Wi

gsandWeaves

I
nser
t1

"Openyourlegs.Bulamaot oaoMandu! "Ikept

hopingmygr andmot herwoul dcomei ntot he
bedroom.Iknewshehadgonet othefar m butI
alwayshopedandpr ayedshewoul dcomeandsave
me.Asl aplandsonmyf acef orci
ngmyeyesopen.
Ihadkeptthem shuthopi nghewoul dthinkIam
sleepi
ngandl eavemebutl uckisn'
tpartoft he
packageIreceivedwhenGodmademe.Di dheeven
makeme?Idon' tthi
nkanycr eat
orcanal lowt hei
r
creati
ontogot hroughwhatIgot hrough.Hi saged
roughhandspr ymyl egsopenandher oughl ypull
s
mypant yoff.Thestencht hatcomesf rom bet ween
myl egsmakesmewantt ovomi tindisgust .Maybe
theodourwi l
lmakehi mleaveme.

Him:(pushedhisf
ingeri
ntome)Eses!Doyoueven
bath?Ibett
erf
indyoucleanert
omorroworyouwil
l
geti
tupyoura*
*.Nxl
a

Wi ththatheshovedhi mselfintome.Idon' teven

bot herscreami nganymor e.Housesi nourvi l
lage
aref arapar tfr
om eachot her .Noonewoul deven
hearmescr eam.Icl osedmyeyesandpr essedmy
l
ipst ogetherf i
ght i
ngmybodynott oreact .Ihavet o
staydr y.Ijusthavet ostaydr y.Pleasedon' tgetwet.
Ifhef eelsli
keIam notenj oyingmysel fthenhewi ll
j
ustcum onmyf aceormyst omacht opuni shme.I
am t i
redofdr i
nkingst amet aandgoi ngt oMma
Tlhong'spl acef oranabor t
ion.Ihavehadf ive
abor ti
onssof ar.18year sol dbutmywombi s
alreadyagr aveyar d.Myf i
rstpr egnancywaswhenI
was13andhadj ustst ar
tedget t
ingmyper iod.Ihad
alwayshear dst ori
esabouthowshehel pedpeopl e
getr i
doft heirpr egnancies.Shewasevencal l
eda
witchf orkill
ingunbor nchildrenbuti t'
seasyt osay
thatwhent heshoei sont heot herfoot.I'
dst ealhi
s
moneyandgot oherpl acef oranabor t
ion.
MmaTl hongwantedtoreportmygrandfatherbut
shefearedforherli
febecauseheisknownt ohave
a'halephiri
me'(powerf
ulwi t
chdoctor
)inhisback
pocket.Inevert
oldmygr andmotherbecausehe
beatshertoo.Shewouldn'tbeabletohelpme.

Thegoodt hingaboutmyol dgrandfatherishe

doesn'ttakelongwhenhei sdrunk.Just10st rokes
andhei sdone.Todayi soneoft hosedayswher e
hesmel l
sli
keadr um ofkhadi.Thest enchhel pst o
turnmeof f
.IhateitwhenIgetwetbecausehe
thi
nksi tmeansIam enj oyingit
.Mybody' snatur al
reacti
ondur ingsextell
shimt hatIam enj oyinghi m
humpi ngme.Hepul lsoutandhissemenpl ops
downonmybel l
y.Igetoutofbedandcl eanmysel f
upaf t
erhel eavestheroom.Onemor enightofpai n
i
nDi keledi'
slif
e.

Mymot herdi
edwhenIwasbor nsoherparent
s
br
oughtmet omyf at
her'
shome.Apparent
lymy
mater
nalgrandf
atherwasn'
thappyaboutmy
mot her'
spregnancyandwantednothingtodowith
me.Iwentf rom agrandfat
hert
hatresentedmy
existencet
oonet hatusesme.Myf atherwasst
il
la
studentattheti
mei nUBsoIwasr aisedbymy
grandparents.

Myear l
iestmemor yoft heabusewasf eel i
nga
bumpwhenI 'dsitonhi slap.Iwasar oundf ive
yearsoldatt het i
me.Hewoul dbouncemear ound
andIwoul dsqueali njoy.Idi dn'tknowt hent hathe
waspl easur inghi mself.Hekeptdoi ngi tunt ilIwas
8year sold.Thatwaswhenhest artedgoi ngf urt
her
withme.Isl epti nthesamebedwi tht hem sowhi l
e
mygr andmot herwasasl eep, he'dtouchmeand
playwithmypr ivates.Idi dn'tknowi twaswr ong
becausehet oldmei twasagame.Penet rati
on
start
edaf ter3mont hsoft hat.Thatwaswhenmy
grandmot herhadj ustst ar t
edherbusi nessof
sell
ingmai ze.Shewoul dgoweeksatat imedur ing
ti
mesofhar vestandgoevenl ongert osel lthe
maizei nFr anci st
own.Idr eadedt hoset imes
becausehemadeawi feoutofmewhenshewasn' t
around.He'dhavemeservehi
m naked,
cleanthe
housenakedandevencooknaked.Igotburnedby
phalecheonmyst omachoncebuthedidn'
tcare.
Hest i
llcl
imbedontopofmethatni
ght.

Idon'tseemynameDi kelediasacur se.Ifeelli

keit
j
ustdescr ibesmyli
fe.Ifeell
ikemymot her's
parentsknewmyl if
ewasgoi ngt obef i
ll
edwi t
h
painsot heygavemeanamet hatall
owedmet o
neverexpectmuchoutofamot herl
esslif
e.Ifeel
l
ikemyl ifewouldhavebeenbet teri
fmymot her
wasal i
ve.Shewouldn'thavel etmegot hr
oughal l
thi
s.

Ihaven'tevenseenmyf at
hersinceChrist
mas.He
comeswi thhiswi
feandchi l
drenfortheholi
days
andt heysleepatmyhi shouse.Ahouse t wo
homest eadsawaythatIonl yseewhenIam t ol
dto
goandcl eanupbefor
et heyarri
ve.WheneverIam
there,Ienvisi
onmyselfwiththem.Laughingand
playingwi t
hmybrothersandsi st
er.Theyhavetwo
sonsandadaught erplusmei twoul dbeaper fect
fami l
y.Iwouldhelpbabysi tandkeept hehouse
clean.We'dbesohappyt ogether.Butunf ort
unat el
y
forme, Ihavethet ypicalst
epmot herIhaver ead
abouti nourvil
lage'scabinli
brary.It hinkshewoul d
poisonmel i
kethatonei nthedwar fst or
y.Yes
snowwhi t
e.Butwi thmyl uck,I'
ddi einsteadof
fall
ingasleepordi ewhi l
ewaitingfort hatt r
ueloves
kissnonsenset heyal waystalkabout .Shewant s
nothingtodowi t
hme.Shei smyf ather '
scollege
sweet heart
.Iguesst heymetaf t
erIwasbor nor
evenbef ore.Whoknowswi t
ht hesemen…. .

Idon'tknowwhenIf el
lasl
eep.Iam rousedby
feel
inghim ont opofmeagain.Itmustbemor ni
ng.
Thisiswhathedoeswheni t'
sjustus.Heget s
someatni ghtandwakesmewi thhisshrivel
edli
mp
dickinthemor ningbefor
eIgot oschool.
Iopenmy
eyeswhenhecoughsonmyf acewithboozedup
mor ni
ngbreath.
Grandfat
her:Manduopenyourl egsmahn.You
bett
ernotrepeatyest
erday'
snonsense.Iam put
ti
ng
i
tinyoura**ifyoudon'tgetwetbecauseoaboo
mpolayakana.(youwillbehur
ti
ngme)

Me:Ihavet
ogot
oschoolnt
ate.

Grandfat
her
:(sl
apsme)Don'
tst
artwi
thmet
oday.
Don't
!

Idon'
tknowwhyIevenbot her.Heal
waysget shis
way.HeoncebroughtaknifewhenIresist
ed.It
's
notworthi
ttoeventr
y.Whenhewasdone, Igotout
ofbedandwenttobath.Ican'
twalkproperl
y
anymore.Myyonihurt
sandi t
chesal
lthetime.

Igett
oschoolj
ustast hebellr
ings.Ican'
trunto
cl
assbecauseIlookawkwar dwhenIr un.Igett
o
cl
assandthefr
owni ngstar
ts.Thegirlwhosedesk
i
sbythedoorpincheshernosebef oreIevenget
i
ntot
hecl
ass.

Gir
l:khu!Ot
sil
emmasebodu!Jeez!(
thest
inkygi
rl
hascome)

Iusedtocrywhent heystar
tedbul
lyi
ngmebutI
don'
tanymor e.I
t'
spartofmenow.Iwalktomy
deskatthefarend.Mylegsgetsoheavywhenever
Iwalki
ntothisclassr
oom.

Monitr
ess:Ae!Movi nghertothebackoft
heclass
wasami st
ake!Shepassesbyanddoomst he
wholeclasskadit shwang!Duduyouaregoi
ngto
havetolethersitbythedoor.

Gi
rl2:Nextt
owho?Inotsi
tt
ingnextt
o
Mmasebodunna.I
fDudumovesIam fol
lowi
ngher
.

Thewhol
ecl
assl
aughsasIf
inal
lyt
akemyseatand
keepmylegsclosed.Thetearsareburni
ngmyeyes
butIwon'
tlett
hem fal
l.Nottoday.Iputmybag
downandputmyheadont hedesk.

Boleng:(pat
smyback)Don'
tlett
hem gettoyou
Dikel
edi.Yougi
vet
hem poweroveryouifyoudo.

Thisgi
rli
rr
it
atesmesomuch.Shei snewsothat
's
howsheendedupnextt ome.Sheisanurses
daught
erwhoj ustmovedtoourvi
ll
agewhenher
motherwastransfer
redher
e.

Boleng:Iwastal
kingt
omymum aboutyouandshe
wasaski ngmeifyouare….Umm…youknow,
sexuall
yacti
ve?

Ij
erkmyheadupandlookatherwi
thpi
erci
ngr
age
andhi
ssasIspeak.
Me:Whatdi
dyousayt
ome?

Bol
eng:(
unner
ved)NoIj
ustmeantt
hatmaybe…

Me:thatmaybeIam awhorewhosleepsaround?
What?Soyouandyourmot hert
alkaboutt
hevill
age
whorethatsmel
lsl
i
keatrashcan?Ont l
waelatota
Bol
eng.Youneedtomindyouownbusi nessli
tt
le
gi
rl
.

Shei
sactual
lymyagematebutnooneinthi
scl
ass
canmat
chmef orl
if
eexper
iencesi
fyouaskme.

Bol
eng:Idi
dn'tmeantooff
endyouDikel
edi
.My
mum j
ustthoughtyoucoul
dgettr
eat
edifit
'sanSTI
.

Teacher
:(hi
tt
ingt
hedoorwi
thasti
ck)Heel
angma
5G!Doyouwakeupinthemorni
ngjustt
ocome
andmakenoise?Whati
swrongwit
hyoupeople?
Wher
ear
eyourbooks?

Everyonei snowshuf f
lingar
oundt akingtheirbooks
outort r
yingtolookbusy.Ourcl asst eacher'
sl ash
i
sbr utalandnoonewant stofeelitont heirder r
ier
e.
Ireachf ormyMat hsbookandgoovermyhome
workagai nbutIcan'thelpbutthinkaboutBol eng's
words.Coul dallt
hisstinkbebecauseofanSTI ?
WhatdoIknow?Iam j ustavi
ll
agegi rlwhohashad
togrowupqui ckl
ywithoutknowl edgeofhowt o
survi
vet hehandI '
m beingdealt
.Iam consumedby
thesethoughtswhenIhearmynamebei ngcal led.

Teacher
:Dikel
ediSupang!Youar
eneededi
nthe
counsel
orsoff
ice.

Theclassstartssnickeringandt ur
ningthei
rheads
tolookatme.Ir ollmyeyesandst andup.Ohno.I
stoodupt ooquickly.Thereisawaveofodor .Ican
smellitsowhyi sBol engsmilingasifshecan'
t?
Mxm Ihat epretenti
ouspeopl e.Iwalkuptothedoor
andmyclassmatesstar
tthei
rusualsongand
danceagai
n.Theykeepmakingsoundsofdisgust
asIpassby.

Teacher
:Heyl
ona!St
opi
tbef
oreIst
artwhi
ppi
ngal
l
ofyou!

Ipassbyhim andwalkt
ot hecounsel
orsoff
ice.I
knockonceandenteraf
tershetel
lsmet ocomein
andtakeaseat.

Her
:Howar
eyouDi
kel
edi
?

Me:(wi
thf
oldedar
ms)Iam f
ine.Whatam Idoi
ng
her
e?

Her
:Pl
easer
elaxandf
eel
free.Thi
sisasaf
espace.
Me:Iam r
elaxed.

Her
:(l
ookedatmyar
ms)Ar
eyousur
e?

Iexhal
eandr ol
lmyeyeswhil
erel
easi
ngmyar ms
andleanback.Iwantt
hist
oendsoit'
sbestI
cooperat
e.

Her:Iam MrsThut
lwa.Ical
ledyoui
nheretotal
kto
you.AreyouOK?Iseveryt
hingfi
neathome?

Me:(
appr
ehensi
vel
y)ma'
am whatdoyoumean?

Her:I
thasbeenbr oughtt
omyatt
enti
onthatyou
mightnotbewellsoIcall
edyoui
ntoaddressthat
.I
needtoknowifyouar ebei
nghur
tbyanyonesoI
canhelpyou.
Me:Whatexact
lydi
dyouhearaboutme?Whatdid
theysay?Andwehatmakesyouthi
nkI
'm bei
ng
hurt?

Her:Dikel
edi,
thatisn'
timpor
tantr
ightnow.Many
peopleareconcernedaboutyou.That'
swhythey
camet oseemebecauseIam equi ppedt
ohandle
suchmat t
ers.

Me:( chuckled)whatmat tersarethoseexact ly?I

am notanor phanonsoci alwelfaresowhatdoyou
wantf rom me?Mygr andpar ent
smakesur eIhave
everythingIneedf orschoolsoasyoucansee,
(motiont omycl othes)Idon'thaveat or nuni f
orm
thatcoul dsuggestpovertyordidt heyt ellyouthatI
probablydon' tbat
h?Ibat heverychanceIget .What
am Isupposedt odoi ft
hisodori sstuckonme?I
don'tbot heranyoneinthisschoolbutIgetbul l
ied
everydaybypeopl ewhol ivewi ththeirpar entsand
don'tunder standwhatkindofl i
feIlive.Ifyoudon' t
wantmei nyourschoolpleasetellmesoIgo.I ts
notl
ikeIam goi
ngtopassform 5anywaysomaybe
i
tisbett
erweallcutourl
osses.

Idi
dn'
treal
izeIwascryi
ngunt
ilIf
eltat
eardropon
myhand.Iquickl
ywipedmyfaceandstoodup.

Her
:Dikel
edipl
easesitdown.Iwantustoaddr
ess
what
everismakingyousayothersl
ivebet
terl
ives
t
hanyou.

Me:( shakingmyhead)Tal kingwon' thel

psomeone
l
ikeme.I tispointl
ess.Nowi fyoudon' tmind,I'
dli
ke
tomaket heshamef ult
ripbackt omydeskandst ay
ther
eunt ilschooli
sout .Myonl yrequesti
st hatyou
l
etmebeot herwi
seyouwi llneverseemeher e
again.

Iwalkedoutwhil
eshekeptcall
ingmyname.Iam
notgoingbackinther
e.Theywillneverunder
stand
whatIgothroughanyway.Igobackt oclassand
endur
ethedayasIal
waysdo.

Onmywayhome, Idecidet opassbyt hecl ini

c.
Maybet hatpestmi ghtber ight.Maybet hisisanSTI .
Idon' tevenr emembert hel asttimeIopenedmy
l
egsandi tdidn'tsmel l l
ikedeat hdownt here.Igo
homeandgetmycar dandwal kt othecl i
nic.Ithen
sitinaver yshor tqueue.Themi stakemostpeopl e
makei nvillagesi stowakeupver yearlytogett o
thecl i
nic.That '
swhenyouf i
ndever yoneandt heir
goatcomi ngf orconsul t
ation.Buti fyougoi nthe
afternoonj ustbef or etheycl ose,youwi l
levenf i
nd
thepl aceempt yatt imes.Myt urnf i
nallycomes
andIawkwar dl
ywal kintotheconsul t
at i
onr oom
andIi mmedi atelyr egretcomi ngi nher e.I
t's
Boleng' smot her.Ofal lt
henur ses,shehadt obet he
oneondut ytoday.Isi tdownanddeci det ogetit
overwi t
h.

Nur
se:Howar
eyou?CanIhaveyourcar
d.
Ipassi
tovertoherandsheski
msoverit.Nothi
ng
toseet
here,j
ustfl
ushotsandst
uff
.Nothing
compar
edt owhatbri
ngsmeheretoday.

Nur
se:OK.Sowhatbr
ingsyouher
eDi
kel
edi
?

Me:(shi
ftuncomf
ort
abl
y)umm…I
…AhIt
hinkI
shoul
djustgo.

Nur
se:thereisnoneedforthat
.Justfeelf
ree.
Whateveryousayinthi
sroom stayshere.

Thi
sisthesecondt
imeIam beingtoldt
orel
axin
oneday.MaybeIam tootense.Butwhocanbl
ame
mewhenI '
m al
waysexpecti
ngmybodyt oget
i
nvadedallt
heti
me?

Me:(
breat
hingout
)Ihavebeenf
eeli
ngi
tchi
ness
i
nsi
demyvagi naf
oraveryl
ongti
me.Anditsmell
s
bad.Ial
sohaveal
otofdi
schar
ge.Iguesst
hat
's
whyitsmel
ls.

Shenodsherheadandt
akesnot
eswhi
leIt
alk.

Nurse:OK.Whatcoulouri
sthedi
schar
geandwhen
di
dt hesympt
omsst art
.

Me: (
lookedattheceil
ing)AhIdon'tevenknow.It
hasbeenmaybeayear ,
butithasgott
enwor senow
becausepeoplecansmel l
itevenwhenIwalkby.
Thedischargeissomet i
mesbr ownbutit'
shasbeen
greenandthicklat
ely.

Nur
se:(
frowned)AoDikeledi
.Whywoul
dyouwai
t
sol
ongtocomef ort
reatment?

Me:(
shr
ugged)Idi
dn'
tknowIneededt
reat
ment
.
Nurse:whenwast
hel
astt
imeyouhadsexual
i
ntercour
se?

Thatquest
iont ookmebysur pr
ise.Shedidn'teven
askifIam sexuall
yacti
ve.Shej ustjumpedi nt
oit.I
feelmythr
oatdr yupandmypal msbegi ntosweat .
HowdoIanswert hisquesti
onwi thoutgett
ingin
troubl
e?Whatifmygr andfatherkill
smef orthis?

Me:(
wit
har
aspyvoi
ce)I
…Ihaveneverhadsex.

Lyingwil
ldothattoyou.Idon'
tevenknowwher e
theraspi
nesscamef r
om inmyvoi ce.Shelookedat
mewi thknowingeyesandleanedbacki nherchair
.

Nurse:Dikel
edi.Ihavebeenanur sefor19years
now.Iknowsexual lytr
ansmitteddi
seaseswhenI
hearofthem andwhatyouhavedescr i
bedis
exactl
ythat.Ineedyout obehonestwithmesoI
canhelpyou.Imagi neIgiveyouatreatmentf
ora
yeastinf
ectionwhichbythewayi slessseri
ous
thanwhatyouhave.I magineIt r
eatyouf orthatand
nothi
ngchangesbecauset hebact eri
aisn'
tthe
sameandyougetwor se.Allthatjustbecauseyou
wanttolieaboutbeingsexuallyact i
ve.Ther
ear e
peopleyouragewi tht
wochi l
drenbynowsodon' t
beembar rassedandtellmethet ruthsoIcanhel p
you.

Mychai ri
sburni
ngme.Ifonl ysheknewIhadf i
ve
chi
ldreninMmaTl hong'
spitlat
rine.Ihaven'
tsaid
anythi
ngyetandshei sl
ookingatmewai ti
ngforme
tospeak.

Nur
se:Tel
lmewhathappenedDi
kel
edi
.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment.Pl
easevi
sitt
he
paget
ocatchupwit
hthest
oryasweareacouple
ofi
nser
tsahead.Wel
comet
othef
ami
ly
WI
GSANDWEAVES

I
nser
t2

Isatinsil
encef oragoodf i
veminutesbef
oreI
spoke.I'
dhopedshe' dleti
tbeandchanget hetopi
c
butthatwascl earl
ynotgoingtohappenanyti
me
soon.Idon'twantt opputanyone'
slif
eindanger.
Mygr andfatherisverycr
uelandIdon'twant
anyonehur tatmyexpense.Isighedandlookedat
myf eet
.

Me:AllIam pr
epar
edtosayt
oyoui
syesIhavehad
sex.Nowhowwi l
lyouhel
pme.

Icoul
dseeshewantedt
oaskmorebutdecided
agai
nsti
t.Idi
dn'
tknownur
sescanbesoinvasi
ve.
Nur
se:OK.
.Howmanysexualpar
tner
sdoyouhave?

Me:one.

Ihatethathei sregardedasmypar t
ner.Partnershi
p
requir
espar t
ici
pationfrom bothpart
ies.Idon't
parti
cipat
eatal l
.Heoncef or
cedmet ogetont opof
him butIjustsattheredoingnothingsopushedme
offofhim.Iwasn' tgoingtogivehimt hepleasureof
thi
nkingIwantt ohavesexwi t
hhim.

Shecontinuedwi thherunendi ngandembar r

assi ng
questi
onsandwhenshewasdone, shefinall
ygave
memycar dwi t
hapr escripti
onandt ol
dmet ogo
i
ntothenextr oom foraninject i
on.Ihateinjecti
ons
wit
hapassi onbutwhatchoi cedoIhave?I fit
meansIwi llgett owalkar oundf reel
ywi t
houtf ear
ofsmelli
ngl ikeamor t
uaryt henthatwi l
lbear elief.
Herlastwor dsbef oredismissingmel ef
tmenumb.
Shetoldmet ocondomi sefrom nowont oavoi dr e-
i
nfecti
on.Howdoyout ellavi cti
m ofrapet o
condomi
se?Am Isupposedt
oputi
tonhi
m?How?

Iwalkedtothenextroom wi thmyheadhangi nglow

from t
hefeelingofdefeat.Isitevenwor thittoget
thisGodforsakeninj
ect i
onifIam j ustgoingtoend
upher eagain?Iwalkinanywayandj ustgrinand
beartheinj
ect i
onbeforecollectingathousandpi ll
s
thatIam supposedtof ini
shatt hesamet i
meaf ter
ameal .Whatkindofcr uelt
yist his?Ikeepcounting
them overandoveragai nasIwal koutoft hecli
nic.

Aboxont hetabl ebythedoorget smyat tention.

Therear econdoms.Oneoft hem isunopenedand
i
swr i
ttenf emalecondoms.Ihaver eadaboutt hose
i
nschool .Ishoul dtakethem.Il ookar oundt omake
surenooneseesme.I magi netheshamet hat
woul dcomei fmycl assmat esfoundoutIuse
condoms.Mostoft hem arestil
lvir
gi ns.Thisisa
vil
lageaf terallsoyouf i
ndt hatmostofusl eave
thi
spl aceasnai vegirl
swhohaveneverseenaman
nakedunt ilwegett othecity.Iseet hatnoonei s
comingsoIquicklyshovetheboxi
nmybag.
Clear
lynoonet akest
hem soIam guessi
ngnoone
needsthem l
ikeIdo.

Iwalkoutfeeli
ngconf i
dentthatIam takingsome
powerback.IfIcan'tsayanaudi bl
enot henat least
IcanprotectmyselfbecauseIknowhowt ell
ingt hat
oldgeasertoputonacondom woul dgo.He'd
probabl
ytiemeupl ikehedoeswhenIt r
ytof ight
him whi
chwoul dmeanhecancomeanhavesex
withmeanyt i
me.Ioncemi ssedschoolbecausemy
handswer eti
edtothewi ndowbar sandl egst ot he
footofthebed.Mygr andfatherisinhisearly70' s
butheisquitestr
ong.MmaTl hongbeli
eveshi s
witchdoctorhassomet hi
ngt odowi thit
.Ijustt hink
thedevi
ldoesn'tage.

WhenIgethome, Iam sur pr

isedtoseemy
grandmotheri
nthekitchenservi
ngf ood.Iwasn'
t
expect
ingherunti
lnextweeksoIam over j
oyedthat
sheishere.Ij
umpandhughersot i
ghtthatshe
l
aughs.

Me:Mamawhatar eyoudoingher
e?Ithoughtyou
sai
dyouwi l
lbegonefort
woweeks.Icameher e
aft
erschoolanddi
dn'
tseeyou.Di
dyoujustarri
ve?

Her:yesIhavebeenher ef oranhour.Ihadtocome
backbecauseRr aagweJoei scomingtoday.They
call
edmel astnightsayingtheyarecomingf ora
vi
sitsoIhadt orushbackher e.Wewer enot
expecti
ngthem untili
ndependencesoIwonder
whatsurpri
set heyaretalki
ngabout.

Me:Sur
pri
se?

Her:Ohyes.Ididn'
ttel
lyou.Hesaidtheyhavea
surpr
iseforus.Youwillhavetorunandcleanthe
housebef or
etheyarri
vemychi l
d.Iputyourf
oodin
acontainersoyoucaneatt her
e.
Me:(
smi
li
ng)OKmama.Letmegoandchangef
ir
st.

Irushof ft omyr oom t ochangemyuni form.Iam

soexci tedt oheart hatmyf atheriscoming.Maybe
thesur priseist hatt heyar etakingmewi t
hthem t o
Gabor one.I magi nehowt hatwoul dbe!I'
dbef reeof
him.I'df i
nallybehappy.Idon' tcarewhatmyst ep
mot hercoul dputmet hroughbecausenot hi
ngcan
bewor set hant his.Itaket heboxofcondomsout
andshovet hem att hebackofmywooden
wardrobe.It hinkIwi l
ljustthrowt hem awayonmy
wayt oschoolt omor row.ImeanIam goi ngto
Gabor oneaf terall.Iam sur ethat'sthei
rsurpri
se.I
sqealinexci tementasIwearmyj eansandt shirt
.I
hatewear ingdr essesandski rt
sbecauseofmy
grandfat her'
sper ver tedlookswhenheseesmyl egs.
OKnoneoft hatnowDi ks.Allthisisabouttoend
anyway.It hinkt omysel fasIwal koutofmyr oom.

Mygrandmotheriswai
ti
ngformebythedoorwi
th
apl
asti
c.Iunderst
andwhy.I
t'
sal
readyal
smot6pm
andt heyusuallyarri
veherearound730or8pm soI
havet ohurryof f
.Shetell
smemyGr andfatherwent
toslaughteragoatf ortomorrow.Ihonest l
ydon't
carewher ehei saslongasi t
'snowher enearme.I
wishIcoul dtellmygrandmot herwhathedoest o
me.Iknowshecoul dprobabl
yt el
lmyf athersohe
helpsmebutt hatwouldputherl i
featrisk.

Iwal kofft
omyf ather'
shouset ocleanitupaf t
er
havingmymealandt akingthehorridpil
ls.Iti
sa
biggerhouset hanour sandIam al waysspentaf t
er
cleaningallthedustt hatgathersaftermont hsof
notbei ngused.OnceIam donecl eaning,Iwalk
backhomeundert hemoonl i
ght.Thevi l
lageis
alwayssoqui etandpeacef ulatnightthatyou'd
sweart hepeopl ewer ealsoatpeacebutmyl i
fehas
taughtmet hatbehi ndthosecloseddoor s,t
here
mi ghtbepai n.Youneverknowunl essyouar eafl
y
ont hewalloft heirhomes.

Iseet
het
aill
ight
sasIwal
ktowar
dsmy
grandmot her 'syar d.Theyj ustdrovei n!Theyar e
here!Ir unt her estoft heway.Igett othem justas
theyopent heirdoor s.Myf atherfirst
.Igreethim
andshakehi shand.Hedoest hesamewi t
hast ern
l
ookonhi sf ace.Iam notusedt ohi m butIguess
hemustbet hatki ndofper sonthatdoesn' tjoke
around.Youknow, str
ict.Twooft hechi l
drenpile
outandIgr eett hem al lwithawar m smi l
e.Iwantto
askmyf atheri ft heyar eheretot akemebutIwi ll
wai t
.Inot icet hathi swifeisntinthecarandmy
l
ittl
esist erisn' tt her eeit
her.Mygr andparentscome
outoft hehousej ustasIam aboutt oaskwher e
theyar e.Gr eet ingsar eexchangedandj ustthena
brightlightappear s.It'
sacarmaki ngitswayin.I
didn'tcloset hegat ebecauseIknowt heywi l
l
obviousl ydr ivet ot heirhouseandsl eepthere.
Maybet heywi l
lt akemewi thtonight.Ihaveal ways
want edt osl eept here.

Thecardr
ivesi
nandmyf
atherst
art
stosmi
le.
Gr
andfat
her
:Whoi
sthatnow?Thei
rli
ght
sar
etoo
br
ight
.

Fat
her
:Let
swai
tandsee.

Gr
andmot
her
:wher
eisyourwi
feandSasa?

Hejustsmilesasthecarst
opsafewfeetaway
fr
om us.Thelight
sgooffandthat
'swhenwesee
whoitis.Sasarunsoutoft
hecarjumpi
ngin
exci
tement.

Sasa:Nkuku!Bonakol
oi!I
t'
syourcar
!Comeand
dri
veitandsee.

MmaagweJoe:(
closedt
hedoor
)Sasabathong!I
t
oldyouknowt
osayanythi
ngunti
lpapasaysit
.
Sasa:(cover
inghermout h)Sor
rydaddy.Iwast
oo
exci
ted.Youdidn'
ttel
lthem?

Gr
andmot
her
:Tel
luswhat
?Whati
sgoi
ngon?

Myfathert
ookthekeysf
rom hi
swi f
eanddangl
ed
t
hem befor
egivi
ngthem t
omygr andfat
her
.

Father
:MmaagweJoeandIdeci dedtobuyour
parent
scars.Wegotamor tgageanddecidedto
spareali
tt
leforyou.Wethoughtthi
svanwoul d
comeinhandyatt hefar
m becausethatoneis
al
waysdyingandcost i
ngyoumoney.

Mygr andmotherbr
eaksint
oululati
onwhil
emy
grandfat
herseemstoostunnedtospeak.Allt
he
whileIam j
ustsandi
ngthereaskingmyselfwhyhe
getsagift
.Howdoesanani mallikehi
m get
rewarded?
Grandfather
:wow!Idon'
tevenknowwhattosay.I
wasn'texpecti
ngthi
satal
l.Ievent
houghtmaybe
youarecomi ngtotakeMandu.

Theyjustlaugh.Idon'tknowifthelaughterisfrom
excit
ementorf rom fi
ndingtheideaoftakingme
withthem ri
diculous.Ihopeit
'snotthelatt
er.Ican'
t
l
osehopenow.Mygr andpar
entsrushtothecar
andgetint olookatit.Youcanseehowexci ted
theyare.

Grandf
ather:(
rol
lst
hewindowdown)yourmot
her
wil
lusetheHiluxal
onef
rom nowon.Keyagagwe
(
it
'shers)Ihaveanewcarnna.

Hest ar
tsrevvi
ngt hecarandwhistl
ingmaking
everyonelaugh.Iam justcol
dhonestl
y.Hedoesn't
deservetobehappy.Ihopet hebloodythi
ngkil
ls
him……
°
° °
°

Iwakeupt henextmorningf eeli

ngr efr
eshed.Idon't
meant osoundpresumpt uousbutIt hi
nkt he
tr
eatmenti sworki
ng.Ifeeldi f
ferenttoday.Ismi l
ein
exci
tementoft hechangeshappeni ngi nmyl i
fe.I
am af ewdaysawayf r
om aheal thyr eproducti
ve
syst
em andont opofthat,Iam wel lonmywayt oa
happierandabusef reeli
fe.

Ijumpoutofbedandcl eanupmyr oom befor

e
goingt owashupi nt hebathroom.It'
sonlyaft
er
thatIgocl eanthehouseandvent ur
etomake
breakfastbef or
emyf at
herandhi sf
amilycomeand
j
oi nusf orbreakfast.Theyusual l
ycomear ound
8am.Weusual l
yeatmot ogobutIam sur emama
woul dn'
tmi ndmeusi ngsomeofhereggs.Shesel l
s
eggsandchi ckenst oo.Iwillmakethoseandf r
y
gizzardstoo.Iam j ustsali
vatingatthet
hought.

Iam i
nthemi
ddl
eofbr
eaki
ngt
het
ent
heggwhen
shewal
ksi
nwi
thherhandsonherhead.

Her
:Hehbadimobantset
se!Manduwhatar
eyou
doi
ng?Thoseeggsar
eforcust
omers!

Me:(smi
li
ng)Aomama.It houghtyouwouldn't
mindmefryi
ngthem f
orbreakfastsi
nceRraagwe
Joeandever
yonewil
lbejoini
ngusf orbr
eakfast.

Her:(
shakingherheadandexhali
ng)Dikel
edi,
those
peopl
eleftaround5am.Theysaidtheyhadtogo
andgiveMmaagweJoe' sparent
stheircarbef
ore
theweekendi sover
.

Thespoonjustfel
lfrom myhands.Muchl i
keallt
he
hopeIhadforescapi ngthi
shell
.Tearsjustwel
led
upbeforeIcoul
df i
ghtt hem.Bl
inkingj
ustmade
them r
undownmyf aceasIstareatherwait
ingfor
hertotel
lmeit'
saj oke.That'
sallIwanttohear
ri
ghtnowbutinsteadshej ustfr
owns.
Her
:What
'swr
ongnow?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Me:(
stutt
eri
ng)I…I…Ijustt
houghtthatmaybethey
al
socamet ogetmelikeNtatesai
d.Ithoughtt
hey
woul
dfinal
lyletmeli
vewiththem.

Her:(shakingherhead)Mandu, howmanyt imesdo

Ihavet otellyout ogetthatideaoutofyourhead?I
haveal r
eadyt ri
edt alki
ngt oMmaJoeaboutt aking
youinaf t
ert heyhadbeenmar ri
edf or5yearsand
shet ol
dmeshewasn' tcomf or
tablewiththeidea
becausest epmot hersarealwaysl abel
edaswi cked
evenwhent heyar ejustr epr
imandingbadbehavi or
soshedoesn' twantt oriskanythinghappeningt o
yout hensheget saccusedf orhur t
ingyou.If
someonesayst hatyouhavet oknowt heywillnever
acceptyou.Justf ocusonschoolngwanakaand
pass.Youar ewr i
tingyourexamsi nthreemont hs
thenyoucant oUBnextyearandl i
veyourli
fetot he
full
est.
Ican'tevenretur
nthesmi leshehasonr i
ghtnow.
Thet earsj
ustwon'tstop.Isomet i
meswonderif
shewoul dforcemyf athertotakemeifsheknew
whatIgot hrougheverydayshei sn'
ther
e.Yeahlet
met ellher
.Maybet heywi l
lcomebackandgetme.

Me:(
sni
ff
li
ng)mamaIhavet
otel
lyousome…

Ismel
lhimf
ir
stbef
oreseei
nghi
m soIqui
ckl
ywi
pe
mytear
sandkeepqui
et.

Grandfat
her
:MmaagweDavid,Iam goi
ngt
othe
butchert
osellt
hegoat
.(hel
ooksatme)Whyisshe
cryi
ng?

Thegoati
sjustanexcusef
orhi
mtoshowt
henew
carof
f.
Gr
andmot
her
:Ri
chet
eshei
sri
ghther
e.Askher
.

Hedoest hi
sallthet i
me.Heal wayst alkspastme
oraboutmeasi fIam notinther oom whenever
peopl
earear ound.Idon'tknowi fit'
shiswayof
cover
inghistrackssot hatnoonebel i
evesmei fI
speakup.MaybeIshoul dhavekeptoneofhi s
demonssoever yonecanseehi mf orwhathei s.I
wanttoseemysel foutofthi
splace.That 'sallI
wantnow.Ineedt oleavethi
splace.Het akesher
handandwal ksoutwi thher.Iguesshewant sher
togowithhim.Hemusthavesensedmyi ntent
ions.
Isi
nkdowntot hefl
oorandbreatheoutloud.Thi
s
cannotbeal
lther
eistoli
fe.LehatsheEmake
hologe.

Let
'skeepl
iki
ng,
comment
ing,
shar
ingandt
aggi
ng.
100comment
sand40shar
espl
ease
[
08/
31,
17:
31] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t3

Howonear t
ham Igoingt omakei ttoschoolinthis
rai
n?Igr oananddr agmysel foutofbedaf t
er
l
ookingoutt hewindow.I thasbeenr ainingall
mont handi t'
ssowetout side.Ihat erain.Theonly
upsideoft herai
nyseasoni sthatmygr andmother
doesn'tgot othefarm whichwasasavi nggrace
seei
ngasschool sjustopenedt oday.Ifitwasn'
tfor
therain,Iwouldhavebeenmi serablethiswhole
mont h.

Aft
ergett
ingreadyforschool,Imakemywayt othe
ki
tchentoeatmypor ri
dge.Iam pract
ical
lyi
nhali
ng
i
tbecauseIam runninglate.Mygrandmotherfi
nds
mewashi ngmyplatebyt hesinkwhenshecomes
i
n.
Gr
an:Manduhurr
yupsoIcandr
opyouof
f.I
t'
stoo
muddyf
oryoutowal
k.

Iwearahugesmi leonmyf acewhenshesol ves

twoofmypr oblems.Beinglateonmyf ir
stdayand
gett
ingwetandmuddy.Eversi nceIgottreatedfor
theSTI,
thosedemonsIat tendcl asswithhaven't
hadanythingnegati
vetosayaboutmesoIdon' t
needtogivethem one.Iwipethepl at
eandputi t
awaybeforegrabbingmybagont hetable.

Me:t
hankyoumama.Let
'sgo.Iam done.

Gr
an:(
laughi
ng)peopl
eli
kecar
s.

Wegotintothecaranddr oveoutwhil
eshepl ayed
herusualgospelsongs.Theonesheisplayingnow
i
soneofherf avori
tesIdon'tgetwhybecauseit
hasn'
tworkedforher.
Gr
an:(
singi
ngal
ong)Ot
lol
olaat
lasagagoMor
ena
Amapel
oyaaka
Buset
sat
sot
lhemomannong
OHohoh
Lennakei
kut
she
Ohohoh
Lennakei
khut
se

Kei
tumel
e
Kabot
shel
ajame
Kei
tumel
ekamal
atsiot
lhe
Buset
sat
sot
lhemomannong
Ohohoh
Lennakei
khut
se
Ohohoh
Lennakei
khut
se
Thesongkeepsplayi
ngandshesingsal
ongt
il
lI
seeatearf
all
.Shequickl
ywi
pesitawayandsmil
es.

Gran:Ihonest
lycan'
twaitf
orthi
srai
ntopass.I
hearitwil
lbegonebytomorrowsoIwil
lbeableto
gotot hef
armthisweekend.

Me:(
sighed)mamawhydoyoualwaysgotot
he
f
arm?Can'tyougetsomeonet
ohel
pyou?

Gran:(
lookedatmethenbackattheroad)ManduI
havetoldyouthi
sbefor
e.Peopl
esteal.Ihavet
ogo
anddot hi
ngsmyself
.

Me:(
lookoutt
hewi
ndow)sowhydoesn'
tNt
atego
wi
thyou?

Gr
an:Beacauseofhi
scommi
tment
sher
e.You
knowChi
efadvi
sor
sst
ayi
nthevi
ll
age.

Yes,
heisachiefadvi
sor.Idon'tknowwhatadvice
hecanpossi
blyoff
erthechief.Iam sur
ehisown
25yearol
dsoncanof ferbet
teradvicet
hanthatpi
g.

Me:OKt
hencanIvi
sitBol
engwhenyoul
eave?

Gran:Iwi
llbegoneforaweekMandu.Youcan'
tgo
andstaywithpeopl
eforawhol
eweek.

Me:Sheistheonewhoinvi
tedmesayi
ngwewil
l
st
udyforourexams.Wearestar
ti
ngi
ntwoweeks
mamaandIneedal lt
hehel
pIcanget.

Gr
an(
groans)Iwi
llhavet
otal
ktoyourgr
andf
ather
.

Me:(
qui
ckl
y)Nomamapl
easedon'
t.Hewi
llsayno.
Gr
an:why?

Me:(
gott
ongueti
ed)Be…Because…Becausehe
woul
dn'
twanttohavet
ocookforhi
mselffora
whol
eweek.Youknowhowheis.

Isl
umpedbackont
hechairf
eel
ingr
eli
evedt
hatI
cameupwit
hagoodreason.

Her:soyouwantmetodosomet
hingyouknow
verywel
lmyhusbandwoul
dn'
tbehappyabout
?Is
thataChri
sti
ant
hingt
odoMandu?

Ij
ustlookoutt hewi ndowf eel
ingdefeated.My
grandmotheri sadevotedChr i
stianwhoonl y
misseschur chwhenshei satthef ar
m.Shemakes
megowi t
hherbutIam yett obelieveherGod
actual
lyexists.Howi sawomanl ikehermar ri
edto
anantagonistic,chauvi
nist
icsexistbeastlikethati
f
thereisaGod?Wher eisHewhent hi
smani s
poundingfi
stsint
oherlikeabowlofdough?Wher
e
i
sHewhent hatpedophil
efi
rstcl
imbedint
omybed?
Ijustgowit
hhert ochurcht
oamuseherbutyou
canmi ssmeont hoseli
es.

Shemusthavenoti
cedIwasdeepi
nthought
becauseshet
appedmythi
gh.

Me:Mma?

Her
:Wher
ewer
eyouj
ustnow?

Me:j
ustt
hinki
ng.

Her
:(si
gheddeepl
y)okf
ine.Youcango.

Ist
artcl
appi
ngmyhandsexci
tedl
y.
Her:(
raisedherfi
nger
)onthecondi
ti
on…ont
he
condi
tionthathermotheri
sfi
newit
hit.

Me:OK.Iwi
lll
etherknowsoshecancal
lyou.

Her:TheonlyreasonwhyIam agreei
ngtot hi
sis
becauseyouhaveneveraskedmebef oreandI
wantyout obehappyandstressfr
eewhenyou
writ
e.Iknowitmustmeansomet hingtoyouifyou
askedme.Iwi l
ltakewhat
everconsequencesthat
comewi ththi
s.

Me:whatdoyoumeanmama?

Her:(
stoppedthecarbythegate)nothi
ngruni
n
bef
orethebellgoesoff
.Don'
tforgetyourumbr
ell
a.

Idon'
tli
ket
hisl
ookonherf
ace.Iknowf
oraf
act
thatshedoesn'
tknowwhatIgot
hroughsowhydi
d
shesaywhatshej ustsai
d?

Me:mama…

Her
:GoMandu.Youwi
llbel
ate.

IfrownasIopent hedoor .Iwal ktoclasswi t

hal ot
onmymi ndbutreliefwashesovermeasIr ecallthe
acceptanceofmyr equest .Itwasal ongshotbut
shesai dyes.Iam sureBol engwi l
lbepleased.She
andIbecameunl ikelyfriendsovert hepastfew
mont hs.Iref
usedtot el
lheranyt hi
ngaboutmySTI
butitgetsawkwardwhenIam ar oundhermom.
Shet ri
estomakemecomf ort
ableandIappr eci
at e
thefactthatshedidn'ttellBolengbutIcan' thel
p
feeli
ngshame.Ihearhercal li
ngf r
om behind.

Bol
eng:Di
ks!Di
ks!
Itur
nar oundandwaitf
orherasshespr
int
sover
.
Sheholdsherkneesandbreat
hesinandoutt
ryi
ng
tocatchherbreat
h.

Bol
eng:doyouhaveanyi
deahowl
ongIhavebeen
cal
li
ngyou?JeezDi
ks.

Me:(
laughi
ng)sor
ry.Idi
dn'
thearyou.

Boleng:ahmma.Youandyourt
houghts…Yout
hink
l
ikesomeonewhohasbil
lstopaybutnocoi
ninher
account.

Me:(
shruggi
ng)youneverknow.MaybeIowea
machoni
sa.

Her
:(st
andi
ngst
rai
ght
)yeahr
ight
.
Wethenwal
ktocl
assasIpr
epar
etoshar
ethe
goodnewswi
thher
.

Me:Ispoket
omygr anandshesaysIcancome
overt
oyourhousewhenshegoestothefar
m next
week.

Her
:Asi
nthewhol
eweek?

Me:(
shr
uggi
ng)i
fyoudon'
tmi
nd.

Her
:ofcour
seIdon'
tmi
nd!I
'
lll
etmymum know.

Me:ar
eyousur
eshewon'
tmi
nd?

Her:Heel
amymum iscool
.Sheknowswehave
examscomingupsoshewi
llbehappytoseeme
studyi
ngwit
hsomeonei
nst
eadofwatchingTV.
Ismi
leandt
akemyseatnextt
oher
.

Girl
:Youguysar ealwayssosur eofyour sel
ves.
Dikelediupgr
adedher selfkathenursesdaught er
andshenowt hi
nksshehasal soli
vedi nGabor one.
Heelamma!Youar est i
llthegir
lwhokilledher
mot herandgotabandonedbyherf ather.Omono
helatlhemma.Getof fyourhighhorse.

Mythroati
nstant
lydri
esupandIst artchoki
ng.I
wasn'
texpecti
ngtohearanythingshejustsaid.
Howdoyousayani nnocentbabykil
ledherown
mother?If
eelthetear
sburningthebackofmyeyes
andIhavenotstoppedlooki
ngatheri nshock.

Boleng:howdamagedareyout hatyouhavetosay
suchevilthi
ngs?Ar
eyoudeadi nsi
de?Whoever
tal
ksabouthowyourmot herhastenchil
drenwit
h
tenmen?Orhowyousl eepwi t
hthesecuri
tyguard
att
heSpeakEasy?Youl
ikemakingussaythings
wenevermeantt
osayMotlal
epula.Youcanbeso
bor
ingwai
tse.

Motl
alepul
alooksli
keshewascaughtwit
hherski
rt
upaspeoplestar
tlaughi
ngandwhist
li
ng.

Goy:(
laughs)ahahGoaqui
zanwa?

Boleng:Youli
ketodi
shitbutcan'teati
t.Keepto
yourli
ttl
eshacksexst
ori
eswithyourmi nionsand
l
eaveusoutofi tOKmosadiwal eschur
ithi.

Thewhol eclassexplodeswithlaughteras
Motlal
epulagivesusdeat hstar
es.Bol eng'
sver
bal
diar
rheaactuall
yputasmi l
eonmyf ace.Noone
everstandsupt oMot l
alepul
asoIt hi
nkshewi l
lst
il
l
needtodoawhol elotofrecuperat
ing.
Me:Youar
esor
awBol
eng.

Her
:Don'
tevenactl
ikeyoudi
dn'
tli
kei
t.

Ichucklebefor
eMrMur upi
simakeshisfamous
entranceint
otheclass.Iam prett
ysurethisman
dreamsabouthi t
ti
ngt hedoorwithhissti
ckto
sil
enceuseverynight .Maybeit'
shisri
tualwho
knows?Addedt obei ngourclassteacher,
healso
teachesusMat hemat i
cs.Hecamet oanswerany
questionswehavel eadingtotheexam befor
eour
readingweek.

MrMur upisi:(
placinghi sbooksont hetable)Ireall
y
hopeIwillbei nvi
gilati
ngaMat hspaper .Ihaveeven
fastedf
orit.Iwantt oseeyoureyesasr egr
et
washesoveryouf oral lthistimeyouar ewast i
ng.A
form 5cl
asst hatisl ef
twi tht woweekst owr i
te
shouldbesi l
ent.Ifyouar enotr eadingthenyou
shouldbepr ayingort alkingt oyourancest ors.Isee
thatyouthinkBGCSEi schi ckenlivers.Harei t
se.
Het henturnstotheboar dandst ar
tswr iti
ngdown
somesums.Hel eftmef eelingsomet ypeofway
becauseIper sonallyhaven'tbeeninvest edinmy
academi cs.Iknowt hecommoncl i
chét hat
someonel i
kemei susuall
ydet er
mi nedandwor ks
hardinschoolsot heycangetoutoft heircurrent
si
tuationbutIam t heopposi teofthat.Isimplydon' t
careaboutanyt hing.Idon'tseeanyf uture.Not hing.
Allt
hisisjustcompul soryf orme.IknowIwon' tgo
anywher einli
fesowhyshoul dIevenbot her
?

Bol
eng:(whi
spers)heel
adon'tf
orgetMrsThut
lwa
waslooki
ngforyouonthelastdayofschool
.

Me:(whi speredback)Ihaven'tchangedmymi nd
aboutthatBol eng.Iam notgoingther
e.Teachers
l
ikegossi p.Hagonacounsel ingyasepe!(she
doesn'tactuall
ywanttocounsel me)shej ustwants
datafortheirstaffr
oom lunches.Iam notgoingto-
MrMorupi
si:Heyl
onabackbencher
s!I
sthi
syour
cl
ass?Doweshareasalar
y?

Ihadn'
tevenseenhi
mtur
nar
ound.Thecl
assst
art
s
l
aughingatus.

MrMor
upi
si:Youhavebeenwar
ned.

Het
urnedbacktot
heboar
dandbegi
nst
oexpl
ain
t
hesums.Ihat
eschool
.

°
°°° °
°°°

Theskyhasr eallyclearedupnow.Iguessgr anwas

ri
ghtaboutther ainpassing.Igethomet ofi
ndonly
mygr andmother '
scarpar kedbythehouse.Iguess
heisataKgot lameet ingorsomet hi
ng.Iwalki
nto
thehouseandwal karoundl ooki
ngf ormy
grandmother.Ifindheri nherroom cryi
ng.
Me:(
kneel
ingnextt
oher
)Mamawhat
'swr
ong?
Whyareyoucryi
ng?

Her
:(f
orcesasmi
le)howwasschool
?

Me:Mamawhyar
eyoucr
ying?

Her
:Iwasjustpr
ayingmychi
ld.Li
sten.Ideci
dedt
o
got
othefarmtoday.

Me:(
pani
cki
ng)what
?Why?

Her:(caressingmycheek)Letmef inish.Ihaveto
goear l
y.Ispoket oBoleng'
smot herandaskedher
i
fyoucangot her
etodaysoyoucanst artstudyi
ng
andshesai dshedoesn' tmi
ndatal lbecause
Bolengisal waysboredandalone.Shesai dshewi l
l
passbyt ogetyouwhensheknocksof f.Ihave
packedyourbagsal
ready.Youcanchecki
fIhave
l
eftanyt
hing.

Confusioni
sriddli
ngmymi nd.Idon'
tunder
stand
anyt
hingshei ssaying.Whywouldshewantmet o
gothereanextraweekwhenshewasskept ical
aboutitbef
ore?

Me:Mamawhati
sgoi
ngonkant
e?

Justt
henwehearahoot
erout
side.Shest
andsup
andfi
xesherdoek.

Her
:Thatmustbeher.Goandgetyourbags
Di
kel
edi.Youar
egoing.

Ij
ustfol
lowhert
omyr oom andshehelpsmecarr
y
abag.Thisi
sn'
ttwoweekswor t
hofl
uggage.What
i
sgoingonhere?Wefi
ndBol eng'
smotherbyt
he
doorwhenweopeni
t.Iguessshewasj
ustaboutt
o
knockoni
t.

Boleng'
smum:Dumel ang.IcameassoonasI
knockedof
f.IhopeIdidn'
tkeepyouwai
ti
nglong.

Gran:Notatal l
.Shejustgothere.Thankyouso
muchf ort
his.Youareananswer edprayertome.
Dikeledineverhadfri
endsbeforesoIneverknew
whatt odowhenIwentt othefarm.(shetear
sup)I
neverwant edtoleaveheralonebutIdidn'
thavea
choice.Thankyousomuch.

Bol
eng'
smum:It
'smypleasur
eMme.Iam happyt
o
hel
pandBol
engneverst
opstal
kingabouther
.

Weareloadingthel
astbaginthebootwhenmy
gr
andfat
her'scardr
ivesint
othdyard.Thepani
cked
l
ookongr amsfacetell
smet hi
swasn'tpar
tofthe
pl
an.Whatexactlyi
sgoinginhere?
Pl
easel
ike,
commentandt
ag.

Toournewr
eader
s,

Welcomet
oourlit
tl
enest.Wegett
woinser
tsaday.
Oneat1pm andanot
herat11pm.Enj
oy
[
08/
31,
17:
31] :*
Unedi
ted*

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t4

Youknowt hatsil
encethatmakespeoplesaythe
devi
lispassingbyorthatsomeonejustwalked
overt
heirgrave?That'
swhatyouwouldsweari s
happeninghere.I
mmedi atel
ymygr ansawNt ate
shewentmut e.Boleng'
smot herwhowascl earl
y
nonethewiserclosedherbootandappr oachedmy
grandf
athertoshakehishandaf t
erhehadpar ked
hiscar
.Her et
urnsthehandshakeandl ooksatus
withhi
shandsonhi swaist.

Hi
m:whati
sgoi
ngonher
e?

Iam notenti
rel
ysurewhatisgoi
ngonmysel
f.ButI
doknowt hatIwanttol
eave.

Gran:Um…Thi sisMmaMar umo.Herdaught

eri
s
Mandu'sfr
iend.Theywanttoprepar
efort
hei
r
examstogethersosheisgoingther
e.

Hewear sadeepfrownonhisfor
eheadandl
ooksat
met henfort
hefi
rstti
me,addr
essesmeinfr
ontof
people.
Hi
m:Youcan'
tst
udyathome?

Il
ookatmyf eetunsureofwhattosay.I
nasmuch
asheneveraddr essesme,Ineverspeaktohim
unlessIam protest
ingwhatheisdoingorwantst
o
do.Ineverl
ookathi sfacebecauseit
'sathi
ngof
myni ght
mares.Istarttot
widdlemythumbs
searchi
ngforananswert ogivehim.

MrsMar umo:Ahyouknowhowst udentsare

malome.Mydaughterhasalsobeenbeggingfor
hertocomebecausetgr
ystudywelltoget
her.

Gr
andf
ather
;Kant
ewareomangwena?(
Andwho
di
dyousayyouare?
)

Her
:Mr
sMar
umo.

Gr
andf
ather
:Ihear
dyourname.Mypoi
nti
sIdon'
t
knowyousoIdon'tknowwhyIwouldgivemyson'
s
daught
ert
oatotalstr
anger.Whagwi
llIsayt
ohi
m
i
fsomethi
nghappenst oher?

MrsMarumol
ooksatmygr
andmot
her
uncomf
ort
abl
y.

Mr
sMar
umo:Shoul
dIgo?

Me:No!Pl
easedontl
eaveme.Iwantt
ogowi
thyou.

Ntat
e:Andwhodoyout
hinkwi
llcookf
ormewhi
le
yourgr
andmot
heri
sgone?

Gran:(
wit
htear
yeyes)Wecangotogether.Pl
ease
l
ethwrgoRichete.Shehast
opassherexams.

Hel
ookedatMr
sMar
umoandgaveherat
ight
smile.Mygrandfatherisverypret
enti
ousandnever
want st
oairhisdirt
ylineninpubli
c.Hewantstobe
seenast hecommuni tyleaderhepret
endstobe
whichiswhyhi sresponsedidntshockme.

Nt at
e:Ok.I
fyouhaveal
lagreed,t
henwhoam Ito
disagr
ee.Chi
ldr
enareaf
terallt
hefut
ureoft
his
country.

Hethenwal
ksi
ntothehouseandmygranandI
haveasi
ghofr
eli
efsimul
taneousl
y.

Mr
sMar
umo:Hehbanna.Thatwasheavy.

Shethenlaughstoli
ght
enthemood.Ilookatmy
granandthelookonherfacemakesmehesitantt
o
l
eaveher.Whatifhebeatsherupaf
terIl
eave?I
wouldneverfor
givemyself
.
Me:MmaagweBol eng,It
hinkIshoul
djustst
ay
her
e.Iwil
lcomet ostudyi
nt hemorni
ngsandret
urn
i
ntheevenings.

Mygr
andmot
herqui
ckl
ytur
nsmet
ofaceher
.

Gran:Manduwaaka, Ineedyoutogorightnow.You
stayi
ngher ewillnothelpyou.Iwantyoutogoand
focusonpassi ngyourf orm 5.Iwantt
oseemysel f
drivi
ngyout oFr ancist
owntoputyouonabust o
Gabor one.That'
sal lIwantf
rom youri
ghtnow.For
yout oleavethi
svi l
lageandneverlookback.

Shehast earsi
nhereyesandIfeelmi
netoo.Shei
s
ri
ght.Ineedabett
erenvi
ronmenttobeablet
o
studybetter
.

Me:OKMama.Pleasel
etmeknowwhenyoucome
backsoIcomehome.
Her
:(smi
les)Iwi
ll
.Taket
his.

Shepul
lsoneofherphonesoutofherpocket
.

Her
:Keepi
tsowecanbet
alki
ngwhi
leyouar
ether
e.

Ismokeandhugher
.

Me:Thankyousomuchmama!

Ntat
ewouldneverlethergetmeaphone.He'
dsay
phone'
sareadist
racti
onandpromotedati
ngata
youngage.Ihugheragainexci
tement
.

Gran:Okt
hat'
senoughnow.Idon'
twantust
odelay
MmaMar umo.Getinthecar
.(t
oBoleng'
smum)
ThankyousomuchonceagainandIam sosor
ry
forwhatj
usthappened.
Her:ohdon'
tworr
yabouti
t.Iknowhowmencanbe.
That'
swhyInevergotmar
ried.

Theyl
aughabi
taswecl
imbi
ntot
hecar
.

Gran:pl
easelookaft
erher
.Shelooksst
rongbut
sheisachil
dcarryi
ngtheweightoft
heworldon
hershoul
ders.

Idon'tknowwhatshemeans.Couldmygranhave
foundoutabouttheabuse?I
sthatwhyshewas
cryingwhenIgothome?Iwantaskherbutthecar
drivesoutandal
lIcandoisl
ookoutthewindow
andwavebackather .

Istarttofeell
ight
eraswel osevei
woft hehouse.I
can'tbeli
eveIam actual
lyoutofthathouse.Iknow
i
t'
sj ustfortwoweeksbutit'sst
il
lsomething.
Bol
eng'
smum :Whatwast
hatal
laboutDi
ks?

Me:Ahnot
hing.Justfami
lyi
ssuest
hatIwoul
dn'
t
wantt
oboreyouwi t
h.

Wet hendriveinsilenceli
steningtother adi
ountil
wegett othenur seshousesopposi tetheclini
c.
Whenwear rive,
wef i
ndBolengcooki ngsupper.
Thear omai nthehouset el
lsat al
eofher bsand
spicesthatmakemymout hwat er.I
t'
sonl ythen
thatIremembert hatIhaven'teveneat en.Allt
hat
dramamademef orgett
oeat .

Bol
eng'
smum:B.
!Wehaveavi
sit
or!

Bol
eng:(
shout
sfr
om t
heki
tchen)whoi
sit
?

Bol
eng'
smum :Heel
ang!I
sthi
sachi
ckenbar
n?
Canyoucomeher
e!

Iam justsmi l
ingatt hisexchange.Iam notusedt o
thiskindofenvi ronment .Boleng'smum hadher
whenshewas18.Youcanevenmi st
aket hem for
sister
sbecauset heyl ooksomuchal ike.Boleng
alwayst ellsmeaboutt hethingst heyt al
kaboutand
Ican'timagi net alki
ngt omymot herlikethat.Ifshe
wasal ivet hatis.ButwhatdoIknow?Maybet hat'
s
howmot hersanddaught er
sr elate.Shef i
nally
comesoutoft heki tchenandt hel ookonherf acei s
j
ustpr icelesswhenshespot smyl uggage.

Bol
eng:I
sthi
sforr
eal
?Ar
eyouher
etost
ay?

Me:YesIam.

Shest
art
scl
appi
ngherhandsonexci
tementand
gi
vesmeahug.
Her:Ican'
tbel
ieveit
!Iam sohappy.Let
'sgoand
cooktoget
herEbile.

Boleng'
smum :heh!Shejustgothere!Ashei
sn'
t
cookinganyt
hing.Goandfi
nishcooking
ngwanyana.

Bol
eng:ahmamamma.Finel
et'
sgoandchatwhi
le
youwatchmesl
aveaway.

Hermotherl
aughsatherdi
spl
ayandwal
ksof
fwi
th
myluggage.

°
°°° °
°°°

Schoolwassomuchf untoday.Weonlyhadthree
teacherswhocamei nandt her
estoft
het i
mewas
spentonchatti
ng.BolengandIwouldlaughand
makej okesaboutt
hemovi eswewerewat chi
ng
yest
erday.Hermot
heral
lowedust
hatoneni
ghtof
fr
eedom andsaidi
tal
lendsthi
smorni
ng.

Whenwegethome, Ifkdthreemissedcal l
sfrom
mygrandmother
.Itryt
oreturnt
hecal lbutitgoes
yovoi
cemai
l.Bolengmusthavenot i
cedt heworry
onmyface.

Bol
eng:What
'swr
ong?

Me:Idon'
tknow.Imissedmygr andmother'
scalls
andherphoneisnowoff.Legal
eIwillkeeptr
ying.If
Idon'
thearf
rom heri
nanhourt henI'
llwal
khome
goandseeher.

Her
:OKI
'
llgowi
thyou….
.

Wehadj
ustst
art
edeat
ingwhenhermum comesi
n.
Bol
eng'
smum:Oht hankGodyouareher
e!Dikel
edi
wehavetogo.Yourgr
andmot
herneedstoseeyou.

Iquickl
yputmypl
atedownsensi
ngt
he
seri
ousnessi
nhert
one.

Me:Seemewher
e?Wher
eisshe?What
'swr
ong?

Her
:Shei
satt
hecl
ini
c.Let
'sgo.

Iam t
ryingt ot
ellmyselfnottopanicbutit
'scl
earl
y
notworkingbecauseIam wal kingoutthegatewith
dif
fer
entflipfl
opson.Bol engisonmyt ai
lasI
speedwal ktothecli
nic.Thereareathousandand
onescenar i
osrunningthroughmyheadr ightnow.I
keepimaginongt hewor standscol
dingmyselfforit
.
Boleng'
smum l eadsustothewardandmypalms
begintosweat.Ithoughtshehadcomef
or
consult
ati
on.Ididn'
tthi
nkshewasadmitt
ed.
Iwasn' tpreparedf orwhatIam seeing.Shehasa
bandagear oundherr i
ghteyeandherl i
psare
swol l
en.Myl egswon' tmove.Iwantt orushtoher
sidebutIam st il
linthesamespot .Boleng'
smum
thentakesmyhandandwal kst
ot hebed.Tears
startfal
li
ngf r
om hereyesassoonassheseesme.

Gran:Ohmychil
dpleasef orgi
veme.Iam sor
ryf
or
fai
li
ngyoual
lyourli
fe!Ifail
edtopr
otectyouf
rom
t
hatmonster
.PleaseforgivemeDikel
edi.

Li
kecommentandshar
epl
easebabadi
[
08/
31,
17:
31] :Mi
nii
nser
t

Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t5

Mygr andmot herhasbeencr yingnonstopandIam

honestlyjustwait
ingforhert otel
lmewhatshe
means.Bol eng'smum gi vesheraglassofwatert
o
cal
m herdownandaf terwhatseemsl i
kefor
ever,
shefinall
ystopscr yi
ngandwi peshert
ears
caref
ullysoshedoesn' thur
thereye.

Boleng'
smum:Youneedt ocalm downMmaDavid.
YourBPi stoohi
ghandyourlungi nj
uryis
dangerous.Youcan'
tgetoverworkedli
kethi
s.

Gran:Ihavet r
ulyf
ail
edyoumychil
d.Youhadno
mothertopr ot
ectyouorfat
hert
ocaref
oryou.I
tr
iedtoprotectyou.He…He…Hesaidhewouldkil
l
you.Ididn'
tknowwhatt odo.

Iam j
usttoogobsmackedt
oevensayanythi
ng
ri
ghtnow.AllIknowi
smygr andmot
heri
sn't
act
ual
lytel
li
ngmesheknewIwasget
ti
ngr
aped.
Shecan'
tbesayi
ngthat
.

Gran:Iregretevermar r
yingt hatman.Hi swi t
ch
doctorkil
ledmyf at
hert oforcemet omar ryhim.He
tol
dmet hatifIdon'tmar ryhi m hewoul ddot he
samet omymot her.Iwast ooscar edt oref
usehi m
aftert
hat.Ijustmar riedhim butIhaveneverl oved
him.Hei samonst er.Whenyouwer ebr oughttous
asababy, It
riedtell
ingyourgr andparentstokeep
youandwewi llt
akecar eofyouwhi leyouar elivi
ng
withthem butyourgr andfatherrefusedandsai d
theywillnotcar r
ythebur denofr ai
singachi l
dt hat
kil
ledtheirdaughter.Ididn'tknowt hent hathewas
goingtouseyoubutIwasscar edbecauseIknew
howevi lhewasandIdi dn'twantyounearhi m.

Thishast
obeadr eam.Thereisnowaythi
sisr eal
.
I
sshesayingsheknew?Itisn'
tsi
nki
nginyet.Idon't
thi
nksheknew.There'
snowaysheknew.
Gran:Thefirstti
meIsawwhathewasdoi ngwas
whenyouwer e8year sol
d.Iwasbathingyouand
not i
cedatearont helipsofyourvagi
naandsome
bloodonyourpant y.Icoul
dn'
tbeli
eveitatal
l.I
criedsohardwhenIr eali
zedthathehadrapedyou.
Idon'tknowi fyour emembermeaski ngyouifhe
touchesyournunuandyounoddedyourhead.

Idon'tevenremembert his.Thisisal
ltomuchfor
me.Ij ustsi
nktothefloorandhol dmyhead.Ican'
t
beli
evesheknew.Sheknewt hiswholeti
me.She
knew.Ican'tevencry.Ijustfeelnumb.

Bol
eng'
smum:Shoul
dwel
eaveyout
wot
otal
k?

Gran:(
sni
ff
li
ng)Nopl
easest
ay.Iwantyout
oheari
t
t
oo.

Shewipeshert
earsagai
nandt
ri
edt
osi
tupwhi
ch
causeshert
owinceinpai
n.
Bol
eng'
smum :(assi
stsher
)don'
tmovetoomuch.
Ari
bfract
urei
sslowtoheali
fyoudi
stur
bit.

Wow..Sohefr
actur
edherr i
banddamagedher
l
ungsontopofever
ything?Iwantt
oshowconcer
n
buti
t'
snotaneasyfeatri
ghtnow.

Gran:(exhalesdeepl y)Iwentt ot heKgot l

at oreport
him becausebackt hent hepol i
cest ationwast oo
farsincewedi dn'thaveacar .Irepor tedhim and
whenhef oundouthebeatmeupal lovermybody
andt ol
dmet ogoandt el
lthem Ihadmadea
mistakeorhewoul dki l
lyou.Hemadesur ehedi dn'
t
i
njuremyf ace.Thi sist hefirsttimet hathehadbeat
mei nawayt hatpeopl ecansee.Iwentt othe
Kgotlaandt oldt hechi efIhadmadeami stake.I
tol
dhi m yourpant yhadi rr
itatedyou.Iwasscol ded
foracussingamanofhi sstat usandwast oldt o
payaf ineoft wogoat st otheKgot laf orwast i
ng
thei
rt i
meanddef ami ngoneoft heirof fi
cers.Ijust
didwhatt heyaskedofmeandyourgr andf at her
wasof ft hehook.Justl ikethat .Ihavel i
vedwi ththe
guil
tofknowi ngwhathappenst oyouwheneverI
am notar ound.Idi dn'tevenknowhowt ot alkt oyou
aboutt heodouryouusedt ohave.I twoul dmean
thatallthatIhavei magi nedi strue.Hef or cedmet o
startmybusi nesswhenhewoul dn'tbuyyour
unifor
msoranyt hingyouneeded.Het oldmet obe
goingt osel lifIwantyout ohavecl othesbecause
youar en'thischi ld.Ifeltl
ikeIhadnochoi ce.Iam
from agener ationt hataccept sthatthemani st he
headandt hereforewhathesaysgoes.Thatpl us
him beingevi l
,Ihadnochoi ce.Ijustleft.Il eft
knowingwhathedoes.Il eftyouDi keledi !Il eftyou
tothatbeast !Ideser vetodie!Ishoul dj ustdi e!

Shest ar
tscr yinghyst
erical
lyandstart
sto
hyperventi
latewhi chcausesmet opanic.Iquickl
y
standupandr ushtoherside.Bol
eng'smotherdoes
abunchoft hingstoherwhi l
etell
inghertocalm
down.Hereyescl osebef or
eIknowi tandIstartt
o
paniccry.
Me:What
'shappeni
ng?Mama!Mama!Openyour
eyes!

Bol
eng'smum:Ihavesedatedhermymyl ove.Her
BPistoohi
ghforal
lthi
s.Letherrestf
ornow.

ReliefwashesovermeandIst arttobreathe
normal l
y.Ihadn'treali
zedthatBolengandher
mot herwerecryingaswel l
.Theireyesare
bloodshotandt hat'swhenIr eal
izethattheyhave
j
usthear dmydar kestsecret.Whatam Igoingtodo
now?Ihat ebeingvi ct
imized.Ir
efusetobeapost er
chil
df orrape.

Dot
het
hingsmyl
ovel
yreader
s
[
08/
31,
17:
31] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t6

Ifeelli
keIhavejustbeenpunchedinthegutby
MikeTysoni nhispri
me.Thatfeel
ingyougetwhen
youf al
lonyourstomachandyoucan'tcryor
breathe.That
'showIf eel
.

Bol enghastri
edt al
ki ngt
omebutIcan'trespond.I
havej ustbeenstarringatmygrandmotherforthe
pasthourwai ti
ngf orhertowakeup.Ineedhert o
openhereyesbecauseIhavequest i
onsthatshe
needst oanswer .Boleng'
smum wal ksi
naf t
er
havi nggoneawayt ogetsomewor kdone.Shetri
ed
tell
ingust ogohomeandcomebackl aterbutI
didn'tmove.Myl egsseem tobecement edtothe
floor.

WhenIt hinkaboutal
lthoseti
mesIcr i
edaft
erhe
hadfini
shedr api
ngme, al
ltheti
mesIwasaf r
aidt
o
tel
lherbecauseIwantedt oprot
ectherfr
om hi
m.I
can'
tbelievesheknewanddi dnothi
ng.Shedid
nothi
ngatal
l!Sheservedmeupl ikel
ikeacowata
weddingandlethi
mf eastonme.Idon'tcar
ewhat
shesaysherreasonsare.Iam t
hechildandshei
s
theadul
t.

Iwasi ndeept houghtanddi dn'tnot

icethepoli
ce
offi
certhatwalkedinwi t
hBol eng'smum.Myhear t
begant oraceami leami nute.Idon'
tknowwhybut
Ihavealwaysbeenscar edofpol i
ceoffi
cersand
soldi
ers.Theirpresencejustgetsmef eeli
ngsome
typeofway.

Boleng'smum:Di keledi
thi
sisoffi
cerMotlhabi
.He
i
sher etospeakt oyourgrandmotherabouther
assaultandIfeltl
ikeyoualsoneedtomakea
stat
ement .Ihopeyouar efi
newiththat
.

Iopenmymout ht
or espondbutIam t
onguetied.I
wasn'texpecti
ngt
his.Iwantnothi
ngmor et
hant o
seethaterrori
ncr
eat i
onrotbehi
ndbarsbutIam so
overwhelmedbyeverythi
ngthatIdon'
tevenknow
wheretostar
t.Igat
hermysel
fandaskt
hef
ir
st
quest
ionthatcomestomymi nd.

Me:Um.
.How.
.Whot
oldyou?

Off i
cer:Wer ecei
vedacal lf
rom yourgrandmot her
sayingherhusbandbeatherupandr anoff.She
saidshewasbadl yinjuredandcoul dn'
tdri
ve.My
colleagueandIwer ethendispatchedtogoand
attendherandcal ledtheambul ance.Whenwegot
there,theyhadsedat edherbecauset heysaidher
bloodpr essurewast oohigh.Ileftmynumberwi t
h
Mi ssMar umowhoj ustcall
edmet osaythereis
anot hervi
cti
m oft hesameman.

Iam bl
inkingawaythetearsthatarethr
eateningto
unl
easht hemsel
ves.It
'sl
ikeIcanseet hefini
shl i
ne
upaheadbutIam af r
aidthecloserIget,
thefurther
i
tmightmove.
Me:Di
d….(exhal
e)Di
dyougethi
m?Di
dyouf
indmy
gr
andf
ather?

Hi
m:Yes.Hei si
ncust
odyaswespeak.Ineedyour
st
atement
sbecausewit
houtthem,wehavenocase.
Haveyoualsobeenavi
cti
m ofhi
sassaul
t?

Ishakemyheadandher
aiseshi
seyebr
ow
Justhearingthathehasbeenarrestedisalott
o
takein.Ineverthoughtt
hisdaywouldcome.Ihad
succumbedt otheabuse.IhateditbutIknewitwas
myl i
fe.Iknewthathealwaysgotwhathewant ed
from me.

Me:Hestart
edabusi
ngmesexuall
ywhenIwas6
andstar
tedrapi
ngmewhenIwas8.Ihavehad5
abor
ti
onsandanSTIthatIr
ecent
lytr
eat
ed.

Itj
ustspil
ledoutofmel
ikel
ava.Iwentont
otel
l
him ever
ygruesomedet
ailt
hatIcoul
dremember
andhewr ot edownever ythingandal sohada
recor der.Byt hetimeIwasdone, ilookedar ound
andsawt hatBol engandhermot herwer ecr ying
i
nconsol ablyandt heof f
icerhadahar dl ookonhi s
face.Hi seyeswer er edwi thr age.Ihadn' teven
seenmygr andmot herwasal soawake.Shewas
l
ooki ngatmel i
keshehadseenaghost .Thepol i
ce
offi
cerhasnotr emovedhi seyesf r
om meandIcan
onlyi magi newhathemustbet hinking.Ihavenever
toldanyonemuchaboutwhatIhavegonet hrough.
EvenMmaTl hongonl ygotvaguever sionsofmy
storywheneverIwenti nf oranabor t
ion.Thi sf el
t
l
ikeacl eansi ngcer emonyf ormeandIdoubti t
woul dhaveeverhappenedi fIwasn' tmot ivatedby
thet houghtt hatifIdi dn'
tt ell
myst or y,hecoul d
wal koutofj ail.

Offi
cer
:(swit
chesoffrecor
derwhileshaki
nghi
s
head)Nxlaotlogony*lagompieno.(Heisgoi
ngt
o
sh*thi
mselftoday).
Thelookonhi sfacesayshedidn'tmeantosayit
outloud.Noonedar estoaskhim whathemeans
bythat.Ithi
nkeveryone'
sfeel
ingaremutualabout
whatwewantt ohappentothatanimal
.Theoffi
cer
thenturnstofacemygr andmother.

Offi
cer:Dumel aMme.Youwokeupwhi l
eIwas
taki
ngyourgr anddaught
ersstatement .Ispoket
o
youear l
ierwhenyoucal l
edtor eporttheassault
.
Unfort
unat el
yIf oundyouundersedat ionwhenI
arri
vedatt hescene.Mypar t
neri squest i
oni
ngyour
husbandaswespeak.Iwoul dnowl iketohearyour
sideofthest ory.

Gr
an:Wher
edi
dyoucat
chhi
m?Ar
eyousur
eit
's
hi
m?

Offi
cer:Hegotintoanaccidentwhil
edrivi
ngoutof
thevil
lageandtir
edtorunawaybutt hemanhehad
hitt
ookhiscarkeyandwal letaft
ercal
li
ngus.We
foundthem fi
ghti
ngoverthei t
emsandhi scar
matchedyourdescr
ipt
ionandhi
snamesonhi sI
D
ver
if
iedhi
sidenti
tyandheisnowundercust
ody.

Gran:(
cri
esoutl
oudcoveri
nghermouth)Ohthank
God!ThankyouGod!Iam f
reeatl
ast
!OhGodIam
fr
ee!Manduwearefreemychil
d!Wearefree!

Shegoesonforagoodmi nut
ebeforetheof
fi
cer
askshert
orel
ateherver
sionofevents.

Gran:Ihadcal ledMi ssMar umot ocomeandget

Dikeledi
.Iwant edt hem toleavebef oreheget s
home.Mypl anwast orunawayt oo.Iwantedt ogo
tomyf r
iend' shousei nFrancistownbuthef oundus
packingt hebagsaway.I ttooksomeconvi ncing
andheagr eedt olethergo.Af tertheylef
thest art
ed
slappingmear oundaski ngwhyIsentDi keledi
away.Hekeptbangi ngmyheadagai nstthewal l
andpushi ngmear oundtelli
ngmet ogoandt ake
her.WhenIsai dnohest artedst r
angli
ngmeandI
gotweakandf el lt
ot heground.That '
swhenhe
start
edkicki
ngme.Heki ckedmyf acewithhis
boots,mybackandst omach.WhenIkeptsayi ngno
hesteppedonmyr i
bcageandlif
tedhimselfsoal l
hisweightwasont helegonmychest .That'
swhen
Iheardmyr i
bcrack.Ican'
texpl
ainthepainIfelt.I
thoughtIwasdying.Ibegansuff
ocatingandthat '
s
whenher anoff
.IthinkhethoughtIwasdyingt oo.
Hewant edmetodi e.

Shest ar
tscryi
ngagai nandforthef
ir
stti
memy
tearsfal
l.AsbetrayedasIfeelbymygrandmother
,
shehasst il
lbeenamot hertome.Maybewear e
bothvicti
msher e.ImeanIcouldhaverepor
tedhim
beforebutItoowasaf rai
d.Maybeshewasal so
afrai
d.

Offi
cer
:(t
akingnot
es)Wast
hist
hef
ir
stt
imehe
assaul
tedyou?

Gran:(
laughsdr
yly)Myweddi
ngnightwasanight
ofrapeandbeat
ing.Idi
dn'
twantt
odoanythi
ng
wit
hhi m becauseIhatedhimf orkil
li
ngmyf at
her
andforci
ngmet omar ryhim soheforcedhimsel f
onme.Thatwashowmysonwasconcei ved.Ihave
hadtwomi scarr
iagesaft
erthatbecauseofhi s
beat
ings.Ri chet
ekeselalomeseset shwanet seng
goswasekgonameaboaj ewekedintswat sa
molafu.

Off
icer
:Whenyousayhekil
ledyourf
atherwhatdo
youmean?Washecharged?

Gran:Hewasneverrepor
t edbecausemyf at
her
di
edi nhi
ssleepaf
teravisitf
rom Richet
e.Hi
switch
doctordi
dit
.Theykil
ledmyf ather
.

Offi
cer:(
shakeshishead)Ei
shunf or
tunat
elythe
l
awdoesn' tr
ecognizewit
chcraft.Ican'
taddthat
stat
ementbecauseofitsnaturebuthewi llbe
chargedfoft
herestofhisoffences.
Bol
engjustr
anoutoftheroom.Ithinkallthisist
oo
muchforher.Iwi
shIwasher .I
nnocenttot hepai
ns
oft
hisworl
d.Hermotherwalksoutafterrubbing
myback.

Offi
cer:WhocanIcal
ltoi
nfor
mthem oft
hese
events?

Shehasal ookofhesi
tat
ionandgui
ltbef
ore
respondi
ng.

Her:Myson,
herfather
.Hel
ivesi
nGabor
onewi
th
hi
swi f
eandchi
ldren.

Off
icer
:(f
rowns)Whyisn'
tsheli
vingwi
thherf
ather
?
Doesheknowaboutthisabuse?

Her:Nonono..Hedoesn'
tknowanyt
hingatal
l.I
haveonl
yevertri
edtogethi
mtotakeherbuthe
di
dn'twantt
oupsethi
swi
fe.Idon'
tevenknowwhat
heisgoingt
osaywhenhehearsthi
s.

Me:Hedi dn'
tcarebefor
eandhewon' tcarenow.I f
hecaredaboutmeatal lhewouldhavet akenme.
Heneverevenspeakst ome.Idoubtheevenknows
myname.Idon' twanttoseeanyemot ionfrom t
hat
manbecausehei shi
sfather
'sson.Ihopehi s
daughternevergoesthr
oughwhatIam goi ng
thr
ough.

Gr
an:Mandumychi
ldpl
easedon'
ttal
kli
ket
h-

Icutheroffbystandi
ngupandwal kingout .Iam
ti
red.Thi
sisalltoomuchf orme.Whydi dthishave
tohappent ome?Maybet hisi
smycur seforkil
li
ng
mymot her.Maybeittr
ulyismyfaultthatshei s
deadandt hisi
smypuni shment.

°
°°° °
°°°
Icoul dn'tgobackyest erday.Iwal kedt oBoleng's
placeandj ustcrawledi ntot hebl ankets.Boleng
whohadbeeni nthel i
vingr oom cameandcuddl ed
wi t
hmeasIcr iedmyhear tout .Hermot hercamet o
tellmemygr andmot herwant edt oseemeagai n
andIwasn' thavinganyofi t
.I'dhear denoughandI
wasdone.Iam st i
llinbedt ryi
ngt owillmyselfto
getoutofi t
.Iam tryingt of i
ndmywi l
ltomoveon
from this.Thef unnyt hingi sIhaveneveronceeven
thoughtoft aki
ngmyl ifeadmi stallthet ur
moi lt
hat
i
smyl i
fe.Itnevercrossesmymi ndbecauseIst i
ll
bel i
evelifeisprecious.Regar dlessofhowsh* tt
yit
canbe, Isti
llbeli
veIhavet oval uemyl i
fe.AndIam
notbr aveenought ot akemyl ife.Butt hem againis
i
tbr averyorcowar dice?

Bol
eng'
smum:Dikshowar eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
Bol
engismaki
ngyoubreakfast
.

Ij
ustkeepst
arr
ingatt
hewal
lwi
thBol
eng'
sMar
oon
5post
er.

Boleng'
smum:Di kel
edi,youhavetopullt
hrough
thi
s.Iwanttoorgani
zeyouacounsel i
ngsession
wit
ht hesoci
alworkeratthecl
ini
c.

Me:No.

Bol
eng'
smum:Butmyl
oveyouneedt
o-

Me:No.

Shei
saboutt
ospeakagai
nbutIcutherof
f.

Me:It
houghtyouar
esupposedt
obeatwor
k.

Her:(
sighs)Icametocheckonyouandtol
etyou
knowthatyourfat
herandst
epmotherar
ehere.
Yourgr
andmotheraskedmetocallyoubecause
shewantst
otalktothem i
nyourpresence.

Ij
ustbr eakoutinl aughter
.Ilaughsohar dt hatI
startclappingmyhandsandhol dingmyst omachto
easet hepai nofmuscl estighteningfrom my
l
aught er .I
t'
snott oolongbef oremyl aughtertur
ns
i
nt ocrying.Ijustcr youtasBol eng'smothercomes
cl
osert ohol dme.Thewar mthofherhugmakes
mebawloutmor e.Bolengcomest ot
hedoorand
standst herebiti
ngt hecollarofhert -
shir
tnervousl
y.

AftersometimeIwipemyt earsandbr eakthe

embr acesoIcanstandup.Iam st i
llweari
ngthe
clothesIwasweari
ngyesterdaybecauseIf ell
asleepwhil
ecryi
ng.Iam suremyhai rl
ooksamess
becauseIdidn'
tknotmynat uralhai
rbeforeIslept
l
ikeIalwaysdobutIdon'tcare.Iwal koutfr
anti
cal
ly
withBolengandmot heri
ntow.

Bol
eng'
smum :Di
kel
edi
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Shei
sn'
tkeepi
ngupwi
thhernur
se'
sheel
.

Me:Yousai
dtheywantmer
ight
?That
swher
eIam
goi
ng.

Boleng:Di
ksl
et'
sgoandgetyoucl
eanedupf
ir
st
tl
hemma.

BythattimeIam al readywal ki
ngt hroughthedoor s
oftheclini
candt hestaresIam get t
ingaren'
tgoing
tomakemer etreateither.Idon'tcare.Ibursti
nto
mygr andmot her'sroom andf i
ndhercr yi
ngas
usual.Shemusthavebeent ell
ingthem becausemy
fat
herlookslikesomeonesl appedhi m withbr
ick.
Hiswi f
eont heot herhandl ooksl i
kei t
'sadayatt he
beach.Shei sevenchewi ngchi ps.Ifoldmyarms
whent heylookatme.Bol engandhermum wal kin
asmygr andmot herwipeshert ear
s
Me:What
?

Gran:Howareyoumychild?Iwasjusttel
li
ngyour
parent
saboutwhathasbeenhappeningtoyou.I
wantedyoutocomeandtellt
hem.

Me:Tellwho?Whi
chparent
s?Mymot herisdead
andIjusttf
oundoutmygrandmotherwhoIhave
alwaysseenasmymotherhasbeenturningablind
eyetomyabuse.Sowhichparent
s?Idon'thave
parent
snna.

MmaagweJoe:(chuckl
es)Suchdisrespectt
hen
youtel
lusshewasgett
ingabused?Mmet her
ewas
norapeher
e.Thi
sisyoursist
erwife.

RraagweJoe:Bontl
e!Bontl
e!Bontl
e!Nottoday!I
f
youhavenothi
ngbettert
osayt ocomfortmy
daughtert
henIsuggestyoushutup.
Me:HeelaDavid!Whichdaughterareyout alki
ng
about?WasSasar aped?Becauset hat
'st
heonl y
daughterIknowyouhave.Nna, IDikel
ediam an
orphan.Ihavenoonei nthi
swor l
danddon' tcome
hereandtrytoactl
ikeaf at
hert
ome.Doyoueven
knowmyname?Doyouknowwhatf or
m Iam i n?
Thisshouldbethelastti
meyoueversummonme
becauseIwantnothingtodowithanyofyou.

Myhandsar eshaki
ngandIam breat
hingheavi
ly.I
st
orm outandhearMmaagweJoe' scackl
ing
l
aught
erbeginme.Thenerveofthatman!

Li
ke,
comment
,tagandshar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
32] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t7

Bol
eng:Di
kspl
easecomeandeat
.Youhaven'
thad
anyt
hingsi
nceyest
erday.Comeandeat
.Doi
tfor
me.

Irollmyeyesandgetoutofbed.WhenIcameback
from lashingoutatmyf at
hert hismorning,Iclosed
mysel finBol eng'sroom andcr ied.Aft
erallthat
crying,Ibegant oregretwhatIsai daboutmy
grandmot her .Iam al wayst r
yingt oremembert hat
shei salsoavi cti
mi nallthisbutwhent he
emot ionsst artrushingin,Ijustseeherasoneof
thepeopl ewhohur tme.Butsher i
skedherlifeto
freemef r
om t his.Shehasacr ackedrubwi thmy
nameoni t.Sheendur edallthatformysake.She
hasbeenl ivinginfearf orsomanyyear s.HowcanI
alsobet heper sonwhohur tsher ?Ihavet ogoand
seeher .Sheneedst oknowt hatIdon'tblameher .

Whenwegett
othel
ivi
ngr
oom,
Ifi
ndl
unchont
he
t
abl
e.

Me:I
sital
readyl
uncht
ime?Howdi
dti
megetaway
f
rom mel
iket
his?

Bol
eng:I
t'
sfouro'
cl
ockDi
ks.

Me:(wi deeyed)What?Idi
dn'
treal
izeIwasinthere
thatl
ong.Iam sorryf
orbei
ngsuchat er
ri
blehouse
guest.Icomewi t
hsomuchdramaandIhaveonl y
beenher ef
oraday.

Boleng;(
sighs)Dikel
edi,howcanyouapologize
whenyouar etheonet hathasbeenwrongedi nso
manyways?Ihadnoi deayouweregoi
ngt hr
ough
somuchandIf eelli
keat er
ri
blef
ri
endfornever
knowing.

Me:Don'tdothat
.Don'tbl
ameyoursel
f.Idi
dn'twant
anyonetoknow.Iwasashamedandhopel ess.I
di
dn'tthi
nkanyonecouldhel
pmesoIsawnouse
oftel
li
nganyone.Ihat
ebeingthevi
cti
m sothat'
s
whyIdon'tt
alkabouti
t.
Bol
eng:AoDi keledibathong.WhenIthi
nkabout
howMot l
alepulaandt hem alwaysmadefunofyou
wit
houtknowingwhatyouwer egoi
ngthrough.I
j
ust….OhmyGodDi keledi
.Youaresostrong.

Ij
ustshr
ugandt
akeabi t
eofthefood.Idi
dn'
tknow
Iwashungr
yunt
ilIst
art
edchewing.

Me:Youar
ever
yseri
ousaboutyourFoodand
Nut
ri
ti
oncl
assneh!

Her
:(smi
les)Ihaveal
wayslovedcooki
ng.Ican
t
eachyouaf ewthi
ngsifyouwant.

Me:forwhattota?I
t'
snotli
keIam goingt
oneedt
o
cookforanyoneinmyli
fe.Theli
tt
leIknowwil
l
servemewel l
.
Her
:ohcomeonDi
ks.Cooki
ngcanbeso
t
herapeut
ic.

Ican'
thel
pbutl
augh.

Me:Ikeepfor
gett
ingyouar
eaci
tygi
rl
.What
t
her
apyBoleng?

Her:Mxm If
orgothowboringyouar
e.St
ayt
her
e
wit
hyourvil
lageski
ll
sthen.

Me:( Ilaugh)Finally!IhavemyBol engback.Iwi sh

youwoul djusttreatmel i
keyounor mallydoi nstead
ofwal kingaroundoneggshel ls.Iam stil
lthesame
girlwhowoul dteaseyourEngl i
shaccenti nschool
andyou' dclapbackaboutmyhandwr i
tingandwe' d
l
aughateachot her .Iam sti
llt
hatgirlwhocamet o
schoolt oforgetandf orthefir
sttimein12year sof
school i
ng,Imadeaf riendwhodi dn'
ttreatmel ikea
joke.Pleasebet heBol engthatIknowanddon' t
vi
cti
mizeme.Pl
ease.

Iseeherbl
inki
ngt
ear
sawayandnoddi
ng.

Me:Iwanttogoandseemama.Ihavetoapol
ogi
ze
t
oher.IhopeRraagweJoeandhi
swifear
egone.

Boleng:heishmma!Youwer esorawt hi
smor ning!
AndyousayIcant alk!(
clapshands)shu!Ithi
nk
yourfathermustbecrawli
ngonhiskneesi ntears.

Me:owai .Hedoesn'tcare.Doyouknowt hatIcan

probabl
ycountt henumberoft imeshehasspoken
tomeandf i
nishthem beforeIget20?Iam 18but
myf at
herhashar dlyeverspokent ome.Maybei f
he'dshowedmet hathecar edthenIwouldhave
tol
dhim whenal lthi
sstarted.Mygr andmotheris
theonewhosuppor tsme.Shet akescareofme.I
haveneveroncehear dhersayt hatmyf athersent
moneyf ormebutIneverl ackedanyt hi
ng.Hewoul d
ratherbuyhi smonsterofafatheracart hantobuy
meashoe.I fyouseehowputt ogetherhischil
dren
are,you'dswearIam agar denboy' sdaughterand
nothi s.Hi
s6yearol ddaughterhasasmar tphone
(Ilaugh)ImeanIj ustgotaphonef r
om my
grandmot her.Andit'
snotaboutt hephoneBol eng.
It'
saboutf eeli
nglovedbyapar ent.Heknowsmy
mot herdied.HeistheonlyparentIhaveandyetI
am anonf actorf
orhim.

Her:(sighs)Idon' tevenknowmyf ather.Afteryears

ofaskingmymot herwhomyf atheris,sheshowed
meapi cture.Shehadpr i
ntedoutascr eenshotofa
conversat i
ont heyhadwhenmymum f ellpregnant.
Hewasangr yatherf orfal
lingpregnantandsai dhe
hadagi r
lfr
iend.Whenmymum askedwhyhenever
tol
dherhehadagi r
lf
r i
endhet oldhersi dechi cks
don'tneedt oknowaboutt hemai ns.Het oldhert o
eit
heraboutmeorf i
ndanewmant otrapbecause
hewasn' taf ool.Ifeltsobadf oralwaysaski ngwho
myf atherisaf terthat.Shegavemehi snames
i
ncaseIst i
llwantt oseehi m butIhaven' tbothered
mysel
f.Shei
sal
lthepar
entIneedi
nmyl
if
e.

Me:YeahMen!

Justthenhermotherwalksinwithoff
icerMot
lhabi
.
Helookeddiff
erentwi
thouthisunif
orm.Younger
even.DareIsaysnacky?Bolengalwayssaysthat
.

Bol
eng'
smum:Higi
rl
showar
eyoudoi
ng?

Bol
eng:Wear
efi
nal
lyeat
ingsot
hat
'sast
art
.

Ir
ollmyeyesandshel
aughs.

Her:They'
l
lgetstuckupt
her
eonedayt
henwewi
ll
seewhatyou'l
lrol
l.

Me:Mxm.
Boleng'smum :Iam gl
adtoseeyouar ei
namuch
betterstat
eD.Off
icerMotl
habicamebyt hecl
ini
c
andaskedt oseeyousinceI'
dtoldhi
m youstay
wit
hmesoIbr oughthi
m over.Ihopeyoudon't
mind.

Iputmypl
ateawayandl
ookathi
m.

Me:NoIdon'
t.I
sitaboutmygr
andf
ather
?

Him:noit
snotaboutthat
.Yourstor
yhasj ustbeen
haunti
ngmesinceyester
dayandIfeltIhadto
comeandseeyou.Iam gladtoseeyousmi li
ng.It
's
progr
ess.

Me:Idon'
tknowi fi
t'
sactual
lyprogr
ess.Ihavejust
numbedmyselftoeveryt
hing.Ij
ustwanttomove
onfr
om thi
s.Iwanttogetbacktoapl acewhereno
onekeepstal
kingabouti
tanymor e.
Him :OhthatmakeswhatI'm aboutt
osayalit
tl
e
morediff
icul
tthenbecauseIwantedtoshar
e
somethi
ngwi t
hyou.

Me:Ohyoucan.Don' tworry.Wearest
il
linthe
tal
kingabouti
tphaseuntilthatmani
ssentenced
soyoucanspeakf r
eely.

Hi
m:( smil
es)youar eastr
ongyoungwoman
Di
keledi
.Idon'tthi
nkIwouldhaveeversur
vived
whatyouwentt hrough.

Me:welll
uckyf
oryou,
youar
eaguysoyouhad
not
hingtoworr
yabout
.

Him:(l
eansback)t
hat'
swhatever
yonethi
nksneh.
Thatboyscanneverbevi
cti
msofsexualabuse.
WellwhenIwas10yearsold,mymotherhi
reda
maidshelef
tmewi thwhenshewasatwork.Like
MissMar umo,shewasanur se(smilesather ).
Whenevermymum wentonni ghtshifts,she'd
comei ntomyr oom atni ghtandwoul dst art
touchi
ngme.Thef i
rsttimeithappened, Iwasso
scaredanddi dn'
tknowwhatwashappeni ng.She
wouldkissmeandsuckmypr ivat
es.Ij ustpr et
end
tobeasl eepbecauseIwast ooscar edt oaskher
anythi
ng.Ididn'tunder st
andwhatshewasdoi ngor
whyshewasdoi ngit.Iknowki dstodayknowabout
sexbyt hatagebutIwascl ueless.Iam f rom at i
me
whenpor nwasbl uemovi esatmi dnightonet v.

Idon'
tthi
nkIcanhidet
heshockonmyf acesomy
mouthisgoi
ngtoremainopenl
iket
hisunti
lmyjaw
cl
osesbackup.

Him:(sighs)Shedi
dthataboutfivet
imesbefore
onenightshesatontopofmeandst ar
ted
bouncingonme.DikelediIcr
iedsomuchbecausei t
hurt
.Ithoughtshewouldstopbutsheclosedmy
mouthandt oldmetoenjoyitbecausei
t'
snice.Thi
s
wasawomanwhoneversai dordi danyt hingbadt o
medur i
ngt hedaybutbecameamonst eratnight.
Aftert hatni ght,Istartedlockingmyr oom whenI
slept .Iwasaf raidofsayi nganyt hingt omymum
becauseshesai dshewoul dpoi sonmyf ood.But
oneni ghtwhenmymum t r
iedopeni ngmydoorand
foundi tlocked, sheaskedmewhyIwasl ocki
ngi t
andIsai di twasami stake.Ievenst artedwetting
thebed.Thenoneday, mymot hert ookmeouti na
driveandaskedmewhatwasgoi ngon.Shet oldme
tot ellhersoshehel psme.WhenIt oldherIdi dn't
wantt odi esher eassuredmet hatshewoul d
prot ectme.Ibr okedownandcr i
edandt oldher
ever ythi ng.Thesoundofmymot her 'scryingis
somet hingIwi l
lnevergetover .Shedr ovestraight
tot hepol icest ationthatdayandt hemai dwas
arrest edont hatsamedayandIhaveneverseen
hersi nce.

Bol
eng:
OhmyGod!Howdi
dyouevengetovert
hat
?
Him:( scr atcheshishead)ahIdi dn'tact uall
yget
overi trightaway.Iwasputt hr oughcounsel ingbut
i
tdi dn'tact uall
ywor kf ormet hatf ir
stt ime.It hink
i
t'sbecauseIwasaki d.Asat eenager ,Ibecame
addi ctedt opor nandhadsexl ikemyl i
fedepended
oni t.Thisf eelssowr ongt osayt hist ot eenager s
butIam t elli
ngyout hisbecauseIdon' twantyout o
endupwher eIdid.Ineverdat edf orlovebecause
allIwant edwasagi r ltof ulfi
llmydesi res.Itwas
onlywhenIwasi nUni versit
yt hatIst artedt oseek
counsel ingf ormyaddi ct
ion.Unf or t
unat elyI
droopedoutofUni ver sitybyt hatcounsel i
ng
changedmyl if
eandIam somuchbet ternow.I ,
j
ustwi shpeopl eknewhowr ealabusei sandwhati t
doest oachi ld.Andi t '
snotj ustt hegi rlchi l
dwho
facesi t.Boysgetabusedt oo.I tmaynotbeas
commoni nourcount rybuti t'
sr eal .Andmaybei tis
commonbutunspokenof .Imeanr ightnowIf eel
l
ikeIam havi ngani nappr opr i
at econver sationwith
teenager sbecauseIam aman.Buti fawomanwas
tell
ingyouabouti t
, i
twoul dn'tbeaswei rd.
Ifi
nal
lymanagedt
oli
ftmyj
awof
fthef
loorand
shookmyhead.

Me:Ihonest
lyhadnoideaguyswentthr
oughthi
s
t
oo.I'
dhaveneverguessedi
tlooki
ngatyou.

Hi
m:Andsoon,
noonewi
llseei
tonyouei
ther
.

Boleng'smum:(wipi
nghertears)Youtwohave
beent hr
oughsomuch.Noonedeser vestogo
throughthi
sanditsaddensmet othi
nkt hat
somewher eoutt
here,i
sachi l
dgoingthrought
his.
Wepr eachanHIVf r
eegenerati
on.Whatabouta
rapefreeone?

°
°°° °
°°°

Af
tert
hati
ntensesessi
onBoleng'
smum offer
edto
dr
ivemetomygr andmother
'spl
acebecauseshe
hadbeendi schar gedandIwant edt oseeher .Ijust
realizedthatBolengandIhaven' tstudi
edonce
sinceIcamet ot heirplace.Ifeelsobadf orit.The
sightofmyf ather'scarpar kednextt omy
grandmot her'smakesmewantt oturnbackbut
Bol eng'
smot herencour agesmet odoitbecause
mygr andmot herhasn'tst oppedcr yi
ngsinceIl eft.
Shesaysshebl amesher selfforeveryt
hing.That
j
usthur t
sme.Idi dn'tmeant odot hattoher .
Bol eng'
smum want edt ositinthecartogi veus
privacybutIwoul dn'tl
ether .

Ifr
ownwhenIseemygr andmother'
sbagsbythe
door.Wherecoul
dshebegoi ng?If
indherl
ying
downont hesofawit
hherhandi nacast
.Iwalk
overtoherandgiveherhug.Shesmil
eswhenshe
openshereyesandseesme.

Gran:Iam sosor
ryMandu.Pl
easef
orgi
vemef
or
fai
li
ngyou.
Me:Nomama.Iam sor ryf
orwhatIsaidearl
ier.I
di
dn'tmeanit.Youhavealwaysbeenthereforme.
Youwer escaredforyourl
if
easwellasmine.I
underst
andmama.YouandIwer ethevict
imsher e
andonlythatanimalhastobecr
ucifi
edforit.

Shesit
supwithmyassi
stanceandhugsmeagai
n
af
terali
tt
lest
ruggl
e.

Me:
Mamawher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Her:Yourfatherwant smetogot oGaboronewi t

h
t
hem sot heycant akecareofme.Theywal kedto
t
heirplacetocheckt hehouset henwewi llbe
l
eavingwhent heycomeher e.IthoughtIwasgoi ng
t
oleavewi thoutseeingyou.Iwassohear tbroken.

Boleng'
smum:AhbutMmeiwoul dn'tadviceyouto
takesuchalongjourneyi
nyourcondit
ion.Iti
sn'
t
safe.Youcoul
drelapseandevenyourBPi sn'
t
st
abl
eyet
.

Her:mysoni sasst
ubbor
nashi sfathermychil
d.
Let
'sjustpr
aythat
,Godwillpr
otectmeandHiswi l
l
bedone.Mandugot omyroom andbr ingmethe
bagIkeepunderthematt
ress.

Jehovahthi
sbag!Mygr andmotherneverwantsme
messingwit
ht hatbag.Shesaysi t
'sli
feanddeath.
That'
swhyshekeepsi tthere.EvenNt at
edidn'
t
knowaboutit.Igetthebagandwal kbackt oher.
Shekeepsabunchofpaper sinitl
ikebirt
h
cert
if
icat
esandt helikes.Sheopensi tandgoes
tr
oughsomepaper saf t
erwear i
ngherglasses.

Her
:Taket
his.

Shehandsmeapaperwi
tht
hewordsTATI
DISTRI
CTLANDBOARDonthem.I
t'
sati
tl
edeed.
Mynamei soni
t.
Me;(
frowni
ng)mamawhati
sthi
s?

Her:(smi l
ed)Myf at
herappl i
edforf armsf orme
andmysi bli
ngsbackwhenchi efsallocatedland.
Thatwasmyf arm.ItisinMasunga.Ihavekepti tall
theseyear swi thoutyourgr andfather'sknowledge
becausehef or cedmet osel lt
hepl otthatIhad
becausehewant edmet ohavenot hingtomyname.
WhenyougotyourI D,Iwentandputi ti
nyourname
andbui ltaonebedr oomedhousesot hatitdoesn't
getreprocessed.I ti
sallthatIcangi veyoumychi ld.
Ifail
edt ohelpyouasachi ldbutIr efusedt oleave
thi
swor l
dwi thoutsecur i
ngsomet hingthatcanhel p
you.Iknowt hatyouwi l
lprobablyneveri nherit
anythingfrom yourf at
hersot hisisyouri nherit
ance
mychi ld.Allyouhavet odoi ssigni tandi twil
l
offi
ciall
ybeyour s.

Iam st
unned.Iam l
ookingatherl
ikesheisa
uni
corn.Ihadnoideashehaddonet hi
s.Ihadno
i
deashecaredt
hismuchaboutme.Ihugherand
gi
veherki
ss.

Me:mamaIdon'tknowwhattosay.Thankyouso
much.Butwhyareyougi
vingitt
omenow?Why
don'
tyouhol
dont oi
tunt
ilIst
artwor
king?

Her:(smi
les)Iwantyout
ohaveitnow.Iwanti
tto
giveyouhopeevenwhenIam notther
e.Iwantyou
toalwaysknowthatyouarel
oved.

Me:Aemama.Whyareyousayingthi
ngsl
iket
hat?
Youarej
ustgoi
ngandcomingback.Whoknows,
maybeIwil
lcomet
heretocheckonyouaf
termy
exams.

Shej
ustsmi
lesandr
ubsmycheek.

Her
:St
udyhar
dOKManduwaaka.Andneverl
et
yourpastdetermi
neyourfuture.YouandIl i
vein
dif
ferentt
imes.Youhavebetterchoi
cest hanIdid.
Best r
ongerthanIwas.Iwasacowar dwhof ai
led
toleaveabusebutyoushouldneverbel i
keme.
Knowwhenenoughi senoughmychi ld.Iloveyou
somuch.

Me:Iloveyoutoomamabutyouneedt
ost
op
t
alki
nglikethat
.

Her:MmaMarumo.Iknowthi
sistoomucht
oask
becausewej
ustmetandyouhardl
yknowme.But
pl
ease-

Bol
eng'smum:Mmeyoudon' thavet
oask.Di kel
edi
wil
lstaywithmeforasl
ongassheneedst o.Ihave
twodaughtersnowandIwi
llseetoi
tthatshegets
whateversheneeds.

Gr
an:OhGodbl
essyoumychi
ld.Hewi
llr
ewar
d
youf
ort
aki
ngcar
eoft
hisor
phanofmi
ne.

ThedooropensandMmagweJoecatwal
ksi
nwi
th
herweaveswingi
ngasshewal
ks.

MmaagweJoe:Uhu.Doest
hecl
ini
cpayyouf
or
housecal
lsnehnur
se?

Doest
hiswomaneverhaveanyt
hingki
ndt
osay?

RraagweJoe:Dumel
anggape.Pl
easedon'
tmind
mywi f
e.Di
kehowareyou?Iwashopingwecoul
d
seeyoubefor
eweleave.

Iwanttotellhim nottocal
lmet hat.Soundsl
ikea
donkey'snamebutdespi tehowangr yhemakesme
feel
,mygr andmot herhasalwaysraisedmeto
respectel
dersandaf tert
hekumbayasheandIj ust
had,Iwouldn'twanttospoilhermood.
Him:Wewant edt ot
akeyouwi thusbutyour
grandmothertel
lsmeyouar estayi
ngwithMiss
Mar umotoprepareforyourexams.Iwantyouto
comet oGaboronewhenyouar edonewri
ti
ng.I
t'
s
ti
meyouandIgott oknoweachot her
.

Icanonlythi
nkofruder
esponses.Whycan'
tIsay
anyt
hingrespect
ful
?

Hi
m:Howdoest
hatsound?

Blank.Iam compl et
elyblankonakindt
hingtosay.
AllIkeepthinki
ngofi saskinghi
mifhehasno
shamesayi ngthattohis18yearolddaughterasi
f
heistalki
ngt ohisstepchild.

MmaagweJoe:Mxm Davi dcanwego.Whydoyou

wanttof
orceher?I
fshewantstost
ayinthi
s
wret
chedvil
lagewi
thhousecal
lnur
sethenlether
.
ThelookonBoleng'
smum'sfaceisoneofaball
oon
readytopop.Mystepmot
heristal
entedatst
eppi
ng
onyourtoes.

Gran:Canyoupl
easestopt
his.Letherbe.Iam sur
e
shewillcomewhensheisr
eady.

Me:(
tomygrandmother)Iam goi
ngmissyouso
muchmama.Pleasegetgett
ersoonandcomeback
home.

Ihelpherst
andupandgi
veherhug.Shet
hen
whispersi
nmyear.

Gran:Keept
hatpapersaf
eanddon'
ttel
lthem
anythi
ng.

Shet
henwal
ksawayl
eavi
ngmef
rowni
ngast
hey
l
oadt hebagsanddri
veof
faft
erMmaagweJoe
l
ockedt hedoor
ssayi
ngshecan'
tleavemewi
tht
he
keys.Thiswomanhasnopeace.

[
08/
31,
17:
32] :Wi
gsandWeaves
i
nser
t8

Tosayt hispastmont hhasbeenhel l

-i
shwouldbe
theunderstatementofthecent ury.Iheardnews
thatbrokemysoulandIhaven' tbeent hesame
since.Mygr andmotherpassedawayt hedayaft
er
theyarri
vedi nGaborone.Boleng'smot herhad
war nedusaboutthisbutIdi dn'
tthinkitwould
comewi t
hsuchser i
ousr epercussions.

Icouldn'tevengoforherf
uneralbecauseshewas
tobebur iedtheweekendbefor
eIstartedmyfinal
exams.If eltr
obbedofachancetopaymyl ast
respectstoher.Butwhatshookmet omycor ewas
thefactthat,hadInotgonet oseehert hatday,my
grandmot herwoul dhavedi edthinki
ngIblameher
forNtate'
sact ions.Idon'
tevenwantt othi
nkofhow
thatwouldhavebeent otakein.Allt
hat'
sleftforme
i
st onowmakeherpr oudandIt oldmyselfthatI
wasnevergoi ngtocr yagainafterIcri
edtheday
shewasbur i
ed.

Myexamswer eal soani ghtmar ebecauseIhad

hardlyevenst udied.Iwal kedoutofmyl astexam
l
astweekaski ngmysel fwhatIhaveact uallydone
thatpastmont h.Ther ewasn' tasi nglepapert hatI
fel
tconf i
dentabout .I'
dal waysj ustsmi l
ewhen
Bolengst ar
tedbl abberi
ngaboutt hequest ions.Or
I'
dcutherof fsayi ngweshoul dn'tdiscusst heexam.
Sobasi call
y,IknowIhavet omakeot herplansf or
myf utureandIhave.Iam goi ngt orentoutt he
farm myGr anl eftmeunt ilIam abl etoruni tmyself.
Inthemeant ime, Iam goingt omovet oFr ancistown
torentachai rinasal on.IsawanadonFacebook
andIhaveal sohear dhairdr esser smakemoney,
especiall
ymont hend.Sot hat'smypl anfornow.
Wear ecurrentl
yonourwayt oFrancistownt o
attendNt ate'
stri
al.Boleng' smum i sdrivi
ngus
there.Itwassett oaweekaf termyexamsduet o
theSt ateprosecutor'srequestseei ngasIam t he
state'
skeywi t
ness.Myst omachi sinknotsatt he
thoughtofseei ngt hatbeastagai nbutIt ake
comf ortinknowi ngthathewasdeni edbai leven
afterhislawyerspokeabouthi sageandhowot her
i
nmat esbeathim upandwasevenr apedonce.
Honest ly,t
hatputasmi leonmyf ace.Assadasi t
mi ghtsoundf oranol dman, thatisnoor dinaryol d
man.Hei sadi sgustingdi sgracetomanhood.I
wisht heycouldaddmur dertohi schar gesohe
get st
henoose.Af terall
, heisther easonwhymy
grandmot hergott hosei njuri
es.Hadhenotbeat en
herup, she'dbeal i
vet oday.Hehast oanswerf or
that.

Bolenghasbeent r
yingtodistr
actmesinceweleft
thevil
lagebutIhonestl
yhaven'thear
dat hi
ngshe
hassai dsofar
.Ihaveal otonmymi nd.Sheand
hermum havet rulybeentheanswer
edprayerGran
al
wayst alkedabout.Theyhavetr
eat
edmel i
kea
partoft
hei rf
amilyandIhavebeenhappyforthe
mostpar t
.

Bol
eng:(
tapsmyt
high)Di
ksmamai
stal
kingt
oyou.

Me:(
snappi
ngbackt
oreal
it
y)mma?

Bol
eng'
smum:
wher
ewer
eyouj
ustnow?

Me:(
smi
li
ng)AhIwasj
ustt
hinki
ng.

Her:OKwel lIwassayi
ngthatyourfat
hercal
ledt
o
saytheyarecomingforthetr
ialandwanttot
ake
youwiththem whentheygobackt oGabs.

Me:(
frowni
ng)Forwhat
?
Her
:(shr
ugs)Tol
iveIguess.

Me:Doyouwantmet
ogo?

Her
:Ofcour
senot
!Whatki
ndofquest
ioni
sthat
?

Me:ahIt
houghtmaybeIover
stayedmywel
come.

Her
:Di
ke-

Boleng:(
inter
rupt
sher)Mxm don'
tmindhermama.
Whatdoessheknowaboutover st
ati
ngeneo?
Dikel
edil
ikesdrama.Howdooverstaywhenyou
haveyourownbedMxm.

Ijustl
augh.Bol
engcanbesoimpat
ient
.If
eelsorr
y
forthethr
eechi
ldr
enshesaysshei
sgoingtohave.
Boleng'
smum:Di kel
edi.Itookyouinwi thal
lmy
heartandIalreadyl oveyoul i
kemyownchi ld.Ionl
y
tol
dyouwhatyourf athersaidsoiti
sn'tnewst oyou
whenyougett here.Hecal l
edmet wodaysagobut
Ihavebeenqui et
.Ididn'teventel
lyout opackyour
bagsbecauset hat'
swhathewasexpect i
ng.Ididn'
t
wanttof acet
hepossi bil
it
yofyousayi ngyouwant
togo.ButIstillhavet otel
lyouandl etyoudecide.
Hei syourfat
heraf terall
.

Me:Welli
nthatcaset
henIwoul
drat
herstaywi
th
youunt
ilt
hetimecomesformetol
eave.

Her:(
smi
li
ng)Iam happyt
oheart
hat.Yout
wocan
st
ayunti
lyouhavetogotoUni
ver
sit
y.

Me:(chuckli
ng)Thatwon'
twor
kforme.Iwon'
tbe
goi
ngt her
e.
Boleng:It
oldyout
ostopyournegat
ivi
tyabout
fai
li
ngyourexam Di
ks.Youarebei
ngunfairon
yoursel
f.

Me:NoIam not .I'

m beingreal i
sti
candpl anningf or
myf uture.Iknowverywel lthatIwasnotpr epared
formyexamspl usallthest ressIunderwentj ust
beforemyexams.I twouldt akeami r
acleandI
knowt hosear einshortsuppl yinmyl if
e.Ihave
decidedt obeproacti
veandpl anformyf utur
e
becauseIknowschooli sn'tpartofthat.Notal lof
usgett ochoosecour sesandIam f inewi t
hthat .
QueSer aSer a(whateverwi l
lbe,willbe)

Thereisnowt ot
alsilencei nthecarwhi chtell
sme
thattheyknowIam r ight.Wedr ivetherestofthe
wayi nsil
enceuntilwer eacht hecourthouse.The
placeispacked.Iguessever yonecameoutt osee
thebeast.Ij
usthopemyr equestformyf acetobe
keptoutofthemedi awi llbekeptbecauseI
honestlywanttoleaveal lthi
sbehi ndmeoncet hi
s
t
ri
ali
sover
.

Iwi l
lhavet oinformt hepr osecut orthatwehave
arri
vedsohehel psusmakeourwayi n.Hecomes
outandl eadsusi ntot aket heseat sher eservedf or
us.I ti
sonl ywhenIam seat edthatIseehi m.Iam
notscar edanymor e.IthoughtI 'dbescar edtosee
him butIam not .Maybei t
'sbecauseofhowhe
l
ooks.Pr isonlooksver ygoodonhi m.Hishai ri s
gray.Iguesshecoul dn'torganizehai rdyeint he
j
oint .Icanal soseesomebr uisesonhi sf aceand
theymakemegl ad.Myf atherandhi swi feare
actual l
yher e.Idon'tevenknowwhyMmaagweJoe
camebecauseshedoesn' tcarenordoesshe
believethatIam avi ctim ofr ape.Thi swomani sso
dramat ict hatshei swear i
ngahatt hesizeoft he
sun!If eelsor ryforthepeopl esitti
ngbehi ndher .My
fatherjustwavedatmebutIam t oopettytor eturn
i
t.

Al
lpr
otocol
sar
eobser
vedwhent
heJudgewal
ksi
n
andthestateprosecutoristhefi
rsttomakehi s
openi
ngst at
ement .Heisquiteimpressiveand
el
oquent.HadIbeenser iousaboutschool ,Iwould
haveprobablydecidedtobeal awyeri nthi
s
moment .Yes,aHumanRi ghtsl
awyer .Butthatshi
p
hassail
ed.

AfterNtat
e'slawyermakeshisopeningstatement,
theJudgeaskswhathepl eads.Iwasn'treadyfor
thenotguilt
ypleaandclearl
yneit
herwast herest
ofthecourtbecauseitwentint
otaluproarwhich
showedmet hateventhepeopl
eseat edonthe
defendantssideweren'
twit
hhim.It'
swasj ustfor
thelackofseats.

.Whati swrongwiththisman?It houghthe'dplead

guil
tyandmaybegetashor tersentencefor
showingr emorseandnotwast i
ngt hestate'
s
resourcesbuthedidn't
.It
'snotevenabouthi m
getti
ngashor t
ersentence.Him pleadi
ngguilty
wouldshowmesomesenseofr egretandshame
forhisact
ions.I
twouldhavet ol
dmet hatheknew
whathedi dwaswr ong.Butno.EvenwhenIl ookat
him now,Iseethathehasnoshameatal l
.Justas
brazenasever.
[
08/
31,
17:
32] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t9

Aftertheopeningstatement swer emade,thejudge

gavet hecourta30mi nut erecess.Wedecidedt o
stayseatedinthecour ttoavoidthecommot i
on
outside.Myfatherwalkedupt ousandgr eet
edus.
Boleng'smum extendedherhandf orahandshake
andt hedivadidn'
tli
kei tall
.Shegaveheranast y
l
ook.

MmaagweJoe:KegoreCoronaneverscar
edyou
housecal
l?Dopeopl
est
il
lshakehandsinthi
sday
andage?Mxm.
Rr
aagweJoe:Bont
lecanyouexcuseus?

Her:Forwhat?Iam notgoi
nganywher
e.Say
whateveryouwanttosaywhil
eIam her
e.Ifyou
can'
tthenlet
'sgoback.

Isawthelookoffrustrat
iononmyf at
her
'sface.I
wantedtolaughbutIheldmycomposur e.This
womani stheperfectpunishmentf
ormenthat
abandontheirchi
ldren.

Hi
m:Di
ke,
Iwashopi
ngwecoul
dtal
kinpr
ivat
e.

Hesayst
hisl
ooki
ngatBolengandhermum.
Bol
engat
temptst
ostandupbutIholdherdown.

Me:Li
keyourwi
fesai
d,whateveryouwantt
osay
canbesai
dinfr
ontofever
yonehere.
Iloveaddi
ngtohi
sfr
ustrat
ion.Heexhal
esand
takesaseatont
heprosecutor
schairf
aci
ngit
towardsme.

Him:fi
ne.Iwant
edtoknowifyouhear
dthatyouar
e
comingwithusaft
ert
his.

Me:Ihear dyousai dsobutyouneveraskedmei fI

wanttogowi thyou.Youmusthavej ustassumed
I'
djumpi nyourcarbutt i
meshavechanged.Ther e
weretimesIl ongedforyout otellmet opackmy
bagsbutt hatdaynevercame.Youhar dlyevereven
spoket ome.Ther eweretimest hatIwoul dhave
beggedt ogoandl ivewit
hyouevenasamai dt
o
yourchildrenaft
erschoolbutyounevercar edto
eveninvitetoyourhousei nthevi l
lagewhenyou
werehome.Notonce.Sowhynow?Gui lt
y
consciencemaybe?Wel lIwillnotsootheyour
conscience.Youhavet er
r i
bletimingRr aagweJoe.
Yes.That '
swhoyouar et
ome.Youhavet err
ibl
e
ti
ming.Fi r
stwithmet henwi t
hyourmum.Your
needt osootheyourconsciencei
swhatki l
ledyour
mot her.Wherewereyouwhensheneededyou?
Youcan' tt
ellmeyouneverknewyourf atherwas
abusivewhenIhaveal waysseenitevenasachi ld.
IfIsawi tt
henhowcoul dyouhavemi ssedit?Iwil
l
notalsogoanddi etopleaseyou.

Ionlyst
artedbr
eathi
ngagainaft
erspi t
ti
ngmy
venom onhim.Idon'
tknowwher eallthatcame
fr
om becauseonceIstar
tedIcouldn'tstop.Iclear
ly
gothim wherei
thurt
sbecausehehasapai nedlook
onhisface.

MmaagweJoe:NxlaDavi
dlet'
sgoandleavethis
mannerl
esschi
ld.Whospeakstot
hei
rfatherl
ike
t
hat?

IhavearesponsebutIam goi ngtoholdmytongue.

Myf i
ghti
sn'twi
thher.Shei sn'
ttheonewho
abandonedachil
d.Hei s.Idon'tcar
ewhatshesays
tomebecausesheisnot hingme.Hi m ont
heother
handwillnevergetthesat
isf
acti
onofthinki
nghe
didanyt
hingf orme.Peopl
eliket
ocleansethei
r
soulswi
t hothers.Notwi
thme.

Hi
m:Di
keIam sor
ryt
lhengwanaka.

Me:(witheyesclosed)Fort
heloveofallt
hati
shol
y
canyoupl easestopcal
li
ngmet hat.Mynameis
Dikel
editoyou.Youdon'tgett
ouseapetnameon
me.Especi al
lynott
hatGodforsakennameyou
keepcall
ingme.

Bol
eng'
smum:Myl oveIknowyouar eangr
ywit
h
hi
m butpl
easedon'
tloseyourmannersi
nthe
pr
ocess.

Me:(breat
hingout)Thenpleaset
ellhi
mt oleaveme
alonebecausehispresencemakesmel oseall
senseofrespect
.WhenIl ookathi
m Iseehi sfat
her
andIhatethem both.
Him:(standsupandst artspointi
ng)Youar ean
ungratefulwenchj ustli
kethemot heryoukill
ed!I
tol
dhert oabor tyoubutshekeptyou.Nowonder
youkill
edher !Nxlaandyouget t
ingrapedwasyour
punishmentf ornotdyingwi thherandnowmy
motherdi edtryingtoprotectyou!Youar enot
hing
butacur setot heearthyouwal konNxl a!

Hethenst ormsof fwithhi

swi ferunningoffaf t
er
him.Boleng'smum t ouchesmyhandandspeakst o
mebutmyear shavemut edherout .Icanseeher
mouthmovi ngbutIcan' thearanything.AllIhear
aremyf ather'
swor dsrepeati
ngt hemselvesover
andoveragai n.Ican'tbel
ieveheneverwant edme
tobeginwi t
h.Ihavebeenyear ningf orl
ovef rom
someonewhohadneverwant edme.Howf ooli
sh
am I?

Bol
eng'smum:Dikel
edi
.Don'tl
ist
ent othatman.He
i
sjustspeaki
ngouti
nanger.Don'tl
istentowhathe
sai
d.Waut
lwa?

Iam aboutt
ospeakwhenthejudgewalksi
nandwe
areal
lorder
edtost
andup.Ijustwantt
ogohome
now.

Thecour tproceedi ngsarel ongandt edious.AfterI

gavemyt esti
mony, al
mostt hr
eequar ter
soft he
courtwasi nt ears.Idon'
tt hinkNt ateispayi nghis
l
awyerenoughoranyt hi
ngatal lbecauset he
womandi dn'tevencr ossme.Thel ookofangeron
Ntate'
sfacesai dhewasn' texpect inghert odot hat.
Maybeherwomanl yinsti
nct skickedandshe
deci
dedt ot hrowt hecase.What evert hecase
maybe, Iam happyshedi dn' ttr
yt obel i
tt
lemypai n
byaccusi ngmeofmaki ngever ythingup.Ther uli
ng
hasbeensetf oraweekf rom nowandIj ustwant
thi
soverwi th.

°
°°° °
°°°
[
8mont
hsl
ater
]

Mygr andf ather ….No, Ishouldrefertohi m byhi s

ri
ghtfulname.Myr apist,
wassent encedasaser ial
rapi
st6mont hsago.Thecasegotpost ponedwhen
theprosecut orsi tedcasesorpr ecedentsashe
call
edt hem, wher erapistswher esentencedf or
everyrapevi ctimt heyhad.Hewentont oquest i
on
whethert hef actt hatIwashi sonl yrapevicti
m and
hiswifehi sonl yassaul tvicti
m shouldmeant hathe
won'tbehel daccount abl
ef oreacht i
meher aped
meandeacht imehebeathi swife.Hedi sputedt hat
20year simpr i
sonmenti ssuitableforoner apeand
assaultcaseandhi m gett
ingthatsent encewoul d
beani nsul tbyt hest atenotonlyt omebutt oeach
andever ygi rlandboyt hatsufferatthehandsof
pedophi l
esi nt heirhomes.

Thatgotmyrapi
st144yearsi
nprisonandseei
ng
asheisn'
tNoah,Icansuf
fi
ceitt
osaythedogwi l
l
di
ei njai
l.Thecasescor edbi
gpoi nt
sforthe
prosecut
orandr eceivedalotofcoverageforitbut
heensuredt hatmaynamest ayedoutofthemedi a
becausemyr apestart
edwhenIwasami nor.

Thatni ghtmareisf inall

ybehi ndmeandIam
buskingi nanewl ightast hi
ngst ookacompl ete
360°f orme.Iact ual l
ypassedmyexams.Idon' t
knowhowandIwon' ttemptGodbyquest i
oningit
ei
ther.Ot her
scanquer ytheirresultsbutnotme.
Bolengkeptsayi ngmymot herandgr anareact i
ve
ancest orsandsinceshef ai
ledtohel pmei nlife,o
nkemt sekadi naokobadi mong.Ij ustlaughedati t
whenwegotourr esults.Shedi dver ywelltooand
sheisgoi ngtoBI USTt odoEngi neeri
ng.Shei s
smar tsoIknowshewi llmakei t
.Iam j ustsadt o
partwi thher.

NowIontheotherhandwasthegirlwhohadno
pl
ansofuni
versi
tysoIfoundmyselfstumpedwhen
wewenttoGaboronefort
hecareerfai
r.Iappl
ied
forwhatevercoursesIqualifi
edf orinalmostevery
schoolinthecountry.Igot3accept ancesand
decidedtogoforthecour set hatwoul dmeanmor e
tome.Iam inacabf i
ll
edwi thmyl uggagef rom t
he
busr ankt
ogetmyBachel or'sDegr eeinSocialWork
attheUniversi
tyofBot swana.Iwantt ohel
p
childr
enandwomengoi ngthroughwhatIwent
through.

Ihonestl
yf eell
ikeanewper sonasIoffl
oadmy
bagsinthepar kinglot.OKIthinkImighthave
over
donei tont hebags.Iam st andi
ngwithmy
handsonmyhi psaf terthecableavesaski
ng
myselfhowonear thIam goi ngtogetmybagsto
mydor m.

Voi
ce:Bi
tof
fmor
ethanyoucanchewhuh?

Iturnaroundt
ofindGod'
stal
entwalki
ngand
breathi
ngamongusmer emortal
s.Weren'
tal
l
angelskil
ledi
nthefl
ood?Ir
emembermy
grandmot
hertel
li
ngmet
hatst
orysohowdi
dthi
s
onemakeit?

Hi
m:(
ext
endshi
shand)HiMor
enaatyourser
vice.

Jesusevenhi
smotherknewthatGoddidt
het
hings.
Shenamedhim Morena?YesInowbel
ivet
her
eisa
Godandkemantswitswi
diwagobetl
a.

Me:I
…Mynamei
s…(
clearmyt
hroat
)Mynamei
s
Nadi
a.
[
08/
31,
17:
33] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t10

Morena:Nadia.Whatabeaut
if
ulnamef
ora
beaut
if
ullady.

Shuu.
.Beaut
if
ul.Wel
lthat
'ssomet
hingI
'
venever
beencall
edbefor
e.Especial
lynotbysucha
speci
men.Heisstil
lhol
dingmyhandandIdon' t
seemyselfl
ett
inghi
sgount ilhedecidesto.Hehas
somethi
ngabouthimthatdemandsyourr espect
andwill
syoutobendtohisever ywish.Hecocks
hisheadtot
hesideandgivesmeacut esi
desmi l
e.

Mor
ena:HowaboutIhel
pyouwi
thyourbags?

Me:Umm…t
ha.
.Thankyou.

Itel
lhi
m wheremydormisandhel eadstheway
whichIam gr
atef
ulf
orbecauseeveryt
hinglooks
thesametomeandIwasnevergoi ngtofindmy
wayaroundhere.

Mor
ena:Sowher
eisMi
ssNadi
afr
om?

Ihat
ethatIl
iedt
ohi
m aboutmynamebutIhave
al
wayshat edt hel ookIgetwhenpeopl ehearmy
name.Theygi vemet hatquesti
oninglookt hatI
i
magi nei
st hem aski ngthemselveswhymypar ent
s
decidedt
omurmynamel i
kethat.Idon'tevenknow
whyIsaidNadi a.Ireadt henamei nsomebookand
i
twast hefirstthingthatcamet omi ndwhenhe
asked.

Me:Ahapl
acever
yfarf
rom her
e.Youwoul
dn'
t
knowt
hepl
ace.

Mor
ena:Aowhydon'
tyout
ryme?

OKIhavehadenoughofthi
s.Ist
opwalki
ngandput
mybagdownmaki nghi
m stopandt
urntofaceme.

Me:OK,
whatgi
ves?Whati
sthi
sabout
?

Hi
m:(
frowni
ng)whatdoyoumean?
Me:Imeanthi
s.You.Whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
What'
swit
hallt
hequesti
ons?

Him:Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?I'
mjustbei
ngni
ce
andtr
yingt
ogetknowyou.

Me:Why?

Hi
m:What ?(
laughs)Youneedt ochi
llNadi
a.We
j
ustmetandIam justbei
ngfriendl
y.Whyareyou
gr
il
li
ngmewhenIam j usttr
yingtohelpyouand
makeconver
sationwit
hyouwhi lewewalk?

Me:I
….

Ican'
ttel
lhi
m Iam notusedtoguysshowi
ngme
anyint
erest
.Especi
all
ynotsomeoneasgood
l
ookingashim.
Me:Iam sor
ry.Iam justner
vous.Fi
rstdayandal
l.I
di
dn'
tmeant ooffendyou.

Him:don'
tworryabouti
t.Iunder
stand.Nowpi
ckup
yourbagsoIcandropyouof f
.Yourblocki
sri
ght
aroundt
hecorner.

Ishamef
ull
yli
ftmybagandcont
inueourwal
k.

Him:(smi
les)SinceMissNadiaisprotect
ing
gover
nmentsecr et
sbyref
usingtotellmeanythi
ng
abouther
,I'
llj
usthavetot
ellheral
laboutme.

Me:(
laugh)Mxm

Him:Wellher
eitgoes.Iam MorenaMor
ena.Iwas
namedaftermygrandfather
.Igrewupi
nGabsbutI
am or
igi
nall
yfrom Ser
owe.Iam oneoff
ourchi
ldr
en.
Allboys.Myel destbr otherismar ri
edwi t
ht wo
childr
enandmysecondbr otherwel l
…Aht hatone
i
sacaseandahal f( laughs)Heandhi sbabymama
havebeent ogetherf or10year sbutunmar ri
edand
betweenyouandme, hehasnoi ntenti
ont obut
babymamahashernai lsstuckonhi m.Iam af inal
yearpol i
ticalsci
encest udentwhowoul dlovet o
becomeaDi plomatabr oadsomedaybutImi ght
decidet obecomeapol it
icalanalyst.I
'l
lseeand
thent hereismyyoungestbr other.An18yearol d
l
adi esmani feverther ewasone.Iwoul dn'teven
trusthim wi t
hyou.Notonce.Wel lthat'
sme.Iam a
fami l
yguy.Il ovemypar entsandmysi bl
ingsand
woul ddoanyt hi
ngf ort hem.

Me:Ar
eyourpar
ent
sst
il
lmar
ri
ed?

Him:Yep.Theyar
est i
llmarri
ed.Ahthosetwoar
en'
t
goi
nganywhere.Theyar et
hoseoldschool
marri
ageisworktypeoflove.Iwantthatki
ndof
l
ove.
Me:Mustbeni
ce.

Him:Iam scaredtoevenaskyoutot
ellmewhyyou
sai
dthat.IguessI'
llhavet
owaitf
oryoutot
ellme
aboutyourfamil
y.

Me:Ther ei
snoneedt owai
t.Ihavenoone.Iam an
orphan.Theclosestthi
ngIhavet of
amilyismy
bestfri
endandhermom.Mygr andmotherpassed
awaylastyearsot hatwast
heendoff amilyforme.

Him:OhIam sorr
ytoheart
hat.Ineverknowhowto
respondwhensomeonetel
lsmet heyareor
phans
butIam sor
ry.

Me:WellI'
llsayt
hatsayi
ngsor
rydoesn'
treal
lyhel
p.
Iam f
ine.Iam overi
tnow.
Hi
m:(st
oppinginf
rontofadoor
)Welli
tlooksl
ike
t
hisi
syou.Deli
ver
edsafeandsound.

Me:Wel
lthankyousi
r.

Him:CanIcomebyandpickyoul
atersoIcan
showyouaroundcampus?

Me:Idon'
tseewhynot
.

Hi
m:OKI
'
llcomebyar
ound5pm neh.Seeyoul
ater
.

Inodmyheadandsmi
leashewal
ksaway.

Me:(
tomysel
f)OKher
egoesnot
hing.

Iknockont
hedoorandwal ki
n.Idon'
tknowwhatI
wasexpect
ingbutIam under
whelmed.Ther
oom i
s
smallert
hanBol eng's.Evenmyr oom inthathell
housewasmuchbi ggerandInowhavet oshare
thi
stinyspacewi t
hast ranger
.Ohwel lwhatcanI
doabouti tr
eall
y.Iam j ustgoi
ngt ohavetopray
sheisnice.Iam notl eftwonderi
nglongwhenagi r
l
walksinlookingli
kesheeat smoneyf orbr
eakfast.
Shehast hesameki ndofweaveMmaagweJoe
usuall
yhasonbuther sismuchl onger.

Her:Ohhi,
!Youmustbemyroomie.Howar
eyou
sweetums?Nxawyoulooksodest
it
utemyl
itt
le
shnukums.

Thatti
mesheissqueezi
ngmycheeksmakingme
poutandt
hepainofhernail
smakemewince
befor
eIpushherhandoff
.

Her:Don'twor
ry.Iwi
llf
ixyouupsoonenough.You
l
ooklikeyouhavesomepot ent
ial
.Myparent
al
namei sAref
abutIam knownasAr i
eint
heseGabs
str
eets.What'
syourname?
Jeez,i
t'
sli
kelisteningt oamechani calt
oy.She
evenhasthisthickt wangthatwoul dmakeyou
swearsheisn'
taMot swana.Notinagoodway
thoughbecauseI t'
sal mostir
ri
tati
ng.Ididn'
teven
haveti
met othinkbef oreIresponded.

Me:Iam Di
kel
edi
.

Her:(squintshernose)Eewwhatki ndofnamei s
that?Ithoughtt hosenamesdi edouti nthe80's.
Isn'
titi
llegaltogi veyourchildthatkindofname
thesedays?Aemmat hatnamewon' tdo.Youhave
todosomet hingabouti t.ImeanAr efamakesme
soundl i
keabl essing.Whoi sgoingtot akeme
seri
ouslywi tht hatkindofname?Ineedt hem to
knowIam noSai ntandIam nother etopr each.

Me:kgm…Whoar
ethey?
Her
:hmm?

Me:Thet
hem whoyoudon'
twantt
hinki
ngyouar
e
Sai
nt?

Her:aaaw…NcohNcohyouaresocluel
essar
en'
t
you?Isityourf
istt
imei
nGabor
one.

Me:(
wit
hfol
dedar
ms)Noi
tsnot
.

Her:(
wit
har ai
sedbrow)Real
ly?Howl
onghaveyou
beeninGaborone?

Me:Icamef
ort
hecar
eerf
airi
nMar
ch.

Shethenbr
eaksoutlaughi
ngandliesdownonthe
bedopposi
teme.Idon'tt
hinki
t'
sfunnyenoughf
or
hert
oclapherhandsandchokeonherspit.
Her:(
dabbinghert
ear
s)OhDi
kel
edi
youaresucha
comedian.You'
l
lmakemerui
nmymake-up.

Me:Idon'
tgetwhyyouar
eevenl
aughi
ng.

Her:Don'
tworryyouwil
lbelaughi
ngatyoursel
fby
theti
meIam donewithyou.Youareexact
lywhatI
havebeenlooki
ngfor
.

Shet
hent
apshercheekasi
fshei
sthi
nki
ng.

Her:Looksl
ikest
ayi
nginschoolwor
kedoutaf
ter
al
l.Youmyloveareaboutt
ochangebothourl
ives.

Me:Whatar
eyout
ail
ingabout
?

Aknockcomesonourdoori
nter
rupt
ingour
conversati
on.Sheget
supandcat walkst
othedoor
i
nt hehighestheel
sIhaveeverseen.Howdoesshe
evenwal k?

Voi
ce:Hi

Her
:CanIhel
pyou?

OhmyGodI
t'
sMor
ena.

Mor
ena:Iam l
ooki
ngf
orNadi
a.Ij
ustl
eftherher
ea
whi
leago.

Her
:Nadi
a?Ther
e'sno-

Ij
umpf
rom mybedandopent
hedoorwi
der
.

Me:Mor
enahi
!Umm.
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?I
t
houghtyousai
dyou'
dcomebyar
ound5.

Him:(
smi
lesandscr
atcheshishead)TobehonestI
goti
mpat
ient
.Doyoumi ndgoingfort
hatwal
know?

Il
ookbackatAr
iewhol
ooksst
unned.

Me:
It
'sf
inej
ustgi
vemeami
nut
etochange.

Hi
m:OKIwi
llwai
tdownst
air
sthen.

WhenIcloset
hedoorAr
iest
art
scl
appi
ngher
hands.

Her
:Bagyada!Andt
hen?Whoi
sNadi
a?

Me:(
changi
ngi
ntoj
eans)I
tsal
ongst
ory.
Her
:Ther
eisnot
hingl
iket
hat
.Spi
ll
.

Me:I
tjustcameoutOK.Idi
dn'
twantt
otel
lhi
m my
r
ealname.

Her:WowandhereIwast hi
nki
ngIhavemywor
k
cutoutf
orme.Girlyouar
eanatur
al.Wear
egoi
ng
todobigthi
ngsyouandI.

Idon'
thavet
imef
orher
.Iam j
ustgoi
ngt
ogo.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Me:Forawal
k.

Her:Di
kel
edi.NoNadia.I
t'
sNadiaf
rom nowon.
Nadi
athatguymightbethecut
estt
hingyouhave
seenbecauseIam sureyouareusedt oseeing
goatsandcowsbutletmet el
lyouthis.Heis
nothi
nginGaborone.Ther
eguyswaaaayhot ter
thanhim butt
hat
'snotimport
antinthisli
fe.He
doesn'
thavewhatyouneed.

Me:AndyouknowwhatIneedaf
termeet
ingmef
or
l
essthan30minut
es?

Her:ofcourseIdogir
l.YouandIar et hesame.We
arebothwomenandwewantonet hi
ng.Tof eel
beauti
fulandwellt
akencar eofandt hattakes
money.Hecl ear
lydoesn'
thavet hathaobonaa
apereskipar
anyanasaPEPj aana.(
whi chiswhyhe
i
swear ingacheapPEPt -shi
r t
)

Me:Ihi
ghl
ydoubti
t'
saPEPt
-shi
rt
.

Her:(
wavingherfi
ngersdi
smissi
vel
y)Idon'
tcare.
I
t'
scheap.Ifi
tdoesn'
thaveaPoloorLacost
elogo
thenbabygi
rlit
'sPEPmat
eri
al.Dumpi
t.Ihave
bett
erthi
ngsinstor
e.

Iam exhaustedbyheral
ready.Ofal
lthe
roommat esIcoul
dhavegottenIhadtogether
?

WhenIgetdownst air
sIfindMorenaleani
ngagainst
thewallwi
thoneofhi sl
egshikedupandhi shands
stuf
fedinhispocketandmyeyesf eell
ikeIhave
j
usttakenthem t
ot hecarwash.Yesat l
hatswegi
le.
Hesmi l
eswhenheseesmeandwal ksuptome.

Hi
m:Hiagai
n.

Me:(
smi
li
ngback)Hi
.

Him:Ithoughtwecoul
dmaybegot oRiverwal
k
befor
esunsettoshowyout hemal
l.IhopeIam not
wrongtoassumeyouar enewtoGaborone.
Me:(l
ookingatmyf
eet
)Youwoul
dn'
tbewr
ongand
I
'dl
ikethat.

Hi
m:Cooll
et'
sgot
othepar
kingl
ott
hen.

Thinki
ngbackatAri
e'
swordsandr
eal
izi
ngshe
couldbewrongaboutMor
ena.

Me:Youhaveacar
?

Him:Nuhnotyet .I
tsmybr other'
scar.Ihadtoruna
fewerrandssoIbor r
owedi twhil
ehewasatwor k.
Hewor ksinMainmal lsoIwasgoi ngtodropthecar
offbef
orecomingt oseeyouwhi chi swhyI'
dsaid
5pm butIfel
tli
kegoingwi thyou.Ihopeyoudon' t
minduswal ki
ngf r
om Mai nmall.

Me:Thet
hingi
sIdon'
tevenknowwher
ethi
sMai
n
mal
lofyour
sis.Aslongasyouar
en'
tgoi
ngt
osel
l
methenIam f
ine.

Hi
m:(
laughi
ng)Asi
fIwoul
dtel
lyoui
fIwas.

Hepressesont hecarkeysandtheli
ghtsgooffon
acaraf ewfeetfr
om us.It
'shuge.Mykindofcar.
Heswitchesofftheradi
ooncewear einthecar.

Him:Radi
osar
enotf
orwhenyouwantt
ogett
o
knoweachot
her.

Thismakesmesouncomf ort
abl
ebecauseIhave
al
readyliedtohimtwi ceandatt
hesametimeI
don'twanthim knowingwhoIam andwhatIhave
beenthrough.I
si tt
oomucht oask?

Me:whatdoyouwantt
oknow?
Him:Wel
l.Thatgi
rlwhowasi
nyourr
oom.Doyou
knowher
?

Me;NoIj
ustmether
.

Him:Sheisasecondyearst
udent.Iam sur
pri
sed
thatt
hey'
dputyouint
hesamer oom asasecond
year.

Me:Ohsoyouknowher
?

Him:Ahever
yoneknowsAr
ie.Butwehavenever
spoken.

Me:(
frowni
ng)mhm…Soyoul
ikeher
?Doyouwant
metoconnectyout
wo.

Hel
ooksatmebef
oret
urni
nghi
seyesbackont
he
roadandlaughs.Idon'
tunder
standwhypeople
keeplaughi
ngwhenIhaven'tmadeajokeallday.
Thelastti
meImadeaj okewaswhenIspoket o
Bolengonwhatsappont hewaytoGabor
one.

Me:Idon'
tgetwhat
sfunnyaboutmyquest
ion.

Hi
m:Ohbuti ti
ssofunnyNadia.Thatgir
lisn'
tmy
t
ypeatal
l.Li
keatal
l!AndIknowf orsurethatt
here
i
snooneincampust hati
shertype.DareIsayeven
t
heChancell
oroft
heschoolwouldn'tbehertype.

Me:Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?

Hi
m:Ariecat
chesbigfishsweet
ness.Noneofus
ar
ethat
.Besi
des,Ihavemyeyesonsomet hi
ng
muchmoreraret
hant hat.

OKt
hatmademef
eel
abi
twi
erdi
nsi
de.Coul
dhe
meanme?
[
08/
31,
17:
33] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t11

Mor enai sver ydiff

erent.ThatIhavet oadmi t.Heis
nothingliket heboysf rom myvi l
lage.Theirideaof
approachi ngagi r
listhrowingstonesatt hem toget
thei
rat t
ent i
on.Wehadagr eatt
imeatt hemal l
.He
gotusmi lkshakesandwow!Ihavenevert asted
somet hingasdi vi
neast hi
s.Cit
ypeopl eareliving
thelif
e!Mor enakeptl aughi ngatmewheneverI '
d
getabr ainf r
eeze.

Wear enowont hewaytohisbrot

her'
sofficenow
andhekeepsgi vingmethesefunnylooks.Iam not
enti
rel
ysur ewhatIam supposedtosayordo.Who
canblamemet hough?Thisi
sthelongest
conversat
ionI'
veeverhadwithaguy.Idon' tknow
howIam supposedt obehave.Bolengalwaysmade
mewat chchickfl
ickstell
ingmehowIneedtobe
cl
uedupbef oregoingtothecit
ybutIcan'
tpul
l
anyt
hingoutofmyar senal.

Morena:Soyouwantmet
obel
ievet
hatyouhave
neverhadaboyf
ri
end?

Me:(smi l
ing)Idon' tknowwhyit
'ssodi
ffi
cul
tfor
youtobelievebutIhaveneverhadaboyf ri
endin
mylife.I
nf actthi
sisbyfart
helongest
conversationI '
veeverhadwit
haguy.

Iwanttosayt al
kl essoneashandsomeasyoubut
Idarenot.Iam notsur ewhathewant ssoIwon't
embarrassmysel f.Iknowhei swayoutofmy
l
eague.Het hentur nsthevolumeoftheradi
oup
andstart
spl ayi
ngasong.Thel yr
icsareso
beauti
ful
.Ilookatt hemonitoranditsaysFal
li
ngin
l
ove-UB40.Thel yricscour
set hr
oughmybodyand
makemet i
ngle.
Hi
m:Doyouknowt
hissong?

Ishakemyhead.

Hi
m:WellIwantyoutoknowitbyheartbytheti
me
wegett
omybr other
'sof
fi
cesoli
stenverycaref
ull
y.

IthinkIam bl
ushing.Isitblushi
ng?Ithi
nkIam
blushingandit
'sbecauseofhowhei slooki
ngat
meashesayst hi
s.Het ur
nst hevol
umeupand
keepshummi ngal ongandboppi nghisheadfr
om
sidetosideashedr ives.

Wi
semensay
"
Onl
yfool
srushi
n"
ButIcan'
thel
pfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thyou
Wi
semensay
"
Onl
yfool
srushi
n"
ButIcan'
thel
pfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thyou

Shal
lIst
ay?
Woul
ditbeasi
n?
Ican'
thel
pfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thyou

Ast
her
iverf
lows
Gent
lyt
othesea
Dar
li
ng,
soi
tgoes
Somet
hingswer
emeantt
obe

Takemyhand
Takemywhol
eli
fe,
too
'
CauseIcan'
thel
pfal
li
ngi
nlovewi
thyou

Byt
het
imet
hesongends,
myhear
tisbeat
inga
mi l
eami nut e.Iam feelingexcitedbutmy
excitementget scutof fwhenIseeacal lreflecti
ng
ont hemoni tor.I
tsays" mylove".Hequi cklycut s
thecal loffandr epeatst hesongbutt hecal lhadleft
abittertast einmymout handIf eelfoolishbecause
Ijustmett hisguyandhehasn' tact uallysaid
anythi ngtot heextentt hathewant smet obehi s
girl
friendoranyt hingsoIhavenogr oundst obe
feeli
ngt hewayIf eel.Ther eisawkwar dnessi nthe
cart hat'
squi cklybrokenbyt hesamecal l.He
decidedt odi sconnecthi sphoneandanswert he
call
.

Hi
m:Hi
….
.
.
Hi
m:OK.
.
….
Hi
m:No.
.
………
Hi
m:YesIam onmywayt
odr
opmybr
other
'scar
.
……
Him:OK.I'
l
lcal
lyouwhenIgetback.Iam dr
ivi
ng
andther
earepoli
ceahead.
….
Hi
m:OK.Met
oo.

Hehangsupthecallandputsbothhandsonthe
st
eeri
ngwheelanddrivesinsi
lenceunti
lwear
ri
ve.
Hethenl
ocksthecarafterwebothcli
mbdown.

Him:Letmerushuptogivehi
mthekeys.Ihope
youdon'tmi
ndwait
ing.

Me:I
t'
snotli
keIhaveachoice.Idon'
tknowwher
e
weareorhowtogetback.

Hehasal ookonhi
sface.It'
sli
kehewantstosay
somethi
ngandhonestlythat
sallIwantt
oo.Iwant
himtotel
lmesomething.Anythi
ngtoval
idat
ethe
feeli
ngsIhaver i
ghtnow.Buti nst eadhewalksoff
l
eavingmewi t
hasor ethroatfr
om f i
ght
ingoffthe
tearsthatar
ethr eat
eningt ounleashthemselveson
myf ace.Istar
tpacingar oundtryingtocalm myself
down.Acal lcomest hroughonmyphonet hat
i
nt er
ruptsmyt houghts.

Boleng:Hi!KegorenoteventosayBIhavearr
ived
safel
y?Youar enowmi ssGabsandyouhave
for
gottenaboutuslowlyPalapyef
olk?Youar
eso
wrongDi ks.

Ijustst
artcr
yingandwhatir
rit
atesmethemosti
s
thefactt
hatIcan'
tevenjust
if
ymyt ear
sIcan'
t
explai
nwhyIam cr yi
ng.

Boleng:Di
kswhyareyoucr
ying?Di
dsomet
hing
happen?Wherear
eyou?

Ij
ustkeepcr
ying.Ihaven'
tcr
iedsi
ncemy
grandmot her
'sfuner
alandIhavealr
eadyfail
edto
keept hepromiseImadetomyself.Iam cr
yingover
themostst upidthi
ngever
.ThataboyIlikehasa
gir
lfr
iend.

Me:I…Iam f
ineB.Iar
ri
vedsaf
elyandIf
oundmy
dor
m.Iam fi
ne.

Her
:Sowhyar
eyoucr
yingt
hen?

Me:Idon'
tknow.Ij
ustt
hought
….

Iam inter
rupt
edbylaughterbehi
ndmeandIsee
thatit
'sMorenaandanothermansoIqui
ckl
ywipe
myt earsaway.

Me:LookIwi
llcal
lyoubackOK.Ihavet
ogo.
Her
:Gowher
e?Di
kel
ediwhati
sg-

Ihangupt hephoneandcomposemysel fasthey

approach.Theguyheiswithl
ookslikeanol der
versionofMorenasoitmustbehisbrother.They
areaf ewfeetawayandIcanhearthebrother
tal
kingthoughIdoubtheknowsIcanhearhi m.But
thenagainwhoknows.

Br
other
:UhuIt
houghtyoumeantyouwer
ewi
thLea.
Whoisthat
?

Morenadoesn'trespondandwal ksoverwi
thhi
m.
Hethenst andsnexttomeandput shishandonmy
waist.Ij
umpabi tathistouch.I
thasbeenawhile
si
nceamanhast ouchedmeandi tj
ustbri
ngsback
unpleasantmemor i
es.

Mor
ena:Kgosithi
sisNadi
a.Sheis…(helooksat
meandsmiles)welll
etmej
ustsaythathopeful
ly
youwi l
lbeseeingalotofher
.Nadi
athi
sismy
oldestbrot
herhisnameisKgosi
.

Kgosicockshi
sheadt othesideandIcanseehe
hasquesti
ons.Iguesstheheadtothesidet
hing
mustbeaf amil
ything.Iext
endmyhandt oshake
hi
swhi chheshakesafterdel
ayi
nghishandsinhis
pocket
.Iwashonest l
yabouttotakemyhandback.

Kgosi
:Howar
eyou.Nadi
awho?

Me:(
Ner
vousl
y)Supang.

Ican'tl
ieaboutmysur
namet
oo.Thatwoul
dbe
overkil
l.

Kgosi
:Wherear
eyouf
rom andwher
edi
dyoumeet
mybrother
?
Me:I
--

Morena:AeKgosidon'
tevenst
art
.Letherbe.You
wi
llhavepl
entyofti
metogettoknowher.

Thi swhol
econver sat
ioni
smakingmever y
uncomf or
tablebecauseMorenastil
lhashishand
onmywai standitfeel
sli
keNtateal
loveragai
n.I
didn'tr
eal
izehowmuchhi shandbother
edmeunt i
l
at earr
andownycheek.Kgosif r
ownedwhenhe
sawi t.

Kgosi
:AommaIdi dn'
tmeant omakeyoucry.Sor
ry.
Iam j
ustover
prot
ect
iveaboutmybrot
her'
s.

It
ookt
heoppor
tuni
tyt
omovef
rom Mor
ena'
sgr
asp.

Me:i
t'
sfi
ne.
Morena:(
frowni
ng)babeIam sor
ry.Pl
easedon'
t
cr
y.

Me:Mor
enaIam f
ine.Ij
ustwantt
ogo.I
t'
sget
ti
ng
dar
k.

Mor
ena:OK.Kgosiwehavet
ogo.

Kgosi
:Letmedr
opyouof
f.

Morenanodshisheadandopensthedoorf
ormet o
cl
imbintot
hebackseatwit
hhim whi
lehi
sbother
dr
ives.Hepul
lsmeclosert
ohim.

Morena:Babet
lhemmaIam sorr
y.Iwillexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ngwhenhegettoschool.Iwi
lltel
lyou
ever
ythi
ngyouwanttoknow.Justdon'tshutme
out.
Icanbearl
yhearwhathei ssayi
ngbecauseIfeel
l
ikeIam suff
ocating.Hekeepstalki
ngandtouchi
ng
myfaceandIf eelli
keIam abouttopassoutsoI
pushoffofhim andslidebacktomycorner.

Ican'
tbel
ieveIthoughtchangi
ngmynamewoul
d
changeeveryt
hing.Iam st
il
lNt
ate'
ssext
oy.

Kgosit
riest
alki
ngt ohi
m buthiseyesareonme
andhelookscrushed.Icantel
lhethinksIam angry
aboutt
hecallbutthat'
snotwhatisgoingonher e.
OKIam notpleasedaboutthecallbutIdon'tsee
howit'
smybusi nesstobeupsettothisextent.

Whenwear r
iveIj umpoutoft hecarandsay
goodbyet oKgosi .Iam j
ustgoingtowal kuntilIsee
somet hi
ngf ami l
iar.Iwil
ltr
ytor emembert her out
e
weusedear li
er.Ihearhim behindme.Hei srunning
tocatchupwi t
hme.Hest art
scalli
ngmyname
whenIi ncreasemypace.Hedoesn' tunderstand
thatIfeeldir
tyandIwantt ogoandbat h.Ican
smel
lNt
ateonme.Ij
ustneedwat
er.

Morena:(
yanksmyhand)Nadiamahn.Whyareyou
makingmechaseyoulikeapr
imar
yschoolki
d?I
am t
ryi
ngtotal
ktoyou.Canyouj
uststopandl
ist
en
damnit?

Ist
opandl
ookathi
m bl
ankl
y.

Me:What?Whatdoyouwantt
osayt
ome?Whatdo
youwanttot
ellme?Huh?

Hi
m:NadiaIam sor
ryaboutt
hecal
lear
li
er.Iwant
t
oexpl
ainmysel
ftoyou.

Me:( wit
hfol
dedar ms)why?Whydoyouwantt o
explainyour
selft
ome?Youdon' towemeanythi
ng
Mor ena.Wejustmetthreehoursago.Ther
eis
nothingtoexpl
ain.Nowi fyoudon'tmi
nd,l
etgoof
myhand.Ineedt
ogo.

Mor
ena:Nadi
adon'
tdot
his.

Me:(scr
eami
ng)Leaveme!Nt
logel
e!Leaveme!
Leaveme!

Ihadmyeyesshutt hewhol eti

meIwasscr eaming
andhadn' treal
izedthatpeoplewherenowl ooki
ng
atus.Hel etmegoandIr ushedof
fblindedbytears.
Ididn'tevenmeant oscr
eam athimlikethat.I
tfel
t
l
ikeIwasf inal
lyscreamingatNtat
e.Itfel
tli
keIwas
fi
nallytell
inghimt ogetoffofme.

Iwalkaroundandeventuall
yIf
indmyr oom.Iam
gladtofi
ndt her
oom emptywhenIunl ockt hedoor
becauseIam innomoodf orAri
e.Igrabt hetoil
etr
y
bagBoleng'smum gotmeandmyt owel .Ishould
real
lycal
lherandletherknowIam safebutI 'l
ldo
thatwhenIfeelcl
eanagain.
Iheadof ftoshowerandscr ubmysel foverandover
again.Thepai nisasor tofpl easur et hatcal msme.
Ididt hiseverytimeif el tdirt
yaf terher apedme.I 'd
scrubmysel fsohar dt hatonet imeIpeel edsome
skinof fofmyshoul der .OnceIam sat isf i
edwi thmy
cleanliness,Iheadbackt ot hedor m andl oand
behol d,Arieisther
ewear i
ngt heski mpi estgol d
sequinedshor t
sIhaveeverseen.Theyar eloose
enoughf oryout othinkshei swear ingaski rtbutI
cant elltheyareshor ts.Shehaspai redi tupwi tha
blackt op.Nobandage.Thi sgi r
lhast iedabl ack
bandagear oundhert or soandheel st omat chher
top.IfIsawheronTVI '
dpr obabl ythi nkshel ooks
amazi ngbutwi t
hherbei ngmyr oommat eI '
mj ust
outofwor dsasIt akeaseatandbegi nl ot i
oningmy
bodywi thmyt owelst il
lon.

Ari
e:(
putt
ingonmakeup)Sweet umskanaIhave
beenwonderi
ngwher eyouar e.Youdi
dn'
tevengi
ve
meyournumber .Iwantedtoinvit
eyouout
.Anyway
youareherenow.Trythatdresson.YouandIlook
l
ikewecoul
dweart
hesamesi
ze.

Ilookatherwi thar ai
sedbr ow.Shockedfirstbythe
factthatabighi ppedgirlwantstositt
hereandl i
e
tomeaboutourbodyt ypes.Ihaveamoder atebutt.
Not hi
ngli
ket hattankshei scarr
ying.Thent hereis
thebreastissue.Iwi l
lnotevengetintothe
exeggarati
on.Thenmysecondshocki sfrom
seeingwhatshesaysIshoul dwear.Iam hopi ngit
's
at opbutIdon'tseeanyt hingtopairi
twith.Itis
blackwithsequi nsaswel l
.Whatiswi t
hthesequi ns?

Me:Ar
iewhati
sthat
?Wher
ear
ethepant
s

Shel
aughsandcl
apsherhands.

Her:ohshnukumsyoumakemel aughwai t
se.
That'
sadress.Justwearitandtr
ustme.Toni ghti
s
goi
ngt obeamazing.Wear ehost
ingapar t
ywi t
h
somemi ni
ster
stonight
.It
'snotourusualcrowdbut
t
heyar
epayi
ngbi
gsoJol
enemadeapl
an.

Iam soconfusedr
ightnow.Whati
ssheeven
tal
kingabout
?

Me:Whatdoyoumeanmi
nist
ersnehAr
ie?

Her:(
snappi
ngherfi
nger)Getdr
essedgir
l.Wehave
togo.Youdon'
tknowhowmuchconvi nci
ngIhad
todotogetJol
enetoletyoui
n.DressupsoIcan
doyourmakeup.

Me:Butwhywoul
dIwantt
ogo?

Her :Duh?ToseeGabor oneinawayt hateven

residentswhohavelivedherefor30yearshaven't
seen.Iam abouttointroduceyoutoawor ldyou
haveneverseenbefor e.Bytheendoftonightyou
willfi
nall
yunder
standwhyPEP t -
shi
rtisajoketo
me.I'
m br
ingingyouint
ot hebi
gleagues
sweet
heartandyouwi l
lthankmef ori
tbytheti
me
wearedone.Iam abouttochangeyourlif
e.Soon
youwil
lbetravel
ingt
oThai l
and,I
talyandDubaias
i
fyouaretakingakombit oChoppies.

OKnowIam cur i
ous.Andmaybei twillhelpme
forgetaboutNt at
e.Itaket hedressandputi ton
befor egoi
ngt ositbyhermakeupt able.Shedoesa
l
otonmyf ace.Somet hingsmakemesneezeand
thencamet heeyel i
ner.Ikeepblinki
ngandshei s
gettingir
ri
tated.Andaf t
ert heseventht i
meoft r
ying
tolinemyeyesheput sitdownf rust
ratedly.

Her
:Youknowwhat
!Youar
efi
ne.Takeal
ook.

Iam stunnedbywhoi sl
ookingbackatme.Icannot
beli
eveit'
sme.Ilooksodiff
erent.Evenmyhai ris
dif
ferent
.Sheputawigonmeaf termyf ai
led
protest
.Irunf
ingerst
hroughthewi ganditfeelsli
ke
si
lk.Softandcoldasift
hestrandswi l
lmeltawayat
mytouch.Iam aboutt
otouchmyf
acewhenshe
sl
apsmyhand.

Her
:Don'
trui
nmymast
erpi
ece.

Shethenbri
ngsr
edheelsf
ormetowearandI
al
readyknowsheisr
eachi
ngtoohi
gh.

Me:Ar
iet
heset
hingsar
etoohi
ghf
orme.

Her
:ohcomeon.Justt
ry.Heel
sar
enot
hing
I
t'
sal
lint
heconf
idence.

Ishakemyheadandsl idemyfeetin.Wehavethe
samesizefoot.I
'l
lgi
veherthat
.Thedr esshowever
i
sloosebutIam notcomplaini
ng.Istandupand
al
mostfalloverbutIf
indmybalancebef or
ekeeli
ng
over.
Her
:OKwal
k.

Me:Di
dIwr
ongyoui
nanyway?Doyouwantt
oki
ll
me?

Her
:Di
kel
ediwal
k.

Irol
lmyeyesandt aketwostepsthenmyankles
startbendingi
nadirect
ionankl
esnevershoul
d
beforeIfindmysel
fwithmykneesont hefl
oor
.

Me:It
oldyout
heset
hingsar
etoohi
ghAr
efa!

Her
:heywena!Youar
enotmymot
her
.Don'
tcal
l
methat
.

Shet
henbr
ingsoutpumps.Theyhaveat
inyheel
.I
guesstheheeli
samust .IchangeintothoseandI
fi
nall
yfeelmorecomfortable.Shetakesherphone
andsnapsaf ewphotossayi ngtheyareforthe
gram.Ihardl
yuseinstagram soIdon'trel
ate.Once
sheisdonewewal koutwi thclut
chesinhand.

Her
:Youl
ookgor
geousbyt
heway.Iknewyou
woul
dbeamazi
ng.

Me:Thankyou.Iam nervoust
hough.Ihavenoi
dea
whatIam,walki
nginto.

Her:Ohdon'tevenwor r
yaboutanything.Iwil
lbe
withyoueverystepoftheway.At l
eastalmostever
y
stepoftheway.Iwi l
lprobabl
ydisappearfor
sometimetonight.I
'
llbechasingmoneybutyou
shouldalwaysknowt hatIwil
lbeback.OK?

Inodmyheadaswegetint
oacart hatshehasno
busi
nessdr
ivi
ngbutal
asshedoes.Howi sshe
dr
ivi
ngt
hiski
ndofcar
?

Don'tf
orgett
oli
kes,
comment
,tagandshar
e.I
t'
s
abouttogethot
[
08/
31,
17:
33] :Sor
ryf
ort
hel
atepost

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t12

Thisgir
lwasn'tj
okingwhenshesaidsheisaboutto
i
ntroducemet oanewwor l
d.Itt
ookussomet imeto
arr
iveatthefarmthatwasali
ttl
ewaysoutoft he
ci
ty.Whenwegott herewefoundapar ki
nglotfi
ll
ed
wit
hcar sIhaveneverseenbeforebutsheseemed
unbothered.

Me:Howmuchdot
hesecar
sevencostAr
ie?
Her:Ohplease.Thi
sisnothi
ng.Thi
spart
yisfort
he
l
owlymi ni
ster
sandsoar ethei
rcar
s.Wehaveabig
fi
shpartyinKangnextweek.That'
swhenyouwil
l
underst
andwhatmoneyl ooksli
ke.

Me:Kang?Whataboutschool
?

Her:youdon'tgeti
tdoyou?Peoplegot oschoolto
graduatesotheycanmakemoney.Iam br i
ngi
ng
youintomaking5kanightforastart.Asyougrow
thenyoucanmake10keasy.I '
m currentl
ymaking
8kbutit'
sallaboutt
ochangeandi t
'sthankstoyou.

Me:whatdoyoumean?

Her:Iwil
lexpl
aini
ttoyouwhenwel eave.Ij
ust
wantyout oenj
oyyoursel
ftoni
ght.Emer seyoursel
f
i
nthef untoni
ghtt
henwewi llt
alk.ButIhavet o
warnyou.Donoteverleaveyourdrinkunattended
ordoanytypeofdrugs.That'
swhereIdrawtheline.
Whateverhappenst
onight,makesur
eyoudon' t
l
osefocus.Watcheverythi
nganddon'tpar
ti
cipat
e.
Notyet.Doyouunderstand?

Me:Idon'
tevenknowwhatyouar
esayi
ngso
aski
ngmeifIunderst
andi
sevenmoreconf
usi
ng.

Her:i
t'
sfi
ne.Youwi
llunder
standbyt
heendoft
he
ni
ght.Let
'sgo

Wegetoutoft hecarandwat chinghercat walkis

tr
ulymesmerizing.Wewal kal i
ttl
ebeforearri
vingat
ahousethatcoul deasi
lymaket hetopbi l
li
nglist
.
Thehousewashi ddenbytreesandseei ngitappear
fr
om behindt
hebushesj usttakesyourbreathaway.
Shetakestwobl ackeyemasksandt ell
smet owear
one.

Me:Why?
Her:I
t'
stoprotectyourident
it
yandtheident
it
yof
t
hemenwewi llbepartyingwit
h.Jol
enemakesi ta
r
ulefortheanonymityofbothparti
esanditworks
wel
lforus.

Whenwewal kintothehouse, thereissomesof t

musi cpl ayi
ng.Ihaven'tbeent oapar t
ybef orebutI
knowf orsuretheydon' tplaythiskindofmusi c.I
t'
s
usuallyupbeat .Orat l
eastthat'swhatIhaveseeni n
themovi es.Wet akeat urnoncewewal kintothe
houseandmymi ndwasnotr eadyforwhatmyeyes
areseei ng.Almostever ymani nthishousehasa
girlonhi slap.Iwi l
lsaygirlbecauset hesge
differ
encei sascl earasday.Someoft hegi r
lsare
grinding0nt hemenwhi l
et heoneswi thnogi rlson
theirl
apar eont opofthegi rl
sandki ssingthem.

Me:(shocked)Ar
iewhatt
hehel
list
his?Whati
s
goi
nginher e?
Her
:(t
aki
ngmyhand)comeon.Don'
tfreakout.Thi
s
i
sanorgypar
ty.Haveyouhear
dofi
tbefore?

Iam t oostunnedt otalkaswewal kpastacouple

havi ngsex.Ijustshakemyheadwi t
hmyeyes
pinnedont hem.Ihaveneverseensuchat hi
ngin
myl i
fe.ImeanIhaveneverevenwat chedpornso
thisi st
hef i
rstt
imeIam seei ngnakednessthati
sn'
t
mi neorNt ate'
s.Istartfeel
ingwei
rdaswekeep
wal kingpastmor eoft hem.

Ari
egrabst
wochampagnef
lut
esf
rom awai
terand
handsonet
ome.

Me:Idon'
tdr
ink.

Her:Ohj
ustt
ryi
tNadi
a.Thi
sist
opr
angest
uffmy
l
ove.
Idon'tknowwhyIalwayslistentoher.Shehasa
smilethatmakesyouwantt opleaseher .Ibetshe
geteverythi
ngshewants.Itaketheglassandt ake
asip.Thechampagneslidesdownmyt hroat!

Her
:Whatdi
dIt
ellyou?Ni
cei
sn'
tit
?

Inodmyheadandj ustthenawomanwi thamask

onwalksovert ous.Thediff
erencewithherisshe
i
swear i
ngal ongbodyhuggi ngdresswhichis
tot
all
ydiff
erentfr
om alltheothergi
rl
shere.Ican
tel
lsheismuchol derthanus.

Woman:HiAr
ie.Youaref
inal
lyher
e.Anhourl
ate.
Youknowbet
terthant
hat
.

Ari
e:Iam sor
ryJol
ene.Iwasget
ti
ngherr
eady.
Thi
sisDi…IMeanNadia.Sheismypot
enti
alr
ecrui
t.
Jol
ene:mmhmm.Youhaveal wayshadagoodeye
Ari
e.Ihaveneverr
egr
ett
edr
ecruit
ingyou.

Ar
ie;(smi
les)t
hankyouJol
ene.

Jol
ene:Youshouldbri
nghertomebyt heendoft he
ni
ghtsoIcanseei fshehaswhatitt
akes.Ifshe
doesthenwewi l
lplanherspl
it
zpart
yfortomorrow.
Youknowwedon' twastetime.

Iam justst
andinghereweari
ngconfusi
ononmy
facebutIseethatshehasnointent
ionof
explai
ningwhatshejustsai
d.Shewalksoffand
eachstepcarri
essomuchgr ace.

Twomenwal koverjustasIam abouttoaskArie

whatsheandJolenewer etal
kingabout
.Onelooks
youngert
hantheother.Theolderonehasahuge
potbel
lyt
hatAri
ewalksovert oandrubswit
ha
smilei
nherfadebeforekissi
ngthemanwi t
hno
warningatal
l.Atl
eastnottome.Theyst ar
ts
ki
ssingdeepl
yasi fwearen'
tintheroom which
makesmeuncomf ort
ablebutal
sointri
gued.
Somet hi
ngaboutseeingpeopl
egetti
nginti
mateis
get
tingtome.

Theyoungerguycomesoverandhol dsmywai
st.
Thi
stimeIdon'tfeel
asdisgustedasIdi
dwhen
Morenaheld.It
hinkit
'sbecausemyeyesar
esti
llon
Ari
eandherman.

Youngerman:Hey.
.Pleaselookatme.Icanmake
youfeelasgoodassheisfeeli
ng.

Iturntofacehim.Idon'
tbeli
evehecanbecause
sexhasal waysbeenapainfulexperi
encef orme.
Ntateoncet r
iedki
ssi
ngmebutIkeptl ooki
ngaway
regardl
essofhowmuchhehi tme.Ihadpr essed
mymout hintokeephimfrom ki
ssingmewi thhis
khaidibr
eathsoIhadneverbeenki ssedbef ore.The
guydoesn'tevengivemetimet othi
nkbef orehe
st
art
ski
ssi
ngme.

Thekissingisnicebuthishandsar ecausingmi xed

emotionsforme.Iwantt ostopallthi
sbutt hen
againthismightbemychanceofget ti
ngridofthe
memor i
esIhaveofNtate.Maybei fIhavesexlike
theseothergirl
sthenIwillhaveadiff
erentpict
ur e
ofsex.Hebr eakstheki
ssof fhasmymi ndreel
s
withallthi
sdecisi
onmaki ng.

Hi
m:Comewi
thme.

Iwantt
oaskAri
eifIcangobutIf
indt
hatshei
sno
wheret
obefound.

Him:Yourf
ri
endwenttohavefun.Comel et
'sgo.I
'
ll
showyoumorefunthanshe'
lleverhave.

Hei
spul
li
ngmeof
fashesayst
his.Notr
oughl
y.
Justleadi
ngme.Wer eachadoorint hehallwayand
heunlocksitt
henopensitleadi
ngmei nt
othe
bedroom.Thebedroom i
sexquisit
elydecoratedand
Iwantt ol
ookaroundbutthismanisn'theretogi
ve
meat our
.

Hest art
skissi
ngmeagai nandt
akesmyhandt o
makemef eelhi
shardness.Myhear
tstart
sbeati
ng
quicklyasIreal
izewhati
sabouttohappen.He
breaksthekissandlooksatme.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouavi
rgi
n?

Me:NoIam not
.

Him:Sowhyar
eyouact
ingbr
andnewbabe?Come
here.

Hepul
lsmeoverandst
art
ski
ssi
ngmeagai
n.I
bracemysel fsoIgett hisoverwit
h.Iwanttof or
get
Nt ate.Iwanthim gonef r
om meandt hismighthelp
met oforgethim.Hedi dmostofthewor kand
undr essedmebef orehimself.If
eelconfl
ict
edand
par tofmewant storunof fandescapebutIcan' t
wal ksoIj ustli
edownwhenhepushesmedown.I
feellikeIam goingt opassoutwhenhi sweightis
onme.Iwantt ocr ybutIholdthetearsinunti
lhe
pusheshi mselfin.Ij
ustst ar
tbawli
ngoutandhe
frowns.

Hi
m:heywhyar
eyoucr
ying?Di
dIhur
tyou?

IshakemyheadbutIcan'
tseem t
otal
k.

Hi
m:What
'swr
ongt
hen?

Ikeepshaki
ngmyheadunt
ilhepul
lsoutandsi
ts
nextt
ome.
Hi
m:Ican'tdot
hisi
fyouar
ecryi
ng.Iam nota
r
apist
.Tel
lmewhat'
swrong.

Isi
tupandwi
pemyt
ear
s.

Me:It
houghtIcoul
ddoi
tbutIam notr
eady.I
t
f
eelsl
ikei
t'
shim.

Hi
m:hi
m who?

Il
ookathim andmymout
hwobbl
esagai
nandhe
pul
lsmein.

Hi
m:Aet
lhemma.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Me;Iam sor
ry.Ihaveneverdonet
hisbef
ore.

Hi
m:It
houghtyousai
dyouar
en'
tavi
rgi
n.
Me:Iam not
.

Hel
ooksatmef
oraf
ewsecondsbef
orespeaki
ng?

Hi
m:Rape?

Ili
ftmyl
egsandhol
dmykneest
omychestand
rockmysel
f.

Hi
m:Haveyoubeenr
aped?

Inodmyheadwi t
houtspeakingandheimmediatel
y
pull
smeintoahug.Thisisn'
twhatIsi
gnedupf or
.I
di
dn'tmeantogoalloutandspil
lmyissuesouttoa
str
anger
.

Hi
m:Iam sor
ryt
hathappenedt
oyou.IknowIdon'
t
knowwhatyouwentt hroughbutI '
dki
llanyonewho
woulddothattomysi ster.Igotthi
sroom becauseI
am apri
vatepersonandI 'm notcomfortablewi
th
what'
shappeningoutt heresoyoucanst ayher
e
andwaitforyourfr
iend.I'
lljustgohome.

Hest
andsupt
oleavebutIhol
dhi
shand.

Me:Nopleasedon'tgo.Pleasestay.Iwanttofor
get
him.Pl
easehelpmef orgethim.Idon'twantto
rememberhim anymore.

Hi
m:Ar
eyousur
e?

Inodmyheadandl
iebackont
hebedwai
ti
ngf
or
hi
mt oj
oinme.

Me:Ij
ustwantt
ofor
get
.Pl
easehel
pmef
orget
.
[
08/
31,
17:
34] :Mi
niI
nser
t
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t13

Man:(
str
etcheshi
shandout
)Comeher
e.

It
akehi
shanddisappoi
ntedbyt hethoughtt
hat
maybeIt
urnedhi
m offbytell
inghim aboutt
her
ape.
MaybeNtat
esoil
edkeforli
fe.

Hel eadsmet oamirrori

ntheroom andstands
behindmeaswebot hlookint
othemi r
ror
.Ihadn'
t
actuall
yreal
izedt
il
lthenthatwewerereal
lynaked.

Him:Lookatyour
sel
f.Iwantyout
oseehow
beaut
if
ulyouare.
Hehol
dst
hest
randhol
dingmymaskup.

Hi
m:Doyoumi
nd?

Me:No.

Heremovesmymaskandsmi lesbef
oret
urni
ngme
ar
oundtofacehim.Hekissesmedeeplycausi
ng
myeyestoshut.Thekisswentonandonandonly
st
oppedwhenhepul l
edhismaskof f
.

Him :I
fIam goingtohel
pyouf or
getthenIdon't
wantyoutofeelused.Iwantyoutoknowt hatyou
arebeaut
if
ul.Idon'
twantyouwalkingoutwithout
knowingwhoIam.That '
snothowyouf or
get.

Iam j
ustlooki
ngi
ntohisdarkeyesandfindi
ng
myselfputt
yinhi
shands.Heisn'tashandsomeas
Morenabutheisalsohandsome.Handsome
enought
omakemydeci
sioneasi
er.

Him:Iknowwear esupposedt odothisbutIdon't

care.Idi
dn'
tknowt hatI'
dmeetyouher et
onightsoI
am goingtobendtherulesali
tt
le.Mynamei sSam.
Youcant el
lmeyour sifyouwant.Ij
ustwantedyou
toknowwhoi sgoi
ngt ohelpyouf or
get.

Ismi
leal
it
tl
eandbi
temyupperl
ipbef
orespeaki
ng.

Me:Nadi
a.

Het
urnsmebackt
othemi
rr
orandhol
dsme.

Him:Ni
cet
omeetyouNadi
a.Youhaveabeaut
if
ul
name.

Me:t
hankyou.
Hi
m:Youaresobeaut
if
ulNadi
a.Justl
ooki
ngatyou
i
s-Doyouf
eelt
hat?

Iknowwhathei stalki
ngabout
.Icanfeelhis
hardnessonmyback.Inodbyheadandhesweeps
meof fmyf eetmakingmesqueal.Hepaysme
downandki ssesmepassionat
elywit
hhishands
runningallovermybody.Ican'
tfocusont he
pleasureIam feeli
ngbecausei
tiscomingf r
om
diff
erentangles.Hestopski
ssi
ngmeandl ooksat
mewi t
hhungr yeyes.

Hi
m:Iam goi
ngt
omakeyouf
orgetOK?

Inodmyheaddesperat
elywait
ingf
orthepleasure
hehasmademeyear nfor.Het
hengoesdownt he
bedandlif
tsmykneesexposi
ngmet ohi
mi naway
Iwasn'
treadyf
or.Hi
sbreathonmyyoniis
conf
usi
ngmebecausemymi ndwantsmet oclose
mylegsi
nshamewhilemybodywantst
ofeelwhat
heisabi
ttodo.Hel
ooksatmeandli
ckshi
slips
bef
ore#expl
ici
t.

°
°°° °
°°°
Ialmostdi ed.Heal mostki lledme.Her eal l
ywanted
tokillme.Iam sur eofi tbecauseot her wisewhy
woul dhel eavemet hi
sbr eat hl
esstot hepoi ntt
hatI
can'tli
ftmyhead.Myl egskeepshaki ngandIknow
ucan' tdar et ostand.Ihaveneverf eltthiskindof
pleasur einmyl i
fe.Imayj usthavet urnedt wenty
thispastmont hbutnomanIhavehadenoughsex
tolastal ifetimeandIdi dn'tknowitwast hi
snice.I
didn'tthinkofNt ateoncebecauseSam i snot hi
ng
l
ikeNt ate.Het ookmet ohei ghtsIneverknewwer e
posibblei nt hepast2hour s.Wehaveal readyused
threecondomsandeacht i
mehe' daski fIwas
readyt pf orgetagain,hewoul dki
ssmebef oreI
couldr espond.

Sam:(
runni
nghi
sfi
ngeral
ongmyback)Whatar
e
out
hinki
ngabout
?

Me:Iam t
oot
ir
edt
othi
nk.

Hechuckl
esandst
andsup.

Him:Letmegetyousomewat er.Hetakesaglass
fr
om thesidet
ableandwal ksoff
.Idkntknodwhere
hegetsthi
senergyform butIneedsomeofi t
.He
goesalit
tl
etoolongforsomeoneget t
ingwater
fr
om theensui
tebuteventuall
ycomesout .

Hi
m:Her
eyougo.

Isi
tupandt
aket
hegl
assf
rom hi
m.

Hi
m:Iranusabath.Ipr
eferashowerbutIknow
womenlovebat
hssolet'
sgorelaxi
nthetub.
Ismil
eandst andup.Iwasclear
lytooambiti
ous
becausemylegsi mmediat
elyst
artshaki
ngagai
n
asIwalk.It
hinkhehasnoticedbecausetheman
j
ustbrokeoutinlaught
er.

Me:I
t'
snotf
unny.Whwtdi
dyoudot
omeSam?

Him:(stopslaughi
ng)it'
scall
edpleasur
ebabe.Al
l
that
'sleftnowisforyourtoestocrackt
henIwil
l
knowt hatIhaveservedyouwel l
.

Iam notimpressedwi
tht
hewayt
hismani
staki
ng
pleasur
einthis.

Ifinal
lymakei ttot hebat hroom bymysel fbecause
theheat henrefusedt ohel pmesayi ngthisishis
reward.Thisbat htubi shuge.Al mostlookslikea
j
acuzzi .Oneoft hel essonsf rom Bol
eng'schick
fl
icks.Ican'tbeli
eveIhaven' tcal
ledherorhermum
yet.Ican'tbel
ivet
hatthi
sismyf i
rstdayi
n
Gabor one.Ihaveexperi
encedenoughtof
il
la
l
ifeti
mei noneday.

Hi
m:Don'
tdot
hat
.

Me:What
?

Hi
m:Youthi
nktoomuch.Imightst
artt
hinki
ngI
di
dn'
tdoagoodjobofhel
pingyoufor
get.

Me:(st
eppingint
othetub)NoIwasjustt
hinki
ngof
howit'
sonlymyf i
rstdayi
nGaboronebutIhave
al
readyexperi
encedenoughtoShockmany.

Hi
m:(si
tt
ingbehindme)Howar
eyouaJoj
odol
l
whenyoujustgott
oGabs?
Me:What
'saJoj
odol
l?

Hi
m:Whatfoyoumean?Aren'
tYouaJoj
o?The
gi
rl
sent
ert
aini
ngt
oni
ght.

Me:NoIam not
.Ij
ustcamewi
thmyr
oommat
e.

Het
hengoesqui
etbutIcanf
eelhi
mtensi
ngup.

Me:Whati
swr
ong?Di
dIsaysomet
hingwr
ong?

Him:NoitsjustthatIknowJolene'
sgirl
ssi
gnNon
di
sclosur
eagr eementswhichiswhyItoldyoumy
nameandr evealedmyf ace.It
houghtIwassaf
e
wit
hyou.

Me:ohdon'
tworr
y.Iam notatr
oubl
emaker
.Ikeep
t
omyselfandhaditnotbeenf
ormyroommate
dr
aggi
ngmeouther
e,I'
dbeinmyr
oom cur
ledup
i
nbedtal
kingt
omyfri
end.

Hi
m:OhOK.That
'sar
eli
eft
ohear
.

Ican'
ttellheI'drelieved.Hei sgett
inghardagain
andast i
redasIwasear l
ier
,Iwantt of
eelitagain.I
wanttof eelamazi ngagai nsoit'smyturntomake
myselfforget.Iturnar oundandsi tmysel
fonhi s
l
apsandbegi nkissi nghim.SoonenoughIam
ri
dingandonmywayt oforgetful
nessandi tf
eels
sogoodt of orget.Iwantt ofeelli
kethi
sforever.I
wanttoal waysf orget.

[
08/
31,
17:
34] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t14
Me:Sam?Sam?

Imusthavedosedof f
.Ican'tfi
ndhi m anywher
e.
Whereishe?Evenhiswalletisgone.Idon't
underst
andwhyhewoul dleavewi thoutsayi
ng
goodbye.It
houghtwewer ehavi ngagoodt i
me, so
whywoul dheleavewit
houtasi nglegoodbye?Wow.
Iam j
ustshocked.

Ifi
ghtbacktearsandstartgett
ingdressed.Iguess
thi
sismyj ourneyt
oforgetti
ng.Aft
ergetti
ng
dressedIgrabmyclutchbagandwal koutwhile
pull
ingmyphoneoutt ocheckt heti
me.Myeyes
widenwhenIseet hati
t'
salready3am.Ihave
ori
entati
onat730am.Wher eisAri
e?Wehavet ogo.

Therearepeopl
enakedont
hefl
oorallovert
he
l
ivi
ngroom passedout
.Wher
eam Ievengoingto
fi
ndArie?
Ari
e:OhmyGod!Wherethehel
lwhereyouNadi
a?I
havebeenlooki
ngf
oryouf
orthepasthour
.Wher
e
wereyou?

Me:I
…I.
.Iwasi
nther
oom.

Her:(
frowni
ng)Doi
ngwhatintheroom?Doyou
haveanyideahowexpensi
vethoser oomsare?Wil
l
youpayJoleneP5000.00f
orsleepinginhersheet
s?
Naareyouevenbathed?Wher
ei syourmakeup?

Me:(
fol
dingmyar
ms)I
..Iwaswi
tht
heSam.

Her
:whoi
sSam?

Me:Theguyyoulef
tmewithwhenyoul
eft
.Hesai
d
hehadpai
dfortheroom.
Her
:Ohmy…DI
KELEDI
!

Shet
hendr
agsmet
otheki
tchen.

Her:Whatwereyoudoinginaroom wit
hhim?
Didn'
tIt
ellyout
ojustobservewhathappens?What
didyoudo?Andyouevenknowhi sname!Doeshe
knowyours?

Islowlynodmyhead.Shet henst
art
spaci
ng
around.Idon'
tunder
standwhatisgoi
ngon.Whyi
s
shefreaki
ngoutli
kethis?

Her
:Di
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m.

Shoul
dIevenanswerher
?

Her
:Di
kel
edi
!Di
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m?Answermy
quest
ion.

Me:Ye.
.Yes.

Her
:Hei
sh.At
leastt
ellmehegaveyout
hemoney.

Me:Whatmoney?

Her:Shee!Soyouj ustgavehimfreesex?Fr eesex

Dikeledi?Doesthislookli
keafreesexpl acetoyou?
Huh!Thi siswhyIt oldyounottopar t
ici
pate.You
havenoi deawhatisgoingonher e.Ihaven'teven
explainedanythingtoyouandyougoandsl eep
withsomeonef orfree?Whereishe?

Me:(
shr
uggi
ng)hewasgonewhenIwokeup.

Her
:(
clapsherhand)youevensl
ept
.Yeah.E
monatefreesexneh!Icanonl
yhopeJolenedoesn'
t
knowwhatyoudi dbecauseotherwi
seyouar
e
screwed.AndI'
l
lbescrewedtoo.Youwere
supposedtobewatchingnotplayi
ng.Mxm.

Me:Ariewhyareyousoangrywithme?HowwasI
supposedtoknowthatsexi
sn'
tfree.Whywoul
dI
askformoney?Iam notapr
osti
tute.

Her
:Youar
enotapr
ost
it
utedammi
tIwantyout
o
beaJoj
odoll
.

Me:Kant
ewhati
sthat
?Sam ment
ionedt
hatear
li
er.

Shegr
absmyhandandpul
lsmeoutoft
heki
tchen.

Her
:Jol
enewi
llexpl
ain.Thati
sifshedoenstknow
howmuchyouscrewedup.
Sheleadsmetoar
oom att
heendof
fthepassage
andknocks.

Voi
ce:Ent
er!

Ari
eopensthedoort
owhatl
ooksl
ikeanof
fi
ce.I
tis
anoff
ice.

Ar
ie:Sor
ryt
odi
stur
byouMadameJo.Ibr
oughtmy-

Amani
curedfi
ngerisr
aisedf
rom behindt
hechai
r
f
aci
ngthewall
.Sheball
sherhandi nt
oafi
stf
ora
f
ewsecondsbefor
eexhali
ngdeeply.

Jol
ene:ThankyouJi
m.

Ashi
rt
lessmanst
andsupfr
om behi
ndthechai
r
andwi
peshismout
hwithasmi
lewhileJol
ene
st
ocksarol
lofmoneyonhi
swai
stbandandt
aps
hi
sbuttashewal
ksout.

Jol
ene:(
tur
nsthechai
rtofaceus)Hei
sasdumb
asadoorknobbuthi
stongue!Mmh.

Thisisawkwar dtohearfr
om awomanasol dasmy
fat
her'swi
fe.Hermaski soffnowandIcansee
howbeaut i
fulsheis.It
houghtshewaswear i
nga
wigtoobutocancl earl
yseenowt hathercol
ored
genesservedherwi t
hallt
hehairshecouldever
askfor.

Jolene:So…Si
tdownandt
alkt
omegi
rl
s.Howwas
yournight?

Ari
eandIsitdownandsheput
sherclut
chonthe
t
ableandstar
tspul
li
ngoutmoneyandplaci
ngi
tin
fr
ontofJol
ene.
Jol
ene:Howmany?

Ar
ie:Two7ksandone10k.

Jol
ene:(
smil
ing)Goodj
obAr
ie.Younever
di
sappoi
ntme.

Shethencount
sthemoneyandpassessomet o
Ari
e.I'
m her
econfusedbywhatIam seei
ng.This
cannotbesexmoneytlheng.

Ar
iesmi
lesandandl
ooksatme.

Ari
e:Thi
sisnot
hing.Icanmake50kani
ghtatabi
g
fi
shpart
y.

Me:How?
Jol
enel
aughsandl
eansbackonherchai
r.
Jolene:Ijustl
ovenewbi
es.It
'sal
wayssogr eatt
o
seetheinnocencefadeasthereali
zat
ionofhowt he
realworldworksseepsi
n.What '
syournameagain?

Me:Nadi
a.

Her
:Howl
onghaveyoul
ivedi
nGabor
one?

Me:I
…I.
.Ij
ustgother
etoday.

Shel
ooksatAr
iewi
thaser
iousf
ace.

Her:Ari
eyouknowIwantgi r
lswhounder
standthe
desper
ationofci
tyl
if
e.Iwantpeopl
ewhoalready
owesomebodyandwantmoneysomucht hatthey
arewil
li
ngtodoanything.Whywoul
dyoubr i
ngme
aKedibonyecomestot own?
Ari
e:I…I…Ithoughtshehadpotenti
al.Shei
sa
bl
ankcanvas.Yousawhowshel ookedwhenshe
gothere.Imadethat.Icant
rai
nher.Youknowmy
gi
rl
sdon' tdi
sappoi
ntyou.

Jolene:(
squi
nthereyes)Thatremindsme.Wher
eis
themakeup?Whydi dyouwi peitof
f?

Ist
ummeri nat
temptt
oanswert
hequest
ionbut
Ari
erescuesme.

Ari
e:Ibumpedhergl
assacci
dental
lyand
champagnespi
ll
edonherfacesoshehadtowash
herface.

Jol
ene:OK.Howol
dar
eyou?

Me:Ij
ustt
urned20.
Her:Mhmm…OK.Iwi l
ladmitt
hatshehast
hel
ooks.
Icanworkwi
tht
his.Nadiawasit
?

Inodmyhead.

Her :Mhm…Wel lmi ssNadi a.Iam Jol ene.Founder

ofJoj odol l
s.Ihavebeenoper ati
ngf or5year snow
andmygi rlsareal wayst hebestatent ertaining.I
per sonall
yt r
aineachgi rlbef oresheat tendsher
fi
r stcl
ient.YoucanmakeP5000ani ghtormor eif
youl eavet hecount ry.Mygi rlsenj oyf i
rstclass
treatmentandgi vet hebestsext omycl i
ent sin
return.Ialwaysmakesur et heyar esafeandt hey
areal waysf reetoleavewhent heyfeelt heyhave
accumul atedenoughmoney.Wedealwi thcash
becauseIdon' thavet i
met oexpl ai
nmymoneyt o
anybank.Asanewr ecr
ui t
,youseeexpect edt o
changeyourchar acterandassoci at
es.Thi si sa
newwor ldandyouhaveever yt hi
ngatyourf inger
ti
ps.Youat tendthebestpar tiesandvi sitthebest
countr
ies.AllIaskforisloyalt
yfrom mygi r
ls.I
expectyoutor espectmycl i
ent'
sconf identi
ali
ty.
That'
swhyIuset hemasks.Eveni facl i
entsmask
fal
lsoffduri
ngt hethri
ll
sofpassi on,younevert alk
aboutwhoyousl eptwit
h.Thesear eimpor t
antmen
i
nt hecommuni t
yandi ntheirbusinessesandnever
wanttheirsexualadventuresknownbyt hewor l
dso
yousignNDAs.Br eachi
ngt heagreementwi l
lresult
i
nyouget ti
ngsued.Doyouunder stand?

Me:(exhal
ing)OKcanyoupl
easecl
ari
fyt
hisforme.
Am Iexpectedtosl
eepwi
thmenformoney?

Jol
ene:Ari
et hi
sist
hekindofbul lIdon'twant.Thi
s
i
swhyIdon' twantt
hesevil
lagegi r
ls.Theyaren't
hungr
yformoney.Wherewi llyoumake5kani ght
?
Inwhi
chjob?Eventhepresi
dent sdailyratedoesn't
cometothat.

Ai
re:Ihadn'
tactual
lyexpl
ainedanyt
hingt
oheryet
.I
wantedhertoseethekindofpart
ieswehostf
ir
st.
Jol
ene:Ar
eyouavi
rgi
nNadi
a?

Thi
squest
ionagai
n.

Me:No.

Jolene:Soyou'drathergoar
oundgi vi
ngoutfree
sextousel esspeoplewhenyoucanmakemoney
fr
om t hesamedeed?Tohaveamanf l
yyouto
Thailandfora10kshoppingspree?Noyou' dr
ather
gohavesexunderat r
eesoyoufeelloved?Wow.

Me:Ijustwant
edtounderst
andbecausel
ikeAr
ie
sai
d,shehadn'
treal
lyt
oldmeanythi
ng.

Jol
ene:Ok.Sowhatdoyousaynow?
Me:Ah…CanIthi
nkaboutitandletyouknow
tomor
row?Imeanlat
er.Ri
ghtnowIj ustwantt
ogo
backt
oschool
.Ihaveanorient
ati
oninaf ewhour
s.

Jol
ene:(
sighs)Fine.Letmeknowby1pm because
i
fyouwantt ojoi
nust henIwi
llhavet
opr
epareyour
Spl
it
zparty.

Me:Whati
sthat
?

Her
:Youwillfi
ndoutwhenyoudecidet
obecomea
Joj
odol
l.ArieIwi
llt
alkt
oyoulat
er.Youdi
dagood
j
obtoni
ght.

Wewal koutandmakeourwayt othecar.Ifal

l
asleepassoonasAr iedr
ivesout.Walkingtoour
room whenwear ri
vefeel
sliketort
ure.Ijustwantt
o
sleep.Ariekeepstr
yingtotalktomebutIam t oo
ti
redt oevenlist
ensoshewi llhavetowai t
.Iam i
n
nost atetotal
k.Idon'
tevenknowhowIam goi ngto
f
ocusdur
ingor
ient
ati
on.

°
°° °
°°°
[
08/
31,
17:
34] :Unedi
ted

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t15

Me:(
abr
upt
lysi
tt
ingup)Ar
ie!What
'st
het
ime?

Shej ustturnsoverandpul lsherbl anketoverher

head.Icantbel i
eveIover sl
eptonmyf ir
stday!The
suni sshinningt hr
ought hecur t
ainsoIal r
eady
knowIam l ate.Iquickl
ygr abt hesmal lbucketI
broughtandboi lsomewat erwhi l
er unningaround
tolookf orwhatt owear .Ican'tbathr i
ghtnow.Last
night'
sbat hwi l
lhavet osuppl ementt hismorning'
s
wiping.Idon'tevenwantt ol ookatmyphone
becauseI
'
llpr
obabl
ydi
e.

OnceIam doneget t
ingr eadyIgr abthebackpack
Bol eng'
smum gotmef orschool .Ireall
yneedt o
callthesepeoplenow.IhopeIdon' tforgetaf t
er
orientat
ion.Irunoutandt ryt
ol ookf orthe
Humani ti
esfacult
y.That swheret heysai dwe
shoul dgof orori
entati
on.Butwher eisit?Ifinall
y
gat hert
hecour agetocheckt hetimeandbl essthe
Lor dIam onl yf
ortymi nuteslat
e.Thati sifIf i
nd
thi
sbui ldingofthei
rs.Itakeat urnandr el
ief
washesovermewhenIspott hebui ldi
ng.Ir unthe
restoft hewayandsl i
pintoanempt yseatbyt he
door .Thisplaceispacked.

°
°°° °
°°°

Ifel
lasleepaft
erthePr of
essort
oldust hat40%of
thepeopleweseewi l
lbegonebytheendoft he
fi
rstyearandfrom the60%r emai
ning,only30%wi l
l
makei ttofi
nalyearandofwear elucky,20%will
graduate.That '
sthelastthingIremembert hi
rty
minutesi ntohisspeech.Ithoughthear i
ngthe
numberofaccol adeshehasr ecei
vedinhis
professionwoul dkeepmeawakebutIwasgone
unti
lwewer et ol
dwhenl essonswoul dstart
.Iwould
havemi ssedittooifi
twasn' tfort
heguysitti
ngnext
tome.Hewokemeupandmadeaj okeabouthowI
don'tsleepwhi leot
hersar etuckedinbed.Theirony
ofhowt ruehisstat
ementwasmademechuckl e.

Iam hustgl
adit'
sallover.Iwal
koutofthe
amphitheat
erandjustthenmyphoner i
ngs.I
t'
san
unsavednumber.

Me:Hel
lo?

Voi
ce:Howar
eyouhoneypot
?Imi
ssyoual
ready.

Me:(
smi
li
ng)Sam?I
sthatyou?
Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)Yesi
t'
sme.Howar
eyou?

Me:It
houghtyoul
eft
.Youdi
dn'
tsaygoodbye.

Hi
m:Ihadanearlymeet
ingandIdi
dn'
twantt
o
wakeyou.Wher
eareyou?

Me:Iam i
nschool
.Wher
edi
dyouevengetmy
number
?

Him:Ipagedmysel
fwithyourphonebef
oreIl
eft
.
CanIseeyoutoni
ght?

Mycheekshur
tfr
om smi
li
ngt
oomuch.

Me:Umm.
.I'
dli
ket
hat
.Youcancomeandgetmei
n
UB.
Hi
m:OKgr
eat
.Seeyoul
aterhoneypot
.

HehangsupandIcan' twi pethestupi

dsmilefr
om
myf ace.Iam goi
ngtosavehi snumberasmagi c
st
ick.Yes.That'
swhatI'
llsaveitasbecause he' s
gotthatmagicsti
ck.Ataponmyshoul der
i
nterrupt
smyt hought
s.Ohi t'
sthesleepguy.

Hi
m:Hey.Youl
eftsoqui
ckl
y.Iwant
edt
ocomesay
hi
.

Me:Ohhi
.

Hi
m:(rubst
hebackofhi
sneck)Idon'
tevenknow
whatt
osaynow.Youmakemef eelshy.

Idon'
twantt
ober
udesoIsmi
le.
Me:youcanj
ustsaywhatyouwantt
o.

Hi
m:Ij
ustt
houghtmaybewecoul
d-

Voi
ce:maybeyoucoul
dwhat
?

Iturnar
oundandf i
ndMorenawi t
haf r
ownonhi s
face.Helookshandsomeevenwhenhel ooksli
ke
heisabouttopopsomeone'stoothoutofthei
rskul
l.

Mor
ena:Isai
d,maybeyoucoul
dwhat
?

Thatti
mehehashi shandonmywai standthi
s
ti
meIact ual
lyl
iket
hefeel
ing.I
t'
snot
hingl
ike
yest
erday.

Guy:Ahhardibr
aYaaka.Idi
dn'
tmeant
oof
fend
anyone.Idi
dn'
tknowshehasaman.
Morena:(
pokeshischestwit
hhi
sfi
nger
)that
'swhy
youmustask.Tsamaya.(Go)

Allt
hisdispl
ayoftest
oster
oneisgetti
ngmeallfi
red
up.Sleepguywalksoffwit
hhisheadhanging.3
guysinlessthan24hours.Iguessthi
swholeIam
beauti
fulthi
ngmighthavesomet r
uthtoi
t.

Morena:NadiaIhavebeenl ooki
ngforyousi
nce
yest
erday.Icamet oyourdoorever
yhourandyou
weren'
tthere.Iwantedtoseeyouandtalkt
oyou.
Wherewer eyou?

Ican'
ttel
lhi
m wher
eIwas.Thi
nkf
astDi
kel
edi
.

Me:OhIsleptwi
thmyheadsetson.IguessIdi
dn'
t
hearyouandAri
ewasn'
taroundeit
her.
Hi
m:OhOK.

Het
henf
oldshi
sar
msandl
ooksatmei
ntent
ly.

Him:Whydi dyouj ustleaveliket

hat?Whydidn't
youletmeexpl ain?Leawasmygi rl
fri
endNadia.I
brokeupwi t
hherl astnight.SheandIhadproblems
forsomet i
menowbutIst uckaroundthi
nki
ngwe
couldmaket hingswor kbutwhenImetyou,
everyt
hingjustchangedf orme.Iwantyou.Nother .
Iwantyout obemygi rl
fri
end.DoyouhearwhatI
am saying?Ileftherforyou.

Ihonestl
ywasn' texpectingt
hisfr
om him.Hej ust
putitoutthereandhowdoIanswerhi m whenIam
sotonguet i
ed?Ifhehadsai dallt
hisyest
erdayI
wouldhavej umpedathi m andsaidyes.Butthen
agai
nI ti
smyf aul
tImi ssedthi
slastni
ght.Isl
ept
wit
hanot hermanandhewant stotakemeout .
Me:Ican'
t-

Iam cutshor tbyhi

slipsonmi ne.Shockforcesmy
eyesopenandIcanseeal ltheeyesonus.Thi s
mani skissi
ngmei npubli
conmyf ir
stdayof
school.Iam j
ustgoingtoclosetheseeyestoshut
thewor l
dout.Hebreaksthekissandcontinues
holdi
ngmyf ace.

Morena:Iam nottaki
ngnof orananswerNadi
a.
Youaremi ne.I
sthatclear
?

InodmyheadbecauseIclear
lyhavenochoi
ce
here.Iwi
llj
usthavet
obr
eakthingsof
fwit
hSam
toni
ght.

Mor
ena:Youhavenol
essonsr
ight
?

Me:NoIdon'
t.Myl
essonsst
artt
omor
row.
Hi
m:Gr
eat
.Let
'sgowat
chamovi
e.

Me:OK….

Ithoughthemeantwear egoi
ngt owat chamovi e
onhi slaptop.Themant ookmeonmyf i
rsttr
ipto
thecinemas.Ihavet oadmi tt
hatIkeptwant i
ngt o
reducet hevol umet hroughoutthef i
rstthi
rty
minutesoft hemovi e.Nomahnt hatplacei sloud!
ButIevent ual l
yenjoyedmysel fandaf terthemovi e
wehadsomef oodandwentbackt oschoolaf t
er
tal
kingf orhour sinther est
aurant.Ithi
nkt he
waiterswer ej ustdoneandi rr
it
atedwi thus.Wear e
nowst andingbymydoorandIwanthi mt ocomei n
butIdon' tthinkhewi ll
.

Hi
m:Sowhenwi
llIseeyouagai
n?

Me:It
hinkt
omor
rowbecausemyf
ri
end'
smum
askedhersi
stert
ohavemeoverf
ordi
nner
.

Him:(sul
king)Aomma.It houghtweweregoingto
chi
llt
onight.Buti
t'
sokay.I'
l
lseeyoutomorr
owt hen.

Heki ssesmeandgi vesmeahugbef orel

eavi
ng.I
havet ogetreadytogoandseeSam.Ihavet o
breakt hi
ngsoffwit
hhim.Ariei
sn'there.Maybeshe
hadal atecl
ass.Ohmy!Ihaven'trespondedto
Jolene!OKIwi l
ldealwit
hthatl
ater.Fornow,letme
callBolengandhermum.Aconf erencecallwilldo.

Afterthelongestchatever ,Igotreadyf orthedinner

.
Idon'thaveanyt hi
ngt hatcouldbeappr opri
atesoI
rummaget hroughAr i
e'sthingsunt ilIf
indani ce
kneelengthdr ess.Andt hatwasaf teral otof
rummagi ng.Thisgirlwalksar oundnaked.That '
sall
Iknow.OnceIam dr essed, Isitandwai tforSam's
cal
l.
Ari
eburst
sint
hrought
hedoorj
ustasmyphone
ri
ngs.

Me:Hel
lo?

Sam:Heyhoneypot
.Iam byt
hepar
kingl
otyou
menti
oned.

Me:OK.Iam comi
ngnow.

Ihangupandf
aceaver
ycr
ossAr
ie.

Arie:Wherewer eyou?Ihavebeenlookingf
oryou
allovertheschool.Whydidn'
tyouatleastt
ellme
youdi dn'
twanttodoit?Whywoul dyoumakeme
hopefulonlyforyoutodot hi
s?

Me:Ihavet
ogo.Wewi
llt
alkabouti
twhenIcome
back.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?I
sthatmydr
ess?

Me:Ineededsomet hi
ngtowear.Iam sor
ryIj
ust
t
ookitwithoutaski
ng.Iwasdesperat
e.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Me:(tr
yingt oopenthedoor)Ihavetogo.Iwil
lt el
l
youeverythingwhenIcomeback.LookIhada
greatt
imel astni
ghtbutther
eisal othappeni
ngt o
mer i
ghtnow.Iwantt ofi
guresomet hingoutf
irst.

Her:Tlhemmaj ustsayyes.YouheardJolenesay
youcanstopwheneveryouwant .Ijustneedthi
sso
muchrightnow.Doyouknowt hatIhavetwo
chi
ldr
en?Iam 23year soldwithtwokidsandthey
needmet oprovidefort
hem.Mymot herdoesn'
t
helpmewi t
hanyt hing.Myki dsdependonmeandI
needt hismoney.Ihavebeent ryi
ngt orecruitmy
l
astgi rlforthepast5mont hsandyouar et he
cl
osestIhavecomet or eali
zingmydr eam ofsavi ng
upf ormychi l
dren'seducat ion.Iwantt ofinish
savingf ormychi ldren'sschoolbyt hetimeIam
donewi t
hschoolsot hati fIdon'tgetapr operjob
beforeIt urnthir
tythenat leastI'l
lknowmychi l
dren
aresaf e.That'swhyIneedt hisP10000. 00ani ght .
PleaseNadi a.

Thi
sgi
rli
sn'
tgoi
ngt
oletmego.

Me:Fi
neArie!Iwil
ljoi
nthebl
oodythi
ng.Letmego.
Someone'
swai t
ingformeandheiscall
ingagai
n.

Shefinal
lyl
et'
smel eaveandIr ushoutt othe
par
kinglotwhereIcallSam totrylocatehi
scar.He
wal
ksoutoft hecarandl ookssodapper .Memories
ofl
astnightcomerushingi nandIj ustwantt
ofeel
i
tallagai
n.OhSam.Howam Igoi ngt osaygoodbye?
[
08/
31,
17:
34] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t16

Sam i
ssuchagent l
eman.Hepul
ledthechai
rout
formetotakeaseatwhenwegottotherest
aurant
.
Heorder
edussomewi neandyes,Iam nowthegir
l
witht
hewines.Il
oveit

Sam:Soyour
eal
lyt
houghtIj
il
tedyou?

Me:(shr
uggi
ng)whatwasIt othi
nkwhenIwokeup
toanemptyroom at3am.Ididn'
tknowwhatel
seto
thi
nkoutsi
deofyoubeingasmashandpasski nd
ofguy.
Hi
m:( l
aughs)Iwoul
dn'
thavetol
dyoumynamei f
t
hatwasallIwantedNadi
a.Ifi
ndyouver
y
i
nter
esti
ngandIwanttogettoknowyoubet
ter
.

Me:( sigh)Sam thereasonIcameher etonightisto

l
etyouknowt hatImetaguyyest er
daybef ore
meet ingyouatt hepartyandhetoldmet odaythat
hewant smetobehisgi r
lf
ri
endandt hethi
ngi sI
real
lyl ikehim.Iwouldn'
thaveevencomet ot he
part
yi fitwasn'
tfort
heeventsthathadtakenpl ace
earl
ier .

Heleansbackinhischai
randhasal ookIam
f
ail
ingtoread.I
tdoesn'
tlookl
ikedi
sappoint
ment
t
hough.Iam notsurewhatiti
s.

Him:Nadia,
areyougoi
ngtodismisswhat
happenedbetweenusl
astni
ght?Justl
iket
hat
?

Me:Ah….Noi
t'
snotl
ikeIam j
ustdi
smi
ssi
ngi
t.I
l
ikeyout
oobutt
hingshavechangednow.

Him:How?Bet weenmeandt hi
sguy,IcanbetthatI
knowyoumor et hanhedoes.Iknowyourt ruthand
Iam surehedoesn' tbecauseyouhaven'ttoldhim
haveyou?( si
lence)Youf eltsaf
eenoughtot el
lme
abouttheexper i
enceyouhad.Thatdoesn' tj
ust
happent oarapevi ctim.Youchoset oopenupt o
me.Youchoset ol etmebet heonewhobr eaksthe
wallofhorrorthatwassext oyou.AndIam prett
y
sureIdidagoodj obofi t.KanakeBuama* *
pa?(Or
am Ijustspit
ti
ngsh* t?)

Me:Sam….

Him:Li
sten.Iwoul
dn'tputyouunderthepressure
ofsayi
ngchosemeoverhi m.Notyetanyway.I
wantyoutotakeyourti
meandwei ghyouropt i
ons.
Idon'
tmindbecauseIknowyouwi llchooseme.
Thisman'
shandistr
avel
ingupmythi
ghand
sendi
ngshockwavesthr
oughoutmybody.

Me:(
sof
tl
y)Youar
en'
tpl
ayi
ngf
airSam.

Him:Ohcomeonbabe.Iam j ustaskingfora
chancetopr ovemyselftoyou.That 'sallIam
askingfor.Youdon'thavet odomuch.Youj ust
havetoenj oy.Il
ovedmaki ngyouf orgethoneypot.
Don'tyouwantmor e?Whati fIam everythingyou
needrightnowandyouj ustwantt opushmeaway
forsomeonewhodoesn' tevenunder standyour
pain?Takeyourt i
memyhoneypot .

Iam scr
ewed

°
°°° °
°°°

Ar
ie:Yourspl
it
zpar
tyi
stoni
ghtat7pm.Iam so
exci
ted!I
t'
sremi
ndsmeofmyownpar
ty.I
twasso
amazing.

Me:Whatexact
lyi
saSpl
it
zpar
tyAr
ie?

Her
:Youwillknowsoonenoughmydar
li
ng.Justbe
pat
ient
.ButwhatIcanpr
omiseyoui
sthatyouare
goi
ngtohaveanawesomet i
me.

Shethenl eavesforherl esson.Icameinquit

elate
l
astnight.Ther estaurantSam tookmet owasina
hotel
soaf t
erdinner,het ookmeupst ai
rsanddida
l
itt
lemor eforgett
ing.Sam hasat al
entbet
weent he
sheet
st hatdeservest obewor shippedbywomen.
Justthi
nkingabouti tnowmakesmybl oodrush.I
needmor eofhi m.Letmecal lhim.

Me:(
ont
hephone)HiMagi
cst
ick.
Hi
m:(
laughs)Whatdi
dyouj
ustcal
lme?

Me:(
giggle)Youcal
lmehoneypotsoIwi
llcal
lyou
magi
cstick.

Him:Yahnot henthatmeansIam doi

ngmyj
ob
ver
ywell.Don'tyouhavealesson?

Me:Iam onabr
eakr i
ghtnow.Ihaveonemor
e
l
essonthenIwi
llbedonefort
heday.

Hi
m:Okayhowaboutyoupassbymyof
fi
ceka
l
unch?

Ial
readyknowwhathewant
syoubestbel
ieveIam
goi
ngt her
e.

Me:OK.Sendmet
hedi
rect
ions.
IhangupandMor enacal l
smeaswel l.Howon
eart
ham Igoi ngtojuggleal lthis?Ievenhavet he
Spli
tzpartylat
er.Dayt wooft hi
sandI 'm al
ready
exhausted.Andal lt
hispr etendingIhavet odowith
Morenai ssuffocati
ng.At l
eastSam hadani deaof
whoIam.Icoul deasil
yt ellhimt herestandnotfeel
soguil
ty.MaybeIshoul dl ethim go.

Morena:
(overt
hephone)Heybabe.Howar
eyou
doi
ng?

Me:Iam f
ine.Iam onabr
eakr
ightnow.

Him:HeishIwishIwasyou.Fi
nalyearhasmeby
t
heball
s.Iwant edt
ocomeseeyoubutwear e
t
ryingt
of i
nal
izeagroupassi
gnment.

Me;OhOK.I
t'
sfi
ne.
Hi
m:YessoIwant edtoaskyousomethi
ng.Iknow
i
t'
sallsosuddenbutIhavetoatt
endmycousi n'
s
weddingthi
sweekendandIdon'thaveaplusone.
I
t'
sthesehotelweddingsandsheisgoi
ngtokill
me
i
fIdon'tRSVPtoday.Sowhatdoyousay?

Me:Aboutwhat
?

Him:(
chuckl
es)ei
shIdi
dn'
taskdidI
?Iwashopi
ng
youcoul
dcomewi t
hme.Ihavesomemoneysaved
upsoIcantakeyoudr
essshoppi
ngtomor
row.

Me:I
sn'
titt
oosoonf
orf
ami
l
ygat
her
ingsMor
ena?

Him:Iknow…Iknowbabe.OKt hehonestt
rut
hisI
hadRSVPedt ogowithLeaandseei
ngasIbrokeup
withherandmycousinhasalr
eadycater
edforher
,
Ifeelbadtodi
sappoi
nther
.
Me:SoIam j
ustasubst
it
ute?

Him:OfcoursenotNadia.Iwasj ustexplai
ning
whathappened.Youaren'treplacingher.Ijustwant
togowi t
hyoutotheweddi ng.Itwi l
lgiveusa
chancetogettoknoweachot her.Pleasesayyes
myAf r
icanQueen.

Me:ei
shI
…

Him:Aomma.
.Soyouwantmet
obet
heoddone
out?

Me:OKf
ine.Wewi
llgo.

Him:Great
!Thankyoumyqueen.Wewi llgo
shoppi
ngaround4pm t
omor r
ow.I'l
lbor
rowmy
brot
her
'scar.Howdoesthatsound?
Me:Sur
e.Wecandot
hat
.

Him:Onelastt
hing,whatareyoursoci
almedia
handl
es?IhavelookedforyoueverywherebutI
can'
tfi
ndyou.You'dsaidyoursurnameisSupang
ri
ght?

Me:(wi
thapoundi
ngheart
)ohthat,
Ihaven'
tjoi
ned
soci
almedi
ayet.I
'
llwor
konitt
onight.

Hi
m:OKcool
.Byemyqueen.Imi
ssyousomuch.

Me:ByeMor
ena.

Ihangupt hephoneandexhale.Anot herl

ieadded
tothepi
le.Iam onsocialmediabutasDi kel
edi.I
j
usthavetocreateatotall
ydif
ferentaccountand
del
etemyol done.Idon'twanttoraiseeyebrowsby
changingmynameonmycur r
entone.Besi
des,
Ari
e
saysIneedrealsoci
almedi
apresenceasaJojo
doll
.I'
l
lseet
oi tt
onight
.

Ihavet houghtaboutt hewhol eJojodollthi

ngandI
thi
nkIwi lldoitfornow.ImeanIhadaf antasti
c
ti
met heot hernightsowhati feachpar t
yIgot owi l
l
pusht hememor yaway?Iam notpl anni
ngon
havinganot herSam nightbuti fIcanmakemoney
whileenjoyingallthatpleasurethenwhynot ?Ihave
neverseenasmuchmoneyasIsawAr i
ehol di
ng
andt othinkIcouldmaket hateveryothernight,wel
l
thatsoundsl i
keoneheckofdealt ome.

°
°°° °
°°°

I'
llsayitagain,Sam i
sagod.Idoubthi scoll
eagues
didn'thearmymoani ngi nt
hatof
fice.He'
dsai d
they'dallgoneoutforlunchbutt
hel ookthe
receptionistgavemeaswewal kedoutsai dalot.I
can'tbelieveIam dat
ingamanl i
keSam.As
i
mpor t
antashei s,hesti
llmakesti
mef orme.He
makesmesohappyandt otopi
toff
,hegotmea
verybeauti
fuldr
essasagi t
.HesaysthedressI
worelastni
ghtreall
ysuitedmesohecoul dn'tst
op
himself
.Sam isjustper
fect.

Ari
e:(ont
hephone)Heyshnukums.Wher
ear
eyou?
I
t'
stimetogetr
eadyfort
heSplit
z.

Me:Iam wal
kingupst
air
stoourr
oom aswespeak.

Her
:Wel
lthankst
oyou,
itwi
llbeal
lyour
ssoon.

Me:(
frowni
ng)whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat
?

Her:come.Iwi
llt
ell
youever
ythi
ngwhenyouget
her
e.
Me:GoodbecauseIam att
hedoor
.

Ihangupandopent
hedoor
.

Ari
e:(hugsme)HeishmmaIam soexci tedforus.I
can'tevencont
ainmyjoy.Gir
lyouandIar eabout
tomakemoney.Canyousmel li
t?Ihaven'tcome
acrossanythi
ngthatsmell
sbett
erthanmoney.
Evenaper f
umehasnot hi
ngont hatpaper.

Me:(
laughi
ng)wow.Youl
ovemoneyt
lhemma.

Her :owaiyouwon' tbesayi ngthatbythisti

menext
week.Jol enelikestogethernewgi rlsexci
tedby
sendi ngthem ont r
ipswi thclient
ssoonceyouar e
backf r
om Dubaiorwher evershewi l
lsendyou,you
willbesi ngingadi fferenttune.Shnukums
Bot swanai sverysmal l.Thereisawhol eworldout
therewai tingtobedi scoveredandi t
'satyour
fi
nger ti
ps.Yourwhol eworldisaboutt ochangemy
l
oveandyouar enevergoingtolookback.Jol
ene
changedmychildr
en'sl
ivesandnowbecauseof
you,Icanf
inal
lyaff
ordtotakethem f
rom my
motherandkeepthem withme.

Me:Whyi
sitt
hankst
ome?

Her :(
smil
es)Thenightl
yincreasewillhel
pme
affordahouseandmai daswel lasschool.Ihave
beensavingalotsi
nceIj oi
nedbutInowwantt o
reducemysavinginstal
lment sandtakemychi l
dren.

Me:Soyouwantt
omove?

Her:Yes.Youwi l
lhavet hisplacetoyourselff
ort
he
restofyourfi
rstyear.Iwon' trepor
ttost
udent
servicessoyouwi l
lhaveal lthepri
vacyinthewor
ld.
Ilovedstayi
ngwi t
hyout hesepastdaysbutIneed
togetmyki dsoutoft here.
Me:Whythough?Can'
tyoujusttakecareofthem at
yourmot
her'
splacewhi
leyoufinishschool
?

Her:(looksdown)Ican' tdot hatDi keledi.Don' tlook

atmenowandt hi
nkt hisi swhoIam.Igr ewupi na
sheebeen.Mymot hersel lsshakeshakeandkhadi
tousel essmenandwomenandgr owi ngupt hey
l
ikedt ouchi ngmei nappr opri
ately.Wehadno
bathroom andmymot heralwaysi nsistedIbat hat
thepitl atri
nebecauseshedi dn' twantmespi l
ling
wateri nt hehouse.Wel loneeveni ngwhi leIwas
bathi
ng, adr unkmancamet ot het oil
etandf ound
met her enaked.Het ri
edt orapemeandt hemusi c
wassol oudt hatmyscr eamswer ei naudible.Iwas
soscar edDi keledi.Thatmanwasknownf orgoi ng
aroundspr eadingHI VandIwasj ustat eenager .
Luckilymybr otherchadseent hemancomi ngt ot he
bathroom.Hehel pedmet hatday.Heki ckedt he
manar oundandt hrewst onesathi m andwar ned
himt oneverst epi ntot heyar dagai n.Mymot her
cri
edwhenshehear dwhathappenedbutnot hi ng
changed.Tot hisday, ifyougot oOl dNal ediand
askwher eMmaOat sl
ives,
evenachi l
dwil
lpoi
nt
youi nther ightdir
ecti
onafteraski
ngyougore'
ko
khading? 'Oatsdoesn'tevenvisi
thomeanymore.I
can'tletmychi l
drengrowupi nthatki
ndofpl
ace
Dikeledi.Ijustcan't
.

Thisishi
tt
inghomef orme.Ididn'
tknowAriehas
thissi
detoher.Idi
dn'tt
hinkshehadavulnerabl
e
sideatal
l.

Me:(cl
earmyt
hroat
)Whataboutyourchi
ldr
en'
s
f
ather?

Her:owai !Mxm mysoni s6year soldandhi sfather

wasmycl assmate.Theguydeni edt hepr egnancy
whenmyf amilywenttoseehi s.Hismot hertol
dmy
mot hertogoandaskt hemenshegat hersather
house.Thent her
eismy4yearol dbabygi r
l.I
st
ar teddat i
ngthi
sot herpet
rolattendantandhe
onlyt ol
dmehei smar ri
edafterItoldhi m aboutthe
pregnancy.AndwhenIt hi
nkofhowt heguyal ways
refusedt ouseacondom ( shakesherhead)Iwas
soi nlovewi t
hhi m Dikeledi.Thatwasi tforme.I
decidedt hent hatl
ovei snot hingbutaj oke.Ishoul
d
bei nmyt hi
rdyearrightnowbutbecauseoft hat
guyi tallwentt osh*t.WhenImetJol ene,Iwas
wai t
ressingandsheaskedmei fIwanthert o
changemyl i
fe.Ihaveneverr egret
teditbecause
sexhasal waysendedi nst r
essfuldisappointment
forme.Sowhynotmakemoneyoutofi t?

Me:Iwouldneverhaveguessedyouhavebeen
t
hroughthi
s.

Her:Shnukumsi fyouwr it
eyourmi sf
ortuneson
yourforeheadthenyouwi llj
ustbecomet hatgirl
whoi salwaysfeel
ingsor r
yforherselft
iringpeopl e
out.Ichoosetomaskmypai nsoIcanachi evemy
goalsinli
fe.I
fitdoesn'tcomeonapl at
inum pl at
ter
atbirt
hthenbabyyouhavet owor kforit.That'
s
whyIam aJoj odoll.Iam chasingtheli
feI
deservedtohavebutnevergotbecauseofwhoI
wasbornt
o.Sobabyi
fthesewigsandWeaveswi l
l
hel
pmegetther
e,t
henyoubestbelieveIam goi
ng
tot
hrowoneonandgettogri
nding.That'
sli
fe.

.
[
08/
31,
17:
35] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t17

Me:OKArieIneedyoutoexpl
ainsomethi
ngtome
her
e.It
houghtyousai
dwear egoingt
oJolene'
s
pl
ace.Wherearewe?

Her:(
laughs)Ohlove.Jol
enehas5housesinever
y
cor
nerofthiscountr
y.Shehasanot
herinSandton
andanotherinAbuDhabi.

Me:What
?How?
Her ;babygi rlJol eneisatt het opofhergame.She
hasgi rlsandcl i
ent salloverBot swanaandSout h
Af r
icaandherbei ngtheki ndofMadamet hat
makesyouenj oyyourhust l
eandal l
owsyout o
l
eavewheneveryouwantt omakesheroneoft he
mostsoughtaf terMadamesi nAf ri
ca.Jol enehas
money.Yesshecomesf rom oldmoneybutshe
alsohasherownmoney.Shecomesf r
om af ami l
y
ofRealEst at et ycoonswhi chi swhyt he
gover nmentdoesn' tquest i
onal lthepr oper t
yshe
hasbutJol enei sstinkingr i
ch.Andi tal lcomes
from this.I
magi nethis, Ionmyownmadeher24k
l
essmy8ki noneni ght .Wecur r
entlyhave49Joj o
dollsand30ofuswer eatt hatpar t
y.Tel lmehow
muchyout hinkshemadet hatoneni ghtal one.And
that'sjustfrom us.I fclientswantpr ivacyt heypay
forherr ooms.5kperr oom andbestbel ieveal lher
houseshave5bedr oomsandt heyar eal ways
booked.Di kel edi,Jolenehasmoneyt obur n.Thi sis
nothing.Herhousei nthedel taisl i
kesomet hing
etraxctedfrom abeachi nMi ami .Thesear ethebi g
l
eaguesbaby.Takei
tal
lin.

Takei tallinisri
ght.Thi
shousei sbreathtaking.I
didn'
tknowwehadmansi onsinBotswanabutyeah
thisi
sdef i
nitel
yamansi on.Andjustli
ket heother
house, thisoneisalsohiddenbehindt r
ees.She
mustl ovet reesbecausebothyardsar efullofthem
andt hel andscapi
ngi sj
usttopnotch.Iam
beginningt oseewhatAr iemeantbysayi ngt herei
s
noscentbet tert
hanmoney.Thi sisjustdivine.

Ari
eleadsmeintothehouseandIf
indmyself
fal
li
ngdeeperanddeeperf
orthi
shouse.Fort
he
womanwhoownsi t.

Me:I
sshemar
ri
ed?

Arie:Nope.Appar
ent
lyherboyf
rienddi
edi nacar
accidenttwent
yyear
sagoandt hethi
ngjustkil
led
thatpartofher
.Shehasn'
tbeeninarelat
ionshi
p
sincethattime.Shejusthaspleasurepart
nersand
focusesonherbusi nessandherson.Herboyf r
iend
diedwhileshewas7mont hspregnant
.Theshock
causedhert ogoi nt
oearlylabourandthebaby
almostdied.Hei severyt
hingtoherbecausesheis
thelastpieceofherheart.

Me:Wow.It
houghtIwast
hdonl
yonewi
thast
ory.

Her
:Iam wai
ti
ngt
ohearyour
syouknow.

Me:Whatmyst
ory?

Shenods.

Me:No.Iam notr
eadyt
oshar
ethatyet
.

Shel
ooksatmeandsmi
les.
Her :thet hingi sweal ltellourst oryatourSpl it
z
par ty.Jolenewant st oknowwhatourdr i
vingf orce
i
s.Whywear ehere.Soweshar eourst orywi tht he
gr oupandi tunit
esusasasi st
er hood.Her eist he
funnyt hingaboutt heSpl itzparty.Wheneveranew
memberj oinsthegr oup, shesel ects10ofusat
random andweeacht ellourstor ybef oretheyt ell
theirs.Jol enest art
edt het radit
ionwi t
hherf irst
gr oupofgi rlsandshesaysbyt het imet heylef t
,
theirst orieshadchanged.Theywentf rom what ever
sadst oryt heycamewi tht osayingt heyar eJoj o
girlsbecauset heywantt ohavemoney.Jol ene
realizedt hatt hemor ewet al
kaboutt hepai nthat
br oughtust oher,we'dwi ndupr eal i
zingthatt he
pai ndidn' texistanymor e.Themor eyout alkabout
somet hing, themor eit'simpactoveryour educes.
(laughs)If orgottoment ionthatJol enewasan
Indust rialPshcol ogymaj or.ShehasaMast ersand
ever ything.

Me:SowhyJoj
odol
lst
hen?
Her:Youwi l
lfi
ndoutyour
self
.Let'
sgo.I'm sur
e
everyoneiswaiti
ngonyou.Don'
tforgettoswitch
offyourphone.Youcannotbedist
ractedby
anything.

Shet henl eadsmedownast ai

rway.OKt hishouse
hasabasement .Passionsmademehat e
basement sandt hatwaswhenIdi dn' tknowt hey
existedinat ornadofreecount ryli
keBot swana.But
hereIam, wal kingdownt oone.Thinki ngof
Passi onsr emindsmeofMama.Mygr andmot her
hatedPassi on.She'dalwayssayIwaswat ching
evilt
hi ngs.Butcome5pm, orwasi t5: 30pm?Gr an
woul dbenextt omewat chingandcur si
ngKay.I
remembert hedayBat swanacompl ainedenough
fortheshowt obecutof f.Thatwaswheni thad
beenmovedt othelatehour s.Grancamet osit
downj ustint i
meandaf ter15mi nut esshewasl i
ke
"jaanongokaeKaywamol oi?"(wher eisKayt he
witch? )Shewassodi sappointedwhenIt ol
dheri t
hadbeencutof f.Ohmamawher ear eyounow?I '
m
her
ei nt
hisbasementseei
nghousesIneverknew
exi
stedandyouaregone.

Ther oom isful

lofscentedcandlesandt her
eare
cushionsscat t
eredallovert
heplace.Thereisal
so
apr oj
ectorscreenont heopposit
ewall.Thewhole
setupisbeaut i
fulandyou'dthi
nkitwasasl umber
party.ButwhatdoIknow?Maybei ti
s.

Me:Wher
eisever
yone?

Ari
e:Comeandt
akeaseatoverher
e.Theywi
llbei
n
her
ebefor
eyouknowi
t.

Shepointstoaswingchair
.Yes.Ther
eisaswi ng
chairi
nthebasement.Idon'
tevenknowifIshould
bel
ieveallt
hisi
sreal
lytr
ue.

Ar
ie:Iam comi
ng.Justwai
tther
eanddontmove.
Me:Ar
iewai
t!Wher
e..

Shei sgone.Shej ustopenedadoorneart he

project
orscr eenandl eftmei nar oom allal one.No.
ThisishowBet htri
edt oki l
lSher i
dan.Iam not
sti
ckingaroundf orthat.JustasIgetr eadyt ost and
up,asongst art
splaying.That 'swhenInot icet he
buil
tinspeaker sinthecei ling.Iknowt hissong.I t
's
AnewdayhascomebyCel ineDi on.Thedoor
opensandsomeyoungl adiescatwal kt hroughand
asfarasIcanseet heyhavebl acksilkthighl ength
gownswi t
hJoj odollembr oideredi ngoldwi t
ht heir
wigsspill
ingdownt heirshoul ders.Theyar eso
gorgeous.Eachandever yoneoft hem isj ust
beautif
ul.Thisisalitt
leint i
mi dating.Iam noteven
wear i
nganymakeup.Ar iesai dIwassayi ng
goodbyet oDi kel
ediandwel comi ngNadi ainher
ful
lnesssoIhadt ocomet ot hepar tyasDi keledi
andI '
dbel eavingasNadi a.Thegi rl
skeeppi l
ing
i
ntot heroom ast hesongkeepsonpl ayingt hrough
thespeaker s.
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
orsol
ong
Forami
racl
etocome
Ever
yonet
oldmet
obest
rong
Hol
donanddon'
tshedat
ear
Thr
oughdar
knessandgoodt
imes
IknewI
'
dmakei
tthr
ough
Andt
hewor
ldt
houghtIhadi
tal
l
ButIwaswai
ti
ngf
oryou

Hushnow
Iseeal
ighti
nthesky
Ohi
t'
sal
mostbl
indi
ngme
Ican'
tbel
ieveI
'
vebeent
ouchedbyanangel
Wi
thl
ove

Lett
her
aincomedown
Andwashawaymyt
ear
s
Leti
tfi
llmysoul
Anddr
ownmyf
ear
s
Leti
tshat
tert
hewal
ls
Foranewsun
Anewdayhascome

Wher
eitwasdar
knowt
her
e'si
sli
ght
Wher
ether
ewaspai
n,nowt
her
e'sj
oy
Wher
ether
ewasweakness,
Ifoundmyst
rengt
h
Al
lint
heeyesofaboy

Hushnow
Iseeal
ighti
nthesky
Ohi
t'
sal
mostbl
indi
ngme
Ican'
tbel
ieveI
'
vebeent
ouchedbyanangel
Wi
thl
ove…….
.
Asthegir
lsli
neupoppositeme, Ifi
nall
yseeAr i
e.
Shechangedintothegowntooandshei sholdi
ng
oneinherhand.BehindherIseeJolene.Sheis
weari
ngamat chinggownbuther siskneelengt
h.I
l
ovehowcl assysheseemst oal
waysl ook.

Arie'
ssmil
eisi
nfecti
ousandIret
urni
tasshewal
ks
towardsmewit
ht hegown.Themusicst
opsand
sheclear
shert
hroat.

Her:Mydar li
ngdoll,t
odayisyournewday.Thi sis
theydayyougett ochangewhateveroddst hat
havebeenst ackedagainstyou.It'
syourt urnt o
changeyourownl i
fe.It
'sti
met obet heyout hatcan
contr
olt heoutcomeofherl i
fe.Todayyoubecome
adoll.Youwi l
lwearwhatyouwantwhenyouwant
andhaveal lthemoneyt odoi t
.Justlikeabr abie
doll
,youwi l
lbecomet hemostwant eddoll.Like
barbi
e, ever
yonewillwanttohaveyoubutnotal l
canaf f
or daJojodollbecausewear et hebest .
Therestoft
hel
adi
esst
artcl
appi
ngl
ight
lyasIput
thegownon.

Jolene:wel comet oyournewhomemyl ove.Iam

Jolene.Thef ounderoft hismoneymaker .I
mai ntainanumberof50gi r
lsineachcount ryI
oper atein.50i sani cegol dennumberandi talso
bringsi nt hebi gmoney.Ist artedJoj ogi rl
s5year s
agobecauseIwant edtomakemoney.Idon' thave
anyhear tfeltstoryaboutwhyIhavet hisbusiness.I
justwant edt ogetr i
ch.Ri chert hanmypar ents.
That '
sal lIhaveeverwant edandIr eali
zedIhada
talentint hebusi nessofsat isfyingclientsand
empl oyees.That 'swhymydoori salwaysopenf or
yout ol eave.Ineverwantt of orceanyonei nto
anyt hi
ngbecauseIbel i
evei nsexual freedom.Joj o
dol l
shostsomeoft hebiggestcl i
entsint hegame
becauseourconf identi
ali
tyi sunmat ched.Our
cli
ent sknowt hatadoct orcanst ar
ttelli
ngt hewor l
d
aboutt hei rembar rassingi ll
nesseswaybef or
ewe
coul deverevenment i
onknowi ngthem.That 'sisall
Iexpectf r
om you.Ihavesai ditbeforeandIwi l
l
keepsayi ngit.Conf i
dent
iali
tyisthesecr etofour
successandi fyoudar emesswi t
ht hat,well
t hen
youwi llbegintounder st
andwhypeopl ealwayssay
color edsar ecrazy.Iam ni ceunt i
lIam not .(
smi l
es)
Nowenj oythisni ght.Tonightisallaboutyou.
Toni ghtyousepar ateyourselffr
om theol dyouand
becomeawhol enewyou.That 'swhyi t'
scalleda
Spiltzpar ty.Youspl i
twit
ht heoldyou.Youdevel op
awhol enewper sonawhi chcomesaf teryouhave
shar edyourst ory.Ihavechosen10gi r
lstoshar e
theirst ori
eswhi let heycreatethenewyou.Have
funmypet .

Iam justsi
tt
ingherewai t
ingforwhateveri
st o
come.Thesepeoplecl earl
ytakethiswholethi
ngs
seri
ouslysoIam alreadyintr
igued.Oneofthegir
ls
comesupt ome.Shei sholdi
ngmake- upinher
hand.Shestartst
alkingtomewhi l
eapplyi
ng
foundati
ononmyf ace.I t
'ssoawkwar dbutwhat
canIdo?.
Her:Hi .MynamewasAmant l
e.IbecameaJoj oa
yearago.Iwasmar ri
edyoung.Iam 25year sol d
now.Igotmar riedwhenIwas21.Iwassoi nl ove
withmyhusbandt hatIwasbl i
ndt oever ythingmy
mot hert riedWar ningmeabout .Imar riedhim
againstmypar ent '
swi shesandhadachi ldwi t
h
himi nourf irstyearofmar r
iage.Themanchanged
compl et elywhi leIwasi nconf i
nement .Icameback
tomyhouset ofindawomansl eepi nginmybed.I
washol dingoursoni nmyar msandt her eshewas.
Myni ght mar eint heflesh.WhenIaskedmy
husband, whatwasgoi ngoni nmyhousehesai dit
wasmyf aultandaskedmewhyIdeci dedt oget
pregnantsoear l
yi nthemar ri
age.Hesai dhe
neededsomeonewhi leIwasbusyget ti
ngf atinmy
mot her 'shouse.Thef oolIwasst ayedwi thhim.I
didn'twantt of ailsoear lyinmar r i
age.The
foll
owi ngyear ,Ifoundhi m ontopofourhel peri n
thesi ttingr oom.I ….(clearsthroat )Icouldn'tbel i
eve
whatmyeyeswer eshowi ngme.Heapol ogizedand
Istayed.At leastt hat'
swhathet hought .Iwas
maki ngpl anst oleavehi m.Imovedmysont omy
mot her 'spl aceandl ookedf oraj obasamai d.I
wentfrom li
vinginmyownhouset ocleani
ng
someoneel se's.Idi
vorcedhim whi
leworki
ngasa
maidandi twasal lt
hankst omyboss.Sheleftt
he
dol
lsjustafterIhadjoined.Ri
ghtnow,Iam backon
myfeetandl ivingwit
hmysonagai n.IwasAmant l
e.
Iam nowAmy.

Wow.Ij ust…Wow. .Anotheronecamef or

ward.At
thispoi
ntIdon' tknowwhatshei sholdingbuti
t'
s
tooyell
owf ormyski n.Idon'
twanttolookli
kemy
neckdivorcedmyf ace.ButIdarenotspeak.She
start
sappl yingthethingonmycheekbones.Iam
verywor r
ied.

Her:MynamewasBoi pel
o.Iwaswor kingataBank
forfouryears.Ihadt
akenoutsomanyusel ess
l
oansbecauseIhaveal wayslovedthelavish
l
ifestyl
e.Honey,Iowedeveryone.Ievenbor rowed
moneyf rom thegaur
datwor k.Loanshar kswer e
alwaysbur ni
ngupmyphone.Ihadacousi nwhose
formerclassmatewasal waysflaunt
ingthehi ghli
fe
shelivesandIwant editsobadt hatIfollowedthe
gir
lonI nst
agram andevent ual
lyaskedherwher e
shewor ked.I
ttooksomet imef orhertot ellme
becauseshe'dsaidt heyhadnoopeni ngsyet .When
oneoft hegir
lslef
t,sheDMedmeandt hat'showI
becameadol l.Ipai
dupal lmydebt swi thintwo
yearsandIam nowl ivi
ngthelif
eIhaveal ways
wantedandIowenooneatal l
.Iam happy.Iwas
Boipelo.Mynamei snowNi ckey.

Shesmi lesandwal ksback.Mor eoft heladies

comef orwardandt el
lmet heirst
or i
eswhi le
wor kingonmyf ace, handsandf eet.Eachonei s
diff
er entfr
om theot herandIcanr elatet
osomeof
them.Byt hetimet heyar edonetelli
ngmet heir
stories,Jolenetakesmyhandandl eadsmewi th
myeyescl osedt oacei li
ngtof l
oorl engt
hmi r
ror
.
WhenIopenmyeyesIam mor eshockedt hanIwas
thedayAr iedidmymakeup.Theyevenputf alse
l
ashesonme.Myeyesf eelsoheavybutt heshock
ofhowIl ookoverpower 'sme.
Jol
ene:I
t'
snowyourt
urnt
otel
luswhoyouwer
e
andwhoyouare.

Aft
eral
lthest
oriesIhaveheard,
Ifeelmor
e
comfor
tabl
etotellt
hem ever
ythi
ng.

Me:( looki ngatmysel fint hemi rror)Mynamewas

Di keledi .Agi rlwhosebi rt
hki l
ledhermot herand
wasdumpedatherf ather'spar ent'sdoorst ep.A
girlwhosegr andfathert urnedi ntoawomanatt he
ageofei ght.Ihavehadf i
veabor ti
ons.Thel astone
near l
yki lledmebutIguessi twasn' tmyt imeyet .
Myf atherwant ednot hingt odowi thmeunt ilmy
grandmot hergotbeat enupbymygr andfatherf or
tryingt ohel pmeescapeaf ter10year sofsexual
abuse.Mygr andmot herdi edt ryingtosaveme.My
rapi stisi njailandmyf athertol dmehewant edmy
mot hert oabor tme.Het oldmeIki l
ledherbecause
sher efusedt oki l
lmeandhewi shedIhaddi edwi th
her .WhenIcamet oGabor one,Ididn' twantt obe
thatgi rlanymor e.(cr
ying)Iwant edtof orgeti tallso
Ichangedmynamet oNadia.Theonl yreasonIam
hereisbecauseIdon'twantt
of eell
ikear apevi
cti
m
anymore.Iwanttotakebackmysexual
experi
ences.WhenIam done,Iwi l
lleave.WhenI
don'tt
hinkofNtat
ewhenamant ouchesme, Iwil
l
l
eave.That'
sallIwant.Iwanttoforget.Iwanttobe
Nadia.

Thecr
yingwon'
tst
op.Jol
enehol
dsmeinherar
ms
asIcr
y.Ohwell
.Ther
egoesmymakeup.

[
08/
31,
17:
35] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t18

Mor
ena:Ar
eyour
eady?

Inodmyheadandbr
eat
heout
.Idon'
tact
ual
lyknow
howr eadyIam f orthis.Heopenst hedoorf orme
tostepout.Icant el
lhei sst i
lldi
sappoint
edt hatI
didn'
tweart hedresshegotme.Ideci dedtowear
thedressSam gotmei nsteadbecauseIl oveit
mor ethantheoneMor enagotmeormaybeIl ove
themanmor e.Heaskedmewher eIgotitandIsai d
i
twasagi f
tf orpassingf orm 5.

Het akesmyhandandl eadsmei ntot heweddi ng

venue.Wear eataGol fEstateandthepl aceisjust
gorgeous.Ihaveneverthoughtofmydr eam
weddi ngbutthi
ssetti
ngher eissogoodt hatIcan
almostpictur
emysel fgett
ingmar r
iedher e.Aswe
walkintotheparlor
,Iseehugepor traitsofacoupl e.
Itmustbet hebri
deandgr oom.Mor enahol dsmy
waistaswest andbyt heentrancetoconf ir
m our
att
endancewi ththeushers.Theygot hrought heli
st
ofnamesandt i
ckMor ena'snameof fthenhe
l
eavest hegif
thebr oughtwiththem asweheadi n.

Thi
slooksl
ikeoneoft
hosevi
deosyouseeof
Niger
ianweddings.Theli
ght
ingisapurpl
ehueand
thedecori
sjustamazing.Morenahugsandfi
st
bumpsacoupl eofpeoplewhil
eint
roduci
ngmeto
them.

Gi
rl
:Lor
dshi
p,di
dyouguysgot
otheboot
h?

Hi
m:(
Laughs)WasShar
onser
iousaboutt
hat
?

Her:Yes!AegoLordshi
p.She'
dbehur
ttonotsee
yourfaceamongthepict
ures.

Iam st
andi
nghereconf
usedandwai t
ingfor
someonetotel
lmewhattheyaretal
kingabout
.
Morenatur
nstomewhilelaughi
ng.

Morena:Babel
et'
sgot
akesomepi
ctur
esi
nthe
phot
obooth.
Me:OK.

Idoubthei st
alki
ngaboutanact ualphotobooth
becausehow?Whenwest epoutintothegarden
areaIreal
izethatt
herereall
yisanotherhal
fthat
l
ivesdiff
erentfr
om us.Thereisanactualphoto
boothhere.

Me:Morenahowri
charet
hesepeopl
e?Thi
svenue,
t
hedecorandnowthi
s?

Mor ena:(shrugs)Ah.Iguessyoucouldsaytheyare
ri
ch.Idon' treal
lyl
ookatallt
hat.Mycousinwas
studyingint heUKwher eshemetthemanshei s
mar ryi
ngt oday.HeisGhanaiansotheywil
lbe
celebrati
ngi nGhanaintwoweeksbef or
egoing
backt otheUK.Shei sforci
ngmet ogothere.Shei
s
myf avoritecousinsoshethinksshecangetmet o
doanyt hingshewant s.Sheisli
keasist
ertomy
brother'
sandIsosheknowsIcan' tsayno.
Il
ookathim andIcan'
thelpbutadmiret
hesmi
leon
hi
sface.Morenaisawellcraf
tedspeci
menofman.
Wewal kintotheboothandstar
ttaki
ngpictur
es
wit
hsi l
lyposesandusingsomeoft hepropsinthe
booth.Mybr eat
hhikesupwhenhi sgroi
nrubs
agai
nstmybut t
.Hemovesandr ubsmeagai nand
i
tti
cklesmyyoni .Idon'
tthi
nkhereali
zestheeff
ect
heishavingoverme.

Me:Whyhaven'
twehadsexyet
?

Whatthehelldi
dIjustsay?Thet hi
ngisIwasjust
supposedtothi
nkit.Notblurtitout!OhmynertsI
needtorunaway.Toj usthide.Ilookathi
minthe
mirr
orinsi
detheboothandIcanseehei sj
ustas
shocked.

Hi
m:what
?
Ohwell
,Ihaveleti
toutsoI'
ll
justhavet
ori
dethi
s
out
.Maybehecanadmi theisn'
tattr
act
edt
omeso
whencanendt hi
sandIcanfocusonschool,
Sam
andmyjourneytofor
gett
ing.

Me:Are…Areyounotattract
edt
ome?Younever
evensuggestanyt
hing.

Him:Nadia…I…Ofcour seIam attr

actedt oyou.
Whywoul dIbewi t
hyoui fIam not?Ijustthought
wearestil
lgett
ingtoknoweachot her.Ididn'twant
youfeel
ingpressuredwhenwej ustmetaweekago.
Iwasbeingagent l
eman.

Me:(l
ooki
ngdown)Wel li
tmakesmef eell
ikeyou
don'
twantmelikethatanditmakesmewonder
whywear et
ogetherthen.Becauseifyoudon'tthi
nk
Iam at
tr
acti
vet
henweshoul djustendt hi
s.

Hef
rownsandchuckl
es.Idon'
tunder
standt
his
chuckl
e.Iwasj ustabouttoaskwhyhei slaughi
ng
atmewhenheshakeshi sheadandpul lsmeoutof
thebooth.Thepeoplestandingneartheboothgi
ve
usawkwar dlooks.Iam notsurei
fit'
sbecausethey
heardtheconversati
onwewer ehavingorbecauseI
am bei
ngdr aggedacrossthelawnbyat allman.

Me:Mor
enawher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?

Hei
sn'
ttal
kingt
ome.Hej
ustpul
lsmeal
ong.

Me:Areyout
aki
ngmehome?I
sthi
showyouend
t
hings?

Si
lence.

Me:can'
tyouj
ustbeci
vilabouti
t?
OkayI'
l
ljustshutupnowbecauseIl
ookl
ikeacr
azy
per
sontalki
ngtoamut eman.Ifhei
sgoi
ngtodr
ive
usoutofhereinsil
encet
hensobeit.

Hekeepspul l
ingmealonguntilwegettoaf
ront
desk.Hepullshiswall
etoutandtakeshi
scar
dout,
al
lthewhileholdi
ngmywr i
stwit
honehand.He
handsthebankcar doverandsmilesatt
hewoman
bythefrontdesk.

Mor
ena:I
'
dli
kear
oom pl
ease.

Woman:OKsi r
.Letmecheckwhatwehave
avai
labl
e.Theweddi
ngpart
yhasusalmostf
ull
y
booked.

Shet hengoesbackt ocl i

ckingont hekeyboard
whileaskingforMor ena'sspecif
icati
ons.
Meanwhi leIam juststandingthereli
keaconvi ct
tr
yingt oescape.Oncet heyaredone, heisgivena
keycar
dandof
fwego.Thi
smanst
il
lhasn'
tspoken
awordtome….

HereIam st
andi
nginthemi
ddl
eofahotelr
oom
wit
hat went
yfi
veyearol
dangr
ylooki
ngman
l
ooseninghi
sti
e.

Him:Nadia,whatdidIsaytoyouwhenIaskedyou
out?Itol
dyouIam notgivingyouachoicedidn'
tI?
Itol
dyouIwon'ttakenof orananswerbecause
beli
eveitornot
,Il
oveyou.IloveyouNadiaandit'
s
i
nsanebecausewej ustmetandIl oveyouasifI
haveknownyoual lmylif
e.Iloveyouandyoutell
me…

Hechuckl esandunbut tonshisshi r

tthentakesi
f
offandt hrowsi
tont hebedandohJesot hisman…
Ican'thelpbutdrool.Hisarmsar esodef i
nedand
thevesthei swearingiscli
ngingont ohisbody.He
doesn'thavethatexercisejunkietypeofbody.He
hasaman' sbody.Asi tdownl etmemassageyou
t
ypeofbody.Iki
ndofwantt
ogr
abhi
sar
msbuthe
l
ooksangr
y.

Mor ena:doyouhaveanyideahowmuchIwant ed
totearyourclothesof
fasIwat chedyoul
ooki
ngat
yourbagst hedaywemet ?Istoodtheref
orfi
ve
minutesbef or
eIevenspoketoyouandyoucome
nowandt el
lmeIam notatt
ractedtoyou?

Me:Youdon'
tshowi
tsoIt
hought
-

Hecut smeof fwi thabr eathtakingkiss.Hisfingers

aredeepi nmyhai ral mostcar essingmyscal pasI
runmyhandsal ongt hear msIhavebeendyi ngt o
feel.JustasIam del vingintothepl easureofhi s
kiss,hestopsandt ur nsmear oundsot hatIam
facingawayf rom him.Ohhi stongue!Hi stongue
runsal ongthenapeofmyneckasheunzi psmy
dress.Ishutmyeyesandt akeinthepl easureofhis
kissalongmyshoul derwhent hedr essfall
sof fof
me.Hi shandt ravelsdownmywai stashesl i
des
hi
shandintomypantymakingmybreathhike.Just
asIam r
eadytorecei
vehi
slongbeauti
fulf
inger,
he
pul
lsi
toutandpushesmypantiesof
fand
#EXPLI
CIT…..

Wef inal
lycat
chourbr
eathesandIwasj
ustabout
tostandupwhenMor enapull
smebackdownand
getsont opofme.

Morena:I
fyouevert ellmeIam notat
tr
actedt
oyou
agai
n,Iwil
lnotletyougount i
lyouaresonumb
downtherethateveryonewil
lknowyougot
puni
shed.

Me:(
sof
tl
y)Iam get
ti
nghor
nyagai
n.

Helaughsandst andsup.Idon'
tknowwhyhe
t
hinksIam j
okingbecauseIam veryseri
ous.I
f
oll
owhi mtothebat hr
oom andwatchhim washhi
s
manhood.Ican'thelpbutbi
temylipandenjoyt
he
show.Hel
ooksatmeandl
aughsagai
n.

Hi
m:Don'tdot
hatbabe.Wehavet
ogot
othe
weddi
ng.

Me:OKt
hencanwecomebackher
eaf
ter
?

Him:(smilesandwi peshimself)Idon'tseewhynot.
Ihavethisroom ti
llt
omor rowatnoonsowecan
sl
eepher eifyouwant .Nowgetcl eanedupbef or
eI
star
tgetti
ngcallsfr
om mypar entsaskingmei fI
am real
lyplanni
ngonmi ssingSharon'swedding.

°
°°° °
°°°

OKIdon'
tknowwhatthisisbutIam socl
ingynow.
Ij
ustwantt
ofeel
him nextmealltheti
me.Hekeeps
l
aughi
ngatmebutIdon'tcare.
Hi
m:Come.Wehavet
hesamet
abl
easmypar
ent
s.

Myj
oint
sjustwentcol
d.

Me:Babewhatdoyoumean?Ican'
tshar
eat
abl
e
wi
thyourpar
ents.

Him:(ti
lt
shisheadandsmi l
es)Ebil
eI'
m babenow.
Soyouj ustneededagoodshagt ogetyouinorder
myqueen?Owor se!Don'
tworry,Iwil
lrewardyou
forenduri
ngmypar ent
s.Youwi l
lbesingi
ngall
nightt
onight.

Ili
ghtl
ysmackhi sar
m andlaugh.Ijusthavet
o
acceptwhatisabouttohappenherebecauseIwant
tosing.Imean,noquest
ionaboutthat.

Wegett
oaveryloudtabl
e.Thesepeoplear
eallout
ofor
der
.That
'sal
lIknow.IspotKgosisoIknowfor
sur
ethi
sishi
sfami
l
y'st
abl
e.

Morena:Bat
hongyouar
einpubli
c!Event
he
par
entsarel
oudert
hanthechi
ldr
en?

Man:Heywenayourswi
ne!I
sthi
sthet
imet
ocome?

Woman:Andhetri
estoactli
keamoni
torher
eka
mat
lhookarepi
li
siyatl
hogo.

Thewholetableeruptsi
nlaught
er.EvenMorenai
s
l
aughing.IwanttolaughbutIdon'
twanttoseem
toof
orward.

Woman:(looksatmeser
iousl
y)Whati
sit
?Am I
bor
ingyou?

Me:um…No
Thatt
imeIl
ongl
eftMor
ena'
sar
m.

Her
:Sowhatisit
?Morenadoyoufeedher?Maybe
t
hepoort
hingishungr
yandcan'
tlaugh.

Theyl
aughagai
nandIj
ustwantt
ocr
y.

Morena:Mamatlhemmastopit
.Kanashewil
ltake
youseri
ousl
y.Thisi
swhyIneveri
ntr
oduceanyone
toyou.Whati
fshedumpsme?

Sothi
sishi
smother
?Shest
andsupandmakesher
waytomeandhugsme.

Her:Nnyaar
rai
fyoudon'
thavegamedon'tcome
andblameme.I
fyougetdumpedbyherthenit
'son
you.
Man:It
'sal
lonthewaistson.Lethekahel
a.Youwi
ll
havehercl
ingi
ngtoyoulikeatick.

Heel
ang!Ever
yonel
aughsasmor
eembar
rassmemt
washesoverme.

Morena:Aewhenwilltherecepti
onst
art
?Maybe
youguyswil
lkeepquietandst opembar
rassi
ngme.
Inf
act,Nadi
alet
'sgositwithmycousins.

Hi
smot herpul
lsmeawayandsitsmenextt
oher
af
terchasi
ngayoungerver
sionofMor
enaaway.

Her:AkoosutehaKgot l
a(moveawayKgotla)how
wil
lyougetgirl
sifyoukeepact
ingl
ikeIst
il
l
br
eastfeedyou?Tswaha.

Agai
never
yonel
aughsandIj
oini
nasIt
akeaseat
nextt
oher
.Morenahasadef eat
edl
ookonhi
sface
andmoveshi
sbrotheragai
nsohesit
snextt
ome.

Morena:IknewIwasgoi ngtoregr
ett
his.You
peopl
earetheki ndthathavetomeetsomeone
whenyouar etoldtogoandpaymagadi( l
obol
a).
Howdoyout akemygi rl
fri
endawayMmaagwe
Kgosi
?

Man:Jaanongoalel
a?(soar
eyoucryi
ngnow?)
Wipeyourtear
sandi
ntr
oduceusbef
oreKgot
laa
i
tseel
akaphoso.

Mor
enal
aughsandhol
dsmyhand.

Morena:Ever
yone,
thi
sisNadi
a.Shei
smy…My
queen.

Theyal
lcl
apmaki
ngmebl
ush.
Mor ena:(
startspointingaroundthetable)Your
ki
dnapperi smymot her,
theonewhowant st ogive
youawayt omyl itt
lebrotheri
smyf ather,youhave
metKgosi .That'shiswi f
eChantell
e.Theirtwoki ds
BogoloandBof elobutasyoucansee, Chant el
leis
pregnantagai nsoKgosil iedt
oher.Act uall
yhedi d
l
ieaboutget ti
ngavasect omywhichiswhyI
suggestedt heynamet hechil
dVaseyi fit
'sagirl
andTommyi fit
'saboy.

Ever
yonelaughsandKgosit
hrowsanapki
nat
Morena.

Mor ena:Trut
hhurtskana.Thenthati
sBogosiand
hi
sl adyTlotl
oandtheirki
ds,Tl
amelo,Leanoand
Loago.Thent hi
speabr ai
nismyyoungestbr ot
her
Kgot l
a.Thisi
stheMor enafamil
y.Thi
siswhoIam.
Butdon' tj
udgetooharshl
ybasedont hem because
Ipromi seIam t
hecalmerone.
Al
l:Owai
!

Laughterbr
eaksoutagai
n.Thelovear oundthi
s
tabl
eissothickyoucanalmosttouchit.Event
he
brot
her'swomenlooksocomf or
table.Marri
edor
not,
theyseem tobeone.Iwantthis.

Pleasepl
easepleasedon'
tfor
gettoli
ke,
comment
andshare.Thi
sjourneyi
sstil
lfarsot
agyour
fr
iendssotheyjoi
nin
[
08/
31,
17:
35] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t19

Tl
otl
o
"BogosiIdon'
tevenknowwhyIbot hergoi
ngt
o
yourf
ami l
ygather
ingsbecauseal
litdoesi
smake
melooklikeafool
."

Him:youaretheonewhoinsi
stedoncomi
ngwit
h
me.Ihonestl
ydidn'
twantt
ohavetogothr
oughal
l
thi
snonsensewithyou.Whydi
dyouevenwantt
o
comewithmet hen?

Me:Becauseyoual
waysb*tchar
oundwhenIam
nott
here!WhydoIevenst
aywithyou?Why?

Hi
m:Goodquest
ion.

Myhear
tbr
eaksandt
ear
swel
lup.

Me:Canwejustgett
heki
dsfrom Chant
ell
e'
s.Iam
noti
nthemoodforcompany.
Him:Youwi lldr
opmeof fandgohome.Don'tt
ry
cutt
ingthefunmychi l
drenarehavi
ngwit
hthei
r
cousinsjustbecauseyouareinamood.Idon'
t
knowwhyyouar eevenwithmeifyouhatemy
family.

Iam notgoi ngtorespondanymor e.Bogosineeds

tojustdie.That '
sallIwanthi mt odor i
ghtnow.I
alsodon' tevenknowwhyIam st il
lwithhim.Thr ee
childreninandIam st il
lsi
ngle.Ont opofthat,Iget
cheat edonmor eti
mest hanapr egnantdog.Iam
pret t
ysureMor enawi llmar r
ythatNadiagirlway
bef oreIam mar ri
ed,ifIeveram.Bei nginthis
relati
onshipi sl
ikebeingt ohellandbackona
wheel barrow.IjustwishIdi dn'
tlovehim anymor e.
Thi siswhatIgetf orbei ngwiththeguyever yone
want edinhi ghschool .Surel
yyoudeser vebetter
thant hi
sTl otl
o.

Wefinal
lydr
ivei
ntot
heyardandever
yonestar
ts
pi
li
ngoutofthei
tcar
s.TheMorenaBrot
hersdothi
s
allt
hetimewhent heyhavet oattendanevent .Aft
er
theevent,
wegat heratKgosi '
shouseforabr aai.I
t'
s
anicegather
ingandal lbutitmakesmef eellike
crapsoIam notat t
endingtoday.Letmesaybyet o
Chantyandthenewgi rlsoIdon'tseem rude.Iwalk
overtoChantel
lewhoi srubbingherbigbump.

Me:HeybabeIam headi
nghomet
lhemma.

Her
:What
?Tl
otl
owhy?

Me:Iam j
ustexhaust
ed.(
toNadia)Ihopeyoudon'
t
mi
nddroppingBogosiandtheki
dsaf t
er.

Nadi
anodsherhead.

Chant
ell
e:Heywenastopbeingdramati
c.Whati
s
ti
ri
ngaboutahot
elweddingwhenwedi dn'
teven
havet
osweatoverfi
re?HetaIhavelot
sofwineand
you'
l
ldr
inkf
ormet
oo.

Ichuckleandf oll
owt hepr egnantbody.Iki ndof
knewshewasn' tgoingt oletmego.Chant elleis
bossyandal waysget sherwaybutt henshei salso
sosweett hatyoudon' tevenr ealizeshei sbossi ng
youar ound.Shei st heclosestt hi
ngIhavet oabest
fri
end.Wehaveknowneachot herf or15year s.She
foundmebutgotmar r
ied13year sagoandIam
sti
llhere.Thevi l
lagegaur d.Isomet imeswonderi fI
woul dstil
lbewi thBogosii fIhadgonet oUni versity
l
ikeChant el l
e.Iwast oobusybei ngt heperf ect
gir
lfri
endt oBogosit hathebecamemysol e
purpose.Evenwhenheaskedmet omovei naf t
er
ourf i
rstchild,Iranl i
keacatonf i
r e.Iwasn' teven
will
ingtolistent omymot herwhowar nedmeabout
cohabi t
ati
on.Shet oldmehowmanymenl eave
woment heyst ayundert hesamer oofandmar ry
anotheraf teryoui ronedt heirweddi ngshi rtwhi l
ehe
tol
dyouhei sabest man.Iwoul dki llhim.Bogosi
woul ddieonhi shoneymooni fhet r
iest hatbul lwith
me.Iam nott heone.
Chantel
let
akessomewineoutandplacesi
tonthe
tabl
e.Ir
eachfori
tandpoursomeint
omygl ass.

Me:Doyoui
ndul
genana?

ShenodsherheadandIpoursomewhi l
eChantell
e
war mssomehotwi ngs.IfChickenLi ckenhasn't
madehert hei
rambassadororgi veherdi scounts
bynowt henther
eisnol oyalty.Sheeat schicken
l
ickeneverydaywhenshei spr egnant.Isomet i
mes
feelsor
ryforKgosithr
eepr egnanciesl ater
.

Me:Sowher
ear
eyouf
rom nana?

Sheshi
ft
suncomf
ort
abl
ypl
aci
nghergl
assbackon
thet
abl
e.

Chant
ell
e:Noyouar
en'
tgoi
ngt
ost
arti
nter
rogat
ing
t
hegi
rlwhenshej
ustt
ookherf
ir
stsi
p.

Me:Ao…Howi sget
ti
ngt
oknowsomeonean
i
nter
rogat
ion?

Chantel
le:Youseem t
oforgetIhavebeenwhere
sheisbefore.Yougr
il
ledmehar dthefi
rstt
imewe
met.

Me:(si
pmywi ne)Ohcomeon.Thatwasdi f
ferent
.I
wasusedt oKgosi
'
sexsoIwant edtoknowifyou
hadsnatchedhi
mf rom herornot.

Shegivesmeat
ightsmi
leandgoesbackt
oher
wings.

Me:Youdon'
tmi
ndmeaski
ngdoyouNadi
a?
Her
:Umm…No…

Me:OKthenhowaboutyoutellmeaboutyour
sel
f.
Wheredi
dyoumeetMor ena?Wasn'
thedating
someLeagir
ljustl
astweek?

Chantel
le:Tlotl
o!Maybeyoushoul
dgoandr estl
ike
you'
dsai d.Idon'tknowwhyyouar
ealwaysliket
his
aft
erweddi ngs.Youaren'
tbei
ngni
ceTlot
lo.

Me:(sigh)Iam sor ry.Ij

ust…Chant ywhywon' the
mar r
yme?Orbr eakupwi thmeatl east?Af ter
seventeenyearst ogether?Imeanwehaveaf i
fteen
yearolddaughterwhoasksmei fherfatherl oves
me.Thr eechil
drenChant elle?Iwaseight eenwhen
wemet .NowIam anunempl oyedthir
tyf i
veyear
oldmot heroft
hr ee.Whatwi l
lIdo?Wher ewi l
lIstart
?
(cr
ying)Iam sot ir
edChant ybutwher edoIgof rom
here?Kedi r
ejang?Igavehi m myl i
fe,myhear tand
mybody.Hi schildrengavemest r
etchmar ks.What
manwi l
lhavemenow?Huh?Whatwi llIdo?
Chant
ell
e:Sodoyouwantt ol
eavehi
m now?Ar
e
youfi
nal
lyreadyt
oleave.

Ishakemyheadandshesighs.Il
oveBogosiso
much.Howdoyouleavesomeoneyoulove?Doyou
j
ustgo?

Me:Iam sot i
redoffeeli
ngjeal
ousofotherwomen
andwonder i
ngwhatt heyhavethatIdon't
.Imean
theminut
eIsawNadi a,Icoul
dalreadyseeherwi
th
aringonherfingereleMr sMorena.Whataboutme?
Whenwi l
litbemyt urn?

Nadi
aclear
shert
hroatasi
fshewant
stospeakbut
cl
oseshermout
h.

Me:(
wipi
ngmyt
ear
s)Youcant
alk.Idon'
tbi
te.
Her:Ithi
nksomet imesit'
sbet t
ertoletgooft hings
youcan'thavebecauseyouenduphur t
ingyour sel
f
withgreatexpectati
onsfrom someonewhodoesn' t
eventhinkaboutyou.Ihavel earntthatl
et t
inggoof
peoplewhodon' tcareaboutyousavesyourhear t
becausespendingyear slongingforsomet hingor
someonet hatsleepswellwhet heryouar ether
eor
notwast esyourli
feaway.

Me;( scoffing)Soyoulear
ntthatfr
om what?Your
twelveyear soflif
e?Thesearegrownupissues
l
itt
legi r
l.Dr i
nkyourwineandkeepquiet
.Kana
maybeyourdr i
nkingi
sevenill
egal
.Kanabo
Mor enabaSel aSelal
ebokgwamashit otaba
meririedi kgobeMxm.(Mor enagoesarounddati
ng
chil
dr enwi thunkempthai
r)

Chant
ell
e:(
hit
sthetabl
e)Tl
otl
o!Youar
etheone
whotol
dhertospeak!

Thatt
rul
ywasuncal
ledf
or.Thet
rut
hjustt
endst
o
beabitt
erpil
ltoswal low.Ihaveabadt endencyof
speaki
ngfi
rstandt hinkinglat
er.Especi
all
yif
someoneisput t
ingmyl i
feunderami cr
oscope.
Li
ketheysay,ignorancei sbli
ssandIam swi mming
i
nit.

Me:Iam sor
rynana.

Di
kel
edi

ThisiswhatIgetforopeningmymouth.Morena
j
usthadt oi
nsistoncominghereaft
ertheweddi
ng.
Ithoughtwewoul dgostrai
ghtt
othehotelr
oom
andwearourselvesoutallni
ghtl
ong.

Tl
otl
o:Tl
hemmaIsai
dIam sor
ry.

Me:I
t'
sfi
ne.
Chantel
le:Don'tmi
ndhersweet
y.Herbar
kisl
ouder
thanherbite.

Ismil
eandpul
lmyphoneoutofmypockett
otext
Morena.

[
babewhenar
ewegoi
ng?Ican'
tfocusonanyt
hing
her
e]

Herepl
iesi
nlessthanaminut
e.Idon'
twanthi
m
knowi
ngIdon'tl
ikehi
sbr
other
'sgir
lf
ri
end.

[ met
oobabe.Justgi
veme30mi
nut
es]

Ican'
thelpbutsmil
e.God'scr
eati
onishi
ghly
cel
ebrat
edinmybooks.Iam getti
ngwetjust
thi
nki
ngaboutthegreatt
imewehadear l
ier
.Iam no
l
ongerfocusedonwhattheseladi
esaret
alki
ng
about
.ThisTlot
looneistoosourformyl
iki
ng.Iam
clearl
yabadj udgeofchar act
erbecauseIt hought
theywereallsuchal ovingfamily.Butthenagai n,
whoknowshowdeepherscar sar e.Whoam It o
j
udge?Weal lcopewi t
houri ssuesi ndif
ferent
ways.Inevert houghtIwouldeverf i
ndmysel f
enjoyi
ngsexi nanunendi ngyear ningtoalwaysget
thatsexualhealingbutlookwher ewear enow.

Chantell
e:Heelang.Nadia,Morenahasyouona
hooktlhemma.Howcanyoubebl ushi
ngandbiti
ng
yourli
psinf r
ontofyourbigsist
ersli
kethi
s?Kana
thesebrother
sareallt
hesame.I fyoudon'twat
ch
yoursel
fyouwi l
lwindupwal ki
ngaroundthehouse
nakedalldayjusttogi
vehim easyaccessorbeing
ti
redofhavingyourpanti
esr i
ppedoff.

Tlot
lo:(laughsandcl aps)Yesgirl
!Thatiswhat
mightbekeepi ngmeher ewai t
se.Kanalebel
etel
ele
l
amel ei tsegot shi
kinyalet
heka.(Thatwhoreof
miner eallyknowshowt omovehi swaist
.)I
somet i
mesf i
ndmysel fwantingtodrivet
ohis
parentshousetoshaket
hierhandsandt
hankt
hem
forthi
sman.Hei shmohavokanaomonatebat
hong!
(sexisveryni
ce!)

Theybothlaughandhighfive.Iam justfeeli
ng
embarrassedbecauseIhaveneverdi scussedsex
withanyoneespeci
all
ynotawoman.Thi sjustf
eel
s
wierdandIam savedbythebel lasmyphoner i
ngs.
IgetupandstepoutsidesoIcanf reelyspeakto
Ari
e.

Me:HiAr
ie!

Her
:Shnukumswher
ear
eyou?Wehaveasi
tuat
ion
mma.

Me:Iam notsur
ewher
eIam t
ota.Whatsi
tuat
ion?

Her
:Hei
shmmaBel
l
afel
llastni
ghtandshei
sn'
t
get
ti
nganybett
er.Apparent
lyi
t'
sast omachbugso
Jol
enesayssheneedsyout or
eplaceherbecause
youandBell
aareinthesamegroup.

Myheartstar
tsracing.Idon'
tknowifit
's
exci
tementorfearbutIfeelsomet
hing.

Me:Umm…Kedi rej
angnemma?Iam atMorena'
s
br
other
'spl
aceandIam notsur
ewher
eiti
s.

Her
:Whoi
sMor
ena?

Me:(
Irol
lmyeyes)PEPt
-shi
rt
.

Her:Eeeww.Nadi
aItol
dyoutoleavethatguy.Why
areyouevenwit
hhim?Thatguycan'taff
ordyou
anymore.
Me:Pleasedon'
tsaysucht
hingsaboutmy
boyf
ri
end.

Shel
aughsf
orawhi
le.

Her:OhNadi a,Nadia,
Nadi a.Youaresocut emy
l
ove.Di dInott el
lyouthatlovedoesn'texist?Ebi
le
becauseyouhavemethi sf amil
yIam sur eyou
haveal readypictur
edyour sel
fasawi fe.Iknew
petrolattendantssi
stershnukums.Justl eavethose
fair
ytalesandcomeher eforsomet hi
ngr eal.Money
Nadi a.Thingsthatmaket hewor l
dgor ound.Get
yourheadoutoft hecloudsandbeher ewi t
hinan
hoursoIcangetyourr eady.Youdon'twantt o
disappoi ntJol
ene.

Me:(
snappi
ng)Di
dIsayIam notcomi
ngAr
efa?Di
d
I
?

Her
:HeyDi
kel
edi
.Donotevent
ryme.Ar
efaoRaya
mang?( whoareyoucal l
ingAref
a?)telli
ngyoumy
stor
ydi dn'
tmeanyoushoul dnowcomeandt hi
nk
youcant estme.Iwil
lputmywi gasi deandteach
youwhyIdon' twantthatname.Ileftthatnamein
OldNaledidoyouhearme?Ar ewei nZola?Don't
tr
ymeDi kel
edi
.Don't
!Hur r
yupbef oreIrepor
tyou
toJolene.

Ihangupthephoneandbr
eat
heoutl
oud.Nowhow
doItel
!MorenaIhavet
ogo?

°
°°° °
°°°
[
08/
31,
17:
35] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t20

OKNadia,
youcandothis.Ij
usthavetocomeup
wit
hagoodexcusebecausethelastt
hingIwanti
s
t
opissJol
eneoff
.ShetoldmethatIam nevert
o
disappoi nthercl i
entsbynotshowi ngupf oran
appoi ntment .Shesai difIdecidetoqui tthenIhave
tonot ifyheradaybef oreoraf t
ermyl astj ob.Iam
nevert odeci deanhourbef orethatIam notgoi ng
i
n.It hinkImi ghthaveat ingeofexci t
ement .My
fi
rstni ghtwithSam wasmi ndblowi ngandIt hinki
t
mi ghtbebecausei twaswi thastranger .OK,
enought hinking.It
st i
met oleave.Iwal kintot he
kit
chenandf indtheladieslaughing.

Me:Ihavet
ogot
lhebat
hong.

Chant
ell
e:Aomma.Sosoon?

Tl
otl
o:IhopeIdi
dn'
tof
fendyout
lhemma.

Ij
usthavetogetoutofhereandthi
sisjustwast
ing
mytime.Idon'
twanttopissJol
eneoff.
Me:Noyoudi
dn'
t.Somet
hingj
ustcameup.

Chant
ell
e:Ao.
.That
'st
oobad.Iwasl
ooki
ngfor
war
d
toget
ti
ngtoknowyou.Butt
herei
sal
waysnext
ti
meAkere.

Me:Umm yeah.Letmego.Bye!

Ithenheadt othebackyardwherethemenar e
standi
ngaroundt hebraaist
and.Morenaisfacing
meandsmi l
ing.Hissmilemakesmebl ush.Iwas
real
lylooki
ngforwardtotoni
ght.Iwil
lhavetomake
i
tupt ohim somehow.

Mor
ena:What
'supbabe?

Me:CanIspeakt
oyou?
Hewalksovert
omeandfol
lowsmeawayf
rom hi
s
br
other
s'l
oudchat
ti
ng.

Mor
ena:Soyoucan'
ttaket
hewai
ti
nganymor
ehuh?

Me:Actual
ly.Somethi
ngj
ustcameupandIgaveyo
gobacktoschool.

Hi
m:(
frowns)Somet
hingl
ikewhat
?

Me:Myf riendsaunt,t
heoneIhaddi nnerwit
hlast
ti
me.Wel lsheinvi
tedmet osleepoveratherhouse
andshesaysshewi l
lbetheretopickmeupi n30
minutes.Iwouldgetintr
oubleiftheyfi
ndoutIam
dati
ng.

Morena:Iam nottr
yingt
obei
nsensi
ti
vebutt
hey
ar
en'tyourparent
sNadia.
Me:Thatwasver yinsensi
ti
veofyouandImaybe
anorphanbutitdoesn'tmeanthatIshouldnow
disr
espectel
dersthathavebeent her
eformewhen
Ihadnoone.Nowf oryoutospitonthefactt
hat
theyaren'
tbl
oodr el
ati
onsoffendsme.

Morena:Iam sorr
y.Idi
dn'
tmeanitl
ikethat
.Iam
j
ustdisappoi
ntedthatwewon'
tspendthenight
t
ogetherasplanned.

Het
ri
est
ohol
dmyhandbutIyanki
tof
f.

Me:Canyoupl easej
ustt
akemetoschool
.Ifyou
don'
twanttoleaveyoucanj
ustt
ellmewherewe
aresoIcancallacab.

Mor
ena:Aebabe.Don'tbel
ikethat.I
'
llt
akeyou.Let
mej
ustsaygoodbye.Iam sorr
ytlhemma.
Il
ookathi
m deadi
ntheeye.Heshakeshishead
andwal
ksaway.Ihopehehurr
ysup.Ihavetogo.

°
°°° °
°°°

Tl
otl
o

It
'sbeentwohourssincethenewgir
llef
tandIam
honestl
yti
red.Iam sureBogosii
sdr
unkr i
ghtnow
andIwishwecoul djustgo.

Me:Chant
yletmegogetTl
ameloandt
hem.Iwant
t
ogohomenow.Iam soti
red.

Chant
ell
e:OK.Iam sur
etheyareinBogol
o'sr
oom.I
don'
tknowifi
t'
sbeingteenager
sorwhatbutthose
gi
rl
s,ae.
Me:( l
aughing)Andthewaytheychaset
hier
brothersawayistoomuchmma.Hasegor ego
buiwakadicr ush?(
Maybetheywillbet
alki
ngabout
thei
rcrushes)

Chant
ell
e:Aomma.Theyarebabies.Doyouknow
howcluel
essIwasaboutboyswhenIwas15?

Me:Met oo.Bogosiistheonethatthoughtme
everythi
ng( rol
lmyeyes)NowonderIam st uckhere.
Idon'tknowanyt hi
ngel se.Ahwai
tsekeeng.Iam
ti
redoftalkingaboutthismanChant y.Iam done.

ShelaughsatmeasIwal koff.IknowsheknowsI
l
ied.Ialwayssaythis.Idon'
tknowwhati twil
ltake
formet oreal
izeIdeservebet
terthanthi
sman.I
wasjustaboutt oknockonBogol o'
sdoorwhen
Tlamelo'
svoicestoppedmedeadi nmytracks.

Tl
amel
o:.
..
..AndIcamesohar
dcuz!It
houghthe
mi
spl
acedmyut
erus!

Bogolo:(
laughs)Hei
shmmaleyonedi
ckyagagwe
etonathata!Howdoyout
akethati
n?Nnamma
Johnsonisbetter
.

MaybeIshoul dl
etmycol djointsgivein.MaybeI
shouldjustf
aint
.Whatar ethesechi l
drensaying?Is
thisadream?Howi smychi ldtalki
ngaboutut erus
displ
acement?Heelang.Ican'tevenmovebutI
don'twanttoheart
her estoftheconver sat
ion.

Tl
amel
o:Doyouhaveapi
ctur
eofhi
sdi
ck?

Bogol
o:No.

Tl
amel
o:Askhi
mtosendi
tsoIcansee.
Bogol
o:(
laughs)OK.

Thent hereissil
ence.Iguesst heyaretext
ing.I
needt olif
tmyar m andopent hisdoor.Yes.Letme
dot hat.Theygetst ar
tl
edwhenIopent hedoor.But
thelookont heirfacesisthatofpeoplewhof ear
nothing.Theydon' tknowhowl ongIhavebeen
standingbyt hatdoor.Theyarecluel
ess.

Tlamel
o:Aomamzodon'
tyouknowyouhavet
o
knock?

Idon'tknowwhenmyhandwentupbutt hesoundI
j
usthear dandthel ookonherfaceassheholdsher
cheekinshockconf i
rmsthatIhavej
ustsl
appedher.
Igrabboththeirphonesandwal kout.Whatkindof
fooli
shnessisthis?Dotheyevenknowhowt ouse
condoms?Nxl a.

It
osst
hephonesont
heki
tchent
abl
eandbr
eat
he
l
ikeawomani
nlabor
.It
hinki
t'
stheshock.

Chant
ell
e:Ar
eyouOK?What
'swr
ong.

Me:Chantel
le…( Ishakemyhead)I…Chantel
leour
babi
esaren'
tt al
kingaboutcr
ushes.Theyaretal
king
aboutcummi ngandbi gdi
cks.Bi
gdicksChantel
le..

Thatti
me,
I'
m paci
ngaroundandf
ail
ingt
ocont
rol
thevol
umeofmyvoice.

Chant
ell
e:(
frowns)what
?Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?

Me:(clappingmyhand)Ihear dmychildtel
lyour
chil
dthatsomedonkeymadehercum har dand
almostdi spl
acedherut
erusChantel
le!ThenIheard
yourchil
dsayJohnsonsdi ckisn'
tasbigasthe
donkeysdi ckandnow,(Ichuckl
e)nowwear e
waiti
ngf orthedi
cknude.
Shelooksatmei ndisbeliefandItot
all
yunderst and.
Li
stenifIhadn'theardi tmyself,
I'
dhavet hr
ownaf it
atwhoeverwhoudbet ell
ingmewhatIwoul dfeel
wereli
es.Howi sTl amel otal
kingaboutdicksizes?
How?Imusthavebeenver yloudbecausethemen
arenowst andi
ngbyt hedoori nshock.Thelookon
Bogosishowshowshockedhei s.Neit
herofus
wereexpectingthis.

Kgosi
:(r
oar
s)wher
ear
ethey?

Chant
ele:babecal
m d-

Thelooksheget sfrom him shutsherupqui ck.As

funandj ol
lyastheMor enabr other
sar e,
younever
wantt oseethem angry.Especiall
ynotatyou.Look
Iwasn'tevenplanningont el
lingBogosianything.
Atleastnotyet.Kgosistor
msoutoft hekitchen
headingtothebedroomswi thhisbrothersbehind
hi
m.

Kgosi
:Bogol
o!Tl
amel
o!Comeher
eri
ghtnow!

Me:(
toChant
ell
e)whathaveIdone?Iwant
edust
o
t
alkt
othem f
ir
st.WasIthatl
oud?

Chantell
e:No.Theywer ealr
eadystandi
ngbythe
door.Iguessyoudidn'tseethem.Butwhatar
e
thesegir
lsdoingTl
otlo?Howdi dwenotknowt hey
aredati
ng?

Me:If
eell
ikesuchaf
ail
ure.

WehearBogosi
'
svoi
cei
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Bogosi
:Si
tdown!Si
tyourbut
tsdownr
ightnow!
Chant
ell
e:Let
sgo.

Wewal ki
ntotheli
vingr oom andfi
ndthegirls
sit
ti
ngacrossthei
rfatherswithredeyes.Kgotla
musthavegonet otheboysr oom.Iunderstand.He
andthegi
r l
shaveat hreeyearagediff
erenceand
theyar
emor eli
kesibli
ngst hanunlceandnieces.

Kgosi
:Lel
anghel aj
alo.(
justkeepcryi
ng)Bythe
t
imeIstartbeat
ingyou,youwi l
ldr
inkwaterf
or
moretear
s.

Bogosi
:Let l
aar
elelel
elaengmmegonel e
nchi
misajaana?(Whyar eyouevencryi
ngwhenall
youaredoingisnauseati
ngme? )Whydidn'
tyoucr
y
whenmencamet oyouaskingforsex?Huh?

Chantel
le:Canwepl
easest
artf
rom t
hever
y
beginni
ng.Weneedtoknowwhatisgoi
ngonwi
th
thesegi
rls.
Kgosi
:Tel
lthem t
owipet
hiert
ear
sthen.Tel
lthem
bef
oreIgetmothusi
.

Mothusiiswhathecal l
shi sst
ick.Yes,these
chil
drengetwhippediftheymi sbehave.It'
sarare
occurrencebecausethemenar ehardl
yever
i
nvolvedinmat t
ersofmi sbehavingbutwhent hey
are,t
henyouknowi t'
sser i
ousandt heyar egoi
ngto
getabeat i
ng.

Me:Sut
hlangt
lhedi
loTseo!(
wipet
hoset
ear
s)

Theyst
artwi
pingt
hei
rfaceswhi
lesni
ff
li
ng.

Chant
ell
e:Bogol
o,Tl
amel
o,whati
sgoi
ngon?

Si
lence.
Kgosi
:Buang!(
Speak!
)

Bogosist
andsupandbeginstounbuckl
ehisbel
t.
Tl
ameloquickl
yli
ft
sherhandsinsurr
ender
.

Tl
amel
o:PapaIwi
llt
alk.Pl
easesi
tdown.Iwi
llt
alk.

Bogosi
:Tal
kthen.

Tlamel
o:(Looksatme)I
…Iam notsur
ewhatmama
heardsoIdon'tknowwhatt
osay.

Il
aughandcl
apmyhands.Thesegi
rl
sar
etr
yingus.
Nomychil
d,myf
ir
stbor
nistryi
ngme.

Me:Whi
chpartdoyouwantt
oleaveout
?Tlamel
o!
Tl
amel
o!OajolaTl
amelo?(
Areyoudati
ng?
)You
evenknowdicksi
zes?Whatdoyouwanttoleave
out?Ngwanyanat
elluswhoyouhavebeen
sl
eepingwi
thandsincewhen.Tel
lusnow!

Thet hi
ngaboutmydaught eri
sthatsheiseasil
y
scaredunl
ikeBogolo.Bogoloi
ssost ubbor
nthatI
doubtshewillt
ellusanyt
hing.Idi
dn'tknowthat
parenti
ngmeantt hi
snonsense.

Tl
amel
o:(
sni
ff
les)Iam sor
rymama.Iam sosor
ry.

Bogosi:Tl
amel
o!Keashi
misega(
Iam get
ti
ng
neauseas.

Tl
amel
o:Iam embar
rassedandshyt
otel
lyoual
l.

Me:Wherewasthatembar
rassmentwhenaman
askedyout
ogetnaked?
Tl
amel
o:I
t'
snotamanmama.

Kgosi
:(r
oar
s)Tl
amelowee.Don'
twast
eourt
ime
her
e.Tel
luswhothatboyi
sri
ghtnow.

Me:Shehast
ost
artf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.

Tlamel
olooksatmedesper at
ely.Idon'
tknowwhat
shethi
nksIwilldobecauseIam veryangrywit
hher
ri
ghtnow.Infactangeri
sanunder stat
ement.

Tl
amelo:I
t'
saboyi nmycl
ass.Westart
eddat
ing
l
astt
erm andhewantedustocel
ebrat
eour1
mont
hanni ver
sar
yinas….Speci
alway.Sowe…
Ummm…wedi dit
.

Me:Youdi
dwhatTl
amel
o?
Tl
amel
o:Wehadsex.

Me:Foryou1mont
hanni
ver
sar
y?

Shenodsherhead.

Bogosi:(
looksatme)Whatisa1month
anniver
sarykant
e?Isn'
tananni
ver
sar
yanannual
thi
ng?Ga1mont hkeeng?

Me:dii
phel
lapel
oAker
edi
lot
sat
eng.Wer
eyoua
vi
rgi
nbefor
ethat
?

Shenodsherhead.

Kgosi:Soyoulostyourvi
rgi
nit
ytoaboyyoumet
l
astterm?Lastterm Nt
lame?Afteronemont
h?Ao
ngwanaka.
Idon'
tknowwhyKgosiisfeel
ingsor
ryf
orher
becauseIf
eell
ikepounci
ngonher.

Chant
ell
e:Di
d…Di
dyouuseacondom Tl
amel
o?

Shelooksdownandnodsherhead.Ihavet
oadmi
t
thatIam sor
eli
evedbyt
hat
.

Bogosi
:Doyouevenknowhi
sHI
Vst
atus?

Justthenanotif
icati
oncomesi nononeofthe
phonesIam holding.I
t'
sBogol o'sphoneandshe
haspanicwrit
tenonherf ace.IpassittoChant
ell
e
whotriesopeni
ngi t
.

Chant
elle:Het
aolot
lolol
emat
lakal
aagago.(
come
andunlockyourr
ubbish)
Shestandsupandwalksover.Sheunlocksthe
phoneandshepani
csandst art
spressingher
phonewhenhermothertr
iestograbitfrom herbut
sheholdsontoi
tst
ruggli
ngforit.

Me:Bogol
o!Yourmot
heri
spr
eg-

Iam cutshortbyshesoundofabelt.Kgosil
anded
hisbeltonherback.Shestar
tssqui
rmingaround
afterr
eleasi
ngthephone.Nowit'
slashaft
erlashon
herback.

Kgosi
:Areyoutr
yingtoki
llmywi
fe?Huh?Howdare
youfi
ghtyourmother
?Mywi f
e?Oantlwael
aneh
Bogol
o?

Bogosieventual
lyhol
dshisbrotherbackt
ostop
him af
terafewlashes.Chant
ell
epassesthephone
tomeandshakesherheadwal kingoff
.
Chant
ell
e:Ican'
tdealwi
tht
hisr
ightnow.

It
'sapictur
eofapeni s.Ati
nylittl
ehardpeni
sis
star
ringatmewi ththecapt
ion'doyouwantsome
moregoodl ovi
ng? '
IwanttolaughbutIwon't.Il
ook
atTlamelowhoi scurl
edupi nthecorneroft
he
couchshei sshari
ngwi t
hBogol o.

Me:Thepi
ctur
eyourequest
edhasarr
ivedmychi
ld.
Comeandsee.Comesoyout el
lmewhichdi
cki
s
bi
gger.

ThatseemstofuelKgosiwhowant stochar geat

Bogolowhohasn'tst
oppedcrying.Everyt
hingi s
j
ustamessunt i
lChantel
lecomesbackhol di ngher
bump.Shestandsbythehallwayandl ooksatus.

Chant
ell
e:Mywat
erbr
oke.
Kgosii
mmediatelyfr
eezesinplaceandlooksathis
wif
e.Sheisei
ghtmont hspregnantandshouldn'
tbe
i
nlabouratal
l.Thisi
sn'tgood.

[
08/
31,
17:
36] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t21

Tl
otl
o

Menar ealwayssobr aveduringtheprocessof

babymaki ng.Comelabourt i
meyouwoul dswear
theyweref or
cedint
oi t
.Kgosir anupanddown
taki
ngbabybags.Wel eftt
hehousei nahasteandI
hadtodr i
ve.Butnotbeforetell
ingt
hegirlst
hatI'
ll
bebackf orthem.It
ookt hei
rphoneswi thmeand
wentthroughTlamelo'sphone.Toseehowcl uel
ess
ourkidsareaboutsexmademef eeldisappoint ed.
Notinthem, butinus.Speakingaboutsext o
chil
drenissuchat abooinAfri
ca.Ir emembert hat
whenIgotmyf i
rstperi
od,mymot hertoldmet hat
nowt hatIgotaper iod,
Iam awomanandIshoul d
stayawayf r
om boysbecauseIcoul dgetpr egnant .
Iwassoconf used!Imean,howwasIgoi ngt oget
pregnantbecauseIgotaper i
od?Idi dn'tunderst and
whatboyshadt odowi thmyper i
od.Ial wayst ol d
myselfI'
lldobetterbutIfai
led.Ihavet ofixthis.

Kgosicomesrunni
ngi
ntot
hewai
ti
ngr
oom wear
ing
pr
otecti
vecl
othi
ng.

Kgosi
:It
'saboy!I
t'
sanotherboy!Thedoct
orsays
heisfi
ne.Heisabigboy.Hesayst heywi
llkeep
hi
mf orthr
eedaysjustt
omakesur e.

Bogosihugshim andheleavesaf
terIgi
vehima
hug.It
'sarel
ief
.BogosiandIhadbeensilent
ly
wait
ingtohearthenewsaboutChantell
eforthe
pasthour
.It
hinkwebot
hhadal
otonourmi
nds.

Bogosi
:Thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
tTl
otl
o.

Me:Excuseme?

Bogosi:I
t'sallyourfaul
t!Ourachil
dwouldn'
tbeout
ther
ef or
nicationifyouwereabettermot
her.I
t'
s
yourfaultthatsheissleepi
ngaround.

Tl
otl
obr
eat
he.Br
eat
hei
nandoutgi
rl
.

Me:Oant
lhol
elaAker
eBogosi
?

Bogosi:Whodoyouwantt
oblame?Doyousee
your
selfasagoodr
olemodelf
orourchi
ldr
en?Huh?
Doyou?
Me:Bogosidon' tevendaretestme.Ibegofyou.
Don't.Butyouknowwhat ?Youareright.Iam to
blamef orthis.Shewat chesmest aywithyouaf ter
allt
heseyear s.Sheseeshowyout r
eatmel ike
scum andyetIst ickar
ound.SheseeshowIbel i
eve
yourliesandsheal sobeli
evedhisli
es.Iam a
vi
ctim ofcircumst ancebutsheisavi ct
im ofmy
ownmaki ng.Iam t heonetoblame.Youar er i
ght
Bogosi .

Iam j
ustgoi
ngtogohomenow.Idon'tcar
ehowhe
andKgosiwi
lll
eavet
hispl
ace.Ij
ustwantt
ogo
home.

Di
kel
edi

Ididn'
treal
izeIwasj
oini
ngtwoot
hergi
rl
sforthe
cl
ient.Jol
enehadacarpickmeupfr
om schooland
Iwasdr oppedoffatahot elwi
thar
oom number.
WhenIgott otheroom, IsawtwomoreJojodol
lsin
theroom andweal lhadourmasksonwaiti
ngfor
thecli
ent.

Gi
rl1:Foursomesarehect
icforafi
rstti
mebecause
t
heclientneverwant
syoustandi
ngst i
ll
.

Me:Sowhatshoul
dIdo?

Gir
l2:(
laughs)Ther
earethreeofusher
esoifhei
s
busywithoneofus,theothert
wohavetokeep
eachothercompany.

Me:
Wai
twhat
?Iam notal
esbi
an.

Gir
l2:Nei
therarewe.Welikedi
cknanabutt hi
sis
work.Andyoubettermakesurethecl
ientbeli
eves
youareenjoyi
ngyoursel
f.
Girl
1:Andyoubet
terdoagoodjobofitt
oobecause
thethr
eeofusarewalki
ngoutofher
ewitht
hirt
y
bri
cks.

Iopenmymout htospeakbutt hebat hroom door

opensandamanwal ksinwear ingabat hr
obeand
dimst heli
ght s.Thereisenoughl ightforustosee
eachot herclearlybutnoonecant r
yreadabooki n
thi
slight.Seeinghi m walkovert ousget smyhear t
raci
ng.Iwasl ookingforwar dtogr eatsex.Notthis.I
am notal esbianandIcan' tactlikeone.Ican'tfi
nd
myselfkissinganot hergirlsoIhavet omakesur eI
am theoneget ti
ngallhisat t
ention.

Hewalksoverandsi
tsont
hebedwi
thhi
sback
agai
nstt
heheadboard.

Hi
m:St
ri
pforme.
Hisvoi
ce….Theothergi
rl
sstar
tst
ri
pping
seduct
ivel
yanditl
ookswier
dbecausether
eisno
musicplayi
ng.

Hi
m:Heyyou.Don'
twast
emymoney.

Ifumbl ewithmyzi pperandst artswingi ngmyhi ps

l
iket heothers.Ifeellikesuch, afoolrightnow.Am I
evendoi ngthisri
ght ?If eelli
keIam justf umbl i
ng
allovertheplaceasIt r
yt oshimmyoutoft heski n
ti
ghtdr essAriegotme.If i
nall
ymanaget ogetout
oft hedressandf indt hatmypar t
nersi ncri
me
alreadyhavet hei
rbr east sbare.Theclientisn'teven
l
ooki ngatmeanymor e.Thistell
smeIam bor i
ng
him withmyf umblingar ound.Ineedt ot urnthis
around.Idon' twantl esbiansex.Hef inallystart
s
playingasongandIqui cklyt
akemybr aoffand
turnaroundsohecanwat chmet akemypant yoff.I
twer kalit
tl
elikeAr i
eshowedmeandIseehi seyes
arenowonmesoIsl owl ysli
demypant i
esdown
andf oll
owmyhandsdownsoIam compl etel
ybent
overf
orhimtoseeme.Istayinthatposi
ti
onf or
someti
meanditworksbecausethenextthingIfeel
i
shishandsonmywai standhismout hsucki
ng
andli
cki
ngmyf ol
ds.

Thepositi
onIam inmakesbl oodrushtomyhead
andthepleasurej
ustdoubles.Hestopsmuf f
ingme
whenoneoft hegir
lspull
shim over.Thisi
swhatI
havebeentryingt
oavoid.Ineedt ogetbacki
n.This
gi
rlbett
ernotbecomi ngtome.Shei sactual
ly
walki
ngovertome.WhathaveIgot tenmyselfi
nto?
Ij
ustwantt opushtheothergir
lawayashest art
s
ki
ssingherinnert
high.Thewor dshespeaksmake
mywhol ebodyshutdown.

Hi
m:Comeherhoneypot
.

IthoughtIwaswrongatfir
stbutIwasn'
t.It
'sSam.
Whywoul dSam orderf
orthreegi
rl
s?Ithoughthe
saidhewantedmet opickhim.Whatishedoing
here?Whyishenakedinar oom wit
hthreegir
ls?
Whyam Ievenhere?Tearsstartst
reamingdown
myfaceandIstar
tcrumblingasallthepaincomes
r
ushingbackt
ome.Al lt
hepai nIwasr unni
ngfr
om
i
scomi ngt
ohauntmeagai n.

Tl
otl
o

Idon' tblamehi m.Idon'tblamehi m atallforhow

het reatsmel ikescum.Iam t heonethatlet'
shim
takemef orgranted.I
fIhadanywher etogoIwoul d
got herer ightnow.Idon' tevenwantt ogohome
anymor e.Idr i
vearoundai ml essl
yuntilIfi
ndmysel f
atmymot her'
sgateinRamot swa.That'
swhenmy
hear tstartsracingbecausemyheadwasn' tinthi
s
atall.Icoul dhavegot tenintoanacci dent.Howdo
youj ustdr iveacarf r
om Gabor onetoRamot swa
withoutr eal i
zingit
?Howwi llIevenexplainmy
arri
vingat9pm t omymot her?Ishouldt ur
nback.

Iwasabouttorever
sewhenIseethecur
tai
ninthe
l
ivi
ngroom shi
fti
ng.Mymotheral
waysdoesthi
s.
Shepeepst oseewhoisatthegat
ewheneverther
e
i
snoi seormovement .Seei
ngherl
ookt hr
oughthe
windowbr ingsmeawar mthIneedonadayl i
ke
thi
s.Andt hishadbeenonelongday.Iguessmy
heartbroughtmehere.Ineedmymot her.

Igetoutofthecaraf terdri
vingi nandIgobackt o
cl
oset hegate.Ididn'tevenbr i
ngat oothbrushbutI
knowf orafactthatthiswomanwon' tl
etmego
anywhere.Shesawmebutdi dn'tunl
ockt hedoor.I
chuckleandshakemyheadaf terfai
li
ngt oopent he
door.Iknockandt hatswhensheopenst hedoor.
Ohmama.Ij ustthrowmysel fi nherarmsandgi ve
heratighthug.Iwi shIneverl efther
.MaybeI
wouldbesomewher eelseinlifehadIst ayedhere.
Myyoungersi sterli
vedher ewi thhersonunt i
lshe
wasmar ri
ed.Maybei fhadst ayed,Bogosiwoul d
havemar ri
edmet oo.

Sheleadsmestr
aightt
oherr
oom aft
erIgr
eetmy
brot
herandaunt
.Shemustbevi
sit
inghersi
ster
.
Whenwegettoherr
oom sheshut
sthedoorand
l
eadsmetoherbed.

Mama:What'
swr ongSoso?Whyar
eyouher
eso
l
ate?Ar
ethechi
ldrenokay?

Iactli
keIhat
eitwhenshecal
lsmeSosobuti
t
alwaysbri
ngsmesomuchcomf or
t.I
tmakesme
feell
oved.

Me:Nothingisokaymama.Iam t i
redofever ythi
ng.
Bogosidoesn'
tlovemeanymor eandIdon' tthinkhe
i
sgoingtomar ryme.Ihavet r
iedever yt
hing.Ieven
gott
oapoi ntofconsideri
ngtradi
tionaldoctorsbut
mamaIdon' twantthatkindoflove.It
'snoteven
l
ovebecauset hemenendupki l
li
ngt hewomen
whentheherbswearof f.Am Inotmeantt oget
marri
edmama?EvenBot hogotmar ri
edbef oreme.
Myownl it
tl
esister
.Am Icursed?
Sheshakesherheadandr
eachesf
orherBi
bleby
herbedside.

Mama:Idon' tknowwhywomenobsesssomuch
overmarriage.Mostsi ngleoneswantinandmost
marriedoneswantout .Bothmenandwomen.
Bogosihasshownyouwhohei sbutyoust i
lldon'
t
beli
evehim andwanthi mt omarr
yyou?What
happensifhest ar
tsbeatingyouormistr
eati
ngyou
whenyouar gueandhet ell
syouhowyouf orced
hi
mt omar r
yyou?

Idon'
tli
ket
hisconver
sat
ion.Thi
sisn'
twhatIcame
heref
or.

Mama:Afteryourfat
herpassedon,manymen
cameknockingatmydoor .Theywantedtomar r
y
mebutIhadt othi
nkofyouandyoursi bli
ngs.I
askedmyselfi
fIwasr eadytobri
nganotherman
i
ntoyourf
ather'
shouse.Amanwhomi ghtendup
abusi
ngmychi l
drenandt aki
ngallt
hatthei
rfat
her
l
ef tthem.Iwasl onel yf ormanyyear sbecauseI
knewwhatIwant edf ormysel fandmychi l
dren.I
didn'twantanyoneget ti
nghur tforthesakeofmy
ownpl easur es.Youwer emypr i
or i
ty.Iknowpeopl e
todaypr eachper sonalj oyandt hat'sgoodf orthem
butt heyal waysputt hemsel vesfirstbef oret heir
childrenandt heirchi ldrenendupmi serabl e
becausewhent heyhavedi sagreement st hef i
rst
thingt heysayi slet'
spar twaysbecauseIwantt o
behappy.Theydon' tthinkabouthowt hi s
separ ationaf fectsthechi ldren.Nowi nyourcase,
youhavel eechedyour selft oamanwhohasno
i
nt entionofevermar ryingyouaf tergivinghi mt hree
children.Thr eeTl otlo?Woul dyoubef inewi th
Tlamel odoi ngwhatyouar edoing?I sthatt he
exampl eyouwantt osetf orher?Youar emor e
commi t
tedt hanamar r
iedwoman.Youar ehur ti
ng
yourchi ldrenbyst ayi ngwher eyouar en'twant ed.
Tlamel oonceaskedmei fgetti
ngmar riedi s
expensi ve.Sheaskedi fyouar ewai ti
ngf orher
fathert oraiseenoughmoney.Sheevensai dhow
hedoesn' tloveyou.Youar ebeingassel fi
shasa
coupl ethathur tstheirchi l
drenbyseper atingaf t
er
yearsofmarriagei
nst
eadoftr
yingtheirbestto
reconci
le.Tl
ogelamothoyoTl
otlo.(
leavethatman
Tlotl
o)Hedoesn'tl
oveyou.

Ikeepblinki
ngmyt ear
saway.Thi
sisal
ltoomuch
totakein.Buti
t'
sthetrut
h.Whati
sact
uall
ykeepi
ng
mewi thBogosi?

Me:Idon'
tknowhowtoleavemama.Ihavenot
hing.
Wherewil
lIevenst
art
?

Mama:( opensherBi ble)John10: 10Thet hief

comesonl ytosteal andki l
landdest roy;Ihave
comet hatt heymayhavel i
fe,andhavei tt
ot hef ul
l.
ThisscripturetalksabouthowGodwant sust o
haveaf ulllif
e.Al i
fef i
lledwi t
hlove, peaceandj oy
yetyouwantt orobyour sel
foft hoset hi
ngsmy
chil
d.Why?Whatdoyouf ear?Woul dyour ather
suff
erthedest r
uctiont hismani scausi ngyou?Iam
givi
ngyout hreemont hs.Savewhat everhegi ves
youthenyoushoul dt akeyourchi l
drenandcome
here.Comehomemychi l
d.Youwillst
arta
businesstopr
ovidef
oryourchil
dren.I
fthatf
ail
s
thenwewi l
lst
il
lshar
ethelit
tl
eIhave.Icannotl
et
yousuf f
erwhi
leIam al
iveSoso.

Sheholdsmeagainandhugsmet ightasIcry
thi
nki
ngofallt
heyearsIhavewastedonthisman.
HowdoIt aket
hem back?Il
efther
easachi l
dand
nowIam backaswoman.WhathaveIdonewi thal
l
myyears?

[
08/
31,
17:
36] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t22

Di
kel
edi

Me:S…Sam?
Pleasedon' tbeSam.Ibegyoupl easedon' tbemy
Sam lickinganot hergirl
syoni.Please.Theman
turnsaroundassoonasIcal lhi
sname.I ti
sSam.
Howcoul dhedot histome?Theot hergi r
lslookat
usashewal ksupt ome.Hest andsi nfrontofme
andhol dsmyf aceforsomet i
mel ookingintomy
maskedeyes.Ij ustcwantt oyankhi smaskof fof
hisfacebutIknowi t
'sagainsttherules.Ican'tdo
thatinfrontoft hedolls.Hehasn'tSaudanyt hi
ng
yet.Howcoul dhebet raymel ikethis?

Het akesmyhandandl eadsmet ot hebathr

oom
andcl osest
hedoor .Iam panti
ngl i
keadogatt his
pointtryi
ngtocontrolmyselfbecauseallIwantto
dor i
ghtnowi sscream!Hegr absat owelandwr aps
i
tar oundhiswaistbutIam stil
lstandinghear
naked.

Me:Sam….Howcoul
dyoudot
hist
ome?Whatar
e
youdoi
ngher
e?
Heroughl
ypull
shixmaskoffandl
ooksatmef
or
someti
mebreathi
ngheavi
ly.

Me:(
cryi
ng)Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Hi
m:(
chuckl
es)Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
ewena?

Me:Iam worki
ngSam!Iam worki
ng!Whythehel
l
areyoust
il
lorder
ingJoj
odoll
s?It
houghtyousai
d
youwantsomethingser
iouswi
thme.Youtol
dme
youwantmet ochooseyou.

Hi
m:Sohaveyouchosenme?

Me:(
frowni
ng)What
?No.Ihaven'
tdeci
dedyet
.

Hi
m:Soyouexpectmet
osi
tar
oundwai
ti
ngf
oryou
whil
eyoushagitupwit
hsomeotherboy?Iam a
gr
ownmanNadi aandIhaveneeds.Youi
gnored
mycall
searl
iert
oday.Wher
ewereyou?

Si
lence

Hi
m:Youwer
ewi
thhi
m wer
en'
tyou?

Me:Butyouorder
edsexwit
htheegir
lsSam!Three
women!Elegorehaokgor
e?(Areyouinsat
iabl
e?)

Him:( chuckl
es)SoIam wrongtofulf
il
lmy
fantasieswhil
eyouhavenopr obl
em sleepingwit
h
ast r
anger?Youbr i
ngaJojodollmeansyouwi ll
sleepwi t
hmor ethanahundredmenayearandI
am wr ongbecauseIwantt osl
eepwiththreegi
rl
s
onceaweek?I sn'
tthatadoubl
estandardHoneypot?

Iam st
art
ingt
ofeel
dizzy.
Me:Don'tcallmeHoneypot!Don't
!Youwereout
ther
ebreathi
ngdownanot herwoman'svagi
na
call
ingheryourhoneypot
!Don'tcal
lmethat!

Helooksatmewi t
hhishandsonhi swai
stthen
walkstothetoi
letandurinat
es.Thi
smanis
uri
nati
ngwhileIam boil
ing.Onceheisdone,he
fl
ushesthetoil
etthencl
osest hel
idandsi
tsonit.

Hi
m:(
cal
mly)Sowhatdoyouwantmet
ocal
lyou?

Me:(
frowni
ng)That
'snott
hepoi
ntSam!

Hi
m:Oh…Andwhati
sthepoi
nt?

Ishoul
djustt
hrowsomet
hingathi
sst
upi
dface.
Me:Thepoi
nti
syouar
en'
tsupposedt
obeher
e
doi
ngthi
s?

Him:No,actual
lyyouar etheonet hatisn't
supposedtoheher e.Ior deredthr
eegi rlswit
hbig
hipsandboobsandyether eyouar e.Youar ehere
becausetheothergirlgotsickandever yoneelse
wasbooked.Youdi dn'tevenknowwhatyouwer e
doingoutther
e.Youwer en'tsupposedt oseeme
l
ikethi
s.Sowhosef aultisitnow?

Me:(
frowni
ng)Soar
eyoubl
ami
ngme?

Him:(standsupandhol dsmywai st)No.Iam

blamingJolene.Sheisthereasonyouar eher e.She
i
st hereasonyousawmel ikethi
s.Thisrightnow, I
am notyourSam.Iam Jol ene'
sclientandIhave
yougirlsfort
hreehoursbutwehaveal r
eady
wastedwhat15mi nut
eswi tht
his.Iti
sherf ault
.
Nowbeagoodgi r
landbehavel i
keawor kinggi r
l.
I'
dbedeadr i
ghtnowifyouwer emysur geon.Take
yourworkseriousl
ybeforethosegi
rl
sgoandr epor
t
you.Iam bei
ngcoolaboutyounotonl yhavi
ng
anotherboyf
riendbutalsobeingasexworker
.Don't
youthinkIdeserveenoughslack?Huh?Hmm baby?

Numbisal
lIam f
eel
ingrightnow.Howdoesone
manspewsomuchgar bage?

Me:Iam l
eavi
ng.

Him:(chuckl
es)Youdon'tknowJol eneAkere?I
wouldn'
treportyoubecauseyouar emygi r
lbutI
can'
tsaythesameaboutyourdol lf
ri
ends.You
real
lydon'
twantt otr
ythatcoloredgir
lhoneypot
.
Justbeagoodgi rlandgetthejobdone.

Thi
smustbewhati
tfeel
sli
ket
obest
uckbet
ween
arockandahar
dpl
ace.
Me:Fi
net
henbutyoucanonl
ypenet
rat
eme.

Him:Aebaby.Iam paying30ksoIcanf eelt

hree
gir
lswrappedaroundmymagi cst
ick.That'
swhat
youcalli
tAkere.(
chuckles)Don'
tbeselfish
honeypot.Lett
hem al
sof eelt
hemagi c.

Ineedt
ovomi
t.

Tl
otl
o

Overt
hephone:Wher
ear
eyou?

Me:Il
eftBogosi
.Getacaborsomet
hing.

Bogosi:Caborsomet
hingorRayaengTlotl
o?
Wheret hehel
lar
eyoubecauseIam homeandyou
ar
en'there.Youdi
dn'
tevenpi
ckourchil
drenup.
Me:Ineededsomeai
rBogosi
.

Bogosi
:Sot
her
eisnoai
rstourhouse?

Ir
ollmyeyes.

Me:Iwi
llseeyout
omor
row.

Hi
m:Tomor
row?Tomorrow?Whatdoyoumean
t
omorr
owTlot
lo?Wher
et heheckar
eyou?

Me:Iam atmymot
her
'spl
aceBogosi
.

Him:(shouti
ng)youar
elyi
ng!Whywouldyougoto
Ramot swaatnight
?St
oplyi
ngandcomehome
Tlot
lo.Soisthi
swhatyoudowhenIhavegonefor
tr
ips?
Me:Idkntknowwhatyout
hinki
sgoi
ngonbutI
neededtocomeandseemymother.

Hi
m:Tl
otl
owhoi
she?

Me:Whoj
aanong?

Him:(shouti
ng)themanyouaresl
eepi
ngwit
h!So
youwantt odestr
oyourf
amil
y?Allt
hatwehave
bui
lt
?Howcoul dyoudot
hist
ous?

Me:Bogosi
…YouYouknowwhat
?

Icutthecallandregulatemybreathing.Thatman
thi
nksIam amatf orhisdi
rtysti
nkyf eet.Whathave
weevenbui lt
?Everythingwehavei sinhi sname.I
havenothing.Heistheonet hatgoessl eeping
aroundandhedar est oaccuseme?Someone
needst
oresur
rectt
hewitcht
hatbewi
tchedt
hat
manbecausenoman.It
'senoughnow.

Iwasgoi ngtocal lTlamel otoaski ftheyar ehome

butIhaveherphone.IwonderhowsheandBogol o
aredoing.Ihopet hesegirlsbuckleupandf l
yright
.
It
'ssoeasyt omakef ool
ishdecisionswhenyouar e
youngt hinkingi tdoesn'tmat t
eronl yforyout o
regretitallandwi shyoucoul dgobacki ntimet o
changeever ything.Ihaddoner eall
ywel linschool.I
couldhavemadesomet hingofmysel f
.Lookatme
now.JustbecauseIdeci dedtomovei nwi thmy
boyfri
endwhi l
eot herswer emovingi ntotheirdorms.
Timei ssocr uel.I
tjustfli
esbyandbef or
eyouknow
i
t,youar et hreechi l
drenintoast agnantr el
ationshi
p
withaser i
alcheat er.Nxlaandt hetoenailofsat an
accusesmeofcheat i
ng?Esses.

Me:(answeri
ngacal
l)Canyoustopcall
ingme
Bogosi.Iwantt
osl
eepandIam dist
urbi
ngpeopl
e.
Hi
m:Babytlhemmadon'
tdot
his.Pl
easedon'
tcheat
onme.Iwi
lldie.

Me:Wr
it
emynumberonyoursui
cidenot
esot
hey
l
etmeknowyoudi
ed.

Ihangupandhecal lsagain.Bathong,Idon'tbother
thi
smant hiswaywhenhei sonhi s'
tri
ps'.Menar e
ter
ribl
eathi di
ngaffair
ssoIal waysfindoutabout
hisgir
lfr
iends.Butasitisthenorm, hedeniesitli
ke
PeterdeniedJesus.Youwoul dswearhei savirgin
whenhest art
sdenyinghiscountlessaffair
s.

Il
ickupt
hecal
landj
ustbr
eat
hei
ntot
hephone.

Bogosi:Babytl
hemmatswakoo.(pleasel
eavethat
pl
ace)thatmandoesn'
tloveyouli
keIdo.Think
aboutourchil
drenmyl
ove.Pleasebabycakes.
Hehasn'tcall
edmebabycakesi ntenyears.Ten
wholeyearshavegonebywi t
houthim cal
li
ngme
babycakes,myloveorbabyandt oni
ghtIam
gett
ingtheful
ldi
shjustbecausetheidi
otthinksI
am cheati
ng.Whatiswrongwiththesecreatures?

Me:Ar
emychi
ldr
enhome?

Hi
m:YesIgotthem f
rom Kgosi
'
shouse.Loagoi
s
cr
yingf
oryou.Pl
easecomehomebabycakes.

Icutthecal
landsi gh.Somyni neyearoldsonwho
i
salwaysst uckonhi sPlayStati
oni
sctyingforme?
Thereisdesperat
iont henther
eisKgosi.

Heelang,
otherpeopl
ehavei
tworsethanme.Ther
e
i
sawomen' sgroupIjoi
nedonFacebookandIam
readi
ngapostaboutawomanwhohasei ght
chil
drenwit
hsixmen.Shesaysshehasgivenupon
l
ovebecausemenwoul daskhertogivet
hem a
childsot heygetmar ri
ed.Shesayst hemenal ways
changedei theraft
ershef al
lspregnantoraftershe
givesbirth.Someevenaf t
ertheirchil
dstart
s
walking.Ican'timaginewhatIwoul ddoifIwasher.
Eightfatherl
esschildren.Iwonderhowshei s
providi
ngf orthem.Thi swasananonymouspostso
l
etmei nboxtheadmi n.Iwantt ogetintouchwi t
h
her.IthinkIhaveani dea.

[
08/
31,
17:
36] :Mi
niI
nser
t'
syoungersi
ster
.

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t23

[
6mont
hsl
ater
]

"
Bul
amaot
oMandu!Ri
anaMonna!
"
Hi
swei
ghti
ssuf
focat
ingme.
Me:Ntat
epl
easestop!Pleasegetof
f!Nt
ateIdon'
t
wantt
ogetpregnantagai
n.Someonepleasehel
p
me!

Oht
hankGod!

Me:Mamahel
pme!Pl
easehel
pmemama!

Sheisn'
tmovi
ng.Shei
sjustst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
andstar
ri
ngatus.

Me:(
cryi
ngout
)Pl
easehel
pmemama!Pl
easehel
p
me!

Ntat
e:Shutup.Noonewi llhelpyou.Youaremine!
Youwillal
waysbemi ne.Icameher ef
oryou.Di
d
youthi
nkIwoulddieij ai
lwithouttast
ingyouagai
n?
Youaremi nMandu.Youar emi ne.
Myeyesarefi
xedonmygr andmot
herwho
suddenl
yst
art
sbleedi
ngfr
om hermouthandnose
andcrumbl
estothefl
oormakingmescream l
ouder
.

Ifinallywakeupf r om whatf el
tlikehel l.Ican't
breathe.HowdoIbr eathe?Myhear tisr acingso
fastthatIam scar edImi ghtgetapani cat t
ack.
Whowi l
lhelpmewhenIam al laloneher e?This
room i stoodar k.Ist andupandswi t
cht hel i
ghton
andsl i
debacki ntobedandbr eakdown.Thi shurt
s
sobad.Iwast ryingt ofixmysel f.Iwast ryingto
forgetNt atebutl ookwher eIam now.Thi smustbe
whatar elapsef eel slike.Idinntevenhaveanyone
tocal lbecauseBol engwant snot hi
ngt owi thme.
Shesawmei napi ctur ethatwast rendingofmei n
Dubaiwi t
hsomeoft hedol lstwomont hsagoand
sheconf r
ontedmeaboutandt riedt ogetmet oquit.
Iwasver ynast ytoherandt oldhert omi ndherown
sexlessl i
fe.Iregr ettedi taft
ersayi ngi tbutpr i
de
didn'tletmeapol ogi ze.
HadIlist
enedtoherIwoul dn'
thavebeenther
ethat
day.Iwouldn'
tbefeeli
nglikethi
sri
ghtnow.Idid
thi
stomysel f
.Whydi dIevenbecomeaJoj odoll
?
Ari
eisouttherel
ivi
ngherbestl i
fewhil
eIam here
rel
ivi
ngmyni ght
mar es.IneedSam.

Hisphoneri
ngsunansweredandIdi
alhi
m agai
n.I
knowit'
s2am butIneedhi
m.

Hi
m:(
groggy)hel
lo?

Me:(
cryi
ng)Ineedyou.

Hi
m:hmm?

Me:Pleasecomeandgetme.Iam scar
ed.Ineed
you.
Ihearsomeshuf
fli
nganddoor
sopeni
ngand
cl
osingint
hebackground.

Me:
Pleasehur
ry.

Hi
m:Nadi
a,doyour
eal
izewhatt
imei
tis?

Me:Ihadabaddream.Pl
easecomeandgetme.I
can'
tsl
eepanymore.

Him:NadiaIcan'tdr
ivear
oundat2am justbecause
youhadabaddr eam.Whathappensi fIgeti
ntoan
acci
denthoneypot?Calm downandgobackt o
sl
eep.I
twasj ustadream.Iwil
lpickyouupinaf ew
hour
s.Wewi l
lspendt heweekendtoget
her.

Me:but
-
Hecutt hecall
.Ineedhim now.Morenal
ovesme
andever yt
hingbuthedoesn'tknowIwasrapedas
achi l
d.Hedoesn'tknowIam aJojodoll
.Hewon't
understandanythi
ngaboutmyni ght
maresbeing
tri
ggered.Hewon'tunderst
andwhyIneededt o
forget.

Me:(
text
ing)HiJol
ene.Iwant
edtoletyouknow
t
hatIqui
t.Ican'
tdoitanymor
e.Iam sorr
y.

Myphoneri
ngsimmediatel
yandit
'sJolene.Thi
s
womanneversl
eeps.Shoul
dIevenpickthecall
?

Me:Hel
lo.

Jol
ene:What
'
swr
ong?Whyar
eyouqui
tt
ing?

Me:Ican'
tdoi
tanymor
e.Ij
ustcan'
t.Iam done!
Pl
easedon'
tcal
lmeagai
n.

Jolene:Woah, calmt hef*ckdownlit

tl
egirl
.Ical
led
tohearyourr easonsf orquit
ti
ng.Iam nott
ryi
ngt o
for
ceyout ost ay.Imaket omuchmoneyt obeg
l
itt
legirl
s.Sodon' tyellatmeneh.Nowwhydoyou
wantt oquit
?

Me:( fi
ghti
ngmyt ears)I…Theni ghtmaresareback.
IkeepseeingNt at
er apingmeagai nandit'
s
becauseoft hatgangbang.Howcoul dyousetme
upf orthr
eemenJol ene?How?Thosemenusedme
l
ikeabi nandIwasal lalone.Ihadnowheretorun
to.Theydidn'tcar
et hatIwascr yi
ngJolene.They
enjoyeditwhenIf oughtback.Theyr apedme!You
l
ett hem r
apeme!

Jol
ene:(chuckles)Kykhiersobabamei si(
Lookhere
babygirl
)Your eadandsignedandNonDi sclosur
e
agreementsthatclear
lystatedtheter
msofyour
servi
cesinblackandwhi te.Il
istedal
lsit
uati
ons
youmaybeexposedt oandyoucar ri
edyourbig
headandsi gnedit
.Nowyouwantt ocomeandt el
l
meIl etpeopl
erapeyou?Me?Youknewyouwer e
walkingint
oagangbangandyouwer eexci
tednow
youcomeandwantt ocryrape?Probeermyni e
(don'tt
ryme)Iam niceuntilIam not.Leaveas
quietl
yasyoucame.Eki sniedieeenom meet e
mor snie(Iam nottheonet omesswi t
h)Your
packagewiber eadyforyout opickupby9am.

Wi t
hthatshehangsup.Bypackageshemeanst he
moneyIam owedf orthegangbangandasor tof
severancepackageifyouwi l
l.Shegi
veseverygirl
P20kwhent heyleaving.Shesaysit'
sapart
inggift
buttheconversat
ionwej usthadmakesmef eel
like
i
t'shushmoneybecauseshei si
nnogivi
ngmood.I
reall
ymessedupdi dn'tI?

[
08/
31,
17:
36] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t24

Di
kel
edi

Sam:Iam byt
hepar
kingl
ot.

Me:OK.Iam comi
ngt
her
enow.

Igrabmybagandl ockt
hedooronmywayoutand
runtothepar
kinglot
.It
hengiveSam apeckont
he
cheekaft
ersecuri
ngmybelt
.

Sam:Howar
eyoubabe?Di
dyoumanaget
osl
eep?

Me:YesIdid.Iqui
ttheJojodoll
s.Ir
eal
izedt
hat
usi
ngsextof or
geti
sn'tgoi
ngtogetmeanywhere.I
havebookedasessionwiththeoncampus
counselor
.Ithi
nkit'
sti
meIgethelp.Sexisni
ceand
al
lbutitdidn'
tfi
llt
hevoidIhavei
nside.

Hi
m:That
sgoodf
oryou.Atl
east-

Me:Wai
tletmeanswert
his.

I
t'
sMor
ena.

Me:Hel
lo?

Mor
ena:Getoutoft
hatcar
.

What
?Istar
tlooki
ngar
oundandIcan'
tseehi
m.
Wher
eishe.

Mor
ena:Nadi
agetoutoft
hatcarr
ightnow.
Me:I
…Wher
ear
eyou?

Morena:Soyoudon' twantt
ogetout?Whoi sthat
manNadi a?Whoi she?IshethereasonIbarelyget
toseeyou?Yesterdaywasmyl astdayinschool
andIwant edtotakeyououtsowecanspendt he
weekendtogetherandwenayouar einSUVt sadi
l
oan?EitheryougetoutoryouandIar edone.

Me:Wear
eal
readyatt
her
oundaboutt
lher
ra.

Mor
ena:I
siti
nspace?Kar
ehol
ogakol
oieoNadi
a.

Me:(
cal
mly)Pleasestopj
umpi
ngt
oconcl
usi
ons.
I
t'
snotwhatyouthink.

Mor
ena:Nadi
agoshar
p.Gobewi
thyourol
dman.
Me:NoMor enadon-Hecutthecall
.Stopt
hecar
Sam.Ihavetogoback.Ican'
tlosehim.

Sam:Iam notst oppingthiscar .YouandIhave

plansandIt hinkyouneedt oaccepthi sdecision.
Youwer en'tmaki ngachoi cebet weenussohe
madei tforyou.Imeanyouhavebeenst r
ingingme
alongforsixmont hsNadia.Howi sthatfair
?Ene
Ebileobotokakagor ehedi dn'tknowIexi st
ed.
Imaginemewhohadt oendur et heknowledget hat
youwer eeitherwi thhi
m orot hermenwhopai dyou
forsex.Ithasn'tbeenf ai
ronmeatal l
.Justlethim
goifhedoesn' tseet hatyouar ewor t
ht hesacr i
fi
ce
ofsharing.

Iam notactual
lyl
ist
eni
ngt ohi
m.Ikeeptryi
ngto
callMorenabuthewon'tanswermycall
s.Letme
texthi
m.
[Babekanat hisismyuncl e.Hewant smet ohelp
him buyasur priseforhi swif
e'sbi
rthdayparty.You
knowt heonesIusual lyspendweekendwi th.I
couldn'
tjusttellhimt ostopthecarbecausemy
boyfri
endi sangr y.I
'dgetintroubl
ebecauset hey
alwaystellmet of ocusonschool.Don' tendus
overami sunder standing.Il
oveyouandonl yyou. ]

Ireal
lydol oveMor ena.Hei severythi
ngIhaveever
wantedi naman.Theonl ythingi sthatSam knows
mypai nmor et hanhedoes.Mor enaiswheremy
l
iesbegan.Icoul dn'tevent ellhim myrealname.
Whatmor eallmyot herskel etons.Idon'
twanthim
toseemeasdamagedgoods.Sam knowsmeand
understandsmebutIcan' tcommi tmysel
fwholyto
himforsomer eason.Out sideoft hefactt
hathe
buyssexont her egular,Ifeellikether
eismor eto
himthatIdon' tknow.

Me:Sam Ihavet
ogoback.Pl
easest
opt
hecar
.I'
l
l
t
akeakombibacktoschool
.
Sam:Isai dno.Canyouj ustbefaironmef oronce
Nadi a.Don'tyoucareaboutmyf eeli
ngsatal
l?I
l
oveyouwi thallyourf
lawsbutyouwantt oleave
mef oramanwhohasnoi deawhoyouar eand
thereforecannotpossibl
yloveyoul i
keIdo?Does
thatmakeanysenset oyou?Bef airmma.

Withthatheaccel erat
est hecarandmyt earsfall
.I
wishIcoul dtalkt oBoleng.Ievenst oppedtalkingto
hermot herbecauseIwasashamed.Idon' treally
knowi fBolengt oldheranyt hingbutIdidn'
twantt o
ri
skthedi sappoi ntmentinhervoi cesoIblockedher .
Ihaven'tvisit
edt hem sinceIst ar
tedschool.Myl if
e
i
ssuchamessbutIcan' tblameanyonef orit.Now
hereIam aboutt oloset heonl yt
hingthatmakes
senseinmyl ife.Theoneper sonwhoact uall
y
makesmef orgetthepastIhad.WhenIam wi t
hhim,
Itr
ulybecomeNadi abecausehedoesn' tknow
anythi
ngt hathappenedt ome.
Isti
lldon'
tunder
standwhyamanasr ichasSam
seemst obeli
vesinabachel
orpad.Thehousei
s
niceandeveryt
hingbuti
t'
sst
il
lwier
d.Wedr i
vei
nto
theyardandgetoutaft
erheparkst
hecarunderthe
shade.

Sam:(
unl
ocki
ngt
hedoor
)cl
oseyoureyes.

Me:Sam Iam noti

nthemood.Ij
ustwantt
ogo
back.

Sam:OKjusti
ndul
gemet
henyouwi
llgoi
fyou
wantt
o.

Me:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)f
inet
hen.Myeyesar
ecl
osed.What
now?

Heopenst
hedoorandt
akesmyhandl
eadi
ngmei
n.
Sam:Nopeeki
ngbabe.

Canhej
ustgett
hisoverwi
thal
ready.

Sam:OKyoucanopenyoureyesnow.

Isl
owlyopenmyeyesandcovermymout
hin
shock.

Me:OhmyGod.Babewhatdi
dyoudo?

Therearer osepetalsOnt hefl

oorandsomehear t
shapedhel ium ball
oonsstucktothecei
li
ng.There
i
sawi nebot t
leonthetablewithchocol
atesand
strawberr
iesnextt oit
.Ifeell
i
keIjustwalkedint
o
valant
inesday.It urnaroundandlookathim wit
h
tearsi
nmyeyes.Noonehaseverdonet hisforme.
Ithrowmysel finhi sarmsandgi vehim ahug
beforegi vinghi m sloppywetki sst hatl
eadst ous
throwingcl othesof fofeachot herlikehungr y
scavenger s.Bef oreIknowi tIam lyingont he
carpetandbr eathingheavi l
yashepoundsi ntome
l
ikehewi lldiei fhedoesn' ttakeme.Ther eitis
again.Thatsexualheal ing.Thishasgott obet he
bestfeelingi nt hewor ld.Iti
st r
ulyunmat ched.He
eventuallyst artsgr unt
ingandIknowhei s
cummi ng.Il ovet helookhehaswhenhei s
cummi ng.Hel ookssoweakandknowi ngt hatIam
causingt hatal waysget smeof f
.

Heeventuall
ypul
lshimselfoutandr
oll
sthe
condom offhi
sshaftbef
orejoini
ngmeonthef
loor
.

Me:Doyoual
wayscar
ryacondom nehbabe?

Sam:(hol
dingmythi
gh)Youneverknowwhenan
opport
uni
tywil
lpr
esenti
tsel
f.
Ir
olloverandl
ieonmysi
deandsuppor
tmyhead
wi
thmyhand.

Me:Soyoucarr
yacondom incaseyoubumpi nt
o
someoneyoumighthavesexwith?(si
lence).You
sayIshoul
dchooseyouyetyousleepar ound?How
i
sthatfai
r?

Sam:(si
ghs)babeIonlysleptaroundbecauseyou
weredoi
ngittoo.I
fyoudecidet obeexclusi
vewit
h
methenIwillst
opsleepi
ngar ound.I
twil
lbeme
andyou.

Me:youpr
omi
se?

Hel
if
tshi
sheadandki
sses.

Sam:Ipr
omi
se.Nowcomeher
e.
Hepull
smeontohim andst
artski
ssi
ngmeagai
n.
Wearedoingt
hisagai
n.Sam haakgore
wai
tse……………

Sam:Idon'
tknowwhywomenl ovechocol
atesso
much.Thi
sthingi
stoosweet
.

Me:Don'
teati
tthen.

Sam:(l
aughs)Mxm l
etmegotakeashower.We
don'
thaveanyfoodher
esoI
'l
lgogetustakeaways.

Me:Youref
usedt
obat
hwithmeearl
ier
.Lookhow
f
reshIl
ookandwenaonkgasex.

Hel
aughsandst
andsupheadi
ngt
othebat
hroom.
Me:(shout
ing)babecanIuseyourphone?You
havesuchgreatpict
urequal
it
y.Iwantt
oupdat
emy
Inst
agram.

Hi
m:Sur
e!Doyour
emembermypasswor
d?

Me:It
hinkso.Letmet
ry.OKImanaged!

Istartcl
icki
ngandpout i
ng,fi
xingmyPer uvi
anwig
andcl i
ckingmorepictur
eswhent hescreen
suddenlychanges.Ijustansweredavideocallby
mistake.Ohno.Idon'twantittoseem l
ikeIwas
snooping.Alit
tl
egir
lappear sonthescreen.

Her:Daddy?Whatar
eyoudoingwithmydaddy'
s
phone?Mummysomeonest oledaddy'
sphone.
Lookmummy.

Shepassest
hephonet
ohermot
herwhof
rownsat
me.Ihavel i
ter
all
yfr
ozen.Ishoul
dhangupbutI
can'
t.Iseeherwalki
ngoutoftheroom shewasi
n.
Whycan' tImove?

Woman:Whatareyoudoi
ngwi
thmyhusband'
s
phone?Whoar
eyou?Wherei
smyhusband?

Sam musthavehear
dtheconversat
ionbecausehe
comesrunni
ngoutofthebat
hroom dickf
lyi
ng
aroundandal
mostfal
lsashegrabsthephonefrom
me.

Woman:Tyl
erwhatt
hef
*cki
sgoi
ngon?

WhoisTyl
er?Whoist
hiswoman?Whati
sgoi
ngon
her
e?IsSam mar
ri
ed?

Sam:BabeIcanexpl
ain.
Her:Expl
ainwhatTyl
er?Youarebl
oodynakedwith
askankthatl
ooksli
keshejustf
ini
shedpuber
ty.O
robal
abanaTyler?Wearedone.Doyouhearme?
Done!

Sam:BabyIam coming.Don'
tdothat
.Itwasjusta
tempt
ati
on.Iam comingnow.Pl
easedon'tendus.

ThecallgetscutandSam,orisitTyl
erst
arts
runni
ngaroundgr abbi
nghiscl
othesandwearing
them f
ranti
call
y.Thismanisn'
tsayi
nganythi
ngto
me.Hegr abshiscarkeysandIdashtothedoor
andblockhisway.

Me:wher
edoyouthi
nkyouar
egoi
ngwi
thoutt
ell
ing
mewhatisgoi
ngon?

Sam:Nadi
athi
sisn'
tthet
imet
opl
ay.MoveIhave
togoseemywife.
Me:(foldi
ngmyar ms)Awifeyouhavenever
mentionedbefor
e?Am Iaf oolt
oyou?Huh?You
mademel oseamant hatl
ovesmet ell
ingmeto
chooseyoukanteyouar emarri
ed?Mar ri
ed?WTF
Sam!Wai tyouaren'
tevenSam Ihear.YouareTyl
er.
Apreschoolchil
d'snameforamanchi ld.

Heshovesmeoutoft
hewayandr
oughl
yopenst
he
door
.

Sam:Idon'
thavet
imef
ort
his.

Whatt
hehel
ljusthappened?

°
°°° °
°°°

Tl
otl
o
Bogosi
:Babyt l
hemmacomebackhome.Whatdo
youexpectmet odowithoutyou?Lookathow
muchwei ghtIhavel
ostsinceyoulef
tme.

Me:Bogosiyouwi
llchasemycust
omer
saway.
Pl
easeleavemeandgot owor
k.

Imovedoutt womont hsagoaf t

ersavi ngenough
moneyt ostartbuyingbal esfr
om t heUK.Isel lmy
clothesbyGameCi ty.Mysi st
erloanedmehercar .I
rentitforp800amont h.Thatisallshewaswi lli
ng
totakebacauseshehasanot hercar .Andshe
doesn'tevent akethemoneybecausesheal ways
tell
smet ofuelit.Myki dsandIleaveRamot swa
veryear l
yint hemor ningsoIcandr opt hem of fat
schoolandt heyal wayst ellmethatt heydon' tmi nd
i
tbecauseIhaveaskedt hem iftheypr eferstaying
withtheirfather.Butthatisalwaysmetwi tha
resoundingno.

I
thasn'
tbeeneasybutIf
eel
li
keIhavet
akenback
somepower .Iwasusedt othelavishli
fest
yle
Bogosiprovidedmewithbutallthoseexpensive
wigsandweavesnevergavemet hepeaceIhave
now.Manywomenenvi edIwel loffIl
ookedbutI
hadnothing.NowIam start
ingaf r
eshandIam
happy.Theonl ygoodt
hingaboutt hepigIlovedis
thathesti
llt
akescareofhischildrenandpayst hei
r
feessoIam of ft
hehookont hatone.

Bogosi
:OKgi
vdmeyournumbert
hen.

Me:No.

Bogosi
:Babepl
ease.

Me:Bogosiyouhavehadmynumberf oreight
een
years.Didtichangeanythi
ngexceptf
orgiveme
babiesanddef orm mybody?Iam notgivi
ngyou
mynumber .Youchildr
enhavephonessoyoucan
tal
ktot hem i
fyouwantt o.YouandIaredoneand
nothi
ngi schangingt hat.(Ichuckle)whenIt hinkof
howyousawmeasanonf actornowyouar ehere
sweatinginyoursui tsurroundedbybommaSeapei
j
usttogetmeback.Iguessi t
'st
ruewhatt heysay.
Youdon' tknowwhatyouhaveunt ilyouhavelostit
.
Bona(Ispi tonthegr ound)Assur easyouar ethat
myspi tisgoingtodr yupt henyoushoul dbeas
surethatTlotl
oisdonewi thyou.Done!Nna
ngwanawagaSt el
la.Neveromponakeboel akogo
wena.Forwhat ?Todi e?Pl easeleaveboforeIcall
thepolice.

Heopenshi
smout
htospeaksoIpi
ckupast
one.

Me:TsamayaBogosi
.Go!Mxm.

Hewalksoffwi
thhi
sheadhangi
ng.Myst
all
nei
ghborcl
apsherhands.

Nei
ghbor
:Wai
tsebanna!Sohenowwant
syouback
af
teral
ltheseyear
sofnotmar
ryi
ngyou?

Me:Janedon' tyouknowt hatwhenamanr eali

zes
youdon' tneedasmuchashet houghthestarts
panickingandactinglikehehaschanged.I fIgo
backt othatman, hewi l
lshowmemor edustthan
beforebecausehewi l
lneverlear
nhislesson.After
bei
ngt ogetherforeighteenyearsmot hoasa
changewhatwi llIbeexpect i
ng?No.Iam done.

Myphonestar
tri
ngi
ngwhi
lesheshakesherhead.
I
t'
smysist
er.

Me:Bot
howhat
swr
ong?

Bot
ho:(
cryi
ng)Ineedyou.Pl
easecome.

Me:Whathappened?Iam att
hest
all
.
Bot
ho:nkgonnekeagokopa(
mybi
gsi
sterpl
ease)

Myhear
tst
artr
aci
ng.

Me:Di
dhebeatyou?LookIam comi
ng.

Istandupandgat
hermyt
hingsandpackt
hem i
nto
thecar.

Jane:What
'swrong?I
t'
snotevenl
unchandyouar
e
al
readyl
eaving?

Me:Ihavetogo.Mysi
sterneedsme.Idon'
tknow
whathappenedsoIam notdvensur
ewhenIwillbe
abl
etocomebacksoIjusthavetopack.

Jane:OKl
etmehel
pyou.IhopesheI
'
dfi
ne.
Ihopesot
oo.Bot
hoi
sn'
tacr
ier
.

Thatl
i
ke,
commentandshar
epl
ease
[
08/
31,
17:
37] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t25

Tl
otl
o

"
Getout
!Getoutofmyhouse!
"
"
Babypl
ease!
"
"
Mamast
ooooop!
"

Thereissomuchcommotioncomingfrom thi
s
house.Iam sur
enei
ghbor
swillst
artgather
ing.But
thenagain,thisisthebett
erpartofthecity.Idoubt
theseneighbor swouldstandoverwal l
s.Isee
clothesfl
yingassoonasIdr i
veinaftermyni ece
openedt hegatef orme.Bothoisclearl
ymani c.She
i
st ossingclot
hesoutandyel li
ngherheadof f
.This
i
sl i
keasceneoutofAcr imony.Whathast hi
sman
donet omysi ster?Iqui
cklyparkthecarandj ump
out.

Me:Bobowhat
'sgoi
ngon?

Tyl
er:
Tlotlopleasehel
pme.Tal
ktoyoursi
ster
.She
i
soverreacti
ng.

Botho:Overr
eact
ing?Over
react
ing?Iwi
llshowyou
overr
eacti
ng!Nxl
a.

Shethenstor
msof ft
othesi
deoft hehouse.The
onlywayIcangettothebot
tom ofthi
sisbyasking
theonebei
ngkickedout.
Me:Tyl
erwhathappened.

Helooksaroundbei
ngshi
ft
y.Iknowt
hisl
ook.I
knowittoowell
.

Me:(
sigh)Whoi
sshe?

Tyl
er:Tlotlot
lhemmai twasami st
ake.Ijustmade
onemi stakeoffalli
ngforagirl'
sseductiononce.I
havenevercheat edonyoursi sterbefor
ebutshe
al
readywant stol eaveme.Pleaset al
ktoher .

Me:Socheat
ingoncej
ust
if
iesi
t?

JustthenBothocomeshol dingahosepipe
sprayingwatereverywhere.Iduckouttoavoi
d
getti
ngsprayedasshef ranti
call
ysprayswaterover
theclothesshetossed.
Bot
ho:Iwi
llshowyouover
react
ing!Oant
lwael
a
Tl
yer!

Shespr aysthewat ereverywhereandturnst othe

carandspr ayswat erintotheopenwindow.Tyl er
j
umpsandt ri
estakingthehosef r
om herbutshe
i
ncr easesthepressur eonthenozzleandspr aysit
onhi m.IknowIshoul dbestoppingher.IknowI
shouldbecal mingherbutIf eell
ikeIam ina
therapysessionrightnow.Thi sf
eelsri
ght.Itfeel
s
l
ikeshei sdojndgi ttoBogosi.SoIam justgoingto
standher eforabit.

Botho:Bobel
eteTyl
er!Kegot
lhat
swabobel
etehel
a!
Bobelet
e!

Tyler
:Bothost
opit
!Tlotl
odon'
tjustst
andt
her
e
takethehosef
rom her!
Me:(
sigh)Boboi
t'
senough.Putt
hehosedown.

Bot
ho:Kegot
shel
elewena?Kegot
shel
e?

Il
if
tmyhandsstepback.Iwi
llj
usthavewai
tfor
hert
obesati
sfi
ed.

Tyl
er:
Tlot
lot
lhemma!

Ir
ollmyeyesandt
akemyni ece'shandandl
eadher
i
nthehouse.Sher
eal
lydoesn'tneedtoseet
his.

°
°°° °
°°°

Di
kel
edi

Whatam Ievengoi
ngtodo?Ican'
tbeli
eveIsl
ept
wi
thamarriedman.Howfool
isham I
?Iwasabout
toacceptlosingMor enaf oramar ri
edman.Iam
suchamess.Imessedupmyl i
fe.Eventhefact
thathetextedmebackt elli
ngmet ocomeover
whenIam donei sami racle.Thecabdi dn'tt
ake
l
ongt ogett oBogosi'
spl ace.That'swhereMor ena
l
ivesnow.Idon' treal
lyknowwhatt hest
ory
betweenhim andTl otl
oi srightnowbutt hepoor
guylookssosad.

Inervousl
ywal ktot
hedoorandknock.Het
akes
somet i
mebef oreopeni
ngthedoor
.Hedoesn'
tlook
happyatall.

Me:Hi
….

Hejustmovesfrom t
hedoorwaysoIcanwal kin.
Thisi
sawkwardf orme.Iam st
andingher efeeli
ng
l
ikeachil
dreadyforawhoopingf orbreaki
ngt heTV.
Heshutsthedoorandwalksoffintothepassage.
Shoul
dIfoll
owhi m?Ishecomingback?
Mor
ena:(
tur
nst
ofaceme)Ar
eyoucomi
ngofnot
?

Ishuffl
emywayovertohim andfol
lowhi
mint
ohi
s
bedroom andshutt
hedoorbehi
ndme.

Me:Iam sor
rybabe.

Morena:(
sighsandsi
tsont
hebed)Whatar
eyou
sor
ryforexact
ly?

Me:I
…Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn'
twantt
ogeti
ntr
oubl
ewi
th
myuncl
e.

Morena:Nadia.Iam notafool.DoyouthinkI
haven'tr
eal
izedthatIam al
onei nt
hisr
elati
onship?
Iam theonewhoi salwayshavingtobeg.Showing
youIloveyoubutyouar ealwaystoobusyf orme.
Youalwayshaver easonswhenIwantyout osl
eep
overwit
hmeyoual wayshavesomewheret
obe.My
sil
encedoesn'
tmeanIam afool
.Youshutmeout
thenexpectmetokeephangi
ngon.Doyoueven
l
oveme?

Me:Mor
enaIl
oveyou.Iwoul
dn'
tbeher
eifIdi
dn'
t.

Mor
ena:Thenpr
ovei
ttome.Tel
lmet
het
rut
h.Who
i
she?

Istar
tst
ammer ingbecauseIdon'tknowwhatto
say.Whati
fItellhi
mt hetr
uththenheleavesme?
Whatifhebeatsmeup?

Me:Mor
enaIt
oldyout
het
rut
h.

Morenast
andsupandt
akesmyhandandpul
lsme
outoft
hebedr
oom.
Morena:Gobackt owhereyoucamef r
om.Akereo
maaka?Your eal
lytakemeforafooldon'
tyou?You
can'
tjustbehonestwithme?Gobackt ohi
mt hen.

Me:(
cryi
ng)Babet
lher
raIam t
ell
ingyout
het
rut
h!
Youarehur
ti
ngme.Letgoofmyar m.

Mor
ena:omaaka!Go!TsamayaNadi
a.

Heopenst hedoorandshovesmeoutcausingme
t
ostumble.Ithenrunbackt
othedooraft
er
r
egaini
ngmybal anceandstar
tpoundi
ngitf
orhi
m
t
oletmein.

Me:Iwillt
alk.Pl
easedon'tchasemeaway.Itwasa
mist
ake.Il
oveyou.Pleaseopent hedoor
.Don'
t
l
eavemeouther e.Don'
tleaveme!

Ist
artcr
yinghyst
eri
cal
lyf
eel
ingt
hef
earIal
ways
fel
twhenmamawoul dgot othef ar
m.Justknowing
I'
dbeal onewi
thNtateandhavi ngnoonetoprotect
meal waysgavemeanxi et
yat t
acks.Whydidn'
tI
j
ustrunaway?Whydi dIall
owhi mt ousemeall
thoseyears?WhydidIkeepgoi ngbackhomeaf ter
school?Whydidn'
tIreporthim?

Mor
enaf i
nall
yopenst
hedoorandIst
andupwi
ping
mytear
sof f
.

Mor ena:Whatwast hemi st

ake?That
'sal
lIwantt
o
know.I fyouli
eIam goingtoshutthi
sdoorand
stayint her
e.Iam notafool.

Me:OKar etsenemont
lungee.Wecan'
ttal
kabout
t
hisout
side.

Hegivesmealookthatsendschil
lsdownmyspine.
Maybeweshouldtal
kouthere.Icanalwaysr
un
awayifhet
ri
edtobeatme.
Me:OKl
et'
ssi
tdown.

Mor
ena:I
'
llst
and.

Me:Iwoul
dn'
tbecomf
ort
abl
eMor
ena.Justsi
t
downsowecantal
kpr
operl
y.

Mor
ena:
Finet
hen.Let
'sgeti
nsi
de.

Ihesit
ateforasecondthenfol
lowhimin.Ihaveto
besmar taboutt
his.Wetakeourseatacrossf
rom
eachotherandIfeell
ikeIam i
nthewitnessstand
again.

Hi
m:Bua.

Me:BabeIneedyout
oknowt
hatIl
oveyou.Al
lthi
s
happenedsoquickl
y.Idon'tevenknowhowt
otel
l
you.Butpl
easeknowt hatIlove-

Him:BonaNadia.Ifyoudon'
twantt
otal
kthenj
ust
go.Il
oveyou.Il
oveyoukewaengwhenIj ustwant
thetr
uth?Tal
korleave.Si
mple.

Me:Youar
en'
tmaki
ngt
hiseasyf
ormeMor
ena.

Him:Yout hi
nkthepastf ourmonthshavebeen
easyforme?I nfact,
ourwhol erel
ati
onshipwas
dif
fi
cultforme.Iam onl yherebecauseIloveyou.I
genuinelyloveyouNadi aandyoudon' tseem to
appreciateitoratl
eastrecognizemylove.AllIask
nowi sforyout orespectmeenought ost op
patr
onizingmeandj ustspitt
het r
uthout.

Idon'
tli
ket
hissi
deofMor
ena.Theser
iousguy.I
t
scar
esme.
Me:(twi
ddl
ingmyt
humbs)I
..(
breat
heout
)I
cheat
edonyou.

Hisdemeanorchangesi
mmedi
atel
y.It
hinkhe
knewalr
eadybuttheconf
ir
mat
ionj
ustmadeithi
t
home.Helookshurt.

Me:Iam sosor
ry.

Hi
m:Howmanyt
imes?

Me:Rr
a?

Hi
m:Boki
banyadi
tsebebobel
ete?Kar
ehowmany
t
imes?

Ican'tsayonce.Thelookonhisf
acesayshewi
ll
nottoler
atenonsense.WhydidIevenadmi
ttot
his?
Ican'
tevent
ellhi
mt hewhol
etrut
h.He'dl
eaveme.I
movemywi gfrom myfaceandbli
nkthet
earsaway.

Hi
m:Keat
enegaNadi
a.

Me:I
thappenedt
hreet
imes.

Hebr eat
hesoutdeepl yandstandsupwhich
star
tlesmeandIcowerbehi ndmyhandst oblock
hisslapfr
om myf ace.NothinghappenssoImove
myhands.Hei sn'
there.Hereappear
sfrom the
kit
chenhol di
ngasixpackofbeerandopensone
thendownsal mosthalfofitonceaft
ersit
ti
ngdown.
Het henplaceshisfeetonthetabl
eandleansback
tofacetheceili
ng.

Hi
m:Wasi
ttheSUVguy?

Me:(
sof
tl
y)yes.
Him:(li
ft
shishead)what?Idoubtyouweret
his
quietwhenyouwer echeat
ingonme.Karewasit
theguyyouleftwit
hthismorni
ng?

Me:
(l
ookongat
yfeet
)Yes.

Mor
ena:Why?

Me:Rr
a?

Morena:Ketlagogasakabirie.Sincewhenareyou
deafbecauseIam speaki
ngclearl
y?Don'tangerme
morethanyoualreadyhave.Justanswermy
quest
ion.

Me:Idon'
tknow.It
hinkIwasbor
edbecauseyou
wer
ealwaysbusy.
Iam j
ustlyi
ngr i
ghtnowsothiscanend.AllIwant
i
sforhimt oforgi
vemesowecanst ar
tover.Iwi
ll
bethebestgirl
fri
endeveraf
tert
his.

Him:Soitwasmyf
aul
tforbei
nghel
dupwi
thmy
f
inalyear
?

Me:No.Thisisallmyf
aul
t.Ishoul
dn'
thavecheat
ed
i
nthefi
rstplace.

Him:OK.Wheredi
dyouguyshavet
hesethr
ee
ti
mes?Didyouhavesexwi
thhi
m bef
orecoming
here?

Hehasadi
sgust
edl
ookonhi
sfaceasheaskst
his.

Me:(si
ghi
ng)babedon'
taskmethat.I
twon'
thel
p
youorme.Imadeami st
akeandIhaveownedupto
i
tandIam askingyoutofor
givemesowecanst
art
over.Iwasafool
.Ibr
okethingsoffwi
thhi
m
becauseyouaren'
twort
hlosing.

Helooksatmeinsi
lencef
orsometi
mebefor
e
st
andingupandwalki
ngtothedoor
.Myheart
st
artspoundi
ngasheopensit
.

Hi
m:Pl
easel
eave.Ineedf
indt
othi
nk.

Me:Babydon'
tdot
his.Isai
dIam sor
ry.

Him:Nadi aleavenoworIwi l
lbreakthingsoffwith
yourightnow.Iam t el
li
ngyouIneedt othink.Il
ove
youbutt hi
shur ts.Ineedt oseeifIcanseepastt his
pai
nIf eelinmychest .Ifeell
ikeIhavebeen
punchedi nthegut .Iknewyouwer echeatingonme
butIwasf oolishlyprayingyouwer en't
.Iwant edt
o
bel
ieveIwasi maginingt hi
ngsbutitturnsoutIam
not.AllIam askingf oristi
me.Iwi l
lletyouknow
whenIam readytotalktoyou.RightnowIcan'
t
evenlookatyouwithoutimagi
ninganothermanon
topofyou.I
t'
ssuffocati
ngme.Kekopaot samaye
Nadia.

[
08/
31,
17:
37] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t26

Tl
otl
o

Tylerlefti
nhissoakingwetcar.Themanwasso
fur
ioust hathelookedreadytopop.Isal utehi
s
nerve.Ifyouchestthenyoubet t
erber eadyfor
what everconsequencecomesf rom yourpar t
ner
fi
ndingout .IhavetoadmitthatIam shocked.
Theset wohavebeenmar ri
edforsixyear sand
Tyleralwaysseemedt owor shi
pt hegroundBot ho
wal kson.Idon'tevenknowi fasheknew, ifthere
wer eanysi gnslikewi t
hBogosi .Wear egoing
throught hi
sbot tl
eofwi nelikeit'
swat er
.It'
sagood
thingAunt yhadn' tknockedof fyet.Sheiswithyj e
kidswhi l
ewedr ownoutsor rows.It'
sbeenawhi le
sinceI '
vehadt hegoodst uf
f.Onmhbudget ,aP100
bot t
leisaluxuryIal lowmysel f.Ineverexceedt hat
sot hisri
ghther e,it
'ssli
digdownmyt houghtlikeit
wasmadei nIsrael.

Me:Ithi
nkyouhavedr
ankenought
otel
lmewhat
happened.

Botho:(gi
vesadrychuckl e)IthoughtI'dhave
for
gottenbynowbuti t'
sst i
llt
here.Thesadt hingis
Iwassodumb.Icoul dn'tseet hesignsbutnowI
seethattheyaresoclear!Hewant st
ot el
lmei twas
thefi
rstti
mehecheatedbuti t
sal ieSoso.It'
sal i
e.
Twoyear sagohecamewi t
hthis'bri
ll
ianti
dea' f
or
ustohaveaj oi
ntaccountwher ei
nwecont r
ibutefor
whateverexpenseswehaveasaf amily.Beforethat
,
we'dbringoursalar
iest oget
herandplanforthem
attheendofthemont h.Heclai
medt hathewanted
togivemef i
nancialfr
eedom becausehehat ed
questi
oningmyspendi ng.Si
sIdivedinbecauseI
wast i
redofbeingaskedwhyIneedabagt hat
costs3konlytooutmyphoneandl i
psti
ck.

Shet
akesanot
hersi
pandshakesherhead.

Botho:Sot hat'
showi twor ked,we'dcontributeto
thejointaccountandspenddichenchihowever .
Sosomymanget s150kamont handonl yhal f
wouldgoi ntooutj ointaccountt osett
leal lour
morgages, cars,fees,groceriesallt
hatst uff.I
'dalso
contributemyshar eandl i
fewenton.OnedayI
cameacr osshi sbankst at
ementandIsawsome
questionabl etransactionsandhedi smissedi tas
workr elatedthingst hathe'dgetr ei
mbur sedf or.I
i
gnor edi tbecausemymant reatsmel i
keaqueen.
Nowcomet hi
smor ningwhenYamasacal lsher
fat
heronl yforsomebi mbot oanswerthevi deocal l
.
Mybabyt houghtherf ather'
sphonewasst olen
kana.Whi l
eIam aski ngt heskankwhoshei sand
whyshehasmyman' sphone, whobutTyl ercomes
runningfrom somewher enakedast hedayhewas
born.SosoIwasgut t
ed.Isattherestunned
tl
hemma.Mxm gapeshei sakidSoso.HowdoI
compet ewi t
hf l
atstomachsandsmoot hbuttsthat
haveneverexper iencedchi l
dbi
rth?TylerandI
foughtoverhi sphonewhenhegother e.Ilocked
mysel fi
nt hebathroom andsear chedit.Thishas
beengoi ngonf ormont hs.Thryevenhaveapl act
theygot o.Isentmysel fscreengrabsand
everythi
ng.Hewasal somaki ngsome
appointment swithsomet hingchalkedJojodol l
s.I
don'tknowwhati ti
syetbutIwi llsoonenough.But
howdoesamancheatonyouf ormont hs?Doeshe
l
oveher ?Maybehewentbackt oher .

Shereachesf
orherphoneandcl
icksoni
tbef
ore
passi
ngittome.
Bot
ho:Iscr
eengrabbedthecal
lbecauseIdi
dn'
t
wanthi
mt odenyanythi
ng.Her
esheis.HowdoI
compet
ewi t
hthi
s?

It
aket
hephoneandmyj
awdr
ops.

Me:(
wideeyes)Nadi
a?

Bot
ho:Who?Youknowt
hisgi
rl
?

Inodmyheadr epeat
edlyasshockrunsthr
oughmy
body.Ican'
tbel
ievet
his.Howdidthi
sevenhappen?
Bothoshakesmebackt othepr
esentandshelooks
l
ikesheisreadytoki
ll
.

Botho:Whoi
sshe?Iwanthernumberr
ightnow
Soso.
Me:Ihardl
yknowherBobo.Imethertwi
ceorso.
Sheisorwas,Idon'
tknow.ImetherasMor
ena'
s
boyf
ri
end.

Bot
ho:(
onherf
eet
)Mor
enaasi
nBogosi
'
sbr
other
?

Inodmyhead.

Bot
ho:Gi
vemehi
snumber
.

Me:Why?

Botho:Sosoar
eyoutryi
ngt
opr
otectagi
rlwhoi
s
destr
oyingmymarr
iage?

Me:BoboTlyerisruiningyourmarr
iage.Nadiahas
not
hingtodowi t
ht his.Besi
des,
Ideletedal
lthei
r
numbersmot hatagoexceptChantelle'
s.
Bot
ho:Youar
elyi
ngtome.Ican'
tbeli
eveyouSoso.
Howcanyouprot
ecther
?Iwantthatgi
rl
!

Shestar
tscryi
ngandpaci
ngar
oundandIhavet
o
cal
m herdown.

Me:Cal m downBot ho.Lookal

lIknowi sTlamelo
toldmeMor enal
iveswithBogosi.Shefoundhim
therelastmonthandhei susuall
ytherewhent hey
visi
ttheirf
atherovertheweekends.

Bot
ho:Fi
nel
et'
sgot
hen.

Shegr
abshercarkeyst
hatIsnat
chf
rom her
.

Me:Iam notbei
ngdr
ivenar
oundbyacr
azywoman.
 °
°°° °
°°°

Mor
ena

Thishur ts.It'
salltoomucht otakei n.Ilovethatgir
l
somuchbuti tseemsl ikeIam justaf ooltoher.I
don'tevenknowi fIcantrustt
hatshet oldmet he
whol estory.Iam pr ett
ysurethishadbeengoi ngin
forallthesemont hsthatIhavebeensensi ngthe
distancef rom herbutschoolkeptmet oobusy.I
j
ustwantt of i
nishmybeerandpassout .Iheara
carhonki ngaf termyf i
nishi
ngmyf ourthbeer.
Bogosihasar emot esowhoi sthist r
yingtoruinmy
drinki
ngspr ee?Ipicktheinter
com.

Me:Whoi
sit
?

Tl
otl
o:hiMor
ena.I
t'
sme.Pl
easeopenupf
orme.
Me:OK.

Iopenthegateandlett
hem dr
ivei
nbef
orecl
osi
ng
i
tagain.Tl
otl
oandhersist
erwalki
ntot
hehouse
andexchangegreet
ingswi
thme.

Bot
ho:Sowher
eisshe?Wher
eisyourgi
rl
fr
iend?

Ihaven'
tseent
hiswomanint
woyearsormor
eso
whywouldshewanttoseemygi
rl
fr
iend?

Me:Idon'
tunder
stand.

Bot
ho:kar
ewher
eist
hewhor
eyoucal
lagi
rl
fr
iend?

[
08/
31,
17:
37] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t27

Mor
ena

Bot
ho:kar
ewher
eist
hewhor
eyoucal
lagi
rl
fr
iend?

Me:MmaagweTl amelo.Pleasegetyoursi
ster.I
respectyouverymuchsoIdon' twanttobecome
disrespectf
ulher
e.Iam tooboozeduptofil
termy
mout hrightnowsopleasetakeherandleaveright
now.

Tl
otl
o:Bobol et
'sgo.It
oldyounottodothis.
Fi
ghtingNadiawon'tchangeanyt
hing.Dealwit
h
Tyl
er.Heistheonewhocheat ed.

Naar
egat
weng.
Botho:Whosai dIwanttofi
ghther?Haveyouever
seenmef i
ght?YouaretheoneIalwayscalledt o
fi
ghtformesowhywoul dyout hi
nkIwantt ofight
thehoe?Ijustwantsomeanswer sf r
om her.Shei s
theonlyonewhocant el
lmethetruthbecauseI
knowt hatTylerwon'
t.Hewil
lli
etothegraveandI
needthet r
uth.Ineedtomakeinformeddecisions.
ThatsallIneed.

OK.Comet othi
nkofit.Ineedtohearthistrut
htoo
becauseIknowforaf actt
hatshedidn'tt
ellmethe
wholetr
uthsoIdialhernumber.

Me:(t
oTlotl
o)Idon'twantanydr
ama.Ifsheget
s
outofcont
rolIai
llt
ossheroutofthehouse.

Sheanswer
sthecal
lont
het
hir
dri
ng.

Her
:(sof
tl
y)Hel
lo.
Me:(
dryl
y)Wher
ear
eyou?

Her:Iam sti
llatt
hebusst
op.Ican'
tgetmyselft
o
l
eave.It
'sfeelsli
keI
'
dbeleavi
ngyouandlosingyou
f
orgood.

I
t'
sbeencl
osetoanhoursinceshelef
t.Ikni
dof
f
eelsor
ryf
orherbutIst
il
lfeell
iedt
o.

Me:Comebackt
hen.

Her
:OK.

Di
kel
edi

Iwasonmyf eeti
mmediatel
yhesaidIshoul
dcome
over.I
'
dr uni
fIdidn'
twanttolookl
ikeacr
azy
personinthi
sdresssoIspeedwalkback.
WhenIgett othehouseIam sur pri
sedt oseean
unfami li
arcar.IknowBogosi 'scarsowhoi sher e
andwhywoul dMor enaaskmet ocomebackwhr n
therear eguests?Orcoul ditbehisparents?Maybe
het rulyhasforgivenmeandwant sust ohavet he
dinnerhehasl ongspokenofwi thhisparents.I
quiclkywhi poutmypowderf oundati
onandl i
ghtl
y
patmyf aceandcheckf ormascarastainsfrom the
tears.Isweart hatwhoevercameupwi th
water proofmascar adeservestobesainted.Callthe
Queen, t
hepope, thepresi
dentIdon'tcarewho.Cal l
them al l
.

Ili
ghtl
yknockont hedoorfi
xingmydress.Morena
opensthedoorandst epsbackasIat
temptt ogi
ve
him ahug.Notexactl
ywhatIwashopingf orbutt
he
factt
hathecall
edmebackgi vesmehope.

Mor
ena:comeoni
n.
Igi
vehi
m asmi
leandwal
kin.

Me:Iam sohappyt
hatyoucal
ledmeback.

Heshutst hedoorandl eadsmei ntit

hehouseand
walkstothediningr oom.Okay. .WaitTlot
loi
sher e
andohmyGod!I t
'sthewoman!Thewomanf rom
thephone.Sam' swi fe.Whati sshedoi nghere?I
knowit'
sher .I
'
dneverf orgether.Myfeetwon't
carrymeanyf urthert hant hedoorway.Iwantt o
tur
nonmyheel sandr unoutofher e.Whatisshe
doinghere?Howdi dMor enaf i
ndoutabouther ?

Mor
ena:Comeandt
akeaseat
.

Hepull
edoutachai
racr
ossTl
otl
oandt
hewoman.
Whatshoul
dIdo?

Mor
ena:Nadi
a.Nadi
a.Nadi
acomeandsi
tdown.
Fearmademedvenf orgetmyNadi aname.Idr ag
mysel ft
otheseatandpl opmysel fdown.Idon't
haveachoi ceatthispoint
.Iguesst hi
sishowt he
chickensdecidedtocomeandr oost.Butit
'snotfair
.
Somanypeopl edoevilthi
ngsinthewor ldandget
awaywi thit.Ntat
egotawaywi t
habusi ngmef or
tenyearsandmanymor eformygr andmotherbutI
haven'tevenmadei tayearandal lIwantedtodo
wast oforget.Howam Ideservingofallofthis?

Mor ena:(si
tsattheheadoft het abl
e)Idon'teven
knowwhatt heri
ghtwor dstosayar ebutli
keIsaid
beforepleasekeept hi
scivil
.AllIwanti stogetthe
cl
osur eyousaidyouwant ed.IthinkMmaagwe
Tlamel oi
stheonl ypersonwhoi sn'
tdir
ectly
affectedbythisandcant hereforemedi at
ethis
meet i
ng.

Tl
otl
o:(br
eat
hesout)HeishMorenahowdoIeven
dothi
s?Canweatleastprayf
ir
st?
Weal llookather.Iforoneam surprisedbythe
suggest i
oninsuchat ensesituat
ion.Andalso,I
haven'tprayedsincemygr andmot herpassedaway.
Shedoesn' twaitforaresponse.Shebowsherhead
andbegi nstopray.AllIwantisforGodt oopena
wholeint hegroundsoIcant unnelmywayoutof
thi
shouse.

Tlot
lo:Ntat
eModi mo( Fat
herGod)Onl yyouar eall
knowing.Onlyyouknewwewoul dbegat heredhere
i
nadayl ikethisandonlyyoukjowhowt hi
s
meetingwillend.Icanonl
yaskt hatyoubewi thus,
helpus,guideusandhealallt
hehear tsinthisroom.
InJesus'nameIpr ay,Amen.

Sheli
ft
sherheadandl
ooksatt
hewomant
hen
shr
ugs.

Tl
otl
o:Mamahasf
orcedmebacki
ntogoi
ngt
o
chur
ch.

Thewomanchuckl esthenturnshercol
dgazeback
tome.Idon'tt
hinkTlot
lo'
sprayershavest
art
ed
worki
ngyet.Icanclear
lyseeevili
nhereyes.

Tl
otl
o:Nadi
a,t
hisi
smysi
ster
.Hernamei
sBo-

Woman:Mr
sJohnson.

Tlot
lo:(r
oll
shereyes)MrsBot
hoJohnson.Shehas
apictureofyouansweri
ngavideocallonher
husband'sphoneandaslosawhim nakedinthe
backgroundwithyou.Ar
eyouhavinganaf f
airwi
th
hi
m?

Ifeelhotal
lofasudden.Myarmpi
tsaresweat
ing
hisam Igoingt
odot hi
s?WhatdoIsay?Whatdoes
sheknow?EneTyl erwatengwher
eishe?
Bot
ho:Answert
hequest
ionoar
edi
ya.

Notmaki
ngt
hingseasi
erf
ormema'
am.

Me:(cl
ear
st hr
oat)kgm…Wher
eishe?Sam,
Imean
Tyl
er.Whereishe?

Botho:(
frowns)odir
aengkaene?Heel
ang.Morena
getyourgir
lbefor
eIsnat
chthatugl
yweaveof
fher
head.

Idon'
tknowwhoshei ssayinghasanugl ywig
becausehermanboughtthisformef orR5000.00
i
nSout hAfri
catwomonthsago.Iam sor r
yandall
butaSekaant l
ajal
o.If
oldmyar msget t
ingalit
tl
e
att
it
udebutthelookMorenagivesmemel t
smy
l
it
tletudeaway.Hecanbesoi nti
midati
ng.
Morena:Nadi
ajustanswert
hequest
ionssowecan
f
ini
shthisqui
ckl
y.

Me:(
sigh)Isl
eptwi
thhi
m once.

Morena:(f
oldshi
sar
ms)Ithoughtyousai
dyou
sl
eptwithhimthr
eet
imes.

Botho:Sheisal i
ar.Sheliedtoyouthenandshei s
l
yingtousnow.Thi sgir
lhasbeensl eepi
ngwi thmy
manf ormor ethansixmont hs(si
gnswi thher
hands)six!Ihavemessagest oprovei t
.NowwhatI
wanttoknwii swhyshechoset ogoandsl eepwit
h
myhusbandwhenshehasyou?Obabat labotl
he
mma?Haokgor e?Iknowhowwel lmymanwor ks
hi
swai stsoisMrMor enaleavi
ngyouhungr y?Huh?
Whatdoyouwantf r
om myhusband?Doesyour
motherknowyouar eahomewr ecker?

Thatsetmeof
fandIst
oppedt
hinki
ngandj
ust
st
art
edspi
tt
ingvenom ather
.

Me:( shout i
ng)Don'tyoudar ebr ingmymot heri nto
thi
s.Doyouwantt ogoandwakeherf rom her
bravet oaskheri fsheknewt hatIwassl eepingwi th
yourhusbandhuh?AhusbandwhoIhavenever
seenwear ingaring?AmanImetatanor gymont hs
ago?Amanwhoor derssexat leastthreetimesa
weekt ot hepointofor deringt hreesomesand
foursomesever yothermont h?Howdoyouf eel
screami ngmyhusbandmyhusbandt oamanwho
spendsmor eti
mei nhot elroomswi thJoj odol ls
thanhedoeswi t
hyou?Doesyourmot herknowt hat
youar ecol dinbedandcan' tkeepaman?Youar e
wor r
iedaboutmewhenImethi mint hejob?Your
mankeepst hesext r
ader unni ng.Checkyour sel
f
beforeyoucomeatme.Goandaskhi mthat !Never
l
etyourt ongueslipint
oment i
oni ngmymot herever
again.

OnceIam doneIst
artbr
eat
hingf
astandmypal
ms
hurtfr
om howt ightmyf i
stswereandtearsstar
t
fal
li
ngfrom myeyes!Butt hesearen'
tsadtears.
Theyaretearsofr age.TheBothowomanhasa
l
ookofconf usionandhur tinherf
ace.Iwouldn'
t
havesaidallthosethingsifshehadn'
tbroughtmy
deadmot herintoit.

Bot
ho:(mout hwobbles)What.
.Whatdoyoumean
heorderssex?Whatar eJoj
odoll
s?Pleasetel
lme.I
am sorr
yforsayingwhatusaidaboutyourmother.
Ij
ustwantthetruthandIknowhewon' tgi
veitto
me.

Mor
enast
andsupandIt
ryt
otakehi
shandi
nmi
ne.

Mor ena:Don'
t!Don'tt
ouchme.Youar en'
twhoI
thoughtyouwer e.BothocanIgoforadrive?I
'l
lbe
backi nlesst
hananhour .Ij
ustneedtoclearmy
head.
Bot
honodsherheadandhel
eaves.It
ryt
ofol
low
hi
m butTl
otl
ost
opsme.

Tlot
lo:Thenbestt
hingi
sforyoutolethi
m go.Let
hi
m cooloff.Youdon'
twanttopushhim whenheis
angry.

Botho:Yespleasestayandtel
lme.Iam notangr
y
wit
hyou.I t
'snotyourfaul
tImarr
iedamanwho
can'tbefai
thf
ul.

Iremainstandi
ngunt i
lthecarbacksoutoftheyar
d.
OnceIhaveaccept edthathehasleft,
Isi
tdownand
cry.Ili
edt
ohi m andspitoutmoretrut
hthanI
want edhi
mt oknow.Howwi l
lIeverbeabl
et of
ix
this?

Aft
ercalmingdown, Ist
arttalki
ngt
othesist
erand
answerthei
rquestionsaboutSam andtheJojo
doll
s.Ibegthem nottoinvolvemynamewheni t
comesthethedol
lsbecauseJol
enewouldhavemy
head.Af
terafewminutes,
Bothorevi
vescal
l

Bot
ho:(
frowns)I
t'
smyi
nsur
ancecompany.Hel
lo?
:
Bot
ho:YesIam f
ine.
:
Bot
ho:(
hereyeswi
den)ohmyGod.OK.Yesbye.

Sheout
sherphonedownandcover
shermout
h.

Botho:Mycarhasa, sensorthataler
tsmy
i
nsuranceifIgeti
ntoanacci dentandtheysayt
he
sensorwentoffbythetraff
icli
ghtsbythemain
road.

Me:What
?Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
Bot
ho:Mor
enamusthavehadanacci
dent
.

Idon'
twaittohearmor e.Irunoutonfoot
.The
tr
aff
icli
ghtsareali
ttl
ef arbutIhavetogoandsee.I
havetoseehim.Pleasebef i
ne.Pl
easedon'
tleave
me.PleaseGod.Notagai n.Keagokopa.

[
08/
31,
17:
37] :MI
NII
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t28

Mor
ena

AllIwant
edwast ogetoutoft
hathouse.Idon'
t
knowwher eIam goi
ngbutIknewIwouldhave
i
mpl odedonherhadIst ayed.AllIhadaskedwas
forhert obehonestwi t
hme.Honest yisallIever
askedofherandshel iedt ome.Ikeepr epl
ayingher
wor dsoverandoveri nmyheadhopi ngI
mi si
nt erpret
edsomet hingbutIdi dn'
t.Iheardit
clearly.Shehasbeencheat i
ngwi thmesi ncewe
met .Ihavebeeni narelationshi
pwi thtwopeopl e
allalong.Whydi dIevenl eaveLea?Il eftagoodgi r
l
forsomeoneIneverknew.Agi r
lIgrewupwi thfora
strangerwhoj ustwastedmyl oveaway.Butwhydo
Istil
l l
oveher ?Iwantt ohat eherwi t
hallmyhear t
butwhydon' tI
?Shewasori sasexwor kerontop
ofever yt
hing.Dammi tMor ena!

JustthenIhearal otofhoot i
ngar oundandbehind
me.That '
swhenIr ealizeIhadzonedoutatt he
traf
fi
clight sandhadbl ockedcarsbehindmewhen
theli
ghtwentgr eensoIi mmediatel
yacceler
ate
onlytor eali
zethelighthadgoner edagainandthe
nextthingIheari sal oudsoundandf eelt
heimpact
againstt hecar.WhathaveIdone?It rytokeepmy
eyesopenbutt heyslowl ycloseandIcanhear
voi
cesinthedist
anceofpeopl
eshout
ingand
bangingonthewindowbefor
eIcompl
etel
yblack
out.

Di
kel
edi

Therearesomanypeopl esurr
oundi
ngt heaccident
scenethatIcan'
tseeanythi
ng.Al
lIcanseei sthe
carMorenawasdr i
vingfaci
ngthedir
ectionitcame
fr
om andasmal ltr
uckwithadentedfront.

Anambul ancear r
iveswhi leIam tryi
ngtopushmy
wayf or
war dtoseeMor ena.Thesepeopl edon't
knowhi m buttheyar eallgluedtothegroundand
won'tshif
t.Whatisi twithBat swanaandaccidents?
Somear eevenr ecordingt hescene.Theambul ance
arr
ivesatthesamet imeasTl ot
loandhersister
.
Theymusthavef oll
owedme.

Tl
otl
o:Anynewsyet
?
Me:No.Ican'
tevenmakemywayt
hrought
othe
car
.

Bot
ho:Let
sgot
otheambul
anceandwai
tther
e.
Me:Ij
usthopeheisfi
ne.Iwouldneverf
orgi
ve
mysel
fifsomet
hinghappenstohim.Thi
sisallmy
f
ault
.

Bot
horol
lshereyesbutIi
gnor
eherandwal
ktot
he
ambul
ance.

Me:Tl
otl
odi
dyoucal
lanyone?
Tlot
lo:Ical
ledChant
ell
e.Shewi
llt
ellt
her
estof
them.

Inodmyheadandhol dmyselfwaiti
ngforthe
paramedicstowheelhim over
.Itseemsthetr
uck
dri
verjusthadasmallcutonhishead.Icanonly
prayforthesameinMor ena'
scase.Aft
ersome
ti
me, t
hepar
amedi
cswheelhi
m overandhehasan
oxygenmaskonandl
ooksunconsci
ous.

Me:
Howi
she?

Par
amedi
c:Doyouknowhi
m?

Tl
otl
o:Iam hi
ssi
steri
nlaw.

Paramedic:Wefoundhim unconsciousbuthe
doesn'
tseem tohavesust
ainedanyext er
nal
i
njuri
eswhi chi
swhywehavet ohurrytothe
hospit
alsohecanbecheckedf orinter
nalbl
eedi
ng.

Tl
otl
o:okcanIgowit
hhi
m?Andpleaset
akehi
mto
Bokamoso.Hehasmedi
calai
d.

Thepar
amedi
cnodshi
sheadandhel
pshercl
imb
i
nnextt
oMor
ena.

Bot
ho:I
'
llgetacabandmeetyout
her
e.

Tl
otl
onodsherheadasthedoorcl
oses.Bot
hoandI
ar
enowlefti
nawkwardness.

Me:Wecanspl
itt
hecabf
eei
fyouwantsi
nceIal
so
wantt
ogother
e.

Bot
ho:(
rai
sesherbr ow)DoIlookli
keIneedyour
hel
pspl
it
ti
ngP100?I '
l
lpayandyouwi l
lsi
tinf
ront
.
Wearenotfr
iends.Don'tf
orgett
hat.

Tl
otl
o

Myphoner
ingsonourwayt
oBokamosoandIpi
ck
up.
Me:Hel
lo

MrsMor ena:(
cryi
ng)Tl
otl
owher
eismybaby?What
happenedtomybaby?

Istartgett
ingoverlyemot
ionalasIhearherhear
t
breaking.Shei ssuchasweetwoman.IthoughtI
hadhi tthejackpotofmot
her'
sinlawbutalasIwas
wrong.

Me:Wear
eonourwayt
oBokamosomama.

MrsMorena:(
sni
ff
li
ng)Papast
heyar
egoi
ngt
o
Bokamoso.

Shecal
lshi
mthat
.Ial
wayst
houghti
t'
scut
e.
Mr
sMor
ena:Wher
ear
eyou?Ar
eyouwi
thhi
m?

Me:Yesmama.Iam wi
thhi
m.

MrsMorena:OKyouwi
llf
indust her
ebecausewe
wereal
readyi
nMogodi
tshane.Bye.

ShehangsupandIleanbackheavi
ngasi gh.
Bogosi
'scal
lcomesthr
ough.Chant
ell
emusthave
gi
venthem mynumber.Ideci
detocutthecal
l….

Wef i
nallyar r
iveinBokamosoandIr unbehi
ndt he
paramedi csintotheEmer gency.ThewholeMor ena
cl
ani salreadyt her
ewhenwegeti n.Idon'
teven
knowhowt heyallgotherebeforeusbecausethe
ambul ancewasspeedi ngatar at
ethathadmy
heartcomi ngoutofmychest .

Mr
sMor
enat
hrowsher
sel
fint
omyar
msandcr
ies
af
tert
ryi
ngt
oseeMor
enaashewasspedby.

MrsMor ena:Tl
otl
owhathappened?What
happenedtomyson?

Idon'tevenknowwhyatt osay.Idon' tfeelli

kei t'
s
mypl acetosayanythingaboutt his.Ican'ttellthem
therealcauseofthataccident.It
'sbetweenMor ena
andNadi a.Andshouldhef eeltheneedt otellthem
thensobei t.Theyaren'
tmyf ami l
yanymor esoI
can'ti
nsertmyselfl
ikethat.

Me:Hegoti
ntoanacci
dentusi
ngmysi
ster
'scar
.

MrMor ena:El
egor
ewhatwashedoi
ngi
nyour
si
ster
'scar?

Justt
henBothoandNadi
awal
kint
other
oom andI
canonlypr
ayatthi
spoi
nt.
MrMor ena:Bot
howhatwasMor
enadoi
ngwi
th
yourcar?

Iunder
stand.Wear
eal
lbeyondgr
eet
ingsatt
his
poi
nt.

Bot
hof
oldsherar
msandl
ooksatNadi
a.

Bot
ho:Wi
llyout
ellt
hem orshoul
dI?

OhJesus.

[
08/
31,
17:
38] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t29
 Di
kel
edi

Bot
ho:Wi
llyout
ellt
hem orshoul
dI?

Ideservethi
s.WhatonGod'sgreenear
tham Ieven
doi
ngher e?WhywouldIshareacabwithawoman
whosehusbandIhavebeensleepingwi
thtocome
andseeamanIhavebeencheat i
ngon?It
'sj
ustso
compli
cated.HowdidIt
hinkthi
swasgoingtoturn
out
?

Botho:Nadi
awil
lyout
ellt
hem whytheirsonranoff
i
nmycarwant i
ngtogetasfarawayfrom youas
possibl
e?OrwhyIwasatBogosi
'shouseinthefi
rst
pl
ace?

Tl
otl
o:Bot
hot
hisi
sn'
tthet
ime.
Kgosi
:kant
ewhat
'sgoi
ngon?

Myheartisinmythroat
.Ishoul
dj ustrunoutnow.I
shoul
dgo.Ishouldrunawayandgost artmyli
fe
afr
esh.I
'
lljustf
ocusonschoolandl eavethi
slove
thi
ng.WhatwasIevendoingthinkingIcouldfi
nd
l
ove?

Kgosi:Nadi
awhathappenedt omybrot
her
?Botho
seemst obel
ieveorknowthatyouar
etheone
holdi
ngallt
heanswer s.

Istar
tfi
ddl
ingwit
hmyarti
fi
cialnai
ls.I
'
dbebi
ti
ng
them i
fIdi
dn'
thavet
hesesti
ckons.

Me:Umm…( Ibr
eat
heout
)I…Kgm.
.Hefoundout
aboutmy…Ummm…kgm…Myent angl
ementwit
h
Botho'
shusband.
MrMorena:(
frowns)Mmakgosient
angl
ementke
gof
e?

MrsMorena:(shr
ugsandf
rowns)DoIknow?Mma
whatent
anglementar
eyoutal
kingabout
?

WhycanIj
ustdi
eri
ghtnow?

Tlot
lo:MamaIhonestlyfeel
li
ket hisisn'
ttheri
ght
ti
met otal
kaboutt
his.Especial
lywhenwedon' t
knowhowMor enaisdoing.Canweat l
eastwai
tfor
himtowakeup.Ifhewant syoual ltoknow,hewill
tel
lyouhimsel
f.

Mr
sMor
ena:(
frownsatme)OK.That
'sf
ine.

Justt
henadoct
orcomest
hrought
hedoor
s.
Dr
:IsMor
ena'
sfami
lyher
e?

Everyoneimmediat
elyrushesoverandIcan'
tmove.
Ihonestl
yjustwanttogobacktocampusnow.
Comi ngherewasabadi dea.

Doct or:Iam Doct orFane.Iam Mor ena'sDoct or.I

j
ustwant edtoletyouallknowt hathei sfine.He
j
usthadapani catt
ackwhent heacci denthappened.
Whi chi swhyhewentunconsci ous.Hehasno
i
nt ernalinjuri
esbutthereismi norbr uisingf r
om t he
seatbel t.Iam concernedabouthi sment alstate
thoughbecauseIspoket ohim abouthi sal cohol
l
evel sandheseemst obegoi ngt hroughsomet hing
andIhaver ecommendedcounsel ingf orhi m.( Mrs
Mor enal ooksatme)I 'dli
ketoobser vehi mf ort he
nextt hreehour sandiftherearenoi ssuest henI '
l
l
dischar gehi m.

Ever
yonenodsandsmi
les.
Mr
sMor
ena:canweseehi
m?

Doctor
:therei
snoprobl
em wi
ththatbutI
'
daskthat
yougoint woatat
imebutheaskedtoseeKgosi
fi
rst
.

Kgosi
:That
sme.

TheDoct
orsayshi
sgoodbyesandKgosif
oll
owed
hi
min.

MrsMor enawal
ksovertomeandsmi l
es.Butt
his
i
sn'tawarm smi
le.Iam ver
yuncomf
ortabl
ewit
h
t
hislook.

MrsMorena:Mylove,
Ili
keyou.Il
ookedatyouthe
daymysonbroughtyoutousandthoughtwow, my
sondi
dgood.Iknewhewasver yser
iousaboutyou
becausehehasneveri ntr
oducedanyoneel set ous
andIam notf oolishenought othinkyouar et he
fi
rstgir
lfriendofa25yearol dman.Idon' tknow
whathappenedbet weenyout wobutIwantyout o
knowt hatIam hur tasamot her.Iam di sappoi nt
ed
thatyoudi sappoi ntedmyson.Mor enaMor ena
l
oveswi thal lhishear t
.Iam hi smot her .Iknowhi m.
Hei shisf ather '
sson.Hei stheonemostl ikemy
husband.Hel oveswi t
hallhishear tandIknowt hat
hei si
nt her eandst i
lll
ovesyousomuch.Idon' t
knowwhatyoudi dt ohi m butIwant edt oletyou
knowast hemot herofasont hatIam hur tand
disappoint ed.Irai sedgoodboysevent houghone
wasf oolishenought owast ethet i
meandhear tofa
goodwomanr egar dlessofhowmuchwespoket o
him.Lookathi m now, ashadowofwhoheusedt o
be.Icanonl ypr ayt hatMor enawi llcomeoutoft hi
s
strongbecauset hosement alworriest hedoct or
spokeofhi tmet oohar d.IlovemysonNadi a.Ilove
him somuch.

Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
 Mor
ena

Waki ngupi nahospit albedgavemeawakeupcal l.

Iam pr et
tysureIwasgoi ngt of orgiveNadi a
eventuallybutIcan'
t.Ican' tlovesomeonewho
doesn'tlovemeback.If eel l
ikemywhol ewor l
dis
hersbutwhathappensi ftheowneroft hatwor ld
doesn'thandleitwithcar e?Itdi esdaybyday.I
can'tanymor e.FormysakeIhavet olethergo.I
meanher eIam wakingupf r
om anacci dentt hat
happenedbecauseIwasconsumedbyt hought sof
her.Iam neveronet odr inkanddr i
vebutIdi dt oday
andbecauseoft hat
, Iam int roubl ewiththel awand
Ihavet ofixpeople'
scar s.Myf irstsalarythatIhad
i
ntendedf ormyparent singr ati
t udewi l
lnowgot o
fi
xingpeopl e'
scars.Ifthisisl oveandwhatl ove
doest henIam good.Iam donewi thi
t.

Kgosiwal
ksi
nandgi
vesmeahugsqueezi
ngme.
Kgosi
:Don'
teverscar
eusl
iket
hatMonna.

Me:Iam f
ineKgosi
.

Hepul
lsbackandsi
tsont
hechai
rnextt
othebed.

Kgosi:Whathappenedkante?Nadiakwaistal
king
aboutentangl
ementswithBotho'
shusband.What
happened?Anddon'tli
etome.

Irubmyf acewi t
hmyhandsandsi ghbeforet ell
ing
himt hewhol estory.KgosiandIar et
hecl osetsof
mybr ot
hers.Ithi
nki t
'sbecauseIal waysl ookedup
tohim ast heoldestbr otherIhave.Hehasal ways
beent hereforme.Idi dn'treall
yplanont ell
ingmy
familyanythingindet ailbutIfindmyselfpour ing
everythi
ngoutt omybr otherandbythetimeIam
done, heisbreathingfast .
Kgosi:Iknewt hatgir
lwasami st
akeMorena.
Di
dn'tItel
lyounott oleaveLea?Youlef
tagirlwho
i
saboutt obecomeadoct orforasexworker
?A
pr
ostit
uteMor ena?

Me:Ididn'tknow.AllIknewandst i
llknowi sthatI
l
ovet hatgirlKgosi
.Ithoughtshewasever ythi
ngI
everwant ed.Shelookedl i
keshehadal lthewei ght
ofthewor ldonhershoul derswhenImetherandI
wantedt osaveherf r
om ever yt
hingthateverhur t
her.Iwant edtobeherever yt
hingbecauseIknew
shewasmyever yt
hingbutIguessi twasn'tmeant
tobe.

Kgosi
:Iam soangr
yri
ghtnowMor
ena.Ihopeyou
usedprot
ecti
onwit
hher.

Me:yesIdi
d.

Kgosi:Al
lthet
ime?Whoknowshowmanymenshe
sl
eptwi
th.Jesus!

Me:(f
rust
rat
ed)Idi
dKgosi
.Jeez.I
sshest
il
lout
t
here?

Kgosi:YesandIam goi
ngtotel
lhertol
eaveand
nevershowherfaceinf
rontofyou.

Me:Not
ellhert
ocomei
n.Iwantt
otal
ktoher
.

Kgosi:AboutwhatMorena?Soshecanli
etoyou
thenyouforgi
veher?No.That
'ssomet
hingIam not
goingtodo.

Me:KgosiIwanttoendthi
ngswi
thher
.Ican'
tjust
keepqui
etandletherst
andoutt
her
e.Iwantherto
knowwear edone.
HelooksatmeandIcanseet hedoubti
nhi
seyes
buthenodshisheadandleavest
heroom.Nadi
a
walksinaf
terafewminut
esandshehashereyes
downf r
om themomentshewalksint
other
oom
unti
lshesi
tsonthechai
r.

Me:Hi
..Myqueen

Nadi
a:(
looksup)Hi
.

Shestandsupt ohugmeandst art

scryi
nginmy
arms.Idon'tunderstandwhatcouldhaveledherto
prost
it
uti
ngherbody.Whydi dn'tshetel
lmeifher
al
lowanceort hemoneyI '
dgiveherformti
met o
ti
mewasn' tenough?Iwoul dhaveseenwhatt odo
asaman.Di dntIdeservetobegiventhechanceto
provi
deforher ?
Shest
opscryi
ngaftersomet
imeandt
ri
est
ogi
ve
meakissbutIshi
ftmyhead.
Me:pl
easesi
tdown.

Shet
akesaseatandf
ixesherdr
ess.

Nadia:Iam sosorryMor ena.Pleaseforgi

vemef or
ever
ythingIhavedonet oyou.Ist oppedeveryt
hing
l
astnightbecauseIcouldn'ttakebeingaJoj odoll
anymor e.Iwant
edoutandIl ef
t.Pleasefor
giveme.
Iam achangedper son.IloveyouandIwantt o
maket hingsworkbetweenus.

Allherwordsarefal
li
ngtothegroundbecauseI
don'ttr
ustheranymore.Shehaskeptawholeother
l
if
ef rom meformonths.HowsoIst ar
ttr
ustungher
now?

Me:Nadi aIwishIcoul dbeli

eveyou.Ir
eall
ydo.But
Ican't
.Idon'tt
rustyouatal l
.Youarenottheperson
Ithoughtyouwer e.Ihaveneverfel
tthefeel
ingI
haverightnowandIr eal
izei
t'
sbecauseIloveyou
t
oomuch.

Nadi
a:babedon'
tsayt
hat
.Pl
easedon'
tendus.

Me:ButIam.Ican'
tbewi thsomeonewhoi sn'
t
honestwi
thme.Ifeel
likeIneverknewyouandIam
i
nlovewithastr
anger.Ican'
tdoit.Iwi
lleventual
ly
l
earntost
oplovi
ngyou.

Shest
andsupandt
ri
est
ohol
dmebutIst
opher
.

Me:Ihopeyouwillf
indwhatyouar
elooki
ngf
or
becausecl
ear
lyIam noti
t.Pl
easel
eave.

Nadia:(
cryi
ng)Mor
enadon'
tdothi
s.Youar
eal
lI
have.Pl
easedon'
tdot
histome.Il
oveyousomuch.

Me:Youdon'
tdowhatyoudi
dtosomeoneyoul
ove.
Pl
easel
eave.

Nadi
a:Babepl
e-

Mum:(
int
err
upts)NadiaIthi
nkmysonhasmade
hi
msel
fcl
ear.Pl
easeleaveri
ghtnow.

Kgosimusthavetoldthem.Ididn'
tevenseemy
mum anddadwal kin.Nadi
alooksembar rassed
andIfeelbadbutIam done.Ican'
tli
vewiththe
pai
noflovingsomeonewhodoesn' tloveyouback.
Idi
ditforthepastf
ewmont hsandi t
'senoughfor
me.

Shetakesherbagandwal
kspastmypar
ent
swi
th
herheadhanging.

Nadi
a:Gosi
ame(
goodbye)
Mypar
ent
sdon'trespondasshepassesby.They
cl
oset
hedooraft
ersheleaves.

Dad:Hehbanna.Tot
aMor
enabadient
angl
emento
neobatsayakae?

Il
aughthrought
hepai
n.Sheisgone.WheredoIgo
fr
om her
e?IwassosurethatIf
oundtheoneforme.
Whatnow?

[
08/
31,
17:
38] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t30

Tl
otl
o

Bot
ho:Si
sletmego.
Me:Ar
eyousur
e?Letmegowi
thyou.

Botho:noyoucanst
ay.Iwantt
ogoandseemy
babies.

Me:WhataboutTyl
er?Howar
eyougoi
ngt
ohandl
e
t
hat?

Botho:Idon'
tknow.Iwil
lknowwhenIseehi
m.I
wantanswersfrom hi
m.Iwanttoknowwhyhe
cheated.

Me:( sigh)Cheatersj
ustcheatbaby.Theyj usti
fy
theiractionswit
hashor tcomingofyouri nor derto
guiltyoui nt
othinki
ngyouar ethereasont hey
cheat ed.Thati
t'
syourf aul
tyourrelat
ionshi por
mar riageisfal
li
ngapart.Allyouwil
lbedoi ngnow
willbeal l
owinghimt obreakyouintoblami ng
your self
.
Botho:Sowhatdoyouwantmet odo?Shoul
dIjust
l
eavehi mlikeyoul
eftBogosi
?Youarestr
onger
thanmeSosoandevenyoul ef
taft
eryear
sof
heartbr
eak.LetmehearwhathehastosaybeforeI
decidetolethi
m go.

Iconcedeandhugherbef or
eshesaysgoodbyet o
ever
yoneel seandwalksout
.Idon'tevenknowwhy
Iam stayi
ngbehindbecauseInowknowMor enai
s
fi
ne.Ishouldjustgot
oo.IwalkovertoMrandMr s
Morenat osaygoodbye.

Me:Mamal
etmego.Atl
eastwenowknowhei
s
f
ine.

MrsMor ena:Ohthankyoumychi
ld.Wewil
ljust
waitforhi
mt obedischar
gedwhi
chshoul
dbet wo
hours.
MrMor ena:Mang?Iam goi
ngt
her
einanhourt
o
gethi
m dischar
ged.

MrsMor
ena:Aepapas.Youshoul
dn'
tint
erf
erewi
th
t
hedoct
or'
s.

MrMor ena:Mmakgosidon' tlettheti

tl
eDoctorfool
you.Thesear et hebiggestgangstersi
nthewor l
d.
Theymakemoneyoutofusbecausewebel i
eve
what evertheysay.Ngwanakeoneai di
baditsweke
dient anglementhela(mysonf aintedbecauseof
entangl ements)nowt heywanttokeephi mforthree
hours?I fIwasatt heaccidentsceneI'
dhave
splashedwat erinhimt owakeup.

MrsMorena:(
laughs)kae?(wher
e)Youeven
wantedt
ocrywhenyouhear dhewasinan
acci
dent
.You'
dhavef ai
ntedtoo.

MrMor
enat
ickl
eshi
swi
femaki
nghersqueal
.
Mr
sMor
ena:Papast
lher
rawear
einpubl
ic.

Kgosi
:Doyout
woeverknowwhatpubl
icmeans
t
ota?

MrMorena:Owaij
ustbecauseyourwi
fewon'
tgi
ve
youobatl
agoretsenyapressur
e?

Mr
sMor
enael
bowshi
m andhel
aughs.

Mr sMor ena:Don'
tlist
entohim myboy.Iwasl i
ke
thattooaf t
erKgotl
a.Ididn'
twanthim anywhere
nearmef orayear.Pregnanci
esaredif
ferentso
don'tleti
tfrust
rat
eyou.Shewi llcomearound.

MrMorena:Ormaybeshei safrai
dyouwi l
lsneak
anot
herbabyin.It
lhobogeodir
evasectomyhela
ngwanaka.(
justsurr
enderandgetthevasect
omy
done.

Kgosi:(
rubshi
sface)Leavemeal
onebot
hofyou.I
am notinthemood.

Mr
sMor
ena:i
t'
sthesal
t.

Bogosij
oinshisparent
sastheylaughatKgosi
.The
atmosphereal
mostmakesmemi ssbeingapartof
thi
sfamil
ybutIhaveaccept
edt hefact
swhichare
Bogosiwil
lnevergivemewhatIwantandIwon' t
sett
lef
ormediocrit
y.

Aft
erthelaught
erdoesdownIst
andupf
rom t
he
setnextt
oMr sMorena.

Me:i
twassogoodtoseeyou.Thoughti
twasunder
sadci
rcumst
ances.
MrsMor
ena:i
twasgoodseei
ngyoutoo.Imi
ssyou
ver
ymuch.Whydon'
tyouvi
sitme?

Isi
deeyeBogosi
unsur
eofhowt
orespond.

MrMor
ena:Aker
engwanawagagooj
esi
tset
eam.

Kgosi
:that
alegone.

Bogosilooksathi
sfeetanddoesn'
tsayanyt
hingso
Iwon'teit
her.

Mr sMor ena:Wel lthatdoesn' tchangethef actthat

youar enotonlyt hemot herofmygr andchildr
enbut
youwer emyfirstdaught erinlaw.Kanai fwewer e
i
not hercountries, you'dhavebeenhi swifejustby
givi
nghi m chi
ldren.Thr eelegone.Mxm boBogosi
didn'
tliveuptot hei rnames.Thi sisn'tt
hebehavi or
ofroyalty.Notint hel east.
Bogosil
ooksli
ketherearehotcoal
sbeingpoured
onhisheadandtheinnermeisdancingborankana
becausehedeser
vesit.

Bogosi:(
standsup)Howmanyt imesdoIhaveto
heart
hesamet hi
ngoverandoveragai
n?Doesit
l
ooklikeIam doingf
ine?Doesitl
ookli
keIam OK
wit
houther?Whydoyoual waysdot hi
s?

Hest
ormsoutl
eavi
ngusal
lshocked.

Me:Heishletmego.Isti
llhavet
ogopickt
hecarup
f
rom Botho'
shousebeforegoingtoRamot
swa.

Mr
sMor
ena:OKmychi
ld.Il
oveyou.OK?

Inodmyheadandgi veherahugbef
orest
anding
up.Iam hi
tbyagustofwindasIwal
koutcausing
met
ocl
osemyeyes.

Malevoi ce:HaomothowaMol epol

oletot
a?Hao
tl
akadi phefohelaj
aana?(
Areperhapsnotfrom
Molepololeseei
ngashowwi ndstar
tblowingat
yourpresence.)

Ispi
tafewti
mesandwi pemyf acelaughi
ngwhenI
seewhoist
alking.It
'st
hepar amedi
cf r
om ear
li
erhe
i
sleani
ngagainstthepil
larbytheemergencyroom.

Me:Ont
umolelangnerra?ForallIknow,
thi
swi
nd
mi
ghtnecomingfrom youryar
d.

Hel
aughs

Him:Hehmmadoyouknowhowl ongIhavebeen
wait
ingforyou?KanaIwasgoingtost
artl
ooki
ng
suspici
ousofitwasn'
tformyuni
for
m.
Me:(
withafr
ownsmi
le)Whywer
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or
meelegor
e?

Him:Ist
hist
hethanksIgetforbei
ngki
ndenough
t
oof f
eryouali
ftbecauseIknewyoudon'
thave
t
ransport
?

Me:(gi
ggli
ng)Aer raIam notget
ti
nginthat
ambulanceagain.Yourdri
verdri
vesli
kehei si
nthe
middl
eofapol i
cechase.Andgapei sthateven
al
lowed?

Him:Sokegor
ehaomponaobonaambulance
hel
anemma?Mycarispar
kedovert
her
e.

Me:Ehe.Aker
eIdi
dn'
tknow.Youcanl
eadt
heway.

Hi
m:EeAker
ekeambul
ance.(
becauseIam an
ambul
ance)

Ishakemyheadlaughi
ngbutmyhandget syanked
hardfor
cingmetotur
nandalmostf
alloverbutthe
paramedichol
dsme.

Me:Whatt
he?

Bogosi:Soisthi
swhyyoulef
tmehuh?Ishet he
reasonyouleftme?I
shetheoneyouranofftothat
ti
me?Huh?Answermebef oreImopthispavement
withyourface.

Het r
iestograbmescar i
ngmebutthepar
amedic
shoveshim backroughlyandl
ooksdownatBogosi
.
Ididn'
treal
izehowtallhewasunti
lnowashe
towersoverBogosi.

Hi
m:War
eyouwi
llwhat
?Sayi
tagai
n.Buagapeke
ut
lwe.

Bogosi:mestahmoveoutofmyway.Idon'
tknow
you.Iam t
alkingt
omywoman.

Havingt hepar
amedicbetweenusgi vesme
confidencebecauseI'
dhaveot herwiseranoutof
here.Bogosicanbeabi tofalostscr ewwhenheis
angry.Total
lyunwil
li
ngtolist
ent oreason.

Me:(peei
ngf
rom behi
nd)Iam notyouwoman
Bogosi.

Par
amedic:Youhear
dhersodi
sappearsonny
bef
oreIdeci
detobetheonemoppi
ngpavements.

Bogosi:Heelacanyougoanddriveyouambulance
andletmet alkt
othemotherofmychil
dren.Who
doyout hi
nkyouarehuh?
Bogosili
ftshisarmtothrowapunchbutt he
paramediccatcheshisfi
standt urnsBogosi
'sar
m
forci
nghimt otur
nawayf rom him.Het henhol
ds
hisshoulderwit
hhisotherarmsandput smore
pressur
eont hetwist
edar mforcingBogositogrunt
.

Paramedic:JustbegladIam i nmyuni f
orm sonny.
Keneket lagosuputsagor eer eobonamosadioo
boor i
takamar agonyanaagagoogopol akahake
gobeditsengkateng.Nxla.(Iwasgoingt obeatyou
upanddr agyouaroundsomucht hatyou'dbe
scoot
ingar oundonyoubut tthenextti
meyousee
thi
swoman. )

Her
eleasesBogosi
'
sar
m andpushedhi
m away.

Bogosi
:(massagi
nghi
sar
m)Iam goi
ngt
orepor
t
you.
Paramedic;(
run)Thispl
acehascamer asandt hey
wil
lclear
lyshowyout hr
eethef i
rstpunch.Ebil
eI '
l
l
evenlayanattemptedassaultchargeagainstyou.
Sonnyakoot samayeandst opembar rassi
ng
yoursel
f.

Bogosi
:Youareab* t
chTlotl
oandIam goi
ngto
makesureIgetf
ullcust
odyofmychil
drenfrom
yourbr
okeuneducateda**.

Thatfel
tli
keasl
aptomyfaceandIcanfeelt
he
tear
ssti
ngmyeyes.WhatdoesBogosiwantf
rom
me?HowhaveIeverwrongedthi
sman?

Par amedic:Odntlethim gettoyou.Hur tpeoplehurt

people.He'shurtandt heonl yt
hingheknowsi sto
throwat antrum andinsultyou.Ifhebelievedwhat
hewassayi ngaboutyout henhewoul dn'tbeacti
ng
l
ikeaf iveyearoldwhosef avor
it
et oyhasj ustbeen
takenfrom him.Heknowshel ostsomet hingworth
mor ethanheeveri magined.
Me:(
smil
ing)Youar
egoodwi
thwordsar
en'
tyou?
Sowhati
syounameMrparamedi
c?

Him:(
sidesmi
les)mymot
hercal
lsmeAvi
Kemoil
weThompson.

Me:WhatdoesAvimean.

Him:It'
sHebrewandhasmanymeani ngsbutIhave
twofavori
teswhichareonewhoi sbor ntorul
eand
Gif
tfrom God.Iam mymot her
'sfi
rstchil
dandt hat
wasaf t
eryearsofst
ruggl
ingtohaveachi ld.Both
ofmynamesmeanagi f
tfrom Godbecauseshe
tr
ulybeli
evedthatGodansweredherpr ayers.

Me:(
smi
li
ng)youhavebeaut
if
ulnamesAvi
.

Hi
m:(
bit
eshi
sli
p)Aker
enemmaIal
sohandsome
somynameshavet
omat
ch.

Me:i
jaa…sheshoul
dhavenamedyouBoi
kobo
(
humili
ty)

Helaughsandl
eadsmetohi
scar.Bogosial
most
spoil
tmymood.Thi
siswhyIdel
etedhi
snumbers
for
m myphone.Mxm.

[
08/
31,
17:
38] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t31

Nar
rat
ed

Bothogotoutoft
hecabandwalkedint
othehouse
af
terst
andingnextt
oherhusband'
scarforaf
ew
minut escont empl atingt hedamageshecoul ddot o
i
t.Howdar ehecheatonheraf t
eral ltheshehad
donet omaket heirmar r i
agewor k.Shewasnever
onet ocompl ain.Sheal wayswant edt oseehi m
happyj ustashehadbeenact i
ngl iket hatwasal lhe
want edforhert oo.Shet rulybelievedt heirswasa
storyoftruel ovebutnowshef indsher sel
ff i
ghti
ng
theemot ionst hatt rytoconsumeherwhenshe
thinksofhi sinfedilit
y.Shef eelsher selfsinkinginto
api tshehadpul l
edher selfoutofyear sagowhen
shewasanunempl oyedgr aduat e.Stayi ngathome
afterallt
hoseyear sofdr eami ngofal lthegr eat
thingsshewoul dbecomewast oomuchf orherand
shesunki ntodepr essi on.Sheknowst hef eeli
ngtoo
wel landshef eelsittryingt oconsumeheragai n.

Bot
ho:Aunt
y!Yaya!

Att
his,point
,shej
ustwantedtotaketakeher
chi
ldrenandgotohermother'
shouse.Cryingwas
nolongeranopti
onbecausethatishowitgetsher
.
Sheknowscan'
tgetouti
fshegi
vesi
ntot
he
sadness.

Tyl
erappear
sfr
om t
hepassageandl
ooksather
.

Tyl
er:Aunt
yknockedoffandIt
ookt
hekidst
omy
mum'shouse.It
houghtweneededsomepri
vacyt
o
tal
k.

Bot
ho:(f
oldsherar
ms)what
'st
heret
ot al
kabout
whenyoudon'twantt
oadmi
ttoanyt
hingnehTyl
er?
What'
sthepoint
?

Hewalksoverandt
ri
est
ohugherbutshemoves
back.

Tyl
ersi
ghsandput
shi
shandsbackdown.
Tyl
er:Canweat l
eastsitdownandt alkmyl ove.
Comeandsi tdown.Ijustwantt ot
alktoyou.Don'tI
deser
vet obeheardafteral
lthedamageyoudi dto
mycar ?Ithi
nkIam evengettingfl
usympt oms.

Bothobegi
nst
ofeel
badandwal
kst
othecoucht
o
l
ist
entohim.

Bot
ho:OKt
alk.

Tyl
erwal
ksoverandsi
tsnextt
oher
.

Tyler
:BabyIam sosorr
yforwhatIhavedonet ous.
IhavehurtussobadallbecauseIcoul
dn'
tsayno
tothatgi
rl
.Iseenowthatshewasahomewr ecker
senttodest
roythegoodthi
ngwehavegoi ngin.I
shouldhaveknownshewassentbyt hedevil
himself
.YouknowIloveyouandIwoul dnever
wanttoloseyoubaby.Tel
lmeyouknowt hat.
Botho:(fr
owns)Idon'
tunderst
and.Shetoldmeyou
twometatasexpar tyTyl
er.Andshet ol
dmehow
youbuymysexf r
om someJojodolls.Whyareyou
sti
lll
yingtomeTyler?I
sthishowyousayyoul ove
me?

Tyler
:(f
rowns)babewhatareyout
alki
ngabout?
Nnasexpar ty?Me?YouknowhowshyIwaswhenI
wasaskingyouout.Itt
ookmemonthst ogai
nthe
couragetoaskyououtforl
unchnowyout hi
nkIgo
forsexpart
iesandbuysex.MeBobo?Nna?

Botho:(Looksathiminconfusi
on)Tyl
erIhaveseen
yourbankst at
ementshowingsomequest i
onabl
e
tr
ansactionstoJojodol
ls.Shetol
dmet heyaresex
workers.Stoplyi
ngtomeTyl er
.

Hel ooksatherf
orsometimeunti
ltear
sformi
nhis
eyes.Hesqueezeshiseyesshutsotheycanf
all
beforelooki
ngbackupathiswif
e.
Tyler :Babyhowcoul dyout hinkthatofme?Why
woul dyoudot hattome?Af terallwehavebeen
throught ogether?Jojodol l
sisanor gani zat
ionf
or
rapeandgenderbasedvi ol
encevi ct
imst hatwas
creat edtorehabil
it
atet hem.Ir eadabouti ton
Facebookyear sagoanddeci dedt ojoinandshow
mysuppor t.Iam verypassi onateabouti tsoI
spendmostofmymoneyoni t.(
snif
fles)Inever
thoughtt hatmygooddeedswoul donedaybeused
agai nstmet othepoi ntofmebei ngcalleda
solicitor
.AoBot hotlhemmayouhavehur tme
gompi eno.

Bothoseesthepainonhi sfaceandt hetremblein

hisvoiceandbeginstodoubtNadi a.Maybeshe
real
lywassentbyt hedevi lt
or ui
nhermar r
iage.I
f
herhusbandwasoutt heredoingsomuchgood
thenhedoesn'tdeservethei nsul
ti
ngl abelt
hisgir
l
wast r
yingtof
orceonhi m.Hedeser vesbet t
er.
Botho:Iam sor
ry.Shewasjustsoconvinci
ngbabe
andevenaskedusnott omentionhernamet o
someJol enewoman.Ihonestl
ybeli
evedher.

Tyl
er:(
takeshisphoneout)ShouldIcallJol
ene?
Sheisthefounderoftheorgani
zati
on.Icanlether
betheonetotellyouaboutherfoundat
ion.

Bot
ho:Noi
tsnotnecessar
y.

Tyler:NoIwantyoutohaveabsolutelynodoubt
becausethefactt
hatyouaregoingt hroughmy
statement
smeanswehavel osttrustinour
mar ri
ageandit
'smyfaul
tfornottel
lingyouabout
howIusemymoney.

Botho:Babeno.Don' tsaythat
.Youdon'taskme
howIspendmymoneyandIpr omiseIwasn't
snooping.Itjusthappenedt obei
nt hedrawerwhi
le
Iwascl eaning.Pleaseforgi
veme.
Tyl
er:
Iforgi
veyoubutl
ikeIsai
d,Idon'
twantyou
doubt
inganythi
ng.

Hedial
sJolene'
snumberandsheanswer
sont
he
t
hir
dr i
ng.

Jol
ene:Jol
enehel
lo?

Tyl
er:
HiJol
ene.I
t'
sTyl
er.Howar
eyou?

Jol
ene:Iam goodTyl
erandhowar
eyou?HowcanI
pl
easeyoutoday?

Tyl
er:iam fi
neJo.Li
sten,
Ihaveyouonspeaker.I
am herewithmywifeandIwast al
kingtoherabout
yourfoundati
onandshewouldliketohearmore
aboutit
.
Jol
ene:OhhiBot
ho!

Bot
ho:(
smi
les)HiJol
ene.Youknowmyname?

Jolene:ofcourseIdo.Tyl
ernevershutsupabout
you.Idon'tevenknowwhyhehasn' tbr
oughtyout
o
oneofourdi nners.Heal
wayssaidyouhaveal ot
onyourpl at
e.Youhaveakeepert herehun.

Bot
ho:(
hol
dshi
shand)hei
stoogoodt
ome.

Jolene:Wellletmenotkeepyouandgetr ightt
oi t
.
Jojodol l
sismybr ainchild.Mylovelett
ertoever y
gir
loutt her
ewhof eel sli
keshehasnoonei nher
cornerandnowher et orunto.Mostofmygi r
ls
havebeent hroughal lsort
sofabuse.It'
ssohear t
breakingtoknowwehaveacount ryf
ullofscarred
youngwomenbutt hereisverylit
tl
ebeingdone
abouti t
.Iam thei
rshel t
er,t
heircomfortandrefuge.
Notfor gett
ingmywonder fulsponsorssuchasyour
husbandwhoi soneofourbiggestsponsors.He
giveshi sal
lt omygirl
sandIam sogr at
efulf
orit
.
Woul dyoul iketocomeandseeourf aci
li
ti
es?I
keept hem outofthecitysothegirl
scanf eelsaf
e
awayf rom thehustleandbustle.

Tyl
er'
shear
tbegant
orace.Jol
enewasover
sel
li
ng
i
t.

Botho;Iwoul
dlovet
oonedaywhenIhavet
ime.I
wil
lletmyhusbandknow.

Tyler'
shearteasedupbecauseheknewbyher
sayingthat
,shewasnevergoingtogoseeany
facil
it
y.

Jol
ene:Fant
ast
ic.Tyl
erl
etmel
eaveyounowi
fyou
don'
tneedanyt
hingmore.
Tyl
er:
NoIam good.ThankyousomuchJo.I
'l
lbe
i
ntouchassoonaspossibl
eaboutt
hegal
a.

Jolene:Ofcour
se.Ihopei
twil
lbebef
oretheendof
thedaybecauseIneedtoti
eupsomel ooseends.

Tyl
er:
I'
llcal
lyoui
nanhourort
wo.

Het
henhangsupandl
ooksathi
swi
fe.

Tyler
:BabyIam sosor r
yf orbri
ngingNadi ai
ntoour
l
ives.IwrongedyouandIcanonl ypraythatyouwil
l
eventual
lyfor
giveme.Iwi l
lunderstandifyouwant
somespacewhi leyouthink.Idi
dt hist
ousandI
wil
lacceptwhat everyousayordo.

Botho:WellIam sorr
yforbel
ievingt
hatyousol i
cit
sex.I
tisbeneathyouandIcan' tbel
ieveIf
ellgother
l
iesli
kethat.Iguessshewantedt obreakusup.
(
Tylernodshisheadsadly)Ican'tsayIhave
f
orgivenyouforcheat
ingonmebutIwantt owr ok
t
hingsoutaslongasyoupr omi setoneverhurtme
l
ikethatagai
nbecauseIcan'ttakethatlevelofpai
n
f
rom youTy.Youmeant hewol dt omeandt hever y
t
houghtofyouwi t
hantherwomansi ckensme.

Tyler:(
holdsherface)babyIwil
lnevereverhurt
youagai n.Youaretheloveofmylif
eandt he
mot herofmychildren.Youdeser
vealltherespect
i
nt hewor ldandIam goingtomakesureyounever
regretgi
vingmet hi
schanceagain.

Hethenkissesherpassionat
elyandsli
pshi
shand
uphertoptosqueezeherboobbef or
epushi
ngher
downandcl i
mbingont opofhertodeepent
heki
ss.

Tyl
er:
Iloveyousomuchbaby.

Bot
hobi
tesherl
ipandsmi
lesasshesnakesher
handdowntofeelthegif
therparent
shandedher
whentheyaccept
edhisbr i
depri
ce.Shebegant o
moveherhandalongitthewayhel i
kes.Hisgroans
madeherwetasshel ookeddeepintohiseyes.

Bot
ho:Gi
vei
ttome.

Tylergetsupf r
om thechai randf ixeshimself
beforelift
inghiswi f
eandwal ki
ngt otheirbedroom
withheri nhisar ms.Heopenedt hedoorand
Botho'seyeswi denedwhenshesawt he
decorationsTyl erhadputup.Ther ewer ehelium
ball
oonsever ywhereaswel lasrosepet alsallover
thebed.Hel ookedatt heroom andwaspl easedat
howi tturnedoutaf tergoi
ngt ogett hethingsfrom
thebachel orpadear li
er.

Bot
ho:Babeyouar
esosweett
ome.Whendi
dyou
pl
anthi
s?Whendidyoubuyal
lthi
s?
Tyl
erl
aidheront
hebedandmount
edher
.

Tyl
er:
That'smysecretbaby.Ij
ustwantedyouto
knowthatyouarethemostimportantper
sontome
andIneverwanttoloseyou.

Het henpr oceededtokissherandt heybegant he

passionatedanceofundr essingeachot herbefor
e
givingint
ot hepleasur
eofhavi ngtheirbodies
i
nt ert
winedast heysharedthesameai rand
mat chedeachot her'
sthrust
sbef or
et heyboth
succumbedt othepleasurethatwasbui l
dingin
theirbodies…..

Aft
erthepassi
onat
elovedmaking,
Tylersnuckout
ofbedwhil
ehiswif
esleptandwentoutsi
deto
makeacall.

Jol
ene:Whatt
hef
*ckhappenedTyl
er?
Tyler
:Me?Ishoul dbeaskingyouJolene.It
hought
youranapr ofessi
onalbusinesssowhyisoneof
yourgir
lsopeningherbigmout haboutmetomy
wife?Haveyoul ostyourgameJolene?ShouldIget
thewordout ?

Jolene:ncncncnc. .Don'ttrymeTyl er
.Yout hi
nkI
don'tknowabouthowyouhavebeenmessi ng
aroundwi thNadi a?Iwaswai ti
ngforittocome
backandbi t
eyousoyoul earntheimpor tanceof
keepingyourl ovelif
eandsexualescapades
seperate.Thisisyourf ault.Yourmistresswentand
sangt oyourwi fe.It
'sastor yasoldast ime.Iam
goingtodealwi thNadi abutyou, youar edonei f
youdot hisagai n.Youar eluckyIli
keyou.

Tyl
er:
Mor
eli
keyoul
ikemymoney.

Jol
enechuckl
esandhangsupt hephone.Tylert
hen
openedt
hecarandtakesoutsomewor kfi
lesto
useasanexcusei
fhiswif
eisawake.
[
08/
31,
17:
38] :Unedi
ted

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t32

Tl
otl
o

Avihasast ubbornnat uret hatIhaveal

readypicked
up.Hemademecomet ot hemal lwi
thhim
regar
dlessofmypr otests.Hesai dhecouldn'
tjust
l
etmegoaf terwaiti
ngf ormef oranhourinst
eadof
goinghomeaf t
erwor k.Idon' tknowwhot ol
dhimt o
waitformei nthefir
stpl ace.Hepul l
sachairoutfor
met ositi
nar estaurant.
Me:AviIt
houghtyousai
dyou'
dhelpmepi
ckupmy
car
.Idi
dn'tpar
kmycarinthemal
l.

Avi
:SheeAkereIwantedust ochatbef
oreyougo.
KanaRamotswaisfarTlot
lo.Whenwi l
lIseeyou?

Me:(rol
li
ngmyeyes)Icomet
oGabor
oneever
yday
exceptf
orSunday.

Avi
:Ao.Wher
edoyouwor
kel
egor
e?

Me:Ihaveacl
othi
ngst
allbyGameci
ty.

Avi
:Ehesoyouareabusi
nesswoman.Doyousel
l
men'
sclot
hestoo?

Me:(smi
li
ng)yes.Ihavebeenbuyi
ngbalesand
sel
li
ngcl
othesbutIwanttoventur
eint
oorderi
nf
onl
ine.AndIwantt
ocr
eat
easor
tofmummy
market.

Avi
:What
'
sthat
?

Me:Heishi
t'
sthisideaIhavebeendr
eami
ngupf
or
monthsbutIdon'twantt
oboreyou.

Avi:Sheewhosai
dI'
dgetbor
ed?Letmegoplace
ourordert
henIwantt
ohearever
ythi
ngwhenIget
back.

Hest andsupt oleaveandmyf acehasasmi leonit

thatIcan'tfight.Idon'
tremembert helastti
me
Bogositookmeout .Grantedheusedt otakemeout
tofancypl acesbackt henbuthest oppedafterour
l
astbor nandIemenf or
gotwhati twasl i
ke.This
maybeani nexpensiverestaur
antcompar edtothe
onesBogosiusedt otakemet obutt hecompanyI
am keepingr ightnowmakesmef or getal
lIhad
bef
ore.

Hecomesbackwi
thasmi
leonhi
sface.

Avi
:(si
tt
ingdown)Sot
ellme.War
ewhati
sa
mummymar ket
?

Me:( smi l
ing)well
,thei deacamet omeaf ew
mont hsagowhenIdeci dedtost artmaki ngmyown
money.Icam acr ossapostofawomanwhowas
pregnantwi t
hbabynumberei ghtandwasaski ng
forassistancef r
om f el
lowmoms.Ther ewer emany
similarpost sofmot hershavingonepl i
ghtor
another .Evenmar ri
edonescompl ainedabout
havingnomoneyoft heirownbecauset heyare
housewi ves.That'
swhenIt houghtoft hemummy
mar ket.Iam stil
ltr
yingt olocateat leasteightmore
mot herswhocanj oininsowej ointlycontri
bute
P10000eachi naper i
odoft hreemont hsorso.I
haveaf ri
endwhoi sal soi nt
erestedsot hetenofus
willhaveP100000st artupcapi talandwi t
hthat,we
willleaseoutapi eceoflandandhaveahuge
cont ai
nerstor edesignedwi t
ht hemummymar ket
signandt her estofthecapitalwil
lbefororderi
ng
clothes.Wi t
hpr opermarketi
ngi tcanhelpchange
thelivesoft enf amili
es.Andast i
megoesby, Iwant
tolear nfashiondesi gnandhi resomeonet oosowe
canst artdesi gningourowncl otheswiththe
mummymar ketbrandont hem.I t
'sabigdream but
Ireallywantt oseei tful
fi
ll
ed.

Avi
:Wow.Iam ver
yimpressed.That
'sagr
eati
dea.
Howareyoul
ookingfort
hewomen?

Me:WellinasmuchI 'dli
ketohel pwomenwhoar e
unabletomakemuch, thiddream isbi
gandIneed
commi t
mentandt hatcomeswi t
hknowinghow
hardyouwor kedtogett hemoneyt ostart.That
's
whyIam t al
kingaboutf i
vemont hstoraisecapit
al.
Iputoutapostf orthoseinterest
edinstarti
ngtheir
ownbusi nessesthismor ni
ngbutI '
vehadsucha
hecti
cdayt hatIhaven'thadthechancet ocheckifI
gotanyr
esponses.

Avi:Nnyaammayouar eani
nspi
rat
ionandIr
eal
ly
hopeitworksoutf
oryou.

Me:Thankyou.Anyway,
enoughaboutme.Tel
lme
moreaboutAviKemonei
lweThompson.

Avi
:(bi
teshi
sli
p)whatdoyouwantt
oknow?

Me:Ever
ythi
ng.

Di
kel
edi

Myli
feismess.Noonecant r
yhelpmeoutofthis
whol
ethatIhavedugmysel fi
nto.Imessedup.The
l
ookonMor ena'sfaceshowedmehewasn' t
pl
anni
ngonf orgivi
ngmeanytimesoon.Iwasso
downi nt hedumpst hatof oundmysel fsitt
ingi na
l
iquorr estaurantwiththeint entiontogetsodr unk
thatI'
dpassoutwhenIgett omyr oom butIf i
nd
mysel fstart
ingdownatagl assofwi neunabl eto
fi
nishi t
.AllIdoi skeeprepl ayingt hepastfew
mont hsofmyl if
e.Howdi dIf indmysel font hi
s
road?Icoul dhavehadt hebestr el
ati
onshipand
focusedonschool .Inotonl yl ostamant hatloved
me, butIam al sostuckwi thmoneyIhavenouse
for.Moneyt hatj
ustremi ndsmeofmyst upidity.

Thi
sispoi
ntl
ess.Ishoul
djustgobackt
omyr
oom
maybeIneedyocry
MaybeI'
l
lfeelbet
teraft
erIhavecried.Iqui
ckl
y
downt
heglassofwi ndandleave.

Twoguysapproachmewhi l
eIwai
tfort
hetaxi
.Iam
noti
nthemoodf ort
hem dvent
houghIcantel
lthey
haveever
yint
enti
onoftal
kingt
ome.
Guy1:Kant
ewhybanyanabaGabsbal
ebodj
aana
Sparks?

Guy2:Eneokeenewasummer.Bonahel
ajaakaa
nt
secorner
nyana.Okar
enkamotsenyamopateng.

Ifaceawayfrom t
heinanatt
emptt
oignor
ethem
butthatmakesthi
ngsworse.

Guy1:I
jaaj
ah.Ket
sonedit
sal
ingar
ayt
soneTse.

Guy2:(
laughs)Hagot
weLi
ngar
ayt
lher
ra.

Guy1:Gat
wengee?

Guy2:Lef
okonyanalat
engl
eambai
zisal
enna
mmehagot ualorr
a.
Theybot
hlaughandst
andnextt
ome.

Guy1:Aomysize.Howar
eyou?Youl
ookl
ikean
Engl
ishchi
ldyou.

Ij
ustr
ollmyeyesandl
ookaway.

Guy2:Owaiowngoalmyguy.Tswamoteng.Bake
balet
'sgotosandt
ontomor
row.Otl
ogaoipol
aya
rr
aagot l
ogetsemomokhukhungapal
ameRaider
.
Aretsamayengwanawagankuku.

Theguywhohadbeenspeaki
ngt
omewal
ksback
tohi
sfr
iendswhi
lecussi
ngmeout
.

Guy1:Bat
logogojamaCBDgor
eot
hunyedi
tl
ere.
Nxl
a.Arengsel
ose?Nxl
a.
Ataxistopsif r
ontofmej usti
nt i
meandIj umpi n.
Iam gladIam theonl yoneattheback.Igr eetand
wearmyheadset stoblockoutthet houghtthat
havetakeovermymi nd.Letmet rycal lhi
m again.
Morenal ovesme.Sur elyheisreadyt otal
kt ome
now.Itri
ngst hr
eetimesbef orethecal li
scut.Idial
agai
nbutIcan' tgetthrough.Hebl ockedme.
Morenabl ockedme.Washeser i
ous?Ar ewedone?

Thet earsar eburningmyeyesasIwal kupt he

stair
st omyr oom.Ijudtwantt ocryi ntomypi ll
ow.
Theonet hingIam happyf oraboutbecomi nga
Jojodol li
st hatArielef
tther oom tome.I '
llonly
havet odealwi thar oommat enextyear .Iputthe
keyintot helockbuti ti
sbl ocked.Ther eseemst o
be..Yest hereisakeyi nside.Howi st hiseven
possible?It rythedoorhandl eandt hedooropens
upt orevealJol enesitt
ingonmybedwhi lesmoki ng
acigaret t
e.MyWi gs!Whyi ssheevenher e?

Jol
ene:Hel
lomi
ekr
ant
.Howar
eyou?Cl
oset
he
doorbubu.

Me:Whatar eyoudoi
nghereJol
ene?Iqui
tJoj
o
dol
ls.Iam notdoi
ngi
tanymore.

Jol
ene:geti
nher
enow.

Isuddenlyfeelmysel
fget
ti
ngpushedint
other oom.
Therearetwogangsterl
ooki
ngcolor
edgirl
sbehi nd
me.Theypushedmei nher
e.Why?Whatdot hey
want?

Jol
ene:Yourproblem isyoudon'tl
ist
en.Therewas
noreasonforyout ogetpushedaroundsoear lybut
ohwell.Her
ewear e.Nadia,meetmytopdolls.You
mustbeveryspeci albecausenotmanydollsgetto
meetmyt hreebestfriends.

Me:Thr
ee?
Jol
ene:ohyesbaby.(
pointsatt
hewomen)meet
VanandCharel
dene.Thenmybestfr
iendofal
l
thr
ee.Hernameismyb* tch.

Ii
nstant
lyfeelt
heuri
nerundownmyt hi
gh.What
haveIgott
enmyselfi
nto?It
'sagun.Shej
ustputa
gunonmybed.

[
08/
31,
17:
39] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t33

Di
kel
edi

Ii
nstant
lyfeelt
heuri
nerundownmyt hi
gh.What
haveIgott
enmyselfi
nto?It
'sagun.Shej
ustputa
gunonmybed.

Jol
ene:Si
t

Ican'tmovemyl egs.Howam Igoi

ngt
ogettothe
chair
?Ashar ppainhitst
hebagofmykneesandI
fi
ndmysel fonthef l
oorwinci
ngi
npai
n.Oneofthe
butcheshitme.

Jolene:That sbetter
.Now, t
ellmesomet hingl
it
tl
e
one.Di dInotwar nyouaboutspr eadingmy
businessar ound?Di dInottellyoutoneveropen
yourmout haboutJoj ogi
rl
st oanyone?Yether e
youar e,onedayaf t
erqui
tti
ngandyoual r
eadyhave
mebr eakingi nt
odor ms?Real ly?Tellmeyoudidn't
understandwhataNonDi sclosureAgr eementi
s
andIwi llunderstand.Tel
lmeyoudi dn't.

Me:I
…Iam sor
ry.
Jol
ene:( seet
hinginanger )Isaid,
tellmeyoudidnt
understandwhatIsai dr i
ghtnow.Tel lmedammi t
.I
am will
ingtoforgiveal ackofunder st
andi
ng.ThatI
am will
ingtoforgive.Notblatantdisobedi
ence.
ThatoneIwon' tforgive.Sodidyounotunder st
and?

Me:Yes.YesIdi
dn'
tunder
stand.Iam sor
ryJol
ene.

Jolene:(
smiles)ohok.Iunderst
andnow.Ek
fr
oustan(Iunderst
and).Van,Charel
dene,
it'
sjust
l
ikeIsaid.Shedidn'
tunderst
and.Canyoubel i
eveit
?

Allthr
eeoft
hem laughandIam notsur
ehowt o
respondtot
his.Iam j
ustgl
adIam offt
hehook.

Jol
ene:
Ladi
es,helpherunderstandt hemeani
ngof
NDA.Iwanthertobesingi
ngt hefirstthr
eecl
auses
bythet
imeyouar edonewithher .
WiththatJol
eneli
ght
supacigar
etteandtakespuf
f
thenblowsthesmokeonmyfacecausingmet o
cough.Shewalksoutoft
her
oom leavi
ngmet othe
meanones.

Me:Idon'tknowwhatshemeantbyt hatbutpl
ease
l
etmego.I '
llpayyou.Iwi
llgi
veyouallt
hemoneyI
have.Pl
ease.

Theyl ookateachot herandl aughbeforeapunch

l
andsonmyf ace.Thepai nistoomuchandIcan' t
evencr y.Ifeelparal
yzed.Vanpul l
saduf f
lebag
theyhadputont hetabl
eandget saducttapeand
tapesi tovermymout hthenshedoest hesame
withmyhands.Theyswi tchmyspeakeronand
startplayingsongsf rom oneoft hei
rphones.This
mustbet omaskmymuf fl
edscr eams.WhathaveI
done?Whatam Idoi ngher e?Howdi dIevenget
here?

Mor
ena
Kgosiconvi
ncedmymum t oletmespendthenight
athi
shousewi ththepromisetosendmet othei
r
housetomorrow.Idon'tknowwhatallt
hisfussi
s
aboutbecauseIfeelf
ine.

Chantel
le:
(knocksonthedoor)Mor
ena!Di
nnerwi
ll
bereadyintwentyminutes.

Me:OK.Iam comi
ng.
Igetdr
essedandheadoutt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Me:Lea,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Kgosi
:wei
nvi
tedherf
ordi
nnerwhenshecal
led
ear
li
er.

Lea:Isawt
hevi
deoofyouracci
dentsoIcal
led
MmaagweBogol otofindouthowyouar edoing
andthenRraagweBogol oi
nvi
tedmet odinnerandI
camejustsoIcanseef ormysel
fthatyouarefine.I
coul
dhavecal ledyoubutyoublockedmeandIwas
honest
lyworriedaboutyou.IcangoifyouIdon' t
wantmeher e.Idon'twanttcauseanyproblemsI
wasjustworri
ed.

Sheisr
ambling.Shedoest
hatwhenshei
sner
vous.
Ial
waysfounditcut
e.

Me:
,Noi
t'
sfi
ne.Iam happyt
oseeyou.

Shesmi lesandtucksherhai rbehindherear.Lea

hasn'tchangedatall.Sheisstil
lthesamegi rlImet
tenyearsago.Iknowheraswel l
assheknowsme.
Wemetwhenshehadj usttr
ansferredtoourschool
andst ar
tedusingthesameschoolkombiasme
whenIwasi nstandardfi
veandshewasi n
standardfour.Webecamef r
iendsaf t
erIpuncheda
boywhocal ledheradwar f.Hergr owthspurtonly
kickedinwhenshewasi nFormtwoandshegr ew
tall
er.Sheissti
llshortbutthenagai
nIam t
allsoI
am nott heri
ghtjudge.

Lea:Sowhathappenedtoyou?Youhaveal
ways
beenthemostcaref
uldr
iverIknowsohowareyou
theonewhocausedthataccident
?

Irubthebackofmyheadinembarrassment.I
f
onlysheknewthatt
hegi
rlIl
eftherfori
sthereason
Il
ostmybear i
ngs.

Me:Ij
usthadalotonmymindbutIam overi
tnow.
Iam r
eadytomoveinwi
thmyli
fe.

Kgosi
:Iam gl
adt
oheart
hat
.

Chant
ell
e:(
cal
lsoutfr
om t
hekit
chen)KgosiMor
ena
geti
nhereandleavet
heyoung'
ansalone.
Kgosi
:Aomma.OKIwi
llkeepqui
etee.

Chantel
le:Shee(
laughsandopenst
hedoor
)ifyou
don'
tcomeher eIam notgoi
ngtogi
veyouyourgi
ft
toni
ght.

Mybr otherl
eapsoutofthecouchandisatthe
kit
chendoori nBol
tspeedthenki
sseshiswife
beforeclosi
ngthedoorbehindhi
m.Wor set
han
teenagers.

Lea:Iwassowor
ri
edaboutyouMozy.

Shehascalledmet hatsincewewerekids.Idon'
t
evenknowhowt orespondtoherri
ghtnow.She
wasmycl osestfri
endandnowher eIam tongue
ti
edbecauseofgui lt
.Weusedt obesoclosethat
evengoingfrom f
riendstolover
swaswi er
dinthe
begi
nning.Thingsonlychangedwhenwesl ept
toget
herf
orthefi
rstt
ime.Thatwaswhenwefi
nal
ly
saweachotherasgir
lf
ri
endandboyfr
iend.

Wehadbeent ogetherforf
iveyear sbef or etornado
Nadiacamei nandbl eweverythingawayt o
smithereens.Idon'tevenrememberhavi ngaf ight
withLea.Shewasal wayst heper fectgirlfri
end.No
hiddenagendasandnol i
es.Whywasi tsoeasyf or
met oleaveher ?Butthenagain, Iam notsur eI
haveeveract uall
ylovedLea.It hinki twasj ust
comf or
tableandeasyf orusbot ht obet oget her.
Maybet hat'
swhyIr anatthefirstsi gnofbei ngi n
l
ovewi thsomeone.

Me:Sohowhaveyoubeendoi
ng?

Lea:Schoolhasmebreathingt
hroughst
rawsMozy.
Isometimesthi
nkofquit
tingmedici
ne.

Me:Youwoul
dneverqui
tandIdon'
tthi
nkI
'
dever
l
etyou.Youhavealwayswantedtobeadoctor.
RememberthetimeIcutmyselfwit
hthewi
reand
yourantoyourhousetogetyourpar
ent
sfi
rstaid
ki
tandpouredallt
heanti
septi
conmyhand?

Lea:(
laughs)It
houghtyouwer
egoi
ngt
oki
llme.

Me:heel
athathur
talot
!Thr
nIwasfool
ishenough
t
oletyoutr
ytosti
tchmeuporeyouneedpracti
ce.

Shest
artslaughi
ngandclappi
ngherhands.She
al
wayslaughstil
lhert
ear
sf al
l.Whydi
dIleaveher
?

Lea:Youbarel
yletmedoanyt
hing.Ihadbar
ely
pei
rcedyourski
nwhenyoupushedmeof fofyou.

Ij
oini
nandl
augh.
Me:Whywoul
dIletyoudot
hattome?Kanayou
woul
dhavemessedmyarm upLea.

Shel
aughsandwi
pest
het
ear
sfr
om hereyes.

Lea:Imi
sst
hosedays.

Me:Imi
sst
hem t
oo.

Lea:Sowhydidyouleave?Whydidyoustop
everyt
hingwehadi
nt hebli
nkofaneye?

Me:( l
ooki
ngint
ohereyes)Idon'
tknowhowto
answerthatbutIknewIwasgoingtohur
tyoui
ifI
stayed.

Lea:Soar
eyouhappynow?Wi t
hher?Doesshe
makeyouhappybecauseIdon'
twantt
oseeyou
suff
eringatthehandsofsomeonewhodoesn'
t
appreciat
ethemanyouar e.Sodoesshemakeyou
happierthanIdi
d?

Me:I…( sisi
lence)Letmecheckhowf
ardi
nneri
s.I
am st
arving.

Istandupandgot ot
hekitchen.Idon'
tknowifi
t'
s
shameort hepainoflosi
ngNadi abutIdon'
twant
totalkabouti
t.Idon'
twanttotalkabouther
.

Di
kel
edi

Ihaveheardt hephr asebeatentoapul pbutIhave

neverimaginedt hatI'
dexperienceitf
ir
sthad.Ihave
cri
edandhadmyt ear smixupwi t
hsnor tonlyfor
everyt
hingtost opasIt r
iedtonumbmysel ffrom
thepainofbei ngbeatenupandki ckedar ound.I
eventri
edactingl i
keIpassedoutbutoneoft hem
wouldsuffocat emebycl osi
ngmynoseandmout h
forcingmyeyest opopopenwhenmyl ungsr
anout
ofair.Iknom Iam i
nbadshapebecauseIcantast
e
bloodinmymout handmyswoll
entonguemakesi t
diff
icultt
oswallow.

Afterwhatseemsli
kehours,Jol
enewalksbackint
o
theroom wit
hhersti
ll
etoesechoingonthef
loorI
am lyi
ngon.Shesquatstogetclosert
ome.

Jol
ene:Nc..nc.
.nc.Theymoor
'edyouneh!Doyou
under
standwhatanNDAi snow?

Inodmyheadsl
owl
y.

Jolene:Nadi
a,Iam usingmymout htospeakandI
needyout odothesame.Tel lmeifyouunderstand
whatanNDAi sbecauseIneverwantt obeunder
theimpressi
onthatyoumi sunderstood.Soopen
thesamemout hyouusedt ot al
kaboutmy
businessandtel
lmei fyouunderstandbecause
VanandCharel
denewouldbemor
ethanhappyt
o
car
ryoutanot
herl
esson.

Ipullbackt
hespitt
hatkeepssl
idi
ngdownt heside
ofmymout hontothecoldfl
oor
.Thisacti
nitsself
sendssharppai
nsallovermyface.

Me:(sl
urredspeech)Iunderst
and.Iwil
lnever
…( I
swal
lowt hebl
oodspitagain)Iwil
lnevert
alkabout
Joj
odollsagain.

Joleneyanksmeupbyt hecol
larofmydr
essand
roughlypinsmybackt
ot hewall
.Thi
shur
tsmore
andIwi nceinpai
n.

Jol
ene:GoodbecauseIwi
llnevercomeandremi
nd
youwhatshutupmeans.ThenexttimeIcomeher
e,
Iwon'
ttal
ktoyouli
ttl
egi
rl
.
Shef orcesmymout hopenmypr essi
ngmyj aws
ti
ght l
y.Aftermyopens, sheshoveshergunwi tha
silencerinmymout hrevivingmyt earductsand
sendsmyhear traci
ng.Sher eleasesthesafetyon
thegunandpushedi tfurtheri
ntomymout h.Ikeep
tryingtoscream butIgagi nst
ead.Thisfeelsli
kea
blowj obgoneterri
blywr ong.

Jolene:thenextt imeyout r
ytocr ossme, Iam
goingt odragyout omyf ar
m andki llyouaf ter
havingt enmenr apeyouallweekl ong.Iwi l
lmake
your el
ievethet enyearsyourgr andfatherusedyou
i
nt hespaceofaweek.Youwi llsuff
erinwaysyou
haveneverknown.It ol
dyounevert ocr ossmebut
no.Likeeveryf ool,youdecidet otr
yme.Youdeci de
tounder minebecauseIam pr ettyhuh?Iwi llkil
lyou
Dikeledi.Iwi
llendyou.Neverevert rymeagai n.Do
youhearme?

Me:(
shaki
ng)yash.
Iam t
ooscar
edtonodmyhead.Whati
fInodt
oo
har
dandthegungoesof
f?

Jol
ene:(
smiles)good.Iam nott
heonet
omess
wit
hNadia.Nevertrymeagain.

Shestart
stopullt
hegunoutofmymoutht
hen
stopsandshovesitbacki
ntomymout
hwit
ha
shrewdlookonherface.

Jol
ene:Ican'
tbet
oosur
ewheni
tcomest
oyou
nowcanI ?

Shepr essest
hegunandasoundgoesof fwi
th
pressureinmymout handmyheartst
ops.It
hought
shedidi t
.Thegum wentof
f.Ij
ustsawmylif
efl
ash
beforemyeyes.

Jol
ene:(
standsup)I
twi
llbel
oadedt
henextt
ime
yout
ryme.

Sheput
shergunawayandlaughs.Hert
wogoons
j
oinandandpackupt
oleave.

Jol
enepull
ssomemoneyoutoft
heduf
fl
ebagand
thr
owsitonmybed.

Jolene:whenItellyout ocomeandgetyourl ast

package,youcome.Whatdoyouwantmet odo
withyourmoney?Youwer etoobusyt r
yingtobreak
people'
smar r
iagest ocomeandgetmoneyt hatyou
earned?Mxm.Pat heti
c.Idon'tknowwhyal lyou
rapevicti
msar esopat heti
candl ovehungry.Love
doesn'texi
stl
itt
legirl
.(claps)snapoutofit!

Shewalksoutwi ththegoonsbehindher .Howdoes

onedecisiontur
nyourl i
feupsidedownl i
kethi
s?All
Iwant
edwast oforget.Thatisal
lIeverwanted.I
j
ustwant edtoforgett
hepai nofmychi l
dhood.How
canIbeexpectedtomakesounddecisi
onswhen
noonemadegooddeci sionsformewhenIcoul
dn'
t
decideonanyt
hing?WasIwr ongtowantt
obe
someoneelseforachangewhenbeingDikel
edi
has
broughtmenothingbutpain?

Igetupandsl owlywalktothemirr
or.Mywhol e
bodyisinpain.Moretearsfal
lwhenIseemysel fin
themirr
or.Theybeatmebl ackandblue.Iwillbet
he
tal
kofcampusf ort
henexttwoweeks.Myl ipsis
brokenandoneeyesi shalfcl
osed.Nottotalkof
thebrui
sesont herestofmybody.

Igr
inandr
eachformyphoneinmybag.Iunbl
ock
Bol
eng'
smum anddialheri
ntear
s.

Boleng'
smum :OhmyGod.Di kel
edimma.Where
haveyoubeen?Doyouknowhowwor r
iedIhave
been?Yourgrandmot
herhasbeeninmydr eams
thuswholeweekaski
ngmewher eyouare.Okae
Dikel
edinemma?
Me:(sobbing)CanIpleasecomehome?Iam so
sor
ry.Ijustwanttocomehome.

Bol
eng'smum:( st
art
scr
ying)comehomemybaby.
Wewilltakecar
eofever
ythi
ng.Justcomehomemy
l
ove.Doyouneedmoney?

Me:No.Iwi
llcomeaftermyl
astpaperi
ntwoweeks.
Thankyouf
orlett
ingmecomeback.

Bol
eng'
smum:Justcomehome.Ever
ythi
ngel
se
wil
lsor
tit
sel
fout
.

[
08/
31,
17:
39] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t34
[
Thr
eeyear
slat
er]

Tl
otl
o

Thepastt hr
eeyear shavebeengr eat.Iam inlove
withawonder fulmanwhohasshownmeasi deof
l
ifeIforgotexist
ed.AviandIhavebeendoi nggr eat
exceptforonet i
mesi xmont hsintoourr el
ationship
whenIwasvi sit
inghi shousef ortheweekendand
wehadanunexpect edvi si
tor.Awomancamei nto
thehousewi thal i
tt
legirlwal ki
ngbesi deherand
wasangr yuponseei ngmei nagown.That '
showI
foundoutAvihadadaught er.Notjustadaught er,a
daughterwithavi l
emot her.Shelivest oboreme
outofthisrel
at i
onship.

Iwashonestl
yli
vidt
ofindoutabouthi
sdaughter
thatway.Wehadarealfi
ghtabouti
tandhetoldme
hewantedustobeinamor esecurepl
acebefore
hetoldmeaboutTildaandhisdaughterTehill
ah
becauseTil
daisi
nsane.Ididn'
tunderstanditthen
butIhavecometounder st
anditovertheyears.
Eventhefactt
hatsheisherenowf eel
sl i
kewal ki
ng
onpinsandneedles.

Me:OK.Thanksf
ordr
oppi
ngherof
f.Wewi
lldr
op
herof
ftomorr
ow.

Tilda:Tlot
lowee.Ar eyounor mal?Whyar eyou
thankingmef ordroppi
ngmydaught eroffather
father'shouse?Kant edigirl
fr
iendlentsejang?Why
doyoul i
keinvolvi
ngyour sel
vesinot herwomen's
children'
slives?Areyout hatdesperateforappr
oval
from aman?Doesn' tyouwombwor k?Iti
rel
emmao
tswemogongwanake.Iam wai t
ingformybaby's
daddymma.

Iam nol
ongershockedbyher
.Iam i
mmunet
oher
now.
Me:Aviwentt
ogetf
uelbef
orewet
aket
heki
dsout
.

Ti
lda:Iwil
lwai
tbecauseIhavet
otal
ktohi
m about
ourfut
ure.

Me:(
Ifrown)Excuseme?Di
dyousayyourf
utur
e?
Whatfutur
edoyouhavewit
hmyman?

Til
da:(laughs)Youmeanourman?KanaTl ot
loyou
takethingsforgranted.Thi
smani sours.Nnamma
Iwillnotbeoneoft hosewomenwhohavechoi ce
assortedchil
dren.AviandIdiscussedhowwewi l
l
spaceourchi l
drenbef or
ewehadTehi l
lahandit'
s
ti
mef orthesecondbaby.Iam her etol
ethim know
Iam ovulati
ngthiscomi ngweek.

Whatt
heheckdi
dIj
usthear
?Thi
scannotber
eal
.
Til
da:Akereor at
adikgangt sabat
hoandyouwant
knowever ythi
ng.Wellnowyouknow.Ebilemy
mot herpassedawayl astyearsootl
atl
aompaa
botsetsiAkeremogadikanewame.

Me:Naar
eTi
ldaor
ongwabol
oi?Ot
hokol
osiAker
e?

Til
da:Darli
ngcal lmewhat everyouwanttocallme
butitdoesn'tchangethefactthatbabydaddyandI
aremakingbabynumbert wonextweek.Whodo
youwantt owal karoundthemal lwit
hsmar t
iesf
or
chil
dren?I'
llbecomi ngforthelastbornt
hreeyear
s
fr
om now.

Howdoyouevenr espondt othis?Iam toostunned

toevenspeakr i
ghtnow.Iwal ktothebedroom to
fi
nishgetti
ngready.Idon'tevenknowi fIwantthi
s
outinganymore.Butthenagai n,whyshouldTil
da's
madnessr uinawellplannedoutday?
Ifi
nishdoingmymakeupandputonmymaxi dress
andsunhatandletmybrai
dsfallonmyshoulders.
Aviwalksinwhi
leIputmysandalsonandhugsme
fr
om behindandrubshi
mselfagainstmybut
t.

Avi
:Ont
sef
reshgor
ebaby.Nt
ekeut
lwe.

Igi
ggl
eandpushhi
m back.

Me:Iam notget
ti
ngr
eadyagai
nAvi
.

Avi
:Aomma.Justal
it
tl
e.

Me:Yougotal
otl
astni
ght
.Leavemeal
onemonna
kewena.

If
oldmyar
msandl
eanont
hewal
l.
Me:Sodidyoubookyourbabymaki
ngappoi
ntment
al
ready?

Avi
:Hmm?

Me:Til
dasaysyouagr
eedtohaveachil
dthi
syear
andcametotel
lyoushei
sovulat
ingt
hiscoming
week.

Avil
aughswhi
leget
ti
ngdr
essed.

Avi:Soshetoldyou?IswearTi
ldai
scrazyandI
don'tevenknowwhatIeversawinher
.

Me:Sowhatdi
dyousayt
oher
?

Avi:Whatdoyoumean?Itol
dherIam wi
thyouand
Ican'
tmakebabieswi
thher.Youar
etheoneIwant
chil
drenwi
thnow.It
oldhert
ogoandf
indanot
her
foolt
omakeababywi t
h.

Me:Iwasbeyondshocked!Icouldn'
tevenr
espond
t
oherinsani
ty.Gat
werespacitse?Yeah!

Avi:Butshewast el
li
ngyouthetruththoughabout
ouragreement.AndyouknowIam al waysaski
ng
whenwewi l
lhaveachildt
ogetherandyounever
respond.Youjustchanget
hesubj ectever
yti
me.

Me:AviIam 38yearsol d.Mylastbornis12year

s
ol
d.Whywoul dIwantt ostar
talloveragai
natthi
s
age?Ihavethreechil
drenandyouhaveone.Can't
wejustbetogether
?

Avi:(
frowns)Betoget
her
?Soyoudon'
twantt
o
haveachildwit
hme?
Me:Iam donehavi
ngchi
ldr
enAvi
.Iwant
edt
hree
chi
ldr
enandIhavethem.
.

Avi:ButIam notdoneTlot
lo.Youhavethose
chi
ldrenwit
hanot herman.Whataboutme?Wi llIbe
punishedbecauseIdidn'
tfi
nishprocr
eati
onbefore
wemet ?Iam will
ingtoset
tlefort
wochi l
dreni
fone
ofthem i
swithyou.

Me:AhAvirr
a.TotannaIneverpict
uredmysel
f
pr
egnantatt
hisage.Iam honest
lydone.

Avi
:Tl
otl
owee…

Hestandsupandheadst othedoor.Idon'
tknow
whyhedoesn'tunderst
andmyf eeli
ngsaboutthi
s.
Thisdayhasjustt
urnedtoapitstai
n.Wear e
supposedtopickmykidsupfrom Bogosi'
shouse
thengooutwithal
lfourki
dsbutnowl ookwherewe
are.
.
 Di
kel
edi

Weddi ngshavebecomeoneofmyf avor

itethi
ngs.
Ther eisal wayssomuchl ovei ntheatmospher e
andt heexpr essionofcult
uresisalwaysabeaut i
ful
thing.Ul ul
ationfi
ll
stheairaswomendancear ound
wi t
hdit jaleontheirshoul
ders.Asongbr eaksout
from oneoft hewomeni nthecr owdandweal lstart
danci ngt oit
.

Woman:Ar
uril
ebol
elet
semal
ome

Al
l:Ar
uril
ebol
elet
semal
omemoj
adi
tl
hogo

Woman:Ar
uril
ebol
elet
semal
ome

Al
l:Ar
uril
ebol
elet
semal
omemoj
adi
tl
hogo
Woman:Gor
eset
logol
oseanyal
wa

Al
l:Gor
eset
logol
oseanyal
wamol
apeng

Dustf i
ll
st heai rasever yonedancesthei
rheartsout
headingt ot het ent
.Ihaveneverbeent hi
shappy
before.Thi sisaweddi ngIhavelookedforwardto
thi
swhol eyear .Ididn'
tevencar ehowmuchmoney
Iwasspendi ngbet weent hi
sdressandmy
graduationdr ess.Iam happyandt hat
'sal
lthat
mat t
ers.

Weheadintot
het entandtakeourseatswit
hhuge
smil
esonourfaces.Bolengisjustbesi
deshersel
f.
Shehasbeencryi
ngsi ncethevowsandshei ssti
ll
cr
ying.

Boleng:kanammeIam happyDiks.Iam sohappy

formymum butIfeell
ikeshei
sleavingme.
Me:ButBeeyouknowyouhar
dlyseeheranymor e.
Doyouwanthertobel
onel
yforeveraf
teryougetin
wi
thyourli
fe?

Boleng:No.LikeIsai
d,Iam happyf
orher
.Shei
s
getti
ngmarri
edt oagoodmanwhohadshownmea
fat
her'sl
ove.

Bol eng'
smum gotmar ri
edtoof fi
cerMot l
habitoday.
Shel ooksasbeaut if
ulasabr ideont hecoverofa
magazi ne.MrMot lhabial
sol ooksgreat.Heactuall
y
ci
t edwhenshewal keddownt heisl
e.Hisvows
madet hewhol eroom cryashet oldherhowhe
didn'tknowt hatlovebeganandendedwi thher.
Thataf teral
lhehasbeent hroughanddone, he
neveri maginedt hatGodcar edabouthi m enoughto
givehi m somethingaspr eciousashert olovehim.
Hewassosweetandkeptt ouchingherf aceashe
spoke.Thepast orhadt okeepcl eari
nghisthroata
bunchoft i
mest or emindhim hehasn' tbeen
per
mit
tedyet
.Wewoul
dal
llaught
hrought
het
ear
s.

Iwassur pri
sedtoseehim asar egularvi
sit
orwhen
Iwentbackhomet hr
eeyear sago.Bolenghadn't
ratt
edmeoutt ohermum soshewasj usthurtt
hatI
hadcutt hem outofmylif
e.WespokeandI
apologi
zed.Ittookali
tt
lelongertogetbackintune
withBolengbecauseshehadani deaoftheperson
Ihadbecomebutaf t
erconvinci
nghert hatIwasno
l
ongerabl esserbabeshef or
gaveme.I thasn'
t
beeneasyf ormet omovepastl osi
ngMor enabutI
focusedonschoolandf oundotherwayst ocope
withmypai n.

AtextcomesinandIopent hemessageaf
ter
checki
ngifBol
engisn'
tlooking.

[
heyhotst
uff
.Wher
ear
eyou?I
'
m nakedand
wai
ti
ng ]
Mycl i
tstarttwit
chingwhenapi ctureofhismagi
c
sti
ckappear s.Idon'tknowwhatitisaboutseei
ngit
l
ikethatbutiigetsot urnedon.Ihaven'
thadsexin
thr
eeyear sbutIhavehadsomanyor gasmsthatI
'd
needahundr edpagedi aryt
odocumentt hem.

Me:BeecanIhavethekeyt
oourr
oom.Ineedt
o
changemypantyl
iner
.

Bol
eng:(handsitover
)Youshoul
dhur
ryback.They
wil
lbeservi
nglunchsoon.

Me:Youshoul
dgetsomeformeifIdel
ay.Aker
e
youknowImightendupget
ti
ngsentar
ound.

Bol
eng:Aeyouareabr
idesmai
d.Thi
sisyourdayt
o
dothesendi
ng.

Il
aughandwal
kaway.Wear
eatBol
eng'
s
grandmother'
shouse.Bol
engandIareusi
ngt
he
quarter
sbehindthemainhouse.Imakemyway
therewhil
etexti
ng.

[
Youbet
terbenakedbecauseIwi
llbecal
li
ngyoui
n
t
wominutes .]

OnceIam i nt her
oom, Il
ockthedoorandst
art
thr
owi ngclothesoffandgetmydildofr
om t
he
secretzipperinmybag.Ithenmirrormyphoneon
thelaptopsoIcangetacl earvi
sual.

Il
ieonthebedanddi al
.Hecal l
shimselfwolfgang
onthesexappsot hat'
showIsavedhi m.Hei sone
offi
veguysIhavef unwithontheapp.Hehas
neverseenmyf aceandIhaveneverseenhisbut
wehaveal otoffun.HepicksupthevideocallandI
ai
mt hecamer atomybr east
s.Helovesthem.

Wol
fgang:heyhotst
uff
.
Me:(i
nasultr
yvoi
ce)Heywol
fy.Youaresucha
badboy.Yougotmeoutofaweddingt
lher
ra.

Wolfgang:(
laughs)Aosor
ryt
lhemysweetThang.
YouknowIcannevergetenoughofyou.Lookhow
har
dIam already.

Me:Yougotmesowetbaby.

Wolfgang:Letmesee.Showmeyourbeaut
if
ul
f
laps.

Ipoi
ntthephonesomyyoniandopenmysel
ffor
hi
mt osee.

Wolf
gang:Damn.Lookatthat
.Babeyouseesohot
.
Ij
ustwanttof
eelt
hem wrappedaroundme.
Me:Ohyesbaby.

Ipul
lmydi
ldoandswi
tchi
ton.

Me:Wehavetomakei
tqui
ckwol
fy.Iam ata
weddi
ngkana.

Hemassageshimselfwit
halubri
cantandstar
ts
goingupanddownhisshaft
.Imimickhis
movementsandpacebyshovingthedil
doinand
outofmyyoni.Att
hispoi
ntIdon'
tevencareif
anyonehear
smymoans.

Wolfgang:Yesbaby.Justl
iket
hat
.Takei
t!Takei
t
al
lin!

Me:Iam cummi
ngwol
fy.Iam cummi
ng!
Wol
fgang:Cum f
ormebaby.Let
'scomet
oget
her
.

Me:Fast
erwol
fyf
ast
er!

Ishovethedi l
doinandoutasf astasIcanbef ore
myeyesr ollbackandmybodybegi nstoshi verand
shakeasmyt oescurlbef
oreIstartsquirt
ing.He
ej
aculat
esont ohisabdomenandsomecovert he
l
ens.Byt hetimeIopenmyeyesagai nmychesti s
ri
singandfalli
ngasIt r
ytocatchmybr eath.

Wol
fgang:Wel
ldamn!

[
08/
31,
17:
39] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t35
 Di
kel
edi

BythetimeIopenmyeyesagai
nmychesti
sri
sing
andfal
li
ngasItryt
ocat
chmybreat
h.

Wol
fgang:Wel
ldamn!

Me:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)Ihavet
ogowol
fy.

Wol
fgang:OKhot
stuf
f.Samet
imet
omor
row?

Me:Iam notsur
ewhatt
hedaywi
llbel
ikebutwe
wi
llsee.

Wol
fgang:OK.
Bye
Ihangupandcl eanmysel fupbef or
egetti
ng
dressed.Myclitkeepst wit
chingfrom t
heaf t
er
shocks.Sexisagi ft
.That '
sallIcansay.Ipowder
myf acetoeli
mi nat
et hebeadsofsweatt hathad
developedduri
ngourl i
tt
letri
stthenwalkout
headingtothetent.

Voi
ce:Hi
.

Iturntof
acehim.It
'sSébast
ien.Mygroomsman.
Hef l
ir
tsalotwi
thmeandIki ndofl
ikeit
.Heisone
ofthosealmostcut
eenoughguyswhomost l
ylook
cutebecauseofthi
erswagbutisn'
treal
lyal
lthat
cute.

Me:Sebamanwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Sébast
ien:Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
oryou.It
houghtwe
shoul
dtalk.
Me:(
smi
li
ng)Aboutwhat
?

Heputshishandsinhi
spocket
sandsmi
les.He
haspear
lywhitet
eetht
hatmakehi
ssmil
eallthe
moreendeari
ng.

Sébast
ien:Aboutt
hissweett
ensi
onbet
weenus.

Me:Oh.
.Idi
dn'
treal
izewehavet
ensi
onbet
weenus?

Sébast
ien:OhcomeonNadia.Howlongdoyou
wanttokeepplayi
ngt
hisgameofchickenwi
thme?
Iwantyouandyouwantmet oo.

Ever
yonecal
lsmeNadianow.Wel lmostofthe
ti
mes.Bol
engandhermum sti
llcallmeDiksfrom
ti
metoti
mebuttheyunder
standwhyIpr eferNadia.
Me:(gi
ggling)AoSébasti
endoyour eal
lywantust
o
bethetypicalweddi
ngpartydancepart
nerswho
j
oladuringtheweddingandbreakupaftertwo
weeks?

Sébast
ien:WhosaidIwantthat?Iheardwhatyou
weredoingint
her
eNadi aandIwantt ohelpsati
sfy
you.Nostri
ngsat
tached.Justgreatpussydri
pping
sex.

Oh…Iam t wit
chingal r
eady.Ihaven'tf
eltthereal
thinginthreeyearsandIdi dn'
tknowhowmuchI
mi sseditunti
litpresenteditsel
ftome.Iwasj ust
tryingtoavoidbreakinganyone' shear
tormar ri
age
l
ikeIdi dthelastti
meIhadamanbutnowt hisis
differ
ent.It
'sl
ikethesexapphascomet oli
fe.And
Sébast i
en'sshoesi zeintr
iguesme.Iam sur ehe
mustbepacki ng.

Sébast
ien:Comeon.Don'
tdenyyour
sel
fthe
pl
easureyouwant.
Myt
hroatdr
iesupj
ustt
hinki
ngofhi
minme.

Sébast
ien:
Youcanseei
tli
vei
nst
eadofi
magi
ningi
t.

Hemusthaveseenmest
arr
ingathi
scr
otch.

Me:(
hit
chedbr
eat
h)wh…When?

Hemovescl osertomeandl ooksar oundtosee

ther
ei snoonebef orehewr apshishandar oundmy
waistandr oughlypull
smet ohi m.Hethenslides
hishanddownt omybut tandr ubsitwhil
einching
hisfaceclosertomine.Hislipsareinchesfrom
minemaki ngt henti
nglei
nant i
cipat
ion.Hest ar
tsto
speakandwi t
heachwor dourl i
pstoucheverso
sli
ghtl
ythatImoani ndesperat
ion.

Sébast
ien:YouandIar
egoi
ngt
obesl
appi
ng
bodi
esandsweat i
ngtoni
ght.Iam goi
ngt
odo
ever
ythi
ngyouwantmet o.Allyouhavet
odoi
sask
andIwil
lful
fi
llal
lyourf
antasi
es.

Me:(
swal
lowi
ng)Iwantyounow.

Her
unshi
sli
psonmi
neandsmi
les.

Sébast
ien:Youwantme?

Inodmyhead.

Sébast
ien:(
shakeshi
shead)Ncncnc.Ketl
ogogoj
a
goreNadia.Youareget
ti
ngf*ckedt
onight
.

Withthathewalksof
fandleavesmeachingforhi
m.
Therehastobesomet hi
ngwrongwit
hme.It ur
n
backtotheroom.Ineedafreshpant
yli
ner………….
Bol
eng:Hehmmayoul
ongl
eft
.Ao.

Me:Youwon'tbel
ievewhatj
usthappened.
Sébast
ienwantsme.

Boleng:(
laughs)Il
ongt
oldyougor
ethatguywant
s
you.Whatdidhesay?

Me:Hehmmaontloget
sekelemaphachaphacha
hel
atel
li
ngmewhathewantstodotomet oni
ght
.

Bol
eng:War
etoni
ght
?El
egor
eyouar
egoi
ngt
o
sl
eepwit
hhim?

Me:Yep.YouknowIdon'twantaboyf
ri
endandI
haven'
thadsexint
hreeyear
smma.Ijustneed
somerelease.
Bol
eng:Mmemmai t'
sbeentoolong.Idon'
tknow
howyoudi
ditbutIam gl
adaft
efallt
hatmessyou
wer
ein.

Shedoesn'
tknowaboutmyappf
ri
ends.

Me:Mma.Sowi
llyoucoverf
orme?

Bol
eng:Coverf oryou?(l
aughs)mymanjustgot
her
e.ThereisnowayI '
dlethi
m comeal
ltheway
her
etosuppor tmymot her'
sweddingebekemo
l
esa.Iam rewar di
nghimtonight
.

Il
aughandshakemyhead.

Boleng:Besi
desmamawi
llbet
oobusyt
onot
ice
thatwearen'
thome.
Me:Tr
ue.El
egor
edi
dhebooksomepl
ace?

Bol
eng:Letmeaskhi
m.

Shest
art
stext
ing.

Me:Wher
eishe?

Shepoint
stoaf
ewguysbyt
het
reeandIseehi
min
thecr
owd.

Me:Tonyi
tl
hel
eai
tshwanel
agor
emma.

Bol
eng:KeagoshapaDi
ks.

Il
aughandt
akeasi
pofmydr
ink.
Mc:CanwepleasehavePast
orMar
ycomeand
bl
essthef
oodforus.

Webowourheads,
ast
hepr
ayerst
art
s.

Al
l:Amen.

Boleng:Tot
aTonyoril
eng?Kanahesayshe
thoughthewoul
dsleephere.

Me:Wher
e?

Bol
eng:Goneha.

Il
augh.
Me:Whatdi
dyout hi
nkdat
ingaNiger
ianguywoul
d
mean?Dotheyhavemeil
atota?

Boleng:Mxm whati
swrongwitht
hisman?Hehas
tolookforapl
acetosl
eep.Letmegoandtal
kto
him.

Me:AkooSekawamoomanyaBol
eng.

Bol
eng:AeTonycan'
twantt
osleepi
nmy
gr
andmother
'shouseent
seeleboyf
ri
end.

Shewal
ksawayandleavesmel
aughi
ng.At
ext
comesi
n.I
t'
sSébast
ien.

[
Keeppracti
cinghavi
ngyourmout
hwideopenbaby.
That
'sal
lyouwi l
lbedoi
ngtoni
ght
.]
Ohmy….

Edi
t:Nexti
nser
twi
llbeupsoon
[
08/
31,
17:
39] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t36

Mor
ena

Lea:Babyr
un!I
t'
saboutt
ost
art
!

Me:Babykanayoucan'
ttr
ytomakemegetexci
ted
kayourchi
ckfl
ick.

Lea:MozyAcr
imonyi
sn'
tachi
ckf
li
ckandyour
aren'
tgett
ingoutofitthisti
me.Thi
smoviei
ssoold
butwenayoudon' tevenknowi t
.Hurr
yupwit
hthe
popcorns.Anddon'tforgett
hemayo.

Me;Si
esbabyIam put
ti
ngminei
naseparat
ebowl
.
Whooneart
heatspopcornwi
thmayo?Ao?

Shewaddl
esi
ntot
heki
tchenwi
thherbi
gbump.

Lea:Mxm.Isi
tmyf aultyourchi
ldmakesmeeat
thi
ngs?Ebi
leIam cravi
ngphalechewit
hscr
ambled
eggs.

Me:Whataboutt
hepopcor
n?

Lea:Kest
art
erAker
e.

Ishakemyheadandl
aught
henwal
kout
.
Lea:(
whining)Babywher
ear
eyougoi
ngnow?I
wantphaleche.

Me:It
houghtyoumeantyouar
ecooki
ngi
t.

Lea:Iwantyour
stl
her
ra.Your
stast
esver
yni
ce.

Me:Butphal
echehast
hesamei
ngr
edi
ent
smoss.

Shepout sandIshakemyheadbef
oregoi
ngback
andplacingthepopcor
nbowlsont
hecounter
.I
thenboilwatert
ocookforher
.

Sheget
soneoft
hebowl
sandsqueezesmayoi
nto
i
t.

Me:
Thati
sjustdi
sgust
ingLea.
Lea:Youdon'
tknowwhatyouar
emi
ssi
ng.Buti
t
needssomethi
ng.

Sheopensthefr
idgeandget
smustar
dsauceand
squeezesi
tint
hengetsaspoonandstar
tseat
ing.

Me:Si
esLea.

Shelaughsandleansont hecounterandwat ches

mecook.Ican'twaitforhertogivebir
thnextmonth
becausejoh!Mychildiseati
ngthingsinther
e.And
shehasreall
yball
oonedi nherlasttr
imester
.

Wedecidedtogiveourr elat
ionshipanothertryt
wo
andahalfyearsagoandshei snowexpect i
ngour
fi
rstbor
nson.Iam mor et hanexci t
edtobeaf at
her.
Sheisinherfi
nalyearofmedi calschoolsoit
wasn'ti
dealf
orustohaveababynowbuti t
happenedandwear etryingt onavigatethr
oughit
al
l.

Lea:Mozygomonat
egor
e.Ut
lwa.

Shebri
ngsherspoont
omymout
handIshi
ftmy
head.

Me:AeLea.Thatlookster
ri
ble.Eatyourt
hingsand
l
eavemealone.Can'twewatchsomet hi
ngelsene
mma?

Lea:Nope.Wealwayswat chyourki
ndofthi
ngson
Netfl
ix.It
'
snowmyt urn.Mozykanamamasaysshe
i
scomi ngtomyhousenextweektovisi
tmeand
checkifwehaveeverythi
ngthebabyneeds.

Me:Doest
hatpl
aceevenl
ookl
ivedi
n?
Sheshakesherheadwi t
hhermout hfull.Shehas
bigcheeksnowandi t
'sfunnywhenshei schewing.
Shemovedi nt
omyhousewhenwef oundoutshe
waspr egnantandonl
ygoest oherhouseaf ew
ti
mesi nthemonthtocheckifeverythi
ngi sfi
ne.I
feelsorr
yforherpar
entswhokeeppayi ngtherent
withoutknowingsheneversleepsthere.

Me:Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?

Lea:AhIguessIwi
lljusthavetogotheretwodays
befor
etodosomecl eaningandgetgrocer
ies.

Me:Youcan'
tcleant
hathousei
nyourcondi
ti
on.I
wi
llhi
resomeonetodoit
.

Lea:t
hankyoubaby.

Shest
andsonhert
oesandgi
vesmeaki
sswi
thher
mayomust
ardl
ips.

Me:Mxm.(wi
pemylips)I
'l
lletmymum know.She
ment
ionedwanti
ngt
ododi nnerwi
thyourpar
ent
s
t
henextti
metheyar
eintown.

Lea:Iam sur
eshe'
dlovet
hat
.

Igetbackt
omycooki ngbef
oreIgoandwatch
whatIknowwi l
lbeasoppyl
ovestor
ythathasan
obvi
ousending.

Tl
otl
o

Wehadagoodout
ingwi
ththekidsregardl
essof
t
hefi
ghtwehadt
hismor
ning.Avihasn'tmenti
oned
ki
dsagai
nandIam gl
ad.Wearenowonourwayt
o
dr
opmykidsof
fatBogosi
'shouse.

Avi
:Tlamel
ocanyouchecki
fther
ear
eanymor
e
dr
inksint
hecool
er.

Tl
amel
o:Sur
e.

Allthreeofmychi ldrenwer ehappyf ormewhenI

i
nt r
oducedAvit ot hem, especial
lyTl amelo.Shet old
meshewaswor ri
edImi ghtgobackt oherfather
andbecomet heunhappyper sonIwasagai n.I
didn'treal
izehowmyr elati
onshipwi t
htheirfather
hadaf fectedmyr elati
onshi pwitht hem untilIlef
t
him.Iwasal wayssost ressedoutwhenIwaswi t
h
Bogosit hatIhadnot i
mef orthem.Butnowt heytell
meever yt
hing.Ievenf oundoutaboutLeano' s
crushont heheadgi rlathi sschoolbuthasno
chancebecauseshehasaboyf r
iend.Thet hought
ofmysonwant ingagi rlmademesi ckt omy
stomach.Ievenwant edt oendt histellme
everyt
hingnonsensebutIsol dieredonbecauseI
wanttoavoidanot herTl
ameloandbi gdicks
sit
uati
on.Icouldn'tt
akeiti
fIf oundoutmychi l
dren
wereli
vingli
vesthatcouldleadt hem int
osituati
ons
theyaren'
tpreparedfor.

Tehi
ll
ah:Aunt
ycan'tweallj
ustsl
eepoverat
daddy'
shousetoni
ght?Iwanttopl
aywithTl
amel
o.

LeanoandLoago:Yes!

Loago:Pl
easemamat
henwecanpl
ayboysver
sus
gi
rlsi
nCharades.

AviandIl
ookateachot
herwi
thoutsayi
nganyt
hing
butwealr
eadyknowwhatheotheri
sthi
nki
ng.Ti
lda.

Tehi
ll
ah:pl
easesayyesdaddy.
Avir
aiseshi
sbr
owsandInodmyhead.

Avi:
okwewi
llgetyourcl
othest
henheadhome.

Iam notpr
epar
edf
ort
hehavocTi
ldai
sgoi
ngt
o
bri
ngmyway.

Myphonest
art
sri
ngi
ng.I
t'
sBot
ho.

Me:Heysi
s.Howar
eyou?

Ihearcr
yingi
nthebackgr
ound.

Me:Bobowhat
'swr
ong?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Botho:Hewaswithanot
herwomanSoso.If
ound
them onmybed.MybedSoso!
Shewai
lsandmyhear
tbr
eaks.

Me:Wher
eishe?Iam comi
ngt
her
e.

Bot
ho:(sobbing)Hel
eftwit
hher.Sheispr
egnant.
Helovesher.Hewouldn'
thaveleftmeher
eifhe
di
dn'tl
oveher.Whatam Igoingtodo?Hedoesn'
t
l
oveme.

It
akeadeepbr
eat
h.

Me:Iam comi
ng.

Shehangsupt
hephoneandIl
eanont
heheadr
est
.

Avi
:Tyl
er?
Inodmyheadandheshakeshi
s.

Avi:Yoursi
sterhastoacceptthatshemarri
eda
cheaterandleavethatguyforherownpeaceof
mind.Everyotherthreemonthsther
eisaBothoand
Tyl
erissue.Haal ape?

Idon'tr
espondbutIknowhei sri
ght.Iwasshocked
tofi
ndoutt heyreconciledaft
ertheNadiasaga.My
sist
erevenf ool
ishlybeli
evedthatNadiali
edtoher
abouthim sleepingwithprost
itut
es.Lookwherewe
arenow.ButIcan' tjudge
Ihavebeenwher
esheis.Ikeptf
orgi
vingBogosi
outoff
earoft
heunknown.

Di
kel
edi

Sneaki
ngoffwaseasi
ert
hanIthought
.Bol
eng'
s
mum wastakenawaytoheri
nlaws'pl
ace'
andthat
washowBol engandIduckedout
.Shechosenotto
betakenint
othemarri
agesoshewasn'
tneededfor
therestoft
heact
ivi
ti
es.

Sébast
ien:Her
ewear
e.

Heopenst hedoortohi
sroom i
ntheBedand
Breakf
ast.Thegroomsmenhadoptedtosleephere
forpri
vacyandIhavetoadmitt
hati
tworkedoutfor
me.

Hethr owshisbl azeronthechairthengrabsme

andst art
skissingme.Thewhol et hingwasso
unexpectedt hatIbarel
ycaughtmybr eath.His
handsar eallovermeandIr eciprocatetheactions.
Hebr eaksofftheki sswhenmyhandmakesi t
sway
tohismagi cest i
ck.Heholdsmyhandbef or
eIf eel
i
t.

Sébast
ien:Howaboutwef
reshenupf
ir
st?
Ismi leandf ol
lowhimt
ot hebathr
oom wherewe
takeaqui ckshowerwhilemakingout.Hisshoesi
ze
didn'tdeceiveme.Themani swellendowed.Thi
sis
at oyIwillcert
ainl
yenj
oy.

Oncewearedoneweheadt otheroom andst ar

t
ki
ssi
ngagain.Hi
shandshungr il
yfeelmybody.He
l
eadshishandtomyyoniandt raceshisfi
nger
al
ongmyf l
apsandf eel
showwetIam.Hegr oans
i
ntomymout handlift
soneofmyl egsmaki ngit
hangonhisarm bef
oreinser
ti
nghi sfi
ngeri
ntome
makingmemoanand#EXPLI CIT

[
08/
31,
17:
40] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t37
 Di
kel
edi

Ican'
tfeelmylegs.Iam done.Iam spent
.Hepull
s
mebackont ot
hebedandwi pesmeupaf terwi
ping
himsel
f.Wethenchanget hesheetsandIgetback
i
ntobedwi t
hmyshakyl egs.

Me:Idi
dn'
tknowBDSM wast
hisni
ce.

Hechuckl
esandl
iesnextt
omet
henpul
lsmyhead
t
ohischest.

Sébasti
en:thatwasli
ghtBDSM.Iwasj ust
i
ntroducingdif
fer
entel
ementsofsexIwassureyou
nevertr
ied.Butwearenotanywherenearwher
eI
wanttotakeyou.

Il
if
tmyheadandl
ookathi
m.
Me:Ther
eismor
e?

Her
ubsmycheekandsmi
les.

Sébast
ien:Somuchmor
e.

Me:Iam nowver
ycur
iousabouti
t.

Hebi
teshi
sli
psandki
ssesme.

Sébast
ien:I
nanhourwetwet
.

Me:(
laughi
ng)whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?

Sébast
ien:Youremindedmeofthi
sothersongthat
cameoutin2010It hi
nk.YagaNe-yoandsomeguy
cal
ledbustedbaby.Theguysayshecall
shisgi
rl
wetwetbecausewhent heyf
ini
shshemessesup
hi
sbedset
.Soyouar
emywetwet
.

Il
aughandclosemyeyes.Ihavehadt
oomany
ni
cknamesforoneper
sontokeepupwith.

Me:Iam f
eel
ingsosl
eepy.

Hi
m:Let
'scl
oseoureyesabi
t.I
'
llwakeyouwhen
i
t'
sti
me.

Ismileandclosemyeyes.Whowouldhaveknown
thatSébast
ienwasal
lIneededr
ightnow?

Tl
otl
o

Avidr
ivesi
ntomysi
ster
'syar
dandpar
kst
hecar
.
Me:Guyswai
ther
e.Wewi
llber
ightback.

Avi
:Noletmest
aywit
hthem.It
hinkshewoul
d
wantt
otalkt
oyoual
one.

Inodmyheadandst epoutofthecar .Iknockand

getintot
hehouse.Ifindmysistercurledupont he
sofawatchi
ngtheirweddingvideo.Irememberi t
l
ikeitwasyest
erday.Theywer esoinl oveand
happy.Whathappenswhenpeopl esayIdot hat
thi
ngscandoacompl ete360?Wher edoest helove
go?Ineveri
maginedt hatTyl
erwoul dbet hereason
thatmysist
erwhohasanMBAwoul dbecr yingint
o
afleecel
ooki
nglikeahobo.

Me:Bobo.

Si
lence.
Me:Bot
ho.

Shedoesn'
tmove.HereyesareontheTVwi thtears
rol
li
ngdownhereyes.Wherearethechi
ldreninall
thi
s?Shehasa6mont holdbaby.Justl
ikeme, she
gavearatofamanthreechi
ldr
en.

Iwalkint
ot hehouset ol
ookforthekidsandIfi
nd
them i
nthenur ser
y.Yamasai srocki
ngherbaby
sist
ertosleep.Shecanhar dl
yholdthebaby
becauseshet ooisjustatoddl
er.

Me:Letmehavehermyl
ove.

Itakethebabyandwrapherupwit
hablanketthen
gatherthi
ngsint
oherdi
aperbagandhangitonmy
shoulder.
Me:Let
sgo.

Thet wotoddler
sfoll
owmeoutoft heroom andout
ofthehouse.Theyrushedpastthei
rmot her
.Idon'
t
knowwhathappenedher ebuttheylookscaredof
her.Igettothecarandgi
veTlamelothebaby.

Me:LoagoandLeanogositatt
hebackwi
th
Tl
amelosotheycangeti
n.

TheydoasIsayandIsi
gh.

Me:Babepleasegohome.Tomyhouse.I tcan
accommodateever yone.Ican'
tleavet
hem her
e.
Bothol
ookslikeazombi e.Letmegetthebaby'
s
for
mulaandbot t
les.Doyouknowhowt omakemi l
k?

Avi
:YesIthi
nkIst
il
lremember
.Iwi
llr
eadt
he
i
nst
ruct
ionsdon'
tworry.
Inodmyheadandgetbacki ntothehouse.Bot
hoi
s
sti
lli
nthesameposi ti
onshewasi nwhenIwentout
.
Thisisbad.Icol
lectal
lthebaby'
sthi
ngsandgo
backtothecar.

Avi
:MaybeIshouldjustdr
opTehil
lahof
father
mother
'shousebecauseIdoubtt
herewil
lbeany
t
imeforplayi
ngtoday.

Me:No.Thatwoul dhurther
.Justtal
ktoTil
daand
getherthings.Therestarefi
ne.Theyhaveclot
hes
atmyhouse.Iwi l
lfi
ndyouallhome.Iwillt
akeone
ofBotho'scars.

Avu:OK.Comeher
e.

Il
eanint
othewi
ndowandkisshim whi
chr
ewar
ds
uswit
heeewwwsfrom t
heback.
Tl
amelo:heel
angyouwi
llwaket
hebaby.KanaIam
pr
act
icinggol
oha.

Me:(
frowni
ng)heywenaoRayaopr
act
isaeng?
Don'
ttryme.

Tlamel
o:(
laughs)Jeezmama.Notme.Anddon't
askmewhobecasuei t'
snotmypl
acetotel
lyou.

Irol
lmyeyesandwalkbackint
othehouse.Idon'
t
havetheener
gyforTl
amelo'
sstor
ies.

Me:Bot
howee.Youneedt
osnapoutoft
hisand
t
alkt
ome.

Shedoesn'ttal
ksoIgettheremot
eandpauset
he
video.Shesuddenl
ystandsupandgr
absthe
remote.
Botho:
Whatthef*ckiswrongwithyou?Howdare
you?Areyoutr
yingtof*ckwithme?Huh?Don'tyou
daretr
ytof*
ckwi thme.Nottoday!Nott
o-f
*cki
ng-
day.

Istepbackandraisemyar msinsurrender.Shesits
backdownandpr essespl
aythengoesintoher
tr
anseagain.Bothonevercussesout.Thisisthe
fi
rstti
meIhaveeverhear dhersayanythi
ngvul gar
i
nal lhert
hri
ft
ytwoyear sofl
ivi
ng.WhathasTyl er
donet omysist
er?

Acardr
ivesinaf
terIsitdown.Afewminut
eslat
er,
Tyl
erwalksi
ntot
hehouse.Hel ooksatmeand
gi
vesaninsi
ncer
egr eeti
ng.

Hi
m:Dumel
ang.

Me:HiTy.Whati
sgoi
ngon?
Heraiseshisbrowandwal ksaway.Heisgonef
ora
coupleofmi nut
esbefor
eIhearthesoundofwheel
s
rol
li
ngal ongthecor
ri
dor.Tyl
eri
spushingbagsout
.
Whatt heheck?

Tyl
er:Bot
ho.Bothowee.(si
ghs)Iam leavi
ngyou.
Asyousaw,MayandIar eexpecti
ngachi l
d.Il
ove
herandIwanttomarryhersoIam divorci
ngyou.

Myeyeshavebeenwi deandmout hopensinceI

sawt hebagsandt hestat
ementhasn'thel
ped
matterseit
her.
IlookatBothoforareact
ionbut
ther
ei snone.Hereyesaresti
llont
heTV.

Tyl
er:
Ihopeyoufi
ndhappi
ness.Iam sur
ether
eis
amanoutther
efory-

Aremotel
andsonhisfor
eheadbefor
eheisdone
t
alki
ngandbef
oreIcanrespond,
Bothopul
lsouta
shambokf rom whereshewassi t
ti
ngandgoest o
townonhi m.Shelandslashafterl
ashalloverhim.
Evenhisfacegetslashes.Heroarsinpainandtries
gett
ingtheshambokf rom herbutsheki
ckshi m on
thecrot
chandt heguygoesonhi skneeswi nci
ngi n
painwhichgivesBothomor eaccesstobeatinghim.

Botho:(whippi
nghim)Youf*
ckingfat
her
less
bastard!Lebel
etel
aMonna!F*cki
ngsonofab*t
ch.
Whor eofaman!

Iam justst
unnedandafrai
d.Ihaven'
tevenmoved
fr
om myseat .Shekeepsbeati
nghim unt
ilIsee
bloodtri
ckl
ingdownhisface.Igat
herupthe
couragetogettheshambokf r
om her
.Shef i
ght
s
meandpushesmeof f.

Botho:Tl
otl
o!Tl
otl
ogetoutofmyhouse!Gonow
befor
eIkil
lyouhere!Areyout
heonewhosenthi
m?
Areyoutheonewhot aughthi
m howt
ocheat?Huh?
Tyl
ertr
iest
ostandupbutshestart
sbeati
nghim
agai
n.Thesoundofthel
ashcracki
nghisski
n
makesmyskincrawlasmorebloodst
artsoozi
ng
outofhim.

Me:Boboi
t'
senough.Youar
egoi
ngt
oki
llhi
m.

Botho:Lethim die!Whatusedoesherhavet othis

worldhuh?Hei mpr egnateshisb* t
chandt el
lsme
heisdivorcingmebecausehi sb*tchishaving
puppies?Gol omogoant lwaelaTlotl
o.Igavehim
thr
eechildren!Threef*ckingbabies.
Kgogomodumonyanaol ewagagweonal eeng?
Lookatme!LookatmeTl ot
lo!

Shestar
tsstri
ppi
ngallhercl
othesof
f.Tyl
erhasn'
t
moved.Ithi
nkheisunconsciousnow.

Bot
ho:(
squeezi
ngherst
omachandmuf
fi
ntop)
Lookwhathischil
drendidt ome!Lookatallt
hese
stret
chmarks.Mybr east
sar efl
atbecauseIwas
feedinghi
sbigheadedchildrenandhenowwant s
toleaveme?Ihavetowor khar dtoholdpeei
n
becauseofthosebigheadsandhesayswhat ?
Tlyerontl
waelamasepaadi t
halaTlot
lo.

Shegoesbackt
obeati
ngthel
if
elessmanandItr
y
togr
abtheshambokbutshet
urnstomeandstar
ts
beat
ingme.

Bot
ho:It
oldyout
oleavemeal one!Youwant
edthi
s!
Youwantedmetobeatyou!Getoutofmyhouse
Tl
otl
o!Go!

Thefi
r stl
ashhadmer unningoutofthehouse.She
shutthedoorbehi
ndmeandl ockedthedoor.Itr
y
rubbi
ngmybackt osoothet hepaincausedbythe
l
ashesasIr untothebackdoortot r
ysneakintothe
housebutshelockedittoo.
Me:Bot
hoopent hedoor!Opent
hedoorBobo.
Thi
nkaboutyourchi
ldr
en!Bobo!

[
08/
31,
17:
40] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t38

Nar
rat
ed

Tl
otl
oranar
oundt
hehouselooki
ngf
oranopen
wi
ndowwhil
ewait
ingf
orAvitopi
ckup.

Avi
:Love

Tl
otl
o:(
pani
cked)babewher
ear
eyou?
Avi:Iam aboutt
ogett
oTi
lda'
shouse.Why?What
's
happening?

Tlot
lo:Ineedyoutorushanddropt
hekidsthen
comebackher e.Thi
ngsarebadAvi
.Sheisbeat
ing
him upandheisunconsci
ous.

Avi
:What
?Can'
tyoust
opher
?

Tlotl
o:Shel ockedmeoutaft
erhitt
ingmetoo.I
call
edt hepoli
cebutt
heyaretakingtool
ong.Ican
sti
llhearherlashi
nghi
m buthewasunconscious
whensheki ckedmeout.Idon'tknowwhattodo!

Tl
amel
o:I
sthatmama?Letmespeakt
oher
.

Avipassest
hephonet
oTl
amel
oandt
urnsi
nto
Ti
lda'
shouse.
Tlamelo:MamakanaYayasayshermot hersays
shehat esthem.Shekeepssayi
ngshedroppedt
he
babyandmadehercr y.Ihavehear
daboutPost
Nataldepressi
on.Maybeshehasit
.

Tlotl
o'smouthdr i
esupassher emember stheti
me
whenBot hohadcutherwr ist
sandwasdi agnosed
withdepression.Shewasunempl oyedandst ressed
andsunki ntodepressi
onthatalmostendedherl if
e.
Shehungupt hephoneandst ar
tedf uri
ously
bangingont hedoorhopingandpr ayingthatthe
poli
cecomebef oreBot
hodoesanymor edamage.

AtTi
l
da'
shouse

Aviknockedont
hedoorandTi
ldaopenedaf
tera
fewminutes.

Avi
:HiTi
lda.Tehi
ll
ahwant
stospendt
heni
ghtwi
th
ussoIcamet
ogethercl
othes.

Shechuckl
esandopenswi
derf
orhi
mtogeti
nthe
house.

Ti
lda:(
shut
sthedoor
)Soyourwombl
essgi
rl
fr
iend
wantstopl
ayhousewit
hmybaby?

Avi:Til
dacanyoujustdroptheinsul
tsyoukeep
hurli
ngatTlot
lofornoreason.Youknowverywel l
thatTlot
lohaschil
drenandtheyarewaiti
ngforme
i
nt hecarri
ghtnow.Sogi vemeTehill
ah'
sclothes
soIcango.

Til
da:Aker
esher emovedherwombeesoshe
knowsshecan'tgiveyouwhatIcan.YouandIwant
thesamething.Ababybrot
herforTehil
lah.Let
's
makeone.
Shereachesf
orhi
scr
otchbuthesl
apsherhand
away.

Til
da:(si
ghsinfr
ustrat
ion)Kant
eAvihowl ongwil
l
youpunishme?YouandIshoul dbemar r
iedby
nowandmaki ngbabynumbert wobutyouwantt o
keeppunishi
ngmef orsmalli
ssuesf
rom ami l
li
on
yearsago?

Avi:(chuckles)Notami l
li
on,f
ourandahal fyears
agoandnotsmal lissues.Youwer esleepingwi t
h
yourhoodr atboyfriendinmyhouseandonmybed
whileoursi xmont hol dslepti
nhercr i
b.Becauseof
you, Ispentmont hsnotseei ngmybabyt hinking
shei sn'
tmi neuntilItestedher.Youar escum and
don'tcomeher ebelittl
ingmyf eeli
ngsandyour
acti
onst omakei tseem l i
keIam cr azy.Youar emy
wor stmistakeandIam neverr epeati
ngit.Nowget
mychi l
d'
sdamncl ot hessoIcango.Mywoman
needsme.
Til
dabli
nkst earsawayf rom hereyesandwalksoff
tothebedroom regretti
ngthedayshecheatedon
herman.Hewasever yt
hingshehadeverhopedf or
butherselfdestruct
ivecharactermanagedto
screwthatupf orhertoo.Shepackedupt heclot
hes
herdaughterwoul dneedandwal kedbackt
ohand
thebagover.

Til
da:Iam sor
ryf
orfai
li
ngyouAvi
.Ihavenever
sai
dt hi
sbefor
ebecauseofmypri
debutIregr
etthe
dayIcheatedonyou.

Avilooksatherf
oraf
ewmi nut
esandwalksout
shakinghi
shead.Heget
sintot
hecarandrever
ses.

Avi
:Tl
amel
oWhatdi
dyourmum say?

Tl
amelo:Shej
usthungupaf
terIspokeaboutt
he
PND.
Avi
:OKIhavetorushanddropyouguyssoIcango
andhel
pher.Wil
lyoubefi
newithal
ltheki
ds?

Tlamel
o:yeahdon'
tworr
yaboutmeandunl
ikeyou,
Iknowhowt omakefor
mula.

Avi:okho!Mxm wher
edidyoulearnbecauseyou
weretoosmallt
odoitforyourbr
other
s.

Tlamleo:Ili
kevi
sit
ingauntyBot hobecauseshe
l
et'smet r
yhermakeupandWi gson.Ihelpedher
withthekidstoosoyeah.(sighs)Ir
eall
yhopeshe
willbefi
ne.PostNataldepressi
onisaser i
ousthi
ng
kana.

Avishakeshi
sheadandcont
inuesdr
ivi
ng.

I
nBot
ho'
shouse
Aft
erbei
ngsati
sfi
edthatshehadbeathi
m enough,
sheshookhi
sunconsciousbodyt
ryi
ngtowakehim.

Botho:(
for
cinghi
seyeopen)Heyopenthoseeyes
andlookatme!Lookatmedammi t
!Lookwhatyou
di
dt omeyoupieceofsh*
t!

Shewal
kst
otheki
tchenandget
sakni
fe.

Botho:Soyoudon'twanttolookatmehuh?Fine
then.Di
eonceandf oral
lbecauseyouareuseless
tome.Youdon'tlovemeanymor e.Youandyour
chil
drendest
royedmeandyounowwantt oleave
me?

Shebegi nstost abhisabdomenandstopsafterf

ive
st
abst henpul lsthekni
feoutwit
hherbloodyhands.
Tl
otlo'sscreamsar einaudi
blet
oherasshesi nks
i
ntot hewhol ethathasbeenseduci
ngherand
bl
indingherf rom whatshewasactual
lydoing.
Shethenwal
ksar
oundt
hehousenakedandcal
li
ng
out
.

Bot ho:Wherear
ethey?Yamasa!Yamasacome
herewi t
hthoserat
sofyours!Comeher e!Youal
l
ruinedmyl i
feandnooneisremaini
ngi nthi
shouse.
Tylerandhisspawnarealldyi
ngtoday.Howdoyou
comeandr ui
nmyl i
feandexpectt
olive?Huh?
Tlaangkwanodi osh*t
!

Shekicksdoorsopenandl ooki
ngunderf ur
nit
ure
forherchi
ldr
enwhoshebel i
evesarehidi
ng.The
angerinherbui
ldsmor easherhungeri sn't
sati
sfi
ed.Shekeepsthinkingofhowshewant sto
endTylerandhisseed.IfthatMaygi r
lwasher e
she'dbedeadtoo.EverythingthatTyl
erhas
touchedhastodieisallshekeepst hi
nking.

Bot
ho:Dammi
tTl
otl
o!
Shefol
lowsTlot
lo'
svoicetot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom wi
ndow
andyanksthecurt
ainopen.

Botho:Tlot
lowherethef*
ckarethey?Wher
eare
Tyler
'schil
drenhuh?Thedevil
'
sspawnisdying
today.Wherethef*ckar
ethey?

Tlot
lo'sshockiswri
tt
enonherf acewhenshesees
hersisterwit
hbloodalloverhernakedbody
yi
eldingaknife.

Tl
otl
o:Bobowhathaveyoudone?

Shet
hrowsherhandsaboveherheadandwai
ls.

Tl
otl
o:Bat
hongnt
husang!Hel
pme!Neighbor
s
pl
easehel
pme!JesuswhathaveyoudoneBotho?
OhGodhelpme!Ohfat
herGodpleasehel
pme.
Shegoesonherkneesandputherf
aceont
he
pavementcr
yingoutl
oud.

Bothoshutsthecurt
ainsaf
terreal
izi
ngthatTlot
lo
tookherchil
drenaway.Thethoughtangersherbut
shecan'tdoanythi
ngaboutitnow.It
'stoolat
e.Her
ti
meisup.

Sheput st hekni
feagainstherabdomenand
pressesiti nt
ohersel
f.Sheshr i
eksi npainandpulls
theknifeoutaf t
erputt
ingaf ewinchesi n.Sheholds
herstomachandwal kst oherbedr oom andcomes
backwi thabot t
leofTyler'
ssleepingpill
sandher
antidepressants.Shethenget sabot t
leofvodka
from t
hebarandsi t
snextt oTylerwatchinghi m
bleedout .Shepopsbot hpil
lbottl
esandt akesfi
ve
ofeachandhol dsthebottl
eofvodkai ntheother
hand.
Botho:Theseonesar
efort
hetenyearswehave
beentogether
.Nxl
ayouwastedmytimewait
se
Tyl
er.

Shethrowsal
lofthem i
nhermouthandgul ps
downthevodkatohelpherswal
low.Sheclearsher
thr
oatasherbodyshakesfr
om t
het ast
e.

Shethentakesthreemor
epi
ll
sfr
om eachbot
tl
e
andholdsthem up.

Botho:t
heseonesaref
ort
hesixti
mesIf oundout
youarecheati
ngonmebutneverl
eftbecauseIwas
tooscaredt
obealone.

Shegulpsthem downagai
nandwi
pest
hevodka
offherl
ips.

Bot
ho:DamnIcanf
eeli
tal
ready.
Shepoursmor epil
lsi
ntoherhandsanddri
nks
them al
lthenli
esdownnexttohim andr
estsher
headonhi sshoul
dert
henputsherhandonhis
bloodyabdomen.

Botho:Iam comi ngf oryoubaby.Wewi llbe

togetherfor
ever.Nomor eMay, nomor echi l
dren.
Everythingwasgr eatbet weenusbef oret heycame
andr uinedus.(
eyesst ar tgett
ingheavy)I t'
sgoing
tobemeandyouf oralleterni
ty.Justyouandme.
BothoandTyl er
.Evendeat hcan'tseperateus.I
l
ovey-

Hereyesshutandshebegi
nst
odr
if
tof
fint
oadeep
sl
eep.

Meanwhileout
side,Tl
otl
ostandsupatthesoundof
si
renswaili
ngi
nt hedi
stance.Sher
ushest o
deact
ivat
etheautomatedgateandrol
lsitopen.She
runsoutandwavesfr
ant
ical
lyf
ort
hepol
iceand
Ambulancetoseeher
.

Oncetheyspothersher
ushesbackini
mpatient
ly
wait
ingforthem t
ocomeandbreakdownthedoor
orwhateverthecandot
ohelpheri
ntothehouse.

Of
fi
cer
:Dumel
angmma.WeRecei
veda-

Tlot
lo:(
bangst
hedoor)Heel
angopenthi
sdoor
ri
ghtnow!Openthedoorandst
optaki
ng.

Theof fi
cerfrownsbutmovesbackt opacehi msel
f
beforekicki
ngt hedoor.I
tstandsfi
rm atfi
rstsohi
s
gi
vesi tasecondhar derki
ck.Thedoorshakesbut
sti
llst
andssohi spart
nerjoi
nshim adtheyboth
ki
ckandi tf
inall
ybreaksopen.

Tl
otl
ost
art
sscr
eami
ngatt
hesi
ghtofhersi
ster
l
yingnextt
oherhusband.Sher
unspastt
he
off
icer
sandgoesonherkneesandbegi
nstoshake
her.

Tl
otl
o;Bobo!Boboopenyoureyes!

Shel
ooksatt
heempt
ypi
llbot
tl
esandscr
eams
l
ouder
.

Off
icer
:Ma'am Ineedyout ost
epawayandletthe
par
amedicsdot hei
rjob.Youareal
sotemperi
ng
wit
hacr i
mescenebybei nginheresopl
easewait
out
side.

Theparamedi
csstar
tchecki
ngforpulsesonboth
Bot
hoandTyleranddoingwhattheyaretr
ainedt
o
doinsuchcases.

Tl
otl
o:(
cryi
ng)No!Iam notgoi
nganhwher
e.
Offi
cer
:(pul
lsheraway)Ma'am Iam af
raidIam not
aski
ngyou.Youhavet ost
epout .Youaredist
urbi
ng
usfrom doi
ngourjob.

Tl
otl
ost
art
ski
cki
ngt
heof
fi
cerandbi
ti
nghi
shand.

Tl
otl
o:Whatjobhuh?Ical
ledyouandhourago!
Whatjobdoyouwanttodowhenmysi st
erisdead?
Whatdoyouwanttodo?Huh?

Avidrivesint
otheyardandseesthecommoti
onas
everyonestandsaroundwat
chingTlot
loki
cki
ngt
he
poli
ceof f
icer
.

Avir
unsoutofthecarandpul
lsherawayjustas
t
heoffi
cerr
aiseshi
shandtoslapTlot
loof
fofhim.

Avi
:Don'
tevent
ryi
t.Goanddoyourj
ob.
Of
ficer
:Iam goi
ngtochargeyouforassault
ingan
of
fi
cenxla.Youwil
llear
nyourlessontoday.

Hewal
ksi
ntot
heAvil
eavi
ngTl
otl
owai
li
ngi
nAvi
'
s
ar
ms.

Tl
otl
o:Shei
sdeadAvi
.Boboi
sgone!

Avirubsherbackl ookingintothehouset osee

whatthepar amedi cswer edoing.Thef actt
hatthey
weren'tpull
ingoutbodybagsyeti sagoodsi gnto
hi
m buthedoesntwantt ogetTl otl
o'shopesup
i
ncasehecoul dbewr ongbecauseshehad
obvi
ousl yseent hestatehersisterisinwhereashe
hadn't
.Tlotl
o'shear twrenchingcriesmadet he
peoplewhohadgat heredaroundt heyardtearup
aswell.Thesi ghtwasj usttoomustt obear.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.
[
08/
31,
17:
40] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t39

Di
kel
edi

Me:mmmhh

Sébast
ien:t
imet
owakeupbaby.

Hemovesi
nandoutofmeeversogentl
y.It
hought
Iwasdr
eami
ngwhenital
lst
art
ed.I
tfeel
ssogood.
Ohmy!
Me:(
slowl
y)condom?

Sébast
ien:i
t'
son.Nowopenyoureyesandl
ookat
me.

Iopenmyeyesandt urnmyheadt olookbehindme.

Thehungeri nhi seyesisi
ntoxi
cati
ngandwi l
d.I
wanttof eeleveryt
hinghewasn'ttodotome.Iwant
tobehissubmi ssi
ve.Iwanttogowher eIhave
nevergone.Hemakesmewantt ogivehi
m
everyt
hinghewant s.

Me:Makemeyour
s.Makemeyoursub.

Hecloseshiseyesl
ikeavampir
et hatj
ustgota
tast
eofblood.Hepumpsharderintomethen
suddenl
ystopsandpull
sout.

Me:
(whi
nni
ng)Sébast
ienwhy?
Hewalksofftothechai
rswit
houtrespondi
ngand
gr
abstheropes.Ohboy.Thelookinhiseyesashe
wal
ksbackt omet el
lsmeIhaveunleashedabeast
i
nsidehi
m andIdon'tknowhowr eadyIam f
orit
.

Sébast
ien:Spr
eadyourl
egsNadi
a.

Iopenmyl
egsand#EXPLI
CIT

Nar
rat
ed

Att
hehospi
tal

Avi
:Babyyourmot
heri
sher
e.Babe.

Heshakesherbacktoreal
it
yandt hat
'swhenshe
seeshermotherandbr
otherfol
lowedbyheraunt
.
Hermout
hst
art
swobbl
ingast
her
eal
it
yset
sin.

MmaagweBotho:(
rushi
ngt
oTlot
lo)Ohbat
hong
wher
eismychil
d?Sosowherei
smychild?

Tlot
lost
art
scryingachi
ngforhermothert
ohold
herandshedoes.Shewrapsherhandsaroundher
andputsherheadonherbosom.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:Aviwhathappened?

Avir
espect
ful
lyr
ubshi
shandst
oget
her
.

Avi:Wehavebeenwait
ingtohearfrom thedoct
or.
Shewasrushedint
otheemer gencyalongwithher
husbandbutwehaven'
theardanythingyet.

Aunt
y:Sosodon'
tcr
yli
ket
hatt
lhemmawhenyou
haven'
thear
danyt
hing.Youscar
edus.

Avi:Sheist
raumat
izedt
ota.Shehasbeenli
kethi
s
si
nceshesawt hem.Iar
ri
vedaftert
heambulance
soIdidn'
tseemuchbutshewast her
efrom t
he
beginni
ng.

Tlot
lo:MamaIt r
iedtostopher.It
ri
edtogetbackin
thehouse.Shelockedallt
hedoorsandthe
windowswer ebarr
ed.Ishouldhave…Ishouldhave
l
etherbeatmei nsteadofrunni
ngout.Shewouldn'
t
havedrankthosepill
s.Shewouldn'
thavestabbed
him.Shewoul dbefine.

Hermot
herpat
sherheadandcomf
ort
sher
.

MmaagweTl ot
lo:AeSosot hi
si sn'
tonyou.You
can'
tbl
ameyour sel
fforyoursister
'sacti
ons.Don'
t
dothat
.Let
'swaittohearfrom thedoctor.Pl
ease.
Doct
or:Dumel
angbagol
o…

AtABnBacr
osst
hecount
ry.

Bolengfr
ownsandl
ooksatTonywhoi
slyi
ngnext
toherinbed.

Bol
eng:Emapel
e.(
hol
don)Whatar
eyousayi
ng?

Tony:Youhear
dwhatIsai
dBol
eng.Isai
dIwantt
o
marryyou.

Boleng:Butwehaveonl
ybeent oget
herf
orayear
Tony.Whatareyoutal
kingabout?

Tonyswi
tchest
ohi
sNi
ger
ianaccent
.
Tony:SoIshouldharvestf
ieldandfi
nishplant
ain
andgo?Iswallowallyam andvomit?Khai!Bol
eng.
Myf at
hergokil
lmef i
nishifheheardis.Pl
easemy
fr
iendbeseri
ousnah.

Bolenglaughsaf t
erf
ail
ingt
oholdherser
iousface.
Iti
salwaysf unnytohearTonygofr
om speaki
ng
properEngli
sht ogoi
ngbackhome.

Boleng:Tonyi
t'
sjustt
hatIwasn'tevenexpect
ing
thi
s.ImeanIam abouttograduateandIwantto
workforsometi
mebef or
esettl
ingdown.

Tony:set
tl
ingdownwher
e?IsayIgomarryyou.I
donsayIgocaptur
eyouandputyoucage.Who
sai
dIwanset t
lewi
fe?Marr
ymeandgowor k.

Boleng:Bat
hongTony.Whycan'
twej
ustcont
inue
l
ikethis?
Tony:(
chuckl
es)Eatyouryam f
orf
ree?Why?

Hesi
tsupandl
ooksather
.

Tony:( dropshi saccent )WhenIcamet oBot swana

yearsago, Iaskedmysel fwhymanypeopl ear en'
t
mar riedbuthavechi l
dr en.Icoul dn'
tunder st andit.
It'
saf oreignconceptt ome.ButnowIunder stand.I
nevert houghtI 'dhearawomansaynot omar riage.
Backhomei t'
sanhonour .Iguesstoyoui t'sa
prison.Youar en'tsomeoneni ghtstandIpi ckedup
from t hebarBol eng.Il oveyouandIhaveknowni t
threemont hsint otherel ati
onshipthatIwantt o
mar ryyoubutyoual waysseenhesi tanttocommi t.
Idon' twantyout ostringmeal ongf oryear s.Iwant
tost artaf ami ly.Youcan' tevenaccusemeof
want inganyt hingmor ebecauseIdon' tneed
anyt hingf orm you.Ij ustneedyou.Mypar ent s
raisedmet omar ryawomanIl oveandnotuseher .
Wher edoIexpectyout ogoaf terawhol eyearof
beingwi thyou?Thi nkabouti tandletmeknow.
Heget
soutofbedandpi
ckshisunderwearf
rom
t
hefl
oorandsl
idesi
tonbef
oreputt
inghispant
son.

Bol
eng:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngnow?

Tony:Iam goi
ngbackt
oPal
apye.

Bol
eng:It
houghtyousai
dyouwi
llbeher
ethe
whol
eweekend.

Tony:It
houghtsot
oo.

Bol
engcr
awlsacr
osst
hebedseduct
ivel
ylooki
ng
i
ntohi
seyes.

Bol
eng:ButIst
il
lwantt
obehar
vest
edMrAppi
ah.
Tonysmi
lesdespi
tehisfightagainstt
hesmile.He
l
ooksdownatBolengwhost ar
tsunbuclki
nghis
pant
sandpull
ingthem downal ongwiththebri
efs.

Tony:(
Sof
tl
y)Idon'
twantt
odot
hisBol
eng.

Bol
engsmil
esandmassageshi
sdar
kshaf
tbef
ore
ki
ssi
ngit
'st
ipsof
tl
y.

Boleng:Butthat'
snotwhatmybazookaher esays.
Hewant smycooki e.Hewant stobei
nsidemeso
bad.Hei sri
singupandr eadytowavehisnat
ion'
s
fl
aguphi gh.Hewant stoplughimsel
fint
omeand
havemesi ngingtheNigeri
ananthem.Youcangoi f
youwantt o.Buthestays.

Hesmilesseducti
vel
ylookingint
ohereyesandshe
openshermout handbeginstoli
ckhisshaftf
rom
thebot
tom andslowlygoi
ngupt oti
plikethe
l
ongesticecream.Sheopenshermout hreadyto
t
akehi
minand#EXPLI
CIT

Att
hehospi
tal

Doct
or:Dumel
angbagol
o.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:Doct
orhowar
emychi
ldr
en?

Tyl
er'smot
herandestr
angedfat
herwalki
n
fol
lowedbyaswarm ofaunt
sanduncles.

MmaagweTyler
:(wai
li
ng)Whereismyson?Gi
ve
memyson!MphengTlyerwaaka!Busang
ngwanake!

TheDoct
orr
eal
izest
heyar
eal
lher
eaboutt
hesame
peopl
esohecal
msherdown.

Doctor:Mmepleasecal
m down.Iwasjustaboutt
o
addressbot
sadiha(t
heparent
shere)aboutt
he
si
tuati
on.MayIaskthatyouallsi
tdown.

MmaagweTl yer
:Iam notsi
tt
ing.Poi
ntmet
omy
chi
ldr
ightnow.

Tlotl
oandhermot hertakeaseatnexttoAviand
herauntwhil
eTyler'sclanr
emainsstandi
ng.The
doctorsi
ghsandgi vesup.Hehasnoener gyfort
his
aftert
heshi
fthehad.

Doct
or:Bot
sadi,weadmi tt
edbothpat
ient
sina
st
ateofunconsciousnessandtr
iedoutbestwi
th
bot
hofthem but-

MmaagweTyl
er:i
jooweebampol
aet
sengwana
wee!Kewagamangwee?(
theyki
ll
edmychi
ld!
Whowillhel
pme?
)

Doctor:Mmel etmemef ini

shpl ease.Li keIsai d,
we
tri
edourbestwi thbot hofthem butunf or
tunatelyit
wasn'tenough.Tyl eri sundersedat ionaf terthe
surgeryheunder wentt orepairt hedamaget ohis
organsbutf ort
unat ely,novitalor ganswer ehi tso
hewi l
lrecover.(Tyler'sfamilycel ebr ates)ButIam
sadtosayt hatBot hodi dn'tmakei t
.Theef fectof
theantidepressantsandsl eepi ngpi llswer e
aggrevatedbyt heet hanolandshepassedonwhi l
e
wewer et r
yingtoper form gastr ointestinal
decontaminationusi ngAct ivatedChar coal.It
-

Tl
otl
o:Doct
ordi
dyouj
ustsaymysi
sterpassed
away?

Doct
or:Yesma'
am.Iam deepl
ysor
ryf
oryourl
oss.
MmaagweTyler:Godi
ssogood!OhModimowame
hankeant
lhatl
hawee!(myGodneverf
orsakeme)

Tyl
er'
suncl
e:Doct
orcanweseeourson?

Doct
or:(
awkwardl
y)Umm. .Justforafewminutes
andIcanonl
yall
owtwopeopl etoseehim.Iwil
l
askt
henursetocomeandt akeyoutohim.(t
urnsto
MmaagweTlotl
o)Iam sosorryforyourl
ossmme.

Het henwal ksawayl eavingaverydisturbi

ng
momentasTl otl
o'sfami l
ysitsintheshockoft he
newst heyjustheardwhi leTyler
'smothermar ches
aroundt hewai ti
ngr oom wi t
hhersist
er sbehindher
si
ngi ngi ncelebr
ationwhi lethement i
ppedt heir
hatsr espondingint heirbassvoices.

MmaagweTyl
erandsi
ster
s:Rer
apel
aModi
mowa
met
hlol
o
Men:Wamet
lhol
o

MmaagweTyl
erandsi
ster
s:Rer
apel
aModi
mowa
met
hlol
o

Men:Wamet
lhol
o

MmaagweTyl
erandsi
ster
s:Rer
apel
aModi
mo
Rer
apel
aModi
mo
Rer
apel
awamet
hlol
o

Men:Wamet
lhol
o

[
08/
31,
17:
41] :Mi
nii
nser
t.
Bl
amet
hel
it
tl
engwana
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t40

Di
kel
edi

Ican'tbel
ieveit
'salr
eadydarkout.Ispentthewhole
after
noonandeveni nghavingsex.Notjustsex,
joi
nt
breaking,
mi ndblowingsex.Whoneedst herapy
whenyoucangetsexualheal i
ng?

Itr
iedthecounsel i
ngt hingaf t
ert heJoleneincident
butitdidn'
thelp.Iwasal waysi rr
itat
edbyt he
counselorsquestions.Whatdi dshemeanbyhow
didbeingrapedmakeyouf eel?Iwant edtoaskher
howaski ngstupidquest ionsmakesherf eel
.Rape
i
sr ape.Itmakesyouf eeldirt
y, usedandunl oved.If
shedidn'tknowt hatalreadyt henshewasn' tgoing
tobeabl etohelpmeanymor ethanIcoul dhelp
myself.Iquitt
het herapyandf ocusedmyener gyin
schoolandpleasuri
ngmyself
.Speaki
ngofwhich,I
haven'
tcheckedmyappal laf
ter
noon.Ihaven'
t
goneadaywi thoutl
oggi
nginatl
easttwi
ce.Thisi
s
afir
stforme.

OKIneedt opee.Irol
loutofbedleavi
ngasl eepi
ng
Sébasti
enwithhisheadunderthepill
ow.Thisisa
wier
dwayt osleepandIwonderifhedoesn' tf
ear
suff
ocati
onbecauseIcan'tevencovermyf acewith
ablanket
.

WhenIcomef rom thebathroom, Iopenthecloset

tolookf oragownt owear.AllIhaveher eismy
br i
desmaid'sdressbutIdon' twantt osi
tnaked
anymor e.Acamouf lageoutfi
tmakesmybr ows
risethenIf r
ownt ryi
ngt oprocesswhatIam seei ng.
Thi scannotbewhatIt hi
nkitis.Ifeelt
hemat er
ial
checkingi fi
tisstoreboughtbuti tdoesn'tf
eell
ikeit
.
Itevenhast wost arsoni t
.

Myhear
tst
art
sraci
ngasIt
ipt
oemywaybackt
o
thebedt
ogetmyphone.It
henGoogl
etheBDF
unif
ormsand.
.

Me:Ohmygod!

Sébast
ienst
ir
sfr
om hi
ssl
eepandl
if
tshi
shead.

Sébast
ien:(
groggy)what
?

Me:Youar
easol
dier
?Af
ir
stLi
eut
enant
?

Hetil
tshi
sheadwi
thsl
eepyeyesandr
aised
eyebr
ows.

Sébast
ien:What
'swr
ong?

Ihat
esoldi
erst
hat'
swhat
.Myfat
herjoi
nedthd
armyaf
terhegothi
sdegr
eeandIhavealways
hat
edt
hem.

Me:Ol
esol
e?(
areyouasol
dier
?

Nar
rat
ed

Att
hehospi
tal

Thenursecamet ogetTyl
er'
smotherandfather
l
eadingthem t
ohisroom.Therestoft
heirfamil
y
keptchatt
ingj
oyousl
yabouthowwor r
iedtheywere.

Tlotl
o'saunt'
sangerboi l
edoverseei
nghergri
eve
strucksist
erlostforwordsbytheuncul
tur
ed
behaviorbeingdisplayedbyt
heirinl
aws.Shestood
upandhel dherhi ps.

Tl
otl
o'saunt
:Naar
eleat
lhol
abooRr
aJohnson?
Yourdaughteri
nlawhaspassedawayandyouare
herepar
tyi
ngl i
kei
t'
s1999?Doyouhaveanyshame
atall
?Howdoest hi
sseem r
ightt
oyou?Infr
ontof
hermother?Canyounotshowandsadnessatal
l?

Aunt:Uhu.Gat weweshoul dbesadt hattheperson

whot r
iedt okil
loursonisdeadwhileGodhas
savedoursonf r
om thedeathshetr
iedt obri
ngon
him?Aol ebakeresetebakabeelasefapanohal e
barebel etsabommat la(
eventr
ueChr ist
ianscan
puttheircrossasidetobeatusupforbei ngfool
ish)

Tl
otl
o'smot
herbusrt
soutcryingfort
hefir
stti
me
si
nceshehear
dfrom thedoctor
.Hersist
ersit
s
downandcomfort
sherwhi l
eTlotl
ocri
esintoAvi
'
s
arms.

Tyl
er'suncl
e:Weshouldevenstartpl
anninga
welcomebackpart
yf orourboywhenhecomesout
ofthehospi
tal
.Iwi
lltal
ktohissecret
ary.Iam sur
e
shehasaccesstohisbankaccounts.
Tyler
'saunt2:Thatsagreatidea.Iam sure
MmaagweTywi l
lsupportthemot i
on.Ithi
nkIwill
evenstartgoingtochurch.Thisisami r
aclekana.

Tlotl
ost andsupabruptl
yandfight
stheurget
o
splashthewat eri
nthejaronthetabl
eonthei
r
faces.Insteadshegrabshermother'
shandand
pullsherup.

Tl
otl
o:Mamalet
'sgo.Let
'sgoandseeher
.Shei
s
al
lal
oneandsheneedsus.Let
'sgo.

Justast
heyareabouttoleavet
her oom,Mmaagwe
Tyl
ercomesbackinfol
lowedbyt heoldmanwit
h
hugesmil
esonthei
rfaces.

MmaagweTyl
er:Heal
mostopenedhi
seyes.Oh
Jehof
awamashomoshomo.
Rr
aagweTyl
er:KeTi
mpakgol
oyaJer
usal
ema.

Tl
otl
opull
shermot her
'shandbefor
etheybreak
i
ntosongagai
n.Justastheyreachthedoor
MmaagweTylersayssomet hi
ngthatst
opsallf
our
oft
hem i
nthei
rtracks.

MmaagweTyler:Wewi
llcont
actyouaboutt
he
f
uner
alassoonaswecan.

MmaagweTl
otl
otur
nsonherheelt
olookather
.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:Excuseme?

MmaagweTyler
:Isai
dwewi
llcont
actyouabout
t
hef
uneralwhenwe-
MmaagweTl
otl
o:(
int
err
upt
sher
)whosef
uner
al?

MmaagweTyl er
:Uhu?Whodi ed?Aker
eBothoo
sulehehmma.Wewi l
lletyouknowwhenthe
funer
alwi
llbe.

MmaagweTl ot
lo:(
thinshereyes)Areyouhavi
nga
str
oke?Whosechildareyoubur yi
ng?Soyoucan
danceonmychi l
d'sgrave?Li
sten,gett
hati
deaout
ofyourheadri
ghtnowbecauseIam bur yi
ngmy
chil
d.

RraagweTyler
:Thi
sisthepr oblem withchi
ldren
rai
sedbywomenwi thoutaf at
her.Utlwadikgang
tsagagwe.Thati
sourdaught erinlaw.Yougave
heraway.Sheisourstobury.Ifwedeci detoput
herintoagr
avewrappedi nsheetsthenyouhaveno
choicebutt
oacceptit
.Shei sourchild.Yourchil
d
i
si nther
efi
ghti
ngforhisli
femma.Thatdeadonei s
ourstodowithaswepl ease.
Tl
otl
o'smotherholdsherhandtoherbr
eastf
eel
ing
asharppai
nr unacrossherchest
.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:I
shi
…

Shethenmel tst
othef l
oorinTlotlo'
sarms.Tlotl
o
goesintoapaniccall
ingherwhi l
eAvit akesoverto
supportherandcheckherpul se.Hersisterr
unsout
tocal
lforhelpwhil
eTyl er
'sfamilystandsthere
unbothered.

MmaagweTyler:Let
sgobathongbefor
ewe
wi
tnessanot
herdeathi
nthei
rfamil
y.

PainchokesTlotl
o'sthroatfi
ghtingeveryinst
inctto
showt hisoldwomanwhatshei smadeof .Buther
mot herrai
sedherbetterthanthatsoshej ust
l
eavesi ttoGodtodealwi ththem.Shesaysasi l
ent
prayerforhermotherwhoi sst i
llunconsci
ous
[
08/31,17:
42] :Mi
nii
nser
tJustt
owr
apup
Bot
ho'sdeath

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t41

[
Afewdaysl
ater
]

Tl
otl
o

Myhearthurts.Mysouli sdrainedandhasan
emptyfeel
ing.Isomet imeswishIhadnevergonet o
Botho'
shouset hatday.Iwouldn'thaveseenwhatI
saw.Iwouldn'tfeell
ikesuchaf ai
lur
etoher .The
painofi
tallhit
smememor ethaneveryoneelse
becauseIf
eell i
keIcoul dhavestoppedit.
Themostpai nf ulthingaboutt hiswhol eordealis
thepainfultruthofourcul tur
e.Mymot herandI
tri
edourbestt or all
ymyuncl esandaunt sinto
goingt oTyler'sfami lysowecant akeovert he
funeralproceedi ngsbecauseaf terthedayatt he
hospital,
mymot herr eali
zedherdaught erhadbeen
mar ri
edintot hewor stbunch.Thecr uelwordst hat
sentmymot herintoapani cattackwokehert ot he
reali
tyoftheJohnson' scruel
ty.Myuncl estoldus
howcul turedoesn' tall
owust otakeoverher
funeralbecauseshedi edast heirdaught erinl
aw.I t
i
sal lsowr ongi fyouaskme.Thei rmar riagewas
practi
callyover .

Whatsur pri
sedmemor eishowmysi st
eralways
port
rayedheri nlawsast hesweet estpeopl
eyou
wouldevermeet .Idon'tunderstandwhywomendo
thi
s.Whydowel i
keselli
ngal i
et otheworldabout
havi
ngper fectli
veswhenwear eact ual
lydyi
ng
i
nside?Ifitwasn'tforTyl
er'sonlydecentcousin,
I
wouldn'
thavef oundoutt hatBothowentt oher
motherinlawt ocompl ai
nt hethir
dt i
meshecaught
him cheati
ng.Andi nsteadofr epri
mandinghim, his
familyscol
dedherf orf ai
li
ngt osati
sfyherhusband
andt r
yingtoruinhisr eput
ati
onbyspr eading
weaknessescausedbyherf ailur
e.Iwasfloored!
Whosayst hataboutanadul terer?I
tbecamecl ear
tomet hatshewasal oneinthisinhermat ri
moni al
familybutwhydi dn'tshecomet ous?Whydi dn't
shetellme?

Nowher ewear esi

tt
ingunderat entandf eel
ing
l
ikestrangersatmyownsi ster
'sfuner albecause
wewer enotevenconsul tedforanyt hing.Allt
hey
askedf orwasourf i
nancialcontr
ibutionandt hat
wasit.Ihadt obegt oputmynameont he
progr
ammej ustsoIcansaymyf inalgoodbyet o
mybestf r
iend.

Mc:Wewil
lnowhavet
hedeceased'
ssi
stert
ocome
andsayaf
ewwords.

It
akeadeepbr
eat
haf
termymot
hergi
vesmea
weaksmi leofencour agement.Ithenwalkovert
o
theMcandl ookintothehousewher emysi st
er'
s
coff
inis.Ifeelalumpi nmyt hroatasIremember
thefi
rstti
meshewentt oschoolwithme.Shewas
sohappyt of i
nall
ybel eavi
nghomewi t
hme
ever
yday.Ial waysprotectedherinschoolandshe
wouldproudl ytel
leveryonethatIam herbi
gsister
.

Me:( shakybr eath)Mmh…whatdoIevenbegi nto

say?Bot holef tmet osoon.Onngweget sennaka
(Youl eftwithoutsayi nggoodbye)Ij ustwant edto
sayaf ewwor dsi ngoodbyet omybestf riend.
(fi
ghtingt ears)Bot hogrewupasasweetandl ovi ng
person.Sheal waysmadeever yonef eelimpor tant
andshecoul dneverwat chsomeonesuf f
ering
withoutl endingahel pinghand.Ir ememberyear s
agowhenIdeci dedtost artmyl i
feover ,Bot howas
mybi ggesthel p.Shei sthereasonIhavewhatI
havenow.Shewasmyl i
tt
lesisterbutshewasal so
mysecondmot her.(
sniffl
ingandl aughi ng)I
rememberwhenwewer egr owingup, BothoandI
wouldst ealfatcakesf rom mymot her'
st uckshop
andIwoul dtel
lhernott otellourmot her.Theday
woul dgobyunt i
leveningwhenwewoul dallbe
gatheredar oundt hefi
re.Shewoul dsuddenl ysay,
Sosooabonagor ehakeaBuagor er eutswile
magwi nyakosemausung?( Youseet hatIdidn'tt
ell
anyonet hatwest ol
efrom thetuckshop? ).
(everyonelaughs)ahbat hong.Mysi sterisnow
goneandIcan' tchangeanyt hi
ngbutIwantt o
believethatsheisr esti
ngwher eshei sandt hatthe
mer cif
ulGodt hatcreatedusal lhasfor gi
venher
transgressionsandaccept edhersoul .Icanonl y
praysot ota.Bobousedt oloveitwhenIsangf or
hersoi tisonlyrightthatIsaygoodbyet oherin
song.

Icl
earmyt
hroatandbegi
ntosi
ngwi
tht
ear
sfal
li
ng
downmyface.

Me: Hal
ephi
ri
mil
e(Whent
hesunhasset
)
Onneyabor
oko(
Yougr
antmer
est
)
Kel
alakehot
shepi
le(
Ihavepl
acedmyt
rusti
nYou)
Nt
ateyal
erat
o(Myl
ovi
ngf
ather
)

Hodul
aleNt
ate(
Toabi
dewi
thGod)
Hodul
aleyena(
Todwel
linHi
m)
Homol
emohomonat
e(I
simpor
tant
,ispl
easant
)
Kemonyakahonna(
Iti
senj
oyabl
etome)

Fif
elabosi
u(I
nthedar
knessoft
heni
ght
)
Hakef
adi
meha(
Iam notaf
rai
d)
Hahot
shabol
ebodut
u(ForIam notal
one)
Hakenal
eYena(
WheneverIam wi
thHi
m)

Bythet
imeIam doneIl
etoutasobbefor
etaki
ng
myseatwher
eAvienvel
opesmei nhi
sarms.Ihear
cr
iesar
oundme.

Afterafewminut
esofsil
encefr
om t
heMc, he
st
artstotal
kbuti
sint
err
uptedbysomeoneclear
ing
thei
rthr
oat.I tisTyler.Hehadbeensi tti
nginthe
housewi t
hhi sf ami l
yandmyni ecesandnephew.I
don'
tunder standwhathei sdoingout si
de.Hehas
bandagesal loverandIdon' tthinkheshouldeven
bestanding.Hewasdi schargedyesterdaysohe
couldatt
endt hef uneral.Heslowlymakeshi sway
towher etheMci sstanding.Everyonei sst
unned
bythisbecausei tissimpl ynotdone.

Tyl
er:
CanIsaysomet
hing?

TheMclooksatt
hecr
owdt
henshr
ugsandst
eps
away.

Tyler
:IknowwhatIam doi nglookswr ong.Ishould
beinthehousewi t
hmywi feandchi ldrenbutIfeel
l
ikeIwouldbeinsulti
nghermemor yifIletpeopl
e
rememberherasal unati
ct hatbeatupherhusband
andkill
edher
self.Wakingupf rom t
hathospi t
albed
toseewhatIlookedlikewasashockt ome
becauseIdon'
tevenr emembert heincidentbutI
knowmywi feandshewast oosweetandki ndt odo
thistomewi thoutj ustcause.Iwaswai ti
ngf orher
tocomeandseemei nthehospi t
alsoshecant ell
mewhathappenedbutshenevercame.Mywi fe
l
ovedmeandIl ovedhert oo.IknowIhur ther .
That'swhyshei sgone.Idon' tknowhowbutIknow
Idisappointedhersomehow.I fIcouldturnbackt he
handsoft ime, Iwoul dgobackt ot hatdayandst op
mysel ff
rom doi ngwhat eversentherovert heedge.
AllIcannowdoi smakesur eIraiseourchi ldrent o
thebestofmyabi l
it
y.Iwillnotdisappointyoumy
babygi r
l.(startstocr y)Mybabyi sgonenowandI
kil
ledher.Iki l
ledmywi fe.Mychi ldrenlostthei r
mot herbecauseofme.OhGodwhatdi ddo?Soso
pleasetellmewhatIdi d.Whatdi dIdo?

Hestartscr
yingoutloudt henhi sf
athercomesout
ofthehousetopullhim backi ntot
hehouse.What
j
usthappened?Iam soconf usedr
ightnow.
Shouldn'
thebereli
evedt hathegotaneasywayout
sohecangoandbewi thhi sMay?Ori sthi
sjustan
act
?Whyi shedoingal lthis?
Afterthedi st
urbingmomentpassedt heMcmoved
onwi t
ht hepr ogrammeandwesoonheadedt othe
graveyar d.Herf i
nalrest
ingplace.Watchingher
coffi
ngoi ntothegroundwassosur r
eal.Inever
i
magi nedt hisdaywoul dcomesosoon.Whatabout
herbabies?Oi leBotho.Sheisgoneforever.

[
Thr
eemont
hsl
ater
]
[
08/
31,
17:
42] :Unedi
ted

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t42

Di
kel
edi
Iam soner vous.Igotcal l
edf orani nter vi
ewwi t
ha
NGOl astweekandIf eel l
ikemyst omachi sinmy
throat .Iini
tiall
ythoughti twasapr ankbecauseI
haveneverhear dofi nterviewhappeni ngon
Satur daysbutaf terresear chi
ngt heor ganizati
on, I
j
umpedar oundi nexci tement .Iam r eall
ypr ayingI
gett hej obbecausemyyonineedsabr eakf r
om my
i
dleness.Al lIdoi smast urbateallday.ThatorIgo
seeSébast i
enatt hecampandbr ingt hehouse
down.AsmuchasIam enj oyingt hesexand
ever ything,thereisj ustt hisempt inessi nsideme
thatneedst obef il
led.If indmysel fmi ssingMor ena
alott hesedays.Isawapostofhi sbabyt wo
mont hsago.Hehascl earlymovedonwi t
hhisl i
fe
andIshoul dtoo.Don' tIdeser vetobehappy?
MaybeIcoul devengat herthecour aget omot hera
child.Iam mor bi
dlyaf r ai
dofbr i
ngingachi l
dinto
thi
ssi ckwor l
d.Whathappensi fIdi ewhi l
egiving
birt
hl ikemymot herdi d?Whathappenst omychi l
d?
Whati fmydaught erorsongr owsupi nabuse?
Wher ewoul dheorsheevengo?Ihavenof ami l
y.I
can'
texpectBol
eng'
smot hertotakecar
eofmy
chi
ld.OhmygodNadi a!Gir
lfocusonwhereyouar
e
now.

PA:Mi
ssSupang,
youcangoi
nnow.

Ismileandmakemywayi ntot
heoff
ice.I
tisempty.
Whydi dshesayIshoul dcomein?Il
ookaround
nervousl
ycontemplati
ngonwal ki
ngouttoaskthe
secret
arywheremyi ntervi
eweri
s.Ir
eachforthe
doorandhearaf l
ushingsoundcomingacrossthe
room.OKt her
eissomeoneher e.

Thedooropensaf terafewmi nutesandGod

blessesmyeyesagai nwi thavisi
onofcr eati
on.
WhendoesGodhavet i
met omakesuchpeopl e?
Thi sisaman.Heiswear i
ngnavybluesui twit
ha
crispwhi t
eshi
rtt
uckedi ntopantssecuredbya
dar kbrownbel
t.Hisface,ohlordhisfaceisjust
gor geous.Hel
ookslikeacupofdel ici
ousdar k
chocol at
emocha.Beyonceshoul drecruithi
mf ora
brownskinboyvideo.Hehasthecurl
iesthairIhave
everseen.Iswal
lowhardlooki
ngathim and
remindi
ngmyselfwhyIam here.Hemi ghtevenbe
myboss.JeezNadi a.

Him:Sor
ryaboutthat
.Ihavehadalotofcof
feeal
l
day.Howareyou?PleasetakeaseatDi
kel
edi.

Isi
tacr
osshi
m.

Me:I
t'
sNadi
a.

Hef
rownsandl
ooksatt
hepaper
sonhi
stabl
e.

Hi
m:Ar
en'
tyouDi
kel
edi
Supang?

Me:Dikel
edii
smygi
venname.Ipr
efert
ogoby
Nadi
a.
Hel
eansbacki
nhi
schai
randf
iddl
eswi
thhi
spen.

Him:Sowhynotmakei
toffi
cialMsNadi
a?Whynot
changei
twi
thHomeAffai
rs?

Ir
aisemybr
ow

Me:Idi
dn'
tknowIcoul
ddot
hat
.

Him:Wellyoucan.Geti
tdonesoyoudon'
tgo
aroundcorr
ect
ingpeopl
ethatmayormaynothi
re
you.

Damn.AndIwasj ustst
art
ingt
orel
ax.Iswal
lowas
mynervessetbackin.

Hi
m:Somynamei
sMar
cusVanGr
aan.
Ir
aisemybr
ow.

Him:YesIam color
edNadia.Myf atherwoni
nthe
genewar .Nowdoyouwanttowi peyourshockof
f
youf acesowecanstar
ttheint
ervieworshoul
dI
justsendyouawaynow?

Ifeelt
earsthreat
eningtocomeupbutIcan'tlet
them.Whati sgoingonhere?Areint
ervi
ewsalways
thi
shostil
e?Shoul dIgo?Iam cl
earl
ynotgoingto
getthi
sjobanyway.

Mar
cus:Ri
ght
.Sowhatmadeyouappl
yfort
his
j
ob?
...
..
Thayhadt
ohavebeent hewor
stint
ervi
ewinthe
hi
stor
yofal
lint
ervi
ews.MaybeIshouldj
ustusemy
Joj
omoneyont hefar
m mygrandmotherl
eftme.
It
'sagoodt hi
ngSébast i
eninvitedmeover .Ineed
somt hingtodistractmefrom thedisasterthati
smy
l
ife.Visit
ingSébast i
enatthecampst i
lldoesn'
tsit
wellwithme.I fhewasanyot herguyIwoul dhave
l
ongcutt hi
ngsof fwithhi
m buthehasbecomemy
currentdrug.Afterthehassleofgetti
ngper missi
on
togetintothecampusIhal fruntoSébast i
en's
houseandknockont hedoor .

Sébast
ien:(
openst
hedoor
)Heywetwet
.Whatt
ook
yousolong?

Hepul
lsmei
ntoahug.

Me:Ihadani
nter
view.Remember
?

Hecl
osest
hedoorandpul
lsmet
othebedr
oom.

Me:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oaskmehowi
twas?
Sébast
ien:howwhatwas?

Me:Sébast i
en, IjusttoldyouIhadani nt erviewand
youar en'
tshowi nganyi nterest.Heshut st he
bedroom doorandst ar
tskissingmeandt hrowi ng
mycl othesoff.WhydoIsuddenl yf
eelliket hisisn't
enoughf orme?Iwanthi mt ocar eaboutmor ethan
justsexnow.Het ossesmeont hebedandf eel
smy
dryyoni.Hegr absabot tl
eofl ubefrom hi sdr awer
andpour sitonmet henwear sacondom bef ore
shovinghimsel finme.Whyi sthisceil
ingsodi rty?
Can'ttheyrepainti t
?Therear esomanywebsi nt hi
s
room.Doesn' theevercl eanhi sceili
ng?

Hef i
nallycumsandcl i
mbsof fofmeand
disappear sintothecorridor
.Hei sobviouslygoi
ng
towipehi msel f.Ifeel
myyoniandal lIfeeli
sthe
remnant soft helube.Fivemi nutesgobyandhe
hasn'treturnedf rom t
hebathr oom t
obr ingmea
towel.Thisi shighlyunusual.Igetoutofbedandgo
getcl
eanedupandt
hendr
essup.

Thi
smani
swat
chi
ngTV.Hel
eftmei
nther
oom t
o
wat
chTV.

Me:Sébasti
enwhatt
hehel
l?Whydi
dyouj
udtl
eave
meinthere?

Sébast i
en:Nadi aosi mol ol
agol apisawai t
se?(You
arestarti
ngt obecomeanui sance)What '
syour
problem?Doyounotunder standourar r
angement ?
Whydoesi tseem l i
keyouwantmet obemor ethan
whatIsai dIam?NnaIt oldyouwhatIwantandyou
nowwantt ostar tcatchingf eeli
ngsandr ui
ningthe
vi
be.Odi reot samayemmaangf indsomeonewho
willgiveyoual lthat .Thatper soni sn'tme.Iwant
sex.Notj ustsex, goodsexandbonahel awhatyou
didtoday.Notevenal it
tlemoanhel ayagoi marka
present.(tomar kyour selfpresent)Oneol ebi
ledi
ceili
ngnnaket henekahagodi mogagago.( you
wer estarri
ngatt hecei l
ingwhi leIwasbusymovi ng
ontopofyou.
)Youhaver
eal
lybor
edmet
oday.
Tsamaya.

Me:(
wideeyed)SheeSébast
ien.WasIwr
ongt
oask
i
fyouaren'
tint
erest
edi
nhearinghowmydaywent
?

Sébasti
en:Nadi
atl
hemmal eave.Ineedtof
inda
newbunnyandonei sonthewayf orasexi
nter
view.
That'
sthekindofi
nter
viewIam int
erest
edi
n.

Someoneneedst owakemeuporsl apmeoutof

thi
strance.Iknowthismani sn'
tsayingal
lthese
thi
ngst omeaf t
erallt
hesemont hsofgivi
nghim al
l
thesexhewant showeverhewant s.Ievengave
thi
sidiotanalt
wice!Twice!

Me:Sébast
ienar
eyouhear
ingyour
sel
f?

Heswi
tchest
heTVof
fandst
andsup.
Sébast
ien:Nadi
aIsaidgo.Anddelet
emynumber
.
Youaretooneedyformyliki
ng.Go!

Hegrabsmyarm andget
smyhandbagfrom the
couchandpushesmeoutthedoor
.Whattheheck
j
usthappened?
...

Tl
otl
o

Ilovelyi
nginbedonSat urdaymor ning.Theni
ce
thingabouthavinggr ownchi ldrenisyouhertobe
l
azy.Theyar ewi t
hmet hisweekendsoIgett o
sleepinwjl
ietheycl eanupt hehouse.Theonl y
problem wi
thlyinginbedi st hatialwayfindmyself
thinki
ngaboutBot ho.Thepastf ewmont hshave
beenverydiffi
cultforme.It riedtal
kingTyleri
nto
l
ettingmehavet hekidsat l
eastunti
lAmant l
ei sa
yearoldbutherefusedsayi nghewant storaise
them hi
msel f
.Toaddi nsulttoi
njury,Tyl
ernowl i
ves
withMayandherpr egnantbel l
y.Thet houghtof
thatwomani nmysi ster
'shousemakesmybl ood
boilanditconvi
ncesmet hatTylerwaspr et
ending
tobebr okenupaboutBot ho'sdeath.Thewhol e
thi
ngf r
ustrat
esmeandIwi shIcoulddosomet hi
ng
aboutit.

Aviwrapshi
sar
m ar
oundmeandst
art
s
massagi
ngmytummy.

Avi
:Mor
ningbabe.

Me:Hil
ove.

Avi
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingbabe.
Me:Whyar
eyoual
waysaski
ngmehowIam
f
eeli
ng?

Avi:Whatdoyoumean?Ishoul
dn'
taskyouhow
yourare?

Me:AviyouaskhowIam f
eeli
ng.Youdon'task
howIam.Youhavebeendoingthatf
orthepast
month.Why?

Avi
:(chuckl
esandki
ssesmyshoul
der
)babyyou
ar
ebeingparanoi
d.

Me:Iam notAvi
.

Acall
scomesthr
oughonmyphone.Ist
ret
chover
andanswert
hephone.
Me:HiChant
y.Howar
eyou?

Il
ookatAvihopi
nghegetsthatIam sayi
ngi
tfor
hi
sbenefi
t.Hesmil
esandlooksaway.

Chantel
le:Tlot
lo…waitseBogol
owantst
oki
llme.
That'
sallthi
sgirlwant
s.Shewantst
okil
lmeand
buryme.

Me:(
sit
ti
ngup)whathappened?

Chantel
le:Doyoumindcomi
ngher
enemma?
Unlessyouhavepl
ans.

Me:I
t'
sfi
ne.Gi
vemeandhour
.

Ihangupandl
ookatAvi
.
Avi
:Whathappened?

Me:(call
ingout)Tl amelo!(t
oAvi)Ther eissome
dramawi thBogol oandusual l
ywhat evershedoes
usuall
yinvolvesTlamel o.Thosetwoar elikeDavi
d
andJonat hanbutal ltheydoisgetthemsel vesi
n
tr
ouble.Isweart hatiftheyweren'
tcousinsIwoul d
havelongcutBogol ooutofTlamelo'slif
ebutIcan't
becauseofhowcl oset hei
rfat
her'
sar etoeach
otherandChant ell
ei smyclosestfr
iend.

Avi:Allyouhavetodoi skeepdoingwhatyouare
doing.Beingtr
ansparentwithyoudaughterand
tel
li
ngherhowyouf eelaboutBogolo'
sbehavior
.
Tlameloisagoodgi rl
.Justbeopenwi t
hher.

Isighandgivehim aki
ss.Aknockont
hedoor
stopsAvif
rom reachi
ngundermytop.

Me:Comei
n.
Tl
amel
o:Yesmot
her
s.

Me:Nt
lamewhati
shappeni
ngwi
thBogol
o?

Thel ookonherf
acet
ellmesheknowswhatIam
tal
kingabout.

Tl
amel
o:Whatdoyoumean?

Me:Hermotherj
ustcal
ledme.Goandbathre
t
samaye.Iknowyouknowwhatishappeni
ng.

Shewalksoutoftheroom l
ooki
ngl
ikeshegot
caughtst
eali
ng.Irol
lmyeyesandgetoutofbedt
o
takeabath.

Avi
:Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
ogi
vemel
it
tl
ebi
t?
Me:Iwi
llgi
veyoul
ater
.Letmegoandhearwhati
s
goi
ngon.

Avi
:Iam onni
ghtshi
ftt
oni
ght
.Haveyouf
orgot
ten?

Me:Ohyeah.

Iwalkawaybefor
ehet
ri
est
oconvi
ncemet
oget
backinbed….
.

Chantel
le:(
givesmeahug)Thankyousomuchfor
coming.Hehmmawher edidallt
hiswei
ghtcome
fr
om?

Ichuckl
eandtakeaseat
.Tl
amel
ogr
eet
sandheads
toBogol
o'sr
oom.
Me:Sowhathappened?

Chant
elle:Ij
ustfoundalett
erinmymakeupbagke
rekeipaakenyetsagoyalenyal
ong(whil
etryi
ngto
getr
eadygotaweddi ng)
.Shewrotealet
tersayi
ng…
Youknowwhat ?Herereadit
.

Sheshuf
fl
essomepaperandhandsi
ttome.

Dearmum anddad.Iam sosor r

yforbeinga
disappointmenttobot
hofyou.IknowhowIl etyou
downbyf ail
ingmyfor
m 5anditateatmesomuch
thatIdidn'tknowhowtohandl
ethedisappoint
ment.
NowIhavegoneandmadet hi
ngswor se.Ij
ust
wantt odie.Ideser
vetodi
eforhurt
ingbothofyou
l
ikethis.

Iam f
ivemonthspregnant
.Itri
edeverythi
ngtoget
ri
dofitbutIhavef
ail
ed.It
rieddri
nkingstameta
andoverdosi
ngonpill
sbutitdi
dn'twork.Ieven
punchmybel lyhopingt hebabywilldi
ebutithasn't
worked.Iam sosorryf ordi
sappointi
ngyoulikethi
s.
Ireal
izedIhavetotellyoubecauseIam startingto
show.Iam sost r
essedt hatIhaveeventhoughtof
taki
ngmyownl i
fe.Pleaseforgiveme.

Me:What
?

Shesi
ghs.

Chantell
e:That
sit.Idon'
tknowwhatBogolo
expectsmet osayordo.Iam nowafrai
dof
expressingmyangerincaseshedeci
destokil
l
herself
.Whatam Iexpectedtosayt
oher?

Me:Thef actthatshedarestothreat
enyouwi t
h
somethingsor ealmakesmesi ck!Sheisn'
tgoi
ngto
ki
llhersel
f.Sheismanipulat
ingyouintoaccepti
ng
herfooli
shness.DoesKgosiknow?
Chant
ell
e:Myhusbanddr oveoutofhereli
keamad
mantell
ingmehewillki
llherhi
mselfifhestays.I
thi
nkhewenttomeetBogosiandMor ena.

Me:Haveyouspokent oher?Bogol oisvery

manipulat
iveChanty.Imeanevent het i
mewe
caughtthem wit
hthoset ext
sdidn'tseem tomove
her.Shedidn'
tcareuntilshewasget t
ingabest
ing.
Thisisherwayofavoi dingthebeating.

Chantell
e:Idon'tevenhavethest
rengthtotalkto
thatgir
lTlot
lo.Ijustwantt
oknowwhot hechild
belongstobogol oreisedi
kgangt
sat shenyego.

Me:Mxm!OKIwi
llt
alkt
oher
.

Chant
ell
e:(
exhal
es)anyway,
Imi
ssedyou.

Me:Imi
ssedyout
oo.Bot
ho'
sdeat
hjusthi
tmet
oo
har
d.

Chant
ell
e:Iknow.Andi
tst
il
leat
smeupt
hatI
coul
dn'
tcome.

Me:Youwer
einanoyhercountr
yworki
ngChanty.I
knowyouwoul
dhavebeent her
eifi
twasn'
tfort
hat.

Chantell
e:Yeah.Anyway,howaboutwesi gnupf or
agym member shi
ptoget
her.Iam f
ail
ingtolosethi
s
babywei ght
.Wecangetaper sonaltr
ainerEbil
e.I
hear
di tworksbetter
.

Me:agh…mxm Ican'
tri
ghtnow.

Chant
ell
e:why?

Me:It
hinkImi
ghtbepr
egnant
.
Chant
ell
e:what
?Ar
eyouser
ious?When?

Me:Iam notreall
ysuret
hatIam butIhadaspott
y
peri
odandAvii sact
ingwier
d.Hedidsomethi
ng
thatIknow.Idon'
tknowwhenbuthedi dsomethi
ng.

Chant
ell
e:Naar
ewhatdoyoumean?

Me:Idon'tknowbutt hatmanhadbeenaskingme
whenwear ehavingababyever ytwodaysbuta
mont handahalfago, hej
ustsuddenl
ystopped
aski
ngme.Not hing.Thenhestart
shishowar eyou
feel
ingandrubbi
ngmybel l
y.Hedidsomethingto
me.

Chant
ell
elaughsoutl
oudandcl
apsherhands.

Chant
ell
e:Thi
ssoundsl
ikeaj
oke.Maybeyouar
e
bei
ngpar
anoi
d.

Me:Chantyyoudon'tknowhowf ert
il
eIam.I twould
onlyt
akeoneburstcondom ontherightdaytoget
meknockedup.Iusuallystar
tshowingsighswhen
Iam l
ikefourorf
ivemonthspregnantsoIwoul dn'
t
haveknownbutbecauseoft hefool
'
sbehavior.Iam
suspi
ciousandIam getti
ngtest
edtoday.

Chantel
lelaughsagain.Idon'
t.Knowwhyshe
thi
nksthisisfunny.I
fAvigotmepr egnantIam
goingtokil
lhim.

[
08/
31,
17:
42] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t43

Di
kel
edi
WhydoesSébast i
en'
sbehavi
orhurtmesomuch?I
havebeensit
ti
ngonmybedl ooki
ngblankl
yatt
he
cei
li
ngforthepasthourt
ryi
ngt of
igur
eoutwhyI
am sohurt
.Ineedtotal
ktoBoleng.Igrabmy
phoneanddial
.

Boleng:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)Di
kst
hisi
sn'
tagood
ti
me.

Ij
ustbur
stoutandcr
y.

Bol
eng;Di
kswhat
'swr
ong?Whathappened?

Me:(cryi
ng)Sébast
ienbr okeupwithmeBee.He
ki
ckedmeoutbecauseIwant edustobemore
emotional
.Am Inotloveable?Whydoesthi
skeep
happeningtome?
Bol
eng:( si
ghs)EmaPel ebabe……Iwon'
tbelongI
pr
omi se..(
kisses)OK,Di
ksyouandSébasti
en
weren'tact
uallyinarel
ati
onshi
psosayi
ngyou
br
okeupdoesn' tmakeanysensetome.

Me:BeeIjustwantt
obeloved.I
st hatsowrong?
Whydon'tIgett
obehappy?Lookhowgoodt hi
ngs
ar
ewithyouandTony?Whydon' tIgettogavethat
?

Boleng:OKDi ksIam goi ngt odosomet hingthati

s
l
ongover due.Iam goi ngt ogi veittoyoust rai
ght
becauseIcanseeyouar egoi ngdownaver ydark
road.Youdon' tgettoaski fyoudon' tdeservelove.
Mor enalovedyou.Thatmanl ovedyousomuch
thathedi dn'tevendel eteyourpi cturesfrom his
socialmedi a.Imeanwel iveinat imewhen
breakingupmeansdel etelikecrazybutwi t
hyou
andMor ena, allitt
akesisscr olli
ngbackandyou
fi
ndyour selfal loverhispage.Thatwasl ove.You
sabotagedt hatl ovebybecomi ngapr osti
tute.I
don'tcarewhatf ancynameyourpi mpgaveyout o
makeyouf eelspeci albutt hatwaspr ostitutionand
totopi tal lof f,youhadabl esser .Awhol ebl esser
whi l
eMor enaact edl i
keal ovesi ckpuppywant i
ng
yourat tent ion.Yourwer egoi ngt oSandt onor eyou
havear ri
vedkant eyouar eki l
lingyour self.Event his
whol eNadi at hingi smor eofanat temptt or un
awayf rom t het ruthyoukeeppushi ngaway.You
areavi ctim ofr apeDi keledi.Yourgr andfat her
rapedyouf ort enyear s.Ten!Youhaveabor tedhi s
babiesf i
vet imes.Yourgr andmot herdiedbecause
shewasbeat enupf ort r
yingt osetyouf ree.Your
fatherr eject edyouandcal ledyouamur der erfor
yourmot her 'sdeat h.Youar epr acticall
yal onei n
termsofbl oodr elat i
ons.Thati sn'tsomet hingone
getsoveri namont h.Movi ngt oGabor onedi dn't
meanever ythingi soverDi keledi.Youhar dlysl ept
thefirstt i
meyouwentbackt ovi sitmymum.You
kepthavi ngni ght mar esj ustbecauseyouwer eback
i
nt hevi ll
age.St opact ingl i
keyouar eovert her ape.
Youar en'toveri tandyouneedt odealwi thitbef ore
youdest royyourl i
fefur t
her .Youneedt oaccept
thatyouar eavi ct i
m ofr apeandt hatyouar enowa
sexaddi ct.
Me:(
chockedbyt
ear
s)I
'
m notasexaddi
ct.

Boleng:Ohyesyouar ehoney.Howmanymenhave
yousleptwi t
hinthespaceoff ouryear
s?Canyou
goadaywi thoutanorgasm?Al lt
hatbondagesex
youhavewi t
hSébastienisn'
tevenhealt
hy.
Everyday?Aemma.Iknowaboutt hatsexappof
yours.Mor eprooft
hatyouar easexaddict.Going
totheextentofpleasuri
ngyourselfandastranger
onli
neDi kel
edi.

Me:St
opcal
li
ngmeDi
kel
ediBol
eng!St
opi
t.

Boleng:Thati swhoyouar e.Thatisyourname.

Untilyoudealwi thther easonwhyyouhat ethat
name, youwi llonl
ydof ur t
herdamaget oNadi a.I
am allforreinventi
ngyour selfbutyoursisonly
destroyingthenewyoubyt ryingtoburytheoldyou.
Dealwi t
hDi keledi
'sissuessot hatNadi
acan
act
uall
ybecomesomeonewor
thgi
vingupDi
kel
edi
for
.Youneedther
apy.

Me:(
shout
ing)It
ri
edt
hat
!Itdi
dn'
twor
k!

Boleng:Shoutal lyouwantbuti twon'tchanget he

factthatyouwer en'tt
akingi tseri
ously.Youwent
thereasar apevi ct
iminsteadofar apesur vi
vorand
asexaddi ct.Youhear dwhatmyst epfathertold
youal lt
hoseyear sago.Hewaswher eyouar er i
ght
now.Het r
iedtowar nyouandt oldyout oget
counselingbutyouchose, howdoyoucal lit
?Yes
sexualheal i
ng.Thereisnot hingli
ket hatDikeledi
.
Youneedr ealhelp.

Ihangupandr ol
lontomyst
omachandcr y.Ithur
ts
becauseever
ythi
ngshesai
distr
ue.Ihaven'tdone
anythi
ngtodealwit
hmypast.

Amessagecomest
hrough.I
t'
sBol
eng.
[Iam sorrybutyouneededt ohearit
.Ithi
nkit
'shigh
timeIgiveyout oughlovebecausebeing
understandingandgent l
eiswhatbroughtushere.I
beli
eveinyouDi ks.Ialwayshave.Gethelpbecause
Ineedaheal t
hymaidofhonor ]

Itosst hephoneawayandcr ysomemor e.Wher e

doIevenst art
?Am Iact ual
lyasexaddi ct?Whydi d
Idol etmyselfbecomel ikethis?Thisisn'twhoIam.
Whoam It hough?Igrewupi nsomuchpai nthat
mychar act
erwasmoul dedar oundmypai n.Iwas
onlyeverhappywhenIwaswi t
hmygr andmot her.
Sheal waysmademel aughandsmi le.Doesshe
seewhoIhavebecome?I sshedi sappoi nt
edinme?
Sheobvi ouslyis.Iam,suchamesst hatevenmy
mot herwoul dhavedisownedme.Ineedt ofi
xt hi
s.

Myphoner i
ngs.JeezBolengletmethi
nk.Ohi
t'
s
nother
.It
'salandl
ine.Iwipemytear
sandanswer.
Me:Hel
lo?

Voi
ce:Goodaf
ter
noon.MayIspeakt
oMsDi
kel
edi
Supang.

Me:speaki
ng

Voice:Iam cal
li
ngyouf
rom Agent
sofChange.We
wouldl i
keyoutocomeandsignyourempl
oyment
contractonMonday.

What
?Igott
hej
ob?How?

Me:Igott
hej
ob?

Voi
ce:Yesma'
am.Pl
easeconf
ir
m whatt
imeyou
canmaneit
.
Ican'
tbeli
evet
his.Thi
shast
obemysecond
chance.Thi
shastobemynewleaf
.

Voi
ce:Ma'
am?

Me:OhIam sor
ry.I
sitokayf
ormet ocomeaf
ter
l
unch?Iwi
llbecomingfr
om Franci
stown.

Voice:Thati
sfi
ne.Pl
easeasktoseeHuman
Resourceswhenyourcome.Enjoyt
herestofyour
weekend.

ShehangsupandIcovermymout hinshock.I
can'tbelievethatIgotthejobaft
erwhatIf el
twasa
terr
ibleintervi
ew.Howdi dthatevenhappen?OK
Dikelediit'
stimeforsteponeonyourr oadt o
recovery.Iscrollt
hroughmyphonehopi ngIsti
ll
havet henumberIam l ooki
ngfor.OhthankGod.It'
s
here.Idialandpr ayheanswer s.
Voi
ce:Pr
osecut
orMi
lt
onhel
lo?

Me:Hel
losi
r.Idon'
tknowi
fyouwi
llr
ememberme.

Mi
lt
on:MsSupang.Ist
il
lhaveyournumber
.

Me:OhOK.IhopeIam notcat
chi
ngyouatabad
t
ime.

Mil
ton:Ial
wayshaveti
meforacl
ientt
hat
somersaul
tedmycareer
.HowcanIhelpyou?

Me:I…Ineedt
oseehim.Iwashopingyoucould
hel
pmeseehim.Idon'tevenknowwheretostar
t
butIwantt
oseehi
mt omor r
owbefor
eIstartwor
k
onMonday.If
eell
ikeIneedtoseehi
m.

Mi
lt
on:
Hei
shonaSunday…Youar
ereal
lymaki
ng
mepayf orhowwel
lIam doi
ngbecauseofyouneh?
Welll
etmeseewhatIcando.Areyouin
Fr
ancist
own?

Me:I
'
llbet
aki
ngt
het
rai
ncomi
ngt
her
etoni
ght
.

Mil
ton:Per
fectIwillpi
ckyouupatt
hestat
ionand
dr
iveyouthere.Letmewor konmycont
actsin
pr
ison.

Me:Youdon'
thavet
odr
ivemet
her
ethough.

Milt
on:Iinsistmychild.Li
keIsai d,youareone
personIwi l
lneverfor
getandi fyouf eell
ikeyou
needtoseet hatmonstert
henIt hinkIhaveto
supportyou.Iwi l
lcomewi thmywi f
e.Shewas
askingmeaboutyout woyear sago.Ihopeseei ng
youwi l
lpitasmi l
eonherf ace.
Me:OKt
hankyou.

Mi
lt
on:Shar
pletmear
ranget
hemeet
ing.

HehangsupandIst
artpacki
ngup.

Tl
otl
o

Chantel
le'
sbossi nesshasmepeei ngintoast ick.
Shehadonel eftf
rom t
het i
meshet estedher self
fi
vetimes.Thiswast hesixthoneshelef taft
er
accepti
ngthatsher eal
lywaspr egnant
.Ther eist oo
muchpr egnancyhappeningi nthi
shouse.SheandI
shouldbetalkingtoBogolo.Notdoingt his
nonsense.
Chantel
le:(
knocki
ngonthedoor
)Tl
hemmacome
outsowecanseet oget
her.

Irol
lmyeyesandcovert
het
ipandwi
pebef
ore
fl
ushingandwashi
ngmyhands.

Me:(openingt
hedoor)Idon'
tknowhowKgosi
deal
swi t
hyourbossyself
.

Chant
ell
e:(
laughs)owai.I
tendswi
thyouguys.
Thatmanisasstubbornasanox.

Il
aughandf
oll
owherbackt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom.

Me:It
hinkIneedadr
ink.

Chant
ell
e:Nyaammawedon'
twantbr
aindamaged
chi
ldr
en.
Me:Iam notpr
egnantChant
y.Weshouldbe
deal
ingwit
hBogoloandnotthi
sfool
ishness.

Chantel
le:Mxm don'
tremi
ndme.Kanat hesebi
g
bodi
esofourscanbedecei
ving.Icoul
dn'
tevent
ell
shei
spregnant
.

Me:Ahsomet i
mesyoucan'ttel
lunti
lsomeoneis
l
ikesevenmonthspregnant
.Buttheprobl
em wit
h
t
hesebodiesthathi
depregnanci
esishowdiff
icul
t
i
tistoshedtheweightaf
ter
.

Chantel
le:Tellmeaboutit
!Ther
eisnot
hingI
haven'
ttri
ed.You'
dthinkIgavebi
rt
hkaceasar
mma.

Thetimershesetgoesoffandi
t'
sti
metocheckthe
sti
ck.Ipi
ckitupandclosemyeyesbef
oret
urni
ngit
over.
Me:Oh.
.

Chant
ell
e;whatdoesi
tsay?

Me:Ahi
t'
snegat
ive.

WhydoIfeell
ikethi
s?Ishouldbehappy.Ididn't
wantt
ogetpregnant.I
nfactIdon'twanttoeverbe
pr
egnant
.Sowhyam If eel
ingdisappoi
nted?

Chant
ell
e:Ar
eyouOK?

ThefrontdooropensandKgosiwal
ksinwit
h
Morenaandmywor stni
ght
mare,Bogosi
.

Kgosi:(
pointsatt
hest
ick)I
sitposi
ti
ve?I
sBogol
o
real
lypregnant
?Letmesee.
Chant
ell
e:BabeI
t'
snotBogol
o's.

Hewi
denshi
seyes.

Kgosi:Aebabe.Yougotyourt
ubest
iedAker
e?A
four
thbaby?Aet l
hemmawena.

Iwouldlaughatthel
ookonhisfaceifIwasn'
t
feel
ingsosad.Bogosi
'seyeshaven'
tlef
tmyface
butIdon'tl
ookbackathim.Iam noti
nthemoodfor
himr i
ghtnow.

Chant
ell
e:(
laughs)Rel
axbabe.I
t'
snotmi
ne.

Thenthereissi
lenceasKgosiandMorenalookat
Bogosi.Il
ookathimtooandhel ooksl
ikehasbeen
sl
appedi nthef
ace.
Bogosi
:Aomma.Hegotyoupr
egnant
?

Doesheexpectmet
oact
ual
lyr
espondt
ohi
m?

Me:Howi
sthatanyofyourconcer
nBogosi
?

Bogosi:
Aosugarcakes.Howcanyoudot
hist
ous?

Ican'
t
.Istandupandheadt otheguestroom.I
needtocry.Idi
dn'
tknowIwant edt
hisbaby.He
wasgoingtobesohappy.Hehasbeensogoodt o
me.Maybemynegat i
veatt
it
udeiswhatcausedthi
s.
MaybeIwoul dbepregnanti
fIwantedi
ttoo.Agh…

[
08/
31,
17:
43] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t44

Nar
rat
ed

AtChant
ell
e'
shouse

Tlot
loshutt
hedoorbehi
ndherandbur
iesherhead
onthepil
lowassoonasherbodyhi
tst
hebed.A
knockonthedoormakesherl
ookup.

Tl
otl
o:Notnow.

Chant
ell
e:I
t'
sme.

Shesi
ghsast
hedooropens.

Chantel
le:Babeandthen?Ithoughtyouwoul
dbe
happyforthenegat
iveresul
t.
Tlotl
o:(shrugs)IguessIt houghtIdi dn'twantt o
haveababy.Buti tturnsoutIdo.Avimakesmeso
happyt hatIwantt omakehi m happyt oo.Iwas
obviouslygoingt obeupsett hathegotmepr egnant
againstmywi shesbutj ustknowi ngt hatIgavehi m
somet hinghewant edwasgoi ngt omakemehappy
too.Hei severythi
ngBogosiwasn' tandt hreekids
l
ater,themannevermar riedme.Maybedeepdown,
myf earofget ti
ngpr egnanti sstemmedf rom the
factthathedoesn' ttalkaboutmar r
iage.Idon' twant
tofindmysel finanot herBogosisi t
uat i
on.Bogosi
keptmeunderhi st humbf oreighteenyear s
promi si
ngmemar r
iageever yyearbutnot hing
cameofi t
.Idon'twantt omaket hesamemi stake
twice.

Chantell
e:IfAviisn'
tbehavi
ngthesamewayt hat
Bogosidoest henIdon'tseewhyheshouldbe
punished.Thepr obl
em herei
sthatbecauseofthe
painBogosileftyouin,youarenowgoingtodouble
theeffectofanypainAvicausesyouifyouaren't
caref
ul.Don'tbeoneofthesepeoplewhopunish
thecurrentfort
hei
rexesmi st
akes.I
t'
stackyand
i
mmat ur e.

Tlot
lo:Yeahyouar eright.IthinkIshouldjustopen
uptohi m andtel
lhim howIf eelwit
houtmaki ngit
seem li
keIam pr essuri
nghi mt omar r
ymebutheyI
am thir
tyeightgoingont hri
tynine.Ket l
ogake
ronwakel esir
elekel eratang.(Imightendup
l
ookingt ackyintheweddi nggownofmydr eams)

Chantel
le:(
laughs)Never
.Americanscanget
marri
edatfi
ftyandwillst
il
lwearasheerl
acegown.

Acallcomesthr
oughonTl
otl
o'sphone.Shesmi
les
andanswers.

Tl
otl
o:Hibabe.
Avi
:li
sten.

Heincreasesthevolumeont
heTVandMaf
iki
zol
o'
s
Thandolwethublast
sonYouTube.

Avi
:Canyouheari
t?Doyour
emember
?

Tl
otl
o:(
smi
les)Ido

Sheputsherphoneonspeakerf
orChant
ell
ewho
i
mmedi at
elyst
andsupandstart
sdanci
ngtothe
song.

Yaz'
ngezi
ny'
ii
mini
Ndi
kuj
ongandi
noval
o
Ngat
h'ut
handol
wet
hu
Bal
ubek'
es'
khal
eni
Ubonami
nangedwa
Boy,
you'
resof
ocusedI
'
m ador
ed
Andwe'
vebeent
hrought
hemost
Soher
eisat
oastt
oourl
ove

Kad'
uhl
elinam'
s't
handwasami
Kad'
ukhul
anami
ke
Andwe'
vebeent
hrought
hemost
Soher
eisat
oastt
oourl
ove

Thandol
wet
hul
unamandl
a
I
zit
hangekezi
lunge
Bazami
le,
banamanga
I
zit
hangekezi
lunge
Thandol
wet
hul
unamandl
a
I
zit
hangekezi
lunge
Bazami
le,
banamanga
I
zit
hangekezi
lunge

Tlot
lofeel
sabubbl yfeel
ingatthepitofher
stomachassher emember sthetri
pt heyt
ooktosee
hismotheratthebeginni
ngoft heyear.Theyplayed
thesongonr epeatandhet ol
dherhowmuchhe
l
ovedherandt hathehopesl i
kethesongsays, thei
r
l
ovewi l
lwit
hstandalladversi
tyandanyst or
mt hat
maycomet hei
rway.Heevensai dhewant edthem
todancetoitont hei
rweddingday.

Hearingthesongnowr eassur
edherofhislovefor
her.Hercheekshur
tfrom smili
ngsohar d
thr
oughoutthesong.Sheputt hephonebackinher
earasthesongendedsi tt
ingChantel
lebackdown.

Tl
otl
o:Isuddenl
ymi
ssyou.

Chant
ell
e:(
whi
sper
ing)l
etmel
eaveyou.
Tl
otl
o:(
cover
sthephonewi
thherpal
m)Cal
lBogol
o
i
nhere.

Chant
ell
enodsherheadandl
eaves.

Avi
:(deepvoi
ce)whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackhome?

Tl
otl
o;(
blushi
ng)I
'
llbehomei
nanhourr
atol
ame.

Avi
:mmh..Hurr
yup.NnaImissyoukana.Iwantt
o
seeyoubef
oregoi
ngtowor
k.

Tl
otl
o:okbabe.Letmefini
shher
eandrunhome.
Thecarmightevendel
ayme.Iwil
lspr
inthome.

Avi
:(l
aughs)Imi
ssyourcr
azy.Comehomebabe.
Hehangsupandl eavesherblushi
ngl
ikeateenager
wi
thacrush.Chantel
lethenknocksonthedoor.

Tl
otl
o:comei
n.

Chant
ell
e:(
openst
hedoor
)Ar
eyoudone?

Tl
otl
o:Yes.HiBogol
o.

Bogol
olooksatherf
eet
.

Bogol
o:Hiaunt
y.

Shehatesthathermotherhadtogoandinvol
ve
peopl
einthis.Heruncl
esvoicesi
nthel
ivi
ngroom
i
rri
tat
edherevenmor e.

Tl
otl
o:Ihearyouar
epr
egnant
.Si
tdonesowecan
t
alkt
oyou.

Shesi
tsonthebedf
aci
nghermotherandTl
otl
o
whoarel
eaningont
heheadboar
d.

Tl
otl
o:Howdi
dthi
shappen?

Bogol
o:(
shr
ugs)t
hecondom bur
st.

Tlotlo:Thatsali
e.Condomsdon' tbreakwher e
teenager sarei
nvolved.Kanawereyousl eepi
ng
wi t
haman?Condomshar dl
yeveractuall
ybreak.
I
t sjustanexcusepeopl euse.Tel
lthetruth.

Bogol
o:(
looksoutt
hewi
ndow)Aheewedi
dn'
tuse
i
t.

Tl
otl
o:(
frowns)KeeneMrbi
gdi
ckwal
astt
ime?
Bogol
o:(
rol
lshereyes)No

Chantell
e:Bogolokeagocl
apar
ightnow.Di
dyou
j
ustrollyoureyes?

Bogol
o:(
underherbr
eat
h)sor
ri
ng.

Tl
otl
ohol
dsChant
ell
e'
shandt
ocal
m her
.

Tlotl
o:Weneedhisnamesowecangoandt
ellhi
s
parentsaboutt
hebaby.

Bogol
o:Hi
spar
ent
sar
edead.

Chant
ell
e:Bogol
owee.Bogol
o!
Chant
ell
est
art
scr
ying.

Chantel
le:Bogolowhatdoyouwantf rom me?Ke
direengnemma?( whatshouldIdo?)yourf at
her
andIaret r
yingourbestt oparentyoubuti t
'sl
ike
wenayouar edonebei ngachi ld.Youareso
stubbornBogol oandoant enanna.I fyouwantto
beawomant henyouar en'
tgoingtodoi ti
nmy
house.Iwon' tstaywi t
hanotherwomani nmy
house.Ifyoucan' tgivemet henameoft hatboy
thenyoushoul dl eavemyhouse.Kel apil
ekewena
mosadikewena.

Tlot
lo:Bogol
odoyouenj
oyseei
ngyourmot
her
's
tear
s?Talktous.

Bogolojuststar esoutthewindow.Chantel
leget
s
upmakingBogol ofl
inchbutshewalkspastherand
goestothelivingr oom whereherhusbandandhis
brot
hersaret alking.
Chantel
le:KgosiIwantyourchi
ldoutofmyhouse
unt
ilsheisreadytobeachi l
d.

Kgosi
:Whathappened?

Chantell
e:Shewon'ttalktous.Odi ramakgakga
helaandIcanf eelmyBPr isi
ng.Thatgirlisn'tgoi
ng
tokil
lmewhenIhaveababywhoi ssti
lllearningto
tal
k.Enebecauseshei sei ghteenandthinksshei s
awomananddoesn' tneedmedoesn' tmeanmy
otherchil
drendon't
.AlltheseyearsofBogol o's
nonsensehavet i
redmeout .Kelapil
eKgosi .Iam
ti
red.

Kgosist
andsupandwal
ksovert
ohughi
swi
fe.

Kgosi
:It
'sokbabe.Wewil
lgetovert
his.Youknow
youwon'tevensl
eepi
fyoukickherout.LetTl
otl
o
tal
ktoher.
AtTyl
er'
shouse.

Tyl
erli
ftshi
sheadf
rom t
hebedwi
thaspl
it
ti
ng
headache.

Tyl
er:
Eish.

Hesl owlyst
andsupandwalksouttogetwaterf
or
hispill
s.Amantl
e'
sscr
eam hashim speedi
ngtothe
l
ivingroom.

Tyl
er:
Maywhatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Maygetsst
art
ledandfacesTyl
ert
henl
ooksar
ound
unsur
eofwhattosay.
Tyl
erwalksoverandtakeshi
scryi
ngbaby.Yamasa
andhi
ssonYaonear ehuddl
edi
nthecorneroft
he
sof
awithglassyeyes.

Tyl
er:
Whatar
eyoudoingt
omychi
ldr
enMay?Wer
e
youpi
nchi
nghert
high?

May:(defensi
vely)noIwaschangi ngherdiaper
.
Ngwanawagagoomat epeTyler(
yourchi
ldisacry
baby).Youknowt hat.NnaIam tir
edofbeing
accusedofthingsinthishouse.Youarestressi
ng
mybabyout .

Sher
ubshersmal
lbumpwi
thasadf
ace.

Tyl
er:
Yayawhati
swr
ong?Comeher
e.

Yamasagr
absherbr
other
'shandandr
unst
oher
f
ather
.

Yaya:(
cryi
ng)DaddyIwantt
ogoandstaywi
th
AuntyTlot
lo.Pl
easel
et'
sgot
oherhouse.

Tyl
er:
Whybaby?Whathappened?

Yamasal ooksatMayandr emembershowshe

str
angledherandherbr ot
herthedaybefor
eafter
shetr
iedt ostopherfr
om beati
ngherninemonth
oldsi
ster.Shestrangl
edthem andtol
dherthatthey
woulddielikehermotherifshesai
danythi
ngtoher
fat
her.

Yamasa:
(wi
pinghert
ear
s)I
…Imi
sspl
ayi
ngwi
th
Tl
amelo.

Yaone:(
looki
ngatMay)Meal
sodaddy.
Tyel
r:OKIwil
lcal
lher.Fi
rstl
etmet
akesomepi
ll
sI
haveater
ri
bleheadache.

May:
Letmegetyouj
uicet
otakei
twi
th.

Tyl
er:
Noj
ustwat
er.

May:Youknowyouhat et
het ast
eofpi
ll
swi
thwat
er
mylove.Letmegetyourj
uice.

Shewalkstotheki
tchenlooki
ngbackt omakesur e
hewasn'tf
oll
owingher.Sheaskedher selfwhythe
eff
ectswereweari
ngoutquicklythesedays.She
hastogoandseehergr andmothersoon.Tyl eri
s
hersandneedshim underhercontrolatallt
imes.

Shet akesaplasti
coutofherpantyandspri
nkl
es
somet hingint
othejui
ceandquicklyst
ir
redasi
t
dissolvedthenshovesthepl
asti
cbackinherpant
y.
Shesmi l
esandwal ksbackwithpainpi l
lsandt he
j
uiceinhand.Shef indsTylerti
ckli
nghi slastborn.
Thebaby'slaughtermakesherbl oodboi l.She
couldn'
tunderstandwhyhergr andmot hersaidt he
chil
drenneedtost ayinthehousef orhert ohave
peace.Theygivehernopeaceatal l.Theyshoul d
havediedwiththiermother.Thatwaswhatwas
supposedtohappeni ft
hatfooli
shmeddl i
ng
womanhadn' tinvolvedhersel
f.

Shehandst
hejui
ceoverandt
ri
est
otaket
hebaby
whoinst
ant
lyscr
eamsout.

Tyl
er:
AeMay.Whyi
sAmant
lesoscar
edofyou?

May:(smi
les)Iguessshemi
ssesdaddy.Dr
inkso
youcangetbetter
.

Tylerdr
inksthepi
ll
sal
ongwitht
hejui
ce.Hehands
theempt ygl
assbackandcl
oseshi
seyesashis
mindbegi
nst ogetfuzzy.Hetri
estomassagehi s
templ
esbutitdoesn'twork.Heopenshiseyesand
Yamasa'
seyeswel lupwhensheseeshi sredeyes.
Baddaddyisbackandt hatmeanst heyar
en'tgoi
ng
anywher
e.

[
08/
31,
17:
43] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t45

Nar
rat
ed

AtTyl
er'
shouse

Yaonei
nnocent
lyappr
oacheshi
sfat
her
.

Yaone:Daddycal
lAunt
ysowego.
Tyler
:(f
rowns)Gowhere?Kant
ewhyler
atago
sasankegalemal
apa?Huh?Whatdon'
tyoubabe
here?Sitdownmaan.Nxla!

Yaonescoot
sbackt ohi
ssist
erwithhi
sli
tt
lehear
t
poundi
nginhischestasTyl
erroughl
yputsthe
babyonthefl
oormakinghercry.

May:(l
aughs)Andyout houghtyouweregojnfto
runaway?Thisisyourhellf
ornotdyingwit
hyour
mother
.Youar en'
tgoi
nganywher eunti
lyoukil
l
your
selvesl
ikeyourmother.Nxlacomehereand
washthedisheswena!

Shepull
sYamasa'shai
randdr
agshertothe
kit
chenfi
ll
edwit
hdir
typlat
esf
rom l
astni
ghtand
thi
smorning.

Thesevenyearol
dpul
lst
hechai
rshest
andson
andst
art
swashi
ngt
hedi
sheswi
tht
ear
sinhereyes.

Yamasa:(whisperi
ng)Godpleasehel
pus.Mama
al
wayssai dyouaregoodbutyouarenothelpi
ngus.
Pleasetel
lAuntyTlot
lotocomeandtakeus.Whati
f
shekill
sthebaby?Pleasehel
pusGod.

May: (
yel
li
ngfrom thelivi
ngr oom)Heywena!Shut
upandwashbef oreIcomeandshoveyourheadi n
thatsi
nk.Iwi
llwaterboardyourbigheadifyou
openthatmouthagai n.Nxla.Yaonest
andupand
sweep.

Yaone:ButIdon'
tknow.

Mayt hr
owsherwedgeheel
aanditl
andsonhi
s
nose.Yaonest
art
sscreami
nginpai
nasblood
oozesoutofhi
snose.
Tyl
er:
(wi
thagr
oggyvoi
ce)Canyoual
ljustshutup!
Damn!

Hestandsupandwalkstohisbedr
oom.Themut i
al
wayshadhim weakaft
ertaki
ngitsoli
ke
cl
ockwork,
hefel
lasl
eepassoonashi sheadhi
tthe
pi
ll
ow.

Yamasaf al
lsf
rom thechairandrunstotheli
ving
room whenherbrotherst
artscryi
ng.Thesightof
bloodcomingfrom hi
snosesendsherhear traci
ng.
Shepullshi
m andusesherdr esstowipetheblood
off.

MaystandsupandslapsYamasaacr
osst
hef
ace.
Shescreansandhol
dshercheek.

May:Whotoldyoutocomehere?Whocal l
edyou
huh?Gobacktothekit
chenbefor
eIputthi
sthi
ng
youcal
lyoursi
steri
nthatwat
er.Shewil
ldrowni
n
t
her
eoboobaka.

Yamasa:(
boldl
y)Godisgoi
ngtohelpus.(
sni
ff
s)He
i
sgoingtotakeusawayfr
om you.

May:(cackl
es)ar
eGod!(l
aughs)that
'ssocut
e.
Howaboutweseei fGodwil
lhel
pyourdrowni
ng
si
ster
.

Maygr absbabyAmantle'
slegandcarr
iesherup
si
dedownwi t
hherupperbodydangl
ingintheai
r.
ShetakesastepandYamasar unstothekit
chen
andclosesthedoort
henlocksit
.

Yamasa:Pl
easeputherdown.Iwi
llwash.Iwil
l
wash.Pl
easeleaveher
.KeagokopaAunt y.

May:(
bangingt
hedoor)soyoudon'tt
rustyourGod
huh?Don'
tyoutr
usthi
m?Nxl a.I
fyoucomeoutof
t
her
ebef
oref
ini
shi
ngyouwi
llseeme.

Yamasakneelsdownandcr
iesi
nsi
lencehopi
ng
andpr
ayi
ngf orhel
p.

Maytur
nstoYaonewhohasn'
tst
oppedcr
yingas
bl
oodkeepsf
lowi
ngfr
om hi
snose.

May:Heywena!Wipethatcrapbogyour
sbefor
e
youst
ainycar
petnxl
a.Isaidyoushouldsweep
bef
oreIsweepyououtofthisworldnxl
a.

Yaonest
andsuptogoandgett
hebr
oom l
eavi
ng
Maychangi
ngthechannel
.

Mor
ena

Soci
almedi
acancompl
etel
ydi
ver
tyourat
tent
ion.
Kgosiwentt odealwi ththeBogolosituationleaving
BogosiandIi nt heli
vi ngroom.Bogosii sn'tgood
companyr ightnowbecausehi smi ndisonTl otlo.
It'
sbeenal mostf ouryear snowbuthest il
lhasn't
acceptedt hathel osther .Butthenwhoam It ot alk
becauseonepostf rom Nadi aofheront hetrai
n
sentmegoi ngt hroughherpr ofil
e.Whycan' tIforget
thiswoman.Shewi l
lbet wentyfiveinsixmont hs.I
wasgoi ngt ot hrowherabi gpartyforhert wenty
fi
fth.That'showf arIhadpl annedoutourl i
ves
together.IthinkIst i
llmissher.Butwhy?Leai sso
goodt ome.Sher espect smeandl ovesme.Why
can'tIcutof fthishol dNadiahasoverme?Di dI
giveupt oosoon?

Idon'
tknowhowIwentf
rom st
alki
nghert
otext
ing
heronmessenger
.

Me:[Oabooyakaemosasankegi
kewena?O
nt
imil
egr
aduat
ionpar
tyhel
ajal
oNadi
a?]
OKnowIam ner vous.I sshegoingtorespondt o
me?Il ovet
hatshelooksl i
keshedi dt
hef i
rstday
wemet .Wi
thhernaturalhairoutandt
iedintoapuff
.
Idon'tknowwhyshest ar
tedwear i
ngWigswhen
shelookssoperfectli
kethis.

Textbubbl
esstar
tshowingandmyhear
tst
art
s
raci
ng.Sheisr
eplyi
ng.
Thet
extcomest
hroughaf
teraf
ewseconds.

MissNadia[ Justgoingbackinti
metof
indmy
heal
ing.Whowouldhavet hrownapar
tyf
orme
whenyouaren'
tther
etota? ]

Icanf
eelmysel
fsmil
ing.YesIam ani
diot
.She
makesmeanidiot
.

Me:[
Owai
.Aker
eyouchasedmeaway.Youwould
beonacr
uiset
oMozambiquer
ightnowcel
ebr
ati
ng
yourgr
aduat
ion.Obol
ail
wekegophapha]

MissNadi a:[ Morenatlher

rahakerat
e.Ahthe
ci
tyshowedmedustr ra.Kebukati
lweket
hebri
ght
l
ights.Iguessitwasn'
tmeanttobe.Lookwhere
youar enow.Congratsonthebabybytheway.Igot
sojealous.]

Idon'tknowwhyIam uncomf ort

ablewi t
hher
ment i
oningmyson.IthinkIdi
dn'twanthert oknow
Iam withLea.Butwhy?Oursepar at
ionisallher
fault
.SheandIwoul dhaveMorenat hethir
dr i
ght
nowi fshe'
dhadn'tmessedup.Icoul dn'
tevengive
thatnamet omysonbecauseIf eltl
ikethename
belongstoNadia'
sson.Shewasmyqueen.

Me:[
Thanks.Imi
ssyout
hough]

Fiveminut
espassandshedoesn'
trespond.Ist
art
scrol
li
ngaroundandr
ushbacktomessengeras
soonast
hechatheadpopsup.

Nadia:[ifyouhadt ol
dmeyoumi ssedmeyest erday
Iwouldpr obablyhavebeenonmywayt oyour i
ght
nowbecauset hetruthisImi ssyoutoobutIcan' t
betell
ingyousucht hi
ngsr i
ghtnowbecauseIam
tr
yingtohealf r
om somet hi
ng.Talki
ngabout
missingyouwi llonlyleadbackt owherewebr oke
upagai n.Ineedtoheal .Iam stayi
ngawayf r
om
menunt i
lIcanlookatamanandnotseehi m asa
sourceofmyheal i
ng.]

Me:[
Iwi
llwai
tforyou.
]

Whydi
dIsayt
hat
?

Nadi
a:[
Rai
seyoursonMor
ena.Ilostyouandthat
i
ssomethi
ngIwil
lal
waysr
egret
.Byemyki ng]
Iam notr
epl
yingt
othi
s.I
tfeel
stoof
inalf
orme.

Idon'
tknowwhereKgosicamef
rom orhowl
onghe
hadbeenstandi
ngnextt
ome.

Kgosi
:Real
lyMor
ena?Real
ly?Thi
sNadi
aagai
n?

Bogosi:
Whatdi
dhedo?

Me:NotnowKgosi
.

Kgosi:NotnowwaengMor ena?Youhaveason
wit
hLeaandwenaobusyt al
kingtoboNadia?Lea
l
ovesyouman.Whenar eyougoi ngtogr
owup?
Don'tyourememberwaki
ngupi nthehospi
talbed
becauseofthatgi
rl
?Whatdoyouwantf rom her
?

Me:(
frowni
ng)Iam i
nlovewi
thherKgosi
.Il
ove
LeabutIam inl
ovewi
thNadia.Whycan'
tyou
under
standthat
?Doyouthi
nkIenjoyt
his?Iwi
shI
coul
dhat eher.

Bogosi:Morenadoyouwantt oendupl i
keme?
Lookatme?For tytwoandassingl
easat went
y
fouryearol
d.Ilostt
hebestthi
ngthatever
happenedtomeandshei snowpr egnantwith
anotherman'schil
d.Doyouwanttobel i
keme?
Don'tl
oseagoodwomanf orsomethingtemporar
y.

Me:( standinguptol eave)Youguysj ustdon'tgeti

t.
You' l
lnevergetit
.Iam wi thawomanIdon' tlove
wat chingthewomanIl ovefrom adistance.This
i
sn' tayouandTl otlosituat
ionBogosi.Nadiai smy
Tlotlotoyou.Ifeelli
keIam cheat i
ngonherwhenI
am wi thLea.Icouldn'tevenlethernameourson
afterme.Nadi akeeneMmakgosi .Whatam I
expect edtodo?Huh?

Iwal
koutt
othebackyar
d.Thi
ngswoul
dbeeasi
eri
f
Il
ovedLeal
ikeIl
oveNadi
a.

Tl
otl
o

Therei snothi
ngasst ressfulasast ubbornteenage
daught er
.Iam emot ionallyexhaustedf r
om tryingto
pryanameoutofBogol o.Wef ail
edr egardl
essof
howmanyt hr
eatsshegot .Ihavet ogethomet omy
man.Bogosit r
iedtalkingtomeasIwasl eavingbut
Ididn'tgivehi
mt hechancet o.Bogosineedst oget
i
tinhi sthickskullt
hatheandIar edone.Ikeep
goingbackt othemomentBogol otoldherfather
sheisgoi ngtobeasi nglemot her.EsesBogol ooa
tal
lamaan.Imeansi nglewhat ?Mxm!Shei sbr oke
andt hatmeanst hatchi ldwil
lbeherpar ent'
schi l
d
soIdon' tknowwhatsi nglemot hershesaysshe
wil
lbe.Mypal msar eevensweat ingasIhol dthe
dri
vingwheel .
Me:Tlamelotlhemmakekagogatamol al
aifyou
tr
ytherubbishyagaBogolo.(
Iwi
llbeatyouupif
youtr
yBogol o'sr
ubbi
sh)

Tlamel o:(l
ooksupf rom herphone)Ahmama.NnaI
thinkImi ghtbeavi r ginagai n.NnaIl eftthatsex
stuffaf terIlostmyvi rgi
nity.Tot annaIwassayi ng
somet hingstomakei tseem l ikeIenj oyedl osing
myvi rginit
ybutIdi dn' t
.Ididn' tevenpl ani t.He
convi ncedmet ogot ohishousef oraf ewmi nutes
togett hekeysf rom hi ssister .Thenhet oldmewe
shoul dgoandhangi nhisr oom.Iwasj ustbl indly
foll
owi ngkel ecluelessofhi si ntenti
ons.Hest arted
kissingmeandundr essingme.Ikeptsayi ngno.I
don'tknowi fImaybewasn' tbei ngst ernenough
becausehedi dn'tstop.It hinkIl i
kedhi mt oomuch
topushhi m offofmebutIdi dn'tli
kei tandIwas
cryingt hewhol eti
me.Hewassoni ceaf tert hatand
playingmusi candf eedi ngmet hatIdidn'tr eall
y
thinkmuchofi tuntilIgothome.If el
tsodi rtythatI
tookabat handkeptscr ubbinghar dtryingt of eel
clean.Ikeptaski ngmysel fwhyIl eti
thappen.But
myf if
teenyearol dmindt oldmehel ovedmeandi t
wasok.ComeMondayt heguyghost edme.He
didn'tcomebymycl assl i
kehenor mal l
ydidbutI
toldmyf ri
endshowr omant icitwaswhenIl ostmy
virginit
y.Al ltheyknowi st hatIhadt hetimeofmy
l
ifebutIdi dn' t.Ionlyr eali
zedl astyearthatitwas
rape.Ij ustt oldmysel fitwasn' tbecauseIbel i
eved
hel ovedme.Il iedtoever yonebecauseIdi dn'
twant
tobecomear apevictim.Ial sowant edtohavea
storyt otellwhenmyf ri
endst oldtheirs.

Me:Tl
amel
o….

Ican'
tbel
ievewhatIam hear
ingr
ightnow.Howdi
d
thi
shappentomybaby?

Me:(si
gh)Ihadnoi deayouwentt hr
ought hat
.Ij
ust
sawredwhenIf oundoutyouwer en'
tavirginandI
hadnoideahowyoul osti
t.Li
steningtoyourstory
makesmer eal
izethatinonewayoranot her,most
girlsthatlosetheirvirgini
tyi nt hei
rearlyt omi d
teensusual lygot hroughdat erape.It'
srar etofinda
girlwhoi sreadyf orsexatt hatage.Wej ustignore
theachi ngf eel
ingofbei ngr obbedandwi peitfrom
yourmi ndbutit'sther eal
ity.Thef actthatyousai d
noshoul dhavest oppedhi m.Wor seEbi l
eyourt ear
s
didn'tstophi m.Hepl annedt ohavesexwi thyou
andnot hi
ngyousai dwasgoi ngt ostophi mi fo
bonaapal etswekegout lwanowagago.Iwi shI
wast her eforyout hatt i
me.Ebi lebeforebecause
hadIbeenopent oyouatt hatt ime,Iwoul dhave
war nedyouaboutboysandt eenagehor ni ness.
Maybeyoucoul dhaveavoi dedt hat.Iam sor ry.

Tlamelo:Thankyouf orthatmama.I t'

spartofli
fe.
Ret l
areng.ButIhavet oldmyselfthatIam now
goingtowai tunti
ltheguyiswor t
hget t
ingmycake.
Theleastofal li
sheshoul dbewor ki
ngsot hati
fat
alli
thappenst hatIfal
lpregnantthenitshouldbe
mypr oblem notyours.Notwhenyourl ifei
sabout
tochangeliket hi
s.
Me:(
frowni
ng)Whatdoyoumeanmyl
if
eisabout
t
ochange?

Shel
ooksatmeandsmi
les.

Tl
amel
o:Not
hing.Iam j
ustsayi
ng.

That
'sver
ysuspi
ciousbehavi
or.

[
08/
31,
17:
43] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t46

Nar
rat
ed

Tl
otl
odr
ovei
ntoherhousewhi
leTl
amel
otr
iedt
o
cont
ainherexci
tementasshet
ext
edbackandf
ort
h.

Tlamel
o:MamaLeanoj ustt
ext
edsayi
ngweshoul
d
usethebackdoorbecausehej
ustmopped.

Tl
otl
o:Uhuwhywoul
dhebemoppi ngstt
hist
ime?
Di
dthesemennotdoanyt
hingt
oday?

Tl
amelo:Youknowhowt heyar
eAker
e.Maybet
hey
werepl
ayingFI
FAallday.

Tl
otl
oget
soutoft
hecarandst
opst
othi
nk.

Tlotl
o:Thisdayj
ustgotawayfr
om me.Iwas
planningonaski
ngTyleri
fboYayacanvi
situs
today.Idon'
tknowhowIf or
got
.

Tl
amel
o:Andi
thasbeenawhi
lesi
ncewesawt
hem.
Ihavet r
iedcall
ingYayaont
hephoneAuntygot
them forplayi
nggamesbutthenumberdoesn'
tgo
through.

Tl
otl
o:Shepr
obabl
yfor
gott
ochar
gei
t.

Tl
amel
o:mmmh…I
t'
sbeenamont
h.

Tlotl
of r
ownsastheyapproachthebackyard.Her
j
awdr opswhensheseesthehugebannerr unni
ng
acrossonewalltoanot
herwi t
htheti
tl
e" LOVE
LETTERTOMYLOVE"pr i
ntedinredl
ettersonit
.
Shegoesont oreadthelet
ter.

LOVELETTERTOMYLOVE

Tl
otl
otlhemmaIloveyou.Doyouknowt hat?You
aret
hesweetestandmostkindpersonIknow.You
don'
thaveunreal
ist
icexpect
ati
onsofour
relat
ionshi pbutyoual sodeser vet heunreali
stic.I
didn'tknowhowel setot ellyouhowIf eelthank
havinganunr eali
st i
clylargebannerpr i
ntedoutwi th
mydecl arationofl ovet oyou.Youhaveaccept ed
mydaught erasyourownandi gnor eal
lother
negat i
vet hingst hatcomewi thit.Iknowyoul ove
mebecauseyoul oveherandi tmakesi teasyf or
met ol oveyourchi l
drenasmyown.Iwantust o
maket hisof fi
cialbaby.Iwantyourchi l
drenandmy
childtobecomeourchi l
dren.Youar ethechangeI
neededi nmyl i
fe.Youar et heanswert omy
mot her'spr ayersf orme.Youar etheloveofmyl i
fe.
Nowcomeher eandl ookbehi ndt hebanner .

Tlotl
o'skneesshakeastearsstream downhereyes.
ShelooksatTlameloafterreadi
ngthebannerwi t
ha
wobbl i
ngmouth.Tlamelo'
st ear
salsofallasshe
recordshermother'
sreacti
on.

Tl
otl
o:(
cryi
ng)Whati
sgoi
ngon?
Tl
amel
o:I
t'
sti
mel
ookbehi
ndt
hebannermama.

Tl
otl
o:(
hol
dsherknees)Iam soscar
ed.

Tlameloholdsherhandandwal kswit
hherwhil
e
holdi
ngthephoneup.Shel eavesherhandwhen
theygettothebannerandmovesi tsl
ight
lysot
hey
canmaket heirwayint
otherestofthebackyar
d.

Tlotl
oscreamsandhol dsherchestwhenshesees
LoagoandLeanohol di
nganothersmall
erbanner
withthewordsWI LLYOUBEMRSTHOMPSON?
Shehol dsherkneesagaininshock.Thewhole
thingissounexpectedbecauseshehadnever
suspectedanythi
ng.

Tehi
ll
ah:Aunt
ylook.

Tehi
ll
ah'
svoi
cepopsupbehi
ndherandshet
urns
ar
oundt
ofindherst
andi
ngnextt
oherf
atherwhoi
s
onhi
skneewit
har i
ng.

Tl
otl
o:Aobat
hongAvi
!

Shecover shereyesandcr iesout .Thisf orherwas

amomentshet houghtwoul dnevercomef orher.
Afterallt
hoseyear sofBogol otreati
ngherl i
kea
nagginggirlf
riendf orfeeli
ngl ikeshedeser vestobe
hiswife,al
ltheyear sofhim sayi nghei sst il
lsavi
ng
tomar ryher,shegaveuponi t.Event hef actt hat
Avinevertalkedaboutmar ri
agemadehert hink
maybemar ri
agei sn'tforher .Buther ehewas.On
bendedkneel ookingner vous.Shel ookedar ound
andi t
'
sonl ythent hatsheseest hescatter ed
cushionsandt hedinnerf orsixni celyplacedont he
palett
e.

Avi
:(ner
vousl
y)Sowhatdoyousay?Wi
llyoube
MrsAviKemoneil
weThompson?
Tlotl
oopenshermout ht orespondbuteveryt
hing
start
sspinni
ngandi tallgoesdarkbefor
eherbody
start
ssinki
ngt ot
hegr ound.Aviseesherfall
ingand
catchesherbefor
eherheadhi t
stheground.The
ki
dsst ar
tscreamingandTl amelostopsrecordi
ng.

Tl
amel
o:Mama!Mama!

Avi:Cal
m…calm downguys.Letmet
akehert
othe
hospit
al.St
ayher
e.

Helif
tsherandwalksoutfr
om behindthebanner
.
Tlamelopi
cksupthecarkeyshermot herdr
opped
andrunsbehindAviwi
ththdotherchil
dreni
ttow.

Tl
amel
o:Wear
ecomi
ngwi
thyou.

Avi
:NoTl
amel
o.
Tl
amelo:Sor
rypapsbuti
t'
snothappeni
ng.Iam t
oo
worr
iedtost
ayhere.

Theyal lcl
imbintothesevenseaterandTl amelo
suppor t
shermot her'
sheadonherl ap.Aviruns
backt olockt
hedoor sthendrivesout.Thecarison
totalsi
lencewitheveryonedeepintheirthought
s
processingwhatjusthappened.

Assoonast heygettot
heemergencyar
ea,
Avi
carr
iestheunconsci
ousTlot
loi
ntot
heemergency
room andspotsafamil
iarf
ace.

Avi
:Dor
eenIneedabed!Tl
amel
oyouguysshoul
d
wai
ther
e.

Thenur
serunsoffandcomesbackwi
thast
ret
cher
bedanddr
ivesi
tint
oacubicl
e
Avi
:whoi
sondut
y?

Nur
se:DrAchi
e.Letmecal
lhi
m.

Thenurserunsofft
ogett
hedoctor.Tl
otl
obegi
ns
tost
irandslowl
yopenshereyes.

Tl
otl
o:(
clear
shert
hroat
)Whathappened?Wher
e
am I
?

TheDoct
orcomesi
n.

Avi
:Youf
aint
edbabe.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?

Dr
:MrAvi
.Whatbr
ingsyouher
e?
Avi
:Docshef
aint
ed.

Tl
otl
orecal
lswhathappenedear
li
erandl
ooksat
Avi
.

Tl
otl
o:ohmyGod.

Dr:(
star
tswr
it
ing)OK.Haveyouski
ppedanymeal
s
t
oday?

Tl
otl
o:No.

Dr
:Haveyoubeenexper
ienci
nganydi
zzi
ness?

Tl
otl
o:No

Avi:Docshewasfineunti
l.I
t'
smyf ault
.(handt
o
face)Isur
pri
sedherwit
hapr oposal.
TheDoct
orl
ooksathi
m andl
aughsoutl
oud.

Dr
:ohOK.Di
dshesayyes?

Avil
ooksatTl
otl
owhobl
ushes.

Tl
otl
o:Wher
eismyr
ingAvi
?

Avil
aughsandsl
idest
her
ingonherf
inger
.

Dr:OKI'l
laskt henursetocoll
ectyourbl
oodjustso
wearesur eyouarefine.I
fnot
hingcomesupt hen
wewilldischargeyousoyoucangoandcel ebrat
e.
Congrat
ul ati
onsguys.

Avi
:ThanksDoc.
TheDoctorleavesthenAvistandsuptoki
ssTlot
lo.
Thei
rkissisint
erruptedbythenursewhocomesin
tocol
lectherbloodthenleaves.

Avi
:Hei
shyouscar
edmekanaTl
otl
odoyouknow
t
hat?

Tl
otl
o:(
laughs)That
'swhatyougetf
oral
mostgivig
meheartatt
ack!Howdidyouevenplant
hiswi
thout
meknowing?

Avil
aughsandbegi nstotellheral
lhewentt hrough
pl
anningthesurpri
se.Het hencall
sTlamelot olet
herandthekidsknowt hei
rmot herwasfine.Almost
anhourlater
,thedoctorcomesbackwi thasmi l
e
onhisface.

Avi:Thatsmil
etel
lsmeever
ythi
ngi
sfi
neandI
shouldnevert
ryactl
ikeawhit
emanmokokongya
set
swana.
Tl
otl
opuncheshi
m andl
aughs.

Dr:WellIcansafelysaythatMrsThompsont obei
s
absol
utelyheal
thyandi fIwereyou,I'
drunt
othe
al
terbeforeIam toobigformydr ess.

Tl
otl
oandAvil
ookathi
minconf
usi
on.

Dr:Congr
atulat
ionsyout
wo.Youar
egoi
ngt
ome
parent
sagain.

Avif
eel
sacoldfeel
ingrunni
ngacrosshi
sjoi
nts
whil
eTl
otl
otr
iestoprocesswhatwassaid.

Tl
otl
o:Ar
eyousayi
ngIam pr
egnant
?

Dr
:Yesyouar
e.Wecangetascanar
rangedt
osee
howf
aral
ongyouar
e.

Tlot
lo:Idon'
tunder
stand.It
ookaf
ew ear
li
ert
oday
anditcamebacknegat i
ve.

Avil
ooksatherwi
deeyed.

Dr:Thenitwasaf alsenegati
ve.I
tcoul
dbet hat
youraresti
llear
lyinyourpregnancyandthesti
ck
couldn'
tdet
ectthehor mones.Butyouarepregnant
mma.Whenwasyourl astperi
od?

Tlotl
o:Ihadaspott
yperi
odsoIwasn'
tsure.Hei
s
theonewhoknowswhenhegotmepr egnant
withoutmyconsent.Howfaral
ongam IAvi
?

Shef
oldsherar
msandput
saser
iousf
aceon.
Avi:(t
ongueti
ed)I
…Eishbabe.DocIwantedababy
tot
anna.Shewasact i
ngbrandnewhelat
henI
pokedholesinal
lthecondomsfortwoweeks.I
don'tknowwhenithappenedbuti
twasalmosttwo
mont hsago.Ahbabesorr
ymma.

TheDoctorlaughsatthel
ookonhisface.Hehad
hear
dmanyst or
iesi
nhisprof
essi
onalli
febutt
his
onetookthecake.

Tl
otlo:Iknewit
!Iknewyoudi
dsomethi
ngAvi
.Tot
a
ontsejang?(what'
swrongwi
thyou)

Avilooksathisfeetprepari
ngf ort
hetongue
l
ashing.Hedi dn'
tthi
nkt hi
swoul dbehowt hi
sday
endsatall.Hewashopi ngt heywouldbeplanni
ng
thei
rweddi ngbythetimesher eali
zedshewas
pregnant.

Tl
otl
o:Aviwee.
Avi
:mma.

Tl
otl
opul
lshi
sfaceandgi
veshi
m aki
ss.

Tl
otl
o:Il
oveyousomuch.Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.

Avi
;Soyouar
en'
tangr
ywi
thme?

Tlotl
o:Iwouldhavebeenangr yifIfoundoutbefore
todaybutthenegativeresultIgotearli
ermademe
feelsorobbedofachancet ohaveababywi thyou
andIam sogr atef
ulthatIam act ual
lypregnant.
Youar egoingtopayf orwhatyoudi dbutIam
happyyoudi dit
.Doc, Iam gett
ingmyt ubesti
edthe
dayIgivebirt
h.Wr i
teitdown.

Dr
:(l
aughs)Youwi
llar
ranget
hatwi
thyourOBGYN.
Hethsnsayshi
sgoodbyesandl
eavest
hecoupl
e
ki
ssi
ngoncemor e.

Pl
easedon'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commentandshar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
43] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t47

Di
kel
edi

Ifeell
ikeIj
ustwokeupf rom averydeepsleep.The
dressi
ngdownBol enggavemewasexact l
ywhatI
neededsoIcouldwakeupandl ookaroundmet o
seethatIwascompl et
elylostandconsumedby
angertowardsnotonlyNtatebuttomyselfaswell.
AsyoungasIwasatt hetime,Isomet i
mesf i
nd
myselfcreatingscenar i
osofhowIcoul dhave
stoppedtheabuse.Asr idi
culousasi tsounds
becauseIwasj ustachi l
d,Isti
llbl
amemysel ffor
atl
eastnotr eport
inghim.Wel lnowf orthef i
rstti
me
i
nmyl i
fe,Icanact uall
ysayIam t akingcont r
olof
myl i
fe.Ican'tbeli
evewhataf oolIhavebeenal l
theseyears.Iactuallyall
owedAr i
etoconvi nceme
tosleepwi t
hmenf ormoney.It houghtt hatIwas
taki
ngcont rolofhowmybodyi susedbutIwasn' t.I
soldmysel fforagirlwhohasn' tbotheredtot al
kto
mesi nceIqui tt
heJoj odolls.

Ithenunintenti
onall
yhadanaf fairwi t
hamar ried
manandendeduphur ti
nghiswi fe.Myhear tached
whenIsawTl otl
o'sfarewellmessaget ohersister
onFacebookaf ewmont hsago.Isomet imesask
myselfifIcontri
butedt oherdepr ession.Thent here
i
st heMor enaofitall
.Ihur tt
hatmanandIr egretit
somuch.Idon' tknowi fhehasf orgivenmeseei ng
ashet ol
dmehemi ssesmebutgoi ngbackt ohi m
ri
ghtnowwi l
lbeapoi ntlessexercisebecauseunt i
lI
dealwit
hthi
spainthenIam onl ygoi
ngtoleadus
backtowherewewer e.IwishIcouldhavetol
dhi
m
towaitf
ormetofixmysel fbutIcan'
tdothat
becausehehasa,sont oconsider
.

Bolengispanicstr
ickenbymydecisi
ontogoand
seeNtate.Shekeptcalli
ngmeallni
ghtanddven
wentont otel
lhermum whoi nt
urnaskedmewhyI
didn'
taskhertocomewi t
hmeforsupport
.The
tr
uthis,If
eelIneedt odothi
sonmyown.Ineedt o
provetomyselfthatIcandobett
er.

MrMil
ton:(
holdi
nghi
swai
st)wel
lI'
l
lbe!I
sthi
sMi
ss
Di
kel
ediSupang?

Ist
andupgiggl
ingt
oshakehi
shandbuthehugs
meinst
ead.

Me:I
nthef
lesh.Howar
eyousi
r?
MrMil
ton:
happynowthatIhaveseenyouaf
teral
l
t
heseyear
s.Lookhowgrownyouar e.

Hehasgrownt oo.Icanseeafewgr ayhai

rst
her
e
butIwon'
tsay.Thelastti
meIsawt hismanhewas
teari
ngNt
ateapartonthestand.Thi
shastobethe
fir
stti
meIam seeinghissmil
e.

Me:Your
eal
lydi
dn'
thavet
ocomeal
lthewayt
o
t
akemether
e.

MrMil
ton:Ohplease.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
oletyougo
t
her
eallalone.

Ohthi
smustbehi
swife.Thi
swomanl
ooks
gor
geous.Li
kear
eall
awyerswi
fe.

MrMi l
ton:OhDikel
edithisi
smybeaut
if
ulwi
fe
El
aine.Babethi
sisDikeledi
.
Shesmi
lesandgivesmeawar m hug.Theset
wo
ar
ehuggersIsee.Shesmel
lsexpensi
veandsweet
.

MrsMilt
on:Ohdarli
ngit
'ssogoodt
ofi
nal
lymeet
youaf
teral
ltheseyear
s.

Igi
vehersmi
leandshet
akesmyhandl
eadi
ngme
tot
hecar.

MrMi l
ton:Yeswehavetohurr
yovert here.The
wardengaveust hi
rt
yminut
esst ar
ti
ngat7am so
wewi l
lcatchuponthewaythere.Iwantt ohear
ever
ythingabouthowyouhavebeendoi ng.

YeahnoIam nottel
li
nghim whatIhavebeenupt
o.
Thepoorguymightgetaheartat
tack.Wecli
mb
i
ntothecarandhedrivesof
f.
Mr sMil
ton:SoDi kel
edi
,howhaveyoubeendoing?I
wasver ydi
sappoi nt
edwhenMilt
ontol
dmeyou
decli
nedthestatescounsel
ingr
ecommendati
on.
Whydi dyourefusenemma?Youdon' tj
ustgetover
thatki
ndofthing.

OKthisiskindofawkwardbutshehassomething
aboutherthatmakesyoufeelcomf
ort
ableenough
tospi
llyoursel
foutt
oher.

Me:(sigh)ahIf el
tli
keIwasn' treadyt oforgivehi
m.
Ifel
tli
ket herapywouldmeanmel etti
nggoofal l
theangerIhavet owar dshim butthat'ssomet hi
ngI
wasn'treadyt odo.It
'sadecisionIr egretupt onow
butbackt henallIcouldseewasr edandal lI
wantedt odowast ohat ehi
m.Buti fIcoul dgoback,
Iwoulddef ini
tel
ytaket hecounselingof f
erbecause
mydeci sionjustmademel ookf orotherwayst o
cope.

MrMi
lt
on:Whathappened?
Me:Idon'treplaywantt ogeti nt
ot hedetai
lsbut
yest
erdayIcamet oar eali
zationthatIneedto
confr
ontmyf ear.Heist hethi
ngofmyni ghtmar
es
andmaybeseei nghim chainedupwi l
lgi
veme
someclosur e.Ihonestlydon'tknowwhyIam goi ng
toseehim butIf eel
li
kei t'
ssomet hingIneedtodo.

Mr sMil
ton:Wel lIapplaudyouforyourbr
averymy
darli
ngbecauset hest epyouaretaki
ngisoneI
alwaysencour agemypat ientswhohavesuffer
ed
anykindofabuset otake.Evenifi
tmeanslooking
i
ntoapi ctureandt el
li
ngthepersonyouforgi
ve
them.Itreleasesyou.

Me:Yourpat
ient
s?

MrMi l
ton:Sheisn'
tjusthot
,shei
sal
soa
psychologi
st.
Mr
sMi
lt
on:(
smi
les)st
opi
t.

Wecont i
nuethedri
vewhil
eli
steni
ngt
oMrsMilt
on
tell
ingmetheimport
anceoft
herapyt
oanabuse
victi
m….

Myhear tj
umpedt omyt hroattheminuteIregi
ster
mynameont hevi
sit
or'
slog.Ikeeppictur
ingNtate
draggi
ngmei nt
othebedroom andt ear
ingmy
cl
othesoff.WhydidIevencomeher e?WhatwasI
tr
yingtoachieve?Iam notreadyforthi
s.

MrMi
lt
on:Di
kel
ediar
eyouOK?

MrsMil
ton:Wecancomeandseehi
m wi
thyoui
f
youwant.

Ishakemyheadandswal
lowt
ocoatmydr
ythr
oat
.
Me:NoIneedt
odot
hisbymysel
f.Iwi
llbef
ine.

Amaninasuitwholookst
obearoundMrMilt
on's
ageappr
oachesusandshakesever
yone'
shands.

MrMil
ton:War
dent
hankyousomuchf
orar
rangi
ng
t
hisf
orus.

Warden:Ohdon' tmenti
onitandtobehonestItook
i
tasanoppor t
unityt
omeetMrSupang' sfami
ly
membert oaddr esssomet
hing.Hissonhasn'
t
vi
sit
edhimi neightmonthssot hi
svisi
twasformy
ownbenefittoo.

Myhear tski
psatt hement ionofmyf ather.Thel
ast
ti
meIsawhi m wasthatdayi ncourt.Ihavenever
botheredtocontacthim sincemovingt oGaborone.
Ididhoweverbumpi nt
ohi ssonJosepht wo
mont hsagoandIi mmedi atel
yregrett
edt ryi
ngto
greethim.Thethingisasf oulasit
'smot her.He
wasn'
tinterest
edintal
kingtomeatallsoIwal
ked
away.Ican'tbeli
eveDavidchecksonhi
smonster
ofafatherandhasneverbot her
edwit
hme.Inwhat
worl
ddoest hi
smakesense?

Thewar denleadsusi nt
otheoffi
ceaft
erIinsist
ed
ontheMi l
ton'scominginwi t
hme.Idon'tknowt hi
s
manandIam i naprison.Iam nott
aki
ngr i
sks.
Richar
dcoul dbewai t
ingformei nt
heoffi
ceforallI
know.Weal ltakeseatsacrosshim.

Warden:OKthankyouf oragreei
ngt
otalkt
ome.
Thisi
ssuchasensitivetopi
cbutatthi
spoi
ntIdon'
t
haveachoicebecausethingshavegot
tenrat
her
outofhand.

Cansomeonetel
lhimtogettot
hepointpl
ease
becausemyar
mpi t
sar
ealreadysweati
ngwit
h
anxi
etyatt
het
houghtofgoingtoseeNtat
e.
War den:WellMrRi char dSupanghadt he
unfortunateexper i
enceofget tingrapeduponhi s
fi
rstnighther ebutneverr eportedit.Afewmont hs
l
aterhef elli
llandwast ested.Hewasf oundt obe
HIVposi ti
veandst artedt otakemedi cati
ont henhe
gotbet t
er.Buthest oppedt akinghismedi cation
fi
vemont hsagoandhi sheal t
hhaddr asti
call
y
deteri
orated.Wehavet riedtospeakt ohi m andat
thi
spoi nt,If
eellikeheneedst oheari tfr
om people
whocar eabouthi m.Pl easet alktohimt ogetback
i
nhi smedi cation.

Ichuckl
euni
ntent
ional
ly.

Me:Iam sor
rywhat
?Si
r,ar
eyouaChr
ist
ian?

War
den:(
smi
les)WhyyesIam.

Me:Wellgoodf
oryoubecauseIam not
.Maybei
fI
wasIcouldmustert
hecour
age,pul
lmywil
ls
togetherandgat heral lthelovei ntheBi bletobeg
myser i
alrapisttodr inkmedi cati
onsohecanl ive
l
onger .Thatmanj umpedmeever ydayandni ght
thathecoul dwhi chwasver yoften.Iabor tedfive
ti
mes!Fi veofhi schi ldrenwer eplantedi nmywomb.
HegavemeSTI sandbeatupt heonl ymot herIhave
everhad, hisownwi feisdeadbecauseofhi m and
hereyouar etell
ingmehowIshoul dt ellmy
monst ertolivelong?Idon' tknowwhyIcameher e
butIsur eashel ldi dn'tcomeher etot ellhimthatI
wanthi mt olive.Ifar api stgotrapedt henIst ay
l
ookatGod!Idkntknowi ft
hat'shisst ylebutIwill
sti
lltakeitandj umpar oundshout ing' won'tHedoi t?
Won' tGoddoi t?
Idon' tknowhowcr uelyouhavet o
bet oaskmet obegmyr apist
.Ican't.

Thereissi
lenceintheroom asIsi
nkbackint
omy
seat.Myheartisraci
ngandIam breat
hingheavi
ly
thr
oughmynost r
il
s.

War
den:(
exhal
es)Iam sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tknowyouwer
e
t
heonehe…Iam sor
rymychil
d.Thatwasvery
i
nsensi
ti
veofme.Pl
easel
etmecallt
hegaurdto
t
akeyoutohim.

Hedi
alsont
hel
andl
ine.

War
den:
Wil
lyoual
lbegoi
ngi
n?

MrMi
lt
on:Nowecanwai
tforherher
eifyoudknt
mi
nd.

Warden:Notatal
lwecanevengoovert hepl
ansf
or
themen'sconf
erence.(
int
othphone)Yescomeand
show….

Mr
sMi
lt
onhol
dsmyhandandl
ooksi
ntomyeyes.

Mr
sMi
lt
on:Ar
eyousur
eyoudon'
twantmet
ocome
wi
thyou?

Me:(
cal
mer
)noIneedt
odot
hisonmyown.

Thegaur dcomesi nandIwalkoutl eavi

ngt hem
there.Myl egsfeelasheavyasst eelaswewal k
acrossovert otheclini
cwing.Idon'tknowhow
readyIam t oseet hi
sman.Wer eachadoorandt he
gaur dopensit.Wear egreet
edbyat err
ibl
eodour.
GoodGodwhati sthat?Anursegoespastuswi tha
plasticbag.Isthatpoopinthere?OhmyGod!

Gaurd:Heishandcuff
edtothebedsodon'
twor
ry.I
wil
lbeoutsi
debyt hedoori
fyouneedmeOK?

Me:OKt
hankyou.

Hewalksoutl
eavi
ngmeinther oom quest
ioni
ng
mydecisi
onmakingpr
ocess.Iseemovementon
thebedandmyhear ti
mmedi atel
ystart
sracing
again.Hesl owl
yturnshisheadt owardsmeanda
dif
ferenttypeoffearcreepsin.Icanseehisskull
andIam st il
lst
andingbyt hedoor.Icanbarelysee
hisform underthesheets.

Ididn'
tevenseemysel fwalki
ngtowardsthebed
butIam here.Lookingint
ohissunkeneyeswithmy
hearti
nmyt hroat.Hisski
nlookspastyandhisli
ps
aresopinkthatIthinkj
ustoneli
ttl
etouchwould
causethem tobleed.

Ntat
e:(
wit
har
aspyhi
ssi
ngvoi
ce)Mandui
sthat
you?

Thatname..OhGodt hatname.Myski ncrawlsas

soonashesaysit.Icanfeelhisroughdamaged
handpinni
ngmedownont hebedandf or
cingmy
l
egsopen."bul
amaot oMandu.Bul amaotoao
Monna".Ihol
dmyselftryi
ngt oremindmyselfthati
t
i
sn'tr
eal.
Ntate:Whyar eyouher e?Whatdoyouwantf r
om
me?Youandyourgr andmotherwanttoki
llme.I
stoppedtakingthepill
ssoIdiesowhatdoyou
want ?Leavemeal one!Tel
lhertoleavemealoneso
Icandi eonpeace!Peacemeal oneMandu!Leave
meal one!

Hestartsshaki
nghishandstryi
ngtogetthecuff
s
out
.Mybagf al
lstothef
loorasfearwashesover
me.Ifeelarmsonmyshoul derpull
ingmeback.I
di
dn'tevenreal
izehowcloseIwast othebed.

Gaurd:Don'
tstandsoclosetothebed.He
hal
luci
natesandcanbedanger ousasweakashe
l
ooks.TotahelaasaMot swanawhoknowshow
thi
ngsactual
lyworkIcantellyougoremot
hoooa
pokel
wao( heseesghosts).Sostandameteror
twoawayt obesafe.
InotmyheadbecauseIdon'
ttr
ustmyvoicer
ight
now.Hewalksoutaft
eraski
ngmeifIwanthi
mt o
stay.

Howist hi
sRi
char
dSupang?I
sthi
sthesameman
whopinnedmedownandjumpedmefortenyear
s?
I
sthi
st hesamemanwhohasbeenhaunti
ngme?

Heopenshi
seyesandl
ooksmedeadi
ntheeye.

Ntat
e:Whatdoyouwant?Youmi ssme?Iknewyou
l
ikedhavi
ngmeinsi
deyou.That'swhyyouar ehere.
Youtol
dyourgr
andmothertoletyoucomet oday
huh?Eecomeandtakeit
.It
'shereforyou.Takeit
andri
deMandu.

Ifeelafi
rei
nthepigofmyst omachandfightevery
feel
ingofpunchi
nghim overandoverunt
ilhedies.
Iballmyhandsint
ofist
sasmybr eathi
ngpattern
changes.
Me:( wi thtearsbur ni ngmyeyes)Youpat hetic
monst er!Youar enot hingbutavi l
eexcuseofa
humanbei ngwhodoesn' tdeser veanymor epower
overme.Todayi sthel astdayyouwi lleveroccupy
mymi nd.Youdeser veever ythingyouar eget t
ing
ri
ghtni eandIhopeyouwi llgetmor ewher eyouar e
going.Bagompaakanyedi tsebankanaago.You
tooki tupt heassandl ookatyounow.Dyi ngl i
ke
thedogyouar e.Inowbel i
evet her eiskar ma
becauseonl yabi tchcanser veitt oyout hisgood
andcol d.(exhal e)If or giveyou.Notf ofyoursake.
Youcanbur ni nhel lforal let ernityforal lIcare.Iam
forgivingmysel ff orhol dingt hepai nyoucausedme
allthoseyear sandal l
owedmysel ft ogetdest royed
byyou.If orgivemysel ffort hinkingIdeser vetobe
usedsexual lybecauseIcoul dn'tst opyouf rom
doing.If orgive.Mysel ff ort hinkingsexi st heonly
wayIcansur viveyou.Oswej aakant swaeol eng
yone.( Diel i
ket hedogyouar e).Butme, Iam freeof
yout odayRi char d.Iam r eadyt omovei nfrom you.
Iam f inall
yr eadyf orchange.
Iwal
koutfeel
ingl
ikeanewperson.If
eell
ight
er
andreadyt
otakeonthewor
ld.Readytofacemy
addi
cti
onandbeatit
.

I
'
mready
I
'
mreadyf
orchange -Samant
haMogwe
[
08/
31,
17:
44] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t48

Nar
rat
ed

Inthedepthsofavi l
lageveryfarawayf rom
civi
li
zati
on,acarslowlydrivesdownt hedust y
gravell
eadingtothelasthouseatt hefootofthehill
.
Ast hedaygrowsdar ker,
youcanal readyseel i
ghts
i
nt hehouse.Theonl yhouset hathaselect
rici
tyin
thewholevill
age.Youcanheart hesoundoft he
generatorr unningandpower i
ngthehomest ead.
Fivechildrenwhower epl
ayingoutsideseethecar
andr untot hegat et
oopeni t
.Theol destoft
he
chil
dreni ssevenyear sol
dandhersi bl
ingsf
oll
owa
yearyoungert haneachother.Theyoungestone
start
sscr eami ngoutasthecardrivesin.

Boy:Mamapel
e!Mamapel
e!

MaystepsoutofBot ho'
scarindesignersneakers
andherlongweavet i
edback.Herglowr adi
atesin
thedustyvi
ll
agewher ecar
sareonlyseendur ing
Chri
stmasholidayswhenthevil
lagerschil
dren
comet ovi
sit
.

Ol
dest
:Whatdi
dyoubr
ingf
orusmama?

May:Removethepl
ast
icsi
ntheboot
.Wher
ear
e
yourcousi
ns?
Ol
dest
:Theyar
ewat
chi
ngRhyt
hm ci
ty.

Shet akesherbagsandwal ksint

othet hree
bedroomedhousesher ecent l
ybuil
t.I
t'stheonl
y
brickhousesurroundedbyf i
vemudhouses.She
openst heli
vingroom doorandt hereisn'
taspace
toplaceherfoot.Tenofherni ecesandnephews
alongwi t
hherthreesistershaveallgatheredi
nher
houset owatchthetelevisi
on.

May:(fr
owning)Mightykegor
eyouchasedmy
chi
ldr
enoutsidesoyoucangat heryourt
ri
besher
e
towatchmychi l
dren'
stel
evi
sion?

Mighty:(
scrat
chesherpunani)Oht swatlhe.How
doesamot heroffi
vecallanyone'
schil
drenat ri
be?
El
egor ehowspecialar
eyourchi l
drenthatthey
havetowatchTVwhent heiragemat esplay
outsi
de?
Dikgang:Don'
tmi
ndher
.Odi
rwakegot
lhokomel
a
banabamosadiomongwebagagwebatshel
aka
phane.

Allthreeofhersi
ster
slaughwhi
lethei
rchi
ldren
snickerandhidethatt
heyarel
aughingl
estthey
turntheirf
uryonthem.

Maycl i
ckshertongueandwal kspastt hem
steppi
ngont hei
rchil
dren'st oesandhandswi thout
asinglecar
e.Sheget sintoherbedr oom andfinds
herbedunkempt .Shedr opsherbagsandf uri
ously
pull
sthebedcover satt
empt ingtomaket hebed
onlytobemetbyahugebl oodst ain.Asdryand
brownishasitwas,shecoul dt ellitwasabl ood
stai
nthathadclearl
ybeent heref oraver ylongtime.

May:
(fr
owni
ng)si
esness!Nxl
a!

Shewal
ksbackt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom andst
andsby
t
hepassagewi
thherhandsonherhi
ps.

May:Whatonear
thi
swr
ongwi
thyoupeopl
e?Who
sl
eptonmybed?

Mi
ght
y:I
t'
spr
obabl
yShobe.

May: Mightywee.Mysevenyearol ddaught

er
doesn'tgetherperi
od.Whichoneofyouwomen
sawher sel
fleavi
ngherbloodstainsonmy
expensiveEgypti
ancottonsheets?Huh?

Theyal
ltur
nbacktowatchtheTVandshestorms
outoft
hehouseleavi
ngatrai
lofyel
psofpai
nas
shewalkspastf
eetagai
n.

May:
Shobe!
Shobe:Mma?

Thesevenyearoldwalksovercarr
yingaplast
ic
fr
om thecarwhil
ehersibli
ngstookwhatevert
hey
coul
dcarryoutoftheplast
ics.

May:
ShobeMme-
Mmeokae?

Shobe:Shei
sinherhut
.

May:OKputthoset
hingsi
nmyr oom andl
ockt
he
door
.Don'
tlett
hem t
akeanyt
hing.

Shobe:MmamaneDi
kgangi
sgoi
ngt
obeatmef
of
them.

May:
Soshebeat
smychi
ldr
en?Nxl
a.
Shewal ksbehindherhouseandmakesherwayt o
thehutt hatstandsaloneintheyar d.Thishutused
toscar eherasachi l
dbutt hefeardiedwhenshe
start
edherper i
odandhergr andmot herbegant o
teachhert hewor kshedoes.Allhersi ster
swher e
alsotaughtbutshei stheonlyonewhohasbegun
totrulyshowt hefrui
tsofhergr andmot her'
slabour.
Maywasn' tsureifi
tsagoodt hingornotbecause
shehasst ar
tedtofeelused.Hersi sterswere
provingt obeapr obl
em toher.

Shecl
apsherhandsatt
heent
ranceoft
hehut
.

May:Mme-Mme,Ihavecomehome.Ineedyou
t
oday.Pl
easel
etmeenter.

Thereissil
ence.Sher epeatst
hesamest at
ement
twiceandthereisnor esponsefr
om thehutbutshe
darenotenterwithoutpermissi
on.Tearsst
artt
o
wellupinhereyesbecausesheknowswhati s
expectedofher.Shewal ksbacktothecarand
t
akesheryoungestbyhishandandwal ksbackto
t
hehut.Thelit
tl
eboy'sheartpoundsi
nhischest.
Hehat
est hathutandhateswhathappenstohim
whenhegoest here.

Mayt akeshisl
it
tlehandandgetsapi eceofbroken
gl
assneart hedoorandcutshispalm.Thel i
tt
leboy
cri
esoutinpainashi smothersqueezesbloodout
ofhispalm andintot
heground.

Boy:Mamaot
hoko!Ot
hokomama.(
mamai
thur
ts!
)

May'stear
sfallasthebloodf
alls.Avoi
cecomes
fr
om thehuttell
inghertoent
er.Shelet
'sgoofher
son'shandandher unsof
fcr
yingasmor ebl
ood
spil
lsfr
om hi
sl i
ttl
ehand.

Maywal ksi
ntothehutf
acingbackwardand
clappi
ngherhandsoverandoverunti
lsher
eaches
thegrassmat.
Mme-
Mme:Si
tdownmychi
ld.

Maysi tsdownf aci nghergr andmot herwhol ooked

l
iket hesweet estgr andmot heryouwoul devermeet .
Herwr i
nkl esbar elyshowi ngevent houghshei s
ninety-fi
veyear sol d.Hergr ayhai rr eachesbel ow
hershoul dersandhast hebodyofaf ift
yyearol d
woman.Anyonewhoseesherwoul dneveri magi ne
thehor rorsshehasbr oughtint helivesofmany
peopl e.Herownf ami l
yi ncl
uded.Manypeopl e
camef rom f arandwi det oseekherhel pt ogetr i
ch,
findjobsandherf avor it
eonewast heonehergr and
-daught erwascur rentlyconsumedby.Fi nding
someonet omar ry.Thi sonewasneverapr oblem
forhercl i
entsasl ongast heyf oll
owedher
i
nst ructionsandt ar getedmenwhower e
pr omiscuousbecauset heywer et heeasi estcatch.
Oneofhercl ientst riedtoactsmar tandwentaf tera
manwhowasl oyalt ohi swife.Shewasj eal
ousof
herf ri
endandwant edherman.Shedi dn'tknowt he
wi fewasapr ayingwomanandal lthet hi
ngsshe
tr
iedbackfi
redonherandsenthermad.That '
swhy
shealwaystell
sthem tofi
ndtheonesthatar
e
eagertobuywomenbeer si
nthebar.Thoseones
werealwaystheeasiestcat
ch.

Mme-Mme:( smil
ing)howar
eyoumychi
ld?Ihave
beenexpect
ingyou.

May'sangermelt
sawayasshel ooksather
grandmother
.Shecameher ewanti
ngtodemand
answersforhowherchil
drenarebei
ngtreat
edbut
asusual,
hergrandmother
'seyespul
lherint
o
submissi
on.

May: Mme-Mmet hepowderisn'

tworkingwell
anymore.It
houghtyousaidhiswif
e'shairwoul
d
str
engthenthemixt
ureyoumade.Whyi sn'ti
t
l
astinganymore?

Mme:
Areyoukeepi
ngi
tonyouvagi
naasIt
oldyou?
May: yesIdo.Ihavei tevennowbutIam ver ysure
thatwhenIgetbackhomet omorrowIam goi ngto
fi
ndadi ff
erentman.Amant hatl
oveshi schil
dren
andal lthatrubbishwhost art
stoaskmewhenI
movedi ntohishouseandhowIam pr egnantwith
hischild.Iam t i
redofit.I
sn'
tther
eamor e
permanentsol uti
on?Orat l
eastalongerlasti
ngone.

Mme- mme'sshoul
dersbei
ngtoshakeandshe
star
tsmovingherheadinci
rcl
esandburpi
ngover
andoveragain.

Mme: (wit
heyesclosed)Whatyouwantispossi
ble
mychi l
d.Youjusthavetomakethesacri
fi
cefi
tt
ing
tothepri
ce.Onlyhisbl
oodcanholdhismind.Only
hisseedcantraphisheart
.It
'st
imeforhi
schil
dto
die.

May:
(smi
les)Canwest
artwi
tht
heol
destone?
Thatt
hingi
sli
keaf
leai
nmyear
.

Mme- Mmeopenshereyesandst ar
esintoMay's
eyesthenherpr
egnantbell
y.Mayinst
inct
ivel
y
holdsherst
omachasf earwashesoverher.

May:
No.Pl
easeno.Notmybaby.

Mme: Thesacrif
icehast obet hatofhisbloodand
yours.Hisbloodwi llholdhi
m andyour swi l
lcontr
ol
him.Thatistheonl ylinkyoutwohave.Hi swi f
e's
chil
drencan'tdie.Theirgrandmot heri
sapr aying
womanandIt oldyout oneverint
erfer
ewi thpeople
whopr ay.Thischi l
dinyourwombi stheonl yway
togetwhatyouwantandoncet hesacrif
iceismade,
yourwombwi llclose.

May:
(wi
tht
ear
yeyes)What
?
Mme- mme:Whatyouwanti sn'tasmal lthing.Do
youthinkitwaseasyf ormet oki l
lmyonl ydaught er
May?Il ovedyoumot herbutIneededt omakea
sacri
fi
cef ormyl onglife.Thebl oodsacr i
ficesmy
cl
ientsmakej ustsuppl ementthesacr ifi
ceImade
withyourmot her.Youdon' thaveachoi ceher e.You
ei
therdot hisorgoandpackwhat everyoucanpack
andcomebackhomebecauset hatmanwi l
lleave
you.Hel ovedhiswi f
emor ethanyouwi lleverknow.
Hisonlyweaknesswashi sthirdlegandr i
ghtnow
youdon' tevensleepwi thhim becauseyoucan' t
standthesmel lofhiswi feonhi m.Maket he
sacri
fi
ceandi twi l
lal
lgoaway.

May:Butwhatabouthischi
ldr
en?Ihat
ethem.I
can'
tst
andbeinginthesamehousewiththat
woman'schi
ldr
enwhi l
eminesuff
erhere.

Mme-
mmecl
oseshereyesandchant
sagai
n.

Mme:
OKf
oryouIwi
lldot
his.Iwi
llgot
oGhanaf
or
twoweeksf orst r
engt hening.WhenIcomebackwe
willbeabl etoturnt hem.Et l
annabomat holwane.
Youwi llmar r
yt hei
rf atherthenyourhusbandwi ll
bringthem her ehimsel fsoIcant urnthem.
Everythingwi l
lwor kout .Iwillfi
ghtthatol
d
woman' sprayers.Iwi l
lwi n.Nowl iedownsowe
canst art.Thi
si sasmal lsacrifi
cecompar edtothe
ri
chesyoust andt ogai n.Iwillgiveyouapowdert o
putint hechildren'
sf oodt oweakent heconnect
ion
theyhavewi t
ht heirgrandmot hersothatwhenI
wor kont hem itwillbeeasi er.LiedownMay.

Maywi
peshert
ear
sandl
iesont
hegr
assmat
.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ket
hei
nser
t,l
eaveacommentand
shar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
45] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t49

Tl
otl
o

Thishast obet hemostbeaut if

ulSundayt herehas
everbeensi ncet hewor l
dwascr eated.Ormaybei ts
thegl immercomi ngf rom myengagementr i
ng.I
keptwaki ngupandchecki ngi fit'
sst i
llther e
throughoutt heni ght.Avikeptl aughingatmeal l
night .I
tturnsouthewasl yingaboutgoi ngonni ght
shift.Itwasj usthiswayofensur ingIcamehome
early.Het ell
smehef oundapageonFacebookof
someonewhopl anst hesesur prisesoutf oryou.All
youhavet odoi stellt
hem whatyouhavei nmi nd
andshet akescar eofther est.Iwasbeyondexci t
ed.
Istil
l cannotbel i
eveIf ai
ntedbuti t'
spr obably
becauseoft hebaby.Ismi leandr ubmybel l
y.I
knowIwon' tstartshowinganyt i
mesoonbutIam
sti
llexcited.Ihopet hebabyhasAvi '
sbi geyes.My
mani sofficial
lyMrr omant ic.Hei scur rently
maki ngmebr eakfastandt oldmenott omovea
muscl
e.

Myphonest
art
sri
ngingandmysmilegr
owswi
der
.
Di
dmymum alsoknowaboutt
his?

Me:(
laughi
ng)Mamadidyoualsoknowt hatAvi
wasgoingt
opropose?Isai
dyes!Iam gett
ing
marr
ied.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:Sosowher
ear
eyourchi
ldr
en?

Me:(laughi
ng)Mxm t
hoseonesarej
ustasbad.
Theyalsoknewaboutthepr
oposal
.Theyar
ein
thei
rrooms.

MmaagweTl otl
o:Tl
otl
oIam t
alki
ngaboutyour
si
ster
'schi
ldr
en.Wherear
ethey?
Me:(
frowni
ng)Theyar
eatt
hei
rhouse.

MmaagweTl otl
o:Sosogoandt akemy
grandchil
dren.Howmanyt imeshaveIt
oldyouthat
theyaren'
tsafeinthathouse?Howmanyt i
mesdoI
havetotellyoutotakethem awayf
rom t
here?

Me:MamakanaTyl ercanagreeformet ocomeand

getthem today.WhenIgot herehewi l
lbeangr y
andsendi ngmeawayl i
keadog.Hei stheirfat
her
andIcan' tj
usttakethem.Hecanr eportmef or
ki
dnappi ng.Iwantnothingmorethantot akethose
chi
ldrenbecauseIdon' twantmysi st
er'
schildren
bei
ngr aisedbyt hesamewomant hatbrokeher
marriage.ButwhatcanIdomama?

MmaagweTl ot
lo:Tl
otl
oyouneedt ostandupand
goandgett hosechil
dren.Ihadabaddr eam l
ast
night.IsawBot ho'
shousesur r
oundedbyaver y
darkmi standIcouldhearYayacr yi
ngand
screami ngforhelpbutshecouldn'
tgetoutofthe
house.Isawawomanwal kingar oundt hehouse
nakedanddanci ng.Byt het imet hedooropenedI
sawt hreesmal lcof finspl acedbyt hedoorand
eachchi ldwaspl acedi ntot hecof f
inbutt heywer e
sti
llalive.Theykeptcr yingt obel etofbutt he
womancont i
nueddanci ng.Thi sfelttorealTlot l
o.I
wokeupt opr aybutIf eel i
ti sn'tenough.
Somet imesGodspeakst ousi ndr eamsandal lwe
candoi spr ay.Butt herear et imeswher eHewar ns
ussowecanpr eventsomet hingf r
om happeni ng.I
strongl yfeelt hatt hosechi ldrenneedt ogetoutof
thathouse.Somet hingver ybadi shappeni ngi nt hat
house.Pl easet akemygr andchi l
drenoutoft her e.
Youknowver ywel lthati fyouwer etheonewho
hadpassedon, Bot howoul dhavef oughttoot hand
nailtogetboTl amel o.St andupTl otl
oanddon' tjust
got her elikeyouar eent eringapar k.PrayTl otlo.
Youdon' tpr ayanymor ebutyouneedt opr aybef or
e
goingt her e.Rapel angwanaka.Cal lmeaf ter
collectingt hem.

Wi
tht
hatshehangsupt
hephoneandIam l
eftwi
th
ar aci
ngheart
.Mymot herhasspecif
icdreamsthat
tendtocomet opassonewayoranot her.I
tcan
takeyearsbuteventuall
ywhatevershetell
syouwil
l
comet opass.Thisisn'
tsomethingIcansimply
i
gnor e.Butwi
llTyl
erletmehavet hem?

Aviwal
ksi
nwi
that
rayoff
ood.

Avi
:what
'swr
ong?Whathappened?

Me:Wehavet
ogoandt
akeboYaya.Mamaj
ust
cal
led.

Itel
lhim ever ythi
ngshesai dandi t
'seasyf orhimt
o
takeitseriouslybecausehet oowasr aisedin
churchevent houghhedoesn' tgoanymor e.We
werebot hr aisedbyChrist
ianpar ents.Heforcesme
toeatmyf oodbef or
ewest artgett
ingreadyt o
l
eave.Ir eallyhopeTylerwillallowthis.
 Nar
rat
ed

[
DISCLAI
MER:Notf
orsensi
ti
ver
eader
s]

Maycriesoutinpai nasasharppainhitsherlower
abdomen.Mme- mmecont i
nuestodancear ound
herwearingnothing.Thi
sgoesonf ofanhouruntil
bl
oodst art
sfl
owi ngbetweenMay'slegs.
Mme-
mmet hengrabshertr
adi
tionalpotandpl
aces
i
tont
heopeningofMay'svagi
na.

Mme:
lif
tyourwai
st.

Maypr essesherl i
pstoget
herandl i
ft
sherwaist
pasttheexcr uci
ati
ngpainshefeels.Thebl
ood
poursintot hepotasMme- mmesi ngsher
i
ncantations.Sheonlyremovesthepotwhenit '
s
fi
ll
edtot hebr i
m.Shethenstuff
ssomeher bsinto
May'svagi naandaf ewsecondslater,
shehasthe
urgetopush.Shelower
sherwai standbeginst
o
pushhersixmontholdpregnancy.Beadsofsweat
form onherf
aceasshepushesunt ilt
heli
tt
le
l
ifel
essbodyfall
soutofher.

Shel if
tsherheadt oseebutshei st ooweakand
canonl yseehergr andmot her'
sf i
gur etakingt he
babyandput t
ingi tinanot herpot .Shet henbegi ns
topoundi ntothepotgr indingt hel i
ttl
ebodywhi l
e
singingheri ncant ations.Somebl oodgushesont o
herbr eastandshesmear sitalloverhernakedness.
Whenshei sdonepoundi ng, shet henpl acest hepot
overaf ireandaddshal foft hebl oodf rom theot her
potandl eavesever yt hi
ngt ocook.Shet hencr awl s
overt ohergr anddaught erandl i
ftsherheadt ogi ve
herasi poft hebl oodbef oresmear ingther estofi t
alloverherbody.Thi sist omakeTyl erloveherand
doanyt hingf orher .Mme- mmecont inueswi thher
potanddoesal lsheknowsshehast odobef ore
maki ngt hepot i
onMaywi l
lfeedTyl ert ocontrolhi m
forther estofhi slife.Shet henpr epar esthepowder
tofeedt hechi l
dr enbef oredr essingupandwal king
outoft
hehutt
ogoandsleep.Shel
eavesMayin
ther
esoshecangat
herherst
rengt
h.Tomor
rowisa
newday………….

°
°°° °
°°°

Meanwhi l
einGabor one,Avidr i
vesint oTyler'
s
housewi t
hTl ot
lowhohasbeenqui etlypraying
si
ncespeaki ngtohermot her.Herhear tski
psabeat
assoonast heyclimboutoft hecarandshecan
al
readyfeeltheheavinessint heatmospher elike
shesteppedi nt
oadi f
fer
entdi mensi on.Shekeeps
askingherselfwhatishappeni ngint hi
shousebut
gathershercourageandknocksont hedoor .
Yamasaopenst hedoorandscr eamst henjumps
i
ntoheraunt sarmsshaki ngandcr ying.

Yamasa:Iknewyouwi
llcome.IknewGodwi
llt
ell
yout
ocome.Thankyousomuch!Thankyou!
Tlot
lo'seyeswel lupbutshebl inksthet earsaway
andsquat stolooki ntoYamasa' seyes.Herni ece
l
ooksnot hingli
ket hebubbl yl i
tt
legirlsheknows.
Herhai rl
ookslikeithasn'tbeendonei nmont hs
andshehasevenl ostwei ght.Sheusedt obea
chil
dyoul ookedatandsmi ledatf r
om di st
ance
fi
ghtingeverytempt ationtol i
ft
shercut enessoff
thegroundf orfearofbr eakingyourar msof fbut
now, allt
heweighti sgone.Shei sn'tskinandbones
yetbutshehasst il
llostasi gni
ficantamountof
weight.

Tl
otl
o:Whathappened?What
'swr
ongbaby?

Yamasa:Shei
sevilAunt
ySoso.Pl
easet
akeus.
Pl
easeAuntySosobefor
eshecomesback.

Tl
otl
ohugsheragai nandholdsherhandandwal ks
i
ntothehouse.Nothinghaschangedhere.I
t'
sli
ke
Bot
hocouldwalkoutoft heki
tcheninanapronto
qui
cklypul
lherbacki nt
otheki
tchennotwanti
ngt o
burnwhateveryout
ubereci
peshewastr
yingout
.
TearschokeherandAvihol
dsherot
herhand.

Tl
otl
o:Wher
eisyourdad?

Yamasa:hei
ssleepi
ng.Todayhei
sgooddaddybut
hehasaheadache.

Tl
otl
o:Cal
lhi
mformeandbr
ingAmant
let
ome.
Wherei
sYaone?

Yamasar unsoffcall
ingherbr ot
hert
hengoest o
wakeherf at
herbeforegetti
nghersist
erfrom t
he
nurser
y.Herexcit
emental mostmakesherdr opthe
babybutshebalancesher selfandwalksslowl
y
overtoheraunt.

Tlot
lotakesthebabywhoisasli
ghtasafeat
her
andjustcri
esout.Al
ltheemot
ionsshewaskeepi
ng
i
nherburstoutasshel ooksatal
lhersi
ster
's
chi
ldr
en.Howdi dsheallowthi
stohappen?Bot ho
wouldneverhavelett
hishappentoherchil
dren.

Tyl
erdragshimsel
fint
otheli
vingwi
thhiseyes
barel
yopenandshakesTlotl
oandAvi'
shands
befor
etaki
ngseat.Hesupport
shisheadwithhi
s
handandlooksatthem.

Avi
:Mest
ahareyouOK?Noneofyoul
ooksf
ine
her
e.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Tyler:(
sighs)Ahi fIknewIcoul dtellyoubutt he
trut
hisIdon' tknowwhati shappeningint hi
shouse.
IfIam nothavi ngaspl i
tti
ngheadache, Iam losi
ng
framesoft ime.Ihaveevent akenunpaidleavefrom
wor kbecauset hisisaff
ectingmywor k.Idon't
knowwhati shappeni ngtome.I t'
sjustli
kethedayI
wast oldmywi fekill
edherselfandbeatmeupf or
tryi
ngt oleaveher .Iwouldneverhavedone
somet hingli
ket hatTlot
lo.Iwasamesswheni t
cametobeingfait
hfulbutIlovedyoursi
sterand
youknowit.NowawomanIhadaoneni ghtstand
wit
hwalksaroundmywi f
e'shouselikei
t'
shersand
sayssheispregnantwit
hmychi l
dandIfeel
powerl
essagainsther

Tl
otl
o:Idon'
tunderst
andwhatyouar
esayi
ngTyl
er.
Warewhatishappeni
ng?

Tyler
:AllIknowisIhavebeenwai ti
ngformy
headachet osubsidethenIwillpackupwhatIcan
andgot omymot her'
shouse.Thef urt
herIcanget
fr
om thi
shouset hebet ter
.Thatwomani sdoi
ng
somethingtome.Idon' tknowwhatbutshei sdoi
ng
somethingtomeandIhavet oleavebeforeshe
comesback.Butmyheadacheneverst ops.

Tl
otl
ostar
tscryi
ngwhenshebeginstomakesense
ofhermot
her'
sdream.Sheneveri
nherlif
e
i
maginedshewouldevercomeacrosssuchthi
ngs.
Shehadalwayshear
dstori
esaboutwit
chcraf
tand
blackmagi cbutneveroncethoughtshewouldsee
i
tf i
rsthand.Herheartst
artsracingandshequi
ckl
y
standsupasi ffeel
ingheatradiati
ngfr
om t
he
couch.

Tlot
lo:Wecan'tstayhere.Let'
sgo.Don'ttake
anythi
ng.Let
'sjustgo.Wewi l
lbuywhateverwe
needforthechil
dren.Akeretheysti
llhavethe
accountyouguysopenedf orthem?

Tyler
:Yes.Moneyisn'tanissue.Isti
llhaven'
t
cl
aimedanyi nsur
anceonBot ho'sdeat hsothey
havemor et
hanenough.Doyoumi ndt aki
ngthem
withyou?Iknowitmaybet oomuchofabur den
butIam notinanystatetotakecareoft hem.Ineed
ti
me.

Avi
:Don'tworr
yaboutt
hat.Wewerealready
cominghertoaskyout
oletushavethem foraf
ew
months.
Tyler
:(si
ghs)Thankyousomuch.Iam sorel
ieved
youcameher etoday.Iwaspr
obablygoi
ngtosleep
thewholedayandshewasgoi ngtofi
ndmeher e.

Avi
:Butwhatareyougoi
ngt
odo?Ar
eyouj
ust
goi
ngtoleaveherher
e?

Tlot
lo:(wal
kstothedoor
)bathongl
et'
sgo.Avitake
hiscarandgoanddr ophi
m athismother'
shouse.I
cancomeandpi ckyouupthereaft
erdroppingt
he
ki
dsof fathome.

Avi
:Noi
tsf
ine.I
'
llusekombi
s.Let
'sgo.

Tyl
erstandsupandl ooksar oundt hehousebefor
e
col
lect
ingalltheimportantt
hingsheneedsl ike
bankcardsandt hebirt
hcertif
icatesandother
i
mpor t
antdocument s.Hiseyesl andonBotho's
deathcert
if
icateandhischestt i
ghtensasgrief
washesoverhi
m.Hefall
stohi
skneesandcri
esout
l
oud.Avif
oll
owsthesoundunt
ilhef
indshi
m cryi
ng
bythesaf
einhisbedr
oom.

Avi
:AeTyMonnahaadi r
ejalo.Let
'sgo.Your
chi
ldr
enwi
llst
artcr
yingt
ooifyoukeepdoingthi
s.

Tyl
er:(
leani
ngonAvi'
sleg)Iki
ll
edmywif
e.What
haveIdone?WhathaveIdone?Iki
ll
edmywif
e!

Hecont inuestocryoutwhileholdi
ngt hedeath
cert
ifi
cate.Tlotl
otel
lsYayaandYaonet ogot othe
carandt heyrunoutwi shi
ngtheycouldj ustdri
ve
outbefor eMaycomesback.Tl otl
owal kstothe
bedroom wi t
ht hebabyinherarms.Thesi ghtof
Tyl
ercr yingbreaksherheartsoshehandsAvit he
babyandgoesonherkneesandhol dsTyler'
s
shoulders.

Tl
otl
o;(
cryi
ng)Hey,
youneedt
ost
andupandget
outofher eTy.Ialsof eelli
keIf ail
edBobobyl etti
ng
herchi l
drensufferli
ket hi
sbutIdi dn'tknowwhat
wasgoi ngonanddwel l
ingonmyf ai
lureswon't
hel
pt hesi t
uati
on.Ijusthavet ost andupanddo
better.Youalsohavet of orgiveyour selfanddo
betterbyherandyourchi ldren.Let '
sgonowwhi l
e
youst il
lcan.Idon'tknowwhatexact lyisgoingon
i
nt hishousebutsomet imesr unni ngawayi st
he
bestwayt ogetoutofcer taint hings.Yourchi l
dren
needyouandyoucan' tallowyour selftodiehere
becauseofgui lt
.Don'tletmysi sterdownl i
kethat.
Let'
sgo.

Shestandsupandpull
shi
m upt henhugshi
m as
hewipeshist
earsandsni
ff
les.

Tlot
lo:Everyt
hingi
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.Godi
sin
controlher
e.
[
08/
31,
17:
45] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t50

Tl
otl
o

Ifeelli
kethelongerwest ayi
nt hi
shouse,the
hi
ghert hechancesofwhat everevil
therei
sher e
willconsumeus.Tyleristaki
ngt oolongtolockthe
doorandIdon' twanttoleavethem here.

Me:(
cal
li
ngoutf
rom t
hecar
)Bat
hongcanwego.

Theyfi
nall
ygetintoTyl
er'
scaranddriveoutaf
ter
me.Ii
mmedi atel
yfeelr
eli
efwashingovermeasI
l
ookatYamasaandYaonei nthebackseatwit
h
Amantl
estrappedintohercarseat
.Idialmymother
andputthephonebackdown.
Mum:Sosodi
dyougett
hem?

Me:Yesmama.Iam wi
tht
hem i
nthecar
.

Mum:OhthankGod!Howar
ethey?Howar
emy
babi
esSoso?

Me:hesihmamat hi
ngshavebeenbadher e.Idon'
t
knowwhatactual
lyhappenedbutt hi
sMaywoman
i
sveryevil
.OkareojesaTyl er
.Helooksterr
ibl
e.Avi
i
sdrivi
nghimtohismot her'
shousebecausehehas
aheadacheandcan'tr
eallyopenhiseyes.Wear e
onourwayt omyhouse.Iwantt ofeedthem.Idon't
evenknowwhent heyat
e.I t
'sj
ustsad.

Mum:Thosechi l
drenneedt obeprayedfor.Even
Tylerneedspr ayerstoo.Maket i
met ocomeher e
today.Iwillt
aket hem tomyPast or'
shousesohe
canpr ayforthem.Spi r
itualt
hingsarever
ysensiti
ve.
Wedon' tknowwhatt hatwomanhasdonesowe
havet
oactfastandpray.Youcanevencomewi t
h
Tyl
eri
fheagreesbutIdoubthismotherwi
llal
lowit
.

Me:Iwil
lcal
lhim now.Maybewecanj
ustcome
st
rai
ghtther
e.LetmecallAvi
.

Ihangupanddi
al.

Avi
:Love.

Me:Babecanyouputmeonspeaker
.

Avi
:I'
veconnect
edt
otheBl
uet
oot
h.

Me:OK.TyIj ustspoket
omymum andshei s
arr
angingforprayer
swit
hherpastorandshesai
d
toi
nviteyoutoojustsowecanprayagainst
whateverhasbeendonetoyouandt hekids.
Tyl
er:
HeishSosoatthispoi
ntI
'
llt
akewhatevercan
hel
pmebecauseIf eel
soheavyandbound.Wecan
gostr
aightt
her
eifyoudon'tmi
nd.

Me:Iwast
hinki
ngt
hesamet
hing.I
sthatOKbabe?

Avi
:Noprobl
em babesl
eadtheway.Butshoul
dn'
t
wegett
herestoftheki
ds?

Me:Yeahyouar
eri
ght
.I'
l
ldr
ivet
her
enow.

Ihangupandcal ltoconfir
m wi t
hmymum whi l
e
dri
vingtomyhouseaf tertel
lingTlamelototel
l
everyonet
ogetreadyt oleave.Yamasaget sexcit
ed
whensheseesTl ameloget t
ingintothecar.Al
lthe
ki
dsar esohappytoseeeachot her.Tehi
ll
ahand
Yamasaquicklygelandst artchatt
ingabout
cart
oonsaswedr i
vetoRamot swa.
 Nar
rat
ed

I
nTyl
er'
scar

Tyler:
Youknowwhat ?Ihaver
eal
lymessedupmy
l
ife.KegorewhenIthi
nkofhowmanywomenI
cheatedonmywi f
ewi t
handandittookj
ustoneof
them tot
urnoutt
obeapsychowi tchandmywi f
e
i
sdeadbecauseofi t
.

Avi:Butwhydidyoucheatonher
?Wit
halldue
respect
,youhadahotwifeandshewaski
ndand
bril
li
ant
.Oneashor t
ahakae?

Tlyer
:Ithi
nkIfel
tther
eweret
hingsIwantedtot
ry
outbutwasafrai
dt odoi
tonher.It
houghtIwas
respect
ingher
.
Avi:Soyouchoset odisrespecthermor eby
bringingotherwomeni ntoyourmar r
iage?Thatwas
baddeci sion.Nnar rakeai kopela.(Iputina
requestf orwhatIwant )Somet imesi ttakesweeks
ormont hsbef oresheagr eestot ryingthingsout
withmebutIwi l
lneverriskl osi
ngawomanl ike
Tlotl
ooveranut .Ihavedat edcrazywomeni nmy
dayandwhenIf oundTl ot l
oIwasdone.Idon' tever
wantt oseeherwal koutofmyl i
feorcr ybecauseI
cheatedonher .Youshoul dhavebeenupf rontwit
h
yourwi feaboutwhatyouwanti nt hebedr oom and
under st
andi fsheisn'tcomf or
tablewi thittoo.Men
fi
ndi teasyt ocheatbysayi ngIwant edsomet hing
mor e.Woul dyouf eelthesamewayi fshewentand
foundamanwhochokesherorr olespl ayswi t
hher
becausewenaoMrmi ssionary?

Tyl
erqui
etl
yli
stens.

Avi:Iknowwehar dl
yknoweachot herbutIam a
st
raightt
alkerandIdon'
ttol
erat
enonsense.If
eel
badforyoubecauseofhowt hi
ngsturnedoutwith
Bothobuti
twouldneverhavehappenedi fyouhad
beenfai
thf
ultoyourwife.LenalegolekaModimo
becauseofsexhela.Youbett
ergetyouract
toget
hermestah.Youoweyourwi f
ethatmuch.
Thosechil
drenaretooyoungtobeorphans.O
bakel
ebanyanar r
a.

Tyler:Eishmest ahIheardyou.IknowImessedup
andIhavet owor konit.TotaIam done.Ihavebeen
donesi ncet hedayIsawmywi f
e'scorpsebutI
couldn'tdoanyt hi
ng.Iam donewi t
hthatlif
enow.
AllIwantt odoi stotakecar eofmyselfsoIcanbe
abet t
erf at
hertomyki ds.Yayal ooksli
keshehasn't
eateninmont hs.Idon'
tevenknowi fsheeats
becauseIneverseemysel f.I
fImessar oundwith
womenaf t
erthisthenallIdeserveistodie.

Avi:Nnyaar r
anotdeat
h.Yourchildr
endeser
veto
haveatleastonepar
entwhowi l
ltakecar
eofthem.
Maybeonedayyoucanact ual
lyfi
ndagoodwoman
t
ohel
pyour
aiset
hem.

Tyl
er:
Heelamest
ahIam donewi
thwomen.
Consi
dermeaeunuchf
rom nowon.

Avi
:(l
aughs)Yeahogobl
eksemsi
tseMay.Wher
eis
shefr
om newena?

Tyler:AviIdon'tevenknowshersur name.Kanake
goreyouguysdon' tgetwhenIsayIdon' t
understandhowshei shere.Ij ustremember
meet i
ngheratacl ubIusuallyhangouti nand
takinghertoahot elthatnight.Gor ehowdidshe
enduppr egnantIdon'tevenknowbecauseIcan' t
rememberanyt hi
ngf r
om af t
ert hatnight
.Ever
ythi
ng
i
sj ustfuzzy.

Avi:Esses.Yeahyouneedanhoursl
otatt
hemen's
conferenceorutemaj
it
agoregoanyewaoutther
e.
Theybot
hlaughandcont
inuet
hei
rdr
ive.

Tlot
lofoll
owsthedirecti
onshermot hergaveherto
herpastor'
shouseandt heyeventuall
yarri
vether
e
tofi
ndf ourcar
sparkedoutside.Theyallcl
imb
downthecar swhi
leTl ot
lodi
alshermot her'
s
number .

Tl
otl
o:Mamawear
eout
side.

MmaagweTl
otl
o:okj
ustcomei
n.

Theyal lwalkintotheyar dandent erthehouse.

Ther eisgospelmusi cpl ayi
ngsof t
lyont heTVand
eightpeopl esitti
ngar oundt hesit
tinganddi ni
ng
room t alki
ngamongstt hemselves.Amongstt hem
i
sTl otlo'smot herwhost andsupandi nt
roducesher
childrent othepast or
, hiswifeandt hefi
ve
i
nt ercessorswhocamet ojoininont heprayer
s.
Pastor
:Welcomemybr other
sandsist
ers.Your
motherisamemberofourchurchandIseeheras
mymot her
.Iam herfi
rstbor
nbecauseIam older
thanal
lofyouhere.

Theyalll
aughexceptt
hechildr
enwhof eelwi
erd
aboutbei
nginahousef ul
lofoldpeopl
e.

Pastor
:Whichoneofyoui
sTyl
er?Pl
easecome
overhere.

Tylernervouslywalksoverfeeli
ngnakedi nthei
r
presence.Thepast orholdhishandandgui deshim
tost andnexttohim beforei
nstruct
ingeveryoneto
startprayi
ng.Everyonebreaksintoprayerandafter
af ewmi nutesmostoft heguestsopenthiereyes
wai t
ingfortheprayertofini
shbutitgoesonandon
unt i
lthepastorshoutsamen.

Past
or:mmh…Tyl
erIam notapr
ophetokaymy
brother .Iam achi l
dofGodandl ikeanypar ent,He
speakst omeandt ellsmewhatHewant smet o
know.Iam j ustgoingt ot el
lyouwhatIhear dso
youcanpr ayf r
om apoi ntofknowl edgebecause
thepi tyouar einri
ghtnowi sbei ngext ended.They
aredi ggingadeeperwhol et othr owyoui nandi t'
s
notacoi nci dencet hatyouar eher etoday.God
spoket oHi schildandshei nstruct edherchi l
dt o
getyouout .Nowl i
st ent owhatIhavej ustbeent ol
d.
Thisisyourdayt obesetf ree.Youl ostananchori n
yourl i
f ebecauseofawomanwhoseevi lconsumed
you.Shei st hereasonyourwi f
ei sdeadandshe
wassupposedt okillyourchi l
dr enaswel l t
hatday.
Godi nt ervenedevent henandt hisanger sherso
mucht hatsheabusest hesel it
tleones.Shenow
want st oki llthem.Shewasgoi ngt ot ur nthem i nto
zombi esifyouhadn' tleft.Shei scur r entlybat hedi n
blood.Yourunbor nchi ld'
sbl oodi ssmear edal lover
herbodyj ustsoshecancont rolyouandf orceyou
toloveher .Shewant syourmoney.Her
grandmot herwant syourmoney.Butt odayi st he
dayt heyar ebr oughtt oshame.
Ever
yoneshout
samen.

Past
or:TodayisthedayJehovahr
isesandHi
s
enemiesgetscat
tered.

Ever
yone:Amen!

Pastor:Todayisthedayt heevi
ltheyservewil
l
knowt hatindeedther
eisaGodi nheavenandHe
watchesoverHi schil
dren.Wepar alyset
hei
r
powerst oday!Todaywebr eakal
lt i
esyouhavewi
th
thatevilwoman!

Hecont i
nuestomakedecl arationsandl eads
everyoneint
opr ayer
.Tyler
'stearsf allashe
processesallt
het hi
ngshej usthear d.Howdoes
suchevilexi
st?Howdi dhiswi fediebecause
someonewant smoney?Justmoney?Moneyt hat
hehadbecausehi swif
ealsowor kedj ustashard
ashedid?Justl
iket
hat?Prayer
scontinueand
songsofworshi
pbreakoutasthepresenceofGod
fi
ll
sthepl
ace.

°
°°° °
°°°

I
nMme-
mme'
shut

Maysl owlyopenshereyesandmemor i
esofwhat
j
usthappenedt ohercomer ushingbacki nandshe
startscryingatthelossofherbaby.Shehasnever
succeededi nanyt hi
nginlif
ebutbei ngamot her
alwaysmeantsomet hi
ngtoher .Shet r
iedtobet he
bestmum shecoul dberegardlessofthethree
hear tbreaksshehashadf r
om herot herchil
dren's
fathers.Theywer euselessvil
lageboyswhoal ways
l
ef thertomar r
ysomeoneel seandshef i
nall
yhad
thebabyofar ichmanbuti t'
sal lgonenow.

Shewi
peshert
ear
sandl
icksherdr
yli
ps.Thesmel
l
ofherchild'
sbloodnauseat
esherso,mucht hat
shewant stojustgoandbath.Shesl
owlysitsup
whil
ef eel
ingtheremnantsofthepai
ninf
li
ctedby
hergrandmot her
.

May:
(fr
owns)whatt
he?

Shet ri
estomoveherl egsagainbutjustlikebef
ore
shef eel
snothing.Sher unsherhandsal ongher
l
egsandshakest hem butstil
lfeel
snot hing.She
pinchesherself,
nothing.Herheartbeginst opound
i
nherchest .Shet r
ieswi t
hallhermighttobendher
l
egsbutnot hinghappens.

May:(shout
ing)Mme-
mme!Hel
pme!Hel
p!What
happenedtome?Helpme!

Shef or
ceshersel
fonherstomachandusesher
elbowstodraghersel
foutofthehutwi
thnoregar
d
forthefactt
hatsheisst
arknaked.
May:
(shout
ing)Nt
husangt
lhebat
hong!

Shober unsoutoft hehouseandr unstowar dsher

mother'
svoi ce.Shescr eamswhensheseesher
motherandr unst othehutMme- mmesl eepsi n.
Shecomesbackwi thMme- mmei nt ow.Mme
panicsatthesi ghtofhergranddaught erhelplessl
y
crawli
ngonherst omach.Shet ri
est ohelpherup
butherlegsar estif
fandt heybothf al
ltothe
groundcausi ngMme- mmet obreakherhi p.They
bothscream outi npainmaki ngShobepani cand
runtothehouset ocallherauntsforhelp.Dikgang
comesf oll
owi ngherandhol dsherwai standlaughs.

Dikgang:Balebaakantse!Il
ongtoldyout ostop
witchcraft
.Mayyoul ookli
keademonr i
ghtnow
mmeosi ametl
hemma.Iam notget ti
nginvol
ved.
Mme- mmegoanddi gupmymot herfrom hergrave
soshecancomeandhel pyou.Ketlogakewel a
haatshelennakeitewakaphosogot wekemol oile
nna.(Iwil
lal
sofal
lbecauseofwhateveris
happeningtoyoubecausewhoeverisdoingitwil
l
bethi
nkingIam al
soawi tch)
.Shobeleavethese
peopl
eher eunl
essyoualsowanttofallnextto
them.NnaIwanttowat chTV.

Dikgangwalksbacki
ntothehouseandtel
lsher
si
sterswhatshesawandt heygooutt
oconfir
m
andgobacki nt
othehouselaughi
ng.

Mighty:Gol
esi
lokont
lekwa.(
lesi
loi
spl
ayi
ng
outsi
de)

Mido:War
elesi
lo?Goshor
taMat
lakal
aka,
sui
tcase
hel
a.

Mighty:Kanai
tmeanswehaveacar
.Got
labonwa
karonahelamo.
Mido:Hei
shl
et'
shopetheyst
ayl
iket
hat
.Ledr
ivi
ng
schoolr
ekaebulakana.

Theyalll
aughandcont
inueeat
ingt
heyogur
tsMay
hadbroughtf
orherchi
ldr
en.

[
08/
31,
17:
46] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t51

Tl
otl
o

Thatwassoi ntense!Idon'tremembert helastt

ime
IfeltsoclosetoGod.I tmusthavebeenwhi l
eIwas
sti
llli
vingherewi thmymum.Whent heprayer
endedt herewasabi tofsinginganddancingdone
praisi
ngGodf orthedeliverance.Attheendofthe
dayi t
sallaboutf ait
h.Weal ljusthavetobeli
eve
thatGodwillpr
otectusfrom theevil
thatwas
threat
eni
ngourlives.Ipersonal
lyhopeIneversee
thatwomanagai n.Thatwillbeenoughforme.Even
Tylerisi
nabettermoodaswedr i
vetomymum' s
place.Hesayshisheadachei smuchbet t
er.Ihope
het oost
aysawayf rom thatwoman.

Icannotbel ievesucht hi
ngsact uall
yexist
.I
rememberbacki nschoolsomegi rlusedtohave
episodesofat tacksandshewoul dtellusheraunt
i
sbewi tchi
ngthem butwhenyoul iveashelter
ed
l
ifelikeIdid,youdon' tactuall
ybelievethat
wi t
chcrafti
ssomeoneel se'
srealit
y.Inow
under st
andt hemeani ngofgot samayakegobona.
(thelongeryoul i
ve/themor eyoumovear oundthe
wor l
d, t
hemor eexper iencesyoucomeacr oss)

Weal
ldri
vei
ntomymum'
shouseandcl
imboutof
t
hecar
s.

Mum:Tl
amel
oandyourbr
other
s,goandgetusal
l
chai
rs.I
t'
sabeaut
if
ulday.Let
'ssi
tundert
heshade.

Theki dswal kof fandcomebackwi ththechai r

sfor
ustosi tthent heywal kbacki ntothehouset o
watchTVI '
m sure.Mybr othercomesoutoft he
houset oj oi
nus.Idon' tknowhowl onghei sgoing
towai tti
llheget saj ob.Unempl oymenti ssucha
sadr eali
tyinourcount ry.Especi al
lyf orpeoplewho
havenobusi nessacumen.Mymot herr ai
sed
academi cs.MaybeIt oowoul dhavehadamast er
s
degreel i
kemybr otherandsi sterifIwasn' ttoo
busywi thBogosi .Butlif
ef i
xedmei ntohavinga
businessmi ndtobeabl etot akecar eofmysel fand
mychi l
dren.

Mum:( f
eedi
ngAmant l
e)Youdon'tknowhow
r
eli
evedIam tobeholdi
ngthi
sbabyi nmyarmsli
ke
t
his.Iwassoafrai
dthatIwasnevergoingt
osee
t
hem again.

Amant
lesmi
lest
henmymot
herl
aughs.
Mum:Aobathong.Otshwanal
eBoboj
angnemma.
(
Youlookl
ikeBobo)

Tyler
:Shereal
lydoes.YayaandYaonelooktoo
muchl i
kemeandBot howassohappyt ofi
nall
y
haveherowncopy.(looksdown)Butnowshewon'
t
evengettoseehergrownup.

Hest
art
stobl
inkr
api
dly.

Mum:Nodon' tdothatRraagweYaya.Thatj ust

bri
ngsbackt hepainIam tryingtof orget.Wehave
tomoveonandnotal lowthedevi ltowi noverus.
It
'snoteasybutwehavet otry.Mychi l
disgone
andIhavet oacceptthatandl ooktodoi ngwhat
shecan't
.Raisingthesechildrensot heyneverhave
tofeelt
hevoidofnothavi ngamot her.Youallneed
counseli
ng.Allofyou.
Tyl
ernodshisheadasIal
sobl
inkmyt
ear
saway.
Mymot herl
ooksatmeandsmil
es.

Mum:Nowt hatIknowmychildr
enaresafeIcan
nowcelebr
ate.Youwer
etalki
ngaboutpr
oposals
Ebi
leyouhavear i
ngonyourfi
nger
.

Me:(
blushi
ng)Aker
eIt
ri
edt
otel
lyoummanyanao
boonkhabata.

Mymot
herl
aughsoutt
henl
ooksatAvi
.

Mum:Avimychil
disn'
tgoingtowearari
ngfor
t
hreeyear
s.Whenareyourunclescomi
ng?

Avi
:(l
ooki
ngdownandsmil
ingshyl
y)Verysoon
Mme.Itol
dthem t
ocomeherenextweekend.
Me:(
wideeyed)Warenextwhat
?Heel
ang!Aviyou
di
dn'
teventel
lme!

Mum:Heywenakeepqui
et.Thisi
sbet
weenmeand
mysoni
nlaw.Ar
eyoumar ryi
ngyour
self
?

Tyl
erandAvilaughasIfol
dmyarms.Iam not
i
mpr essedatal
lbymymother'
sbehavi
or.Iam her
chi
ldhere.WhoisAvit
oher?

Mum:Sowhenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmeAvi
?

Avi
:(l
aughs)Alothasbeenhappeni
ngbutIwas
goi
ngtoletherknowsoshecall
syou.

Mum:OK.Whendoyouwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed.

Me:Maybe-
Mum:Tl
otl
oareyoumar
ryi
ngyour
sel
f?Iam t
alki
ng
t
omysoninlaw.

Agai
ntheyl
aughatme.Mxm.

Avi
:Iam hopi
ngwecangett hetradi
ti
onalpar
tdone
i
namont hortwothentheactualweddingi
nthree
monthsbefor
eshestar
tsshowing.

Me:heel
ang!Avikant
ewhat'shappening?Howdo
youhaveal
lthi
splannedoutwithoutme?Shouldn'
t
Igett
odecidewhenwear egett
ingmar r
iedaswell
?

Mum:(
ignor
ingme)Bef
oreshest
art
sshowi
ng?I
s
shepr
egnant?

Avi
:(embar
rassed)Eemma.
Mymot
herl
ooksatmeandl
aughs.

Mum:Wai t
sekanayoutwoarenaught
y.OKIwil
l
tal
ktoheruncl
essothatt
heyknowwhatyourpl
ans
are.

Shel
aughsagai
nmaki
ngAmant
lel
augh.

Mum:Iam sohappyf oryoumychi l

d.ObonaoAvi ,
Isawthedayhecamet ohelpyoumovef rom her
e
gorekemotho.Iknewhewi l
lfi
nall
ygiveyouwhat
youhavebeenyearni
ngf or
.Iam happyforyou.

Me:(
sul
king)Icansee.Youdon'
tevenaskme.O
ut
lwakaAvi.

Theyalll
aughatme.Idon'
tknowwhattheyf
ind
funnyhere.Avienei
sgoi
ngtoexpl
ainhi
msel
fwhen
wegethome.Nextt
hingIknowhewi
llal
readyhave
avenuepl
annedoutfort
heweddi
ng.

°
°°° °
°°°

Di
kel
edi

Thisiswhatt heymeanwhent heysaygett

inganew
l
easeonl i
fe.Ifeell
ikeIhavej usthitar
e-start
buttoninmyl ife.GoingtoFr ancist
owncamewi t
h
mor egreatthingstohel pwi t
hmyheal i
ng.Mr s
Miltonrecommendedaf riendofherswhol ivesin
Gabor onewhocoul dhel pmewi thmytherapy.
Appar ent
lyshehasr eceivedmanyaccoladesi nher
fi
eld.Iam lookingforwar dtoit.

Iam sogladIt
ooktheiradvi
cetotakeabusback
homesoIcanr estbef
oregoingformycontract
si
gningtomorr
ow.Iam homeandf eel
ingr
efreshed
aft
eralongshower.Whatam Igoingtowear
tomorrow?Letmecheckf
orsomeoft
hecl
othesI
gotfofjobi
nter
views.

Isti
llcan'
tbeli
eveIgothiredaft
ermyver yfi
rst
i
nterview.Thatdoesn'tj
usthappen.Iassemble
thr
eeout fi
tsandlaythem outonmybedandsnapa
fewpi csthenupl
oadonet omyFacebookwi t
hthe
capti
on" whichonesays'Iam hereandIam in
chargeofmysel f
?"

Likesstartpi
li
ngi
nasIsmi
leandl
ieonmybed
readingthecomment
s.

Boleng:OhmyGodIam sohappysi staz! ‍♂

‍♀ Pl easel
ett
henewNadi abeher etost
ay.
Themi ddl
eonewithyourblackr
edbot t
omswi l
l
havethem watchi
ngtheradiowhi
lel
isteni
ngtothe
TV

Facebookf
ri
end:YassssQueen!What
'st
he
occasi
on?Al
loft
hem ar
esof
ir
egi
rl

Facebookfr
iend2:Tl
hemmagi
vemeamakeover
!
Il
oveyourtast
e

Facebookf r
iend3:NnaIwantustotalkaboutyour
bedding.Haibo!Kanaareyoui
nahot elnemma?
Wheredi dyoubuyt hose?Ket
swapelogore.

Reply:It
houghtIwastheonlyonemma These
arethepeoplewholi
stent
oDrGur e.Esengr
onaba
rehupetsangbannakaditonkana ‍♀

Repl
y2:choma! Thenwecrywhent
heyr
un
awayngwanawabat
hoatshabal
eso!

Ari
e:uhu .Att
enti
onseeki
ngmuch?Don'
tfor
getI
knowwhatyoudidl
astsummer.
Repl
y:Andt
henwena?Onol
ecokekachi
ll
isi
?

Reply2:Haobaitsebabadisl
ayqueengor
ehaba
rat
eprogressyabat
ho.Mxm

Acal
lcomest
hroughi
nter
rupt
ingme.

Me:Hel
lo?

Voi
ce:Howar
eyoumyqueen?

Me:(
sur
pri
sed)Mor
ena?Youst
il
lhavemynumber
?

Voice:Yes.Wher
edoyouwantt
ogol
ooki
ngt
hat
expensive.
Me:(
smi
li
ng)Igotaj
obt
lher
ra.

Morena:ohcongrat
ulat
ions!Youwil
lfi
nal
lyl
ear
n
whatmakingcleanmoneyf eel
sli
ke.

Me:(l
aughi
ng)Morenat
lher
rahakebatl
ewena.
Canyougoandplaywit
hyougirl
fr
iendandchi
ldo
tswemogonna.

Morena:Mxm.Whydon'
tyoul
etmet
akeyououtt
o
di
nnertocel
ebr
atet
oni
ght?

Me:Ican'
t.Idon'
twantt
osendyout
hewr
ong
message.

Morena:Whatmessagebecauseit
'sj
ustdi
nner
?
Kantedon'
tyoumissmeNadi a?
Ibi
temyl
ipandl
ookdown.

Me:IdobutIdon'
twantt
obr
eakanyone'
sfami
ly
apar
t.Notknowi
ngl
y.

Mor
ena:Whosai
danythi
ngaboutt
hat
?Ij
ustwant
t
oseeyouasafr
iend.

Me:Ican'
t.I
'
m sor
ry.

Ihangupthecal
landtossmyphoneawayin
fr
ustr
ati
on.Aknockonmydoorstar
tl
esme.Idon't
knowanyonewhowoul dcometomyhouse.Iwear
agownandslidemyphoneint
omypocket.

Iwal
ktot
hef
rontdoorandopent
hedoor
.

Me:(
frowni
ng)Sébast
ienwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Sébast
ien:(
smi
les)won'
tyoul
etmei
nnemma?

Me:(
fol
dingmyar
ms)whatdoyouwant
?

Hepushedpastmeandshut
sthedoorbehi
ndhim
bef
orel
ocki
ngitandsl
idi
ngt
hekeyint
ohispocket
.

Me:(
frowni
ng)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Sébastien:(fr
owns)Wher ehaveyoubeen?O
simolotsebobeleteAkereNadi a?Icameherelast
nightandyouwer en'
there.Eventhismor
ningyou
werenther e.Thi
sisthethirdti
meIam comi nghere
today.Wher ewereyou?

Me:Whatthehelli
swrongwit
hyou?Howisi
tany
ofyourbusi
nessgorewher
ewasI?Areyoui
nsane?
Sébasti
en:Nadiakeatenega.Lesagont ena.(
Iam
gett
ingangry.St
opmakingmeangr y)Wereyou
bi
tchingaroundonsomeot herdick?Kantekeengo
l
elebelet
ejaanaselokewena?( whyareyousucha
bi
tch?)

Me:Sébastiennaar
eoantlhol
ela?Aren'
tyout
he
onewhoki ckedmeoutofyourhouseoreyouare
expecti
ngantherwoman?Lesagopekelamogo
nnatlher
ra.

Aslapfrom hi
sbackhandlandsonmyf
ace.Am I
deafr
ightnow?Ican'thearathi
ngi
nmylef
tear
.

Sébast
ien:Abit
chdeser
vesnothi
ngbutabit
chslap
whensher unshermout
h.LesagoBualennaokare
oremat shi
moNadianxl
a.Areyoucheat
ingonme?

Anot
hersl
apl
andsonme.Whati
sgoi
ngon?Howi
s
thi
shappeningri
ghtnow?ThismanandIhave
neverevenbeenoff
ici
al.Hehasneverbeenmy
boyfr
iend.Whati
shetalkingabout
.

Me:(cr
ying)Sébasti
entlher
raoampol
aya.O
mpelet
saengner ra?(Youarehur
ti
ngme.Whyar
e
youbeati
ngme? )

Sébasti
en:kegont
shamakgakgalebobel
ete.(
Iam
teachi
ngyoumannersandpur
gingyouof
promiscui
ty)

Hepushesmer oughlyagainstt
hewal lbangi
ngmy
headagainsti
tmaki ngmescr eam i
npai n.He
roughl
ypullst
her opeofmygownof fandt ur
nsme
aroundthenti
esitsoi trunsacr
ossmymout h
l
eavingmymout hwideopen.Ican'tscream
anymore.Whyishedoi ngthi
stome?

Heyanksmybr
eastr
oughl
yanddr
agsmet
othe
bed.Pl
easedon'
tdot
histome.Pl
easeGoddon'
tlet
thi
shappenagai
n.Pl
ease.
.

Hepushesmeontothebedandt r
iestofor
cemy
l
egsopen.It
ryt
oki
ckhi sbal
lsbutitl
andsonhi
s
st
omachmakinghi
m staggerbag.

Sébast
ien:(chuckl
es)Oant
lwael
awai
tsesel
oke
wenasal esi
elanxl
a.

Hepull
smebymyhai randdropsmeont hefloor.I
tr
ytostandupandr unbutaki cktomyfaceforces
mebackt othefloor.Atthi
spoi ntmyt
earsand
snor
tareallovermyf aceasIbegandpr ayforhim
nott
odot his,
bar el
yaudiblebecauseofther
opei n
mymout h.

Sébasti
en:(
taki
nghispant
soff
)Thebestthi
ngfor
youtodoistoshutupandsaveyourst
rength
becausegogojaketli
legogoj
a.Haket swehake
sakgora.(
takesakni f
eoutofhi spocket)Hake
kgotshekeagobol aya.Letlwaelabathobanyana
baGaborone.(Iam goingtofuckyouunt ilIam
sati
sfi
ed.OnceIam sat i
sfi
edIam goingt okil
lyou.
YouGaboronegi r
lstakepeopleforgranted)Iam
goingtogetri
dofyourbodyandnoonei sgoingto
fi
ndyou.Nxla.

Hepushest hegownof fmyt hi

ghsandf orcemy
l
egsopen.Il ookawayf acingthewallastearskeep
pouri
ngdownmyf ace.Ifeelhi
sdickpushi ngi
nto
mydr yvagina.Doesthishappent oeveryone?Am I
j
ustcur sed?Ist
hishowIdi e?I
nthesameshameI
wastryingtowalkawayf rom?Whatkar madoI
deser
ve?Whyi sthi
shappeni ngtome?Mamao
ntl
ogeletseeng?

800Li
kes,50comment sand10,
shar
esf
oft
he
11pm i
nsert
.Ifnot
,tomor
rowhel
a
[
08/
31,
17:
46] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t52

Nar
rat
ed

Sébast i
enkeepsteari
ngintoDikelediwholiest
here
helplessl
yandpar al
yzedbymemor iesofher
chil
dhood.Att hi
smoment ,Sébastieninhermindis
replacedbyNt at
e.Ademonshet houghtshehad
j
ustconquer ed.Sébasti
enpull
shi mselfoutofher
andyanksherheadupf orci
nghert ositup.Hethen
untiestheropearoundhermout h.

Sébast
ien:Openyourmout
h.

Dikel
edist
aresbl
indl
yintohiseyeswithtear
s
fal
li
ng.Heball
shisotherhandintoafistand
puncheshermouth.Herheadfallsbackasshe
scr
eams.

Sébast
ien:Isai
dopenyourmouthbi
tch!Scream
onemor eti
meandIwillgi
veyousomethingto
scr
eam about.

Dikel
ediholdsherbl
eedi
ngl
ipsasf
resht
ear
spour
downherf ace.

Dikel
edi:Pl
easestopdoingthi
stome.Pl easejust
go.IpromiseIwon'trepor
tyou.Iam beggingyou.
Pleasego.Iwil
ljustgoandbath.Iwon'trepor
tyou.

Sébasti
enslapsherthenpr essesherjawwi t
hhis
thumbandi ndexfi
ngerf or
cinghermout hopenin
pain.Hethenshoveshi sdickint
ohermout hand
beginstomovei nandoutofher .Dikel
edigains
courageandbitesontoitmaki nghimroarinpain
andpunchherr epeatedl
ytogetherof fhim.He
stagger
sbacki nbli
ndingpainwhi chgivesDikel
edi
thechancetostandupandr un.I
t'
sonlywhenshe
getstothedoorthatsheremembersherhast he
keys.Shebeginstobangont hewindowscreaming
forhel
pbutthereisnoonepassingbyandt heparty
nextdoormasksherscr eamstotheoutsi
dewor l
d.

Sébasti
en'
spainfi
nall
ysubsidiesandheyanksher
hai
randpullsherbacktothebedt henpushesher
downandbeginstostranglesher.Dikel
edi
scr
atcheshiswri
stsatt
empt i
ngtol oosenhi
sgri
p.

Sébast i
en:Itoldyout hatIam goi
ngtofuckyou
untilIam sati
sfiedandwhenIam sat isfi
ed,Iam
goingt oki
llyou.Iam notsat i
sfi
edbutitseemslike
youwantt odi ealready.Isyourmothercall
ingyou
beyondt hegr ave?Huh?Doyouwantt odie?

Dikeledishakesherheadasherai rsupplysl
owly
runsout .Hereleaseshisholdonherneck.Thepoor
thingcoughsr apidl
ytryi
ngtocatchherbreathbut
allthatstopswhenabl i
ndi
ngpainhitsherhardbut
can'tscream becauseofthestr
anglingsheistryi
ng
torecoverfrom.Shelif
tsherheadt oseewhat
causedi tandismetbyakni f
ethathassl i
cedinto
herthigh.ShelooksatSébasti
eni nshockandhe
hasasadi sti
csmi l
eonhisface.Wat chi
ngthepain
i
nhereyeshashi m hardagai
nsohewal ksto
Dikeledi
'skit
chenunitt
ogetanot herkni
fe.

Dikel
ediwatchesinhor r
orashert highbleedsout
ontoherbedding.Sébast i
enwalksbackandl ands
theknif
eonherot herthighwhil
ecover i
ngher
mouth.Hethenr emoveshi shandandf or cesher
mouthopenagai n.Hespi tssal
ivaintohermout h
nauseati
ngDikeledi
.Het henshoveshi speni si
n
andoutofhermout h.

Sébast
ien:Takei
tbi
tch!Takei
t!Youknowyoul
ike
i
t.

Thethoughtofhissal
ivainhermout
hhasher
gaggi
ngwhi chtakesSébast
ient
oanevenhi
gher
hi
ghatthef
eel
ingofhert
hroatpul
sat
ingagai
nhi
s
di
ck….

AtMor
ena'
shouse

Morenagoest hroughhi sFacebookal bum

contai
ningNadia'spictureswi t
hasmi leonhisf ace.
Heput sheadsetsont owat chavi deoofat i
ktok
chall
engesheoncedi donhi m wher esher ecorded
avideoofhimr eceivingasexypi cturef r
om her
whil
et heywereatabr aaiathispar entshouse.He
l
aughsashi seyeswi denont hevi deor emember i
ng
thefeeli
nghehadt hatdayl ooki ngar oundt oseei f
hisbrother
sdidn'tseei t
.Theyl eftearlythatnight
beausehej ustwant edt oburyhi msel finher.

Lea:Mozy!Babe!

Leawalksovert
ohim holdi
nghersononherhi
p
andshakeshisshoul
der.Morenal
ooksupand
r
emovesoneheadset
.

Mor
ena:Mma?

Lea:Aor r
a.Ihavebeencall
ingyouoverandover
again.IneedyoutoholdLetl
otl
o.

Mor
ena:oh.OK.Comeher
ebuddy.

Shehandshi
m overwhil
epeekingi
ntohi
sphone.
Shesi
ghsandholdsherhips.

Lea:Wat
chinganotherNadi
avideoagai
nMor ena?
Totawhydon'tyouhaveanyounceofrespectf
or
me?Howdoyouexpectmet ofeelwhenyoudot hi
s?

Mor
ena:Pl
easedon'
tst
artLea.
Lea:Don'tstar
t?Mor enayouaretheoneactingli
ke
apr i
ckhere.Iam themotherofyourson.Asonyou
woul dn'
tevenletmenameaf teryouforsome
reason.AndIam begi nni
ngtothinkt
hatshei st
he
reason.Areyouplanningonleavingmef orher
Mor ena?

Morena:Leacanyoust
opal
lthi
snonsense.Noti
n
f
rontofmyson.

Shechucklesandtakesthebabyt
henwal ksof
f.He
shakeshisheadandput st
heheadsetbackon.Lea
putsthebabyinhi
snur ser
yandgiveshimtoysto
playwit
hbeforegr
abbingoneofthebabymoni t
ors.

Lea:Mummywi
llber
ightbackmyl
oveOK?

Shewalksbackt
otheli
vingr
oom andsureenough,
herboyf
ri
endhasastupi
dsmi l
eonhisface.
Lea:Mozydoyouevencar
ethatyouhurtme?Do
youevenlovemeatal
l?Whenwast hel
astti
mewe
hadsex?Oursonisf
ourmonthsoldbutyousti
ll
ref
usetotouchme.

Morena:LeaItol
dyouIdon'
tfeelcomf
ort
abl
e
havi
ngsexwi t
hyouunti
lheisayearol
d.

Lea:Andwhodoest hat
?Ayear ?Ihavebeengiven
thegreenli
ghtsi
ncemysi xweeksvisi
t.Butwena
'
DrMor ena'yougi
veitayear?Doyoust i
lll
oveme?

Morena:(si
ghs)LeaIt
hinkyouar
ejustbored.Not
wor
kingmakesyourmi ndidl
ewit
himaginations
t
hatdon'texi
st.

Lea:(
chuckles)Thisfrom amanwhobeggedmet o
putoffworkunt i
loursonistwoyear
sold?Doyou
knowhowf oolishIlookli
steni
ngtoaboyf
ri
endover
mypar ent
s?
Morena:Hei
shLeagoandwor kifyouwantt o.I
don'
twantyoutostartbl
amingmef orever
ything
j
ustbecausebothofusdecideditwasbestf orour
sonifyoust
ayedwithhim unt
ilheisreadyfor
school
.Acceptoneofyourjoboffer
see.

Lea:(cr
ying)WhatdidIeverdot
oyouMor ena?Al
lI
everdoisloveyou.Idon'
tdeser
vewhatyouared-

Morenal
if
tshishandstoppi
ngherf r
om speaki
ng
asheanswersacallheneverexpect
ed.Hestands
upandwalksout.

Mor
ena:Hiyou.Mi
ssmeal
ready?
:
Mor
ena:Hel
lo?
:
Mor
ena:Nadi
a?
Her eal
izesitj
usthavebeenapocketdialand
disappoint
mentwashesoverhim.Hei sabouttocut
thecallwhenhehear svoi
cesi
nthebackgr ound.
Actuall
yaman' svoiceandsomedisturbi
ngsounds
accompanyi nghim.

Voice:Whatthefuck?Nxla!Wi pethisshi
t!Wipei
t
offri
ghtknowbef oreImovet hisknif
efrom your
thi
ght oyourchest.Iwi
llki
llyour i
ghtnow!How
dareyouvomi tonme?Kegobol ayeNadia?

Nadia:(
cryi
ng)Iam sor
ry.Iam sor
rypl
easedon'
t
ki
llme

Morena'
sjoi
ntsgr
owcol
dasher
eal
izesshei
s
bei
ngatt
acked.

Sébast
ien:St
andup!St
andupdammi
t.
Nadi
a:(
shakyvoi
ce)Ican'
t.Thekni
vesar
ehur
ti
ng
me.

Morenahear
ssomeshuf f
li
ngandmuff
ledscr
eams
ashewalksbackint
othehouset
ograbhisot
her
phoneandcarkeys.

Lea:Mor
enawher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Iam t
alki
ngt
o
you?

Hedoesn'
tstoptoanswerher.Hejustr
acesoffto
hi
scarwit
hhi shear
tbeat
ingagainsthi
schest.He
i
soutofhi
syar dwhenher eal
izeshedoesn'
tknow
wher
eshelives.

Sébast
ien:(
roari
nginpl
easur
e)ohyesbaby.Ihave
l
ongwant edtotast
ethi
sasshol
e.I
t'
ssoti
ght!Take
i
tbaby.Takeit!
Hehear sNadiacryi
ngandhi tst
hedrivi
ngwheel
rapi
dlywithhispalmssweat i
nginrage.Li
steni
ngt o
thi
scutshim buthefeelsl
ikehangingupisn'tan
opti
on.Abulbgoesof fi
nhi sheadandhegr abshi s
otherphoneandsearchesforBoleng'snumber .She
answersont hethi
rdri
ng.

Bol
eng:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)Thi
sisn'
tagoodt
ime.I
'
ll
cal
lyouback.

Morena:(
shout
s)Bol
engdon'
thangup!Nadi
aisi
n
t
rouble!

Bol
engsi
tsupont
opofTony.

Bol
eng:Whatt
roubl
e?Whoi
sthi
s?

Mor
ena:I
t'
sMor
ena.Nadi
aoncecal
ledyouusi
ng
myphone.Li
stenIneeddi
rect
ionst
owher
eshe
st
aysr
ightnow.

Bol
eng:Why?What
'shappeni
ng?

Tony:Babywhat
'swr
ong?

Bol
eng:Idon'
tknow.

Shecl
imbsof
fofhi
spul
sat
ingdi
ckandsi
tsnextt
o
hi
m.

Morena:(i
mpatiently)Bol
engIdon'
thavet
imet o
expl
ain.Ineeddirecti
ons.Thatmanwil
lki
llher
whil
eIam explaining.

Boleng'
shear
tjumpstoherthr
oatandshewant
sto
knowwhathappeningbutcompli
es.
Bol
eng:Shel
ivesi
nBl
ock8nearMancosa.

Shetellshi
m whi
chhouseandhespeedsof faft
er
hangingup.Bol
engstart
spacingar
oundcalli
ng
Nadia'sphonet
hatkeepsshowingi
tsbusy.

Boleng:Babyhesayssomeonei satt
acki
ngher.I
don'tunderstand.Ij
ustspoket oheronFacebook.
Shewaspr epari
nganout f
itfortomorr
ow.Idon't
understandwhati shappening.Whywouldanyone
wantt oatt
ackher ?

Tony:Pleasest
opwor
ryi
ngyour
sel
fli
ket
his.I
twi
ll
aff
ectthebaby.

Boleng:(cr
ying)Ican'thelpi
t.Idon'
tknowwhat
's
happeningtomysi ster.Ican'
tevencallmymum
wit
houtknowi ngwhat 'shappening.
Tony:OKthenl
et'
sgotoGabor
one.Wewil
lget
ther
ebefor
e8pm.Thatwayyoucanbet
hreeforher
.

Bol
engj
umpsont
ohi
m andhugshi
m.

Bol
eng:Thankyou!Thankyou!Butwhataboutyour
meeti
ngtomorrow?

Tony:I
'
llpost
ponei
t.Let
'sgoandshowersowecan
hi
ttheroad.

Theycl
imboutofbedandheadt
othebat
hroom….

Meanwhi l
einGaborone,Morenadr i
vesli
kea
maniacwhi l
elist
eni
ngtoSébastien'
svoiceprai
sing
hi
mselfforrapingNadia.Hi
sknucklesbegintohurt
fr
om holdingthewheeltoot
ightwant i
ngnothi
ng
morethant oarri
veandcaveintheskullwhoever
t
hisguyi
s.

AtNadi
a'
shouse

Dikelediisbentoverandt ouchingherkneesand
tearsstopr unningasshewat chest hebloodoozing
outofbot hhert highs.Thepai nsuddenl yf eel
s
goodt oher .Wat chi
ngt hebl oodl eaveherbodyf il
ls
herwi t
hhopeasSébast ienfinall
yt akestheone
thingNt atealwayst hreatenedhewoul d.Feeli
ng
himt earintoheranuswast helastst r
awandt he
l
ossofbl oodputasmi l
eonherf acebecauseshe
couldf i
nallydie.Allthispainwi l
lfi
nallystop.She
willf
inallyrestfrom allthepai nthiswor ldhas
broughther .

Sébast
ienpul
lsoutofheranusandint
ohervagi
na
goi
ngbackandf our
thgrunt
ingwit
hpleasur
e.

Sébast
ien:
Fuckbabyt
hisf
eel
ssogood!Damni
t!
Howam Igoingtobeablet
okil
lyouwhenyoutast
e
sogood?Kanathesef
lapsaremagic!Eses!

Dikeledi
'sbodyhi
tti
ngagainsthi
shei
ght
enshis
pleasureasheslapsherasscheeksunt
ilt
heyar
e
red.

Dikelediwatchest hepoolofbl oodatherfeet

wonder inghowmuchbl oodshehast olosei norder
todie.Hereyesf i
nal lygrowheavyasasmi l
egrows
onherf ace.Thef eelingofherbodygr owingweaker
surpassesanyor gasm shehaseverhadt ryi
ngt o
forget.Thiswasmuchmor efinal
.Thebestwayt o
forget.Allt
hat'
slef tnowi sforherbodytosinkto
thefloorpushingt heknivesf urt
heri
ntohert hi
ngs.
Shehopest ofeelthatlastpainasshesays
goodbye.
800l
ikes,70comment
sand20shar
esBY3PM f
or
abonusinser
t
[
08/
31,
17:
47] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t53

Mor
ena

Mylevelofi
mpati
encecannott
aket
hispol
ice
man'sstupi
dit
yri
ghtnow.

Overt
hephone:Mest
ahwar
ekaekant
e?

Me:(angry)Li
stentomeandl i
stenverywell.Iam
goingtohaveyourbadgeforthis.Ihaveyourname
off
iceSeladi
.Ifanyt
hinghappenst oherbef
oreyou
getther
eyouar egoingtoknowme.
Ihangupt hephoneandpoundt hewheeli n
fr
astrat
ion.Nadi amusthaver unoutofai r
ti
me
becausethecal lgotcutandshei sn'tansweri
ngmy
cal
ls.Idon'tknowwhenshewi l
leverstopputting
herphoneonsi lent.Ical
ledthepolicebutthat
uselessguydoesn' tseem t
obet akingmeser iousl
y
asall.

Me:What
?

Whyt hehelli
stheretraff
iconaSunday?Ir aisemy
headandseet hatthereisanaccidentbyt he
roundabout.Shi
t!Ican'twaitfort
his.Imoveont o
thepavementanddr iveoff.I'
dbegl adi
fpolice
fol
lowmer ightnowbecauseIam notst oppingunti
l
Igettothathouse.

Nar
rat
ed

Sébast
iengr
unt
sandhi
ssweatf
all
sont
oDi
kel
edi
'
s
backashepumpshi sseedint
ohervagina.Helif
ts
hisheadtothecei
li
ngasthewavehitshim.He
fi
nall
ypushesherontothebedlandi
ngheronher
si
de.Hefrownswhenheseeshereyescl osed.He
shakesherbutshedoesn'
tmove.

Sébast
ien:Nadi
a!Nadi
aopenyoueyesmahn.

Hefeel
sforherpulseandhishear
tst
art
sraci
ng
whenhedoesn'tf
eelanythi
ng.Heput
shishands
overhi
shead.

Sébast
ien:Shi
t!Shi
t!Shi
t!WhathaveIdone?

Hequicklydressesupanddr agsDikeledi
'sl
ifel
ess
bodytothebat hr
oom wherehet ossesherintothe
tubwithhisheartpoundi
ng.Hedi dn'twantto
actual
lyki
llher.I
twasjusttoughtalk.Hewant edto
seethefearinhereyesatthethoughtofdeat h.Thi
s
couldrui
nhiscar eer
.Hepullstheknivesoutofher
thi
ghsandopenst het
apt owasht hebloodoff
beforeput t
ingbot hknivesintohispocket.Hethen
beginst ovigorouslywashherwhol ebody
scrubbi ngoffhisDNAf r
om herbodyandhai r
.He
grabshert oothbr ushandscr ubsunderneathher
fi
nger nail
sremovi nganyski nshemi ghthave
scratchedof fofhim.Het henl at
hershishandswith
soapandbegi nst owashhervagi nainserti
nghis
fi
nger sandt wirl
ingthem aroundhopi ngtogetri
dof
anytr aceofsemen.

Thesoundofacardrivi
ngi
natahighspeedstops
hi
m.Hef r
ownsandlistent
othecardoorbangi
ng
andfeetr
ushi
ngtothedoor.

Voi
ce:Nadi
a!Opent
hedoorbaby!I
'
m her
e!Nadi
a!

Sébasti
enli
stensasthemanbeginst
opoundon
thedoortr
yingtobr
eakitdown.Hepacesar
ound
thebathr
oom inapanic.
Sébast
ien:shi
tshi
tshi
t!Thi
nkSébast
ient
hink!

Morena:Nadi
a!Scream soIknowyouar
einthere!I
cal
ledtheambulance.Thepol
icear
ecomingtoo!

Sébast iensl owlywal kst othedoorandqui etl

y
i
nser t
st hekeyi ntothedoorwhi leMorenabangson
i
t.Hesl owlyunl ockst hedoorandwai tsforhimt o
bangi tagai n.Whenhehear shim chargeforit,
Sébast ienqui cklyopenst hedoorandshut sitagain
hit
tingMor ena'sheadcausi nghi mt ostaggerback
i
npai n.That '
stheonl ychanceSébast ienneedsand
heducksoutoft hedoorspear i
ngMor enaagai nst
hiscarandr unningof f.Mor enagetsupandchases
Sébast ient henst opswhenher emember shim
threat
eni ngtokillNadi a.Asmuchashewant edto
breakt hatani mal '
sjaw, theimpor t
antthingnowi s
toseehowNadi ai s.
Hej etsbackt othehouseandl ooksaround
frantical
lyasthetrai
lofbloodleadingtothe
bathr oom grabshisat
tention.Herushestothe
bathr oom andpanicswhenheseesat ubofblood
wat eraroundanunconsci ousNadia.Hepacest o
thet ubandbegi nstopullherli
fel
essbodyout.

Morenaplacesheront
hef
loorandbegi
nst
o
per
form CPRonher.

Morena:(
panicked)babedon'
tthi
stomemyqueen.
Pl
easedon'
tleavemel i
kethi
s.

Thesoundoftheambulanceinthedi
stancegives
hi
m hopeashequicklypacesbacktogethergown
andputi
toverhernakedness.

Theambulancedrivesinandparamedi
csrushint
o
thehoudrt
oattendDikel
edi.Mor
enastandsafew
feetawaygivi
ngthem space.
Par
amedi
c:Si
rwhathappenedher
e?

Morena:Someguywasr api
ngheri
nhere.She
musthavebuttdi
aledmebecauseIhear
dthewhole
thi
ngoverthephone.Heranof
fwhenIgothere.I
s
shegoingtobefi
ne?

Oneofthepar
amedicsputspressureoverher
woundsanddressest
hem toarrestt
hebleedi
ng
whi
letheot
herchecksherpul
se.

Par
amedi
c:Herpul
sei
sweak.

Theythenplaceheront hestr
etcheraft
er
perf
ormingCPRonher .Theywheelherintot
he
ambulancewhileoneoft hem usesaventi
lat
orto
hel
pherbr eat
he.Morenaj umpsintotheambulance
aft
erlocki
ngthedoor.Thepol i
cedriveinj
ustasthe
ambulancedoorsclose.Oneoft heoffi
cer
sjumps
outofthecart
oquesti
ont
heambulancedr
iver
.The
paramedicsi
tt
ingwi
thMorenaatt
hebackl
ooksat
hi
m.

Par
amedi
c:Theymi
ghtneedyout
ost
ay.

Morena:Iam notst
ayi
ng.Wherehavet
heybeen?
Let
'sgo.Sheneedshelpri
ghtnow!

Theambulancedr
iverdr
ivesoffaft
ertel
li
ngthe
pol
iceof
fi
cerstof
ollowthem t
ot hehospi
tal
.

AtMor
ena'
shouse

Leawipeshertear
sandputsherphonedownaft
er
tr
yingMorena'
snumberforthet
hir
dtimeandgoi
ng
unanswer
ed.Sheburi
edherf aceinherf
lhamds
andcri
esout.Aft
eraf
ewmi nutes,
shegetsher
phoneanddial
sChantel
le.

Chant
ell
e:HiLea.Howi
smyl
astbor
n?

Lea:(cri
es)Whatdi dIeverdotoMor enanemma?
Whathol ddoesthatNadi ahaveoverhimthathe
doesn'tthi
nktwicetor unaf
terher
?Hepi nesover
herthewhol edayyetIam theonemaki ng
sacri
ficesforhi
m.Whathassheexverdonef orhi
m
huh?Whydoesn' theloveme?

Chant
ell
e:Leawhat
'sgoi
ngon?

Lea:Idon'
tknow!Hej ustranoutofhereafter
recei
vingacallfr
om Nadia.Morenadoesn'tcare
aboutmeMmaagweBogol o.Idecl
ineda
governmentjobofferbecauseheaskedmet obut
hedoesn'tcare.Hedoesn'tevensl
eepinthesame
r
oom wit
hme.Hehasbeensl
eepi
ngonthecouch
i
nLetl
otl
o'sr
oom f
oramont
hnow.Kegoreke
r
omotseMorenabycomi
ngbackhome.(
Iprovoked
Mor
ena).

Chant ell
e:(si
ghs)Leayouknowt hatIloveyouandI
wishyouandMor enacoul dbehappyt ogetherbut
myl if
ef oryoudoesn' tmat terher e.Youknowf ull
wellthatMor enalovesNadi a.Ouevensai ditwhen
youf oundoutyouar epr egnantt hatyouarescar ed
ofhavi ngthechildofamant hatdoesn' tl
oveyou.I f
amandoesn' tl
ovet l
hemmaot lasot l
egaago
perfomel akadilotsotlhe.Youwer enotevenn
supposedt ogobackt oMor ena'shouseaf ter
comi ngf r
om conf i
nement .Youshoul dhavest ayed
atyourhouseandf ocusedonyourchi l
d.Ihave
neversuppor tedthisnonsenseyagor eyouar e
rai
singyourson.Heel ammagoandgi vethatbaby
toyourmot herwhileshei sst il
lwi ll
ingandable.
Shet oldyout olethert akeoft hebabyf ortwoyear s
soyoucanst ar
twor k.It'
snotl ikepeopl ewhogi ve
thei
rbabi estothemot hersdon' tlovethei
rchildren.
Theydpi tsotheycanmakesomet hi
ngof
themselvesbefor
et aki
ngthei
rbabiesback.Awhol e
doctorgivi
nguphercar eerf
oraman?Aboyf ri
end?
Nnyaamma.Lookwhathappenedt oTl otl
o.She
neverevenwentt oschoolbecauseofBogosi .
TheseMor enabrotherscanmesswi thyourheadi f
youdonnrcheckyour self
.Sutl
hadikeleditseomma
opaledilwanatsangwanaoyegammaago.

Lea:Youdon'
tunderst
andbecauseyouaremarr
ied
toamanwhol ovesyou.IloveMor
enaandIwish
hecouldseet
hat.Don'tIdeser
vet
helovehei
s
wasti
ngonthatprosti
tut
eofawoman?

Chant el
le:NnammaIhavesaidmypi ece.Ican'
t
forceyout otakemyadvi
ce.Thestr
essBogol ois
givingmei senoughf
ormer i
ghtnow.Youar ethe
onlyonewhocanchoosewhat '
sbestforyou.

Leahangsupandbegi
nst
otypeamessage.
[Mozycanyoupl easecomehomesowecant al
k.I
feell
ikeIam aloneint hi
srelationshi
p.Youdon't
evenshowmeanyounceofl ove.Whydi dyouask
met obeyourgi r
lfri
endagaini fyouknowyoust il
l
l
ovedher ?Ifeell
ikeIam compet ingwithskmekne
whohasal readywonandIl ookl ikethefoolt
hat
i
sn'taccepti
ngdef eat.Ineedyout ocomeback
homei nthenextourorIam t akingmysonand
l
eaving.Ican'tdothisanymor e.]

Shesendsthemessageandlooksstthescr
een.
Thebluet
icksappearandshewait
sfororesponse
whil
ewipi
nghertearsaway.

Att
hehospi
tal
Anhourgoesbywi thMorenaanxi
ouslywait
ingto
hearfrom thedoct or
.Hehasgonet hr
oughallt
he
pictur
eshehasofNadi aandupdatedBolengwho
toldhim sheisonherway.Lea'stextcomes
throughandhef rownswhil
ereadi
ngit.Hebegins
totypehisr esponse.

[Iwishyouknewhowhar dallt
hisisformer i
ght
now.If eelsobadf orhowIt r
eatyoubutmyhear t
won'tletmegi veyout heloveyoudeser ve.The
thi
ngi smyhear ti
sn'
tevenmi ne.Shet ookitmor e
thanthreeyear sagoandIhavet r
iedtohat eherfor
thepastt hr
eeyearbutgoaganat lhemma.Idon' t
knowwhatIam goi ngt odobecauseshemi ghtdi
e.
Ifeelli
keIhavewast edt hesepastt hr
eeyear s
beingangr ywithherwhenIcoul dhavesetmypr i
de
asideandf orgi
venher .MaybesheandIcoul dbe
mar r
iedrightnow.Iwi shIcouldloveyoubutIcan' t.
]

Hewipest
heteart
hatescapedfr
om hi
seyesand
wi
pesthemessageaway.Theseareal
lthet
hings
hewi sheshecoul
dsayt oLeatosetherf
reebut
can'tbri
nghimsel
ftodisr
espect
ingherbyadmit
ti
ng
thathelovesNadi
aandnother ,
themotherofhi
s
son.Howdi dever
ythi
nggetsocompl i
cat
ed?

Anotherhourgoesbyandt hedoctorfi
nal
lywal
ks
i
ntot hewait
ingroom toupdateMorenawhoison
hisfeetimmediatel
ythedoctorwal
ksin.Hetol
d
them sheishisfi
ancesotheywouldupdatehim on
herstatus.

Mor
ena:Dochowi
sshe?Pl
easet
ellmeshei
sfi
ne.

Doctor
:(smili
ng)Wehavemanagedtostabi
li
zeher.
Itwastouchandgof oraminut
ewhensheseemed
tobereject
ingthebl
oodtr
ansfusi
onbutshei
sfine
nowandj ustwokeup.Youcangoandseeher.

Morena:(
rel
ieved)thankyousomuchDoc.What
about
,youknow, therape?Whathappensnow?
Doctor:Weadmi nist
eredt hePEPsoshei sgoingto
befi
ne.Ourpsychol ogistwillbeintoseeher
tomorrowmor ning.Thepol i
cejustfi
nishedtaking
herstatementnowsot heymi ghtcomeandseeyou
aboutyours.Let'
sgo.I'llt
akeyout oherroom.I
haveasof tspotforyoungl ove.Mywi f
eandIgot
marri
edar oundyouguys' age.

Mor enasmilesandf
oll
owshi
m unt
iltheygett
o
Dikeledi
'sr
oom wheret
wopol
iceof
ficershadjust
comef r
om.

Of
fi
cer
:Dumel
amor
ena.

Morenafr
ownsaski
nghi
mselfhowt
heyknowhis
namethenheremember
sit
sacommonterm used
togr
eet.

Mor
ena:Dumel
ang.
Off
icer:Ar
eyout
hewhocal
ledt
orepor
tthi
s
i
ncident?

Mor
ena:YesIam.

Of
fi
cer
:okwewoul
dli
ket
otal
ktoyou.

Mor
ena:notnow.Af
terIseeher
.

Heopenst
hedoorandwal
ksi
naf
tert
hanki
ngt
he
doct
or.

Heslowlywalkstowardsherbedfighti
nghis
emoti
ons.Seeingherfacewithsti
tchesunderher
eyesandonherl i
pmakeshi shandsshakeinrage.
Hermout hst
artswobbli
ngwhensheseeshi m.She
askshersel
fwhatheisdoinghereandhowheknew
whereshewas.Mor enatri
estohugherbutshe
shakesherhead.Shedoesn'
twanttobetouched
ri
ghtnow.Shekeepsaskingher
selfwhyshedidn'
t
die.Shewasn'
tsupposedtowakeup.

Mor
ena:Babear
eyouOK?Youhadmesowor
ri
ed.

Shej
ustst
aresathi
m wi
thoutspeaki
ng.

Morena:Iwantt ohugyousobadl ybutIunder st

and
youwentt hroughsomet hi
ngdif
fi
cult.Iwantyouto
knowthatIam her eforyou.Iam notgoing
anywhere.Iam neverleavi
ngyouagai n.Iwil
l
alwaysprotectyou.Doyouunder st
and?

Tearspourdownherf aceasshelist
enstohim.The
tear
sst i
nghersor
esbutshecan'tstopthem.He
tal
kstohertryi
ngtocomf or
therforsometi
meunt i
l
shefinal
lygi
veshim aweaksmi l
e.
Morena:(punchingtheai
r)Yes!Icannowgoand
tal
ktothosepolicemen.Ialsohaveyourhouse
keysi
ncaset heywanttovisitt
hescene.Iwi
llbe
backOK?Ipr omi se.

Di
kel
edishakesherheadnotwant
inghi
mtogo.

Di
kel
edi
:(wi
thar
apsyvoi
ce)Pl
easedon'
tleaveme.

Morena:Iwi
llbebackmylove.Ipr
omise.Ial
so
wanttogetyoutoi
let
ri
esandotherthi
ngsyoumight
need.OK?Keetla.

Dikeledinodsherheadandwat cheshi m walkoff.

Anhourgoesbyaf terMorenal eaves.Dikeledii
s
wokenbyt hedooropening.Shei sreli
evedMor ena
i
sbackbutt hatrel
iefmelt
sawaywhenherf at
her
walkst hr
ought hedoordressedi nhismi l
it
ary
uniform.Hiswifefoll
owsbehi ndhim andst andsby
thedoorwi thherarmsfolded.Dikelediisunsureof
whattofeelbutati
ngeofj
oycreepsi
nwhenshe
thi
nksofhowhef i
nall
ycame.Howhei sf
inal
lyher
e
forher
.Butagainheisavi
sit
orshe'
swasn't
expect
ingatall
.

Rr
aagweJoe:Di
kel
edigat
wewhathappened?

Dikel
edibli
nkst earsaway.Shewashopinghe
wouldrusht oherbedsi deandenvel
opeherinhis
arms.Af ather
'shugt hatshehadnevergot
ten.
Maybef orthefirstt
imeinherli
fe,
shecould
actual
lyfeelsafe.

RraagweJoe:Kegor ewenaonnaor er apil

wehela?
Basadibalekanakanagot lannagor apilwewena
olenosi?(
howi sitthatyouarealwayscl ai
ming
youhavebeenr aped?Howi sthatofallthewomen
i
nt heworl
d,youaret heonlyonealwaysget ti
ng
raped?
)
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
shar
eandcomment
[
08/
31,
17:
53] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t54

Di
kel
edi

RraagweJoe:Kegor ewenaonnaor er apil

wehela?
Basadibalekanakanagot lannagor apilwewena
olenosi?(
howi sitthatyouarealwayscl ai
ming
youhavebeenr aped?Howi sthatofallthewomen
i
nt heworl
d,youaret heonlyonealwaysget ti
ng
raped?
)

Myeyesstar
tbli
nkingrapi
dlyasshockruns
t
hroughmyveins.Ihavetohaveimaginedthi
s
man'swor
ds.Thereisnowayhej ustsaidt
hatto
me.

Me:What
..
.Whatdi
dyousayt
ome?

RraagweJoe:Soitwasn'tenoughf oryout
oaccuse
myf at
herofrapi
ngyouandcausi ngmymot her'
s
deathbyyourfool
ishness.Younowhavet ogoand
dragmyjunioroff
iceri
ntoyourlies?Ismyfather
dyingi
nprisonnotenoughf oryou?

MmaagweJoe:( sneeri
ngatme)Thi siswhatyou
getforcheat
ingonmewi t
havil
lagewhoreand
gett
ingherpregnant.Bonahelagoregodul eeng.
(l
ookwhatcameofi t)Ibetshei
sn'tevenyourchi
ld.
Shelooksnothingli
keyou.

Tear
sburnmyeyesasIl ookatbothofthem in
complet
edisbel
ief
.Therearetoomanyt hingsbei
ng
sai
dhereandIam tryi
ngt oprocesst
hem.Di dhe
sayNtat
eisdead?Ishesayi ngSébast
ienishis
Juni
orof
fi
cer
?

Me:(
shakyvoi
ce)soyouknowSébast
ien?

RraagweJoe:Thatboyi soneofmybestandIdon' t
knowwhyyouhavet ogoar oundaccusi nghim of
thi
ngshedi dn'tdo.Youhadt hosepoliceofyour s
bangingont hedoor sofourbarrackslookingfor
him.Itoldthem youar emydaught erandyouhave
ahi st
oryofaccusinginnocentmenofr api
ngyouso
theyshouldbei nvesti
gati
ngyoubef oretheystart
arrest
inginnocentpeoplewhocoul dendupsui ng
thestate.

MmaagweJoe:Youshoul dhavet ol
dthem tocome
andar r
estherkagoreokarekemot hoakgatlhega
j
aanong.Ot samayaaphaki sakukukokampengha
got wearekgaoganeot l
aaLel aareor api
lwe.
(becauseithasbecomeagamet oher.Shegoes
aroundsleepingwit
heverymani nthecampand
whenshei stoldi
t'
sovershestartscryi
ngrape.)
Imagi neyourf at
herdyi ngi npri
sonbecauseofsuch
at hi
ng.Nxl a!Kanamaybeshei sevenact i
ngli
ke
shedi dn'tknowSébast i
enwasyourj uni
orand
want stor ui
nyourr eput ati
onusi nghim.Imagine
helagot weLi eut
enantCol onelSupang'sdaughter
falselyaccusedhi sFirstLi eut
enantofr ape.Bo
Davi dleaSel aSelawai tse.Iwonderwhoshei s
sleepingwi thtopayf ort hi
shospi t
al.Ishouldwarn
thepoorguygor ehei saboutt owalkoutwi th
handcuf fsaccusedofr ape.

Ican'
tevensummont hest
rengt
htot
alktothese
peopl
e.Whydidtheycomehere?Toaccusemeof
l
ying?Forasecondti
me?

Me:(
star
ri
ngatt
hewal
l)youneedt
oleaver
ight
now.

RraagweJoe:Youbet
tergoanddr
opthatcase
unlessyouwantt
oseemyt r
uecol
orsnxl
a!
Bli
ndragetakesoverandIgr
abagl assont he
drawert
ablenextmybedandswi ngitathim.He
ducksoutofthewayanditshat
tersagainstthewal
l

Me:(
scr
eami
ng)Getout
!Getout
!

Theshockonmyf at
her'
sfaceispri
celessandI
wouldenjoyiti
fIwasn'
tasangryasIf eel.They
cl
ickthei
rtonguesandwalkoutofther oom.A
nursewalksinaseestheshatt
eredglasses.

Nur
se:Ar
eyouOK?

Il
ookatherseet
hingi
nangert
hennodsoshecan
l
eavemealone.

Nusr
e:Ar
eyousur
e?
Inodagai
n.Canshej
ustl
eavemeal
one!

Nurse:OKl
etmegetsomeonet
ocomeandcl
ean
t
hisup.

Shegi vesmeawar m smi l

eandwal ksout .It hen
turnmyat t
enti
ontothepi ecesofshat teredgl ass
l
yingal lovert
hef l
oor.Thegl asssuddenl yl ooks
l
ikeagi ftfr
om God.Hei sf inall
ygivingmeaway
out .IgrininpainasIpul lthecannul aof fofmy
wr i
st.Iwi pethebloodof fandpeelt hesheet sof f
andt hat'
swhenIr emembermyt hi
ghswer e
stabbed.Theymusthavemeonsomest r ongmeds
becauseIhaven' tbeenfeel i
nganypai nsomuchso
thatIevenf or
gotaboutt hatpar tofmyhor rifi
c
afternoon.Iclimbdownt hebedandgr abt hebi gger
glassandmakemywayt ot hebathroom i nmy
room.Yougot t
alovepr i
vat ehospitals.Allt he
privacyyoucoul deveraskf or
.Andt hatremi ndsme.
MmaagweJoewasr ighttowonderhowIwoul dpay
forthis.Howdi dIevencomeher e?It'
sdoesn't
mat t
eranymor eanyway.Unl esstheyhaveadebt
coll
ect orint heaft
erli
fe,Iwon' tbeowi ngthem soon
enough.Icl osethedoor .Damnnokey?I t
'sa
shower .Istepintotheshowerandgett hewater
runningbef oreIsli
cemyl ef
twr i
st.Iplacethewrist
undert her unningwat erandwat cht hebloodywat er
fal
ltot hef l
ooroft heshower .Ithensl i
cemyot her
wristandsi tundertheshowerandcr ywaiti
ngfor
thesweetr eleaseofdeat h…

°
°°° °
°°°

Mor
ena

Ihadt ofoll
owt hepoli
cetoNadia'shousetogeta
fewofhert hingsandletthem t
akefingerpr
intsand
allt
hatbeforet heywenttogettheguyfrom the
barracks.Partofmewi shesIcouldseehim.Iwant
tobringhim ascl oset
odeathashedi dNadia.Ijust
wanthimt ofeelt
hepainheinfl
ict
edonher.The
factt
hattheysayhim bathi
ngherremovedhisDNA
makingitmor edi
ffi
cul
ttoprovemakesmybl ood
boil
.Hediditsohedeservestogot oj
ailf
ori
t.

Ithendri
vetomyhouset ogetmyphonecharger
,
changemyt -shi
rtandexplai
nmysel
ftoLea.Iopen
thedoorandf r
ownwhenIseeherbagspacked
nextthecouchshei ssi
tt
ingon.

Me:what
'
sgoi
ngon?

Lea:Mor
enawher
ewer
eyou.
?

Me:It
'salongst
oryandIwil
ltel
lyoubutwhati
s
happeni
nghere?Whyareyourbagspacked?

Lea:Iam l
eavi
ngyou.Iam donewi
tht
hisgame.I
sentyouatextf
ourhoursagoandkegoneotl
ang
j
aana.Iam t
akingLetl
otl
otomypar
ent
shouseand
Iam goi
ngtotakethejob.

Me:uhu.

Lea:I
sthatal
lyoucansay?Uhu?UhuMor
ena?

Me:Whatdoyouwantt osayLea?YoucanseeI
havebloodallovermeandyout ellmeal lthese
thi
ngswhenIhaveal otonmymi nd?Ahmmawena
oalapisakana( youareexhausting).IthoughtIwas
comingheretoexpl ai
nmyselfbef oreleavingagain
butcl
earlyyouhavemadeyourowndeci sionsso
goahead.YouknowIam neveronet oforceanyone
i
ntodoinganything.Ot l
atsamayasent l
eandgood
l
uckonyourj obandl etyourparentsknowt hatI
'd
l
iketopickLetl
otloupeveryFridayt ospend
weekendswi t
hhi m.

Iwal
ktot
hebedr
oom andopent
hecl
osetdoor
sto
getacl
eant-
shir
t.Iseeherst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
wit
hherarmsfol
ded.

Me:Ithoughtyoupackedyourcl
othes.Ever
ythi
ng
i
ssti
llheremoss.

Lea:Justl
iket
hatMozy?Areyougoi
ngt
othr
owour
famil
yawayoveraprosti
tut
e?

Ibangoneoftheclosetdoorsshutandgivehert
he
l
ookofdeath.Thelookonherf aceshowsshe
under
standsIam notimpressedwithher
.

Me:(hi
ssi
ng)Don'
tyoueveri
nyourl
ifesaythat
abouther
.Doyouunder
standme?(shouti
ng)Do
youunderst
andmeLea?

Shej
umpsbackandnodsherhead.Thi
sisn'
thowI
want
edt
hingst
oturnout
.Ihaveneverl
ostmy
temperwi
thLeaandIhatemysel
fforscar
ingher.
Hereyesst
artshi
ningwi
tht
earssoIwalkoverto
herandhugher.

Me:Iam sosor rybabe.Iwishthi

swasn't
happeningbutitis.Ever
ythi
ngwouldbesomuch
easierf
orusi fIhadnevermether.Iam sosor
ryfor
hurt
ingyoulikethis.Youdeser
vesomuchmor e
thanIcangiveyou.

Lea:(cr
yingonmyt or
so)whycan'tyoul
oveme?
Pleasedon'tl
ethert
earusapar
t.Youwil
llearnt
o
l
ovemeast imegoesby.Ipr
omiseyouwillbegi
nto
l
oveme.

Me:( ki
ssingthetopofherhead)IloveyouLea.I
l
oveyouver ymuchwhi chiswhyt hishasbeenso
diff
icul
ttoadmi tbutIam inlovewithher.Ihave
tri
edhatingherandf orget
tingaboutherbutshei s
theloveofmyl i
feandIcan'twalkawayf rom heras
hardasIt ry.Shealmostlostherli
fetodayandshe
needsme.Ican'tbeher
ewhil
eIknowsheneeds
mer i
ghtnow.Ihopeyouwi
llf
indsomeonewhowil
l
l
oveyoui nt
hewayyoudeservebutt
hatper
son
i
sn'tme.

Il
etgoofherandgr
abat
-shi
rtf
rom t
hecl
oset
.

Me:Ineedgogobabe.

Shekeepshol di
ngont omeandshaki ngherhead
l
ooki ngi
ntomyeyeswi t
hswol leneyes.Ihaven'
t
reall
ylookedatherinsolongt hatIhadn'tseenhow
stressri
ddenshel ooksnow.Mychestt i
ghtensat
thethoughtthatIam thereasonshel ooksli
kethi
s.
WhyhaveIbeensobadt othiswoman?Theonl y
mistakeshehasevermadei slovingme.Whycan' tI
l
oveherback?
If
orceherfi
nger
sapar
tandr
emoveherhandsf
rom
mywaist.
Lea:(cr
ying)Mozyno.Don'tdothi
stome.
(shouti
ng)Don'
tdothisMozy!Pleasedon'
tleave
mekeagokopat l
herra!Morena!Morena!

Wal ki
ngawayf rom herscreami
nghastobet he
mostdi ff
icul
tthi
ngIhaveeverdonebutIjusthave
to.IpromisedNadiaIwi l
lbebackandIhavebeen
gonef orawhilenow.

[
08/
31,
17:
53] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t55

Mor
ena

Idon'tknowwhyNadi ahasn'tbeenanswer
ingmy
cal
ls.Icall
edherjustbef
oremyphonewentof f
wantingtofindoutwhatshewant smetobuyher
butmycal lwentunanswered.
Me:(
bumpi
ngi
ntosomeone)uhusor
rysi
r.

Themanj usti
gnoresmeandwal ksoutthehospi
tal
doors.Whatarudecouple.Event hewomanhei s
wit
hgavemeanast ylook.What '
swr ongwith
people?It
urnawayandwal kintothehospit
aland
makemywayt oNadia'sroom.Ir eal
lyhopeshe
won'taskmewhatt hepoliceaiadbecauseIreall
y
j
ustwanthertofocusonget t
ingbetter
.Iopenthe
doorandfindawomanonherknees.Ohshei s
cl
eaningupsomegl ass.I'
m guessingclumsyNadi a
str
uckagain.

Me:Dumel
ang.

Lady:Hel
losi
r.I
'
mjustaboutdoneher
e.

Me:Nopr
obl
em.(
Ilookar
ound)Wher
eisshe?
Lady:Iheartheshowerr
unni
ngsoIguessshe
mustbebat hing.

Shouldsheevenbeoutofbedwi t
hthosewounds?I
nodmyheadandt akeaseatplaci
ngthebagsI
boughtnexttomeast hecleani
ngladyleavesthe
room.Isti
ckmyphonei nthechargerandswi t
chit
backon.Amessagef rom Leapopsup.Shesenti t
thri
ft
yminutesago.

[Ireal
lydon'tknowwhatIhavedonet odeser vethi
s
typeofr ej
ecti
onfrom you.Iwishyouhadnever
askedmeoutagai nbecausebysayi ngyestoyou, I
wounduphavi ngachildwithamanwhodoesn' t
l
ovemeandbr okemyf amilyapar t
.Idon'tknow
whatyouwantmet odowi t
hal lthi
sheartbr eak.I
am ast epchil
dwhoneverwant smyownchi ldto
beast epchildsoIdon'tknowwher etogot of r
om
here.Yout el
lmetof i
ndsomeonewhol ovesme
andIwoul dhaveaccept edthatofodi dn'
thave
Letl
otl
o.Youhavereal
lybr
okenmyhear
tand
dreamsMorena.]

Damn.Whatdouevensayt othi
s?Neit
herofus
wentint
othi
splanningonhavingachil
d.I
tjust
happenedandwheni tdi
dhappen,Iwasgenuinel
y
happyandexci
ted.IlovemysonbutIsoonhadt o
acceptt
hatIst
il
lloveNadia.

Tenmi nut
esgobyandshest i
llhasn'
tcomeoutof
theshower.That'
sveryunusual.Nadi
ahat es
showers.Sheusedt ocomplai
naboutt hem backin
schoolbecauseshehatedgetti
ngherhai rwet.I
boughtheracoupleofshowercapsaf terthatbut
shesti
llsworeshehatesthem andwoul drather
rel
axinatubt hansuff
ocateunderrunningwat er
.

Ist
andupandknockont
hedoor
.

Me:Nadi
a?Babe?I
'
m back.Ar
eyounotdoneyet
?
Nadi
a?(
frowni
ng)BabeIam comi
ngi
nOK?

Iopenthedoorandseeherfi
guresit
ti
ngonthe
showerfl
oor.Ir
ushoverandsli
dethedooropen.

Me:Shi
t!Babe!Nadi
a?

SheshowerfloorisasredasthetubIpul
ledher
fr
om ear
li
er.Iclosethetapandrunoutt
ogethelp.

Me:Nur
se!Doct
or!Ineedhel
p!Hur
ry!

Twonur sesandadoct orrushinandf ol

lowmet o
thebathroom.Istandatthedoorsot heycanattend
toher.ShitNadiawhydidyoudot his?Isawapi ece
ofglassinthere.Whywoul dshesli
therwr i
stsaft
er
survungwhatshej ustsurvi
ved?
TheDoctortel
lsoneofthenursestobr i
ngtwobags
ofbl
oodincaseshelostalotofblood.Theythen
gent
lycarr
yhertothebed.Andwheel herout
.

Me:(pani
cked)Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngher
?Isshe
goi
ngt obeOK?

Nurse:SirIam goingt
oneedyoutocal
m down.We
aregoingtodot hebestwecanf
orherbutweneed
torun.

TheyspeedofftoGodknowswhere.Whywould
Nadiadothi
s?ShewasbetterwhenIlef
t.Shedi
dn't
evenwantmet ogo.MaybeIshoul
dn'
thavelef
t.I
shoul
dhavestayedwit
hher.Noneofthi
swouldbe
happeni
ng.

Me:Godpleasedon'tl
etherdi
e.Pl
easesaveherfor
me.Shedeservesnothi
ngbuthappi
nessaft
erthe
dayshehashad.Iwanttogivehert
hathappi
ness.
Pl
easeGod.

Isitonthechairwai
ti
ngf oranyonet
ocomebackt
o
tel
lmewhati shappening.Anhourgoesbyandmy
eyesstartget
ti
ngheavy.

°
°°° °
°°°

Tl
otl
o

Iseet hatpr
egnancycomeswi t
hworldcl
ass
pamper ingi
nAvi '
sworldandIam notcomplaini
ng.
Wear ef i
nal
lyhomeaf t
erthelongdaywehavehad
andhei sgivingmeaf ootmassage.Igotusedtoit
afterafewmi nutesofl
aughingbecauseIwas
feeli
ngt i
ckl
ish.

Avi:(
pul
li
ngmyphoneoffmyhands)l
ovet
lhemma
focusonthemassagemma.
Me:(laughi
ng)sor
rytl
herr
a.CanIj
ustqui
ckl
yreply
Chantell
e'
smessage.Iwil
lbedonei
ntenminutes,
whethersheisdoneornot.

Her
aiseshi
sbr
owandpassest
hephonebackt
o
me.

Chantell
e[Karehelefther
elookingli
kehewas
punchedi nthegut
!Iwasj ustshar
ingthegood
newswi thhubbyandshowi ngpictur
esandhe
happenedt obehere.Ij
ommahei smor et
han
touched.]

Me:[ Lar eBogosioswal engkante?Whenwi l

lhe
everacceptthathei sther easonwear ewherewe
are?It
'sbeenalmostf ouryearskana.Mxm.He
musthavebewi t
chedmei fhewasexpect ingmet o
sti
ckaroundf oralleterni
ty.NnammaIdi dn'
twant
tofi
ndmysel ffi
ght i
ngpeopl eformychi l
dren'
s
i
nherit
anceafterhepassesongot weIam nothi
s
wifesoIhavenocl aim.Imagineaf
tersomanyyear?
Jeez!Honest
ly,start
ingoverwasthebestdeci
sionI
evermade.Iwoul dn'
thavefoundwhatIhavenowi f
Ihadn'
tbeenbr aveenought osayenoughi
s
enough.]

Chantel
le:[Andt
hat
'sexactl
ywhatIwastr
yingt
o
showLea.KanaMor enaisgoingt
obreakt
hatgi
rl
's
hear
tifshedoesn'
topenhereyes.
]

Me:[Morenahel
aMor ena?Howwouldthat
sweethear
tbr
eakherheartnemma?Isawapictur
e
oft
heirbabyonTlamelo'
sphone.Hei
ssocuuuuut
e!
Car
boncopyyagadaddy]

Chantell
e:[hmm…Gi rltrustmewhenIsayalothas
beenhappeni ng.I
tseemshenevergotoverthat
NadiagirlandLeaohemakamat humbumma.She
i
stryingtoohar dt
opl easeamanwhol oves
anotherwoman.I magi neadoct
orputt
ingher
qual
if
icat
ionsasi
detor
aiseababywhenher
motheroffer
edtot
aket
hebaby.]

Me:[HeelayoushouldhavesenthertomesoIcan
test
if
ygorenkil
ekannawi femateri
altoaboyfri
end
gofit
lhel
amateri
alothunya](
Iwasawi f
emat er
ial
toaboyfri
endunti
lthemateri
all
ostitscolor
)

Chant
ell
e:[ Itol
dhergor
elegaga
l
agaKobokwel
eepi
lwekewenaoreoagamot se
]

Me:[ Mxm sokel

akooMonna.(
getaway)
Letmeenj
oyt
enderlovi
ngyamyman'smma.Night
l
ove]

Chant
ell
e:[
nighthun ]

Iputmyphoneawayandgi
veAviagui
lt
ysmi
le.
Me:See?I
'
m done.

Avi
:Youar
efi
vemi
nut
esl
atemoss.

Igi
ggl
eandt
ickl
ehi
sst
omachwi
thmyt
oes.

Me:Il
oveyousomuchAvi
.Doyouknowt
hat
?

Hebi
teshi
sli
pandsmi
les.

Avi
:Amme?(
real
ly?
)

Me:Ireal
lydohandsome.Nowl
et'
stal
kweddi
ng
venues.

Hechuckl
esandmovesmyf
eetof
fthenst
andsup.
Me:Babecomeon!

Avi:(
kissesme)It
oldyoutoplantheweddi
ngwi
th
TlameloandChantel
leorwhoever
.Nnahakedi
tsenenna.Idi
dmypar t
.Loveyou.Bye.

Hewalksofft
henIthr
owapill
owathim butImi
ss.
Mxm.Peoplesetweddi
ngdat
esbythemselvesonl
y
fort
hem t
orunoffwhenther
ealwor
khast obe
done.

°
°°° °
°°°

[
Thenextday]

Nar
rat
ed
Morenaopenshiseyesandl eapsoutofthechai
r
whenheseesDi kel
edisit
ti
ngupi nbedlooki
ngat
hi
m withanirr
it
atedlook.Hepacestoherandholds
herbandagedhand.

Morena:Babear
eyouOK?Pl
easeneverscar
eme
l
ikethat
.

Di
kel
edi
:why?

Mor
ena:Whywhat
?

Di
keledi
:Ihearyouar
ethef
oolt
hatsavedmeandI
wanttoknowwhy?Whosentyou?

Mor
ena:(
conf
used)Babewhywoul
dn'
tIsaveyou?

Di
kel
edi
:(t
ear
srunni
ngdownherf
ace)Doyou
knowhowt i
redIam ofbei ngal i
ve?Doyouhave
anyideahowmuchIj ustdon'twantt oexi st
anymore?Huh?Whatdi dyousaf emef or?So
someonecancomeandr apemeat hi
rdt i
me?Not
evenat hi
rdtime.Forat hir
dper sont ocomeand
rapemef orthet housandthti
me?( shouting)Iam
ti
redofbeingr apedmywhol elif
eMor ena!Iam tr
ied
ofbeingarapist'seasycatch!Whydi dn'tyouletme
die?Why?Youwantt orapemet oo?Ist hatwhat
youwant ?Rapemet hen!RapemesoIcandi ei
n
peace!Rapeme!RapemeMor ena!Rapeme!

Dikel
edist
art
spulli
ngherhospi
talr
obeof fexposi
ng
herbreast
sfr
eakingMorenaout.Hewantst ohold
herandcomfortherbutt
hatcouldsenther
spir
ali
ngevenmor e.
Anur
serunsi
nandseesthescene.Sher
ushesout
andr
etur
nswi
thani
nject
ion.

Di
kel
edi:Rapemedamni t
!Tel
lhi
mt orapeme!I
won'
tfi
ghthim!Tel
lhi
m sohecanletmediei
n
peace!

Nurse:LoveIneedyoutocalm downsoIam
i
njecti
ngyousoyoucanr estok.Youar
esafenow.
Noonei sGoingtorapeyou.

Di
kel
edi
'seyesbegi
ntocl
oseandMorenasi
nkst
o
t
hefl
oorwithhi
shandsabovehi
shead

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commentandshar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
53] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t56

Nar
rat
ed
Twohour sgobywhileDikeledii
ssti
llasl
eep.When
themedicat
ionwearsoff,shebeginstowakefrom
hersl
eep.Shehearsmusi cplayi
nganddoesn't
openhereyesasthelyr
icsspeakt oher.

….
.Neverhadl
ove(
hadal
ove)

Whenyouwasj
ustayoungi
n',
yourl
ookswer
eso
pr
eci
ous
Butnowyou'
regr
ownup,
sof
lyi
t'
sli
keabl
essi
ng
Butyou,can'
thaveamanl
ookatyouf
orf
ive
seconds
Wi
thoutyoubei
ngi
nsecur
e
Younevercr
edi
tyour
sel
fsowhenyougotol
der
I
t'
sseemsl
ikeyoucamebackt
ent
imesover
Nowyou'
resi
tt
ingher
eint
hisdamncor
ner
Looki
ngthroughal
lyourt
hought
sandl
ooki
ngover
yourshoul
der
Seeyouhadal
otofcr
ookst
ryt
ost
ealyourhear
t
Neverr
eal
lyhadl
uck,
coul
dn'
tneverf
igur
eout
Howt
olove(
howt
olove,
howt
olove)
Howt
olove(
howt
olove,
howt
olove)

Mm seeyouhadal
otofmoment
sthatdi
dn'
tlast
f
orever
Nowyoui
nthi
scor
nert
rynaputi
ttoget
her
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)

Mm f
orasecondyouwer
eher
e,nowyouovert
her
e
I
t'
shar
dnott
ost
are,
thewayyoumovi
ngyourbody
Li
keyouneverhadal
ove(
hadal
ove)
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)
Ooh,youhadal
otofdr
eamst
hatt
ransf
ormt
o
vi
sions
Thefactt
hatyousawt
hewor
ldaf
fect
edal
lyour
deci
sions
Buti
twasn'
tyourf
aul
t,wasn'
tinyouri
ntent
ions
Tobetheoneher
etal
kingt
ome,
bet
heone
l
ist
eni
ng

ButIadmi
reyourpoppi
n'bot
tl
esanddi
ppi
n'
Justasmuchasyouadmi
rebar
tendi
ngand
str
ippi
n'
Baby,
sodon'
tbemad,
nobodyel
set
ri
ppi
n'
Youseenal
otofcr
ooksandt
hecr
ooksst
il
lcr
ook
Youseeyouhadal
otofcr
ookst
ryt
ost
ealyour
hear
t
Neverr
eal
lyhadl
uck,
coul
dn'
tneverf
igur
eout
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)
Mm seeyouhadal
otofmoment
sthatdi
dn'
tlast
f
orever
Nowyoui
nthi
scor
nert
rynaputi
ttoget
her
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)
Howt
olove(
howt
olove)

Ooh,
seeIj
ustwantyout
oknow(
Yout
oknow)
Thatyoudeser
vet
hebest
You'
rebeaut
if
ul,
you'
rebeaut
if
ul
Yeah,
andIwantyout
oknow
You'
ref
arf
rom t
heusual
,farf
rom t
heusual
Youseeyouhadal
otofcr
ookst
ryt
ost
ealyour
hear
t….

[
LilWayne-
Howt
olove]

Morenawipest
het
earsoffhi
seyesandstopst
he
musicwhenhenot
icest
hetearsf
all
ingatt
he
cornerofhereyes.Hesni ffl
esandcl earshi sthroat
composi nghimsel f.Hehasbeent r
yingt opr ocess
allthethi
ngshehear dhersayi ngbeforeshewas
sedated.Thepai nedl ookonherf aceandt he
memor yofseei ngheront hebloodyf l
oorchocked
him asher eali
zedhowmuchsher eall
ywant edt o
die.Hehasbeenaski nghimselfwhoel ser apedher .
At housandtimesshesai d.Hekeptaski nghi mself
howi t'
spossiblef orhertohavebeenr apedmor e
thanonce.Thi nkingbackt othetimehef oundout
abouttheJoj odol l
sandTyl ermakeshi m wonderi f
i
thappenedatt hatt i
me.Di dsomeofhercl ients
rapeher ?

Dikel
edisl
owl yopenshereyesandl ooksathim
sit
ti
ngont hecouchwi thredeyes.Hermout hst
art
s
towobble.Hest andsupandr eachesforhand.She
doesn'
tprotestsohet akesiti
nhistryi
ngnottohurt
hersli
twrist
.Hel ooksintohereyesandkissesher
hand.
Mor ena:Idon' tknowwhatyouhavebeent hrough
tomakeyouwantt oki llyourselfbutIam sor ryto
sayt hatIcan'tletyou.Youmayf eellikei t
'sthe
easiestwayoutf oryoubutIhavet obesel fi
shand
sayIcan' tl
etyou.Iwi llalwaysbr eakdoor sdownt o
checki fyouar en'tlyingdeadont hef loorandIwi l
l
dowhat everittakest owakeyouupbecauseIcan' t
bei nawor l
dwher et her eisnoNadi a.Itwasn' teasy
toactl i
keIhat eyouf orthepastt hreeyear sbutyou
nowwantmet ol i
vei nawor l
dwher eyoudon' t
exist?NoI '
m sorryIcan' t.(wipesat ear )Ican'tlet
yougo.Wewi llgett hr oughwhat everyouar e
feeli
ngr ightnow.Youar en'taloneanymor emy
queen.Youar et heloveofmyl if
eandIam not
l
ettingyougo.Youar emyal linallsounl essyou
havespacei nt hatcof fi
nf ormet henyouar en't
goinganywher edoyouhearme?Doyouhearme
Nadi a?Iam notl ettinggoofyou.OK?Youar en't
goinganywher edoyouhearme?

Shenodsherheadoverandoverbef
orebawl
ingout
onhi
schest.Hekissest
hetopofherhead
envel
opi
ngheri
nhi
sar
msandl
ett
inghercr
yitout
.

Afewsecondsl at
er ,t
hedooropensandBol eng
burstsinwi t
hTonybehi ndher .Shest opsi nher
tr
ackswhensheseesDi keledii
nMor ena'sar ms.
Sheknewi twashi mf r
om t hepicturessheusedt o
showher .Dikeledilift
sherheadf rom Mor ena's
neckandseesherGodgi vensister.Thef eelingof
l
onel i
nessebbsawaywhensher emember stheday
hergr andmot herl efthertoBol eng'smot her .
Mor enalift
shi sheadandl ooksatt hepeopl ewho
j
ustcamei n.Di keledi r
eleasesherhol donMor ena
andl ooksatBol engwhohasherout erhandover
hermout hcrying.Sher unsi nt
oDi keledi'
sar msas
soonasMor enamoves.Theyembr aceeachot her
andcr y.

Mor
ena:(
shaki
ngTony'
shand)HiIam Mor
ena.

Tony:Iam Tony.I
t'
sgoodtofi
nall
ymeetyouman
eventhoughit
'sundersuchci
rcumst
ances.
Mor
ena:(
rai
seshi
sbr
ow)f
inal
ly?

Tony:yeah.Ihaveknownaboutyouforacoupl
eof
year
snow.Ihadt opamperBol
engalotaft
eryou
andDikheledibr
okeup.Itwasl
ikeyoudumpedher.

Mor
ena:(
frowns)Di
ke-

Thedooropensagai
nandawomanwear
ing
gl
asseswalksi
nholdi
ngafi
le.

Woman:Ohhel lo.Idi
dn'tr
eali
zeyouhadsomany
visi
tor
sDikel
edi.Iam DoctorHadassah,
the
resi
dentPshycologi
st.

Dikel
edi
:(sni
ffl
ingandwipi
nghert
ear
s)Oh.OK.
Bolengcanyouguysgiveusafewminutes.Iwant
togetoutofthi
shospit
alandt
heDoctorsaidIcan'
t
l
eaveunt
ilIgetananal
ysi
s.

Bol
eng:(sni
ff
les)OKbabe.Textmewhenshe
l
eaves.Wewi l
lgogetyousomethi
ngsOK?

Dikeledislowl
ynodsherhead.Tonyopensthedoor
andwal ksoutwithBol
eng.Morenapickshi
sphone
upt owal kout
.

Di
kel
edi
:Nopl
easest
ay…Canhest
ay?

DrHadassah:i
fyouar
ecomf
ort
abl
ewi
thi
tthenI
don'
tmind.

Morenaoff
ershert
hechairopti
ngtost
and.She
opensherf
il
eandlooksatDikel
edi
.

Di
kel
edi
:Yournamesoundsf
ami
li
art
ome.
DrHadassah:Thati sbecauseDrMi lton
recommendedmet oyouandt oldmeaboutyou.I
wasl ookingforwardt oyourcal lnotreceivingyour
suici
deat temptfi
le.Wewi lldealwi t
hactualissues
thathavebeenhi ghlightedt omebyDrMi l
tonbut
fornowIhavet opreform ananal ysi
st odetermine
whereyouar eemot i
onal l
yandpsychol ogicall
y.Is
thatOK?Andknowt hatt hereisnowr ongorr i
ght
answer .Ijustwanttoknowwhatyouact uall
ythi
nk
andfeelOK?

Di
kel
edisi
ghsandnodsherhead.Al
lshewant
sis
t
ogohome.

DrHadassah:OKDi kel
edi
,wellsometi
mespeopl
e
feelt
hatli
feisnotwort
hli
ving.Canyoutel
lmehow
youfeelaboutyourownli
fe?

Mor
enaf
rownsatt
hisDi
kel
edinameagai
naski
ng
hi
msel
fwhyever
yonekeepscal
li
nghert
hat
.

Dikel
edi:(
shrugsl ooki
ngatherhands)Idon'
tknow.
Idon'
treallyknowwhatt othi
nkaboutmyl i
fe.I
t'
s
j
ust.AhIf eelt
iredofit
.Idon'
tthi
nkit'
sworthanyof
thepainIfeel.

DrHadassah:( scri
bbl
ing)Whataresomeoft he
aspectsofyourlif
ethatmaymakeyouf eelorthi
nk
thatyourl
if
eisnotwor thli
ving?

Dikel
edi:(
bitesherli
p)Ever ythi
ng.Nothinghasever
workedouti nmyl i
fe.Isomet imesfeelli
keIam
nevermeantt obehappy.Mygr andfat
herrobbed
meofmyi nnocenceandever ythi
ngwentdownhi l
l
from t
here.Getti
ngpickedoni nschoolforhavinga
badodour ,anodourcausedbybei ngrapeddayi n
anddayoutbyamant hatwassupposedt oprotect
me.Howcanmyl if
ebewor thlivi
ngwhenIhave
beenrapedsi nceIwasei ghtandj ustwhenI
thoughtIhadescapedi tal
l,amanInevert hought
wouldharm mer apedmeint hemostviol
entwayI
haveeverexperi
enced.(bl
inksandtear
sfall
)Itcan
onlygetworsefrom her
eright?Howcouldthi
sbea
worthyli
fet
olive?

DrHadassah:doyout
hinkaboutamor
eper
manent
escapet
othisli
fe?

Dikeledi:{
wipeshert ear s)Ineverdidunt i
lIsaw
bloodoozi ngf r
om myt highsasIwasget tingraped.
Fort hefir
sttimeIr eali
zedIcoul dact ual
lyescape
thispainfulli
fe.Icouldf inall
ybef r
eeand
permanent lyforgetmypai nbecauseusi ngsext o
copehadn' twor ked.Itwasnowbei ngusedt obring
backt hepainbyt heveryper sonIwasusi ngtohelp
mef or
get.ImeanIt r
iedt obur ymybi rt
hnameand
calledmysel fNadi athi
nki ngIwoul dbef r
eeofal l
thepai nthatcamewi thbei ngDikeledibutlookat
me.Wor seof ft
hanwher eIstart
edf r
om.I sn'
tit
bettertojustdie?
Shegoesont oaskDi keledimor equest i
onsandt he
answer semot ionallycr
ippleMor enamor e.Itwas
asifhi seyeswer eopeningandf orthefir
stt i
mehe
couldf i
nall
yseer easonfort hepainhesawt hatday
i
nt hepar ki
ngl ot.Whenhei ntr
oducedhi mselftoa
beautifulgir
lwhoseemedt obecar r
yingt hewei ght
ofthewor l
donhershoul ders.Hesi tsthere
l
isteningandaski nghimselfwhathecoul dhave
donet ogethert oopenup.Maybei fhehadgot ten
hertoopenupshewoul dbebet t
ernowandnoneof
thethingsshehasgonet hr
oughsi ncecomi ngto
Gabor onewoul dhavehappened.Pi cturi
nganei ght
yearol dli
tt
legirlwithamanont opofher
suffocateshim.Hewant stost epoutf orfreshair
butleavingherf eelswrong.

Thirt
yminut
eslater,t
hedoctorsaysgoodbyeaft
er
booki
nganactualtherapysessi
onwithDikel
edi
.

Dikel
ediheavesasighfeel
ingemot
ionall
y
exhaustedandleansbackint
othepil
low.Mor
ena
pl
opshi
msel
font
hechai
randst
aresatt
hewal
l
.

Dikel
edi:Youcangoi fyouwantt o.Iknowal lthis
wasal otforyouandyoudon'thavet obeher e.I
wasneverhonestwi t
hyouf or
mt hebeginningand
nowyouknowt herealme.Iknowi t
'salott
ot akein.
Iwantedyout ostaysoyoucangetovert hei deaof
thi
sinnocentli
tt
leNadia.That
'snotwhoIam.Iam
thedamagedandunl uckyDikeledi whowast r yi
ng
toescapeherpastandnowherl i
f e.

Mor ena:(l
ooksather )Nadi a…(shakeshi shead)I
guessyoudi dn'
tunder st
andmeormaybeyou
didn'tbeli
evemewhenIsai dIam notgoi ng
anywher eandnei t
herar eyou.Ihat et
hef actthatI
couldn'tprot
ectyouf rom thiscruelworldyouhave
beenl i
vingin.IfIknewwhatyouwentt hroughI
woul dhaveneverl etyougo.If eelsoguiltybecause
Ifeelli
keSébast ienhappenedbecauseIwasn' t
thereforyou.If eelli
keTyl erandt heJojodolls
happenedbecauseyouf eltalone.Iam sorryto
disappoi
ntyoubutIam notgoi
nganywher
eand
youar emyNadia.Idon'
tcar
ewhatnameisonyour
ID.Myqueen'snamei sNadi
a.Doyouknowwhati
t
means?

Di
kel
edishakesherhead.

Morena:(
chuckl
es)Iam soobsessedt
hatIgool
ged
someone'
sname.Jeez.

Hest
andsupandhol
dsherhand.

Mor ena:Nadiameanshope.Youwer egivi

ng
yourselfhopewhenyougaveyour sel
fthatname.
Hopeatanewyou, anewlif
eandt hat'
swhatIam
goingt ogi
veyou.Doyouunder st
and?Youar emy
hopet ooyouknow.Hopefortruelove.Sodon't
bothertryi
ngtochasemebecause( sings) you
andmebabywe' r
estuckli
keglue
Nadi
asmi
lest
hroughhert
ear
sandput
sherwet
f
aceonhi
schestwhenhehugsher
.

[
3mont
hsl
ater
]

[
08/
31,
17:
53] :MI
NII
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t57

[
thr
eemont
hsl
ater
]

Nadi
a
Goingt hr
oughl i
fei sl
iket ryingtowi namazer ace.
Eacht imeyout hinkyouar eaboutt omakei toutof
themaze, youhi tadeadendandhavet ogobackt o
l
ookf oranotherwayout .Somepeopl emakei tout
ofthemazebutot her
sr unt heraceal lthei
rli
ves
withoutseeingtheot hersi deoft hemaze.Iont he
otherhandam t hatper sonwhoi sn'treall
ylooking
fortheothersideoft hemazeanymor e.Ihave
l
ear nttol
iveinmymazeandi fIf i
ndmywayoutby
happenstancet henI '
dr ejoice.UntilthenIam j ust
here,taki
ngitonedayatat ime.

Ihavebeenhavi ngsessionswi thDrHadassahf ora

fewmont hsnowandIf eelbetterthanIdidwheni t
star
ted.Idon'tt
hi nkaboutdyingasmuchasIused
toanymor e.Myj obalsomakesmer eali
zethatIam
nottheonlyonewhohasacr appyl i
fe.Iwas
worri
edIhadl ostmyj obbutitt ur
nedoutt hat
MorenaandmybossMar cususedt oplay
basketbal
ltogetherinschoolsohespoket ohim
expl
ainingmysi tuati
onandhet ol
dhi m Iwasonl y
supposedt ocomeandsi gnthecont ractbutIwas
onl
ymeantt ost
artwor
kingt
woweeksl
ater
.Iwas
sorel
ieved.

Sébast i
enont heotherhandwasgi venbail
.My
fatherwasathi shearingbutheandIdi dn'tspeak
thatday.Ihonest l
yfeell
ikeIam donewi thhim.IfI
neverseehim agai n,t
heni twil
lbetoosoon.The
casei ssetf
orf ourmont hsfrom nowandI
somet imesfeelli
keit'
sNt ateal
loveragain.
Iam goingt ohavetotesti
fyinfrontofever yone
again.WhenBol eng'
sstepfatherfoundoutabout
whatSébast i
endidtome, hewassoenr agedt hat
heappar ent
lycamet oGaboronej usttobeathi s
brot
herup.Bol engsaysSébastienhadt ouse
crut
chesf oramont haft
erthatbutIst i
llfeell
ikehe
deservesmor e.Hedeservesthedeat hNt ategot
andmor e.

Istayedwit
hMor enaf
oramont hafterbei
ng
dischar
gedfrom t
hehospit
albecauseIwantedt
o
l
ookf oranewhouse.Ineverwentbacktomy
house.Heevendi dthemovi ngwithhi syounger
brother
.Ihonestlycouldn'
tstomacht hethoughtof
goingbacki nther
e.Het ri
edconvinci
ngmet oli
ve
withhim permanentlybutIwasn'thavingit.My
grandmotherusedt oshuncohabi t
ati
onsomuch
thatshewoul dprobablyrol
linhergraveifIdidand
IthinkIhavemadeherr ol
laroundinthereenough.
Shedeser vestorest
.

Istillgetnightmaresfr
om ti
met otime.Ican'tclose
mybedr oom dooranymoreandIhavet osleepwi th
allthelightsoninmyhouse.Mor enahast ri
ed
tell
ingmehowunsaf eiti
sformet odot hatbut
darknesssuf f
ocatesme.DrHadassahsaysi t'
s
PTSD st emmi ngfrom mychil
dhoodtraumasand
Sébast ientrappi
ngmei nthehouset r
iggeredit.I
believeherbecausei fIcoul
d,I'
dneverlockany
doori nt hehouse.

Bol
eng'
sweddi
ngi
scomingupnextmonth.She
pl
annedi
toutt
obeasmall
eventdespi
teher
mot her'
sprotests.Tonyhast ol
dhernott oexpect
thesamet hingwhent heygoandcel ebratein
Nigeriabecausehi sfami l
ywaspl anni ngaf eastof
kings.Shehat eseverythingaboutitbecauseshei s
pregnantandf eelsfat.Nott hatshelooksf at,she
feelsit
.Andi fyoutrytelli
ngheranydi ff
erentshe
criesandcallsyoual iar.Ifeelsorr
yf orTony.

Ihavet ofinishupandgomeetBol eng.Shei sin

townf orwhatMor enawaspl anni ngtobeasur pri
se
birt
hdaypar tyf ormy25thbutIf oundoutbecause
hekeptsneaki ngaroundonthephone.My
i
nsecur i
ti
espoppedupandIaccusedhi m ofhaving
anotherwomansohehadt ot ellmewhathewas
planning.Hewasdi sappoi
ntedi nmebutIwas
reli
eved.Ihaveneverst oppedl ovingMor enaandI
l
ovehi m evenmor enow.Ifeelsor r
yf orhowt hi
ngs
endedwi thhi m andLeabutther eisnot hi
ngIcan
doabouti tbecauseIdi dn'
tdoanyt hingt obreak
them up.I twashi schoi
ce.Let l
otlospendst wo
weekendswi t
hMor enaandtwowi t
hhi smot her.
Shehast oldMor enanottoallowmenearherson
unti
lsheandIhavemetandIrespectt
hatsoIgi
ve
hi
m spacewhenheiswithhi
ssonbecauseIhate
drama.

Me'
(ont
hephone)HiB!

Boleng:Hisist
az!Wherear
eyou?Ihavebeen
waiti
ngforyouf ort
wentyminut
esnow.Howdoyou
keepapr egnantbri
det
obewai t
ingal
lal
onei
na
mall.

Me:(r
oll
ingmyeyes)Iam onmyway.Tel
lTonyt
o
buyyouicecr
eam.

Bol
eng:OK.Hur
ryup.

Ihangupandl
augh.Mi
ssal
lal
onei
namal
lcan'
t
evenst
ickt
oherl
ie.
Me:(shout
ing)Babe!Bol
engj
ustcal
led.Weneedt
o
go!

Mor
ena:(
from t
hel
ivi
ngroom)Iam donenna!Let
meanswermydad'
scallthenwecango.

°
°°° °
°°°

Mor
ena

Me:Paps!Howar
eyou?

Dad:oRayanyapsnyaoar enyouwaengMor ena?

WaitsegoreIhavef ail
edasf at
her.Howsecretive
canyoubet hatIhavet ofindoutfrom t
hemot her
ofyoursont hatyoulefther?Huh?NnaIcal l
edher
tocheckonmygr andsonandwhenIaskedt o
speaktoyoushet el
lsmeyoubr okeupt hr
ee
mont hsago.Threemont hsMor ena?Whyhaven' t
youtol
dme?Huh?Evenyourmot herdi
dn'tknow!
Kantel
eri
lengbasi
manekelona?(whatiswrong
wit
hyouboys?)Iam aski
ngyouaquesti
ondammi t!

Me:(scr
atchi
ngmyhead)Iam sor
ryf
ornott
ell
ing
you.

Hechuckl esoverthephoneandIknowshi thashit

thefan.Iam tol
dIam t heonemostl ikemyf at
her
andit'
strue.Whent hatmanst opslaughingand
j
okingaroundanyonear oundhimlooksf oraspace
tohidethemselves.Hehasl owt ol
eranceforbull
sh*tandwhatIhavedonei sbullsh*tSupremein
hisbooks.

Dad:Mor enaMor enayouboyshavecl earl

y
forgottenwhoIam.Tel l t
hosebr other
sofyour s
thatIwantt hem inmyhousei nthenexthourand
hakeshename( Iam notjoking)
.Koot englarele
godile.Ket l
alekopakopanyal emabot agorel e
i
pot segor eammeker raalonatota.Nxla!(
I'
llbeat
youal
lupsobadt hatyouwi
llwonderi
fIam
act
ual
lyyourf
ather)
.ONEHOUR!

Hecut
sthecal
landmyt
hroati
sal
readydr
y.Shi
t!

Nadiacomesoutoft hebedroom andshel ooksso

beautif
ulm.Shet ookherwigoffandst yledherhair
.
Il
oveherl i
kethis.Iaskedhertogetit
professionall
ystyledforherpart
ytonightandshe
agreed.Whydi dmydadhavet ofi
ndoutt odayofall
days?Ihopet hi
smeet ingdoesn'
ttaket ool ong
becauseIhavet ofinal
izeafewthingswi t
ht he
partyplanner.

Nadia:(
shaki
ngmyshoul
der
)Heywher
edi
dyougo?
AreyouOK?

Me:(si
ghi
ng)YeahIam j
ustthi
nki
ngaboutal
lthe
t
hingsIhavet
odobeforetoni
ght.
Nadi
a:(smil
esandki
ssesmycheek)Icoul
dhel
p
yououtyouknow.

Me:( standi
ngup)nothappening.Youruinedthe
surprisealr
eadybymaki ngmet el
lyouaboutthe
partyandIam notl et
ti
ngyoutakeawayt helast
el
ement sofsurpri
sebyaski
ngyout ohelpme.It'
s
nothappeni ng.Letmegodropyouof f.

Nadia:OK.Ifthat'
sal
lthati
sworr
yingyoutheni
t'
s
fi
ne.Ithoughtithadsomethi
nggodowi t
hyour
dad'
scal l
.

Me:(r
ubbi
ngmyface)nohej
ustwant
smybr
other
's
andIgocomeover
.

Nadi
i
a:oh?I
sever
ythi
ngok?

Igi
veheraki
ssont
hecheek.
Me:Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.

°
°°° °
°°°

Tl
otl
o

Chantel
le:Babeyouneedt ostopcryi
ng.Doyou
knowhowmuchIam payi ngthiswomant odoyour
makeup?Youhavet obewalki
ngdownt heaisl
ein
anhourandt hesetear
saren'
thelpi
ng.Youareonly
all
owedtocryaf t
erAviseesyou.OK?

Me:(sni
ffi
ng)Ican'thel
pit.I
tjustf
eelsl
ikeadream
andIam scaredIam abouttowakeup.Iam get ti
ng
marri
edChanty.Andt oamanwhomakesmef eel
l
ikeIam theonlywomani nthewor l
d.Iam so
happythatthi
sisthesecondt i
meIam cr yi
ngsince
hegavemeal i
ftyearsago.Hedoesn'tmakemecr y
unl
essit
'st
earsofjoyandIj
ustcan'tbel
ievet
hathe
i
sactual
lymine.Dosuchthi
ngsactuall
yhappen?

Chant ell
e:(wi pi
nghert ears)Babet hisi shappeni ng
toyou.Someofusf indt hatoncei nal i
feti
met ype
oflovet hatot herscanonl ywi shf or.ButIwantyou
toknowt hatj ustbecauseyouar eatyourhappi est
rightnowi tdoesn' tmeani twi llalwaysbel ikethat.
(showsmeherr ing)Obonae( youseet hisone)
manypeopl eyear ntohavet hisont heirfi
ngerbuti t
doesn' tcomewi thouti tsownpai ns.I tdoesn't
mat terhowl ongyouhavebeendat ingamanor
evencohabi tingfort enyear s.Themomentyousay
Ido, everythingchanges.Youwi llnowbegi nt osee
therealhi m andhewi llseether ealyou.Al lthi
st hat
hadbeenhappeni ngwasacampai gnt ogett ot his
day.Todaybot hofyouar ewi nningt heelect i
ons
andi tisupt obot hofyouonwhet heryouwi l
lkeep
thespar kal i
veornotbutIpr omi seyounowgor e
don'tevenexpectt hingst obeexact lythesame.
Acceptt hechangeyouwi l
lseei nhi m ashewi l
l
havet oacceptyour sbecauseei therway, electi
ons
areoverandt her eisnogoi ngback.Loveyour
husband, respecthi m andt ryyourbesttostil
lbring
theTlotlohef ellinl ovewi th.Wearthatli
ngeriefrom
ti
met ot i
mel eitotl
el l
emor oomungandpl ay
togetherbef orethisl i
ttl
eguyi sbornbecauset hi
ngs
willchangeevenmor eoncehei sborn.Allyour
otherkidsar egr ownandt hisoneissquar eone.
Alwaysr ememberhowmuchhel ovesyouby
remindingyour selfoft hesedaysandi naf ewyear s,
yout wowi llbeusedt obringmar r
iedandanew
typeoflovewi llbebi rt
hed.Amor epermanentone
thatsayst hisismi neandIaccepthi m orher.It'
sa
verycomf or t
abl efeelingthatsurpassest he
honeymoonst ageyouar einnow.Nevergi veupmy
l
ove.

Myt earsar ebasicallygonenow.Inevereven

thoughtt hatfar.Ihonestl
ythoughtAviwasmy
perfectrewardf orallIwentthroughwit
hBogosi
andIt hi
nkImi ghtbeput t
ingtoomuchpr essureon
him becauseoft hat.Iwasprobablygoi
ngt ofeel
betrayedi fhechangedaf tergett
ingmarri
ed
becauseIl
ovetheperf
ecthi
m.Hear
ingChant
ell
e'
s
wordshasreal
lysober
edmeup.

Me:Butwhathappensi fi
t'
sachangeIcantl ive
wit
h?WhatifIdon'tknowther ealAviandhehas
beenpret
endi
ngal lal
ong?WhatdoIdoi fheturns
outtobeanabusivemonst er
?Whatwi llIdo?Oh
myGodIam mar ryingamanIdon' tknow.

Chantel l
e:Tlotl
obr eathe..Comeondoi twit
hme.
Breathei nandout .Takeanot herdeepbreat
hinand
out.Goodt hat '
si tmylove.NowyouandIbot h
knowt hatmanl ovesyou.Ther eissimplyno
questionaboutt hat.Andi famanl ovesyou,hewill
doanyt hingt omakeyouhappy.Al lIwassayingis,
evenifabaddaycomesal ong, don'
tthr
owint he
towelandgi veuponAvi .Remembert hi
sfeeli
ngof
beingt hehappi estwomani nt heworl
d.Letit
alwaysbet hebeacont hatl eadsyouhome.OK?

Inodmyheadandsmi
le.
Chant
ell
e:Nowstopcr
yingandl
ett
heseol
dwomen
comeanddressyouupsowecango.

Ilaughasshewal ksouttol
ett
hem knowIam
ready.Iam get
ti
ngmar r
ied!
[
08/
31,
17:
54] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t58

Nar
rat
ed

BrianNhir
a'sTil
ldeat
hdouspar tpl aysi
nthe
backgroundasTlotl
owal ksal ongt heaisl
e.Each
stepshetakeshasAvi '
shear tracing.Thisisthe
songheaskedhert owal ktowar dshi m wit
hand
ri
ghtnowever ywordoft helyricstugsathi sheart
asher eal
izesheisabouttocommi thisli
fetothi
s
gorgeouswomanwal ki
ngt owar dshi m.Her
unveiledf aceshowst hatshei sal sof i
ghtingher
emot i
ons.Tot hinkan, accidentiswhatbr ought
them toget herseemsf unnyt ohim.Hersmi l
emel t
s
hishear tast heyeyesf ocusoneachot her .At ear
escapeshi seyeandhequi cklywi pesit.Hi sbr other
patshi sshoul dertwiceast heywat chher .Tl otlo'
s
mot herwi pest earsfrom hereyest hankingGodf or
fi
nallyanswer i
ngherpr ayers.Tyler'
shear tsaddens
asher emember sthedayhi sownwi fewal ked
downt heisleandhowt heypr omisedeachot her
forever.Hel ooksatAmant l
ewhoi slooki ngar ound
curiouslyandki ssesherf orehead.Tl otl
o'schi ldren
arealldr essedaccor dingt othethemes.Tehi llah
tooisdr essedasaf l
owergi rldespiteTi l
da' siniti
al
protests.

Tlotl
ogetstothealterandTyl erdoesever
ythingto
stophimselffr
om kissi
ngher .Hewi peshertears
withasmi l
eonhi sface.Everyonesitsdownand
thepastorbeginstooffi
ciat
et heceremony.
Pastor:Dear
lybel
oved,
wear egat
heredher
ei nthe
presenceofGodandallofyoufamil
yandfri
endsto
j
oinAviKemonei l
weThompsonandTl ot
loDisekoin
holymat r
imony.

Thepast orthenshar esaf ewwor dsof

encouragementt othecoupleandencouragest he
couplesf ami l
ytoneverinvolvet
hemselvesintheir
chil
dren'smar ri
ageasthisiswhatbreakscouple'
s
apart.Thatt heyshouldonlyadvicewhent hecouple
seekst heiradvice.Hethensumsupby
encouragi ngAviandTl ot
lotomakeGodt hecenter
oftheirmar riageift
heywantt ostandachancei n
stayi
ngmar ried.

Pastor:Thetwohavewrit
tenthei
rownvowssoI
wouldl i
ketogi
vethem t
hisopport
uni
tyt
opledge
thei
rloveandcommi t
menttoeachother
.Aviyou
cangof irst
.

Avi
:(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)Tl
otl
omyl
ove.Tobe
standingher ewi thyouislikesomet hi
ngoutofa
dream.Inevert houghtI'
deverst andher eget ting
mar r
iedt oanyone.Butyoucameal ongandt urned
mywor l
dupsi dedownandchangedever yval ueI
had.Thel oveyouhavei nyourhear tissopur et hat
i
tdeser vesal lt hehappinessi nthewor l
d.Ican' t
daretopr omi seyout heper f
ectmar ri
ageort obe
theper fecthusbandbecauset hatwoul dbest arti
ng
ourmar riageof fwithalie.Iwillpromi seyout hatas
l
ongast her ei sbreathinmybody, myhear twi l
l
onlyeverbeatf oryouandIwi llal
wayscor rect
mysel fifIeverwr ongyou.Iwi llalwayspr ot ectyou
andourchi ldren.Inowknowwhatt hephr asel ove
ofmyl i
f emeansbecauseofyouandIi ntendt o
makeyouashappyasIcanal lthedaysofourl i
ves.
Thisringi sasymbolofmycommi tmentt oyou.As
thiscirclewr apsar oundyourf inger,knowt hatt hi
s
i
smyhear tandi thasyou.Il oveyousomuchTl otlo.

Tlot
lo'
stearsar
eflowingli
keawat er
fal
lnowand
shekeepshavingtopatthem offwit
ha
handkerchi
efAvigaveher.Ever
yoneclapst
hei
r
handsandsomemenwhi st
lewhil
ewomanul ul
ate.
Thepastorsi
gnalst
hatit
sTlot
lo'
sturn.Shecl
ear
s
herthr
oatandtr
iestocomposeherself
.

Tlotl
o:Tl herrayouf i
nishedme.Lookatme.
(everyonel aughs)Aviwaaka, youar emor ethan
whatIhaveeveri maginedIcoul dget .Bef oreyou, I
hadgi venuponl oveorevent heideaofmar riage.I
meanever yonemadei tsoundl i
keIwast ool atein
themar ri
agegameandget ti
ngmar ri
edwi ththree
chil
dr enisar idicul
oust houghtbutwhenyoul ook
atmeyoudon' tseeamot heroft hree.Youseeme
asIam.ToyouIam Tl otlowhol i
veswi tht hree
housemat es.(everyonel oves)Butyoul ovemy
housemat essomuchandt heyl oveyout oosoI
havenodoubti nmymi ndt hatyouandIcoul d
actuallymaket hiswor k.Thi sf eel
sl i
keanew
advent ureandIam soexci tedt obedoi ngi twi t
h
you.Yout rulyaremygi ft.Ipromi set obet hebest
wifeIcanbet oyou.Andpl easenevergi veupon
me.BecauseIcanbeal otyouknow( ever yone
l
aughs) .Pleaseknowt hatIl oveyounow, forever
andal
ways.

Shesl
ipst
heri
ngont
ohi
sfi
ngerandever
yone
cl
apsagai
n.

Pastor:Bythepower svest
edinmebyt he
governmentofBot swana,Inowdecl
areyou
husbandandwi fe.MrThompsonyoumaynowki
ss
yourbride.

Avismil
esandstret
chespl
ayf
ull
ymaki
ngTl
otl
o
andeveryonel
augh.

Tl
otl
o:Di
rat
lher
ra.(
doi
tal
ready)

Avi
:Oampat
laEbi
le?(
youal
readywantme?
)

Tl
otl
olaughsandt
hat
'swhenAvil
andshi
sli
pson
herski ssingherl iket
hewor l
dar oundthem doesn't
exist.Ever yoneclapsandul ul
ates.Eventual
ly
everyonel eavesthechurchandheadsof ftotake
picturesbef oreheadi
ngtoMmaagweTl otl
o'shouse
wher et het enthasbeensetup.Cel ebrat
ionisinthe
airandever yonecanfeeli
t……

AtMrMor
ena'
shouse

Morenaandhi sbr ot
her
ssi tacrossthei
rparent
sin
theli
vingroom feeli
ngl
ikelit
tleboysagain.Kgosi
ontheot herhanddoesn'tunderstandwhyhehas
beensummoned.Ormaybei t
'ssohecanhel phis
fat
hert orepr
imandMor ena.

MrMor ena:WaitsegoreIdon'
tevenknowwher eto
star
twi ththefourofyou.(l
ooksatKgosi)Kgosi
,
yourdaught er
,mygr andchi
ldisaboutt
ogi vebi
rt
h
anydaynowandyoust il
ldon'
tknowwho
i
mpr egnatedher ?Tel
lBogoloIwanttoseeherthis
evening.Kebonagor eoal etl
waela.Whereisyour
wi
fe?Iwasexpect
inghert
obeher
etoday.

Kgosi
:Shei
satTl
otl
o'sweddi
ng.

MrMor
enashakeshi
sheadandl
ooksatBogosi
.

MrMor ena:Doyouheart hat?Ser i

ousmenhave
takenyourwi fewenaohaor wel etl
hogookar e
kokoet shet swekamet si.Wher ei syourli
fegoing
huh?Thatmanhassetabet t
erexampl eforyour
sonscompar edtot herubbi shyoudi d.Howmany
ti
mesdi dyourmot herandIt ellyout odor i
ghtby
themot herofyourchi ldren?Noneofyourchi l
dren
evenbearyourname.Okar eTl otl
ookaboago
baakant seat senyabanamonyal ongr etl
er ebone
goreoagoi theng.Kanaonal ebanababangwer ra
ker onar egot sentsengdi ngalo?( IwishTlotl
ohad
givenyourchi l
drenherhusband' ssur namesowe
canseewhatyouwer egoi ngt odo.Ori sitthatyou
haveot herchi l
drenandwear et heonesbot heri
ng
youf ornor eason?
Bogosil
ooksathi
sfeet
.

MrMorena:Iam t
alki
ngt
oyouBogosi
.Opent
hat
mout
h!

Bogosi
:(Wi
thal
owvoi
ce)Nnyaar
ra.(
Nosi
r)

MrMor ena:ThenIbetterhearyoutel
li
ngmeyou
aregoi ngtopaydamagesf ort
hosechildrensoon
andgi vethem yournamebecausenogr andchil
dren
ofmi newi l
lgoaroundaimlesslyasift
heyar e
fatherl
ess.Iwanttobeabl etostandproudlywhen
Tlamel ogetsmarri
ed.Lesagodi ramatlakalaPel
e
gaont ena.(
Stopallt
hisnonsensebefor eyouti
ck
meof f)Am Iclear?

Bogosi
:Yessi
r.
MrMor
ena:Kgot
la!

Kgot
la:Rr
a.

MrMor
ena:Kgot
la!

Kgot
la:Rr
a.

MrMor ena:Letthi
sbethelastti
memywi f
eever
cat
chesyousneaki ngagir
lintomyhouse.Gol oha
hasekogaMmaper ekoha.(t
hisisn'
talawless
house).Haveyouseenanyofyourbr other
s
bri
nginggir
lfr
iendstosl
eepinmyhouse?

Kgot
la:(
Looki
ngathi
sfeet
)Nnyar
ra.

MrMor ena:Sokeeng?Bagolowa?(ar
eyou
bewi
tched?)Inmyhouse?Thenextt
imeyoutr
y
thatnonsenseIwi l
lputmyshambokasi deandyou
andIwi llfi
ghtsowecanseei fyoureal l
yar ethe
manyout hinkyouar e.Whenyoubeggedust oli
ve
i
nourhousei nsteadofst ayingoncampusor eo
tshabat lala(sayingyoudon' twanttost arvethere),
wet oldyouwedon' twantt oseeanythi ng
disturbing.Nowmywi fehast oscream i nthe
mi ddleoft heni ghtthinki
ngawi t
chhascomei nt
o
herhousekant eyouar esneakingagi rlin.And
kantehagoapar wenaar e?( don'
tpeopl edress
anymor e?)Howdoesagi rlgotoherboyf r
iend's
housewear i
ngabel tandsayi ngit
'saski r
t?Tryme
againandyouwi llknowwhoLekgot laMor enais.
Am Icl ear?Bei ngt wentytwodoesn' tmakeyoua
man.Iwi l
ldiscipli
neyouasl ongasyouar emyson.
Movi ngoutmakesnodi f
ferencetome.Asl ongasI
havebl oodpumpi ngi nmyvei ns,Iwillcallyoual l
toor der.Am Icl eart oyoual l
?

Al
loft
hem:Yessi
r.
MrMorena:WenaMorenawhati
sgoi
ngonwi
thyou?
Di
dyouloseyourmi
nd?

Mor
ena:Nosi
r.

MrMor ena:Don'
tevensaynosirbecauseonl
ya
confusedandinsaneper
soncandowhatyouhave
done.WhathasLeadonet oyou?

Mor
ena:not
hing.

MrMor ena:Andt hatiswhyIbel i

eveyouhavel ost
yourmind.Ihearyoul eftherforthatNadiagirl
.Ele
gorehaoabaka?( Didn'
tyoul earnyourlesson?)Do
youwantt oactuallydi
einacaracci dentbecause
ofanotherentanglementwi thanotherwoman' s
husband?Someoneshowsyouwhot heytrulyare
andyouchooset onotbel i
evethem?Whathappens
i
fshecheat sonyouagai n?
Mor
ena:Shewon'
t.

MrMor ena:Andhowdoyouknowt his?TotabonaI

don'tcarewhatyout hinkshei sgoingtodo.Iwant
tounder standwhyyoul eftthemot herofyourchil
d.
Totalet l
aar elegodi t
semang?(whoar eyou
l
earningt hisbehavi orfrom? )Youhaveneverseen
someper sonwal ki
ngint oourhomesayi ngtheyare
myl ongl ostchildren.Thef ourofyouar etheonly
chi
ldrenIhave.Butyouguyswantt ogoaround
l
eavingyourchi ldrenwi t
hdi ff
erentwomen.What
nonsensei sthat?Whygetsomeonepr egnantifyou
havenoi ntenti
onofmar r
yingthem?Kesonese
Gabor one?Mor ena?

Mor
ena:Rr
a.

MrMor ena:keashimi
sega.(I'
m am nauseated)
Yourdecisionmaki
ngisveryquesti
onableandyou
ar
ethel astoneIwasexpecti
ngtobehavelikethi
s.
Wheredoyouevenseeyourr elat
ionshi
pgoi ngwit
h
t
hiswoman?

Mor
ena:(
looksathi
shands)Iwantt
oaskhert
o
mar
rymet oni
ght
.

MrMor
enaf
rownst
henl
ooksathi
swi
fe.

MrsMor ena:Mor ena,youknowver ywel lthatwe

arenotthekindofpar entst hatsticktheirnecksi nto
ourchil
dren'sr
elati
onshi psandmaybet hat 'swhy
Bogosididwhathedi d.Idon' tknow.Whi chi swhyI
wanttotellyouthetruth.Ilovedt hatgirlthef i
rst
dayIsawherbutwhatshet ur nedouttobei s
somethingIcanneverf or get.Howdoyouexpectus
toacceptawomant hatnotonl yhadanaf fairwit
ha
marri
edmanbutal sosl eptwi thGodknowshow
manymenf ormoney?Hi ghpai dprosti
tution
Morena?Nnyaangwanaka.(nomyson. )Ican
neveracceptsuch.Iam sor rybutIcan' t
.Icannever
tr
ustsuchawomanandIneverwantt ofindmysel f
asawi ckedmotheri nlaw.Sabat l
egont eof isa.
(
pleasedon'
tleadmei
ntosi
n.)

Mor
ena:ButIl
oveher
.

MrMor ena:t
henyouwi l
lhavetoloveherther
e.If
youaskhertomar ryyouthendon'ti
nvol
veus
becauseIcan'topenmymout htoaskmybr other
s
tohelpmysonmar r
yaprosti
tut
e.Never!

Hest
andsupandwal
ksof
fwi
thhi
swi
febehi
nd
hi
m.
[
08/
31,
17:
54] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t59

Nar
rat
ed

AtMrMor
ena'
shouse
Afterafewminutesofdeadsilencei
nthethelivi
ng
room,Morenastandsupandwal kst
ohisparents
bedroom.Heknocksont hedoorandent er
swhen
hismothertel
lshimto.Hefindshisfat
hersit
ti
ngon
thebedwithhisheadagainsttheheadboardwhil
e
hismotheri
ssi t
ti
ngonthecouchwi thherphone.

Morena:Mama,Papa,Ineedyoutounderstandmy
deci
sion.Il
oveNadiasomuchthatIhaveforgiven
herf
orallhermist
akes.Whycan'
tyoudot hesame?

MrMor ena:Mor enayouareaf athernowandaybe

onedayyouwi l
lunderst
andbutl etmepai nta
picturef oryou.Yougetacal loneaf t
ernoonand
youar etoldyoursonhasbeeni nacaracci dent
.
Your usht othehospit
althi
nkingt hewor st.Aski
ng
your selfifyoursonisonnlifesuppor toriftheyare
daedandnoonewant st
otellyouovert hephone.
Yout henf i
ndoutyoursoni sfineandyouar e
reli
evedonl ytohearthathi
sgi rl
fri
endhasbeen
cheatingonhimt hr
oughoutthei
rrelati
onshipand
notjustwithonemanort wo.Idon'tevenwantt o
knowhowmanymenshesl eptwithwhilrshewas
wit
hyouort her
isksheputyoui n.Whatwoul dyou
sayifyouwer ei
nmyshoes?Bemef orami nut
e
andt ellme.

Morena:ButIf
orgaveher
.Iwi
shIcoul
dexplai
nto
youwhyshedidwhatshedidbutIr
especther
pri
vacy.
Iwantt
omarryherandIam goingtoaskherto
marr
ymetoni
ght.Pl
easeacceptmydecision.I
fyou
l
ovemeasyoursonthenmyhappi nessshould
meansomet
hingtoyou.

MrMor ena:Ithinkyoumisunder
standus.Mor enaI
tol
dyout hati
fyouaskhert omarryyouthenyou
shouldn'
texpectmeorMmakgosi wamet obe
i
nvolved.Wecan' tfor
ceyoutomar r
ythemot herof
yourchil
dortobr eakupwithyourgir
lf
ri
end.That
i
sn'twhowear e.Butint
hatsameregard,youcan't
forceust oacceptt hi
s.Mar r
yherifyouwantt obut
sheisn'tgoingtobemydaught erinl aw.Shewi l
lbe
yourwifeandIhonest l
ywi shyouallt hebestmy
son.Igenui nel
yhopeshemakesyouashappyas
mywi fehasmademebutIcan' tseemysel fassist
mysont omar rythesamewomanwhowaspl aying
him.Whathappensi fsheget stempt edtocheaton
youagai n?Whathappensi fshetell
syoushei s
goingonawor ktrip?Wi llyoutr
usther ?Ir
espect
youasmysonandIneverwantt ofindmysel f
questi
oni ngthepat erni
tyofyourwi fe'ssonwhen
sheispr egnant.Iam sor rybutIcan't.

MrsMorena:Wewillcometot
heweddingifyou
wantustobutwecan'tdomor
ethanthat
.Etlaabo
esengwetsiyar
ona(shewon'
tbeourdaughterin
l
aw).

Morena:(
swall
owsapai
nfull
ump)Sowhatdoyou
wantmetodo?Yourai
sedustoval
uepayi
ng
magadiandyounowwanttorobmeoft
hatpri
de?I
don'
twantawi
feonpaperonl
y.That
'snothowyou
rai
sedus.

MrMor ena:OKt
henBualebomal omaagolebo
rr
angwanaagogorebagothuse.(
askyouruncl
est
o
helpyou.
)

Mor ena:Youknowt heywil

lwanttoknowwhyyou
aren'ti
nvolved.Whyareyoumakingthisimpossibl
e
forme?Pl easehelpme.Trustmydecisionandlet
memakemyownmi st
akesi
fthi
sisone.

MrMorena:LikeIsai
d,Iacceptt
hatyouwantto
marr
yherbutIam notputti
ngmynamei nthis.
Pl
easeal
soacceptourdeci si
ontowantnot
hingto
dowit
hthis.Askyourbrot
herstohel
pyouthen.

Mor
ena:(
bli
nki
ngr
api
dly)Mama.
.
Mr
sMor
enast
andsupandgi
veshersonahug.

MrsMorena:Youknowyourf atherandIloveyou.
Weacceptthatyouaregrownmannowandyou
makeyourowndeci si
onslestyoupointafingerat
ustomorrow.Butwealsomadeourowndeci sion
l
estweblameour sel
vesfornotwar ni
ngyou.Ifshe
i
swhatmakesyouhappymysont henIhopeyou
haveal
lthejoyandhappinessintheworld.Ilove
yousomuchmybaby.

Shel
et'
sgoofhi
m andki
sseshi
scheek.

Morenastandsther
eforami nutetr
yingtofi
nda
wayofconvinci
nghisparentstohelphim.He
fi
nall
ysi
ghsandwal ksout.Hefindshisbrot
her
s
si
tti
ngInfhesamespots.

Kgot
la:Anyl
uck?
Morena:(
shakeshishead)Baagana(t
heyar
e
r
efusi
ng).TheysayIshoulddoi
twit
houtt
hem.

Bogosi
:Magadi
?

Mor
ena:Theyr
efused.

Kgot
la:Soareyougoi
ngt
ocancelt
hesur
pri
sewi
th
t
heplanner
?

Morena:(scr
atcheshisheadinfr
ustr
ati
onandsits
down)Ican'tdothat.Somanypeoplealr
eadyknow
Iam goingtoproposeandifIdon'
tdoitBol
eng
mightleti
tsli
pthenitwil
lbeamess.

Kgosi
:Soar
eyouj
ustgoi
ngt
odoi
twi
thoutt
hei
r
bl
essi
ng?
Mor ena:(looksatKgosi)Il
oveNadi aKgosi.Iknow
shei sn'tt
heidealwifemyf amil
ywoul dhaveme
mar ry.Ispentsomanyyear str
yingtohateherbutI
l
ovedhermor e.Iknowshei samessbutshei smy
mess.Ihaveaccept edherforwhoshei sandIsee
herbeyondherpast .Idon'
tknowwhatourpar ents
aregoi ngtosayt omorrowbutIknowt hattonightI
am aski ngmyqueent omar r
yme.Ther estwill
fol
low.

Kgosi
:OKthen.Ift
hat'
showyouf eelthenIwil
lhel
p
youasbestasIcan.Iwil
lspeaktooutmar r
ied
cousi
nssotheycanhelpusbecauseIknowbo
Rangwanewon'tbeinvol
vedwithoutpapa.

Mor
ena:(
looki
ngshocked)Woul
dyour
eal
lydot
hat
?

Kgosi:it
'snosecretthatIhavealwaysl
ovedLeafor
youandIam ver ydisappointedyoutwocoul
dn'
t
makei tworkbutattheendoft hedayyouaremy
brot
herandIhaveyourback.
Morenaexhal
esdeepl
yandput
shi
shandsoverhi
s
head.

Morena:(
hugsKgosi
)thankyousomuch.Youdi
nt
knowwhatthi
smeanst ome.

Kgotla:Bogosiwenawagodiraengkannakebest
man?( BogosiwhatareyougoingtodoseeingasI
am thebestman? )Kanawewoul dn'
tneedmany
cousinsifyouweremarri
ed.Nowwehavet oask
forhelpfrom t
hewholetr
ibebecauseofyou.

Bogosi
:(smackshishead)oaswabaKgot l
a.(I
'
ll
putyoutoshame)Odi r
wakegot l
isabanyanaba
satsal
amol apeng.(
Thereasonyoubehavethi
s
wayisbecauseyoubeingnakedgirl
shome)

Kgosi
:(l
aughs)Whatwer
eyouevent hi
nki
ng?Ot la
bol
awakeLekgotl
awena!(Lekgot
lawil
lki
llyou)
Kgot
lastandsupandlif
tshi
st-shi
rtt
oshowt hem
t
helashesonhisback.Hisbr
otherexcl
aim and
l
aughathim.

Kgotl
a:Thaymani sabeast .Andhemademef eel
sosecure.Mxm.Kanawewer et r
yingtosneaki n
andItoldthegirlwhichr oom togot owhileIwas
l
ockingthedoorbecauseIwant edhertobei nmy
room buyincaset heyheart helockingsot heyoy
fi
ndmei nthelivingr oom.Iwasl ockingthedoor
whenIhear dmascr eami nginthepassage.Hake
remamaIhearpapsr oari
ng'Mmakgosigor i
leng?
Goril
eng?'(WhileIt r
ypr ocessingmum' sscreamsI
hearpapsshout i
ngf orhi swifeandaski ngwhat '
s
wrong)

Thebr
other
slaughant
ici
pat
ingt
her
estoft
hest
ory.

Kgot
la:Hei
shIt
houghtofopeni
ngt
hatdoorand
runni
ngawaybecausecheriel
eeneIknewthey
wouldn'
thurther.Iwast
heonewit
hatargetonhi
s
back.ThenIheardpapsshout
ing'
omoloinaar
e?'
(Aretouswitch)

Thebr
other
'sbur
stoutl
aughi
ngagai
n.

Kgot l
a:AhIhadt ojustwal ktothepassage.It r
ied
explainingmyselfandpapsgavemehi scarkeysto
goanddr opheratherhousebecausehewasn' t
l
ettinghe'dsleepinhi shouse.Hei shIwassohor ny
thattimebutIdi dn'tdaresayanyt hing.Idropped
herof fwithoutevent ouchingherbecauseIwas
afraidofwhatIwasgoi ngt ofi
ndwhenIgothome.I
foundLekgot lawaitingf ormei nthelivi
ngroom and
Iwasl ikeyeahkennyel egompi eno.Thenyour
fathershocksmebyaski ngmei fIgotherhome
safeandi fIusepr otectionandi fsheistheonlygirl
Isleepwi th.Kanathiswasar ound3am nnakebat l
a
gor obalakanopayame.( t
heylaugh).Our
conver sati
onendsandwebot hheadt oourrooms
tosl
eep.IwasdeepindreamlandwhenIdr eamtI
wasadonkeyandsomeonewasi ntopofme
beati
ngme.Bythethi
rdlashmyeyeswer ewi de
openkerekeasiyakanteyourfat
herhaslocked
thedoor
.Heishkebedi
tswekesethakgagompi eno!
(Iwasbeatenbyaskil
ledman)

Byt
het
imehei
sdonehi
sbr
other
sar
eint
ear
s.

Kgotl
a:I
f'kebaki
le'
wasaper
soni
twoul
dbeme.
Str
u!

MrMor enaandhi swifeli

stentotheifsonslaght
ers
andchucklelist
eningtoKgotla'susual
exaggerat
ions.MrsMor enajoinsherhusbandin
bedandl i
esonhi schest.

MrsMorena:Whydi
dtheyhavet
ogr
owupandf
ace
t
hiscr
uelworl
d?
MrMor ena:Theyaretoughmen.Don' tworryabout
them.Wet aughtthem t
hataslongast heyhave
eachot her,t
heycanover comeeveryt
hing.They
knowt heyar eateam andwear eteam too.
Togetherwecanconquerevet yt hi
ng.

Hetraceshishandsalonghercol
larboneand
l
ight
lygrazesherbreastbef
orepi
nchingherni
ppl
e.

Mr
sMor
ena:(
hit
chedbr
eat
h)Papast
lher
radon'
t.

MrMor ena:(
rubshi
shardnessagai
nstherhi
p)O
Rayagorehaobat l
ennakegobat l
ajaana?(
Are
yousayingyoudon'
twantmewhenIwantyout his
much?)

MrsMorenabit
esherli
penj
oyi
ngt
hepl
easur
eof
hi
shandinsi
deherbra.
Mr
sMor
ena:Whati
ftheyhearus?

MrMor ena:Batl
aipona.Theywillr
unout
sideour
housethenbecauseifIwanttogivemywifesome
goodlovin'
inmyhouse, Iam goi
ngtogi
vemywi f
e
somever ygoodlovi
n'.

Shesqueal swhenhecl i
mbsontopofher .He
kissesherslowlyandpassionat
elyrunninghis
handupherdr essf eel
inghert
highuntilherreaches
herpant y.Hepull
sherpantydowni mpat i
entl
yas
histhrobbingmemberachesf orher.Her emoves
thestrapsofherdressand#EXPLI CIT
°
°°° °
°°°

Tl
otl
o

Avi
:(Laughs)Am Iinforanot
hernightofyou
waki
ngupt oconstant
lycheckyourri
ng?
Me:( l
aughi
ngandki
ssingmyri
ng)Ist
il
lfeell
ikeI
willwakeupanyt
imeandfi
ndmyengagementr ing
backonmyl ef
thand.Nkal
elagor
eAvi.(Iwould
crysomuch)

Avil
augsandcl
imbsont
opofme.

Avi
:Maybet
hiswi
llmakei
tfeelmor
erealt
oyou.

Heki
ssesmewithoutr
est
ingontopofme.Hegoes
downandki
ssesmynowsl i
ght
lyvi
sibl
ebump.

Me: Babyareweact ual

lygoi
nngt
ohavesexwit
h
yourfamil
ysl i
steni
ngtous?Ketl
habi
wakekgal
a
gorerra.(
Ifeelashamed)

Avi:(chuckl
es)Andyourbet
termoanl
oudl
ytoo.I
don'twanttobeaccusedofnotbei
ngaman.Okue
hel
abagout lwekogatingkwa.(youshoul
dscr
eam
soloudl
ythattheyhearyoual
lthewayatthegat
e.

Il
ookathi minshockandpushhisfaceoff
l
aughing.Heliesnexttomeandpullsmeont opof
him.Bothofusarenakedbecausewej usttook
baths.If
eelhi
mr ubbingagai
nstmeandmy
pregnancyhormonesbetrayme.Iwantedtomake
him begfori
tbutitseemsli
keIam goi
ngt obean
easycatch.

Me:(
grindi
ngonhim)Shoul
dyoubetheonet
opof
meprovingyour
sel
ftobeaski
ll
edl
over?

Avi
:(squeezesmybutt
)Iwanttof
eelwhatmar
ri
ed
womanont opf
eel
sli
keAkere.

Ithr
owmyheadbackandlaugh.Hequi cklyli
ftsme
andbef
oreIr
eal
izei
tIf
eelhim pushinghimsel fi
nto
me.Mymouthopensasthethr
illt
ravel
st hrough
mybody.It
hengai
ncomposur
eandl
if
tmysel
fof
f
ofhi
m and#EXPLI
CIT

°
°°° °
°°°

Nadi
a

Inowunder standwhyBol engt hinksshel ooksf at.

Thegi rleatslikeabearpr eparingf orwi nter
hibernation!Sher efusedtogot oaf astf ood
restaurantsayi ngshewant sat hreecour semeal .
Herst arterwasamai nmealoni tsown!She
orderedst eakasherst ar
ter.Thewai tertiredtel
ling
heritwasn' tastart
erthenshef rownedandpoi nted
atherbumpandt oldthepoorguyt ot ellthe
Nigerianboyi nherwombt hat.Thensheor ders
mashedpot atoesandl ambshanksf orhermai n
mealandf ordesert,shehascar r
otcake.The
heaviestofal lcakes.Ididn'tdar esayanyt hing
becauseIpersonal
lyhavenointenti
onoftel
li
nga
Niger
ianbabythati
t'smotherovereat
s.IhopeIwi
ll
benothi
nglikeher.

Boleng:(
li
ckingthecream onherf
ork)OK,
sonow
thatIam f
ullIcanfi
nallyl
ist
en.Whatdi
dyouwant
totel
lme?

Me:(bit
ingmyli
pnervously)OKIam notone
hundredper
centsur
eyetandIhaven'tsai
d
anyt
hingtoMorenabutIthinkIam pr
egnant
.

Bol
eng:(
wideeyed)OhmyGod!Ar
eyouser
ious?
Whydoyouthinkso?

Me:Wel lImi
ssedmyperiodforthefi
rsttimeinmy
l
ife.I
t'
sbeenaweeknow.Mor enal
ikestodot he
whowi t
hdrawalt
hingandImissedonepi llonet
ime.
Idon'ti
fthat
swhenithappened.Idon'tknow.
Bol
eng;
ok..OK.
.So.
.Howdowefeelaboutt
his?Ar
e
wehappy?Arewereadyf
ori
t?

Me:(sigh)Idon'tknowhowIf eelbutIknowIam
notregrett
inganything.IloveMorenaandhel oves
metoo.Iguesst hi
siswhatIneed, someoneIcan
act
uallycallmine.Youknow?Havi ngmyownbaby
i
ssomet hi
ngIneverdr eamedof faft
erallt
hatmess
wit
hRi chardbutIam act uall
yexcit
edaboutthis.

Bol
eng:(
smilesandsqueals)thencongr
atul
ati
ons
mama!Thisisjustperf
ectandtoni
ghtisgoi
ngt o
bet
hecherryont op!

Sheclappsherhandsexcitedl
y.Bolengisawier
d
chil
d.Whatpregnantpersongetsexcit
edabouta
bir
thdaypar
tyatnighteven?
The#EXPLICI
Twi l
lbepost
edtomorr
ow.Cli
ckthe
visi
tpagebut
tonundert
hepagenametoaccess
thegroup.
[
08/
31,
17:
54] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t60

Nadi
a

Al i
feli
ket heoneIhavel ivedl eavesnor oom for
dreami ngoff air
ytal
esbutt hisrightherefeel
slike
thebegi nningofaf ai
rytalef orme.Mor enagotmea
dresst oweart omypar t
y.I tisagol dsequined
dresswi thahi ghneckandasl i
tthatgoesupt omy
thigh.Ihaven'twor nadr essl ikethissinceI
stoppedgoi ngtoJojopar ti
es.Butbl f
orthefi
rst
ti
meIf eelsecureinthisdr ess.If eell
ikeaqueen
andnotahi ghpaidslutreadytomakemakemoney
forherbeauti
fulpimp.Thisfeelsdi
ff
erent
.Ifeel
beauti
ful
.Thel adyatthesalonalsodidagoodjob
withmyhai r
.Ilookli
keIcoul dbeonthecoverof
Essencemagazi neifIcouldsaysomyself.

Iam soconsumedbymyi magei

nt hemirrort
hatI
didn'
tevenseeMor
enawalkingi
ntothebedroom.I
j
ustfeelhi
sarmswraparoundmywai standmy
heartj
umpst omyt
hral
oarandIalmostscream.

Me:(
hol
dingmychest
)babepl
easeneversneakup
onmeagain.

Morena:(
kissesmycheek)Iam sorr
ymyqueen.It
wasjustt
akeninbyyourbeauty.Iam sor
ryIscar
ed
you.

It
unear
oundi
nhi
sar
msandf
acehi
m.
Me:I
tsOK.

Heleansinandkissesme.Ineverbotherappl
ying
l
ipsti
ckbeforeweleavethehousebecausethi
s
manal wayswantskiss.Hi
shandhikesmyexposed
thi
ghandt hentomybut t
.Igr
abhishandandpul li
t
back.

Me:Iwi
llgi
veyoul
ater
.Let
'sgo.

Mor
enasmi
lesandki
ssesmeagai
n.

Me:Babeot houghtIcoul
dwai ttotel
lyouthi
sbutI
can'
t.Iwon'
tenjoythi
spartybecauseIwillbe
aski
ngmysel fhowyouwillfeelabouti
t.

Mor
ena:t
ellme.What
'swr
ong?
Me:Not
hingiswrong.Wel
laccordi
ngtomenot hing
i
swrong.Idon'
tknowhowyouf eelabouti
tthough.

Morena:babeyouarewindingyour
sel
fupand
f
reaki
ngmeout .Justsayit
.

Me:(exhal
ing)OK.Her
eitgoes.It
hinkIam
pregnant
.Imissedmyperi
odaweekagoand
nothi
nghashappenedyet.

Hel
ooksatmewi
thoutsayi
nganyt
hing.

Me:Iknowt hi
sisal
ltoosoonandLet lot
loissti
ll
toosmall.Icanabortitifyouwant .Itotall
y
underst
andi fyouaren'treadyforthis.ImeanI
don'
tknowhowr eadyIam f ort
hiseither.Wejust
gotbackt oget
herand-

Hepul
lsmei
nforahugandki
ssesme.
Morena:Neverevert al
kaboutabor t
ingmychi l
dren
Nadia.Ihaveal wayswant edtohaveachildwith
youandf orittobehappeni ngnowf eel
sli
keit'
s
meantt obe.Iwasj ustshockedbecausetomet hi
s
feel
slikeasign.Itfeel
slikethi
sisGod'swayof
showingmet hatIam maki ngther
ightdeci
sion.

Me:Whatdeci
sion?

Hegoesdownononekneeandpull
saboxfrom hi
s
bl
azerpocket
.Heopenst
heboxandit
'sar
ing!I
t'
sa
ri
ng!

Me:(
steppi
ngback)OhmyGod.

Morena:Iwasgoingt odothi
slateratt
hepar
ty.I
hadplannedeverythi
ngoutanditseemedperf
ect
butt
hismomentr i
ghtnowfeelsevenmoreperf
ect.
Wheni t
'sj
ustthetwoofus.Iloveyousomuch
Nadia.MorethanIhaveeverlovedbeforeandI
wanttocontinuel
ovingyoufortherestofourl i
ves.
IloveyoumyqueenandIwoul dli
ketout odome
thehonorofbeingMr sMorenaMor ena.Ican'twait
toseeoursonandnamehi m Morenathet hi
rd.The
namehasal waysbelongedtoyoursonandhei s
here.Solet
'smakethisoff
ici
almylove.

Ibl
inkr
api
dlyast
ear
sfi
llmyeyes.

Me:Yes!YesIwi
ll
!

Idon'tknowi fwearebeingcrazytodothissosoon
butitfeel
srightandIwanttobehappyf orthefi
rst
ti
mei nmyl if
e.Ialsodeser
vet obehappy.He
sl
idest heri
ngonmyf i
ngerandIjumpar ound
exci
tedlythenhughi m.

Me:(huggi
nghi
m)ButIst
il
lwantt
hesurpr
ise.I
wanttoseehowyouwoul
dhavedoneit
.
Morena:(
chucklesandki
ssesme)What
everyou
wantMrsMor ena.

AtTyl
er'
sol
dhouse

Onthesameeveni ng,Tylerlockedupt hedoor sof

thehousehet houghtheandhi swi f
ewoul dlivein
foraverylongt i
me.Heneveri magi nedthathe
wouldbesel l
ingitwhent heirchildrenaresoyoung
butitbaresmemor iesthatar en'
tonl ypainfulf or
him,butforhischil
drentoo.Her ushedovert o
showt hehouset opotentialbuyer saft
ert he
wedding.Theyseemedt obever ykeenonbuyi ng
thehouseBot hohaddesi gnedsobeaut i
fully.They
l
eftafterpromisi
ngt ocallhim withintheweek.
Hewal ksar
oundout
sidethehouset ocheckif
everyt
hingi
sfi
nebeforeheleaves.Hebendsover
tofi
xthehosepipet
hathasbentoveri t
sel
f.Heli
ft
s
hisheadwhenhehearsacarpul l
ingint
otheyard.

Tyl
er:Elegorewhoi
sthatwi
thacarwi
thnon
exi
stentshocks?

Thecarr umbl edabi tbefor

et heengi newas
switchedof f
.Fr om t hesoundofi t,Tylercoul dhear
thatthecarhadn' tbeenservicedi nsomet i
meor
whoeverwasdr i
vingitwasar oughdr i
ver.Hisjaw
dropswhenhemakesi ttothef r
ontoft hehouse.
Heseeshi swife'spl at
enumberonacart hathas
onel i
ghtcover .Theot herli
ghti sbareandt he
bonnethasadentt hatpushest heplat esintoit
.The
passengersi deal sohasadentf r
om t hef r
ontdoor
tothebackandt hepai ntonthedoor shave
scratchesalongt hem.Hewoul dn'thavebel i
eved
thi
swast hesamecari fhehadn' tseent heplat
e
numberf irst
.Theshockevendel ayshi mt oseeMay
standi
ngbyhisowncar
.Hef
inal
lyshakeshi
shead
andlooksather
.

May: (
walki
ngaroundthecarwithali
mp)Soyou
boughtanewcar ?Whereistheoldone?Ineeda
car.Youcanseethisoneisdead.Mysist
er'
shave
beenhavingtheti
meoft hei
rli
veswit
hmycar .Mxm.
(opensthebackdoor)Tswayangmoo.(getoutof
there)
.

Tylerwat
chesasfivechi
ldr
enpil
eoutofthecar.He
fr
ownsandl ooksatherwai
tingf
oranexplanat
ion.

May: Ihavedeci dedt hatsi

ncewel ovewithyour
chi
ldren,mi neshoul dalsoli
vewithus.It'
sonlyfai
r
don'tyout hink?(st
artspointi
ng)ThisisShayan.We
cal
lherShobe.Thent hisDeyjah,
Shaniqua,Dayday
andmyl astbor nDeon.( gi
ggl
es)Ili
keblack
Amer i
cans.Ievent houghtIwouldmar ryonebut
youwi l
ldo.( looksatthehouse)Uhuwher ear
ethe
curt
ainsj aanong?
Shelimpsovert
othehousewi
thherchil
dren
fol
lowingher
.Shet
ri
estoopenthedoorthenwal
ks
tothewindow

May:(
peepsi
ntot
hewindow)NaareTyl
erwhatis
goi
ngon?Wherei
sourfur
nit
ure?What'
shappeni
ng?

Tylerputshi
shandsonhiswai
stt
hencover
shi
s
mout hwithonehandt
henbackonhi
swaist
fr
owni ng.

Tyler:(
shakeshi
sheadthenlaughs)Thi
scan'
tbe
real.Ther
eisnowaythi
sisreal.

Mayl
i
mpsovert
ohi
m.

May:
Babywhat
'shappeni
ngkant
e?
Shetr
iest
otouchhim buthepushesherbackand
shest
umblesalmostf
alli
ngover.

May: (
shouti
ng)Whatareyoudoi
ng?Can'tyouseeI
am l
impinghuh?Howcoul dyouj
ustpuchmel i
ke
that
?What '
swrongwithyou?

Tyl
er:
Tellmesomethi
ng,ar
eyounormal
?KeRaya
l
ikeanormalhumanbeinghel
ali
keme?Areyou?
Whatareyoudoi
nginmyhouseMay?

May:(fol
dingherarms)Youmeanourhouse?Thi s
i
sourhouseandIhavebr oughtourchi l
drenhome.
Lookhowski nnytheyare.Mysistersabusemy
chi
ldr
ensoIcanenj oymyselfwhiletheysuffer
.
Youhaveenoughmoneyt ot
akecar eofallour
chi
ldr
en.Eveni fourbabyhadn'tdiedyouwoul dn'
t
havefail
edtotakecareofnonechi ldr
en.
Shesmi l
esandpushesherhairoutofherface.The
onceexpensivel
ooki
ngwiglookslikeithasbeen
draggedthr
oughadessertf
ullofshrubs.

Tyl
er:(
shakeshi
shead)Youaretr
ulyi
nsane.Get
outofmyhousenowbeforeIcal
lthepol
ice.

May: (angry)Tyl
er!Tylerdon'tir
ri
tateme!Don' t
i
rrit
ateme!Iam t ryi
ngt obeunder standi
ngandnot
argueaboutt hefactthatyouhaven' tcheckedinme
i
nt hreemont hsandevenbl ockedmycal ls.What
ki
ndoff i
ancedoest hat?Huh?Ont ennebutIam
tr
yingt omoveonher e.Itseemsyoumovedoutso
l
et'sgohome.Shobeopent hatcarandgeti nsi
de.
I'
l
lgett hebags.

Shobeslowlywalkstothedoorf
eeli
ngscar
edof
thdmanshout i
ngsghermot her
.Shetr
iest
oopen
thedoorbutit
slocked.
Shobe:Mamai
t'
slocked.

May:Tyl
eropenthedoor
.Wehavet
ogoour
chi
ldr
enarehungry.

TheshockTyl
erhadinhear
ingt
hewor dscomi
ng
outofhermout
hisrepl
acedbyrage.

Tyler
:(shouti
ng)Maygetyourchildrenoutofmy
houser i
ghtnowbeforeIsmashyourheadi ntothe
ground!Sojustbecauseyoumanagedt obewi tch
meandki llmywifeyouthinkIam af oolAkere?
Mayket lagopantit
elakana(Iwil
lgot ojai
lforyou)
j
usttoavengemywi feandchil
dren.Getoutofmy
housebef or
eIkil
lyouandmaket hesechil
dren
orphans.

May:(
tapsherfoot)Sothewizardyousentt
okil
l
mygrandmothertoldyouthatyoucankil
lmehuh?
DoyouknowwhatIhadt odosoIcanwal kagai
n?
Doyouhaveanyi deahowIsuf f
eratnightbecause
Ihadt obecomeawi fetosomethingIcan'tsee?
Youki l
ledmygr andmot herandlef
tmepar alyzed.
Lookatme!Ihaveal impnowbutIwasbor nwi t
h
healt
hyl egs.Thi
sisallyourfault
!Ifyourwit
ch
hadn'tkil
ledmygr andmot her
,noneofthiswoul d
havehappened!Iwoul dhavebeenhappy!My
chi
ldrenwoul dbegoingt oexpensiveschoolsright
now!Youdi dthi
s!You!

Tylerl
if
tshishandt
oslapherbutstopshimself
.He
dragsherintot
hebeatupcarandtell
sthechil
dren
togetin.

Tyler:
Mayyoubet terthanktheverybeingyoucal la
wizardandawi tchthatIam lett
ingyougowi t
hout
ascrat ch.ThankGodever ydayofyourl if
et hatI
didn'
tki l
lyouhere.Theonl yreasonIam lett
ingyou
l
eavewi ththi
scarisbecauseIhavenousef or
anythingyouhaveevert ouchedandIf eelsorryf
or
thesechi l
dren.Theonlygoodt hingthatcanhappen
tot hem i sf oryout odi e.Theyar ebetteroffrai
sed
i
nanor phanaget hanhaveawi t
chf oramot her.
Theonl ygoodt hingt hatcameoutofyourevi l
deedsi sIgavemyl ifet oChristthedayIwas
deliver ed.Ihavebeenaski ngmysel fi
fIcoul dever
forgi veyouorwhatIwoul ddoi fIeversawyouand
Inowknowf orsur et hatGodhadr eal
lyenteredmy
hear tbecauser ightnowal lIfeelispityforyou.You
aresodamagedandl ostbutyoucan' tseei t
.You
havenor emor sef orhowyoudest royedmywhol e
fami ly.Mychi ldrenar egoingt ogrowupwi t
houta
mot herbecauseofyou.It akefullblamef or
bringi ngyoui ntot heirlivesbutyoual sopl ayeda
veryt erri
blerole.Iwantt ocurseyousomuchbutI
feelsor ryforyou.Nowgetoutofmyhousebef oreI
putmysal vati
onasi de.Icanal waysaskf or
forgi venessaf terbur yingyou.

Mayswal l
owshardandst art
sthecart hreet
imes
befor
etheenginestar
tsrunning.Shehasnever
seenthatlooki
nTyler
'seyesbefor e.Therei
s
somethingabouthi
mt hatisdif
ferent.Sheslowl
y
r
ever
sest
hecarast
hel
oudnoi
sesst
art
.

Shobe:(
inthepassengerseat
)Mamadidn'tyousay
heisourfat
her?Whydoesn'thewantus?

Maykeepsqui etanddr ivesofftryi

ngt othinkof
wheretogo.Thet houghtofdrivingbackt othe
vi
ll
agef i
ll
sherwi thdisappoint
ment .Livi
ngwi t
hher
si
stersisdepr essing.Theybullyherandabuseher
chi
ldren.Tyler'
swor dsaboutherchi l
drenbei ng
bett
eroffinanor phanager i
ngi nhermi nd.She
dri
vestoahomeshehashear dofj ustoutside
Gaborone.Shepar kshercaraf ewmet ersf r
om the
homeandt urnstoShobe.

May: (
tear
y)BabygirlIneedyout odosomet hi
ng
formummy.Youknwot hatIloveyouright
?(Shobe
nodsherhead)OKnowyouknowIdon' tworkand
asyoucansee, yourfatherchasedusaway.Don' t
haveebytgi
ngtogiveyoubutt her
earepeoplein
thathousewhocanhel pt akecareofyouandyour
brother
sandsister
s.Ineedyoutogot
hereandstay
withthem f
oratl
eastthr
eemonthswhi
leIlookf
ora
j
ob.Ipr omi
sethatjnt
hreemonthsIwi
llcomeand
getyou.

Shobe:(cryi
ng)Mamano.Wewi l
lgowithyou.We
won'teat.Ipr
omiseIwil
ltel
lthem nott
ocry.We
wil
ldrinkwaterandsl
eep.

May: (shakingherhead)Noocan' twatchmy

childr
endi eofhunger.Listentome.HaveIever
brokenapr omisetoyou?( Shobeshakesherhead)
OKsobel i
evemewhenIsayIwi llcomdandget
youbutt heycan'tknowt hatIdroppedyouof fso
thatwhenIcomeandgetyout heywi llbeli
eveme.
Youhavet ogointhereandt el
lthem youwer e
droppedbyamanyoudon' tknow.Tel lthem hetook
youf r
om yourvill
ageandt ookyout oascar yplace
afterafewdayshebr oughtyouher e.OK?Sayi tto
mesoIknwoyouunder stand.
Maywi
peshert
ear
sandl
ist
enst
oherdaught
er.

Shobe:(
cryi
ng)Mamapr
omi
seyouwi
llcomeback.

May:(
kisseshercheek)Ipr
omi seyouIwi
llcome
andgetyouwhenIf i
ndsomet hingt
odo.Iwillnot
l
etyousuffer
.Thatisapromise.

Thechil
drenatt
hebackl
ookinfr
onti
nconf
usi
on
notunderst
andi
ngwhati
shappeni
ng.

Shobe:(
sni
ff
lesandwi
peshert
ear
s)
Iwil
lsaydumel
ang.Amandr oppedushereandleft
us.Hetookusf
rom ourvi
ll
ageandbroughtushere.

Mayr eal
izesshefor
gott
hescarypl
acepar
tbuti
t'
s
f
ine.Shedoesn'twantt
hem bei
ngtr
eatedl
ike
f
reaks.
May:
OKgoodgi
rl
.Comeher
e.

Shobescootsont
ohermot her
'slapforahuganda
ki
ss.Mayputsherbackthencall
st heonesatt
he
backandhugsandkissesthem beforeput
ti
ngthem
outsi
dethecar
.

May:OKShobeholdDaydayandDeon.Deyjahhold
Shani
quaandfol
lowyoursi
ster.Iwi
llcomeandget
youOK?BegoodboysandgirlsformummyOK?

Thecl uelesslynodt hei

rheadsandwalkaway.May
drivesoffaf t
erseeingthem geti
nthegat e.Tear
blurhereyesaf teraf ewminutesofdri
vingsoshe
stopst hecarandt akeshrrphoneout.Thisisthe
onlyhopeshehast oeverseeherchil
drenagai n.
Shedi alsheroldfriendsnumberandwi pesher
tearsasi tri
ngs.
Overt
hephone:Ar
iehel
lo?

May:
Heygi
rl
!It
'sMay.Ineedyourhel
p.

Ar
ie:What
'sup?

May:Pleasehel
pmet
alkt
oJol
enesoIcancome
back.

Ari
e:ShnukamsyouknowJolenedoesn'
tdotake
backs.Andyouqui
taf
terweek!Thati
sundone.

May:Iam sor
ry.Iwasafool.ButIam desperat
e.I
j
ustlef
tmychildreni
nanorphanagebecauseI
don'
tevenknowwher eIwi
llsleeptoni
ght.Youare
mylasthopeArie.

[
THREEYEARSLATER]
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commentandshar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
55] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t61

[
THREEYEARSLATER]

AtMor
ena'
shouse

It
saSat urdaymorning,
NadiaandMor enasitonthe
couch,bothonthei
rphoneswhilet heTVplays.
Nadiarespondstocomment sont hepict
ureshe
postedofthesurpr
isedinnerMorenathrewforher
l
astnight.
Morena:(chuckl
es)Babewai
tseBogol
oisj
ustboss.
Shesti
llclai
mshersonisanalbi
no.

Nadia:(scoffs)Howdoessheexpectanyonet o
bel
ievet hatawhiteboywi t
hbl ackstr
aighthai
ris
analbino?Idi dn'
tknowthatawhi t
eman'sseedcan
bethatst r
ong.Kegor ei
t'
sliket hechi
ldknewshe
wasgoi ngt odenyhispaterni
ty.Wheredidsheeven
meetawhi teman?

Morena:Beat
sme!Ahmybr otherhashi
shandsful
l
wi
ththatone.Appar
entl
yshecanleavehomefora
weekat i
mil
ephone.(wi
thherphoneoff
)

Nadi
a:Andwhataboutherchi
ld?

Morena:Akeresheknowsherpar
ent
sar
ether
e.
Sheisunbother
ed.
Asmallboycomesr
unni
ngi
ntot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom
hol
dingatabl
et.

Boy:Daddy!Daddylook!Iam onl
evel
fivenow!Iam
winni
ngpawpat rol
!Look!

Mor
enagr
abst
hebabyandt
ickl
eshi
m.

Mor
ena:Goodboy!Letmesee!

Nadia:(scr
oll
ingonherphone)I
t'
sfunnyhow
chi
ldrencanbegi vent
opeoplel
ikeBogol
owho
don'tevencareaboutt
hem.

Mor
enal
ooksatherbef
oreput
ti
nghi
ssondown.

Morena:OKLetl
otl
o,gobacktoyourr
oom Iam only
gi
vingyoufi
ft
eenmor eminut
esthenIam t
aki
ngt he
t
abl
et!

Letl
otl
orunsof
fexci
tedl
ysi
ngi
ngt
hePawPat
rol
song.

Morenat
urnstoNadi
aandsuppor
tshi
sheadwi
th
hi
sarmsbehind.

Morena:Nadi
a,howmanyt imeshaveItoldyouthat
st
ressi
ngyourselfaboutnotfal
li
ngpregnantwil
l
nothel
pyoufallpregnant?

Nadia:Morenayoudon' tunderst
andbecausewena
youhaveason.Youcanseeyour sel
fwhenyou
l
ookatLet l
otlo.Whataboutme?Doyouknowhow
muchpai nIgot hroughwhenIgetmyper iod?It
's
beenthreeyear sgosadiregesepe.I
t'
sfrustr
ati
ng
becauseIfeellikemaybewear en'
tmarri
ed
becauseyouaskedmet omar ryyouthi
nkingIam
pregnantonlyformet ogetmyper i
odthenextday.
Batholebonet heyfrust
ratemekadicomment s
wheneverIpostus.Theykeepsayi nghowI
shouldn'
tforgettoi
nvitethem.OthersaskgoredidI
notinvi
tethem.It'
sbor i
ng.IevenblockedAri
ewhen
shesaidreratagoi ki
met sadiri
ngresanyalwa.

Morena:(rubshisf
ace)Babeyoucan'
tputt
hison
mebecauseyouar ethereasonwearen'
tmarr
ied.
Yourefusedtoletmybrother
shel
pusmar r
y.

Nadia:Becauseitdoesn'
tfeelri
ghtMorena.What
happensaf t
erwegetmar r
ied?Wi l
lyousti
llbe
goi
ngf orfamil
ydinnerswithoutme?

Morena:Again,yourchoi
ce.Youar etheonewho
feel
suncomf ort
ablewit
hgoi ngthere.WhatshouldI
do?Iam tryi
ngmybestt omakeyouhappyNadi a
butitseemslikeyoudon'tappreciatemyeffort
s.Do
youthinkIenjoysayi
ngmyf i
ancét hisandthat
whenIaskedyout omarrymet hreeyearsago?Nah
man.
Nadia:(si
ghs)Youar eright.Iam sorr
y.Thisison
mebutIcan' tst
andt het houghtofyougoing
agai
nstyourpar entswhent heyaresuchlovi
ng
people.Ican'
tevenbl amet hem fornotaccepti
ng
mebecausei t'
smyf aul
twear ewherewear eand
i
t'
salsoonmet of i
xit.

Mor
ena:How?

Nadi
a:Idon'
tknowyetbutIwi
ll
.

Shest
andsupt hengoestothebedr
oom t
ochange.
Shewalksbackandgetsherphone.

Nadi
a:I
'
llbebackwaut
lwababe?

Mor
ena:Wher
eto?
Nadi
a:Goi
ngtodosomet
hingabouti
t.I
'
llt
ellyou
whenIcomeback.

Mor
ena:Keys?

Nadi
a:NoI
'
llusemycar
.Usi
ngyour
swoul
dn'
tlook
r
ight
.

Mor
ena:War
ewher
ear
eyougoi
ngkant
e?

Nadi
aki
sseshi
m andwal
ksoutoft
hehouse.

Att
hehospi
tal
Heavybr eathingf il
lstheroom withLea'sface
plast eredont het abl ebiti
ngherli
ptokeepf r
om
scr eami ngast hegooddoct orpoundsint oher.He
holdshernecksl ightlychokingherandbendi ngher
back.Hi ssweatdr opsonherbar ebackashe
grunt si npleasur e.Heuseshi sl
egtopushherl eg
opent ogi vehi m mor eexcessashedr i
llsint
oher
releasinghi mselfi ntothecondom.Her emains
i
nsi deherunt ilthel astdropofcum comesoutof
him.Hef inall
ypul lsoutandget sabunchofwet
wipesf rom Lea' sdeskt owipehimselfandLea
doest hesame.

DrMason:Sohowdoesdi
nnert
oni
ghtsound?

Lea:(dr
essingup)Maseyouknowhowbusyour
workkeepsus.Imeanl ookatusshaggi
ngin
off
icesduringtheli
ttl
ebreakswehave.Ipr
omised
mysonI 'dpickhim upwhenIknockoffsoIreal
ly
can'tdodinner.
DrMason:Youhavebeensayi
ngt hi
sfort
hepast
si
xmonthsthatwehavebeensleepi
ngtoget
her
.

Lea:I
fyouwantustost opsleepingtoget
herthen
i
t'
sOK.Iunderst
andt hatyoumi ghtbelooki
ngfor
morethanIam wil
li
ngt ogiveri
ghtnow.

DrMasonl ooksathert henshakeshisheadand

walksoutaftercheckinghisref
lect
iontoseet hat
everyt
hingisinorder.Anurseseeshim wal ki
ngout
ofDrLea'soffi
ceandmakesherwayt here.She
knocksandopenst hedoort oLeasprayingairmist
andswi t
chi
ngt heairconon.

WhenLeaseest
henur
seshesmi
rksbef
ore
l
aughi
ng.

Lea:Whatdoyouwant
?
Nurse:Leatl
hemmal
eaj
anabat
hong!(
Youguys
havesex!)

Leal
aughsandsi
tsdown.

Lea:Iaskedyouwhatyouwanther
e.

Nurse:Haveyoufi
nal
lyaccept
edt
ogoonadat
e
wit
ht hegooddoct
or?

Lea:(
bit
esherpen)No.YouknowIdon'
twantst
ep
fat
herdramasformyson.

Nurse:(sighsandl ooksatherhands)Youknowl
nevertoldyout hisaboutmyself.Iwasl
ikeyou
onceuponat i
me.Ilostt
hel oveofmyli
feata
youngageandhel eftmewi t
hababygirlwho
becamemyr easonforli
ving.Mywholewor l
d
crasheddr ownwhenhedi edbutIhadtoliveformy
baby.Af ewyearslater,Imetamanwhowant edme.
Itri
edpushi nghim awaybutevent uall
yhemademe
reali
zet hathewasmysecondchanceatl ove.Iwas
skepticalaboutbeingwi thhim becauseofmy
daught erbuttheyquicklybecamebestf r
iendsand
l
ookatmenow.Mar riedtoamanwhol ovesme
andmybabygi rl
.It
'snotper fectbutitislove.I
nevert houghtI'
deverl oveagai nafterAtangdi ed
butwhenl ovecameknocki ngonmydooragai n, I
gaveitashotandIdon' tr
egr eti
t.Don'trobyour sel
f
ofachanceatLovebecauseoff ears.Notallstep
father
sar eevi
landnotal lstepmot her
sar eevil.

Lea:Iam sor
ryKat
lo.Ihadnoi
deayouhavebeen
thr
oughthat.

Katl
o:It'
sfi
ne.Idon'tt
alkabouti
t.Ij
ustwant
edto
tel
lyoumyst orysoIcanshowyout hatli
fei
sful
lof
endlesspossi
bil
it
ies.

Lea:Thet
hingi
syouhadnochoi
cebutt
ogi
veup
becausehewasgone.I t'
snoteasyf orme.If eell
ike
Iwillbegivingupont hechancet ogivemysona
properfami l
y.Morenai sn'tmar ri
edyetsomaybe
west andachancet omaket hingswor k.Gapemma
i
t'snoteasybecausebabydaddyl eenemmai sjust
sodel i
ciouslooki
ng.Thet ruthis,whenIam wi th
MasonIpr etendit
'sMor ena.Ial waystellhi
m nott o
tal
ksohedoesn' tspoilthei l
lusi
on.

Katl
o:(wi
deeyedandlaughing)Youareasick
woman!Howdoyoudot hattothepoorguy?Ao
mma!DrMasoni salsoacatchmmekana.Doyou
knowhowmanywomenhat eyouinthi
shospit
al
becausehehaseyesonyou?

Lea:(
sighs)Hei
sn'
tMor
ena.

Katl
o:Butt
hatmanl
eftyouf orawomanwho
cheat
edonhim.Morenalovesthatgi
rlmorethan
youarewil
li
ngt
oadmi t
.Thepainfult
rut
his,t
he
samewayyouareusingMasont omaskt hepain
youfeeloverMor
enai st
hesamewayheusedyou
tot
rygetti
ngoverthatgi
rl
.

Lealooksatherqui
etl
yasapai
nfull
umpl
odges
i
tsel
finherthr
oat.

Katl
o:Thatsthebit
tert
rut
hhunandi fIwer
eyou,I
'd
getupwhatl i
tt
lepr
ideIhavelef
tandmoveonwi t
h
mylif
e.Thereisnopointi
nyoupi ni
ngoveraman
whoisn'
tthinki
ngaboutyou.Loveyoursel
fnana.

Shel
ooksatherwat
chandst
andsup.

Kat
lo:Ihavetogoandpr epareapati
entfort
heat
er.
Sheishavingtr
ipl
ets.Iam soexci
tedforher
.

LeanodsherheadthenKatlowalksoutoftheoff
ice.
Leaputsherheadonthetablef
ighti
nghertear
s.
Theland-
li
neri
ngingmakesherjerkherheadup.
Lea:DrLeaspeaki
ng.

PA:Doc,
ther
eissomeoneher
etoseeyou.

Lea:OKsendthem i
nandpr
epar
ethef
il
efort
he
nextpat
ientpl
ease.

Shehangsupanddr
inkswat
ert
ocal
m her
sel
fas
thedooropens.

AtMr
sMor
ena'
shouse

MrsMor
enaopensthedoort
oNadi
ast
andi
ngt
her
e
l
ooki
ngl
ikeabal
lofner
ves.
MrsMor ena:(
sur
pri
sed)OhNadia.Iwasn'
t
expect
ingtoseeyouhereatal
l.Pl
easecomei
n.

Nadi
a:Thankyou.

Shefol
lowsinandsit
sont hecouchoppositeMr s
Morena.Seei
ngMrMor enaintheli
vingroom sends
herner
vesskyrocket
ing.Shewasner vousenough
thi
nki
ngshewouldonlybespeakingt oMrsMor ena.
Nowhavingbothofthem her
emadeherner vous
enoughtothr
owup.

Mr
sMor
ena:Howar
eyou?

Nadi
a:(
exhal
es)Iam f
inema.Ihopeyouar
eal
lfi
ne
t
oo.

MrsMorena:Wearefi
ne.Wefinall
ymanagedt
o
ki
ckKgotl
aoutofourhouseyester
daysoweare
ver
yhappyempt
ynest
ers.

Nadi
alaughsner
vousl
y.

MrMorena:Howi
sMor
ena?Di
dn'
thecomewi
th
you?

Nadia:Umm. .Heisathomewit
hLetl
otlo.He
act
uallydoesn'
tknowIam her
e.Iwantedtocome
andspeakt oyou.

MrMor
ena:OK.I
sther
eapr
obl
em?

Nadi a:(str
aightensherdress)Nopr oblem.Ijust
thoughtIwoul dcomeandapol ogizetoyourashi s
parent sforwhathappenedsi xyear sago.Ifeell
ikeI
waswr ongt oexpectthatift
hingsar eokaybetween
Mor enaandIt heneveryt
hingisf i
ne.Itwaswr ong
ofmeandt hat'
swhyIhaver ef
usedf orustoget
mar ri
edwi thoutyourbl essingbecauseIdon' twant
tobet her easont her ei sar iftbet weenyouandyour
son.Il ovedyourf ami lyt hef ir
stt i
meIsawyoual l
andyouwer esowel comi ngt hatyoumademewant
tobepar tofyourf ami ly.That 'ssomet hingIhave
neverhadandwhenyougr owupi ntheki ndof
environmentIdi d,youappr eci atewhol esome
familiessuchasyour s.Iwantyouashi spar entsto
knowt hatIam t rulysor r
yf orhur t
ingyoursonand
embar rassi nghimt hewayIdi d.Iwasj ustso
brokenatt hetimeandmyt her apisthast aughtme
thatinst eadofbur yingmypai n, Ishouldconf r
ontit
andshel ongt oldmet ocomeandapol ogizet oyou
butIwasscar ed.Thet imeIhur tMor ena, Iwas
tryi
ngt oseper atemyl ovef r om mypai n.Iwant ed
Mor enat oseemeasper fectandt hati
swhyIhad
Tylerandt heJoj odol ls.Thati swher eIletmypai n
beknown.It houghtIwasdeal ingwi t
hmyr apei n
thebestwaybutIwascr eat i
ngbi ggerpr oblemsf or
mysel f.

Mr
sMor
ena:(
int
err
upt
s)Excuseme,
rape?
Nadi a:( bitesherl ip)Mygr andf atherrapedmesi nce
Iwasei ghtyear soldunt i
lIwasei ghteenand
abusedmygr andmot herunt iloneofhi sbeat i
ngs
causedherdeat h.Idi dn'tknowhowel set odeal
witht hepai nt hanf ormet oseekpl easur etohelp
mef or get .Itwaswr ongofmebutIf eltIwasn' t
readyt ospi l
lmypai noutt oat herapist.Ididn't
wantMor enaseei ngmeasavi cti
m ofr apesoI
nevert oldhi m unt i
lthr eeyear sagowhenIwas
rapedagai nbysomeonet hathadshownmet hey
havenoi nt erestinme.Thesecondr apei ncident
brokemedownandIal mostdi edbecauseofi t
.I
wast i
redofl i
feandIdon' tknowwher eIwoul dbei f
Mor enahadn' tcomebacki ntomyl if
eatt hatpoi nt.I
haveal waysl ovedyoursonbutIdi dn'tknowhowt o
l
ovehi m backwhenIhaveneverknownwhatl ove
l
ooksl ikebef oremeet i
nghi m.Iam sor ryfor
breaki ngyourson' shear tthewayIdi dbutIcoul dn't
seebeyondmypai natt het imeandIknowIam t he
reasonwhyyoudon' twantt ogi vehim your
blessingbutIcan' tlethim br eakhi srelati
onshi p
withyou.Ihaveneverknownapar entslovebutI
canseei ti
nyouf oryourchi
ldr
enandIcan' tl
ethi
m
l
osei t
.Iunderstandifyoudon'
twantmei nyour
son'sli
febutIjustfel
tIhadtoapologi
ze.Iwil
llet
him goifIhavetobecauseourmar ri
agewouldbe
tooburdenedbyyourpai ntosurvi
ve.

Mr
sMor
enasni
ff
lesandwi
peshert
ear
s.

MrMor ena:Whydidn'
tyoutellyourpar
ent
sabout
therape?Whywer eyouli
vingwi t
hyour
grandparent
sifyouwerebeingabused?

Nadi
a:Mymot
herdi
edgi
vingbi
rt
htome.

MrMor
ena:Whataboutyourf
ather
?

Nadi
a:Idon'
thaveaf
ather
.
MrMorenashakeshisheadandst
andsupthen
l
eavestheroom.MrsMorenasi
tsnextt
oNadiaand
hugsher.

MrsMorena:Whydidn'
tyoutel
lmesooner?Iwoul
d
haveunder
stoodyoubet
teri
fyouhadtol
dmehow
yougrewup.

Nadi a:Beingr aisedinabuseisn'tanexcusef orbad

behavi or.Idi
dn' tevenmeant otellyouaboutmy
rape.I tj
ustcameoutandi tdoesn'thurtmeas
muchasi tusedt osoi t
'seasi
ertot alkaboutitnow
butIdon' tusemyexper i
encetoexcusemy
mi stakes.Themanwhor apedmet hreeyearsago
claimedhewasi nsanewhenher apedmeandt old
thecour thowhewasr ai
sedinanabusi vehome.He
saidhewat chedhi smothergetbeat enupalmost
ever ydayandi tmessedhi m up.Hewasgr anted
thet empor aryinsanitypleaandgi vensixmont hsat
Sbr anaandangermanagementcl asses.That'
sall
hegotandhi stestimonywasal i
e.Hi sbosses
clearl
yhadsomet hi
ngt odowi tht
her ul
ingbuteven
i
fhi stesti
monywast rue,Ifi
nditwrongf orpeopl
e
towantt obeexcusedf orthi
ngsbecauseofhow
theygr ewup.Sodon'tthinkIwastryi
ngt osoften
youupbyt el
li
ngyoumyst ory.

MrMor enahadbeenstandingbehi
ndthem
l
isteningashiswifel
ookedatNadiaintent
ly.He
couldnotunderstandwhyanyonecoulddot hist
o
theirownblood.Thecruelworl
dwel i
veinhasno
bounds.

[
08/
31,
17:
55] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t62

AtMr
sMor
ena'
shouse
MrMor enawal
ksoutoft
heroom agai
nt omakea
cal
lleavi
ngMrsMorenaandNadi
at al
king.

Mr sMor ena:Ican' timagi newhatyoumusthave

fel
tgr owi ngupandl ookatyounow.I t'snot
everyonewhocomesoutofexper iencesaspai nf
ul
ofyour sandi sabl et ostand.I tisn'teasyf ormet o
swallowt hepai nIf eltthedayIhear dwhatyoudi d
tomysonbutIf or giveyouandIam sor ryfor
j
udgi ngyouhar shl y.Thet r
uthi st hewor l
dwel ivein
doesn' tallowwoment omakemi stakes.Wear en'
t
easil
yf or givenf orcheat i
ngyetwef or givemen.
LookathowTyl er 'swi feforgavehi mf orhis
count ellinfideli
ti
esonl yf
orhert owi ndupdead.
Thesamewomanwi llbecal l
edaf oolf orstaying
withaser ialcheatbuthadshel ef tthef irstti
meshe
foundoutabouthi scheat ing,shewoul dhavebeen
call
edaqui teandweak.( sighs)Wel ivei natough
wor l
dandIam sor ryf orbeingoneoft hepeopl e
whoj udgedyouwi thoutunder standi ngyouyetwe
askwomenwhyt heirmencheat edont hem.Mxm
hypocr itesar eal lwear e.
Theycont inuechatt
ingthenaf ewmi nut
eslater
,Mr
Mor enawal ksbackintoopent hegateforacarto
dri
vei n.Heopenst hedoorforMor enawhowal ksi
n
holdinghisson.Hehasbeenconf usedsincehe
drovei n.Hedidn'
tknowNadi awoul dcomet osee
hi
spar entsandhecouldn'tbegint
oi maginewhy
hi
sf atherhadcalledhim.

MrMorena:(
takesLet
lot
loandsi
tsdown)Howar
e
youboy?

Let
lot
lo:Iam f
inepaps.

MrMorena:
Goodboy.Mor
enastopstandi
ngthere
okar
eochokil
wekemotl
akase.Si
tdown.(Asifyou
gotanel
ect
ri
cshock)
.

Mor
enasi
tsnextt
oNadi
aaf
terhi
smot
hermoves.
MrMor ena:Ical l
edyouher ebecauseIf eelyour
mot herandIneededt otalktoyou.Yourf iancéj ust
openedupt ousaboutaf ewt hingsinnherl i
fe.And
Iknowshesaysi tisn'tanexcusef orherbehavi ori n
thepastandshei sright.I
tisn'tanexcusebutt he
factthatshecameher eonherownt oapol ogizeto
usasyourpar entsisverycommandabl e.Thet r
ut h
i
sNadi amywi feandIchangedourmi ndsabout
youwhenmont hswentbyr esaut lweMor enaa
Buakal enyal o.Weaskedhi m howt heweddi ng
preparationsar egoingandhet ol
dusyour efused
tolethisbr other sdot hemagadinegot iations.That
showedusyouhavesubst ancebecausesome
womenwoul dhavej umpedatt hat
.Aker el ea
rati
wal enyal o.Youshowedusgr eatr espect .Ikept
quietallthist imebecauseIper sonal l
yf eltl i
keyou
twoneededt imet ogett oknoweachot her .I
strongl
yf eltt
hatMor enawasr ushingi nt omar riage.
Youdon' tjustwakeupt osayyouar emar ryi
nga
womanaf tershecheat edonyou.Idi dn' twantt obe
calledbypol i
cet ell
ingmemysonki ll
edhi swi fe
becausehesuspect edshewascheat ing.Nnyaa
mmaIwasn' taboutt ogetsuchcal l
s.Sowequi et
ly
wat chedyout wo.Seei ngyouher etodaymeansa
l
ott ome.Iwasn' texpect i
ngi tatallandIwantyou
toknowt hatyourapol ogymeansal otbecausewho
goest oaboyf ri
end'shouset oapol ogizeont heir
ownwi thoutbei ngpr ompt ed?Eveni nf ami l
y
meet ings,coupl esar easkedt oapol ogizet oeach
other.It'
sneveraboutt hepar ents.Regar dlessof
whathappensbet weent hecoupl e.SoIj ustcalled
youher emysont otellyout hatyouhavemy
blessing.Idon' tknowwhatt hef uturehol dsforyou
twobutf orthesakeofwhathappenedher etoday,I
hopemywi feandIar einagr eementwhenIsaywe
willhelpyout wo.Kanakeagopat ikamot howame?
(oram If orcingyoui ntosomet hi
ngyouar en't
prepar edfor?)

Mr sMorena:(shakesherhead)Notatall.I
ftheyar
e
readythenwear ethei
rstouse.Likeyourfather
said,
wel ongchangedourper spect
iveaboutthe
kindofpersonwet houghtshewaswhenshe
showedthatshevaluesourroleinyourli
fe.I
fyou
chosetofor
giveherthenwhoar ewet ostandin
yourway?Wewer ewai t
ingtohearMor enasay
agai
nthathewantst omar r
ytota.

Mor ena:(l
aughs)Hareut
wang!HowwouldIhave
knownt hatyouarefi
newit
hmemar r
yingheri
fyou
didn'tt
ellme?

MrMor ena:Monnahaabat aseelengsagagweha

atshwar ege.Idon'tknowwhysheevenhel
pedyou
bycomi ngher e.Iwasgoingt
olookatyour
fool
ishnessunt ilyoumanupandtel
lmewhatyou
want.

Mor
enashakeshi
sheadandl
ooksatNadi
a.

Morena:(
holdsherhand)Youweresobravet
o
comehere.Shedidn'
teventel
lmeshewascoming
her
e.Ikeptaski
ngherwheresheisgoi
ngbutshe
woul
dn'
ttel
lme.

Theyal
llaugh.

MrMor ena:SoNadi
adoyouhaver
elat
iveswhowe
wi
llseeaboutyou?

Nadia:Mygr andmot herl

eftmet osomeoneIcal l
mymot hernow.Shei smyf r
iend'smotherandhas
beenplayingther ol
eofmymot hersi
ncemy
grandmotherpassedaway.Shei stheoneIwi l
l
connectyout o.Sheactuall
ylivesinGaboronenow
soeverythingwillbeeasi
er.

MrsMor
ena:Goodt
hen.Mor
enawi
lll
etusknow
whenweshoul
dgoandseet
hem.

MrMorena:oboosaj amadiabogadiwena.(
I
hopeyousti
llhavemoney)
Mor
ena:(
laughs)Ihavemoneysavedup.

MrMorena:Good.Amanpaysmagadibyhi msel
fin
myhouse.Weonlyhel
pwit
htheweddi ng.Sweat
ing
f
ormagadiwil
lmakeyouappreci
ateyourwifemore.

Nadi
abl ushesast
heycontinuetalki
ngand
pl
anning.Shehascometodi scoverthatsheis
nat
urall
yshybutboldwhenshehast obe.Sheused
upherboldnesswhental
kingtoMor ena'sparent
s
andnowhershyselfhascomet otheparty.

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Tehi
ll
ahandYamasaar
eintheki
tchenwashi
ng
di
shesaft
erbr
unchwhi
leLoagoandLeanogather
thegrasstheyhadcl earedupi nthemor ning.Avi
holdshissonAbot lei nhisarmswhi lesi
t ti
ngona
campchai rsupervisingt heboys.Yaoneal ready
l
ooksl i
kehewal kedt hrought hedesertbar ef
oot.He
hasbeenr unningar oundandspi nni
ngal lovert
he
yardchasingthievesandt hrowingthem inhisjail
.

Avi:Loagowee.I
fyoucont i
nueraki
ngli
keyouare
runningawayfr
om thatrakethenyouwi
llnever
fi
nishwhatyouaredoing.

Loago:(
frust
rat
ed)Kanat
hissoi
list
ooheavypaps.

AvistandsupandpassesAbot l
et oLeanothenget
s
therakefrom Loago.Hemovestherakebackand
for
thshowi nghim howtoseperatethegr
assfrom
thesoilbefor
egivingi
tbacktohim.Loagothen
beginstotakewithasmile.

Loago:t
hismakesi
tsomucheasi
er.
Avi
:Ihavenowr eal
izedgor
elebocheeseboy
wai
tse.Nextweekendwear egoi
ngtothefar
mthe
wholeweekend.

Bot
h:What
?No!

Avi:Theprobl
em i
sIwasn'
tasking.Andweare
l
eavingtheladi
esbehi
ndbecausewhent heyare
thereweeateggsandbaconasi fwearewhit
e
people.

Leano:Butpapsi
t'
scal
ledf
armhousebr
eakf
ast
moss.

Avi:Youaregoi
ngt odrinkmil
kfrom acow' steat
andyouwi l
lhar
vestwat ermel
onstoeati fyouar e
hungryandyoueatwhatyouhar vest.Ifyouhar vest
anunr i
pewater
melont henyouwi l
leatandvomi t
.I
won'tevenbuyfuelforthegener
ator.Therewillbe
noTV.Wewi
llusepar
aff
inl
amps.

Leano:Ahnnyaat
hissoundsl
ikeahel
li
shexer
ciseI
notgoingt
obeapartof.

Avi
:Ohr
eal
ly?Wannabet
?

Loago:(
rai
seshi
shands)Nowewi
llgo!Wewi
llgo.

Avi
:(l
aughs)GoodbecauseyouknowIcanbr
ing
t
hefarm her
e.

Leano:(l
aughs)Kantedon'tchi
ldren'
srightsexisti
n
thi
shouse?Wehavet ofearkil
li
ngahundr ed
chickensi
nsteadofgoingtothef ar
mt oliveli
ke
vil
lageboys.

Avi
:Iwantyout
oknowt
hatt
her
ear
eot
heropt
ions
i
nlif
e.Ifyougr owupandf indthattherear
ekojobs
l
ikethecurrentsit
uat i
onthatgraduatesfacet
henI
wantyout oknowt hatyoucanmakesomet hi
ngof
your
selveswi t
hot hermeans.Far mingissomething
youcandependon.I t
'sbeentheresinceAdam and
i
tissti
lloneoft hemostsust ainabl
ebusiness
models.

Leano:Wehearyoupapsbutahhei
.

Avi
;Ahheinot
hing.Bri
ngthebabyandfi
nishup.I
wantt
ogoandbat h.Iam t
aki
ngmywi f
eout.

Loago:Aowhataboutus?Don'
twedeservea
weekendoutseei
ngasyouwanttotakeustothe
bundusnextweekend.

Avi:(
sit
sbackdown)Isai
dIam t
aki
ngmywi
feout
.
Areyoumywi f
e?
Theychuckl
eandgobackt
oraki
ng.

Avi:Butwheni
sTlamel
ocomi ngback?Idotntrust
youtwoalonewit
hmychildren.Youmightbri
ng
yourgir
lf
ri
endsher
eandforgettofeedt
hem.

Loago:(embarrassed)Ahahahpapsnotme.I'
m
sixt
een.Iam sti
llt
ooyoungtodat
e.Youcantal
kto
theeighteenyearoldmanwit
habeard.

Leanot
hrowsgr
assathi
m usi
ngt
her
ake.

Leano:OaswabaLoago!

Avi
:Nnyaar
ra.Don'
tki
llmysonbecauseyouhave
abear
d.

Leano:(
laughs)NopapsLoagot
alkst
oomuch.I
wi
lldealwi
thhi
mfr
om her
e.

Avi
:Sowhat
'shername?

Leano:Who'
sname?

Avi
:Yourgi
rl
fr
iend'
snameegghead.

Loago:Hernamei
s-

Leanopusheshi
m andt
ri
est
oki
ckhi
m.

Leano:Loagot
lhemonnadi
dimal
a!(
keepqui
et)
Kantewhydoyoutal
ktoomuch?

Avi
:(l
aughs)Leanot
logel
angwanaompol el
ele
gor
ewar eojol
alemang.(leavet
hechi
ldandtell
mewhoyouar edati
ng.
Leano:(
looksathi
sfeet
)NnaIdon'thavea
gir
lf
ri
end.LoagooaBalabal
a.(Loagojustt
alkst
oo
much.)

Avi:(
laughs)LoagoweeIwil
lbri
ngyousomefood
becauseyouar etheonl
ybi
nsetper
sonher
e.

Leano:(
rubshishead)Shehasn'
tsai
dyesyet .She
sayssheisafr
aidofherpar
ents.Iwi
llt
ellyouher
nameaftershesaysyes.

Avi:OK.Andwhenyoudot henwewil
lhavetotal
k
aboutsomethi
ngs.Idon'
twantBogol
o'sal
binowit
h
whitepeopl
e'
shairrunni
ngaroundmyyardhere.

Theboysandcont
inuewi
tht
hei
rtask.

Meanwhi
lebacki
nthehouse,
Tlot
loget
supf
rom
theli
vingroom toanswerthephoneawayf rom
Amant le'
sMashaandt heBearfest
ival.Thegi
rlhas
beenwat chingf
ortwohour sandscreamswhen
anyonet r
iestochangethechannel
.

Tl
otl
o:Hel
lo?

Bogosi
:HiMmaagweTl
amel
o.I
sTl
amel
ohome?

Tl
otl
o:huh?Tlamel
ocamet her
eyester
dayaker
e.
Weareonlyexpect
ingheri
ntheaft
ernoon.

Bogosi :Tl
otlotl
hemmakenal estresskana.( Iam
stressedout.)sheleftthismorningbecauseoft he
argumentwehadl astni ght
.KanaTl ot
lowas
droppedofbyaRangeRoveryest erday.Ithinkshe
thoughtwear enothomebecauset hecarswer ein
thegar age.Shelookedl i
keshehadseenaghost
whensheopenedt hegat eandsawmesi t
tingby
thebenches.Kanat hatRangei stheexactsame
oneIhave.MmaagweTl ot
lotellmewhatourchild
i
sdoingwithamanmyage.Pl easetel
lmewhat
sheexpectsmetosay.Am Isupposedt odance
andcelebr
atet
hatmybabygi rlhasablesser
?

Tlot
lo:(
laughs)Whatdi
dshesaywhenyouasked
her?

Bogosi:Nehmmaot shegaeng?(whatareyou
l
aughingat?)Sheclaimsiti
sn'
tanoldman.O
nkaketsaareit
'shismother
'scar.KanaTlot
lokd
tl
aamoshapa.Idon' tcaret
hatsheisalmost
twentytwo.That'
smybabygi r
l.

Tlotl
o:(l
aughs)Bogosiyouneedt ocal
m down.The
personwhodr oppedherof fwasaboycalled
Joseph.Heistwentyf ouryear
sold.Thati
shis
mot her
'scar
.Hisfatherisasoldi
erandhismother
i
sabusi nesswoman.
Bogosi
:Osur
enemma?

Tl
otl
o:(
laughs)yesIam sur
e.Socalm downandlet
mychil
dbreathe.Iwaswayyoungerthansheis
whenyoustart
edbother
ingmesol etmychil
dbe.

Bogosi;(
laughs)hei
shIam honestl
yreli
eved
becauseIdon'twantherr
unningherli
fe.Shehas
toomuchpot enti
alt
owasteitoffonmen.

Tl
otl
o:(cl
ear
shert
hroat
)OKl
etmego.Gr
eetMr
s
Morenaforme.

Bogosi
:Don'
tst
art
.

Tlot
lochuckl
esandcutst
hecal
l.Shewalksbackt
o
theli
ningr
oom andt
riest
ochangethechannel
.
Amantl
e:(
cri
es)Mamapweasedon'
tchange!I
sthe
wastoneIpwomise!

Tl
otl
o:(si
ghs)Iam notpayi
ngf
ort
heint
ernett
his
month!RekalapakeYouTubekeMasha!

Shet
akesanot
hercampchai
randwal
ksout
.

Tl
otl
o:NoWi
-Finextmont
h!Idon'
tcar
ewhosays
what
!

Shesi
tsnextt
oAviwhol
aughsatherf
rust
rat
ion.

Tlot
lo:Noseri
ousl
y.Howcanwebebul
li
edbya
fouryearol
dmme?Aef or
geti
t.

Avi
:(l
aughi
ng)Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.
Tl
otl
o:(
laughs)Ial
mostfor
gottot
ellyou.Bogosi
j
ustcal
leddiBPdilekogodimoareTlamelohasa
bl
esser
.

Avi
:(l
aughs)ButItol
dthatboytostopusi
nghis
mother
'scaraf
terIpull
edhim outoft
hecarkereke
het
sakaMonna.

Tlotl
o:(laughs)youtwoareri
dicul
ous.If
eelsorr
y
forTlamelohavingtwoequall
yinsanefat
hers.I
meanwhatwer eyout hi
nki
ng?Wereyougoingto
actuall
ybeathim upifhewasanol dman?

Avi
:YesIwas.Thoset
int
edwi
ndowsal
mostgot
hi
m ki
ll
ed.

Tlot
lolaughsthentell
shi
m whatBogosiwassayi
ng
i
ndet ai
l.Theychatinunt
ilt
heygoandgetreadyf
or
thei
rdate.
[
08/
31,
17:
55] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t63

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Tl
otl
ohangsupthephonei
nfrust
rat
ionwhi
leAvi
wai
tstohearwhatshei
sgoi
ngtosay.

Tlotl
o:Tlamel
owant stoboremenowAvi .Shest
il
l
saysshei si
nherwaybutyoucanheart hatsheis
i
nt hehouse.Thisisthebori
ngthi
ngaboutyour
chil
dbeingopenwi thyou.NowthatsheknowsI
don'thaveaproblem wit
hherandJoe,shewantsto
actli
kesheismar ri
ed.Howlonghavewebeen
waiti
ng?

Avi
:Maybewecanl
eavet
hem wi
thLeanount
ilshe
comesback.

Tlotl
o:(
giveshi m astankeye)Youwantmet omy
chil
drenwitht hatwalki
nghor mone?Hewi l
lbein
hisroom alleveningwhi l
etheheathenswecal l
chil
drenwillbedest r
oyingourhouse.For getit
.
Let'
sjustwat chamovi einourr oom.Wewi l
luse
theproj
ectorandshutt hebli
ndssoi t
'sl
ikewear e
atthemovi es.Howdoest hatsound?

Avi
:(shr
ugsi
ndi
sappoi
ntment
)Iguessso.

Theint
ercom goesof
fandTehi
ll
ahanswer
sthen
opensthegat
e.

Tl
otl
o:Whoi
sit
?

Tehi
ll
ah:I
t'
sAunt
yAgape.
Avi:OhthankGod!(standsupandt akesTl
otl
o's
hand)Wenal et
'sgo.Iwantt otakeyououtandeat
ni
cet hi
ngsenjoyi
ngthef actthatreti
madilotse.

Tlot
lo:(
laughs)Kekopaobuisebongwanake
sentl
e.(Pl
easespeakwellofmychi
ldr
en)

Yamasa:Uncl
ewear
enott
hings.

Avi:Sor
ryee.Youaren'
tthi
ngsYaya.Youar
ejust
peoplewhoinhal
efood.

Tlot
lo:MrThompsoncanweatleastwaitt
ogreet
yoursist
er,
findourhowshei
sandt el
lherweare
l
eavingherwi t
hkids.

Avi:(
openst
hedoor
)HiAgape.Howareyou?
Welcomeback.Wearel
eavi
ngyouwit
hthekids.
Bye.
AgapefrownsasAviwal
kspastherpul
li
nghi
s
l
aughingwifeoutt
hedoor
.

Agape:Iam f
inet
hankyouAvi
!

Tl
otl
o:(l
aughi
ng)Iam sor
ry!Hej
ustwant
stoget
outoft
hehouse.

Agape:(
hol
dsherwai
st)NowIam af
rai
dtogoi
n
t
hehouse.

Shewat chest hepairdri

veof fbefor
ewal ki
nginto
thehouseandal r
eadyAmant leandAbot l
eare
fi
ghti
ngf ortheremot ewhi l
eYamasaandTehi ll
ah
arealr
eadyappl yingnailpoli
shont heirnai
lswith
somespi ll
ingont hetable.Thereisnosignof
Yaoneandt heolderboyssosheknowst heyare
probabl
ygami ngintheirroom.Shel eansagainst
thedoorandt akesadeepbr eathbeforeshebegins
t
otakecont
roloft
hesi
tuat
ion.

I
nAvi
'
scar

Avi'
sphonestartsri
ngi
ngovert
hesoeakerafew
minutesaft
erleavi
nghome.Hepicksupthecal
l
andreducesthevolumeonthespeaker
s.

Avi
:Mest
ahwhat
'sup?

Tyler
:Iam good.Areyouguyshome?Iwant
edto
comegetthekids.Iwantthem t
ovi
sitmet
hisweek.
Icanonlyhopetheywillagr
ee.

Avi:(
laughs)Monnawamodi mogoandt akeyour
chi
ldren.Bri
bet
hem ifyouhavetobecauseIam
afr
aidofmyownhouse.I maginehavi
ngei ght
chi
ldren.Ihadt
ostealmywifesoIcant akeherout.
Tyler:(l
aughs)Thepr oblem isthatyourwifeover
doest hi
ngs.Howam Isupposedt ocompet ewit
h
hercooking?Thefirstthreedaysar ealwaysgood
whenIcangetawaywi tht akeoutsbecausethey
havetoldmeIcan' tcook.ThenYamasast art
s
sulki
ngsayingshemi ssesTehi l
lah.Yaoneenehe
saysIdon'tknowhowt opl ayFIFA.Idon'thaveto
knowhowt oplayFifaAvi .Iam afortyyearoldman.

Tlot
lo:(
laughs)St
opbor
ingmychi
ldr
eni
fyouwant
them.

Avi
:Ithi
nkyoucantakeTehi
ll
ahsinceschoolsar
e
cl
osed.Hermum i
sn'tar
oundsotherewon'tbea
pr
oblem.

Tyl
er:
OK.Iwi
llbet
her
eint
enmi
nut
es.

Avi
;MestahIsai
dIst
olemywi
fe.Wear
en'
thome.
Welef
tthewithmysi
ster
.
Tyl
er:
oh,
isAgapeback?

Avi
:Yesshei s.Shej
ustgother
etwoweeksago.
Sheisstayi
ngwi t
husfortwomonthswhi
leshe
set
tl
esin.

Tyl
er:
OKcool
.Iam headedt
her
enow.

Avi
:Shar
p.

Avist
opsatat r
aff
icl
ightandlooksathi
swifewho
hadanaughtysmileonherface.Sheput
sherhand
onhislapandsli
desitbackandfort
hbefor
e
rubbi
nghiscrot
ch.

Avi
:(smi
les)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Tlotl
o:Not
hing.Iam j
ustpi
cturi
ngt hebl
owjobIam
goingtogi
veyouwhenwedr ivebackhome.Iwant
toseehowmuchofaf ocuseddriveryouar
e.

Shef
eel
shi
m gr
owhar
derunderherpal
m.

Avi
:(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)Whywhenwedr
iveback?

Tlot
lo:Becauseifwil
lbedarkandyouwi llbeso
hardfrom thi
nkingabouti
talleveni
ng.Youwill
probablycum thesecondmyt ongueli
cksyou.

Avipr
essedherhandonhi
shar
donwi
thhi
seyes
cl
osed.

Tl
otl
o:Gr
eenl
ightAvi
.

Heopenshi
seyesandst
epsont
heaccel
erat
or
t
henl
ooksathi
swi
fe.

Avi
:f*
ckTl
otl
o.

Tl
otlolaughsthenpullsherphoneoutt
ocheckher
cl
ient'
sordersfrom heronl
inestor
e….
.

AtMor
ena'
shouse

Mor enaandNadiawalkint
ot hehouseledbythe
runningman,Let
lot
lo.Heswitchesthetel
evi
sionon
andsi t
sDientowatch.Morenaclosesthedoorthr
n
pull
sNadiatothebedroom.Heshut sthedoorand
pressesheragai
nstit
.

Mor
ena:HaveIt
oldyouhowmuchIl
oveyou?

Nadi
a:(
li
cksherl
ip)Notl
atel
y.
Hecupsherf aceandpl antsakissonherl ipswhile
pressinghimsel fagainsther.Theirtonguesdance
asthebr eathingpatternschange.Nadi asnakesher
handdownt ot hemagi cst i
ckmassagi ngitoverhis
pantsmaki ngMor enagr oanint
ohermout h.
Mor ena'
shandgoesdownt oherski rtl
if
ti
ngtthen
grabsherbut tthewayheknowst urnsheron.She
moansi nr esponseandt heystartthrowi
ngcl ot
hes
offstumblingovert othebed.

Mor enacl imbsont opofhisbakedqueenwi thhis

gener aloozingprecum.Hekisseshernavelt hen
tonguesherni ppl
ebeforesuckingit.Nadi
aarches
herbackandsqueezesherot herbreastwhil
ebit
ing
herlip.Mor enalif
tshisheadandl ooksint
ohereyes
beforeki ssingherfor
ehead.

Mor
ena:Il
oveyousomuchmyqueen.
Nadi
a:Il
oveyout
oomyki
ng.

Hetonguesherot herni
pplewhilehishandmakes
i
tswayt ohercookie.Hefeelsherwarm wetflesh
andtraceshisfi
ngeralongherflapsmakingher
openherl egswi
derinanti
cipati
on.Heslidesone
fi
ngerintohercookieandNadiawhi mpersin
pl
easure.

Nadi
a:Yesbaby.

Mor ena'
stonguedoesn' tstopassaul t
ingher
breastsgoingbackandf orthbet weeneachoft hem
whilehismi ddl
ef i
ngeriscur vedi nsideherr ubbing
againsthergspot .Heuseshi sthumbt orubherclit
getti
ngherwet terandwet terbef orehebr inghis
headdownt odrinkofthenect arhehascr eated.He
l
icks,sucksandt onguef *cksherunt i
lsheisa
sloppymess.Nadi ahasapi llowoverf acefacet o
holdinhermoanssoLet l
otlodoesn' thearher.
Mor enafeelsherclitt
hrobbingagai nsthistongue
ashercli
maxbuil
ds.That'
swhenheshoveshi
s
magicsti
ckint
oherwetnessmaki
ngNadiascr
eam
i
npleasure.

Nadi
a:Ohgoodl
ord!

Mor
ena:Lookatmebabe.

Hepushest hepi l
lowoffherfaceandl ooksint
oher
eyesthathavegr ownsmal l
er.Thelookinhereyes
begsformor eandhel i
ft
sherlegsontohi s
shoul
der sgi
vinghi m moreaccesstopounddeeper
i
ntoher .Hekisseshermout handdr i
ll
sintoher.He
thensli
deshimsel foutofherandpul l
shertothe
edgeoft hebed.Hest andsont hefl
oorandpul l
s
herwaistsoit'ssuspendedmi dairbeforeshovi
ng
himselfbackintoheranddr i
ll
ingheruntilhecums
i
ntoher .

Aknockont
hedoormakeshi
m sl
ideoutofher
.
Mor
ena:Let
lot
logor
il
eng?(
what
'swr
ong?
)

Let
lot
lo:(
sof
tl
y)Daddy,
mummyi
scal
li
ngyou.

[
08/
31,
17:
55] :MI
NII
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t64

AtMor
ena'
shouse

Aknockont
hedoormakeshi
m sl
ideoutofher
.

Mor
ena:Let
lot
logor
il
eng?(
what
'swr
ong?
)
Let
lot
lo:(
sof
tl
y)Daddy,
mummyi
scal
li
ngyou.

Mor
ena:Whatdoyoumean?

Let
lot
lo:Mummyi
scal
li
ngyou.

Mor
enapul
lsoutofNadi
aandwi
peshi
msel
f.

Nadi
a:Doest
hatmeanshei
sher
e?

Morena:GoRayaj
alo.Letmegogi
veherLet
lot
lo'
s
bags.

Nadianodsherheadandget
supt
ocl
eant
hecum
dr
ippingoutofher
.
Meanwhil
e,Morenawal
ksintot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom and
f
indsLeasit
ti
ngonthecouch.

Morena:(
frowns)howdidyougeti
nher e?It
hought
hemeantyouar ecal
li
ngontheint
ercom.

Lea:(
smi
lesandt
icksherhai
rback)It
oldhi
mto
openupf
orme.Howar eyou?

Mor
ena:I
'
m good.Letmegethi
sbag.

Lea:Iactual
lywantedt
otalktoyouaboutplanni
ng
afamilyouti
ngwithourson.Youknow,create
memor ieswithhi
m.

Mor ena:(
leansont
hepassagedoorframe)That
soundsl i
keagoodidea.Wherewereyouthi
nki
ngof
going?Bouncelandorsomething?
Lea(gi
ggles)comeonMozy.Wecandobettert
han
that
.Wecansaveupf oratri
ptoDi
sneyl
andinsi
x
months.Whatdoyouthink?

Morena:Di
sneyl
and?(l
aughs)Leawoil
dyoube
comfort
abl
eflyi
ngal
lthewaytoCali
for
niawi
th
NadiaandI
?

Lea:AoIam sur
eNadi
awoul dn'
twantt
ogetinthe
wayofusbondingwi
thourson.Itwoul
dbewi er
d
forhert
ocome.Shei
sar easonabl
eperson.

Atthatmoment ,
NadiacomesupbehindMorena
andwr apsherarmsaroundhi
swaistmaki
ngsure
nottocoverherengagementr
ing.

Nadia:Iam nott
hatreasonabl
ehun.AndIdoubt
anywomanwoul dl
etherhusbandf l
yof
ftoanot
her
conti
nentwithhi
sex.Isangwanal i
onparkayego
thuma.Whywoul dyouspendal lt
hatmoneyona
tr
ipf
orababy?Hewi l
lhar
dlyrememberanyt
hing.I
f
hewastenyearsol
dthenthatwoul
dbean
awesometr
ipforhi
m.

Lea:(
squint
shereyesandbl inksrapidly)Excuse
me,husband?Morenai syourboyf r
iend.Who
knowsifyoutwowillevermar ry.Mysoni stheonly
si
rethi
nghereandIdon' tknowwhyyouwoul d
wanttocomebetweent hisrelati
onship.

Nadialet
'sgoofMor enaandcatwal
kst
othe
ki
tchenbefor
etickl
ingLetl
otl
o.

Nadia:OKhun.Hei
smyboyf
ri
endandIhaveno
say.

Lea:Mor
enawhydoyouletyourgir
lfr
iendtalkto
mehowshewant st
o?Shehasnor ighttodictat
e
wherewetakeOURsonto.Tel
lhertouseherwomb
tomakeherownchi
ldorshutup.
Mor ena:(calmly)Leawee, Iam notoneoft hose
menwhosebabymama' swi l
lmakel ifeal ivi
nghell
forthem.Botme.Noti nmyhouseanddef initel
y
noti nfrontofmyson.I fyout rymeatal lthenyou
willnevercomet omyhouse.Iwi llt
akemysont o
yourmot her
'shousef oryout opickhim upt here
justsoIdon' thavetodealwi thyournonsense.Iam
sorryf orhurt
ingyout hewayIdi dandIr espectyou
asmyson' smot herbutt hatwomani saboutt obe
mywi feandshehasasayi never yt
hingt hathast o
dowi t
husandoursonbecauseNadi alovesmyson.
Andyouknowshei sr i
ght .Whywoul dwet akea
fouryearol dacrosst hewor l
dforanout ing?Ao
nnyaammat hat'sj
ustr eachi ng.Iam notar ichman
andIam savi ngupformyf uture.Iam goi ngt oget
Letlotl
o'sbagandl ett hisbet helastti
meIever
war nyou.NnaIdon' tnur set hatkindofr at chet
babymamadr ama.

Morenawal
ksoffl
eavi
ngLea'scheekshotwi
th
embarr
assment
.SheopensthemessageDrMason
sentherandst
aresatitf
orafewsecondsbef
ore
agreei
ngtogotolunchwithhi
mtomorrow.

Inthekit
chen,Nadi
awipesthet
earthatfel
lwhen
Leaspokeabouthermakingherownchild.She
hol
dsi ntothesi
nkandsaysa,qui
etprayerforGod
toblessherwomb….

AtTl
otl
o'shouse.

Tyl
erdri
vesint
otheyardandparksthecar.Het
hen
checkshi
srefl
ect
ioninthemir
rorandthr
owsami nt
i
ntohismouthborfr
esteppi
ngoutofthecar.He
knocksonthedoorandYaoneopensthedoor.

Yaone:Daddy!

Hej
umpsi
nhi
sfat
her
'sar
msandhugshi
mti
ght
.
Tyl
er:
howar
eyoubuddy?

Yaone:Iam f
ine.Leanosaidweshoul
dtakeabreak
fr
om gamingsoIam wat chingTVwit
hAbotl
eand
Amantlebi
ttheyarewatchingbori
ngthi
ngs.

Tyl
erchuckl
esandwal
ksintot
hehouse.Hel
if
tst
he
babi
esinbothar
msandtalkst
othem.

Tyl
er:
Wher
ear
eyoursi
ster
s?

Yaone:Theyweredoi
ngmake-
upswit
hAunt
y
Agape.Ithi
nkt
heywentt
othei
rroom.

Tyl
er:
OK.Wher
eisAunt
yAgape?

Yaone:i
ntheki
tchen.
Tylerputsthechil
drenbackdownandwal kstothe
ki
tchent r
yingtocomeupwi t
hwhattosay.Sheis
standingbythestovestir
ri
ngsomething.Herbutt
movement sasshestir
shaveTylercoughi
ng.
Agapet urnstohi
m andwi pesherhandsonher
apron.

Agape:OhRraagweYaya.Tl
otl
otol
dmeyouar
e
comingtopi
cktheki
ds.Howareyou?

Tyler
:(cl
ear
shi
sthroat
)Iam f
ineAgapeandhow
areyou?Idi
dn'
tknowyouwerebackinthecount
ry.
Areyouonholi
day?

Agape:No,mycompanyopenedabr
anchin
BotswanaandIwassentaspar
toft
heExecuti
ve
team.Iam st
il
ltr
yingt
ofi
ndmybear
ingswhichis
whyIam here.

Tyl
er:
(smi
les)sodoest
hatmeanyouar
eher
eto
st
ay?

Agape:(shrugs)Iguessyoucoul dsaythat.Iwil
l
seehowt hinkgsworkoutbutIhavet oadmi tIam
happytobebackhome.Il ovedAustrali
aand
everyt
hingbutasyougr owol der,
youf i
gur
eouti f
l
ivingabroadisforyouornotandIt hinkIam the
growoldbackhi m ki
ndofper son.

Tyler: (
leansonthecounterandfol
dshi sarms)Wel l
that'sgoodt ohear
.Ialsocouldn'
tstandthet hought
oflivingabroadwhenIf i
nishedschool.Butthen
againIhadBot howait
ingheresoIcoul dn'
tjustyou
know….

Agapenodsherheadandtur
nsbacktoherpot
.She
star
tssti
rr
ingagai
nandTyl
er'
seyesf
all
sbackon
herbutt
.

Tyl
er:
(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)Whatar
eyoucooki
ng?I
t
smel
l
sdel
ici
ous.

Agape:(
chuckl
es)Iam cooki
ngabunckofthi
ngs
t
ota.Cooki
ngforel
evenpeoplei
sn'
tajokesoIli
ke
t
omakeal it
tl
eofeveryt
hing.

Tyl
er:
Didyoucountmei
n?

Agape:(walksovert
ohim andconti
nueschoppi
ng
hervegetabl
es)Iwastoldyouarecomingt
opick
theki
dsupsonoIdi dn'tcountyoui
n.

Tyl
er:
Butyoucount
edt
heki
dsi
n.

Agape:BecauseIwasn'
tsur
ewhenyouar
ecomi
ng.

Tyl
erchuckl
esandr
ubbshi
sst
ubbl
e.
Tyl
er:Sowil
lyouatl
eastt
eachmehowt
ocook
becauseYayahat
esmycooking.

Agape:(
laughs)Yamasai
sadi
va.Wasyourwi
fe
l
ikethat
?

Tyl
er:
(smil
es)Yeah.Bot
holi
kethi
ngs(l
aughs)she
i
nti
midat
edthosethatdi
dn'
tknowherbutshewasa
sweet
heart
.AnywayIaskedyouaquesti
on.

Agape:{
put
sherkni
fedown)Rr
aagweYamasa
whatdoyouwantfr
om me?

Tyler:(
closeshiseyes)canyoust opcal
li
ngmet hat.
Youknowwhatuwant .Idi
dn'tstutt
erwhenyou
wer eherelastyear.It
oldyouIwantyouandt hat
hasn'tchanged.Ihavef eel
ingsthatIhaven'
tfel
tin
yearsandIwantachancet ogett oknowyou.It
wasal mostimpossi bl
ebeforebutnowt hatyourare
backhomeIf eelli
kewecanact uall
ybui
ld
somet
hingt
oget
her
.

Agape:( smilest henchuckl es)RraagweYayawee.

Don'tevermaket hemistakeofbi t
ingoffmor ethan
youcanchew.Iam asl ovingasmynamebutIam
asimpat ientasIam shor t
.Ihavel owt olerancef or
B.SandIl ookatyouandal lIseeisabul lshitt
er
whowi llonlyl eadmet ojailbecauseIwi llki
llyou
nna.Idon' twantnonsensei nmyl ifesoforbot hour
sakes,getovert hosefeeli
ngsl i
keyouwoul dthef l
u
becausei t'
snevergoi ngt obe AgapeandTyl er
si
tti
ngonat ree .

Tyl
er:(
chuckl
es)Tot
aAgapeolecor
nernyanaj
aana,
wheredoyougetthi
smouth?(
assmallasyouare)

Agape:(
smi
les)Sweet
ie,
ifyoucan'thandl
eboss
b*t
chAgapethenyoudon'tdeser
vesweetAgape.

Tyl
erl
ooksatheri
ntent
lypi
ctur
ingever
ythi
nghei
s
goi
ngt
odot
omakeherr
egr
ett
hewor
dsshespoke.

Tyl
er:
(chuckl
es)Kanammeyouwi l
lbewhi
sper
ing
mynamei nmyearverysoonbeggi
ngmenottolet
goofyoubohedilebobossb*
tch.

Agape:(l
aughsandthr
owsadisht
owelathi
m)Get
outoftheki
tchenRr
aagweYamasa.

Tyler
:Event
hatnamewillbetool
ongt
ocal
l.E
tl
aaboelebo'ohTy.Don'
tstopTy'
.

Herunsoutl
aughi
ngwhenshepi
cksawooden
spoon.

[
08/
31,
17:
56] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t65

AtNadi
a'
shouse.

Morenadri
vesint
oNadia'
shouseandparkshi
scar
nextt
ohers.Nadi
aopensthedoorandst
andsther
e
weari
nglooseshort
sandatanktop.

Morena:(get
soutofthecar)Tlhebannakebol ai
le
banna.Babytlhemmaomont lemma.(Ir eal
ly
str
uckgold.Youlooksobeauti
f ulbabe.

Nadi
a:(
blushes)Thankyouhandsomeyaaka.

Hechuckl
esandpul
lsheri
nforahug.

Morena:Sowil
lyouf
inal
lymovei
nwi
thmenow
si
ncewear eget
ti
ngmarri
edinaf
ewmont
hs?
Nadi
awal
ksi
ntot
hehousewi
thhi
m behi
ndher
.

Nadi
a:MrMor ena,Itol
dyouthatt
heonlywayIam
movingoutofthi
shouseiswhent hegover
nment
hasgivenmepermi ssi
ontoj
olawithyou
per
manently.(
todateyoupermanentl
y)

Morenal
aughsandsi
tsonthecouch.Shesi
ts
bet
weenhisl
egsandleansbackonhim.

Nadi
a:Di
dyoueat
?

Mor
ena:Umm.
.YesIdi
d.

Nadi
a:Whatdi
dyoueat
?

Mor
ena:(
chuckl
es)Ihadapr
otei
nshake.
Nadai
:Andyoucal
lthateat
ing?Wai
tseMor
ena
bat
hong.

Shest
andsupandsl
ipsi
ntohersl
eeper
s.

Morena:Oyakaej
aanongnemma?(
wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?)

Nadia:Tomakeyousomethi
ngt
oeat .Idon'
t
subscri
betot
hispr
otei
nshaket
hingsofyours.You
havetoeat
.

Mor
enachuckl
esandchangest
hechannel
.

Nadia:(fr
om thekitchen)BabeIthi
nkithappened
thisti
me.Iwokeupf eeli
ngnauseated.Al
lIwantto
drinkisgingerbecausethat'
stheonlythi
ngthat
staysdown.
Morena:Whatdi
dIt
ellyou?I
twi
llhappenwheni
t
happens.Di
dyoumi
ssyourperi
od?

Nadi
a:I
t'
sduenextweek.Iam cr
ossi
ngmyf
inger
s
t
ota.

Morena:Don'tst
ressyour
sel
fabouti
tbabe.Di
dyou
t
alktoBoleng'smum?

Nadia:(choppi
ngandsl
ici
ng)YesIgaveheracal
l
whenIgothomeyest er
day.Shewasveryhappy
aboutitandsaidweshoul
dcomeandseet hem
nextweekend.

Mor
ena:OK,
soundsl
ikeapl
an.

Nadiacont
inuest
ocookwhi
lel
ist
eni
ngt
omusi
con
herphone.
Twohourslat
er,acarst
opsoutsidethegat
eanda
coupl
ewalksoutofthecarandintotheyar
d.The
womanfixeshershadesoverhereyesandfol
lows
behi
ndherhusband.

Heknocksont
hedoorwhi
leNadi
awashesupt
he
di
shes.

Nadi
a:Babewi
llyougett
hat
?

Mor
enast
andsupandopenst
hedoor
.

Mor
ena:(
respect
ful
ly)Dumel
angbagol
o.

Man:okaeDi
kel
edi
?

Mor
ena:
(fr
owns)ohNadi
a.Letmegether
.
Heleavest
hem st
andi
ngout
sideandwal
kst
othe
ki
tchen.

Morena:Babet
her
ear
epeopl
eout
sidel
ooki
ngf
or
you?

Nadi
a:(
ri
nsi
ng)whoar
ethey?

Morena:Idon'
tknowbutt
heyar
ecal
li
ngyouby
yourol
dgovernmentname.

Nadi
awi
pesherhandsi
nthedi
sht
owel
.

Morena:Il
eftt
hem st
andingbyt
hedoorbecauseI
don'
tknowwhot heyare.

Nadi
a:OK.
Shepausesthemusiconherphoneandwal ksout
holdi
ngit
.Morenaseesthedoorhel
eftopenisnow
cl
osed.Hethenseesthecoupl
eseat
edont he
couch.

Man:Di
kel
edit
lheoai
phi
tl
ha.(
youhi
deyour
sel
f
r
eal
lywell
.)

Nadia'
sheartj
umpstoherthroatandherphone
dropstot
hef l
oorwhenhereyeslandonherfat
her
andhiswif
e.

Rr
aagweJoe:Howfardidyout
hinkyoucoul
drun
Di
kel
edi
?Iam yourf
atherandi
fanyonei
sgoingt
o
marr
yyouoffi
t'
sgoi
ngt obeme.

MmaagweJoe:BoDi kel
edi
barat
adr amakana.
(Di
kel
edil
ikesdr
ama)whogetsmarriedof
fby
str
anger
swhent hei
rpar
ent
sareal
ive?
Mor ena'
sconf
usedf
acet
urnstoNadi
awholooks
readytopassout
.Hehol
dsherhandt
hent
urns
backt ot
hecoupl
e.

Mor
ena:Umm excuseme,
whodi
dyousayyouar
e?

Rr
aagweJoe:(
rai
seshi
sbr
ow)Iam herf
ather
.Who
ar
eyou?

Mor
ena:Iam herf
iance.

MmaagweJoe:( smiles)ohyouar emyinlaw?Ao

bathongIam sohappyt omeetyou.Shehasbeen
hidi
ngyouf r
om usbutt hankGodforthewoman
shehasturnedint
ohermot her
.Shecall
edust olet
usknowDi kel
edihasaskedhert ohel
pwi ththe
weddingprocessandt hat'
sutt
ernonsense.
Dikel
ediwhywouldyour obusofthr
owingyout he
weddingofyourdreams?Ourf ir
stchi
ldcan'tget
mar
ri
edwi
thoutus.

MmaagweJoest
andsupandwal
ksovert
ogi
ve
Mor
enaahug.

MmaagweJoe:Wel
comet
othef
ami
lymyson.

MmaagweJoe:( hugsNadia)onal
et astemme
ngwanaka.(mydaught
eryouhavetaste)Yout
wo
l
ookgreattoget
her
.Don'tt
heymylove?

RraagweJoe:Iwil
ltal
ktohi
m abouttast
eaft
erhe
apologi
zesforst
eal
ingmydaughter
.Iam sur
eheis
thereasonwhywedon'tseeher
.

Morena'smindi
sspinni
ngwit
hquesti
onsthatonl
y
Nadiacananswer.Whoaret
hesepeople?I
sn'
tshe
supposedtobeanorphan?Whyisn'
tshesayi
ng
anyt
hing?
RraagweJoelaughst
henst
andsup.Hewal
ksover
t
oshakeMor ena'
shand.

RraagweJoe:Iam j
ustki
ddi
ngson.Wel
cometot
he
famil
y.Ican'
twai
ttogett
oknowyoubett
er.

MmaagweJoe:(
wit
hherhandoverNadia'
s
shoul
der
)Whywait
?Let
'sgooutforl
unch!
..
..
..

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Agapei
ssi
tti
ngi
nthebackyarddoi
ngsomewor
k
onherl
apt
opwhenacallcomesthr
ough.

Agape:Agapehel
lo?

Tyl
er:
Hi!Howar
eyou?
Agape:WhatdoyouwantTyl
er?Iam busy.

Tyl
er:Agapekant
ewhyareyoual
waysr
udet
ome?
Am Iwrongtowantyou?

Agape:Haveyoueverst
oppedf
oramomentt o
t
hinkthatmaybeIhaveaman?BecauseIdo.

Tyl
er:
(laughs)Agapewee.Isai
dIwantyou.DidI
sayIwantyourman?Hei snoneofmybusiness.
Nnakebat l
awena.

Agape:Soyouexpectmet
ocheatonmymanwi
th
you?

Tyl
er:Nope.Iam donewit
hthatchi
ldi
shbehavi
or.I
wantyouandi fyouaremi
neyouaremi neal
one
andIam yoursalone.
Agape:Whataboutyourgi
rl
fr
iend?

Tyl
er:
Iwoul
dn'
taskyououti
fIhadsomeone.

Agape:WenaTyl er?Youf orgetthatIhaveseent he

recei ptsofyourt rackr ecord.NnaIf earhear
t break
mor et hananyt hi
ngbecauseIl ovet oodeeply.Ke
tsenal ekamor ir
iokgaoget sengmosekamongt ota.
(Ilovewi t hmywhol ebei ng)SowhenIgethur t
,it
cut st oodeep.Hakenabot estingthewat er
s.( I
don' tknowhowt ot estwat ers)
.I fyouhearme
sayi ngIl oveyou,thatwi l
lmeanIam f ul
ly
commi ttedtousandf rom whatIknow, youcan' t
givemewhatIwant .

Tyler
:(sighs)I
t'
sunfai
rforyout
ojudgeme
accordingtomypastbecauseyoudon'tknowhow
mymi stakesaffect
edme.Ihavebeensinglefor
yearssincemywi fedi
edbecauseIcoul
dn'tgetover
whatIdidtoher.Ineededt odealwiththel
oose
screwinmet hatmademeactaf oolandcostme
theloveofmylife.That'
sami stakeIcanneverever
repeataslongasIlive.Iam notthesameman
anymor eAgapeandyouar ethefir
stwomanIf eel
readytomoveonwi th.Don'
tshutmeoutwi thout
givi
ngmeachance.

Agape:Isai
dIhaveaman.

Tyl
er:
shoul
dIhangupsoyoucandumphi
m?

Agape:(
laughs)Tyl
erwee.

Tyler
:What?Akerenei
therofuswantstosharewit
h
otherpeopl
esoyoushouldcallhi
m andtel
lhim
yourhusbandsaysyoushouldtel
lhi
mi t
'sover.

Agape:(
laughs)Husbandgape?
Tyl
er:ShehAgapekanannaIam agrownman.I
don'
twantagirl
fr
iendnna.Iwantawi
feanda
motherformychil
dren.Canyoubet
hatf
orme?

Agape:(
laughs)ByeTyl
er.

Tyl
er:OKcal
lhi
m andgetbackt
omeinanhoursoI
cancometakeyouout
.Iwil
lpayTl
amel
otobaby
si
t.

Agapel
aughsandhangsupt
hrngoesbackt
oher
work

Meanwhi
leinthehouse,
Tlot
loi
sal
soi
nthephone
wi
thChantel
le.

Tlotl
o:Chant
yyouneedtocal
m down.TheDoct
or
toldyoutowatchyourBP.
Chantell
e:(
crying)Tl
otloIam tir
ed.Iam soti
redof
myl i
fe.WhydoesBogol okeepdoi ngthi
s?Whatam
Igoingtodowi thanotherchi
ld?Howcanshebe
pregnantagain?Again?Whatam Ievengoi ngto
saytoKgosi?Hei sgoingtokillher
.

Tlotl
o:Chant
ell
e,Bogoloistoogrownt obe
stressi
ngyouli
kethis.Tel
lthatgir
ltogetajoband
preparefort
hechil
dshei scarryi
ng.Akereshe
decidedtogogetpregnantagain.Letherdealwi
th
i
t.

Chant el
le:(sni
ffl
ing)Howdi dIfailt
hismuch?My
chil
drenar emessi ngupever ydayandit's
suffocatingme.Fi rstBogol
of ai
lsform 5thenfall
s
pregnant ,t
henBof elostar
tsdoingweedandf ai
ls
fr
om t hr
ee.( cr
ies)nowanot herpregnancy?it
'stoo
muchTl ot l
o.It
'stoomuch.
Shest
art
shyper
vent
il
ati
ngovert
hephone.

Tl
otl
o:Babecal
m down.Br
eat
he.Iam comi
ngOK?

Chant
ell
enodsherheadforget
ti
ngshecan'
tseeher
.
Shehangsupandtri
estoregul
ateherbr
eat
hing.

Tl
otl
ochangesintosweat
pantsandget
sherbag.
Shefi
ndsTlameloint
heli
vingroom.

Tl
otl
o:Iam comi
ngwaut
lwa.Ther
eisasi
tuat
ion
wi
thBogolo.

Tl
amel
o:OK.Tl
hemmanzamel
ehoo.(
pleasesend
meai
rt
ime)

Tlot
lo:mmhmm Siesel
egor
eJoehaabeche?
(Doesn'
tJoespoi
lyou?
)
Tl
amelo:(
laughs)Funnycomingfrom awoman
whotel
lsmet oneveraskformoneyfrom aman.
Sendmeai r
ti
memma.

Tlotl
olaughsandwal kstohercar.Shesi
tsinthe
carandsendsTl ameloairti
mebeforest
art
ingthe
car.ShereversesthecarjustasTlamel
oisrunni
ng
outcelebrat
ingtheP100ai r
time.

Tl
amel
o:(
scr
eamswi
thherhandsoverheadcr
ying)
MAMASTOP!MAMASTOP!

Tlot
lost
opsthecaraft
erfeel
inghercargoover
somethi
ng.Tl
ameloscreams, r
unni
ngtothecar.
Shebendsoverandlooksunderthecar.

Tl
amel
o:Mama!No!Mama!
Tl
otl
oget
soutoft
hecarshaki
ng.

Tl
otl
o:Whati
sit
?Whatwast
hat
?

Shebendsoverandseeshert
woyearsonl
yingby
thewheelofcar
.

Tl
otl
o:(
scr
eami
ng)OHMYGOD!HEEEEELP!

Shebegi nstof r
anti
callypullherbabywit
htear
s
streamingdownherf ace.Shemanagest ogethim
fr
om undert hecarandhol dshiminherarmsas
bloodflowsdownhi snose.Hi sli
tt
lehandis
cl
ut chi
nghisf avor
it
et oycar .Shetr
iest
oopenhis
eyesscr eamingandcr ying.

Tl
otl
o:WhathaveIdone?OhGodhel
pme!
Everyonerunsoutofthehouseandt hechildr
en
star
tcryi
ngandscr eaming.Tlamel
ohasj ustfr
ozen
nexttohermotherunabletomove.Agapecomes
runningandcovershermout hinshock.

Tlot
lo:Agapepleasehel
pmewakehi
m up.Idi
dn'
t
seehim!Ididn'
tseehim.Hel
pme.

Agapepul
lsherupandopenst
hedoorf
ofhert
osi
t
att
hebackwithAbot
le.

Agaoe:(l
ightlyslapsTlamel o'
scheek)Ntl
amesnap
outofitmyl ove.It'
sti
met obeabi ggi
rl
.Got othe
houseandt akecar eofyoursi bl
ingswhil
ewegot o
thehospit
al.Leano!Cal lyourfat
herandtellhi
mt o
gostrai
ghttoBokamoso.Iam sur eheknockedoff
alr
eady.

Leanor
unsintothehousetomakethecal
lwhil
e
Agapespeedsoutoftheyar
ddri
vingi
nsil
enceas
hersi
steri
nlawpr
aysandcr
iesi
nthebackseat
.

800li
kes,85comment
sand30shar
esby5pm f
ora
bonusinsert
[
08/
31,
17:
56] :MI
NII
NSERT.
.gothel
dup

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t66

Att
hehospi
tal

Afewmi nut
esaft
erTlot
lo'
ssoni swheeledint
othe
emergency,
Avir
unsinstil
linhisunif
orm andlooks
al
loverthewai
ti
ngareatryi
ngtof i
ndhiswifewith
hi
seyes.HespotsAgapehol di
ngherandher ushes
overt
othem.

Avi
:Whathappened?Wher
eisAbot
le?

Tl
otl
obreaksawayf
rom Agapeandt
hrowsher
sel
f
i
ntoAvi
'
sar ms.

Tl
otl
o:(
cryi
ng)Iam sosorr
y!Ididn'
tseehi
m
pl
ayi
ng.Idi
dn't
.Iwouldhavetoldhi
mt omove.I
di
dn'
tseehim.IswearIdi
dn'tseehim.

Avi:(
soothi
ngher)Shhhh.Cal
m downbabe.Agape
canyout el
lmewhathappenedbecauseLeano
didn'
ttel
lmeanythi
ng.Hejustsai
dIhadtorush
overherebecausesomethi
nghappenedtoAbotl
e.
Whathappenedt omyson?

Agape:(snif
fl
esandwipeshertear
s)Shewas
rever
singthecaranddi
dn'tseehewasplayi
ng
behi
ndt
hecar
.

Shecover
sherf
acecr
ying.

Avi
:(st
ammer
)Agapeka.
.Kant
ewar
eng?

Tl
otl
o:(
cryi
ngonhi
schest
)Ir
anoverhi
m.

Avi'
swholebodygr owscol dandhest aggersback
movingawayform Tlot
lo.Thef ewpeopleinthe
wait
ingr
oom lookonwi thcuriosi
tyashel eans
agai
nstthewall
.Thatswhenheseeshi sson' s
bl
oodonhi swif
e'st-
shirtandtrackpants.

Tlot
lo:(
cover
shermout
hwi
thherhands)Iam so
sorr
y.

Avi
:(l
ooksather
)Idon'
tunder
stand.What
happened?

Tl
otl
ocri
eswi
thherhandsoverherf
aceandsl
ides
downtot
hefl
oor
.

Tl
otl
o:Iwasrushingoutt
oChantel
le'
shouseandI
wasbusysendingair
ti
met oTl
amelo.Idi
dn'
tpay
at
tent
ion.It
houghthewasi nt
hehousewatchi
ng
TV.

Avi
:Di
dyouseehi
m wat
chi
ngTV?

Tl
otl
o:(
cri
es)Idi
dn'
tpayat
tent
ion!

Agape:Guyscanwejustt
ryt
ocal
m downandwai
t
t
ohearf r
om t
hedoct
or.

Avicl
oseshi
seyest
henwal
kst
hrought
he
emer
gencydoor
s.

Nurse:(
wal
kingout)AoAviIthoughtyouknocked
of
fbynow.Di dntIseeyoui
nthemor ning?

Avi:(
Impati
ent
ly)Mphowherei
smyson?Atwo
yearoldwasbroughti
nher
e.Okae?(
wher
eishe?
)

NurseMpho:ohmyGodAvi .Wast hatyourson?Ao

t
salayameAkereyouknowyouwi llhavetowaitf
or
t
hedoctort
otellyou?Ihadal
readyknockedoff
whentheywheeledhimin.Whathappened?

Aviwalkspastherandbegi
nstomovecurt
ainsand
openingdoorsl
ookingf
orhisson.Amal
enur se
whoknowshi ssonseeshisfr
enzyandwal
ksover
tohim andst
opshim.

Nur
se:Avicomebr
ayaaka.Youknowyoucan'
tbe
doi
ngt
his.

Avi:(
hol
dshi
scol
lar
)Wher
eismyson?Iam l
ooki
ng
formyson.

Nurse:(
calml
y)Hei
sbei
ngat
tendedandthedoct
or
wil
lcomeandupdat
eyouwhenheisdone.Let
'sgo
andsitdown.

Avi:(
mouthwobbles)Heismyson.Theonl
yoneI
wil
leverhave.Whatam Isupposedt
odoi
fanyt
hing
happenstohim?

Nurse:Nomyguydon'tt
hinkl
iket
hat.Don'
tdothat
.
Youknowt heyar
egoi
ngtodoeveryt
hingforhi
m.
Whereisyourwif
e?Sheneedsyouri
ghtnow.

Avil
ooksatt
hecei
l
ingf
ight
ingt
het
ear
schoki
ng
hi
m.
Avi:Iam soscar
ed.Iam angryandscared.Idon'
t
knowwhatt odowithmyself.Idon'
tknow.

Anot
hernur
sewal
ksoverandgi
veshi
m ahug.

Nurse2:Avipray.Ifyoudon'
tdon'
tknowwhatt
o
dowithyour
selfthentel
ltheonewhocando
somethi
ng.Prayandsur r
enderi
tal
ltohi
m.

Themalenursewalksbacktothewaiti
ngroom wit
h
Aviandsi
tshim downnexttoTlot
lo.Heshakesher
handandencouragesherbefor
egoingbacktowork.

Agape:(
exhal
es)Weneedt
ohavef
ait
hthathewi
ll
befi
ne.

Avi
:Doyouknowhowmanychi
ldrengetrunoveri
n
t
hei
rownhomes?Iam al
wayst
alkingaboutt
he
i
mpor tanceofchecki ngwherethechi l
drenare
whenanyoner eversesthecar.Iam alwayssaying
thisbecauseoft hethingsIseeonmyj obandthe
samet hinghappenst omyson?( at
earr unsdown
hisface)leot
wanaka4x4l epalamengwanake?
(thewheelofa4x4r anovermyson? )ahman.

Heput
shi
sheadi
nhi
shandsandshakesi
t.

Tl
otl
o:(
put
sherhandonhi
sback)Iam sor
ry.

Hef
eel
sangerbr
ewinginhischestsohebr
eat
hes
i
nandoutt
ocalm hi
mselfdown……

AtNadi
a'
shouse.

MmaagweJoewalksbacktot
hecoucht
opi
ckher
bagupt
henlooksatNadi
a.
MmaagweJoe:Aren'
tyougoingtochange?Going
toCappucci
nosdr
essedl
ikethatwon'
twork.You
shoul
dcomet omyhouseforfashi
onti
psnana.

Nadiafinal
lybreaksouti nl
aught
er.Shelaughsso
hardthattearsstartf
all
ingfr
om hereyeswhileshe
cl
apsherhands.Shest opsandlooksatherfather
andhiswi fe.Thelookofconfusi
onont hei
rfaces
set
sherof fagainandshel aughsagainholdi
ngher
abdomen.

Mor
ena:(
frowns)babe?

Nadia:(
scr
eaminginl
aughter
)Didyouhearhercal
l
menana?ShesaidIam herfi
rstbor
n.OhmyGod!
(
laughs)ohGodithur
tsbutIcan'
tst
oplaughi
ng!

Shesi
tsont
hefl
oorl
aughingunt
ilembar
rassment
makesMmaagweJoesitdown.
RraagweJoe:Di
kel
edihasebot
hoseosedi
rang.
(
youar ebei
ngdi
srespect
ful
)

Thatj
ustmakesherlaughl
ouder
.Sheevent
ual
ly
st
opsandholdsherstomach.

Naddi
a:I
shi
….Hei
sh…I
joo.
.

Morenahel
psherst
andupandl
eadshert
othe
couch.

Mor ena:Nadi
aIneedyout oexpl
aint
omewho
thesepeoplearebecauseIam ver
yconf
usedr
ight
now.

Nadi
a:(
wi peshertears)heishmyt ummyhurtsso
muchbaby.(chuckles)ahIhaven'tl
aughedl
ikethi
s
i
n…ever.Ihaveneveri nmyl i
fehadsuchagood
l
augh.Whenallyoudoi scr
yi nyourl
if
eand
someoneshowsupt wentyeightyearsl
atertoclaim
youast heirchi
ldi
t'
sjusthi
lari
ous!Babywee, you
don'
thavet obeconfusedbyanyt hi
ng.Itol
dyouI
am anor phanandthatwasn'tali
e.Thisoneismy
sperm donorandthesonofmyr api
staswel lasthe
prot
ectorofmysecondr api
st.

Rr
aagweJoe:(
shout
s)Di
kel
edi
!

Nadi a:(standsupandput sherhandup)No!Don' t

event ryme!Notnow!Whatar eyoudoi nginmy
househuh?Obonal onaler ongwabol oikeal e
bolelela.Saat aneol eheber ekisaoverti
memoke
i
pot sanggor eol eduelakaeng.( Youtwoar e
vesselsofwi tchcraftt
hatSat anusesover ti
meandI
wonderwhathepaysyouwi th.)KegorewhenI
keepqui etandcr yinsilenceyout hi
nkgorelebone
popaeaker e?( point
sather self
)Kebi diwaNadi a
nna.( mynamei sNadi a)Gobackt othecour t
room
tofindt heDi kelediwhosecaseyout ur
nedtof avor
herr apistjusttospar eyourr i
diculousreputati
on.
Gobackt otheDi kelediyoublamedi nthehospital
bedf orgetti
ngr apedmor ethanonce.Gobackt o
thegirlyouaccusedofseduci ngyourf at
herand
l
yingaboutbei ngr aped.Gobackt othegirlyoutold
kil
ledyourmot her.Thatgirlyout hattol
dshoul d
havedi edwhenshewasbor nl i
kehermot herwho
ref
usedt oaborther .Gobackt ot heeightyearold
gir
lwhocoul dn'ttellyouwhatwashappeni ng
becauseyouneverspoket oher.Go!Lent wael a
mase-( putsaf istoverhermout h)Pleaseleavemy
houser ightnow.

RraagweJoe:(breat
hingheavi
ly)Di
kel
edi
Iam your
fatherandIwil
lbeatyoubefor
eIall
owyouto
disrespectmeandmywi fel
ikethat
.

Nadi a:Yourchi
lddiedwhenyougaveyourside
chickabor t
ionpi
llsDavid.Osekawanteka.(
claps
herhands)Youar etr
yingtomakemeoutt obea
disrespectf
ulpersonneh?Thismanknowsmeasa
sweetcal m per
sonsodon' tcomeher
east hedevi
ls
agentstodestroyt
hehappi
nessIhavemadefor
myselfhere.Getoutofmyhousebef
oreIcal
lthe
poli
ceonyou.

RraagweJoestandsupf umi
ngandli
ft
shishandto
sl
apNadi abutMorenaseesi
tandpul
lsNadiaback
andstandsbetweenthem.

RraagweJoe:Di
keledi
!Dikel
edi
!Heelawenasut
a
hookebualengwanake.Onal engwana
wena?(Moveoutofmyway.Iwantt otal
ktomy
chil
d.Doyouhaveachild?)

Morena:(
bodly)pl
easel
eavethehouse.Shehas
tol
dyoutoleaveandIam notgoi
ngtowat chyou
beather
.

RraagweJoe:(
movesclosert
ohim)El
egoreoleka
gontshoset
saboy?(
areyoutryi
ngt
othreat
enme?)
Morena:Idon'
tthr
eatenel
ders.Iam aski
ngyout
o
l
eavebecauseshet ol
dyouto.

Rr
aagweJoe:Isai
dmove!Iwantt
otal
ktomychi
ld.

Nadi
a:MmaagweJoecanyout
akeyourhusband
andl
eavemyhouse.

MmaagweJoethi
nshereyesandcl
ickshert
ongue.
Shest
andsupandpi
cksherbag.

MmaagweJoe:Youhavecur sedyourself
ngwanyanakewena.Youwi l
lcomebackbeggi ng
becauseyouar en'
tget
ti
ngmar r
iedwithoutus.Do
youthinkwewon' tf
indyouri
n-l
awshousei fwe
foundthisshackyouarebusycall
ingahouse.Day
l
et'sgo.

Shewal
ksoutl
eavi
ngherhusbandwhosechesti
s
r
isi
ngandfall
ingashegl
aresi
ntoMor
ena'
seyes
whoisn'
tphasedbyhi
m.

[
08/
31,
17:
56] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t67

AtNadi
a'
shouse

MorenaclosesthedoorafterRraagweJoeleaves
fumingwithrage.Heleansagainstt
hedoorand
fol
dshisarmswai ti
ngforNadiatoexplai
nwhatj ust
happened.Sheputsaf i
ngeronhermout hthi
nking
andcalcul
ati
ngbef or
eshewal kstopickupher
phonefrom t
hef l
oor.

Morena:Idoubtt
hisist
herightt
imetobegoingon
yourphoneNadia.Iam wai
ti
ngforanexpl
anati
on
fr
om you.
Nadia:{
dial
ing)Justgi
vemeami nut
e.Iwil
lexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ngaf t
erthi
scall
.Ipr
o-(
tothephone)Hel
lo?

Boleng'
smum :Aomonyadi!Twi
ceinlesst
han24
hours?WhathaveIdonet
odeservet
his?

Nadi
a:(
sighs)Mamawhydidyout
ellRr
aagweJoe
t
hatIam get
tingmar
ri
ed?

Bol
eng'
smum :(
frowns)what
?War
engneh?

Nadi
a:RraagweJoeandhiswif
ej ustshowedupat
myhousesayingyoucal
ledt
otellthem Iam get
ti
ng
marr
ied.Whywouldyoudothatt
omewhenyouar e
t
hepersonwhoknowshowmucht heyhavehurtme?

Boleng'
smum:OKIam soconfusedri
ghtnow
becauseIdon'
tevenhavet
hatman'
snumberso
howwoul
dIhavet
oldhi
m youar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?

Nadi
a:(
conf
used)Idon'
tunder
stand.Hesai
dyou
t
oldhi
m.

Boleng'
smum:Andwhywoul dyoubeli
evethat
?
Thelastti
meIspoketothatmanwast hatdayat
thecourtkayourgr
andf
ather
'scase.

Nadia:(
frowns)sohowdi
dheevenknowwher
eI
l
ive?

Boleng'
smum:Di ksIdon'
tevenknowwhereyou
l
ivesot hatoni
tsownshouldbeenought
ot el
lyou
helied.

Nadi
alooksatMor
enawi
thhermi
ndspi
nni
ng.
Nadi
a:Sowhot
oldhi
m?

Bol
eng'
smum:hol
don.Tshwar
elaMrMot
lhabi
.

Nadi
a:OK.

MrMot
lhabi
:HiDi
ks.

Nadi
a:Himal
ome.Howar
eyou?

MrMotlhabi:Cometoourhouset
oseehowIam.
Kegorewhati swrongwi
thyougi
rls?Hael
eBol
eng
enesheisfarworse.

Nadi
a:(l
aughs)Sorr
ymalome.Wewillcomeand
seeyounextweekendaspr
omised.

MrMot
lhabi
:Nopr
obl
em.Iwant
edt
otel
lyout
hat
youshoul dbecarefulbecauseyoumi ghtfindthat
yourphonehasbeent apped.Unfortunatelysomeof
usl awoffi
cersli
ketobendt helawtoouradvant age.
Imeani fsomeonei sclai
mingt obet oldthingsand
findsyourhousewi t
houtbeingtoldt henI'l
lsaythat
hemi ghtbefindi
ngwayst ogett heinformat i
onhe
needs.EvenasIspeakt oyou,Icanhearaver y
faintbuzzsoundthattell
smeyouar epr obably
tapped.Justgetridofyoursim cardandphone
once.

Nadi
a:(
frowns)Whatdoyoumeant
apped?Thi
s
i
sn'
tamoviemalome.

MrMot labi
:Nadi
akar ethi
sphonehasbeent apped.
Iam surehecanevenheart hisconver
sat
ionaswe
speaksodon'tst
ressyourselforemywi f
eistel
li
ng
himthings.Hemighthavebuggedyounakoya
case.

Nadi
a:sheh.Kegor
eIcan'
tbel
ievet
hatsucht
hings
canhappen.

MrMot lhabi:backwhenIwasst i
llapoliceof f
icer,
a
coll
eagueofmi newasr eport
edbyhi swi f
ef or
doingt hesamet hing.Heal waysknewwher ehis
wifewasandwhoshewast alki
ngto.Theguyl ost
hisjobwheni twaspr oved.Hedidn'treall
ycover
histrackssookapi l
wephakel a!NowIam t ell
ing
yougor ethatmani sdoingthesamet oyou.Justdo
asIt ol
dyou.Icoul dsayr eporthi
m butIdontknow
howwel lthatwi l
lworkf oryousinceyouknowhow
heoper ates.

Nadi
a'
shear
tst
art
sbeat
ingi
nherear
s.

Nadia:AhGosi
ame.Iam evenaf
rai
doft
alki
ngnow.
Evenmyhandsareshaki
ng.

MrMot l
habi
:Don'tworr
y.Iam surehewoul
dn'
tdo
anyt
hingtoyou.That
'swhyIthinkhedi
ditt
hatti
me
yacasebecauseheneededt
oknowwhatyouknow.
Justgetr
idofthem.

Nadi
a:(
swal
lows)OK.

Bol
eng'
smum:Ar
eyouOK?Shoul
dwecomet
her
e?

Nadi
ashakesherhead.

Bol
eng'
smum:Mma?

Nadia:No.
.Nnyaamma.Iwi
llbef
ine.Iam wi
th
Morena.

Bol
eng'
smum:OKI
'
llcal
lyoul
atert
ocheckonyou.

Nadi
a:NoIwi
llcal
lyou.Bye
Shehangsupandl
ooksatMor
enawhoi
s,si
tt
ing
nextt
oher.

Mor
ena:Babywhatt
hehecki
sgoi
ngon?

Nadia:Morenamylif
eisjustoneforthebooks.I
hadachildhoodfr
om hel
landt hatmanwast he
dri
verofmyhelli
shli
fe.

Shetell
shi
m everythingthathappenedbetween
herandherfat
herupt othehospi
talvi
sitt
hatmade
hertr
ytocommi tsuicide.

Mor ena:youknowIhadt hi
snaggi ngfeel
ingthatI
knowt hosetwobutcoul dn'tf
igureoutwhereIknow
them from.Ibumpedi ntothem thedayIwentt o
seeyoui nthehospital
.Theywer esor ude!(
sighs)I
justcan'tbel
ieveyougrewupt hewayyoudi d.I
knowi t'
sdiff
icul
tforyoubutIneedyout otrustme
wit
hyourli
feandyoursecretsNadia.Il
oveyouand
Iwanttomakeyouhappybutf ormet odothat
,I
needtoknowwhoyouar e.Isther
eanythingel
seI
havetoknowaboutyou?

Nadia:(si
ghs)Ahitoldyouever
ythi
ngnow.Ijust
thoughttheyar
ei nmypast.Iwasntkeepi
ng
secret
soranything.Theyj
ustshowupoutofnowh-

Shef r
ownsandsqueezeshert highst oget
her.She
bitesherli
psandcloseshereyesbef oreslowly
openingherlegs.Thebloodpri
ntonhershor t
s
confir
msherf earsandherheaddr opsas
disappoint
mentseepsin.Shecover shereyesas
tearsescapefrom t
hecorner
sofhereyes.

Mor
ena:What
?What
'swr
ong?

Shest
andsupandwal
kst
otheki
tchen.
Nadi
a:Ineedadr
ink.

Morenaseest
hestai
nonherpant
sandl
ooksdown.
Nadiadownstwogl
assesofwi
neint
heki
tchen
bef
oregoingt
ogetcl
eanedup…….
.

Att
hehospi
tal

Aftersevenhour sofwait
inginaverytenseroom,a
doctorcomesoutandaskst oseeAviandTl ot
loin
hisof f
ice.EvenTyler
'spr
esencedidnotdif
fusethe
tensionbet weenTlot
loandAvi.Avihadbeen
speakingt oTylert
hewholeti
me.

Avi
:Docwhathappened?Wher
eismyson?

Doct
or:Wewi
llt
alkabouti
tinmyof
fi
ce.
Avist
andsupandfoll
owst hedoctor.Hetakesa
fewstepsbef
orer
eali
zingTlotl
oisn'
tfol
lowing.He
l
ooksatherandwalksbackt otakeherhand.

Tlot
lo:(
shakesherheadwi
tht
ear
yeyes)Iam
scared.

Avi
:Tl
otl
olet
'sgo.Iwantt
ohearaboutmyson.

Tlot
lostandsupandmovesherheavyl
egsunt
il
theygettothedoct
or'
sof
fi
ce.

Doct
or:pl
easet
akeaseat
.

Theybot hsitdownandstareatt
hedoctor
.He
takesoffhisglassesandputshi
shandsonthe
table.
Doctor:Mynamei sDoctorMason, yourson'
s
Doctor.Abotl
esuffer
edribdamaget hatcaused
bloodvesseldamageandapunct ureinhi
slung
whichf i
ll
edthechestcavit
ywithairandhealsohad
l
iverdamagewhi chiswhywet ooksolongin
surger
y.Thedamaget othevi
talorgansmadehis
casever ycr
iti
cal
and-

Avi
:(i
mpat
ient
ly)i
smysondead?

Doctor
:Nobuthei sstillintheICUandyoual so
havetoknowt hatt
heacci dentcauseCer ebral
Edemawhi chistheswel li
ngoft hebrain.Thishas
causedhimtogoi ntoacomaandwear ewat chi
ng
himtoseeiftheswel l
ingwi llgodownandhopef ul
ly
whenitdoes,hewillcomeoutoft hecomaandwe
wil
lbeabletoseeifther ehasbeenanybr ai
n
damage.Thesever i
tyofyourson' sinjuri
esmake
thenext24hoursverycr iti
cal.

Tl
otl
o:(
wit
har
aspyvoi
ce)Canweseehi
m?
Doctor
:Iwillonlyall
owyouexactlyfi
vemi nutesto
seehim becauseoft hest
ateheisin.From ther
e
youwillbeadvicedwhent oseehim becausewet ry
toavoi
dst i
mul at
ionwhenpatient
sareinICU.Let
megetanur setotakeyoutohim.

Hestandsupandl eavest
hem.Af ewminuteslat
er
t
heyareledtotheICUwher eAbot
le'
sli
tt
lebodyhas
t
ubesandmachi nesallar
oundhim.Hisli
tt
lechest
r
isesandfal
lsasoxygenpumpsi ntohi
m.Therear e
t
ubesgoingint
ohi snavel
.

Tlot
lo:(
cri
es)OhGodmybaby.WhathaveIdonet
o
you?

Avi:(
fi
rmly)Don'
tcr
y.Hecanhearyou.Hedoesn'
t
needthat
.Heneedstoknowwear eheref
orhim.
Yourtear
swon'thel
phim.
Aviholdshi sl
it
tl
ehandwi thapoundingheart
wishinghewoul dopenhi seyesandsinghisbaby
sharksong.Tlotloont heothersi
deofthebedsays
si
lentprayersaskingGodt ohelphersonoutofthi
s.
Afterthefiveminutespasstheyleaveandgotothe
waiti
ngr oom t
oupdat eAgapeandTyl er
.

Agape:(
wipeshert
ears)ok.Hewil
lbefinet
hough.
Heisatoughli
tt
leguy.Hewillbef
ine.

Tyler:Yes.Don'tl
osehope.WehaveseenGodbr i
ng
usoutofi mpossiblesi
tuat
ions.Thi
sisjustanot
her
testi
monyi nthemaking.Youwi l
lsee.AndIhave
spokent oYayaandYaoneaboutmovi ngbackwith
mesodon' tevenworryaboutahousef ul
lofki
ds.

Avi
:(si
ghs)Agapecanyoudr
ivebackal
one?Iwant
t
otalktoTlot
lo.

Agape:(
looksatTyl
er)OK.
Theywalkoutandgetint
oseperat
ecars.Tl
otl
o
rubsherhandstoget
herandcover
sherfaceasAvi
putshi
sseatbelton.

Avi:Tlot
loyouhavehur tmemor ethanIcanexpl ain
andwhathur t
smei syouwer erunningt obe
Chantell
e'sheroasusual .Howmanyt imeshaveI
tol
dyout hatyoucan' talwaysfixpeople'sproblems?
Lookwhathappenedj ustbecauseChant el
lecalled
forherheroandofcour seyouhadt oruntoher
rescue!Whowi llr
escuemysonTl otl
o?What
happensi fhedoesn'twakeup?Wi llChantel
lebr i
ng
him back?Wher eissher ightnow?I ssheher e?Di d
shecomet oyourrescue?Youhavehur tmei nthe
mostpai nfulwayever .Peloyameebot l
hokoTl otlo.

Hewipesateart
hatisroll
ingdownhischeekand
st
art
sthecar.Tl
otl
o'scri
esfil
lthecarashedr
ives
wi
thoutut
ter
inganotherword.
EDIT:800l
ikes,100commentsand30shar
esby
11am guar
anteesabonusinser
t
[
08/
31,
17:
57] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t68

AtTl
otl
o'shouse.

TlamelorestsherheadonJoe'sshoulderast
hey
l
ookupatt henightsky.Shehadcr i
edandprayed
andallshecandonowi swai
t.LeanoandLoago
areal
sosi t
ti
ngont hebackpati
oeachont hei
r
phonetryi
ngt odist
ractt
hemselves.

Leano:Tl
amelohasn'
tmamacall
ed?Orpaps?Thei
r
phonesarest
il
lnotgoi
ngt
hrough.I
t'
sbeenhour
s.
Tl
amel
o:(
wit
har
aspyvoi
ce)No.

Joe:Iam sureever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.Thei
rphones
probabl
ydied.

Tl
amel
o:Orhei
s-

Joe:Tlamel
odon'
t.Don'
tthi
nkl
iket
hat
.Thi
sist
he
ti
met obeposi
ti
ve.

Leano:Loagol
et'
sgopl
ayCal
lofdut
y.Maybei
tcan
dist
ractus.

Loagostandsupandf
oll
owshi
sbi
gbr
otherl
eavi
ng
thecoupl
e.

Tl
amel
o:(
sighs)Sohowdi
ditgowi
thyourpar
ent
s?
Joe:(shakeshishead)Aht otannaIdon' tgetwhat
theproblem withthosetwoisbutIthinkit's
becausemydadl istenstomymum.Ther eisj
ust
someevi lsideofmymum t hatIhavegr ownt osee
andIdon' tli
keit
.Shemaynotbeanact ualwit
ch
butthatwoman' shear ti
sdark.Theycameback
homef umi ngbareDi kel
edichasedthem outwi t
h
herboyfriendandmymot herkepthypingmydadt o
trackdownheri n-l
awshouse.Honest l
yIj ustwant
togetaj obandmoveoutoft hathousebecauseas
l
ongasIwor kf
ormymum t henshecont rolsmylif
e.

Tl
amelo:Yourf
amil
yismorehecti
cthanmi
ne.Why
don'
tyoucheckonyoursi
stert
oseehowsheis
doi
ngthen?

Joe:Keat shaba.(Iam af
rai
dofdoingthat).Iwas
suchaj er
ktohergr owingupbecausemymot her
poisonedustobelievesheisthereasonthey
al
mostgotadi vor
ce.Kanawhenyouar eaki dyour
motheri
sthemosti mport
antpersoni
nyourlif
eand
whatsheteachesyougrowsinyousotot ar
onawe
sawDikel
ediasthechil
dwhoal mostbrokeour
par
entsapart.

Tl
amel
o:Butshei
sol
dert
hanyousohow?

Joe:Shewasbor nbefor emypar entsgotmar ri

ed
thendadkeptherasecr etfr om mymum.Het old
hershewast hedaught erofhersi st
ert hatdied
givingbi r
th.Itwasn' tunt ilIwasf i
veyear sol
dt hat
mygr andmot herappr oachedmymot heraskingher
totakeDi keledi .That'showshef oundoutmydad
hadcheat edonher .Sosheexpl odedandhada
hugef i
ghtwi thmydadt hreat eni
ngt odi vor
ce.Istil
l
rememberhowbadt hingswer ethatti
me.Mydad
promi sedhert hathewoul dnevermakehert ake
Dikelediinandt hat
'showt hingsended.Wegr ewup
seper atefrom herandwheneverwedr ovet othe
vil
lagemymot herwoul dt ellushowweshoul d
nevert alktoorpl aywi thherbecauseshewi l
lteach
usbadthings.Ispoket oDi kel
edithisonet i
me
whenwef oundhercl eaningourhouseandmy
motherbeatmeupaf terslappingher .Shetoldme
howIwantt ostartl
ear ni
ngbadt hings.Thatwas
thel
asttimeItri
edspeaki ngt oher.Ieveni gnor
ed
heracoupleofyear sagowhensheappr oachedme
i
namal l.Ir
egretitnowbutIcan' tchanget hepast
.

Tlamel
o:Sowhatmadeyouchangeyourmi
nd
abouthert
othepoi
ntofr
egr
ett
ing?

Joe:( clearshisthroat )Ioverheardmypar ents

talkingaboutt heirplanst omakesur emysi st
er
l
osesar apecase.That '
swhenIf oundoutshewas
alsor apedbymygr andf ather.Ihatedmysel fso
muchf orhowIt r
eatedhergr owi ngup.IfIhadat
l
eastbeenadecentbr othertoher ,shemaybe
woul dhavet ol
dmewhatshei sgoingthrough.
MaybeIcoul dhavehel pedher .Iam suchabad
per sonTl amelo.Ever ythingaboutmei sbad.My
par ents,grandfatherever ythi
ng.Iam abadseed
andIdon'
tknowwhyyouar
est
il
lher
ewi
thme.

Tl
amel
oli
ft
sherheadandl
ooksathi
m.

Tlamelo:Josephyouwer eachi l
d.Youdi dn'tknow
whatwasgoi ngon.Thatwasyourmot her'sdoing
andt hefactthatyouar er egr etti
nghowyout reat
ed
yoursisterspeaksoft heper sonyouar e.Youar e
notyourpar entsorgr andpar ent sandi t'
supt oyou
tobet hemanyouwantt obe.Iusedt otellmysel f
thatIam nevergoi ngt of allinl ovebecausemy
mot herlovedmyf atherfool ishlyandwast edher
yearsaway.That 'swhyi tt ookmemont hst osay
yest oyou.Ididn'twantt oendupl i
kemymot her.
Youseehernowandt hi
nkIam cr azybecauseshe
i
shappybutt hat'
snott heper sonIgr ewupwi th.
Shewasbi tt
erandangr yj ustbecauseshef el
t
unappr eci
atedandsad.If eltl i
keal lmenwast eyour
l
ifeawayandwhenshel ef tmydad, Isawasi det o
herthatIhadf orgot t
en.Shebecamehappyand
l
ovingagai nandIt houghti t
'sbecauseshedoesn' t
haveamanmaki nghermi serable.Butt henshemet
myst epdadandatf irstIwaswor ri
edt hatshewas
goingt obecomet heper sonshewaswi thmydad
butshewasn' t.Het r
eatsherl ikeaqueenandt hey
arehappyt ogether.Eveni ft
heyhaveaf ight,Iknow
i
twi llpassandt heywi l
lworkt hingsout .Seeingt hi
s
mademer ealizethatit'
snotaboutbei ngl i
kemy
mum.I t
'saboutt hemanIdeci detoalignmyl ifeto.
Irealizedt hatmyl ifeismychoi ceandi fIdeci det o
sti
ckar oundf oramanwhoi swast ingmyt imet hen
that'
swhenIwi l
lbemaki ngthedeci si
ont obel i
ke
mymum.Iam notTl otl
o.Iam Tl amelo.I nthat
sameway, youarenotyourf atheroryour
grandf ather .I
fyouchooset obel i
kethem t hent hat
willbeonyou.Buti t'
sachoi ceiswhatIam t r
ying
totell you.Am Iunder stood?

Joe:
(chuckl
esandkissesherl
ips)EemmaI
underst
and.Tl
amelotlhemmayoucantal
k.

Shegi
ggl
esandput
sherheadbackonhi
schest
.
Tl
amel
o:Iam wi
se.Ispeaksense.

Joe:Andal
lthatconf
idence.

Theybot
hlaugh.

Tlamelo:Sotrytoreachoutt oyoursister
.You
mi ghtf
indthatsheisyearningforar el
ati
onship
withyouandyoursi bli
ngs.IknowIl ovebeingan
ol
dersistermorethananyt hing.Sotalktoher,
apologi
zetoherandseehowt hingswillworkout.

Joe:(si
ghs)Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t.If
oundheron
Inst
agram soIwil
ltr
yreachi
ngouttoher
.

Tl
amel
o:(
kisseshi
sar
m)Goodboy.
Hechuckl
esandt
heycont
inuechat
ti
ng.

Anhourlater
, Tl
otl
o,AviandAgapegeti nt
othe
houseandsitdowni nsilence.Tlamel
oandJoe
walkint
othehouseaf terhearingthem comein.
LeanoandLoagoal sojointhem.Theyt akethei
r
seatsaf
tergreeti
ngsfrom Joe.

Tl
amel
o:How.
.Howi
she?

Avi
:It
'snotl
ooki
nggoodr
ightnowbutwehavet
o
behopeful
.

Leano:Socanweseehi
mtom?

Avi:Wewi l
lhearwhatthedoctorhastosay.Iam
reall
ytir
edri
ghtnowandIj ustwanttoli
edown.We
Willtal
kmoretomorrow.Justprayforyourbrot
her
.
Hestandsupandgoest othebedr oom.Tlotl
o
fol
lowshim wi
thpuffyeyes.Avibeginst
ot akeof
hisclot
hesandwrapsat owelaroundhiswai stt
o
goandshower.Tlotl
ositsonthebedandspeaksas
heopensthebathroom door

Tlotl
o:Avimyhear ti
sasbr okenasyoursis.Iam
j
ustasscar edifnotmore.Iwishyouwoul dstop
blamingmesomuchwhenIal r
eadyblamemysel f
enoughforthebot hofus.Ineedyour i
ghtnowbut
al
lyouar edoingispoint
ingaf i
ngeratme.You
aren'
tbeingfairt
ome.

Avi:(
closesthedoorandl ooksather )Fai
r?You
wantmet obefair
?Tlotl
oyouar el
uckyIloveyou
becausemanymenhaver epor tedtheirwi
vesaft
er
suchthingshappen.IloveyouTl otl
oandIam
al
lowedt obeangr ywit
hyoubecausehowmany
ti
meshaveIt ol
dyouChant ell
e'sf r
iendshi
pisone
si
ded?Myi ssueherei
sn'tthef actthatyouranover
ourson.Thatwasanacci dent.Myi ssueisyouran
overhimr unni
ngt oChantel
le.Youalwaysdot hi
s.
Youdropever ythingforeveryonebutIam theonly
onwhodr opsever yt
hingforyou.Iam not
complainingaboutmaki ngyout hecenterofmyl i
fe.
Iam sayingyouneedt ostopt r
yingtoever
yone's
herobeforeyoul osewhati smosti mport
anttoyou.
WhenChant el
lecriesyougor unningbutwhereis
shenow?Di dyout el
lheraboutAbot l
e?

Tl
otl
o:(
wipeshert
ears)Shesai
dshewil
lcomesee
metomorrowbecauseKgosiwasshout
ingat
Bogol
o.

Avi:r(
aiseshishands)Exact l
y!Chantell
efocuses
onherf amilybutwenayour unwhenshecal l
s.I
rememberhowyouusedt owor ryaboutBogoloand
Tlamelo'sfr
iendshipbutthatwast hewr ongthingto
wor r
yaboutbecauseTl amel ohasout gr
ownBogol o.
Youar etheonet hat'
ssti
llstuckbeingfri
endswi t
h
yourex'ssisteri
nlaw.Looknow.( keepsquiet
)
Tlotl
oIam honest l
ytooagr nyrightnowandIneed
t
obath.Idon'
twantt
otal
kbef
oreIsayt
hingsIwi
ll
r
egr
et.

Hewal
ksi
ntot
hebat
hroom andshut
sthedoor
.

Att
heor
phanage

Thenextmor ning,Shobecurlsherselfintoacorner
andcriesafterheryoungestbr otheristakenbythe
famil
yt hathasadopt edhim.Shecr i
esf oraf
ew
minutesbef orewipinghertearsandr eachingfor
herdi
ar yundert hemat t
ress.Shet akesherpenout
andbegi nstowr it
easmor etear
sf all
.

Dearmama

Threemonthstur
nedint
ot hr
eeyears.Doyoueven
car
eaboutus?Wher eareyounowwhenyourson
hasbeentaken?Itr
iedt
ell
ingthem youwi
llcome
forusbutnoonebel ievesmewhenIt ellthem you
droppedusof fhere.Theysayt heyar egivingDeon
abet t
erhome.Wher ear eyou?Ihat eyounow.Iam
ti
redofhopi ngandwai ti
ngforyou.Youneverl oved
us.That'swhyyoul eftuswi t
hboAunt ytoabuseus
whileyouwer ehappyi nGabor one.Otherchildrenat
schoollivewiththei
rpar entsbutourmot her
abandonedus.Ihat eyousomuchandIhopeone
dayIwi l
lgrowupandt akemysi bli
ngsoutoft his
place.Ihopewewi l
lbecomer ichandyouwi llbe
pooraski ngusformoney.Wewon' tgiveyou
anythingbecauseyoul eftus.

Sheclosesherdi
aryandwi peshertear
sandrunny
nose.Herli
tt
lesi
sterShani
quaandbr ot
herDayday
comet oherbedandsitnexttoher.

Shani
qua:(
touchesherhand)Shobel
et'
sgoand
pl
ay.

Shobe:Idon'
twantt
opl
ayShasha.
Dayday:Butyouknowtheot
herki
dsbul
lyusi
fyou
ar
enott her
e.Pl
easeShobe.

Shoberoll
shereyesanddr agsherselfoutofbed
andstormsout.Herbrot
herandsi sterf
oll
owher
runni
ngtotheplayareawher etheypusheachot her
i
nt heswingwhil
eShobesi t
sonar ockwatching
them pl
ay.Oneofthetwelveyearoldboyscomes
overtoherandsit
snexttoher .

Boy:HiShobe.

Shobe:(
squi
nthereyes)It
odyounott
ocal
lme
t
hat.

Boy:Aomma.I
t'
sani
cename.

Shobe:KagoIsai
dIdon'
twantyout
ocal
lmet
hat
.
Onl
ymyf
ami
lycal
lsmet
hat
.ToyouIam Shayan.

Kago:Butwear
eal
lfami
lyher
eShayan.

Shobe:Whatdoyouwant
?

Kago:Tobeyourf
ri
end.Youdon'
thavefr
iendsand
youhavebeenher
eforthr
eeyear
s.Aren'
tyou
l
onely?

Shobe:Ihavemysibli
ngs.Idon'tneedf
ri
ends.If
youareboredgoandhi tyourheadonabrickyou
wil
lgetenter
tai
ned.

Kago:(
pushesher
)That
'swhypeopl
ehat
eyou.You
ar
erude.Mxm.

Hest
andsupandwal
ksaway.Shobest
andsupand
dustshersel
fbeforerunni
ngandpushingKagoto
thegroundandpunchi nghi
m onhisback
repeatedl
yscreamingandcryi
ng.Thechil
drenst
art
screamingclappi
ngwhi l
ethesoci
alworkercomes
runningtosperat
ethem.

Soci
alworker
:(pul
li
ngherof
f)Shayanst
opi
t!St
op
i
tnow!Shayan!

Thesoci
alworkermanagestopullheroffandhelps
Kagotostandup.Heiscover
edindustandbegi ns
tospi
toutthedi
rtt
hatgotint
ohismout h.

Soci
alwor
ker:
Whyar
eyouf
ight
ing?Huh?

Shayan:(
poi
ntscr
ying)Hest
art
edi
t!

Kago:Idi
dn'
t!Youwer
erudet
ome!
Thesoci
alwor
kerhol
dst
hei
rhandsandwal
kst
hem
tot
hedini
nghall
.

Soci
alworker:wear
ealwayst
alki
ngt
oyoupeople
aboutfi
ght
ing.WenaKagohowmanyt i
mesdowe
havetotel
lyoutost
ayawayfr
om Shayankant
e?O
aboobat l
aengmogoene?

Kago:(
sni
ff
li
ng)t
obeherf
ri
end.

Shayan:(
scr
eams)Idon'
twantt
obehi
sfr
iend!

Socialwor
ker:Kagoyoucan'
tforcesomeonetobe
yourfri
endandyouarenowgoi ngtocl
eanthi
s
room.Sweepandmop.

Kago:butsheist
heonewhowasbeat
ingme!I
di
dn'tbeather
!
Shobe:Youpushedme!

Socialworker
:(holdsherwaist)Isaidcleant his
room.Anddoi tinsilencethi
nkingaboutonet hing.
WenaShayan, thinkabouthowwr ongitistof i
ght
others.Kago,t
hinkabouthowyoucan' tfor
ce
anyonet obeyourf r
iend.I
fIhearanyonet alking
thenyouwi l
lbemaki ngbedst omorrowmor ni ng.

Shewal
ksoutleavi
ngt
het
wogi
vingeachot
her
deat
hst
ares.

Kago:Thi
sisyouf
aul
t.

Shobe:Sayi
tagai
n.

Kago:i
t'
syourf
aul
t.
Shepusheshi
m andhepushesback.

Soci
alwor
ker
:(st
andi
ngbyt hedoor
)Youwil
lbe
maki
ngbedstomorr
ow.Trymeagainandyouwill
bewashi
ngdi
shesafterl
unch.

Theykeepquietandf
oldt
hei
rar
msbl
inki
ngaway
tear
sinthei
reyes.

Soci
alwor
ker
:Gett
hebr
oomsandsweep.

Shewalksawaywhent
heybegi
nsweepi
ngi
n
si
lence.

Hell
o.Thetargetwasn'tr
eachedandIthought
post
ingthethetargetatni
ghtforabonusthenext
daywillgi
vemanyachancebutgopadile.Onl
ythe
l
ikesreachedthet
argetsot
herewi
llbenobonus.
NowIam put t
ingt
hisoneupfort
hechanceofa
weekendbonus.

900li
kes,100commentsand40shar
esby11pm
foraweekendbonus.
[
08/
31,
17:
57] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t69

AtNadi
a'
shouse

Ear
lyMondaymorni
ng,NadiaandMor enashar
ethe
mir
rorasNadi
aputsthef
inishi
ngtouchesofher
makeuponwhil
eMorenafixeshisti
e.

Morena:Youhaven'
tsai
dmucht
hismor
ning.Ar
e
yousureyouareOK?
Nadia:Whati st
heetosaytota?Iam j
ustasking
myselfwhati swrongwit
hme.Idon'tgetwhyIcan't
fal
lpregnant.Imeanwehavesexmor et
hanmany
couplesdobecausewear etryi
ngtoconcievebutI
am fail
ing.WhatdidIdotodeservet
his?

Mor ena:Ithinkyouoverthinkit.AlltheresearchI
havedoneshowst hatst
resscausesdi ffi
cult
yin
concei vi
ng.Maybeweshoul dj ustfocusont he
weddi ngfornowandwor konget ti
ngpr egnantlater
.
Wehaveal otonourplateasi tisandi t
'stoomuch
stressonyou.( wrapshishandsar oundherwai st)I
am sur eoncewear eonourhoneymoon, youwi llbe
sor el
axedt hatyouwillf
allpregnantonourf i
rst
night.

Nadi
a:(
smi
les)Yout
hink?

Mor
ena:Iknow.See,
that
'swhatIl
iket
osee.That
gorgeoussmil
e.Sohol
dyourheadhighandsmile.
Everyt
hingi
sgoingt
oworkoutforus.Youwil
lsee.

Nadi
at urnsar oundandki
sseshim.Shet
henwipes
t
helipsti
ckof fhismouthandtur
nsbacktot
he
mir
rorget t
ingr eadyf
orwork.

Att
hehospi
tal

Lea:Comei
n!

DrMasonopenst hedoorandwalksinhol
dinga
boxofchocol
ateswit
hagui l
tysmil
eonhisface.
Leafol
dsherarmsandl eansbacki
nherchair.

Lea:Foramanwhohasbeenbeggingf
ormont
hs
formet ogoonadat
ewi
thhim,yousur
eare
disappoi
nti
ng.
DrMason:AoLeaIt oldyouIhadacr it
icalpati
ent
andasheadofemer gencyIcouldn'
tknockof f
l
eavi
ngmyj uniortohandlesuchacompl i
cated
sur
gery.YouknowIwoul dn'
tjustdr
opyoul ikethat
.
Howaboutadoovert onight?I
syourhelperbackso
shecanbabysit?

Lea:ahIevenchangedmymi ndabouti
tbecause
youareclear
lynotser
iousaboutme.

DrMasonputst
hechocolateonthetabl
eandl
eans
for
war
dstari
ngstr
aighti
ntohereyes.

DrMason:Lea, Ithi
nkyoumi ghtt
hinkIam afool
j
ustbecauseIl ikeyouandIknowgor elonabatsadi
l
ei lagobonamot hoasat swala.Kaomponet seo
setseont l
waelaakere?(Iknowyouwoment endto
l
oser espectforamanaf terseeingthem naked.
)
YouandIar egoi ngouttonight.Bereadyat6pm.I
willbether
et opickyouup.Okar eot l
atenakago
rapelwathata.(Yourconstantneedtobebeggedi s
st
art
ingt
oannoyme.
)

HissternvoiceandangrydemeanormakesLea's
cl
itt
wi tch.Shehasneverseenhim angr
yorheard
hi
svoi cesogr uf
f.Hetur
nstoleaveandLeastands
up.

Lea:pl
easedon'
tleave.Lockt
hedoorandcome
back.

DrMasonl ooksatherandseest helustclouding

hereyes.Hel ockst hedoor ,shut stheblindsthen
walksbackt oher.Herbr eathingget sheavierwit
h
everystephet akest owar dsher .Hesi t
sheront he
deskandbegi nst okissher .Hi stongueenvadesher
mout hdeepeningt heki ssast heirheartrates
i
ncrease.Herhandsr eachf orhist i
e.Sheloosensit
andbegi nstounbut tonhi sshirtwhi l
ehishandsgo
upherbl ouseandr eleaseonebr eastfr
om t hebr
a.
Het henlif
tsherblousehi gherandl ower shishead
totongueherni pplecausi nghert oarchherbackt o
givehim moreaccessaspl easurer ushesallover
herbody.Shebi t
esherli
pandt hrowsherhead
back.Her el
easestheotherbreastandr epeatsthe
sameact i
onwhi l
eLeabal ancesher selfonher
hands.Hermout hisnowopenasheusest hetipof
histonguetofli
ckhernipples.Het hensuddenl y
stopsandwi peshismoutht henbegi nst obutton
hisshir
tbackupandf ixi
nghi stie.

Lea:(
desper
atel
y)Masewhatar
edoi
ng?Whydi
d
youstop?

DrMason:Youwi
llgetmor
etoni
ght
.Iam goi
ngt
o
wor
k.

Hewalksawayandopensthedoorl
eavi
ngLeast
il
l
si
tt
ingontopoft
hetabl
einshock.

I
nNadi
a'
scar
.
Nadi
a:(
ont
hephone)HiRoxy.I
sMar
cusi
n?

Roxy:No.Hesaidheismeeti
ngyouatt
he
orphanagesohewillgost
rai
ghtt
her
ebefor
e
comingintowork.

Nadi
a:OhOK.Ij
ustwant
edtoconf
ir
m.Kanaboss
mancanbefor
getf
ulatt
imes.

Roxy:(
chuckl
es)That
'swhyIam themost
i
mpor t
antwomaninhisli
fe.Ihavehi
sli
fei
nthi
s
i
Pad.

Nadi
a:(
chuckl
es)Shar
p.Letmehur
ryovert
her
e.

Roxy:
.Goodl
uck!

Shehangsupanddr
ivesonunt
ilsheget
stot
he
orphanageint heoutskirt
sofGabor one.Shet akes
herwor ki
Padoutandbegi nst akingnot esasshe
walksin.Shenot estheol dpai ntthatneedst ober e
done,thealmostr ustyplayar eat hatonlyhasa
swingandasl i
de.Shewal ksovert ot heoffi
ce
fol
lowingthedi r
ecti
onst heguar dgaveher .Even
theoffi
ceisashedi nthecor neroft heyar d.She
fi
ndsherbossseat edacr ossf rom awomanwhose
smilesspeakvol umes.Anywomanwi t
heyescan
seethatMar cusisat reattolookatsoofcour se
thi
swomani sdot i
ngoverhi m.

Mar
cusstandsupwhenNadiaknocksonthedoor.
Hegi
vesherawarm smi
leandshakesherhand.

Mar
cus:Howar
eyouMi
ssNadi
a?

Nadia:Iam fi
nebossman.IhopeIdi
dn'
tkeepyou
wait
ingfortoolong.
Mar
cus:notatal
l.Ij
ustcameear
ly.

Nadi
a:OhOK.

Marcus:MissMedupe,t
hisist
hel
adyinchar
geof
t
heproject
.Itwasal
lherideat
oact
uall
ydothi
s.
MeetNadiaSupang.Nadia,Mi
ssMedupe.

Her
:(shakesNadi
a'
shand)Pl
easecal
l,
meLebo.

Nadi a:(
smiles)It
'sapleasuret
omeetyouLebo.I
hopeIam nott oofor
war dbutIhaveal
readytaken
noteoft herenovati
onsthatneedtobedonel ikethe
paintandplayar ea.I
'dli
ketoseetheinter
iorsowe
canact ual
lyhaveani deaofthemagnitudeoft he
project.

Marcus:(
chuckl
es)If
orgottotel
lyout
hatshe
doesn'
twasteti
me.Let
'sallsi
tdownfi
rstandt
alk
aboutourpl
ans.Nadi
acanyoust
artbyexpl
aini
ng
whatyouwanttodo.

Nadi a:(
sitsdownwi thanembar rassedsmi le)Iam
sorry.Iam justsopassi onateaboutmywor kthatI
alwaysj ustwantt oseemysel fgetti
ngt hi
ngsdone.
Wehaveal istoforphanagest hatwehavesel ected
basedont hei rl
imi
tedf unding.Theseor phanages
willbepar tofapr ojectcall
edMakeaHome.We
wantt ohel pmaket heenvironmentchi ldr
engr ow
upi naswar m andcomf ort
ingaspossi blef orall
thesechi l
drenwhowi l
lgrowupi norphanages.We
asAgent sofChangewi l
lhostdinnerstor aise
fundsaswel lashostcompet i
ti
onst hatwillhelpus
rai
set hemoneyweneed.Nowt hishomei st hefirst
oneandouri ntent
ionist ohavewor kedont en
homesi nt woyear s.

Lebo:Wow.Thi sisamazingtohearbecause
honestl
yt hi
ngsaren'
teasyforushere.Weare
grat
efulforthefoodpar
celswegetfrom shopsbut
i
t'
snotenough.Wewantt hesechildrentogr owup
ashappyaschi ldr
enlivi
ngwi ththeirfamil
ieswould.
Thatisourdesireasahomebutwecan' talways
makei thappen.Whenwegetof ferssuchasyour s,
i
tfil
lsmyhear twit
hjoy.Event hechi l
drenwi l
lbe
happyt ogetanewpl ayarea.Theygocr azywhen
wetaket hem onouti
ngsandt heygett oplayon
ni
ceswi ngsandslides.EbileIam soexci t
ed.Nadia
mmal et'sgosoyoucanst art
.

Marcusl aughsandstandsup.Het henushersthem

outandf oll
owsbehindast hesocialworkershows
them around.Theygettothesleepingquartersand
seetwochi ldr
enmakingthebedswi thsourlooks
ontheirfaces.

Mar
cus:Whydot
heyl
ooksoangr
y?

Lebo:thesetwoar
esonaught y.Theyar
eservinga
punishmentandItol
dthem nottospeakatall
becausef ort
hem,
speakingmeansf i
ghti
ng.They
havenopeace.

Nadi
a:(
chuckl
es)howl
onghavet
heybeenher
e?

Lebo:Kago, theboy, hasbeenher esi ncehewas

born.Hismot herdiedduri
ngdeliveryandnoneof
herrelati
vescl ai
medhi m sohehadt ocomeher e.
Shayanont heot herhandcameher ethreeyears
agowi ththreeofhersi bli
ngs.Oneoft hem was
adoptedyest erdayandi thasupsetherver ymuch.
Shesayshermot herabandonedt hem hereafter
promisingtogett hem.Atthispointwear en'
tsure
whati str
uebecausewhent heycameher e,i
twasa
dif
ferentstory.Weevenwentt ot hepol i
cesot hey
canhel puasf i
ndt hei
rparentsbutwehadnol uck.

Nadi
a:Aobat
hong.That
'ssosad.I
sitOKi
fIt
alkt
o
t
hem?

Lebo:Nopr
obl
em.
Nadi
awal
ksovert
ot heangr
ypai
randst
ands
bet
weent
hebedstheyaremaki
ng.

Nadi
a:Dumel
angt
lhebat
hong.

Bot
h:(
wit
houtl
ooki
ngather
)Dumel
ang.

Nadi
a:MynameisNadi
a.Ihearyout
wol
ike
f
ight
ing.Why?

Kago:Idon'
tli
kef
ighti
ng.Sheli
kesf
ight
ing.Ij
ust
wantedtobeherf
riendbutIdon'
twantt
oanymor e.

Nadia:(l
ooksatShobe)Don'tyouwanthimtobe
yourfri
end?Ididn'thavef
ri
endswhenIwas
growingupandIwasver yl
onelyunti
lIwas
eight
eenyear soldwhenagirli
nmycl asswanted
tobemyf r
iend.Iwasalwaysshouti
ngatherand
tel
li
nghertoleavemeal
onebecauseIdidn'
twant
hertoabandonmel i
kemyfat
herdidandnowshe
i
smybestf ri
end.

Shobe:(
looksup)whydi
dyourf
atherabandonyou?

Nadia:(sit
sonthebedandt heydothesame)Iused
tot
hinki twasmyf aul
tandIhatedmyselfforitbut
nowIr eali
zethatheisjustabadmanandIam
bet
terof fwit
houthim.Ibecameabetterperson
wit
houthi m.

Shobe:Mymot heralsolef
tmeandmysi bl
ings.She
promisedshewillcomebackbutshel
iedtous.
(snif
fl
es)nowmybr ot
heri
sgoneandIam never
goingtoseehi
m agai n.

Nadi
a:Idon'
tthi
nkso.Di
dyouaskt
hesoci
alwor
ker
i
fyoucanseeyourbrot
her?
Shobe:(
shakesherhead)Iwasj
ustangr
y.

Nadi
a:Iam sur
ethepeopl
ewhoadopt
edhi
m know
hehasbrot
hersandsi
ster
sandmayall
owyouto
seehi
m.

Shobe:(
li
ght
sup)r
eal
ly?

Nadi
a:Wehavet
oasksowecanknow.

Shobe:(
smi
lesandwi
peshert
ear
s)OKIwi
llask.

Kago:Butwhydi
dn'
tyourmot
hert
ellyourf
athernot
t
ogo?

Nadi
a:(
sighs)Mymom passedawaywhenIwas
bor
n.
Kago:l
ikeme?

Nadia:Yes.Justl
ikeyou.Butyougett
ogrowup
wit
hot herki
dstoplaywithunli
keme.Yougett
obe
achild.

Kago:Iknow.Ilikebeinghere.Oneofmyf r
iendsi n
schoolsayshisfatherisalwaysbeati
nghi m and
hismotherwhenhei sdrunksoIthinkIam bet ter
thanhim becauseherewedon' tgetbeaten.They
makeuswor konlywhenwear ebehavingbadl y.I
sometimeswi shIcangetadopt edbutit'
soki fIam
notbecausesoonIwi l
lgotouniver
sityandmake
moneyf ormyself.

Nadia:(smi
les)wowKago.Youar esuchabr
ave
boy.IwishIthoughtli
keyouwhenIwasyourage.
Neverlosethatfi
ghti
ngspir
iti
nyouOK?

Kago:(
nods)Iam goi
ngt
obever
yri
choneday.
Shobe:Met
oo!

Nadia:(
laughs)howl
uckyam It
obesur
roundedby
r
ichpeople?Remembermewhenyoumakeyour
f
irstmil
li
on.

Kago:(
laughs)Iwi
lll
ookf
oryou.Youwi
llsee.

Nadi
a:(
laughsandstandsup)canIhaveahug
f
rom mynewf r
iends?

Theybot
hshyl
yhugher
.

Shobe:Youareverybeaut
if
ul.WhenIgr
owupI
wanttolookl
ikeyou.

Nadi
a:ohwow.Thankyoubaby.OKl
etmel
eave
youtwot
of i
nishyourwor
k.Iwi
llcomeandsaybye
bef
oreIl
eaveOK?

Theybothnodshylyandgetbacktodoingthei
r
bedschatti
ngwithsmil
esonthei
rfaces.Nadia
j
oinsMar cusandLebowhohavehugesmi leson
thei
rfaces.

Mar
cus:youar
esogoodwi
thki
ds.

Nadia:Ij
ustunderstandthem mor ebecauseIhave
beenwheretheyar e.And,i
fit
'sokwi thyoutwo,I
thi
nkIhavefoundt hefacesofourcampai gn.I
'd
l
iketousetheirf
acesont heticketstubs.

Lebo:(smil
es)Letmegooveritwi
ththerestofmy
team andgetbacktoyou.Weli
ketoensureour
chil
dren'
ssafet
ysoIcan'tmakesuchdecisi
onson
myown.
Nadi
a:of
cour
se.

Theycont
inuet
hei
rwalkar
oundt
hehome
di
scussi
ngthei
rpl
ans….

Tl
otl
o

Li
fecanki
ckyouintheguttwhenyoul
eastexpecti
t.
Howisitt
hatIam i
ntopoftheworl
donedayand
downonmyl uckt
henext?

Avi
:(i
mpat
ient
ly)Wher
eist
hedoct
ornow?

Wewer edirectedtothedoctor
'soff
iceandhave
beenwaiti
ngf orhimf ort
enminutesnowandAvi 's
pati
enceisveryt hi
nsincetheacci
dent.Idon'tsay
mucht ohim anymor ebecauseIdon'twanttofight
wit
hhim.
TheDoct
orfinall
ycomesi nt
other
oom andgr
eet
s
usbef
oretakinghisseat
.

Avi
:Dochowi
she?Hisbr
other
sandsi
ster
sar
e
her
eandwoul
dli
ket
oseehim.

DrMason:Unf or
tunatel
ynoonecanseehi mtoday.
Hissystem crashedlastnightandhehadt o
undergomor esur ger
y.Hei sst
il
lcri
ti
calandhasn'
t
comeoutofhi scomaal t
hought heswell
ingonhis
brai
nhasgonedown.

Me:(l
icki
ngmyl i
ps)Doct orpleasejustletussee
him.Wehardlysl
eptandnowyouar etel
li
ngus
aboutsyst
em fai
lures.Pleaseletusseeourson
evenifi
t'
sforami nute.Justtoseehi m.Please.

DrMason:Iknowt hi
sisn'
teasyforyoubutIneed
youtotrustt
hatwhatIam sayi
ngisthebestthing
foryoursonri
ghtnow.Youcancalltowar
dsvi si
ti
ng
hourintheeveningtofindoutifheisinastatet
o
beseen.LikeIsaidyesterday,
ICUisverysensit
ive
andsomet i
meswedon' tall
owvisi
torsatall
.Thi
sis
oneofthosetimes.Allyoucandonowi fyouare
bel
iever
sistopr ayf
oryourson.Onl yGodcan
contr
olhisoutcome.

OKno.Iknowwhatt hisis.It
'sadream.Yes.Iam
dreaming.Iam abouttowakeupf rom thi
s
night
mar e.AndAbot l
eisthet heonewhoi sgoing
tojumpi nt
omybedandt ouchmyf acewit
htiny
sti
ckyfingerst
hathavebeenst eal
ingsugar.Heis
goingtokissmeal lovermyf aceaski ngmetowake
up.Iknowi t
.Iam dreaming.

Li
kesdidn'
treacht
hetargetBUTIwi
llst
il
lposta
weekendbonusforthesakeoft
hecomment sand
shar
es.
Onesi
mpl
erequestf
ort
hesecondweekendbonus.

100shar
esby5pm t
omor
rowf
ort
hesecondbonus
[
08/
31,
17:
57] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t70

[
thr
eeweeksl
ater
]

AtAgape'
swor
kpl
ace

Tyl
erwal
ksi
ntot
her
ecept
ionar
eahol
dingapaper
bag.

Tyl
er:
(tot
herecept
ioni
st)Hel
lo.I
sMi
ssAgape
Thompsonin?
Recept
ioni
st:I
ssheexpect
ingyou?

Tyl
er:(
smil
es)Yesshei
s.Tel
lherTyl
eri
sher
eto
seeher.

Therecept
ioni
stdi
alsandspeakst
oAgapet
hen
hangsupagain.

Recept
ioni
st:Youcangoandseeher
.

Tyl
ersmilesandwalksoff
.Heknocksonthedoor
ofAgape'
soffi
ceandwalksin.Agapel
eansbacki
n
herchai
randfoldsherar
ms.

Agape:Whatdoyouwant
?

Tyl
er:
(smi
lesandsi
tsdown)KanaAgapeyoudon'
t
knowhowdet
erminedIcanbe.Iam notgoi
ngt
o
stopcomi
ngf
oryou.

Agape:( wit
haser iousf ace)Tyl erdoyounot
understandthatIhavenot i
menorener gyf orthi
s?
Bringi
ngmel unchever ydayi sn'tgoingt ochange
mymi nd.Myf amilyisgoi ngthr ought hemostr i
ght
nowandyouexpectmet ohavet imef oryouwhen
mybr otherandhi swi f
ear egoi ngt hroughsomuch
pain?Mynephewhasbeenl yingi nahospi talbed
foralmostamont handi sn'
twaki ngup.Thoset wo
fi
ghtwhenevert heyspeakt oeachot her.Doyou
knowwhati t
'sli
kebei ngi nthathouse?ImeanI
foundahouset oliveinbutIcan' tleavet hekids
withtheirparentsbecauset her eisnopeacei nthat
house.Iam sost r
ainedbot hatwor kandathome.
Sot el
lmewher eyouwantt of itinallthi
st urmoil?

Tyl
er:(
sighs)Agape,Tl
otl
oandAviar
elikef
amil
yto
meandIf eelthei
rpai
n.Amant
leasksmewhere
Abotl
eiseveryday.Mykidsmi
ssthei
rcousi
nsand
thisisapainfult
imeforeveryone.AllIam t
ryi
ngto
doi sbethereforyouinal
lthis.AviandTlotl
owil
l
makei toutofthisandwherewi l
lyoubewhent hi
s
storm passes?

Agape:Ican' tthi
nkaboutyour i
ghtnowTyl erandI
needyout ostopbecausei t'
sat otalturnoffforme.
Imeancan' tyoutakeahi nt?Idon' twantt obewi th
you.Maybei fIsayitclearlyyouwi l
lfinal
lyletit
si
nki ntoyourhead.Bei nghandsomeandhavi ng
womendr ooloveryoudoesn' tmakeyouwhatI
wanti naman.Idon' twantyouTyl er.Getitinyour
headandmoveont oot herwomenbecauseIam
notpl ayi
nghar dtoget.Idon' twantyou.Whydon' t
ment akeawoman' snoast hat?Iam notsayi ng
fi
ghtf orme.Smi li
ngwi thyoui sn'tmywayof
sayingIam enj oyi
ngyourat tenti
on.Hakegobat le
Tyler.(Idon'twantyou)

Tyl
erl
eansbacki
nthechai
randthi
nshiseyes
whi
ler
ubbinghi
sbear
d.Helooksathert
hen
chucklesbeforest
andingup.Heputsthefoodon
thetableandwalksoutwithoutsayi
nganythi
ngt
o
her.Sheisleftl
ooki
ngatthebagont hetabl
e
feel
ingbadf orwhatshesaidtohim….

I
nNadi
a'
sof
fi
ce

MarcuswalksintoNadi
a'
soff
iceholdingaplast
ic
bagandplacesitonthet
abl
e.Nadialift
sherhead
fr
om herl
aptopandpushesherglassesup.

Marcus:(
sit
sdown)Youwor
ktoohar
dNadi
a.You
needtoeat.

Nadi
a:Iwasjustappr
ovi
ngt
headf
rom t
he
desi
gner
.Look.

Sheisaboutt
oturnt
helapt
opbuthest
andsupand
goesbehi
ndher.Hel
eansinengul
fi
ngNadi
ainhi
s
str
ongcologne.Heleanssocloset
hatt
heircheeks
almostt
ouch.Nadia'
sheartbeatsi
nherearsasshe
keepsherfocusonthescreen.

Marcus:OKt
hisi
smuchbet
tert
hant
hef
ir
stone.
Whatdoyouthi
nk?

Hi
sli
pbrushesagai
nsthercheekwhenhet
urnshi
s
f
acemakingNadia'
sthr
oatdryup.

Nadia:Y…yes.(cl
ear
shert
hroat
)It
oldhi
mtogo
aheadwiththi
sone.

Mar
cus;OK.

Heholdshispositi
onlooki
ngatherenjoyi
ngt
he
eff
ecthehasonher .Watchi
ngherchestri
seand
fal
lasshelooksstrai
ghtaheadnotdari
ngtol
ookat
him makeshim chuckl
ebeforewal
kingbackt
ohis
seat
.

Marcus:(
takest
hef
oodout
)howaboutyouputt
hat
awaysowecaneat?

Nadia:(pr
essesthef akecallbutt
ononherphone)
Sorryletmegetthis.Hibabe? .
..
..OKIwasjust
abouttoleavenow….Yeswewi l
lmeetther
einless
thattenminutes….OkIl oveyout oo.

She'
hangsup'
andst
art
spacki
ngup.

Nadi
a:SorryIhavet
ogo.Mor
enaandIal
readyhad
l
unchplans.

Marcus:(
rai
seshisbrow)ao.
.OKIwi
llj
ustshar
e
t
hiswithRoxythen.
Nadi
anodsherheadandst
andsup.

Marcus:Tel
lhimtomarr
yyoual
ready.Awoman
l
ikeyoushouldn'
tbet
oyedwi
th.

Nadi
asmi
lesandwal
kst
othedoor
.

Nadi
a:Iwi
llbebacki
nti
mef
ort
hemeet
ing.

Marcus:Noneed,Ij
ustneededaprogressrepor
t
ontheadanyway.Youcantaketherestoftheday
of
fsinceyousai
dyouhaveaf amil
ythingtomorrow.

Nadi
a:(
smil
es)Thankyouver
ymuchsi
r.Iwi
llsee
youonMondaythen.

Sheopenst
hedoorandwal
ksoutt
ohercar
…
 Nadi
a

Eventheslowestpersononearthcanseet he
movesMar cusismakingonmeandi tmakesme
uncomf or
tablebecausehei
snotj ustmybossbut
thefounderoftheorgani
zat
ion.IdialBol
engas
soonasIgeti nthecar.

Bol
eng:Br
idet
obe!

Me:(
sigh)Fr
iendst
ressl
evel
sar
eri
sing.

Bol
eng:Whatgi
ves?

Me:Marcusohemahemel amogonnamma
(
Marcusis,l
it
eral
lybr
eat
hingdownmyneck)

Bol
eng:(
laughs)youhavehotpeopl
epr
obl
ems.
Me:(chuckli
ng)Beethi
sisn'tal
aughi
ngmatt
er.
KanaMar cusdoesn'
thidethathewantsmeandI
don'
tknowhowt ohandlei
t.

Bol
eng:Doesn'
theknowyouar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?

Me:Heobvi ousl
yknowsIam engagedbutIdon'
t
tal
kabouttheweddingwi t
hpeoplebecausemum
alwayswarnsusagainstthat
.Sohedoesn't
actual
lyknowIam gett
ingmar ri
edinf
ivemont
hs.
Heevensai dIshoul
dtellMorenatomarrymeand
stoptoyi
ngwi t
hme.

Boleng:Sowhydoyout
hinkhewant
syoui
fhe
saysyoushoul
dgogetmarri
ed?

Me:(f
rust
rat
ed)Bolengthemangetsunnecessar
il
y
cl
osetomeandset supuselessmeeti
ngsbetween
us.ImeanIshoul
dber epor
ti
ngtotheheadof
Orphanagef
undi
ngbutIam theonl
yemployeein
mypositi
onwhorepor
tsdi
rectl
ytohim.Whatis
t
hat?

Bol
eng:(
laughs)Butdi
dn'
tyousayMar
cusand
Morenaarefr
iends?

Me:Bolengont enagor ekanakasetshegonyanasa

gago.(youarer eall
yannoyi ngmewi thyour
l
aughter)Theyusedpl aybasketbal
ltoget
herback
i
ntheday.Theyar en'tfri
ends.Mxm youknowwhat ?
Haonamosol awai tse.(Youareuselesstomer i
ght
now)

Ihangupandsi gh.Wher eam Ievengoing?That

foodsmel l
edsogoodt hatmyst omachisr umbl i
ng
atthethoughtofi tandMor enaandIaresobr oke
becauseoft heweddi ngt hatwepackf oodf r
om
homebutt hef ooli
shmef orgotherl
unchont he
counterthi
smor ni
ng.Iopenmyasht rayandst ar
t
counti
ngcoi ns.OKat leastIcangetmaf r
eshand
magwinya.Idri
veoutoft hepar kinglotbecauseI
obvi
ousl
ycan'tleavemycarher e.Thatwoul dblow
mycover.Ican'
tevenbuyf r
om t hewomanIusual l
y
buyfr
om acrosst hestreetbecauseIdon' twantto
bespott
edafterlying.Idriveintot henextstr
eetand
buyfr
om therethensi ti
nmycarandbegi ntoeat.
OhGodt hi
sfatcakei ssohor r i
ble.Seemyl if
e…..

Tl
otl
o

Ihaven' torder edanycl ot

hessi nceAbot l
e'
s
acci dentandt heshopIr entispr acticallyempt y
rightnowbutIdon' thavet heener gyt ocar e.Iam
justt oostrainedt ot hinkofmybusi nessr i
ghtnow.
Aviwentt ovi sitAbot l
er i
ghtnowsoIam goi ngto
visithimi nt heeveni ng.Wedon' ttalkanymor e.I
f
wedo, i
t'
sonl yt ofight.Somet i
mesIt hinkIwoul d
havebeenbet t
erof fifheort hehospi talhad
repor tedme.Iwoul dhavebeenbet terof finjailfor
reckl essdrivingt hanwhatIam goi ngt hroughr i
ght
now.Imi ssmyhusbandsomuch.Iknowi ti
smy
faultthatwear einthispositi
onbutIwi shheandI
wer eint histogether.Abotlehashadtwor epl
ases
i
nt hepastt hreeweeksandaf terthet
hirdsur
gery,
Avimovedi ntohisbedr oom becuasehesaidhe
want edt of eelcl
osert ohim.Imi sshi
m somuch
butit'
sl i
kehecan' tstandthesightofme.Iam
dyingi nside.

Voi
ce:Pennyf
oryourt
hought
s?

Il
if
tmyheadandseeBogosist
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
ofmybout
ique.

Me:(
sur
pri
sed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Thelookonhisfacesayshepitt
iesme.Ihat
ethat
l
ook.IknowIlookterr
ibl
e.Idon'
tevenl
ookmyself
i
nthemi r
roranymore.
Bogosi
:Icametobuylunchandsawyoui
nher
e.
Whatareyouevendoi
nghere?

Me:(
fai
ntsmi
le)I
t'
smyhaven.

Heclosesthedoorandwal
ksoverwi
thhi
sfood
andstandsnextt
ome.

Bogosi
:Youknowyouar
egoi
ngt
omakei
toutof
thi
sAkere?

Ibi
temyupperli
pnoddingmyheadandbl
inki
ng
r
api
dlybutt
hetear
sjustfal
l.

Bogosi
:Ohsugarcakesdon'
tdot
hat
.Come.Peopl
e
canseeinher
e.

Hepul
lsmeoutofmychai
randl
eadsmet
omy
smal
lof
fi
ceint
hebackwher
ehehol
dsmeandl
et'
s
mecryi
nhisar
ms.

Bogosi :Thi
sisn'
tyourf aultTlotlo.Youmadea
mistake.Youar ethekindest,mostl ovingpersonI
knowandyouar ethedefinit
ionofamamabear .
Youl oveyourchildrenmor ethananyt hingand
wouldneverhar mt hem onpur pose.Youneedt o
for
giveyour sel
fsoyoucanbet hest r
engthyourson
needsyout obeOK?

Me:(
cryi
ng)it
'smyfaul
t!Ishoul
dhavechecked.I
al
wayscheckbutIwasrunningtohel
pChantell
e.
Whati
swr ongwit
hme?

Bogosi:(hol
dsmyf ace)heydon'tt
hinkli
kethat
sugarcakes.Don't.Youmadeami stakeOK?( Inod)
Abotleisgoingtowakeupdoyouhearme?( Inod)
thefactthatheisstil
lholdi
ngonmeanshei sjust
abouttoopenhi seyesot her
wisethedoctor
swoul d
havetoldyout hati
t'sahopelesscase.Heisgoi ng
t
obef
ineOK?

InodmyheadandIdon' tknowhowl ookingintohis

eyest ur
nedintoaki ssorhowcl othesstarted
comi ngoffbuttheriseinmyhear trateandt he
pleasurecloudedallmyi nhi
bit
ionsandnowIf i
nd
mysel fl
yingnexttoBogosipant i
ngf orairaft
era
tr
ipdownmemor ylanethatIam begi nni
ngt oregr
et.
Ijustcheatedonmyhusbandwi thmyexboyf ri
end.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commentandshar
e
[
08/
31,
17:
58] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t71

AtTl
otl
o'sshop
Tl
otl
o:ohGod!OhGod!OhGodwhathaveIdone?

Shewi pesthet
earsfall
ingf
rom hereyesand
standsuptogetdressed.Bogosihashishands
overhiseyeswhil
elyingonthefloor
.

Tlot
lo:Getupandgetdresseddammi
t!Whydidyou
evevncomeher eBogosi
?Isthi
swhatyouwanted?

Bogosi:(
frowns)Me?Youar et
heonewhogaveme
the'
f*ckme' eyes.Whatdi
dyouwantmetodo?

Tlotl
o:(thr
owscl othesathi
m)Idi dn'
t!Youtook
advantageofmypai nBogosi.YouknowhowIwant
tobet ouchedwhenIam st ressed!Youknowi tand
usedi t
!(sni
ff
les)Thisisgoi
ngt oendmymar r
iage.
It
'sover!Iendedt heonethi
ngIal wayswant edand
i
tt ooktheguythatneverwant edtogiveitt
omet o
endi t
.Wow!
Shechuckl
esandst
andsi
nacor
nerf
aci
ngt
hewal
l.

Tlot
lo:Iam r
uined.Thatmanl
ovesme.Heisj
usti
n
painbuthelovesme.HowcouldIdothi
stohi
m?

Bogosiwal
ksoverandhol
dsher
.Shepusheshi
m
backandtur
nsaround.

Tl
otl
o:(
Shout
ing)canyouj
ustgetdr
essedBogosi
!

Bogosi:(get
sdressed)Tl
otl
o,Avidoesn'
tneedt
o
knowwhathappenedher e.Webot hhave
somethingtolosesowhywoul deit
herofustel
lhi
m?
Mywi f
ei spregnantandIdon'
twanttoloseher
.

Tlot
lo:(
rol
lshereyes)mywi f
e.Ohplease!Doyou
evenloveher?Youprobablythi
nkthi
sisachance
forustogetbacktoget
her.Youjustmarri
edher
becauseyouwereashamedofyoursel
f.Iam t
he
onewhocouldloseever
ythi
nghere.

Bogosi:(sighs)TlotloIlovedyouandl ostyou.That
wasoneoft hewor stmistakesofmyl if
ebutour
l
ivesaredi ff
erentnow.Imaynothavebeenover
youwhenIgotmar ri
edtwoyear sagobutIl ovemy
wifenowandIdon' twantgol oseher.Thiswasa
mistake.Wehavehi st
oryandwear efami l
iarwit
h
eachot her.ImeanIhaven' tfeltl
ikethisinyears
becauseyouknowhowIl ikeitandIknowhowyou
l
ikeitbuti twasallami staket hatcandest royus
both.Iam notl osi
nganot hermohgerovmh
chil
drenbecauseIcan' tactr i
ght.Ihaven'tcheated
i
nyear sandIdon' tseewhyt hisonemi stakehast o
tur
noutl ivesupsidedown.Whyhur tthepeopl ewe
l
ove?

Tl
otl
o:(
swal
lows)whati
ftheyf
indout
?

Bogosi:how?Whowoul
dtel
lthem?(
hol
dsher
shoulder
s)Tl
otlogetyoursel
ftoget
her
.Nooneis
fi
ndinganyt
hingout.Thatmeansyoucan'
ttel
l
anyone.NotevenChantel
le.

Tl
otlo:AhChantel
leandIhadaf
all
ingoutsoIwon'
t
betell
ingheranyt
hing.

Bogosi
:OKgood.(
looksathi
swat
ch)Ihavet
ogo.

Tl
otl
o:What
?Nowear egoi
ngt
ogett
est
ed!We
di
dn'
tusepr
otect
ion.

Bogosi
:Tl
otl
oIgottest
edwithmywi f
eatherf
ir
st
checkupt
womont hsago.Iam f
ine.

Tl
otl
o:NoIcan'
ttaket
hatr
isk.Let
'sgo.

Bogosit
akeshi
swal
letoutandshowshert
he
t
est
ingcar
dwi
tht
henegat
iver
esul
t.

Bogosi:Iam fineTlot
lo.Idon'
tcheatanymor e.Wel l
exceptnow.ButIcan' tgoanywherewi t
hyou
becausei t
'sseeti
pidmi st
akesli
kethat,t
hatwi llget
uscaught .Whatifsomeoneseeust her
et ogether?
It
'stoorisky.Gogettestedtoputyourmi ndatease
butgot shwanahel abecauseIam negativeif
anythi
ngyouseet heonewhocoul dinfectme.

Tlot
lo:AviandIgottest
edlastweekbecausewe
wantedtodonatebloodforAbotl
e.Iwasnegati
ve
too.

Bogosi
:Yousee?Sowhyareyouwor
ryi
ngyour
sel
f.
Ihavegogetbackt
owork.

Tlot
lo:(
foldsherarms)Youreal
lyloveherdon'
tyou?
(Bogosifr
owns)Youusedt ocheatmel i
keyou'
dlif
e
dependedoni tandyoudidn'
tcarewhenIfoundout
abouti
tbutyouchamgedf
ofher
.WasInotgood
enough?

Bogosi:Tlotl
ocomeon.Youknowbet tert
hanthat.I
caredverymuchwhenyouf oundout.Ilovedyou
mor ethanyouwi l
lknow.Iwasjustafoolatthe
ti
meandl osi
ngyouchangedme.Ineverwantt o
l
oseanyt hinggoodinmyl i
feagai
n.Ijustcantri
skit
.
Pleasegetamor ningaft
er.

Tlot
lo:(
smil
es)Don'
tworry.Igott
iesupaf
terAbot
le.
Iam happyforyout
hough.

Bogosinodshisheadandwal ksout.Tlot
lo'
sphone
ringsalmosti
mmedi at
elyandit'
sAvi.Herhear
t
jumpst ohert
hroatandherhandsstartshaki
ngas
fearcreepsi
nstthethoughtthathesomehow
knows.Thecallri
ngsuntili
tscutsof
fthenhecall
s
heragain.
Tl
otl
o:comeonTl
otl
orel
ax.(
answer
sthephone)
He.
.Hell
o?

Avi
:(exci
tedl
y)Babywher
eareyou?OhGodbabe
heisawake!Ourboywokeup!Pl
easecomeandsee
hi
m!Hei saskingf
oryou.

Tl
otl
o:(
trear
ingup)what
?

Avi:Goddiditbabe.Hej udtopenedhiseyes.The
doctori
schecki nghim nowbuthei sawakeand
theysayifeverythi
ngisfinehemi ghtbecoming
homewi t
husi nt wodays.OhGodIam sor eli
eved.
Areyoucomi ng?

Tlot
lo:(
sni
ff
lesandnodsherhead)Ye.
.YesIam
coming.

Avi
:Ohmyl
oveIam sosor
ryf
orhowt
hingshave
been.IknowIhaven'
tbeenthebesthusbandtoyou.
Iwasjustsoscaredofl
osingmyson.Please
for
giveme.

Tlot
lo:(
gui
ltr
idden)i
tOK.Letmehangupandcome
ther
e.

Avi
:OKbabe.Il
oveyou.

Tl
otl
o:(
swal
lows)Il
oveyout
oo.

Shehangsupandbal lsouti
nt ear
sasgui l
tchokes
her.Thethoughtthatshewascheat ingonher
husbandwhi l
etheirsonwasf i
nall
ycomi ngoutof
hiscomamadei tfeelt
enti
meswor sethanitdi
d
before.Shepacksupanddeci destogohomef i
rst
totakeashowerbef oredri
vingtothehospit
al……

Nadi
a
Bol
eng'
smum:Mr
sMor
enat
obe,
howar
eyou?

Me:(
giggl
ingandbl
ushi
ng)mamat
lhemmaao.

Ij
ustar r
ivedatt hei
rhouseaf t
erpassi ngbymi net o
pickupmycl othes.Lobolanegotiati
onsar e
happeni ngt omor r
owsot heyinsistedthatIhavet o
comeandsl eepoveratt hei
rhouse.Idon' tknow
whati tisaboutget ti
ngmar ri
edt hathasmeal l
giddyi nside.Ialwayswantt obear oundmyMor ena
andevenbei ngherenowmakesmef eell
onel y
i
nsideal thoughIwokeupf r
om hi shouset his
mor ning.Hehasbeent r
yingtobendmei nt o
agreeingt omovei nwithhim butIam goingt obe
asst ubbor nashei ssoIam notgoi ngtochange
mymi nd.Atl eastnotuntilt
hemagadii spaid.I
woul dn'tfeelasguiltyasIotherwisewoul difIli
ved
withhi m now.Iam j ustsoexcited!
Boleng'
smum:(smiles)Si
tdownIwantt
otel
lyou
aboutthedr
eam Ihad.

Isi
tnextt
oheront
hecouchwhi
leshemut
est
he
TV.

Boleng' smum:Iwokeupf rom awonder fuldr eam

thismor ning.Isawyoust andingont opof
somet hing.Idon'tknowwhati twasbutyouwer e
standi ngonsomeel evatedar eawhilesurrounded
bymanywomenandchi l
dren.Youwer espeaki ngin
anwhatseemedt obeanopenf i
eldandIwas
amongt hepeopl elisteningtoyou.Ihadt earsofjoy
i
nmyeyesasIl i
stenedt oyou.If orgotwhatyou
wer esayi ngbutIwassopr oudofyou.ThenIsaw
yourgr andmot herst andingbehi ndyouwi thahuge
smi leonherf ace.Shenoddedherheadatmeand
smi ledbef oresayyi ng'shef inall
ydidit
.'Shewas
sayingyouf i
nall
ydi di t
.WhenIl ookedaroundIsaw
thatwewer einthemi ddleofaf arm.WhenIwoke
up, Iremember edt hatf arm yourgrandmot herleft
f
oryou.

Me:(
frowni
ng)Whatcoul
ditevenmean?Thel
ast
t
imeIwenttothef
arm wasaft
erI…

Ikeepqui
etbeforesayingtoomuch.Iwentther
e
aft
erqui
tt
ingtheJojodolls.Thatwast
hefi
rstand
l
astti
meIwentt here.

Me:i
twasyear
sago.

Boleng'
smum:Ican'
tsayIunderst
oodthedream
butIknowyouhavetodosomethingt
here.Idon'
t
knowwhatbutyoushoul
dprayandGodwi llr
eveal
i
ttoyou.DoudvenprayNadia?

Me:(
looki
ngatmyf
eet
)Ahsomet
imes.
Boleng'smum:Youhavet omakeGodyourpi ll
army
chil
d.Pr ayerisimportantbecauseitgivesyou
peace.Youdon' thavetomakenoi seandsweatt o
pray.Justopenyoumout handspeakt oagodlike
youwoul dtalktome.Hei syourpar ent.Iusedto
takeachai randputacr ossmi nethenIwoul dsit
downandbegi ntotal
k.Iwouldjustt alktoHim asif
Hei ssitt
ingont hatchairandIam tel l
ingyouI
woul dfeelhim wrapmeupi nhisarms.Idon' tknow
whyIf eltli
kesayingthistoyounowbutl ear
nto
praymychi ld.

Inodmyheadandwi pet earsIdidn'

tknowwer e
there.Sheholdsmyhandsandbegi nstopr ayfor
me.Bl essingmefortomor row.Iam gratefulforher
i
nmyl ife.I
nherIfoundt heloveofapar entthatI
neverhad.Shehasor ganizedherrelat
ivesto
representmeinthenegot i
ati
onsandIam mor e
thangr atef
ulf
orit
.Ihugheraf t
ershefinishes
praying.
Me:Thankyousomuchf
oral
waysbei
ngt
her
efor
me…..

Att
hehospi
tal

Tlot
lorunsintot
hehospi
talandwal kst
oherson's
ward.ShefindsAvii
ntheroom withherbabyboy
whoi ssi
tt
ingupandlaughing.Tl
otl
o'stear
sfall
whensheseeswhatshet houh8shewoul dnever
seeagain.

Tl
otl
o:ohmybabybat
hong!

Shewal
ksoverandhugshi
m bei
ngcar
efulnott
o
hur
thi
m.

Tl
otl
o:Iam sosor
rymybaby.Mummyi
ssosor
ry.
OhGod!
Avihol
dsbot
hoft
hem andki
ssest
het
opofTl
otl
o's
head.

Avi
:It
'sovernowmyl
ove.I
t'
sal
lover
.

Abot
le:(
laughi
ng)mama,
papaIcan'
tsee!

Theylaughandr
eleasehi
m.Tlotl
olooksathi
m and
cover
shermouthasmor etear
sfall
.

Tl
otl
o:Iam sohappy!

Aviwal
ksovert
ohersi
deandhugshert
ight
.

Avi
:Iam sosor
ryforhowIhavebeent
reat
ingyou.
Wil
lyoueverf
orgi
veme?

Tl
otl
o'shear
tbegi
nst
oraceassher
emember
sthe
dayshejusthad.Gi
muil
tchickenshersohardt
hat
shei
sreadyt opopbutt
hethoughtofrunni
ngher
fami
lybyconfessi
ngscaresher.

Tlot
lo:i
t'sok.Wewer
ebothunderal
otofst
ress
andstressmakesusdothi
ngswenormall
y
wouldn'tdo.

Avil
ooksatherandpl
ant
saki
ssonherl
ips.

Abot
le:(
cover
shi
seyes)eeeeeeewdaddy!

Avi:
(l
aughs)Andhei
sback.

Tl
otl
o:Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay?

Avi
:Hesayst
heywillkeephi
mf orobser
vat
ionfor
t
wodaysbutheishealingwel
lfr
om thesur
geri
es.
Healsosaidthattherewasnobr aindamageandas
youcansee,heishi mselfsowear eoutofthe
woodsinthatarea.Ijustcan'
twaittotakehim
home.

Tl
otl
o:(
wipeshert
ear
s)Met
oo.

Avi
:(hugsher
)babetheti
meforcr
yinghaspassed.
I
t'
sti
mef orustocel
ebrat
enow.

Tlot
lonodsherhead.Atthi
spointsheisn'
tsureif
sheiscryi
ngfrom t
hehappinessofseeingherson
awakeoriftear
sarefrom t
heguil
tthatis
consumingher.

Thenexti
nser
twi
llbemuchl
onger
[
08/
31,
17:
58] :Notasl
ongasIwant
edi
ttobe
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t72

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng,AviandTl
otl
osatt
hei
rchi
ldr
en
downforameeti
ng.

Avi
:Guyswehavesomenewsf
oryou.Abot
lewoke
uptoday.

Tl
amel
o,Loago,
LeanoandTehi
ll
ahscr
eam i
njoy.

Tehi
ll
ah:Let
sgoandseehi
m!Iwantt
oseehi
m!
Avi
:(laughs)Youwillseehi
mtomor
rowsi
nceyou
ar
en'tgoingtoschool.

Tl
amel
o:(
wipeshert
ear
s)Howi
sher
eal
ly?

Avi:Heisfi
ne.Hejusthastohealf
rom hi
ssur
ger
y
butthedoctorsaysheisperf
ect
lyfi
ne.

Tl
amel
o:ThankGod!

Leanohashi
sheaddownandkeepsbl
inki
ng
rapi
dly.

Loago:Leanoar
eyoucr
ying?

Leano:(
wit
hadeepvoi
ce)No.

Tl
amel
opul
lshi
minf
orahugandl
et'
shi
m cr
y.
Leano:Hewantedmet ogoandplaywit
hhim
outsi
debutIref
used.Iwant
edtoplaygamesonl
ine
andhewant edme.IfIwast
here,
nothi
ngwould
havehappenedtohim.

Tl
otl
ost
andsupandsquat
sinf
rontofherson.

Tlot
lo:Don'tdothattoyour self
.Ihavebeenf eel
i
ng
l
ikethisforthepastthreeweeksandIhadnoi dea
youwer ealsofeeli
ngthiswayt oo.Leano,what
happenedt oyourbrotherwasanacci dent.Doyou
blamemef orrunni
ngoverhi m?( shakeshishead)
Sowhydoyoubl ameyour selffornotgoingoutwit
h
him?It'
stimef orustocelebr at
et hi
ssecondchance.
OK?

Leanonodshisheadandwi peshistear
s.Seei
ng
theother
wisehormonal
lycagedteenager
breakdowntugsatTl
otl
o'sheart
stri
ngsasshe
standsupandheadstothebedroom.Avif
oll
ows
behindherandcl
osesthedoorasTlot
losi
tsint
he
bed.

Avi:Youhavebeensoqui etsi
ncewel ef
tthe
hospital
.Idoubtyouwoul dhavesai danythi
ngi f
Leanohadn' tcri
ed.IknowIhavewr ongedyou
Tlotl
o.Ididn'tdealwit
hthestressconstruct
ively
andIpushedyouaway.Thet ruthisIwasscar edof
l
osinghi m andIf el
tli
ket
hemor eItal
kedtoyou, the
mor ewewoul dfi
ghtandwoul dendupi napl ace
wecan' tcomebackf r
om.Ididn'twantthatto
happent ous.ButIpushedyouawayandIam sor ry.

Hesi
tsnextt
oheront
hebed

Avi
:Wi
llyoueverf
orgi
veme?

Theguil
tbur
nsherthroatl
ikehotl
ava.Heshouldn'
t
betheoneapol
ogi
zing.Sheistheonethathas
messedever
ythi
ngup.Shelooksdownather
f
inger
sandtwiddl
esherthumbs.

Avi
:babeIam sor
ryt
lhemma.

Tlotl
o:Pl
easestopapologi
zingAvi
.Allyouhave
beendoingisapologi
zingandIhavealreadysai
d
i
t'
sf i
ne.Iam t
heonet hatmessedeverythi
ngup
here.

Avipul
lshercloserandti
lt
sherheadthenpl
antsa
sl
oppywetkissonher .Hi
shandshikesherski
rtup
andrubsherthigh.

Avi
:Ihavemi
ssedyousomuch.

Tl
otl
oswall
owshar
dandbitesherupperl
ipashe
put
sherhandonhi
srockharddi
ck.
Avi
:Ihavemi
ssedyoubabe.

Helaysheronthebedandcl
imbsontopofher
ki
ssingherandcar
essi
ngherbody.

Tl
otl
o:(
breakst
heki
ss)pl
easest
op.Nott
oday.

Avi
:(gr
indsontopofher
)Whynott
odaybabe?I
wantyou.Doyouwantmetogotobedthi
shard?

Hedoesn' twaitforaresponseandcont inuesto

undr essherthenhimselfbeforeshovi nghimself
i
nt oher.Theguiltri
ddenTl ot
lofi
ndsi thardtoenjoy
herselfbutshemoansandwhi mper sforhissake
untilhecumsi nsideher.Feeli
ngdirtyand
disgustedbyher sel
f,Tl
otlogoesof ftotakeher
thir
dbat hofthedaywashi ngoutt hesecondsetof
sper msthathavebeenuphercoochi ethatday……
I
nAgape'
sroom

Agapest ar
esatherphonescr eenl ooki
ngatTyler'
s
contactshowingthathei sonlinebuthasn'ttexted
hersincemi dmorning.AfterseeingAbot l
ewhen
herbrothercall
edher,shef oundher sel
frel
ieved.
Shet r
iedcall
ingTyl
erwi ththegoodnewsbuthe
hadn'tansweredhercall.Nowher eheisonlinebut
won'ttal
ktoher .

Agape:[
hi]

Her
eadshermessagebutdoesn'
trespond.

20:
01[Iam sor
ryIwashar
donyouear
li
er.
]

20:
03[Ty?Tl
her
rasor
ry]
20:
10[Idi
dn'
tevenmeani
t.Ir
eal
lywasj
ustpl
ayi
ng
har
dtoget]

20:20:[
Thisisn'tevencuteanymor e.Isaidsorr
y
andyoukeepr eadingmyt ext
sjustsoIknowyou
areignor
ingme.Whyar eyouevenopeni ngthem?
Bogolombl ockeTyl er
]

21:00:[
Nevereverbotheryour
selforeyouare
tal
kingtomeafterthi
sTylerbecausethi
sisn'
ton]

Shenot
iceshechangedhi
sdptoanotheroneof
hi
m wit
hhischi
ldr
enbutsti
ll
doesn'
trepl
yher.

23:
00:[
wow]

Sheselectsallt
hetext
sandpressesdeletethe
cl
ickshertonguebecauseshecan'tdel
etefor
everyone.Shedelet
esher
sandbl ockshim.
Agape:Mxm.

Anhourl ater, sheunbl ockshi m againandst aresat

herphonewai ti
ngf orsomet hing,anythingbuti t'
s
mi dnightnowandsher eali
zeshemustbesl eeping
becausehi sl astseeni sanhouragowhenhe
changedhi sdp.Sheput sherphoneawayand
closeshereyes.Af ewmi nuteslatershet akesher
phoneagai nandgoest hroughTyl er'
sInst agram.
Hispi cturest ellastoryoft hemanhewasandwho
hei snow.Hi sol dpi ct
uresshowhi m withabunch
ofguyshol di
ngwhi skeygl assesandpar tying.
Ther ear esomeofhi swi feaswel l.Agapenot ices
thatlikehersi ster
,shet oowasbeaut i
fulandan
exactor iginalofAmant l
e.Shebegi nstowonder
whati twoul dbel i
kei ftheywer et obeacoupl e.
Coul dshecompet ewithadeadper son?Thel atest
picturesar emost lyofhi m withhischi l
dren.She
scrollsbackt oanol doneofhi m andhi swi featthe
airport.Theyl ookedsoyoung.Pr obablywhenhe
wasgoi ngabr oadt ostudy.Shet r
iestoscr ol
lbut
acci
dent
all
yli
kest
hepi
ctur
e.

Agape:(
sit
supandcover
shermout
h)Nononono
nono!Whatdi
dIdo?

Sheswit
chesherphoneoffandtossesi
tawaythen
cover
sherfacewi
thapil
lowscreamingint
oit
.

Agape:Il
ookl
ikeast
alkernow……

AtMmaBol
eng'
shouse

Earl
ythenextmor
ning,
amani
shear
dcal
li
ngoutat
thegate.

Man:Ko-
ko!Dumel
ang!

Themani
scompl
etel
yignor
edasBol
eng'
smot
her
,
herhusbandandsomerelat
ivessi
tchatt
ingi
nthe
l
ivi
ngroom.Nadiapeeksoutthewindowonethe
thi
rdshout.

Nadia:AoBoleng,
whydon'ttheylett
hem i
n?Kana
that'
sKgosishout
ingshout
ingli
keaheadless
chicken.

Bol
eng:(l
aughswhil
efeedi
ngherdaughter
)
Welcometomarri
age.Andtheseonesar
esocr uel
mma.Tony'sfami
lyhadtoknockforanhourgone
kwa.Ial
mostcri
ed.

Nadia:Anhour
?Aomma!Ican'timagi
neMr
Morenastandi
ngout
sidewi
thhisMmakgosi
foran
hour
.

Boleng:Kantedidthatmangoar oundlooki
ngfor
womanwi t
har oyalnamelikehi
sjustsotheycan
haveaf amil
yofr oyalnames?KegoreLekgotl
a
marri
esMmakgosiandshegivesbi
rt
htoKgosi
,
Bogosi,
Mor
enaandKgotla?

Nadia:(
laughs)Mmakgosii
sn'
tevenhernamemme
kana.Youknowhowmamaandmal omecalleach
otherbohoney?Wel
lthat'
sMrMor ena'
spetname
forhiswif
eandshecall
shim papas.I
t'
ssocute.

Bol
eng:Ach!Ar
en'
tthosepeopl
eint
hei
rsi
xti
es?

Nadia:Mor
enasayshi
sdadwi
llbesevent
ynext
year
.

Bol
eng:(
smil
es)that
ssocut
e.Oset
sest
ockosa
l
ongmarri
agesist
az.

Nadi
asmi
lesandl
ooksoutt
hewi
ndowagai
n.
Nadi
a:Iwilli
ftheyl
ett
hem i
n.Aomma.Kanat
hey
ar
ejustchatt
ingint
her
e.

Boleng:Hagonat sapal
ebahisangpelot
lhemma.
(theyaren'
tevenbother
ed)Morena'
sfami
lyknows
theydon'thaveachoiceher
e.

Nadi
a:Aobat
hong.

Shepl
opsher
sel
fonthebedandget
sherphone.
Shefi
ndsamessagef
rom Mor
ena.

[
Iwishwewerepayi
ngmagadit
oday.Iwasgoi
ngt
o
moveyououtt
oday.
]

Nadia:[ wher
eareyouj
aana?KanaKgosii
s
scr
eaminghi
sheadoffbat
hobaganagobula]
Morena:[ Icanhearhim.Heisgoi
ngt
o
makemepayf
ort
his.Bestbel
ievet
hat
]

Nadia:[ what ?Wher

eareyou?It
houghtyou
weren'tsupposedt
obehere]

Mor
ena:[Iam nott
her
eAker
e ]

Nadi
a:[
Mor
ena wher
ear
eyou?
]

Hedoesn'trespondandwat cheshisbrot
her
knocki
ngandgr eeti
ngwhilehesi t
sinacartwo
housesaway.Theirfat
heranduncl eswantedto
teachKgosiandBogosihowt hi
ngsaredonesaying
BogoloandTl amel
owi l
lsoongetmar r
iedsothey
havetoknowhowt hi
ngsaredone.

Aft
ertwent
ymi
nutesofcall
ingout,
oneofthe
uncl
e'
scomesoutandlet
'sthem i
n.Thei
niti
al
gr eeti
ngsar edoneasmember sofMor ena'
sfamil
y
taket heirseat
sandgetintot
hebusinessoft heday.
Af tergoingbackandfort
hont hecharges,t
hey
finallycomet oanagreementandrefr
eshment sare
br oughtin.

Aknockont hedoorsil
encestheroom.Boleng's
mothergoestothedoorandopensi tt
ot hevil
eof
t
heear t
h.RraagweJoewal ksint
othehouse
walki
ngpastBoleng'
smot herandasalways, hi
s
wif
ewal t
zinwithherheel
sclicki
ngagainsttheti
le.

RraagweJoe:Iwoul dli
ketounderst
andhowmy
daughter'
snegoti
ati
onsaregoingoninmyabsence.
Ajewakemangmagadial ei
ti
bolol
amekesant se
ketshela?Lechargi
tsebokae?(whowil
lbet aki
ng
myf i
rstborn'
sbri
depricewhil
eIam sti
llal
ive?How
muchdi dyoucharge?)

Everyonei
nther
oom f
rownsl
ooki
ngatoneanot
her
foranswer
snoonehad.
Nadiaf
rownswhenshehear
sherf
ather
'sboomi
ng
voi
ce.

Nadia:Bol
engpl
easetellmethati
sn'
tDavi
d.Pl
ease
t
ellmeIam imagi
ningthat.

I
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom,

Boleng'
suncl
e:(
frowns)Jaanonggoeng?Whoar
e
you?

RraagweJoe:Ishoul
dbeaskingyousinceyouar
e
herethi
rst
ingf
orwhatisr
ight
ful
lymine.

MmaagweJoe:Haleswabehelalei
tshoket
se
magadieseal
ona?(haveyounoshamef or
want
ingmoneyt
hatisn'
tyour
s?)
MrMotlhabi
:(st
andsup)List
enIneedyoutwoto
l
eavemyhouser ightnowbecauseIdon'
tknowwho
youar
eorwhyyouar eher
e.Getoutofmyhouse.

RraagweJoe:(l
ooksatBol
eng'
smum)Wenahao
nkit
se?(Don'
tyouknowwhoIam?)Tel
lthem whoI
am...
..
.

[
08/31,
17:
58] :Sorryaboutl
astni
ght
.If
ell
asl
eepwhi
lewr
it
ing.

MI
NII
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t73
AtMaBol
eng'
shouse

Boleng'
smum looksatRr
aagweJoeandsi
tsnext
toherhusband.

Boleng'
smum:whyareyousocruelt
othi
schil
d?
Whydoyouconstant
lyt
rytohur
ther?Haven'
tyou
doneenough?

MrMot l
habi:Honeyisthisthemanwhoabandoned
hisdaught
erandr eappearsli
keaghostwheneveri
t
suit
shim?

Bol
eng'smum: (nodsherhead)Idon'
tknowwhyhe
i
ssodet er
minedtohurtNadiathisway.Whatdo
youwantfrom her?Haven'
tyouhurtherenough?
Can'
tyougivethechil
dabr eak?
RraagweJoe:(
tur
nstothepeopl
esi
tt
ingopposi
te
t
hem)Youmustbet hegroom'sf
ami
ly.

MrMot l
abi :(i
nterruptshim)BooRr aMor ena, please
donotj udgeusorourdaught ertoohar shlybased
ont hislunacy.Wehavehadaver ysuccessf ul
negot i
ationandi twouldbeunf or
tunat efor
everythingt ofalloutbecauseofamanwhohas
neverbeeni nhi sdaught er'
slif
e.Nadi awasr aised
byhergr andpar entsandheneverbot heredhi msel f
withher .Whenhergr andmot herdied,shegave
Nadi atomywi f easkinghert olookaf terher .This
wasovert enyear sagoandnotoncehaveIseen
thismanbutIt oohaveknownNadi afort hepast
tenyear s.Wemaynotbeherbl oodr elationsbut
Godknowst hismani slessofapar entt ohert han
wewi l
leverbe.( t
oRr aagweJoe)Idon' tknowwhat
kindofmandoest hethi
ngsyoudo.Youar easor ry
excuseofamani neverysenseoft hewor d.You
havehur tthi
schi ldsomuchovert heyear sandf or
yout ost andher eopeni ngyourmout ht ocl ai
m her
showsyouar edeadi nside.Lesagot lhobosa
ngwanamogonomat sal
aagwe.(st
oprui
ningyour
chi
ld'
sreputat
ioni
nt heeyesofheri
n-l
aws)What
youaredoingiswrong.Leaveri
ghtnowbeforeI
deci
detomakeyoul eave.

RraagweJoe:Tr ymeandyouwi l
lruet hedayyou
werebor n.(t
otheMor ena'
s)i
fatallyoursonis
seri
ousaboutmar ryi
ngmydaughterthenIsuggest
youst andupandl eavethi
spl
acerightnow.Iwi l
l
giveyout headdressofmyhousesowecanmeet
therenextweekbecausenoonei susi ngmychi l
dto
getrich.

I
nther
oom

Boleng:(
fanni
ngNadi
a)Nadi
acanyoubr
eat
he.
Breathei
nandout.

Nadi
a:(
wheezi
ngi
ntear
s)Whyme?Huh?Whyme?
Bol
eng:Nadi
ast
opt
alki
ngandbr
eat
he.

Nadi
a:Let
..me.
.goand.
.tal
ktot
hem.

Shetr
iest
ostandupbutst
art
sget
ti
ngdi
zzysoshe
si
tsbackdown.

I
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom

MrMor enaclearshisthroatandleansfor
war din
hischairlookingatRraagweJoe.Thi sisamanwho
hasbeenqui etsincear r
ivi
ng.Hislastwordswere
duri
ngt hegreetingsandhehadwat chedthe
negotiati
onsinsi l
enceashi sbr
othertooklead.But
thi
s,thiswast helaststrawforhim.

MrMorena:(chuckl
es)canyougetoutofthi
s
houser
ightnowbeforeIknockyouout.It
hought
mysonwasexagger ati
ngyouri
nsanit
y.It
oldhi
m
thatthereisnomanont hi
sear thwhocoul ddoor
saythet hingshesai dt ohisowndaught er.Hao
l
atlhi
lengwanaonnal editl
hong.( ifyouabandoned
yourchild,youhaveshameoveri t)Ididn'tthi
nk
suchacr eatureexists.Kel onabal egogi wangke
basadikadi tsebehaobonaol eha.( youar eoneof
thesemenwhol et'
shi swifecont rolhim.)Howdar e
youcomeher eandt hi nkyoucanr uinthingsf ormy
son?Ol egat weMor enaMor ena.Ngwanawaga
LekgotlaMor ena.(Thatonei sMor enaMor ena.The
sonofLekgot laMor ena)AndIam notaf ool i
shman
l
ikeyou.Outofr espectf ormydaught erinl aw,Iwil
l
notdisclosewhatyouhavedont oherbutbel i
eve
mewhenIsayyouwi llnott ouchmyson' smoney.
Getoutwhi l
eIam st i
llbeingniceandr espect i
ngmy
i
n-laws.

RraagweJoe:(huff
sandpuff
s)DoyouknowwhoI
am?Huh?Don' ttr
ytomesswithme.Ihol
dthis
countr
yonthepalm ofmyhandsandIwil
lcrush
youandthatsonofyours.
MrMorenayankshisol
derbrot
her
'swal
kingstick
andwhacksRraagweJoe'
slegwhil
esti
llseat
ed.

MrMorena:Mathatal
eil
agor eet
sa.(t
hepr
obl
em i
s
youdon'
tli
sten.
)Isai
dgetoutofhere!

RraagweJoehol dshisl egwhil

ehiswifecoversher
mout hinshock.MrMot l
habiandBoleng'suncl
e
standupandpushRr aagweJoeoutoft hehouse
whilehehurlsinsul
tsatt hem.Hiswif
ecomes
runningbehindthem shout i
ngfort
hem toleaveher
husband.MrMot l
habilocksthegateoncethey
havepushedt hem out.

RraagweJoe:Iam goi
ngt
odealwi
thal
lofyou!
Thatismychil
d!Mine!

Morenaseest hecommoti
onanddi
alsNadi
a.He
hadn'tseenRraagweJoegoi
nsi
de.Bol
enganswer
s
Nadia'sphone.
Bol
eng:Hel
lo?Mor
ena?Shef
aint
ed!

Mor
ena:what
?!

Bol
eng:(runni
ng)Iam get
ti
ngmymum t
ohel
p.She
j
ustfai
nted.

Shehangsupl eavingMor enawi t

hmor equestions
thananswers.Heopenst hecarandal mostst
eps
outbutheremember shewast oldnottogetint he
yardbecausehecoul dgetf i
nedforitandhisin-
l
awswoul dseehi m asdisrespectf
ul.Hedial
sKgosi
hopinghewillanswerhim.

Kgosi
:(pani
cked)Hel
lo?

Morena:What
'sgoi
ngoni
nther
e?Gat
weNadi
a
f
aint
ed?
Kgosi
:Ei
shmanitl
ooksli
keshei
sbl
eedi
ng.They
ar
etaki
nghert
othehospi
tal
.

Mor
ena:(get
soutofthecar)Whatdoyoumeanshe
i
sbl
eeding?Whathappened?

Kgosi
:Idon'
tknow.Wear
ecomi
ngt
othecar
.

KgosihangsupandMorenawalkst
otheyard
hopingtogetagli
mpseofNadi
awhil
estandi
ng
outsi
detheyard.

Meanwhi l
eint heyard,MrMot lhabimanagest o
carr
yNadi ainsidethei
rcarwhi lehiswif
egetshis
wall
etandt heirphonesfrom thebedroom.When
shegetsbacki ntotheli
vingroom, shefindsthat
ever
yoneisout si
deexcepttheoneper sonshe
almostfai
nteduponseei ngwhent heyarri
ved.It
hadbeensol ongthatshenevert houghtshewoul d
seehim agai
n.Evenwhenshel earntMorena'
s
surname,shejustfi
guredthatpeopleshare
surnamesinBot swanaanditmeansnot hing.Butl
o
andbehold,herehestandsstaringather
.

Bogosi
:(ner
vousl
y)wast
hather
?Wast
hatmy
daught
er?

Bol
eng'
smum:Youdon'thaveachi l
dwi t
hme
Bogosi
.Di
dn'
tyouhearwhatyourfathersai
dabout
menwhoabandonthei
rchi
ldren?

Bogosi
:Lenahdon'
tbel
iket
hat
.It
houghtyoudi
dn'
t
keepher
.

Bol
eng'
smum:Idi
dn'
tkeepher
.

Bogosi
:Butshelooksl
ikehersi
ster
.It
'sheri
sn'ti
t?
Ij
ustwanttoknow.Iwon'tbot
heryouorherifshe
doesn'
twanttomeetme.Ialmostdiedofahear
t
att
ackwhenIsawyouandIwassoscar edt
oeven
tal
ktoyou.Iwasgoi
ngtoleavethi
splacewit
hout
sayi
nganythi
ngbutthenIsawher.I
sshemi ne?

Boleng'
smum:Thisisn'
tthet
imeBogosi
.Ihavea
daughterbl
eedi
ngoutandmyhusbandiswaiti
ng
forme.

Sherushesoutofthehouseandgoestothecar
.
Bogosiwalksoutoft
hehouseandjoinshi
sfamil
y
whoarestandingoutsi
dethegat
etr
yingtocal
m
Morenadown.

MrMorena:Letsfol
lowthem t
othehospi
tal
.Seeing
hernowwil
ljustdel
aythem.Let'
sgotothecar.I
tol
dyounottogetoutofthatcar
.

Morenat
urnsaroundandspeedwalkstot
hecar
wi
thhisf
amilybehindhi
m.Allt
hatkeepsr
ingi
ngi
n
hisheadishowthi
sisn'
thowt
hisdaywas
supposedtobe.

[
08/
31,
17:
58] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t74

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Afterawhol emor ni
ngofcheckingifTyl
erhadsai d
anythingtoher , Agapegotfetupanddeci dedt o
takeiniti
ative.TlotloandAvihadgonet oseet heir
sonaf terpr omisingtherestoft
heki dst
heywoul d
getthem f orthel unchhourvisi
t.Agapecalled
Tehill
ahovert oherr oom.

Tehi
ll
ah:YesAunt
y.
Agape:Babydoyouknowwher
eYayal
ives?

Tehi
ll
ah:Yesbuti
t'
sfar
.

Agape:Doyouknowwhati
t'
scal
led?

Tehi
ll
ah:I
t'
sPhakal
ane.

Agape:Doyouknowhowt
ogett
othei
rhouse?

Tehi
ll
ah:Yesit
'sneart
hemal
l.(
exci
ted)Ar
ewe
goi
ngthere?Imissher
.

Agape:YesIwantust
ogoandvisi
ther
.Justyou
andme.Wearyourshoessowecangothere.
Tehi
ll
ah:(
clappi
ng)Yes!(
facedr
ops)wai
t,Iwantt
o
goandseeAbo.

Agape:Don'
tworry,wewil
lbebackbef oret
hatt
ime.
Wewi l
levengotothehospit
albeforethem.Run
andgetyourshoes.Anddon'tt
ellanyoneOK?

Tehi
ll
ah:(
laughi
ng)OK!

Sherunsouttogethershoeswhil
eAgapeti
esthe
l
acesofhersneakersandgrabsherbagwal
king
outi
nat r
acksui
t.Shegoestothekit
chenwhere
Tl
ameloiswashingthebreakf
astdi
shes.

Agape:Tl
amel
oweeIam goingsomewher
ewith
Tehi
ll
ah.Wewil
lmeetyouguysatt
hehospi
tal
.

Tl
amelo:(
smiles)Wher
eto?Whyar
en'
tweal
so
i
nvi
tedtotagalong?
Agape:(
sti
ckshert
ongueout
)komosadihaa
bot
swe.

Tlamelo:(l
aughs)papsi
sgoi
ngt
oki
llyout
wof
or
this.Youknowthatri
ght
?

Agape:(
squi
nthereyes)Forwhat
?

Tlamelo:(pressesherli
pstoget
herandshakesher
head)Don' tmindme.Iam justbei
ngcrazy.(
giggl
es)
ButIthinkher eal
lyl
ikesyou.

Agape:(
hol
dsherwai
st)WhoTl
amel
o?

Tl
amel
otur
nsbackt
oherdi
shesandgi
ggl
es.

Tl
amel
o:Don'
tmi
ndme.Li
keIsai
d,Iam cr
azy.
Agapechuckl
esandwal
ksoutandr
ushesbackt
o
Tl
amelo.

Agape:Tl
amel
otl
hemmadon'
ttel
lhi
m.Notyet
anyway.

Tlamelo:(l
aughs)Ikeptmyboyf
ri
endasecretf
rom
papsfortwoyear s.Onl
ymamaknewaboutitand
eventhetimehef oundoutwasbyacci
dentsotr
ust
mewhenIsayyoursecr eti
ssaf
ewithme.Mum' s
thewor d.

Agapehugsherandpeckshercheekbef
ore
runni
ngoffcal
li
ngoutf
orTehil
lahwhorunsoutt
o
j
oinheri
nt hecar
.

Tl
amelo'
sphoner
ingsonthewi
ndowsi
llcut
ti
ngt
he
musi
cshewasplaying.
Tl
amel
o:HiJoey.

Joe:(chuckl
es)howar
eyoudoi
ng?

Tlamel
o:Iam sogood.Todayi
sjustanamazi
ng
dayandIam soexcit
edtogoandseemybr ot
her
.

Joe:That'
swhatIwasact
uall
ycal
li
ngabout
.Do
youthinkyourpar
ent
swouldmindmetaggi
ng
along?

Tlamel o:Idon'
tthi
nktheywoul d.Imeanyouwer e
herethr oughmostofthecr apthat'
sbeengoingon
thispastmont hsoIthinktheywoul dunder
standif
youwant edtoseehimt oo.Butletmecallmymum
andconf i
rm wi
thherthengetbackt oyou.How
doest hatsound?
Joe:Cool.I
'l
lwaittohearfrom youbecauset
he
mainreasonIam aski ngisbecauseIwantustogo
somewher etogetherandit'
sclosert
othehospi
tal
thanyourplacesoIwant edtojustmeetyouatthe
hospit
al.

Tl
aml
eo:(
smi
les)Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?

Joe:(si
ghs)Iactuallygoti
nt ouchwi t
hmyol der
si
sterlastni
ghtandshesoundedl ikeshewas
wil
li
ngt ogettogetherandtalkthingsout .Shesaid
hernegotiat
ionsarehappeningatherf oster
mother'shouseandgavemedi rectionsandsai dI
cancomeaf t
erlunch.Iam tooner voust ogot her
e
al
onesoIwashopi ngwecoul dgot heretogether
.

Tlamelo:ohbabeIam sohappyf oryou.Thankyou

fori
ncludingmelikethi
s.OfcourseIwillgowit
h
you.Iam justgl
adyouact ual
lyt
ookthisstep.Wow
Iam soexcitedokareit
'sme.
Joe:(chuckl
es)OKsowewi llmeetatthehospi
tal
.I
don'
tevenneedt ogoseeAbot l
ewithyoubecause
i
tmi ghtbetooinvasi
ve.Iwil
ljustwaitforyoui
nthe
wait
ingroom soIcangi veyouguyspr i
vacy.

Tlamel
o:OKt
hat
'sf
ine.Letmef
ini
shcl
eani
ngup
thenl
ove.

Joe:byebabe.

Tl
amel
o:byeJoey….

Att
hehospi
tal

Morenarunsi ncarr
yingNadiainhisarmsget t
ing
hisshi
rtbloody.Hejumpedoutoft hecar
i
mmedi atelytheyst
oppedinthepar ki
nglotandran
toMrMot lhabi'
scartogether.Shesti
llhasn'
t
wokenupandi tisf r
eaki
nghim out.Hei smetwi th
abedandshei sroll
edinwithhim behind.Boleng'
s
motherfil
lsouttheformsinthemeant imewhi l
e
therestoftheMor enacl
an,herhusband, Boleng
andhergr anddaughtersi
tonchai r
sf i
ll
ingupt he
waiti
ngroom.Mr sMor enajoinsherbyt he
i
nformationdeskandwat chesnervousl yasshe
writ
es.

MrsMorena:Idon'
tli
ket
hel
ookofal
lthatbl
ood.
Wasshepregnant?

Boleng'
smum :Ihavenoi
deabuti
tdoesn'
tlook
goodatall
.

Shecontinueswri
ti
ngfeel
ingi
nti
midatedbythe
presenceoftheol
derwomannexttoher.Awoman
whomot her'
sthemanthatchangedherli
femany
yearsago.
Meanwhi leint heemer gencyr oom, Mor ena
blatantlyrefusest ogobackt othewai tingr oom
whi l
et heyat tendNadi a.Hechoosesi nst eadtowait
i
nt hecor r
idorwai ti
ngf ort
hedoct ortogetoutof
ther oom togi vet hem anupdat e.Hepacesar ound
biti
nghi sf i
ngernai lsnervouslyfightingt he
thought scr eepi ngintohismi nd.Itwasj ustblood.
Stresst endst oi nduceherper i
odssot hat '
swhatis
was.Thi sisal lthat'sgoingoni nhi smi ndashe
wai t
s.Hedoesn' tevenseeLeamaki ngherwayt o
him.

Lea:(
panicked)Mozywhathappened?Whatare
youdoinghere?Areyoubl
eeding?Whyaren'
tyou
bei
ngat t
ended?OhmyGodsi tdown!

Morena:(
snapsbacktoreal
it
y)ohLea.Hi
.Noi
t'
s
notmyblood.Iam f
ine.

Lea:(
searchi
nghi
seyes)Sowhosei
sit
?What
happened?
Morena:it
's,(
putshishandsoverhi shead)it'
s
Nadia.Idon'
tknowwhat '
swr ong.Theyaretaking
tool
ongwi thherandIam l osingmymi nd.Shei sn'
t
wakingup.Shei sn'
twakingup.Thi sist
het hi
rd
ti
meIam seei ngherli
kethisLea.Whatwi llIdoif
shedoesn'twakeupt hi
st i
me?

Lea:Mozycalm downOK.Doyouwantmet
ocheck
onherforyou?

Morena:Canyou?Iam wor
ri
edsi
ck.(
poi
nts)Shei
s
i
nthere.

Lea:OKwai
ther
e.Letmegoandseehowshei
s
doing.

Leawalksi
ntotheroom andi
si nther
eforafew
minut
esbeforewalki
ngouttr
yingherbestnotto
showemotion.Thi
sisn'
tsomethingsheisablet
o
say.

Mor
ena:(
hol
dsherhands)So?Howi
sshe?

Lea:(wi
denshereyestoavoi
dcryi
ng)Thedoct or
wouldn'
tsayanyt
hingtome.Hewasst i
llbusywith
her.Hesai
dhewi l
lupdat
eyouinaf ewmi nut
es.

Mor
ena:Butwassheawake?

Lea:(smil
es)Don'
twor
ryOK?LetmegoIhavedo
myr ounds.

Shegiveshim ahugandwal
ksawaywi
thaheavy
hear
tfeeli
ngsorryf
orhi
m…….

AtPhakal
ane
Agapereachesherhandoutoft
hewi
ndowand
ri
ngstheint
ercom.

Yamasa:Hi
!Whoi
sit
?

Tehi
ll
ah:(
scr
eams)Yayai
t'
sme!Open!

Agapel
aughsast
hegat
eopens.

Agape:Wenatl
hemmmayouar
eloud.Iwast
heone
t
hatrangthebel
l.

Tehil
lah:
ButYayai
smyf
ri
end.Iam t
heonevi
sit
ing
her.

Agaper ol
lshereyessmi
li
ngandpark'
sthecar.The
dooropensandYamasacomesoutscr eamingfor
herfr
iendwhoj umpsoutoft
hecarsqueal
inginthe
samehight
ones.Theyjumpi
ntoeachot
her
'sar
ms
danci
ngandjumping.

Agape:Yayaam Ii
nvi
sibl
enehmma?

Yamasa:(l
aughs)sor
ryAunt
y.Imi
ssedmybest
fr
iend.Ar
eyouheretoappl
ythemakeupyou
boughtusagai
n?

Tehi
ll
ah:(
claps)yest
heki
ddi
esone!Iwantt
olook
l
ikeapri
ncessagain.

Agape:(
laughs)Maybel
ater
.Wher
eisyourdad
Yaya?

Yamasa:Hei sbuil
dingadol lhouseforAmant l
ein
thebackyar
d.Iwast ell
inghimt hatheisn'
tfai
r
becauseherslooksnicerthanmi ne.
Agape:(chuckl
es)sor
ry.WhataboutYaoneand
Amantle?

Yamasa:pl
ayi
ngintheplayr
oom.Daddyref
uses
forust
owatchTVallday.Hecanbesobori
ng
someti
mesAunty.

Agapel
aughsandwal
ksi
ntot
hehouse.

Agape:OKletmegoandseeyourf
athert
henwe
wil
lseeaboutyourmakeup.

Thegi r
lsclaphandsandr unofftoYamasa' sroom
toplay.Agapewal kstothebackyar dexpecti
ngto
seeTylerputti
ngt oget
heraplasticdollhouse
foll
owinginstr
uctionsfr
om amanualbutherj aw
dropswhenshef indshi
m shirt
lesswi t
hsweat
tri
ckli
ngdownhi sbackt hatt
ightenswi t
hevery
knockoft hehammeragai nstthewoodenhousehe
i
sbui l
ding.Hisbicepsclenchandl oosenashe
poundsthenai li
n.Hissweatpant sr evealthewai st
bandofhisbrei f
sandhi sbuttlooksl i
keitwas
madeforthepant sandforhereyest of east.She
fi
ndsherselfl
ickingherdrylipsashereyesr unall
overwhatpartofhi m shecansee.Shewat ched
hi
m bendoverpi ckinganothernail.Atthispoi ntshe
hasfor
gottenthewhol espeechshekeptr ehearsing
onherwayher e.

Hewipeshisbrowandsuddenlyfeel
swatched.He
tur
nsaroundandisalmostst
artl
edbyseeing
Agapestandi
ngther
e.Heremoveshisheadsets
andputshist
oolsdown.

Tyl
er:
whendidyougether
e?Imeanhi
.Whatar
e
youdoingher
e?

Agape:(
swal
lows)Umm.

Seei
nghi
schestgl
ist
eni
ngi
nthesuni
sn'
tdoi
ngher
anymor egoodt hanseeinghi sback.Inf acti
t'
s
muchwor senowbecauseshecanseet hefai
nt
l
inesofhi ssixpack.Exact lyhowshel ikesit
.Not
buldgyli
ket hesegym j unkiessheal wayssees.Just
enought ogethercooki etwitchinginexcitementas
histonedabsdi sappearintot hewaistbandofhis
bri
efs.Thetr ackpant sheiswear i
ngar eservi
ngher
eyesinplatters.Shecanseet heweaponwi t
hwhich
shehasbeent hreat
enedwi thmul ti
pletimeswhen
shewoul dgetcheeky.OhTl yer.

Asifreadi
nghermi nd,hechucklesandpul
lshis
tshi
rtdownfrom t
het r
eebranchhehadhungi ton
andpullsi
toverhi
sheadwear i
ngit.

Tyl
er:Agapel
esagontsol
aompol
elel
egoreobat
la
eng.(
Apagestopundr
essi
ngmeandtellmewhat
youwant)

Agapecl
ear
sherthroatandl
ooksal
lovert
hepl
ace
t
ryi
ngtowil
lher
selfbacktot
heangershehadl
ast
ni
ght
.

Agape:(
clear
shert
hroatagai
n)Youaret
oof
ullof
your
self
.Whatist
heretoundresst
her
e?

Tyl
er:
(chuckl
es)Ar
eyeket
lekegobont
sha.(
let
's
gosoIcanshowyou)

Hertwit
chingcl
itandbloodrushmakeshersuckai
r
i
ninstantl
ydryi
ngherthroat
.

Tyl
er:
(laughs)Agapewee.(
laughsagai
n)Doyou
knowhowexpr essi
veyourf
aceis?

Agape:(
wal
ksovert
ohi
m)Whyhaveyoubeen
i
gnori
ngmeTyler
?

Tyl
erwal
kscl
osert
ohersoherf
acei
sal
most
touchi
nghi
schest
.Thi
smessesherbr
eat
hingup
evenmore.

Tyler
:(bi
teshisl
owerli
pthensmi
les)Di
dn'
tyousay
Ishouldstayawayfr
om you?

Hismascul
inesweatyscentti
ckl
eshernost
ri
lsas
shetr
iest
or ememberhisquesti
on.

Agape:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)ButIdi
dn'
tmeani
t.

Tyl
erl
owershisheadandt
il
tsher
ssot
hei
rli
psar
e
al
mosttouchi
ng.

Tyl
er:
howwasIsupposedt
oknow?

Agape:(
swal
lows)Isai
dIam sor
rybutyoui
gnor
ed
me.
Tyl
erbr
ushesherl
ipswit
hhisthenstepsback
l
eavi
ngherwit
hclosedeyesandexpectantl
ips.

Agape:(
inabr
eat
h)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Tyl
er:(
sit
sonthebench)Youst
il
lhaven'
tsai
dwhat
youcameherefor
.

Agape:(
bit
esherl
ipl
ooki
ngdown)Icamet
o
apol
ogi
zeandsayyes.

Tyl
er:
(fol
dshi
sar
ms)Yest
owhat
?

Agapel
ooksi
nhi
seyeswi
thangerbui
ldi
ng.

Agape:(
thr
oughgr
it
tedt
eet
h)t
obei
ngyour
gi
rl
fri
end.
Tyler
: Idon'
tremembereveraski
ngyout obemy
gir
lfr
iend.Iam agrownmani nhi
sforti
eswitht
hree
chil
dren.Whatam Idoingwithagir
lf
ri
endAgape?I
wantawi f
eandamot herformychil
dren.

Agape:Akeret
hat'
swhatImeanbutweobvi
ousl
y
havetostar
tdati
ngfi
rst
.

Tyl
er:Thenwewi
llgetmar
ri
edt
hist
imenextyear
Aker
e?

Agape:(
laughs)canwegoonadatef
irstTyl
er?
Onedatehelathenyoucanaskmeal
lthosethi
ngs.

Tyl
er:
(st
andsup)OK.

Hepull
shertohim pr
essingherchestagai
nsthi
s
t
orsobefor
eti
lt
ingherfaceandplanti
ngakisson
herli
ps.Shekisseshim backwi t
hthesame
passi
ont hathasthem breathi
nghardandheavy.
Tyl
erbreaksthekissandt akesherhand.

Tyler
:Let
sgokegobont
sheseontsengoselebi
le.
(l
et'
sgosoIcanshowyouwhatyouhavebeen
stari
ngat
)

Agape:(
laughs)SheeTyl
erIcan'
tsl
eepwithyoua
minut
eaf t
eragreei
ngtobeyourgi
rl
fr
iend.

Tyler
:(conti
nueswalki
ngt othehouse)Agapekana
Ihavebeendat i
ngyouf orayear.Youar et
heone
whohasbeeni ndeni
al.Soont seont i
maforayear
.
(soyouhavebeendenyi ngmesexf orayear)
.
Imaginethat!Howcruelareyou?

Agape:(
giggl
ing)whataboutt
heki
ds?
Tyler:(
openshisbedroom door)thei
rroomsar eon
theothersideofthel
ivi
ngroom.Thi sisoursideof
thehouse.Idon'twantthem heari
ngyoucalli
ngout
yourancestors.Andyoulooklikethecryi
ngtype
Ebile.

Heclosest
hedoorandlocksi
twal
kingtowardher
whi
leshewalksbackwardst
owar
dst hebed.

Agape:(
laughs)Haker
ateTy.(
TyIdon'
tli
kei
t)

Shehasal r
eadyaccept edt hatt hi
si shappeni ng
becauseshet ooisashor nyashecl earlyis.Af t
er
breaki
ngupwi t
hherboyf riendt woyear sago, she
hasfoundthatsel fsati
sfyingdoesn' tquitehitt he
spotli
kehavi ngamanbr eat hi
ngheavi l
yont opof
you.Bothoft hem havebeent hrowingt heirclothes
offwhilewalkingt othebedandt easingeachot her
.
Bythet i
met heyr eachthebed, Tylerisint hebr eifs
thathadint
icedAgapeear l
ierandt hebul gehei s
sporti
ngmakesheral lt
hemor ecuriousasshel ays
downinherlaceunderwearandthanki
ngherl
ucky
star
sshewor et
hem.Thiswouldhavebeenabad
daytobecaughtingrannypanti
es.

Tylerpull
sherbackupandki ssesherwhi l
erunni
ng
hishandsalloverherchocolatecolor
edskin.He
takesinhowgoodshel ooksi nblacklaceandcan'
t
wai tt
oseewhatliesunderneathandhehasever y
i
nt ent
iontosal
vageeverymomentofi t.

Tyl
er:
Comeher
e.

Hesi tsont hebedandsi t

sheronhi sl apsoshei
s
straddl i
nghi m.Hehol dsherneckandki ssedher
agai nwhi l
ehi sotherhandrubst hemoundsofher
breast s.Thesof tfl
eshhadhi sdickt hrobbi
ngas
sheski l
lf
ull
ygr i
ndsont opofhi m givinghim
pleasur e.Hishandsf indherbuttcheeksand
squeezest hem increasi
ngthepr essur eofthe
grindingmaki ngthetipofhisdickfor ceit
swayout
oft hewai stband.Sheseesi tand#EXPLI CIT
The#EXPLICITwi
llbepost
edat11:
30pm.Cl
ickon
theVISI
TGROUPbut t
onundert
hepagenamet o
accessthegr
oup.
[
08/
31,
17:
59] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t75

AtTyl
er'
shouse

Yamasaliesonherst
omachont
opoft
hebed.She
wipeshertear
sandsnif
fl
es.

Tehi
ll
ah:Maybet
heyar
ejustf
ri
endsYayal
ikeyou
andme.
Yamasa:Youandmedon'
tkiss.Heki
ssedher
.You
sawhim.Andnowsheisgoi
ngt obeevi
ll
ikeMay
andmakemydaddybad.Hebecamegoodagain
andnowheisgoingt
ochangeagain.

Tehi
ll
ah:(
liesnextt
oher)ButAuntyAgapei
snot
badYaya.Youevensaidsheisnicert
hanyour
daddy'
ssister
.

Yamasa:Butsheisgoingtobebadifmydaddy
st
artsl
ovingher.HelovedMayandshewantedto
ki
llAmantle.Shewasalwaysbeat
ingusand
makingdaddyshoutatus.

Tehil
lah:
,(wi
pesYamasa'
stear
)Maybeshewi
llbe
yournewmummy.Ihavet womummi esandt
wo
daddies.I
t'
snice.

Yamasa:(
tur
nsaway)noIwantmymother.Iwant
mamaBotho.Ever
yonebecomesbadbecausethey
ar
enother
.Iwanther
.

Shecont
inuest
osobmaki
ngTehi
ll
ahsad…

MeanwhileI'
m Tyl
er'
sroom,Agapeli
esonTyl
er'
s
chestci
rcl
inghisni
pplewit
hherfi
nger.

Agape:SoTl
amel
osaysAvii
sgoi
ngt
oki
llus.

Tyl
er:(
chuckl
es)That
'sanunder
stat
ement
.I
vi
olat
edbrocode.

Agape:whatcode?

Tyl
er:
(kissesthetopofherhead)Youdon'
ttouch
yourf
riend'ssist
er.

Agape:(
li
ft
sherheadt
olookathi
m)Sowhydi
dyou?
Tyler
:(spanksherbutt
)Haveyouseenyou?(l
aughs)
Icouldn'
thelpmyself
.GapemmeIt r
iedAgape.AhI
tr
ied.Leenehewi l
lhavet
ounderst
and.

Agape:(l
aughs)That
'st
hewor
stexpl
anat
ionIhave
everhear
dinmyl i
fe.

Shecl
imbsoutofbed.

Tyl
er:
Heywher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Agape:Vi
sit
ingAbot
ler
emember
?

Tyl
er:
OKlet
'st
akeashowert
hengo.It
oldAvit
he
ki
dsandIwi
llmeett
hem t
her
e.

Agape:Wesyoucr
azy?Youwantust
oar
ri
ve
toget
her
?Isti
llhavetoconvi
nceTehi
ll
ahnottotel
l
anyonewecameher ebecauseIcan'
tcoem upwit
h
agoodreasonast owhyIcamehere.

Tyl
er:
(laughs)Sowhydi
dyoubr
inghert
hen?

Agape:Di
dIknowwher
eyoul
iveTy?

Tyl
er:(
openst
hebat
hroom door
)That
'swhypeopl
e
cal
l.

Agape:Mxm.We'
reyougoi
ngt
otoanswermycal
ls?

Tyler
:Heishandyouhaveser
iousst
alker
tendenci
esmosadikewena.(
woman)

Shelaughsandstepsintosheshowerwit
hhim
l
ett
ingthewaterr
unt hroughhershor
thai
rasthey
t
akea,
showerwhi
lenosi
ngandf
ool
ingar
ound….

Tyler
: (
knocksonYamasa'sdoor
)Yaya,Tehi
ll
ah?I
call
edyout ogetreadytol
eavet
enminutesago.We
areallwait
ingforyou.

Tehi
ll
ah:(
openst
hedoor
)Yayasays,
shei
sn'
tgoi
ng.

Tyl
er:
Why?

Tehi
ll
ah:
,shei
ssad.

Tehi
ll
ahwal
ksoutl
eavi
ngTyleri
nhisdaught
er'
s
bedr
oom.Hesi
tsonthebedandrubsherback.

Tyl
er:
Yayawhat
'swr
ong?Don'
tyouwantt
osee
Abo?
Yamasa:(
sni
ff
les)Idon'
twantt
ogoanymor
e.

Tyl
er:
whydi
dyouandTehi
ll
ahf
ightagai
n?

Yamasa:(shakesherheadsti
llf
aci
ngaway)Idon'
t
l
ikeaunt
yAgapeanymor e.

Tyl
er:
Why?Whatdi
dshedo?

Yamasa:Wesawyouki
ssi
ngherbyt
hedol
lhouse.
I
tmeansyouli
keher
.

Tyler
:(sur
prised)ohIthoughtyouwerei
nthepl
ay
room.Sorry.Youdon'twantmet ol
ikeher
?

Yamasa:Shei
sgoi
ngt
obebadl
ikeMaysoIdon'
t
l
ikeher
.
Tyl
er:(
scr
atcheshi
shead)Hassheevert
reat
edyou
badl
y?

Yamasa:(sni
ff
les)Nobutmaybeshei
spr
etendi
ng
tobegood.

Tyl
er:
DidMayeverpr
etendt
obegood?

Yamasa:(
sit
supandl
ooksathi
m)Noshewasj
ust
evi
lli
keawit
ch.

Tyler
:YesMaywasn'tsgoodper
sonbutAgapei
s.
Didn'
tyoul
iekherbef
ore?

Yamasa:Idi
d.

Tyl
er:OKsothenwhydkntyougi
veherchance?I
f
shebecomesevilshewi
llgo.
Yamasa:Youpr
omi
se?

Tyl
er:Ido.Butevi
ldoesn'
tmeant
ell
ingyout
o
behavewell
Youknowt
hatr
ight
?

Yamasa:Yes.Shealwaystel
lsusshedoesn'tli
ke
nonsense.(l
aughs)SheoncemadeTehillahst
and
ononel egbecauseshespi
ll
edwaterInthekit
chen
andleftwit
houtwipi
ngitf
orthet
hirdti
me.

Tyler
:(chuckl
es)Yes.Sogi
veherachancet
obemy
fri
endandwewi llseehowniceshei
s.Howdoes
thatsound?

Yamasa:(
smi
les)OK.
Tyl
er:
Goodnowl
et'
sgo.

Att
hehospi
tal

Thedoort
oNadi
a'
sroom f
inal
lyopensandanur
se
st
epsout.

Nur
se:Youcangoi
n.Thedoct
ori
sreadyf
oryou.

Morenawal
ksinandrel
iefwashesoverhi
m when
heseesNadi
aawake.Her ushesovert
ohugher.

Mor
ena:Ar
eyouOK?Iwassowor
ri
edaboutyou.

Doctor:Hel l
osir
.Iam DrKaren.Iam anOB/ GYN
(Obstetr
ician/Gynecologi
st)
.Sheaskedmet ocal
l
youinbef oreIcoulddi
scussanyt hi
ng.Shewokeup
afewmi nutesagoandshei ssti
llweakfrom t
he
bloodlossbutwear
ekeepi
ngherhydrat
edandshe
shouldbereadyt
ogoinanhourortwo.

Mor
ena:Whathappenedt
hough?

Doctor:
b(looksstNadi a)Iam sor
rytosayt hatyou
havesufferedanear l
yearlymiscarr
iage.Wehadt o
perf
orm asonogr am i
nor dertodet
ermi newhether
thebabyisstil
lintherebecausewehadnomedi cal
hist
orybutwef oundt hattheembryobledout
completel
yandaccor dingt ot
hescan, whower e
twoweekspr egnant.

Nadiajustbli
nksrapidl
ylist
eningt
owhatfeelsto
herli
keani ght
mar e.Aft
erallt
heseyear
softryi
ng
tofal
lpregnantshef i
nall
ydoesandthenlosesit
j
ustli
ket hatMorena?

Morenarel
easeshi
shol
donNadi
aandsi
tsont
he
chai
rnextt
oherbed.
Mor
ena:Soshewaspr
egnant
?

Doctor:Yesshewas.Nadi
aIhavet
oaskafew
questi
onsinordert
ogiveapr
operdi
agnosi
s.OK.
?

Nadi
anodsherheadandwi
peshert
ear
saway.

Doct
or:OK,
doyouhavear
egul
armenst
uralcycl
e?

Nadia:Umm. .Notreal
ly.Somet i
mesIgetmyperi
od
aweekbef oreIexpectitt
ocomeoramont hcan
passandI '
l
lthi
nkIam pr egnantbutt
woweeksafter
Icangetmyper iod.Butwheni tcomesaft
ersi
x
weeks,it
'sal
waysheavyandt hecrampsaremore
painf
ulthannormal.

Doctor:(t
akesnot es)OK,
haveyouseena
gynecologistaboutthi
sprobl
em?
Nadia:(
sniff
les)no.Ihaveneverreal
lyhadaregul
ar
peri
odsinceIst ar
tedmensturat
ingsoIjustt
ookit
thatIam l
ikethat.

Doctor:OKIneedtoknowi
fyouhaveeverbeen
pregnantbef
ore,
li
keknowi
ngl
y?Doyouhavea
chil
d?

Nadia:(bi
tesherl
ip)Idon'
thaveachil
d.(l
ooksat
Morenat henthedoctor
)butIhavebeenpregnant
bef
or e.Fi
veti
mes.

Morebaj
erkshisheadupandf r
owns.Heti
lt
shi
s
headwaiti
ngtohearmore.Si
ncewhendoesNadia
havechi
ldreni
sallhei
saskinghimsel
f.

Doctor:OKwhathappened?Yousayyoudonthave
chi
ldren.Di
dyoumiscarry?
Nadi
a:(
takesadeepbreat
hasherear sheatup)I
…
I
…Ihadaborti
ons.Iwassti
llyoungandIdidn'
twant
t
okeepthem.

Doctor:OK.Don'
tcry.Di
dyouhaveitdonebya
doctorordidyouuseMistr
oposol
?(Nadiar
aises
herbrows)Cytot
ec.Theabort
ionpi
ll
.

Nadi
a:NoIwasli
vingi
nthevi
ll
ageandther
ewasa
womanwhohelpedpeopl
ewit
haborti
ons.

Mor
enast
andsupt
hensi
tsdownagai
n.

Doct
or:Ar
eyouOKsi
r?Youcanst
epouti
fyou
wantt
o.

Mor
ena:NoIwi
llbef
ine.
Doctor:Nadiabackstreetabor t
ionsar every
dangerousandyoucoul dhavel ostyourlif
e.Ihave
seenscart i
ssueonyourut eri
nel i
ningwhi chis
clear
lytheresul
toft hetoolsshepr obablyusedto
causet heabort
ion.(takeshergl assesof f
)From
whatIcangat her,youmi ghtfindt hatthetimesyou
thoughtyourperiodwasdel ayi
ng, youwer eactual
ly
pregnant.Doyouexper i
enceanypr egnancy
symptoms?

Nadia:(
coveri
ngherface)yesIdobutt henmy
peri
odcomesandt henIt hinkitwasal linmyhead.
(wi
peshertearssnif
fl
ing)Icoul dn'thavekeptt
hose
babi
es.Icouldn'
thave.Doct orIdidn'thaveachoi
ce.
Idi
dn'twantthem.Myr apistschildren?NoI
coul
dn'tdoit
.

Doctor
:okayNadi a.I
t'
sokay.Iam sor
ryyouwent
thr
oughthat.I
t'
sonl yunf
ortunat
ethatyouarenow
goingt
hroughthis.Wewi l
lhavetoremovethescar
ti
ssuei
nor
dert
omi
nimi
zet
hescar
ingi
nyour
uter
us.

Nadi
a:Wi
llIbeabl
etof
allpr
egnantaf
tert
hat
?

Doctor:Fal
li
ngpregnantisn'
tani
ssueforyou.But
unfort
unatelyyouwon'tbeablet
ocarr
ypastyour
fi
rstt
rimester.

Nadi
a:(mouthwobbl
es)Justl
iket
hat
?Justl
iket
hat
?
Aobathong.

Shetur
nsoverandcri
esf
acingMorenawhohas
bur
iedhisheadbet
weenhi
slegs.

Doctor:Iam sorr
yNadia.Iwil
ltalkt
omyassi stant
tobookyouinnextweekf oryoursurger
y.(putsher
pendown)Iknowt hi
sisalott
ot akeinr
ightnow
butIwantyout oknowthatyouWi ll
getthr
ought hi
s.
Youcanalwaysexpl
oreotheropt i
onst ohave
chi
ldr
en.Wecandiscussitaftersurgery.(looksat
Morena)si
rIknowthi
sisn'teasyforyouei therbut
sheneedsyounodmor ethanever .(
standsup)Let
mecheckonmyot herpati
entsandIwi llcheck
backinaft
eranhourt
oseei fIcandi schargeyou.

Shegi
vesNadi
a'
sshoul
deral
ightsqueezeand
wal
ksout….

[
08/
31,
17:
59] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t76

I
nNadi
a'
shospi
talr
oom

Nadiawi
peshertearsandsni
ff
leswhi
lefaci
ng
Morenawhosti
llhasn'
tli
ft
edhi
sheadsincethe
doct
orl
eft
.

Nadi
a:(
sni
ff
les)Mor
ena.(
sil
ence)Babe…

Mor
ena:(
sti
llf
aci
ngdown)Ngng.
.

Nadi
a:Babepl
easet
alkt
ome.

Mor
ena:Ngng.
.

Nadi
a:(
snif
fl
es)howwi
llwedealwi
tht
hisi
fyou
don'
twantt
otalkt
ome?

Mor ena:(
looksupwi thredeyes)NadiaIdon'twant
totalktoyour i
ghtnow.Idon'twanttotalk.Won'
t
youat l
eastrespectthat?Iam t
ir
edofthis.Iam t
ir
ed
ofalwayshavi ngtofindthi
ngsoutfr
om ot her
people.Youdon' thaveanhonestboneinyourbody
andIcan' tevenhavemyangerj ust i
fi
edbecauseof
whatyouhavebeent hroughbutwhataboutme?
Am Inotal sohuman?Don' tIdeser vebettert
han
whatyouar edoingt ome?Fi rstIfindoutyouar e
l
ivingawhol eotherl ifethroughBot ho,t
henIlisten
toyout ellyourther apistaboutal lyouryearsofr ape
andf i
ndoutyouhaveawhol eothernamet hen
yearslateryourf at herr i
sesfrom t hedeadand
that'
swhenyout ellmeyouhaveadeadbeatf ather
andnow, nowaf tert hreeyear soft ryi
ngandt r
ying
tohaveachi l
dwi thyouIf indoutyouhadabor ti
ons
Nadia.Notone!Fi ve!Fi veabor t
ions?Coul dn'
tyou
havetoldmet hatbef orehuh?

Nadi
a:(
wobbli
ngmout
h)Idi
dn'
tknowi
tcaused
damageMorena.

Morena:(
standsupandpointsather)Youalways
dothi
s!ThisisyourM.O.Don'tevendaret
ocry
her
ebecauseIam call
ingyououtf orbei
ngaliar
.
Nadi
a:Ineverl
iedt
oyou!

Mor ena:Iaskedyouthedayyourf athershowedup

i
ft herewasanythingelseyoudi dn'ttel
lme.
Dammi tNadiayoucouldhavesai dsomet hingt
he
dayyoudeci dedtotel
lmei nf r
ontofyourDoct or
thatyougr ewupbeingr aped.Wasn' tthatthe
perfectti
met ochi
met hatin?

Nadia:(
cryi
ng)Morenait'
snotsomet hi
ngIever
wanttoremember.Thosewer ethemostpainful
ti
mesIhaveevergonet hrough.Li
teral
lybl
eedi
ng
outonsomeone'sfl
oornotknowi ngifyouwil
lopen
youreyesagai
njustbecauseyoudi dn'
twantto
keepreminder
sofyourrape.

Morena:Welll
ookwherethatgotyou.Youwi
ll
neverhavechi
ldr
enbecauseofthat.

Nadi
a:Ohandyouwoul
dhavel
ovedmei
fIcame
wi
that
rai
noff
ivechi
ldr
en?

Morena:Thati
ssomet
hingwewi
llneverknownow
wi
llwe?

Nadia:(chokesfrom hert
ear
s)Mor enaIam sorry
fornottell
ingyouabouttheabor
ti
ons.Ididn'tl
ieto
you.Ijustdidn'
twanttobeawalkinggraveyardin
youreyes.Iam sorry.

Morena:(
looksather
)Nadi
ayoudon'
tlovemedo
you?

Nadi
a:whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Ofcour
seIl
ove
youMorena.

Morena:(
wipesateart
hatescapedhiseye)Noyou
don'
tbecauseyouhavemadei tyourl
if
e'smi
ssi
on
tohurtme.Whatel
sedon'
tIknowaboutyou?
Maybeyoul iedandyourmot heri
sactual
lyali
ve.
(chuckles)AtthisrateIam aboutt ofi
ndoutyou
wer ebornaboy.( rubshisfacewi thhi
shands)
honest l
yIam sot i
redoft hi
sNadi a.Li
keke
remegi l
editokol
logompi eno.(youhavereal
ly
flooredme)Ican' t
!

Hewal
kst
othedoor
.

Nadi
a:(
sit
sup)pl
easedon'
tgo.

Mor
ena:Ineedt
othi
nk.

Nadi
a:Ar
eyoubr
eaki
ngupwi
thme?

Mor ena:(tur
nsandf
acesher)Ineedtothi
nk
dammi t!Ineedt
othi
nk!Can'
tyourespectt
hat
?He
opensthedoorandstormsout.
Thenur
sewhohadcall
edhimi nseeshimleavi
ng
andwal
ksint
oNadi
a'sroom t
oseei fshei
sOK.She
fi
ndsNadi
acryi
ngi
ntoherhands.

Nur
se:Ar
eyouOK?

Nadi
a:(
looksather)Il
osthim.Ihavel
osthi
mthi
s
t
ime.Mylif
eisoverandit'
sallmyfaul
t.

Theolderwomanwal
ksoverandhol
dsher
comfort
ingher
.

Nurse:Ngwanakadonteversayyourl i
fei
sover
whenGodi sn'tdonewi t
hyou.Idon'tknowwhat
youar egoi
ngt hr
oughr i
ghtnowbutknowt hatas
sureasyouar ethatthesunsetsattheendofever y
day,youareasequal l
ysurethatitcomesbackup
atdawn.Ifindeedthatmanl ef
tyout henknowt hat
thi
spai nwi
llpassandyouwi l
lbeabletosmi l
e
again.Thi
swi l
lbeadi st
antmemor y.
Nadia:(sobbi
ng)buthei
ssogood.Ican'
tlosehi
m!
Ican't
.

Nurse:listentomewhenIsayt hatnoteveryoneis
foreveryone.Ifhecan'tsuppor
tyouwhenyouar e
goingthr oughthi
skindoflossthenheisn'
tworthit
.

Nadi
a:Youdon'tunder
stand!I
t'
smyf
aul
t.(
wipes
hert
ears)canIpl
easebealone.

Nur se:OKbutyouneedtocalm downandst

op
raisingyourBPifyouwantt
othedoctort
o
dischargeyou.

Thenur
sehol
dsherhandandwal
ksout
.

I
ntheemer
gencyr
oom
Everyonesi
tsanxi
ouslywai
ti
ngtohearf
rom
anyoneaboutNadia'
scondi
ti
on.

Bol
eng'
smum;honeyl
etmegot
othel
oo.

MrMot
lhabi
:OK.

Shestandsupandmakesherwayt ot hetoil
et.
Onceshei sdonesheopensthedoorandf i
nds
Bogosileani
ngagainstt
hewallwai
ti
ngf orher.She
panicsandlooksar
oundt oseei
fanyoneelsewas
ther
e.

Bol
eng'
smum:WhatdoyouwantBogosi
?

Bogosi:LenahIjustwantt
omeetmydaught
er.I
s
thatsowr ong?
Boleng'smum:( chuckl
es)Bogosiam Iaf ooltoyou?
Didn'tyousayyouwant ednot hi
ngt odoi twi t
hmy
child?Younowwantherbecauseshei sagr own
woman?Whati si
twithyoudeadbeatf atherskante?
Doyouhaveauni onwher eyoudiscussyourpl ans
tor ui
nyourchildr
en'
slives?Wel lyouar eal i
tt
lelat
e
compar edtoyourcomr adebecauseBol enghas
beenmar ri
edf ort
hreeyear snow.Ol atepapaha
elegoreletsomamagadi .(youarelateifyouar eall
afterbri
deprice)

Shewal
ksawayf
orm hi
m andgoesbacki
ntot
he
wai
ti
ngroom.

MrMorena:(t
oBoleng)Ao,
mmeyoulookexact
ly
l
ikemygranddaughter
.NnaEbi
lekar
eao
ngwanakekegosele.

MrMot
hlabi(
laughs)Heykanayouneverknow.We
l
ivei
nasmal
lwor
ld.

Bol
eng'
smum:(
sit
sdown)What
'shappeni
ng?

MrMot lhabi
:NoMrMorenawasaski
ngBolengwho
herfat
herissayi
ngshel
ooksl
ikehi
sgrand
daughter.

Bol
eng'
smot hergetstongueti
edandri
ghtonque,
ThedooropensandAviwal ksinwi
thhi
swife,
Tl
amelo,Leano,LoagoandJoe.

MrMorena:ShehNt
lame!Iwasj
ustt
alki
ngabout
you.

MrsMor ena:Harebat
shwanagor
e!(
andt
hey
r
eall
ylookalike)
Tearssti
ngBoleng'smother'seyes.Shel ooksat
Bogosiwithsomuchangerasherhear traces.She
neverwantedthisdaytocome.Especi all
ysi nce
Bolengwantednothingtodowi t
hherf ather.Bogosi
ontheotherhandishavingal lhisquest i
ons
answeredwhenheseesBol engandTl amel o.He
knewitwasn'tinhi
shead.Bol engt oolooksat
Tlameloandcanseet hesimilarit
iesexceptf or
Tlamelo'
sli
ghtercomplexi
on, theylookedatl otal
ike.
Shelooksathermot herandcanseet hedi scomf ort
onnherface.

Mr sMorena:(hugsTl
otl
o)Areyouheretosee
Abotle?DoyouknowIhadt ohearitf
rom Bogosi
thatyoursonwasn'twel
lTl
otlo?Haodiresentl
e
kana.(whatyouseedoingi
swr ong)

Tlot
loswall
owsast heguiltlava,beginstoburnher
earsandchestalloveragain.Shet houghtitwoul
d
bemont hsoratl
eastweeksbef or
eseeingBogosi
again.Shefeel
snaked.Shef eelsli
keever yonei
s
watchi
ngthem nakedandhumpi
ngonthefl
oor.
Shefol
dsherar msandsmil
esner
vousl
yavoi
ding
Bogosi
'seyes.Seei
nghiswi
femakesi
ttent
imes
worse.

Tl
otl
o:Iam sor
ry.Ishoul
dhavet
oldyouma.

Chantel
lelooksdowni nshameremember ingthe
heatedconversati
onsheandTlotlohadshar ed
whenshehadcal l
edtwodaysaftertheaccident
sayi
ngshewoul dli
ketoseeAbotle.Theyhada
fi
ghtli
keonet heyneverhadbef
or eandhaven't
spokensince.

Whilet
herei
sallthi
shappeningintheroom,each
consumedbytheirownthoughts,Morenast
orms
thr
oughthedoorsandwalkspasteveryone.

Kgosi
:Mor
ena!I
ssheOK?I
sNadi
aOK?
Mor enadoesn'
tstoptoanswerhim butwalksout
thedoorandheadst othecaranddrivesoutnot
thi
nkingaboutthefacethathedr
ovehi sparent
s
here.

MrMor
ena:(
standsup)Heel
ang!

Bol
eng'
smum:(
standsup)Letmegoandcheckon
her
.

Shewalksawayandopenst
hedoorl
eadi
ngt
othe
roomshalfr
unni
ng.

[
08/
31,
17:
59] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t77
Att
hehospi
tal

Aft
erMorenarunsout,KgosiandBogosir
unout
hopi
ngtocatchhim butal
ltheyseei
shistai
lli
ght
s.

Kgosi
:Dammit
!Idon'
tknowhowmanyt i
meIhave
t
otell
himtost
opthist
hingofdr
ivi
ngoutwhenhe
i
sangry.

Bogosi
:Whatevenhappened?I
'
dshedead?

Kgosi
:Hewouldn'
tactl
iket
hatofshedi
ed.Hei
s
angr
yaboutsomethi
ng.

Bogosi
:AhNadi
akanaleeneodistunt
.(Nadi
ais
al
soful
lofi
t)Whathasshedonet
histi
me?

Kgosi
:Thi
sri
ghther
eiswhatIwasaf
rai
dofandi
t
seemedli
keIhatethegi
rl
.Ican'
tevencallhi
m
becauset
hatcouldmakethi
ngswor se.

MrMorenacomespaci
ngoutoft
heemer
gencyand
wal
ksovert
othem.

MrMor
ena:oi
le?(
didhel
eave?
)

Bogosi
:Yeah.

MrMor ena:ElegoreMorenaoapeka?(ishemad? )
Whywoul dhel eaveusherewhenhedroveus?Our
thi
ngsareinhiscarkana.NnaIlongsaidi
tthatI
wanttobringmyowncarbutbecauseheneeded
anexcuset ogowi t
hushehadt obethechauff
eur.

Bogosi
:Wewi
lldr
opyouof
f.Don'
twor
ry.
MrMor ena:(
hol
dshiswaistandt
il
tshishead)
Bogosiwhoisthatgi
rl
?Issheyourdaughter
?

Bogosi
:(scr
atcheshi
shead)Ahtot
aIwas
suspi
ciousofherwhenIsawherbuthermot
her
doesn'
twanttotal
kaboutit
.

MrMor
ena:Soyouknowhermot
her
?

Bogosi
:(l
ooksar
ound)Yeahbutwepar
tedonbad
ter
ms.

MrMor
ena:Wasshepr
egnantwhenyoupar
ted?

Bogosi
:(scr
atcheshead)yeahbutIki
ndoft
oldher
togetr
idofit
.

Kgosichuckl
esandst
epsback.MrMor
enar
aises
hi
shandandsmackst
hebackofBogosi
'
shead!

Bogosi
:Paps!

MrMorena:or ayaNyapswaeng?Yougot
someone'schil
dpregnantt
hent
oldhert
oabpi
rti
t?
Areyouinsane?

Bogosi
:Iwasst
il
laki
d!Iwasn'
tready!

MrMor ena:(r
aiseshi
shandbutBogosiducks)So
whydidn'tyouuseprotect
ionhuh?Youar
eno
bett
erthanthatidi
ott
hathaslandedhi
sdaughteri
n
hospit
al!Whatiswrongwithyou?

Bogosi
:Iwasst
il
lyoungpaps.

MrMor
ena:ShutupBogosi
!Youl
etmy
granddaught
ergr
owupfather
less.
onchi
misagore
andIhopeshewantsnot
hingtodowithyou.Nxl
a.

Hewal ksbacktotheemergencyroom wherethe

tensi
onissothickfort
hosewhof eeli
tbutthose
obli
vioustowhatisgoi
ngthrougheveryone'
sminds
areatease.
Mr
sMor
ena:Wher
eishe?

MrMorena:Hedroveoff
.Ourphonesar
eint
hecar
sowecan'tevencal
lhi
m.

Tl
otl
o:(awkwar
dly)Umm l
etusgo.Wewantt
o
makeitonti
me.

MrsMorena:OKwhi
chwardi
shein?I'
dli
ket
osee
hi
m aswell
.Whenar
etheydi
schar
ginghi
m?

Tl
otl
o:(
ner
vousl
y)Maybet
omor
row.Theywant
ed
t
oseehowhi
sst
it
chesar
eheal
ing.

MrsMorena:OKthenmaybeIcancomeandsee
hi
m athomebecausewehavet oseewhat
's
happeni
ngwithMorena.LetmegoandcheckNadi
a.

Shestandsupandgi vesTlot
loahugt henwal
ks
away.Tlot
loandherfamilywalkawayaf t
ert
heki
ds
exchangepleasant
ri
eswiththei
rgrandad.

Joe:(
takesaseat
)Tl
amel
oIwi
llj
ustwai
ther
efor
you.

Tl
amel
o:OKbabe.Iwon'
tbet
ool
ong.

Hereyeswidenwhenhergr andf
atherf
rowns.She
qui
cklydashesawaybeforehestart
saskingher
embarrassi
ngquest
ions.
Avi
:(hol
dsherwai
st)Lovear
eyouOK?

Tlot
lo:(
clear
sherthr
oat
)Yeah.I
twasj
ustawkwar
d
seei
ngChant el
le.

Avinodshi
sheadandt
heycont
inuewal
kingt
o
Abotl
e'
sward.

Tl
otl
o:Agapewassupposedt
obeher
ebynow.

Avi
:EvenTyl
er.

Tl
amel ochokesonhersal
ivabutt
heydon'
t
quest
ionitandcont
inuewalki
ng.

Backbytheemergency,
MrMorenal
eansbackon
thechai
randfol
dshisarmsl
ooki
ngatJoe.
MrMor
ena:Obabyyagamang?

Avi
:(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)Rr
a?

MrMorena:youhear
dme.Whyi
smygr
andchi
ld
cal
li
ngyoubaby?

Avi
:(
scr
atcheshi
shead)Iam herf
ri
end.

MrMor
ena:
Soal
lyourf
ri
endscal
lyoubaby?

Avi:(
pressesthefakecal
lbut
ton)Rr
a?Ohsor
ryI
havetotakethis.

Hewal
ksawayl
eavi
ngMrMot
lhabil
aughi
ng.

MrMor ena:Theseboystodayhavei
teasy.Iwoul
d
neverhavethoughtofgoi
ngaroundwit
hmy
gir
lf
ri
end'
sparent
s.Iwasani nigmatothem unt
il
thedaymyuncleswentt opaymagadi .Bobaby
babyinfr
ontofparents?Lethim comeback.Hewi l
l
tel
lmehowhemar r i
edherwi thoutmyknowledge.

MrMot
lhabi
,Chant
ell
eandBogosi
'
swi
feal
llaugh.

Chant
ell
e:Papat
hesear
edi
ff
erentt
imes.

MrMorena:Di
ff
erentt
imesmyf
oot
.Gat
weomang?
Bol
eng?

Bol
eng:r
ra?

MrMorena:di
dyoual
psdot
hiswi
thyourhusband
bef
oreyougotmar
ri
ed??

Bol
eng:(
smi
les)no.Hei
sNi
ger
iansot
heyar
ever
y
di
ff
erentf
rom usi
nhowt
heyr
elat
etoi
nlaws.

MrMorena:Nnyaammatheyaren'
tdi
ffer
entfr
om
us.Wearetheoneswhohavel
ostourcult
ure.

Hecont i
nueschat ti
ngwi t
hMrMot l
habiwhi l
e
Bolenglooksathi m wonderi
ngwhati twoul dbeli
ke
tobepar tofhisfamily.Shet
hinksaboutal lthe
ti
mesNadi atoldherabouthowcl oseMor enawas
withhisfami l
yandal lt
hegettogetherst
heyhadat
thei
rparent'shouseandr eal
izesthepossibili
tyof
herhavingmi ssedoutonal l
that.Sheislosti n
thoughtast hemenchaton.

I
nNadi
a'
shospi
talr
oom

Boleng'smot
herhugsandcomf ort
sherwhi
le
Mor ena'
smothersi
tsont
hechai rwat
chi
ngher
sadlyasshenarrat
eswhathappened.
Nadi
a:(
cryi
ng)Idi
dn'
tknowabor t
ingthem woul
d
l
eavemeinaplaceli
kethi
s.Ihavelosthi
mf or
ever
now.

Mr sMor ena:Nadi ayoudon' tknowthat.Ort i

bngI
knowf orsur eisthatmysonl ovesyou.Hei sjust
angrynow.Gi vehimt i
me.That 'st
heonet hingI
hateabouthi m andmyhusband.Theyar el i
ke
rhi
noswhent heyareangr y.Evenmakingt hem tal
k
whent heydon' twantt oisgoingtoleaveyoui npain
becauset heyl osetheirf
il
terwhent heyareangr y.
It
'sbettertoletthem leaveandcooldown.Butt his
dri
vingof ft
hingyagaMor enaiswhati r
ri
tatedme
mor e.Mxm.Butj ustgivehimt i
met ocooloff.You
guyscanexpl oreotheropt i
onsofhavingchi l
dren.
Thesear en'tthe1900s.

Nadia'
sphoneri
ngsandshegr
absitthi
nki
ngi
ts
Morena.Herbl
oodboi
lswhensheseeswhois
cal
li
ng.
Nadia:(seet
hing)Neverevercallmeagai ndoyou
hearmeJoseph?Ar eyoutheonet hatsentyour
parentstomehuh?Ofcour seyoudi d!Ichanged
myphonenumbersot heyusedyout ogettome.I
knewitwast oogoodt obet r
uet hatyouandyour
spoil
edbr ot
herandsisterwouldwantmei nthei
r
l
ives.Nevertalktomeagain!Nxl a!

Shehangsupandt
hrowsherhandsoverherf
ace
cr
ying.

Bol
eng'
smum:Whowast
hat
?

Nadia:(l
ooksatherwi t
hpuffyeyes)Myhalfbr
other
.
Hehasbeent al
kingtomeforaf ewdaysand
wantedtomeetsoIt ol
dhimtocomeandseeme
today.Iwantedhimt ocometoyourhousesoI
wasn'talonebutlookwherethatgotme.Hewas
clear
lyinami ssi
onforhisparents.
Mr sMor enashakesherheadindisbel
iefwhil
e
Boleng'smum wr apsNadiainherarms.Meanwhile
outsi
de, Joelooksathi
sphonei nconfusi
on.He
tr
iesoclherbackbuthi scalli
scutthenhecan't
getthrough.Hesl owl
ywalkstohismum' scarand
si
tsini twait
ingforTl
amelo.

[
08/
31,
17:
59] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t78

Att
hehospi
tal

MrsMorenacomesbackt
othewai
ti
ngr
oom and
si
ghs.

Mr
sMor
ena:Papasl
et'
sgohome.Iam t
ir
ednow.
MrMor
ena:buthowi
sshe?

MrsMor ena:Sheisfi
ne.Wellshewi
llbef
ine.Let
's
go.Iwi
lltel
lyouinthecar.

MrMor enast
andsupandshakesMrMot
lhabi
'
s
hand.

MrMor
ena:Atl
eastweknowsheisfi
ne.Iwil
ltal
k
t
omysonandwewi l
lbeseei
ngeachotheragaini
n
amont
hwhenwecomeandpaymagadi .

MrMot
lhabi
:Eer
ra.Let
la,
tsamayasent
le.

MrMor ena:(t
oBoleng)OtlaSalasentl
engwanaka.
(pi
nchesherdaughter'
scheeks)Kareshelooks
nothi
nglikeyou.Ogojesit
setwonnot omosimane
wamoNi ger
ia.(
hisgenesoverpoweredyours)
Bol
eng:(
giggl
es)Ihaveaccept
edt
hatIwasj
ustan
i
ncubat
orhere.

MrMorena:(l
aughs)Wewi
llseeyouagai
nina
mont
hAker e?

Bol
eng:i
fIcant
aket
imeof
ffr
om wor
k.Il
ivei
n
Pal
apye.

Mr
sMor
ena:Ao!Kgakal
ajang!(
that
'ssof
araway)

Bol
eng:Yesbutwet
ryt
ovi
sitof
ten.

MrMot
lhabi
:lyi
ngt
oel
der
sBol
eng?

Bol
eng:(
laughs)i
jol
etmegoandseeNadi
a.
Shest andsupl eavi
ngherdaughtersi
tti
ngnextt
o
herstepf ather.Sheimmedi at
elyst
ret
chesherhand
outandhechuckl esthenhandsherhisphoneso
shecanpl aythegamehekeepsf orher.

I
nAbot
le'
sroom

Tyl
er,
Agapeandt heki
dswalki
ntotheroom wi
th
Agapetr
yingherbestt
oactasnat
uralaspossi
ble.

Avi:WenaTehi
ll
ah,af
termakingsomuchnoi se
aboutwanti
ngtoseeyourbrotheryoudeci
deto
comelate?

Tehi
ll
ah:butdaddyi
twasn'
tme!I
twasAunt
y!She
i
stheonewhowast ogoto-

Agape:AoTehil
lahmma.Howcanyout
hrowme
underthebus?
Tl
otl
o:Wher
edi
dshet
akeyounana?

Agape:ShehTlotl
obathong!(
laughs)Wear eher
e
ar
en'twe?Iwantedtogetherhairdonekomyhai r
dr
esserbutherqueuewassol ongthatIhadtojust
dr
opt hewhol
et hi
ng.Ibookedherinfornextweek.

Tlamelofi
ght
sherlaught
erandat
extcomes
throughonherphone.

Joe[ babeIt
hinkIshouldj
ustgo.Mysist
erjust
l
ashedoutatmeoutoft hebl
uetell
ingmeneverto
callheragai
nthenblockedmesowear entgoing
thereanymore.]

Tl
amel
ofr
ownsandsendsherr
epl
y.

[
Aoj
ustl
iket
hat
?Di
danyt
hinghappen?Bonawai
t
t
her
eIam comi
ng]

Joe:[
whataboutyourbr
other
?Don'
twor
ry.Iwi
llbe
fi
ne.]

[
No.Iam coming.TheDoctorsayst
heyare
di
schar
ginghimrightnowbecauseheisheali
ng
pr
operl
y.Iwi
llmeetthem athome.Wai
tthere.
]

Tl
amelosendst
hemessaget
henl
ooksather
mother
.

Tl
amelo:mamacanileaveyouguys?Ther
eisa
si
tuat
ionwi
thJoeandhissist
er.

Tl
otl
o:Okay.Behomeear
lyt
hough.

Avi
:Tl
amel
odon'
tmakeahabi
tofdr
oppi
ngyour
fami
lyf
oryourboyf
ri
end.Thosedon'
tal
waysl
ast
,
butf
amil
yisfor
ever.

Tl
otl
o:Ofcour
sepaps.I
t'
sjustf
ort
oday.

Leano:Yeahr
ight
!

Ever
yonel
aughs.

Tlamelo:Leanokeept
alki
ngandIwi
llsi
ngl
ikea
canary.

Leano:(
put
shisarmsoverhershoul
der)Aosisyou
knowIwasjustj
oking.Iwoul
dneverevermess
wit
hyou.Notme.

Shepushedhi
sfaceawayandwalksoutoft
he
room l
eavi
ngl
aught
erbehi
ndherassheheadsto
t
hecar
.

I
nNadi
a'
sroom.

Bol
eng'
smum wal
ksoutaf
terBol
engget
sin.

Bol
eng:Whathappened?

Nadia:Ahmypastneverr emainsmypastt hat

's
what .Imightbemyownwor stenemyBee.I tt
urns
outmyt housandabor t
ionsarethereasonIcan't
getpr egnant.Waitno.Apparentl
ypregnancyisn'
t
myi ssue.Myi ssueisIcan'tstaypr
egnant.Turns
outMmaTl hongdidanumberonmyut er
usand
nowMor enaseemsf edupbecausehesaysInever
tol
dhi m aboutit.

Bol
eng:Butwhydi
dn'
tyou?
Nadia:(chuckles)howdoyout ellamanyouhad
aborti
ons?Ihonest lydidn'tevent hinkitwasabi g
dealbecauseIknewIwasal waysf al
li
ngpr egnant
.I
meanIgotpr egnantimmedi at
elyaf tergettingmy
fi
rstperiodandt henever yyearaf terthat.I
remembert hel astti
mei thappened, Ipassedout
forhoursatMmaTl hong'shouseandonl ywent
backhomej ustbeforemi dnight.Shesai di twas
becauseIhaddel ayedtocomeandi twasnowa
baby.Yeaht hatmusthavebeent heonet hatdi
dit
becauseIneverf el
lpregnantaf t
ert hat.

Boleng:AhwenammaNadi ayourl i
feleyonei s
just.
.Itneedssomeonewi thahear tofst eel.Ilove
youandever ythingbutwhenIputmysel fin
Mor ena'sshoesf oraminut e,Icanunder standhi s
reactionbecauseyouneverj ustspil
lyourgut sout
tosomeone.Iam hear i
ngt hisabortionstoryf orthe
fir
sttimebutyouandIhaveknowneachot herf or
somanyyear s.Nowi magi neamanwhowant st o
mar ryyouhearingt hi
safteryear softryi
ngt ohave
achi l
dwi t
hyou.Whydi dn'tyout el
lhim beforeor
at
leastseeadoct
orbecauseofyourhi
stor
y?

Nadi a:Boleng..Ahyouknowwhat ?It'

sf i
ne.Iam
wr ongf ornottel l
inghim.Lethimleaveme.Ket la
rengbecauset het r
uthisthatmypastwi llal
ways
beaf actorinourmar ri
age.Ever
ymi stakeImake
willbewei ghedagai nstmypastandal soMor ena
wantt ohavef ourchi l
drenandIcan'tgivehimt hat.
MaybeIam bet teroffcutti
ngmyl ossesnowt han
signmysel fupf oral i
feofmiser
ywi thamant hat
feelslikehei sn'tcompl et
e.

Bol
eng:Soyouwantt
obr
eakupwi
thhi
m?

Nadia:(si
ghs)Idon'
tthinkIcanevenfindthewor ds
becauseIlovethatmanBee.Il ovemymanso
mucht hateventhethoughtofbeingwithouthim
givesmechestpainsbutwhatchoi cedoIhave
becausehei scl
earl
ydonewi t
hme.TheMor enaI
knowwoul dneverhavel ef
tmeaf t
erfi
ndingoutI
l
ostourbaby.Hei sdonewi thme.
Boleng:(r ubsNadi a'
sar m)Don'tgiveuponhimjust
yet.Your si salovethatisveryforgivi
ng.Imean
thatmanf orgaveyourlevelhundredcheati
ng!He
canf orgiveanyt hi
ng!Icannotevendr eam of
cheatingonTony.Thatmanwoul dhavemyhead
onapol ei nhisvil
lagebydi nnert
ime.

Naddi
a:(l
aughs)Hei
shmybr otheri
nlawbathong!I
don'
tevenknowwhyhedi dn'
tcomewi t
hyou.His
j
okesalwaysgivemeli
fe.

Boleng:Mothoool apisatl
haloganyotl
hemma.( he
i
sexhaust i
ng)Ican'teventakeanythi
nghesays
seri
ouslybecausehei salwaysjoki
ngort r
yingt
o
getmenaked.( rol
lshereyes)TrustmewhenIsay
thatthi
sisavacationforme.Kanamor obal
ooa
l
apisaDiks.(sexisti
ri
ng)

Nadi
a:(
laughsunt
ilt
ear
sfal
l)YouknowMor
ena
onceaskedmei fyouarealwayshavi
ngsex
becausewheneverIcallyouwhenIam i
nthecar
,
youarealwaysbreat
hingheavil
yandtel
li
ngmeit
i
sn'tagoodtime.

Bol eng:(wideeyed)Itoldyounevert ocallmewhen

youar einthecarNadia!Thesebl uet oot
hr ubbi
shes
ofyour swi l
lhavemel ookingl i
kesexaddi ct.
(laughs)kanakegor ei fIwasn'thalfwaymad, I
woul dt el
lTonytogetasi dechi ckjustsoIcanget
br eaksbutmyhal fbrainwi l
lhavemebr eaking
peopl e'sdoorsdownorbur ni
ngt heirhousesdown
justtogetmymanoutoft here.

Nadi
athr
owsherheadbackandl
aughs.

Nadi
a:AndIdon'
tdoubtt
hatyouwoul
ddot
hat
.

Bol
eng:(
put
sherhandst
oget
her
)Nowt hatyouar
e
l
aughi
ngagai
n,It
hinkMor
enamightbemyuncle.
Nadi
a:(
frowns)what
?Whatdoevenmean?

Bol eng:Wellhi
sfatherst
artedoffaskingmewho
myf atheri
sandAker ennaIam f at
herless.Well
thenhesai dIlooklikehi
sgr anddaughterthenthe
girlwal ksi
nkanagat weTlamelo.Andsher eal
ly
doesl ookal i
tt
lel
ikeme.

Nadi
a:(
chuckl
es)Tl
amel
oasi
nBogosi
'
sdaught
er?

Boleng:Yeahandthatmanhadbeenl
ooki
ngatme
forthelongestt
imeint
hewait
ingr
oom.Ievengot
creepedoutkeremaybehewantsme.

Nadi
a:Thi
sisj
ust
,buthaveyouaskedmama?

Boleng:Mamaisact
ingwierd.Evenwhenshewas
tol
daboutwhatMrMor enasaid,shedi
dn'
teven
respondorat
leastl
aughi
toff
.Shewentmuteand
actedshi
ft
yhela.Shenowseemstobeavoidi
ngme.
Akereyousawgor eshej
ustl
eftwhenIcamein
here.

Nadi
a:Ij
ustt
houghtshewasgi
vinguspr
ivacy.

Boelng:Nope.Therei
smor etot
hisbutIdon'
twant
tohavetoaskt hatman.Iwantt
otal
ktomymum
fi
rst
.

Nadi
a:,
Andt
hen?Wi
llyouwanthi
minyourl
if
e?

Bol
eng:Ihonest
lydon'
tknow.

Nadi
a:Iwoul
dn'tt
hinktwiceabouti
tknowingthe
ki
ndoffamil
ytheyare.Theymakeyouwantt ohave
whatt
heyhavebutthenagainconsider
ingyour
mumssideofthestoryaboutthewholeabort
ion
t
hing.

Bol
eng:(
shakesherhead)KegoreGodsawtwo
al
mostabort
ionsl
ikeusandbroughtust
oget
her
?

Nadi
a:(
laughs)Mxm

Sheget
sanot
if
icat
iononherphoneandchecks.

Morena:[
Iam wai
ti
ngf
oryoui
ntheparki
ngl
ot.Let
meknowonceyouhavebeendi
schar
gedsoIcan,
comegetyou.
]

Shesi
ghsandshowsBol
engt
hemessage.

Bol
eng:At
leasthecameback.

Nadi
a:Iguessso.
[
3mont
hsl
ater
]
[
08/
31,
18:
00] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t78

Nadi
a

Ididn'tknowwhatbei ngwi thsomeonewhoseems

trappedi nar elati
onshi pl
ooksl ikeunti
lthree
mont hsago.Mor enai sn'
tthemanIusedt oknowI
feelli
kehei sjustpassi ngtimewi thmeandIam
honest l
ysot i
redofi t
.Ihavesomuchgoi ngonat
wor kwi t
ht heMakeaHomepr oject.Wejustair edit
ont el
evisionl astnightandmymai lisal
ready
floodedwi thcompani esthatwantt omeett heirCSR
targetsusingusandwer eallydon'tmindbei ng
usedt hatway.Al lthi
swor kpr essureandMor ena's
unendi ngtant rum i
sj ustthrowingmeof f.Iiniti
ally
thoughti twasal linmyheadbutt hentodayhewent
t
ohiscousin'sweddi
ngwi t
houtme.Nevermindthe
f
actthatIhavespenthi
sweekathishouse.Ikept
myselfbusywithworkal
ldaybutIcoul
dn'thel
pbut
f
eeltheacheinmyhear t
.Hejustdr
oveinandIam
j
ustgoingtoleti
toutandlett
hechipsf
allwhere
t
heymay.

Mor
ena:(
openst
hedoor
)Dumel
ang.

Me:(
wit
hahar
dvoi
ce)Hi

Hewal kspastmeandheadst othebedroom.No

ki
ssnot hi
ng.Igetupandfol
lowhimt othebedroom
wherehest ar
tstaki
nghiscl
othesoff
.Istandbythe
doorfoldi
ngmyhandsf orawhilewatchinghi
m.

Mor
ena:(
looksatme)What
?

Me:What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thusMor
ena?
Mor
ena:(
sighs)whatdoyoumean?

Iwal
kovert
othebedandsi
tdown.

Me:Pl
easesi
tdownsowecant
alk.

Mor
ena:Iam st
il
lchangi
ng.

Me:AoAker
eyoucansi
tsowet
alkf
ir
st.I
twon'
tbe
l
ong.

Mor ena:(
impat i
entl
y)Ili
stenwi t
hmyear ssojust
tal
k.Iam list
ening.Idon'tneedtolookintoyour
eyest ohearyou.Idon'tknowwhyyoul iketel
li
ng
mewhatt odo.Everythi
nghast obedoneaccor di
ng
toyourwi shes.Buammaker eedit
se.(SpeakIam
l
istening)
Tearsstar
tst
ingingmyeyes.Thi sisonethingI
hateaboutmyself.Iam overl
yemot ional
,especi
all
y
whenitcomest oMor ena.Idon'tevenwanthi mto
seemecr yri
ghtnowbecauseIdon' twanthi mto
seemeasweak.Iqui ckl
ywipet hetearthat
escapesmyeyesandl ookupt otheceili
ng.

Me:Mor enaIf
eell
ikeyouaren'ti
nthi
srel
ati
onshi
p
anymore.WhatIdon'tunder
standiswhyyoudon'
t
j
usttel
lmeyoudon' twantmeanymor esoIcango.

Morena:Ihaveneversai
dIdon'
twantyou.Iam st
il
l
her
e.

Me:Youar en'ther
eMor ena.Wear esupposedtohe
gett
ingmar ri
edintwomont hsbutyoudon'ttal
k
aboutitanymor eandthat'
snothingcomparedto
thefactthatyousti
llhaven'
tpaidmagadiwhich
wereduet womont hsago.Ifyouar est
il
lheret
hen
what
'sgoi
ngon?

Morena:(
faci
ngthecloset
)Iam st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
he
r
estofyoursecr
ets.

Me:Morenawhatsecr
ets?Ther
eisnot
hingmor
eto
t
ellyou.

Morena:(
chuckles)andwherehaveIhear
dthat
bef
ore?Ibel
ievedyouonlytofi
ndoutwecan'thave
chi
ldr
en.

Me:Mor
enawehaveopt
ions.Wecanal
waysadopt
.

Mor ena:(
chuckles)ofcoursewecanMi ssNadia.
Whywoul dn'
twe?Iwasbor nt
opleaseyouand
sootheallyourachesakere?Imeanwhatar emy
dreamsofhavi ngmyownchi l
drencomparedto
pleasingyou?Sure.Let'
sgoandadopt .Youwil
l
choosethechil
dyouwantustoadoptandwhere
theywil
lschool
.Heckyouwi
lldeci
dewhethert
he
chil
dtakesmynameornot.

Thedamnedt
ear
sagai
n.

Me:Babywhyar
eyout
alki
ngt
omel
iket
his?

Morena:(
turnsaroundandpoi nt
satme)Because
youareself
ishNadia!Youar easel
fishhuman
bei
ngwhoexpectmet obendoverbackwar dsfor
herj
ustbecauseherpasti smorepainfulthanmine!
Haveyoueverconsider edt
hatIwantchildrenofmy
own?Hast hatevercrossedyourmind?

Me:(shouti
ng)Ineverf
orcedyout
obewit
hme
Morena!Whydidyoucomebackf ormei
fIam a
sel
fi
shbitch?
Morena:BecauseIloveyoudammi t
!Ihat
eyouso
muchforthepainIfeel i
nmyhear tbutIl
oveyou!I
l
oveyouNadi aandi thurt
s!Lovi
ngyouhur t
s!My
j
oyisneverprolongedandIhat eyoufori
t!

Me:(
cryi
ng)ThenleavemeMorena!Br
eakupwi
th
meandstopstr
ingingmeal
ong!

Hekeepsqui
et.

Me:(
standi
ngup)youknowwhat
?Iam goi
ngt
o
makethi
sveryeasyf
oryou.

Ist
andupandpullmyminisui
tcaseoutoft
he
cl
osetandst
artt
hrowi
ngmyclothesin.

Mor
ena:(
sighs)Nadi
awhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:(packing)Imaynothavealotinmylif
eand
evenablindmancanseet hatIcan'
trunawayf
rom
mypastbutonet hi
ngIam notgoingtodois
humil
iatemyselfbyst
ayingwithamanwhodoesn't
l
oveme.

Morena:(
shout
s)Ar
eyouki
ddi
ngme?Idon'
tlove
you?

Me:( l
ookathim)Youdon' tl ovemeMor ena.You
arejustafr
aidoflooki ngli
keabadper sonby
l
eavingme.Gui ltistheonl yt hingkeepi ngyoui nmy
l
ifeandIam notgoi ngtodegr ademysel fany
furt
her.Iam notachar i
tycaseMor ena.Idon' tneed
tostaywithamanwhocan' tevenst andt ot ouch
me.Wehaven' thadsexi nt hreemont hs!Andi fI
don'tcomeher e,youdon' tvisi tme.IfIdon' tcall
you,youdon'tbot heryoursel f.Atleastyoukept
yourmoneysoIdon' thavet opaybackmagadi .

Mor
enat
ri
est
ohol
dmyhandbutIyanki
taway
Me:NoMorena.Iam doi
ngwhatyoucl
ear
lycan'
t
do.Wear
edone.

Mor
ena:Nadi
a.

Me:NoMorena.Iwil
lnotst
aywit
hamanwho
makesmefeell
ikeheisdoi
ngmeafavorbybei
ng
wi
thme.Iwouldrat
hernotoweyouf
orlovi
ngme.

Izipmybagupandpul li
toutoft hebedr oom t
hen
gathermyt hi ngsfrom thelivingr oom whilehe
standstherewat chingmewi thhi shandsi nhis
pocket.Thel astthingIdoi sr emovehi shousekeys
andgat eremot efr
om mykeyst henremovemi ne
fr
om histhatar ehangingont hedoor .Themani s
j
ustwat chingmedot hisandi sn'teventryi
ngto
stopme.That '
showIknowt hisi swhathewant ed
i
nt hefir
stpl ace.Hewant edmet oleave.Hedidn'
t
wanttobet heonebr eaki
ngt hi ngsof fwit
hme.
Me:( st
andingatt hedoor )Iknowt hatIam the
reasonwear ewher ewear eandt histi
mei t'
s
becauseofsomet hingthati stooper manentt o
i
gnor e.Youwantchi l
drenandIcan' tgiveyout hat.
Andeveni fIwer etosuggestsur rogacy, If
eellike
wear eatapoi ntwher et herehasbeent oomuch
damagedonet oourrelat i
onship.Youdon' ttr
ustme
anymor eandar en'twil
lingt olearnhowt o.It'
sok
Mor ena.IloveyousomuchbutIt hinkit'
stimeI
l
earnt olovemysel f.Notever yonecangetahappi l
y
everafterinli
fe.

Iwalkoutwhi l
ehest andstherelookingathisf
eet.
OhGodmyhear thurts.I
t'
shurtssomuch.Ever y
stepItaketothecarf eel
smor epainfulandheavy
thanthelastbutMor enaisn'
tstoppingmesoI
knowt hi
sisitforus.Thisistheendf orMorenaand
Nadia.Ireal
lycan'tblamehimt hough..
..
..
..

Tl
otl
o
Guilti
slikeacancert hateat satyousl owly.Just
whenyout hi nknahIam f inenow.Iacceptt hef act
thatIcheat ed,somet hinghappensandi tremi nds
youofyouri nfideli
ty.Evensomet hingassi mpl eas
myki dssayi ngt heyar egoingt ovisitthei
rdadused
throwmei ntot hepi t
.Thewor stonewast he
memor iest hatwoul dcomef loodingi nwhenIwas
i
nmyof fice.Iusedt ocr yever ydaywhenIwentt o
theshopbutIact edf ineinf r
ontofAviandhe
doesn'tsuspectat hing.Thepr obl
em l i
eswi thme.I
don'tknowi fIwillevergetoveri t.

Todayi sAbot l
e'sthi
rdbirt
hdayandIhavebeena
cryingmessal lweekwhilepr epar
ingforhis
birt
hdaypar t
y.Ikeptthi
nkinghowheal mostdidn'
t
seet hi
sdayandIwoul djustbawlout.Ini
ti
all
yAvi
sympat hi
zedwi t
hmebuthegott othepointof
tell
ingmeIam bei ngtooemot i
onalandIdon't
blamehi m becauseeverythi
ngseemst omakeme
crynow.Li kewhenIcr i
edaf t
erItri
edwear i
ngthe
pant sIboughtforthepartythismorningandthey
wouldn'tgopastmyhi pseventhoughIhavebeen
wearingthesamesi ze38f ort
hepastthr eeyears.I
evencalledAviint
ohel pmewhi leIl
ayont hebed
andt hethi
ngswouldn'tbudge.Icri
edsohar dthat
helaughedatmeandt oldmet owearoneofmy
dresses.Ineverwantedtowearadr ess!I
eventuall
ywipedmyt earsandwor east upiddress
becauseIhadt osupervisethedecorat
ions.

Abunchofki dsfrom Abot l

e'sschoolcameandf un
washad.Seei nghimr unni ngaroundand
screamingsentmet ot earsagainandTl amel ojust
shookherheadwhi l
el ookingatme.Whent hepar t
y
wasover ,everyonewenthomeandwear enow
havingabr aaiinthebackyar dwi t
hTylerandAgape
whomovedoutaf terAbot lecamebackhome.The
ki
dsar einthehousewhi letheteenagerst hatthink
aregrownenoughar eout sidewithus.Ihavebeen
tr
yingtofinishagl assofmyf avori
tewinef orthe
pasthourbutIcan' tseem t odomor ethana
miniat
uresi pandIt hinkt hatmusthavebeent hi
rty
minutesago.
Me:Babewhat
'swr
ongwi
tht
hiswi
nekant
e?

Avi:(
li
ft
shisci
derbot
tl
e)youar
easki
ngt
hewr
ong
guy.What'
swrongwit
hit?

Me:(
sni
ff
ingi
t)i
tsmel
lof
fevent
het
oasti
sbad.

Avi:Letmetasteit
.(takesasip)Ahitt
astesf
inet
o
me.Asf i
neaswi necant ast
et osomeonewho
doesn'tr
eal
lyli
kewi neanyway.

Me:Agapedoesi
ttast
efi
net
oyou?

Agape:(waveshergl
ass)I
'
m onmyt
hir
dgl
assso
yeah.I
t'
sgreat.

Tyl
er:
(chuckl
es)Youar
esobeyondsl
owdown
Agape.Di
dn'
tyousayyouwi
lldr
ivet
heki
dsandI
homesoIshouldr
elax?

Agape:(
laughs)Idi
dn'tknowTlot
lowasgoi
ngt
o
ser
vemyf avori
tevi
ntage.Sor
ry

Shegi veshi
mt hi
ssmilethatmakesmef r
ownsmi
le
butthenitcan'
tbe.Ichuckl
ethi
nkingaboutt
he
possibil
it
ythenAvil
ooksatme.

Avi
:Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?

Me:Not
hing.

LoagoandLeanohavet akenoverthebraaist
and
andIdon'tknowhowwel lthi
sisgoingtoworkout
becausethesetwomensayIover workedthem so
theyaren'
tli
ft
ingaf
inger.
Avi
:Loagoakoolesegoshashol
a!(
Loagost
op
eat
ingthemeatof
fthest
and)

Loago:(
blowi
ngaironapieceofmeat)Ahpapsyou
al
waysdoi tt
oo.Letusenj
oyourfr
ingebenef
it
s.

Tyl
er:(
laughs)Wedoittotast
ethemar
inadeyou
guysarewolfi
ngever
ythi
ngdown.

Avi:(
standsup)Let'
sgoandtakeoverr
rabefor
e
theywalkint
ot hehousel
eavi
nganemptybraai
standbaheditsedibenef
it
s.

Wealllaughastheygoandshovetheboysaway
andbraaiwhil
etheywat
ch.Inoti
ceTlamel
oison
herphonesoIlowermyvoice.

Me:
Agapewhat
'sgoi
ngonwi
thyouandTy?
Agape:(
giggl
es)Idon'
tknowwhatyouar
etal
king
about
.

Me:( l
aughi
ng)owai!That'
sallt
heconfir
mat i
onI
needed.KanaTylerhaschangedhelaandIcoul d
tel
ltherewasawomani nhisli
febutIneverthought
tolookthi
sclose.

Agape:{
put
shergl
assdownandt
urnsser
ious)You
don'
tminddoyou?

Me:Notatal l
.Mysi st
erisgoneandnot hingIcan
dowillbri
ngherbacksoi fmyni ecesandnephew
haveashotofhavi ngalovingamot herfi
gur el
ike
youthenIwi l
lbethefir
sttocelebrat
e.Iwasal ways
scar
edt othi
nkofwhohewi l
lendupwi thbecause
noteveryoneiscutouttobeast epmot her.ButI
tr
ustyou.

Agape:(
smi
les)Il
ovehi
m somuchTl
otl
oandIam
j
ustexcit
edaboutever
ythi
ng.It
houghtIwouldbe
boredbynowbutthatmanisjust…(
blowsairon
herfacewit
hherhand)shuuuu!

Me:(l
aughing)Eeeeeeew.That
'smybr
otheri
nlaw
youaretal
kingabout!

Agape:(
laughs)Hmmmm.I
joOKl
etmekeepqui
et
now.

Avi
:(f
rom t
hebraaist
and)l
eabolesebamang
l
ona?(whoareyoutwogossipi
ngabout
?)

Me:AhahAviyouwi
llbur
nthemeat
.Focus.

AgapeandIl
aught
henshel
ower
shervoi
ceagai
n.

Agape:pl
easedon'
ttel
lhi
m yet
.
Me:Anddi e?(
laughi
ng)Ithi
nknot
.Idon'
teven
knowhowyout woplanontel
li
nghi
m buti
t
defi
nit
elywon'
tbemet ell
inghi
m.

Wecont i
nuechatt
ingwhi
letheybr
aai
.Avi
eventual
lybr
ingsmeaplateandIi
mmediatel
y
covermymout h.

Me:Whatdi
dyouputi
nher
e?OhmyGodt
aket
he
pl
ate!

Agape:(
drunk)Babetl
herr
aontsenyet
sebor
oso
hoo.(
babepleaseputboerewor
sforme.

Tyl
er:
Sur
ethi
ng.

Avif
rownsandlooksf
rom AgapetoTylert
hen
Agapeagai
n.It
hinkIwoul
dbel aughi
ngifIwasn'
t
f
eel
ingt
hisnauseat
ed.

Avi:(
looki
ngatAgape)Babe?

Iqui
ckl
yst
andupandrunt
otheguestt
oil
etwher
eI
pukemybr
ainsout
……

[
08/
31,
18:
00] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t79

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Avi
:Tlamel
opl
easecheckonyourmot
her.Leano
andLoagogoandgi
vethechi
ldr
enmeat.

Tlamel
ostandsupandrunsi
ntot
hehousewit
h
LeanoandLoagobehi
ndherwhil
eAvil
ooksat
Agape.

Avi
:AgapeoRayamangor
ebaby?

Agape:(
sober
sup)Rr
a?

Tyl
er:
(cl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
)Avi

Avi
:(cl
oseshi
seyes)Iam t
alki
ngt
omysi
stergol
o
ha.

Tyl
er:
Igett
hatbutIj
ust
-

Agape:Tyi
t'
sok.

Avi
:Ebi
leommi t
saTy?(
youact
uall
ycal
lhi
m Ty?)
Tyl
erwenaIthinkyouar
emyfir
endkant
eyouar e
her
etoscoutforwomen?Mysist
erTyl
er?Nnake?
Tyl
er:
Itj
usthappened.

Avi
:Real
ly?Whendi
dthi
sjusthappen?

AgapeandTyl
ergi
vet
wodi
ff
erentanswer
satt
he
sameti
me.

Agape:Lastmont
h

Tyl
er:
Thr
eemont
hsago.

Avi:(
point
satAgape)Omaakawena!Geti
nthe
house.Iwantt
otalkt
othi
sguy.

Agape:ButAviyouar
en'
tbei
ngf
air
.
Avi:(
ster
nly)AgapeIsaidgeti
nthehouse.Doyou
wanttoanswert hequest
ionsIhavef
orthi
sman?
Tsenamont l
ung.

Agapedragsherfeetint
othehouseandclosesthe
doort
henstandsbyt hewindowtoeavesdrop.Avi
si
tsonthechairandTylerdoest
hesame.

Avi:Tyl
erel
egor ewhatmakesyout hinki
t'
sokfor
youtosleepwi t
hmysi ster?That
'smymot her'
slast
bornandIthoughtyouandIar efr
iends.Doyou
wantmet ojustignor
et hiswhenIknowwhoyou
are?Iwil
lnotletyouhur tmysist
erTy.

Tyler
:AviIhavenoi ntenti
onofhurt
ingyoursist
er.I
didn'
tjustpl
anever ythingout.Thefeel
ingsj
ust
cameandIcoul dn'tf i
ghtthem.Ievengaveupaf t
er
ayearofpur sui
ngsomeonewhowoul dkeeptel
li
ng
meshehasnoi nteresti nme.Iam notthesame
guyIusedt obeAvi .Iwon' thur
ther.
Avi
:Real
ly?Andwhathappenswhenshedoesn'
t
sat
isf
yyourfant
asi
es.Youwantmetowatchyou
hur
tmysi st
erwi
thyoursexdol
ls?

Tyler: (
rubshishead)AviIam nott hatguyanymor e.
Ihaven' tdoneanyoft hatsincemywi fedied.You
andIspendsomucht imet ogetherthatIwoul d
thi
nkyouwoul dknowmebet t
erbynow.I fIam not
here, Iam athomewi thmyki ds.Whywoul dyou
bri
ngupt hi
ngsyouknowIhaven' tdonei nawhi le?
Yoursi sterisn'
tsomea* *Iam t apping.Iactuall
y
l
oveherandsheknowsIwantt omar ryher.Iam
notpl ayingherandshei smysecondchanceat
happi ness.Shel ovesmyki dsandt heylovehert oo.
Yayausedt obescar edthatshei sgoi ngtoturnout
l
ikeMaybutt hesedayssheasksmewhenAgapei s
comi ngf orasleepover .Idon' tl
ookatherasa
gir
lfri
end.Shei sGod' sgi f
ttome.Agi ftthatIdont
evendeser veafterrobbingmychi l
drenoft heir
mot her.Agapei showGodchoset oshowmeHe
sti
lllovesme.Il oveyoursi sterAviandIknowIdi d
youwr ongbyfal
li
ngforyoursisterbutnotfalli
ng
forherwouldhavebeent heworstmi st
akeIcoul d
haveevermade.Don'tjudgemebasedonmypast
becausethatguydoesn'texi
stanymor e.Letme
l
oveAgape.Letherloveme.Youwi llneverregreti
t.

Avi
:(l
ooksatt
hedoor
)Agapet
layakwano.(
Agape
comehere)

Agapeopenst hedoorandwalksoverf
eel
ing
embarrassedthatherbr
otherknewshewas
eavesdroppi
ng.

Agape:Rr
a

Avi
:Doest
hismanl
oveyou?

Agape:(
bit
esherl
ip)Yeshedoes.
Avi
:Doyoul
ovehi
m?

Agape:(
blushes)Ver
ymuch.

Avi:(l
eansback)OKt hen.Iknowhowst ubbornyou
arethesamewayIknewyouwer est andingbehind
thedoor.Iknownot hi
ngIcansaycanchange
anythingsoallIcansayisTyler
,ifyouhur tmy
sist
erIam goingtoburyyoumysel f.Agape,ifhe
hurtsyou,cal
lme.

Hest
andsupandwal
ksi
ntot
hehouse.

Tyl
er:
(rai
seshi
sbr
ow)i
sthati
t?

Agape:(
kisseshi
m)Yep.AviThompsonj
ustgave
ushisbl
essing.
Hepul
lsherdownandsi
tsheronhi
slap.

Tyl
er:
Wel
lthatcanonl
ymeanonet
highf
orme.

Agape:What
?

Tyl
er:
Onest
epcl
osert
ohavi
ngyouasmi
ne.

Heki
ssesherdeepl
yundert
heni
ghtsky…

Avif
indsTl
amel
oint
heki
tchenpour
ingwat
eri
na
gl
ass.

Avi
:Wher
eisshe?

Tl
amelo:I
nthebedroom.Shesayssheneedst
oli
e
downbecausehersidehur
ts.
Avi
:OKletmecheckonher
.Ist
hatwaterf
orher
?
(
shenodsherhead)OKl
etmetakei
ttoher.

Aviwal kstothebedr oom wher eTlotl

oisonher
phoneonhercycl etracker.Sheseest hatshehad
notedthatshehadal ightfl
owinthepastt wo
mont hs.Shei sduef oraper i
odintwodaysbutt he
nausea, weightgai nandhowemot ionsshei s
getti
ngbecomer edf lags.Butshedoesn' t
understandhowbecauseshehadhert i
ed.She
closest hecalendarandgoesonGoogl etocheckif
someonecangetpr egnantaf t
ertuballi
gation.Her
heartstartsracingwhensheseest hattherei sa1
i
n200chanceofi thappeni ng.Anotherresult
showsmal practicecaseswher ethesurgerywasn't
donecor r
ectl
y.Sheput sherphonedownand
coversherf acewi thhershaki nghandsandbegi ns
topray.

Tl
otl
o:(
whi
sper
s)Godpl
easedon'
tletmebe
pregnant.Pl
easeIswearIwil
lnevereverdar
eto
cheatonmyhusbandagai n.YouknowIam nota
cheater
.Iwasinabadspace.PleaseGodsaveme
thi
sonet imeandIwil
lneverdi
sappointyouli
ke
thi
sagain.

ThedooropensandAviwal
ksinasshewipesher
tear
s.Hegiveshert
hegl
assofwaterandsi
tsnext
toher.

Avi
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?

Tlot
lo:It
hinkIam bet
ternow.Iwasfeel
ingsome
painbutitmusthavebeenfrom t
hevomi t
ing.

Avi'
seyeslandonherphonescreenandhef rowns
l
ift
ingitsohecanreadbett
er.Tl
otloget
sacol d
chil
ldownherspine.Thi
sisescalat
ingtooquickl
y
forher.Shehasn'
tevenfor
mulatedaplanyet.He
wasn'tsupposedtoseet
hat.
Avi
:(l
ooksather
)Doyout
hinkyouar
epr
egnant
?

Tlot
lo:Idon'
tknow.Iwasjustresear
chingonthe
possibi
li
tybutl
ikeyousee,i
t'
sveryraresoIdoubti
t
couldbethecase.MaybeIhaveast omachbug.

Avi:(f
rownsinthought )nobutcomdt othinkofit
,
youwer eli
kethiswhenyouwer epregnantwith
Abot l
e.Youcit
edal otandcoul dneverkeep
anythingdown.Thent hereisthewoeghtgainas
well.Nobabe.Ididn'tevenpickuponanyt hi
ng
beforebecauseInol ongerthinkaboutyougetti
ng
pregnant.Buti
fit'
sapossi bi
li
tythenIsaywe
shouldgoandseet hedoctortomorrow.

Tl
otl
o:(
swall
ows)it
'snotnecessar
y.Myper
iodi
s
duei
naf ewdays.

Avi
:Youknowyoudi
dn'
tst
opget
ti
ngaper
iodunt
il
theendofyouf i
rstt
ri
mester.Bei
ngpregnantat
for
ty-oneisri
skybabeandIwantyout obesafe.
Let'
sjustgotothedoctort
omor r
owandr ul
e
everythi
ngout.Howdoesthatsound?

Tl
otl
o:(
wit
hadr
ythr
oat
)Iguess.
.

Avi:OKl
etmegogetmypl
atet
hrnIwi
llcomej
oin
you.

Tl
otl
o:NoIam f
ine.Wecangosi
twi
tht
hem.Ij
ust
want
edtoset
tl
emyselffi
rst
.

Avi
:OKl
et'
sgo.

Shetakeshishandandf oll
owshi m wi
thhermi nd
raci
ngami l
eami nute.Thisisn'
tgoodforher
becauseatthi
spointshedoesn'tknowwhatwi l
l
happenifsheispregnant.Whatifsheispregnant
withBogosi
'schil
d?BogosiandAviar emenwho
equall
yhavestronggenesandt hereisnowayshe
canpassofBogosi '
schi l
dasAvi'
s.Herkneesgr ow
coldatthet
houghtbutshet ri
estocalm herselfso
noone'sseestheguiltsheismasking.Shesilentl
y
repeat
sherprayerast heysi
tsdownnextt oAgape
andTylerwhoar enowopenl yl
oveydovey.

Avi
:(bi
tesonhi
smeat
)Agapeakool
eseTyl
eroj
e.

Shegiggl
esandsipsmoreofherwinedyi
ngt o
l
eavebecauseasusual
,thewinei
sgoingstrai
ghtt
o
hercooki
eandwantsherman'sat
tenti
on.Yamasa
andTehil
lahcomebust
ingoutoft
hehouse.

Tehi
ll
ah:MamacanYayasl
eepover
?

Tl
otl
o:Tehi
ll
ahj
ustl
iket
hat
?
Yamasa:Aunt
ypl
ease!Wear
ehavi
ngf
un.

Tyl
er:
WenaYamasawhodi
dyouask?

Yamasa:AodaddyAker
eIfir
sthavetoaskthe
ownersoft
hehouseIwanttosl
eepinbefor
eIask
you.Whati
fyouagr
eebuttheyref
use?

Tyl
er:(
shakeshi
sheadandchuckl
es)i
jomma.
Nevermind.

Avi:Tehil
lahyouknowyourmotheri
scomingto
pickyouupi nthemorni
ng.Whatwil
lYayadoaft
er
youar egone?

Yamasa:Mydaddywi
llckmeandgetme.

Tyl
er:
Nnagape?Whati
fIsayno?
Yamasa:Daddytl
herr
apl
easewai
t.Iam goi
ngt
o
askyou.Ipr
omise.

Theyal
llaughatherf
rust
rat
ion.

Tlot
lo:Fi
ne.Butt
hatwil
lmeanever
yoneissleepi
ng
overbecauseYaoneandAmantl
ewillr
efusetogo.

YamasaandTehi
ll
ah:Yaaaaay!

TheyhugTl
otl
oandr
uni
ntot
hehouse.

Tyl
er:
(shout
s)Yamasayoudi
dn'
taskme!

Yamasa:(peekst
hroughthedoor)Iknowyouwon't
ref
usebecauseyouarethebestdaddyinthewor
ld.
Wit
hthatsheshut
sthedoorandr
unsof
fleavi
ng
t
hegrownupsinlaught
er.

Agape:
(l
aughing)Chi
ldrenar
esuchter
ror
ist
s!They
knowtheyhaveyouwr appedar
oundthei
rfi
nger
s.

Tlotl
o:Mxm andhael ekidstoday!Idon'tknowif
i
t'
st heTVorschoolbuttheytalktowellforthei
r
ageandt hei
rreasoni
ngisjustoverboard.Iwould
neverhavedreamedoftryingtoconvincemy
parentsofanythi
ngwhenIwast welveyearsold.

Theyconti
nuechat
ti
ngwhil
eTl
otl
ofi
ght
sofft
he
nauseasheget
sfrom t
hear
omaofthemeatt
hey
areeat
ing.

[
08/
31,
18:
00] :MI
NII
NSERT
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t80

AtMr
sMor
ena'
shouse

Ont hesamenight,MrMorenal
iesi
nbedwhil
ehis
wifeappli
eslot
iononherbodywhil
esi
tt
ingbyher
vanityaf
terabath.

MrsMorena:Ihonest
lydon'
tunder
standwhati
s
goi
ngoninMor ena'
shead.

MrMor ena:Nyaaoat al
elaj
aanong.Het
oldushe
haspausednegotiat
ionsandgavenoval
idreason
them t
odayheshowsupwi t
hhissonandLeaatmy
niece'
swedding?
MrsMor ena:Iwashonestl
ytooshockedtoreact
.I
act
uall
ycalledNadi
atofindoutwhereshewasand
shesai
dshewashome.Whywoul dMor enadothi
s?

MrMor ena:Morenaobatl
agor et
shegi
sabatho.
That
'swhyhej ustr
anawayaf t
ert
hewedding.He
knewwewer egoingtoconfr
onthi
m.Totabanaba
bari
lengMmakgosi ?

Hetakeshisphoneanddial
sMorena'
snumber.I
t
ri
ngsforsometi
mebeforeheanswerswi
thalow
voi
ce.

Mor
ena:Hel
lo.

MrMor ena:(
put
si tonspeaker)Morenawee.Iwant
youinmyhouset omorrowmor ningatei
ght
.Iwant
youtoexplai
nwhatyout houghtyouweredoing
todayandIwanttoknowexact lywhyyou
postponedmagadibecausewecan' tmakepeopl
e
wai
tindef
ini
tel
y.Otl
ehelaor
ebol
elel
agor
ewar
e
goengkawenal eNadi
a.

Mor
ena:(
sighs)Noneed,
shedumpedme.

Mr
sMor
ena:when?

Mor
ena:Justnow.Shej
ustl
eft
.

MrsMorena:Ogodir
il
esentl
ekagoreodir
adi
lo
hel
aTsedishimi
sangMorena.Whatwer
eyou
doi
ngwithLeaatt
hewedding?

Morena:(
sighs)Whatiswr
ongwithmebri
ngi
ngmy
sonandhismot hert
oafamil
yevent
?Theyar
emy
fami
ly,ar
en'tt
hey?

MrMor
ena:Mor
enadon'
tgetcheekywi
thmywi
fe.
Ketl
agol
atel
agonekoo.(
Iwi
llcomet
her
eri
ght
now)

Mor
ena:Sor
ry.Iam j
ustst
ressed.

Lea:(
inthebackgr
ound)Mozywher
ear
eLet
lot
lo'
s
sl
eepers?

Morenaqui
ckl
yhangsupthenMrandMr
sMor
ena
l
ookateachot
heri
nshock.

MrMor
ena:(
dial
ing)wai
tsekana…

Mor
ena:hel
lo?

MrMor
ena:Whydi
dyouhangup?

Mor
ena:Iwasonanot
hercal
l
.
MrMorena:Ao?SoLeaisaskingforshoest
hatar
e
i
nherhouse?Doyousleepthere?

Mor
ena:(
exhal
es)papscanwegot
hist
omor
row?

MrMorenahangsupthecal
lthenl
ooksathi
swi
fe
whoi
snowl yi
ngnexttohi
minbed.

MrsMorena:Ahnnyaannakehelet
swe.Keswabi
le
nkogofet
amol omogompieno.(
I'
m shocked
beyondwords)

MrMorena:(
shakeshi
shead)Iwasn'
texpect
ing
t
hisf
rom Morena.

MrsMor ena:Andwhynot?Wealwayssayhei sthe

onethatismostli
keyouandyouwerejustl
ikethis
andevenwor sewhenyouwerehi
sage.Iusedt o
crymyselft osleepever ynightontlogetsemo
ntlungoilebanyanengnnakeamusangwanawa
gago.(whenyoul eftmetogobewi thotherwomen
whi l
eIwasbr eastfeedi
ngyourson. )kewenao
ntshenyeditsengbanakadi lotsegol ebegadi
tsalel
wa.(youar et heonewhor ui
nedmyson' s
becausecl ealtythesethingsaregenet i
c)

MrMor ena:(
tri
estoholdherbutshemovesaway)
AoMmakgosi ,wil
lyouletourson'
sfool
ishness
spoi
lyourmoodt othepointofbri
ngi
ngupt hi
ngs
fr
om overtwentyyear
sago?

Mr sMorena:I
t'seasyforyoutosaybecauseyou
aren'
ttheonewhost il
lremembersthetearstai
ned
pi
llows.Toyoui t
'sagesago.Tomei t
'sapainful
memor ythatIlovetoforget
.Ial
mostlostKgotl
a
becauseofstress.

MrMor ena:AndIhaven'
tcheat
edonyousincet
hat
day.AoLelentl
ewame.AoMmaMor ena,
Mmakgosi
waaka.( r
ubshercheek)Tlhemmasaut lwi
sepelo
botl
hokokadi loTsedihit
il
engkeagokopa.Okar e
kegor atayaanamothowame.( Pleasedon'
tcause
yourselfhear
tachebecauseofthi
ngsthathave
si
ncepassed. )

Shebl
ushesandr
oll
shereyes.

MrMorena:(
deepenshisvoi
ce)Lebakwano
t
lhemma.(pl
easelookatme)

Mr
sMor
ena:(
blushi
ng)Ngng.
.

MrMor ena:tl
hemmasaganemma.Bona.(
please
don'
trefuse.Look)

Mr
sMor
ena:(
giggl
esandl
ooksathi
m)What
?
Hesmil
esandpul
lsherchi
nthenr
ubshi
sli
pson
her
sbefor
eki
ssi
ngher……..

Nadi
a

Ifeellikemyhear thasgr ownt ent i

mesi t'
snor mal
sizebecausemychesthur t
ssobadl y.Ididn' tknow
thata, heartcanli
ter all
yacheunt ilnow.Ical led
Mor enawhenIar rivedhome.Iwant edt ocheckon
him andIt hi
nkIalsowant edhi mt otellmewecan
stil
lwor kthingsoutbutal lt
hatwentoutt hewi ndow
whenLeaanswer edhi sphone.If r
ozewhenIhear d
hersof tslowvoiceonhi sphone.It r
iedt ot hinkof
allther easonswhyshewoul dbeathi shouseso
l
at eatni ghtbutnot hingmadesenset omebecause
i
thasneverhappenedbef ore.Ihungupwhenshe
calledoutmynameandIhavebeencr yingf oran
hour .Iwantt oscream outl oudbutIpi cei na
compl exandIdon' tneedsecur i
tycomi ngtomy
door .
Icovermyf
acewi
thapi
ll
owandscr
eam i
ntoi
t.

Me:OKNadia.OKyouwi
llgetoverit
.Youhave
beent
hroughsomuchal
ready.Thisisnot
hingi
n
compari
son.

Ipressmylipst
ogetherandtr
ytost opthepainin
mychestbutIstar
tcryingal
loveragain.Itake
anothergul
pofwinefrom t
hebottl
eandIcannow
feelt
hebuzz.Thi
sissomegoodwi ne.Iswitchthe
TVonandgoonYouTubet henplayAdel e'
sHello.

Thelyri
cshavemesi ngingandcr yingatthesame
ti
measIdi alMorena'snumber .Icanknlj
yblame
thewineforthi
sleveloffool
ishness.

Mor
ena:Hel
lo?

Me:(
slur
redspeech)Rememberwhenyousai
dyou
l
ovemeandhat eme?It hinkyouli
ed.Youhat eme.
Justhate.Thefactthatyouareal
readyshaki ngup
withyourbabymamaconf ir
msit.(
sniffl
ing)Idon't
blameyout houghbecauseshecangi veyouwhatI
can't
.Goaheadandhavet hosebabieswi t
hher .
AkerennaIam j ustawasteofvagina.Goon!

Morena:Nadiaweedon'
ttr
ytobor
eme.Youar
ethe
onewhol ef
tme.Nottheot
herwayar
ound.

Me:It
'sbeent wohourssi nceIlef
tyourhouse
Morena!Twobl oodhour s!Didyouhaveheron
st
andby?Wassheal r
eadyonherwaybef or
eIleft
?
Hadyoupr omisedhert hatyouwer egoi
ngtobreak
upwithme?I sshet heoneyouhavebeensl eeping
wit
hhaont i
mapi pieoyagago?

Morena:(
sighs)Ir
eal
lycan'
tdothiswi
thyou.You
ar
eclearl
ydrunksojudtgoandsleep.
Me:Heywena!Don'
ttel
lmetogoandsleep.You
don'
tgett
otel
lmewhatt odoanymor
esoj ustgot
o
hel
l!

HecutsthecallandandIthr
owmyphoneont he
couchbefor
esi nki
ngtot
hefloori
nsobs.Myhear
t
hurt
s.I
treal
lyhur t
s.

80shar
esby1pm f
orabonusi
nser
t
[
08/
31,
18:
01] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t81

AtMor
ena'
shouse

Mor
enar
oll
soveri
nbedwi
that
err
ibl
ehangover
.
Her
eachedf
orhi
sri
ngi
ngphoneandanswer
s.

Mor
ena:(
groggy)hel
lo.

Lea:HiMozy.Tl
herr
atr
ytofindthosesl
eeper
s.
Letl
otl
oisst
il
lwhini
ngaboutthem.

Morena:(
impat
ient
ly)can'
thej
ustwearhi
sot
her
sl
ipper
s?

Lea:
Thosear
ehi
sfavor
it
esl
ipper
sMozy.

Mor
ena:f
ine.

Lea:Youdon'
tsoundt
oogood.Shoul
dIcomeover
?

Morena:(
yawns)noIhavet
ogoseemypar
ent
s.I
am act
ual
lyl
ateal
ready.
Lea:Howaboutl
atert
hen?Wecangof
orapi
cni
c
wit
hLetl
otl
o.

Morena:(
sighs)It
houghtyouar
edat
ingt
hatdoct
or
guy.

Lea:(sighs)MozyyouknowIdon'twantmychil
d
havingast epfat
herandift
herei
sachanceof
maki ngthingsworkwit
husthenIwil
ltakei
t.

Morena:Iam j
ustnoti
nther
ightspacef
oral
lthat
r
ightnow.

Lea:Mor enayouandIbot hknowthatIcangiveyou

theonet hi
ngyouwantmor ethananyt
hing.Ourson
i
ssixyear soldandit
'shighti
mewemakehi ma
sibl
ing.Iwouldli
keagirlbutIknowyoupr obabl
y
wantanot herson.
Mor
ena:(
sighs)Whywoul
dyouwanttobewi
tha
manwholeftyouf
oranot
herwoman?

Lea:Youneededtogetheroutofyoursystem.Iam
nodiff
erentfr
om awomanwhost ayswithaman
whocheat sonherandshekeepsf or
givi
nghim
becausesheloveshim.Ihaveneverstoppedl
oving
youandIam wai t
ingforyou.

Mor ena:(si
ghs)Letmegoseemypar ent
s.Youcan
planforthepicnic.Ican'
tsaywearegett
ingback
togetheryetbecauseIneedtogetoverherfi
rst
.
MaybeIwi l
lhaveananswerf oryoui
namont hor
two.

Lea:Ihavebeenwai
ti
ngf
ort
hreeyear
s.Whati
sa
monthortwo?

Shehangsupandhet
osseshi
sphonet
hen
massageshi
stempl
ebef
oregoi
ngt
otakeashower
.

AtNadi
a'
shouse

Bolengunlocksthedoorwithherkeysandshakes
herheadlookingatthemessylivi
ngroom.There
arecushi
onsscat t
eredonthefloorandanempty
bottl
eofwine.Shewal ksbacktothecart
otal
kto
Tony.

Tony:Howi
sshe?

Boleng:Ihaven'
tseenheryetbutIt
hinki
t'
sbestI
seeheralone.

Tony:Noproblem.Iwi
lldr
opTashyatyourmum'
s
housethenI'
l
lmeetupwi t
htheguys.
Bol
eng:OKbabe.Il
oveyou.

Tony:Il
oveyout
oo.

Shel
eansi
nandki
sseshi
mthenher
ubsher
st
omach.

Tony:Seeyoul
aterbuddy.

Bol
eng:(
rol
lshereyes)Whosai
dit
'saboy?

Tony:Godisn'
tcr
uelenought
ohaveme
outnumber
edbytalkat
ivewomen.

Tashy:Daddy!

Tony:Sor
ry!
Bolengopenst
hebackdoorandki
ssesher
daughterwhoi
sbuckl
edint
oherboost
erseat
.

Bol
eng:Il
oveyousoba.

Tashy:Iyoveyoumama.

Sheclosesthedoorandwalksbackontot
hehouse
whereshef i
ndsadishevel
edNadiadr
aggi
ng
her
selftotheki
tchen.

Nadi
a:Uhuwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Bol
eng:Iam supposedt
omeetBogosit
odayaker
e.

Nadi
a:(
swall
owsapil
landwat
er)OKIt
houghtyou
cameal
lthewayher
eforme.I
twoul
dhavebeenso
unnecessar
y.(
smi
les)YouknowIam at
ough
cooki
e.

Boleng:Toughcookiesdon'
tcallt
alki
ngabouthowI
di
ssedyourhi gh-
schoolbul
lyandyouneedmet o
gotellMorenaoffforl
eavi
ngyouf orhisst
upi
d
babymama.

Nadia:(
laughs)Ididthatdidn'
tI?Mxm Mor enao
nkutl
wisit
sebotlhokogoreBee.Event hi
slaughter
i
sjustasmokescr een.Howdoesamancl aimt o
l
oveyout henleavesyoul i
kethat?(t
akesherphone
out)Bonahela.Thismanhast henerveoftaki
ng
hertohiscousin'sweddingnnakel ebusykele
makantemmekesahi rwa.(whil
eIwasbusy
guardi
nghi shouseforfree)

Bol
eng:(
rai
sesherbr
ow)uhu.

Nadi
a:(
rai
sesherhands)Exact
ly!Mor
enaonkal
a
kasekal
esamabudulatlhemma.Sulki
ngisone
thi
ngbutforhi
mtoactuall
ycheatonmewi thhi
s
babymamaaf t
erl
yingtoever
yonear eheisget
ti
ng
marri
ed!

Sheshakesherheadandf
ini
sheshergl
assof
water
.

Bol
eng:Sodi
dyouact
ual
lyendt
hingswi
thhi
m?

Nadia:(
looksatherri
ng)Yep.Ithi
nkIjustneedt
o
acceptt
hatloveisn'
tinthebooksforme.Iwasso
muchhappi erwhenitwasj ustmeandmyapp.I
j
usthadt oopenmysel fuptohumansthenIgot
rapedandlaterhear
tbrokenbyamanIl ove.Mxm.

Boleng:Nadiayoucan'
tpossi
blybetal
kingabout
goi
ngbackt othatl
if
e.Rememberyouwer edeepin
sexaddict
ion.Doyoureal
lywantthatl
if
eagain?
Nadia:(walksout)No.Idon'tmeant hat
.Iam just
sayingIam notmeantt ohavetheli
feyouhave.The
veryfactthatIcan'thavechil
drenmakesi t
i
mpossi bleforamant obehappywi thmebecause
menwanthei r
s.Ebi l
emostBat swanadon't
understandadoptionandIhonest l
yfeell
ikethati
s
somet hi
ngIwoul dwantt odo.

Boleng:( si
tsnexttoheront hesof a)Idon'
tknow.
MaybeIam j ustahopel essromant i
cbutIhonest l
y
believethereissomeoneoutt her eforeveryone.I
reallythoughtMor enawasi tforyoubutandIam
sadt hatitdidn'
twor kout .It
hinkyouj ustneedt o
l
ear ntobemor eopen.Noonel ikesasecr etive
person.Thatj ustsaysyouar edi shonestandt rust
i
sl ostthatway.II oveyouwi thallmyhear tbutyou
knowIneverl etyout hinkyouar er ightwhenIcan
clearlyseeyouar eint hewr ong.

Nadi
a:(
sighs)Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayBee?
Bol eng:Umm.Ihonest l
yf eel l
ikebot hofyou
messedupandmor eonyoursi de.Hadyout ol d
Mor enaever ythingaf tertheSébast ient hi
ng, you
woul dntbewher eyouar erightnowbecauset hat
woul dhavebeent hedeci dingf actorofyour
relationshi p.Youmi ghtf i
ndt hatMor ena'sbehavi or
thel astf ewmont hsmi ghtnotbebecauseyoucan' t
havechi ldr en.Somepeopl ecan' tacceptabor t
ion.
Maybet hat 'swhati tisf orhi m.Soi fitis,hadyou
toldhi mt hatt i
me, thet woofyouwoul dnthave
got tenbackt ogetherandal lthishear tbreakwoul d
havebeenavoi ded.Thatorhewoul dhavet aken
youbackknowi ngf ullwel lthatt heremi ghtbea
chanceofi nferti
li
tyandyouguyswoul dhave
got tencheckedoutyear sago.( sighs)al lIam
sayi ngist het r
uthwi l
lalwayssetyouf reeNadi a.
Rat hersomeonel eavesyouf orwhoyouar ethan
staywi t
hyouf orsomeoneyouar en'tthenl eaves
youwhent heyseeyourt ruth.

Nadi
a:(
sighs)Ihearyou.
Herphonest
art
sri
ngi
ngandshepi
cksup.

Mar
cus:HiNadi
a.

Nadi
a:hiboss.

Marcus:Sor
ryt
obotheryouonaSundaybutwe
seem t
ohaveasit
uati
onattheor
phanage.

Nadi
a:(
sit
sup)What
'sgoi
ngon?

Marcus:Appar
ent
lyShayan'
smothershowedup
gunsblazi
ngsayi
ngwewantt ouseherchi
ldt
o
makemoneyandwehavet opayher
.

Nadi
a:(
frowns)uhu.Whatar
eyousayi
ngkant
e?

Mar
cus:shecl
aimsshehasbeenl
ooki
ngf
orher
chi
ldrenandshesawherdaught ercircul
ati
ngon
Facebookandwant sust opayherf oradvert
isi
ng
ourfundraiserwit
hherchi l
d.Iam onmywayt her
e
nowandIj ustthoughtI
'dletyouknowsoyoucan
comewi thmei fyouarefreebecauseyouar e
cal
mert hanIam.

Nadi
a:(
chuckl
es)OKl
etmegetr
eady.Iwi
llmeet
yout
here.

Shehangsupandl
ooksatBol
engt
hent
ell
sher
what
'sgoi
ngon.

Bol
eng:ij
o.OKyouwi
lldropmekogamamaAker
e
si
nceit
'sonthewayt
ot heor
phanage.

Nadi
a:ofcour
se.Kant
ehowcomeyouar eonly
meeti
ngBogosinowevent hought
heDNAt est
conf
ir
medheisyourfathertwomonthsago?
Boleng:HeishmmaIdi dn'twanttodoanythi
ngt hat
woul dhurtmymot herbecauseshewashur t
ingat
thetime.Ithinkthememor i
esofthepastwerejust
toomuchf orheratthetime.Shejustgavemeher
blessingt
oseehi m andhavear el
ati
onshi
pwi t
h
himi fIwantto.

Nadi
a:Doyouwantt
o?

Boleng:Idon'tknow.Youknowhowi tisgr owingup

withoutafather'
slove.Thosedaddyi ssuesal ways
creepuponyouandIam notyetent i
relysur ehowI
wantt ohandlethisbecausethemandi dtellmy
mot hert
ogetr i
dofme.Iwi llseehowt odaygoes.
Whoknowsmaybet heonemeet i
ngwi l
lmakeme
reali
zeheisnotwor thwonder i
ngwhati twoul d
havebeenl i
ket ohavehiminmyl ife.

Nadi
a:Highl
yunli
kel
y.TheMor enamenmaybe
l
acki
nginthefai
thf
ulnessdepart
mentbutwhenit
comestobeingf
athers,t
heyarejustamazi
ng.I
haveseenBogosiwi thhi ski dsandheisagr eat
dad.It hinkwi thyoui t'
smi ghthavebeent hathe
wasst i
llyoungandnotr eady.Iwouldhavef or given
mydadi fhecamet omegenui nel
yandaskedf or
forgivenessf orwhathedi dt omebutt hatmani s
justapi eceofscum.Ii niti
al l
ywantednothingt odo
withmysi bl
ingsbutIevent uall
ygotintouchwi th
Joeagai nonceIr eali
zedhet oomighthavebeen
buggedl ikeIwas.Wemetupandwear egettingt o
knoweachot heragain.Iam gl adIdi
dthatbecause
Ifinall
ygett ohavear elationshipwit
hmyr eal
fami l
y.

Bol
eng:Wait
!Whendidt
hishappenandwhyam I
onl
yheari
ngoft
hisnow?

Nadia:(Sighs)i
twaslastweekwhenIf eltint he
dumpsabouthowMor enahasbeentreatingme.I
j
ustthoughtbackt ot
hedayofnegot i
ationsand
however ythi
ngunfol
dedandt hat
'swhenIr eali
zed
thatIoverreact
ed.Actual
lyDrHadassahhel pedme
r
eal
izei
t.

Boleng:(hugsher)Iam soproudofyou.
Forgivenessishardbutonceyoudoit'
sawei
ghtof
f
yourshoul der
s.

Nadia:(standsup)OKl
etmegoandgetdr
essed
mmabef oremybosstear
sdownashackoff
ice
wit
hhi svoice.

Boleng:ul
alabossBaekanabat
hongohotgor
e.I
betheissuchat ur
nonwhenhei spi
ssed.

Nadi
a:(
laughswhi
lewal
kingaway)Tonywi
llbeat
youwena.

Boleng:mang?Iam j
ustadmi
ri
ngasnackmyman
knowshei smywholeenti
remealandt
hendesser
t.
Nadialaughsasshetakesaqui
ckshowerand
dressescasual
lybef
orebot
hwomengetintothe
caranddriveof
f.

Thankyout
oeveryonethatshar
edl
astni
ght
sinser
t.
Thebonuswil
lbepostedinafewhour
s.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keshar
eandcomment
[
08/
31,
18:
01] :BONUSI
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t82

Tl
otl
o
I
ntheDoct
or'
sof
fi
ce

Sometimeshavingalovi
nghusbandcanbeapai n.I
tri
edmybesttomakeAvit hi
nkthi
sisnothi
ngbut
thepainIwasinthi
smor ni
nggavehim al
lthemore
reasontobr
ingmet othedoct
or.

Wejustsatdownt
ospeakandmymout
hkeeps
dr
yingup.

Doct
or:Sowhatbr
ingsyouher
eMrandMr
s
Thompson?

Me:(
nervousl
y)Ummm…DrKar endidn'
tIgeta
t
uball
igat
ionwhenIgavebi
rt
hthreeyear
sago?

Doctor
:(l
ooksathercomputerscr
een)Yesyoudi
d.
Areyouhavinganycompli
cati
ons?
Me:Umm noIdon'
tthi
nkso.Ij
usthadt
oconf
ir
m.

Avi:(
frowns)Tl
otl
owhatar eyoudoi
ng?Docshei
s
vomiti
ngandkeepscompl aini
ngofapai
nonher
si
de.Isthereapossi
bil
it
ythatshecoul
dbe
pregnant?

Doct
or:(
frowns)Canyoudescr
ibet
hepai
n.

Me:(
wince)It
'
ssortofl
ikeper
iodpai
nsbuti
t'
sonl
y
onmyrightsi
de.

Doct
or:Whenwasyourl
astper
iod?

Me:Igotmyper
iodl
astmont
h.Iam notpr
egnant
.

Doct
or:OKIneedustorul
eeveryt
hingoutsoIam
goi
ngtoconductapr
egnancytest
.(handsa
cont
ainer
)pl
easeur
inat
eint
her
eandgi
vei
tback.

Me:i
sthi
sevennecessar
y?

Avi
:babej
ustdoi
t.Bet
tersaf
ethansor
ry.

Idragmyl egsi
ntothetoil
eti
nheroffi
ceandpee.I
havehalft
hemi ndtopourwateri
nt hi
scont
ainer
butthatwouldmaket hi
ngsworseforme.Il
ookat
thecontai
neraf
terclosi
ngitandwashingmyhands.

Me:(sil
entprayer)Godt
lheIam beggingyouto
comet hr
oughf orme.Ihavenevercheatedbefor
e
andit'
ssomet hi
ngIwouldneverdoIagai n.Pl
ease
don'
tdot hi
stome.

Ibli
nkbackthet
ear
sthatt
hreat
ent
ofal
lasIt
apmy
footi
nthefl
oor.
Avi
:(cal
lsout
)Babe,
areyouoki
nther
e?

Me:(
ir
ri
tat
ed)Iam comi
ng!

Ketenwakebof ebehelahagonasepe.Mxm.( t
he
onlyreasonIam gett
ingir
ri
tat
edisbecauseofmy
b*t
cht endenci
es)Isi
ghandwal koutt
henhandt he
containert
othedoctorwhohasglovesonand
beginstoconductthetest
.

Me:(ner
vousl
y)ButhowcanIbepr
egnant
?Igot
t
iedup.

Doct
or:I
tisr
arebutdoeshappen.I
fitcomesout
posi
ti
vewewillhavet
ocheckthebaby.

WhydoIhavetoberar
e?Iam notr
are.Iam as
commonastheycomeandIam notpregnant.Iam
notpr
egnant
.
Avi:(
rubsmyar
m wi
thahugesmi
le)Babe,
didyou
hearthat
?

Me:(
rai
sedeyebr
ows)
hmm.
.what
?

Ihadzonedout
.

Doct
or:Iwassayi
ngt
het
estcameoutposi
ti
ve.You
ar
epregnant
.

Il
it
eral
lyf
eelthehai
rleavemyl
ungsandIgoi
ntoa
coughi
ngfit
.Avipat
smybacktryi
ngtohel
pme.

Avi
:Ar
eyouOKbabe?

Inodmyheadandf
inal
lyst
opcoughi
ng.
Doctor
:OKIneedyout
ogetont
hebedsowecan
checkthebaby.

Me:Idon'
tunder
standhowIam pr
egnant
.

Ithi
nkIwouldbeveryangryandcausingaraucous
i
fIwasn'tcur
rent
lyprayi
ng.Butwhatprayer
becausekehaIam pregnant
.OhGod.AndAvii sso
happy.Mxm.
Igeti
nthebedandl
ookatt
hesonogr
am.

TheDoct orsqueezesalubri
cantonmybellyand
beginstomovet hedeviceonme.Iam sureshe
couldhearmyhear tbeatal
lthewaydownt here.
Aviisholdingmysweat ypal
m asIsaymyf inal
prayer
.Godl eti
tbetwomont hsorlessbogolo.(
at
l
east)

Doct
or:OK.Youar
etwel
veweekspr
egnant
.
OhGod!Aobat hong.Ijustmesseduponet i
meand
Ihavetobepuni shedthisseverely?Iwanttoaskif
i
tcanshowt heexactconceptiondatebutit'
s
pointl
essbecauseIsleptwithtwomeni nthespace
oftenhours.Andevenaski ngt hatquest
ioncoul
d
rai
sealarms.Iam tootongue-tiedtorespondwhil
e
Avilooksli
keasi xyearoldatChr i
stmas.

Doct
or:Buti
t'
sjustl
ikeIf
ear
ed.Thi
sisanect
opi
c
pr
egnancy.

Avi
:Whatdoest
hatmean?

Doctor:Sincehertubesar et
ied,t
hesper mfer t
il
ized
hereggi nthefall
opiantubeanditplantedthere
i
nsteadoft heuterus.Thisputsherunderal otof
ri
skandIdon' tevenknowhowsheonl ystarted
feel
ingthispainyesterday.I
tisverydangerous
becauseherf al
lopiantubecanrupture.
Avi
:(pani
cked)Sowhatnow?

Doct
or:Ihavetobookherint
osurger
yandr emove
t
hefoetus.Iam admit
ti
ngherri
ghtnow.Ican'
ttake
t
heri
skofdi schar
gingher
.

Avi
:OKsot
hatwi
llmeannobaby.

Doctor:unfor
tunatel
y.(
looksatme)Doyou
understandTlotl
o?

Inodmyheadi nsil
ence.Iam justshockedthatthi
s
i
sevenhappeni ngrightnow.Ican'tbel
ieveIam
pregnantwit
hachi l
dwhosef atherIdon'tknowand
thi
swoul ddestr
oymymar ri
age.Avidoesn'ttol
erat
e
i
nfidel
it
yregardl
essofyourexcuse.Thi spregnancy
couldhaveendedever yt
hingformebuther eIam
heari
ngthatkeepingthechil
dcoul dkil
lme.Imean
how?DoesGodr eal
lydot hi
ngslikethi
s?Never
mindthat.Thi
sismymiracl
eandIam gr
ateful
.Avi
wipesthetear
sfal
li
ngf
rom myeyesandkissesmy
f
orehead.

Avi
:itwasn'
tmeantt
obemylove.Wehavefi
ve
wonderf
ulchi
ldr
enandt
hati
senoughforus.

Inodmyheadast hedoctorwalksoutoft heroom.I

canseet hepai nedlookonAvi '
sfaceandIf eel
sorryforhi
m butIam notgoi ngtolookagi f
thorse
i
nt hemout h.Thi sismysecondchanceandIam
goingtotakei tinmyst ri
de.TheDoct orcomesback
wit
hf ormsf orust osignandwedo.Ihavesur gery
i
nt hreehours.Thi sisthelastl
agIhavet ogo
thr
ought henIwi l
lli
vemyl if
etomakemyhusband
happy.Thatwassuchacl osecall
!

AtMr
sMor
ena'
shouse

Mor
enat
akesaseataf
tergr
eet
inghi
spar
ent
s.
MrMor
ena:Bua.

Morena:(si
ghs)Papswhatdoyouwantmet osay?
Il
oveNadi abutloveisn'
tal
waysenough.Idon'
t
tr
ustheranymor eandIcan'tmar
rysomeoneIdon'
t
tr
ust.At
leastnotyet.

Mr sMor ena:(chuckl
es)areatleastnotyet
.Ele
goreMor enaareyouconseatedenought othi
nk
thatNadi aisgoingtowaitforyoutogetoveryour
trustissues?Kanteleteet
swegot webatsadiba
tsholetswelonakante?(whereyout ol
dthatwomen
arebor ntopleaseyou?)

Morena:Mamashel
iedt
omeaboutever
ythi
ng!
Ever
ythi
ng!

MrMorena:Don'
tcomeher
eandactbr
andnew
Mor
ena.Thatwomantol
dyouwhatshecoul
dwhen
shecould.Youtookherbackaft
erallt
herape
i
ssuesshehad.Di dn'
tyoueveroncethi
nkshefell
pregnantatonepoint
?Kanadoyouknowofr apist
s
whowearcondoms?

Mor
ena:PapsIwantt
ohavechi
ldr
enofmyown.

Mr sMorena:Exact l
y!Sayt hat!Saythatandstop
hidingbehi
ndt rustissues.Youar etheonewho
decidedtotakeNadi awi t
hherscar s.Youmadeher
beli
evethatyoul ovedherdespi tewhoshei sand
nowt hatshecan' tgiveyout heonethingyouwant
i
t'gottoomuchf oryou.Stopcl amingyoudon't
tr
ustherbecauseshehasl iedtoyoubef or
eand
youneverleft.Leaveheri nhonestyMor enaand
don'thi
debehi ndat oothpick.

Morena:(l
ooksdown)Idon'
twantherf
eel
ingbad
aboutnotbei
ngabletohavechi
ldr
en.
MrsMor ena:Soyouwoul drat
hermakeherf eellike
youdon'ttr
usther?Mor enaamanhast omake
decisi
onsandst andbyt hem.Youdeservet obe
happythesamewayshedoes.I fyoustayedwi th
her,youweregoingt oblameherf ornothaving
chil
drenandyourl i
veswer egoingtobemi serable.
Ownupt oyourdeci si
onandsetherf reeolesego
dir
amat l
hapolosaaoadi rangl
eMmaagweLet lotl
o.

Mor
ena:Iam notdoi
nganyt
hingwi
thher
.

MrMorena:Rr
awee,youneedt
osetNadi
afr
eei
f
t
hat
'swhatyouwanttodo.

Mor
ena:Shel
eftmel
astni
ght
.

MrMorena:Nnyaayouaretheonewhol eftherbut
youweretoomuchofacowar dtoact
ual
lydoit.We
havet
oletherpar
entsknowt hatthemar
riageisof
f
andyoubothhavetobetherebecauseyouwi l
l
havetoexpl
aint
her
easonwhyyouar
eendi
ng
thi
ngs.

Mor
ena:(
frowns)I
sn'
tthatext
reme?

MrMor ena:Ever yt
hingbecameext remewhenyou
t
urnedusi ntoliarsbysendingust otellpeopl
ewe
wantt omar rytheirchil
doboor erogisaleka
Monnawal esoleosulengmowa.( thenwegot
i
nsultedbyt hatsenselesssol
dier)Iwillcal
lMr
Motlhabitosetupameet ingwiththem.Thesooner
t
hebet ter.Ot l
ogaodi angwanagobonanyal o.(
you
wil
ldelayherf r
om actuall
ygett
ingmar ri
ed)

Morenal
ooksdownunabletomaint
aineyecont
act
wit
hhismotherwhohasbeenlooki
ngathimli
kehe
hastwoheads.
[
08/
31,
18:
01] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t83

AtTyl
er'
shouse

Tyl
erthrowsmor ekicksandpunchesontheboxi
ng
baginhisbackyard.Hedecidedt
owor koutat
homet odaywhil
eAgapemakesbr eakf
ast
.

Agapej umpsbackwhent hebaconsi zzlelandson

herwrist.Shehearsaknockont hedoorandl ooks
outthewi ndow.Tyl
erhasheadset sonsoshe
knowscal li
nghimisapointlessacti
vit
y.Shewi pes
herhandsonapapert owelafterswit
chingthe
stoveoffthenwalkstothedoorandopensi t.

Sheissurpr
isedtoseeanelder
lywomanstandi
ng
ther
ewithalargesui
tcaseandahandbagunderher
ar
m.

Agape:Dumel
ang.

Thewomanf r
ownsandlooksatAgapefr
om thet
op
orherheadtothebot
tom ofherf
eetandbackagai
n.
Shehasadi sgust
edl
ookonherfacewhich
confusedAgape.

Agape:Lekat
senamme.(
youcanent
er)

Woman:Elegor
ewhi chtr
eedisyoufal
lfr
om t
hat
youtel
lmewhetherIcanorcannotent
ermyson'
s
house?Ol
emangwena?

Shewalksi
ntot
hehousel
eavi
ngherbagout
side.
Shet
urnsbackandl
ooksatAgape'
sfeet
.
MmaagweTyl
er:Shenamol
ogat
lheot
senyebeke
eomontl
ong.

Agapechuckl esunderherbreathandbr eathesin

andoutt ocalm hersel
fdownwhi lereminding
herselfthatshewoul dn'
twantt ooffendTyler'
s
mot heront heirfi
rstmeet
ing.Shepul l
sthebagi n
andset sitneart hecouchMmaagweTyl erissitt
ing
on.MmaagweTyl err
unsherfingeralongthecoffee
tabl
eandl ooksathercleanindexf i
ngerbutstil
l
blows' dust'off
.

Agape:Kekal
edi
rel
atee?(
canImaket
eaf
oryou?

MmaagweTyler:(cackl
ed)Wareomangnemma?
Kant
ekeengler atabaswagadij
aana?(whoar
eyou?
Whyareyoupeoplealwaysrunni
ngafterwi
dower
s?)
Wherear
emygr andchildr
en?

Agape:(
takesadeepbr
eat
h)Theyar
eatt
hei
raunt
s
pl
ace.

MmaagweTyl er:Sowenawhatar eyoudoi nginmy

son'shousemma?Tyl erleenekagosel asela.Ke
goreyousawt hathehasmoneyandcamer unning
l
ikethatlunat
ichemar r
ied.Iwil
lnotallowitthis
ti
me.Takeyourt hi
ngsandl eavemyson' shouse
ri
ghtnow!Bommaal onabal eRutagonegobapal a
mobannenghabal etsenyedikolo.(yourmother's
onlyteachyouhowt ogeteverythingform men
i
nsteadofputtingyout hroughschool .
)

Agapelosesallt
hewil
ltohol
dhert
onguewhenshe
feel
sthedisr
espectai
medathermother
.

Agape:(si
tsacr
ossherandsi ghs)MmaagweTyl er,
l
etmei ntr
oducemyselftoyou.Mynamei sAgape
Thompson.ThedaughterofMoni caandTumel o
Thompson.Iam aVERYi ndependentwomanwho
doesnottakecrapfr
om anyone,noteventhemal e
chauvi
nistst
hatIhavetodealwithinthe
boardroom everydaysoi fyouthinkforasecond
thatIam theonet otalktothatway, pl
easethink
again.Iwil
lneverdisrespectmyel dersbecausemy
parentsrai
sedmebet terbutIwillneveral
low
anyonet oinsul
tmypar ent
s.Pleaseneverdot hat
again.

MmaagweTyl
er:Tywi
llyoul
etherspeakt
omel
ike
t
his?

ShestandsupandseesTylerst
andingbyt he
ki
tchendoorsoshewalkstothebedroom where
shechangesint
ohershoesandbeginst ocoll
ect
herstuf
f.Tyl
erwal
ksint
otheroom allsweatyand
cl
osesthedoor.

Tyl
er:
Andt
hen?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Agape:Home.Iknowyourtype.Thef
actthatyou
mothercanwalki
ntoyourhouseandstar
ttalki
ng
l
ikeshedi dtoast rangert ell
smet hatshecontrol
s
yourlif
eandyouar eamama' sboy.Idon' thaveitin
met otoleratet hatki ndofmanoryourmot her'
s
speechnorwi llIst andt ohearyout el
lmehowI
shouldbeunder standingofyourmot herandaccept
herforwhoshei s.It oldyout hatIhavel ow
tol
erancef orbul lsh*tandt hi
sr eeksofsh* tt
hathas
beenst uckupabul l
'
scol onf oraweek.Ican' tsti
ck
aroundt owat chusf al
lapar tbecauseofyou
mot her
.

Tyl
ertakest
hebagsheishol
dingandst
art
staki
ng
thi
ngsoutofthebag.

Agape:(
tri
est
otakei
t)Tyl
erst
opi
t!Iwantt
ogo.

Tyler
:keagana.(Iwon'tl
etyou)Youwer equickt
o
j
udgemebecauseofmymot herandyouchoset o
runtothebedr
oom whenyousawmei nsteadof
heari
ngwhatIhadt osaytomymot her.Idon't
tol
eratemymother'
sbehaviorandthatiswhyI
neverletmychi l
dr ensl eepatherhouse.Theyar en'
t
asusedt oherast heyar eTlotl
o'smother .Thatis
becausemymot herist heki ndofwomanIdon' t
wantrubbingof fonmychi l
dren.Sheknowst his
andthatiswhyshedeci dedt ojustshowup
becauseIhardlyeverl ethervi si
t.Sheismymot her
andIloveher,butIdon' ttol
erateherbehavi oreit
her.
Sheusedt obullyBot hosomuchandi twaseasy
becauseofBot ho'snat ure.Shechoset oendur ethe
abuseandIhat edt hatbecausenowi f
eofmi neisa
sl
avetoabuse.Il ovet hef actthatyoust oodupt o
herandstil
lrespect edheral thoughshei nsulted
you(l
ooksather )Don' tletmymot hermakeusl ose
somethingsogood.

Agape:(
sighs)Ij
ustdon'
twanti
n-l
awdr
amai
nmy
l
if
eTy.

Tyl
er:
thatwi
llneverbeyou.Comeher
e.

Hepul
lsheri
nforki
ss…….
 Nadi
a

ThisMaywomani sunbeli
evable!Shecl aimsher
childr
enwer ekidnappedt hreeyearsagoi nher
vil
lageyett hereisnopol i
cer eporttoshowt hatshe
l
ookedf orherchildrenunliketheor phanaget hat
hasacasenumbert oshowt heytri
edl ookingfor
her.Shayanr ef
usedt oseeherandt ol
dmeshel eft
them her e.Theor phanagecal l
edthepol icetoget
assistancebutshedi sappearedaf t
ersayi ngsheis
goingt othet oi
let
.Mar cusandIar enowsi t
ti
ng
undert heshadebyt heplayar ea.

Me:Idon'
tunderstandhowawomanabandonsf ive
chi
ldr
eninanor phanageandonl
yshowsupt o
cl
aim money.Youcanevenseethatshedoesn'
t
needthemoneybecauset hatwi
gonherheadcosts
8k.
Mar
cus:Ahthepeopl
ewhoareblessedar
eal
ways
t
hel
eastgrat
efulf
ort
hegi
ft
stheyhave.

Me:(
sighi
ng)t
ellmeabouti
t.

If
eelhi
seyesonmesoIl
ookathi
m.

Marcus:(l
ooksintomyeyes)KantewareMorenaa
reonyalaleng?Kanannamyhear ti
stekat
eki
ng
becauseofyou.(whenisMorenamarryi
ngyou
becausemyhear tyear
nsforyou)

Thewayhesaidj
usthasmel aughi
ngsol
oudt
hatI
al
mostfor
gotIwastal
kingt
omyboss.

Marcus:Aomma.Okantshegagor
eoLel
e?(
how
coul
dyoulaughatmet
il
ltear
sfal
l?
)
Me:(wipi
ngmyeyes)Iam sor
ry.I
t'
sjustt
heway
yousaidi
sn'
tsomethi
ngIeverexpect
edcoming
fr
om you.

Mar
cus:why?

Me:Wel
lbecauseyouar
eyou.

Marcus:Andwhoam I
?Iam justaboyst
andi
ngi
n
f
rontofagir
laski
nghert
olovehim.

Me:(
laughi
ng)Howar
eyouevenmi
squot
ing
Not
ti
ngHi l
l?

Marcus:Mymotherli
kedwatchingJuliaRober
t
moviesandwouldrepeatt
hem overtheweekend.I
hat
edthem somuchbuther eIam usingitt
opick
youup.
Me:(
laughi
ng)wel
litdi
dn'
twor
k.

Marcus:Why?IsMorenaactual
lygoi
ngt
ocommi t
?
Kanannathat'
sal
lthat
'sholdi
ngmeback.Nkaboo
l
eMr sNadiaVanGraanjaana.

Me:(l
aughing)ohGod!Comeoneboss.That
soundswierd.Lewenayouknowi
t.

Mar
cus:Whyi
sitwi
erd?

Me:(si
ghing)OKlook,
MorenaandIbrokeupbutI
am honestl
ysodonewithr
elat
ionshi
ps.

Marcus:(
smi
les)eishIt
ri
ednott
osmi
leatt
he
menti
onofyourbreak-
upbutnnammamyhearti
s
danci
ng.
Me:(chuckl
e)Don'tbotheryourhear
t.Leti
trest
becauseIam ser
iouslydonewi t
hdating.

Mar
cus:why?

Me:BecauseIhavebadluckwit
hloveandIcan'
t
gi
veamanever yt
hinghewants.

Marcus:Whyshouldyougiveamaneveryt
hinghe
wants?AreyouGod?Ineveraskedyout
ogiveme
anyt
hing.Ij
ustwantyout
oacceptmyheart.

WherehaveIhear dthisbefore.Bol
eng'
swords
comeringinginmyheadandIknowexact l
ywhatt
o
dotoendt hisl
usfulpursui
t.Iturnmywhol
ebody
soIam facinghiminbench.

Me:OK,
fir
stl
etmet
ellyouwhoIam.I
fyoust
il
l
r
emember,mynamewasDikel
edi
.
Marcus:ofcour
seIdo.Youwoul dst
il
lbeDikel
edi
if
Ihadn'
ttol
dyoutogetitchangedoff
ici
all
y.

AndIr
ememberhowrudehewastomethatday
nowherehei
scl
aimi
ngdanci
nghear
ts.

Me:OKwel lwhatyoudon' tknowi sthatIgr ewup

l
ivingwi t
hmypat er
nalgr andpar entsaf t
ermy
mot herdiedwhi legivi
ngbi r
tht omeandherpar ents
tookmet ot hehouset hatwoul dbecomemyhel l.
Mygr andf atherstart
edr apingmeatt heageof
eightuntilIwasei ghteen.Myf i
rstpregnancywasat
theageoft welveandIabor tedt hatchildalongwi t
h
thefourthatwoul dfoll
owupt omyl astpregnancy
attheageofsi xteen.Mygr andf athergotarrest
ed
forrapingmeandassaul t i
ngmygr andmot herwhen
Iwasei ghteenandmygr andmot herdiedthatsame
week.ThenIcamet oGabor onet oschoolandIgot
i
nt ohighcl assprostit
uti
on.( her ai
seshisbr owsoI
knowIam f i
nal
lyhitt
inganer ve)Mor enaandIwer e
datingatt hatti
mebutIal sometanot hermanand
starteddat i
nghi mt oot henhet urnedoutt obe
mar riedt osomeoneMor enaknew.That 'swhenwe
brokeupandIbecameasexaddi ct.ThenImeta
guycal l
edSébast ienwhowentf orm beingmysex
partnert obei ngmyr apist.Ohbyt heway, my
father '
swi fehat esmeandhadconvi ncedmyf ather
thathat ingmei sthebestt hingfortheirmar riage.
Somyf atherhel pedmyr api stt
owi nar apecase
againstme.Thatr apei swhatbor oughtMor enaand
Itoget heragai nbuthef oundoutaboutmy
abor ti
onsont hedaymyf athershowedupt or ui
n
ourmagadinegot iati
ons.NowIf oundoutt hatI
can'tcar ryfullterm andMor enaisn'
tinterestedin
that.SoIam nowa, singlewomanwhoi st oomuch
foranyonemant ohandl e.

Ibr
eat
heoutandlookathi
m.Thel
ookonhi
sface
i
soneIcan'
tread.

Mar
cus:Whywoul
dyout
ellmeal
lthat
?Youhar
dly
knowme.

Me:(shrugging)Iwantyoutogetovertheideat hat
youlikemeorwhat ever.Knowi
ngmyt ruthwi l
l
showyouwhyIdon' twanttowastemyoryourt ime.
Let'
sjuststayprof
essionalwhi
leyoumul loverthe
thoughtofhowIam notwhoyout houghtIwas.

Mar cus:Isti
lldon'tunderst
andwhyyout hi
nki
t'
sok
foryout ospillyourgutsouttosomeoneyouhave
onlyhadpr ofessionalconversat
ionswi
th.

Me:Ihavebeent
oldt
hathonest
ywi
llsetmef
ree.

Marcus:(si
ghs)Ihavealowsperm count
.Likeso
l
owt hatIam al
mostinf
erti
le.Ipl
antoadoptone
day.

Ir
aisemybr
owandl
ookathi
m.
Me:Real
ly?

Mar cus:mhm.Someofushavet oacceptt

hehand
wear edealtandmoveon.Notmanywomenar e
will
ingtoacceptthethoughtofbeingwithaman
thatcan'tgi
vethem chil
dren.OnewomanIwas
dati
ngact ual
lyaskedmei fIfeell
ikeaweakman.

Me:Doyou?

Marcus:no.Doyoufeel
li
kel
essofawomanj
ust
becauseyoucan'
tkeepababyi
nyourwomb?

Me:Notr eal
ly.Iact
uall
ybecameafrai
dofhavi
ng
chi
ldrenbecauseofhowIgr ewup.Butwhenyou
meetsomeoneyoul oveandwanttomakethem
happy,someofyourdr eamschange.
Mar cus:Wellnotever
yonewouldwantt
ochange
you.Especiall
ynotmesoj ustgi
vemeachanceto
provemyl ovetoyou.

Me:(sighing)AhtotaIhaveneveractual
lybeen
si
nglesinceIst ar
teddat
ing.Ijustwantt
ost ay
si
nglefort henextsi
xmont hstoayear.Justtobe
bymysel fbecauseIhavegr ownsodependenton
havi
ngamani nmyl i
fet
ohel peasethepainofthe
ment hatdisappoint
edme.

Mar cus:Damn!SoIhavet oaddsixmont

hstothe
thr
eeyear sthatIhavebeenwait
ingf
orMorenato
screwup?

Me:(
chuckl
ing)Idi
dn'tsayt
hat.Isai
dIwantt
obe
si
ngl
e.Idi
dn'tsayanythi
ngaboutyou.

Helooksatmyengagementr
ingt
henr
aiseshi
s
br
ow.
Mar
cus:Sowhyar
eyoust
il
lwear
ingi
t?

Me:oht
his?NahIhavepl ansforthi
s.Haketswa
hakeagoiphi
moladikeledikayone.(whenIleave
her
eam Igoi
ngtocomf ortmyselfwit
hit
)

Marcuslaughsandcont
inueschat
ti
ngwi
thme
whil
ewewai tfort
hdoff
icer
stocomeandcol
lect
ourstat
ementsaboutt
heMaysaga.

100shar
esby1pm f
orabonus
[
08/
31,
18:
01] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t84

AtaBogosi
'
shouse
Laterthatafter
noon, Tonydr
ivesi
nwi t
hBolengwho
keepsner vousl
ybi t
ingherfi
ngernai
lsint
he
passengerseat .Theylftt
hei
rdaught
erather
mot her'
shousef orthismeeti
ng.

Bol
eng:Butwhyar
ether
esomanycar
sher
e?

Tony:Maybet
heyal
lwant
edt
omeetyou.

Bol
eng:(
hol
dingherchest
)JesusIj
ustwantt
orun
away!

Tony:Iam heref
oryoubabe.Let'
sgoandgetthi
s
overwit
h.Ifyouchoosetoneversetf
oother
eagain
thenyouwouldhaveatleastt
ri
ed.

I
nthehouse
MrMor
ena:Justdon'
tover
whel
m her
.

MrsMor ena:Tool
atefort
hatPapas.Thefactallof
usarehereisover
whelmingonitsown.Infact,
I
thi
nkweshoul dal
lgoandwai ti
nthebackyardfor
hertomeetwi t
hherfat
herthenwecanallcome
seeher.

Kgot
la:Ahnnal
ennankaboahakgor
ong.(
Iwoul
d
al
sojusthi
taut
urnbyt
hedoor)

Bogosi
:AndIam soner
vous.BabeAker
ewenayou
wil
lst
ay?

Hi
swi
fe:OK.

Leano:Ler
ona?Aker
eshei
soursi
ster
.
Mor
ena:(
pul
lshi
m up)Het
akwa!

Ther
estofthefamilywalksouttot
hebackyar
dto
gi
vethem pri
vacy.Morenatapsonamessagehe
j
ustr
eceived.

Lea:[HeyMozy.Weareready!Ar
eyoucomi
ngt
o
pickusuporwillwemeetatthepar
k?]

Mor ena:[Damn!Kanannakenekelemo
dibabalasengwhenwespokeinthemorni
ng.I
forgotwewer emeeti
nganieceofminet
oday.Sor
ry.
Raincheck?

Lea:[
ohOK]

Mor
ena:[
sor
ryt
lhemma]
Heshovest
hephonedownhi
spocketandl
ist
enst
o
Kgot
la.

Kgotl
a:AhMor enadoesn'tknowwhathewant
s
anymore.Todayit
'st
his.Tomorrowit
'st
hat
.

Kgosi:Aker
eherefusedtoli
stentomewhenItri
ed
tel
li
nghimtoleaveNadaialone.Looksl
ikewear
e
backatsquareonealloveragai
n.

Morena:(
sighs)Ir
eal
lydon'
tneedthi
srightnow.I
havealotonmymi ndandthi
sisthelastthi
ngI
needtohear.

Kgotla:Easyforyoutosay.Kanayourpr oblem i
s
your antocommi tment
.Nnahel akelebi
lejaana,
youar en'
treadytobecuff
ed.Bel i
keme, nnaIam
allaboutsowingmywi l
dOat sbeforeIsett
ledown
becausennaIdon' twanttostr
essanyone' schil
d.I
don'tevenwantdi kgangt sanoBogositsa
khumbul ekayakanakeut at
akho?Ikeepitwrapped
upandevencheckf orleaksbecausennahake
senkedibabymamanna.( l
owershisvoice)Bona
paps,heusedt opl aythegamebuthagoi segonne
utat
akhomol apeng.

Kgosi
:(l
aughsandsmakshi shead)Whatdoyou
knowaboutthatwenabecausewearetheones
wholi
vedthroughthat
?

Kgot
la:(
shr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s)Youcant
ellhewasa
GOATbackinhi
sday.

I
nthehouse.

Bogosi
'swif
eopenst hedoort
oletBolengandTony
i
n.Greeti
ngareexchangedandtheytakethei
rseat
s.
Bol
englooksatBogosinotknowingwhattosayas
shefi
ghtsheremotions.
Bogosi:(
clear
shist
hroat
)Umm OK.Wow!Ihada
wholespeechinmyheadbutit'
sal
lgonenow.I
eventhoughtyouweren'
tgoi
ngtocome.

Bol
eng:(
sighs)Ial
mostdi
dn'
t.

Bogosi:AndIwoul dn'thavebl amedyouatal l

.OK..I
thi
nkIshouldst ar
twi t
hi ntroducingmysel ftoyou.
Inanof f
ici
alsenseat l
east .Iam BogosiMor ena.I
am thesecondbor nsoni naf amilyoffoursonsso
youhavet hreeuncles,fourcousi nsandandt wo
nephews.Oneofyourcousi nshast woki ds.Then
youhaveayoungersi sterwhoi sfouryears
youngerthanyouandt woyoungerbr other
saswel l
.
Thenmywi f
eher eisexpect inganot hergir
l.Ohand
bothyourgrandparent sarest i
llali
veandcan' twait
tomeetyou.

Bol
eng:wowOK.That
'sUmm…wel
lIam Bol
eng
Appiah.Thisi
smyhusbandAnt honyAppiah.We
haveat hr
eeyearoldbabygir
lcal
ledNatasha.She
i
satmymum' splace(smil
es)wearealsoexpecti
ng
anot
herbaby.

Bogosi
:(l
eansback)wowIcan'tbel
ieveIhavea
soninl
awandIam agr andpa.

Hechuckl
esandst
andsupt
oshakeTony'
shand.

Bogosi:i
t'
stoolatef
ormet ostar
twarni
ngyoul ikeI
di
dwi thmysecondbor nboyf
ri
end.Afathertakes
pri
deinscaringthecr
apoutofhisdaughter'
s
boyfr
iendsandyougotlucky.

Bol
eng:(
chuckl
es)hest
il
lgotsomethr
eatsf
rom
mystepfat
herwhoisafor
merpoli
ceoffi
cer
.

Tony:(
laughs)yeahIr
ecei
vedt
hreat
sofbei
ng
t
hrowni
nacel
lforaweekendi
fIt
ryt
ohur
ther
.

Bogosi
:(smi
les)Iam gl
adyouat l
easthadaf
ather
fi
gurei
nyourlif
ewhenIf ai
ledyou.

Boleng:Notr eall
y.Heonl ycamei ntomyl i
fewhenI
wasei ghteen.Mymot herdidn'twanttodatewhi l
eI
wasyoungbecauseshehadf earsofdati
nga
pedophilewhowoul dmol estme.Shemadesur eI
wasneverl ackinginanyt hingbutther
ewasal ways
thatyearningt oalsocal lsomeonepapayouknow?
(shrugs)Idi dn'thavethatandIwonder edaboutyou.
Shet ol
dmewhoyouar eandgavemescr eenshots
oftheconver sati
onsyouhadwi t
hhertelli
ngherto
getridofmesoIneverbot heredtolookforyou
thoughIhadyourf ullnames.Butshet oldmeyou
wereasol di er.

Bogosi
:(si
ghs)YeahIusedtobeasoldi
erwhenI
wasyoung.Iworkedfort
hearmyforfi
veyear
sthen
l
eftwhenIgotajob.IwassuchafoolBol
eng.Tot
a
Iwasal wayshaunt edbywhatIt oldher
.Ial ways
askedmysel fhoeol dyouwoul dhavebeen.Ican' t
giveyouexpl anat i
onst hatwi l
ljust i
fymyact ions
butIam nott hesamemanIusedt obe.Iknowyou
areagr ownwomanwhodoesn' tneedmeanymor e
butIam hopi ngt ohavear el
ationshipwi thyouand
gettoknowyourf amily.Iwoul dliketobet herefor
yourchildrensi nceIfailedyoum Icani magi net hat
Tony'spar entsmi ghtbef arawayandIwoul dliketo
beablet oplaymyr oleast heirgranddad.Dven
yoursibli
ngshavevoi cedt hei
rdi sappointmenti n
meabouthowIhandl edt hingsandt heywantt o
meetyou.Especi all
yTl amel o.Shekeepssayi ng
howshef inallyhasanol dersisterandcanbea
l
ittl
eirr
esponsi bl
e.(Bolengl aughsemot ionall
y)She
i
sdr eami ngthoughbecauset hat'snothappeni ng.

Bol
eng:(wi
peshertears)Iwoul
dli
ket
omeetthem
act
uall
y.It
houghtIwasgoi ngt
ofi
ndaful
lhouse
whenIwalkedinherebecauseoft
hecar
soutsi
de.I
wantedtorunaway.
Bogosi'
swi f
e:(
laughs)Thereisawholeclan
waiti
ngtobecal l
edinheretomeetyou.Bewar ned
thatt
hisisaveryloudfamily.Iwassoint
imidat
ed
thefi
rstt
imeImett hem.Theyhavezerofilt
erso
youneedt ohavethickski
n.

Bogosi
:(l
aughsandholdsherhand)Comeonbabe,
wearen'
tthatbad!Youwi
llchaseheraway

Bogosi
'
swife:Ohpl
ease!Iwant
edt
ocr
yfeel
ingout
ofpl
acewhenImetyourfamil
y.

Tony:Don'
tworryshewi
llf
itr
ighti
nbecauseshe
doesn'
tevenknowhowtospellthewor
dfil
ter
.

Bol
eng:(
cover
sherwetf
ace)ohmyGodTony.

Theyalll
aught
henMrMor
enawal
ksi
nhol
dinghi
s
wif
e'shand.
MrMor ena:Nnyaabathongwehavewai
tedl
ong
enough.Laughtermeansnofi
ght
ingsoweare
comingin.

Kgosi
:sal
erei
tshoki
le!

Loago:Iam eventir
edofr
unni
ngbackandf
our
tht
o
tel
lthem whatisbei
ngsai
d.

Kgotl
a:Heel
awena!Whatki
ndofspyr
eveal
shi
s
missi
onskante?

Loago:Itol
dyouguysthathisdreamsofbei
nga
Int
erpolagentar
efarf
etched.Loagoi
smoreofa
sni
tchthanaspy!

Laogo:Ahhareut
lwangt
ankiyaMot
swana!Af
ter
al
lmyenergy!
Chantel
le:(
clapsherhands)Heel
angt
lhengl
etl
a
tshosamotho!

ChaosjustbreaksoutastheyeachhugBol engand
Tonyshouti
ngt hei
rnamesoutf orhertohear .
Laught
erfil
lstheroom astheychat.Chantell
e,
Tlamel
o,BogoloandBogosi '
swifestartservi
ng
foodanddrinksandeveryonegetsmer ry….

Nadi
a

Ihaveneverfeltt
hisfree.Ihonestl
yt houghtlosi
ng
Morenawouldbr eakmewheneverIi magi ned
l
eavinghi
m.ImeanIcoul dseethathewasdone
wit
hmef rom thedaywecam f rom thehospi t
albut
i
ttookmet hreemont hstof i
nal
lyacceptt hathe
wasdonewi thme.Ijustcamef rom doingawhol e
l
otofshopping.Myengagementwasval uedat
P5200soIsol ditandwentshoppi ng!I t
'smineafter
al
landIdeser
vesomecompensati
ondontI
?Itur
n
upthevol
umeandf i
xmybrandnewshadesand
si
ngalongtoSam Smit
h.

[
Chor
us]
Butever
yti
meyouhur
tme,
thel
esst
hatIcr
y
Andeveryt
imeyoul
eaveme,
thequi
ckert
hese
t
earsdry
Andever
yti
meyouwal
kout
,thel
essIl
oveyou
Baby,
wedon'
tst
andachance,
it'
ssadbuti
t'
str
ue
I
'
m wayt
oogoodatgoodbyes
(
I'
m wayt
oogoodatgoodbyes)
I
'
m wayt
oogoodatgoodbyes
(
I'
m wayt
oogoodatgoodbyes)

Acal
lcomest
hroughcut
ti
ngt
hesong.I
t'
sJoseph.
Me:Hi
!

Joe:Hi
!SasaandDJwantt
omeetyou.

Ihat
ethathewasnamedafterhisf
ather
.Icanonl
y
hopeDavi
dJuniori
snot
hinglikehi
sSenior
.

Joe:It
houghtwecoul
dmakeitnextweekend
becauseIwouldal
soli
keyoutomeetmygi r
lf
ri
end

Me:Noprobl
em!I'
dactual
lyl
ikethat
.Youguyscan
cometomyplaceifyoudon'
tmind.

Joe:Wowt
hatwoul
dbegr
eatact
ual
ly.OKIwi
llt
ell
them.

Me:Cool.AndDavidseni
or,
ifyouarel
ist
eni
ngto
merightnow,knowthatIwi
llsetmydogsonyouif
youshoeupatmyhouse!

Joe:(
laughs)Iwassoconfused.Ir
epl
acedmy
si
mcar dsothisonei
sn'
tbuggedanymore.

Me:ohOK.Youneverknow.Bye!

Joe:bye!

Idon'thaveadogbi ghedoesn'tknowt hatandIam

honest l
ysodonewi thhimthatufhetri
esmeagai n,
Iam r epor
ti
nghimt ohissuperi
ors.I
fthatdoesn'
t
wor k,Iam t
akingitt
othecommanderi nchief.The
presidentsoff
icebecausethi
smancan' tli
veto
terr
orizemyl i
fewhenIhavedonenot hingtohim.
ThesongcomesbackonandIcont i
nuesinging
along.DRHadassahwi l
lbesopr oudofme!

[
AWEEKLATER]
Thankyoutoal
lthosethatshar
edt
hei
nser
t.The
bonuswil
lbeupinaf ewhours.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
[
08/
31,
18:
02] :BONUSI
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t85

AtNadi
a'
shouse

Nadi
atakesaseatacr
osshersi
bli
ngst
henl
ooksat
Tl
amelowhoissit
ti
ngnexther
.
Nadi
a:Shee!Lehagot
wesmal
lwor
ld!Tl
amel
o!

Tl
amel
o:(
blushi
ng)mma

Nadi
a:Soyouaredati
ngmybr
other
?Wai
tsekana!
Thi
sisjustamazi
ng!

Joseph:AhkanannaIal
waysref
err
edyoutoas
Dikel
ediandsheknowsyouasNadi
asoitnever
cl
ickedforher
.

Tlamelo:itr
eal
lydidn'
t.Evenwhenhet ol
dmehis
dadmesseduphi ssister
'sweddi
ngitnever
regi
steredatal
l.AndIam sorryaboutyouand
RrangwneMor ena.

Nadi
a:ohdon'
twor
ryaboutt
hathoney.Besi
des,
it
woul
dhavebeensowier
dformybrothertobe
dat
ingmyni
ece.(
laughs)anyway,
howar
eyou
Sal
ome?

Sasa:(smi
les)Iam f
ine.Justal
it
tl
ener
voust
obe
here.

Nadi
a:Ao,
don'
tbe.

Sasa:Ican'
thel
pit.Wehavejustal
waysf
eltsobad
abouthowyouwer etr
eatedwhenweweregrowing
upthenonedaywest oppedgoingt
othevi
ll
ageall
toget
herandIkeptwonderi
ngwhereyouwere.

DJ:YeahandwhenJoesai
dhemetyou,
wet
hought
youwouldhat
eorsomethi
ng.

Nadi
a:Iam notaspi tefulper
sonDJ.Andbesi
des,
youguyswer ekids.Ineverhadaprobl
em wit
hyou
andIsti
lldon'
t.Ijustkeptmydist
ancewhenIcame
toGaboronebecauseIwant
edt
oavoi
ddr
amawi
th
yourpar
ents.

Salome:( wi peshertears)Ij
ustdon' tgetwhythey
arelikethis.Ican'twaittomoveoutoft hei
rhouse
andst ayawaybecauseIam t ir
edofseei ngthem
hurteveryonear oundthem.AndIover hear
dpapa
tal
kingaboutaf ar
m nkukuhadandkeptasecr et
.
Hesuspect syouknowsomet hingaboutitandIjust
want edtowar nyou.Bever ycarefulNadiabecause
ourfatheri sn'tagoodman.

Nadi
a:(
witharaci
ngheart
)What ?Howdoeshe
knowaboutt
hat?Idon'
tunder
stand.

DJ:Ther
eisnothi
ngthatmandoesn'
tknowDike-I
meanNadia.Heispartoft
hemil
it
aryi
ntel
li
gence.

Nadi
afeel
sacol
drushandherear
sheatup.
Joe:(
frowns)Sasawhydi
dn'
tyout
ellme?

Sasa:Ahitwaswaybef or
eyoutol
dusyoufound
Nadia.It
houghtspeaki
ngaboutherwasst
il
ltaboo.

Joe:Sowhydi
dn'
tyout
ellmeaf
ter
?

Nadia:Cal
m downJoe.Sheisakid.Umm..OK.
.
Umm…Iam evenscar edtosayanythi
ngnow
becausewow.Am Ievensafeher
e?Jeez…

Sasa:Noyouar
en'
t.

Joe:Sal
ome!

Sasa:What?Youknowi t
'st
rue!Whydoyouthi
nk
theyhavebeentryi
ngtosnakethei
rwaybacki
nto
herli
fe?Theyhaven'
tqui
teit
her.Mamaevenwants
tohaveaneventvenue.Youknowt hatoneshe
alwaystalki
ngabout.Wher
edoyout hinktheywant
togetitdownbecausetothem f
reelandmeans
theysameonbuyi ngafarmthatcouldcost300kor
mor e.

Nadia:(shif
tsabout
)warengnemmawena?But
theyhaveneversaidanythingtome.My
grandmot herl
eftmethatfarm.Whydon'
ttheyuse
Ntate'
sf ar
m?

DJ:Pr
obabl
ybecauseofi
tsl
ocat
ion.

Sasa:Orsimpl
ybecauseyourwi
ckedmot
hert
hinks
Nadiadoesn'
tdeser
veanythi
ng.

Tl
amel o:(
shakesherhead)Joh!Yourf
ami
lyi
sso
i
ntense!
Joe:Youdon'
tknowt
hehal
fofi
t.

Tlamelo:Kanamyf amil
yisfill
edwi t
hst epchil
dren
moel enggor eyouwoul dn'
tknowwhoi swho
becauseoutofaf amil
yoffivechildr
en, onlyoneis
mymom andst epdad'
schildbutt othem re
tshwanahel a.Thenmydadi salsoaboutt ohave
anotherchil
dandIr ecentl
yacqui r
edanot herhalf
sist
er.Kegor eIam astepchi l
dtwiceover .Hago
nakat shaba.Kegat ahakest epchild,kegatakwa
kestepchild!

Herwordsli
ght
enupt
hemoodandever
yone
chuckl
es.

Nadi
a:(shakesherhead)kanat
hathal
fsi
sterof
your
sismybestf ri
end.

Tlamelo:no!(
laughs)Gabor
onetlhekekhonanyana
bathong!KanaIsaidthati
ftheyactual
lybr
ing
uyaj
ola99herethebouncer
swillbetheones
beat
ingpeopl
eupwhent heyfi
ndoutt hei
rgir
lf
ri
end
i
stheonegetti
ngcaughtwithanotherman.Kegore
elethr
eeinoneokarediDVDtsamaNi ger
ia!

Thatset
sever
yoneof
fandt
heyl
augh.

Nadia:I
siti
nsomet
hingyouar
egi
venwhenyou
wereborn?

Tl
amel
o:what
?

Nadia:ImeaneveryMorenai
sliket
his.From t
he
headtothelastbor
n.KanaevenBolengisli
kethi
s.
Isthathowyouaremarked?

Tlamelo:(l
aughs)Aobathong.Iam not
hingli
ke
thosecrazypeople.(
cover
shermout handlooksat
Joe)ohGod.
Joe:What
?

Tl
amel
o:Don'
tyour
eal
izewhatt
hismeans?

Joe:(
frowns)whatbabe?

Tl
amel o:Ifeelsi
ckt omystomach.(cl
oseshereyes)
OurparentdhavemetJoe!Iheadmygr ampsbeat
Nadia'
sf at
herandappar entl
ymydadanduncl es
werereadyf orhimt otr
yanytgi
ngandtheywere
goi
ngt obeathi m up.Thisi
ssobad!

Joecomesovertoherandhol
dsherhandswhi
le
squat
ti
ngi
nfrontofher.

Joe:St
oppani
cki
ngbabe.Ever
ythi
ngisgoingtobe
fi
ne.Wewil
lfi
gur
esomethingoutwhentheti
me
comes.
Tlamelo:Areyoukiddingme?Ther eisnothi
ngto
fi
gureout.Thisisitforus.Thesecondyourparent
s
walkintomypar entshousef ori
ntr
oduct
ions,chai
rs
aregoingtostartfl
yingmygr ampsabat l
ago
kgalemalenyatso.Thisisnevergoingt
owor k.

Joe:(rubshercheek)Wewi
llgetmar
ri
edatt
heDC
then.Justxl
am down.

Nadi
a:(si
ghs)nevergoi
ngtohappen.Thatdoesn'
t
fl
ywithMorena'sunl
essyouwantherestr
anged
fr
om herf
ami l
yandthati
ssomethingIwouldnever
al
lowyoutodot oher.

Hepl
opshi
mselfdownandsi
tsnextt
othecouch
l
ooki
ngupatNadia.

Joe:Sowhatdoyouwantustodo?Wecan'
tri
sk
thechaost
hatwi
lli
mplodei
fourfami
li
esmeet
.
Nadi a:Thati swhyyouhavet ohaveameet i
ngwi t
h
yourpar entsTlamelo.Yourf ather ,motherandst ep
parent s.Youneedt osi tt
hem al ldownandt ellt
hem
exact l
ywhoJosephi s.Don'thi deit.Tellthem and
l
ett hem knowyouguyswantt ogetmar r i
edone
dayandwoul dwantt odot hingsr i
ghtwhent he
ti
mecomes.Thenr equestt hatyourf at
hert al
ksto
hisf at
hert oo.Therightthingwoul dbef ormy
fathert oapologizetoyourpar entsandhemi ghtget
char gedf orthatbeforeanynegot i
ati
onscanbe
done.Legal eIam notsur ebutt hat'swhatmakes
senset ome.Justt ell
ingthem whoJoei swi l
lhel
p
dif
f uset heexplosi
onofasur prisemeet ing.

Tl
amel
o:OKt
hatmakesal
otofsenseact
ual
ly.

Joe:(
smi
les)Thej
oysofhavi
nganol
dersi
bli
ng.

Nadi
a;(
chuckl
es)mor
eli
kehavi
ngasi
bli
ngwhogot
burntbynotbeingtranspar
ent
.Iwoul
dn'
twantyou
togothroughthat.

Theycont
inuechat
ti
ngandl
atergooutf
orameal
…..

Nadi
a

Idon'tevenr ememberdr ivingt owor kafterleaving

themal lbuthereIam si t
ti
ngbehi ndadeskf acing
thewindowandt hinkingaboutever ythi
ngSal ome
said.Whywoul dshesayIam notsaf e?Woul dhe
actuall
yhur tme?Doesheact uallyknowt hefarmis
i
nmyname?Canheaccessl andboar drecords?I
feelsi
ckatt hethoughtofhavi ngnopr i
vacy
becauseofmyf ather.IthinkIshoul dmovehouses.
Whati fhesendssomeonet okidnapmeor
somet hing?Peopl edisappearever ydayandi t
doesn'tseem tobet akenasser iouslyasi tshould
be.
ThedooropensandIt
urnar
oundscr
eamingso
l
oudthatt
earsfor
minmyeyes.Whatishedoi
ng
her
e?

The11pm i
nser
twi
llbeupbef
oremi
dni
ght
[
08/
31,
18:
02] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t86

Nadi
a

OhGodmyheart!Icl
utchmychestf
eel
ingmy
hear
tbeati
nmyears.

Marcus:(
frownsandwal
ksover
)Heywhatwast
hat
?
Kanayoufreakedmeout
!
Me:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)wai
t.

Iputmyheadonthedeskandt
ryt
oregul
atemy
breat
hingashesi
tsdown.

Me:Neverdot
hatagai
n.Knockorsomet
hing.What
ar
eyouevendoingher
e?

Marcus:Isawyourcarinthepar
kingl
ot.If
orgot
somefil
esthatIhavetoworkonsoIcamet oget
them.Whathasyousoj umpy?

Me:(
leani
ngback)Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.

Mar cus:I
sn'
titali
tt
letoolat
eforthat
?Ialr
eady
knowsomuchaboutyout hatatt
hispoi
ntyouhave
totellmeeveryt
hingthatgoesoninyourli
fe.
Ichuckl
eandshakemyheadast
heconver
sat
ionI
hadwithmysibl
ingsr
epl
aysi
nmyhead.

Me:Turnsoutthatmonst
rosi
tyofaf
atherIt
oldyou
aboutmightwantmyhead.

Marcus:(
frowns)I
sthatar
iddl
e?Whatdoyou
mean?

Me:Wel l
,appar entl
yhi swifewantst or unsome
weddingvenuebusi nessandwant st hef arm my
grandmotherl eftmeandt hem showi ngupwant ing
tobeinvolvedi nmyweddi ngwast heirwayof
tryi
ngtofindouti fIgott hefarm.Idon' tknowwhat
theyplannedt odoaf terthatandIam j ustfreaki
ng
outbecausei fmyownf athercansetmyr apistf
ree
tosavehisr eputati
on, whatmor ewi l
lhedoi fhe
fi
ndsoutIownat enhect arefarm hewi l
lfeel
belongstohi m?Idon' tevenknowhowIendedup
herebutIam scaredofgoinghome.If eelli
kehe
seeseveryt
hingIdo.(Icovermyf acewithmy
hands)Iam getti
ngparanoidnow.Iknowi tsounds
l
ikeIam overthinki
ngthingsbutnothi
ngi nmyl i
fe
hasneverwor kedoutwellformeandIcan' tactl
ike
ther
eisn'
tapossi bi
li
tyofthatmanhurtingmet oget
whathewant s.Iam soscar ed.

Istartcr
yingi nt
omyhands.Idi dn'treali
zehow
mucht hisactuallyaffectedmeunt ilnow.If eelhim
holdmyheadagai nsthisbodyandl et
'smecr y
whilehest andsnextt ome.Icr yforal i
tt
lewhi le
beforeIreali
zemycheeki sagainsthisgroin.The
thoughttickl
esmycl i
tbutImovemyf aceawayand
wipemyt earsthengr absomewi pesfrom mydesk
drawerandwi pemysel f.Heleansont het ableand
l
ooksatme.

Marcus:El
egor
ewhat
'st
hisguy'
sname?Haveyou
everr
eport
edhi
m?
Me:(Ishakemyheadwhi lewipingmynose)No.Hi s
namei sDavidSupang.Ifeell
ikei
t'
suselessto
repor
thimt ohisbossesbecauseifheispartoft
he
i
ntell
igencethenhecangetawaywi thanythi
ng.

Marcus:(
looksatmeinawier
dway)Noonegets
awaywithanythi
ng.Ever
ydoghasi
tsday.Tr
ust
andbeli
evethat.

Isni
ff
leandr
ubmyf
ace.

Marcus:Sowhat'
syourplan?Ar
en'
tyougoi
ng
home?(naught
ysmile)I
fnotyoucanal
wayscome
forasl
eepoveratmyhouse.

Me(
chuckl
ing)Tot
aobuaengMar
cus?

Marcus:Sheh!Ebi
leyouknowhowt osaymyname?
Ihat
eitwhenyoucal lmeboss.Fr
om nowoncal
l
meMarcusatwor
kandcal
lmel
ovebugwheni
t'
s
j
ustt
hetwoofus.

Ican'
thel
pbutlaughthr
oughthetear
s.Marcusi
s
toobufft
obetell
ingmetocal
lhimlovebug.

Marcus:(ti
lt
shishead)otshegaengnemma?
(
whatar eyoulaughi
ngat?
)NnaIwi l
lcal
lyousweet
t
hang.SoIam yourlovehugandyouar emysweet
t
hang.

It
hinkthetear
sinmyeyesarenowfr
om the
l
aughingfi
tIam havi
ng.Iwi
pemyeyesandlookat
hi
m.Hegi vesmeapearlywhit
esmi
leandwinksat
me.

Mar
cus:Let
sgohomesweett
hang.

Me:Sheh(
laughagai
n)Iam notgoi
nganywher
e
wit
hyoumister
.It
oldyouIam asi
ngl
ewoman.I
wil
lgot
omymum' shouseforaweekwhi
leIf
inda
newhouse.

Mar
cus:(
frowns)Doyoul
ikewher
eyoul
ive?

Me:Yeah.It
'sareal
lyni
cecomplexandIwas
hopi
ngthatwhenIgetmyr ai
senextyearIcanbuy
i
tandstartpayi
ngforit
.Ir
eal
lyl
ikei
t.

Mar
cus:Sodon'
tmovet
hen.

Me:AhMar
cusyoudon'
tknowt
hatman.

Marcus:Tr
ustmewhenIsayhewoul dneverhur t
you.Hewouldlosehisjob.Youareact
uallysaferi
n
acomplexsodon'tlethimterr
ori
seyou.Staywhere
youwanttostay.Runningawayonlygiveshim
poweroveryou.
Ileanbackandt akeadeepbreath.Heisrightabout
beingsaferinthecomplex.Wehavesecur i
ty
guardsandal armssoIAM probablysaferther
e
thanwher everIwil
lgo.

Me:Iguessyouar
eri
ght
.

Marcus:ofcourseIam.Sol
etmesl
eepovert
oni
ght
j
ustsoyouf eelsaf
e.

Me:(
thi
nni
ngmyeyes)Mar
cuswee.

Marcus:Imeansl
eepingont
hecouchwoman!Why
ar
eyousodi r
tyminded?

Ismi
leandshakemyhead.
Me:Whowoul
dhavet
hought
?

Mar
cus:What
?

Me:ThatIwoul
dbelaughi
ngwit
hyouinanoff
ice.I
meanyouweresuchajerktomewhenwefi
rstmet.

Marcus:Youwerebeingt oomousylikeyouwer e
afr
aidofexi
sti
ng.Iwant edtogetyouratt
ledupso
youstandupforyourselfbuti
tjustmadet hings
worseokareokokoet l
obiwa.(
youwer elikea
chi
ckengett
ingdefeathered)

Me:Heelang!I
twasaj obi
nter
viewMar cus!Myfi
rst
oneebl
iethenImeetamanwhot el
lsmetochange
mynamei fIdon'tl
ikei
tsoIdon'twastepeopl
e'
s
ti
mebyexpl ai
ningmyname.

Mar
cus:(
laughs)It
hinki
twasal
soadef
ense
mechani
sm f
ormebecauseyouwer
ehotl
ewena.

Ichuckl
eandpul
lmyphone.I
t'
samessagef
rom an
unknownnumber
.

:[
heknowswemetyout odayandkeptaski
ngus
whatyoutoldus.Hewasangryandthreat
enedt
o
hur
tyou.Pleasestaysaf
eNadia.Sal
ome]

Myhandi
sshaki
ngl
ikeal
eafandmymout
hisdr
y.

Mar
cus:What
'swr
ong?

Ican'
tspeak.Het
akesthephonef
rom meand
readsi
tfr
owningbef
orehechuckl
es.

Me:Whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?
Marcus:Thi
sguyoagot
lwael
awai
tseNadi
a.Who
i
sthis?

Me:(
swal
lowi
ng)myhal
fsi
ster
.

Mar
cus:Nxl
asuchmendi
sgustme.

Me:Wellitdoesn'
tmatt
erbecauseIam goi
ngtomy
mother'
splaceunti
lIf
indanewhouse.Ican'tr
isk
mylif
elikethi
s.

Mar
cus:It
oldyounott
orunaway.Don'
tfearhi
m.

Me:( shouti
ngthroughtears)IdoMarcus!Iam shit
scaredoft hatman!Icouldpeemypant sthinki
ngof
thedayhi sJunioral
mostki l
ledmeandthet hought
ofwhatDavi dcoulddot omepar al
yzesme!IknowI
l
ookl ikeIam overr
eacti
ngt oyoubutIhavet o
becauseIhaveneverhadanyonet oprotectme
bef
ore!Iam myownbestbetandt
hebestt
hingI
candoformysel
fri
ghtnowisrun!

Istanduptoleavebuthehol
dsmeinhisar
msand
hiscolognewrapsmeupagainasIcr
yonhischest
.

Marcus:Letmet
akeyouhome.Youcan'
tdr
ivel
ike
t
his.

Me:Whataboutmycar
?

Marcus:wewi
lluseyour
s.Iwi
llt
akeacabf
rom
yourpl
ace.

Inodmyheadandf oll
owhim out
.Hei sr
ight.Iam
tooscaredtodrive.Wedr i
veinsi
lenceandIonl y
speaktodirecthim andhekeepstexti
ngonhi s
phonewhi chissomet hi
ngIhatebutchooset okeep
quietbecausethemani shelpi
ngme.Wef i
nally
ar
ri
veatmypl
aceandIopent
hegat
e.

Me:Iam justpacki
ngupaf ewcl ot
hesthenIwi
llbe
goingtomymot her'
splace.Icandropyoubackat
theoff
icetopickupyourcar.Myner vesar
ecal
mer
now.

Mar cus:(l
ooksathi
sphone)Iwasactuall
yhoping
youwoul dletmerushoffsomewhere.Iwil
lcome
backandpi ckyouupinlessthananhour.Ipromi
se.
Ijusthavetogotherer
ightnowandgoi ngbackto
theofficewil
ldel
ayme.

Me:(f
rowning)oh.
.Umm. .OKIguess.Butyou
shoul
dn'
ttaketoolongbecauseIdon'
tli
kedri
ving
atni
ght.

Marcus:Iwon'
t.Iam j
ustmeet
ingsomeonet
henI
wi
llbeback.
Igetoutoft
hecarandwat
chhi
m dr
iveof
f……

Ataf
armj
ustout
sideGabor
one

Mar cusst epsoutoft hecarinhissneaker sand

unlockst hef i
vepadlocksont hegat et hendrivesi
n
andl ocksupagai nbeforedri
vingof f.Heget sto
anot hergateandunl ockstheonebi gpadl ockand
drivesther estofthedistancepassi ngf r
uittr
eesas
farast heeyecanseeonbot hsidesoft hegravel
driveway.Hest opsinfrontofaf arm houseand
wal ksout .Hethenwal ksbehindt hehousewher e
thereisashack.Heknocksont hedoorandkeys
rattl
ebef orethedoori sopened.Hest epsintothe
shackandf i
stbumpst hethreecol oredmeni nside.

Mar
cus:waari
shy(
wher
eishe?
)

Oneofthehugemenwalksbehi
ndthet
arpt
hat
seper
atest
heroom anddr
agsati
edupDavi
dout.
Hepusheshimtohiskneesinfr
ontofMarcusand
t
helookofconf
usionhehadhadsi ncehi
sbli
ndfold
wasremovedwhenhef oundhimselfi
ntheshack
r
etur
nswhenhel ooksatanot
hermanhedoesn' t
r
ecogni
ze.

Marcus:(putshi
shandsinhi
spocket
sandt
il
tshi
s
head)Wellhell
oDavi
d.Ihavehear
dsomuchabout
you.Nothinggoodt
hough.

Davi
d:Whot
hef
*ckar
eyou?

Marcus:(chuckl
es)Eki
sjouer
gst
enagmer
ri
e.(
Iam
yourworstnight
mare)

Let
sgeti
tto150shar
esby1pm f
ort
hebonus
[
08/
31,
18:
02] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t87

Att
heFar
m

Mar cussi
tsonachairandwatchesasoneofthe
guyspunchesRraagweJoeonhi sstomachwhil
e
beingheldupbyanother.Theguygetsafewgood
l
icksinbefor
eMarcusstandsupagai n.

Mar
cus:Pi
etwag.(
Pietwai
t)

Pietstopspunchi
ngandstepsbackthenRr
aagwe
Joef al
lstohi
skneeswinci
nginpain.

Piet
:Ekhetl
ekkerbaasgehad(
Iwashavi
ngf
un
boss)
Marcuschuckl
esandsquat
sinf
rontofRr
aagwe
Joe.

Marcus:OK,
nowt hatyouknowImeanbusi
ness,I
wantyoutogivemeaver ygoodr
easonwhyyou
ar
esuchadick.

RraagweJoe:(
winci
ng)Idon'
tknowwhoyouare.
Letmegorightnowbefor
ethi
sturnsbadf
oryou.

Mar cus:(chucklesandshakeshi shead)Youreal l

y
don'tgetitdoyou?( squeezeshi
sjaw)David,t
hings
arealreadybadf ormebecauseyouar emessi ng
withsomet hingt hatbelongstome.(squeezes
ti
ghtermaki ngRr aagweJoet earthefl
eshofhi s
i
nnercheek)NooneandImeannoonemesses
withwhati smi ne.

RraagweJoe:(i
npai
n)Idon'
tknowwhatyour
t
alkingabout
!
Marcus:(
rai
seshi
sbr
owsandt
il
tshi
shead)Real
ly?
Di
keledi
.

RraagweJoe'
seyeswidenf
orasecondt
hen
confusi
onset
sbackin.

Marcus:(
rel
easeshisgrip)That
'si
t!Nowt
hatyou
ar
eupt ospeed,expl
aintomewhyyouar esucha
di
ckbecausethatsallIwanttoknow.

Rr
aagweJoe:Whatdoest
hatb*
tchhavet
odowi
th-

Pietl
andsapunchonhisli
pcausi
nghimtocuthi
s
l
owerl i
ponhisteet
h.Hegr
oansinpai
nandlooks
atPeiti
nrage.

Marcus:(
frowns)areyoubasi
cal
lyanidi
ot?I
sthat
whatyouar eDavi
d?Youareinaplaceyoudon'
t
know,surr
oundedbymenyouhaveneverseenand
oneofthem tel
lsyouthatyouaremessi
ngwith
whati
shi s(deepenshisvoi
ce)andyoudeci
deto
cal
lwhatishisabi t
ch?Reall
y?Areyouafool
?Or
doyoujusthaveadeat hwish?

RraagweJoe:Thatbitchr
uinedmyli
fe!Iwashappy
beforeshewasbor nandnowIam goingtoki
llher
forthis!DoyouknowwhoIam?Iwi l
ldestr
oyyou
andt hesecunt
sofyours.

Pi
etf
oldshi
sfi
stbutMar
cusr
aiseshi
shandt
o
st
ophim.

Mar cus:(wi
thagrowl)Davidopenyourmout hone
mor etimetospi
tthatkaakandIwi l
lbreakyour
kneecapsr i
ghtnow!Whot hef*ckdoyout hinkyou
are?Huh?Eksalnouj oukakebeenbr eek.(
Iwill
breakyourjawrightnow)Andnoonecanst opme.I
willcutyouupandf eedyout omypi gs.(st
andsup
andl ooksatPi
et)Thisguy!(squatsbackdownand
rai
seshisbr
ows)Davi dIwil
lkil
lyoukana.Doyou
getthat
?Youcandi eri
ghthereandnoonewi l
lever
knowwheretof i
ndyoubecausewear ethatgood.
Youkeepaskingmei fIknowwhoyouar ebutyou
needtoaskyoursel
fwhoIam poi( boy).Iam
MarcusVanGr aan.

Rr
aagweJoef
rownsbef
oref
earwashesoverhi
m.

Marcus:(
knodshishead)That '
sright
.Andri
ght
now,youjustthr
eatenedtoki
llthesoontobeMrs
VanGraan.(fr
ownsandl eanshisheadforwar
d)
Nowhowdoest hatlookf
oryour i
ghtnow?

Rr
aagweJoe:(bl
inksrapi
dly)No.MrVanGraanno.
Mydaught
erismar r
yingsomeot herMor
enaguy.

Mar
cus:OhsoI
'
mlyi
ng?
RraagweJoe:NoIam sayi
ngIdi
dn'
tknowt
hatyou
knowmydaughter.

Mar
cusst
andsupandf
ixeshi
spant
s.

Mar cus:Theonl yreasonwhyIam goi ngtoletyou

goi sbecauseki l
li
ngyouwoul dbetooeasyaf ter
everythingyouputNadi athrough.Iwantyout oli
ve
i
nf earofme.Iwantyout oknowt hatIam wat chi
ng
yourever ymoveandi fyoumi ssasinglestepIwi l
l
tearyouapar tli
mbf rom li
mbi ncl
udingthatdick
thir
stywi f
eofyour s.Youar esofocusedon
terr
orisinganinnocentchildandcan' tdealwith
yourdi ckbuyingwi f
e?

RraagweJoe:(st
ammer
s)what
..Whatar
eyou
t
alkingabout
?

Marcus:(
laughs)Youar
esuchapunk.Ican'
t
bel
ieveNadiaissoscar
edofapr
ickl
ikeyou.Pi
et
makesur
ehesendst
hatt
ext
.

Tur
nst
oleave.

Mar
cus:Youhavebeenwar
ned.Actyourageman!

Rr
aagweJoe:(
shout
s)pl
easedon'
ttel
lGer
har
d!

Marcus:(
tur
nstofacehim)Ohyouknowmyuncle
l
ovesgoodstor
ies.Ican'
tdenyhi
mthatcanIPi
et?

Pi
etchucklesandnodshisheadt
othetwoother
menandt heyfor
ceRraagweJoetohi
sfeet
.

Mar
cus:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngnowPi
et?

Peit
:Baasthispoephol(
thi
sa*
*hole)cal
ledus
cuntsandIforoneneedhimtoknowIhavehuge
di
ckt
hatIl
iket
ouse.

Mar
cus(Chuckl
es)doyouman!

Heshutsthedoorandwal kstohiscarwhi
lePi
et
unbuckl
eshispantster
ri
fyingRraagweJoewhen
hepull
shishardeni
ngdickout.

Pi
et:(
tot
het
woguys)Leaveus.

RraagweJoe:(pani
cki
ng)no!Nopl
easef
orgi
veme!
Iam sor
ry!Iam sor
ry.

Themenwalkoutandshutthedoorli
steni
ngas
RraagweJoeshout
sforPi
ettostop.

AtNadi
a'
shouse.
Afterpaci
ngaroundthel
ivi
ngr oom andpeeki
ngout
thewindowforovertwohours,Nadiadial
sMarcus'
numberwhi l
eholdi
ngthecurtaini
nonehand.

Mar
cus:(wi
thadeepvoi
ce)HisweetThang.Mi
ss
mealr
eady?

Nadia:(
shout
s)Marcusyoupromi
sedyouwoul
dbe
backbynow!Whereareyou?Iwantt
ogo!I
t'
s
gett
ingdar
k.

Sheseest
hecardr
ivi
ngt
ohergat
e.

Marcus:sweett
hang,
nevershoutatmel
iket
hat
.I
am notachil
d.OK?

Nadi
a:(
openst
hegat
e)hur
ryupIhavet
oleave.
Marcushangsupanddr
ivesi
n.Nadi
arushest
ot he
doorandstandst
her
ewit
hherhandsonherwaist.

Nadi
a:Wher
ewer
eyou?Youdel
ayedmekana.

Mar cus:(
bit
eshisl
ipandsmil
es)Babest
opr ai
sing
yourvoiceatme.Whoareyouinvi
ti
ngtoour
conversati
onkagorekebapi
lel
ewena?(sinceIam
standingnextt
oyou?)

Shewal
ksi
ntot
hehousef
uri
ouswi
thhi
m.

Nadia:Itol
dyouIhatedr
ivi
ngi
nthedarkthenyou
deci
det ogowhereeverwit
hmycar!Bonahelait
's
al
readygetti
ngdark.

Marcus:(wi
thhi
shandsinhispocket
)Nadiawee.
KanaifyouweremywomanI 'dhaveyoubendi
ng
overt
hatcouchrammingint
oyouuntilyou
under
standt
hatIdon'
twantyourai
singyourvoi
ce
atmebecausethat
'ssomet
hingIwouldneverdoto
you.

Thethoughtt
ickl
esNadi
a'
scl
itasbl
oodr
ushest
o
hercooki
e.

Nadi
a:(
cal
mer
)Iam sor
ry.

Mar cus:(
sitsdown)Good.Iam sorr
ytoo.Ij
usthad
totakecareofsomet hi
ng.Icandropyouoffifyou
wantbutIr eal
lydon'
tthi
nkyouhavet omove.This
placelooksverysafetome.

Nadi
aget
sanotif
icat
iononherphone.Sheopens
t
hemessageandreadsitwi
thafrown.

[
Iam sorr
yforallt
hewr ongIhavedonetoyou
Di
kel
edi.Ihaveneverbeenagoodf at
hertoyouand
Iwaswr ongtot ryt
oinvolvemysel
finyour
mar ri
age.For
givemeandknowt hatIwi
llst
ayaway
from you.Ial
mostlostmyj obwit
htheSébasti
en
thingandIwoul dn'
tri
skitasecondti
me.Iam sor
ry.
D.Supang]

Nadiapl
opshersel
font
hecouchst
arr
ingather
phoneinshock.

Mar
cus:What
'swr
ong?

Nadia:(
ti
lt
sherheadandthi
nshereyes)I
t'
smy
f
ather.Atl
eastIt
hinki
t'
shim.

Shepassest
hephonet
ohim.Hereadst
he
messageandshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.

Marcus:Maybeheisturningoveranewleaf.He
pr
obablyregr
etsever
ything.Youmightevenfi
nd
thathi
swif
eistheonewhohasbeenbehi
ndhow
hehasbeentr
eati
ngyouandhehashadenough.

Nadi
a:(
frowns)David?Justl
ikethat?Youdon'
t
knowmyf atherMar
cus.Heprobablywantsmeto
l
etmyguar ddownbeforehestr
ikes.

Marcus:(si
ghs)Bat
hongNadiathi
sisBotswana.
Wear en'
tinsomecri
meriddencount
ryorsome
movie.Nothi
ngisgoingt
ohappentoyou.

Nadia:(put
sonef ingerinhermouthwhil
eholdi
ng
herchin)Isti
lldon'
tbuyi t
.ButIwi
llst
ay.I
fhe
wantstokillmehewi l
ldoiteveni
fIam atmama's
pl
acesoIwoul dratherdieal
onethancausea
massacr e.

Marcus:(
chuckl
es)Youhaveanoveracti
ve
i
maginati
on.(gr
absther
emoteandswitchest
heTV
on)
Nadi
a:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Marcus:Letswatchamovi
e.DoyouhaveNetfli
x?
Orwecoul dwatchMoneyHei
st.Canyoubel
ieveI
st
il
lhaven'twat
chseasonf
our?

Nadi
a:(
frowns)Heel
aMar
cus.Yourcari
sst
il
l
par
kedatworkkana.

Mar
cus:So?Wehavesecur
it
yther
e.

Nadi
a:So?Howwi
llyougethome?OKyoucan
comegivememycartomorr
owmorni
ng.

Mar
cus:AhnnaIcan'
tseewel
landi
t'
sal
readydar
k.

Nadi
a:whatdoyoumeanMar
cus?Youwer
ejust
of
fer
ingt
odr
opmeof
f.Takeacabt
hen.

Marcus:
Ahnnakeasi twaNadi
a.AndIam hungry.
Let
sgoandcookbef orewewatchMoneyHeist
.We
wil
lbi
ngewatch.AkeregoSundaykamoso.(
it
's
Sundaytomor
rowanyway)

Nadi
a:ShehMar
cusgohome!

Marcus:Aosweetthangmma.Iwi l
lsl
eeponthe
couchAkere.Ij
ustwantt owatchMoneyhei
st
becauseIhatewatchingTValone.AndnowIam
hungrybecausethelastti
meIatewasinthe
morning.(
sulki
ng)Ont i
madijonemma?( ar
eyou
ref
usingtofeedme?)

Nadia:(
rol
lshereyes)Il
ikedyoubet
terwhenyou
wereajerkboss.
Shest
andsupanddr
agsherf
eett
otheki
tchenwi
th
hi
m smil
ingi
ntow

Nadi
a:Iam l
ocki
ngmyr
oom t
oni
ghtsodon'
tget
anyi
deas.

Marcus:I
'
dneverdothat.ThedayIgeti
ntobed
wit
hyou,youwil
lbet
heonepul li
ngmyclothesof
f
achi
ngtohavemeinsideyou.

Nadiastopswalki
ngandtakesadeepbreat
hwi
th
hereyesclosedbefor
epr
oceedingtowal
kin
si
lencefight
ingt
heurget
ol ookathi
m.

Thankyoutoever
yonewhoshar
edt
hei
nser
t.The
bonuswil
lbeupbefor
e6pm
[
08/
31,
18:
02] :MI
NIBONUSI
NSERT
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t88

Nadi
a

Ittur
nsoutt elevi
sionscanwat chthemselves.I
didn'
tknowt hisunt iltoday.Wef i
nishedcooki
ng
andcamet oeatwhi lesharingacouch.Igottiredof
movi ngfrom coucht ocouchnotwant i
ngtositnext
toMar cus.Hei srelent l
esssoIjustgaveup.He
playedMoneyhei stonNet fl
ixbuthasbeentalking
sincehepr essedpl ay.

Me:Marcuswhatwasthepoi
ntofpl
ayi
ngt
hisi
f
youar
en'tgoi
ngtowat
ch?

Mar
cus:Aocomeon.I
'
drat
hergett
oknowyou
sweett
hang.GapeIt
oldyounottocallmeMar
cus
whenwearetoget
her.Iam yourl
ovebug.

Me:(
sidesmi
li
ng)Mar
cushowol
dar
eyou?

Marcus:Ngng.Obat
lagor
eng?(
whatar
eyou
t
ryi
ngtosay?)

Me:NoIj
ustwantt
ounderst
andwhyamanyour
agewant
stobecal
ledal
ovebug.

Marcus:Bei
ngalovebugdoesn'
tcomewi
thage
Nadia.I
tcomeswithl
ove.

Me:Sowhyshoul
dIcal
lyout
hati
fIdon'
tloveyou?

Marcus:(
ti
lt
shisheadandsmi
les)Youdo.Youj
ust
ar
en'tr
eadytoadmiti
tyet
.
Me:(
fi
ght
ingmybl
ushwi
thl
aught
er)Idon'
tMar
cus.

Mar
cus:Iwoul
dn'
tbeher
eifyoudi
dn'
t.

Me:your
efusedt
oleave!

Marcus:Andyoul
etmest
aybecauseyourhear
tis
t
ekateki
ngformetoo.

Witht
hatheput
sfoodinhi
smout
handst
art
s
chewi
ngwhil
eIlaugh.

Me:Tot
atekat
eki
ngor
ayaengMar
cus?

Mar
cus:(
swal
lows)Wannasee?
Ithi
nmyeyesasheputshi
sfoodonthecof
fee
tabl
eandt
akesmineanddoesthesame.

Me:Iwasst
il
leat
ingt
hat
.

Het urnsandput shiskneeont hecouchwhi le

l
ifti
nghi msel fovermeandt henl oweringhisbody
withhiseyesl ookingi ntomi newhi l
esuppor ti
ng
himselfwi thonear m ont hecouch.Ikeepl eaning
backt ryi
ngt omoveawayf r
om hi m butmychesti s
suddenl ysof ullandmyhear ti
sbeat inglikear it
ual
drum.Mymout hi sopenbecauseIwantt otal
kbutI
thinkani nvisibl ecattookmyt ongue.Hebi t
eshi s
l
ipwheni t'
sani nchawayf rom mi neandt hat
makeshi slipsbr ushagai nstmi neasweshar et he
sameai r
.Hi sl ipslooksoj uicyupcl oset hatmy
eyesar enowf ixedont hem asmychestr i
sesand
fall
s.Heuseshi sfreehandt orunhi shandf r
om
thenapeofneckt omycheekasIhol dmybr eath
sohedoesn' tseet heeff ecthehasonmebutt hat
allfal
lsapar twhenhi st humbr ubsmyl owerlip.I
rel
easeashakybreat
handcl
osemyeyesr
eadyt
o
accepthi
sjui
cyl
ips.

Myeyesf l
yopenwhenhi shandl eavesmyf aceand
Ifeelhi
m moveawayf rom me.Hehast hi
sside
smileashetakeshisplat
e.Mybr eathingisst
il
lver
y
sharpasIwatchhim eataspoonf ullofri
ce.He
l
ooksatmeandt akesmyhandt henput sitonmy
chest.

Mar
cus:f
eelt
hat
?It
'st
ekat
eki
ng.

Hel
eavesmyhandandchuckl
es.

Mar
cus:Iam t
hir
tyt
woyear
sol
dbyt
heway.

Whatthehel
l?I
shegoingt
oconti
nueour
conver
sat
ionwhenIhaveathr
obbi
ngcl
it
?
Mar
cus:Eat
.Yourf
oodi
sget
ti
ngcol
d.

Di
eMar
cus!Ishoul
dki
ckhi
m out
!Mxm.

AtRr
aagweJoe'
shouse.

RraagweJoedr i
vesintohi
syardafewmi nutes
aftermidni
ghtandsitsi
nthecarf
oraf ewmi nut
es
takinginwhathappenedtohi
m.Hecanst il
lfeel
thatpinkcocki
nhisanusandhef i
ghtsthefeeli
ng
hehast opoopfeari
nganymorepain.

RraagweJoe' schestr i
sesandf all
sasr agef i
ll
shi m.
Hest ar
tspoundi ngont hesteeri
ngwheel overand
overuntilhi
sfistfeelsnumb.Het henlet '
sputa
l
oudcr yashel eansagai nsttheheadr estcover i
ng
hisfacewi t
hhishands.Hecr iesunti
lhisshoul ders
shake.Het ri
estowi pehisfacewi t
hhisshi rtbut
thememor yofPietcummi ngonhi sclothesand
pissi
ngonhi m nauseat eshim andhequi cklyopens
thedoorandt hr owsupont hepavement .The
ti
ght eni
ngofhi sstomachmuscl esashevomi t
s
l
oosenshi sanusmaki nghim winceinpainashe
stretchesthetears.Theloudgroaningwakes
MmaagweJoewhocomesr unni
ngouti nhergown
andst opswhensheseeshi m vomi t
ing.Sheruns
backt othehouset ogethim abot t
leofwater.She
stopsbyt hebackdooroft hecarandpassest he
wat erbott
letohi m.

MmaagweJoe:Daywhat
'swr
ong?Wher
ehaveyou
been?

Hel
if
tshi
seyesandl
ooksatherwi
thr
age.

MmaagweJoe;Iwassoworri
edaboutyou.Why
di
dn'
tyouanswermycal
ls?

Hetakesagulpofwaterandr
inseshismout
h
wi
thoutsayi
nganythi
ngtoher.Hethenst
epsoutof
thecaravoi
dingthepuddl
eofvomi
tandst
ret
chi
ng
hisl
eghurtshisanusagai
n.

Rr
aagweJoe:Fuck!

MmaagweJoewal ksovertot het apanddr agst he

hosepi peandspl asheswat erovert hevomi twhi l
e
RraagweJoesl owlywal kstothehousewher ehe
takeshisclothesof finthei
rbat hroom andst eps
i
nt otheshower .Hel et'
sthewat erwashoverhi m
withhishandsagai nstthewall.Hi sheadi sbent
overlookingathismanhoodandcr ying.Piet
'shar d
veineddickisallheseeswhenhel ooksathi s.The
thoughtofanot hermanusi nghi ml i
ket hathashi m
sil
entlycryi
ngint heshower .

MmaagweJoe:Dayner
ragor
il
eng?(
what
'swr
ong?
)
Ar
eyoucryi
ng?

Rr
aagweJoe:Bont
lel
eavemeal
one!
MmaagweJoe:Elegoreketl
aabokelesemaumau
samosadinehi
fIleaveyoual
onewhenyoucome
homeatthi
shourvomiti
ngandcryi
ng?Areyou
cheat
ingonmeDavid?

Hestartsbr
eathi
ngheavi
lyremember i
ngMarcus'
words.Thepossi
bil
it
yofhiswifecheati
ngonhim
af
terallhehasdonetosati
sfyhersuff
ocat
eshim.

MmaagweJoe:Soyouwanttobri
nganother
bast
ardchi
ldi
ntomyhouseDavi
d?Areserious
ri
ghtnow?

RraagweJoequi cklysli
dest
hedooropenand
pacestoherignoringthepai
nbetweenhi
sbutt
cheeks.Hegrabsherneckandpressedhertothe
wallsqueezi
ngtight.

Rr
aagweJoe:(
shout
ing)It
oldyout
oleavemet
he
f
*ckal
one!It
oldyout
oleavemeBont
le!

Shekeepssl appingandscr atchi

nghi sarmt r
yingt
o
l
oosenhi sgripasherai rwaybegsf oroxygen.Her
eyesrollbackashet i
ght enshisgrip.Joebangson
thei
rbedroom doort r
yingt ogetin.It'
sinst
ances
l
ikethesethatmaket heirfather'
sruleabout
everyonelockingthei
rroomswhent heysleepseem
l
ikethewor stidea.

Joe:Papa!Mama!What
'sgoi
ngon?

DJandSal
omecomer
unni
ngoutoft
hei
rrooms.

Sasa:What
'shappeni
ng?

Joe:Idon'
tknow.Iheardpapadri
vei
nandt her
e
wassomenoi seout
sidethenIcameoutwhenhe
star
tedshouti
ngatmama
DJ:(
bangst
hedoor
)Papa!Papa!Opent
hedoor
!

RraagweJoesqueezestight
erthenlet
'sherl
oose
andshefal
lstotheground.Shegetsintoachoki
ng
fi
tasshetr
iestogetairi
ntoherlungs.

Rr
aagweJoe:(
shout
s)Robal
angl
ona!(
gobackt
o
sl
eep)

Hewal ksbackint
otheshowerwhil
ehiswi f
e
clammer soutofthebat
hroom onherkneestr
ying
tostandup.

[
Twoweeksl
ater
]

[
08/
31,
18:
03] :Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t89

Nadi
a

Ihonest lyfeelli
ket hi
smeet i
ngwi t
htheMor ena'sis
veryunnecessar y.Mor enaandIhaven' tspokeni na
mont handIt houghtthatshoul dhavebeencl ear
thatt hi
ngshaveendedwi thus.Thehavekeptt r
ying
tosett hismeet ingupever yweekandIwoul dkeep
post poningwi thmyf ami l
ybecauseIf eellikeit'
sso
unnecessar y.ButBoleng'smum event ual l
ymade
mer eali
zethati t
'sameet ingt hatneedst obehad
sot hatbot hfami l
iescanacknowl edget hatthere
i
sn'tgoi ngtobeanymar riagebet weenus.Sheal so
ment i
onedhowi tisawayofavoi ding
compl i
cati
onswi t
hanyot herf ami l
ythatcomes
seeki ngmyhandi nmar ri
age.Il aughedt hatoff
becauseIam sodonewi t
hal lthatmar r
iagest uff
.
It'
scl earl
ynoti nthebooksf orme.
Wear ecur rentl
ygat heredi nmama' shouse.Ieven
hadt owearadoek.Idon' tunder standwhybecause
Iam notmar ri
ednoram Imar ryingi ntot heirfami l
y.
Ther earef ewerpeopl eher ethanatt hepr evious
meet i
ng.Onl yoneofBol eng'sunl cesandhi swi fe
areher ewi thBol eng' spar entsandont heMor ena
sidet hereisonl yMrandMr sMor ena, MrMor ena
seni or(MrMor ena'sol derbr ot her)andhi swi feas
wel lasMor enawhokeepsst eal i
nggl ancesatme.I
havet oadmi tthatt herei sthissmal lcor nerofmy
hear tthatmi sseshi m butt her estofmyhear tover
power sthatpar tbyr emi ndingi tthatIdon' thave
whatMor enawant s.Hewast heref ormeatat imeI
feltIhadnooneandatat imewhenIf earedbei ng
alone.Iam nott hatper sonanymor eandkeepi ng
himi nmyl ifewoul dhaveonl ybeensel fi
shonmy
end.Ourpar t
ingmayhavebeensadbutIcan' tact
l
ikehewasnevergoodt omeandIhonest l
yhope
heget swhathei sl ookingf or.Hewasmyf i
rstl ove
andanamazi ngoneatt hat.

MrMor
enaSr
:Bagol
o,t
hankyouf
inal
lyal
lowi
ngus
tocomeher e.Wef eltitisver yvi t
alf orust oparton
goodt ermswhi chi swhywer equest edt hismeeting.
Weneverknowwhatt omor rowhol dswoul dhave
beensomet hingIwoul dhavesai dbef or ebutwe
alr
eadyknowwhatbi ndsusout si
deoft hese
chil
drenher e.Oursonhasadaught erint hishome
andIt hinkmaybet hi
spr oposedmar ri
agemi ght
havehappenedasawayofGodbr i
ngi ngour
daught erhome.Idon' tthinkBol engwoul dknow
whoshei sifMor enaandNadi anevermet .God
worksi nmyst eri
ouswaysandt hati swhatIwant
ustot hinkaboutaswehavet hi
smeet ing.Please
acceptoursi ncereapol ogyf orwhathashappened.
Wecal ledyouher epr oposi ngmar riaget oyour
daught erandwekeptyouwai ti
ngf ormagadi .
Chil
drencancauseust omakemi stakes.Pl ease
acceptourmostsi ncer eapol ogy.

Hebendshi sheadandput shishandstoget

her
respect
ful
ly.Myeyeslockwi t
hMr sMorena'
sand
shegivesmeaqui cksmile.Sheissuchagood
woman.Iwoul dhavebeenl uckyt
ohaveherasmy
mot
heri
nlaw.

Boleng'
suncle:Reaut l
waPhut i
.(Bangwatotot
em)
ButIthi
nkwewoul dl
iketounderstandyour
reasonsfordi
sappoit
ingourdaught erwhowasso
sureshewasget t
ingmar r
ied.

MrMor enaSeni or:EeKgabo( Bakgatl

aTotem)That
i
sunder standable.It
'sbett
ertohearitfr
om the
horse'smout h.Di kgangtsabathobababedidi
i
tsiwekebeng.( Thei nt
ernalaff
air
sofar el
ationshi
p
areonl yknownt ot hoseinit)
.(l
ooksatMor ena)
Mor ena, keeokgang.Buabagout we.(Morena,you
havet hef l
oor.Speaksot heycanhearyou.)

Mor enaclearshisthroatandr
unshishands
together
.Thi smakesmyhear tski
pabeat.Idon't
knowwhathei sabouttosayandIhaven'
theard
hisvoiceinal ongtime.Avibr
ati
oninthepocketof
mydr esswi densmyeyes.Iam sogladIputmy
phoneonvi br at
e.IhopeIremembertocheckthe
message.Anothervibr
ati
on.Jeez!Bol
eng'smother
pokesme.Theycanheari t.Icl
earmythroatand
l
ookstrai
ghtatMor enawaiti
ngtohearhi
sspeech
sothi
sthingcanend.

Mor ena:Duml engbagol o.(Greetingsmyel ders)I

can'tapologi zeenoughf orhavi ngt obringyou
togetherundersuchci rcumst ances.Nadi aandI
wer esosur et hatwewer egoingt ogetmar ri
edand
Ipersonal l
yt houghtwewer egoi ngt ospendt he
restofourl ivestogether.Al othappenedbet ween
usandIt houghtIcoul dmovepastever ythingthat
challengedmyl oveforherbutoneweakenedever y
defenseIhadandIcoul dn'
tmanupandst ept ot
he
task.Thatonei sonme.Idon' twantt odivul geher
personalinf ormati
onbygoi ngint other easonsbutI
wantt osayher etodayt hatIam sor ryfor
disappointingyout hiswayNadi a.Youwer emy
queenandIt houghtyouandIwer egoingt obe
togetherforeverbutIguessIwaswr ong.Il oved
youwi thallmyhear tandIam si ncerelysor ryfor
disappoiti
ngyou.Idon' twantyoubur denedby
anyt
hingt
hathappenedwithusandyoucanret
urn
myringsoit
'sdoesn'
tbecomearemindert
oyou.

Heh!Heel
ang!
Sil
encebef
allstheroom andIam guessi
ngthisi
s
whereIam supposedtospeakbecauseeveryoneis
l
ookingatme.WhatdoIevensay?Ir ubt
hebackof
myneckandl ookandthepattenofmydr essonmy
thi
ghbecauseIr eal
l
ycan'tl
ookatanyone.

Me:(cl
eari
ngmyt hroat
)Umm..Heish.
.Ahnnake
i
phimotsedikel
edikari
ngt
ota.(
Isoldther
ingand
spentt
hemoney)

Boleng'
smum nudgesmeandIal mostl
aughbut
thatwouldbeabadidear
ightnow.

MrMor ena:Don'
tmi
ndhim.Thatwasyour
s.Odi
ri
le
sent
le.(youdi
dther
ightt
hing)
Ihaveal
wayslovedthi
sman.Il ookupandseethat
Mr sMor
enaisalsohol
dingherlaught
erinandthi
s
al
mostsetsmeof fl
aughing.Icl
earmythroatt
o
stopmysel
f.

Me:ButIwoul dalsoliket osayt hatourpar ti

ngwas
thebestt hingf orbot hofus.Wewer en'tgoingt o
makeeachot herhappyi nt helongr unandIhave
nohar dfeel i
ngs.Somet hingsj ustwer en'tmeantt o
be.Ithinkit'sl i
keRr eMor enasai dinthebegi nning
thatGodwor ksinmyst er iousways.Iwi llalways
fi
ndcomf orti nknowi ngt hatmysi sterfoundher
famil
yt hroughmyhear tbr eak.Iwi shyoual lthe
happinessi nt hewor ldMor ena.Youwer esogood
tomeandyoudeser veal lthegoodnessi nthewor ld
andever ythingt hatIcoul dn'tgiveyou.Idon' tblame
youforwhathappenedt ous.I twassi mpl ynot
meantt obe.That '
sallIcansayandIcanonl yhope
thatwhathashappenedwi l
lnotaf fectanomyone
elsei
nt ermsoft heMor ena' srelati
ont omysi ster.
Ibowmyheadandl ist
entomyr aci
nghear
t.Iam
notapubl
icspeakersoIdon'
tevenknowhowIwas
abl
etosaysomuch.

Afewwor dsofadvi
cear
egi
vent
obothofusbef
ore
aprayeri
ssaidtodi
sper
set
hemeet
ing.

Bol
eng'
smum:Tot awenaor i
leng?(
what
'swrong
wit
hyou?)Fi
rstyourphonet
henyouadmitt
o
sel
li
ngsomeone'sri
ng?

Me:shehmama!

Shecl
apsherhandsandl
aughs.

Boleng'smum:Whydidn'
tyoutel
lhim bogol
osohe
doesn'tembar
rasshi
mselfbyaski
ngforit?
MrMot l
habi
:osiame.(
heisfine)whoasksf oran
engagementri
ngbackbecauseit'
supt othe
recei
vert
oret
urnit
?Odiregi
lesentle!(
itser
veshim
ri
ght!
)

Iwalkawayfr
om t
hisconver
sat
ionandpullmy
phoneoutofmypocketandimmedi
atel
yrollmy
eyeswhenIseewhoitis.

Lovebug :[Babetl
hemmawenaIam si ck.I
havebeenstuckinbedalldayandIhaveabli
ndi
ng
headache.
]

Lovebug :
[Pl
easegetmesomepainmedsand
bri
ngthem t
omyhouse.Icanhar
dlyseeanyt
hing]

If
rownanddialhi
snumberbuthedoesn'
tanswer
.
Al
lthi
slovebugnonsenseonmyphoneishisdoi
ng.
Hechangedhi scontactnameonmyphonet he
nighthesleptatmyhouseandchangi ngitbackhas
alwaysfeltli
ket oomuchadmi nforsomer eason.I
am kindofwor r
iedabouthim.ForalltheyearsI
havewor kedf orMarcus,Ihaveneveroncehear d
thatheisoutsi ckthoughsomeofusknowhowt o
useoursi ckdays.Tohearhi m sayhecanhar dly
seehasmeal it
tleworri
edandheandIhave
becomer eallygoodf r
iendsoverthepastfewweeks.
Thisofcour sehasear nedmemor eevill
ookst han
usualatwor kbutIhavedevel opedthickskinandI
reall
ydon'tcarebecauseIhavenevermadef riends
atwor kanyway.

Ididn'tseehi
m wal
ktowardsme.Ionl
yseehisfeet
nexttome.Ilookupfrom myphoneandret
urnhis
smi l
e.

Mor
ena:Howar
eyoumyqueen?

Me:(
chuckl
ing)t
hat
'snotmyt
it
leanymor
e.
Morena:Ofcour
sei
tis.Youwil
lal
waysbemy
queen.Eveni
fImaynotalwaysbeyourki
ng.

Ir
aisemybrowthenseti
tbackanddeci
detobe
ni
ce.Ij
ustsmi
leandwaitf
orhimtosaywhathe
wants.

Morena:nowewereaboutt
oleaveandIj
ust
wantedtocomeandsaygoodbyeandwishyout
he
best
.

Me:Thankyouanddi
tt
o.

Hesmi
lesandl
ooksatmeal
it
tl
elonger
.

Mor
ena:Youl
ookgr
eat
.
OKt
hat
'
sit
!

Me:Thankyou.Howi
sLea?

Morena:(
chuckl
es)Oasi
molol
aAker
e.(
Don'
tst
art
.)
howaboutagoodbyehug?

Ithi
nmyeyesbef or
ehugginghim becauseIwant
togo.Ibr
eakt
hehugandwal kawaywavi ng.Iwalk
overtomamaandsaygoodbyebef or
erunningto
mycarwhilet
ryingtodialMar
cus.Hest i
llwon't
answermycallandit'
smakingmemor enervous….

Atal
ogde

MmaagweJoel ookshersel
finthemi
rroronel
ast
ti
meandf i
xesherli
pst
ickbefor
etypi
ngamessage
onherphone.
[Ihavej
ustar
ri
ved.Whereshoul
dIgo?Iam so
exci
tedandwetBobby]

Bobbydecorsuppl
ier
:[#at
tachesadickpi
c#Iam
nakedandwaiti
nginroom 12.Justcomestr
aight
here.
]

Shegi gglesandshi f
tsaboutl ikeat eenagert hen
getsoutoft hecarlockingupasshesecur esthe
beltofherwai stcoat .Shehasbeensext ingwith
Bobbyf ort woweeksandhehadpr ovedhi mselfto
beoneoft hebestguysshehasevermetandshe
didn'
tevenhavet opayt housandsofpul astoget
him.Inf act,hespendsonher .Ther edl i
ttlenumber
shehasundert hecoatwasagi ftfrom hi mt hathe
hadsentt oherof fi
ce.Shewal kstot heroom f eeli
ng
giddyandexci tedtofinall
ymeett heowneroft he
amazingdi ckthathasbeent hest arofhermany
orgasmst hesepastt woweeks.Herhusband' s
erecti
ledysf unctioniswhatl edherher eandshe
hasneverr egrett
editbecausehei sn' tevenwi l
ling
todealwi
thit
.Sevenyear
sofnotgett
ingback
breaki
ngsexfr
om amanwhopr omisedyouforever
i
st oomuchofapunishmentf
orhertobear.

Sheknocksont
hedoorandat
extcomest
hrough.

Bobbydecorsuppl
ier:[Iam fi
nishi
ngupfr
om my
showersogetinandgetr eadyforme.Iwantt
ofi
nd
youinnot
hingbutthatlinger
ie.
]

Shesmi lesandopenst hedoort henlocksit.The

cl
ickofherheel sechoesi nt
her oom asshel ooks
aroundt her
oom.Shepl acesherbagi nthechai r
nearthebedandt akeshercoatof fasinst
ruct ed.
Shecl i
mbsont hebedandgoesonal lfoursj ustas
Bobbysai dheliked.Hercr otchlessli
ngeri
el eaves
herpussyexposedt othebat hroom doorasshe
waitsinanti
cipationwithherheadt urnedtot he
bathroom.
MmaagweJoe:(
seduct
ivel
y)Bobby,
Iam wai
ti
ng.

Thedoorsl
owlyopensandherheartal
moststops
whenherhusbandwalksoutofhol
dingagun…….

AtMar
cus'
house

Nadiaopenst hedoorafterMarcustol
dhert olet
herselfi
nwhenshear ri
vesbecausehecan' tli
fthis
head.Sheopenst hedooranddr opsthepaperbag
offoodandt hemedicati
on.Herhandsgooverher
mout hwhensheseesMar cusonthefl
oor.Shegets
dizzyandsupportsherselfonthedoorframebef or
e
call
inghisname.

Nadi
a:(
tear
yeyed)Mar
cus!
200shar
esby1pm f
ort
hebonus
[
08/
31,
18:
03] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t90

Att
hehot
el.

RraagweJoewal ksoutoft hebathr

oom pointing
hisworkrif
leathiswifewhoi sfr
ozeni nshock.The
angerthathasbeenbui ldi
nginhimthepastt hree
weekschokeshi m andshockatther eali
zat
iont hat
shewasact ual
lycheatingonhim makeshi seyes
tearup.

RraagweJoe:Bont
le.Kewenaokanti
rangj
aana
Bontl
e?(Ar
etheonewhoi sdoi
ngthi
stome?)

MmaagweJoe'sshaki
nglegsgi
vei
nandshesi
ts
wi
thever
yinchofhershaki
ng.
MmaagweJoe:(
tear
yeyed)Honeyi
t'
snotwhati
t
l
ooksl
ike.

RraagweJoe:(t
hinshiseyes)Thef*ckdoyoumean
i
t'snotwhati
tlooksl
ikeBontle?Huh?Aren'
tyou
sit
ti
ngwithyourvagi
naouti ntheai
rforsomeguy
tocomef*ckyou?

MmaagweJoe:( put
sherhandoverhermout
h
crying)Iknewi
twasyouDay.It
houghtwewere
roleplayi
ng!

Hesl apsherwit
ht hebackofhishandandherbody
fal
lsflatonthebedwhilesheholdshercheek.He
poi
nt sthecoldri
fl
eonherf or
eheadandshe
screams.

Rraagwe:(
hissi
ngwi
thr
edeyes)Shutt
hef*ckup
Bontl
e!Scr
eam onemor
eti
meandIwi l
lbl
owyour
br
ainsout
!

Shecovershermouthwithashaki
nghandand
begi
nstocryuncont
roll
ably.Hegr
abstheTV
remoteandswit
chesitonandincr
easesthevol
ume
butdoesn'
tmakeitt
ooloud.

RraagweJoe:( si
tsnexttoher
)Iam goi
ngt
oask
questionsandyouar egoingt
oanswermehonest
ly
i
st hatclearBont
le?

Shecont
inuescr
yingwithhermascararunni
ng.He
st
andsupandslapsheragain.Shecoversher
mouthsoshedoesn'tscr
eam.

Rr
aagweJoe:Isai
dist
hatcl
eardammi
t!

Shenodsherheadoverandoveragai
n.
Rr
aagweJoe:Howl
onghaveyoubeencheat
ingon
meBont
le?

MmaagweJoeput
sherhandt
oget
heri
napr
ayi
ng
posi
ti
on.

MmaagweJoe:IswearIhavenevercheat
edonyou
Day.Iknewi
twasyou!

Hebiteshi
slowerli
pandpuncheshermouth
thr
owingherheadback.Thenumbingpainonher
mouthheatsherearsupasbloodfi
ll
shermouth.
Shecoughsandalmostswall
owsat oot
h.Shesit
s
upandspitsthet
oothoutwit
hbloodysal
ivaal
lover
herhand.

RraagweJoe:YouforgetwhoIam Aker
e?Ihave
tor
turedact
ualcr
iminal
sandyouar ej
ustal
ose
bit
chwhocan'tkeepherlegscl
osed.
RraagweJoeopenst
hecl
osetdoorwit
hhisri
fl
ein
onehand.Hepull
shi
sduf
fl
ebagoutandt hr
owsit
onthebedwhil
eMmaagweJoecontinuesbeggi
ng
andcryi
ng.

MmaagweJoe:OKIal
mostcheat
ed.Iam sorry.
Pl
easef
orgi
vemeDay.Thi
nkaboutourchil
dren.

Heb* t
chsl apsheragainandempt i
esthecontents
ofthebagsont othebed.PicturesofMmaagweJoe
i
ndi f
ferenthotelr
oomsf il
lthecornerofthebedand
hestart
st hrowingthem ather.Therearepict
uresof
herwithdiffer
entmenovert hepastyear s.

RraagweJoe:Soyouheardmetel
li
ngyouDikel
edi
wasaJojodollandyoudeci
dedtogetyour
sel
fJoj
o
j
unkshuh?

MmaagweJoebli
nksrapi
dlylooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
es
wi
thsomuchconfusi
onyou'dswearshewasbei
ng
fr
amed.Withherhear
tpoundi
nginherearsshe
goesonherkneesandbegswithbl
ood,t
earsand
mucusalloverf
ace.

RraagweJoe:Ididn'
tbeli
eveyouwer eact
uall
y
cheati
ngonmeunt i
lIl
ookedint
oyouractivi
ti
es.Al
l
thoseeventmeeti
ngsyouwer ealwaysgoingto
wereallsexappoint
mentsAkere?

MmaagweJoe:I
t'
snotme!Iam bei
ngf
ramed!I
t'
s
notmeDavi
d!

Hefr
ownsanddr opsther
if
leonthef
loort
hen
mountsontopofherandstr
angl
eshermakingher
gagwit
hwideeyes.

RraagweJoe:(
enraged)DoyouknowwhatIhave
beenthr
oughbecauseofyouhuh?Doyou?That
twist
edcol
oredf*
cksendsmepi ct
uresofhi
sdi ck
i
nmymout handhi scum al
lovermeeveryf*cking
dady!Ever
yf*cki
ngday!Hecameinmymout
h!I
n
mymout h!Al
lbecauseofDi
kel
edi
!

Heloosenshisgri
pwhenhereyesrol
lback.She
hol
dsherneckandcoughswhi l
ehesit
sont hebed
andcri
eswithhishandsoverhi
shead.Hecries
whil
eshecoughsf oraf
ewseconds.

MmaagweJoe:( wipingherfacewithherhands)I
am sorr
yDay.Iwil
lnevercheatonyouagai n.I
swear.Andwewi l
lreportwhoeverdidt
hattoyou
OK?

Shetri
esholdhisshoul
derbuthehol
dsherhand
andturnsheroverandhol
dshernecktopi
nher
down.

RraagweJoe:(shout
switht
earsinhi
seyes)
Tonosamaragoao!(l
if
tyoua**up)
MmaagweJoe:Dayt
lher
rayouar
ehur
ti
ngme.

Heti
ght
enshisgr
iponherneckandpr
essesher
downmore.

RraagweJoe:Iwi
llnotr
epeatmyself
!Oneoba
t
onosetsaopalel
wakegonneela!(Youwer
edoi
ng
i
tforothermenandnotme.)

Shel ift
sherbut texposi ngthecr ot
chlessli
nger i
e
whi l
ecr ying.RraagweJoeuseshi sfreehandt o
pushhi spantsdownt ohiskneesandbegi nst orub
himsel fonhert ryingtowakehi sdi ckbutthesi ght
ofhera* *holebr i
ngsaf l
ashbackoft hepicturePeit
sentt hismor ningt hatshowedhi m bentoverwi th
hispinkdi cki
nhi sa* *.Hischestti
ghtensasmor e
tearsf i
llhiseyes.Het ri
estofi
ghtt hethoughtby
rubbinghi msel fagai nstherpussybuthi ser ecti
on
sof t
enswhenhi m bei nghardgi veshim another
flashback.Het ur nsheroveri nrageandst rangles
heragai npr essinghar donherneckwhi leherlegs
ki
ckasshetr
iest
ofighthi
m off
.Hedoesn'
trel
ease
hi
sgri
punti
lshepassesout.

Hethenpul
lshi
spant
supandsi
tsont
hef
loor
cr
ying….

AtTl
otl
o'shouse

Tlamelowalksintothehousewit
hasmi l
esowide
thathermotherraisesherbr
owswhil
efeedi
ng
Abotle.Shej
ustcamehomeaf t
erani
ghtoutwith
Joeandt heexcit
ementonherfacespeaksvol
umes.

Tl
amel
o:Wher
eispaps?

Tl
otl
o:Hejustwenttoputhi
spl
atei
ntheki
tchen.
Heisgoi
ngtowor k.Why?
Tl
amel ohol
dsherexci
tementi
nandr
unst
othe
ki
tchen.

Tl
amel
o:Paps!

Avi
:Mma!

Tl
amel
o:(
waveshi
m over
)Come!

Sherushesbacktot
helivi
ngroom andsi
tsdown
wait
ingforherst
epf
athertosi
tdown.Shethen
opensherbagandpull
soutasmal lAmer
ican
Swissboxandopensit
.

Tl
amel
o:(
smi
li
ng)l
ook.Joeaskedmet
omar
ryhi
m.

Tl
otl
ocover
shermout hinshockandl
ooksatAvi
wholooksj
ustasshocked.
Tl
amel
o:Heaskedmet
omar
ryhi
m!

Avi
:Whataboutschoolt
hough?

Tl
amelo:Weagr eedtogetmar
ri
edonl
yaf
terI
gr
aduatenextyear.

Avi
:Doesn'
thest
il
lli
vewi
thhi
spar
ent
s?

Tlamel
o:Hemovedoutlastweekwhenhegothis
secondpaycheckf
rom hi
snewjob.Hedoesn'
t
workforhi
smom anymore.

Avi
:oh.OK.Thatsat
isf
iesmywor
ri
es.(
looksathi
s
t
earyeyedwif
e)babe?

Tl
otl
o:Ij
ustcan'
tbel
ievemybabyi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed!
Sheput sAbotl
edownandwal ksovertoTlamel o
andopensherhandsf orthem tohug.Tlamelo
standsupandhugshermot herastheybothcr y.
Abotle'
smout hturnsandhebl inksrapi
dlylooking
atthem cryi
ngthenhel ooksathi sf
atherandput s
hi
sar m overhiseyesandcr i
es.Avichucklesand
pi
ckshi m uptoshushhi m.

Avi
:Lesanggotshosangwanaketl
hebomma!(
can
youpl
easestopscari
ngmychild)

Tl
otl
oandTlamelobreakt
heirhugandlaughwhil
e
wipi
ngthei
rtear
s.Tl
otl
owalksovertoAviandget
s
Abotl
e.

Tl
otlo:(patt
inghisback)Aomyboysor
ry.We
weren'tcryi
ngtlher
ra.OK?

Abot
le:(
sni
ff
li
ng)mmh.
.
Sheget
shi
mtost
opcr
yingandt
heyal
ltakeaseat
.

Avi:soIam guessingthatmeanseverythi
ngwill
be
donegonenextyearAker e?Becauseyouknowt hat
yourf at
heristheonewhowi l
lbeheadingitwi
th
yourmot herri
ght?Sotheylogi
sti
csneedt obe
wor kedoutgorewherewillhi
sfamil
ygof or
i
ntroductionsandthel
ikes.

Tl
amelo:Yeahitwi
llonl
ybenextyear
.Ij
usthopei
t
wi
llbepeacef
ul.

Tlotlo:(
smil
es)Don'twor
ry.Youguysdi dwellby
l
ettingusknowt hatheandNadi aarerelat
edaft
er
thebl owoutbet
weenyourgr andfatherandhi
s
father.I
twouldhavebeenmessyi fyouhadn'
t.

Tl
amelo:Andthatwasal
lthankst
oNadia.(sighs)
OK.Nowisthetaksoft
ell
ingpapaIam get
ting
marr
ied.Hest
il
lhat
est
hef
actt
hatIam dat
ingt
hat
man'
sson.

Avi:Don'
tworryhewil
lbefi
ne.Hewoul dhat
ehim
evenifyourwereget
ti
ngmarriedt
oapast or
'sson.
Nof at
herwantstoseehi
sli
ttl
egir
lloveanot
her
manexcepthim.

Tl
amel
o:(
smi
les)Ihopeyouar
eri
ght
.

Tl
otl
o:Sowhyar
en'
tyouwear
ingi
t?

Tlamel
o:(
looksatther
ing)Iwant
edt
otel
lmy
parent
sfi
rstbef
oreweari
ngit.

Tlotl
o:(holdsherchestemot i
onall
y)Youaremy
greatestachievement.Iam soproudofthewoman
youhavebecomeNt l
ameandIhopet oGodthathe
givesyoual lyourheartdesi
resbecauseyou
deser
vei
t.

Tl
amel
owi
peshert
ear
sandcl
osest
her
ingbox.

Tl
amelo:Thankyoumama.(cocksherheadt oone
si
de)SocanIuseyourcart
ogoandt ellpapa?

Avi:l
ebol
opeobopasi
tset
ota.(
youar
eal
soaver
y
goodbootl
icker
.)

Shelaughsandrunstothei
rbedr
oom t
ogether
mother'
scarkeysthenr
unsbacktol
eave.

Tl
otl
o:youbet
terf
uelmycar
!

Sheshut
sthedoorl
aughi
ngandr
unsof
f.

Avi
:Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?Orwi
llAgape
comeandpi
ckyouupkal
enel
ereyouar
egoi
ng
out
?

Tlot
lo:(
sighs)Ahdimor
ningsicknessdiamo
nyesashem.(mor ni
ngsi
cknessisshowingher
fl
ames)ShecanceledonmesoIam homet oday.

Avi:Mxm.Ican' tbeli
evemyf r
iendgotmysister
pregnant!Okarekekamol at
elakemopapai t
ele
tl
hogokemmel et sagorobal
alennakeasamo
nyala.Nxla.(
Iwi shocouldgoandpanelbeathim
forsleepi
ngwi t
hmysi st
erbeforemarr
yingher)

Tl
otl
o:(l
aughs)Heel
ang!Andwhobeatyouf
or
doi
ngthesamet omeAvi?

Avi
:(smi
les)Not
hatwasdi
ff
erent
.

Tl
otl
o:How?
Avi
:(st
andsupandki
ssesher
)Byebaby.Il
oveyou.

Her
ushest
othedoorl
eavi
ngTl
otl
olaughi
ngathi
m.

AtMar
cus'
house

Nadial
owershershaki
nghandsandtri
estof i
nd
herbal
ancebutherkneesar
esoweakt hatshe
l
eansbackagainstt
heframelooki
ngatMarcus.

Nadi
a:(
tear
yeyed)Mar
cus!

Marcuspressesplayonthesonghehadpaused
anditpl
aysfrom wherehewantedi
tto.

Howmanyt
imesdoIhavet
otel
lyou
Evenwhenyou'
recr
yingyou'
rebeaut
if
ult
oo
Thewor
ldi
sbeat
ingyoudown,
I'
m ar
oundt
hrough
ever
ymood
You'
remydownf
all
,you'
remymuse
Mywor
stdi
str
act
ion,
myr
hyt
hm andbl
ues
Ican'
tst
opsi
ngi
ng,
it'
sri
ngi
ng,
inmyheadf
oryou

Myhead'
sunderwat
er
ButI
'
m br
eat
hingf
ine
You'
recr
azyandI
'
m outofmymi
nd

'
Causeal
lofme
Lovesal
lofyou
Loveyourcur
vesandal
lyouredges
Al
lyourper
fecti
mper
fect
ions
Gi
veyoural
ltome
I
'
llgi
vemyal
ltoyou
You'
remyendandmybegi
nni
ng
EvenwhenIl
oseI
'
m wi
nni
ng
'
CauseIgi
veyoual
lofme
Andyougi
vemeal
lofyou,
ohoh

Thesongendsandhel ooksatherst i
llonbended
kneewithrosepetalsarr
angedt ospellout6
MONTHSLATER.Hehasavel vetboxi nhi
shand
andthesunlightbouncesoffthediamondr i
ng
makingitsparkl
emor e.Nadiaplopsherbuttonthe
fl
oorgi
vingintoherkneesandst aresatMar cusi
n
shock.

Mar cus:Iknowyouhavesai dyouar en'tpl

anning
ondat i
ngf orthenextsixmonthsandt hetruthisI
don'twantt odateyoueither
.Thismayseem
suddent oyoubutIam amanwhohasbeeni nlove
withyouf orthreeyearsbutneveractedoni toutof
respecttoyou.Youar efreeformet olovenowand
Iwantnot hingmor ethantoseeyouhappybutI
wanttobet heonewhomakesyouhappy.Iwantt o
knowever ythingthatmakesyousmi le,everything
thatmakesyouhappyandwhatpi ssesyouof f.I
wanttoknowwhatt urnsyouonandwhatmakes
yourtoescur l.Iwanttoknowwhatyourbi ggest
fearsareandwhatyourgr eatestwishesar e
becauseal lIwantistomakeyouhappyNadi a.I
wanttobeyourever ythi
ngbecauseyoural ready
aremine.Andi tal
lstart
snow.Idon' twantt owai t.I
wanttomar ryyouandbegi nmyf oreverwi thyou
becausetrustmewhenIsayiam nevereverl etti
ng
yougo.Soher ei
saboy, kneeli
nginf rontofagi rl
,
askinghert omar r
yhi m.

Nadiachuckl
esandwi peshert
earsthencr
awls
overtohi
m nottr
usti
ngherkneestoholdherup.
Shestopsinfr
ontoftherosepetal
sandputsher
l
efthandout.

Mar
cus:(
smi
les)i
sthatayes?
Nadianodsherheadandhesli
pstheringonher
fi
ngerandstandsupthenl
if
tsherupinhisar
ms
andspinsheraroundmaki
ngherlaughandscream.

Marcus:(
put
sherdownandholdsherfacei
nbot
h
ofhi
shands)Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyouwouldsayyes.

Nadia:(
laughslooki
ngint
ohiseyes)Meneit
her
.I
guessmyhear twonovermymi nd.Andyouare
suchaliar!Iwasworri
edaboutyoukereyouare
si
ck.

Marcus:Asifyouwoul
dhavej
ustcomei
fIhad
askedyouto.

Nadialaughsandl
ooksatt
her
ingspar
kli
ngonher
f
inger.

Mar
cus(
smi
les):Youwi
llneverr
egr
ett
his.
Hel ooksdeepi ntohereyest henherlipsandi nches
hisclosertoher s.Shepar t
sherlipsashist ouch
hers.Hiscol dmi ntyli
psmakehermoanashe
deepenst hekissandput shishandonherback
pressingtheirbodi estoget
herfi
nallyfeel
ingtheir
warm bodi esagai nsteachother
.Mar cusf i
nall
y
breakstheki ssaf t
eraf ewminutesandNadi a
slowlyopensherheavyeyeswant i
ngsomucht o
tearhisclothesof f.

Marcus:Ican'
twai
ttomakeyouMr
sVan
Gr
aan………

Don'tfor
gettomeett
het
argetonl
astni
ght
'si
nser
t
foryourbonus
[
08/
31,
18:
03] :BONUSI
NSERT
Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t91

Nadi
a

Ifsomeonewal ksupt omer i

ghtnowandasksme
whati sgoingoni nmyheadr ightnowIwoul dn'
t
haveananswerf ort hem.Iwentf r
om declaringmy
singleladystatustobeingengagedt oamanIhave
neverdat edbefore.Amanwhoi nt
oxicatesmewi t
h
hissexappeal .Amanwhol ooksatmewi thso
muchhungeri nhiseyest hatmyni pplesharden
whenhi ssmolderingeyesmeetmi ne.Idon'tknow
i
fi t
'sthefactthatIhaven'thadsexi nfourmont hs
orwhatbutmycl ot hesfeelsohotrightnow.Iwant
himt obendmeoverl i
kehepr omisedhewoul difI
washi swoman.Idon' tknowi fImadet heright
decisionformysel fbutwhoknowsanymor e?I
knowt hat ,
ashel ikest oputit,myhear ti
s
tekatekingforhi m andImi sshim whenIam not
withhim.Iknowt hatwehavet hesamepassi onto
helptheunf ortunat e.Hewassoexci tedwhenIt old
him Iwant edtobui ldawomen' sshelteratmyf arm
thenighthesl eptatmyhouse.Het oldmehowhe
wantedt obuil
dapr i
vatesecondar yschoolf or
orphans.I maginet hat!Havingprivateschool
educat i
onf orfree.Hewant st heschooltobea
boardingschoolsot heydon' thavet oli
vein
orphanagesanymor e.Thet eacherswoul dbepai d
byhis, wellsoont obeourNGO.GoshIcan' tbeli
eve
Isaidyest omar ryingMar cusofal lpeople.

Wehavebeencuddl
edupont
hecouchforaf
ew
mi
nutesnowandheisnowst
arr
ingatme.

Me:(
blushi
ng)What
?

Marcus:(
brusheshi
sl i
psagai
nstmi
neandleans
back)Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
ieveyousai
dyes.Measki
ng
youwascrazyenoughandthef
actt
hatyousai
d
yesmakesmequest i
onbot
hoursani
ty.

Me:(l
aughi
ng)thefunni
estpar
tisthefactt
hatIj
ust
camefrom answeri
ngaboutanengagementri
ngI
sol
dandIam alreadyweari
nganother
.

Hechuckeswhi
leIlookatt
her
ockonmyf
inger
.A
bi
ggeroneatt
hat!

Me:Howmuchdi
dthi
sevencost
?

Mar
cus:(
laughs)Whatyouwannasel
lthatonet
oo?

Me:(l
aughi
ng)Breaki
ngapromiseformarri
agei
sa
cri
meanditneedscompensat
ion.Icol
lect
compensat
ionforwasti
ngmytearsandmyyes.
Marcus:(
laughs)Doyouknowt hatyoualways
l
ookedsoqui etatworkbutIcoul
dalwaystel
lyou
ar
ejustinashell.Il
iket
herealyoualot
.

Goodness!Thi
sman!

Me:Iam actuallydiscoveri
ngther ealme.Ialways
adjust
edmychar actertowhatwashappeni ngin
myl i
feandthreeyear sago,Idecidedf ort
hefir
st
ti
met ofi
gureoutwhoIam.I ttur
nsoutIam abi t
snobbyifIdon'tknowsomeone, al i
tt
lestubbor
n,
ki
ndandunwi lli
ngt osettl
eforlessthanIdeserve
aft
erthecrapIhavebeent hrough.

Mar
cus:(
smi
les)eki
sbai
eli
efvi
rjouNadi
a.

Me:hmmm.Whatdoest
hatmean?

Mar
cus:(
kissesme)i
tmeans,
Iloveyouver
ymuch
Nadi
a.

Me:(bl
ushing)Ist
il
lcan'tbel
ieveyouarepart
col
ored.Imean,exceptyourcurlyhai
r,youar
e
dar
kerthanme!

Marcus:(pushesmyfaceawaylaughi
ng)oaswaba
Nadia.Iam ayell
owboneinsi
de.

Me:Sheh!

Istar
tlaughingathimthenhesuddenl yst
andsup
andscoopsmeupi nhisar msmaki ngmef eellikea
l
itt
legir
linhisbigbuffarms.Hei sli
keabi gteddy
bearwithoutthehugegut.Myver yowni ntoxi
cat i
ng
superman.Igiggleunti
lIreali
zeheisleadingmet o
apartofthehouseIhaveneverbeeni n.Myt hroat
dri
esupatt hethoughtthatthiscouldbeit
!Ihave
beencur i
ousaboutwhati twouldbel i
ketohave
himinsidemesi ncehesai di
tthreeweeksago.He
ki
cksadooropenandi topenst oahugebedr oom.
Heput smedownandIseet her osepet alsthat
havecr eat
edawal kwayl eadingtot hebed.My
breat
hinghasal readychangedbecauseIcanf eel
hisbulgeonmyback.Ipr essmyt highst oget
herto
calm myal readythrobbingcl otthati sindesper at
e
needofser vici
ng.Hehol dsmywai standpr esses
himselfintomewi thmyheadagai nsthi shard
chest.Iwantt oturntof acehi m soIcanki sshim
buthehol dsmei npl aceandput shi shandonmy
stomach.Iwi shIcoul dst andonmyt iptoessohi s
handgoesl owerbecausehei salmostwher eIache.

Marcuswhisper
sinmyearwhi
chmakesmyeyes
r
ollbackwhenhisl
ipgr
azesmyear
.

Marcus:Iwantyoutowalkovert
othatbednaked
andli
etherewait
ingforme.Iwantt
obei nsi
deyou.

Jeso!Thi
smanisgoi
ngtobet
hedeat
hofme.Iam
readytor
unt
othebedbuthei
sst
il
lhol
dingme.Hi
s
handgoesupt omychestandhesqueezesmy
breastandgr oansi ntomyear .Ift
hisisfor
epl
ayI
real
lydon'tneedi tbecauseoft hepoolIfeel
betweenmyl egsal ready.Heunbuttonsmybutton
downdr essst i
llstandi ngbehi
ndme.Heonl ystops
onthebut t
onnearmynavelandIal readyf
eelt
he
sexualfr
ustrationbui ldingup.

Me:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)Mar
cuspl
ease.

Mar
cus:(
nibbl
esmyearl
obe)Pl
easewhatmyl
ief
ie?
(
mylove)

Me:(
desper
atel
y)Iwantyou.

Heslideshi
shanddownther estofmydressand
l
if
tsthewaistbandofmypant yandfi
ndsmy
al
readywetcli
t.Mymouthfl
iesopenwhenhef li
cks
i
tandsl i
des#EXPLI
CIT….
Att
hel
odge

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
,Rr
aagweJoest
andsupanddr
ags
hi
swif
eofft
hebed.

MmaagweJoe:(cryi
ng)Davidyouhavekeptme
her
eallday!Whydon'
tyoujustki
llmeift
hatwhat
youwanttodo?Kil
lme!

Rr
aagweJoe:(
wit
hanevi
llook)shutup!

MmaagweJoe:Ae!Iam ti
redofthi
s!Sinceyousaw
t
hosepi
cturesandref
usetobeli
evethatIam bei
ng
f
ramed,
justkil
lme!Nnakelapi
lerr
a.(Iam ti
red!
)

RraagweJoecl
ickshi
stongueandt
hrowshercoat
ather.
RraagweJoe:Apar
aret
samaye!(
dressupsowe
canleave)

Sheputst hecoatonandwear stheheelsshehad

takenoffwhileheputsthepictur
esbackinthebag
alongwithther i
ff
lewi
thhisheadhanginglow.She
feelsr
eli
evedt hathei
slet
tinghergo.Heopensthe
doorandhol dsherhandleadinghert
othecar.

MmaagweJoe:(
rubshi
shand)Thankyouhoney.I
l
oveyousomuchfort
his.

RraagweJoe:givemet
hekeyssoIcandr
ive.Iam
sureyouar
etired.

MmaagweJoe:(pull
sthekeysoutofherpocket
)
YeahgoneoBuannete(youaretel
li
ngthetr
uth)
andIdon'
tevenhavemyglasses.
Hetakesthekeyandunlocksitt
hengoestot
he
passengersi
deandopenst hedoorf
orher
.
Somethinghehasn'
tdoneintenyears.

MmaagweJoe:Wow!If
orgotwhatt
hisf
eel
sli
ke.

Shecli
mbsi nt
othecarthenhesecuresherbelt
befor
egivi
ngherakiss.Hebreaksthekissand
cl
imbsintothedri
verseatandst
art
st hecarthen
dri
vesoutofthel
odge.

MmaagweJoe:It hinkwereall
yhavetositdown
andtalkaboutourmar ri
ageDay.Wecanst il
lmake
i
twor kbetweenusi fwetryhardenough.Todayhas
taughtmesomet hingandIwantust ogobackt o
howwewer ebefore.If
eelli
kethiswasawakeup
call
.Kanajang?(whatdoyout hink)

Rr
aagweJoe:mmh.
.
MmaagweJoe:yeah.Ithi
nkweshouldevengof or
marri
agecounsel
ing.Wearenotal
ostcause.You
st
il
llovemeAkere?

Rr
aagweJoe:mmh.

Shecontinuestal
kingwhilehejustgivesthesame
answeroverandoveragai n.Hismindkeeps
repl
ayingeveryt
hingPietdidandthepi ct
ureshe
sawofhi swifewithot
hermen' sdi
cksi nher.His
hateforherbuil
dsashepr essedthecent r
allock
butt
onwhi leshebabbleson.Heincreasest he
speedast heapproachthehighway.

MmaagweJoe:HehDayhokot
sat
lher
ra.(
please
l
oweryourspeed)

Rr
aagweJoe:OK.
Hehol dst hesteer i
ngwheelwi t
honehandand
quicklyunbuckl esherseatbel twi thanotherhand
beforepr essi nghi sfootdownont heaccelatort hen
turni
ngt hewheelatt hesummi toft hehighway.
MmaagweJoescr eamsatt hetopofherl ungsas
thecarcr ashesagai nstthebar ricadesandf li
es
overthebushyar eaopposi t
etheSADCbui lding.
Thel i
ght soft heircarshi neont het reesast hecar
plummet sdownt othegr ound.MmaagweJoehas
herhandsoverhereyesshaki ngi nfearwhi leher
husbandl ooksatherasmuchashecanwi t
hal l
thatisgoi ngon.Thecarl andsbonnetf ir
stwi tha
l
oudcr asht hatishear dkilometer sawayast he
wholebonnetf oldsint othecarbr eakingthe
windscr eenandal lt
hewi ndowsshat t
erfr
om t he
i
mpact .Gl assesf lyeverywher eandbodi esf lail
aboutt ossi ngint hecar .Otherdr iversstopt hei r
carsont hesi deoft hehi ghwayput t
ingthei
rl ivesat
ri
skjustsot heycansee.

Man1:Esses!Di
dyouseet
hat
?
Man2:El
egorehowdi
dthatevenhappen?Kana
t
hecarj
ustt
urnedoni
tsown!

Woman:(cryi
ng)Tl
hebat
honghel
pthem!Whati
fit
expl
odes?

Woman2:Hehwhoshoul dhelpthem?Whoseman
doyouwantt odi
ethere?Whenwi llt
heyevenget
downthere?Honeycallt
heambul ancekeboneba
i
tsengdil
oTse.Okat l
agoswel abathoosabai tse?
(t
heyaretheoneswhoknowhowt odealwit
hsuch.
Youcan'tcomeanddieforpeopleyoudon'tknow.)

Thehighwaycomest oast andsti

llasmor
epeopl
e
gatherr
ecordingthescenewhilethewoman'
s
husbanddialstheambulance.

[ONEYEARLATER]
IWI
LLTRYTOPOSTTHEEXPLI
CITTONI
GHT.I
FI
DON'
TITWI
LLBETOMORROW.
[
08/
31,
18:
03] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t92

Ataneventgar
den.

It
'sweddingseasonandf l
ower shavebloomedal l
overthegarden.Ashor tNatashawalksal ongan
i
slescatter
ingflowersfoll
owinghermot her's
i
nstructi
onasshewal ksbesideher.Boleng
occasional
lythrowsmor epetalstohelpher
daughter.Ababyst art
scryinginthecrowdandshe
l
ooksatTonywhost andsupt oshushtheirnine
mont holdsonwhost ar
tedcryingwhenhesawhi s
mother.Theyf i
nall
ymakei tdownt heaisleand
makei ttot
heirseats.Bol
engwaitedunt
ilthebri
dal
partywalksdownbef oreshesneaksouttogoand
att
endt oherbabywhosqueal sinjoywhenhesees
her.Shetakeshim andleadsTonybackint henseat
atthebackoft heceremonyarea.

Themusi cchangesandKwest a'sKhet hi

leKhet hi
le
start
st opl ayovert hespeaker s.Everyonet urns
thei
rheadswai ti
ngf orthegroom whowai t
sunt il
Kwest ast artsthechor usofthesong.Hewal ks
downt heai sl
einhi sper f
ectl
yt ai
loredblacksui t
thatmat cheshi spitchbl ackhai r
.Het akeshi st i
me
walkingdownt helongai slewhi l
eoccasional ly
fl
ashingasmi l
et othecr owdasperhi sbr i
de' s
i
nstruct i
on.Shemadeahugef ussabouthowgr eat
i
twi l
llookont heirweddi ngvideobuthehat es
havingal lthesepeopl elookingathi m andhef eel
s
l
ikehei satanauct i
on.Hemakesi ttotheal tarjust
astheyhadr ehearsedf orwhatf elttohimlikea
thousandt i
mes.Hel ooksonhi ssideoft hef ami l
y
andt herei sstil
lnosi gnofhismot herwhohad
promi sedt obeher et hi
smor ning.Het urnsj ustas
thesongswi tchesupandhisheartbegi
nstoracein
antici
pat
ionoft hewomanabouttowal kdownthe
aisl
e.Her ubshisfaceaswhit
elaceappearsfrom
aroundthecor ner
.Shewalkstohimjustasthe
l
yr i
cschanget o

Dal
iwami
st
handwasami
Loveywami
Bambol
wami
Ungowami
Ngi
ngowakho
WozababyWozababy

Theblushingbr
idemakesherwaytoherhandsome
groom fi
ghti
nghertear
s.Seei
nghowhandsomehe
l
ooksi nthesui
tshehadbeggedhim nottoget
makeshersmi l
eathowt hesi
mplesuitj
ust
bri
ghtenedupthemanwhohasbeennot hingbut
goodt oher.Theireyeslockthroughhervei l
andt he
emot iononhi sfacemakeshert earupasheput s
hisfistoverhismout handt urnsawayf rom her.
Shegi ggle-cr
ieswhensheseest hatheiswiping
tearsf r
om hiseyesbef oreturni
ngbackandwal king
overt otheaisletorecieveherfrom herunclewho
giveshi m afir
m handshakebef orewalkingaway.

Hi
m:(
whi
sper
s)Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ulsweett
hang.

Shesmil
esandtakeshishandtowalkbackt
othe
al
terwi
thhi
m aspeopletaket
heirseat
s.

Pastor:Dearlybeloved.Wearegather
edher etoday
tocelebrateandwi tnesst
heunionofMrMar cus
VanGr aanandMi ssNadiaSupangast heydeclare
thei
rundyi ngloveforeachotheri
nthepr esenceof
Godandt hei
rfami l
yandfri
ends.

Mar
cusl
ooksatt
hecr
owdandseeshi
smot
her
's
emptyseatfeel
ingdisappoi
nted.Thi
soneti
meshe
hadtoactual
lyshowupf orhim andshedoesn'
t.He
shakesi
toffandlooksbacki nt
otheeyesofa
womanwhohasqui cklybecomehisenti
reworl
d.

Pastor:Marcus,saythesewordsaft
erme.IMarcus
VanGr aan,takeyouNadiaSupangtobemy
l
awf ull
yweddedwi f
e.Tohaveandtohold,f
orr
icher
orpooer ,
insicknessandinheal
th,
forsaki
ngal
l
others,t
il
lJesuscomes.

Marcusr
epeat
swor
dforwor
dandNadi
adoest
he
same.

Past
or:Thet
wohavepr
epar
edt
hei
rownvows.
Marcus.

Mar
cusclear
shi st
hroatandhol
dsNadi
a'
shands
ast
hel
ightbreezeswayshervei
l.
Mar cus:Myl ove, myangelandmysweett hang.I
haveknownyouandl ovedyouf rom adistancef or
af ewyear snowbutIneveri magi nedthatbeing
l
ovedbyyouwoul dbewhatIhavebeen
exper i
encingf ort hepastyear .Youar ethebest
deci sionIhaveevermadeandmyl oveforyou
growsever ydayandj ustasIpr omi sedyouwhenI
askedyout omar ryme, Iwi l
lcont i
nuetomakei tmy
l
ife'smi ssiont ol oveyou, t
omakeyousmi le,make
youl augh,pr otectyou, (
lower shisvoice)turnyou
onandmakeyouscr eam.( Nadi a'seyeswiden
bef oreshebl ushes)Il oveyouNadi a.Justasyou
are, scarsandal l.Ever ythi
ngaboutyoui sexact ly
whatIwanti nmyl if
e.Youhavemademeabet ter
manandt hi sringdoesn' treall
ymat chupto
showi ngthesymbolofmyl ovef oryou.Iwouldl ay
downmyl i
f etoshowyout hatmyhear tbelongst o
you.Butt aket hisi nthemeant imebecausel aying
downmyl i
f ewoul dmeanl eavingyouandt hat'
snot
somet hingIam wi l
li
ngt odo.Il oveyousweett hang.

Hesl
ipst
her
ingi
nherhandwhi
leNadi
asni
ff
les
andpat shereyeswit
hherr i
ghthand.Hi
svows
over whelm heremoti
ons.Heneverseemedtobe
takingt heweddingpl
anningseriousl
ysoshedi
dn'
t
thinkhewoul dsayallthesethi
ngs.Thepast
or
i
ndi catedtoNadiatospeak.

Nadi
a:(
wobbl
ingmout
h)Youmademecr
y!

Thecrowdlaughsandclapswhi
leMar
cuswipes
hert
earsunderneat
htheveil
usi
nghi
shandkerchi
ef.

Nadia:(
clearshert hroat)ohGod.Ihadal lthewor ds
i
nmyheadbutnow. .(breathesoutandsmi l
es)
Marcus, mylovebug, youhavenoi deawhatyou
meant ome.It ellyouIl oveyoubutIf eellikeit'
snot
enough.Thewor dsIneedt odescri
bet hel oveI
haveforyouhaven' tbeenmadeupyet .Al lthe
booksint heworlddonothavet heproper
vocabularyformet ouset otel
lyouhowmuchIl ove
yousoIcanonl ypromi setol i
vetherestofmyl i
fe
showingyouexact l
yhowmuchIl oveyou.Idi dn'
t
evenknowt hatIwoul df eelthiswayaboutyou.
Yourlovehasconsumedme( shakesherhead
cryi
ngandhequi cklywi peshi sownt ears)andI
justcan'
tlivewi t
houti t.Youhavequi cklybecome
myever ythingandIneverwantt oloseyou.Ifther
e
i
saGodi nheaven, IneedHi mt ohearmewhenI
thankHimf orfi
nallygi vingmeyou.Idi dn'
tknowI
deservewhatwehave.Idi dn'tknowt hataman
couldlovemewi thal lthatIhavebeent hrough.
Yourlovedoesn' tmakemef eelli
keIneedt obe
someoneIam not .Iknowmysel fbett
erbecauseof
youandf ort hatIpromi set oloveyouandonl yyou
fortherestofourdays.

Shesl
ipsaringonhisfi
ngerandt
hecr owdclaps
andul
ulat
ionbreaksoutf
rom t
heblacksideofthe
fewweddi
ngguest s.

Pastor:Byt
hepowervestedinme,bythe
governmentofBotswana,Inowdecl
areyou
husbandandwife.Youmaynowki ssyourbri
de.
Mar
cussmil
esandli
ft
st hevei
l.Hehol
dsNadi
a'
s
f
aceinhi
shandsandlooksint
ohereyes.

Mar
cus:Il
oveyousomuchMr
sVanGr
aan.

Hepl antsakissonherli
psandhol dsherback
pressinghertohim andgroaningintohermouth
beforebreakingtheki
ssthatalreadyhashereyes
heavywi thdesir
ewhilet
hecr owdcl apsandul
uates.

Pastor
:(r
aiseshishandtosil
encethecr
owd)Iti
s
wit
hgreatpleasuret
hatIpresentt
oyou,Mrand
MrsVanGr aan!

MarcustakesNadi a'
shandandwal ksdownthe
aisl
ewhil
ethecr owdt hrowswhit er
osepetal
sat
them ast
heyr unthroughlaughing.Theygettot
he
carandMar cusopenst hedoorf orNadi
atogetin
thenhegetsintothedr i
verseatandstart
sthecar.
Nadi
a:(
laughs)babewecan'
tl
eavet
hedr
iver
!

Marcus:Aetheywil
lfi
ndusther
e.Justt
ellBoleng
wearegoingtothehotel
.Wewil
lbeontimef orthe
pi
ctur
es.

Nadi
a:SheeIdontevenhavemyphone.Shehasi
t.

Marcuspull
shisphoneoutandhandsi
ttoher
whil
erever
singoutoft
hevenue.Shedi
alsBol
eng
andwaitsf
orhertoanswer.

Bol
eng:(outofbr
eath)Heel
ang!Whereareyou
goi
ng?Mmamal omeoagobat lakana.(
Myuncle'
s
wif
eislooki
ngforyou)

Nadi
a:Tl
hemmaheki
dnappedmemma.
Mar
cus:(
shout
s)Shei
smi
ne!

Nadi
a:(shakesherheadandlaughs)Hesayswe
ar
egoingtot hehot
el.Pl
easegi
vethedri
verari
de.
Westol
ehi scar.

Boleng:Shee!Nadi
akanaevenmyNi ger
ian
husbandknewwehadt ofol
lowt
heelders
i
nstructi
ons.Theyaregoi
ngtoshoutatme.

Nadi
a:Iam sor
ryt
lhemma.

Bol
eng:(
chuckl
es)Yeahri
ght
!Heprobabl
ywantsa
qui
cki
eandyouareprobabl
yalr
eadywetfori
t.

Nadi
agi
ggl
esandhangsup.
Mar
cus:Howangr
yisshe?

Nadi
a:Shei
spi
ssedsayingyouprobabl
ywanta
qui
cki
eandIam al
readywetf
orit
.

Marcus:(
sideeye)I
ssher
ightaboutyoubecause
sheisri
ghtonthemoneywit
hme.

Nadi
a:(
blushes)OfcourseIdo.Amont
hofnot
get
ti
ngsomei sn'
tajoke!

Marcus:(
laughs)andwhosebr
ighti
deawast
hat
agai
n?

Nadia:(
laughs)Wait!Youdidn'
tevenint
roduceme
toyourmot herbogolo.Wasshesitt
ingsomewher
e
else?Herseatwasempt y.
Marcus:(
shrugs)Shedidn'
tshowup.Shepr omised
t
obeher eandIdon'tknowwhyshedi dn'tcome.
Aft
erayearofnotseeingher,Iwasr
eallylooking
for
wardtoseeingher.

Nadia:Iam sor
ry.Maybeherf
li
ghtdel
ayedor
something.Warewhatkindofbusi
nessdoesshe
dothatkeepsherabroadsomuch?

Marcus:(
looksathert
henbackatt
her
oad)I
'
llt
ell
youaboutitl
ater
.

Nadi
a:OK.

Theydr i
veonunti
ltheygettot
hehoteltheir
recept
ionwil
lbeheldin.Theygett
ot herecept
ion
andalleyesareonthem witht
heeightmet ert
ailof
hermer mai
dgownt rai
li
ngbehindher.
Mar
cus:MrVanGr
aanf
ort
hehoneymoonsui
te.

Thel
adybehi
ngthedeskbegi
nstocli
ckawayather
comput
erbef
orepassi
ngthem t
hekeycar
d.

Woman:ShallIsendyourcompl
iment
ary
champagneup?

Mar
cus:no.Nol
atert
oday.

HetakesNadia'
shandandshef ol
lows.Hestops
andhelpshercar
rythet
ailunt
ilt
heymakeittothe
room.Hethenopensthedoorandbeginstokiss
her.

Mar
cus:Howdowegetyououtoft
his?

Nadi
agi
ggl
esandt
urnsherbackt
ohi
m.
Nadi
a:Unt
iet
hest
ri
ngt
henl
oosent
hecor
set
.

Hi
sphoner
ingsi
nhi
spocket
.

Marcus:Waitletmegetthi
s.Maybet
heyar
e
l
ookingforus.(fr
owns)Hel
lo?

Voi
ce:Gooddaysi
r.I
sThi
sMrMar
cusVanGr
aan?

Mar
cus:(
frowns)Yesi
tis.

Voice:Youar
espeaki
ngtoMer
apeloTau.Iam
cal
lingfr
om Medl
if
epri
vat
ehospi
tal
.Weneedyou
tocomedownhere.

Mar
cus:Whywhat
'swr
ong?
Merapel
o:Ican'
tdi
scussi
tovert
hephone.Weneed
youtocomehere.

Marcus:(i
mpat
ient
ly)HeelawareoMerapel
o?
Li
sten,i
t'
smyweddi ngdaytodayandIcan'
tjust
l
eaveheresoyoubet t
ertel
lmewhatthi
sisabout.

Mer apelo:OK.Iam sorr

ysirbutyourmother
sufferedabr ai
nanuerysm l
astnight
.Shewas
foundbyhermai dt
hismor ni
ngandwast hen
broughther ebymedics.Weneedyout ocomeher
e
toidentifyt
hebody.

Marcus'
whol
ebodyturnscol
dandhesi
nkst
othe
f
loorwit
habl
anklookonhisface.

Nadi
a:Babewhat
'swr
ong?Whathappened?

Hi
sphonef
all
sof
fhi
shandandshepi
cksi
tupwi
th
af
rownonherf
ace.

Nadi
a:Hel
lo?Thi
sisMar
cus'
wif
e.Whathappened?

Merapelo:Iam sor
ryma'
am.Ijustl
ethi
m knowt
hat
hi
smot herdiedofabrai
naneurysm.

Nadi
a:(
over
shermout
h)OhmyGod!

Merapel
o:Weneedhi mtocomedowntoMedl
if
e
Pr
ivatehospi
talt
oident
if
ythebody.

Nadi
a:Umm..OK.Coul
dn'
tyouhavecal
ledhi
s
uncl
eorsomet
hing?

Merapel
o:Themai
dgaveushi
snameandnumber
.
Iam sor
ry.
Nadi
ahangsupandsquat
sdowntofaceMar
cus
whosti
llhasabl
ankl
ookonhi
sface.

Nadi
a:(
hol
dshi
sface)babe,
lovebug,
lookatme.

Shebegi
nst
otearup.

Nadia:Myl
ove,
Iam call
ingBolengt
obringmy
sui
tcaset
henIam changingoutoft
hisdresssowe
cangookay?

Mar
cus:(
star
ri
ngatt
hebed)Togowher
e?

Nadi
a:Tot
hehospi
talmyl
ove.

Marcusr
emovesherhandsandst
andsupt
hen
hel
psherup.
Mar
cus:No.Let
sgoandtakepi
ctur
es.Iam sur
e
t
hephotogr
apheri
swai
ti
ng.

Nadi
a:(f
rowns)babewhatar
eyout al
kingabout?
Wehavetogo.Youhavetotel
lyourunclesothey
cancomewithus.

Marcus:(l
ooksather)Nadiait
'sourweddingday.
Goingtothehospi
talwil
lnotchangethefactthat
shedied.Ordoyouhaver esur
recti
onpowerst hat
younevertol
dmeabout ?

Nadi
a:(
frowns)Babewehavet
og-

Marcus:(
shakeshishead)Let
sgof
ini
shof
fthi
s
day.Thehospi
talcanwait
.

Hetakesherhandandopensthedoorl
eadi
ngher
outwheret
heyfindmostoft
heweddingpart
y
alr
eadytaki
ngpictur
es.Nadi
al ooksathow
everyonei
ssmi l
ingandcl
appingoblivi
oustowhat
hasjusthappened.

200shar
esby1pm f ortoday'
sbonus.Iam st
art
ing
towri
tet
heexplici
tIoweyouandt oday'smorni
ng
i
nsert
.Iwil
lpostthem whentheyareready
[
08/
31,
18:
03] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t93

AtJoe'
shouse

Joerushesint
othehouseandr unstothebedr oom
togetthebabybagfrom t
heclosetbefor
er unning
backoutofthehouse.HefindsTlamelostanding
outsi
dethecargrunt
ingfr
om acont r
acti
on.He
hangsthebagst
raponhi
sshoul
derandwal
ksover
toher
.

Joe:Sal
omewhydi
dyoul
ethergetoutoft
hecar
?

Tlamelo:(
shoutsholdi
ngherbump)Iam notachil
d
Joseph!Ineededtostand!Am Iwrongt
ostand?
Huh?Ar eyouthestandingpol
icenow?Doyou
contr
olwhenpeoplest andandsit
?

Salome:(
armsst r
etchedout)See?Shei
spissedoff!
Ishoul
dhaver emainedwit
hDJatt hewedding.Bo
Salomewelikethi
ngswai t
se!

Joeopenst
hebackdoorandhol
dsherhand.

Joe:(
calml
y)Mylove,
wehavet ogonow.Akereyou
aredonest
andi
ng?Weneedt ogot othehospi
tal
.
Yourmum sai
dtheyareal
readytheresowehavet o
go.Aker
emyl
ove?Let
'sgeti
nthecar
.

Shenodsherheadwit
hapainedlookonherface
asshesit
sdown.Joerunstot
hedr i
ver
'ssi
deand
cli
mbsinnextt
oSalomethendri
vesoutheadi
ngto
thehospi
tal
.

Joe:Sasa,Iwassupposedt ocheckthegoodsat
thewarehousethiseveningsoIam goingt
oneed
youandDJt ogot hereandmeetthet r
uckdri
ver
s.I
don'
tknowhowt hi
sdayi sgoingt
ot ur
noutbutI
don'
tseemyselfgoingt othatmeet
ing.

Sal
ome:(r
oll
shereyes)Idon'tknowwhyyoudi
dnt
l
etthi
sbusi
nessdiewiththosepeopl
e.

Joe:(
frowns)Thosepeopleyouar er
eferr
ingtoare
yourparent
sandwecanf aultt
hem f
oral otof
thi
ngsbutthatl
ogist
icsbusinessisalegacynot
onlyf
orusbutourchi l
drentoo.Ourmum di dalot
ofwrongbutshewasagoodbusi nesswomanandI
am notaskingyoutot
akeover.Iam aski
ngyouto
st
andinf ormewithDJbecauseDJcanbever y
i
mpat i
entandIneedyouther
et okeephim cal
m.

Sal
ome:
(r
oll
shereyes)f
ine.

Joe:Youhat
ethebusinessbutenj
oythemoney.
Maybeweshouldstopgivi
ngyouthatal
lowance.

Sal
ome:(
smi
les)aooal
waj
aanongMrSupang?

Tl
amel
oi shi
tbyanothercont
ract
ionandput
sher
l
egsontheseatwhi
lescreamingout.

Tl
amel
o:Wi
llyout
woshutup!

JoeandSal
omel
ookateachot
herandkeepqui
et.
Oncehercont
ract
ionfades,shecal
msdownand
l
eansherheadont hewindow.

Sal
ome:YouknowIheardthatt
hewor stthi
ngtodo
whenyouarei
nlabouri
stoscream becauseyou
wast
etheener
gyyouaregoingtoneedt opush.

Tlamel
o:Josephkgal
emel
akgai
tsadi
o.(
Joseph,
tal
ktoyoursi
ster
.)

Joseph:Sal
omest
opi
rr
it
ati
ngmywi
fe.

Sal
omel
aughsandl
ooksback.

Sal
ome:Howdidyougofrom bej
ngobsessedwith
meduri
ngyourpr
egnancytohati
ngmedur i
nglabor.

Tl
amel
o:l
esagont
enaSal
ome.(
stopi
rr
it
ati
ngme
Sal
ome.
)

Salomelaughsandtur
nsbackt
ofaceherf
rontas
theypul
lint
othehospi
tal
.

Afterthei rpar ent scargotbl ownupatt hebot tom of

ahi ghway, theirliveschangedcompl et el
y.Joseph
hadt ogoandseebur ntbonesaswhatwasl ef tof
hispar ent s.Theyhadt opl anaf uneralwi thver y
l
ittl
ehel pf rom t heirmot her '
sfami l
yandt heir
father'sot herr elati
veswhoheonl yeversawatt hei
r
grandmot her 'sfuner al
.Assi lentast heywer eabout
thecont ribut ionst hatneededt obemadef ort he
funeral ,
theybecamebmver yvocalaf terthef uneral
whent heirmot her '
sbr ot
hercal l
edameet ingt o
discusst hedeceased' spr operty.Theyhadan
elabor atedi scussi onaboutwhowoul dgetwhat
withoutl eavi nganyt hingf orJoeandhi ssibli
ngs.
Theyl ett hem t alkonandonunt i
ltheywer eready
toadj ournt hemeet i
ng.Thati swhenJoest oodup
totellthem t hatnoneoft hem isi ntheirpar ent'swil
l
andcant hereforegetnot hing.Thepr otest
swer e
verylocalasuneducat eduncl esstart
edmaki ng
noiseabouthowt heywer egoi ngt
or untheir
sist
er'scompanyt othegr ound.Joseph' sresponse
tothem wast hatitwasbet terfort
hem t obet he
oneswhosquandert heirpar entsmoneyt han
oppor t
unist
icvultureswhoknewnot hingabout
runningabusi ness.Thehuf fsandpuf fsofcrushed
egosanddr eamswher eallthatwer eheardaf ter
.

Thatwasthelastdayt heysawt heirr

elat
ivesand
hecouldn'
tcallthem tohel phim mar ryTlamelo.
Whathappenedi nsteadwasBogosiaskedAvit o
speakhisfamilyintoplayingther oleofJoe'sfamil
y.
Hewasmor egladtoneverhavet oseeDavi d
anywaysot heweddi ngwentbywi thoutahitch.
Salomewhoi sinherf inalyearandDJwhowor ks
atthei
rcompanyar ethecur r
enti nhabit
antsofthei
r
parent
shomewhi leJoeandhi swi feli
vealone.
Davidandhiswi feremai nunmi ssedbyanyone….
 Nadi
a

OKt hisisn'tri
ght.Mar cusandIposedf orpict
ures
butthephot ographerhadt okeepr emindingmet o
smilebecausemymi ndkeepsgoi ngbackt othe
newswehadj ustgot.Heistryi
ngt oactlike
everythingisOKaspeopl egi
vet heirspeechesbut
nothingi sOK.Iaskedhi mtotellhisunclewhoi s
theclosestper sont ohim buther efusedtotel
la
manwhopr act i
cal
lyraisedhimt hathissist
erdied.
Thiswast heconver sati
onwewer ehavingdur i
ng
ourfirstdanceashusbandandwi fe.

Iam sur epeoplet houghtwear esoinl

ovethatwe
can'tstopt el
li
ngeachot herhowmuchl oveeach
other.Theydi dn'tknowt hatmyhusband'sworld
hasj ustbeenf li
ppedupsi dedown.Ihavenevermet
hismot herbecauseofal lhertr
aveli
ngbutIknow
thathel ovesherver ymuchandhassome
unresolvedi ssueswi thherconcerni
nghisfat
her'
s
death.It'
snowt i
mef orhimtogiveaspeechandI
don'tknowhowhei sgoingtodoi tbecauseheisn'
t
himself.Idon'tknowi fhei
sgoi ngthroughwiththi
s
recepti
onf ormysakeorbecausehei safrai
dto
facehismot her'sdeathbutital
lfeelswrongt ome.
IhopeIcanl i
stenwithoutdi
frti
ngof fi
nwonder .

Mar cus:( cl
ear shisthroat)Thankyousomucht oall
ofyouf orgraci nguswi thyourpresenceont his
specialday.Don' twor r
y,youar eabouttogetup
anddance.( theyl augh)ButIwantf ir
sttellyoual l
abouthowImett hi
sgor geouswomansi tt
ingnext
tome.( hef lashesasmi leatmeandl ooksbackat
thecr owd)OurNGOputoutanadi nthepaperand
sheappl i
edf ori t
.Ili
ketoconducti nt
erviewsmysel f
becauseIl i
ket oknowt hatwhoeveriswal kinginto
myor ganizationhaspassi onfortheworkwedo.I
foundherst andi nginthemi ddleofmyof f
ice
l
ooki ngl ostandonedge.Kehasel eshygor e.(
she
wassoshy)

Ipokehi
sthi
ghwhi
leever
yonel
aughs
Mar cus:Ihavet oadmi tthat
,thathadt ohavebeen
thewor stinter vi
ewIeverconduct ed!(peoplel
augh
andcl apwhi leIbur rymyf aceinmyhands)She
l
ookedgoodonpaper .Shequal if
iedbutwasa
terr
ibleint
ervi ewcandi dateandshewasal sosure
thatshewasn' tgett
ingthejob.Ihavet oadmit,
that
wast hef i
rstandl astti
meIeveract edinbiasto
anyonei nmyor ganizati
on.Ihiredherdespi t
eher
terr
ibleint
ervi ew.Thecandi datesbef oreherwere
somuchbet tert hanherbutIwant edtoseeher
againsoshegott hejobkanteIdi dn'tknowshehad
aman.

Thepeopl
estartcl
appi
ngandl
aughi
ngwi
tht
hei
r
i
nter
estspeaked.

Marcus:Doyouknowthepainofwatchinganother
guywithyourwomanfort
hreeyearseventhough
youaren'
therman?Sheneverevenlookedtwi
ceat
meevent houghIal
sowasn'
ttr
yingmuch.Ichose
torespectherrel
ati
onshipwhil
eprayingtoaGodI
hardlyeverspoketofort
heguyt oscrewup.
Heelanghar eModimooi tsegoarabadithapel
o!
(Godr eal
lyknowshowt oanswerprayers)

Mor
elaught
erbr
eaksoutandIf
eelsoembar
rassed!

Mar cus:Theguyl ostf

ocusaboaj esat eam and
thatwasmyopeni ng!Itol
dmyselft hatit'
snowor
never!Ijustaskedhertomar r
ymekef eelagoreifI
wast eti
me, theguymightcomeback.Shesai dyes
andher ewear etoday.(l
ooksatme)Shei s
everythingtomeandIcan' twaitt
ospendt herest
ofmyl i
fewithherknowingsheismi ne.(pull
sme
uptomyf eet)Il
oveyousweett hang.

Igiggleashepl
antsakissonmyl
ipswhi
le
everyonecl
apsthei
rhands.

Mc:It
hinkyouhear
dtheman!Whenyougeta
chance,
shootyourshotbecauseyouneverknow
howlongthegoali
ewillbeawayfrom t
hepost.

Themenstar
tcl
appi
ngandmaki
ngsoundsof
appr
oval
.

Mc:Nowl et'
shearf
rom Mr
sVanGraanher
sel
fto
heari
ftherewereanyembel
li
shment
s.

TheylaughandclapasIst
andupagai
n.Thener
ves
seti
nasIt aket
hemicinmyhand.

Me:(nervouslaugh)ThankyouMCandt hankyou
al
lforcomingasmyhusband( bl
ushi
ng)has
al
readysaid.Umm. .Embell
ishmentnumberone,he
wasacr ueli
ntervi
ewer!Hewassoar rogantt
hatI
coul
dbar el
yconstructasentencewit
houtgett
inga
wier
dlookf r
om him.
Theyl
aughandmyner
vescal
m abi
t.

Me:( hol di
ngmyf inger sup)Numbert wo,hedidn't
juststayaway.Thi smanhadmer epor ti
ngdirectly
tohim event houghIhadt wosuper i
orsdirect
ly
abovehi m.Iwast heonl yper sononmypaygr ade
thathadaccesst ohi sof f
iceandIhat editbecause
i
twas. ..
.YouknowwhatImeanr i
ght ?Hewasr i
ght
aboutmenotgi vinghi mthet i
meofdayt houghand
ther estofthest oryi strue.Ialsotot hisdaydonot
knowwhyIsai dyest omar ryi
ngamanIhadnever
beenonasi ngledat ewi thbutIhavegot tentoknow
him al otbet t
ert hispastyearandheseemst obe
thebestdeci sionIhaveevermadet oo.We
compl imenteachot herver ywellandt hatiswhyI
havet odot his.(Ilookathi m andcl earmyt hroat)
Mar cusandIar egoi ngtohavet ol eaveyounow
becauseofanemer gencyt hathascomet oour
attention.Pleasest ayandenj oyyour selvesinour
absence.Wehavet hepl acet i
llmidnightsoenj oy
yoursel vesandt hankyouf orcoming.
Iswitchthemicoffandt
akeaseattotel
lBol
eng
whathappenedandsheishorri
fiedt
hatwearest
il
l
here.Itakehi
shandandhekissesme.

Mar
cus:Thankyou.

Inodmyheadandwest andup.Hespeakstohis
uncleonourwayoutandagroupofcol
oredpeople
fol
lowbehi
ndusaswer ushouttot
hehotelpar
king
l
ot.

Don'
tfor
geti
tli
ke,
commentandshar
ebabadi
[
08/
31,
18:
04] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t94
AtMor
ena'
shouse

Leabri
ngsat
rayofl
unchandset
sitont
hecof
fee
tabl
e.

Lea:Mozy,
her
eisyourf
ood.

Mor
ena:(
star
ri
ngathi
sphone)mmh.
.

Heremovestheheadsethehadi
nhisearandput
s
hisphoneasi
defi
ghti
ngtheti
ght
nesshefeel
sinhi
s
chest.

Lea:(
smi
les)Goaheadandopenyourpl
ate.

Morena:(
frowns)whydi
dyouevencoveri
tsi
nceI
am home?
Lea:(
giggl
es)youwi
llsee.Openi
t.

Hesighsandtakest
hetrayf
rom t
hetableandsets
i
tonhislap.Heuncover
sthepl
ateandlooksather
i
nshockt henl
ooksbackatt
heplat
eandbackat
heragai
n.

Mor
ena:Ar
eyoupr
egnant
?

Lea:(covershermout
handgi ggl
es)Yes!Imissed
myper i
odforthr
eemonthsandtookthetest
yesterday.I
twassohardformet okeepiti
n.Happy
Bir
thdaybabe!

Heli
ft
sthepregnancytestf
rom t
heempt
ypl
ateand
si
ghsbefor
esmi l
ing.

Mor
ena:Wantt
ogetmar
ri
ed?
Lea:(
sur
pri
sed)ar
eyouser
ious?

Morena:(shrugs)Yeah.Whynot?Wecan'thavea
secondchildonthewayandnotgetmar ri
ed.We
cangetitdoneinthreemonths.Ist
il
lhavemy
savi
ngsf r
om-Ihavemoney.

Lea(
tear
sup)ofcour
seIwi
llmar
ryyou!OhmyGod!
Doyouhavet
hering?

Mor
ena:(
standsup)Let
sgobuyi
ttoget
her
.

Leajumpsonhi m andgi veshim ahugbef or

e
runni
ngof ftogetLetlotl
o.Mor enapickshisphone
upandexi tsFacebookl eavingtheli
vefeedrecap
hejustwatchedofMar cusandNadi a'
svowsas
wellastheirfi
rstdance.Seei ngitt
ookhim bytot
al
surpri
sebecausehedi dn'tevenknowt heywere
engaged.Shewasnol ongerasact i
veassheused
tobeonsoci almediaandevent hi
sfeedwas
postedbyoneoft hemut ualf
riendsheandMar cus
have.Hecl oseshi seyesandput shishandsover
hisfacebef orepunchinghischestwi t
honear m
repeatedl
yt ryi
ngtoeaset heti
ghtnessheisf eel
ing.
Leacomesbacki ntotheroom holdi
ngLetlot
lo's
hand.

Lea:(
toucheshi
sar
m)Babear
eyouok?

Morena:(
openshi
seyesandlooksather
)YeahnoI
j
usthavesomechestpai
ns.Iwil
lbefi
nethough.I
t
mightbehear
tbur
n.

Lea:OK.Youshouldt
akesomeGavi
scont
hen.Let
's
go.Wewi l
lgetsomeatt
hephar
macy.

Shewal
ksoutofthehousef
il
ledwi
thexci
tement
andl
ooki
ngatherlef
thand.
Lea:Bubudaddyaskedmummyt
omar
ryher
.

Lot
lot
lo:(
smil
esandl
ooksupather)Sowear
e
goi
ngtostayi
nonehousefor
ever
?

Lea:(
li
ft
shi
m andki
sseshischeek)Yesmylove
andyouwil
lbepl
ayi
ngwithyourbabybrot
her.

Let
lot
lo:Wow!Real
ly?

Inthehouse, Mor enalooksatt heoneseat erNadia

boughtf orhim andget saflashbackofherr i
ding
him ont hechai rafterbli
ndfol
dingandt yinghim up.
Hecl oseshi seyesandget sanot herfl
ashbackof
herwal kingaroundi nli
ngeri
etoseehowl onghe
couldresi sther.Her emember showshewoul d
pushhi m awaywheneverhewoul dtr
ytot ouchher.
Itwasn'tunt i
lanhourl at
erthathecar ri
edherover
hisbackandspankedherbut tashewal kedtot he
bedroom wher ehehadhi swaywi thher.Heshakes
hi
sheadatt hereali
zationthathewashard.He
fi
xeshisbonerbeforewal ki
ngoutofthehouseand
l
ockingup.Thethoughtofhi sbi
rt
hdayal
sobeing
Nadia'
sweddinganni versarytoanot
hermanjust
makesital
lhurtinsi
de

Heget sinthecarandstartsthecar
.Leaputsher
handonhi sthighandgiggleswhenshefeelshis
hardness.Letlot
loi
sseatedbehindhisf
ather'
s
chairsosher ubshi
m abi t
.

Lea:(
lower
shervoi
ce)wewi
llt
akecar
eoft
his
whenwecomeback.

Morena:(l
ooksather)Iwanttomovei nwi
thyou
andsellt
hishouse.Itwil
lhel
pmeclearmy
mortgagesowedon' thavetwomortgagedebt
s
whenwegetmar r
ied.Howdoesthatsound?

Lea:Ao,
Ithoughtwewoul
dli
veher
esi
nceyour
sis
abi
tbi
ggert
hanmi
ne.

Mor
ena:I
'
dreal
lyr
athernot
.Toomanymemor
ies.

Lea:oh…yeah.

Shequietsdownandlooksoutthewindowr eali
zing
shehadbeeni nNadi
a'
shouseal lal
ong.That'
s
whatthathouseist
ohim andselli
ngiti
sagr eat
i
dea…….

Att
hehospi
tal

Mar cuspull
sint
ot hepar
kingl
otandtakesadeep
breathbefor
etakingNadia'
shand.Heturnshi
s
headt ol
ookathiscousinandbestman.

Mar
cus:Lucagi
veusami
nut
e.Ekmoetmetmy
vr
oupr
aat
(Ihavet
otal
ktomywi
fe)

Luca:geenpr
obl
eem.Eksalbi
nnewag(
nopr
obl
em.
Iwil
lwaiti
nsi
de)

Hecli
mbsoutoft
hecarandwal
ksaway.Marcus
l
ooksatNadi
aandcover
shisf
acewit
hhishead
agai
nstt
heheadr
est.

Nadi
a:What
'swr
ongbabe?Whyar
en'
twegoi
ngout
?

Heremoveshi
shandsfrom himfaceandlooksat
hi
sweddingri
ng.Hebeginstotwi
rlt
heri
ngar ound
andthent
akesadeepbreath.

Mar cus:Thi
sisn'
thowthi
ngswer
esupposedto
tur
nout .Youweresupposedt
omeetherbef
orewe
gotmar ri
edandnowIam soscar
edthatIam goi
ng
toloseyou.
Herubshi
smout
handl
ooksatherwi
thar
aci
ng
hear
t.

Nadi
a

Whati
sthi
snow?

Me:whatdoyoumean?Whywoul
dyoul
oseme?

Helooksatmeandopenshi smout hthenclosesit

agai
nandl ooksoutt hewindow.Ther estofhis
famil
yiswal ki
ngintothehospi t
al.Idon'tt
hinkthey
knowwear esti
lli
nthecar .Iam justgladIchanged
mydr essbeforeleavi
ngbecauset hi
swoul dhave
beenquitethespectacle.Thismani snowf reaking
meout .IhaveneverseenMar cuslookingnervous
unti
lnow.
Me:Youar
escar
ingme.Justt
ellme.

Marcus:Umm…r emembert
henightyout
oldmeme
al
lthathashappenedt
oyouandhowunfazedIwas
aboutit
?

Inodmyhead.

Marcus:Well
..(
breat
hesi
nandout)Babytl
hemma
don'
tleavemekeagokopa.(Iam beggi
ngyou)

Me:(i
mpatient
lywit
har aci
nghear
t)Mar
cusbua
t
lher
ra.(
pleasespeak)

Marcus:(
rubshiswellshapedbear
d)I
t'
sbecauseI
knewaboutital
ready.

Me:(
frowni
ng)What
?How?
Mar cus:(br
eathesout )Iki
ndof .
.Actual
lyIrana
backgroundcheckonyouaf terouri
nter
view.I
foundoutever ythingaboutyoubutnotupt othe
rapebyt hatsoldierguy.Ionlyf oundoutabout
whenyout ol
dmel astyear.

OKwhati
sthi
smansayi
ng?What
?

Me:Kantewar
engMar
cus?(
whatexact
lyar
eyou
sayi
ng?

Marcustakesadeepbreat
handt
ri
est
ohol
dmy
handbutIpulli
taway.

Marcus:Thereissti
llsomuchyoudon'tknowabout
me.WhoIam andIdon' tknowhowyouwi llr
eact
onceyoudobutIwantyout oknowthatIloveyou
Nadia.Iam st
il
lthesamemanwhosl eptonyour
couchwi t
hyoujustsoIcangettoknowyou.
Me:(fr
owning)Marcus,
youei
therspeakcl
ear
lyorI
getoutoft
hiscar
.

Marcus:Ididabackgr oundcheckonyouandf ound

outyouwereaJoj odol l
.(r
ubshisface)OK.My
mother'
snamei sJol eneVanGraan.Notmany
peopleknowhersur nameandIdon' tlookl i
keher
soIunderstandwhyyounevermadet he
connecti
on.Iwantedyout wotomeetbef orewegot
marri
ed.Sheknewwhoyouwer eandwasf i
newit
h
usandsheadmi r
edyoubutIwasaf raidyouwould
l
eavemeevent houghIknewIhadnochoi cebutt
o
tel
lyou.

Mymi ndhasbeenspinningsi
ncehesaidJolene's
name.Ihavebeenput ti
ngpiecesofthepuzzle
togetherandital
lbegi
nst omakesense.Hisfather
diedwhi l
ehismotherwaspregnantl
ikeJolene'
s
story.Butwait
.
Me:(shaki
ngmyhead)No, youcan'
tbeJol
ene's
son.WhenIheardthest
ory,Iwas18andaccordi
ng
tothat
,hersonhadtohavebeenayearol
derthan
meandyouar efi
veyearsoldert
hanme.

Hesmi l
es.Idon'
tevenknowwhyhei
ssmi
li
ng
becausethi
sisn'
ttheti
me.

Marcus:Mum al
wayswantedpeoplethi
nkingshe
wasyoungsoshealwaystoldhergi
rl
sshehada
sonwhenshewas20.(laughs)Yeahthatstor
ywas
doct
ored.

Il
if
tmyshakinghandtomylip.Het
ri
est
ohol
dit
butIgi
vehi
m adeathstar
e.

Mar
cus:Nosweetthang.Don'
tdot
hat
.Idi
dn'
twant
t
ori
sklosi
ngyou.
Me:(shouti
ng)soyoumadememar rymypimp's
son?Awomanwhot hr
eatenedt
okil
lmeandhave
tenmenr apemeforaweek?Areyouser
iousr
ight
now?

Marcus:(l
ooksoutthewindow)Babestopshouti
ng
atme.Bual ennasentl
e.(t
alkt
omepr oper
ly)I
nevershoutatyouakerenemma?

Mychesti
sri
singandf
all
ingwi
thr
ageandhei
s
t
ell
ingmetowhat?

Me:(
sti
llshout
ing)Ihaveneverl
iedt
oyoudammi
t!

Het ur
nshisheadsoqui ckandhasadeepfrown
thatshakesmeal i
tt
le.Heopensthedoorand
bangsthedoort henwal ksaway.Howcanhejust
l
eavemel i
kethat?Ichecktheigni
ti
onandhetook
thekey.Nxla.Whatnow?
Thel
asti
nser
twi
llbeupbef
oremi
dni
ght
[
08/
31,
18:
04] :MI
NII
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t95

Att
hehospi
talmor
gue

Marcuswalksovert
ohisfami
lymemberswhoare
cr
yingbytheentr
anceoft
hemor gue.Hi
suncl
e
meetshi
m half
wayandgiveshim ahug.

Mar
cus:i
sither
?Haveyouseenher
?
UncleGerhar
d:No.It
oldt
hem wehavetowai
tfor
you.(l
ooksbehi
ndhim)waari
sjouvrou?(
Wherei
s
yourwife?
)

Marcus:(
rubshisface)sheispi
ssedoffbecauseI
t
oldheraboutthebackgroundcheck.

Uncl
eGerhar
dpul
lshi
mfur
therawayf
rom t
hei
r
fami
ly.

UncleGer hard:Evenaf terItoldyouandJol eneto

nevertellhert hatyouknewwhoshewas?Sowhat
i
st hi
s?Ar eyout oogrownamant olistent
ome
anymor e?Fi rstyoudidn'tli
stent omewhenIt ol
d
youtoneverr unabackgr oundcheckonawoman
youar einterestedin.Tol etherbet heonet otel
l
youandi fyouhavedoubt st henyoucancheck.But
youwentaheadanddi ditandal sot oldheryoudid
i
t!verkeer dmetj ou.(what '
swr ongwi thyou?)
Marcus:WellIwouldn'thavetodobackground
checksifyouguyswer ehonestwit
hmeaboutwho
Iam.Idot hosecheckt oseeift
her
eareanyt ies
betweenthewoman' sfatherandmymot herjustto
besurethatpersonisn'tmysist
erorcousin.

UncleGerhard:(sighs)Sowhatnow?Ar eyougoing
totel
lhereverythingnow?Ar eyougoingtotel
lher
thatyouaretheonewhoki l
ledhergrandfat
heraft
er
sheleftt
hepr i
son?Whi l
ehewasonhi sdeathbed?
Whataboutthatpoepholofasol di
er?Doesshe
knowyouki l
ledt heguyt hatrapedher?Whatabout
howyouhadPi etr apeherfather?

Marcus:(
breat
hesinandout)Al
lthosef*
ckheads
deser
vedtodieforwhatt
heydidtoher.

Uncl
eGer
har
d:Sowhat
?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lher
?

Mar
cus:(
rubshi
sface)No.Shewoul
dn'
t
underst
and.Shedoesn'
thavei
tinhert
o
underst
andwhoIreall
yam.Sheisbett
erl
efti
nthe
dark.

UncleGerhard:(
smackst
hebackofhi
shead)
Whichiswhyyoushouldhavetol
dheranyt
hingj
ou
i
dioot!(
youidiot
!)

Mar
cus:ouch!Iwast
est
ingher
!

Uncl
eGerhar
d:Andwhathappensifshedecidest
o
l
eaveyou?Obatl
agoreTena( youwanttoannoyus)
t
hewayyoudidwhil
eshedatingthatpunk?

Mar
cus:(
looksathi
sfeet
)shewon'
tleaveme.

UncleGerhar
d:how?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oti
eherupi
n
yourbasement?
Heshakeshi
sheadst
il
llooki
ngathi
sfeet
.

Uncl
eGerhard:(
wal
ksof
f)Let
sgoandcheckt
he
bl
oodycorpse!

Hewal
ksawaywhi
let
hrowi
ngaf
ri
kaanscussesat
hi
m.

Mar
cus:(
underhi
sbr
eat
h)Wayt
obeatamanwhen
hei
sdown.

Mar
cus,Uncl
eGerhar
dandLucawalkint
ot he
mor
guetoget
herwhil
ether
estoft
hefamilywait
s
t
hei
rtur
n.

Afewmi nuteslat
er,
theywalkoutoft
hemor gue
andMar cusfi
ndsNadiastandi
ngwithhisfami l
y
out
side.Herarmsarefoldedwhichi
ssomet hinghe
haslear
nthappenswhenshei sveryangry.Thelast
ti
meshewast hisangrywaswhenherbr othertol
d
herabouthowt heirf
ather'
sfuner ali
sont hem and
noonei swi l
li
ngt ohelpthem.Shehadnoi nter
estin
goingbutdeci dedtogoont hel astdayjusttoget
closurethatthemonst erandhi swi t
chwer e
actuall
ygone.Hi sconversati
onwi t
hhisuncl e
replaysinhisheadandhet hinksabouthowshe
woul dreacti
fsheknewever ything.

Hewalksuptohi
sauntandgi
vesherahugt
o
comf
orther
.

Aunt
:Isdi
tsy?(
isi
ther
?)

Mar
cus:Jadi
tis.syi
sweg.(
Yesi
tis.Shei
sgone.
)

Shewail
sandturnsintoherhusband'
sarmswhi le
Marcuswal
ksawayandst andsi
nacor neri
gnori
ng
Nadiaasmoreofhisfamil
ygoesi nt
othemor gueto
seehismot
her.Heputshishandsi nhi
spockets
andleansagainstt
hewallputt
ingonel
egovert
he
otherandl
ookingatthefl
oor.Heseesherf
eetf
ir
st
andsighsl
ift
inghishead.

Mar
cus:Whatdoyouwant
?

Nadi
afr
ownsandhet
hinshi
seyes.

Mar
cus:(
rai
seshi
sthickbr
ows)Nadi
agaan!(go)
Gobackt
othecarorwhereyouwer
estandi
ng.

Nadi
a:What
?

Mar cus:Iwi
llnottol
erat
ethisi
nsol
enceNadia.I
l
eaveyoui nthecaraf t
erwarni
ngyounottoshout
atme.Idon'tknowhowmanyt imesIhavetoldyou
thatbutyoudoi tanyway.Nowyoucomeher eand
frownatme.Keeng?Obat l
agompetsa?(whatisi
t?
Doyouwantt obeatme? )
Nadia:(
lowershervoi
ce)youdon'tgett
obeangr
y
wit
hmer i
ghtnowMar cus.Youar
et heonewhol
ied
t
omewhenIt ol
dyoueverythi
ngaboutme.

Mar
cus:(
sighs)Whatdoyouwant
?

Nadi
a:(
looksaway)Iwantt
oseeher
.Iwantt
osee
t
hati
t'
sactual
lyher
.

Marcus:Youwi
llgoi
nwi
thChar
eldene.(
cal
lsher
over
)

Nadi
a:ButIwantt
ogowi
thyou.

Marcus:Youcoul
dhavegonei
nwi
thmei
fyou
di
dn'tdeci
detoactbr
att
y.
Nadi
a:(
wideeyed)Br
att
y?

Char
eldene:Yeah?

Marcus:canyougoi
nwit
hNadi
awheni
t'
syour
t
urn?Shenevermetma.

Char
eldene:Nopr
obl
em.

Shewalksbackt
ohermot
herandl
eavest
hecoupl
e
i
nthei
rtensi
on.

Lucawalksovertot
hem whil
etappi
ngonhisphone.
Hebeginstospeaki
nafri
kaanssoNadiadoesn'
t
under
standthem.

Luca:laatekgaankyknaonsgoed.di
tsouderti
g
minutegeledeopdaagl
et.(l
etmegocheckourstuf
f.
I
twassai
dtoar
ri
vet
hir
tymi
nut
esago.
)

Mar cus:seker.neem Pietsaam metuingevalhul

le
enigietsprobeer.(
Sure.TakePietwit
hyouincase
theyt r
yanything)

Luca:OK.(
nodsatNadi
a)Lat
ersi
s.

Nadi
a:(
smi
les)Bye.

Hewal ksawayl eavi

ngNadi astarri
ngatMar cus
withalott osaybutnothavi ngt hegutstowi t
hthe
wayhel ooks.Charel
denef i
nallycomesovert ocall
herandt heywalkint
ot hemor guet oget
her .They
standbackast heattendantpullstheshel fout.Hi
s
armi stiredfr
om allthepull
ingandpushi ngbuthe
can'tcompl ai
nbecausehewaspai dwel ltoallow
them allintoseeJolene.
Charel
dene:(
holdsherhand)Ar
eyouOK?I
sthi
s
yourfi
rstt
imeinamor gue?

Nadi
a:Yeah.I
t'
ski
ndofdauntingtoknowt
hese
shel
vesmightbef
ullofdeadpeopl
e.

Charel
dene:(
shr
ugs)Don'
twor
ry.Yougetusedt
oit
wit
ht i
me.

Nadiafrownsandi saboutt oaskwhatshemeans

buttheat t
endantpull
sthet rayandsheseesher
l
egsf i
rst.Charel
denepullshersot heycangeta
goodlookatt hecorpseandt hatswhenshesees
her.Sti
llasbeautif
ulasshewast enyear sago.She
l
ooksatherandwonder si fshei sn'tjustsleeping.
Sheget saf l
ashbackofherSpl i
tzPar tyandhow
warm Jolenewast hatnight.Shemadepr ostit
uti
on
l
ookl i
keagl amorousjob.Nadi at henpl aysback
thei
rlastencounterinherdor m andshakesher
headbef orewalki
ngoutwi thChar eldeneint ow.
Shewal ksbackt oMarcusandhei ssti
llstandingin
t
hesamepl
ace.

Marcus:Sowhatnow?Areyoul eavi
ngmesince
youarenowsurethatIam yourpimp'
sson?

300shar esby1pm t
omorrowforabonus.Iwil
l
keepthi
ssameschedul et
omorrowbecauseIwant
thebookt oendbySundayaft
ernooni
npreparat
ion
fort
helivesessi
on.Thi
siswhatyouaregoingto
seethough

[
08/
31,
18:
04] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t96

Att
hehospi
talmor
gue
Marcus:Sowhatnow?Areyoul eavi
ngmesince
youarenowsurethatIam yourpimp'
sson?

Nadi
abl
inksr
api
dlyf
ight
ingt
het
ear
swhi
lel
ooki
ng
athi
m.

Nadi
a:Doyouwantmet
oleaveyou?

Marcus:Thati
supt
oyou.Doyouwantt
oleaveme
ornot?

Uncl
eGer
har
dwal
ksoverwhi
lehangi
nguponacal
l.

UncleGer
hard:Marcus,wehavetogonow.Iwil
l
cal
lameetingtomorrowtodi
scussthef
uneral
arr
angements.(l
ooksatNadi
a)Areyouokaymie
ki
nd?(mychild)
Nadi
alooksathi
m wi
thgl
assyeyesandsmi
les.

Nadi
a:(
nods)Iam f
ine.

Hel
ooksatMar
cusandf
rowns.

Uncl
eGer
hard:Ohcomeonman.Youknowbet
ter
t
hantomakeyourwif
ecr
yonyourweddi
ngday.

Nadia:(
wipeshertear
)Noi
t'
snothi
m.Iam j
ustsad
abouthismother
.

UncleGerhard:NadiaIam toooldamant obe

unwise.Youdidn'tknowmysi stersoyoucan'tcry
forher.Don'
tlethim bul
lyyou.Youarehiswife.He
i
shar dheadedbutt heidi
otlovesyou.(
looksat
Marcusandf rowns)Actr i
ght.
Wit
hthathewalksawayandtherestoft
hefamil
y
l
eaves.Nadi
atakesonemorelookatMarcust
he
t
urnsonherheeltol
eave.

Mar
cus:I
sthatyourf
inaldeci
sionMr
sVanGr
aan?

Nadiai ncreasesherpacewi t
hherar msfoldedand
tearsstreami ngdownherf ace.Everyoneclimbs
i
nt otheircar sanddriveoutwhi l
eshemakesher
wayt oMar cus'car.Shetri
est oopenthedoorbut
thebloodyt hinghaslockeditsel
f.Shehit
st hedoor
thenr estherheadoni tcr
yingherheartouti na
hospitalpar kingl
ot.

Shef eel
shisarmswraparoundherwaist.Hi
sscent
hadal r
eadyannouncedhi
spresencebeforehe
touchedher.Helowershi
sheadandrestsinonher
neck.
Marcus:Iam sor r
y.Pleasedon' tcry.Itookt hi
ngs
toofarbutIhonest l
yhat ebeingshout edat .Ihavea
hottemperandIcont roli
tbyneverr aisingmyvoi ce
atanyonesoIequal lydon' tl
ikeitwhensomeone
doesthat.Especiall
ynotawomanIl oveandwoul d
nevereverhurt.Iwoul dloseanar m beforeever
l
etti
ngyouseet hatsideofmeMr sVanGr aan.

Heturnshertowardshim butshel
ooksdownwhil
e
sni
ffl
inginquickbreat
hs.Heputshi
shandunder
herchinandli
ftsherfacesoshecanlookathi
m.

Mar cus:Iknowyoumi ghthaveal otofquestions

ri
ghtnowbutonet hingIneverwantyout oquesti
on
i
st his.(putsherl
efthandonhi schest)Thi sheart
onlybeat sforyouandt hati
snevergoi ngt ochange.
Iam nowher enearperfectbutl
ovingyoui st
he
mostper f
ectthi
ngIhavedoneal lmylife.Iam sorr
y
forinvadingyourprivacyandnevert el
li
ngyou
abouti tunti
lnowbutIwasscar edIwoul dloseyou.
Hesi
ghsandput
sherhandbackdown.

Mar cus:(withapai nedl ookonhi sf ace)Myuncl e

askedmewhatIwoul ddoi fyoul eftmeandIsai d
youwoul dn'
t.Isai
di tbecauseIwasaf raidof
processingt hatki
ndoft houghtbuthei sright.I
can'tforceyout ost aywi t
hmeeveni fyoul eaving
memi ghtbet hedeat hofme.( cupshert earst ained
faceandwi pesthet earswi thhist humbs)Ihave
wrongedyoumyl oveandIwantyout obehappy.I f
whatIhavedonei ssomet hingyoucan' tforgive
thenket lareng?Wecanhaveourmar ri
age
annulledsoyouar en' tadivorcee.( hiseyesr eden
ashesayst his)Icanonl yhopei twon' tcomet o
thatbutIwon' thaveachoi ceifallthisistoomuch
foryou.Andwhoknows, maybeyouar ebetterof f
withoutmeanyway.

Helooksupthenbackdown.Helet
'shergoand
t
akesthecarkeysoutofhi
spocketandputst
hem
i
nherhands.
Mar cus:i
fyouwantt ogiveusashotyoucandr ive
toourhome.I fyoudecidei t
'stoomuchf oryou
thenyoucangot oyourhouse.Iwi llhavethe
clotheswemoveddel i
veredbackt oyout omorrow
andhavet heannulmentpaper sr
eadybyFr i
day.
Thet houghtofyoudecidingt odri
vet oyourhouse
terr
ifi
esmebutIcan' tfor
ceyout ostayjust
becauseIl oveyoutoomuch.Ican' tdot hat.But
pleaseall
owmet hi
sonet hi
ng.

Hel ower shisheadandpl antsakissonherl i

ps.He
sucksonherl owerli
pwant ingsobadlytodeepen
theki ssbutNadiadoesn'treturnhiski
sswhi chhas
hischestt i
ghteni
ngandhi seyesit
chingbuthehas
neverl etanyoneseehistear ssohejuststops
kissingherandgi vesherababyki ss.Helooksat
herbl ankfaceandwal ksawaywi thanachi nghear
t
diali
ngf orCharel
denet ocomepi ckhim up…….

Att
hewar
ehouse
Latert
hateveni
ng,DJcli
mbsoutofthetr
ail
erof
thei
r18wheelertr
uckaft
eri
nspect
ingthegoods
whenheseest hr
eecolor
edmenwal ki
ngtowards
Salome.

Hewalksovert
oherhol
dinghi
scl
ipboar
dand
l
ooksatthem.

DJ:Eveni
nggent
lemen.

Luca:yeahhowzi
t?

DJ:I
'
m good.

Luca:Di
dIj
ustseeyoucl
imboutt
hatt
ruck?

DJ:Yesyoudi
d.
Luca:(f
rowns)Si
ncewhendoyouopenourt
rucks
upwithoutus?

DJ:(
chuckl
es)Yourt
ruck?

Luca:Aslongasourgoodsar
einthattr
uckthen
youbett
erbeli
evei
t'
soursandyouwentinthere
wit
houtme.Why?Di dyoust
ealsomethi
nginthere?

DJ:(l
aughs)Yohdudeyoubet t
erchi
llbecauseallI
di
dwasgeti ntheret
oconfir
mt henumberofcr ates
whichissomethi
ngwedowhenourt rucksarr
ive.
Al
lyourcratesarest
il
lseal
ed.

Luca:(
fol
dshi
sarms)SoyouthinkIam funny?Thi
s
i
swhyIdon'tl
ikedeal
ingwi
thchil
dren.Whereis
Joe?
DJ:Chi
ldr
en?Andhowol
dar
eyou?

Lucat
ir
est
otakeast
epbutPi
etst
opshi
m.

Pi
et:Relaxmiebr
a.Thi
slaai
ti
eisbosslady'
sli
tt
le
br
other.Di
dn'
tyouseehi
m attheweddi
ng?

Luca:No.Iwast
oobusyt
onot
ice.

DJ:Idi
dandIdon'
tgetwhywear
efi
ght
ingher
e.

Piet:(
rubshi
schi
n)Yaah…Iactuall
yknewyour
father
.HeandIwerel
iket
his(crosseshi
sfi
nger
s)
once.

DJ:(
frowns)r
eal
ly?

Pi
et:(
chuckl
esandr
ubst
hebackofhi
shead)Yeah!
Wewer
ever
ycl
ose.

HelooksatSalomeandnodshisheadchecki
ngher
out
.Sheblushesandlooksawayasheadmi r
esher
hi
psandimaginingt
hebubblebutthatmi
ghtcome
wit
hthem.

Sal
ome:DJ,
Iam goi
ngt
owai
tint
hecarneh?

DJ:OK.Cal
lJoeandf
indouthowt
hingsar
e.

Shenodsandwal ksawayconf i
rmi
ngPi et
's
hypothesi
s.Hesmi l
esandturnshi
sattent
ionback
tothetwobul lheadsandli
stensastheyconduct
thei
rbusiness.LucaandDJcl imbint
othet r
ail
ert
o
countthecratestogetherl
eavi
ngPietandtheother
guyoutside.

Pi
et:I
'
llbebackneh.
Theguynodsandhet ur
nstoleave.Hegoestothe
parkingl
otandwalkstotheonlyothercarpar
ked
there.HeknocksonSalome'swindowandshe
sli
desitdownwhilehanginguponhercal l
.

Sal
ome:(
rai
sesherbr
ows)Yes?

Pi
et:Hibeaut
if
ul.Howar
eyou?

Sal
ome:(
smi
les)Iam f
ine.You?

Pi
et:Fant
ast
icnowt
hatIhaveseenyoui
nper
son.

Sal
ome:(
frowns)meani
ng?

Piet
:(chuckl
es)Yourdadonceshowedmepi ctur
es
ofhischil
drenandIwascaughtbyyourbeauty.
Salome:(
blushes)War ehowdidyouknowmydad
becauseal
lhisfri
endswer eol
dmenheworkswi
th?
Orareyouinthemi l
it
ary?

Pi
et:(
laughs)Icoul
dneverbeasoldi
er!Al
lthose
monthsoftraini
ngawayfr
om ever
ythi
ngwoul d
dr
ivemei nsane.

Salome:ohpl
ease.Youl
ookl
ikeyouwor
koutal
ot
al
ready.

Piet
:(smil
es)that
'sdi
fferentsweet
hear
t.Li
sten,
I
havetogetbacktothoseguyssoputyournumber
i
nmyphoneandIwi l
lgiveyouacalll
ater
.How
doesthatsound?

Salomel
ooksint
ohishazelbr
owneyesandsmi l
es
taki
nghi
sphoneandpunchingthenumbersin
befor
ehandi
ngitbackt
ohim.Heslidesi
tint
ohis
pocketandt
akesherhandt
henpl
antaki
ssoni
t.

Pi
et:Iwi
llseeyout
omor
rowokay?

Sal
ome:(
blushi
ng)OK.Yourname?

Piet:Pi
etbutyoucancal
lmewhateveryourhear
t
tel
lsyoutobecausemyheartt
ell
smeyournamei s
babygirl
.

Shebl
ushesandcl
osesthewi ndowashewalks
awayl
eavi
ngherwit
htanti
li
zingthought
s….

Nadi
a

Ihavebeendr i
vingaroundaiml
essly,
afrai
dtomake
adecision.If
eelli
ketherei
ssomuchIdon' tknow
aboutthemanImar r
iedbutIam soinlovewit
hhim
thatthethoughtofl
eavi
nghim makesmef eelsi
ck
tomyst omach.AtonepointIdrovei
ntohi
s
neighborhoodbuthi
tauturnjustasIwasaboutto
arri
veathishouse.

Ikeepl ooki
ngatt her ingonmyf i
ngerasIdr i
veand
everythingjusthur ts.Myheadhur t
s, myhearthurt
s,
myeyeshur t,evenmyf ingershur tf r
om howt i
ghtl
y
Ihavebeengr ippingt hest eeri
ngwheel .Idon't
knowi fmypr oblem iswi t
ht hefactt hathedida
backgr oundcheckonmeandt r
yi ngt ofi
gureout
justhowmuchheknowsaboutme.Doesheknow
howmanymenIhavesl eptwithasaJoj odol
l?
Doeshet hi
nkofmeasl oose?Al lthoset i
meshe
gavei ntomysexualf antasieswi thoutaskingany
questionsnowmakemewonderi fhet hi
nksIam
justasexbunny.Ormaybewhatbot hersmei sthe
factthathei sJol ene'sson.Awomanwhohadt wo
buffwomenpanelbeatmewhenIhadnowayof
defendi ngmysel f.CanIl eavehi mt hough?Hehas
becomeapar tofmeandIknowhel ovesmebut ….
God!
Don'
tfor
gett
okeepshar
ingl
astni
ght
'si
nser
t.
Pl
easedon'
tshar
eitt
othegr
oup
[
08/
31,
18:
05] :FREEBONUSI
NSERT

Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t97

AtMar
cus'
house

Thenextmorning,
Mar custurnsoverinbedoutof
habi
tandreachesovertopullNadiacloserbutheis
metbycoldsheetswher eherbodyshouldbe.He
openshi
seyesandf rownsasyest er
day'sevents
comerushi
ngintohismi ndalongwithapounding
headache.Hel ooksatt hehal fempt ybottleof
scotchandgr untsinpai nmassagi nghi st empl es
whilesittinguponbed.Hei sstil
lwear i
ngt heshirt
andpant shegotmar riedinashegoesof ft othe
bathroom t opi ss.Helooksathi shagger edf aceon
themi rrorbef orebrushinghi steeth.Het henwal ks
overtot hecl osetandpul l
ssomet rackpant sanda
t-
shirtthenchangesi ntot hem.Hewal ksbackt othe
bedr ubbi nghi shairt
henget shisphoneandsees
hehasmi ssedcal l
sform hi suncleandLuca.He
thendial sNadi awhi l
elookingathi sweddi ngr ing.It
ri
ngsunanswer edandhet r
iesasecondandt hird
ti
meunt ilhesi ghsandt ypesamessage.

[Howareyoumyl ove?Ij
ustwantedtocheckifyou
arr
ivedhomesafelyl
astni
ght.Pl
easejustconfi
rm
soIdon'tgetwor
ri
ed.]

Hesendsthemessageonwhat sappandsheopens
i
timmediat
elybuthedoesn'
tseehertyping.After
st
ari
ngathisphonefor5minuteswaiti
ngf orherto
r
epl
yhi
smessage, hesi
ghsandexi
tswhat
sapp
t
hendi
alshi
slawyersnumber
.

Lawyer
:MrV!Howi
smynewl
ywedcl
ient
?

Marcus:(
sighs)HiLer
uo.Umm Ineedyout
odr
aw
upannulmentpapersformebyWednesday
morning.

Ler
uo:(f
rowns)Uhu?Why?Yout wojustgot
marri
edli
ter
all
ylesst
han24hour sagoMar cus.
Whywouldyouwantt oannulyourmarr
iage?

Mar cus:(
rubshisbeard)It
'sal ongstoryandIdon'
t
wantt ogetint
oit.Canyouj ustspeedupt he
processforme.Themar r
iagewasn' tconsummated
andIdoubtt hefi
linghasevenbeenf i
nali
zed
anyway.
Leruo:(sighs)Marcuscomeon.Youknowyouare
mor ethanacl i
enttome.Ican'
tjustsi
mpl
ygl
aze
overthis.Whydoyouwantt othis?

Mar cus:Idon'
twanttodothisLel
e.It
'swhatshe
want sandIcan'tfor
cehertobewithme.Ilether
takeapeekt hr
ought hevei
landshedidn'
tli
kewhat
shesawsoket laarengnemma?

Ler
uo:(
sighs)Whataboutt
het
rustf
und?

Mar cus:Shedoesn'tknowabouti
t.I
twassupposed
tobeagi f
tIwouldgiveonourhoneymoon.
(chuckles)wearesupposedtobeonour
honeymoonr i
ghtnowbutmymot her'
sdeat
hturned
everythingupsi
dedown.

Ler
uo:
Deat
h?Whatdoyoumean?When?
Marcus:Mymum passedawayt heni
ghtbeforeour
wedding.That'
swhywehadt ol
eavetherecepti
on.
(si
ghs)eishIhaveapoundi
ngheadacheLele.Can
youjusttakecareoft
heanul
lmentf
orme?I '
llpay
youfortherush.

Leruo:Nothenor
malfeeisfine.Iwil
lhavethem
readyforyoubyWednesday.Wi l
lyoudeli
verthem
yoursel
forshoul
dItakecareofit?

Marcus:Doit.Idon'tthi
nkIam strongenoughto
faceherwit
ht hatkindofthi
ng.(chuckl
es)Imight
endupkidnappingheri nst
ead.Thebestthingisf
or
met okeepmydi stanceandrespectherchoice.
(get
schockedbyt ears)ahfuck!SharpLele.

Hehangsupandt hrowshimselfonthebed.He
swallowsthepainfullumpandcovershisfacewith
hishandstaki
ngbr eathstocal
m hisbeati
ngheart.
Knowi nghowthecal lhej
ustmademakes
everythi
ngfi
nalbreakshisheartbutatt
hispoint
,
thebal
lisi
nhercour
tandshemadeherchoice.He
sit
supanddial
sthemovingcompanyheuses.

Mover
s:MrVanGr
aan.Whatcanwedoyouf
ort
his
morni
ng?

Mar cus:(
clear
shi
st hr
oat)Ineedyoutosenda
tr
uckt omyhousetopi ckuptheclot
hesyou
broughtthensendthem backtomyw-t oMiss
Supang'shouseinanhour .

Mover
s:OKsi
r.Iwi
llhavesomeoneovert
her
e.

Hehangsupandl iesbackdownt hinki

ngabout
everyt
hingthathashappened.Hat i
nghimsel ffor
l
etti
nghi sguarddownandf i
nall
yt r
ulylovinga
woman.Hi sunclemi ghthavebeenr i
ghtabout
putt
ingtrusti
nletti
ngsomeoneopenupt oyouand
notalwaysplayingGod.Het hinksbackt ot heday
hecalledhiscontactinthepri
sont ogetr i
dof
Nadi a'sgrandfather.Int hatmoment ,hedi dn'
tcare
howcl oset odeat hhewas.Hewant edhim gonef or
allthathehaddonet oherandt hesamet hingwith
Sébast ien.Heshakeshi sheadr eali
zinghowt oxi
c
thislovehehasf orher.is.Thatwast hef i
rstti
me
heeverhadanyoneki ll
edandi twasal lforher.But
whatwasi tevenf or
.Al lhei sleftwi t
hi sregretand
guiltforhavi ngpeopl eki l
ledaseasi l
yasonewoul d
anani mal .Heal wayspr efer edt ouseot hermeans
tomakehi spointbutt het houghtoft hosemen
violati
ngawomanwhohadhi shear tbli
ndedhi s
consci enceandhedi dwhathehadt odoi nthat
moment .Butwhatwasi tal lfori fhewoundup
l
oosi ngheri nt heend?Hecl oseshi seyesandt ears
rundownt hecorner sofhi seyesandi ntohisears.
Hewi pest hem anddi alsheronel astti
me.Shest i
ll
doesn' tanswersohesendsamessage.

[InowunderstandwhyIhaveneverl
ovedanyone
fort
hethir
tyyearsIexist
edbef
oremeet
ingyou.
Lovehurt
s.Youwal kedint
omylif
eandever
ythi
ngI
beli
evedchangedandIwasconsumedbyyou.I
knowf oryouit'
sjustbeenayearofl ovebutforme,
i
t'sbeenf ouryearsofl ovingonewomanwhol oved
anothermanf orthreeoutoft hef ouryears.Maybe
that'
swhyi t
'seasyf oryout oj ustleavemebuti t'
s
hellformebecauseIwantyout ol ovemeback.I
can'tforceyout ostaywi thme.Anyway, letmenot
boreyouwi t
hmypai n.Myl awyerwi l
lhavethe
anullmentpaper sdel i
veredt oyoubyWednesday
mor ningandyourst uffwillbedel iver
edtoyour
housei nthenextt wohour s.GoodbyeNadi a.
Alwaysknowt hatIloveyouMr sVanGr aan.]

Hesendst hemessageandgr absthescotchbot t

le
anggulpssomedown.Aknockont hefrontdoor
makeshi m putthebottl
edown.Hegetsonhi sfeet
quickl
yandr ushestothedoorhopi
ngit'
shi swifeat
thedoor.Heopensi tandisdi
sappoint
edt oseehis
uncleandcousint her
e.Helet
'st
hem inandf ol
lows
them t
ot hecouches.

Uncl
eGer
har
d:soIwi
llt
akei
tshel
eftyouf
rom how
t
err
ibl
eyoul
ook.

Mar
cus:(
rubshi
sface)Ah.Idon'
twantt
ogeti
ntoi
t.

UncleGerhar
d:Fai
renough.Iwant
edtocomesee
howyouar edoi
ngbecauseyouhaven'
tbeen
answeri
ngourcall
s.

Mar
cus:Ij
ustwokeup.

UncleGer hard:OK.Iwascalli
ngtotellyouthat
t
her ewillbeameet ingat5pm todi
scusst he
funeralarrangements.Thefamil
ywillallgat
herat
myhouse.It houghtwecouldhostthef uner
alfr
om
t
her e.

Marcusnodshisheadandlist
ensashi
suncl
eand
Lucatal
kaboutthefuner
al.
AtLea'
shouse

Leasit
supinf rust
rat
ionaft
ertr
yingtoturnMorena
onforalmostthir
tyminut
eswi t
hnol uck.Hewould
getsemihardthengetsoftagainjustasshewould
cl
imbont ohislaptoputhimin.

Lea:(si
ghs)Mor enawhat'
syoupr obl
em kante?You
havebeenlikethissi
ncelastni
ghtwhenIt r
ied
del
iveri
ngonmypr omise.Wejustgotengaged.We
shouldbeallovereachotherri
ghtnow.

Mor
ena:(
sighs)Sor
ry.Ij
usthaveal
otonmymi
nd.

Lea:Whati
sitMorena?Ar
eyouhavi
ngsecond
thought
saboutmarryi
ngmenow?

Morena:NoIam not
.OKcomeher e.I
'
lltel
lyou
whattodo.Howdoesthatsound?Butinret
urn,you
can'
ttal
koraskquest
ions.Youj
ustf
oll
owmyever
y
i
nstr
ucti
on.AreyouOKwi t
hthat
?

Lea:(
smi
les)That
'sdi
ff
erent
.Butsur
e.

Shecli
mbsont
ohi
m anddoeswhathesaysshe
shoul
ddo.

Morena:Justholdmydickandr
ubi
tal
ongyour
openi
nguntilIgethar
d.

Hecl
oseshi
seyesandl
et'
shi
smindwondert
oa
memoryhehasashi
sdi
ckgrowshar
der
.

Morena:OKnowuseyourmout h.Lickmel i
keyou
wouldanicecream…….Yesbaby..Justl
ikethat
.
Takeiti
ntoyourmouth.F*
ck!Yes!
Shebobsherheadupanddownashegetsharder
thanhehasal
lmorni
ngwhichget
sherexci
ted.

Morena:OKstopandt
urnover
.Iwantt
otakeyou
f
rom behind.

Hesit
supandget
sonhiskneesbehi
ndherwhi
le
massagi
nghi
snowhar
dr odbefor
eshovi
nghi
mself
i
ntoher.

Mor
ena:(
pushesherdown)Putyourchestdown.

Herupperbodyfal
lst
othebedasher
ammsi
nto
herl
ikeheneverhasbef
ore.

Morena:(
grunt
ing)Reachunderandfl
ickyourcl
it
.I
wanttoseeyousquirtal
lovert
hesesheet
s.
Shedoesassheistol
dbutsheknowsshehas
neversqui
rt
edbef
ore.Butwhoknows?

Morena:(
spanksherbut
twi
thhiseyescl
osed)
Movebackandf or
thandmeetmythrust
stl
hemma.

Atthispointhermindisallovert
heplacet
ryi
ngto
keepupwi thallhi
sinstr
ucti
ons.Shetri
est
omeet
histhrust
sbutkeepsf al
li
ngoutofsyncwithhi
m.

Mor
ena:(
har
shl
y)Justst
op!

Hecont
inuespumpingint
oherwi
thhiseyescl
osed
andbl
ockinghermoansoutwhi
chleadshimtoa
cl
imaxl
ikeonehehasnthadinmonths.

Mor
ena:AhFuckNadi
a!
Lea'
seyesflyopenandherhanddropsf
rom hercl
it
asheconti
nuestopumphi sseedi
ntoherwhil
e
tear
sfal
lfr
om hereyes….

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandshar
e.80comment
spl
ease
[
08/
31,
18:
05] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t98

AtLea'
shouse.

Morenaslidesoutofherwit
hthereali
zat
iont
hathe
hadjustscrewedup.Shesli
desherlegsdownand
l
iesfl
atont hebedandtakesadeepshakybreat
h
astearsbli
ndher.
Morena:babeIam sor
ryaboutt
hat
.Idon'
tknow
whathappened.

Shenodsherheadi
nsi
lenceandcont
inues
sni
ff
li
ng.

Mor
ena:Pl
easet
urnoversowecant
alk.

Lea:pl
easegetmeat
owelsoIcanwi
pemysel
f.

Hewalksovert
otheclosetandgetsoneofher
smal
ltowel
s.Hetri
estowi peherbutshet
urnsover
andt
akesthetowelt
henbegi nst
owi pewi
thi
ut
l
ooki
ngathim.

Morena:Babytl
hemmadon'
tdot
hat
.Iam sosor
ry.
Idi
dn'tdoitonpur
pose.
Shenodsherheadandgetsupfrom thebedand
wearshergown.Befor
ewalki
ngoutoftheroom t
o
goandtakeabath.ShemeetsLetl
otl
ointhe
passageonhiswaytothel
ivi
ngroom.

Let
lot
lo:Mor
ningmama.

Lea:hibubu.Howar
eyou?

Let
lot
lo:Iam f
inemummy.Iwantt
owat
chcar
toons.

Lea:OK.Letmeswi
tcht
hepl
ugonf
oryout
hen.

Her unsaheadofherandseat sonthecouchwitha

remot ei
nhishandwhil
esheswi t
chesthepl
ugon.
Shet hengoestot
hebat hr
oom andf i
ndsMorena
sit
ti
ngont hecl
osettoi
letseatwit
hboxershorton.
Shesighsandt
akeshergownof
fthenst
epsi
nto
theshower.

Mor
ena:BabeIam sor
ryt
lhemma.

Lea:Isai
dOKaker
eMor
ena.

Morena:noIf
eel
li
keyouar
ejustsayi
ngt
hatand
youhaveever
yri
ghtt
obeangrywithmebut
…

Sheopenst heshowertapandmut eshim asshe

l
et'sthewaterfal
lonherbody.Hesitsontheseat
andwat cheshershowerthr
oughtheglassdoor
feel
ingli
keacompl et
epri
ckforwhathej ustdi
d.

Least
epsoutoft
heshowerandwi
pesher
sel
fup.

Mor
ena:Pl
easet
ell
mehowt
omakei
tupt
oyou.
Lea:(
wipi
ngher
self)Ineedyout
owatchLet
lot
lof
or
l
essthananhour.Ineedtogosomewher
e.

Morena:(
hol
dsherhand)Pl
easet
alkt
ome.Shout
,
hi
tme.Anythi
ng.

Lea:(
looksathi
m blankl
y)wil
lyouwatchhi
m or
shoul
dIdr ophi
m atmymot her'
shouse?

Morena:(
rel
easesherhand)Ofcour
seIwi
llwat
ch
hi
m.Wher eareyougoi
ng?

Lea:t
here'
ssomer esearchworkIneedt
odof
ort
he
hospi
talandIl
eftmyl aptopatwor
k.

Mor
ena:(
nods)OK.….
I
nthedoct
or'
sof
fi
ce.

DrAbdul
lah:(
smi
les)DrLeawhatbr
ingsyouher
e
t
oday?

Lea:(
rel
easesadeepbreath)Iam l
esst
hantwel
ve
weekspregnantandIneedyoutotermi
nat
eit
.

DrAbdul
lah:What
?Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?

Lea:(shakesherhead)thereisnowayIam having
asecondchi ldwithamanwhodoesn' tloveme.(a
tearfall
s)ImeanIknewIwascompet i
ngwi t
hhis
exbutIt houghtIwouldfi
nall
ywinbecauseIcould
mot herhischil
drenbutowai.I
fIdon'
tleavenow,I
willwindupwi thfi
vechil
drentoamanwhohast o
i
magi neanot herwomant ogetaboner
.

Shesni
ff
lesandwi
peshert
ear
slooki
ngatt
he
Doct
orwhoi
slooki
ngatherwi
thpi
ty.

DrAbdul
lah;OK.Youcanchangeint
othehospit
al
gownandclimbonthebed.Ihopeyouwon'tr
egret
thi
sdeci
sionyouaremaki
ngthough.

Lea:Iwi l
lr egretstayi
ngwi thhim morethanIwoul d
regretthi
sdeci si
on.Ileftamanwhowasgenui nely
i
nterestedi nmef orachi l
dhoodsweet hear
tfai
rytale.
Ihavet odot hissoIdon' thaveanyt
hingelsetying
met ohi m.Justgi vemet hepill
stomakei tl
ookl i
ke
ami scarriagebecauseIdon' twantanynoisefrom
him.Oncet hepil
lstart
swor kingIwil
lcomeback
forcleaningup.

DrAbdul
lah:OK.

Heunlocksthebott
om dr
awerofhi
sdeskand
handshertwopil
ls.
DrAbdul
lah:Youknowwhatt
odor
ight
?

Shenodsherheadandst
andsup.

Lea:Thankyou.

Henodshi sheadandshewalksout.Shegetsint
o
hercarandpopsoneoft hepi
ll
sandswallowsit
withwaterfr
om thebot
tl
einhercar.Shel
ooksat
theri
ngonherf i
ngerandshakesherheadbefore
sli
ppi
ngi tof
f.

Lea:Hur
tmeonce,
shameonyou.Hur
tmet
wice,
shameonme.

Sheput
siti
ntheasht
rayanddr
ivesout
.

Whensheget
sbackhomeshecl
imbsoutandt
akes
thelaptopbagshehadlefti
nherbootoutand
hangsi tonhershoul
der
.ShefindsMorena
watchingcartoonswi
thLetl
otl
o.

Mor
ena;youwer
equi
ckert
hanIt
hought
.

Lea;(si
ghs)canIspeakt
oyoui
nthebedr
oom
please.

Hestandsupandf ol
lowsher
.Shesi t
sonthebed
andtakest
her i
ngoutofherpocketandputsiton
thebed.Morenafr
ownsatherandi saboutt
ospeak
butsheholdsherhandup.

Lea:Ther eisnothi
ngtosayMor ena.Gopadi l
e.(it
hasfailed)Itr
iedtobepat i
entwithyoukereyou
wil
llovemebutgagompi enogompaakant se
sekopose!( butwhathappenedt odaywasthel ast
str
aw) .Ihavef i
nal
lyacceptedgoreyouneverloved
me.Youj ustl
ikedmeal otwhenwewer egr owing
upwhi leIl
ovedyouwi thmywhol ebeingbutcome
onman, t
ocallmeNadi aafteraskingmet onotto
talkandtell
ingmeal lthesethingsIshoulddowas
j
ust !Lehagot wekel oil
weae!( evenifIam
bewi t
ched,t
hatwasj ustt oomuch) .Sotakeyour
ringandgogi veitbackt othewomanyouact uall
y
l
ovebecausei thasneverbeenme.Iknowt hatnow.

Mor
ena:Leadon'
tdot
his.

Lea:GobacktoNadi
aMor
ena.That
'st
heper
son
youloveAker
e.

Mor
ena:(
rai
seshi
svoi
ce)Shei
smar
ri
ed!

Lea:(
pull
sherheadbackandt hinshereyes)Wait
soyouonlyaskedmet omar ryyoubecauseshei s
marri
ed?(hekeepsqui et)whendi dshegetmar ri
ed
Morena?(sil
ence)Wasi tyest
er day?(si
lence)you
knowwhat ?Idon'tcar
e.Leavemyhouseandnever
showyourfaceinfr
ontofme.Wewi l
ldowhatyou
toldmewewoul ddoifIwasrudetoNadiafour
yearsago.I
fyouwantLetlot
loyouwillpi
ckhi
m up
from mymother'
shouse.Youwillt
extmeandIwill
drophimforyou.Pl
easeleavemyhouse.

Morena:Pl
easedon'tdothi
s.YouknowIwantt
obe
par
tofyourpregnancy.

Lea:OK.Iwi
lll
etyoucomefordoct
or'
s
appoint
ment
swi t
hme.LeaveMozy.Itr
iedbutour
s
wasnevermeanttobe…….
.

AtUncl
eGer
har
d'shouse

Afewdayslat
er,alar
gegroupofpeopl
ear
eseat
ed
underat
entli
steni
ngtot
heMC.

MC:wewi
llnowheadt
othegr
aveyar
dtol
ayt
he
deceasedtorestinherfi
nalr
est
ingpl ace.Agroup
ofwomenshewor kedwit
hhaver equestedt
osing
asongaswet akeherhome.Ladies,youcanbeon
yourfeetandsing.

Thewelldr
essedJojodoll
sst
andupandt heymake
almosthal
fofthepopul
ati
onthathasgat
hered
ther
e.

Ar
ie:(
leads) Ever
yni
ghti
nmydr
eams
Iseeyou,
Ifeelyou
Thati
showIknowyougoon
Faracr
osst
hedi
stance
Andspacesbet
weenus
Youhavecomet
oshowyougoon

Al
l:(
sof
tl
y)Near
,far
,wher
everyouar
e
Ibel
ievet
hatt
hehear
tdoesgoon
Oncemor
eyouopent
hedoor
Andyou'
reher
einmyhear
t
Andmyhear
twi
llgoonandon

Theycontinuetosingaspeoplecryattheir
beauti
fulharmonywhi l
ethecasketmovest ot
he
hearse.Marcusisoverwhelmedbyemot ionbythe
ti
mehehast ostandup.Lucahelpshim upand
patshisbackbeforetheyturnt
oleave.

Hest opsinhi st r
ackswhenhespot sNadi a
standingatt hebackoft hecrowdi nal argehat .He
hasn'theardf rom heri naweekevenaf terget ti
ng
theanullmentpaper s.Shegiveshi m at i
ghtsmi l
e
ashewal kedovert oherwithhi sheartpoundi ngin
hischest.Hei ssupposedt of oll
owt hehear seinhis
carbuthisf eetcar ryhim wher ehishear tbelongs.
Hewal ksupt oherandpul l
sheri ntohisar mst hen
holdshertightobl i
vioustoalltheeyesl ookingat
them.Sher et urnsthehugequal lydesper at
ef orhis
touch.Hefinal lylet'
shergoandl ooksatherwi th
r
edeyes.

Mar
cus:Nadi
a..

Nadia:(
shakesherhead)Wewi
llt
alkaf
tert
hebur
ial
.
Let
'sgo.

Mar
cus:Wi
llyoudr
ivedownwi
thmet
hen?

Shenodsherheadandhetakesherhandl
eading
hertohiscar
.Theycl
imbi
ntothecaranddr
iveout
aft
erthehearse.

Mar
cus:Whyhaveyoubeeni
gnor
ingmycal
ls?

Nadi
a:Ijusthadalottothi
nkaboutandIwanted
youtodealwithyourmother'
sfuner
alwi
thout
havi
ngtodeal wi
thourissues.
Mar
cus:Butyoul
eftmeNadi
a.Youl
eftmeal
one.

Shewipeshertear
sl ooki
ngathi
shagger
edf ace.
Seei
nghowbadhel ookedmakesherr
egretstayi
ng
awayforsolong.

Mar cus:Di
dyousi gnthepaper
s?Mylawyerhasn't
call
edmeyet .It
houghshehadbeenwait
ingforthe
funeraltopass.

Nadi
a:Idon'
twantt
oleaveyouMar
cus.Idi
dn'
tsi
gn
t
hem.

Marcus:(
looksather
)Sowhyputmet
hroughal
l
t
hatthen?

Nadia:Iam sor
ryf
orput
ti
ngyout
hrought
hat
.Ij
ust
gotscared.
Marcus:Youdon'
trunwhenyouarescared.You
t
alktome.Youaskmequest i
ons.Youdon'ti
gnore
methewhol eweekwhenIhavetoburymymot her
Nadia.Youdon'
tdothat
.

Nadia:(put sherhandonhi sl
ap)Iam justaf ool
whoi snewt othi
slovethingMarcus.IknowI
shouldn'tcompar eyoutoanyoneel sebuti tdi
dn't
makesenset omethatyouwoul dstil
llovemeaf t
er
knowingal lthatyouknow.Amancl aimedt olove
meandevent ual
lyl
eftsoIhavebeenaski ngmyself
whatyourendgamei sandIcan'tfi
ndi t.Idon't
understandwhyyoust il
lloveme.

Marcuspar
kst
hecaratt
hegr
aveyar
dandl
ooksat
her
.

Marcus:I
fyouquesti
onmyl
oveandwanttoknow
whythenyouwil
lleavemet
onguet
iedbecause
that'
saquest i
ononl ymysoulcananswer .Ijust
l
oveyouNadi a.Al wayshaveandi fyoul etme, I
alwayswi ll
.Ihavemyowni ssuesandIchoosenot
tojudgepeopl ebasedonwhatt heydot osurvive
thiswor l
d.Idon' tloveyououtofpi tyforwhatyou
havebeent hrough.Il oveyoubecauseoft he
womanyouar edespi tewhatyouhavebeen
through.Manyhaveki l
ledt hemselvesf orfarless
butyoust oodupf rom asui cideattemptandcame
outswi nging.That 'stheki ndofwomanIwantby
mysi de.Af ighter.Nowi fyouar egoi ngtobecome
awomanwhor unsatever ysignoft roubleand
l
eavemei nt urmoi lthenyoubet terleavemenow
becauseIneverwantt of eelthepainIhavebeen
feeli
ngt hi
spastweek.Idon' tthi
nkIhaveevenhad
thechancet opr ocessmymot her'
sdeat hbecause
allIcouldthinkofwasyou.Ican' tgot hrought hat
again.Iwoul dr atherlearnt olivewithoutyout han
l
iveinfearofl osi ngyou.

Nadi
a:(
hol
dshishand)Idon'
tf aul
tyouf
orf
eel
ing
t
hatwayMarcus.Iact
edchil
dishandIwaswrong.I
shouldhavestayedandaddr
essedmywor
ri
eswi
th
you.Pleasef
orgiveme.

Mar
cus:OK.Sowi
llyoumovebackhome?

Nadia:Iwokeupfr
om ourhomethismorni
ng.
Chareldenetol
dmeyouwerespendingt
henight
heresoIt ookt
hel
ibert
ytomovei
nandchecki fyou
cheatedonyourwi
f e.

Hel
aughsf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
ndays.

Mar
cus:Sowhati
fIr
efusedt
otakeyouback?

Nadia:I
twashumi li
ati
onIwoul
ddeserveforwhatI
putyouthrough.Iknowyoumightdoubti
tbutIl
ove
youmyl ovebug.
Hesmi
lesandpul
lsheri
nforaki
ss.

Mar
cus:Imi
ssedyousweett
hang.

Nadia:Imissedyoutoo.Idon'
tknowwhyIgotso
dramatic.WehavetogobutIhaveonemorethingI
needyout odoforme.

Mar
cus:What
?

Nadi
a:Iwantt
heJoj
odol
ls.

[
08/31,18:
05] :Sor
ryi
ttooksol
ong.Hadt
ogeti
t
j
ustri
ght

Wi
gsandWeaves
I
nser
t99

Att
hegr
aveyar
d

Nadi
a:Iwantt
heJoj
odol
ls

Mar
cus:(
frowns)what
?

Nadia:Iwantyout
ohandmecont
rolovert
heJoj
o
dol
ls.

Mar
cus:why?Whywoul
dyouwantt
hat
?

Nadiai
sabouttospeakbutaknockonMarcus'
windowint
err
uptsher
.It
'sLuca.Her
oll
sthe
windowdown.
Luca:Iwast
oldt
ocomeandcal
lyou.

Mar
cus:OK.Justgi
vemeami
nut
e.

Nadi
a:Nobabe.Let
'sgo.Wewi
llt
alkabouti
tat
home.

Sheopenst hedoort ogetoutbuthepul l

sherhand
andhol dsherneckpl antingasl oppywetkisson
herthathasherbr eathingheavi l
y.Lucawal ksaway
togivethem pr ivacyandshehi kesherskirtupand
cli
mbsont ohim ashepusheshi schai
rbackt ogive
herroom.Shewr apsherar msar oundhisneck
deepeningt heki ssandmoani ngi nt
ohismout h
whilegrindingont opofhi m wakinghissleeping
beast.Hecupsherbutcheeksunderherski rtand
squeezest hem pr essi
ngherhar derontohisdi ckas
thei
rheavybr eathi ngfi
llsthecar .Hetr
iestomove
herpant yasidebutshehol dshi shandandbr eaks
thekiss.
Nadia:(
looki
ngi ntohiseyes)Letsgoandbur ymy
motherinlaw.Whenwegetbackhome, Iam going
togiveyouexact l
ywhatIhaveowedyouf ort
he
l
ast7days.( shemovesherwai stmakinghimthr ow
hisheadagainsttheheadr est)Ihavemissedyou
somuchMrVanGr aanandt oni
ght,Iwil
lbeall
yourstodowi thasyoupl ease.

Mar
cus:(
openshi
slustf
il
ledeyes)Anyt
hing?

Sheki
sseshi
m agai
nthencl
i
mbsof
fofhi
m.

Nadi
a:Let
sgol
ovebug.

Shestepsoutofthecarandf i
xesherskir
twhil
ehe
shoveshishanddownhi spantstr
yingtofi
xhis
thr
obbingboner
.Helooksatherasshebendsover
tofi
xhershoeandmut tersunderhi
sbreath.
Mar
cus:f
*ckNadi
a.

Hecovershisfaceandtakesafewdeepbreaths
befor
esteppingout.Sheput
sherhatbackonand
covershereyeswit
hshadesthencomesovert ohi
s
sideandheput shi
shandonherwaistastheywalk
towardsthegroupofpeopl
e.

Marcus:Babynemmawon' tyoufall
?Thi
slawnis
toowetforthoseheel
s.Whydidn'
tyouwearshor
ter
ones?

Nadia:(
chuckles)Theshorteroneswer
en'tgoi
ngto
haveyouthinkingofmei nnothi
ngbutthem andt
he
l
ingeri
eIhaveundert heseclot
hes.

Marcusst
opswalki
ngandgr
unt
sashi
sbl
ood
begi
nstorushagai
n.
Mar
cus:Nadi
atl
hemmadon'
tdot
hist
ome.

Nadi
a:(
tur
nsandbi
tesherr
edl
iqui
dmat
tel
ips)
Whatdi
dIdo?

Marcus:Iam theonewhoshouldbepunishingyou.
Nottheotherwayaround.Nowyouhaveme
wanti
ngtot el
lthepast
ortogett
othelastpartj
ust
soIcangethomeandr i
pthosecl
othesoff.

Nadi
agiggl
esandwalksaway.Herushesoverand
put
shishandbackonherwaistasi
fsendinga
cl
earmessaget
hatthesexywomaninblack
bel
ongstohim.

Oneoft heJoj
odol l
s,Ariei
nparti
cular,r
aisesher
eyebrowshockedbywhatshei sseeing.Shehad
heardrumorsthatMar cuswasmar ri
edandseei ng
theri
ngt hi
smorningleftherf
eeli
ngsucker
punched.Butnowseei nghi sar m ar
oundDi keledi
's
wai stwhoal sohadar i
ngwi tharockt hesi
zeofa
fisthasherf eel
inghoti nside.Shest aresatthem
unt i
ltheygoandt aketheirseat sunderthefami l
y
tent .Sheseesthatal otoft heVanGr aan'
slook
happyt oseeNadi aandkeeppat t
inghershoulderin
gr eeti
ng.Oneoft heJoj ovet eranspokesher .

Amy:(
whi
sper
s)Heel
a.I
sthatNadi
a?

Ar
ie:(r
oll
shereyes)Nadi
aor
ayamang?That
's
Di
keledi
.

Amyr
aisesherbr
owsandt
urnst
oanot
herdol
l.

Amy:Naar
edoyouseeNadi
asi
tt
ingnextt
oMrVan
Gr
aan?

Ni
cky:Gi
rlIt
houghtkeamot
shwant
shanya!(
I
t
houghti
twasn'
tact
ual
lyher
)Di
dyouseet
hathai
r?

Amy:(smi
les)i
fitf
lowsl
ikewat
er,
yourknowi
t'
s
gott
hepaper.

Theygi
ggl
eannoyi
ngAr
ie.

Ar
ie:Leatl
ihodi
aremophi
tl
hong.(
yout
woar
e
makingnoi
se)

Theyr
oll
sthei
reyesandgi
ggl
e.

Ni
ckey:Andt
hen?

Amy:Sheisfeel
inggil
ted.Aker
eyour
emembert
hat
oneni
ghtstandele.

Ni
ckeyl
aughscover
inghermout
hwi
thher
gor
geousl
ymani
cur
ednai
ls.

May: (
frowns)Heel
angtl
henglearetena.(
youare
annoyingus)Shoul
dweaskt hepast
ortohandthe
ceremonyovertoyou?

Amy:Hei
shkanabonkukubaalapi
saah.
(
Grandmother
sar
esoexhaust
ing)

Theylaughthenlist
enasthepastorcont
inuest
o
encouragethefamil
yofthedeceasedwhokeep
wipi
ngt hei
rtear
s.

Mar cusputshisheaddownandl i
stensasi tfi
nall
y
si
nksi nthathismot heri
sgone.Shel ef
thimt oo
soonandwi t
hsomanyquest i
ons.Thet houghtof
nevergetti
ngt hoseanswershashim shakinghi s
head.Nadiahol dshishandandsqueezesi t.He
l
ooksatherandgi veshim asmil
eandmout hs'
it
's
goingtobeokay' .Hesmilesbackandr eali
zeshow
ri
ghtshei
s.Ever
ythingISgoi
ngtobefine.Hej
ust
hadtomakepeacewi t
hhispastl
ikeshehasand
moveonwithhisli
fe.

Theceremonygoesonandevent
ual
lyt
hebur
iali
s
completed.

MC:Thankyoual
lforbei
ngher etohel
pusl ayour
sist
ertor
est
.Wewillbeheadinghomef or
refr
eshment
snowandaf t
erthatyouareallfr
eeto
l
eave.

Thecrowddisper
sesandMar cusi
si nali
ghter
moodwhenhewal ksovertohisunclescarwhil
e
holdi
ngNadi
a.Uncl eGerhar
dseest heman'schest
outandheadheldhighandchucklesast heywalk
overtohi
m.

Hi
swi
fe:whatar
eyoul
aughi
ngat
?
UncleGer
har
d:Iam pr
ett
ysureheiscomi
ngt
otel
l
ustheywon'
tgowit
husf orl
unch.

Hiswife:(
chuckl
es)Canyoublamet heman?No
honeymoonandhi swifewentMIA.Iremember
whenyouwer ejustl
ikethatwi
thme.Ihadyou
wrappedaroundmypi nkey.

Hel
aughsandki
sseshersl
ight
lywr
inkl
escheek.

Uncl
eGer
har
d:Youst
il
ldo.

MarcusandNadi
agr
eett
hem t
henMar
cusr
ubshi
s
bear
d.

Marcus:Oom,tanni
eClar
a.(uncl
e,aunti
eCl
ara)I
thi
nkwear egoingt
ohavetoleave.Nadi
ahet'n
hoofpyn.(
Nadiahasaheadache)
Tanni
eCl
ara:(
frownsmiles)Oh?Icangi
veyou
somepai
nmedsNadi a.Youdon'thavet
ogohome.

Nadi
a:(
Sur
pri
sed)Ma?

Tanni
eCl
ara:Meds,
foryourheadache.

Nadi
a:(l
ooksisatMarcusthenshakesherhead)
Nothankyou.Idon'
tli
ketosel
fmedicat
e.

AuntCl
ara:of
cour
seyoudon'
tmi
eki
nd(
mychi
ld)

Theysayt
hei
rgoodbyesandwal
kaway.

Nadia:Ican'
tbeli
eveyouli
edaboutmeandspoke
i
nAf ri
kaansjustsoIdon'
tunder
standwhatyouar
e
sayi
ng.
Mar
cus:(
laughs)Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshewoul
daskyou.

Nadi
a:Shedi
dthatbecauseshedi
dn'
tbel
ieveyou!

Marcus:No!Ift
heydon'tbel
ievemetheni
t'
s
becauseofthatheadshakeofyour
s.Whatwast
hat
?

Theyconti
nuethei
rbackandfour
thlaughingas
theydri
vehome.Marcuswouldn'
tletNadi
agoand
gethercarsayi
nghewouldhaveLucabr i
ngiti
na
fewhours.

Theyfi
nal
lyarr
iveaft
eral
if
ethr
eateni
ngdri
ve
whereMarcushadonehandonthewheeland
anot
herdi
ggingint
oNadia'
spant
ies.

Whentheygeti
ntot
hehouse,Mar
cusstopsand
l
ooksatthebar
ewalli
nthel
ivi
ngroom i
nshock.
Mar
cus:(
frowns)t
hef
u-

Nadia:Rel
ax.I
t'
swasme.Ineedediti
nthe
bedroom f
orsomethi
ng.Weneedtohavespeaker
s
i
nt hatr
oom Marcus.

Marcus:(
givesherawi
erdl
ook)Youdi
smount
eda
TV?

Nadi
a:(
unbutt
onshershi
rtt
henwal
ksawaysl
owly)
Arewegoi
ngtogetint
osemanti
csorar
eyougoi
ng
t
ogetwhatyouareowed?

Shedropstheshi r
tonthef loorthenstopstosli
de
outofherski
rt.Allsheisleftwithisabarel
ythere
redl
inger
ieandt heredbot tom heelst
hathave
Marcusexcit
edashef ol
lowsbehi ndheralso
l
eavingatrai
lofclothesbehi ndhim.Shestops
agai
nandsl i
desoutofherpant ybendingallt
he
waydownt ogiveMar cusf ullvi
ewofhi st
reasure
chest.Hi
sdi cki
salreadyoutandr
eadyforher.He
tr
iestotouchherbutshespankshishandand
walksintothebathr
oom whereshedropsherbra.

Marcus:(
wit
hadeepvoi
ce)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
j
aanong?

Shetakeshershowercapandst
uff
sherwigi
n
befor
esteppi
ngintot
heshowerwhichf
urt
her
fr
astr
atesMarcus.

Nadi
a:(
usesherf
ingert
ocal
lhi
m)Comeandj
oin
me.

Mar
cus;Can'
twebat
haf
ter
?

Nadiashakesherheadandstepsundertherunni
ng
waterl
ett
ingitcool
herbodyoff.Mar
cusget si
nto
t
heshowerandst andsbehi
ndNadia.Hisdick
pokesherbacksoshemovesf
orwar
ds.

Nadia:
Youcan'
ttouchmeyetbaby.Fornowyou
watchanddon'
teventouchyour
sel
feit
her.

Mar
cus:(
wit
hhoodedeyes)Nadi
atl
hemma.

Shesmi l
esandf aceshi
m whi l
eleaningagainstthe
wall.Shel i
ft
sherlegovertheshowerheadhol der
thenbegi nstotouchhersel
fwhi l
elookinghi
m dead
i
nt heeyewat chi
nghischestri
seandf all
.She
opensherpussyl i
psexposingherpinkf l
esh
maki nghim mut t
erunderhisbreathassheinser t
s
herfingerandmovesi tinandoutofwhatheknows
i
st hewar mestandsweet estplacetobe.Het akesa
stept oweredher.

Nadi
a:(
breat
hingheavi
ly)Don'
tMar
cus.Wat
chme.
Shepullst
hesmal
lshowerheadandfi
xesittot
he
pressur
eshewant
sbefor
eaimingtooverhercl
it
.

Marcus:(
rubst
hist
hrobbi
ngdi
ck)Letmedoi
tfor
you.

Nadi
a:St
optouchingyour
selfMar
cusoryouar
en'
t
get
ti
nganyt
hing.Wil
lyougivemewhatIwant
?

Mar
cus:(
looki
ngatherpussy)what
?

Nadi
a:It
oldyouIwantt
heJoj
odol
lsMar
cus.Wi
ll
yougi
vethem t
ome?

Henodshi
sheadandshesmi
les

Sheswi
tchest
hewaterf
rom t
heoverheadshower
tot
heoneshehasi
nherhandandthewater
splashesoverhercl i
twhichhasherscr eami ngin
pleasureatcontact.Hereyesr ollbackasherbody
turnsali
ghtfr
om t hewaterbounci ngof fhercli
tas
shet i
restobalanceherselfbyhol dingthewal l
.The
l
ooksonherf acesendsMar cusovert heedgeand
hewal ksoverandgr absherhand.Theywal koutof
theshowerwi thNadiastil
lfeelingveryhor ny.He
carri
esherandpi nshertot hewal lguidinghisdick
toherpussy.

Nadi
a:(
wit
haheavyvoi
ce)Nother
e.Takemet
othe
bed.

Heobligesandl aysherdown.Sheget supand

pusheshi m downbeforecli
mbingont opofhi m and
ki
ssinghim whilerubbi
ngtheirwetbodiest oget
her.
Neit
heroft hem isbot
heredbycli
mbingi ntobedas
wetast heyarebecausethesheetwillsti
llgetwet
anyway..

Nadi
abr
eakst
heki
ssandt
urnsherbodyasi
ftodo
ther eversecowgi r
lbutinsteadshepushesherbut t
upandl ower sherheadoverhi sdickandhol dsthe
baset henmassagesi twi
thherot herhandbef or
e
takinghi mi nhermout hwhi l
egi vi
nghi mf ul
lveiwof
herpussy.Heput sanotherpill
owovert heonehi s
headwasr estingont henhehol dsherasscheeks
andspr eadst hem openwhi l
eenj oyingtheblowj ob
hei sget t
ingf rom hissexywi fe.Hebur ieshishead
betweenherpor tablebuttandbegi nstoli
ckand
toungef *ckherpussywhi leoccasi onal
lyrunning
hist ongueal ongherasscr ackwhi chmakesher
moanonhi sdick.Allthi
sget stoapoi ntwher ehe
pushesherdownandget sbehi ndher .Shequi ckly
l
iftsherbut twaiti
ngf orhisinvasionandhedoesn' t
disappoi nt.Hebl ocksherent ranceandpushes
himsel fintohermaki nghermaon- cry.

Nadi
a:sh*
tbabe.

Hebeginstomovehisl
engt
hinandoutofher.
Whenevershecan,
shesqueezesheri
nnerwal
ls
gri
ppi
nghisdi
ckwhichhashi
m gr
unt
ingwi
thhi
s
headt
hrownback.

Marcus:(
spanksherbut
t)yesj
ustl
iket
hat
!F*
ck
babe.

Hel owershi sheadandpl antsaki ssonher

shoulderasshemoansi ntothesheets.She
cl
utchest hesheet stightasshef eel
sitcoming.The
wavet hatwi l
lhaveherwhol ebodyshaki ngand
aching.Ithitsherandshecl utchesthesheetsand
cri
esoutashercl i
tthrobs.Mar cusreachesunder
andbegi nstof li
ckherbeant hewaysheal ways
doesandt hatlet'
sthet aploose.Herjuicesbeginto
tr
ickledownhi shandandt hi
ghsandont othe
sheetsasherbodyquakesandshakes.Justasshe
calmsdown, hepul l
soutandai mshi sdickbetween
herasscheeks.

Thereal
izati
onofwhati
sabouttohappenhi
tsher
butshei
st ooweaktopr
otestandherbodyi
ssti
ll
quaki
ng.Hereachesfort
hebabyoilonthedr
esser
andsqueezesi
tbetweenherasscheeks.

Nadi
a:(
wit
hagr
oggyvoi
ce)baby.
.

Marcus:(
massagesherholewit
hhist
humb)thi
s
oneispunishmentf
orwhatyouputmethr
ough.

Hepointshispussyj ui
cecoateddi
ckoverherhole
andbeginstopushi n.Shejer
ksherheadupand
tri
estomoveawaybuthehol dsherwiastand
pushesdeepertryi
ngt obeasgentleaspossi
bleas
hebeginstosli
deinandoutofher .Hermouthis
wideopenfeeli
ngapai nshehasneverexperi
enced
befor
easheranust riestoaccommodatehis
thi
ckness.

Marcus:(
grunti
ng)youar
emywi
feNadi
a.Doyou
under
standthat?
Shenodswi
thhermout
hst
il
lopen.

.Mar
cus:Neverl
eavemel
iket
hatagai
nam Icl
ear
?

Agai
nshenods.

Af t
erafewstr
okes,shebeginstoenjoythefeeli
ng
andbeginstomoan.Thatiswhenhesl i
desoutthen
i
ntoherpussythenbackt oheranus.Hedoest hi
sa
fewtimeswhil
eshemoansbef orefi
nall
yburi
es
himselfi
nherpussyandpul l
sherupsoherbacki s
onhischestgi
vinghim accesstohercli
tagai
n.He
rubsitashepumpshisseedi ntohermakingher
moanandquakei nanothersplashyorgasm.

Mar
cus:
(Br
eat
hingi
ntoherear
)F*
ckIl
oveyou.
Dot
her
ightt
hing.Li
ke,
commentandshar
e
[
08/
31,
18:
05] :Wi
gsandWeaves

I
nser
t100

Nadi
a

Marcuspul
lsoutofmeandpl opshi
mselfonthe
bednextt
omeaf teranot
hermindbl
owingsessi
on.
Hehasmebr eat
hingheavil
yandsweat
ingonwet
sheet
s.

Me:(wipi
ngmybr
ow)Wer
eal
lyneedt
ochanget
he
sheet
snow.

Marcus:(
chuckl
esandr ubsmysensit
ivecli
twhi
le
l
yingnexttome)Iam justgl
adIboughtthe
water
proofbedbecausejoh!
Ismackhi
schestwhi
lel
aughi
ng.

Marcus:Youst
il
lhaven'
ttol
dmewhatt
heTVi
s
doi
ngher e.

Me:Mxm Ihadaplanandyour
uinedi
tbycar
ryi
ng
mefrom t
heshowersoojel
we.

Mar
cus:Aot
lhemmadon'
tsayt
hat
.

Me:(giggl
ing)Wewi
llseel
ater
.Sobabehowsoon
canItakeover?

Mar
cus:t
akewhatovermyl
ove?

Me:huhMarcus,
youpr
omi
sedt
hatIcoul
dgett
he
Joj
odoll
s.
Marcus:(r
ubshisface)Thatwasunfai
rofyou
Nadia.Youcan'
taskforthi
ngsduri
ngsex.Youhave
t
heunf ai
radvant
age.

Me:(chuckl
ing)Asi
f!Youusei nt
imidati
onandIuse
whatIknowyouwant .That
'sthetoolinmyarsenal
andIint
endt ousei
tverywell
.

Helooksatmeandshakeshi
sheadwi
thasmi
leon
hi
sface.

Mar cus:Butbabe,Charel
denei
ssett ooverseeall
theJojodol l
sworldwi
deandAr i
ewillberunning
thi
ngsunderheri nBotswanabecauseshehad
beenJol ene'
ssecondforthepastt
hreeyear s.Then
othersecondswi l
ldothesameintheot her
countries.

Me:BabeIdon'
twantJoj
odol
lsi
nter
nat
ional
.I
wantt
heBot
swanaonehel
a.

Marcus:WhyNadia?Ihat
ethatbusi
ness.Why
wouldyouwantt
odoi t
?Ican'
thavemywi f
ebeing
aMadame.

Me:(sighing)Youneedt
otrustmebabe.Pl
ease
don'
tbr eakyourpr
omisetome.Thi
swillbeyour
weddinggi f
ttome.

Hesi
tsupandl
ooksatme.

Marcus:Ij
ustdon'
tunder
standwhyyouwantt
hem
Nadia.I
t'
snotli
keyouneedthemoney.

Me:(
smili
ng)Iwil
ltel
lyouaf
termyf
ir
stmeet
ing
wi
ththem.Ipromi
se.
Marcus:(
sighs)Fi
ne.Iwil
ltal
kt oCharel
deneto
handovereveryt
hingshehasont heBotswanagir
ls.
Shehadcalledameetingforthem nextweeksoyou
aregoi
ngtohavet oatt
endit.

Isitupandcli
mbont opofhim squeal
ingi
n
excit
ement.Ihughi
mt henbabykisshissul
king
mout h.

Me:(wit
hmyhandsar oundhisneck)Sowhenyou
sayIdon'tneedt
hemoney,areyousayingt
hatyou
don'
ttouchtheJojodol
lsmoney?

Marcus:(
shakeshishead)No.Thatwasmymum' s
busi
nessandIhaven'tt
akenmoneyf r
om hersi
nceI
wenttoUniver
sit
y.

Me:(
bit
ingmyl
ip)Goodt
hen.
Mar
cus:Let
'sgobathandat
tendt
hemeet
ingwi
th
mymother'
slawyer
………

Att
heAi
rpor
t

Aweeklat
er,
Mr sMorenawipeshertear
sandfans
herf
acemakingherbracel
etdangl
earoundher
wri
st.

MrMorena:(r
ubbi
ngherback)Don'
tcryli
kethis
Mmakgosi.Thi
sisourson'
sdream cometrue.

Shenodsherheadandhugshim.BogosiandKgosi
chestbumpwit
hthei
rli
tt
lebr
otherwi
shinghimluck.

Kgot
la:Ist
il
lsayyouarerunni
ngawaybecause
mjol
oogonyi si
tse.(
becauser
elat
ionshi
psdi
da
numberonyou)
Mor
enalaughsthenrubshisheadandpull
shimin
f
orahugbeforebreaki
ngitandlooki
ngathi
sfami
ly.

Mor ena:Thatmaybet ruebutt het hingi satt heend

oftheday, thi
si smeact uallypursuingmydr eams.I
willgett owor kinLondoni nt heAmbassador sf or
Bot swana' soffi
ce.Thenwhoknows, maybeIwi llbe
aDi plomati nfiveyearsormor e.Ilostal otthispast
yearandIhavecomet or eali
zet hatIl ost
somet hingprecioustome.Idon' tknowi fLea' s
miscar riagewasGod' swayofdel i
ver ingHi sf i
nal
puni shmentf orhowIendedt hingswi thNadi a.
(shrugs)Al lIknowi sthatitmademef i
nall
yaccept
apostIhavebeendecl i
ningf ormont hs.Ijustwi sh
mysonwoul dhavemadei ttodaysoIcoul dsay
goodbyet ohi m butIguessgopadi l
e.( t
ohi s
brot hers)Pleasetrytohavehi m overatyour
housesf orvisit
ssoIcanvi deocal lwi thhim.( looks
down)Iwi l
lprobablyonlyseehi m nextyear .

Hel
ooksathi
swat
chandsi
ghsbef
oregi
vinghi
s
mot
heronef
inalhug.

Morena:Thankyouguysf ort hefarewellpar

ty
yester
day.Iwasreal
lytouched.Iam goi ngtomiss
youguysandIhopeyoucanvi sitsoon.Itol
dyou
goreletl
ogobonamahat shesbur gkannaakere.(
I
tol
dyout hatyouwil
lseedifferentcountri
es
becauseofme)

Theyl
aughandhisfat
herr
ubshi
sheadandhugs
hi
m onelastt
ime.

Mr sMor ena:Iam veryproudofyoumyson.Iam

l
ooki ngforwardtothedayIwi l
lbetell
ingpeoplemy
soni sadiplomat.Youmayhavef ai
ledinthefamil
y
frontfornowbutdon' tgi
veuponl ove.Don'tl
ivei
n
regretoverlosi
ngNadi abecauseyout wower e
clearlynotmeantt obe.Someti
mesyoursoulmat e
i
sn'tmeantt obeyourspouse.That '
showl if
eis.
Maybeyourwi feiswaiti
ngforyouinLondon.Don't
closeyourhear tOK?
Morenanodsandkisseshercheekbeforeput
ti
ng
hi
sbagoverhisshoulder
.Heturnstoleavewhen
hehearsavoi
cethathashisheartski
ppingabeat
.

Let
lot
lo:Daddywai
t!

Het ur
nsaroundandseesLet lot
lorunningtowards
him wit
hLeat r
yingtocatchupwi t
hhi m.Morena
setshisbagdownandget sononekneer eadyfor
hissontojumpi nt
ohisar ms.Hewr apshisarms
aroundhim andgiveshim ati
ghthugf eel
ing
emot i
onal
.

Let
lot
lo:(
cryi
ng)Idon'
twantyout
ogodaddy.

Mor
enabr
eakst
hehugandl
ooksathi
sson'
sface
t
henwi
peshi
stear
s.
Morena:Don'
tcr ypapa.Iam goi
ngt obebackvey
soonandIwi l
lbringyoulot
sofpresents.Ormaybe
mummywi l
lletyoucomewi thunlceKgotl
aduri
ng
chri
stmas.

Hel i
ght
supandhugshi sfather.Mor enal
ooksat
Leaandmout hs't
hankyou'.Shenodsherheadand
giveshi
m asmi l
e.Knowi
ngt hathewasgoi ngaway
andwouldbeoceansawayi scomf orti
ngtoher
.
Getti
ngoverhim wi
llbemucheasi er.Herphone
ri
ngsandshewal ksawaytoansweri t.

Lea:Hi
.

DrMason:Ar
eyougoingtocancelonmeaft
er
bei
ngtheonewhosuggestedt
helunchwi
thour
ki
ds?

Lea:No.Ipr
omiseIam coming.Ij
usthadtopass
bytheair
portsoLet
lot
locanseehisfat
herbef
ore
hel
eavest
hecount
ry.

DrMason:oh…

Lea:Pl
easedon'
tovert
hinkit.I
t'
sjustf
ormyson.
MorenaandIareoverforrealnow.

DrMason:Ireal
lyhopesobecauseIam t
oogr
own
fort
hisgame.

Lea:Iwil
lbether
einlessthantenminut
esyoucan
placeandorderf
orus.JustgetLet
lot
lowhat
ever
Sofiai
sgett
ing.

DrMason:OK.Bye.

Shehangsupandsi
ghs.Thi
siswor
thashot
.
Morenagi
vesLetl
olooneofhi
sfavor
it
ewat
ches
andputsi
tonhisti
nywrist
.

Morena:Wheneveryoumi ssme, j
ustl
ookatthis
watchandknowt hatIam thi
nkingaboutyoutoo.
Youaret hemosti
mpor t
antpersoninmyl i
feand
everyt
hingIdoisforyouOK?

Henodsandsmileswhil
elooki
ngathistoobigfor
hi
swr i
stwat
ch.Morenagiveshi
m onelasthugand
st
andsuptowaveateveryonebefor
ewal ki
ng
away…..
.

Tl
otl
o

Isti
llcan'tbel
ievemybabygirlisamot her
.Herson
alr
eadyl ookschubbyaft
eraweekofbei ngbor
n.
Shecamet oourhouseandwi llbehereforsi
x
weekssoIcanhel pherwhil
eherstitchesheal
.Avi
ref
usedt oletmegot oherhousebecausehef elt
l
ikesi xweekswast ool ongsoher ewear e!Thesun
i
sset tingonabeaut if
uleveni ngandwear eseated
ont hebackpat i
owi thTyl erandAgapewat ching
LoagoandLeanobr aaiwi thYaonepl ayingon
Loago' sphone.Tehi ll
ahandYayaar ealsostanding
byt hebr aaistandwat chi ngthem.Bei ngteenager s
haschangedt hem.Theydon' tplayl i
ketheydi dlast
year .Theyl i
ter
all
ytoldust hattheirnewsyear
resol utionswer etoactl ikeclassyyoungwomen.
(eyer ol l
)Andt heywokeupont hef i
rstofJanuar y
talki
ngl iketheyhavel ivedf orthi
rtyyears.Theyno
l
ongerwantt oplaywi tht hei
ryoungersi bli
ngsand
theyar eal waysgigglingi nacor ner.Ihopet hey
turnoutt oberesponsi bleyoungwomen.

Abotl
e:(
runsoutoft
hehouse)DaddyNet
fl
ixi
s
ref
usi
ng!

Avi
:Why?(
looksatme)Babedi
dn'
tyoupayf
or
Net
fl
ix?
Me:Itoldyoupeoplet
hatIam goingtowat ch
tel
evi
sionforonemonth!Justone!Itookleavef
rom
myshopandIi ntendt
oenjoymysel fwit
hout
heari
ngpigsandMasha.

Hel
ooksatAbot
leandshr
ugs.

Abot
le:Butmama…

Me;Nope!

Abot
le:Mamat
lhemmapl
ease!

Me:Fi
ne!Justaweek.Akolel
ebeNi
ckel
odeonao!
(
JustwatchNickel
odeon)

Hesul
ksandwal
ksbackt
othehouse.
Me:SoAgape,
anyplansforyourweddi
ng
anni
ver
sar
y?It
'snextweekAkere?

AgapelooksatTyl
erandbl
ushesasher
ockst
hei
r
sontosleep.

Agape:Wewer eact
uall
ythi
nki
ngofgoingt ot
he
Okavangof oraweekandwewant edtoleavethe
kidshere.Wewi l
lobvi
ousl
ytakeTJthough.The
thoughtofleavi
ngmysevenmont holdgivesme
anxiet
y.

Tyl
er:
shedidn'
tevenwantt
ogosot
hisi
sa
compromi
seIchoosetoaccept
.

Me:t
hat'
ssosweet .Andofcour
sewewil
lwatch
t
hekidsbecauseyouaregoingt
ohavet
oreturnt
he
f
avorsoon.
Avihol
dsmyhandandki
ssesi
t.

Agape:oh?Goi
ngsomewher
e?

Me:Wel l,
sincesomeofusl uckedouti nthe
husbanddepar tment ,
yourbrothergottir
edof
heari
ngmet alkaboutmymummyandmest or
eso
hetalkedmei ntoust akingabusinessloansoi na
mont h,wewi l
lbetouringEuropeonoursavi ngs
beforegoingtoTur keythenThailandforstock.(
I
giggl
e)Idon'tthinkthereisapersonal i
veas
excit
edasIam r ightnow.Wehavebeent al
king
abouttravel
ingforyear sbutourfinancesnever
all
owedust osonow, wearefi
nallygoingtodoi t
!

Agape:Nxaaaw.
.

IhearTl
amel o'
sbabycr
yingsoIstanduptogo
checkonthem.AshappyasIam r i
ghtnow,Inever
for
gettothankmyluckystar
sthatmyhusbandhas
noclueIoncest eppedoutonhi m becausethat
wouldhaveendedal lthatIhavenow.BogosiandI
don'tspeakanymor e,becausewer eal
lydon'
thave
to.Allourchi
ldr
enar egr ownandt hereisnothi
ng
l
efttosayt oeachot her.IcanonlyhopeIr emain
thi
shappyandcont entf oral
lmydays…….

Att
heJoj
odol
l
sheadquar
ter
s

Theladi
essitinthebasementofJolene'
sfavor
it
e
houseli
steni
ngtoAr iewhoisstandi
nginfr
ontof
them wi
thatabletthatshei
sclutchi
ngtoherchest
.

Arie:Thankyoual lf
orcomi ng.Iknowi t'
sbecause
ofsadnewst hatIam standinginfrontofyoul i
ke
thi
sbutwehavenochoi cebutt omoveon.
Char el
dene, Jolene'
sniece,wil
lbeover seeing
everythingbutIam i nchargeoft heBotswana
groupsoal lIcandoi saskforyourcompl ete
cooper ati
onasyourwoul dhavewi thJolene.
Shecont
inuest
otal
kandgi
vet
hem updat
es……

I
ntheof
fi
ceupst
air
s.

Nadiapagest
hrought
hef
il
esandqui
ckl
yli
ft
sher
head.

Nadi
a:Char
eldene!50mi
ll
ionpul
a?I
sthi
sreal
?

Charel
dene:(
laughs)asr ealasyouandme.Thi sis
nothi
ngcompar edtotheSout hAfr
icanbooks.Your
eyeswouldpopout .Sexsell
s.That'
swhyJol ene
neverqui
t.

Nadi
a:wow!Iam j
ustshocked!

Char
eldene:Sowi
llyour
econsi
deryourpl
ant
hen?
Nadi
a:(
shakesherhead)NoChay.Thi
sis
somet
hingIhavet
odo.

Charel
dene:OK.Doyousi s!Ij
ustknowIbecamea
mult
ibill
ionai
reinaweeksoyoubet terbeli
eveIam
goi
ngt oflour
ishjustasTannieJolenewoul dhave
wanted.Theonlyr easonwhyshedi dn'
tleaveitto
Marcuswasbecausehe' sneverwantedanyt hi
ngto
dowi t
hthebusiness.

Theyf
ini
shupt hei
rdi
scussi
onbefor
eNadiagoes
downtothebasemantaft
erseei
ngChar
eldeneof
f.

Ari
e:Sot
hatbei
ngsaid,
oneofyoui
sgoi
ngt
ohave
t
ofindanewrecr
uitt
orepl
aceme.

Thecli
ckofherheelsi
sheardfr
om i
nsidethe
basementandtheladi
esl
ookatthestai
rsasapai
r
ofcri
spwhit
epantsdescend.Ar
iefr
ownswhenshe
seesNadiawalkovertothem inawhit
ebody
huggi
ngjumpsuitthataccentuat
eshermedi
um
si
zedhipswit
hhernat uralhai
rstyl
edi
nabun.

Nadi
awal
ksoverandst
andsnextt
oAr
ie.

Nadia:(smi
les)HiArie!It'
ssogoodt oseeyouaft
er
solong.(wavesatthel adies)Hil
adies!Wow!I
for
gotwhatar oom fulloff i
ft
ygorgeouswomen
l
ooksl i
ke.

Theladiescl
apt
hei
rhandswi
thhugesmi
leson
thei
rfaces.

Ar
ie:Umm…Wear
eki
ndofi
nthemi
ddl
eofa
meeti
ng.

Nadi
a:(
smi
les)Iknow.Thi
sismymeet
ing.
Ar
ie:(
rai
sesherbr
ow)Excuseme?

Nadi
a:(gi
ggl
es)oh.Di
dn'
tChar
eldenet
ellyou?Iam
i
nchargenow.

Ari
efeel
sasuddenacidbui
ldupi
nherchestasshe
t
ri
estoholdhercomposur
e.

Nadia:Youcant
akeaseatshnukams.Ihavean
announcementt
omake.

Ari
ebit
esheri
nnerl
ipandsi
tsdownwi
thar
aci
ng
hear
t.

Nadia:Hel
loagai
nbeauti
full
adies.Li
keIjustsaid,
I
am inchargeoft
hisgr
oupofdol l
sandIhavecome
toadecisi
on.WhenIlookaroundthisroom,Isee
somewomenwhoIusedt owor kwithandIknow
forsuret
hatmydecisi
oncouldn'tbemor er
ight.I
am goi ngt ogi veeachofyoul adiesP300000as
wel lasal lthemoneyyouwi llmakei nt heirnextsi
x
mont hs.Taket hi
sasyourempl oyergi vingyou
not i
ce.( theladieslookateachot heri nshock)I fI
remembercor rectly, Joleneal wayswant edhergir
ls
togr owandencour agedl eavi ngt hetradet obett
er
yourl if
ebutyourar eal lstil
lher eandt hisi sacause
forconcer n.It
'snotr ighttol i
veyourwhol eli
feasa
sexobj ectformenl adies.Youcanbebet t
eranddo
bet t
er.Maybeyougotcomf ortablebutt hereare
otherwaysofmaki ngmoneyoutt here.MostofYou
alreadyhaveanaudi enceonsoci almedi a.Do
somet hingaboutt hat .Taket hemoneyIwi l
lbe
givingyout omakesomet hingofyour sel ves
becauseyoucan' tbeaJoj odol lforever .

Amyr
aisesherhand.

Nadi
a:yes…i
t'
sAmyr
ight
?

Amy:(
nods)Yesi
tis.Ij
ustneedt
ocl
ari
fy.Ar
eyou
sayingthatforthenextsi
xmont
hs,
ifImake20ka
night,
it'
sallmine?

Nadi
a:(nodsherhead)Yesbuti nordertoactual
l
y
makeitsomethi
ngfeasible,
youwi l
lonlygetyour
nor
malcutattheendoft henight,
thentherestwill
bekepttotopupyour300k.

Theladi
esstar
tchat
ti
ngandgi
ggl
ingamongst
themsel
ves.

Nadia:I
ftherearenomorequestionsr
ightnow,
I
wil
lbeintheofficef
oranhour.Anyonecancome
seemei ftheyneedpri
vat
eclari
ty.

Shet ur
nsandwalksout
.Af ewmi
nut
eslater
,the
offi
cedooropensandAri
ecomesmarchingin.She
sl
amst hetabl
etonthet
ablemaki
ngNadiaraiseher
brows.
Nadi
a:Andt
hen?

Ari
e:Whatt
hehel
lwasthat
?Wher
edoyougetof
f
shut
ti
ngdownJoj
odoll
s?

Nadia:(
smi
les)What?It
houghtyouwouldbehappy.
Thatmoneycanhelpyouchangeyourl
if
e.

Arie:Thef *cki twil

l!Wherei
sChareldene?Ineedto
tal
kt oherbecauseIdon' tknowhowyouar eeven
i
nvol vedint his.Thisisnoneofyourbusiness.I
broughtyoui ntothisgameandyoul eft!Sowhat
thef* ckareyoudoi nghereact
ingallmadam
super ior
?

Nadia:(movest hechairbackandput sonel egover

t
heot her)Idon'
tblameyouf orthi
nkingyoucant al
k
t
omeokar eomopi tlatr
ineing(asifyouareinapit
l
atri
ne).(chuckl
esandt wirlsherri
ngar ound)you
t
hinkIam st i
llt
henaivef i
rstyearyoumani pulat
ed
i
ntobecomi ngaJojodollwhil
eclaimingyouwantt
o
betheworld'sbestmother.Iam notthatgi
rl
anymoreAref a.(
li
ft
shereyesandl ooksherdeadi
n
theeye.
)Iam Mr sNadiaVanGr aan…

THEEND!
!!
!

Wellnotr
eall
y.500li
kes,100comment sand50
sharesby3pm fora,
surpri
seannouncement.