
nuedpr ayi
ngwi tht
earsrunni
ngdownher
cheeks.Balebengstoodupandwentout si
detohi
s
car,hegotinsideandrolledupthewindows,he
screamedcr i
yingint
ohi shandsandcov er
edhi
s
face.Hetouchedhi schestcryi
ngharderand
clenchedhisJawst ryi
ngnottocryoutloud.

Insi
dethehospitalMmaThobowipedhertear
sand
putJunioronherlap.TheDoct
orcameoutand
l
ookedar ound.MmaThoboputJuniordownand
stoodup.

Doct
or:
Arey
ouf
ami
l
y?
MmaThobo:
Yesshei
smydaught
er.
Doct
or:Wearegoingtohavetokeepthem ov
er
ni
ght
,thoughtheybot
hdidn'
tsuff
eranyburnsthey
i
nhal
edlotsofsmoke.
MmaThobo:
Aret
heygoi
ngt
obeokay
?
Doct
or:Wearedoi
ngthebestwecan,
youcango
homether
eisnousesi
tt
ingher
e.
MmaThobo:
Thanky
ousomuchDoct
or.

MmaThobot ookjuniorbyt
hehandandt heyl
eft
goingoutsidetoBalebeng'
scar.Bal
ebengopened
forthem andtheysatattheback.

MmaThobo:TheDoct
orsay
stheywi
l
lbef
ineandwe
shoul
dgohome.
Bal
ebeng:
Ican'
tgohome.
MmaThobo:
Whatwil
lyoudo,
gohomeandtr
ytoget
somesl
eepwewil
lcomebacktomor
row.

Bal
ebengwi
pedhi
stear
sandst
art
edt
hecar
.
MmaThobot
ookoutherphoneanddi
aledThobo.

Thobo:
(Sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o.
MmaThobo:
Arey
ousl
eepi
ng?
Thobo:
YeahIhav
eaheadache.
MmaThobo:
Ther
ewasf
ir
eatNomah'
shouse.

Thoboqui
ckl
ygotoutofbed.

Thobo:
What
?
MmaThobo:EeheyIdon'
tknowwhatt osaykegone
r
etswangfr
om thehospi
tal
rightnow.
Thobo:
Howi
ssheandt
heki
ds?
MmaThobo: Renal
eJunior
,goraagoreshewentt
o
dropSoni
aleavi
ngKar
enbehindthat'
swhent
hey
camebacktofindt
hehouseonfire.
Thobo:
Howi
sshe?Wher
ear
eyou?
MmaThobo:
Idon'
twanty
oudr
ivi
ngt
hist
imeal
one
youknowgorethereareelephant
sonther
oad.The
Doct
orsaystheywillbefi
ne,noneoft
hem gotbur
nt
kegorehel
atheyinhaledl
otsofsmoke.
Thobo:
Wher
ear
ethey
?
MmaThobo:
Att
hehospi
tal
.
Thobo:
Didt
heysaywhatcausedt
hef
ir
e.
MmaThobo: Nowedon'tknowwhatcausedt
hef
ir
e
butIam sur
etheywi
l
lfi
ndout.

Balebeng'
shear
tski
ppedli
steni
ngt
ohismother'
s
phonecall
.MmaThobohungupandlookedatJuni
or
whohadf ell
asl
eep.

MmaThobo: Maybethef
ir
ewascausedbythi
s
el
ect
ri
cit
ythatkeepsswi
tchi
ngonandoff
.Maloba
myfr
idgedidn'
tswit
chonfortwoday
s

Bal
ebengdi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.Theydr
oveinsi
lence
unt
ilt
heyar
ri
vedhome.Balebenghel
pedcarr
y
Juni
ori
nsi
dethehouse,heputhi
m onMmaThobo'
s
bedandwentout
side.

MmaThobo:
Kar
enisgoi
ngt
obeokay
,gohomeand
t
ryt
ogetsomesl
eep.

Heknodhisheadandwalkedoutsi
detohi
scar
.He
sati
nhiscarforafewsecondst
henheputhi
s
handst
ogetherwit
hhiseyescl
osed.

Balebeng: PleaseGodpr otectmydaught erandher

mot her.Idon' tknowt heri
ghtwordst opraybut
what evermymot hersaidpleasemakei tcomet r
ue.
Iknowt hatIam notar i
ghteousperson,Ihav emade
l
otsofmi stakesinmyl i
feandy oudon'thav et odo
meanyf av oursbutIhumbl emysel
fbefor ey ou.You
cant akeev erythi
ngfr
om mebutpl easenotmychi l
d
Iam beggi ngy ou.Iwil
levenacceptmybr other's
rel
ationshi pwi thNomah( cryi
ng)Justdon' ttakemy
l
itt
legirl from me.
Heremai
nedwit
hhiseyescl
osedf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es
t
henhebreat
hedoutl
oud.

Bal
ebeng:
Amen.

TheFol
l
owi
ngDay

Balebengandhismotherwalkedintheroom and
foundThobohuggingNomahwhowascr yi
ng.She
freedhimsel
ffr
om Thoboandj umpedonBal ebeng
crying,
shepunchedhi
m cry
ing, Thobopul
ledher
back.

Nomah:
(Cr
ying)Thi
sisy
ourf
aul
t,Ihat
eyou.

Thobohel
dherarm abehi
ndherbackasshecr
ied
outl
oud.Shet
ri
edtofreeher
sel
fwhil
ekicki
ngi
nthe
ai
r.
Nomah:
Iwi
l
lnev
erf
orgi
vey
ou,
Ihat
eyou.

Thobohuggedher
.

MmaThobo:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Thobol
ookeddown.

MmaThobo:
(Cr
ying)What
'sgoi
ngon,
tel
lme.
Thobo:
Kar
en.
.She.
..
*